It’s been a bumper whale watching season, with an estimated 40,000 humpback whales spotted off Central Coast waters making their way north on their annual migration to breed in the warm waters of the Coral Sea.
See page 6
Austin Butler Reserve at Woy Woy has been taken off Central Coast Council’s list of land to be reclassified – for now – but Administrator Rik Hart is pushing ahead with another phase of community consultation on the contentious proposal to reclassify the land for sale to the neighbouring Peninsula Plaza.
Peninsula residents were out in force at the September 26 Council meeting, making it clear they will fight to the bitter end to keep the entire reserve in public hands.
The issue has been a hot potato since it was first mooted that a portion of the reserve be reclassified and sold to Peninsula Plaza to allow for
expansion of carparking and loading dock facilities.
Following community uproar, Hart announced at Council’s August meeting that he would put the matter
back out for public consultation, with residents to vote on either keeping the land in public hands or reclassifying it for sale, with any sale proceeds to go towards an extensive greening
program on the Peninsula.
That announcement, labelled by member for Gosford Liesl Tesch as “blackmail”, was met with fury by 13 community groups which combined to re-affirm opposition to any sell-off.
Coral Roberts addressed the public forum prior to the September 26 meeting on behalf of residents, saying there were more than 2,000 signatures on a petition opposing the sell-off.
“The pressing concern that affects us all is the heat the heat island effect,” she said.
“Urban landscapes are heating.
“We should be working with Mother Nature, not against her.
Continued page 9
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In a world that thrives on diversity and inclusivity, discussions surrounding free speech, cancel culture and censorship have become increasingly complex and contentious.
The battleground has extended to various domains, including education.
One such controversy has revolved around the sex education book Welcome to Sex.
This week CCN reveals a battle that has been going on behind the scenes between a 92-year-old German businessman and sexeducation critics, who have successfully had the book taken off the shelves of some booksellers nationwide.
Nursery owner Christian Boes decided over a month ago to give the book away to customers, not for its promotional value, but because he believes in free speech and good sex education.
This is not inconsequential as Mr Boes witnessed as a young boy the book burning practices of the Nazis in the 30s and 40s.
Coast Community News has also received pointed correspondence demanding
that an advertisement run by Mr Boes in this publication be censored too – something management of this publication has refused on principle.
Welcome to Sex is a comprehensive sex education book aiming to provide adolescents with accurate information on a crucial aspect of their lives.
The book is authored by two reputable Australian experts in the field and is published by a reputable Australian publisher.
While some content in the book may be confronting, it seeks to navigate the turbulent waters of adolescence by offering guidance on relationships, consent, gender identity and safe sex.
However, its candid approach has led to a debate about the fine line between free speech and censorship.
On one side, proponents of free speech argue that Welcome to Sex is a valuable resource for open dialogue about sexual education.
They maintain that silencing such materials infringes on the right to access information and stunts the development of wellinformed individuals.
They argue that in a democratic society, freedom of speech should be upheld, allowing for diverse
perspectives to coexist and fostering critical thinking.
Conversely, opponents argue that Welcome to Sex may promote ideas that are deemed inappropriate or offensive by some.
Censorship and use of cancel culture tactics, they say, is a response to harmful content that deserves censure.
They emphasise the importance of ensuring that educational materials are sensitive to the cultural, religious and moral values of various communities, asserting that the book might cross these boundaries.
The crux of this debate lies in striking a balance.
The values of free speech and censorship do not have to be mutually exclusive.
Responsible free speech recognises that while individuals have the right to express their views, they also bear the responsibility of considering the consequences of their words.
Rather than seeking to cancel Welcome to Sex, we should emphasise the importance of transparent and inclusive discussions.
It is crucial to engage in constructive dialogues, allowing concerned parties to voice their opinions, ask
questions and challenge the content they find problematic.
By creating spaces for discourse and education, we can promote an environment where both free speech and responsible content and communications are upheld.
CCN values and creates spaces for the community to read, listen to and debate the various sides of issues that affect the community.
Evidence of this can be seen in the pages of our publications every week a we seek to present diverse and balanced views on the issues of the day.
The controversy surrounding Welcome to Sex highlights the need for a thoughtful, balanced approach to free speech and censorship and an avoidance of a so-called cancel culture that seeks to shut people down. While it is vital to protect free speech, it is equally important to ensure that educational materials are responsible and respectful of diverse perspectives.
By finding common ground through open dialogue and inclusivity, we can navigate this challenging terrain while fostering a society that values both free speech and cultural sensitivity.
David Abrahams – Managing EditorHis younger colleagues lovingly call him the dinosaur and after five decades of serving the public, Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Station Officer Fred Parkhouse has called time on his career.
The 68-year-old joined NSW Fire Brigades, as it was known then, as a teenager and progressed through the ranks, learning all aspects of firefighting and rescue work.
Fire and Rescue NSW Duty Commander Chris Bishop said Parkhouse is still as keen to protect the community as the day he joined.
“Fred thrives on going to active incidents, extinguishing fires and helping those in need,” Bishop said.
“He’s just that type of character, that’s his domain – if a major incident is happening and he’s there, he takes control and he still loves it after 50 years.
“It’s obviously a very hard decision for him to leave Fire and Rescue NSW because he still has a great love for firefighting.
“He’s got an enormous amount of knowledge and a great ability to see the bigger picture at incidents.
“At times, when I’ve arrived at
a scene, Fred will already be liaising with all the other agencies and he’ll have everything in hand.
“He’ll have informed the Police and he’ll have all the utility companies organised, he’ll be speaking with the owners, he’ll be dealing with people who’ve been impacted by the incident.
“You just can’t buy that experience.”
Over the past 50 years Parkhouse has served all over NSW from Broken Hill to Sydney, and for the past 17 he has lead the team of firefighters at Gosford Station.
His colleagues suggest he’s also remained a firefighter all this time by order of his wife, Janet.
“We’ve always said Janet doesn’t want him to retire, she wants him out of her hair – that’s why he’s stayed in the job so long,” Bishop said.
“But we really know it’s her support that has enabled him to achieve this remarkable period of service.”
There’s been plenty of goodnatured banter with his younger colleagues and father-figure Fred is known to give as good as he gets.
On his last shift on September
20, a host of Parkhouse’s commanders, including Deputy Commissioner – Field Operations, Jeremy Fewtrell, joined his Central Coast colleagues at a surprise farewell lunch at Gosford Fire Station. With his kids now grown up and his service number retired, Parkhouse plans to enjoy a holiday with his wife and settle down to a quieter life in the Hunter Valley.
Source: Fire and Rescue NSW Fred Parkhouse
Disability driver Bob Holloway is appealing to Central Coast Council to show a little commonsense over parking infringements after being fined while helping an elderly woman attend a medical appointment.
“I’m a pensioner, retired on the Central Coast, and I thought a way to help the community is by being a volunteer for the Community Transport Central Coast as a driver,” Holloway said.
“I know firsthand how difficult it can be for people with debilitating illnesses as I was diagnosed with leukaemia nine years ago as was constantly visiting medical facilities during my own treatment.
“This is my way of giving back to the community.
“Recently I received a $283 fine for double parking while helping a partially blind, very senior local lady, who also had walking difficulties needing a walker, to get to her eye doctor.
“Needless to say I challenged the fine, but it was not reviewed positively in my favour by Revenue NSW.”
While Revenue NSW
acknowledged Holloway was transporting a visually impaired passenger and there was no available nearby parking, they declined to cancel the fine.
“Double parking can create blind spots for motorists and pedestrians, as well as cause other drivers to travel on the opposite side of the road,” they advised Holloway.
“You must not stop a vehicle on a road next to another vehicle parked parallel to the kerb.
“Drivers must still follow the road rules in place at the time as parking is not guaranteed at any location.”
Holloway said the incident occurred at 10.36am on August 15 outside 127 Erina St, Gosford.
“I needed to get close to the entrance to safely drop off my passenger who is aged between late 80s and early 90s,” he said.
“There is limited parking and unfortunately on the day the closest parking was approximately 200 meters away from the entrance.
“Directly in front of the entrance is a ramp to help patients using wheelchairs or walkers to safely get to their appointments.
“I decided to double park in front rather than risking injury (to my patient).”
Holloway said there could have been many trip hazards for the frail, partially blind senior on a 200 metre walk to the specialist offices.
“I took every possible precaution to ensure our safety by using the car’s flash emergency signals, staying within five metres of the vehicle so the vehicle was not unattended, constantly looking for any signs of traffic (there was none) and returning to the vehicle within three minutes to continue driving,” he said.
“I know it’s incorrect to double park but in this case there was no hindrance or inconvenience to traffic or pedestrians and every precaution was taken.
“As I continue to volunteer as a driver for the Community Transport Central Coast I would not change this decision.
“If this was anyone’s mother, father, grandmother or grandfather who was partially blind and with walking disabilities, I would think their families would expect the best and most appropriate assistance necessary when transporting them.
“I think Council should show
compassion and commonsense to locals and services that help people with special needs.”
A Council spokesperson said parking officers undertake an important role in ensuring roads are safe for all road users and pedestrians as well as ensuring equitable access to parking options (amongst other matters), with discretion applied where appropriate.
“While Council commends those members of our community who assist the elderly or those with a disability, double parking can obstruct the vision of road users and pedestrians to oncoming traffic
and can create a significant safety risk,” the spokesperson said.
“While there are several exemptions provided for mobility parking permit holders to facilitate access to parking options such as extensions to timed restricted parking and temporary use of no parking zones, this does not apply to double parking.
“Council notes that the same considerations were made by Revenue NSW when Mr Holloway sought an internal review of the fine and the fine was upheld.
“Mr Holloway can elect to have the matter heard in the Local Court if he wishes to pursue the matter.
“Council is also open to further discussing the provision of parking options across the Central Coast.
“Council’s Traffic Team are available to discuss such concerns and can be contacted via email at ask@centralocoast. nsw.gov.au (attention Infrastructure Service Unit, Traffic Team).”
Terry CollinsNow that the site of the former Nissen Hut at Ourimbah has been returned to public hands by the Newcastle University, community is being sought for the future use of 1A Jaques St.
Following the demolition of the heritage hut earlier this year, the site was transferred back to Central Coast Council in August this year.
The 1,050sqm rectangular block had been owned by the university since 1994, having been used for teaching for more than a decade.
A petition calling for a total ban of Forestry Corporation logging in Ourimbah State Forest collected almost 1,200 signatures in just three weeks and has now been presented to the NSW Parliament.
The petitioners are asking for the forest to be converted into a conservation, recreation and cultural heritage area.
“Why it is being logged for toilet paper and cardboard instead of generating profit through tourism and carbon capture is beyond me,” spokesperson for environmental group Camp Ourimbah, Ursula Da Silva, said.
Following the transfer of the land, Council said any future use of the site would be identified in conjunction with
community consultation.
Acting Director Environment and Planning Luke Sulkowski said following an initial
community meeting, the wider community could now provide their input and suggestions as to what uses
the site might include.
“We invited the Member for The Entrance David Mehan, the Ourimbah Region Residents Association (ORRA) and residents and businesses in the immediate vicinity to the site to provide their input, which has already provided some excellent ideas as to the future of the site,” he said.
“We have now opened up consultation to the wider community via online feedback, as well as a further in-person consultation meeting at a later date.”
Council Administrator Rik Hart said he was aware of the
Greens MP and spokesperson for the Environment Sue Higginson presented the petition to Parliament and said Ourimbah State Forest was part of the public native forest estate and should be protected as part of the State’s protected area network.
“I have written to the Minister for the Environment requesting a review of the logging operations in Ourimbah which do not appear to be taking into account the precious cultural heritage of the area,” she said.
“I have been notified that the Environment Protection Authority and the Biodiversity Conservation Division are now
looking into the concerns raised by traditional custodians and forest defenders.”
Da Silva says there was recent logging of about 121ha
of forest, and there were plans for more than 809ha of logging operations.
“Everywhere we walked it was total devastation … the
area looked clear felled,” she said.
“Habitat trees were scrawny, left because they weren’t worth logging, not because of their habitat value.
“To be honest, walking through hundreds of acres of fire fuel – drying gum leaves, sticks, log piles and bark piles – was terrifying.
“They have literally left a tinderbox 300 acres in size right in the middle of the Central Coast just before Summer.
“I have emailed them asking what their intentions are with this debris, as log piles the size of people’s homes have been left in the forest since 2020.”
land’s importance to the community.
“The overarching Ourimbah Area Strategy and Centre Masterplan was adopted by Council in March 2022,” he said.
“Following consultation on the future use of 1A Jaques St, the Master Plan will be updated to include the vision for this site.”
To find our how you can provide input and feedback go to www.yourvoiceourcoast. com/jaques
Source: Central Coast Council
Higginson said in Parliament that “logging our native forests is an industry of yesterday”.
“The government must take the steps to transition the industry to 100 per cent sustainable plantation timber immediately … we already get most of our high-end-use products such as for construction and building home from plantations,” she said.
“Western Australia and Victoria have stopped logging their public forests, we must do it here in NSW, before it’s too late.”
Sue Murray
Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch has slammed the NSW Government for not providing any funding for a road study at the intersection of Wards Hill Rd and Empire Bay Dr in the recent State Budget.
Crouch said the lack of funding for a study into improvements at the busy Empire Bay intersection was the direct result of a lack of commitment and vision for the Central Coast.
“During the state election, the issue of the Wards Hill Rd and Empire Bay Dr became a hot topic, with the Labor candidate campaigning on finding a solution for this busy
intersection,” he said.
“What’s now crystal clear is that Labor never had any intention to investigate options for Wards Hill Rd and Empire Bay Dr.
“Under the former Coalition government, short-term strategies such as lowering the speed limit, new speed signs and investigating a larger merging lane were implemented.
