Latest news with #Olympic-sized
The Age
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Age
The obscene priorities in education funding
Heartbreak high I am both heartbroken and furious to learn that the Labor Allan government is choosing to short-change Victorian state school students. The reality at the coalface of under-resourced schools is heartbreaking. Parents might be wondering why their child has a shared class or doesn't have a school nurse or librarian. This is the reality of schools working under a decade-long funding deficit. Teachers are pushed to teach their maximum face-to-face allotment (making up any extra time by moonlighting as a nurse, librarian or team teaching to ensure no minute is left idle). When these overworked teachers are sick, schools are routinely redistributing students to other teachers, pushing class sizes into the 30s. Teachers are being pressed to 'volunteer' to take extra classes to cover absences, anything, to reduce the school's spend on casual teachers. Jacinta Allan pointing to increases in capital funding is a furphy. The building of a hall (projects green lit to help COVID recovery) does nothing to help the tired teachers and undersupported students sitting down to Monday morning assembly. The added insult is watching students walk to the campuses of private schools carrying their full funding allocation to pre-class swimming training in an Olympic-sized pool. Kate Rose, teacher, Rosanna Electoral favours That the Victorian government will provide, as part of an extended drought package, a $5000 grant to Victorian farmers to help their family businesses pull through the temporary drought is laudable. I look forward to similar benevolence to the family-owned milk bars and local butcher businesses facing competition from their local mega-supermarket rivals; or the local family-owned hardware stores and nursery businesses facing challenges from the encroaching DIY megastores; or the family-owned gift shops, florists, clothing and toy shops facing devastation from the expanding big box chains. Why do farming small businesses get favourable government attention? I suspect it's all about electoral politics. Dennis Richards, Cockatoo What's the point? I wish to add my voice to the letters in The Age (30/5) despairing the decision to extend the North West Shelf project. So many of us are trying our hardest to reduce plastic, compost, save water, live sustainably in every way we can with future generations in mind, and it is a huge slap in the face that makes one feel 'what is the point?' Goodness knows what the despair of Indigenous communities is like. Libby Gillingham, Outtrim Yesterday's man It may have escaped Tony Abbott's notice that he is a ″yesterday's man″, which is a nice way of saying he is living in the past. Sussan Ley should ignore him. He is one of the cadre of Liberals, mostly ex-PMs, who are becoming more out of touch with ordinary Australians. Victoria is showing the effects of a poor opposition and listening to conservative Liberals won't improve matters. Adrian Tabor, Point Lonsdale Heed the regions Waleed Aly (Comment, 30/5) has a vision where the National Party becomes a bit teal, and therefore enables the Coalition to compete politically with Labor. It won't happen. Urban Australia needs regional Australia more than vice versa. They feed Australia's cities. They dig the coal and minerals that keep the economy ticking over and Australia's export income high. We repay them with second-rate healthcare, a food market that is stacked against producers, and a steady flow of city refugees who make regional housing unaffordable to locals. If we urbanites occupy their minds at all, what they would see is a bunch of hypocrites who ramble on about the post-carbon economy but in international terms are heavy carbon polluters. Maybe the teals and other city-driven politicians could pay a great deal more attention to regional Australia. Then they might listen to us. Alun Breward, Malvern East Changing Australia Waleed Aly is spot on, especially with the changing demographic of Melbourne's regions. George Megalogenis also noted in his Foreign Affairs essay 'Changing Face of Australia″ that the children of Chinese and Indian migrants are also better educated than those from an Anglo background and this has allowed them to be part of the middle class too. These skilled migrants are a dilemma for some in the major parties who don't acknowledge and understand the nation's changing identity and are still stuck in that Anglo past with a lack of diversity in their candidates. This class divide between the white working classes was reflected in voting patterns as well, especially in the outer suburbs. Mel Smith, Brighton Soul of humanity As a non-religious person, I was moved by Sunday's Faith column (25/5) by Warwick McFadyen where he discussed the virtues of the The Piano. I agree with everything he said and I congratulate the ABC for having produced it. My view, which I believe coincides well with McFadyen's, is 'that music is the soul of humanity'.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
