Coast Community News 322 by Central Coast Newspapers

10 DECEMBER 2021

ISSUE 322

News

Community and visitors invited to reIMAGINE Gosford

Rain couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of Central Coast nurses and midwives as they gathered outside Gosford Hospital on December 8 to protest unreasonable workloads... See page 3

Out&About

Central Coast Council has a huge two months of events and activities planned to help bring Town Centres back to life with a new reIMAGINE Festival aimed to support local businesses and creatives.

Comedian Bob Downe will bring his high rolling cabaret Viva Bob Vegas! to the Laycock St Community Theatre in January. See page 17

Business

See page 5 Parkhouse at Kibble Park will be hosting a range of interactive art exhibitions with locally made products available for purchase

Community invited to give feedback on latest blueprint for the region The State Government has revisited its Regional Plan for the Central Coast and announced an updated vision for the next 20 years, focussing on what it is calling a “15-minute region”. The premise is to concentrate on taking a holistic approach to neighbourhoods and ensure that planning,job,infrastructure and housing decisions are coordinated with the aim of providing everything residents need withing a 15-minute walk, cycle or drive from their home. Building on the Central Coast Regional Plan 2036, which was

released in 2016, the government has widened the net and extended its vision in the Draft Central Coast Regional Plan 2041, largely influenced by changes in the way people work and live in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, launched the revised plan at Gosford waterfront on December 6, together with Business NSW Central Coast Regional, Director, Paula martin, and Chair of the Central Coast Chapter of Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA), Caine King. The government is encouraging community

feedback on the revised draft plan before March 4 next year. “This is our blueprint to ensure the Central Coast prospers and the community’s feedback is critical to make sure we get it right,” Crouch said at the launch. “Tourism will play a major role in helping our region recover from the pandemic, which is why we proposed strategies to keep public transport operating later and allow bars and galleries to open longer in our tourist hotspots. “Housing affordability is a key priority and the Plan would set up a group of housing experts and service providers to track and supply the land, housing

and infrastructure needed for communities to thrive.” King said the Central Coast is unique in having one Regional Plan, one Local Government Authority and one Local Aboriginal Land Council. “We must capitalise on this opportunity to act in a cooperative manner to deliver the jobs and housing needed on the Central Coast,” he said. “Our members are up to the challenge of building smarter and more sustainable and compact communities, where daily activities are contained within a 15-minute walk or ride. “We need this strategic

planning developed for both future green field and brown field developments, to provide direction and confidence for the development industry.” King said the plan sets achievable targets for infrastructure and affordable housing which was really important. It also outlines the work that needs to be done to unlock land and make it developer ready, he said. Martin said the Central Coast is blessed with natural endowments, a talented workforce and an enviable lifestyle. Continued page 6

Workers on the Central Coast stand to benefit from the powering up of renewable energy projects, with registrations of interest now open... See page 25

Sport

A 1-0 loss and frustration met the Central Coast Mariners at Penrith Stadium on Sunday, December 5, against their undominant hosts, Macarthur FC. See page 38

Puzzles page 22

It all starts with spirit spiritsuper.com.au Advice on Spirit Super is provided by Quadrant First Pty Ltd (ABN 78 102 167 877, AFSL 284443) and issuer is Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd (ABN 14 008 650 628, AFSL 238718), the trustee of Spirit Super (ABN 74 559 365 913). Read the PDS at spiritsuper.com.au before making a decision.

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10 DECEMBER 2021

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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 three lucky readers the chance to win a copy of Best Walks of the Central Coast, authored by Matt McClelland and Gillian & John Soutter.

of detailed maps. A summary table of walks indicating distances, facilities and highlights is included to help the reader find exactly the right walk for the occasion. Walking chapters: Bouddi, Brisbane Water, Dharug, Best Walks of the Central Central West, Gosford, Coast introduces the best The Entrance and Further walks for visitors and Afield. residents alike, ranging For your chance to win, from leisurely cliff-top write your full name, strolls to the more rugged address, email and telephone tracks deep in the bush. daytime number on the back of an Detailed descriptions and maps help the reader envelope and mail it to explore the Central Coast Coast Community News Walks parks, bushland, lakes The Best and coasts. The book is Competition, PO Box richly illustrated with over 1056, Gosford 2250, 150 full-colour before 5pm on Dec 22. photographs and dozens The winners of The Last

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Next Edition: Coast Community News 323

Champion competition were Clare Smith of Kariong, Hilary Kelso of Terrigal, Jennifer Perkins of Tacoma, Allison Taylor of Kincumber, Gail Rodgers of East Gosford, Pat Taylor of Woy Woy and Maureen Monaghan of Green Point.

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2250 - Bucketty, Calga, Central Mangrove, East Gosford, Erina, Erina Fair, Glenworth Valley, Gosford, Greengrove, Holgate, Kariong, Kulnura, Lisarow, Lower Mangrove, Mangrove Creek, Mangrove Mountain, Matcham, Mooney Mooney Creek, Mount White, Narara, Niagara Park, North Gosford, Peats Ridge, Point Clare, Point Frederick, Somersby, Springfield, Tascott, Ten Mile Hollow, Upper Mangrove, Wendoree Park, West Gosford, Wyoming 2251 - Avoca Beach, Bensville, Bouddi, Copacabana, Davistown, Green Point, Kincumber, MacMasters Beach, Picketts Valley, Saratoga, Yattalunga 2260 - Forresters Beach, North Avoca, Terrigal, Wamberal

Publisher: Ross Barry - CEO: Cec Bucello - Editor: Jackie Pearson, Design & Production: Justin Stanley, Lucillia Eljuga Journalists: Terry Collins, Maisy Rae, Harry Mulholland, Hayley McMahon, Nicola Riches, Skaie Hull, Merilyn Vale, Haakon Barry Head of Distribution: Anthony Wagstaff ISSN 1839-9045 - Print Post Approved - PP100001843 - Printed by Spotpress Marrickville Voice of the Peninsula

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2 DECEMBER 2021

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News

$100M TAFE and housing project proposed for Gosford CBD

Why ‘pave paradise’?

Coast profiled as a great family destination

Destination Central Coast has partnered with Holidays with Kids, Australia’s number one family travel magazine, to showcase some of the best family-friendly things to do on the Central Coast, just in time for Summer.

On the eve of an expected decision from the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), environmental lawyers have released their damning submission. See page 3

A lack of planning and a housing stock shortage amidst a booming property market were two key reasons for the housing crisis highlighted... See page 3

Out&About

Out & About

The Glen Rehabilitation Centre in Chittaway Point has been awarded the Outstanding Community Organisation Award for 2021 from Business NSW. See page 14

Business

Central Coast Council will carry out maintenance work on the southern end of Warnervale Airport, as the result of a rescission motion adopted by Administrator, Rik Hart, on November 23. The maintenance work will trim back vegetation to create a Runway End Safety Area (RESA) to meet Civil Aviation Safety Authority standards. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that all aircraft landing areas have a RESA. In 2019 Council resolved not to mow the southern end of Central Coast Airport in the

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interest of protecting the nearby and ecologically sensitive Porters Creek Wetlands. But Council’s Director Corporate Affairs, Natalia Cowley, said the previous resolution was an unnecessary duplication of legislation. “Protection of the wetlands is already regulated under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Coastal Management) 2018,” Cowley said. “Council is being proactive in its management of health and safety by allowing maintenance in the area. “Creating a Runway End Safety Area will protect the

health and safety of aircraft operators and passengers, as well the welfare of animals that may cause accidents on the runway.” Council Administrator, Rik Hart, said that it is Council’s responsibility to prioritise safety and mitigate risk. “Council supports the safety recommendations of aviation experts and will meet the standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority,” Hart said. Before he adopted the decision, two speakers addressed the November 23 Council meeting in relation to the rescission motion put before Hart.

Gary Chestnut spoke on behalf of the Community Environment Network and he put forward an alternative idea which he said would save the Council mowing the area included in the rescission motion. He also said the Council report did not bring to the Administrator’s attention the provisions of Chapter 7 of CASA Manual of Standard. He said the aircraft that use the Warnervale Landing Area or Central Coast Airfield were all classified as aircraft with a code 1 and CASA had no requirement for a 90-metre RESA (Runway End Safety Area) as presented in

Council’s report. “What is also lacking in Council’s report is the provisions of chapter 7.18.2 which states: ‘The whole part of a RESA may be included in the runway strip’,” Mr Chestnut said. He said the length of the runway was 140 metres longer than the minimum length for Code 1 aircraft of 800 metres. He suggested Council could remark the runway landing area by relocating the holding area of aircraft. “This means the end of the runway or stop way can be relocated 142 metres to the north. See page 8

See page 21

Education

The NSW Teachers Federation Council on Saturday, November 27, voted unanimously to strike for 24 hours on Tuesday, December 7. Page 27

Puzzles page 19

spiritsuper.com.au Advice on Spirit Super is provided by Quadrant First Pty Ltd (ABN 78 102 167 877, AFSL 284443) and issuer is Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd (ABN 14 008 650 628, AFSL 238718), the trustee of Spirit Super (ABN 74 559 365 913). Read the PDS at spiritsuper.com.au before making a decision.

The future use for the site of the existing Ettalong Ambulance Station and the future of its employees have not been clarified by the NSW Government following its announcement that a new ambulance station will be built at Woy Woy Hospital. The station, to be operational in early 2023, will include internal parking for up to 10 emergency ambulance vehicles, administration areas, a training room, and a gym. It is expected to replace the existing Ettalong Ambulance Station. Reports suggest staff at the Ettalong station were blindsided by the relocation and only found out via NSW Health’s

letterboxed handout. Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, said she has called upon the NSW Government to upgrade the Ettalong station instead of selling it off. “The closure will add minutes to emergency ambulance waittimes in Ettalong Beach, Umina Beach, Pearl Beach, Patonga, Empire Bay, St Hubert’s Island, Bensville, Killcare, Hardy’s Bay and Wagstaffe,” Tesch said. “A minute in traffic for an ambulance could be the difference between life and death. “It’s completely unacceptable that our hard-working paramedics who were championed by this Government during the pandemic weren’t told about

this change and instead found out when community members received the glossy government pamphlets. “Time and time again, we see this tired-old Liberal State Government sell-off assets and cut vital health services in our communities.” When asked if staff were told beforehand about the station’s relocation or if staff will be retained, Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said the future purpose of the Ettalong site will be assessed once building of the new Woy Woy station has been completed. “The existing Ettalong Ambulance Station will remain operational until the new station at Woy Woy is complete,” Crouch said.

“The relocation of Ettalong station on the Woy Woy Hospital is an exciting step in delivering a brand-new ambulance station for Peninsula communities, ensuring local paramedics have modern facilities to deliver high-quality emergency care well into the future. “NSW Ambulance and Health Infrastructure worked to identify a new location using best practice modelling software which maps Triple Zero calls to determine the most suitable location for mobile emergency care in the region. “The current Ettalong station site is located outside of the area identified by NSW Ambulance Service to provide the best response times

for the community. “The new site at Woy Woy will ensure paramedics at the new station will be in an optimal location to respond to the greatest number of cases in the shortest amount of time. “Health Infrastructure will commence the planning approval process for the new ambulance station in the coming weeks.” Tesch said she has asked Questions on Notice in NSW Parliament about what the plan will mean for staffing of paramedics, traffic concerns on Ocean Beach Rd and traveltime difference. Those answers are due back at the end of the year. Maisy Rae

The Residents for Responsible Ettalong Development (RRED) group have ‘strenuously objected’ to a planning proposal that would allow a five-storey development... See page 21

Education

The NSW Teachers Federation Council on Saturday, November 27, voted unanimously to strike for 24 hours on Tuesday, December 7, over the NSW Government’s refusal to lift salaries and reduce workloads for teachers. See page 27

Puzzles page 18

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News

The Salvation Army is hoping to raise $20M countrywide this year through its annual Christmas Appeal and is appealing for local support.

A huge parcel of land in the heart of Gosford, incorporating the Central Coast Council administration building, is likely to be transformed into a new state-of-the-art TAFE campus. The State Government announced on December 2 that it is in negotiations with Council to buy the administration building and surrounding blocks, including the old Broadwater Hotel site, and land at the rear of both the chambers and the Central Coast Conservatorium. The project will also encompass the existing TAFE site. The administration building was earmarked earlier this year to go on the market as one of the Tranche 1 asset sales announced by Council following its financial difficulties and is expected to attract a hefty price. The figure being negotiated remains confidential but

Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education, Geoff Lee, who was on the Coast to make the announcement, said the entire project would cost in excess of $100M. The project will incorporate a vertical TAFE and substantial residential development. Lee said there was no exact timeline for completion of the project but work on a business study had already commenced as negotiations on the sale proceed and he hoped construction would begin within 12 months. “This will be a sensational result for Gosford – but we have to get the planning right,” he said. Lee said an expanded TAFE presence in the city CBD would likely see an expansion of courses on offer, serving to meet the current and future needs of the region. Member for Terrigal and Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, who initiated the process, said the project was all about

continuing to develop Gosford as a major educational precinct and would help kickstart further development. “Having more courses on offer will help address the skills shortage the region is experiencing and offer more residents an alternative pathway to further education,” he said. “The proposal will also integrate TAFE NSW with the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music, providing them with a permanent home and secure future.” Landcom CEO, John Brogden, said the CBD “desperately needs” an upgrade and a revitalised TAFE campus and housing opportunities would be a huge boost. “We have found that CBD projects such as this require not just offices, but housing,” he said. “We estimate that up to 10 per cent of this mixed housing will be rental accommodation for students and CBD workers.

“We hope purchasers will be buying residences off the plan within three years.” Lee said it was not yet known if the present administration building will be refurbished as part of the development or if it will be razed to make way for a new building. Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart, said it was ironic that such an opportunity had arisen “out of chaos”, with the new development sure to provide massive job opportunities and a link to the nearby waterfront. Council CEO, David Farmer, said the sale would be a “really good outcome” for the financially strapped Council and create a huge volume of foot traffic through the city centre. Farmer said he hoped Council and the Government would have a Memorandum of Understanding in place by the end of the year. “We have always said that selling the Gosford Administration Building would

pave the way for an exciting development in that space that could have a significant impact on the shape of Gosford’s CBD,” he said. “The State Government’s proposal answers the need for urban renewal at that end of Gosford and the educational nature of the proposed precinct complements the recently[1] opened Clinical School at Gosford Hospital and Council’s own Regional Library due to start construction in May 2022.” Farmer said that, should a sale proceed, it would be a positive outcome benefitting the community and contributing to the revitalisation of Gosford. He said the sale would provide confidence to lenders that Council operations could continue sustainably, and loans could be serviced. The project is expected to create 1,000 jobs and up to 3,000 tertiary and vocational education opportunities. Terry Collins

The teachers at Toukley Preschool have been recognised as some of Australia’s most outstanding educators at Futurity Investment Group’s National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA). See page 27

Business

Preschool teachers gain national recognition for excellence

Education

Puzzles page 22

Fast and loud at 94

The timing of the move has inflamed the community which is currently putting together a second round of responses to a fourth DA the developer had lodged with Council. Alarmed by the developer’s online advertisement, some of the residents have also expressed strong concerns

that the proposed boarding house is reportedly being listed on booking websites, billed as “serviced apartments”. “I was horrified to see an advertisement for serviced apartments,” said resident, Carolyn Dring. “The truth is that it will be a boarding house for 92 people,” she said. 51 Peel St, a former nursing home that enjoys views over the lake, has been subject to ongoing contention since the first DA was lodged back in 2018. Since then, plans for a boarding house have ping ponged between the Council

and the owners of the site, Seranin. The first DA was rejected in 2018, a second withdrawn, a third refused in September 2020, while a fourth, submitted in March, resulted in the Council calling for a significant amount of further information. Open for community consultation until January 17, this time residents are being asked to respond specifically to the further information that has been supplied Seranin. Submissions have already been lodged by 10 individuals in response. The fourth DA attracted 197 community submissions in

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July, during which time the ‘Concerned Residents of Proposal For Boarding, Toukley’ Facebook group swelled to 311 members with 26 of those joining in the last month alone. The group has a fresh set of concerns, among them an adjustment to the number of people the boarding house will accommodate. It was originally stipulated that the building would contain 65 rooms, a number that has fallen by 10 to 55. At the same time, however, the number of residents has grown from 84 to 92. Residents say that this modification, which has led to

the creation of more double rooms, was subtly introduced in the hope it would be overlooked. “How many times do we have to submit objections to Council before they will take notice of our concerns?” asked another resident, Maureen Houston. “We recognise the need for housing but 92 people in one building is an overload,” she said. The Toukley residents are also demanding clarity on the demographic make-up of those to live in the boarding house.

An artist has launched a solo exhibition in Woy Woy to celebrate ‘love and life’ and encourage locals to seek peace this holiday season. See page 13

Business

Local resident Cecily Crencice fulfilled a lifelong dream last week when she got on the back of a Harley trike.

A Wyong based company will duplicate its production line, helping to boost its capacity and meet the growing demand, thanks to the NSW Government’s Regional Job Creation Fund. See page 21

Education

A passion for their art and a commitment to an artistic career is the common thread running through the 26 artists who received grants recently. Page 27

Continued page 4

Puzzles page 19

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, UDIA Central Coast Chair, Caine King, and Business NSW Central Coast Regional Director, Paula Martin, announced the plan at Gosford Leagues Park on December 6. Building upon the 2016 Central Coast Regional Plan 2036, the State Government has widened the net and extended its vision in the Draft Central Coast Regional Plan 2041, which is said to have been largely influenced by changes in the way people

work and live in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has announced an updated vision for the next 20 years on the Coast, focussing on what it is calling a “15-minute region”. The premise is to concentrate on taking a holistic approach to neighbourhoods and ensure that planning,job,infrastructure and housing decisions are coordinated with the aim of providing everything residents need withing a 15-minute walk, cycle or drive from their home. For the Woy Woy Peninsula, the plan says, the emphasis will need to be on development proposals which protect the scenic quality of the area and retain its

“unique environmental character”. “Increased housing choices will be focused close to public transport and need to consider sustainable ways of accommodating short stays for visitors,” the plan says. Woy Woy has been included in the Narara District in the plan – one of four districts covering the entire region. The government is encouraging community feedback on the revised draft plan before March 4 next year. “This is our blueprint to ensure the Central Coast prospers and the community’s feedback is critical to make sure we get it right,” Crouch said at the launch.

Central Coast Council has a huge two months of events and activities planned to help bring Town Centres back to life with a new reIMAGINE Festival aimed to support local businesses and creatives.

Comedian Bob Downe will bring his high rolling cabaret Viva Bob Vegas! to the Laycock St Community Theatre in January. See page 17

Business

See page 5

“Tourism will play a major role in helping our region recover from the pandemic, which is why we proposed strategies to keep public transport operating later and allow bars and galleries to open longer in our tourist hotspots. “Housing affordability is a key priority and the plan would set up a group of housing experts and service providers to track and supply the land, housing and infrastructure needed for communities to thrive.” King said the Central Coast is unique in having one Regional Plan, one Local Government Authority and one Local Aboriginal Land Council. “We must capitalise on this opportunity to act in a

cooperative manner to deliver the jobs and housing needed on the Central Coast,” he said. “Our members are up to the challenge of building smarter and more sustainable and compact communities, where daily activities are contained within a 15-minute walk or ride. “We need this strategic planning developed for both future green field and brown field developments, to provide direction and confidence for the development industry.” King said the plan sets achievable targets for infrastructure and affordable housing which was really important. Continued page 8

A local law firm has returned to its Woy Woy roots after merging with Peninsula Law last month. See page 23

Education

Peninsula teachers and principals walked out of work for 24 hours on Tuesday, December 7, as new figures show the number of vacant permanent teaching positions in NSW has increased to more than 3,000. See page 29

Puzzles page 18

It all starts with spirit spiritsuper.com.au

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Office: Level 1.01/86-88 Mann Street Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net - Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

Workers on the Central Coast stand to benefit from the powering up of renewable energy projects, with registrations of interest now open... See page 25

Sport

A 1-0 loss and frustration met the Central Coast Mariners at Penrith Stadium on Sunday, December 5, against their undominant hosts, Macarthur FC. See page 38

Puzzles page 22

It all starts with spirit

Advice on Spirit Super is provided by Quadrant First Pty Ltd (ABN 78 102 167 877, AFSL 284443) and issuer is Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd (ABN 14 008 650 628, AFSL 238718), the trustee of Spirit Super (ABN 74 559 365 913). Read the PDS at spiritsuper.com.au before making a decision.

coastcommunitynews.com.au - 4325 7369 - editorial@centralcoastnews.net

See page 3

Out&About

Parkhouse at Kibble Park will be hosting a range of interactive art exhibitions with locally made products available for purchase

Woy Woy in Narara district in latest regional plan Woy Woy has been named as a strategic centre in the latest version of the NSW Government’s Regional Plan for the Central Coast.

Rain couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of Central Coast nurses and midwives as they gathered outside Gosford Hospital on December 8 to protest unreasonable workloads...

Four community organisations and clubs on the Peninsula have received nearly $19,000 in grants to support local projects. See page 4

Out & About

Central Coast Council has a huge two months of events and activities planned to help bring Town Centres back to life... See page 13

Business

News

Community and visitors invited to reIMAGINE Gosford

See page 14

Residents say Toukley can’t support boarding house Residents in Toukley have come out fighting against an audacious move by developer Seranin to advertise a proposed boarding house that is yet to win Council approval as being “under construction”.

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Out&About

The teachers of Toukley Preschool

The Australian Reptile Park at Somersby has been named NSW Business of the Year by the state’s peak business organisation, Business NSW. See page 25

9 DECEMBER 2021

Domestic manufacturing was the focus of a recent meeting outside the Kangy Angy Maintenance Facility to discuss the new intercity trains delay. See page 3

See page 10

As the region emerges from lockdown and the festive season approaches, Council is determined to spread the Christmas cheer after a difficult year. See page 17 An architectural rendering showing the location of the proposed TAFE and (inset) from left: Central Coast Council CEO, David Farmer, Administrator, Rik Hart, Landcom CEO, John Brogden, Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch, and Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education, Geoff Lee.

Questions to be answered about future of Ettalong Ambulance Station staff and site David Farmer, CEO of Central Coast Council, and the Greens David Shoebridge will speak at a community planning forum to be held at Gosford RSL on December 11.

It all starts with spirit coastcommunitynews.com.au - 4325 7369 - editorial@centralcoastnews.net

Business

See page 5

See page 8

One COVID-19 Omicron case confirmed on Coast - See page 4

Administrator rescinds Councillors’ airport resolution

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Out&About

The Bouddi Peninsula Arts Trail is returning after COVID-19 restrictions delayed the event from its usual October Long Weekend timeslot. See page 13

At least 50 concerned residents gathered to protest the proposed sale of part of the Austin Butler Reserve in Woy Woy on the wet and blustery morning of Saturday, November 27.