“However, these are shortterm strategies and a study must be done to investigate long-term solutions for this intersection.”
Crouch said he would be calling on the Federal Member for Robertson and the Federal
Government to provide funding for the traffic study.
“I acknowledge the Federal Member for Robertson’s petition for this intersection, in which he calls on all levels of government to look at a solution … sadly, his NSW Labor colleagues have ruled themselves out,” Crouch said.
“The only option now for our community is for the Federal Member to stump up the cash for the road study, which I am sure many in our community will welcome.”
The NSW Government will urge Central Coast Council to work will all residents on a solution to ongoing erosion issues at Wamberal Beach, following the passage of an amended Motion in State Parliament recently.
But it’s not quite the outcome opponents of a seawall option were hoping for.
The original Motion was put by Greens MP Abigail Boyd, who had presented a petition opposing a seawall to the Parliament the previous day.
“That petition was backed by the calls of thousands of Central Coast residents whose homes and community are under threat,” she said.
“Wamberal has been vulnerable to coastal erosion for years as one of 15 coastal erosion hotspots in NSW and one of hundreds across Australia.
“The Central Coast Council, which is currently under administration and has been prevented from democratically
With a lacklustre response in State Parliament to its petition objecting to a seawall, the Wamberal Beach Save Our Sand (SOS) group is set to hold a special information session on the issue on Saturday, September 30.
To be held at Breakers at 2pm, the event will feature key speakers Angus Gordon, Andrew Short and Brendan Donohue.
Angus Gordon is an eminent coastal engineer who codeveloped the NSW Coastal Protection Act.
He is the former General Manager of Pittwater Council and former Managing Director
holding local elections for several years, is tasked with managing accelerated coastal erosion caused by climate impacts and rising sea levels.
“A high seawall was proposed by a few select property owners and supported by Council after the beach and nearby homes experienced significant dune erosion in 2020, but a seawall is so clearly not the only option, and it is far from the right option.
“No wall will ever stop the ocean; it will not stop the ocean’s currents from reaching the shore.
“A seawall is intended to reflect incident wave energy back into the sea.
“How can anyone possibly think that spending millions of dollars to shift erosion to a different part of the beach is a sensible option?”
The Parliament rejected elements of the Motion urging direct Government intervention in the decision-making process.
Boyd’s original Motion called
for the Government to act to prevent the Council from proceeding with any seawall development applications (DAs) until an Environmental Impact Statement and administrative review had been conducted and publicly reported, and a newly elected Council was put in place in September 2024.
It also called for the Government to immediately stop the transfer of public land along Wamberal Beach to
Council and support an appeal to the Land and Environment Court to overturn existing Wamberal Beach seawall DAs. Instead the Parliament backed a watered-down Motion to urge Central Coast Council to work constructively with all residents, particularly around Terrigal Lagoon, to address community concerns, after Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Penny Sharpe said the Government could not back the
Motion in its original form due to “planning process inaccuracies”.
In reply, Boyd said it was “complete madness” to say that the Government has no legal authority to intervene.
“The Government could pass a law this week or next week that actually prohibits the building of seawalls,” she said.
Although the Greens did not back the amended Motion, it passed.
Minister for the Central Coast
of Manly Hydraulics Laboratory. He has written 56 technical papers on coastal erosion.
Professor Andrew Short of the University of Sydney’s School of Geo-sciences is a former member of the NSW Coastal Panel.
He has published more that 250 articles on beach and coastal systems.
Brendan Donohue is the President of Surfrider Australia, Northern Beaches.
He has decades of experience leading the campaign to stop seawall development along Sydney’s northern beaches, an expert in ‘no seawall’ community advocacy and council and state government strategy.
Also at the meeting will be Wamberal beachfront homeowners who oppose the seawall and Wamberal SOS leaders who will provide updates on SOS, Council and NSW Government actions.
There will be an opportunity to ask the experts questions and discuss the seawall issue and alternatives.
SOS has invited State Government MPs and Ministers and representatives from Central Coast Council to the event, as well as National Parks and Wildlife (Wamberal Lagoon Nature Reserve), local indigenous leaders and businesses.
Terry CollinsDavid Harris said he acknowledged the diversity of views regarding the proposed seawall at Wamberal.
“I also acknowledge the advocacy of community groups on the issue, including the Wamberal Save our Sands group, led by local residents Mark and Corinne Lamont, whom I met with recently,” he said.
“After 12 years of Liberal governments, the future of Wamberal beach was left in limbo and the state budget in a shambles.
“The Government (has) successfully amended a Motion to urge Central Coast Council to work constructively with all residents, particularly around Terrigal Lagoon, to address community concerns.
“We will continue to have open dialogue with Central Coast Council and the community to ensure their concerns are addressed through any planning process.”
Terry CollinsA new educational program at The Entrance shines a new perspective on pelican encounters, taking visitors behind the scenes of marine wildlife care.
Central Coast Council has partnered with Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast to deliver a family friendly, educational, safe, eco-friendly pelican experience called Pelican Time.
Pelican Time is a free talk that takes place every Saturday, Sunday, public holidays (with the exception of Christmas Day), and every day during school holidays, at 3.30pm at Pelican Plaza, located on the waterfront at The Entrance.
Visitors can expect a deep dive into the secret world of one of the most wonderfully bizarre animals in the world –the pelican – and this program will hopefully inspire people to act on and support the protection of wildlife and their
environments.
Passionate volunteers and wildlife experts will explain the role they play in caring for local marine wildlife and the pelican population.
Council Director of Community and Recreation Services
Melanie Smith said the tourism team would be working with Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast over the next year to develop the program with additional eco-friendly experiences which celebrated the pelican and provided
further educational opportunities.
“Council has a shared vision with the community to have a thriving, connected and supported tourism industry that provides compelling visitor experiences to position the
region as a premier sustainable tourism and lifestyle destination,” she said.
“As part of this vision, the Central Coast is one of Australia’s first certified ECO Destinations, home to internationally acclaimed ecotourism experiences guided by a pledge to activate and promote responsible experiences and interactions with wildlife.”
Council Administrator Rik Hart said the new pelican program was just one example of the many experiences to enjoy on the Coast.
“I’m thrilled that a safe, educational and family-friendly pelican experience has returned to The Entrance,” he said.
“Visitors and locals love the Coast for these types of vibrant experiences, and there’s so much more on offer across the whole region.
“I’d encourage people to
explore our nationally awarded gourmet foodie scene, array of coastal, hinterland and aquatic treasures, action-packed adventure and nature-based immersive experiences.
“The Central Coast is one of Australia’s first certified ECO Destinations and we are home to internationally acclaimed eco-tourism experiences.
“Through Council’s support of Pelican Time with Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast, this program will be in line with the region’s commitment to our ECO Destination certification, which includes appropriate care of wildlife and is founded on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s Green Destinations Standard.”
To learn more about the new Pelican Time with Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast visit lovecentralcoast.com/ pelican-time.
Source: Central Coast
It’s been a bumper whale watching season, with an estimated 40,000 humpback whales spotted off Central Coast waters making their way north on their annual migration to breed in the warm waters of the Coral Sea.
Marine mammal specialist for Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast (MWRCC) Ronny Ling said Coasties were now seeing mothers bring their calves south, securing another generation of the amazing animals.
Whales have been spotted as close as 100m offshore
Four big Chemical CleanOut weekends in 2023 have seen the biggest response in the event’s 20 history.
Central Coast residents embraced positive waste management behaviours when it comes to disposing of hazardous items, with more than 6,340 vehicles responsibly disposing of over 265 tonnes of hazardous waste.
The Chemical CleanOut program is aimed at encouraging residents to clear out unwanted and out-of-date hazardous items from homes, garages and sheds, to be correctly disposed of for free at nominated Chemical CleanOut locations.
Central Coast Council’s Unit Manager Waste and Resource Recovery, Andrew Pearce, said the numbers recorded showed the community is invested in preventing environmental
“Some of these amazing creatures have been passing 100m from shore this week,” he said.
“It’s a great time of year to get out to a local headland or join a local whale watching tour, to get a great look at these passing leviathans.
“Mother whales bring their calves close to shore on their way south, for calmer waters to feed them.”
Baby whales drink about 500 litres of fatty milk every day and increase their weight by around 50kg daily, Ling said.
harm and the need to safely dispose of hazardous materials.
“This year’s Chemical CleanOut disposal sites were located at Long Jetty Council Depot, Charmhaven Council Depot and Kincumber Waste Management Facility,” Pearce said.
“The Kincumber site has raised the bar for the most successful Chemical CleanOut day and weekend ever, with over 1,150 residents on Saturday, August 5, and over 2,000 residents responsibly disposing over 82 tonnes of waste across the whole weekend.
“All materials dropped off over the two weekends will now be safely disposed of by specialist contractors, and materials such as paint tins, lead acid batteries and motor oils will be recycled or reused.
“Everyone who participated
in these events has contributed to not only helping to reduce pollution and keep hazardous materials out of our environment, but also contributed to the recovery of reusable materials and precious metals.
Council Administrator Rik Hart said the events help reduce littering, avoid harmful substances going to landfill and strengthen positive
environmental outcomes.
“The understanding and commitment from the community to responsibly and safely dispose of waste is evident with the constantly increasing support these events attract,” he said.
“It is a testament to our community wanting to improve and protect our environment.”
The Chemical CleanOut
campaign is just one of the many resource recovery initiatives offered to residents by Council, beyond its household waste and recycling collection services.
Council reminds residents to keep hazardous items such as batteries out of the waste bins – one spark from an old battery can cause a rubbish truck or an entire recycling facility to catch fire.
“Baby whales need to increase their blubber (fat) layer for their trip south to the Southern Ocean,” he said. “The blubber insulates them from the cold, helps make them more buoyant and helps protect them from injury.”
MWRCC is the Central Coast’s own marine wildlife specialist rescue group.
If you see a whale or other marine wildlife in need of help please call 0478 439 965 as soon as possible.
Source: Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast
Discover how to safely dispose of many more items by checking the A-Z Waste Disposal and Recycling Guide at 1coast.com.au.
Household Chemical CleanOuts are held bi-annually, with the next scheduled event to be confirmed and promoted early next year.
The Household Chemical CleanOut program is a NSW Environment Protection Authority Waste Less, Recycle More initiative funded by the waste levy and delivered by the NSW Environment Protection Authority, Paintback and Central Coast Council.
Sign up to Council’s eNews at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au or follow its social media accounts for updates on reuse and recycling initiatives.
Source: Central Coast Council
The sewing machines have been humming at Woy Woy CWA, with members recycling last year’s Coastal Twist Festival banners to make 180 tote bags and bunting for this year’s event.
“We are once again proud to be involved with this year’s Fair Day on Sunday, October 1,” a spokesperson said.
“We will be yarn bombing with lots of flair and colour with many treats and crafts for sale at our market stall.”
The Kariong-Somersby Rotary Club has received two grants from the Federal Government’s Stronger Communities Program and 2022-23 Volunteer Grants.
The club has used grants, totalling $11,100, to buy new computers, an upgraded AV system, new marquees and function chairs.
For more on these stories visit our website.
As peak funnel-web spider season approaches, the Australian Reptile Park is calling on Central Coast residents to collect any funnel-webs and their egg sacs that they might find in their gardens or nearby bushland.
The Park is asking responsible adults to retrieve egg sacs safely and take them directly to the Somersby facility.
Once hatched, the spiderlings will be raised at the Park until they are mature and are able to join the lifesaving venom milking program.
Park Director Liz Gabriel said each year more male funnelweb spiders were needed for the program.
“Because male funnel-webs only live for about a year once they reach maturity, we only have a very short period in which we can extract their venom,” she said.
“Once extracted, this venom is sent to CSL Seqirus, where it is processed into lifesaving antivenom.
“We rely on funnel-web spider donations from members of the public.
“If they also come across any egg sacs, we can use them to hatch between 50-150 spiderlings, making for a wonderful source of healthy, robust spiders to contribute to the program.”
In an educational video Gabriel explains the steps to safely retrieve the egg sac and the kinds of environments they can be found in.
These include shady areas with sloped ground as funnelweb spiders prefer to burrow under any debris in those sorts of areas.
Suburbs funnel-webs are
commonly found include Wyoming, Terrigal and Matcham and those in which houses back onto forests.
During the collection of funnel-web spiders or their egg sacs, it is important to wear enclosed shoes and use a long-handled spoon to maintain a safe distance between yourself and the spider at all times.
The spider or egg sac can then be carefully guided into a large jar and brought in to the Australian Reptile Park.
The Park is the sole supplier of funnel-web spider venom to
make into lifesaving antivenom.
The program has contributed to saving countless Australian lives since its inception in the early 1980s – there has not been a single death since the introduction of the program. Anyone with a suspected funnel-web spider bite should always seek urgent medical advice or call 000.
To learn more about the appropriate first aid for funnelweb spider bites, download the Australian Bites & Stings App.
Source: Australian Reptile Park
The 2023-24 beach patrol season officially got underway on Saturday, September 23, at 15 Central Coast beaches and The Grant McBride Baths at The Entrance.
The season commenced with an official raising of the flag’s ceremony at Terrigal Beach hosted by Surf Life Saving Central Coast on Saturday, September 23.
Council’s Unit Manager Leisure Beach Safety and Community Facilities, Phil Cantillon, said the red and yellow flags signified that lifeguards and lifesavers had returned to patrol to keep the community safe.
“Council’s lifeguards and Surf Life Saving volunteers provide search and rescue services for our coastal beaches, as well as emergency medical care when required,” Cantillon said.
“They also play an important role in educating swimmers and visitors on beach and water safety.
“The 2022-23 season concluded with 1,742 rescues and treated more than 3,200
first aid incidents.
