Coast Community News 393

See page 32

UN alerted to power station health risks

Central Coast and Lake Macquarie environmental group, Future Sooner, has invited the United Nations Special Rapporteur to a meeting to discuss health implications for local residents from coal-fired power stations, their emissions and ash dams.

The invitation is part of the group’s submission to the UN’s Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights, Dr Marcos Orellana, who was seeking input for his report to the Human Rights Council due in September.

The Special Rapporteur, an independent expert appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council, has a mandate to help adopt solutions in regard to harmful substances and human rights issues.

He is an expert in international law, the law on human rights and the environment, who regularly undertakes visits around the world to report on human rights issues.

Spokesperson for Future Sooner, Gary Blaschke, said the UN’s recent

call for submissions from Australia was a good opportunity to deliver information about the damage emissions from coal-fired power stations and their ash dams were having on the health of the people living on the Central Coast.

“The Central Coast has one major industry – coal-fired power stations,” he said.

“We have medical evidence that proves that the Central Coast has an abnormal number of lung diseases and cancers.”

Blaschke said this is recorded in the Australian Bureau of Statistics At Risk Populations, Torrens University Cancer Cluster Report.

“This includes children as young as three years old with brain tumours and teenagers with spinal tumours,” he said.

“Wyong Hospital is getting $6.4M to expand the Cancer Day Care Unit for a projected increase of further cancer cases throughout the region.

Continued page 11

A flashback to the Future Sooner 2021 campaign – hundreds of child silhouettes placed on Mannering Park foreshore in front of Vales Point Power Station to represent children affected by asthma from emissions

Mariners celebrate their win at Parramatta

The Central Coast Mariners have played a grand final game of football that will echo down the ages, beating A-League leaders Melbourne City

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Help support Because We Care Boutique

The Because We Care Boutique is the only service of its kind on the Central Coast and will hold a garage sale on July 1 to help fund its efforts.

In operation for just over four years, it is a referral-only service focused on supporting all women who have or are facing adversity and are seeking to improve their lives and build their personal resilience.

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

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Operating at The Berkeley Centre, Glenning Valley, and run by dedicated volunteers and stylists, the Boutique offers ideas, advice and appropriate and smart attire prior to attending job interviews, first day on the job, and for any other important meetings or appointments.

It aims to instil a level of confidence, caring and connection.

But it’s not just about job interviews.

Some clients have had to flee dangerous situations or have endured ongoing hardship in their lives.

The care and attention they are given at the Boutique can, and does, create an enormous shift in their mental outlook.

Since it opened in 2018, the Boutique has created pathways for support, growth, connection and employment and assisted

more than 500 women, with volunteers logging up more than 5,000 hours.

The Because We Care Boutique currently has one part-time employee and 12 dedicated volunteers who act as stylists, admin officers, cleaners, sewers, fundraisers and event staff.

It is surrounded by some of the region’s most disadvantaged

areas, with unemployment well above the national average.

It was created by Sharyn Becker, who is also creator and co-ordinator of the Community and Business Women’s Network (CBWN), an Iris Foundation project which has been in operation for over five years.

The Because We Care Boutique is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8am-1pm.

The garage sale on July 1 will be held between 9am and 1pm at The Berkeley Centre in Heather Ave, Glenning Valley.

The Boutique will also hold a Christmas in July event at Ettalong Bowling Club on July 22.

For more information visit www.cbwn.org.au

Tickets for Christmas in July can be booked at http://bthe. re/christmas-in-july-charityevent-bwcbcc-2023

Gator health checks a daunting task

Doing health checks on more than 40 alligators is not a job for the fainthearted, but keepers at the Australian Reptile Park recently undertook the dangerous and mammoth task of catching and health-checking their population of American alligators before the winter season begins.

During the winter months, the alligators enter a state of brumation, where their metabolism begins to slow down, their activity decreases and they cease feeding due to the low water temperatures.

Before brumation occurs, the team needs to give every

IN MEMORIAM WARBURTON,

Robert Edward Irvine

Late of Wagstaffe

Passed away 3rd June 2023

Aged 86 years

Cherished husband of Robyn. Beloved father of Tim and Mali. Stepfather of Michael and Cameron. Grandfather of Luca and Miles.

“I have slipped the surly bonds of earth”

Service details Family and friends are warmly invited to celebrate Robert’s life at the Greenway Chapel and Memorial Gardens, 460 Avoca Drive, Green Point on Friday 9th June 2023 at 12:00pm.

alligator a health check to ensure they’re in good condition, especially after breeding season.

Operations Manager Billy Collett said performing a health check on a massive adult alligator is no simple task.

“The process involves keepers wrangling the alligators and restraining them as they check their muscular condition, dental health and overall physical condition since they’ve just come out of breeding season,” he said.

“To make our job a little bit easier, before we let them go, we also applied a small amount of non-toxic paint onto the top of their heads to make sure we don’t catch the same alligator twice and ensure every alligator has been checked over.

“During breeding season, both males and females can

IN MEMORIAM HUNTER, Claire

23-11-1926 - 31-05-2023

Late of Point Frederick

Beloved wife of Albert (dec).

Dearly loved mother of Marisa, Rodney, Glenice (dec) & Julie. Much loved grandmother and great grandmother.

Forever in our hearts

Family and friends of Claire are warmly invited to attend the funeral service to be held 2pm Friday 9 June 2023 at Greenway Chapel and Memorial Park, 460 Avoca Drive, Green Point.

often sustain injuries from either fighting to breed with the best female or protecting the nesting site.

“If any of the alligators have sustained injuries or they’re simply not in the best health and they enter their brumation period, it becomes an even more difficult task to catch that gator and check it over.

“It was non-stop action out there on the lagoon and there were definitely a few close calls, but overall, this health check was really positive.

“Every single alligator is in

great condition as we head into the winter season, and we can’t wait for the weather to warm back up again so we can all see our alligators back in action during our Alligator Feeding Show.”

The Australian Reptile Park has the largest population of American alligators living in Australia and visitors can watch them being fed during the warmer months – generally from September until April.

Source: Australian Reptile Park

Transgrid will be carrying out aerial inspections using helicopters along transmission lines in the towns of and areas of Central Mangrove, Jilliby, Peats Ridge and Yarramalong for one day between 29/05/23 and 09/06/23

The team will take photos of transmission towers and conductors to record their condition. This work will result in increased noise levels, which may affect some livestock.

If you would like further information or to discuss these works, please contact our Community Information Line on 1800 222 537 or contact us via community@transgrid.com.au

Terry Collins

The Boutique has helped more than 500 women since it opened four years ago

Keepers had to wrangle and health check every single alligator

Photo: Australian Reptile Park

Crouch calls for dredging of Ettalong channel

Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch has called on the State Government to provide a timeline for future dredging of the Ettalong channel, with ferry services again disrupted this week.

On June 4, Fantasea Palm Beach Ferries announced on its Facebook page that the 2pm Palm Beach to Ettalong and Wagstaffe service would be cancelled due to a dropping tide and a newly-formed sand bar in the channel.

The next day, it announced the Ettalong and Wagstaffe service would operate under a Diversion timetable for at least a week as large tides and shifting sand bars continued to provide problems, with all services to depart from Patonga instead of Ettalong and Wagstaffe and an update to be

given on June 13. Crouch said concerned constituents had been approaching his office about the disruption and emphasised

the importance of the continued dredging in the channel.

“Since the State Government took over management of the channel back in 2021, we have

seen a general improvement in frequency of crossings between Wagstaffe and Palm Beach,” he said.

“However, with weather

patterns and tides affecting services for the next week, it is important that the State Labor Government come to the table and provide a timeline on the

scope of works for dredging of the channel.”

Crouch said his office had already made representations to the Maritime Infrastructure Delivery Office, the authority responsible for dredging of the channel, as well as Minister for Transport Jo Haylen.

“While the cancellation of services between Wagstaffe and Palm Beach are inconvenient for residents, passenger safety is of the utmost importance for the ferry operator and that is why these cancellations can occur,” he said.

Crouch said he will continue to call on the State Government to ensure that the channel is safe for ferry passage throughout the year.

Terry Collins

Coalition takes a stand against offshore mining

Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch has welcomed an announcement made by the Leader of the Opposition, Mark Speakman, that the NSW Coalition will introduce legislation to go one step further than opposing PEP11, by banning offshore mining and exploration.

Crouch said the move was necessary to fulfill not only the election commitment made by the Coalition in February 2023, but also to protect our vibrant and biodiverse coastal communities from the harmful effects of offshore mining.

“Coastal communities across NSW, including the Central Coast, have been clear in their opposition to offshore mining

and exploration in our waters,” he said.

“That is why I am glad that the Coalition will be introducing the Minerals Legislation Amendment (Offshore Drilling and Associated Infrastructure Prohibition) Bill 2023.

“The Coalition already has a strong track record on environmental protection in our region.

“Under the previous Coalition Government, the PEP-11 exploration license was rejected in 2021 and our position to rule out offshore exploration and mining was made clear by then Deputy Premier Paul Toole in 2022.”

Crouch said he would be calling on Central Coast Labor MPs to support the Bill to

protect local waters from the impacts of offshore mining.

The Coalition is also renewing calls for the Federal Labor Government to prevent offshore mining in neighbouring Commonwealth waters.

The bill will be introduced by Member for Pittwater Rory Amon, who says it makes it abundantly clear that anyone looking to drill for gas in NSW waters won’t have the opportunity.

To help tackle beach erosion, the proposed legislation will continue to allow mineral exploration or mining in NSW waters for beach nourishment where a clear public benefit can be demonstrated.

Applications for community grants now open

Central Coast Council’s 2023-24 Community Grant Programs are now open, with $900,000 in annual funding available.

This is a chance for local community groups and organisations to receive funding to deliver worthwhile projects, programs and events that strengthen the community.

Community and Recreation Services Melanie Smith said local community groups and organisations had until June 30 to apply for funding to help bring their big ideas to life over the next 18 months.

“The three grant programs allow a diverse range of activities, projects and events to be funded to support local groups and organisations to deliver initiatives that enhance

community connection, activate places and spaces and improve quality of life on the Central Coast,” Smith said.

“All grant programs have been developed to support activities and projects that can be delivered within an 18-month timeframe, so it’s important to be aware if that if you’re looking at delivering a project prior to October next year we encourage you to apply now.

“Free grant information sessions and drop-in sessions are available this June to support community members through the application process.

“I encourage anyone interested in applying and looking at ways to strengthen their application to register to

attend a session.”

The 2023-24 Community Grants Program includes: the Community Development Grant Program, the Community Events and Place Activation Grant Program and the Community Support Grant Program.

The Community Development

Grant Program is dedicated to supporting community organisations to implement specific projects, services and activities that provide community outcomes, respond to the needs of the community and enhance the quality of life of residents of the Central Coast.

The Community Events and Place Activation Grant Program aims to support local organisations to deliver community events and activities that activate spaces and places to complement activity around town centres, foreshores, lakes and green spaces for the community and visitors.

Both of these programs open June 1 and close June 30, with up to $20,000 per application available and a total annual program allocation of $300,000.

The Community Support Grant Program aims to support the community to deliver activities which require a small amount of funding and/or assistance with Council services.

This is a small grant program, open all year round and assessed monthly, up to $5,000 per application with a total available annual program allocation of $300,000.

Administrator Rik Hart said Council’s Community Grant Programs are important in helping put ideas into action.

“The available programs are essential to enhance community capacity to support activities, initiatives and projects that benefit and have a positive impact on our local community,” he said.

To view grant guidelines, how to apply and information on the grant information drop-in sessions, visit centalcoast. nsw.gov.au/grants.

Source: Central Coast Council

Ettalong channel

Source: Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch says the move is necessary to preserve coastal communities

Photo: Andy Smith Photography

The Putt Putt Regatta is a previous recipient

Grant is music to their ears

Vocal group Coastal a Cappella is set for some professional coaching, thanks to the Greater Bank’s #GreaterCentralCoast Community Funding Program, which has now given away more than $100,000 to community groups across the Central Coast.

Coastal a Cappella received $2,000 after topping the public vote for the program’s May round, with $500 each going to monthly runners-up, Kariong and Districts Rugby Club and Gosford City Sub-Branch –National Servicemen’s Association & Affiliates.

For the past 31 years, Coastal a Cappella has provided quality music education and performance opportunities for people across the region.

The 48-member women’s a cappella chorus group performs at a range of events

Organisers of the Waves

Inclusive Dance Parties

celebrated the first anniversary of the event by holding another Inclusive Dance Party at the Central Coast Leagues Club on June 2.

The Wave dances for young people with and without disability are organised by a committee of people mostly aged in their 20s, with the support of Social Futures, a not-for-profit organisation and NDIS partner in the community, and the Terrigal Rotary Club.

The dances are held every three months.

Around 200 people attended the June 2 dance, among them Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch, who said was great to “get her groove on” at the

including Woy Woy Everglades Probus Club, Erina Heights Garden Club, Central Coast Council citizenship ceremonies, International Women’s Day Expo, Elsie’s Project Remembrance Walk and various Christmas carols events.

Coastal a Cappella Events Co-

event.

ordinator Jennie Harrison said the funding would assist with the group’s aspirations of performing at next year’s national competition.

“We recently performed at the Sweet Adelines national competition in Brisbane, finishing in the top 10,” she said.

“We’re delighted with that result but are aiming higher at the 2024 nationals in Fremantle. We’re looking to bring in professional coaches to help us reach that next level.

“COVID prevented us from doing anything like this over the past couple of years, so we are very grateful for the support

of Greater Bank and their contribution to our future improvement.”

Greater Bank’s Central Coast Regional Sales Manager Josh Swetnam said the success of Coastal a Cappella underlined the breadth of activities available to people on the Central Coast, as well as the

Waves dance parties a huge success

“Seeing so many people of all abilities laughing, dancing, having fun and doing things that other adults get to do warmed my heart,” she said.

