We have the strategy for Sydney – where’s the money?

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has pulled out the big stick. The prime minister has warned the states that unless they have plans in place to build sustainable cities then the feds will withhold future infrastructure spending. [Read more]

The Surf Report 28/10/09

Even though the swell is two to three foot, the lack of any real power and the absence of any banks on the entire beach makes life very hard.
There is a little bank in front of the Dunnies, where all the Dunny hangers were frothing at this morning, but its bigger at Wanda, without there being any real quality involved. [Read more]

WIN!! A Weekend at Travelodge Hotels

TERMS & CONDITIONS FOR  

A WEEKEND AT TRAVELODGE HOTELS

READER PROMOTION

 

1. These conditions of entry relate to the ‘Travelodge’ Reader Promotion organised by Fairfax Community Newspapers ABN 77 000 310 654 of Level 1, 33 Moore Street, Liverpool NSW 2170.
2. By entering the competition, entrants shall be deemed to agree with these conditions of entry.
3. Entry is open to all NSW residents except all employees and the immediate families of Fairfax Community Newspapers and all their associated advertising agencies, who are ineligible to enter.
4. The Competition commences on 27^TH October 2009 at 00:01 and concludes on 2^nd November 2009 with last mail received.
5. Participants must provide the following details on the back of an envelope: their name, address and newspaper from which they are entering and write in 25 words of less “Why you deserve to WIN!” to be eligible to win. Entries should be sent to: WIN – Travelodge  C/- Fairfax Community Newspapers – 1 Worth Street, Chullora 2190
6. The prize is not transferable or redeemable for cash.
7. There are 14 x individual prizes: Prizes and values are as follows: – 14 x winners will each receive 2 night’s accommodation at any Travelodge Hotel across Australia valued at $500 each – Total prize pool value – $7,000.00
8. (In the event that, for any reason whatsoever, a winner does not take an element of the prize at the time stipulated by Travelodge Hotels, then that element of the prize will be forfeited by the winner and cash will not be awarded in lieu of that element.
9. Prize is not refundable, non- endorsable or non-transferable.  Bookings are subject to availability and seasonal embargo periods apply. Travelodge Hotels prize is for two consecutive night’s accommodation for two people and does not include any extra charges (ie, mini-bar, in-house movie, telephone usage, etc). Bookings should be made in advance to avoid disappointment. Additional spending money, meals, insurance, taxes, passports, visas, travel to and from the Travelodge Hotel and all other ancillary costs are the responsibility of the winner. Unless expressly stated, all other expenses become the responsibility of the winner.
10. Winners will be issued with a Travelodge Hotel Gift Certificate, valid for 6 months from the date of issue which will enable them to book their accommodation at the Travelodge Hotel of choice).
11. The winners will be drawn at 10.00 on 4^th November 2009. The draw will take place at Fairfax Community Newspapers, 1 Worth Street, Chullora, NSW 2170. If the winner is under the age of 18 years the prize will be awarded to their parent or legal guardian.
12. Entries will be selected by a panel of judges and will be determined on the creativity and wit of words only of their 25 Words or less answer. This is a game of skill and chance plays no part in determining the winners.
13. Winners will be notified by mail.
14. All entries become the property of the Promoter. All entries will be entered into a database and the Promoter and may potentially use the entrants’ names, addresses and telephone numbers for future promotional, marketing and publicity purposes in any media worldwide without notice and without any fee being paid unless otherwise advised by the entrant.
15. The promoter accepts no responsibility for late, lost or misdirected mail.
16. If for any reason this promotion is not capable of running as planned, including due to infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorised intervention, fraud, technical failures or any other causes beyond the control of the promoter, which corrupt or affect the administration security, fairness or integrity or proper conduct of this promotion, the promoter reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process.
17. The promoter shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever which is suffered (including but not limited to direct or consequential loss) or for any personal injury suffered or sustained in connection with any prize/s, except for any liability which cannot be excluded by law.
18. No permit number required for a game of skill.

New Melbourne A League club gets a Dutch treat

Australian Football’s Dutch renaissance shows no sign of abating with yet another highly credentialed Dutch international being appointed to Melbourne’s new A-League franchise.
A former stalwart for Dutch powerhouse Ajax and Italian Serie A club Genoa, John van ’t Schip is the inaugural coach and first major on-field signing for the Melbourne Heart syndicate. [Read more]

Games were a blast – masters not past it

It is a 5.36am and the breaking sun promises another beautiful God blessed Saturday.

The rattle in the kitchen belongs to my eldest son is jamming breakfast down his throat before driving off to a place many like me call ‘hallowed turf’.

In tandem his 14-year-old brother Jordan is showering while dancing to the beat of a gibberish rap song that makes little or no sense to someone of my vintage.

The birth date on my driver’s license suggests a little extra snooze time but unfortunately Jordan is a few years shy of his, meaning the ‘old man’ is required for chauffeuring duties.

It is quality time to be cherished.

The three of us share a passion for sport, more particularly golf and despite my numbers getting larger, the greens getting smaller and the wins becoming distant memories I enjoy every breath I spend with my children.

Sport has kept this great nation smiling for decades, enjoyed the world over and celebrated by all, irrespective of wallet size, age, gender, colour or creed.

Over the past two weeks Sydney and its satellite cities have played host to the Masters Games, an event that received international recognition with the number of competitors nearing 30,000.

It was as much about the experience as it was about winning a medal.

Unfortunately last Saturday a columnist for a major metropolitan paper described the Masters Games as ‘an absolute joke’, penning an article suggesting anyone with a grey hair on their head should visit the funeral parlour, put a deposit on a comfortable casket and wait for Father Time to call stumps.

