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A PUBLIC community forum is being held in Krambach on Wednesday, July 2.

Greater Taree City Councillors will be at the School of Arts Hall in Krambach from 6pm to 7.30pm to discuss issues important across the area and the Manning Valley.

The forum will be an opportunity to meet and greet councillors, who will be in attendance to respond to topics raised by residents, businesses, and community groups.

“We look forward to highlighting and responding to topics important to the communities, from Nabiac and Krambach to Dyers Crossing, Firefly and more,” said Cr Robyn Jenkins, acting mayor.

If you have topics important to you, please e-mail [email protected] no later than Friday, June 27.

Councillors will endeavour to have the correct information on-hand at the forum.

The Krambach School of Arts is located on the Bucketts Way in the heart of Krambach.

Please see thetaree.cc/councillors web page for councillor contact information, or call on 6592 5399.

This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.

CRONULLA has had no official word from the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) as of yesterday (Wednesday).

Sharks chief executive Steve Noyce said the club has not been contacted.

“There has been no contact as yet from ASADA,” Mr Noyce said. “The investigation is still continuing.”

The Sharks last December were handed a $1 million fine and their coach Shane Flanagan was suspended for 12 months by the NRL, in regard to alleged anti-doping rule breaches in seasons 2010, 2011.

– In other club news, Canterbury hooker Michael Ennis, who lives in the shire, has signed with the Sharks for the 2015-16 seasons.

A Leader website reader Rob Mayne posted his comment yesterday about Paul Gallen’s story of how the ASADA investigation has played emotional havoc with the players and their families.

“Everyone is asking why has the great name of the Sharks been destroyed why has it gone this far whose fault is it; ASADA Sharks management or recent players?

“Is anyone going to come clean and try and resurrect the club or do we keep heading towards oblivion?

“What’s the use of having money if you have a bad name?”

This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.

Strong bond: Jett Turner and Keellan Milinkovic at Sutherland Aquatic Centre. Picture: Jane DysonCRONULLA Water Polo Club players Jett Turner and Keellan Milinkovic have a special bond beyond their sporting endeavours.

Two angels will be watching from above as the teenagers play in August for the Australian Youth under-15s team tour of Belgrade.

The 10-nation, Memorial Darko Cukic Tournament, is on August 13-18.

Jett, 15, of Caringbah, and Keellan, 14, of Oyster Bay, have experienced sadness during the past year.

Jett’s father David died in 2013 and Keellan’s mother Taryn died in 2012.

Both boys’ parents would be proud to see how their sons have stayed positive to do so well.

“This is my first time in the Australian team,” Keellan said.

Jett said it would be his first selection for the national under-15s team to head overseas.

Both boys have been mates through Cronulla Water Polo Club since they started there at seven.

Keellan is a year 9 student at Kirrawee High School and Jett is in year 10 at Cronulla High School.

“We’re good mates through Cronulla Water Polo Club,” Jett said.

Both Dave Turner and Taryn Milinkovic will be cheering the boys in Belgrade.

This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.

THE Port Lincoln City Council has flagged plans to borrow $10.2 million over the next two years to pay for a new indoor aquatic facility if it goes ahead with the project.

The Port Lincoln City Council has adopted its Long Term Financial Plan for the next 10 years.

The forecast borrowings are included in a new long term financial plan adopted by the council on Monday night.

The plan looks at the council’s projected revenue and expenses over the next 10 years and how it will achieve its objectives, which are based on its existing strategic directions document and a new infrastructure and asset management plan, also adopted on Monday night.

The plan gives an indication of the rate increases Port Lincoln ratepayers can expect over the next decade starting with 6.4 per cent in the next financial year.

A 6 per cent rise is forecast for 2015/16 followed by 5 per cent rises for the next three years until 2019/20 when the increase is reduced to 4.5 per cent, then to 4 per cent from 2021/22.

In the years to 2016/17, the transition to full cost recovery on the waste/recycling service will be completed and in 2015/16 the introduction of an additional $35 fixed charge amount is included, to cover the likely operating costs of an indoor aquatic facility if it proceeds.

These charges are on top of general rate revenue.

