The ED’s at RDH and Palmerston Regional need to be physically modified. One section should admit people with ailments and injuries occasioned by genuine mishap. The other section should admit patients who are heavily affected by alcohol or substance taking. This would help minimise the absolute behavioural chaos at the ED’s, which delays treatment of illness and injury and occurs night after night.

—-

In past months the NT Government said its aim was to keep the territory Covid free. Now they are saying the aim is NOT to keep Covid out, but to ensure our hospital system is not overwhelmed. Shifting goalposts is a government speciality.

—

Over a period of years, I have come to appreciate the hairdressing services offered by the owner and staff at Moil’s ‘Pink Lady’ hairdressing salon. The business offers outstanding hair treatments, be they simple or more complex. This is the best haircutting business I have discovered in many years.

Over a period of years, I have come to appreciate the hairdressing services offered by the owner and staff at Moil’s ‘Pink Lady’ hairdressing salon. The business offers outstanding hair treatments, be they simple or more complex. This is the best haircutting business I have discovered in many years.

—-

The security and assurance I have long felt in the wisdom and actions of the Gunner Government are being shaken. I am wondering whether my confidence has been misplaced. The safety and security I felt because of sensible Covid management policies is being eroded by the fact the issue seems out of control. For Covid it seems ‘anything goes’ and government is now ‘letting it rip’. My allegiance is being sorely tested.

—-

The City of Darwin Council will have to search widely, possibly the length and breadth of Australia, to find a replacement CEO with the competence and confidence of Scott Waters. He was as assiduous guardian and promoter of our city’s CBD. Council will miss his advice and guidance.

—

NT voters are wise in having elected NT Legislative Assembly politicans who are truly representative of our population, ethnically and by gender. We have 12 women and 13 men. Five of our elected members are Indigenous Australians. This representative balance must be the envy of other states and the ACT.

The City of Darwin Council will have to search widely, possibly the length and breadth of Australia, to find a replacement CEO with the competence and confidence of Scott Waters. He was as assiduous guardian and promoter of our city’s CBD. Council will miss his advice and guidance.

—-

A rat and vermin problem in our neighbourhood has increased significantly since nearby housing has been allocated under priority housing schemes. This is just another drawback of policies that do not include education and training for tenants on management and care of homes, yards and the need for disposal of rubbish.

—-

Covid infections in the NT REALLY took off after the government opened borders to fully vaccinated from all states. Relaxation of quarantine rules have spiked infections attributable to interstate and overseas arrivals. With PCR tests no longer required, watch, for infection numbers attributable to those arriving into our midst, will again rise.

As a long term supporter and applauder of the Gunner Government, I am becoming increasingly disappointed and frustrated by the CM and his ministers studiously avoiding their obligation to provide daily press briefings about the inroads of Covid. We should not be left to wonder and worry because our leaders, who in so many ways HAD been proactive and caring, seemingly can’t be bothered with keeping us in the informational loop.

—-

It will be a wonderful boon to Mandorah and Wagait residents ABC visitors when the new Mandorah jetty becomes a reality. Those to whom the jetty is a vital facility have long dreamt of this promised facility becoming a reality. They will welcome government action on this long anticipated upgrade.

—-

It is hard to understand why escalating numbers of Covid infections are being matched by testing sites being closed in states and territories. Hundreds of thousands of Australians are spending hours and hours each day, in lines of people on foot or in cars, inching toward the front of Covid testing sites. Queuing is becoming a major occupation.

—-

How many tens of billions of dollars have Australian governments poured into purchasing (and analysing results from) PCR and RAT tests to date. The mind boggles; it would be an astronomical figure. How long will it be before people have to pay for more than RAT test kits presently on sale. Maybe straight after the May federal election!

—

IT’S A FACT 2021

There were 414 full page ads in the NT News* in January. That did not count:

. Government announcements.

. Covid information.

. Racing information.

. Any folded lift out.

There were 414 full page ads in the NT News* in January. That did not count:

. Government announcements.

. Covid information.

. Racing information.

. Any folded lift out.

. Any magazine inclusions.

The least number of pages (1) appeared on January 19.

The greatest number of advertising pages happened on January 22 (31).

* Includes both the ‘NT News’ and ‘Sunday Territorian’.

The least number of pages (1) appeared on January 19.

The greatest number of advertising pages happened on January 22 (31).

* Includes both the ‘NT News’ and ‘Sunday Territorian’.

_________

IT’S A FACT (2)

There were 354 full page ads in the NT News* in February. That did not count:

. Government announcements.

. Covid information.

. Racing information.

. Any folded lift out.

. Any magazine inclusions.

The least number of pages (2) appeared on February 16.

The greatest number of advertising pages happened on February 20 (32).

