Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Monday, June 29, 2020
Creative Writing with Story Factory & Learning Ground - 'whyilovewmountdruitt' Face Book Page
Stephen LearningGround shared an event.
Come and join us as we team up with The Story Factory to deliver a 9 week program of creative writing . Explore your creative side learn some new skills and express yourself. Included with the program is a healthy and nutritious meal, your work professionally published in a hard cover book and free transport to anyone within the 2770 district upon application. To enroll contact Stephen on 0405 105 859 or email Stephen@ChainReaction.org.au
Listen To The Great ' Caro Nome' - With Andre Rieu & His Johann Strauss Orchestra
Listening to this wonderful opera song with Donij van Doorn singing Caro Nome with Andre Rieu is magnificent:
' Caro Nome' translated to English is ' Dear Name'
More Enlightening Music - The Godfather Waltz - Andre Rieu & His Johann Strauss Orchestra
Another wonderful work of musical art from Andre Rieu & his Orchestra:
Saturday, June 27, 2020
Relieving Headaches - The Beautiful Blue Danube - Andre Rieu & His Johann Strauss Orchestra
The Blue Danube composed in 1866 by Austrian Johann Straus II, is still one of the most famous classical music pieces to listen to and just enjoy, especially with Andre Rieu & his orchestra:
More Wonderful Orchestral Music - Nightingale Serenade - Andre Rieu & His Johann Strauss Orchestra
Listen here about how nature forms part of this great musical piece. This is just not for the naturalists this is is for anyone and everyone. I feel like I'm actually in the bush, closing my eyes and listening:
Thursday, June 25, 2020
Booklovers of All Ages to Benefit from New Shoalhaven Libraries Mobile Service Timetable - Shoalhaven City Council - Media Release
25th June 2020
Shoalhaven Libraries have unveiled a new six-month timetable for its Mobile Library Service, adding four new locations and making other timetable adjustments after a recent service review.
The new timetable now includes stops at Conjola Park, Manyana, Kings Point and East Lynne after receiving feedback from the community via a recent online and hard copy survey.
Shoalhaven Libraries Manager Sarah Taylor was thrilled with the community response to the service review and was pleased to see the Mobile Service adapting to changing community needs.
“As the city changes and grows, new locations need to be considered. The addition of Bayswood to the 2019-20 timetable proved very successful, so the four new stops in the southern Shoalhaven are bound to be of value.”
“We received a survey response from a customer, commenting that it would be lovely for the library to visit Conjola Park after the horrid bushfires and bring some normality to the town. We are humbled to think that we can help the community by offering this service and we look forward to seeing some new faces at the four new Mobile Library locations.
“In addition to the new locations, the service review revealed that whilst many primary schools now have well stocked permanent libraries on site, community preschools required library materials and visits.
“By making the school and preschool visits rotate on a monthly basis, we could broaden the reach of the service throughout the community, including an additional 14 preschools to the schedule.” Ms Taylor said.
Shoalhaven libraries welcomes feedback on the new timetable that will be trialled for six months and can be accessed at https://www.
For more information please contact the Shoalhaven Libraries on 4429 3705.
5th Upbeat Songs With John at Bay & Basin 92.7FM Coming Up - Did you listen to the last show?
Thank you to all listeners of 'Upbeat Songs With John' 5th Radio Show broadcasted on 22nd June 2020, at 6pm, at 92.7FM. If you missed it, you may listen to the podcast of it here:
You may wish to listen to the next 6th Show of 'Upbeat Songs With John' will be at 6pm, 29th June 2020 at 92.7FM.
You may also wish to place song requests here and then we will play for you, in later shows.
So, tune into your radio on 92.7fm or go this website link to listen online:
And enjoy the Show!
You may also click on the above same page for 92.7FM radio schedule programs
This week's Dedicated song was to Anne-Marie Svoboda. Your name could be next!!
New Look Trucks as Shoalhaven Renews SUEZ Kerbside Waste Collection Contract - Shoalhaven City Council - Media Release
Shoalhaven City Council has renewed its kerbside waste collection contract with waste and recycling contractor SUEZ, which unveiled a new look for its kerbside waste collection trucks today.
