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When Steve Dalitz woke to his once drought-ravaged paddocks soaked and swelling with teeming rain, it was a sight the Victorian dairy farmer hadn't seen in years.

It was early one morning in April this year and 74mm had fallen in just 24 hours. It was more rain than the region had experienced in all of 2019.

By May, the paddocks would be somewhat restored, with lush boot-high grass offering a bounty to a sorely depleted dairy cow herd.

It was a bittersweet moment for Mr Dalitz and his family, who were forced off the land midway through last year after the crippling drought and political baggage from the dairy industry all but broke them.

READ MORE: Drought in NSW drops by almost 80 per cent as La Nina kicks in

For the family of five, the slow recovery just came too late.

Earlier this month, Mr Dalitz bid farewell to 35 years as a dairy farmer after selling off part of the family's 468-acre farm.

"Selling the farm will get rid of our debt … we'll have a little bit of debt left over," he told nine.com.au before pausing.

"Seems a bit of waste. Basically, we worked 35 years and ended up with a house."

The crushing drought

Selling part of the farm ends a devastating five and a half years for the family where financial strains brought on by milk companies, price wars over $1 milk and government policy over water proved too great. 

"Hindsight is a great thing," he said.

"We thought about riding out the drought, but the drought went on for two years instead of one.

"We should have sold the cattle and sold hay.

"But the cows were more than a money source to me.

"Dairy cows are a bit different … you see them twice a day.

"They were my grandfather's herd and we worked them up into a fairly good stud herd."

READ MORE: Farmers forced to abandon bumper crop due to worker shortage

He said for the first year of the drought, the family went into survival mode where they went back to milking the cows once a day.

When he eventually sold his stock, he was again stung by the drought.

Outside of a drought, dairy cows were worth around $2500 each, yet in a drought their worth had plummeted close to $1000.

Even the price of water was proving too steep.

In pre-drought, a megalitre of water sold for $100. During the drought, he said, the price jump to around $800 a megalitre.

But during the drought the cost jumped from $70,000 to $550,000 to water the paddocks.

'I'm not being ungrateful'

The Dalitzes were one the hundreds of Australian farming families who saw firsthand the good farming aid provided for those on the land.

And while he will be forever grateful for the donations and kindness of strangers during the major drought appeals, it simply would never be enough to restore what so many lost.

"At the time most of the drought aid had probably helped mentally more so than financially," he said, referring to the hampers and touching hand drawn messages from the local schools.

"It didn't really help us that much, it did help us mentally. It's a bit the same as those hay runs … we got hay and we got 10 bales which keeps our cows going for two days.

"It was great what people were doing, but it didn't really help … I'm not being ungrateful."

To illustrate his point, he said a farmer he worked with this year was unable to afford his medication or petrol to get to work.

He was eating Weet-Bix for his three meals just to get by.

In Mr Dalitz's view, the government aid "was aimed wrong" with millions of dollars wasted.

He said instead of financial counselling more pressure should have been put on Coles selling milk for $1 per litre.

"That was the milk price in 1984 … but the Coles executives aren't on 1984 wages," he said.

As the hard months continued, he took on other work at nearby farms to help supplement his income.

He spent the last 12 months travelling around Gippsland and the Western District farm-sitting to give respite to other dairy farmers.

The 12-month stint back

He documented his travels through his Facebook page, sharing the daily experiences of his new normal working on the land.

"My legs are sore, my back aches as it's a long time since I have milked 270 cows for six milkings in a row. But there (sic) good aches," he wrote in July last year.

As a comparison, during the drought before he started the farm sitting he was milking less than 60 cows once a day for months.

"I really enjoyed it, but I was always wanting to come home all the time. Being a dairy family, you are used to be around each other," he said.

When the coronavirus pandemic hit Australia in March, Mr Dalitz's jobs dried up.

Harsh lockdowns in Victoria meant no more holidays.

He picked up more work nearby but as the health crisis worsened that job also ended.

During his 12-month stint, he worked more on than 20 farms.

These days, the family remain in their house on a subdivided block of their land with the change in weather also changing their fortunes.

Mr Dalitz is now making a solid living selling hay and is back studying to be a counsellor.  
"If we had this 12 months earlier we would have survived," he said.

"Sometimes you look back and I might have done the same thing and worked for someone else.

"That's what I'm enjoying now, I'm doing what I love doing but I haven't got the financial stresses.

"This year we've had an absolutely brilliant system … financially we're really good. It's the best it's been for 10 years."

Contact reporter Kate Kachor at kk*****@******om.au

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Below is a list of locations linked to NSW coronavirus clusters, and what to do if you have been to one of them.

Immediately self-isolate and get tested

If you have been to the below locations, you must immediately self-isolate and get a coronavirus test. You must remain in quarantine for the full two weeks even if the test returns a negative result.

