Latest news with #TheGreatEscape
Scoop
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
NO CIGAR Announce Nationwide Tour This Nov In Support Of Their Forthcoming Third Album ‘Under The Surface' Out July 30
Press Release – Eccles Entertainment Breakout Aotearoa five-piece NO CIGAR have announced a three-date tour across New Zealand this November, in celebration of their highly anticipated third studio album Under The Surface, due for release Friday 30 July. Renowned for their genre-blurring sound and magnetic live presence, NO CIGAR will bring their semi-rock energy to Meow Nui in Wellington on Friday 7 November, Ngaio Marsh Theatre in Christchurch on Saturday 8 November, and Auckland's Powerstation on Friday 14 November. Since forming in 2019, NO CIGAR have built a fiercely loyal fan base across Aotearoa and beyond, carving out a unique niche that blends elements of indie, surf, and alternative rock. Their upcoming album Under the Surface is crafted for the stage — shaped by the band's dynamic chemistry and a deep connection with their audience. The tour follows a successful run through Europe and the UK in May and June 2025, including a debut at the iconic Great Escape Festival in Brighton and over 1,500 tickets sold across headline shows, cementing their growing global reputation . NO CIGAR's 2023 sophomore album The Great Escape spent more than 74 consecutive weeks on the NZ Top 20 Albums Chart and featured the breakout hit ' Concubine,' voted the 10th best rock song of 2024 by listeners of The Rock FM. Their past tours across NZ, Australia and the UK have consistently sold out, driven by a word-of-mouth buzz and a reputation for electric, unforgettable performances. These shows are their biggest shows on home soil to date and not to be missed! Tickets for all shows go on sale Monday 23 June 12pm NZST from Content Sourced from Original url
Scoop
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
NO CIGAR Announce Nationwide Tour This Nov In Support Of Their Forthcoming Third Album 'Under The Surface' Out July 30
Breakout Aotearoa five-piece NO CIGAR have announced a three-date tour across New Zealand this November, in celebration of their highly anticipated third studio album Under The Surface, due for release Friday 30 July. Renowned for their genre-blurring sound and magnetic live presence, NO CIGAR will bring their semi-rock energy to Meow Nui in Wellington on Friday 7 November, Ngaio Marsh Theatre in Christchurch on Saturday 8 November, and Auckland's Powerstation on Friday 14 November. Since forming in 2019, NO CIGAR have built a fiercely loyal fan base across Aotearoa and beyond, carving out a unique niche that blends elements of indie, surf, and alternative rock. Their upcoming album Under the Surface is crafted for the stage — shaped by the band's dynamic chemistry and a deep connection with their audience. The tour follows a successful run through Europe and the UK in May and June 2025, including a debut at the iconic Great Escape Festival in Brighton and over 1,500 tickets sold across headline shows, cementing their growing global reputation . NO CIGAR's 2023 sophomore album The Great Escape spent more than 74 consecutive weeks on the NZ Top 20 Albums Chart and featured the breakout hit ' Concubine,' voted the 10th best rock song of 2024 by listeners of The Rock FM. Their past tours across NZ, Australia and the UK have consistently sold out, driven by a word-of-mouth buzz and a reputation for electric, unforgettable performances. These shows are their biggest shows on home soil to date and not to be missed! Tickets for all shows go on sale Monday 23 June 12pm NZST from
Hamilton Spectator
13-06-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
A Legacy of Love: Bethell Hospice Celebrates 15 Years
Bethell Hospice celebrated 15 years since opening its doors with a themed Garden Party. Invitees were invited to bask in the history of Bethell Hospice palliative care and walk the surrounding therapeutic gardens. Lorna Bethell, the driving force behind Bethell Hospice in Caledon, during the event, was remembered for her unwavering belief that everyone deserves to die with dignity, surrounded by loved ones and free from pain. Inspired by personal loss and her husband Tony's experience as a survivor of The Great Escape during the Second World War, Lorna was determined that no one should face death alone. Her vision for a hospice residence was also shaped by her own experiences sleeping upright in a hospital chair beside her stepson, Jamie, and caring for Tony at home before his death from cancer in 2004. Encouraged by her daughter Elizabeth, a VON (Victorian Order of Nurses) nurse who saw the need for hospice care firsthand, Lorna spearheaded the creation of the ten-bed Bethell Hospice residence. Following its opening, she focused her efforts on ensuring hospice services remained free for residents and families, becoming a tireless advocate for fundraising and personally engaging with residents until she died in 2013. Her legacy lives on through the care and comfort Bethell Hospice continues to provide. Bethell opened its doors in the Inglewood community in April 2010. Adrian Horwood shared during the event that over the 15 years, more than 2,000 people have resided in Bethell, and another 11,000 have been impacted by their community programs. 'I know that many of the supporters and staff and volunteers are here today because of a strong desire to contribute to all that Bethell stands for based on our personal understanding of the hospice. Many of you were really fundamental to getting this organization going 15 years ago. Many are here who are essential to sustaining the ongoing work through your volunteerism and philanthropy and work,' shared Horwood. 'To date, you and the community have raised over $14 million to support Bethell.' Bart MacDougall, Lorna's brother, also shared a few words at the event. 'Nothing gives me more pleasure or makes me prouder than to be asked to pay tribute to your community for the creation of this wonderful place we know as Bethell Hospice. I've wanted the opportunity to do just that since it opened 15 years ago,' shared MacDougall. MacDougall shared that what makes Bethell special is the team of approximately 145 volunteers who provide support for those employed there and help prepare meals, sit with residents, and maintain the garden. 