“This is a timely reminder to the community that while we have lifeguards and lifesavers on patrol, it is important to stay up-to-date with safety messaging so everyone can have a safe and enjoyable season.”
Surf Life Saving Central Coast CEO Jon Harkness said safety is more important than ever this year, as evidenced by how busy his volunteers were last summer.
“Our volunteers rescued 621 people last year, provided first aid 1,464 times, and took more than 25,000 preventative actions to keep the community safe,” Harkness said.
“We had more than 1.3 million visitors to our beaches last summer, and we expect that number to increase with reports of some hot, dry months on the way.”
Harkness urged the community to swim between the flags, and “drive the extra five to survive”, meaning driving an extra five minutes to one of the 15 patrolled beaches on the Central Coast.
An iconic part of the community, SLSCC has been supported by Newcastle Permanent for more than 20 years.
Harkness said the organisation was grateful for Newcastle Permanent’s support, which assists with the recruitment, training, and retention of life savers.
Surf Life Saving Central Coast Branch has 15 clubs from Umina Beach to The Lakes.
Key safety tips include: swim
between the flags; if you get into difficulty, stay calm, raise your arm and yell for assistance; never run or dive into the water, as the depth can change quickly; children should always be supervised by an adult at all aquatic locations; if you are unsure of the conditions, ask a lifeguard or lifesaver; always listen to the lifeguards and lifesavers; avoid swimming for at least one day after heavy rain to decrease exposure to stormwater pollution; e aware
of obvious signs of pollution such as litter, odours and surface scum following heavy rain; and if you’re going rock fishing, be sure to plan ahead – wear appropriate safety equipment, let others know where you are going and carry a charged phone.
Council Administrator Rik Hart said both Council lifeguards and Surf Life Savers were committed to supporting a safe season ahead.
“As with past seasons, the
goal is to ensure that everyone who visits our beautiful waterways do so safely,” Hart said.
“I urge the community to keep safety top-of-mind and encourage residents and visitors alike to find their closest patrolled location this summer.”
Council lifeguards patrol the shorelines between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday and Surf Life Saving volunteers keep everyone safe on weekends and public holidays.
During the busy Christmas holiday period the 15 beach locations and The Grant McBride Baths will be patrolled for an extra an hour (9am-6pm) from December 18 through to January 28, 2024.
Council also has serviced beach wheelchairs available for free hire, along with beach matting installed at several beaches across the Coast.
For more information and find your nearest patrolled beach location, search ’beaches’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au
Terry Collins
Community Voice
Australia- Central Coast hosted a community event titled Protect our Forests and Sacred Lands on September 16, where issues of environmental concern in the region were discussed.
Held at Kincumber, the event featured local speakers sharing details of logging in Ourimbah State Forest and the fight to save Kariong Sacred Lands from a housing development proposed on Woy Woy Rd.
“Ursula Da Silva of Camp Ourimbah and Brian Davies of Palmdale compared archival photos of the grandeur of Ourimbah State Forest with the destruction left by the Forestry
Corporation’s recent logging,” a spokesperson said.
“Concerns were raised about the logging’s impact on koalas and wildlife as well as the fire risk of leaving dead vegetation in place of fire-retardant rainforest.
“John Seed, long-term environmental campaigner and founder of the Rainforest Information Centre, then shared some stories of successful forest campaigns and encouraged us that protests do work.
“Of note is that our taxes subsidise the Forestry Corporation whose practices include many violations of forestry law; they are racking up numerous fines for
environmentally reckless and unlawful behaviour.
“Everyone, except for industry and politicians, agrees that native forest logging needs to
stop (as decreed this year in Victoria).”
The second item on the agenda was a proposed 70home development by
Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council (DLALC) on land at Kariong.
“Aunty Colleen Fuller (Traditional Custodian from the Darkinoong and Yuin tribes) and Lisa Bellamy (President of the Kariong Progress Association) explained how the State Government Aboriginal Land SEPP allows for fast tracking of development by Indigenous land corporations,” the spokesperson said.
“Of concern is land at Kariong, which is zoned C2.
“C2 Zoning applies to areas that contain high ecological, scientific, cultural or aesthetic values and is the next rung down from National Parks.
“The Kariong project is one of
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“The planting of new trees will not replace these magnificent trees (in Austin Butler Reserve), which we must not lose.
“They are a part of Woy Woy – nature’s solution to cooling our environment, reducing CO2 and providing habitat for many native species.”
She said the trees must be retained “not just for ourselves but for future generations” and suggested Peninsula Plaza should be left to solve its own design problems.
“The community has made it very clear we will fight to protect our trees,” she said.
Speaking in favour of selling the land, Peter O’Donnell said Peninsula Plaza had been in the heart of the Woy Woy business district for more than 30 years.
“Woolworths has been an integral part of the shopping centre over that time and one of the main employers in the area,” he said.
“The way of carrying out deliveries has changed dramatically with much larger vehicles being used.”
O’Donnell said semi-trailers entering the plaza carpark via Blackwall Rd posed danger and were the cause of major traffic delays.
“These vehicles have to reverse into the loading dock, protruding into the carpark,” he said.
“Traffic grinds to a halt and traffic delays spill back into Blackwall Rd.”
He said anti-social behaviour in the reserve impacts on customers coming into the plaza and that expansion of the loading dock would be a benefit to the wider community.
Matthew Wales also spoke in favour of reclassifying the land, saying it would be an important step in enabling the shopping centre to extend its carpark and rationalise its loading dock.
He said there had been many vehicle/semi-trailer/ pedestrian conflicts in recent years which could be safely resolved by reclassification.
“This has wider implications for the Woy Woy town centre – it is imperative the shopping centre operates as efficiently as possible,” he said.
Administrator Hart said after “thinking about it long and
hard”, he had decided to remove the site from the land reclassification proposal considered later in the meeting but reiterated that the matter would again go out for public consultation.
Hart once again emphasised the benefits of a sale which would see money put back into “thousands of trees” for the Peninsula.
He stressed that the pocket of land in question is not the entire reserve and said a greening program would make long-term progress in mitigating the impacts of
a number DLALC has at various stages of assessment in the delivery pipeline, including proposals at Somersby, Wallarah and Lake Munmorah that total 331.5ha of its land.
“DLALC is the largest private land holder on the Central Coast with another 1000 land claims currently being processed.
“Local environmentalist and founder of Coast Environmental Alliance Jake Cassar encouraged the public to make submissions when the housing development opens for public exhibition in October.”
Source: Community Voice AustraliaCentral Coast
Climate Change into the future. “This would be in addition to other Council street greening programs,” he said.
Opponents of the proposal claim that a greening program on the Peninsula should not be dependent upon the sale of community assets.
Hart said an open survey on the issue would be available via the yourvoiceourcoast website “as soon as possible” and there would also be independently conducted targeted representative survey.
Terry CollinsA World War I veteran buried at Point Clare Cemetery has finally received the recognition he deserves.
For 64 years Private William Alexander Page had laid in an unmarked grave at the cemetery but a new headstone was unveiled in honour of the WWI Gallipoli veteran on September 15.
In April 2022, Page’s grandson Anthony Rodopoulos from Tasmania saw a TV segment on the work done by the Headstone Project, placing headstones on the unmarked graves of WWI soldiers in Tasmania. Knowing his grandfather was in a similar situation in NSW, he contacted the Headstone Project and was directed to Forgotten Diggers in NSW. From there, work began on the process of securing a headstone for Page.
He enlisted on February 12, 1915, and subsequently saw action at Gallipoli and on the Western Front, where he was severely wounded in 1917. He was discharged from the Army in March 1918.
“We reviewed Mr Page’s military records and believed that he should qualify for an Official War Grave,” Founder of
Forgotten Diggers John Thomas said.
“His military record contains a certificate stating that he had ‘served with honour and was disabled in the Great War’.
“Surely, we believed, this would warrant a Commonwealth War Grave.
“An application was lodged seeking Official Commemoration but this was rejected by the Office of Australian War Graves, as his cause of death was not deemed related to his military service.”
Following this rejection, Forgotten Diggers, working closely with Rodopoulos, began the process of delivering a private commemoration reflecting Page’s service to Australia in its time of need.
This involved the timeconsuming process of negotiating with cemetery administrators to get permission for the design of the memorial, securing permission to use the Rising Sun logo and arranging a suitable commemorative bronze plaque.
With the health of Page’s daughter deteriorating there was an urgency in achieving the goal of his commemoration.
September 15 saw the headstone unveiled in the presence of his daughter and her family.
President of the Gosford RSL Sub Branch Greg Mawson was the Master of Ceremonies and was joined by Sub Branch Padre Derek Crawford, a delegation from the Sub Branch and John N. Thomas and his wife, Hazel.
Central Coast Kids in Need is $1,852.38 richer, thanks to a special board games event held on Saturday, September 9, at Central Coast Leagues Club. Organised by the C4 Tabletop Gaming Group and the Central Coast Board Game Club, the day was a huge success.
New extensions to the Lions Hall at East Gosford were officially opened on September 12 by Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch.
Central Coast Town Crier Stephen Clarke played the Last Post and Reveille at the service.
A Tribute Poster, prepared by Pierre Seillier from France and commemorating Page’s service, was presented to the family.
Following the service, refreshments were provided by the Gosford RSL.
Source: Gosford RSL
A spokesperson said the extensions were funded through a $32,000 State Government grant, with the club contributing a further $3,500.
The money was used to provide extra amenities for hirers of the back of the hall, including the Makers Studio, the Art Class and the Ukelele Club.
For more on these stories visit our website.
See front page for QR code and URL.
Following back-to-back years of floods and bushfires, and with a declared El Nino event underway, the Central Coast Local Emergency Management Committee continues to prepare with a rolling program of liaison officer training.
The training involves a range of emergency services and staff in supporting agencies to better prepare and ensure responses to emergency or disaster events are undertaken in an effective manner.
Central Coast Council’s Emergency Management Coordinator and Local Emergency Officer, Patrick Quick, partnered with the NSW Police Force’s Regional Emergency Management Officer Andrew Codrington to deliver the training.
The liaison officer training is for those staff members who might be called to respond to an emergency or disaster that
requires an all-of-government response as well as disaster recovery operations.
Those officers play an important role in co-ordinating information and actions between emergency services, government agencies, nongovernment organisations and elements of the community.
More than 65 staff have
already participated in the training since the program was rolled out five weeks ago.
Local Emergency Controller, Superintendent Chad Gillies from Tuggerah Lakes Police District, opened the third training session held on September 20 and while addressing the participants thanked Council’s Patrick Quick “for driving this important
A 30-year-old man has been arrested at Kincumber as part of Operation Foil II – a statewide operation targeting knife crime and anti-social behaviour.
Officers arrested the man after he was seen driving into a service station.
Police will allege the man was wanted for a number of serious offences including possession of firearms, kidnapping, supplying a prohibited drug, affray, assault, malicious
damage and traffic breaches. The man was charged with a total of 18 offences and was refused bail to appear at Gosford Local Court on Friday, November 17.
Local police were supported by officers from the Police Transport and Public Safety Command, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, and Youth Command during the recent Operation Foil II which targeted known hot spots across NSW.
initiative” with Regional Emergency Management Officer Andrew Codrington.
Agencies represented included Central Coast Council, Police, Rural Fire Service, Ambulance, Volunteer Rescue Association, SES, Marine Rescue NSW and the NSW Reconstruction Authority.
Sue MurrayPolice have apprehended a man at Shelly Beach – one of three people charged over a public place shooting on the Mid North Coast in August.
There were reports of shots fired at two separate locations in Wauchope on August 23 which Police believe were linked and targeted.
A crime scene was established and an investigation commenced.
At about 5.30pm on Friday, September 22, detectives arrested a 33-year-old man during a vehicle stop on Bateau Bay Rd, Shelly Beach.
Police will allege that the man discharged a firearm at both locations in August.
He was taken to Wyong Police Station and charged with six offences including: two counts of firing a firearm in a manner likely to injure persons/ property; firing a firearm at dwelling-house with disregard for safety; possession of loaded firearm in a public place; and two counts of firing a firearm in or near a public place.
Bail was again refused when he appeared in court for the second time on Monday, September 25.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was tasked by NSW Ambulance at about 1pm on Tuesday, September 26, to Magenta, where a woman had been pulled from the water by beachgoers.
She was treated by paramedics and stabilised by the helicopter critical care medical team before being transported by road to Wyong Hospital.
Crews were on the ground from late afternoon on Sunday, September 24, and throughout Monday fighting a bushfire which had spread over nine hectares at Little Wobby near Patonga.
With access to the area along the Hawkesbury River only possible via the water, fire
crews from several Central Coast Rural Fire Service crews and Brooklyn Rural Fire Brigade headed over to the peninsula between Brooklyn and Patonga by boat.
The fire was burning in very difficult terrain and all
firefighting operations were undertaken by ground crews with support from fire boats and a water-bombing helicopter, working overnight to control the fire.
Firefighters continued working to strengthen containment lines for the Little Wobby fire to protect isolated properties.
Smoke from the fire was seen for days by residents in the local Patonga area and by travellers on the M1 and Pacific Hwy.
Keep track of local bushfires on the Fires Near Me NSW app.
Source: NSW Rural Fire Service
Anyone with information about these incidents should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au to report online. Information provided will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
More On the Beat stories can be read on our website. Scan the QR code or visit coastcommunitynews.com.au/on-the-beat
We seem to have lost our perspective.
I can’t envisage any of these issues as frightening as huddling on a beach watching fires roaring towards you and seeing no way of escape or crouching in the ceiling space of a house hoping someone would hear your knocking and rescue you before the water rose any higher.
I want us to take control and turn back to listening, respecting and disagreeing when all involved can retain dignity and respect for the self and the other.