• Alexandria: Cortex Gym – Strength and Conditioning Class: Tuesday 15 December (this venue has been updated from casual to close contact)
• Auburn: Rosnay Golf Club Bistro, 5 Weymouth Avenue: Sunday 20 December – 11.15am to 12.15pm
• Avalon: Alma Avalon Restaurant, 47 Old Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon Beach: Wednesday 16 December – 8.30pm until close
• Avalon: Anytime Fitness Avalon: UPDATED ADVICE (Anyone who attended this venue any day on or after Tuesday 8 December is considered a close contact and should get tested and self-isolate for 14 days, even if they receive a negative result, after they were last at the gym. Anyone who attended this venue at any time between Monday 23 November to Monday 7 December should get tested immediately and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.)
• Avalon: The House Nail Salon, 24 Avalon Parade: Monday 14 December – 10.30am to 11.30am. (Get tested immediately and self-isolate until NSW Health provides further information. )
• Avalon: Avalon Beach RSL Club: Friday 11 December – All day until closed; Monday 14 December – all day until close; Tuesday 15 December – all day until close; Wednesday 16 December – 1pm to midnight; (Get tested immediately and self-isolate for 14 days regardless of the result.)
  Wednesday 16 December from opening time to 1pm; (Get tested immediately and self-isolate until they receive a negative result. )
  Sunday 13 December 8.30pm to 9.15pm – (Get tested immediately and self-isolate until NSW Health provides further information.)
• Avalon Beach: Avalon Beach Surf Club: Tuesday 15 December – 8.30am to 9am
• Avalon Beach: Avalon Bowlo (bowling club), 4 Bowling Green Lane: Sunday 13 December – 5pm to 7pm; Tuesday 15 December – 3pm to 5pm (Get tested immediately and self-isolate for 14 days regardless of the result.)
  Tuesday 15 December 6pm to 8.30pm (Get tested immediately and self-isolate until NSW Health provides further information.)
• Avalon Beach: Avalon Recreation Centre, 59 Old Barrenjoey Road: Thursday 17 December – 11.50am to 5.20pm (Get tested immediately and self-isolate until NSW Health provides further information.)
• Avalon Beach: Bangkok Sidewalk Restaurant, 1/21-23 Old Barrenjoey Road: Monday 14 December – 7pm to 8pm
• Avalon Beach: Barramee Thai Massage and Spa, 4/42-44 Old Barrenjoey Road: Monday 14 December – 2pm to 3.30pm; Wednesday 16 December – 2pm to 3.30pm (Get tested immediately and self-isolate until NSW Health provides further information.)
• Avalon Beach: Nourished Cafe and Lounge: Sunday 13 December – 10am to 11am (Get tested immediately and self-isolate until NSW Health provides further information.)
• Avalon Beach: Oceana Traders – Seafood Merchants, 31 Old Barrenjoey Road: Monday 14 December, Tuesday 15 December, Wednesday 16 December, Thursday 17 December
  (Anyone who dined-in at this venue at any time on these days should get tested immediately and self-isolate for 14 days. Anyone who purchased take-away from the venue on these days should get tested immediately and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.)
• Avalon Beach: Sneaky Grind Café, 3/48 Old Barrenjoey Road: Monday 14 December – 9.30am to 11am
• Avalon Beach: Sunset Diner, 41 Old Barrenjoey Road: Friday 11 December – 6.30pm to 8pm
• Avalon Beach: United Cinemas: Tuesday, 15 December – 12pm to 2.15pm
• Avalon Beach: Woolworths, 74 Old Barrenjoey Road: Tuesday 15 December – 7pm to 7.30pm (Get tested immediately and self-isolate until NSW Health provides further information.)
• Berowra: Anytime Fitness Berowra:
  Wednesday 16 December: 5:30am – 6:30am, Thursday 17 December: 5:30am – 6:30am
• Blacktown: BodyFit Gym:
  Wednesday 16 December: 7am to 8.15am, Thursday 17 December: 7am to 8.15am, Friday 18 December: 7am to 8.15am (Anyone who attended on these dates and times should get tested and self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result.)
• Cronulla: Cronulla RSL, 38 Gerrale Street: Wednesday 16 December – 5pm to close
  (Anyone who was at the RSL at this time must get tested and self-isolate until further notice. People identified as close contacts by NSW Health need to isolate until 30 December.)
• Cronulla: Pilgrims Vegetarian Café, 97 Gerrale Street: Wednesday 16 December – 11.30am to 2.30pm
  (Anyone who was at the café during this time for one hour or more must get tested immediately and self-isolate until 30 December. Other people should monitor for symptoms, and get tested immediately if they appear.)
• Crows Nest: BoThai, 16 Willoughby Road: Sunday 13 December – 4.30pm to 5.30pm
• Double Bay: Twenty-One Espresso, 21 Knox Street: Tuesday 15 December – 7.10pm to 8.15pm and 8.25pm to 9.10pm
  (Any staff working on Tuesday 15 December, and patrons seated in the indoor section for more than 1 hour on Tuesday 15 December at the times listed, are close contacts and must immediately get tested and self-isolate for 14 days.
  Any patrons who were in the restaurant for less than 1 hour, or those who sat in the outdoor area on Tuesday 15 December at the times listed, are casual contacts and must get tested immediately and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.)
• Erskineville: Rose of Australia, 1 Swanson Street: Tuesday 15 December – 7pm to close (Get tested immediately and self-isolate for 14 days.)
• Freshwater: G Fitness Freshwater, 72/80 Evans Street: Tuesday 15 December – 11am to 12.45pm
• Forster: Café Toscano (outdoor verandah area), 1 Wallis Street: Wednesday 16 December – 6pm to 7.45pm
  (Anyone who attended this venue during this time for one hour or more, must get tested immediately and self-isolate until 30 December.
  Anyone who attended this venue during this time for less than one hour, should monitor for symptoms and get tested immediately if they appear.)
• Gordon: USA Nails, 788A Pacific Highway: Thursday 17 December – 12.30pm to 1.30pm, Friday 18 December – 12.30pm to 1.30pm. (Anyone who visited this location for one hour or longer during these times is considered a close contact and should get tested immediately and self-isolate until NSW Health provides further information.)
• Kings Park: Anytime Fitness Kings Park, 1/152 Sunnyholt Rd: Friday 18 December – 9.30am-11.45am, Sunday 20 December: 9:30am – 11:45am
• Kirribilli: Kirribilli Club, 11 Harbourview Crescent: Monday 14 December – 12pm to 3pm, Thursday 17 December: 12:45pm to 3pm (Get tested immediately and self-isolate until NSW Health provides further information.)
• Lane Cove: Hair by Erika, Village Shopping Centre Lane Cove : Friday 11 December – 2.30pm to 4.30pm
• Leichardt: ​Massage Link, ​122/138 Flood St, Lecihardt:
  Friday 18 December, 12:30pm – 1:15pm
• Macquarie Park: Premier Academy League Under 8s Macquarie University Soccer Fields Macquarie Park: UPDATED ADVICE: Sunday 13 December, 9.15am – 10.45am: Only the U8 Northern Beaches Futbol Academy Azul team, who played Premier Academy League, are considered close contacts. They have been contacted by NSW Health and need to isolate until 27 December and undertake further testing on day 12 or 13 (25/25 December).
• Manly: Donny's Bar, 7 Market Place: Saturday 12 December – 3.15pm to 9pm
• Manly: Garfish Manly, Level 1, 39 East Esplanade: Thursday 17 December – 6.45pm to 10pm (Get tested immediately and self-isolate for 14 days regardless of the result.)
• Manly: Manly Skiff Club, Corner of East Esplanade and Stuart Street, Manly: Saturday 12 December – 12pm to 2.30pm
• Manly: Old Manly Boat Shed, 40 The Corso: Saturday 12 December – 9pm to 12.30am
• Manly: Hotel Steyne, 75 The Corso: Saturday 12 December – 3pm to 3:30pm (Anyone who visited this venue at the above time should get tested immediately and self-isolatefor 14 days regardless of the result. ) Thursday 17 December 3pm to 7pm (Get tested immediately and self-isolate until you receive a negative result. You should continue to monitor for symptoms and if any symptoms occur, get tested again.)
• Milsons Point: Kirribilli Hotel Milsons Point, 35-37 Broughton Street: Thursday 17 December – 12.45pm to 3pm : (Get tested immediately and self-isolate until NSW Health provides further information.)