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10 DECEMBER 2021

Nurses and midwives protest ‘unsafe staffing levels’ Rain couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of Central Coast nurses and midwives as they gathered outside Gosford Hospital on December 8 to protest unreasonable workloads and ongoing delays to resolving dangerous staffing levels. The rally followed a similar gathering held at Wyong hospital on December 6. The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) says members fear patient safety is being compromised as fatigued nurses and midwives regularly work overtime to meet chronic staffing shortfalls. NSWNMA Gosford Hospital Branch President, Meg

Pendrick, said nurses and midwives wanted to provide patients with the best care possible, but it was increasingly difficult due to the unreasonable workloads. “For 22 months, we’ve been working to keep our community safe from COVID-19 and we are not receiving the support from management we need to

continue this work,” she said. The NSWNMA is continuing to campaign for nurse-to-patient ratios on every shift and safe staffing levels in maternity units. Mandated ratios would help to ensure staffing was adequately linked to the number of patients in

a ward, it says. The union says both Gosford and Wyong Hospitals continue to suffer dangerous staffing shortfalls and routinely fail to meet the minimum number of nurses and midwives required on shift. “With each site having approximately 80 vacant

nursing and midwifery positions, nurses and midwives have no choice but to regularly work overtime to cover gaps in the roster,” a spokesperson said. “Unplanned leave is rarely backfilled, only compounding the risks to patient safety.” Pendrick, said nurses and

midwives are routinely being asked to go above and beyond with no staffing reprieve in sight. “Staffing shortages at Gosford Hospital have risen to unprecedented levels and nothing is being done to fix it,” she said. “Nurses and midwives want to give patients the best care in a safe manner, but it becomes very difficult to deliver when we almost always face unreasonable workloads. “Nurses and midwives are resigning because of the dangerous workloads and compromised patient care.” Source: Media release, Dec 7 NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association

Final public meeting for 2021 has packed agenda A packed agenda for the scheduled final Councilunder-administration meeting for 2021 includes a recommendation for more staff in the planning department and the development of a Mountain Biking Plan. The bike plan comes after Council acknowledged last

year the importance of a structured approach to developing facilities and tracks for mountain bikes in conjunction with a targeted tourism strategy. The number of natural reserves impacted by unauthorised trails or dirt jumps more than doubled during COVID

restrictions in 2021. The request for more staff comes after Council lost 10 staff in the planning department’s development assessment unit earlier this year with the restructure that saw about 200 employees accepting redundancy packages. The agenda for the Tuesday,

December 14, meeting includes two masterplans up for adoption: an Ourimbah Area Strategy and Centre Masterplan; and the Central Coast Stadium Masterplan. Reports include a request to spend money on a business case to address deterioration of the Gosford Car Park, and feedback on the Central Coast

Water Security Plan which has been on public exhibition. In planning for 2022, Council is considering reducing meetings to once a month to save costs. The Administrator Rik Hart will also have to deliberate on a plan to incorporate 150 properties into the suburb of Glenning Valley from the

neighbouring Berkeley Vale and Fountaindale. The meeting at the Council chambers at Wyong from 6:30pm is open to the public. The public is able to speak for three minutes to address the administrator. See details on Council’s website. Merilyn Vale

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Premier’s ‘six cities’ vision not welcomed by local MPs An announcement that the Central Coast is to be included with Greater Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle in a new “six cities” configuration has received a mixed reaction. Shadow Minister for the Central Coast, David Harris, claims the idea threatens the Coast’s hard-fought battle to be recognised as a stand-alone region. Premier Dominic Perrottet used the annual Bradfield Oration on December 2 to outline his vision, which sees the State Government’s original “three cities” plan, incorporating Sydney East, Sydney Centre and Sydney, expanded. The three cities vision was outlined five years ago by Lucy Turnbull when she was Chief Commissioner of the Greater Sydney Commission but Perrottet has now doubled the number. “At present our vision spans east to west, but there is Newcastle and the Central Coast to our north, and Wollongong to our south,”

he said. “These are cities already undergoing rapid change and revitalisation. “They have been the industrial workhorses of the past. “And they should continue on their trajectory to become future focused precincts of tomorrow.” Perrottet said universities would be at the heart of the expansion, with Newcastle, the Central Coast and Wollongong already home to campuses that “punch well above their weight”. “(They have) growing global reputations in fields like energy, engineering, and health science,” he said. “Enhancing and better connecting this expertise to local industries can supercharge these cities. “And connecting these centres to the three cities strategy will do the same thing for our entire state. “The east-west axis of the three cities connects our airports. “Adding a north-south axis connects our major seaports.

Premier Dominic Perrottet

Shadow Minister for the Central Coast David Harris

“Together this network will link every port – integrating six cities like never before.” Perrottet said the move would accelerate “the next stage of our economic evolution” with the Greater Sydney Commission to become the Greater Cities Commission and a dedicated Minister for Cities to be appointed. The day after the speech the Greater Sydney Commission welcomed “the exciting evolution in its purpose as it prepares to become the Greater Cities Commission”. “We welcome this great announcement … and look

forward to continuing our collaboration across government, industry and community to bring it to life,” Chief Commissioner Geoff Roberts said. “The Commission is looking forward to engaging closely with First Nations peoples, residents, councils, industry and local city-shaping experts to understand and realise community aspirations for this city region.” Roberts said the Commission’s new remit was well-timed as it moved into the review of the Greater Sydney Region Plan. Regional plans for the Hunter,

the Illawarra Shoalhaven and the Central Coast have also just been reviewed and are now on public exhibition. But Shadow Minister for the Central Coast Harris said Central Coast residents have made it abundantly clear they don’t want to be part of Greater Sydney, with the Coast’s regional status thrown into confusion due to COVID-19 lockdown measures. “Through the pandemic (residents) argued loudly that the Coast should be considered a separate region (and) now this deaf NSW Government and Premier … plan to move the Coast squarely back under Sydney,” Harris said. “The Coast has always missed out when included with Sydney. “The Coast had already been included under the remit of the Greater Sydney Commission and we’ve seen nothing but more glossy brochures, more plans and nothing much else. “We know what we need; we don’t need to be continually shuffled around with no unique identity.

“This is nothing more than a plan to move even more population to the Coast at a time when we’re struggling to cope now.” Harris called on the Government to appoint a Minister for the Central Coast, reimburse Central Coast Council $100M to cover the cost of the amalgamation of the former Gosford and Wyong Councils and “actually deliver the Central Coast plan”. Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, said the move would see the Coast “bombarded with a bigger population without any extra infrastructure”. “Coasties want to be a standalone region, separate from Sydney and Newcastle. “During COVID we saw the ramifications of being lumped in with Sydney.” Member for Terrigal and Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, declined to comment until the full extent of what the Minister for Cities portfolio will hold is known. Terry Collins and Merilyn Vale

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Santa at Copa The children of Copacabana are gearing up for a very special visit from Santa on Saturday, December 11. The annual visit, which has been going on for 15 years, is organised by Navy Veterans’ Welfare Association of NSW based at Copacabana to foster a community spirit. This year, Santa will be at the Flagpole lawn at 11:30am and outside the medical centre at noon. Santa will also visit local

shops to wish them a Merry Christmas. Spokesperson Roque Hammal said around 200-250 children awaited Santa’s arrival each year. “Copacabana residents look forward each year to this community event,” he said. “Santa visits all the shops on the beachfront with gifts for owners and their staff.” Source: Media release, Dec 3 Roque Hammal

Community and visitors invited to reIMAGINE Gosford Central Coast Council has a huge two months of events and activities planned to help bring Town Centres back to life with a new reIMAGINE Festival aimed to support local businesses and creatives. The Festival will take place through December 2021 and January 2022 with a range of programs in Gosford. The reIMAGINE Festival program includes Christmas activations delivered across the Coast throughout December including Christmas decorations

and installations, festive workshops, Christmas themed photo booths and roving entrainment. Parkhouse at Kibble Park in Gosford will be hosting a range of interactive art exhibitions with locally made products available for purchase. There will also be a range of creative workshops for the community to participate in across December and January. Australia Day will be celebrated with a month-long series of pool parties and activities popping up around the Coast in January.

Coasties can expect to see giant inflatables, circus activities, roving entertainment, delicious food stalls and more. Council Unit Manager of Community and Culture, Glen Cannard, said Council was pleased to be offering an exciting program designed to bring the community back together and provide an economic boost for local business and talent. “The Central Coast has become a very popular holiday destination and with locals able to spend more time out now, as well as a number of visitors anticipated

over the summer holidays, we are delighted to create these opportunities to steer them into our town centres to support our businesses. “This reIMAGINE Festival has so much happening that it will bring the Coast back to life after lockdown by supporting our local businesses and showcasing our talented local creatives, artists, musicians and more. “It will also give the community the chance to celebrate key events like Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Australia Day which we missed last year due

to COVID,” Cannard said. Council Administrator, Rik Hart, said he is pleased to see that local business and creatives will get the support they need to reset after what has been a difficult year. “Buildings make a town, but people make a community and Council is committed to strengthening our diverse population by creating new opportunities for connection and creativity. “Creating a liveable community means striking a balance between projects that support

infrastructure development and economic growth, and others that enhance our quality of life, and I think this program of events and activities will bring hope and cheer back to the Coast after a difficult year for many,” Hart said. The reIMAGINE Festival is taking place from December 1 to January 30 in town centres across the Coast. More information about the reIMAGINE Festival can be found on Council’s Website. Source: Media release, Dec 1 Central Coast Council

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Community invited to give feedback on latest blueprint for the region From page 1 “This plan will build our region so that it can accommodate regional growth in an inclusive and sustainable way,” she said. “The last 18 months gave us a taste of how our local towns benefit from local spend when our large commuter base work from home. “We want to see these economic benefits become permanent through local jobs creation and develop housing that meets the changing demographic of our population.” Martin said it was important for a range of jobs to be offered in the region to support the work, live and play 15-minute scenario. The plan’s objectives centre on jobs, Aboriginal selfdetermination, housing, green infrastructure and net zero emissions. The plan names Gosford as the region’s metropolitan

The Narara District as outlined in the plan

capital, Tuggerah as a regional city and Erina, Karagi, Warnervale (emerging), Woy Woy and Wyong as

strategic centres. It divides the region into four districts – Narara (incorporating greater Gosford and the Woy

Woy peninsula), Tuggerah, (from south of Karagi to just north of Wyong), Central Lakes (incorporating Warnervale and

north to beyond Morisset) and Watagan, which includes the area to the west of the region including Jilliby, Kulnura,

Mangrove Mountain and Somersby. The plan outlines strategic direction for land-use decisions that grow jobs, increase supply of diverse housing and build infrastructure to ensure most of what people need is near where they live in each of the major centres within each district. A connection to environment is at its core with details on better linking people to to parks, green and blue public spaces and a close collaboration with the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council aims to help the Darkinjung people achieve the economic, social, cultural and environmental aspirations they have for their land, the plan says. You have until midnight on Friday March 4, 2022, to have your say on the draft plan. It is available for viewing at https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/ centralcoast2041. Terry Collins

Wicks to chair online safety inquiry Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, has been appointed by Prime Minister Scott Morrison to chair a new inquiry which will examine what more needs to be done to keep Australians safe while online. The appointment was announced on December 1 at the headspace centre in Queanbeyan. Wicks said big tech would be put under the microscope as the Federal Government examines toxic material on social media

platforms and the dangers this poses to the well-being of Australians. “Big tech has a number of questions to answer,” she said. “But we also want to hear from parents, teachers, small businesses, and other Australians, about their experience, and what needs to change. “The inquiry will give organisations and individuals an opportunity to air their concerns, and (provide an opportunity) for big tech to account for its own conduct.

“This inquiry is going to be incredibly important to parents, grandparents and those of us who have had an experience on social media that has left an imprint that should never be left in anyone’s life. “I hope that out of this, we can also look at exploring the efficacy of some of the tools that are already available, particularly for parents in terms of online safety. “The inquiry builds on worldleading legislation announced earlier this week to unmask anonymous online trolls.” Wicks said Australia has led the

world in regulating social media, establishing the world’s first dedicated online safety watchdog in 2015. “In June this year, the Morrison Government passed the tough new Online Safety Act which will give the eSafety Commissioner even stronger powers to direct the removal of online abuse,” she said. Morrison said the online world is changing every day. “As parents, and as communities, as families, it’s hard to keep up with it,” he said. “And it’s hard to have

confidence that you can be safe online. “It’s important for young people. “It’s important, particularly, for women, who are some of the most targeted for attacks and abuse. “But it doesn’t stop there. “It affects all people right across the community.” Morrison said Wicks had a passion for the need for people to be safe online, particularly women and children, and for ensuring the proper

protections are in place. Minister for Communications, Paul Fletcher, who was also at the announcement, said the internet is a wonderful educational,scientific,economic, cultural and social resource but it has to be safe. “As a parent and a former executive in the telecommunications sector, Lucy brings a lot of highly relevant experience,” he said. Source: Media release, Dec 1 Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks

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$2,000 boost for Operation Christmas Hamper Inlife Turning Point Foundation’s Operation Christmas Hamper has received $2,000 in the latest round of Greater Bank’s community funding program. The West Gosford based charity took out the major public vote grant for November, with runners up Faith In Action Ministries and Wyong Musical Theatre Company each receiving $500. Operation Christmas Hamper founder, Sandra Piefke, said Inlife Turning Point Foundation performs a vital role in ensuring people don’t miss out. “We aim to put food on the tables of the most disadvantaged over Christmas when welfare agencies are closed,” she said. “A great many Coast families won’t have Christmas unless we help. “Since 2003, Operation Christmas Hamper has been

Volunteer Rachel Stewart helps sort donations

providing hampers and toys to Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul, Coast Shelter, neighbourhood centres, the area health service, foster care, emergency accommodation and those alone in nursing homes and

retirement villages. “We provided Central Coast community agencies and groups with more than 3,000 hampers, over 1,000 toys and 300 seniors’ hampers yearly until 2020 when, due to COVID restrictions, we provided ‘food

only’ gift cards instead of hampers along with toys. “We are reliant on our partners and the community for funding support and donations of goods and food items.

“This contribution from Greater Bank is very welcome, especially considering the impact of COVID on our ability to raise funds and on the livelihoods of local families.” Greater Bank’s Central Coast Regional Sales Manager, Josh

Swetnam, said no-one should do it tough at Christmas. “A significant portion of the community would go without the things many of us take for granted but for the great work of organisations like Inlife Turning Point Foundation,” he said. “We are delighted to be able to help them continue their mission to make Christmas a little brighter for Central Coast families in need.” The December round of the #GreaterCentralCoast community funding program is now open, with River Cares Inc, Her Cave Incorporated and Tuggerah Lakes Junior Training Band competing for a share of $3,000 in monthly funding. The public can cast their vote online at greater.com.au/ greatercentralcoast before 5pm on December 22. Source: Media release, Dec 1 Greater Bank

Picnic this weekend to ‘save Peat Island’ Community groups are stepping up their campaign to save the Peat Island precinct from housing development and will hold a Save Peat Island Picnic this Sunday, December 12, at 12:30pm. The Central Coast Community Environment Network (CEN), the Dyarubbin Peat Island Association (DPIA) and the communities of the Lower Hawkesbury River are concerned that Property and Development NSW – the development arm of the NSW Government – has put forward a proposal to rezone the island and adjacent foreshore land for private housing, a tourist hotel and a retail precinct. “CEN has now written to

every NSW parliamentarian to ask them to consider a Better Vision for the Peat Island Lands as we believe the current proposal to rezone the land to build at least 267 residences is a lost opportunity,” CEN Chair, Gary Chestnut, said. “We need as many people as possible to tell the State Government that their proposal is not good enough for these lands which have immense Indigenous cultural significance, heritage value and ecological importance.” Chestnut said Sunday’s picnic will celebrate the landscape annd its cultural significance and give everyone who attends the opportunity to make a submission opposing the current planning proposal. “The planning proposal

currently on exhibition fails to see the compelling potential of this landscape,” DPIA spokesperson, Tracey Howie, said. “This part of the Lower Hawkesbury could be turned into a cultural, environmental

and community asset with the potential to attract tourists from around Australia and the world. “It is only a few years ago that UNESCO visited with the aim of giving it World Heritage listing.

“The NSW Government has had multiple attempts at getting its proposal for the future of the Peat Island Lands right and the best they can come up with is three-storey flat buildings and a tourist hotel. “Ancient carvings on this site tell stories of the First Nations’ creator beings; the buildings on the island that were home to generations of the community’s most vulnerable must be respected and the foreshore land simply is not suitable for housing. “We are calling for a better vision for the Lower Hawkesbury – we will fight to make sure this land remains in public hands and is planned in keeping with its cultural, heritage, ecological and scenic

significance.” The picnic will be held in the grounds of the Peat Island Chapel, accessible from the Old Pacific Hwy at Mooney Mooney. It will include a traditional Smoking Ceremony, Welcome to Country, Didje performance, speeches and a mass submission-writing session. People are invited to bring their own picnic lunch to the COVID-safe, family-friendly event. For more information visit https://cen.org.au/peatisland-lands. Source: Media release, Dec 9 Central Coast Community Environment Network andDyarubbin Peat Island Association

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$105,000 boost for arts and culture Four organisations on the Central Coast will share more than $105,000 in funding for arts and culture projects.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, with Niamh Watson

The Elegy EP by NEAV, Pianos for the People, Central Coast Writes and Naughty Noodle Fund Haus 2022 program will each receive funding through Round 1 of Create NSW’s 2021/22 Arts & Cultural Funding Program. Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, welcomed the funding, which he said would benefit the region’s audiences, artists and creatives. “Many throughout our region are champing at the bit to return to experiencing and engaging

with our local galleries, theatres and festivals,” Crouch said. “I can’t wait to see our community’s projects and programs come to life.” The Elegy EP project will receive $19,654 to deliver a collection of original contemporary songs and music videos, performed by Central Coast artist NEAV (Niamh Watson), which will be accessed via music and video streaming services. Watson said she was absolutely thrilled to be receiving the funding. “Making and releasing high quality music and associated music videos can be financially challengingforyoungindependent artists like myself,” she said.

“This support will help me to finalise and release my first EP, marking a major milestone in my music career.” Naughty Noodle Fun Haus will use its $50,000 grant to deliver creative programs across the region with a strong focus on LGBTQ+ practitioners. Yantra de Vilder’s Pianos for the People project will reactivate public spaces by providing upcycled pianos and free community concerts with a $19,000 grant and community writing project Central Coast Writes will offer a program of creative nonfiction workshops at local libraries for senior residents with its $16,560 funding. Minister for the Arts, Don Harwin,

said 2021 was a difficult year and there was a strong sense of anticipation from audiences. “The NSW Government is proud to be investing in a record 198 programs through this funding round which will create jobs for over 17,000 arts and cultural workers,” Harwin said. “Not only does it boost jobs and the economy, it will support audiences to be welcomed back to arts and cultural spaces, and we anticipate that over 10 million people will be entertained by the programming this funding will make possible.” Source: Media release, Dec 6 Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch

Crown land handover to go ahead without Councillors A State Government program to transfer crown land on the Central Coast to either Council or the Darkinjung Aboriginal Land Council will continue. The State Department of Planning, Industry and Environment has confirmed it will be recommencing negotiations after the program was put on

hold in 2019. “Earlier this month we announced our first land transfer agreement in Orange, with 86 hectares of land transferred to Orange Aboriginal Land Council and 312 hectares transferred to Orange City Council,” a spokesperson said. “We will work to finalise negotiations on the remainder of the program pilot sites including:

Central Coast, Randwick, Tamworth, Northern Beaches, Blayney, Cabonne, and with Nungaroo Local Aboriginal Land Council (Quirindi).” Suspended Councillor Jane Smith, explained Council’s participationintheComprehensive Crown Land Negotiation Program in her submission to the Public Inquiry into the causes of Council’s financial debacle.

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“The purpose of the Program is to ensure that NSW Crown Land is held by the most appropriate landholder (State, local council, or local Aboriginal Land Council) to achieve the most positive social, economic, cultural and environmental benefits for the people of NSW,” Smith said in her submission. “In the Central Coast local government area, the Program involves voluntary, multi-party negotiations between the NSW Government, Central Coast Council, Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council and the NSW Aboriginal Land Council. “The program covers all land within the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council area, which is also within the Central Coast local government area.” Smith said there were more than 1,400 parcels of Crown land within the negotiation area.

Council’s resolution on July 9, 2018, included that Council form a committee which would include one Councillor from each ward, to receive reports and information on Council’s participation. Smith said the committee met on at least 10 occasions between July 2018 and August 2019. “My observations were that the Crown Land Negotiation Program was a significant strain on Council resources over the 15 month period and involved at least two legal staff working a significant proportion of their time on the process and at least one senior staff member directly involved in the program, and others involved at different times,” she said. Staff were drawn from all sections of Council to provide detailed information (including site visits) on individual parcels of Crown land and a significant amount of detailed work was

done on mapping. In November 2019, Council received correspondence from the NSW Deputy Secretary, Crown lands, to advise that an evaluation of the process around the State was being undertaken and all activities negotiations were put on hold. The DPIE this week said the program was reviewed and it was well underway in implementing its recommendations. The review said the long-term unresolved claims were not in the interestsofthegeneralcommunity or more specifically of the local Aboriginal community. “The objectives and purpose of the ALRA (Aboriginal Land Rights Act) need to be addressed in an effective way and this style of program can achieve that outcome,” the review said. It recommended that the principles and application of the program be implemented across the remainder of NSW and be given an appropriate nomenclature, possibly the Land Justice Program. It suggested that the program did not need to be tri-partite at all times and negotiations between, for example, a LALC and Crown lands could be part of the overall program while progress was not linked to any other parts of the program being conducted in that LGA. “One lesson from the pilot program that has been repeatedly demonstrated is that significant time and resources were expended in identifying the land parcels that could form the basis of the first and subsequent phases of the negotiations,” the review said. It recommended that each LALC develop a list of their top priority claims, up to a maximum of 20, in adescendingorderofsignificance. Merilyn Vale

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he doesn’t support the PEP 11 gas exploration licence off Hunter coast Source: Newcastle Herald, March 4 2021

Lucy Wicks and the Morrison Government are saying NO to PEP-11. The Morrison Government will continue leading the world and our region in how we manage our ocean habitats and coastal environments. That’s why we are saying no to PEP-11. We have heard from our community and we are responding. We are also committing to a $100 million initiative to protect our oceans and marine life, support Australian Marine Parks and expand the Indigenous Protected Areas into Sea Country. Australia’s oceans economy supports 400,000 jobs across Australia and is projected to contribute $100 billion each year to our economy.

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Residents say Council is fixing the wrong potholes

Two Killcare Heights residents have accused Central Coast Council of wasting taxpayers’ money fixing sections of the Scenic Rd at Macmasters Beach which are not in need of repair, while one section riddled with potholes goes unattended. Bruce Gregory has been in regular contact with Council over a section of the road, between Ocean Dr and Cripps Cl, which he says is full of deep potholes, presenting a huge danger to motorists. “I contacted Council in October informing of the huge potholes on this section of road and they were speedy in coming out to fix them,” Gregory said. “But with the next rain, the potholes reappeared. “My wife recently suffered severe whiplash as I swerved to avoid the potholes. “This section has been in need of repair for years.” Gregory said Council had recently been active in repairing a section of the road between

Patanga St and Abundance St, Kincumber, which was not in need of repair. “The surface of the road was excellent prior to this work being done,” he said. “Residents do not appreciate Council, their employees or contractors wasting our rates on unnecessary projects like this. “I can’t comprehend why they would fix a part of the road which doesn’t need work and not attend to a section that really needs it. “And here we are having to pay more rates.” For Gregory and his neighbour Carole Webb, The Scenic Rd is the major route between their Killcare Heights homes and Kincumber shopping centre and they use it regularly. Webb said the road was getting “more and more dangerous”. “With the dappling of the sun through the trees you can’t see what is shadow and what is a pothole and before you know it you are having to swerve to avoid a large crater,” she said.

