Issue 226 of COAST Community News by Central Coast Newspapers

24 JANUARY 2020

ISSUE 226

YOUR REAL INDEPENDENT WEEKLY LOCAL NEWS

From bush fire alert to flooding The Australian Reptile Park at Somersby went from being on bush fire alert to a forced closure due to flooding on Friday, January 17. Keepers spent the morning working to protect animals and buildings after a major flash flood hit the park during torrential rainfall on the Friday morning. As welcome as the downpour was in the wake of bush fire alerts in the area, the decision was made to close the park for the day to ensure visitor safety. It was the first time that the Park has closed its doors since massive floods in 2007. Staff relocated animals, sandbagged doorways and continually swept to remove water from entry ways. Park Director, Tim Faulkner, had just returned from droughtaffected waterways in the Barrington Tops area where he had helped rescue endangered Manning River turtles and platypuses devastated by the dried up creeks in the area. “It was incredible, last week, we were having daily meetings to discuss the imminent threat of bushfires, just 8km away,” he said. “On Friday, we had the whole team out there, drenched and acting fast to secure the safety

News

of our animals and defend the Park from the onslaught of water. “We haven’t seen flooding like this at the Park for over 12 years. “We even had keepers stationed at our Alligator Lagoon to monitor the water levels, which were rising beyond the fence line. “The contrast between the bushfire crisis and the sudden flooding is striking. “But we are well aware that a huge part of Australia is still burning and millions of animals are still under threat. “The rain doesn’t replace the millions of hectares of habitat that has been lost over the last few months. “The team at the Australian Reptile Park has also been hard at work out in the field helping our animal conservation charity, Aussie Ark, to protect what’s left after the fires. “Going from drought and fire relief to flooding is all in a day’s work for our staff. No two days are the same.” The Park reopened for business as usual on January 18. Source: Media release, Jan 17, Tim Faulkner, Director, Australian Reptile Park Media statement, Jan 20 Australian Reptile Park

With almost all of its animals back home Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park is helping displaced fauna. See page 5

Business

Australian-owned telecommunications provider MATE is putting down roots on the Central Coast. See page 15

Sport

Park Director, Tim Faulkner, moves some koalas to shelter

3D seismic testing cancelled Community group Save Our Coast (SOC) has claimed a major win for the local community with the recent announcement that Advent Energy has withdrawn its application to conduct 3D seismic testing in waters off the Central Coast. But SOC Founder and Chair, Dr Natasha Deen, said the group had major concerns over the fact that drilling for gas was still on the table and seismic testing was still allowable under legislation and could resurface here or along other parts of the coastline. Advent Energy Managing Director, David Breeze, told Central Coast Newspapers on Save Our Coast protesters at one of the group’s many rallies in 2019

Continued P3

The Central Coast Mariners travelled to GMBHA Stadium in Geelong to face Western United on January 19, riding a wave of new hope after an exciting win over Melbourne Victory. See back page Woy Woy Philosophy Society P33

Puzzles P26

Office: Level 2, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 - Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 - E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net - Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

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24 JANUARY 2020

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Next Edition: Coast Community News 227 - Deadline: January 29 Publication date: January 31 2250 - Bucketty, Calga, Central Mangrove, East Gosford, Erina, Erina Fair, Glenworth Valley, Gosford, Greengrove, Holgate, Kariong, Kulnura, Lisarow, Lower Mangrove, Mangrove Creek, Mangrove Mountain, Matcham, Mooney Mooney Creek, Mount White, Narara, Niagara Park, North Gosford, Peats Ridge, Point Clare, Point Frederick, Somersby, Springfield, Tascott, Ten Mile Hollow, Upper Mangrove, Wendoree Park, West Gosford, Wyoming 2251 - Avoca Beach, Bensville, Bouddi, Copacabana, Davistown, Green Point, Kincumber, MacMasters Beach, Picketts Valley, Saratoga, Yattalunga 2260 - Foresters Beach, Nortfh Avoca, Terrigal, Wamberal

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EDITION 486

20 DECEMBER 2019

18 DECEMBER 2019

ISSUE 180

YOUR REAL INDEPENDENT WEEKLY LOCAL NEWS

Urgent action sought over dredging of The Entrance Channel

entral Coast icon and it may well also Council is mark its demise”. Proprietor of The searching for funds for emergency Entrance Boat Shed, dredging of The Toni Moon, said in Public Forum that she and her Entrance Channel. Councillors decided at the December 9 meeting to lobby the State and Federal governments and they have their eyes on money which was set aside for ongoing maintenance of Ettalong Channel after the recent completion of dredging there. This action came about from a Notice of Motion by Cr Greg Best who wanted an urgent investigation into the continuing deterioration of the Tuggerah Lakes and the choking of The Entrance Channel. He informed councillors how the siltation of the channel was affecting the historic Entrance Boat Shed, saying “2020 marks the centenary of this local

husband, Terry, bought the business two years ago “with the vision to bring the old girl back to its former glory”. “The boat shed will be forced to close if something isn’t done immediately,” Moon said. “We need an emergency dredging program. “Just look at the state of The Entrance Channel at the moment, you’ve (Council) neglected our main asset, the asset that attracts tourists to the area, the asset that keeps our business and many others alive,” she said. Moon said it was not just the shallow waters because of the siltation, it was the growing seaweed and build up of wrack because of the

The shallow waters around The Entrance boat shed where even paddleboarders run aground. poor water flow. trouble.” “The wrack is now stuck Moon said because under the boat shed, it’s of the shallow waters deep, it’s not moving, and the seaweed, their and it’s going mouldy, equipment was being which is not healthy, and damaged. it stinks like you wouldn’t “We’ve already had believe,” she said. two of our new motors “In certain parts, on the just about burnt out road side, it has dried off because people who hire and that’s a fire hazard, our boats don’t realise to so if someone does turn motors off when the something stupid like wrack is so thick,” she flick a cigarette, we’re in said.

Mayor, Lisa Matthews, called for the CEO, as a priority, to provide full details of Council’s short and long term dredging plan, including the acquisition of a suitable dredge. Cr Jane Smith questioned whether keeping the channel open was the objective under the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary Management Plan. “I think it’s more for a flooding issue, isn’t it? Rather than for navigation,” she said. Council Director, Environment and Planning, Scott Cox, said that the dredging program in the past had been carried out for an exchange of water between the lake and the ocean. He said current restrictions under the dredging licence was that it had to be 10m away from a jetty or wharf and

15m from a pylon or a bridge, which limited the areas at The Entrance where dredging could occur. Council has already started a rubbish clean up in the waters from Picnic Point to the eastern point, past Memorial Park. CEO, Gary Murphy, will write to Terrigal MP, Adam Crouch, for advice as to whether a portion or all of the $1.4M in funding left over from dredging Ettalong Channel can be diverted to fund dredging of The Entrance Channel as an interim solution. Also, Council will convene a meeting of experts and stakeholders to discuss an ongoing strategy to keep The Entrance channel open and accessible for the community. Source: Meeting, Dec 9 Agenda item 8.3 Central Coast Council Reporter: Sue Murray

54 dwelling complex approved after years of delays A

Under a community fter several years of community title scheme, a resident consultation and owns the lot they buy but amendments, Lake shares responsibility of common areas, such as Haven Development recreational spaces and P/L has been given driveways, with other the go ahead for a 54 residents. dwelling complex in There will be 12 blocks Charmhaven. of attached double-storey

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Central Coast Council approved the $10M development at its December 9 meeting and Cr Doug Vincent thanked the developer who was “flexible to listen to the community and make amendments”. The 1.3ha of vacant land at 7 Stratford Ave, will be transformed into a community title subdivision with lots ranging in size from 144.1sqm to 264sqm.

buildings and each home will have three bedrooms and a single garage. There will be 38 visitor parking spaces throughout the site and an open recreation area in the centre of the complex. Following Council’s deferral of the matter in September for a site inspection by councillors to examine traffic and road issues, the applicant put in amended plans.

Site plan of the 54 dwellings on the Charmhaven land The site inspection was attended by Councillors Jillian Hogan, Louise Greenaway and Jeff Sundstrom, together with Council staff and 11 residents. Some concerns remained about drainage at Oak Rd and Merinda Ave and whether it could

cope with the extra housing, whether there was enough on site car parking, the suitability of double-storey housing in a single storey area, and consideration of a centralised rainwater tank on-site. The new plans altered vehicular access to the

site from the constructed portion of Stratford Ave, instead of the previously proposed access from Moala Pde. This amended access also means only 19 trees need to be removed from Stratford Ave, compared to 80. To allay concerns from neighbours about the new residents parking in streets outside the development, The Community Management Statement for the complex will add a clause to allow “stacked” parking which means residents could park in front of their garages if need be. A Council report said an upgrade of the street drainage in Oak

Rd was proposed to direct stormwater from the development to the piped drainage system downstream at the Oak Rd/Merinda Ave intersection. A report to Council said the development would assist housing needs and promoted “walkable” neighbourhoods by being near numerous shops and services at Lake Haven shopping centre which was within walking distance. The development was compatible with the scale and character of the area, the report said. Source: Meeting, Dec 9 Agenda item 3.1 Central Coast Council Reporter: Sue Murray

Office: Level 2, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 - Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 - E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net - Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

ISSUE 224

YOUR REAL INDEPENDENT WEEKLY LOCAL NEWS

State of emergency declared Premier Gladys Berejiklian declared a seven day statewide State of Emergency on December 19, with high temperatures and winds over the next week expected to wreak havoc, with fires burning around the state, including the Gospers Mountain and Three Miles fires, which continue to threaten the Central Coast.

News

The surprise move, announced on December 19, follows the axing in March of Parliamentary Secretaries See page 8

Editorial

Continued P3

Opposition leader calls for Army to support Firies See page 4 Photo: ABC Central Coast

$300M triple tower development to replace Gateway Centre A $300M project which would see the Gateway Centre in Mann St, Gosford, replaced with three mixed use towers and a retail podium, is under consideration by the State Planning Department as a State Significant Development. Owner, Jarre Pty Ltd, has applied for permission to provide Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARS) for a mixed use development, to be known as Gosford Gateway, at 8-16 Watt St, Gosford. A public plaza would be located in the centre of the site to provide pedestrian connectivity to the existing green space at Burns Pl and Gosford Station. The existing Mann St

The existing Gateway building would be redeveloped to form the base of one of three towers

pedestrian overpass connecting the site to Burns Park and Gosford Railway Station would be demolished and a new pedestrian crossing installed to activate the street level. The first of three towers would be located on the

northern section of the site, at the corner of Mann and Faunce Sts, and comprise approximately 24 levels, including a podium of 3-4 levels. Tower 2 would occupy the south-eastern section of the site with frontage to Watt St.

It would house approximately 33 levels, including a podium of 4 levels. Tower 3 would face Mann St in the south-western section of the site, with the existing retail building reused to maintain a retail podium of three levels, topped by up to 12 more levels.

Basement car parking would be provided with access off Watt and Faunce Sts. Negotiations are underway for the purchase of 139 Faunce St to allow for expansion of the site. Located between Gosford’s two tallest topological features, Presidents Hill and Rumbalara Reserve, the development has the potential to offer views to both. Suggested usages for the three towers include a hotel, commercial offices, retail areas, an educational and entertainment component, student accommodation, retirement independent living units and a health services precinct. Source: NSW Planning Department website, Dec 18

YOUR REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWS

23 DECEMBER 2019

The share market is at a record high, interest rates at record lows, the Central Coast economy has grown by 3 per cent on average for the past four years, our homes are worth 50 per cent more than they were four years ago and local unemployment has fallen to 5 per cent. There’s even a new Star Wars movie coming out. So why are we so glum? See page 12

Sport

Two teams of local ice skaters have competed for the Southern Sky synchronised skating group in the Australian Figure Skating Championships. See page 38

Office: Level 2, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 - Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 - E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net - Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

Central Coast Council voted at its December 9 meeting to ask Member for Terrigal Mr Adam Crouch, whether part or all of the $1.45 million in funding left over from dredging Ettalong Channel could be diverted to fund dredging of The Entrance channel. However, Peninsula Waterways Committee chairman Mr Mike Allsop has rejected the idea. “This is contrary to the terms of the State funding agreement used to rectify the channel recently, and risks co-operation with the State in future,” he said. “I agree that urgent action is required at The Entrance, that in itself is a disgrace. “But it should not be done with money taken from the ongoing maintenance and dredging of Ettalong channel.” Last month, Mr Crouch announced that the current sixmonth program of dredging at Ettalong was “complete” but said repeated dredging was needed to keep it safe and accessible to recreational and commercial vessels.

The dredge at Ettalong Channel

He said the NSW Government and Central Coast Council had each committed $1.225 million in 2018 as part of Phase 5 of the Rescuing Our Waterways Program. “Central Coast Council will now continue to monitor the condition of Ettalong Channel and undertake further dredging, using $1.45 million in remaining funds under

this Rescuing Our Waterways partnership,” Mr Crouch said last month. “We know there is no such thing as a one-off fix. “Council has a long-term dredging strategy for this local waterway and I encourage them to ensure it remains in an appropriate condition,” Mr Crouch said. Cr Chris Holstein said further

dredging would be council-funded in accordance with the last joint agreement. “Beyond that expectation, we are back to the same debate, which will only come to a head depending on access (sand build up),” he said. “I still hope Government or Opposition will commit to an ongoing program funded through

the money raised by government in mooring fees, boat licences and registrations,” Cr Holstein said. Mr Allsop said the Committee believed two primary issues remained. “Firstly, while the main problem at Little Box Head was resolved, the channel itself around Lobster Beach is still too narrow with tight turns making it difficult for vessels to pass in opposite directions. “This needs to be widened a bit further toward the west and the red markers moved accordingly to allow safe passage, especially under a running tide. “Secondly, we have had no indication from Council as to what maintenance arrangements, or emergency works, will apply to the channel and how they will be funded and resourced. “There has been stark silence on this.” Mr Allsop said the community would be in an uproar if there was a repeat of the 2018 “debacle”. SOURCE: Central Coast Council agenda 8.3, 9 Dec 2019 Media statement, 16 Dec 2019 Mike Allsop, Peninsula Waterways Committee Media statement, 17 Dec 2019 Chris Hostein, Central Coast Council

Nine flats approved without debate A proposal for nine residential flats at Woy Woy was approved by Central Coast Council without debate despite it being a non-complying development under planning regulations. There was a crowd of people in the gallery opposing the development. Mr Trevor Walker spoke on their behalf in the Public Forum before the meeting. Property owner, S Gardner, proposed to build nine units at 145 Blackwall Rd, Woy Woy, at an estimated value of $1.074 million. The three-storey building would comprise five one-bedroom units and four two-bedroom units and 13 car parking spaces. Council staff reported the development was permissible in the R1 general residential zone under the Gosford Local Environmental Plan, but acknowledged that the proposal was non-compliant. It had an inadequate floor space ratio, which equated to a 9.8 per cent variation, and the required setbacks could not be achieved because the block was only 12 metres wide. At 743 square metres, the block was smaller than the required 750

square metres for a residential flat building under the planning provisions. There were 26 submissions objecting to the proposal, mainly because it was non-compliant on several counts under both the LEP and the Gosford Development Control Plan (DCP) 2013. Council’s own report from the Environment and Planning department stated the development was non-compliant on several issues. Mr Walker said in Public Forum at Council’s December 9 meeting that there was a simple reason this development was non-compliant – the block is too small for the building proposed. “None of the required set backs are adhered to,” he said. “The proposed development is not in keeping with the surrounding area which are mainly single storey villas,” he said. “The shading effect on St Luke’s Anglican Church will have major impact, particularly in winter.” Mr Walker said the reduction of natural light within the church would adversely affect the internal viewing of the newly-installed, faceted, coloured glass windows – “of which much was made in the media during the opening day”.

He said he thought the shadowing from the proposal would restrict the effectiveness of any future solar panel installation at the church and would cause higher heating costs. “We’re also worried about the general impact on the Memorial Garden area,” Mr Walker said. “The many additional vehicles that will now be required to use the deteriorating laneway and the intersection on Victoria Rd will create a major ingress and egress problem - to say nothing of parking issues. “The development doesn’t have the required number of parking spaces and there’s the potential for 18 to 20 cars looking for somewhere to park. “There is no room for parking in the laneway behind or on Blackwall Rd,” he said. “This small block of land originally housed two people and this proposal is for 18 people which is an 800 percent increase in population. “Nearby existing developments have only increased by 200 to 300 percent. “If this and future developments are allowed, the village charm of Woy Woy and the Peninsula will disappear forever, and the

infrastructure, which is already stretched to its limits, will fail completely.” Mr Walker urged councillors to view the property personally so they could understand why the residents thought this development was so inappropriate. In the event, the proposal was approved without debate together with a number of other planning proposals recommended by council staff. The council staff report stated that non-compliance to the minimum setback standards was offset by the building design having “architectural interest”. The proposal had only eight percent open space, compared a recommendation of 25 percent under the Apartment Design Guide. The report said that the variation was compensated by adequate boundary landscaping, with each unit having a larger than required balcony, and public recreational space was about 550m away on the Brisbane Water foreshore. Car parking fell short of the required number by one space, according to the report. The report said there was no significant impact with overshadowing of neighbouring

17 JANUARY 2020

properties, given the church was a non-residential use and no detailed controls specifically applied. Staff believed there was “a reasonable amount of solar access” to the communal open spaces and to the interiors of the church which was deemed to be appropriate for a non-residential property. Their report defended the bulk and scale of the development, which was not considered to adversely affect the scenic quality of the area and the landscaping at the development improved on that. It said the area was undergoing a transition from primarily singlestorey detached dwellings and villas to residential units and a variety of building heights. There was already a significant number of two and three storey multi unit housing development in the immediate locality, the report said. Council’s traffic engineer reported that no significant change in traffic was anticipated and the Roads and Maritime Service had not raised any objections. SOURCE: Central Coast Council agenda 3.2, 9 Dec 2019

THIS ISSUE contains 58 articles - Read more news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info Office: Level 2, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 - Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 - E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net - Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

Following a “roller coaster ride” during her first four months in the top job, Central Coast Mayor, Lisa Matthews, is determined to get down to business in 2020, leading up to the September local government elections. With her top priorities including attacking parking problems in the region’s town centres and exploring every avenue she can to secure State and Federal Government funding, Cr Matthews is determined to run a tight ship and will brook no political grandstanding in Chambers. “The last four months have been fast and furious, scary but exciting, and I’m looking forward to the coming year,” she said in an exclusive interview with Central Coast Newspapers. “One of my top priorities will be looking at parking around the region. “Parking is becoming a real problem in many of our town centres, and we have lots of parcels of land which could be used for more shops and parking. “Another top priority will be exploring employment generation opportunities,

Central Coast Mayor, Lisa Matthews

especially for our youth.” Still seething over the announcement that the State Government will introduce a Local Planning Panel for the region early in the year, Cr Matthews is determined to make the best of a bad situation. “We are elected councillors and are here to represent the community and that is being taken away from us, that’s how we feel,“ she said. “But we have to work with what we are given.

“I want to see a list of who will be on this panel and we will work with them, as our community will suffer if we don’t get this right. “Having said that, the State Government does fund some good projects on the Coast, including roads and various centres, but we have to keep fighting to secure more money. “We need to keep putting our hand up at every opportunity. “The government put us together as a region and now it

needs to help maintain that.” Cr Matthews said she was keen to work with newly appointed Parliamentary Secretary for the Coast and Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch. “I am happy to see the Coast once more have a parliamentary secretary but he needs to make sure he works with the whole of the Coast,” she said. Cr Matthews said water management would be another key issue.

Despite some predictions of excessive water use by holidaymakers over the Christmas-New Year period, she said dam levels had dropped by only one per cent over that time. “We will be going to Level 1 water restrictions possibly by the end of the month or early February,” she said. “But I’ve been out and about a lot and I don’t see people doing the wrong thing. “We are lucky in that we’ve had a little bit of rain which has helped, but our community has been doing the right thing. “We’ve also invested heavily in infrastructure around our water supply system and we are doing well.” Cr Matthews said workshops to be held on Council’s finances in February were sure to be productive. “There will be two days of intense learning opportunities,” she said. “We councillors will be able to put up what we think needs to happen and then tic-tac with staff. “Priorities have doubled since Wyong and Gosford Councils merged. Continued P4

Time to rebuild Areas of the Central Coast are already starting to regenerate, with the Gospers Mountain and Three Mile fires now being reported as being under control by the RFS. A fire which caused some concern on New Year’s Eve in Arizona Rd, Charmhaven, was also controlled quickly. The Coast fared better than many other areas of the state in the face of the bush fires which posed a huge threat in December. Despite some close calls, no lives or property were lost in the at-risk areas around Spencer and Gunderman. Spencer resident Robyn Downham said there was extreme gratitude in the community for the hard work of

Areas of Kulnura are already starting to regenerate Picture Ken Grose

firefighters, along with a lingering feeling of caution. “We aren’t out of the woods yet and have been told to remain vigilant,” she said. Downham said residents had been relieved when Wisemans

Ferry Rd was reopened prior to Christmas. Regeneration is already being witnessed in some of the region’s outlying areas and the Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park at Calga has retrieved

approximately 300 animals from temporary accommodation and is once again open for business. Although a period of lower temperatures is providing some relief, residents are

YOUR REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWS

CCN

20 JANUARY 2020

ISSUE 225

YOUR REAL INDEPENDENT WEEKLY LOCAL NEWS

Let’s get down to business: Mayor

Proposal to divert dredging funds Funds earmarked for dredging the Ettalong channel could be diverted to dredge The Entrance Channel.

Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, has been appointed Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast.

A top temperature of 40 degrees was expected on December 19, ahead of a cooler change on December 20 and another scorcher on December 21. The Gospers Mountain fire was on Watch and Act alert and the Three Mile fire on Advice alert on Thursday morning, with those ratings likely to change as temperatures soar.

EDITION 485

Umina power blackout on 43 degree day About 1700 homes in Umina suffered a power blackout in 36 degree heat on the afternoon of New Year’s Eve.

Bushfire-hit communities on the Central Coast will see vital infrastructure repaired sooner with a $1M Federal grant to Central Coast Council.

The temperature at Woy Woy had reached a maximum of 43 degrees at 2.20pm, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, and just an hour later 1704 homes lost power which was not restored until 5.30pm. Peninsula Village aged care facility, in the middle of the blackout zone, was also affected, but their high-capacity generator kicked in almost immediately. Village chief executive Mr Shane Neaves said the nurse call system was inoperable for a short time but staff coped well with the situation. Ausgrid said that the power

See page 6

New coastal pride centre

The blacked out area in orange

The push towards a more inclusive, LGBTIQ friendly Central Coast gained a little more traction earlier this month with the opening of the Central Coast Pride Centre in Gosford. See page 22

Year in review JANUARY 17, 2019

YOUR INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

PH: 4325 7369

Excessively non complying Terrigal development rejected

urged to stay alert and continue to monitor the RFS app Fires Near Me. Meanwhile, as fires continue to burn in other parts of the country, debate rages over the causes of the bush fire outbreak and what steps should be taken to prevent a recurrence. Arson has been blamed, with the NSW Police Force having taken legal action against more than 180 people for bushfire related offences since late last year. These include the deliberate lighting of bush fires, failure to comply with a total fire ban and discarding a lighted cigarette or match on land. Climate change is considered by many to be the culprit, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison

24 JANUARY 2020

$1M fire grant

ISSUE 199

entral Coast Mayor, Jane Smith, has stressed the need for Council to enforce its own planning controls, after an application for a shop top housing development at 5-7 Church St, Terrigal, was refused at the final Council meeting for 2018.

Public exhibition of draft Tree and Vegetation Management policy extended

The subject land

A report from Council’s Environment and Planning Directorate had recommended that Council grant conditional consent to the proposal, but in a narrow vote, Councillors voted, seven to six, to refuse consent for the $10.7M development in the B2 Local Centre zone. “The development, as it currently stands, has significant non-compliance with the Development Control Plan (DCP),” Smith said. “To approve this development when there is such noncompliance with the DCP would create an expectation for similar concessions. “Although the DCP perhaps doesn’t have the strength of a Local Environment Plan, and one non-compliance may be considered acceptable, to have so many non-compliances

sets a poor precedent for future development in Terrigal CBD.” Clr Kyle MacGregor, who seconded the motion, said: “The most important issue we are dealing with here is what is the point of having planning controls if people won’t comply with them? “I believe we should be getting people to do their best to comply. “In the event there is massive variation and they are unable to comply. then I think we’ve got to have a pretty stringent look at that and really go over the detail of it. and try and find a better outcome for the community.” The refusal was based on three points, with the resolution saying that: “The development is not in the public interest as it will create an expectation

that similar non-compliance with Council’s planning controls is acceptable; the development exceeds the number of storeys by 25 per cent; the external wall height is a 23.55 per cent variation; maximum width of enclosed floor space at the fifth level has exceedance of between 10 and 26 per cent; no setback to Hudson La, representing 100 per cent variation; no communal space is provided, representing 100 per cent variation; no deep soil zones are provided, representing 100 per cent variation; and, no side boundary setbacks for visual privacy, representing 100 per cent variation. Source: Agenda item 3.1, Dec 10 Central Coast Council ordinary meeting Jackie Pearson, journalist

This extension, based on community feedback, will provide residents with additional time to lodge a submission on the important harmonisation of tree and vegetation management works policies across the Central Coast. If adopted following exhibition, the existing Wyong and Gosford Development Control Plans (DCP) would be amended to include the revised Chapter providing the community with a consistent policy until such time as Council adopts a Consolidated DCP. Council’s revised policy relates to urban and environmental zoned lands, and requires a land owner to obtain a permit before the pruning or removal of any tree or any vegetation located greater than three metres from a house or other approved building, where the proposed pruning or tree removal is not covered by a set of nominated exemptions. Council may also issue permits for minor clearing of land not associated with new development, and where the clearing does not exceed the specified threshold. This revised policy accords with recent NSW Government Land Management and Biodiversity Conservation

mailout to members said. “The draft Chapter generally requires landowners to obtain a permit from Council to remove or prune a tree, but the draft also describes exemptions to avoid having to obtain a Council permit. “Under the proposed Chapter, trees may be removed without a permit if ‘evidence’ is provided by an arborist with Trade (AQF3) qualifications that they are dead or pose a risk to persons or property, and are not required as habitat for native fauna. “AQF3 training does not cover tree species, diseases, assessment or reporting. “Most tree-removers hold AQF3 qualifications. “Since tree-removers are paid to remove trees, they have a clear conflict of interest if they are authorised to condemn trees. “In addition, Council should recognise the value of nonnative trees. “In some areas, maples, jacarandas and other large exotics provide the only canopy. These should be retained while more natives are introduced.” Source: Media release, Nov 27 Central Coast Council media Email, Dec 2 Community Environment Network

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net Mobile Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

As the Coast launches into a new year, we thought it would be timely to revisit the major news stories of 2019. See page 12

Woy Woy Philosophy Society P33

Continued P4

Office: Level 2, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 - Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 - E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net - Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

outage in the Ausgrid EttalongWoy Woy zone happened when a panel at Umina had “tripped”, caused by a faulty underground cable. The Ausgrid statement said: “This happens from time to time and mostly because of normal wear and tear.” Due to the configuration of the local network some areas on the Peninsula were still able to be supplied from other parts of our network, the statement said. According to Ausgrid, load shedding or power rationing was not a factor in the blackout. SOURCE Media statement, 15 Jan 2020 Jonathon Hall, Ausgrid Interview (Sue Murray) 16 Jan 2020 Shane Neaves, Peninsula Village

Council approves plans for IOOF housing site Central Coast Council has approved an application to convert the former IOOF aged housing site in Springwood St, Umina, into a manufactured home park. However, the proposal was regarded as “interim” with plans that “the site will be comprehensively developed in the medium term”, according to a Council assessment. The approval provides for the 12 existing cottages to be retained and 16 manufactured homes to be added. Nine of the new homes will be one-bedroom and seven will be two-bedroom. An existing disused hall will be converted into two units suitable for self-care seniors. The proposal approved by Council on December 4 will protect three remaining residents who have life tenancies under a current lease agreement. The application was submitted by Peninsula Village Ltd and is expected to cost $1.8 million. The existing single bedroom cottages were built for aged accommodation on the 8808 square metre site by the Independent Order of Oddfellows Friendly Society in 1959. In 2010 Council refused an application (DA 15511/2002) to demolish the buildings and build 20 new aged care units,

An architectural montage of blending the old with the new

because of the social impact on the existing residents and the lack of alternative housing. The property was purchased in 2016 by Peninsula Village, which is the Peninsula’s largest aged care provider. The proposal includes landscaping, tree removal and an upgrade of the internal driveway. The Council’s Development Assessment Report said: “It is apparent that the existing

cottages are nearing the end of their usable life. “The applicant has advised that the site will be comprehensively developed in the medium term, which is why relocatable manufactured homes are proposed, to provide a less permanent solution that allows for the site to be upgraded and provide increased housing in the interim.” According to the report, there were three submissions,

two of which did not object to the development but wanted to ensure there would be suitable canopy/shade trees and protection of existing trees. The other submission expressed concern that the pre-fabricated housing would look like a “cheap and nasty trailer park” and that it would not be used for senior housing and instead be for low-income residents which could create safety issues.

The report said that appropriate conditions were in place to ensure the site was used for seniors housing and noted that the landowner and applicant, Peninsula Village, was a registered not-for-profit company and established seniors housing provider with 40 years’ experience in the industry. SOURCE DA Tracker, 14 Jan 2020 DA 56718/2019, Central Coast Council

22 JANUARY 2020

ISSUE 181

YOUR REAL INDEPENDENT WEEKLY LOCAL NEWS

Charmhaven fire destroys property and closes highways and railway station T

he fire which started at Charmhaven on New Year’s Eve, and spread over 335ha, is officially out. District Manager for Central Coast Rural Fire Service, (RFS) Superintendent Viki Campbell, said the fire was declared out on Friday, January 17, following significant rainfall. “There’s still a lot of summer to go and we are remaining vigilant,” Supt Campbell said. “Our mopping up started along the edges of the fire and roads, and went in about 50m where we chopped down trees that could be dangerous. “People should definitely not be going any further into the burnt off areas where there might be some places still affected by fire and falling trees could be dangerous,” Supt Campbell said. Meanwhile, police are treating the fire as “suspicious” and an investigation into the cause of the fire is continuing. A Police Media spokesperson said there was no evidence to support claims on social media that the fire was lit by youths who discarded lit cigarettes in the bush. The New Year’s Eve fire was reported before noon as a small fire in Arizona Rd, Charmhaven, and quickly escalated to emergency level. It progressed during the day and even though on ground fire fighting was supported by several water bombing aircraft, soaring temperatures, the intensity of the fire and wild winds pushed the fire front in different

The extent of the area ravaged by fire at Charmhaven, Blue Haven and Wyee directions. The southerly front hit about 9pm and strong winds fanned the fire, pushing it towards Blue Haven across Wallarah Creek. It quickly tore through bushland, leaping over the motorway at Thompson Vale Rd and spreading out over Bushells Ridge and on to south Wyee. Widespread ember attacks rained on Birdwood Dr in Blue Haven as the fire flared and multiple fire crews were diverted to protect houses there. Police and firefighters were doorknocking in Blue Haven advising residents to evacuate. Evacuation centes opened at Doyalson RSL Club and Avondale University at Cooranbong, where about 170 people from Wyee and Blue Haven sought safe refuge. It wasn’t until later in the night and into New

Year’s Day that fire crews could bring the fire under control. More than 270 properties were saved, however, nine were damaged, and one house in Birdwood Dr was lost in the fire. Crews worked on the first day of the year on strengthening containment lines of the fire in order to limit the chances of further flare ups. By mid morning on New Year’s Day, the RFS reported that conditions had eased across the fireground and the fire was being controlled, so the alert was downgraded to “advice” level, which meant that there was no immediate threat but residents should stay informed. The fire had, so far, consumed about 335ha. The Pacific Hwy was closed from Goorama Ave at Blue Haven through to the roundabout at Lake Haven Dr for three

days, and the Doyalson motorway link road was closed between the M1 freeway and Wyee Rd for two days. Wyee Rd was closed near Gorokan Rd, and because of the safety risks caused by the bushfires, trains and buses were not stopping at Wyee railway station and it was closed. Community meetings have been held on January 17 and 21 at Blue Haven to address concerns and provide information to help residents recover after the bushfire. They were organised by Central Coast Council and Cr Jillian Hogan said that they were well attended by people affected by the fires, particularly families in Popran Way, where the fire came right up to their fences. She said the team from San Remo Neighbourhood Centre had been working with families to support

Photo: Central Coast Aero Club,

them in their recovery. “It is an extremely frightening event that leaves long term scars both physically and emotionally,” she said. “Unlike what we have experienced before through numerous floods and storms, the impact of these ferocious fires is very different and traumatising for residents.” Director of Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan, outlined the numerous support services available to help in the recovery for people, property, pets and the environment. The meetings included talks and information from the Rural Fire Service, NSW Fire and Rescue, the NSW Health, Land and Environment Department, Community and Justice Department and several sections of Council. Cr Hogan said residents indicated that their main concerns were that they

did not know where, and from whom, they could get help. “This ranged from financial help or in practical ways for health requirements, and where to get help for mental health,” she said. “Two things were evident, information is needed to be activated straight away as well as practical assistance. “We need a coordinated approach to disaster recovery, on the ground, locally, to help and support people immediately,” Cr Hogan said.

