HP 260314

PROUDLY INDEPENDENTWED 26 Mar 2014 Printed on 100% recycled paper

Masterventriloquist back in the Hunter p.15

Expressway opens to traffic p.4-5

The inspirationbehind Tyrone Roberts

p.28

NRL 2014

DavidStrassman

Trades & ServicesNeed help at your placethis weekend? p.25

Roundabout dramas

M aitland was plunged into traffic chaos last week after a truck rolled at the Maitland Hospital roundabout for the second time in eight months.

Shortly before 10:30am on Thursday, March 20, a semi-trailer carrying an approximately 17-tonne concrete block over-balanced while travelling west along the New England Highway, coming to rest on its side in front of the Hungry Jacks outlet.

Maitland Highway Patrol Sergeant Damon Bugden said that although an investigation would be carried out, it appeared that the concrete moved as the driver negotiated the roundabout. “Unfortunately the load’s just shifted on him,” Sergeant Bugden said.“He said he felt it going and just braced himself.”

The driver was unhurt. Traffic snaked back along the highway for two kilometres as one lane was closed for the clean-up. The accident has thrown criticism towards the in-progress $45 million State Government upgrade of Maitland’s main roundabouts, but Member for Maitland Robyn Parker said the Government is committed to improving Maitland’s roads.

“There’s still some work to do on the hospital roundabout, but the bulk of the work is done and I’m getting very posi-tive feedback about [the new slip lanes],” Ms Parker said.

“Accidents happen and what we need to do is make sure we’ve got our road surfaces as safe as possible, but what the Hunter Expressway opening means is that if there is an accident we’ve got an alternate route around Maitland.

“Let’s see how this works, but we’ve certainly got on our radar fixing the roads we’ve got as well as future-proofing.”

Upgrades can’t come quick enough after truck rolls at hospital intersection

The scene after a truck rolled on the New England Highway at Maitland

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EDitor's DEsk

Let's leave the loopholes out of mandatory sentencing laws

I've devoted a couple of columns to the topic of one-punch laws already, but one of Labor's proposed amendments caught my attention.

The amendments, which were passed by the upper house, included allowing judges to over-ride the mandatory sentencing laws if an offender between 18 and 21 is found to be psychosocial immature.

I think if you are old enough to be out drinking or taking drugs then you are old enough to accept responsibility for hitting someone. It's would be another example of people trying to downplay or minimise their personal responsibility when getting caught doing the wrong thing.

Of course there are plenty of people out there who are too stupid to think before they act and will no doubt try to use the immaturity excuse when they appear before the court.

In fact, everyone who gets charged under these laws may as well see if they can get their penalties reduced by saying they didn't really understand that punching someone in the head could seriously hurt or kill them.

I agree with Premier Barry O'Farrell in that it would give some offenders a get out of jail free card. He indicated the Government's original legislation would be sent back to the upper house.

I can understand the view from the lawyers that mandatory sentencing laws tend to go against established legal principles and that judges need

to be able to use their discretion. That's quite a reasonable argument, but we need to remember that people are dying or being permanently disfigured by these attacks.

Perhaps the laws aren't perfect and maybe the government rushed to establish them under huge community pressure.

But they certainly are a deterrent and a serious one at that.

It's great to see the Hunter Expressway finally open. I'm sure many of you took the opportunity to walk or drive on the road over the weekend or perhaps you've already started using it to travel to and from work.

I must admit to initially wondering why it had taken so long to finish after being originally scheduled to open late last year, but once you travel on the road, it really gives you an apprecia-tion of just how much work there was to do.

Building 52 bridges was a phenomenal task on its own before you even consider the more than 280,000 cubic metres of concrete and 280,000 tonnes of ashphalt that had to be laid.

Apart from taking traffic off some of our local roads, I hope it also helps the businesses in the vineyards area.

They may appear to be doing a roaring trade when the concerts are on, but they need your support through the quieter months as well.

[email protected]

Plenty of people too stupid to think before they act

paul monforteEditor

the hunter post

www.thehunterpost.com.au www.facebook.com/thepost

Editorial: [email protected]

Advertising: [email protected]

Printed by: spotpress Pty Ltd

Editor: Paul Monforte • Journalists: Stephen Bisset (TE), Amelia Parrott, Melissah ComberProduction: Alex Blackham • Dan Phelansales Manager: Steve Watt • sales: Glenda Peate, Gary Scott (Trades), Dan Hawkins (TE), Bruce Sherwood (Hunter)Administration: Lauren PollardAccounts: Susan Ward

19 Pearson St, Charlestown NSW 2290PO Box 2321 Dangar, NSW 2309P (02) 4961 0310

Robyn ParkerMember for Maitland

8www.robynparker.com.au

34 Church StreetMaitland NSW 2320

( 4933 1617

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B locked driveways, narrowed thor-oughfares and abusive motorists are becoming an everyday occur-rence in Central Maitland’s Bull

Street, and the residents have had enough.Bull Street is the nearest suburban street

to a High Street complex that includes offices for local businesses, a gym and a call centre, and residents believe that the lack of adequate parking in the centre has forced the spill into their narrow street. The fed-up residents are now preparing a submission to Maitland City Council, asking the street be made a resident-only parking zone.

Not only are they frustrated with not being able to park in front of their own houses, but they say that workers in the centre are parking across their driveways and then using abusive language when they are asked to move. “They’re calling residents bitches and sticking their fingers up at them,” John Winter said. “These are people’s homes – they deserve the right to peace and quiet and to have a park.”

The residents also say that people frequently park illegally on the opposite side of the road, which narrows the street to a point where emergency vehicles would not be able to gain access. A Council spokes-

Residents seeking parking restrictions to reduce mounting frustration and abuse

COMMUNITY

Daily car battle in Bull Street

Residents of Bull Street in Maitland have had enough of parking issues in front of their houses

person said the area does not meet the Roads and Maritime Services guidelines for the issuing of residential parking permits, but they would take on board the residents’ concerns. “In 2008 Council investigated

the parking issue and implemented park-ing controls in Bull Street to maintain access to residences,” the spokesperson said. “Council’s rangers enforce parking in accordance with the signposted restric-

tions and regularly undertake patrols in Bull Street.”

The spokesperson added that parking across driveways is illegal and can be reported to Council or Maitland Police.

Melissah CoMber

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T hree years of construction, 10,000 workers and $1.7 billion later, the Hunter Expressway is finally open.

The 40-kilometre-long freeway opened to traffic on Saturday, March 22 with a ribbon-cutting conducted by Member for Maitland, Robyn Parker to mark the community day. The official dedication was held the day before, which saw Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss and NSW Minister for Roads and Ports Duncan Gay joined by state and federal members including Member for Cessnock Clayton Barr, Member for Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon and Member for Upper Hunter George Souris, as well as local mayors and councillors.

Mr Truss said that the road, which extends from the M1 Motorway at Wallsend to the New England Highway at Branxton, was probably the largest single construction project in regional Australia.

“Everyone knew that this was a project that would transform the Hunter and particularly the movement of freight through this region,” Mr Truss said.

“Everyone knew that it had enormous social benefits that would flow through

HUNTER EXPRESSWAY OPENING

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to the local community – we all knew that this was worth doing.”

Mr Gay said that it would be a road for the community.

“It is an absolutely cracking road,” Mr Gay said.

“It’s not a politician’s road, it’s not the builders, it’s not the Council’s road, it will be a community road.”

The Expressway is expected to cut 28 minutes off the journey from Branxton to Newcastle, as well as remove large volumes of traffic from Maitland’s roads, which Ms Parker said would be fantastic for the people of Maitland.

“This is going to make such a difference to hundreds of thousands of people’s work days and their travels to and from Mait-land, taking so much traffic off our roads, which will really make a big difference.”

Member for Maitland Robyn Parker cuts the ribbon to open the Hunter Expressway on Friday and Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss and NSW Minister for Roads and Ports Duncan Gay unveil a plaque to mark the occasion

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Left: Andrew Cornwell, Robyn Parker, Duncan Gay, Warren Truss and Joel Fitzgibbon get a feel for the Hunter Expressway

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Below right: Families take advantage of the opportunity to ride on the Expressway on Saturday evening prior to traffic being allowed on

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Maitland Public School got into the harmonious spirit last week, celebrating National Harmony Day on Wednesday with song, dance and a multicultural fashion parade.

