DEAR News Of The Area, WE live in turbulent times. Internationally we’ve got US President Trump “The Wrecker” trashing treaties and world economic and financial systems, the Ukraine fighting for its life against Putin “The Russian Murderer”, China threatening Taiwan and dissent everywhere. Locally we’ve got the federal election coming up with Albo versus Dutton, […]
Letter to the Editor: Proposed cuts to public servant jobs
DEAR News Of The Area, WHEN Peter Dutton announced that 41,000 Public Servants would lose their jobs under his government I began to ponder who they are and why the current government had re-employed them. Many had been moved to much more costly roles as consultants, and the current government actually saved money putting them […]
‘On the couch’ with Jasminda
DEAR Jasminda, Every time I catch up with my friends the conversation always ends up leading to our despair over American politics. I catch up with them to escape negative things and sometimes I now leave feeling worse than when I arrived. What’s the answer? Katie L. Dear Katie, It’s hard to fathom some of […]
Easter Promises
‘On the couch’ with Jasminda
DEAR Jasminda, WHENEVER I go to the supermarket for a couple of items, I end up leaving with a trolley full. How can I avoid the temptation and stick to my budget? Gloria V. Dear Gloria, It’s easy to feel defeated when you go into the supermarket for eggs and milk and return with two […]
The Write Direction: What is Trump’s reasoning?
THE obvious question at the present moment is: “What is President Trump really up to?” In my opinion he is not the village idiot some like to think he is. Yes, many of his actions seem to suggest this, however it is important to remember he converted his father’s many millions of dollars into a […]
Letter to the Editor: Defunding the grid
DEAR News Of The Area, THIS week the Coalition announced a $20 billion “Regional Australia Future Fund” aimed at improving health, child care and infrastructure inequalities in non-urban Australia. Perhaps they were listening to our MidCoast Council Mayor, Claire Pontin, who has been advocating a doubling of Federal funding to local councils. The new Future […]
Letter to the Editor: History on the water
DEAR News Of The Area, IT is heartening to read an article acknowledging the role of the Tea Gardens ferry service (NOTA 27/2/2025). I served as a deckhand and then as a fully certified coxswain on the ferries from 1999 to 2004. The service was initiated by Harry Littler, a retired Manly ferry skipper, in […]
Legal Hypothetical: Time to tick-off a new year’s resolution
AS is common for many people at this time of year, Jack and Jill make a new year’s resolution to “get their house in order” in terms of their estate planning. They see a solicitor specialising in this field and are advised that the traditional estate planning package consists of three separate documents, being a […]
‘On the couch’ with Jasminda
DEAR Jasminda, There has been a lot of angst about people setting up their cabanas on beaches lately. A good friend of mine thinks they ruin the beach, but we got one for Christmas which makes going to the beach with her a bit uncomfortable. How do I handle this? Karen Q. Ah, summer […]