March 15, 2026
Christmas symbols and decorations steeped in ancient history Some of the symbols and decorations associated with Christmas date to ancient times.
Opinion

Christmas symbols and decorations steeped in ancient history

HAVE you ever wondered why we decorate cone-bearing trees, eat turkey and ham, light candles, pull bonbons, hang Christmas stockings, decorate homes, make wreaths and credit Santa with delivering presents via flying reindeer? Most of us know that many Christmas traditions from the Northern Hemisphere sailed south with immigrants. But many so-called Christmas traditions originated […]

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The Write Direction: Cycling investment thoughts
The Write Direction

The Write Direction: Cycling investment thoughts

HAVING spent over 40 years in the financial investment industry, you became aware of cycles caused by human reactions. People operate the same way in every generation and most people understand, often too late, that the sins of the fathers are usually repeated by the sons in the following years. It doesn’t need to be […]

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On the couch with Jasminda
Jasminda's Advice

On the couch with Jasminda

DEAR Jasminda, MY husband’s Netflix viewing history shows an abnormal amount of True Crime shows, serial killer series, and murder mysteries. Should I be worried? Petra L. Dear Petra, For some strange reason, many people like having the living daylights scared out of them for relaxation. I’m not one of them, and it sounds as […]

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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

THAT time is upon us again. Christmas seems to sneak up on us a little quicker each year. As we approach the end of the year and families head off on holidays, I would just like to remind everyone to be safe, make sure you stop, revive, survive if you’re taking on a road trip […]

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Letter to the Editor: Protect our incredible nature
Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Protect our incredible nature

DEAR News Of The Area, I WRITE regarding the story titled “The secret star maps of moths”, published in NOTA on 4 December 2025. After reading this delightfully written article I will now look at moths in a completely different way. Such tiny and very beautiful creatures that flutter almost silently into our homes. The […]

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On the couch with Jasminda
Jasminda's Advice

On the couch with Jasminda

DEAR Jasminda, MANY years ago, my husband and I bought a vertical burial plot with space for three people. My husband died years ago, we didn’t have any children, and I recently met another man. Do you think it would be okay if my new soul mate and I used the two remaining plot spaces […]

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The Write Direction: Resurrection of REX
The Write Direction

The Write Direction: Resurrection of REX

WITH the expectation of good news for regional and rural residents, I thought that I would look more deeply into the possible resurrection of REX Airlines. The federal government has been propping up the airline in order to ensure regional and remote communities remain serviced by viable aviation options. Their main action was to buy […]

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