Coast Community News 285 by Central Coast Newspapers

26 MARCH 2021

ISSUE 285

State of natural disaster declared

News

Due to recent heavy rains, followed by a future forecast of sun, the Australian Reptile Park is issuing a warning to the public predicting an influx of funnel-web spiders. See page 10

Out&About

Gosford Regional Gallery will hold a range of School Holiday Workshops this Easter between April 5 and 17. See page 17

Health The clean-up is underway as the Central Coast recovers from almost a week of torrential rain which saw Premier Gladys Berejiklian declare a state of natural disaster for the region on March 21. See page 6 and 7 This driver hit strife on Narara Valley Dr

Reprieve for Status of Women Advisory Committee Centra Coast Council’s Status of Women Advisory Committee has had a reprieve.

Vicki Scott and other women gathered outside the Gosford Chambers ahead of the March 23 meeting were joined by suspended councillor Jeff Sundstrom

Former Gosford Councillor Vicki Scott, who was instrumental in setting up the committee in 2005, has applauded Council’s decision to retain the group, which had been at risk of disappearing. A motion put to Council’s March 23 meeting would have seen the committee swallowed by a Social Inclusion and Advocation Advisory Committee, one of several moves suggested to consolidate various advisory groups into seven new, larger ones. But following a small protest outside Council’s Gosford chambers ahead of the meeting spearheaded by Scott and

impassioned pleas from Scott and suspended Councillor Jillian Hogan, Administrator Dick Persson was swayed and decided to keep the committee in place by amending the motion. “I was very pleased that (Mr) Persson agreed with me and others who have been supporting the committee in (maintaining its) status quo,” Scott said after the decision had been made. “I look forward to the day when we don’t need a women’s committee, but we are far from ready for that. “At a time when this country is so dismayed at the treatment of women, and each day seems to bring a new and nastier story, it was disappointing that Council had chosen to put up a Continued page 4

A COVID-19 vaccination clinic funded by the Federal Government will be operating out of Coast & Country Primary Care, formerly Central Coast Primary Care, by the end of the month. See page 31

Sport

Mariners CEO, Shaun Mielekamp, is urging all local fans to come out of the woodworks for this weekend’s clash against Melbourne Victory.... See page 38

Puzzles page 22

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

PAGE 2 26 MARCH 2021 CCN

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Coast Community News is published weekly on a Friday by Central Coast Newspapers Pty Ltd (CCN), a local, family-owned business. CCN publishes three local, independent newspapers – Coast Community News, the Coast Community Pelican Post and the Coast Community Chronicle – distributed via more than 450 distribution points right across the Central Coast. Most of our stories, as well as our digital programs such as “Friday 5@5”, can be viewed online at www.coastcommunitynews.com.au CCN aims to serve the interests of the community in three important ways: 1. To serve the ultimate purpose of the free press in a democracy, that is, to hold powerful interests to account through high-quality, independent journalism without fear or prejudice; 2. To provide an affordable medium for local businesses to advertise their products and services, including discounted rates for eligible not-for-profit organisations; and, 3. To keep the community informed about local issues and ensure that important public notices are available to ALL members of the community irrespective of their socio-economic circumstances. Our content is originated through both our own team of local journalists as well as external

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Coast Community News would like to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a Logitech MX Keys keyboard. Introducing MX Keys, the key to mastering your next big project. It’s the first ever MX keyboard, designed for creatives and engineered for coders. If you can think it the MX Keys can help you master it. Decades of Logitech expertise

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Publisher: Ross Barry - CEO: Cec Bucello - Design & Production: Justin Stanley, Lucillia Eljuga Journalists: Terry Collins, Sue Murray, Jacinta Counihan, Hayley McMahon, Maisy Rae, Harry Mulholland, Haakon Barry, Merilyn Vale - Head of Distribution: Anthony Wagstaff ISSN 1839-9045 - Print Post Approved - PP100001843 - Printed by Spotpress Marrickville

12 MARCH 2021

ISSUE 283

Coast trio selected for Nationals

News

17 MARCH 2021

ISSUE 230

REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL WEEKLY NEWS

News

40 state medals between three clubs

Terrigal resident, Claire Braund, has been named Terrigal electorate’s 2021 Woman of the Year in recognition of her outstanding work in the community.

Parliamentary Secretary for Central Coast and Terrigal MP, Adam Crouch, has come under fire from Central Coast Administrator, Dick Persson...

See page 5

See page 39

Photos: Ryan Miu, Cycling NSW

Mayhem and gridlock on the M1 and surrounds

Administrator lets fly State Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, has come under fire from Central Coast Administrator, Dick Persson, during a speech that also targeted former Mayor Jane Smith and sacked CEO Gary Murphy.

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Persson took aim during the March 9 Council meeting calling comments from all three “hypocrisy”. It started after Persson listened to criticism of a tabled financial audit from resident Kevin Brookes, who spoke at the Council meeting’s public forum. Brookes had questioned the depth of the forensic audit and concluded that the review underlined the need for an independent judicial inquiry into Council’s financial issues. “What sort of a ‘forensic audit’ identifies

mismanagement without holding anybody accountable for it?” he asked during his three-minute speech. Persson was having none of it. “Your suggestion that the consultants to the Council should hold the Council accountable - that’s just fanciful,” Persson said. “It’s up to you to hold them accountable; that’s how this works – they are an elected body. “So, if you don’t think they’ve done the right job, hold them accountable.” Persson went on to let off steam about the proposed 42 per cent rate rise. This is made up of a harmonisation of rates that amounts to about 27 per cent, plus a 13 per cent rate variation above the regular two per cent

rate peg (yet to be approved by IPART). “I am responsible for the 13 per cent (amount) of the rate increase,” Persson said. “There was always going to be the two per cent (increase) and had none of this happened there was going to be a 27 per cent rate increase in Gosford. “I have nothing to do with the 42 per cent, I just happen to be in the chair at the time of the harmonisation. “Wyong rates are going to go down considerably because of that.” Persson said to imply he was trying to mislead was offensive. “There were a number of other things that I am finding offensive,” he said, and moved on to criticise Crouch. “The Member for Terrigal, a member of the Government responsible for the mergers, on

his Facebook page last week said the Minister for Local Government and he did not agree with the rate rises. “Well, I have met with the Minister and that has not been conveyed to me.” Persson then read out another statement from Crouch’s Facebook page which said: “‘As a ratepayer myself, I am furious that our community might have to pay for the failures of a group of councillors and a group of senior staff”. Persson then commented : “Well, he’s entitled to that view but had nothing been done here by former Mayor Smith and former councillors at the table, Crouch’s government was going to deliver a 27 per cent rate increase to the residents of Gosford. “And I resent the fact that he’s hiding behind the 13 per cent

rate increase that’s now being proposed as a special rate increase to imply ‘nothing here, don’t look at me, I’m against all this’. “I wonder what he would say to defend the 27 per cent rate increase, which by the way is directly as a result of the merger as is the decrease in Wyong that will occur. “As (Acting CEO Rik) Hart pointed out, there will be no more money coming to Council (from the harmonisation).” Persson went on to criticise the councillors for not being able to save money on the merger. He said the government did make some serious mistakes in the merger in his view and one of them was the 15-councillor model.

On the day marking two years after an accident that left Jack McBride with a brain injury, the 23-year-old will leave on an 800km journey, cycling from the Central Coast to Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane.

There was mayhem on the M1 near Wyong on Thursday, March 11, due to damage to the road surface and reports of debris on the road near the Alison Rd overpass.

See page 33

Problems started in the early hours of the morning with several motorists having to contend with tyres that had blown out and buckled rims after driving over the damaged road surface and the large gap which opened up in the M1 road pavement. Just after 4am emergency services, Transport for NSW staff and an engineer were on site and two of the three southbound lanes were closed. Tow trucks were called in to remove the vehicles with tyre trouble which caused even more disruption to traffic. A Transport for NSW spokesperson said a fourmetre steel plate covering an

Sport

Central Coast brothers and open wheel race car duo, Ben and Paul Lister, performed at Round One of the 2021 NSW Formula Vee Championship at Wakefield Park . See page 40

Continued page 4

Puzzles page 22

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

Southbound traffic banked up on the M1 near Sparks Rd

expansion joint became detached on the M1 at the southbound Deep Creek No.3 bridge at Wyong. Expansion joints are installed to accommodate movement, shrinkage and temperature variations on bridges. The bridge had to be urgently repaired, which involved forming and pouring new concrete to replace the steel.

By 7am, it was havoc, the queues on the M1 were 10km long, only moving at a crawl, and there were reports that some motorists had been in traffic at a standstill for up to two hours. As the news got out, motorists started taking detours and other shortcuts but it wasn’t long before all other roads in and around Wyong were in gridlock.

Children were stranded at bus stops for hours waiting for their school buses while many others decided to walk, causing a different set of safety problems because in many locations there are no footpaths for the children to walk on. The repair work continued through the morning peak and it was expected to go on until early evening, however, at 2pm, Live Traffic NSW

announced all southbound lanes were again open although traffic remained heavy for some time afterward. Following this incident, Transport for NSW carried out further inspections of bridges with a similar type of joint and identified a piece of expansion joint on the nearby Deep Creek No.2 bridge which required urgent replacement. That work was completed by 7am on Tuesday, March 16. Transport for NSW is continuing its investigations into this type of bridge joint to reduce the risk of similar issues and to ensure the safety of all road users. Motorists who sustained damage to their vehicles which they believe has been caused by the condition of the road can lodge a claim for repair costs.

They were joining thousands of women nation-wide in a March4Justice, after claims of sexual harassment and violence engulfed Federal Parliament recently. Event organiser, Kel Butler, spoke about her experiences of sexual harassment and abusive

Regional Development Australia Central Coast (RDACC) is hoping that a roundtable held on March 11 will be the beginning of a new co-operative approach. See page 26

Continued page 3

Sport

See page 26

Health

Central Coast local, Matt Graham, has won the International Ski Federation’s World Cup Crystal Globe title in Almaty, Kazakhstan, after a long 2020-2021 Series.

The Mariners have drawn in the A-League at Central Coast Stadium, 2 – 2, against Perth Glory. See page 38

Puzzles page 23

Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, with event organiser, Kel Butler

See page 4

See page 10

Out&About

Gosford Regional Gallery will hold a range of School Holiday Workshops this Easter between April 5 and 17.

Pearl Beach Progress Association will host a range of events on April 3 to help celebrate over the Easter long weekend.

‘Watch us roar’ was the cry of Mingaletta community group representative, Aunty Robyn Reid, at last week’s March4Justice event on Gosford Waterfront.

See page 17

Education

The bridge over Budgewoi Creek at Mackenzie Reserve

See page 33

See page 39

Puzzles page 22

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

For the first time in six days the water level was starting to fall in Tuggerah Lake on Tuesday, March 23. The lake peaked at 1.50m at about 10pm on Sunday, March 21, and the level was holding steady until Tuesday at 9.30am, when the measurement taken at Long Jetty was down to 1.21m. It was not likely to subside to below the minor flood level of 0.9m until at least Wednesday, March 24. The peak level in this flood (1.52m) was higher than the April 2015 flood, when levels reached 1.45m, but less than the February 2020 flood at 1.67m. Day after day since the deluge began on Thursday, March 18, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issued severe weather warnings, and with the wind

Photo: Mark Smith Photography

picking up on Tuesday, gusting to about 55km/h, residents were on alert for debris floating downstream and around the lake floodwaters as well as fallen trees. There had been nine landslips at various locations and residents were warned about falling trees which had become unstable because of the saturated ground. There was a long list of road closures which occurred almost immediately after the heavy rain started and many are still closed. Some schools were closed as well as the Ourimbah university campus. Trainlines were impacted and replacement buses were in place for a range of routes. By the end of the weekend, , 340mm of rain had fallen in the previous four days across the Coast and NSW Premier, Gladys

Berejiklian, declared a state of natural disaster on Sunday, March 21. The Entrance Channel has remained open during this event, however, on Friday, March 19, Central Coast Council took precautionary action and excavators removed a small amount of sand on the north side of the channel to allow a more direct out-flow of flood waters. By Tuesday, the channel entrance was 120m wide and floodwaters were gushing out to sea. Wyong SES Unit Commander, Matt le Clercq, said the unit had been run off its feet in the past six days. “Flood rescues have been somewhere in the mid 30s, that’s cars in water, animal rescues, resupply and medical evacuations,” he said. “We’ve been really busy with

about 680 jobs – all types such as flooding, roof damage, flood rescues.” He said the flooding was widespread around the lakes and the valley communities of Yarramalong, Dooralong and Jilliby being hit hard from the rising rivers and creeks. “The first couple of days we were busy with flood rescues and in the past two days we have been doing welfare checks around isolated properties such as South Tacoma, Chittaway Bay and up in the valleys,” le Clercq said. Council has had a job on its hands with widespread road damage, the wet weather pond at Wyong South treatment plant had been impacted by the rainfall, portable toilets were taken to South Tacoma for residents having sewerage problems, and Mooney Mooney Dam was spilling over.

The dam is now at 98 percent capacity and Mangrove Creek Dam is 66 percent full, Mardi Dam 72 percent. “There’s been a real community spirit throughout this flood event, the community support, the work of the volunteer agencies such as the Rural Fire Service and the Volunteer Rescue Association, all working together to support the community,” said Wyong SES Unit Commander, Matt le Clercq. “The support for the SES has been fantastic and we’ve had a lot of spontaneous support, too, just dropping into the shed to lend a hand, especially with sandbagging, which has freed up our members to go out and be there for the community.” Sue Murray See more flood coverage on pages 11 - 13

Pete Mackay, a Trauma Clinical Nurse Consultant at both Wyong and Gosford Hospitals, was the first staff member to receive the AstraZeneca vaccination

Peninsula holds up well under deluge Despite Premier Gladys Berejiklian declaring a state of natural disaster for the Central Coast region, the Peninsula weathered almost a week of torrential rain which began on March 18 surprisingly well.

See page 31

Education

Take 3 for the Sea joined Clean4Shore and students from the Berkeley Vale Campus of Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College for a cleanup See page 34

Puzzles page 23

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

Due to recent heavy rains, followed by a future forecast of sun, the Australian Reptile Park is issuing a warning to the public predicting an influx of funnel-web spiders.

See page 8

A crowd of over 400 attended the march at Gosford waterfront

Rebecca Baldwin from Narara has stepped out of her comfort zone, stripping off to be painted for the 2022 So Brave calendar to raise breast cancer awareness.

News

Out&About

See page 14

Sport

Sue Murray

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

A comprehensive plan to lift the profile and freshen-up The Entrance to attract visitors all year round and boost the local economy.

See page 17

and the institutions that are meant to protect them instead blame them, dismiss them, retruamatise them and worst of all, stand by the men accused of hurting them.” Butler called for changes in legislation and education, and more support for systems around coercive control, consent, rape and domestic violence.

ISSUE 285

State of natural disaster declared

Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, says the Federal Government has “let down” the people of the Peninsula...

See page 17

Health relationships. “I’ll never forget how it made me feel,” Butler said. “But now I understand hiding is not the answer, that being silent is part of the problem and a form of enablement. “I need to speak … silence is poison, and it is exactly what perpetrators rely on so they can keep perpetrating unhindered and unaccountable. “Women are still getting assaulted in all sorts of ways,

News

Business

Due to popular demand, Gosford showground will host its second camel racing event, just in time for Easter, on April 2.

Almost 500 women marched along Gosford waterfront on March 15 to call for an end to genderbased violence.

ISSUE 010

REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWS

Pensinsula’s women call for action

The iconic Norah Head Lighthouse is a grand old lady gracing the headland at the eastern edge of the village for the past 118 years.

See page 10

Out&About

Business

25 MARCH 2021

Out&About

X-factor star and Gosford resident, Jason Owen, has been nominated as a two-time finalist in the 2021 7News Young Achiever Awards.

See page 17

The 2021 NSW Surf Life Saving Championships moved on to the Masters’ Beach & Water events, as well as the Masters’ and Opens’ Lifesaving Championships, hosted by Swansea Belmont SLSC from March 12-14, with a number of Northern Central Coast clubs finding more podium placements.

ISSUE 231

REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL WEEKLY NEWS

Coast cops a drenching

For anyone in the Entrance who is seeing funny lights near the waterfront, no it is not alien activities, it is Bright Nights @ The Entrance.

See page 17

Health

Competitors with the Central Coast Cycling Club: (from left – right) Liliya Tatarinoff, Nicole Duncan, Maya Dillon

26 MARCH 2021 24 MARCH 2021

News

Out&About

The Coast’s own Naughty Noodle Fun Haus combined camp with Coast at this year’s Mardi Gras Parade on March 6 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

See page 38

ISSUE 284

We are women, hear us roar

See page 3

Out&About

Three young members of the Central Coast Cycling Club have again accomplished high standings in the 2021 NSW U15-17 Junior State Championships held at Dunc Gray Velodrome on Saturday and Sunday, March 6-7.

19 MARCH 2021

Rubbish washed up on Patonga Beach

Although some residents reported minor flooding incidents, no Peninsula roads were closed, with many crediting the area’s sandy land base for a lack of more serious incidents. The most significant effects on the Peninsula were severe build-ups of floodwaters on roadsides, highlighting the area’s ongoing drainage issues, the re-emergence of numerous potholes and debris being washed up on local beaches, with Patonga the

hardest hit. As Central Coast Council warned residents to secure loose items around their homes and move vehicles away from trees, the Peninsula remained comparatively unscathed, despite averaging over 60mm of rain each day from March 18-23. The highest daily rainfall was recorded at Woy Woy, which received 106mm of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on March 19. March 19 offered a slight reprieve from the rain, but it returned with a vengeance on March 20, with Woy Woy recording 105mm in the 24 hours to 9am March 21 and heavy rains continuing on the Peninsula until March 23.

Orange has been the theme for many schools around the Central Coast, with Harmony Week and the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence coinciding with each other.

Puzzles page 22

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

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

Centra Coast Council’s Status of Women Advisory Committee has had a reprieve.

Ten members of the Peninsula Ocean Swimmers Group dodged the recent wild weather to complete an 8.5-kilometre swim from Lion Island on Sunday, March 13. See page 39

Continued page 4

Reprieve for Status of Women Advisory Committee

See page 34

Sport

Vicki Scott and other women gathered outside the Gosford Chambers ahead of the March 23 meeting were joined by suspended councillor Jeff Sundstrom

A COVID-19 vaccination clinic funded by the Federal Government will be operating out of Coast & Country Primary Care, formerly Central Coast Primary Care, by the end of the month. See page 31

Sport

Mariners CEO, Shaun Mielekamp, is urging all local fans to come out of the woodworks for this weekend’s clash against Melbourne Victory.... See page 38

Puzzles page 22

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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PAGE 3 26 MARCH 2021

Row over Kincumber Creek contamination continues The row over the condition of Kincumber Creek continues, with community activist Cori Hopper saying heavy rains over the past week have once again highlighted an ongoing problem with contamination from the nearby Hymix concrete batching plant, and Hymix categorically denying his claims. In the wake of a $15,000 fine recently issued to Hymix Australia by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) for alleged pollution of the creek, Hopper says storms on March 18 saw large amounts of the Kincumber plant’s sand stockpile washed through the stormwater system and onto the creek’s banks. He has written to the EPA reporting the latest incident. “Large deposits, likely up to several tonnes of white concrete batching sand mix, have been flushed into the Kincumber creek tributary via the main Council stormwater outlet on Cochrone St, Kincumber,” he wrote to the EPA. “The sand has been flushed into the tributary, filling the creek and blanketing the

mangrove banks and in some spots has completely covered the bank and mangroves. “The creek currently resembles a beach with evidence that the sand has affected both the edge of the mangrove bank and the depth of the creek. “It is known that the HyMix concrete batching plant at Kincumber has limited capacity to capture, contain and store excess catchment water. “In addition to this restricted capability the site also has no cover over its aggregate and sand holding bays. “They are at ground level which means any deluge of rain washes mass amounts of sediment particle and contaminated concrete catchment water above 20mm directly into the suburban stormwater lines. “Recently some efforts by Hymix have been made to cease the overflow of contaminated water on site entering the creek via a stormwater line connected directly to the sump. “The EPA has recently penalised and fined HyMix for the pollution of the creek via this outlet. “It appears that the only

option now for Hymix (to deal with) catchment water on site is to utilise the Council stormwater system. “I have documented this occurrence on several occasions prior to now but never of this level. “There is little doubt that the creek has been greatly affected, as has been the case for the past 40 years and … is now creating significant risk of flooding for nearby residents’ homes.” Hopper said the creek, once an important nursery for local fish stocks, was now a “fetid slurry”. But Hymix has categorically rejected Hopper’s claims. “For the record, Hymix took interim measures in late 2020 to improve the plant’s water management system,” a statement from the company said. “We have also been in close consultation with the EPA. “Consequently, we are acutely aware of the requirement to ensure that any water leaving our site meets the EPA’s standards. “To this end we closely monitored the plant’s situation during the recent rainfall event. “Our management team

were on site over the weekend and were pleased to see that the water leaving the Hymix site was far cleaner than the water already in Kincumber Creek. “However, there was noticeable sand and sediment being washed off (Cochrone Rd) and into the creek. “The road is in a state of disrepair and lacks kerb and guttering on the side adjacent to the creek.” An EPA spokesperson said the authority had received Hopper’s email and was following up on the issues raised. The spokesperson reaffirmed the EPA had recently fined Hymix $23,000 (one penalty notice for $15,000 for alleged water pollution and one penalty notice for $8,000 for allegedly failing to properly operate control equipment). “The EPA has also issued Hymix with a Prevention Notice to address ongoing surface water management issues at the site,” the spokesperson said. “Hymix has since installed several additional controls to prevent water pollution.” Terry Collins

Kincumber Creek following heavy rains on March 18

Issue 1/2021

Community Bulletin - Natural disaster recovery Reach out for support

With a declaration of natural disaster for the Central Coast, support services are available for impacted residents to aid recovery. Resilience NSW is the lead disaster management agency for NSW, responsible for all aspects of disaster recovery. An evacuation reception centre opened on Monday 22 March at Diggers @ The Entrance, located at 315 The Entrance Road, Long Jetty. Open 24 hours, 7 days until no longer required, agencies available on site to assist include Red Cross, Housing Contact Centre, Salvation Army, Local Land Services, Chaplaincy Network, Disaster Welfare Assistance and Samaritans. Residents may be eligible for disaster recovery assistance. If your home or belongings have been damaged, a lump sum payment may be available. Call Disaster Welfare Assistance on 1800 018 444. Support for impacted small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations is also available. For more information on where to contact these services please visit the news section on Council’s website at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

Stay safe and don’t get complacent

Trees may be unstable, so please exercise caution and keep vehicles away from large trees. Residents should call SES on 132 500 should their property be impacted by fallen trees. Multiple roads have been closed across the Central Coast and on reopening, debris and sediment may remain on the roads. With conditions changing regularly, residents are urged to drive to the conditions and avoid unnecessary travel in areas still impacted by flooding, follow signage and directions carefully and never drive through flood waters. Please do not remove road closure signage or barriers – these have been placed for the community’s safety and need to remain in place. They will be removed by Council staff when appropriate. If you see something else that needs our attention, please use the report an issue function on our website or call us on 1300 463 954.

Council waste services continue

Weekly kerbside bin collections are continuing for residents as normal. For properties located on sections of road currently closed to vehicles, kerbside services will resume as soon as the roads re-open and residents should keep their bins on the kerbside until they are collected. Collections will continue over the weekend if necessary. If you need to clear excess waste and debris from your property as a result of the severe weather, you can book a standard bulk kerbside collection for both excess garden waste and normal bulk waste. Residents can book up to six general or green waste bulk kerbside collections a year of two cubic metres per allocation. Bulk kerbside entitlements are reset annually on 1 February. Book at www.1coast.com.au Residents can also dispose of their bulk waste directly at one of Council’s two waste management facilities located in Woy Woy and Buttonderry (Jilliby). Normal fees apply.

