Australia is home to the world’s best beaches and Sydney is lucky enough to have an abundance of beaches and swimming spots all situated within a short ride from the city.
As summer goes on it can get a little boring going to the same beach or swimming whole every time and with so much to offer, you’d be mad not to try somewhere new. The best swimming spots are often right around the corner, you just need to look a little harder.
Little Bay
Situated just south of the city, Little Bay is a swimming paradise. Protected by the rocky headlands, it’s a great place for snorkelling as there is a rich ecosystem beneath the surface.
Milk Beach
Providing incredible views of the city, Milk Beach is a stunning location. The water is clear, it’s only 15 minutes from the city and it sits in the Sydney Harbour National Park. The walking track to the beach is beautiful as well and continues along the coast for 1.8km.
Congwong Beach
A quiet beach that allows a nice escape from the waves of some of the bigger beaches positioned on the opposite side of the headland. It sits in the Botany Bay National Park next to the New South Wales Golf Club, perfect for a lazy afternoon wind down.
Wylie’s Baths
This is the ultimate swimming location with yoga classes and a restaurant available next to the 50 metre tidal pool at Coogee. With beautiful views of the ocean and even the option of a massage, there isn’t a more lux outdoor swimming experience.
Wattamolla
Whilst this one is a bit more of a drive, it’s certainly worth it once you’re there. Found deep in the Royal National Park, this place has it all with a beach, lagoon and a waterfall it’s a great day out for everyone. You can even camp nearby and wake up to one of the best swims in Sydney.
Resolute Beach
For a remote beach lay down, Resolute Beach is the place to be. Only accessible via an 8 kilometre walking track, it can seem like a long way, but it’s worth it. You’ll likely have the beach to yourself and with views across the bay to Palm Beach and Pittwater it’s a no-brainer.
Kurnell Beach
Beautifully crisp and clean water is the highlight of this beach. It’s a good alternative to Cronulla, situated just over the headland, and offers a wealth of life under water.
Finding a nice bar in Sydney to relax and have a drink with friends can be a great way to finish a long day of swimming and fun at the beach. Check out these bars for a good time.
The second edition of the AFLW began last weekend with much expectation on an improved standard following the competitions first season.
After a four month lay-off from all form of the game, fans are excited to see the return of the women’s format prior to the men’s competition set to begin in March. It gives both the fans of the game, and more importantly, the female players a chance to showcase their skills at a professional level.
The first season of the competition saw an incredibly low scoring rate with an average of just 8.5 goals per game. Understandably, it was the first season and many of the players had not played at such a high level before, nor endured the training intensity prior to the competition.
However, entering the second season there was hope that the scoring rate would increase and a more free flowing game would present itself.
Former Richmond coach and three-time premiership player with Hawthorn, Terry Wallace, has spoken out against the “flooding” tactics used by the AFLW coaches. Half of the teams failed to score in a half of football whilst Adelaide was goalless for three out of the four quarters they played against Brisbane.
The opening match of the season played between Carlton and Collingwood was described as “the poorest of the games quite comfortably”, by Wallace who has encouraged the coaches to be more attacking with their game styles.
Wallace said the “flooding” tactic and the use of a “plus-one” behind the ball was not necessary at this level, especially given the consistency with which low scores are being posted.
Given the youthfulness of the competition and the developing skill level across all players, it is understandable that the scores are low. However, in the best interests of the aesthetics of the game something needs to be done about the defensive tactics being employed by the coaches.
“If I was the AFLW, I’d be getting on the phone to the coaches and say ‘can we play this as pure as what we possibly can?’” Mr Wallace said of improving the scoring rate.
There have been reports of the AFL talking to coaches this week regarding their tactic and encouraging them to place more emphasis on the offensive side of the game. Nothing concrete has come out of the AFL regarding this, however.
For the fans, let’s hope that the coaches are willing to listen to the public, and indeed the AFL, in an attempt to create a more free-flowing and higher scoring event.
The second round of the 2018 AFLW season begins on Friday night at 7:05pm with GWS facing Carlton at Drummoyne Oval.
