Upper Hunter candidate latest to quit party in mass exodus

BY EMILY WILLIAMS

The Upper Hunter candidate for the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, Sue Gilroy, has become the fourth person to resign from the party in the past week.

The mass exodus has been sparked by party leader Robert Borsak's failiure to resign at the party's general meeting on Saturday, and subsequent re-election.

The Singleton businesswoman says the party's leadership "needs work".

"I have always said that I ran with the party because of their purpose and their values," Ms Gilroy said.

"On the back of the events that have happened in the past few days, I don't believe they're living their purpose and values."

"I really felt that the brand damage and the voter trust and confidence in the party was diminished, so it really left me no choice." 

Mr Borsak has been under fire since September when he was caught on microphone in parliament saying that the speaker "should have clocked" a former MP of his party, Helen Dalton.

Ms Gilroy joins her daughter and Singleton councillor Mel McLachlan, Barwon MP Roy Butler, and Orange MP Phil Donato, who have all departed in the past few days.

Ms Gilroy says, unlike the other MPs, she isn't planning to run on ab independent ticket.

"I'm not in the position with man-power or financially to actually run as an independent in a big election like the Upper Hunter," she said.

"I was quite gutted... it was a very difficult decision because I thought I could represent the people of the Upper Hunter well and understand their challenges and their lifestyle, but it wasn't to be."

Sue Gilroy with former party colleagues Mark Banasiak and Robert Borsak.

Belmont 16s sails into 100 year milestone

BY EMILY WILLIAMS

Belmont 16s is celebrating a huge milestone, marking 100 years since its first 16-Foot skiff race on Friday.

On October 7th 1922, 400 people lined the shores of Belmont Bay at Lake Macquarie to watch 7 skiffs and their crews compete for the coveted prize of £12, equivalent to a month's wage at the time.

In the months following, brothers John and Mark Reid went on to build Belmont Sailing Club, a shed over-hanging the lake, and accumulated 50 members.

A century later, Belmont 16s is one of the largest clubs in the Hunter and has grown its membership base to over 36,000 people. 

Club President David Berryman says the club's history has been riddled with highlights.

"The Club has held and hosted numerous World Championships, we've had sailors from the Club compete at the Olympics," he said.

"We've hosted multiple National Championships, and for a very long time we've hosted the Combined High School Championships."

To celebrate the Centenary, the Club is hosting a commemoration dinner tonight, hosted by Vince Sorrenti with entertainment by Kate Cebrano. 

The rest of the weekend will see a sailing regatta take place in Belmont Bay to mark the milestone, including dinghy classes and 16-Foot skiffs. 

Sunday's events will also see an appearance by the historic 18-Foot skiffs.

The Club is currently undergoing a major refurbishment and expansion project that is expected to be completed in Spring 2023.

Mr Berryman is excited for what the future of the Club holds.

"I think the future is very bright for the Club and hopefully it will be able to continue supporting sailing and 16-Foot skiff sailing for the next 100 years," he said.

You can keep up to date with Belmont 16s' Centenary project here.

Skiffs being rigged for the club's first race in 1922.

A regatta in 1971.

Skiffs taking to Lake Macquarie for the 2021-22 season

Community Urged to Show Their Support for Local Newspapers

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Hunter Business Chamber is urging the community to consider taking out a subscription to show their support for struggling local newspapers amidst the COVID-19 crisis.

These calls come as Australian Community Media announces plans to shutter many of its regional publications until the end of June, including the Cessnock Advertiser, Hunter Valley News, and the Newcastle Star.

While dailies such as the Newcastle Herald and the Canberra Times will continue operating, a decline in traditional revenue raising methods such as business advertising has put heavy pressure on the industry.

Chamber CEO Bob Hawes says businesses and members of the community should now return the favour and lend a helping hand to local newspapers.

“Newspapers are the lifeblood of our local communities and do much to support business through editorial coverage, advertising opportunities and partnerships."

"They are a vital source of information, even though to many the digital format is a modern trend," said Mr Hawes. "But newspapers certainly fill a role both for businesses that wish to advertise and for communities that wish to get information."

Mr Hawes says it has been a "tough decision" for publications to make, but hopes the community will come together to help protect a valuable good.

“Trusted journalism has never been more important than it is now, in a time of global crisis, and we need local papers to be highlighting the needs, priorities and good news in their communities by telling local stories.”

Image credit: Hunter Business Chamber

Local Butchers Struggling with Supply in Height of Coronavirus

BY GABRIELLE CAVALIERI

Coronavirus is causing chaos among Hunter butchers leaving them with limited stock to purchase as customers bulk buy.

The Manager of Craig Cook's Prime Quality Meat, Ben said they are facing "interesting times" in the Westfield Kotara store.

He said "this week was more busy than our whole Christmas combined and it is not letting up".

"Not enough supplies are coming in to match the number of customers. Big name companies are buying everything they possibly can, leaving smaller businesses with little to no stock to purchase, at increased prices," He said.

The repercussions of panic purchasing is leading to stock being at inflated prices which then unfortunately gets passed on to customers, with businesses facing uncertainty of where to draw the line.

Supermarket giant Coles says customers have bought up three Christmases worth of stock in three consecutive weeks during the pandemic, lacking the usual 6 months advanced preparation.

Erosion Concerns at Jimmy's Beach

BY HANNAH-LOUISE ANDERSON AND CATHERINE ALLEN

The newly installed $4.1 million Sand Transfer System (STS) at Jimmy's Beach in Hawks Nest is experiencing technical difficulties and has ceased operating in the area.

Issues with its flow meter device have left the STS with pipe blockages and potential infrastructure exposure.

The device itself, originally designed to combat weather-induced erosion, was not a popular choice with local residents and members of the Winda Woppa Association who felt there were better ways to combat the sand degradation.

President of the Winda Woppa Association Ken Garrard says they need to work towards a more permanent solution.

"We have been talking to the council and all of the other stakeholders for some time now that the Sand Transfer System is purely a band-aid solution, that there is no proof that it will work, that we want a permanent solution." says Mr. Garrard, "We have even suggested what components might make a permanent solution, however, we haven't been successful in convincing anybody yet."

Mr. Garrard is calling on members of the community to pressurize local government and ensure that a long-term, permanent solution is found.

Photo by News of the Area