Coast Community News 386

Reid calls for action on dangerous intersection

Member for Robertson Gordon Reid has taken up the fight to improve safety conditions at the Wards Hill Rd and Empire Bay Dr intersection at Empire Bay, launching a petition calling on the State Government and Central Coast Council to take action.

CCN reported on the issue in February, with a post on the KillcareWagstaffe Community Facebook page calling for a roundabout at the dangerous intersection attracting numerous likes and comments.

Resident Bill Young said at the time that unless motorists took the long route via MacMaster Beach, the intersection was the only exit from the heavily populated Killcare, Hardys Bay, Pretty Beach and Wagstaffe areas.

“At the moment, many cars do a ‘ratrun’ through the petrol station to avoid

the intersection and turn left towards Ettalong,” he said.

“But it is the right hand turn on to Empire Bay Dr that is the most dangerous.

“Often your vision to the left is obscured by a vehicle turning left.”

Young said the traffic bank up from

the Empire Bay Primary School often extended to the intersection on school days.

Reid met with concerned residents recently and said he would write to new State Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Atchison and Council Administrator Rik Hart, as

well as launching the petition.

“The Wards Hill Rd and Empire Bay Dr intersection is no longer fit for purpose and cannot handle the volume of traffic safely during peak periods”, he said.

Young welcomed Reid’s involvement, saying residents are fed up with traffic congestion and poor safety conditions.

“More needs to be done than bandaid solutions like line marking and more signs,” he said.

“The community wants to see this project as a priority and an outcomesbased solution.”

To sign the petition, go to https:// drgordonreidmp.com.au/our-coastcommunity/wards-hill-road-andempire-bay-drive-intersectionpetition/.

Structural Pools & Spas

Member for Robertson Gordon Reid at the dangerous intersection

The 2022 service at Empire Bay

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Turtle found on Coast had swallowed seven fish hooks

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A Green Turtle found near Eraring Power Station at Lake Macquarie has undergone life-saving surgery after swallowing seven fish hooks and having its intestines pierced by fishing line.

The 50kg turtle, believed to be female and close to breeding age which for this species is about 40 years, was rescued by concerned residents and taken to the Taronga Wildlife Hospital in Sydney – the sixth turtle brought into the hospital for care this year.

The hospital’s senior veterinarian Larry Vogelnest said the turtle was in a bad way upon arrival, but emergency surgery had thankfully stabilised the animal’s condition.

“I’ve never seen this many fishing hooks inside one turtle so it was a very difficult and delicate surgery,” he said.

“I was very concerned that this turtle wouldn’t survive because of the extent of the damage.

“While she’s not quite out of the woods yet, she is eating and doing well so I feel quietly

Our draft Operational Plan 2023-24 and draft Fees and Charges for 2023-24 are now on public exhibition. Got any thoughts?

Make a submission and have your voice heard at yourvoiceourcoast.com/operationalplan2324 before 5pm on Monday 1 May

optimistic about the outcome even if that does include a long road to recovery.

“Green Turtles are often found in and around Lake Macquarie as there is plenty of seagrass for the turtles to forage in.

“This turtle was brought in by rescuers who had seen it floating with a visible wound on its shell, which is believed to be from a boat strike.”

Vogelnest said X-rays revealed the turtle had ingested seven hooks, four of which were in a gang-hook formation.

“While the hooks themselves are problematic, it is the line that’s attached to the hooks that can cause the most damage,” he said.

“If a hook with fishing line becomes anchored to a part of the intestines, over time with natural movement of the intestine, the intestines bunch up and the line can cut through the intestines, causing the animal to die a slow and painful death.

“On ultrasound examination, I was very suspicious that there was bunching of the intestines, so we decided to perform

surgery immediately.

“Surgery on these animals is extremely difficult, as everything is encased within the turtle’s shell, so the access is limited.”

During the surgery, Vogelnest was able to access parts of the intestines that were impacted and, together with the team, successfully remove the hooks and line.

The line had already damaged the turtle’s intestines but had not cut all the way through.

The procedure took five hours.

The Taronga Wildlife Hospital team is urging anglers to be mindful of their fishing lines and to seek assistance if they accidentally hook a turtle while fishing.

“If you accidentally hook a turtle or a bird such as a cormorant, please do not cut off the line and let it go,” Vogelnest said.

“Instead, please reach out to a wildlife rescue organisation for assistance or bring the animal to the Taronga Wildlife Hospital or a local vet for assistance.

“When cutting the line, it is

important to leave a long length of line out of its mouth as that will help us get the hook out.

“Make sure the animal doesn’t swallow the hook and line further.

“If you have tape, you can gently tape the line to the turtle’s shell.”

Six of the world’s seven species of marine turtle occur in Australian waters, and all six are listed as endangered or vulnerable.

Marine turtles play a vital role in maintaining the health of the oceans because they are important transporters of nutrients across ecosystems, thus benefitting a wide range of species.

“Prevention is always better than cure, so I would encourage anglers to be responsible and to always safely discard fish hooks and line,” Vogelnest said.

Every year, 1500 animals are admitted to Taronga Wildlife Hospitals, and Taronga is the leading contributor to veterinary services in wildlife treatment and rehabilitation in NSW.

Source: Taronga Wildlife Hospital

The turtle had swallowed seven fish hooks

The turtle required extensive surgery

At Central Coast Council we’re focused on delivering the services that matter for our community in a financially sustainable way.

Parklands Community Preschool has finally secured its stake in the Mount Penang Parklands after obtaining a 20-year lease.

In July 2022, Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch, along with NSW Labor Leader (now Premier), Chris Minns, called upon the then-NSW Government to end its efforts to increase the rent on the preschool or take the lease to market.

Under the Government’s original plans, many members of the preschool’s community were concerned about their ability to remain viable and keep the doors open.

New lease of life for Parklands preschool

The preschool is a not-forprofit community-run service in the Mount Penang Parklands and has served Kariong and the surrounding area for nearly 40 years.

The fee-free service is one of only three community-based preschools left in the southern end of the Central Coast. It has 96 children enrolled and about the same number of families.

Seventeen highly-trained educators are employed by the service, many of whom have worked there for decades and have taught generations of local children.

Tesch joined the preschool’s community to celebrate the

recent announcement.

“This new contract recognises the significant contribution of the Parklands Community Preschool and its long history of educating generations of families right across the Kariong community,” she said.

“This will mean the preschool is embedded as a cornerstone in the future of the Mount Penang Parklands.

“Education is the greatest gift we can give our children and the Labor Government is determined to (ensure the) community continues to be able to access early childhood education.

“We also want to thank the many wonderful people who

work (at the preschool), community members and the parents who have worked really hard to get to this outcome.”

Director Phoebe Wilby thanked Tesch and her team for their “unwavering support”.

“We are also thankful to the Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation for supporting the preschool in reaching this wonderful outcome,” Wilby said.

“This is an exciting time for the Parklands Community Preschool and we look forward to being here in the community for years to come.”

Acknowledgement for Vietnam vets

To mark the 50th anniversary of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs has made available a Commemorative Medallion and Certificate of Commemoration.

Member for Robertson Gordon Reid has welcomed the initiative, which will see medallions and certificates made available to every living veteran, widows of veterans and other family members of

veterans of the Vietnam War.

“We owe our serving and former defence personnel a high level of gratitude and respect for the sacrifices they made for our nation’s peace and security,” he said.

“Australia can never repay the debt we owe to the 60,000 Australians who served in Vietnam.

“This medallion and certificate is a small but meaningful way to honour their

service and to recognise the sacrifice of those who never returned home.”

Reid is encouraging Vietnam veterans or their families to visit the Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ website to complete an application for a medallion and certificate.

“I also encourage any serving or former defence personnel to reach out to my office if they are experiencing any issues with Department of Veterans’ Affairs matters or if they require

assistance with the online application,” he said.

To request a Commemorative Medallion and Certificate of Commemoration, visit the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website at https://www.dva. gov.au/recognition/ commemorations/ commemorative-services/ commemorative-servicesaustralia/50th-anniversary.

Vicarious Trauma and Self-Care Workshop

Wednesday 7th June – Commencing at 1.00pm

This workshop will provide an overview about what is vicarious trauma, burnout and compassion fatigue, and assist you to recognise your early warning signs and risk factors. It will also equip you with practical strategies to build your emotional resilience and coping skills when working in high stress environments.

This session is suitable for professionals working in roles and organisations that are exposed to grief, loss, and trauma through their client work.

Developing Emotional Literacy in Children

Wednesday 16th August – Commencing at 5.00pm

Learn practical tools and strategies to support children in developing the emotional literacy and self-regulation skills necessary to understand and manage their big emotions. This session is suitable for adults who regularly work with children who have experienced grief and loss, such as parents, carers, educators and clinicians.

This presentation will also include an overview of the programs run by Feel The Magic for bereaved children, and information on how to apply for or refer to their programs.

Source:

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch with Parklands President Adrian Sexton and some of the children

Source: Member for Robertson Gordon Reid

Thousands expected at ANZAC Day services

Thousands of people are expected to flock to ANZAC Day services across the region on April 25.

The services will provide community members with the opportunity to come together to pay their respects to our fallen service men and women and acknowledge those who fought to defend our country and protect our way of life.

Central Coast District Council of RSLs President Greg Mawson said all sub-branches were in full preparation mode.

“Although ANZAC Day is especially laid out to celebrate the Australian landings at Gallipoli in World War 1, we must also remember our brothers and sister who joined us from New Zealand, many of whose families now reside with us in Australia,” he said.

“It is also a special time to reflect on those on those who have given their lives in wars and conflicts since.

“We also remember those who paid the supreme sacrifice in World War 11, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and the conflicts and wars in between.

“All of the RSL Sub-Branches will be holding Dawn Services, with the RSL also conducting its first ANZAC Day Dawn Service on The Green at Copacabana this year.

“Parents are especially asked to bring children along to the services as a way of informing them of Australia’s part in obtaining our freedom from the tyranny of the past.

“The Dawn Services are a very moving reminder of the past, not to be missed.

“It was noted that prior to the advent of COVID, many of the Dawn Services across the Coast were being attended by many of our younger generation.

“We are hoping now that we have shaken off COVID, we can get back to encouraging the younger generations to observe and carry on the sacred traditions of this event.

“For those who are averse to the cold Dawn Services, most Sub-Branches hold a traditional ANZAC Day Parade.

“As the older veterans find marching in these parades a little too hard, we encourage our younger generation of veterans to take up the slack.

“Organise a group of your exservice friends to march with you, to show our younger people what it meant to serve your country.

“Failure to do so will see ANZAC Day fail into history and only be a memory.

“The Central Coast has the highest number of ex-

servicemen and women living in the state of NSW.

“If you’re one of these join in and show how proud you are to have served your country, no matter what era.

“ANZAC Day is a day of reflection and memory; Lest we Forget.”

Here is a run-down of major services to be held on the Central Coast.

Copacabana

A Dawn service will be held at 5:30am at Copacabana Surf Club Reserve, Del Monte Pl. Davistown

A Dawn Service will be held at Davistown RSL Club, Murna Rd at 6am.

Doyalson

A Dawn Service will be held at Doyalson-Wyee RSL Club, Pacific Hwy, at 5am with a Main Service commencing at 9am.

A march at 8.30am will proceed along Wentworth Ave into the grounds of the Club, including serving personnel, veterans, State Emergency

Service personnel and children from 10 local schools.

Empire Bay

A Main Service will be held at Empire Bay Cenotaph, Sorrento Rd, at 11am.

Gosford

A Dawn Service will be held at 6am with a Main Service commencing at 11am. Both ceremonies will take place at the Memorial Park Cenotaph in Gosford.

Dawn Service attendees will form up outside Gosford Police Station at 5.30am to march across the road to Gosford Memorial Park.

Marchers will assemble in Kibble Park at 10.15 am to march up Mann St at 10.30am to Gosford Memorial Park, with cars available for the disabled.

Ourimbah

A Dawn Service will be held at Ourimbah RSL, Pacific Hwy, at 5.30am with a Main Service commencing at 1.30pm. Those wishing to take place in the parade should assemble

in Yates Rd at 1pm.

Terrigal

A Dawn Service will be held at Terrigal Beach and War Memorial, The Esplanade, at 5.30am with a march commencing at 5.15am from Church St (opposite Terrigal Police Station).

There will be a veterans Anzac Day Breakfast at the Breakers Club at Wamberal commencing at 8.30am with a service at the club’s War Memorial at 10.50am.

The Entrance

A Dawn Service will be held at Memorial Park and Cenotaph, Marine Pde, at 5.30am with visual footage starting at 5am.

A parade will form up from Short St at 11.15 am, proceeding to Memorial Park for an 11.30am Main Service.

Toukley

A Dawn Service will be held at The Ary, Holmes Ave, Toukley at 5.20am with a Main Service commencing at 10.30am.

A march from the Toukley shops will proceed at 9.45am to Toukley RSL for a Main Service at 10.30am.

Woy Woy

A Dawn Service will be held at Memorial Park and Cenotaph, Brickwharf Rd, at 5.50am following a march from Woy Woy railway station at 5.15am.

Another march will begin at 10am from Deepwater Plaza Carpark to Memorial Park for a 10.30am Main Service.

Wyong

A Dawn Service will be held at Wyong Town Park and Club Wyong RSL at 5.45am with a

Turtle hatchlings returned to the sea

A bale of endangered Loggerhead Turtle hatchlings was returned to the water at Shelly Beach on April 9 after an epic egg rescue.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) teamed up with the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council (DLALC), Central Coast Council, NSW TurtleWatch and Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast to release the hatchlings, which were born earlier in the week at Taronga Zoo’s Wildlife Hospital.

NPWS Team Leader Conservation, Doug Beckers, said the decision was made to relocate the 80-day-old eggs from their nest at Shelly Beach when sand temperatures dipped critically low.

“These healthy hatchlings will be welcomed back to Country so they can make their first dash into the Pacific

Ocean, the outcome that we had all desperately hoped for,” he said.

“Intervening with the nest was our last resort, but the whole team pulled out all stops to save these eggs and thankfully the delicate operation paid off and we have

given these hatchlings the best possible chance of survival.”

This is the first time a loggerhead turtle nest has been recorded this far south, and the first time DLALC has performed a cultural handover of turtle eggs into care.

DLALC led a Welcome (back) to Country and smoking ceremony for the turtles before they were returned to the waves.

“We as Aboriginal people have a strong, not just physical, connection to the turtle and its relationship to our people,”

Main Service commencing at 10am, preceded by a march from the cenotaph to Club Wyong at 9.45am.

Central Coast Council is encouraging residents to follow all requirements put in place by local subbranches and to follow the directives of police, to ensure the safety of the community.

In honour of ANZAC Day, the Council has placed banners in town centres, calling on the locals to come together and pay their respects to our fallen service men and women.

There will be road closures in place at various locations and times across the Central Coast on Tuesday, April 25.

For full information on ANZAC Day events and road closures across the region, visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/ anzacday.

Meanwhile, Sing Australia will return to Kincumber Uniting Church on Saturday, April 22, from 2pm to lead the congregation in song as they commemorate and remember the country’s fallen servicemen and women.

Davistown RSL will provide ANZAC Day poppies and pens which will be for sale on the day to help support the Sub-Branch Auxiliary.

Afternoon tea will be served and all are welcome.

The Songfest of Remembrance will include an ANZAC Day tribute.

A service will also be held at the Hardys Bay cenotaph at 11am, preceded by a flag lowering at 6am.

the water.

Taronga Wildlife Hospital Senior Veterinarian Larry Vogelnest said an entire team had regularly monitored the health of the eggs through the hatching process during their stay.

“Being able to release them back into the wild is an enormous group effort,” he said.

Loggerhead turtles are listed as endangered and this nest was only one of two laid on NSW beaches this season.

spokesperson Uncle Kevin (Gavi) Duncan said.

“It’s exciting for our people to see this as this hasn’t happened on Country for a long time.”