The NBA All-Star weekend is a chance for the brightest stars of the world’s greatest basketball competition to show off their skills. Much controversy and disappointment has arisen as a result of the Ben Simmons snub but nevertheless its a great spectacle.
With a range of different competitions culminating in the annual NBA All-Star game, it’s a weekend of fun and enjoyment for both the fans and the players. This year’s event is being held in Los Angeles from February 17-19 and we have compiled a schedule so that you don’t miss a minute of the action.
NBA Crossover
This is a new concept for the NBA and its All-Star weekend consisting of a mix between the NBA and pop-culture. The pop-up experience features everything from music to fashion to art and is an all immersive fan experience.
This part of the event runs for the whole weekend.
Saturday February 17
Rising Stars Practice
For the first time ever this event will be open to the public. Watch the league’s best first and second year players warm up for their on-court competition later in the evening. (4:30am AEDST)
NBA All-Star Celebrity Game
Hollywood’s favourite stars will be lining up with some of the NBA’s greatest former stars. Celebrities from within the music, sports and movie industry will all come together for this showcase event. (11am AEDST)
Rising Stars Game
This game features a new structure this year with a ‘USA’ team up against a ‘World’ team. Each team is made up of a combination of the best first and second year players predicted to light up the league in years to come. (1pm AEDST)
Sunday February 18
NBA All-Stars Practice
Watch the league’s best warm up for their showcase match on Monday. This is a great opportunity to get a closer look at how the stars get to the top. (6am AEDST)
All-Star Saturday Night
This is one of the most exciting events of the whole weekend. It includes a great look at the immense skill of the NBA’s players. The evening includes a range of competitions with the Three-Point Contest, Skills Challenge and the Slam Dunk Contest all to be played out.
Monday February 19
NBA All-Star Game
The weekend concludes with the main event as the best players in the NBA go head to head. This years set up is slightly different to years past with Team LeBron taking on Team Curry.
The NBA All-Star weekend is on February 16-18 at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles. All events are due to be televised live in Australia.
We live in a forever evolving digital world and tech gadgets are becoming more and more prominent.
Only just over a decade ago we didn’t even know what Facebook was and now we live for it. The internet didn’t used to be the answer and cause of all our problems and phones were simple a means of basic communication.
Now, the majority of us use Facebook at least once a day, regularly seek solutions via the internet – often as a result of our own curiosity of problem created from it – and our phones are like our God even housing our digital wallets.
So this begs the question, how do we keep up with it all? For starters, having some of the latest tech gizmos in your home, on your wrist in your jeans pocket keeps you on top of the latest trends and changes.
Here are the best tech gadgets to start 2018 the right way.
Premium sound and the company’s biggest speaker is sure to set the scene in any room. This speaker is ideal for large rooms with its clean and clear sound.
The tech giant’s latest apple watch release now comes with cellular data and phone functionality. No longer do you require a phone in order to contact friends and family as this watch does it all.
The ultimate assistant to help you keep track of all that is going on in the world, wherever you are in the house. The new fabric and colour choices make it even more suitable for the everyday living room.
Containing the latest ear bud technology and with the ability to translate 40 different languages in real time, these are the ear phones of the future.
This is the beginnings of artificial intelligence. M.A.X is a programmable robot that acts as a playmate. He requires learning in order to gain functions.
With so much technology being used every day, it’s likely that you can find yourself running out of battery. This portable charger ensures that never happens and you can stay on top of all the latest news.
2018 means no cords but the real advantage of these is the noise cancelling function. The noise cancelling feature is of the highest quality so you can enjoy your favourite songs without any distraction.
A futuristic polaroid, this camera allows you to edit your photos before printing them out. Its square frame makes it perfect for the contemporary Instagrammer.
Barnaby Joyce, Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals leader, is reported to be expecting a child with Vikki Campion, one of his ex-staff members. Deputy Chief of The Daily Telegraph and a former journalist, the 33-year-old Ms Campion left Joyce’s office last year in April.