Please do not drop donations into affected areas

In partnership with the NSW Government, GIVIT is managing donations for this recovery. Dontate now: givit.org.au

Stay up-to-date with emergency information: centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/news

PAGE 4 26 MARCH 2021

NEWS

WWW.COASTCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM.AU

Reprieve for Status of Women Advisory Committee From page 1 motion which would effectively bury the committee under the umbrella of the Social Inclusion Committee. “We are 52 per cent of the population; we are not a minority; we are not a diverse group to be included with the greater population; we are, in fact, the greater population.” Scott said that on 8 March 2005, (then) Councillor Terri Latella moved that Council set up an advisory committee for women. “I seconded it,” Scott said. “It was initially done because we felt that Council should play a role in enabling (International Women’s Day) IWD events. “The committee became the Status of Women Committee and operated until Gosford Council was sacked prior to

Anne Sullivan and Vicki Scott (centre) with Administrator Dick Persson, who amended the motion and saved the committee

amalgamation. Post amalgamation the committee was reinstated and went on to address various matters relating to gender equity and women’s rights. “We ran forums covering homelessness among women and families, domestic violence, the need for more women to be elected on to Council, the need for women among staff to aim towards the pointy end of management etc. “We discussed, and made changes relating to, parenting leave for staff members and family friendly things like making available a breastfeeding room in the workplace. “We held a march through Gosford CBD every year to acknowledge IWD, and it became a fixture, until Gosford

Council was declared defunct in 2015. “We maintained relationships with women from a number of women’s organisations, and held meetings with representatives of those organisations to discuss the work each organisation was involved in. “What an eye opener that was. “We met women from all over – homeless women, politicians, authors, United Nations’ representatives. “A former general manager told us that wherever he went in the state other general managers wanted to talk to him about‘this women’s committee’ that they kept hearing about from their staff and councillors.” Terry Collins

Community Environment Network WILDPLANT COMMUNITY NURSERY ON SATURDAY 3 APRIL Our popular plant sales are back for 2021 and will continue to be held on the first Saturday of each month from 9am to 12pm. Our next sale day is: Saturday 3 APRIL 9am to 12pm CEN Office, Brush Rd, Ourimbah Native plants are inexpensive (starting at $3), help conquer climate change, create habitat for local birds and animals and encourage outdoor activity.

Come along to our plant sale at the CEN Office, Ourimbah, buy a few local native plants and chat about local environment issues. We have a range of local native plants available including ground covers and herbs, shrubs and trees, bush food, bird attracting, native bee attracting, frog friendly and screen plants. Cash and EFTPOS accepted.

CENTRAL COAST WOMBAT RESCUE NEWS Did you know that our wombat populations are in decline and that Sarcoptic mange along with habitat loss and road kill are major contributors to this decline? Sarcoptic mange is an infestation of the sarcoptes mite that burrows under the skin, laying eggs as it tunnels, creating extreme discomfort for the wombat and an appearance of thick crusting on the wombat causing blindness, deafness, hair loss and deep wounds caused by the crusted skin splitting. A slow painful death is the final outcome for these wombats. Just as we treat dogs for fleas, we can also treat mange in

wombats. Wombats deserve to be mange free! Central Coast Wombat Welfare are a group of people that are monitoring wombat numbers on the Central Coast and are providing treatment programs for wombats with mange. Treatment is carried out on your property. We also want to know about your healthy wombats so we are better able to monitor their numbers. CCWW are treating mange on the Central Coast and surrounds. For more information or to organize a treatment program. Call Carla on 0497 50 509. Email: habitatforwildlife@cen. org.au

WACK A WEED - CASSIA (SENNA PENDULA VAR. GLABRATA) Cassia is a garden escapee introduced from South America. Cassia is a very common weedy shrub found growing in bush gullies, forests, disturbed areas, waste areas, roadsides, closed forests, forest margins and urban bushland in tropical, subtropical and warmer temperate regions. It is found on the Central Coast and throughout NSW. It is a fast-growing plant that can suppress the growth of native species and displace them. It produces large amounts of long-lived seeds. Cassia is spread by seed and sometimes by

suckers. Description: Cassia is an upright, spreading or sprawling shrub usually growing 2-4m tall, but occasionally reaching up to 5m. It is distinguished by the absence of spines and prickles. The stems are multi-branched and become woody with age. Younger stems are green and sparsely hairy but become hairless and darker as they mature. Leaves: Compound leaves (made up of leaflets) are 4-8 cm long and are alternately arranged along the stems and borne on stalks 2040 mm long. Each leaf is composed of 3-5 pairs of dark green leaflets with rounded tips.

These leaflets are egg-shaped to oval, with those closer to the stem generally being smaller. They are almost hairless and have a prominent lighter coloured middle vein. There is a small cone

shaped gland between the two lowest leaflets of each leaf. Flowers: Bright yellow pea-like flowers, about 30 mm across, with five large petals. They are borne in clusters at the tips of the branches, and each flower is on a stalk. These flowers have two or three prominent curved stamens, four or five smaller stamens, and as well as three tiny petal-like structures at their centers. Flowering time: Late summer – autumn. Fruit (pods): Fruits are cylindrical pods that hang downwards and are 10-20 cm long. Pods turn from green to pale brown as they mature in winter.

Similar native species: Breynia (Breynia oblongifolia). Control: Hand-pull; grab the stem down low at the base. Remove any pods and dispose in the bin and raft plant so the plant is not touching the soil. Herbicide options: Cut and paint method using 100% Glyphosate 360 g/L. WARNING - ALWAYS READ THE LABEL. Information sources: weeds.dpi. nsw.gov.au; Les Robinson, Field guide to the native plants of Sydney; F.J. Richardson, R.G. Richardson, R.C.H. Shepherd, Weeds of the South-East, an identification guide for Australia.

From our Chair

I am always greeted by the wonderful energy of community volunteers when I visit the CEN office at Ourimbah Campus. I love speaking with our volunteers who spend time each week working to make CEN a success. Volunteers care for the plants and get them ready for our monthly sales. They assist with everyday tasks at the nursery and in the field during wild plant rescues. They design logos or help staff with data entry. Our executive committee members are volunteers who assist staff with submissions to all levels of government. Executive members have expertise in planning, sustainable development, environmental science, youth and community campaigns. Library volunteer Ray Rauscher and Deputy Chair John Asquith have been collaborating for months on upgrading the CEN library. It will now open to the public on the first Saturday of the month in conjunction with our plant sales. CEN executives realise that connecting with those who share a vision for the environment strengthens the wellbeing of the whole Central Coast community. The energy I feel when I speak with volunteers who share their skills and passion for CEN makes sense. We connect to something bigger than ourselves and everyone has a role to play. Hale Adasal CEN Chair

The Community Environment Network (CEN) is an alliance of individuals and groups that work for ecologically sustainable development.

Support CEN - Become a member - Volunteer - Make a donation

www.cen.org.au Ph: 4349 4756

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NEWS

PAGE 5 26 MARCH 2021

Paid visitor parking at beaches on its way Beaches at Terrigal Beach, Avoca Beach, North Avoca, Macmasters Beach, Copacabana, Forresters Beach and Wamberal are on the list of Coast beaches earmarked for paid visitor parking. Lakeside and other foreshore areas could include the Gosford Waterfront and Brisbane Water. Central Coast Council will look for an external business willing to partner with Council to develop and deliver a visitorbased paid parking scheme at no cost to Council. It will call for expressions of interest. Council estimates the collective cost of planning, to the point of implementation, at about $411,120, but it said the figure would fluctuate based on the number of foreshore areas included in the scheme. Administrator, Dick Persson, said ratepayers would get passes for free parking and there would also be the opportunity to buy passes from Council. He said people renting could

buy the passes or get them free from their landlords. However the details are yet to be worked out. Additional investigations and studies are required to determine the most suitable areas to be included in a visitorbased paid parking scheme as well as the sequence of introducing the scheme to these areas. Factors to be considered include the existing parking infrastructure, line marking, suitability for installing parking sensors/CCTV cameras, parking meters, enforcement measures,and the management of the flow-on effect to neighbouring streets. In a report adopted at its March 23 meeting, Council used the Terrigal foreshore area as a base model to forecast the potential revenue. In Terrigal alone, revenue would be generated from about 590 “on grade” parking spaces and another 400 spaces at the multi-storey car park at Wilson Rd. The revenue of more than $600,000 a year was based on

about seven cent of cars being visitor parking and another seven per cent being local cars that did not have resident free passes. These figures came from a Central Coast parking strategy completed by Bitzios Consulting in 2019. It assumed that the first two vehicles per residence are not charged for parking. But statistics showed that 20.8 per cent of households in Terrigal own three or more cars. Figures are not available for the Coast as a whole. Council reckons the project could be financially feasible with a payback period of just over 8 years. Other beaches in the region slated for inclusion are Ocean Beach, Soldiers Beach, The Entrance Beach, Shelly Beach, Toowoon Bay, Lakes Beach/ Budgewoi, Patonga Beach, Norah Head, Killcare Beach, Putty Beach, Ettalong Beach and The Entrance North Beach. Tuggerah Lake and Lake Munmorah could also be

included. Administrator, Dick Persson, said ratepayers currently carry the financial burden of visitors and in the current financial climate it was necessary to explore alternative revenue options. “The Central Coast economy relies heavily on visitors and presently this group make no direct financial contribution towards foreshore infrastructure and services,” Persson said. “Council staff have scoped the administrative cost of establishing a beach parking system that provides protection to ratepayers; estimated a potential projected revenue stream and timeline for implementation; and determined potential foreshore areas to be considered for this scheme. “The next step now is to determine willingness for an external supplier to partner with Council so we can progress the scheme at no cost to Council.” Merilyn Vale

ANZAC DAY Service P R O U D LY P R E S E N T E D B Y

The Palmdale Group will host ANZAC Day Ceremonies at both Palmdale and Greenway on 25th April, to pay respect to the memory of our service men and women. Due to COVID Restrictions within the chapels, extra seating outside the chapels at Palmdale and Greenway will be available, with accompanying screens to watch the services.

Palmdale Lawn Cemetery & Memorial Park

The ANZAC Day Services will be live-streamed online through the Palmdale Website for those that cannot attend.

460 Avoca Drive, Green Point Commencing at 11am in the Greenway Chapel, with complementary live-streaming available online.

How to Watch Online 1. 2. 3. 4.

Visit palmdalegroup.com.au Click ‘Community & Events’ on the Top of the Page Click ‘ANZAC Day Services’ Access the livestreams for both Greenway and Palmdale’s ANZAC Day services live on this page.

57 Palmdale Road, Palmdale Commencing at 9am, services will be held in the Hillside chapel and Rose chapel, live-streaming available online.

Greenway Chapel & Memorial Gardens

Palmdale Phone: 4362 1203 Greenway Phone: 4369 2013

palmdalegroup.com.au

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NEWS

The clean-up is underway as the Central Coast recovers from almost a week of torrential rain which saw Premier Gladys Berejiklian declare a state of natural disaster for the region on March 21. The deluge began on Thursday, March 18, with the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issuing severe weather warnings. After a brief reprieve on March 19, the rain returned with a vengeance on Saturday, March 20, continuing until Tuesday, March 23. With winds gusting to about 55km/h, residents were on alert for floating debris and fallen trees. There was a long list of road closures which occurred almost immediately after the heavy rain started and many were still closed as we went to press. Road closures can be checked

WWW.COASTCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM.AU

State of natural

Somersby Falls became a raging torrent

on Central Coast council’s website. Some schools were closed as well as the Ourimbah university campus. Trainlines were impacted and replacement buses were in place for a range of routes. Several areas were affected by power outages, including Terrigal, Matcham, Wamberal, Spencer. Erina Heights, Holgate and Erina, with service restored prior to March 24. As at 10am on March 24, more than 200 homes at Yarramalong and 26 at Patonga were still without power. An Ausgrid spokesperson said difficulty of access had held up restoration of power to these areas. With over 1000 calls to the SES made region-wide over the six-day period, more than 500 of these were in the greater Gosford area. Gosford SES Unit Commander, Steve Tobin, said most of the

Much of Matcham was underwater

call-outs were for leaking roofs and flooding due to run-off. “We had teams in the field every day and night, working alongside the RFS and Fire and Rescue,” Tobin said. “As well as answering calls in the greater Gosford region, our crews were assisting with flood rescues, primarily in the north of the region. “We are currently mopping up our last few outstanding jobs.” Tobin said the unit had despatched flood boats to help communities on the north of the Hawkesbury River, including Spencer, which had been isolated for days with road access cut off by water.

Portaloos made a reappearance at Davistown following torrential rain from March 18-23 as the area’s drainage and sewerage systems once again failed to cope. The emergency measure was a repeat of an event in February last year which saw Portaloos distributed around the area by Central Coast Council following a similar storm event. But this time the move had been thought through well in advance, with Davistown Progress Association President, Jenny McCulla, praising Council for taking early action. “Portaloos were brought on site by Council from March 19 as many toilet systems broke down following heavy rains the night before,” McCulla said. “Council was very proactive planning up front in case the service was required. “Toilets at the Progress Hall went out on March 21 and

Portaloos made a reappearance at Davistown during the torrential rain

“We’ll be down there for a few days, in conjunction with Department of Justice and community welfare organisations undertaking any necessary evacuations and helping deliver essential items,” he said. Robin said crews were “pretty tired” but that he had managed to stand down most volunteers by March 24, leaving just one team in the field, along with flood boat crews. “Hopefully we’ll all get a bit of rest over the next four days or so with the weather looking better,” he said. Meanwhile, surf lifesavers from North Avoca, Terrigal, Toowoon Bay and Macmasters Beach travelled north to assist

with flood rescue duties on the lower north coast, with boats from Umina, Wamberal and North Avoca sent up alongside the crews. Ocean Beach and Umina Surf Life Saving Clubs have been put on notice and have prepared additional resources and call out crews to be rescue ready for the continuing crisis in the Hawkesbury region. To the north of the Coast, for the first time in six days the water level was starting to fall in Tuggerah Lake on March 23. The lake peaked at 1.50m at about 10pm on March 21 and the level was holding steady until March 23 at 9.30am when the measurement taken at Long Jetty was down to 1.21m.

It was not likely to subside to below the minor flood level of 0.9m until at least March 24. The peak level in this flood (1.52m) was higher than the April 2015 flood when levels reached 1.45m but less than the February 2020 flood at 1.67m. The Entrance Channel remained open during the event, with Central Coast Council taking precautionary excavation action on March 19. Flooding was widespread around the lakes and the valley communities – Yarramalong, Dooralong, Jilliby – were hit hard by rising rivers and creeks. Terry Collins

Portaloos at the ready Council fixed them so early yoga classes and regular meetings at the hall could continue. “But there were issues at Kincumber Cres and other locations in the area.” McCulla said issues experienced in the area during heavy rains had a two-fold cause; a failing sewerage system and drainage maintenance issues, with pipes inundated with stormwater feeding into the sewerage system. “The system is 23 years old and more regular maintenance is needed,” she said. The two issues are handled by different Council departments and some cohesion is needed. “We are now at a stage where a lot of the valves need replacement. “Some areas are worse than others. “It appears those areas furthest from the main

plumping station in Restella Ave have more issues than those closer; although Malinya Rd is not far from the station and had back-up issues on March 18.” McCulla renewed calls for action on Council’s drainage maintenance plans as residents once more faced clogged sewerage systems. “This is an ongoing problem and we have been encouraging residents over the past 18 months or so to continue to report blocked drains,” McCulla said. “There is a real need to clear these drains. “Many streets again experienced problems with the heavy rain. “Some people, who have funded clearing drains and pipes themselves, sometimes costing around $8000, were having no problems. “But there is a changing dynamic in the population at Davistown and many elderly

residents and young families can’t afford to pay for this sort of work.” “Council is preparing a sewerage maintenance plan at Davistown following our calls for a total review of the system (which they have completed). “The system is over 20 years old and now requires a lot of maintenance. “Council’s plan will list numbers of required upgrades and a budgeted plan to address the needs over a few years, with immediate maintenance in the worst locations. “But there is flooding due to blocked drainage that needs attention.” A Council spokesperson said Council had closely monitored Davistown 24/7 during the severe weather period, with crews onsite to ensure the sewer system and service was maintained. Terry Collins

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disaster declared

Flooded streets were a common sight around Davistown

Financial support for flood impact available With Premier Gladys Berejiklian declaring a state of natural disaster for the Central Coast region, funding and support can now flow more quickly to residents and businesses affected by the floods. Assistance is also available to Central Coast Council to restore essential public assets like roads and bridges. Parliamentary Secretary for Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said assistance would be available through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and would include help for eligible people whose homes or belongings had been damaged. The funding assistance would also include concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations; freight subsidies for primary producers; grants to non-profit organisations as well as Council to help clean-up costs and restoring damaged essential public assets. For more information go online to disasterassistance. service.nsw.gov.au and to apply for a concessional loan or grant go to raa.nsw.gov.au The Australian Government is also offering a financial support payment to Central Coast residents. The Disaster Recovery

Payment and the Disaster Recovery Allowance aims to provide much-needed assistance to those who have suffered a significant loss, including a severely damaged or destroyed home, serious injury or who have lost a family member. Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, David Littleproud, said he would continue to act swiftly to support communities directly affected, particularly those whose homes have been significantly damaged or flooded. The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment provides a one-off, nonmeans-tested payment of $1,000 for eligible adults and $400 for eligible children, who have been seriously injured, lost their homes or whose homes have been directly damaged, or the immediate family members of a person who has lost their life as a direct result of the storms and floods. The Disaster Recovery Allowance provides a shortterm income support payment to assist individuals whose income has been affected as a direct result of the storms and floods. People eligible for the Allowance can access income assistance for up to 13 weeks, equivalent to the maximum

rate of JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance. Equivalent financial assistance will also be available to eligible New Zealand citizens (non-protected Special Category Visa, subclass 444 holders) affected by the storms and floods. The Australian Government will also lift mutual obligation requirements for job seekers in the Central Coast local government area impacted by the floods and storms, from Friday, March 19 until Tuesday, April 6. “No job seeker in the affected areas will face payment suspension or financial penalties for failing to meet their mutual obligation requirements such as not being able to attend appointments or activities,” Littleproud said. Residents can check their eligibility for the support payment online at www. servicesaustralia.gov.au/ disaster but the quickest and easiest way to claim is to phone 180 22 66. The Central Coast is one of 34 local government areas across NSW to be eligible for the Australian Government support payments. Source: Media release, Mar 21 Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, David Littleproud Parliamentary Secretary for Central Coast, Adam Crouch

NEWS

PAGE 7 26 MARCH 2021

Wells St, Springfield, was one of the first streets to succumb to the deluge

Free legal advice for flood victims Flood victims are eligible for free legal advice as they recover from the devastating rains over the weekend. Lawyers from the Disaster Response Legal Service NSW team stand ready to provide legal assistance covering a range of issues, including insurance claims, tenancy, credit and debt, financial hardship, social security entitlements and employment. Legal Aid NSW CEO, Brendan Thomas, said that civil lawyers from the Disaster Response Legal

Service NSW were specialists in areas of law that are likely to impact victims of extreme weather events. “All of our solicitors providing legal help have undergone training about what to expect,” Thomas said. “This is important work at a difficult and stressful time in people’s lives, so part of the training is about how best to respondtothetraumaexperienced by those affected by disasters. “Having an experienced advisor

to help you navigate through legal issues can significantly reduce trauma and pave the way to rebuilding lives.” Free legal advice is available to anyone affected by a disaster. For more intensive casework, a means and merit test is applied. Victims of disasters are priority clients of Legal Aid NSW, Thomas said. Source: Media release, Mar 22 Legal Aid NSW

Call for more training resources on Coast

In the wake of the recent rains, the Fire Brigade Employee’s Union (FBEU) is calling on the NSW Government for increased resources on the Central Coast in response to climate change related disasters, including bushfires and floods.

NSW State Secretary, Leighton Drury, said the Government needed to fund a training centre on the Coast. He said that over the past week, Fire and Rescue NSW had completed hundreds of flood related rescues and call outs across the Coast, about eight times the normal workload. “On the Central Coast, homes are being inundated, roads are flooding, businesses are struggling and Fire and Rescue NSW has a desperate lack of trained swift water rescue teams on the Coast,” Drury said. “While volunteers are doing their best to do all this work, professional firefighters guarantee a response and are out the door and at an incident

extremely quickly. “This quick response saves lives and property. “To increase this training, the Government needs to fund a training centre on the Coast and get this happening. “By the next flooding event it’ll be too late. “This work has to start tomorrow to protect Coast locals. “With hundreds of rescues that have been done during this emergency, Minister Elliott needs to come out and back the service that saves lives and recognise that it requires additional investment. “Minister Elliott is on record saying that he would love to have a fire truck and a platoon of firefighters on every street, yet there are entire suburbs without a fire station. “Fire and Rescue NSW are the first responders to fires, hazmat, rescue, storm and tempest events,they are the surge capacity when these incidents are prolonged or widespread. “It does a great job and FBEU members give a guarantee of

service with 90 percent of calls responded to within 10 minutes. “Fire and Rescue NSW currently has multiple strike teams and swift water rescue teams in the field. “That’s on top of response to normal daily demands. “The reality is when your life shatters, firefighters are there when it matters. “This disaster and last year’s bushfires show that the Government needs to plan and prepare for the worst-case scenario in emergency services.” A spokesperson for Fire and Rescue NSW said there were 19 training facilities across NSW and three of those were in the Newcastle/Hunter area. “Firefighters from the Central Coast also have access to the Rural Fire Service training site at Charmhaven, with access enabled through co-operative training arrangements,” the spokesperson said. Source: Media release, Mar 19 Fire Brigade Employees’ Union Media statement, Mar 23 Fire and Rescue NSW

PAGE 8 26 MARCH 2021

NEWS

Debate on e-petition delayed Labor MPs across the Central Coast have denounced the State Government for delaying debate on an e-petition signed by more than 20,000 residents calling for a judicial inquiry into Central Coast Council’s financial collapse. The debate is slated for May 6, well after Council Administrator, Dick Persson, will deliver his final report to Local Government Minister, Shelley Hancock. Hancock is expected to make a decision at the end of April on whether to return councillors or launch an inquiry into the

financial disaster. Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, said attempts by her, Member for Swansea, Yasmin Catley, Shadow Minister for the Central Coast, David Harris, and Member for The Entrance, David Mehan, to have the issue debated sooner were refused. Tesch said it was a “disgrace” that more than 20,000 signatures had been ignored. “We know our community want to move forward and be able to trust our Council - we will fight to make sure Coasties are heard,” she said. Catley said Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, should have stood up to the Government

to ensure the issue was debated. “He is the Government’s Whip,” she said. “He could push for extra time for Parliament to consider these issues.” Harris said the community expects transparency and the truth. Without commenting on why debate was not scheduled sooner, Crouch said he “looked forward” to speaking about the petition. “What we are witnessing is the biggest financial catastrophe of any council in Australian history,” he said. “I have been calling out the

poor decision making and bad behaviour of councillors for years, both in our local media, and on the floor of Parliament. “Labor MPs have been silent on this topic for the last three years. “Our community wants to ensure that those responsible for this appalling financial situation are held to account, and to ensure that those responsible never run for public office again. “It’s also clear that further investigations are required into the Council’s financial situation, and that’s what I’m advocating for.” Terry Collins

Workshops prepare seniors for emergencies

As part of this year’s Seniors Festival starting in April, a series of Are You Ready? emergency preparedness workshops will be held for community members over the age of 55 across the Central Coast. These workshops aim to empower seniors by giving them information on how to best prepare for emergencies. A Central Coast Council spokesperson said with storms, heatwaves, bushfires, destructive winds, floods and other weather emergencies becoming more frequent and more severe, being prepared is more important than ever. “These workshops will help our senior community members be ready in an emergency event and help to build

strategies to stay safe during extreme weather and natural disasters,” the spokesperson said. Workshop participants will receive basic items for individual emergency kits. The free workshops will be held from April 20-May 28 at Gosford’s 50+ Leisure and Learning Centre, Ettalong’s 50+ Leisure and Learning Centre, The Epiccentre at San Remo, the Green Point Community Centre, Patonga Hall, the Narara Neighbourhood Centre, the Spencer Community Hall Kulnura Community Hall, and Colongra Bay Community Hall. The Central Coast Seniors Festival Expo will be held at the Wyong Race Club and Function Centre. Jacinta Counihan

Application for Appointment of Board Members Mangrove Mountain Recreation Reserve Land Manager Ever wondered who is responsible for keeping Crown reserves operating?