Bruce Gregory and Carole Webb at the corner of The Scenic Rd and Ocean Dr, Macmasters Beach

“If you slow down people get cranky, especially in peak times. “Having a lot of frustrated drivers becomes dangerous.” A Council spokesperson said the safety of residents is of “highest priority”. “This includes reducing the risks to the community posed by potholes in the travel lanes of the road pavement,” the spokesperson said. “Council uses a variety of industry standard techniques

to repair potholes and minor road failures in the roadway, repairs over 30,000 potholes annually and also has a comprehensive road program. “In relation to the renewal of The Scenic Rd, Macmasters Beach, Council identifies renewal works, such as resurfacing, based on best practice pavement management which involves the optimised application of a range of road treatments depending on road condition, road classification, traffic

volumes, treatment history and maintenance costs. “Treatments are triggered at different stages of the road’s lifecycle to ensure the cost effectiveness of the treatment; to minimise ongoing maintenance expenditure; and to limit road user costs (crashes, delays and road closures). “Projects are then developed and considered for an allocation of funding, based on the highest priority as identified within the pavement management system. “Residents can view the road, drainage and pathway capital works projects being undertaken this financial year by visiting Council’s interactive map at www.centralcoast.nsw. gov.au/residents/roads-andwater/road-and-drainagecapital-works-program. “Additionally, Council’s Infrastructure Assessment and Road Maintenance staff routinely inspect the pavement and road related areas with any defects identified scheduled for maintenance repairs in

accordance with our current service levels and on a priority risk basis. “Road defects, especially potholes, are often underreported to Council on the assumption that another resident has already lodged the road defect, or they will be picked up by Council crews during routine inspections – however, that road may not be due for an inspection at that time or has not been reported by another community member already. “It is strongly encouraged that residents report any road defects, including potholes, to Council by contacting the Customer Service Centre on 1300 463 954 or by utilising the Customer Service online portal at www.centralcoast. nsw.gov.au/council/contact/ online-services.” Despite these assurances, Gregory said he had been informed no work on the section of The Scenic Rd in question has been scheduled in the foreseeable future. Terry Collins

Sportfish to swarm Terrigal Terrigal is one of 34 sites along the eastern coast of NSW to have had a Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) deployed by the State Government ahead of summer’s peak fishing season. Minister for Agriculture, Adam Marshall, said FADs are GPStracked floating buoys anchored to the ocean floor to attract key pelagic fish species. “Like flies to honey, sparkling sportfish swarm beneath these FADs,” Marshall said. “Thirty-four of the devices are now floating … between

the Tweed and far south coast. “FADs really are a fisher’s best friend. “They work by attracting and aggregating fish such as mahimahi in their general location, which works to create new fishing opportunities and eases pressure on existing hotspots. “Right now is the perfect time to deploy these devices. “With the start of the East Australian Current, tongues of warm blue water are pushing down the coastline, which should bring schools of hungry pelagic sportfish with them.” Marshall said the NSW

Department of Primary Industries (DPI) FAD program looks at ways to provide more fishing opportunities each year. “Expectations are this will be the biggest and best season yet,” he said. “FADs deployment is funded through the Recreational Fishing Trust, where fishers pay their licence fees each year, which in turn are reinvested into initiatives like this. “NSW is home to one million annual recreational fishers and the industry contributes $3.4B in economic activity each year,

so it is critical we continue to invest.” The FADs will remain in the water until early winter before being removed for maintenance. Recreational fishers are encouraged to check the latest marine weather forecast before heading offshore. Fishers can keep up-to-date on FAD deployments, locations and responsible fishing tips on the FishSmart app or via the NSW DPI website. Source: Media release, Dec 1 NSW Government

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Christmas lunch for 750 One Direct Connect (Meals on Wheels Central Coast) will once again spread Christmas cheer by gifting a Christmas meal to all its clients. CEO Dennis Taylor said Christmas time can be hard for a lot of people, both socially and financially. “This gift of a meal will assist those who would not otherwise have been able to enjoy a special Christmas dinner this year,” he said. “Our wonderful volunteers also perform wellness checks at every meal delivery, and our clients will be reassured that they are thought of and cared for around Christmas time.”

Client service officer Lyn Ferris prepares meals for delivery

The Christmas roast turkey meals will be delivered to over 750 Meals on Wheels Central Coast clients during the weeks leading up to Christmas. Clients will be able to enjoy the meal when they choose or place it in the freezer for easy reheating come Christmas Day. Meals on Wheels Central Coast currently delivers more than 15,000 meals to the elderly and people with disability every month. For more information on Meals on Wheels Central Coast, contact 4357 8444 or admin@ccmow.com.au Source: Media release, Dec 6 Central Coast Meals on Wheels

Dominic graduates from Kapooka training As the Army Recruit Training Centre at Kapooka celebrated its 70th anniversary, a graduation parade for 60 of Australia’s newest soldiers was held on November 12. One of them was Private Dominic Burke of Narara, who is on his way to becoming a Royal Australian Corps of Transport soldier. “Ever since I can remember I have wanted to join the services,” Burke, 23, said. “As a little boy I was fascinated by the army and that built as I was growing up. “Enlisting is a move I

contemplated for a long time and when a job came up as a specialist driver I joined up.” Burke said the job involved a lot of moving goods and personnel and off-road exercises, with the possibility of overseas postings very real. “I’m excited at the thought of that,” he said. “I am the first in my family to join the armed services and I think my parents are pretty proud.” Burke’s 80-day training at Kapooka involved learning basic soldiering skills such as fieldcraft, navigation and communication.

He has now moved on to employment training where he will learn everything to do with vehicles and driving before embarking on his specialist driver course in February next year. “After that I will get posted to a unit and that could take me anywhere in Australia,” he said. “That thought is also exciting.” A Coastie born and bred, Burke attended Our Lady of the Rosary, Gosford Public School and Narara Valley High School. “My friends are all pretty upset I’ll be leaving the area but they’ve been very supportive,”

he said. Around 350,000 Australians have now passed through the training centre. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, Andrew Gee, said the quality of our soldiers and the international regard in which they are held was testament to the training received at Kapooka. “The standards of training, mentoring and leadership shown by the staff at Kapooka over the last 70 years has ensured our nation has been protected by soldiers of the highest calibre,” Gee said.

“Generations of graduate soldiers from Kapooka have proven their worth in every conflict and emergency the nation has faced since the Korean War. “The ‘home of the soldier’ is a uniquely Australian asset that contributes to both our national security and our national character, through the standards and loyalty instilled into every recruit.” Soldier training at Kapooka includes fitness, weapons handling, combat skills, first aid, teamwork and selforganisation skills. Terry Collins

Private Dominic Burke

Stadium, childcare and beach facilities to be upgraded Three community venues on the Central Coast will share more than $1.5M in funding through the latest wave of the State Government’s Stronger Country Communities program. Niagara Park Stadium will receive $850,000 to upgrade its accessible pathway,

driveway and entrance to ensure ease of access for all, including people with a disability or mobility aids and parents or carers with prams. Kariong Childcare will install an inclusive and accessible playspace with its $165,000 grant and funding of $500,000 will pay for a new amenities block at Wamberal Beach.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said projects like these built upon the NSW Government’s vision to help make regional NSW the best place to live, work and play. “This builds on over $10M this fund has already delivered for projects stretching from one end of the Central Coast to the

other, including an outdoor water park at the Peninsula Leisure Centre, upgrade to amenities at Adelaide Street Oval and a new community play space at Sun Valley Park,” Crouch said. Central Coast Council Administrator Rik Hart said the funding would help in continuing to deliver facilities for the community.

“Support from the Stronger Country Communities Fund will help Central Coast Council continue to enhance the facilities which provide opportunities for connection between Central Coast community members of all abilities, ages and stages,” Hart said. “Ensuring our community has access to functional, accessible

facilities which help to enhance quality of life, encourage active lifestyles and foster a sense of wellbeing The Stronger Country Communities Fund is part of the $2B Regional Growth Fund. Source: Media release, Dec 7 Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch

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FREE 2022 DIARIES AVAILABLE TO CENTRAL COAST SENIORS

Seniors living across the Central Coast can now claim a free diary that alerts them of the latest scams, elder abuse, funeral information and pensions. Demand is always high for the Legal Topics for Older People diary, which will be distributed from my electorate office, in Terrigal, from today. Legal Aid NSW produces this informative and easy-to-read diary each year to help demystify legal issues that are of special interest to older people. This handy diary brings together important phone numbers and information about everything from helping your family financially, to updating a will and understanding your rights when moving into a retirement village. You’ll also find tips to help you get the most from life, with information about Seniors Cards and allowances for which you may be eligible. Seniors can pop in anytime to collect a 2022 Diary or you can contact my electorate office on 02 4365 1906 or Terrigal@parliament.nsw.gov.au, to reserve a copy.

Adam CROUCH mp Member for Terrigal

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

terrigal@parliament.nsw.gov.au adamcrouchmp adamcrouchmp

PAGE 14 10 DECEMBER 2021

NEWS

The Labor Party’s Powering Australia Plan, released last week, aims to create jobs, keep power prices low for families and boost the renewable energy sector, with regions like the Central Coast the big winners, says Member for Dobell, Emma McBride. McBride said the plan will reduce power bills for families and businesses on the Coast by up to $275 per year and create 600,000 jobs nationwide, while reducing emissions by 43 per cent by 2030. “This is a plan that’s good for businesses, it’s good for families, it’s good for our environment, and it’s good for the economy,” she said. “Businesses on the Coast have

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Local MP backs powering Australia plan been struggling for nearly a decade because of the uncertainty around energy policy. “Coasties deserve to know what their future holds; they deserve to have new job opportunities and they deserve cheaper low-emissions technology. “Every major economy in the world is moving toward renewables, so we need to seize this opportunity and invest in our renewable energy sector.” The Plan, which Labor Leader Anthony Albanese has delivered as one of his major commitments ahead of a Federal election early next year, has been praised by the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) which has welcomed the news that a Labor

Government will commit to a net zero Australian Public Service (APS) by 2030. CPSU National Secretary, Melissa Donnelly, said the public service is one of the 50 biggest emitters in the nation and taking action to get to net zero by 2030 makes a material difference to meeting national goals and

international obligations. “The next parliament must show leadership on climate change and, as a major employer, the Federal Government can do that by setting the standard for best practice in net zero operational emissions,” she said. “The solutions already exist; it is possible to achieve net zero by

using existing technology and emissions-reductions solutions.” Despite some criticisms that the Plan doesn’t go far enough, Albanese said it would prioritise growth and investment for the regions, with five out of every six new jobs to be created there. Major commitments in the Plan include: upgrading the electricity grid to fix energy transmission and drive down power prices; making electric vehicles cheaper with an electric car discount and Australia’s first National Electric Vehicle Strategy; allocating up to $3B from Labor’s National Reconstruction Fund to invest in green metals (steel, alumina and aluminium); clean energy component manufacturing; hydrogen electrolysers and fuel switching; agricultural methane reduction and waste reduction;

providing financial support for measures that improve energy efficiency within existing industries and developing new industries in regional Australia through a new Powering the Regions Fund; rolling out 85 solar banks around Australia to ensure more households can benefit from rooftop solar; installing 400 community batteries across the country; investing in 10,000 New Energy Apprentices and a New Energy Skills Program; and working with large businesses to provide greater transparency on their climate related risks and opportunities. The Plan would also see the restoration of the Climate Change Authority. Terry Collins

Wetland owner may need to pay for weed removal Central Coast Council will consider approaching the owner of a privately-owned section of the Springfield wetland for reimbursement after it has used State Government funds to clear the waterway of a weed infestation.

Glenys Ray at the Springfield wetland

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, announced recently that the remaining $56,000 of a $125,000 State Government investment would be used to remove salvinia molesta and other invasive aquatic weeds

from the private section, with the owner having ignored repeated requests to address the situation. Council confirmed at its meeting of November 23 that it would undertake the weed clearing on the private section after using $69,000 of the government money clearing the publicly owned section in recent years. Administrator, Rik Hart, said treating the private portion of the pond will reduce the risk of the weeds re-invading the public section.

“We have made important progress in restoring the natural beauty of the wetland over the past two years,” he said. “I look forward to seeing this good work continue across the rest of Springfield Pond. “The pond and its surrounding wetland are part of a rich ecosystem of birds, wildlife and aquatic animals. “We want to protect it for our environment and our community alike.” Hart said Council will work in collaboration with the

landowner and following the completion of works will prepare a further report including the nature of work done, expenditure, and consideration of the appropriateness of charging a prescribed fee to the landowner. Followers of Springfield Wetland (FSW) group spokesperson, Glenys Ray, has welcomed the move, but is concerned about how ongoing maintenance will be funded once the wetland is cleared. Terry Collins

National parks cycling strategy on exhibition A new draft cycling strategy put forward by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) with a view to establishing bike trails in some parks has been applauded by Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, and has even been cautiously welcomed by Community Environment Chair, Gary Chestnut. Crouch said the strategy is a “fantastic opportunity to continue to expand locations within

our region”. “With organisations like Central Coast Mountain Bike Club already successfully using areas of the Ourimbah State Forest, this review could identify additional areas of national parks across the Central Coast to be used by local mountain bike riders and visitors alike,” he said. Environment Minister, Matt Kean, said with more and more people taking to two wheels and with investment in NPWS visitor infrastructure at record levels, the national parks network is set to

become a must-do destination for riders of all ages. “We are in the middle of a bike boom and there is now no better place to jump on two wheels than in our national parks; it’s a great way to experience and see our natural biodiversity first hand,” Kean said. “But the key is to make sure it’s sustainable and sensitive to the environment, we don’t want to see damage to our precious biodiversity and cultural heritage. “Cyclists love the great outdoors and we want to work with them

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to incorporate their ideas on how to ‘tread’ lightly and move forward with this strategy.” The NPWS is asking for feedback on the new cycling strategy, which outlines how to balance the demand for a variety of cycling experiences with a responsibility to protect national parks’ natural and cultural values. “Not all cycling activities will be appropriate in all national parks; unauthorised tracks in parks can be dangerous and this draft strategy looks at how to manage illegal tracks to prevent further ecological or cultural damage,” a NPWS spokesperson said. Community Environment Network (CEN) Chair, Gary Chestnut, said while he was “originally alarmed”at the thought of bike trails within national parks, he was surprised to find the plan had positive aspects. With 36 illegal bike trails having been discovered in Coastal Open Space System (COSS) lands on the Coast recently, Chestnut said CEN had concerns regarding risks to users and to Central Coast Council’s public liability, the loss of biodiversity and the threat to

Aboriginal heritage created by unsanctioned trails. The NPWS plan, he said, was a “rational document” which looks to identify where tracks are appropriate and where they are not. “I recognise that Council and the NPWS have to work with the mountain bike community to justify and rationalise legitimate trails,” he said. “It’s very important that they also liaise with the community at large to make sure any trails are located in very specific locations where the soil and terrain can cater for them while preserving flora and fauna.” Chestnut said some of the positives in the plan included the possibility of combined trails, trails specifically for mountain bikes and adequate signage to warn bushwalkers. He also welcomed a suggestion in the plan that banning bikes fitted with night lights should be considered. “A lot of our flora and fauna are nocturnal and night riding needs to be addressed,” he said. “We must remember that

national parks were created primarily to protect our flora and fauna and were not meant for active recreational use but purpose-built trails and fire trails could be appropriate for mountain bike use. “The plan could be a good thing provided the community has a say in what happens in their local national park and I encourage everyone to take a close look at it.” NPWS is calling on cyclists, mountain biking associations and other interest groups to help shape the strategy and invites submissions before January 30, 2022. Community consultation sessions will also be run with key stakeholders over the coming weeks. To read the draft strategy and to make a submission go to https:// www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ topics/parks-reserves-andprotected-areas/parkmanagement/communityengagement/ cycling-strategy-and-cyclingpolicy. Terry Collins

New recruits join local police districts Eight new Probationary Constables began their careers on the Central Coast on December 6, following their attestation at the Goulburn Police Academy. Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, was on hand to welcome the new constables, five of whom will be assigned to Brisbane Water Police District, with the other three being deployed to Tuggerah Lakes Police District. “Joining the NSW Police Force is a great honour and I commend these eight new Probationary Constables for choosing to put the safety of others ahead of their own,” Crouch said. Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott, welcomed the new

recruits, noting they were joining a well-equipped, versatile and modern police force. “The NSW Government has committed to invest $583M to introduce 1,500 extra police over four years to enhance community safety across NSW and is investing $60M over four years to upgrade the Police Academy at Goulburn,” he said. Class 350 included 163 men and 55 women. A total of 26 recruits were born overseas in countries including Afghanistan, Colombia, Greece, Hong Kong, Iraq, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica and Solomon Islands. Source: Media release, Dec 6 Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch

Do the best for the many A recent article noted that the Council was considering the development (at taxpayer expense) of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. There are numerous reasons why that is a wrong thing to do. Does the Council run petrol stations? No. So why would they get into the business of charging stations? If EV owners chose to have one, there are several options for recharging their vehicles. But first a brief tutorial on EV charging. The cars have onboard inverters to change alternating mains current (AC) to direct Current (DC) which the batteries can use. The inverter allows the car to be plugged in to a simple charging receptacle at home outdoors (for safety per GM) during overnight slow charging. An alternative, typically for an apartment house, is a shared

FORUM multi-vehicle charging network; still slow. Commercial “public” charging stations akin to petrol pumps use large inverters which bypass the vehicle system to supply high ampere DC to the vehicle thus decreasing the charging time. Those station inverters cost $50,000 each plus installation, probably not a good use of tax money. As for the up to seven different vehicle plug configurations which a charging station needs to address; well we won’t go there. The business of government is to do the best for the many with public funds and to stay out of commercial ventures. If entrepreneurs see an opportunity to “make a buck” that is their business but certainly not the Council’s. Email, Dec 6 T. Bard, Tascott

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ON THE BEAT & FORUM PAGE 15 10 DECEMBER 2021

Loaded question offers ‘binary choice’ Central Coast Council’s latest on-line survey is little more than spin and propaganda in support of further rate hikes, rather than an objective attempt to ascertain community feedback (“Administrator steps up campaign to extend rate rise”, CCN Issue 320). The survey is blatantly biased. It is the sort of thing Vladimir Putin might come up with when seeking popular support for something in Russia. The centre piece is a loaded question offering respondents a binary choice between further rate hikes or further service cuts. No other options are offered, such as reducing the costs of bureaucracy, or improving productivity or efficiency. The survey is riddled with spin and misleading information. In one place it actually states:

FORUM “The money (from past overspending) was not lost rather it was spent on infrastructure such as roads and a range of services that directly benefited the community.” In fact, most of the money wasn’t spent on infrastructure at all but on salaries and other perks within the bureaucracy. This is clear from the Administrator’s 30-day report which showed that between 2017 and 2020, employee numbers increased 13 per cent but employee costs (salaries and other benefits) increased two and a half times faster at 33 per cent. The survey also claims “Council has done everything they can behind the scenes to reduce costs without largely impacting on the services to the community.” The first part of that is

mere assertion. The second part is inaccurate because services have been extensively cut – for example over 50 service cuts were announced at just one Council meeting alone in March this year. Bombarding respondents with one-sided arguments and misleading information before asking their opinions is a dishonourable survey methodology.

The results will have no credibility. In fact,the biased methodology will tell us far more than the results. Namely, that despite a new CEO, the Council’s underlying management culture – the root cause of its problems – still hasn’t changed. Email, Nov 29 Kevin Brooks, Kincumber

More concerned than ever PEP11 is looking more and more likely to get the go FORUM ahead with capital raising etc.

So much for full page ads saying the PM and Lucy Wicks are opposed. Minister, Keith Pitt, is more likely to give this the go ahead than the PM is likely to oppose

it and stop it once and for all. You cannot capture carbon until the well is void of gas/oil and maybe not even then. More concerned than ever. Email, Nov 29 Tony Farina, Kariong

Community awareness is key

I write on behalf of the Central Coast Prostate Cancer Support Group to thank the community for enabling our work this year. With many men and families in the local area impacted by prostate cancer, we assist newly diagnosed men and long-term survivors by proving

FORUM

friendship and support. We also proudly promote PCFA Specialist Nurses and their new Telenursing Services, which offer information and expert advice to those affected in our local area. Community awareness is key to overcoming prostate cancer.

Over the past 25 years we’ve successfully boosted survival rates from 73 per cent to 95 per cent, and we couldn’t have done it without your donations and support. Over the Christmas period, please consider making a donation to PCFA for men and families facing prostate cancer and remember that we are here

for you if you need us. To talk to a PCFA Specialist Nurse or join a support group, call 1800 22 00 99 or go to www.pcfa.org.au. Our best wishes to you and your loved ones for a healthy, safe and happy festive season. Email, December 1 John Daven, Central Coast Prostate Cancer Support Group

PAGE 16 10 DECEMBER 2021

FORUM

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Praising those who care for stroke patients How nice to read such a positive story about Gosford Hospital Stroke Unit in Community Coast News November 26, 2021. How proud we should be that the Hospital Stroke Unit has been recognised with Gold status by the World Stroke Organisation and now been upgraded to Platinum status. What an amazing achievement to have all their care and dedication recognised internationally!

FORUM In 2018 my nephew who lives in Victoria, at age 52, had a stroke. He survived but it took away a special part of his life, as he was a very talented singer and musician. After many months of physiotherapy, he regained most of his mobility, although still limited in some ways. However, it was devastating that his throat muscles and

voice were affected badly, and he can no longer sing. He sang with such passion and feeling, so sad that what he loved so much, was now lost. The care and dedication of all those many professionals who help stroke victims, wherever they may be, is to be very much appreciated. Congratulations to the Gosford Hospital Stroke Unit. Email, Dec 1 Jan Wulf, Wyoming

Exploring the facts I am surprised that after all the newspaper lines, sittime, public energy about PEP11 your paper still prints the untrue and bent facts. Senator O’Neill forgot to mention that the PEP11 exploration was first granted by a Labor government but we have learned to expect that approach. Vania Holt, a lawyer with a Dr. in front of her name who lives in coal-country Maitland, incorrectly stated “her recent vote against the anti-PEP11

FORUM legislation put forward by Zali Steggall” shame, shame. The motion Steggall put forward was to stop ordinary parliamentary procedure and to vote to override the role and duties of the Minister of Mines under the Mining Act. Then you published David Horsfall’s letter – “Entitled to an explanation” – yes he is, give him one, an accurate and truthful journalist’s article on PEP11.

Don’t forget to tell readers that their super funds hold shares in many mining companies with legal, valid exploration licenses, maybe even shares in one of the companies with an interest in this one! Also be sure to detail for readers that a push to avoid the legislation (and) override the laws written by parliament will likely lead to compensation, paid with their tax dollars. Email, Nov 29 Godfrey Franz, Gosford

Not at my beach In regards to Bruce Hyland’s letter (CCN319), I have to admit his opinions about the most unattractive, mismanaged and overdeveloped city in NSW had me enjoying his commentary until the very last two paragraphs, whereby he fell off a cliff.