Borrowings of $4.2 million and $6 million are included in 2014/15 and 2015/16, primarily driven by the capital cost of the potential indoor aquatic facility project, based on a 20-year loan and 5 per cent interest rate.

However, the plan forecasts the borrowings being reduced to $1.8 million by 2024 as cash balances allow early repayments.

The council’s chief executive Rob Donaldson said the “manageable” planned borrowings and rate revenue increases “settling at 5 per cent or lower” were sustainable and responsible funding and strategies to meet the community’s needs and aspirations.

Mr Donaldson said it was “pleasantly surprising” how quickly the council could revert back to rate rises of 5 per cent and below.

He said there would be some “hard years” in the meantime as the council progressed toward full cost recovery for waste and recycling services and if it borrowed money for an aquatic facility, but “we very quickly get into what I think it a very satisfactory financial plateau”.

Councillor Mick Bascombe voted against adopting the long term financial plan, which he said would move the council “very swiftly” into an unsustainable position.

“In 2016/17 we’ll be over $10 million in debt with a city with 8000 something rateable properties.”

Mr Bascombe said the proposed rate rises combined with additional charges equated to an 80 per cent increase for ratepayers over the next 10 years, which was not fair, particularly when compared with a rate rise of only 30 per cent from 2000 to 2010.

“This plan is proposing to go into massive debt and there’s no way I’ll have anything to do with it.”

Councillor Neville Starke said the decade Mr Bascombe mentioned “was a period when very little was done in this city” and the future looked brighter.

Councillor Peter Jolley said the council acknowledged the work previous councils had done but there was no point comparing eras.

“We’re in an age of compliance, we simply can’t do the old business we used to without paying enormous amounts of money.

“The rules have changed and I think this is a responsible budget along those lines.”

Councillor Danny Bartlett said he shared some of Mr Bascombe’s concerns about the level of debt, “but ultimately our decisions are budget by budget”.

“I would almost say (the plan) presents a worst case scenario.”

He said whether or not the council ended up borrowing $10 million was yet to be decided.

Councillor Malcolm Catt said he felt like the council had been “flying blind” for a number of years and it was good to know where it was going: “hopefully we get there”.

The long term financial plan will be reviewed every year after the council’s budget is adopted.

This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.

Individual self-interest is at the heart of much of the dark side of institutions. 

We are going through very dark times indeed, observing the dark side of too many institutions and individuals on a regular basis. It is no exaggeration to say that almost no institution in Australian society, public or private, left or right, big or small has been left untouched.

My focus is the current major inquiries into aspects of Australian life by royal commissions and/or the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The list is a long one, including five major subjects of investigation. Each of the inquiries is broad.  Most have called numerous witnesses to public hearings. No final reports have yet been issued but the preliminary findings and the content of public hearings all point towards damning conclusions.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is currently sitting in Canberra. Previous inquiries have been held in Melbourne and Newcastle. Its focus has been on the Marist Brothers in particular and the Catholic Church in general. But previous hearings have focussed on the shortcomings of government-run institutions as well as other churches. There have been hearings on the Salvation Army, the Scouts and the YMCA among other organisations. Police and the legal profession have also been implicated. Half or more of the Australian community has an association and/or identification with these institutions.

The NSW Independent Commission against Corruption has been sitting in Sydney to examine a number of cases involving criminal and/or unethical behaviour in public life. It has implicated both sides of major party politics, probably more so the previous state Labor government but Liberals, too. Several former ministers have been implicated in large-scale corruption and many others, including MPs, lobbyists, fund-raisers and party officials have been condemned for their association with dubious if not criminal behaviour. A dark underside to public life has been revealed.

The Royal Commission into Trade Union Union Governance and Corruption is sitting in Melbourne, investigating alleged corruption in many parts of the official labour movement. The unions involved in public hearings so far include the Australian Workers Union and the Health Services Union. Major public figures, including former prime minister Julia Gillard, have been the subject of allegations from former union officials. The enquiry has cast a pall over an institution (trade unions) which still claims up to 20 per cent of the workforce as past or present members. At least one major company is involved.