Discover the range of local services, lifelong learning and leisure activities available across the Central Coast at this year’s Seniors Expo at Wyong Race Club, 15 April, 10am-2pm. Find out what other educational, creative and active events are happening across the region by picking up a calendar of events at your local library, 50+ Leisure & Learning Centres and Seniors Centres or view online. centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/seniorsfestival

Countless facilities like showgrounds, local halls and parks are run by Statutory Land Manager Boards, made up of people just like you. People who understand the need and have a desire to manage public land and assets for the benefit of the entire community. Your role as a Board Member is voluntary, but the rewards of giving something back to the community are priceless. We are looking for a good mix of people with a variety of skills, however, sound business and financial management skills and objective decision-making expertise would be a distinct advantage. Don’t let this opportunity to do something for yourself and your community pass you by – contact us today. The Mangrove Mountain Recreation Reserve Land Manager manages the Reserve No. 71118 at Mangrove Mountain notified on 24-Dec-1943 for Public Recreation. The term of appointment will be for a period not exceeding 5 years. Application for membership can be made via portal.crownland.nsw.gov.au

www.seniorsfestival.nsw.gov.au

For further information contact Rebecca Rooth on (02) 4937 9347 or go to reservemanager.crownland.nsw.gov.au

BLZ_SB2243

13 – 24 APRIL 2021

All applications are required to be lodged by 23 April 2021.

WWW.COASTCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM.AU

PAGE 9 26 MARCH 2021

Central Coast Medical School and Research Institute Opens Mid-2021 Around 550 student places for medical and allied health students administered by the University of Newcastle. $85 million project jointly funded by the Federal and NSW State Governments and the University of Newcastle at Gosford Hospital.

Creating hundreds of local jobs in the heart of Gosford.

LUCY WICKS MP

FEDERAL MEMBER FOR ROBERTSON Level 3, 69 Central Coast Highway, West Gosford NSW 2250 lucy.wicks.mp@aph.gov.au

lucywicksmp.com

LucyWicksMP

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

02 4322 2400

PAGE 10 26 MARCH 2021

NEWS

WWW.COASTCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM.AU

Humidity following rain will see funnel webs out and about Due to recent heavy rains, followed by a future forecast of sun, the Australian Reptile Park is issuing a warning to the public predicting an influx of funnel-web spiders. Footage of thousands of spiders escaping floodwaters has made the rounds online this week, showing clusters of spiders climbing up fences, buildings and even pant legs. As the footage depicts ground-dwelling spiders, the Australian Reptile Park is urgently warning NSW residents that the deadly funnel-web spider could be sighted increasingly in the coming days.

Park Director, Tim Faulkner, said they have already seen increased movements from funnel-web spiders. “The upcoming warm weather and high levels of humidity is the perfect storm for a funnel-web spider boom in coming days,” Faulkner said. “Under normal circumstances, the humidity that is generated from warm weather after a rain event would see an increase in activity amongst funnel-webs. “This situation is completely different. “Not only are we seeing increased movement due to humidity, but we’re already seeing a plague of ground-

dwelling spiders searching for higher ground, out of the floodwaters. “Usually, funnel-webs are found in damp, wooded areas, generally near a water source. “With the incredible flooding that we’ve experienced across the Greater Sydney area, they have been forced out of their habitat and are seeking refuge in dryer areas. “Unfortunately, this could mean that they’ll be finding their way into residential homes very shortly.” If bitten by a funnel-web spider, it’s important to stay as calm as possible and apply the correct first aid, a pressure immobilisation bandage, and

immediately get to the hospital. But Faulkner urges residents not to be alarmed. He said if residents feel safe enough to do so, they can contribute to the Australian Reptile Park’s lifesaving spider antivenom program by catching funnel-web spiders. The Park is the sole supplier of funnel-web spider venom to make into lifesaving antivenom. The program has saved countless Australian lives since the program’s inception in the early 1980s - there has not been a single death since the introduction of the program. Source Media release, Mar 24 Australian Reptile Park

A decade of helping save kids from suicide Save Our Kids from Suicide (SOKS) has celebrated 10 years of operation by launching a website to help increase awareness of youth suicide, provide testimonials and resources, and be an online presence for people seeking to contribute to

the project The community project, run by The Rotary Club of Gosford North, helps to raise funds for Lifeline Central Coast, which delivers suicide prevention programs to members of schools, sporting clubs, businesses and community

organisations on the Coast. SOKS Chairman, Lester Pearson, said, the milestone is a great achievement for the Central Coast based organisation. “An average of eight people lose their lives to suicide each day in Australia, many of them young people,” Pearson said.

“This is why we created SOKS, and why we have worked so hard over the past 10 years to contribute to suicide-safer communities on the Coast.” More than 200 suicide prevention workshops have been conducted, attended by over 4,000 participants.

“Results from post-delivery surveys of those who have attended Lifeline training have determined that 682 suicide interventions have been made by our trained caregiver community and they are only the ones that can be known,” Pearson said. The project has been made

possible by donations private benefactors, grants, the NSW Government, and businesses.

from club State local

Source: Media release, Mar 17 The Rotary Club of Gosford North

Caring for our community • • • • 204/1 Bryant Drive PO Box 3763 Tuggerah NSW 2259

COVID-19 Medicare NDIS Centrelink

02 4353 0127

• • • •

NBN Veterans’ Affairs Jobs & Training Congratulatory Messages

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PAGE 11 26 MARCH 2021

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NEWS

Central Coast Council says the Federal Government’s recently released National Plastics Plan aligns with the vision and objectives of Council’s own Waste Resource Management Strategy 2020-2030 with its focus on reducing plastic waste and enhancing opportunities to reuse products and recycle materials. The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has hailed the plan as an important milestone on the road to a more environmentallyandeconomically sustainable future. Released following longstanding ALGA advocacy for

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LGA applauds National Plastics Plan stronger action on national waste reduction and recycling, the plan will help achieve many of the 2020 National Waste Policy Action Plan targets endorsed by Australia’s Environment Ministers. ALGA President, Linda Scott, said better waste management represents a billion-dollar economic opportunity for Australia. “Done well, it will lead to a greater recovery of valuable and finite resources, create thousands of new jobs, and protect fragile ecosystems from the scourge of single-use plastics,” she said. “We broadly welcome this plan as an opportunity for the Commonwealth to better engage with and enable local government

to make further progress on managing waste sustainably and responsibly.” A spokesperson said Central Coast Council was already well advanced through implementation of a wide range of initiatives consistent with the goals of the plan. These included the phasing out of single use plastics from Council’s operations and events and the collection and subsequent recycling of soft plastics generated from across Council’s operations. “Council is believed to be the only council in Australia currently undertaking the collection of soft plastics as part of its communities kerbside recycling service,” the spokesperson said.

“A successful trial is underway with 2,054 households currently participating and further rollout planned. “(Council is also) working with its industry partners to develop new innovative recycling technologies and end markets for recycled product (and is) supporting recycled plastic processors and manufactures through the purchasing of products with recycled content for use within Council’s operations.” Australia’s 537 local councils manage around 26 percent of Australian waste annually, either directly or through contractual arrangements. Each year, local governments collect around 9.7 million tonnes

of waste from kerbside bin services, sort it at material recovery facilities (MRFs), and dispatch what can be recycled to reprocessing facilities. “The cost to councils is an estimated $3.5B annually. The Federal Government’s commitment to the National Plastic plan includes: phasing out problematic and unnecessary plastics such as expanded polystyrene (EPS); working with industry to deliver national packaging targets; investing in new plastics product stewardship schemes; and strengthening Federal procurement rules to kickstart demand and an initial “pull-through” for recycled materials.

However, Scott said a further commitment by the Federal Government to “work with the states and territories to harmonise kerbside recycling collection” has raised concerns across local government. “Creating the same bins for every area of Australia without significant additional funding for local governments is not a practical way to achieve increased recycling,” she said. “A one-size-fits-all approach assumes Australian homes are the same size and ignores the reality that Materials Recovery Facilities vary enormously in capacity and capability across Australia.” Terry Collins

Briefings to be held for suspended councillors Central Coast Council Administrator, Dick Persson, has organised two briefings for the suspended councillors. He says it is appropriate that steps be taken to transition back to an elected Council as the suspension expires on April 29. The Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock is the person who will decide if the suspended councillors return.

Her other option is to sack them and call an inquiry. But Persson says that if they return, he wants them to better understand their roles. He has planned a financial briefing on Tuesday, March 30. The briefing will be conducted in person only, to give the suspended councillors an overview of the financial situation and actions taken to date. Councillors will be presented with examples of monthly reports

that will be implemented for the information of councillors and the community. And then all the councillors will be invited to a second meeting on April 15 to meet newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, David Farmer. “A strong working relationship between Council and the CEO will be vital to the future of Central Coast Council and its success,” Persson said. Only 13 councillors will return if

the suspension is lifted as two Liberals resigned a couple of days before it took effect; Troy Marquart and Rebecca Gale. “It is appropriate that steps be taken to transition back to an elected Council,” Persson said. “In my 30 day Interim Report I stated that Central Coast councillors had not come to terms with the fundamental role of their position and their functions under the Local Government Act. “In my 3 Month Progress Report

I noted that changes have been implemented to see Council return to a strong financial position over the next five years or so. “It will be imperative that councillors, should they return to office, understand their role and also understand the systems that have been implemented to achievegoodfinancialoutcomes.” The dates could change if need be for logistic reasons, he said. “Iwouldexpectthosesuspended councillors committed to the

future of the Central Coast, and their role in it, to make all possible efforts to attend,” he said. More than 20,000 residents signed an e-petition asking the State Government to hold a judicial inquiry into the Council’s financial problems. That petition will be debated in the State Parliament on May 6 - a week after the suspension ends. Merilyn Vale

Liesl Tesch MP Member for Gosford

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

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

How can I help?

20 Blackwall Road, Woy Woy NSW 2256

Gosford@parliament.nsw.gov.au (02) 4342 4122 Peninsula News - half page - Aug 20.indd 1

30/10/2020 10:20:13 AM

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What is the Liberal Party hiding? Businesses under the former Gosford council are proposed to see a 50 per cent rate increase Sydney Morning Herald 22 March 2021

Central Coast businesses and residents should be told why they are being forced to pay higher council rates for this Liberal Government’s failure.

Authorised by Senator Deborah O’Neill, Suite 312, 4 Illya Ave, Erina, NSW 2250

PAGE 13 26 MARCH 2021

PAGE 14 26 MARCH 2021

NEWS

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Taking action to help older homeless women

The community group Action on Housing Older Women held a forum on March 10 to brainstorm housing solutions for homeless, elderly women on the Central Coast but still calls on community members, businesses, and organisations for more suggestions. Action on Housing Older Women was started at the beginning of 2020 by Elderslie Foundation representatives Ruth Jordan and Deb Tipper. Tipper said women over 55 is the fastest-growing cohort of homeless in Australia. “What we wanted to do was help people understand how important this issue is at the

moment,” Tipper said. “Between 2011 and 2016, there was a 30 per cent increase in women who are homeless… and this has increased since then. “COVID has exacerbated this because women are traditionally lower-income, and they also (have) very few savings in terms of superannuation because of historical discrimination. “Also, their work patterns of being in and out of the workforce will often reduce the amount of superannuation they have.” The forum panel included President of National Older Women’s Network,Aloma Fennell, representative from the Government and Community Relations Organiser Professional

Services,NSW Nurses & Midwives Association, Rita Martin, General Manager of Kariong Neighbourhood Centre, Shayne Silvers, Pacific Link Housing resident, Georgie Girl, and more.

Tipper said one idea that came out of the forum was using unoccupied residential spaces as temporary housing for women. “There is a lot of vacant property around which is not being used for

a variety of reasons,” she said. “One idea that came out of Sydney was an aged care facility that was waiting to get developed and approved in the future and was empty. “There is a plan to redevelop it, but in the meantime, there was all this vacant space which could accommodate people for up to 12 months. “If you can stabilise someone for 12 months, it gives them time to find their feet and work out what they want to do. “We have some of those facilities on the Central Coast. “We also know there are empty hotels around as well.” Another idea was pairing up people who have spare rooms in

their houses with homeless women who need somewhere to stay. A report completed in July, 2020, by Coast Shelter showed the organisation had received 60 calls for help for women over the age of 46 experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness; 14 of those were over the age of 56. “We believe if we harness a collective of ideas, we can make a difference to women on the Coast,” Tipper said. She is encouraging anyone with ideas to come forward by contacting the Elderslee Foundation. Jacinta Counihan

Call for more in-home care workers Trusted Home Care is putting a call out for more qualified staff as it starts to take on more complex clients. From humble beginnings, the in-home aged and disability care service has grown significantly since starting out in founder Karen Barrett’s garage in 2020. Since the beginning of 2021, Trusted Home Care has seen a

client growth of 52 per cent and now reaches almost 100 clients. The business currently has 10 in-office staff and 55 support workers, a staff increase of 35 per cent since October, 2020. However, Barrett said the business has now reached the stage where it needsed more workers. “We have come a long way in

a very short time; it is kind of surreal,” Barrett said. “We are finding we are getting some more complex clients on board who need 24/7 care and a higher level of skill. “This means we are after support workers who have a minimum Certificate 3 to help with those type of clients. “For people applying, there is training involved, lots of support, a bit more of a team

environment, regular hours on the Coast, a little bit more consistency for people.” Co-owner, Michael Gibson, said families prefer their loved ones to be cared for in their own homes rather than in aged-care facilities or other disability services. “The Royal Commission into Aged care has shined a light on some of the pitfalls of the industry,” Gibson said.

“Our service provides personable quality in-home care, which has led to us growing at such a rapid rate.” Barrett said most of the staff employed at Trusted Home Care have been engaged through word and mouth. “Building this business has been a 24/7 job, but I think we feel as though we are going well and that we are making a difference in the lives of a lot of

our clients,” Barrett said. “We are also looking for people who may be interested in domestic assistance on the Coast for our elderly population who might require this. “Not as much in-depth, but our books are filling with a lot of those clients.” Contact Trusted Home Care via the website www. trustedhomecare.com.au. Jacinta Counihan

Jane Smith

Independent ...working for our community

Local Government would benefit from more women on Council

Administration reduces accountability

It is unclear whose interests an Administrator serves. They are appointed by the State On 24 March, the Administrator considered a motion to remove, combine government as a “gun for hire”, paid by the or minimise the Community Advisory Committees of Council. This Council and answerable to no-one. included minimising the Status of Women Committee. Due to the response of strong women in our community, including current and former Councillors, the Administrator decided to maintain the existing Status of Women Advisory Committee. This is a good result. The decision is timely in light of the ongoing revelations of a toxic workplace culture in Australia’s parliament and political life. The problem is not just at a Federal level. Research reported in The Conversation (19 March 2021) found “sexism, bullying and harassment is just as endemic in local council elections” and women bore the brunt of it. The Victorian study also found that half the elected female councillors (49% compared to 35% of men) reported receiving offensive emails, texts or social media posts at least once in their term. During the last three years, I have observed this to be true. Although this may seem like a deterrent to women standing for local Council elections, I hope it more correctly highlights the need for a change to the toxic culture at all levels of government. Enough is enough. The NSW Government is also encouraging more women to stand for their local community and nominate to run for their local council at the September 2021 elections. For more information visit: Women in Local Government – Stand for Your Community - Office of Local Government NSW

Women protesting the removal of the Status of Women Advisory Committee

Central Coast New Independents

Although Administrators may be amiable and experienced individuals, they leave a legacy of decisions and a culture that can damage our democratic processes. Under the Local Government Act the Administrator “has all the functions of the council (including all the functions of a councillor and the mayor)”. An Administrator was appointed in 2016 when Gosford and Wyong Councils were amalgamated. Some of the controversial decisions at that time included: • reappointing Senior staff on 5 year contracts. This meant that the new Council would have difficulty in any restructure. • resolving to develop and exhibit a consolidated LEP to change planning rules across the region—even though there had been no directive from the State to undertake consolidation. • establishing a policy that required Councillors to record every interaction that they had with anybody regarding Council business. This was ultimately changed by the first Interim CEO. Perhaps the most significant lasting issue was a poorer culture of accountability within the organisation. Elected Councillors are the governing body of the Council. It is the responsibility of staff to implement, without undue delay, lawful decisions of Council. After 17 months of administration, some staff appeared to view the elected Councillors as an imposition, an inconvenience, or at best, a group of people to be consulted. At times, resolutions of Council were not implemented at all. The current Administrator appears to be leaving a similar

legacy - putting in place changes that will undermine the role of Councillors in “directing and controlling the affairs of Council” and other decisions that fail to represent the collective interests of residents, ratepayers and the community.

These changes include: • a referendum to reduce the number or Councillors and eliminate Wards at a cost of approximately $230,000. There is no mandate for this. • reducing the amount of time Councillors have to review Business papers prior to a meeting (from 6 business days down to 3). In the first 16 Council meetings of 2020, the average reading material was 747 pages per fortnight. • Limiting the number of motions a Councillor can submit to one per Councillor per meeting • Limiting the number of Questions on Notice that Councillors can submit to staff to one per Councillor per meeting (it is currently two) At the Council meeting on 23 March, the Administrator stated that he didn’t think that there was any doubt that “most people did not want the [Council] merger and don’t want it”. It is within the powers of the Administrator (acting as the Council) to make a proposal to the Minister that could lead to consideration of a demerger. This would trigger a public process, consideration by the Boundaries Commission and a recommendation to the Minister for Local Government. These processes are currently underway at two merged Councils—Cootamundra-Gundagai and Snowy Valleys Regional Councils. This would better reflect what the Administrator acknowledges is the view of the community, cost less to Council than a referendum and be a worthwhile legacy from his time at Central Coast Council.

For more information or to subscribe to my eNews www.ccnewindependents.com

FORUM

I have complained about the lack of maintenance and mowing of the Davistown to Kincumber reserve many times. I also receive useless and inaccurate replies to my emails. Two weeks ago the mower driver emptied the catcher at the rear of my house. Now there would be a million and one places he could have dumped it on this reserve, particularly on the water side of the pathway as the Council doesn’t mow there.

See Page 2 for address and contribution conditions. Opinions expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily of the newspaper I received a reply from Council saying it was a mishap due to difficulties caused by the wet weather. I replied it was 30 degrees that day and we had no rain the week before.

I was also told “the Council do not mow on the water side of the pathway as the cuttings blow into the water”. Are you laughing? I did, as the Council has mowed ALL of this reserve for 30 years plus. I was also advised to contact the EPA, which I did; a very wellinformed guy told me that they own nothing and are certainly not interested in Council reserves. Stop passing the buck Council; you got it wrong again. Email, Mar 22 Pam Lowe, Saratoga

I love dogs … but not nuisance dogs

It might help to make dog owners more responsible.

FORUM

I have moved to Avoca Beach to get away from the city, but the nuisance dogs go on day and night. I have all windows closed at all times to keep out the barking. It would be nice to sit out and enjoy the birds and trees all

around me. I think that dogs need to be exercised and not left out day and night. If owners don’t have the time and the dog is a nuisance, new rules and a dog tax and a test should apply to see if they are

responsible owners. Another member of our household works shifts and needs to be able to sleep during the day. However the excess dog noise and inconsiderate owner behaviour prevents this. Email, Mar 8 Norm Hore, Avoca Beach

Not all riders are destructive I take exception to the tone used by Godfrey Franz (in a recent Forum) regarding healthy park users on bikes. Firstly, the argument is about mountain bikes, not ordinary bikes, and the destruction of our beautiful bush by them. Bikes can travel along fire trails without any problem at all, but mountains bikes are totally different.

FORUM These riders ride their bikes at a huge speed. They take to the land with spades to make their berms and tracks, they saw through small trees if they are in the way and pull out by the roots shrubs and anything else that is in the way. This can be seen on Kincumba Mountain.

As for managing the bush, this is not done by creating an obstacle course of jumps, bridges, banks, berms; that’s destruction. Bike riding is a healthy activity. Mountains bike riding is a healthy activity but in the right place – not in our preserved COSS land or National Parks. Email, Mar 18 Doreen Handy, Copacabana

FORUM

PAGE 15 26 MARCH 2021

Tesch’s comments will alienate most men

Council’s mowing deficit I totally agree with Adrian Bell (Council Fob Off CCN284).

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While women’s right to be respected, live without fear and with equality is without doubt a fundamental of modern society, I was very disappointed in the article in CCN284. This was not a women’s rights protest; it was a Labor/ left political stunt aimed at denigrating men and the Liberal government as demonstrated by Leisel Tesch’s comments.

FORUM In particular, I was offended by our elected representative’s comments that “white, privileged men cannot continue to get away with everything”. She is denigrating and alienating almost half the Central Coast voters. In the article there was no mention from either Leisel or Aunty Robyn of the horrendous

level of domestic violence against indigenous women. If Ms Tesch is serious about preventing violence against women, she needs to address the biggest source of violence against women and not alienate the millions of white male voters who were brought up to respect, protect and support women wherever they can. Email, Mar 22 Scott Jones, Somersby

Is there no way to bring riders and environmentalists together? This is my response to Joy Cooper’s email published under the heading “Close and rehabilitate illegal bike trails” (CCN 284). I am saddened to read her story about the failure of the Central Coast Council, and the former Gosford Council, to take “their custodian and environmental responsibility seriously by enforcing the

FORUM COSS Strategy or the Kincumba Plan of Management”. Is there anyone in the current Council who could convene a group of local educators skilled in conflict resolution, to bring together riders and environmentalists to work out a way forward? After writing this, I noticed

Glenys Ray’s email printed above Cooper’s under the heading “No workable compromise”. I do hope some workable solution will be found to preserve the treasure that is the Coastal Open Space System. Email, Mar 23 Dr Romaine Rutnam, Avoca Beach

Is it just me, or are the station lifts poorly designed? Has no one else commented on the dreadful design for the lifts at our local train stations at Narara, Niagara Park, Lisarow and Ourimbah? They remind me of watch towers at concentration camps I saw in Europe. I cannot understand why the design gets more and more

FORUM utilitarian the further north the line gets; even at Hawkesbury River the lift is constructed of more glass and therefore is less ‘heavy’. I contacted the railways via a feedback phone number some weeks ago and finally got a

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reply, saying they had been designed to ‘provide a backdrop to the existing environment’, whatever that means. The email stated that a reply was not possible! Am I the only person to think this? Email, Mar 18 Anne Barrowclough, Lisarow

PAGE 16 26 MARCH 2021

ON THE BEAT

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Police seeking this woman

M1 Crash A serious crash on the M1 held up traffic for some time on March 22. The accident involved two trucks which had collided at in the northbound lanes 200m north of Mooney Mooney Creek bridge at Calga in the early

afternoon. Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) was on hand with firefighters working alongside NSW Ambulance paramedics to extricated one of the trapped drivers, who was then transported to hospital for treatment.

Northbound lanes were blocked for some time. NSW Police Force and NSW Rural Fire Service were also in attendance. Source: Media release, March 22 Fire and Rescue NSW

Police want to speak to this woman

Police have released CCTV images of a woman they wish to speak to in relation to retail theft earlier this month. At 2.30pm on Thursday, March 11, a woman entered a retail store within a shopping complex at Erina. The women took goods from a shelf, placing them in her bag and leaving the store without paying for them.