“Thank you to the team at Waves for another successful all abilities dance party.”

Andie Poetschka is one of the young people who helped make the idea of inclusive dance parties on the Central Coast a reality.

The 25-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, lives on the Central Coast and works in disability advocacy.

“I knew the dance parties would be successful, I just didn’t expect them to be this successful,” she said.

“I think the live band has been a big drawcard, because a lot

of people with disability never have the opportunity to go to a live gig so this is a very special thing for them.

“We can also be ourselves there.

“We are not babysat; it’s

created by young people with disability for young people.”

Social Futures Central Coast Community Development Officer Scott Jones thanked Terrigal Rotary and Central Coast Leagues Club for their

ongoing support.

Maggi Vincent from Terrigal Rotary said the group was proud to work alongside Social Futures to support the Waves committee to facilitate social opportunities for young people with disability on the Central Coast.

Poetschka said she moved to the Central Coast from Sydney when she was a teenager and quickly noticed that there were few events where young people with disability could socialise.

“Our first dance party on June 11, 2022, attracted fewer than 60 people, but we had the best time.

“We booked a live band and decorated the function room.

“There was a modest door charge, just to cover costs.

“We promoted the next party

range of community groups supported since the #GreaterCentralCoast program was launched in May 2020.

“We love helping local community groups and are delighted to have passed the $100,000 mark recently, with more to come each month,” he said.

“We are incredibly proud to have made this contribution but more so of the amazing organisations which continue to make the Central Coast region even greater.”

There’s another $3,000 on offer in the June round with monthly nominees being Capes4Kids Australia, Jopuka Productions and Central Coast Dragon Boat Club.

The public online vote is open until 5pm on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at greater.com.au/ greatercentralcoast

Source: Greater Bank

through social media and media, and around 150 came.

“Then we organised another dance close to Christmas and almost 200 showed up.

“It was brilliant, everyone was in fab outfits.”

The dance parties have been so successful organisers have moved the event to a bigger space in Central Coast Leagues Club with a bigger dance floor.

“When I’m at a dance party people come up to me and say, ‘When is the next one, I want to come, I want to be there’,” Poetschka said.

“People are so excited by this.”

There is a $15 door cover to pay for expenses; carers are admitted free.

Source: Social Futures

Taking the leap to raise funds for Westpac Helicopter Service

Five business leaders and one brave community leader took the leap on June 2, abseiling down Crowne Plaza, Terrigal, to raise funds for the Westpac Helicopter Service.

The event not only challenged their fear of heights, but was also an opportunity to reflect on the vital work of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew, who regularly winch people to safety from the bush, ocean and hard to access isolated or remote locations.

The leaders were guided over the edge and throughout the challenge by a highly skilled team from Coal Services’ Mines Rescue, with the plunge

taking place at 10am.

Sara Evans has experienced the services of the helicopter service first-hand.

Last November, she was one

of three people onboard a helicopter which was forced to do a crash landing on Central Coast Hwy at Forresters Beach. She was being flown with her

husband to a birthday celebration with family and friends at a nearby venue.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter’s Critical Care

Medical Team treated and stabilised her before she was flown to John Hunter Hospital for further treatment for serious neck and leg injuries.

Her husband and the male pilot sustained only minor injuries.

Now well and truly back on her feet, Evans, 40, was happy to take part in the event and made the leap alongside the pilot who flew the mission that saved her life, Mark Overton. Also abseiling down Crowne Plaza were Daniel Mason of Chapman Fraser, Nicholle Shepherd of My Financial Advantage, Kardason Rawandzi of Making Foot Prints, chef Daniel Abou-Chedid and Rory Calbert of the Doylo Lifestyle Group.

Source: Westpac Helicopter Service

Coastal a Cappella about to perform at The Hub, Erina, a few days before heading to Brisbane for the Sweet Adelines national competition

Maddy Dimond, Andie Poetschka, Scott Jones, Ben Brown, Brendan Jones , Stephen Epps, Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch and Maggie Vincent from Rotary at the dance party

Daniel Mason and Chef Daniel Abou-Chedid abseil down Crowne Plaza Sara Evans with her son Lincoln and Westpac pilot Mark Overton

Wind farms no threat to whales says Professor

With the northern migration of whales catching a lot of attention – and the prospect of wind turbines off the Central Coast looming in the background – Professor Gregory Andrews says wind farms could actually be of benefit to whales.

Hunter Central Coast Offshore Wind Project by Energy Estate, 25-55km off the coastline between Newcastle and Gosford, is currently in the feasibility stage of development and involves 110 floating turbines, three offshore floating substations and associated infrastructure to connect to the former Munmorah Power Station.

In February the Federal Government announced a proposed Hunter Offshore Renewable Energy Area extending from Norah Head to Port Stephens.

“At the moment some people on the Central Coast appear to be getting sucked in by misinformation about whales and wind farms,” Andrews said.

“They believe a proposed offshore wind farm threatens them as they migrate up and down the coast.

“The science shows Australia’s whales do face serious threats – but not from wind farms.

“Indeed, as part of the world’s urgently-needed shift away from fossil fuels, wind farms can contribute to whales’ security.”

Andrews is an Adjunct Professor at University of Canberra’s Institute of Applied Ecology and was Australia’s first appointed Threatened Species Commissioner from 2014 to 2017.

“It’s something I noticed when I was Commissioner that often issues like this can really divide communities and that’s quite sad,” he said.

“Wind farms don’t effect whales; there are people who think they do but they’re

basically conspiracy theories unfortunately.

“Whales are seriously threatened, but apart from climate change, like all marine species it’s the plastics pollution, discarded nets, ship strikes – and we really need to put pressure on Japan to stop hunting whales.

“Whales are primarily imperilled by climate change which wreaks havoc on their ocean habitat and alters their

food availability and migration patterns.

“Data shows many are already returning from Antarctica malnourished.

“Over-fishing also depletes their food sources and toxic pollution contaminates their environment and harms their health.

“Ship propellors and noise caused by busy maritime traffic are also major threats.

“Wind farms are not.”

Andrews said wind farms could benefit whales by helping combat climate change through their generation of clean, renewable energy without greenhouse gas emissions.

“By reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, wind farms help protect ocean habitats from the impacts of rising temperatures and ocean acidification,” he said.

“Wind energy has another

noteworthy advantage for whale conservation in regions like the Central Coast, Newcastle and the Hunter, where burning and exporting coal are major activities.

“Transitioning to renewable energy and ceasing coal exports can substantially reduce shipping traffic.

“This lowers the risk of ship strikes and noise pollution to whales and thus helps safeguard their well-being.

“The Port of Newcastle handles 4,700 ship movements per annum – it is the biggest coal exporting facility in the world – and each ship represents a threat to whales everywhere it travels.

“And indirectly, each ship threatens whales through its facilitation of coal exports and global emissions.

“Coal is the world’s number one source of climate damage and Australia is the world’s biggest coal exporter.

“Protecting whales requires a multifaceted approach … and transitioning to renewable energy sources like wind can help forge a sustainable future for our whales.”

Sue Murray

A humpback whale and baby

Professor Gregory Andrews

Photo: Jess Hadden

Two major Landcare awards for CEN

The Community Environment Network’s (CEN) Land for Wildlife (LFW) program and its Wildplant Nursery have both won major Greater Sydney Region Bushcare and Landcare Awards.

The 2023 Greater Sydney Regional Bushcare Landcare Awards Forum was hosted this year by Greater Sydney Local Land Services to celebrate the achievements of environmental volunteers.

The theme Connectivity captured works that fostered connection across landscapes, culture and connection to Country across Greater Sydney.

Land for Wildlife NSW (LFW) won the 2023 Partnership for Landcare Award and the CEN Wildplant Nursery received the coveted 2023 Community Group Award.

CEN CEO Samantha Willis said she was proud that both

the Wildplant Nursery and the Land for Wildlife volunteers, who worked thousands of hours each year, had been recognised for their efforts.

“All the groups who made submissions for the awards were incredibly dedicated and produced great outcomes for the environment across rural and regional NSW, so the competition and standard of entries was incredibly high,” she said.

“We are now finalists in the

NSW Landcare and Local Land Services Awards along with finalists from all the other regions across NSW.

“In turn, NSW winners will compete in the National Landcare Awards.

“The Land for Wildlife Program is a voluntary property registration scheme for landowners who wish to manage areas for biodiversity and wildlife habitat.

“CEN provides NSW-wide coordination and the framework

for Land for Wildlife in partnership with interested local organisations.

“LFW encourages and assists landholders to include nature conservation along with other land management objectives.

“It is free to join and registration will not change the title of the land.”

Willis said the Wildplant Nursery was another integral part of CEN’s commitment to ecologically sustainable development on the Central

Nell turns 100 in style

Coast.

“Our Wildplant Nursery volunteers collect and propagate local provenance flora species,” she said.

“They work across two sites at Tuggerah and Ourimbah, collecting seeds, operating a seed bank, growing seedlings, watering and nurturing stock.

“We offer plants to the public through an online shop and a sale at our Ourimbah nursery on the first Saturday of every month.

“Our nursery volunteers are an excellent team of caring individuals, and their collective knowledge of local flora is astounding.

“We are so proud of both groups and delighted they have been chosen from groups across Greater Sydney to receive these awards.”

The awards were presented at a major event in Katoomba, where Willis gave a presentation on CEN’s COSS Connection and Rehabilitation Project –Improving habitat connectivity across the landscape.

The project works with local landowners to improve the habitat and biodiversity on their land and eradicate pests and weeds.

Visit cen.org.au for more information about Land for Wildlife and the CEN Wildplant Nursery.

Source: Community Environment Network

Helen Melville’s mother lived to be 108 and she is out to beat that record.

Known throughout her life as Nell, she is well on the way, with two big parties to celebrate her 100th birthday recently.

The first was held at her home in Henry Kendall Serviced Apartments at Wyoming, on her actual birthday, Friday, May 26, then a large family party of 90 the next day seeing relatives from the Northern Territory, Wagga Wagga, Queensland and Sydney join local family members.

Born in Wagga Wagga after a 14-mile trip by horse and sulky from her family’s dairy farm at Gregadoo, Nell was raised in a

four-room home with only a veranda for a kitchen and no facilities, running water or bathroom.

The back veranda was eventually closed in to add a kitchen and bathroom as Nell’s parents, Dave and Alice Swan, raised seven children.

She started school at the age of seven, riding a small pony the three miles to and from school each day, until she was 14 and expected to go out to work.

Nell’s first job was on a large sheep station in the area as a housemaid, after which she worked at a hotel in Wagga Wagga as a housemaid.

Meanwhile, Bryan Melville

had started working on the farm next door and soon became a regular visitor to the Swan farm.

The second eldest of 14 children, he was sent out to work at 13 and earned seven shillings and sixpence (75c) per week, giving his mother five shillings, or 50 cents, each pay day.

Bryan moved on to work for the railways at Junee as a fireman on the steam engines running on the main southern line between Junee and Albury, eventually becoming a driver.

When the two married in the depression years, there was no such thing as a wedding dress; no-one could acquire such an elaborate outfit, so it was a

good street outfit.

At the age of 20, Nell gave birth to Helen Margaret and 19 months later to Catherine Alice.

The couple moved to Sydney, where Bryan worked as a crane driver and truck driver at Clyde Wagon Works until his retirement, living with two of Bryan’s sisters initially, during which time their third child John arrived, before buying a block of land at Merrylands and building their own home.

Nell worked in a clothing factory making jeans for quite a few years, before moving on to work at a new factory at Hornsby for some years.

She and her friend Agnes eventually bought the business

and ran it successfully for 16 years.

With only seven years of primary school to her credit, Nell ran the financial side of the business, keeping the books, making up the wages, organising staff employment and acting as the forelady.

Deciding they needed a tree change, Nell and Bryan sold up and moved to Mudgee where they opened a coffee shop, The Coffee and Cream, which they operated very successfully for some years.

After moving briefly to Queensland, the couple eventually built a home at Tuggerah to be closer to family.

But Queensland was still

calling and the couple moved back to the sunshine state into a village.

When Bryan had a stroke at the age of 90 and passed away suddenly, Nell sold up and moved back to the Central Coast – settling first into Pine Needles at Erina and then Henry Kendall.

Despite a hearing loss, Nell enjoys outings with her carer Mary.

Nell has three children, 22 grandchildren, 24 greatgrandchildren and four greatgreat grandchildren, with five generations of the family still going strong.

Source: Helen Smyth

Helen and Bryan Melville on their wedding day

Helen (Nell) Melville with family members at her birthday celebration

Helen (Nell) Melville on her 100th birthday

John Asquith and Samantha Willis with the Land for Wildlife Award

Wildplant Nursery volunteers with their award

Construction Commenced

The landmark Archibald by ALAND project in Gosford is commencing construction. Archibald will become Gosford’s most vibrant and dynamic lifestyle destination, combining apartment living with an upscale hotel and an exciting dining precinct.

Archibald features upscale amenities, boasting a rooftop Skybar and Lounge with uninterrupted water views, pool with swim-up bar, a luxurious new hotel, and a dining precinct on the ground floor.

– 1, 2, 3 & 4 bedroom apartments & signature penthouses

– Spacious bedrooms, chic kitchens & luxurious bathrooms

– Easy access to both Sydney & Newcastle

– 20 minutes by car to Terrigal & Avoca beaches

– ALAND is a trusted property developer & builder with a 100% completion rate

Hundreds gather to celebrate reconciliation

Thursday, June 1, saw an inspiring celebration of reconciliation and First Nations Cultures take place in Gosford.

Coast Shelter and a number of local organisations, businesses and schools got together at Industree Group Stadium to acknowledge and celebrate reconciliation.

A march down Mann St preceded the stadium gathering.