An ABC Four Corners report recently cast further light into the long-running enquiries into sexual harassment and abuse within the Australian Defence Force. Investigations are ongoing under the leadership of Justice Len Roberts-Smith, chairman of the Defence Abuse Response Taskforce. There have been several damning reports over the past decade and allegations of hundreds of unresolved cases. It is probable that some of those implicated are still serving in positions of authority. Many believe there should be a royal commission and some even want the Australian Defence Force Academy shut down. Roberts-Smith reckons sexual abuse in the Defence Force, an institution with which most Australians identify in one way or another, is much greater than has ever been publicly acknowledged.

The royal commission into the previous Labor federal government’s home insulation scheme has investigated the role of ministers, public servants and the private sector in the administration of a scheme that led to four deaths. Former prime minister Kevin Rudd has appeared to defend his stewardship of the program, as have other former ministers and public servants. The program itself was implemented by many large and small businesses within the private sector.

These inquiries all receive plenty of publicity but that focus tends to be narrow. Reporters have their specialities and very few reports join the dots between the inquiries. Readers, sometimes driven by partisanship, have their pet guilty parties.

As a consequence the light is shone in turn on individual institutional targets: federal governments; state governments; the churches; welfare agencies; trade unions; the military; big business; small business; lobbyists; political parties; the police, and so on.

There are common themes, however, which reflect on Australian society as a whole, including politics and many of our major institutions. The stories that emerge are not just about a few bad apples but about dysfunctional institutions. These institutions have cultural problems. Invariably they lack transparency and defend their own self-interest. Senior office-holders have abused public trust and the trust of their members. Of course, all of these institutions also distinguish themselves by the good they do in and for the community. But that is not the point.

There is no easy solution to this institutional criminality and malfunction which indirectly touches nearly all of us, but three general points should be made.

We should be looking beyond individual commissions of inquiry and particular guilty institutions. The facts must be established. Criminal actions should be punished. No one in high office, whether they be ministers, chief executive officers, archbishops or generals should be protected or spared. Nevertheless the bigger picture of cultural dysfunction is ultimately more important, particularly if history is not to be repeated.

Second, government should not be made the scapegoat. Nor is stronger government the solution to better individual behaviour, no matter how much the law is enforced or new regulations introduced to manage public and private institutions.

Finally, human nature is central. Individual self-interest is at the heart of much of the dark side of institutions. The problems are so widespread that no one political, religious or social philosophy has the answer. We can’t just push the blame onto our political, religious or social opponents. Very few of us can be absolved from contributing in some part to the cultural understandings within which these abuses flourish.

John Warhurst is an emeritus professor of political science at the Australian National University

[email protected]

This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.

Bindi Irwin’s 16th birthday celebrations may not be so sweet, thanks to an old family rift, if reports are to be believed.

Grandfather Bob Irwin confirmed he won’t be attending the event at Australia Zoo next month. Rather, he’ll be more than 2000 kilometres away, working on a crocodile conservation project.

”In actual fact I’ll be in Cape York, so I won’t be there,” Bindi’s grandfather told 9 Stories.

The family had a public falling out in 2008 when the 74-year-old quit his job at Australia Zoo. Staff claimed he was upset about the commercial direction his son’s wife Terri seemed to be taking the zoo.

In 2010, after suffering a heart attack, he told the Daily Telegraph he had not been visited by his grandchildren.

”I haven’t heard from them [Bindi and Robert] and it is sad but that is a part of life, I guess,” Irwin said at the time.

His grandchildren were in Los Angeles for the launch of Free Willy::Escape from Pirate’s Cove, which starred Bindi.

The family released a statement through Australia Zoo wishing Irwin all the best.

”It has been a worrying time, but Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin and the entire Australia Zoo family are relieved that Bob is now doing well,” the statement said. ”Knowing Bob, he’s as tough as nails and will be back on his feet in no time.”

The conservationist wouldn’t tell the Nine Network if he sees his grandchildren often, but he said he does ”[keep] in contact with family members on a regular basis”.

”I think Terri’s done a great job with those children, she’s had to raise them herself,” Irwin said, in rare praise of his daughter-in-law.

”They are well-adjusted children – they have a good background with their dad. Nobody could be more down to earth than Steve was. They’ve got a great future ahead of them.”

He says he has plenty of admiration for the conservation work his grandchildren are doing. ”I’m really excited about the projects they are involved in,” Irwin said.