Following investigations, police from Brisbane Water Police District have obtained images of a female who they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries. The woman is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 30 years old, with olive complexion and brown hair tied up in a bun.

She was wearing blue jeans, a black fila shirt and black sneakers and carried a grey backpack and a blue/orange patterned bag. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and quote E 151327402. Source: Brisbane Water Police District Facebook page, Mar 24

Charges laid over alleged sexual assault of teenager Police have laid charges in relation to the alleged sexual assault, kidnapping and physical abuse of a teenager after investigations by Strike Force Bloomsbury led them to houses in San Remo and Narara. Detectives charged a couple and four males on Friday, March 19, after uncovering alleged ongoing physical and sexual abuse of a teenage boy as part of a drug supply investigation. In February 2021, detectives attached to Brisbane Water Police District established Strike Force Bloomsbury to investigate the alleged supply of prohibited drugs, mainly methylamphetamine and MDMA, on the Central Coast.

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.

As a result of inquiries, Strike Force detectives executed a search warrant at a Narara home on Friday, February 26, where they arrested a 47-yearold woman and a 17-year-old boy. During a search of the home, police located and seized swords, knives, knuckle dusters, an electronic stun device, mobile phones, methylamphetamine, MDMA,

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cannabis and cash. Both the woman and the teenage boy were charged with drug and weapons offences; they both remain before the courts. Following an analysis of the items seized, Strike Force detectives commenced an investigation into alleged child sexual offences committed against a teenage boy between 2016 and 2020. As a result of extensive inquiries, Police arrested a 48-year-old man at Gosford Police Station on Friday, February 26. The man was charged on 10 offences and the 47-year-old woman was charged on 12 offences. Police will allege in court the 47-year-old woman and the

48-year-old man sexually abused a teenage boy, who is known to them, on several occasions at a Narara home between 2016 and 2020. Both the man and woman have been refused bail until their court appearance in May. As investigations continued, Detectives began investigating an alleged kidnapping and assault of a 16-year-old boy which was reported to have occurred about 11.30pm on Thursday, February 11. After extensive inquiries, Police arrested a 17-year-old boy at a Narara home on Wednesday, March 10 and three other men, aged 17, 18 and 19, at about 7.30am on Thursday, March 18 at homes in Narara and San Remo. Both the 17-year-olds and the 18-year-old have been charged

with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and kidnap in company with intent to commit serious indictable offence occasion actual bodily harm. They were refused bail until their appearances before the Children’s Court. The 19-year-old man was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possess prohibited drug and was refused bail until his court appearance in April. The 48-year-old man has also been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and kidnap in company with intent to commit serious indictable offence occasion actual bodily harm. Police will allege in court the five men took the 16-year-old to a Narara home and assaulted him for a period of time.

Brisbane Water Police District Commissioner, Detective Superintendent Brett Greentree, has praised the thorough work of detectives involved in Strike Force Bloomsbury. “What began as a drug supply investigation very quickly transformed as detectives continued to examine the items seized during the February search warrant,” he said. “I am extremely proud of the exceptional work from the detectives; their tenacity has resulted in two persons, who we allege posed a threat to our community’s safety, (being) behind bars and facing very serious indictable offences. Source: Media release, Mar 19 NSW Police Force

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Experienced down-to-earth help and advice throughout the Central Coast This free public seminar is being given by Brazel Moore Lawyers to help people understand what to expect, so they know where they stand in: • Challenging a Will; or • Defending a Will from Challenge The theme is to educate people about the options and choices available to them if they have been

left out of a Will - or if you want to leave someone out of your Will - alerting you to the pitfalls and procedures in dealing with Challenging Wills and how you should best deal with challenges. Mr Geoff Brazel, Solicitor will present the seminar on Challenging Wills to help you through the maze of legal regulation

The seminar will be presenting in a friendly relaxed atmosphere and there will be plenty of time for your questions. You’ll be helped a lot in understanding the system and will then be able to confidently consider what steps you need to take to properly consider challenges to Wills.

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OUT&ABOUT PAGE 17 26 MARCH 2021

School holiday workshops at regional gallery School holiday activities at Gosford Regional Gallery this Easter

Gosford Regional Gallery will hold a range of School Holiday Workshops this Easter between April 5 and 17. The first one, to be held on April 6 between 10am and noon, is a Bonsai Trees making class with Vanja, where students will build bonsais with

wire and beads, inspired by the ancient black pines in the Edogawa Commemorative Garden. Later that day, children interested in history, specifically Russian history, can paint and study five Russian dolls and learn about Russian culture and the inspiration behind these dolls.

On April 7, a fun-filled workshop using bright colours to create a sculptural work based on Kandinsky’s abstract tree will run between 10am and noon. Between 1pm and 3pm on the same day, students will study Sidney Nolan’s work, create drawings based on his Ned Kelly series and make Ned

Kelly masks. Urban Landscape Painting with Natalie on April 8 will teach children the basis of creating an urban landscape painting based on Clarise Beckett’s style, and the Boyd’s portrait with Natalie class later that afternoon will teach children the fine skills of portrait painting.

The last class, on April 16, is a workshop called What is Aboriginal Art with Garry Purchase. It will teach children how contemporary Aboriginal art came to be, how it is more than just dots, and about the events that led to Aboriginal artists painting in acrylics, ochres and other mediums to share their

stories and culture. The minimum class size for all workshops is five people, with a cost of $25, which includes materials. Bookings can be made at www.trybooking.com/ BPPKR.

Wyoming author publishes second novel Jessica Leigh was 14 when she started writing a fiction novel. Now 33 years old, the Wyoming local has dusted off the manuscript and turned it into her second published book, Whatever it Takes. Leigh said she had always loved writing, and COVID had given her time to sit down and edit her original version. “It has always been a story I have wanted to get out,” Leigh said. “I remember writing this book in Years 10, 11 and 12 at school … I have always liked to create

these things myself.” The novel follows the journey of a young girl in her last year of school, who gets caught up in her brother’s life as a band musician. Leigh said she had always been inspired by music and the story encapsulates some of the same themes and songs she remembers in her teens. “It is not just about the band, but it focuses on the people around the main character Rhiannon and how their choices impact her life,” Leigh said. “There is no direct connection to events that happened in my

life … I have just always loved reading and writing.” Her first book, Dear Keelen, was released just over a year ago. “I love losing myself in another world,” Leigh said. “Every person’s life has a soundtrack, and I like to showcase mine through a book.” The book was published in the UK through Pegasus MacKenzie Elliot Publishers and can be found and ordered online. Jacinta Counihan Jessica Leigh with her new book, Whatever it Takes

Jacinta Counihan

PAGE 18 26 MARCH 2021 OUT&ABOUT

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Musical mission of mercy One music teacher in the remote town of Wilcannia has impacted not only the lives of her students but also a local broker here on the Central Coast.

Bridgecoast Finance Group's trip to Wilcannia to deliver musical instruments

Inspired by the story of Wilcannia Central School Teacher, Sarah Donnelley, who used music and some smart thinking to connect her students, local finance brokers, Bridgecoast Finance Group, took the 950km journey to the outback town to deliver the instruments. Bridgecoast Finance equipment broker, Laurie O’Brien, undertook the journey with his colleague, John Dear from Broadway Leasing, on the weekend of March 20. O’Brien said despite the Wilcannia Principal being

extremely grateful for their donation, the extent of help needed in the community was quickly noticed. “It was a long drive, but the trip was not a waste,” O’Brien said. “The children at the school are in serious need of help, and they have not got much. “After hearing Sarah Donnelley’s story, my colleague John Dear and I got together and decided to approach the local community on the Central Coast, as well as local music shops, to provide new, used and unused musical instruments to the school to further support Ms Donnelley’s efforts. “We were overwhelmed by the generous donations of instruments.”

Guitars, a digital piano, trumpets, saxophones, clarinets, ukuleles, and microphones were just some of the instruments they collected and packed into the back of their car. “All I want to do is to thank the community for their generosity,” O’Brien said. “We would like to thank Turramurra Music, the Central Coast community’s Gosford Music Centre, Macron Music, Brett Dillon from BD Financial, Ariel Endean and Phaedra Pym from A Way With Words as well as many private donators.” O’Brien said he was alerted to Donnelley’s story after she became the 2020 Telstra ARIA Award Winner for her contribution to the school’s music education for the past two years.

One of her most notable projects was physically connecting the families and children in the town via nine kilometres of road safety tape during the COVID lockdown. She recorded their reactions on video and rewrote Carmody and Kelly’s From Little Things, Big Things Grow to reflect local challenges. The song was then played on Wilcannia River Radio, encouraging everyone in the town to sing along to Koorioke– the Indigenous version of karaoke. O’Brien said Donnelly was a wonderful person. “She is an extremely good human being and a very determined person,” he said. Jacinta Counihan

Potters will hold Autumn Exhibition The Central Coast Potters Society will hold its annual Autumn Exhibition and sale of ceramics, A Drop in the Ocean, in May. The two-week exhibit will be held at the Gosford Regional

Gallery from May 7-19. The theme of the exhibition is representative of the scenery of the Central Coast. The day offers an opportunity for locals to shop and browse hand-made ceramics by local ceramic artists and potters

such as Dian Halls’ artwork of a penguin. CCPS is a non-profit, community organisation of like-minded volunteers who love clay. First established in 1968, the CCPS offers courses for anyone

interested in getting creative with clay, as well as memberonly activities such as raku and pit firings, member exhibitions and sales events. Jacinta Counihan Ceramic made by CCPC society member, Dian Hall

COASTAL DIARY EVENTS ON THE CENTRAL COAST

SATURDAY, MAR 27 Central Coast Mariners V Melbourne Victory, Central Coast Stadium, 7pm

SUNDAY, MAR 28

SATURDAY, APR 10

TUESDAY, MAR 30 WRCoC March Dinner Event with Administrator Dick Persson AM, Wyong Race Club, Ticketed, 6pm

Easter at Umina Markets, Peninsula Recreational Precinct, 9am - 2pm

Laycock Street Community Theatre, Ticketed, 11am The Midnight Gang: A CDP Kids Production, The Art House Theatre, Ticketed, 10am & 12pm

The Rise at Wood Glen: Open House, 105 Karalta Road, Erina, 10am - 12pm 4365 6800

Woy Woy Waterfront Markets, Brick Wharf Road, Woy THURSDAY, APR 15 Woy, 9am - 2pm

THURSDAY, APR 29 Rhonda Burchmore is GLAMAZONIA, The Art House Theatre, Ticketed, 8pm

Flavours by the Sea, Memorial Park The TUESDAY, MAY 4 Entrance, 11am - 3pm Bluey’s Big Play, Free - book tickets visit

Have you serviced your WEDNESDAY, MAR 31 The Art House Theatre, inflatable lifejacket? CENTRALCOAST.NSW.GOV. 4 & 5/5, multiple sessions Easter Sunrise Service, ROADY4ROADIES 2021, AU/FLAVOURSBYTHESEA Register for a TransSoldiers Beach SLSC The Entrance Leagues port for NSW inflatable FRIDAY, MAY 7 risewoodglen.com.au/ Reserve, 5 9am Club, 11am The Rise at Wood lifejacket self-service events Glen: Open House, clinic, My Kids Market, THURSDAY, APR 8 105 Karalta Road, Deerubbin Reserve Seniors Expo, Alliance Française Central Breakers indoor sports Erina, 10am - 12pm Boat Ramp, Mooney Living Choice Alloura Brass Monkeys (Family Fun Wyong Race Club, Coast Meeting, stadium, entry fee, 4365 6800 Mooney, Waters Open Day, 10am - 2pm 9am - 12pm - Acrobats - Music - Tricks), Diggers Club Ettalong, risewoodglen.com.au/ 10am, 11am & 12pm centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/ 1 Murna Road RSVP required, Laycock Street Theatre, events seniorsfestival 10am 12pm Davistown, Ticketed, 10am WEDNESDAY, APR 14 The Gruffalo’s Child, Central Coast Potters 11am, RSVP required SATURDAY, APR 24 Laycock Street Theatre, Autumn Exhibition and SATURDAY, APR 17 2021 Paddle NSW GEBC April Luncheon Event, 1800 064 344 FRIDAY, APR 9 Ticketed, 28 & 29/03, Marathon, ceramics sale: A Drop The Entertainment Grounds sales@livingchoice.com.au Central Coast Mariners Multiple sessions Illoura Reserve Davistown, in the Ocean, Gosford, Ticketed, Mirusia: A salute to the v Sydney FC, 7am 2pm 12:15pm Gosford Regional seekers and the classics, SUNDAY, APR 4 Central Coast Stadium Avoca Beachside Markets, The Art House Wyong, Gallery, 7 - 19/5, Ticketed, 5pm Heazlett Park Foreshore, SUNDAY, APR 11 Peter Byrne Presents: Ticketed, 8pm 9:30am - 4pm 9am - 2pm Forever Diamond,

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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 19 26 MARCH 2021

Blues performer heads for Rhythm Hut Blues guitarist and singer, Owen Campbell, will be playing at the Rhythm Hut in Gosford on May 14, as part of his revitalised 22show tour. Campbell had his 70 date Australian Tour cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 lockdowns, which he said had given him further drive to get back out there. “Music is medicine to me, so it’s always been an elixir and a release,” Campbell said. “I guess COVID-19 lockdowns have made me appreciate the human interaction so much

more; my community is scattered all over the country and the world and shows have always been the vehicle that connects us,” he said. “When that was ripped out, I had a Who am I? moment.” Starting in Sydney, he will visit five states across Australia in four months, on his Rolling Thunder of Love Tour. Campbell has been playing the guitar since he was nine years old and performing since he was 17. He said the time off had given him time to appreciate being home. “I managed to land some

acting work on the side which I’ve never had the time for in the past,” he said. “But it has been a shock to the system. “I’ve never been at home so much in my whole life, so I’ve really grappled with that at times. “But in early February, 2021, my second son was born, so there’s not been much time navel-gazing. “New life commands you to get up and get on with it, whether you want to or not. “It’s also the best distraction in these strange times - nothing like a screaming living baby to

drown out the news. “I guess having a child is as creative as it gets.” This year is also the 10th anniversary of Campbell’s first studio album, Sunshine Road. “I am more determined than ever to get out there and create some culture and community connection as we roll into 2021,” he said. “Live music is the medicine for collective uncertainty, and with every drumbeat, I realise life is always uncertain, but we can creatively face it down together.” Owen Campbell will be performing at the Rhythm Hut in Gosford on May 14

Jacinta Counihan

Clean up day at Avoca Markets Residents who attend the Avoca Beachside Markets on Sunday, March 28, can also help to keep their local area clean by joining the Sea Shepard Central Coast for a Clean Up Day activity.

Avoca Markets will take part in Clean Up Day Sunday March 28

The free family event will take place at 10am on the lake front at Heazlett Park, Avoca Beach. Fixx Events organiser, Brad Cardis, said the clean up day will give the community and families a chance to come together and help protect the

Coast’s marine life. “It’s our duty, we feel, as we do a lot of events on the local lands, to protect what we have locally, and this is the message of Sea Sheppard,” Cardis said. “They have been long term partners of ours. “We have done some great market clean-ups over the past few years since 2016, but unfortunately due to COVID we haven’t been able to do one since April, 2019. “We cannot wait to get out

there and also with the local flooding, we’re sure that there’s more litter and debris that probably needs to be cleaned and waterways protected. “It’s always a great day and we say education is power and seeing families bond together and the community taking pride in their local beach and waterways is something that we feel very grateful to host.” This market will also be feature live music with Fairplay Entertainment and Star 104.5

FM bringing a local line up of musicians including Emerald Priestman. This is the 12th year the markets have been running at Avoca Beach. A range of new and returning stalls will be selling a wide supply of food, artisan crafts and gifts, just in time for Easter and Mother’s Day. The markets start at 9am and go until 2pm, Jacinta Counihan

BOOK REVIEW

CCN

The Spy Who Came in From the Cold

Author: John le Carré Publisher: Penguin

When John le Carré (aka David Cornwall) passed away back in December there was much talk about his great body of work. The book that drew most accolades seemed to be, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold. Commentators described this book as his most popular and was also made into a movie. I’d never read it, so I decided to broaden my horizons. One thing I did not expect was it being called “A George Smiley Novel”. I thought it was a stand-alone book, but it is le Carre’s third novel and the third part of a series in which a character named George Smiley appears.

He is mentioned in The Spy Who Came in From the Cold but only as a minor character and not one that makes much of an impact, not to me at least. The story takes place during the Cold War – the early 1960s to be precise. There is a grey, dourness to the setting, before the go-go years of the swinging sixties. We meet Alec Leamas, a spy, working in East Berlin, trying to get his double agent out when things go wrong. Alec has been recalled to London, where the headquarters for the Circus reside. He thinks he will be set out to pasture, but Control request one last mission of Alec, and it is a big one – they want him to get back into East Germany (the German Democratic Republic as it was then known) and frame Mundt, the head of the Abteilung (East German’s spy agency) as a double agent. We then find he has been fired from the Circus, with only a small pension to rely on. He finds work at a library and befriends Liz Gold, who is a member of the local communist party. They become lovers but there is

never any promise of a long-term relationship. Alec remains elusive about his life. Liz thinks there is more to him but when he asks her to promise not to look for him you know there isn’t a future. When the local grocer fails to offer Alec credit, Alec belts him in front of witnesses. This gets him arrested and sent to jail. He is now a disgruntled spy, which brings him to the attention of the Abteilung. He is promised a sum of money if he

divulges the operations of the Circus. During the debriefing Alec talks about dropping off payments to various banks around Europe. This seems to be of particular interest to the members of the Abteilung, who think these payments are for a double agent in their ranks. Alec is brought to East Germany where he is arrested by Mundt. Liz is invited to East Germany for her work with the Communist party. While Alec is on trial, Liz is called as a witness and she blows his cover. It is at this point Alec realises he has been used pitilessly by his own side in a complex triple bluff. Time magazine has listed The Spy Who Came In From the Cold in its top 100 novels. There is no denying the impact this book has had. I found the plot difficult to follow at times – there are some challenging subtexts to absorb – and I admit to getting a little confused. I reread some sections multiple times to make sure I had a grasp what was going on. But it is still exciting. It leaves you feeling you might need to read it again to uncover some of the

intricacies you missed the first time. Le Carré’s wrote the Spy Who Came in From the Cold from the omniscient narrator point of view. As such, he retains the right to know all and to enter the minds of any character he chooses, but yet he seeks to manage the flow of information to keep the mystery alive, to avoid the reader feeling duped. A tight rope to walk, yet he makes it deftly to the other side. But it is a classic worth reading. Kim Reardon The Reluctant Book Critic

WWW.COASTCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM.AU

ABC (C20/21)

PRIME (C61/60)

Sunday 28 March

Saturday 27 March

Friday 26 March

6:00 News Breakfast [s] 9:00 ABC News Mornings [s] 10:00 Q&A [s] 11:00 Aussie Inventions That Changed The World (PG) [s] 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 1:00 Back Roads (PG) [s] 1:30 Outback Ringer (PG) [s] 2:00 Poldark (M v) [s] 3:00 ABC News Afternoons [s] 4:10 Antiques Roadshow [s] 5:10 Grand Designs (PG) [s] 6:00 The Drum [s] 7:00 ABC News [s] 7:30 Gardening Australia [s] – Clarence Slockee meets a family who started gardening in lockdown. 8:30 Vera: Natural Selection (M v) [s] 10:00 Keeping Faith (M) [s] 11:05 ABC Late News [s] 11:20 The Vaccine [s] 11:35 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering (PG) [s] 12:05 Fisk (M) [s] 12:35 rage (MA15+) [s] 6:00 rage (PG) [s] 7:00 Weekend Breakfast [s] 10:00 rage (PG) [s] 11:00 rage Guest Programmer (PG) 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 12:30 Spartacus [s] 2:25 Old People’s Home For 4 Year Olds [s] 3:30 Prince, Son And Heir: Charles At 70 (PG) [s] 4:30 Landline [s] 5:00 Football: A-League: Brisbane Roar v Western United *Live* From Moreton Daily Stadium [s] 7:00 ABC News [s] 7:30 Death In Paradise (PG) [s] 8:30 Call The Midwife (PG) [s] 9:30 Harrow: Sola Dosis Facit Venenum (M v) [s] 10:25 A Very English Scandal (M d,s) [s] 11:25 Press: Resonance (M l,s) [s] 12:25 rage Guest Programmer (MA15+) [s] 5:00 rage (MA15+) [s] 6:00 rage (PG) [s] 7:00 Weekend Breakfast [s] 9:00 Insiders [s] 10:00Offsiders [s] 10:30The World This Week [s] 11:00Compass (PG) [s] 11:30Songs Of Praise (PG) [s] 12:00ABC News At Noon [s] 12:30Landline [s] 1:25 Landline Weather [s] 1:30 Gardening Australia [s] 2:35 Australia Remastered (PG) [s] 3:30 The Mix [s] 4:00 Football: W-League: Round 14: Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory *Live* From Epping Stadium [s] 6:00 Program To Be Advised 6:30 Compass (PG) [s] 7:00 ABC News Sunday [s] 7:40 Grand Designs NZ [s] 8:30 Harrow: Alea Iacta Est (M v) [s] 9:20 Silent Witness (M v) [s] 10:25Patrick Melrose - Mother’s Milk (MA15+) [s] 11:20Line Of Duty (M v) [s] 12:25Keeping Faith (M l,v) [s]

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

NINE (C81/80)

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SBS (C30)