The newly branded trucks will be on full display for the community as they travel across the Shoalhaven over the next nine years.
The updated branding on the new fleet of trucks has resulted from Council's ongoing positive and constructive working relationship with SUEZ. Council’s waste services officers have worked closely with the SUEZ team to update messaging to reflect current waste management activities in the Shoalhaven.
Mayor Amanda Findley said, "Suez has been servicing the Shoalhaven for 30 years and has often gone above and beyond when requested.
“For example over the past few months Suez has ensured our household kerbside bins have been collected, as reliably as possible, despite the challenges and difficulties caused by the bushfires, floods and COVID,” she said.
“It’s great to see the newly branded trucks out on the road servicing the region,” said Clr Findley.
The personable nature, safety and reliability of SUEZ's service is highlighted by the drivers who have become well known in their community for connecting with residents on their routes. Some current SUEZ employees have worked the trucks for the past 30 years. SUEZ has not lost any working days to injury over the past eight years of performing the Shoalhaven’s kerbside collections.
Mark Venhoek, CEO of SUEZ Australia & New Zealand, said the last year has been a challenging period for everyone – and even more challenging for those living in the Shoalhaven and South Coast regions.
“The resilience of this region has been nothing short of inspiring and is testament to the strength and closeness of the local communities throughout the Shoalhaven region,” Mr Venhoek said.
“This year marks 30 years of the continued relationship between the people of Shoalhaven and SUEZ.”
“Over those years we have formed a tight bond, both through our employees that live and work here, but also with the businesses and households that we serve – this is something we are very proud of,” he said.
SUEZ has notched up some notable statistics in the time it has serviced the Shoalhaven, due to the large geographic area and population that triples in some holiday periods.
In the last year its kerbside waste collection operation travelled 845,000 km to collect waste from Shoalhaven residents, lifted 3.6 million bins and drove past collection points 4.6 million times.
Video News Release Link
Photo caption: Key staff from Shoalhaven City Council (SCC) and SUEZ; Darron Ellery, SCC Waste Contracts Coordinator, Brendan Jeffcott (SUEZ), Phillip Perram, SCC Commercial Services Manager, Mayor Amanda Findley, Shoalhaven City Council (centre), and SUEZ Australia & New Zealand CEO, Mark Venhoek (second from right) and State General Manager, Tony Grebenshikoff.
Click here for previous Media Release
Scams Target All Sections Of Australian Society Including CALD And Indigenous Communities - ACCC SCAMWATCH
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Data from the ACCC’s annual
Targeting Scams report, released this week,
indicates scammers don’t discriminate and are
targeting a range of different communities in
Australia.
In 2019, people who reported speaking
English as a second language lost $13.7
million, an increase of 90 per cent on the
previous year, despite the number of reports
remaining steady.
This increase was mainly from investment
scams, which accounted for over $5.3 million
in losses in this group.
“Investment scams often begin with cold calls
promising low risk investments with high
returns and can go on for months, resulting in
high individual losses,” ACCC Deputy Chair
Delia Rickard said.
“If a deal sounds too good to be true, it
probably is. Don’t let anyone pressure you
and make sure you take the time to research
the investment opportunity and get financial
advice before agreeing to anything.”
Dating and romance scams had the next
highest losses in this group at $2.7 million,
followed by scams using threats to life or
arrest at $1.7 million.
“Chinese authority scams continue to target
the Mandarin-speaking community by
accusing victims of perpetrating a crime, and
threatening arrest or deportation if they do not
provide money, or information such as their
bank account balances and identity details,”
Ms Rickard said.
Losses to Chinese authority scams in 2019
increased by 40 per cent on 2018 figures, up
to $2 million.
Last year, 4.6 per cent of reports to
Scamwatch came from people who speak
English as a second language and 1.6 per
cent came from people who identified as
Indigenous.
“We want to encourage all community groups
to report to Scamwatch and not feel
embarrassed or ashamed if they have been a
victim of a scam,” Ms Rickard said.
In 2019 there were 2,767 scam reports from
Indigenous consumers, a 14 per cent increase
from 2018, but the $2.1 million lost was 30 per
cent lower.
