Latest news with #Strikes
Man of Many
28-07-2025
- Man of Many
Australia's Most Celebrated Architect Designed This Breathtaking Guesthouse 3 Hours from Sydney
By Ben McKimm - News Published: 28 Jul 2025 Share Copy Link 0 Readtime: 4 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. Architect Glenn Murcutt designed secluded Strikes 3 Mudgee guesthouse Shutters, hatches, airflow, and fireplace maintain seasonal comfort naturally Ideal romantic weekend base for wine, beer, doughnuts, and countryside exploration Known for its food and wine, my most recent trip to Mudgee uncovered some of the best beers in the country. But I didn't spend all my time drinking sours and scoffing doughnuts out of the back of a vintage Land Rover at Old Wheels Grind. No, we needed somewhere to stay on our travels, and Mudgee Tourism kindly invited me to stay at Strikes Mudgee. I would've been happy with a room at the local bed and breakfast, but within 5 minutes of my stay, I could tell Strikes was not your average slice of boutique accommodation in country New South Wales. Located on one of the best wineries in all of Mudgee (10 minutes from town), Strikes consists of three eco-friendly, luxurious guesthouses. Strikes 1 and Strikes 2 are perfect for couples retreats, with views of the Lucerne flats, neighbouring vineyards, and the Eurunderee valley, while the third is a little bit special. Strikes 3 | Image: Supplied Designed by world-renowned Australian architect Glenn Murcutt AO, Strikes 3 is the most secluded of the three guesthouses and offers the same breathtaking views from a little further up the hill. Every panel of wood, welded piece of metal, and window is thoughtfully positioned to work with the landscape around it. Whether it's the in-set day beds, full kitchen, or Louis Poulsen pendant lights, this is one of the best couples retreats near Sydney. I arrived late at night, so I didn't get the chance to grasp the full breadth of Strikes owner Justin Penney and Murcutt's efforts here until the morning. However, when the sun rose in the morning and peeked through the large bedroom window overlooking the fields, Murcutt's Australian vernacular architecture and the influence found in rural wood-and-corrugated-iron farm sheds saw light. With more than 500 buildings under his belt, Strikes 3 is quintessential Murcutt. I don't like the word 'eco-friendly,' but that's always intrinsic to his designs. 'I cannot pursue my architecture without considering the minimisation of energy consumption,' said Murcutt in an interview with De De Ce. 'Simple and direct technologies, a respect for site, climate, place and culture. Together, these disciplines represent for me a fantastic platform for experimentation and expression. Of particular importance is the junction of the rational and the poetic, resulting hopefully in works that resonate and belong to where they reside.' Strikes 3 | Image: Supplied Strikes 3 | Image: Supplied Strikes 3 | Image: Supplied Strikes 3 | Image: Supplied 'You should be able to operate a building in a way like you operate a yacht. To open and shut windows to close this down, open something else up. Put a door in another direction to get the positive negative pressure systems working in the building. This is how you sail a yacht – to understand how you make things move naturally. You can do this with buildings in the very same way.' 'Making buildings that are like instruments is very important to me. The buildings respond to the light, to air movements, to prospect, to refuge, to comfort. They work like instruments that produce the sound and the colour of the composer. But, I am not the composer. I just make the instruments. The light, the sound and the air are already there. I just make buildings that allow people to sense them.' This was my exact experience at the guesthouse. External shutters keep the heat in during the winter, while hatches built into the ledges open straight into the elements, releasing heat in the summer. Doors are large, heavy, and can be left open to move air from one end of the house to the other. Meanwhile, the lounge area and kitchen are separated by a large wood fireplace, which is the perfect place to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon with local cheese and wine. My time at Strikes 3 was short, but sweet. It's on my shortlist of best couples retreats in New South Wales, and if you're a Murcutt fan, it should already be on your shortlist. Thanks again to Mudgee Tourism for providing two nights of accommodation to make this trip happen, and if you can learn more about Strikes Mudgee at the website, linked below. Strikes 3 | Image: Supplied
Scoop
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Tougher Sentences Ahead As Three Strikes Returns
Associate Minister of Justice Repeat violent and sexual offenders are officially on notice Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says. 'Tougher penalties are now in place as the Three Strikes law comes into force today and the message is clear. If you commit serious violent or sexual offences, expect to face increasingly severe consequences. New Zealanders have had enough – they want safer streets, safer homes, and a justice system that puts victims first,' Mrs McKee says. The Sentencing (Reinstating Three Strikes) Amendment Act 2024 restores the regime scrapped under the previous government and is a central pillar in the Coalition's drive to restore law and order and protect the public. Under the Act: Offenders convicted of any of 42 serious violent or sexual offences – including new crimes like strangulation and suffocation – will face escalating penalties with each conviction. First strike: A formal warning. Second strike: No parole. Third strike: Maximum sentence without parole. For example, someone convicted of murder at second or third strike will face a minimum of 17 or 20 years behind bars with no early release. The Act provides for some judicial discretion to prevent manifestly unjust outcomes. It also sets out principles and guidance to help the courts apply the law and allows a limited benefit for guilty pleas to spare victims further trauma and reduce court delays. 'Importantly, previous strike warnings still count if they meet the new sentencing threshold – ensuring serious repeat offenders can't escape accountability. The Ministry of Justice has published guidance to help affected individuals, and their lawyers check for active strikes,' Mrs McKee says.
