Latest news with #Sayers
USA Today
01-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Football at Wrigley Field in historic images
Wrigley Field, the current home of the Chicago Cubs and the 2027 MLB All-Star Game location, has a storied history. Baseball lore and ivy walls, the tales of greatness that wisp around the stadium from generation to generation. From Weeghman to Bartman to pet goats to a "W" that finally flew in a World Series. One of the oldest stadiums in sports—the second-oldest in baseball, behind Fenway—the North Side confines have also provided the setting for greatness on the football field. Yep: Before Sosa, there was Sayers. Take a look... Football at Wrigley Field Football at Wrigley Field Football at Wrigley Field Football at Wrigley Field Football at Wrigley Field Football at Wrigley Field Football at Wrigley Field Football at Wrigley Field Football at Wrigley Field Football at Wrigley Field Football at Wrigley Field Football at Wrigley Field Football at Wrigley Field Football at Wrigley Field Football at Wrigley Field Football at Wrigley Field Football at Wrigley Field Football at Wrigley Field Football at Wrigley Field Football at Wrigley Field Football at Wrigley Field Football at Wrigley Field Football at Wrigley Field Football at Wrigley Field
Sydney Morning Herald
25-07-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
The Sydney suburbs where home prices soared most last year
This comes as Sydney's property market rebounds, with the median house price rising 2.6 per cent in the three months to June to hit a record $1,722,443. The two cash rate cuts this year had boosted confidence and borrowing capacity, with the market anticipating another cut in August, Powell added. For units, homes in prestige areas made solid gains over the past year, as some buyers sacrificed space for location. Forest Lodge in Sydney's inner-city rose the most over the year, adding 31.6 per cent to hit a median of $1,225,000. This was followed by Kingswood, in the Penrith area, which jumped 24.4 per cent. The prestige coastal suburbs of Darling Point, Milsons Point and Rose Bay surged 23.4 per cent, 18.9 per cent and 18.2 per cent respectively. 'These are elite suburbs, but actually the unit price point opens up the buyer pool because it is a much cheaper price point relative to what a house would be in these locations,' Powell said. Megan Sayers, 40, who works in HR, said increasing rents, falling interest rates and a closing window for her to use the First Home Guarantee Scheme were a push to accelerate her search process earlier this year. Sayers bought her first property, a one-bedroom apartment in the apartment-dense southern Sydney suburb of Wolli Creek where unit prices are at a median of $788,000. After spending part of her thirties living and working overseas and returning to Australia from Japan in late 2018, Sayers feared she had missed the boat and may struggle to buy on a single income. Loading 'I never thought I would own a home,' she said. But after saving for five years, getting professional help and expanding her search area beyond inner Sydney, Sayers got the keys to her apartment in July. 'I had a good cry when I exchanged because I was just so excited that it finally happened. And I guess I just wake up every morning feeling so fortunate.' Wolli Creek is a high-density residential area a 20-minute drive from Sydney's CBD. In the year to June, 344 apartments sold in the suburb, but prices rose just 0.5 per cent, on Domain data. Some other suburbs with solid unit sales also recorded close to stable price growth or even declined. For example, unit prices in Zetland (393 units sold) and Rosebery (356 apartments sold), both in the inner city, fell 3.4 per cent and 0.5 per cent respectively over the year, underscoring how density can dovetail with affordability. Sayers' mortgage broker, Alcove national first home buyer specialist Jack Elliott, said the rate cuts were giving first home buyers confidence, with many clients considering homes on Sydney's outskirts. 'They're finding that unit, or that little townhouse, or it might even be further out to find a house that suits them and their needs for the future,' he said. Ray White Merrylands managing director Michael Azzi said the shortage of property for sale in South Wentworthville had helped to push up prices there. 'There's a section that's all virtually townhouses and duplexes, and there's a lot of them, and then there's a section that there's some very large homes and very big blocks of land. And together they are sort of booming,' he said.
