This is a question I am asked quite frequently. The answer really rests with the person asking the question, but before they answer the question they should consider the following:-

• Have you considered a weekly budget for when you purchase your first home?
• What weekly loan repayments can you afford?
• How much can you borrow now? – A visit to your local financial institution will determine this.
• Have you saved a Deposit? – Did you know that the First Home Owners Grant can be used with your deposit? Ask your Financial Institution how.
• What is available by way of assistance from the Federal Government eg the First Home Owners Grant. The State Government may also have incentives for first home buyers?

Did you know that each State offers different incentives eg In NSW you may be eligible for concessions on your mortgage duty and Transfer Stamp Duty. Also in NSW they offer a Bonus of $3,000 if you are constructing a new home

The Federal Government at the moment offers a grant of $14,000 (normally $7,000) for the purchase of an existing home. If you are buying a new home (one that has not been lived in before) or constructing a new home, you may be eligible for a grant of $21,000 (normally $14,000) these additional amounts for the Grant have an expiry date of 30/6/09.

• How is the housing market at the moment? – You should visit Real Estate sites. I use the Sydney Morning Herald and their links to their Real Estate sites.
• What does it cost for a home loan? This is important as the lowest interest rate may not necessarily be the best loan for you. Again visit your local financial institution to find out about their loans.
• What if you haven’t got a 10% deposit? Again you can use the First Home Owners Grant to help you with the deposit. Some lenders will lend you more than 90% of the purchase price.
• If you haven’t got a 10% deposit you can still exchange contracts by using a Deposit Bond. This is a product which by paying a small fee and by supplying certain documentation to support the application will enable a guarantee to be issued which will ensure that you can exchange contracts.

As mentioned these are just some things that you need to think about before you buy. Finding a solicitor or conveyancer is also important as they will be acting on your behalf with the legal aspects of the purchase.

So by asking these questions and by making investigations, you may be surprised how quickly you will be able to get into your first home.

The draft H250 Plan outlines how Hunter Water proposes to meet the water supply needs of the Lower Hunter in a sustainable way over the next 50 years.  The draft Plan replaces the Integrated Water Resource Plan released in 2003.

In November 2006 the State Government announced a $342 million plan to secure the water future for the Lower Hunter and the Central Coast regions.  This plan included the proposed Tillegra Dam, planned for the upper reaches of the Williams River, along with the Kooragang Industrial Water Scheme (a major recycling project) and increased pumping capacity from the Williams River during flood flows.

Given there is a defined path forward for supply and recycling options for the Lower Hunter, the focus of the draft H250 Plan is on water efficiency. This draft Plan also provides detailed outline of Hunter Water’s proposed approach to resource planning.

How to Comment on the Plan

Any comments on the draft H250 Plan can be submitted to:

Email               sue.nicholas@hunterwater.com.au

Post                 Hunter Water   
                        PO Box 5171
                        HRMC  NSW 2310

Hand Deliver   Attention: Sue Nicholas
                        Hunter Water Head Office
                        36 Honeysuckle Drive
                        Newcastle West 2302

All comments on the draft Plan must be received by Friday 16 May 2008.

By Todd Balym – AAP

Brisbane hooker Michael Ennis made a triumphant return to Newcastle, starring in the Broncos 34-22 NRL victory over the Knights to help his side jump to the top of the NRL table.

Ennis scored two tries and booted seven goals for a personal haul of 22 points, his goalkicking the difference as both sides finished with five tries.</strong>

Ennis made his debut for the Knights in 2003 and his return to EnergyAustralia Stadium showed all the hallmarks of the potential Newcastle once saw in the 24-year-old.

While Broncos coach Wayne Bennett praised his hooker he banned him from talking to the media.

"It was just lovely to see Michael play like he did today," said Bennett.

"We’ve all been waiting to see that. He has had a mixed two seasons with us with injuries. He has got over those now … he is relishing the role."

It was Ennis’s first standout game since joining Brisbane in 2006 after battling through two knee reconstructions since moving from St George Illawarra, and Bennett gagged him from talking so he wouldn’t get carried away with just one good performance.

He scored both his tries in the opening half as the Broncos raced to a 26-8 lead at the break, his first as a support player from a Dave Taylor bust and the second off a Peter Wallace kick.

The Knights rallied in the second half with Gidley and Cory Paterson both crossing to complete tryscoring doubles and pull Newcastle within 10 points with 19 minutes to play.

