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Councillor escapes jail time for news between p11 editions
3 JUNE 2023
Safety concerns for school bus Parents of Shellharbour Anglican College students are calling on Kiama MP Gareth Ward to intervene after Transport for NSW refused to fix an unsafe and overcrowded public school bus that services south of the school. Katharine Haynes, mum of an 8 year old daughter and 11 year old son who both ride the bus to the end of the line in Kiama, was amazed when she saw no seatbelts on the bus, which travels on the highway, and up to 19 students standing in the aisle. “That was the week before that terrible bus accident in Victoria. If that happens to this bus, it would be tragic,” Katharine says. According to Katharine, Shellharbour Anglican College pre-empted the overcrowding last year and sent an application to Transport for NSW for extra buses. However, this was declined due to students having reasonable access to a train station. “What they didn’t take into account is that Shellharbour Anglican College is not just a high school but a primary school as well. I don’t think any primary school aged kids should be getting a train where there is no supervision
places too.” Mr Ward describes the situation as “totally unacceptable” and, in response to Katharine, has launched an online petition to ensure all school buses at all,” Katharine says. in the Kiama electorate are “The train doesn’t work for fitted with a seatbelt. high school students either be“Every child should have cause they finish 15 minutes a seat and a seat belt,” Mr later and miss the train. Ward said. “We can’t have “The only solution is more kids not protected when travbuses and safer buses.” elling to school, especially on Parents have been conroads with high speed limits. cerned since the start of “I encourage parents and the year and have been in our local school community conversation with the school, to sign my petition urging the but after Victoria’s horror NSW Government to act now bus crash that saw several and expand the NSW Rural students face life-changing and Regional Bus Seatbelt injuries, they want action now. Program to ensure every “When the school gets child gets to school safely.” knocked back by Transport Mr Ward has also put a for NSW, what do they do question on notice to Parliathen? It’s a State Government, asking the Minister ment issue now,” Katharine for Regional Transport and says. Roads Jenny Aitchison to “Gareth Ward needs to reveal how many buses are make a petition to Transport operating without seatbelts for NSW and they need a reand when all buses will get view across the State because them. An answer is due on this is a much bigger issue 29 June. Sign at: www.garethwardmp. than just our school bus. com.au/seatbelts “If it’s an issue here then by Cassandra Zaucer I imagine it will be in other
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Mick joins NSW Hall of Fame
Footy legend and Gerringong publican Mick Cronin has added another accolade to his list of achievements after being inducted into the NSW Rugby League Hall of Fame. Mick was inducted at a ritzy gala at The Star in Sydney alongside former NSW Blues captain Danny Buderus and rugby league immortals Dally Messenger, Frank Burge and Dave Brown. Mick is already one of the most decorated players in the sport’s history, having been inducted into the Parramatta Eels Hall of Fame in 2002 and the National Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2008. In 2014, he was given the honour of being the inaugural ‘Champion of Parramatta’. He was first admitted into the Blues team in 1973, the same year he joined the national Kangaroos test squad. He played for the Blues for the next decade, in which time he scored a staggering
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173 points. Mick is often associated with his beloved Parramatta Eels, which he signed with in 1975, making the commute between Gerringong and Sydney for training and matches so he could continue to live in the area and run the local pub. He won four premierships for the club from 1981-83 and Parramatta’s most recent win in 1986. He continues to coach
Mick Cronin with Danny Buderus
Gerringong’s local team, the mighty Lions. The NSW Rugby League Hall of Fame entrants are determined by a panel of former players, experts and journalists. Players must have played at least 10 games for NSW or captained the team, as well as having played for Australia and been retired for at least five years.
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