Latest news with #HunterRegion
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'I'll leave': Origin hero flags move to Sydney club after surprise call from Knights
Former State of Origin star Dane Gagai has put rival NRL clubs on alert after declaring he would have no qualms about moving back to play in Sydney, following Newcastle's decision not to extend the veteran. The Maroons hero has been one of the standouts in an underwhelming Knights side this season but the club have decided against taking up a team option to retain him for next season. Fans have already urged Newcastle to backflip on their stance around Gagai. The 34-year-old is currently on a $400,000-a-year-deal with Newcastle but the club are prioritising some of their talented younger players. And the Knights are constrained by salary cap pressures, with captain Kalyn Ponga on a $1.4 million per season deal and the club signing Eels playmaker Dylan Brown for next year, on a 10-year, $13 million contract. Unless Gagai is willing to take a pay cut to remain at the Hunter, however, it appears as though his future lies elsewhere beyond this season. And speaking to , the former Rabbitohs star said he would have no problems continuing his glittering career in Sydney. "I'll leave if I have to," Gagai told the publication. "I love the club but I'll have no qualms about moving back to Sydney if that's the way it works out. I've left it with my manager. I don't want to say too much. We'll see what happens." The veteran centre has been one of the most consistent performers for the Knights over several seasons and his revelation is sure to attract interest from rival clubs. The Maroons hero has played 22 Origin games for his state after featuring in last year's series, and continues to show his class as a permanent fixture in Newcastle's starting side. Even if Gagai were to accept a downgrade on his current deal, the Knights are reportedly considering other options anyway, with the likes of James Schiller vying for a permanent centre role and exciting young outside back Fletcher Hunt coming through the ranks. Gagai's likely departure comes as the the Knights are also set to lose prop Leo Thompson to the Bulldogs in 2026, as well as English second-rower Kai Pearce-Paul, who recently signed a three-year deal to join the Wests Tigers. Dane Gagai has confirmed he's open to leaving the Knights, with the club opting not to take up a $400k option for 2026. The veteran centre says he's got no issue moving back to Sydney if that's how it plays out.( Newcastle Herald ) — NRLCentral (@centralNRL) June 20, 2025 Halfback Jackson Hastings is on big money at Newcastle but won't be at the club next season after O'Brien confirmed his contract wouldn't be extended. But fans have been left puzzled by the Knights' stance on Gagai, who has played more than 300 NRL games and remains one of the competition's elite centres. RELATED: Details emerge as Ezra Mam seen in post-match moment with Leniu Door wide open for Walsh as Ponga floated for shock QLD axing Andrew Johns airs complaint over Origin moment 'shouldn't be allowed' It's understood Gagai's management have already started sounding out rival NRL clubs for their interest in the veteran centre. Gagai has once again been named to start in Saturday's away game to the in-form Dolphins, with the 15th-placed Knights welcoming back Bradman Best from injury and Kalyn Ponga from Origin duty with the Maroons. Winger Dom Young has also been named to start for his first game back at the club after being released by the Roosters.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Why an unexpected $20 Kmart car buy is selling out across Australia this week: 'Please gatekeep this one'
An Australian car cleaner has triggered a mass rush to Kmart this week after stumbling across a $20 foam car wash gun in store and singing its praises to millions. Delicate Detailing, a professional mobile detailer based in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, urged followers to 'go down to Kmart' in a series of TikTok videos showing off the tool's 'insane value'. The budget buy, which is designed to be used with a pressure washer, blasts foam evenly across the car and is the ideal solution for a long-lasting, effective and sparkling clean. 'The point of foam is so you can use soap to pull as much contaminants, grime and dirt off the paint [as possible] before hand washing,' the company's founder explained, admitting the tool works 'as well as my $150 Snow Cannon'. 'This is for people wanting a similar experience [to high-end options] for a fraction of the price. The expert connected the Anko foam gun to his Karcher K2 pressure washer with an UberFlex hose. 'I'd recommended buying a UberFlex hose to hook to your pressure washer and a quick connect adaptor to easily plug guns/cannons in,' he advised. 'You can get [a pressure washer] from Bunnings for like $90. You may need to purchase additional adaptors though to connect things.' Delicate Detailing , a professional mobile detailer based in the Hunter Region of New South Wales , urged followers to 'go down to Kmart' in a series of TikTok videos showing off the tool's 'insane value' The no-nonsense DIY specialist filled his gun with 70mL of Vyking Force Snow Foam from Autobarn and water and reminded fans that they can use many different options from Supercheap Auto, Autobarn and Repco. Regular car wash works just fine, he added, but much more would need to be used in one session than dedicated foam soap. 