So that when there is hysterical, aggressive behaviour we continue to say, this is not our way mate. Fair
It was community that modelled self-giving in floods and fire and isolation.
Can community bring back listening and dignity for each other?
Is it too late?
Have we already been conned?
Email, Sep 17 Margaret Hagan,
Some, such as Natini Padmanabhan (CCN 408), argue that The Indigenous Voice to Parliament should not be based in the Constitution.
But let’s consider what having that basis means in practice.
Because of Constitutional underpinning, a group of people would be recognised as having the status of being the agency for delivery of advice federally on issues relating to indigenous communities all over the country including the Torres Strait Islands.
It is not about creating more bureaucracy.
Really, The Voice would be much more than a single committee.
Instead, it would be a hierarchical network bringing together all those who identify as indigenous, and who choose to collaborate in deciding what is most important for their futures, including in addressing
I am quite dismayed about the arguments put forward for both sides of the referendum campaign, full of misinformation on both sides.
I am also dismayed that there is only one question on the ballot instead of two. There are two issues: recognising the Aboriginal peoples as the original inhabitants, and setting up a consultative body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders –which are not directly related and hence should be separate questions.
The Constitution is a document about the governing of Australia.
I have always viewed that anything in the Constitution about the past is inappropriate as the Constitution is about laying down the rules for the
With that said, it is stating the obvious – and without dispute
the present-day consequences of injustices of the past.
The Voice would operate through advisory groups feeding information on issues up to the peak advisory body.
And that would mean firstly that indigenous communities would need to work cooperatively among themselves, so no one or sub-group were excluded.
These would determine what is most important in the information and recommendations they deliver upwards and, crucially, their intended role in actioning sought government decisions in response to the received advice.
Then the peak committee would examine what it receives and set final priorities for what it says to government.
This would be the opposite of what some have sought to
portray as a Canberra Voice.
The AMA has now declared its support for The Voice.
Members recognise the need to bring together information on health issues among the indigenous population, overcoming the present fragmentation or lack of health data.
Just as important would be the opportunity for the peak Voice advisory committee to identify where there is a need for more information and propose welltargeted research to address those gaps in health information, but also in social welfare, education, housing etc.
The better the information underpinning government decisions, the more bangs for the buck.
We should vote Yes for reasons of compassion, but also that federal funding is used most effectively and efficiently.
Email, Sep 25 Sonnie Hopkins,
– that the Aboriginal peoples were here first, by many thousands of years.
Australia has a history of mistreatment to Aborigines and non-white migrants.
It also has a history of mistreatment and intolerance to other segments of society as well, particularly to children, women and the non-religious.
If we – as a nation – are to move away from bigotry, surely the guiding principle in the Constitution is that everyone is equal, regardless of ethnicity, gender, age, religious belief/ atheist, new migrant/locally born, or other point of difference.
I have empathy for Aboriginal peoples with their quest to be consulted on government legislation.
You would have thought it obligatory for the government to consult representatives of
groups adversely impacted by proposed legislation.
We know that the governments don’t consult adversely impacted parties – you only have to look back to the Morrison government and its wish to impose inequality with its religious discrimination bill, discriminating against roughly one third of Australian society.
And the Liberal Party wonders why it has entered the wilderness years.
Australia is hardly perfect and Australian history is full of injustices.
If we are going to move forward as a nation, then we have to move forward together, in that in the eyes of the Constitution everyone is equal, and no-one is to be more equal than anyone else.
For this reason, I will be voting No.
Email, Sep 25 Gary Russell, Kariong
The referendum for the Voice is causing division in our country, say others. Get real – you must be joking.
Historically the British Empire and Australian society was founded on racism, pillaging, murder and genocide.
Australian history is littered
with the dead.
Just ask the living original inhabitants of this continent, who are trying to awaken from the nightmare of the past.
The ghosts of the British
Empire and its foreign ways still live in the genes of our living black brothers and sisters.
A Yes vote may be the vaccine to correct in part the sorry history of this country. Email, Sep
Audiences are invited to explore a brave new frontier of classical music when Ensemble Offspring performs The Surge at The Art House Wyong in October.
Redefining the classical music experience into
Get ready for an extraordinary celebration of humanity and connection at this year’s Coastie Carnie Fair Day, the highlight of the Coastal Twist LGBTIQ Arts and Culture Festival.
Be prepared for a day of unparalleled vibrancy, culture and pure fun, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of art, live music, entertainment, food, beverages, shopping and pets in a delightful mass outdoor free festival.
To be held on Sunday, October 1, from 10am to 5pm at the Peninsula Recreation Precinct
something bright, bold, and most importantly, accessible; the ensemble’s concerts are a kaleidoscope of energy, imagination and skill.
Performed by some of the nation’s most fearless and virtuosic instrumentalists, The Surge fuses technicolour ‘90s
nostalgia with stunning live video projections in a concert that challenges perceptions of what classical music is and who can enjoy it.
The result is a genre-bending contemporary performance that inspires old and new music fans alike.
At the heart of Ensemble Offspring’s mission is an unwavering commitment to the creation of living new music.
Since forming in 1995, they have commissioned and premiered more than 350 new works, solidifying their position as champions of contemporary
music in Australia. The Art House also prides itself on being at the cuttingedge of the performing arts, by delivering diverse and exciting shows to engage Coasties into discovering new ways to enjoy and experience art, music, and culture.
at Umina Beach, the free event is open to all and promises a day filled with unforgettable experiences.
Last year’s Coastie Carnie Fair Day attracted more than 9,000 locals, visitors, kids, families and furry friends, all converging to celebrate life.
The Coastie Carnie Fair Day will feature a stellar line-up across live music, drag, circus, burlesque and sideshow ensuring entertainment throughout the day.
The stage will come alive with electrifying performances by headliners such as Kira Puru, Cry Club, Hollywould Star,
Jasey Fox, Jazida, Jess Love, and of course, our favourite Local Legends.
The Rainbow Family Area will feature an exciting line-up of
activities including circus play with Roundabout Circus, drag storytime with Wonder Mama, the Superhero and Glambassador of Love and
Equality, sensory play space and Twisties party games with June Richards. But it doesn’t stop at music and entertainment – the Coastie Carnie Fair Day market features local makers, businesses, delectable food, a bar and the iconic Puparazzi pooch parade hosted by television personality Tim Dormer and local Queen June Richards.
Participants should be ready to set-up for the day and bring a rug, chairs and sun protection. Diversity takes centre stage in this festival, with more than 55 per cent of the programming
The only performance of The Surge on the Central Coast will be at The Art House studio on Friday, October 13, at 8pm.
Source: The Art House
tailored for all ages and 65 per cent of events being free, showcasing and celebrating the beauty of diversity across the natural world.
“We want to see everyone there for a vibrant, inclusive and fun day, shining a light on togetherness, the human spirit and the creative power pulsating within us all,” festival director Glitta Supernova said.
Events on sale now: www. coastaltwist.org.au/whats-on
The main prize winners in the Pearl Beach Ephemeral Art Trail (PBEAT) in the Arboertum have been announced but there is still time to vote for the People’s Choice award.
The main prizes were awarded at the event opening on Saturday, September 23, judged by Ann Flanagan, Director of the Bundanon Trust, and presented by Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch.
The opening included a smoking ceremony by Tim Selwyn from Girri Girra and a Welcome to Country by Guringai
elder Aunty Tracey Howie.
The winning prize of $3,000 for the best installation goes went to Kasia Niedzielak, an emerging artist from Umina Beach, for Where the Seeds Were Born.
“Kasia’s work comprises multiple elements eloquently sited in Little Pleasance grove,” Flanagan said.
“As a visitor, you capture glimpses of her floating pod forms from a distance (and) are enticed to enter the grove.
“The seed pods choreograph the site; they talk to each other to create a performative space.
“The suspended seed pods are felted with wool and plant fibers and gently float and rotate in the landscape.
“It is a playful work, beautifully crafted – an ephemeral piece that enriches and animates your arboretum visit.”
Highly Commended Awards of $1,000 each went to Georgina Galea for her tender work, Falling, and local sculptor Jonathan Grose, assisted by Hannah and Asher, for Bowerbird Blues – an interactive work which encourages you to step inside.
Commendations went to: Bird
Play by Penny Simmons and Hobart Hughes – playful, engaging collaborative work; We did it with the Best Intentions by Jojo Fuller, which confronts dependence on fossil fuels and the damaging environmental; and Elephant in the Room by Andrew Alter – alluding to an obvious problem or situation that we don’t want to talk about. Alter involved with Wildlife SOS and his ephemeral elephant points directly to the dislocation of animal habitats. For the first time this year there was a prize for younger artists aged under 16.
There was no overall winner in this category but three commendations of $75 were awarded to: Jessie, aged 12, for The Bee is Life; to Eve, aged 11, for The Catastrophe; and to Skye, aged 10, for The Coral Garden.
The PBEAT inaugural School Award of $250 went to Year 9 art students from St Joseph’s Catholic School for Wilderness Warriors.
PBEAT us open until Sunday, October 15, with more than 20 highly creative works on display in the Pearl Beach Arboretum.
A donation of $5 per adult is requested for a Trail Guide and the chance to vote for the People’s Choice Award, to be announced at the Beatles Rebooted Concert on Saturday, October 7, at 2.30pm. Tickets for this event are available at beatlesrebooted.eventbrite. com.au
PBEAT2023 is sponsored by Belle Property Central Coast, Girri Girra Tours and a Central Coast Council Community Support Grant.
The Entrance came alive to the sound of music on Sunday, September 24, as dozens of entertainers took to the stage to compete in the Central Coast heat of the Australian National Busking Competition.
The Rotary Clubs of Erina and The Entrance were joined by West Pennant HillsCherrybrook and KariongSomersby Rotary clubs to host
the event, with performers including everything from a classical pianist busking for the first time to a seasoned 17-year-old talent spotted when she was 14 by ABC’s Unearthed.
“We had a great richness of performances including a unique and dazzlingVietnameseAustralian fusion group, VACEO, playing traditional indigenous instruments from Vietnam and
Australia,” a spokesperson said.
The performances were held in and around Memorial Park, the Boardwalk, the Plaza and Marine Pde, with Fairground Entertainment and the everpopular Pelican Express little blue train rides offering family fun.
The freshly renovated Memorial Park stage hosted the finale concert featuring the buskers who had been selected
as finalists during their morning performances by the judges and the audience.
“The concert was a big hit – I loved looking around and seeing the little tots on their feet dancing, and the dads stretched out in the sun,” the spokesperson said.
Last year’s National Champions, the James Brothers, were joined by CoastFM DJ Rhia Norcott and founder of the
Australian National Busking Championships Allan Spencer to undertake the formal judging.
The Adult winner was Owen Smith, with runner-up VACEO.
Hayden Phillis took out the 13-17 Years division, with runner-up Eva Pagacova.
The Under-13 division was won by Belle Norman.
Jacob Carroll won the People’s Choice Award.
The event was supported by
a Central Coast Council grant for event infrastructure and a number of sponsors.
Each category winner, including the People’s Choice winner, will automatically gain an invitation to compete at the National Finals in Cooma on Saturday, November 25, for the opportunity to become this year’s National Champion.
More than 200 cloggers from all over Australia and even the USA and New Zealand descended on Niagara Park Stadium recently for the 27th Annual Clogging Convention.
Following 12 months of preparations by a small committee headed by Jason and Leanne Nicholson and their daughter Georgia, the convention, with the theme Party on the Farm, was branded a huge success.
The Nicholsons are expert cloggers with dance schools in
Sydney and on the Central Coast.
“Clogging style is very much like Irish dancing and line dancing combined,” a spokesperson said.
“The lace-up shoes are fitted with double steel taps, which work on the floor in the same way as castanets, producing a double-tap rhythm.
“Clothing is simple, casual and comfortable – which means no endless hours sewing costumes.”
People aged from 12-112 can participate, with clogging
particularly beneficial for balance and endurance.
Each state performed a showcase as cloggers from all over the country stayed at local motels and hotels and dined out en-masse at West Gosford RSL Club.
The 2024 Cloggers Convention will be held in Mandurah, Western Australia, with the theme Meet Us By The Water.
For more information call Jason Nicholson on O411 539 213.
ALL DAY ENTERTAINMENT - MARKET & COMMUNITY STALLS - FOOD TRUCK
PERFORMANCES - FOOD TRUCKFAMILY ACTIVITIESS - BAR - POOCH PARADE
FAMILY FRIENDLY
WELCOME EVENTFREE
Peninsula Recreation Precinct, Umina Beach
SUNDAY 1 OCTOBER 10AM - 5PM - MAIN STAGE - - FAMILY AREA -
10.15 WELCOME TO COUNTRY & SMOKING CEREMONY WITH AUNTY DI & UNCLE GLEN
10.45 PUPPARAZZI POOCH PARADE
HOSTED BY JUNE RICHARDS & TIM DORMER
Sweetie! Darling! Who will take out the Superstar Canine crown?