Visitors flocked to the beach to watch as the hatchlings were given a safe passage to

Nest temperatures are vital to hatchling success and determine the sex of the turtles – these hatchlings are all male.

For more information on loggerhead turtles, visit the NSW Environment website or NSW TurtleWatch.

Source: DPI

The bale of turtle hatchlings

Visitors flocked to Shelly Beach to witness the early evening release

Terry Collins

Last year’s march down Mann St, Gosford

Book shines light on Central Coast icon

One of the Central Coast’s most iconic Crown land reserves, Norah Head Lighthouse, has been immortalised in a new book tracing its 120-year history.

Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Wyong David Harris joined reserve volunteers to launch the Norah Head Lighthouse book at Sydney Maritime Museum on Friday, April 14.

“Norah Head Lighthouse, built for 24,000 English pounds in 1903, has had a distinguished life as a working lighthouse protecting coastal shipping, as a tourist drawcard, and today also a popular wedding venue,” Harris said.

“This 96-page coffee table book beautifully presents the lighthouse’s fascinating history

while ensuring the reserve’s important role is preserved for future generations.”

Norah Head Lighthouse Land Manager Chairman Neil Rose said the book, created by reserve volunteer Tony James, detailed the site’s history.

“When the lighthouse was built there were no satellites, GPS or radios so coastal navigation was guided by the stars, geographical landmarks and tools such as maps, compasses and sextants,” Rose said.

“Since 1800, there were about 260 shipwrecks between Newcastle and Sydney which are listed in the book, with the construction of the lighthouse helping avert many more and no doubt saving many lives.”

The book also covers details

Funds raised for earthquake victims

Umina Beach Yoga’s recent Community Kirtan Event raised more than $600 for the Red Cross Syria and Turkey Earthquake appeal.

Musicians Geeti and Gyan, Mark O’Brien and Louisa Fenn joined to create a beautiful evening of soulful chanting, meditation, sound healing and community connection.

The popular event was held at the Umina Beach Yoga studio to raise awareness of the ongoing crisis in Turkey and Syria and to raise much-needed funds.

Thousands of people were killed and tens of thousands injured after two major earthquakes struck Turkey and northern Syria on Monday, February 6.

Survivors are starting the journey to recovery after the largest earthquake in more than a century.

Millions of people are displaced and many continue to leave areas affected by the earthquake to seek shelter with loved ones, in neighbouring cities or in emergency shelters. Urgent needs include shelter,

of the lighthouse construction, its various light sources and communication methods over time, and its lighthouse keepers.

Harris said the lighthouse reserve attracted more than 100,000 people each year.

“Crown reserves support communities with everything from lighthouses to green open space, parks, walking tracks, showgrounds, sporting ovals and public halls,” he said.

All proceeds from the sale of the book will assist volunteers maintain Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve and preserve the heritage of the still working lighthouse.

Lighthouse Reserve Chairman Neil Rose acknowledged the financial support provided by both Central Coast Council and the Sydney Maritime Museum.

“Without this support the Norah Head Lighthouse book would not have been published,” he said.

Source: Norah Head Lighthouse Land Manager Board

health and mental health services, sanitation, food, and water.

Donations can be made via the Australian Red Cross website https://www.redcross. org.au/earthquakes/

Source: Umina Beach

The evening featured music, chanting and meditation

Pictured at the book launch (from left): Assistant Curator Sydney Maritime Museum Inger Sheil, Editor of the lighthouse book Meredith McGown, Chris Richardson, Neil Rose, Minister for the Central Coast David Harris, Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch and Mark Sheriff, who travels around Australia maintaining lighthouses

Photo: Chris Richardson

Call for action on Dunban Rd intersection upgrade

Peninsula Chamber of Commerce is pushing for action on an upgrade for the intersection of Dunban Rd and Ocean Beach Rd, Woy Woy, six years after funding for the project was pledged in the lead-up to the 2017 by-election for the seat of Gosford.

Chamber President Matthew Wales said funding was promised for the intersection, along with the Maitland Bay Dr/ Picnic Pde intersection (now complete) and safety upgrades for Blackwall Rd and Woy Woy Rd.

“I recall (previous) advice that Council was looking at the Ocean Beach Rd priorities to determine if Dunban Rd was the most appropriate use of the promised funds,” he said.

“This project is now over five years old and it appears that we are no closer to the expenditure of the funds promised by the then State

Government.”

Wales said the intersection was increasingly problematic in light of increased traffic loads on Ocean Beach Rd.

A spokesperson said Council had held preliminary discussions with Transport for New South Wales (representing the State Government) in relation to the criteria for accessing funding proposed

for intersection improvements on Dunban Rd.

“However, without detailed traffic modelling, appropriate intersection treatments cannot be determined and costed,” the spokesperson said.

“At a similar time a number of intersection improvements and other road network projects were in planning and/or are underway, such as the Rawson

Rd and Ocean Beach Rd intersection.

“Consultation across levels of government has also been held around improvements to the intersection of Railway St and Rawson Rd.

“With these current and pending improvements, travel patterns and intersection capacities need to be considered through traffic

modelling.

“Staging of the required planning and construction works, along with achieved road network outcomes, will need to be considered as part of the modelling.

“Council will hold further discussions with the State Government, via Transport for New South Wales, seeking grant funding to be released to undertake the necessary traffic modelling to allow determination of the required intersection treatments in relation to Dunban Rd and other key intersections.

“The traffic modelling would also need to include a microsimulation model with detailed intersection reviews along Ocean Beach Rd from Woy Woy to Umina Beach.”

Wales said the Chamber was well aware of the knock-on effect on intersection upgrades and how these could impact along Ocean Beach Rd.

Killarney Court’s new four-legged residents

The best therapists often have four legs and fur, which is why Alino Living’s Killarney Court welcomed two 12-week-old King Charles Cavalier puppies to its community earlier this month.

Pet therapy is commonly practised at aged care facilities as it offers joy, comfort and companionship to residents. Killarney Court has long been aware of these benefits, having had pets on site for years, including Bella the cat and Elsie and Charlie the budgerigars.

The addition of dogs to the Central Coast facility, however, can be attributed to resident Peter Chambers who, with permission from the facility, purchased communal puppies, Molly and Lilly.

Prior to moving to Killarney Court almost four years ago, Chambers had enjoyed the companionship of dogs for his entire life and although he was

settling into his new home nicely, he longed for that special human-dog bond.

“Bella the cat is lovely, but I was missing having more friendly four-legged friends around,” he said.

“I thought, I can’t be the only one who would love to see a dog around here, so I spoke with staff and we made it happen.”

Despite their proclivity to sample every piece of furniture in Killarney Court with puppy licks, Alino Living Co-Chief Executive Officer Greg Williams said Molly and Lilly were well behaved and settling in nicely in the community, which is home to 68 human residents.

“We know that a bond between humans and pets is great for mental health, for promoting engagement and for keeping a positive attitude, and it’s great for physical activity and movement as well,” he said.

“The recent addition of Molly and Lilly is part of our engagement and therapy program to ensure our residents continue to live fulfilled and positive lives and we are already seeing the positive impact they are having on our residents’ overall wellbeing.”

Many older people have lost or had to leave their pets as part of their transition into aged care.

“The addition of Molly and Lilly has been a welcome one, allowing our residents to continue their sense of ownership of a beloved animal without the burden of full-time pet care,” Williams said.

“(The pups are) often found nestled in the arms of residents during leisure and lifestyle activities and quietly watching from afar in their pen during mealtimes.

“Dogs, particularly puppies, bring about such a positive and happy atmosphere and trialling

Funding for The Glen for Women

The Glen for Women rehabilitation centre at Wyong Creek has received $27,500 funding from the Federal Government in line with its pre-election commitment.

The Glen for Women is the first Aboriginal Community Controlled women’s rehabilitation centre in NSW and the funding will go to the Ngaimpe Aboriginal Corporation to equip a new gym to help the health and wellbeing needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

women.

Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney said investing in projects led by Aboriginal communitycontrolled organisations like The Glen for Women was critical to accelerating efforts to close the gap in health and wellbeing outcomes for First Nations people.

“The funding will help The Glen for Women to continue its important work,” she said.

“The Strengthening First Nations Health package was a significant part of the 2022-23

October Budget and I’m pleased to see locally-driven initiatives coming to fruition.”

Federal Member for Dobell and Assistant Minister for Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, Rural and Regional Health, Emma McBride, said this funding would support the Glen for Women to continues its great work and help women at the centre in their recovery.

“It also demonstrates our (the Government’s) strong commitment to support Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations,” she

said.

The funding is part of the Strengthening First Nations Health package announced in 2022-23 Budget.

The 2022-23 Budget funding represents a change in the delivery of First Nations health.

It will grow the Aboriginal Community Controlled sector in regional, rural and remote areas of Australia.

“The Chamber also understands that this needs to be assessed when prioritising works,” he said.

“However, we are concerned that that this project has been on the books for the past six years and yet the required modelling has not been undertaken.

“We are now advised that the Council has only just decided to seek grant funding to undertake this assessment.

“The obvious question is why this has taken so long and how much longer will it take to complete the modelling?

“The Chamber also wants assurances from the new State Government that the allocated funding for the Dunban Rd project is still in the NSW State Budget and will not be lost as result of Council’s delays in getting this project out of the ground.”

this permanent pet program at Killarney Court is part of our strategy to implement initiatives that have long-term benefits for both our residents and our team, and that create a sense of what they would experience within their own home in the community.

“It’s beyond the social benefits – pets in aged care offer physical benefits in the form of tactile stimulation and motivation for movement, cognitive benefits such as stimulating memory and game playing as well as environmental improvements to decrease any sense of living within a sterile care setting.

“We are really excited to continue to see how Molly and Lilly grow at Killarney Court and how they can continue to provide love to our residents.”

Source: Brilliant Logic

Peter Chambers with Molly and Lilly

Terry Collins

The intersection is becoming more problematic as traffic flow increases along Ocean Beach Rd

Source: Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney Federal Member for Dobell, Emma McBride The Glen for Women at Wyong Creek

Bateau Bay cavy breeder wins Best in Show

Michelle Parker of Bateau Bay couldn’t be prouder of her guinea pigs – they have proven to be the best there are, taking out a swag of prizes at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, including top billing as Best in Show.

Colour Me Crimson Calypso is the toast of her cavy herd and was the Self Black who was runner-up in one show and then Best in Show in the second show of the overall judging of the cavies (scientific name for guinea pigs).

“Last year she was runner-up at the Royal as a baby, so this year she’s gone one better,” Parker said.

“I took 17 cavies to the show this year, quite a large entry, a lot of grooming and a lot of preparation but it paid off.

“I exhibited in five of the seven different groups and in one show I had four finalists, in the other show I won all five of the groups as well as Best of

Breed in all but one of my breeds.

“It was a fantastic show and I just couldn’t be happier with

my result and then to go on and win runner-up and Best in Show was just the icing on the cake.”

She’s no stranger to the winner’s circle having had great success at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in recent years with seven Best in Show

wins and two runners-up over the past five years.

“Each guinea pig is judged on its own individual breed standards such as what colour they should be, their markings; they need to have a nice roman nose, a nice round short face, they need to have large drooping ears – what we call rose petal ears – and they need to have big round healthy looking eyes,” Parker said.

It takes almost two hours to groom each cavy for showing; trimming their nails, combing out the long coarse hairs from their coat so it’s soft and short, and then they are bathed and finished off with a blow dry.

Parker is President of NSW Cavy Club which will be holding an exhibition show on Sunday, April 23, at the Central Coast Regional Show at Gosford Showground.

On July 30, the public can go along and enter their pet cavies in a club show at at Wyee Hall.

8.5 million steps to help Cambodia

Najmeh Hassanli of Blue Bay is set to walk 8.5 million steps this month to raise money for the Human and Hope charity, which supports disadvantaged Cambodians so they can break the cycle of poverty.

Through Walk to Cambodia, Hassanli hopes to contribute to Human and Hope’s fundraising goal of $60,000.

Hassanlli said she had the opportunity to volunteer with Human and Hope in a research capacity last year and got to

know more about the Walk to Cambodia.

“So this year when the opportunity came up I signed

up for it,” she said.

Her connection to Cambodia springs from her university background.

“My degree is in tourism, so I am aware of the importance of community, locally run programs in empowering the locals and helping address poverty,” Hassanli said.

“I am currently working on a research project which focuses on the practices of ethical and responsible businesses in Cambodia like Human and Hope and the impact it has on

various stakeholders including the local population.”

Human and Hope CEO Sally Hetherington said money raised from the event will make a real-world impact funding literacy classes, a preschool, library, scholarships and sewing/farming training.

“The programs we fund transform the lives of some of the poorest and most socially disadvantaged families in rural Cambodia,” she said.

“English skills are essential for gaining a well-paid job in

the tourism sector, which provides most of the employment opportunities for locals, with millions of tourists visiting Siem Reap each year.

“Without knowledge of English, children are likely to follow in the footsteps of their parents who struggle to survive day-to-day.”

Human and Hope financially supports a grassroots community centre in Cambodia which runs education, vocational training and community development

Activists group to make Council its focus

The Central Coast Activists Collective (CCAC) is making Central Coast Council the focus of its meetings, with the next one to take place from 11.30am to 1pm on Wednesday, May 3, at Ourimbah RSL Club.

The group formed in 2022 to highlight the need to engage people to step up for local democracy.

“At the last meeting there

was a general feeling that as a collective we should have a central focus,” a spokesperson said.

“With federal and state elections over we should make our central focus the Central Coast Council; this will be ratified at the next meeting.

“We have invited Vicki Scott to address the meeting.

“Vicki was a councillor with Gosford Council and was there

when the amalgamation of Wyong and Gosford councils took place.

“She has invaluable information about council from many years of direct and indirect involvement.

“Information is the key.

“It gives us power to know what is happening and how to address the issues such as what is happening to the Gosford Council Chambers.”

The group has a new Facebook page and email address and invites concerned residents to come to the May meeting and find out more about its objectives.

For more information email coastcentral84@aol.com.

Source: Central Coast Activists Collective

“There’ll be lots of different prizes and a great opportunity to become part of the cavy community who love guinea pigs as much as they do,” Parker said.

“Guinea pigs make great pets, they’ve got great personalities, relatively easy to look after, don’t require a lot of space and as a whole they’re a low maintenance animal – just a joy to have.

“I got my first guinea pig when I was a teenager and found out about the guinea pig club and the shows they held, so I went along and discovered the amazing world of all the pure bred guinea pigs.

“I convinced my parents to get me a couple of pure breds I could show and the rest, as they say, is history.”

More information about the Cavy Club and its events is available on its Facebook page.

Sue Murray

programs to alleviate poverty.

Human and Hope also raises awareness in Australia about the unintended consequences of voluntourism and advocates for a local approach to development.

The Walk to Cambodia runs from April 1-30 and participants can register now at www. walktocambodia.org.

To donate to Hassanli’s campaign go to walktocam bodia.org/najmeh-hassanli.

Source: Human and Hope

A meeting of the Central Coast Activists Collective

M1 disruptions as bridge maintenance proceeds

There will be changed overnight traffic conditions on the M1 at Wyong in coming weeks as essential maintenance is carried out on Alison Rd bridge.

To minimise the impact to motorists, work along the M1 northbound lanes will be carried out at night at the start and end of the upgrades.

Work will be carried out from Monday, April 17, to Friday, April 21, from 8pm to 5am, and then again from 7pm on Thursday, May 11, to 5am on Friday, May 12, weather permitting.

During night work, there will be shoulder and single lane closures with traffic control and a reduced speed limit of

40km/h for the safety of workers and motorists.

The road shoulder will be closed throughout the work and a reduced speed limit of 80km/h will be in place.

The work along Alison Rd bridge is expected to take four weeks to complete, weather permitting.

Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and follow the directions of signs and traffic control.

