Coast Community News 382

Another disaster wiping out beehives

The Central Coast bee industry has been struck another devastating blow with five new areas infested with Varroa Mite and an expansion of the Central Coast Eradication Zone further south. See page 20

Battle lines drawn for State election

With just over a week to go before the March 25 State election, ballot positions have been drawn and the major parties are vying for votes with pledges galore.

The Central Coast’s five electorates will field a total of 26 candidates, with a variety of smaller parties and independents challenging the Liberals (LNP) and the Labor Party (ALP) for the seats of Gosford, Terrigal, The Entrance, Wyong and Swansea.

Of the region’s five seats all but one are currently held by the ALP, with Terrigal‘s incumbent Liberal Member Adam Crouch set to run for his third term against Labor hopeful Sam Boughton.

Fighting to retain their seats will be Labor MPs Liesl Tesch (Gosford), David Mehan (The Entrance) and Yasmin Catley (Swansea).

Out to wrestle the electorates from the Labor stronghold for the Liberals

will be Deanna Bocking (Gosford), Nathan Bracken (The Entrance) and Megan Anderson (Swansea).

Sitting Labor Member David Harris is almost guaranteed to retain his seat of Wyong with the last-minute disendorsement of Liberal candidate Matthew Squires on March 13 (see

(Gosford); Imogen da Silva (Terrigal); Doug Williamson (Wyong); Ralph Stephenson (The Entrance); and Heather Foord (Swansea).

Region specific pledges made by Labor include: $8M over four years to Central Coast Council to fund vital footpath projects across the region; extension of the 24-hour Economy Strategy to include the Coast and provide a more vibrant night life; a funding boost for Central Coast Community Women’s Health Centre

Sport

separate story).

If the state results reflect last year’s Federal election, The Greens could record a marked increase in votes, with their preferences vital to the eventual outcome.

The Greens will field candidates in all five seats: Hilary van Haren

Beekeepers are facing the prospect of euthanising their bees

Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch is the only incumbent Liberal MP in the region

Photo: DPI

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Coasties caught in rail network chaos

Central Coast train users caught up in a total rail network standstill on Wednesday afternoon, March 8, are still searching for answers and waiting for the free day of travel promised by Premier Dominic Perrottett following the debacle.

School children, travellers and commuters were amazed by the fact that all trains across the entire city network were at a standstill from approximately 3pm to 4.30pm on the day.

not use, any material sent to us for publication and to validate, amend, update, expand or reduce the information provided at our sole discretion and in accordance with our editorial guidelines. Material that is offensive, defamatory, or overtly political will not be published.

Editor: Ross Barry, David Abrahams (Digital Editor)

Journalists: Terry Collins, Sue Murray

Graphic Designer: Brad Yee

Distribution: Anthony Wagstaff

Phone: (02) 4325 7369

Email to: editorial@centralcoastnews.net

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ABOUT US

Central Coast Newspapers

Pty Ltd (CCN) is a locally owned and operated, independent news media business, providing local print and digital news to communities across the Central Coast.

CCN publishes the Coast Community News weekly with over 33,000 copies available via more than 250 distribution points all across the Central Coast.

Most stories can be viewed on coastcommunitynews. com.au

CCN seeks to uphold the core purpose of the free press,

that is, to provide real, publicinterest journalism without fear or prejudice, to keep communities informed about local issues and events and to ensure powerful interest groups, public and private, are held to account.

Our news content is originated through our own team of experienced, local journalists as well as external sources, including media releases and public notices. All our content is subject to strict editorial standards (available on the website).

Ross Barry, Publisher

Even after services resumed major delays ensued. Perrottet apologised for the chaos just weeks out from the state election.

He ordered a free day of travel as compensation for the failures, saying “These challenges occur from time to time”.

But details of the fare-free

day are yet to be announced. The situation arose after the failure of the digital radio system which train controllers use to communicate with rail crews, NSW Transport Management Centre spokesperson Derrick Peterson said.

Rail users were advised by staff at Gosford station to consider other forms of transport as staff were unsure how long the outage would last.

Sydney Trains CEO Matt Longland said a communications system upgrade occurred over the weekend prior, but his advice was the failures were unrelated.

Chief Operations Officer for Transport for NSW Howard Collins told ABC Radio Sydney that the radio system failure was significant.

“We’ve not had a similar incident across the rail network with this particular system,”

he said.

Retiring Transport Minister David Elliot speculated that it could have been caused by “foreign interference or industrial sabotage”, though these statements were rebuffed on Thursday, March 9, by senior managers at Sydney Trains, who said the network had been stopped for safety reasons due to a digital train radio system failure.

The NSW Labor Party jumped on the failure, with Shadow Transport Minister Jo Haylen saying the government’s own Minister was at fault.

“The lights were out across Sydney trains but they were also out in the retiring Transport Minister’s office,” she said.

An internal investigation has been initiated to get to the bottom of the problems.

David Abrahams

Firefighters honoured for work during Black Summer

More than 50 Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters from across the Central Coast have been awarded the National Emergency Medal for their heroic efforts during the 2019-20 Black Summer bush fires.

Parliamentary Secretary for

the Central Coast Adam Crouch joined FRNSW Commissioner Paul Baxter on March 9 at the Wyong Leagues Club to present the medal to 56 recipients.

“This honour is only awarded to those who have provided outstanding service during nationally significant emergencies,” Crouch said.

“These 56 firefighters displayed incredible courage and dedication during one of our worst ever natural disasters, and I can’t thank them enough for their efforts.

“These brave men and women put their lives on the line to save others on countless occasions during that horrific summer.

“Without the swift response to these fires and the continued bravery that was displayed by all, the death toll and loss of homes could have been so much worse.”

Source: Media release, Mar 10 Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch

Trains were at a standstill at Gosford during the disruption

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch and FRNSW Commissioner Paul Baxter (centre front) with the medal recipients

Housing crisis and homelessness loom large as election issues

With housing shortages and homeless on the Central Coast likely to be a big election issue on March 25, Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch and Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch outlined their governments’ policies at a symposium in Gosford on March 10.

Despite several commitments from Tesch to address the crisis and a generalised statement from Crouch, neither candidate promised the cold hard cash homelessness services say is needed to address the situation.

Organised by Coast Shelter and Homelessness NSW, the symposium also featured a panel discussion featuring representatives from Catholic Care, Central Coast Council, Bungree Aboriginal Association and Homelessness NSW.

Coast Shelter CEO Michael Starr kicked off the symposium, saying demand for temporary housing through the organisation was outstripping capacity, particularly for young people aged under 25, with a

steady increase in demand every month for the past year.

He said priorities for a new State Government should be appointing a Minister for Housing and Homelessness and establishing one lead agency to co-ordinate housing relief.

“Separate responsibilities don’t work,” he said.

“We also need an integrated response from all levels of government.

“Fragmented responses are not acceptable – services need certainty.”

Homelessness NSW CEO

Trina Jones spoke next, telling the symposium current rates of homelessness, exacerbated by COVID-19 and the rising cost of living, were solvable with concerted government action.

“In 2021, 70,000 people were assisted out of homelessness – 30 percent more than support organisations are funded for,” she said.

“Almost half (48 percent) of those asking for help had to be turned away.

“We are the second lowest funded state or territory in the country but have the second highest incidence of homelessness behind the Northern Territory.”

Jones said with 57,000 on the waiting list for social housing and many waiting up to 10 years for placement, it would take 80 years just to house those currently on the list.

She called for a new benchmark of 10 percent of all new housing to be social housing by 2050 and for an additional State Government investment of $1.279B to attack the crisis, along with an extra $152M each year for homelessness services.

During the panel discussion, Bungree Manager Homelessness Services Miley Nixon said lack of housing stock was seeing the service turn many away, with support offered only to the most vulnerable.

Central Coast Council Unit Manager Community and Culture Glenn Cannard said the Council was committed to a

forward-thinking strategy to address the problem, with access to suitable land for housing one of the major issues.

Angela Whitby of Catholic Care said the service was also seeing increased demand, with an associated spike in domestic violence forcing a response reaction rather than prevention.

Tesch addressed the symposium next, acknowledging that government needed to do better, with 60-80 percent of those seeking help from her office experiencing housing stress, and women the most vulnerable.

She said Labor knew it was time to stop “buck passing” and already had a Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness, with a Minister in a new Labor government to be responsible for the sector.

She said Labor had plans to: introduce five-year funding blocks for service providers to create certainty; free-up more government land for housing; double funding for women’s

health centres and increase support to Lifeline for face-toface services; and foster a whole-of-government approach to suicide prevention.

She pointed to a recent pledge of $20M for specialised mental health housing on the Coast to ease the strain on regular homelessness services and said she would be personally pushing for $5M for Pacific Link Housing and more housing for young people other than stand-alone houses.

“It’s time to start looking at out-of-the box solutions such as Allawah House at East Gosford,” she said.

That project saw a disused aged facility converted into a 14-room transitional housing facility for displaced older women.

Tesch said Labor had committed to the 10 percent of housing to be social housing by 2050 benchmark.

Crouch took the podium next, saying finding housing solutions was “not an easy fix” and praised Central Coast

Council for “thinking outside the box” and working closely with Pacific Link Housing.

He said one of the biggest blocks to releasing land for social housing projects was opposition from the community.

“There is the opportunity to unlock land for thousands of homes in our region – the Pacific Link development in Beane St, Gosford is a good example – but we need to remove bureaucratic barriers,” he said.

“Every time we see an application for a boarding house or social housing development we hear opposition – and that holds up these projects for 6-12 months, which is denying people the right to have a roof over their heads.”

Neither MP made mention of Homelessness NSW’s plea for a $1.279B commitment to attack the housing crisis and an extra $152M each year for homelessness services.

Terry Collins

From left: Miley Nixon, Michael Starr, Trina Jones, Angela Whitby and Glenn Cannard at the Symposium

The panel found the only solution would be found in more housing being made available

Winners of this year’s Woman of the Year awards from the Central Coast’s state electorates have been announced.

The Local Woman of the Year Awards is an annual program which recognises and celebrates the support women give to their local communities throughout NSW.

A woman most deserving of the honour this year has been chosen in each of the Coast’s five electorates.

Kylie Cassidy is woman of the Year for the Gosford electorate.

She was instrumental in the establishment of The Glen for Women, the region’s Aboriginal community controlled drug rehabilitation centre.

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said Cassidy worked tirelessly with The Glen’s board of directors and the community to successfully open The Glen for Women in April 2022.

“The Glen for Women has now successfully offered a home for women from all over Australia who are seeking recovery from addiction,” she said.

“Many of these women have

Meet our Women of the Year

gone on to complete The Glen for Women program and return back to their families and communities.”

Cassidy is a proud Wiradjuri woman who grew up on the Central Coast, a local mother and a renowned Indigenous artist from Woy Woy.

Her artwork has been recognised and was used by the Sydney Roosters for their 2020 Indigenous Round jerseys.

Jan Sillato from MacMasters Beach was named Terrigal Woman of the Year in recognition of the significant support she has provided the Terrigal community.

Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said Sillato has provided more than 30 years of community service to the region.

“Starting at MacMasters Beach Bush Brigade in 1994, Jan has also been a volunteer with Kincumber P&C and Kincumber High School as Student Admin Officer,” he said.

“Just recently Jan was awarded life membership at MacMasters Beach Surf Club for her amazing contribution

over the past 20 plus years.

“Jan leads by example and provides inspirational encouragement and support for students, Nippers and seniors during training and competitions through the Surf Club.”

San Remo’s Oana McBride was named Swansea Local Woman of the Year for 2023.

Member for Swansea Yasmin Catley said McBride had been an advocate for palliative care for more than 12 years, following the death of a good friend.

“Despite working as a physio and nurse at the Royal North Shore Hospital, Oana left to dedicate her time and efforts towards establishing a palliative care unit at Gosford Hospital by lobbying lawyers and other relevant stakeholders,” Catley said.

“She also collaborated with Lions Clubs across the Central Coast to raise funding and presented a 10,000-signature petition to the NSW Minister for Health in 2019, calling for a palliative care unit to be installed at the hospital.

“Oana’s consistent efforts paid off, as Elsie’s Dream

Palliative Care Unit opened at Gosford Hospital in 2020.

“Over the past couple of years, the unit has thrived and made a major difference to the end-of-life care of many patients.

“Despite enduring her own battle with Bechet Disease, Oana continues to advocate for the creation of more palliative care services on the Central Coast, including at Wyong Hospital.”

Woman of the Year for The Entrance electorate is Te’re Melrose (popularly known as TJ).

Member for The Entrance David Mehan said Melrose had been recognised for her tremendous efforts as the creator and driving force behind the not-for-profit organisation Doggie Dates NSW.

“Ms Melrose established the organisation in 2015 (and it) reaches a diverse range of participants including retirees, young people, families and people with physical and or mental health challenges,” Mehan said.

“Her goal is to connect the community through regional-

based dog walking groups.

“The organisation currently has six regional groups, one of which is on the Central Coast.

“Ms Melrose has designed these groups to be safe and to help foster inclusiveness, socialisation and friendships; as well as providing education in responsible dog ownership.

“She also volunteers with Paws Pet Therapy and regularly visits organisations such as aged care facilities and groups supporting children and young people with special needs and those who have experienced trauma.

“I was delighted to attend a recent Doggie Dates event with my dog Gruff and present Ms Melrose with her certificate.

“This group is much more than just a dog walking group; the benefits to individual health and wellbeing are evident with the growing popularity of Doggie Dates on the Central Coast.

Sara Evans has been named the 2023 Woman of the Year for the Wyong electorate.

Member for Wyong David Harris said Evans has an amazing record of organising community events to support

charities and important causes.

“These efforts include raising money for Save Sight Institute, drought relief and Camp Breakaway to name a few,” he said.

“Sara is well known for her exceptional fund-raiser activities and is able to bring many groups and businesses together to support good causes.