The event, which had an overwhelmingly positive turnout of more than 600 people from the community, was an opportunity to celebrate and share in the history and

culture of Australia’s First Nations Peoples. The event was officially opened by local elder, Uncle

Gavi Duncan, who performed a moving Welcome to Country and spoke about coming together as one community to

foster understanding, respect and a commitment to work together.

A performance by The Glen

for Women followed, with an evocative cultural dance providing a moment of reflection for all in attendance.

Upgrade for Leagues Club Park

Leagues Club Park in Gosford is set for some upgrades to improve its usability in time for the July school holidays.

The waterside park has a tidal terrace, picnic and barbecue areas, a playspace, and a field but it has been plagued by poor drainage, which was not addressed during recent works by the State Government.

So Central Coast Council has closed the area to upgrade the

drainage system, which will prevent water from pooling on the field and surrounding paths after rain and allow for community use.

The field is expected to reopen by the end of June 2023, after the grass has had time to re-establish itself.

In addition to drainage works, Council will also enhance accessibility to the tiered seating and barbecue areas by replacing the crushed granite

Coast Shelter First Nations Co-ordinator, Peter Downie, said it was an inspiring afternoon of cultural appreciation and understanding.

“We really appreciate the support of our community and local organisations towards this cause and look forward to seeing this event grow to be bigger and more impactful every year,” he said.

A march down Mann St preceded the gathering

Source: Coast Shelter

with concrete surfaces. To minimize disruption to park visitors, the works will be carried out in small sections with each area being closed off temporarily as work progresses. The works got underway on May 29, with completion expected in time for the July school holidays, weather permitting.

Source: Central Coast Council

Developing Emotional Literacy in Children

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

Wednesday 16th August 2023

Commencing at 5.00pm (duration approx. 1 hour)

Hillside Chapel, Palmdale Lawn Cemetery & Memorial Park, 57 Palmdale Rd, Palmdale

More than 600 people attended the event

Leagues Club Park is set for an upgrade

Highlight your concerns at Rik Hart pop-up

If you have something you want to raise with Central Coast Council Administrator Rik Hart, now’s your chance to bring it to his attention.

Hart will do a pop-up “meet the residents” session at Taste of Wyong, to be held as part of the Harvest Festival on Saturday, June 10.

The event is set to bring the Wyong Town Park to life.

“I’ll be attending the Taste of Wyong event, which is one of 32 Harvest Festival hubs, to host a pop-up stall where community members can speak to myself and Council staff about the issues that matter to them,” Hart said.

“This will be the second popup in a series I’m hosting at

various Council events throughout this year, to chat with and hear from members of our community and increase opportunities for engagement.

“I invite the community to come down to Wyong Town Park to sample the wonderful offerings of local Wyong eateries, support our local businesses, and stop by to have a chat with me about the

issues that matter to you.

“I value the chance to hear directly from members of our community and look forward to the event on June 10.”

For more information about Taste of Wyong, head to: www. centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/ whats-on/council/taste-wyong

Central Coast Council Water and Sewer is seeking feedback from residents and businesses about Council’s water and sewer services.

Community members are encouraged to share their feedback in an online survey which was launched on Council’s website on Monday, June 5.

Council’s Director of Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader, said community participation will help identify Council’s water and sewer key focus areas moving forward.

“Greater participation in the survey will ensure that Council’s water and sewer services and investment are

focussed towards the areas that our customers and community values most,” he said.

“The survey is the third and final phase of the current community consultation, however we will continue to engage with our community into the future.

“Phases one and two consisted of face-to-face forums and focus groups.

“This made sure that participation included a broad representation of people.

“This final phase is an opportunity for all Central Coast water residents to have their say.

“The survey will confirm the values and outcomes

determined from the earlier phases.

“It will also help define the upcoming information and performance metrics that we will share with our community.

“We will gain clarity on our customer preferences in how they want to receive information, including the frequency of communications.”

Council Administrator Rik

Hart said community engagement is part of Council’s ongoing commitment to work closely with the community.

“We value the contribution made by our community in helping us form the future of Council’s water and sewer services,” he said.

“These community consultations ensure that we continue to act with transparency and accountability.”

The community consultation is informing the development of Council’s new Water and Sewer Customer Charter outlining the responsibilities between Central Coast Council and customers.

The water and sewer

engagement project continues

Council’s collaboration with community which began in 2021, underpinning the previous proposal delivered to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).

IPART are responsible for setting fair prices for water, sewerage and stormwater drainage and holding water authorities accountable for their services.

The survey will close on Monday, July 3.

To have your say visit yourvoiceourcoast.com/water services

Source: Central Coast Council

Umina Beach Pin-up off to the Gold Coast

When Carmen Perrin of Umina Beach opened her vintage photography studio, Viva La Vintage, nine years age, she was introduced to the world of Pin-Up and will be one of three representatives from NSW to appear in the Cooly Rocks On Pin-Up Pageant on the Gold Coast this week.

“The Pin-up community has a large presence in Sydney and on the Central Coast, with connections to Melbourne and New Zealand,” Perrin said.

“We wanted to connect with our Queensland sisters and having three NSW entrants accepted is wonderful.

“On the Central Coast we have been involved with

song from the Alice in Wonderland movie from the

The Cooly Rocks On festival on the Gold Coast is Australia’s largest nostalgia festival and will be held in Coolangatta from June 7-11.

It will include high-profile international performers including Shawn Klush, widely considered the best Elvis

tribute artist in the world..

Other performers will include Swedish rockabilly trio The Go Getters, Johnny Pandora and his band from Japan and New Zealand’s original retro rockers Boom! Boom! Deluxe.

Multiple stages and venues across the precinct will play the best of Australia’s rock ’n’ roll, rockabilly and swing and attendees can meander

through the Nostalgia Markets, wander through Kustomville or check out one of the country’s biggest collections of classic cars, customs, hot rods and more in the renowned Cooly Rocks On Show ‘N’ Shine. Check the full program on the Cooly Rocks On website.

Terry Collins

Carmen Perrin was introduced to the world of Pin-up when she opened her vintage photography studio

Photo: George Koncz Photography

More than 3.7 million people flocked to Central Coast beaches over the summer season, with Council lifeguards and Surf Life Saving volunteers performing more than 1,700 rescues.

The beach patrol season came to an official close on Tuesday, April 25, with the 2023/24 season to recommence on Saturday, September 23.

More than 3,200 first aid incidents were treated at the region’s 15 patrolled beaches.

Central Coast Council Unit Manager, Leisure Beach Safety and Community Services, Phil Cantillon, said Council was already preparing for the 2023/24 season.

“While the patrol season for

From page 1

“We have witnessed unprecedented fish kills in Lake Macquarie and water toxicity so high that residents are advised not to eat the fish.”

Blaschke said there was evidence that showed there was an apparent trend of lower NAPLAN results the closer a

Bumper season at Coast beaches

2022/23 has concluded we are preparing for the upcoming season by servicing, maintaining and replacing beach safety equipment and updating vital rescue equipment used to conduct beach operations,” he said.

“Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) with support from the NSW Government has also been working collaboratively with us to install Emergency Response Beacons (ERBs) at three locations across the Coast – Budgewoi Beach, The Entrance Channel and Pearl Beach – to extend the reach of lifesaving operations all year round.

“The ERBs connect the community to SLSNSW State Operations Centre where a State Duty Officer is on hand to

gather important information, issue instructions and obtain appropriate services in an event of an emergency.

“Until the next patrol season, we encourage the community to check out safe swimming

options available throughout the winter period at The Grant McBride Baths at The Entrance, Toukley Aquatic Centre, Gosford Pool and Peninsula Leisure Centre.”

Administrator Rik Hart said

both Council lifeguards and volunteers across the 15 surf life saving clubs on the Coast worked tirelessly to ensure everyone had a safe summer season.

“The numbers of rescues and first aid treatments recorded this year are high and reflect the tremendous effort Council lifeguards and Surf Life Saving Central Coast lifesavers put in every day to keep our beautiful beaches safe,” he said.

“Just as we continue to enhance safety in preparation for the 2023/24 season it is important to remember that while the summer season is over, many are still visiting our beaches to enjoy the water.

“I urge everyone to keep safety top of their mind when in and around our waterways.”

UN alerted to power station health risks

school was to a power station.

He cites the 2020 research, Coal Use and Student Performance, a report by Valentina Duque of the University of Sydney and Michael Gilraine of New York University.

“We have presented this evidence to our local MPs and representatives of the

Environmental Protection Authority – but so far, nothing,” Blaschke said.

“The Coal Ash Inquiry findings of March 2021, Report 4, were unanimous with 16 recommendations.

“How many of these have been implemented? None.

“The Committee comment on

When: Thursday 22 June 10am-12pm

Where: Ground Floor, Suite 3, 40 Mann Street, Gosford NSW 2250

page 32 of the Inquiry findings states that ‘we are disappointed with the response by the NSW EPA and NSW Health to community concerns about potential links between the circulation of additional metals in the air and waterways and impacts on health outcomes for the community. This response, in conjunction with

the lack of research conducted to date on this matter, demonstrates a complete disregard by the government towards the health of its citizens’.

“It appears that the NSW government and the EPA do not consider the health of its citizens living on the Central Coast important enough to take

Safety tips include: always take some sort of flotation device; never swim alone; when rock fishing, wear appropriate safety equipment, let others know where you are going and carry a phone; avoid swimming for at least one day after heavy rain to decrease exposure to stormwater pollution; and when out on the water, be sure to check your vessel, check the weather, wear appropriate safety equipment, prepare children, let others know where you’re going and know what to do in an emergency.

For more information and patrolled beach locations, visit www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au /beaches

Source: Central Coast Council

action against coal-fired power stations and their emissions.

“Nor do they think it important to create an environment where residents can breathe clean air and enjoy the benefits of unpolluted water.

“Well let’s see what the UN thinks.”

Sue Murray

1300 581 391

The Emergency Response Beacon located at The Entrance Channel

Liberal Party’s ‘No’ stance questionable

The policy of the Federal Liberal Party to argue against the Voice Referendum is questionable on several grounds.

The latest argument, presented by Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton, that a Yes vote would re-racialise the voters is unconvincing.

Even National Party leader David Littleproud distanced his Party from this oppositionism.

In the 1967 referendum, which removed the non-citizen status of the Indigenous people in Australia’s archaic Constitution (Section 51) , more than 90 per cent voted in favour.

Since then, the Mabo High Court decision confirmed land rights for the Indigenous people.

Today, at public meetings, statements of recognition of the rights of the First Nation are common practice.

If anything, the No case as presented by Dutton reflects an ultra-reactionary view which cannot do the official Opposition Party any good.

Most Australians, if properly informed, will agree that the Voice is a further step forward. Certainly, there is a lot more to do to improve Australia’s Constitution.

Sadly, knowledge of that Constitution is still very inadequate, as the 2004 Inquiry into the loss of the Republic Referendum in 1999 made clear.

Rewriting it would be the best solution.

Dutton argues that the voters might become re-racialised.

That in itself confirms that the voters are now not racialised, a term he seems to have invented for the occasion.

The task of the Opposition in the Westminster system mainly is to oppose, to say no to the proposals of the Government.

The electoral system has also been shaped in the context of that purpose.

It was formed during the period of industrialisation in Britain in the 19th century and exported to British colonies, also even to most US states.

The principal parties represented the owners of land and industrial capital versus the growing power of the workers.

The Single Member Districts were represented by just one of either Party – Tories or Labour.

This system was exported to

all the colonies including Australia, except Tasmania.

The Parliaments were shaped likewise, Government and Opposition, seated opposite.

Compromises are difficult in such systems as the adversarial culture permeating the entire political system is dominant.

However, this can result in highly negative outcomes, including undemocratic outcomes and stagnation.

In Australia it also has frequently stopped constitutional amendment.

It could happen here again with the Voice.

Especially here, because of Section 128, that requires double majorities.

This has blocked most attempts.

It is the principal reason why we have an archaic Constitution. Australia should change its electoral system to Proportional Representation first adopted in Tasmania following the ideas of Andrew Inglis Clark.

That’s where the Hare-Clark system comes from.

It was later applied to the Senate in 1948 by the ALP.

That is why we have a more democratic and representative body in the Senate, to the

chagrin of both Keating and Howard.

Proportional Representation should be applied to all lower houses as well to improve Australia’s democracy.

It would do away with the oppositionist, adversarial character of the two-party system and political culture.

Ninety countries use PR systems; they are fair, democratic and especially suit multi-cultural societies.

Female representation is also much better in such systems.

The essence of them is to seek co-operation to form majority government, after the election in multi-member electorates.

It is a system that would suit Australia’s co-operative social culture perfectly.

Given the shift to Independents in the Federal Government and the quite limited support for the major parties in the 2022 election, it would seem to me that Australia should be moving to a new electoral system based on Proportional Representation. A system that does not require major parties to come up with nonsensical positions for the sake of oppositionism.

Email, Jun 5 Klaas Woldring, Pearl Beach

Time to do something about inequality

There is a great similarity in Australia today (to) three years I spent working in what is now Zimbabwe in Africa, and the white dominated parts of Africa at that time, during the 1960s.

There we had white people telling the indigenous population what they could or could not do and whether they had any right to their own country.

I was young at the time, 19, so still impressionable, but after three years I had come to realise one important thing and it was that no matter what

Problems with self-checkouts

I have experienced at least two serious issues with the Coles self-checkouts, and it behoves readers to be aware of them lest they find a surprise on the final bill.

It is all too easy to accidentally scan an item twice; this then requires the intervention of a supervisor, as there is no way for the shopper to correct their mistake.

As someone with both an electronics and an IT background I do not understand why the machines cannot detect the same barcode being scanned twice in quick succession; in the electronics industry this is known as “switch bounce” and is easily corrected in both hardware and software.

Similarly, it is ridiculously easy to select the wrong menu item for fresh produce, again requiring a supervisor to deign to help.

