Coast Community News 387

Clockwise from top left: The dawn service at the Entrance, The dawn service at Ettalong, The Gosford march down Mann St at 10.30am

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Women’s groups achieve great things together

Peninsula Women’s Health Centre and Art-Full Women reinforced their partnership over a cuppa at a special morning tea on April 13.

The organisations share the values of women supporting women and have worked together for more than three years and have achieved great outcomes which have improved the social connections and well-being of many women by facilitating workshops and drama groups.

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 Material that is offensive, defamatory, or overtly political will not be published.

Editor: Ross Barry, David Abrahams (Digital Editor)

Journalists: Terry Collins, Sue Murray

Graphic Designer: Brad Yee

Distribution: Anthony Wagstaff

Phone: (02) 4325 7369

Email to: editorial@centralcoastnews.net

ISSN 1839-9045 – Print Post Approved – PP100001843 – Printed by Spotpress Marrickville

ABOUT US

Central Coast Newspapers

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

CCN publishes the Coast Community News weekly with over 28,000 copies available via more than 250 distribution points all across the Central Coast.

Most stories can be viewed on coastcommunitynews. com.au

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

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

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

Ross Barry, Publisher

In 2022, Art-Full Women wanted to thank Peninsula Women’s Health Centre for the use of its facilities and organised a grant from Central Coast Council to buy and decorate a table and chairs for the centre’s grounds.

The table arrived in March

this year and, under the guidance of artist Christine Burge, was decorated by participants from both organisations to symbolise

their friendship and ongoing commitment in supporting women in a safe and welcoming environment.

Creative Producer/Director of

Art-Full Women, Brenda Logan, recently received an award from Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch in recognition of her work in the arts.

She was praised for her commitment in breaking down the barriers for women in an older demographic, by sharing their stories and creating fun experiences.

Art-Full Women is always open to new members. Visit www.artfullwomen.au if you are interested in being involved.

Peninsula Women’s Health Centre has a schedule of groups and workshops. For the timetable go to www. cccwhc.com.au.

Source: Peninsula Women’s Health Centre

Hidden disabilities program extended to Coast

Transport for NSW’s Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program is to be extended to Gosford and Woy Woy.

The program allows commuters to access a free sunflower lanyard to wear while travelling, which discreetly indicates they have a hidden disability and may require assistance.

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said this means that people with hidden disabilities such as autism, dementia, chronic pain or anxiety could now have more confidence navigating the rail network right across NSW.

“Making public transport services and infrastructure more accessible and inclusive is something I will continue to advocate for in my community,” Tesch said.

“I’m really pleased to see local train stations on the Coast selected as part of 20 new locations where someone with a hidden disability can request a sunflower lanyard.

“This is a great initiative that will increase awareness, educate more broadly and help make the travels of vulnerable members in our community more comfortable.”

Sunflower lanyards are now available at 20 stations on the intercity and regional train network, with Gosford and Woy Woy joining Albury, Armidale, Broadmeadow, Canberra, Casino, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Grafton, Katoomba, Kempsey, Lithgow, Moree, Newcastle Interchange, Picton, Tamworth, Taree, Wagga Wagga and Wollongong.

Transport for NSW has been working with Autism Spectrum Australia to develop training for its staff to help people with hidden disabilities use trains

with greater comfort.

Around 90 per cent of Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink customer service staff have already undertaken the training. Staff who have completed the training will be wearing a sunflower pin.

The Hidden Disabilities

Sunflower program is a global initiative across 39 countries, where staff are being trained in workplaces like airports, supermarkets and emergency services.

Minister for Disability Inclusion

Kate Washington said the initiative helped make the invisible visible.

“Every weekday it is estimated 140,000 people with a hidden disability will be using the rail network, so this allows them to feel more confident about taking a train and going where they need to go,” she said.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchinson said rolling the initiative out into the regions was important for inclusion, to ensure people who were already transport disadvantaged have the extra assistance they needed to make full use of the facilities.

NSW TrainLink customer service attendant, Rory Keyes, has autism and sensory issues.

“It is awesome that through this program people like me are being heard and better understood,” Keyes said.

“It is important for customers to see some staff wearing a lanyard too, as it demonstrates we are an inclusive workplace.”

If you would like a Hidden Disability Sunflower lanyard sent to you for free, you can apply online at transportnsw. info/news/2022/extra-supportfor-hidden-disabilities.

Source: Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch

Application for Appointment of Board Members

Gosford Showground Land Manager

Ever wondered who is responsible for keeping Crown reserves operating?

Countless facilities like showgrounds, local halls and parks are run by Statutory Land Manager Boards, made up of people just like you. People who understand the need and have a desire to manage public land and assets for the benefit of the entire community.

Your role as a Board Member is voluntary, but the rewards of giving something back to the community are priceless. We are looking for a good mix of people with a variety of skills, however, sound business and financial management skills and objective decision-making expertise would be a distinct advantage.

Don’t let this opportunity to do something for yourself and your community pass you by – contact us today.

The Gosford Showground Land Manager manages the Reserve No. 570055 at North Gosford notified on 10-Jan1912 for Showground. The term of appointment will be for a period not exceeding 5 years.

Application for membership can be made via portal.crownland.nsw.gov.au

All applications are required to be lodged by 29 May 2023.

For further information contact: Joanne Muddle on (02) 4937 9364 or go to reservemanager.crownland.nsw.gov.au

Members from the two groups at the morning tea

Minister Jenny Aitchinson and Minister Kate Washington announce the expansion of the initiative

Thousands of residents and visitors flocked to ANZAC Day services all over the Central Coast on April 25 as the region paid tribute to the fallen and all those who have served in our armed forces.

Dawn and mid-morning services were held at multiple locations with veterans, serving defence personnel, support organisations, emergency services and many schools taking part.

In Gosford, hundreds of people lined Mann St as the main march made its way from Kibble Park to the Gosford cenotaph at 10.30am for an 11am service.

After an acknowledgement of country and introduction by Gosford RSL Sub-Branch

President Greg Mawson, The Sing Australia Gosford Choir

Thousands flock to ANZAC Day services

led attendees in singing Abide With Me.

The main address was given by Henry Kendall School

Captain Vesna Bakaricj-Davies who said ANZAC Day was about courage, mateship, perseverance and sacrifice.

In a stirring speech she paid tribute to her own great-greatgrandfather, who served in World War One, and to her great-grandfather and his brothers, who served in World War Two, along with the thousands of other Australian men and women who have served in the two world wars and conflicts since.

“We honour and acknowledge those who were prepared to make, or did make, the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf,” she said.

At Gosford, as at services all over the region, wreaths were

laid by representatives of service organisations, local MPs, Central Coast Council, police, emergency services and other community groups.

Mawson, who is also President of the Central Coast District Council of RSLs, said attendances were much bigger than in previous years at most events region-wide.

“I think it was the biggest crowd we have ever had in Gosford,” he said.

“What was pleasing was that there was a huge turnout of younger veterans at this year’s services.

“That bodes well for the future of ANZAC Day.”

Mawson said Coast Opera Australia’s Salute to the ANZACs at Industree Group Stadium was a fitting end to the day of remembrance.

“The crowd was on the smallish side but the performances were mindblowing and the atmosphere was brilliant,” he said.

Attending the dawn service at Terrigal, Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said it was “absolutely amazing” to see thousands of locals turn out for services on “what is probably our nation’s most sacred day”.

“I am biased, but I think the Terrigal dawn service is probably the best on the Central Coast, if not the state,” he said. “There were emotional moments for so many Vietnem vets who were here today.

“We have turned out enmasse to remind our vets that we always care and are always thinking about them.”

On his first ANZAC Day as Minister for Veterans in the

newly appointed Labor State Government, Member for Wyong David Harris said the Central Coast was proud to have the highest proportion of veterans per local government area in NSW, with its 7,615 veterans forming 2.76 per cent of the region’s population. He said ANZAC Day was a time to come together and pay tribute to the ANZACs and all the brave servicemen and servicewomen who have since followed in their footsteps.

“I am honoured to be the Minister for both Veterans and the Central Coast today,” he said.

“The Central Coast once again excels at providing a nurturing and safe home for those who answered their nation’s highest call.”

Member for The Entrance David Mehan attended events

at both The Entrance and Ourimbah, praising organisers for “wonderful services”.

Major services at The Entrance, Terrigal, Ourimbah, Toukley, Woy Woy and Wyong, as well as many other locations, saw record numbers of people pay tribute to the nation’s heroes.

There were also several preANZAC Day services, including at Wallarah Bay Recreation on April 16, where representatives from RSLs, Vietnam Veterans groups, Toukley RSL Pipes and Drums, Army Cadets and the Air League Squadron came together for an event which included performances by students from Warnervale Public School and the Community Choir. Lest We Forget.

Terry Collins

Offshore renewable energy licence input sought from the public

The Federal Department of Climate Change is seeking feedback from the public on the possible effects of future offshore renewable energy projects in the Pacific Ocean off the Hunter and Central Coast, including offshore wind projects.

Submissions for the consultation will close on Saturday, April 29.

Some local residents are calling for an extension to the consultation period due to a

general lack of knowledge of the proposal by the affected public.

One man who contacted CCN and wished to remain anonymous said he feared that most locals had little or no knowledge of the proposals saying: “The proposals have not been widely advertised or discussed in the media and I fear many interested people will not have a chance to have their say.

“Only one public consultation meeting was held on the Central Coast at Wamberal on

March 6, though almost no-one knew about it,” he said

The Department of Climate

Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is undertaking a formal public

feedback consultation online as a way to gather people’s thoughts prior to the department creating a formal licencing system for renewable energy projects in Commonwealth waters.

Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen has proposed an area in Australian Commonwealth waters off the Hunter region for offshore renewable energy projects.

Commonwealth waters start three nautical miles from the coastline and extend to the

boundary of Australia’s exclusive economic zone.

The Australian Government wants to manage the offshore marine environment in a way that recognises all users and balances competing interests. Offshore renewable energy projects must share the area with other users and activities.

Interested parties are encouraged to see the online portal for more details: https:// consult.dcceew.gov.au/oeihunter

David Abrahams

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

of legal regulation

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.

The dawn service at the Entrance Surfboats enacting a landing at Terrigal Beach at dawn

Plans were announced for a wind farm off the Central Coast in 2022

ANZAC Day commemorations at Copacabana were under a cloud on April 25, as residents remained divided over Central Coast Council’s decision to appoint the RSL to conduct the service after refusing an application to run the event from the Navy Veterans’ Welfare Association of NSW (NVWA), which has hosted it since 2020.

In the lead-up to the big day, the NVWA’s portable memorial, which had been installed on The Green to feature in the ANZAC Day service at the invitation of the RSL, was vandalised – with graffiti and racial slurs painted on to its surfaces and holes burnt in two of its flags, including the Australian flag.

The memorial, which is displayed on The Green for ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day services, has been recognised as an Official Memorial with the NSW War Memorial Register.

NVWA founder Roque Hammal, who is of Eurasian

Copacabana portable memorial vandalised

descent and appearance, is a 70-year-old Vietnam veteran who served in the Australian Navy and the Far East Restricted Reserve peace-keeping mission post-war.

Hammal said he had been deeply distressed by the vandalism and had been subject to racist slurs for many years, including during his service and in the Copacabana community.

“I was very upset when told the memorial had been vandalised – it reminded me of racist treatment (I endured) in the Navy,” he said.

“I have been subjected to this all my life.

“I have been told I am ‘not even Australian’ while cleaning the memorial prior to various events.”

Hammal, who is continuing to question Council’s decision to hand the service over to the RSL, attended the dawn service along with about 100 supporters.

He said he had been told by Council that the decision not to

permit the NVWA to conduct this year’s service followed a review of the 2022 event and receipt of up to 60 letters from members of the community.

While he said Council had later told him these letters also contained expressions of

support for the NVWA, the inference was that he and the NVWA were unfit to conduct the service.

Council has refused to make the letters public.

Hammal has since collected more than 570 signatures on a

petition calling for the NVWA to continue conducting the Copacabana service and dozens of letters of support.

The vandalism has been condemned by both the RSL and Central Coast Council.

RSL NSW President Ray James, a veteran of the Royal Australian Navy, said there was nothing more precious to the veteran community than a memorial which honoured people who have served in the Australian Defence Force.

“As the President of RSL NSW I want to make it clear that the perpetrator/s have not just disrespected a memorial –they have blatantly disrespected every person who has served in the Royal Australian Navy, and the families who have never been able to bury their loved ones,” James said.

“Memorials mean a great deal to families, communities, and the country and the disrespect shown to them so close to ANZAC Day really beggars belief.”

A spokesperson for Council said it did not condone

vandalism and was “disappointed that this has occurred”.

“Police have been informed of the incident,” the spokesperson said.

The NVWA has been based in Copacabana for the past 20 years and has been active in supporting veterans of all three branches of the armed services and the Copacabana community.

“Some of its activities have included the Australia Day ceremony on The Green, Clean up Copacabana Days when required, Easter for the Children on The Green, ANZAC Day services on The Green, Vietnam Veteran’s Day on The Green, Remembrance Day on The Green, collection of money for Legacy, Father Christmas for the children of Copacabana on The Green, collection of presents for The Salvation Army and receiving phone calls from veterans and Copacabana community members for assistance.

Terry Collins

Recognising Marine Rescue’s youngest and oldest

As Marine Rescue Central Coast welcomes its youngest member, two of its oldest have been recognised with life memberships.

Will Shaddock, 18, of Yattalunga, who joined the Point Clare based unit in January last year, successfully passed his crew rating operational assessment last month.

He holds the record for the youngest Marine Rescue member at Central Coast, and possibly state-wide.

Meanwhile, two long standing members have been presented with life memberships.

Sherwin Hensby and Geoff Dark were recognised for their service by Unit Commander,

Ian Morrow, and Deputy Unit Commander, Andrew McKellar.

Hensby has volunteered for numerous organisations over the years, including the NSW

Ambulance Service, the Rural Fire Service and Life Line, before becoming involved with the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol in 2003, before it became

Find

NSW Marine Rescue in 2010.

“Sherwin has been a valuable asset for Marine Rescue Central Coast fund raising,” Morrow said.

“He was instrumental in establishing the Twilight Races

Barbecue at the Gosford Sailing Club, co-ordinating the annual Putt Putt Regatta and Ettalong

Oyster Festival, the annual Marine Rescue Boat Raffle and catering for functions at the base over the past 20 years.”

Sherwin received his life membership during a stay in hospital.

Geoff Dark has been with Marine Rescue Central Coast for two decades, following a distinguished career in the Army Reserve spanning more than 30 years, serving as a member of the 17th Infantry Battalion.

During his time with Marine Rescue he was Stores Officer for NSW and was recognised with various medals honouring his 45 years of volunteer service.

Source: Marine Rescue Central Coast

Changed traffic conditions at Berkeley Vale

Motorists are advised of changed overnight traffic conditions from Sunday, April 30, to carry out maintenance work at the intersection of Wyong Rd and Bundilla Pde, Berkeley Vale.

Lanes may be closed during night work to allow traffic lights, footpaths and pram ramps to be upgraded at the intersection.