The Age
25-07-2025
- Business
- The Age
The Sydney suburbs where home prices soared most last year
This comes as Sydney's property market rebounds, with the median house price rising 2.6 per cent in the three months to June to hit a record $1,722,443. The two cash rate cuts this year had boosted confidence and borrowing capacity, with the market anticipating another cut in August, Powell added. For units, homes in prestige areas made solid gains over the past year, as some buyers sacrificed space for location. Forest Lodge in Sydney's inner-city rose the most over the year, adding 31.6 per cent to hit a median of $1,225,000. This was followed by Kingswood, in the Penrith area, which jumped 24.4 per cent. The prestige coastal suburbs of Darling Point, Milsons Point and Rose Bay surged 23.4 per cent, 18.9 per cent and 18.2 per cent respectively. 'These are elite suburbs, but actually the unit price point opens up the buyer pool because it is a much cheaper price point relative to what a house would be in these locations,' Powell said. Megan Sayers, 40, who works in HR, said increasing rents, falling interest rates and a closing window for her to use the First Home Guarantee Scheme were a push to accelerate her search process earlier this year. Sayers bought her first property, a one-bedroom apartment in the apartment-dense southern Sydney suburb of Wolli Creek where unit prices are at a median of $788,000. After spending part of her thirties living and working overseas and returning to Australia from Japan in late 2018, Sayers feared she had missed the boat and may struggle to buy on a single income. Loading 'I never thought I would own a home,' she said. But after saving for five years, getting professional help and expanding her search area beyond inner Sydney, Sayers got the keys to her apartment in July. 'I had a good cry when I exchanged because I was just so excited that it finally happened. And I guess I just wake up every morning feeling so fortunate.' Wolli Creek is a high-density residential area a 20-minute drive from Sydney's CBD. In the year to June, 344 apartments sold in the suburb, but prices rose just 0.5 per cent, on Domain data. Some other suburbs with solid unit sales also recorded close to stable price growth or even declined. For example, unit prices in Zetland (393 units sold) and Rosebery (356 apartments sold), both in the inner city, fell 3.4 per cent and 0.5 per cent respectively over the year, underscoring how density can dovetail with affordability. Sayers' mortgage broker, Alcove national first home buyer specialist Jack Elliott, said the rate cuts were giving first home buyers confidence, with many clients considering homes on Sydney's outskirts. 'They're finding that unit, or that little townhouse, or it might even be further out to find a house that suits them and their needs for the future,' he said. Ray White Merrylands managing director Michael Azzi said the shortage of property for sale in South Wentworthville had helped to push up prices there. 'There's a section that's all virtually townhouses and duplexes, and there's a lot of them, and then there's a section that there's some very large homes and very big blocks of land. And together they are sort of booming,' he said.
Belfast Telegraph
21-07-2025
- General
- Belfast Telegraph
NI man on how losing arm aged 12 in slurry accident ended his dream of taking over farm: ‘I never want the same thing to happen to anyone else'
William Sayers is one of two farmers who shared their stories to mark Farm Safety Week, which starts today. Farming is one of the most dangerous jobs in Northern Ireland, accounting for 20% of workplace fatalities. As a child, Mr Sayers dreamed of taking over his family's farm in Donemana, but lost it in the 'blink of an eye'. His father, George, also lost a leg due to a separate farming accident aged just two. 'It was life-changing, and I had to accept that this was my new reality,' Mr Sayers said, recalling his own incident. 'It was realising I could not do the things I used to and having to think about a different career as I always dreamed of taking over the farm.' The accident that took Mr Sayers' arm happened when slurry was being spread on the family's farm. When checking how the tank was filling, his unzipped coat became caught in the machinery. 'It was difficult to accept, not only for me, but for my parents as well,' he said. 'They had to help me a lot as a child. Their hopes were not going to work out. My own and my family's expectation was that I would be the fifth generation to take over the land.' This is the 13th annual Farm Safety Week. Mr Sayers added: 'People are definitely much more aware now, which is good, but there's definitely room for improvement. 'People are much more conscious, and the idea of farm safety is promoted more. It's a team effort. 'The media take an interest, and the farmers' union makes it clear: if there are no farmers, there is no food, there is no future. 'Farm Safety Week is important to me; I lost an arm through a mistake I made. I never want the same thing to happen to anyone else. I feel a responsibility to help save people from that. 