Why cannot the shopper be

FORUM

trusted to correct their own mistakes?

We’re not children, after all, and unlike the now-ex staff we have not received any training on these devilish devices.

I believe it is reasonable for those shoppers forced to take on the burden of doing the checkout staff’s job for them to receive a discount on the final bill; surely they can afford that from not paying the wages of the staff that they must’ve sacked.

I note that this system has been in operation for well over a fortnight, at various stores; why was there no warning?

Coles’ silence on these issues is deafening, and is paternalistic to say the least; it is a major PR failure.

FORUM

colour a person’s skin is we are all human beings.

After that experience I tried always to remember that and not distinguish people by colour.

Thus when I see the current debate about the Voice I realise that Australia is still predominately a colonial racist country which thinks it has the right to dictate terms to the indigenous people of this country.

I also am amazed at the way the indigenous people allow

themselves

to be told such.

They are being humiliated and yet seem to think that is acceptable.

The truth is that we have neglected certain peoples in this country, not just indigenous people, at the expense of a small percentage gaining obscene wealth.

We glorify the few who buy multi-million dollar homes and flaunt their privileged life, whilst a substantial percentage of our population cannot afford a small house and clean water, cannot find employment and cannot get education for their children.

This is a carbon copy of colonial Africa, yet we just do not see it and continue to excuse our actions with weak platitudes about the Constitution making it necessary for us to control the vote at the referendum for the Voice.

The Constitution being a document drawn up by racist colonialists.

It is time all Australians woke up and did something about it because leaving it to the politicians will achieve nothing.

Email,

Jun 3

Geoff Mitchell, Kariong

Old asbestos shed goes up in flames

Just after 11am on Friday, June 2 multiple fire brigades, ambulance and police were called out to Glen Rd, Ourimbah, to deal with an asbestos structure which was destroyed by fire.

Once on scene crews immediately got to work with firefighters wearing breathing apparatus to safely contain and extinguish the fire in the work/ storage shed.

Also, firefighters were quick to contain and put out a number of smaller fires starting in nearby vegetation.

Fire crews remained at the site for several hours until the area was deemed safe and returned to the residents who were uninjured in the incident.

Rural Fire Service crews attended from Tuggerah, Narara, Ourimbah, Kariong and Matcham Holgate, together with NSW Fire and Rescue team from Wyoming and Berkeley Vale who assisted with crew decontamination.

Source: Tuggerah RFS

Net-zero means dark times ahead, literally

Dark times ahead FORUM

This would apply now even if the authorities came to their senses immediately and gave attention to nuclear.

This is because of the long lag time required to get nuclear facilities up and running even with help from our AUKUS friends.

Down jackets, beanies and ugg boots are highly recommended for inside use

during the dark times coming. For those who can afford it, a home-240v electricity generator would make for comfort, but then not net-zero as they are nearly all dieselpowered.

For extreme summer conditions, wet t-shirts are recommended.

Email, May 26 Charles Hemmings, Woy Woy

Police appeal to locate Kirt Field

Central Coast residents, especially people living in the Chain Valley Bay area, are being asked by Tuggerah Lakes Police to keep a lookout for Kirt Field.

He is wanted on outstanding warrants for assault offences in the Port Stephens-Hunter Police District.

Field, aged 37, is described of being Caucasian in appearance, about 180cm tall, of solid build, with black hair and brown eyes.

He could be driving a silver Jeep Grand Cherokee with the NSW registration DF81F1.

Police have conducted extensive inquiries throughout areas where is known to spend time – Rutherford, Newcastle, Bellbird, Kulnura, Dubbo, Cobar

and Chain Valley Bay – however, he has not been located.

Anyone who sees Kirt Field, or knows of his whereabouts, is urged not to approach him but to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Source: Tuggerah Lakes Police

Email, Jun 5 Dave Horsfall, North Gosford

Multiple crews attended the Ourimbah fire

Australia fell in love with her when she represented the nation at Eurovision in 2016 and next month Dami Im will appear at Avoca Beach Theatre as part of a tour to celebrate her latest EP, In Between.

Backed by her “Dami Army”, Im became Eurovision royalty when she finished runner-up and her career has gone ahead in leaps and bounds since.

“Eurovision changed my life in so many ways,” she said.

“It took my career to the next level.

“My song charted in over 40 countries and it gave me the reassurance that I should keep making music.

“Before Eurovision I had small-time ambitions but it gave me the confidence to forge ahead.

“It was a big turning point for me in so many ways.”

Im again captivated the nation when she appeared as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars in 2020.

“I’ve never been much of a dancer but I love a good challenge – and that was one of the toughest I have ever had,” she said.

“I learnt a lot about moving and how much it takes to be able to dance and I’m really glad to have given it a shot.”

The new EP, released to coincide with an east coast tour, is a reflection of Im’s

personal journey through the process of becoming a mother.

“I started working on the EP in 2021 when I fell pregnant,” she said.

“For me it was a really rough period, processing the change that was coming to my life.

“Everybody goes through different seasons in their life –you have to accept them whether you’re ready or not.

“I felt I was not quite ready for motherhood and went through a great many emotions throughout that time.

“I finished the seventh track just after my son was born.

“When I began working on the EP I was frustrated and angry at society – how they

perceived women and the pressure put on mothers.

“I moved on to accepting my new season and grieving the past and by the last track I had progressed to realising those ‘in between’ moments in life are a treat and should be enjoyed.”

With son Harry just turning one, Im said she had “learnt so much” in the past year.

“There is a lot more love and joy and happiness in being a mother than I had expected – I had only anticipated the hard bits,” she said.

The seven tracks chronologically document the seven stages of Im’s emotional states, exploring themes of identity, societal expectations,

love and friendship, before ultimately realising that life exists within the liminal space of In Between.

Many collaborations took place on the EP including five tracks which were co-written and produced by ARIA and APRA award-winning songwriter, producer (and guitarist for Sheppard) Jason Bovino.

Invincible was also co-written with Amy and George Sheppard.

Im’s current single Collide was written by Tom Eggert and produced by Andy Mak and the EP’s title track, In Between was co-written by, and features, singer, songwriter and producer, Jude York.

The tour is being presented

Challenging Wills Seminar

by Destiny Rescue, for whom Im is an ambassador.

Destiny Rescue is an Australian-based organisation with the mission of rescuing children from global sex trafficking and exploitation. Dami Im will appear at Avoca Beach Theatre on July 15. Bookings are available on the theatre website.

At the tail end of the east coast tour Im is looking forward to appearing at Bluesfest.

“This is a really important show for me and I hope to put out another EP later in the year, recorded at the festival,” she said.

Terry Collins

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

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

Dami Im will be at Avoca Beach Theatre on July 15

free public seminar is being given by Brazel Moore Lawyers to help people understand what to expect, so they know where they stand in:

Two new books by female Central Coast authors will be launched from 10.3011.30am on Saturday, June 10, at Jasmine Greens Park Kiosk, Umina Beach, as part of the Words on the Waves Writers Festival.

Judith Krieger’s Your Native Language is Your Superpower (Reinventing Yourself With Joy in a New Country) is a powerful, uplifting guide to living in a new country with confidence, style and joy.

Living in a new country with a new language can be an emotional rollercoaster.

It’s no small feat to leave behind everything you’ve known and dare to imagine a different life for yourself.

It’s a journey that asks you to develop a brand of courage, soul-searching and personal growth that staying in your birth country would never ask of you.

From culture shock to homesickness to the language barrier,from work environments to mixed-nationality relationships and more, following the powerful guided exercises weaved throughout the book will leave the reader feeling proud of herself and

Book launch for two Coast authors

excited about the fascinating woman she is becoming.

Krieger said the book had its birth while she was encouraging workshop participants to love their accents.

“They were all trying so hard to ‘fit in’ with the Aussie culture and to sound like an Aussie so they didn’t feel so different, that they had lost a part of themselves,” she said.

“And that part was the confidence to step out as the fascinating women they are, an enticing mix of their heritage and their adopted country and culture, delighting and charming with their accents, and celebrating all the aspects of their evolving identity.

new culture.

“Culture shock is a real thing.

“And as for finding your way around the language barrier –that sure takes some courage.

“It’s so easy to lose your confidence and sense of self in an environment that feels so different to what you’re used to.

“I’m an Aussie with French influence from my husband and his family.

MISSING LINK

“Born and raised on the Northern Beaches, I spent two years in London in my mid-20s, where I met my French Swiss husband.

opportunity to decide who you want to be and how you want to show up for yourself in an exciting new way.

“That thought is what inspired my book.

“Seeing the ladies I was coaching sit taller and smile wider as they began to accept their accent as a charm sparked the idea of giving all the challenges of adapting to a new culture a chic makeover.

Perrottet is a wife and mother with more than 40 years of experience raising and educating her 13 children in Australia and the USA.

She has degrees in Education, Psychology, Community Welfare and Counselling and is currently completing a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology and runs her own private counselling practice.

“As our family grew so did the notebooks.

“These little notebooks became known affectionately as the Red and Black Books, simply because they are red and black.

“Throughout my 20 years of running French sessions in childcare centres on the Northern Beaches and North Shore and the past eight years where I’ve been coaching bilingual women to delight children in their own languages, I’ve heard so many stories about the emotional challenges that these brave women experienced as they made their new lives in their adopted countries.

“It’s not always easy to confidently find your place in a

“Having lived on the Central Coast for the past 12 years with our two (now-adult) sons and my mother-in-law who followed her son to Australia, we have each navigated the blend of French and Australian customs, perspectives, habits and ways of seeing the world in our own individual ways.

“Just like the women in my workshops, there are times when it’s been challenging for us all.

“But there’s also something magical about living with new cultures.

“It can be a fantastic

“My desire is that readers will feel uplifted and proud, celebrating their journey so far and leaving with techniques and processes for navigating new experiences with a sense of fascination, and stepping out in their adopted country with confidence, style and joy.”

The second book to be launched on the day is Thriving and Surviving Raising Thirteen by Anne Perrottet, who takes the reader on a very personal journey through motherhood, it’s joys and heartbreaks, its many stretching moments, its sometimes near despair, and ultimately its rewards.

She writes not as an expert, but as a woman who like many, is simply trying to do her best and sometimes, but not always, succeeding.

She is a highly regarded and entertaining speaker, commentator and writer and her hobbies include playing the piano, guitar, art and doting over her 28 grandchildren.

“During labour with my first child Madeleine, my husband was sitting next to me reading the newspaper as I was gently introduced into the pains of labour,” she said.

“As this was rather boring for him, he came up with an idea.

“He began to document every moment of the labour, how I was feeling, how far apart the contractions were and what the nurses and doctors were doing.

“Once he was home and recovered from the labour (men find childbirth rather difficult), he wrote up his report into a little notebook.

“As the years rolled on and the pregnancies rolled out, these red and black books evolved into manuscripts documenting milestones in each of our children’s lives.

“Most of the books begin from the time I was pregnant, others from their first moments on earth and one, the moment he entered Heaven.

“Over the years people have asked me to write a book about how we raised our family.

“This request was not because we had the perfect family – we don’t have a perfect family.

“However, we have a successful family with children who try their best, push their boundaries and never, never give up.

“Eventually all those red and black books became one book – my book – Thriving and Surviving Raising Thirteen.

Terry Collins

Mother of 13 Anne Perrottet shares invaluable tips in her book Judith Krieger with her new book

A unique, free community event aimed at promoting engagement in sports and active recreation is headed for the Central Coast throughout the winter months.

Active Fest Central Coast, funded through the NSW Government’s Community Sport Rebuild and Recovery package, will offer a variety of captivating circus-themed activities hosted by the wellknown Roundabout Circus.

With five locations spanning the coast, including Kibble Park in Gosford, Memorial Park at The Entrance, Lions Park at Woy

Get moving with Active Fest

Woy, Terrigal, and the Roundabout Circus warehouse location at Wyoming, the festival promises widespread fun and engagement.

Participants can look forward to an array of workshops and activities such as trapeze, lyra, silks, juggling, hula hoop, acro and flow arts.

There will also be “make your own equipment” sessions where participants will leave with poi, juggling balls or a hula hoop they have made themselves.

All events will be safe, supervised by qualified trainers and riggers.

“Active Fest is more than just having fun,” a representative from Roundabout Circus said.

“It’s about reconnecting our community through participation in sport and active recreation.

“We want to showcase the range of activities available here on the Central Coast and offer opportunities for those who may have become disengaged.”

The festival, with support from the Office of Sport and Central Coast Council, will cater particularly to communities severely impacted by the recent COVID lockdowns.

Council and local sports clubs have teamed up to encourage youth participation, allowing them to reconnect with sport and active recreation.

Active Fest Central Coast is not only about rebuilding our connection to physical activity but also fostering a sense of community and resilience after a challenging period of lockdowns and restrictions. With a primary objective of encouraging active recreation, the festival will provide residents with a perfect platform to re-establish their connection with sports while having a great time.

Active Fest Central Coast is set to kick off this month (June), with events running through until August.

Events to be held throughout Active Fest are: SASS: Aerial class and Make your own juggling balls and juggling workshop (Wyoming, June 11, 3-4.30pm); Play space and structured ground workshop (Terrigal, June – date and time to be confirmed ); SPIRAL: Juggling and Aerial Hoop/Lyra (Gosford, July 2, 2-5pm); SASS: Aerial class and Make your own hula hoop and hula hooping workshop (Wyoming, July 9, 3-4.30pm); Sunset Sessions

with Ethereal Misfits – music, circus, and art blend (Woy Woy Lions Park, July 14, 5-10pm); Play space and ground skills and flow arts workshop (The Entrance, July 15, time to be confirmed); SPIRAL: Hula Hoop and Dance Trapeze (Gosford, August 6, 2-5pm); and SASS: Aerial class and Make your own poi and poi workshop (Wyoming, August 13, 3-4.30pm). More information and contact details can be found on the Roundabout Circus Facebook page.

