February 21, 2026
‘On the couch’ with Jasminda
Jasminda's Advice

‘On the couch’ with Jasminda

DEAR Jasminda, My new girlfriend chats incessantly as soon as she wakes. I prefer to ease into the day. How can I get our morning routines in sync? Karl B. Dear Karl, I’m with you on this one. My husband’s mouth seems to wake up before the rest of him. From the moment his eyelids […]

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Letter to the Editor: Councils deserve praise
Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Councils deserve praise

DEAR News Of The Area, IT is with some surprise that I find myself compelled to write this letter of commendation and appreciation of our past Dungog Councils. Like everyone else in the community, for years, indeed half my lifetime, if I saw two or more people engaged in earnest conversation, I could bet they […]

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‘On the couch’ with Jasminda
Jasminda's Advice

‘On the couch’ with Jasminda

DEAR Jasminda, HOW do I get my kids to pick up after themselves? It seems so simple, and yet we follow a continual pattern of them being told to pick up, falling back into bad habits, me getting annoyed and doing it for them, and returning to the beginning again. It’s driving me crazy. Gabrielle […]

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‘On the couch’ with Jasminda
Jasminda's Advice

‘On the couch’ with Jasminda

DEAR Jasminda, My friend gave me a book for my birthday. When I started to read it this week, I noticed it had been signed by the author but addressed to her, not me! Should I bring this up with her? It’s obviously second-hand. I’m a bit offended. Miriam L. Dear Miriam, People have very […]

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‘On the couch’ with Jasminda
Jasminda's Advice

‘On the couch’ with Jasminda

DEAR Jasminda, MY partner wants to go travelling around Australia, camping along the way. While this sounds great in theory, I’m wondering if the reality will be feasible. We both have jobs that are about 70 percent office-based. Rachael O. Dear Rachael, It sounds like the most wonderful adventure. What an experience. ‘Sounds’ being the […]

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