• Mona Vale: Anytime Fitness, 7 Taronga Place: Thursday 17 December – 9.50am to 12.45pm
• Mona Vale: Coffee Brothers Mona Vale, 1/54-56 Darley Street : Saturday 12 December – 12pm to 1pm (Get tested immediately and self-isolate until NSW Health provides further information.)
• Mona Vale: Fitness First Mona Vale, Pittwater Place Shopping Centre, 10 Park Street: UPDATED ADVICE: Sunday 13 December – 2pm to 4pm; Monday 14 December – all day; Wednesday 16 December – all day; Thursday 17 December – all day (Get tested immediately and self-isolate for 14 days regardless of the result.)
• Mona Vale: Park House Hotel, 2 Park Street: Wednesday 16 December – 8pm to 10pm (Get tested immediately and self-isolate for 14 days regardless of the result.)
• Mona Vale: Pearly Nails, 2/6 Waratah Street: Monday 14 December – 4.30pm to 5.30pm
• Mona Vale: Pilates KX, Shop 5/1 Mona Vale Road: Monday 14 December – 7pm to 9pm . (Get tested immediately and self-isolate until NSW Health provides further information.)
• Mona Vale: Pittwater RSL, 82 Mona Vale Road: Wednesday 16 December – 8pm to 10pm
• Mona Vale: Fitness First Mona Vale, Pittwater Place Shopping Centre, 10 Park St, Mona Vale: Thursday, 17 December – 11.30am to 1pm.
• Mona Vale: Mona Vale Golf Club (bar and function room), 3 Golf Avenue: Wednesday 16 December – 5pm to 10pm
  (Get tested immediately and self-isolate until NSW Health provides further information. Anyone who attended this venue (but not the Bar or Function Room) between 11am to 5pm should get tested immediately and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.)
• Narrabeen: The Boatshed Café & Bar, Lower Level, 11 Narrabeen Street: Monday 14 December – 2pm to 3pm (Get tested immediately and self-isolate until NSW Health provides further information.)
• Narrabeen: The Sands, 1260 Pittwater Rd: Tuesday 15 December – 6pm to 8pm
• Neutral Bay: Café Junior, Woolworths Neutral Bay Village, 1-7 Rangers Road: Sunday 13 December – 12.45pm to 2.30pm
• Newport: ChaRice Noodle Bar, 2/331-335 Barrenjoey Road: Wednesday 16 December – 1pm to 2.30pm. (Get tested immediately and self-isolate until NSW Health provides further information.)
• Newport: Coles, 381 Barrenjoey Road: Friday 18 December9am – 10am
• Newport: 4 Pines Newport, 313 Barrenjoey Road: Tuesday 15 December – 6pm to 10pm; Wednesday 16 December – 4.30pm to 9pm
• Newport: Restaurant Lovat, G04 The Palms, 316-324 Barrenjoey Road: Friday 11 December – 6.30pm to 8.30pm (Get tested immediately and self-isolate until NSW Health provides further information. Tuesday 15 December 6.30pm to 8.30pm . Patrons sitting inside or staff working on the floor at the bar are close contacts and must get tested and self-isolate for 14 days even if a negative result is received. All other patrons are casual contacts who must get tested immediately and isolate pending a result.)
• Newport: Rusti Fig, 3/363 Barrenjoey Road: Saturday 12 December – 9am to 10.30am
• Newport: Sankaku Izakaya, 376 Barrenjoey Road: Thursday 17 December – 2.30pm to 3.30pm (Get tested immediately and self-isolate for 14 days regardless of the result.)
• Newport: Shot Lab, 1/326-330 Barrenjoey Road: Tuesday 15 December: 11am – 12pm
• North Narrabeen: Motorserve Narrabeen Car Servicing, 1408-1410 Pittwater Rd: Friday 18 December – 10.30am to 12pm (Anyone who was in the waiting room for at least an hour during this time is considered a close contact and must get tested immediately and self-isolate for a full 14 days from exposure regardless of the result)
• North Sydney: #71 Cafe, also known as Cibo Cafe, 71 Walker St: Wednesday 16 December, 12pm-12.45pm
• North Sydney: ​​Glorietta Restaurant and Bar: Upper Ground Floor, 100 Mount St, North Sydney
  Wednesday 16 December, 12pm – 12:45pm
• Paddington: Alimentari, 2 Hopetoun St: Thursday 17 December – 5.30am to 6pm, Friday 18 December – 5.30am to 6pm, Saturday 18 December – 5.30am to 6pm
• Paddington: London Hotel: Thursday, 17 December – 8.15pm to 9.30pm (Get tested immediately and self-isolate for 14 days regardless of the result.)
• Paddington: Salon X, 86 William Street: Wednesday 16 December – 9am to 6pm and Thursday 17 December – 9am to 8pm
• Palm Beach: Palm Beach female change rooms (in toilet block with small change area at swimming pool at southern end): Sunday 13 December – 9am to 9.15am
• Palm Beach: Coast Palm Beach Café, Barrenjoey Road: Sunday 13 December – 10am to 11am
• Penrith: Penrith RSL Club, 8 Tindale St: ​Sunday 13 December: 1pm to 6pm
  (Anyone who visited this venue at the above time should get tested immediately and self-isolate until NSW Health provides further information.)
• St Leonards: Charlie & Franks, IBM Plaza, Shop 1, 601 Pacific Highway: Wednesday, 16 December – 9am to 10am.
• St Peters: Sydney Trapeze School: Tuesday 15 December – 10am to 12pm
  (Anyone in the class for beginners (staff and patrons) on this date and time should get tested immediately and self-isolate for 14 days.
  Anyone in any class other than the class for beginners on this day after 10am, should get tested immediately and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.)
• Sydney: Paragon Hotel, Sports Bar, 1 Loftus Street: Wednesday 16 December – 12.45pm to 3.30pm (Anyone who attended the Sports Bar during this time for more than one hour is considered a close contact and should get tested and self-isolate for 14 days even if they receive a negative result. Anyone who attended the Sports Bar during this time for less than one hour get tested immediately and self-isolate until you receive a negative result. Continue to watch for COVID-19 symptoms and if any symptoms occur, get tested again . Other people who attended other areas of the Paragon Hotel during this time, should monitor for symptoms, and isolate and get tested immediately if symptoms appear.)
• Sydney CBD: Food Court MLC Centre, 19 Martin Place, Sydney NSW, 2000: If you attended this venue on Tuesday 15 December between 1-2pm
• Surry Hills: Nomad Restaurant, 16 Foster St: Wednesday 16 December – 12.45pm to 2pm (Anyone who attended this venue during this time for one hour or more must get tested immediately and self-isolate until 30 December.
  Anyone who attended this venue during this time for less than one hour, should monitor for symptoms and get tested immediately if they appear.)
• Surry Hills: Strawberry Hills Hotel, 453 Elizabeth St: Wednesday 16 December – 3.30pm to 6pm (Anyone who attended this venue during this time for one hour or more must get tested immediately and self-isolate until Wednesday 30 December.
  Anyone who attended this venue during this time for less than one hour, should monitor for symptoms and get tested immediately if they appear.)
• Turramurra: Salon for Hair, 3/1335 Pacific Highway: UPDATED ADVICE – Tuesday 15 December and Friday 18 December inclusive
  (Anyone who attended this venue anytime between Tuesday 15 December and Friday 18 December inclusive should get tested and isolate for 14 days regardless of the result.)
• Warriewood: United Cinemas: Tuesday 15 December – 12pm to 2.30pm (Get tested immediately and self-isolate for 14 days regardless of the result.)
• Warriewood: Warriewood Headland Private Tennis Court (inside clubhouse and outside on courts): Monday, 14 December – 9.30am to 12pm (Get tested immediately and self-isolate for 14 days regardless of the result.)
• Warriewood: Warriewood Square, Kmart, Rebel Sport, Woolworths, Aldi, and Surf Dive N Ski, 12 Jackson Road: Tuesday 8 December – 12.30pm to 2.15pm; Tuesday 15 December – 3.30pm to 4.30pm; Wednesday 16 December – 11am to 12.15pm; Thursday 17 December – 11am to 3pm. (Get tested immediately and self-isolate until NSW Health provides further information.)
• Woolloomooloo: Sienna Marina, 7-41 Cowper Wharf Road: Friday 11 December – 12pm to 2pm (Anyone who spent one hour or longer at the restaurant at this time must get tested and self-isolate until 25 December. Other people should monitor for symptoms, and isolate and get tested immediately if symptoms appear.)