For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW app, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

Source: Transport for NSW

Najmeh Hassanli

Colour Me Crimson Calypso – Best in Show at the Sydney Royal Easter Show

Alison Road Bridge

Photo: Transport for NSW

A special thank you to our speakers for being a part of this significant occasion.

Ms Laura Prael

Adjunct Professor

Kylie Ward

Dr Vincent Candrawinata

Higher Degree by Research

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

Sarah Blyton, Meaghan Harris, Muthuwadura De Silva, Praveena Thevisuthan, Shannon Todd

College of Engineering

Science and Environment

Postgraduate

MASTER OF EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY WITH DISTINCTION

Brianna D’Esposito, Abby Foulcher, Mikayla Harris, Christian Moore, Luke

O’Connor, Andrew Saville, Jessica Thomas, Bradley Young

MASTER OF EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY

Ryan Craig, Mitchell Hogan, Jack Mayne, Lachlan Murray, Paul Phillpott, Matthew Stillen

GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE

Matthew Craig, Caitlin Davis

Undergraduate

BACHELOR OF COASTAL AND MARINE SCIENCE WITH DISTINCTION

Bronte Fantoni, Eliza Hoyland, Sophie Northcott

BACHELOR OF COASTAL AND MARINE SCIENCE

Janaye Desmond, Ashleigh Johnson, Phoebe-Lilli O’Kane, Paris Stagg

BACHELOR OF CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT (BUILDING) (HONOURS)

Anthony Gutierrez

BACHELOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT WITH FIRST CLASS HONOURS

Paige Sawyers

BACHELOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT WITH DISTINCTION

Chloe Waddell

BACHELOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT

Sarah Boarer, Dylan Chew, Liam Emmington, Fynlay Ramage, Lauren

Kidd, Alexis Parmenter

BACHELOR OF EXERCISE AND SPORT SCIENCE WITH DISTINCTION

Zoe Barber, Katriarna Barnett, Anthony Butler, Candace Catherine, Nicola Crawley, Corey-Jay Eyndhoven, Liam Harris, Saoirse Henderson-Foley,

2023 Graduation

Congratulations to our graduates of the University of Newcastle who celebrated the completion of their studies at ceremonies held on the Ourimbah campus on the 12th and 13th of April.

Taylor Hodge, Rachel Jeffs, Madison Paige Mitchell, Brianna Morgan, Ella

Paton, Anthony Robinson, Brianna Smith, Gordon Spence, Ethan Yule

BACHELOR OF EXERCISE AND SPORT SCIENCE

Matthew Barden, Alex Bauer, Timothy Bayley, Ryan Birch, Mikaela Corrigan, Bodhi Deamer, Nicholas Figallo, Chelsea Fleming, Holly Fredericks, Emilie Heinemann, Mikaela Hopkins, Ethan Kolatchew, Oliver Komaromi, Isaiah Madigan, Timothy McGill, Cory McGinniskin, Omar Mohamed, Joshua Panas, Luke Parkinson, Matthew Robards, Indira Sammut, Cassidy Sargent, Kirra Smith, Tarni Stephenson, Jack Styles, Robert Tracey, Caleb Wickens

BACHELOR OF FOOD SCIENCE AND HUMAN NUTRITION WITH DISTINCTION

Peta Christian, Ellie Gibson, Abbey McNeill

BACHELOR OF FOOD SCIENCE AND HUMAN NUTRITION

Luke Armstrong, Natalia Davies, Tsz Hin Hon, Mackenzie Landa, Joan Larkins, Samantha Poerschke, Guoliang Quan, Zhenyi Wang

BACHELOR OF INFORMATION

TECHNOLOGY WITH DISTINCTION

Kye Murray-Dicker

BACHELOR OF INFORMATION

TECHNOLOGY

Luke Gillespie, Jarrad Moore, Reece

Murray-Dicker, Geetanjali Zara Samuel

BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGICAL

SCIENCE WITH DISTINCTION

Caitlin Barlow, Aya Berjawi, Kiera Quinn, Conor Sinnett, Caitlyn Stillaway

BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE

Georgia Carroll, Lauren Evans, Tyler

Greentree, Emma Joester, Tristian

McDonald, Karissa Nolan, Jessica

Payne-Green, Karen Phillips, Cory

Powell, Andrew Rayment, Callum See, Lucee Thomson, Jasmine Wagland, Lucia Wilson

BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGICAL

SCIENCE WITH FIRST CLASS HONOURS

Katherine Dorrington

BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGICAL

SCIENCE WITH SECOND CLASS HONOURS, DIVISION 2

Laura Haywood, Stephanie Lenihan, Kate McCumstie, Chaopeng Wu

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE WITH DISTINCTION

Rhys Donnelly

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

Kasey Steele

College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing

Postgraduate

MASTER OF NURSING

Nancy Shaji

Undergraduate

BACHELOR OF NURSING

WITH DISTINCTION

Taylor Baric, Melinda Barker, Catherine Bissett, Shadae Bodnar, Florencia Bryant, Rachael Campey, Shannon Chetcuti, Holly Collins, Lilly Doyle, Sarah Egginton, Amelia Gray, Isabella Gregory, Charlotte Hayman, Michael Higgins, Jessica Horne, Charlotte Kilminster, Rosemary Marks, Emily McGrath, Rhys Outred, Alyse Roberts, Kirsty Rogers, Jaimie-Lee Roy, Kate Ryan, Eliza Salway, Deborah Sinnott, Charlie Starkey, Caitlin Stewart, Sarah Stiff, Monica Taylor, Alana Towle, Sara Tusa, Jacqueline Vesper, Sarah Weston, Brianna Zwolsman

BACHELOR OF NURSING

Tairat Adebayo, Alexander Bailey, Abbey Baldwin, Jack Baresic, Lucy Barnard-Richardson, Natalie Barrett, Presley Barrett-O’Keefe, Rebecca Bridle, Courtney Britt, Desiree Carnovale, David Cashion, Hannah Castellino, Kelly-Ann Ceolin, Julie Cheung, Ella Chidgey, Rutendo Chigwededza, Jenna Clark, Keira Clarke, Maddison Cochrane, Amie Couper, Alexis Cowan, Hannah Cowan, Brieanne Cox, Lauren Davey, Chloe De Bari, Anjana Dhamala, Baxter Dobson, Karen Donovan, Melissa Dowd, Lachlan Doyle, Evan Erskine, Aaron Eyre, Jessica Fancett, Rebecca Farrugia, Shannen Fitzgerald, Kari Fontanel, Latina Galuzen, Elizabeth Gardiner, Belinda Griffin, Meghan Grima, Remi Gurton Edkins, Sarah Halligan, Clare Harding, Ashleigh Harling, Jazmin Harper, Raiha Hicks, Laura Hillier, Meggan Hordern, Jemma Irvine, Felicity James, Hannah Jessen, Bianca Johansen, Eloise Karibika, Samantha Keating, Melanie Krause, Rebecca Lee, Amber Leggett, Nikita Liddell, Zali Maher, Albina Manandhar, Ruby McCauley, Erin McManus-Murphy, Joshua McRohanQuensell, Michah-Jane Morris, Jenita Morrison, Ella Murphy, Ashlee Murray, Grecemae Navarrete, Shauna O’Meara, Dewi Pascoe, Kiara Pearce, Brooke Petfield, Melinda Phillips, Kayla Reed, Jordan Salter, Bobby Samuel, Zoe Sanderco, Georgia Savoy-Soubotian, Kayla Shepherd, Simranjeet Kaur, Amy Stuart, Georgie Taylor, Aimee Terry, Sushmita Thapa, Liam Tooes, Laura Trigg, Michaela Tubb, Jayde Vanderzwan, Ashlee Vernon, Grace Villablanca, Meagan Walker, Kristofer Wall, Amy Werlemann, Jasmine Williamson, Matthew Wood

BACHELOR OF ORAL HEALTH

THERAPY WITH DISTINCTION

Syahirah Binte Abdul Alim, Leandro Crispim Carvalho, Shelby Grigoli, Lauren Horn, Ayesha Khanhakar, Jessie Kiely, Nicole Kiernan, Matthew Lannigan, Ashlee Mudford, Jaspreet Singh, Honorio Nino Singson, Makaela Waters

BACHELOR OF ORAL HEALTH THERAPY Peter Abdelmalak, Zainab Al Asady, Jesika Alexander-enobakhare, Jewel Alkhouri, Rahmatdhani Bahar, Brendan Budworth, Joelle Georges, Vethaka Hirunwiwat, Maryam Hosseini, Sharika-Marrie Alphonsine Howard, Ayush Joshi, Rachel Soyeon Lee, Yue Li, Lauren MacPherson, Alanis Nguyen, Kellie O’Hara, Amelia Rose O’sullivan, Ata Sabah Shaheen Shaheen, Suzi Jane Sorchevski, Ida Topic, Heather Elizabeth Verrell, Wanting Yue

BACHELOR OF PODIATRY WITH DISTINCTION

Sumit Arvind, Wen Ting Chua, Elise

Stevenson

BACHELOR OF PODIATRY

Victoria Bennett, Fook Han Chong Zac Fitzsimmons, Anthony Gum, Josephine Hancock, Ineka Hawe, Siena Hindmarsh, Hyon Suk Hwang, Tsun Yu Lai, Sophie Law, Baoyu Charissa Lee, Maddison Pinto, Rose Saunders, Meg Suter

BACHELOR OF PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY

HEALTH WITH DISTINCTION

Megan Duffy, Annabelle Fry, Stephanie Mantach, Taylor McGovern, Meg Porra

BACHELOR OF PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY HEALTH

Ebony Manderson

ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN HEALTH

Bruce Nesbitt

College of Human and Social Futures

Postgraduate

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Xiaoyu Wang

MASTER OF SPECIAL AND INCLUSIVE

EDUCATION WITH DISTINCTION

Brydie Tancred

BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH DISTINCTION

Jessica Bush, Claire Van Der Woude

BACHELOR OF ARTS

Luke Grogan

BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH FIRST CLASS HONOURS

Andrew Tarry

BACHELOR OF BUSINESS WITH DISTINCTION

Steven Curtis

BACHELOR OF BUSINESS

Joel De Graaf, Marli Donovan, Lily

Fahey, Ryan Furzer, Blake Gray, Aidan

Mapoli, Jazmin O’Loughlin, Fynlay

Ramage, Amanda Raslan, Grace Reay, Darneka Rowe, Georgia Schofield, Bianca Taylor, Chelsea Wynn, Georgia

Zocher

BACHELOR OF COMMERCE WITH DISTINCTION

Steven Curtis

BACHELOR OF COMMERCE

Emily Bryson, Zak Frazer, Oscar Hedley, Jordan Montefusco, Edward Van Vliet, Mitchel Winterbottom, Yatin Singh

BACHELOR OF EDUCATION (EARLY CHILDHOOD AND PRIMARY) WITH DISTINCTION

Cristy Antipolo, Kimberley Ashford, Elana Fenton, Sarah-Louise Lester, Alyssa O’Toole, Naomi Smyth, Casey Tuddenham, Olivia Ward

BACHELOR OF EDUCATION (EARLY CHILDHOOD AND PRIMARY)

Lauren Bedford, Jessica Butler, Charlotte Cooke, Natalie Dewar, Madeleine Forbes, Samantha Hill

BACHELOR OF EDUCATION (PRIMARY) WITH DISTINCTION

Zoe Boxsell, Liberty Carrier, Jenna

Chapman, Jade Doyle, Niamh Formby, Emma Garlick, Sachelle Huby, Ainsley

McMahon, Jasmine McVean, Jodie Mowczko, Kanesha Murray, Emma Pearson, Michelle Perkins, Shannon Rose, Danielle Vargas

BACHELOR OF EDUCATION (PRIMARY)

Maria Aspitia, Jasmine Bloor, Rhys

Brock-Fenton, Brayden Crawley, William Crick, Kynan Currey, Amy Dean, Bronte Doorn, Georgia Forrest, Claire Gaffney, Maddison Gibson, Sherrie Gibson, Brontee Godden, Jared Kirkland, Amber Koen, Rose Little, Lily Lonergan, Maddison Lord, Abbie McDonald, Laura McHale, Sienna McLoughlin, Georgia Murdoch, Millee Powell, Ellen Rae, Jade Riley, Melanie Scott, Hollie Segalla, Philip Sweeney, Kimberley Thoseby, Hayley Tidyman, Zac Turner, Madeline Watson, Ella Wolfe, William Young

BACHELOR OF EDUCATION

(PRIMARY) (HONOURS) WITH FIRST CLASS HONOURS

Matthew Knight

BACHELOR OF EDUCATION

(SECONDARY) WITH DISTINCTION

Max Frazer, Ashley Hoffman

BACHELOR OF EDUCATION (SECONDARY)

Samantha Hoenstok, Giorgia Roberts

BACHELOR OF EDUCATION STUDIES

Rebecca Beer, Siobhann Biasi, Naomi Bonham

BACHELOR OF SOCIAL SCIENCE WITH DISTINCTION

Jodie McBride

BACHELOR OF SOCIAL SCIENCE

Caitlin Burrell, Kathleen Clifford, Dylan Di Sciascio, Susan Melleuish, Kate Mills, Jason Phillips, Hannah Schuman, Deborah Sivis

BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK HONOURS) WITH FIRST CLASS HONOURS

Hannah Brennan, Eliza Clarke, Sarah Davis, Madison Galway, Allira Gentle, Ruby Keating, Debra Sorensen, Ashlee Thurston, Mark Waltmann

BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK WITH

SECOND CLASS HONOURS, DIVISION 1 Lauren Berkery, Laura Johnstone, Molly-Ellen Jones, Paige Locker, Lisa Rayner, Ashley Ridley, Kasey Tysoe, Brodie Walters

BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK WITH

SECOND CLASS HONOURS, DIVISION 2 Lauren Kelly, Louise Larkin, Samantha Livette-Vial, Lauren Whitton

BACHELOR OF TEACHING (EARLY CHILDHOOD AND PRIMARY) (HONOURS)

Brittany Steer

BACHELOR OF TEACHING (HUMANITIES) (HONOURS)

Hannah McNamara

BACHELOR OF TEACHING (PRIMARY) (HONOURS)

Natasha Ravenswood, Kristie Stanborough, Lauren Walters

Pathways and Academic Learning Support Centre

DIPLOMA IN EDUCATION STUDIES

Joshua Fenwick

OPEN FOUNDATION

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

James Nolf, Keegan Pickering, Tanisha Sloane, Roselyn Smith

Congratulations to our graduates

Elderly woman injured in Wyong carjacking

Police are appealing for information as they investigate an alleged carjacking at Wyong on Tuesday, April 11.

Police have been told that at about 7.20am an 81-year-old woman was unpacking groceries from her car in Hargrave St, Wyong, when a man allegedly climbed into the driver’s seat of the car.

After a struggle, during which the woman was allegedly pushed to the ground, the mane drove the car towards Margaret St, fleeing the scene. Emergency services were

Anyone with information about these incidents should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: www.crimestoppers.com.au Information provided will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

notified, and the woman was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for minor injuries.

Boating tragedy averted

rushed to the site between Lobster Beach and Little Box Head.

A boating tragedy was averted during strong windy conditions on the Brisbane Water on April 9 when a Catalina 380 yacht lost power and was being blown towards a rocky portion of the coastline.

A Mayday call went out with quick response from several Central Coast volunteer rescue organisations including Central Coast Marine Rescue which

A line was thrown to Southern Spirit by a nearby patrolling Maritime vessel, which held the vessel fast, while the Marine Rescue boat, CC21, passed a second line to a Maritime Jet Ski, which got it to the Catalina 380.

CC21 was then able to pull the stricken boat away from the rocks, just as Broken Bay Water Police and volunteers

Woman dies in

Officers attached to Tuggerah Lakes Police District attended and have commenced an investigation into the incident.

The vehicle involved is a 2004 silver Daewoo sedan with registration ARN85L and is still missing.

As inquiries continue, police are urging anyone with information about the incident, or potential dashcam footage, to contact Tuggerah Lakes police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Source: NSW Police

Man wanted on arrest warrants

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man wanted on two outstanding arrest warrants.