'People can keep both arms and have the farming future they've always wanted if they're safety conscious. 'My father was always very good at giving advice. 'If I could give my 12-year-old self any advice, it would be to listen to him more. I could not get over the fact that we had both been through such similar things. It must have been really daunting for him. 'We went to the same hospital, I'd go upstairs for the arm to be seen to, and he would go downstairs for the leg. 'My father was very strong throughout it; not every parent would have been able to cope. It was hard for both of us to come to terms with. 'I blamed myself for not listening to him more, and I paid a heavy price for it. If my story can prevent someone from losing their life or being seriously injured, then it is worth telling.' Another farmer, Colm Quinn (40), from Castlewellan, also spoke out. He narrowly avoided losing his eyesight after being struck by a plank of wood three years ago. 'Farming has always been a part of our family. 'I grew up on a farm, and now my son, Eoin, is growing up on a farm,' he said. 'I was building an extension onto our shed, and when screwing in a piece of wood, the screw somehow came loose and hit me in the corner of the eye. 'It was challenging to get down because I was alone, and I was in a lot of pain. 'The doctor at Downpatrick hospital consulted with a doctor at the Royal Victoria, and it was decided I needed three stitches. If it had been a millimetre the other way, I would have lost my eye.' 'I am 40 now, I have seen some hard times and I like to think I am a tough person. I was trying to get down, and the blood was running out of my eye. After the accident, I am definitely more wary of working alone and making sure I wear my safety goggles.' Colm's eight-year-old son, Eoin, was very emotional when the accident happened. 'I wish he was wearing his glasses. I always tell him he has to wear the glasses, even if he is only cutting wood for two seconds,' Eoin said. Colm added: 'It is important for children to be on the farm, while being very mindful of the surroundings and keeping them safe. There's no better way for them to learn the family business.' In the 12 months to April, five agricultural workers were killed, according to the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland.
Scoop
09-07-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
Council Approves Local Contractors To Protect Kumeū From Flooding
Press Release – Auckland Council Auckland Council has approved the use of locally based contractors to carry out essential flood maintenance across the Kumeū district—marking a major win for the community following sustained public advocacy. 'This is great news for the Kumeu,' says Rodney Councillor Greg Sayers. 'The community asked for better care of the Kumeū River and the local stormwater systems to protect the town from flooding—and Council has listened.' Earlier this year, large-scale flood prevention options such as constructing a dam or building a tunnel to the Waitematā Harbour were ruled out as unaffordable and impractical. In their place, Council is now focused on more immediate, high-impact measures—including unclogging culverts, clearing swales, removing river debris, and repairing storm-damaged infrastructure such as stop banks. Importantly, the work will be delivered by contractors based in Kumeū, Huapai, Taupaki, Waimauku, and Riverhead, who bring local knowledge and pride to the job. 'Local contractors know the land and the flood-prone spots better than anyone,' says Sayers. 'They're better placed to deliver value for money and a higher quality of service.' The tender process will open late this month and be advertised on the GETS (Government Electronic Tender Service) tendering platform and in local newspapers. Work is expected to begin in November 2025. Contractors will need to demonstrate experience in flood resilience work and meet Auckland Council criteria. Council will also pre-arrange any required earthworks consents. Councillor Sayers cautions that no flood protection system is perfect. 'If more than 100mm of rain falls within seven hours, the Kumeū River will breach its stop banks and flooding will still occur,' he says. 'But this maintenance work will help to delay such breaches and improves drainage for the surrounding areas during heavy rain events.' Finally, Councillor Sayers is also urging both central and local government to halt new residential developments on known floodplains. 'Right now, the law still allows consents if buildings are 'engineered' to be safe. That's not good enough when it can still put lives at risk,' he says. Council is pushing for a change to the Unitary Plan to allow consents on floodplains to be declined without triggering legal challenges. However, this change depends on the Government's upcoming Resource Management Act reforms, expected before the 2026 general election. 'Proactive river maintenance is a positive step toward a locally-led, common-sense approach to flood resilience,' says Sayers. 'It shows that when the community speaks, and the Council listens, real progress can be made.'