Those year (January/February) there have been 772 full page advertisements in the paper.

* Includes both the ‘NT News’ and ‘Sunday Territorian’.

______________________

IT’S A FACT (3)

There were 347 full page ads in the NT News* in March. That did not count:

. Government announcements.

. Covid information.

. Racing information.

. Any folded lift out.

. Any magazine inclusions.

The least number of pages (2) appeared on March 30.

The greatest number of advertising pages happened on March 20 (26).

Those year (January/February) there have been 1119 full page advertisements in the paper.

* Includes both the ‘NT News’ and ‘Sunday Territorian’.

__________

IT’S A FACT (4)

There were 265 full page ads in the NT News* in April. That did not count:

. Government announcements.

. Covid information.

. Racing information.

. Any folded lift out.

. Any magazine inclusions.

The least number of pages (1) appeared on April 6

The greatest number of advertising pages happened on April 3 (31).

This year (January-April)v there have been 1374 full page advertisements in the paper.

I began a new observation; the number of stories each month that are about crime and criminal activity as it impacts on the NT. In April there were 125 stories on tghis subject in the paper.

* Includes both the ‘NT News’ and ‘Sunday Territorian’.

_____

IT’S A FACT (5)

There were 277 full page ads in the NT News* in May. That did not count:

. Government announcements.

. Covid information.

. Racing information.

. Any folded lift out.

. Any magazine inclusions.

The least number of pages (0) happened twice, on May 11 and May 25.

The greatest number of advertising pages happened on May 8 (19)

This year (January-May) there have been 1651 full page advertisements in the paper.

I began a new observation; the number of stories each month that are about crime and criminal activity as it impacts on the NT. In April there were 125 stories on this subject in the paper. There were 110 crime stories relating to the NT in May, a total of 235 for the two months.

* Includes both the ‘NT News’ and ‘Sunday Territorian’.

Please note that I do not count half and quarter page advertisements in my analysis. It is full page advertisements only.

—-

IT’S A FACT (6)

There were 394 full page ads in the NT News* in June. That did not count:

. Government announcements.

. Covid information.

. Racing information.

. Any folded lift out.

. Any magazine inclusions.

The least number of pages (0) happened twice, on May 11 and May 25.

The greatest number of advertising pages happened on May 8 (19)

This year (January-May) there have been 1651 full page advertisements in the paper.

I began a new observation; the number of stories each month that are about crime and criminal activity as it impacts on the NT. In April there were 125 stories on this subject in the paper. There were 110 crime stories relating to the NT in May, a total of 235 for the two months.

* Includes both the ‘NT News’ and ‘Sunday Territorian’.

Please note that I do not count half and quarter page advertisements in my analysis. It is full page advertisements only.

. Any announcements of festivals, celebratory weeks and so on.1) June 1 and June 8.June 12 (28).June2045 and 124 in June 359.

IT’S A FACT (7)

There were 362 full page ads in the NT News* in July. That did not count:

. Government announcements.

. Covid information.

. Racing information.

. Any folded lift out.

. Any magazine inclusions.

The least number of pages (3) was on July 6.

The greatest number of advertising pages happened on July 16 (22)

This year (January- July) there have been 2407 full page advertisements in the paper.

I began a new observation; the number of stories each month that are about crime and criminal activity as it impacts on the NT. In April there were 125 stories on this subject in the paper. There were 110 crime stories relating to the NT in May, a total of 235 for the two months. Up until July 31, with June added, there have been 453 stories on crime in the NT.

* Includes both the ‘NT News’ and ‘Sunday Territorian’.

Please note that I do not count half and quarter page advertisements in my analysis. It is full page advertisements only.

. Any announcements of festivals, celebratory weeks and so on are generally not included.

There was an upgrade in the quality of paper on which the paper was printed in July. The paper was more heavyweight than newsprint. This was for the whole of July.

IT’S A FACT (8)

There were 211 full page ads in the NT News* in August. That did not count:

. Government announcements.

. Covid information.

. Racing information.

. Any folded lift out.

. Any magazine inclusions.

This was the least number of full page advertisements in the paper for any month to date this year.

The least number of pages (1) were printed on both August 3 and August 10.

The greatest number of advertising pages happened on August 25 (18)

This year (January – August there have been 2618 full page advertisements in the paper.

I began a new observation; the number of stories each month that are about crime and criminal activity as it impacts on the NT. In April there were 125 stories on this subject in the paper. There were 110 crime stories relating to the NT in May, a total of 235 for the two months. Up until August 31,there have been 532 stories on crime in the NT. There were 79 stories relating to crime in the NT during August. Most related to crimes committed by young people.

* Includes both the ‘NT News’ and ‘Sunday Territorian’.

