The Federal Government has allocated Wollongong City Council $13.8 million as part of its “national building agenda”, and yet we read the funds will be included into the city’s overall revenue intake.
As a taxpayer I would like to know just what these extra funds will be spent on, and one would hope they are not just being stashed away to help pay off existing council debts.
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Gilly goes back into bat
Former Australian cricketing star, wicketkeeper, batsman and vice captain, Adam Gilchrist has, I believe, been asked to join a University of Wollongong team who will visit India to interest local businesses in the uni’s new Innovation Campus.
Although he has retired from the Test arena Gilchrist is still a popular player in the rich Indian short series competition and will be no stranger to the place.
University chief Gerard Sutton will also make the trip.
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What's the catch?
Friend of mine suggests there is a definite catch to this poser. See how you go.
You are in a room which has one door leading from it to “freedom” and another to “hell”. Also with you are two identical twins, one who always tells the truth and the other who is an out and out liar.
You are only allowed to question one of them. What then is the question that can get you to freedom?
Answer next week.
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How do you compare them - schools, that is?
The Federal Government plans to go ahead with its move to rank Australian schools so as to give parents, for example, the ability to compare their performance.
Now, I’m not against an Australia – wide scheme, but it must be national and not have the States still doing their own thing.
I spoke with a Primary School principal the other day and she is doubtful how the idea will work, particularly in the earlier years of school.
Are we going to have five year olds sitting for exams, for instance?
A High School deputy principal I also chatted with says the scheme’s implementation will not come easily, although there are already in existence established years when students have to sit for exams.
Let’s face it, she suggested, we all have a set curriculum and teachers understand what they have to impart to the students, but the school attendees must also have the right attitude to learning.
“There are some kids you can never get properly through to and teachers regularly discuss them in the staff room” she says.
She also went as far as to suggest some kids only came to school because their parents wanted them to be seen as having had a sound education.
I can well remember this when I was at school. There were some teachers who really had your confidence and you usually performed well, but there were others whom you didn’t quite take to and your work suffered.
It will be interesting to see how the proposal works. Also of interest, and both the teachers I spoke with registered concerns over this, is who will do the judging?
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Excellence in housing awards
Three Wollongong properties have gained top honours in The Master Builders Association 2008 Excellence In Housing Awards.
Neil Riles Construction of Berry took the honours for contract houses costing between two and three million dollars, and the property at Stanwell Park also received recognition for the best use of timber.
In the Town Houses, Villas or Dual Occupancy award for properties costing between $250 000 and $400 000 Waldock Construction took the award for three town houses at Coniston with the use of pre – cast wall panels particularly catching the eye of the judges.
Then Matt Jolley took the gong for home additions, alterations and/or renovations valued at between $550 000 and $700 000 to a North Wollongong property.
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What next?
I nearly fell off the chair when I read at the weekend that the humble lawnmower was seen as an enemy in the war against global warning and it has been suggested to the Federal Government they perhaps be phased out.
The idea comes from some noted environmentalist who wants to see limited emissions from a range of household appliances.
Then there’s the NSW State Opposition trumpeting the need for us for to rid ourselves of DVD’s and some types of television sets.
Let’s hope refrigerators, microwaves, washing and drying machines and toilets escape the beady eyes of these people.
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