“Our Central Coast for Farmers Drought Relief gathered Coasties together and provided much needed supplies to the remote NSW town of Packsaddle.

“Sara also swam 12 hours at Mingara pool to raise money for Save Sight Foundation and worked as the Community Engagement Co-ordinator for Camp Breakaway organising balls and events to support the organisation.

“Sara has faced personal hardships but has retained her passion for good causes; a remarkable Woman.”

The women were celebrated at the official 2023 NSW Women of the Year Awards ceremony in Sydney recently. Terry Collins

From left: Gosford Woman of the Year Kylie Cassidy, Terrigal Woman of the Year Jan Sillato, Swansea Woman of the Year Oana McBride, The Entrance Woman of the Year Te’re Melrose and Wyong Woman of the Year Sara Evans

Libs dump their candidate for Wyong electorate

Just hours after “offensive and unacceptable” historical social media posts allegedly made by Liberal Party candidate for the Wyong electorate Matthew Squires came to light he was dumped by the Party.

A Liberal Party spokesperson said an investigation was launched into social media comments allegedly made by Squires after questions were raised by the media and reported in The Australian newspaper on Monday, March 13.

Later that day the office of NSW Premier Dom Perrottet confirmed Squires was no longer the endorsed candidate for Wyong and Perrottet supported the action taken by the Party.

In the recent past Squires had allegedly posted comments on social media including homophobic, Islamophobic,

From page 1

State-wide pledges which will benefit the Coast include: up to $8,000 in savings each year for Central Coast commuters through a $60 weekly toll cap; extended funding cycles for community services from one year to five

anti-vax and climate change conspiracy views which the Liberal Party deemed “had no place in the Party”.

A NSW Liberal Party spokesperson told CCN that the Party had acted “immediately and decisively” as soon as Squires’ comments were brought to their attention by the media.

“The information that was brought to our attention and made public about some of the things he has said on social media were quite offensive and unacceptable,” the spokesperson said.

When CCN asked why the Liberal Party had only just found out about the alleged historical comments and viewpoints of their endorsed candidate, and questioned the Party’s scrutiny of the candidates it endorses, the spokesperson said “we don’t discuss internal processes”.

“The Party had no choice but

to disendorse the candidate who has failed to make appropriate disclosures to us during the nomination process but I’m unable to discuss the internal process publicly (of how a candidate is chosen and scrutinised),” the spokesperson said.

“We’re disappointed in how this came about but I don’t think anyone can argue that it was an

important thing for us to do (disendorsement).

“The Liberal Party expects high standards from (its) candidates; the comments made by the candidate are offensive and unacceptable.”

Squires was a late entry in the run for the Wyong electorate, being endorsed only last week as the Liberal Party’s candidate and his disendorsement has left

potential Liberal Party voters in the Wyong electorate sidelined.

According to Squires’ LinkedIn profile he is a healthcare leader with published articles in the clinical, process improvement and business space.

He has a Master of Business Administration from the Australian Institute of Business, is a member of the Australasian Institute of Digital Health and sits on the Global Leadership Panel of Fight Cancer Global – a leading international multidisciplinary health network.

Squires consults on topics ranging from digital innovation to industry transformation and claims to have a strong understanding of emerging trends, continuing to grow leading healthcare solutions locally.

Squires provided CCN with the following comment:

Battle lines drawn for State election

years to help combat homelessness in the region; fairer rental rules to benefit thousands of renters in the region, and more appropriate nurse-to-patient ratios in public hospitals.

The Liberal Party has promised: greater protection

and support for renters; acceleration of the $5.8B oneyear free pre-Kindergarten program; no new taxes on households and small businesses in the next term of government; a Supply Chain Commissioner to work closely with industry to unblock supply

chains across the state; legislation to prevent offshore coal, gas, mineral and petroleum mining and exploration in NSW waters and pressure on Federal Government to prevent offshore mining in neighbouring Commonwealth waters; cutting

red tape to achieve a target of one million small businesses by 2030; $400M for the Fixing Local Roads program and $600M for the road and rail network; a further $90M for the Stronger Country Communities Fund; and $23M for Surf Life Saving NSW for additional

“For far too long now the people of my electorate, Wyong, have been intimidated into censoring their personally held convictions on a range on topics.

“Woke ideologues are becoming increasingly intolerant of any dissent – moral or otherwise.

“Coming into the election campaign, I consciously chose to stand up to the bullies and present myself transparently to the electorate.

“We should all be able to respectfully share our views, online or otherwise, without fear of being cancelled or misrepresented sometime in the future.

“This is fundamental to our Australian tradition and vital to any properly functioning democracy.”

Sue Murray

rescue equipment. Both parties have pledged an end to paying for parking at public hospitals.

See next week’s Coast Community News for a full rundown of candidates in all five Central Coast electorates.

Terry Collins

creightonsfuneralservice.com.au

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet (left) confirmed Squires was no longer the endorsed candidate for Wyong

Over 180 years experience Creightons Funeral Service, established on the Central Coast in 1843, are proud to still be serving and supporting the community over 180 years on.

Row over energy savings heats up

Shadow Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Wyong, David Harris, has hit back at a claim by the Liberal-National Party that there would be no relief on energy prices for half of the households in the state for the next seven years if Labor wins the March 25 election.

The LNP said that Labor’s plan to dump the Government’s $250 rebate scheme, and only give it to some households who are already eligible for the Energy Bill Buster Program, would see many miss out.

“A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will provide every household in NSW with $250 off their energy bills from July 1 simply for

looking for a better deal that can help unlock further savings of up to $400 off their bills,” the LNP said.

“The Labor plan will see around 1.5 million households get nothing.

“As part of the agreement

with the Albanese Government to impose a coal cap in NSW, the Commonwealth agreed to match NSW’s energy rebates.

“The rebates to match NSW’s could be up to $535 per person from the Commonwealth depending on what rebates they are eligible for.

“The Albanese Government also agreed that a portion of the promised bill relief would support small businesses.

“The NSW Liberal and Nationals will ensure NSW small businesses get their fair share.”

However, Harris said the NSW Government has botched its Energy Policy over the past 12 years, resulting in higher prices and privatisation of essential assets.

“Labor has announced a plan to provide relief in the short term but also get prices back under control in the longer term,” he said.

“Labor’s $485M Energy Relief Fund will help lower power bills and fight inflation.

“Small businesses across the state are struggling under rising electricity costs.

“If they close down, people lose their jobs, their livelihoods and their ability to make ends meet.

“That’s why under Labor, eligible NSW small businesses will receive $315 directly off their energy bill.”

Harris said Labor’s Energy Relief Fund would mean NSW households who were hit hardest by rising electricity

prices would receive $250 directly off their energy bill.

The rebate will apply to households receiving income support, pensioners and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders and Family Tax Benefit recipients.

“Labor’s plan will deliver effective, targeted energy bill relief to those who need it most without onerous application processes or the requirement to apply or look elsewhere –under Labor, it’s automatically applied to bills,” Harris said.

“A Minns Labor Government will help ease the cost of rising electricity bills for 320,000 eligible small businesses and 1.6 million eligible NSW families and households.

“When matched with $250

from the Commonwealth Government’s Energy Bill Relief Fund, around 1.6 million eligible households will get $500 off their electricity bills.”

He said a Labor government would set up a NSW Energy Security Corporation to accelerate investment in renewables and keep the lights on.

“Under the Government’s poor energy policy Central Coast Ausgrid customers pay over $100 a year more than they should,” he said.

“Meanwhile, prices are up 40 percent since 2015 despite the NSW Liberals promising prices would go down.”

Terry Collins

1.2 tonnes of rubbish collected in three days

Clean4Shore recently cleared 1,200kgs (or 1.2 tonnes) of rubbish from the Brisbane Water in just three days, gathering 40 huge bags of litter in a concerted blitz.

Monday, March 6 saw high temperatures, but a high tide allowed access to the inside area of Fagans Bay as students from Narara Valley High School joined clean-up efforts.

Co-ordinator Graham Johnston said rubbish collected on the day included a damaged surf ski.

“Mangroves close to the RSL Club and the Evergreen Village had bulk small litter items buried in the thick mangroves,” he said.

“This was a difficult task with the source being ‘gutter litter’ due to the vast amount of balls – more than 3000 were found.

“Small litter was mainly plastic bottles, soft and hard plastics and polystyrene.”

Johnston said Narara Creek was very clean on the western side but bulk small and larger litter was on the eastern side

close to the netball courts.

“Two small sections close to the Central Coast Highway had very small amounts of soft plastics and plastic bottles,” he said.

On Tuesday, March 7, volunteers were joined by a group of Year 8 students from Erina High School as the cleanup continued in Erina Bay.

“Central Coast Council’s Estuary Officer, Ben Cuerel, joined our team, speaking to the students on Council’s

Let’s Talk

Gosford 2023

environmental issues,” Johnston said.

“He remained with the group being proactive in the cleanup.”

Johnston said small litter was collected from Erina Bay in a high tide, with larger pieces of the Punt Bridge vessel also removed as the group tackled 100m of foreshore.

“A derelict campsite was removed close to the local hotel in bushland,” he said.

“Very hot conditions with high

tidal water allowed for a cooling swim during the clean up.”

On Wednesday, March 8 a keen group of Year 9 students from Terrigal High School joined clean-up efforts at Rileys Island, splitting into two groups to clean the western foreshore.

“Oyster baskets immediately appeared in consistent numbers, with bulk small litter present,” Johnston said.

“Plastic bottles and soft plastics were dominant.

“Paddys Channel also had

Let’s Talk Gosford 2023

oyster baskets plus smaller volumes of plastics and polystyrene.

“Treated pine and hardwood pallets were carried out to the barge.”

Johnston said a red fiberglass vessel sighted the previous day was removed following advice from Maritime to remove.

“The boat had large holes in the hull and was not able to be towed,” he said.

“The boat (was cut) into three larger pieces which the

students loaded into the barge.”

Upon returning to Gosford Sailing Club for a healthy lunch, the team was joined by members of the Central Coast Local Health District who were at the Sailing Club to assist the homeless with medical attention and accommodation advice.

All waste collected was taken to Woy Woy tip.

Terry Collins

Discover 10 exciting projects that Council has planned to help Gosford reach its full potential and create a city full of life and opportunities. Have your say on projects open for consultation, explore information on others, and share your ideas and aspirations for the area.

Let’s Talk Drop-in Information Day

Thursday 30 March

Park House Gosford (124 Donnison St, Gosford)

• 10am-12pm (business and collaborator session)

• 1pm-4pm (community member session)

Learn more and have your say online by 26 April yourvoiceourcoast.com/gosford

Shadow Minister for the Central Coast David Harris

The clean-up around Erina Creek

This derelict vessel was removed from Paddys Channel

The iconic rocket ship play structure at Long Jetty Lions Park is going into a temporary orbit to be refreshed – but will soon return as good as new and ready for many more trips around the sun.

The gleaming yellow rocket is enshrined in the memories of generations of Coasties and Central Coast Council’s refreshment project will see its life extended for decades to come.

In a first-of-its-kind operation, Lions Park will be shut for a few hours later this month to allow crane access to the site.

The rocket ship will be lifted

Rocket ship blasts off for a refresh

out in one piece and trucked offsite for the repair work to begin.

The refresh will include replacing corroded metal that has reached the end of its design, removing rust, upgrading access points to be more accessible and painting the rocket in its original colours.

It is expected to be completed by the end of June.

The park will remain open during the duration of the project work.

Director Community and Recreation Services Melanie Smith said Council understands the importance of the rocket ship to the community and its number one priority is to

preserve it for the future.

“Many of our employees have a personal connection to the rocket, (having played) playing on it themselves in years gone by and now taking their own kids to enjoy it,” she said.

“To help facilitate the final design we’re asking the community to vote on their preferred option.

“The first option will be essential repairs only with the rocket ship retaining its classic

look, while the second allows for the top portion of the structure to re-open to the public for the first time in years, with a return of the refurbished rocket (to contain) an extra slide to bring it up to current standards.”

Council Administrator Rik Hart said the project acknowledges both the past and future rocket ship design.

“We are completing this project now so that we can safely repair the rocket ship structure to meet the very high Australia standards,” he said.

“The team is committed to respecting the history of the rocket ship and is looking to install an information board at

Funding boost for Fairhaven upgrade

Fairhaven has received $40,000 from the State Government to refurbish its Point Clare base, including upgrades to the roof and accessibility around the site.

For six decades the disability services provider has helped local people living with disability secure jobs and accommodation and has enabled them and their families

to the broader community.

Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, joined staff, volunteers and community members to celebrate the grant from the 2022 Community Building Partnership Program.

“Fairhaven has been so dedicated to enriching the lives of people living with disability across the Central Coast for the past 60 years,” Tesch said.

“It is a great friendly place to call in for a coffee or a meal and

you can always find great treasures in the recycled and up-cycled every-day markets.

“Fairhaven’s key site at Point Clare – also known as The Hub – will be refurbished through the increased funding, and I cannot be more delighted that such a deserving organisation will be able to continue to offer programs and services to people living with disability for many more years to come.”

Fairhaven Interim CEO Rhona

Freemasons get behind the Shirley Shuttle

As the Shirley Shuttle celebrates 15 years of service to local cancer patients, Freemasons on the Central Coast have donated $21,000 to meet the replacement cost of one its four vehicles.

The Shirley Shuttle is named after Shirley Galvin, who passed away in 2006 from cancer.

During the many treatments that her mother received, Barbara Galvin met many people who didn’t have family members or friends to provide the constant transport to the treatments.

In 2008 she donated a Toyota Mini Bus to the Cancer Council of NSW which was based at Erina Fair; with Central Coast Local Health District providing the fuel.

Eventually, as the demand for patient transport and maintenance of the vehicle increased, Community Transport Central Coast agreed to administer the service.