Office: Level 2.01/86-88 Mann Street Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net - Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

Keepers spent the morning working to protect animals and buildings after a major flash flood hit the park during torrential rainfall on the Friday morning. As welcome as the downpour was in the wake of bush fire alerts in the area, the decision was made to close the park for the day to ensure visitor safety. It was the first time that the Park has closed its doors since massive floods in 2007. Staff relocated animals, sandbagged doorways and continually swept to remove water from entry ways. Park Director, Tim Faulkner, had just returned from droughtaffected waterways in the Barrington Tops area where he had helped rescue endangered Manning River turtles and platypuses devastated by the dried up creeks in the area. “It was incredible, last week, we were having daily meetings to discuss the imminent threat of bushfires, just 8km away,” he said. “On Friday, we had the whole team out there, drenched and acting fast to secure the safety

News

With almost all of its animals back home Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park is helping displaced fauna. See page 5

Business

Australian-owned telecommunications provider MATE is putting down roots on the Central Coast. See page 15

Sport

Park Director, Tim Faulkner, moves some koalas to shelter

Source: Interview, Jan 20 Supt Viki Campbell, District Manager for Central Coast RFS Media statement, Jan 21 Northern Region Police Media Media statement and Interview, Jan 20 Councillor Jillian Hogan Websites, Dec 31, 2019 & Jan 1 NSW Central Coast Incident Alerts RFS Central Coast Charmhaven RFS Reporter: Sue Murray

Office: Level 2, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 - Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 - E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net - Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

ISSUE 225

YOUR REAL INDEPENDENT WEEKLY LOCAL NEWS

From bush fire alert to flooding The Australian Reptile Park at Somersby went from being on bush fire alert to a forced closure due to flooding on Friday, January 17.

But SOC Founder and Chair, Dr Natasha Deen, said the group had major concerns over the fact that drilling for gas was still on the table and seismic testing was still allowable under legislation and could resurface here or along other parts of the coastline. Advent Energy Managing Director, David Breeze, told Central Coast Newspapers on Save Our Coast protesters at one of the group’s many rallies last year

Continued P3

Puzzles P26

Office: Level 2, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 - Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 - E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net - Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

/centralcoastnewspapers

/CoastNewspapers

2019 OFFICIAL

NEWS

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24 JANUARY 2020

3D seismic testing cancelled From P1 Tuesday, January 21, that the existing application for seismic testing in coastal waters from Manly to Newcastle had been withdrawn and no further applications would be sought This followed the resolution of a long running legal dispute in the Supreme Court of Western Australia, which saw Breeze reappointed as Managing Director, having previously been deposed, and the termination of an agreement with RL energy to fund the Environmental Plan (EP) for 3D seismic testing for PEP11. “Advent Energy will revert to its pre-existing plan to undertake drilling in the Baleen and Fish basins in the Pep11 permit zone,” Breeze said. “The current program requires drilling as the next step.” Breeze said the decision to abandon future 3D seismic testing was based largely on independent, technical, geological advice that indicated it was not necessary. He would not comment on the extent or timeline of future

David Breeze

drilling activity but said there would be public announcements in due course. “The shortage of gas in NSW, including the Hunter and Central Coast, continues, and the PEP11 resource may become a vital asset for the future energy needs of households, businesses, industry and related employment,” he said. Breeze said he recognised the importance of community consultation in any future exploration and drilling activity. Deen hailed the announcement as a “reprieve for our marine animals” which she said SOC’s supporters had

helped achieve. “In the wake of catastrophic, unprecedented bushfires that have resulted in tragic loss of life, devastated communities, and decimated wildlife and habitat, to be allowing drilling for gas off our coast in this climate emergency is incomprehensible,” Deen said. “We need strong leadership in renewable energy to prevent further climate damage, not blasting and drilling for more fossil fuels that will devastate our local coastal environment and accelerate our path towards further climate damage.” Deen said that since February, 2018, SOC had devoted thousands of hours to research and community outreach, raising signatures on petitions and holding dozens of events protesting seismic testing. She said a 56,000 strong petition would be presented to Federal Parliament on February 4. “This cancellation of seismic testing demonstrates the power of community spirit, that what we are doing is having an impact, but it is far from over,”

she said. “We will continue to oppose this offshore gas field, and possible further seismic testing, every step of the way.” Meanwhile, a public hearing of a Senate inquiry into the impact of seismic testing on fisheries and the marine environment is scheduled to be held in Gosford on March 17, at a venue yet to be announced. It will be one of several public hearings to be held along the eastern seaboard, and in Tasmania, during February and March. Results of the Federal inquiry will be handed down on May 14. Around 80 submissions were received by the Senate Environment and Communications Committee, which is conducting the inquiry, before the December 16, 2019, deadline, several of which were from organisations and individuals on the Coast. In addition, hundreds of letters are reported to have been received. Submissions from marine scientist and former Gosford

Councillor, Peter Freewater, The Peninsula Environment Group and Save Our Coast were among those received. Background - editorial The revelations from Advent Energy mark a new stage in a long and bitter struggle for control of the company which owns Asset Energy (holder of the PEP11 exploration permit) in joint venture with ASX-listed company, Bounty Oil and Gas. Editorial background Advent has a complex shareholder arrangement with partial ownership by a myriad of investors including BPH Energy and listed Pooled Development Fund, MEC Resources, itself currently the subject of a Takeovers Panel enquiry. In 2018-19, after forcing Breeze out as Managing Director, MEC Resources obtained control and engaged RL Energy, a company owned by a former Director of MEC, Greg Channon, in a Farm-in Agreement to fund the costly Environmental Plan (EP) application process. That Farm-In Agreement, had

it proceeded, would have given RL Energy 60 per cent control of Advent Energy, as reported in CCN’s exclusive interview with Advent’s Tobias Foster in May, 2019. Breeze did not wish to comment on these past machinations, but did say that he was very relieved to have finally resolved them. It does bring into sharp relief the effectiveness of the regulator for oil and gas exploration, NOPSEMA, when a seismic testing project can come so close to fruition despite widespread community opposition, academic evidence of the damage to the marine ecosystem and, as it turns out, expert technical advice that it wasn’t even necessary. Source: Parliament of Australia website, Jan 21 Media statement, Jan 21 Senate Environment and Communications Committee Media statement, Jan 22 Natasha Deen, Save Our Coast Interview, Jan 22 David Breeze, Managing Director, Advent Energy Reporters: Terry Collins and Ross Barry

Happy

Australia Day 26TH JANUARY

Australia Day at Woy Woy Foreshore Sunday, 26 January 2020 2:00pm to 9:00pm Australia Day Woy Woy is a free community event celebrating our great country. Be entertained with games on the CWA Lawn, face painting, food and market stalls, craft workshops and a great line-up of musicians on the main stage.

LUCY WICKS MP

FEDERAL MEMBER FOR ROBERTSON

Level 3, 69 Central Coast Highway, West Gosford NSW 2250 02 4322 2400

lucy.wicks.mp@aph.gov.au

LucyWicksMP

Authorised by Lucy Wicks MP, Liberal Party of Australia, Level 3, 69 Central Coast Highway, West Gosford NSW 2250.

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24 JANUARY 2020

NEWS

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Greens not to blame for reduced hazard reduction burns As debate continues to rage around factors contributing to the bush fires which posed a huge threat to the Central Coast in the months leading up to Christmas, The Greens have hit back at suggestions that the party’s policy on hazard reduction burns was somehow to blame. Central Coast Greens member Cath Connor, who stood as a candidate for the party for the seat of Robertson at the 2019 Federal election, said The Greens support hazard reduction management guided by the best expert advice. “After the recent devastating bushfire season, some commentators have blamed the Greens for a lack of hazard reduction burns to prevent bush fires,” Connor said. “The Greens, however, back the statements of senior bush fire professionals that hazard

reduction has become more difficult due to longer, hotter and dryer conditions leading to fewer safe periods for hazard reduction burns. “The unprecedented nature of these fires is linked to climate change which has increased the dryness of the fuel load. “Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology has presented findings concluding that 2019 was our hottest year ever, with the mean temperature at 1.52 degrees Celsius above average. “Australia’s national average rainfall was just 277mm – the lowest ever recorded. “The government has shown an appalling lack of leadership. “They took no steps to prepare for or mitigate the extreme bushfire season that they were warned we would face. “Instead, the blame shifting game (it’s the Greens’ fault) is being pushed as hard as it can

be. “This is despite all the accurate information presented by people like the RFS Chief and CSIRO scientists. “With a large number of our homes close to or in bushland areas of the Central Coast, there is more we can do to address the bushfire threat, the most urgent being to act on climate change. “In addition, the Central Coast Greens call on the government to adequately fund rangers to conduct hazard reduction and to create a National Disaster Response Unit.” Connor said if elected to Central Coast Council at September’s local government elections, the Greens would work hard to improve local responses and preparation for catastrophic bushfire conditions. Source: Media release, Jan 17 Cath Connor, Central Coast Greens

Central Coast Greens member, Cath Connor

615 Central Coast claims granted bush fire recovery assistance

Wicks said 615 claims had been granted for the Central Coast local government area as part of the $57M Disaster Recovery and Disaster Recovery Allowance schemes

since September, 2019. “The payments are about ensuring that those who need immediate assistance for essential items can receive it quickly,” Wicks said. “Whilst the damage on the Central Coast was fortunately not as severe as (in) other regions, I’m pleased that so many people have been able to access financial support. “I’ve heard from a number of locals who have sustained damage to fencing, water

tanks, sheds and other important infrastructure on their properties. “These funds have gone a long way in helping people repair the damage caused by the bushfires.” Wicks said the Government had made it simpler to get support when it is needed. “Previously, a person would only qualify for disaster recovery payments if their home was destroyed or sustained major interior

damage, or if they tragically lost family members in the disaster,” she said. “Now, the Government has ensured that Australians will also qualify for a payment if major assets worth a cumulative total of $20,000 have been destroyed at the primary place of residence, or if their homes sustained major interior or exterior damage.” She said the application process had also been simplified.

The payments are is addition to a $2B committed to the National Bushfire Recovery Fund, she said. This includes: $60M to support severely impacted local councils (including $1 million for Central Coast Council); $76M for mental health support through counselling and Medicare; a $50M down payment to protect wildlife; $40M paid to charities to help them provide direct assistance on the ground;

$10M for expanded financial counselling for families ; $15M for rural financial counsellors; $8M for mental health support; Increased resources for the National Aerial Firefighting Centre; Over $100M to help states clean up bushfire damaged buildings; and, $76M to rebuild the tourism industry.

Liesl Tesch MP Member for Gosford How can I help? Schools and education Community Recognition Awards Anniversary & birthday messages Fair Trading Hospitals and health Main roads Police and Emergency Services Public housing Trains and public transport (02) 4342 4122 20 Blackwall Road, Woy Woy NSW 2256 Gosford News - third page - update.indd 1

Gosford@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Source: Media release, Jan23 Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks

Authorised by Liesl Tesch, 20 Blackwall Road, Woy Woy NSW 2256. Printed using Parliamentary Entitlements.

Almost $750,000 has been paid out to Central Coast residents in disaster relief payments from the Federal Government in the wake of the bushfire crisis, Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, has announced.

6/11/2018 11:18:28 AM

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NEWS

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Walkabout Wildlife Park ineligible for insurance or government relief With almost all of its animals back home following temporary relocation due to the bush fire threat in December, Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park is now turning its attention to doing what it can to help in the rehabilitation of injured and displaced wildlife. The Park undertook a mammoth relocation project late in 2019, finding suitable lodging for almost 300 animals in a variety of locations, with the Three Mile fire posing an immediate threat to the Calga property. With the fire taken off the RFS danger list in mid December, the huge task of bringing them home began. The Park’s Operations Manager and owner, Tassin Barnard, said only a handful of animals were yet to return. “When we took them to their temporary homes, many of the animals were distressed, but they settled back into their home here immediately when we brought them back,” she said. “And now we are working

with the people who helped us as they rescue all the injured and displaced animals out there.” Barnard said many of the displaced animals were receiving intensive attention from specialised carers and they would need a temporary home before being re-released into the wild once they were restored to full health and their bushland homes had regenerated. “Our immediate work in supporting the carers has already begun. “We’ve been putting up water and food stations and nest boxes around the Park and we’re already starting to receive animals which have recovered from their injuries but are still homeless,” she said. “At the moment we have only a few, some possums and turtles and a spotted quoll, mostly from the fire fields around Central Mangrove and Charmhaven. “We would like to welcome a lot more as the need arises, and to do that, we need to prepare. “We have to do that extremely

Tassin Barnard with one of the recovering ringtail possums

carefully as all of our natural bushland in the sanctuary is already occupied. “If we put too many animals in, there won’t be enough wild food and shelter for all of them.” A GofundMe page set up in December, initially to help with relocating the Park’s own animals and to increase fire protection of the native habitat, and now to give homeless animals a second chance to be wild, is continuing. “One thing we have to do is to help the bush to produce more wild food, even though there is

a drought, with access to water being an ongoing challenge,” Barnard said. “Eventually the plan is to put fox proof fences around the entire property. “At the moment, less than half of it is fenced and, like Popran National Park next door to us, the rest of the property has a problem with foxes, and even feral dogs and cats.” With a little over $60,000 in the GoFundMe pledges at the moment, Barnard said close to $3M would be needed to do everything which needs to be done.

“We will do things along the way as we can,” she said. “Fox proofing alone could cost well over $700,000. “We would need a highly specialised fence design to cover around 100 acres, and it’s not flat country, with rock ledges and gullies. “But we must ensure any animals we take in do not have to cope with feral predation. “After the fires, the foxes are also struggling to find food, as they will only eat live or fresh food. “This puts additional pressure on our remaining native wildlife.” Barnard said it was also important for temporarily housed animals not to become too dependent upon keepers at the Park. “We can’t let them know that it is us who is feeding and watering them. “We must ensure that they are competent in fending for themselves when they are eventually returned to the wild,” she said. Barnard estimated that the Park lost around $80,000 in income due to its five-week

closure during the period of fire danger, with many 2020 bookings cancelled outright. Because the closure came about due to precautionary relocation of the animals and not actual fire damage, it is not eligible to make an insurance claim. And because it is a not-forprofit organisation but not a registered charity, it is also not eligible for government relief. “But we will take that on the chin,” Barnard said. “We have learnt some valuable lessons. “We’re not suggesting we’re invincible, just that we understand the responsibility of protecting a bush sanctuary in the face of a natural disaster, and with our community, we are ready to face anything that nature throws at us.” You can contribute at www. gofundme.com/f/SaveWalkabout-Sanctuary Source: Interviews, Jan 20 and 21 Tassin Barnard, Operations Manager and owner, Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park Reporter: Terry Collins

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PAGE 6

24 JANUARY 2020

NEWS

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$387M committed to duplicate Central Coast Highway between Wamberal and Bateau Bay The long-awaited upgrade of Central Coast Hwy between Wamberal and Bateau Bay is a step closer with early planning work now underway on the heavily used stretch of road. Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, and roads Minister, Paul Toole, were on site on January 20 to check progress. “Central Coast Hwy is the key road linking Gosford and Erina to The Entrance,” Crouch said. “Thanks to an early investment of $4M, planning is now taking place, with geotechnical work including

borehole drilling to test the ground conditions. “The results will help to prepare the detailed design for the proposed upgrade. “After these investigations, the project will start work on the preliminary environmental assessments, traffic modelling along the corridor, flood investigations and more field investigations. “This is a significant first step towards making travel easier, faster and safer for the 26,000 motorists that use this section of road every day. “While construction remains some way off, this early planning work is a crucial part of any project.”

Minister Toole said the State Government had committed $387M to duplicate this important road section. “This is the only section of the highway between Kariong and Bateau Bay which isn’t two lanes in both directions, and that’s a real problem during peak hours or when there is an accident,” he said. “It’s going to be a challenging project, with limited space available, but we’re not shying away from the hard projects because we know what they mean for the community.” Source: Media release, Jan 20 Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Terrigal MP, Adam Crouch

Roads Minister, Paul Toole, and Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, on site

Continuation of Pacific Highway improvements to Lisarow progressing well

The continuation of Pacific Highway improvements through Ourimbah to Lisarow is powering ahead with piling work for the new rail bridge now underway. The road widening to two lanes each way is taking place between Ourimbah St and Parsons Rd and is a $178M

investment by the NSW Government. Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said the project was a game changer for the region. “It will improve traffic flow and cut travel times for about 30,000 motorists travelling this section of road each day,” he said.

The key feature of the 1.6km section of the upgrade is a new rail bridge across the train line. NSW Regional Roads and Transport Minister, Paul Toole, was on the Coast on Monday for a site inspection of the project and said that work had also started on building retaining walls for the highway. “Recently we have seen the completion of 95 piles to help

with the construction of retaining walls next to the new section of the Pacific Hwy, including north of the Railway Cres intersection,” Minister Toole said. Ground improvement work for the future alignment of the highway between The Ridgeway and Parsons Rd is complete and earthwork to widen The Ridgeway is now

underway.” There will be new traffic lights at the Railway Cres and Tuggerah St (formerly Macdonalds Rd) intersection with the Pacific Hwy and the existing lights at The Ridgeway will be upgraded. Improved pedestrian and cycle paths will be installed along the highway and there will be improved access to the

parking area at Lisarow Railway Station. Daracon Group was awarded the contract to build the upgrade in November, 2018, and major work started in late February, 2019. Source: Media release, Jan 20 Adam Crouch, Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Terrigal MP

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Davistown Progress Hall lost part of its roof during strong winds Just 12 months after it was installed, a large portion of the roof of Davistown Progress Hall blew off in strong winds on January 11. Davistown Progress Association President, Jenny McCulla, said the loss was “heartbreaking”, with the committee having worked hard in recent years to make major improvements to the hall with the help of grants from the State Government and Central Coast Council. “The winds were absolutely horrendous,” McCulla said. “They were strong enough to knock over a heavy concrete pot. “Certainly they were the strongest winds I have experienced in the five years that I have lived in the area. “The winds caught the roof from the south-east corner and

The decision allows properties which do not pay for or have access to domestic green waste collection services, to dispose of up to four tonnes of green waste for free. Mayor, Lisa Matthews, said she was pleased that Council was providing tangible support for residents impacted by the unprecedented fire threat on the Central Coast. “Residents have been asked to prepare their properties by

the Rural Fire Service in the face of these fires, and in doing so have generated a lot of green waste which they have found challenging to get rid of,” Cr Matthews said. “They have enough to deal with at the moment and at least we have taken this concern out of their hands.” To be eligible, residents or their contractors must show evidence of where the green waste was generated. This could include a resident’s driver’s licence, a rates notice, or a bill from the property showing the owner’s details and property address. Council Director, Roads, Transport, Drainage and Waste, Boris Bolgoff, is encouraging properties east of the freeway which have access to existing green waste collections to take

advantage of kerbside collections before the next round of six free kerbside collections are available in February. “We have a well-established household collection service for properties east of the freeway, which we are encouraging residents to utilise,” Bolgoff said. “Along with their greenlidded vegetation waste bin, residents also have access to six free kerbside collections every 12 months that can be used for bulk household waste or vegetation. “On average, households only use one or two free collections a year.” Source: Media release, Dec 19 Central Coast Council

Central Coast Council has announced the11 members of the Y4Y (Youth For Youth) action team to represent young people around the Coast in 2020. The newly appointed members, aged 14 to 23, were welcomed at a lunch on December 13. This is the second Y4Y team for the Coast, and members will hold the position for the next year. Mayor, Lisa Matthews, said the 2019 Y4Y played an important role in helping empower young people and delivering the first ever Youth Strategy for the Central Coast. “Congratulations to our new members who have been

willing to put up their hands to make a difference for young people on the Coast,” Cr Matthews said. “We have a Youth Strategy now in place, and this team will be instrumental in achieving real action and opportunities for our young people and I am looking forward to the outcomes. “We want to ensure that the Central Coast is a place where our 50,000 young people can live, study, work and play. “The 2019 Y4Y team should be extremely proud of all that they have achieved. “Their representation meant that they were actively involved in delivering a range of successful programs such as

Adam CROUCH MP Member for Terrigal

Working for you 4365 1906

terrigal@parliament.nsw.gov.au

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24 JANUARY 2020

unfortunately took part of it off. “Luckily though, no one was hurt, and the neighbours’ properties were not damaged.” McCulla was alerted to the incident by a neighbour and she said the SES and Ausgrid acted quickly to secure the building, with a tarp erected the next day. “We have already had the assessors in and are now awaiting building quotes,” she said. “Being the holiday season, many builders have not yet returned to work, but the committee is working hard to have the issue resolved and the hall safe for users as soon as possible.” Source: Davistown Progress Association Facebook page, Jan 12 Interview, Jan 16 Progress Association President, Jenny Mc Culla Reporter: Terry Collins

2020 Youth For Youth team members announced

Free green waste disposal Central Coast Council will absorb the costs of green waste disposal for properties west of the freeway at its Buttonderry and Woy Woy Waste Management Facilities until January 31, in view of the continuing bush fire threat.

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AdamCrouchMP

Authorised by Adam Crouch MP, Shop 3 Fountain Plaza, 148-158 The Entrance Road, Erina NSW 2250, produced using parliamentary entitlements.

adamcrouchmp

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the annual youth forum, the development of our Youth Strategy, the first Colour Our Coast fun run and the Life Skills Expo.” The Y4Y 2020 team includes: Gabrielle Dyball, Layne Paull, Jayden Redfern, Hayleigh Paull,Crystal Russom (returning member), Calypso Hanley, Sophie Grace Hawkins, Ethan Hill, Rosannah Taig-Clark, Phoebe Sheridan and Corey Lees (returning member). The new team will participate in a three day leadership camp in January, and will be actively involved in planning activities for Youth Week in April. Source: Media release, Dec 20 Central Coast Council

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Newly completed Spencer wharf well received Residents and boat-owners were overjoyed when the new Spencer wharf was officially opened on January 18 as part of a key wharf implementation project to increase safety and accessibility on the Hawkesbury River. Central Coast Council Director, Roads, Transport, Drainage and Waste, Boris Bolgoff, said the $317,515 project was co-funded by the State Government and Council, and involved removal of the existing timber structure, building a new gangway, pilings, floating pontoon and solar lighting. “The Central Coast community can look forward to enjoying this new facility with increased visibility and accessibility in a variety of tides and weather conditions well into the future,” Bolgoff said. “This new wharf is already being utilised to assist in launching powered vessels and non-powered vessels such

as kayaks, by the local community.” Mayor, Lisa Matthews, said the new wharf would help locals and visitors enjoy the Coast’s waterways. “Council is pleased to work with the NSW Government through the Boating Now program to deliver new services and infrastructure to our community,” she said. “The new wharf at Spencer is a great example of what can be achieved in partnership with the Government.” NSW Maritime Executive Director, Mark Hutchings, said the State Government’s Boating Now program provides $98M in grants to improve safe access to waterways with upgrades and new infrastructure including boat ramps, jetties, pontoons, car parks and sewage pump-out facilities. Source: Media release, Jan 17 Central Coast Council

All utility relocation as part of Kincumber intersection upgrade completed The upgrade of the roundabout at the Empire Bay Dr intersection at Kincumber came a step closer to completion with the flick of a switch this week. Work to relocate all utilities at the intersection is now complete, paving the way for the final stage of the project, which will see construction of a new lane on the northwestern side of the roundabout. Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, said underground work, involving a final power outage followed by the permanent connection of a new high voltage electricity supply to the surrounding area,

was now complete. “This completes all utility relocation as part of this intersection upgrade, which involved electricity, water, sewer, gas and telecommunications services being moved in what was a challenging exercise,” he said. Crouch said Empire Bay Dr was a pinch point for 25,000 motorists every day. “In the past we’ve seen traffic build up for as far as five kilometres during morning and afternoon peak hours along Empire Bay Dr,” he said. “There has already been a significant reduction in queuing since the upgrade began and I know everyone in the Kincumber community is looking forward to the final

stage of work getting done.” Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Paul Toole, said the State Government had committed $20M for the project. “Remaining work will include building a new lane, laying a new road surface, stormwater drains, footpaths, and kerb and guttering,” he said. Transport for NSW worked closely with Central Coast Council and utility providers on the project to ensure that all work was carried out as efficiently as possible with minimal disruption to traffic and local utility users. Source: Media release, Jan 22 Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch

Transport for NSW Regional Director, Anna Zycki, Roads Minister, Paul Toole, and Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, at the roundabout site

CAN’T WAIT FOR THE NEXT EDITION OF COAST COMMUNITY NEWS TO GET THE LATEST LOCAL NEWS? Then satisfy that need for free by listening to a podcast of our daily local news bulletin at www.centralcoastnews.net/podcast/bulletin/ Or, get it from our facebook page www.facebook.com/centralcoastnewspapers Or, follow us on twitter twitter.com/CoastNewspapers Or see our end of week video news, 5@5 – NEWS coastcommunitynews.com.au/news/video-news/ Daily local news as it happens from Central Coast Newspapers

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Preparatory work on railway station upgrades underway

Artists’ impressions of station upgrades at Narara, Niagara Park and Lisarow

Work on accessibility upgrades at Lisarow, Narara and Niagara Park railway stations will get underway this week, with site investigations set to help inform concept designs.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, said lifts would be installed at the stations, along with Tuggerah and Ourimbah, and that up to 220 extra car spaces would be provided at Tuggerah, delivering on the State Government’s pre-

election commitment. “The current site investigations involve geotechnical work to identify ground conditions which will help develop the design and construction of the upgrades,” Crouch said.

Member of the Legislative Council, Taylor Martin, said there will be an opportunity for people to have their say on the concept design and planning documentation later this year. The upgrades are being delivered by the NSW

Government’s Transport Access Program, an initiative to deliver safe, modern and accessible public transport infrastructure across NSW. More than $2B has been committed to upgrading stations and transport

interchanges across NSW since 2011, with more than 470 projects completed or underway. Source: Media release, Jan 15 Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch

Unoccupied holiday homes are being used by bush fire evacuees

Raine and Horne TerrigalAvoca’s holiday home arm, Central Coast Holidays, put the offer out via Facebook on January 3, with it since being shared more than 4,000 times and attracting interest from

displaced families from Bendalong, Bermagui and other fire ravaged communities. According to Agency Principal, Brett Hunter, six families are already enjoying the Coast’s hospitality with more on the way. Hunter said the idea came about after his team realised they’d have several empty properties after Christmas. “A lot of holidaymakers go home after Christmas/New

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Years and we knew there was a real need for emergency accommodation for fire evacuees, so our team spoke with our landlords and thankfully, several came on board with the idea,” Hunter said. Hunter said the response to the project had been incredible with several businesses on the Coast also backing in the project, offering everything from free meals, entertainment opportunities and even free pet food to the evacuees. “The response from the Coast has been amazing. “So many businesses have become involved that we’ve made a register for our guests listing what exactly is available to them should they so choose to take up the offer,” Hunter said. With the recent formation of the Bushfire Assistance Service by the State Government on January 13, Hunter said it was pleasing to see holiday homes, which he said were often under utilised as a resource, being put in the spotlight. A key point of the new service is seeing holiday homes and other unoccupied properties opened to displaced people in desperate need of secure and stable accommodation. The scheme will provide assistance with rental bonds and advanced rental costs, as well as helping people who have been displaced from their homes get in touch with people

who have room to spare. “At the end of the day, we want people to be safe and comfortable and this will go a long way towards that,” Hunter said. Source: Interview, Jan 14 Brett Hunter, Raine and Horne Terrigal-Avoca Dilon Luke: Reporter

Department of Planning, Industry and Environment

Review of the Warnervale Airport (Restrictions) Act 1996: Have your say Warnervale Airport is owned by Central Coast Council. The Warnervale Airport (Restrictions) Act 1996 (the Act) imposes restrictions on the future development and operation of the airport. A review of the Warnervale Airport Restrictions Act 1996 is being undertaken. The overall objective of the Review is to remove the current uncertainty created by the activation of the flight movement restriction provisions of the Act. The Review is to make recommendations to the NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces on necessary legislative amendments, if any are required, to remove the current uncertainty. Make a written submission You can view the Terms of Reference for the Review and make a submission at www.planning.nsw.gov.au/ Have-Your-Say by 5pm on Friday 28 February 2020. If you cannot lodge your submission online, you can address your submission to the Director, Central Coast and Hunter Region, NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, PO Box 1148, Gosford NSW 2250. All submissions received will be made public. If you want the Department to delete your personal information before publication, please make this clear at the top of your letter. You need to include your name and address (top of the letter only) and indicate your submission relates to the Review of the Warnervale Airport (Restrictions) Act 1996. Before making a submission, please read our privacy statement at www.planning.nsw.gov.au/privacy or call 1300 305 695 to obtain a copy. Make a verbal submission at the public forum A public forum will be held from 2pm to 5pm on Friday 28 February 2020 at Central Coast Council’s Wyong Council Chambers (2 Hely Street, Wyong). Anyone may attend the meeting, however if you wish to speak at the forum, you must register for this event by sending an email to Centralcoast@planning.nsw.gov.au, including your name and contact number in your request. If you are unable to email, please contact the Central Coast office to register by phone on (02) 4345 4400. Individuals wishing to speak will be given a maximum of 5 minutes to present, while representatives of community groups will have a maximum of 10 minutes. Registrations to speak must be submitted by 5pm on Wednesday 26 February 2020. Speakers are encouraged to also put forward written submissions as outlined above. For more information: 1300 305 695 or www.planning.nsw.gov.au

BLZ_LP1051

A local real estate agency has thrown a lifeline to families fleeing the fire devastated South Coast by offering to house them in holiday homes around the Coast rent free.

PAGE 10 24 JANUARY 2020

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Three Exhibitions in three months at Gosford Regional Gallery Gosford Regional Gallery is poised to kick off three new exhibitions later this January. The Gallery is set to begin exhibiting three new exhibitions commencing with Helen Geier’s Through Two Decades. Curated by Peter Haynes, Geier’s exhibition features paintings and works on paper produced between 2000 and 2019. An inveterate traveller, Geier’s work explores multiple ways of seeing the landscape from various cultures including Indian, Chinese, and various expressions of Western cultures. Through Two Decades will run from January 18 to March 22 with opening night scheduled for 6pm on January 24. Chris Bates’ Slipping Away is next cab off the rank. A poetic suite of paintings lamenting climate change, Bates said she produced this series of works to harness the power of art to propel social change and combat inaction regarding climate policy and protection of the environment. Her paintings contrast the great beauty of natural

Much is expected from Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast appointment Shadow Minister for the Central Coast, David Harris, has reacted to the appointment of Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, as Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast with cautious optimism.

2019 Gosford Art Prize winner, Jocelyn Maughan

elements with menacing suggestions of ecological disaster. Slipping Away will run from January 25 to March 1 with opening night scheduled for 6pm on January 24. Rounding out the new exhibitions will be a 50 Years of the Gosford Art Prize: 19702019. A celebration of one of the Coast’s oldest art prizes, this exhibition will feature works from over 40 artists including: Suzanne Archer, John Caldwell, Stephen Copland, Elisabeth Cummings, Karen Farrell, Margaret Fortey, Pamela Honeyfield, Narelle Howard, Ken Johnson, Roger Keane,

Keiko Matsui, Jocelyn Maughan, Ludmilla Meilerts, Robin Norling, David Rose, Shigeo Shiga, Peter Smeeth, Lezlie Tilley, Bronwyn Van de Graaff, Willemina Villari, David Voigt, Lesley Weber and Mike Worrall. This exhibition will also celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Gosford Regional Gallery. 50 Years of the Gosford Art Prize will run from January 25 to March 22 with opening night scheduled for 6pm on January 24. Source: Website, Jan 8 Tim Braham, Gosford Regional Gallery

The appointment was announced in December. “The Central Coast has been without a designated voice in the government since the 2019 election, nine months ago,” Harris said. “Gladys Berejiklian has finally acted by appointing Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, to the role six days before Christmas, after months of criticism from local Labor MPs, business groups and Council. “Mr Crouch is already the Government Whip which requires him to be away from the Coast on a regular basis. “Maybe we will now get answers from Mr Crouch as to why the Coast was ignored when it came to Snowy Legacy Fund projects. “There was a great opportunity to create a Priority

Adam Crouch with Premier Gladys Berejiklian

Precinct for Tuggerah and Warnervale to fast track thousands of jobs. “My concern is that Mr Crouch has had a toxic relationship with Council, failed to stand up for locals on high parking fees at our hospitals, supported the failed privatisation of Wyong Hospital, ignored pleas to help overworked local hospital staff with extra resources, and

watched while economic development on the Coast is falling fast compared to the rest of the State.” “Time will tell if he will join Labor MPs fighting for the Central Coast or just be an apologist for government neglect and indifference.” Source: Media release, December 19 David Harris, Shadow Minister for the Central Coast

Central Coast Council news in brief Amalgamation costs and benefits

the amalgamation and the associated expenditures.