Matthew Brown, aged 45, is wanted for take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, contravene prohibition/ restriction in AVO.

Brown is of Caucasian appearance, between 165cm and 175cm tall, with a large build and brown hair.

He is known to frequent the

Brisbane Water areas.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw. crimestoppers.com.au

The public is urged not to approach Brown and to contact 000 or Crime Stoppers immediately if they sight him.

Source:

Brisbane Water Police

from Surf Life Saving Clubs arrived on the scene.

Maritime then towed the distressed vessel to Lobster Beach, before transferring the line to CC21, which then towed her to Central Coast Marina at Booker Bay.

The two people on board were relieved and safe after their ordeal and thanked all concerned for the rescue.

Source: Marine Rescue Central Coast

head-on

crash at Budgewoi

A woman aged in her 80s died and another two women were hospitalised after two vehicles travelling on Budgewoi Rd collided head-on on April 12.

Just after 11am emergency services were called to Budgewoi following reports of a crash between a Volkswagen Golf and a Toyota Corolla. Despite the efforts of NSW Ambulance paramedics, the female passenger of the Toyota

died at the scene.

The driver of the Volkswagen, a 43-year-old woman, and the driver of the Toyota, a 62-yearold woman, were taken to John Hunter Hospital, both in a serious condition.

Officers from Tuggerah Lakes Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Traffic was at standstill for hours while about 3km of Budgewoi Rd from Ourringo Rd to Elizabeth Dr was closed while police continued their investigation.

As inquiries continue, anyone with information or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Source: NSW Police

Police worker charged with DUI

A NSW Police civilian employee has been charged with drink-driving following a two-vehicle crash at San Remo.

At about 11.30pm on Saturday, April 15, emergency services were called to the Pacific Hwy near Goorama Ave following reports of a twovehicle crash.

On arrival, officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command found a Ford Ranger and a Mini Cooper had collided.

The 35-year-old driver of the Ford was not injured but the front seat passenger, a 24-year-old woman, was taken to Wyong Hospital in a stable condition.

Driver of the Cooper, a 45-year-old woman,underwent a roadside breath test, which allegedly returned a positive result.

The woman, who is a NSW Police civilian employee, was

arrested and taken to Wyong Police Station, where she allegedly returned a breath analysis result of 0.187. She was charged with drive with high-range PCA, and not give way at lights to oncoming vehicle (right turn) and is due to appear at Wyong Local Court on Monday, May 15. Her driver licence was suspended,and her employment status is under review.

Source: NSW Police

Matthew Brown

Rescue crews tow the endangered vessel

Coast Connect

Central Coast Council news and community information

ADMINISTRATOR MESSAGE

Rik Hart

What your new land valuation means for your rates bill

Over the last month, ratepayers across NSW have been receiving their land valuations from the NSW Valuer General. This has understandably raised some questions in the minds of ratepayers about how land valuations will impact Council rates.

Across the Central Coast, residential properties have seen on average a 74 percent increase in their land valuations. However, it’s important to note this does not directly correlate to an equivalent increase in your Council rates.

The collection of Council rates is calculated against unimproved land value (i.e., the value of the land parcel) and does not take into account any structures built on the land (like a house). After each land valuation cycle (of three years) is completed by the Valuer General, Council calculates each residential rate charge against its land valuation; the higher your land valuation, the more rates you pay.

The general rule of thumb is that if your land valuation is more than the average land valuation (74 percent increase during this cycle), then your rates will increase slightly. If your land valuation increased by less than the average, then your rates will decrease slightly as a result of changes in land valuation.

However, separate from this is the annual rate peg increase to rates. For the upcoming Financial Year 2023-24 (FY23-24), the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has acknowledged the impact of inflation and determined that rates will increase slightly by 3.7 percent (the rate peg), plus a 0.1 percent allowance for population growth, totalling 3.8 percent. Therefore, the total increase in residential rates collected by Council is forecast to increase by 3.8 percent only, or $6.7 million, from $173.2 million during FY22-23 to $179.9 million in FY23-24.

The Entrance Visitor Information Centre now open

The new facility is multipurpose, more accessible, incorporates an improved layout and outdoor space for public use, includes a dedicated space for local creatives, has a bookable function area, and much more. We prioritised this important project to upgrade to a multipurpose facility to not only respond to what the local community want, but to also help drive tourism and economic spend and create a year-round space for all locals to enjoy.

To view photos and read more, search ‘VIC’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

Getting fields ready for winter sports

Our staff have been preparing sportsgrounds ready for the winter season, with mowing, line marking, and the switch over of goal posts. Local sport communities will also benefit from the upgraded amenities at Ettalong netball courts, lighting at James Brown Oval Woy Woy, irrigation at Umina Oval plus the NSW Government funded upgrades across 16 sportsgrounds including Blue Haven Oval and Don Small Oval, Tacoma. For sportsground information, go to centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

Celebrating Youth Week

In collaboration with local young people and youth service providers we are celebrating National Youth Week from 20-30 April. There’s a full calendar of events providing a platform for young people across the region to share ideas, attend live events, have their voices heard, showcase their talents, celebrate their contributions to the community and most of all have fun.

To view full calendar of events, go to centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/youthweek

Infrastructure works in Gosford

Our program of water and sewer works to support growth in Gosford is on track for a 2024 completion. The major infrastructure improvement work includes 43 water projects and 23 sewer upgrades and is funded by the Housing Acceleration Fund (HAF) and Accelerated Infrastructure Fund (AIF).

To read more search ‘major projects’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

What’s on? Go to centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/events

Anzac Day services and road closures

In commemoration of Anzac Day, Central Coast Council is supporting events being held at a number of locations across the Coast.

There will be road closures at various locations and times across the Central Coast on Tuesday 25 April. Please plan ahead and obey all detour signage and road closures throughout the day. For service details, road and Council closures, search ‘ANZAC Day’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

Expressions of interest

Are you a local business or commercial operator looking to run your activities in open space areas?

Whether it’s for group fitness, SUP hire, surf schools or corporate training, in open space areas, the time is now to submit your application.

Submit your expression of interest by 28 April to apply for a temporary licence to carry out business or trade activities for the 2023-24 financial period. Go to centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/eoi

Please don’t release balloons Sale of land for $1 a joke

I pulled this balloon (pictured) and pieces of a couple of others from the field on April 10.

My sheep had already been chewing on them.

For those who let balloons go for celebrations or ceremonies, while the sentiment is sweet, as are the intentions, the balloons don’t actually go to heaven.

Instead, they land in our fields, or in our waterways, or in forests, for curious animals to choke on.

They never biodegrade and never go away.

Cashless banks a growing problem

Many have wondered if the banks are trying to go cashless.

A major Australian bank has canned over-the-counter cash transactions in some branch locations, in a move towards a cashless society.

ANZ said it decided to scrap in-branch transactions as demand had halved in the past

FORUM FORUM

four years.

Now I know why my usual ATMs and local branch are gone – the demand for cash obviously is now redundant.

Except that i need cash every day.

Myself and others now have

to drive to other locations for an ATM or branch.

The poor old retailer is now copping Tap and Go fees as the banks now pass costs on to everyone but themselves.

My local Woolworths store is now my cash outlet; these stores are now banking outlets.

The Flying Fickle Finger of Fate award from Laugh In back

in ’68 to ’73 offered this trophy to dubious celebrities.

I suggest we now give it to the major banks.

But they deserve worse, as the Com Bank only made $5.15B last year – the poor buggers.

Email, Apr 12 John Strang, Woy Woy

I refer to the article in the Coast Community News of March 9 about affordable rental housing at The Entrance.

The Council has had to borrow large sums of money to pay the bills because it is so far into debt and we have a supposed “administrator”.

We have been told there are millions of dollars unaccounted for.

So I don’t understand how they can sell a property valued at $2.1M for $1?

This is beyond a joke.

What sort of accounting is this?

Who is responsible for this decision?

Whoever is responsible should be immediately asked to pay the difference to Council.

If they wanted to give the developer an incentive because

they were building affordable rental housing, they could have sold the land for half the book value.

It makes me question why this has happened. Can anyone apply to build affordable housing and get a plot of land for $1?

Apr 5

I’m afraid that I have to disagree with Sonnie Hopkins on the subject of nuclear submarines (“The time is right for nuclear submarines”, CCN 385).

There is a fundamental difference between a dieselpowered and a nuclearpowered submarine, and that is that one is a defensive weapon and the other is an attack weapon.

By abandoning our deal with France and switching to the USA, we have announced a dramatic change in our military

posture vis-a-vis China which isn’t necessarily to our advantage.

This would be all very well if the new posture were credible,

but it is, in reality, completely unsustainable.

Even assuming that the submarine deal ever comes to anything while submarines are still a viable weapon, the RAN will remain a mouse in a confrontation of elephants.

As Mr. Hopkins says, “our subs could not annihilate another country”, so there is no mutually assured destruction to act as a deterrent to aggression.

In fact, the level of force that the subs will represent is little more than a joke, in international

terms.

It would be interesting to conjecture just how these subs will “serve as a disincentive to attack”, if we are ever subjected to a “bombardment from guided missiles”, as he puts it. Just how will this disincentive work, given the puny force that can be deployed and the type of weapons that will be available to them?

I can’t imagine that the Chinese are shaking in their boots at the thought of a strike from us, while, at the same time, we are risking irreparable

FAMILY FUNERALS

damage to the trade relations on which we are totally dependent.

As for the idea that we are not weakening our sovereign status by involving ourselves in the deal, this is naivete of the worst kind.

The submarines are worthless except as an element of US naval strategy in the Pacific, so we must integrate our operations with those of the USA, like it or not.

It is true that we could, in theory, withhold participation in an action (although how easy

The Central Coast's oldest Family owned Funeral home

that would be in practice is hard to say), but, if we were to co-operate in an action, it would have to be under American command, as no other tactical option is conceivable.

As I have said before, the submarines are a token by which we gain a seat at the international table, but it would be foolish to imagine that they make us a serious independent player … and all this at a cost that it is not clear we can afford.

Email, Apr 11 Kevin Burdock, Umina Beach

Email,

Olga Segal, Toowoon Bay

Email, Apr 10 Bruce Hyland, Woy Woy

Nuclear subs won’t make us a truly independent player on world stage

It is almost 50 years since The Beatles toured Australia and Central Coast audiences will have the chance to re-live the iconic band’s glory days when The Beatles – 50 Years On plays at The Art House, Wyong, on Sunday, April 23.

Audiences will relive all The Beatles’ biggest hits in a recreation of the 1964 tour show as it was performed all those years ago, with outfits, the instruments and atmosphere faithfully recreated.

The Beatle Boys will recreate the magic of Beatlemania in a

Beatles magic at The Art House

two-hour concert experience. Direct from sold out concerts in Canada and North America, South Africa and Asia, The Beatle Boys will transport audiences back to the incredible days when The Beatles dominated the music charts with as many as seven songs in the Top 10 starting at

No1.

Over 35 chart toppers will feature including Help, A Hard Day’s Night, Can’t Buy Me Love, Yesterday, Love Me Do, She Loves You, Eleanor Rigby, Hey Jude, Let It Be and many more.

The Beatle Boys are as close

and as good as it gets to the original four lads from Liverpool.

The Beatles’ 1964 tour changed social and cultural attitudes in Australia overnight, creating a new new pop culture and changing fashion.

Boys started to wear their hair

Local students shine in ANZAC art comp

Two students from Tuggerah Lakes College Berkeley Vale Campus have received prizes in the RSL and Schools Remember Anzac Art competition.

The secondary winner was Year 9 student Charli Biram and Year 8 student Alisha Sawatske was highly commended.

Charli said her piece, Our Unsung Heroes, highlighted the work of Australian nurses on the frontline in World War II and paid tribute to Olga Marcella Anderson, who enlisted in the Australian Military Forces in December 1941 and served

until January 1947.

“My mother is a nurse and seeing her work during the pandemic made me reflect on the work and service of our medical professionals and unsung heroes,” Charli said.

Alisha said her artwork, Service Dogs, which features a puppy wearing medals, showed the bravery, courage and service of the dogs “in the most tumultuous times in history”.

Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College Berkeley Vale Campus

Principal Carlie Wells said Charli and Alisha were “incredible students with

exceptional talent”.

“All staff at Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College are proud of their achievements and the girls are celebrated by our entire school community,” she said.

Another finalist, Dharug student Sianna Foster-Ryan, submitted her artwork, Fate, when she was in Year 6 last year at Warnervale Public School.

She is now in Year 7 at Wadalba Community School.

“I know some of my ancestors were a part of World War II, but I’ve never seen any Aboriginal

Salute to the ANZACS returns to Gosford

Coast Opera Australia will present its annual Salute to the ANZACS performance and family concert at Industree Group Stadium in Gosford on April 25 from 5pm.

It will be Coast Opera’s first event for the season and will feature an amazing assembly of artists.

Trumpeter for the official tribute will be Bruce Hellmers, a prolific musician who has performed with the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal

Opera Orchestra and the Philharmonia and the Opera Australia Orchestra.

Wil Sabin Dance Academy, the newest performing arts school to hit the Central Coast, will provide dancers and merging artist soprano Mia Cross will be one of the featured operatic artists.

She has starred in over 18 musicals on the Coast and won numerous competitions and awards under the tutelage of Yvette Masters at the Central Coast Conservatorium of

Music.

Mia has placed first in the prestigious Sydney Eisteddfod twice and regularly performs in Youth In Performing Arts (YIPA). She was the 2022 recipient of the Bob Pye Memorial Scholarship and also received the 2022 Central Coast Philharmonia’s Richard Newton Senior Vocal Scholarship.

Mia loves to perform, empowering her audience through storytelling, taking them on Also performing will be soprano Suzi Stengel and

baritone Nicholas Geddes.

The principal artist will be mezzo-soprano Viktoria Bolonina, returning to the stage after undergoing surgery and chemotherapy for a brain tumour.

Bolonina was a finalist in The Voice Australia and is a regular performer at Carols in the Domain.

Bookings can be made atcoastoperaaustralia.com/ ANZACdonation.

longer and girls their skirts shorter.

Session times and bookings are available on the Art House website or by calling 4335 1485.

artworks about the war,” she said.

“My painting is called Fate because my pop, Mark, always told me to believe in myself and my fate.

“His pop believed in his fate and wished to come back home to all of his family, safe and sound.”

The RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Art Exhibition is on display at the Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park, Sydney, from April 3-30 and entry is free.

Terry Collins

The Beatle Boys

Source: Lionel Midford Publicity

Artwork by Charli Biram (left) and Alisha Sawatske

Source: Coast Opera Australia Emerging artist Mia Cross

Live and Local writers’ program returns to Coast

The Sydney Writers’ Festival Live and Local program will return to the Central Coast this year to bring the best of the festival direct to Gosford, Erina and Kincumber libraries.

One of Australia’s most loved forums for literature, ideas and storytelling, Sydney Writers’ Festival will live-stream its headline events to the libraries from May 25-27.

Patrons will be invigorated and engaged by conversations,

debates and discussions featuring some of the world’s finest writers and thinkers, brought to Central Coast audiences in real time.

Highlights will include Jane Harper talking about her new crime novel Exiles, Booker Prize-winning author Eleanor Catton discussing her keenly anticipated thriller Birnam Wood and Pulitzer Prize winning author and journalist Geraldine Brooks shedding light on her best-selling novel Horse.

Jane Harper’s books have sold more than three million copies worldwide.

Her latest book, Exiles, brings back federal policeman Aaron Falk, who was first introduced in The Dry as he investigates the disappearance of a woman from a country wine festival whose infant daughter is found unharmed in her pram. Harper will discuss the latest instalment in the Falk series with Michaela Kalowski.

Eleanor Catton became the youngest winner of the Booker

Prize in 2013 for her sprawling Victorian mystery The Luminaries.