FORUM Suggesting that the beaches of the Central Coast be overrun by the business lobby and developers to turn a tourist buck and turn the remaining neighbourhood and village beaches into gridlocks, like

Terrigal and South Avoca on most days, has a complete disregard or compassion for these communities. How about let them loose in your neighbourhood? Email, Nov 23 David Woods, Copacabana

Informed public debate Kudos to Coast Community News for printing my comment critical of the Council’s ‘No Jab, No Job’ policy. So certain was I that what would be construed as an ‘antivax’ viewpoint would not be published, I hadn’t bothered to check and it was only mention

FORUM of it in other comments (CCN320) that alerted me! As this issue is so central to the ongoing medical and economic health of Australia, national unity and cohesion will only be maintained if the expression of alternative

viewpoints is allowed and respected as part of an informed public debate. So well done CCN! - it is a shame that mainstream radio and TV does not share your enlightened attitude to informed public debate. Email, Nov 27 Richard Pryke, North Avoca

State should bid at auction I read with surprise and sadness the lead story of the Coast Community News on December 3. Ratepayers deserve the maximum return on the sales of its assets. The old Gosford Council building should be auctioned to the highest bidder so that Council’s debts can be paid off asap. If the State Government

5@5

FORUM wants to bid in a public auction, then it should. Any pre-auction negotiated price with the State should be public, not confidential, so that we can see if we are getting the best value. Transparency is essential for accountability. What is the most recent valuation of the site in this hot

property market? The State Liberal Government has been gutting NSW TAFEs of funds for years. Any injection of cash to reverse that attack on TAFEs should be directly from that government, not subsidised by Central Coast ratepayers through discounted sale prices of our assets. Email, Dec 3 Tony Fuary, Umina Beach

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OUT&ABOUT PAGE 17 10 DECEMBER 2021

From lockdown to Bob Downe Bob Downe is heading for Laycock St Community Theatre

Comedian Bob Downe will bring his high rolling cabaret Viva Bob Vegas! to the Laycock St Community Theatre in January. The star of cabaret, comedy,

television and theatre will emerge from Lock Downe to get Central Coast audiences laughing. Complete with a four-piece band and special guest Shauna Jensen, Viva Bob Vegas! will

provide crooner classics and wild comedy in a cabaret format. Bob Downe creator Mark Trevorrow has enjoyed a journey through Australian media and show business over

40 years which has taken him from the Melbourne Herald Sun to cabaret group The Globos, to being arts editor of Vogue Australia, to the creation of Bob Downe in 1984. Trevorrow has also appeared

on Good News Week, broadcast on ABC TV and local radio and acted in Kath & Kim. His work has taken him from Australia to Edinburgh, London and New York. Viva Bob Vegas! will play at

Mum of four to become an All Star Narara mother of four Aimy Myers has been cast in the Seven Two TV series, Adventure All Stars, in which she and 11 other cast members will compete in challenges in a mystery location, raising money for the Walk a While Foundation. Myers said that she will be raising money for the charity Walk a While Foundation, that provides IndigenousAustralians in remote communities with the tools and skills to relieve financial hardship by engaging in meaningful employment within their own communities. “I was contacted by Channel 7 to see if I was interested in applying, and I said yes and did it. “I looked through all the charities and found Walk a

While and I really loved what they stand for. “Pre-filming for the series starts in January 2022, and we’ll be filming for six weeks in a secret location competing in different challenges like kayaking and abseiling, and viewers vote for the winner, and money goes towards the cast member’s charity. “When I signed up, I didn’t really think it through as I am terrified of heights, but I am really excited to get out there and challenge myself for a good cause,” Myers said. Adventure All Stars will be screening in 2022 in 25 countries with an audience of around 100 million people. The show is being produced by the Australian production company, Charity TV Global, who combine entertainment,

adventure, and philanthropy. Myers said that she hasn’t met any other cast members yet but she will be meeting some in an upcoming zoom meeting with the cast and producers of the show. “The zoom meeting will be my chance to meet everyone, and I think it will be very exciting. “I think we will be away for six days which is a long time to be away from my kids. “My work has also given me annual leave to go and do it which is great. “I’m just really excited as it’s a chance to give back, and to have the opportunity to achieve something I have never done before,” Myers said. Adventure All Stars will be airing on Seven Two in 2022. Harry Mulholland

Aimy Myers

Laycock St Theatre on Sunday, January 23, at 3pm and 7pm on January 23. Tickets are available at https://www.bobdowne.com. Terry Collins

PAGE 18 10 DECEMBER 2021 OUT&ABOUT

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Vale Dorothy Roche, 93 The Central Coast bowls community lost one of its most decorated members when Dorothy Roche of Bateau Bay died on November 11 at the age of 93. A member of Bowls Australia’s Hall of Fame, Mrs Roche was one of the most decorated players in Australian bowls history, with multiple international accolades to her name. Australian cap number 27, she represented the green and gold between 1985 and 1993

The late Dorothy Roche

at several international events including World Championships, Commonwealth Games and Asia Pacific Games. A three-time World Champion (Melbourne 1985 fours, Auckland 1988 triples and fours) and skip of the 1990 Commonwealth Games gold medal fours line-up, Mrs Roche became Australia’s oldest gold medal winner with her success at the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games at the age of 61. A late-comer to the sport, Mrs Roche was nearly 50 before

taking up competitive bowls in 1975. Following on from her Commonwealth Games success in 1990 she was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to lawn bowls. Mrs Roche not only dominated at international level, but also enjoyed plenty of success nationally, state-wide in NSW and with her local clubs, first at Merrylands and more recently at Gosford. In 2015, she was inducted into the Bowls Australia Hall of Fame (1975-99

Athlete section). Son, John Roche, said his mother moved to Gosford in 2002 with husband Colin, joining Gosford City Bowling Club and winning club and district singles. Following the death of her husband Dorothy moved into a retirement village at Bateau Bay. Mrs Roche is survived by sons Paul, Glenn and John and five grandchildren. Source: Media release, Nov 22 John Roche

Conservatorium pays tribute to teacher and friend Central Coast Conservatorium is mourning the loss of one of its most popular teachers, following the death on November 1 of Leo Dellolio at the age of 74. Leo began his teaching career on the Central Coast in 1985 after moving to Ettalong where he first taught at the Central Coast Music Centre. The move followed his studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he attained a Bachelor of Arts (Music) and

studied Jazz with Don Burrows. Leo had funded his studies by playing in restaurants and teaching students. He joined the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music and became a leading member of the teaching community. He taught piano, accordion, musicianship, and theory. He led both the Junior and Senior Jazz Big Bands alongside colleague Don Andrews. Leo was a valued rehearsal accompanist for choirs, soloists

and many community concert groups including the Central Coast Philharmonia and the Gosford Musical Society. Leo’s mastery of repertoire spanned the classical and jazz greats, and he was equally at home playing Ludwig van Beethoven as Oscar Peterson. He was superb at improvisation and admired by colleagues as an accomplished musician and a wonderful, bighearted human being. “Leo made a great contribution to the Board as the teachers’ representative.

He was a true gentleman – always kind and attentive” former President of the Central Coast Conservatorium, Peter Brandon, said. The Conservatorium said Leo is missed by many and leaves behind a tremendous legacy and his beloved sons Paul and Andrew, an accomplished pianist in his own right, and grandchildren Jessica, Caitlyn, James and Angelina. Source: Media release, Nov 30 Central Coast Conservatorium

COASTAL DIARY

The late Leo Dellolio

A COMPREHENSIVE LISTING OF EVENTS OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS ON THE CENTRAL COAST FRIDAY, DEC 10 NAIDOC Day, Mingaletta Umina Beach, 10am Gosford North Inner Wheel Club: Special Christmas Handcraft Stall, Kincumber Village Shopping Centre, 8:30am - 4pm

SATURDAY, DEC 11

TUESDAY, DEC 14 Senate Public Hearing Into The Gp Crisis, Erina Leagues Club, open to public, 11am - 4pm

www.lovecentralcoast.com/ reimagine-festival

8 Russell Drysdale Street East Gosford, 15/01 - 8am - 4pm, 16/01 - 9am - 3pm, 0414 614 659

Sunnylake Shores: MONDAY, DEC 27 terrigalantiquevintagefair@gmail.com New Lakefront Homes Showcase, A-League Double Header: FRIDAY, JAN 21 2 Macleay Dr, Halekulani, FRIDAY, DEC 17 CCM v Wellington & W-League11am - 12pm Wellington FC v Newcastle Jets, 0458 018 332 Carols on the Coast- Presented Central Coast Stadium,

liveinsunnylakeshores.com.au Blues @ The Fun Haus, 5 Broken Bay Rd, Ettalong Beach, ticketed, 6:30pm Market Day - Last for 2021, Holy Trinity Anglican Church Terrigal, 8am - 1pm

Fixx events: Avoca Twilight Markets, Heazlett Park Foreshore, SUNDAY, DEC 12 5 - 9pm www.fixxevents.com.au

ReIMAGINE Festival, 21/12 - 22/01,

Central Coast Mariners v Sydney FC, Central Coast Stadium, ticketed, 6:15pm

by the Central Coast Mariners, ticketed, 3pm Central Coast Stadium, ticketed, 6pm FRIDAY, DEC 31

SATURDAY, DEC 18 Central Coast Mariners v WS Wanderers, Central Coast Stadium, ticketed, 5pm

CCM v Macarthur FC, Central Coast Stadium, ticketed, 6pm

SATURDAY, JAN 15

TUESDAY, DEC 21

Sydney Avenue entrance, Coastal Twist: Register to show off your HalloQween - Pink long or short board skills light dance party, and win prizes, 9am PCYC Umina Beach, 101 coastaltwist.org.au/event/ Osborne Ave Umina Beach, free-beach-day/ free - bookings required, 6pm - 10pm coastaltwist.org.au/event/halloqween/ SUNDAY, JAN 23

Coastal Twist: Free Coastal Twist: Bauhaus Coastal Twist: Outdoor Festival - Coastie Party Futurismo, Love Club - Rumpus Carnie Fair Day, Cabaret Dinner and Show, Naughty Noodle Fun, 5 Peninsula Recreation Naughty Noodle Fun Haus, Broken Bay Road, Ettalong Precinct, Umina Beach, Beach, ticketed, 6pm 5 Broken Bay Rd Ettalong Beach, ticketed, 6:30pm coastaltwist.org.au/event/dance/ register to show off your fur babies at the infamous coastaltwist.org.au/event/cabaret/ Puparazzi Pooch Parade and win prizes, 10am SATURDAY, JAN 22 coastaltwist.org.au/event/ coastie-carnie-fair-day/

DECEMBER ‘21 eats

JANUARY ‘22

drinks

activities

workshops

events

Join us in reimagining how we stay and play in our spaces and places and participate in an exciting program of activities for the whole family.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:

Terrigal Antique & Vintage Fair, Lions Community Hall -

Coastal Twist: Free Beach Day, Umina Beach at the

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.

WWW.COASTCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM.AU

OUT&ABOUT PAGE 19 10 DECEMBER 2021

Sara has written 1.2M words in 14 months Sara Powter of Kincumber little suspected that COVID-19 lockdowns would see her emerge as a prolific novelist – but that’s just what happened. It all began with three manuscripts which had been left to her by her late mother, Sheila Hunter, penned after family history research done by mother and daughter revealed four convict ancestors. “Mum had left the manuscripts of a trilogy she had written with me a year or so before she died in 2002,” Powter said. “I didn’t do much with them for some time – they just sat in my office for 10 years or so. “One day I decided to see

what I could do with them – they were in hard copy and the third one was hand-written, but I did a lot of work editing them and finishing uncompleted chapters and eventually ended up with a trilogy which I ended up publishing on Amazon.” The three books – Ricky, Mattie and The Heather to the Hawkesbury – were published in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively, weaving fact with fiction in colonial tales based on Hunter’s own ancestors, who progressed from their convict status to become some of the leading citizens of the Parramatta and Emu Plains areas. “I became so interested in the process of writing and my own

Sara Powter with some of the books

family history that when the first lockdown happened last year I decided to try my hand at writing some books of my own,” Powter said. Since then she has written eight books.

Two of them, Dancing to her own Tune (co written with her mother, who had written around 30,000 words and a synopsis for what would have been her fourth book) and Amelia’s Tears, serve as

prequels to her mother’s trilogy and the remaining six follow more of the family’s adventures in the early days of colonisation. “Over 200 years have passed since the first arrival of our family on this beautiful but rugged shore,” Powter said. “I will never regret that they came as convicts; I’m proud of that. “They were ripped from their loving families’ arms, never to return. “Most were sent for very petty crimes; it made them strong and resilient.” “The books are all in the Australian colonial genre – they’re not romances, more like a step back in time.

“I can’t believe I only really started writing in September last year and I have just finished my eighth book – that’s around 1.2 million words in 14 months. “When I started to write the words just flowed. “I love it but it is obsessive. “I sit down after breakfast with a thermos of coffee and start writing. “My husband can be out for three or four hours and I won’t even know he’s gone. “The next thing I know it’s dinner time.” All of Powter’s books are available on Amazon and are expected to be available in local bookstores next year. Terry Collins

Three composers chosen for end-of-year show

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST N OW O P E N ! #LOVETERRIGAL

Dan Russell on violin and Edward Neeman on piano

The Phoenix Collective, recent Arts ACT Critics’ Circle Music Award recipients, will present their final program of the year at Greenway Chapel on December 19. The program features chamber music for violin and piano and includes Eric Wolfgang Korngold’s quirky and not often performed Much ado about Nothing.

The work was orchestrated from full score to violin and piano in record time by the composer himself, so as to extend the run of a Shakspearian theatrical production in 1920, for which he also played the piano part. It will be followed by Mozart’s Sonata for violin and piano K304 in E minor. Some musicologists have thought this to hint at the death of his mother.

The final piece in the program will be Brahms’ much loved G major sonata, full of warmth, tenderness and reflection. The pieces will be performed by Phoenix Collective’s Artistic Director, Dan Russell, on violin and Edward Neeman on piano. The concert will be at 2:30pm on December 19 at Greenway Chapel, Green Point.

EVENT MANAGEMENT EOI

Central Coast Council is calling for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from an event management company to deliver two multicultural events leading up to the main event, Flavours by the Sea, hosted by Central Coast Council. An exciting opportunity to get creative and form part of this wonderful event! EOI closes Friday 10 December 2021

To receive the application and submit your EOI, email events@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

Source: Phoenix Collective

VENUE EOI

We are also looking for food businesses who would like to be part of our event program, which could include culturally themed nights or specials on the weekend of Flavours By The Sea! EOI closes Friday 17 December 2021 SCAN THE QR CODE FOR MORE INFO AND TO SUBMIT YOUR EOI

MAJOR SPONSOR

M E D I A PA R T N E R

WWW.COASTCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM.AU

ABC (C20/21)

Friday 10 December

6:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 1:00 1:30 2:00 3:00 4:15 5:10 6:00 7:00 7:30 8:30 10:05 10:35 11:00 11:15 11:55

Saturday 11 December

12:25 6:00 7:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 12:30 2:00 3:00 4:00 4:30 5:00

7:00 7:30 8:20 9:20 10:10 11:10

Sunday 12 December

12:00 6:00 7:00 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 1:00 1:30 2:30 3:30 4:30 5:00 5:30 6:00 7:00 7:40 8:40 9:40 10:40 11:30 12:05 2:00 4:00 5:00

PRIME (C61/60)

News Breakfast [s] 6:00 10:00 ABC News Mornings [s] Searching For Superhuman 11:00 The Pool (PG) [s] ABC News At Noon [s] Barrie Cassidy’s One Plus One (M) [s] 1:00 1:40 The Sound [s] Press (M l) [s] 3:40 ABC News Afternoons [s] 4:00 Think Tank (PG) [s] Grand Designs Australia (PG) 6:00 The Drum [s] 7:00 ABC News [s] Gardening Australia: Green Waste, Native Flowers And 11:00 Garden Design [s] Endeavour: Terminus (M) [s] Talking Heads: The Hand Of God (M) [s] ABC Late News [s] The Vaccine [s] Gruen [s] Preppers: The First Annual, Semi-Inaugural Eden 2 (M) [s] 2:00 rage (MA15+) [s] 6:00 rage (PG) [s] 7:00 Weekend Breakfast [s] 10:00 rage (PG) [s] rage Guest Programmer (PG) 11:00 ABC News At Noon [s] Endeavour: Terminus (PG) [s] Restoration Australia: 1:00 Nanima, NSW (PG) [s] 1:40 Australia’s Lost Impressionist [s] Dream Gardens: Balwyn (PG) 3:40 4:00 Landline [s] Basketball: WNBL: Round 2: 6:00 Adelaide Lightning v Perth 7:00 Lynx *Live* From The Lights Community And Sports Centre [s] ABC News [s] The Larkins (PG) [s] 9:10 Us (M l) [s] Total Control (MA15+) [s] Call The Midwife (M) [s] Father Brown: The Blood Of The Anarchists (M v) [s] 11:40 rage Guest Programmer (MA15+) [s] 12:30 6:00 rage (PG) [s] 7:00 Weekend Breakfast [s] 10:00 Compass [s] 11:00 Songs Of Praise [s] ABC News At Noon [s] Landline Summer [s] Heywire [s] 1:00 Gardening Australia [s] 1:40 Pilgrimage (PG) Magical Land Of Oz [s] Everyone’s A Critic (PG) [s] Art Works [s] 3:40 The Sound [s] 4:00 Antiques Roadshow [s] ABC News Sunday [s] Death In Paradise (PG) [s] Total Control (MA15+) [s] 6:00 Noughts + Crosses (M l) [s] Harrow: Ex Animo (M l,n,v) [s] 7:30 Talking Heads: The Hand Of God (M) [s] Silent Witness: To Brighton, To Brighton (Part 2) (M v) [s] 11:00 rage (MA15+) [s] Death In Paradise (M) [s] 1:30 Gardening Australia [s]

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

NINE (C81/80)

6:00 Sunrise [s] Cricket: Pre Game [s] 9:00 Cricket: The Ashes: Australia v 11:30 12:00 England: Test 1: Day 3: Session 1 *Live* From The Gabba [s] Cricket: The Lunch Break [s] Cricket: The Ashes: Session 2 1:45 2:00 *Live* From The Gabba [s] 3:00 Cricket: Tea Break [s] Cricket: The Ashes: Session 3 4:00 5:00 *Live* From The Gabba [s] 6:00 Seven News [s] Cricket: Big Bash League: 7:00 7:30 Melbourne Stars v Sydney Thunder *Live* From The MCG Movie: “Bad Times At The El 8:30 Royale” (MA15+) (’18) – Four strangers check in at the El Royale Hotel. The hotel is deserted, staffed by a single desk clerk. Some of the new 11:10 guests’ reasons for being there are less than innocent. Stars: Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo 1:30 Home Shopping Home Shopping [s] 7:00 10:00 Weekend Sunrise [s] 12:00 Cricket: Pre Game [s] Cricket: The Ashes: Australia v 12:30 1:00 England: Test 1: Day 4: Session 1 *Live* From The 1:30 Gabba [s] Cricket: The Lunch Break [s] Cricket: The Ashes: Session 2 3:30 *Live* From The Gabba [s] Cricket: Tea Break [s] Cricket: The Ashes: Session 3 4:30 5:00 *Live* From The Gabba [s] 5:30 Seven News [s] Movie: “Home Alone” (PG) 6:00 (’90) Stars: Macaulay Culkin, 7:00 Daniel Stern, Joe Pesci, Catherine O’Hara, John Heard, 7:30 Devin Ratray, Kieran Culkin Movie: “Home Alone 2: Lost In 9:00 New York” (PG) (’92) Stars: 10:45 Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O’Hara, John Heard Surveillance Oz (PG) [s] 12:30 Home Shopping 6:00 Home Shopping 7:00 Weekend Sunrise [s] 10:00 Cricket: Pre Game [s] Cricket: The Ashes: Australia v 11:00 11:30 England: Test 1: Day 5: 12:00 Session 1 *Live* From The 2:00 Gabba [s] 2:30 Cricket: The Lunch Break [s] Cricket: The Ashes: Australia v 4:00 5:00 England: Test 1: Day 5: 5:30 Session 2 *Live* From The 6:00 Gabba [s] 7:00 Cricket: Tea Break [s] Cricket: The Ashes: Australia v 8:00 England: Test 1: Day 5: 9:10 Session 3 *Live* From The Gabba [s] Seven News [s] Cricket: Big Bash League: Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Stars *Live* From Sydney Showground [s] 11:40 Movie: “Se7en” (MA15+) (’95) 12:10 Stars: Morgan Freeman, Andrew Kevin Walker 1:00 Home Shopping 1:30

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

Today [s] Today Extra (PG) [s] NINE’s Morning News [s] Movie: “A Christmas In Tennessee” (PG) (’18) Stars: Rachel Boston, Andrew W. Walker, Patricia Richardson Garden Gurus Moments [s] Pointless (PG) [s] Tipping Point (PG) [s] NINE’s Afternoon News [s] Millionaire Hot Seat [s] NINE News [s] A Current Affair (PG) [s] Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo: Lion Move (PG) [s] Movie: “Robin Hood” (M s,v) (’10) Stars: Cate Blanchett, Russell Crowe, Oscar Isaac, Mark Strong, William Hurt, Max von Sydow Movie: “In The Heart Of The Sea” (M v) (’15) Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Holland, Cillian Murphy Home Shopping Weekend Today [s] Today Extra - Saturday (PG) Cybershack (PG) [s] Destination WA [s] Bondi Lifeguard World Adventures (PG) [s] Movie: “Waiting For The Light” (PG) (’90) Stars: Teri Garr Christmas With Emma Dean Presented By Eat Well Magazine [s] The Garden Gurus [s] NINE News: First At Five [s] Country House Hunters Australia [s] NINE News Saturday [s] A Current Affair (PG) [s] Christmas With Delta Goodrem [s] Movie: “Four Holidays” (M s) (’08) Stars: Vince Vaughn Movie: “Just Like Heaven” (M) (’05) Stars: Reese Witherspoon, Mark Ruffalo Australia’s Top Ten Of Everything (PG) [s] Animal Tales (PG) [s] Weekend Today [s] Cows For Cambodia (PG) [s] The Xtreme CollXtion (PG) [s] Fishing Australia (PG) [s] The Coolangatta Gold 2021 Ultimate Rush (PG) [s] Snackmasters (PG) [s] Bondi Vet (PG) [s] NINE News: First At Five [s] RBT: Footy Regret (PG) [s] NINE News Sunday [s] 60 Minutes (PG) [s] David Attenborough’s A Perfect Planet: The Sun (PG) Movie: “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw” (M l,v) (’19) Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Idris Elba, Vanessa Kirby, Helen Mirren, Eiza González Gold Coast Cops (PG) [s] Chicago Med: Play By My Rules (M) [s] The Garden Gurus [s] Home Shopping

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

TEN (C10)