To minimise the impact to motorists and pedestrians, work will be carried out from 7pm to 3am Sunday to

Thursday, weather permitting. Traffic control and a reduced speed limit of 40km/h will be in place for the safety of workers and motorists.

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.

The memorial was vandalised with paint

Vessels by Claire Halon

Photo by Chris Allen

Sherwin Hensby receives his life membership

Sherwin Hensby receives his life membership

The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce is calling on the State Government and Central Coast Council to collaborate on alternative solutions to the long running debate over the Rawson Rd rail crossing at Woy Woy.

“Decisions over the replacement of the existing rail crossing have been dragging on for too long,” Chamber President Matthew Wales said.

“Clearly both the Government and the Council have put the project in the too hard basket and the community gets stuck with an ever-increasing safety problem that is only going to get worse.”

Wales said it was “blatantly clear” that a rail overpass at the base of Bulls Hill would be far too expensive and would not meet cost/benefit thresholds with a projected cost of $120M.

“In the meantime, the existing intersection at the Rawson Rd rail crossing is becoming more congested and an increasing safety risk,” he said.

The Chamber is calling on the Government to consider

Call for action on Railway St crossing

installing traffic lights on the Railway St and Rawson Rd legs of the intersection with traffic lights on the western side of the rail crossing.

“The existing rail crossing warning lights and boom gates should be retained as part of major synchronised upgrade of the intersection,” Wales said.

“These improvements would improve traffic flow and safety both during normal traffic conditions and when the rail crossing is in operation.

“At the moment, navigating the intersection even when the rail crossing is not operating is becoming increasingly dangerous and is compounded during peak periods.

“We have to start putting in place a more feasible financial solution to the rail crossing replacement without the $120M price tag.”

However, Council has put the ball firmly back in the State Government’s court.

A spokesperson said Council strongly supported and acknowledged the need to carry out improvements at the crossing intersection and had

previously developed the Rawson Road Level Crossing Replacement project.

“The project received considerable grant funding from the State Government with a number of associated projects, such as the pedestrian underpass at Rawson Rd, constructed,”the spokesperson said.

“However, due to impacts on the state rail network, a redesign of major components of the project was required, which resulted in a funding shortfall and the project did not proceed to completion.”

The spokesperson said the project was a “significant infrastructure upgrade” which was beyond Council’s financial

resources and therefore would need funding from the State or Federal Government.

“Council has previously received advice from the (then) Minister that the NSW Government is unable to commit any additional funding in order to carry out this project,” the spokesperson said.

Battle of the giants at reptile park

“However, Council continues to advocate on behalf of the community for the NSW and/or Australian Government to provide funding and deliver safety improvements at this intersection.”

The spokesperson said Council was supportive of additional stand-alone improvements at the (crossing) and had advised the State Government that while it did not have funding available to contribute to safety improvements, it urged that any proposed improvements should reflect best practice and include safety measures such as traffic signals, taking into consideration motorists’ safety.

“Council has undertaken safety works on the road environment with minor improvements to the intersection which included the placement of Stop signs on Railway St on both approaches at the intersection with Rawson Rd and the trimming of adjacent vegetation to improve sight lines,” the spokesperson said.

Terry Collins

As the time approached for the Australian Reptile Park’s largest snake, Jockey the Burmese python, to have his annual weigh-in and health check, keepers decided to bring out all three of the biggest snakes in their collection to see whether Jockey would remain the victor in the “battle of the giants”.

As well as preparing Jockey for his health check, keepers also brought their reticulated

python and green anaconda to the Main Park area to conduct a routine health check.

It was an all-hands-on-deck situation requiring multiple keepers to handle each dangerous snake one at a time.

The results were great indicators of their overall health, with Jockey the Burmese python maintaining his title of the heaviest snake with an incredible weight of 50kg, and a length of 3.17 metres.

The anaconda, named Nicki Minaj, trailed closely behind with a weight of 49kg but was longer in length, measuring in at 3.53 metres.

Coming in last, the reticulated python Cupcake, weighed in at 45kg, but measured the longest out of the three, at a whopping 4.88 metres.

Head of Reptiles Jake Meney said the team was happy with the results of the health check.

“These beautiful pythons have all grown nicely in weight

and size and that’s a great indication that they are in good health,” he said.

“Weighing our giant snakes is essential as it’s the first indicator of her overall health.

“Reptiles are unlike mammals and show very little sign of sickness, so it’s crucial we keep track of their length and weight.

“With Cupcake being a juvenile, she has so much growing to do and eventually she will become the biggest

snake out of the three, so keeping track of her weight and length is important

“While getting this trio out of their exhibits is no easy task, it’s so much fun to get them all out together for everyone to see – it truly was the battle of the giants.

“Plus, it never gets old seeing the shock on visitors’ faces when they see just how incredibly large these guys are.”

The Australian Reptile Park is

home to a vast array of native and exotic reptiles, including snakes, crocodiles, lizards, and turtles.

Visitors can learn about these amazing creatures through the Behind the Scenes tour, or if they’re brave enough, they can get up close and personal with the massive Burmese python for a photo experience.

Source: Australian Reptile Park

The crossing has been a bone of contention for years

It took multiple keepers to handle each snake

The Reptile Park’s three giant snakes

Photo: Australian Reptile Park

Photo: Australian Reptile Park

Recognition for our young achievers

Several young locals have received Central Coast Youth Week Awards honours for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the local community.

Coinciding with NSW Youth Week, the Central Coast Council initiative aims to recognise and highlight the accomplishments of young Coasties.

Council Unit Manager Leisure Beach Safety and Community Facilities, Phil Cantillon, said the awards were just one way to show appreciation for the young people who enriched our community.

“Categories range from arts and entertainment to leadership, sportsperson, volunteer, social impact and more,” he said.

“It was imperative to us that we recognise a diverse range of young talent as each contributes to making the Coast a place where we can be proud to live, work and play.

“A huge congratulations to all

award winners and finalists including the three local providers awarded in the Nominator category, with each receiving $1000 to implement a program or activity that positively benefits young people.

Council Administrator Rik Hart said the awards were vital in showing young people we cared about their contribution to the community.

“Young people are valuable members of society and the way we include, reflect and

recognise their contribution will influence the future direction of the Central Coast,” he said.

“Each individual should be proud of their continued contribution to our local community.”

In addition to the formal awards, Council acknowledged Siddhartha Bezwada for his achievements and resilience, for which he received the Central Coast Council Inspirational Award.

The 2023 Central Coast Youth

Week Award winners are: Lucas Alexander Carter, Arts and Entertainment Award; Elizabeth Payne, Social Impact in Education Award; Talia Tebb, Sportsperson of the Year Award; Karla Jacob, Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Award; Charity Jean De Bruis, Youth Leadership (Individual) of the Year Award; The Y NSW StreetgYm Crew, Youth Leadership (Group) of the Year Award; and Jamie Cairns, Youth Volunteer of the Year Award.

Nominator Awards went to The Y NSW, Jopuka and SPCC Young Parents College Central Coast while the Central Coast Council Inspirational Award went to Siddhartha Bezwada. No nominations were received for the Environmental Award.

For further information about the award categories visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/ YouthWeekAwards.

Source: Central Coast Council

Dead dolphin found at Avoca

Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast is urging residents to be on the lookout for dead or injured animals on our beachfronts, after a dead dolphin was discovered at Avoca Beach on April 20.

The female common dolphin was about 1.8m in length and had been dead for some time before she washed up.

A spokesperson said it was hard to determine the exact

cause of death without a proper necropsy.

“Unfortunately the condition of the animal and the availability of access to trained vets limits the possibility of necropsy,” the spokesperson said.

“There were no signs of entanglement or injury.

“The carcass was quite bloated and the skin was peeling, which is due to exposure to the elements and also indicates the dolphin had

been dead for some time.

“We informed National Parks and Wildlife Service about her and passed on data to them.

“They will arrange disposal of the dead animal.

“If you see any injured, entangled or sick, or even dead, marine animals please call 0478 439 965 as soon as possible.”

Source: Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast

Coasties invited to take the Kokoda Challenge

Australia’s toughest team endurance event, The Kokoda Challenge, is calling on the region’s residents to participate in the very first Central Coast Kokoda Challenge, encouraging trail runners and hikers to walk in the footsteps of Australian Diggers during World War II.

To be held on October 14-15, the 18km, 30km and 48km courses will traverse the hills of Cooranbong, the host region for the event, with registered teams raising much-needed funds for local youth programs run by the Kokoda Youth Foundation.

CEO Johllene Elson said the decision to bring The Kokoda Challenge to the Central Coast for the first time followed the success of last year’s Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast Kokoda Challenge events.

“The Kokoda Challenge is a

great way to bring the community together, so we’re very delighted to this year, introduce the Challenge to the Central Coast,” Elson said.

“In 2022, we had more than 7,000 people register and participate in the Challenge, and we broke our fundraising record, raising more than $1.7M for the Kokoda Youth Foundation.

“This was such an incredible show of support from the community and a welcomed relief for our charity, especially given all of our events were cancelled in 2020 because of COVID-19.

“The Kokoda Challenge is an integral component to facilitating the programs and services we provide to youth in the community, through the Kokoda Youth Foundation.”

Since the event’s inception in 2004, the funds raised as part of The Kokoda Challenge have

helped to change the lives of more than 652 youth across Australia through selfdiscovery programs, while also encouraging disengaged youth to remain in the education system.

Kokoda Youth Foundation

Founder and Vietnam veteran, Doug Henderson, said the Kokoda Youth Programs were

about providing disadvantaged and disengaged youth with the appropriate tools to realise their full potential by instilling the values of the Kokoda spirit; courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice.

“With one in 10 Australian youth at risk of disengagement from education and employment, programs like

this are vital in continuing to safeguard the future of Australian children,” he said.

“Being involved in something like The Kokoda Challenge gives ordinary Australians the chance to make a life-changing difference in a young person’s life.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re an avid hiker, new in your fitness

journey, or someone who just enjoys the occasional walk— the event is open to all levels of experience and we encourage you to register, donate and join us for an unforgettable 20 hours.”

The event will start with a commemorative service to honour Kokoda veterans along with all other men and women in service.

Starting and finishing at Cooranbong, the 48km trail includes more than 1,500m in elevation, which competitors have 20 hours to complete.

Hikers and trail runners will battle relentless hills and walk through the pitch-black night on their mission to change the lives of kids in our community.

School and open team registrations are now open online at kokodachallenge.com

Source: Media release, Mar 29 Kokoda Youth Foundation

The award winners

Three courses of varying lengths will traverse the hills of Cooranbong

The dolphin had been dead for some time before washing up on the beach

Federal Member for Robertson Gordon Reid travelled briefly to New York last week to address the United Nations as part of a First Nations discussion about

Reid speaks at United Nations

indigenous culture and the environment.

Reid, who has Aboriginal heritage, has become involved in the advocacy of Aboriginal affairs since being elected and

particularly in the lead-up to the upcoming federal referendum on constitutional recognition of Aboriginal people.

At the UN Reid delivered a

National Statement on behalf of the Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney and also introduced Australia’s inaugural First Nations Ambassador, Justin Mohamed.

His quick visit to New York involved leading a delegation of Australian organisations taking part in talks with other First Nations leaders from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.

CANZUS meeting of Indigenous Peoples discussed globally common issues affecting First Nations communities.

Big year for Empire Bay Progress Association

The Empire Bay Progress Association (EBPA) has started the year with a newly-elected committee and a list of priorities for the next 12 months.

Ken Shaw has been elected President, with Robert Thompson as Vice President.

Returning to their previous roles are Genevieve Page as Treasurer and Sharon Murray as Secretary and Hall Manager.

Cath Argaet has been elected as the new Public Officer.

The first priority for the new committee was preparation for the ANZAC Day ceremony on April 25.

“This is a significant event to organise requiring the coordination of my community groups and individuals, such as the various RSLs, the police, Central Coast Council and offices of the local members,” President Ken Shaw said.

Another priority is repairs to the Empire Bay War Memorial.

“Significant repairs are needed to the war memorial,

responsibility for which lies with the EBPA,” Shaw said.

“These repairs are due to general wear and tear, close proximity to salt and its age – it is more than 70 years old.”

The committee will also prioritise the replacement of the garden sheds at the hall and the organisation of centenary celebrations with multiple family-oriented events planned for the latter half of this year in celebration of the Progress Association’s 100th birthday.

“Each of these priorities depends on the good will and assistance of local people,” Shaw said.

“Please consider joining the PA and lend your time and energy to these great community initiatives.”

The EBPA is a communitybased group, established to manage the hall which was built by local people on land bequeathed by Bill Myler, an early resident and oyster farmer in the Bay.

“Over the years the PA has lobbied on behalf of the community to improve facilities and roads, as well as lobbying government concerning environmental, health and safety and community issues within the precinct of Empire Bay,” Shaw said.

“Overall, we are proud of our

achievements for a small community organisation dependent entirely on volunteers.

“Every year the Progress Association hosts social events in an effort to bring the community together, the most well-known being the October Village Food and Fun Fair and

the Christmas Eve Barbecue.

“Some of these events have the added bonus of raising funds for local organisations, such as the RFS and Empire Bay Public School.

“Especially important this year is the celebration of the Progress Association’s 100th birthday.

“Centenary celebrations are being organised by a team of people to celebrate this milestone.

“This all takes time and effort, so I encourage anyone willing to lend a hand to contact me directly via the email empirebayprogress@gmail. com.”

The next meeting of EBPA will be at 7.30pm on Wednesday, April 26, in the hall with a light supper to follow.

Outgoing President Carolen Barripp was awarded the NSW Government Community Award by Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch, in recognition of the significant contribution she has made to the community of Empire Bay.

Crouch noted her community passion and lobbying work resulting in upgrades to local roads, parks and footpaths and beautification of the environment.

Empire Bay Progress Association

Writers fellowship welcomes new members

Calling all storytellers who love the written form – the Fellowship Australian Writers Wyong Branch would like to hear from you.

Members of Wyong Writers are of all ages and come from all over the Central Coast to enjoy the friendly group whose members write poems, short stories, novels or even their own life stories.

Publicity Officer Liz Shaw says it’s a great way to learn to improve your writing, meet

other interesting people, share your writing with others and learn more about getting published.

“You’ll pick up practical writing tips and have fun along the way,” she said.

On Saturday, May 27, there will be a critiquing workshop to discuss what is looked at/for when critiquing, what writers want from a critique and different methods used by different groups.

Wyong Writers also hold competitions to encourage

writing and they publish anthologies of members’ work.

Past publications have included Holidays in 2018, Community and Belonging in 2019.

COVID prevented publications in 2020 and 2021 but last year in 2022 the Wyong Writers were back in fine form and produced For Better For Worse.

This collection of short stories was inspired by a Point of View exercise and contains many stories of one particular wedding from the point of view

of different characters.

Officially known as Fellowship Australian Writers NSW Central Coast Wyong, the Wyong Writers welcome new members to their supportive and friendly group which meets on the fourth Saturday of every month, starting at 1.30pm in the Woodbury Park Community Centre, 1 Woolmers Cres (off Woodbury Park Dr) at Mardi.

For more information contact Publicity Officer Liz Shaw on 0407 017 562.