'For $20 with a gun included it's quite a bargain,' he said, reacting to a small group of car-mad sceptics in his comment section. 'If you have a pressure washer go grab one.' Interestingly, while he always recommends hand-washing, he admitted the gun could (in some cases) be used as a stand-alone method. 'There isn't really a way to wash your car properly without a hand wash. It's a step included with all my details. [But] if the car is ceramic coated you can at times just snow foam and pressure wash it clean without the need of hand washing,' he said. And while some raised their eyebrows at the foam gun's 'too good to be true' price, others were sold on the buy - so much so that the tool has sold out in hundreds of stores Australia-wide. A quick glance at the Kmart website will highlight which stores have the gun in stock; at the time of publishing a fair few are still reporting decent numbers on shelves. 'I bagged the last one on the shelf at Kmart and you my friend were the reason I raced there to buy it! Now I have to wait a full week until the rain buggars off to wash my car,' a thrilled fan wrote. 'Heading to Kmart now... I swear Anko has everything,' another wrote. 'I swear Kmart always works magic,' one more added. It's not the first car-related buy to grip bargain hunters this year, with a $6 pop-up bin from the retailer flying off shelves in May. Similarly, the 'genius' $5 mini rubbish bin for the console was an instant hit in April, with the tiny design dubbed 'the one item everyone needs but most don't have'. Both landed as part of a wider car range, which includes a $5 car safety pack and a $5 car snack holder among other handy creations to make life just that little bit easier
Daily Mail
10-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Australia's biggest aluminium smelter on verge of collapse putting up to 6000 jobs in jeopardy
Australia's biggest aluminium smelter is in crisis talks with the federal and state governments to continue operating as crippling electricity bills threaten 6,000 jobs. Tomago, which is majority owned by mining giant Rio Tinto, is negotiating on the design of its 2026 to 2029 electricity contract, The Australian Financial Review revealed last week. The Newcastle smelter employs 1,200 people full-time but its possible closure would joepardise the future of another 5,000 workers in the Hunter region, north of Sydney. Australia's key aluminium smelter, which opened in 1983, is now seeking support from the NSW and federal governments to stay afloat as Australia's only manufacturer of long-steel, in Whyalla, is propped up by the South Australian government. The latest development comes a week after Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Australian steel and aluminium to 50 per cent. Sydney radio 2GB broadcaster Ben Fordham suggested taxpayers could be stumping up billions of dollars just to keep Tomago afloat. 'This is not good: Tomago Aluminium, Australia's biggest smelter is on the verge of collapse,' he said on Tuesday. 'Why? Their power bill is too high. They're in emergency talks with state and federal governments asking for billions of dollars just to stay open. And if it shuts, well, we're not just losing a smelter, we're risking 6,000 jobs. 'There are thousands of families, contractors, supplies and regional businesses on the line.' Rio Tinto, which owns 51.55 per cent of Tomago Aluminium Company, in January welcomed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Future Made in Australia plan to provide production credits to alumunium manufacturers. Chief executive Kellie Parker also begged for federal government help to pay for sky-high electricity bills. 'The Australian government's commitment shows strong confidence in domestic manufacturing and the nation's position in the global economy,' she said. 'As traditional energy sources for heavy industry become increasingly uncompetitive, today's announcement is a critical piece in helping future-proof the industry. 'Such support is crucial for sustaining and growing regional economies.' The smelter's big shareholder Rio Tinto also flagged a bailout package from the NSW government to keep Tomago operating. 'Rio Tinto also welcomes ... looks forward to working with the New South Wales Government to help secure the future of that operation,' it said in a media release. Tomago, which is majority owned by mining giant Rio Tinto, employs 1,200 people full-time but its possible closure would jeopardise the future of another 5,000 workers in the Hunter region north of Sydney Rio Tinto also owns the Boyne Smelter in central Queensland, which last year received subsidies from the state government to transition to renewable energy. Albanese in January visited the Tomago plant with the Labor member for the then marginal seat of Paterson, Meryl Swanson. 'This is my third visit to Tomago, because this is such an important facility,' he said. 'And essentially it's about people, it's about the jobs that are created here. Up to a thousand direct jobs. 'But when you look at this local community, there's 5,000 jobs depend on this facility just locally. But more importantly than that, it's the tens of thousands of jobs throughout Australia that depend on us being able to make things here.'
