There's no question about it, bullying is horrible. Anyone who has been a bully's target will tell you just how damaging it can be.
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A Hunter sports group is getting on the front foot and offering free training this month for children and teenagers to learn how to deal with bullying.
That's not to say Hunter Budokai, a karate and mixed martial arts school at Maitland, is encouraging violent solutions - it's just the opposite.
The program will focus on teaching young people strategies to build their confidence and sense of self-worth, offering support and advice to kids and their parents.
"We are very passionate about helping any child who is feeling helpless as a result of bullying," Hunter Budokai owner Michelle Langworthy told Topics.
"We want to offer a safe place and a great team for them to become a part of and do whatever we can to help restore and build their self esteem, self-worth and confidence.
"Without the use of violence, we want to empower children who are victims of bullying to be able to stand up for themselves in the face of adversity."
Six-year-old Lily Edwards has been on a journey of growth with the school - she was the student of the year in 2018.
Lily's mum told Topics the mentoring her daughter received helped her "achieve so much".
"They have been very welcoming, supportive and make sure your child understands what they are doing," she said.
"Lily was getting bullied and they were so supportive, they helped Lily stand up to the bullies and they taught her self-worth through kindness and respect."
If you're interested in the free training, get in touch with Hunter Budokai on Facebook.
What's in a name?
What makes a lamb a lamb? The answer may not be as simple as you think.
The NSW Agriculture Minister put out a press release last week saying the state government had decided to tweak what distinguishes a lamb from an adult sheep.
For the record, before last week, a lamb was an ovine that had not had an incisor tooth cut through. But the government says this meant many farmers had to rush their produce to market - they stood to lose money if they didn't sell lambs before they matured - with some running out of time.
Now, a lamb is officially classified in NSW as an ovine that's under 12 months old and doesn't have any permanent incisor teeth.
The government believes moving the goal posts could boost annual returns to producers by as much as $10 million across the state.
Chat with local police
Port Stephens-Hunter police will park the district command bus outside East Gresford Police Station between 10am and noon on Tuesday for people to drop in and have a chat with local officers - including the district inspector.