Council has recommended that additional questions be included in the annual Customer Experience Survey, for residents to provide their views on the amalgamation of the former Wyong and Gosford Councils, their experience, and their satisfaction with the LGA. In early 2020, Council will report on the estimated costs involved in amalgamating the two former Councils. The report will also outline the progress on various aspects of

$695,984 distributed for community grants Council has allocated $695,984 to successful applicants for community grants. Of this, $631,022 has been allocated across four programs for Round 1 of the Community Grants Program 2019-20. Nine community events and place activation applications will receive a share of $103,093; 11 community

development applications will receive a share of funding totalling $177,239; 10 community infrastructure applications will receive funding totalling $299,230; and, five social and creative enterprise applications will receive a share of $51,460 in funding. Council also provides small community support grants which are determined monthly. In September, the Community Support Grants program allocated $25,722 to seven organisations and 11 projects will share the $39,240 allocated in October.

The funding provided will help the community deliver a variety of programs, events or projects that build connections and celebrate community. Record breaking tourism expenditure Council has reported a record breaking $1B in expenditure by tourists in the first year as outlined in the Actions of the Destination Management Plan 2018-21. The achieved expenditure has surpassed Council’s 2021 target of $921M.

Mayor, Lisa Matthews, said that in one year the Central Coast has already seen an overall shift in tourism. “It shows the effectiveness of our targeted campaigns, with an increase of 43.9% of visits to the Visit Central Coast website and over 200 new business listings added to the site. “The results have also identified a number of opportunities to encourage visitors all year round and we held a number of events in 2019 which contributed towards achieving this.

“The plan identifies actions to boost community support through tourism employment pathways for young people, such as the development of the Young Ambassador Program. “Tourism is one of the biggest industries on the Coast and it is recommended that the focus on tourism development and destination management be maintained”, Mayor Matthews said. Source: Central Coast Council Meetings, Nov 25 and Dec 9 Media release, Nov 29 Central Coast Council

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$30,000 worth of stolen toys recovered Officers from Brisbane Water Police District collared a real life Grinch just days before Christmas. Officers from the District’s Proactive Crime Team were investigating break-ins at two toy stores at Erina which occurred in September and October 2019, where an estimated $30,000 worth of toys had been stolen.

Their investigation led them to a home on Terrigal Dve, Erina, on Friday, December 20, 2019. Upon their arrival a man fled from the house with officers searching the premises and locating hundreds of toys. The 43-year-old man presented at Gosford Police Station later that day where he

was arrested and charged with aggravated break and enter dwelling in company, two counts of receive stolen property, and breach of bail. The man was refused bail to appear at Wyong Bail Court. The toys were returned to the stores. Source: Media release, Dec 21 NSW Police Media

Gorokan man, Rowan Ritchens, has avoided jail time for his role in a drunken fight that left his housemate with traumatic brain injuries.

Nathan Joyce in care at Wyong Hospital

the night of the incident, Joyce had been harboring resentment towards Crimmins after his girlfriend had reacted poorly to his behaviour at the party. At 12:20am Crimmins called triple zero to report that Joyce had been beaten and was unconscious, with Ritchens then driving his housemates to Wyong Hospital. When police attended, the pair told them that an unknown man had assaulted Joyce outside of their shared address, but after police secured the pairs’ mobile phones and a listening device in their home, it was revealed that Crimmins had fought with Joyce and was the cause of his injuries, with Ritchens agreeing to cover up

the fact. Joyce required neurosurgery and now lives with permanent damage, including deafness in his right ear. For his deception, Ritchens was ordered to serve an Intensive Corrections Order for 20 months and to perform 100 hours of community service. Crimmins faced court last year on assault charges and was sentenced to six years imprisonment with a nonparole period of four years. Source: Documents, Dec 9 NSW Department of Justice, Transcript and Casefile R v Rowan Ritchens 2017/00249968

Serious accident at Mount White Central Coast emergency services responded to a serious accident at Mount White on Saturday, December 7. Brisbane Water Police, the NSW Ambulance Service and Fire and Rescue NSW Gosford

responded to the incident, which occurred in the early hours of the morning. Upon arriving at the scene, emergency services immediately began working to free two trapped occupants.

24 JANUARY 2020

Rebels member arrested as part of Strike Force Raptor North

Brawl among “friends” has serious consequences

Ritchens fronted Gosford District Court on Monday, December 9, for sentencing after pleading guilty to providing false information to police with the intent of preventing the course of justice. In an agreed upon Statement of Facts (SOF) tendered in court, it was stated that housemates Nathan Joyce, Maxwell Crimmins and Ritchens attended a party in Lisarow on May 28, 2017. According to the SOF, Crimmins and Joyce became “really drunk”, with the pair expelled from the party when Crimmins became aggressive towards other guests. The SOF said Joyce and Crimmins had been friends since high school and would regularly wrestle when they had been drinking but had never injured one another to such an extent. The court then heard how on

ONTHEBEAT PAGE 11

Upon their release, one occupant was transported to Royal North Shore Hospital for treatment while the other was taken to Gosford Hospital Source: Website, Dec 7 FRNSW Gosford

Police seized a cache of contraband from a Mangrove Mountain home

A Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) member has been charged after Strike Force Raptor North seized explosives, knives, firearms and prohibited drugs during a search of a Mangrove Mountain home in December last year. As part of ongoing investigations into an alleged criminal network, the Criminal Groups Squad’s Strike Force Raptor North conducted a Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO) and Weapons Prohibition Order (WPO) search at a home at Mangrove Mountain on Wednesday, December 18, 2019. During the search, police seized two firearms, three knives, including a trench

knife, knuckle dusters, handcuffs, an extendable baton, a PVC air cannon, fireworks, explosives, a cannabis plant and more than 1000 rounds of ammunition. An amount of cannabis and methylamphetamine was also seized. A 42-year-old man was arrested and taken to Gosford Police Station where he was charged with nine offences including; possess prohibited plant, two counts of possess prohibited drug, two counts of possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/ authority, three counts of possess or use a prohibited weapon without permission

and possess unregistered firearm. The man – who is a Rebels OMCG member – appeared at Gosford Local Court on Thursday, December 19, 2019, where he was granted strict conditional bail to re-appear at the same court on Thursday, January 30. Strike Force Raptor North conducts proactive investigations and intelligencebased, high-impact policing operations to prevent and disrupt conflicts, and dismantle any network engaged in serious organised criminal activity impacting Northern NSW. Source: Media release, Dec 19, 2019 NSW Police Media

Bensville woman fronts Wyong court A Bensville woman wanted on two outstanding warrants fronted Wyong Local Court on Friday, December 27, 2019, after allegedly vandalising police vehicles on the Coast. Officers from Tuggerah Lakes Police District commenced an investigation to locate a 26-year-old woman wanted on an arrest warrant for traffic offences and a return to prison warrant for firearms and weapons offences. Following extensive inquiries, the woman was arrested at a home in Kildare Rd, Bensville, on Thursday, December 26, 2019. Officers also executed a search warrant at the property,

Anyone with information about these incidents should call

Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: www.crimestoppers.com.au Information provided will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

where they located prohibited drugs, a knuckle duster, and a knife. These items were seized to undergo forensic examination. The 26-year-old woman was taken to Gosford Police Station, where she was charged with the outstanding warrants and 16 other offences, including: assault occasioning actual

bodily harm, four counts of destroy or damage property, use carriage service to threaten serious harm, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, other traffic offenses, two counts of possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, and three counts of possess prohibited drug. Police also alleged in court that the woman assaulted another woman, 35, in Wyoming in October 2019 before sending her threatening messages via social media. It was also alleged that the 26-year-old woman vandalised police vehicles on Wednesday, December 25, 2019. Source: Media release, Dec 27, 2019 NSW Police Media

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Other Regional News - In brief Coast Community News focuses on news specifically relating to post code areas 2250, 2251 & 2260. Following is a summary of news articles published in the most recent edition of each of our sister Central Coast publications. The full articles and more, as well as all previously

published editions, can be seen on line on our website www.coastcommunitynews.com.au. Copies of these other publications may be obtained from our offices in Gosford, by subscription, or from a myriad of locations in the areas covered by each publication.

CCN 22 JANUARY 2020

ISSUE 181

YOUR REAL INDEPENDENT WEEKLY LOCAL NEWS

Charmhaven fire destroys property Public forum toand be held on Scared possums saved Central Coast Airport closes highways and railway station Some good news about a scared The independent review into

Charmhaven fire destroys property and closes highways and railway station The fire which started at Charmhaven on New Year’s Eve, he fire which andstarted spread overat335ha, is officially Charmhaven on New out. Year’s Eve, and

spread over 335ha, is officially out.

possum being saved spread across the community in the wake of the New Year’s Eve fire at Charmhaven.

Central Coast Airport at Warnervale started on December 20 and a public forum will be held in February.

District Manager for Central Coast Rural Fire Service, (RFS) Superintendent Viki Campbell, said the fire was declared out on Friday, January 17, following significant rainfall. “There’s still a lot of summer to go and we are remaining vigilant,” Supt Campbell said. “Our mopping up started along the edges of the fire and roads, and went in about 50m where we chopped down trees that could be dangerous. The extent of the area ravaged by fire at Charmhaven, Blue Haven and Wyee “People should Photo: Central Coast Aero Club, definitely not be going Year’s Day that fire crews days, and the Doyalson them in their recovery. did not know where, and any further into the burnt directions. off areas where there The southerly front hit could bring the fire under motorway link road was “It is an extremely from whom, they could closed between the M1 frightening event that get help. might be some places about 9pm and strong control. still affected by fire winds fanned the fire, More than 270 freeway and Wyee Rd for leaves long term scars “This ranged from and falling trees could pushing it towards Blue properties were saved, two days. both physically and financial help or in be dangerous,” Supt Haven across Wallarah however, nine were Wyee Rd was closed emotionally,” she said. practical ways for health Campbell said. Creek. damaged, and one house near Gorokan Rd, and “Unlike what we have requirements, and where Meanwhile, police It quickly tore through in Birdwood Dr was lost because of the safety experienced before to get help for mental risks caused by the through are treating the fire bushland, leaping in the fire. numerous health,” she said. bushfires, trains and as “suspicious” and over the motorway at Crews worked on floods and storms, the “Two things were an investigation into Thompson Vale Rd the first day of the buses were not stopping impact of these ferocious evident, information is the cause of the fire is and spreading out over year on strengthening at Wyee railway station fires is very different needed to be activated continuing. Bushells Ridge and on to containment lines of the and it was closed. and traumatising for straight away as well as south Wyee. fire on in order limit the Community meetings practical assistance. A PoliceWyong Media Regional Chronicle focuses newstospecifically relating to post coderesidents.” areas 2258, 2259, 2261, 2262, chances of further flare have been held on spokesperson said there ember Director of Connected “We need a co& 2263.Widespread The full articles and more can be seen on our website www.coastcommunitynews.com.au January 17 and 21 at Communities, was no evidence to attacks rained on ups. Julie ordinated approach to support claims on social Birdwood Dr in Blue By mid morning on Blue Haven to address Vaughan, outlined the disaster recovery, on media that the fire was lit Haven as the fire flared New Year’s Day, the RFS concerns and provide numerous support the ground, locally, to to help services available to help and support people by youths who discarded and multiple fire crews reported that conditions information lit cigarettes in the bush. were diverted to protect had eased across the residents recover after help in the recovery for immediately,” Cr Hogan fireground and the fire the bushfire. people, property, pets said. The New Year’s Eve houses there. They were organised by and the environment. fire was reported before Police and firefighters was being controlled, so Source: the alert was downgraded Central Coast Council and noon as a small fire in were doorknocking in The meetings included Interview, Jan 20 Arizona Rd, Charmhaven, Blue Haven advising to “advice” level, which Cr Jillian Hogan said that talks and information Supt Viki Campbell, District Manager for Central Coast meant that there was they were well attended from the Rural Fire and quickly escalated to residents to evacuate. RFS emergency level. Evacuation centes no immediate threat but by people affected by the Service, NSW Fire and Media statement, Jan 21 stay fires, particularly families Rescue, the NSW Health, Northern Region Police It progressed during opened at Doyalson residents EDITION 486 YOURshould REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWS 20 JANUARYMedia 2020 informed. in Popran Way, where the Land and Environment the day and even though RSL Club and Media statement and The fire had, so far, fire came right up to their Department, Community on ground fire fighting Avondale University at Interview, Jan 20 fences. Councillor Jillian Hogan and Justice Department was supported by several Cooranbong, where consumed about 335ha. Websites, Dec 31, 2019 & She said the team and several sections of water bombing aircraft, about 170 people from The Pacific Hwy was Jan 1 San Remo Council. soaring temperatures, Wyee and Blue Haven closed from Goorama Ave from NSW Central Coast Incident Alerts the intensity of the fire sought safe refuge. at Blue Haven through Neighbourhood Centre Cr Hogan said residents RFS Central Coast and wild winds pushed It wasn’t until later in to the roundabout at had been working with indicated that their main Charmhaven RFS to support concerns were that they the fire front in different the night and into New Lake Haven Dr for three families Reporter: Sue Murray

Legal action likely over Wyong Race Club evictions

Koala population discovered near proposed coal mine site

Legal action against Wyong Race Club has commenced amid claims that it has breached obligations under the Trust, over Wyong Showground land.

Local environmental group, Coast Environmental Alliance (CEA). is calling for an urgent halt to the Wallarah 2 coal mine because of the discovery of a koala population in the area.

$387M committed to duplicate Central Coast Hwy between Wamberal and Bateau Bay The long-awaited upgrade of Central Coast Hwy between Wamberal and Bateau Bay is a step closer with early planning work now underway on the heavily used stretch of road.

Continuation of Pacific Highway improvements to Lisarow progressing well The continuation of Pacific Highway improvements through Ourimbah to Lisarow is powering ahead with piling work for the new rail bridge now underway.

Resident can’t get any action taken over fire and flood hazards A Berkeley Vale resident is “amazed” at Central Coast Council’s inaction to remove six large piles of dead grass and one massive pile of dead branches.

Killarney Vale pedestrian safety improvements petition

Killarney Vale residents are being asked to support a petition for pedestrian safety improvements at South St.

Umina power blackout on About 1700 homes in Umina Central Coast Council has Australia Day celebrations will suffered a power blackout in 36 approved an application to convert43 be held on the Woy day Woy foreshore degree Umina power blackout on 43 degree day

Council approves plans for IOOF Australia Day celebrations to be housing site held at Woy Woy

Office: Level 2, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 - Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 - E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net - Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

degree heat on the afternoon of the former IOOF aged housing site from 2pm to 9pm on January 26. About 1700 New Year’s Eve in Springwood St, Umina, into a homes in Umina outage in the Ausgrid Ettalongsuffered a power blackout Woy Woy zone happened when panel at Umina had “tripped”, manufactured home park. in 36 degree heat on the acaused by a faulty underground afternoon of New Year’s Eve.

Busy day for Marine Rescue

‘Business as usual’ despite factory fire

Central Coast Marine Rescue had The operator of a marine repair a busy day on December 30. business, boat dealership and marine supply store will continue “business as usual” after his Woy Woy factory burnt to the ground The blacked out area in orange two weeks ago.

cable. The Ausgrid statement said: “This happens from time to time and mostly because of normal wear and tear.” Due to the configuration of the local network some areas on the Peninsula were still able to be supplied from other parts of our network, the statement said. According to Ausgrid, load shedding or power rationing was not a factor in the blackout.

Fire at Woy Woy tip took 90 minutes to locate

Rural Fire Service crews from Patonga, Pearl Beach and The Bays attended a fire at Woy Woy tip last SOURCE Tuesday. Media statement, 15 Jan 2020 Jonathon Hall, Ausgrid Interview (Sue Murray) 16 Jan 2020 Shane Neaves, Peninsula Village

‘We’re not guilty,’ says aged

Call for more council funding

The chief executive of the Peninsula’s largest aged care facility has criticised findings of the Royal Commission into Aged Care for their generalised nature, while defending his own organisation’s

An organiser of a series of free open-air film nights in Umina has called on Central Coast Council to continue funding the program.

Council approves plans for IOOF for housing care provider free open-airsite film nights

Ettalong to get a spruce-up

Central Coast Council has Ettalong will be getting a spruceapproved an application convert former few months upto in thethe next aged housing site in inIOOF the lead-up the Keep Springwood St, Umina, into to a manufactured Beautiful home park. Australia Tidy Towns However, the proposal was regarded as “interim” with competition, following an entry in plans that “the site will be the competition Peninsula comprehensively developedfrom in

the medium term”, according to The full articles and more can be seen on line on our website www.coastcommunitynews.com.au a Council assessment. The approval provides for They can also be seen on www.peninsulanews.info the 12 existing cottages to be retained and 16 manufactured homes to be added. Nine of the new homes will be one-bedroom and seven will be two-bedroom.

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Excessively non-compliant development approved without referral FORUM

This letter is in response to the article ‘Ravello will skyrocket us to become one of Australia’s most desirable destinations’ which appeared in edition 224. It was interesting to read John Singleton and Paul Anderson’s (Bonython Property and Investments) promotion of the Ravello apartments now commencing construction on the former Monti’s Seafood site, near the Gosford waterfront. Perhaps also pertinent and revealing is how this development has changed and received development consent over a period of nine years. The site is zoned B4 Mixed Use, building height 15m. It is on the first line of building along the waterfront. In 2010, development to a 16m height, comprising 22 units and a ground floor restaurant, was approved by the then Joint Regional Planning Panel. In 2015, an amendment, taking advantage of Council’s 30 per cent ‘bonus incentives’ at the time, was approved by Gosford City Council (Paul

Anderson was CEO at the time), increasing the development to 28 units whilst retaining the restaurant. Building height increased to 19.5m, the limit under the 30 per cent ‘bonus’ provisions. John Singleton’s Bonython acquired the site subsequently and applied for and was granted approval to a number of amendments to Council’s 2015 consent. What was approved in 2015 is not what is being built. The amendments have increased building height to a non-complying 24.5m (26 per cent above compliance), increased the number of units to 40, removed the restaurant and made other changes. The increased height provides a further 5m over and above the ‘bonus’ height benefit of 4.5m (30 per cent). A development providing “something extraordinary”, claims Singleton? Certainly. These ‘amendments’ were considered of minor impact by Council’s assessment officers

and were approved under delegated authority by Council’s executive, i.e. without referral to the elected Council for approval, and despite Council’s Architect advising that: “The proposed height of the building is considered excessive, with no planning justification for this noncompliance.” Ravello will be the only structure along this building line, facing the waterfront, allowed to be developed to this height (24.5m), as LEP requirements restrict building height to 15m, affecting all properties and future redevelopment in its neighbourhood. Its visual bulk and height affects sight lines, shadowing and other impacts. So, why was the Ravello development given consent by Council officers without referral to our elected representative Council, when it was noncompliant to such a marked extent, with key objections by Council’s own Architect? Something extraordinary? Definitely. Email, Jan 9 Enn Karm, Gosford

Thank you to all the good, honest people out there FORUM

My son Elian and I would like to express our gratitude publicly to the lady/ladies at Coles West Gosford who found my son’s wallet on the evening of December 18 and handed it in to the police, who returned it to us later in the evening. My son was completely unaware that he had lost his wallet, having stopped to shop

late in the evening after finishing work, until the police arrived to return it. I was apprehensive about answering the bell at such a late hour, particularly as we are fairly recent residents in the area and because of the unfortunate incidents I have seen and heard of, but an

insistent second ring convinced me and so glad I did. The young female officer informed me of the situation, returned the wallet and even apologised for waking me up. I appreciate them doing a good job. Thank you to all the good, honest people out there who make this world a better place. Email, Dec 19 Anne Koulouriotis, Gosford

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FORUM PAGE 13 24 JANUARY 2020

We need unity for community This is an open letter to all Central Coast Councillors.

FORUM

Due to a number of private issues that have grounded me for much of the last 12 months, I’ve had plenty of time to make submissions on various policies, observe, and analyse the progress of Central Coast Council while simultaneously hearing much of the frustration being vented, especially by some of the independent Councillors. No doubt the Liberal and Labor Councillors feel similar frustrations, maybe for different reasons. In my opinion, there are some Councillors capable of rigorous intellectual engagement, and some not, in each of the political sectors represented on Council: Independent, Labor and Liberal. I can understand the frustration when one group sees another group ‘locked up’

Letters to the editor should be sent to: PO Box 1056 Gosford 2250 or

editorial@centralcoastnews.net

See Page 2 for contribution conditions on an issue, seemingly irrespective of the logic of the debate, common sense, or community wishes. I too believe that practice to be an abuse of democratic ideals, even more damningly so when the ‘lock-up’ is imposed by a factional ‘heavy’ from outside the Council but within a political party. So, sometimes we see sensible, intellectually capable and ethically motivated

Councillors voting against their own views and their community’s wishes, in order to remain loyal to their faction within their party. It is a corruption of democratic political processes. As a result, many in the electorate and many of the people of the Central Coast regard political parties as interested only in promoting themselves and promoting their party, irrespective of the wishes of their communities. The political loyalty of local politicians is, too often, a loyalty to their faction and party, not a loyalty to the community. That is what frustrates me. Now I believe there are good and intelligent Councillors mixed with others in each of the political groupings. The trick is to find a way to advance the matters on which good and intelligent Councillors

can get a common sense agreement which accords with the wishes of the community. That is, is it possible to collect together the matters on which we can agree and then facilitate their democratic passage through Council? The proposed agreement might be called a unity for community. We still retain our differences, and each Councillor badges themselves accordingly. but on core and agreed matters, our Councillors might consider a broad and united front. My intention is to facilitate a collaboration across political divides with the goal of negotiating an agreed document which unashamedly focusses on the needs of the Central Coast community. In 2020, we face another Council election and, despite some good initiatives taken

over the past three years, the Council appears politically directionless. In my opinion, Council has two possible directions: continuing its Laissez Faire approach or developing a community based plan (the basis of which Mr Davy supplied with his letter but was too long for publication). I believe most Councillors would feel comfortable discussing a ‘planning spine’ for a community based plan as there is nothing ideologically ‘tram-lined’ in acknowledging a delicate environment, choosing only industries friendly to that environment, supporting a local university and TAFE, or running a high engagement policy for our youth. It occurs to me that the thinkers on Council and future candidates, regardless of party

lines, would be unlikely to rail against any of the elements I’ve included in the spine. It is unlikely that I will be a candidate for Council so, if I felt even a small tremor of interest across the spectrum of those wishing to discuss a community based plan for the Central Coast, then I would be happy to host a small meeting of current Councillors and interested candidates and members of the public at my home. I would proceed with the meeting with even just a very small number because I believe there is value in pursuing the concept of unity of purpose for defined community good. Anyone interested in attending Dr Davy’s meeting can email him at: vandavy@ hotmail.com Email, Dec 18 Dr Van Davy, Pearl Beach

Well said Jayden, you are the young man that Australia needs In response to the article “Schoolboy takes Council to task over censorship,” which appeared in edition 223, Jayden Dellbridge, the 14-year-old boy the article was about, is a suicide prevention and awareness advocate, and to Jayden, I say, well said. Firstly, I would like to draw your attention to an article in The Australian published that very day of Jayden’s address to council. This article by the very well known Professor Patrick McGorry says: “The nation can’t afford to underfund mental health.” Prof McGorry goes onto say: “despite two decades of awareness campaigns, countless reviews and planning, our approach to mental health care has been mostly ad hoc and fragmented.” I couldn’t agree more Firstly, mental illnesses emerge in young people and derail and disable them across many decades.

Secondly, there is a serious underspend on access to quality mental healthcare that few Australians can reliably access in a timely way. So back to Jayden. At just 14, he is presenting on the serious topic of suicide with the knowledge of someone who is many years older than himself. I applaud Jayden and ask, is it no coincidence that his article was published the same day as Prof Patrick McGorry’s? I would say this a wake up call. It has been discovered by psychiatrists the world over that 14 is the new age that they discover the first signs of mental illness in youths. So sweeping these conversations under the rug and saying we can’t have young people talking about such topics is definitely the wrong action of Council. Google has been out for

decades and there is nothing we cannot research. However, I would like to input that I have 30 years’ experience of serious mental illness with a family member. Fortunately, I saw to it that he could see a psychiatrist and be hospitalised for as many weeks as need be. We saw seven psychiatrists before we got a good one 30 years ago. Mentally ill young people may not have the insurance

needed to cover such costs, as private health insurance is now so expensive. Their alternative is to get taken into a public hospital and after two days or so, be discharged. That is when they commit suicide. What type of health system is that? Also, some families support them while others abandon them. I believe most of the

homeless today are mentally ill. So, the authorities and governments are not listening. That person would be better off with two broken legs and two broken arms. I read about it all the time. Many years ago, no one talked about mental illness, but now it is coming out, so why stop this young man voicing his opinion, with many supporters to help him along? He obviously has a

commitment to do something, why should we stop him? It is the young people today that will become the doctors and psychiatrists of tomorrow. Who are we to stop the live stream? So, Jayden never give up and don’t let anyone shut you down. You are the young man that Australia needs. Email, Dec 18 Maureen Boys, Kincumber

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PAGE 14 24 JANUARY 2020

EDITORIAL

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2020 Vision The Central Coast started the new year, not so much with a bang, but with a big, deep breath and grim resolve as fires continued to burn west of the M1, the new year’s eve fireworks were cancelled, and tourists stayed at home. It’s OK, we’re just pacing ourselves!

Economy On the economic front, there are some bright signs. The Australian All Ordinaries Shares Index hit a record high, breaking through 7,000 for the first time, providing a much needed boost to local retirees with a healthy allocation to shares. House prices on the Central Coast surged again in 2019 after a new round of interest rate cuts. The local unemployment rate fell to just over 5 per cent. On the flip side however, more households on the Coast are reporting financial stress with rising power bills, insurance and rent costs, and there appears to be a rise in homelessness and people sleeping rough. Not surprisingly, consumer sentiment is flagging. Local tradies are also watching to see if softer building approvals in 2019 flow through to actual building activity in 2020.

approvals, and as the court battle over the Mangrove Mountain landfill site heats up. In an exclusive interview with Central Coast Newspapers on Tuesday, January 14, Mayor Matthews said this year was all about getting down to business. She identified parking, economic development, dredging The Entrance and local job creation as the key priorities for 2020. At a State Government level, it is hoped that the appointment of Terrigal MP, Adam Crouch, to the role of Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, will keep the Coast front of mind for the Coalition government on regional funding.

Business and Property After being returned as President of the Gosford & Erina Business Council, Rod Dever will look to push for greater initiatives to support small and medium sized businesses on the Coast. There were a few notable groups who made very significant contributions to the Central Coast in 2019. One was ING, who received approval to commence the development of their call centre in Wyong. Another was the commitment to the Central Coast by family owned and run telecommunications group, Mate.

Arts Not surprisingly, the Coast arts scene is set to be massive again this year (as always!). Leading the charge will be the Mardi Gras dance party, anchored by our own house of fun, Naughty Noodle and the Central Coast Pride team. SBS announced that they will cross to the Coast’s Mardi Gras dance party during the evening as part of their live coverage of Sydney’s Mardi Gras. The event follows the successful Central Coast Twist Festival in October, which raised the eyebrows of Destination NSW with a crowd of over 6,000 people. It also promises to be another big year for the Gosford Regional Gallery after its immensely popular Archibald Prize exhibition in November and December, beginning with the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Gosford Art Prize. Other highlights include The Entrance Winter Blues and Jazz Festival in July and the Camel Races at Gosford Showground in August.

Sport The Tokyo Olympic Games looms large on the sporting calendar for 2020. Several locals are vying for a spot in the Australian team including: Tascott’s high jumping sensation, Nicola McDermott; sprinter, Tyler Gunn; trap and skeet shooter, Frank Morris; Hockey player, Matt Dawson (Kookaburras); Brad Woodwood (swimming); Trent Buhagiar (soccer); and, Anja Stridsman and Kaye Scott (boxing).

Great focus therefore will be on government spending. Businesses on the Coast will be keen to see if any of the $2B National Bushfire Recovery Fund finds its way here to support bushfire affected businesses recover, including our many tourismrelated businesses. By May, all eyes will turn to this year’s Federal Budget. Incumbent governments are known for being stingy in mid-term budgets to create more room for new spending in the next election year, not due until 2022.

David and Mark Fazio and Jonathan Dundovic

Large property developments are also set to dominate the cityscape this year, beginning with the redevelopment of Gosford Leagues Club Field and foreshore and the new development and sporting grounds at Adcock Park. Gosford CBD may also see dirt finally turned on at least four major projects – the St Hilliers, Archibald, Gateway and KibblePlex developments. 138 Robina Town Centre Drive Robina Qld 4226 Some estimated the CBD PO Boxgroups 3275have Robina Townthat Centre Qldpopulation 4230 could grow by over 5,000 people over the next four to five years, Tel: 1300 36boost 0867 Fax: 1300and 81food 8962 providing a major to CBD retailers outlets.

email: artwork@localdirectories.com.au www.localdirectories.com.au

Politics Local politics is set to take centre stage with local government elections to take place in September. In 2019, Councillors dumped incumbent Mayor, Jane Smith, in favour of Labor’s Lisa Matthews and public introspection of council affairs is set to intensify over the delayed release of financial reports, intervention by the State in local planning

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Other major areas of focus will be on brewing speculation of a tie up between Central Coast Rugby League and the Newcastle League, potentially as early as 2021, and whether the Mariners can establish a W-league team. The Mariners will also be fighting hard to climb up the A-League ladder, or at least to avoid another successive wooden spoon. How ever you look at it, 2020 holds a lot in store for the Central Coast, big and small, good and bad. Coast Community News will be there to keep you informed of all the events of 2020 as they unfold.