Its keenly anticipated followup, Birnam Wood, is a psychological thriller set in rural New Zealand, where super-rich foreigners face off with ragtag locals on the eve of a global catastrophe.

She will discuss her boom with Beejay Silcox.

Geraldine Brooks’ Horse is a historical saga of spirit, obsession and injustice.

It explores the true tale of one

of America’s greatest racehorses while reckoning with the corrosive legacy of slavery and racism.

Brooks will be in conversation with Nicole Abadee.

Other sessions will include talks with Richard Fidler, George Monbiot, two-time world debating champion Bo Seo, culinary icons Stephanie Alexander and Maggie Beer, author Helen Garner and The Teacher’s Pet podcaster Hedley Thomas.

Audiences will be invited to

participate in live Q&A sessions at each event, sending their thoughts via SMS straight to the Sydney stage.

Sessions will be held at: Gosford Library on May 25 and 26; Erina Library on May 25, 26 and 27; and Kincumber Library on May 25 and 26.

All are free but bookings are essential.

For session details and bookings go to www.event brite.com.

Source: Sydney Writers’ Festival

Wicked Things at the Sunken Monkey

Fresh from a win at the AHA NSW’s Rockin’ the Puburbs 2023 pub band comp, Sydney rock outfit Wicked Things will perform at The Sunken Monkey Hotel at Erina on Saturday, April 29.

Wicked Things – a band of four brothers, Kaleb Hills (vocals), Cooper Hills (drums), and twins Blade Hills (guitar) and Gericho Hills (bass) –impressed the judges, including rock legend and Rose Tattoo front man Angry Anderson.

“As a judge on the night of the battle…Wicked Things won hands down as the best act of the night,” Anderson said.

“I witnessed all the vital ingredients for an outstanding

performance; passion, great musical craft, enthusiasm for the task and best of all, showmanship.”

Since forming in 2018, Wicked Things has won the 2019 Soundcheck band comp scoring a European Tour supporting the legendary Dune

Rats and released four singles including The Rocker (2021), Oh Yeah (2022), Luci (2022), Stand Up and Shout (2022) and their latest release Hangover (2023).

Source: Wicked Things

Wicked Things with judge Angry Anderson

Photo: Craig Wilson Swamp House Photography

Eleanor Catton will discuss her book Birnam Wood

Jane Harper will talk about her latest novel Exiles

Geraldine Brooks will discuss her historical saga Horse

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Song for Life to raise funds for Lifeline

A spectacular evening of music featuring two of Australia’s rising stars will be held at Pearl Beach on Sunday, May 7, to raise funds for Lifeline Central Coast.

Song for Life will be set in the garden of the private residence of Mark Burton and Dawn Maclean, Drifters, which backs onto the Pearl Beach Arboretum, and will feature Loren Ryan and Aodhan (Aidan Whitehall).

Ryan is a First Nations Australian from the Gamilaraay people native to northwest NSW.

The Tamworth local is renowned for combining her love of music and language and recently won the 2023 Toyota Star Making competition at the Tamworth Country Music festival.

Aodhan is a singer from Wollongong whose early single releases caught the attention of Communion Publishing UK, where he signed a deal, joining

such artists as Bears Den and Catfish and The Bottlemen.

His 2019 single Butterflies had close to five million streams.

Mark Burton and Dawn Maclean said they were thrilled to be hosting the event.

As a retired doctor who has had his own journey with depression and a retired business owner respectively, they feel that Lifeline Central Coast is a vital resource for people to have access to.

The event is being supported

by Meladharma, a counselling service operating out of Pearl Beach.

Spokesperson Raymond Scott said in 2021 he was strongly attracted to the mission and values of Lifeline and recognised a critical need for more volunteers to provide mental health support services to those in need.

“With a desire to obtain my counsellor’s diploma, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to receive supervision from Lifeline’s highly-regarded

organisation,” he said.

“As someone with 35 years of production experience, I am now in a unique position to offer my expertise to the organisation, and I believe that this is the perfect opportunity for me to contribute more to Lifeline’s efforts in helping others.”

Lifeline Central Coast Corporate and Community Manager Patrick Calabria said many people don’t realise that local Lifeline centres rely on community donations and

fundraising to keep services running.

“It costs us $3,500 to train and support each crisis supporter,” he said.

“Each call to Lifeline costs around $39.

“We don’t want people to suffer in silence; we’re here to listen without judgement and to offer hope to every person who needs us.

“Lifeline Central Coast is very appreciative of the Song for Life event and the passion of all those involved to be in

community, for community and with community, working together to support our communities mental health.”

Song for Life will be held from 4.30-8pm on Sunday, May 7, at Drifters, 63 Crystal Ave, Pearl Beach.

Patrons can also book in a supper pack for the night so they won’t go hungry.

Refreshments will be available throughout the night courtesy of Upstairs Wines.

With 100 per cent of profits going to Lifeline Central Coast, the team hopes to raise up to $10,000.

Tickets are available through Humanitix – just search Song for Life.

Lifeline crisis support services are available 24/7 on 13 11 14 24.

Lifeline Text is also available 24/7 on 0477 13 11 14 as is Online Chat.

Words on the Waves writer’s festival to open at Art House

The Words on the Waves Writers’ Festival for 2023 is waxing down its boards with a flurry of announcements ahead of the big event to be held from May 29 to June 5 this year.

The festival, now in its third year has been growing in prominence thanks to a series of events and activities held over the year, including a recently sold-out Words at Wagstaffe event as well as the hugely popular Late Night Lit evening poetry recitals held at Bar Toto in Ettalong.

The Words on the Waves Writers Festival Opening Address will be held at The Art House Wyong where a grand line-up of renowned authors will treat attendees to speeches rarely seen outside of the capital cities of the nation.

The audience at the ticketed event will hear acclaimed writers ponder the Festival theme: the mind swims.

Opening night authors are Claire G. Coleman, Diana Reid and Tracey Spicer.

Wirlomin Noongar woman Claire G. Coleman (Lies, Damned Lies) bears witness to the ways in which water forms

her identity.

Multiple Walkley Awardwinning journalist Tracey Spicer AM dives into the exciting and terrifying world of Artificial Intelligence – and its inherent bias, explored in her new book Man-Made.

Diana Reid, whose debut Love & Virtue blitzed the charts and awards lists, freestyles through the art of writing. Organisers are urging the public interested in literature not to miss this historic event, which also officially kicks off the 2023 Festival.

This announcement of the collaboration with The Art House in Wyong expands the festival’s partnership reach across the Central Coast as demands for art, literature and culture events are growing rapidly in a post pandemic world.

The full program for the festival has been kept tightly under covers until this coming Friday, April 21, when a series of new authors and innovative new events will be revealed for festivalgoers.

Tickets for the event can be purchased via the Words on the Waves website: wordsonthewaves.com.au.

Source: Meladharma

Loren Ryan Aodhan

David Abrahams

Words on the Waves opening night with talks by (from left) Tracey Spicer, Diana Reid & Claire Coleman

Gettin g off dru g s is torture. T hree months in one of our beds gets kids clean.

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Chef Daniel’s next guest is the singing and writing queen of the Central Coast Sally Knight.

Sally is about to film the trailer for her musical, MILF the musical, which sold out for a full week many years ago at Avoca Beach Theatre.

Sally is a published songwriter and the musical incorporates current themes about the lead character, who is in her 40s.

Sally is a bubbly, talented local who has worked in radio, theatre and more over the past 30 years and hopes to put the show on again at the end of this year.

So keep your eyes peeled for

MILF the musical.

In this episode, Chef Daniel talks to Sally about being a busy mum and putting food on the table for the family.

Sally used to grab whatever was in the fridge and put it on skewers and call it Things on sticks.

Chef Daniel ran with that idea and came up with an ingenious new ‘stick’ by using rosemary as the skewer itself for prawn skewers.

He also shows you how to peel a prawn in no time – no more mess, no more fuss

Ingredients:

• 25 King prawns

Things on sticks Recipe A PINCH OF SALT

• One lime for zest and juice

• 200g fresh Rosemary

• Two cloves of garlic

• Olive oil

Instructions:

1. De-shell prawns

2. Chop up garlic and rosemary

3. Place deshelled prawns, garlic, lime zest and rosemary in bowl.

4. Squeeze half a lime worth of juice over the prawns and mix in bowl

5. Take leaves off Rosemary that will become the skewers – leave a few leaves at the tip

6. Put prawns on skewers

7. Place oil in fry pan on high

8. Cook prawns for 30 seconds on each side

9. Serve with leftover oil and Rosemary juices from pan and a pan seared remaining half lime.

Skewers have been used to cook meat and fruit over fires for hundreds of thousands of years. A stick with a burnt tip was found 300,000 years ago in Germany. Since then, skewers have been found all over the world made of everything from wood to bamboo and, famously, metal in Korea. We have all done the homemade version of a skewer when we go camping with marshmallows over a fire – yuuuum!

Tina Wake

Chef Daniel and Sally Knight

Business & Property

Hawkesbury management plan a step closer

A management plan for the Hawkesbury River is a step closer thanks to a $432,000 grant from the State Government.

Six councils, including Central Coast Council, have joined forces to prepare a Coastal Management Program (CMP) ensuring sustainable and strategic long-term management of the Hawkesbury Nepean River System.

Led by Hornsby Council, the partnership includes Central Coast, Hawkesbury, The Hills, Ku-ring-gai and Northern Beaches Councils as well as State Government agencies.

The Hawkesbury Nepean River Coastal Management Program (HNRCMP) will ensure a collaborative approach to the management of the river and adjacent lands.

Stages 1 and 2 of the Program involved a scoping study, community engagement and

fieldwork to determine risks, vulnerabilities and opportunities to fill information gaps.

Awarded from the NSW Coastal and Estuary grants program, the new funding will allow the project to now move to Stages 3 and 4.

Stage 3 includes engaging with the community and stakeholders and identifying short and long term management options to manage key threats facing the

estuary now and in the future.

In Stage 4, the councils will prepare, exhibit and finalise the HNRCMP before submitting it to the NSW Government for certification and adoption.

Hornsby Mayor Philip Ruddock said the program would be important for all communities along the waterway.

“Hornsby Council is proud to be leading the charge in this important program,” he said.

“The Management Plan will ensure the coordinated management and sustainable development of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River system, including Broken Bay, Brisbane Water and Pittwater estuaries, for the benefit of nature, the economy and the community.

“A true collaboration, the program is a wonderful example of the great work that can be done when councils and state government work

Plans to bulldoze chapel for townhouses

Blue Bay residents are furious about plans to knock down the historic Toowoon Bay Gospel Chapel to make way for townhouses which they say is over-development and will encroach on their privacy and add to traffic problems.

Th e chapel has been a private residence since 2009 and was sold in October 2022 for $1.48M, being promoted as an excellent redevelopment site for three townhouses.

In February 2023 Central Coast Council received a development application (DA 349) to demolish the old chapel at 102 Bay Rd and build three double-storey townhouses.

The DA claims to be compliant with Council’s objectives for the medium density zone, planning strategies and controls applicable to the site yet there’s a “minor” encroachment at the rear setback, a shortfall in private open space at Unit 2, no on-site parking for visitors and overshadowing of neighbouring

properties.

Council has received many submissions objecting to the development because of lack of privacy from overlooking windows and/or balconies, over-shadowing, lack of onsite car parking, noncompliance with boundary controls and setbacks and the removal of an historical building.

Some residents asked to see the architect’s plans so more informed comment could be made but Council denied the request citing reasons of privacy.

Residents are now asking isn’t it the ratepayers whose privacy is at stake, not the developer’s?

People objecting to the townhouses say the development has been designed with no regard or respect for its impact on neighbouring properties.

“We don’t need more matchbox houses that overlook neighbours, that block sunlight, that clog up our streets, that look out of place from a design perspective in what is a beautiful village environment,” one submission said.

There are multiple examples of privacy issues or shading of all six neighbouring properties such as townhouse windows directly overlooking a pool/spa, a balcony directly opposite a neighbour’s main bedroom window, a direct line of sight into a neighbour’s living room and lack of privacy in yards and outdoor areas.

It says in the DA that “the neighbouring properties would not receive greater than three hours of sunlight to the private open spaces during the winter months … the shadows cast by the two-storey dwelling is

unavoidable”.

There are concerns about the lack of on-site parking and the effect extra vehicles at the townhouses will have on busy Bay Rd and parking at the end close to the shops and restaurants which is already at a premium.

The former chapel at Blue Bay

“On top of all this, to lose the Blue Bay church, which clearly should be heritage listed, is an absolute disgrace,” one submission said.

Residents are also concerned

together.

“We thank the NSW Government for its support and look forward to progressing Stages 3 and 4.”

For more information about the Hawkesbury Nepean River Coastal Management Program and to sign up for updates visit hawkesburynepeancmp.org.

Source: Hornsby Council

about the presence of asbestos in the old church building, which they say hasn’t been addressed in the waste management plan for its safe removal.

“To attempt to bulldoze it to put low quality, cramped housing on (the site) clearly serves no one other the developer,” one submission said.

Several of the submissions to Council said this was yet another example of a Sydneybased developer who almost certainly had no connection or interest in Blue Bay or the Central Coast, the residents, impact on neighbours, traffic or services but was simply out for financial gain.

They say this development does not belong in an area of mainly low-density single dwellings and would be better suited to the land Council planners have allocated to the west of Toowoon Bay village for medium density multi-dwelling development housing.

A management plan for the river communities along the Hawkesbury is well underway

Sue Murray

The proposed townhouses on Bay Rd

The former chapel at Blue Bay

Renewed visitor information centre up and running

The renewed Visitor Information Centre at The Entrance opened to the public on April 6, just in time for Easter and the school holidays.

Council Director of Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith, said the former Visitor Information Centre was built in the 1970s and was in need of an upgrade and improvements to make the building and its facilities more accessible.

“This important project provides benefits to our community with the delivery of an interactive Visitor Information Centre, an upgraded and modern event space as well as new accessible public facilities which include male, female and unisex toilets, a parents room and an adult accessible changeroom facility,” Smith said.

“The Entrance is one of the Central Coast’s most popular tourist destinations and prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the former Centre welcomed 27,600 visitors through its doors each year.

“By providing locals and

visitors access to this renewed Centre which provides fantastic information about all there is to do and see across the Coast, we hope to increase the uptake of day trips, overnight stays and subsequent spend by visitors across the region.

“The updated event space will also improve our capacity to attract and host large-scale events and festivals – all overlooking the beautiful waterways that surround The Entrance.”

Smith said another very practical feature of the renewed

facility is that local residents can pay their rates, register their dog or cat, or lodge a general enquiry through the Customer Service point at the Visitor Information Centre every Monday from 9am4.30pm, commencing from April 17.

Council Administrator Rik Hart said the facility has been upgraded to create more accessible facilities and meet the needs of our growing community and tourism sector.

“We prioritised this important project to upgrade to a

multipurpose facility to not only respond to what the local community want, but to also help drive tourism and economic spend and create a year-round space for all locals to enjoy,” Hart said.

“We are also excited about the upcoming launch of our Visitor Services Young Ambassador Pilot program that supports pathways for employment in the tourism industry and their role supporting the new centre.

“Many locals enjoy spending

time with friends and family in Memorial Park, where the Visitor Information Centre is located at The Entrance, and these accessible improvements only enhance the experience and enjoyment of this space all year round.”

The completed multipurpose facility includes: an interactive Visitor Information Centre; new and modern amenities including 24/7 adult accessible change facility (AACF) and event toilets; improved layout and decking for community and visitor use; a dedicated space for local makers and creators to entice visitors to take home something from the Coast; and a bookable function area with a modern event space and purpose-built green room.

Member for Dobell Emma McBride said locals and visitors already enjoy the incredible natural environment The Entrance and the Central Coast has to offer.

“This latest upgrade of the Visitor Information Centre, supported by the Federal Government, will mean many more people will make the most of their time here,”

Reinventing the traditional pelican feeding

Until COVID-19 the daily Pelican Feed on The Entrance waterfront was one of the Central Coast’s most popular tourist attractions, entertaining and educating people about the area’s own pelican colony.