6:00 Today [s] 6:00 Headline News [s] 5:00 France 24 Feature News 6:00 Sunrise [s] 5:15 NHK World English News 9:00 The Morning Show [s] 9:00 Today Extra [s] 8:30 Studio 10 (PG) [s] 12:00 Dr Phil (PG) [s] 5:30 Worldwatch 11:30 Seven Morning News [s] 11:30 NINE’s Morning News [s] 1:00 The Living Room [s] 1:00 PBS Newshour 12:00 Movie: “Indiscretion” (M s,v,l) 12:00 Ellen (PG) [s] (’16) Stars: Mira Sorvino 1:00 Amazing Grace (M) [s] 2:00 Entertainment Tonight [s] 2:00 Destination Flavour China Bitesize 2:00 House Of Wellness [s] 2:00 Desperate Housewives: In 2:30 Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield [s] 2:10 The Clinton Affair: 3:00 The Chase UK [s] Buddy’s Eyes (M s,d) [s] 3:00 Tipping Point [s] 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] State Of The Union (M s) 4:00 Seven News At 4 [s] 3:30 Farm To Fork [s] 3:00 NITV News: Nula 4:00 NINE’s Afternoon News [s] 5:00 The Chase Australia [s] 3:30 Great British Railway 5:00 Millionaire Hot Seat [s] 4:00 Good Chef Bad Chef [s] 6:00 Seven News [s] 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful Journeys (PG) 7:00 Better Homes And Gardens [s] 6:00 NINE News [s] 4:05 Mythical Beasts Unearthed: (PG) [s] 8:30 Movie: “Geostorm” (M v) (’17) – 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) [s] Mystery Of The Sphinx (PG) When a network of satellites 7:30 NRL: South Sydney Rabbitohs v 5:00 10 News First [s] 6:00 WIN News [s] 5:05 Jeopardy! (PG) Sydney Roosters *Live* From designed to control the global ANZ Stadium, Sydney [s] 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] climate attack Earth, it’s a race 5:30 Letters And Numbers 7:30 The Living Room [s] against the clock for its creator 9:55 NRL: Golden Point [s] 6:00 Mastermind Australia 8:30 The Graham Norton Show to uncover the real threat before 10:40 Movie: “Collateral” (MA15+) 6:30 SBS World News (M l,s) [s] (’04) Stars: Tom Cruise a Geostorm wipes out 7:30 Gangs Of Pompeii (M v) 9:10 Hughesy, We Have A Problem 8:30 The Royals In Wartime: The existence. Stars: Gerard Butler, 12:40 New Amsterdam: What The Heart Wants (M d,mp) [s] – (M) [s] Jim Sturgess, Abbie Cornish, Monarchy And The Military (PG) Sharpe lands in hot water when 10:10 Just For Laughs (M) [s] Alexandra Maria Lara, Daniel 9:25 The Blitz: Britain On Fire (PG) 10:40 The Project (PG) [s] Wu, Eugenio Derbez she goes out on a limb for a 10:15 Going Places With Ernie patient; Max’s grief comes to a 11:40 WIN’s All Australian News [s] 10:45 Movie: “Eraser” (MA15+) (’96) Dingo: Winton (PG) head; Bloom takes a major step 12:40 The Late Show With Stephen 10:45 SBS World News Late Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Colbert (PG) [s] James Caan, Vanessa Williams in her recovery. 11:15 Elvis Presley: 1:30 Home Shopping 1:00 Surfing Australia TV [s] 1:00 Home Shopping The Searcher (M) 5:00 France 24 Feature News 6:00 Which Car? [s] 6:00 Easy Eats [s] 6:00 Home Shopping 5:15 NHK World English News 6:30 Entertainment Tonight [s] 7:00 Weekend Today [s] 7:00 Weekend Sunrise [s] 5:30 Worldwatch 7:00 Escape Fishing With ET [s] 10:00 The Morning Show - Weekend 10:00 Today Extra - Saturday [s] 12:00 Award Winning Tasmania [s] 7:30 Pat Callinan’s 4X4 Adventures 1:00 PBS Newshour 12:00 Seven’s Horse Racing: 8:30 The Offroad Adventure Show 2:00 Destination Flavour China 12:30 Destination WA (PG) [s] Rosehill/ Bendigo [s] Bitesize 9:30 Studio 10 Saturday (PG) [s] 1:00 My Way [s] 5:00 Seven News At 5 [s] 2:05 Avalanche: Making A Deadly 12:00 Good Chef Bad Chef [s] 5:30 Border Security - Australia’s 1:30 Explore [s] Snowstorm (PG) 1:45 Movie: “Three Wishes” (G) (’95) 12:30 Luca’s Key Ingredient [s] Front Line (PG) [s] 3:15 March Of The Penguins 1:00 10 Minute Kitchen [s] Stars: Patrick Swayze 6:00 Seven News [s] 4:35 Morgan Freeman - The Story 1:30 Buy To Build [s] 4:00 The Pet Rescuers (PG) [s] 7:00 Movie: “A Dog’s Way Home” Of God: Proof Of God (PG) 2:00 Three Blue Ducks [s] 4:30 The Garden Gurus [s] (PG) (’19) – A female dog 5:35 The Secret History Of World 2:30 Everyday Gourmet field [s] 5:00 NINE News: First At Five [s] travels four hundred miles in War II (PG) 3:00 Program To Be Advised search of her owner throughout 5:30 Getaway (PG) [s] 6:30 SBS World News 4:00 Freshly Picked [s] 6:00 NINE News Saturday [s] a Colorado wilderness. Stars: 7:35 World’s Most Scenic Railway 4:30 Farm To Fork [s] Ashley Judd, Jonah Hauer-King 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) [s] Journeys: Finland (M) 5:00 10 News First [s] 9:00 Movie: “Kong: Skull Island” (M) 7:30 Space Invaders (PG) [s] 8:30 Movie: “The Big Short” (M l,n) 8:30 Movie: “The Bourne Ultimatum” 6:00 Advancing Australia [s] (’17) Stars: Tom Hiddleston, (’15) Stars: Christian Bale (M v) (’07) Stars: Albert Finney, 6:30 Easter With The Australian Samuel L Jackson, Brie Larson, 10:50 Movie: “A United Kingdom” Women’s Weekly [s] David Strathairn John C Reilly, John Goodman (PG) (’16) Stars: David 7:30 Ambulance UK (M) [s] 11:20 Ivan Milat Buried Secrets (M) 10:40 Movie: “Out Of Time” (M v,l) Oyelowo, Rosamund Pike (’03) Stars: Denzel Washington 9:50 Program To Be Advised [s] – 7News presents more new 10:20 999: What’s Your Emergency? 12:50 Movie: “Eager Bodies” (MA15+) 12:35 Australia’s Top Ten Of evidence to show that serial (’03) Stars: Laura Smet, Nicolas (M) [s] Everything [s] killer Ivan Milat may be Duvauchelle (In French) 11:20 NCIS: Watchdog (M v) [s] 1:30 Getaway (PG) [s] responsible for more murders 12:20 Inside The Children’s Hospital 2:35 Movie: “Live Flesh” (MA15+) 2:00 Home Shopping than he was convicted for. (PG) [s] (’97) (In Spanish) 5:30 Wesley Impact [s] 1:30 Home Shopping 5:00 CGTN English News 6:00 Easy Eats [s] 6:00 Religious Programs [s] 6:00 Home Shopping 5:15 NHK World English News 7:30 Fishing Australia [s] 7:00 Weekend Sunrise [s] 7:00 Weekend Today [s] 5:30 Worldwatch – Deutsche Welle 8:00 Good Chef Bad Chef [s] 10:00 The Morning Show - Weekend 10:00 Sports Sunday (PG) [s] English News 6:00 France 24 11:00 Sunday Footy Show (PG) [s] 8:30 Freshly Picked [s] (PG) [s] English News 6:30 Al Jazeera 12:00 House Of Wellness (PG) [s] 1:00 AFL: Women’s Footy (PG) [s] 9:00 Australia By Design [s] English News 7:30 Italian News 2:00 The Xtreme CollXtion (PG) [s] 9:30 Studio 10 Sunday [s] 1:00 Surf Patrol [s] 8:10 Filipino News 8:40 French 12:00 Advancing Australia [s] 1:30 Highway Patrol: Blackout In 2:30 Driving Test: Tory (PG) [s ] News 9:30 Greek News 10:30 3:00 NRL: Newcastle Knights v 12:30 My Market Kitchen [s] Bendigo (PG) [s] German News 11:00 Spanish 1:00 The Offroad Adventure Show 2:00 Movie: “Arthur” (PG) (’81) Stars: Wests Tigers *Live* From News 11:30 Turkish News 2:00 Everyday Gourmet With McDonald Jones Stadium, Dudley Moore, Liza Minnelli Justine Schofield [s] 12:00 Worldwatch Continues Newcastle [s] 4:00 Better Homes And Gardens [s] 2:15 The Amazing Race Australia 1:00 Speedweek 5:00 Seven News At 5 [s] 6:00 NINE News Sunday [s] (M) [s] 3:00 Surf Life Saving Titles 7:00 Married At First Sight (M) [s] – 5:30 Sydney Weekender (PG) [s] Queensland *Live* Bryce drops a bombshell at the 3:30 Easter With The Australian 6:00 Seven News [s] Women’s Weekly [s] 5:00 FIFA World Cup 2022 7:00 Shark Alarm: The Year of Commitment Ceremony and 4:30 Farm To Fork [s] Magazine Swimming Dangerously (M) [s] Booka and Brett face a huge 5:00 10 News First [s] 5:35 The Secret History Of World decision. 8:30 Movie: “The Martian” (M l) (’15) 6:00 WIN News [s] War II: Pearl Harbor (PG) 8:40 60 Minutes (PG) [s] – An astronaut becomes 6:30 The Sunday Project (PG) [s] 6:30 SBS World News stranded on Mars after his team 9:40 NINE News Late [s] 7:30 The Amazing Race Australia 7:30 The Great Plague: assume him dead, and must rely 10:10 Australian Crime Stories: (M) [s] Epidemic (M) Killing Florence (M) [s] on his ingenuity to find a way to 10:10 Mimi (M) signal to Earth that he is alive. 11:20 Forensics: The Real CSI (M) [s] 9:00 Movie: “Second Act” (M l,s) (’18) Stars: Jennifer Lopez 10:30 Cycling: Gent Wevelgem 2021 12:30 Young, Dumb And Banged Up Stars: Matt Damon 11:00 The Sunday Project (PG) [s] Men’s Race *Live* 11:30 World’s Deadliest: In The Sun (MA15+) [s] 12:00 Home Shopping 3:30 Bad Breath With Xand Van 1:30 Home Shopping Wheels (PG) [s] 4:30 CBS This Morning [s] Tulleken: Fighting For Air 12:30 Home Shopping

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

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

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

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

SOLID BATHROOMS Advert

Builders Licence Number 204179C

PAGE 20 26 MARCH 2021

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“I recommend Solid Bathrooms without any hesitation.”

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TEN (C13)

5:30 Today [s] 6:00 Headline News [s] 6:00 Sunrise [s] 9:00 Today Extra [s] 8:30 Studio 10 (PG) [s] 10:00 The Morning Show (PG) [s] 11:30 NINE’s Morning News [s] 12:00 Dr Phil (PG) [s] 11:30 Seven Morning News [s] 1:00 The Amazing Race Australia 12:00 Movie: “Abducted: The Carlina 12:00 Ellen (PG) [s] 1:00 Explore [s] (M) [s] White Story” (M) (’12) Stars: 1:15 Married At First Sight (M) [s] 2:30 Entertainment Tonight [s] Keke Palmer, Aunjanue Ellis 3:00 Tipping Point [s] 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 2:00 Criminal Confessions: 4:00 NINE’s Afternoon News [s] 3:30 Farm To Fork [s] Midland, Texas (PG) [s] 4:00 Good Chef Bad Chef [s] 5:00 Millionaire Hot Seat [s] 3:00 The Chase UK [s] 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful 6:00 NINE News [s] 4:00 Seven News At 4 [s] (PG) [s] 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) [s] 5:00 The Chase Australia [s] 7:30 Married At First Sight (M) [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 6:00 Seven News [s] 6:00 WIN News [s] 9:00 Under Investigation: 7:00 Home And Away (PG) [s] 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] Putin’s Poison (PG) [s] 8:30 Movie: “Bridget Jones’s Diary” 7:30 The Royals Revealed (M v,l,s) (’01) – A British woman 10:00 100% Footy (M) [s] Elizabeth & Philip: Marriage, is determined to improve herself 11:00 NINE News Late [s] Duty & Love (PG) [s] while she looks for love in a year 11:30 Extreme Planes (M) [s] – A packed passenger jet bursts into 8:30 Hughesy, We Have A Problem in which she keeps a personal (M) [s] flames just moments from takediary. Stars: Renée Zellweger, 9:30 The Graham Norton Show off and the family flight that Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Gemma (M l,s) [s] ended in disaster when a mid-air Jones, Jim Broadbent collision left passengers free- 10:30 The Project (PG) [s] 10:30 The Latest Seven News [s] falling through burning debris at 11:30 WIN’s All Australian News [s] 11:00 Station 19: Friendly Fire (M) [s] 12,000 feet. 12:30 The Late Show (PG) [s] 12:00 The Guardian: Sensitive 12:20 Tipping Point [s] 1:30 Home Shopping Jackals (M d,v,s) [s] 1:20 Explore [s] 4:30 CBS This Morning [s] 1:00 Home Shopping

6:00 News Breakfast [s] 9:00 ABC News Mornings [s] 10:00 Four Corners [s] 10:45 Elders [s] 11:00 To The Stars: 100 Years Of The RAAF [s] 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 1:00 Call The Midwife (M) [s] 2:00 Poldark (M v) [s] 3:00 ABC News Afternoons [s] 4:10 Antiques Roadshow [s] 5:10 Grand Designs NZ (PG) [s] 6:00 The Drum [s] 7:00 ABC News [s] 7:30 7.30 (PG) [s] 8:00 Anh’s Brush With Fame (PG) 8:30 Exposed: The Ghost Train Fire (PG) [s] 9:50 The Truth About Improving Your Mental Health (PG) [s] 10:50 ABC Late News [s] 11:20 Q&A (M l,s) [s] 12:35 Wentworth (MA15+) [s] 1:20 Sando: New Mum (M) [s] 1:50 rage (MA15+) [s] 3:40 Wentworth (MA15+) [s]

6:00 Sunrise [s] 9:00 The Morning Show (PG) [s] 11:30 Seven Morning News [s] 12:00 Movie: “The Wrong Woman” (M v) (’13) Stars: Danica McKellar, Jonathan Bennett, Fred Dryer, Jaleel White 2:00 Criminal Confessions: Palestine, Texas (M) [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] 7:30 Britain’s Got Talent: Best Of The Buzzers (PG) [s] – Some of the greatest moments from the judges hitting their buzzers on Britain’s Got Talent. 8:30 The Good Doctor (M) [s] 9:30 Sun, Sea And Surgery (MA15+) [s] 10:30 The Latest Seven News [s] 11:00 Station 19: Always Ready (M) 12:00 Kiss Bang Love (M) [s] 1:30 Home Shopping

6:00 News Breakfast [s] 9:00 ABC News Mornings [s] 10:00 Air Force 100 [s] 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 12:30 National Press Club Address 1:35 Media Watch [s] 1:55 Shakespeare And Hathaway (PG) [s] 3:00 ABC News Afternoons [s] 4:10 Antiques Roadshow [s] 5:10 Grand Designs (PG) [s] 6:00 The Drum [s] 7:00 ABC News [s] 7:30 7.30 (PG) [s] 8:00 Hard Quiz (PG) [s] 8:30 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering (PG) [s] 9:00 Fisk (PG) [s] 9:30 Melbourne Comedy Festival 2021: The Gala (Part 2) (PG) [s] 10:30 Staged (MA15+) [s] 10:55 ABC Late News [s] 11:25 Four Corners [s] 12:10 Media Watch [s] 12:30 Wentworth (MA15+) [s] 1:25 Sando: Therapy (M) [s]

5:30 Today [s] 6:00 Sunrise [s] 9:00 Today Extra [s] 9:00 The Morning Show [s] 11:30 NINE’s Morning News [s] 11:30 Seven Morning News [s] 12:00 Ellen (PG) [s] 12:00 Movie: “Endless Love” (M l) 1:00 My Way [s] (’14) Stars: Gabriella Wilde 2:00 Criminal Confessions: Renton, 1:30 Married At First Sight (M) [s] 3:00 Tipping Point [s] Washington (M) [s] 4:00 NINE’s Afternoon News [s] 3:00 The Chase UK [s] 5:00 Millionaire Hot Seat [s] 4:00 Seven News At 4 [s] 6:00 NINE News [s] 5:00 The Chase Australia [s] 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) [s] 6:00 Seven News [s] 7:30 Married At First Sight (M) [s] 7:00 Home And Away (PG) [s] 9:00 Amazing Grace (M) [s] – Max 7:30 Program To Be Advised goes beyond the call of duty to 8:30 Ambulance: Code Red (M) [s] help a traumatised woman cope – A car driver is seriously injured with childbirth. Grace reluctantly and the paramedics perform lifeagrees to a Tinder double-date, saving treatment and put him with disastrous results. into an induced coma at the 10:00 New Amsterdam: roadside. Blood, Sweat & Tears (M) [s] 9:30 Born To Kill?: 11:00 NINE News Late [s] Myra Hindley (M) [s] 11:30 The Enemy Within: The 10:30 The Latest Seven News [s] Ambassador’s Wife (M) [s] 10:00 Ambulance: Code Red (M) [s] 12:15 Tipping Point [s] 11:00 The Front Bar (M) [s] 12:00 Movie: “The Operator” (M s,v) 1:05 A Current Affair (PG) [s] 1:30 Home Shopping (’00) Stars: Michael Laurence

6:00 News Breakfast [s] 9:00 ABC News Mornings [s] 10:00 Australian Story [s] 10:30 Anh’s Brush With Fame (PG) 11:00 The Truth About Improving Your Mental Health (PG) [s] 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 1:00 Hard Quiz (PG) [s] 1:30 The Weekly (PG) [s] 2:00 Shakespeare And Hathaway (PG) [s] 3:00 ABC News Afternoons [s] 4:10 Antiques Roadshow [s] 5:10 Grand Designs (PG) [s] 6:00 The Drum [s] 6:55 Sammy J [s] 7:00 ABC News [s] 7:30 7.30 (PG) [s] 8:00 Back Roads [s] 8:30 Program To Be Advised 9:30 Kurt Fearnley’s One Plus One 10:00 Aussie Inventions That Changed The World (PG) [s] 10:55 ABC Late News [s] 11:25 Miriam’s Big American Adventure (PG) [s]

6:00 Sunrise [s] 9:00 The Morning Show [s] 11:30 Seven Morning News [s] 12:00 Movie: “The Boy Next Door” (MA15+) (’15) Stars: Jennifer Lopez, Ryan Guzman 2:00 Criminal Confessions: Tazewell, Washington (M) [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] 7:30 Mighty Trains: Indian Pacific Railway (PG) [s] 8:30 Movie: “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” (M l) (’11) – British retirees travel to India to take up residence in what they believe is a newly restored hotel. Stars: Judi Dench 10:00 What The Killer Did Next: Helen Bailey (M v) [s] 11:00 The Latest Seven News [s] 11:30 Police: Hour Of Duty (M v,l) [s] 12:30 Home Shopping

Monday 29 March

6:00 News Breakfast [s] 9:00 ABC News Mornings [s] 10:00 Landline [s] 11:00 Grand Designs NZ [s] 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 1:00 Death In Paradise (M v) [s] 2:00 Poldark (M v) [s] 3:00 ABC News Afternoons [s] 4:10 Antiques Roadshow [s] 5:10 Grand Designs NZ [s] 6:00 The Drum [s] 7:00 ABC News [s] 7:30 7.30 (PG) [s] 8:00 Australian Story [s] 8:30 Four Corners [s] 9:15 Media Watch [s] 9:35 To The Stars: 100 Years Of The RAAF [s] 10:35 ABC Late News [s] 11:05 Exposed: The Ghost Train Fire (PG) [s] 12:35 Wentworth (MA15+) [s] 1:25 Sando: Sorry (M) [s] 1:55 rage (MA15+) [s] 3:40 Wentworth (MA15+) [s] 4:30 The Drum [s]

Tuesday 30 March

NINE (C81/80)

Wednesday 31 March

PRIME (C61/60)

Thursday 1 April

ABC (C20/21)

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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)

5:30 Today [s] 9:00 Today Extra [s] 11:30 NINE’s Morning News [s] 12:00 Ellen (PG) [s] 1:00 The Garden Gurus [s] 1:30 Married At First Sight (M) [s] 3:00 Tipping Point [s] 4:00 NINE’s Afternoon News [s] 5:00 Millionaire Hot Seat [s] 6:00 NINE News [s] 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) [s] 7:30 Married At First Sight (M) [s] 9:00 Botched r (M) [s] 10:00 Amazing Grace (M) [s] – Grace’s plan to help Sophia threatens to rip her family apart. Sasha and Laney face a shocking dilemma when they discover a young mother’s secret. 11:00 NINE News Late [s] 11:30 Labour Of Love (PG) [s] 12:15 Our Lives: Extraordinary People (PG) [s] 1:05 A Current Affair (PG) [s] 1:30 Home Shopping

PAGE 21 26 MARCH 2021

SBS (C30)

5:00 5:15 5:30 2:05

CGTN English News NHK World English News Worldwatch The Clinton Affair: High Crimes And Misdemeanors (M) 2:55 Lost Property Office 3:05 Who Do You Think You Are?: Delta Goodrem (PG) 4:10 Mythical Beasts Unearthed: Lost World Of The Cyclops (PG) 5:05 Jeopardy! (PG) 5:30 Letters And Numbers 6:00 Mastermind Australia 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 Historic House Rescue (PG) 8:30 24 Hours In Emergency: Pay It Forward (M) 9:25 The Story Of The Songs: Diana Ross (M) 10:20 SBS World News Late 10:50 Outlander (MA15+) 12:00 Agatha Christie’s Criminal Games: Sparkling Cyanide (MA15+) (In French) 1:45 Asylum City (M l,v) (In Hebrew) 3:15 The Wolfpack (M l)

6:00 Headline News [s] 8:30 Studio 10 (PG) [s] 12:00 Dr Phil (PG) [s] 1:00 Easter With The Australian Women’s Weekly [s] 2:00 Entertainment Tonight [s] 2:30 Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield [s] 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 3:30 Farm To Fork [s] 4:00 Good Chef Bad Chef [s] 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 6:00 WIN News [s] 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] 7:30 Ambulance Australia (M) [s] 8:30 NCIS: Tailing Angie (M v) [s] 9:30 NCIS: Los Angeles: Red Rover, Red Rover (M) [s] 10:30 The Project (PG) [s] 11:30 WIN’s All Australian News [s] 12:30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (PG) [s] 1:30 Home Shopping 4:30 CBS This Morning [s]

5:00 5:15 5:30 1:00 2:00

CGTN English News NHK World English News Worldwatch PBS Newshour Destination Flavour China Bitesize 2:05 The Clinton Affair: The Will Of The People (M s) 2:55 Movie: “Be My Brother” (G) (’09) Stars: Gerard O’Dwyer 3:05 Who Do You Think You Are?: Patti Newton (PG) 4:05 Invisible Cities: Cairo (PG) 5:05 Jeopardy! (PG) 5:30 Letters And Numbers 6:00 Mastermind Australia 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 Great Australian Railway Journeys (PG) 8:30 Insight: Class Actions (M) 9:30 Dateline: London Cabbies 10:00 The Feed 10:30 SBS World News Late 11:00 The Point 12:00 The Pier (MA15+) (In Spanish) 12:55 Borgen (M s) (In Danish)

6:00 Headline News [s] 8:30 Studio 10 (PG) [s] 12:00 Dr Phil (PG) [s] 1:00 Program To Be Advised 2:00 Entertainment Tonight [s] 2:30 Everyday Gourmet [s] 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 3:30 Farm To Fork [s] 4:00 Good Chef Bad Chef [s] 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 6:00 WIN News [s] 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] 7:30 The Cube (PG) [s] – Andy Lee welcomes Peter and Louise to the show who have dream vacation plans if they win big on The Cube. 8:30 Bull: But For The Grace (M) [s] 9:30 Bull: Separation (M) [s] 10:30 The Project (PG) [s] 11:30 WIN’s All Australian News [s] 12:30 The Late Show (PG) [s] 1:30 Home Shopping 4:30 CBS This Morning [s]

5:00 5:15 5:30 1:00 2:00 2:30 3:30

CGTN English News NHK World English News Worldwatch PBS Newshour Dateline: London Cabbies Insight: Class Actions (M) Great British Railway Journeys: Stirling To Invergowrie (PG) 4:00 Invisible Cities: Athens (PG) 5:05 Jeopardy! (PG) 5:30 Letters And Numbers 6:00 Mastermind Australia 6:30 SBS World News 7:35 Tony Robinson - Britain’s Ancient Tracks: Dere Street (PG) 8:30 Australia In Colour: Making Australia (PG) 9:30 Departure: Sabotage (MA15+) 10:20 SBS World News Late 10:50 Romulus (MA15+) (In Old Latin) 12:50 The Night Manager (M v) 1:40 Counterpart: Shadow Puppets/ Twin Cities (M l,v)