Sue Murray

The

David Abrahams

Gordon Reid MP at the United Nations

Gordon Reid MP at the United Nations

Source:

New committee members (from left): Treasurer Genevieve Page, President Ken Shaw, Secretary and Hall Manager Sharon Murray and Public Officer Cath Argaet with outgoing President Carolen Barripp (front)

Wyong firefighters to compete in multi-agency challenge

Wyong firefighters will form one of five regional teams to take part in a multi-agency State Road Crash Rescue Challenge next month at Coffs Harbour.

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) teams from Dubbo, Ulladulla, Region South and Region North will join the Wyong team in competing against eight teams from the State Emergency Service (SES), two from the Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) and one from Victoria’s Country Fire Authority (CFA) in a series of events on May 6-7.

Challenge organisers have gathered 55 cars to be crushed

Although some bad weather interrupted the official start to the year, the Weekday Walkers have hit their stride, with several new members joining the ranks and their most recent walk attracting 14 people.

The uphill walk from Hardys Bay to the Box Head Track took the group through the angophoras to enjoy great views across Broken Bay to

by an excavator to replicate different car crash scenarios.

The vehicles will then be cut apart in simulated rescue competitions.

According to the competition rules, each rescue crew of six first responders has just 30 minutes to carry out its tasks under the watchful eye of competition assessors who will judge the teams’ direction, technical competency and medical know-how.

In addition to two main car crash events, the teams will also compete in a trauma challenge, a first aid emergency, an industrial/domestic rescue simulation and a CPR response.

The annual competition, now

in its third year, was created to provide organisations with an opportunity to maintain their road rescue skills and encourage cross-referencing of related information and

techniques.

FRNSW Assistant Commissioner – Regional Operations, Cheryl Steer, said there would be plenty going on over the weekend to entertain

the public.

“When you haven’t seen this sort of activity up close, it’s just great to be able to just get in there and have a look at the equipment and watch how the

Weekday Walkers hit their stride

Lion Island and Barrenjoey from Box Head.

The group returned via Pretty Beach to Wagstaffe, where walkers enjoyed a picnic lunch near the ferry wharf.

The next scheduled walk is Maitland Bay to the Bouddi Lookout on May 2.

The 8km walk is listed as medium to hard.

Anyone with the appropriate fitness level is welcome to join

in.

Walkers will meet at Maitland Bay Beach car park on Scenic Dr, near Maitland Bay Dr, Killcare Heights for a 9.30am start.

They should bring water, morning tea and lunch.

On May 9 the group will take the train to Central and the light rail to Marion Station, from where the walk begin, taking walkers along Hawthorn Canal to Long Nose Point and then to

Balmain to catch a ferry to Circular Quay for the return home by train.

The 9km walk is listed as easy-medium and will provide views of Rodd, Spectacle and Cockatoo Islands.

For further details contact walks co-ordinator David Foster at centralcoastweekday walkers@gmail.com.

teams work together to safely cut the cars up,” she said.

“It’s a real eye-opener as well … you don’t normally get to see how first responders deal with car crashes … and how they use the tools carried on the trucks to save lives.”

There will also be a community engagement event on Saturday with displays from FRNSW, the Rural Fire Service (RFS), SES, VRA and Marine Rescue.

Doors open at 7.30am on both days at the International Stadium in Stadium Dr, Coffs Harbour.

Source: Fire and Rescue NSW

One of the events will be a crashed car scenario

Source: Weekday Walkers Participants on the recent Box Head walk

All too often precious family memories are lost when a loved one dies but a new company on the Central Coast is out to make sure that doesn’t happen.

Your Story records important family memories before it’s too late, so your loved ones can always be with you.

The company turns life stories and everlasting messages into video so family histories can be preserved and people can

Record your story before it’s too late

After a three year absence due to COVID-19, the Brisbane Water Oyster Festival is set to return to Woy Woy Lions Park on Sunday, November 12, with applications now open for stall holders.

Peninsula Chamber of Commerce President Matthew Wales said the Chamber did not want to risk holding the event last year because of the high number of visitors to the area.

“However, with life returning to normal, the Chamber is back organising this iconic festival,” he said.

“This year’s the festival is returning to Woy Woy at the

connect with their loved ones on a deeper level.

Your Story was created by Coastie Derek Abel.

When his sister passed away a few years ago, her family and friends shared stories from her past.

Abel saw first-hand how these stories helped everyone come together and overcome the grief of his sister’s death.

They opened the door to a more meaningful relationship with his loved ones.

Abel took it upon himself to help other families record their history by creating Your Story.

It was his way of ensuring that not only his children but everyone’s family would know where they came from and how important family history can be.

The latest person to have her story recorded was 98-yearold Mary Huntsman, who lost her husband almost 50 years ago and is long-time resident of Legacy on the Central Coast.

She has 11 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren and her story is full of vivid recollections of the events she has lived through.

She witnessed the bombing of Sydney Harbour during World War II.

She crossed the Sydney Harbour Bridge the day it opened to the public.

She has lived a full life and had many stories to share.

Now that her recollections have been recorded by Your

Story, her family can treasure and share them for decades to come.

Your Story offers several video packages to suit everyone’s needs, with recording options both in person and online.

The team can come to you or you can visit them in their studio.

They also offer Video Wills, a service which complements your existing last will and testament.

Nominations open for Future Maker Awards

Help celebrate people in the community who are making a real difference by placing a nomination in the Newcastle Permanent Future Maker Awards with a total $5,000 in prizes on offer.

Nominations for the Future Maker Awards are open to everyone in NSW across the categories of community, sport, business, research, and innovation and the winner in each category will take home $1,000 from Newcastle Permanent.

Briella Gyler-Dial of Gwandalan, who won the Junior Surf Life Saver of the Year award in 2022, represents

the sport category and is a fine example of a Future Maker.

Chief Distribution Officer Paul Juergens said the program honoured people who were leading the way to help change the community for the better.

“Their stories inspire us all,” he said.

“The Future Maker Awards are a chance for local individuals who go above and beyond for their communities to receive the recognition they deserve.

“As a customer-owned bank, we love giving back to our local community and no matter how big or small their contribution, we want to know about people in the community who are

making a difference; the ones who put a smile on people’s faces for the work that they do.

“Anyone can nominate a Future Maker and we encourage the community to put forward people that inspire them the most and contribute to the success and wellbeing of their community.

“The awards are part of Newcastle Permanent’s 120th birthday celebrations, with the milestone anniversary providing the perfect opportunity to celebrate our ongoing commitment to our local communities and regions.”

Nominations for Future Makers is open to anyone who

Oyster Festival returns this year

Lions Park Reserve with the backing of Central Coast Council.

“The beautiful park on the waterfront is a magnificent setting for a food and wine festival and tasting the famous Sydney Rocks grown locally right here on the Brisbane Water.

“We are heading into our 23rd year of holding the oyster festival and every year it has grown larger and more successful thanks to our Chamber members and the great expertise of our festival managers.

“This year we are fortunate to have Liz Hart of Hart Event

Management on board as our event organiser with her extensive event management experience across the Central

Coast.

“Liz is well into the planning for this year’s event with food,

They record your story, messages and advice and make sure nothing is left unsaid so you can live without regrets. To get in touch with Your Story go to www.YourStory.net.au, email Hello@YourStory.net.au or give them a call on 0449 534 995.

Source: Your Story

is making a difference, from a cafe owner who offers exceptional service each morning and provides employment for local youth, to a local mum dedicating her life to help victims of domestic violence, to a local football player who’s passionate about sharing new techniques with schools in the area, or even an up-and-coming researcher who’s making headway in their area of expertise.

Nominations close on May 5 online at Future Makers Awards (newcastlepermanent.com.au) and winners will be announced in July.

Source: Newcastle Permanent

wine/beer and craft stalls being snapped up quickly.”

G’day Hollywood Productions will provide on-stage entertainment including country music band Pure Nashville, singing the timeless classics of Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson.

During the afternoon the band Pub Crawl will pay tribute to the 70s and 80s with songs from Midnight Oil, Divinyls and INXS.

Wales said this year’s festival would be sponsored by Peninsula Plaza Woy Woy, with more sponsorship packages available in the lead-up.

The Oyster Festival promotes

the Woy Woy Peninsula, our beautiful waterways and presents an opportunity to promote our local oysters and local produce,” he said.

“We have visitors from all over NSW and interstate who, because of the Brisbane Water Oyster Festival, come to enjoy the Woy Woy Peninsula and support our local businesses.

“And that’s what it’s all about, promoting our beautiful area to the rest of the world.

For details on booking a stall email info@hartevents.com. au.

Source: Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

98-year-old Mary Huntsman had a lifetime of stories to share

Mary Huntsman has recorded a lifetime of stories on video

The business was created by Derek Abel

The oyster eating contest is always a highlight

Briella Gyler-Dial

Residents flee burning house at The Entrance

Six NSW Fire and Rescue crews rushed to The Entrance just before 1am on Friday, April 21, following reports of a house fire in Gosford Ave.

Upon arrival, crews found a single-level residential building on fire with live power lines laying on the metal fence making access to the property difficult until they were isolated by the electrical authority.

Police

volunteer Hal

A second alarm called for more assistance and crews were able to contain the fire to the building and prevent it from extending to a flat at the rear which housed several residents.

They had been alerted by a nearby worker prior to fire crews arriving and safely left

Moir

clocks up 10,000 hours

Volunteer in Policing (VIP) member Hall Moir has received recognition for 10,000 hours of volunteer service to the NSW Police Force.

Moir first began volunteering at Brisbane Water Police District in 1999 and has since assisted police on hundreds of occasions including at community events, painting stations and cooking barbecues.

Brisbane Water Police District held an awards ceremony on March 30 as Moir received recognition for his service.

Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna said Moir’s assistance and dedication over

the years could not be overstated.

“VIPs are a core part of our team, and I wish to thank Hal for volunteering tirelessly for more than 20 years,” McKenna said.

“For more than 10,000 hours, Hal has helped Brisbane Water police make the district a safer community and his dedication is truly remarkable.

“Volunteers like Hal do so much for police behind the scenes, and it was great to see that recognised at the awards ceremony.”

the building unharmed.

Due to the structure being clad in asbestos sheeting and this material being spread across neighboring properties, footpath and roadway, a hazmat team was called in and clean-up was commenced during daylight hours.

It took three crews several hours to collect all the fragments.

No-one was injured and police are investigating the fire.

Fire and Rescue crews attended from stations at Bateau Bay, Hamlyn Terrace, Kincumber, Toukley and Terrigal along with the Duty Commander Central Coast, Fire Investigation Research Unit, Police and Ambulance officers.

Source: Berkeley Vale Fire & Rescue

Pedestrian killed after being hit by two cars

A man has died after being hit by two cars at Kanwal on Thursday, April 20.

Just before 7.30pm emergency services were called to the Pacific Hwy at Kanwal following reports a pedestrian had been struck. Despite the efforts of first responders, the man died at the scene.

He is yet to be formally identified but believed to be aged in his 50s. The drivers of both vehicles – an 18-year-old man and a 21-year-old man – were uninjured and taken to hospital

for mandatory testing. A crime scene was established, and officers from Tuggerah Lakes Police District commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash. A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw. crimestoppers.com.au

Source: NSW Police

Woman charged over fatal crash at Budgewoi

A woman has been charged following an investigation into a fatal crash earlier this month at Budgewoi.

Just after 11am on Wednesday, April 12, emergency services were called to Budgewoi Rd,

Budgewoi, following reports of a crash between a Volkswagen Golf and Toyota Corolla.

Despite the efforts of NSW Ambulance paramedics, the passenger of the Toyota – an

the scene.

The driver of the Volkswagen, a 44-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 which was later examined by specialist police from the Crash Investigation Unit.

After being released from hospital on Friday, April 21, the younger woman was arrested

MACKAY FAMILY FUNERALS

Police Station where she was charged with dangerous driving occasioning deathdrive manner dangerous and negligent driving (occasioning death).

She was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local

The Central Coast's oldest Family owned Funeral home

suspended.

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

Source: NSW Police

~

Source: Brisbane Water Police

Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna and Hal Moir

The house destroyed by fire at The Entrance

The “Voice” not a real voice Alternatives to “Big Four” banks

The major banks giving up cash, along with their ATMs, thus creating a market for extortionate privately-owned machines is indeed a problem (CCN 386).

However there are alternatives.

You can ditch the “Big Four”

and use a credit union or a community bank as I did many years ago.

You can also use the Bank@ Post facility at your friendly local post office.

This latter facility appears to not be well-known.

Email, Apr 24

Dave Horsfall, North Gosford

Every Federal Government has failed Aboriginal people miserably.

See page 2 for address and contribution conditions.

Opinions expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily of the newspaper

Albanese’s solution to this problem is to create a “Voice” whose job will be to advise the Government on what Aboriginal people think is fair and good for them.

The Government will then

decide whether or not it is fair and good because, apparently, Albanese thinks white governments know what is best for the Aborigines (make up your mind Albanese).

The Aborigines will have no recourse because as Albanese repeatedly insists, the “Voice” will have no powers except to

give advice.

Why would Noel Pearson or any of the elitist “Voice” activists or anybody else, support such a “Voice” unless they see themselves in a cushy lifelong job on this money guzzling “Voice”.

Email, Apr 14 John King, San Remo

Council’s public hearing just ticking the box exercise

A group of concerned Central Coast residents attend a public hearing on March 30 regarding the reclassification of Community land to Operational land known as 73-75 Mann St, Gosford.

The hearing was held at the back of the Central Coast Stadium in a hot and sticky tent

Despite massive rate hikes, Central Coast Council has proposed further reductions in performance targets across a range of key services, including kilometres of road resurfacing and drainage, response times for customer queries, determination times for development applications, numbers of public health

with no air-conditioning or fan with sunlight streaming through, while peak hour traffic flew overhead and both commuter and freight trains rumbled past as speakers struggled due to having no PA system.

Michael Murray and Associates was the convener with four Council officers in

attendance, as a requirement of the Local Government Act 1993, that a public hearing must be held if reclassification of Community Land to Operational Land was intended with the outcome of a sale.

Attempting to stifle debate from the seven registered speakers, one Council officer adamantly attempted to limit

each speaker to five minutes only, which was quickly howled down by the residents.

A final Q&A session was allowed with several other residents raising many concerns with the process.

The result of an informal show of hands regarding the proposal resulted in 21 people opposed, one in favour and one

abstaining with Michael Murray, the independent arbiter, concluding that his report would be available the following Monday on Council’s website.

This did not occur and a further week passed with the final report simply reflecting the minutes of the meeting with no answers or suggestions

Higher rates and fewer targets reached

inspections and maintenance of parks, reserves and sports facilities (Draft Operational Plan cops criticism, CCN 385).

Council explanations for this are as feeble as the targets themselves.

Administrator Rik Hart complains that last year’s targets were “unrealistic.”

If this is the case, perhaps Mr

Hart can explain why he approved such “unrealistic” targets himself just 12 months ago?

Council Director for Environment and Planning Alice Howe told the Council meeting targets are being reduced because 40 per cent of them weren’t achieved last year.

Presumably, it never occurred to her that so many missed

targets might suggest a need to improve performance?