They were joined by the Wongagee Dance Group from Hunter River High School, who performed both traditional and self-devised Aboriginal dances.

National Harmony Day is celebrated on March 21 and coincides with the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimi-nation of Racial Discrimination.

HArmony dAy

Celebrating together Melissah CoMber

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David Evans General Manager 285–287 High StreetPO Box 220 Maitland NSW 2320t 02 4934 9700 [email protected]

Agendas are available from our website or by contacting customer service.For information on development applications please visit our website – maitland.nsw.gov.au

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES MELBOURNE STREET AT RAIL BRIDGE, EAST MAITLAND

Rail works are planned to be undertaken on the rail bridge on Melbourne Street (between Day and Cumberland Streets), East Maitland. In accordance with Section 115 of the Roads Act, 1993, Melbourne Street will be temporarily closed to all traffic:

• From 8.00pm Friday, 28 March 2014 to 5.00am Monday, 31 March 2014.

Alternate routes will be via Day, George, Lindesay and Cumberland Streets. Detour signs will be installed at appropriate locations.

‘STEAMFEST 2014’

The annual ‘Steamfest’ is to be held on the weekend of Saturday, 12 and Sunday, 13 April 2014. The following temporary road closures (to vehicular traffic only) and parking restrictions are listed below for public exhibition and comment:

• Setup and presentation of Steamfest stalls and amusements 12.00 midnight Thursday, 10 April to 12.00 midnight Sunday, 13 April 2014:– Maitland Railway Station (sealed car park);– Maitland Railway Station (gravel car park);– Maitland Railway Station (sealed car park

adjacent to station building).

• Setup and presentation of stalls and amusements and setup of Steamfest 2014 Saturday, 12 and Sunday, 13 April 2014 – 7.00am–6.00pm:– Church Street between Ken Tubman Drive

and Les Darcy Drive;– Elgin Street between Olive Street and Railway

Line;– Olive Street between Church Street and Elgin

Street;– Railway Street between Church Street and

Elgin Street;– Station Street between Elgin Street and

cul-de-sac (taxis excepted);– Athel D’Ombrain Drive between Elgin Street

and Victoria Street (taxis excepted);– Allan Walsh Drive between Ken Tubman

Drive and Church Street (taxi’s excepted);

Interested residents are welcome to attend.Next meeting: 8 | 22 APRIL – 5.30pm

– Ballard Street between Steam Street and Church Street;

– Fran Dawson Road between Ballard Street and end of road;

– Steam Street between cul-de-sac and Elgin Street;

– Napoleon Lane south of Olive Street.

• Presentation of Steamfest 2014 ‘Show and Shine’ Sunday, 13 April 2014 – 7.00am–6.00pm:

– Internal road through Maitland Park between Main Entrance and Swimming Pool.

To ensure pedestrian safety during the presentation, owners of display vehicles will be required to arrive and position their vehicle(s) no later than 9.00am on the Sunday morning, at which time the access road through the park will be closed to vehicles at the Elgin Street entrance and at the Bowling Club/swimming pool area. Once entered, show vehicles will not be permitted to leave until the end of the event at 3.00pm.

A temporary bus zone will be established on Elgin Street, just north of Ken Tubman Drive traffic signals, south bound.

Council also proposes to implement the usual temporary parking restrictions in various streets for Steamfest, to assist with public safety around the main Steamfest site in the vicinity of Maitland Railway Station.

‘No Stopping’ restrictions will be placed on both sides of the New England Highway from Church Street to the Trzecinski Bridge, and on both sides of Cessnock Road for 100m from the roundabout.

For further information regarding the event, please contact the Appearance and Infrastructure Division on 4934 9700.

PUBLIC NOTICESNAMINg Of PUbLIC ROADSNotice is hereby given that Maitland City Council, in pursuance of section 162 of the Roads Act, 1993 and Part 2 of the Roads Regulation 2008, has approved the following new road names for gazettal:

Deposited Plan:

DP1090329

Location: Off Raymond Terrace Road, Chisholm

Road Name:

Harvest Circuit

Lemongrass Street

Coriander Street

Birdwood Street

The above road names have been advertised and notified. No objections to the proposed names have been received during the prescribed 28 day period.

SPECIAL EvENTS In accordance with Council’s Special Events Policy notice is hereby given of the following proposed events occurring in Maitland

• P3 Events propose to hold the Stockland Family Fun Day at McKeachies Run Sports Field Aberglasslyn, between 7.00am and 4.00pm on Sunday, 1 May 2014; and

• The Hunter Valley Vintage Farm Machinery Club Inc propose to hold the Cranky Handle Rally at the corner of New England Highway and Church Street, Maitland between 6.00am on Saturday, 25 October and 6.00pm on Sunday, 26 October 2014.

Written submissions regarding this event are invited from the public and will be received up until 4.00pm on Friday, 11 April 2014.

Please Note: The Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 applies to Council. Under this Act, certain information held by Council may be released upon application by members of the public. Council will not consider your submission as confidential, and may reproduce it in part or in whole.

Further information may be obtained by contacting Council’s Planning Environment & Lifestyle Group on 4934 9700.

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Maitland City Library is preparing for a busy couple of months, with four Look Who’s Talking events scheduled for April and May.

Next week the Look Who’s Talking Local Stories program will feature Generations, a free session on Wednesday 2 April, which focuses on what happens to your identity when connections are severed and ties to previous generations are lost.

The following week accomplished author Nick Earls, whose award winning books has been best-sellers in Australia and internationally, will hosted by the Library at East Maitland Bowling Club.

On April 17, the Library will join with Maitland Gaol to host the launch of Pamela Harrison’s book Life and Death in Maitland Gaol, the First 20 years 1849-1869 and in early May, Australia’s most engaging scientist Dr Karl Kruszelnicki will beam into Maitland Town Hall via Skype. Make sure you have your questions ready because Dr Karl has the answers.

The Look Who’s Talking Program is just one of the many experiences on offer through Maitland City Library.

The school holidays will feature a range of exciting activities and events on the theme of LEGOmania, in addition to regular events such as Storytime and Baby Book Club.

The annual Write Now! Competition is now open for all K-6 students with some great prizes on offer.

Write Now! entrants can get from the writing work-shops that will be held at every branch throughout May and can be downloaded by visiting maitland.nsw.gov.au/library.

I look forward to welcoming you all to the Mait-land City Library over the coming months.

Keryl CollardMaitland City Librarian

There's plenty on offer at your library

MAITLAND MATTERS

The school holidays

will feature a range of exciting

activities

all council matters: maitland.nsw.gov.au

Drugs and firearms in WestonA man is due to appear in court next

month after police seized a firearm and drugs from a home in Weston.

About 2.45pm last Wednesday, police at-tached to the Central Hunter Target Action Group (TAG) executed a search warrant at a home on Cessnock Road.

Officers seized a rifle, 13 cannabis plants and cannabis leaf, as well as drug parapher-nalia.

A 47-year-old man was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice in relation to the cannabis and firearm.

He is due to appear before Kurri Kurri Lo-cal Court on Thursday 17 April.

Man stabbed in home attackA man is in a critical condition following

an aggravated break and enter at Cameron Park last Wednesday.

About 11pm, a 22-year-old man was outside his home on Hilldale Drive when a group of two to four men armed with a machete, stun gun, and knives approached him.

The men, who were wearing balaclavas, allegedly demanded entry inside the house.

The man complied with the group’s de-mands, but a short struggle ensued once the men were inside.

During the struggle, the 22-year-old man sustained stab wounds to his chest and back.

The group of men fled the home and are believed to have entered a car on Hilldale Drive.

Police from Lake Macquarie Local Area

Command were called to the home and established a crime scene.

The 22-year-old was treated by Ambulance Paramedics at the scene and taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition with life-threatening injuries.

Another occupant of the home, a 43-year-old man, sustained minor lacerations to his back during the incident.

He was treated by Ambulance Paramed-ics at the scene and taken to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.

Investigators conducting inquiries into the incident are appealing for the public’s help to identify the offenders involved.

At least one of the offenders has been described as being of Pacific Islander ap-pearance.

Currently, there is no description of the car.

Service station robberyPolice are appealing for public assistance

following an aggravated robbery at a ser-vice station at Shortland.

