Category: NSW News

It was a stellar night for both GIANTS Netball and the NSW Swifts at the 2018 Netball NSW State Dinner with GIANTS attacker Jo Harten named the best player in the state, while former Swifts Megan Anderson and Mo’onia Gerrard were inducted into the organisation’s Hall of Fame.
The State Dinner, which this year took place at Rooty Hill RSL, celebrates the best players, coaches, officials and volunteers in the New South Wales netball community.
Harten picked up the Marilyn Melhuish OAM Medal, given to the best player from the combined rosters of Netball NSW’s two professional franchises; the NSW Swifts and GIANTS Netball.
It capped off a stellar 2018 for the England international which also saw her claim a Commonwealth Games gold medal in April, and the GAINTS’ MVP, Members’ Player of the Year and Players’ Player Awards in August.
Harten’s award was one of eight categories on the night which celebrated another fantastic year for netball across NSW.
“From celebrating the 50th hosting of our State and State Age Championships to GIANTS Netball Head Coach Julie Fitzgerald overseeing her 300th elite game – and Briony Akle her first at the helm of the NSW Swifts – it has been a year of memorable achievements,” Louise Sullivan, President of Netball NSW, said.
“There has never been a better time to be involved in netball. Our participation numbers at the grassroots level continue to flourish and memberships for both the NSW Swifts and GIANTS Netball saw big increases in 2018.
“Over 1 million people tuned in to watch this year’s Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final, highlighting just how engrained the sport has become in the Australian sporting psyche, and around NSW our local courts are jam-packed on weekends as young and old come together and serve their communities collectively and commercially.
“As we head towards our 90th year in 2019 we have never been in better health, however, it is vital that we keep evolving and learning to ensure we remain at the forefront of what is a very competitive sports market in NSW.”
It was also a big night for Swifts legends Anderson and Gerrard who both took their places in the Netball NSW Hall of Fame.
Starting her netball career as a junior in Woy Woy, Anderson was the first player to debut for the Australian Diamonds in the 21st Century when she did so on their tour of South Africa in 2000.
She represented NSW at underage levels before going on to win four Premierships with the Sydney Swifts in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy Era. After retiring from playing she was part of the coaching team which led the Swifts (then called the NSW Swifts) to back-to-back ANZ Championship Grand Finals, and continued in this role after the arrival of Suncorp Super Netball in 2017.
Gerrard, a three-time Premiership winner with the Sydney Swifts and two-time World Cup winner with the Australian Diamonds, also came through the NSW underage setup before shining at elite level.
Of Tongan descent, and never one to forget her roots, Gerrard has done amazing work in the community since retiring with the Australia Post ONE Netball Program, Netball NSW’s Oceania Cup and Mo’onia’s Cup in conjunction with Tonga Netball. In 2016 she received an Order of Australia Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for her services to netball and the community.
And, after celebrating 50 years of competition, both the Netball NSW State & State Age Championships were inducted into the Netball NSW Hall of Fame under the Heritage Category. Introduced in 2016, the Heritage category pays tribute to artefacts and events which have significant historical value to the organisation.
“From humble beginnings, the State and State Age Championships have become iconic events on the NSW sporting calendar,” Sullivan added.
“These events attract players in their thousands, and supporters in tens of thousands, so not only do they bring people together in the healthy environment of sport, they also bring a significant economic boost to the areas that host them.
“And having reached our 50th year for both events in 2018, it is a fitting time to reflect on what has been achieved and look ahead to what we hope will be another half century of growth and prosperity.”
2018 Netball NSW Award Recipients
Anne Clark BEM Service Awards: Tracey Connolly (Campbelltown District Netball Association), Lyn Hahn (Camden & District Netball Association), Elizabeth Konza (Blue Mountains Netball Association), Maureen Nation (Young & District Netball Association), Catherine Walls (Grafton Netball Association)
Marilyn Melhuish OAM Medal – SSN Player of the Year: Jo Harten (GIANTS Netball)
Marj Groves AM Scholarship: Latika Tombs (Manly Warringah Netball Association)
Nance Kenny OAM Medal – Premier League Player of the Year: Amy Wild (Central Coast Heart)
Lynn Quinn OAM Bench Official Award: Margot Paterson (Northern Suburbs Netball Association)
Neita Matthews OAM Umpires Award: Jessica Clay (Ku-ring-gai Netball Association)
Margaret Corbett OAM Coaches Award: Amber Cross (Wyong Netball Association)
Judy Dunbar Media Awards: Matthew Findlay, Central Western Daily (Community Media Excellence), Brittany Carter, ABC Grandstand (Best Feature), Richard Dobson, News Ltd (Best Photograph), Sydney Morning Herald (Best Overall Media Coverage).
2018 Hall of Fame Inductions: Megan Anderson, Mo’onia Gerrard OAM
Heritage Hall of Fame Inductions: Netball NSW State Championships, Netball NSW State Age Championships