Bindi is also excited about her upcoming plans, and says she’s ”looking forward to tackling the bigger issues facing our world today” after her 16th birthday.

She wants to bring conservation issues into public discussion.

”The non-consumptive use of wildlife and over human population tend to be topics that are not openly discussed and until we start talking about these issues, we can’t create positive change,” Bindi said.

She is studying a Certificate III in Business and Tourism at Tafe, and says she wants to use it to help her mum manage the zoo.

She says she’s not done with television and movies yet either. ”I also hope to continue my film work in order to spread my message of conservation. I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for me.”

A public birthday bash is planned at the Zoo on Bindi’s birthday, July 24. There is an open invite to the animal onesie-themed event, which will include a giraffe jumping-castle and face painting.

A low-key family event will follow the public party.

Bindi, who has been in the public eye since birth, seems sedate about the celebration, telling Nine: ”I plan to spend my birthday with my family, Chinese take-out and a good book.”

This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.

With her grandson Andrew Charter playing in the Hockey World Cup, resident Lorna White has spent more than few cold nights in front of the TV watching and is hoping he gets selected for the Commonwealth Games. Picture: Declan RurengaTHE World Cup match between Australia and the Netherlands captured plenty of attention across the world this morning, but for one Junee resident Australia are already champions.

Junee resident Lorna White was up at the crack of dawn to see her grandson Andrew Charter play in the Hockey World Cup grand final.

“I’ve spent a few nights in front of the television, I’ll set an alarm, go to sleep and wake up to see the games,” she said.

The final match was between Australia and the Netherlands with the Kookaburras winning 6-1.

While he wasn’t born in Junee, Andrew’s mother was and he spent a considerable part of his youth with his grandparents.

“He loved spending time in the country,” Mrs White said.

“His mother always played hockey for Junee and district and Andrew used to play soccer when he was little,” she said.

When he was just eight years old, he was asked to fill in for his sister’s hockey team and while initially hesitant he was eventually convinced to play.

“Then he played the following week and was put in as goalie; he did very well,” she said.

At his second game he was spotted by a hockey coach and Mrs White said his family was told he’d do well in the future.

Mrs White was incredibly excited when Australia were given the World Cup on Tuesday morning.

“The commentators were talking about how they thought he was the best goalie of the tournament, he only let three goals in throughout the competition.”

After their third consecutive World Cup, the Kookaburras’ focus will turn to the Commonwealth Games in July.

“I’m hoping he gets selected for the Commonwealth Games,” Mrs White said.

This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.

THE SE is hosting an Australian championship motorsport event on June 21-22.

The Australian Off road Championships are moving to the Coonawarra for two days of racing in the forests just off the border outside Penola in the cabernet centre of Australia.

Luke Bunnik competes at an earlier South Australian Off Road Championship event in Pinnaroo.

The best off road motorcycle racers in Australia and some of the best in the world are travelling to compete in round seven and eight of the national championships.

Off road motorcycle racing is contested in natural terrain with motorcycle racers competing against the clock in a high speed pursuit of skill and endurance designed to test ability, fitness and endurance.

Predominantly based around the eastern coast of Australia, the off road competition is supported by industry heavyweights in the motorcycle fraternity with Yamaha, KTM and Husqvarna all represented with factory support.

The SE has a strong representation in the SA Off Road Championships. Every year SA hosts a round of the national championships in a combined state event.

This year rounds three and four of the State championship will mix it with rounds seven and eight of the national calendar.

This will put the best and the rest of SA’s off road racers head to head with national competition on the same day on the same course.

Off road racing is unique in that all competitors race the same course at the same time, riders are graded on their ability and start in order from the fastest to slowest.

This form of motorsport is one of the few in the world where the fastest professional athletes in the world line up with everyday riders, same tracks, same challenges and the same results page.

With the welcome support of the Pacific Pine Plantation Company and Wattle Range Council the back drop for this event will be pristine pine forests, 12km from Penola on the Dergholm road.

The course is open and set with an arena start in a disused quarry where spectators will have open access to the course.

Jemma Wilson and Jess Gardiner are flying back from Europe to compete; they are two members of last year’s world winning number one women’s off road team who raced for Australia in the ISDE.