6:00 The Talk [s] 7:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 7:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 8:00 Studio 10 (PG) [s] 12:00 Dr Phil (M) [s] 1:00 Jamie & The Nonnas [s] 2:00 Entertainment Tonight [s] 2:30 Everyday Gourmet [s] 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 3:30 Freshly Picked [s] 4:00 Farm To Fork [s] 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] 7:30 The Living Room (PG) [s] 8:30 The Graham Norton Show (M) [s] 9:30 Rhys Darby: Big In Japan (MA15+) [s] 10:30 Just For Laughs (MA15+) [s] 11:00 The Project (PG) [s] 12:00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (PG) [s] 1:00 Home Shopping 6:00 Reel Action [s] 6:30 Religious Programs [s] 7:00 Healthy Homes Australia [s] 7:30 Escape Fishing With ET [s] 8:00 All 4 Adventure [s] 9:00 Jamie’s Easy Meals For Every Day [s] 9:30 Studio 10 Saturday (PG) [s] 12:00 Jamie - Easy Meals At Christmas [s] 1:00 Waltzing Jimeoin (PG) [s] 1:30 Roads Less Travelled [s] 2:00 Pat Callinan’s 4x4 Adventures [s] 3:00 All 4 Adventure [s] 4:00 Christmas With Australian Women’s Weekly (PG) [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 6:00 Bondi Rescue (PG) [s] 6:30 Territory Cops (PG) [s] 7:00 Football: Isuzu Ute A-League Men: Round 4: Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory *Live* From Coopers Stadium [s] 10:00 Ambulance UK (M d) [s] 12:30 Home Shopping 6:00 Religious Programs [s] 8:00 Good Chef Bad Chef [s] 8:30 Freshly Picked With Simon Toohey [s] 9:00 Australia By Design (PG) [s] 9:30 Studio 10 Sunday (PG) [s] 12:00 Luca’s Key Ingredient [s] 12:30 Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield [s] 1:00 Farm To Fork [s] 1:30 My Market Kitchen [s] 2:00 Jamie’s Easy Meals For Every Day [s] 2:30 Roads Less Travelled [s] 3:00 Pat Callinan’s 4x4 Adventures [s] 4:00 All 4 Adventure [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 6:30 The Sunday Project (PG) [s] 7:30 The Graham Norton Show (M) [s] 8:30 CSI: Vegas (M) [s] 9:30 FBI: Walk The Line (M) [s] 10:30 FBI: Leverage (M) [s] 11:30 The Sunday Project (PG) [s] 12:30 Home Shopping

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

SBS (C30)

5:00 5:15 5:30 1:00 2:10 3:15 3:45 4:15 5:05 5:30 6:00 6:30 7:30 8:30 9:25 10:20 10:50 12:00 3:55 5:00 5:15 5:30 1:00 2:10 5:40 6:30 7:30 8:30 9:25 10:20 11:15 1:30 4:10 5:00 5:15 5:30 1:00 3:00 3:30 4:00 5:00 5:05 5:35 6:30 7:35 8:30 10:30 11:20 12:15

France 24 Feature News NHK World English News Worldwatch PBS Newshour Royals At War (PG) Journey Through Armenia: Celebration Of Life (PG) (In English/ Armenian) The Cook Up With Adam Liaw (PG) The Wonderful World Of Chocolate Jeopardy! (PG) Letters And Numbers Mastermind SBS World News Inside Balmoral (PG) Empire With Michael Portillo: The British Empire (M) Dig World War II (PG) SBS World News Cornwall With Simon Reeve Hungry Ghosts (M) (In English/ Vietnamese) 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (M l,s) France 24 Feature News NHK World English News Worldwatch PBS Newshour Arabian Sands Nazi Megastructures: Japan’s Death Railway (PG) SBS World News Celebrity Letters And Numbers (M) The World’s Greatest Hotels: Claridge’s London (PG) Russia To Iran: Across The Wild Frontier (PG) (In English/ Russian) 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (M l,s) Movie: “The Girl Who Played With Fire” (MA15+) (’09) Stars: Daniel Craig (In Swedish) Movie: “The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest” (MA15+) (’09) Stars: Michael Nyqvist (In Swedish) 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (M l,n,s) France 24 Feature News NHK World English News Worldwatch Motor Sports: Shannons Motorsport Championship *Live* FIFA World Cup 2022 Magazine Figure Skating: ISU: Grand Prix Russia Cycling: Cape To Cape Lancefield Dreaming (PG) Going Places With Ernie Dingo (PG) Nazi Megastructures: Hitler’s Desert War (PG) SBS World News Big Ben - Restoring The World Famous Clock (PG) Muhammad Ali (M) Michael Palin: Travels Of A Lifetime (PG) 24 Hours In Emergency: Call Of Duty (M) Chasing The Moon: Earthrise (PG)

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

SOLID BATHROOMS Advert

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PAGE 20 10 DECEMBER 2021

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PRIME (C61/60)

12:05 1:00 1:30

Today [s] Today Extra Summer (PG) [s] NINE’s Morning News [s] Movie: “Felix NaviDAD” (PG) (’20) Stars: Mario Lopez, AnnaLynne McCord Making Of Ghostbusters Afterlife [s] Pointless (PG) [s] Tipping Point (PG) [s] NINE’s Afternoon News [s] Millionaire Hot Seat [s] NINE News [s] A Current Affair (PG) [s] Travel Guides: Mauritius (PG) The Weakest Link: Reality Special (M) [s] Kath & Kim: The Hideous Truth (PG) [s] Kath & Kim: Cactus Hour (PG) NINE News Late [s] Damian Lewis - Spy Wars: Exodus (M v) [s] Tipping Point (PG) [s] A Current Affair (PG) [s] Home Shopping

6:00 The Talk [s] 7:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 7:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 8:00 Studio 10 (PG) [s] 12:00 Dr Phil (M) [s] 1:00 The Dog House Australia (PG) [s] 2:00 Entertainment Tonight [s] 2:30 Everyday Gourmet [s] 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 3:30 Freshly Picked [s] 4:00 Farm To Fork [s] 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] 7:30 The Dog House Australia (PG) [s] 8:30 NCIS: Nearly Departed (M) [s] 9:30 NCIS: True Believer (M v) [s] 10:30 NCIS: Los Angeles: The Frogman’s Daughter (M v) [s] 11:30 The Project (PG) [s] 12:30 The Late Show (PG) [s] 1:30 Home Shopping

6:00 News Breakfast [s] 9:00 ABC News Mornings [s] 10:00 The Great Australian Bee Challenge [s] 11:05 The Heights (PG) [s] 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 1:00 Nolan (PG) [s] 2:00 Glitch (M l,v) [s] 3:00 ABC News Afternoons [s] 4:10 Think Tank (PG) [s] 5:10 Grand Designs (PG) [s] 6:00 The Drum [s] 7:00 ABC News [s] 7:30 7.30 [s] 8:00 Hard Quiz (PG) [s] 8:30 Gruen [s] 9:10 Preppers: Shangri-La 2 (M) [s] 9:40 QI: Potpourri (PG) [s] 10:10 Adam Hills: The Last Leg (M) 10:55 ABC Late News [s] 11:25 Universe With Brian Cox [s] 12:25 Father Brown (PG) [s] 1:10 Silent Witness (M) [s] 2:10 Adam Hills: The Last Leg (M) 2:50 rage (MA15+) [s] 4:25 The Drum [s]

1:00

Sunrise [s] 6:00 The Morning Show [s] 9:00 Seven Morning News [s] 11:30 Movie: “Mistletoe & Menorahs” 12:00 (AKA ‘A Merry Holiday’) (PG) (’19) Stars: Kelley Jakle World’s Deadliest Weather: Caught On Camera (PG) [s] The Chase UK (PG) [s] 1:45 Seven News At 4 [s] The Chase Australia (PG) [s] Seven News [s] 2:00 Border Security - Australia’s 3:00 Front Line (PG) [s] 4:00 Ambulance - Code Red (M) [s] 5:00 Movie: “Spider-Man: Far From 6:00 Home” (M v) (’19) – Spider7:00 Man must step up to take on 7:30 new threats in a world that has 8:30 changed forever. Stars: Tom Holland, Samuel L. Jackson, 11:00 Jake Gyllenhaal, Marisa Tomei 11:30 Movie: “Blood Father” (MA15+) (’16) Stars: Mel Gibson, Erin 12:20 Moriarty, Diego Luna 1:10 Home Shopping 1:30

Today [s] Today Extra Summer (PG) [s] NINE’s Morning News [s] Movie: “A Winter Princess” (G) (’19) Stars: Natalie Hall, Chris McNally, Lara Gilchrist, Casey Manderson, Brendon Zub, Mackenzie Gray Talking Honey: Princess Diana: Impact Of Media And Paps (PG) [s] Pointless (PG) [s] Tipping Point (PG) [s] NINE’s Afternoon News [s] Millionaire Hot Seat [s] NINE News [s] A Current Affair (PG) [s] Mega Zoo (PG) [s] Queen: Days Of Our Lives (M l,n) [s] NINE News Late [s] The Fix: Making A Murderer (M) [s] Tipping Point (PG) [s] A Current Affair (PG) [s] Home Shopping

6:00 The Talk [s] 7:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 7:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 8:00 Studio 10 (PG) [s] 12:00 Dr Phil (M) [s] 1:00 The Living Room (PG) [s] 2:00 Entertainment Tonight [s] 2:30 Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield [s] 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 3:30 Freshly Picked With Simon Toohey [s] 4:00 Farm To Fork [s] 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] 7:30 All Aussie Adventures (PG) 8:30 Bull: Snowed In (M l,s) [s] 9:30 Bull: Bounty (M l,s) [s] 10:30 Bull: The Good One (M l,s) [s] 11:30 The Project (PG) [s] 12:30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (PG) [s] 1:30 Home Shopping

6:00 6:00 News Breakfast [s] 9:00 9:00 ABC News Mornings [s] 11:30 10:00 Australia Remastered: 12:00 Nature’s Great Divide [s] 11:05 The Heights (PG) [s] 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 2:00 1:00 Hard Quiz (PG) [s] 3:00 1:30 QI (PG) [s] 2:05 Glitch (M l,s,v) [s] 3:00 ABC News Afternoons [s] 4:10 Think Tank (PG) [s] 5:10 Grand Designs Australia (PG) 5:00 6:00 The Drum [s] 6:00 7:00 ABC News [s] 7:00 7:30 7.30 [s] 8:00 Barrie Cassidy’s One Plus One (M) [s] 7:40 8:30 Joanna Lumley’s Unseen Adventures (PG) [s] 9:20 Nigella’s Christmas Table [s] 8:00 10:35 ABC Late News [s] 11:05 Christmas At St Paul’s [s] 12:10 Catching A Predator (M) [s] 10:30 1:05 Call The Midwife (M) [s] 2:05 rage (MA15+) [s] 1:00 4:25 The Drum [s]

6:00 Sunrise [s] 9:00 The Morning Show [s] 11:30 Seven Morning News [s] 12:00 Movie: “Swept Up By Christmas” (PG) (’20) Stars: Lindy Booth, Justin Bruening Cricket: Pre Game [s] Cricket: The Ashes: Australia v 1:45 England: Test 2: Day 1: Session 1 *Live* From Adelaide 2:00 3:00 Oval [s] Cricket: The Ashes: Australia v 4:00 England: The Lunch Break [s] 5:00 6:00 Seven News [s] Cricket: The Ashes: Australia v 7:00 7:30 England: Test 2: Day 1: 8:30 Session 2 *Live* [s] Cricket: The Ashes: Australia v England: Dinner Break [s] Cricket: The Ashes: Australia v 10:45 England: Test 2: Day 1: 11:15 Session 3 *Live* [s] Movie: “The Taking Of Pelham 12:05 123” (MA15+) (’74) Stars: 1:00 Denzel Washington 1:30 Home Shopping

Today [s] Today Extra (PG) [s] NINE’s Morning News [s] Movie: “A Christmas Comeback” (AKA ‘Rock And Roll Christmas’) (PG) (’19) Stars: Beverley Mitchell, Catherine Mary Stewart Garden Gurus Moments [s] Pointless (PG) [s] Tipping Point (PG) [s] NINE’s Afternoon News [s] Millionaire Hot Seat [s] NINE News [s] A Current Affair (PG) [s] Great Getaways (PG) [s] Movie: “Miss Congeniality” (PG) (’00) Stars: Sandra Bullock, Michael Caine, Benjamin Bratt NINE News Late [s] New Amsterdam: Five Miles West (M) [s] Tipping Point (PG) [s] A Current Affair (PG) [s] Home Shopping

6:00 The Talk [s] 5:00 7:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 5:15 7:30 The Bold And The Beautiful 5:30 (PG) [s] 8:00 Studio 10 (PG) [s] 12:00 Dr Phil (M) [s] 8:00 1:00 The Living Room (PG) [s] 1:00 2:00 Entertainment Tonight [s] 2:00 2:30 Everyday Gourmet [s] 2:15 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 2:45 3:30 Freshly Picked [s] 3:45 4:00 Farm To Fork [s] 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful 4:15 (PG) [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 5:05 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] 5:30 7:30 Jamie: Together At 6:00 Christmas [s] 6:30 8:30 Law & Order: SVU: I Thought 7:35 You Were On My Side (M v) [s] 8:30 9:30 Law & Order: SVU: Turn Me On, Take Me Private (M v) [s] 10:30 Blue Bloods: Rekindled (M) [s] 9:25 10:30 11:30 The Project (PG) [s] 11:05 12:30 The Late Show (PG) [s] 12:55 1:30 Home Shopping

Tuesday 14 December

Monday 13 December

6:00 The Talk [s] 7:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 7:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 8:00 Studio 10 (PG) [s] 12:00 Dr Phil (M) [s] 1:00 The Living Room (PG) [s] 2:00 Entertainment Tonight [s] 2:30 Everyday Gourmet [s] 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 3:30 Freshly Picked [s] 4:00 Farm To Fork [s] 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] 7:30 Bondi Rescue (PG) [s] 8:00 Territory Cops (PG) [s] 8:30 FBI: Most Wanted: Tough Love (M) [s] 9:30 FBI: Most Wanted: Winner (M v) [s] 10:30 The FBI Declassified: The Spies Next Door (M v) [s] 11:30 The Project (PG) [s] 12:30 The Late Show (PG) [s]

8:35 9:35 10:35 11:05 12:00 1:00 2:00 4:30 5:25 6:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:10 5:10 6:00 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:20 10:15 10:45 11:15 12:15 1:45

Sunrise [s] The Morning Show [s] Seven Morning News [s] Movie: “The Perfect Christmas Present” (AKA ‘Mr. Christmas’) (PG) (’17) Stars: Sam Page, Tara Hol, Sam Guinan-Nyhar, Emily Peterson, Ta’honda Jones, Stacia Crawford, Thomas Lounsbury, Cliff Grant World’s Deadliest Weather: Caught On Camera (PG) [s] The Chase UK (PG) [s] Seven News At 4 [s] The Chase Australia (PG) [s] Seven News [s] Cricket: Big Bash League: Brisbane Heat v Melbourne Renegades *Live* From Metricon Stadium [s] Fantasy Island: The Big Five Oh (M) [s] Movie: “Viva Las Vegas” (G) (’64) Stars: Elvis Presley, Ann-Margret, Cesare Danova Home Shopping

6:00 9:00 11:30 12:00

6:00 News Breakfast [s] 9:00 ABC News Mornings [s] 11:30 Antiques Roadshow [s] 12:00 The Heights (PG) [s] ABC News At Noon [s] Us (M l) [s] Glitch (M l,s,v) [s] ABC News Afternoons [s] Think Tank (PG) [s] Grand Designs Australia (PG) The Drum [s] 2:00 ABC News [s] 7.30 [s] Anh’s Brush With Fame: Jack 3:00 4:00 Thompson (PG) [s] 5:00 Secrets Of Althorp With 6:00 Charles Spencer (PG) [s] 7:00 Australia Remastered: Nature’s Great Divide: Where Worlds Collide (PG) [s] You Can’t Ask That (M) [s] 11:00 ABC Late News [s] Designing A Legacy (M l) [s] 12:00 Midsomer Murders: The Killings Of Copenhagen (M) [s] 12:30 rage (MA15+) [s]

Sunrise [s] The Morning Show [s] Seven Morning News [s] Movie: “A Godwink Christmas” (AKA ‘A Christmas Coincidence’) (PG) (’18) Stars: Kimberley Sustad, Paul Campbell, Kathie Lee Gifford, Giles Panton, Ryan Alexander McDonald, Dolores Drake, Natalie Sharp, Lucia Walters World’s Deadliest Weather: Caught On Camera (PG) [s] The Chase UK (PG) [s] Seven News At 4 [s] The Chase Australia (PG) [s] Seven News [s] Cricket: Big Bash League: Hobart Hurricanes v Perth Scorchers *Live* From Marvel Stadium [s] Born To Kill?: The Washington Sniper (M v) [s] The Goldbergs: The Lasagna You Deserve (PG) [s] Home Shopping

6:00 9:00 11:30 12:00

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

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

11:00

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

1:45 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 7:30

8:30 9:30 11:30 12:00 12:45 1:30

1:45 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 7:30 8:30 9:30 10:05 10:40 11:10

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

PAGE 21 10 DECEMBER 2021

SBS (C30)

Today [s] Today Extra Summer (PG) [s] NINE’s Morning News [s] Movie: “Once Upon A Main Street” (PG) (’20) Stars: Vanessa Lachey Garden Gurus Moments [s] Pointless (PG) [s] Tipping Point (PG) [s] NINE’s Afternoon News [s] Millionaire Hot Seat [s] NINE News [s] A Current Affair (PG) [s] RBT: Hippy Bus/ No Lights (PG) [s] – Follow the police units for a unique behind the scenes look at RBT patrols testing for alcohol and drug affected drivers. Emergency (M) [s] A Fire Inside (M) [s] NINE News Late [s] Chicago Med: Death Do Us Part (M) [s] Tipping Point (PG) [s] Home Shopping

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

News Breakfast [s] 6:00 ABC News Mornings [s] 9:00 The Great Acceleration (PG) 11:30 The Heights (PG) [s] 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] The Larkins (PG) [s] Press (M l,s) [s] ABC News Afternoons [s] Think Tank (PG) [s] Grand Designs Australia (PG) The Drum [s] 2:00 ABC News [s] 7.30 [s] 3:00 Australian Story Summer 4:00 Series [s] 5:00 Universe With Brian Cox [s] 6:00 Catching A Predator (M) [s] 7:00 ABC Late News [s] Books That Made Us (M l,v) [s] Noughts + Crosses (M l,v) [s] 11:00 Exposed - The Case Of Keli Lane: Truth And Lies (M l,v) [s] 12:00 rage (MA15+) [s] The Drum [s] 2:00 7.30 [s]

TEN (C10)

Wednesday 15 December

NINE (C81/80)

Thursday 16 December

ABC (C20/21)

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5:00 5:15 5:30 2:00 2:15 3:45 4:15 5:05 5:30 6:00 6:30 7:35 8:30 9:25 10:20 10:55 11:50 5:00 5:15 5:30 1:00 2:00 2:15 2:45 3:45 4:15 5:05 5:30 6:00 6:30 7:35 8:30 10:10 10:45 11:15 12:10 12:10 5:00 5:15 5:30 1:00 2:00 2:15 2:45 3:45 4:15 5:05 5:30 6:00 6:30 7:35 8:30 9:30 10:15 10:50 11:40 1:30

France 24 Feature News NHK World English News Worldwatch The Italians Movie: “Rosemary’s Way” (PG) (’21) Stars: Rosemary Kariuki The Cook Up With Adam Liaw (PG) The Wonderful World Of Chocolate (PG) Jeopardy! (PG) Letters And Numbers Mastermind SBS World News Britain’s Most Historic Towns: Industrial Revolution Manchester (PG) Tony Robinson’s World By Rail: Thailand And Malaysia (PG) 24 Hours In Emergency (M) SBS World News The Crimson Rivers (In French) Tell Me Who I Am (M s,v) (In Spanish/ English) France 24 Feature News NHK World English News Worldwatch PBS Newshour The Italians The Chefs’ Line Child Genius The Cook Up With Adam Liaw (PG) The Wonderful World Of Chocolate (PG) Jeopardy! (PG) Letters And Numbers Mastermind SBS World News Secrets Of Royal Travel (PG) My Childhood, My Country (M) (In Pashto/ English/ Dari) Great British Railway Journeys SBS World News Man In Room 301 (M l,s) (In Finnish) Before We Die (MA15+) (In Swedish) Miss S (M d) (In Mandarin) France 24 Feature News NHK World English News Worldwatch PBS Newshour The Italians The Chefs’ Line Child Genius The Cook Up With Adam Liaw (PG) The Wonderful World Of Chocolate Jeopardy! (PG) Letters And Numbers Mastermind SBS World News Inside Aldi At Christmas Michael Mosley On Cosmetic Treatments (M) Departure (M) SBS World News In Therapy (M l) (In French) 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (M l,s) Football: FIFA Arab Cup: Semi Final 1 *Live* From Ras Abu Aboud Stadium, Qatar France 24 Feature News NHK World English News Football: FIFA Arab Cup: Semi Final 2 *Live* From Al Thumama Stadium, Qatar Worldwatch PBS Newshour Tulip (PG) The Chefs’ Line Child Genius The Cook Up With Adam Liaw (PG) The Wonderful World Of Chocolate Jeopardy! (PG) Letters And Numbers Mastermind SBS World News Wonderful World Of Chocolate (PG) Red Election (PG) (In English/ Danish/ Russian) Murder Case (MA15+) SBS World News Gomorrah (MA15+) (In Italian) Darklands (MA15+)

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

PAGE 22 10 DECEMBER 2021

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MISSING LINK

Fill in each letter of

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

F MISSING LINK S G A R

Fill in each letter of the alphabet once only.