Again, the most financially harmful scams in
this group were investment scams, with over
$1.1 million lost. This was followed by dating
and romance scams with nearly half a million
in losses.
“If you have provided your account details to a
scammer, contact your bank immediately and
if you have any concerns about your safety,
contact the police,” Ms Rickard said.
“The ACCC has translated our Little Black
Book of Scams into ten different languages to
assist the wider community to learn about
scams and how to avoid them.”
“We are also continuing our Indigenous
outreach programs and sharing scam
warnings on the Your Rights Mob Facebook
page,” Ms Rickard said.
For more information about scams
visit www.scamwatch.gov.au and
follow @scamwatch_gov on Twitter.
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
In Your Neighbourhood - This Week - Shoalhaven City Council
What's 'In your neighbourhood' This Week:
- Shoalhaven City Council - Connect Better
- Making a deputation to Council
- What birds have you spotted from home
- Council Staff receive State Recognition
- Chookas to us!
- Charcoal Art with Shoalhaven Regional Gallery
- Redistribution of NSW Electoral Districts
Shoalhaven City Council - Media Release - Shoalhaven City Council Clarification of Bushfire Recovery Scope of Works
24 June 2020
Shoalhaven City Council would like to address recent media statements regarding the amount of cleared properties in fire impacted areas of the Shoalhaven.
Property numbers cleaned do not provide a clear guide of bushfire recovery progress, with each property having different circumstances and recovery measures in place.
The bushfire recovery scope of works was determined by the State contractor Laing O’Rourke, on behalf of NSW Public Works.
A total of 916 bushfire affected properties registered for clean-up with Laing O'Rourke, and each of those properties were visited and assessed by the state contractor and NSW Public Works. 424 of those 916 registered were deemed to be in scope and eligible for clean-up works to be undertaken.
Council is pleased to advise that of the 424 eligible properties, 392 have now been cleaned to date, with 32 properties remaining.
Council, with assistance from Laing O’Rourke and Service NSW, contacted a further 42 property owners regarding registration for clean-up, with 10 of which unable to be contacted despite considerable measures to make contact.
Of the 32 properties contacted, Council have been advised from property owners that the property owner will either contact Service NSW and register, have made their own arrangements with their insurance company, are cleaning it themselves, or are choosing to not commence with the clean-up as yet. Council have made it clear to property owners to register for the service while it is still on offer.
In terms of waste removal from bushfire affected properties, a dedicated Bushfire Waste Recycling Centre was set up at West Nowra Waste Depot to handle the non-contaminated waste received from property cleaning. The Centre has received approximately 18,000 tonnes of non-contaminated waste, with over 93% reprocessed as recyclable material. The remaining 250 tonnes of non-contaminated waste was put into landfill. The recycling program was highly successful, and as the demand for the centre has now decreased significantly, the Centre was decommissioned last week with any further waste received to be processed at the waste depot.
Council have undertaken significant efforts to ensure all Shoalhaven fire impacted properties register with Service NSW to ensure each property owner has access to the support and resources they need to move through the recovery process.
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Survey On The Abuse Of Older People & Survey Results On COVID-19 - Relationships Australia
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Monday, June 22, 2020
Council Staff Members Receive State Recognition - Shoalhaven City Council - Media Release
23 June 2020
Shoalhaven City Council is proud to announce that two Council staff members received recognition at the highly esteemed Hunter Valley Training Company (HVTC)’s 2020 Excellence Awards.
Maddison Baccinelli has won the Milton Morris Encouragement Award, and Trainee Surveyor, Finlay Hegarty, has won the Trainee of the Year – Encouragement Award.
Maddison and Finlay will receive their award trophies at a ceremony in Newcastle later this year, once restrictions have been lifted.
Winners in the 13 Excellence Award categories were selected from finalists across HVTC’s ten regional branches located throughout New South Wales.
Maddison’s award was created last year to assist a first or second-year apprentice who is experiencing hardship and or in need of additional financial support.
The award is named after HVTC’s Foundation Chairman, Director and Patron, who championed the importance of vocational education and training in Australia to help ensure our nation’s economic future.