Anyone who travelled on these bus routes at the time and date listed is considered a close contact and must get tested and self-isolate for 14 days regardless of the result.

• Route 199, Saturday 12 December
  – Departing Newport Hotel, Kalinya Street 7am, arriving Avalon Beach, 7.15am.
  – Departing Palm Beach at 10.10am and arriving Manly Beach at 11.30am
  – Departing Avalon Beach 12.20am, arriving Newport Hotel, Kalinya Street, 12.45am.
  (Passengers should get tested and self-isolate until a negative result is received.)
• Route B1-1, Monday 14 December Departing Warriewood BLine, Pittwater Rd 6.55am, arriving Wynyard Station, York Street Stand M, 7.50am; Thursday 17 December, Departing Mona Vale BLine, Barrenjoy Rd 11.30am, arriving Stand M Wynyard Station York St 12.36pm; Thursday 17 December, departing Stand B, Wynyard Station, Carrington St at 4.15pm, arriving Mona Vale BLine, Barrenjoey Rd, at 5.15pm.
• Route B1-2, Monday 14 December Departing Wynyard Station Stand B 5.45pm, arriving Warriewood BLine, Pittwater Rd, 6.40pm+ Monday, 14 December, departing Wynyard Station Stand B, 5.47pm, arriving Warriewood BLine, Pittwater Rd, 6.40pm
• Route B1-1, Tuesday 15 December Departing Warriewood BLine, Pittwater Rd 6.35am, arriving Wynyard Station Stand M, 7.35am
• Route B1-2, Tuesday 15 December, Departing Wynyard Station Stand B 5.25pm, arriving Warriewood BLine, Pittwater Rd, 6.20pm + Tuesday, 15 December, departing Warriewood BLine, Pittwater Rd, 6.39am, arriving Wynyard Station Stand M, 7.29am
• Route B1-1, Wednesday 16 December 2020, Departing Warriewood BLine 6.50am, Pittwater Rd, arriving Wynyard Station Stand M, 7.35am
• Route B1-2, Wednesday 16 December 2020, Departing Wynyard Station Stand B 4:45pm, arriving Warriewood BLine, Pittwater Rd, 5.30pm