Speaking on CCN’s YouTube channel, Mr Hart offered yet another explanation: “We’ve got to rebuild confidence internally,” he said. Does he really think the best way to build confidence among his managers is to pat them on the back for achieving Mickey Mouse targets?

Once again, Mr Hart appears

to be putting the interests of the Council bureaucracy above those of the local community. This is what happens when you suspend local democracy and impose taxation without representation.

Council executives are not accountable to the community for their performance or their higher salaries and perks.

There is no incentive for them to improve performance,

Development controls should be adhered to

Central Coast Council just spent a couple of years producing a new Development Control Plan, to replace the old Gosford/ Wyong ones.

Supposedly, there was widespread consultation on its provisions, although anybody who commented on the draft might wonder how much attention was paid to public submissions.

It was, then, reviewed by the Minister and approved, to

provide the standards for our development for the foreseeable future.

The next day, developers were submitting applications not in conformity with the standards, claiming that breaching the standards would have no impact on development quality, and having these developments approved by the same Council that had just spent a large amount of our money on producing what was touted as the last word in control documents.

If the Council can approve developments not in accordance with the standards, what good are they?

They are obviously not technically defensible, and we cannot rely on them as a framework for protecting the environments of our neighbourhoods.

We are put in the position where, if we want to preserve and enhance urban quality, we have to individually scrutinise every proposal before the

Council and be prepared to make representations about the impact it will have.

This is not our job.

We should be able to feel assured that our interests are being protected by the provisions of our Development Control Plan and that we are being properly served by the way they are being administered.

This is patently not the case now.

The fact is that the

development standards are a load of arbitrary rubbish, not only aimed at the lowest level of amenity but actually inimical to good design.

Arthur Erickson’s Groveland Road house, for example, couldn’t be built on theCentral Coast, because it does not comply with the current regulations.

Furthermore, the regulations are administered in highly idiosyncratic ways.

There is an overwhelming

for Council to consider.

We can only suggest that the process was nothing more that a “tick the box” exercise in which Central Coast ratepayers wore the cost for an incomplete Public Hearing Report.

Email April 19 Gary Blaschke, Lake Munmorah

productivity, culture, or efficiency.

Instead of addressing these problems, Mr Hart told the community during last year’s rates “consultation” it must choose between higher rates or further service reductions.

In reality, he has delivered both.

Email, Apr 18 Kevin Brooks, Bensville

impression, right or wrong, that developers are permitted breaches that are routinely denied to individual applicants who lack the financial resources to challenge a refusal.

This situation does not lead to a happy relationship between ratepayers and Council: it’s hard to say whether this would improve under an elected Council, but it could hardly be worse.

Email, Apr 24 Bruce Hyland, Woy Woy

A dynamic all-singing alldancing show at The Art House will present the sound of young America and the soul of modern music in Dancing in the Shadows of Motown.

Dancing in the shadows of Motown

Classic hits of Motown coming to the stage at The Art House

The 10-piece powerhouse band will feature internationally acclaimed artists including Pat Powell, Kimi Tupaea, Franchesca Appolis and Veena Rao who faithfully recreate the live performances of The

Temptations, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Martha and The Vandellas, The Four Tops, Fontella Bass, The Jackson Five, Smokey Robinson and many more Motown legends.

Minnie Marks to play on Mountain

Fresh from performing at Byron Bay Bluesfest, multiinstrumentalist, singer and songwriter Minnie Marks will play a rare Central Coast show on Sunday, April 30, at the historic Mangrove Mountain Hall. Marks consistently pushes musical limits with her dynamic

guitar wizardry and powerful vocals making her a crowd favourite at festivals around the world.

She has won the People’s Choice award at both the Blues at Bridgetown and Nannup Music festivals and was named Best Guitarist at the Open Arms Festival.

This amazing and uplifting show presents classic hits including Reach Out, Stop In The Name Of Love, Ain’t Too Proud To Beg, Heatwave, Get Ready, I Heard It Through the Grapevine, Dancing in The

Streets, Uptight, Signed Sealed Delivered, You Can’t Hurry Love, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Standing On Shaky Ground, My Girl , Can You Feel It and many more.

It’s a show that’s been sold

out at many venues including the Opera House and comes to The Art House at Wyong for a 2pm matinee performance on Sunday, May 28.

Source: The Art House

The show will be for all ages and family friendly, and will feature songs spanning all of Marks’ albums.

Doors open at 3pm and tickets can be booked at www. trybooking.com/CHSKP/

Source: Blues on the Mountain Minnie Marks

The Coast’s most original garden party deemed a success

The single largest garden party ever to be hosted at the Edogawa commemorative garden at the Gosford Regional Gallery has been deemed a huge success.

Held on Saturday night, April 15, Origami – Folding Art and Sound was touted as the Central Coast’s first music, light and ideas festival.

The show was produced by the region’s leading contemporary arts and culture organisation Naughty Noodle Fun Haus and supported by the Gosford Regional Gallery.

The festival, which was sold out and held a waiting list for entry, attracted almost 25 per cent of its attendees from across Victoria and NSW.

Hundreds of people gathered

at the Gallery gates for the dusk into night festival which Director Glitta Supernova described as “an immersive human journey literally shining a light on togetherness, human spirit and the creative power pulsating within us all”.

“It’s a beautiful way to not only connect with each other, live music and creativity but also our natural environment,”

Supernova said.

The multi-generational pilot festival tagged as “folding art and sound” enchanted and enthralled audiences with its broad spectrum of musicians, DJs, projection, performance and fashion which included an audience promenade catwalk highlighting opulent garden couture.

“In terms of audiences we

wanted to see everyone there – the sitters, the dancers, and the dreamers – and to our delight they all appeared to light up the night “ Supernova said.

“This was an Incredible event – really game changing for the region,” one audience member said.

Audiences of all ages took to social media to praise the

event, with one comment praising the Fun Haus as a “liberating force” and many calling for the festival to become an annual event.

Organisers plan to continue to pivot the perceptions of what the Central Coast is capable of delivering.

Swing into night of smooth jazz at The Art House

The legendary Vince Jones accompanied by his dynamic 17-piece big band and special guest Nina Ferro will grace The Art House stage with smooth and melodic jazz sounds for one night only.

They will perform songs from Come in Spinner, the soundtrack album to the popular 1990 ABC mini-series set in the 1940s swing era against the backdrop of WWII.

The double platinum album was originally scored with Grace Knight and will be revived by the soulful voice of Nina Ferro.

Australian born Nina Ferro is a multi-award-winning vocalist, songwriter, session and recording artist whose powerful, evocative voice, stunning vocal range and captivating stage presence

Come in Spinner plays The Art House in May

The iconic Vince Jones is one of Australia’s leading jazz vocalists, a three-time ARIA award winner, and has collaborated with the likes of Kate Ceberano, Grace Knight and Paul Grabowsky.

Jazz enthusiasts from the Central Coast will be delighted by this rare opportunity to witness such an acclaimed performer at a local venue. Jones said that he’d been thinking for a long time that he would like to revisit the Come In Spinner soundtrack music.

“I can’t wait to sing these songs again with new stunning arrangements and listen to Nina Ferro breathe life into these much-loved classic WWII era tunes.”

Jones and Ferro will be showcasing for the first time dynamic new interpretations of much-loved songs of the 40s swing era including Cole Porter’s I Got you Under My Skin, Gershwin’s The Man I Love, You Got to My Head, and many more classics from the WWII era.

have earned her an enviable international reputation.

“I felt that the best place to showcase my astounding Big Band, 17-piece orchestra and music for the first time in 2023 is at the wonderful Art House,” he said.

Eagles tribute comes to Art House

The internationally acclaimed Australian Eagles Show will bring its Dark Desert Highway Tour to The Art House at Wyong on Saturday, April 29.

The show features David Thompson and Michael Thompson, who have played the music of the Eagles to sold out theatres in America, Europe and South Africa.

The Australian Eagles Show, a spectacular five piece band, will intricately recreate the

music that made the Eagles one of the world’s biggest acts. They will perform all the classic hits including Desperado, Life in the Fast Lane, New Kid in Town, Take it to the Limit, Heartache Tonight and the classic Hotel California.

The band also pays homage to the solo hits from Joe Walsh, Don Henley and the late Glen Frey.

The Eagles formed in Los Angeles in 1971.

The one-night-only show will be at 8pm on Friday, May 26.

Source: The Art House

They garnered five number one singles, six Grammy awards, five American music awards and six number one albums and- sold over 150 million records.

The Eagles Greatest Hits album was one of the bestselling albums of the 20th century.

For details of the Art House show go to the theatre’s website.

Terry Collins

The Australian Eagles Show

Source: Naughty Noodle Fun Haus

Origami Mushroom Costume

The light projections inside the pavilions inspired dancers

Photo: Lisa Haymes Photography

Photo: Lisa Haymes Photography

Relive glory days of Elvis

Relive what it would have been like to see Elvis Presley in concert when Elvis – One Night in Vegas plays at the Wyong Art House on Sunday, April 30.

Internationally renowned Mark Anthony is regarded as the very best Elvis tribute artist in the world today and will transport you to when Presley dominated the record charts in the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s with raw energy, a dynamic voice and sensational stage presence.

Anthony will take you on a

journey with a full live band.

As a young boy, Anthony was introduced to the music and styling of the King and he immersed himself in everything Elvis, quickly finding that he had a natural talent for imitating him.

But it wasn’t until 2004 that he decided to seriously and professionally portray Elvis.

In 2007, he won the title of Grand Champion Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist for South Pacific and was flown to Memphis to perform.

He won the title again in

2008, and placed in the top 10 in the world performing in the finals of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Competition, Presented by Elvis Presley Enterprises.

Today, he is officially recognised by Elvis Presley Enterprise as one of the best tribute artists currently performing around the world. In 2011 he was awarded the very first Spirit Of Elvis award presented by Elvis Presley Enterprises at the Ultimate Elvis Finals in Memphis, and received a letter of endorsement

for his work and involvement with EPE and Graceland.

He also received the Heart of the King Award in Las Vegas in 2019.

Anthony has toured throughout Australia, America, Canada, Malaysia and Europe, wowing crowds everywhere he goes.

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

Entries open for Ephemera exhibition

Entries close on May 19 for the Ephemera exhibition to be held in conjunction with this year’s 5 Lands Walk.

The exhibition is open to individual artists, artist collaborations, community groups and students, with mentorship and support available for first time applicants and previous entrants encouraged to return.

Artworks will be displayed

along Avoca Beach during the 5 Lands Walk on June 24.

“Ephemera adopts the 5 Lands Walk theme of connecting people to people and people to place,” a spokesperson from the Ephemera team said.

There will be a nominated financial stipend per artist and monetary prizes of $500 for the People’s Choice Award and Artists Choice Award and $100 for an Inspiration Award.

To submit an expression of interest go to https:// www.5landswalk.com.au/ ephemera-avoca-beachsidesculptures

Entrants will be required to upload an image of artwork (or sketch of proposed artwork) as a Word document, PDF or PNG file.

Source: Lionel Midford Publicity Mark Anthony as Elvis Presley

Source: Ephemera Committee

A previous Ephemera artwork

Master guitarists head to Davistown

Guitar masters Guy Strazz and Mark Johns will perform an acoustic musical journey through their original compositions, including the APRA awarded Mandela and Afro Bouban, on Saturday, April 29, at Davistown.

They will also perform original arrangements showcasing the music of renowned Brazilian, jazz and Latin composers such as Joseph Kosma, Chick Corea, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Consuelo Velázquez, and George Gershwin.

Strazz has appeared as featured artist at many festivals around the world and has played with Vince Jones, Martin Taylor, Slava Grigoryan, Mike Stern, Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Matt McMahon, Joe Chindamo, and Dale Barlow.

He has won a Jazz APRA (Australian Performing Rights Award), two Jazz APRA

Nominations, an Australian Independent Recording (AIR) Jazz Nomination, a US Indie Acoustic Project runner-up for Best Global Beat Asia, and an Australian Arts Council Music Fellowship.

His improvisations are

featured in Michael Dillon’s Ocean to Sky, a film about Sir Edmund Hillary’s last journey to the Himalayas, which was named Best Australian Documentary at the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival. Guest artist Magdalena Mira

Johns is one of the world’s most renowned session guitarists and performers. Previously based in London for many years, he has recorded and toured with artists such as Jeff Beck, Faith Hill, Whitney Houston, Enrique Iglesias,

Sting, Mariane Faithful, Julie Driscoll, John Dankworth and Cleo Laine.

A gifted and versatile composer, his music can be heard on TV series such as Absolutely Fabulous, Bottom, Monarch of the Glen and French

and Saunders.

Other television credits include Down to Earth, Coupling, The Ralph Little Show, The Johnny Vaughan Show, The Ben Elton Show, The Lenny Henry Show.

His film credits include Gangsta No.1, Best and Four Weddings and a Funeral.

They will be joined on stage by special guest, Chilean-born Magdalena Mira.

This fast-emerging and captivating Latin singer/ performer wonderfully expresses her soul music from various Latino cultures.

The concert will be at Davistown Progress Hall, starting at 7.30pm on Saturday, April 29. Bookings can be made at https://www.trybooking. com/events/landing/1038853.

Source: Davistown Progress Association

Sydney Dance Company show an unmissable triple-bill

The renowned Sydney Dance Company returns to The Art House in May with Ascent – a triple bill of both Australian and international choreographers.

The three pieces are unique and involve exceptional dance in captivating set pieces, apparatus, costumes changes, interactive lighting and memorable soundtracks.

Ascent has just closed its premiere three weeks at the Sydney Opera House and The Art House in Wyong is the first stop in a national tour.

Ascent treats audiences with two world premieres – I Amness by Sydney Dance Company Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela and The Shell, A Ghost, The Host and The Lyrebird by renowned international choreographer Marina Mascarell, which uses

a complex pulley system of silk sails combined with the dancers’ movements.

The triple-bill concludes with the explosive re-mount of

Antony Hamilton’s Helpmann Award-winning Forever and Ever.

Set to an urban soundtrack composed by Hamilton’s

brother Julian of The Presets, this work is a grungy, popculturesque feast for the senses.

Opening night saw high

profile dancers, international choreographers, and public figures gather at the Sydney Opera House to celebrate the powerful trio of intricate and

visually arresting dances. Together the three pieces combine contemporary classical choreography with futuristic experimentation, brought to life by Sydney Dance Company’s superb ensemble. This is not just a dance performance but a play of inventive installations, musical scores, costume changes, and lighting.

Sydney Dance Company is the latest internationally renowned company to include a stop on the Central Coast as The Art House has also hosted the likes of Opera Australia, Bangarra Dance Theatre and Bell Shakespeare with their major city shows.

Ascent by Sydney Dance Company will be presented at 8pm on Saturday, May 6.

Source: The Art House, Wyong

5 Lands Walk returns with expanded program

Now in its 16th year, the 5 Lands Walk Winter Festival is set to return from June 10 to July 2, offering fun, engagement and unique insights for the community and visitors alike.

Whether your interest is First Nations culture, visual arts, music, the natural beauty of the Central Coast or the fabled 10km coastal walk from MacMasters Beach to Terrigal, the expanded 2023 program has something for everyone, regardless of age.