Ms Campion has since reportedly begun living with Joyce and has become pregnant, speculated to be due in April. 50-year-old Joyce revealed in December that had separated from his 24 year marriage with wife Natalie Joyce.
Joyce’s friends have reported that he appears to be in a serious relationship with Ms Campion. Despite this neither Joyce nor Ms Campion have spoken publicly about their relationship.
Prior to his separation with his long-time wife, Joyce had frequently spoken about his family life and his wife in public. The married couple appeared to be very close and described their relationship as ideal.
Joyce revealed in interviews that he was regretful the he could not spend more time with his family. His wife revealed that his family had taken a “backseat” to his political career, spending only a few days a month at home in his own bed.
Joyce had 4 daughters with his wife and publicly regretted not spending as much time as he should have with them. Natalie Joyce described the children as having grown up with their father steeped in politics, so they were used to not seeing him often.
After the High court dismissed Mr Joyce from parliament for his dual citizenship status, part of a saga in Australian politics that has affected many ministers, his family did not go with him on the campaign trail for the New England by-election.
Natalie Joyce was also not present when Mr Joyce voted with his mother as well as being absent when he returned to be sworn into Parliament again. This was in stark contrast to the 2016 election when Joyce’s family was routinely seen with him at public events.
His campaign for the 2017 by-election had been shrouded in rumours about the now exposed relationship with Ms Campion. On the campaign trail Joyce was involved in an altercation in a pub with someone he described as a stalker who raised questions about his family situation.
When reinstated into Parliament last year Joyce confirmed the rumours about his family trouble and his separation with his wife. He said the he did not come to parliament “pretending to be a saint”.
Shares in Wesfarmers shave dropped and the retail giant is weighing up the future of Bunnings Warehouse in the United Kingdom.
The group has confirmed that they are looking to make impairment changes and has also flagged write-downs with its most recent earnings report due later this month.
This comes off the back of a $1.3 billion loss in performance from both Target and Bunnings UK. The majority of this hit will come against Bunnings UK and Ireland with an impairment charge totaling $795 million.
New manager director Rob Scott, who only took the job last November said that the focus needed to be on the underperformance in the portfolio “that is detracting from positive performance in other areas”.
Homebase changes have negative impact
Since 2016, when Wesfarmers UK operations acquired Homebase for $705 million, they have not met perfromance expectations.
Mr Scott said that an exit from the region was not the desired option but that the business has failed to maintain profitability since 2016 and this was an issue that needs to be addressed.
He ended by saying that the future of Wesfarmers in the UK came down to “whether or not it will be meaningful enough…that’s an open question”.
Much of the decline has been attributed to the rapid changes made to the Homebase chain upon Wesfarmers’ acquisition.
There were a number of changes made to the range on offer and the style of the stores which Mr Scott said was “not well received by traditional Homebase customers”.
There are still some encouraging signs, however, with the performance of the first “UK-branded Bunnings store said to be positive. Having opened 12 months ago, the initial opening of now 19 stores has been successful.
Bunnings UK and Ireland are set to post an underlying loss of $165 million for the first half of the current financial year.
Target’s tough trading conditions
Tough trading conditions “in an increasingly competitive market” in Australia are having an impact on the performance of Wesfarmers department store Target.
Despite a “$306 pre-tax impairment charge” following a failure to meet performance expectations, its underlying earnings are set to reach #33 million for the first half of the financial year.
The Wesfarmers half-yearly report is due to be released on February 21.
Shares in the company fell 4.7% yesterday to $42.09
Wesfarmers have said that they do not expect the fall to impact any of the dividends paid to investors.
Most of the time, a business may use multiple applications to administrate the process better. So, the major difficulty is the need for duplication of the events, contacts, and various tasks. This is the same in cases where you need to use both Outlook and Salesforce with the need to share data.
To tackle this issue, here we will see how to sync with Microsoft Outlook and Salesforce effectively. This effective syncing feature is available for Salesforce Lightning and Classic in all editions. Let’s see how to do it.