Monitor for symptoms

If you have been to any of these locations during the time and date indicated you should get tested immediately and self-isolate until you receive a negative result; continue to watch for COVID-19 symptoms and if any symptoms occur, get tested again.

• Artarmon: Roof Racks World, 13/87 Reserve Rd: Tuesday 15 December – 2.00pm to 2.30pm
• Avalon: Careel Bay Dog Park and Hitchcock Park: Wednesday 16 December – 7am to 7.30am
• Avalon: Hungry Ghost Café, 20 Avalon Parade: Sunday 13 December – 9.30am to 11am, Tuesday 15 December – 9.30am to 11am (Updated advice at 17 December: Anyone who attended was previously identified as a close contact. This risk assessment has now been updated based on new information and anyone who attended is now considered a casual contact and should monitor for symptoms. If symptoms occur, get tested immediately and self-isolate until you receive a negative result.)
• Avalon Beach: Nourished Café and Lounge, 17 Avalon Parade: Saturday 12 December – 7.15am to 7.40am
• Avalon Beach: Avalon Beach Post Shop, 45 Avalon Parade: Wednesday 16 December – 3.30pm to 3.50pm
• Avalon Beach: Café Relish, 8/1 N Avalon Rd: Thursday 17 December – 10.30am to 11.30am
• Avalon Beach: Chemist Warehouse, 4/74 Old Barrenjoey Rd: Monday 14 December – 5.20pm to 5.25pm
• Avalon Beach: Chillbar: Monday 14 December – 10.30am to 11.30am and Wednesday 16 December – 10.30am to 11.30am
• Avalon Beach: Commonwealth Bank, 47 Avalon Parade: Tuesday 15 December – 12pm to 12.15pm
• Avalon Beach: Mitre 10, 49 Avalon Parade: Tuesday 15 December – 12pm to 12.20 pm
• Avalon Beach: North Avalon Cellars, 4/3 North Avalon Road: Tuesday 15 December – 6pm to 6.05pm
• Avalon Beach: Oliver's Pie, Careel Shopping Village, 1 Careel Head Road: Monday 14 December – 9am to 9.15am and
• Avalon Beach: Sabiang Thai Restaurant, 4/49 Old Barrenjoey Road: Sunday 13 December – 6pm to 8pm
• Avalon Beach: Avalon Beach Surf Life Saving Club: 13, 14 and 15 December – 9am to 9.30am
• Avalon Beach: Woolworths, 74 Barrenjoey Road: Saturday, 12 December, 12pm to 12.15pm, Sunday 13 December – 12pm to 5pm, Monday 14 December – 5pm to 5.30pm, Tuesday 15 December – 12pm to 12.30pm
• Avoca Beach: Avoca Beach Hotel, Saltwater Bistro, 326-360 Avoca Dr: Sunday 20 December – 7.30pm to 8:30pm
• Bayview: Rowland Reserve Dog Park, Pittwater Road: Wednesday 16 December, 4pm – 5pm
  (Updated on 25 December: Anyone who attended at this date and time is considered a casual contact and should monitor for symptoms and if symptoms occur, get tested and self-isolate.)
• Belrose: Belrose Hotel, 5 Hews Pde: Friday 11 December, 12pm-6pm (Anyone who attended this venue during December should monitor for symptoms and immediately get tested if they appear)
• Balmain: Balmain Post Office, 366b Darling St: Tuesday 22 December, 3.30pm-4pm
• Balmain: P'Nut Street Noodles, 415 Darling St: Wednesday 16 December, 6pm-6.15pm
• Balmain: Mr Cafe and Bar:
  Thursday 17 December – 9am to 10am
• Belrose: Anytime Fitness, Glenrose Shopping Centre: Sunday 6 December 9.30am-11.30am and Monday 7 December 9.30am – 11.30am
• Belrose: Bunnings Belrose: Saturday 12 December, 12pm – 1pm
  Anyone who attended at this date and time should monitor for symptoms and if symptoms occur, get tested and self-isolate.
• Belrose: Nick Scali at SuperCentre, 4/6 Niangala Close: Wednesday 16 December – 10am to 5.30pm
• Belrose: Fresh Delights Café, Belrose Super Centre, 4-6 Niangala Close, Belrose: Thursday 17 December – 9am to 10am.
• Bondi Junction: Westfield Bondi Junction: Tuesday 15 December – 1pm to 2.30pm, Saturday, 19 December – 10am to 1pm.
  (People who visited the shopping mall on this date and time are considered casual contacts and should monitor for symptoms and self-isolate and get tested if symptoms develop.)
• Brooklyn: The Anglers Rest, 216 Brooklyn Road: Thursday 17 December – 5.30pm to 7.15pm (Get tested immediately and self-isolate until you receive a negative result.)
• Brookvale: High Tek Aquarium, 732 Pittwater Rd: Wednesday 16 December – 1.55pm to 2.55pm
• Brookvale: Westfield Warringah Mall, Cnr Old Pittwater Road and Condamine Street, Tuesday 15 December: 12.15 – 2.45pm, Wednesday 16 December – 11.40am to 1.30pm, Saturday 19 December – 1.30pm to 2.30pm
  12.15 – 2.45pm
  (An additional date has been added for this venue. Those who attended the venue at this time should monitor for symptoms and immediately get tested and isolate if they appear.
• Cronulla: Cronulla Mall: Tuesday 15 December – 8pm to 9pm; Wednesday 16 December – 11am to 12pm and 3pm to 6pm
• Cronulla: Paris Seafood Café, 136 Cronulla Street: Tuesday 15 December – 8.30pm to 9pm
• Cronulla: Woolworths Metro: Sunday 13 December – 11am to 12pm.
• Davidson: Davidson Pizzeria, 42-6 Yindela St, Davidson: Friday 18 December to 6.15pm to 6.45pm
• Darling Point: RAN Sailing Association, Navy Bear Café and Christmas party: Sunday 13 December – 10.30am to 4.45pm
• Dee Why: HongFa BBQ Restaurant: Tuesday 15 December – 4.30pm to 4.45pm
• Dee Why: Dee Why Fruit Market, 33 Oaks Avenue: Tuesday 15 December – 4.45pm to 4.55pm
• Drummoyne: Zeus Street Greek, 187-189 Lyons St: Tuesday 22 December, 6pm-6.15pm
• Eveleigh: Seven West Media Building, 8 Central Ave: Monday 14 December – 8am to 11.30am
• Forster: Beach Bums Café, Corner Beach Street and North Street: Wednesday 16 December – 8am to 9am; Thursday 17 December – 8am to 9am
• Homebush: Harris Farm Warehouse, Flemington Markets: Tuesday 15 December – 2am to 11am, Wednesday 16 December – 2am to 11am, Thursday 17 December – 2am to 1pm