Throughout it all, the Darkinjung message of

inclusiveness is clear, commencing with 5 Lands Walk Winter Lights featuring music, stories and culture at Terrigal Haven on June 10-11.

This will be followed by the dawn Awakening Ceremony at Kincumba Mountain on Saturday, June 17, the Terrigal Collective’s live music project 5 Nights for 5 Lands Walk on June 21-25, the 5 Lands Walk Opening Ceremony at Avoca Beach on Friday, June 23, and the 5 Lands Walk main event on Saturday, June 24.

There will be a Funday on Sunday, June 25, and the

Festival 2023 provides a special opportunity to showcase and enjoy the best of the Central Coast.

5 Lands Walk President Pauline Wright said she was particularly excited about the 5 Lands Walk Winter Lights at Terrigal.

“I am also excited about new umbrella events on Sunday, June 25, including the Ettalong Jazz Festival, Bravewords Live! at Avoca Beach Picture Theatre and the Celestial Emu symphony concert at Central Coast Grammar,” she said.

“Through it all, Coasties and

visitors will gain new perspectives on the 5 Lands Walk, an extraordinary community event made possible by the generosity of the community for the community.

“I warmly invite (residents) to register to participate in this amazing free event at www.5landswalk.com.au

“In doing so they will also go into the draw for a three-night stay for two at Terrigal’s luxurious Star of the Sea apartments (conditions apply).”

Master guitarists Guy Strazz and Mark Johns

Magdalena Mira

A scene from Forever and Ever

Mirring Aboriginal Women’s Toorongong Gathering Winter

Finale at Norah Head on July 2. The 5 Lands Walk Winter

Source: 5 Lands Walk Committee

Participants in last year’s 5 Lands Walk at Avoca Beach

At the age of 75 and following a varied career which included 29 years as a school PE teacher and 24 years in resort management, Bob (The Boss) Lloyd has published a free guide to getting the most out of life and wants to share the message with residents, businesses and schools all over the region.

How to Master the Journey of Life is based on what Lloyd calls The Alphabet of Life – a list of values to help readers conquer life’s challenges from

Gripping new play at The Launch Pad

Jopuka Productions has opened a new theatre work, The Boys on the Bus, at The Launch Pad, Tuggerah, with sessions continuing until April 30.

Written by multi-awardwinning playwright Jamie Hornsby, the gritty and gripping coming of age drama is a raw and raucous examination of class, identity, despair, masculinity and the stuff that goes on at 2am in the carpark of a 24-hour bakery.

Directed by Joshua Maxwell, The Boys on the Bus tells the

story of those who choose to stay behind in a town where success is believed to come only to those who run away.

Playwright Jamie Hornsby, who returns to write for the company for the third time, recently won the David Williamson Award for Excellence in Writing for Australian Theatre, alongside an AWGIE award for Claire Della and the Moon.

Hornsby’s previous play, Because There Was Fire, was named Best New Work at the Newcastle Fringe Awards before

embarking on a national tour.

“It’s an absolute joy to have spent the last couple of months rehearsing this amazing new play,” Maxwell said.

“When I first read through the script I was completely blown away by the story, and it’s been such a privilege to work with so many young artists on this project with such depth and complexity.”

The Boys on the Bus is not for the faint-hearted, with a warning that it contains haze, loud noises, strong coarse and vulgar language, adult themes,

New free book on how to master life

preschool through to adulthood.

Now the general manager at Star of the Sea Resort at Terrigal, Lloyd said he had gained many insights from his work as a PE teacher, spending 10 years as The Australian High School Rugby League President and dealing with more than 300,000 guests during his 24 years in resort management.

“The one thing we can definitely give to the next generations is the wisdom gained from a variety of life experiences with the power of one being the ability to make a

difference,” he said.

“Following The Alphabet of Life Values will give everybody the ability to become what is widely recognised as a decent person which is what we all want for ourselves, students, family and friends.

“There is no doubt that life is a long and sometimes difficult journey.

“If you leave it to chance you are more often left disappointed and frustrated; the more you follow a plan, the better things tend to work out.

“I have created the Alphabet

of Life connecting a life value to every letter of the alphabet.

“There are many more values in life but if we follow the 26 (in the Alphabet of Life) we will be well on the way to having a great and satisfying journey.”

Lloyd is hopeful that preschools, schools, sporting associations and workplaces will embrace the concept and display the Alphabet of Life poster.

To download the book and poster go to www.howtomaster thejourneyoflife.com.au.

sexual references, violence and language consistent with adolescent youth.

Jopuka’s newest production has received backing from The NSW Department of Regional Youth, which invested $35,000 in Jopuka for 2023.

The Boys on the Bus is showing at The Launch Pad in Tuggerah Business Park until April 30.

Book tickets at www.jopuka. org.au

Source: Jopuka Productions

Terry Collins Bob Lloyd with a copy of his book, which is free to download

The Boys on the Bus plays until April 30

MISSING LINK

MISSING LINK

Fill

Vegetarian stir fry with omelette Recipe A PINCH OF SALT

Chef Daniel’s next guest is Fiona Lloyd – a local children’s author.

Fiona has always loved writing and as a former filmmaker, decided to take a chance and concentrate on writing novels.

Her first book, Being Jimmy Baxter, is to be released by Penguin on July 4. You can pre-order her novel aimed at the teenage market at www.penguin.com.au/books.

Pre-orders open in May. The book is a gently funny yet powerful coming-of-age middle grade novel about surviving the odds, unlikely friendships and the magical music of Elvis.

To contact Fiona:

with Chef Daniel and Fiona Lloyd

Being an author is a tough trade, but with the support of the local Words on the Waves festival and writer’s group, Fiona has found her stride and her community.

“Everyone is so supportive and shares their knowledge and resources in this group,” she said.

In this episode, Chef Daniel makes a vegetarian stir fry that is kid friendly and even easy for them to help out with the chopping, stirring and cooking.

A quick easy meal packed full of vegetables served with an omelette on top.

• Website: www.fionalloyd.com.au.

• Instagram: @fionalloydauthor

• Facebook:@fionalloydauthor

• School bookings: shakespearescat13@gmail.com

Visit Chef Daniel’s socials:

• chefdaniel.com.au/about-chef/

• www.facebook.com/chefdanielaus

• www.instagram.com/chefdanielaus/

• www.youtube.com/c/chefdaniel

Tofu is made from soybeans and is HIGH in fibre, protein, minerals like zinc and calcium and polyunsaturated fats, vitamins A, B1, B2, E, and mineral salts and can LOWER cholesterol.

It originated in China over 2000 years ago and is a wonderful substitute for meat in stir fries and can even be used in smoothies and desserts.

See the full series of A Pinch of Salt at our website and YouTube Channel @CentralCoastNewsAU or

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of leftover rice

• 3 cloves of garlic

• Oil

• Bunch of broccolini

• 1 cup of chopped mushrooms

• One pack of (200g) of soy coated Tofu

• Sliced ginger

• Soy sauce

• Sweet soy sauce

• 2 eggs

Instructions:

1. Put some oil in a wok

2. Put crushed garlic and ginger in the oil as the wok is heating up stir for two minutes

3. Add chilli at this point if desired

4. Add half a cup of precooked rice

5. Add mushrooms and broccolini

6. Add chopped soy coated tofu

7. Stir for 2 minutes on high

8. Add soy sauce and sweet soy sauce to taste

9. Remove from wok and serve onto a plate

10.Lightly clean the wok ready for the omelette

Omelettte:

1. Whisk 2 eggs in a bowl

2. Add oil to wok on high

3. Pour eggs in and swirl wok so that eggs form a thin layer, then peel off the side of the wok and fold into a roll in the middle then serve on top of stir fry

4. Ready to eat

ERINA HEIGHTS CHAPEL

Creightons Funeral Service (part of the Palmdale Group) invite you to tour and book our Erina Heights Chapel at 376 The Entrance Road, Erina Heights.

This conveniently located chapel offers the latest in audio-visual services and facilities for memorial and funeral services.

For a complimentary Pre-Paid quote or assistance, please call our 24 hour careline on 4324 1533

creightonsfuneralservice.com.au

Tina Wake

Chef Daniel with Fiona Lloyd

SCAN ME

scan the QR code here.

Business & Property

R.E.E.L. Talks series on again at Red Tree Theatre in May

The popular R.E.E.L. Talks business innovation program has released its program of speakers for the upcoming May 4 event to be held at Tuggerah’s Red Tree Theatre.

The event is organised by the Central Coast Sustainable Business Network and cofounder Bruce Cotrill said there

would be a panel of experts including architects, property developers, energy developers and successful business owners sharing their insights and experiences, guiding attendees through the different investment horizons for renewable energy.

This year’s event is centred on the potential of renewable energy and how it can transform

the way businesses operate.

“Our theme was inspired by Saul Griffith’s talk at last year’s event, where he highlighted the staggering annual savings of $850,000,000 for households and businesses across the Central Coast by switching to generating and using as much of their own energy as they can,” Cotrill said.

The inspirational business

talk series focuses on local and national businesses that have walked the talk in the areas of future business and sustainability practices.

Now in its third year, the program has created a stimulating mix of speakers including Greg Gates the CEO of Sirron Holdings, Jon Ellis of Narara’s renewable power company NEV power, innovative

commercial architect Caine King, energy grid designer Andrew Krumn and Matt Polo mechatronics engineer at Janus Electric truck company.

After the formal talks, a Q&A session will provide ample opportunity for attendees to ask questions about the subjects discussed.

Refreshments and networking

opportunities are part of the program.

Organisers of the event are encouraging all businessminded people to attend and connect with people that are making real local change.

Tickets are available on their website: www.reeltalks.com.au

Revised plan for Leagues Club redevelopment

A revised proposal for a major redevelopment of Central Coast Leagues Club (CCLC) in Gosford has been lodged with the NSW Planning Department.

The original plan comprised two stepped hotel towers on a podium at the north of the site, a public accessway through the site from Baker St to Dane Dr, a basement carpark, and an open plaza adjacent to Georgina Terrace and fronting Leagues Club Park.

This latest plan proposes a series of podiums to be topped

by five towers, four residential and one hotel, with the estimated cost rising to $564M.

Parking, which was previously to be accommodated with a basement carpark, would now be provided by a large parking podium at the centre of the site, which would service all five towers.

An Urban Design Report submitted with the proposal says the parking podium would be at the centre of the development where visibility is reduced by the surrounding towers.

“These parking levels are screened by contributory residential uses for the first four floors, above which generous upper-level setbacks and green-wall screening obscures the upper parking levels from the street,” the document says.

“The residential towers are intended to be narrow-plate, multi-core buildings that maximise resident amenity.

“Extensive view and solar analysis was undertaken to confirm the bulk and scale is acceptable from numerous approaches, and the

overshadowing of the adjacent Leagues Club Park is minimised.”

The development site has been extended with the club’s acquisition of 91 and 91a Donnison St. The towers would have rooftop gardens and solar panels are planned for two of them.

The plan includes a 120 key hotel (a 200 key hotel was originally proposed); 1,320 car spaces; 583 residential units, retail and commercial space; an open plaza adjacent Georgina Terrace fronting Leagues Club

Field, two east-west throughsite links that will be activated with retail/food and drinks premises and the club itself.

Open laneways and internal through-site links would allow pedestrians to criss-cross the site.

The proposal would transform the area from a “dead zone” into a “vibrant retail, entertainment and residential precinct”, the report says.

“The residential communal space is conceptualised as an Urban Backyard model intended to support growing families

living in high density urban environments via large, accessible and observable open space.”

The club took the first step in securing approval for the revised by plan by submitting a new SEARS (Secretary’s Environmental Assessment requirements) in March with construction to hopefully begin in 2025.

The full report can be found on the NSW Planning Department’s Major Projects site.

Terry Collins

R.E.E.L Talks features local change makers

Talks features local

Photos: Marc Charette

at the 2022 REEL talks

Architect claims plan for The Entrance units dealt with unfairly

A development application for 15 units in a threestorey complex at The Entrance has once again been refused amid claims it wasn’t handled fairly or reasonably by Central Coast Council.

In December 2020 Phil Hadi lodged the DA to build a $6.4M unit complex in the medium density zone at 33-35 Torrens Ave on the corner of Fairview Ave.

Council knocked it back for non-compliance of various development standards including an over-reach of 20.38 per cent in the permissible height limit.

When the DA went to the Central Coast Local Planning Panel on March 9 it was deferred so Hadi and his architect, Slater Architects, could discuss options with Council staff to overcome the reasons the development was recommended for refusal.

In a March 20 letter to Council, presented at the Panel’s meeting, Slater Architects say the application hadn’t been

handled fairly or reasonably and they were continually disappointed and frustrated with the assessment process.

Slater Architects say that since the DA was lodged, almost two-and-a-half years ago, numerous Council and consultant planners, including the Department of Planning, started assessments most of the time from scratch.

“A variety of feedback was provided by the varying assessing officers throughout

the process,” the letter said.

“There were also extensive delays with the application because of the inability for the applicant to meet with Council staff face-to-face and the staff shortages within the Council framework.

“During the assessment process we have made a genuine effort to address and resolve all issues raised by Council.

“We have diligently worked with each planner assigned to

looking after the application throughout the DA process and requested meetings with Council staff on several occasions to work through any issues with Council but we were not given this opportunity as the Council policy has become a ‘no meeting policy’, at least in our case.”

When the Local Planning Panel met on April 6 it again upheld Council’s reasons to reject the proposed units.

Council’s assessment of the

proposed three-storey units was that the development was not consistent with planning controls and its size and bulk was incompatible with the local character.

Maximum height of the development is 14.445m above ground level which is a departure of 2.44m from the Local Environment Plan requirement and equates to a 20.38 per cent variation.

Council’s assessment report said the height variation would

Preparing Gosford for future growth

Central Coast Council’s program of works to support growth in Gosford is on track to be completed by next year, with 56 of the 66 water and sewer projects planned either completed or underway.

Administrator Rik Hart said the critical infrastructure supported a shared vision to transform Gosford into an iconic waterfront city.

“The program of works will prepare Gosford to meet the needs of our community and visitors for the next 30 years,” Hart said.

“To create places that bring our community together, we need to provide basic services so people can continue to work, live in and enjoy our growing city.

“A key part of this is having access to reliable water and sewer services.”

Director of Water and Sewer

Jamie Loader said the major improvement work included 43 water projects and 23 sewer upgrades and was funded by the Housing Acceleration Fund (HAF) and Accelerated Infrastructure Fund (AIF).

“Council received $42.5M in funding through the HAF and a further $4.6M through the AIF

to deliver these water and sewer infrastructure upgrades,” he said.

“The final stage of works in Mann St, Gosford, is now completed.

“We have removed and replaced sewer mains and associated infrastructure to increase the capacity of the sewage system.

“This was a major project that is now fully operational.

“Of the 43 projects in the water program, 29 have been completed, another eight are underway and the remaining six are in the planning stages.

“The sewer program has 23 projects in total with three complete, 16 underway and four in the planning stages.”

adversely impact on adjacent properties and the visual environment and the DA did not demonstrate reasonable grounds to justify the height variation.