It all started almost 45 years ago when staff at the local fish shop fed scraps to the pelicans every day and the spectacle of the gathering pelicans became so popular with onlookers that in 1995 the then Wyong Council built a proper feeding platform known at Pelican Plaza.

Until the public pelican feeding was curtailed because of COVID, it was a tradition and

immensely popular tourist attraction kept up by many sponsors and a band of volunteers who not only entertained the crowds every afternoon, but took the opportunity to educate people about the pelican colony and keep an eye on their health condition.

Now, Central Coast Council is calling on local businesses and groups to submit a proposal to develop and manage a new pelican experience at The Entrance.

The memorable experience of seeing wild pelicans in their natural environment with The Entrance Channel as a backdrop fits into Council’s ambition to have the Central

Coast become an eco-certified destination.

A Council spokesperson said the pelican feed had undergone a comprehensive review from

wildlife experts and was deemed not in the best interests of the health of the pelicans involved.

“In addition, as part of being

an eco-destination, a pledge has been taken which guides how destination managers on the Central Coast should activate and promote experiences and interactions with wildlife,” the spokesperson said.

“Activities such as the former pelican feed are no longer in line with appropriate care of wildlife.

“The pelican feed played an integral part in making The Entrance a much loved holiday destination for generations and with this in mind Council staff hope to work with industry to develop a new pelican experience.

“The intention is for the new pelican experience to both pay

McBride said.

“This investment will help support local businesses, particularly in tourism and hospitality, to bounce back from COVID-19 ahead of the busy Easter holiday period.”

The Centre is managed by Council with Council staff and volunteers working there and sits under the accredited Visitor Information Centre program delivered by The Tourism Group on behalf of Destination NSW.

The Visitor Information Centre will be open to the public seven days a week from 9.30am4.30pm.

Residents and businesses wanting to enquire about booking the meeting room space located within the centre should call 4304 7211.

The Entrance Visitor Information Centre Refurbishment project was jointly funded by the Australian Government and Central Coast Council, with the $29,000 in government funding provided through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program.

Source: Central Coast Council

homage to its predecessor, by celebrating the pelicans who call The Entrance and Tuggerah Lakes home, while also establishing a new iconic attraction for the region that is safe and respectful for the wildlife it champions.

“Council is currently tendering for this activity, with the hope of successfully appointing a provider to manage a new experience that is ecofriendly.”

Those who would like to meet and discuss the opportunity prior to submitting a proposal should register their interest by Wednesday, April 26. Proposals are due on Sunday, May 14.

Sue Murray

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.

Inside the renewed Visitor Information Centre

Popular pelican feeding at The Entrance

Get off to a strong start as a sharemarket investor

WITH Michelle BALTAZAR

Editor-in-Chief • Money magazine

There’s a lot to love about shares – and if you’re keen to make your money work harder, the stockmarket looks set to deliver opportunities in 2023, despite its recent volatility.

Over the past 12 months, Aussie shares have notched up total returns (capital growth plus dividends) of 10.4%.

In the past decade, the Australian market has delivered total returns averaging 8.7%pa.

By comparison, you’ll be lucky to earn much more than 4% on cash and, unlike shares, those returns don’t come with potential tax savings.

Managed fund giant Vanguard expects Australian shares to deliver returns of between 4.5% and 6.5% in 2023, with global shares (excluding Australia) forecast to generate capital growth of 5.6% to 7.6%.

Ashley Glover, head of sales trading, APAC and Canada, at CMC Markets, believes these expectations are reasonable.

However, he cautions: “It’s likely shares may have a bumpy year ahead.

“We’ve seen a string of interest rate rises, and it takes time for these rate hikes to impact consumer spending, which can shape market sentiment.”

That said, Glover notes that with plenty of industry sectors to choose from, the Aussie sharemarket looks set to dish up opportunities.

New trends in ETFs

If you’re unsure about which shares to buy, or don’t have sufficient capital for a diverse portfolio, exchange traded funds (ETFs) are worth considering.

They are bought and sold in much the same way as shares.

However, with a large basket of underlying investments, they offer considerable diversification for low fees.

According to Vanguard, the rate rises that kicked off in 2022 have fuelled interest in fixedincome ETFs.

“In 2023, our return expecta-

tions for fixed income have significantly increased compared to a year ago,” says Minh Tieu, Vanguard’s head of ETF capital markets, Asia Pacific.

“We forecast global bonds to return 3.9%-4.9% and domestic bonds to return 3.7%-4.7% over the next decade.”

Glover says themed ETFs are also appealing.

“In the wake of the Medibank, Optus and Latitude hacks, a themed ETF such as the BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF could attract investor interest,” he says.

With 2023 looking as though it could deliver a bumpy ride, it’s important to consider ways to navigate market volatility.

Stop-loss orders are a feature of many trading platforms and a popular risk management tool. They set parameters around buying or selling a share at a specific “trigger price”.

“Today’s ‘guaranteed’ stoploss orders ensure shares are sold at the price an investor specifies, regardless of market volatility,” says Glover.

This doesn’t just help investors manage a portfolio, it

Tips for cutting costs, from the hard-core savers

At a time when many households are struggling to make ends meet, for tips on how to keep your costs down, look to the financially independent, retire early (FIRE) and financially independent (FI) communities.

The FIREs are the gurus of cost-cutting, and in their online blogs you will find an abun-

dance of detailed strategies about how to live cheaply.

Here are nine key FIRE saving strategies:

1 Get out of debt. Make paying down any credit card debt a top priority.

2 Cut down on frivolous purchases, such as online clothes shopping, electronics and toys for the kids. Don’t spend your

weekend browsing the shops or looking online.

3 If possible, live close to where you work. Walk, cycle or take public transport.

The cost of driving can add up. If you cover 20 kilometres a day, you could easily spend tens of thousands of dollars over a decade – and even more if you drive a family sedan or SUV.

4 Stop eating out and learn to cook meals from scratch. A $100 per week restaurant habit costs $52,000 every 10 years. A $12 lunch twice a week adds up to $12,480.

5 Sell any items in the house that you no longer need or want.

6 Make extra payments on your mortgage.

helps lock in higher profits when shares have moved in your favour, while also limiting losses. Smoother ride

Dollar-cost averaging – a process of steadily drip-feeding money into shares rather than investing a large lump sum in a single trade – can also be used to manage the market’s highs and lows.

“This tends to be an underutilised strategy, but it can be very effective at smoothing out the price paid for shares over time,” says Glover.

Of course, the simplest way to

manage volatility may be to do nothing at all.

“Unless you need the money, there is often no reason to sell shares just because their values take a short-term dip,” says Glover.

“If you sell, the person who is on the other side of the transaction – the buyer – is just going to convert your losses to their profits when the share price recovers.

“Remember, too, dividend payments can compensate for any short-term declines in a share’s value.”

Choosing a broking platform is also an important step.

The good news is that despite high inflation, we’re unlikely to see significant increases in broking costs this year.

Broking platform Stake recently announced a small lift in its brokerage, but this is unlikely to be the start of a broader trend.

“With the big trading platforms offering zero or very low brokerage, low costs are now entrenched in the market, and investors expect to pay minimal brokerage,” says Glover.

He believes new investors could select a broker based on the availability of free educational resources and support.

7 Cut your grocery spending. Buy whole, fresh ingredients instead of packaged meals. Stock up on basics at the cheaper supermarkets.

8 Cut back on holidays and use credit card rewards to pay for them.

9 Pick up extra jobs that fit in with normal working hours.

A big driver for FIREs is

making a smaller environmental footprint: they are careful about food waste, planning their meals and using leftovers.

Food waste is estimated to cost the average family up to $3800 a year, as well as creating 300kg of waste per person, according to the Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre.

Documents prove Council sold a natural gem for peanuts

Documents shared with the Community Environment Network show that at the same time the Property and Development arm of Central Coast Council recommended environmental land at Doyalson be sold because it was “surplus to Council’s current and future needs”, Council’s environmental staff were also working on a conservation agreement to have it permanently protected.

The Community Environment Network (CEN) is now calling for an independent investigation of the sale and for the land to be re-purchased by Council and made part of the Coastal Open Space System (COSS) –such is its environmental value.

CEN Chair Gary Chestnut said he had been corresponding with Council and had attended multiple meetings since December 2020 to try to get to the bottom of how such valuable conservation land at Thompson Vale Rd, Doyalson could have possibly been included in Tranche 1 of Central Coast Council’s asset sales program.

“The Administrator told me the matter was closed. The CEO

refused to answer my questions. The former Minister for Local Government referred me back to the Council. My inquiries about this land have been stonewalled at every turn,” Chestnut said.

“Other land was arbitrarily taken off the Tranche 1 list following requests by the community and additional allotments were taken off the list at the whim of the Interim Administrator but every effort to save Thompson Vale Rd from sale was ignored.

“A letter I received from the Council’s former Chief Financial Officer even denied that the Council was preparing to enter a conservation agreement for this land.

“Now we have access to documents, that Council resisted releasing, that clearly indicate this land should have been protected. It should not have been sold.

“To add insult to injury it was purchased by the former Wyong Council in 2014 for $7M and sold in 2022 for $5.5M. That is a capital loss, no matter how you look at it.

“How and why did this happen?

“Council’s CEO David Farmer has said the urgent

circumstances of the asset sale program, following Council’s cashflow crisis, needed to be taken into consideration.

“Why then was the purchaser of this land offered an extended settlement period?

“Why were the community members of Council’s COSS advisory committee treated with disrespect when the committee sought to find out how the Doyalson land was included in Tranche 1?

“Why was Council’s valuer who recommended that Council ‘undertake a biodiversity study … to determine whether any biodiversity credits are obtainable’ not informed that an accredited biodiversity consultant had told Council that the site generated 404 biodiversity credits? The biodiversity credits were

known to Council, yet the valuer was not informed even though the valuation report states that if the site generated any biodiversity credits it would have increased the valuation.”

Chestnut said documents obtained under Government Information Public Access (GIPA) showed the Council spent significant staff resources between 2018 and 2020 to prepare a stewardship agreement to protect the land under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016(BCA).

He said the documents confirmed that the Doyalson land has recorded on site eight different threatened species and an Endangered Ecological Community (ECC).

In addition, one of the documents identified the site contained suitable habitat for a further 11 threatened species. The documents identified

that Council’s current zoning of C2 Environmental Conservation on the site does not adequately capture all the ECC on the site.

“It has to be one of the highest value pieces of environmental land on the Central Coast because it is a potential home to 19 threatened species, the ECC and centrally located with a regionally significant wildlife corridor,” Chestnut said.

He used a Biodiversity Credits

Pricing Spreadsheet, also released via GIPA, to calculate the value of the land in biodiversity credits.

He came up with a ballpark figure of $2.7M.

“Council could have received long-term funding from the state to care for the land,” Chestnut said.

“The Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) would hold the $2.7M in an account and would give the Council money each year in perpetuity to care for the land.”

Shortly after it was sold by Council, the land at Doyalson was the subject of a Stop Work Order under the BCA for alleged illegal clearing of native flora. That investigation is ongoing.

“CEN will be discussing its options with the new Minister for the Central Coast to have

this transaction independently scrutinised as quickly as possible,” Chestnut said.

“The inappropriate development of this land could have significant negative consequences for the health of the Tuggerah Lakes system –that is how important it is to get this land back into public hands.

“The director who signed off on the staff recommendation to sell the land should have checked with other directors about its conservation value.

“The Acting Chief Executive Officer who was responsible for placing it on the Council agenda should have conducted rigorous checks, particularly given the comment in the staff report about the potential “loss of a proposed Biodiversity Stewardship Agreement site”.

“The public has a right to know why these checks and balances, required at law, did not work and … how the decision was made, but when the community raised concerns on multiple occasions Council failed to provide the facts and promoted an alternative story that had no factual basis.”

Source: Community Environment Network

Part of the environmental land at Doyalson

Matthew Craig is one of 450 students to graduate at the University of Newcastle’s Ourimbah campus last week with qualifications in a broad range of fields.

Craig, a proud Bundjalung man born and raised on Darkinjung Country, graduated on April 13 with a Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science and said that he looks forward to providing Indigenous representation within psychology.

After experiencing great loss in his community, Craig was moved to pursue a path that could make a tangible impact in the lives of others.

He decided to study a Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science after losing not only his stepbrother but others in his community to suicide.

After going through his own struggles with mental health, he wanted to understand the problems with the system, why

Matthew just one of 450 graduates

it was failing so many people, and figure out a way to make it better, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in his community.

He found that there was a lack of Indigenous representation within psychology and mental health support, and he was keen to be able to step into that role and provide a much needed service.

“I’m determined to make change happen, and I see so much opportunity to do good in the world with this degree,” he said.

Using skills learned through his studies at university, as well as bringing in his own lived experience to inform his practice, Matthew is working to use Indigenous methodologies in psychology in a clinical setting, as well as embedding that knowledge into research and academia.

In his work in the mental health sector, he engages with a wide variety of clients, including Aboriginal and Torres

Strait clients and neurodivergent clients.

“I try to connect Indigenous clients with their culture using evidence-based Indigenous methods of psychology to make a positive impact in their lives,” he said.

Following the completion of his studies, Craig has also been tutoring psychology subjects at the University of Newcastle, something which he has grown a passion for.

“I dream of becoming an academic; that’s the ultimate goal,” he said.

“I love to see people grow so I feel that’s the path I need to take to become a subject matter expert and be able to help the industry and help others.

“It’s an ongoing process.”

University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky, said he was immensely proud to celebrate each and every one of the graduating Central Coast students and recognised the significant achievement that marks the culmination of higher education studies.

“Every graduate has had a unique experience and no matter what path they have taken to reach this point, they have all shown dedication, commitment and resilience,” he said.

“Our university has been committed to world-class teaching, learning and research at our Ourimbah campus for over 30 years.

“The opening of the Central Coast Clinical School and Central Coast Research

Nicole’s on the run for cancer research

When Nicole Kruse of Tascott was diagnosed with breast cancer in late 2016, she made it her mission to get well enough to complete a 100km running event.

Having tried and fallen short twice before her diagnosis, Kruse was laser focussed on completing the feat.

In 2018 she completed the Blackall 100, an adventurepacked ultra-marathon which sees runners traversing the breathtaking Great Walk of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

“The Blackall 100 holds a very special place in my heart, as when I finished it after fighting cancer, I saw that the date the event was held was the same date as my cancer diagnosis (two years earlier) and decided to make it my annual ‘celebration of life’,”

Kruse said.

“I remembered the day I got diagnosed and was stoked to finally complete a 100km run on the same day two years later.”

Kruse completed the run again in 2019.

Due to COVID Kruse did her own 100km run through the suburbs of the Central Coast in 2020 and 2021 but last year she was back at the Blackall and this year she’ll be back again, for her sixth “celebration of life”.

In 2021, she turned her annual run into a charitable exercise and began raising money for the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research in Perth.

“The sister of a friend of mine who I met at the 100km run was also diagnosed with breast cancer and was a huge supporter of the Harry Perkins Institute, especially the honeybee venom project,” Kruse said.

“So, when looking for an organisation to fundraise for it was the obvious choice.

“I had a bake sale at the local cafe, Locomotive Station.

“The ladies who run this cafe were absolutely amazing and supported me 100 per cent.

“I also raised money at a family gathering where I asked for donations instead of presents.

“It felt amazing doing the event and fundraising for a good cause.”

Kruse, 44, raised almost $3500 for breast cancer research at the Perkins last year.

“Too many people have been touched by this horrible disease,” she said.

“I don’t think there is anyone out there who doesn’t know at least one person diagnosed with cancer, so if you’re

Institute in Gosford last year strengthened our bond with the Coast, while our new Gosford Campus will cement our commitment and make a lasting impact by creating more opportunities for young people to study without leaving the Central Coast.