But Broncos skipper Justin Hodges grabbed a 30m intercept try against the run of play for his second of the day in the 68th minute and secure the win before Knights backrower Chris Houston scored a late consolation try in the 77th minute.

The home team wasn’t helped by Kurt Gidley managing to kick just one of his five near-sideline attempts.

Newcastle coach Brian Smith however was upset at a pivotal miss by referee Shayne Hayne in the 63rd minute when Wes Naiqama was dragged down without the ball by Nick Kenny.

Danny Buderus had made a break and if Naiqama had not been brought to the ground it could easily have led to a try to bring the Knights within sight of snatching the win.

"You saw it too," said Smith of the incident.

"I saw that, apparently nobody else did. It was a bit of disappointment that because we were really on a roll there."

Although gallant in fighting back, the damage was done in the first half as Brisbane’s two tries in the final five minutes created a buffer too big for the Knights to run down as heavy rain interfered with their comeback.

Broncos fullback Karmichael Hunt produced the most telling play of the game a minute before oranges when he sliced through the defence on the halfway line then dummied past Gidley to give his side a three converted try buffer.

"We got that try right on halftime and that was the difference," said Bennett.

Smith, who may lose halfback Scott Dureau with ankle and hip injuries next week, said Brisbane won the game by converting their opportunities.

"We got punished very much for our errors today. The first half particularly defensively, if we missed a tackle we got scored against," Smith said.

"Their tries in the first half were just too easy. Bad communication and a couple of simple missed tackles, but to be fair the Broncos supported their breaks well and they converted those chances into points."

Finally the Age of Conversation Bum Rush is here.

It’s time to execute the plan that’s been in the works for weeks.

We are launching The Age of Conversation up the Amazon charts. The book “brings together over 100 of the world’s leading marketers, writers, thinkers and creative innovators in a ground-breaking and unusual publication.” All of the proceeds generated from book sales and referrals will be donated to Variety, The Children’s Charity.

Buy, Starting Saturday March 29th

Click Here to buy your copy!

The Age of Conversation includes a chapter by Newcastle’s own Media Hunter discussing social media such as Hunter’s Best.

Please purchase 1 copy at a time, using the link above, for maximum impact, and because all referral fees will be donated to charity as well.

Don’t go too far because starting Saturday I will making continual updates to this post, reporting the books movement up the Amazon charts. This will be your go to post to find out how the plan is being carried out.

You can also follow the conversation on Twitter. Gavin (@servantofchaos), Drew (@DrewMcLellan) and I (@freshpeel) will be giving a play-by-play throughout the day. Join in the fun!

Since this is a global effort, I thought I would post the ranking as of 2pm CST on March 28th as a beginning marker. The ranking has already changed in the last couple of hours because of sales from the other side of the world.

Here are links to the 103 authors of the Age of Conversation:

Gavin Heaton, editor
Drew McLellan, editor
C.B. Whittemore
CK
Valeria Maltoni
Emily Reed
Katie Chatfield
Greg Verdino
Mack Collier
Lewis Green
Sacrum
Ann Handley
Mike Sansone
Paul McEnany
Roger von Oech
Anna Farmery
David Armano
Bob Glaza
Mark Goren
Matt Dickman
Scott Monty
Richard Huntington
Cam Beck
David Reich
Luc Debaisieux
Sean Howard
Tim Jackson
Patrick Schaber
Roberta Rosenberg
Uwe Hook
Tony D. Clark
Todd Andrlik
Toby Bloomberg
Steve Woodruff
Steve Bannister
Steve Roesler
Stanley Johnson
Spike Jones
Nathan Snell
Simon Payn
Ryan Rasmussen
Ron Shevlin
Roger Anderson
Robert Hruzek
Rishi Desai
Phil Gerbyshak
Peter Corbett
Pete Deutschman
Nick Rice
Nick Wright
Michael Morton
Mark Earls
Mark Blair
Mario Vellandi
Lori Magno
Kristin Gorski
Kris Hoet
G.Kofi Annan
Kimberly Dawn Wells
Karl Long
Julie Fleischer
Jordan Behan
John La Grou
Joe Raasch
Jim Kukral
Jessica Hagy
Janet Green
Jamey Shiels
Dr. Graham Hill
Gia Facchini
Geert Desager
Gaurav Mishra
Gary Schoeniger
Gareth Kay
Faris Yakob
Emily Clasper
Ed Cotton
Dustin Jacobsen
Tom Clifford
David Polinchock
David Koopmans
David Brazeal
David Berkowitz
Carolyn Manning
Craig Wilson
Cord Silverstein
Connie Reece
Colin McKay
Chris Newlan
Chris Corrigan
Cedric Giorgi
Brian Reich
Becky Carroll
Arun Rajagopal
Andy Nulman
Amy Jussel
AJ James
Kim Klaver
Sandy Renshaw
Susan Bird
Ryan Barrett
Troy Worman
S. Neil Vineberg

Source: Livesites

Be amazed + be Amused!