Also, the DA did not meet residential apartment design quality standards in relation to community open space, parking, setbacks, visual and acoustic privacy, landscaping and waste management.

The assessment report said “the proposal has not demonstrated that the development is compatible with the desired future character or that it exhibits best practice design”.

“The proposal does not achieve appropriate building separation between habitable rooms and non-habitable rooms in the adjacent building and would create privacy issues with the neighbouring dwelling,” the report said.

Council says insufficient information had been provided in the DA to determine all likely significant impacts.

Sue Murray

and work will commence in the coming months.

Loader said work had also started to increase the size of the existing gravity sewer mains within the West Gosford area near Adcock Ave, Racecourse Rd, Young St and Central Coast Hwy.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the works would support the revitalisation of Gosford.

Loader said the next major package of work would be along the Gosford waterfront area where Council was planning upgrades to the sewer system from the edge of Gosford Leagues Club Field near Vaughan Ave through to the Dane Dr/Mann St intersection.

Detailed design is underway,

“(This includes) its iconic waterfront – we have committed $8.5M to help transform (it) into a thriving precinct of recreation, tourism and endless opportunities for local businesses,” he said. Read more about major projects on Council’s website, visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/ major-projects

Source: Central Coast Council

Linda Emery Lawyer

Sewer and water upgrades are set to be completed next year

The exodus out of the capital cities is not just a Covid-induced phenomena, as the trend preceded the pandemic.

An Exodus to Lifestyle report from Hotspotting finds that while the pandemic made the trend more visible, it was already in place in the years leading up to it.

According to Hotspotting director Terry Ryder, Sydney has been losing its population for the past decade, while Melbourne has been losing it for the past six years.

“Fundamentally, this big migration has been caused by the pursuit of lifestyle and affordability, enabled by technology – the ability to work remotely,” says Ryder.

Queensland has been the biggest beneficiary of this shift, with four spots in the top 10 list, while South Australia has three spots, Western Australia two and Victoria one.

Ryder says seaside hotspots like Byron Bay, the Gold and Sunshine coasts and the Mornington Peninsula have had phenomenal growth, but the report suggests people are also looking inland.

“I see people making a hill change rather than a sea

change, focusing on the same motivations, such as affordability and lifestyle, but in more of a hinterland or country setting.”

Toowoomba in south-east Queensland took out the number one spot in the report, particularly as its inclusion in Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic bid has added to its strategic importance.

“The city’s affordability, low vacancies and solid yields is attracting a variety of property buyers to the region, including first-home buyers, tree changers, baby boomers, retirees and investors,” says Ryder.

highest number of overseas searches for the states in 2022, according to Ryder.

As rising living costs continue to bite, households are looking for savings wherever they can find them.

Seventy-seven of respondents in a recent survey by WhistleOut, the telco comparison site, said they are trying to cut their expenses, including their mobile and internet bills.

That’s not to say they will take just any reward for their

effort, though, as 44% of those surveyed said they would need to save at least $20 a month on their phone plan before switching to another provider.

Fortunately, says WhistleOut editor Alex Choros, there could be plenty of opportunity for the customers of larger telcos.

“If an Australian owns their phone, it’s very easy to trim $20 off their monthly mobile bill.

“Postpaid plans on the big three telcos – Telstra, Optus and Vodafone – start at $45 per month and go up from there.

"At the same time, there are a whole host of smaller providers offering great deals at much more affordable prices.”

Beyond mobile plans, Choros says that comparing providers and finding a plan that matches household usage are musts for

Also on the list is the Queensland coastal town of Yeppoon, near Rockhampton, which attracted the second those looking to reduce their home internet bills.

“While NBN prices have gotten more expensive in recent years, there are still great offers to be found," he says.

“NBN providers tend to offer their best price to new customers, and you’ll typically get a discount for your first six months when you swap providers.”

WATSON

“Despite this trend, local prices remain affordable, with Yeppoon and several nearby suburbs still having median house prices around $500,000.”

Port Lincoln, Murray Bridge and Mt Gambier were the top locations in South Australia,

Escape from the big cities predates the pandemic Save $20 a month on telco bills by switching

while Geraldton and Bunbury represent Western Australia and Mitchell Shire is the one location from Victoria.

“Buying in a regional centre can represent a win-win-win situation for investors – cheaper prices, higher rental yields and good potential for price growth,” says Ryder.

ELIOT HASTIE

Editor-in-Chief

Two Catholic primary schools to get $11.6M upgrade

New classroom buildings and amenities estimated to cost about $11.6M are in the works for St Cecilia’s Catholic Primary School at Wyong and St John Fisher Catholic Primary School at Tumbi Umbi.

Plans at Cecilia’s will see the demolition of four classroom buildings including one demountable and construction of a new two-storey building facing Panonia Rd.

The new building will have six Level 1 classrooms, interactive outdoor learning areas, stairs, lift, access ramps, ground-floor

amenities, new landscaping and new outdoor seating.

It is estimated the cost of these works will be almost $6.5M. Work will start at St John Fisher Catholic Primary School with removal of two singlelevel demountable classrooms which will be replaced with new landscaped outdoor open spaces.

A single-level classroom building known as Block H will be demolished as it is too old and can’t be relocated on or off site.

There will be a new twostorey classroom building and

amenities block next to the existing outdoor tiered seating area which will be upgraded with a new outdoor learning area, new landscaping, new seating, stairs and access ramps.

Tese improvements are expected to cost about $5.1M

The upgrades aim to address future demand for student enrolments in the rapidly growing area with a future focussed on enhanced student learning by replacing inefficient or aged facilities with modern and best-practice teaching spaces.

Nik and Jane’s a true community business

For more than 23 years, Nik and Jane’s furniture at Erina has been providing a large range of furniture and bedding options to the Central Coast Community.

The friendly local business is also known for its support of the community.

Located in Karalta Lane, Nik and Jane’s donates any furniture that has been traded in to Coast Shelter.

The company also takes good care of its senior customers, who Nik and Jane refer to as “the legends”.

Seniors are warmly welcomed into the store and given a generous discount on their purchases, leading to a lot of repeat business and a high profile in the business community.

Known as “the negotiator”, Nik is an expert in the field after 50 years of working in the furniture business.

He likes to bring something unique and personal to the experience for shopping for furniture and ensures that everyone is helped to find what they need and get it in a timely manner.

The store is also one of the

Central Coast’s NDIS providers, ensuring that NDIS participants can get the home care packages and furniture they need to live in and access their homes.

At the beginning of his career, Nik worked at Norman Ross and then Waltons before working with Gerry Harvey to open the Harvey Norman Erina store.

Nik and Jane’s Furniture and Bedding Express delivers across the Central Coast, Greater Sydney and Newcastle, with great deals on some of the big brands in the furniture

There won’t be an increase in teachers or student numbers because of these updated classroom developments.

Both co-educational schools cater for Kindergarten through to Year 6 with 308 students at St Cecilia’s and 380 at St John Fisher.

St Cecilia’s opened in 1916 when the Sisters of St Joseph came to Wyong to establish a convent and school.

The convent was originally one of the stately homes of Wyong, built in about 1907 for Samuel Whittle.

The Sisters established St

Cecilia’s as both a day and boarding school providing secondary education up to Intermediate Certificate level; it was named in honour of Cecilia Woodbury who raised most of the money to build the parish church.

After many years the boarding component of the convent closed and St Cecilia’s became a day school only but by the early 1980s more classroom blocks were built to cater to the considerable increase in school enrolments.

By 1988 St John Fisher Catholic Primary opened to

meet the needs of the growing population in the Tumbi Umbi, Berkeley Vale, Chittaway Bay and Glenning Valley areas. The school started with 27 students in a composite class of Kindergarten-Year 1 children and has since grown to reach its potential of 380 students in 14 class groups from Kindergarten to Year 6. Development applications can be viewed on Central Coast Council’s website – St Cecilia’s (678/2023) and St John Fisher (671/2023).

Sue Murray

Notification of wild dog and fox control program

Greater Sydney Local Land Services will be leading an integrated wild dog and fox control program in the Central Coast with support from National Parks, Central Coast Council and the Forestry Corporation. This coordinated program is part of ongoing work to reduce pest animal numbers and their impact on primary production and native wildlife in these areas. 1080 wild dog and fox ground baits and Canid Pest Ejectors will be used on the listed properties below from Monday 1st May 2023 to Friday, 2nd June 2023. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Please restrain all domestic pets and working dogs and ensure they do not enter the baiting locations during this time. In the event of accidental poisoning of domestic pets seek immediate veterinary assistance.

304 Ravensdale Road Ravensdale

industry.

If you’re in the market for a Lazy-Boy, they are the only place to go on the Coast.

Personalised service, dedication to customers and community spirit have kept people coming back, resulting in sales across generations.

Nik and Jane’s Furniture and Bedding Express is at Shop 11, Karalta Plaza, Karalta Lane, Erina, with a wide range of furniture and accessibility products.

Scenic Road Bushland Reserve

(Kincumber/MacMasters Beach)

Kenmare Road Reserve (Green Point)

Kincumba Mountain Reserve (Kincumber-Green Point-Erina-Terrigal)

Rumbalara Reserve (Gosford-SpringfieldWyoming-Holgate)

Katandra Reserve (Holgate)

Ferntree Close Reserve (Wyoming-LisarowMount Elliot)

Triple Springs Bush Reserve (Matcham)

The Ridgeway Reserve (Matcham)

60 Hitchcocks Lane Dooralong

277 Ravensdale Road Ravensdale

33 Dunks Lane Jilliby

3653 Wisemans Ferry Road Greengrove

Central Coast Wetlands – Pioneer Dairy,

1897 South Tacoma Road, Tuggerah

707 Settlers Road Lower McDonald

916 Settlers Road Central McDonald

276 Ravensdale Road Ravensdale

625 Ravensdale Road Ravensdale

602 Ravensdale Road Ravensdale

29 Vittasalo Road Somersby

McPherson State Forest, Kulnura

Mangrove Creek Catchment Dam, Kulnura

Mangrove Creek Weir (Dubbo Gully), Mangrove Mountain

Moony Creek Catchment Dam

1260 Wisemans Ferry Road Somersby

13 Springs Road Kulnura

964 Yarramalong Road Wyong Creek

1224 Dooralong Road Dooralong

Broken Bay Sport and Recreation Centre, Little Patonga Beach

1398 Wisemans Ferry Road Somersby

1396 Wisemans Ferry Road Somersby

1310 Wisemans Ferry Road Somersby

15 Murraba Road Kulnura

145 Beaven Road Jilliby

For further information on the fox baiting program within Central Coast Council Reserves, please refer to: centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/environment/pests-and-weeds/pest-animals

If you would like to participate in a future program or have any questions, please contact Greater Sydney Local Land Services on (02) 4724 2100.

The new classrooms proposed at St Cecilia’s

The new school building proposed at St John Fisher

Terry Collins

Nik and Jane’s Furniture prides itself on personalised service

Amazon Australia opens logistics site at West Gosford

Amazon Australia has opened a new logistics site at West Gosford, enabling the seamless delivery of customer orders in-andaround the Central Coast.

New team members from the logistics site celebrated the opening with an Indigenous Smoking Ceremony, conducted by a local Darkinjung elder. The new site has created local operational jobs, as well as flexible earning opportunities with Amazon’s innovative

delivery service Amazon Flex. Amazon Australia Director of Operations Mindy EpsidioGarcia said the venture would contribute to the region’s economy as well as streamlining deliveries.

“We look forward to delivering what our customers need and being an active member of the community,” she said.

Site Lead James Montecillo started his career at Amazon at the Kemps Creek Fulfilment Centre and has since gone on

to lead Amazon Logistics sites in Bella Vista, Newcastle and now West Gosford.

“I was very excited to be given the opportunity to launch the West Gosford site; it’s a great community and team to be part of,” he said.

“What I love the most about this role is being able to see the delivery process from end to end and delighting customers with our delivery promises.”

Amazon logistics sites power the “last mile” of the order

process and help to improve the delivery experience for Amazon customers in the surrounding areas.

Packages are shipped to the West Gosford site from Amazon fulfilment centres and are then picked up by Amazon Flex delivery partners to be delivered directly to customers.

“The opening of our logistics site in West Gosford will enable us to provide an enhanced delivery experience for customers in the Central

Coast.” Epsidio-Garcia said.

“Building infrastructure closer to where our customers live enables us to deliver to them more efficiently, as well as creating exciting job opportunities for locals in a safe and positive work environment.”

The West Gosford site will be the 11th Amazon Logistics site in Australia, joining the Mayfield West site in Newcastle to support the Central Coast and Hunter regions.

Major revamp for Hoyts Erina

Hoyts Erina has a totally now look following a multimillion-dollar refurbishment.

The upgrade features stateof-the-art technology, superior comfort and improved food and beverage offerings.

The addition of new innovative technologies, including the immersive HOYTS D-BOX experience, enhances the movie experience with motion recliner seats synced to the onscreen action.

All auditoriums have been fitted with extra-comfy recliners, meaning wider seating and plenty of leg room, all at the same price as a standard cinema ticket.

New Day Beds, each with

space for up to three people to lie back and enjoy the latest movie, provide extra comfort. There are now two Xtremescreen auditoriums with huge 24-metre-wide

screens and multi-dimensional Dolby Atmos surround sound and a dedicated HOYTS D-BOX auditorium with motion recliners.

President and CEO of The

HOYTS Group, Damian Keogh, said the D-BOX motion technology provides an immersive experience that only a cinema can provide.

“The new HOYTS Erina

cinema is an important part of the company’s continued investment into creating the cinema of the future for our guests,” he said.

“This industry continues to face increased competition from streaming platforms and home entertainment, but our promise is that guests experience more at Hoyts.

The new-look cinema also includes: Treat City, a selfserve candy bar where guests can walk through and pick up their favourite movie snacks; Ice-cream Lab, a self-serve ice-cream station; and Artie’s Bar & Café, where you can order a gourmet pizza with a glass of your favourite beer, wine, or cocktail.

Residents wanting to supplement their existing income can sign up to Amazon Flex and deliver Amazon packages to customers using their own vehicle.

Amazon Flex provides drivers the opportunity to work when it suits them and earn extra money in their free time. Visit flex.amazon.com.au for more details.

Source: Amazon Australia

Hoyts Erina Location Manager Anthony Duke said the new refreshment options allow patrons to combine a movie and a meal, or grab a coffee, a cocktail or a glass of wine. In celebration of the new and improved site, guests who sign up to Hoyts Rewards and select Erina before April 30 as their preferred cinema will receive an $8 movie ticket and 200 bonus points.

Movies coming soon to Hoyts Erina include Shazam! Fury of the Gods, John Wick: Chapter 4, Dungeons and Dragons: Honour Among Thieves and The Super Mario Bros Movie.

Source: Hoyts

auditoriums have been fitted with extra-comfy recliners

Power of community explored at health expo

Central Coast Local Health District will host a special local event to celebrate Human Experience Week, May 1-7, in partnership with NSW Health.

The Central Coast Connections Expo will be the first of its kind, with the theme All of Us: the Power of Community and is set to explore the importance of love, belonging and healing in elevating human experiences.

Previously known as Patient Experience Week, Human Experience Week recognises that the experiences of patients, their families and carers cannot be separated from the experiences of the caregivers – staff and volunteers.

