Netball NSW is delighted to welcome Valour Sport on board as the organisation’s Official Sportswear and Merchandise Partner for the next three years.
The partnership, which will also see Valour become the kit and merchandise suppliers to the NSW Swifts and GIANTS Netball, will commence from this season.
As well as NSW’s Suncorp Super Netball teams, Valour will be kit suppliers to the QBE Swifts Academy, the GIANTS Netball Academy and the NSW State Teams who will represent the state at the 2020 National Netball Championships in Tasmania.
Valour will also oversee production of merchandise for major Netball NSW events such as the HART Junior and Senior State Titles.
Netball NSW CEO Carolyn Campbell welcomed Valour to the Netball NSW family earlier today.
“We had strong interest when we went to market for an apparel supplier and Valour emerged as the best fit, as determined by our panel,” Campbell said.
“We have some of the best athletes in Australia, and indeed the world, in our teams and pathways at Netball NSW and it’s important they feel comfortable when competing at the highest level.
“Valour are innovative and very accommodating when it comes to meeting the needs of our athletes.
“We are delighted to have them with us and are looking forward to a very productive working relationship.”
Valour spokesman Matthew Knight said the company was equally excited about the new partnership.
“Valour is passionate about supporting and encouraging athletes of all abilities across the sporting landscape,” he said.
“Valour is proud to be entering into this partnership with Netball NSW as it provides our company with an opportunity to work with a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to empowering athletes of all ages to play netball.
“Netball NSW is a natural progression in Valour’s pursuit of supplying highly technical sportswear to professional and grassroots athletes.
“In association with Netball NSW, Valour will continue to redefine the standards of modern sportswear by offering Netball NSW athlete’s the very best in functional and technical apparel.”
ABOUT VALOUR
Since 2009 Valour have designed, manufactured and supplied high performance sportswear and sports uniforms to over 1,000,000 young athletes. Valour’s reputation in the sportswear industry for constant innovation in sportswear fabric and design is unsurpassed.
In 2012 Valour’s Company Directors established Talon Global. Talon is a 2000m2 state-of-the-art manufacturing facility created to produce Valour’s industry-leading sportswear.
Visit valoursport.com.au for more information.
Author: admin
Homemade spikes scattered on running trail near Toronto
Police are appealing for information and are urging the public to take extra care after homemade spikes were found scattered across a running trail in Lake Macquarie yesterday.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were called to Alexanders Trail in Lake Macquarie State Conservation Park at Bolton Point, near Toronto, about 12.40pm (Monday 20 January 2020), when a runner found the devices.
Officers have been told the man was running the trail about 11.40am when he noticed a pile of leaves piled in the middle of the track.
Hidden in the leaves the man found wine corks with nails protruding from them, similar to historic weapons known as ‘caltrops’.
The man continued along the trail and found a further two piles hiding more spikes.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were notified a short time later and attended the location.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the items has commenced and police are urging anyone who may have information or noticed suspicious activity in the area to contact Toronto Police Station on (02) 4088 1099 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Inquiries continue.
Immediate small business support for bushfire affected communities
In response to the devastating bushfires, the Morrison Government has today announced a comprehensive suite of measures to immediately support impacted small businesses.
This initial package responds to the needs expressed by small businesses on the ground and at the small business roundtable last week which saw chambers of commerce from fire affected regions, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia come together with the Government to discuss the impacts of this natural disaster on small business.
This comprehensive package will make it easier for those who have suffered direct fire damage, or have been indirectly economically impacted following the bushfires, to get back on their feet.
This package deals with the challenges we know small businesses in these areas are facing, and will continue to face. Our immediate priorities for small businesses include grant funding, concessional loans, tax relief, a dedicated and single contact point to help them access the support that is available, and financial counselling services that are targeted to help small and family business owners deal with the emotional and financial challenges they face.
Grant funding
To build on the disaster recovery grants put in place by state governments, the Federal Government will provide top-up grants to eligible small businesses and non-profit organisations under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
This program is uncapped and means that businesses and organisations that have sustained damage as a result of the fires can access up to $50,000 in grant funding (tax free).