In 2009, Freemasons on the Central Coast (FotCC) and Lodge Wyong Tuggerah Lakes provided $10,000 to help with the purchase of a Toyota Mini

Bus – Shirley Shuttle No. 2 – at a cost of around $35,000.

The service now has four vehicles, one of which will be replaced with the latest donation.

The vehicles provide more than 10,000 trips every year to Central Coast residents undergoing cancer treatment, through Community Transport Central Coast and Coast Connect.

“This will (help) enable the door-to-door service for ‘transport challenged’ cancer outpatients to attend oncology appointments to continue for at least two years,” Galvin said.

“Who would have thought that my donation of $50,000 in 2008 for the purchase of the first vehicle could have resulted

Wheatley said the funding was timely, with the organisation celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

“The Hub was one of the first buildings on site – it is where participants come to do different activities ranging from drumming to cooking,” she said.

“The old roof is rusted through, and surfaces around the site need fixing as tree roots have taken hold and

broken up the pathways and concrete.

“The Hub is the focal point for people living with disability in the area, and it is vital that it is fully accessible and watertight.

“Fairhaven is self-funded and receiving any sort of grant or support is crucial for us.

“We are so appreciative of this funding.”

Tesch said the money would help provide a safe, inclusive,

the completion of the project to highlight the rocket’s life throughout the years.

“I encourage the community to take advantage of the opportunity to vote to help ensure this beloved rocket ship will inspire children’s imaginations for many more years to come.”

Make your vote count by visiting yourvoiceourcoast. com to learn more about the refresh before Wednesday, April 5.

Source: Media release, Mar 8 Central Coast Council

and accessible site for people with disability to enjoy for years to come.

“The Hub is the centre of Fairhaven,” she said.

“As a long-standing and deeply impactful organisation for so many in the area, I know that this funding will see great outcomes for all.”

Source: Media release, Feb 22 Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch

in such an amazing service for cancer outpatients to attend potentially life-saving oncology appointments?

“The service could not continue without the ongoing generosity of Central Coast community organisations and major donors and sponsors.”

A spokesperson said FotCC was proud to support the worthwhile community service.

The Freemasons will sell sausage sandwiches and soft drinks at Gosford Miniature Railway in Showground Rd, Narara, from 11 am on May 6, with all proceeds going to the Shirley Shuttle.

Source: Media release, Mar 3 Freemasons of the Central Coast

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Authorised by Gab McIntosh / Friends of Guringai 2 Dandaloo St, Kariong Indigenous Party of Australia

The iconic rocket ship play structure at Long Jetty Lions Park

FotCC Directors, Graeme Ingall and Geoff Bown with one of the latest Shirley Shuttles

Ugandan school thriving thanks to Brisbane Water Rotary

A primary school in Uganda is thriving, thanks largely to the efforts of Brisbane Water Rotary Secretary Sue O’Neill.

O’Neill recently visited the Divine Mercy Nursery and Primary school in Buwampa with Jan Pryor from Rotary Northlakes/Toukley to inspect the school’s progress and plant four peace poles bearing the phrase May Peace Prevail on Earth in English and three East African languages.

It all began in 2016, when a team from Rotary led by O’Neill visited the school, which then comprised three mud classrooms and was staffed by volunteer teachers.

“Children sat on timber planks balanced on broken pieces of rock,” O’Neill said.

“The school had an enrolment of 50 children who were trying to get some education in extremely challenging conditions.

“We were amazed lessons

were delivered with such limited resources and inspired by the dedication of the local community and gave a small donation through Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Njeru.”

The money was used to buy blackboards and scholastic materials and O’Neill agreed to raise funds in Australia for a

new classroom block to support the students.

In January 2018 the new school opened with three new classrooms and 365 children.

“Immediately our new three classrooms were inadequate and planning began to put in more school infrastructure,” O’Neill said.

Active fundraising continued in Australia and during 2018 and 2019 the school received more classrooms, a multipurpose building which houses a clinic, administration offices, teachers’ staff room and library.

“We completed a new kitchen and storeroom, another toilet

block and two nursery Montessori-plan classrooms were built,” O’Neill said.

“We installed three water tanks plus two tank stands with feeder tanks to provide running water in the teachers’ houses and staff toilets.

“We provided uniforms, scholastic materials, desks, chairs and support to our teachers.

“In 2019 we educated 478 students with an enrolment rate of 48.9 percent girl students compared to the Ugandan national average of 37.6 percent.”

During 2020 Rotary installed computers for the teachers and landscaped the school grounds and organised resources and Aussie teams to take kilos of Montessori supplies to the nursery school, with classes set-up with help from professional Montessori teacher Lanam Kijange.

“My son Bry O’Neill, a Montessori enthusiast, travelled to Uganda in

New central support service for veterans

A new service which connects former Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families to the right health, wellbeing and community supports has arrived on the Central Coast.

Veterans Connect can link veterans, their families and carers to a wide range of supports from veterans’ peer groups to clinical services. It works as a central contact point, so returned service personnel are well supported in civilian life.

More than 3,000 former defence personnel call the Central Coast home.

The new Veterans Connect program will be delivered by not-for-profit organisation Social Futures and supported by the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health

Network.

Social Futures CEO Tony Davies said Veterans Connect can put veterans and their families in touch with an array of supports like health and specialist clinical services and link them to a diversity of social support organisations, such as community groups, veterans’ associations and other wellbeing supports including gyms and physiotherapists.

“I realise the health, mental health and support needs of veterans are diverse and varied,” Davies said.

“The goal of Veterans Connect is to help veterans, their families and carers navigate all these services and overcome any barriers to accessing care.

“Veterans Connect can be their single point of contact.”

Davies said former ADF personnel had a range of

1800 891 691 4324 7699

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experiences, including warfare, peacekeeping and peacemaking deployments, as well as disaster response and border protection.

“Younger veterans may have been on multiple deployments and are now looking for new

careers, reconnecting with family and friends, and processing their time with the ADF, while older veterans may be facing issues like ageing and ill health,” he said.

“Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is common among

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deal with challenges.

Mr Geoff Brazel, Solicitor will present the seminar on Challenging Wills to help you through the maze of legal regulation

The seminar will be presenting in a friendly relaxed atmosphere and there will be plenty of time for your questions.

You’ll be helped a lot in understanding the system and will then be able to confidently consider what steps you need to take to properly consider challenges to Wills.

November 2019 and January 2020 to help with the set-up and roll-out of the new Montessori method of education,” O’Neill said.

The advent of COVID-19 saw the school close in 2020, along with all schools in Uganda, and it didn’t resume until January 2022.

Rotary is now actively involved in helping the school to operate under COVID-safe practices.

The peace poles are part of a Rotary centenary project which has seen poles placed in 100 schools in recognition of 100 Years of Rotary in Australia. They were organised at Divine Mercy with the help of members of the Rotary club of Njeru.

Neill and Pryor will visit Ethiopia and Rwanda before returning home, evaluating and monitoring Rotary projects in each country and looking at potential for future funding.

Terry Collins

veterans, and they can be vulnerable to depression, alcohol misuse and suicide.

“We want to support people to establish meaningful and happy lives after leaving the ADF.

“At Veterans Connect, you will meet your Care Navigator who will listen to your story, understand and identify your needs then either directly assist you or connect you to the right services.

“Your Care Navigator can help in a wide variety of areas, even with practicalities like transport to medical or counselling appointments.

“We will act on your advice and outline all available options for support.”

The Primary Health Network Chief Executive Officer Richard Nankervis said there was a high need for service

navigation, given the complex support that veterans required.

“Data shows us that veterans and their families are more vulnerable to mental health disorders resulting in a higher need for assistance with understanding and accessing appropriate health services,” he said.

“Our aim is to see a reduction in the rate of mental health disorders and suicide in the Central Coast region and expand the service to the Hunter and New England regions within our Primary Health Network.”

To contact Veterans Connect call 1800 719 625 or email veteransconnect@ socialfutures.org.au

Source: Media release, Feb 27 Social Futures

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TIME: 6:45pm - 8:00pm Call 4324 7699 to reserve your spot now!

Pictured at the program launch: Social Futures CEO Tony Davies, Hunter New England and Central Coast PHN CEO Richard Nankervis, Member for Robertson Gordon Reid and Veterans Connect Team Leader, Beau Denton

Sue O’Neill and Jan Pryor inspect the poles with Ugandan Rotarians

Dr. Raymond Fam Dr. Mario Fam

Dr. Jas Kaur

Major M1 pile-up at Ourimbah

A police investigation is underway into the cause of a multiple vehicle crash on the M1 Pacific Motorway at Ourimbah just before 9am on Tuesday morning, March 14.

The crash was just south of the Ourimbah off-ramp at Dog Trap Rd and caused major

Teenager hauled to safety after cliff fall

Copacabana Rural Fire Service was called out to assist other emergency services on Sunday, March 12, when a teenager fell down a cliff.

The young male suffered a severe leg injury after falling down a cliff at Captain Cook Lookout at Copacabana.

A special operations paramedic was lowered to the teenager to assist the NSW Fire and Rescue ground crew haul him to safety via a vertical rope rescue while Toll Ambulance Helicopter was on standby overhead if required.

The Copacabana RFS crew assisted paramedics and Fire and Rescue with manpower and transporting the teenager

to an ambulance in the lookout car park.

The teenager was treated by Ambulance paramedics when he safely landed at the top of the cliff before being

traffic delays as all three northbound lanes were closed. It wasn’t until 10.15am that two lanes were able to be reopened.

A spokesperson for NSW Ambulance said it was a hectic morning when 13 vehicles collided – buses, trucks and

cars – over a 200m stretch of road.

Paramedics treated 15 people and six adults and one child were taken to Gosford Hospital. Despite the large number of patients, they all suffered only minor injuries including cuts, abrasions and bruising.

Sue Murray

transported by road to Gosford Hospital.

Sue Murray

Specialist crew rescues bike rider

NSW Ambulance paramedics were called to a fire trail at Ourimbah on Sunday morning, March 12, to rescue a woman who sustained chest injuries in a motorbike accident.

Paramedics on the job at Ourimbah

Access issues meant the crews had to call in Special Operations paramedics in a 4WD.

Fortunately a doctor who had been riding with the woman was able to assess and care for her injuries until paramedics arrived.

After being given pain relief on scene the patient, Kyah

Appeal to help in police investigation

Detectives from Tuggerah Lakes Police District are investigating an alleged aggravated break and enter offence which occurred at a unit complex in The Entrance.

Police said that at about 12.30pm on Tuesday, February 28, the alleged offence took place in Coral St where forced entry was gained to the unit of a lone female resident.

The female resident received minor injuries from the incident and was later hospitalised.

Pictures taken from CCTV footage at the time of the incident depict a male who detectives believe can assist them with their inquiries.

He is described as Caucasian

in appearance, aged in his 40s, with fair complexion, medium build, unshaven with stubble growth around the jaw and chin areas.

The man was wearing a black faded cap with white writing

(Nova Timber) motif on the front, green shirt with the word Seattle on the front, black shorts with a Nike brand tick on the left cuff and black thongs. He has a tattoo on the right leg calf area and top of right foot.

Anyone with information about this incident or who knows the man depicted in the photos is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw. crimestoppers.com.au. The Police report number is E76386445.

Source: Tuggerah Lakes Police

Police would like to speak to this man

Jean of Sydney, was taken to Gosford Hospital in a stable condition.

Later, she thanked the Terrigal team of paramedics who helped her.

“I am very thankful (and) due to their hard work I am able to walk away with a minor hairline fracture to my pelvis and soft tissue damage,” she said.

“I realise how much worse it could have been – I only narrowly avoided missing a tree and poles – so to walk away with a minor injury, I’m so thankful.”

Sue Murray

Two women swept into sea cave

Two women were winched to safety by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter team after being caught in a sea cave south of Catherine Hill Bay.

On Saturday, March 11, two women were swimming at Ghosties Beach, between Catherine Hill Bay and Frazer Beach in Munmorah State Recreation Area, when they lost their footing on the sand and were swept towards the sea caves.

They were clinging to the cliff face when the rescue helicopter team arrived, along with the Central Coast Volunteer Rescue Squad.

The helicopter critical care paramedic was winched down into the cave entrance and the two women were winched out one at a time back into the aircraft.

They were both flown to the staging area at Catherine Hill Bay where they were treated for minor injuries by local NSW Ambulance paramedics before being transported by road to Wyong Hospital.

Both women were in a stable condition after sustaining cuts and bruises.

Sue Murray

Multiple emergency services at Copacabana

Major M1 pile-up at Ourimbah

Photo: News.com.au

Photo: Copacabana RFS Facebook page

Authorised by Chris Stone, Liberal Party of Australia, NSW Division, Level 2, 131 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000.

Time to re-appraise nuclear power

I would like to support the comments of Mr Fell (CCN381).

Blind Freddy, Mr Fell and I are in agreement about our present energy policy.

It is an inconvenient truth, ignored by the believers, that renewable, intermittent electricity generation (solar and wind) do not constitute a full replacement for coal or nuclear simply because they are intermittent and require prohibitively expensive storage

to give dependable electricity.

That is not to say that renewables do not have a place in the energy generation mix.

While Mr Fell smiled at reading the announcement of the Waratah Super Battery, I felt somewhat depressed, as this almost doomed-to-fail policy will cost us, the taxpayers, probably in the form of blackouts and permanent high

costs.

An old adage for investment management is: do not put all your eggs in one basket –diversification reduces risk.

This applies equally in regards to the options available for replacement of fossil fuels.

Nuclear has the big disadvantage in disposal of waste.

This is a major reason why nuclear is shunned in Australia.

It was made illegal before we understood the full effect of

carbon dioxide emissions.

However, times have changed.

The manageable risk of nuclear is a lesser risk than the inevitability of harmful heating effects if the world continues to emit carbon dioxide in large quantities.

