27 APRIL 2022
ISSUE 285
REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL WEEKLY NEWS
News
Airshow returns At 99 years of age, WWII Veteran and long-time Buff Point resident, Derrick Oliver, was very happy to attend an Anzac Day service again and lay a wreath after two years of COVID lockdowns. See page 3
Out&About
After a hugely successful first show in 2021, the Central Coast Airshow returns in May for another epic event.
The bright blue oversized chair demanding attention on The Entrance foreshore is the latest art installation in the “Big Chair Trail” around the Central Coast See page 11
See page 4 Thrilling acrobatics in the sky
Business
Aboriginal flag flies at ANZAC Day Service There was a large turn-out for the live ANZAC Day services across the Central Coast and, for the first time at the Palmdale service, the Indigenous flag was raised to fly proudly between the Australian and New Zealand flags. The Palmdale Group has conducted ANZAC Day memorial services since 2006 at the Palmdale Memorial Gardens and since 2005 at the Greenway Chapel at Green Point. At Palmdale the service began in the Hillside Chapel and ended at the Defence Memorial where wreaths were laid and this year three flags were raised. Lyn Parkes, Community Liaison Manager for The Palmdale Group, said that after two years of lockdowns, it was
a special moment. “We are honoured to have the Aboriginal flag flying with the Australian and New Zealand flags as it should be and having representatives here today with us makes it even more special,” Parkes said. Parkes and Community Liaison Representative, Nicole Klein, agreed that adding this flag to honour the Indigenous soldiers was an important change to their memorial
service agenda. “We have always wanted the Indigenous flag and we thought it was about time that we did something about it. “I think it is a very important part of Australian history and everything, so we decided to get a flagpole installed and we thought ANZAC Day would be a perfect time to raise it for the first time,” Klein said. The Palmdale Group maintains a regular tradition of
placing little Australian flags on the graves of service men and women laid to rest at Palmdale. “Where you see all the flags that we have placed out in the garden that is part of Honour Our Fallen. We have partnered with them. We have purchased the flags and we go through the entire park and place flags anywhere there is a Defence Force insignia,” Parkes added. The service at Palmdale began with a traditional Aboriginal smoking ceremony conducted by local Aboriginal man, Tim Selwyn. “Smoking ceremonies on this continent are all about getting rid of dark space and negativity … it is about coming together,” Selwyn said. “I feel honoured to be asked to conduct a smoking ceremony. “For me it is all about us
coming together as people, as Australians, and it is a good starting point for healing and recognising. Selwyn said the greatest thing someone can do for another person is to lay their life down for them. “War, unfortunately, does that.” Selwyn also had the honour of raising the Indigenous flag at the Palmdale service. “I walked in and saw the three flags there all at the same height and it just made my heart sing … it was beautiful.” Aunty Robyn Reid attended both memorial services to give the Welcome to Country an said she was very happy to stand by Tim’s side when the Aboriginal flag was raised for the first time. Continued page 3
Mingara Leisure Group is planning to build a $19M five-storey hotel at its Tumbi Umbi site. See page 17
Sport
A 4-2 win against the Newcastle Jets at McDonald Stadium in a classic and very physical M1 Derby showdown has returned the Central Coast Mariners into finals standings with three games left to play. See page 24
Puzzles page 14
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