Ladies & Gentleman! Come one, come all! Once again, the best and most bizarre street acts from all around the world gather in Newcastle for the 4th annual Street Performers festival.

Now in its 4th year, the Street Performers Festival takes over the streets for four days in March. Get yourself into town, and let the festival take you over!

Line Up: Keep checking here for the full line up of acts and performers.

Programme Information: 

This information will also be available as the printed Festival Programme, on location, each day.

Where: Newcastle Mall, Harbour Square, Honeysuckle Workshops
When: Thursday 10 Apr – Sunday 13 April

Entry: FREE! 

The Hunter Development Corporation has unveiled plans for a new park in Hunter Street, between the Newcastle Community Health Centre building (670 Hunter St) and the TAFE building in Newcastle West.

Hunter Development Corporation General Manager, Craig Norman, said the park, which features extensive landscaping, is designed to be a picturesque open space.

“Over the coming months Novocastrians will notice the transformation from derelict vacant city block to a picturesque recreational space for workers, tourists and residents to enjoy.

“The park features a variety of paving and other finishes designed to be durable and also aesthetically attractive.

“The Hunter Development Corporation is developing this site as part of the Honeysuckle urban renewal project.

“An important part of the Honeysuckle project is the provision of quality public open spaces to make rundown
parts of the city more attractive to residents, workers and tourists.

“With around twothirds of the Honeysuckle redevelopment complete, more than 10 hectares of city and harbourside land have already been transformed into quality open space for the community to enjoy.

“The public domain spaces in Honeysuckle also received an Urban Design Institute of Australia President’s Award for projects outside metropolitan Sydney.”

Mr Norman said the developments completed to date in Hunter Street West by the Corporation as part of the Honeysuckle project included:

• The $16 million Cove Apartments – 60 units?
• The $22.5 million Ibis Hotel?
• The $8 million Riverwalk development – 3000m 2 commercial space?
• The $18 million 670 Hunter Street – 5000m 2 office space including the Newcastle Community Health Centre.

• Premium revenue of $370.9 million
• Policyholder growth of 6.5%, well above industry average
• Net underwriting margin of 3.7%, ahead of 2008 full year Prospectus
  forecast of 2.5%
• Normalised net profit after tax of $17.7 million

“The launch of our life insurance product is an exciting opportunity for nib as we strive to leverage our brand and customer loyalty.

“Market research of our customer base indicates they want to see other insurance products aligned to our traditional private health insurance offer. We regard a life insurance product offering as a natural extension of our current health insurance portfolio.”

nib was also awarded Best Health Insurer in the annual Australian Financial Review’s Smart Investor Awards.

“As a company we recognise that our ability to grow enterprise value is heavily reliant upon the fund continuing to provide policyholders with affordable and competitively priced products coupled with outstanding customer service.

“The Smart Investor Award is recognition of nib’s commitment to maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.”

Looking Forward nib has forecast strong policyholder growth for the remainder of the 2008 Financial Year, driven by sound economic conditions, low community confidence in public hospitals and ongoing Federal Government policy.

“Government support is not only vital to our business, but also vital for the community. Due largely to private health insurance, private hospitals now perform 56% of all hospital surgery in Australia, taking enormous pressure off the public system and waiting times,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

nib anticipates strong organic growth and improved underwriting margins. However, investment income uncertainty given volatile investment markets makes it difficult to forecast normalised 2008 NPAT.

“Based upon performance we anticipate organic growth in excess of 35,000 net new policyholders for the full Financial Year, which would be fantastic and 10% ahead of our 2008 Prospectus forecast. And combined with our improved underwriting margins we remain comfortable with our underlying business performance.”

Last year’s sporting heroes and the outstanding contribution of volunteers and committee members will be recognised at the 2007 Newcastle Sports Awards Dinner next Friday 22 February.