CONVEYANCING • Purchase & Sale of Property • Refinancing Mortgages • Purchase & Sale of Business • Leasing • Retirement Villages COURT APPEARANCES • Criminal Law • AVO Matters • Traffic Matters • Drink Driving

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is printed on 100% recycled paper products, even the ink is made from vegetable matter. So when you’re done reading this paper please recycle it or give it to someone else to read

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BUSINESS & PROPERTY PAGE 15 24 JANUARY 2020

Business & Property Sticking with your mates

Public forum to be held on Central Coast Airport

The Central Coast is not the first choice for most nationally focused businesses to put down their roots, but up and coming telecommunications group, MATE, is no ordinary business; they’re into friendliness … and football. MATE is an Australian-owned Telecommunications provider that uses the NBN infrastructure. It also provides mobile phone services over the Telstra network. MATE was established by David and Mark Fazio and Jonathan Dundovic, themselves all good mates. In an interview this week, General Manager Mark Fazio said that while the big telcos have looked at cost cutting measures which include outsourcing their customer service teams overseas, MATE has ensured that Australians are serviced by Australians and have kept their service here in Australia, even though they could save big money with outsourcing this overseas. “Customers want to speak with people who have experienced what they are going through,” Fazio says. “As consumers’ technology experience grows more complex, their desire for authenticity and community connection has also grown. “It’s the human factor that matters now more than ever. “We want our customers to feel like they’re dealing with their mates when they need help or support.” It seems to be working. Not only has MATE established a strong brand based on trust and community, but in 2018, it was recognised as one of the fastest-growing businesses in Australia, making Delloitte’s Fast50. It also ranked #2 behind Afterpay in the Technology Fast50 list of winners, and CEO, David Fazio, was announced as the winner of Dynamic Business’s Top10 Dynamic Entrepreneurs award. Key areas of growth for the group have been the growth in data requirements for gaming and home entertainment, home offices, and the broader trend in the internet-of-things (IOT). MATE’s headquarters are in Wetherill Park in Western Sydney, but the group made a big decision in 2019 to make a

The independent review into Central Coast Airport at Warnervale started on December 20 and a public forum will be held in February. major commitment to the Central Coast. “The Central Coast is less a city and more a collection of large, fiercely local communities, all connected by their love of the Coast, it felt like home to us.” As part of their investment in the Coast, MATE signed a significant partnership with the Central Coast Mariners. When we asked Mark Fazio about the motivation for this, it quickly became clear, they are a family of football tragics. After undertaking a similar partnership with the Western Sydney Wanderers, David, Mark and Jonathan decided to get behind the Mariners. “To be honest, it did cause some grief when they played each other in Round 1,” Mark says. “But both clubs know where we’re coming from.” As part of their connections with the Mariners and the Wanderers, MATE have also partnered with Coast football legend and Socceroos’ goalkeeper, Mat Ryan, and Matildas’ superstar, Samantha Kerr. Fazio says the connection with Mat Ryan was more than Maty being a local boy. “In football, it’s bad news if the ball gets into the back of your own net and that’s why the keeper is so important. “Similarly, our goal is to ensure that residents on the Central Coast don’t suffer poor service or contract blues.” Did the recent form of the Mariners bother Fazio? Not in the least, he’s in it for the long haul. The relationship with Kerr echoes the group’s commitment to women’s football and its future growth. Despite all their initial success, the executives eschew boardroom largesse in favour of rolling their shirt sleeves up. When we spoke to Fazio this week, he’d just finished a stint on the phones, doing customer

support. “When we started the business,” he says, “we had two tables and I used a filing cabinet to stand my computer on.” Preserving their family roots and values as they’ve grown has been a big focus for the Fazio brothers. “To us, MATEship comes natural. “It comes from family and extends to our community.” The business has kept more than just its family values. The brothers’ Aunty cooks every day for staff and even makes a cake for everyone’s birthday. Now there’s something that every small business should have. Source: Interview with Mark Fazio, Jan 16 Reporter: Ross Barry

Anyone can attend the forum on Friday, February 28, from 2pm to 5pm, however, people who want to speak at the forum must register. The forum will be held at Central Coast Council’s administration building at 2 Hely St, Wyong. Written submissions are also being accepted until 5pm on Friday, February 28. Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said the review aimed at reducing the current uncertainty for airport users and to determine the best way to manage and regulate the airport in the future. He said planning expert, Abigail Goldberg, was appointed as the reviewer, with support from aviation specialist, Peter Fiegehen. “Ms Goldberg has extensive experience in infrastructure, resources, urban planning and

transport, both in Australia and overseas,” Crouch said. “She is the Chair of Ryde and Willoughby Local Planning Panels and an Associate to the University of Technology, Sydney, Institute for Public Policy and Governance, as well as an advisor for a range of government agencies including NSW Treasury and Infrastructure NSW. “Mr Fiegehen is a Director of the Pacific Region for the Air Traffic Control Association and has international experience in corporate, government and defence aviation industries. “He is a qualified subject matter expert in airport management,” Crouch said. The review is expected to be provided to the Government at the end of March. “Warnervale Airport is a critical asset for our region that is training our next generation of pilots and enabling medical evacuations and bushfire emergency responses to take place,” Crouch said. The review will look at the airport’s operations under the Warnervale Airport

(Restrictions) Act 1996, and assess how the airport should be managed and regulated into the future. Crouch said it would consider a wide array of aspects, including its provision for flight movements and runway length, how the airport was run and how well the Act interacted with other legislation. “The review will also compare Warnervale Airport to others of a similar scale in NSW and Australia,” he said. “While the review will consider the impact of the Act, commercial decisions about the airport are a matter for Central Coast Council, as its owner,” Crouch said. The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment will continue its pause on compliance action at the airport during this period. Source: Media release, Dec 19, 2019, Jan21, 2020 Adam Crouch, Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Advertisement, Jan 22 NSW Dept Planning, Industry, Environment

ADVERTISMENT

17 JANUARY 2020

13 DECEMBER 2019

ISSUE 223

YOUR REAL INDEPENDENT WEEKLY LOCAL NEWS

Fire fighters brace for next heatwave Rural Fire Service (RFS) firefighters will take advantage of cooler weather conditions over the next few days to conduct back burns in an effort to contain the Three Mile fire, ahead of another wave of heat expected from Sunday, December 15. An RFS spokesperson said on Thursday, December 12, that crews were collaborating with Lower Hunter firefighters on a huge back burn near Bucketty and Kulnura as they attempted to hold the blaze at bay. “Residents at the northern end of the Three Mile fire zone can expect to see a lot of smoke and fire in coming days, but this will be from the backburn,” the spokesperson said. Wednesday and Thursday this week saw fire activity ease across the entire fireground, following a horror day on Tuesday, when searing temperatures and strong winds saw homes in the Spencer and Mangrove Mountain areas under threat. “Our plan is to make the most of the favourable conditions while they last and strengthen those containment lines,” the RFS spokesperson said. “With active fire edges still having the potential to spread, we will be concentrating on safeguarding valuable assets.” The spokesperson said firefighters were exhausted, but motivated to protect life and property and to get the situation to a “manageable

Business

A new Gosford CBD Heritage Strategy, adopted by Central Coast Council at its meeting on December 9, will draw on the city’s industrial past and Aboriginal culture, using heritage interpretation, to change the perception of the CBD for residents and visitors. See Page 13

Editorial The fire reached the Raines' Mangrove Mountain property but did not threaten their house. Photo: Elaine Raines

level”. Tuesday saw some tense moments for Coast residents as firefighters expanded their operations following a huge weekend effort to control blazes in the Wollombi and Laguna areas. Robyn Downham of Spencer fled the scene on Tuesday to spend time with friends at Avoca, leaving partner, Mark Hudson, to protect the couple’s property. “It wasn’t as much the fire threat as the emotion which got to me,” Downham said. “I had a bit of a meltdown. “The situation has been horrendous since October, but we have a wonderful community and we all did

everything we could to prepare for the fires. “We are so grateful for the newly finished public wharf and for the wonderful firefighters. “We have seen brigades come to help from far and wide. “We would like to see politicians at all levels do a little more.” Hudson said fires came as close as 10 metres to the couple’s property. “I woke at 3am to see flames to the rear of the property, and a neighbour and I watched the fire approach as we armed ourselves with buckets and so on,” he said. “But the firefighters arrived

before noon and I was very confident when they came with their tankers. “We have a lot of lantana near the property and they set up a backburn but when the wind came up it was a very tense time.” Hudson said firefighters did an amazing job and although embers could still be seen that night, by the next day, they had burnt themselves out. “We’re still on alert and have concerns about running out of drinking water,” he said. Elaine Raines of Mangrove Mountain was relieved to be breathing fresh air on Thursday, after some tense times earlier in the week which saw fires encroach onto the family

property. “It’s nice to have a bit of a break, we’ve had some really tough days,” she said. “We had some fire on the property, but it didn’t come near the buildings or sheds. “While we were prepared and ready to defend our house, sheds and livestock, the wind that was forecast didn’t come, so lit embers didn’t appear. “We just had burnt leaves and ash and we were very grateful.” Even so, the community remains on alert as neighbours work as a team. “To date we have been able to defend our property and we’re hopeful the fire will infill,” Raines said. Continued P3

Councillor Greg Best is pushing for tighter water restrictions

Cr Best has been advocating for months that the region should skip straight to Level 2 restrictions when Mangrove

Creek Dam reaches the trigger point of 50% capacity, bypassing the more lenient Level One. With the level sitting at 53.3% on December 9, the trigger point could well be reached by mid to late summer. His Water Security Emergency motion called on councillors to abandon their previous resolution to refer the matter to the Water Management Advisory Committee and opt instead to introduce the tighter restrictions, but it was deferred to the first meeting of 2020

when Mayor, Lisa Matthews, closed the December 9 meeting after midnight. Cr Best says a decision on the matter cannot wait until February and lodged a request under the Code of Meeting Practice for an extraordinary meeting, with support from Councillors Jilly Pilon, Bruce McLachlan and Troy Marquart. Council has confirmed that a meeting has been called for 5pm on December 16 at Wyong Council Chambers. “I believe this Council is treating the drinking water

issue with contempt,” Cr Best said. “We must take a more responsible response to conserving our precious dwindling water supplies. “The first time I raised the matter in Council, it was referred to a Water Committee which had not even been formed at that point. “We have catastrophic fires looming from the west and more than 50,000 tourists set to descend on the region over the next few weeks. Continued P5

ISSUE 224

YOUR REAL INDEPENDENT WEEKLY LOCAL NEWS

State of emergency declared

News

The surprise move, announced on December 19, follows the axing in March of Parliamentary Secretaries

See page 8

Editorial

Continued P3

“Climate change isn’t just an “issue” to add to the list of things to worry about like power bills or taxes. It is a civilization wake-up call, a powerful message spoken in the language of fires, floods, drought and extinction, telling us we need a new economic model – telling us we need to evolve.” Naomi Klein, 2014 See Page 12

Tascott high jumper and Sydney Uni Athletics star, Nicola McDermott, has capped off a stellar year by being named Sydney University’s Blue Athlete of 2019. See Page 37

See page 4 Photo: ABC Central Coast

The existing Gateway building would be redeveloped to form the base of one of three towers

Sport

Two teams of local ice skaters have competed for the Southern Sky synchronised skating group in the Australian Figure Skating Championships. See page 38

ISSUE 225

YOUR REAL INDEPENDENT WEEKLY LOCAL NEWS

Let’s get down to business: Mayor Following a “roller coaster ride” during her first four months in the top job, Central Coast Mayor, Lisa Matthews, is determined to get down to business in 2020, leading up to the September local government elections.

Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, has been appointed Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast.

Opposition leader calls for Army to support Firies When would be a good time to talk about climate change?

Extraordinary Council Meeting called over water restrictions Sport Central Coast Councillor Greg Best’s push for tighter water restrictions in the region escalated this week, with an Extraordinary Council Meeting to be held on December 16 to consider his rescission motion on the issue, which was deferred at the December 9 meeting until midFebruary.

20 DECEMBER 2019

Premier Gladys Berejiklian declared a seven day statewide State of Emergency on December 19, with high temperatures and winds over the next week expected to wreak havoc, with fires burning around the state, including the Gospers Mountain and Three Miles fires, which continue to threaten the Central Coast.

With her top priorities including attacking parking problems in the region’s town centres and exploring every avenue she can to secure State and Federal Government funding, Cr Matthews is determined to run a tight ship and will brook no political grandstanding in Chambers. “The last four months have been fast and furious, scary but exciting, and I’m looking forward to the coming year,” she said in an exclusive interview with Central Coast Newspapers. “One of my top priorities will be looking at parking around the region. “Parking is becoming a real problem in many of our town centres, and we have lots of parcels of land which could be used for more shops and parking. “Another top priority will be exploring employment generation opportunities,

Central Coast Mayor, Lisa Matthews

Areas of Kulnura are already starting to regenerate Picture Ken Grose

firefighters, along with a lingering feeling of caution. “We aren’t out of the woods yet and have been told to remain vigilant,” she said. Downham said residents had been relieved when Wisemans

Ferry Rd was reopened prior to Christmas. Regeneration is already being witnessed in some of the region’s outlying areas and the Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park at Calga has retrieved

approximately 300 animals from temporary accommodation and is once again open for business. Although a period of lower temperatures is providing some relief, residents are

$1M fire grant

Bushfire-hit communities on the Central Coast will see vital infrastructure repaired sooner with a $1M Federal grant to Central Coast Council. See page 6

New coastal pride centre

The push towards a more inclusive, LGBTIQ friendly Central Coast gained a little more traction earlier this month with the opening of the Central Coast Pride Centre in Gosford. See page 22

Year in review JANUARY 17, 2019

YOUR INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

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Excessively non complying Terrigal development rejected

Smith moved for refusal of the application, which would have comprised two groundfloor shops, 12 residential units and 23 onsite carparking spaces, against the advice of Council staff, making special mention of its level of non-compliance. She said the development exceeded the number of storeys by 25 per cent, had no setback to Hudson La, and no communal space had been A report from Council’s provided. Environment and Planning Smith said members of Directorate had recommended the community spent a lot of that Council grant conditional time and effort contributing consent to the proposal, but to the development of local in a narrow vote, Councillors environment plans and voted, seven to six, to refuse development control plans consent for the $10.7M with the expectation they development in the B2 Local would be enforced. Centre zone. “Both the former Gosford “The development, as and Wyong Councils had a it currently stands, has reputation for not enforcing significant non-compliance their own planning controls,” with the Development Control she said. Plan (DCP),” Smith said. “So I had hoped that as a “To approve this development new Council, we could provide when there is such noncertainty to our community compliance with the DCP and to developers by adopting would create an expectation a more reflective decision for similar concessions. making process.” “Although the DCP perhaps Smith said previous ICAC doesn’t have the strength of reports showed problems a Local Environment Plan, and were created when councils one non-compliance may be didn’t enforce their planning considered acceptable, to have controls. so many non-compliances

ISSUE 199

Public exhibition of draft Tree and Vegetation Management policy extended

he public exhibition reforms and will provide period for the greater clarity for residents. revised Draft The Community Environment Development Control Network (CEN) has asked Plan Chapter relating its members to make submissions to “help save the to Tree and Vegetation trees in the back yards of the Management has been Central Coast”. extended by Central “If the draft Chapter is not Coast Council to January amended, trees will be lost 28. unnecessarily,” a CEN direct mailout to members said. This extension, based on community feedback, “The draft Chapter generally will provide residents with requires landowners to additional time to lodge a obtain a permit from Council submission on the important to remove or prune a tree, harmonisation of tree and but the draft also describes vegetation management exemptions to avoid having to works policies across the obtain a Council permit. “Under the proposed Chapter, Central Coast. If adopted following trees may be removed without exhibition, the existing Wyong a permit if ‘evidence’ is and Gosford Development provided by an arborist with Control Plans (DCP) would Trade (AQF3) qualifications be amended to include the that they are dead or pose a revised Chapter providing the risk to persons or property, and The subject land community with a consistent are not required as habitat for policy until such time as native fauna. sets a poor precedent for that similar non-compliance “AQF3 training does not Council adopts a Consolidated future development in Terrigal with Council’s planning cover tree species, diseases, DCP. CBD.” controls is acceptable; the Council’s revised policy assessment or reporting. Clr Kyle MacGregor, who development exceeds the “Most tree-removers hold relates to urban and seconded the motion, said: number of storeys by 25 per environmental zoned lands, AQF3 qualifications. “The most important issue we cent; the external wall height “Since tree-removers are and requires a land owner are dealing with here is what is a 23.55 per cent variation; to obtain a permit before the paid to remove trees, they is the point of having planning maximum width of enclosed pruning or removal of any have a clear conflict of interest controls if people won’t comply floor space at the fifth level if they are authorised to has exceedance of between tree or any vegetation located with them? greater than three metres from condemn trees. “I believe we should be 10 and 26 per cent; no setback a house or other approved “In addition, Council should getting people to do their best to Hudson La, representing 100 per cent variation; no building, where the proposed recognise the value of nonto comply. pruning or tree removal is not native trees. “In the event there is massive communal space is provided, covered by a set of nominated “In some areas, maples, variation and they are unable representing 100 per cent exemptions. jacarandas and other large to comply. then I think we’ve variation; no deep soil zones Council may also issue exotics provide the only got to have a pretty stringent are provided, representing 100 permits for minor clearing of canopy. These should be look at that and really go over per cent variation; and, no side land not associated with new retained while more natives the detail of it. and try and boundary setbacks for visual development, and where the are introduced.” find a better outcome for the privacy, representing 100 per clearing does not exceed the cent variation. community.” Source: specified threshold. Media release, Nov 27 The refusal was based on Source: This revised policy accords Central Coast Council media three points, with the resolution Agenda item 3.1, Dec 10 with recent NSW Government Email, Dec 2 Central Coast Council ordinary saying that: “The development Community Environment Management and meeting Land is not in the public interest as Network Conservation Jackie Pearson, journalist Biodiversity it will create an expectation Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net Mobile Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

As the Coast launches into a new year, we thought it would be timely to revisit the major news stories of 2019. See page 12

Woy Woy Philosophy Society P33

Continued P4

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PAGE 16 24 JANUARY 2020 BUSINESS

& PROPERTY

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Independent primary school and childcare centre proposed for Erina

Business Chamber supports cancellation of fireworks and Gosford races Gosford Erina Business Chamber has heaped praise on firefighting services in its annual New Year statement, which reflects on the “disastrous fires and extreme weather conditions impacting our beautiful country”.

The existing dwelling will be repurposed as part of the school

A small independent private primary school and childcare centre will be built at Erina if a proposal under consideration with the State Government gets the green light. THYNK Academy has been issued with the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) and is now preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for consideration as a State Significant Site. The school will educate a maximum of 210 primary school students and 20 pre-

school children, aged from 3-5. An existing residence on the Chetwynd Rd site will be adapted for use as an administration area and classroom as the first stage of development, with two additional stages to provide more buildings to house classrooms. Stage 2 will see single storey classrooms built along the northern and southern boundaries of the site, and Stage 3 will see the construction of a two-storey building in the north-west corner housing more classrooms and a childcare centre.

The proposed school will deliver an education model dedicated to delivering the highest standard of education using the latest teaching techniques and technology, according to documents lodged with the SEARs application. There will be a tiered low fee structure with priority enrolment for families living within the local catchment. The school will not be aligned with any religious group or philosophy or any individual cultural or ethnic group. Source: NSW Planning Department website, Jan 14

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“Locally, we have so far escaped from most of the fire activity with some local impacts reported on Mangrove and Somersby Plateau and Mount White areas,” Chamber President Rod Dever said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with our neighbouring regions to the north and the south who have certainly experienced the impact of this natural disaster situation. “Of course, there is no room for complacency. “Complacency has the potential to deliver consequences; consequences we want to work to avoid. “I urge you all to stay alert to what is happening around you.” Dever said New Year Eve events across the region were impacted by the severe weather events.

“The races at Gosford were abandoned as the temperature reached 42.5 degrees,” he said. “Animal welfare had to be considered and racing stewards made the call to stop the meeting. “Sadly, the fireworks events for Gosford waterfront and The Entrance were also cancelled. “Whilst this was disappointing, it was the only responsible course of action available to Central Coast Council. “I know the Mayor was reluctant to have the cancellation, especially at the 11th hour, (but) it was the right decision. “The weather was just too unpredictable and the risk was just far too great. “We really are in uncharted conditions across the state and in fact, the nation, right now. “We see the defence force called upon to assist in a natural disaster situation. “Our fire services have been tested and whilst losses of life and property have tragically occurred, I think we all agree that our fire services and rural fire services have worked

tirelessly and continue to do so to the best of their resources and abilities. “Let’s not forget the Police, Ambulance, SES volunteers and medical staff in all areas who have been caring for, assisting and keeping safe our fellow Australians, thank you. “Many of you have done things like donate time, goods and services for those in need, right down to the local volunteers who ‘went bush’ recently to put out food and water for wildlife and birds who have lost their homes and food/ water sources. “It really is at times like this that I, like many of you, am proud to be an Australian. “I hope that soon we can come back to you with more positive news, talk about the good things for 2020. “But right now, our wish for you all from the Chamber team is to stay safe, work together and let’s all get though the current events and hopefully we will all be able to move forward.” Source: Media release, Jan13 Gosford Erina Business Chamber

Safe Places Program aims to fund new emergency accommodation Central Coast organisations are being encouraged to apply for one of $60M worth of grants to expand emergency accommodation under the Federal Government’s funding Safe Places program. Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, said the funding would deliver up to 450 additional accommodations for those experiencing domestic and family violence, helping at least 6,500 women and children each year across remote,

regional and metropolitan Australia. “Unfortunately, we know that domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women and that includes the Central Coast,” she said. “It is alarming that statistics show that the Central Coast had the second highest number of Apprehended Violence Orders issued for the 12 months to March 2019.” The grants will help organisations construct, repurpose, renovate or purchase new buildings to create additional safe places.

Wicks said the $78M Safe Places package also included $18M in dedicated funding to continue implementing the Keeping Women Safe in Their Homes program. “This program provides security upgrades and safety planning so women and children at risk of, or experiencing, domestic and family violence, can remain in their own home, if it is safe to do so,” Wicks said. Source: Media release, Dec 4 Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks

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PAGE 18 24 JANUARY 2020 HEALTH

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68 new intern doctors

Can gaming help build social skills in youth? Regional Youth Support Services is launching a new social connections program for young people focusing on video games.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, with the new interns

More than 60 medical graduates have been added to the staff of Central Coast Local Health District as part of the 2020 annual intake of intern doctors funded by the State Government. Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said the 68 new intern doctors would perform a vital role at the frontline of the health system.

“These new medical graduates will be based at Gosford and Wyong Hospitals as part of their two-year contract,” Crouch said. “As the proud husband of a nurse at Gosford Hospital, I know that the medical workforce is the backbone of our health care system. “I would like to wish our intern doctors every success as they progress their careers.” Member of the Legislative

Council, Taylor Martin, said each medical graduate would benefit from training with experienced medical professionals. “At the end of their first year, each intern doctor will have obtained general registration with the Medical Board of Australia,” he said. “The second year focuses on consolidating professional practice and experience. “Across NSW there are 1,027

intern doctors beginning work this week, which is an increase of 257 positions or 33 per cent since 2011.” Martin said the government had pledged $2.8B over the next four years to recruit 8,300 additional frontline health workers, including at least 412 on the Central Coast. Source: Media release, Jan 22 Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch

The new program, All In Gaming, is designed to help young people struggling with feelings of isolation, loneliness and poor mental health to develop social and supportive connections under the care of a RYSS staff member as they bond over video games. Gaming is often associated with detachment and other behavioural problems in teenagers as well as exposing them to bullying and other cyber risks. However it has also been argued that visual arts and other visual media can help marginalised youth learn mindfulness and develop selfesteem as well as providing alternative forms of embedded education.

Online gaming has the added advantage of being undertaken in teams or groups. The program will run for eight weeks in the Wyoming Youth Skills Centre and is open to National Disability Insurance Scheme Participants. A pinnacle of the program is educating young people on healthy gaming and trending issues around cyber safety and gaming culture. The new program is a part of RYSS 2020 NDIS funded Abilities Program and is one of several new additions. It will run every Tuesday night from 6pm to 8pm from February 4 to March 24 and is open to young people aged 12 to 25. For more information about the Abilities Program contact RYSS. Source: Media release, Jan 13 Kim McLoughry, RYSS

Decontamination zone established following chemical spill at Somersby A chemical reaction was the cause of a hazmat incident which briefly blanketed a Somersby industrial area in a hazardous fog on January 20. A chlorine leak at pool chemical manufacturer Fluidra’s Pile Rd factory has been blamed for the incident,

Two people were hospitalised with breathing difficulties and others were evacuated from the vicinity, after the leak generated a vapour cloud which was unsafe to breathe in. Fire and Rescue NSW’s Hazardous Materials Unit attended and established a decontamination zone and worked throughout the day to

clear the air and contain the spill. They remained on site for around five hours before giving the area the all clear. A SafeWork NSW investigation into the incident is now underway. Source: Media release, Jan 20 Fire and Rescue NSW FRNSW Hazardous Materials Unit on site at Fluidra

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10:00 10:35 11:05 6:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 12:30 2:00 2:30 3:30 4:00 4:30 5:00 7:00 7:30 9:00 10:00 10:50

Sunday 26 January

8:30 9:00 10:15 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 2:00 3:30 4:00 5:55 6:25 6:55 7:00 7:30 9:30 10:35 11:30

NINE (C81/80)

TEN (C13)

6:00 News Breakfast [s] 6:00 Sunrise [s] 5:30 Today [s] ABC News Mornings [s] 9:00 The Morning Show (PG) [s] 10:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 8:30 12:00 Foreign Correspondent [s] 11:30 Seven Morning News [s] - Pre Show [s] The House With Annabel 12:00 RSPCA Animal Rescue (PG) 11:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 1:00 12:30 Cycling: 2020 Santos Tour Crabb [s] *Live* From Melbourne Park [s] Down Under: Stage 4 *Live* Dream Gardens [s] 4:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 2:30 Ask The Doctor (PG) [s] From Norwood To Murray *Live* From Melbourne Park [s] 3:00 3:30 Bridge [s] ABC News At Noon [s] 6:00 NINE News [s] Death In Paradise (PG) [s] 4:00 Seven News At 4 [s] 7:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 4:00 5:00 The Chase Australia [s] Agatha Raisin (PG) [s] *Live* From Melbourne Park [s] 4:30 6:00 Seven News [s] The Cook And The Chef [s] 11:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis Hard Quiz (PG) [s] 7:00 Cricket: Big Bash League: *Live* From Melbourne Park [s] 5:00 6:00 Hobart Hurricanes v Sydney Think Tank (PG) [s] 12:00 Unforgettable: We Can Be 6:30 Thunder *Live* From Bellerive Anh’s Brush With Fame (PG) Heroes (M v,d,s) [s] – Major 7:30 The Heights (PG) [s] Stadium [s] – The Hurricanes Crimes determines that the will extend a frosty welcome to ABC News [s] kidnapping of a prominent the Thunder when they Summer Drum [s] scientist’s son was not a crime 8:30 ABC News [s] welcome them to Blundstone in of opportunity but rather a a crucial late-season clash. Death In Paradise (M v) [s] calculated scheme for revenge. 9:30 Endeavour: Quartet (M v) [s] – 9:00 Cricket: Big Bash League: 1:00 Mom: Too Many Hippies And Perth Scorchers v Adelaide An assassination at an Huevos Rancheros (M s) [s] 10:30 Strikers *Live* From Optus international sporting event 1:30 Home Shopping 11:30 uncovers a spy plot. Stadium [s] 4:30 The Avengers: Winged 12:30 QI: Noble Rot (PG) [s] 12:30 Cycling: 2020 Santos Tour Avenger (PG) [s] 1:30 ABC Late News [s] Down Under: Daily Highlights 5:30 The Newcastle Earthquake 4:30 Back (M l,d,s,v) [s] 1:30 Home Shopping (PG) [s] 6:00 6:00 Ellen (PG) [s] 6:00 Home Shopping rage (PG) [s] 7:00 Weekend Today [s] 6:30 rage Guest Programmer (PG) 7:00 Weekend Sunrise [s] Classic Countdown: 1977 [s] 10:00 The Morning Show - Weekend 10:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 7:00 7:30 - Pre Show [s] ABC News [s] (PG) [s] 11:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 8:00 Endeavour: Quartet (M v) [s] 12:00 Cycling: 2020 Santos Tour Down Under: Stage 5 *Live* *Live* From Melbourne Park [s] 9:00 QI: Noble Rot (PG) [s] From Glenelg - Victor Harbor [s] 4:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 9:30 The Big Blue [s] *Live* From Melbourne Park [s] 12:00 Poh’s Kitchen On The Road 3:30 Surf Patrol [s] 6:00 NINE News [s] 12:30 4:00 Better Homes And Gardens Short Cuts To Glory: Matt 5:00 Seven News At 5 [s] 7:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 1:30 Okine vs Food: Date Night [s] *Live* From Melbourne Park [s] 2:00 Landline Summer [s] 5:30 My Road To Adventure (PG) 11:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 2:30 Football: A-League: Round 16: 6:00 Seven News [s] 7:00 Movie: “Sister Act 2: Back In *Live* From Melbourne Park [s] 3:00 Central Coast Mariners v The Habit” (G) (’93) – Lounge 12:00 Cold Case: The Long Blue Line 3:30 Brisbane Roar *Live* From 4:00 (PG) [s] – The team singer Deloris Van Cartier Central Coast Stadium [s] returns to St. Catherine’s and investigates the 2005 murder of 4:30 ABC News [s] the first female cadet at a local 5:00 Australian Of The Year agrees to go undercover as the 6:00 military school. Suspects Awards [s] – Celebrate the school’s new music teacher. Stars: Whoopi Goldberg abound, as they discover how achievements of eminent brutally the victim was treated. 7:00 Australians in four categories. 9:15 Movie: “Tammy” (M v,l,s) (’14) 7:30 Stars: Melissa McCarthy 1:00 Mom: An Epi-Pen And A The Cry (M l) [s] 9:00 Security Cat (M s) [s] Agatha Raisin: Agatha Raisin 11:15 Cycling: 2020 Santos Tour 10:15 1:30 Plonk: Coonawarra (M) [s] Down Under: Daily Highlights And The Curious Curate 2:00 Home Shopping 12:15 World’s Deadliest Weather: (Part 1) (M) [s] 5:30 Wesley Impact: The Man Of 11:15 Caught On Camera (PG) [s] rage Guest Programmer 2:00 12:30 Home Shopping Galilee [s] (MA15+) [s] 6:00 6:00 Harry (PG) [s] 6:00 Home Shopping Weekend Breakfast [s] 7:00 Weekend Today [s] 7:00 Weekend Sunrise [s] Australia Day: Flag Raising 10:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 8:00 And Citizenship Ceremony [s] 10:00 The Morning Show (PG) [s] 8:30 - Pre Show [s] Offsiders: Summer Edition [s] 12:00 Better Homes And Gardens 11:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 1:00 Surf Patrol (PG) [s] The World This Week [s] *Live* From Melbourne Park [s] 9:00 1:30 World’s Deadliest Weather: Compass [s] 4:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 9:30 Caught On Camera (PG) [s] Songs Of Praise [s] *Live* From Melbourne Park [s] 12:00 2:30 Cricket: Big Bash League: ABC News [s] 1:00 6:00 NINE News [s] Sydney Thunder v Perth Golden Guitar Awards 2020 7:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 2:00 Scorchers *Live* From The The Mix [s] *Live* From Melbourne Park [s] 2:30 Sydney Showground [s] Landline Summer [s] 11:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 6:00 Seven News [s] Football: W-League: Round *Live* From Melbourne Park [s] 4:00 7:00 Cricket: Big Bash League: 11: Melbourne Victory v 4:30 12:00 Manifest: Dead Reckoning Adelaide Strikers v Hobart Canberra United *Live* [s] (MA15+) [s] – When a missing 5:00 Hurricanes *Live* From The Hard Quiz (PG) [s] Flight 828 passenger shows up 6:00 Adelaide Oval [s] Back Roads: Koroit, Victoria at his doorstep, Ben’s quest to 6:30 Governor-General’s Australia 10:30 Motorbike Cops (PG) [s] 7:30 uncover the truth reaches a 11:00 2020 Santos Tour Down Day Address [s] fever pitch. Under: Daily Highlights [s] ABC News Sunday [s] 9:00 Australia Day *Live* From The 12:00 The Cosmetic Surgery Show 1:00 It’s All Greek To Me: Nick And Poppy (PG) [s] (M) [s] – Follows one of Sydney Opera House [s] Australia’s leading surgeons, Dr 1:30 Cybershack (PG) [s] How Australia Got Its Mojo 2:00 Home Shopping Daniel Lanzer, as he and his (PG) [s] 2:30 Skippy - The Bush Kangaroo 10:00 team performs incredible Recovery: The Music And The 11:00 3:00 Home Shopping procedures. Mayhem (M l) [s] 4:00 The Baron (PG) [s] 12:00 12:30 Home Shopping Silent Witness (M v) [s]

Also see: ABC COMEDY (Channel 22) ABC ME (Channel 23) ABC NEWS (Channel 24)

Also see: 7TWO (Channel 62) 7MATE (Channel 63) 7FLIX (Channel 66) 7FOOD (Channel 74)

Also see: GEM (Channel 82) GO! (Channel 83/88) LIFE (Channel 84)