“Most importantly we are committed to ensuring our graduates are community minded, resilient and ready to enter the workforce and make a difference.

“I look forward to seeing what our Central Coast students achieve in the coming years.

“I also welcome them as they now join our global network of 168,917 alumni who stretch across 153 countries around the globe.”

Graduation ceremonies will take place on 12-13 April at the Fine Arts Studio, University of Newcastle Ourimbah campus.

Source: University of Newcastle

considering challenging yourself for a great cause, do it.

“It’s always worth the effort as no one knows what’s around the corner.”

This will be Kruse’s third year raising funds for the Institute as she once again completes the Blackall 100 in October.

In 2020 cancer researchers at the Institute discovered that a component in honeybee venom kills the cancer cells in all types of breast cancer.

Work is ongoing to develop a treatment, though it is estimated it will take several years and millions of dollars before it becomes available for patients.

You can donate to the cause at https://perkins-communityhub.raisely.com/nicole-kruse.

Source: Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research

Nicole Kruse will compete at the Blackall 100 this October

Matthew Craig

Thousands of Australian children and adults live with a complex genetic condition called neurofibromatosis (NF), which causes tumours to grow on nerves within the body, including in the brain and along the spine.

While NF is one of the most common genetic neurological conditions in Australia, it is poorly understood and underfunded.

This May the Children’s Tumour Foundation (CTF) will hold a virtual fundraising challenge, Step Towards a Cure as part of NF Awareness Month this May, with the money set to go towards life-changing research.

Progressive and unpredictable, NF can lead to significant health issues such as deafness, blindness,

A free after-school program to help children get active and eat healthier will return at three locations across the Central Coast next term.

Go4Fun will run for 10 weeks at Lake Haven Recreation Centre every Thursday evening from April 27 and at Kincumber Indoor Sports Centre every Tuesday evening from May 2. A culturally adapted version of the program run by Bungree Aboriginal Association and available for all families will take place at Gosford Olympic

Taking some steps towards a cure

physical differences, bone abnormalities, learning difficulties, chronic pain, and in 10 per cent of cases cancer.

Taylah Ross of Point Clare has Neurofibromatosis Type 1.

“When I was a baby, my mum first noticed lots of marks on my body while she was bathing me,” she said.

“She took me to the doctors who then referred us to a paediatrician.

“He suggested a trip to the genetic clinic at Westmead Hospital.

“We underwent genetic counselling, where they discovered an error on gene 17.

“I was then diagnosed with NF1.

“My mum and dad were also tested but they were not carriers of the condition.”

At the age of three, Taylah had

her first operation to remove a plexiform neurofibroma which was growing on the back of her neck and causing discomfort and a lot of headaches.

“It grew back a few years later and had to be removed again,” she said.

“This has left me with an unsightly scar.

“Starting school was hard.

“I had learning difficulties that made school and learning even harder.

“Throughout school I had several psychometric testing’s

which showed I was not reaching my milestones.

“I had friends during primary school, but none that I could relate to. I never told anyone about my condition.

“When I was 15, I had another plexiform neurofibroma removed from my leg.

“Growing up, my life has been full of regular MRIs and PET scans.

“I never wanted to talk to anyone about it, because it meant I was different and did not fit in.

My mum and dad have always taken care of everything and have made sure I remained educated about my condition.

“I have a lot of café-au-lait marks and many lumps over my body.

“I also suffer from scoliosis, which significantly affects my

After school fun for youngsters’ wellbeing

Swimming Pool everyWednesday evening from April 26.

Go4Fun is a free healthy wellbeing program for children aged seven to 13, along with their families.

Run by trained health and community professionals, the program is a fun way for children to build self-esteem and learn about eating well, staying active and living a healthy life.

Kids take part in group activities and games receive rewards and prizes while parents benefit from

professional tailored advice to help make positive health changes for the whole family.

Go4Fun is a NSW Health statewide initiative offered on the Central Coast by the Local Health District’s Health Promotion Service.

Health Promotion Officer Joel Bunn said the program provided a positive environment for children and families.

“Go4Fun provides a great environment for kids to be active, reduce screen time and learn to feel good with nutrition,” he said.

“It’s also an opportunity for parents or carers to enjoy quality time with children.

“It’s fantastic to see the confidence grow week by week in children who take part as they get involved in the activities and make new friends.

“Seeing lots of smiling faces each week is what it’s all about.”

To register, or for more information, visit go4fun.com. au or free phone 1800 780 900.

life.

“I have chronic back pain and often feel fatigued and tired.

“A few years ago, they found a tumour at the base of my brain; we now monitor this with regular MRIs.”

Taylah said she had now decided to own her condition and share her story.

“We are nowhere near a cure for NF,” CTF Executive Officer Leanne Dib said.

“Recent developments in treatment options have proven promising in slowing the development of some tumours but are limited in terms of accessibility and most are still in the trial phases.”

Registration to take part in Step Towards a Cure is free at stepstowardsacure.com.au.

Terry Collins

Leave grants for aged care workers

Member for Robertson Gordon Reid has welcomed an announcement from the Federal Government of COVID-19 leave grants for aged care workers who contract the virus and do not have entitlements available to them to take time off work.

The $750 grants (per person,

PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE VODAFONE & OPTUS MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION (INCLUDING 5G) AT: 9 FRANCES PARKES CLOSE, WYOMING, NSW 2250

RFNSA SITE NO. 2250004

1. The proposed facility consists of the addition of new Optus and Vodafone equipment and associated works as follows (including 5G):

• Installation of Triangular Headframe at 26.81m (retained height)

• Installation of three (3) Twin Beam passive antennas at 26.81m (no more than 2.7m in length)

• Installation of three (3) Single Beam passive antennas at 26.81m (no more than 2.7m in length)

• Installation of six (6) Ericsson AAUs (Optus) and three (3) Nokia AAUs (Vodafone)

• Installation of one (1) GPS antenna (Nokia) and one (1) GPS antenna (Ericsson)

• Removal of fifteen (15) existing RRUs and installing twenty four (24) RRUs

• Removal of three (3) existing panel antennas

• Removal of two (2) GPS antennas

• The reconfiguration of existing technologies and addition of new technologies for 3G/4G/5G systems

• The removal and installation of ancillary equipment including but not limited to transceivers, amplifiers, antenna mounts, cable trays, feeders, cabling, filters, combiners, diplexers, signage, and other associated equipment on the facility and in the existing equipment shelter

2. Optus & Vodafone regards the proposed installation as a Low-impact Facility under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 (“The Determination”) based on the description above.

3. In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Further information and/or comments should be directed to: communityconsultation@ventia.com or Level 1, South Tower, 10 Browning Street, West End QLD 4101 Australia by COB Friday, 5 May 2023.

per week) will come into effect from July 1 and cover Australian Government-funded aged care providers, home care package providers and aged care workers.

Reid said the move would be of great benefit to aged care workers on the Central Coast.

“We owe so much to our hard-working and dedicated aged care workers who have

cared for our elderly and most vulnerable during the past several years while we have battled a global pandemic,” he said.

“What the COVID-19 leave grant will mean is aged workers will not have to worry should they have no entitlements available to them when they are sick.

“This is about protecting our

elderly Australians and ensuring our aged care workforce is supported.”

Providers will need to apply for COVID-19 leave grants on behalf of an employee and can do so through the Australian Government GrantConnect website.

Taylah Ross

Source: Member for Robertson Gordon Gordon Reid with Peninsula Villages CEO Colin Osborne

Source:

Mastering maths with a nudge from the Mariners

Central Coast Mariners

teamed up with the University of Newcastle on April 4 at an event aimed at inspiring the region’s high school students to engage with mathematics.

Maths with Mariners offered 120 students in Years 7 and 8 the chance to develop their maths skills while brushing shoulders with their favourite players.

Education and Exercise

Sports Science students from the University of Newcastle, together with senior students from Central Coast Sports

College, used football-related activities to demonstrate applications of maths to the children.

From measuring the area of the penalty box to calculating the angle needed to ‘bend it like Beckham’, the activities also aimed to inspire teachers to integrate physical activity into core school subjects.

“It’s not just fun and games,” co-lead of the project and education researcher Dr Nick Riley, from the University of Newcastle School of Education, said.

“There has been a worldwide

decline in interest and achievement in mathematics in young people.

“And despite the extensive benefits of physical activity, the majority of children are not sufficiently active.

“Schools have the potential to address both concerns through innovative teaching that challenges and complements traditional approaches.

“I believe all kids have huge potential and as educators and teachers we have to find the key to unlock that potential.

“For some students, movement-based learning is

that key.”

The event was also geared to expose high school students to sport-related career paths.

Dr Colin Sanctuary is co-lead of the event and teaches exercise and sport science at the University of Newcastle.

“Our university students had a unique, hands-on opportunity to explain the science behind certain activities to high school students,” he said.

“For example, when measuring the temperature of the recovery ice baths that the Mariners players use, school students learnt about athlete

recovery from our students, and what happens to the muscles during that process.”

Riley said there were hopes the program could expand if more funding can be secured to research the benefits of combining physical education and learning.

“Our preliminary studies have consistently demonstrated improved on-task behaviour and enhanced academic outcomes when physical activity is incorporated into everyday teaching of core subjects in schools,” he said.

Central Coast Mariners

Reid to chair epilepsy awareness group

Member for Robertson Gordon Reid will co-chair a bi-partisan friendship group aimed at raising awareness about Australians living with epilepsy among federal MPs.

The Parliamentary Friends of Epilepsy will be chaired by Reid alongside Liberal Member for Bowman Henry Pike.

Reid said the group is an opportunity for parliamentarians to be better aware of how the Federal Government can improve quality of life for those living with the condition.

“In Australia, 250,000 people are living with epilepsy and it’s a condition that affects every

community across our nation,” he said.

“Epilepsy is a condition where a person has recurrent seizures and is a neurological disorder, which is caused by a disruption of the electrical activity in the brain.

“As an emergency doctor, I have firsthand experience caring for patients living with epilepsy, so it is a cause close to my heart.

“Any attention I can shine on this condition at a federal level will be of great benefit to all Australians living with epilepsy and their families.”

Among the guests at the launch of the group was rugby league legend Wally Lewis, who lives with epilepsy and is

spokesperson Chris Farnon said the club’s relationship with schools around the Central Coast region was “incredibly important”.

“This is one of the many ways that we as a club are building this relationship and we cannot wait for it to continue for many years to come,” he said.

Maths with Mariners was held on 4 April at Gosford’s Industree Group Stadium, hosted by the venue and supported by delivery partner, Central Coast Sports College.

Source: University of Newcastle

an advocate for the cause.

“It is important that we have strong advocates like Wally Lewis, who bring much-needed attention to this condition and ensure support is sought from all levels of government to further medical research and treatments,” Reid said.

“I look forward to continuing to use my elected position to advocate on behalf of Australians living with health conditions in the Australian Parliament.”

To learn more about epilepsy or to find out how to donate to Epilepsy Action Australia, visit: https://www.epilepsy.org.au/

Keep up to date with flu and COVID vaccinations

As winter approaches, Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) is encouraging residents to stay up to date with recommended flu and COVID-19 vaccinations to protect themselves, their family and the community.

Public Health Unit Director Dr Kat Taylor said the two vaccines could be given at the same time.

“Priority groups are encouraged to book in now for their free influenza vaccine,

ahead of the flu season,” Taylor said.

“While everyone aged six months and over is urged to get their influenza vaccine as soon as possible, it is particularly important for those at higher risk of severe illness from the virus.

“The influenza vaccine is free for priority groups, including children aged six months to under five years, people aged 65 and over, Aboriginal people from six months of age, pregnant women and those

with serious health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, immune disorders, obesity, severe asthma, kidney, heart, lung or liver disease.”

Taylor said all adults could get a 2023 COVID-19 vaccine booster if it’s been six months or longer since their last COVID-19 booster or confirmed infection (whichever was most recent).

It is recommended for: all adults aged 65 and older; adults aged 18-64 who have complex medical comorbidities

that increase their risk of severe COVID-19, or disability with significant or complex health needs; and children and adolescents aged 5-17 who have medical comorbidities that increase their risk of severe COVID-19.

She said residents should stay home if they had cold or flu symptoms and wear a mask in crowded, indoor places.

The children got to brush shoulders with their favourite players

Some of the children with Mariners players on the day

Source: Member for Robertson Gordon Reid

Member for Robertson Gordon Reid (right) with Member for Bowman Henry Pike MP and Wally Lewis (centre)

Grow Your Own Onions

WITH CHERALYN DARCEY

Cheralyn is a horticulture author and along with Pete Little, hosts ‘At Home with The Gardening Gang’

8 - 10am live every Saturday on CoastFM96.3

Now is a great time to get planting onions!

While they do take up a fair amount of space by planning successive planting you can ensure a longer and more useable harvest and by focusing on heirloom varieties or favourites you can add a bit of interest.

Onions have three types that are related to the amount of daylight hours available: short, intermediate, and long daylength.

Here on the Coast, at this time of the year, you can grow most types but will do far better with early varieties for this time of the year.

Onions are a biennial plant that are grown as an annual for culinary use.

As with all vegetables, there is a far greater range of seed varieties than seedlings.

Germination of seeds can be a little bit of an issue with onions, so it is far better to get them started in seed trays and then plant out at about 4 weeks after germination.

Another way to start your crop

is with seedlings or seeds sets (small bulbs).

General disease resistant varieties include ‘Marco’ and ‘Golden Bear’ while both ‘Feast’ and ‘Norstar’ being rather good at withstanding downy mildew.

‘Gladalan Brown’ is mild onion very suitable for the Coast, as is ‘Lockyer Early White’.

An heirloom variety that you really should try is ‘Barletta’.

It’s quick to harvest at just seven weeks if you are after baby onions to pickle or it’s sixteen weeks to a mature harvest.

As they grow, you will notice that onion bulbs push up out of the ground.

This is normal and you should not cover them with soil or mulch.

To Grow Onions

Position: All onions need lots of full sun they do well after leafy crops like tomatoes and also lettuce and cabbages.

You can grow onions in large pots but the yields will be a lot smaller.

Soil: Your soil will need to be non-acidic with a pH level sitting at 6.5 so add lime if needed.

It also needs to be welldrained and the reason it makes a very good crop after plants like tomatoes is because they use up a lot of nitrogen which you don’t need for onions, in fact excess nitrogen is not a good thing at all.

They need potassium and so adding potash or wood ash prior to planting is a good practice to ensure healthy yields.

Water: The problem most people have with onions is ‘bolting’.

This is not your onions running away, but rather sending up seed heads as they think that life is coming to an end for them.

To avoid this, water regularly and do not allow them to dry out, but don’t overwater as they will rot.

When newly planted, watering around two or three times a week is good and then you can cut back to around once a week after three months.

NEWS & EVENTS

Plant & Seedling Sale - East Gosford Community Garden, 9:30am Saturday 22nd April

Seedlings of winter vegetables including peas, snow peas, Asian greens, broccoli, beetroot, spinach and rocket. Flower seedlings include Kalanchoe, violas, nasturtiums, dianthus, and marigolds. A few herb seedlings but lots of free mint and bay leaves that you are welcome to pick for free. Mature potted plants for sale including orchids. All proceeds will go to our garden. Cnr Henry Parry Drive and Wells Street.

Enquire at Kincumber Neighbourhood Centre: manager@kincumberdnc.com.au

Mushroom Cultivation Workshop - SWAMP & Clara’s Urban Farm, Ento Park, Somersby, Saturday 29th April, 10am – 12pm

Learn about Oyster Mushroom bucket cultivation and how to start a Wine Cap mushroom patch while watching us setup these in our Market Garden. Ingredients then available for purchase to create your own oyster mushroom bucket at home using the skills you learn.

Tickets: Adults $54.26, children 13-16 half price, under 12 free. https://tinyurl.com/4zphwxsy

Volunteer Coordinator needed - Kincumber Eco Garden

You will support garden membership, plan activities that maintain engagement and keep our garden tidy, safe, and productive. You will have experienced support.