'Dare I suggest that you are the envy of any community that is aware of your accomplishment. You have earned the thanks and admiration of those you have served. You are to be congratulated as a community for creating a model hospice facility that deserves ongoing support in the years ahead,' said MacDougall. He also shared that the genesis of the hospice rests with Lorna's daughter, Elizabeth. Elizabeth Birnie served on the Residences Building and Design Committee, and then as Chair of the Bethell Hospice Foundation Board from 2011 to 2013. Since retiring as a Board Member, Birnie continues her involvement with Bethell Hospice as a kitchen volunteer, cooking and serving meals to residents and their families. Birnie, wearing the same purple jacket she wore 15 years ago on opening day, addressed the room of friends, families, volunteers, and other attendees. She told stories of how Bethell began as a 10,000-square-foot house in a hay field with a few apple trees and mostly rocks and gravel on site. 'This landscaping committee, over the course of 15 years, have taken this four-acre property and turned it into this most magnificent oasis where our families and people can come out in their beds and experience the surroundings,' shared Birnie. Birnie said her mother loved high tea, thus sparking the idea for the Garden Party High Tea event that day. Bethell Hospice also acknowledged the Foundation team and the volunteers and staff who brought Bethell to where it is today. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
The Age
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Age
Manning ICAC inquiry LIVE updates: Former head of School Infrastructure NSW to appear
Go to latest Welcome to our coverage of the inquiry Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption's public hearing in the investigation of School Infrastructure NSW. After nearly six weeks, the key subject of the inquiry, Anthony Manning, is due to give evidence from 11.50am. Manning was the first chief executive of School Infrastructure NSW, a government agency within the Department of Education set up in 2017 under the previous government to manage what was forecast to be a $2.6 billion investment in school building over the following four years. He left the role in February last year. There are two main allegations, which were outlined on day one. The first is whether Manning and others used their official functions to subvert 'appropriate recruitment practices to benefit friends and business associates', improperly award contracts worth millions of dollars and misallocated funds from school projects. The second allegation is whether Manning, School Infrastructure human resource strategic adviser Wendy O'Brien and others engaged in reprisal actions against staff who made complaints. This will be the first chance to hear from Manning. His previous barrister, Tim Hale SC, had raised concerns earlier in the hearing that the arguments against Manning were 'relatively unspecific'. 'There is extreme doubt certainly from my client's point of view what actually is being alleged to be the corrupt conduct,' he said. 10.43am Who else is involved? Over the past five weeks, the ICAC has heard from dozens of witnesses from both inside the schools building unit and outside. Among the first was Rob Stokes, who was education minister when the agency was established, followed by past and present department secretaries, consultants and data analysts and more. On day one, counsel assisting Jamie Darams SC outlined a tangled web of connections. One group of Manning's associates is known to the ICAC as Manning's 'Cycling Group' and 'Beer and Curry Group'. Both of these featured Stuart Suthern-Brunt, a contractor engaged at $2800 a day whose companies received more than $1.7 million in work from School Infrastructure. The inquiry has heard Manning and Suthern-Brunt have known each other since 2007. The inquiry was shown detailed text messages and emails outlining the pair's numerous social arrangements from about 2017 to 2019, including morning cycling sessions, yoga, breakfasts, dinners, a beer and curry night and a buck's party. Suthern-Brunt invited Manning to his daughter's 21st birthday party and the pair discussed jewellery as a gift. The inquiry has heard of another of Manning's groups', known as the Tom, Dick and Harry Breakfast Club, which took its name from the classic World War II film The Great Escape. Martin Berry, the director of Heathwest Advisory, has had three appearances as a witness at the ICAC's public hearings. On Tuesday, Berry told the inquiry he was brought in to the school building unit in July 2019 to work on 'three property transactions' for public schools planned at Chatswood, Wentworth Point and Westmead. Berry, the sole director of Heathwest Advisory, was engaged as a contractor with the building arm on a rate of $2650 a day. Berry attended at a buck's night and housewarming party with Manning in the months before starting as a top-paid consultant at the agency. Also under examination are Manning's connections with PwC and Paxon Group. School Infrastructure NSW paid about $4.45 million to Paxon between May 2018 and November 2022. More than $1.8 million was paid to PwC in 2017 and 2018. The other example Darams highlighted in the opening was Manning's connection with strategic communications adviser Kathy Jones and her associated companies. 'The total amount paid to companies associated with Ms Jones from 31 January 2018 to 27 April 2024 was almost $9 million, most of which was paid before the end of 2022.' One witness told the inquiry that Manning had called her his 'communications fairy godmother'. 10.25am What are the allegations? The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has been holding a public inquiry into allegations concerning Anthony Manning, who was the chief executive of School Infrastructure NSW from 2017 to 2024, and other staff and contractors. There are two key allegations. The first is whether Manning and others used their official functions between 2017 and 2024, by: intentionally subverting appropriate recruitment practices to benefit friends and business associates; improperly awarding contracts to friends and business associates; and misallocating funds from school projects to favour particular businesses and to fund consultancy positions for friends and business associates. The second allegation is whether Manning, School Infrastructure human resource strategic adviser Wendy O'Brien and others engaged in reprisal actions against staff who complained or made public interest disclosures. In his opening statement, counsel assisting Jamie Darams SC said if the commission found this conduct had happened, 'it would constitute corrupt conduct within the meaning of section 8 of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988 (NSW), and it may constitute serious corrupt conduct'.