Headline News [s] 5:00 CGTN English News 5:15 NHK World English News Studio 10 (PG) [s] 5:30 Worldwatch Dr Phil (PG) [s] I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out 1:00 PBS Newshour 2:00 The Point Of Here! (PG) [s] 3:00 NITV News: Nula Entertainment Tonight [s] 3:30 Shane Delia’s Moorish Spice Judge Judy (PG) [s] Journey Everyday Gourmet [s] 4:00 Destination Flavour China Farm To Fork [s] (In English/ Mandarin) The Bold And The Beautiful 4:30 China’s Forgotten Emperor (PG) [s] (PG) 10 News First [s] 5:30 Letters And Numbers WIN News [s] 6:00 Mastermind Australia The Project (PG) [s] 6:30 SBS World News The Graham Norton Show 7:35 Hunting Egypt’s Lost (PG) [s] Treasures (PG) Hughesy, We Have A 8:30 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Problem (M) [s] Countdown (M l,s) The Montreal Comedy 9:25 Titanic: Festival: Just For Laughs #2 The New Evidence (PG) (M s,l) [s] 10:25 SBS World News Late The Project (PG) [s] WIN’s All Australian News [s] 10:55 Movie: “My Brother The Devil” (MA15+) (’12) Stars: James The Late Show (PG) [s] Krishna Floyd (In English/ Home Shopping Arabic) CBS - This Morning [s] 5:00 CGTN English News I Fish [s] 5:15 NHK World English News Entertainment Tonight [s] 5:30 Worldwatch RV Daily Foodie Trails [s] 1:00 PBS Newshour Seafood Escape [s] 2:00 Small Business Secrets All 4 Adventure (PG) [s] 2:30 Cycling: Road National Farm To Fork [s] Championships Studio 10 Saturday (PG) [s] Pooches At Play: Warnambool 3:15 Basketball 2020: WNBL Highlights Bondi Forever (PG) [s] Healthy Homes Australia [s] 3:45 China From Above: The Living Past/ The Future Is Now (In Australia By Design: Interiors English/ Mandarin) Discover Japan: Kyushu [s] 5:30 Singapore 1942 - End Of What’s Up Down Under? [s] This Is Mexico [s] Empire (In English/ Japanese) Luxury Escapes: Barcelona [s] 6:30 SBS World News 10 Travlr New Zealand [s] 7:30 Burger Wars: Burger King Vs 10 News First [s] McDonalds Jamie And The Nonnas: 8:30 Monty Python’s Accidental Puglia [s] Studio: An Accidental Studio Bondi Rescue (PG) [s] (PG) Ambulance Australia (M) [s] 10:20 Movie: “Elle” (M) (’16) Stars: Ambulance UK (M) [s] Isabelle Huppert (In French) 999: What’s Your Emergency 12:45 Pink House - Australia’s (PG) [s] Oldest Brothel (MA15+) Program To Be Advised 2:10 Britain’s Ancient Capital: Home Shopping Orkney (PG) Sunrise Ceremony: Australia 8:00 NITV News Special: Day 26 9:00 Occupation: Native (PG) Day Special *Live* [s] Snap Happy [s] 9:55 NITV News Special: Day 26 Seafood Escape With Andrew 10:05 Connection To Country (In Ettingshausen [s] English/ Ngarluma) This Is Mexico (PG) [s] 11:05 NITV News Special: Day 26 Studio 10 Sunday (PG) [s] 11:20 Remaking The Pathway (PG) (In English/ Yolngu Matha) The Offroad Adventure Show All 4 Adventure (PG) [s] 11:50 Sunrise Ceremony (PG) 1:50 NITV News Special: Day 26 Farm To Fork [s] I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out 2:00 The Indian Pacific (PG) Of Here! (PG) [s] 5:00 Small Business Secrets Which Car? (PG) [s] 5:30 Singapore 1942 - End Of Empire (PG) (In English/ RPM Summer Series [s] 10 News First [s] Japanese) 6:30 SBS World News Bondi Rescue (PG) [s] The Sunday Project (PG) [s] 7:30 Australia In Colour: I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Outpost Of Empire (PG) Of Here! (PG) [s] 8:30 Movie: “The Sapphires” (PG) The Graham Norton Show (’12) Stars: Jessica Mauboy 10:35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does (M l,s) [s] – Guests: Daniel Radcliffe, Alan Cumming, Countdown (M l,s) 11:30 The Cult Of Progress (PG) Miriam Margolyes Program To Be Advised 12:40 Look Me In The Eye (PG) The Sunday Project (PG) [s] 1:45 Human (PG) (In English/ Home Shopping Arabic/ French/ Hebrew)

Also see: 10 PEACH (Channel 11) 10 BOLD (Channel 12)

Classifications: (G) General, (PG) Parental Guidance, (M) Mature Audiences, (MA15+) Mature Audience Over 15 Years, [s] Subtitles Consumer Advice: (d) drug references, (s) sexual references or sex scenes (h) horror, (l) language, (mp) medical procedures, (n) nudity, (v) violence

ABC (C20/21)

PRIME (C61/60)

10:00 Foreign Correspondent [s] 10:30 The House With Annabel Crabb [s] 11:00 Griff’s Great Australian Rail Trip [s] 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 1:00 Australian Story (PG) [s] 1:30 Rugged Paradise: The Abrolhos Islands [s] 2:00 Unforgotten (M l) [s] 3:05 The Cook And The Chef [s] 3:35 Hard Quiz (PG) [s] 4:05 Think Tank (PG) [s] 5:05 Anh’s Brush With Fame (PG) 5:30 The Heights (PG) [s] 6:00 ABC News [s] 6:30 Summer Drum [s] 7:00 ABC News [s] 7:30 7.30 [s] 8:00 Back Roads (PG) [s] 8:30 Magical Land Of Oz [s] 9:30 Exposed: The Case Of Keli Lane: A Fair Trial (M l) [s] 10:30 ABC Late News [s] 11:00 Louis Theroux - The City Addicted To Crystal Meth (M)

6:00 Sunrise [s] 9:00 The Morning Show (PG) [s] 11:30 Seven Morning News [s] 12:00 Movie: “Trip To Bountiful” (G) (’14) – Carrie Watts begrudgingly lives with her overprotective son, Ludie, and pretentious daughter-in-law, Jessie Mae. Stars: John Heard, Geraldine Page, Carlin Glynn 2:00 The Daily Edition (PG) [s] 3:00 The Chase UK [s] 4:00 Seven News At 4 [s] 5:00 The Chase Australia [s] 6:00 Seven News [s] 7:00 Home And Away (PG) [s] 8:30 Movie: “The Proposal” (PG) (’15) Stars: Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Mary Steenburgen, Craig T Nelson, Betty White, Denis O’Hare 11:00 Proven Innocent: Pilot (MA15+) [s] 12:00 World’s Deadliest Weather: Caught On Camera (PG) [s] 1:00 Home Shopping

SBS (C30)

Also see: SBS VICELAND (Channel 31) SBS MOVIES (Channel 32) SBS FOOD (Channel 33) SBS NITV (Channel 34)

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Monday 27 January

11:00 11:30 12:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 3:30 4:00 5:00 5:30 6:00 6:30 7:00 7:30 8:30

PRIME (C61/60)

Tuesday 28 January

Saturday 25 January

Friday 24 January

ABC (C20/21)

6:00 9:00 10:00 10:30

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Wednesday 29 January

Thursday 30 January

PAGE 20 24 JANUARY 2020

TEN (C13)

NINE (C81/80)

5:30 Today [s] 6:00 10:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 8:30 - Pre Show [s] 12:00 11:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 1:00 *Live* From Melbourne Park [s] 4:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 2:30 *Live* From Melbourne Park [s] 3:00 6:00 NINE News [s] – NINE presents 3:30 the latest in news, sport and weather locally, nationally and 4:00 4:30 around the world. 7:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis *Live* From Melbourne Park [s] 5:00 11:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 6:00 *Live* From Melbourne Park [s] 6:30 7:30 12:00 Unforgettable: Breathing Space (M v,d,s) [s] – Suspects 9:00 are plentiful in the case of a murdered aerospace engineer; the Major Crimes team learns 10:00 that the victim was working on a 11:30 billionaire’s space mission. 1:00 Delish Destinations: Banff/ 12:30 Lake Louise, Canada [s] 1:30 1:30 Home Shopping 2:30 4:00 Ellen (PG) [s] 4:30

Headline News [s] Studio 10 (PG) [s] Dr Phil (PG) [s] I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! (PG) [s] Entertainment Tonight [s] Judge Judy (PG) [s] Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield [s] Farm To Fork [s] The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 10 News First [s] WIN News [s] The Project (PG) [s] I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! (PG) [s] Hughesy, We Have A Problem (M) [s] The Montreal Comedy Festival (M s,l) [s] WIN’s All Australian News [s] The Project (PG) [s] The Late Show (PG) [s] Home Shopping CBS - This Morning [s]

6:00 5:30 Today [s] 6:00 Sunrise [s] News Breakfast [s] 10:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 8:30 9:00 The Morning Show (PG) [s] ABC News Mornings [s] 12:00 - Pre Show [s] 11:30 Seven Morning News [s] Foreign Correspondent [s] 12:00 Movie: “Gifted Hands: The Ben 11:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 1:00 Making Child Prodigies [s] *Live* From Melbourne Park [s] Carson Story” (PG) (’09) Stars: Dream Gardens [s] Ben Carson 4:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 2:30 Ask The Doctor (PG) [s] 2:00 The Daily Edition (PG) [s] *Live* From Melbourne Park [s] 3:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 3:00 The Chase UK [s] 6:00 NINE News [s] Australian Story (PG) [s] 3:30 4:00 Seven News At 4 [s] 7:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis Heywire [s] 5:00 The Chase Australia [s] *Live* From Melbourne Park [s] 4:00 Unforgotten (M l) [s] 6:00 Seven News [s] 11:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 4:30 Poh’s Kitchen [s] 7:00 Home And Away (PG) [s] *Live* From Melbourne Park [s] Hard Quiz (PG) [s] 7:30 First Dates Australia (M) [s] 12:00 Chicago Med: Lock It Down Think Tank (PG) [s] 5:00 (M) [s] – Due to the lockdown, 6:00 Anh’s Brush With Fame (PG) 8:40 Movie: “The Holiday” (PG) (’06) – Two women troubled with guy Dr Rhodes must figure out a The Heights (PG) [s] 6:30 way to get into the operating problems swap homes in each ABC News [s] 7:30 other’s countries, where they room to help perform openSummer Drum [s] each meet a local guy and fall in heart surgery. ABC News [s] 9:00 love. Stars: Jude Law, Cameron 1:00 Adelady: The Ghan [s] 7.30 [s] 10:00 Diaz, Kate Winslet, Eli Wallach, 1:30 South Aussie With Cosi: Nigella At My Table [s] 72 Hours On Eyre Peninsula Jack Black, Rufus Sewell, Griff’s Great Australian Rail 11:00 (PG) Edward Burns, John Krasinski, Trip [s] 12:00 2:00 Home Shopping Emma Pritchard 9:20 The Cult Of The Family (M) [s] 1:00 10:20 ABC Late News [s] 11:20 Proven Innocent: The Burden 2:30 Skippy - The. Bush Kangaroo 3:00 Home Shopping 10:50 Secrets Of The Dinosaur Of Truth (MA15+) [s] 2:00 4:00 Ellen (PG) [s] Crater [s] 12:30 Home Shopping 4:30

Headline News [s] Studio 10 (PG) [s] Dr Phil (PG) [s] I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! (PG) [s] Entertainment Tonight [s] Judge Judy (PG) [s] Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield [s] Farm To Fork [s] The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 10 News First [s] WIN News [s] The Project (PG) [s] I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! (PG) [s] NCIS: Flight Plan (M v) [s] NCIS: Los Angeles: Hail Mary (M v) [s] WIN’s All Australian News [s] The Project [s] The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (PG) [s] Home Shopping CBS - This Morning [s]

5:30 Today [s] 6:00 Sunrise [s] 6:00 10:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 8:30 9:00 The Morning Show (PG) [s] - Pre Show [s] 11:30 Seven Morning News [s] 12:00 11:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 1:00 12:00 Movie: “Michael Jackson: *Live* From Melbourne Park [s] Searching For Neverland” (PG) (’17) – Based on the best selling 4:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 2:30 *Live* From Melbourne Park [s] 3:00 book, ‘Remember The Time: Protecting Michael Jackson In 6:00 NINE News [s] 3:30 7:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis His Final Days’, and told *Live* From Melbourne Park [s] 4:00 through the eyes of Jackson’s 11:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 4:30 trusted bodyguards, Bill Whitfield and Javon Beard. *Live* From Melbourne Park [s] Stars: Navi, Chad Coleman, 12:00 Lethal Weapon: What The 5:00 Taegen Burns, Sam Adegoke Puck (MA15+) [s] – Cole wants 6:00 2:00 The Daily Edition (PG) [s] to talk to Natalie about their 6:30 3:00 The Chase UK [s] relationship; Murtaugh finds an 7:30 4:00 Seven News At 4 [s] unlikely friend. 5:00 The Chase Australia [s] 1:00 Plonk: Adelaide (M) [s] 9:00 6:00 Seven News [s] 1:30 The Hold Down (PG) [s] 10:00 7:00 Home And Away (PG) [s] 2:00 Home Shopping 7:30 First Dates Australia (M) [s] 4:00 Ellen (PG) [s] – Join Ellen 11:00 8:40 Temptation Island USA (M) [s] DeGeneres as she hosts a 12:00 10:40 Movie: “Mike And Dave Need unique mix of celebrity 1:00 Wedding Dates” (M d,l,s) (’16) interviews, chart-topping Stars: Zac Efron musical performances and 2:00 12:30 Home Shopping audience participation games. 4:30

Headline News [s] Studio 10 (PG) [s] Dr Phil (PG) [s] I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! (PG) [s] Entertainment Tonight [s] Judge Judy (PG) [s] Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield [s] Farm To Fork [s] The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 10 News First [s] WIN News [s] The Project (PG) [s] I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! (PG) [s] Bull: Her Own Two Feet (M v) Bull: The Illusion Of Control (M v) [s] WIN’s All Australian News [s] The Project (PG) [s] The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (PG) [s] Home Shopping CBS - This Morning [s]

6:00 Sunrise [s] News Breakfast [s] 5:30 Today [s] 6:00 9:00 The Morning Show (PG) [s] ABC News Mornings [s] 10:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 8:30 11:30 Seven Morning News [s] Foreign Correspondent [s] - Pre Show [s] 12:00 Making Child Prodigies (PG) 12:00 Movie: “In My Dreams” (PG) 11:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 1:00 (’14) – Two lonely people each Dream Gardens [s] *Live* From Melbourne Park [s] throw a penny into the local Ask The Doctor (PG) [s] 4:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 2:30 fountain, then start having ABC News At Noon [s] *Live* From Melbourne Park [s] 3:00 dreams about each other in Adam Hills: The Last Leg 6:00 NINE News [s] 3:30 which they fall in love and long 7:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis (PG) [s] to be together. Stars: Katharine Unforgotten (M l) [s] *Live* From Melbourne Park [s] 4:00 McPhee, Mike Vogel The Cook And The Chef [s] 11:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis 4:30 2:00 The Daily Edition (PG) [s] Hard Quiz (PG) [s] *Live* From Melbourne Park [s] 3:00 The Chase UK [s] Think Tank (PG) [s] 12:00 Cold Case: Into The Blue (PG) 5:00 Anh’s Brush With Fame (PG) 4:00 Seven News At 4 [s] [s] – Rush relives painful 6:00 The Heights (PG) [s] 5:00 The Chase Australia [s] – It’s a memories of when she forged 6:30 ABC News [s] hit with audiences around the her own path as the first female 7:30 Summer Drum [s] globe - now the general homicide detective in the ABC News [s] knowledge game show with a Philadelphia Police Department. 9:00 7.30 [s] difference lands on our shores 1:00 Mom: Teenage Vampires And Doctor Who: Fugitive Of The with The Chase Australia. A White Russian (M s) [s] – 10:00 Judoon (PG) [s] 6:00 Seven News [s] Bonnie is upset when her Would I Lie To You? (PG) [s] 7:00 Home And Away (PG) [s] brother is arrested and calls 11:00 QI: Ologies (M l) [s] 7:30 Cricket: Big Bash League: Adam instead of her to bail him 12:00 Killing Eve: Fourth Place v Fifth Place out. 1:00 Desperate Times (MA15+) [s] *Live* From TBC [s] 1:30 Home Shopping 2:00 ABC Late News [s] 11:00 Home Shopping 4:00 Ellen (PG) [s] 4:30

Headline News [s] Studio 10 (PG) [s] Dr Phil (PG) [s] I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! (PG) [s] Entertainment Tonight [s] Judge Judy (PG) [s] Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield [s] Farm To Fork [s] The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 10 News First [s] WIN News [s] The Project (PG) [s] I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! (PG) [s] Law And Order: SVU: The Darkest Journey Home (M s,v) Blue Bloods: The Real Deal (M v) [s] WIN’s All Australian News [s] The Project (PG) [s] The Late Show (PG) [s] Home Shopping CBS - This Morning [s]

6:00 9:00 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 1:00 1:30 2:00 3:05 3:30 4:05 5:00 5:30 6:00 6:30 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30

6:00 9:00 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 3:30 4:05 5:00 5:30 6:00 6:30 7:00 7:30 8:00 9:30 10:15 10:45 11:15 6:00 9:00 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 1:00 2:00 3:05 3:30 4:05 5:00 5:30 6:00 6:30 7:00 7:30 8:00 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:45

News Breakfast [s] ABC News Mornings [s] Foreign Correspondent [s] Making Child Prodigies (PG) Dream Gardens [s] Ask The Doctor (PG) [s] ABC News At Noon [s] Secrets Of The Dinosaur Crater [s] Unforgotten (M l) [s] Nigella At My Table [s] Hard Quiz (PG) [s] Think Tank (PG) [s] Anh’s Brush With Fame (PG) The Heights (PG) [s] ABC News [s] Summer Drum [s] ABC News [s] 7.30 [s] Sherlock: The Final Problem (M v) [s] Adam Hills: The Last Leg (M) Planet America (PG) [s] ABC Late News [s] Harry Potter: A History Of Magic (PG) [s]

Also see: ABC COMEDY (Channel 22) ABC ME (Channel 23) ABC NEWS (Channel 24)

Also see: 7TWO (Channel 62) 7MATE (Channel 63) 7FLIX (Channel 66) 7FOOD (Channel 74)

Also see: GEM (Channel 82) GO! (Channel 83/88) LIFE (Channel 84)

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Also see: 10 PEACH (Channel 11) 10 BOLD (Channel 12)

Programming information correct at time of going to press, changes are at the network’s discretion Prepared by National Typesetting Services

PAGE 21 24 JANUARY 2020

SBS (C30)

5:00 5:15 5:30 2:00

CGTN English News NHK World English News Worldwatch Telemarkskanalen Boat Journey (PG) (In Norwegian) 3:00 Ice Bridge: The Impossible Journey (PG) 4:00 Destination Flavour China (In English/ Mandarin) 4:30 Food Detectives (PG) 5:30 Letters And Numbers 6:00 Mastermind Australia 6:30 SBS World News 7:35 Cruising With Jane McDonald 8:25 Michael Mosley: Trust Me, I’m A Doctor (PG) 9:30 24 Hours In Police Custody: The Detective And The Surgeon (M l,v) 10:25 SBS World News Late 10:55 Football: The World Game 11:30 Wisting (MA15+) (In Norwegian/ English) 12:25 Witnesses (M l,v) (In French) 1:30 Borgen (M l,s) (In Danish) 5:00 5:15 5:30 1:00 2:00

CGTN English News NHK World English News Worldwatch PBS Newshour Telemarkskanalen Boat Journey (PG) (In Norwegian) 3:00 Destination Flavour China (In English/ Mandarin) 3:30 Who Do You Think You Are?: Lulu (PG) 4:35 Food Detectives (PG) 5:30 Letters And Numbers 6:00 Mastermind Australia 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 Who Do You Think You Are? Boy George (PG) 8:40 Prince Albert’s Secret Papers 9:35 Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over: The Family Who Live Online (M) 10:30 SBS World News Late 11:00 The Twelve: The Ghent, 2018 (MA15+) (In Flemish) 12:00 Deep State: Stories (MA15+) (In English/ Arabic) 1:00 The State (MA15+) 5:00 5:15 5:30 1:00 2:00

CGTN English News NHK World English News Worldwatch PBS Newshour Telemarkskanalen Boat Journey (PG) (In Norwegian) 3:00 Scotland: Rome’s Final Frontier 4:00 Destination Flavour China (In English/ Mandarin) 4:30 Food Detectives (PG) 5:30 Letters And Numbers 6:00 Mastermind Australia 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 Tony Robinson Down Under: Welcome To Australia (PG) 8:30 Cannabis: Drug Or Miracle Medicine? 9:30 Vikings: Valhalla Can Wait (M) 10:30 SBS World News Late 11:00 The Red Line (M) 11:50 Movie: “Neruda” (MA15+) (’16) Stars: Luis Gnecco (In French/ Spanish) 1:50 Versailles: The Afterlife/ The Wheel Of Fortune (MA15+) 5:00 5:15 5:30 1:00 2:00

CGTN English News NHK World English News Worldwatch PBS Newshour Telemarkskanalen Boat Journey (PG) (In Norwegian) 3:55 Destination Flavour China (In English/ Mandarin) 4:25 Victoria And Albert: The Wedding 5:30 Letters And Numbers 6:00 Mastermind Australia 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 Australia With Julia Bradbury: Victoria (PG) 8:00 Luke Nguyen’s Railway: Vietnam (PG) 8:30 Movie: “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo” (MA15+) (’11) Stars: Rooney Mara 10:25 SBS World News Late 11:55 Outlander (MA15+) 12:55 Project Blue Book: The Scoutmaster/ War Games (M v) 2:30 Modus (M l,v) (In English/ Swedish/ Danish

Also see: SBS VICELAND (Channel 31) SBS MOVIES (Channel 32) SBS FOOD (Channel 33) SBS NITV (Channel 34)

PAGE 22 24 JANUARY 2020 HEALTH

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Be on the lookout for deadly funnel web spiders Central Coast residents should be on the lookout for deadly funnel web spiders in the wake of heavy rains over the past week. That’s the warning from the Australian Reptile Park at Somersby, which says the heavy rains, followed by several days of high heat, will create perfect conditions for the spiders to thrive. Reptiles and Spider keeper, Jake Meney, said the public needs to remain vigilant, aware and safe when dealing with funnel webs. “It’s important that Australians are across the correct first aid and know how to safely catch

the spiders so that we can continue to milk them and save lives,” Meney said. “We rely on public donations of funnel web spiders to build up our milking individuals.” “If you are an adult and feel safe to do so, please catch the funnel webs using a big glass jar. “Keeping your hands away from the spider, coax it into the jar using a long stick and bring it to us at the Australian Reptile Park or one of our drop-off points on the Central Coast. “Funnel webs cannot climb up glass or plastic so once you put the lid on tightly, the funnel web can’t get out.” Meney said Sydney funnel

webs prefer to make their home in sheltered, shady spots, which are always cool and humid. Their natural habitats are rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests, but the shaded areas of well vegetated private gardens are also readily colonised. When found inside homes, they are usually in cool, damp places like the laundry, garage or in shoes left out on the ground, he said. If someone is bitten by a spider, they should be kept calm and a pressure immobilisation bandage should be applied. This should be the same tension/tightness as for a sprain.

Wrap the bandage around the bite site three times and then wrap the rest of the limb. The person should be taken to hospital as quickly as possible. The Reptile Park is the sole supplier of funnel web spider venom to make into antivenom. The anti-venom program has saved countless Australian lives since its inception in the early 1980s. There has not been a single death from a funnel web bite since the introduction of the program. Source Media release, Jan 22 Australian Reptile Park Australian Reptile Park website, Jan 22

Local health professionals support South Coast fire victims A team of mental health staff from Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) have joined colleagues in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District working to provide psychological support to bushfire affected communities.

CCLHD mental health staff have departed to the South Coast

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The five CCLHD staff including social workers, occupational therapists, counsellors and nurses will be based in critical areas across the South Coast including Emergency Departments and evacuation centres. Their work will include delivering psychological first aid, clinical assessment and appropriate interventions as part of a state-wide whole-of government response. They will also have a consultation role, providing mental health advice to

emergency staff, welfare groups and community agencies on the front line. “As part of CCLHD’s disaster management plans, we have a number of teams on standby to support those affected according to needs. “During times of crisis we collaborate and work closely with communities and other Local Health Districts to determine what is required and to provide assistance where we can,” CCLHD Acting Chief Executive, Kate Lyons said. “This is the first time our mental health staff have been deployed to an area outside of our local area to assist with a disaster response, but all our staff are keen to help in any way they can, alongside their colleagues from other Local Health Districts throughout NSW. “Mental health support plays

a vital role in helping individuals and communities recover from a disaster. “The impact can be far reaching, the effects can be long-term and the response requires flexibility. “We are grateful to the mental health staff who have agreed to be a part of this disaster response team. “Their commitment and dedication to helping others in the face of uncertainty and adversity is admirable,” Lyons said. Other Local Health Districts have also provided support to the southern and northern NSW regions affected by fires. The five CCLHD staffers will remain on the South Coast for as long as they are needed. Source: Media release, Jan 15 Nikkie Beltran, Central Coast Local Health District

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EDUCATION

Soccer gala day raised $3,420 for women and children’s crisis accommodation

Primary School students at Green Point Christian College (GPCC) hosted a soccer gala day which raised $3,420 for Coast Shelter’s Women and Children’s crisis accommodation and support services. The gala day was organised by primary school teacher, Katya Wengi, with the help of the wider school community, and took place in December, 2019. Funds were raised through donations by the students and parents who participated in the wide range of activities offered, including games, face painting and the very popular sausage sizzle. The students were also very excited, with several Central Coast Mariners’ players attending to provide some tips to aspiring young players. Principal Phillip Nash commented that, “these days are also an expression of the recently launched GPCC Graduate Profile which seeks to capture the key attributes we want to see formed in our students.

Backpacks Full of Hope donated to fire ravaged school communities To ensure that every child has the opportunity to start the new school year off on the right note, a local teacher has launched a school supplies collection drive for communities devastated by the bushfire crisis. Lakes Anglican Grammar School teacher, April Bryson, launched the Bring Back Hope – Backpacks Full of Hope backto-school project on January 7, to support school children in the South Coast and the Blue Mountains, which have been some of the hardest hit fire regions. Bryson said she thought up the idea for Bring Back Hope whilst watching coverage of the bushfire crisis over the summer school holidays. “I have a heart for kids and their wellbeing, and as a Year 1 teacher, I know of the excitement that a new school year brings. “However, as the new school year nears, many families and kids will still be reeling from a

devastating summer, with houses burnt down, possessions lost, and an overall feeling of sadness. “My desire is to provide backpacks of hope and joy to bushfire affected families who may need a helping hand to get their kids to school and ready to learn again,” Bryson said. Taking her cause to Facebook, the Coast has since rallied behind Bring Back Hope with hundreds of people expressing interest in donating backpacks and back-to-school gear, with several businesses and schools across the school offering to open their doors as collection

points. The campaign ran until January 17 with Bryson doing her final collection, filling a van with donated goods. Bryson said the campaign was so successful that more than 600 backpacks had been donated. Bryson said she would update the community about the final figure once all backpacks were filled and ready to be shipped out in the coming week. Source: Website, Jan 17 April Bryson, Bring Back Hope Backpacks Full of Hope Reporter: Dilon Luke

Recently moved to Central Coast, an accomplished experienced piano teacher seeks interested students. NSW Conservatorium trained accredited, with a long history of prizewinning, achieving students in examinations, competitions and HSC results. Situated in East Gosford, close to transport, easy parking, near schools.

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PAGE 23 24 JANUARY 2020

“In the case of the gala, the focus on fundraising support for others provides an opportunity to teach the students about being socially engaged and godly in character, two of the graduate profile attributes. “Bringing these together, we wanted to encourage the students to participate in the day with an understanding that it is good to be caring for others in a compassionate way, and to be generous towards those experiencing challenges in life,” Nash said. These two attributes of the graduate profile combine with three other areas of focus, these being the formation of students who are collaborative, life long learners, and creative and critical thinkers. “While GPCC will always seek to develop students academically, there is also a clear focus on equipping our students for all of life through a holistic education,” Nash added. Source: Media release, Jan 20 Brendan Wood, Green Point Christian College

Learn FRENCH with CENTRAL COAST

WWW.AFCENTRALCOAST.ORG.AU We offer the most effective way to learn French with our methods, developed over 130 years • Very experienced teachers • Individual attention LOW Y R VE • Small classes ! COST • Limited Places

For more information ring: East Gosford: Félix Ph: 4339 1151 Bateau Bay: Patricia Ph: 4333 6634 Alliance Française de la Côte Centrale is a Not for Profit organization , registered with the ACNC

PAGE 24 24 JANUARY 2020

CLASSIFIEDS

ANTENNAS

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BUILDERS

ELECTRICIAN

A Better Picture

Installations & Tuning New home specialist Credit cards OK HAYWARD VIDEO All areas Gosford 4323 6367 Woy Woy 4344 4414 Warnervale 1800 244 456 0412 685 555

Totally Building & Maintenance Building Repairs & Maintenance Basic Carpentry, Bricklaying, Paving and Concreting. No Job too small Fully Insured 25 years experience

Phone John 0417 285 585

LicNo#98098R

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CARPENTRY

Asbestos Removal

ALL GENERAL CARPENTRY

Ph: Tom 0422 653 794 or 4393 9890

Stairs, pergolas, verandas, decks etc. Available now Call Michael Bennett Ph: 0407 281 046

Safe Work NSW Lic. AD212564

Lic. 28352c

BEAUTY

ELECTRICIAN

YOUR LOCAL

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Kellie Sherack Qualified Nail Technician www.redheadnails.com

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The Gosford Bush Poets will commence their 2020 in the conference room of

the Gosford Hotel, from 7pm on January 29.

ENTERTAINMENT

HEALING

PAINTER

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ASBESTOS

Fully licensed and insured asbestos removals from houses, garages, sheds, bathrooms etc.

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CLASSIFIEDS ADVERTISING RATES Classified advertising is the cheapest form of newspaper advertising. This newspaper is published on line on the night before publication date, and is read that way by hundreds of people. All advertisements, including these classified advertising pages, appear in full on-line as an additional benefit for free.

See www.coastcommunitynews.com.au Central Coast Newspapers’ advertising rates are relatively much lower than in other newspapers and at the same time much larger than in other newspapers, with the minimum size being 50mm X 42mm. Approximately 13,000 copies of each newspaper are printed and distributed every week.

Personal and Not For Profit Organisations

As Central Coast Newspapers are community newspapers, the cost of advertising not for profit organisations’ events is subsidised. This makes them the same rate as non business advertisements. A mono 5cm advertisement only costs $33. Each additional cm costs $6.60 as does colour, and/or a photograph or a logo. Private advertisements need to be paid for at the time of booking.

Business rates

The minimum size of 5cm X a single column only costs $50 + GST in mono and an extra $10 + GST for colour, a logo or a photograph. Most businesses choose to advertise on an ongoing basis and discounts apply for multiple bookings, if they are paid for in full, in advance. Having a prepaid classified advertisement run for 6 editions only costs $250 + GST and $50 + GST more for colour. For 12 editions, it is $495 + GST and $100+ GST more for colour. For 24 editions, it is only $950 + GST and $200 + GST for colour, a saving of $290 + GST. Artwork is free and advertisers are encouraged to change their advertisements frequently

•R esidential and Commercial • Interior and Exterior • New Work and Repaints

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Folk and Acoustic Music Club

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Bush Poets to reconvene in 2020

BluesAngels Your total acoustic blues/roots package, top to toe, and then some. Minnie the Moocher to Eagle Rock and on into indie roots, beatnik jazz, backhills bluegrass and prog folk. Available as duo, trio or band negotiable for your party, event or venue.

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MASSAGE

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$70 for one hour Shop 4, 470 Pacific Highway, Wyoming

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EAST GOSFORD THAI MASSAGE Top quality Thai massage with oil

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HAIRDRESSER

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Early School Leavers’ program

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“We shan’t have a guest artist this month so everyone will have the opportunity of presenting two items during the evening,” said event organiser, Vic Jefferies. “Given that our meeting will be pretty close on the heels of Australia Day, perhaps a poem or two to celebrate that date might be in order. “Peter Mace is just back from the Illawarra Folk Festival and he tells me that he has managed to arrange for a number of top flight poets who were at the festival to be our guest artists through the coming year. “Tis really an impressive list of performance poets and the best part is they are all keen to perform at the Gosford Bush Poets. “2020 is bound to be a bumper year,” Jefferies said. Source: Media release, Jan 22 Vic Jefferies, Gosford Bush Poets

TILING

REMOVALS

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No job too big or too small Affordable rates

Call for free quote 0497 800 074 0421 084 650

Tiling Wall & Floor Property Maintenance 0439 589 426

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THE SHAME FILE

Central Coast Newspapers has a very liberal credit policy for advertisers and realises that from time to time, people, businesses and organisations get into financial difficulty and may need assistance and time to get things back on track. However, some people, businesses and organisations take advantage of this generosity they use advertising but simply don’t pay their account after several months and need to be taken to court to do so. From time to time, as necessary, we will name these people, businesses or organisations as a warning to our readers so that they will be wary when dealing with them. Decorative Fabrics & • Modern Asian Cuisine, • Steve McGinty, Furnishings Victoria Street East Gosford • Michelle Umback - 2 Funky, • AAA Coastal Painting Wyoming Terrigal •T ony Fitzpatrick trading as Service, Greg Sutherland, • Dean Lampard - Trading as Lampard Painting North Gosford Futurtek Roofing • Ezy Homes - Freddies • Coast and Country •S helley Walker - Previously Warehouse, Gosford Central Removalists - Gosford trading as Headmasters Hair Plaza • Mulla Villa PTY Ltd Design, Park Plaza Gosford Thomas James Clinton, • • Jessica Wheatcroft trading • Jessica Davis - A1 Cleaning Trading as TMA Products as Wheatcroft Advertising Services, Erina & AthroBalm & Effective quaBricks, Kogarah • I nspire P/L trading as CUP Business Solutions of Ettalong A Computers formerly of • • Audrey’s Family Restaurant, Craig Lack Fencing Gosford George Nouri • Renotek, Tascott

WWW.COASTCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM.AU

PAGE 25 24 JANUARY 2020

Red Hatters Holiday in Paradise

ver the years on Norfolk Island the annual holiday of Red Hatters brings quite a unique sense of fun and madness to this Island and they are coming back in July 2020. Red Hatters describe themselves as being ‘50’s + something’ aged women who meet and travel in the name of fun, wearing red and purple attire. They say “the party is just beginning” having stopped counting the years and begun living life with fun at the top of the list. With Red Hatter’s located across Australia and New Zealand, Norfolk Island offers a ‘meeting in the middle’ for everyone to enjoy a shared holiday. The Red Hatter program is packed with fabulous meals and tour. It includes a Welcome Dinner and entertainment, exclusive Red Hatter Half Day Island Tour, special Red Hatter Luncheon at The Olive Branch located at the historic Norfolk Island Golf Club (glass of bubbles included), special Red Hatter ‘Shop till you Drop’ at A Walk in the Wild including pre-dinner nibbles (and a glass of bubbles), exclusive ‘Island Culinary Journey’ Dinner

with an Island dance demonstration and a ‘Christmas in July’ themed Dinner at Paradise Hotel with excellent - and fun - entertainment. Each Red Hatter Chapter is led by a Queen (but of course!) and together with the Chapter members, the names they choose are based on personality traits mixed with, you guessed it, a bit of fun. Norfolk Island’s Chapter is led by Her Royal Highness Queenalee Rosalie Radiant Rose of Divinity, who rules over her ‘Bounty Babes’. In all seriousness though, while frivolity may be what naturally occurs when Red Hatters get together there are some fundamental ways that being a Red Hatter can deepen, enrich and empower lives. This comes from making new friends, sharing life’s ups and downs and having the opportunity for a release from daily stresses, all while holidaying on a pacific island gem! With a breathtakingly beautiful and pristine environment experience turquoise waters over coral reef, soak up history in a World Heritage listed area and explore a unique local culture.