Shortly after midnight on Tuesday 18 March, two men entered the business on Sandgate Road, armed with a firearm and knife.

They threatened the 19-year-old male employee and demanded money.

The men took the cash before fleeing.Police attended and a crime scene was es-

tablished, which was examined by forensic specialists.

The men have been described as being of Caucasian appearance and 18 to 20 years of age.

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Council selling mall light posts and shade structures

Maitland City Council has opened Expressions of Interest in the sale or reuse of the Heritage Mall’s light posts and shade structure.

The lights, that are scattered throughout the mall, and the shade structure, that currently sits near Best and Less, are due to be removed for the first component of The Levee Project, which will see the mall turned into a pedestrian and shared vehicle zone.

Whilst many furniture elements removed during construc-tion will be put to use elsewhere, Council’s Executive Manager Strategic Projects, Wayne Cone, said that it is not feasible to include the existing features into the new design.

“Council is unable to economically and practically use the current lights and shade structure in the current works program projects,” he said.

The lamp posts, in a ‘heritage style’, were gifted to the city during the Bicentenary.

They are due to be replaced with an LED lighting system.The shade structure is a PVC canopy made up of four conic

shapes and steel structural elements, covering an area of 200 square metres.

There are 39 lamp posts which will become available during the construction of the project.

Council will consider submissions for all of the posts, as well as for a lesser number.

Submissions can be made by writing to Council at P.O. Box 220, Maitland, NSW, 2320, or by emailing [email protected] by 4pm on April 3.

Submissions should include what is requested, its proposed reuse and the financial offer to Council.

Households in the Hunter are being urged to revisit fire safety procedures as new research released by Duracell reveals that as many as 70 per cent of parents are not planning ahead in case of fire and proactively changing their smoke alarm batteries every year.

New figures also show that NSW fire services attended more than 4,000 house fires across the state in 2013 – an average of 77 residential fires per week.

As well as destruction of property, 21 people lost their lives. “A fire can take hold in less than three minutes, filling your home with deadly smoke. All it takes is a few breaths of smoke before you’re unconscious. A working smoke alarm gives you vital seconds to get out before you’re overcome,” Fire & Rescue NSW Commissioner Greg Mullins said.

The survey also found that 43 per cent of NSW parents only changed smoke alarm batteries when prompted by the smoke alarm beep, indicating the battery had gone flat or that the unit had passed its use-by date. “Our message is simple: only working smoke alarms saves lives. When Daylight Saving ends on April 6, change your smoke alarm battery as well as your clock.”

Fire & Rescue NSW and the Rural Fire Service, are encouraging Australians to have a working smoke alarm and a practiced home escape plan.

The ‘Change your clock, change your smoke alarm battery’ campaign to mark the end of daylight saving on Sunday 6 April is an important reminder to help Australians increase their fire safety awareness in the lead-up to the winter fire season, a high risk fire time.

Tips for smoke alarm safety include: • Test your smoke alarm (by pressing the ‘test’

button) once per month to ensure the battery and the alarm sounder are operating and clean with a vacuum cleaner annually to remove particles that will affect smoke alarm performance.

• Smoke alarms need to be installed in positions that will wake all the occupants in the home and give them enough time to evacuate when needed. For example, installing the alarms in each sleeping area, with additional smoke alarms installed along the paths of travel to exits i.e. in hallways and the living areas. If you live in a house with more than one level, install a smoke alarm on the ceiling at the head of the stairway connecting the levels.

M aitland’s dogs will soon have more places to play, with Council officially adopting their Off Leash Dog Exercise Area Strategy.

The strategy involves decommissioning three existing dog parks at Greenhills Gardens in East Maitland, Beryl Humble Oval in Tenambit and the Vi Denny-Bowtell Netball Courts at Telarah, and intro-ducing seven new sites.

These sites will be located at Rathluba Lagoon, Alli-ance Street in East Maitland, the Belmore Bridge at Lorn, Les Circuit in Gillieston Heights, in the Anambah sportsfield development at Rutherford and sites on either side of the New England Highway at Lochinvar.

Three existing dog parks will also remain at Verge Street in Telarah, the Bakers Brickyard Quarry in Raworth and A&D Lawrence Oval in Thornton.

One objection had been submitted to the strategy, raising concerns about the appropriateness of the Gillieston Heights location.

“I don’t want dogs free to roam where they can easily access my children,” the submission said.

Councillor Philip Penfold voted against the strategy, saying he shared similar concerns, particularly regard-ing fencing the parks. The Council report said that although fencing would be a priority, a lack of funding may prevent it from happening quickly.

“I’m worried they might just be finding suburbs and jamming them in,” he said.

“I just don’t think we’re ever going to be fencing things.”

COMMUNITY

Dogs can roam free

Meeko and Jorah enjoying the off-leash area in Islington Park

Change your clock, change your smoke alarm battery on 6 April

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I f you have an old doll or teddy bear tucked away you could be surprised to learn that it may be worth thou-sands of dollars.

Doll valuer and repairer Lin Fitz-Gibbon will be on hand to provide quotes at Brough House this weekend, as part of The Friends of Grossman House’s fund-raising venture, ‘Afternoon with Dolls’.

Ms Fitz-Gibbon, who runs a Doll Hospi-tal in Glen Oak, will give a presentation about the history of dolls and teddy bears.

“I don’t like to say that I’m an expert, but I do know what I’m talking about,” Ms Fitz-Gibbon said, also saying that she favours antique turn-of-the-century dolls, and most dolls through to dolls made out of hard plastic in the 1950s.

“I’ve been collecting for over 40 years, so I’m very knowledgeable in my own areas of interest.”

In addition to the talk and the following Q and A session, Ms Fitz-Gibbon will be displaying a few dolls from her own collection, including baby dolls that existed in the 1920s, and said that there was a possibility her 1880s Steiner Gigo-teur, or ‘kicking, crying Gigoteur’ may make an appearance.

‘Afternoon with Dolls’ will be held at Brough House, 79 Church Street, Maitland at 1pm on Saturday, March 29. Tickets are $20 or $15 for National Trust members, and can be purchased by call-ing Helen Scott on 4934 9046 or Gross-man House on 4933 6452.

COMMUNITY

Old favourites may prove valuable

Lin Fitz-Gibbon displays some of her doll collection

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Over 350 twilight toe tappers packed Maitland Town Hall last Wednesday to celebrate National Seniors Week, dancing along to rock n’ roll tunes played by 1960s and 70s rock star Lonnie Lee.

Mr Lee was a hit, performing both his own songs and popular tunes from artists like The Everly Brothers, even getting Maitland Mayor Peter Blackmore out of his chair for a waltz.

SENIORS WEEK

Stepping out in style

Maitland Mayor Peter Blackmore

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April 2 at4pm

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If you’ve separated or you’re planning to separate, here’s how you find out what you’re entitled to...

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Alan Wright a Law Society Accredited Family Law Specialist will be conducting a free information night on Thursday, 10 April from 6pm to 7.30pm, to explain to you “who gets what” property when you separate from your partner. Because of his experience in Family Law, Alan understands the pressures of breaking up and will point out some of the common problems in Family Law property disputes and how to avoid them. He’ll give you tips to help you take control so you can get on with your life, and he’ll discuss how your entitlement is worked out. Alan will also talk about:• the Superannuation Laws and how

superannuation is now treated as property;

• how superannuation is now split;• whether you get more property if the

children are living with you;• what happens if you owned a lot of

assets in your own name before your marriage;

• what happens if you have a business, etc.

He’ll give you guidance on how to avoid costly court disputes and will also explain the different steps involved when cases proceed through the Family Court (in situations where there is no choice but to go to court).On Wednesday, 9 April from 6pm to 7.30pm John Teague will present "Buying or Selling Property ... key things you need to know!" On Wednesday, 2 April from 6pm to 7.30pm Roslyn Kozlowski will present "What an Executor needs to know and do when administering a deceased's estate ..."All sessions will be held at our offices, 29 Smith Street, Charlestown. To reserve your place, phone Jackie Doyle on 4904 8000 or register on line at

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Council shares in recycling funding

Maitland City Council is set to share in an estimated $760,000 slice of a $137.7 million State Government pie.

Council has endorsed the Better Waste and Recycling Fund, which sees the money distributed to councils to support work in increasing recycling and reducing illegal dumping and littering.

