Columnists

Lifts at Epping station have become a major headache for commuters and residents, with frequent breakdowns and band-aid solutions undermining accessibility at one of Sydney’s busiest transport hubs. Between April 2023 and early 2025, records show that the two lifts on the Beecroft Road pedestrian bridge experienced a combined 74...

It is January. The holidays are over, and for many Australians, the top New Year’s resolution is clear: “This is the year we buy a property.” While enthusiasm is high, many buyers make the mistake of starting their journey by scrolling through real estate apps every night. While browsing is...

Just as entering into a marriage or de facto relationship is a pivotal life decision, so are the financial repercussions of relationship breakdown and property settlement after separation. The high cost of engaging lawyers to assist in closing the financial door between separating couples takes on a different perspective when...

Remember that exhilarating feeling when you first took your mobility scooter for a spin? The newfound independence, the fresh air on your face – it can be truly liberating. But along with this freedom comes the responsibility to ensure your safety and the safety of others. Here are some key...

The holiday season is now in full swing. Each year it seems Christmas and New Years creeps up faster and faster. It’s been an interesting and fantastic year. This is in no small part because of some personal news, I got married! Finally, after 9 years together, my husband Nick...

I can’t believe another year has passed and a new one is already on the horizon. 2025 has been unforgettable for me, and I’m deeply grateful for the friendships and connections I’ve been fortunate and truly blessed to make. First and foremost, I want to thank our amazing Editor, Claudia...

As summer settles across Bradfield, our green spaces are on full display—a daily reminder of the natural beauty we’re lucky to be surrounded by. It’s also a reminder of why I’m working to strengthen the laws that protect it for future generations.  Last month, the federal government introduced the first comprehensive...

As this year draws to a close, I am reminded of how lucky we are to live in a strong, connected and resilient community—one where volunteering is at the heart of so many of our events, activities, services and organisations. Quite simply as I look around our Shire we know we would be ‘nowhere’ without...

The best gifts are those that show how well we understand someone.  For older loved ones, the joy of Christmas can fade when comfort and mobility begin to shrink their world. Yet, a thoughtful present can do more than fill a space beneath the tree, it can fill a gap...

As Christmas and the holiday season approach, it is often a time when people reflect on the year they have had. It is also a time when many—particularly our most vulnerable—may feel lonely. A national survey in 2023 found that nearly one in three Australians feel lonely. Many countries around the...