Ever wonder where your cat goes when it's outside? So begins a letter to residents about a cat-tracking project.
"We are looking for volunteers in your neighbourhood to join an exciting citizen science project to help us understand where domestic cats go when they are let outside to play," the letter said.
"The purpose of this study is to track the movements of pet cats that live near sensitive wetland areas, particularly Hexham Swamp and Tomago."
The aim of the project was to "understand the movement patterns and ranges of indoor/outdoor cats and assess their usage of wetland areas".
This data will be used to engage the public about the "impacts domestic cats can have on wildlife near where they live".
"If you agree to participate in this study, you will be asked to complete a brief questionnaire about your cat including questions on your cat's habits, health, diet, personality etc."
Cat movements will be tracked using a GPS tracking harness for 10 days.
The letter said cats involved will be safe, but if owners feel they are suffering as a result of the project they can stop participating.
The study is funded by the federal government's National Landcare Program through an Australasian bittern [that's a wetland bird] monitoring and recovery project.
An ecologist is conducting the study through a consultancy firm, with help from Hunter Local Land Services.
Go Hard, Go Knights, Go Proud
Knights fan Ben sent us a link to the Go Hard, Go Knights song.
"Just wondering if this gem should be mentioned in Topics," Ben said.
The song was by Doug Parkinson, who died on Monday. As we reported, Doug was born in Waratah and lived at Wallsend.
With the Knights playing away to the Warriors on Friday night, we thought it was timely to print the song's lyrics.
The song used to be played before home games. In fact, there was a petition on change.org in 2012 to bring it back.
It stated: The Newcastle Knights have replaced the run-on song Go Hard, Go Knights with the NRL theme song - Bon Jovi's This Is Our House. Many fans have expressed their frustration and annoyance at this change."
The petition added that the song "has uniqueness and pumps both the crowd and players up for the game".
Anyhow, here's the lyrics: Playin' hard, playin' tough; Just playin good is not good enough. We're gonna show you what league's all about; If there's a lesson to be learned we're handing it out.
This game is our game, this town is our town, turn the heat up and listen to the crowd.
Go hard, go Knights, go proud.
Ben said the song used to go down particularly well "with a few cans of full strength Tooheys".
Spelling Trouble
This from the Memehwile in Newcastle Facebook page:
Operator: Triple zero, what's your emergency?
Man: A guy just got hit by a car, I need an ambulance.
Operator: What's your location?
Man: I'm on Eucalyptus Drive.
Operator: Can you spell that for me?
Man: (long awkward pause)
Operator: Sir? Are you there?
Man: I'm gonna drag him over to Palm Way and call right back.
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