Source: Roundabout Circus

Activities will be held at various venues around the Coast

A variety of activities will be on offer

Learn some skills on the silks

Stunning piece of theatre at Red Tree

A co-production of The Brown Bag Canteen by Jopuka Productions and Red Tree Theatre will be staged from June 9-17 at the Tuggerah theatre.

The groundbreaking performance, a commission from award-winning playwright Alexander Lee-Rekers, is not just a narrative but a poignant critique of food poverty and class struggles in our society.

The Brown Bag Canteen tells the tale of Ren, a food-loving student thrust into a new and challenging environment, navigating class disparities, hunger and a longing for a sense of belonging.

Faced with the harsh realities of her peers going to school hungry, Ren devises a secret, student-run organisation serving affordable, delectable meals, giving birth to The Brown Bag Canteen.

Alexander, celebrated for his dynamic storytelling, has

weaved a narrative that resonates deeply with our times.

The poignant drama demonstrates his masterful ability to intertwine humour

with profound social commentary.

Promising young director and filmmaker Calem Madden helms the production, bringing the captivating story to life with

raw energy and poignancy.

Addison Goldie embodies the role of Ren, bringing heart and spirit.

Artistic Director of both Jopuka Productions and Red

Tree Theatre, Joshua Maxwell, said The Brown Bag Canteen was a resonant piece of work.

“(It combines) humour and deep emotion to address the all too real issues of class and food poverty,” he said.

“As we witness young people across our region attending school hungry, this play brings an essential spotlight to the problem, raising awareness and promoting dialogue.”

The production has been made possible through generous funding from The Elderslee Foundation and The NSW Department of Regional Youth, who share a deep commitment to raising awareness around youth and societal issues.

There will be just six performances.

Tickets can be booked at www.redtreetheatre.org.au or www.jopuka.org.au.

Jopuka Productions and Red Tree Theatre strive to create

Writers Festival deemed a massive success

transformative and diverse performances.

Jopuka Productions, known for its commitment to the youth and emergent arts, has a strong history of supporting young artists, allowing them to develop their craft and voice in a supportive environment.

Their productions shine a spotlight on the unique experiences of youth, creating space for important conversations and narratives often missing in mainstream theatre.

Red Tree Theatre is the acclaimed venue built by Elderslee Foundation in Tuggerah.

Created to fill a much-needed affordable regional venue for the Central Coast theatrical and arts community, it has established itself as a pillar of creative excellence in the region.

Source: Joshua Maxwell

The Words on the Waves Writers Festival has been deemed a huge success by authors, event organisers and participants.

Over 50 authors from all over the country took part in the festival, which ran from May 31-June 5.

Attendees were treated to author talks and panels, evening conversation events, a cinema screening, a poetry reading, a literary cruise on Brisbane Water, a family fun

day, a schools program and book signings.

The festival also featured a number of Central Coast locals as participants including Anna Downes, Rob Carlton, Alice Workman, Emily Taylor and Duncan Fellows, plus the Book Launch program featuring local emerging authors, which is still ongoing.

For the first time, the Family Fun Day was a free event.

Held on Sunday, June 4, at Everglades in Woy Woy, this

was a very well-attended day with book launches, storytelling, buskers, author talks and more.

Award winning journalist and author Tracey Spicer was thrilled with the turn out on the opening night.

“The audience was warm and nurturing, posing thoughtprovoking questions,” she said.

“As always, it was a delight to meet readers afterwards.”

Popular author and podcast

host Ashley Kalagian Blunt said the festival had a wonderful vibe.

“I spoke to so many enthusiastic readers,” Blunt said.

Award winning crime fiction writer Dinuka McKenzie said the festival was extremely well organised.

“The program was just wonderful,” McKenzie said.

Listening to authors and meeting them in person is one

of the great benefits of writers’ festivals for readers, authors and their publishers.

The Bookshop Umina was the official book supplier for the festival, with the proprietors more than happy with the big surge in book sales over the duration of the festival.

Angela Bennetts, Festival Director spoke to CCN.

“The resounding success of the 2023 program shows that the people of the Central Coast

believe, as we do, that regional areas deserve arts and culture just as much as the major cities,” she said.

“We are so delighted with this year’s Words on the Waves Writers Festival, which was an absolutely buzzing week of stories, conversations and ideas, with some of Australia’s best writers and journalists.

“We look forward to doing it all again in 2024.”

David Abrahams

Linda Emery Lawyer

Addison Goldie embodies the role of Ren Photo: Joshua Maxwell

Authors (from left) Om Dhungel, Shankari Chandran and Ryan Butta

Some of the organising committee after a successful weekend of events

Diana Reid, Sydney Morning Herald Best Young Novelist in 2022

Photo: Syl-Marie Photography

The Entrance Lake House is set to host a bi-monthly singer/songwriter night showcasing rising local musicians and the stories behind their original songs in an intimate evening of music.

Supported by local community radio station, Coast FM and organised by local musicians Michelle Murrell and Meagan Jane, each night will showcase three different songwriters from the Central Coast and surrounding areas in an intimate dinner and show setting.

The two women behind the

Acoustic song nights at the Lake House

initiative say it is something they are extremely passionate about.

“As songwriters and working musicians ourselves we know the battle independent artists have with opportunities performing their original music to a live audience,” they said.

“That’s why we’re bring you the Acoustic Songwriter Sessions.

“It will be a series of intimate nights showcasing amazing original music by three talented local singer/ songwriters at each event.”

The first event will be held on

Friday, June 30, from 6.30pm and will feature local songwriters Mitchi Renegen, Meagan Jane and Jye Sharp.

The three Central Coast musicians have original songs that will leave you captivated. Bookings can be made at https://www.eventbrite. com/o/the-entrance-lakehouse-17359341697

Coming nights will feature Ruby Shay, Michelle Murrell and Suz Dorahy (August 25) and Shane Shepherd, Elisa Kate and Sandy Louis (October 27).

Corn Nut Creek to play Everglades

Troubadour Folk Club will present award-winning folk singers Corn Nut Creek at Everglades Club, Woy Woy, on Saturday, June 24, at 7pm. Their spellbinding songs draw from Appalachian roots and will transport you with lush three-part vocal harmonies and toe-tapping fiddle and banjo.

Danielle Vita and Tanya

Jazz comes to streets of Ettalong

The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has affiliated with the 5 Lands Walk to bring jazz to the streets of Ettalong Beach over the weekend June 23-25.

“The 5 Lands Walk committee is excited to be expanding its hugely popular event to the Peninsula with entertainment from Friday night to Sunday,” Peninsula Mainstreet Coordinator Debra Wales said.

“This will include inviting artists to join the festivities on the waterfront.

“5 Lands will have transport available over the weekend via the Palm Beach Ferry to Wagstaffe and Busways services to each of the events.”

Wales said the Peninsula’s Weekend of Jazz would kick off on Friday night, June 23, at the Ettalong Diggers Club with an evening featuring Monica Trapaga and Dan Barnett, two of Australia’s finest jazz performers.

Tickets are now on sale for this exclusive show and can be booked through the Club website.

“Saturday will be the day of the 5 Lands Walk, an evergrowing event that attracts thousands of visitors to the Central Coast,” Wales said.

“Sunday brings us right back

to Ettalong Beach for a day of jazz entertainment at The Galleria, Ettalong Beach, commencing at 10am with a young trio The Uprights and the Gloombusters.

“The afternoon will come alive with the beautiful Sarah Davies Trio live on the main stage at 1pm.

“Sarah is a jazz and soul vocalist with appearances on Australia’s Got Talent and The Voice.

“Performing on stage two will be The Coast Quartet featuring Paul Derricott on drums, Peter Koopman on guitar, Shannon Stitt on keys and Michael Avgenicos on the sax.

“To create a beautiful walk from the markets to the town centre, we are calling on artists

to come to the Ettalong Beach foreshore reserve between Ferry Rd and Picnic Pde to show their talents and enjoy the beautiful ocean views to Lion Island.

“A very special prize of a relaxing facial sponsored by Glam Beauty with Trudy of Woy Woy will be presented to one artist who is painting on the foreshore and selected by our panel.

“This is an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and take in the colours of Ettalong Beach.

“It is a free event and artists may choose to sell their paintings if they so wish.”

Source: Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

Bradley are storytellers, bound together through sisterhood and song.

They were finalists and awarded Jurors Top Five in the 2020 Blues and Roots Radio International Song Competition.

Vita also took first place in the vocal category of the 2020 Deer Creek Fiddler’s Convention (USA).

Bradley is a highly respected

multi-instrumentalist who has performed across various genres all over Australia and overseas.

They met more than 10 years ago in Hong Kong and have been inseparable ever since.

They are planning a massive 2023, with an Australian tour in 2023 as the release of their first full-length album.

Corn Nut Creek will be joined

by award-winning Australian bassist and singer Kimberley Wheeler, with the three musicians often performing as a trio.

Tickets can be bought at https://www.trybooking.com/ CHDAC, www.troubadour.org. au or by calling 0402 529 474, with limited tickets available at the door.

Source: Troubadour Folk Club

Proudly affiliated with the 5 Lands Walk, this June ETTALONG BEACH hosts a

Bar

Sounds of live jazz @ Galleria Ettalong Beach

work.

The Gloombusters will perform on June 25

Source: Michelle Murrell

Meagan Jane will perform on June 30

Corn Nut Creek

Photography: Tim Levy

MISSING LINK

MISSING LINK

Expressions of interest (EOIs) from artists, groups and community organisations wanting to take part in this year’s Ephemeral Art Trail at Pearl Beach will close at midnight on Sunday, June 25.

Those wishing to erect an art installation as part of the 2023 Pearl Beach Arboretum Ephemeral Art Trail (PBEAT2023) can check out the information sheet and lodge an EOI at at https://www. pearlbeacharboretum.org.au/ pbeat2023/

There is a small fee to enter, but this can be waived for notfor-profit groups and schools.

Proposals for about 15 adult

EOIs open for Ephemeral Art Trail

ephemeral artworks; 10 artwork entries under 18 years; five local school entries; and five community group installations will be approved by an experienced curatorial sub-committee.

The theme for PBEAT2023 is Nurture and Nature, with prizes including: $1,000 People’s Choice Award (any category); $3,000 first prize (artist or group over 16); 1,000 highly commended (artist or group over 16); $250 young persons (artist or group under 16) x 2; $250 school entry (Years 4-6); and $250 school entry (Years 7-10).

The exhibition will run from Saturday, September 16 to Saturday, October 14. Ideas for side events are also welcome, such as environment themed community performances, workshops, and information sessions. These could include: art or

Bring out your inner Lego master

In the wake of the Lego Masters TV show, the 3 Villages community group will hold a brick fair on June 17.

The event will be a fundraiser for the not-for-profit community group, with funds raised to go into community spaces such as

parks and community gardens. There will be displays created with Lego bricks by SYDLUG and Lego and Duplo play tables. There will also be Lego for sale – including sets, rare you inbox, retired sets and mini figurine figures.

A.H.

craft making, poetry and prose; yoga, meditation, propagation, drumming, musical jam sessions, and/or a plein air paint-in.

For privately-run events and workshops there will be the usual charge for hiring the Arboretum.

Community events can be negotiated free of charge, although donations to the Arboretum are gratefully accepted.

103

The 3 Villages Brick Fair will be held from 10am-4pm on Saturday, June 17, at Saratoga Progress Hall.

Source: 3 Villages Community Group There will be Lego displays and Lego and Duplo play tables

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Business & Property

Networking and mentoring for businesswomen

CEO Lisa Sweeney said there would be something for everyone, from mentoring sessions to economic outlook briefings and engaging discussions on workplace inclusivity.

“These events are designed to empower businesswomen,

provide valuable networking opportunities and foster personal and professional growth,” she said.

There will be a free event –Virtual Coffee Connections – on Thursday, June 15,from 10am to 11am.

Business in Heels Operations Manager Kistin Gunnis is facilitator for the session, which she says is a great way to build connections, chat with like-minded people, share indepth discussions and learn something truly valuable.

A regular, Angela Smith, said

it was such a relief to learn that she wasn’t alone.

“The atmosphere is so inclusive, the audience so interactive, the learning is mind-blowing,” she said.

Valuable opportunities for businesswomen to network Business in Heels is running a series of online events to help businesswomen enhance their knowledge, connect with like-minded people and explore new possibilities for success.

“The best part is the encouraging networking of like-minded businesswomen, and some men too, which I love to see.”

On Wednesday, June 14, from noon to 12.45pm, CEO of Kmart Australia and New Zealand John Gualtieri and renowned business leader Paul Zahra will lead the session entitled

Gender in the Workplace: Difficult Conversations for Men.

It’s an opportunity to gain valuable insights and strategies for creating an inclusive and productive work environment and to discuss handling difficult conversations and dealing with gender-related issues to addressing bullying claims.

On Wednesday, June 21, between 1.15pm and 2.30pm, there will be a session open to all business and professional woman to explore the power of mentoring.

Business in Heels CEO Lisa Sweeney said mentoring is proven to fast-track results with research demonstrating that people who are mentored are promoted five times more often than those without mentors.

“Results from 2013 research showed that small businesses that receive mentoring significantly increase their chances of surviving past those first five years,” she said. “The data showed a 70 per cent survival rate which was double the rate of those who

didn’t receive mentoring support.

“Come along for an hour and be paired with an experienced mentor.

“You will be able to share your challenges and dreams and in return you will receive a different perspective that might open you up to new possibilities.”

To register for Business in Heels events, or for more information, go to the website www.businessinheels.com

Sue Murray

Darkinjung and Landcom team up for housing project

Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council (DLALC) and Landcom have signed a Heads of Agreement to work in partnership to unlock a Lake Munmorah project that will deliver housing affordability, supply and diversity in the interest of Darkinjung’s members and the wider Central Coast community.