Also among the riders will be Toby Price, recently victorious in the Finke Desert Race.

Off road motorcycle racing has a strong history and healthy representation from riders in the SE among those competing in this event.

These include Mount Gambier’s Anthony Greene who is currently fourth in the Australian Off Road Championships Veterans class, Mike Widdison who is currently leading the Veterans SA Off Road Championship class and Jade Tiller currently second in the SA Off Road Championships women’s class.

Luke and Matt Bunnik both of Naracoorte also compete: Luke is leading the C1 class with Matt currently third in the Junior J2 class. They are among many locals competing this weekend.

The event will be signposted 12km from Penola on the Dergholm road, racing runs from about 9am to 3pm Saturday and 9am to 2pm Sunday.

Entry is $5 per person with children under 14 free, with catering available. It’s not often that a motorsport event of this calibre comes to the SE so check it out and enjoy the racing.

This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.

IN FAVOUR: Dr Anthony Brown spoke in favour of adding fluoride to Molong’s water supply at Tuesday’s information session. Photo: CONTRIBUTEDAFTER what she describes as more than four years of frustrating lobbying and stalling from Cabonne Council, Rural Dental Action Group advocate Marj Bollinger is satisfied fluoride could be added to Molong’s water “in the not so distant future”.

Mrs Bollinger attended Tuesday night’s Cabonne Council community information session, which included advice from dental health professionals and council staff addressing the pros and cons for fluoride introduction.

Molong remains one of a handful of towns in NSW without fluoride in the water system, despite Mrs Bollinger appealing for its introduction in June, 2010.

“Over the years I have been extremely frustrated with Cabonne Council for their lack of action on this issue especially following community consultation and subsequent survey in 2011 when, in my opinion, the issue could have ended with the stroke of a pen in favour from Cabonne Council,” Mrs Bollinger said.

“After the meeting [on Tuesday] I cameaway prepared to accept the answer from council staff as to why council has taken so long and trust they will come to a conclusion to fluoridate Molong water supply.”

Cabonne Council communications and media officer Dale Jones said ultimately the final say belonged to the Department of Health.

“Several years ago Cabonne Council resolved to refer the issue to the Department of Health for determination because we are not health experts in this area,” he said.

“This means the decision eventually will be made by the department’s director general.

“The department goes through an extensive process before making any decision and we understand the department is close to concluding that study.”

At Tuesday’s meeting, NSW Oral Health’s Dr Shanti Sivaneswaran and Anthony Brown from Sydney University’s school of rural health highlighted startling improvements in oral health and declines in dental decay since fluoridation began in Australia.

Mrs Bollinger said council and the Department of Health had no alternative but to add fluoride to the water supply.

“The reasoning to delay any decision was because council had no real knowledge regarding the benefits or otherwise on fluoride, so it was necessary to act responsibly and take their time to get it right by seeking clarification from the appropriate health authorities, which they now appear to have done,” she said.

“Now it’s time to act swiftly.”

This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.

SHARK DIVING: Calypso Star office manager Natasha Becker (left) and skipper Andrew Wright (right) with AFL Footy Show personalities James Brayshaw and Billy Brownless in front of one of the Calypso Star boats. Mr Brownless dived with the sharks as part of a dare when he lost his certainty tip on last week’s footy show.THE Footy Show’s Billy Brownless and James Brayshaw visited Port Lincoln on Tuesday to dive with the sharks as part of a dare announced on last week’s show.

Mr Brownless lost his “certainty tip” and was dared to go diving with the sharks in Port Lincoln, so he brought Mr Brayshaw along with him.

The pair arrived in Port Lincoln on Monday night with their film crew and were introduced to the region’s local seafood.

“I’m all seafood’ed out.”

Calypso Star took the pair out to Neptune Islands and office manager Natasha Becker said they were fortunate enough to see six sharks.

“Billy was a bit nervous,” she said.

“He tried to keep a calm face, but the fear set in.

“The first shark we saw was five metres and it rolled sideways and eyeballed him.”

Once safe on dry land, Mr Brownless said it was a unique experience to be so close to one of the world’s largest predators.

“Being in the water a metre away, you see how graceful they are,” Mr Brownless said.

This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.