It is time for Australia to reappraise nuclear as a part of the energy generation mix.

Email, Mar 11 Charles Hemmings, Woy Woy

Bring manufacturing back to Australia FORUM

We have to turn inward and start to look after ourselves instead of depending of other nations to help out with manufacturing.

The trouble started with the Whitlam Government when he allowed our footwear and clothing to go offshore.

slaves in the 18th and 19th centuries.

culture in our system that must be brought under control.

Put election promises in writing

Just a small comment about promises by politicians that they say over the television.

Would it not be better if they were honest (and) put it in writing and signed it to make it a legal document (so they could be held to) account in the legal sense?

I remember that one of our

councillors did this and he was elected because he was honest.

These public servants are so dishonest and they get away with it.

Teaching kids about politics

This helps other nations to keep us under their thumbs.

I can’t buy clothing or shoes made in Australia.

Why? We all know why –cheap slave labour.

This is no better than the

The wages of the overpaid bureaucrats and senior public servants is now as out of control as the salaries of the CEOs of companies. Maybe we can’t afford them.

We now have an American

We had a wonderful, selfreliant country – but not now. Let’s get back our country and leave something decent for our children and grandchildren.

Email, Mar 6

Robert Findley, Point Clare

Playspaces need shade cloth

Plaudits to the Council for its plans to upgrade 10 playspaces around the municipality.

However it’s vital that children

are protected from the sun while spending time in these fun places.

As the carer of three grandchildren who will spend many hours playing at these facilities, (I feel) adding shade cloth would go a long way to

minimising the terrible risks associated with sunburn.

Email, Mar 12 Steve Sailah,

Recently I watched a program on TV about Asian high school students being taught about politics.

Each student was asked to take on the role of being a politician and put forth a policy of improving friendly social interactions within the community.

Each had to write a speech on their subject and others were to vote for or against it.

All was kept as close to reality as possible – the school even arranged to have polling booths

FORUM

delivered for the ‘election’. The election was won by a 14-year-old girl who proposed to have councils place more tables and chairs in public places so that people could stop, chat and rest a while. What a good idea. Another good idea would be to have more 14-year-olds in parliament.

Email, Mar 9 Robert Findley, Point Clare

Terrigal

Email, Mar 6 Peggy Balfour, Ettalong Beach

It’s been described as The Lion King on steroids- and now Cirque Mother Africa is set to play at two venues on the Central Coast.

The heartbeat of Africa pulsates throughout this jaw-

Heartbeat of Africa comes to Coast

dropping show as the musicians and artists transport audiences to the breathtaking continent of Africa.

The 90-minute entertainment extravaganza combines the very best talent from nine

Artists will transport audiences to the breath-taking continent of Africa

African countries including Ethiopia, South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania.

Seen by more than two million people worldwide, Cirque Mother Africa combines the best of contortion, acrobatics,

traditional dance, live music, pan spinning, hand balancing and more.

The show is a cultural experience like no other, suitable for all ages, races, genders and backgrounds as

audiences experience the authentic cultural heartbeat of the African continent live in concert.

Cirque Mother Africa will play at The Art House, Wyong on Thursday, March 30, and

Laycock St Community Theatre on Saturday, April 15. Bookings are available on the theatre websites.

Source: Media release, Mar 14 Lionel Midford Publicity

Symphony performs magnificent music of movies

Symphony Central Coast returns to The Art House, Wyong on Sunday, April 2, for its third Lights, Action, Music! concert celebrating the magnificent music of the movies.

The annual film music concert will again feature music from some of the most loved films of all time, including Lawrence of Arabia, Up, Elvira Madigan, Spirited Away, The Last of the Mohicans and Star Trek plus a selection of Australian films with music by Australian composers.

As a bonus, there will a silent gothic horror movie from 1928 with a new score, performed live by a full symphony orchestra.

Maurice Jarre scored some films in the 1950s but his career took a spectacular turn when producer Sam Spiegel asked him to work on David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia.

Initially, three composers were to write the score but, for various reasons, Jarre ended up writing all the music himself and won his first Oscar. He received another Oscar for his next film Doctor Zhivago

and later scored A Passage to India, Gorillas in the Mist, and The Year of Living Dangerously.

Mainly known as a symphonist and for his prominent use of percussion, Jarre often integrated unusual instruments into his scores such as cithara (an ancient Greek lyre) and fujara (an old Slovak flute) on

The Tin Drum.

The film Elvira Madigan is known for its use of the music from Mozart’s 21st Piano Concerto and Trevor Jones draws heavily on Celtic rhythms and melodies in his music for The Last of the Mohicans. Japan also gives us two

composers – Ryuichi Sakamoto’s Merry Christmas, Mr Laurence starring David Bowie, and Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away, with music by Joe Hisaishi.

All these and more will be performed live at The Art House with more than 50 musicians on stage.

Also on the program is music from some of Australia’s most promising emerging film composers.

Symphony Central Coast is pleased to partner with Australian Film, Radio, and Television School and Aaron Trew’s Central Coast Composer

Collective to offer some of their students an opportunity to present their music.

Some have been written to previously produced films, others to just an image or idea, still others are just musical ideas in embryonic form, while some have been written just for this concert.

Charles Klein’s gothic horror based on a story by Edgar Allan Poe, The Tell Tale Heart, has a new soundtrack, written by Conductor and Artistic Director of Symphony Central Coast, Dr Steven Stanke and the orchestra will wrap up the concert with a snippet of Star Trek: The Motion Picture written by Jerry Goldsmith.

Stanke said performing film music was incredibly exciting and satisfying because it was often the most complex and challenging music of our age.

“Composers are extremely creative when scoring films and a full symphony orchestra is often the only way to perform them completely,” he said.

The Art House concert will be at 2.30pm on Sunday, April 2.

Source: Symphony Central Coast

New book takes a light-hearted look at ageing

Former Saratoga resident and Corpus Christi College

Tuggerah alumni, Todd Alexander, takes on the topic of ageing in his latest book, Over the Hill & Up the Wall.

Alexander is no stranger to writing bestselling comedies. His tree change memoir, Thirty Thousand Bottles of Wine and a Pig Called Helga, was a favourite among readers on the Coast in 2019 and was also shortlisted for three book industry awards for best nonfiction book of the year.

In this latest book, Alexander turns to the topic of ageing.

“I know not every day is a barrel of laughs as you’re getting older but I’ll take ageing over the alternative,” he said.

The idea for the book came about after he and his friends shared some funny stories

about their “over the hill” parents.

“Rather than waste negative energy on getting frustrated, we decided to smile instead and this got our parents laughing too,” he said.

“The book asks questions such as why it takes parents 40

failed attempts to put the seatbelt buckle in, why the price of petrol has to be discussed every single time a servo is passed and why phantom s’s are added to shop names like Targets, K-marts and Aldis?”

It also looks at the perspective of the older parents.

“Who knew that my parents and their bingo friends were complaining about us kids assuming we know what’s best for them and telling them how they should be living their lives?” Alexander said.

He set about presenting both sides of the story in a light but heartfelt book which is sure to

Alan Jones to join local radio station

Controversial radio presenter Alan Jones is set to join Coast FM963.

Patron of the Coast’s longest running community radio station John Singleton invited Jones to join the team.

Jones will conduct a regular session for no fee to “provide a national voice for the residents

of the Central Coast”.

“I often get inundated with questions out in the community, some of which I don’t know the answers to, but I thought you would,” Singleton said in his invitation.

“If it helps the community, if it answers questions, I’m more than happy to help; the answer is yes,” Jones replied.

“I was just looking the other day at one statistic.

“An analysis of every NSW school’s 2021 student-toteacher ratios revealed the Central Coast to be the state’s least staffed – bottom of the list.

“I think parents and the wider community deserve better.”

The new Ask Alan segment

strike a chord with readers of all ages.

It is a celebration of parents, ageing and the frictions that can occur when we step into other peoples’ lives.

Alexander’s parents are well known to bingo players at Wyong Leagues Club, Central

Coast Leagues Club and Avoca Beach Bowling Club, with dad Peter a caller and mum Judy a regular player.

Both of them have given Alexander’s book the thumbs up.

“We’re expecting our bingo mates to have a bit of a laugh at our expense but we don’t mind,” Peter said. His wife agreed.

“They’ll be seeing themselves in the pages too, believe me … and I reckon laughter is the best medicine we have,” she said.

Over The Hill & Up The Wall is published by HarperCollins Australia and is available at bookstores all over the Coast, with an audiobook to be released in early April.

Terry Collins

will be broadcast daily on CoastFM963 at 7.15am with a repeat at 4.15pm for drive time commuters.

Listeners can email their questions to Alan at ask@ coastfm.org.au.

Symphony Central Coast returns to The Art House stage

Peter Alexander has given his son’s book the thumbs up

Author Todd Alexander

Source: Media release, Mar 10 CoastFM963 Alan Jones will be hosting a daily show on the Central Coast

Sneak peek at Coast Opera’s 2023 season

Coast Opera Australia has announced some highlights of its 2023 season, with dates yet to be confirmed.

They include an intimate recital by internationally renowned mezzo-soprano Deborah Humble whose voice is described as rich, velvety, radiant, and majestic.

With more than 60 operatic roles to her credit, Humble will sing two stunning highlights from the Edward Elgar’s Sea Pictures and Richard Wagner’s Wesendonck Lieder.

Audiences will have the chance to enjoy the wit and musical genius of Gilbert and Sullivan with a show featuring

excerpts from The Yeomen of the Guard, Mikado, HMS Pinafore, Pirates of Penzance and Iolanthe.

They will be performed by Coast Opera Australia Associate Artists, mezzo-soprano Viktoria Bolonina, tenor John Longmuir and local soprano Suzie Stengel.

The season will conclude with Coast Opera’s first opera, Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi.

Set in an apartment in Florence, Italy, the opera sees family of Buoso Donati gathering to grieve his death – until they discover he has left most of his money to the church.

The work features one of the most beautiful soprano arias ever written – O mio babbino caro.

The laugh out loud, one-act opera from the master of the genre will be enjoyed by both opera veterans and those wanting to try it for the first time.

Chair Graeme Blundell said Coast Opera Australia has made a significant contribution to cultural life on the Central Coast during its “short but enterprising life”.

“It is a pleasure to be working with the dynamic Angela Brewer, our powerhouse artistic director, who has done so much to establish this company, whilst welcoming to

the team one of Australia’s foremost young conductors as Associate Artistic Director, Luke Spicer,” Blundell said.

“We have some fine shows and events lined up following the hiatus of COVID.

“So here’s to new challenges and new excitements and some wonderful singing.” Season dates and priority tickets will be announced soon. Keep up to date by subscribing to the mailing list at coastoperaaustralia.com or following Coast Opera Australia’s social media pages.

Source: Media release, Mar 9 Coast Opera Australia

Toni Childs to perform retrospective of her life’s music

Legendary recording artist

Toni Childs is heading to The Art House in Wyong in March for her special twohour performance, A Retrospective, as she celebrates her life’s musical works.

Childs will be performing hits and fan favourites from Union, House of Hope, the Woman’s Boat and Keep the Faith in the

first hour of her show then the second hour will be an introduction to her new music, from two very special albums, It’s All a Beautiful Noise and Citizens of the Planet.

Childs is an Emmy winner and three-time Grammy nominated recording artist and singer/ songwriter known for her powerful voice, inspiring independent spirit and crafted

storytelling.

With fans in more than 50 countries around the world, Childs has produced a list of international hits such as Don’t Walk Away, Stop Your Fussin’, Walk and Talk Like Angels, Zimbabwe, Where’s the Ocean, Many Rivers to Cross, I’ve Got to Go Now and Because You’re Beautiful, just to name a few.

Over her illustrious career

Childs has opened for Bob Dylan and performed duets with greats such as Al Green and Peter Gabriel.

Toni Childs will be performing at The Art House Wyong on Friday, March 17.

Source: Media release, Feb 2 AAA Entertainment

Angela Brewer with Viktoria Bolonina, who will present highlights from Gilbert and Sullivan

Photo: Syl Marie Photography

Pedotle thrills the crowd at Toowoon Bay

Visitors to Toowoon Bay

Surf Club excitedly welcomed the first ever appearance of the Pedotle – an interactive sculpture designed with children in wheelchairs for everyone to enjoy.

Pronounced per dottle, its part pelican, part dolphin and part turtle. It flies, blinks and even farts bubbles.

Toowoon Bay’s Stingray

Nippers Group Co-ordinator

Karen Hickmott said the Pedotle celebrates the abilities of wheelchair participants rather than focusing on their disabilities.

Dreamed up by the Stingrays, the Pedotle became a reality with the help of artists Andi Mether and Leonardo Uribe from Zest Events, sculptor Tom Ireland and costume maker

Tegan Kinder.

The project was commissioned by Creative Arts Central.

Toowoon Bay Surf Club member and Federal Member for Dobell, Emma McBride,

was there to welcome the exotic creature.

“Andi was talking to me about this on patrol about 12 months ago,” she said.

“The idea of a pelican, turtle and a dolphin, pitched by

Bailey, and then to see what Andi, Zest and Leo have been able to achieve is absolutely incredible.”

Stingrays Nipper participants Bailey and Krystal were the main inspiration for the design

StPatrick’s Day fun at Block ‘n Tackle

Troy Zarb will perform a free show at the Block ‘n Tackle Brewery in Kincumber on Friday, March 17, in celebration of St Patrick’s Day.

Zarb’s gravelly voice and repertoire of Irish punk-folk

has been entertaining beer-drinking audiences for decades.

His performances with Scarlet’s Revenge have earned him a reputation as a must-see vocalist in the music industry.

The Block ‘n Tackle Brewery

has a cosy atmosphere and welcoming vibe, with a selection of craft beers and pizza available for purchase.