C B D O O L B U E A O T A L A R E S T O O G O OM I N L R E N N G O O R U A T D T

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E L L A U M A C A A M S E L O U T E IU S F K MU C B I MP U L C E T E E R K A A L A Y T C LB P K U D O S O O Z E S

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LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS Missing Link Solution: Missing Link Solution:

Missing Link Solution:

P B F QU E L L R A Y M A E C J AMS X T I U A T H E I SM MUG C P B I MP U L S E ONC E T C L

10. Embroiled (9) 11. Troubador (8) 13. Sudden (6) 15. Insect (8) 17. Oriental sword (8) 25. Expenditure (12) 27. Gardening (12) 28. Floor show (7) 30. Humble (6) 31. Plans (7) 34. Disregarded (7) 35. Asserted (7) 36. Porridge (7) 38. Pretended (7) 41. Disperse (7) 43. Deceives (7) 44. Atmosphere (3) 45. Mystery (6) 53. Agenda (8) 54. Drink (8) 55. Blare (9) 57. Really (8) 60. Handrail (9) 61. Type of monkey (8) 62. Part of the eye (6) 64. Haggle (7) 66. Proposition (7) 68. Go forward (7) 69. Flair (7) 70. Intentional (6) 72. Sample (5)

Missing Link Solution:

L B J U E F E A R O T A K U L A R G E S T MO O G O V E N OM I N A L D R EW N B L O I N G O U F O Y E R Q U A C T D T H

Across 52. Protected (7) 1. The fifth planet (7) 55. Yield (4) 4. Elevated (6) 56. Precise (8) 6. Edge (6) 58. Airstrip (6) 9. Consumed (3) 59. Flows out (4) 12. Algebraic symbols (9) 63. Vegetable (7) 14. Edible tuber (3) 65. Pleads (8) 16. Notions (5) 67. Chacma (6) 18. Jumped (5) 71. Predominant (9) 19. Unwell (3) 73. Proverb (5) 20. Cut (9) 74. Innovation (9) 21. Fails to win (5) 75. Lubricant (3) 22. Vitality (9) 76. Gemstones (5) 23. Hinder (6) 77. Tripod (5) 24. Happened (8) 78. Stray (3) 26. Illicit (7) 79. Tremendous (9) 28. System of beliefs and 80. Japanese currency rituals (4) (3) 29. Buy from abroad (6) 81. Spoke (6) 32. Amulet (8) 82. Creature (6) 33. Sort (4) 83. Support (7) 37. Perplexed (7) 39. Dimplomacy (4) Down 40. Publish (5) 1. Field event (7) 42. Profited (6) 2. Insular (9) 46. Dried grapes (7) 3. Associated (7) 47. Felons (9) 4. Dwell (6) 48. Number (7) 5. Pastoral (7) 49. Bicycle for two (6) 7. Greek letter (5) 50. Extreme happiness Dependable (8) (5) the alphabet once8.only. 51. Particle (4) 9. Astounding (7)

V ON I D E L U B O AW

Q FF Q K K SU UG GAARR K F S NU E AI MN H V O D L Y A S N RA EG AO W O O S S C OUDSDEN LE E S OW L D S O W N U T E C L I P S E U I T S A ST HE RNM U S B E G P R A S P E E J U I C Y Z E B B I S P T K R J U I C Y T S

V E S D E T R S A S I E X SE E X ES T E A T C H R A O L Z E R O S E K V S A I N A

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OUT&ABOUT PAGE 23 10 DECEMBER 2021

DOWN IN THE GARDEN: Gardening with La Niña

CHERALYN DARCEY

It’s going to be a long-wet summer due to La Niña moving in on us. For gardeners it means an adjustment to the way you have been planning, planting, and maintaining your patch of paradise. We were under its spell last summer so this should not be anything new unless you are a just starting out on your gardening journey. The good news is that the science bunch at the Bureau of Meteorology inform us that this time around, La Niña is going to have a gentler effect on us. A natural weather occurrence, La Niña happens when there is a shift in weather patterns and ocean temperatures in the Pacific Ocean around the equator. The waters cool down and clouds, with their rain, head on over to us in Australia. While this event usually only happens once every now and then, it can occur in back-to-back years as it has this summer. In general, La Niña brings with her more rain, colder average daytime temperatures and warmer nights so let’s explore what difference it will make to your garden and what can you do about it.

plant growth. You need to keep an eye on things more closely. Trim and prune the lower leaves and branches of plants and remove some of the laterals to also open that breathing space for your plants. Empty water-filled vessels, remove dead and dying foliage, fruits and flowers and inspect for signs of disease especially fungal issues. Spray zucchini, melons, pumpkins, squashes, and cucumbers every week if powdery mildew appears with either a mixture of half milk and half water or 2 cups or water with ½ teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda mixed into it. Never use in full sun, make sure all areas of the plant are covered and repeat after rain. While having potted plants bunched together can be a positive move to create a microenvironment with a higher humidity, you may find that they too will fare better now with some space between them. The additional water will also cause the nutrients in the soil in the garden or in outdoor pot plants to become diluted and to run off all together so additional feeding will be required. Slow-release pelletised fertilisers are a good solution at this time as they will give you a longer period of effectiveness over liquid or even solid preparations. Make sure that your compost heap is not getting too wet. You can cover and you can also fix a compost that has become too wet but turning and adding in additional dry ingredients such as cardboard, straws, sawdust and chipped gardened prunings. Along with all the water La Niña brings with it an increase in cloud cover so when planting adjust your plans for maximum possible sun areas for plants that require it. Move potted plants to areas that will

catch more sun if needed, don’t rely on what is usual for them. With the decrease in sun and heat due to cloud cover you may notice a decrease in produce, but don’t be alarmed, that’s just nature and next year things should return to normal for you. One benefit is that you may be able to plant a little out of ‘normal’ season this year with an early autumn planting but just like our daily weather forecasts, things can change. Watch your own area, take note of the temperature each day to work out patterns but in the end, we all know that a few harsh late hot summer days can ruin the best of intentions. My advice is to plant indoors (greenhouses and stands) so you can easily move them to friendlier areas if needed. One last note, these conditions bring out a lot of creepy crawlies. Funnel Webs and snakes to name just two. Always wear gloves and closed footwear and shake out boots and

gardening shoes before putting them on.

GARDENING GUIDE FOR COAST GARDENERS THIS WEEK

GARDENING BOOK REVIEW: The Good Life, how to grow a better world by Hannah Moloney Affirm, 2021 ISBN: 9781922419385 IMAGE: good life book

I’m going right out on a limb here and being honest. I saw this book and was hesitant.

YOU AND YOUR GARDEN: Toukley Leeches

La Niña Action Plan

Dear Cheralyn,

All this moisture at a warmer part of the year is an open invitation to the dreaded moulds and mildews. If planting now, build up mounds to pop each new plant into and raised garden beds whether container type or just completely mounded up areas will be best. This helps with soil drainage and can assist to increase air flow in some situations. Talking of air flow, now is not the time to plant too closely, in fact give all your new botanical friends a bit of room between each to help keep the air flowing around them. Mulch will retain water for any hot spells that may arise, but now more than ever, you must ensure that mulches are kept away from trunks and stems, at least a good handspan or more depending on the size of your plant. You will need to go out into your garden every day as water will start pooling and this will also mean faster

We have lived in Toukley for four years now and have noticed leeches in our backyard. This is new as we have not noticed them before. Why is it happening and what can we do about it? Dianne, Toukley

Time to plant flowering potted roses and get that potted colour in for Christmas. Just a few things you could plant this week include any and just about all culinary herbs, Asian greens, asparagus, globe and globe artichoke, beans, beetroot, broccoli, cabbages, cape gooseberry, capsicum, carrot, celeriac, celery, chicory, chilli, choko, cucumber, eggplant, fennel, ginger, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, marrow, mustard greens, okra, parsnip, potato, pumpkin, radish, rocket, salsify, silverbeet, spring onion, sweetcorn, squash, sweet potato, taro, tomato, turnip, warrigal greens, sunflower, aster, bedding begonia, calendula, California poppy, carnation, celosia, chrysanthemum, coleus, cosmos, dahlia, dianthus, everlasting daisy, gaillardia, gazania, gerbera, honesty, inpatients, kangaroo paw, marigold, nasturtium, phlox, portulaca, salvia, snapdragon, waratah, zinnia Next Week: Merry Christmas Trees, Bushes & Flowers

Hi Dianne, although a natural part of our environment, they are not nice to find in your garden, I agree. Not all leeches are blood suckers, some find plants a far tastier alternative. Some are aquatic and others are land dwellers, but I can see you have an abundance of blood suckers that need to be shown the door so here are a few tips you could try. While not good for all your plants (do a patch test), spraying lemon juice or a diluted solution of lemon juice and water has proven to be helpful at

Yes, I heard the hype, but it seemed a bit in the fad-wagon, and I need a big dose of substance along with inspiration in my gardening books. Then a friend happened to have a copy when they visited me last week and yes, I’ve now ordered my own. Hannah shares her life, the good life, with infectious joy and in a way that will inspire you to look at what you already have around you and to make the best of it. This energy is one of practical positivity with a focus on actions that will bear out a better world for us all. A much-needed example of the simple steps we can all take towards self-reliance, self-care, and community involvement. Sprinkled with recipes (yoghurt, breads, garden helpers), tips, examples, tutorials (DIY water tanks!) and all those flashes of gorgeous Tasmanian vistas through the garden as the backdrop to her good life, I think this is one of the best sustainable gardening books for the rest of us. Also, you make me want to have pink hair again Hannah. This book would make another great Christmas gift.

keeping them at bay. Sprinkling salt in an area they are traversing will help as well but like lemon juice, it can negatively affect the plants in your garden. Simple preventative measures are to provide better drainage in your garden and don’t let water accumulate in plant dishes and containers. Empty and clean water features regularly and if they are not home to aquatic life, a slosh of white vinegar

can help to deter them. I love this old method for drawing them out. Get the freshest liver you can from the local butcher. Place it on a plate in the area of concern, once it’s full of leeches, place in an airtight container and dispose of it. bunches of love, Cheralyn.

Cheralyn Darcey is a gardening author, community garden coordinator and along with Pete Little, hosts ‘At Home with The Gardening Gang’ 8 10am live every Saturday on CoastFM963. She is also co-host of @ MostlyAboutPlants a weekly botanical history & gardening podcast with Vicki White. Send your gardening questions, events, and news to: gardeningcentralcoast@gmail.com

PAGE 24 10 DECEMBER 2021 OUT&ABOUT

CCN

Oh William!

Author: Elizabeth Strout Publisher: Penguin

I have read a couple books by Elizabeth Strout, namely Olive Kitteridge and Olive, Again, both of which I really liked. One book I didn’t read by Strout was My Name is Lucy Barton. If I had read it I would have had some of the back story to Oh William! But cleverly Strout lets the reader know where the gaps are when she writes, “I have written about this before.” Lucy Barton has lost her second husband, David

CCN

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BOOK REVIEW

a year ago. She still grieves for him deeply. “But it is William I want to speak of here.” William is now 71. Lucy and William divorced after 20 years of marriage but have remained friends. They have two adult daughters, Chrissy and Becka. William is now on his third marriage to Estelle, who is 22 years younger and has a 10-year-old daughter, Bridget. Lucy is a successful writer, “because I am a novelist, I have to write this almost like a novel but it is true – as true as I can make it.” And so, we read about William and what is going on in his life over the past two years, since he was 69. William’s young lab assistant

says looks he like Einstein with his crazy white hair and moustache. William is tall, dresses well, and whose “face is often closed with an unyielding pleasantness”. And he is rich! The money came from the German side of the family, and has dubious roots, but he kept

it anyway. He suffers with night terrors. He is a parasitologist and has taught microbiology at New York University and feels he hasn’t lived up to his potential. Lucy met William when they were at university. Lucy came from nothing, she grew up in poverty, knew

nothing of the world. Then she met William and the world opened. But with William came his mother, Catherine Cole, “We loved her. Oh, we loved her; she seemed central to our marriage.” And much of the book dwells in the relationship Catherine Cole had with Lucy but also with William. For Christmas, William gave Estelle an expensive vase and Estelle gave William a subscription to find out about his ancestors – a gift he was disappointed to receive. “This was the William who was tiresome to me, the petulant boy beneath his distinguished and pleasant demeanour … I thought: Thank God. And I meant about him being no longer mine.”

The title would make the reader think that the book is about William, but it is also so much about Lucy. While writing about William, Lucy discovers herself. We travel back through Lucy’s life and get to see inside her head and realise how fragile she is but strong as well. This is a lovely book about family and acceptance and feelings of inadequacy. Secrets learned late in life. Maybe too late. It is about love and how we move forward when we have lost it. It is about William “But when I think Oh William! don’t I mean Oh Lucy! too?” Kim Reardon The Reluctant Book Critic

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ARTS & CULTURE ABC - “The Friends”

Safeguard ABC’s independence, funding, & standards. Meetings through the year & social mornings Well-known guest speakers 0400 213 514 www.fabcnsw.org.au

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

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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 compensation claims/benefits. anthologies. Breakers Country Club We meet the second Saturday Wed & Fri 10am-Midday each month. Meets 2nd Sat 10.30am Wyoming Memorial Community Sec: 0417 384 524 www.twrslsb.org.au Hall. Contact us by email info@centralcoastpoets.com.au

or you may ring Clive 0419120347

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U3A CENTRAL COAST

An opportunity for retirees to enjoy a diverse range of courses and activities • Topics to explore Spinning and weaving, patchwork and quilting, felting • Activities to interest you • Discussion groups and other fibre and fabric crafts, community quilting bees • Outings to entertain you • Socialising and learning - Day and Night Groups together 4325 4743 0408 704 701 www.cottagecrafts.net.au

experience and confidence 4321 0275

CENTRAL COAST ASBESTOS DISEASES SUPPORT GROUP

Support for those suffering with asbestos diseases and others interested in asbestos issues. You are not alone, meet with others who can share their experiences. Bring a family member or friend. 1pm at Ourimbah RSL on fourth Wed of each month. Maree 0419 418 190

GROW MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

destroying your life? We may be able to help. We are a 12 step fellowship like AA. Meets every Sat at 7pm on the Central Coast Contact for further details 0473 631 439

newcastlesagroup@gmail.com

HISTORY GROUPS HENRY KENDALL COTTAGE & HISTORICAL MUSEUM

Visit our c1838 Cottage & Museum with exhibits of early settlers. School and group bookings. Members & volunteers welcome. Open Wed/Sat/Sun 10.30am 2:30pm. West Gosford 4325 2270

4307 9355

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Small friendly groups formed to learn how to overcome COMMUNITY GROUPS anxiety, depression and VOLUNTEERING loneliness and improve mental centralcoastgreens@gmail.com CENTRAL COAST CENTRAL COAST health and well being. Weekly www.henrykendallcottage.org.au WOMEN’S GROUPS Brisbane Water Historical Society Refer potential volunteers to meetings at Woy Woy and CARAVANNERS LABOR PARTY community organisations & Wyong. Grow is anonymous, WOMEN’S HEALTH 3rd Sun - Jan to Nov OURIMBAH / NARARA FELLOWSHIP OF provide support to them. free and open to all. Trips Away, Social Outings, CENTRES BRANCH Training to volunteers and FIRST FLEETERS 1800 558 268 friendship with like minded Counselling, therapeutic and Discussion/action community managers of volunteers Info For anyone interested or www.grow.org.au folk social groups, workshops, Issues - 3 levels of sessions held regularly. in early history. Geoff 0447 882 150 domestic violence and abuse Government, Ourimbah Room 4329 7122 issues. All services provided by DYING WITH DIGNITY Don’t need to be a First Fleeter. - Ourimbah RSL, recruit@volcc.org.au Point Clare Community Hall women for women Campaigning to give those LEARN TO DANCE 7.00pm 1st. Monday 2nd Sat 10:30am 4324 2533 Social ballroom dancing for all COMMUNITY CENTRES suffering unrelievable terminal 0410 309 494 4311 6254, 4340 4435 www.cccwhc.com.au or incurable illness the choice ages, all you need is a desire kyle.macgregor@hotmail.com GOSFORD-NARARA to receive legal medical to learn and dance, PROBUS CLUBS NEIGHBOURHOOD assistance to die. SOROPTIMIST no partner required. Quarterly mtgs, Erina Fair. CENTRE meet every Wed -Tuggerah INTERNATIONAL COASTAL A CAPPELLA 0434 426 486 School Holiday activities, AVOCA BEACH community hall, 2:00pm BRISBANE WATER Award winning women’s robyncameron@y7mail.com playgroup, multicultural PROBUS CLUB Anne - 0409 938 345 Making a difference in the lives a cappella chorus. programs, community activities anneglazier@y7mail.com with a great social program, of women & girls through Music education provided. Rooms for Hire PROSTATE CANCER guest speakers and optional awareness, advocacy & action Rehearsals Tuesday 7pm @ 4329 4477 CENTRAL COAST MARINE bistro lunches. Google our 2nd Thur 7 pm SUPPORT GROUP Red Tree Theatre Tuggerah. admin@gnnc.com.au name for our fully informative Breakers Country Club, DISCOVERY CENTRE Last Fri 9.30am Performance opportunities. newsletter. Meet 10am, 3rd Dover Rd, Wamberal The revamped CCMDC is open. Terrigal Uniting Church Hire us for your next event. Mon each month at Avoca sibrisbanewater@siswp.org Schools and Group bookings 380 Terrigal Dr, Terrigal 0412 948 450 Beach Bowling Club. www.siswp.org welcome by appointment. 4367 9600 coastalacappella@gmail.com avocaprobus@gmail.com ALCOHOLICS www.pcfa.org.au Building has special needs access and toilets ANONYMOUS INNER WHEEL CLUB CENTRAL COAST Open 7 days 9am – 3pm. EMPIRE BAY - Someone cares. GOSFORD NTH MEALS ON WHEELS CHORALE Terrigal. Wed-Thurs-Fri - 12.30pm, PROBUS CLUB Make friends, Make a Delicious meals delivered free One of the best (SATB) 4385 5027 Progress Hall Henry Parry Friendship, fellowship, difference! Join us for a midday meal ccmdc@bigpond.com choirs on the coast. & Wells Street East Gosford and fun in retirement. Join us and develop lasting Help with shopping and www.ccmdc.org.au We seeks new members. Very active club, outings, friendships with like minded cooking classes Reading of music and excursions, dining women serving our community BETTER HEARING 4363 7111 able to sing harmony 3 times a month TERRIGAL WAMBERAL 6.30pm 2nd Wed AUSTRALIA would be an advantage. 1st Thur 1.30pm Phillip House, Kariong RSL SUB-BRANCH Hearing loss management S.A See our website for details Club Umina, Melbourne Ave, 0405 385 610 Pension and welfare advocates Support and educational Is Internet porn and upcoming concert. Umina Beach iiw.au.gosfordnorth@gmail.com available to assist with DVA groups providing practical www.centralcoast.u3anet.org.au

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BUSINESS & PROPERTY PAGE 25 10 DECEMBER 2021

Business & Property Call for companies to register interest in renewable energy zone Workers on the Central Coast stand to benefit from the powering up of renewable energy projects, with registrations of interest now open for the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said renewable energy projects and businesses with large electrical loads are being asked to register their interest in being part of the REZ. “The NSW Government is focused on making sure new energy infrastructure is built in places where the community wants it, and the Central Coast is ready to welcome the renewable technology of the future,” Crouch said. “Extensive and meaningful community engagement is at the core of the REZ program, with the Hunter-Central Coast REZ expected to take several years to design and develop.” Treasurer and Minister for Energy and Environment, Matt Kean, said the REZ will connect

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, (left) and Minister Matt Kean (second from left) with REZ representatives

multiple energy generators and storage projects across the regions, which will help industry thrive and create the low carbon jobs of the future. “This new REZ will ensure the Hunter and Central Coast remain the powerhouse of

NSW, with 60 per cent of the state’s homes, businesses and industry already powered out of these regions,” Kean said. “The Hunter-Central Coast REZ will provide cheap, reliable and clean electricity for the homes and businesses of NSW,

while supporting new job creation as we shift to a low carbon future. “The NSW Government has the nation-leading policies and plans in place to deliver on our commitment to halve our state’s emissions by 2030 and

achieve net-zero by 2050.” MLC Taylor Martin said there are already 13 renewable energy and battery storage projects in the Hunter and Central Coast, which are approved or progressing through the planning system.

Mars Food joins hydrogen pilot The Central Coast Hydrogen Food Cluster and Star Scientific have announced the first applied research project of the HERO® technology, using hydrogen to provide heat for industrial-scale sanitation with Mars Food Australia. Star Scientific Global Group Chairman, Andrew Horvath, said there was a growing sense of urgency around the use of hydrogen across industries. “The global food manufacturing sector is demanding a green pathway to process heat for cooking and cleaning,” she said. “Our HERO® technology answers the call; it is a nonpolluting catalyst that uses hydrogen to generate zero emission, limitless heat necessary for many major industrial applications without

any combustion.” Mars Food Australia General Manager, Bill Heague, said the global company was committed to decarbonising processes and working towards being sustainable in a generation. “This includes investing in renewable energy and process heat,” he said. “This pilot provides a real and tangible step towards a more sustainable future, and we are thrilled to be involved.” The 18-month pilot by the Central Coast Hydrogen Food Cluster is a new industry-led hydrogen collaboration on the Coast between Star Scientific and Central Coast Industry Connect. Central Coast Industry Connect General Manager, Frank Sammut, said it provides a platform for industry players to be involved in the development of alternative

heat sources for the food industry using hydrogen. “Having a global company like Mars Food Australia taking part in this first pilot project demonstrates the will and the need of industry to move forward with becoming truly ‘clean and green’ and will showcase the enormous opportunity of this technology in the local and international marketplace,” he said. Star Scientific will undertake extensive testing and consultation with Mars Food Australia, regulators and relevant government agencies, throughout the development process of the pilot. Once completed, it will provide a foundational framework for the development of other heat sources used in food manufacturing. Terry Collins

Mars utility engineer Shane Timmermans

“The Hunter-Central Coast REZ is a key part of our state’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, which is expected to deliver $32B in private investment and create 6,300 construction and 2,800 ongoing jobs by 2030,” Martin said. The Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo NSW) is in the early stages of planning the REZ and registrations of interest will help to inform the timing, capacity, design and location of the project. REZs are modern day power stations bringing together lowcost solar and wind generation with transmission and storage to produce cheap, clean and reliable electricity. The call for registrations of interest in the Hunter-Central Coast REZ will close on February 4, 2022. For details go to https:// energy.nsw.gov.au/ renewable-energy-zones. Source: Media releaser, Dec 3 Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch

PAGE 26 10 DECEMBER 2021

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Coast needs more luxury tourist accommodation The Central Coast needs between 1,285 and 3,854 rooms to meet current visitor demand for commercial accommodation, according to the draft tourism plan which is about to go on public exhibition. The draft Destination Management Plan (DMP) was adopted on Tuesday, November 23 by Central Coast Council Administrator Rik Hart. The report said the high scenario of 3,854 rooms provided the most accurate reflection of accommodation needs, as there was a critical lack of quality contemporary accommodation stock. Council said it was a significant shortfall when compared to the supply of commercial accommodation at competing destinations and the assessment did not take into account future demand. The Central Coast accommodation supply was dominated by short-term holiday rentals, including Airbnb and Stayz,

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the report said. AirDNA data indicates there are about 2,339 self-contained units, apartments and houses, the majority of which are entire homes (94 per cent). Council said benchmarking demonstrates a major gap in hotel/resort/motel or motor Inn accommodation of almost 10 per cent and caravan park or

commercial camping grounds. “There is a lack of luxury and premium/boutique accommodation facilities in the Central Coast,” the draft report said. “These are required to meet current visitor demand and attract higher yielding visitor markets.” It said much of the region’s

accommodation stock was tired and in need of reinvestment to meet contemporary visitor expectations. Key destinations that should be prioritised for accommodation included Gosford and the hinterland. Council sad reinvestment in existing building stock in town centres and in proximity to key

visitor destinations should be prioritised. It names the Beachcomber Hotel and Resort, Toukley, as an example of an existing accommodation facility that had been successfully reinvested in to meet the standards and expectations of the current visitor market. Three targets of the new DMP

are to grow overnight visitors by 10 per cent; increase visitor expenditure by 15 per cent and increase visits to the hinterland by 20 per cent. The Draft Central Coast Destination Management Plan 2022-2025, will return to Council for adoption after the public exhibition. It’s a big document with some big ideas, including a high speed ferry from Sydney to Gosford and identifying “hero assets” potentially including Bouddi National Park, Brisbane Water National Park and Munmorah State Conservation Area. It looks at introducing opportunities for mapping and promoting authorised mountain bike trails across the Central Coast and developing “ hero food experiences” that capitalise on unique offerings such as oysters. One long term plan is to Identify a potential location for development of a cultural precinct on the Central Coast.