Consumers and small business owners around the State will save more than half a billion dollars over 10 years thanks to the NSW Coalition’s sweeping Better Business Reforms.
The package of reforms, which passed Parliament this week, includes significant red tape reductions for small businesses and better transparency measures for consumers.
Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said it’s the biggest shakeup of NSW consumer law in more than three decades.
“We’ll be saving consumers at least $150 million over 10 years by giving them greater transparency to help them make more informed decisions. This will save our NSW families precious time and hard-earned money.
“The NSW Coalition is determined to help small business owners compete for a stronger, better future. This suite of common sense red tape reductions will save small business owners at least $495 million over 10 years.”
The key reforms to help small businesses thrive include:

• Extending the durations of more than 70 licenses, which will save more than 410,000 licence holders $216 million over 10 years;
• Introducing specialised licenses for motor vehicle dealers and repairers, saving them $175 million over 10 years and helping regional businesses keep their doors open; and
• Making 13 types of home building licenses ongoing, meaning tradies will only have to notify Fair Trading every 5 years to confirm they want to maintain their licence.

The key reforms to empower consumers include:

• Making businesses clearly tell consumers up front about the potential effects of terms and conditions which could prejudice their interests;
• Giving consumers the right to report dodgy or dangerous products to Fair Trading, despite non-disclosure agreements; and
• Making brokers and product comparison businesses come clean on the kickbacks and commissions they receive.

In May, Mr Kean asked more than 100 business groups, academics, think tanks and members of Parliament for ideas to remove red tape and make it easier to start and stay in business.
The Better Business Reforms for small business and consumers are the culmination of this consultation process.

Almost 150 patients will move to the new Northern Beaches Hospital from Manly and Mona Vale hospitals in a carefully executed convoy over the next two days.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard greeted patients as they arrived and congratulated the 100-strong team of staff and volunteers for a smooth, safe transfer.
“This is a momentous occasion for the people of the Northern Beaches who now have a world-class public hospital right on their doorstep under the $600 million Northern Beaches Health Services redevelopment,” Mr Hazzard said.
“When they were in Government, Labor promised redevelopments at Tamworth, Dubbo, Parkes, Forbes, Bega, Wagga Wagga and the Northern Beaches.
“Not one of those hospitals was redeveloped under Labor. Not one. So I am extremely proud that the NSW Liberals & Nationals have yet again, delivered what we promised.”
Mr Hazzard said about 74 patients will transfer from Manly Hospital to the new ninestorey facility today, and another 74 will be transferred from Mona Vale Hospital tomorrow.
The first transfers began at 9.30am with patients from mental health, surgical and intensive care, as well as new mums and babies, moved at four-minute intervals by ambulance or patient transport vehicle, depending on their clinical condition.
The patients will be transferred in a series of carefully timed ambulance departures to ensure patient safety and continuity of care.
“Since January, nurses and other staff have been practicing the transfer of patients, with safety and comfort the number one priority,” Mr Hazzard said.
“I want to thank all those involved from Healthscope, the Northern Sydney Local Health District, NSW Ambulance, HealthShare NSW Patient Transport Service, Transport for NSW and Police. It has been a wonderful team effort.”   The 488-bed hospital will be officially opened next month.

Two men will face court after being detected high-range drink driving within 15 minutes of each other at Tamworth at the weekend.
About 7.40pm on Sunday (28 October 2018), police stopped a silver Mitsubishi Lancer sedan on Duri Road, South Tamworth.
The driver, a 21-year-old man and holder of a provisional licence, was arrested after a positive roadside breath test.
He returned an alleged subsequent breath analysis reading of 0.177 and was charged with High Range PCA.
The man’s licence was suspended and he is due to appear at Tamworth Local Court on 19 November 2018.
About 15 minutes later, police stopped the same car on Duri Road, South Tamworth, after it was observed driving with no taillights.
A different driver, also a 21-year-old man, was arrested after he returned a positive roadside breath test. He subsequently returned an alleged breath analysis reading of 0.162 at Tamworth Police Station.
Further checks revealed his provisional 2 licence was disqualified until October 2022.
He was charged with High Range PCA (second subsequent offence) and drive while disqualified.
The man was granted conditional bail and will appear at Tamworth Local Court on Monday 19 November 2018.

