Latest news with #Bega
The Guardian
16-05-2025
- General
- The Guardian
From ‘architecturally tricky' to ‘awe-inspiring': winners of NSW's 2025 National Trust heritage award revealed
A colonial country hospital almost totally destroyed by fire more than two decades ago has won the top prize in the National Trust of Australia (NSW) Heritage Awards. The recognition of heritage architecture and conservation projects in the built and natural environment takes place across each state annually. NSW staged its awards on Friday, announcing 20 winners across 10 categories. The revival of Old Bega Hospital was described by judges as 'sensitive, elegantly resolved and a project that sets the standard for heritage conservation'. The judges' choice award recognised Design5 Architects, which used archival drawings and historical photographs in its design, for its ability to 'balance the delicate question of when to retain and when to replace,' the judges said. The collection of buildings on the outskirts of Bega served as the local hospital from 1889 until 1956. By the 1980s the buildings had fallen into disrepair, and were extensively restored for the hospital's centenary – and Australia's bicentenary – in 1988. The buildings and grounds were subsequently used by the community as an art gallery, cafe, marketplace and local radio station headquarters, but a fire in May 2004 tore through the main building and it turned out the property, owned by Crown Lands, was not insured. It would take another nine years for the second restoration to begin. The project was partly funded by a $1.5m Commonwealth Black Summer Bushfires Recovery grant, and fundraising efforts from the Friends of the Old Bega Hospital community group. Restoration was completed in December. The heritage awards also recognised architects Neeson Murcutt Neille, for its restoration of workmen's dwellings in Lower Fort Street at Sydney's historic Dawes Point. The architects had carefully and cleverly resolved an 'architecturally tricky' challenge, judges said, preserving the original historic streetscape while converting dilapidated non-compliant public housing sold off by the NSW Government in 2017 into 27 light-filled apartments. The Aboriginal heritage prize went to the 2024 commemoration project Dhuluny: 200 years of Wiradyuri Resistance, in Bathurst. Led by the Wiradyuri Traditional Owners Central West Aboriginal Corporation in collaboration with Bathurst Council, Dhuluny was a series of events held over a week in August to commemorate the 200-year anniversary of the declaration of martial law and the ensuing frontier violence on Wiradyuri countryCelebrating the survival and resilience of the Wiradyuri people, the serues included multiple local Indigenous cultural workshops, a conference at Charles Sturt University, a community film festival and an exhibition called Dhuluny: The war that never ended. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion The president of the National Trust of Australia (NSW), Kathryn Pitkin, awarded the president's prize to the National Herbarium of New South Wales for its mass scale digitisation of more than one million plant specimens and 250 years of botanical research – a project she described as 'awe-inspiring'. The Port Macquarie Historical Society Inc. won th eadvocacy award, in recognition of its 70-year contribution to heritage protection in the Port Macquarie region. The chief executive of the National Trust (NSW) Debbie Mills, remarked on the impressive geographical spread of the winners: as far afield as Broken Hill, where HSR (Aust) Group and architecture and heritage adviser Elizabeth Vines won for their revival of the dilapidated Pirie Chambers building in Argent Street. The project won the education and interpretation award for its training of local workers in specialised restoration skills. Friday's ceremony was presented by Richard Morecroft and speakers included the former premier of NSW Bob Carr, minister for heritage Penny Sharpe and the awards' jury Chair Matthew Devine. Heritage NSW Acting Executive Director, Elizabeth Owers, praised the 'depth of talent' in the state. 'Communities across the state, from metropolitan centres to regional areas, are the beneficiaries of these outstanding contributions,' she said.
NZ Herald
15-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Will Bega dispute stifle Fonterra's Mainland sale plans?