Syncing contacts
To sync contacts from Salesforce to Outlook – do ‘Read’ on Contacts by setting the sync direction as Salesforce to Outlook. You can set it both the ways by accessing “Read” and then “Edit” on contacts and then “Read” on the accounts with the sync direction set to Sync forward and backward.
Syncing events and tasks
To sync tasks and events from Outlook to Salesforce, first, go to “Read” and then “Edit” on the events and tasks and set the sync directions as Outlook to Salesforce. It is can also be synced vice-versa. To sync both ways, just “Read” and Edit” on the events and then set the sync direction to both ways.
Multi-day events
To do this properly, go to Multiday Events on the activities tab and “Sync recurring Salesforce tasks to Outlook.”
Some prerequisites
Ensure that all the Outlook folders contain the exact items you are planning to sync before downloading and running the Salesforce for Outlook. If you are planning to sync back from Outlook to Salesforce, then moving the record away from the Outlook folder which is synced will end up in deleting the record in Salesforce. Flosum.com suggests that if you are syncing backward, then removing the records from Salesforce deletes the same from Outlook.
Sync schedules
The syncing between Outlook and Salesforce is set based on your system activities. Tasks and events may automatically sync every 10 minutes or so, and the contacts sync each hour. However, if the system detects mouse or keyboard activity is not happening for around 30 minutes, then the frequency of syncing may be reset to 30 minutes. After a couple of hours of the system being inactive, the sync frequency for updates may change to hourly. If the inactivity is for four hours, then it may change to four hours and so on.
However, you can run the sync manually at any time as you like. As mentioned above, just access the system tray and then right click on Salesforce for Outlook icon and go to the Sync Now option.
Excluding unwanted records from syncing
You can options to custom set exclusion of files and records from synching even on choosing automatic syncing. Try the below methods.
You can specify to sync items which are marked as private in Outlook. If you don’t want to sync the private items, then open settings in Salesforce for Outlook and deselect the private items which you don’t want to be included for syncing.
If you sync the items which you mark as private in Outlook later, then these items will remain on Salesforce. But, the corresponding items on Salesforce will no longer receive any updates even if you modify those in Outlook.
On the other hand, if you want to avoid certain Outlook items from syncing, whether or not they are marked as Private, and simply mark them under the category of ‘Don’t Sync with Salesforce.’
Seamless syncing between these two authentic platforms helps the business administrators to save a lot of time and effort regarding sorting out data de-duplication and also ensures optimization of the administration process.
Hundreds of students have reportedly been issued with detention at a Brisbane high school for failing to comply with the school’s uniform policy in regards to the types of shoe acceptable.
Parents of students at TGSHS (The Gap State High School) vented their frustration on social media last week due to the stringent uniform requirements that would result in students being given detention for having the incorrect shoe heel size. This week the high school enforced its policy with both students and their parents claiming large scale detentions took place.
Many students reported that they were interrupted in exam preparations to go acquire lunchtime detention passes. One mother reported that she got a text from her daughter saying that there were around 460 students lined up to get their detention passes.
This would be a significant chunk of the student population. The figures from Education Queensland show that there were only 1,401 students attending The Gap State High School last year.
One student posted on a social media page related to the school that they were delayed from class for nearly an hour while waiting in line.
The school’s uniform policy instructs students that their shoes must be lace up, black leather school shoes with a heel. The heel must be no larger than 20 millimetres and no smaller than 5 millimetres.
The school has also issued a visual guide of what shoes are compliant along with an endorsement of a shoe store selling them.
This crackdown by the school on student’s failing to comply with the uniform policy has prompted an angry reaction from parents who believe the rules to be unnecessarily stringent. Many parents disclaimed that they are happy for a uniform policy to exist but that the requirements for heel size were going too far.
Others took the school’s side and said that the uniform policy was not hard to comply with.
A member of the Queensland Teachers Union, Kevin Bates, said that the school’s principal had told him that 103 students had been sent to detention. Both the school and the Department of Education have declined to confirm if this number is correct.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education said that since school restarted in 2018 “a relatively small number of students” had failed to comply with the uniform policy. They also said that the students had been “provided with warnings” and had their families had been spoken to in order to solve the issue.
