Special Interests Archives - Page 82 of 121

Confirmed COVID-19 Cases

September 4, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

As of Wednesday, 2 September, the Western NSW Local Health District remains at 47 confirmed cases since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A case of COVID-19 has been reported in the Parkes Local Government Area. Further testing and investigation is under way to verify the diagnosis of COVID and any possible source of the infection. The case is currently in isolation.

Right now, the message is very simple – if you have any symptoms, even mild ones, arrange to be tested.

Local Government Area	No. Cases
Bathurst Regional	9
Blayney Shire	3
Cabonne Shire	5
Dubbo Regional	6
Mid-Western Region	6
Narromine Shire	1
Orange City	13
Parkes Shire	2
Warren Shire	1
Warrumbungle Shire	1
Weddin Shire	1

New Canteen Connect App Expands Youth Cancer Support

September 4, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

canteen connect

Youth cancer organisation, Canteen, has unveiled a new mobile app. The Canteen Connect app is an evolution of Canteen’s web-based online support service and guarantees 24/7 support for all young people impacted by cancer whenever they need it most.

Canteen CEO Peter Orchard says the app has been one of the organisation’s top priorities over the past two years, led by huge demand from the young people Canteen supports.

“I’m so thankful that our young people now have more intuitive access to our support services on their mobile whenever they need it, and wherever they are in the world,” he said.

The app brings canteenconnect.org.au to life via iOS and Android smartphones, and is available in the App Store and Google Play right now across Australia.

All of the features of Canteen Connect on desktop will be available through the App including the ability to connect with others the same age through chat networks, attending fun and helpful online activities and events, and accessing counselling via phone or live chat.

Bringing this app to life will help young people connect with others in similar situations the minute they feel they need support.

Great Presentation Pays Off

August 28, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Spring is only a few days away and it is a popular time of year for many people to sell their home.

First impressions are lasting impressions. If they drive by and get the feeling that the property is appealing, they are more likely to want to book an inspection.

Great presentation can add thousands as it helps people imagine their new lifestyle and brings out strong feelings and emotions, which leads people to be inclined to pay more.

If buyers see the property needs repairs and maintenance or a massive clean-up, they are naturally going to offer much less.

The main thing is to have a clean and tidy property, regardless of the age of the house.

The next step is to declutter. You want people to be able to envision themselves and their furniture in the home.

It is also a good idea to fix any small things that need attention such as torn window screens, doors that don’t open and close properly and leaking taps.

Many people are paying professionals to style their home. This is becoming more popular. It depends on the circumstances – if the property is vacant, the property sale price and client’s budget and the target market!

Remember your home is going to be all over the internet, so you want it to look fabulous! We work with you to make your home look its absolute best so we can get the best price for you!

If you would like find out more, contact the team at Century 21 Central West.

Land Acquisition On Just Terms

August 21, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

With the State Government seeking to acquire land either by negotiation or resumption in our area, it is worth considering the law relating to this.

The NSW Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act, 1991 was introduced to prevent land resumptions without compensation. Section 55 of the Act provides the heads of compensation:

a. the market value of the land on the date of its acquisition,
b. any special value of the land to the person on the date of its acquisition,
c. any loss attributable to severance,
d. any loss attributable to disturbance,
e. the disadvantage resulting from relocation,
f. any increase or decrease in the value of any other land of the person at the date of acquisition which adjoins or is severed from the acquired land by reason of the carrying out of, or the proposal to carry out, the public purpose for which the land was acquired.

Some of these heads of compensation might not apply in each case, but the first step would be to get a registered land valuer, who is familiar with the Act, to provide a comprehensive valuation report on these heads of compensation. It is important to remember valuations are opinions and valuers often differ in how they arrive at their valuation.

You will also need a lawyer to advise you and undertake the legal work involved. It is worth noting that loss attributable to disturbance includes legal costs, valuation costs, financial costs, stamp duty, mortgage costs and more.

