Come the end of January, it will be the first year in decades Vickie Pettett won't be returning to the classroom. Instead, after teaching for more than 40 years, Mrs Pettett plans to embrace retirement and spend more time with family, travelling and serving the community.
Preparations for Christmas are well under way - advent candles have been lit, carols can be heard far and wide, Christmas trees have taken over lounge rooms and festive gatherings are in full swing.
Stacey Peterson Mansfield was four years old when she entered out-of-home care, and now, against the odds, and thanks to an innovative University of Newcastle program, she is on track to achieving her goal of becoming a social worker.
In 2005 there was a period when you couldn’t open a newspaper or turn on a television without hearing the name John Brogden. At only 36 he was the leader of the NSW Liberal Party and widely expected to become the next premier of NSW.