The money would be delivered over four years with the first contribution of approximately $206,000 arriving in May, then $185,000 a year for the following three years coming each July.

However, all monetary figures are currently an estimate provided by the Environmental Protection Authority.

Council’s Manager Development and Environment, David Simm, said they had not yet finalised how they would spend the funds.

“Council is working on what it can use the funds for and what provides the Coun-cil and community with the best value for money.

“Council Officers will report back to both Council and the Office of Environment and Heritage for sign-off.”

The Better Waste and Recycling Fund is a component of the Waste Less and Recycle More program, which will see $465.7 million delivered state-wide over five years.

It is the largest waste and recycling fund-ing program in Australia.

Council has already applied for a grant under this program to purchase green bins.

B renda Clouten may not have dabbled in the arts, but she was certainly a lover.

When Ms Clouten passed away from breast cancer in 2003, friends Bruce and Vicki Woods wanted to create a memorial that reflected her personality, so they established the Brenda Clouten Memorial Travelling Scholarship for tertiary art students.

“She was just an amazing person,” Mrs Woods said.

“She had time for anyone and loved everything arty.”

The scholarship, to be awarded for the seventh time this year, is now gathering steam as the scholarship that kick-starts careers, due to the need for the applicants to show maturity in the business side of things, such as budgeting and planning.

“It brings them five years ahead because it enhances their skills,” Mr Woods said.

Maitland Regional Art Gallery Deputy Director Brigette Uren said that the prize also give the winner a glimpse of what a career in art would be like.

“They’ll be working with professionals so they see the full gamut of what a public gallery offers the community,” she said.

The $3000 prize offers artists the opportunity to work abroad.

The Brenda Clouten Memorial Travelling

Scholarship is open to tertiary students under the age of 25 for the Lower Hunter, including Singleton. Entry forms can be

found at www.mrag.com.au and more information can be obtained by emailing [email protected].

Scholarship honouring Brenda Clouten gaining prestige

ARTS

A tribute from friends

Vicki and Bruce Woods have created an art prize in their late friends’ namePhoto: Vicki and Bruce Woods

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Raymond Terrace Road upgrade

A $3.1 million upgrade to Raymond Terrace Road is underway.

The upgrade is targeting the section of the road between Maitland and Thornton, west of Haussman Drive, where 16 crashes occurred in the five years to June 13.

Member for Maitland Robyn Parker said that the project was being funded as part of the Road Toll Response program, as one of the 16 crashes in the area was fatal.

Ms Parker also said that four of the crashes involved motorists crossing to the opposite side of the road when travelling around a bend.

“The safety upgrade aims to prevent crashes of this type by widening this section of road and removing a small number of trees and shrubs to improve visibility around bends,” she said.

“Painted median strips and wire rope safety barriers will also be installed.”

Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction while the work is completed and there will be a 40km/h speed limit in place.

The work will be carried out between 7am and 6pm on weekdays and 8am and 1pm on Saturdays.

The upgrade follows speed limits in several sections of Raymond Terrace Road being reduced from 100km/h to 80km/h in October last year to improve safety.

Roads and Maritime Services also upgraded a one kilometre section of the road at Berry Park last year.

Ms Parker said that the work is expected to be completed by October.

W ith the cooler months fast approaching, it may be time to visit your GP to receive an influenza vaccine.

More than 18,000 hospitalisations are attributed to influenza each year and between 1,500 and 3,500 people die as a result of the virus annually – more than the amount of fatalities caused by motor vehicle accidents on Australian roads.

Hunter Medicare Local clinical director, Dr Lee Fong said it was important, espe-cially for pregnant woman, the elderly and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island-ers, to get the jab each year. “Even if you were vaccinated last year, it is important to be re-vaccinated now as protection is not long lasting,” Dr Fong explained.

The 2014 vaccination contains protec-tion against three strains of the virus, including H1N1 or ‘swine flu’, which continues to cause significant illness, particularly among young people.

According to Dr Fong, the common story that a flu vaccination gives you the flu is a myth and in reality, most people suffer no side effects after receiving the vaccine.

“Between one and 10 per cent [of people] may experience fever and malaise as the body reacts to the vaccine and prepares antibodies, but as the vaccine does not contain viable virus, it

is not possible to get influenza,” he said. “One of the common reasons for refusal [of the vaccine] is that the person ‘never gets flu’ and doesn’t see a need for vacci-nation. As influenza can leave a person weak and lethargic for weeks, a moment of discomfort is a small price to pay for

what could be a very uncomfortable and inconvenient illness and one which you could be responsible for spreading to workmates and loved ones.”

For further information on the safety and benefits of the influenza vaccine or to arrange a vaccination, contact your GP.

HealTH

It’s time for your annual flu jab

The 2014 influenza vaccine is available now

AmeliA PArrott @amelia_parrott

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Exercise is good for you. Exercise and using your brain is even better, though.

Even just a quick search on the internet shows the links between physical and mental health.

When we think about exercise we generally think about how we look on the outside, or how healthy we feel on the inside.

Brain fitness though is very important.Brain fitness is the capacity of a person to meet the various

cognitive demands of life. Having strong brain fitness means you will have the best chance of getting through the various challenges and issues that confront us.

This includes the ability to assimilate information, compre-hend relationships, and develop reasonable conclusions and plans.

Brain fitness can be developed by formal education, being mentally engaged in life, continuing to learn, and exercises designed to challenge cognitive skills.

So how do you get brain fit?Well, it’s not all that different to your regular fitness and

health regimes. You need to make sure you have healthy life-style habits including mental stimulation, physical exercise, good nutrition and good stress management.

Sleep can improve brain fitness. You are not a hero if you sleep four hours a night and tell everyone about it. In fact, you are doing damage to yourself!

From the moment you’re born, brain fitness is crucial. The first three years of life are a period of incredible growth

in all areas of a baby’s development. A newborn’s brain is about 25 per cent of its approximate

adult weight. But by age three, it has grown dramatically by producing billions of cells and hundreds of trillions of connec-tions, or synapses, between these cells.

Just like we have all heard the old ‘use it or lose it’ principle applied to our muscles, the same applies to our mind. And it keeps going as we mature into adults – in fact it keeps going as long as we do.

david steinOwner & Manager of Fitec

Strength conditioning of a different sort

HEALTH

Sleepis just one

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[email protected]

One thing that I really, really hate about winter is cold feet. I sit at my work desk with a heater at my feet, I have extra blankets down the end of my bed, I often wear two pairs of socks at a time and as soon as I step in the door at home, I am straight in front of the wood heater to thaw out my toes.

It is because of my loathing for cold feet that I found my love of ugg boots, slippers and other toe warming footwear – I could wear them 24/7... if it was acceptable.

There are many of us out there, myself included, that scowl at people who wear their ugg boots and slippers shopping, to a family lunch or anywhere really, because they are seen in the same category as pyjamas: things you wear at home and only at home.

I always have a little giggle when I see someone wearing their ugg boots outdoors but I really shouldn’t because I have been sitting on a dirty little secret all year.

This time last year I was wandering through the local K-Mart. I was browsing the slipper section when I came across a pair of brown loafer-style slippers, with proper soles and lined with deliciously soft fluff.

At less that $20 I had them off the shelf with the blink of an eye and half an hour later was wearing them around the home.

One particularly cold winter’s day I was desperately in need of a pair of brown shoes to match the outfit I had picked out for a trip to the shops and I had nothing... except for the pair of brown, loafer-style slippers.

Already running late, I slipped them on and headed out the door. That was not the last time that I wore that particular pair of slippers out, in fact, they are in regular use.

Now, they didn’t look a lot like slippers from the outside but anyone who had walked through K-Mart’s slipper section would have known I was wearing my at-home shoes out of the home – oh the shame!

Here comes the part where I get down on my knees and beg the fashion industry to change the rules; let me wear my slippers outside, and let it be okay! Please, I beg you!

KatherinetWeed

My plea to the fashion industry about uggs

FAsHiOn

Snugugg boots should be

acceptable attire for

a casual visit to the shops

[email protected]

@ktweed_

Next Market : Sunday March 30

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The master of puppets

YOUR leading enteRtainment gUide

Eventnews & guide

TE caught up with ventriloquist extraordinaire David Strassman ahead of his upcoming Hunter mini-tour.

