Good morning and welcome to the Morning Buzz for Friday, January 20. There’s rain on the way late this afternoon after reaching tops of 30 in the city and up to 33 in the west.
News Buzz
CHEESY TAKEOVER: Bega Cheese Limited has become the new owner of the iconic Australian food spread Vegemite.
GLADYS READY: Gladys Berejiklian has declared herself a candidate for the Liberal leadership next Monday. If successful, she would become the first female Liberal premier of any state. | Why Mike Baird resigned
RSL VP STOOD DOWN: A vice-president of the NSW RSL has become the first member of the scandal-plagued institution to bow to pressure and stand aside.
WOMAN INJURED: A woman was critically injured when she plunged several metres from the balcony of an apartment on Sydney's lower north shore overnight.
HEAT WAS ON: The world's major meteorological agencies have declared 2016 to be the hottest year on record - making it three new highs in as many years - as increases in greenhouse gases drove global warming.
ALL ABOARD: A direct rail connection to the Sydney CBD will become a reality for Hills residents. The state government has given stage two of Sydney Metro the green light, which will start at the end of stage one in Chatswood, and continue to Sydenham via Crows Nest and Sydney’s CBD.
NEW LOOK: Gough Park, in Cecil Hills, has just had a $469,000 face lift. There is now brand new park furniture, shaded areas, barbecue and picnic facilities, and an additional all-inclusive playground for children of all abilities.
CONTROVERSY CONTINUES: Centrelink is deliberately ripping-off thousands of Australians caught up in its data matching "robo-debt" program, with managers telling public servants at the agency to enforce debts they know are bogus, according to explosive new claims.
WHO TAKES CHARGE?: In bowing out as NSW Premier, Mike Baird will avoid the messy business of reshuffling his ministers.
PROMOTION OPPORTUNITY: Member for Hawkesbury Dominic Perrottet could become deputy leader of the Liberal Party and Treasurer.
Sports Buzz
NEW LEADER: Seven Hills resident Amanda Farrugia has been named the inaugural captain of the GWS Giants for the first season of the AFL Women’s competition.
SHARING THE HONOURS: Tim Mannah and Beau Scott have been named Parramatta Eels co-captains for the 2017 NRL season.The forwards were inspirational for the Eels throughout the horror 2016 season and have been rewarded with the captaincy.
GUIDING THE FUTURE: Jay Andrijic has just started coaching some of the Hawkesbury’s budding tennis players at Inside the Lines, but only a few years ago, was a promising junior with a bright future.
BACK ON TRACK: While last season started so brightly for Jed Holloway, he is determined for this one to finish a whole lot better. The former Southern Districts captain has returned to pre-season training with the NSW Waratahs as they prepare for the new Super Rugby season.
KNIGHTS STAR IN PILE-UP: Newcastle Knights prop Pauli Pauli remains in Gosford Hospital with a dislocated hip after he was involved in a serious seven-car pile-up on the M1 Pacific Motorway north of Sydney overnight.