Carer Support Unit Manager

Tia Covi said the event was a rare opportunity for local healthcare staff, volunteers, patients, carers and the

community to all come together and share ideas and experiences.

“It’s a chance for us to gather, be inspired and reconnect,” she said.

Men’s Shed Health

Muster

Members from 20 Men’s Sheds from all over the Central Coast and Northern Sydney attended the inaugural Central Coast Health Muster at the Terrigal Uniting Church on Wednesday, April 19.

The event was hosted by Gosford Men’s Shed.

President Larry Lloyd said the event featured speakers from a

a big hit

host of organisations including Hunter Melanoma, NSW Police on Cyber Crime, Black Dog Institute, Blaze Aid, Australian Red Cross and Stroke Foundation

“As well as the guest speakers there were tables of exhibitors including Seniors Rights Services, Carers NSW, Bright Diets and Services NSW,” he said.

Notice of 1080 program

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting a ground baiting program in Palm Grove Nature Reserve from Sunday 23 April until Friday 9 June 2023.

The operation will use 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of wild dogs.

The program is designed to minimise predator impact on wildlife, especially threatened species.

Signs will be located at the entry to the baiting location. Domestic pets are not permitted into NSW National Parks managed land. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.

Please contact the Local Girrakool NPWS area office for further information on (02) 4320 4200. SB0571

“The event was very popular and well received and a good time was had by all who attended, with lucky door prizes and all meals included.

“The Muster was funded through the Australian Men’s Shed Association and could become a yearly event.”

Source: Gosford Community Men’s Shed

“We want to celebrate our staff and volunteers for the positive impact they have on

our patients’ experiences and also hear from our consumers so we can explore ways to

improve local healthcare and ensure we have a personcentred focus.”

Highlights of the expo will include information stalls with local health and wellbeing services and support groups; a conversation with nurse and humanitarian Sarah Morse; inspirational talk and meditation led by author Petrea King; and entertainment from the Glen Dance Group and Gosford Community Choir.

The free event is open to the whole community and will be held at Mingara Recreation Club on Wyong Rd, Tumbi Umbi, from 9am to 2pm on Wednesday, May 3.

Those who can’t make it in person can register for virtual attendance via the internet link: https://redcap.link/CCLHD Registration

Members from 20 Men’s Sheds attended

Notice of 1080 program

Notice of 1080 program

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting an aerial baiting program in Brisbane Water and Popran National Parks from Saturday 6th to Sunday 14th May 2023.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting an baiting program in Brisbane Water and Popran National Park s from Saturday to Sunday 14th May 2023.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting an baiting program in Brisbane Water and Popran National Park s from Saturday to Sunday 14th May 2023

The operation will use 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of wild dogs and foxes. The program is designed to minimise predator impacts on wildlife, especially threatened species, and to minimise impact of wild dogs on neighbouring stock.

The operation will use 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of dogs and foxes.

The operation will use 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of dogs and foxes.

The program is designed to minimise predator impacts on wildlife, especially threatened species, and to minimise impact of wild dogs on neighbouring

The program is designed to minimise predator impacts on wildlife, especially threatened species, and to minimise impact of wild dogs on neighbouring

Signs will be placed at the entry to the baiting location. Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW National Parks managed lands. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance. Please contact the local Central Coast NPWS area office for more information on (02) 4320 4200.

Signs will be placed at the entry to the baiting location. Domestic pets are permitted in NSW National Parks managed lands. Pets and working dogs may affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must restrained or muzzled i n the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.

Signs will be placed at the entry to the baiting location. Domestic pets are permitted in NSW National Parks managed lands. Pets and working dogs may affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must restrained or muzzled i n the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.

Source: Central Coast Local Health District

Sarah Morse Petrea King

New play equipment for Avoca Beach school

Encouraging creative and productive play for kids from Kindergarten to Year Two is a priority for Avoca Beach Public School P&C Association, which can now install a playground shopfront following its success in Greater Bank’s #GreaterCentralCoast Community Funding Program.

The Association receives $2,000 after topping the vote in the program’s March round, with $500 going to runners-up Peninsula Touch Association and Hope Family Cottage.

P&C President Laura Day said the organisation was made up of a bunch of like-minded parents who hoped to make a difference.

“Our P&C works to have productive partnerships with

Five Central Coast students have been awarded Brisbane Water (NSW) Legacy Scholarships, each receiving up to $6,000 per year to support studies at TAFE, university, private college or other educational institutions.

The students — Lisa Pasco, Tristan Livingston, Jaida McKenzie, Annalise Sargent and Jack Griffin —are pursuing studies in various fields including dance, politics, speech pathology, secondary education and special education.

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch recently joined Legatee and Chair of the Scholarship Committee Jenni Bourchier at Legacy Village, Point Frederick, to present the scholarships.

Chaired by Bourchier, committee members Legatees Rex Ward, Eric Flood and Tony Lord interviewed candidates before selecting this year’s

the school principal, teaching staff and the local community to promote the interests of the school and facilitate its development and further improvement to enrich

students’ learning lives,” she said.

“We run the onsite canteen which provides healthy and affordable meals to students, and also the uniform shop run

by our wonderful volunteers.

“We love our school and our community and aim to make a positive impact to both with our contribution.

“We collaborate with the

school community to fundraise at various events like the school fair, election day barbecues and much more, but additional funding like this generous contribution from Greater Bank is very welcome, as it will enable us to add the finishing touches to our recently upgraded K to 2 playground equipment with a new shopfront.

“The school had one some years ago and it’s been very much missed since its removal, so we’re delighted to be able to once again give the younger children the chance to play shop and begin to develop all the skills that go along with that activity.”

Greater Bank Central Coast Regional Sales Manager, Josh Swetnam, said the importance of a good start in education

Legacy scholarships for five students

recipients.

They will also provide ongoing mentoring and support.

Legacy CEO Peter Lawley wished the students the very best for their studies.

“Our scholarship committee plays an incredibly rewarding and important role and we’re proud to provide a platform to connect older and younger generations in our community,” he said.

Lisa Pasco, who is completing a Certificate IV in Dance at Milk Dance Studios, said the course would give her a greater opportunity to pursue a career in both performing and teaching.

“This scholarship will enable me to be able to afford a course that would otherwise be out of my reach,” she said.

Jack Griffin, who is enrolled in a Bachelor of Secondary Education (PD/HPE) and (Special Education) degree, wants to use his time to give

back to his community.

“Receiving the scholarship will allow me to volunteer in multiple organisations to broaden my experience base and find a pathway that most suits my personality, skills and experience,” he said.

In 2023, the organisation will support 15 students, contributing a total of $74,500. Since the program was established in 2001, Brisbane Water (NSW) Legacy has awarded 62 scholarships with a combined value of $681,300.

could not be overstated.

“We love supporting the communities that support us and that includes the hardworking parents and families of the students at Avoca Beach Public School,” he said.

“All kids deserve great opportunities and that’s clearly what the community around this school is all about, so good luck and more power to them.”

There is another $3,000 on offer in the April round, with Empire Bay/Bensville Rural Fire Service, Woy Woy Football Club and Clown Doctors Central Coast the monthly nominees. The public online vote is open at www.greater.com.au/ greatercentralcoast until 5pm on April 26.

Source: Greater Bank

degree,” Gough said.

“The scholarship helped me pay for the daily needs of studying whilst also increasing the time I was able to focus on my courses.

“Now, along with the scholarship committee, we help students from disadvantaged backgrounds to complete their studies by reducing financial pressures.”

Member for Robertson

Gordon Reid has welcomed the announcement that the life-changing cystic fibrosis medication Trikafta will soon be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for children aged 6-11 living with the condition.

Trikafta was first listed on the PBS for those aged 12 years and over on April 1, 2022, and from May 1, 2023, children aged 6 to 11 with cystic fibrosis will also have access to this medicine through the PBS.

Reid said children living with cystic fibrosis and their families

One of those scholarship recipients is Shane Gough, now employed as the Company Accountant for Brisbane Water (NSW) Legacy and one of the administrators of the program.

“I received a scholarship whilst completing my Bachelor’s

Cystic fibrosis medication listed on PBS

will now have affordable access to the life-changing medication.

“The cystic fibrosis community on the Central Coast and across Australia has been fighting hard to list Trikafta on the PBS for children aged 6 to 11,” he said.

“I am so pleased to be a part of a Federal Government that has listened and acted swiftly to get this medication on the PBS, so families with children living with cystic fibrosis do not continue spending obscene amounts of money on Trikafta per year.”

The listing of Trikafta on the PBS will benefit over 500

Australia is born with cystic fibrosis and there is no known cure.

The condition affects the lungs and digestive system.

According to Cystic Fibrosis Australia, the estimated median survival of a person with cystic fibrosis in Australia is 47 years.

Now treatments like Trikafta will improve life expectancy and improve quality of life for people with the condition.

Eligible recipients are aged under 25, residents of the Central Coast and descendants or adopted children of a person who served, or is serving, with the Australian Defence Force. Eligibility requirements and tips for applying are available at https://www. bwlegacyscholarship.com.au. Follow the Brisbane Water (NSW) Legacy Facebook page to hear when applications open later this year for the 2024 scholarships.

Trikafta on the PBS for Australians,” Reid said.

“I was more than willing to lend my support to this campaign, and I was so pleased when the Australian Government announced that Trikafta would be listed.

“This recent announcement is another win for strong advocates like Jess Ragusa, and all Australians living with cystic fibrosis.”

To find out more about cystic fibrosis in Australia, visit: www. cysticfibrosis.org.au.

children

each year. Without subsidy, Trikafta

could cost families more than $250,000 annually. One in 2,500 babies in

“I first met Central Coast local and advocate, Jess Ragusa, who lives with cystic fibrosis, during 2022 when the CF community were calling on the then Federal Government to list

The recently upgraded K-2 playground at Avoca Beach Public will soon have a new shopfront

and their families

Source: Member for Robertson Gordon Reid

Member for Robertson Gordon Reid with CF advocate Jess Ragusa

Source: Brisbane Water Legacy

Left to Right: Annalise Sargent, Tristan Livingston, Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch, Jaida McKenzie, Jack Griffin, Committee Chair Jenni Bourchier and President of Brisbane Water Legacy Patrick Gallagher

You might have limited space or be renting but still want a lush and productive edible garden.

One solution to consider is growing your veggie garden in pots. Other reasons you may have, include the ease of maintenance a potted garden can provide, being able to make your plants more accessible and it is also a wonderful way for beginners to start growing edibles slowly while getting their heads and hands around the basics.

The growing conditions can also be controlled with the ability to move pots to different locations throughout the day, seasons, and year to better suit them and to create microclimates by grouping them closely together.

If the soil is a concern to you in your area, by planting in pots you can avoid it altogether.

A Potted Herb Garden

I don’t think there are many herbs that you couldn’t grow in pots, but these are a few that you can grow without any real issues: Basil, chillies, chives, coriander, mint, oregano, parsley, rocket, rosemary, sage and thyme.

Why don’t you also try growing ginger (Zingiber officinale) in pots? Slow growing but so worth dedicating a pot or two to the cause.

Ginger grows from rhizomes, that’s the part you eat, and you

Down in the Garden: Crops in Pots

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

can use organic ginger that has budded, or you will find that ‘planting’ rhizomes are easy to obtain from suppliers online.

Minimum pot size is 30cm wide and make sure it is deep.

Into this, plant a 3cm piece with a growth bud to a depth of 5cm.

If you have a larger container, the spacing will be 20cm.

Your ginger needs a fun sun, warm position and you must use the best quality potting mix and keep it moist.

Feed with an all-round liquid fertiliser fortnightly.

Ginger is ready to harvest in about 8 months once the foliage dies back.

When that occurs, empty out the pot and collect your spicy, delicious ginger!

Potted Veggies

A few vegetables that will grow successfully in pots

include broccoli, bok choy, cabbage, capsicums, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers, eggplant, kale, lettuce, silverbeet, spinach, tomatoes, beans, peas, snow peas, squash, carrots, garlic, potatoes, radish, and zucchini.

Beetroot is a vegetable garden favourite that does double-duty as the leaves are incredibly sweet and tasty and the beet is a prize either roasted, juiced or pickled.

A heavy feeder, so you will need to ensure a moist soil and fertilise with a complete allpurpose mixture each week, but the return is home grown beetroot which is divine.

You will need a large pot, at least 40cm wide with excellent drainage and top-quality potting mix.

Place in a full sun position. Plant seedlings according to

WHAT’S ON FOR PLANT LOVERS

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

Dried Flower Workshop - Coachwood Nursery, 900 Wisemans Ferry Road, Somersby 3-5pm Sunday 7th May

Take home a gorgeous flower arrangement that you create on the day! Everything supplied. Just bring along: - your own drink bottle, box to take home your creation, pen and paper for taking notes as there is a lot to learn, a jacket as it can get cool in the afternoons at Somersby and comfortable shoes.

Rain, Hail or Shine! Held in the Dried Flower Emporium in the grounds of Coachwood Nursery.

Information and tickets: coachwoodnursery.com

Soil, Pests and Predators in Your Edible Garden with Kerrie Anderson - Holgate, Thursday 18th May, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm

No matter what the size of your garden, from a balcony to acreage, for renters, community gardeners and homeowners alike, this workshop will help you gain skills in soil improvement and integrated pest management.

This workshop is designed for beginners and for those who want to improve their processes. Tickets and more information: synergypermaculture.com.au

THIS WEEK YOU COULD PLANT

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

their type and seeds need to soak in water for a few hours before planting.

Snip off outer leaves to use as needed and harvest beetroots while they are young as they are sweeter.

Orchard of Pots

A moveable fruit farm is appealing to a lot of people, and everyone can have at least one of their most used or loved edible fruits in a pot including apples, apricots, blueberries, cherries, lemons, limes, mandarins, oranges and peaches.

Why don’t you plant some strawberries? Firstly, make sure you have a self-pollinating variety and get a little creative because strawberries love growing in hanging baskets, window boxes and interesting containers that support their cascading habit.

They need lots of sun, a warm position, top quality potting mix and a potassium rich feed when fruiting or in a growth phase.

Simply pot-up the young strawberry or crown in a pot at least 30cm, keep soil moist and wait for the berries.

Types of Pots

There are countless ready to use pots that you can find at local nurseries and even online.

Another consideration is to look at what you can recycle.

As long as the materials are non-toxic and it has adequate drainage, then you can grow your potted garden in it! Be mindful of treated timbers, lead-based paints or toxic metals as these can all leech into the soil and then into your edible plants.

A few fun and planet-saving options include old

wheelbarrows, baths, sinks, buckets, crates, and cans.

Other crops in pots to consider are Australian native foods including warrigal greens (Tetragonia tetragonioides), finger lime (Citrus australasica) and midyim berry (Austromyrtus dulcis).

You will need a specialist native potting soil and fertiliser, but they are rather easy to grow in pots.

You will face similar challenges with all your crops in pots as you would growing in the ground such as pests and disease and there is no difference in the solutions for most of these.

Additional issues will be caused by inadequate drainage, incorrect position, inferior or incorrect soil or the overuse of full-strength fertiliser.

