7NEWS 16TH APRIL 2017

Game reports and final standings from Day 8 of the Helloworld U18's Championships and Kevin Coombs Cup held in Townsville, Queensland.

Under-18 Women Playoff 5/6
SA Country 43 def. by Qld South 78The signs were good early for Qld South as they pushed out to a four-point lead at quarter-time and the margin continued to grow beyond that mark as they ran away comfortable winners. Their defence proved the deciding factor, holding SA Country to just 16% shooting while they shot 43% themselves and owned a 40-16 advantage in the paint courtesy of Jade Kirisome and Jessica McDowell-White (six points, 13 rebounds, five assists).

ABC NEWS  24TH APRIL 2017


Hunter Valley farmer, Wendy Bowman, has won the Goldman Environmental Prize.

A farmer from the Upper Hunter Valley in New South Wales has today been bestowed a significant international environmental award.

Wendy Bowman has received the Goldman Environmental Prize in the United States, and is the first Australian to be honoured in almost 15 years.

Previously won by former Greens leader, Bob Brown, the award recognises unsung individuals who are striving to protect the natural environment in the face of overwhelming odds.

For almost three decades, the tenacious Hunter Valley cattle producer has been fighting to save prime farmland, water, and rural villages from the impacts of open-cut coal mining — inspiring a community movement along the way.

She said receiving the award was an unexpected surprise.

"When I got the phone call, I was in shock, because I really had never heard of this award and I didn't believe it was happening for a long while," she said.

The prize is awarded annually to a grassroots environmental leader from each of the world's six inhabited continental regions, offering financial support to pursue their vision.

New home, new furniture: Advice for inexperienced buyers

The interior trends you’ll love in 2017 Popular design trends have an expiry date Experts predict the biggest interior trends  So you’ve bought your first house. And now you’ve got to furnish it. Money’s tight all over, especially for young adults and first-home buyers, but odds are the cheap-and-nasty stuff you had when you were share housing has done its dash.

When to comes to big furniture purchases, look at getting classic pieces that are built to last, says Triana Odone of King Living. “If you’re on a budget, don’t purchase based on trends that won’t be chic in a year’s time. Stick to buying a quality-made piece that’s built to last.”

“Take the time to do some research and really think about what style of decor you prefer,” says Odone. “Do you like quite simple, contemporary designs without big cushions? Do you like sofas and chairs that you can really curl up in?” Once you’ve got an understanding of your style, think about how you’re going to use your living room – where you’re better off spending a bit extra on quality construction, and where you can save money, too.

News from 19 April

Scientists fear 457 visa changes will hinder research

Scientists fear the changes to the 457 visa system could have major unforeseen consequences for Australia's cutting edge research labs. 

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced the Coalition is abolishing the 457 visa system, which will be replaced with two new classes of visa.

The Government said it wanted to train more local workers, which is set to be funded from an increased fee charged when employers bring in temporary skilled foreign workers.

Universities are concerned the changes will prevent them from hiring post-doctoral research fellows because of a requirement to have a minimum two years of work experience.

Scientists said the 457 visas were crucial for helping to teach Australian undergraduate students while advancing cutting-edge science being done in Australia.

Channel 7 news : date 30/04/2017



NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian's announcements 

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced $310 million for a controversial North Parramatta development, to some heckling from locals angered about the proposed construction of more than 2000 apartments.

The 30-hectare site has a rich indigenous heritage and is home to several historic buildings including the colonial-era Parramatta Female Factory, the former Catholic Orphan School and Parramatta Gaol.

Urban Growth NSW's proposed plan for the site would see the restoration and conservation of historically significant buildings, the creation of public open spaces, and the construction of about 2700 new apartments.

Announcing $310 million in project funding over the next seven to 10 years, Ms Berejiklian focused on heritage conservation efforts and the creation of public open spaces, including ovals, cycleways, playing fields and parklands.