The spokesperson went on to say that the school must “take appropriate disciplinary action” to enforce the uniform policy despite “deliberate infringements” by students.
Concerned parents have been requested to attend the school’s next parent and teacher council meeting on 12th of February to discuss the issue.
When you hear that someone is cutting his/her hair at home, you may think that the result will be disastrous. On the contrary, the outcomes can be amazing, and may be even better than a pro…but how?
You go to your barber and ask for new styles of haircut that requires experience and full control on your hair. You cannot imagine doing the same work at home by any means since you still want to look and feel your best.
At first, visiting your barber for a short haircut will cost you at least 20 dollars or more, depending on your needs, the style you choose and experience of your barber and fame of their hair salon.
For short hair, you may need to refresh your haircut every month. As a result, if you do the same work at home, you could save more than 200 dollars per year.
Do those saving sound good to you? If so, read on to see how to do a haircut at home with some basic tools to save money and time.
Choosing the right tools for home use
When it comes to haircutting, you will need some basic tools that will help to give you the comfort and ease you require. Your work will need a hair clipper, hair trimmer, scissors, comb, brush, blades, and a razor. However, your haircut requires a hair clipper, but if you plan to use scissors, it will be harder.
First, the motor of the clipper should be reliable to cut through all kinds and types of hair. You need a quiet motor that do all the required work with less vibration, which may make you unable to control the machine.
In addition, hair clippers come with two different power systems of corded or cordless tools. The corded clippers will give continuous power supply, but you should notice that it would make you restricted to the cord length. On the other hand, cordless hair clippers have built-in batteries that provide freedom of movement for cutting.
When you choose a cordless clipper, be sure that the battery has quick charging and it provides enough run time for long sessions. For most cases, a good cordless hair clipper needs 2 hours for full recharging and it will give you 60-90 minutes of continuous haircutting.
Adjustability of the hair clipper is a factor to consider when choosing a home use tool. Your hair clipper should have adjustable blades and guide combs to fit all hair length and cutting methods. Most hair clippers come with 6 adjustable hair length settings and some guide combs.
The blades of the tool determine the quality and durability of the hair clipper. You will find that these blades are made of stainless steel or titanium. Both materials perform well, but the most important aspect is the durability of the blades and their required maintenance.
The best hair clippers have blades that are self-sharpening to make the lifetime of the blades longer. You need to have a cleaning brush and machine oil inside the kit for maintenance.
To complete your tools for a home haircut, you need a comb or different sizes of comb, which you can get within a comb kit. Furthermore, it will be useful to get hair-thinning scissors, front and back mirrors and a small vacuum to clean all the cut hair.
Choose your haircut before using the clipper
After preparing all the required tools for your home hair salon, you will need to choose a haircut or style. You can surf the internet to pick your target haircut and print out the diagram of the style.
Start with longer guide combs or long setting on your hair clipper to be on the safe side. Then, you can cut shorter until you reach the required length.
A haircut to suit your face shape is an important point of consideration. For round faces, it will be better to shorten hair on the sides of your head and the hair near cheeks, which will give you a shape of longer chin. However, for heart-shaped faces and square shape try to choose a haircut that provides volume on the sides of the face.
Tips before cutting your own hair
Make sure you do all of the necessary preparation before you start snipping away at your hair! Photo: Sandy-Che, Bigstock
You get all the tools and the print out of the style you will do for your hair. Now, start to know much about these tools; and how to use, because it is perhaps your first time to touch your hair with a clipper. Your orientation can help with how to change the guide combs, guards and switch the length settings.
You need to know everything before you start to avoid checking the user’s guide of the tool while you do your haircut. Run your fingers over your head to find the direction of the hair. Then, cut your hair the opposite direction of the original hair growth.
Sides of your head
You are not a professional barber to start your work with one side of the head and then to go around the back to reach the other side. For home haircutting, you need to start with the right side if you use your left hand and with the left side if you use the right one.