Her name is irrelavent.

To suggest people should not be allowed to represent their country because of age or ability is just dumb, and the demeaning quip that the Masters Games should not have been held on ‘hallowed turf’ such as the Olympic Stadium, dumber.

Thank goodness the journo in question was not in charge of Saturday’s Caulfield Cup otherwise legendary trainer Bart Cummings would have been prevented from watching Viewed and Roman Emperor adding another paragraph to Bart’s already impressive CV.

Those responsible for bringing the World Masters to Sydney should be rightfully chuffed with their efforts.

The media coverage was excellent with the much-needed injection of tourist dollars into the State’s coffers being a bonus.

It was a winner.

People of all ages were given the opportunity to enjoy a personal sporting passion and live out a dream on the ‘big stage’.

Who cares if the 70-year-old woman in purple Lycra couldn’t pole-vault half her own height?

Who cares if the 100-year-old woman shot putter got more coverage than an Olympic gold medallist?

And who cares that an old bloke got front-page coverage in the steeplechase event?

We care, that’s who.

The last time I checked we get one crack at this game called ‘life’ and to those who competed in the Masters Games we should stand, applaud and heed their message – live life to the full.

God willing I’ll be making the sandwiches and cleaning the golf clubs this Friday night in preparation for the third round of the Club Championships, hopeful of a much improved performance.

I will enjoy every sentence from my sons and every smile as we individually hit our little white balls around our ‘hallowed turf’ for the better part of five hours.

In my opinion sport is, and always will be, for everyone to embrace, irrespective of ability or age.

Anyone who thinks otherwise is a sad person indeed.

Have a great weekend.

A DAY AT THE PARK READER COMPETITION

TERMS & CONDITIONS FOR  

‘A DAY AT THE PARK’

ST GEORGE & SUTHERLAND SHIRE LEADER READER PROMOTION

 

1. These conditions of entry relate to ‘A Day at the Park’ reader competition in the St George & Sutherland Shire Leader, organised by Fairfax Community Newspapers ABN 77 000 310 654 of Level 1, 33 Moore Street, Liverpool NSW 2170.
2. By entering the competition, entrants shall be deemed to agree with these conditions of entry.
3. Entry is open to all NSW residents except all employees and the immediate families of Fairfax Community Newspapers and all their associated advertising agencies, who are ineligible to enter.
4. The Competition commences on 22^nd October 2009 at 0:01 (AEST) and concludes on 29^th October 2009 at 17:00 (AEST) or with last mail received.
5. Participants must provide the following details on the back of an envelope: their name, address and write in 25 words of less “Why you deserve to WIN!” to be eligible to win.

    Entries should be sent to:   WIN – FCN Marketing Department – 1 Worth Street, Chullora, NSW 2190  

1. The prize is not transferable or redeemable for cash. Tickets are not to be re-sold
2. There are 5 prize packs. Each pack is valued at $300.00.
3. The prize and values are as follows: 5 Winners will each receive VIP Double Pass – a Wanda Wedge – Banana Boat Pack – CD Prize Pack Total prize pool value: $1,500.00 Incl GST
4. The winners will be drawn at 10:00 (AEST) on Wednesday 30^th October 2009. The draw will take place at Fairfax Community Newspapers, 1, Worth Street, Chullora. If the winner is under the age of 18 years the prize will be awarded to their parent or legal guardian. 
5. Winners will be notified by mail.
6. Entries will be selected by a panel of judges and will be determined on the creativity and wit of words only of their 25 Words or less answer. This is a game of skill and chance plays no part in determining the winners.
7. All entries become the property of the Promoter. All entries will be entered into a database and the Promoter and may potentially use the entrants’ names, addresses and telephone numbers for future promotional, marketing and publicity purposes in any media worldwide without notice and without any fee being paid unless otherwise advised by the entrant.
8. The promoter accepts no responsibility for late, lost or misdirected mail. If for any reason this promotion is not capable of running as planned, including due to cancellation of event or infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorised intervention, fraud, technical failures or any other causes beyond the control of the promoter, which corrupt or affect the administration security, fairness or integrity or proper conduct of this promotion, the promoter reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process.

14.The promoter shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever which is suffered (including but not limited to direct or consequential loss) or for any personal injury suffered or sustained in connection with any prize/s, except for any liability which cannot be excluded by law.

 

 

Come to the track and get addicted

SYDNEY Roosters supremo Steve Noyce might not be a Wests Tiger anymore but he’s still a proud Campbelltonian.

In fact, I bumped into Steve, walking stick in hand (he’s just had hip surgery), among the 1200 participants at the 24-Hour Fight Against Cancer on the weekend. [Read more]

The Surf Report 21/10/09

I am cheating, writing this Wednesday report on Tuesday, when it was one to two-foot with a few bigger ones at Wanda.

The beach still lacks a few banks, but if the tide is right and you look hard you, will find some decent (not descent) waves. [Read more]

The rich can afford to be picky at meal times

Each of us eats about 35000 kilos of food in a lifetime. This is a lot of physical work. But eating is more than bite chew, swallow.

From our earliest days we realise the importance of sight and smell in the act of eating. Instinct draws us to bright seductively shaped objects as potential food sources. [Read more]

Learner drivers under pressure

Learning a new skill always presents a few challenges, and in nearly all situations repetition is the best way to achieve desired competency.
When you look at the skills needed to safely operate a motor vehicle, learning can be a challenging and, in many cases, a nerve racking experience. [Read more]

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