How Hurricane Helene reshaped Lake Lure
It's hard to forget the images from Lake Lure following the destruction of Hurricane Helene. Over 22 inches of rain fell across the Lake Lure Dam watershed, leading to catastrophic damage to the town and surrounding areas. 'We had water getting funneled down through, it was coming around, over top of the bridges here, carrying with it that construction debris, businesses from up in Chimney Rock,' said Dustin Waycaster, Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director for the town of Lake Lure. 'We had campers, cars, propane tanks.' Waycaster told Channel 9's Danielle Miller he had no idea how bad it would be. 'This storm was just so unprecedented, like, even with that plan in place, it was flooding and debris that we've never had to deal with before,' he said. Eight months later, Lake Lure Mayor Carol Pritchett says the town has made significant strides in rebuilding. 'We're trying to make sure that as we repair the damage that was done from this disaster, we're also doing whatever we can to make it better, so that the next time we won't have this much disaster,' Pritchett said. One thing that's been a constant during recovery efforts in Lake Lure is the US Army Corps of Engineers, which estimates that 1 million cubic yards of debris still needs to be removed from the lake. That's about the amount of 300 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Along with dredging Lake Lure, Mayor Pritchett says there are plans to widen where the Broad River meets the lake. 'It was sort of like a nozzle when everything came down the river and shot it out with such great force. So just by widening some of that would slow that down and that would just be a huge, that would be a huge improvement,' Pritchett said. The Lake Lure Dam is also a central part of recovery efforts. While the 100-year-old dam itself did not fail during the storm, Mayor Pro-Tem Dave DiOrio says the town is working on plans to replace it so it can even better handle future weather events. 'Time moves on and we know more about weather patterns and we know more about the potential for flooding and this dam just doesn't meet the normal, modern standards of what we'd want with a dam both with capacity to absorb a flood,' said DiOrio. Helene's flooding rain not only put a spotlight on the need for a stronger dam, but also the need for a better protected communications infrastructure. The town built emergency sirens after the flood of 1996. Jim Proctor watched that flood from his backyard and says they've learned even more since then about how important the lake is for communication in western North Carolina. 'The main trunk line for internet and telephone between Charlotte and Asheville goes through the Hickory Nut Gorge; 90% of the connectivity between Charlotte and Asheville went away from Helene,' Proctor said. Proctor says plans are in place to bury new lines in the roads that are being constructed and to reset emergency management towers so they don't wash away during a flood. The town also hopes to build a new cell tower, so people can stay in touch during these big weather events. 'We'll build it back and it's coming back, but it's just a process we gotta work through,' Waycaster said. (VIDEO: Lake Lure Dam no longer at imminent risk of failure, officials say)
Fashion Value Chain
3 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
MRG Crown Luxury 2.0: The Epitome of Elite Living on Dwarka Expressway
The luxury real estate market in the NCR region is gaining ground, where cities like Gurugram are seeing a meteoric rise. The city witnessed a strong demand for luxury homes last year, with sales rising 66% to nearly Rs. 1.07 Lakh Crore, as per PropEquity. As per the data, housing sales rose to Rs. 1,06,739 crore last year from Rs. 64,314 crore in 2023 calendar year. Due to its growing affluence, improved infrastructure, and changing lifestyle preferences, the city has become a magnet for premium homebuyers. MRG Crown Luxury 2.0: The Epitome of Elite Living on Dwarka Expressway At the core of this transformation lies the Dwarka Expressway corridor, renowned for its upscale residential developments. Its seamless connectivity to Delhi, IGI Airport, and upcoming metro lines makes it especially attractive. What's driving interest here is the rise of premium developments that strike the perfect balance between privacy and convenience, catering to those who seek sophistication without compromise. Further, this growth is attributed to a growing corporate presence and