Zarb will play songs from The Pogues, Scarlet’s Revenge and many more from 5-7 pm.

Block ‘n Tackle Brewery and coming events, go to site. blockntackle.com.au. Source:

of the Pedotle.

Krystal has cerebral palsy and is non-verbal, the mechanics of the sculpture was based on her abilities.

Bailey took part in the artwork brainstorm sessions and was

the main inspiration for the Pedotle’s colourful look.

Artist Leonardo Uribe said both were very excited to operate the sculpture and make it fly, and Krystal didn’t want to let go.

Volunteer lifesaver at the club, Andi Mether, said he and other volunteers work with the Stingrays who are children with additional needs.

“There is freedom for children in wheelchairs when they get in the water, and we wanted to create an interactive sculpture that would give them some of this fun and freedom on land,” Mether said.

Source: Media release, Feb 23 Zest Events International

When: Thursday 23 March 10am-12pm

The exotic and colourful Pedotle makes its debut appearance

MISSING LINK

MISSING LINK

Chef Daniel’s next guest is local Bushtucker teacher and expert Jake Cassar. So, our first message to everyone is PLEASE DO NOT JUST PICK ANYTHING FROM THE BUSH TO EAT WITHOUT EXPERT ADVICE FIRST

You never know if the plant or bush tucker has been sprayed by pesticides or if it is a poisonous lookalike to something else you might have

with Jake Cassar

bush tucker in the episode the morning of filming from a private property on the Central Coast.

Jake really wants to stress how poisonous some bush tucker can be, mainly if your body isn’t used to eating it, so be careful.

Ingredients:

• Whole barramundi

Baramundi with Warrigal Greens Recipe A PINCH OF SALT

• Fresh Warrigal greens (always boil first)

• Three teaspoons salt

• 80mls oil

• Native Sarsparilla

• Fresh wild ginger

seen or heard about.

Chef Daniel was very excited to learn all of the new ingredients and think about the best way to enjoy the fresh flavour combinations.

the fish and a side bush cucumber and lime dressing as garnish.

• Mixed berries such as Appleberry, G-bung and sour currants

• Half a lime

• Chopped bullrush roots

Instructions:

1. Heat up a pan on high

2. Place baking paper on a baking tray and place whole fish on a baking tray

3. Cut slits into fish and add salt and 20 ml of olive oil on each side of the fish

4. Place the baking tray with fish in the oven for 15 mins at 220 °

We would like to honour the traditional custodians of the land and the people who have been foraging and living off this land for thousands of years.

In this episode, Chef Daniel makes Barramundi with Warrigal greens and berries.

Jake actually went out and sustainably sourced all of the

He made a Warrigal greens and berries mix for the top of

For more about Jake’s bushtucker survival courses : www.jakecassarbushcraft.com/

Visit Chef Daniel’s socials: https://chefdaniel.com.au/about-chef/ https://www.facebook.com/chefdanielaus https://www.instagram.com/chefdanielaus/ https://www.youtube.com/c/chefdaniel

5. In a separate pot boil 6 leaves of the Native sarsaparilla (to make tea)

6. Place 20ml of oil in a heated pan and fry chopped wild ginger for one minute on high

7. Add the Native Sarsparilla leaves and half a cup of the tea

Salad/dressing:

• In a bowl add lime zest and the juice of half a lime

• Add 20ml olive oil and the chopped Bullrush root (Bush cucumber)

Coast artist wants to see his life’s work exhibited

Ralph Podolski of Killcare Heights has been drawing and painting for almost 90 years and is now on the lookout for someone to catalogue his huge body of work.

Born in Poland, Podolski, now 95, lived through the nightmare of World War II, experiencing the bombing of Warsaw in 1939, joining the Polish resistance and being incarcerated in multiple concentration camps as a young man.

“I was only12 and had just started high school when the war began and it was brutal,” he said.

“At 14 I joined the Polish resistance and was eventually arrested, along with my family,

when I was 16.

“My mother survived and was liberated by the Russians and returned to Poland after the war but my father died in one of those camps.

“He and I were together for a month or so but then I was sent to seven different work camps and weighed 29 kilos when I was finally freed from Belsen by the British in 1944.”

Throughout his horrific war experiences, Podolski retained his love of art, born during his very early years growing up in the picturesque countryside of Poland.

After the war he reactivated his passion and received a scholarship to the Academy of Arts in Brussels, which he lost when he refused to join the new post-war regime in Poland.

Penniless, he migrated to Australia in 1950.

“I worked as a labourer wherever I was sent by the Commonwealth Employment Office,” he said.

“I worked as a cleaner and kitchen hand at Geelong Grammar School for a year and I also worked in the printing business, doing re-touches and commercial artwork for several years.”

He married a girl from Tasmania and in 1959 they headed for Ontario, Canada, where he studied at the College of Art in Toronto before working on cinema poster design and furthering his art studies in Paris for a time and eventually returning to Australia in 1964.

“When we moved back to Australia we went to Sydney

and I started trying to find employment,” he said.

“I worked as a graphic artist for various companies and even worked on an avocado farm at Toowoomba before securing a job as a visual aids officer at the NSW Institute of Technology.”

During those years, Podolski produced a huge volume of artwork, twice being named a finalist in the prestigious Archibald Prize.

A widower for 16 years, he still lives in his own home and would love to see his work exhibited and catalogued.

Dozens of impressive paintings reflect strong themes of war, race, religion and family with Podolski’s distinctive and striking style shining through.

“I would love the opportunity

to show what I am most satisfied with,” he said.

“That is the artist’s mission – to communicate his vision of reality.”

Friend and neighbour David Barnett is attempting to

,

organise a showing of Podolski’s work at Gosford Regional Gallery and is keen to hear from anyone interested in helping to catalogue his work at killcare100@gmail.com.

Terry Collins

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JOURNEY BEYOND - Rail

Indian Pacific - The Ghan Wednesday 22 March - 10.30 am

Garreth from Journey Beyond will join us in the Travellers Hut to discuss Australian Rail travel in 2024

New 2024 Indian Pacific & The Ghan brochure now available !

Use the QR code to visit our Travellers Hut Selections website

Website: travellershutselections.com.au

5A 39 Avoca Drive Kincumber

43 63 1699

SCAN ME

Chef Daniel with Jake Cassar

Ralph Podolski with one of his works, which illustrates the various stages of his life

This work by Podolski was named a finalist in the Archibald Prize

The Central Coast bee industry has been struck another devastating blow with five new areas infested with Varroa Mite and an expansion of the Central Coast Eradication Zone further south.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries Varroa Mite Response team has issued a new Emergency Order for the expanded zone, effective from Monday, March 13.

Varroa Mite has been detected in new areas at Yarramalong, Woy Woy, Koolewong, Umina Beach and Horsfield Bay.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) will commence euthanising all managed beehives and equipment on the infested premises in the Eradication (red) Zone, with the assistance of owners.

Treatment of wild bee

Business & Property

Another disaster wiping out beehives

populations in the Central Coast Zone, with the agreement of land managers in the community, will be prioritised to prevent further southward spread of the mite.

Beekeepers with hives in the extension areas are being advised by DPI Biosecurity to harvest their honey in anticipation of the wild bee management work beginning.

Varroa Mite has also been detected in another four areas further north – Glen William, Brookfield, Loxford and Sawyers Gully – which also fall within the Central Coast Eradication Zone.

The total nine new detections bring the number of infested premises in the Central Coast Zone to 131 since Varroa Mite was first identified during routine surveillance at the Port of Newcastle in June 2022. Meanwhile, 50 concerned Central Coast residents

Beekeepers are facing the prospect of euthanising their bees

gathered on February 18 to protest the use of Fipronil in the battle against the Varroa Mite threat.

Save the Bees Australia founder Simon Mulvany and Jilliby beehive owner Dolfi Benesh outlined how hives are being destroyed at the Saving Our Native Bees event organised by Community Voice Central Coast.

Currently the (DPI) is using Fipronil to kill honey bees on the Central Coast, with disturbing implications for native bees, insects, birds and mammals.

The Australian Native Bee Association (ANBA) says the pesticide, which is being used in a baiting program (on feral nests) in the Red Zones, is highly toxic to stingless bees and may remain active within these areas for up to three years.

“Feral European honeybees

will collect toxic sugar syrup and take it back to their nests inside hollow trees,” the ANBA says.

“In due course the feral nests will die, leaving substantial stores of honey which will be contaminated with Fipronil inside the trees.

“The Fipronil may continue to remain toxic in these areas for up to three years.

“Unfortunately, native stingless bees and other nectar-feeding insects, reptiles, birds, and mammals may visit dead feral European honeybee nests and collect contaminated honey.

“Some of these native insects and animals may die from Fipronil poisoning.”

A Community Voice Central Coast spokesperson said Fipronil has already been banned in the UK and Europe because it kills bees.

“Australia’s unique bee

populations are already under threat from habitat loss, pesticide usage and effects of natural disasters,” the spokesperson said.

“Widespread bee culling practices destroy the livelihoods of our local beekeepers and spell financial ruin for their families.

“Additionally, it has implications for the pollination of crops and backyard farms on the Central Coast and surrounds.

“Native Australian stingless bees are powerful pollinators and have long been referred to as a ‘plan bee’ for crop pollination — a backstop against the loss or decline of European honey bee populations.

“Our bees deserve more than just being killed with poison.”

Community Voice Central Coast and Save The Bees Australia have an active

change.org petition, now with more than 15,000 signatures, are asking for the immediate halting and removal of Fipronil baiting in NSW Red Zones.

The petition also calls for a judicial enquiry into the relationship between Government, industry-funded lobby groups, and organisations representing chemical company interests, which have authority and sway over Government policies related to bees.

Anyone concerned can email communityvoicecentralcoast @tutanota.com.

The petition can be accessed at https://www.change.org/p/ halt-the-poisoning-of-nativeaustralian-bees-throughfipronil-baiting.

Sue Murray and Terry Collins

The Central Coast Eradication Zone is shown in red, the Surveillance Zone in purple

Photo: DPI

Photo: Yeeha Creations

Call for increase in rent assistance

With thousands of Central Coast residents facing rental stress, national housing campaign, Everybody’s Home, is calling on the Federal Government to raise the Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) payment.

Statistics from the Productivity Commission’s Report on Government Services 2023 show about 44 per cent of households receiving the supplement are paying more than 30 per cent of their income on rent.

The report also shows the Federal Government spent about $4.9B on CRA in 202122, down from a five-year high of about $5.5B in 2020-21.

National spokesperson for Everybody’s Home Maiy Azize

said the payment must be raised.

“Commonwealth Rent

Assistance can be a lifeline for tenants who are struggling to cope with soaring rents,” she said.

“With the housing crisis at fever pitch, people need help so they aren’t plunged into homelessness.

“But these figures show that the payment isn’t enough to lift people out of housing stress.

“It has been decades since there was a real boost to rent assistance.

“At the moment, the maximum fortnightly payment a single person can receive is $151.60.

“That number just hasn’t kept up with rents, which have surged while the payment lags behind.

“It’s no wonder that almost one in two people who get the payment are still in rental stress.

“The people who need the payment the most, including those on JobSeeker or Youth Allowance, are often being left out.”

Azize said Everybody’s Home

Thousands flock to the Coast over summer says Council report

Many thousands of holidaymakers and day trippers flocked to the Central Coast over the Summer months, reinforcing its standing as a tourist hotspot.

Picture-perfect weather since December has seen hordes of people enjoy the region’s beaches, national parks, walking trails, sporting, events, trips to the theatre or art gallery and tourist attractions.

Central Coast Council says more than $1B was injected in the year to June 2022, with millions more expected as a direct result of the Christmas/ New Year period. With more than 5000 people directly employed by the

region’s tourism industry and many more in supporting local businesses the increased visitation was a welcome boost to many parts of the local economy.

Council’s Director of Community and Recreation Services Melanie Smith said almost 40,000 people attended Council events over Christmas including New Year’s Eve at The Entrance, Australia Day Community Day in Gosford, and a social spaces event across town centres.

“Council also supported events that were funded externally, 41 businesses got into the spirit of Christmas signing up for the window display competition, while our temporary visitor centre at The

Entrance was kept exceptionally busy over Christmas and New Year with more than 100 people a day utilising the service,” she said.

Council Administrator Rik

Hart said that the healthy visitation numbers haven’t compromised the focus on eco-tourism and is anticipating that Council’s events program for 2023 will encourage visitors

was calling on the Federal Government to increase Commonwealth Rent Assistance by at least 50 per cent and fix the payment so that the people who need help most can get it.

“Most importantly, we need a long-term commitment to build social housing,” she said.

“Today’s numbers show that spending on social housing is falling.

“If they’re going to fix the housing crisis, the Federal Government is going to have to step up and build the social and affordable rentals that people need.”

Source:

Media release Feb 24

Everybody’s Home

sustainable destinations, and I think this trend is also reflected here on the Central Coast with visitors enjoying our many ecocertified experiences and natural assets,” he said.

“Pleasingly this year, we’ve also started to see the return of international visitors which will benefit local businesses and our economy.

to continue to enjoy the Central Coast.

“There has been a shift in attitude in recent years with people making conscious decisions to travel to more

“With events such as the Harvest Festival, Central Coast Music Festival and the Lakes Festival holding a special place in the hearts of the community and visitors who have a passion for those interests, 2023 is shaping up to be an exceptional year for local tourism.”

Source: Media release, Feb 13 Central Coast Council

Thousands of Coasties are in rental stress

Thousands flocked to the Coast’s waterways over Summer

$20M pledge for specialist mental health housing

The Labor Party will invest $20M over two years to establish three sites for housing with mental health support in NSW, the first to be located on the Central Coast, if elected to government on March 25.

The special housing developments will provide people with mental illness and psychological disability access to stable, long-term housing and vital support services and will run in conjunction with the NDIS.