Concessional loans
As well as extra support announced already for families and communities to help keep spending in local stores, the Federal Government wants to ensure small businesses have cashflow to run their operations.
The Federal Government will boost the value and concessions for small business loans, also on offer to farmers, primary producers and non-profit organisations, under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
To provide maximum flexibility for eligible businesses, loans of up to $500,000 will be offered for businesses that have suffered significant asset loss or a significant loss of revenue. The loan would be for up to 10 years and used for the purposes of restoring or replacing damaged assets and for working capital.
The loans will be available with a repayment holiday of up to two years, with no interest accruing during this period. The subsequent interest rate would be set at 50 per cent of the ten-year Commonwealth government bond rate (currently around 0.6%).
The Government will be seeking the agreement of the states to provide these loans under harmonised, consistent terms and eligibility criteria.
Dedicated, single contact point
The Government will deliver $3.5 million to establish the Small Business Bushfire Financial Support Line as well as to fund 10 additional financial counsellors with the ability to provide advice to around 100 small businesses a day.
We want to ensure small businesses have access to the information that they need, when they need it. The Support Line will be staffed by small business specialist financial counsellors who will be able to provide information on the assistance and support available to small businesses in bushfire affected regions.
The Support Line, which will be staffed by trained financial counsellors, will provide information on the assistance and support available to small businesses in bushfire affected regions.
While the specialist Support Line is being established, businesses can visit www.business.gov.au or call 13 28 46.
The Commonwealth will also provide support as required to Recovery Centres that are being established by the states in fire-impacted regions. These Centres will be a one-stop-shop for small business owners and operators to ensure they have access to immediate expert support.
Local economic development plans
The Federal Government will work with local and state governments, business groups and other community organisations to develop Local Economic Recovery Plans.
These plans will be locally developed and locally-led to ensure the focus in each community is on the infrastructure and assets they need to rebuild.
Tax relief
The Commissioner of Taxation has agreed to provide a range of assistance measures to businesses in identified bushfire-impacted postcodes to help to alleviate cash flow pressures and assist these businesses with their recovery efforts.
In particular, taxpayers in impacted postcodes will now have until 28 May 2020 to lodge and pay business activity statements and income tax returns. Impacted businesses that pay their Pay-As-You-Go Instalments quarterly are also allowed to vary these instalments to zero for the December 2019 quarter and claim a refund for any instalments made in the September 2019 quarter.
These measures will assist small businesses with much-needed cashflow support during this difficult time.
Rebuilding Australian tourism
Tourism businesses and fire-affected communities around the country will receive much needed support from the Morrison Government’s National Bushfire Recovery Fund today through an initial $76 million tourism recovery package to protect jobs, small businesses and local economies by helping get tourists travelling across Australia again.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Government was throwing its support behind the country’s $152 billion tourism industry as part of an initial push to help the sector recover after a devastating blow from unprecedented bushfires.
“Our federal response to these devastating bushfires is comprehensive and unprecedented,” the Prime Minister said.
“More than 6000 defence boots on the ground, more than $50 million in emergency payments already in hand and more to come, $76 million in new mental health support to first responders and local communities, $50 million to support wildlife recovery and habitat restoration, $75,000 grants to our farmers to help them rebuild, and now surging our support for our all-important tourism industry. It’s all part of a clear plan to lead our response to the recovery driven by our National Bushfire Recovery Agency.
“Australian tourism is facing its biggest challenge in living memory.
“One in thirteen Australian jobs rely on tourism and hospitality so our $76 million investment is an urgent injection to help all those hotels, restaurants and cafes and tour operators get back on their feet.
“This is make or break for many businesses and tourist hot spots and not just in those areas directly hit by the bushfires.
“This is about getting more visitors to help keep local businesses alive and protect local jobs right across the country and especially in those areas so directly devastated such as Kangaroo Island and the Adelaide Hills, the Blue Mountains and right along the NSW Coast and East Gippsland in Victoria.