Retirement specialist wins excellence award The CEO of a financial planning company based at Erina has been named as the IFA Excellence Awards 2021 winner for Practice Principal of the Year. Financial Edge Group CEO Martin McGrath received the accolade at an awards event held recently in Sydney, with the IFA Excellence Awards the pinnacle event for recognising exceptional professionals across Australia’s independent advice sector. McGrath said he was humbled

and proud to be named the winner. “Financial Edge Group’s recognition for our excellent contribution to the financial planning industry reinforces the strength of our service and dedication to connecting with the community and engaging with clients,” he said. The awards attracted more than 210 nominations across 27 submission-based categories. IFA editor Sarah Kendell said after a year of uncertainty and challenges brought on by the

pandemic, it was important to celebrate accomplishments in the sector. “At a time of change and upheaval for the industry, and after another year of business and family disruption, it’s so important to take some time and recognise the achievements of the industry and the fantastic innovations that are going on inside advice businesses,” Kendell said. McGrath, who was named SMSF Adviser of the Year at last year’s awards, specialises in retirement planning.

“I believe that retirement planning is an ongoing process and that our relationship makes our clients’ retirement journey easy,” he said. McGrath has been working in the financial advice profession since 2003, with dedication to the financial planning field. “At Financial Edge Group, it is a team effort; nothing great is ever achieved alone,” he said. “I am genuinely grateful to work with a group of committed and passionate teammates.” Terry Collins

Martin McGrath

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PAGE 28 10 DECEMBER 2021

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Identifying Australia’s best financial products is no easy task. There are hundreds of providers and thousands of products, choices and options to assess. Rainmaker, publisher of Money, has been reviewing superannuation, managed funds and their investment managers for more than 20 years. To conduct the banking products assessments Rainmaker and Money teamed up with InfoChoice, one of Australia’s leading financial product comparison websites. Superannuation There are more than 500 superannuation products in Australia, offering tens of thousands of investment

choices. The Money superannuation awards span best-performing products, bestvalue products and best-value insurance. To find Australia’s topperforming super products, Rainmaker reviewed MySuper products and asset classes that include growth, balanced, moderate (capital stable), equities, property, bonds, cash and ESG investment options. MySuper products are default flagship products used by most employees for their employerpaid superannuation. It must be said that 2020-21 was a remarkable year for super funds as they experienced their best returns in 34 years. It led to quite a changing of the guard for Australia’s best super funds, with some newer brand names

making their first appearance in the winners’ circle. But this shows just how competitive the super market is. The best-value super product for young people is the best product when we look at the returns people in their 20s would have received taking into account the fees that hit their lower account balance. To be eligible for the Money awards, a superannuation product must be public offer and

be AAA-rated by Rainmaker Information. Managed funds and exchange traded products When choosing which managed funds or exchange traded products (ETP) to invest with, investors are looking not just for funds that scored the highest investment returns but also managed their investment risks. This review was done over the short, medium and long term

to June 30, 2021. The best investment managers or ETP providers are those that have the most funds shortlisted in the most major categories. Banking products Money and Rainmaker’s banking products research partner, InfoChoice, monitor thousands of products offered through almost 150 banks and non-bank providers. Term deposits (TD) were

assessed according to which paid the highest interest rates. Short-term TDs were assessed on rates paid for terms shorter than 12 months. Long-term TDs were assessed for terms longer than one year. Home loans were assessed using the annual average percentage rate (AAPR) applicable over 25 years with an 80% loan valuation ratio (LVR). This was done over multiple categories, ranging from basic low-cost loans through to more flexible loans with redraw facilities, portability or splitting. Bank accounts were assessed using their interest rates, counting the impact of fees. But as many banking accounts no longer charge ATM or phone-banking fees and have greatly reduced monthly fees, comparing these accounts is less complex than it used to be. This year’s awards also include a new category for buy now pay later, an innovative alternative to credit cards. Order your copy of Best of the Best 2022! ALEX DUNNIN

Why so many athletes go bankrupt after hanging up their boots Time and again we read of athletes who have commanded multi-million dollar contracts, only to apply for bankruptcy after they’ve hung up their boots. Yet, avoiding the pitfalls of financial success can be avoided by using the same common-sense strategies used by the rest of us. Many of the financial problems faced by high earning athletes have to do with the high volume and short duration of their cash flow.

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“Money exaggerates everything - the lifestyle they lead, the car they drive and the house they live in,” says Brendan Turnbull, founder of FrontRow Financial Management. “When the rest of their friends are spending $50 at the nightclub, young athletes are able to spend $500; instead of punting with $30, these guys can put $5000 through the pokies.” They spend money they have, and also money they don’t have.

“It’s rolling in like the Mississippi so they run up debt,” says Dennis Maddern, executive chairman of Maddern Financial Advisers. “They rack up debt, and it’s easy to do because they’re trying to negatively gear or get tax deductions, but they don’t understand that at some point you need to repay a principal and interest loan.” Nor do the habits that have rewarded them with success in their sporting pursuits necessarily translate to their financial wellbeing.

“You’d think that the training, the discipline, the diet, the concentration, that you’d be able to transfer that to your finances, but that’s not the case.” It’s easy to dismiss these statements as anecdotal, but it’s borne out in research. A 2015 study by the Global Financial Literacy Center found that 16% of National Football League (NFL) players go bankrupt within 12 years of retirement, while the average retirement income of NFL at 55 years of age is just US$30,000.

Australian athletes are arguably even more exposed than their US counterparts, where the path to professional sport is through the college system. “The Americans do this much better than us,” says Maddern. “We draft athletes out of high school, whereas America draft out of the Universities. With the name they’ve generated through college sport, and a degree, they’ll do very well.” Avoiding the traps of athletic stardom requires good planning

surrounded by the right people. Family and close friends can be equal parts support and danger. “Sometimes the worst advice can come from the best of intentions,” says Turnbull. On the other hand, there’s a higher likelihood of buy-in if a trusted familiar is part of the planning. “You’ll meet them with their parents present. You want to harness a sensible relative who can reinforce what the adviser is saying,” says Maddern. DAVID THORNTON

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BUSINESS & PROPERTY PAGE 29 10 DECEMBER 2021

Opinions divided over workers compensation changes A Bill passed by the NSW Legislative Assembly to repeal changes made to the Workers Compensation Act last year in light of COVID-19 has been applauded by Business NSW Central Coast, but slammed by Shadow Minister for the Central Coast, David Harris. The Workers Compensation Amendment Bill 2021, which will repeal Section 19B of the Workers Compensation Act 1987, was passed by the Lower House recently, but still has to get the number in the Legislative Council (Upper House). The crux of the Bill is that workers with COVID-19 will not be eligible for workers compensation unless they can prove they contracted the virus in the workplace. The Government claims it will save small businesses from “bearing the brunt of massive insurance premium increases over the next 12 months” by returning the Workers Compensation scheme to the way it was before the pandemic. Business NSW Regional

Director, Paula Martin, said repealing the changes was timely. “I have been speaking with small business owners across the Central Coast who are worried about the presumption of workers testing positive to COVID,” Martin said. “As things currently stand, business face a workers compensation premium hike of more than $900 to cover the presumption that any worker who tests positive to COVID caught the virus while at work. “We need to remember that small businesses are already battling with increased costs of reopening like staffing and supply chain price hikes. “Increased premiums just adds more pressure for our exhausted business owners. “It is good to see this issue being addressed as there is a lot of confusion and hidden costs absorbed in administration and other legal administration brought about by this provision.” Shadow Minister for Central Coast David Harris has labelled the Bill “an absolute joke”. Harris said the Government

Business NSW Regional Director Paula Martin

was trying to strip workers compensation protections for workers who contract COVOD-19 at their workplace, while at the same time not even helping small business that will still have to work with staff claims arising from COVIDrelated illness. He said the Bill was passed in

the Lower House by just one vote and was opposed by Labor and crossbench MPs. “This is a cruel blow to the frontline workers who got us through the Delta outbreak – including those who work in retail and disability,” Harris said. “Proving you have contracted

the virus at work can be a legally challenging, stressful task - particularly for those in frontline teaching, transport and service professions that are at higher risk of exposure every day. “This is nothing more than a cynical move to make workers, including in retail and disability, pay for Dominic Perrottet’s documented mismanagement of the workers compensation system when he was at the helm of iCare. “Making it difficult for workers to access compensation is about this Government making workers pay for repairing the balance sheet of its scandalridden iCare insurance scheme. “Is there going to be a new genomic sequence tracking system next to the COVID testing centre where they can fill in a form and say, ‘Hello, I have got COVID; will you put this through and prove where I got COVID from because otherwise I cannot claim workers compensation’? “That is an absolute joke.” Minister for Customer Service, Victor Dominello, has called on Upper House Labor

and crossbench to support the legislation, which he says is “designed to help mum and dad businesses”. “Failure to pass this legislation will put small businesses across NSW at risk of being hit with insurance premium increases of up to $950,” Dominello said. “Changes to the Act were made in May 2020, when very little was known about COVID-19 and its transmission and are no longer appropriate. “The amendments included a presumption that workers who contracted COVID-19 had done so at work. “Workers will still be entitled to make a workers compensation claim if they contract COVID-19 in their workplace when the legislation is repealed. “The legislation before the Legislative Council simply returns the Workers Compensation scheme to the way it was before the pandemic, treating COVID-19 in exactly the same way as every other workplace injury or acquired illness.” Terry Collins

Organic food framework under review Consumers, organic farmers, food manufacturers and exporters on the Central Coast are being encouraged to have their say on improving Australia’s domestic organic regulatory framework. The consultation will focus on potential regulatory or nonregulation options across all players in the supply chain. Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud said an upcoming consultation will focus on

potential regulatory or nonregulation options across the supply chain, including small businesses. “My department already regulates the export of Australian organic produce to overseas markets,” he said. “This consultation will focus on regulatory and nonregulatory options to manage the importation, production, and sale of organic products within Australia. “We want to support growth in the industry, as well as give consumers the confidence the

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products they purchase are genuinely organic. “Earlier this year I asked the Organics Industry Advisory Group to explore a range of options to advance Australia’s domestic regulatory framework. “I want to be clear about the costs, and what will work best for the organics industry. “My department’s consultation process will consider the views of all concerned and provide a better understanding of the sector.

“There will be opportunities for everyone to have their say through a consultation Regulation Impact Statement.” Senator for NSW Perin Davey said the announcement of the consultation process represented an opportunity to improve and clarify the status of Australian-grown organic produce. “We do have a large and thriving organics industry here in Australia, which employs many people in rural and regional areas and will be a key contributor in helping the

agriculture sector achieve its goal of becoming a $100B industry by 2030,” Davey said. “Many consumers may not realise that this is not just about food – the organics industry also produces a range of products like textiles and cosmetics – these days you can find an organic category across a huge array of different products. “I (see this announcement) as a terrific opportunity to improve the relevant regulatory framework and grow the value of the industry by improving

access to markets, reducing unnecessary regulation and drive greater economic efficiencies.” The consultation process will open soon. To find out more visit: www.awe.gov.au/ agriculture-land/farm-fooddrought/food/organicbiodynamic/organic-industryadvisory-group. Source: Media release, Nov 26 Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud

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HEALTH & LIFESTYLE PAGE 31 10 DECEMBER 2021

New health chief acknowledges demands faced by staff New Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) CEO Scott McLachlan has a big job ahead of him but he is no stranger to managing huge health districts. Most recently having spent nine years as CEO of the Western NSW Local Health District, which covers some 250,000 square kilometres and includes multiple public hospitals, McLachlan brings a wealth of experience to the Coast’s top health job. A self-confessed “country boy”, McLachlan was raised at Inverell, where his family’s connections with the Salvation Army saw him helping to care for the homeless from an early age. “I think it was this background of wanting to help others which led me into health care,” he said this week in an exclusive interview with CCN. “I come from a clinical background, having started as an exercise physio working with children with spina bifida around 27 years ago.

New Central Coast Health CEO Scott McLachlan

“Seeing those kids with a crippling condition become able to participate in society gave me a lot of joy and made me want to help even more people.” McLachlan is no newcomer to the Coast having worked as Deputy CEO at Brisbane Waters Private Hospital some 25 years ago, where he played an

important role in helping develop the hospital’s cardiac services. He has also worked at Hunter New England Local Health District and said the role at CCLHD has interested him for years. “It is the perfect alignment for me,” he said. “My wife Rebekah works for

Coast and Country Primary Care and we have found a great house at Wamberal.” McLachlan said his son Josiah, who is in the Navy, and daughter Jennifer, who is in her final year of high school, were keen to embrace the coastal lifestyle. He comes to CCLHD following 18 months of highs and lows

for the health district, which saw Gosford and Wyong hospitals stretched due to COVID-19 and the opening of the new Clinical School and Research Institute in the grounds of Gosford Hospital. But the future is looking bright, McLachlan said. “We have two of the best developments in NSW in the revamped Gosford and Wyong hospitals and the new clinical school is a shining star,” he said. “The research institute is sure to attract high calibre clinicians.” As nurses and midwives rallied for better staffing ratios at both hospitals, especially in maternity services, this week, McLachlan acknowledged that the past 18 months had been “really difficult” for all hospitals in the state as they juggled the demands of COVID-19 along with regular patient loads. “We have amazing staff and I am blown away by their calibre,” he said. “But we have seen a real

increase in the demand on pregnancy services (since the advent of COVID). “There are a lot of babies being born and we are doing a good job of managing that but we do have a few vacancies which we are trying to fill. “We are also in the process of recruiting Emergency Department staff – we know we need to provide the right staffing levels and are always recruiting new people. “Having said that, we do not have a very high vacancy rate.” McLachlan said providing inhome services would continue to be a major focus for the health district. “I want to see the Central Coast set a gold standard for health care,” he said. “With another 60,000 residents expected in the region in the next 10 years, we want to keep as many people out of hospital as possible. “So our out of hospital health care services will need to continue to grow.” Terry Collins

Silicosis inquiry taking submissions Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, is encouraging the community to enter their submissions to the review by The Standing Committee on Law and Justice into the Dust Diseases Scheme and Management of Silicosis in the Manufactured Stone Industry. Currently one in five stoneworkers are likely to develop silicosis, an incurable disease involving the scarring of lungs which over time leads

to the decrease of lung capacity, requiring oxygen support as the disease progresses. Tesch said the insidious disease develops in many unsuspecting workers. “Silicosis is a disease stemming from silica, a mineral that comes to the surface in occupations that consist of cutting, drilling or grinding natural materials including granite, sandstone and soil,” she said. “For many construction

workers and stone makers the threat of this is muted, with many unaware the risk even exists. “Unfortunately the reality is that a few years of exposure to silica dust can lead to this lifethreatening disease, with many people now experiencing the consequences of their profession.” Central Coast resident Maree Stokes, who is Vice President of the Asbestos Disease Foundation of Australia, said

the foundation now supports people suffering with silicosis too. “The Board was originally set up to help those individuals who years ago suffered from asbestos, which impacted many professions like builders, carpenters and electricians, but now we are finding a new workplace where individuals are suffering from silicosis dust,” she said. “The silicosis cases are mostly being seen in those who

work to install and cut up bench tops for our modern kitchens. “Unfortunately these cases are coming to light now, and we recently interviewed a former stonemason who is has been diagnosed with silicosis at just 45.” Tesch the disease is less widely known than asbestosrelated disease but one that is just as serious. “It is devastating to see the impact silicosis is having on those working in the stone

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industry,” she said. “It is crucial that we are aware of the dangers of silicosis and the very real threat it poses and ensure we have our say on the current response to the disease.” To lodge a submission head to www.parliament.nsw.gov. au/lawandjustice. Source: Media release, Dec 7 Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch

PAGE 32 10 DECEMBER 2021 HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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Homemade ginger beer with Nurtured Earth Organics

GEORGIA LIENEMANN Given the widespread impact on small businesses during the ongoing lockdowns, we’re spending the lead-up to the festive season sharing inspiration for local gift ideas. This week, we’re chatting to Sonia and Janine from Nurtured Earth Organics about their infamous ginger beer and even getting a glimpse at their secret recipe.

We are Janine and Sonia, two community-spirited mums who believe that eating local sustainably grown foods not only creates healthy humans but plays a vital role in continued food security by supporting community. We met many years ago at our children’s play group and found we both had a passion to nourish our families well. A small co-op was formed and years later grew to become our business, Nurtured Earth Organics. We deliver fresh produce and grocery items to the Central Coast community every Monday. We live by our ‘Health is Wealth’ philosophy and will always put people and planet before profit when making business decisions. Our local farmers are our heroes! Nothing beats Monday morning when our farmers arrive with the freshly picked harvest! We have always made it a priority to gift nourishing ‘Love Boxes’ to families in the

make your own. We have shared our recipe below. Traditionally fermented ginger beer – a genuine health tonic!

community each week who need a little extra love and support. The last two years has found more and more families in need. We are grateful to our customers who also generously donate. This year we are pretty proud to say we have sent out over $20,000 worth of

nourishing food boxes. A little off-shoot of our business is our nearly famous traditionally brewed ginger beer! We have found so many people have a memory of a parent or grandparent making ginger beer and we have brought this drink back to life.

Our brew is nothing like the sugary drink people call ginger beer these days. This brew is not too sweet, it packs a decent ginger punch and the carbonation is created via fermentation. No yeast added! We have it available to buy in our online shop or you can

Far more than a delicious drink, ginger beer deserves the ‘health tonic’ title. This brew has lots of beneficial bugs for your gut, works wonders for the digestive system and has anti-inflammatory qualities. Ginger is well known for use against motion sickness or nausea and hands down, this is the best cure for the festive season hangover! Our ginger beer is cold pressed and not heated at any stage of the process. We do add sugar (you have to, to create fermentation) but don’t let that put you off! The majority of the sugar is used in the fermentation process and we use rapadura sugar which is unprocessed sugar cane that still contains nutrients. The end result is a fizzy drink with a good ginger kick, a taste of lemon and not too sweet at all.

DIY Christmas Brew. Here’s our ‘secret’ recipe: Ingredients: Ginger bug 100g ginger (approx) 1/2 cup rapadura sugar (approx) 500ml filtered water The Brew 300g organic ginger 1 cup lemon juice – 4-7 lemons depending how juicy they are! 3 cups rapadura sugar 7 litres filtered water Method: Before you make the brew you need to create the ginger bug. A ginger bug is the ‘starter’ of a naturally fermented beverage. The mixture of sugar, ginger and water captures wild yeasts and beneficial bacteria, which is added for a probiotic boost and to create the fizz! Ginger bug (Note: This could take a few days!) Into a jar put approximately: 1 tablespoon each of grated ginger (leave skin on) and rapadura sugar Add 500ml of filtered water. Stir well to dissolve sugar Place a piece of muslin or any cloth over the top (to prevent intruders)

Each day add another tablespoon each of grated ginger and sugar. Stir well, at least once in the morning and once at night… and in the middle of the day if you are about. The ‘bug’ is ready when bubbles start forming on the top. This may take just a day or two, or as long as a week. It is completely dependent on the temperature. Once it starts to bubble you can start to make the brew! The brew You will need a large fermenting jar (or any large container/pot, or two smaller containers would be fine too). We use an 8 litre glass jar with a tap. Fill container with 7 litres of filtered water

(if your filtered water is cold let it sit until it reaches room temperature). Juice your ginger – preferably in a ‘cold press’ masticating machine, however you can use a centrifugal machine also. Juice your lemons. To your water add: ginger juice, lemon juice, 3 cups of rapadura sugar and 3/4 of the (strained) liquid from your ginger bug. Stir well until sugar is dissolved. Place a large piece of cloth or a loose-fitting lid over your brew. Just like the ‘bug’, your brew is ready when bubbles start forming on the top. This may take just a day or two, or as long as a week. Stir your brew at least twice a day. As soon as bubbles start forming it’s ready to bottle. Note: once ready ensure you keep the bottles in the fridge otherwise the brew will continue to ferment (and eventually explode). The more brews you make the more you will get a feel for it. Goodluck! To see their full range of products, including their delicious ginger beer, check out Nurtured Earth Organic online at nurtured-earth.com.au. Their much-loved ginger beer is also about to hit café shelves under the name Iconic Tonic.

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EDUCATION & SCIENCE PAGE 33 10 DECEMBER 2021

Senate inquiry into GP shortage comes to Coast The first senate hearing outside of Canberra into the so-called GP crisis is to take place at Erina Leagues Club on December 14. Among those who will address the inquiry are Wyong District Hospital and Newcastle University’s Dr Gordon Reid, Chairperson of the Central Coast Community Women’s Health Centre, Robyn Moore, plus local GPs Dr Brad Cranney and Dr Shamila Beattie, and the Practice Manager for the Central Coast Skin Cancer Clinic, Jillian Power. In August this year, the Senate referred an inquiry into the provision of GPs and related primary health services to outer metropolitan, rural, and regional Australians to the Senate Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry. The inquiry came off the back of anecdotes among communities about GP shortages outside of the country’s main metropolitan areas. The Central Coast has been repeatedly named as an area of concern where GP shortages and rising Medicare gap

payments are leading to poor health outcomes and increasing numbers of visits to Emergency Departments. Since the inquiry called for submissions, several GPs and medical practitioners on the Central Coast, have confirmed that there is a GP crisis and that the crisis has been fuelled by myriad issues. “Issues of particular alarm for local general practitioners include the increasing costs associated with running a practice; the rising costs of private medical indemnity insurance; and the increasing complexity of patient care required in a short consultation time,” said Dr Gordon Reid. “This has led to multiple practices charging higher fees, resulting in a gap payment for patients. “These matters have coalesced and meant patients will present to the Emergency Department for problems that are able to be treated in the community by a general practitioner or primary care service.” Robyn Moore’s submission echoed community concerns and highlighted the difficulty

her health centre has undergone to recruit staff. “For the past three years we have been trying to recruit more GPs for our community practice as we knew that our long serving GPs would be retiring. “During this period, we have advertised with the RACGP, Hunter New England Central Coast (HNECC) Primary Health Network (PHN), Facebook, Seek and specialist medical recruiters. “The competition for GPs on the Central Coast has been very challenging as there have been increasing shortages for the past five years,” she explained. The situation is complex and made more complicated by the rules and legislation that applies to the training and recruitment of doctors, both Australian-trained, and those who have trained overseas. Changes to the governing rules began in 2018 and 2019, which exacerbated what were seen as already long-standing recruitment challenges. One of those changes applied to the rules that allowed medical centres to sponsor overseas doctors and bring

them into Australia. The second was alterations made to the “distribution priority areas” (DPA) which allowed practices, in the face of shortages, to recruit international doctors. A DPA, an area officially recognised as having a shortage, can only be applied when it is outside what is known as a ‘MM1’ – there being seven MM levels across the country in total. MM stands for Modified Monash (Model). MM1 is metropolitan. The Central Coast has been classified as an MM1 area, meaning it is unable to reap the benefits of a DPA status. Dr Shamila Beattie is a GP and business owner based on the Coast who has made a detailed submission to the inquiry. “We were designated to be in a district of workforce shortage and in addition to the usual recruitment pathways, we were eligible to sponsor overseas trained doctors similar to ourselves. “This system worked well and by 2019 we had five fulltime GPs and one part time servicing over 8000 patients,”

she explained. “Due to changes in the government policy, we are no longer eligible to sponsor overseas trained doctors or deemed to be in a Distribution Priority Area (DPA). “This change to policy has had a catastrophic effect to our local community as we are no longer able to provide the service they want or deserve. “We have to turn away new patients every day as all of our GPs have closed their books. “We have a minimum of one week to see a doctor and at least 10 people on our cancellation list every day.” Dr Brad Cranney operates four medical centres on the Coast located at Toukley, Warnervale and Tuggerah. In his submission he explained that he would lose Doctors over the next five years as they retired. “We cannot survive without the ability to hire overseas Doctors,” he said. “Patients in the community are waiting weeks to get an appointment with their GP and we are turning away 60 patients a day. “We need to train more

medical students in Australian Universities and rotate them to general practices outside of capital cities as part of their tertiary education.” Submissions also point to issues surrounding a freezing of Medicare rebates and a reduction on the Central Coast of bulk billing rebates to match those of Greater Sydney. Jillian Power, practice manager of the Central Coast Skin Cancer Clinic, said the Central Coast has been unable to attract medical practitioners. “Most doctors seem to prefer to stay in Sydney and work, rather than travel an hour or 90 minutes up to our area to work. “The solution would be to classify the Central Coast as an area in need. “I am aware that we’re not the only practice wishing to recruit GPs. Doctors in Wamberal and East Gosford are also looking for staff to join their practices as they wish to cater for their growing populations.” It is the committee’s intention to report back by the end of March 2022. Nicola Riches

Popular Wyoming practice acquired by Mounties Mounties Group has taken over a leading integrative medical practice at Wyoming as it builds on its healthcare services by launching physical GP clinics across the state. Following the launch of its pioneering home-based healthcare service, Mounties Care, just over one year ago, the group wants to make GP services more available to members. Owned and operated by Dr Penny Caldicott and Eric D’Indy, Invitation to Health was formed in 2003 with a team of six

health professionals including doctors, nurses, therapists, and businesspeople, all with a vested interest in holistic health. The centre has grown to serve a patient community of over 4,000 with 12 practitioners. Invitation to Health offers an integrated model of healthcare, with doctors and other practitioners working together to deliver person-centred medicine that addresses all aspects of a patient’s health and wellbeing. The approach is strongly evidence- based and focuses on the prevention, effective

management and, where possible, reversal of chronic disease. “We formed the practice with a vision to provide a community of care to address the disease of our times,” Caldicott said. “We wanted to welcome, listen and provide the best possible evidence- based solutions for the increasing burden of chronic disease in our communities. “This mission, along with our values, aligns with how Mounties have always operated – like us, they truly care about members of the community and improving their lives.