Parks and Recreation Manager GRAEME MATTHEWS says the annual Sports Awards are a significant event on the Newcastle calendar.

“There are so many people in the community who contribute countless hours to their local sports clubs, whether it is as a team member, volunteer in the canteen or secretary of the club. There are lots of young people who would never get the opportunity to play sport if it wasn’t for them.

“It is important to recognise the outstanding sports men and women for their personal and inspiring achievements, as well as to honour and thank the community of helpers who stand behind them.”

The Western Suburbs Leagues Club and MC Mike Rabbitt will host the evening in honour of the invaluable contribution sports men and women and their volunteers and supporters make to our community. Winners will be announced from the finalist list (see below).

Guest speaker will be ABC presenter Simone Thurtell. Entertainment will be provided by Wally the Worker & Milton Ward.

Ticket sales close today, 15 February 2008.

Newcastle Sports Awards

• When: Friday 22 February 2008, 6.30pm for 7pm start
• Where: Starlight Room, Western Suburbs Leagues Club, Hobart Road, New Lambton
• Cost: $55 each (tables of 10 available)

The 2007 Newcastle Sports Awards are brought to you by Newcastle City Council and Award Sponsors

Australian Hotels Association, Crowne Plaza Newcastle, Cutcher and Neale, Hunter Ice Skating Stadium, Newcastle Commercial Finance, Newcastle Jockey Club, Newcastle United Jets, NUsport, Radio 2HD, Tynan Performance Physio, Western Suburbs Leagues Club and Support Sponsors; James Estate Wines, NBN Television, The Herald and Tooheys.

2007 Newcastle Sports Awards Finalists

Name of Finalists

SPORTING ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR

Kotara Junior Rugby League Club
African Lions Project Team
Shortland RSL Junior Soccer

SPORTING EVENT OF THE YEAR

Hunter Ice Skating Club
2007 Australian Figure Skating Championships,

NSW vs SA Cricket

Surfest

SPORTS OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR

Scott Beker, Basketball
Ian Matthews, AFL Juniors
Rob Duchemin, Ice Hockey

VOLUNTEER SUPPORT

Kim Hillery, Tuxford Park Trust Committee/Soccer
Adele Saunders, Netball
Keven Ross, Ice Hockey

OUTSTANDING SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT (MALE UNDER 18)

Matthew Lindsay, Ice Hockey, Captain U18′s North Stars

Patrick Davis-Meehan, Snowboarding

William Salsbury, Artistic Roller Skating

OUTSTANDING SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT (FEMALE UNDER 18)

Bronte Davies-Russell, Diving

Katie-Rae Ebzery, Basketball

Michaela Davis-Meehan, Snowboarding

OUTSTANDING SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT (MASTERS)

Neill Fowler, Track & Field Athletics

Trish Stallard, Athletics & Surf Life Saving

Brian Radcliffe, Road & Track Cycling

OUTSTANDING SPORTING TEAM (JUNIOR – UNDER 18)

Newcastle North Stars U11′s Ice Hockey Team

Shortland 14C Girls Soccer, Soccer

African Lions Under 14 Basketball Team

OUTSTANDING SPORTING TEAM (SENIOR – OVER 18)

Newcastle District Cricket

Nobby’s Surf Life Saving Club 220 years Veteran Boat Crew

Newcastle North Stars

OUTSTANDING SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT (MALE OVER 18)

Adam Kimbley, Ice Hockey – Newcastle North Stars U23′s

Kurt Gidley, Newcastle Knights Rugby League

Hugh McLeod, Rowing

OUTSTANDING SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT (FEMALE OVER 18)

Shelley Clark, Open Water Swimming

Cheryl Salisbury, Soccer

Leah Poultonm, Cricket

OUTSTANDING SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT (ATHLETE WITH A DISABILITY)

Christie Dawes, Wheelchair Athletics

Heath Francis, Arm amputee in athletics

Prue Watt, Swimming

LORD MAYORS AWARD – "SPORTS PERSON OF THE YEAR"

Kurt Gidley, Rugby League

Hugh McLeod, Rowing

Cheryl Salisbury, Soccer

Leah Poulton, Cricket

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

Newcastle wasted little time celebrating their ticket to the A-League finals before talk in the Jets’ dressing room quickly shifted to a top two berth after their impressive win over Central Coast.