There is as much or as little as you’d like to do on Norfolk. The Red Hatter Registration program is sold separately to the package and costs $500 per person (or a specially discounted $450 per person for those who book through Norfolk Island Travel Centre). To secure your spot contact Christan Davies at christan@travelcentre.nf or call 1800 1400 66 or visit the website at www.norfolkislandtravelcentre.com Whether you visit Norfolk by yourself, with family or friends, or as part of an organised (or your own) group trip, make sure to use the knowledge available from local travel agents, tour operators and visitor information services all located on the island. ‘Meeting the locals’ really is part of a Norfolk Island experience, so make sure to do so even before you travel. You’ll surely find much more than you expected on a Norfolk Island holiday!

 1800 1400 66

RED HATTERS GATHER ON NORFOLK

THE BEST OF NORFOLK ISLAND

30 June 05 July 2020

Meet our local Chapter!

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Return airfares · Meet&Greet at Norfolk Airport · Return Norfolk Airport transfers · 7 nights accommodation at Paradise Hotel and Resort · Daily fully cooked breakfast · Complimentary cocktail & sweet treat on arrival · Sunset Cocktail Hour at Paradise Hotel + Norfolk Island Travel Centre Bonuses

Return airfares · Meet&Greet at Norfolk Airport · Return Norfolk Airport transfers · 7 nights accommodation · 7 days car hire · Half Day Island Tour · Breakfast Bushwalk Tour Island Fish Fry · ‘Night as a Convict’ · Island Culture Tour Sound & Light Show + Norfolk Island Travel Centre Bonuses

C o n tac t f or more info : c hri stan@ t r av elcen t r e. n f

Co n t a c t f o r more i nfo : trave l@trave lc e ntr e .nf

We a r e o w n e d & o p e r a t e d b y f r i e n d l y N o r f o l k I s l a n d l o c a l s www.norfolkislandtravelcentre.com / Call : 1 8 0 0 1 4 0 0 6 6 / Email : travel@travelcentre.nf C o ndi t i ons ap p l y – P ri c e s are c urre nt at t i me of p ri nt i ng, subject to a v a ila bility & cha nge without notice

PAGE 26 24 JANUARY 2020

PUZZLES

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ACROSS 1. Untie 4. Insistent 8. Windmill arm 11. Desert water hole 13. Early Peruvians 15. Creme de la creme Indian mausoleum, ... 17. Mahal 18. River mammal 20. Transgression 21. Helmet peak 24. Painter’s tripod 27. Public house 28. Hideous monsters 30. Cavalry spear 31. Bellows 33. Infuse 34. AWOL student 35. Scandinavian city 36. Unassuming 39. Swarmed 42. Sounded like crow 44. Comprehend writing 45. South Korean capital 46. Cul-de-sac, ... end 48. Drummer, Ringo ... 49. Beg 50. Tiny landmass 52. Eventuated 54. Skyrocket 55. Cheeky Fill in 56. Chooses (government) 57. “No” votes 60. Young children

62. Agreement 65. Former Spanish currency unit 67. Native American tent 69. Leader 70. Animal skin disease 72. Drain 73. Top layer 75. Very pale 77. Expression of disgust 79. Needle stab 81. Fellow 82. Fizzy 84. Fees 85. Up in the air 86. Fair to middling (2-2) 87. Corrected (wrong) 88. Muscle firmness

DOWN 1. Applications 2. Performing 3. Cereal grass 4. Unchanged (2,2) 5. Stellar 6. Miserable 7. Nervous twitches 8. Wine keg 9. In motion 10. Receive (salary) 12. VII 14. Gut letter part each of the 16. Fierce felines 19. Happen next 22. Dispatched

23. Martini garnishes 25. TV reception pole 26. Obliterated 29. Unruly demonstrators 32. Cash machine (1,1,1) 35. Male rowers 37. Northern sea duck 38. Arouses (interest in) 40. High-ranking lords 41. Belittle 42. Damn 43. Bus terminus 44. Showery 47. From US Arctic state 51. More effortless 52. Stage players 53. Seniors 54. Plan 58. Church table 59. Dine late 61. Coffee sediment 63. Narrow land links 64. Spice 65. Satay kernel 66. Ballroom favourite 68. Heroic tales 71. Enthusiasm 72. Jet-baths 74. Soviet region (1,1,1,1) 76. Principal 78. Overblown publicity 80. Dove call 83. Rear once only. alphabet

MISSING LINK

SHE C A X CE H KN I I E A I A A EG L M I SC I NCE E S A S T O E S S L A UA K O I T T K

MISSING LINK Fill in each letter of the alphabet once only.

V E O M

H O U Z G O I N T E E E MA A S I A T E

K Y

T A

O A S L I A E I K I X E S T O I A A N E Y I S I N S N © Lovatts Puzzles

LAST WEEKS ANSWERS

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Missing Link Solution: Missing Link Solution:

H F U G V E E N E O MA B QU T

O Z Z O I N T E E MA S S I A D E

K T R I V A L H O X A S L I P A C A K E I K M I X E S T RO I A A N T E W Y I S J O I N S N Y Y

ADVERTISE HERE 4325 7369

S I N

T E S

M T S I Z E N P V I CE I RE EGO W SC S A SH B U QUAC T K

K T S SHE A F C A X H KN I T GA L I A A L M I X I ENCE E T ODE S S L A K J O I S T N Y

Bunnings do their bit to help bushfire affected communities Bunnings stores at Erina and West Gosford will join others around the country and in New Zealand to raise money for bushfire victims on January 24. Sausage sizzles running from 9am-4pm at all Bunnings stores on the day will see every cent go to the Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund for use in helping bushfire affected communities throughout Australia. Bunnings Chief Operating Officer, Debbie Poole, said Bunnings would provid all materials for the day, with team members working the barbie. In the meantime, Bunnings is accepting monetary donations in store and online, and any donations made by team members will be matched. “Bunnings team members who volunteer with the CFA, RFS or similar organisations are receiving paid leave for their brave efforts,” Poole said. “We’re currently supporting some of our team who have

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been directly impacted by the bushfires, and our stores are assisting local organisations where they can. “In the coming weeks, our local store teams will be heading out into their communities to help with the recovery and rebuilding process.” Red Cross Head of Emergency Services, Andrew Coghlan, said the organisation was grateful to have Bunnings come on board with the fundraising event. “These fires have been impacting on the lives of Australians for weeks on end,” he said. “We’re in many of the affected communities right now and we will continue to support those impacted by the fires. “It means a great deal to have Bunnings stand with us in helping disaster affected people and their communities.” Source: Media release, Jan 20 Debbie Poole, Bunnings Chief Operating Officer

WWW.COASTCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM.AU

OUT&ABOUT PAGE 27 24 JANUARY 2020

Action sought to ensure that koala populations on the Central Coast thrive Local environment group, Coast Environmental Alliance (CEA), is calling on Federal Environment Minister, Sussan Ley, to take immediate action to ensure koala populations on the Central Coast not only survive, but thrive well into the future. Conservationist and founding member of CEA, Jake Cassar, said that while koalas had recently been spotted at Mangrove Mountain, in the Watagan State Forest, and in Rumbulara Reserve, Gosford, the discovery of a significant population of the native marsupials close to the Wallarah 2 coal mine site should see an urgent halt to that project. “These populations, and others across the Central Coast, can play a vital role in the survival of this iconic Australian species,” Cassar said. “Unless we protect as much koala habitat as possible, they will likely be functionally extinct in the wild in the not too distant future. “You don’t need to be a ‘Greenie’ or an activist-type to want to protect these national treasures, you just need to

have a brain and a heart. “The area around the proposed mine site obviously has the exact eucalyptus trees that these koalas rely on for their daily subsistence. “The area proposed to be mined may be one of the last bastions that can sustain this colony, and it needs to be urgently protected before the mining company gets in and starts bulldozing.” The Korean owned Wallarah 2 Coal Mine site is just five minutes from Wyong CBD. Cassar said the discovery of the koala population so close to the site should be a “game changer”.

“Locals have told me that they have known about the koala colonies in the area for some time, but have kept quiet due to wanting them protected,” he said. “After this sighting only weeks ago, and in light of Wallarah 2 recently getting one of the final approvals, I spoke with some local residents who understand how important it is to make this knowledge public. “With the Environment Minister recently stating that around 30 per cent of our already dwindling koala populations have been lost to the fires, the survival of koalas should be a national priority.

“The massive clearing of native forests in this area to establish the mine and to construct a new train line will be devastating to this koala colony, not to mention the impact on the water supply for over 200 000 Central Coast residents. “Sensible Central Coast locals are not opposed to sustainable development, but a giant coal mine in the middle of a koala colony and right below our water catchment should not even be being considered.” “Then, adding insult to injury, is the fact that over the 28 year life of this mine, 90 per cent of the coal will be sent overseas. “It just makes no sense that the Government has given this the green light.” Cassar is calling on the Government to gazette the surrounding Jilliby State Recreation area into the National Park to put a stop to the mine, and has urged all local, state and federal representatives and environmental advocacy groups to contact Ms Ley to urge preservation of the colony. Source: Media release, Jan 13 Jake Cassar, Coast Environmental Alliance

RUN IT ‘TIL YOU SELL IT

SPEAR POINT PIPE EXTENSION Triton workcentre mk3- spa - $70, steel picket cremation or buriel, OLD CEDAR DESK TIMBER TRAWLER driver, tripod with 11 mtrs, 130HP, M’home 4 metre, extension table - $300, postdriver - $60, wire basic cost covered with 9 drawers, 2 desk monkey pulleys, reasonable offer, Triton saw table - $100, strainer chain tension $2,500 extensions and glass mercedes diesel twin, electrical geared motor 700 hr fuel tanks, 200 Ph: 4392 3900 Air compressor, - $70, large garden Ph: 0428 432 149 top. $1000 ono and extras, makes REGENCY PRESURE ingersol rand beltorive hr water tank, gas 1KENWOOD FOOD umbrella - $30 Ph: 4333 3040 installing metal spear CHAIR RECLINER - $120, oxyset, comet stove fridge toilet, PROCESSOR FPM90 Ph: 4344 4702 Good condition and points easier, $350 sleeps four, $39,000 Brand New, Never sprint gauges - $80, TWO FUNERAL suitable for aged care, Ph: 4341 7567 Ph: Phone: 0409 8214325 216 7369Used Cost $700 jumpstarter 1900 2.01 86-88 CERTIFICATES Mann Gosford NSW PO Box 1056 Gosford NSW 2250 DOCTORS 100 YEAR location in Kariong, a.m.p - $50, Alfie home SEXTANT AWNINGS 2 Sell $350 at Palmdale for Email: manager@centralcoastnews.net - Websites: www.centralcoastnews.net $1500 perfect condition + Ph: 0404 012 283 case davis USA $250 Ph: 0429 934 152 PAJERO ‘07 EXCEED second owner, log LAWN MOWER NEW books, excellent 4 stroke petrol, 530 condition, 202,000 mm width grass km, 7 seats leather *To run in all three papers and on line for a maximum of 3 months if not sold before catcher, button start, upholstery, bluetooth self propelled, 8 Client Name: height positions, side dvd player etc, $12,900 Phone: Email: Ph: 0425 312 510 discharge, cost $400 CUSTOMLINE sell $350 20 words $44 Photo $11 yes no DELUXE CAMPER Ph: 0409 155 418 TRAILER LOUNGE | | | | | | | | soft black leather, 1x4 sleeps 6, extra tarp roof, queen bed, | | | | | | | | seater, 2 singles, 3.6m kitchen, awning, single kayak sundancer, | | | | | building materials all axle, year 2010, reg. W27657, EXP. 7/7/18, Extra words at $2.20 per word cheap. $4,000. Ph: 0438 511 585 | | | | | | | | Ph: 0400 115 329 BOAT TRAILER 14’ MAVERICK $650, tinny boat 13’ | | | | | | | | ELECTRIC $450, trailer HSS new WHEELCHAIR axle hubs bearings, | | | | | | | | as new, used for 2 long reg, boat has 2 days, includes warranty swivel seats. Card: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | manual, latest model Ph: 4312 6474 suitable up to SPEEDY MAG Expiry: | / | | 204kg, $4000. WHEELS Ph: 0407 535 351 4 x 20”, 6 stud near Office use only: BED QUEEN new reneagde ATS, Commence with edition: End with (if not sold) edition: double miracoil 265/50 R20 tyres, 95%: off colorado 4x4 ute, mattress & base near Reference Number new, $1250 ono. $400 ono Ph: 4365 4960 Renewing: yes no If yes, new ending edition if not sold Ph: 0432 260 111 MULTIPLE ITEMS

Run it ’til you sell it

Fill in, cut out and send in to Central Coast Newspapers PO Box 1056 Gosford NSW 2250

Ph: 4325 7868 2004 JAYCO HERITAGE POP TOP Awning, Full annex, fridge, gas, electrical stove, microwave, single beds, air con, rego 4/20, electrical brakes, extras $15,000ono Ph: 0407 392 872 BUSHROCK Large Quantity take the lot $250 TREATED PINE POLES 9 2.4m x 120mm $8 each Ph: 0416 589 543

KING TREK CAMPER rego 8/20, queen bed, full annex over swing out kitchen, full floor, built in steps, gas or 240, $5500, Ph: 0409 721280 2004 SPACELAND CARAVAN 22FT seperate shower, toilet, queenbed, awning, lots of extras, good condition $27,000 ono 0427 852 819 5 SEATER VELOUR CORNER LOUNGE, excellent condition, $200. Ph: 0403991136 or 43533158

PAGE 28 24 JANUARY 2020

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COASTAL DIARY

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A COMPREHENSIVE LISTING OF EVENTS OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS ON THE CENTRAL COAST FRIDAY, JAN 24

Comedian: Cal Wilson - Live, The Art House Wyong, Ticketed, 7:30pm

Troubadour Stunning Opening Night for 2020: Steve Turner (UK) and Sweet Songs and Soft Guitar (NSW) St Lukes Hall Woy Woy, Ticketed, 7pm

Central Coast Mariners Australia Day Woy Woy vs 2020, Brisbane Roar FC, Woy Woy Waterfront, The Central Coast branch Central Coast Stadium, Free event, of the Disabled Surfers Ticketed, 5pm 2pm - 9pm Association: ‘smiles on

Bookanook studio: Kids Creative Writing Workshop, www.a-league.com.au Kincumber Neighbourhood Centre, Comedian: Dave Thornton Free when using a - Live, creative kids voucher! The Art House Wyong, Bookings required, Ticketed, 9pm 10am - 3pm 0424 771 075 mjreidy1975@gmail.com Central Coast Art Society Inc: Summer Exhibition & Awards, Gosford Regional Art Gallery, 24//01 - 5/02, 10am - 4pm daily

Thirsty Merc Rocking Australia Day Weekend! The Ettalong Diggers, Ticketed, 8pm 4343 0111

Marine Science Series: Rocky Shores, Central Coast Marine www.ettalongdiggers.com Discovery Centre, Yuanbao Lanterns Ticketed, 7pm www.ccmdc.org.au/events Long Jetty Music Event Bush Fire Fundraiser for Red Cross Disaster Relief + Wires, Mowgli Studio, Ticketed, 4pm - 9pm Sydney-based band Winston Surfshirt, The Beery Terrigal, Ticketed, 7pm Movie and Craft Afternoon School Holiday Program Arabian Nights theme, Umina Beach Library, Free - Bookings required, 2:30pm - 5pm Slipping Away: Chris Bates, Gosford Regional Gallery, 24/01 - 1/03

Workshop and High Tea Ceremony, Gosford Regional Gallery, Ticketed - Booking’s required, 10am - 4pm

50 Years of the Gosford Art Prize: 1970-2019, Gosford Regional Gallery, 25/01- 22/03 The Central Coast Scots Burns Supper, East Gosford Progress Association Hall, Ticketed, 6:30pm - 10:3pm Moonlight Cinema ‘Smallfoot’ screening For Aussie Wildlife, Australian Reptile Park Somersby, Ticketed, 5:30pm - 10:30pm

SUNDAY, JAN 26

SATURDAY, JAN 25

Australia Day Barbeque, Ettalong Diggers Terrace, Ticketed, 12pm, 4343 0111

Australia Day Eve Amusement, Fireworks & more! Canton Beach Foreshore, 2pm - 9pm www.ettalongdiggers.com centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/ australiaday

LSCC Fundraiser Ducks for Bucks, The Entrance Channel, 6pm

Seaside Cinema: The Castle, Killcare SLSC, Ticketed, 8:30pm

Registration Day for the Frantastics Choir All welcome, Walter Baker hall woy woy, 12:30pm

Harry Potter Book Night, Erina Library, 4pm - 6pm Green Living - Saving on your Power Bills - Energy Efficiency, solar and energy options, Grants and Erina Library, Bookings Sponsorship required, 6pm - 7:30pm Information Sessions,

Love Lanes Festival 2020, Wyong Town Centre, 4pm - 9pm

SUNDAY, FEB 9

Centrelink Payments For Carers, 2pm - 3:30pm 4304 7555 Heart of Stories Tour -

Play AFL with the Author Event with Adele Central Coast Bombers! Parks, Fiona Lowe, Register now for 2020, Alexandra Joel and Vanessa McCausland, Woy Woy Library, Adelaide Street Oval FRIDAY, FEB 7 Woy Woy Library, Free Registrations required, Tumbi Umbi, 9/02 & dials’event, Bookings required, 1pm - 3pm Register to be a Participant AMIC National Competitions 16/02, 10am - 2pm 6pm - 8pm 0438 153 328 & Volunteer, Toowoon Bay, Weekend, TUESDAY, FEB 4 www.ccbombers.com 9:30am Crowne Plaza Terrigal,

Ticketed, 7 & 8/02 MONDAY, FEB 10 Jess & Matt - Know About Community grants and Sponsorship Funding You Tour, Tuggerah Lakes U3A Charmhaven Lions Seniors Extreme Laycock Street Theatre Information Session, presents a Talk on: Club: Australia Day Weather Resilience, Auditorium, Ticketed, ‘From Jesus to Christianity Blue Haven Community Community Breakfast 7pm Tuggerah Library, Centre, 1pm - 3pm - the first 400 years Part 1’, - Entertainment, food The Entrance/Long Jetty 10am - 12:30pm and more! SUNDAY, FEB 2 RSL Hall, 10am – 12pm 4350 1560 Seniors Extreme

Slade Park Budgewoi, 8am - 12pm

Australia Day Flag Raising Ceremony & Community Breakfast, Wagstaffe Hall, 8am, Jazz picnic with U-Bouddi Big Band, 6pm - 9pm

Weather Resilience, Kincumber Library, 10am - 12:30pm 4304 7641

SATURDAY, FEB 8

The Final Test - A Poignant Comedy Traversing All The Issues That Marriages Face, Woy Woy Little Diabetes Management in Theatre, Primary Care – A practical approach, Ticketed, 14/02 - 1/03, Top Point Cafe East Multiple Screenings Gosford, Free - Registration 4344 4737

WEDNESDAY, FEB 5 required at 6pm, Reduce Stress And 6:30pm - 8:30pm Overcome Anxiety Doyalson Wyee Soccer Workshops, Celebrity Charity Luncheon Clubs Registration Gosford Meditation WEDNESDAY, JAN 29 Fundraiser for ‘The Humour Days! Centre, Ticketed, Foundation’ The Doylo, either Youth Gosford Bush Poets, 2/02 - One-day with Judy Nunn, Conference room of the workshop, 9am - 12pm, Seniors Festival 2020: Hall or in the Club, The Bayview Hotel, Ticketed Gosford Hotel, 8 & 15/02, 10am - 4pm, 3/02 - 7/02 Be Connected Free entry - all welcome, 16/02, 10am - 2pm TUESDAY, FEB 11 Five-day course, Digital Connect, 5:30pm dinner, 7pm start 0410045981 6:30pm - 8:30pm Free for over 50’s, Cardiology update4368 2393 5/02 - 26/02, FRIDAY, JAN 31 Alliance Française RACC, www.wonbuddhism.org.au 10am - 2pm sessions, Conversation Group: Research and contact or visit the link Senior Moments 2: Come and practice Revascularisation -To Central Coast Mariners below to find out the ‘Remember, Remember’, your French at any level, update GP’s on invasive vs The Art House Wyong, dates for your local Erina League Club, coronary angiography/ Westerns Sydney Ticketed, 31/01 & 01/02, library First attendance is free intervention within the Wanderers FC, www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/ 7:30pm 10am – 12pm health district, Central Coast Stadium, libraries/whats-on/be-connectKen Duncan Gallery Erina, ed-digital-connectTicketed, 4pm SATURDAY, FEB 1 Free, 6pm - 8:30pm Community www.a-league.com.au Environment Network: Toddlertime - New to Community Gosford Library in 2020, Native Bee Workshop, WEDNESDAY, FEB 12 Environment Network: Gosford Library, Rumbalara Wildplant Community GEC Chamber February 9:45am - 10:15am Environmental Luncheon Event with guest Nursery, Education Centre, speaker Grant Mizens, CEN Office off Brush Grants and Ticketed, 9am - 12pm The Entertainment Grounds Road Ourimbah, Sponsorship www.cen.org.au/events Community Gosford, Ticketed, 9am - 12pm Information Sessions, 12:15pm - 2pm www.cen.org.au/events Environment Network: Erina Centre Meeting Fur Festival Fundraiser with Breakfast with the Live Music for The National Space, Erina Fair, FRIDAY, FEB 14 Birds, Central Coast FUNdraiser Registrations required, Animal Disaster Relief, Rain Dance, Central Coast The Beachomber’s Hotel 1pm - 3pm & Seniors Festival 2020: Wamberal Surf Life Saving Wetlands Pioneer Dairy, Boatshed, 12pm - 9pm 5pm 7pm Department of Human Club, Ticketed, 5pm Ticketed, 8am - 11am Services: Information Green Living Workshop: www.cen.org.au/events THURSDAY, FEB 6 Sessions Budgewoi Sailing Club’s Compost and Worm Final Regatta, Accommodation Farming at Kincumber, MONDAY, FEB 3 Community grants and Kincumber Community waterfront reserve on Noela Options, Free - No Sponsorship Funding Garden and Neighbourhood Booking required, Woy Pl Budgewoi, Market Monday and a free Information Session, 1/02 - 12:30pm race start, Centre, Free - Bookings cuppa, Woy Library, 2/02 - 10am race start Ettalong Baptist Church, Wyong Administration required, 9:30am - 12pm 10am -11:30am, Building, 3pm - 5pm & 9am - 4pm Understand-ing Your 6pm - 8pm Pension, 12pm - 1:30pm,

www.woywoylt.com The Australian Plants Society Central Coast: What Pea Flower Is That? Phillip House Kariong, Donation entry, 7:30pm

SATURDAY, FEB 15 Seniors Festival 2020: Department of Human Services: Information Sessions Accommodation Options, Erina Library, Free - No Booking required, 10am - 11:30am, Understanding Aged Care Fees And Charges, 12pm - 2pm, Estate Planning For Older Australians, 2:15pm - 3:30pm 4304 7650 Terrigal Antique & Vintage Fair, Terrigal Scouts Hall & Surrounds, 15 & 16/02, 8am - 4pm How to Meditate: Made Easy, Bamboo Buddha Cafe, Ticketed, 1pm - 4pm Busby Marou The Great Divide Tour, Central Coast Leagues Club Gosford, Ticketed, 8pm

Basic entries in the Coastal Diary are FREE. Send information to coastaldiary@centralcoastnews.net

ENHANCED entries using bold typeface with an address, phone number and a live link are available for a small fee. Photographs can also be added for a small fee. All display advertisers are entitled to a free enhanced entry.

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OUT&ABOUT PAGE 29 24 JANUARY 2020

Craft group has been a boon for wildlife carers Seamstresses, crafters and makers from across the region have united in a new group doing their utmost to support wildlife carers on the Central Coast. The Lesa Valpy Craft/Sew for Wildlife Carers Central Coast NSW 2257 group was formed in November, 2019, and in just two short months they’ve produced hundreds of handmade items to support the work of local wildlife carers. Founder, Lesa Valpy, said the group was made up of 63 dedicated women wanting to make a difference. The group’s popularity exploded after they held two Sewing Bees in Woy Woy earlier this January, but according to Valpy, sewing is just the tip of the iceberg for her team of phenomenal women. Aside from sewing, knitting and crocheting everything from pouches, nests and wraps to custom made glider mittens, the group has been doing everything in their power to support locals who have given up so much to care for injured wildlife this summer. A longtime member of the Central Coast Women’s Friendship Group, Valpy formed her group with a handful of women with sewing skills and has since watched it grow to 63 members. Not all members can sew though, with others lending support in a plethora of ways, from fundraising to making sure carers have a hot meal to enjoy at the end of a long day. Valpy said her group was unique in the sense that their focus as a crafting group was solely on supporting the Coast. “While we do take guidance from the Animal Rescue Craft Guild (an Australia-wide community of crafters) we’re different in the fact that everything we do is directly to the benefit of locals,” Valpy said. Valpy has partnered with Wires Central Coast and Wildlife ARC Central Coast to ensure that every item that members sew, knit and crotchet is contributed directly to carers on the Coast.

The same applies to every donation sourced by members, monetary or otherwise. And the team at Lesa Valpy Craft/Sew for Wildlife Carers Central Coast NSW 2257 has been thriving. Since her first Sewing Bee on January 9, Valpy has matched daily calls for assistance and orders of must have items from carers, to members with the right skillset. Valpy said the generosity, dedication and passion of her team and from supporters had been touching but also galvanizing, with the group now poised to launch several new projects to build upon their existing work. “I have been constantly blown away by the response. “Our wildlife carers have been stretched to breaking point and without them our wildlife wouldn’t stand a chance, so we decided early on that whatever they needed, we’re going to get. “Seeing so many people take on that challenge, with so much passion and respect, has been beautiful and humbling,” Valpy said. The two largest of those projects are establishing a donation registry for local carers and holding a fundraising market. “With the registry, we’re going to get a list of must have items together straight from local carers and plan to liaise with pet stores and other businesses around the Coast to show it, with the idea being that

customers can look at the registry and then purchase something off the list. “The business then calls one of our members who will then collect it and deliver it to the designated carer,” Valpy explained. Valpy’s protege, Katelyn Bergan, has been working on getting the registry up and running and said the project would have overarching benefits for the Coast. “We know from our members and donors that people don’t want to just donate cash. “They want to donate something tangible, so they know exactly how they’re helping, and that is what the registry is. “It will show exactly what’s needed, with donors getting to make the purchase themselves so they know where their donation is going and get an idea about who it is that they’re helping,” she said. The second project is a fundraising crafters market where group members will create a number of items for sale. “We have many talented makers in our group, not just in textiles, but also in the arts, so we think this will be very successful,” Valpy said. All proceeds from the event will be donated to Wires and Wildlife ARC on the Coast. Valpy said the market currently does not have a set date, with the group now looking for a suitable venue. Another project in the pipeline

MARKETS Mangrove Mountain Hall Fundraising for Hall & Fairview • Live Music & pony rides • home style preserves & Food • bric a brac • flowers • books

EVERY MONTH ALL WEATHER

2ND & LAST SUNDAY EACH MONTH

NEW STALLS WELCOME PHONE MARGARET 4374 1255

is ‘Joey bags’ for firefighters. Bergan said group members had been donating bits and pieces of animal rescue items to firefighters over the past few weeks and had since been approached to make special kits for firefighters and volunteers out in the field who come across injured wildlife. The Joey bags, which will contain pouches and other equipment to safely contain an injured animal for transport, will be donated to the RFS NSW. For any handymen looking to help, Valpy said members had

recently been getting partners, family members and male friends involved in their work by having them make nesting boxes, and that donations of this nature would be much appreciated. Sewing sessions are also set to return with a koala themed knitting class to be the first cab off the rank. With a huge 2020 ahead of them, Valpy wanted to thank her members and the community who had supported them so far. Valpy said carers across the Coast were still under the

pump and that her group would continue to work to make their lives that little bit easier. “The Coast has been struggling and the need has been great. “To our local wildlife carers we say a big thank you. “Seeing the generosity of the Central Coast and the invaluable work of our carers has been an honour,” Valpy said. Source: Interview, Jan 22 Lesa Valpy and Katelyn Bergan, Lesa Valpy Craft/Sew for Wildlife Carers Central Coast NSW 2257 Reporter: Dilon Luke

Join in our NSW Seniors Festival throughout February to celebrate the important roles our seniors play in our community. Over 100 exciting activities are planned across the Central Coast including ﬁtness classes, creative workshops, technology classes, performances, exhibitions, markets, tours, talks, nutrition, and health and wellbeing classes. Pick up your full program of events from your local 50+ Leisure & Learning Centre, Senior Centre or local library. A full program can also be found online at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/seniorsfestival

PAGE 30 24 JANUARY 2020 CCN

WWW.COASTCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM.AU

NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANISATIONS

ARTS & CULTURE CENTRAL COAST ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE

Free social French conversation groups, small classes at East Gosford and Bateau Bay Inquires: Renee 0435 028 416

4353 4988

Fun And Friendship With an Excellent Monthly Progam of Dinner, Dancing, Scrabble, Cards, And Tenpin Etc. So Call -

TERRIGAL FIFTY PLUS Educational organisation welcomes new memberships LEISURE AND LEARNING promoting prevention, self-help to join our ranks. Rehearsals and freedom of choice in every Wednesday 7.30 to CENTRE

CENTRAL COAST ART SOCIETY

CENTRAL COAST SUNDAY LUNCH BUNCH

CENTRAL COAST HANDWEAVERS, SPINNERS AND TEXTILE ARTS GUILD

(Singles over 55) Luncheons 1st and 3rd Sundays monthly at various licensed venues 0418 772 569 (after 2pm)

CCLC INDOOR BOWLS Mon - Ladies Social Wed Night - Mixed Social Sat - Mixed Social New members welcome - tuition given level 2 Central Coast Leagues Club 4334 3800

Spinning and weaving, patchwork and quilting, felting GOSFORD NORTH and other fibre and fabric PROBUS CLUB crafts, community quilting bees Meets 4th Tuesday at the - Day and Night Groups Grange Hotel Monthy meeting 4325 4743 4th Tuesday Grange Hotel www.cottagecrafts.net.au 10am 4322 5560

THE MAKERS STUDIO CENTRAL COAST INC.