11.30 LOCAL LEGENDS SHOWCASE
Local Kings, Queens & in-betweens: June Richards, Phat Royalty, Sho Mawood, Victoria Mykles, Ray Matthews, Elli Valentine & Beverley Bubbles
12.35 JOY CHOIR
Terrigal Community Choir pumping out the anthems in sublime harmony
12.55 JASEY FOX
2023 Australian Idol Finalist Indi Pop artist (Gadigal/Syd)
1.15 MC - HOLLYWOULD STAR (RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under S3) Taking you into the afternoon on the main stage (Gadigal/Syd)
1.20 KIRA PURU
Over 2.6 million streams Triple J Hottest 100. One of Australia’s biggest voices - catchy pop melodies & thick chewy basslines (Naarm/Melb)
1.55 THE DEADLY DEITIES
Spreading the Queer indigenous Luvvvv!!! Mama MadB, BeDazzled Shanks, El Beauty & MiniB (Ngunnawal/ACT & Gadigal/Syd)
2.15 CRY CLUB
“Best Breakthrough Act” - Music Victoria AwardsAddictive, Cathartic Pop / Bubblegum-Punk (Naarm/Melb)
2.50 HOUR OF DRAG POWER
Starring Hollywould Star, Jess Love, MIDAS, Jazida, Fox Pflueger & Khandi Kum Loudly
3.55 AYA YVES
Triple J Unearthed - Alt-Pop & Indie Electronica with soaring soundscapes (Bundjalung/Northern Rivers)
5.00 CLOSE
10 - 3 PLAY SPACE WITH ROUNDABOUT CIRCUS
Play & learn circus skills
10 - 2 SENSORY PLAY
Delivered by DemiSensory experience that provides your little ones with hands on sensory exploration, social interaction and much more!
11 - 11.30 DRAG STORYTIME
SuperHero Drag Queen and Glambassador of love and equality
Wonder Mama reads her Fabulous Stories
1 - 2 TWISTIES PARTY GAMES WITH JUNE RICHARDS
Party game favourites & win fun prizes
DEEP SEA ASTRONAUTS
Fantastical experiences & fun filled interactive performance
IFRITAH
Circus creature & creative chaos
ROUNDABOUT CIRCUS
Central Coast’s Community Circus
Iolanthe is Gilbert & Sullivan at their awesome, uproarious best and Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Sydney is bringing its sparkling, reimagined production to The Art House Wyong on October 1.
When the eternally young fairy, Iolanthe, falls in love with a mortal, not even her friend the Fairy Queen can prevent her banishment for breaking fairy law.
Her secret, half-fairy son, Strephon, fights against identity, class, politics and the law itself to be with his love Phyllis – an effort made harder by her legal guardian and suitor, the Lord Chancellor, himself on a downhill spiral
ever since his beloved Iolanthe disappeared.
Against a backdrop of amorous Lords and flirty Fae, and with farcical Fate lurking around the corner, a fairytale for our times takes wing.
Iolanthe – with just a touch of Beethoven and Shakespeare –is performed by a 30-strong cast, featuring top emerging young Australian talent plus a full orchestra.
Directed and choreographed by exciting young talent Sarah Pearce, with musical director Tim Doubinski and stunning new costume designs by Joshua Carter, this is a production not to be missed.
W.S. Gilbert & Arthur Sullivan’s Iolanthe opened in 1882 to
simultaneous Broadway and London West End audiences.
Released with the strapline ‘an entirely original fairy opera’
or ‘fairy opera’ in 1885, the show could also be justly described as a ‘protest opera’ for its scathing satire of
legislature and ideologies that feed it.
Written specifically to premiere at the Savoy Theatre, the world’s first fully electric public building, the show was ahead of its time in more than just its message.
The original production featured battery powered lights for the fairy costumes –unheard of at the time –bringing us the modern term ‘fairy lights’.
Director Sarah Pearce said she had always been intrigued by the words of Private Willis’s song – that everyone is born either a little bit conservative or a little bit liberal.
“We are so strong in our beliefs, but what if we were
born into completely different circumstances? Would we think, act, and believe the same things?” she said.
“Fate too always has a hand.
“And what of the age-old question of ‘nature or nurture’?
“Each character in Iolanthe charts their own journey and the struggle between doing their ‘duty’ and following their own impulses.”
The show will be performed on Sunday, October 1, at 2pm at The Art House, Wyong.
Bookings: www. thearthousewyong.com.au
Source: The Art House
Two powerhouses of Australian entertainment will join forces for a show full of laughs and music which is bound to have the audience in stitches and singing along at The Art House in October.
Darren Sanders and Patrick McMahon unite for The Comedian and the Cowboy – a two-part show where city meets country, combining standup comedy with the sounds of the Outback.
Sanders is a veteran of the Australian comedy scene whose dry, laid-back comedy style is in vast comparison to musician McMahon, who has
been described as the “Superman of entertainment” with his high energy vibes and larger than life personality.
Sanders has been performing comedy for over 30 years all over the world in pubs and clubs, on cruise ships and at corporate events.
He won the Antenna Award for best comedy program for the interview show Talking Comics alongside fellow comedian Garry Who.
As an actor, Sanders has appeared in several Australian dramas including Underbelly 3.
In 2001, he opened the Laugh Garage Comedy Club which ran until 2013, and in 2017, he
started the Sydney Comedy Club which still runs shows at Parramatta’s Riverside Theatre.
Growing up in Nannup, Western Australia, McMahon learned his trade singing
Audiences will be spellbound by a night of magic and illusion at The Art House Wyong on October 6.
Featuring illusionist Anthony Street, Spellbound! A Night of Magic & Illusion will amaze and mystify as the enchanting world of magic comes to life.
The captivating stage show includes mind-bending tricks, breathtaking illusions and a dash of theatrical flair.
Street, a master of his craft, has travelled the globe astonishing audiences with his unparalleled skill and captivating performances.
From disappearing acts that will leave you in awe to jawdropping feats that challenge the very laws of nature, Spellbound! is an unforgettable journey into the world of magic.
Street’s unique approach to magic blends artistry,
showmanship and a touch of mystery.
Each illusion is meticulously crafted, drawing viewers into a world where anything is possible, and the line between reality and illusion becomes delightfully blurred.
“This show is a culmination of years of dedication and passion for the art of illusion,” Street said.
“I wanted to create an experience that transcends the
ordinary and takes the audience on a mesmerizing adventure.
“Spellbound! is a celebration of the imagination and the magic that resides within all of us.”
Spellbound! is a familyfriendly show suitable for all ages and plays at The Art House, Wyong, at 7.30pm on Friday, October 6.
and songwriting while performing at cattle stations and mining camps along the
West Australian coast. Now, as a seasoned performer, he has enjoyed worldwide success working alongside some of the biggest names in music including Sir Cliff Richard, Dionne Warwick and Charley Pride.
He continues to write and record original country rock songs performing at music festivals, clubs and cruise ships.
See The Comedian and The Cowboy at the Art House, Wyong, on October 8, at 3pm. Bookings on 4335 1485 or thearthousewyong.com.au
Source: The Art House
Fergus Paterson of Avoca Beach will be front and centre when Newcastle dresses up in ballet shoes and tutus this October for a thrilling piece of musical theatre coming to town for the first time.
Billy Elliot The Musical was a West End and Broadway phenomenon, charming audiences, and critics alike since its premiere in 2005, with the New York Post declaring it “the best show you will ever see”.
It has now been seen by more than 12 million people across five different continents and is one of the most popular musicals in the world.
Billy Elliot The Musical will make its Newcastle debut at the magnificent Civic Theatre on October 7 with Fergus Paterson of Avoca Beach starring in the lead role as Billy Elliot.
And Fergus isn’t the only Central Coast performer in the show, Nicholas Langthorne from Kincumber is also one of the leads, playing Billy’s older brother, Tony.
Producer and artistic director of The Very Popular Theatre Company, Daniel Stoddart, said given its global following, the
company was ecstatic to finally give audiences across the Central Coast, Newcastle and Hunter region the opportunity to relish in this funny, touching, inspiring and uplifting night at the theatre.
“In 2022, Very Pop was one of only four theatre companies granted a licence to stage this show outside of an Australian capital city, and we wasted no time getting plans in place to bring this one to Newcastle audiences,” Stoddart said.
Featuring iconic music by the legendary Elton John, Billy Elliot The Musical is a comingof-age story of the motherless boy who begins taking ballet lessons, only to discover an entirely new world awaiting him.
Set in a northern English town during the miners’ strike of 1984-85, the show follows Billy’s journey from boxing ring to ballet class, where he uncovers a passion for dance which unites his family, inspires his community and changes his life forever.
It is an extraordinary theatrical experience brought to life by the award-winning creative team behind the smash hit film.
“After charming packed houses on Broadway and in the
West End, Newcastle is going to fall in love with Billy too,” Stoddart said.
“In 2022, we broke box office records by selling more than 11,000 tickets to Jersey Boys and likewise we expect Billy to
attract thousands of people into the city.
“This is a significant boost for local tourism and shines a spotlight on our city as a major centre for world class musical theatre and entertainment.”
Auditions were held in February and a stellar cast has been assembled, including Australian musical theatre leading light, Chloe Dallimore, as the dance teacher, Mrs Wilkinson.
Dallimore will star alongside a host of Newcastle Theatre luminaries, including Danny Folpp, Marty Worrall and Felicity Biggins, just to name a few.
Fergus, 13, has been doublecast to play Billy along with 12-year-old Lewis Nicholson and will alternate performances over the three-week run at the Civic Theatre.
The role of Billy’s best friend, Michael, has also been doublecast and will be played by Conway Oakhill-Saarenpaa and Charlie Murphy.
In a unique collaboration showcasing the very best of dance and drama on offer in Newcastle, Very Pop is collaborating with the prestigious National College of Dance (NCD) to train the four young male leads in ballet, jazz and acrobatics, and assist with vocal coaching. They spent months training in ‘Billy School’, undertaking private lessons with NCD’s Artistic Director Brett Morgan and Creative Director Jake
Burden in collaboration with the show’s choreographer Lauren Harvey.
It was the perfect preparation for the young performers taking on these monumental roles in the lead-up to full cast rehearsals commencing in July.
“We are thrilled to have assembled such a strong cast and to be collaborating with NCD to ensure their performances are world class,” Stoddart said.
“This show is irresistible and shamelessly enjoyable, and Billy Elliot is the perfect vehicle to showcase the exciting new talent coming through local dance and drama schools.
“We know the story of the working-class boy battling for acceptance and recognition will resonate with audiences and they’ll delight in seeing a performer of Chloe’s stature working with local talent – both established and emerging – to bring this captivating tale to life on the magnificent Civic Theatre.”
Billy Elliot The Musical will play for a strictly limited threeweek season at the Civic Theatre from October 7.
Source: Very Popular Theatre Company
Two large industrial lots at Somersby are on the market and expected to attract a price of more than $8M.
RWC (SC) Managing Director
Samuel Hadgelias and Sales Agent Baxter van Heyst have been appointed to manage the sale of 6 and 10 Somerbsy Falls Rd on behalf of Olvera Advisors – with a total area of 13,053sqm.
The agents said while no price guide could be given due to the nature of the sale, surrounding transactions would suggest the site could well achieve north of $8M.
The site comprises two contiguous lots that are offered to the market in-one-line or separately.
Number 10 features a site area of 9,034sqm with substantial improvements and hardstand land while number 6
includes a site area of 4,000sqm of gravel hardstand land.
“We are expecting strong interest in the offering,” Hadgelias said.
“Industrial real estate is one of the top performing assets across the country.
“Limited supply is keeping vacancies low across the country while capital returns remain positive, making this asset class a solid head
against inflation.”
Ray White head of research Vanessa Rader said industrial continued to be the asset class most sought after to invest in after robust activity during the pandemic period.
“Sydney’s limited and expensive developable land supply, together with rising rents, has seen many occupiers and investors look to areas outside metropolitan areas,” she said.
“This trend also follows our strong population gains particularly in emerging markets such as the Central Coast and Newcastle given their growing workforce and burgeoning new business starts.”
Sales Agent Baxter van Heyst said he was expecting a broad range of interest.
“Significant industrial properties with development/ value add potential, like this
October is NSW Small Business month and Central Coast Council is inviting small business owners to celebrate at a breakfast seminar on Friday, October 6.
This year’s theme is My Small Business and is focused on providing assistance and tips to
strengthen small businesses.
Council’s Unit Manager Economic Development and Property, Jamie Barclay, said in line with this year’s theme Council would host the free breakfast seminar on increasing small business digital maturity capabilities.
“The aim of the event is to get
small businesses on the Coast to think about their own digital and online presence and what steps they can take to optimise it,” Barclay said.
“We have engaged the Fifth Element to facilitate the seminar.
“They specialise in supporting small businesses in building a more robust enterprise through
digital activation.”
Council Administrator Rik Hart said the seminar would also be a great chance to network with other local businesses in the area and share ideas.
“Small Business Month focuses on the different elements of being a small business owner, and we hope our seminar will
help with your individual business needs,” he said.
The free breakfast seminar, My Small Business Digital Maturity, is supported by the NSW Government Small Business Commission and will be held on Friday, October 6, from 8am10.30am at The Entertainment Grounds, West Gosford.
one, are attracting interest from a diverse array of buyers, including international investors and local entrepreneurs seeking ownership of their operational space,” he said.
Expressions of Interest on the lots close at 3pm on Tuesday, October 17.
Source: Ray White Group
For more information and to book a seat go to: centralcoast. nsw.gov.au/whats-on/council/ my-small-business-digitalmaturity-breakfast-seminar
Source: Central Coast Council
Local community housing provider Home in Place says the NSW Budget is a mixed bag and a missed opportunity in relation to housing.
Business and public affairs manager Martin Kennedy said the $2.2B Housing and Infrastructure Plan and the $224M Essential Housing Package was a start but wouldn’t deliver many social housing and affordable housing homes for the Central Coast.
“It is good to see the housing crisis and shortfall of homes recognised as a major issue for people and communities in the Budget,” Kennedy said.
“Most of the funding announced is for infrastructure to support the construction of housing – things like roads, parks, hospitals and schools across Sydney, the Central Coast and Lower Hunter.
“This is an important first step but means there is little funding to get homes built.
“There is some funding for maintenance of social housing properties and housing support for people experiencing homelessness.
“The government’s focus is relying on construction led by the private sector.
“Governments need to see funding for building social and affordable housing as an investment in vital infrastructure rather than a budget cost.”