Phone: 4362 2236

Mention codeword BUNNY

Includes all our higher end plants - like Grass Trees, Cactus, Established Trees, Palms etc.

Whether 1 or 50+ plants you will get 15% discount

24 Burns Road, Ourimbah (at the M1 intersection) From

Fundraiser for teen’s life-saving surgery

A high tea will be held at Wyong on May 13 to raise funds for a Central Coast youngster who faces lifesaving surgery.

Callan Lowe, 16, suffers from the Chiari Malformation, a disease which causes him severe head and neck pain, pins and needles down his arms and loss of muscle strength in his upper body.

Without the surgery, Callan won’t make it to his 20th birthday.

There is also an increased risk that every day he suffers from this untreated condition, a cyst in the spinal cord called Syringomyelia could form, leading to paralysis and loss of bladder control.

Callan’s mum Michaela Pert and her three sons live week to week and have managed to save $10,000 for the procedure, but need an additional $22,000.

Callan’s family will stay with him in Sydney after the procedure for at least nine days

because he will be in the High Dependency Ward, with Mum Michaela needing to take time off work to be with her son.

There is also the possibility there will need to be further

surgeries, costing a similar amount, to improve Callan’s quality of life.

The high tea will raise muchneeded funds for Callan’s surgery and rehabilitation.

There will be live music and an online auction with some very special items that can only be bid on by ticket holders.

There will also be a raffle with some wonderful prizes, not to

mention an abundance of sweets, scones and tea.

The event will be held at the Royal Hotel, Wyong, at 2.30pm on May 13.

Tickets can be bought at

Local sporting champs acknowledged

Callan’s Charity High Tea Tickets, Sat 13/05/2023 at 2:30 pm | Eventbrite.

An online charity auction is also being held to help the fundraising effort.

A huge selection of donated goods include homewares, original artworks, self-care packages, once-in-a-lifetimeexperiences and more. Reserve prices have been set significantly lower than the RRP.

The auction will begin at 10am on May 10 and run until 5pm on May 13.

Any auction winners who are at the high tea event will be able to take their prizes home immediately once payment is confirmed.

All remaining items will be shipped to the winning bidders once payment is confirmed. Join the online auction at https://airauctioneer.com/ calluns-charity-auction.

Recipients of the Australian Government’s Local Sporting Champions Program were recently acknowledged at an awards presentation by Federal Member for Robertson Gordon Reid.

The program provides funding of up to $750 towards the cost

of attending championships for coaches, officials and competitors aged 12-18.

Reid said in the Robertson electorate, 23 sporting champions had benefitted from Round 3 of the program, with grants provided through the Australian Institute of Sport.

“To be able to congratulate each recipient personally was a delight and I enjoyed learning more about the sports they are all involved in,” Reid said.

“I want to again congratulate each Round 3 recipient on their sporting achievements and wish them all the best in their

sporting endeavours.

“I encourage local sporting families to visit the Local Sporting Champions website to see whether they might be eligible in future rounds.”

Among the recipients were Miles Greenwood, Emily Rose and Eleanor Shervington.

Greenwood, from Gosford Sailing Club, competed at the international 2022 Asian and OceanianOptimistChampionships in Mumbai, India.

Rose and Shervington, both from Avoca Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, competed at the national Australian Surf

Lifesaving Titles – Aussies.

For more information about the Local Sporting Champions Program visit: www.sportaus. gov.au/grants_and_funding/ local_sporting_champions.

Source: Member for Robertson Gordon Reid

Emily Rose

Eleanor Shervington

Miles Greenwood

Terry Collins

Callan Lowe and mum Michaela Pert Callan Lowe suffers from Chiari Malformation

RUGBY UNION

Despite overcast conditions, Round 2 of the Central Coast Rugby Union provided some top action on Saturday, April 22.

The match of the day at Ourimbah Rugby Park saw the Razorbacks win by 27-7 over The Lakes.

The first half was a real arm wrestle with both teams giving their all.

The Razorbacks opened the scoring with an early try to No.8 Rob Peden.

They were able to increase this score line a little with a penalty goal to take a narrow but handy early lead of 8-0.

The Lakes responded close to halftime with their own converted try to make the

Another big win for Razorbacks

halftime score 8-7 in favour of the Razorbacks.

The Lakes took the lead early in the second half kicking a penalty goal but the home team soon took control on the scoreboard, crossing for three tries in the last quarter of the match to secure the win.

Best players for the Razorbacks were hooker Jade Strongman, flanker Lachlan Peruch and lock Steve Finley.

The Lakes were best served by props Glen Simpson and Ben Kaifa, halfback Bryce Lace, and No.8 Ashton Hutchinson-Walters.

The win took the Razorbacks to the top of the competition ladder.

Avoca Beach scored a 37-7 victory over Hornsby at Heazlett Park.

Avoca Beach took the early lead, scoring two tries, with Hornsby responding later in the first half to take the halftime score to 15-7 after Avoca kicked a penalty goal right on the halftime whistle.

The second half was controlled by the home side, with Avoca Beach posting a further 22 points in the second half to lock in a pleasing win. Best players for Avoca Beach were flanker Blake Jacob, centre Alex Halls, fullback Kye Bonnici and five-eight Sam Evans.

Best performers for Hornsby were halfback Ben Astley and props Angus MacQueen and Russell Yates.

Terrigal had a great start to the season by defeating Lake Macquarie at The Haven Oval

101-5.

It was one-way traffic for the entire 80 minutes, with Terrigal crossing for 15 tries.

Five-eight Adam Danckert was able to post an individual score of 31 points, while Jayden Woolley crossed for four individual tries.

Lake Macquarie was best served by lock Jarod Scott and fullback Franco Quinones.

Terrigal’s best players were flanker Sam Kenny, lock Jacob Moorhouse and fullback Jayden Woolley.

Warnervale recorded a good but narrow victory over Woy Woy at Woongarrah Oval, running out victors by 10-5.

A hard-fought battle saw Warnervale lead 5-0 at halftime.

Defence from both teams

was outstanding, with Warnervale managing to cross for a second try in the second half.

Woy Woy scored a try right on fulltime but it was too late.

Best players for the home team were five-eight Isaiah Niumata, hooker Kye Haslem and flanker Enosi Falekaono, while for Woy Woy, No.8 Tane Lilo, flanker Bruce Folua and fullback Paea Fatuainga Nau were the best contributors.

The Women’s 10’s matches continue to show a great standard with wins recorded by the Razorbacks, who defeated The Lakes in a close one, Avoca Beach and Warnervale, who struggled to overcome an improving Woy Woy team.

The Premier 1 points table sees The Razorback on the lead

Two Coasties bound for Invictus Games

Two Central Coast athletes have been selected to represent Australia at the 2023 Invictus Games in Düsseldorf later this year.

They will be two of the 31 members of Team Australia to compete at the Games from September 9-16.

Craig Ball of Kanwal is an Army veteran of two tours in Afghanistan and a men’s mental health and empowerment mentor.

He is founder of the Central Coast Men’s Walk and Talk mental health awareness group and will be competing in archery, indoor rowing and sitting volleyball.

Ball, who suffers from chronic Post Traumatic Stress and a range of other mental and physical conditions, said working the rowing machine, circuit training and running all helped clear his head.

“I find the rower acts as a pump to expel negative energy from my body which is really quite profound sometimes,” he said.

“I get a grounded feeling from

heavy weights (and) yoga has been vital, allowing negative energy from traumatic experiences to leave my body.”

Ball played rugby growing up and skateboarded into his 20s.

“While serving in the Army I did swimming and I’m hoping that competing in indoor rowing will help me get into surfboat rowing with my local surf club,” he said.

“I would like to get into archery longer term as well.”

Ball said he applied for the Invictus Games to be around like-minded people.

“(I wanted) to be part of a team striving towards a common goal and hopefully raise awareness around men’s mental health,” he said.

Karl Woodward is a Terrigal local who joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 2007 and was deployed across the Middle East as well as South Sudan to support the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.

He will compete in indoor rowing, swimming and wheelchair rugby.

Woodward, who suffers from

chronic back pain and mental health issues, said sport played a vital role in his rehabilitation.

“Over the years I have maintained a decent level of fitness, so keeping fit has always been a part of me,” he said.

“Sport is now helping me maintain purpose, focus and discipline in my everyday life, which ultimately helps my rehabilitation during postservice life.”

Before joining the Air Force Woodward was a competitive swimmer for Gosford Stingrays

with 10, Avoca Beach and Warnervale on 9, Terrigal and Gosford on 5 and Woy Woy on 1.

Round 3 on April 29 will see The Razorbacks take on Terrigal in the match of the day at Ourimbah Rugby Park. Gosford and Woy Woy will battle it out at Gosford Rugby Field, The Lakes will meet Hornsby at Mark Taylor Oval and Lake Macquarie will travel to Heazlett Park to take on Avoca Beach.

In the Women’s 10’s, Warnervale will play Woy Woy at Gosford Rugby Field, The Razorbacks will host Terrigal at home and Hornsby and The Lakes will clash at Mark Taylor Oval.

reignite his passion for sport and to meet like-minded veterans.

Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the entire Central Coast would be backing the two men come September.

“It is great to hear that our very own Coasties will be participating in the Invictus Games in Germany,” he said.

at state and national level and was actively involved with North Avoca Surf Life Saving Club.

Whilst serving he competed at the Australian Defence Force Water Polo Inter Service Championships and the Air Force Surfing Championships.

“My biggest achievement in sport has been my recent performance in the 2022 Australian Indoor Rowing Championships where I placed third in the 1000m,” he said. Woodward said he applied for the Invictus Games to help

“The Invictus Games provides a platform to inspire recovery, rehabilitation and recognition for our wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women and it is fantastic that we have two of our own in Team Australia.”

This will be the first time the Games have been held in Germany; they will be jointly hosted by The German Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) and the City of Düsseldorf.

About 500 competitors from 22 nations as well as about 1,000 family members and friends are expected to flock to Düsseldorf for the Games, which will feature 10 individual and team sports.

Terry Collins

Craig Ball of Kanwal

Karl Woodward of Terrigal

Source: Central Coast Rugby

Avoca Beach triumphed over Hornsby 37-7

The Razorbacks defeated The Lakes in the match of the day

Photo: Ian Cameron

Central Coast paddler

Jemma Smith had a clean sweep at the Shaw and Partners Forster Race Weekend on April 22-23.

After taking out the Women’s Nine Mile Cup from Forster to Black Head Beach on Saturday Smith backed it up Sunday by winning the 20km open-ocean Women’s Forster Ocean Classic from Elizabeth Beach to Forster. Saturday delivered sunny

Double win for paddler Jemma at Forster

conditions with a 12 knot SE cross-wind for the Nine Mile Cup, with the field having to negotiate a shore dump off the start, before they set out on the 13km journey to Black Head Beach.

For Smith, the current women’s world ocean ski champion, it was a return to her happy hunting ground on the Barrington Coast. She led from the start and

stitched up a convincing victory in the Nine Mile, crossing the finish line at Black Head Beach in 1h33s.

Sascha Taurins from Sydney’s northern beaches came second with a time of 1h3m04s, more than 2.5 minutes behind Smith, with Northcliffe ironwoman Emily Doyle taking third spot.

“It was a bit tricky getting off the beach with the shore dump but I managed to get in my ski

and away cleanly which I was happy with,” Smith said after the race.

“It was quite a technical race; the wind was coming from the side but the last few kilometres were fun.”

On Sunday, the field had to conquer a tricky shore break off Elizabeth Beach before setting paddle for Forster, a 12km leg in the open-ocean to the turn of Cape Hawke, and

then 8km through to the finish line at Forster Beach.

For Smith it was far from an easy Sunday afternoon paddle but victory for the 24-year-old was within reach from the getgo.

She won the start, mastering the shore dump and leaving the competition in her wake.

She took the victory in 1h33m03s, more than four minutes ahead of Sascha

Taurins (1h37m.06) and Northcliffe ironwoman, Emily Doyle (1h38m0s).

“It was a tricky start off the beach but I managed to get a good start,” Smith said.

“The wind and swell came from behind and I got some awesome runs off Cape Hawke. “It was exhilarating, it was really fun with so many runners to ride.”

Mariners stun Newcastle Jets in big F3 Derby win

FOOTBALL

The Central Coast Mariners pulled off a stunning 3-1 comeback win against Newcastle on Saturday afternoon, April 22, at McDonald Jones Stadium.

A big contingent of Mariners fans found their way to Newcastle after a call out from the club to support the team in the run-up to the finals series.

From the kick off, the Jets were fired up and on a mission to win the derby game and teach their Central Coast rivals how to play derby football.

The Mariners have learnt to respect the Newcastle Jets in the F3 derby, the oldest and most hard fought derby in the national A-league competition.

Within nine minutes, the Mariners’ fears were confirmed when the Jets hammered home a goal to open the scoring.

Mariners fans fell silent as the roar of the Jets supporters filled the stadium.

The shock seemed to wake

up the young Central Coast team who now adopted a “won’t back down” mantra to hit back through in-form striker Sammy Silvera in the 28th minute.

The game was very much up for grabs at this point as the home side kept firing shots on target, only to be repeatedly denied by the heroic efforts of Mariners Captain-keeper Danny Vukovic.

The score remained at one apiece at halftime, with Mariners fans knowingew the next half of football may decide whether their team’s standing on the league ladder would earn them a home stadium finals match.

The second half was another game entirely.

The Central Coast team came out of the change rooms invigorated and ready to claim a victory.

Though Newcastle began the second half assertively with a couple of good shots on target, Mariners captain Danny

Vukovic made brilliant saves to keep the scores level.

After those scares the Mariners took full control of the game, with in-form striker Sammy Silvera once again the key to success.

After a supremely confident defensive play from Kaltak, Sammy Silvera danced through

the Jets’ midfield with the assistance of young James McGarry and Marco Tulio to calmly slot away the Mariners’ second goal in the 58th minute.

The Jets were reduced to 10 men after a professional foul on Silvera who looked likely to score again.

The Central Coast team took

advantage of the situation with a flurry of attacks on goal from Nkololo, McGarry and Tulio.

Then a deflected shot on goal from McGarry fell at the feet of Tulio who paused, aimed and slotted away the third goal for the Mariners in the 69th minute.

The Jets continued to push

Terry Collins

hard for a comeback, thwarted by strong defence from Nectar Triantis and Brian Kaltak together with quick responses from keeper Vukovic.

The Mariners also kept pushing for another goal, with Jason Cummings and Nisbet coming close without finding a way past the efforts of the Jets’ keeper.

Kaltak was awarded a free kick in the 80th minute from the edge of the penalty area but the strike went wide.

The hard-fought win over the Jets gave the Mariners a sweet victory in the F3 Derby and gave Nick Montgomery his fifth win in six games as head coach.

The Mariners will now take on Adelaide United in Adelaide for the last game of the regular season.

A win in South Australia would push the Mariners into second on the ladder, and a loss would open the possibility of Western Sydney dragging the Mariners down to fourth position.

David Abrahams

Jemma Smith in action on the weekend

Mariners Captain-keeper Danny Vukovic holds the F3 Derby ‘trophy’ aloft

Photo: CCM Media