Creative workspace for print making, screen printing, textile and fibre arts. Introductory classes & open access workshops. Creative support each Thurs 10am - 4pm 0414 220 855 www.themakersstudio.org.au

TOUKLEY DISTRICT ART SOCIETY

U3A CENTRAL COAST Enjoy a diverse range of

0437 699 366 0412 200 571

publicity@artcentralcoast.asn.au

Gosford Ring Max on 4324 3631 or Kieran 4324 1977

CENTRAL COAST 50+ courses and activities for SINGLE & SOCIAL GROUP seniors. Keep your mind active

www.afcentralcoast.org.au afcentralcoast@gmail.com

Lectures, demonstrations and discussion. Weekly paint-outs Tuesdays 4349 5860 for locations Workshops - 4363 1156 9.30am - 12.30pm 1st and 3rd Wed Social Meetings 1.30pm 4th Wed Gosford City Arts Centre. 4325 1420

Join us for a midday meal Help with shopping and cooking classes 4363 7111

arts & crafts, over 50’s friendship group, youth group, social groups and many more services. 4340 1724

contact@centralcoastclc.org.au

FREEMASONS

Who are they? What do they do? Find out about the wolrd’s oldest fraternal organisation and how we help our community. Gosford Masonic Centre 86 Mann St Gosford www.tccl2001.org

GOSFORD AND DISTRICT ORCHID SOCIETY

Painting, drawing groups and classes, demonstarations and Persons interested in Orchids workshops. Open 7 days and their culture are invited to 10am - 4pm, Cafe serving tea, join a friendly club coffee and a selection of treats. 4th Wed, 730pm Bus tours welcome with 48hrs Kincumber School of Arts notice. Enquire for our detailed building, Tora Ave, Kincumber calender of events. 0405 669 707 Tues - Drawing group 10am gosfordorchidsociety@yahoo.com.au - 1pm, Wed - Painitng group 9:30am - 12:30pm SENIORS COMPUTER CLUB 4392 4666 CENTRAL COAST toukleyartgallery@gmail.com A non-profit seniors club www.toukleyartgalery.com.au to help members master COMMUNITY GROUPS computers, tablets, phones and keep up with grand children Friendly Volunteer Helpers ABC - “The Friends” scccc@internode.on.net Support group for Public Google scccckincumber Broadcaster. 4307 9421 Aims. safeguard ABC’s independence, funding, & standards. Meetings through SENIORS SOCIAL AND the year + social afternoons FRIENDSHIP CLUB INC Well-known guest speakers Meets 2nd Mon 4341 5170 Regular monthly social www.fabcnsw.org.au activities as well as day outings and short breaks CENTRAL COAST away, organised by individual members. CARAVANNERS INC 3rd Sun - Jan to Nov 4322 7588 or 0427 404 322 Visitors - New Members welcome, Trips Away, Social TERRIGAL WAMBERAL Outings, friendship with like RSL SUB-BRANCH minded folk At Breakers Country Club Details from Geoff pension and welfare officers 0447 882 150 available to assist with DVA compensation claims and CENTRAL COAST benefits COMMUNITY LEGAL Wed & Fri 10am – Midday CENTRE Meetings 2nd Sat 10am Not for profit service providing 4384 2661 free legal advice. Terrigal-WamberalSB@ rslnsw.org.au. Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

and make new friends. Your retirement years can be the best years of all. 0408 704 701

www.centralcoast.u3anet.org.au

VOLUNTEERING CENTRAL COAST

Refer potential volunteers to community organisations. Provide support to volunteers and community organisations. Provide training to volunteers and managers of volunteers Information sessions “Bridge to Volunteering” held regularly. 4329 7122 recruit@volcc.org.au

WILDLIFE ARC

We rescue and care for injured and orphan native animals. 24hr/day, 7days/week.Gen Meeting 3rd Sun Wyoming Community Centre, Maidens Brush Rd Wyoming at 10am 4325 0666

WINE APPRECIATION CLUB

Central Coast Leagues Club Join Us - 2nd Wednesday Monthly to taste and be educated on wine by various wineries - $5 Membership $10 Tasting - Lightfood Provided, purchases not mandatory Keith - 0420 722 529 Fraser - 0416 831 088

COMMUNITY CENTRES

COMMUNITY CENTRES provide the local community with a meeting place and hub for groups, services and information.

GOSFORD 50+ LEISURE AND LEARNING CENTRE

Mon-Fri Chess, Darts, Handicraft, Indoor Bowls, Knitting, Line Dancing, Origami, Painting, Pencil Drawing, Scrabble, Scrapbooking, Sit & Sew, Table Tennis, Ukulele 4304 7065

wwww.knc.net.au

Activities include fitness, yoga, bridge, mahjong, zumba gold, line dancing, tai chi, painting, craft and computer classes. 4384 5152

WYOMING COMMUNITY CENTRE

Community Support, Zumba Book Club, Community Garden, Facility Hire, EAPA, Fine Assistance, Volunteer Opportunity, CDAT, OSHC/ Vacation Care Managed by Gosford Regional Community Services 4323 7483

accounts@gosfordcommunity.org.au www.gosfordcommunity.org.au

HEALTH GROUPS ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

Meet Mon, Wed & Fri, 12.30pm - Someone cares Anglican Church 3 Mann St Gosford 4323 3890

BETTER HEARING AUSTRALIA CENTRAL COAST

Hearing loss management Support and educational groups providing practical experience and confidence Learn the benefits of hearing aids 4321 0275

CENTRAL COAST PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP (GOSFORD)

Meet last Friday Month Terrigal Uniting Church 380 Terrigal Dre, Terrigal 9.30am to 12 noon 4367 9600 www.pcfa.org.au

DYING WITH DIGNITY

CANCER INFORMATION & SUPPORT SOCIETY

therapies. Henry Kendall Gardens Summer Meeting 3rd Mon each month - 7pm, Winter Meeting 3rd Sat each month - 2pm 0410 696 458 cisscentralcoast@bigpond.com

PENINSULA LIGHTHOUSE

Community Orchestra

9.45pm at Erina

info@sympnonycentralcoast.com

TEMPO TERRIFIC CONCERT BAND

Plays popular music for community events. New adult members playing wind, brass and percussion welcome. 0405 619 980

Gosford Golf Club 6pm Thursdays Supporting local and overseas communities come along and share fellowship and fun. 0414 777 748 www.gosfordrotary.org.au

ROTARY CLUB OF GOSFORD NORTH

Active community minded club. Many projects focussed on assisting youth. Support our great projects, get involved with our fun club. New member enquiries welcomed Graham Black - 0410 509 071 grahamblack@outlook.com.au

Guiding you through the www.tempoterrific.com storm - Your only local mobile SPECIAL INTEREST counselling service POLITICAL PARTY Supporting ALL people CCLC BRIDGE CLUB suffering from Domestic Duplicate Bridge-partner not CENTRAL COAST GREENS Violence offering a holistic required for most sessions. The Central Coast Greens program making our Central Coast Leagues Club For a fairer, more transparent community safer. 12.30pm Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri. Counselling services available and accountable government Sat 1.30pm Wed 7.15pm Mon Monday @ Ettalong Baptist based on democratic principles 4325 9854 Local, state-wide, national Church Barrenjoey Room , www.cclcbridgeclub.asn.au and international issues and book an appointment: cclcbridgeclub@westnet.com.au campaigns - Council and 0417 472 374 parliamentary representation penlighthouse@gmail.com CENTRAL COAST www.peninsulalighthouse.info/ Developing a new economy GOJU-KAI KARATE Protecting our environment Traditional Karate & Self Peaceful conflict resolution Defence for Teens & Adults Community participation CENTRAL COAST FAMILY No Contracts, Cheap Rates We meet monthly every 3rd HISTORY SOCIETY INC. Wamberal - Mon 630pm Thu - Details and info: Open Tue to Fri 9.30am Kincumber - Thurs 715pm centralcoast.nsw.greens.org.au 2.30pm 0417 697 096 centralcoastgreens@gmail.com First Sat 9.30 - noon www.centralcoastgojuThur 7pm - 9pm kaikarate.com.au AUSTRALIAN LABOR Other times by appointment. PARTY OURIMBAH/ 4324 5164

HISTORY GROUPS

www.centralcoastfhs.org.au admin@centralcoasths.org.au

BRISBANE WATER HISTORICAL SOCIETY

• Coach tours • School educational tours • Annual Street Stalls • Participation in History Heritage Week Celebration Margaret Pearce 4325 2270

FELLOWSHIP OF FIRST FLEETERS CENTRAL COAST

For anyone interested in early history or early family histories. Don’t need to be a First Fleeter. Point Clare Community Hall 2nd Sat 10:30am 4392 1926 4311 6254

Campaigning to give those suffering unrelievable terminal or incurable illness the choice to receive legal medical help to die. Quarterly meetings, School Holiday activities, BRISBANE WATER BRASS Erina Fair. playgroup, multicultural Brass Band entertainment 02 4369 8053 programs, community for the community playing all j2@heelstone.com.au activities - Rooms for Hire types of popular music 4329 4477 Rehearsal every Tues. GAMBLING SOLUTIONS admin@gnnc.com.au 7.30pm-10pm Counsellors provide free, 0419 274 012 confidential, professional POINT CLARE service to gamblers, family and COMMUNITY HALL COASTAL A CAPPELLA Community Garden - Playgroup friends. Woy Woy, Kincumber, Dynamic award winning Gosford, The Entrance. Craft and Exercise Groups women’s a cappella chorus 4344 7992 Function or Meeting Hire new members always Managed by Gosford Regional welcome. GROW Support Groups Community Services Music eduction provided Small friendly groups formed Enquiries regarding hire to Lots of Performance to learn how to overcome 4323 7483 opportunities, or hire us for anxiety, depression and accounts@gosfordcommunity.org.au your next event. www.gosfordcommunity.org.au loneliness and to improve 0412 948 450 mental health and well-being. coastalacappella@gmail.com Anonymous, free and open to KARIONG all. Weekly at Woy Woy, Bateau NEIGHBOURHOOD SOUNDWAVES Bay and Wyong CENTRE A cappella harmony for Men 1800 558 268 Early childhood clinic, free – new members welcome. www.grow.org.au family law advice, active Rehearsals Mondays 7.00pm playgroup, computer classes, to 9.30pm Central Coast MEALS ON WHEELS OOSH services, fitness classes, Leagues Club, Dane Drive, Delicious meals delivered free GOSFORD-NARARA NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE

SYMPHONY CENTRAL COAST

ROTARY CLUB OF GOSFORD

MUSIC

NARARA BRANCH

Discussion/action community issues - 3 levels of Government Niagara Park Primary School 7.30pm 1st Mon each month 0410 309 494 kyle.macgregor@hotmail.com

PUBLIC SPEAKING Develop confidence by improving your speaking skills. Meetings are entertaining and educational.

BLUE GUM FLAT TOASTMASTERS

Mthly meetings 1st and 3rd Mon 7.15-9.30pm Ourimbah RSL 4362 7227

SERVICE GROUPS INNER WHEEL CLUBS OF CENTRAL COAST

CENTRAL COAST SOARING CLUB INC

Gliding Club, Learn to fly, Instruction FREE to members 14 and up for Training Flying at Bloodtree Rd Mangrove Mountain Thur, Sat, Sun ( weather permitting) 0412 164 082 0414 635 047 www.ccsoaring.com.au

SPIRITUALITY IN THE PUB

Ecumenical & Interfaith Speakers Forum & Q&A with focus on developing understanding and encouraging dialogue about spirituality through people sharing their life journeys. 1st Tues March to October 2nd Tues November 7.30 to 9pm Grange Hotel Wyoming 4365 9197

WOMEN’S GROUPS Wyong, Terrigal & Gosford North Clubs CENTRAL COAST Women working together to make a difference and imprive WOMEN’S HEALTH lives while making new friends. CENTRE Enjoy social outings and Counseling, therapeutic and community involvment. social groups, workshops, Wyong Club Meets domestic violence and abuse 3rd Wed 6.30pm issues. All services provided by Terrigal Club Meets women for women 3rd Mon 12 noon 4324 2533 Gosford North www.cccwhc.com.au 2nd Wed 7pm 0417 480 549 or SOROPTIMIST 0407 008 555 LIONS CLUB OF WOY WOY 3rd Mon. Woy Woy Leagues Club Make new friends and have fun while serving your community. 0478 959 895

INTERNATIONAL BRISBANE WATER

Making a difference in the lives of women and girls through Awareness, Advocacy and Action by supporting local and national projects 2nd Thur 7 pm Breakers Country Club, Dover Rd,

If you would like your Community Organisation listed here call us on 4325 7369 or see www.coastcommunitynews.com.au Entries in the Not For Profit Community Organisations Directory are free. However, we require each organisation to subscribe to each newspaper to ensure that someone from that organisation keeps their entry up to date. Australia Post is about to increase their postage rates by over 42% and we can no longer continue to absorb these increases. Subscription rates have therefore needed to be increased from $50 to $75 for 25 editions.

CCN

The Dutch House

BOOK REVIEW

Author: Ann Patchett Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

I’m a sucker for Ann Patchett. This is her eighth novel and the fourth one I have read (my favourite is State of Wonder). The Dutch House is as a heart-wrenching novel of the close bond between a brother and sister, their childhood home, and a past that will not let them go. The story takes place after World War II and follows the life of Danny Conroy and his older sister Maeve. It is narrated through the eyes of an adult Danny and flips back and forward from his childhood and teenage years to the present. We first meet Maeve and Danny as children when they are introduced to Andrea, a young widow their father brings to their house, the Dutch House. The Dutch House is so named because of the family that built it, the VanHoebeeks. It was constructed on the outskirts of Philadelphia by a team of craftsmen with pieces imported from a castle in Utrecht. Everyone in Philadelphia knows of the Dutch House. Prior to meeting Andrea, their children’s father, Cyril, comes into a fortune from property and buys the house and all its contents, including enormous singular portraits of Mr. and Mrs. VanHoebeek, as a present for his wife,

WWW.COASTCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM.AU

Elna. Elna is unnerved by their new fortune and the grandeur of the house, the belongings left behind by its former owners and the tragedy surrounding them. In short, she hates it and leaves, seemingly without reason when Danny is 3 and Maeve 10. The loss brings Maeve and Danny close, really

close. Their father on the other hand is distant, really distant. He doesn’t talk to Danny: “What I knew of my father was what I saw.” Their father’s new partner, Andrea, sets her sights on the grandeur of the Dutch House and, once they marry, she moves in with her two young daughters. She proceeds to dominate the house and Cyril, becoming the quintessential evil stepmother. When Cyril dies of a heart attack, and with Maeve already at college, Andrea takes over the family’s wealth and ejects Danny from the house. He goes away to boarding school and then to medical school but finishes up following his father’s footsteps into real estate. As Danny eschews a medical career, Maeve eschews medical treatment for diabetes. All these events bring Danny and Maeve closer and closer together. They often sit in Maeve’s car outside the Dutch house and reminisce, but as Danny notes, “Do you think it’s possible to ever see the past as it actually was?” This scene dramatizes the central conflict in the story, not the struggle between orphans and stepmother, but between childhood memory and adult reflection and analysis, wonderfully penned by Patchett through the shifts in time. Ultimately, The Dutch House is a story about love, strength and forgiveness, about the

REVIEWS PAGE 31 24 JANUARY 2020

Kim Reardon

imprint of childhood and about coming home. I really enjoyed it. I liked its flow, the detail and subtlety with which Patchett develops each of her characters and the way she captures the optimism of postwar America, notwithstanding the loss and torments of the children’s lives. Patchett is a highly acclaimed author, beginning with her Orange prize-winning breakthrough Bel Canto (2001) all the way through to her next-to-most-recent novel, Commonwealth (2016). She reflected that The Dutch House is a very old story “One where you’re in one family, and all of a sudden, you’re in another family and it’s not your choice and you can’t get out.” Kim Reardon The Reluctant Book Critic

MOVIE REVIEW

CCN

1917 War Drama, Rated R (for violence, some disturbing images, and language) Director: Sam Mendes

1917 has received wide acclaimed for its bold, immersive film-making style – the entire movie presents as a single, continuous scene – but falls well short of the heights achieved by its WWII lookalike, Saving Private Ryan (or even Mendes’ 2005 Iraq War biographic, Jarhead). Set in northern France during WWI, two young British soldiers, Lance Corporals Schofield (George MacKay) and Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) are sent on a mission across no man’s land and into enemy territory. Their task is to deliver intelligence that will prevent a massacre of 1,600 British 2nd Division troops, who are set to launch a major offensive within 24 hours. The stakes are even higher for Corporal Blake whose older brother, we learn, is enlisted in the 2nd Division. The mission sees the two men pick their way through the mud, wire and decaying bodies to the enemy’s trenches, head into dark tunnels, cross open fields and burning villages to find the 2nd Division camp. The performance from Mackay and Chapman

are sound, albeit both lack the presence and charisma of their more experienced support actors, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch and Mark Strong. The film’s biggest achievement, like most biographical war stories, is its close and very visceral point-of-view depiction of the battlefront, with its mud and smoke and shell craters, its trenches and tunnels, its whistling bullets and rats and corpses hanging on barbed wire. In one of the more engaging moments, Schofield cuts his hand on barbed wire before accidentally shoving it into the rotting carcass of a dead soldier. The technique of wheeling the camera around after showing a scene to then show the characters seeing adds an immersive quality. The flip-side of the novel film-making technique however, is that it somehow reminds me of watching teenagers play fortnight. By focusing on the cinematography, the story

is lacking in other critical factors – depth of story (and side stories),broader character development, any real suspense and, indeed, in some ways even a threatening antagonist. More specifically, while there are constant references to the German army and their “trap”, and we see and hear their shelling late in the story, all we see of them are their deserted trenches and destroyed equipment. The only real encounters are with isolated soldiers that are either lost, wounded or drunk – no advancing hordes of dark helmeted soldiers, no deep rumbling tanks and only the briefest and quietest of by-plane dogfights. There are also some oddities and overt plot devices that weaken the fabric of the film. One is how the two lance corporals, who ‘hate’ the Germans and whose nerves are highly strained, suddenly rush to rescue a German pilot from a burning aircraft without any fear he might be armed or try to attack them.

Another is when a British Captain (Strong) advises Schofield along the way that if the message is delivered, to make sure there are witnesses to the orders to abort the offensive. “Some men just want the fight,” he says. This is presented as though it is to be a key feature of the climax but is then developed no further. Mendes clearly is not seeking to make any political commentary with this film, but this scene sticks out like a sore thumb. The most cliché plot device is the use of the flooding river and waterfall as an escape route and the way the river just happens to drop the semi-conscious Schofield off right next to forest where the 2nd Division is hiding out. In the end however, it is the cinematography that just didn’t achieve its lofty aspiration. Mendes previously received wide acclaim for the memorable, continuous sequence in the beginning of the James Bond film, Spectre, set amid Mexico City’s day of the dead festival. It seems he is intent on taking things to the next level. But his work in 1917 shows conceit, as if he is deliberately drawing our attention to just how clever it is. This is just what film-makers are NOT meant to do – to lift us out of the suspended disbelief they have created, to lift us out of the story. Ross Barry

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PAGE 32 24 JANUARY 2020

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CCN

WHERE DO YOU GET IT?

FOLLOWING IS A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF COAST COMMUNITY NEWS PICKUP LOCATIONS, PAPERS ARE DELIVERED TO ALL OF THESE LOCATIONS EVERY FRIDAY

AVOCA BEACH

ERINA FAIR

Bowling and Recreation Club Avoca Dr & Townsend Ave

Service desk Erina fair

Avoca Beach Hotel 326-360 Avoca Dr

Rose Café 620-658 Terrigal Dr

Australia Post 1/181 Avoca Dr Avoca Beach Picture Theatre 69 Avoca Dr

COPACABANA Copacabana Newsagency 206 Del Monte Pl

DAVISTOWN Living Choice Alloura Waters 1 Murna Rd Davistown RSL Club 19 Murna Rd Davistown Cellars Paringa Ave

EMPIRE BAY

Aroma Café 419 Terrigal Dr Muffin Break Erina Fair Shopping Ctr Coles Erina 620 - 658 Terrigal Dr Woolworths 620-658 Terrigal Dr

Aurrum Aged Care 351 Terrigal Dr The Bungalow’s Village Park 474 Terrigal Dr The Bungalow’s Village Park 474 Terrigal Dr McDonald’s Erina 2 Terrigal Dr Ritchies SUPA IGA 3/216-218 The Entrance Rd Wood Glen Retirement Village 105 Karalta Rd Tarragal Glen Retirement Village 6 Tarragal Glen Ave Pine Needles Lifestyle Estate 61 Karalta Rd Greenlife Erina 33 Karalta Rd Erina Leagues Club 18 Ilya Ave Platinum Building 4 Ilya Ave Adam Crouch MP Office Shop 3 Fountain Plaza, 148 158 The Entrance Rd Erina Pharmacy 148/158 The Entrance Rd Erina Newsagency & Post Office 158 The Entrance Rd PRP Diagnostic Imaging 167 The Entrance Rd Ritchies SUPA IGA 375 The Entrance Rd

East Gosford Pharmacy 69 Victoria St Cafe Expresso Eat in & Takeaway 51 Victoria St

KARIONG Kariong Neighbourhood Centre 10 Langford Dr FoodWorks 5/4 Mitchell Dr

Woolworths 3 Parsons Rd

Central Coast Tractors 51 Smiths Rd

MANGROVE MOUNTAIN Mangrove Mountain Memorial Club & Golf Course 18 Hallards Rd Mangrove Mountain General Store Waratah Rd

Ooomph Café 26A Adelaide St

Kariong Kakes Pies & Bread 4 Mitchell Dr

Erina Library Unit AZ02, 620-658 Terrigal Drive

East Gosford Medical Centre 22 Brougham St

Kariong Tavern 10 Langford Dr

Central Coast Plateau Medical Centre 1639 Nurses Rd

Presbyterian Aged Care 19/21 Victoria St

Liquorland 6-8 Central Coast Hwy

Westy’s Place 1650 Wisemans Ferry Rd

Coles Express 6/8 Pacific Hwy

Mangrove Produce True Value Hardware 1668 Wisemans Ferry Rd

ETTALONG

FORRESTERS BEACH

The Sunken Monkey Hotel 207 The Entrance Rd

Chemist Outlet 52 York St

Green Point Christian College 382 Avoca Dr

841 Wisemans Ferry Rd

Supanews Erina Fair Erina Fair Shopping Centre

Empire Bay Tavern 1 Poole Cl

Coles Express 211 The Entrance Rd

IGA Xpress East Gosford 87/91 Victoria St

ALDI Avoca Dr &, Bayside Dr

13/1 Parsons Rd

Australia Post 3/4-8 Mitchell Dr

United Service Station 306 Empire Bay Dr

PRP Diagnostic Imaging 167 The Entrance Rd

Nutmeg 54 York St

Centre 96 Koolang Rd

East Gosford Newsagency 53-55 Victoria St

Ettalong 50+ Leisure and Learning Broken Bay Rd & Karingi St

ERINA

8 Russell Drysdale St

Forresters Beach Retirement Village 1001 The Entrance Rd

GOSFORD Imperial Centre 171 Mann St Gosford Masonic Centre 86-88 Mann St Central Coast Leagues Club 1 Dane Dr Brisbane Water (NSW) Legacy 51-57 Masons Parade Montis Ashore 42 Masons Parade Gosford Sailing Club 28 Masons Parade the Lott 152 Mann Street The Bon Pavilion café 159 Mann St Free Choice Tobacconist Imperial Centre Central Coast Council Gosford Office 49 Mann Street

WEST GOSFORD Coles West Gosford Shopping Centre Michel’s Patisserie West Gosford Shopping Centre West Gosford Amcal+ Pharmacy Shop 17/299 Brisbane Water Dr

Brentwood Village 1 Scaysbrook Dr

Metro Petroleum 57 Central Coast Hwy

Kincumber Men’s Shed Killuna Road

Oldfield Cellars 1/57 Central Coast Hwy

Kincumber Uniting Church 152 Avoca Dr

Hungry Jack’s 57 Pacific Hwy

Kincumber Public School Avoca Dr

Red Rooster 52 Pacific Hwy

Kincumber & District Neighbourhood centre 20-22 Kincumber St

Flip Out 10 Hely St Gosford RSL Club 26 Central Coast Hwy Yallambee Lodge 22-32 Yallambee Ave Evergreen Life Care Yallambee Ave

KFC 69 Central Coast Hwy

EAST GOSFORD St Edward’s College 13 Frederick St

Bakehouse 2000 36 Empire Bay Dr

Singo’s Wholesale Meats 1A Racecourse Rd

Gosford Railway Café Gosford Railway Station

7-Eleven 53/55 Central Coast Hwy

Nautical Village 57 Empire Bay Dr

Kincumber Kebabs 36 Empire Bay Dr

McDonald’s 65 Pacific Highway

Gosford Golf Club 22 Racecourse Rd

Coles Kincumber Village Shopping Centre

The Lott 299 Brisbane Water Drive

Gosford Police Station 9-11 Mann St

The Art Barn Plaster Painting 11 Kirrawee Rd

KINCUMBER

GREEN POINT Coles Sun Valley Rd Butchery @ Green Point Shop 4/7 Sun Valley Rd Green Point News Shop 7 Green Point Shopping Centre

CENTRAL MANGROVE

NARARA

TERRIGAL Terrigal Fifty Plus Leisure and Learning Centre Cnr Terrigal Drive and Duffys Rd Terrigal Sands 12-30 Duffys Rd News@Terrigal 56 Terrigal Esplanade Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific Pine Tree Ln Terrigal Bowling Club 4 Wilson Rd

UMINA BEACH Peninsula Village 91 Pozieres Ave

Woolworths 261-275 Trafalgar Street Corner, West St ALDI 310 Trafalgar Ave

WAMBERAL

SPAR Niagara Park Shopping Centre

Wamberal Newsagency 774 The Entrance Rd

ABCOE Factory Outlet 16 Washington Ave

Caltex 656 The Entrance Rd

PEATS RIDGE

Wamberal Surgery 662 The Entrance Rd

Corrugated Cafe 780 Peats Ridge Rd

Pharmacist Advice 658 The Entrance Rd

Caltex 1112 Peats Ridge Rd

Wamberal Gardens Retirement Village 1 Spencer St

The Springs 1080 Peats Ridge Rd

POINT CLARE

Breakers Country Club 64 Dover Rd

WOY WOY

Acorn Garden Centre 229 Brisbane Water Dr

Ms Liesl Tesch MP Office 20 Blackwall Rd

Fairhaven Services Brisbane Water Dr

Peninsula Plaza Blackwall Rd

Fare Cravin’ café 209 Brisbane Water Dr

Deepwater Plaza Railway St

Waterford Retirement Village 24 Kincumber St

BaptistCare Orana Aged Care Centre 193/201 Brisbane Water Dr

Peninsula Leisure Centre 243 Blackwall Rd

Coles Express Avoca Dr &, Bungoona Rd

ALDI 53-59 Brisbane Water Dr

Kincumber Library 3 Bungoona Rd

This Little Piggy Eat & Drink 7/51 Brisbane Water Drive & Talinga Ave

Kincumber Community Health Centre 20 Kincumber St

McDonald’s Avoca Dr

SARATOGA

KFC 38 Avoca Dr

IGA Shop 7 Village Rd

Domino’s Pizza

Saratoga Medical Centre 1/10 Villge Rd

Shop 2/34 Avoca Dr

KULNURA General Store, Indian Restaurant & Cafe 4 Greta Rd

Newsagency 10 Village Rd Blooms The Chemist Shop 11, Saratoga Shopping Village

SOMERSBY

St Joseph’s Catholic College Russell Drysdale St

Broadlands Village 9 Milpera Rd Meals on Wheels 96 Koolang Rd

Coles 11 Parsons Rd

Waterfall Café 49 Parklands Rd

Lions Club Community Hall

Green Point Community

Lisarow Newsagency

General Store & Takeaway

LISAROW

WYOMING Wyoming Newsagency Shop 6, Wyoming Shopping Village Coles Pacific Hwy ALDI 489 Pacific Hwy KFC 468 Pacific Hwy Adelene Retirement Village 1 Birch Rd

IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR LOCATION ADDED TO THIS LIST FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO ACCESS, PLEASE LET US KNOW.

Glitta Supernova is a finalist for the State Government’s Community Hero award

Naughty Noodle Fun Haus Creative Director, Glitta Supernova, has been announced as one of four finalists for the State Government’s 2020 NSW Woman Of the Year Community Hero award. Supernova drew national attention for co-founding the Coastal Twist LGBTIQ arts and culture festival held on the Peninsula in October, 2019. On January 10, she opened the Central Coast Pride Centre in Mann St, Gosford, expanding Naughty Noodle Fun Haus’s operations outside the Peninsula, where it was formed and largely operates. The NSW Women of the Year Awards, now in its 9th year, recognise and celebrates the outstanding contribution made by women across NSW to industry, communities and society, and the Community Hero award celebrates heroes and/or volunteers who have made outstanding contributions to the community. “I am passionate about a balanced society where everyone’s difference is embraced, valued and celebrated,” Supernova said. “The power of the arts can shape culture and shift perceptions, expand and change views.” The Coastal Twist festival promoted the Central Coast as a diverse community open for business to all people regardless of gender, sexuality, culture and ability, and saw large corporate organisations investing in the region for the first time, as well as amplifying local businesses, large and small. Supernova’s leveraging of the power of arts and culture to serve community interest has

driven a broader agenda for change, growth and transformation, unprecedented in the region. “It’s about respecting and appreciating our differences,” she said. “This has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding years of my life. “I feel privileged to have been in a position to co-found a nationally recognised arts and culture charity which works directly in support of championing for visibility, equality and inclusion of all people. “The response from the community, local council and business has been beyond everything I had hoped for. “As a region and as a community at large, we are more than overdue to put our best foot forward and we have done so on a major scale and in record time. “It’s incredible what this Central Coast community has achieved with people power. “We have been able to work around outdated structures by simply no longer accepting them and trusting community members and visitors alike to embrace diversity and social inclusion as a means of forging a sustainable future for this community. “I am very proud to be part of that.” Voting for the 2020 NSW Woman of the Year Award will be open until noon on February 14 in all categories, with winners to be announced on March 5 at Government House in Sydney. Source: Media release, Jan 21 Glitta Supernova, Naughty Noodle Fun Haus

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OUT&ABOUT PAGE 33 24 JANUARY 2020

Woy Woy Philosophers Society Meeting #5. On Sun Tzu’s Art of War (and modern applications for Coasties) We’ve been on the run this week, hounded by the Paparazzi from the Peninsula News from one craft beer house to the next. Desperate they were, to capture just a snippet of our knowledge, our clarity, our genius. Robbo said he knew how poor Lady Di must have felt now – not just being chased across the Rip Bridge in his Rugged X, but his spouse too had moved into the spare room across the hall. But there was no genius that could outshine that of our very own Boof. As he predicted, Mike Baird was forced into a hasty retreat from his Prohibition of the Dogs. And so, the five refugee greyhounds he had taken in for free were now worth a small fortune. All except the small brindle bitch of course. She couldn’t even catch Boof’s foxy, but she was a great comfort to him on those long nights, gently licking his toes as he lay on the couch ruminating on Nietzche. He swears her saliva healed his tinia. In any case, Boof offered the proceeds of the sale of the other dogs to Thommo to kick start his new career - as a “social justice warrior”. It was only fitting therefore that we came together at the Ettalong Dredgers Bar to help our new warrior decipher Sun Tzu’s Art of War. “Who exactly is the war against?” I asked. “The entrenched, conservatist neo-liberals?” “Christ no, Joffa,” Thommo replied. “It’s against all the other social justice groups.” “But surely they all unite against tyranny for the common good?” Awkward silence. Robbo saved me from own naivety by jumping straight to the matter at hand. “Old Sunny gave us five principles to follow. The first one is all about “attack”. He says to choose carefully which battles you fight, to only attack when the odds are stacked in your favour … and then swoop like a falcon. A quick battle’s a good battle, he says.” We set about identifying another social justice warrior group we knew we could beat. We figured the Knitting Nanna’s of Kincumber would be a good opener. What threat could they pose – a bunch of little old ladies armed with sharp knitting needles. We could attack from Woy Woy in the late afternoon when the sun would be in their eyes. Even better, the Kinny was just up the road for ‘afters’. Enthused by our progress we moved on to principle #2 – “strategy”. “Sun Tzu says to have a clear goal – he reckons the focus should not be on the conflict itself, but on the ultimate resolution.” Robbo continued. “He says to appear weak where you are strong, and strong where you are weak.” “Wait, do you even have a goal Thommo?” asked Johnno. “Well, no … not really. You see, I don’t actually stand for anything – I just criticise everything I don’t stand for which, I guess, means everything.” As profound as that was, we still decided he needed a goal something noble, something all Coasties could get behind, anything that might offer a good hashtag really. We discarded some of the more fleeting activist movements like Climate Change, Fairness in the Workplace and Koalas Against Clamidia. Johnno was a member of the Coast Asexuals – he’d added the A to LGBTQIA, but branch-stacking in the Killcare division by old married blokes in recent times had resulted in its monthly meetings turning into poker games. In the end, Thommo settled on the “Wise Old Men with Beards and Trucks”, or WOMBATs as he liked to call them. What an inspired choice! Something that could one day even challenge those wretched Koalas for supremacy. The rest was easy – our strength was our deep intellect, and that was always well hidden. And we appeared weak in every other way – Thommo said we could choose any one of 10 weakness to deceive our foes with. Really, those Nannas didn’t know what they were in for. Principle #3 was “alliances”. Now this was harder. Philosophers of our standing always find

it difficult to lower ourselves and engage with the fallen man. We considered an alliance with the LGBTQIA folk at Coastal Pride. A very talented group indeed, but Robbo said he’d been to the latest Cabaret show and it made him feel a bit funny, so we let it slide. In the end we decided it was just as good to break up someone else’s alliance. And so we planted some fake news over at “Save our Dolphins” that the “Save our Sharks” people had released new research to show that dolphins were in fact responsible for most shark attacks off NSW. We’d drive ourselves between the two groups and fight them on two fronts – when had that strategy ever failed? We moved on to principle #4 – “armies”. “Sun Tzu says an army’s strength comes from unity not size,” said I. Everybody nodded. The Lions, after all, had won a grand final once with just 11 men. They were completely unified by the Ref sending off both front rowers for excessive display of bum-crack. We pondered what we could do to build unity in our ranks. “Wait, do we even have an army Thommo?” “Bugger! I didn’t think about that either.” There it was - another road block in our path to global domination. “Its all right,” said Robbo. “We can use the internet. That’s what all social justice warriors do. You can tell people what they’re meant to think on the internet without needing to take any responsibility for the outcomes.” “Excellent. Is that it?” asked Thommo. “No,” said Robbo. “A social justice warrior also needs anger to unite people. A lot of anger. Oh, and righteousness … you need a lot of righteousness too. It don’t matter so much what the message is, as long as its angry and righteous.” “Is that true?” Thommo asked. “Absolutely,” said Robbo.“If you were as good at communicating as I am, you would know that swearing at people is the most effective way to get them to think the way you do.” “That’s offensive Robbo,” yelled Johnno all of a sudden. “It’s a personal attack on me … personally. I feel like you’re only bringing it up because I’m a redhead. You’re ranga-phobic Robbo you are. I need a safe space right now!” Robbo was taken aback for a moment. “Sorry, Robbo,” Johnno then said. “I didn’t mean any of that. I was just showing Thommo how to do it.” We all nodded our appreciation. Both smart and selfless is Johnno. But I must say, I was starting to tire by this stage. It takes a lot of energy to keep oneself in such a highly intelligent state of mind for so long. And there was still one element left, principle #5 – “the use of spies”. “What enables the wise warrior to conquer is not the power of men, but the power of knowledge, knowledge that cannot be elicited from spirits, obtained from experience, nor by any deductive calculation, but only by the use of spies.” That was the teaching of Sun Tzu said I. “It’s all good Joffa,” Boof chimed in late, as he always does. “My nanna’s in the Knitting Nanna’s of Kincumber.” Joffa

PAGE 34 24 JANUARY 2020 OUT&ABOUT

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Fire chief named as Central Coast’s Australia Day Ambassador The 2020 Australia Day Ambassador for the Central Coast is Central Coast Rural Fire Service District Superintendent, Viki Campbell. Central Coast Council made the announcement on its Facebook page late on January 23, just days before the national day of celebration. Campbell is known for her tireless work in the emergency response field including her role as Incident Controller for the 2019-20 bush fire emergency on the Central Coast.

