The Nation

KEITH T. DENNETT | REAL LIFE | CONTACT All eyes in the Rugby League universe will be on Allianz Stadium tonight as the two biggest pretenders in the competition meet to play some footy. A match being marketed as “Pretender Bowl”, at 7:50pm the Cronulla Sharks will take on the North Queensland Cowboys to a crowd of the 2,000 Sydneysiders who couldn’t get tickets to...

MONTY BENFICA | Amusements | CONTACTLocal mum and self-proclaimed "yummy mummy," Patricia Kensington (52), has expressed her deep concerns over the “unseen risks” her son, Ben (16), faces from his recent fascination with vaping—despite Patricia's addiction to the miracle weight loss drug Ozempic. Patricia, known for her fervent support of Ozempic, is convinced that inhaling fruity vapor is far more dangerous than the pill...

CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT With none of his family members taking control of steering the conversation, a local dad has once again started talking about Jeff Fenech. 61-year-old Vince Calder (pebblecrete in-ground pools and ponds installer, Betoota Heights) has never encouraged his kids to take part in boxing. And has seemingly never boxed himself. He also rarely watches modern boxing - unless one...

EFFIE BATEMAN | Lifestyle | ContactLooking up from her laptop screen as her boyfriend enters the front door, Dana Reid can be heard taking a sharp intake of breath. And by the sheepish look on his face, he knows he’s fucked up.  Big time. “What have you done?”, Dana whispers, clasping a hand to her mouth in shock, “Blake, why!?” Blake has the gall to look confused,...

ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact A farm kid from our town's limits is bracing himself after learning about the government’s proposed social media ban for kids under 16. The Albanese Government's plan to cut off social media access for under-16s has sparked concerns about isolation among teens, particularly in rural areas where communication options are already limited. For 15-year-old Jamie...

EFFIE BATEMAN | Lifestyle | ContactThe NSW government has today announced they’ll be offering a ‘lifeline’ to struggling music festivals, following the cancellation of several prominent festivals this year, including Splendour in the Grass, Groovin the Moo, and Bluesfest. Music festivals and the live music scene have been struggling nationwide due to rising operational costs, with NSW facing the brunt of it. The ‘Contemporary Music...

ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remains steadfast in his decision to blow up Parliament if they shitcan his Housing Bill again. All Senators and Members will be up for re-election if Albo pulls the double dissolution lever, which has put the fear of God into the crossbench that's currently putting up the legislative roadblock. In his...

MONTY BENFICA | Amusements | CONTACTA litany of strongman dictators recently gathered to discuss how the Lord Mayor of Sydney has managed to hold power for so long - and what she can teach them. The meeting, held in Minsk, Belarus, featured the likes of Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, and Ayatollah Khamenei—each hoping to learn something from the Sydney mayor, who has just...

ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact A Betoota Heights couple is reportedly waiting for the inevitable as their two-year-old son, Ollie James, battles an aggressive bout of gastro. After a sleepless night of constant clean-ups, nappy changes, and worrying about dehydration, the parents, Mel and Dave Williams, have accepted that it's only a matter of time before they both go down...

ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact One of The Advocate's esteemed sales account coordinators, Kevin Overell, nephew of editor Dr. Clancy Overell OAM, is reportedly eyeing off the six leftover RUOK Day cupcakes in the breakroom fridge at the moment. Despite being frozen and defrosted multiple times, Kevin says "he has low blood sugar" and needs something to bring him...