Maddison’s Supervisor Mario Savoca (Building Services- Structures Supervisor) said, “Maddison demonstrates an aptitude for vocational education and training and a positive attitude and application at work and in off-the-job training.”
“We believe she is a most worthy recipient of the award and are very happy that she has received some financial assistance with the award,” said Mr Savoca.
Finlay Hegarty’s Supervisor Melissa Dunn (District Engineer Central) said, “This award is a great testament to Finlay’s personality and dedication to his training. Last year he strove past a Certificate III to complete a Certificate IV in Spatial Surveying. Due to his outstanding work, his traineeship was extended this year and he is now studying for a Diploma in Surveying,”
“Finlay always happily undertakes any work challenges given to him. He is a great asset to our team,” said Melissa.
Shoalhaven City Council is committed to engaging, training and employing young people from the Shoalhaven and surrounding regions. These programs have proven successful and Council is proud to continue to invest in future generations.
Maddison Baccinelli has won the Milton Morris Encouragement Award.
Trainee Surveyor, Finlay Hegarty, has won the Trainee of the Year – Encouragement Award.
Sunday, June 21, 2020
Scams Cost Australians Over $630 million - ACCC SCAMWATCH
Australians lost over $634 million to scams in
2019, according to the latest figures in the
ACCC’s Targeting Scams report released
today.
There were more than 353,000 combined
reports to Scamwatch, other government
agencies and the big four banks last year.
“Unfortunately it is another year with
devastatingly high losses, and scammers are
constantly finding new ways to defraud
Australians,” ACCC Deputy Chair Delia
Rickard said.
“This year we have included data from the big
four banks which gives a more complete
picture of how much people are losing to
scams.”
Business email compromise scams accounted
for the highest losses in 2019, with the
Australian business community, and some
individuals losing $132 million.
This was followed by investment scams at
$126 million, and dating and romance scams
at $83 million.
Over the last 10 years of Targeting Scams
reports, Scamwatch has received almost one
million reports of scams.
“When we combine Scamwatch reports with
partner data, we see that Australians have
reported losing $2.5 billion over that time,
which is astonishing,” Ms Rickard said.
“We know these numbers still vastly
understate losses as around one third of
people don’t report scam losses to anyone
and in the past far fewer scam reports to other
agencies have been captured.”
“Some of these scams can last for months, or
even years, and can leave victims financially
and emotionally devastated.”
Based solely on reports provided to the ACCC
in 2019, scams originating on social media
increased by 20 per cent and contacts via
mobile phone apps increased by 29 per cent.
“Over the last decade, scammers have taken
advantage of new technologies and current
scams are using social media apps and new
payment methods that didn’t exist in 2009,”
Ms Rickard said.
“In particular, a new trend with dating and
romance scams is scammers contacting the
victim on social media apps or games which
are not designed for dating, so it’s important to
be aware that scammers can target you
anywhere.”
Common techniques that scammers use to
manipulate their victims include making
exclusive offers that you don’t want to miss
out on, or asking for small commitments, such
as completing a survey, to make the victim
more likely to comply with larger schemes.
“You can always say no, hang up the phone or
delete an email, even if you’ve said yes
previously. You don’t owe the scammer
anything,” Ms Rickard said.
If you think have been the victim of a scam,
contact your bank as soon as possible and
contact the platform on which you were
scammed.
The ACCC continues to work with the private
sector to share intelligence about scam trends
impacting their services, to assist their own
disruption efforts.
The ACCC encourages people to
visit www.scamwatch.gov.au to report scams
and learn more about what to do if they are
targeted by scammers.
They can also follow @scamwatch_gov on
Twitter to keep up to date with advice for
avoiding the latest scams affecting the
community.
Background
The 2019 Targeting Scams report includes
data from Scamwatch, ACORN (ceased
operating 30 Jun 2019), ReportCyber
(commenced 1 Jul 2019), ACMA, ATO,
Services Australia, WA Scamnet,
Commonwealth Bank, NAB, Westpac and
ANZ.
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Rermembering lives lost to suicide - Wesley LifeForce Suicide Memorial Service
Steps forward aren’t always easy. But when we take the step to gather and remember loved ones lost to suicide, we each grow a little stron...