• Hornsby: Aura Threading and Beauty Hornsby, Westfield Hornsby, Shop 2067, L2/236 Pacific Hwy: Thursday 17 December 10.25am to 11am (This has been updated from close contact to casual contact status)
• Hornsby: Cotton On, Westfield Hornsby 236 Pacific Hwy: Thursday 17 December – 10am to 10.20am
• Hornsby: Kmart, Westfield Hornsby 236 Pacific Hwy: Thursday 17 December – 6.30pm to 7pm
• Leichardt: Marketplace Leichardt, 100/122-138 Flood Street, Leichardt
  Saturday 19 December, 2pm – 2:30pm
• Manly: Manly Wharf Bar, East Esplanade: Saturday 12 December – 2.45pm to 3.15pm
• ​Manly: ​Hotel Steyne, ​75 The Corse, Manly
  Thursday 17 December, 3pm – 7pm
• Mona Vale: Coles, Pittwater Place, 10 Park St, Mona Vale: Sunday 13 December – 1-3pm; Saturday 19 December – 12pm to 12.45pm.
• Mona Vale: Aldi Mona Vale, 13 Bungan Street: Sunday 13 December – 12.45pm to 1.30pm
• Mona Vale: Bayview Golf Club, 1825 Pittwater Road: Monday 7 December – 11.30am to 3pm; Tuesday 8 December – 2.25pm to 5.30pm; Friday 11 December – 11.45am to 12.45pm (This has been updated from close contact to casual contact status.)
• Mona Vale: Bing Lee, Gateway, 1 Mona Vale Road: Monday 14 December – 4.30pm to 4.45pm
• Mona Vale: Dan Murphys Mona Vale, 25-29 Park Street: Thursday 17 December: 5pm to 5.10pm
• Mona Vale: Woolworths Mona Vale, 25/29 Park Street: Saturday 12 December – 1pm to 1.30pm; Sunday 13 December – 12pm to 12.30pm
• Mona Vale: Harris Farm, Mona Vale Plaza: Sunday 13 December – 1pm to 3pm; Monday 14 December – 11am to11.10am
• Mona Vale: Mitre 10 Mona Vale, 73 Bassett St: Tuesday 15 December – 8.30am to 5.30pm; Wednesday 16 December – 8.30am to 5.30pm
• Mona Vale: Scoop Wholefoods, Shop 6, 10 Park Street: ​Wednesday 16 December: all day, Thursday 17 December: all day, Friday 18 December: all day
• Mona Vale: Pittwater Place, 10 Park St, Mona Vale: Saturday 19 December – 12pm to 1pm.
• Mosman: Scoop Wholefoods, 14 Spit Rd:
  Wednesday 16 December: all day, Thursday 17 December: all day
• Newport: Bowan Island Bakery, 383 Barrenjoey Road: Friday 18 December – 9am to 9.30am
• Newport: Restaurant Lovat, G04, The Palms, 316-324 Barrenjoey Road: Saturday 12 December – 2.15pm to 2.25pm; 4pm to 4.15pm
• Newport: Coles, 381 Barrenjoey Road: Wednesday 9 December – 4pm to 4.20pm; Friday 11 December – 5pm to 7pm; Saturday 12 December – 3.15pm to 3.30pm; Tuesday 15 December – 2pm to 2.15pm and 8pm to 8.25pm.
• Newport: Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, 16 Mitala Street: Wednesday 16 December: 5pm to 6pm
• Newtown: Woolworths Metro Erskineville, 21-23 Erskineville Road: Tuesday 15 December – 6.45pm to 6.55pm
• North Narrabeen: Brot and Wurst, 1442 Pittwater Rd: Wednesday 16 December – 2pm to 2.05pm
• North Ryde: Macquarie Shopping Centre (Various): Sunday 13 December – 11am to 1pm
• North Sydney: Mr Green & Co North Sydney, 1/66 Berry Street: Wednesday 16 December – 1pm to 2pm, Wednesday 16 December 7.30am to 8.30am, Thursday 17 December: 7.30am to 8.30am
• Paddington: Paddington Alimentari, 2 Hopetoun Street: Thursday 17 December – 5.30am to 6pm; Friday 18 December – 5.30am to 6pm; Saturday 19 December – 5.30am to 6pm (Get tested immediately and self-isolate until you receive a negative result.)
• Paddington: London Hotel, 85 Underwood St: Thursday 17 December – 8.15pm to 9.30pm.
• Palm Beach: Palm Beach Pool, Lot 1 Rock Bath Road: Wednesday 16 December – 8am to 9am
• Palm Beach: Palm Beach Rockpool, LOT 1 Rock Bath Rd: Monday 14 December – 9.30am to 10.30am.
• Palm Beach: Pronto Creative Foods, 1095 Barrenjoey Road: Wednesday 16 December – 7.30am to 8.30am Thursday 17 December – 7.30am to 8.30am . (This has been updated from close contact to causal contact.)
• Palm Beach: 2108 Espresso, 3/24 Ocean Rd: Monday 14 December – 8am to 9am
• Peakhurst: Gannons Park, Forest Rangers FC, Little Rangers session: Friday 11 December – 4.30pm to 5.30pm
  (Any adults who were present should get tested immediately and self-isolate until they receive a negative result. They should continue to monitor for symptoms and if any symptoms occur, get tested again. Children who were present should be monitored for symptoms and get tested if any symptoms occur.)
• Raymond Terrace: McDonalds Raymond Terrace, William Bailey Street: Tuesday 15 December – 11.45am to 12.15pm
• Riverstone: Blend @ Grantham Café, 43 Grantham Street: Wednesday 16 December – 11am to 11.45am
• Riverwood: Woolworths, Riverwood Plaza, 247 Belmore Road: Wednesday 9 December – 3pm to 3.35pm
• Rosebery: Mentmore and Morley Café and public toilets, 55 Mentmore Avenue: Monday 14 December – 10am to 3pm
• Rozelle: Sir Reuben, 702 Darling St: Sunday, 20 December, 11am-11.30am
• Rozelle: Local Bar Cafe: ​729 Darling St, Rozelle
  Wednesday 16 December: 8:30am – 9:30am, Thursday 17 December: 8:30pm – 9:30am, Friday 18 December: 8:30am – 9:30am, Saturday 19 December: 8:30am – 9:30am, Sunday 20 December: 8:30am – 9:30am
• ​Rozelle: ​IGA, 649 Darling Street, Rozelle
  Thursday 17 December, 8:25am – 8:35am
• Stanhope Gardens: Coles, Stanhope Village Shopping Centre, Stanhope Pkwy and Sentry Dr: Saturday 19 December – 7am to 3.30pm; Sunday 20 December – 7am to 2pm
• Surry Hills: Cuckoo Callay on Crown, 413-415 Crown St: Tuesday 15 December – 11am to 12pm
• Sydney: 1 Bligh Street: Thursday 17 December – 10.30am to 10.50am
• Sydney: Arthouse Hotel, 275 Pitt Street: Thursday 17 December – 11.15am to 12.15pm
• Sydney: Results Laser Clinic, Shop H16, Hunter Connection Hunter St: Wednesday 16 December – 12.30pm to 1pm
• Sydney: Darling Quarter Food Court, 156 Darling Drive, Sydney
  Thursday 17 December, 5pm – 6pm