ample employment opportunities in the region. In addition, with the influx of high-net-worth individuals and NRIs looking to invest back home and an emerging class of affluent millennials, the demand for premium homes soared to record levels in the region. Aligning with this growth appetite, leading real estate players are raising the bar of urban living on the Dwarka Expressway. Among the key contributors, MRG Group has made a strong statement with its flagship project, MRG Crown, in Sector 106. With a Rs. 500 crore investment, the project redefined the luxury residential experience in the corridor. Building on that success, the group has unveiled MRG Crown Luxury 2.0, expanding its presence in the premium housing segment and underscoring its commitment to crafting elegant, future-ready homes. Spread across 8.16 acres, MRG Crown features 468 elegantly crafted independent floor units and 117 plots. The development also offers 3 BHK low-rise residences starting at 2.29 crore, designed for an exclusive low-density living experience, seamlessly blending privacy, luxury, and urban connectivity. Possession is slated for 2027, giving residents a clear timeline for moving into a thoughtfully curated urban haven. At the heart of the project lies the 1.5-acre Leisure Island, a green sanctuary within the gated community, alongside a 22,000 sq. ft. clubhouse curated for high-end indulgence, offering a half Olympic-sized swimming pool, sports courts, wellness zones, lounge areas, and fine dining options. Additional features include EV charging stations, visitor parking, private terrace gardens, and dedicated basement workspaces, catering to the needs of modern urban lifestyles. Moreover, MRG Crown Luxury 2.0 is an epitome of exceptional architectural design. The project is envisioned by renowned Padma Bhushan awardee Hafeez Contractor, whose architectural finesse lends the development a distinctive and timeless appeal. Complementing this is the lush, immersive landscape design by Juilee Deoskar, celebrated for crafting nature-infused environments that elevate everyday living. Together, their vision brings to life a harmonious blend of form, function, and serenity, setting a new benchmark for upscale residential design in Gurugram. Besides, the project is strategically positioned along the Dwarka Expressway and enjoys exceptional connectivity. Located at the nexus of key transit hubs such as IGI Airport, Gurgaon Railway Station, and the proposed metro corridor, MRG Crown offers residents seamless accessibility to Delhi, Gurugram, and beyond, making it one of the most connected premium addresses in the region. Therefore, as the Dwarka Expressway rapidly transforms into a prime luxury housing corridor, MRG Group is emerging as a frontrunner in shaping its skyline. With over four decades of trust and innovation, the group continues to redefine modern urban living. 'MRG Crown Luxury 2.0 reflects our vision of crafting future-ready spaces that blend luxury with lifestyle,' says Rajjath Goel, Managing Director, MRG Group.'It marks a bold step in our journey to deliver accessible, aspirational living while paving the way for a more design-forward, community-centric future.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New 50-metre pool vital for young athletes
The head of a swimming club said a city council's plan to build a 50-metre swimming pool was "vital" to support the athletes of the future. Peterborough's Regional Pool has begun to be bulldozed after reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) was discovered in the building, which left City of Peterborough Swimming Club (Cops) without a home. Ben Negus, from Cops, said plans to build a replacement facility "would mean Peterborough can do what it deserves [for] its swimming community". Peterborough City Council said "plans for a new leisure centre continue to be explored" and it was "working to bring a business case forward to cabinet soon". "We continue to seek investors interested in supporting a new pool development," the authority added. Raac was discovered in September 2023 at the Bishop's Road site, which also had issues with asbestos and out-of-date mechanical installations. The building's demolition will take until July, the authority said. It was hoped that a replacement pool, which would be built at an estimated cost of £30m, would be open by 2028. Previously, Mr Negus said the pool's closure had forced the club's athletes to find alternative locations to train. Lily, 17, who has been part of the club since she was six, said training without a dedicated pool is "hard". Bell Cameron, 18, who is part of Cops, said the sport has given her "life skills". "It has even allowed me to go to university in the US. Marshall University in West Virginia reached out to me, I will be going this summer." Mr Negus said a plan for an Olympic-sized 50-metre swimming pool was first floated about 18 years ago and he was "still waiting". Andrew Pakes, the Labour MP for Peterborough, said he believed a new 50 metre pool could be built in the city within five years. "The council has a plot of land in the city centre at the regional pool site. And it is important to keep it in the city centre," Pakes said. "The council will be available to put some money into it, we can get some money from the regeneration funds from the mayor, some money from additional partners and we have a good chance to get this going." He said the council now "needs to focus" on things that matter to the public. Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Demolition of Raac-affected pool begins What is next for the Regional Pool? Coach of swimming club without a pool scoops award City of Peterborough Swimming Club Peterborough City Council
Time Out
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
House of Dancing Water returns to Macau this May
Dive into an epic tale of love and adventure Under the direction of Giuliano Peparini, the internationally renowned artistic director of Peparini Studios, and brought to life by Our Legacy Creations, the reimagined House of Dancing Water combines artistic innovation with storytelling, breathtaking stunts, and advanced technology. The new production follows a courageous stranger who ventures into a mysterious kingdom to rescue Princess Aani, who is held captive by the evil Dark Queen. Along the way, viewers will meet a host of characters, such as Sailor, an endearing personality who brings comic relief throughout the main plot. There'll also be stunning scenery throughout the show, like the Magic Garden, Aquarium Cage, and the Future City, which all tie into the storyline. With its compelling narrative, thrilling acrobatics, and new orchestral score to enhance your viewing experience, this production will take viewers on an epic journey of good versus evil, adventure, and love – and it's bound to tug at your heartstrings. Witness the performance from an impressive stage In addition to its gripping plot that keeps viewers hooked, House of Dancing Water is a show-stopping spectacle due to its world-class stage that brings the story to life. This water-centric production takes place in the Dancing Water Theater, an in-the-round venue that seats nearly 2,000 spectators and stretches over approximately 20 metres in diameter with a stunning 270-degree view. And that's not all, as there's more beneath the surface – literally. The stage is powered by massive hydraulic lifts that carry up to 208 tonnes and transition from dry to wet within a minute. Plus, the theatre's pool is nine metres deep and holds a whopping 17 million litres of water, equivalent to more than five Olympic-sized swimming pools. With over 239 water jets that spray up to 18 metres high, 540 intelligent lights scattered throughout the venue, and a diving board standing 25 metres above the water, you can expect nothing short of spectacular on this stage. Behind the show is also a dedicated team of nearly 300 cast and crew members. By combining their expertise in aerial acrobatics, dance, and technology, they work together to deliver seamless performances that leave audiences spellbound. Enjoy an unparalleled viewing experience with VVIP access With the impressive production of House of Dancing Water, you'll want to secure the best seats in the house for you and your partner. Elevate your viewing experience by snagging one of the exclusive seats in the theatre's VVIP boxes that accommodate 10 and 13 guests each. You'll get access to free-flow sweet and savoury canapés, along with thematic drinks inspired by characters such as Princess Aani and the Stranger, as well as the show's stunning scenery like the Magic Garden. Finally, all VVIP ticket holders can enjoy a meet-and-greet session with cast members and snap photos together, allowing you to create remarkable memories. Relax and rejoice during your stay at City of Dreams Aside from being home to House of Dancing Water, City of Dreams promises you and your special someone a top-notch getaway experience. As one of Macau's premier integrated resorts, this destination houses three lavish hotels under one roof – Morpheus, Nüwa, and Grand Hyatt Macau – each offering a blend of elegance and comfort for a luxurious stay. After enjoying the spectacular show, foodies will be spoiled for choice with City of Dreams' dining destinations, each guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds. From fine dining at Michelin-starred venues like Jade Dragon to exquisite fare at Yi, there's something to delight every kind of diner. Plus, don't miss the chance to indulge in some retail therapy at the complex's top-tier selection of boutiques and luxury shops.
