January 20, 2026
Letter to the Editor: We are all in this together
Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: We are all in this together

DEAR News Of The Area, MEMBER for Cowper Pat Conaghan must have been watching a different speech at the National Press Club by Dr Jim Chalmers, the Treasurer, to the one that I viewed. His letter to your paper asserting “meaningless platitudes” and “uncomfortable contradictions” by the Treasurer may well be a more accurate description […]

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Legal Hypothetical: How much is just enough?
Hypothetical

Legal Hypothetical: How much is just enough?

BETTY has two sons, Matthew and Daniel. She makes a will and sadly passes-away just a few days’ later. The will appoints Matthew as the executor. Daniel receives a lump sum legacy of $300,000 and Matthew receives the rest of the estate. When Daniel discovers that the estate is worth $3.5 million, he obtains legal […]

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‘On the couch’ with Jasminda
Jasminda's Advice

‘On the couch’ with Jasminda

DEAR Jasminda, I WAS scrolling through the local community page on the weekend and came across a cheeky post. The post didn’t raise an eyebrow, but what did was the pile-on from adults hating on this young person. It seems strange that people over a certain age would stoop this low. Why are people so […]

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Letter to the Editor: Spectacular fail
Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Spectacular fail

DEAR News Of The Area, THE greatest strategy employed by weak leaders is the art of distraction. While this week’s MAGA focus has been on the US’s “spectacular” bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities, Israel’s genocidal annihilation of Palestine continues. While our PM’s support for the highly questionable US action was sadly predictable, any justification must […]

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The Big Screen
Opinion

The Big Screen

HOW to Train Your Dragon is at the top of the schedule for cinemas and families this week, as the beloved franchise transitions to live action. Your kids could probably fill you in on the basics: young Hiccup (Mason Thames) is an innovative but hopeless Viking in training who forms a bond with the dragon […]

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Legal Hypothetical: Small estate, big costs
Hypothetical

Legal Hypothetical: Small estate, big costs

ANNE is superstitious about making a will. She resides in a nursing home and has a modest bank account. She considers that her assets are not of sufficient value to warrant the making of a will. When Anne passes-away, a bond is refundable from the nursing home and with her bank account, her assets total […]

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‘On the couch’ with Jasminda
Jasminda's Advice

‘On the couch’ with Jasminda

DEAR Jasminda, I am going away with a group of school friends and we are sharing rooms. To save money, we booked a room with two queen beds, but one of our group members has become an incessant snorer. I’m a light sleeper. How do I tactfully ask that she is not my bed companion […]

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