The land at 405-415 Pacific Hwy, between the education precinct in Carters Rd and Chain Valley Bay Rd, was rezoned for residential uses in late 2022 and is noted in Central Coast Council planning documents as appropriate for residential development.

Early investigations show the site could accommodate around 380 new dwellings.

On behalf of the Darkinjung Board of Directors, Darkinjung

LALC Chairperson Barry Duncan said that together with Landcom they wanted to develop land to deliver social and economic outcomes back to their community.

“We want to provide opportunities for future generations and deliver projects that are

environmentally sensitive, culturally aware and sustainable in honour of the aspirations of our elders past and present,” he said.

“In our agreement with Landcom we have identified land at Lake Munmorah that could be transformed into a mix of housing types and public open space, with a portion of

the land preserved for environmental conservation in perpetuity and helping to connect the regional biodiversity corridor with the Munmorah State Conservation Area.”

Landcom CEO Alex Wendler said the partnership with Darkinjung LALC was built on mutual trust, reciprocity and

positive commercial outcomes.

“We are experiencing a statewide housing crisis and partnerships with major landowners are a way for Landcom, on behalf of the NSW Government, to deliver homes and additional benefits to local communities during and beyond construction,” he said.

“The agreement enables

Landcom to contribute its expertise in master planning and development to potentially develop Darkinjung land that will support commercial and social outcomes for the LALC, its members and the wider Central Coast community.

“Should we progress our partnership, we will explore education, employment and traineeship opportunities for Darkinjung LALC members and other local Aboriginal people during project delivery.

“Darkinjung LALC will also review the opportunity for some dwellings to be dedicated as housing for its members and other local Aboriginal people.”

Wendler said Landcom had begun investigations to better understand the opportunities and constraints of the site, considering planning controls, the type and scale of surrounding development, site topography, environmental conditions and feasibility considerations.

“Early investigations show the site could accommodate about 380 new dwellings, the majority of which would likely be freestanding homes with a handful of medium-density dwellings such as townhouses,”

he said.

“This will provide greater housing choice for a range of households and incomes.

“Additionally, 20 per cent of dwellings on site will be set aside as affordable housing for very low to moderate income households, and priced so these households are able to meet other essential living costs.”

If Darkinjung LALC and Landcom agree to progress the partnership following initial investigations, the project will follow protocols governing Local Aboriginal Land Councils before moving through the regular development process, during which time neighbours and the wider community would be informed of opportunities to comment. Investigations are also underway regarding the opportunity to rezone a neighbouring Darkinjung LALC-owned site which could enable the future delivery of a further 300 dwellings and preserve additional conservation land.

Source: Landcom

Affordable housing for 27 at group home

A house past its prime at 210

The Entrance Rd, opposite the Diggers club, is set to be demolished to make way for three separate group homes to accommodate 27 residents in a low-cost affordable housing complex.

Two of the double-storey homes will have 10 bedrooms, and the other seven, with all rooms having their own ensuite bathrooms, and each home will have common living areas and kitchens.

The three buildings will be connected by an elevated garden recreational space above undercover car parking with access via a shared oneway driveway in a forward direction.

Information in the development application for the group homes indicates that its design has been hampered by Central Coast Council’s previous approval of a building on the neighbouring property at 208 The Entrance Rd, Long Jetty.

That development, twostorey flats comprising four

one-bedders and six twobedders (DA/537/2019), has resulted in negative impacts such as over-shadowing and privacy, according to the DA submitted for the new group homes.

Public feedback about the group homes development (DA/976/2023) is open until close of business on Monday, June 26.

Documents in relation to the development are available for viewing on Central Coast Council’s DA tracker.

Sue Murray

Executive General Manager, Business Development at Landcom, Matt Beggs (left) and Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council Chairperson, Barry Duncan

Would-be home buyers get a second chance

WITH Michelle BALTAZAR

Editor-in-Chief • Money magazine

Aspiring first-time home buyers who are locked out of the property market will get a second shot at their dream, thanks to new laws coming into effect next month.

Starting on July 1, the eligibility criteria for the government’s three-pronged Home Guarantee Scheme (HGS) – namely the First Home Guarantee (FHBG), the Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee (RFHG), and the Family Home Guarantee (FHG) – will be extended to include people who were previously excluded.

In a landmark move, the definition of a “couple” applying for the First Home Guarantee and the Regional First Home Guarantee will no longer be limited to those who are married or in a de facto relationship.

Instead, the government will allow joint applications from friends, siblings and other family members.

Similarly, the Family Home Guarantee will no longer be limited to single natural or adoptive parents with de-

pendants. Aunts, uncles and grandparents who are single legal guardians of children can also apply.

David Thurmond, mortgage broker and principal of Mortgage Choice in the Melbourne suburb of Berwick, says these reforms will help more people get on the property ladder, particularly those who live in areas where housing affordability is at record lows.

Who’s on the lender list

The Home Guarantee Scheme works by lowering the initial deposit required by the applicant to get a loan.

For example, borrowers eligible for the FHBG and RFHG only need to save 5% of the deposit (subject to terms and conditions) and the government guarantees the rest of the amount, equivalent to 15% of the required 20%.

As 20% of the home loan is covered by the borrower and the government, there is no need for lenders mortgage in-

surance, bringing more savings to the table.

“Not only that, borrowers also pay a lower interest rate because they are getting a home loan on an 80% loanto-value ratio compared to someone who is not eligible for the Home Guarantee Scheme

Meats and treats on the chopping block

Shoppers are crossing meat off their lists more than any other item as they look to “trim the fat” from their grocery bills in the wake of rising living costs.

In a new survey conducted by the comparison website Compare the Market, 62% of

respondents revealed they had either reduced their spending on meat or given it up entirely over the past three months, with Tasmanians (82%) and those aged 58 and over (73%) found to be the groups cutting back the most.

“We know the cost of groceries,

gas and electricity are all on the rise," said Compare the Market’s Phillip Portman.

"After a string of consecutive rate rises, mortgage repayments and rental payments have increased for many households.”

It’s not just meat that is considered to be unaffordable,

and evaluated as a borrower on a 95% LVR,” says Thurmond. The guarantee, which is administered by the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC) on behalf of the Australian government, updates the list of participating lenders on its either. “For many homes, the candle is being burned at both ends, which is why we can see many Aussies ditching meat and sweet treats to save money,” said Portman.

Indeed, shoppers are cutting out chocolate, chips and other snack foods.

website (www.nhfic.gov.au/ participating-lenders).

At the time of writing, the NHFIC lists 32 participating lenders, including two major banks, the Commonwealth and NAB. From July 1, Westpac will join the scheme.

Besides redefining the definition of a couple or a single parent, the government will also broaden the eligibility criteria to include non-first home buyers who haven’t owned a property in Australia in the past 10 years.

The government will also open the guarantees to people with a permanent residency status. Currently, the guarantees are open to citizens only.

Banks to fill in more spots

One of the criticisms levelled at the government when the guarantee schemes were introduced in 2020 was that there were more applicants than there were places (in effect, home loans).

Four years ago, when the FHBG was known as the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme

“Perhaps more concerningly, though, a significant number of people have been giving up fresh fruit and vegetables.

“Not all Australians are solely cutting back on the ‘bad’ food to pay the bills,” said Portman.

“A quarter are giving up or cutting back on vital nutrients like vegetables and fruit.”

TOM WATSON

(FHLDS), there were 10,000 places; last year, this was increased to 35,000 places and will remain so this year.

Drummond says that in the past, when he was helping his clients secure a place, they would have either missed out or have had to wait months to get on the list.

“I don’t have that problem anymore after they’ve increased it to 35,000.”

He stresses, however, that the usual home loan serviceability rules still apply.

“Borrowers still have to show that their income can cover their mortgage repayments.”

He adds that where possible, he wouldn’t advise a prospective borrower to pair up with their sibling or parent due to potential complications in the future.

Anyone who plans to take advantage of the new “couple” rules under the guarantee should have an exit plan just in case financial circumstances change drastically.

MICHELLE BALTAZAR

Where shoppers are cutting down

1 Meat: 62%

2 Confectionery: 58%

3 Savoury snacks: 44%

4 Soft drinks: 43%

5 Cleaning products: 31%

Source: Compare the Market

Council remains committed to ecotourism

One year ago the Central Coast became the second destination in NSW to achieve international recognition as a sustainable destination through Ecotourism

Australia’s ECO Destination Certification program –just in time for World Environment Day.

Now, as one of only seven ECO Destinations in Australia, there are seven ECO Certified tourism businesses on the Coast, with another 10 local operators having commenced their journey to achieve ECO Certification.

These include four new applicants supported by Central Coast Council’s ECO Advocate incentive program: Girri Girra Aboriginal Experiences, The Australian Reptile Park, Bells at Killcare and Pretty Beach House; and Firescreek Botanical Winery.

ECO Destination status is an achievement that shows the local tourism industry, stakeholders and Council are committed to putting the needs of the local community and environment to the fore through sustainable tourism management.

Council’s Director Community and Recreation Services

Melanie Smith said the application pathway to reach accreditation in June 2022, took 20 months of committed work.

“The process saw Council’s

Marketing and Tourism team working alongside other departments of Council and local tourism businesses who are passionate about constant improvement in their sustainability practices, as well as providing high-quality, nature-based experiences for guests,” she said.

“ECO Destination Certification is a whole-of-destination commitment, assuring travellers that these regions are genuine in actively promoting and delivering sustainable tourism operations and experiences.

“Statistically, we know that ecotourists stay longer, are more conscious travellers and are more interested in a

region’s local community, nature and culture.

“By achieving ECO Destination Certification, we have opened our region up to new visitor markets which will provide a substantial and ongoing boost to the local economy.”

The Central Coast was aided in its original certification journey by a partnership between industry peak body Ecotourism Australia and conservation organisation, WWF-Australia, which is working with destinations around Australia to re-build after the 2019/20 bushfires using Global Sustainable Tourism Council standard as a framework.

Chief Executive of Ecotourism

Australia Elissa Keenan said maintaining the certification was about continuously embedding cultural, social, economic and environmental sustainability principles into long-term destination management.

“Council continues to support local businesses to strive for sustainable tourism through our global best practice certification and precertification programs and recently launched an ECO Advocate Incentive program to further support regional operators, she said.

“The Council remains as committed to the ECO Destination ethos as they have been since their formal

recognition 12 months ago.”

Council Administrator Rik Hart said tourism was crucial for the Central Coast economy as it brought in millions of dollars every year, boosting local businesses as well as providing employment.

The latest data from Tourism Research Australia shows that in the year ending December 2022, total regional expenditure was up 42.5 per cent on the Central Coast, totalling $1.23B in overnight and day trip visitation.

“Our Marketing and Tourism team plays a key role in driving the region’s visitor economy, tourism industry capability and positive reputation forward, and their commitment and

Business Chamber networking event

Gosford Erina Business Chamber will present a network evening on Thursday, June 8, facilitated by Brendan Rogers from The Culture of Leadership.

The evening is designed to help businesspeople sharpen their networking skills, meet new members and get to know

each other.

Rogers has experienced firsthand how poor leadership negatively impacts the performance of employees and ultimately limits the growth potential and profitability of a business.

As a result of this experience, he has dedicated himself to improve the global workforce engagement figure of 13 per

cent.

The solution to improving the lives of people at work, he says, is to create confident leaders.

With 25 years’ experience working in multi-national companies and providing consulting services, Rogers has become skilled at leading people and coaching leaders and their teams to maximise their performance.

He has worked across a number of industries, including government (both state and federal), not-for-profit, health products and services, education, mining, shipping, transport, logistics, retail and real estate.

The event will be held from 4.30-6.30pm on Thursday, June 8, at South End Social, 1/32 Mann St, Gosford.

collaboration with local businesses and other stakeholders is what helped the Central Coast achieve ECO Destination Certification,” he said.

“Over the past three years, the team has achieved outstanding results including recognition in numerous industry awards, the latest being overall award winner in the 2022 NSW Local Government Excellence Awards in the Special Project Initiative category for leading Council’s ECO Destination journey.”

Other award success has included: Finalist National Banksia Sustainability Awards 2023; Finalist NSW Top Tiny Tourism Town Awards 2023; Silver Local Government Award for Tourism, NSW Tourism Awards 2022; Bronze Local Government Award for Tourism, NSW Tourism Awards 2021; Green Destinations Top 100 List finalist in 2021 and 2022; Finalist in NSW Top Tourism Town Awards 2021 and 2022; Outstanding Region in 2022 delicious, Harvey Norman Produce Awards; Judges Choice Award Most Compelling Itinerary NSW Top Tourism Awards 2021; and The Entrance Finalist in Wotif’s Aussie Town of the Year Awards 2021. Explore Council’s dedicated destination website: LoveCentralCoast.com

Source: Central Coast Council

A selection of finger foods will be on offer.

Bookings are essential at www.stickytickets.com.au/ avkna/gebc_june_networking _event.aspx.

Source: GEBC

From left: Elissa Keenan (CEO Ecotourism Australia), Melanie Smith (Central Coast Council), Nadine Schramm (Ecotourism Australia) and Whitney Edwards (Central Coast Council)

Photo Isaac Tseng

Facilitator Brendan Rogers

Among a cohort of youthful apprentices, 55-year-old apprentice glazier Ilias Kontogiannis is defying age barriers and proving that experience is an invaluable asset.

The Tumbi Umbi local enrolled in Certificate III Glass and Glazing at TAFE NSW after switching careers from construction sales.

Fuelled by his passion for the industry, he recognised the burgeoning demand for

It’s never too late to learn a trade

products and services vital to the construction sector.

“I’ve worked in construction sales since I left school – but for the past 10 years, I’ve considered making the switch from the office to a worksite,” he said.

“My age dissuaded me, but I was set on trying something different or learning new skills.