Kennedy said that addressing the housing crisis now seemed beyond any single state government.
He said Federal Government support was critical.
“The establishment of the Housing Australia Future Fund at the federal level is a step in the right direction but also needs to be the start of something bigger,” he said.
“This fund and the NSW Budget will not go anywhere near addressing the shortfall in social and affordable housing, especially with continued high levels of immigration.”
Kennedy said with rental vacancy rates on the Central Coast at just 1.5 per cent, more renters were being forced into social and affordable housing for which there was not enough supply and long waiting lists. There are already more than 3,300 households on the Central Coast social housing waiting list and 56,000 households on waiting lists statewide.
“There are about 350,000 social housing properties in Australia, just 4.4 per cent of all housing properties,” Kennedy said.
“Analysis of 2021 Census data by the Community Industry Housing Association estimates Australia’s current shortfall of social housing properties to be 640,000 with 135,000 of those in NSW.
“More direct investment by
government is needed.
“There was a time when governments in Australia built around 25 per cent of all new homes.
“This figure has fallen to roughly two per cent.”
Kennedy said community housing providers such as Home in Place were ready to work with government to get more housing built as they have successfully done in the past.
“A crisis of this magnitude needs everyone working together to get housing built as quickly as possible,” he said. Home in Place is a not-forprofit community housing provider which manages more than 6,600 social and affordable housing homes across the Central Coast and other parts of NSW.
Source: Home in Place
The Australian PwC scandal has sent shockwaves through the nation, and at the heart of this controversy is the role played by Erinabased Senator Deborah O’Neill in bringing the alleged corporate misconduct to light.
This week O’Neill continued her Senate committee work with two days of hearings into the management and integrity of consulting services.
CCN recently interviewed Senator O’Neill on the matter that has, at least in part been played out through her Central Coast based office and home.
O’Neill is no stranger to the workings of Federal Parliamentary committees
having sat on committees since she was first elected as Member for Robertson in 2010.
However, it has been her role as Chair and chief inquisitor on the Senate’s Financial committees where the PwC story has played out.
O’Neill initiated a comprehensive inquiry into the financial practices of major corporations, including PwC, through the Senate’s investigative committees in February this year.
The scandal began to unravel when a series of whistleblowers courageously stepped forward under parliamentary privilege afforded them by the parliamentary committees.
O’NeillaskedtheTaxPractitioners Board about an extremely troubling case in which an employee of PwC inappropriately shared confidential government information that was given to them by the Department of Treasury.
The committee heard that this
confidential Commonwealth information was then used to advise the firm’s private clients.
Allegations then surfaced of unethical financial practices, including the manipulation of financial records, tax evasion and conflicts of interest, casting a dark shadow over PwC’s reputation.
Oneill told CCN: “Mr Peter John Collins (of PwC) had taken that confidential information back to PwC and instead of finding a set of titanium professional walls locking him out from using it, he found a fertile garden of people wanting to jump on board with him and [then] create a product to sell to the largest and richest companies
in the world to help them avoid paying their tax in Australia.”
From that moment O’Neill tirelessly sought to shed light on the alleged misconduct within PwC and other powerful entities and in so doing started taking down the veil on the shadowy world of billion-dollar government contracting arrangements.
O’Neill said that committees’ investigative work has spurred commitments from the Albanese government to reign in the outsourcing of work done by consultants.
The repercussions have been swift.
Incredibly, PwC Australia chose to sell its government consulting arm for one dollar to
stem the damage to its reputation.
The case has also had global repercussions for the so-called Big Four international accounting companies, questioning the reputation of the once untouchable firms that dominate the increasingly lucrative world of government contracts around the world.
O’Neill’s committee work continues this week in the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration to further the investigations into the management and integrity of consulting services in Australia.
David Abrahams
Central Coast Council’s Draft Local Infrastructure Contribution Plan is the latest example of residents and ratepayers being “kept in the dark and fed peanuts”, according to the Central Coast Community Better Planning Group (CCCBPG).
Chair Gary Chestnut said CCCBPG strongly objected to the lack of information provided in the documents, which were exhibited until September 20, as to why significant projects have been deleted and others subject to large cost variations.
Chestnut said the draft plan identified $28M in new projects that were not included in the same plan in 2007 or 2019.
The new projects include money for play spaces and reserves, sportsground improvements, boat ramps, jetties, swimming enclosures, tennis courts, skate parks, floodplain risk management and community facilities.
“That sounds impressive but $22.5M of that figure has been allocated to expanding the existing cycleways project from $25M to $42.5M,” he said.
“The truly astonishing news is that the total spend on infrastructure under this plan will shrink the contributions income from $245.7M to just $92.5M in the exhibited draft.
“This contributions plan should be an opportunity for the Council to think about the shape of the future community of our large stand-alone region and it is difficult to understand why their thinking has been so short-sighted.
“We give our in-principle support to the new projects listed in the plan, but we are concerned by the lack of detail and question whether the small amounts of money allocated to projects across the whole local government area are realistic.
“Only $400,000 is allocated to upgrade boat ramps, jetties and swimming enclosures, for example.”
The CCCBPG submission in response to the exhibition of the draft plan says a shopping list of street trees, improved disability access, lighting, street furniture, public art, paving, car parking, traffic and transport upgrades is listed under the LGA-wide project “local centre upgrades” but allocated only $1M.
“In the 2019 plan $1.8M had been allocated for public art in the former Wyong Shire only,” Chestnut said.
“By our estimate that means the allocation for public art across the whole LGA should be at least $3.6M but it has been thrown in with all the other local centre spends and capped at $1M.”
Chestnut said $5.22M to be spent on bushland and environmental conservation works in Gosford City Centre had completely disappeared and CCCBPG was calling for its reinstatement.
Other examples of crucial projects that have had funding
ripped away without any explanation or justification included: Gosford City Centre open space and public domain upgrades, which had been reduced from $3.3M to $1.5M.
“As this project was deemed essential to ensure that Gosford, with all its new towers and high-density living, remained a liveable city, we strongly recommend project cost be adjusted to $5M to account for CPI increase,” he said.
A spend of $15.27M on the Gosford Regional Library had been stripped back to $10M, with CCCBPG suggesting $18M would be more realistic, accounting for CPI increase. Similarly transport and access management works had been stripped from $85.34M to $5M, when $150M would be more realistic, Chestnut said.
Implementation of the Gosford City Centre flood and drainage studies was also stripped from $23.3M to $5M, with CCCBPG recommending $40M.
And the spend on the Gosford waterfront precinct was down
from $15M to $10M, when instead it should have been adjusted to $16M, he said.
Allowance for a community and cultural centre in the Gosford City Centre had been cut from $15M to $10M, with CCCBPG suggesting $40M would be more realistic.
“Comparing the exhibited draft plan to the existing plans, Council has reduced project costs and excluded projects to the value of $134.7M,” Chestnut said.
“Developers will be laughing all the way to the bank about the proposition of paying less in respect to the total infrastructure contributions than they were expected to pay from 2007 to 2019.
“Meanwhile, residents and ratepayers will be expected to foot the bill for infrastructure as basic as flood and drainage studies for Gosford City Centre.
“Either that or projects simply will not go ahead.
“It is also perplexing that, having allocated a budget of $42.5M for cycleways, the $1M for local centre upgrades also includes an allocation for
cycleways – talk about doubledipping.”
Chestnut said of the $134.7M infrastructure cost reduction, the Gosford City Centre loses out on $120.9M of essential infrastructure.
“The question arises, with such an excessive loss of essential infrastructure, is the future of Gosford City going to be liveable?” he said.
CCCBPG has called for a clear explanation from CEO David Farmer to the community for the cuts when the matter is considered at a public Council meeting.
“It is our hope estimated costs are restored and developers are required to pay their fair share for this community’s future infrastructure before staff present the final plan to Administrator Rik Hart for endorsement,” he said.
“If that doesn’t happen, Mr Hart should reject the plan.”
their money without having to think about it so much.”
Editor-in-Chief • Money magazineAs society moves away from cash, electronic transactions have naturally boomed.
The average number of electronic transactions made by Australians has jumped from 300 to 650 each year over the past decade, according to the Reserve Bank.
Keeping track of these transactions can be tricky, especially for people who bank across multiple institutions.
And for those looking to stick to a budget, it can be crucial.
To cater to those needs, an array of budget and money management apps has sprung up in recent years, including Buddy, Frollo, Goodbudget, PocketSmith, WeMoney and You Need A Budget (YNAB).
How they can help Peter Marshall, a banking expert at the comparison website Mozo, has witnessed the budgeting app market grow both in size and sophistication.
At their core, most budgeting apps are designed to enable users to create budgets and input transactions.
But beyond those fundamental features, Marshall says there can be some other particularly helpful tools to look out for.
“A really big one is categorisation of transactions, and a lot of the good apps do that fairly automatically now,” he says.
“Some of them even go as far as giving you the ability to create new categories, so if you find that the categorisation that they’ve set up doesn’t meet your needs, you can adjust that.”
The more advanced apps are able to proactively share insights with users.
“Some apps will send you notifications if there’s been a large purchase on one of your accounts, or if you’ve met a budget target, or perhaps if you’ve missed paying a bill.
“So, they can really make it easier for people to be on top of
For example, the app from the fintech Frollo lets users link their accounts from Australian banks and financial institutions so they can get a better perspective on their overall spending.
Piet van den Boer, Frollo’s head of marketing, says it can also help users save money with tools like its bill tracker.
“Sometimes people have subscriptions they’ve forgotten about because they have so many transactions, so in our bill overview we can show them their upcoming bills, and a lot of people see that and realise they have some subscriptions they’re still paying for that they go and cancel,” he says.
Most apps allow users to sync their card or bank transactions to automatically feed into the app, although there are still options – such as YNAB and PocketSmith – for those who want to input the data themselves.
But on the automatic front, there are typically two ways that apps bring in data from their users’ financial accounts: screen scraping or open banking.
Screen scraping involves users sharing their credentials such as an ID and password with a third party (for example, a budgeting app) in order for the app to access that financial data.
Open banking, on the other hand, allows Australians to share their data with third parties that have been accredited by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
Frollo has phased out screen scraping in favour of open banking which, van den Boer says, ultimately means that users have more control over their data.
“To get the right information into the Frollo app you need to connect your accounts, so to do that we use open banking, a government-regulated regime that basically allows a consumer to give consent to a third party to receive data from their bank,” he explains.
“Instead of sharing your account credentials and having the third party log in for you –which is what screen scraping is – you tell your bank ‘I want you to send this data to Frollo, and this is what they can do with it, but when I tell you to stop sharing it, you need to stop’.”
When it comes to choosing an appropriate investment option, super fund members rely on labels such as high growth, growth, balanced, moderate and conservative.
The descriptions for these five pre-mixed, diversified options indicate their key features and underlying risks.
They are invested in a range of growth and defensive assets.
The high-growth option invests 90%-100% of your superannuation in shares and property, while the conservative option allocates 70% to cash and fixed interest and the rest to growth assets.
Remarkably, there are no regulatory rules or standards governing these labels.
Instead, super trustees apply a growth/defensive categorisa-
tion to their labels that is agreed upon by the industry.
But Xavier O’Halloran, director of Super Consumers Australia, says this categorisation doesn’t always work for consumers and can be unreliable.
“One of the ratings agencies did some work on labelling and there was so much category overlap – those labelled as ‘balanced’ were very high growth
compared to some of their peers once you looked at the assets they were actually invested in.”
He says consumers rely heavily on “truth in labelling” when it comes to making important decisions about their super because they don’t have the expertise to check the option’s underlying assets, particularly unlisted assets.
“Although they are disclosed,
How secure are they?
Given the prominent data breaches that have occurred in the past year, many people will be wary of sharing their data, especially financial details.
So, how do budgeting apps use data, and how safe are they?
Ultimately, that will vary from app to app, and it’s something that users will need to consider before signing up.
“I think nowadays almost everything you do as a consumer involves sharing some data – sometimes whether you like it or not,” says Frollo's van den Boer.
“You often don’t even know
you won’t know, for example, whether the fund owns all of the asset, or part of it, or its current value.
“The information is there but it’s deeply complex. "
Jane Eccleston, superannuation senior executive leader at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, has called on super trustees to consider whether the investment labels they use support sound consumer understanding.
what companies are going to do with it.
“What I think is great about open banking is that as a participant we have to tell people beforehand what we want to do with that data.
“The other benefit is that open banking is secure.
“The connection, basically, between the bank and Frollo is bank-grade security.
“So, we have to comply with most of the security regulations that banks have, and that’s all part of us being an accredited data recipient as part of the consumer data right.”
TOM WATSON“To make a choice that is appropriate for their financial situation, needs and objectives, members need to select options with expected returns and volatility that align with their individual risk profile," she says.
“Such choices can have lasting impacts on their retirement income, so the disclosure made by trustees about their investment options is very important.”
VITA PALESTRANTReflections Holiday Parks held a special get-together at sunset on Wednesday, September 20, at Norah Head Lighthouse to mark its transition as the new caretaker of the muchloved reserve.
Guests included Crown Lands Executive Director, Land and Asset Management, Greg Sullivan, who was attending on behalf of Minister For Lands and Property Stephen Kamper, executive members of Crown Lands and Central Coast Council, outgoing members of the Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve Manager Board, former members of the Board and volunteers who maintain the site.
Sullivan, Reflections CEO Nick Baker and outgoing Board chairperson Neil Rose spoke at the event, noting its significance to the community and the
important work the outgoing Board and volunteers had done to nurture and maintain it for continued community involvement.
Rose thanked the Board and volunteers and said Reflections was a trusted Crown Land Manager that would ensure the reserve continued to be
nurtured for the community. About 40 people attended and an appearance of migrating whales off the coast was a highlight of the event.