Little more than a week ago, Newcastle’s position in the top four was in jeopardy.

Now they are not only finals certainties after back-to-back wins over Adelaide and the Mariners, but are also primed for a run at the championship and possibly even the minor premiership as well.

They beat the league-leading Mariners 2-1 in Gosford on Saturday, with coach Gary van Egmond making it clear his Jets – who host bottom club Perth in the final round – were no longer happy just being in the finals mix.

"If you really want to challenge (for the championship) you have to be in that top two," van Egmond said.

"There was real celebration (after the match), a bit of Powerade and water flying, a few chants going up.

"But we need to come back to earth … and on Monday start again.

"It sets it up now against Perth.

"You win that last home game – which I know the guys are very motivated to do, they’re even talking about it now (in the change rooms), winning in front of their home crowd – and 34 points will go very close to getting you in the top two."

Few tipped the Jets to launch a championship bid this campaign after losing several key players in the off-season, including 2006/07 league MVP Nick Carle and former Socceroos skipper Paul Okon.

Striker Joel Griffiths, though, has more than picked up the slack and shapes as possibly the most pivotal player in the finals series.

On Saturday, he slotted home his 11th goal of the season to secure the win and virtually guarantee the season’s golden boot award.

One more against the Glory and he will break the record set by Melbourne marksman Danny Allsopp last season.

"Personally, I’ve taken a lot of responsibility on my shoulders this season to try and do the business and I feel like I’ve done that," Griffiths said.

"I just think we’re starting to really jell as a team now, which is the perfect time to start playing some football."

Not only lethal in front of goal, Griffiths’ ability to create has been just as vital to the Jets’ success.

"If you’ve got the leading goalscorer in your team it’s a massive bonus, but it’s not only that he scores goals, he also makes so many assists as well," van Egmond said of Griffiths.

"Just by his work ethic and how he plays the game, he inspires the boys behind him.

"He’s definitely improved as a player and he’s definitely reaping the rewards for that in regards to his Australian team selection.

"And he’s a winner and that’s what you want in a team."

© 2008 AAP

Fallen rugby league idol Andrew Johns has revealed he’s considered taking his own life on more than one occasion during his illicit drug scandal in London and Australia.

Johns was arrested for possession of an ecstasy tablet outside a London tube station on Sunday August 26 and spent five hours in jail where he admits to being "on the verge" of suicide.

Drunk and high from a binge session at The Church, Johns decided against taking his own life behind bars, however he would face the same dilemma only a few days later as the media pounced on the story of his UK arrest.

"There were media out the front of my house. Some were ringing the doorbell on the front wall," Johns reveals in his autobiography, The Two Of Me, released on Monday.

"I was on my own, pacing the house, going up and down the stairs, looking out the curtains, a prisoner in my own home with journalists and TV cameras parked on the footpath outside.

"That’s when I became close to being suicidal. I consciously thought of taking my own life.

"I was in a massive state of depression, thinking, ‘what have you done to your family and those closest to you? What have you done with your life?" This was all while the media were outside my house, sweating on a big story.

"I’m not disclosing this to get any sympathy or to make the media feel
guilty. It’s not easy admitting a tough, big-shot footballer was on the
verge of suicide because he’d got some bad headlines. But it’s fact,
part of my story.

"And maybe it might bring home just how bipolar can affect someone; the
fact that 15 per cent of people who suffer the condition commit suicide
is a scary statistic.

"I’m sure glad something stopped me taking that way out of my dilemma that day."

Johns, who retired due to a neck injury in early 2007, believes his use
of illicit substances traces back to problems with alcohol and a battle
with bipolar disorder, a mental disease he’s carried most of his life
but was only diagnosed in 2004.

The Newcastle, NSW and Australian Test champion had always planned
releasing a brutally honest autobiography, even prior to his drugs
arrest and nationally televised confession on The Footy Show four days
after his London arrest.

"I’ve carried the guilt for years that the perception of my life has been such a lie," he wrote.

"To be brutally honest – I hated Joey Johns. I hated the superstar-type
figure I was perceived to be and I hated as much the person I really
was.

"Now, and I’m only talking about since the second half of 2006, I am finally comfortable with who I am as a person."

And he remains nervous about the negative reaction his book may
generate, not only for him but also for the game of rugby league which
made him a superstar.

"I am worried about the reaction I will get.

"But the fact is I couldn’t offer my memoirs as another version of the lie I feel I have lived."