They will be delivered in partnership with The Haven Foundation with the Central Coast development to include 16 self-contained units each with a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, living room and laundry facilities.

There will be 24/7 support from onsite staff with the appropriate skills.

The Haven Foundation, a subsidiary of mental health service provider Mind Australia, provides long-term housing, care and support for people living with severe and enduring mental illness and disability.

It currently has multiple sites in Victoria and will soon open one in South Australia.

Executive Director Housing Strategy Mark Heeney said Haven residences reduce hospitalisations and homelessness for people with significant mental health challenges.

“These residences enable people with significant longterm mental health issues to lead successful and fulfilling lives in the community,” he said.

Heeney said each unit would have a private outdoor area with community spaces, offering workshops and activities, also included in the development.

The Labor Party says its audit of government land will identify appropriate sites for the centres with the properties to remain in public hands.

Tenant management and support will be provided by the Haven Foundation.

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said NSW is in a housing and rental crisis, with the Central Coast at the epicentre

of this crisis.

“It is often the most vulnerable – such as those living with severe mental illness – who find it the most difficult to secure stable housing,” she said.

“(This) investment is tailored to the needs of those on the Central Coast.

“That means delivering more services and care to support people at every stage of living with an illness or disability.”

The move builds on Labor’s plans to address housing supply and affordability and strengthen responses to mental health.

Shadow Minister for Housing

Workshop will highlight biodynamic soil

Narara Ecovillage is spearheading a new venture, restoring the environment through the use of biodynamic soil and atmospheric preparations and practices.

The ecovillage is developing a model of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) to bring premium fertility to soils and foods as well as ameliorating climate change. It will hold a two-day participatory workshop on

March 18 and 19.

The workshop will be helpful for Coasties wanting to introduce the methods into our own gardens. Registrations can be made directly at https://food-for-

and Homelessness Rose Jackson joined Tesch and candidate for Terrigal Sam Boughton on the Gosford waterfront on March 10 to announce the initiative.

“People with disabilities or severe mental illness are more likely to experience homelessness and our

investment in social and affordable housing for this vulnerable group will change lives,” she said.

“For too long the Liberals have neglected the Central Coast, allowing the local housing crisis to go from bad to worse.

“Labor has a plan to address local housing needs and support the most vulnerable in our community to live secure and independent lives.”

Boughton said more housing, particularly for those who have mental health issues, suffer from chronic illness or a disability, was “sorely needed on the Central Coast”.

“(This) funding will deliver homes for some of our most vulnerable Coasties,” he said. Also on hand for the announcement was Central Coast resident Neil Murphy, who has worked for 11 years through Home on the Central Coast to improve outcomes for people on the Central Coast with mental illness and psychological disability.

Terry Collins

earth-march-2023.lilregie. com/ or by contacting Michael Berney on 0417 558 058.

10

PUBLIC NOTICE - ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

NC-120 Petitioner or Attorney: Amira Hasenbush, Esq. State Bar Number: 293968 Firm Name: All Family Legal | Law Office of Amira Hasenbush Street Address: 17043 Ventura Blvd City: Encino State: CA Zip Code: 91316 Telephone No.:(323) 813-1199 Fax No.: (323) 594-8192 Email Address:amira@allfamilylegal.com Attorney for Christian Ross-Daniel Ward. Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles Address: 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles CA 90012

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Branch Name: Stanley Mosk Courthouse PETITION OF CHRISTIAN ROSS-DANIEL WARD AND BRUCE CHUN MAN TSUI ON BEHALF OF ALICIA ZARA WARD-TSUI FOR CHANGE OF NAME. ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE -- CHANGE OF NAME. FILED Superior Court of California County of Los Angeles 03/07/2023, Case Number :23STCP00751.

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS. Christian Ross-Daniel Ward and Bruce Chun Man Tsui on Behalf of Alicia filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name Alicia Zara Ward-Tsui to Proposed name Alicia Zara Ward. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes reason for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING. Date: 1 May 2023 Time: 10AM Dept.: 72 Room:731. The address of the court is: same as noted above. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in the county in which petitioner resides or, if no county, in the local subdivision or territory where petitioner resides.

Date: 03/07/2023 Judge: Hon. Curtis A. Kin, Judge of the Superior Court. Form Adopted for Mandatory Use. Judicial Council of California. NC-120 (Rev. January 1, 2023). Order to Show Cause

-- Change of Name. Code of Civil Procedure, section 1277.

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To be included on the pre-qualified panel of subcontractors, your EOI response must be submitted via E-Procure https://www.eprocure.com.au/programmed/ (free to register) prior to the closing date of Friday, 14 April 2023

Mark Heeney from The Haven Foundation (second from left), candidate for Terrigal Sam Boughton (third from left), Shadow Minister Rose Jackson (centre), Member for Gosford L:iel Tesch (front), Neil Murphy (third from right) and residents celebrate the announcement

Source: Media release, Mar

Narara Ecovillage

Narara Ecovillage

Grants for women returning to the workforce

Women across the Central Coast who are looking to return to work are being urged to apply for grants of up to $5,000 from the NSW Government to fund goods, supports and resources to help them return to the workforce.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch said the Return-to-Work Pathways Program is for women who have been unemployed for one month or more and intend to enter or return to work within six months.

One-off grants of up to $5,000 can be accessed to fund return to work costs such as training, materials for courses, transportation, childcare and other work necessities such as IT equipment.

“If you are a woman who is looking to go back to work but there are financial costs to doing so, such as childcare,

transport, clothing or a computer, the NSW Government will fund it up to $5,000,” Crouch said.

“Women across the Central Coast should feel confident that the Government has their back when it comes to removing some of the financial

barriers that could delay or prevent them from returning to work.

“Feedback from women who

have completed the program is simply amazing, with many telling us that it simply wouldn’t have been possible without it.

“It builds their confidence while supporting their financial independence,” Crouch said.

The Return-to-Work Pathways Program is part of the commitment made by the NSW Government in the 202223 Budget to invest $16.5B over 10 years to level the playing field for women.

It complements the Government’s long-term plan to help 95,000 women enter the workforce or take on more hours by making childcare more affordable and accessible.

The state’s unemployment rate is currently 3.1 percent which is the lowest in the country.

Over 3,700 women have taken up a Return-to-Work grant since the program launched, with an average payment of $4,500.

A survey of the women who took part in the last phase of the program revealed that 65 percent have secured employment; 73 percent have applied for and/or started education and training; 95 percent have made progress with their Return to Work Plan; 81 percent reported increased confidence regarding returning to work; and 98 percent found the Return to Work application process helpful.

Find out more online at: service.nsw.gov.au/services/ business-industries-andemployment/get-notifiedabout-return-work-phase-3.

A Return to Work Toolkit is also available at nsw.gov.au/ women-nsw/toolkits-andresources/return-to-worktoolkit.

Council named a finalist in sustainability awards

Central Coast Council has been named as a finalist in the Marketing and Communications for Impact Award category in the Banksia Foundation’s 34th National Banksia Sustainability Awards.

The achievement recognises Council’s leadership within the Australian sustainability landscape and in pursuit of the Central Coast’s ECO Destination certification with Ecotourism Australia.

Community and Recreational Services Director, Melanie Smith, said this year’s submission was Council’s firstever entry to the National Banksia Sustainability Awards.

“Council is thrilled to be a finalist in this award category, alongside four other nominees including the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Hunter Water Corporation, Life Unhurried and Paradigm Foods,” Smith said.

“Council’s Marketing and Tourism team’s submission, titled Rewilding Destination Marketing from the Inside Out, illustrates an innovative sustainability journey which has seen Council lead a regional commitment to re-shaping and growing a successful evergreen destination marketing strategy with sustainability at the heart of it through re-branding as Love Central Coast.

“With the support of our dedicated tourism operators on the Central Coast pursuing ECO Certification and work by several strategic areas in Council, there is a unified approach to developing a meaningful destination brand, Love Central Coast, with positive ripple effects on the economy, community and environment.

“ECO Destination status is helping to attract an increasing number of more conscious

Hart, said the National Banksia Sustainability Awards, now in their 34th year, align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which form the foundation of Council’s Community Strategic Plan 2018-2028 and its ONE – Central Coast themes.

“Council is committed to working with key partners to advocate on behalf of our community,” he said.

“Ultimately, every person who lives on the Central Coast has an opportunity and responsibility to create a sustainable future from which everyone can benefit.

“Working together we can make a difference.”

Source: Media release, Mar 7 Central Coast Council Strickland State Forest is one of the region’s many attractions

visitors seeking sustainable travel experiences.”

Smith said visitors were

staying longer and spending more, attracted to experiences that contribute to the local

economy and connect with local culture.

Council Administrator, Rik

Source: Media release, Mar 8 Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch

Women can apply for grants of up to $5,000 to help them return to work

Home loan refinancers can collect a cash bonus

WITH Michelle BALTAZAR Editor-in-Chief • Money magazine

Rather than raising the white flag in the face of the relentless tide of interest rate rises, plenty of homeowners are pushing back by refinancing their loans.

In November alone, the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that a record $19.4 billion worth of loans were switched from one lender to another.

The prospect of securing a lower rate isn’t the only alluring part of refinancing, though: cashback offers are well and truly in vogue.

A cashback is exactly as it sounds: a cash sweetener, often in the thousands of dollars, for those willing to make the switch.

Sounds great, but here are four things to consider before taking up that cash.

1. Are you eligible?

Unfortunately, the reality is that not everyone will be in a position to refinance in the first

place. Typically, borrowers will need to have a loan-to-value ratio below 80% and a loan size greater than $250,000 to be eligible for one of the cashback offers on the market.

As well, most deals require the new loan to be settled within three months.

2. The size of the deal Shopping around is a must: a recent check showed 30 lenders in the database of financial comparison website Mozo were offering cashbacks ranging from $1500 to $10,000.

The most generous deals tend to be for mortgages over $1 million, though borrowers refinancing lower amounts will have plenty of options in the $3000-$4000 range from a variety of lenders, including the major banks, customerowned institutions and nonbank lenders.

either in the form of exit fees to discharge your existing loan or upfront fees from a new lender.

The equation becomes even more complicated for anyone who is considering refinancing a fixed rate, who will likely be charged a separate break-cost fee that could eclipse the value of refinancing.

4. Cash or lower rate?

illustrate the benefits of the two options.

Say you have 20 years left on an outstanding loan of $500,000 and you’re tossing up between refinancing to Loan A or Loan B – both of which have lower rates than your existing loan.

years the $83 difference in monthly repayments would put Loan B ahead.

Of course, this example doesn’t include how that cashback amount is used in the meantime, nor does it factor in the possibility of refinancing again during that period.

When you dispose of shares, assuming you are an investor, not a trader, you will normally have to pay capital gains tax (CGT) on any profits.

Typically, CGT arises when you sell shares but can also happen if you give them away or you stop being an Australian resident.

CGT taxes any increase in value from the time the share was

3. The cost of switching Chances are refinancing will come with a few extra costs, acquired. (Any shares acquired before September 20, 1985 are not subject to CGT.)

One of the most common questions of all is whether it’s worth punting for a cashback deal or a lower interest rate.

Here’s one example to

Loan A comes with a rate of 5.30% and a $3000 cashback offer, while Loan B has a rate of 5% and no cashback.

Crunching the numbers, the cashback deal could make Loan A the more appealing option initially, but after three

At the end of the day, the answer will depend on your own situation, but the aim of the game should always be securing a better deal.

Review your loan regularly While Loan B – the lower

How to calculate capital gains tax when you sell your shares

Your capital gain for a share is worked out like this:

• Deduct the cost base from the sale proceeds. The cost base is the price you paid for the share, plus incidental costs.

• Next, take away any capital losses.

Then, discount the gain if you’re eligible. Individuals are

entitled to a 50% discount, though the asset must have been held for 12 months or more for the discount to be available.

• The resulting figure is your net capital gain, which is subject to tax at your marginal income tax rate.

Sometimes the proceeds and cost base of the share are not what was actually paid and/or received, but rather the market value of the asset.

This is typically to prevent people from minimising their tax by, say, selling the share to a relative for a low price. When you make a loss If your sale proceeds are less than your cost base, you will make a capital loss.

Losses can be offset against capital gains arising in the same year and, to the extent they are not used up, they can be carried forward indefinitely

until capital gains arise to absorb them.

Capital losses can only be offset against capital gains –they can’t be offset against any other form of income.

If you dispose of an asset during the year for a capital gain, you might want to consider disposing of any other assets that are sitting at a loss, so the capital loss can be offset against the capital gain.

interest and no cashback scenario – could be better in the long term, some savvy home loan owners refinance their loan every three to four years, or when they are eligible to switch without penalties, which means they still get the advantage of the cashback offer. Either way, don’t leave money on the table.

You only stick with it for as long as it works.

When you find a better option that suits your needs, switch.

TOM WATSON

Be careful, though, if you sell loss-making shares to crystallise a capital gain just before the end of the tax year and then buy the shares back again at the start of the new tax year.

The Australian Taxation Office generally regards this as an artificial contrivance or deliberate tactic to generate capital losses.

MARK CHAPMAN, H&R BLOCK

New golf academy at Magenta Shores Resort

A new golf academy is planned for the 18-hole course which is part of Magenta Shores Resort between Tuggerah Lake and the beachfront on Wilfred Barrett Dr, The Entrance North.

The new single-storey building with basement car parking will be nestled into the existing landscape, similar in design to and sitting lower than the original clubhouse.

A new, small amenities block will be located further south of the proposed golf academy, at

the start of the sixth tee, adjacent the maintenance sheds.

The golf academy will provide additional support to golf club members with one-on-one coaching on how to swing and stand with teeing off.

The golf club has operated for the past 18 years as part of Magenta Shores Resort, which also offers direct beach access, two tennis courts, indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness centre and spa facilities for residents and visiting tourists at the resort.