Compulsory acquisitions are a very complex area and you may need our help. For further information contact us.

COVID-19 Safety Guidelines Updated For NSW Schools

August 21, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Updated health advice announced this week will ensure that NSW public schools can continue to operate full time with face to face teaching and learning throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Schools remain safe however, school communities must remain vigilant.

From Wednesday, 19 August, all public schools in New South Wales will be required to adopt the changes to ensure school communities remain safe inside and outside the school gate.

Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 is prohibited from returning to school until a negative test result has been reported.

Under additional measures for Term 3:
• Students must remain within their relevant class or year group to limit mixing.
• Schools must not travel outside their local community or zone, including between rural and regional areas.
• Interschool sport and zone carnivals are restricted to 100 people per venue and must be held in the local area.
• Spectators, including parents and carers, are not permitted within school grounds or at sporting events held during school hours.
• All group singing and or other chanting activities, as well as the use of wind instruments in group settings are not permitted.
• Dance activities and drama group work can continue under a COVID-19 Safety Plan.
• School formals, dances, graduation, or other social events are not permitted. Schools may hold a Year 12 assembly at school without parents to recognise the completion of school or consider delaying events until later in the year.

Students and staff required to support HSC students are permitted to undertake activities to meet their HSC requirements with COVID-19 safety measures in place.

Organisations that use school buildings or grounds must have a COVID-19 safety plan in place and encourage strict compliance with that plan.

The new restrictions will complement existing health advice for schools, including maintaining good hand hygiene inside and outside the classroom, physical distancing for adults and banning non-essential school visitors.

Rental Bonds

August 21, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Today I would like to share some information with you regarding rental bonds. At the beginning of a tenancy, we ask the tenant to pay a bond for the rental property which is equivalent to four weeks rent.

The bond is only four weeks rent regardless of how many tenants occupy the property, and it is used as security for the property in case the tenant does not follow the terms of the agreement and they need to compensate the landlord.

Rental bonds are required to be lodged with the Rental Bond Board. These days we lodge bonds using rental bonds online. The bond lodgement details include the rental property address, the landlord and landlord’s agent, and the primary tenant.

To ensure they get the bond back, tenants need to make sure the property is left in the same condition as when they first rented the property, except for fair wear and tear. If the tenant has damaged the property, or not left it in a clean and tidy condition, or if they owe rent or other money to the landlord, they may forfeit some or all of their bond.

If there is a dispute over the bond at the end of the tenancy, then the matter is taken to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

We hope that helps you understand rental bonds a little more, and if you have any questions regarding this topic or would like assistance with managing your rental property, we are more than happy to assist at Century 21 Central West for all your property management needs.

When You Smile, The Whole World Really Does Smile Back

August 21, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Ground-breaking research from the University of South Australia confirms that the act of smiling can trick your mind into being more positive, simply by moving your facial muscles.

Since government restrictions put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an alarming rise in anxiety and depression amongst Australians and around the world. However, the study, published in Experimental Psychology, evaluated the impact of a covert smile on perception of face and body expressions. In both scenarios, a smile was induced by participants holding a pen between their teeth, forcing their facial muscles to replicate the movement of a smile.

The research found that facial muscular activity not only alters the recognition of facial expressions but also body expressions, with both generating more positive emotions.

Lead researcher and human and artificial cognition expert, University of South Australia’s Dr Fernando Marmolejo-Ramos says the finding has important insights for mental health.

“When your muscles say you’re happy, you’re more likely to see the world around you in a positive way,” Dr Fernando says.

“In our research we found that when you forcefully practise smiling, it stimulates the amygdala, the emotional centre of the brain, which releases neurotransmitters to encourage an emotionally positive state.”

“For mental health, this has interesting implications. If we can trick the brain into perceiving stimuli as ‘happy’, then we can potentially use this mechanism to help boost mental health.”

The findings demonstrate a strong link between action and perception. So perhaps there is more to the term “fake it ‘til you make it” than previously thought.