“Through my work, I knew that glass and glazing products have been in high demand since the pandemic, so I thought it’s now or never.

“I found an apprenticeship quickly through a friend and I haven’t looked back since.”

Kontogiannis’ retraining comes at an opportune time, as Sydney needs an additional 725,000 homes by 2036 to house its growing population and key to every home is natural lighting.

“I was excited to cover frameless windows; they’re new to the industry and becoming quite trendy,” he said.

“It’s great to see the learning

environment is keeping up with the industry.”

With the construction industry and building trades projected to see a six per cent increase in employment nationwide, TAFE NSW graduates will become even more highly sought-after. For Kontogiannis, retraining at TAFE NSW helped him fortify a new career path and refresh his outlook on his own ability.

“If I knew how fulfilling it would be, I would have done this 10 years ago,” he said. “Age is just a number and it’s

never too late to keep learning and find something that you are very passionate about.

“I am so glad I made the leap and have never been happier.

“My advice for anyone wanting to learn a new skill or career is to just do it.”

TAFE NSW Head Teacher Mark Nicholls said Kontogiannis’ story shows the transformative power of education.

“It’s inspiring to see matureaged students like Ilias return to study later in life, equipping

themselves with new skills and pursuing fulfilling careers,” he said.

“Mature-aged students bring a unique perspective and a depth of life experience to their studies, which often ignites a new-found passion for their chosen trade and inspires their peers.

“This is definitely true of Ilias.”

Source: TAFE NSW

Emergency services levy increase will put strain on Council

Central Coast Council has joined with other councils across the state in calling for the NSW Government to restore Emergency Services Levy (ESL) subsidies amid fears a significant increase in the levy will have a severe impact on community services.

The ESL is a cost imposed on councils and the insurance industry to fund the emergency services budget in NSW, which is set by the State Government. The majority is paid as part of insurance premiums, with a further 11.7 per cent picked up by councils and 14.6 per cent by State Government itself. With massive rises in

emergency services budgets, including a 73 per cent increase in the budget allocation to the State Emergency Services (SES), councils are facing huge increases in their share of the levy.

A Central Coast Council spokesperson said the levy increase would have a severe impact on the ability of many councils to serve the community.

“Councils are currently required to cover 11.7 per cent of the total cost of the ESL, but at the same time have their revenue capped by the NSW Government (at 3.8 per cent for Central Coast Council in 2023/2024).

“However, Central Coast Council’s increase in the ESL is 57 per cent.

“For many councils the increase proposed by the government would be more than their total rate indexation under the current rate cap.

“For Central Coast Council, while the ESL increase would not exceed Council’s total rate indexation, it significantly reduces funding for core Council services and puts additional pressure on Council’s already constrained budget.

“It is not reasonable for a government on one hand to cap local government income, and on the other hand increase one of its largest costs by around 15 times this cap.

“In line with Local Government NSW (LGNSW), Council calls for the NSW Government in the short term to restore the ESL subsidy for 2023/2024 and allow councils to raise this payment on top of the rate cap, and in the longer term, develop a fairer, more transparent and

financially sustainable method of funding the critically important emergency services which benefit us all.”

President of Local Government NSW Darriea Turley said she had held “cordial but forthright talks” with Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig, Treasurer Daniel Moohkey and Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib in recent weeks.

“All three acknowledge the levy increase will hit some councils extremely hard and are of the view that a new funding model needs to be devised going forward,” she said.

“The surprise increase in the Emergency Services Levy imposed by the State

Government onto councils will undoubtedly lead to service cutback and job losses in some local government areas.

“We remain hopeful that the new NSW Government will change course on this nonsensical position, which seeks to dump depreciation costs for state assets onto council books to make state government budgets look better.

“We are looking forward to working with the Government in a spirit of co-operation and collaboration, and I have written to Minister Hoenig to offer a briefing on the financial challenges faced by local government.”

Terry Collins

Ilias Kontogiannis has gone to TAFE to learn a new trade

Ilias Kontogiannis has never been happier

Local Government NSW President Darriea Turley

Looking at a new way to

exercise

Researchers from the University of Newcastle are looking at a new way to do exercise that is individually suited to how each person’s lungs work in response to exercise.

They want to know if this new way of exercise helps people with chronic lung disease to exercise and they’re looking for local participants.

Participation in this study involves completing a one-onone six-week exercise training program on a stationary bike with a trained exercise specialist.

The one-hour exercise sessions will be three times a week, either at the Newcastle (Callaghan) or Central Coast

(Ourimbah)

campus of the university.

There are three different exercise groups and each session will be individually tailored.

The exercise specialists and research team will make sure participants are exercising within their limits and participants will be able to take breaks throughout the training if it becomes difficult.

Before and after the six-week exercise program, participants will attend the Ourimbah campus to complete some questionnaires, lung function tests and a cycle exercise test.

Information from the cycle exercise test will allow the researchers to individualise the

exercise for each participant. These two assessment visits will take about two hours each.

Participants will received a $100 gift voucher to compensate their time commitment and any travel costs.

If you know of someone that might be interested in this study or if it sounds like something you would like to participate in, you can fill out the expression of interest form and one of the researchers will be in contact with you.

Go to this weblink to register your interest: https://bit. ly/3IGLIAz

Source: University of Newcastle

Uni in world’s top 30 for sustainable development goals

The University of Newcastle has achieved some significantly high global rankings demonstrating positive results for the university’s commitment to sustainability.

Times Higher Education Impact Rankings (THE) were released on Friday, June 2, placing the university 28th in the world.

The THE rankings are released each year and provide a global ranking based on the alignment of universities with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This includes both an overall rank and a rank for each of the 17 individual goals.

The university also ranked sixth in the world for Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11) and 12th globally for Climate Change (SDG 13). Nationally, the university ranked first in Australia for both No Poverty (SDG 1) and Zero Hunger (SDG 2).

Pro Vice-Chancellor, Academic Excellence, Professor Jennifer Milam, said the rankings helped the university to understand how its efforts were contributing to solving global issues such as poverty, inequality, and climate change.

“The THE Impact Rankings help us to evaluate and benchmark how our university

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is contributing to solving some of the most pressing global challenges through our research, teaching, and our day-to-day operations,” she said.

“For four years in a row, since we entered the rankings, we have consistently performed in

the top 50.

“The rankings are more competitive than ever, and these results demonstrate our genuine, significant and sustained improvement in making a difference in the world.”

Alex Zelinsky, said the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were embedded across the university’s work.

“We are in a unique position as a university, where we can

“We provide education to improve outcomes for disadvantaged groups, undertake research that addresses global issues and form partnerships that improve sustainability at local, national, and international levels.

“As part of our commitment to equity in education we have a range of programs to support students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to study.

“We are also proud to be number one in Australia for Indigenous student enrolments.

“From a research perspective, we are working to assist in bushfire recovery, improve drought resilience and create more clean energy technology.”

Source: University of Newcastle

Early entry to uni for HSC students

The University of Newcastle has begun an Early Entry Program offering HSC students new resources, mentorship and peer support.

The Early Entry Program will allow Year 12 students who are completing the Higher School Certificate or International Baccalaureate to apply for early entry to University of Newcastle campuses, including Ourimbah.

Vice Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky said the HSC was a challenging time for some students and he offered reassurance that there was a place for everyone at the University of Newcastle.

“Our Early Entry Program will be sector leading and will give students access to a range of support including student mentors, HSC tips and

webinars, past exam papers and invitations to VIP University of Newcastle events,” he said.

“We hope our new Early Entry Program will help students to feel more confident and supported during the HSC.

“We know that students can benefit from talking to someone who has been through the experience before,

so mentors will contact applicants to provide support and advice throughout the year.

“Applicants will also have access to leadership programs and free university preparation courses (NUprep) with early offer recipients encouraged to complete at least one course.”

Year 12 students can apply

for early entry by visiting www.newcastle.edu/au/early. Entry will be determined based on Year 11 results plus completion of the HSC. Students will receive offers in September just ahead of HSC exams (previously offers commenced in November).

Source: University of Newcastle

The University of Newcastle Central Coast campus at Ourimbah

The University of Newcastle Central Coast campus at Ourimbah

Researchers will assist with exercise and training. Photo: University of Newcastle

DOWN IN THE GARDEN:

Hibiscus Happiness

WITH CHERALYN DARCEY

The actual origin of the beautiful hibiscus is not really known.

The problem with botany and our love and interest in plants is that we have naturalised them throughout history as we have travelled, mixed cultures and then hybridised to suit our needs or they have naturally evolved as they have found themselves in new terrains.

These days there are over 300 species of Hibiscus.

Growing Hibiscus

This easy to grow evergreen will usually flower perennially and can attain a height of up to 10 metres in the wild in favourable conditions.

They can be planted and trained to become a gorgeous hedge and make a lovely standard shrub in a varying size depending on the cultivar. Colours range from singular colours of whites, reds, yellows, oranges, pinks, purples, blues, browns and

stunning multi-colour combinations of all of the fore-mentioned.

Your hibiscus needs at least six hours of full sun every day and they like it warm but not too hot, so this is why they like living here on the Coast, as long as you position them well.

What they don’t like is wet feet so be careful to plant in a free-draining soil and do not over water.

They like a constant even watering as needed to keep soil just moist rather than drying out and then being drenched.

Hibiscus are one of the hungrier plants of the garden and will need feeding every month with a liquid fertiliser (Seasol is a good suggestion) as per instruction of the mixture you choose.

They benefit from a layer of worm castings dug into the surrounding soil occasionally, a sprinkling of coffee grounds is good too at times.

There are hibiscus-specific and time-release fertilisers available as well but whatever you use, never feed dry soil as it will burn the delicate roots. When transplanting a hibiscus seedling or plant into your garden, the number one rule is to never remove the soil from the root ball and the second is - don’t stick it straight into position unless the original position was very similar.

If your hibiscus came from a garden centre it has probably been in a shade house and also been a bit stressed from transportation.

Introduce it slowly from semi shade into the full sun slowly by leaving it in its pot and moving it to its final destination over the course of a couple of weeks.

Hibiscus can be grown successfully in containers too, but you must make sure that they drain extremely well, and saucers are never allowed to fill with water.

WHAT’S ON FOR PLANT LOVERS

Terrarium Workshop - Saturday, 10 June 2023, 11am-12.30pm at Burbank House & Garden, 443

The Entrance Rd, Erina Heights.

Learn to design and make a closed glass terrarium to take home, complete with living plants and ornament to create interest.

You’ll learn how they work so you can make more at home, and how to care for them so they last.

Everything you need to participate is provided on the day, along with a warming brew from our in-house cafe, The Leafy Green.

This workshop is designed for beginners and for those who want to improve their processes.

To book, call 43 655 396

Australiana Trivia Night with East Gosford Community Garden - Saturday 10th June, 6:30pm at East Gosford Progress Hall

Support one of our wonderful community gardens. A fun night with cash prizes for winning table and other great prizes.

Tickets at door or book at: www.trybooking.com

GARDENING PLANNER

You can plant the following now: Culinary herbs, artichokes, broad beans, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbages, cauliflower, cress, garlic, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, onions, peas, shallots, spring onions, silverbeet, spinach, ageratum, alyssum, bare-rooted roses, calendula, candytuft, Canterbury bells, carnation, cineraria, columbine, cornflower, delphinium, dianthus, everlasting daisy, forget-me-not, foxglove, godetia, gypsophila, hollyhock, honesty, larkspur, linaria

Place them in a full sun position just as you would a garden cousin.

Pruning your Hibiscus plant will encourage a more vigorous bushy growth, and this means, more flowers.

It assists the health of the plant by removing deadwood, diseased and weakly growing branches.

You can also remove growth in areas that you don’t want as you may like a certain shape, size or a tidier look.

You can lightly prune your hibiscus on the Coast in February but save the hard pruning for September.

(Get in quick! You can do it this week!).

Never remove more than a third of the branches unless you have a very ill or struggling weedy looking plant.

In this case you can prune down to around 60cm above the soil level.

Usually you would prune back leaving two or three nodes on each branch and make the cut on the diagonal, slanting towards the ground and about 1cm above the first node you leave.

Your healthy cuttings can them be propagated by trimming to just below a leaf node and having a length of around 15cm.

Dip in a hormone rooting solution or honey and plant in a pot with a mixture of 50% perlite and 50% quality

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

contact@cheralyndarcey.com cheralyn.darcey

cheralyn

potting mix.

Keep damp and place in a warm, sunny, sheltered spot.

Hibiscus Help Hibiscus are rather hardy but like all plants they can still succumb to pests, disease and negative environmental factors.

Hibiscus are susceptible to aphids, ants, mites and thrips and these should be dealt with using an organic pesticide containing neem oil or pyrethrum.

Some diseases that are common to hibiscus are ‘Hibiscus Wilt’ and this is usually fatal.

It can be recognised by leaves that wilt and then turn a dark colour.

Try giving it a light watering (don’t overwater), fine misting of water each day, providing some bright shade and that’s it.

Leave leaves on plant, don’t prune, transplant or feed.

Leaf Fungus with its black spots looks horrible but is completely harmless.

It is usually caused by water sitting on the leaves for too long after dew, watering or rain.

The leaves will fall off eventually and new ones will grow.

Dieback usually occurs when a break happens in a stem or branch and bacteria or fungus enters the plant.

Cut away affected areas of

the plant and seal the cuts with grafting wax.

Ensure that fallen flowers are quickly removed from plant bases and composted as these encourage pests and diseases.

Delicious Nutritious Flower Food

Yes, Hibiscus is edible! Hibiscus flowers can be used to flavour all sorts of foods and teas created from the dried petals are divine.

In China the leaves are lightly steamed and eaten as we would cook spinach or silver beet.

This is also a plant widely used in herbal medicine for lowering blood pressure and blood sugar, skin health, heart health, bronchial issues, fighting the effects of cancer and in gallbladder disease.