“We’ve heard directly from local operators, industry leaders, communities and the states and territories. Their message is to act now and that is exactly what we are doing. And we’ll be working closely with them all to deliver on our recovery plan to get these regions back up and running.”
The Government’s initial tourism recovery package responds directly to calls from the tourism sector and includes $20 million for a nationally coordinated domestic marketing initiative and $25 million for a global marketing campaign to drive international visitation.
A further $10 million will be provided for a regional tourism events initiative across bushfire affected areas, $9.5 million for an international media and travel trade hosting initiative, $6.5 million to support tourism business’ attendance at the largest annual tourism trade event, the Australian Tourism Exchange, and $5 million for our diplomatic network to educate that our tourism, international education and export sectors are open for business.
Federal Minister for Tourism Simon Birmingham said the funding boost would help get tourists back into areas that need it most but also make it clear that Australia is very much open for business.
“Tourism is the lifeblood of so many communities around Australia and it’s absolutely critical that we help to get people back visiting those communities that rely on tourism,” Minister Birmingham said.
“These bushfires have dealt the biggest reputational blow to our tourism industry that it has ever faced internationally. Losses caused by cancellations and collapsing booking numbers stretch well beyond those communities directly affected by fire into the many Australian towns that rely on international visitors to sustain tourism jobs.
“My message to anyone thinking about a holiday – from here or overseas – is that Australia’s towns and our incredible parks and beaches are open for business and they need your help.
“Just as it will be a long and challenging process for communities as they rebuild from fires, it will also take time and sustained effort to recover from the saturation media coverage and mistruths told online that have scared potential visitors away, including from parts of Australia that remain completely unaffected by fire.
“We will break from the practice of Tourism Australia exclusively focusing on international visitors and urgently kick off a local campaign because Australians are best placed to immediately understand that most of our country remains as safe to visit as ever.
“Tourism Australia will work with all states to upscale their existing and planned efforts to increase tourism visitation. This will include support for efforts in both bushfire affected regions and elsewhere. We understand acutely that regions that neighbour bushfire affected regions as well as the broader national tourism sector have been impacted by this crisis.
“Australians have shown enormous compassion towards fire affected communities and donated in record sums. For those who can, the next best way to help fire affected and other tourism dependent towns is to make a booking for a short break, visiting these towns and helping to sustain their small businesses and local jobs.
“Our international marketing campaign and extensive hosting of international media or travel trade partners will demonstrate to the world that Australia is very much open for business, that we maintain incredible tourism experiences in every state and territory and explain the regeneration that the Australian bush goes through after bushfires.
“I assure Australia’s tourism industry that we will work with them through this tough time to ensure visitors once again flow into our nation, supporting jobs for hundreds of thousands of Australians.”
This initiative forms part of the Morrison Government’s initial $2 billion National Bushfire Recovery Fund.
NSW GOVERNMENT INVESTS $42 MILLION TO LOWER IVF COSTS
Women seeking fertility treatment can now apply for a $500 rebate under the NSW Government’s $42 million election commitment to cut costs for IVF services.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the NSW Government is also expanding publicly supported IVF services in three public hospitals, making fertility treatment much more affordable for up to 6,000 women.
“The NSW Government’s commitment of $42 million over four years will dramatically cut out-of-pocket expenses for women struggling to conceive,” Mr Hazzard said.
“Fertility treatment can be a long, expensive and emotionally difficult process so I hope that this extra support will give women more choices and ease the financial burden.”
NSW publicly supported IVF clinics will be expanded at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Westmead Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Women, increasing access to lower-cost IVF treatments.
The NSW Government will also establish Australia’s first state-wide fertility preservation service at the Royal Hospital for Women, providing cancer patients with the greatest hope of having a family in the future.
Out-of-pocket expenses at some clinics for IVF can cost $5,000 or more per cycle but will now be significantly reduced at NSW publicly supported clinics as a result of this initiative.