Her service within emergency response organisations has spanned 30 years with the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) and NSW Ambulance. She is currently responsible for the overall coordination of RFS firefighting capability and bush fire risk management across the Central Coast and Lake Macquarie Local Government areas. This incorporates 57 brigades, 20 staff and over 2,300 volunteer members. Campbell joined the NSW Rural Fire Service initially as a volunteer in 1990 and then as

a staff member in 2015. She has extensive operational experience in firefighting including field operations, Incident Management and air attack coordination. A strong advocate of volunteering, Campbell also volunteers with the caves rescue squad where she holds the position of President. The theme for Australia Day 2020 is ‘Everyone, every story’, with this year signalling the 29th year of the Ambassador program. NSW Australia Day Council

SERVICES DIRECTORY

AMBULANCE, POLICE, FIRE 000 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Organisations Aboriginal Legal Service 8842 8000 Community Options 4351 3388 Bungree Aboriginal Association 4397 7700 Mingaletta 4342 7515 Aboriginal Home Care 4321 7215 Drug & Alcohol rehab 4388 6360 Respite Care Options 4351 3388 Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health 4351 1040 Darkinjung Local Land Council 4351 2930

Accommodation

Dept. of Housing Gosford 4323 5211 Regional Youth Support Services 4323 2374 Coast Shelter 4324 7239 Neleh House 4340 1052 Elandra Women and Children’s Refuge 4396 4263 Kara Women and Children’s Refuge 4323 1709 Coimba Mens Refuge 4324 7239 Rumbalara Youth Refuge 4325 7555 Wyong Youth Refuge 4351 1922 Youth Angle 4341 8830 Woy Woy Youth Cottage 4341 9027 Maya Young Womens Refuge 4323 1636 Pacific Link Com Housing 4324 7617 Rumbalara Youth Refuge 4325 7555 Youth Angle • Woy Woy 4341 8830 Temporary Accommodation 1800 152 152

Animal Rescue

Wildlife Arc 4325 0666 Wires 1300 094 737

Counselling

Mensline - talk with a bloke 1300 789 978 Lifecare Family Services 1300 130 225 CatholicCare: 4356 2600 Relationship Australia: 1300 364 277 Interrelate: 1800 449 118

Emergency

Police Assistance Line 131 444 Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 Woy Woy Police Station 4323 5599 Energy Australia 13 13 88 Gas Emergency 131 909 Gosford City Council 4325 8222 Marine Rescue - Central Coast 4325 7929 SES - Storm and Flood Emergency 132 500

Crisis Services and Helplines

Lifeline - 24 hr. 13 11 14 Suicide Helpline 1800 191 919 Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 Parents Helpline 13 20 55 Indigenous Call Centre 136 380 Family Relationship Advice Line 1800 050 321

Family Drug Support 1300 368 186 G-line - Gambling Helpline 1800 633 635 Credit Helpline 1800 808 488 Child Support Agency 13 12 72 Australian Injury Helpline 1800 223 363 Veteran Affairs Net work 1300 551 918 Mens Domestic Violence 1800 000 599 Sexual Assault Resource 1800 199 888 Gay and Lesbian Counselling 1800 184 527 Gay and Lesbian Support 1800 249 377 Youth Sexuality Network 4320 2856 Vietnam Veterans 1800 011 046 Victims Support Services 1800 633 063 Translation and Interpreting Service 13 14 50

Family and Relationships

Parents Helpline 132 055 Central Coast Family Support Service 4340 1099 Horizons (For men with children) 4351 5008 Interrelate - Family Relationships 1300 736 966 Uniting Care Burnside Gosford 1800 067 967

Health

Gosford Hospital 4320 2111 Cancer Hotline 131 120 Mental Health info Service 1300 794 991 Sexual Health @ Gosford Hospital 4320 2114 Beyond Blue (Depression) 1300 22 4636

Problems, Habits & Addiction

G-Line Telephone Counsel 1800 633 635 Gamblers Anonymous 9726 6625 Alcoholics Anonymous 4323 3890 Narcotics Anonymous 4325 0524 Quitline 131 848

Phone services:

Mental Health Line 1800 011 511 Beyondblue 1300 224 636 Domestic Violence Line 1800 656 463 Lifeline 13 11 14 Kids Help Line 1800 551 800 Griefline 1300 845 745 Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467

Chairman, Andrew Parker, said the Ambassador program was remarkable. “Drawn from diverse fields, Ambassadors share common traits of achievement through hard work, talent and a strong sense of community. “It is important to highlight inspirational contributors within our communities and this is what the program aims to do. “Australia Day is a day to reflect on what’s great about our country and our people – particularly our strong sense of community in times of crisis.

also, see the Not for Profit organisations directory inside

Source: Media release, Jan 20 NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet Media Unit Central Coast Council Facebook page, Jan 23

Central Coast 2020 Australia Day Ambassador, Viki Campbell

Bottles for the Bush appeal doubles its goal TOMRA, which operates Return and Earn Reverse Vending Machines all over the Central Coast, has doubled its goal of raising $250,000 for Rural Aid to support those affected by the bushfire and drought crisis. With the original target having been reached in less than nine weeks, TOMRA is now aiming to raise half a million dollars through its Bottles for the Bush appeal. “It is heartbreaking to see the effects of the current bushfires on rural and regional communities,” TOMRA President, Ryan Buzzell, said. “So, with Australia exceeding our expectations by recycling over two million drink containers to raise over $250,000 in just under nine weeks, we have now doubled the original target to $500,000, and we’re confident the country can reach it before late February. “Our initiative will only need 44,000 containers donated per day to reach the new target and we’re confident we can reach half a million dollars in funds for our farmers in need.” By January 8, Australian recyclers had donated 2,849,280 drink containers. To get involved, return eligible cans and bottles to your closest TOMRA recycling machine,

Welfare Services

Donnison St. Restaurant 4325 3510 Central Coast Family Support Services 4340 1585 Horizons Family Services 4351 5008 Meals on Wheels Gosford 4363 7111 Woy Woy 4341 6699 Department of Community Services Gosford - 4336 2400 The Salvation Army 4325 5733 Samaritans Emergency Relief 4393 2450 St Vincent De Paul Society HELPLINE 4323 6081

“This year we want to bring people together to reflect on and celebrate the Australian Spirit, as well as honour and support those who are facing extraordinary hardship. “The NSW Ambassador program aims to spread the message of national pride and inclusion, whether it’s in our cities, regions or remote country towns.”

with every container donated to the appeal going towards the delivery of hay, water, livestock feed. mental health support

and food supplies via Rural Aid. Source: Media release, Jan 8 TOMRA

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Phone: 4325 7369 Level 2, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford To order online

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Office: Level 2, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

Wyoming firefighters awarded an all expenses paid holiday and 6 months’ free groceries

Wyoming firefighters Daniel Field, Jasper Croft, Ervin Blancflor and Grant Fitzgerald with Kyle and Jackie O

A team of firefighters from Fire and Rescue NSW’s Station 509 Wyoming, has been awarded an all expenses paid holiday for their services during the South Coast bushfires, by a Sydney radio station. The plight of Strike Team Golf captured the world’s attention on New Year’s Eve when the unit became trapped in a burn over. The unit, which was made up of several firefighters from Central Coast RFS NSW stations, was on route to an emergency callout in Nowra when the out of control bushfire overtook the road. Firefighters from 509 Wyoming filmed their ordeal, with footage showing them scrambling to protect themselves with fire blankets and radioing for immediate assistance as their truck

burned. All members of Strike Force Golf were unharmed, but their pumpers had to be abandoned in the evacuation and were subsequently destroyed in the inferno. The video has since gone viral, garnering over 5 million views and media attention the world over. It’s also become a pinnacle of Fire and Rescue’s ‘Protect the Irreplaceable’ movement, a social media hashtag dedicated to supporting firefighters and emergency services giving their all to support fire ravaged communities across the country. The four man team from 509 Wyoming has since returned home but they’re still at the heart of well wishes from the Australian public and the international community alike, and on January 19, they were

invited to appear on Kiss Radio’s Kyle and Jackie O program. During their interview, the team were treated to messages from loved ones about their reaction to the New Year’s Eve footage. Spouses, children, siblings and friends all recorded messages expressing how proud they were of the four and how much they mean to them. Hosts Kyle and Jackie O then revealed that Woolworths had kindly offered to pay for their groceries for the next six months and that the firefighters had each been awarded an all expenses paid holiday to the South Coast. Source: Video, Dec 31, 2019 Fire and Rescue NSW Video, Jan 19 Fire and Rescue Station 509 Wyoming Reporter: Dilon Luke

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OUT&ABOUT PAGE 35 24 JANUARY 2020

Road users encouraged to take more care in the early morning Central Coast road users are being urged to take more care in the early morning and to be aware of wildlife after the remains of a Powerful Owl were found on Fountains Rd, Narara. Resident birdwatcher, Richard Cassels and his wife Joan, made the discovery and believe the bird was hit by a car whilst hunting low to the ground. Cassels said the remains of a Rainbow Lorikeet were in the owl’s talons lending credence to the theory. Car strikes of predatory birds are becoming increasingly more common on the Coast, with Powerful Owl Project Officer, Beth Mott, saying that nocturnal birds like owls and Tawny Frogmouths were especially at risk of being hit in the early morning as commuters make their way to Sydney. “They hunt rodents, possums, insects and birds along the roads, and often cross roads in or near creekways. “Powerful Owls particularly often fly quite low when carrying heavy prey, and so are at risk from cars,” Mott said. According to Mott, Powerful Owls are a threatened species and Australia’s largest owl. “They’re also an apex predator capable of taking prey as large as Brush-tail Possums, so we really can’t afford to lose any more of these magnificent birds,” she said.

The dead Powerful Owl discovered by the Cassels

Cassels said the Central Coast was a great place for birdwatching and hopes to see people take extra care on local roads. “The bird life on the Central Coast is one of Australia’s natural wonders, but we locals tend to take for granted our spectacular bowerbirds and parrots, our fierce birds of prey and our gorgeous pigeons. “With the bushfires having killed hundreds of thousands of our native birds, it’s even or more important that we look after our local species so that they can form the nucleus for

new bush bird populations,” Cassels said. The body of the bird killed in Narara has been sent to the Powerful Owl Project, from where it will go to the Australian Museum in Sydney. “Once we examine it, we will be able to tell how it died and how healthy it was, as well as collect valuable data about movement within the Sydney Basin Powerful Owl population,” Mote said. Source: Media release, Jan 20 Richard Cassels, Narara

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New facilities for Heazlett Park completed Heazlett Park, Avoca, has a new upgraded amenities block featuring an accessible public toilet, male and female change rooms, and a large equipment storage area for the Avoca Beach Kayak Club. Central Coast Mayor, Lisa Matthews, said the new building was a result of multiple levels of Government and local community groups working together. “This project is a great example of the Australian Government, NSW Government and Council working in consultation with local recreation user groups, including the Avoca Kayak Club who supported the project with in-kind contributions,” Cr Matthews said. “This upgraded facility is a key objective of Council’s Community Strategic Plan which reflects our community’s vision for a liveable coast by ensuring sporting, leisure and open space areas are well

Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch (third from left), and Central Coast Mayor, Lisa Matthews, inspect the new storage area with members of the Avoca Beach Kayak Club

maintained and activated.” A Central Coast Council spokesperson said the new building was part of the ongoing redevelopment of the Heazlett

Park Recreational Precinct, which also includes a playspace and new footpaths around the facility. The total redevelopment cost

is over $1.3M, with the Federal Government contributing $485,000, the State Government $300,000, Avoca Kayak Club $20,000 and

Fletcher Armstrong is NSW Overall Male Junior Sprint Champion Avoca Kayak Club’s Fletcher Armstrong has kicked off his year in the best possible way after being crowned Paddle NSW’s James Memorial Cup winner and Overall Male Junior Sprint Champion at the 2020 NSW Sprint Championships. Held at Sydney International Regatta Centre from January 18 to 19, the championships are the premier event for paddlers, with athletes

competing in age and class events for the title of state champion from Under 14’s through to Masters. Avoca Kayak Club had a contingent of hopefuls, but none had a better run through the two day competition than Armstrong, who took out the gold medal in all eight events he raced in. The Men’s Under 18’s in which Armstrong competes, proved to be one of the Avoca competitors’ strongest

categories, with clubmates Ashby Allen, Bailey Connolly, Keaton Pollington and Zachery Tasker never far behind Armstrong in the rankings. Team ups between Armstrong, Allen, Pollington and Keaton were also responsible for a handful of the club’s overall gold medal total in the K4 events at the championships. Other standouts for the club were Ella Lawsen in the Women’s Under 14, Lachlan

Tame, Riley Fitzsimmons and Fletcher Cunningham in the Men’s Open, and Ella Beere in the Women’s Open. Para-athlete, Dylan Littlehales, also impressed in the Men’s Para Canoe events, taking out both the nonchampion and gold medal Men’s K1 200m events. Source: Website, Jan 20 Avoca Kayak Club Website, Jan 22 Paddle NSW: 2020 NSW Sprint Championships results portal

Council funding the remainder. Avoca Rugby Club is a collaborative partner in the redevelopment. Member for Robertson, Lucy

Wicks, said better sporting facilities also support stronger, healthier communities and encourage social connection and civic pride. “Australians love their sport, and that is why local facilities are crucial in providing opportunities for sport and physical activity,” she said. Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, said Avoca was the training ground for successful Olympians Lachlan Tame and Riley Fitzsimmons,Paralympian Dylan Littlehales and many junior kayak representatives in the Australian squad. “The Avoca Kayak Club has previously been operating off the back of a trailer and I’m so proud that this new facility provides a permanent home for the Club,” he said. With the playspace recently upgraded, works will soon commence to formalise the pathways throughout the reserve. Source: Media release, Jan 16 Central Coast Council

Strikers’ Under 12B Yellows are National Club Futsal Champions The Central Coast has its first national champions for 2020, with the Central Coast Strikers Futsal Club’s Under 12B Yellows taking out their division at the 2020 National Club Futsal Championships on January 13. The Yellows were undefeated in their campaign at the

Championships, winning all six of their matches leading up to their grand final match against Northern NSW. The Yellows kept their opponents scoreless in the final to take the national title 3-nil. Source: Website, Jan 14 Central Coast Strikers Futsal Club

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SPORT PAGE 37 24 JANUARY 2020

Sandcrabs dominate NSW youth surf team Six young Central Coast surf life savers will compete in the NSW Surf Life Saving (SLS) Youth Pathway Cup team at the Australian Interstate Championship from January 24-26. The 20-member youth team comprises U14 and U15 teams, five boys and girls in each, who will battle it out with the bestof-the-best in Australia, at Alexandra Headland on the Sunshine Coast, in sprint, flags and relay (beach), swim, board and ski events (surf) as well as taplin and surf rescue events. Lily Hofer, Killcare, Aymn Hamilton and Emelyn Wheeler, Terrigal, and Mia Cracknell and Natalia Drobot, Avoca, all made the U15 girls’ team, while, Noah Nakagawa, Wamberal, was selected in the U14 boys.

The inclusion of so many junior Central Coast surf life savers reflects the Central Coast representative team’s, known as the Sandcrabs, strong performances at the Interstate competition in Bulli in December. For the competitors, the Australian Interstates are all about State pride, team spirit and most of all, having a lot of fun. “I’m excited to be here for NSW and to compete against the best from every state,” said Lily Hofer from Killcare, who will compete in the beach relay, sprint and flags. “It’s great that so many are here from the Coast. “I feel that it’s a great opportunity to meet new people too and to push myself The NSW SLS Youth Pathway Cup team - Inset Lily Hofer

Reporter: Ross Barry

T20 champions to be decided The Everything Sports Central Coast Cricket Association’s (CCCA) T20 Finals Day is one of the major events on the CCCA calendar, and the 2019/20 version will take place on Monday, January 27, at Harry Moore Oval, Toukley. The top four sides from this year’s T20 competition have qualified for finals day, with all the “big guns” amongst them. The day will commence at 9am with the first of the semi-finals, which will see Kincumber Avoca take on Northern Power. Kincumber Avoca is a side that relishes the short format.

Dan Heuston has led from the front this season and he looks to Dylan Robertson, Steve McCabe, Harry Woodhead and John McRae to play a key role with the bat, while brother, Jack Heuston, Dylan Booth and Rob Lavery are expected to ask lots of questions with the ball. Northern Power also have a good record in T20, having reached the semi finals in 2019, and base their game around a strong bowling unit, led by skipper, Chris Archer and David Molan. Ben Gillies is seen as their key run scorer in what has been an inconsistent batting lineup, albeit

FORT DENISON

Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00) or daylight savings time (UTC +11:00) when in effect.

24 FRI

31 FRI

0218 0.51 0853 1.82 1535 0.34 2128 1.34 0115 1.36 0703 0.67 1311 1.44 1940 0.54

25 SAT

SAT

Zac Abel and Brett Lenton have proved before that they can be destructive in the top order. In the second semi, one-day premiers, Lisarow Ourimbah, will be looking to add a second piece of silverware to their cabinet when they take on fellow heavyweights, The Entrance, at 12.15pm. Both sides ooze talent. The magpies will look to openers Ben Cohen and Chris Sheppeard for a good start, as well as their bevy of allrounders led by Matt Jones, Blair Lindsay and Ben Sunshine. Australian Country quick, Scott Burkinshaw and Matt Sunshine

are likely to play a key role with the ball. The Entrance won’t be intimidated though with the likes of Adam Taylor, Callum Dunkerley and skipper, Lochie Gale, capable of taking any attack apart. The Gulls’ bowling will be led by Mitch Starkey, Kobe Allison and Kris Capeski. Following the semi-finals, the two winners will progress through to the Final which will commence at 3.45pm. Entry to all matches is free. Source: Central Coast Cricket Association Reporter: Ross Barry

TIDE CHART

0300 0.51 0340 0.51 0418 0.52 0933 1.82 1046 1.76 1011 1.80 SUN MON 1613 0.33 1647 0.35 1721 0.38 2207 1.36 2244 1.36 2320 1.36 0202 1.36 0255 1.38 0352 1.41 1015 0.74 0758 0.71 0901 0.74 1357 1.35 SUN 1454 1.26 MON 1603 1.20 2023 0.59 2113 0.63 2209 0.65

TUE

Rain disrupts cricket competition Much needed wet weather played havoc with the CCCA Women’s T20 competition on January 18, with only one Round 13 match being completed. In that match, Northern Power White recorded their third win of the year, defeating The Entrance by 36 runs at Harry Moore Oval # 2, Toukley. In the men’s cricket, all Round

15 matches were abandoned due to the rain. All matches were declared a draw except for the match between Lisarow Ourimbah and Narara Wyoming, with Lisarow Ourimbah having gained 1st innings points on Day 1 the previous weekend. Source: Central Coast Cricket Association Reporter: Ross Barry

LAT 33° 51’ S - LONG 151° 14’ E - TIME ZONE - 1000

Times and Heights(m) of high and low waters

0456 0.54 0034 1.36 0535 0.58 1121 1.70 0616 0.62 1156 1.63 WED THU 1754 0.41 1827 0.45 1231 1.54 2356 1.36 1901 0.50 0451 1.47 0548 1.55 0005 0.60 1130 0.68 1235 0.59 0641 1.66 1718 1.19 WED 1825 1.22 THU 1329 0.48 2309 0.64 1921 1.28

APPROX. TIME LAG AFTER FORT DENISON Ettalong 40 min, Rip Bridge 2hrs - Wisemans Ferry 2 hrs 30 min, Koolewong 2 hrs 10 min In view of the variations caused by local conditions and meteorological effects, these times are approximate and must be considered as a guide only. They are not to be relied on for critical depth calculations for safe navigation. Actual times of High and Low Water may occur before or after the times indicated

PAGE 38 24 JANUARY 2020 SPORT

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Junior golfers star in a number of events January’s already been a huge month for Central Coast based junior golfers, with competition wins galore and even a special training session with a pro. The month started with the Harvey Norman Week of Golf Championships, with Toukley Golf Club’s Ann Jang named the scratch runner up for the entire tournament, with a five shot victory in her Under 12’s. Toukley’s Keegan Phillips was also a standout and was in overall contention throughout the competition, finishing in fourth overall, just behind some of Australia’s elite representatives. Other top placings included Magenta Shores’ Riley Millers and The Everglades’ Abbi

Grimish, who both finished third in the scratch for their divisions. Magenta Shores’ Michelle Moon was the next local junior to pull out a win when she was crowned Overall Girls’ winner of the Newcastle Junior Classic, a boon for the promising upcomer who had just competed in the gruelling Harvey Norman Week of Golf Championships. Shelly Beach’s Matt Lamaro then pulled off a back to back victory, crushing the Boys’ Under 15’s in the North Ryde Golf Club competition after taking out his own club’s Top Gun Shootout the day before. This was followed by the chance of a lifetime for three juniors when they had the chance to train with current

Australian Ladies Professional Golf Tour player, Tahnia Ravnjak, who took the three juniors under her wing for some three on one coaching at Concord Golf Club. Wrapping up local juniors’ achievements for the month so far was Toukley Golf Club’s Annika Boyd, who was ranked eight in the Australian Girls’ Order of Merit, following the South Australian Junior Masters event. With a jampacked summer of competition still be played, its clear that the Coast is carving a name for itself as a breeding ground for young talent for the sport. Source: Website, Jan 12-20 Jason Millers, Central Coast Junior Golf

Central Coast Juniors Desiree Herden, Brooke Botting and Georgie Clune with pro golfer, Tahnia Ravnjak

Milli Allport is the16 year old girls’ national surf champion Shelly Beach’s Milli Allport has been crowned one of six national champions in the Rip Curl GromSearch.

Allport claimed the 16 year old Girls’ Division crown after a dominating performance in the final event of the series at

Bulli’s Woonona Beach. Allport met Barwon Heads’ Ellie Harrison in the final after both surfers pulled out

Registration Days Dates, Times & Place 8th February 10am - 4pm Youth Hall at Doyalson Wyee RSL

15th February 10am - 4pm 16th February 10am - 2pm

commanding performances in the semi-finals. The decider was played out in wave starved conditions, with the result to be decided by quality not quantity, and Allport did not disappoint finding two magic waves to post a total of 10.97 for the round. Harrison put in a valiant effort but simply couldn’t produce the score she needed, losing by more than 5 points. The win sees Allport qualify for the Rip Curl GromSearch International Finals which will be held later this year. It also saw her follow in the footsteps of fellow Shelly Beach local and surfing protégé, Molly Picklum, who won the same competition last year. Milli Allport has been crowned one of the Rip Curl GromSearch champions for 2020

Source: Media release, Jan 16 Surfing NSW Media

PHOTO: Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

Wentworth Room in Doyalson Wyee RSL Doyalson Wyee Soccer Club would like to welcome back all returning players and we welcome NEW players to the club. If you have any questions, please call our Registrar Karen Morris on 0410 045 981 Players are wanted in all age groups from Under 5s to Under 16’s, Woman’s 16’s & 18’s Woman’s All Age Men’s All age, Men’s 35s and Men’s 45s

New friends New adventures

Join scouts

For information call 1800 SCOUTS (1800 726 887) or go to www.scouts.com.au

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SPORT PAGE 39 24 JANUARY 2020

Major developments for young Mariners The Central Coast Mariners have announced that Dylan Ruiz-Diaz will continue his development at the club after signing a Scholarship contract with the Mariners. Ruiz-Diaz arrived at the club from Western Sydney Wanderers in October, 2018, and besides playing regularly for the Mariners NPL team, also made two appearances off the bench for Alen Stajcic in the final two games of last season. The 18-year old has been capped at Young Socceroo level and made his Hyundai A-League debut in the 3-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers in round 26 last season. “I’m very pleased to have signed my first professional contract at 18 years old, and it’s something I’ve been working towards for my whole life,” Ruiz-Diaz said. “I feel very fortunate, but I’ve put in a lot of hard work and I’m excited for what is still to come in the future and to be out on the park helping this team push for the finals during the second half of the season.” Mariners’ Head Coach, Alen Stajcic, said the scholarship deal was reward for RuizDiaz’s hard work during preseason and in the campaign so far. “It’s clear to see that he has

Dylan Ruiz-Diaz signs his scholarship contract with the Mariners

talent and is a driven individual, and he’s just one of a number of promising youngsters that continue to come through this club,” Stajcic said. “We believe Dylan has plenty of potential and with lots of hard work we believe he is on the right track to be able to make a mark in the A-League.” So far, Ruiz-Diaz has played 17 minutes of football in the A-League for the Mariners in the 2019/20 season. In other Mariners’ news, two young players from the Mariners Academy, Joey Jevtic and Jake Jovanovski, have headed overseas to join OFK Belgrade’s U/19 side in Serbia. The players will be on loan to the Serbian club until the end of the 2020 season.

OFK Belgrade is one of the oldest teams in Serbia and was the winner of four League championships in the former Yugoslavia. Jevtic, who has been with the Mariners for four years and was a feature in Nick Montgomery’s NYL side this season, said he was looking forward to the chance. “To be going to play in a great footballing country like Serbia will be an incredible experience. “Hopefully, I can go well over there, play at my best and really improve as a player.” Jovanovski echoed Jevtic’s sentiment, saying he was excited for the opportunity to prove himself against some of the world’s best young players. “Once asked if I wanted to go

and play for OFK for 5 months, I was never going to turn down the opportunity” the 18-year old said. A relationship exists with OFK Belgrade and Mariners’ CoChairman, Anton Tagliaferro. Tagliaferro said he believed the opportunity presented a great chance for the boys to prove themselves in a very strong league, and said it served as a reminder of the pathways the Mariners have put in place for young footballers at the club. “Our club now has in place strong recruitment processes for identifying the best young players around Australia.” Source: Central Coast Mariners Reporter: Ross Barry

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Mariners season in tatters

Surf champion

The Central Coast Mariners travelled to GMBHA Stadium in Geelong to face Western United on January 19, riding a wave of new hope after an exciting win over Melbourne Victory. After just 21 minutes, they had conceded three goals and their season was in tatters. Western United were dominant throughout, breaking a streak of two consecutive losses, to win 3-0 and return to the top six on the A-League ladder. They were led by Besart Berisha, who slotted two of United’s goals, as well as Italian marquee player, Alessandro Diamanti, who limped off injured prior to half time. The match was already locked away by that stage. The first goal came in the 6th minute after a mistake by the Mariners provided an opportunity for Diamanti to put a cross in and find the head of Berisha. Mariners’ fans could only look on in disbelief at the second

top 6. The match highlighted the struggles that the Mariners have had all year in defence, with only the VAR and some poor finishing by United in the second half preventing a blow out in the score to five or six goals. Time and again, the United front line found themselves in space and were able to outpace, out-manoeuvre and out jump the Mariners’ back three. Jordan Murray worked hard and almost pulled off a scintillating bicycle kick goal, but even he then managed to push an uncontested header wide of the net. The Mariners will now try to regroup for the home match encounter with Brisbane Roar. Robbie Fowler’s men are unbeaten in their last four games following a 1-0 win against in-form Wellington Phoenix last weekend. The Mariners lost to Roar in Brisbane earlier this season.

PAGE 17 24 JANUARY 2020 Shelly Beach’s Milli Allport has been crowned one of six national champions in the Rip Curl GromSearch.

COME IN FOR A Sandcrabs FREE ASSESSMENT dominate

See page 38

COSMETIC DENTISTRY Western United have put the boot in the Mariners’ prospects for the remainder of the season

goal, 10 minutes later, in which former Mariner, Connor Pain, found space on the left flank, sent a low cross right through the box and the feet of the entire Mariners’ defence to find an unmarked Josh Risdon on the right hand side. Mariner Kyle Rowles then

assisted Risdon find the net with his second own goal in two weeks. The third goal came just a few minutes later, when a cross from Max Burgess found Berisha once again unmarked in front of the net. Berisha’s two goals takes the

• DENTAL IMPLANTS

Albanian star’s tally to 124 goals in the A-League, taking him to equal sixth on the alltime Australian National Leagues’ scorers list. For the Mariners, the loss leaves them on 13 points with just four wins from 13 games, and five points away from the

• SINGLE TOOTH REPLACEMENT

Six young Central Coast surf life savers will compete in the NSW Surf Life Saving (SLS) Youth Pathway Cup team at the Australian Interstate Championship from January 24-26.

• FULL MOUTH REHABILITATION OVER 4-6 IMPLANTS Reporter: Ross Barry

• IMPLANT SUPPORTED DENTURES

Big return from injury for Olympic hopeful Tyler Gunn

BRIGHTEN UP YOUR SMILE THIS NEW YEAR

Gosford track specialist, Tyler Gunn, returned from injury in impressive fashion with two strong wins in the NSW Athletics Country Championships in Dubbo, January 18-19.

See page 37

from injury is timely with the Heazlett Park 2020 Tokyo Olympics fast completed approaching. Gunn has until the end of June to reach the Olympic qualifying time of 44.90 seconds. The qualifying time for the men’s 200 metres in Tokyo is the lowest it’s ever been at 20.24 seconds, but Gunn Exam and Clean appointment forhePrivate Dental Health believes still has plenty of Heazlett Park, Avoca, has a room for improvement. Insurance patients. Not “We’ll with a Health Fund? take it race-by-race as new upgraded amenities featuring an it comes and not really look at block Just pay $179 Includes FREE Xrays worththat$160 Full Comprehensive Exam, accessible public toilet, big future, we’ll just see male and female change Clean and Polish, OPG X-rays, Treatment Planning how we feel each sessionand …. Fluoride Tyler Gunn (left) with fellow Gosford athletes at the Country Championships we’re really looking forward to rooms, and a large “I felt really good. getting that strength. Doha in 2019 with a hamstring equipment storage area for it.” tear and was delighted with “I was able to hold form “Speed can come later in the the Avoca Beach Kayak how he now felt during and throughout the race and that’s season.” Gunn said. Reporter: Ross Barry Club. after the two events. what we’ve been focusing on, The athlete’s emphatic return See page 36

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Gunn ran a personal best time of 21.65 to win the 200 metres on the Saturday and then backed up the following day to cruise to victory in the open 400 metres in a time of 47.71 ARE YOU LOOKING FOR EXPERIENCED & seconds. GENTLE DENTIST His FAMILY? time in the 400 metres FOR YOUR was just outside of Gunn’s personal best of 46.87 set in the 2018 Junior Track and Field Championships. Gunn was forced out of the IAAF World Championships in

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