You must seek the advice of a registered herbal practitioner and never self-medicate.

Properly identified Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, can be used as a food, drink and used topically.

It is not recommended for those with low blood pressure, about to undergo surgery, pregnant and lactating women and should be used with caution if diabetes is present.

It should not be consumed close to taking any preparation containing paracetamol as it slows the release rate of the drug from your body.

Over 25 Years Experience

Avoca Beach and Razorbacks tie in nail-biter

RUGBY

A tie between second and third placed Avoca Beach and the Razorbacks in Round 8 of the Central Coast Rugby competition on June 3 saw Terrigal increase its lead to lead the Premier 1 points table by a margin of five points.

Match of the Day at Ourimbah Rugby Park saw Avoca Beach and the Razorbacks play out a 20-all draw.

The first half was an even tussle with the teams basically going point for point for most of the contest.

Avoca Beach led by 14-10 at the half-time break but it wasn’t long before the match was squared up at 17-all midway through the second half and only a penalty goal to each team later in the half saw the final score locked at 20 points apiece.

Best players for the Razorbacks were flankers Matt Martin and James Blanch, prop Jordan Clark and hooker Jade Strongman, while best performers for Avoca Beach were prop Matt Ritchie, lock Joel Delaney, centre Alex Halls and flanker Fionn HendersonFoley.

Warnervale met Gosford at Gosford Rugby Field in another

a cliffhanger, with Gosford holding on to win by 24-19.

Gosford got away to the better start with an opening converted try but Warnervale soon hit back to square the match at seven points apiece.

Gosford surged ahead with a further try and two long-range penalty goals to Ben Shelley, going into half-time with an 18-7 lead.

The first 20 minutes of the second half saw plenty of chances to post points but none were secured until about midway through the half when Warnervale got right back in the match with a converted try to make the score 18-14.

But Gosford scored another two penalty goals to lead 2414.

A late try to Warnervale reduced the gap on the scoreboard but it was all too late in terms of getting the win.

Best players for Gosford were halfback Ben Shelley, hooker Joel Wagner, centre Michael Jones and lock Taylor Mildren.

Warnervale was best served by flanker Dean Crofskey, lock Ben Austine and centre Alfred Brown.

Hornsby hosted Terrigal at Mark Taylor Oval, with Terrigal securing a 48-3 victory.

Hornsby kicked the opening

penalty goal to lead 3-0 but that was the only time in the match that they were to score.

It was from this point that Terrigal gradually asserted control on the match, going into half-time with a 15-3 lead.

The second half saw Terrigal post a further 33 points to secure a most convincing win for the undefeated Terrigal team.

Best players for Terrigal were prop Antonio Cunha, lock Isaac Riviere and flanker Josh Moorhouse.

Hornsby’s best players were lock Dominic Cole, hooker Jackson Cole and No.8 Hamish

Perring.

The Lakes ticked up their second win of the season with a 68-12 victory over Lake Macquarie at Slade Park.

The Lakes got away to a quick start and had soon jumped to a 14-0 lead.

Lake Macquarie crossed for a try midway through the first half but The Lakes maintained control and went to the halftime break leading 28- 12.

They posted a further 40 points in the second stanza.

Best players for The Lakes were five-eight Sione Vaenuku, flanker Paul Wilson, hooker Connor Starkey and No.8 Geoff

Hiku, while Lake Macquarie was best served by centre Sekove Tamanivalu, prop Matt Bartley and five-eight Franco Quinones.

The Premier 1 points table sees Terrigal leading with 35, followed by Avoca Beach on 30, the Razorbacks on 26, Warnervale on 20, Gosford on 19, The Lakes on 12, Hornsby on 9 and Woy Woy on 7. Women’s 10s matches saw victories for Avoca Beach, Terrigal and The Lakes.

There will be no local rugby on June 10, with three Coast teams travelling to Tamworth to compete in the NSW Country

now for all-abilities sports day

The Cerebral Palsy Sporting and Recreation Association will bring its CPSARA

Connect to the Central Coast on Sunday, July 23, with a multi-sport social day for people with a disability.

The event follows the success of a similar day held last year.

It is for people with any type of disability to try new sports and make new friends in a safe and inclusive environment.

Run by CPSARA, the event aims to encourage both sporting and recreational opportunities for people of all ages with cerebral palsy and associated conditions, with a focus on enabling social inclusion and enjoyment through sport, whether it’s just for fun or to pursue sport at a competitive level.

As a Central Coast local, CPSARA Ambassador Rae Anderson is proud to bring such a big day to her hometown with the support of Central Coast Council and the local community.

“We are reaching out to organisations and schools who support people with a disability,” she said.

Suitable for all ages, all

Rugby Championships over the long weekend.

The Men’s 1st XV, the Colts XV, and the Women’s 15s will travel set out for Tamworth on Friday, June 9, to compete against all the other zone teams from across NSW Country.

The three teams have been training for several months in the lead-up up to the championships and will be hoping to bring honours back to the Central Coast.

The Men’s 1st XV will again be coached by Craig McWilliam and is hoping to repeat the Caldwell Cup victory they achieved last year, when they defeated Central West in the final.

The Womens XV will be coached this year by Anthony Ericksson, competing for the Thomson Cup, and they will be playing 15s rugby.

The team has spent much time working on its 15s skills as the local Central Coast Women’s competition is a 10-a-side competition.

The Colts team will be coached once again by Nick Meyer, with high hopes of a win after being runners-up last year.

abilities, all disabilities, all sporting and recreational levels of experience, the day will offer participants the chance to try adaptive sports including football (soccer), wheelchair basketball, boccia, pickle ball, yoga and circus.

There will be a meet and greet with local Paralympians, Pararoos and Para Matildas including: dual Summer and Winter Paralympian and Para Matilda Rae Anderson; Para Matilda Tahlia Blanshard; and Pararoo Jeremy Boyce.

CPSARA will provide a light lunch to all attendees and carers on the day.

Volunteers are also being sought to help out.

The event will be held from noon-4pm on Sunday July 23 at Niagara Park Stadium, Niagara Park, facilitated by CPSARA with the support of Disability Sports Australia and Central Coast Council.

With numbers limited, registration is essential at https://www.cpsara.org.au/ events/central-coast-cpsaraconnect-day

For more information, email secretary@cpsara.org.au

Source: Central Coast Rugby

Avoca Beach and the Razorbacks played out a 20-all draw

Source: CPSARA

Rae Anderson in action on the field

A variety of sports will be on offer

Photo: Nick Friend Photography

KARTING

St Edward’s Christian Brothers College student

Harrison Mitchell, 17, won his first national Australian Karting Championship round in the X30 class in Newcastle over the weekend.

First major win for Harri

The Weekday Walkers are in full stride, with several new members joining in May.

Their first walk for the month to Maitland Bay and Mt Bouddi Lookout was well attended, including several new faces.

This was an easy to medium walk with participants well rewarded by the great views from the track, particularly from the Mt Bouddi vantage point.

The following week, the walkers boarded the train to Sydney, transferred to the light rail to Marion Station and then enjoyed a pleasant walk along Hawthorn Canal to Long Nose Point.

From there they continued through the streets of historic Balmain to the wharf to catch

It was an emotional win and a dream come true for Mitchell when he took home the chequered flag and finally stepped up to the illustrious podium.

The X30 class is one of the fastest and most competitive classes in the championship, which Mitchell has competed

in for just over a year.

The weekend saw more than 370 competitors fighting it out for only eight first place trophies.

The Year 12 student had been working hard leading up to the third round and it all paid off with a well thought through tyre strategy and pace all

weekend.

He qualified P3, won a heat and placed second and fourth (twice) to have a second-row position in the final.

Mitchell drove a solid and consistent race seeing him cross the finish line as number one with a 1.3 second gap on his home ground.

The popular driver had the loudest roar from the crowd as he crossed the finish line with friends, family and team-mates cheering on his first podium and win.

It was also one of the youngest podiums of this class, with all three spots going to competitors aged 17 and under.

Weekday Walkers hit their stride

the ferry to Circular Quay for the train trip home.

The third walk was Kincumba Mountain Loop, a medium walk following Glasson’s and Yannina Trails to Colin Watters Lookout

On its next venture, the group headed north to alight at Hamilton for a walk along Throsby Creek to Newcastle Harbour.

Many of the group were amazed by the changes to the harbour area, where construction continues adjacent the public facilities along the foreshore.

Following lunch some members continued out to Nobby’s, while others caught the light rail to catch the train home.

The final walk for the month was the medium to hard Wallarah Coastal Track.

This was by far the most challenging walk for the month, resulting in a smaller number of participants.

They met near Catherine Hill Bay and followed the Mine Camp Road to the historic camp, continuing on to Caves Beach in time for lunch at Stuart Chalmer’s Park, before heading back to the starting point via the coastal, cliff top track with some challenging sections over steep, eroded areas of track.

The group’s June program has already started with a Mooney Mooney Cave, Quarry and Aboriginal carvings walk.

The next walk will be from

Tumbi Umbi to Fountaindale on June 13.

Walkers should meet at the corner of Old Chittaway Rd and Fountain Rd, Fountaindale, at 9.30am.

This is a medium, 8km walk and walkers should bring lunch, morning tea and water and wear sturdy footwear.

The following week will see a medium 11km walk in Strickland Forest, with the final event for June a 10km medium walk in Popran National Park.

Anyone interested in joining should contact walks coordinator David Foster at centralcoastweekdaywalkers @gmail.com

Try your hand at pickle ball

Gosford Tennis Club will hold an Open Day from 10am-3pm on Saturday, June 24, showcasing everything it has on offer.

There will be plenty of tennis action on the day to watch and you can try your hand at pickle ball, which is trending globally. There will be free lessons and opportunities to win prizes and free Hot Shots classes, with the first 20 to register to receive a Hot Shots racquet.

You can sign up to the club’s database for a chance to win tickets to the United Cup and there will be free adults cardio and drill classes.

Source: Weekday Walkers

Renew your membership or join on the day to go in the draw to win tickets to the 2024 Australian Open (thanks to Sheds n Homes Central Coast) and browse pop-up stalls from Six String Brewing Company, Brian Hilton Motor Group, Cake & Plate, Central Coast Sports College and more.

There will be a barbecue on the day, along with games and prizes.

The club is in Racecourse Rd, Gosford.

For more details go to www. gosfordtennisclub.com.au

Source: Gosford Tennis Club

Mitchell is now setting his sights on the championship, with the fourth round in Ipswich, Queensland on July 14-16 and the finale in Melbourne’s Todd Road on August 25-27.

Members on the Maitland Bay walk

Terry Collins

Harri Mitchell holds the trophy aloft on the podium Harri Mitchell takes the win

Mariners make Australian football history with a massive grand final win

FOOTBALL

The Central Coast Mariners have played a grand final game of football that will echo down the ages, beating A-League leaders Melbourne City 6-1 on June 3.

The truly remarkable game was held at ComBank Stadium in Parramatta instead of Melbourne City’s home ground as a result of an unpopular deal done by the league and the NSW State Government last year.

This was a game for true believers in the magic of football, bringing hope to everyone who has kicked a football around a park.

Melbourne City football club is the country’s best-resourced, richest and largest club thanks to its owner City Football Group

which owns a dozen professional clubs around the globe, the chief of which is Manchester City in England.

The Central Coast Mariners, the country’s smallest, youngest and least-resourced club, played their hearts out in front of a capacity crowd for their first grand final appearance in 10 years.

Sometimes grand final games of football are stunted affairs as players adopt strategic concerns over their natural gameplay, but not so this grand final.

Both teams went full tilt at the game from the whistle, demonstrating the skills they have developed and valued over the season.

The Mariners had the first chances in front of goal but

were thwarted by the legendary defensive play of City and their keeper Thomas Glover.

A goal in the 22nd minute by the Mariners’ lead goal scorer Jason Cummings put the Central Coast outfit into the belief zone.

Then a second goal in the 34th minute by Sammy Silvera at an acute angle lifted the Mariners’ fans into ecstasy.

City scored a return goal in the 40th minute, giving the league leaders confidence for a comeback.

At halftime, the scoreline of 2-1 to the Mariners felt tenuous at best.

City came out from the bunkers in cracking form, dominating the game, by demonstrating the skills that have made ithe lead team for

the last three seasons of A-league football.

Mariners coach Nick Montgomery looked a little worried on the sidelines before he made some of his now trademark interchanges to the team in the 64th minute.

Then out of the blue, a penalty was awarded to young Jacob Farrell, who had been substituted on just seconds before.

Jason Cummings slotted in a wonderful penalty shot to put the Mariners 3-1 up in the 65th minute.

Incredibly, a second penalty was awarded to the Mariners for a handball involving Farrell again.

Cummings again scored, making him the Mariners’ highest-ever seasonal goal

scorer with 20 on the score sheet.

The score line was now 4-1, something not even delusional Central Coast fans would have dared to dream.

And then in the 83rd minute, Beni Nkololo picked up a casual header from a Sammy Silvera cross to bring the score to an amazing 5-1.

When the yellow and blue fans thought the night couldn’t get any better, a last-minute goal by the newly substituted Moresche cut through the City defenders to score the sixth goal for the Central Coast outfit.

The full-time whistle blew on what will surely go down as one of the great David and Goliath battles of Australian football history.

Head coach Montgomery

modestly refused to take all the credit for the success of his team when interviewed after the game, saying “We’ve built the side to give young players a chance to play great football and we’ve done that”.

There’s no doubt now the great football feelings will wash across the region and surely bring a new era of confidence and pride to all on the Central Coast.

The team held a fan event at Erina Fair the day after the win, where local crowds were treated to talks and autograph signings.

Multiple victory ceremonies are expected to occur across the Central Coast over the coming weeks.

Mariners Coach Nick Montgomery celebrates after the game

Dave Abrahams