Please note that I do not count half and quarter page advertisements in my analysis. It is full page advertisements only. Neither are lift-outs (JB Hi Fi and Good Guys for example) included, when they do not form part of the paginated pages in the paper.

. Any announcements of festivals, celebratory weeks and so on are generally not included.

The upgrade in the quality of paper on which the paper was printed in July was reversed. Standard newsprint was used during August.

IT’S A FACT (9)

There were 250 full page ads in the NT News* in September. That did not count:

. Government announcements.

. Covid information.

. Racing information.

. Any folded lift out.

. Any magazine inclusions.

This was an increase in the number of full page advertisements in the paper over August, the ‘leanest’ for any month to date for full page advertisements this year.

The least number of pages (1) were printed on September 27.

The greatest number of advertising pages happened on September 11 (20).

This year (January – September) there have been 2868 full page advertisements in the paper.

I began a new observation; the number of stories each month that are about crime and criminal activity as it impacts on the NT. In April there were 125 stories on this subject in the paper. There were 110 crime stories relating to the NT in May, a total of 235 for the two months. Up until September 30 there have been 616 stories on crime in the NT. There were 84 stories relating to crime in the NT during September. The majority related to crimes committed by young people.

Crime stories do not include regular or daily updates on ongoing cases, for instance the Rolfe or Hoffman trials.

* Includes both the ‘NT News’ and ‘Sunday Territorian’.

Please note that I do not count half and quarter page advertisements in my analysis. It is full page advertisements only. Neither are lift-outs (JB Hi Fi and Good Guys for example) included, when they do not form part of the paginated pages in the paper.

. Any announcements of festivals, celebratory weeks and so on are generally not included.

IT’S A FACT (10)

3,000 FULL PAGE ADVERTISEMENTS FOR 2021 NOW SURPASSED

There were 338 full page ads in the NT News* in October. That did not count:

. Government announcements.

. Covid information.

. Racing information.

. Any folded lift out.

. Any magazine inclusions.

This was an increase in the number of full page advertisements in the paper over August, the ‘leanest’ for any month to date for full page advertisements this year.

The least number of full page advertisements (2) were printed on three days, October 4, 11 and 19.

The greatest number of advertising pages happened on October 23 (25).

This year (January – October) there have been 3206 full page advertisements in the paper. The paper has passed the 3,000 mark for the year.

I began a new observation, the number of stories each month that are about crime and criminal activity as it impacts on the NT. In April there were 125 stories on this subject in the paper. There were 110 crime stories relating to the NT in May, a total of 235 for the two months. Up until October 31 there have been 668 stories on crime in the NT. There were 52 stories relating to crime in the NT during October, covered in the print edition by the NT News. The majority continued to be related to crimes committed by young people.

Crime stories do not include regular or daily updates on ongoing cases, for instance the Rolfe or Hoffman trials.

* Includes both the ‘NT News’ and ‘Sunday Territorian’.

Please note that I do not count half and quarter page advertisements in my analysis. It is full page advertisements only. Neither are lift-outs (JB Hi Fi and Good Guys for example) included, when they do not form part of the paginated pages in the paper.

. Any announcements of festivals, celebratory weeks and so on are generally not included.

IT’S A FACT (11)

There were 336 full page ads in the NT News* in November. That did not count:

. Government announcements.

. Covid information.

. Racing information.

. Any folded lift out.

. Any magazine inclusions.

This was an increase in the number of full page advertisements in the paper over August, the ‘leanest’ for any month to date for full page advertisements this year.

The least number of full page advertisements (2) were printed on three days, November 9, 14 and 15.

The greatest number of advertising pages happened on November 13 (24).

This year (January – November) there have been 3542 full page advertisements in the paper. The passed the 3,000 mark for the year during October.

I began a new observation, the number of stories each month that are about crime and criminal activity as it impacts on the NT. In April there were 125 stories on this subject in the paper. There were 110 crime stories relating to the NT in May, a total of 235 for the two months. Up until November 30 there have been 735 stories on crime in the NT. There were 67 stories relating to crime in the NT during November, covered in the print edition by the NT News. The majority continued to be related to crimes committed by young people.

Crime stories do not generally include regular or daily updates on ongoing cases, for instance the Rolfe or Hoffman trials.

* Includes both the ‘NT News’ and ‘Sunday Territorian’.

Please note that I do not count half and quarter page advertisements in my analysis. It is full page advertisements only. Neither are lift-outs (JB Hi Fi and Good Guys for example) included, when they do not form part of the paginated pages in the paper.

. Any announcements of festivals, celebratory weeks and so on are generally not included.

How many tens of billions of dollars have Australian governments poured into purchasing (and analysing results from) PCR and RAT tests to date. The mind boggles; it would be an astronomical figure.