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British pioneering trip-hop trio Morcheeba are back with their original lineup, so get ready to hear the dreamy, soulful, down tempo sounds of the Godfrey brothers and the sweet, sensual vocals of Skye Edwards - one of the most vocally gifted soul singers of today - that we have loved since the 90's.

Morcheeba define the ‘chill out’ genre and are the perfect antidote to a big night, songs like ‘Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day’, ‘The Sea’, ‘Even Though’ and ‘Otherwise’ have been played in café’s, lounge rooms and at Sunday sessions worldwide and featured on endless compilations including the Café Del Mar series. Morcheeba will be hitting Australia hot on the heels of their latest album ‘Head Up High’.

what's on A strong narrative, coupled with a strong

emphasis on dynamics and creating plenty of ‘light and shade’ moments, make this, the third album from Michigan post-hardcore outfit, La Dispute, their most cohesive yet.

Largely a concept album, ‘Rooms of the House’ centres around the collapse of a co-habitating couple’s relationship and frontman Jordan Dreyer’s dense lyrics focus on the minutia of the relationship rather than the big things, which only makes the story more relateable.

Musically, this is an exercise in building tension. From the skippy ‘Stay Happy There’ to the stripped back and sparse closer ‘Objects in Space’, there is much musical ground covered and coupled with Dreyer’s oft screamo vocals, makes for a very interesting listen.

Cameron Diaz is at her sassy best in this comedy from director Jake Kasdan (‘Walk Hard’). When her wealthy fiancé breaks it off, Elizabeth Halsey returns to middle school - she's an awful teacher but wants to save for breast-implant surgery. She brightens when Scott (Justin Timberlake), a new teacher, turns out to be rich, and she stops showing films and sleeping in class when told there's a bonus for the teacher whose class scores highest on the state exam.

This pulse-pounding thriller was nominated for best picture at this year’s Oscar’s and it’s not hard to see why. Director Paul Greengrass (‘United 93’, ‘The Bourne Supremacy’) turns his distinctive visual style to the true story of the 2009 hijacking of the US container ship Maersk Alabama by a crew of Somali pirates.

The story centres on the relationship between the ship’s commanding officer Captain Phillips (Tom Hanks) and the Somali pirate captain Muse (Barkhad Abdi) who takes him hostage. Phillips and Muse are set on a collision course when Muse and his crew target Phillips' unarmed ship; in the ensuing standoff, both men will find themselves at the mercy of forces beyond their control.

Morcheeba Thursday, April 17 • Metro Theatre

La Dispute rooMs of the house Out Now

baD teacher Wednesday, 9.45pm • Prime 7

captain phiLLips Out NowRATED M

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Master ofCOMEDY

When it comes to the world of ventriloquism there are few who hold a candle to the irrepress-ible David Strassman.

With his ‘renegade band of puppets’ – led by the loveable Ted E Bare and the evil and anarchic Chuck Wood, Strassman combines full-on theatrics, astute characterisation and razor-sharp comedy to create a show that almost defies categorisation

He has been a frequent visitor to our shores since the 1990s after regular appearances on shows like ‘Hey Hey It’s Saturday’ and with a mini-tour of the Hunter region kicking off next month, no one could claim that his popularity is on the wane. “I’ve been play-ing shows on the East Coast of Australia for years and it’s just wonderful – both the peo-ple I see at shows and the beautiful country that I get to see,” Strassman told TE. Strass-man said people expecting just a guy with his hand up the back of a puppet could think again. ‘It really is a full-on production show,” he said. “The level of production that I use at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney is the same

that I would use in Soldiers Point. There’s a massive projection screen that gives me the opportunity to have a chat to Ted back-stage and we also have some state-of-the art robotics which allow me to operate Chuck from the opposite side of the stage.”

For Strassman, aside from being able to keep your lips from moving while the pup-pet talks, the secret to being a masterful ven-triloquist is to create characters that come complete with all of the nuances, hopes and fears of regular people. “My characters have the same level of characterisation that you would find in a stage play,” he explained. “Chuck is the naughty little boy that we all wish we could be while Ted is kind of the sweet, innocent voice of reason. It really is important that the characters have com-plete back stories because it’s easier for an audience to relate to them.”

So just what is it that has resonated with audiences for so long? “I guess people just love seeing things they know aren’t real come to life.”

Catch David Strassman at Toronto Work-ers Club on Tuesday, April 1; Hexham Bowl-ing Club on Wednesday, April 2; Soldiers Point Bowling Club on Thursday, April 3, Belmont 16s on Friday, April 4 and Wests Lambton on Saturday, April 5.

Stephen BiSSet

puppets17

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Mr. Peabody, the most accomplished dog in the world, and his mischievous boy Sher-man, use their time machine - the WABAC - to go on the most outrageous adventures known to man or dog. But when Sherman takes the WABAC out for a joyride to im-press his friend Penny, they accidentally rip a hole in the universe, wreaking havoc on the most important events in world history. Before they forever alter the past, present and future, Mr. Peabody must come to their rescue and face his most difficult challenge.

In ‘The Wind Rises’, Jiro dreams of flying and designing beautiful airplanes, inspired by the famous Italian aeronautical designer Caproni. Nearsighted from a young age and unable to be a pilot, Jiro joins a major Japanese engineering company in 1927 and becomes one of the world's most innova-tive and accomplished airplane designers. Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki – the visionary behind such anime classics as ‘Spirited Away’ and ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’, ‘The Wind Rises’ is a feast for the senses.

Directed by Darren Aronofsky (‘Req-uiem for a Dream’, ‘Black Swan’,) and starring Russell Crowe, ‘Noah’ is a close adaptation of the Biblical story of Noah`s Ark.

In a world ravaged by human sin, Noah is given a divine mission: to build an Art to save creation from the coming flood.

The screenplay was written by Aronofsky and Ari Handel and was revised by Academy Award - nomi-nated screenwriter John Logan (Gladiator and Hugo).

Lights Camera aCtion this week

Mr Peabody & SherMan

The Wind riSeS

noahEvEnt CinEmas, GlEndalE and towEr CinEmas

I feel I may not be of the correct age or relationship status to fully connect with ‘Le Week-End’. That’s not to say it was a bad film, because it wasn’t, in fact in parts it was funny, melancholy and odd, but I just don’t think the story was for me.

A British couple, Nick and Meg (Jim Broadbent and Lindsay Duncan), return to the spot of their honeymoon, Paris, for the 30th wedding anniversary, but the underlying cracks in their marriage are forced to the surface following a poor choice of hotel, a loom-ing forced retirement and differing opinions on a free-loading, marijuana-smoking son. While in Paris, Nick (Broadbent), runs into an old friend, Morgan (Jeff Goldblum), who only serves to drive a wedge further between them.I can’t fault the cinematography or the cast. The film is a francophiles’ delight, and Broadbent and Duncan were brilliant in their expression of the nuances in their dialogue. Goldblum was a delight, with his exuberant performance a welcome break from the heavy focus on the two main characters.

Take away all of the big budget CGI eye candy and surprisingly engaging action sequences and, at its heart, Pompeii is quite an old-fashioned and arguably clichéd love story.

Directed by Paul W. S Anderson, who is no stranger to the pop-corn flick (‘Resident Evil’, ‘Alien vs Predator’, ‘Death Race’ et al) this epic tale centres around Milo – a former slave turned gladiator. As is the case with these films, the hero must have a muse and in this case Milo’s is the beautiful Cassia (Emily Browning). The merchant’s daughter finds herself in a spot of bother when the das-tardly Roman senator Corvus (Keifer Sutherland) takes her unwill-ing hand in marriage. It’s up to Milo to save his beloved, however a spanner is thrown into the works when Mount Vesuvius decides to erupt, spewing torrents of lava into the once magnificent Pompeii.

Kit Harrington, John Snow from TVs ‘Game of Thrones’ makes a pretty decent fist of things as the brooding hero and, as expected, the special effects are massive, however, some hackneyed dialogue and a been-there-done-that plot bring the film down.

le week-End [Rated M] Reviewed at tower Cinemas, Newcastle by melissah Comber

Pompeii (3d) [Rated M] Reviewed at event Cinemas, Glendale by stephen Bisset

2. 5/5

3. 5/5

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If there was ever a show designed indulge you in a sci-fi fantasy of intergalactic proportions, it would have to be ‘The Empire Strips Back: A Star Wars Burlesque Parody’

Combining the seemingly disparate worlds of the ‘Star Wars’ universe and the titillating arena of burlesque, this is a science fiction fantasy like you’ve never seen before.

