November 20, 2025
Write Direction: Simply coining it
The Write Direction

Write Direction: Simply coining it

HE is doing one of the hardest jobs in the world, but claims he refuses to accept any payment from the government for his services. Of course we are discussing US President Donald Trump. Donating your presidential pay may be great for the ego of a very wealthy person, however politicians not getting paid was […]

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‘On the couch’ with Jasminda
Jasminda's Advice

‘On the couch’ with Jasminda

DEAR Jasminda, I’ve been invited to the staff Christmas party but the people going are hard partiers and I always end up being the designated driver. I’m aware there’s an expectation for me to remain under-the-limit to ferry all the guests home. I’m thinking I might not go for this reason. Harriet L. Dear Harriet, […]

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The Write Direction: It’s a battery, stupid
The Write Direction

The Write Direction: It’s a battery, stupid

ONE of the more famous political statements of our lifetime – “It’s the economy, stupid” – was delivered by political strategist James Carville, who was working on Bill Clinton’s successful 1992 Presidential Election campaign. The catchphrase meant that the key concern of US voters in the election was the state of the economy. I think […]

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Letter to the Editor: A delusion of the energy-illiterates
Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: A delusion of the energy-illiterates

DEAR News Of The Area, THE likely demise of the Tomago Aluminium facility without government subsidy is due to rising electricity costs with the increasing proportion of renewables (actually weather-dependent intermittents) in the electricity grid. The mantra: ‘renewables are the cheapest form of energy’ is a delusion of the energy-illiterates. Sunbeams and breezes are there […]

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From the Mayor’s desk: Cr Claire Pontin
From The Mayor's Desk

From the Mayor’s desk: Cr Claire Pontin

IT IS great to see the Wingham Cedar Party Creek Bridge opened to traffic from early this month. It was a $39 million project and a huge job. I urge MidCoast residents to take a weekend drive to Wingham, check out the new bridge and support this fantastic little town. The Wingham and surrounding communities […]

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‘On the couch’ with Jasminda
Jasminda's Advice

‘On the couch’ with Jasminda

DEAR Jasminda, LAST night (when I was sound asleep) my husband woke me about the mosquitoes in the room. He then searched (unsuccessfully) for the flyspray before trying other tactics. By the time he’d killed them, I was wide awake and stayed that way. What do I do to avoid this in the future, Katie […]

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The Write Direction: Electric alarm
The Write Direction

The Write Direction: Electric alarm

GOVERNMENTS here and overseas are extolling the virtues of owning and operating electric vehicles (EVs), but a strong pushback is coming from rural and regional proponents who are against this idea. I am reminded of the saying that “none are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm”. This seems to be part of the […]

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Memories of Hawks Nest and rare minerals mining A bird's eye view of the extraction plant on the beach north of Hawks Nest. From the collection of Dr Pacy.
Opinion

Memories of Hawks Nest and rare minerals mining

WITH our Prime Minister visiting the United States to do deals with rare earths, it took me back to a time when some of our local sand minerals were in demand. The Mineral Deposits Company, 80 percent American owned, began operations here in 1967. My American husband and I were having a working visit to […]

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