6:00 Headline News [s] 5:30 Today [s] 5:00 CGTN English News 8:30 Studio 10 (PG) [s] 9:00 Today Extra [s] 5:15 NHK World English News 11:30 NINE’s Morning News [s] 5:30 Worldwatch 12:00 Dr Phil (PG) [s] 12:00 Ellen (PG) [s] 1:00 PBS Newshour 1:00 The Living Room [s] 1:00 Getaway [s] 2:00 Destination Flavour China 2:00 Entertainment Tonight [s] 1:30 Married At First Sight (M) [s] 2:30 Everyday Gourmet With Bitesize 3:00 Tipping Point [s] 2:05 Watergate: The Burglary (M s) Justine Schofield [s] 4:00 NINE’s Afternoon News [s] 2:55 One Giant Leap 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 5:00 Millionaire Hot Seat [s] 3:00 Who Do You Think You Are?: 3:30 Farm To Fork [s] 6:00 NINE News [s] John Jarratt (PG) 4:00 Good Chef Bad Chef [s] 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) [s] 4:05 Invisible Cities: Istanbul (PG) 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful 7:30 NRL: Manly Sea Eagles v 5:05 Jeopardy! (PG) (PG) [s] Penrith Panthers *Live* From 5:30 Letters And Numbers 5:00 10 News First [s] Lottoland Stadium, Brookvale [s] 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] 6:00 Mastermind Australia 9:55 NRL: Knock Off [s] 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 Bondi Rescue (PG) [s] 10:40 NINE News Late [s] 7:30 The World’s Busiest Stations: 8:00 Territory Cops (PG) [s] 11:10 Manifest: Coordinated Flight Zurich (PG) 8:30 Gogglebox (M) [s] (M) [s] – Michaela investigates a 9:30 Law & Order: SVU: Dance, 8:30 Michael Mosley: What’s My brutal attack at the Church of Lies, And Videotape (M) [s] Diagnosis (M) the Believers, but she finds her 10:30 This Is Us (M) [s] 9:40 Shadowplay (M) (In English/ efforts stymied by Adrian’s German) 11:30 WIN’s All Australian News [s] refusal to cooperate. 10:40 SBS World News Late 12:30 The Project (PG) [s] 12:00 Law & Order: Criminal Intent: 1:30 The Late Show With Stephen 11:10 24 Hours In Police Custody: Graansha (M v) [s] Colbert (PG) [s] Black Widow (Part 2) (M) 1:00 A Current Affair (PG) [s] 2:30 Home Shopping 12:05 The Good Fight (M l,s) 1:30 Home Shopping 4:30 CBS This Morning [s] 1:15 Bosch (MA15+)

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

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

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

PAGE 22 26 MARCH 2021

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OUT&ABOUT PAGE 23 26 MARCH 2021

Avoca artist to speak at Canberra conference Avoca Beach artist, Jane Gillings, will be speaking at the Art Activism by Great Women Conference in Canberra, on Sunday, March 28. Gillings will be one of four female artists to speak out about the change they wish to make globally and how have overcome barriers to pursue their goals. In her multi-layered speech, Gillings will talk about her art and its link to waste reduction, the power of education and teaching children, and how to be resilient in COVID times. Gillings said she uses recyclable materials to create

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CENTRAL COAST ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE

Free social French conversation groups, small classes at East Gosford and Bateau Bay Inquiries - Nathalie 0416 303 804 www.afcentralcoast.org.au afcentralcoast@gmail.com

CENTRAL COAST ART SOCIETY

Lectures, demonstrations and discussion. Weekly paint-outs enquiries Tuesday. Phone: 0428 439 180 Workshops: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays 9.30 am to 12.30 pm, at Gosford Regional Gallery & Art Centre. Phone: 0409 666 709 Social Meetings 1.30 pm on 4th Wednesday for demonstration 4325 1420

publicity@artcentralcoast.asn.au

TUGGERAH LAKES ART SOCIETY

Join us for the fun and enjoyment of art! Attend a weekly art group with mentors, exhibitions, workshops and a monthly members meeting with guests and prizes, held on the 4th Thurs of the month at The Entrance Community Centre 4333 8387 www.tlas.org.au president@tlas.org.au

CENTRAL COAST POETS INC

Would you like to read, write and share your poetry. We hold workshops and create anthologies. We meet the second Saturday each month. Wyoming Memorial Community Hall. Contact us by email

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An art piece called Underland made by Avoca Beach artist, Jane Gillings, in partnership with Lucy Barker

using Keep Cups etc,” she said. “But now we are back to

where we started – two steps forward, one step back.”

With over 30 years of experience as an exhibiting, practising artist and educator, Gillings’ work ranges from large-scale sculptural installations to detailed drawings, which often reflect her relationship with the planet and deep connection with the small community in which she lives. As an educator, she has worked with at-risk people and those with different abilities, mental health issues, homelessness and drug and alcohol issues. She currently runs weekly art sessions in her home studio for school-aged children and occasional free community art

sessions. “I want to also talk about in my speech how to keep going and keep up the fight,” she said. “I think all types of artists have been particularly affected, so I would like to share that message.” The event, to be presented by Lerida Estate and aMBUSH Gallery, is part of the successful HERE I AM: Art by Great Women festival and will include speeches from Aretha Brown, Claire Martin, and Kaff-eine. Details at kambri.com.au. Jacinta Counihan

NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANISATIONS

ARTS & CULTURE

info@centralcoastpoets.com.au

her art, raising awareness around consumption, waste, and pollution. “My speech will talk about pollution, waste, what we can do now to make a difference,” Gillings said. “I actually feel like I fell into my area of activism.” She is currently involved in a residency project at the old Quarantine Station at North Head Manly (Q Station) with another artist and will be responding to this historically significant site with a series of art installations made from waste materials. “With recycling, we were getting there before COVID by

1pm at Ourimbah RSL on forth Mon-Fri FELLOWSHIP OF Wed of each month. Chess, darts, handicraft, indoor FIRST FLEETERS Maree 0419 418 190 bowls, knitting, line dancing, For anyone interested in early origami, painting, pencil HANDWEAVERS, history. drawing, scrabble, DYING WITH DIGNITY SPINNERS AND TEXTILE Don’t need to be a First Fleeter. anneglazier@y7mail.com scrapbooking, sit & sew, table Campaigning to give those ARTS GUILD Point Clare Community Hall tennis, Ukulele suffering unrelievable terminal Spinning and weaving, 2nd Sat 10:30am CENTRAL COAST MARINE 4304 7065 or incurable illness the choice patchwork and quilting, felting 4392 1926, 4311 6254 DISCOVERY CENTRE to receive legal medical and other fibre and fabric The revamped CCMDC is open. assistance to die. GOSFORD-NARARA crafts, community quilting Schools and Group bookings Quarterly mtgs, Erina Fair. NEIGHBOURHOOD bees - Day and Night Groups welcome by appointment. 0434 426 486 CENTRE 4325 4743 Building has special needs robyncameron@y7mail.com COASTAL A CAPPELLA www.cottagecrafts.net.au School Holiday activities, access and toilets Award winning women’s playgroup, multicultural Open 7 days 9am – 3pm. a cappella chorus. PROSTATE CANCER programs, community activities CENTRAL COAST Terrigal. Music education provided. SUPPORT GROUP Rooms for Hire WATERCOLOUR SOCIETY 4385 5027 Rehearsals Tuesday 7pm @ Last Fri 9.30am 4329 4477 Art society for artists ccmdc@bigpond.com Red Tree Theatre Tuggerah. Terrigal Uniting Church admin@gnnc.com.au painting in watercolour www.ccmdc.org.au Performance opportunities. 380 Terrigal Dr, Terrigal Workshops, beginners Hire us for your next event. 4367 9600 classes and paint outs 0412 948 450 TERRIGAL WAMBERAL www.pcfa.org.au Details on our website coastalacappella@gmail.com RSL SUB-BRANCH 0435 466 526 ALCOHOLICS Pension and welfare officers MEALS ON WHEELS POLITICAL PARTIES ccwsinc@gmail.com ANONYMOUS available to assist with DVA Delicious meals delivered free www.centralcoastwatercolour. - Someone cares. compensation claims and Join us for a midday meal com.au Thurs - 12.30pm, Progress Hall benefits CENTRAL COAST GREENS Help with shopping and Henry Parry & Wells Breakers Country Club Local, state wide, national and cooking classes COMMUNITY GROUPS Street East Gosford Wed & Fri 10am – Midday international issues and 4363 7111 Meet 2nd Sat 10am campaigns ABC - “The Friends” AL - ANON FAMILY 4384 2661 Council and parliamentary Safeguard ABC’s S.A Terrigal-WamberalSB@rslnsw. GROUPS HEALTH representation independence, funding, & Is Internet porn destroying your org.au. We offer hope and friendship 3rd Thur standards. Meetings through life. for people affected by centralcoast.nsw.greens.org.au the year & social mornings We may be able to help. someone else’s drinking. centralcoastgreens@gmail.com U3A CENTRAL COAST Well-known guest speakers We are a 12 step fellowship Al-anon family groups Enjoy a diverse range of 0400 213 514 like AA. meet weekly, please contact courses and activities for LABOR PARTY www.fabcnsw.org.au Meets every Sat at 7pm on the 1300 252 666 seniors. Keep your mind active OURIMBAH/ NARARA Central Coast al-anon.org.au and make new friends. CENTRAL COAST BRANCH Contact for further details 0408 704 701 Discussion/action community CARAVANNERS 0473 631 439 BETTER HEARING www.centralcoast.u3anet.org.au Issues – 3 levels of 3rd Sun - Jan to Nov newcastlesagroup@gmail.com AUSTRALIA Government Trips Away, Social Outings, Hearing loss management VOLUNTEERING Function Room, Grange Hotel, 4323 3890 friendship with like minded Support and educational Wyoming folk CENTRAL COAST groups providing practical 7.30pm 1st. Monday Geoff 0447 882 150 Refer potential volunteers to HENRY KENDALL experience and confidence 0410 309 494 community organisations & COTTAGE & 4321 0275 Kyle.macgregor@hotmail.com provide support to them. COMMUNITY LEGAL HISTORICAL MUSEUM Training to volunteers and Visit our c1838 Cottage & CENTRE CENTRAL COAST PROBUS CLUBS Museum with exhibits of early Not for profit service providing managers of volunteers Info ASBESTOS DISEASES sessions held regularly. settlers. School and group free legal advice SUPPORT GROUP 4329 7122 bookings. Members & Mon - Fri 9am to 5pm AVOCA BEACH Support for those suffering recruit@volcc.org.au volunteers welcome. Open 4353 4988 PROBUS CLUB with asbestos diseases and contact@centralcoastclc.org.au Wed/Sat/Sun 10.30am COMMUNITY CENTRES others interested in asbestos with a great social program, 2:30pm. West Gosford guest speakers and optional issues. You are not alone, meet LEARN TO DANCE 4325 2270 bistro lunches. Google our with others who can share www.henrykendallcottage.org.au Social ballroom dancing for all GOSFORD 50+ LEISURE name for our fully informative their experiences. Bring a Brisbane Water Historical Society ages, all you need is a desire AND LEARNING CENTRE newsletter. Meet 10am, 3rd family member or friend. or you may ring Clive 0419120347

Mon each month at Avoca Beach Bowling Club.

to learn and dance, no partner required. meet every Wed -15 Lorraine Ave Berkeley Vale, 2:00pm Anne - 0409 938 345

avocaprobus@gmail.com

SERVICE GROUPS LIONS CLUB OF WOY WOY Make new friends & have fun while serving your community Everglades Country Club 3rd Monday of each month 0478 959 895

MUSIC

HEALTH GROUPS

HISTORY GROUPS

WOMEN’S GROUPS WOMEN’S HEALTH CENTRES

Counselling, therapeutic and social groups, workshops, domestic violence and abuse issues. All services provided by women for women 4324 2533 www.cccwhc.com.au

SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL BRISBANE WATER

Making a difference in the lives of women & girls through awareness, advocacy & action 2nd Thur 7 pm Breakers Country Club, Dover Rd, Wamberal sibrisbanewater@siswp.org www.siswp.org

SPORT DOYALSON WYEE SOCCER CLUB

Football club for the local community. Juniors from under 5 to senior teams. Kerry 0410 045 981

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. Subscription rates $75 for 25 editions.

president@doylowolves.com.au

KOWAKAN AIKIDO

Kids from 7yrs and adults, Fri and Sun, East Gosford Scout Hall. See website for details 0411 725 823

www.kowakanaikidocentralcoast. com

PAGE 24 26 MARCH 2021 OUT&ABOUT

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DOWN IN THE GARDEN

Grow, Preserve & Create with Dried Flowers job than others. So, let’s firstly explore what you could grow in your garden. When selecting plant material, you will always find that stems that are woody rather than fleshy always dry best and will be far easier to handle and less likely to break. This list is just a tiny fraction of suitable plants and the best drying method. Everlasting Daisies (Xerochrysum bracteatum) Hang. Cut before flowers fully open.

CHERALYN DARCEY

Some of us may remember the last time dried flowers were ‘a thing’. It was the late 1970’s and into the early 80’s and from my memory, the fascination with beautifully dried and arranged botanicals seemed to align with an increased interest in the environment. The time before this was the Victorian Era, when people had almost an obsession with the sciences, including botany. Perhaps our recent interest in dried flowers and foliage is bought on by the fact that many of us are spending a lot more time than usual at home. In this space we are exploring lost and new ways of connecting with our immediate surroundings and our environment. Collecting and drying found and harvested botanicals is as popular as it is rewarding and is a way to extend the use of both your garden and plants. HOW TO DRY FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE There are lots of ways to dry botanicals including the use of presses, silica and commercial freeze drying but I want to share with you the gentle and the more natural way of letting your specimens slowly release the moisture of life on their own and become something that is still indicative of their living form. You will need a place that is very well ventilated, shaded to dark and cool to dry your botanicals. Hanging them upside-down in bunches is the method that suits most but make sure that flower and seed heads are not touching each other. Bind bunches no more than the thickness of two or three fingers with elastic bands that can be tightened, if need be, as the bunches dry. I use part of a patio that is rather dim and also the darker areas of my garage. Some flowers need support as they dry, and a clever idea is to thread them through a soil sieve suspended from the ceiling. Another way that is popular uses wire racks. This method works best if the racks are resting on a supports or legs so that air can circulate completely around the botanical materials. Finally, the evaporation method works well for plants that need a slower process. Strip leaves from stems and place in fresh full vase of water. Place in a cool dim area and leave until water evaporates. GROWING YOUR OWN Although you can dry and use just about anything in your arrangements, some plants are better for the

Banksia Evaporation or hang dry. Kangaroo Paw Hang. Cut stems low on plant. Mulla Mulla Hang. Wait until flowerhead is fully open. Billy Buttons Hang. Cut stems low. Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) Hang. Leave leaves on. Roses (Rosa spp.) Hang singularly or in bunches. Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila spp.) Evaporation method. Immortelle (Helichrysum italicum) Hang. Buds and flowers can be used. Statice (Limonium spp.) Evaporation or hanging. Harvest stems from base of plant. Love-in-a-Mist (Nigella damascene) Hang. Cut when flowers are in full bloom and keep leaves on. Zinnia (Zinnia elegans) Hang or flat on wire rack. Harvest when fully open. Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) Use the seed heads by cutting when they are still green and hanging to dry. Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) When flowerheads are being to die, cut stems from bottom of plant. Strip leaves and place in vase of water and let evaporate. FORAGING We live in an environment in which collecting materials for drying or even finding armfuls of botanicals that nature has already prepared for us is relatively easy. Be mindful because picking native flora is public spaces is against the law and that goes for fallen and dried materials. Also, make sure that you stay away from roadside areas that could be sprayed with herbicides and other chemicals. Foraging on land that you have permission to do so and with a good knowledge of what you are picking up is advised. Gum Leaves (Eucalyptus spp.) This foliage makes the most beautiful draping design element which suits circles, wreaths and hanging arrangements. It can also be wired or wrapped around vines to form shapes. Harvest small branches when they have begun to naturally droop and dry themselves or have fallen. Best used when in this semi-dry state and letting dry in your display. Ferns Cut from plant when they are beginning to lose their structure and droop. To retain their form these are best dried by pressing although some ferns do look pretty when hung to dry. They will usually curl. Palm Leaves Collect when fresh or dried. They usually dry very well standing or hanging but if you want a bit more control, dry flat on wire racks. I personally love the stringy way the edges dry but if you prefer, you can trim the leaves to make them neater. Palm leaves make dramatic displays on their

own or as background elements to other arrangements. The Weird and the Wonderful When foraging or even in your own garden, watch out for empty curled seed heads, interesting sticks and branches, withered dried stems, twisting vines and interesting seed pods. These can all add amazing texture, colour and interest to your displays. Dry out by hanging or placing on wire racks. I have also found that the flowers and seed heads of the Allium family, (garlic and chives for example), make brilliant, dried elements for your crafting. Palm inflorescence are another interesting element that you can usually spy when out and about. This is the flowering stem of palm trees and dries to look like a twisted little tree. Popular as well in weaving, if you see one, knock on the door and ask if the homeowner can save the fallen inflorescence branches for you. CREATING The easiest way to display your dried bounty is in a vase, just as you would fresh flowers but don’t miss the opportunity to make wreaths, small posies for gift giving and even hanging dried flower ‘chandeliers’ (my Easter project!). Locally, I highly recommend the monthly workshop at Coachwood Nursery as the instructor, Ruth Donnelly is not only a local with an amazing insight into what is available for foraging and growing in our area but is a highly experienced florist. The next workshop is this Sunday 28th March at 3pm Everything you need to know about preserving and drying flowers and foliage naturally. Designed for florists and plant lovers of all ages. To book: 049 1147 448 coachwoodnursery.com DRIED DISPLAY CARE Your arrangements will last a very long time but exactly how long will depend on the botanicals you used. Everything breaks down eventually and deteriorates so they won’t look perfect forever. You may find a time comes when you will need to send them off to the compost pile.

To keep them looking good longer, position out of direct sunlight and away from wet or damp areas. Clean regularly with a hair dryer on the cool setting to blow off the dust and you might find a microfiber type feather duster helps with this as well. I hope these ideas open up another use for your garden and perhaps even the possibility of even creating a commercial opportunity through the growing and/or creation of dried botanicals. AROUND THE COAST THIS WEEK Succulent Workshop Saturday 27th March, 3pm Coachwood Nursery & Dried Flowers, Somersby. Everything you need to know about succulents. Includes plants to take home. To book: 0491147448 coachwoodnursery.com Dried Flower Workshop Sunday 28th March, 3pm Coachwood Nursery & Dried Flowers, Somersby. Everything you need to know about preserving and drying flowers and foliage naturally. Designed for florists and plant lovers of all ages. Take home a gorgeous flower arrangement that you create on the day. To book: 0491147448 coachwoodnursery.com Weaving up a Storm, 1 April to 9 May 2021, Gosford Regional Gallery. 9.30am to 4pm daily. Four Central Coast artists explore the possibilities of weaving as a contemporary environmental artform. Free entry. THIS WEEK YOU COULD PLANT artichoke, Asian greens, broad beans, broccoli, brussels sprouts, carrot, cauliflower, coriander, English spinach, leek, lettuce, onion, parsley, radish, rocket, spring onion, calendula, candytuft, carnation, cornflower,delphinium,everlasting daises,foxgloves, godetia, baby’s breath, hollyhock, larkspur, pansy, Iceland poppy. Cheralyn Darcey is a gardening author, community garden coordinator and along with Pete Little, hosts ‘At Home with The Gardening Gang’ 8 - 10am every Saturday on Coast FM. Send your gardening questions, events and news to: gardeningcentralcoast@gmail.com

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BUSINESS & PROPERTY PAGE 25 26 MARCH 2021

Business & Property Terrigal listed in top 10 travel destinations Terrigal has featured in a list of the top 10 trending domestic travel destinations in Australia recently released by Booking.com. A year after Australia closed its borders to international visitors and overseas travel in the light of COVID-19, the online reservation service revealed the top trending travel destinations as at February, 2021, with Terrigal coming in at number 8, the only Central Coast destination to make the list. Central Coast Council Director Corporate Affairs, Natalia Cowley, said it was exciting to see the Central Coast performing strongly as a

domestic travel destination. “Tourism and hospitality contribute significantly to the Central Coast economy – $900M annually – and it is

wonderful to see Terrigal make (this list),” Cowley said. “The Central Coast really does have it all – stunning beaches, picturesque

hinterland, beautiful bushwalks, a burgeoning café culture, bespoke retail experiences, a host of adventure activities – and we invite visitors from all around

NSW and Australia to experience first-hand all we have to offer.” Gosford Erina business Chamber (GEBC) President,

Rod Dever, said Terrigal was one of the most well-known destinations on the Coast. “The GEBC is not surprised to see it listed as one of the top trending destinations as domestic travel is highly popular, particularly as we move toward the Easter holiday season,” Dever said. “The Chamber would encourage businesses in the event and hospitality sector to register to accept the Dine and Discover Vouchers provided under the NSW State Government as this will add to the income stream and open affordable opportunities for visitors to further spend and sample the local offerings.” Terry Collins

Calls for businesses to register for Dine & Discover Central Coast residents can now take advantage of the NSW Government’s highly-anticipated Dine & Discover NSW program, with the $25 vouchers now live.

Karina Barry at The Bon Pavilion

The program is being rolled out progressively across NSW, with the Central Coast selected as part of the first two stages. Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, said the $500M program would provide a rapid boost to local businesses. “Every adult on the Central Coast can now receive four vouchers totaling $100, with two $25 vouchers to dine and two $25 vouchers to discover,” Crouch said.

“This program is designed to not just keep business doors open, but to help them grow. “Whether it’s a café, restaurant, cinema or gallery, every industry has been hit hard by COVID-19 and these vouchers will encourage more customers to come through the door.” Crouch said the vouchers simple and easy to use, with customers able to access them via the Service NSW app. Crouch also encouraged more Coast businesses to register for the scheme, with vouchers valid for use until June 30. One of the first to jump on board was The Bon Pavilion in Gosford. One of the owners, Karina

Barry, said the venue didn’t have to think twice about signing up. “We think the Dine & Discover program is a great initative to encourage people to get out and about again and support their favourite restaurants or to give people a chance to try something new,” Barry said. “We’ve had a few of our regulars ask if we will be accepting the voucher and to us it was a no brainer (to sign up).” “Mumbo Jumbo’s Beachhouse, Terrigal’s Freestate Café, Cinema Paradiso at Ettalong, the Australian Reptile Park, Frederico’s Bar and Eatery in Gosford and Ettalong Bowling Club are also among local businesses to have already

signed up,” Crouch said. “But there are literally hundreds more restaurants, cafes, bars, wineries, pubs, clubs, cultural institutions, live music venues, arts venues and tourism operators who could benefit from Dine & Discover NSW. Eligible businesses can easily register for Dine & Discover NSW on the Service NSW website. Patrons can search for registered businesses by postcode at https:// mybusiness.service.nsw.gov. au/dine-and-discover/ business-finder and register to receive vouchers at www.nsw. gov.au/covid-19/dine-anddiscover-nsw. Terry Collins

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New legislation to make it easier for tradies to work interstate Business NSW Central Coast has welcomed an announcement that the NSW Government is slashing red tape and removing barriers for tradies to work across state and territory borders, saying it will open doors for the region’s businesses. The Government has introduced legislation to enable a new national Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) scheme to take effect from July 1, as agreed by National Cabinet, making it simpler and easier for tradies and other licensed professionals to carry out their work in multiple states and territories. Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the changes had the potential to inject more than $2.4B into the national economy over 10 years. “This will make it easier and less expensive for occupational licensees and businesses to perform the same activities across state borders, increasing

jobs, economic activity, competition, and innovation,” Perrottet said. “The previous system only served to discourage people from finding work and burden businesses with unnecessary regulations. Workers will be allowed to automatically perform the same activities covered by

their occupational registration in their principal place of residence or work (home state) in another jurisdiction, without paying additional registration or renewal fees. Business NSW Regional Director, Paula Martin, said with business and consumer confidence taking a massive hit last year as a result of

government restrictions, actions that encourage business to trade across borders not only help restore confidence but create jobs with Central Coast businesses able to tender for interstate works. “Competing for works without the additional barrier of red tape provides businesses with expansion possibilities,” Martin

said. “It would be good to see a healthy proportion of businesses with their head offices on the Central Coast deploying their staff across the nation. “The Central Coast is home to a large construction business community with expertise ranging from home trades

through to commercial. “Being able to win projects across the country that showcase our local expertise not only helps business to recover from COVID but also provide new career pathways for our young.” The Government has also introduced legislation to extend the relaxation of regulations brought in at the height of the pandemic to protect jobs and keep the economy ticking. Some of the relaxed regulations have included: allowing deliveries to retail premises to occur 24 hours a day; more flexibility for businesses and communities to continue operating while practising social distancing, including through the use of digital documents and audiovisual links; and supporting communities and businesses to continue to operate or adapt through takeaway and delivery options for food and beverages. Terry Collins

Igniting young people’s passion for business Central Coast Council’s IGNITE Business Launchpad Program has expanded and will be delivering a range of new workshops and events throughout the year. The program is designed to encourage more young people to explore business and social enterprise and drive change by

offering a range of workshops and training courses. The first workshop, held on March 25, focused on Marketing for Impact and was taken by Laura Prael. By bringing her 14 years of experience working in senior digital communication roles to the table, she educated attendees on the importance of

marketing in business. Her workshop explored how to apply marketing tips and expertise to their chosen projects, business ideas and fields. A Council spokesperson said more workshops would be announced through the year. Jacinta Counihan

Lodge Morning Star

What do you know about us? Lodge Morning Star has been inextricably linked to the Central Coast community since 1922. The Peninsula’s very own lodge will be celebrating its centenary in 2022 and as part of the celebrations we are producing a book detailing the fascinating history of our lodge. We have plenty of masonic information to include, but we really want to highlight the many interesting, funny, heart-warming and sometimes strange stories you may have about our lodge.