Reflections, a Crown Land Manager, will now work alongside the local Norah Head Reserve volunteers to protect and maintain the reserve.
Reflections is inviting applications for membership of the Community Liaison Group, which will have representation from a cross-section of the community to ensure it has a voice in the ongoing efforts to nurture the reserve for the public’s enjoyment.
The Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve offers three guest cottages which are popular accommodation destinations for wedding groups and families.
Source: Reflections Holiday Parks
Christian Boes is no stranger to the birds and the bees, though he never expected the backlash he has had from a promotional offering at his Ourimbah nursery where he is giving away the latest sex education book for young people by Dr Melissa Kang and Yumi Stynes called Welcome to Sex.
The promotional offering and an advertisement about it in Coast Community News have drawn the ire of campaigners who have targeted the publication across the nation.
Campaigners have successfully managed to have the book withdrawn from sale at Big W stores nationwide after staff were reportedly being harassed by the antisex-education activists.
Boes moved to Australia in
the 1980s and later bought and developed the Big Flower Nursery at Ourimbah as part of his retirement plan.
Despite his advanced age, Boes maintains an active role in the business, getting around the sprawling site on an electric wheelchair most days of the week.
“I come from Germany and we had proper sex education in schools and in films and everywhere,” he said.
“Here in Australia it is not so good, so I decided to do something about it.
“I think it is the British prudish nature, though Queen Victoria had nine children.
“After watching a TV debate on Q&A involving the book, I decided to order several hundred of them and give them away to customers who spent more than $160.
“I don’t understand why some people are so against sex.”
Boes decided to advertise his offering in Coast Community News to promote the special, but as soon as it was printed complaints began to roll in from
a well-organised group of people.
Boes said he and the staff had received numerous calls complaining about the promotion, alleging it was inappropriate for him to be promoting the sex education
book to the public.
Coast Community News has also received emails and calls, asking management to pull the advertisement from the weekly paper.
One complainant said: “I know the owner is unaware
The Koori Curriculum, based at Wyoming, has taken top gong in the Education Services category of the 2023 Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards.
The business was presented with a customised statuette trophy and certificate as a nationally-recognised industry leader at the awards ceremony on Saturday, September 23.
The Koori Curriculum is an Aboriginal early childhood consultancy facilitating a range of professional development programs and workshops for educators to help guide the inclusion of Aboriginal perspectives in early childhood curriculums.
It was founded by Jessica Staines, a Wiradjuri woman, early childhood teacher and
passionate educational community member, with ties to many advocacy groups on both national and international platforms.
“We provide education services and products, to help early childhood educators and families embed First Nations perspectives in their teaching and the day-to-day lives of Australian children,” she said.
“While it’s essential for children to be exposed to and educated on the First Nations history and culture of Australia, many educators are hesitant to deliver this teaching for fear of getting it wrong or causing offence.
“This is where we step in.
“We support early childhood educators to improve their cultural capacity and their confidence.
“To do this, we’re committed to creating new and diverse ways to reach educators across Australia and the world, adding to the ever expanding suite of products and services including podcasts, educational resources, exclusive
publications, webinars, online summits, conferences, inservices and planning days, and a dedicated membership program for educators.
“The products available in our online shop are provided by First Nations partners and
that this book is a grooming book and is educating children as young as eight”.
The book is published by Australian-based Hardie Grant in Victoria and is authored by Dr Kang and her associate Yumi Stynes, who is a prominent radio broadcaster and podcaster.
It is the latest of four books the pair have co-authored, the others being Welcome to Your Period, Welcome to Your Boobs and Welcome to Consent, which have been best-sellers across the teenage genre of literature.
The book contains no photographs but rather cartoon-like illustrations by Jenny Latham.
suppliers, making it easy for early childhood educators and centres to access Aboriginal stories, toys and teaching aids.”
The company contributes to communities across Australia as well as locally.
Central Coast clients include: Niagara Children’s Centre, Umina Child Care Centre, Little Coast Kids Wyong, Little Coast Kids Toukley and Kariong Child Centre.
This year marks the second consecutive year of the Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards – a prestigious and comprehensive program celebrating the growing number of Australia’s most inspiring and influential women in small business.
“There’s no doubting the rising success of female-led
small businesses from all corners of this country,” said Steve Loe, the Awards Founder and Managing Director of Precedent Productions which co-ordinates the Awards.
Precedent Productions has been running the Australian Small Business Champion Awards since 1999, creating the stand-alone femalefocussed awards program to recognise Australia’s female business trailblazers.
The Awards saw thousands of entries this year and honoured the achievements of a total of 65 category winners from a broad cross-section of industries.
Source: Chuckle Communications
A free after-school program to help children be more active and eat healthier will return at three locations across the Central Coast in the next school term.
Go4Fun will run for 10 weeks at Gosford Olympic Swimming Pool every Wednesday evening from October 11, while a landbased program will take place at Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club in Umina Beach every Thursday evening from October 12.
A culturally adapted version of the program run by Bungree Aboriginal Association and available for all families will take place at Lake Haven Recreation Centre every Tuesday evening from October 10.
Go4Fun is a free healthy wellbeing program for children aged 7-13 to enjoy together with their families.
Run by trained health and community professionals, the program is a fun way for children to build self-esteem and learn about eating well, staying active and living a healthy life.
Kids take part in group activities and games and receive rewards and prizes, while parents benefit from professional tailored advice to help make positive health changes for the whole family.
Families unable to attend the face-to-face programs can register for Go4Fun Online to view weekly online sessions and receive personalised phone support from a Go4Fun coach
at times convenient for them.
Go4Fun is a NSW Health statewide initiative offered on the Central Coast by the Local Health District’s Health Promotion Service.
Health promotion officer
Michele Munday said the program provides a positive environment for children and families.
“Go4Fun is a supportive and
positive environment that improves children’s wellbeing,” she said.
“The activities and games help them be more active, reduce their screen time and
Umina Beach Rotary is again incredibly excited to be sponsoring the Top Blokes Trivia Night on November 18 for International Men’s Day.
International Men’s Day is a global awareness day celebrated in about 80 countries on November 19 to bring attention to many issues that men face, including parental alienation, abuse, homelessness, suicide, and violence.
The local trivia night will raise critical funds to give young
men and boys access to mentors for a three-to-sixmonth period through the Top Blokes mentoring programs.
All funds raised on the night will go directly to the Top Blokes Foundation Program Fund, allowing the organisation to reach more young men across the Central Coast.
The programs empower young men and boys aged 1024 to build confidence and skills in overcoming mental illhealth and encourage them to make positive life choices.
In turn, this will reduce suicide
and mental health incidences and increase social inclusion and assist young males to connect with our community.
Organisations such as these are unable to operate without assistance, so Umina Beach Rotary Club is asking for assistance, either by a form of sponsorship or by participating on the night.
Those willing to assist with donations of prizes will be mentioned on the night.
The club is also open to discussing how it can further acknowledge
support during the event.
Confirmation of prizes is needed by October 31.
Those interested can learn more about the Top Blokes Foundation at www.facebook. com/topblokesfoundation and read more about the event at top-blokes-trivia-night-2023. raisely.com/ For more information about the event contact the organiser Sarah Hallab on 0422 067 036 or email community@ topblokes.org.au
Northlakes High School Leo Club will run its Belle of the Ball initiative again for the fifth consecutive year with about 80 full-length formal dresses on offer for high school students.
Many of the dresses are new, with tags still attached, donated by a formal wear shop which closed down during COVID lockdowns.
There are also many beautiful pre-loved dresses and all gowns are given away free to
We’re seeking your feedback to help inform the next iteration of the Central Coast Community Strategic Plan (CSP) and the Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS)! These documents help guide the delivery of the social, environmental and economic aspirations of the community – so it’s important they represent a wide range of views. Since the adoption of the first CSP in 2018, the world and our communities have experienced a lot of change. Now, we want to hear from you to ensure these documents align with your evolving aspirations for our region and help guide Council’s strategic and operational decision making.
Scan the OR code to complete the survey or visit yourvoiceourcoast.com/CSPandLSPS
Feedback accepted until Monday 16 October
learn to feel good with nutrition.
“It’s also a perfect opportunity for parents and carers to enjoy quality time with children.
“Over the course of the program we can really see children’s confidence grow as they get involved in the activities and make new friends.
“We’re delighted to be able to offer three programs across the Central Coast in Term 4, including land and waterbased programs, as well as our culturally adapted Aboriginal Go4Fun program.”
To register, or for more information, visit go4fun.com. au or free call 1800 780 900.
Source: Central Coast Local Health District
girls in Years 12 and 10 from any school on the Central Coast for their formals.
“We have many different styles and colours,” a Leo Club spokesperson said.
“Some are elaborate with beading and others are more classic styles.
“All are modern and gorgeous and guaranteed to make you feel like a princess at your formal.”
Dresses range in size from 4 to 32.
There are also tubs of shorter dresses available, suitable for Year 6 formals.
Schools are welcome to request tubs for Year 6 girls to try on.
Year 10 and 12 girls can contact Leo Advisor Lynda on 0449 057 780 to arrange a time to try the dresses on at her home in Chittaway Bay.
Source: Northlakes High School Leo Club
An evaluation of a local key health initiative underpinned by the National Agreement on Closing the Gap has found the program is achieving its desired outcome of improving life outcomes experienced by Indigenous Australians.
Since 2015 the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network (HNECC PHN) has commissioned the Integrated Team Care (ITC) program to provide services to First Nations people with complex chronic health conditions.
The program aims to: contribute to improving health outcomes through access to care co-ordination, multidisciplinary care, and support for self-management; and improve access to
culturally appropriate mainstream primary care providers (including but not limited to general practice, allied health and specialists) for First Nations people.
In the case of Luis Domer S. Padilla v. Geselle Therese Morgan, docketed as SP Proc. Case No. 23-022
TO: GESELLE THERESE MORGAN (103 Gen. Valdez, Caloocan City)
On 4 May 2023, the Family Court of the City of Las Piñas, Philippines, issued a summons to GESELLE THERESE MORGAN, the relevant portion of which states:
“WHEREAS, on February 10, 2023, petitioner LUIS DOMER S. PADILLA, filed a petition for Declaration of Absolute Nullity of Marriage under Article 36 of the Family Code of the Philippines against respondent GESELLE THERESE MORGAN.
WHEREAS, the RETURN OF SUMMONS dated March 27, 2023 by Court Process Server Goneric A. Domingo stating that summons was returned unserved for the reason that the respondent is not a resident thereat as per the Certification of Non-Residency dated March 24, 2023 issued by Barangay 21 Zone 2 District II, City of Caloocan.
WHEREAS, in the Order dated March 27, 2023 the petitioner was given ten (10) days from receipt to take positive steps for the early disposition of the case, otherwise, the case will be dismissed without prejudice.
WHEREAS, on April 17, 2023 the Court received a Compliance with Motion for Leave to Serve Summons by Publication filed by the petitioner through counsel.
WHEREAS, on April 18, 2023, the Court resolved to grant the Motion.
NOW THEREFORE, respondent GESELLE THERESE MORGAN is hereby summoned pursuant to Sections 17 and 18 Rule 14 of the Revised Rules of Court, and required to file with the Family Court Branch 2, Las Piñas City her Answer to the Petition within sixty (60) days from the date of the last publication of this Summons furnishing a copy thereof upon petitioner’s counsel PALAFOX AND ROMERO LAW FIRM at Penthouse 1 & 3 Manila Luxury Condominium, Pearl Drive corner Gold Loop, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.
Failure on your part to do so within the reglementary period, the Court shall render judgment against you for the relief prayed for in the petition. You are reminded of IBP-OCA Memorandum on Policy Guidelines dated March 12, 2002 to observe restraint in filing a motion to dismiss and instead allege the grounds thereof as defenses in the Answer.”
A PHN spokesperson said key findings of the evaluation undertaken by Nama Jalu Consulting showed the ITC program was highly regarded by all stakeholders and clients
overwhelmingly reported the importance of the program and the multifaceted impact it had on their lives.
“The evaluation found clients highly valued the program and
reported having their medical, physical, social, emotional and cultural needs met,” he said.
“Stakeholders reported the program supported clients to increase their ability to treat and manage their health conditions with clients experiencing increases in overall health, wellbeing and quality of life as a result.
“The program was seen to be especially effective for clients living with diabetes, a chronic health condition common to many First Nations people, that was often successfully managed and even reversed for some participants.
“Clients who were living with multiple chronic health conditions also extracted maximal benefits from the ITC program as they are a cohort with critical need for care coordination and support.”
The spokesperson said strong relationships marked by clear and flowing communication between all stakeholders involved in program delivery were identified as the key enablers for optimal client experience and outcomes.
The evaluation also identified several opportunities to refine and strengthen the ITC program including: an update to ITC program guidelines; increased focus on the goal of selfmanagement; the possibility of a tiered program structure; advocating for more affordable and accessible healthcare services; further enhanced communications; and an increase in cultural safety.
Source: Hunter New England and Central Coast PrimaryHealth Network
NSW NATIONAL PARKS & WILDLIFE SERVICE NSW NATIONAL PARKS & WILDLIFE SERVICE
Please call 02 4393 8800 or email btaylor@uniting.org
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting an aerial baiting program in Popran and Brisbane Water National Parks.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting an aerial baiting program in Popran and Brisbane Water National Parks.
Aerial baiting is scheduled for 7th Oct 2023 to 15th Oct 2023
Aerial baiting is scheduled for 7th Oct 2023 to 15th Oct 2023. The operation will use 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of wild dogs and foxes.