News.com.au
05-06-2025
- General
- News.com.au
Man jailed for 21 years over sexual abuse of two daughters
A predatory father who committed ongoing sexual abuse against his two daughters has been jailed for 21 years, as a judge labelled his actions a 'breach of trust of the highest order'. The man, who can only be called SN, was found guilty of 23 charges – including multiple counts each of indecent assault and sexual intercourse without consent – after a landmark trial before the NSW District Court last year. During the trial, one of the victims gave evidence as several of her 22 different personalities. On Thursday, the court heard of the horrific abuse the girls were subjected to at their family home in the Hunter Region over six to seven years, and how SN has shown no remorse. Judge Ian Bourke recounted how one of the girls, AB, was abused in bedrooms, in the bath and on several occasions in the shower after being cornered by her father. On one occasion, when AB came to tell SN their other family members had left the home, he said: 'Good, we get some alone time'. She tried to leave the room but he ordered her to 'sit the f*** back down' before sexually abusing her. After one of the incidents a distressed AB told her father she would 'cut off' his penis if he ever tried to abuse her again. Judge Bourke said he believed the accounts of both AB and her sister LN that the charged incidents were not the only cases of sexual abuse they were subjected to by SN. 'Depraved' actions This meant, the judge said, the offences for which he was to be sentenced could not be considered 'lapses' or 'isolated aberration'. 'It has been said the sexual abuse by a father of their own child is a breach of trust of the highest order,' Judge Bourke said. There was nothing in SN's past that could 'explain, let alone mitigate' his actions, the judge said. 'The offender preyed on his two children for his own selfish and depraved sexual gratification,' Judge Bourke said on sentence. 'The offender maintains his innocence and so there is no remorse.' Both victims – who were aged in their teens at the time of the incidents – also spoke of ongoing physical and emotional abuse from their father, the court heard. During the trial, the court was told LN had been diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder and was just one of 22 'system members' – or distinct personalities. 'We tell the truth' She gave evidence over 10 days and was sworn in under multiple personalities, including that of a five-year-old girl. On the stand, LN told the jury she had no memory of her life before the age of 18 when she 'solidified' her identity. Later, the jury watched as the entity of the little girl emerged on request from SN's barrister after LN put on some headphones and listened to music. She sucked on her pointer finger and clutched a stuffed bunny rabbit as she answered Garry Sundstrom's questions in a childlike manner. The court heard the five-year-old entity, who spoke in third person, told police she did not like 'the tickling game' her father allegedly played with her. '[I] say 'no daddy no',' she said. Speaking as LN, she said under cross-examination the system members 'do nothing but tell the truth, Garry'. 'And we will die saying what our father did – no matter if it's me or other system members – happened.' Judge Bourke sentenced SN to a non-parole period of 14 years, backdated from when he was taken into custody in December, meaning he would first be eligible for release in 2038. A domestic violence order was also set down to remain in place until 2047, two years after SN's head sentence would expire in 2045.
The Guardian
02-06-2025
- Climate
- The Guardian
It never rains or it pours: Australia suffers two weather extremes in May
Australia saw a tale of two weather extremes last month, with extremely dry conditions continuing across southern parts of the country as parts of eastern New South Wales recorded the wettest May on record. The low pressure trough that developed off the coast of NSW on 18 May and lingered for days, led to record high rainfall in numerous locations throughout the Hunter and mid-north coast. Multiple weather stations experienced daily downpours exceeding 200mm, with many breaking monthly and daily rainfall records for May, according to the Bureau of Meteorology's climate summary. Bellingen's Promised Land weather station recorded 802mm of rain for the month, more than twice its average. The NSW town, located about halfway between Sydney and Brisbane, also set a record for the highest daily rainfall for May, with 337mm on 22 May. Record daily totals for May were also set at Williamtown RAAF base (149mm on 23 May) and Morisset (126mm on 19 May) in the Hunter region. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email May is usually a dry time of year for northern and central Australia. But several places in the Kimberley and Northern Territory experienced heavy falls of 100mm or more in 28 hours, according to the BoM. Meanwhile the dry spell continued across southern Australia, with rainfall in Victoria and South Australia more than 70% below average for the month. Victoria experienced its driest May since 2005, according to the BoM. It was also the state's second warmest May on record. The persistent dry conditions have contributed to a heightened winter bushfire risk for South Australia and Victoria. Maximum temperatures in May were 1.08C above the 1961-1990 average, BoM data showed, and minimum temperatures were up 0.6C. 'If you look at the weather charts, we're seeing a subtropical ridge sitting south of Australia close to the start of winter, and that's normally a pattern that you would expect to see in summer,' said climatologist Darren Ray, a researcher based at the University of Adelaide. South Australian agricultural regions were experiencing 'extreme to exceptional drought', he said, with some areas recording their lowest 'standardised precipitation index' values – a measure of drought – for the past 12 to 18 months, in records that dated back to 1880. The wet and dry extremes were part of the same larger-scale system, with high pressure over southern Australia encouraging moisture streams off the east coast, said associate prof Ailie Gallant, who researches drought and rainfall extremes at Monash University. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion 'This is an unusual situation. A lot of farmers in particular are really feeling the pinch right now, and unfortunately, with these types of events, we don't know when it's going to end,' she said. 'The best we can do is look on the horizon for the kind of weather systems that will promote heavy rainfall.' The contrasting conditions – large areas in drought while others experienced record-breaking rain – were 'quite unusual', according to Dr Kimberley Reid, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Melbourne. Reid said drought in Australia was usually due to the lack of heavy rainfall, not just a decrease in average rain. 'One to five days of rain [annually] can be the difference between a drought, and not a drought for southern parts of Australia.' There had been a lot of 'frustratingly settled weather' and 'clear skies' in southern Australia, she said. Nationwide, autumn average temperatures were 1.41C above the 1961-1990 average, the fourth highest on record, according to the BoM. Victoria had its warmest ever autumn, New South Wales and Western Australia second-warmest, and South Australia its third-highest. 'One thing that is clear is that 2025 will likely be the one of the warmest years on record, and so will the next few years,' Reid said. 'If we continue to burn fossil fuels – whether we burn them here at home or export them elsewhere to be burnt overseas – we're going to keep seeing temperature records fall year on year if we don't change our behaviour.'