—

Authorities are suggesting people should put together medical kits that will facilitate Covid management at home for those mildly infected. Might it not be better for pharmacists to develop these kits for customer purchase? Contents would be medically approved. Kits could come with a detail of contents and the purpose of each item.

—-

Congratulations to the NT Health Department for the superb way in which the Covid vaccination clinic at Marrara has been organised. The whole process from booking to reception, admission, needle administration and the wait time period following the jab, is seamless. On arrival home, booster vaccination details have already been posted to vaccination histories. This program is one of the best in community engagement I have experienced in many a year.

—-

The 120 Most Powerful list for 2021 has been brilliantly revealing of our most proactive citizens and territory supporters who do so much to uplift and enrich the NT. This list has been going since at least 2008, so it qualifies as an annual territory institution. I expect there will be a big sales lift in the day the list is published as a lift out. It is an invaluable keepsake and one that will be treasured by the thousands who follow the most powerful program.

—

Those in quarantine at Howard Springs out seems, face little deterrence to walking out if and when they feel like a wander. It is almost as if a pass out system exists. Those escaping know they are doing wrong and their exploits should not be talked down and forgiven without consequence.

—-

NSW records 11,201 new cases of Covid in a day! What an awful debacle and what a sad, foolish, doggedly denying premier who insists the issue is ‘minor’ and the state is ‘liberated’. He is taking NSW to Covid hell in a handcart.

—

The fact that compulsory vaccination programs were NOT introduced for truck drivers who travel all over Australia delivering goods, is incomprehensible. It is through truckies that the virus has been moved around the country. There have been far too many mistakes made when it comes to priority vaccination considerations. Being ‘wiser in hindsight’ doesn’t cut it when mopping up policy errors.

—-

Without the shadow of a doubt, the rapid surge in Covid infections in Victoria (almost 500 more infections from Wednesday 29 to Thursday 30/9/21) is in large part a product of the public rallies and protests blighting the state.

—-

Update needed! People’s Choice Credit Union in Casuarina is advertised online as being open from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday and from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm on Saturday. A permanent sign next to the branch door advertises opening hours as being 9.30 am to 4.00 pm on weekdays with the branch closed on Saturday. Online information needs correction.

—-

One in three people who are infected by Covid, are reported to be suffering long term effects. This impact will weigh heavily on their lives and on our health system for years to come. Covid is a plague of gigantic proportions and we in the NT are ever so fortunate to have been kept safe from its impact to this point in time.

——

The Northern Territory wet season is deemed to be the period between October 1 from one year to April 30 off the next. The dry season is designated as the period from May 1 to September 30 each year. On paper, our wet season is seven months ling, with the dry being of five months duration.

There are lots of vagaries about seasons, particularly with seasons that are unseasonal. There are ‘dry wets’, and ‘wet dry’s’.

This column will relate to Darwin, so there will be wide, wide variations that happen, depending on where people are located. I will be drawing statistics from the NT News weather comments and from observations made at our home in suburban Darwin.

Where better to start than at the beginning of the new wet season.

OCTOBER

The annual average rainfall for Darwin during the month of October is 71.1 mm.

We have started well for October this year, with 22 mm of rain recorded at the Darwin Airport on October 2.

In October 2019, Darwin recorded only 20.2 mm of rain which fell across three rain days. The rainfall pattern was different in 2020. Total rainfall for Darwin Airport was 162.0 mm, which is 229% of the long-term average (then 70.7 mm). Rain fell on 9 days at our place during that month.

It will be interesting to see what the month brings forward.

IT’S A FACT (9)

There were 250 full page ads in the NT News* in September. That did not count:

. Government announcements.

. Covid information.

. Racing information.

. Any folded lift out.

. Any magazine inclusions.

This was an increase in the number of full page advertisements in the paper over August, the ‘leanest’ for any month to date for full page advertisements this year.

The least number of pages (1) were printed on September 27.

The greatest number of advertising pages happened on September 11 (20).

This year (January – September) there have been 2868 full page advertisements in the paper.

I began a new observation; the number of stories each month that are about crime and criminal activity as it impacts on the NT. In April there were 125 stories on this subject in the paper. There were 110 crime stories relating to the NT in May, a total of 235 for the two months. Up until September 30 there have been 616 stories on crime in the NT. There were 84 stories relating to crime in the NT during September. The majority related to crimes committed by young people.

Crime stories do not include regular or daily updates on ongoing cases, for instance the Rolfe or Hoffman trials.

* Includes both the ‘NT News’ and ‘Sunday Territorian’.

Please note that I do not count half and quarter page advertisements in my analysis. It is full page advertisements only. Neither are lift-outs (JB Hi Fi and Good Guys for example) included, when they do not form part of the paginated pages in the paper.

. Any announcements of festivals, celebratory weeks and so on are generally not included.