After wowing Newcastle audiences with their first theatrical outing in 2012, creative director Russall S Beattie will be bringing his sexy retinue of intergalactic temptresses back to the Civic Theatre in a show that definitely pulls out all the stops.

“It’s a completely new show from the last one,” he explained.

“The last show was a lot smaller and I guess I was never fully happy with the overall scale of it – I mean it’s ‘Star Wars’ – it has to be massive.

“The whole show has been completely rebuilt – right down to the costumes and the characters are as close as possible to the movies – despite the fact that they’re female.”

Beattie, a self-confessed ‘Star Wars’ tragic, whose company Tenderloins has well and truly capitalised on the resurgence of burlesque with ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘Batman’-themed shows said punters don’t necessarily need to be

au fait with the exploits of Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, to appreci-ate what’s going on onstage.

“Yeah I definitely wore out my old VHS tapes of the movies growing up and I was there in line to see the later films, even though they were crap,” he laughed.

“But you really don’t need to be a fan of

the films, this is a show that works on so many levels – it’s just two hours of pure entertainment.”

“There’s definitely a lot of titillation going on in a show like this but it’s defi-nitely not gratuitous – it’s just a hell of a lot of good, clean – well maybe not so clean, fun.”

The Empire brings sexy backTHEATRE

Stephen BiSSet

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H ard-working and relentless determination are just two characteristics that can be

attributed to Pat Capocci. Since form-ing nearly 10 years ago, the Pat Capocci Combo has emerged as one of Australia’s respected practitioners of Rockabilly and Roots music.

Growing up in Maitland, Capocci spent his early years listening to and being influenced by traditional roots music of yesteryear. At age sixteen Pat became an influential member of numerous bands, developing his unique style and performing at local pubs and clubs.

Many years later and with over five records produced on the Prestone label, including compilations with leading acts across Australia, Pat has found himself respected both nationally and internationally. Part of this respect lends itself to Pats ‘all or nothing’ mentality. Undoubtedly one of Australia’s hardest working bands, with gigs 4-5 times a week, it is no wonder why all ages and subcultures across the country admire the energy and passion fuelled music that is the Pat Capocci Combo.

Have guitar will travel

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paT capocci Wickham park hoTel SaTurday, march 29

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key Tango Foxtrot.GEORGE TAVERN: Thursday, Jack Daniels; Friday, Phil McKnight; Saturday, Mardmax; Sunday, Troy Kemp.GRAND HOTEL: Saturday, Anna Miat.GRAND JUNCTION HOTEL, Maitland: Thursday, Cindy Boste; Friday, Bob Log III; Saturday, Teej and the Feinds.GREAT NORTHERN HOTEL: Wednes-day, Resos Jam Night.GRETA WORKERS CLUB: Friday, 2 Shots.GUNYAH HOTEL: Friday, DJs; Satur-day, The Remedy; Sunday, Phonic Trio.GWANDALAN BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Robbie Urquhart.HALEKULANI BOWLING CLUB: Satur-day, Malihini’s Over 30s Nightspot.HAMILTON STATION HOTEL: Wednesday, Postal, Deadtown Nothings, Dog Act; Thursday, Live MC Battles feat DJ Wizla and Doel; Friday, Karaoke, To Hell With Honour, Abacination, Balescream, Fingers Crossed; Saturday, Karaoke, Razorhead, Unstuck, Necrology; Sunday, Jen Buxton, Jerk Lundie.HARRIGANS IRISH PUB: Friday, Mayhem 101; Saturday, The Harbourmaster, KDL; Sunday, Kevin O’Hara Duo.HEXHAM BOWLING CLUB: Saturday, Cool Change.HONEYSUCKLE HOTEL: Friday/Satur-day, Hire Hats; Sunday, Kylie Jane.HOTEL DELANY: Wednesday, Sean Andrews; Friday, Matt Meler, AdzDrumz, End of Days; Saturday, Gen X.HOTEL JESMOND: Friday, HP Duo; Saturday, Adam and Holly.HOTEL PREMIER: Saturday, Dave Owen; Sunday, DV8.HOTEL TUDOR: Saturday, Deuce.

IRON HORSE INN: Saturday, Damien.JEWELLS TAVERN: Sunday, Pete Hibbert.KENT HOTEL: Friday, Ks Band; Saturday, Rip It Up; Sunday, Dai Pritchard Blues Band.KING STREET HOTEL: Friday, Hard Kitty, Dexi, Gilles; Saturday, Other Ideas; Sunday, Any Given Sunday.KURRI BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Rob-bie and the Rattlesnakes; Saturday, Blue Suede Rockers Duo.LAKE MACQUARIE YACHT CLUB: Sunday, Matt Gaudrey.LAMBTON PARK HOTEL: Saturday, Zane Penn.LASS O’GOWRIE HOTEL: Wednesday, Holly Clayton and Adam Miller; Thursday, Dan Southward; Friday, Flight to Dubai, The Dusky Lanes, Touchy Third Uncle; Saturday, Great toad, Organik, Way Out; Sunday, An-nie O’Dee and the Hotshots, Walter Jr Band, 2NUR Blues Show. LIZOTTE’S NEWCASTLE: Wednesday, Lior; Thursday, Duane Everettsmith; Friday, Galapagos Duck; Saturday, Ms Murphy, Sunday, Amber Law-rence and Jason Owen; Tuesday, In the Same of Style.LOCHINVAR HOTEL: Saturday, Mick Jones.LONG JETTY HOTEL: Saturday, Dun-can Woods; Sunday, Open Mic with Kate Keighran.MARK HOTEL: Friday, Jungle Kings; Saturday, Hayden Johns; Sunday, Hornet.MARY ELLEN: Thursday, Brooke Harvey; Friday, Incognito; Saturday, Phonic Duo.MATTARA HOTEL: Friday, Lee Rolfe; Saturday, Disco & Karaoke.MAVERICKS ON THE BAY: Saturday, Tiali.MEREWETHER SURFHOUSE: Friday, Kylie Jane.

5 SAWYERS: Friday, Perry Carter; Saturday, DJ Patsan; Sunday, DJ Tone.ABSOLUTE THAI, Charlestown: Satur-day, The Dreamcatchers.ADAMSTOWN CLUB: Saturday, Deviation.ANNA BAY TAVERN: Saturday, Back 2 Rock.AVON VALLEY INN: Saturday, XYZ.BAR 121: Wednesday, DJ Mix; Thurs-day, Muso Jam Night; Friday, Troy Kemp; Saturday, Incognito.BEAUFORD HOTEL: Saturday, John Larder.BELMONT 16s: Wednesday, Michael Montgomery, Milton Ward; Saturday, Talk of the Town; Sunday, Phillip Crawshaw.BELMORE HOTEL: Friday, Good Com-pany; Saturday, Daley Holliday.BELMONT BOWLING CLUB: Friday, John Jay.BELMONT HOTEL: Saturday, The V Dubs.BERESFIELD BOWLING CLUB: Friday, 24 Hours; Saturday, Loko; Sunday, Red Dirt Country Band feat Darren

Carr.BLACKBUTT HOTEL: Saturday, DLove.BRADFORD HOTEL: Saturday, Barnstormin’ Chisel/Barnes Show; Sunday, Phil McKnight.CAMBRIDGE HOTEL: Wednesday, Cu-ervo, Peacemeal, Monrobot, Model Youth; Friday, 12 Ft Ninja; Saturday, The Gooch Palms, Palms..CARDIFF RSL: Friday, Total 80s Re-call; Saturday, Dai Pritchard band.CATHO PUB: Saturday, Cash and Co; Sunday, Dirty Deeds AC/DC Show.CENTRAL HOTEL, Stroud: Saturday, Lennie Live.CESSNOCK LEAGUES CLUB: Friday, The Big Bang; Saturday, The GaudreysCHARLESTOWN BOWLING CLUB: Friday, 2 Good Reasons.CLARENDON HOTEL: Friday, Troy; Saturday, Howard Shearman.CLUB AZZURRI: Sunday, Latinova.COLLIERY INN: Friday, Karaoke; Saturday, Pete Sneddon.COMMERCIAL HOTEL: Friday, Tim Usher.CRICKETERS ARMS: Friday, Mick

