Solar-powered car departs Newcastle for Australian round trip

BY DAKOTA TAIT

An electric car has embarked on the first leg of a round trip of Australia on Friday, departing Newcastle for a journey largely powered by the sun.

The University of Newcastle team is attempting to cover just over 15,000 kilometres in a few months, aiming to cover around 130 kilometres a day.

The vehicle will be charged mostly by solar panels, though they'll use conventional charging points in urban areas.

Professor Paul Dastoor, Director of the Centre for Organic Electronics, says it's a chance to do away of some of the so-called 'range anxiety' around long-distance trips. 

"We're taking an electric vehicle - a Tesla - anti-clockwise around Australia, charged by printed solar," he said. "The sort of lightweight renewable energy technology we've developed here at the University of Newcastle."

"It's our first opportunity to road-test printed solar. This journey is all about expanding people's appreciation of electric vehicles."

Each of the 18 printed solar sheets is 18 metres long and weighs 12 kilograms, but they will be rolled up and stored in the boot while the car's on the road.

It takes around six hours to charge the car for 160 kilometres of driving, but the team's estimated the charging costs for the entire trip at just $80.

The team will also be visiting schools around the country to deliver a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Roadshow. 

"It gives us an opportunity to actually test the technology we've developed and also to deliver an education program across Australia," Prof Dastoor said.

"Being able to go out to regional, rural, and outback schools, and talk to them about how the science they're learning in their classroom translates to university studies, to research, and then ultimately, technology that will change people's lives."

Image credit: Charge Around Australia.

State of Australia's Financial Literacy Revealed in University of Newcastle Report

BY BEN CLIFFORD

New research published by the University of Newcastle has found that more than a third of Australians are financially illiterate. 

The research forms the basis of the Financial Wellbeing and General Life Satisfaction in Australia report released this week. 

The report represents a combined effort between the University and the Greater Bank as a part of their Financial Literacy Program which has been operating across the Hunter region since 2019. 

The findings provide a fascinating insight into the current state of Australian's knowledge levels when it comes to managing their money and demonstrates the impact financial literacy has on overall life satisfaction. 

When it comes to financial literacy, young people have emerged as a key demographic of concern with 43% of 18-24 year-olds reporting they have not been able to meet their personal debt obligations. 

Researchers have also found significant differences between men and women's financial management capabilities.

For example, young men have demonstrated higher levels of financial literacy than women, however, they are less likely to apply their financial knowledge to make positive economic decisions. 

As cost of living pressures and interest rates continue to rise, the importance of having strong financial literacy is paramount. 

Lead researcher, Professor Christina Boedker says people only need to take a few small steps to improve their financial literacy skills. 

"A critical thing is to sit down and set a household budget. If you can start to plan you can start to better manage," he said.

"Set yourself some targets, critically review your income vs expenses and figure out what you're able to last on a monthly basis."

Through their joint outreach program, the University and Greater Bank are hoping to improve the worrisome financial status of young Australians. 

The program currently helps high-school students learn  the importance of household budgets, investments and savings, as well as the risks associated with credit cards and buy now pay later schemes. 

There are hopes that similar programs will be rolled out across the University to further assist young adults in making informed financial decisions. 

The peer-reviewed report is available for viewing at https://www.greater.com.au/financialwellbeing

Three Men To Face Court Over Violent Robberies Across Lake Macquarie

 BY IAN CROUCH

Three men are due to front court today accused of taking part in violent robberies across Lake Macquarie.

It's alleged the trio tried to steal a car at a service station on Macquarie Road at Valentine at about 6.00am on Thursday, before assaulting a 72-year-old man.

Police say a short time later, the men, one armed with a knife,  broke into a home on Violet Town Road at Tingira Heights and assaulted a 22-year-old woman before she was able to flee.

Around 9am, police attempted to stop a car, believed stolen from Marks Point, at a Mount Hutton Shopping Centre.

Two men aged 25 and 44 were arrested after a short foot pursuit.

Further inquiries led to the arrest of a 33-year-old man on Thursday afternoon at Eleebana.