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We also want to hear from organisations and individuals that we have helped or who have partnered with us over the years in our ongoing mission to improve the Central Coast community.

If you have, or know of, any stories, memorabilia or details related to our lodge, please get in touch with us. And if you’re interested in receiving a copy of the finished book, let us know.

email@lodgemorningstar.com

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Why women-led super funds continue to outperform WITH

Julia NEWBOULD Editor-at-large • Money magazine New research shows superannuation funds with females holding an executive position continue to outperform those run by their male counterparts. Of the 50 super funds analysed in the annual W-Index from Rainmaker, publisher of Money, a third of leadership roles, such as chairs of the board and committees, trustees and chief executives, are held by women. Interestingly, 11 out of the 13 funds that had an above-average proportion of women in leadership roles outperformed in the three years to 2019-20. The 13 best-performing funds led by women are: Tasplan, Vision Super, Media Super, Cbus, Statewide Super, CareSuper, Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation, BUSSQ, legal-

super, Club Plus, TelstraSuper, ESSSuper and REI Super. Other super funds with significant proportions of women in leadership positions are: Aware Super, BUSSQ MySuper, Energy Super, HESTA, NGS Super Accumulation and TASPLAN. Using APRA’s June 2020 data, Rainmaker also delved into the demographics to see which funds have the highest number of female members, young female members, female retirees and so forth. Rest is the most popular fund for women with more than 1.1 million of them among its total 1.8 million membership; it is the most popular super fund for women aged 34 or less. “Aware Super is the most popular super fund for retired women, being women aged over 65. Aware Super also has

the most funds under management owned by women and the most FUM owned by retired women,” says Rainmaker research manager Pooja Antil. Women hold $1.2 trillion of funds under management out of the nearly $3 trillion asset pool (June 2020 figures). AustralianSuper (957,000), HESTA (708,000), Aware Super (699,000) and Hostplus

(668,000) round out the top five funds with the highest number of female members. Alex Dunnin, Rainmaker’s executive director of research, points out that just because a fund has a high proportion of female members doesn’t make it a good fund for women. “To be a good fund for women, a fund first needs to be a good fund. But having lots

of women members makes the fund aware and it’s a really good start,” he said. “One of the best signs that you’re in a good super fund is that it has a high proportion of women in its leadership team. “For women to have made it to this level of corporate leadership means they have to be tough, resilient, smart and accomplished.”

Many of the leading funds most often used by women are those that support industries they dominate like health, education, retail, hospitality and the public sector. Guild Super has the highest share of women at 85%; Australian Defence Force Super has the highest share of young women (91%); and Challenger has the highest share of retired women(84%). In 2020, Rainmaker found funds with female trustees and leaders can boost a member’s super by $100,000 over their working life. It found funds with an above-average number of female trustees and either a female chair or chief executive outperformed their male-dominated peers by 0.6%pa over three years and 0.4%pa over five years. For millennials and generation X, being with one of these female-dominated funds over their working life can net them an extra $100,000. M KARREN VERGARA

Unemployed Aussies $50 a week worse off under JobSeeker changes Unemployed Aussies are set to be $50 a week worse off, the difference between gaining $25 a week in JobSeeker payments while losing the $75 a week coronavirus supplement. According to the federal government, the JobSeeker increase, set to begin in April, will benefit almost two million unemployed Australians. But March 31 will mark the end of the $150 fortnightly

coronavirus supplement. “We need to support people while they’re looking for work, we need to create the incentives so they want to look for work,” says social services minister Anne Ruston. “We need to ensure that we have a system that is fair and sustainable for the people who need it and the taxpayers who pay for it.” Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the increase is fair and reasonable as the government moves to “normalise” social

welfare payments following the pandemic. “Welfare is a safety net, not a wage supplement. We want to get the balance right between providing support for people and incentives to work,” he says. However, Mission Australia CEO James Toomey says the government has squandered an opportunity to reduce poverty and homelessness. “Already many people surviving on income support are facing immense distress and insecurity. Moving to a

JobSeeker rate of $615.70 a fortnight – or around $44 a day – is unfathomable and will not help get people back into work.” The increase has been framed

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least, plunging people further into poverty,” says ACOSS CEO Cassandra Goldie. “Already, at $51 a day with the temporary coronavirus supplement, people on JobSeeker are currently being forced to make impossible decisions, choosing between housing, food, medications, basic toiletries and paying bills. Now they are expected to struggle on even less – just $44 a day to cover the essentials, including rent, as well as the cost of job searching.” DAVID THORNTON

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Council gets set to cut services You can expect it to take 60 days to fix a pothole rather than the current 30 days under cuts to Central Coast Council services. And Council is expecting more dirty water complaints as it plans to reduce the cycle of dead-end mains flushing from three months to six months. These are just two of the cuts coming. Council has listed the service cuts residents can expect even if IPART agrees to a 15 per cent rate rise, with that decision to be announced in May. At the latest Council meeting, the Directors of Council’s five main Departments outlined the cuts Council is making. The Infrastructure Department will see emergency repair response times still the same but low risk road repairs will be slower; traffic reviews

will take longer; the backlog of repairs will rise to five per cent then reduce in the future. There will not be any changes to the waste service. Slower response times for water outages can be expected with lower priority on proactive work such as flushing dead end mains which will reduce the frequency of this activity. Council will need to rely on contractors if major damage occurs in extreme weather events. The Environment and Planning Department will have slower processing times for applications and reduced response times for complaints with priority given to safety or environmental issues. There will be a reduction in strategic planning projects. The Community and

Recreation Department will significantly reduce the number of events including Australia Day at The Entrance and Toukley and New Year’s Eve at Gosford waterfront. Staff numbers will reduce in libraries and education facilities. The Entrance Library will close. There will be a 40 per cent reduction in community grants; a 50 per cent reduction in school holiday programs and a 30 per cent reduction in town centre services including fewer garbage collections and barbecue cleans and reduced attention to high priority areas such as Kibble Park in Gosford. Playing fields during peak season will be maintained less frequently. Council will have a reduced capacity to take on new assets

such as Gosford waterfront park and South End Park, Gwandalan. After listening to the list from the directors, Administrator, Dick Persson, adopted Council’s General Fund Long Term Financial Plan which shows Council’s forecast position both with, or without, a potential 15 per cent special rate variation. Council also adopted an updated Debt Recovery and Hardship Policy. “A number of informed assumptions have been made in the General Fund Long Term Financial Plan,” Council said. There will be a reduction in staff costs to headcount levels at amalgamation and increases moving forward are for award and legislated superannuation guarantee increases and a reduction in materials and contracts with increases

capped at 0.5 per cent including efficiencies and containment of costs. Infrastructure spending will remain at the same level as is funded by depreciation and has been put in place for 2020-21 and Council will manage and monitor costs and find further efficiency and productivity gains. Persson said that modelling in the plan showed that without a 15 per cent special variation, Council will not be financially sustainable and will be unable to repay the restricted funds that had been spent on projects the community had benefited from. “We are legally obligated to repay the restricted funds which were not spent with the necessary authorisations,” he said. “With a 15 per cent special

variation, Council will be able to repay $100M within 10 years by delivering modest budget surpluses. “I understand this is difficult times for many in our community – particularly as our region once again looks to recover from severe weather impacts to households and businesses. “We are here to help, and rebates and payment plans are available.” The General Fund Long Term Financial Plan and Debt Recovery and Hardship Policy received 33 submissions during the 29 day public exhibition period. While the submissions were reviewed and considered, no changes were made to the documents, Council said. Merilyn Vale

Council writes off $20M in internally restricted reserves Central Coast Council has agreed to a $20M write-off of internally restricted reserves that are “in excess of requirements” to meet community infrastructure needs. The money will come out of four reserved funds. They include almost $10M earmarked for land development and in particular Gosford Library. Council said updated funding for the Gosford Regional Library requires $12.2M of internal reserves funding in addition to $8.5M from development contributions and a $7M Federal Government Grant. About $11.6M of this $12.2M

is held in the Regional Library Internal Reserves - meaning only $600k is needed from the Land Development Reserve. Therefore $10M will be written-off this reserve as it’s in excess of immediate needs. A total of $4.7M will be written off from the Infrastructure Reserve. Council said this was a reserve from 2014 from the former Gosford Council. “There are no plans for immediate works to be funded from this reserve and, as a result, it is proposed to be written off in its entirety,” Council said in a report that was adopted at its March 23 meeting.

A total of $316,223 will be written off from the Water Safety and Surf Clubs Reserve. Council said this was a reserve from 2017 from the former Gosford Council. “There are no plans for immediate works to be funded from this reserve and, as a result, it is proposed to be written off,” Council said. “Water Safety and Surf Clubs will continue to be serviced business as usual.” Kibble Park Cafe, Gosford, service fund of $182,662 will be written off in its entirety. This is a reserve from 2016 from the former Gosford Council. $4.8M from the Waste

Disposal Facility Reserve will be written off. “Waste disposal facility costs could be further supported from the externally restricted Domestic Waste Management Reserve,” Council said. “The proposed amount represents a 17 per cent reduction of the reserve and is an amount that is deemed not detrimental to meeting the community’s needs in due course. “This write-off is also reflective of the fact that the Waste Fund is significantly subsidised by the General Fund.” The report says Council consulted the Office of Local

Government, external auditors, and a “primary lender”. Council Director Corporate Affairs, Natalia Cowley, assured the community they were not missing out by this change. “Detailed reviews have found that a number of these internal reserves have been identified as no longer necessary to support community needs or are in excess of the amounts required to meet community needs,” Cowley said. “The $20M write-off is of value to the community as it will contribute towards the reimbursement of approximately $200M of restricted reserve debt.” The extent of Council’s

accumulated debt is $565Mm, made up of about $365M of projected commercial debt as at June 30, 2021, and about $200M of restricted reserves debt as at June 30, 2020, in the General and Drainage Funds. Council proposes to reimburse the restricted reserves deficit with about $100M-$110M from its budgeted surpluses over the 10 years, starting from 2021/22; $40M-$60M from the sale of Council’s property assets; more write-offs up to $40M from the write-off of reserves that can be unwound and a commercial loan in the 10th year for any remaining restricted debt balance. Merilyn Vale

Rate relief for rural landholders Landholders on the Central Coast and across NSW will receive welcome news in their mailboxes over coming weeks, with their Local Land Services (LLS) rates showing a zero balance for 2021. LLS Chief Executive Officer, David Witherdin, said the rate relief is part of the NSW Government’s latest drought support package and will allow LLS to provide the crucial support for landholders as they work towards drought recovery. “This rate relief means landholders will still have access to our technical experts, programs and training, while making valuable savings,” Witherdin said. “Rates are a vital source of funding for LLS, and they go a

long way to supporting the work of our dedicated biosecurity officers and district veterinarians across the state. “This work is crucial after several years of drought, so I

encourage landholders to reach out to their closest LLS office and take advantage of their local expertise as we navigate the long-term recovery process, together.

The work supported by rates includes: coordinating and supporting landholders to control pests and meet their legal obligations, animal health programs and supporting stock identification systems.

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Construction of Health Research Institute completed

Construction is complete and the fit-out is well underway at the Central Coast’s purpose-built Clinical School and Research Institute, with the first students expected to be on-site in July. Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, said the $72.5M project in the grounds of Gosford Hospital, jointly funded by the State and Federal Governments and the University of Newcastle, is powering ahead. “The fit-out and outdoor landscaping will be completed within weeks, while the University and Local Health District undertake commissioning before they move in,” Crouch said. “Four storeys of the new building will house the Clinical School, while the Research Institute will be co-located with teams of staff from the Local Health District. “The ground level will also feature retail space which is currently subject to an Expression of Interest process.” Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, said the new building will be home to state-of-the-art facilities available for students on the Central Coast who wish to study medicine and nursing. “What I love about this building is as you look out the window, you can actually see local high schools like Henry Kendall and Gosford High School with students that can look to the Central Coast Clinical School and Research Institute as an option for university,” Wicks said. “The first students will be welcomed in July and the building is designed with

collaborative spaces to foster the cross-fertilisation of ideas between students, clinicians, researchers and academics.” Chief Executive of the Central Coast Local Health District, Andrew Montague, said the colocation of health, education and research would help to drive innovative thinking. “We need to work with our community to identify what is important to them and bring both health and social care services together to support their holistic needs,” he said. “This collaborative space will be a significant step forward in progressing high quality research and new approaches to integrated care.” Vice-Chancellor of the University of Newcastle, Alex Zelinsky, said the project had been a shining example of the power of partnerships when they focus on benefits for communities. “Student training will be undertaken in direct partnership with highly skilled practitioners in Gosford Hospital and the researchers in the Central Coast Research Institute,” he said. The six-storey building features a “microbiological physical containment level 2” lab as well as anatomy, histology and molecular laboratories, three simulation wards and one simulation lab, a 100-person lecture space, teaching spaces, a library, office space for the University of Newcastle, Local Health District staff and the new Central Coast Research Institute. Source: Media release, Mar 19 Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch

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HEALTH & LIFESTYLE PAGE 31 26 MARCH 2021

Primary Care COVID vaccination clinic A COVID-19 vaccination clinic funded by the Federal Government will be operating out of Coast & Country Primary Care, formerly Central Coast Primary Care, by the end of the month. Vaccinations at the clinic, on the grounds of the EV church at Erina, will be conducted in the existing clinic rooms, while testing will continue to be delivered via drive-through methods. This is to ensure the risk of infection occurring between people coming to be vaccinated and people coming to be tested for COVID-19 is reduced. It will be one of the largest centres in Australia; providing over 1,500 vaccinations to local residents each week. With the Government’s staged approach to the vaccine rollout, the clinic will initially be providing vaccines to those eligible in category 1b, which includes older people, health care workers, people with an underlying medical condition, and high-risk workers including police, fire, and emergency services. Coast & Country Primary Care’s Executive Manager of Primary Health, David McLeod, said they have been working with the government to release bookings for the vaccination clinic to ensure the appropriate

Coast & Country Primary Care’s Executive Manager of Primary Health, David McLeod, receiving the COVID vaccine

people are able to access the vaccination as per the Federal Government Rollout. “Our highly skilled nurses, midwives, GPs, paramedics, and administration staff have recently undergone training to ensure we provide a safe and effective vaccination service for the community,” McLeod said. Based on current advice, two doses of the vaccine are needed to complete the vaccine schedule. The clinic will be able to provide both doses of the

vaccine to eligible people, with doses administered approximately 12 weeks apart. Peak efficacy is reached approximately seven days after receiving the second dose. The Federal Government has released an eligibility checker available on the Department of Health website for information on who is eligible to receive a vaccination under Phase 1b of the rollout. Government advice is that vaccinations are not mandatory, although are highly recommended to help reduce

the impact of the pandemic. The centre will be administering the AstraZeneca vaccine. Coast & Country Primary Care CEO, Michelle Bradbury, is still stressing people get tested if they have any symptoms of COVID-19. “Now is not the time for the community to get complacent,” he said. “If you have flu-like symptoms, get tested.” Source: Media release, Mar 18 Coast & Country Primary Care

PAGE 32 26 MARCH 2021 HEALTH & LIFETSYLE

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Apples: an autumnal miracle for gut-health one of the most widely cultivated fruits globally, with such a long history (7,500 years of cultivation and counting!) and so many diverse cultural references. They’re nutritional powerhouses and in fact, now widely considered a medicinal food when it comes to the area of gut-health. Autumn, the time to indulge

GEORGIA LIENEMANN As we continue our focus on what’s in season at this time of year, it’s hard to overlook one of my all-time favourite fruits: the humble apple. They’ve been spectacularly upstaged by kale and goji berries in recent times, but there’s a reason that apples are

It’s that lovely time of year when crisp mornings start to set in and new season apples are abundant at our local markets. You may have never stopped to ponder the greater significance of the phrase ‘new season’ when it comes to your fruit and veg. New season produce is the stuff that’s picked at the height of its freshness and flavour. This is when all harvest festivals were traditionally celebrated – that sacred turning point where the

fruit is at its peak nutritionally and energetically and is ready to come off the plant. Think about it. If we didn’t have access to a hundred apple farms growing over several states – if for some outlandish reason we committed to shopping locally, from an orchard down the road – our apples would be harvested in one go, over the space of a week or so.

prepared in a certain way. (Hint: no surprises, it’s the way that grandma used to make it, because previous generations simply had an inherent understanding of how to use food as medicine!)

And we’d celebrate and gorge ourselves and then scramble to preserve the harvest into vinegar and cider, jam and jelly, canned apple sauce and dried apple slices.

Polyphenols

Then, that’d be it for the year. No more fresh apples on tap. Imagine the withdrawals! And the intensity of your cravings for that crisp, juicy mouth explosion come Autumn next year. Apple harvest wouldn’t be some kind of quaint, tokenistic festival, it’d be a day of heartfelt celebration. I may be a romantic, but you can’t tell me we haven’t lost something meaningful, by having everything on tap, all year round! And so of course have our children, with many growing up without any connection to the natural cycles and seasons of nature. It’s only our artificially propped up system that allows for this in the first place. Australian apples regularly sit in storage for up to twelve months in the big supermarket chains. I daresay there is minimal nutrition left in this fruit. And on that note, let’s spend a moment talking about how nutritious apples truly are! Perhaps because they’re so widely and steadily available, they are solely underestimated in terms of their nutritional value. The humble apple is a nutritional powerhouse! And that’s aside from the fact that it’s now being widely touted – thanks to the legwork of Dr Michael Ash – as one of the most potent gut-healing functional foods available when

However, before we get into the cooking, why don’t we touch on some of the remarkable nutritional qualities of this traditional fruit.

Apples are rich in the usual range of nutrients such as vitamin C and potassium, however where they shine (no pun intended) is their impressive phytonutrient content. Phytonutrients are compounds that aren’t necessarily there to nourish us, but still have a very beneficial effect in the body in terms of disease prevention, regulating our immune system and repairing DNA damage. Apples are particularly rich in a powerful group of phytonutrients known as polyphenols. These are antioxidants found in high concentrations in red wine and green tea and other fresh fruits and vegetables. Quercetin is the main polyphenol in apples and predominantly found in the skin, along with the highest proportion of fibre and minerals, so best not to peel your apples, providing they’re organic. Organic apples have also been found to have a higher concentration of polyphenols and nutrients across the board. Apples, along with onions and garlic, are one of the richest food sources of quercetin – a potent antioxidant and antiinflammatory agent, which helps reduce inflammation in the linings of both the gut and lungs. So, it’s a fantastic nutrient for those with digestive issues and upper respiratory conditions like asthma. The benefits of soluble fibre and prebiotics Apples contain soluble fibre and in particular a type called a

prebiotic. Prebiotics are indigestible fibres that promote the growth and activity of beneficial gut bacteria. So, in essence, prebiotics feed our gut bugs rather than feeding us. And in turn, those beneficial bacteria perform diverse roles such as regulating our immune system (which is predominantly housed in our gut), producing vitamins and improving our absorption of the nutrients we consume. The perfect symbiotic relationship – if we care to feed them! Pectin, the new gut-healing wonderfood Supplementing with different prebiotic powders like inulin and acacia gum has become all the rage in the gut healing community, however pectin is often somewhat overlooked. There’s no doubt that prebiotic powders are beneficial, however as someone with a strong bias towards real food, it’s comforting to know there are equally beneficial types of fibre found in raw carrots and cooked apples which both have similar therapeutic effects on gut-health. Several studies have demonstrated that the more often we eat these two foods, the less ‘overactive’ our immune system becomes, reducing the incidence of atopic conditions like allergies, eczema and asthma. Others have demonstrated that apples can even reduce inflammation in the brain via their beneficial effect on the gut (no surprises when you understand the significance of the gut-brain connection). Pectin increases the production of substances like short-chain fatty acids and intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) which dramatically improve gut-health via several different mechanisms. Firstly, they protect against ‘leaky’ gut by reducing inflammation and improving the integrity of the gut lining.

They also bind to toxins excreted by any pathogenic bacteria which happen to be residing in our gut – toxins which are generally more harmful to our health than many of the environmental chemicals we’re exposed to – ensuring that they’re easily excreted. Gut-healing stewed apples I love how much of the current research is confirming the merit of such ordinary, traditional practices in the kitchen. Isn’t it nice to know that stewed apples with cinnamon isn’t merely a comfort food? Whenever we cook apples the way that grandma did, to the point that you see a nice shiny sauce, it means the gut-healing pectin has been released. And the traditional accompaniment of cinnamon – which itself a potent anti-inflammatory agent – is a wonderful aid in counterbalancing the potential impact of the fruit sugars on blood glucose. This is such a simple technique and exact measurements aren’t needed once you’ve got the hang of it, however start with: 5-6 apples Roughly a cup of water 1 teaspoon of cinnamon Small pinch of salt Method 1. Give the apples a quick rinse and core them (peeling is optional) 2. Cut them into large chunks and place them in a large saucepan with the water, cinnamon and salt. 3. Cover and cook on very low heat for around 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until they’re soft and there is a sheen to the sauce. Enjoy them on their own, with butter or ghee stirred through, blended into applesauce for a gut-healing snack that children will love or topped with granola and yoghurt for breakfast.

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HEALTH & LIFESTYLE PAGE 33 26 MARCH 2021

Reliance Health introduces consultation fee The region’s four Reliance Health practices are set to begin charging for consultations as the Primary Health Network (PHN) highlights a shortage of GPs on the Central Coast. The PHN recently sent a discussion paper to the Department of Health indicating that since the Commonwealth Government introduced the Distribution Priority Area (DPA) classification system replacing the existing Districts of Workforce Shortage (DWS) Assessment Areas for General Practitioners (GPs) and Bonded Doctors - 149 practices have lost DWS/DPA status, representing approximately 38 per cent of practices in the region.