Boogaard; Saturday, Dean Kyrwood.CRITEREON HOTEL, Singleton: Friday, Uptown.CROWN AND ANCHOR: Friday, Jason Bone.CUSTOMS HOUSE: Wednesday, AdzDrumz; Friday, Mick Jones; Saturday, Perry Carter; Sunday, Jason Bone.DENMAN HOTEL: Friday, Karaoke; Sunday,. Graeme Mills.DUKE OF WELLINGTON: Friday, Tom Buckley; Saturday, Bobby C.EAST MAITLAND BOWLING CLUB: Fri-day, Shivoo; Saturday, Idol Motion; Sunday, Robbie Urquhart.EASTS LEISURE AND GOLF: Saturday, Karaoke.ENTRANCE LEAGUES CLUB: Friday, Double Impact.EXCHANGE HOTEL: Friday, Moonlight Drive; Saturday, Grand Theft Audio.FAMILY HOTEL, Maitland: Friday, Back 2 Rock.FIVE ISLANDS REC CLUB, Speers Point: Friday, Dave Owen; Sunday, Zane Penn Duo.GATESHEAD TAVERN: Friday, Whis-

Gig Guide SEND YOUR FREE ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS FOR THE GUIDE TO: [email protected]

What better way to shake off the shackles of the working week, than by dancing the night away to the music of Daley Holliday at the Belmore Hotel on Saturday night. Ryan Daley and Josh Holliday have a great repertoire that spans various genres including rock, roots, jazz, pop and blues - hits you know and love. Daley has more than five years experience as a professional singer/songwriter, entertaining audiences with his great repertoire, fantastic voice and charismatic stage presence.

Daley HolliDay BelmoreHotel Sat, marcH 29

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MJ FINNEGANS: Friday, DJs; Satur-day, DJs.NAG’S HEAD HOTEL: Saturday, Good Grief.NELSON BAY DIGGERS THE LOUNGE: Friday, Daley Holliday; Saturday, The Bad and the Ugly; Sunday, Paul Robert Burton.NORTHERN STAR HOTEL: Saturday, Mark Wood.NORTHUMBERLAND HOTEL: Friday, Lennie Live.OLD PUB, Woy Woy: Saturday, Revolver.ORANA HOTEL: Friday, Oz Rock Show; Saturday, Catfish Soup.PEDENS, Cessnock: Friday, Brett O’Malley; Saturday, Damnation Bon Scott Tribute.PIPPI’S AT THE POINT: Friday, Brooke Harvey, Zane Penn Duo; Saturday, Affinity; Sunday, Howard Shearman.PLOUGH INN: Friday, Allan Friehaut.POTTERS BREWERY: Friday, Karen O’Shea.PRINCE OF WALES: Friday, Howard Shearman; Saturday, Tom Buckley; Sunday, Yianni.QUEENS WHARF BREWERY: Wednes-day, Miss Menace; Friday, Timmy Coffey; Saturday, Pistol Pete, Kim and Mik, DJ Ules; Sunday, Incognito, Jon T, Untamaidam Crew.REGAL HOTEL, Kurri: Saturday, 4 Letter Word.REGAL HUNTER HOTEL: Saturday, Troy.RIVER ROYAL, Morpeth: Friday, Ste-phen Boyd; Saturday, Michael Mills.ROYAL FEDERAL HOTEL: Saturday, Nick Raschke Duo.ROYAL HOTEL, Denman: Saturday, Angel Gear.ROYAL HOTEL, Singleton: Sunday, Caffine Crunch.ROYAL INN, Waratah: Saturday, Moose Preservation.RUTHERFORD HOTEL: Saturday, Zac and Ben.SALAMANDER TAVERN: Sunday, Duncan Woods.SEABREEZE HOTEL: Friday, Tori M; Saturday, Kadence.SETTLERS ARMS, Dungog: Friday, Dave Feint.SHOAL BAY RESORT: Friday, Brenton Williams, Rock Oz, Dean Kyrwood; Saturday, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, Amy Fredes, Russell Hull; Sunday, Kazzi Waters, Good Company.

SHORTLAND HOTEL: Friday, Tommii.SOLDIERS POINT BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Jim Overend; Saturday, Back Beat.STOCKTON BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Redline.SUNNYSIDE TAVERN: Friday, Jerome.SYDNEY JUNCTION HOTEL: Friday, DJs, The V Dubs; Saturday, Endless Summer Beach Party, DJs.SWANSEA RSL: Saturday, Cover 2 Cover.SWANSEA WORKERS CLUB: Saturday, Adam Price and Friends.TELARAH BOWLING CLUB: Friday/Saturday, Entertainment.THE POURHOUSE, Maitland: Satuqr-day, Kelly Hope.TILLIGERRY RSL CLUB: Friday, The Piranha Brothers; Saturday, Brett O’Malley, Tezza and The Twistops.TORONTO ROYAL MOTOR YACHT CLUB: Friday, Jamie Martens WALLSEND DIGGERS CLUB: Friday, GenR8; Saturday, Rock Factor.WANGI HOTEL: Sunday, Mark Lee.WANGI WORKERS CLUB: Friday, Karaoke; Saturday, Holly Wilson.WARNERS AT THE BAY: Thursday, Kara`oke; Friday, Loose Bazooka; Saturday, The Rumour.WARNERS BAY HOTEL: Thursday, Karaoke; Friday, Punkfish, DJs; Sat-urday, Shivoo; Sunday, Jungle Kings.WESTON WORKERS CLUB: Friday, Tezza and the Twistops, DJ Brian Bean.WESTS NEW LAMBTON PIANO LOUNGE: Wednesday, Peter Wall; Thursday, Angamus; Friday, Peter Wall; Saturday, Warren Hunter; Monday, Warren Hunter; Tuesday, Angamus.WESTS NEW LAMBTON MARBLE BAR: Friday, DJ Timmy Coffey, Rubicon; Saturday, DJ Sean Michael, The Rattle.WEST WALLSEND WORKERS CLUB: Sunday, Karen O’Shea.WICKHAM PARK HOTEL Wednesday, Wicko Jam Night feat Josh Callaway & Kerrie Miller; Friday, Overload; Saturday, Helen and Friends, Pat Capocci; Sunday, Dave Demons, Fish Fry.WINDSOR CASTLE HOTEL: Friday, The Nick Raschke Duo; Saturday, Scratch.

THE Jungle Kings hail from Bondi in the eastern suburbs of Sydney – the playground of rich and poor, gangsters and suburban families, surfies and rev-heads, corporate giants and hoboes, sharks and whales; an area of high-priced real estate and junk-filled streets, local kids on skateboards and tourists by the truckload.Out of this ferociously fecund forest, this international vortex of bluebottles and back-packers, this Antipodean urban jungle, the Jungle Kings emerged.The rockin’ end includes Elvis Presley, Wilson Pickett, Eddie Cochran, Bob Marley, the Doors, Van Morrison, Paul Kelly, Pink Floyd, Oasis, the Beatles, the Stones and James Brown, while the rhythm ’n’ swing is a selection of classic swing and jazz by the likes of Cab Calloway, Louis Jordan, Louis Prima and Duke Ellington

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A fter making some serious waves with increasingly well-received trips across the Tasman to the

mainland, Tasmanian-bred singer-song-writer Christopher Coleman looks set to soar even higher with the release, this week, of his mature-beyond-his-years, unpretentious and beautifully lilting self-titled debut album.

The affable Coleman is currently on tour with his revolving door outfit The Christopher Coleman Collective (a tour which has seen sold out shows in Melbourne and a plum spot at the Port Fairy Folk Festival and he said things couldn’t be going better.

“Yeah, it’s going a whole lot better than I originally thought – there’s always a sense of trepidation going out on the road, but it’s just brilliant to see such a positive response.”

Lead by the arresting folk-pop single ‘Go Home’, the album is an unassuming mix of folk-pop, blues and even some drivier rock numbers underpinned by Coleman’s well-honed sense of narra-tive and deft turn of phrase.

He said that the recording process was a relatively long one – one that started in the Tasmanian hinterland and took him halfway across the world to Sweden where the whole process was nearly de-railed by feline intervention.