Sydney Morning Herald
12-06-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Manning ICAC inquiry LIVE updates: Former head of School Infrastructure NSW to appear
Go to latest Welcome to our coverage of the inquiry Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption's public hearing in the investigation of School Infrastructure NSW. After nearly six weeks, the key subject of the inquiry, Anthony Manning, is due to give evidence from 11.50am. Manning was the first chief executive of School Infrastructure NSW, a government agency within the Department of Education set up in 2017 under the previous government to manage what was forecast to be a $2.6 billion investment in school building over the following four years. He left the role in February last year. There are two main allegations, which were outlined on day one. The first is whether Manning and others used their official functions to subvert 'appropriate recruitment practices to benefit friends and business associates', improperly award contracts worth millions of dollars and misallocated funds from school projects. The second allegation is whether Manning, School Infrastructure human resource strategic adviser Wendy O'Brien and others engaged in reprisal actions against staff who made complaints. This will be the first chance to hear from Manning. His previous barrister, Tim Hale SC, had raised concerns earlier in the hearing that the arguments against Manning were 'relatively unspecific'. 'There is extreme doubt certainly from my client's point of view what actually is being alleged to be the corrupt conduct,' he said. 10.43am Who else is involved? Over the past five weeks, the ICAC has heard from dozens of witnesses from both inside the schools building unit and outside. Among the first was Rob Stokes, who was education minister when the agency was established, followed by past and present department secretaries, consultants and data analysts and more. On day one, counsel assisting Jamie Darams SC outlined a tangled web of connections. One group of Manning's associates is known to the ICAC as Manning's 'Cycling Group' and 'Beer and Curry Group'. Both of these featured Stuart Suthern-Brunt, a contractor engaged at $2800 a day whose companies received more than $1.7 million in work from School Infrastructure. The inquiry has heard Manning and Suthern-Brunt have known each other since 2007. The inquiry was shown detailed text messages and emails outlining the pair's numerous social arrangements from about 2017 to 2019, including morning cycling sessions, yoga, breakfasts, dinners, a beer and curry night and a buck's party. Suthern-Brunt invited Manning to his daughter's 21st birthday party and the pair discussed jewellery as a gift. The inquiry has heard of another of Manning's groups', known as the Tom, Dick and Harry Breakfast Club, which took its name from the classic World War II film The Great Escape. Martin Berry, the director of Heathwest Advisory, has had three appearances as a witness at the ICAC's public hearings. On Tuesday, Berry told the inquiry he was brought in to the school building unit in July 2019 to work on 'three property transactions' for public schools planned at Chatswood, Wentworth Point and Westmead. Berry, the sole director of Heathwest Advisory, was engaged as a contractor with the building arm on a rate of $2650 a day. Berry attended at a buck's night and housewarming party with Manning in the months before starting as a top-paid consultant at the agency. Also under examination are Manning's connections with PwC and Paxon Group. School Infrastructure NSW paid about $4.45 million to Paxon between May 2018 and November 2022. More than $1.8 million was paid to PwC in 2017 and 2018. The other example Darams highlighted in the opening was Manning's connection with strategic communications adviser Kathy Jones and her associated companies. 'The total amount paid to companies associated with Ms Jones from 31 January 2018 to 27 April 2024 was almost $9 million, most of which was paid before the end of 2022.' One witness told the inquiry that Manning had called her his 'communications fairy godmother'. 10.25am What are the allegations? The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has been holding a public inquiry into allegations concerning Anthony Manning, who was the chief executive of School Infrastructure NSW from 2017 to 2024, and other staff and contractors. There are two key allegations. The first is whether Manning and others used their official functions between 2017 and 2024, by: intentionally subverting appropriate recruitment practices to benefit friends and business associates; improperly awarding contracts to friends and business associates; and misallocating funds from school projects to favour particular businesses and to fund consultancy positions for friends and business associates. The second allegation is whether Manning, School Infrastructure human resource strategic adviser Wendy O'Brien and others engaged in reprisal actions against staff who complained or made public interest disclosures. In his opening statement, counsel assisting Jamie Darams SC said if the commission found this conduct had happened, 'it would constitute corrupt conduct within the meaning of section 8 of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988 (NSW), and it may constitute serious corrupt conduct'.