Enquire at Kincumber Neighbourhood Centre: manager@kincumberdnc.com.au

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

Fertiliser: Just a light general feed with a low nitrogen allpurpose fertiliser every couple of weeks will do.

Pests & Disease: The thing that onions hate most is weeds, so keep them under control.

Other problems you may encounter are onion thrips, onion maggot and downy mildew.

Onion thrips can be deterred by ensuring even watering but look out for them in the throats of the foliage, treat with an organic pesticide.

Onion maggots move in when you have too much organic matter in your compost mixture that has not broken down.

Make sure Ph levels are also correct in your soil and you will also need to spray with an organic insecticide.

Downy mildew looks like

cotton wool developing around plants.

Make sure spacing is adequate for your variety to avoid it an if you find it occurs, you could try this organic mixture: Place a handful each of nettle, seaweed and comfrey leaves in a container, cover with water and a lid for 48 hours.

Strain and bottle and then use 1 part mixture to ten parts wiater.

Spray on bulbs to prevent and to stop mildew.

Harvest: Onions can be harvested at any time, it all depends on what you want to do with your crop.

They can be pickled or simply cooked whole as ‘baby onions. You will need to lift them once their growing period has ceased and this is indicated by

the wilting of leaves.

Whenever you harvest, pull gently from the soil, trim leaves to within 3cm of the bulb and then leave in a sunny place to dry out.

They are ready for use or storage once the skins and roots have dried out.

Onions are best stored in a cool, dry, dark place and I find mesh bags that I hang somewhere are best.

You may notice advice saying that onions can be left in the ground to dry out and while this is true for some places, I’ve found that on the Central Coast, it can be a little wet in most areas to successfully do this.

Companion Planting: Onions are happy neighbours with carrots and beetroot but not with peas, beans or potato.

Phone: 4362 2236 24 Burns Road,

Rugby season off to a great start

RUGBY

The 2023 Central Coast Rugby Union season got underway on April 15, with some top games in Round 1.

The Match of the Day at Walters Park saw Warnervale emerge victorious over Lake Macquarie by 46 points to 22.

It was Lake Macquarie’s first match in the competition and there was much interest around the contest.

Warnervale opened the scoring with a try but Lake Macquarie was quick to respond with a penalty goal to take the score to 5-3 in Warnervale’s favour early in the match.

The first half was quite an even battle with Lake Macquarie ahead going into half-time with the score at 1510.

Warnervale took control on the paddock in the second stanza, posting a further 36 points in the second half while Lake Macquarie could only reply with a converted try.

It was a good win by Warnervale but the match showed both teams will be competitive this season.

Best players for Warnervale were flanker Kye Haslem and winger Jack Hogan, who crossed for three tries.

Lake Macquarie was best served by fullback Franco Quinones, flanker Jarod Scott, five-eight Jye Paterson and

No.8 Jacob Tatupo. Avoca Beach scored a win over The Lakes at Slade Park by 20-7 in a tough battle from start to finish with Avoca Beach going into half-time with a 3-0 lead and just one penalty goal scored.

The Lakes took the lead early in the second half but Avoca Beach crossed for three tries later in the second half to

secure the victory.

Best players for Avoca Beach were flankers Blake Jacob and Fionn Henderson-Foley.

Best performers for The Lakes were prop Rick Halangahu, centre Ashton Hutchinson-Walters and prop Ben Kaifa.

Gosford had a good start to the season, defeating Hornsby

at Mark Taylor Oval by 25-17.

It was an even struggle throughout with Gosford crossing for four tries while Hornsby responded with three tries.

Gosford led narrowly by 7-5 at the half-time break.

The second half continued to be a tight battle but Gosford was able to outlast the home team on the scoreboard.

Best players for Gosford were No.8 Logan Campbell, halfback Ben Shelley, hooker Joel Wagner and lock Taylor Mildren.

Hornsby was best served by hooker Jackson Cole, flanker Cooper Davenport and winger Adrian Shoemaker.

The Razorbacks recorded a good victory over Woy Woy at Woy Woy Oval, running out victors by 27-7.

The Razorbacks got away to a quick start and it was not long before they had jumped to a handy 12-0 lead at half-time. They crossed for a further two tries in the second half.

Best players for The Razorbacks were flanker Matt

Martin, No.8 Rob Peden and five-eight Tayne Mann, while best for Woy Woy were flanker Casey Woodford and prop Sione Lakalaka.

Terrigal had the bye.

The Central Coast Rugby UnionWomen’s 10s competition continued with some interesting results with wins to Terrigal, the Razorbacks and Avoca Beach.

In Round 2 on Saturday, April 22, the Razorbacks will play The Lakes at Ourimbah Rugby Park, Terrigal and Lake Macquarie will clash at The Haven and Avoca Beach will take on Hornsby at Heazlett Park.

Woy Woy will travel to Woongarrah Oval to take on Warnervale.

Matches in the Women’s 10s competition will see Warnervale at home to Woy Woy, The Razorbacks taking on The Lakes at home and Hornsby and Avoca Beach clashing at Heazlett Park.

Source: Central Coast Rugby

Coastie appointed to Orienteering Australia Hall of Fame

ORIENTEERING

If you’re after some advice on how to navigate your way through bushland, Nick Dent of Terrigal is the man to go to.

Dent has been named to the Orienteering Australia [OA] Hall of Fame – General Division after demonstrating excellence and outstanding achievement in roles supportive to orienteering participants.

Dent has served Australian orienteering for 25 years in coaching, controlling and event management.

His commitment to ensuring that high standards are understood and achieved in all aspects of the sport has been

an essential part of Australian orienteering at international, national, NSW and club level.

“Some volunteers come and go, and others contribute to the sport through decades of hard work,” Orienteering NSW President Robyn Pallas said.

“Orienteering Australia’s Hall of Fame recognition of Nick’s work at international and national level mirrors appreciation of his efforts at NSW and club level across the whole of his orienteering life.”

Dent served four times at international level as Team Coach for the Australian Junior World Orienteering Team.

Nationally he has held appointments as OA High Performance Manager and as Head Coach.

He is a Senior Event Advisor

for the International Orienteering Federation and has had controller

Coast athlete to compete in national

TRIPLE JUMP

Dana Gonzalez of Blue Haven will take part in the 2023 Coles Australian Little Athletics Championships to be held in Melbourne from April 21-23.

She will compete in the U14 triple jump.

The event consists of three championship events across the weekend – the Australian Teams Championships, the Australian Combined Events Championships and, for the first time, the Australian Junior Athletics Championships, where Australia’s best young athletes will compete for team and individual glory.

Based on individual performance at state level, topperforming Coles Little Athletics Australia athletes between the ages of U13 to U16 years across Australia have been invited to compete.

Dana placed third in the Little Athletics State Track and Field Championship in March last year. Competing in U13 at the time, she beat her personal best time three times in the same event; her best jump of 10.27 earned her a bronze medal.

In January this year she received an invitation letter to compete in the Australian Junior Athletics Championships.

responsibilities at three national events.

He has also held senior event management roles for several international orienteering events held in Australia and several national events.

Membership of the Orienteering Australia Hall of Fame is the crowning achievement of a sporting career in orienteering in Australia and represents the highest level of peer recognition for an individual’s contribution to Australian orienteering. Orienteering is an endurance sport which involves a huge mental element.

There is no marked route –the orienteer must navigate

with a map and compass while running.

The map gives detailed information on the terrain such as hills, ground surface and obstacles.

To be successful in orienteering, the athlete needs excellent map reading skills, absolute concentration and the ability to make quick decisions on the best route while running at high speed.

Orienteering has a global footprint, with more than 80 countries competing at elite level, predominantly in Scandinavia and Northern Europe.

Source: Orienteering Australia

championships

Coles Little Athletics Australia

CEO Myles Foreman said the introduction of the Australian Junior Athletics Championships would double the number of athletes who have the opportunity to participate in the national championship.

“(This) builds upon the long history of the only state/ territory team-based athletics competition of its type in Australia,” he said. Committed to ensuring sporting events are inclusive and can be enjoyed by all, Coles Little Athletics Australia welcomes athletes, their families, volunteers, coaches and officials from all parts of the community including those

with physical or cognitive disability.

The 2023 Coles Australian Little Athletics Championships includes Multi-Class events across the three age divisions. Coles Group General Manager Corporate and Indigenous Affairs, Sally Fielke said Coles had been supporting Little Athletics for more than five years, helping thousands of Aussie kids to lead healthier, happier lives through a national partnership with Little Athletics Australia as well as banana donations and sports equipment grants for local communities.

Nick Dent has been named to the Orienteering Australia [OA] Hall of Fame

Lake Macquarie put up a good fight in its first match for the competition, but Warnervale was too good on the day

Terry Collins

Dana Gonzalez will compete in the U14 triple jump

Mariners hold league leaders Melbourne City at bay

FOOTBALL

The Central Coast Mariners have again proved that they ‘won’t back down’ with an impressive display of heartfelt football against the A-league’s dominant club Melbourne City at Gosford’s Industree Group Stadium on Saturday night, April 15.

The final scoreline was only 1-1, with the Mariners’ goal coming late in the second half after a tumultuous battle by the home side to prove its motto’s worthiness.

Captain and keeper Danny Vukovic played an incredible game, saving a swath of powerful shots on target and in doing so keeping his side in the game.

Mariners coach Nick Montgomery was relieved if not happy, saying after the game: “I’ll probably be happy tomorrow, we had some clear-

NETBALL

Brisbane Water Netball Club (also known as St Johns Netball club), turns 50 next year and is on the lookout for memorabilia from the past half century.

Located on the Peninsula, it is one of the last remaining inaugural clubs still operating.

In the early 1970s, Woy Woy Peninsula Netball Association was formed, bringing netball to the Peninsula and making it

cut chances … we should have won the game with Moresche’s header; though they could say the same thing.

“It could have been 4-4 or 5-all tonight.

“There were two good teams going toe to toe; it was exciting to watch.

“It’s a fantastic game for us, for the crowds, for the stadium.”

The Saturday evening game time saw thousands of families stream into the stadium, reminiscent of the successful early years of the club.

An official attendance of 10,556 shows that the Mariners and A-league football are still popular among local families.

Mariners fan Mitchell Ryan and his son live in Newcastle and caught the train down to Gosford.

“I prefer the Saturday 5pm match as we can get there and back at a reasonable time; I usually go with my 7-year-old

son,” he said.

“I think the club has good pre and post game entertainment.

“They provide good access to the players; we have posters and photos on the wall at home.

“We are very happy with what the club does – we are both

‘yellow’ members.

“We enjoyed the game [on Saturday] and thought it was one of the best A-league matches we have seen in some time.”

The one-all draw gives the Mariners a completion point

and maintains their third spot on the Isuzu-Ute A-league ladder.

Melbourne City left Saturday’s game without the required competition points to claim the top of table title, though the surprise defeat of Adelaide United the day after handed

Netball club searching for memorabilia

more accessible to families.

The school clubs playing on the Peninsula at the time were St Johns Netball Club, Umina, Ettalong and Woy Woy South.

St John’s Netball Club, which was established in 1974, morphed into Brisbane Water Netball Club in the early 80s, allowing children from other areas and schools to join.

The club is trying to get in contact with any previous parents, coaches, managers or committee members who

might have photos, articles or documents on the club from the past 50 years.

“We want to collect as much as we can, to showcase the great work done, amazing talent and adorable childhood memories from over the years,” a club spokesperson said.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have many past documents or photos, so need the community’s help.

“We also are establishing a contact list so we can formally

invite any past members and community members who wish to attend our celebrations next year.

“We would like to hear from anyone would like to be added to the invitation list and/or is happy to share their photos, documents or articles with us.”

Documents and photos can be emailed, along with a description, to bwnc50th2024 @outlook.com.

City the title by default.

With two rounds left in the regular season competition, the Mariners now turn their sights to next Saturday, as they go head to head in the last F3 derby of the season against the Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium on April 22.

The club is encouraging local fans to make the trip to Newcastle to help the team secure a win against the Jets, something that is never a done deal.

In a fortnight’s time, the Mariners fly to Adelaide to take on their competition second spot rivals Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium.

The outcome of both these matches will decide the final rankings on the ladder and hopefully give the local side a home finals game for local families and fans to savour.

Source: Brisbane Water Netball Club Brisbane Water Netball Club turns 50 next year

David Abrahams

Industree Group Stadium looked a treat

SWIMMING

A team from the Ettalong Pelicans Masters Swim Club has taken out the average point score trophy at the 2023 Long Course State Championships, held on April 1-2 at Sydney

Pelicans scoop the pool at state championships

Olympic Park.

The weekend saw more than 300 Masters swimmers gather at the Park’s Aquatic Centre, with seven swimmers from Ettalong Pelicans taking part and winning a total of 10 gold, 16 silver and 4 bronze medals.

Paul Lemmon (55-59 age group), Lauren Bradley (33-39) and Gordon Ferguson (85-89) were all age champions with Shelley Barlin coming second to Bradley.

Niki Frampton recorded some great times swimming in the 50-54 age group in her first

Masters Swimming competition and Tony Curran won 1 gold medal and 4 silver in the very competitive 70-74 age group.

Club Captain Marion Dryer swam in the 75-79 age group and although she won no medals, she was proud to swim for the Ettalong Pelicans and be

part of the team.

Paul Lemmon broke the national record in the 200 Individual Medley with a time of 2.28.66.

Ettalong Masters train on Thursdays nights from 6.457.45pm at the Peninsula

Coast paddler set to defend title

OCEAN SKI RACING

Central Coast Ocean Ski World Champion, Jemma Smith, will be one of the competitors when ocean ski racing returns to the Barrington Coast this weekend, April 22-23.

Shaw and Partners Forster Race Weekend will feature two big paddling races – the Nine Mile and the Forster Ocean Classic – and a bumper field headed by Australia’s paddling elite.

In its third year, Forster’s twoday paddle fest will see more than 200 competitors converge on the Barrington Coast for round two of the national Shaw

and Partners Australian Ocean Racing Series.

While some will be Olympians and the leading names of the kayaking and surf lifesaving ranks, ironmen of the past and even master chefs, most of the field will be men and women aged from 15 through to 70plus with a few things in common – a love of paddling, of training hard and the thrill of competition.

They’ll race on ocean skis, paddleboards, canoes and stand-up paddleboards to tackle the seas off Forster in two challenging battles, all vying for their slice of the sizeable $25 000 prize pool.

Racing on the Barrington

Coast kicks off Saturday, April 22, at about 1pm, with the field facing the Nine Mile, a 13km course from Black Head to Forster Beach.

The competitors back up on Sunday for the big one in the open ocean – the 20km enduro, the Forster Ocean Classic.

With a planned start time of

1pm, the field will leave from Elizabeth Beach to confront the challenges of the open ocean in a 12km journey north up the coast to round Cape Hawke, before entering calmer waters for the final 8km paddle to the Forster Beach finish line. Smith took out last year’s Ocean Classic and has since made her name on the world stage, winning the 2022 ICF Ocean Ski Racing World Championship in Portugal last September and backing it up with a series of victories at WA Race Week last November against a world-class field.

“I’m super happy to be returning to the Barrington Coast,” she said.

Leisure Centre, Woy Woy, and are always happy to welcome new members.

The group will hold a carnival at the centre on May 20, with all welcome.

Source: Ettalong Pelicans Masters Swim Club

“It’s such a beautiful part of the Australian coastline and I have some special memories there from childhood holidays in the region.

“Last year’s Ocean Classic victory laid the foundation for a great year for me.

“The world title win in Portugal was obviously the highlight of my paddling career.

“I’ve had a good start for the year – a second place in the Open Ski at Nationals and at the Australian Kayaking Champs I took second in the K1 1000m, so I’m hyped for Forster and ready to race hard.”

Terry Collins

Linda Emery Lawyer

The victorious Pelicans team

Jemma Smith is set to defend her title