Do not go around to the back, but rather with the other side. This will give you the opportunity to compare both sides of the head and fix the differences.
Back of your head
When it comes to the back of the head, you will find that it is harder than with the sides. You should use two mirrors for this part to get full vision. For the first time, you can employ some help to get it well cut.
Moreover, lay one of your hands horizontally as a guide on the back. Begin with longer guide comb and run it along with your guide hand, and try to fade hair from bottom to top.
Top of Your head
Choose a suitable guide comb for the top of your head, which has the longest hair. It will be better to grade the length from the sides to the top. The style you choose for your haircut will determine the length of the comb you should use.
For thick and long hair, use your scissors to manage long hair shafts before running the clipper on the top. Using scissors is an easy process for long and thick hair, but be careful when using them on the sides and back of your head.
Will you try a DIY haircut?
Cutting your hair at home can seem like a daunting task and if you’re not prepared it’s probably better to go to one of the best hairdressers instead. Professional exist for a reason and if you’re going to do a comparable job at home you’ll need the right tools and practise.
Regardless, cutting your hair at home is very much achievable and is a great way to save on time and money.
The AFL official data specialists, Champion Data, have released their annual ‘Prospectus’.
Included in the reports a list of the AFL’s elite players, categorised by position and overall standing in the league. As is always the case with these things, it causes much debate.
The guidelines within which Champion Data classifies a player as elite is ‘within the top 10% of players in their position (where they play the majority of game time)’.
With the list definitely comes some shocks with the likes of Joel Selwood not included amongst the AFL’s elite midfielders as he ranks at number 12.
There are also some surprising inclusions amongst the ‘elite’ of the AFL:
Daniel Rich has been ranked as an elite general defender in the league having been number 1 for the most combined inside 50s and rebound 50s.
Jack Crisp is another shock inclusion as an elite general defender with his intercept possessions and pressure putting him amongst the best
Daniel Menzel, a player who struggled to hold his place in the Geelong forward line, has been ranked 3rd for goals and kicking that elevates him to elite status
Christian Petracca ranked elite as a mid-forward. His ability to collect contested possessions elevates him to elite status
As is the case, with the shock inclusions comes some controversial exclusions;
Zach Merrett only ranked as above average for midfielders mostly due to his kicking efficiency below average
It appears that the kick rating is what is costing some of the competitions best midfielders with Josh Kelly also rating as above average due a low kick rating.
Tom Mitchell was first in the league for assisted metres gained and only failed to hit the 30 disposal mark once but couldn’t crack the elite.
Each club’s elite players is listed below:
Adelaide
Brodie Smith, Eddie Betts, Rory Sloane, Taylor Walker, Tom Lynch, Rory Laird
Brisbane
Daniel Rich, Dayne Zorko
Carlton
Sam Docherty
Collingwood
Jeremy Howe, Scott Pendlebury, Jack Crisp
Essendon
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Michael Hurley
Fremantle
Nat Fyfe
Geelong
Patrick Dangerfield, Daniel Menzel, Gary Ablett, Sam Menegola
Gold Coast
Tom Lynch, Aaron Hall
GWS Giants
Jeremy Cameron, Toby Green, Zac Williams, Lachie Whitfield
Hawthorn
Cyril Rioli, Ben McEvoy, Luke Breust
Melbourne
Christian Petracca, Jake Lever, Tom McDonald, Jayden Hunt
North Melbourne
Todd Goldstein
Port Adelaide
Justin Westhoff, Patrick Ryder, Chad Wingard, Charlie Dixon, Robbie Gray, Travis Boak
Richmond
Shane Edwards, Alex Rance, Dustin Martin
St Kilda
Jack Sinclair
Sydney
Dan Hannebery, Josh Kennedy, Tom Papley, Dane Rampe, Lance Franklin
West Coast
Elliot Yeo, Josh Kennedy, Nic Natanui, Luke Shuey, Shannon Hurn, Jeremy McGovern