Women can lodge a claim for the $500 rebate for pre-IVF fertility testing taken from 1 October 2019.
NSW residents can claim the rebate regardless of where in Australia they received the fertility test via Service NSW.
IVF pre-screening tests are used to understand the cause of the fertility problem and inform whether a woman is likely to experience a positive result and go on to conceive a baby.
One in every 22 Australian babies are now born via IVF – about one in every classroom.
For more information go to www.health.nsw.gov.au/affordable-ivf.
NEWCASTLE SOCIAL HOUSING WAITLIST CONTINUES TO GROW
Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp has welcomed today’s announcement that 36 social and affordable housing units will constructed at Mayfield, as Newcastle’s social housing waitlist continues to grow.
Updated data from Family and Communities Services (FACS) shows that there are now 1216 people waiting for social housing in the Newcastle Allocation Zone, up from 1190 people last year.
Additionally, the wait time for a studio or 1 bedroom property has now increased to 5-10 years, up from 2-5 years.
Mr Crakanthorp said that while it was excellent to see new social and affordable housing come to the city, the FACS data shows that there is much more to be done.
“I am pleased that the Minister has heard my calls for more social and affordable housing in Newcastle, however there is still a long way to go,” he said.
“It was only in September that I stood with the Shadow Minister and a couple sleeping in their car demanding that more be done to address homelessness in Newcastle, and my office stills hears from people facing insecure or inadequate housing on an almost daily basis.
“With more people joining the waitlist I fear this will only increase.
“Everyone has a right to safe and secure housing, so we need the construction of new properties to keep up with demand.”
Today’s announcement follows the Labor Opposition exposing that the Liberal-National Government has sold 352 land parcels and social housing properties, for $333 million, in the last financial year. The Land and Housing Corporation plans to sell over 1000 social housing properties by the end of 2022/23.
Appeal after kangaroos deliberately injured – Hunter region
Police are appealing for public assistance after three kangaroos were believed to have been deliberately injured in the state’s Hunter region yesterday.
About 8am (Sunday 19 January 2020), officers from Hunter Valley Police District were called to the Wollombi Park in Muswellbrook, after a bushwalker located three kangaroos seriously injured in scrubland.
Initial inquiries suggest two kangaroos may have been deliberately run over by a vehicle while a third kangaroo, which was found deceased, had suffered a wound to the chest.
Police established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
As investigations continue, any witnesses or anyone with dashcam vision in the area at the time is urged to come forward.
Community invited to farewell Jill Emberson at memorial service
City of Newcastle is inviting community to attend a public memorial service for Jill Emberson on Thursday 23 January at Newcastle City Hall.
The 10am service will celebrate the life of the prominent journalist, Pink Meets Teal founder and 2019 Newcastle Citizen of the Year, who passed in December after a long battle with ovarian cancer.
Jill was a fearless campaigner for ovarian cancer research and awareness and played a pivotal role in the Federal Government’s landmark $20 million research funding announcement in 2019.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said that while Jill’s life was cut short, her impact on this world and in the lives of others was immense and inspiring.
“Jill touched the lives of countless people in our community as a family member, friend, through her work as a journalist and as a tenacious campaigner for ovarian cancer research.
“It’s fitting that Jill’s life is celebrated by the community and that everyone has the opportunity to pay tribute to the wonderful contribution she made to our city.
“Jill was an exemplary Citizen of the Year for Newcastle. She was incredibly generous with her time, despite knowing her cancer was terminal. I was in awe of her willingness to work with the city and her determination to make a difference, every moment she could.
“We hope the public memorial will see the community come to together to celebrate Jill’s life, her achievements and her incredible legacy.”
At Jill’s request, memorial donations can be made to the Hunter Medical Research Institute: https://hmri.org.au/jill
Magic of theatre celebrated on big screen at Civic Playhouse
City of Newcastle is bringing the magic of cinema back to the city centre with the Civic Playhouse screening a selection of the most acclaimed productions from London’s National Theatre.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said locals can watch incredible international performances in all their theatrical glory thanks to an initiative known as National Theatre Live which broadcasts performances from London’s National Theatre.