All four Reliance Health practices will charge a $20 gap for consultations from April 1. A spokesperson from Reliance Health said they have tried to keep the gap as low as possible as they understand it is not easy for many people financially. “Private patients (anyone that is not on a pension card, health care card or aged 15 and under) will need to pay for their consultation and will receive all except $20 back from Medicare,” the spokesperson said. “If the Central Coast didn’t have such a hard time attracting GPs, or if the Department of Health allowed more GPs that haven’t yet attained their full FRACGP to practise on the

Central Coast, it would be a different story.” It is the first time the Federally funded super clinic which usually bulk bills will be charging for appointments. One resident has expressed concern about the fee, saying it may be the start of bulk billing and free health care ending on the Central Coast. “I’m concerned about having to pay a gap payment of $20 whilst still not able to access a permanent doctor,” the resident said. “I am also concerned that people not willing or wanting to pay may go to the hospital ED (Emergency Department) instead, adding further pressure to an already overstressed public hospital

system.” A spokesperson for the Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) said they had seen an increase in non-urgent cases submitted into the Emergency Department at Gosford Hospital. “In the past year, there has been an average increase of two to three patients per day within the Triage 5 non-urgent category of Emergency Department (ED) presentations at Gosford Hospital, compared with the previous year,” CCLHD Spokesperson said. “This could be attributed to many factors, including possible increases in the number of residents and tourists on the Central Coast.” The statistic was not mirrored

at Wyong Hospital. Mingara Medical GP, Dr Quinten Willemse, agrees with Reliance Health’s decision to implement the service fee as he also believes there is a shortage of doctors on the Central Coast. “To provide high-level service and quality care to the community of the Central Coast, I would suspect that this will at least occasionally attract fees,” Willemse said. “Reliance choosing to implement a service fee is not unreasonable, and as another service provider of quality care on the Central Coast, I would assume it is only to help support ongoing quality care and individualised medical support to a community in need.”

The Telehealth service introduced by Minister for Health and Medical Research, Brad Hazzard, aims to combat the GP shortage across rural regions in NSW, but a spokesperson from the PHN for Central Coast and Hunter said it is not enough. “We agree with comments put forward by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) that while Telehealth has become a vital component of the mix of services GPs offer because of its flexibility, convenience and efficiency, not everything can be done via Telehealth and GPs will still always need to offer face-to-face consultations,” the spokesperson said. Jacinta Counihan

Coast Connect Central Coast Council’s weekly news and community information

From Council As of Monday morning, it is clear this major storm event will repeat the flooding of many of the homes damaged last year. This will be heartbreaking for so many people who are barely over what happened only 13 months ago. In terms of The Entrance Channel, our acting CEO Rik Hart has been directing operations. Two Directors, Mr Cox and Mr Bolgoff, along with expert council staff, have been on the ground since last Thursday. Machinery has been in place and used as necessary. I have received regular updates over the weekend. I have been impressed with the commitment and expertise of our team. I have no doubt they know what they are doing, and that everything was and is being done to minimise the impact of this storm. Given the importance of this issue to so many people I have decided it is worth spending a small amount to engage an international expert to review our policy and approach to managing the channel. Understandably, public confidence in Council has been damaged with the events of the last few years. I am hoping this review by an independent expert will restore some of that confidence. It will result in either an endorsement or recommendation for change. I will bring a proposal to Council this week to put this into effect. To all those being flooded again, our thoughts are with you. Dick Persson AM Administrator, Central Coast Council

New collaborative initiative will make it easier to get active

We have partnered with the Office of Sport and Sport Central Coast on a new initiative called ‘Activate Central Coast’ to encourage our community to participate in sport and active recreation, whilst also supporting local sport and active recreation clubs and associations. As part of this initiative we will be launching a new comprehensive online directory of local sports and active recreation providers in the region – available from early April.

‘The Sports Hub’ already has over 100 providers participating, covering a wide range of activities including; Aerobics, Athletics, Aussie Rules, Archery, Basketball, Circus, Cricket, Croquet, Dancing, Dragon Boating, Floorball, Football, Golf, Lawn Bowls, Martial Arts, Netball, Orienteering, Oztag, Running, Shooting, Softball, Surfing, Swimming, Tennis, Walking, Water Polo, Yoga and more.

The site will be a user-friendly directory where you can quickly search for activities by location and interest, filter by categories like age group suitability, activities that are accessible and inclusive, or even providers that accept Active Kids Vouchers. In addition to The Sports Hub, local sport and active recreation providers will host ‘Come and Try Activities’ as well as exciting programs and events for the community to attend throughout the year. These will be announced on The Sports Hub as details are confirmed. To register as a sports and active recreation provider, search ‘Activate Central Coast’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

Development Applications and Consents Development Applications and Consents can be inspected at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au by searching ‘Development Applications’ or in person at Council offices in Gosford and Wyong 8.30am-5pm weekdays.

Under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2019, submissions on Development Applications are required to be published on our website. Submissions lodged using Council’s DA Submission Form or online portal will have personal contact details and signature redacted. All other submissions will be published in full. Your submission may also be reproduced in full in Council reports or in Court proceedings.

Active Lifestyles for the future

Planning to support the future active lifestyles of our community has begun. Over the next few months an Active Lifestyles Strategy will be developed, and we want to know how you currently use open spaces, what you value and what you want to see in the future. We will use the feedback you provide along with previous related consultation results, to develop a draft Active Lifestyles Strategythat we will present back to you for final feedback.

The Central Coast has an abundance of open space areas for a variety of recreational and sporting activities.

COVID-19 has highlighted the value of these outdoor areas and as our population grows, it is important that we have a well-considered, long-term plan for our open space areas that accommodates the needs of our community. The active lifestyles strategy will create a shared vision, and provide clear criteria and direction for future development.View the FAQs and complete the survey at yourvoiceourcoast.com by 5 April.

Council meeting

To find out when the next Council meeting is and to view it online go to centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/ meetings

Council’s financial situation

Council has adopted a Recovery Action Plan that will review all aspects of Council’s operations. For up-to-date information search ‘news’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

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Apply now for Youth Parliament Young Central Coast changemakers can still make their mark on NSW politics, with the Y NSW extending applications for Youth Parliament. The deadline to apply for the youth empowerment program has been pushed to 5pm on Friday, March 26.

Y NSW Youth Parliament brings together young people in Years 10-12 (or equivalent age) to lead, learn and connect through parliamentary education, community engagement, confidence building and teamwork. Y NSW Executive Leader of Youth and Community, Louisa McKay, said securing a diverse

representation of the state’s youth was key to the success of the program. “The more state electorates that have a young person put up their hand, the louder and clearer the voice of youth is for the Y NSW to deliver to those in power,” she said. “If you know a young changemaker, please

encourage them to get their applications in for the chance to influence the legislative landscape in NSW.” The Y NSW Youth Parliament residential camp runs from Saturday, July 3, to Saturday, July 10. Source: Media release, Mar 19 Y NSW

Government to adopt all recommendations of Gonski-Shergold Review The Central Coast Council of P&C’s (CCCPC) has welcomed a major review of vocational education and training announced by the State Government in the wake of the GonskiShergold Review of the NSW VET sector. The Government will adopt all five of the review’s recommendations. The first change will be the introduction of Careers NSW, which will ensure every worker and student in NSW has access to careers advice regardless of their job, experience or education. Parliamentary Secretary for

the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, described the Australian first service as a big win for the Coast. “Careers NSW is a wraparound service that can provide careers advice and educational pathways to all students, graduates and jobseekers,” Crouch said. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said Careers NSW will allow the workforce to change and evolve following the threats of the pandemic, leaving no one behind. “It has never been more crucial for people across NSW to access quality advice to make informed decisions about their professional future,” she

said. “Careers NSW will allow people to be guided by the experiences of workers ingrained in the industries they are looking to enter.” The Government will also target highly credentialed volunteers from major and emerging industries to lend their time and industry expertise to provide advice in areas including advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity and construction. In addition to establishing Careers NSW, the Government will also establish a NSW Institute of Applied Technology (IAT), advocate for the establishment of VET student

loans similar to (HECS) and consult with industry experts on VET course curriculums. Professor Peter Shergold AC said the recommendations will also seek to enhance the status and improve the quality and accessibility of vocational education in high schools. “Furthering the relevance and breadth of VET available in high schools is a significant step towards getting students interested in pursuing a vocational career,” Shergold said. CCPC President, Sharryn Brownlee, said it was pleasing to see action finally being taken on the recommendations from the review.

5@5

“Further options were much needed for this generation of young people,” Brownlee said. “Locations need to be easily accessible for regions with limited transportation, entry requirements need to be clearly explained and we must be assured that the final credentials will be valued to ensure greater job certainty for those undertaking these courses. “More support for VET in high schools is greatly needed. “Central Coast students have been disadvantaged by the lack of TAFE places locally for some time, so a new framework of delivery in a new structure may finally meet their needs.

“We are excited to see how it rolls out, who is at the helm and hopefully students’ needs being met.” David Gonski AC said the recommendations were developed with a number of stakeholders. “Consultation was undertaken with academics, industry associations, Government and nongovernment school sectors and training providers to provide a holistic review of the challenges the sector is facing,” Gonski said. Terry Collins

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Gosford PS celebrates Harmony Day Gosford Public School students celebrated a variety of cultures on March 19 as part of the Harmony Day celebrations. EAL/D Teacher, Andrea Byrne, said the day a great way to celebrate all of the school’s diverse cultures. “At Gosford Public School, 46.6 per cent of our students are from a language background other than English, so it is a very special day for us, and this year we did some amazing things,” Bryne said. “Students wore traditional clothing and were able to share

some of their customs and traditions with their teachers and peers.” Parents volunteered their time and language skills to run ‘Pop up’ language lessons for students across the day, including Russian, Korean, Hindi, Mandarin and Spanish. “The students had an absolute blast learning new languages,” she said. “One of the highlights of the day was the Mandarin Shadow Puppets session that was run by one of our very creative parents, Jannelle. “Our students also got to

attend a special cultural museum that was organised by our wonderful teachers. “The museum featured photographs, ornaments, textiles, instruments, currency, books, clothing and many other culturally significant items. “Students also learnt how to play with Vietnamese shuttlecocks and had fun practising their new skills.” Bryne said the multicultural food menu offered on the day was the icing on the cake, with one student commenting it was “the best day ever”. Gosford Public school dresses up for Harmony Day

Jacinta Counihan

Positive response to Check-In assessments The Central Coast Council of P&Cs (CCCPC) has welcomed news that Check-In assessments for Years 4, 6 and 8 will roll out in NSW schools next term. This follows a successful run of the system for Years 3, 5 and 9. Minister for Education, Sarah Mitchell, said the new era of formative assessments is set to transform how NSW schools track students’ progress. “The take up has been extraordinary, with more than 90 per cent of primary schools opting in for the new Year 4 and 6 assessments and almost 70 per cent of secondary schools running the Year 8 check-in,” Mitchell said. “Assessing students in Year 6 will not only provide us with data on student’s performance

at the end of their primary schooling but also supplement Best Start Year 7 data in giving secondary schools an understanding of where students are up to.” In 2021 more than 350,000 students are expected to undertake the Check-in assessments, which were first introduced in 2020 following NAPLAN’s cancellation due to COVID-19. Mitchell said the response had proved the value of providing schools with an assessment linked to the curriculum and providing results to schools within 48 hours. “Our Check-In assessment is a world-class diagnostic tool, designed to gain insight into student learning progression in reading and numeracy,” she said. “These assessments provide

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a snapshot of students’ strengths and weaknesses and will help schools quickly identify the students with the greatest levels of need and help their teachers allocate additional staff for ‘catch-up’

tuition.” The online tests are designed to be quick and easy for students who answer 40 multiple choice questions in around 50 minutes. “Feedback from last year’s

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assessments has been overwhelmingly positive and is a great example for Education Ministers across the country of why we need NAPLAN reform,” Mitchell said. “Schools said the major benefits were quick turnaround for results, diagnostic information at syllabus and learning progression level, and ability to use the results to inform their classroom practice.” Students in Year 4, 6 and 8 will undertake the online check-in during Term 2, while the year 3, 5 and 9 assessments will be scheduled for Term 4. CCCPC President, Sharryn Brownlee, said NAPLAN had been way overdue for reform. “The onerous three days of testing is unnecessary,” she said. “Schools always did, and should, do assessments to see

where children are progressing on the learning continuum. “The Check in assessment model NSW has developed demonstrates sensible and balanced assessment. “At last students, parents and teachers can see a way out of the onerous process NAPLAN turned into. “What was meant to be a national framework to ensure all students (and particularly those who move between states), were learning and that no student slipped through the cracks, has turned into a cumbersome, bureaucratic, time consuming testing process. “Let’s hope common sense prevails and we see balanced assessment and major overhaul of NAPLAN.” Terry Collins

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SPORT PAGE 37 26 MARCH 2021

Narrow loss for Warriors RUGBY LEAGUE The New Zealand Warriors were defeated 16 – 20 by the Newcastle Knights in a thrilling Round 2 NRL game on Friday, March 19. The game was a ‘local derby’ of sorts, with Gosford’s Central Coast Stadium filled with a multitude of Newcastle Knight jerseys to rival the region’s emerging Warriors fans. The opening 10 minutes involved waves of Warrior pressure on the Knights’ defence with the home side making the most of the new ‘six-again’ rule for a 10 metre infringement. Three kicks were placed into the Knights’ dead ball zone but were diffused by the Knights defence. In one case the Warrior’s winger, David Fusitu’a, was

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tackled out the side line by Bradman Best and Hymel Hunt. Up the other end of the field, it was the Knights who were able to strike first after a drop ball by Tyson Frizell was jumped upon by halfback, Mitchell Pearce. A quick scoop up by Jayden Brailey caught the Warrior defence back-tracking and the Hooker burrowed through three Warriors players to ground the ball over the line. A successful conversion by Mitchell Barnett gave the Knights a 6 point lead. The Warriors were quick to respond in the 30th minute with a brilliant advance from their own 20-yard line, capitalising off two ‘6-more’ calls by referee, Grant Aitkins. Warrior’s hooker, Wayde Egan, then crossed over only to be denied by a video review that found he’d lost possession prior to grounding. Nonetheless, the Warriors were not to be denied, with a successful try to Ben MurdochMasila after the very next set of six-phases to even the score at 6 – 6. The Knights converted a penalty goal just prior to half time to lead going into the break. The Newcastle started the second half positively and, in the 49th minute, a quick passage of passes found Best

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out wide who was able to fend off Nikorima and flick pass to Hunt to score the Knights second. A dropped ball by Knights forward Starford To’a, after a heavy hit from Eliesa Katoa, gave the opportunity back to the Warriors. From the scrum, Captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck found space before a deft final pass put Adam Pompey inside To’a and over for a try.

Nikorima’s conversion brought his team’s trail back to a two-point deficit with over 20 minutes to play. Eight minutes later the game changed on its axis with the Warriors taking the lead for the first time. An attacking line pass given by Harris-Tavita found its way again into the hands of TuivasaSheck, who created an overlap, before passing to Ken Maumalo on the wing with enough pace

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and space to find the corner. Unfortunately for the Warriors, it was not enough. In a late Knights attack from the 40-yard line, Brailey fed Connor Watson at pace who found Best. A desperate diving tackle from Nikorima caught Best but opened up the inside line for Hunt to stroll home for the winning try. It was a disappointing end for the adopted Central Coast Warriors to a hard-fought match.

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SPORT

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Lacklustre FOOTBALL The Central Coast Mariners suffered a disappointing fourth loss of the season to Melbourne City in a highly anticipated clash at AAMI Park on Monday evening, March 22. City has now made it five wins in a row, a streak they have not enjoyed since 2014. The heavy rain the Mariners left behind followed them to Melbourne with the game beginning with a light trickle that slowly picked up as the game went on. The hosts launched into the game with an intensity that the Mariners were never able to respond to. A clever through-ball in the seventh minute from the City midfield found frontman Jamie Maclaren in space. He was called offside, but it was an early alarm bell for the visitors. But it wasn’t long before the league’s top scorer opened the scoring for City. The leading ball came from Connor Metcalfe, who sliced through the Mariners defensive line to find Florin Berenguer-

Bohrer in the box who then fed Maclaren in front of goal. For Maclaren, the goal marked his 90th in the A-League and 8th in the last 5 games. The goal sparked an onslaught from City and it was only the deft skills of Mariners keeper, Mark Birighitti, that kept the blue and yellow in the game.

The Mariners began coughing up possession too easily, unable to connect the defensive mid quarter and the attacking third. City took full advantage of openings created from the Mariners unsuccessful counter attacks, more than once finding player free behind their opponent’s defensive line.

The second half saw the Mariners push back against the rising tide against. They tried to find more time with the ball but never once seriously threatened the City keeper. City continued to cut down the Mariners passing lanes and in the 55th minute, after Jack Clisby turned the ball over once again, Andrew

Nabbout made a run at goal. His strike hit Ruon Tongyik, but Birighitti was left on the ground allowing City’s Atkinson to capitalise on the rebound and cement the a 2 – 0 win. It was a lacklustre effort for the Mariners who haven’t finished a game without a goal since January.

The team’s hold on the top of the A-League ladder has now shrunk to three points and they will now play Melbourne Victory at Central Coast Stadium on Saturday, March 27, kick off at 7:10pm. Haakon Barry

Can the Mariners bounce back? FOOTBALL Mariners CEO, Shaun Mielekamp, is urging all local fans to come out of the woodworks for this weekend’s clash against Melbourne Victory after announcing that Central Coast Stadium’s seating restrictions will be eased to increase its capacity. The changes have allowed General Admission sections of the stadium to return to regular seating capacity with reserved seating areas remaining in their current, socially distanced layouts. As well as this, active and enthusiastic support has been encouraged through removing all restrictions against standing, singing and chanting, with concession items such as large flags, drums or other musical items

FORT DENISON

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

0.60 26 0053 0714 1.74 27 FRI

FRI

1351 0.38 1956 1.48 0022 1.85 0659 0.38 1300 1.44 1845 0.57

maintain the club’s current high level of performance. “I am really glad that general admission and active support sections are able to return to normal,” he said. “Whilst we have the opportunity to return to full capacity across the stadium,

also being permitted with prior approval. For Mielekamp, the aim of this change is to allow patrons to select their preferred option, have the best matchday experience possible and ultimately to see the Mariners’ home games bring in big crowds to

TIDE CHART

Source: Media Release, Mar 24 Shaun Mielekamp, Central Coast Mariners FC.

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

Times and Heights(m) of high and low waters

0142 0.49 0230 0.39 0318 0.32 0408 0.28 0501 0.28 0558 0.32 0800 1.83 0932 1.88 1203 1.58 0845 1.88 1020 1.82 1111 1.72 SAT 1430 0.30 SUN 1510 0.25 MON 1550 0.24 TUE 1630 0.27 WED 1713 0.35 THU 1757 0.45 2037 1.59 2118 1.70 2201 1.79 2246 1.85 2333 1.87 0116 1.79 0231 1.66 0347 1.63 0548 1.66 0218 1.72 0454 1.64 0806 0.46 0822 0.51 0938 0.53 1045 0.52 1140 0.49 1225 0.46 SAT 1405 1.31 SUN 1422 1.24 MON 1546 1.24 TUE 1655 1.29 WED 1748 1.37 THU 1831 1.45 1940 0.68 1948 0.75 2109 0.78 2225 0.74 2329 0.68

I am confident that the changes we are making strike the right balance for us to ensure that anyone wanting to come to the game and maintain social distancing can do so comfortable by purchasing a reserved seating ticket. “We are looking for a big crowd on Saturday night and encourage all Mariners and Victory fans to come and cheer their team on in such an important game, and I am hoping to see passionate and active fans singing and cheering the boy’s home and I am also keen to see the happy smiles of our Members who are glad to be attending the game in a safe manner.”

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

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PAGE 39 26 MARCH 2021

LETTER TO THE CENTRAL COAST COMMUNITY

As a ratepayer myself, I am furious at Central Coast Council’s financial situation. I do not support the proposed rate rise. It’s outrageous that our community might be forced to pay for the mistakes and failures of a group of Councillors and Council senior staff. The Administrator has made progress in exposing the cause of Council’s debt totalling $565 million. However I believe that further investigations will be required to ensure a sustainable financial situation can be restored. Over the past couple of weeks, I have raised concerns about Council on the floor of Parliament five times. I will continue to ensure the Central Coast community’s concerns are heard loud and clear.

Adam Crouch MP Member for Terrigal

Adam CROUCH mp Member for Terrigal 02 4365 1906 adamcrouchmp

terrigal@parliament.nsw.gov.au adamcrouchmp

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PAGE 40 26 MARCH 2021 SPORT

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Pirates secure round three victory

Adam Woodbine (in black) from a previous game

FOOTBALL Central Coast United have advanced through to Round Four of the Football Federation Australia (FFA) Cup after defeating Scots FC Lions on Tuesday evening, March 23. The 6-2 win away at Ador Avenue Reserve, Rockdale, was cemented thanks to a hattrick by Adam Woodbine, although the match went to half time with the scores closer at 3-2. The initial goal came for the Pirates through Woodbine in the fifth minute, who controlled a midfield cross on his chest to then drive the ball home off the inside post.

However, a quick hit back from the Lions came only a minute later from a counterattacking through ball that drew the Pirates’ keeper away from his goal and ended in an easy pass into the net. Two goals from corners, first to the Pirates, again through Woodbine, then to the Lions, restored the equilibrium. In the 32nd minute, the lead was returned once again to the Pirates after a challenge by the Lions keeper ended in a penalty rewarded against him. Daniel Mcfarlane stepped up to do the work and slid the ball into the bottom corner. The score remained as it was for the first 10 minutes of the second half, until Woodbine fed

Corey Atkinson across the keeper for an easy touch into goal. The fifth goal came in the 71st minute and completed Woodbine’s hat-trick after his clever run into the box to outmanoeuvre the Lions’ defensive line. The final goal came again off a corner for Scott Mcginley after the initial save ricocheted the ball into his path. In the eyes of Matt Crowell, United’s General Manager and team player currently out due to an injury, the game had tight moments, but his team always looked the better side despite a few errors in the back that led to conceding goals. “When we were on top, we

had a lot of the ball and we created a lot of chances, but then we let them back in the game with a few mistakes,” said Crowell. “The FFA Cup involved clubs from different division playing against each other, so all in all it was a credit to the Lions for coming out and giving the game everything. “For us, it is important to have a good cup run, not just for the club but for the players. “It was pleasing result although it was just one game, so in Round Four we will have to go again.” Crowell also commented on the dominant performance of Woodbine who returned for this contest after missing preseason

games. “Adam’s one of our senior key players and a valued member of the squad. “His goals were proper poacher goals where he was in the right place at the right time to score, so we’re really pleased he was able to play the full 90 minutes for us and we know he’s going to be an important player throughout the year.” Overall, Crowell noted that this year, the team’s main focus is performing at the top level in the National Premier Leagues NSW 3 competition. Currently, after two matches this season, the Pirates sit at the top of the table undefeated, in third place due to goal difference.

“In general, the team played well, although everyone knows we can play better. “There’s a lot to play for ahead of the 2022 season so we always have one eye on that.” The Pirates are still awaiting confirmation on details of their Round Four match, with a draw to be announced around one week before the match that will likely be between April 13 – 15. Whoever the team face up against, the players will seek to maintain their strong start in competitive football this season. Source: Interview, Mar 24 Matt Crowell, Central Coast United FC.

Ocean swimmers pick the perfect day for Lion Island swim Ten members of the Peninsula Ocean Swimmers Group dodged the recent wild weather to complete an 8.5-kilometre swim from Lion Island on Sunday, March 13. The swim began and finished from Umina Beach and, fortunately for the swimmers, happened prior to the Coast’s more recent wild weather. The event was originally

scheduled for March 6 but was postponed due to a high swell and strong wind conditions. Event organiser and swimmer, Chris Young, said the event ran smoothly due to ‘fantastic’ weather conditions and support structures that had been put in place. “We had a fantastic turnout for the kick-off with everyone’s family and friends coming down to the start at Umina, and then welcoming us back at the

end,” Young said. “All swimmers had finished by the four-hour mark and all completed the course safely. “We had a fantastic time; the conditions were fantastic, and it was a very enjoyable event to be a part of.” The event included assistance from three support boats, 10 kayakers, and a jet ski in case any swimmers were found to be struggling with the distance. Local sponsors, Kayak Central

Coast, Coengineer and Real Dimensions provided organisers with swim caps, shirts and support equipment, before getting into the kayak themselves. A film documentary crew from Northern Pictures also attended the event, capturing interviews with swimmers, action shots, and drone footage. Maisy Rae

The swim starts at Umina Beach and goes around Lion Island Photo: Tina Vella