“Being part of a group that has such a huge footprint across NSW means that we can reach and provide care to even more people with our unique approach to health.” The Wyoming centre will continue to operate as Invitation to Health for the foreseeable future with Caldicott and D’Indy still involved in the centre’s operations. They will also assist in the creation of other planned Mounties Care clinic locations across NSW. Mounties Group CEO, Dale Hunt, said the move had been a year in the making and was

always part of the plan. Other GP health clinics at Harbord Diggers and Mounties, both due to launch in the next six months once their fit outs are completed, will be called Mounties Care Health Clinics. “Mounties Care has had an outstanding year since its initial launch and this move adds another string to our bow for our members and local communities”, Hunt said. “Our ethos of improving the lives of our members is something we carry through in everything we do. “When we first launched Mounties Care, the goal was

always to have physical locations for members to access high quality face to face care, at a time and place most convenient to them and when they need it the most. “Our home-based services are running well, with many members using the current services. “We have spent the past year seeking the right partner for this next phase in our service offering and we know that we have struck absolute gold with Invitation to Health.”

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EDUCATION & SCIENCE

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Teacher walkout first in a decade Dozens of teachers gathered at Gosford’s Adcock Park on December 7 as public school teachers and principals throughout the state walked off the job for the first time in 10 years to fight for the future of their profession. They were protesting teacher shortages, increased workloads as what they say is an “effective pay freeze” following 18 months of disruptions to classrooms due to CIOVID-19 restrictions Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, and Labor candidate for the Federal seat of Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid, met with teachers to offer their support. “The shortage of teachers was exposed in the Gallop Inquiry which found that there must be 11,000 teachers recruited by 2031 just to meet the projected enrolment numbers,” Tesch said. “The Inquiry also revealed that NSW is experiencing the worst shortfall nationally and that in the last 10 years NSW public schools have been chronically low in the number of teachers when compared to the national average. Tesch said as a former

Teachers gathered at Adcock Park on December 7

teacher she understands the frustration and believes the NSW Government needs to take responsibility. “I know first-hand just how much time goes into teaching and how much the workload has increased in recent years, yet the pay for our teachers has stayed the same,” she said. “Unless the Government listens to teachers and addresses their concerns we will fall further into crisis and our kids will pay the price.” Teacher’s Federation Director

and Gosford High School teacher, Catherine Gray, said teachers have had enough. “We are on strike today because we are extremely concerned with the Government’s lack of regard to our concerns,” she said. “I started teaching in 1986, before computers and data collection. “Now we are expected to conduct detailed record keeping and analysis and still teach. “We have not had an adequate

pay rise and our workload continues to grow. “We are asking the NSW Government for two more hours a week for preparation time and we are asking for a fair pay rise.” Jenny Ferguson, the women’s representative at Gosford High School, said the Government needs to start thinking about the future. “The dropout rate associated with young teachers and the opportunities that exist beyond such a well-prized profession

means that teachers walk out,” she said. “We need to attract and keep those teachers for the future of our industry.” Benjamin Snowdon, a science teacher who has been working for one year, said he protested because he cares about the future of students and the profession. “I’m hearing stories in the staffroom about lots of teachers retiring and how much more work there is and no compensation to make up for

it,” he said. “I’m teaching - something I am passionate about - and I don’t want to be driven out of the profession based on bad conditions; I want to be able to be there for our students and our state”. Fellow science teacher Michelle Challinor said the situation on the ground is dire. “We don’t have enough science teachers and we are not attracting the top graduates into teaching because they are going into other better paying fields,” she said. “We can’t get casuals, we can’t fill positions; it’s across the whole STEM sector.” Teachers Federation President, Angelo Gavrielatos, said a state-wide advertising campaign will be stepped up with TV, radio and print advertisements focused on the failure of the government to fix the teacher shortages. He said new data from the McKell Institute has found that teachers will face a real wage cut of $511 each year if they accept the 2.5 per cent public sector wage cap, given inflation is running at 3 per cent. Terry Collins

TAFE proposal ‘music to the ears’ for Conservatorium Central Coast Conservatorium of Music has applauded last week’s announcement that the State Government will buy key sites in Mann St and Georgiana Tce, Gosford, to form part of a huge TAFE campus and affordable housing precinct. Conservatorium President, Claire Braund,said confirmation that the Conservatorium’s facilities would be incorporated into the new TAFE campus was “a great relief”. “It has been an ongoing challenge to secure the future of the Conservatorium and build a fit-for-purpose facility for our students, teachers and staff,” Braund said. “For years we have had to make-do and beg and borrow rehearsal spaces and practice

rooms from shopping centres, churches and halls. “The welcome news that we can work with another education provider to design a purpose-built facility will be ‘music to the ears’ of the many thousands of supporters of the Conservatorium community.” The Conservatorium is the Crown Land lessee of 45 Mann St, the oldest building in Gosford, which is currently being restored and updated with a $2M NSW Government grant. Work on stage 2 will recommence early in January with anticipated completion sometime in Term 2. To boost its teaching facilities, the Conservatorium leases 126 Georgiana Tce from Council. The site was listed for sale by Council as part of its debt recovery plan, potentially

Central Conservatorium President, Claire Braund

impacting up to 500 students a week who in pre-COVID times attended the site for lessons and rehearsals.

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“This was clearly a major threat to our security and our future – a threat that has been effectively mitigated by this announcement,” Braund said.

She said the Conservatorium had been invited to work with LandCom, TAFE and the NSW Government on the proposed facilities and was looking forward to being part of planning. “The opportunity to partner with TAFE and explore options for new courses and programs in the music and performance space is very exciting for the future of music education and performance on the Central Coast” Braund said. Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch also welcomed the announcement but said she would reserve further comment until she sees some action. “The announcement is a proposal to investigate maybe building a new TAFE here in Gosford,” Tesch said. “Let’s be clear, this isn’t the opening of a new building or

even the signing of a contract to start construction – this is just a proposal. “Forgive me for being a little cynical but until we see shovels in the ground this is just another thought-bubble like the commuter car parks for Woy Woy and Gosford or the University Campus at the old Mitre 10 building.” Tesch said the prospect of affordable housing being included in the project was encouraging. “Living on the Coast has become completely unattainable for so many in our community,” she said. “I’m glad (the Government is) finally waking up to this problem – however we’ll (need to) see it to believe it.” Terry Collins

Central Coast

CCN

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EDUCATION & SCIENCE PAGE 35 10 DECEMBER 2021

National preschool agreement welcomed by parents Central Coast Council P&C (CCCP&C) has welcomed news of a historic agreement which will see the NSW and Federal Governments provide $840M in preschool funding. The new National Preschool Reform Agreement, with NSW as its first signatory, will ensure every child in the state will receive at least 15 hours per week of high-quality education in the year before school, regardless of where they live or their background. Spokesperson Sharryn Brownlee said CCCP&C had been advocating for 15 hours of preschool for every child. “Having access to preschool services not only helps all

children socially and academically, it allows early identification of learning difficulties, speech or hearing problems etc,” she said. “Children will have better life chances and families will manage better if these and other matters are picked up early. “There is also well researched evidence that young children transition to school with ease after having time at preschool. “Brain development is nurtured through sound and visual stimulation. “Also healthy routines and eating habits as well as learning to share, take turns and have fun with an exciting range of toys and activities really benefits small children.

“NSW has a number of preschools attached to primary schools and this further eases

Dinosaurs return

The dinosaurs are back at The Australian Reptile Park – and this year the popular Jurassic Zoo school holiday promotion will be bigger and better than ever. A Tyrannosaurs Rex, Indoraptor and a Pachycephalosaurus are on the loose throughout the park, taking daily walks and interacting with visitors. Jurassic Zoo also ioncloudes the famous Dino Dance Party, a treat for the little ones , and the Dino Dig, giving budding paleontologists the chance to unearth ancient fossils.

Zookeepers will also be roving the park with all sorts of reptiles to meet up close. There will be a daily show featuring the park’s resident crocodiles – the closest living relative and ancient cousins of the dinosaurs. Elvis the five-metre saltwater crocodile thought to be the crankiest croc in Australia will be fed daily during a show in which he demonstrates the strength of his snapping jaws, capable of crushing the skull of prey as large as a water buffalo. Deadly and dangerous Jurassic Zoo events will extend

into the park’s lagoon, home to 50 American alligators. At their daily feeding, food is dangled over a walking plank, with the giant reptiles launching high out of the water to snap for food. Visitors will also have opportunity to feed the alligators themselves. Guests can book either a Behind-The-Scenes tour or one of the popular and interactive Kids 2 Keepers programs. Source: Media release, Dec 9 Australian Reptile Park

the transition to school and offers great support for students, their families and staff.” Brownlee said with diverse families across the Central Coast it would be ideal to locate more Department of Education preschools in the region to ensure equity for all children. Acting Minister for Education and Youth, Stuart Robert, said the new agreement will ensure

children in NSW have access to quality preschool options and are better prepared for their first year of school. This funding agreement provides certainty to parents, educators and the sector throughout NSW,” he said. The Commonwealth Government has committed $560M in new funding with more than $280M from the NSW Government to support

the four-year funding deal. The NSW Government will also increase the quality of preschool and long day care education by delivering targeted programs for children who experience disadvantage. Funding will be linked to reforms to increase preschool participation rates and improve outcomes, benefiting all children regardless of the type of preschool they attend. There will be an increased focus on engagement of children and families, particularly from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds, to help them have a happy, safe and supported preschool experience and a stronger start in life. The Commonwealth’s investment in early childhood education also includes around $10B a year through the childcare system to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for families using child care and improve workforce participation. Terry Collins

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SPORT PAGE 37 10 DECEMBER 2021

Women’s 35s win final of masters carnival HOCKEY Local teams placed first and second in the 2021 Masters Carnival at Central Coast Hockey Park in Wyong from December 3 to 5.

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A total of 26 teams travelled from across the state to compete in the carnival – the teams were drawn from six divisions and travelled from as far away as Dubbo, Orange and Taree. The contest had a round robin format preceding a single final between the top two teams. In the Men 40s, Orange defeated

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TAH connection won in the Women 50s against Western Kaos in a tight 1-0 match. Central Coast Hockey Association President, Brett Johnson, said the weekend was a great success after many long months of community sport cancellation. “Everyone that participated over the weekend was very happy that we could host the carnival again, especially since most of the participants hadn’t participated in any community sport since June, when the lockdown started,” Johnson said. “It was a bit of a challenge because people’s bodies weren’t necessarily conditioned for hockey but everyone just ripped in and gave it their best all weekend. “There weren’t too many

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injuries, but lots of bruised and battered bodies by the time the Sunday games had finished. “It’s getting a bit of a name as a good, fun, hockey carnival now which is great, and that is what we want it to be: a nice relaxing weekend with a bit of hockey thrown in. “A lot of people are already talking about coming back and doing it again next year, so we’re hoping to have a Covid-free year next year and host this carnival again. “From a NSW perspective, this is the only event that you currently have on the calendar that both men and women masters attend at the same time, which is good for husbands and wives looking to play some hockey and enjoy a

nice weekend away.” CCN

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Molly’s Hawaiian heartbreak

SURFING The 2021 Challenger Series has reached a conclusion in Hawaii without Championship Tour (CT) qualification for Avoca Beach’s Macy Callaghan and Wade Carmichael, nor for Shelly Beach’s Molly Picklum. The Haleiwa Challenger occurred on Oahu’s notoriously strong North Shore reef break from November 26 to December 6, taking multiple lay days throughout before ending with victory for local surfers, John John Florence and Bettylou Sakura Johnson. With Carmichael eliminated in his opening men’s Round of 64 heat on Day One, it wasn’t until December 5 that Callaghan and Picklum entered the waves for the women’s Round of 32. At the back end of a fierce and unpredictable swell that challenged the male finalists earlier in the day, reaching up to 10 feet in size, both surfers impressed by winning their respective heats. In Heat Five, Picklum showed her potential on her very first wave only three minutes in, securing a Round of 32 second

Molly Picklum (blue) shaking hands with Portuguese surfer, Teresa Bonvalot (green), after winning her opening Round of 32 heat, Sunday December 5

highest score of 8.33. Beginning with a graceful frontside snap, her second turn traced the wave’s lip with control as it crashed down white water all around her, and a first pump to the cheering crowd revealed her exuberance in landing as neatly as she did. For Callaghan, a calm start spent searching for the right

wave ended with three sevenpoint range scores secured on the forehand to first find the lead and then extend it for a two-wave score of 14.50. This was as far as Macy would advance at both Haleiwa and in the Series due to her elimination in the following day’s Quarter Final, with Sakura Johnson and American Lakey Peterson advancing ahead.

In the previous Quarter Final Picklum managed to find two late five point plus scores in a row to finish first and advance into a hotly-contested Semi against Sakura Johnson and Peterson, as well as Victorian surfer, India Robinson. Third place would have earned Picklum enough points in the overall Series tally to qualify for the CT, but a stagger

at the final line brought her season to a close. Although holding the lead into final 10 minutes, she was then pushed down to the bottom by the impressive performances of her fellows. With the wave priority in the final minute, Picklum required a 5.87 to push back up into second place and qualify for

the Grand Final or 4.90 to finish in third. Her final attempt began with 30 seconds on the clock but was foiled by her overpowered first snap that saw her fall off her board. As a result, Molly finished eighth overall in the Series with only the top seven advancing through to the CT, missing out behind Hawaiian Luana Silva on a tie-breaker decided by the best two out of four event results. Not far behind in 15th place finished Callaghan, with Carmichael placing 80th in the men’s division. This has made for a disappointing end to the Series for the three Central Coast surfers, felt most poignantly by Picklum at the very edge of CT qualification. With the level of international competition in the World Surf League at its all-time highest, these three have nothing to be ashamed of and they will surely seek more chances in future seasons at reaching the uppermost echelon in professional surfing. CCN

Narrow loss for Mariners with first home game to come FOOTBALL A 1-0 loss and frustration met the Central Coast Mariners at Penrith Stadium on Sunday, December 5, against their undominant hosts, Macarthur FC. The single goal was inadvertently scored by Mariners’ captain, Oliver Bozanic, wrongfooting debutant goalkeeper, Lawrence Caruso for a fatal own goal before half time. In recognisable yellow, the away side played with high energy the whole game, yet their dominance in possession went unrewarded on the score board. Mark Birighitti was suspended for one match after an FFA Cup red card on Wednesday against the

Wollongong Wolves so Yaren Sözer stepped up for his debut in the A-League. An upper leg injury flare up at the 20th minute mark forced the second-choice keeper from the field and brought Caruso into the goal. Up the other end, the Mariners maintained their strength in passing play and found dangerous positions on goal thanks to the growing confidence of Joshua Nisbet, Harrison Steele and Matheus Moresche in taking on defenders, one on one. A deadlocked half-time score was denied the Mariners in the final minute of regular time with a goal for Macarthur, scored via a cruel deflection against Oliver Bozanic’s side. Ex-Mariner, Daniel De Silva, was crucial in the set-up, wrong-footing Ruon Tongyik

FORT DENISON

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

Centre back, Ruon Tongyik, warming up

to jet down the wing and find the pass in-field to Ulises Dávila. The Macarthur captain shot the ball hard and fast, first into Bozanic before ricocheting

into the far corner, giving his team the lead even though they hadn’t made a single shot on target all game. Restarting play for the second half, the Mariners

TIDE CHART

continued to push against their hosts to create a steady stream of chances. Marcos Ureña kept Macarthur keeper, Filip Kurto, on his toes with two powerful shots in the first five minutes, the first blocked by a shoulder, the second skimming just wide of the side post. The final third of play brought even higher stakes for the Mariners who were desperate to turn their midfield dominance into points. A 74th minute low cross by Lewis Miller flitted tantalizingly in front of Kurto, drawing Ureña, Moresche and a line of Macarthur defenders into fierce contact with each other as they contested control of the ball. At the other end, Caruso found his feet within the goal posts, making a number of

vital saves from corners to prevent his team’s deficit from doubling. Debutant, Harry McCarthy, had his first run in the A-League after scoring the winning goal mid-week against the Wolves, but he could not repeat the magic. In the end, the necessary goal could not be found by the Mariners who remain challenged in unlocking the great potential of their multiple goal-scoring talents, both new and seasoned in yellow. Although disappointing to have conceded two A-League losses on the road in a row, the team can look forward to this Sunday’s Match Week Four contest against rivals, Sydney FC, scheduled to be the first home game of the season at Central Coast Stadium. CCN

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

Times and Heights(m) of high and low waters

0214 1.30 0315 1.32 0414 1.36 0508 1.42 0556 1.49 0007 0.53 0045 0.54 0743 0.66 0850 0.70 1000 0.72 1111 0.70 1215 0.66 0640 1.56 0719 1.63 FRI 1407 1.66 SAT 1508 1.54 SUN 1611 1.43 MON 1711 1.36 TUE 1805 1.32 WED 1310 0.61 THU 1356 0.54 2102 0.42 2155 0.47 2244 0.51 2328 0.52 1855 1.29 1941 1.29 0122 0.54 0158 0.55 0233 0.56 0310 0.57 0346 0.58 0426 0.60 0506 0.62 0756 1.69 0832 1.73 0908 1.76 0944 1.78 1020 1.78 1059 1.76 1137 1.73 FRI 1436 0.49 SAT 1514 0.44 SUN 1550 0.41 MON 1627 0.40 TUE 1703 0.41 WED 1743 0.43 THU 1823 0.45 2023 1.29 2103 1.29 2143 1.29 2221 1.28 2300 1.27 2340 1.26

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 10 DECEMBER 2021

PAGE 40 10 DECEMBER 2021 SPORT

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Opetaia wins shot at world title

Jai Opetaia in action against Daniel Russell Photo: AAP Imge

BOXING Jai Opetaia, the Coast’s undefeated cruiserweight fighter, kept alive his dream of a world title shot with a successful return to the ring – defeating Daniel Russell in three rounds at Brisbane’s Fortitude Music Hall on Saturday December 4. A contest against Latvia’s IBF

world cruiserweight champion Mairis Briedis has been mandated by the International Boxing Federation to occur before April 2022. The impending fight against Briedis will be the first major world title fight held in Australia since 2017 and likely to take place between late-January and early-February. In a jam-packed night of

boxing in Brisbane, the stakes were high for Watanobbi’s own, who had not fought competitively since October 2020 due to a hand injury requiring surgery. Entering the Russell matchup as the strong favourite with a record of 20-0-0 (wins-drawslosses) against Russell with 7-3-2, a loss would have resulted in an end to his longfought world title journey.

Matching up against the 32-year-old Russell (former Australian cruiserweight champion) weighing in at 184cm 94.6kg, Opetaia entered the fight at 190cm and 94.05kg. The 26-year-old southpaw was full of confidence from the first round, marshalling Russell around the ring and landing early hits to the head and body.

In the second three-minute round, Opetaia forced Russell to take a knee for the first time, accomplished via a clean and sharp head knock and followed with continued pressure. With a good lead heading into the third round, Jai picked up momentum and brought Russell onto his knee two more times, the latter forcing the referee to step in and call the fight to an end – with Jai still

looking fresh and ready for more. This fight was a positive return to the ring for the cruiserweight world title’s most recent challenger. Jai will now refocus for the impending fight against Briedis. CCN

Sailability to return in January SAILING Sailability Gosford will return to Brisbane Water in January after COVID-19 restrictions and lockdown put a pause to regular sailing sessions.

Sailability Treasurer, Jeremy Cooper, Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch and Sailability President, Randel La borde

President Randel La borde is encouraging disabled residents to give the sport a go. “There are so many pleasures and benefits involved with sailing” he said. “Participants will increase their confidence, develop valuable skills, make new

friends, feel the warmth of the sun and the thrill of the water and become knowledgeable of the changing conditions on the water.” Treasurer Jeremy Cooper said many participants are denied an opportunity to be in control of a vehicle or other mode of transportation in their daily lives. “While out on the water and in command of a sailing boat, sailors gain a sense of autonomy and independence,” he said.

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch welcomed the return of the sport. “Sailability is a terrific organisation that gives residents, young and old, living with physical or intellectual disabilities, a taste of what it’s like on the water,” Tesch said. “The very first Sailability started right here on the Central Coast, in Gosford, in 1995 and it’s so pleasing to see this legacy continue.” Participants will be coupled with an experienced partner,

who will ensure maximum safety and that participants are seated during the whole experience. Sailability uses two-person sailboats which are steered with a joystick, using sails controlled by accessible lines. Sailability Gosford is run out of Gosford Sailing Club and is an inclusive and safe space. For more information about getting involved visit www. sailabilitygosford.org or email info@sailabilitygosford.org Terry Collins