“Cinema and theatre have a long and proud history in Newcastle’s CBD and we’re pleased to combine the two for the enjoyment of our community after the closure of the Tower Cinemas.
“A trial season at the Civic Playhouse has proven to be a massive hit and the City is now planning to continue this movie experience until Easter, and potentially beyond.”
While the new offering has been exceptionally popular with patrons of all walks of life, for those who can cast their memories back to before the mid-1970s, they know cinema viewing at the Civic Theatre was in fact a regular and much-loved pastime in Newcastle.
The Civic Theatre opened in 1929, and although designed as a live theatre, it was immediately leased as a cinema. Forty-five-years ago City of Newcastle decided to move towards more live productions and phased out cinema operations completely.
“The films have been really well received with lots of positive feedback from patrons who are eager for them to continue,” Civic Theatre Manager Leonie Wallace said.
“We have screened internationally acclaimed theatre shows like Arthur Miller’s All My Sons starring Sally Field and Bill Pullman and Shakespeare’s King Lear portrayed by Ian McKellen as well as the French comedy Slack Bay and foreign language film The Square.
“We’ve seen many of our patrons make repeat bookings. Our next step is to establish a pattern of regular screenings and to explore the possibility of programming children’s films during the school holidays.
“People love the fact we are revisiting something that historically occurred in the Civic Theatre. We have older Novocastrians who remember the past screenings fondly and are thrilled that the Playhouse is being used for movies.”
The initiative is part of the Civic’s Beyond the Stage program of cultural offerings beyond the traditional uses of the City’s jewels, Civic Theatre and City Hall. This has included the Civic Beats events at Civic Digest and lunchtime concerts at City Hall.
The Civic Theatre, City Hall, Playhouse and Wheeler Place are owned by the City of Newcastle for the people of Newcastle. They form a key destination where everyone is welcome and new connections and lifelong memories are formed.
For more information about the program of films and how to book tickets, visit https://civictheatrenewcastle.com.au/Whats-On/All-Shows/Civic-Cinema-in-the-Playhouse
NSW GOVERNMENT COORDINATES BUSH FIRE CLEAN-UP
The NSW Government will coordinate the clean-up of residential and commercial properties destroyed by bush fires this season, at no cost to residents, so they can start rebuilding and communities can begin healing.
Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro said work is already underway to clear insured and uninsured properties.
“The threat of bush fire is far from over this summer, but we need to help people across the State to rebuild and recover as quickly as possible,” Mr Barilaro said.
“The NSW Government will shortly appoint major contractors to do the clean-up, who will be encouraged to engage local contractors wherever possible.
“This work will include containment and removal of asbestos contaminated bush fire impacted materials, removal of all dangerous debris, including destroyed materials and hazardous trees and removal of concrete slab foundations.
“Cleaning up eligible destroyed properties will ensure that these costs are not deducted from funds available under residents’ insurance policies for rebuilding. For the uninsured, it’s one less thing to worry about.”
Clean-up arrangements coordinated by the NSW Government will include:
- The appointment of contractors in the South and the North to clean-up bush fire impacted properties.
- Costs for clean-up will be covered by the NSW Government in partnership with the Federal Government.
- Where insurance companies have commenced clean-up works for safety reasons these will continue.
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government will work with insurance companies to ensure that any policy holders who have already had clean-up work completed will be at no disadvantage.
“I know people are anxious to have their properties cleared as soon as possible and with more than 2,200 homes destroyed it is a mammoth task, which is why the NSW Government has hit the ground running with the clean-up effort,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Impacted owners wanting their property cleared through this program need to call Service NSW on 13 77 88 to register their details and provide consent for access to their land.”
Details regarding the appointed contractors and clearing of commercial properties will be announced shortly.
Further information is available at: www.service.nsw.gov.au