Pathway stencils promote inclusion

Central Coast Council has installed creative stencils along the Tuggerah Lake foreshore shared pathway to increase positive attitudes and behaviours towards people with a disability.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of pathway etiquette and safety for everyone and is an action of the Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) 2021-2025. Council’s Administrator Rik Hart said through consultation in the development of the DIAP community members said they wanted improved accessibility

and inclusion on shared pathways.

“The community told us what was working well for people with a disability and what needed to be improved on the Central Coast,” he said.

“The stencils have been designed in consultation with the Access and Inclusion Reference Group (AIRG), Council’s Disability Inclusion Officer and Road Safety Officers as part of an ongoing community education campaign about the respectful use of shared pathways across the Central Coast.

“Central Coast Council’s

Access and Inclusion Reference Group is made up of people with lived experience of disability and people working in the sector, who guide Council on the implementation of the DIAP.”

AIRG member Bobby Redman said not all disabilities are visible, and the stencils reflect the many dimensions of disability and diversity of people using the shared pathway including older people and those with hearing, vision and cognitive impairments.

“Through the use of the bright and colourful stencils we aim to engage users of the pathway

and promote good etiquette and positive behaviours, to improve access and participation for everyone,” Redman said.

“Let’s keep shared pathways as they have been intended, as a shared, welcoming and safe place for everyone to enjoy!”

Messages on the shared pathway include: Shared pathways are for everyone; Slow down when passing; Use your bell before passing; Cycle safely; Be Kind – Share this space; and Keep Left.

Magenta Shores is a private golf course with access only to members and resort guests and is considered to be a championship course – being voted among the top 30 best golf courses in Australia by Golf Australia magazine.

The development application for the new golf academy and amenities building (3093/2022) can viewed on Central Coast Council’s website and public feedback is open until March 24.

Sue Murray

Proposed Golf Academy building

Brothers go off-road to help prostate cancer research

Two young Narara brothers are taking their fundraising efforts off-road in an effort to drive forward support for prostate cancer research and support services across the Central Coast.

Logan Grattan, 21, and his brother Ronan Grattan, 19, will hold their second annual 4X4 fundraiser on Saturday, March 18, from 10 am-3 pm at Watagans National Park to raise funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA).

The brothers are hosting the event in honour of their uncle, Mike Berton, who passed away from advanced prostate cancer at the age of 53.

Local 4X4 enthusiasts are invited to join them for a day of driving, food and fun in support of the cause.

“This is the second year we are holding the event – it’s an amazing way to honour Uncle Mike’s memory and to make a difference for an important cause,” Logan said.

“Uncle Mike loved the outdoors, and his presence was very much felt throughout the day last year – and we know it’ll be the same again this year.

“As part of the event, we are also trying to get the conversation started about prostate cancer, to encourage men to get educated, get checked and hopefully send some strong messages through our community.

“If we could save just one family from going through what we have been through, as well as trying to raise some well

needed money for PCFA, then it is worth it.”

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, with one in five men diagnosed in their lifetime.

Across the Central Coast alone over 3,400 men are living with prostate cancer, with an additional 300 men newly diagnosed each year.

Ronan said that being part of

a community of people willing to help out when times get tough inspired the brothers to fundraise.

“Through 4X4 we’ve found a community of people who would never drive past someone who needed a hand without stopping to help – and this is what this fundraiser is all about, helping out where we can,” he said.

“We couldn’t have done this without the help and support of our Aunty Jen, Mike’s wife, who continues to support the event.”

Logan and Ronan are asking Coasties to get behind them by donating at https://fundraise. pcfa.org.au/fundraiser/ jenberton/4×4-prostatecancer-awarenessfundraiser-2023.

Drivers are asked to meet at Olney Headquarters at Watagans National Park at 10 am on March 18.

PCFA CEO Anne Savage said the brothers were an inspiration.

“We are tremendously grateful to have them helping us fund new research, specialist nurses and awareness activities that benefit men and families in the local area,” she said.

“Every 22 minutes one of our fathers or sons will hear the news that he has prostate cancer.

“Alarmingly, it remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer in local men.

“We know that many local families are facing prostate cancer and will need our care and support.

“Together, with the help of community champions like Logan and Ronan, we can make this happen and ensure all men are supported.”

For prostate cancer information and support, call PCFA on 1800 22 00 99.

Source: Media release, Feb 27 Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia

Logan and Ronan Grattan

EOIs open for Coast urgent care clinics

The Federal Government is delivering on its preelection promise of establishing 14 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (Medicare UCCs) statewide, including two on the Central Coast, with expressions of interest (EOIs) now open.

The Medicare UCCs will provide bulk billed treatment for urgent but non-lifethreatening emergencies and will be open for extended hours, seven days a week.

Member for Robertson Gordon Reid said the new clinics will help to take the pressure off both Wyong and Gosford emergency departments.

“As an emergency doctor practising in hospitals on the Central Coast, I know how

important these Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will be for people accessing healthcare,” he said.

“Too many people on the

Coast are unable to see a GP.

“Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will improve access to doctors that will bulk bill.

“I’ve been fighting to make it

easier for the people on the Central Coast to access high quality healthcare, where and when they need it.”

Member for Dobell Emma

McBride said the clinics will mean that someone will be able to walk in without an appointment and be bulk billed rather than having to end up in the emergency department.

“We know the emergency departments in both Wyong and Gosford were under strain before COVID, and that has only increased.”

Category 4 and 5 presentations, non-lifethreatening emergencies, make up just over 50 per cent of the total presentations to hospitals in NSW.

The Medicare UCCs will help patients get timely, high-quality healthcare while easing pressuring on hospitals.

The EOI process will be run by the relevant NSW Primary Health Networks3, with submissions closing on April 12.

It is EOI is open to existing general practices, community health centres and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.

Providers who have applied in previous Expression of Interest processes in NSW do not need to re-apply but should engage with the relevant Primary Health Network.

The Federal Government will continue to work closely with the NSW Government and NSW Primary Health Networks to deliver the UCCs.

Health Minister Mark Butler said the clinics will allow families to get top-quality care from a nurse or a doctor without having to wait in a hospital emergency department.

Government commits $1.6M to Long Jetty Health Centre

The NSW Government, now in caretaker mode leading up to the March 25 State election, has committed $1.6M to boost services at Long Jetty Health Care Centre over the next few months.

“The Long Jetty Health Care Centre is an important part of the community and we are committed to continuing to provide health services from this site,” Liberal Party candidate for The Entrance Nathan Bracken said.

Member for The Entrance

David Mehan welcomed the news of the $1.6M funding and wants investment in the centre to continue, including Long Jetty being established as an Urgent Care centre.

“The Government has already announced plans to establish 25 Urgent Care Service centres across NSW, in addition to the 13 Urgent Care Clinics being provided by the Commonwealth,” he said.

“The Long Jetty centre is the perfect location for an Urgent Care Service for our region and the local community.”

Mehan said Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) estimated that 20 percent of people presenting at Gosford and Wyong hospital emergency departments could be seen at Long Jetty Health Care Centre.

There were 371 submissions to a recent review by CCLHD about services at Long Jetty to ensure the best health care needs of the local community were being met.

“I have worked hard to ensure the views of my community were acted on by Central Coast Local Health District and I’m pleased to see the effort of the staff’s endeavours to improve services at Long Jetty,” Mehan said.

Central Coast Health District Chief Executive Scott McLachlan sad there was

consultation with NSW Health staff and the local community which identified a need to bring together a comprehensive range of whole-of-lifespan primary and community health care services at the Long Jetty

centre.

Following the NSW Government’s $1.6M funding commitment, Liberal Candidate Nathan Bracken said that in the short term the focus would be

on providing a range of community health, chronic disease management and outof-hospital services from Long Jetty.

“Co-locating these services together will provide our community with easily accessible, holistic and coordinated care from the one site, that will be refurbished to be more fit-for-purpose,” he said.

“In the long-term, the local health district will be further engaging with stakeholders, including staff, patients and the local community, to consider what other services may need to be provided at Long Jetty to best meet the health care needs of the community.”

Sue Murray

Free hearing checks on the way

Hearing Australia will conduct free hearing checks on the Central Coast later this month.

In Australia, it is estimated 3.6 million people are living with some degree of hearing loss and a third of those have a hearing condition that could have been prevented.

The number of Australians with hearing loss is expected to double over the next 35 years, and by 2050 one in four Australians are expected to be impacted.

Hearing Australia is hitting the road providing access to free hearing checks for adults aged 18 and over during its Hearing the Nation tour this March.

The tour kicked off in recognition of World Hearing

Day which is marked by the World Health Organisation on March 3 every year to raise awareness of hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care with this year’s theme being Ear and hearing care for all!

The number of Australians with hearing loss is expected to double over the next 35 years

Let’s make it a reality.

Checks on the Central Coast will be available: March 20 at Amcal Wadalba; March 21 at Amcal Kanwal Pharmacy –Medical Centre; March 23 at Amcal Max Kanwal Village;

March 27 at Amcal Toowoon Bay Pharmacy; and March 28 at Amcal West Gosford Pharmacy.

Source: Media release, Mar 9 Sauce Communications

Source: Media release, Mar 2 Member for Robertson Gordon Reid

NSW Shadow Minister for Health Ryan Park, Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler, Member for Robertson Gordon Reid, Member for Dobell Emma McBride and Dr Ian Charlton of Kincumber Doctors

Long Jetty Health Care Centre

DOWN IN THE GARDEN:

WITH CHERALYN DARCEY

GET READY FOR INSPECTION

You might like to do this as your last task of your ‘Fabulous Fast Fix’ session but washing down paths, steps, the outside of pots, and even giving flat fences created from metal a quick once over can make all the difference.

Then again, you might need these tips to take fabulous video calls in your garden.

So, if your garden has started to look more like a sleeping couch potato than a lush wonderland, let’s look at ways that quickly make a big difference and will make others think you are the street green thumb! My suggestions are in order of importance so whether you have 15 minutes, an hour, or a day, go through them in order and you will get as close to a fabulous garden as your time allows.

1. Pick it Up

Right now it is pretty windy and that means additional leaves, branches and things in general falling everywhere.

At any time, the very first thing you should do is collect

everything that has fallen into your garden.

Ideally sort and compost, but at least pile up in one area in a corner somewhere and cover to protect from the wind.

This means raking the lawns and ground and sweeping paths, but it also involves getting in and picking out fallen debris in plants.

The only plant that looks good with a crown full of leaves and twigs is the birds nest fern and friends.

Oh, and it should go without saying, but pick up the dog and cat poop.

Do one last look around because your friends are guaranteed to relieve themselves one minute before your inspection.

2. Wash or Wipe It

Patios and fences can be a haven for old spider and cobwebs and if they are currently unoccupied then sweep those away too. Now this one will sound strange but stay with me, clean the outside of bins.

In any inspection, people are going to probably walk past your bins and if they are dirty, it will just put the feeling of messiness in people’s minds.

3. It’s all in the Edges

The difference that trimming the edges of a lawn can make is even better than mowing it. You can get away with a lawn a few centimetres longer than might be optimal if the edges are neat and clean.

This is where the eye goes to in a garden.

The edges! We humans are wired to look for edges so play on that and do the borders of everything first.

Even if your garden is a flowing organic jungle, neat edges will still create a feeling of tidiness and care.

NEWS & EVENTS

FROG HABITATE WORKSHOP SOMERSBY with SWAMP, ARCH ENTO TECH and RAPTOR REPTILES 10am – 1pm 18th March

Hands on learning experience in creating a native frog pond, how to start one and what plants to grow. You will also build your own frog hotel to take home and install in your home garden, bush habitat or nature space.

This will be a wonderful interactive family experience as well as for all those nature and frog lovers.

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/564434387447

Permie Kids - Killcare, Wednesdays 3.30 - 5.30pm

Nature based activities in the garden for 8–12-year-olds. Bookings Essential - $25 per class - SMS Anna 0407 591 278.

Coming up: 22 March - Worm Farms; 29 March - Building habitats for native animals; 5 April - Natural decorations - egg blowing and decorating.

Musical Kitchen in the Garden at SWAMP Tuggerah - 9:30 – 11:30am Friday 31 March best suited for children 1 – 6 yrs of age

Mandy dos Santos and Phoebe Cormack share this wonderful experience with local families and children by hosting a seasonal foodie music session, each season of 2023.

They come together singing and engaging in musical play, sharing original songs with others. There will also be an opportunity to engage with some musical and food activities, including making your own seasonal morning tea. And of course, enjoying the magic of the community garden and the season we find ourselves immersed in.

Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/57evd7yr

GARDENING PLANNER

This week you could plant: culinary herbs, beetroot, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbages, carrot, cauliflower, chicory, cress, endive, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, mustard, onions, parsnips, peas, radishes, salsify, shallots, silverbeet, spinach, spring onions, swedes, turnips, ageratum, alyssum, calendula, candytuft, carnation, cineraria, columbine, coneflower, delphinium, dianthus, everlasting daisy, forget-me-not, foxglove, godetia, gypsophila, hollyhock, larkspur, linaria, lobelia, nemesia, nigella, pansy, polyanthus, poppy, primula, snapdragon, statice, stock, sweet pea, viola, wallflower

Cheralyn Darcey is a horticulture author and along with Pete Little, hosts ‘At Home with The Gardening Gang’ 8 - 10am live every Saturday on CoastFM96.3, on air locally or streaming by asking ‘play coastfm963’ Archived articles: florasphere.com | Send your gardening questions, events, and news to: gardeningcentralcoast@gmail.com

While native grasses look stunning arched in a cascading fountain of leaves over a path, a collected rabble of botanical debris sitting under them just feels messy. Clear away what’s underneath and this will not only define the path and edges but also make your feature plants pop.

4. Trim it Off

Stand in the front of your garden space, in a position that a visitor is likely to first stand and look.