• Terrey Hills: Forest Way Fruit Market, 2 Myoora Street: Wednesday 16 December – 4pm to 4.10pm
• Terrey Hills: Hills Florist: Saturday 12 December – 8am to 8.45am
  (Close contacts have been contacted directly by NSW Health.)
• Turramurra: Coles, 1 Ray St, Turramurra: Thursday 17 December – 10am to 10.30am; Friday 18 December – 10.30am to 11am.
• Waitara: Jim's Cellars, 65 Edgeworth David Ave: Thursday 17 December – 7.15pm to 7.30pm
• Warriewood: Brooke Withers Swim School, 6/2 Daydream St, Warriewood: Wednesday, 16 December – 2pm to 3.30pm; Wednesday, 16 December – 2pm to 3.30pm.
• Warriewood: Flower Power, 22 Macpherson Street: Friday 18 December – 8.45am to 9.30am
• Warriewood: KFC Mona Vale, 18 Ponderosa Parade:
  Friday 18 December12pm – 1pmAnyone who attended at this date and time is considered a casual contact and should monitor for symptoms, and if symptoms occur, get tested and self-isolate.
• Warriewood: Northern Beaches Indoor Sports Centre, Jacksons Road: Tuesday 15 December – 6.30pm to 9.30pm
  (Get tested immediately and self-isolate until you receive a negative result.)
• Warriewood: Warriewood Square, 12 Jackson Road: Tuesday 8 December – 12.30 to 2.15pm;- Tuesday 15 December 3.30pm-4.30pm; Wednesday 16 December – 11am to 12.15pm; Thursday 17 December – 11am to 3pm
• Warriewood: Warriewood Valley Playground Rocket Park, Casuarina Dr: Thursday, 17 December – 10.15am to 12.30pm.
• Waverley: Ruby's Diner, ​Shop 1 and 2, 179, 173 Bronte Road, Waverely
  Thursday 17 December, 10am – 10:30am

If you travelled on these public transport routes during the time and date indicated you should get tested immediately and self-isolate until you receive a negative result, continue to watch for COVID-19 symptoms and if any symptoms occur, get tested again.

