Sartor slams Keneally over lobbyist visit

THE former planning minister Frank Sartor has broken government ranks to condemn the practice where the planning department head Sam Haddad has been lobbied by the Labor identity Graham Richardson without his minister, Kristina Keneally, knowing or caring.

'rotten' Ron Turns The Screws

RON WOODHAM has never shied away from a fight and, despite his age and his failing health, he showed in his stoush with Bassam Hamzy this week he is not about to change.

Lookout Wasn't Watching

TWO maintenance workers killed by an empty coal train near Singleton last year failed to keep adequate lookout, an investigator with the Office of Transport Safety Investigation, Ron Barnes, told a coronial inquest yesterday.

Human Rights Lecture At Uni

NEWCASTLE University academic Professor Ron McCallum was appointed to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at a meeting in New York last week.

As The Curtain Falls

Bob Woodward plumbs the depths of George Bush's failed presidency, writes Bruce Wolpe. The War Within: A Secret White House History 2006-2008 By Bob Woodward Simon & Schuster, $49.95 The Way of the World: A Story of Truth and Hope in an Age of Extremism By Ron Suskind Simon & Schuster, $34.95

Bidding Fond Farewell To Parish Priest

PARISH priest Father Ron Pickin, affectionately known as 'The Bishop of Beresfield', has called it a day, retiring on August 3 after 16 years of service to the parish, students, staff and parents of Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School Tarro.

Unbeatable

RON MASSEY has seen some fair teams in the 50 years that he's been watching rugby league. And he reckons you'll see the best one ever assembled in the World Cup.

Just Lunch, It Seems, For Stokes At Fairfax

THE Seven Network boss, Kerry Stokes, lunched with the chairman of Fairfax Media, Ron Walker, and its chief executive, David Kirk, at the publisher's headquarters yesterday, discussing the industry as media companies face tighter conditions in a looming advertising recession.

Miller Nails Minor Pairs Championship

IT was third time lucky for Ron Miller when he and Gavin Aitkin took out the minor pairs club championship recently, reported Bob Rogers of Thirroul Bowling Club.

Nolan's Shining Body Of Work

NEWCASTLE Region Art Gallery director Ron Ramsey has gold fever, inspired by long-lost artistic treasure.

Walker Cool On F1 Chief's Dire Prediction

AUSTRALIAN Grand Prix boss Ron Walker has played down suggestions by Max Mosley, the head of formula one's governing body, FIA, that formula one will only survive for one more year unless drastic spending cuts are implemented.

Pirie Clan Win Well

WICKY Vic from Jamberoo Bowling Club reports that Calum and Alan Pirie won their way through to the club's minor pairs final with a 19-13 win over experienced duo Ron Wiggins and Russell Jones on Saturday.

Two Friends And Their Track Of Dreams

John Landy and Ron Clarke remain athletics legends and friends, writes Len Johnson.

Mayor Loses In Uprising

FORMER mayor Ron Swan has been dumped from Port Stephens Council by a protest vote that saw several high-profile council critics elected.

Herbert Hundred Overshadows Headline Act In Trial Loss

HAMILTON-Wickham captain Darren Herbert upstaged New Zealand international James Franklin, despite Newcastle losing Saturday's representative trial match to ACT at Ron Hill Oval.

Lethal: No Fear And Few Rivals

ONLY three men have been involved in more VFL/AFL premiership victories from either the playing field or the coach's box than Leigh Matthews. Their names are Norm Smith, Ron Barassi and Jock McHale.

A Poor Start But Marlins Hold On

SHELLHARBOUR overcame an early deficit to record a gritty win over Belrose in the Jim Beam Cup clash at Ron Costello Oval yesterday.

Sharks Down Jets In Gutsy Show

SHELLHARBOUR Sharks are celebrating another milestone with all three sides qualifying for the grand finals of the VB South Coast Rugby League after a superb performance at Ron Costello Oval yesterday.

Oakdale Halves Put Cleaners Through Moss Vale

HALVES Bart Masters and Ron Jones ran riot in Oakdale's 46-8 drubbing of Moss Vale in Sunday's Group Six final.

Exit Strategy Of The Soul

Exit Strategy of the Soul Ron Sexsmith Yep Rock/Shock 5/5