What do you see that looks messy because it is hanging into the garden? Are there palm fronds that are tangled in a heap of overgrowth? Vines

choking other plants? Small branches that are just too much for now? Off you go and chop them all off.

Now isn’t the time for major tree lopping, it’s a tidy up. Hedges can be a bit of a headache, especially if you rent and are not too sure how to go about trimming them.

For a fast fix, don’t try and to get a perfect geometric shape. Simply trim of the scraggly bits and overgrowing edges so you have whatever shape the hedge happens to be right now but in a neat form.

5. Indoor Tidy Up

Your indoor plants are going

to be on show too.

So they look their very best, trim off dying foliage, get rid of spent flowers and wipe over leaves with a damp cloth.

If your plants are used to it, a quick misting of water can look lovely during inspection.

Here’s clever trick, sprinkle a nice new layer of potting mix around your plants.

Do this a few days before the inspection so any earthy spells can dissipate.

If your indoors are lacking in houseplants, cut a selection of foliage from your garden and pop into vases just before your visitors arrive.

• Little Ruby or Little Maroon is the perfect mounding ground cover that has stand-out deep burgundy foilage with a compact, spreading habit.

• Loves humidity and can tolerate frost better than most forms. • Uses: Ground cover, border containers and green walls.

Full sun to part shade

Maybe you have decided to sell your home or perhaps you have a rental inspection looming.

Pink Stumps Day raises another $15,000 for McGrath Foundation

Northern Power Cricket Club, based at Toukley, has raised another $15,000 for the McGrath Foundation at its recent Pink Stumps Day.

Club spokesperson Kelly Jolley said the recent event was a huge success with plenty of cricket, laughs and a successful auction which helped raise $15,446 for their ongoing fundraising tally.

“Over the past four years, this wonderful family day has now

raised more than $75,000 for the McGrath Foundation,” she said.

More than 150 players, families and fans turned out to get behind the great cause and local businesses rallied to support the club by donating prizes and helping on the day.

Supporters included Kooindah Waters, Total Tools, The Ary, Hawkesbury Brewing Co, Titan Containers and many more.

The McGrath Foundation

raises funds to support people with breast cancer by providing specialist McGrath Breast Care Nurses where they are most needed across Australia.

The Foundation funds 185 McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities right across Australia, who have supported more than 110,000 families since 2005.

Last Smiles on Dials for the season

Central Coast Disabled Surfers Association (DSACC) will hold its last Smiles on Dials event for the season at Umina Beach on April 1.

The group is looking for volunteers to help on the day. Registrations are welcome prior to the event so the group knows how many surfers it can accept, but volunteers will also be accepted on the day. Volunteers do not need to know how to surf although water skills are highly valued. A water refill station and a rash shirt will be provided for

the day, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own wetsuits.

A sausage sizzle will complete the festivities.

Volunteering at a Smiles on Dials event consists of helping participants to and from the beach, assisting them in and out of the water and helping set up and clean up.

Food is provided and smiles are always encouraged.

DSACC is a volunteer-run organisation that enables people of all ages and abilities to take part in one of Australia’s most popular pastimes, beach surfing.

Volunteers serve to provide a unique, safe, and happy surfing experience to a wide range of people with various disabilities who would otherwise be unable to access the beach.

In order to ensure safety, DSA has a very high volunteer to participant ratio, with a minimum of six to one up to as high as 30 to one for more challenging participants.

Surfing is undertaken in broken waves, in waist depth water.

The DSA was established in 1986 and currently has 19 branches across Australia and New Zealand.

Funding pledge for lights at Halekulani Oval

Member for Swansea Yasmin Catley has secured a commitment from NSW Labor to significantly upgrade lighting at Halekulani Oval if they win the March 25 State election.

It is the home ground of Budgewoi Bulldogs Rugby League Club and the $120,000 pledge would provide flood lighting as well as additional lighting on existing poles at the oval.

At present the eastern mid-

field does not have flood lighting, which has prevented the club from hosting night games and training. Lighting will ensure the club can utilise two fields and provide opportunities for extra training and to hold night tournaments.

“I am pleased that a NSW Labor Government will allocate $120,000 to the Budgewoi Bulldogs to install flood lighting, as well as additional lighting at Halekulani Oval,” Catley said.

“This oval is home to the Budgewoi Bulldogs club but

they have been prevented from using it for night training and games because of a lack of lighting.

“With winter just around the corner, there is no doubt the oval needs better lighting, and this truly will be a great outcome for the local community.”

President of Budgewoi Bulldogs Matt Rogers said the club was very pleased with the help received from Catley and her team.

“Our facilities are so below par it’s not funny and Yasmin

New roller doors for Ocean Beach Surf Club

Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club will receive two new roller doors thanks to a grant of almost $8,000 from the 2022 Community Building Partnership Program.

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said the funds would be used to replace two damaged roller doors, which are unsafe and faulty.

“The funding ensures that the surf club can focus on keeping our lifeguards and beachgoers safe,” she said.

“The work the surf club does is important and ensuring the club is safe and welcoming is pivotal to allowing the club to focus on safety.”

Club President Dean Slattery said the current roller doors were chain operated and faulty.

“The funding will make the surf club environment a lot safer,” he said.

“Without the investment of the Community Building Partnership Program, funding would have been taken away from training and safety equipment.”

The association sets the world’s best practice for the sport of Disabled Surfing.

DSA training programs are award winning for Outstanding Achievement in implementing Safe Sport Practices and Minister’s awards for Most Significant Contribution to Water Safety by an Organisation. Volunteer and surfer registration can be made at Humanitix https://bit.ly/ April1Umina.

and her team jumped into action immediately after contact from our club,” he said.

“Our whole club is very excited about the plans and our future.”

Catley has also supported the club by securing $1.3M for upgrades in amenities, irrigation and drainage work at Halekulani Oval through the State Government Stronger Country Communities Fund.

Source:

Media release, Mar 14

Member for Swansea Yasmin Catley

Source: Media release, Mar 7

for Gosford Liesl Tesch Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch presents the cheque to surf club members

Member for Swansea Yasmin Catley with members of Budgewoi Bulldogs

Source: Media release, Mar 7 Central Coast Disabled Surfers Association The last event for the year will

CRICKET

Northern Power will go into next week’s grand final against The Entrance after defeating Kincumber Avoca on March 12 in the preliminary final of the Diggers The Entrance Men’s First Grade cricket competition.

Northern Power finished 8/341 off 100 overs, defeating Kincumber Avoca, all done for 235.

Northern Powers’ Joshua Abel added to his 138 not out from the previous day to finish 157 not out.

Kincumber captain Daniel Heuston was 95 off 91 balls, a sensational effort, with openers Michael Williams and Tom Hibbert each scoring 46.

In the bowling, Abel backed up his batting performance with 4 for 48 off 12 and Hayden Murphy, who also had a great batting result, also took 4 for 125 off 27.

In the women’s Ibis Styles The Entrance First Grade comp, Lisarow Ourimbah will take on Terrigal Matcham in next week’s grand final. Lisarow Ourimbah 3/127 defeated Northern Power 7/126 in the preliminary final.

Jess Holmes was not out for 37 and Amy Cunningham finished on 34 for Lisarow.

Northern Power’s Rebecca Callan was 37 not out, with Crystal Osborne adding 24 to the total.

Aanya Siingh took 2 for 14 off 4, Molly Kidd 2 for 23 off 4 and Rachel Scarr 2 for 22 off 4 for Lisarow.

The only bowler to take a wicket for Northern Power was Emma Raychaudhuri, 1 for 29 off 4.

Source: Media release, Mar 13 Central Coast Cricket

Lake Haven Recreation Centre is set to receive $300,000 worth of new gym equipment as Central Coast Council continues its commitment to deliver more than $1M in upgrades to its leisure and recreation centres this financial year.

The upgrades at the very popular Lake haven fitness facility will include replacing existing cardio equipment with the latest technology and providing new strength and free weights equipment.

Council Unit Manager Leisure Beach Safety and Community Facilities Phil Cantillon said Council is committed to providing outstanding leisure facilities.

Fitness enthusiasts Conor O’Doherty and Mark Rae working out at Lake Haven Recreation Centre

“Our aim is to ensure sport, leisure, recreation and aquatic facilities are welcoming, high-

The Southern Spirit Cricket Club has received $250,000 towards the replacement of cricket nets at Rogers Park, Woy Woy, through the NSW Government’s Infrastructure Grants program.

quality spaces that are well maintained and activated,” he said.

“To encourage new memberships at Lake Haven Recreation Centre, Council is

Joshua Abel was 157 not out

offering non-members who join between March 1 and April 15 a limited time offer of no joining fee, plus one month’s free membership.

“The introductory offer also includes a pay-by-the-month option, with no long-term contract commitment.”

Full terms and conditions can be found at centralcoast.nsw. gov.au/lakehavenrec.

“Gym and fitness members enjoy 24-hour access to the centre’s fully equipped gym and group fitness classes, as well as free fitness assessments every six weeks to monitor progress,” Cantillon said.

“Additional upgrades the public can look forward to at Council facilities, as part of the planned investment, include a

New cricket nets for Rogers Park

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, said the project would help provide the modern and functional facilities and services our community deserved.

“The $250,000 in funding will mean Southern Spirit Cricket

Club will be able to replace the existing dilapidated cricket nets at Rogers Park and replace them with five new lanes for cricket participants and the broader community to practice,” he said.

“Grassroot sporting clubs are such a big part of our local

community and investing in sporting infrastructure will help deliver better services for our region to enjoy.”

Minister for Hospitality and Racing, Kevin Anderson, said funding under the Infrastructure Grants program was made possible by the Clubgrants

new 50 metre pool filtering system at Gosford Olympic Pool, a grandstand refurbishment at Wyong Pool and an automatic timing system at Peninsula Leisure Centre.”

Administrator Rik Hart said investing $1M over the next year across Council’s six leisure centres will further provide residents and visitors of the Coast with terrific facilities and classes.

Take a look at the full program from Lake Haven Recreation Centre, take a virtual tour, and join online at centralcoast.nsw. gov.au/lakehavenrec.

Source: Media release, Mar 9 Central Coast Council

Category 3, which re-invested profits from registered clubs’ gaming machines into community projects.

sports, recreation, community infrastructure, arts and culture and disaster readiness,” he said.

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Lake Haven recreation centre set for some new equipment

Northern Power to take on The Entrance in grand final

FOOTBALL

Mudgee’s Glen Willow Stadium is proving to be a truly marvellous place for the Central Coast Mariners to play football.

The Mariners have adopted Mudgee over the past few years as part of their commitment to developing football across the state.

This year’s tour to the inland wine region yielded a 4-1 win over MacArthur FC on March 11.

Underpowered, thanks to a

Mariners’ magical Mudgee mojo

combination of red card suspension, injury and national team duty, the Mariners squad comprised many young players itching to make their mark.

As the young squad was finding its feet the more experienced MacArthur Bulls team fired up a cracking combination to put the first goal of the match into the nets in the 11th minute thanks to Daniel De Silva. Game on!

The points were well and truly up for either team at this point until young James McGarry scored in the 30th minute for

the Mariners with a shot that hit the crossbar on the underside and went where it was intended.

McGarry’s goal was his second in five matches and lifted the squad up to the break. Scores were level at halftime and nervous energy surrounded the stadium among visiting and locally-based Mariners fans. As it happened there was no need to worry as that energy was now unleashed into a goal fest for the Central Coast side.

True to form it was Jason Cummings who broke through

thanks to some brilliant footwork from teammate Max Ballard only two minutes into the second half to put the Mariners ahead.

Then just five minutes later it was Marco Tulio’s turn to score thanks to some great teamwork from the rising young squad.

In the 62nd minute, Cummings stepped to take a penalty shot and scored his second and the team’s fourth goal.

The rest of the match was a game of cat and mouse as coach Monty subbed in as many young players as he

could justify.

Nicholas Duarte came on for the very in-form Christian Theoharou and goal scorer James McGarry came off for Josh Nisbet.

It was a special day too for young Mariners Academy player Zac Zoricich, who made his A-League debut in the 82nd minute.

The Mariners’ 4-1 win secured not only the victory but also the much-needed three match points.

The Central Coast’s magical run at the ground continues, as

the side builds back up the ISUZU-UTE A-League men’s ladder to the third spot just behind Adelaide United and Melbourne City.

The squad posed for a traditional Mariners’ family photo after the game as conducting the usual ball signing ceremony for the wideeyed young locals.

The team heads south to play Melbourne Victory on Sunday afternoon, March 19.

Coasties score two golds and a silver at Australasian croquet comp

CROQUET

Central Coast croquet players representing the NSW Police have taken two gold medals and a silver at the Australasian Police and Emergency Service Games held recently in Rotorua, New Zealand.

The week-long event saw 3000 participants compete in many sporting fields.

Retired police officers Phil Monds and Darren Warner from EDSACC Croquet Club played in the doubles competition held at Rotorua Croquet Club.

After losing their first match to another NSW team they knuckled down and won their next matches against Rotorua, leading to a highly anticipated match against the highly fancied Victorian team for the gold medal.

Warner and Monds came out

knocking the Victorians’ balls all over the lawn and scoring hoops from all angles to win the match 7-3 and take out the gold.

A broken foot wasn’t going to stop local police sergeant Craig Unger from competing in the singles competition.

Despite breaking his foot just weeks earlier, Unger bravely played in a moon boot to take out second place.

After taking down most of the field with amazing jump shots he could not match the mighty New Zealand champion Jim Brough in the final but brought home the silver.

The men are now looking forward to Australasian Police and Emergency Service Games in Tasmania in 2025.

Source: Media release, Mar 13 Darren Warner

Craig Unger playing in the singles, moon boot and all

David Abrahams

Lead striker for the Mariners Jason Cummings signing a ball for a young local player

Phil Monds and Darren Warner took gold in the doubles