Trains:

• Artarmon to Wynyard, Monday 14 December, 8:27am to 8:49am
• Roseville to Redfern, Monday 14 December, 6:50am to 7:40am
• Redfern to Milsons Point, Monday 14 December, 11:20am to 11:45am
• Milsons Point to Roseville, Monday 14 December, 3:15pm to 3:40pm
• Wynyard to Artarmon, Monday 14 December, 6:42pm to 7:01pm
• Artarmon to Wynyard, Tuesday 15 December, 9:17am to 9:38am
• St James to Erskineville, Tuesday 15 December, 6:34pm to 6:48pm
• Erskineville to Central, Wednesday 16 December, 7:03am to 7:12am

Buses:

• M52: Tuesday 15 December – Departing Ryde, St Charles Primary School at 8:09am and arriving at Elizabeth Street, Sydney, Martin Place Stn Stand C at 8:46am; Departing Ryde, Elizabeth Street, Sydney, Martin Place Stn Stand C at 5:52pm and arriving at Ryde, St Charles Primary School at 6:34pm
  – Wednesday 16 December – Departing Ryde, St Charles Primary School at 8:24am and arriving at Elizabeth Street, Sydney, Martin Place Stn Stand C at 9:06am ; Departing Ryde, Elizabeth Street, Sydney, Martin Place Stn Stand C at 6:12pm and arriving at Ryde, St Charles Primary School at 6:55pm
  – Thursday 17 December – Departing Ryde, St Charles Primary School at 8:25am and arriving at Elizabeth Street, Sydney, Martin Place Stn Stand C at 8:59am
• Route 271: Wednesday 16 December Departing Queen Victoria Building at 5:25pm and arriving Austlink Business Park Belrose at 6:28pm
• Route 271: Tuesday 15 December Departing Queen Victoria Building at 5:25pm and arriving Austlink Business Park Belrose at 6:28pm
• Route 273: Tuesday 15 December Departing Jamieson Square, Forestville at 7:10am and arriving Queen Victoria Building at 8am
• Route 273: Wednesday 16 December Departing Jamieson Square, Forestville at 7:10am and arriving Queen Victoria Building at 8am
• Bus Route 304, Wednesday 16 December, departing Bourke Street (opposite Lachlan Street) Rosebery, 7.46am and arriving Martin Place Station Stand C, 8.11am
• Bus Route 304, Thursday 17 December, departing Bourke Street (opposite Lachlan Street) Rosebery, 8.05am and arriving Martin Place Station Stand C, 8.30am
• Route B1-1,

• Wednesday 16 December

Ferries:

• Palm Beach to Wagstaffe: Wednesday 16 December 6:15pm to 6:35pm

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United States President Donald Trump has declared it a "momentous day for America" following the swearing in of Amy Coney Barrett as a Supreme Court Judge.

"It is highly fitting that Judge Amy Coney Barrett fills the seat of a true pioneer for women, just as Ruth Bader Ginsberg," Mr Trump said.

"Barrett is not only the second women to serve on our Nation's highest court but the very first mother of school-aged children to become a Supreme Court justice. Very important.

"Throughout the entire confirmation her impeccable credentials were unchallenged."

Senate Republicans voted to confirm Mr Trump's Supreme Court nominee today just five days ahead of the US election on November 3.

"It is a privilege to be asked to serve my country in this office and I stand here tonight truly honoured and humbled," Ms Barrett said.

"Thanks also to the Senate giving its consent to my appointment. I am grateful for the confidence you have expressed in me and I pledge to you and to the American people that I will discharge my duties to the very best of my ability.

"This was a rigorous confirmation process and I thank all of you, especially leader McConnell and chairman Graham for helping me to navigate it."

The vote marks a major victory for the president and his party that could push the high court in a more conservative direction for generations to come.

https://twitter.com/HillaryClinton/status/1320880328395968520

The stakes in the Supreme Court battle are immense and come at a pivotal time in American politics in the run up to an election in which control of Congress and the White House are on the line.

Mr Trump's appointment of a new Supreme Court justice marks the third of his tenure in office, giving Republicans a historic opportunity to deliver on the key conservative priority and campaign promise of transforming the federal courts through lifetime appointments.

READ MORE: Over 58.6 million ballots already cast in US Election

Mr Trump is expected to swear-in Ms Barrett at the White House in an outdoor ceremony later Monday night, a source familiar with the invitation tells CNN.

Ms Barrett, who is 48 years old, is likely to serve on the court for decades and will give conservatives a six-three majority on the Supreme Court, a shift in its makeup that could have dramatic implications for a range of issues that could come before it, including the future of the Affordable Care Act and any potential disputes regarding the 2020 election.

READ MORE: US sets new coronavirus infection record

https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1320898584733253632

Senate Republicans, who hold a majority in the chamber, pushed ahead with one of the quickest nomination proceedings in modern times following the death of the late Justice and liberal icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg last month.

They moved to confirm Ms Barrett over the objections of Democrats who have argued that the process has been a rushed and cynical power grab that threatens to undermine Ginsburg's legacy.

"By any objective standard, Judge Barrett deserves to be confirmed to the Supreme Court. The American people agree. In just a few minutes, she'll be on the Supreme Court," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said ahead of the final confirmation vote.

Justice Clarence Thomas will administer the official Constitutional Oath to Ms Barrett at the White House, a senior White House official told CNN.

The confirmation battle has played out in a bitterly-divided Senate, but the outcome has not been in question for much of the fight.

With few exceptions, Senate Republicans quickly lined up in support of Ms Barrett after her nomination by President Trump, while Democrats united in opposition.

– This article is reported with CNN

One of the ocean’s most elusive and unusual creature has been caught on camera swimming around a group of excited tourists in Mexico.

The serpentine-like oarfish was filmed in shallow waters in the Baja peninsula in Mexico’s northwest.

One of the North American tourists asks if the fish is trying to beach itself as it swims around in a disoriented fashion, at one point passing under an onlooker’s kayak.

Until last June the fish had never been captured swimming on film but there have since been five separate sightings.

Click through to see compelling vision of the oarfish and other mysterious creatures of the deep.