A police officer has been suspended after being charged with alleged child sex offences.
The 43-year-old senior constable was arrested about 3:50pm yesterday (Thursday 25 October 2018), by detectives from the Professional Standards Command, assisted by the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad.
He has been charged with aggravated act of indecency, two counts of aggravated indecent assault, attempt sexual intercourse with a child under 10, grooming child under 14 years for unlawful sexual activity, two counts of have sexual intercourse with a child 10-14, and peep or pry.
The charges relate to offences that allegedly occurred between 2007 to 2018.
The officer, who has been suspended from duties from a specialist command, has been refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court today (Friday 26 October 2018).
The current matters before the court are not related to the officer’s employment.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate two prisoners who escaped from a minimum security correctional facility in the state’s Northern Tablelands.
Robert Riley, aged 49, and Wayne Porter, aged 32, were reported missing from the facility on the Gwydir Highway, near Glen Innes, about 4.30pm today (Friday 26 October 2018).
Mr Riley is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, 165cm tall, with brown hair and brown eyes.
Mr Porter is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 177cm tall, with brown hair and brown eyes.
It’s believed the men are travelling on foot.
Police are warning members of the public not to approach the men, but to instead call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

The NSW Government will introduce a landmark child protection Bill into parliament this week to streamline court processes for guardianship and open adoption to ensure a permanent home for every child within two years.
Amendments to the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act and the Adoption Act will also give parents and extended family members an opportunity to resolve child protection risks and avoid the removal of children from their families.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said short-term court orders will mean children no longer spend years moving between homes in the out-of-home care system.
“We want all children to know that they have a loving and safe home for life,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“When it is no longer safe for a child to stay at home, we want them to have a permanent home as quickly as possible through guardianship or open adoption. These reforms will help speed up that process.”
The reforms follow a wide-ranging public consultation process led by the discussion paper, Shaping A Better Child Protection System, released in October 2017.
Minister for Family and Community Services Pru Goward said the landmark reforms pave the way for family networks to support parents struggling to care for their children.
“For the first time ever, we will legislate for families to be offered alternatives such as Family Group Conferencing, giving parents and extended family the opportunity to address child protection risks so that their children can stay safely at home,” Ms Goward said.
“We are also looking to make guardianship easier for families with parents that know they can no longer care for their children and want to ensure their children have safety and security with a loving member of their family.”

Sydney’s Anzac Memorial Centenary extension has been unveiled by His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex.
The reopening of the Anzac Memorial by The Duke of Sussex celebrates the completion of the Centenary project, honouring NSW’s military legacy.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the $40 million upgrade, funded by the NSW and Federal Governments, was the centrepiece of the State’s Centenary of Anzac commemorations, marking the 100th anniversary of the ending of World War I.
“It is fitting the memorial is reopened today by the Duke of Sussex who is in Sydney for the Invictus Games, highlighting the significant role sport has played in the rehabilitation of veterans,” Ms Berejiklian said.
The Opening Ceremony for the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 is being held tonight at the Opera House, attended by Ms Berejiklian and Games competitors.
NSW Minister for Veterans Affairs David Elliott said the memorial, first opened in 1934, was an enduring legacy acknowledging more than a century of service.
“The Centenary Extension ensures the public have a place of contemplation, remembrance, education and reflection. The project realises the vision of the original architect, Bruce Dellit, with the completion of the water cascade to the south,” Mr Elliott said.
A walkway through the cascade allows memorial visitors to enter the new Hall of Service, exhibition galleries and education facilities, providing a contemporary understanding of the history and impact of conflict.
The Hall of Service, featuring a moving artwork by Fiona Hall, pays tribute to those across NSW who served in the Great War with 1,701 locations acknowledged. The ongoing service and sacrifice over more than a century is also commemorated with 100 sites of significance to NSW military history recorded in a ring on the floor.
The Anzac Memorial Centenary Extension officially opens to the public on Remembrance Day.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has delivered an apology to survivors of institutional child sexual abuse on behalf of the NSW Government at an official ceremony at the Sydney Opera House this morning.
The apology paid tribute to survivors, and thanked those who bravely shared their experiences through the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
“On behalf of the Government and people of NSW, to every survivor, I apologise deeply and unreservedly – for the pain they have suffered, and for the failure of governments and institutions to protect them when they needed it most,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“It is my responsibility to ensure that we act today where governments and institutions too often failed in the past – beginning with the adoption and implementation of the Royal Commission’s recommendations.
“We will use every authority of Government to create meaningful, enduring change in the institutions and organisations of our society.”
Attorney General Mark Speakman said today’s apology recognises the widespread impact of child sexual abuse revealed by the Royal Commission.
“The NSW Government has responded with comprehensive reforms to the civil and criminal law, helping victims and survivors obtain access to justice and improving child safety, as well as being the first state or territory to legislate for redress,” Mr Speakman said.
Minister for Family and Community Services Pru Goward said the NSW Government was taking action to prevent child sexual abuse and to provide greater access to services and support for survivors.
“We are ensuring non-government and government organisations are supported to promote child safety, better prevent and respond to child sexual abuse and improve treatment and support for survivors of abuse,” Ms Goward said.
The NSW Government encourages survivors of child sexual or physical assault to access confidential counselling that is available through the Victims Support Scheme on 1800 633 063.
Support can also be reached by calling Lifeline on 13 11 14, Survivors & Mates Support Network Helpline on 1800 472 676 and the Child Protection Helpline on 132 111.