Ridgehaven Ram Sale Offers Top Quality Animals

August 21, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Ridgehaven Poll Dorsets will offer 10 Stud Rams, 20 Stud Ewes and 130 Flock Rams.

Ever since Ridgehaven Poll Dorset stud was started in 1965, it has always been run with a focus on producing top quality, commercially focused animals. Structural correctness, fertility, ease of lambing, growth rates, muscle and fat cover and the wool type have been a basis for selection from the start. In the last four years, the stud has worked with meat processors and UNE to accurately identify genetic lines with superior lean meat yield, intramuscular fat (IMF) and eating quality. Ridgehaven has seen the benefits of carcass measurement and how this can be used for genetic gain and it is now an important annual aspect of their breeding program.

To maximise the opportunity for all their clients to be able to get the rams they want, the Ridgehaven ram sale will not only be held in person on property on Thursday, 10 September, but will also be interfaced on AuctionsPlus.

On Thursday, 27 August, there will be an open day where the rams and ewes can be viewed. For the safety of all attending, on the open day and on sale day, COVID-safe measures will be in place. For more information contact Ruth Klingner 0438642113, Isabele Roberts 0405098335 or Floyd Legge 0402185727.

Felix Rams 22nd Annual On-Property Sale

August 21, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Felix Rams focuses on producing efficient and profitable prime lambs by breeding high performance, structurally sound rams for efficient prime lamb enterprises. Their commitment to collecting good accurate performance data is in the DNA and is embedded as the fundamental approach to the way they breed sheep.

In the world of big data, 27,000 lambs weighed within 12 hours of birth, 22,000 weaning weights, almost 18,500 scans with weights for postweaning fat and muscle and 4,400 individual worm egg counts is a lot of data. This is the performance data that influences the ram selection and the accuracy of the Sheep Genetics Lambplan asbvs on the rams you buy.

Felix Rams are selected for quick early growth and maturity, not maximum adult ram size. Most of the selection is done at 6.5 to 7 months, reflecting the age most lambs are sold. At Felix it is all about the lambs. Felix Rams selects for early maturity to efficiently produce a 22-28 kg lamb. Early maturity also means your suckers have the best chance of hitting the target year in year out, while attention to the “right” amount of fat means that you will almost always have finish on your lambs at market weights.

Despite the tough start, the 2019 drop rams have transformed with the improved season. Felix Rams selection are for rams that perform on pasture and under commercial conditions. This year’s sale rams are paddock grown and finished and are not pumped up or grown out on a grain feeder.

Felix Rams will offer around 140 Poll Dorset and 50 White Suffolk rams at their 22nd annual on-property sale at Greenethorpe on 1 September at 1pm. Catalogues are available at www.felixrams.com.au. Email felixrams@gmail.com or call Rodney 0417 499 204, Isaac 0437 493 407 or the selling agents, Allan Gray and Co Cowra 02 6342 2377.

What To Look For In An Investment Property

August 14, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Today I am discussing all the things you should be looking for when purchasing an investment property.

It is important to look for a property with desirable qualities, as this is going to assist you in the long run with aspects such as how long it takes to fill the home, how much rent you can get per week, and the quality of tenant you attract.

The location of the property is important, properties within close proximity to town and main areas such as schools and facilities are desirable.

It is also helpful to consider the condition and quality of the property, purchasing a property that will continuously require work and problems is not ideal for any investor.

Tenants often desire a more modern and comfortable home, sometimes this may be a minor face lift to the home.

Another area to focus on is the neighbourhood, as this will sometimes affect the type of tenants that you do attract.

It is crucial to do your sums beforehand, as cash flow is always king when aiming to ensure an adequate return on investment.

Once you have selected the perfect investment home, it is time to choose a property management team that will provide you peace of mind and security. After all, you want your property to be in the best managing hands.

For more information regarding our property management services, feel free to contact us at Century 21 Central West.

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