All three have been refused bail to face Belmont Local Court today (Friday 2 September, 2022)

Missing Queensland man last seen in Newcastle

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Newcastle Police are seeking community assistance to locate a missing Queensland man last seen in Newcastle on Wednesday.

Ben Makinson is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 175cm tall, medium build and short brown hair. 

The 30-year-old was last seen pulling a suitcase and holding a black duffle bag. 

Police have concerns for his welfare. 

He was last seen in the Newcastle CBD and might be travelling on the trains to Sydney. 

Anyone with information about his whereabouts should contact Waratah Police or Crime Stoppers.

Citizen scientists call for temperature research after Mannering Park fish kill

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Citizen scientists are calling for more research into thermal pollution in the wake of a mass fish kill at Mannering Park in August.

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) concluded earlier this week, the mass death was sparked when winds and cooler weather met the warmer water temperatures cause by the discharge of Vales Point Power Station, overturning the water column.

The Hunter Community Environment Centre (HCEC) agrees with the EPA's verdict, but argues it's a sign more research into the issue is needed.

Senior Researcher Paul Winn says it's already having an impact. 

"That thermal pollution is already known to have caused the almost total loss of seagrass in Wyee Bay, and the EPA reacted to that loss, and reduced its thermal pollution," he said.

"But what we're mostly concerned about is the impact on the broader ecosystem - the impact on the fishing, on the fish species, and the species mix that we're going to get."

It's likely a number of tropical species attracted by or adapted to the warmer water in the bay were also shocked by the event. 

Chemical pollution and toxicity levels were normal, though nitrogen and phosphorus testing indicated the sediment had been disturbed, likely when the water column was overturned.

The EPA says it has deployed a smart buoy at Wyee Point to monitor the lake, but the HCEC is pushing for a full study.

"When these power stations were built, they were built just to make power," Mr Winn said. "They didn't really care whether they were going to have an impact or not."

"Now I think people have moved since then, and we expect a lot more from our industries and we expect more from our regulators. We want to make sure these industrial plants are going to be able to continue to be operated, up until their closure date, in a safe manner."

Vales Point Power Station is due to close its doors in 2029, though Delta Electricity has indicated in the past it would seek to extend its lifespan.

Mr Winn says simply closing the station won't resolve the issue, however.

"At some stage this power station is going to close," he said. "And the concerns that we have for this closure is that this thermal pollution, these ecosystems have adapted to to some degree over the years, with the introduction of eagle rays and green turtles."

"If that thermal pollution is turned off when the power station closes, we're likely to see a much larger and broader fish kill, because those warmer adapted species aren't going to be able to survive any more."

"We need to reduce that thermal pollution over some period of time, to allow those species and those ecosystems to adapt, and that's currently not being contemplated by either the EPA or the power station."

Image credit: Hunter Community Environment Centre.

CCTV Footage Released Of Wanted Jewellery Store Thief

 BY IAN  CROUCH

Police are stepping up their investigations into a jewellery store robbery at East Maitland, releasing CCTV footage of a person of interest.

Officers were called to Greenhills Shopping Centre just before 9.30am on July 6.

They were told a man approached a jewellery store and used a hammer to smash a glass display cabinet before running off with 3 items valued at more than $100,000.

The man's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 167cm tall and was wearing black clothing including black balaclava and white coloured Nike shoes.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

A screen shot of the wanted man

Cessnock encouraged to nominate locals for Hall of Fame

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The City of Cessnock has opened nominations for its Hall of Fame on Thursday.

Council's calling on residents to nominate and celebrate a local, who could share a spot with notable figures such as sports shooter and now-Hunter MP Dan Repacholi, and Aboriginal elder and teacher Uncle Les Elvin.

Nominations are open in six categories, including Arts, Sport, Public Service, Science, Business, and Meritorious Families. 

An induction ceremony will take place early next year.

Nominations close at 5pm on Friday 11 November at www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au/HallofFame.

Hunter MP and Hall of Fame Inductee Dan Repacholi and Mayor Jay Suvaal.