Cision Canada
14-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Markel enhances its International War and Terrorism presence in the US with Senior Underwriter hire and Underwriting Support Specialist
LONDON, May 14, 2025 /CNW/ -- Markel Insurance, the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL), today announced that it has made two key appointments to drive further profitable growth across its International War and Terrorism portfolio. In his new position as Senior Underwriter – War and Terrorism, Joshua Watson will be responsible for identifying and underwriting complex risk across the organisation's Stand-Alone Terrorism, Terrorism Liability, Strikes, Riots and Civil Commotion (SRCC) and Active Assailant product suite. His other principal duties will include up-selling the advantages of these core offerings to brokers, while ensuring closer broker interaction and continuing to deliver best-in-class underwriting services, support and solutions to trading partners within Atlanta, Georgia, and other regions in the United States. His appointment follows on from Bridget Canderelli, who recently joined the International War and Terrorism team as an underwriting support specialist. Alongside Watson, Canderelli will support Watson and other members in Markel's International War and Terrorism underwriting team through various administrative duties, which will include processing and submitting important documentation in a timely manner and ensuring high service levels are maintained for brokers and key stakeholders. Watson will be based at Markel's Alpharetta office in Atlanta, Georgia, meanwhile, Canderelli, will report from Markel's office in Richmond, Virginia. They'll both be managed by Andrew Umphress, Head of Terrorism – North America at Markel. Umphress comments: "The war and terrorism market is an increasingly complex area, driven by a multitude of geopolitical factors and global events that continue to impact clients' risk exposures and insurance coverage on an international level. I'm therefore delighted to welcome Joshua to our growing International War and Terrorism team here at Markel. "With his cross-functional expertise, extensive broker network and experience in leading various product lines, Joshua will be instrumental in driving the sustainable expansion of our portfolio in Atlanta, as well as other high-risk territories where there's an acute need for war and terrorism insurance. I look forward to seeing him collaborate with our expert underwriting team to scale further profitable growth, ensuring clients continue receiving tailored coverage and high service levels to protect their assets during these volatile times." Umphress concludes: "I'm also excited to announce Bridget to our team in her new role as Underwriting Support Specialist. Although Bridget is still quite new to the market, her drive, ambition and commitment to the Markel Style has been nothing short of exceptional and will be critical in maintaining that unrivalled service which is valued by our broker network, globally." Watson is an experienced insurance and broker professional, possessing more than 14 years of industry experience across cyber, terrorism and political violence (PV) business lines. Previously, he worked for Brown & Brown Risk Solutions as VP, Senior Account Executive, where he managed a virtual office – focused on malicious acts such as terrorism, political violence, active assailant, kidnap, ransom and extortion, and led a team of managing directors and risk professionals in product development for a proprietary crisis management offering. Prior to this position, he was employed as Client Service Executive at Sterline Seacrest Pritchard, where he mentored young assistants and brokers, served on the education and leadership committees, and managed a profitable book of business. About Markel Insurance We are Markel Insurance, a leading global specialty insurer with a truly people-first approach. As the insurance operations within the Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL), we leverage a broad array of capabilities and expertise to create intelligent solutions for the most complex specialty insurance needs. However, it is our people – and the deep, valued relationships they develop with colleagues, brokers and clients – that differentiates us worldwide.