Will Fonterra's legal wrangle with Australia's Bega Cheese jeopardise the sale of Mainland? Fonterra and Bega are locked in a legal dispute over trademark licensing, raising speculation that it could upset Fonterra's plans to sell its consumer business. Last November, Fonterra's Australian arm sought a ruling that Fonterra's divestment proposal
ABC News
09-05-2025
- ABC News
Coffs Harbour sexual assault survivor warns her attacker still free
A decision to stop during a morning walk to read passages from her bible while watching the sunrise irrevocably changed Yvonne Cole's life. WARNING: This story contains content that readers may find distressing. Ms Cole was the victim of a violent sexual assault off a popular track she had been walking along during a visit to Coffs Harbour on the New South Wales Mid North Coast on May 8 last year. She decided to share her story publicly online a year on from the attack after being told a police investigation had been suspended due to a lack of evidence. In a statement, NSW Police confirmed the investigation had been suspended pending further developments. The mother of four from Bega on the NSW Far South Coast had travelled with members of her local Country Women's Association branch to attend the annual state conference in Coffs Harbour. Ms Cole said she went for a walk along Coffs Creek on the morning of the fourth day of the conference. Seconds after stopping to watch the sunrise in a clearing just a metre from the walkway, Ms Cole said she was tackled to the ground from behind. She said she was repeatedly knocked unconscious by a male attacker during the lengthy assault. "He had me pinned down by a large stick across my shoulders, so I couldn't get up," she said. After regaining consciousness at one point during the assault, she recalled an object being "violently" forced inside her vagina. "I was in a lot of pain; what he was doing was horrifically painful, but I was absolutely terrified that he was going to kill me," she said. Knocked unconscious again, the offender then fled. Police estimated Ms Cole was unconscious for several hours before being assisted by a passer-by. Ms Cole recalled overhearing passers-by decide not to render help because they presumed she was a rough sleeper. Trips to various hospitals, including being admitted to an intensive care unit for sepsis due to her internal injuries, counselling and meetings with police detectives have taken place in the year since Ms Cole was assaulted. Ms Cole praised the efforts of local police and detectives with the NSW Sex Crimes Squad, who she said regularly checked in with her husband while she recovered in hospital. As the first anniversary of the attack approached this year, Ms Cole said she was told by detectives the investigation was being suspended due to a lack of evidence. She said her request for police to make a public appeal for more information was rejected. In a statement, NSW Police said their investigation included "a media stand up and a public appeal for information across several platforms" but that "no new information came to light". "Despite extensive inquiries taking place, the matter has not yet resolved, and the investigation has been suspended pending further developments," police said. Ms Cole said while she respected the efforts of police, she decided to post her own public appeal to social media to warn others in the community. "I'm a pretty private person, it wasn't something I was keen to do," she said. Ms Cole experienced an outpouring of support from the CWA. "We tried to protect Yvonne as much as we could, to allow her the space she needed," CWA Far South Coast president Stephanie Stanhope said. "She's a very strong person." Ms Cole said the association offered emotional and financial support. "It's definitely a great sisterhood," Ms Cole said. Anyone with information about the attack can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
ABC News
06-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Bega Cheese to close Victorian processing site to move jobs to NSW
Bega Cheese will close its northern Victorian site in Strathmerton and consolidate its processing and packaging operations into its premises in the Bega Valley. The company announced on Tuesday that after an extensive review, a phased closure of the Strathmerton site was expected to be complete by mid-2026. The decision affects approximately 300 staff at the Strathmerton site. "We are very aware of the impact of this decision, and we are doing our best to manage this transition with care and respect for our Strathmerton employees and the local community," Bega Group chief executive Pete Findlay said. "Where possible, we will offer redeployment to employees and continue to support them through this period." Bega says cheese production will not be affected by the closure of its Strathmerton site. ( ABC Great Southern: Andrew Chounding ) Bega said it expected $30 million in annual savings through the closure of Strathmerton as it moves to eliminate duplication in its production lines. The company said the consolidation would create about 100 jobs in the Bega Valley and that investing in its Ridge Street site would allow it to "enhance capability and modernise its cheese processing and packing operations". "As the business maintains its focus on delivering productivity improvement and growth, we continue to look at opportunities to simplify our operational footprint and invest for the future, ensuring we maintain globally competitive infrastructure," Mr Findlay said. The company has five other Victorian manufacturing sites in Tatura, Morwell, Chelsea, Koroit and Port Melbourne, which employ more than 1,700 people. The Victorian government has been contacted for comment. MP expects 'significant impact' State member for Shepparton Kim O'Keefe said it was disappointing to lose a major employer in the community. "This has a significant impact on those affected and the community more broadly," she said. "I hope that the staff are well supported during this difficult time. "I expect those employed at our Tatura site will also have concerns with the shock closure of Strathmerton." ABC Rural RoundUp newsletter Stories from farms and country towns across Australia, delivered each Friday. Your information is being handled in accordance with the Email address Subscribe
RNZ News
05-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Fonterra to appeal court decision to dismiss trademark licensing case
Bega Cheese - backed by billionaire Andrew Forrest - was amongst those interested in acquiring Fonterra's assets. Photo: Photo / AFP Dairy giant Fonterra will appeal a court decision to dismiss a case regarding the use of trademarks by Australian dairy company Bega Cheese, as it looks for legal clarity in its plans to sell its consumer business . Last week, the Supreme Court of New South Wales dismissed a case filed by Fonterra over trademark licensing agreements with Bega Cheese, saying it did not have jurisdiction to make a declaration on a deal which did not exist. Fonterra has a long-standing agreement to make cheese in Australia under the Bega brand, and wanted a ruling that its divestment plans would not affect the existing trademark deal and trigger clauses which would allow Bega to end the deal. On Tuesday, Fonterra said it would appeal the decision - which would have to be lodged at the state's Court of Appeal. "Our view has not changed as a result of the court decision and Fonterra intends to appeal this decision in the coming weeks," its managing director M&A and strategic divestments Mike Cronin said. "Our clear understanding is that the provisions of our licensing agreement with Bega are not impacted by the proposed divestment process." Cronin said the latest developments did not change its plans to divest its consumer business. "We continue to pursue both a trade sale and initial public offering (IPO) as potential divestment options," he said. Bega Cheese - backed by billionaire Andrew Forrest - was amongst those interested in acquiring Fonterra's assets. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