Able TasmanianMusic

i f you were gearing up to check out Kasey Chambers (pictured), Busby Marou, Harry Hookey and Ashleigh

Dallas, in the Foggy Mountain Jam at Hexham Bowling Club this weekend, well you’ll just have to hold your breath a little longer.

Due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control, some schedule shuf-fling had to be done and the Jam will now roll into town on Sunday, June 29.

What started as a boutique concert where artists and musicians became “jamming” mates in front of a small crowd in the Hunter Valley, has now grown to an extravaganza of wandering minstrels where artists play their own hits and also jam with their friends.

change of date for Jam

Music

Foggy Mountain JaM HexHaM Bowling CluB Sunday, June 29

Stephen BiSSet

“The whole thing started out in the mountains above Hobart when I had some mates from Sydney staying with me – we were having a drink one night and I brought out the guitar and played them some of the songs,” he explained.

“They encouraged me to record them so I called a local engineer and we started tracking at my house in December 2012.

“We ended up mixing it in Sweden- there was a mutual friend, a producer in

Sweden who needed a house sitter and someone to look after his cats which we did and one of the cats went missing. We literally had to take six days out of the mixing time to search for this cat, but thankfully it turned up in the end.”

Catch the Christopher Coleman Collective at the Royal Exchange Thea-tre on Friday, March 28 and the Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland on Thursday, April 3.

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Don’t feed the trolls

F rom breaking crowd-funding re-cords to gaining some pretty seri-ous in-roads into the US and Eu-

rope, it’s pretty safe to say that it has been a pretty massive 12 months for alt.rock boundary pushers 12 Foot Ninja.

Riding high on the release of their de-but long player, ‘Silent Machine’, the band broke crowd-funding records when they raised $7000 more than their target to make the video for their latest single ‘Ain’t That a Bitch’. If that wasn’t enough, the band released ‘Silent Machine’ in the US in October last year to a thunderous reception that saw the eclectic banger gain the attention of SiriusXM’s Liquid Metal show whose listeners voted the band best artist and best song discovery of 2013. The band also embarked on their first tour of the US with Periphery, Born of Osiris and Dead Letter Circus – a tour that gained endorsements from the likes of Dino Cazares (Fear Factory) and Mike Portnoy (Dream Theatre).

“It’s been a f****** crazy 12 months,” guitarist Steve “Stevic” Mackay told TE.

“We broke the crowd-funding record, toured the US and Europe where we got

to play a festival with Meshuggah. It’s been mental.

“It has been really surprising that America is starting to go off – we’re ac-tually heading back over after the cur-rent tour to service demand – it’s kinda hard trying to juggle the different com-mitments that are popping up, but it’s a good problem to have.”

Before heading back Stateside the band are embarking on a national Oz tour in to celebrate the release of the massive clip for the equally massive ‘Ain’t That a Bitch’.

The band pulled out all of the stops for the anti-cyber bullying themed clip – a gory tale of retribution against an in-ternet troll, calling on a prosthetics guy who worked on ‘The Hobbit’, a 7ft Alas-kan brown bear and Penthouse Pet Mad-ison Rhys. Mackay said that despite all of the whizzbangery contained within, there were some ideas that were just too big for the clip.

“Yeah, we really wanted to do the whole ‘Matrix’ bullet-time thing for the fight scene but it proved too massive a task.

“But we’re just stoked with the reac-tion to it – I guess the concept of getting revenge on internet trolls just resonates with people.”

Music 12 Foot NiNja Cambridge Hotel Fri, marCH 28

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Newcastle & Hunter Jazz Club presents SUN MARCH 30 2.30-5.30pm Entry $22

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First National Lake Macquarie Agent: Troy Duncan P: 4950 8555 Inspect: By appointment

T his immaculately presented fam-ily single-level home is just 3.5 years old and occupies 27 squares.

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N ewcastle Jets attacker Adam Taggart is confident his part-nership with wingers Joel Grif-fiths and David Carney will

continue to flourish as the team pushes towards the finals.

Carney made his first start for the club on the left wing against the Mariners a fortnight ago while Griffiths returned from a rib injury to score his first goal for the season.

“It’s been perfect the way we’ve fit in so quickly, it was nice on the weekend and it’s only going to get better,” Taggart said. “Dave and Joel are still getting match fit each week, the combinations are there, it’s maybe just that final ball or final prod-uct that we need to get right. Joel and Dave are both individually very good and can create things out of nothing which is something we really need out there.

Taggart believes the class of both players is vital to the team’s chances of securing a top six berth and admitted he is enjoying the service that they are providing him with up front.

“They’re both individually very good and very different which is something you need, you don’t want two wingers exactly the same,” he said. “Joel’s a

natural goal scorer and is always looking to find the back of the net, Dave Carney’s got a wand of a left foot and is always looking to take people on technically.

“It’s great having the two differences in there and for someone like me it’s great to have two players who are really looking

to play forward and create opportunities for me. We want to be an attacking team and now it just comes down to the deliv-ery. Joel and Dave both have that in their locker, if we can put that on the park than I don’t see why we can’t put a few more goals away.”

SPORT

Jets develop triple threatTaggart relishing quality service from experienced wingers

Adam Taggart has welcomed his partnership with Joel Griffiths and David Carney

OPENINGFEBruary 14

discover. indulge. experience.the newcastle night markets

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Next marketMARCH 28

Talk to the man himself and he'll credit a number of factors from family through to his naturally determined ways.

Of all his influences though, Roberts nominates his four years at the Kirinari Aboriginal Hostel in Garden Suburb in Newcastle as the key to his focus and never-say-die-attitude.

"When I was at the hostel discipline and looking after yourself was the biggest thing," he explains. "I was living with 14 other boys in the hostel and we got taught to make our beds every morning, wash our clothes and come home and do our study.

"I spent four years at the hostel and I’m grateful for that. It’s just all that discipline that a normal person needs and now I’ve now taken that into life."

With the support and guidance of the hostel, Roberts says he felt like he had the inner belief to defy any setback. This was proven when he initially felt homesick living in Newcastle and seriously consid-ered quitting. "I was talking to mum almost every day," he recalls. "I was just about ready to give it all away, but mum said I had to stay because nothing changes here. So I stuck in for another year and then it just got easier and easier."

It's a decision that has ended up being the right one for Roberts, who has gone on to not only become an NRL player but also inspiration for his people. In fact, Tyrone is a perfect example that hard work combined with the right attitude will always pay off no matter how tough life becomes.

Story continues from » p. 28

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sportthe hunter post // www.thehunterpost.com.au

Wednesday 26 March 2014

T o say Tyrone Roberts has come a long way would be an understatement.

Here is a bloke who has faced countless setbacks throughout his

young life, but managed to overcome them to reach the heights of the NRL as the Newcastle Knights star halfback.

It’s a resilience that’s given the playmaker the strength to fight no matter the circumstance and become a role model for his family and Aboriginal people.

For a guy constantly confronted by hardships growing up though, Roberts remains refresh-ingly happy.

In fact, casually chatting away after training, Roberts says he has never been more content.

You see, here is a footballer who understands how fortunate is to be living his lifelong dream.

It's a fact that's rammed home for Roberts training at the Knights' state-of-the-art facilities alongside lifelong idols like Danny Buderus, a club legend who made his debut when Tyrone was just six-years old.

Talk to blokes like Buderus and they'll tell you

Roberts the role model

Knight halfback Tyrone Roberts

Knights half settled into role after overcoming early hardships

Newcastle is now Roberts' team, a prospect the quietly-spoken half never thought possible as a kid surrounded by alcohol abuse in the local community growing up in Ballina on the NSW north coast.

It was a difficult environment that quite easily could have also captured Roberts, before he decided to leave his hometown for Newcas-tle as a 14-year-old.

"When you are sitting down and realise what you’ve done, it just hits you," reflects Roberts, who also lived in a refuge in Lismore as a youngster. I’m just loving life now, but it could have been so different.

"I'm just lucky I saw an opportunity to get away from all the alcohol when I was 14 and to move on to better things in Newcastle was one of those opportunities. Every time I go back home nothing changes and everyone is still drinking and doing the same stuff.

"It just shows how much I’ve changed and looking back now and reflecting, that was the best thing I’ve ever done.

"Now I’m reaping the benefits, I’m loving what I do and my family is benefiting at the same time."

So where does Roberts' resilience come from?

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Story continues on » p. 27