Baker Archaeology, on behalf of AV Jennings Properties Limited, is preparing an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment at Warnervale and Virginia Road, Warnervale (Lot 704 DP1275094 and Lot 2079 DP1273682) for the purpose of up to three Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit (AHIP) applications relating to stages 3-7 of the Rosella Rise residential development. The AHIP applicant is AV Jennings Properties Limited of Level 6, 58 Norwest Boulevard Norwest NSW 2153. The contact person is Bowen Zhu, phone 131 878.
The program is designed to minimise predator impacts on wildlife, especially threatened species, and to minimise the impact of wild dogs on neighbouring stock.
Signs will be placed at the entry to the baiting location
The operation will use 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of wild dogs and foxes. The program is designed to minimise predator impacts on wildlife, especially threatened species, and to minimise the impact of wild dogs on neighbouring stock.
Signs will be placed at the entry to the baiting location.
Domestic pets are not permitted in NPWS National Parks managed lands. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.
Landlords, please notify tenants or visitors to your property of the proposed operation
Please contact the NPWS Central Coast Area Office on (02) 4320 4200 for more information or check the NPWS web page alerts.
Domestic pets are not permitted in NPWS National Parks managed lands. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance. Landlords, please notify tenants or visitors to your property of the proposed operation.
Please contact the NPWS Central Coast Area Office on (02) 4320 4200 for more information or check the NPWS web page alerts.
Aboriginal organisations or Aboriginal persons who hold cultural knowledge relevant to determining the cultural significance of Aboriginal objects in the area are invited to register an interest in consultation. The purpose of community consultation with Aboriginal people is to assist the proposed AHIP applicant in: 1) assessing the Aboriginal heritage values of the area, 2) preparing an application for an AHIP, and 3) to assist the Executive Director of Heritage NSW to consider and determine the AHIP application. Registration should include the name of a contact person, address and other relevant contact details. The names of registered Aboriginal parties will be passed on to the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council and Heritage NSW unless a request to the contrary is made.
Registrations must be submitted in writing within two weeks to: Baker Archaeology PO Box 3225 Glenmore Park NSW 2745 consult@bakerarchaeology.com.au
Note: Registering for consultation does not guarantee employment
This would have to be one of the most often asked questions I receive, “Can Australian Native plants grow in the shade?” and it is also an answer that surprises many because, let’s face it, we do consider Australia the land of sun and heat.
Our country is made up of various climates and conditions with plants to match.
There are over 24,000 species of Australian Native Plants and that’s a huge number in the botanical world.
England has 1,022 native species and the USA about 17,000 so you can rest assured that there are shade lovers in our bunch.
The trick is, finding ones that will grow successfully in your garden, because while a rainforest fern from Cairns may love the dark corners of Far North Queensland, your patch of NSW may leave it feeling rather parched.
As always, the trick to easier gardening is finding the right plants for your garden, not trying to force plants that won’t be happy into situations they are not suited to.
The following are a few suggestions that should fit
your conditions.
I have divided them into simply dry or moist loving plants and then given you a few sizes that may fit into your patch.
Still not sure?
Have a chat with any of the amazing team at any of our local garden centres and nurseries.
Small Shrubs (up to 1m in height)
Prickly Bottlebrush (Callistemon brachyandrus) which has cultivars in all sizes, White Correa (Correa alba), Waxflower (Crowea Exalta), Flax Lily (Dianella longifolia), (Grevillea diminuta), Myrtle Hakea (Hakea myrtoides), Alpine Tea-tree (Leptospermum rupestre), Thyme-leaf Honeymyrtle (Melaleuca thymifolia), Fan Flower (Scaevola spp.), Native Violet (Viola hederacea), (Thryptomene spp.), Lomandra (Lomandra longifolia), Tussock Grass (Poa sieberiana)
Medium Shrubs (1 to 2m in height)
Myrtle Wattle (Acacia myrtifolia), Banksia (Banksia blechnifolia), Clover Bush (Goodia lotifolia), Coastal Rosemary (Westringia
fruticose) cultivars are available in small and medium sizes, Round-leaved Mint Bush (Prostanthera rotundifolia)
Large Shrubs (over 2m in height)
Hairpin Banksia (Banksia spinulosa), Broad Leaved Palm Lily (Cordyline petiolaris), Cycad Palm (Cycas media), Crimson Bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus), Fern-leaf Grevillea (Grevillea longifolia), New South Wales Waratah (Telopea speciosissima)
Climbers
Wonga Wonga Vine (Pandorea pandorana)
Shady Moist Area
Small Shrubs (up to 1m in height)
River Wattle (Acacia cognata) which grows as a small to medium shrub and small tree, Veiny Wattle (Acacia venulose), Christmas Bells (Blandfordia grandiflora), Hard Fern (Blechnum spp.), Small-leaved Boronia (Boronia microphylla), Pilliga Posy (Brachyscome formosa), Cut-Leafed Daisy (Brachyscome multifida), Tasman flax-lily (Dianella tasmanica) White Fan-flower (Scaevola albida), Branching Grass Flag (Libertia paniculata)
If you have an event to share contact: gardeningcentralcoast@gmail.com
Central Coast Edible Garden Trail
Tickets are on sale now for this years Central Coast Edible Garden Trail and can be booked here
centralcoastediblegardentrail.org.au/buy-tickets (or scan the QR code)
We are proud to offer an all ages event for people from all walks of life. Our website is accessible to people of all abilities and you’ll find many of our gardens are accessible too. Every person involved in the Edible Garden Trail is a volunteer, so when you buy a ticket you are supporting local community projects - check out how last years ticket sales funds were put to good use - centralcoastediblegardentrail.org.au/giving-back/2022edible-garden-trail-giving-back
It’s a win win! Get your tickets now
You can plant the following now: culinary herbs, artichoke suckers, asparagus crowns, beetroot, broad beans, cabbages, carrots, cress, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, onions, parsnip, peas, potatoes, rhubarb crowns, silverbeet, African marigold, delphinium, dianthus, English daisy, gloxinia, gypsophilia, mignonette, spider flower, statice
Medium Shrubs (1 to 2m in height)
Birdsnest Fern (Asplenium australasicum),Brogo Overflow’ Bottlebrush (Callistemon subulatus), Austral Indigo (Indigofera australis), Lance Leaf Hovea (Hovea lanceolata), Poorinda Firebird Grevillea (Grevillea ’Poorinda Firebird’), (Dampiera purpurea), Chef’s Cap Correa (Correa baeuerlenii), Rice Flower (Ozothamnus diosmifolius)
Large Shrubs (over 2m in height)
Karri Oak (Chorilaena quercifolia), Spear Lily (Doryanthes palmeri), Braidwood Waratah (Telopea mongaensis), Hairy Dogwood (Pomaderris pilifera), Long-leaf Lomatia (Lomatia myricoides),
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
Cross-leaf Honey-myrtle (Melaleuca decussata), Silky
Hakea (Hakea sericea), Soft Tree Fern (Dicksonia antarctica)
Climbers
Traveller’s Joy (Clematis aristate) Small-leaved Clemati (Clematis microphylla), Native Sarsaparilla (Hardenbergia violacea), Bower of Beauty (Pandorea jasminoides)
Shade-suitable plants are not dark-loving plants. They will not grow well at all in full sun, but they still require light.
In the wild, this is usually in the form of dappled sunlight that falls from beneath the foliage of taller plants.
As you can see from the plant lists above, shade suitable plant also does not usually like
wet conditions., preferring moist and in some cases even dry environments.
The lessons are to know your garden, your environment and conditions and select plants to suit.
An important point to note is that many larger Australian Native Trees require underplanting to provide soil and root stability.
By selecting shade-tolerant species you can create a natural garden that will thrive in the conditions available. For more information:
Australian Plant Society: austplants.com.au
Australian Plant Society Central Coast District Group: austplants.com.au/CentralCoast
Terrigal has been named Club of the Year at Central Coast Rugby Union’s (CCRU) annual awards night.
Held on September 18 at Wyong Leagues Club, the awards also saw Ben Shelley of Gosford named Syd Noble Medal Player of the Year and Sharni Waters of Avoca Beach take out the Kate Thomson Medal for Player of the Year.
The Terry Woodward Award for Service went to Gary Head while Terrigal’s Paul Collins was named Club Person of the Year.
The Razorbacks’ Nick Meyer was named Coach of the Year.
Highest Pointscorer in the Women’s 10s was Sharni Mason of the Razorbacks with 208 points, while Adam Danckert of Terrigal was the Highest Pointscorer in men’s first grade with 266.
Referee of the Year was Aleni Togafau, Referee’s Player of the Year was Isaiah Niumata of Warnervale and Avoca Beach Premier 1 men took out Referee’s Team of the Year.
Seniors representative awards went to: Rep Player of the Year, Alex Halls of Avoca Beach; Best Back of the Year, Isaiah Niumata of Warnervale; and Best Forward of the Year,
Matt Martin of the Razorbacks.
In the Under-19s awards went to: Harry McWilliam Player of the Year Award, Zack Byrne of Terrigal; Best Back of the Year, Jackson Ryan of
Terrigal; and Best Forward of the Year, Lachlan Thomas of Avoca Beach.
In the Women 15s, Shanaye Rutonski of The Lakes was named Players Player, Shenay
CRICKET
The T20 Cricket Competition is set to begin on Saturday, September 30, with Round 1 starting at 10am and Round 2 commencing at 2pm all around the Coast.
Round 1 will see a clash between Warnervale and Southern Spirit at the Woongarrah Sports Complex while at Fagans Park, Narara Wyoming will take on Northern Power.
Wyong will take on Terrigal
Telstra plan to upgrade existing telecommunications facilities at the below locations. Telstra are currently upgrading existing mobile network facilities for the introduction of 5G to Telstra’s network. As part of this network upgrade: 7002 Lards Rd, Central Mangrove NSW 2250 www.rfnsa.com.au/2250026
1. Telstra proposes the installation of LTE700 and NR/WCDMA850 at CENTRAL MANGROVE. Proposed works at the above site will involve the Removal of nine (9) existing panel antennas and seven (7) transmission antennas, Installation of six (6) new panel antennas (each no longer than 2.8m), Installation of new RF ancillaries for Telstra on the existing tower and Installation of associated ancillary equipment at the existing equipment shelter to improve Telstra’s mobile phone network. Lot 7003 Plan DP1030927 Schofield Road, Wyee NSW 2259 www.rfnsa.com.au/2259016
2. Telstra proposes the installation of LTE2100, LTE700, NR/LTE2600 and NR/WCDMA850 at WYEE. Proposed works at the above site will involve the Removal of ten (10) existing panel antennas, Installation of four (4) new panel antennas (each no longer than 2.8m) on new and existing mounts, Installation of two (2) new RRUs, and Installation of associated ancillary equipment at the existing facility and within the equipment shelter.to improve Telstra’s mobile phone network.
3. Telstra regards the proposed installations in Central Mangrove and Wyee as Low-impact Facilities in accordance with the Telecommunications (Low-impact facilities) Determination 2018 based on the description above.
4. In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Further information or written submissions should be directed to Ryan Wong, BMM Group via email to: submissions@bmmgroup.com.au or 1300 260 834 by 13th October 2023.
Matcham at Baker Park and Lisarow Ourimbah will play Kincumber Avoca at Bill Sohier Park.
The match to watch for Round 1 will be Brisbane Water vs The Entrance in a cracking rematch of last year’s grand final at Adcock Park.
In Round 2, Wyong will host Northern Power at Baker Park while the Woongarrah Sporting Complex will see rivals Warnervale and The Entrance compete with the bat and ball. Lisarow Ourimbah who stood
Ball of Terrigal Best Back and Prue Bright of Terrigal Best Forward.
Source: Central Coast Rugby Union
seventh and Terrigal Matcham who finished sixth in the previous season rounds, will take to Sohier Park.
Narara Wyoming and Southern Spirit will face each other at Fagans Park while the two previous semi-finalists, Brisbane Water and Kincumber Avoca, will head south to Adcock Park with former Alan Davidson Medal winner Dylan Robertson returning as captain of Kincumber Avoca.
Source: Central Coast Cricket Association
The Central Coast Mariners are continuing to sign outstanding players for their Women’s A-League team, with Matildas forward Kyah Simon joining the club.
The 32-year-old has spent two years with the Tottenham Hotspurs and has featured for the Matildas 111 times, scoring 29 goals along the way.
She has been selected in three FIFA Women’s World Cup squads, including the most recent 2023 edition on home soil, as well as taking part in two Olympic games.
Simon began her professional footballing career at the Mariners, scoring five goals in nine appearances, before moving to Sydney FC and later playing in the A-League Women’s competition for Melbourne City.
In total, she has played 108 A-League Women’s matches including six grand finals, scoring 50 goals and winning four A-League Championships. She has also won both the Julie Dolan Medal and the
competition’s Golden Boot.
Simon has also played seven seasons in America for both the Boston Breakers and Houston Dash and one season with Dutch giants PSV.
Simon now returns to where it all began and is excited to be wearing the yellow and navy once more.
Another recent signing is former Women’s Super League
defender Faye Bryson.
The 26-year-old Englishwoman most recently played for Reading FC, making 37 appearances over two seasons with the club.
Originally starting her youth career with Liverpool FC’s academy, Bryson made the switch to Everton.
She captained the side to the 2014 FA Women’s Youth Cup
Final, before making her senior debut in April 2015.
Bryson made her WSL debut during the 2017/18 season, before spending another two campaigns with The Toffees followed by two seasons with Bristol City before moving on to Reading.
Also joining the ranks is midfielder Tiarna Karambasis, who joins the Mariners from
Lions FC in the Queensland NPL Women’s competition, having been a part of the club for a number of seasons.
This year she played 26 matches for the Queensland team, scoring three goals as the Lions ran out as Premiers of the First-Grade competition.
This will be her first A-League Women’s season.
Mariners Head Coach Emily
RUGBY LEAGUE
The 2023 NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout will be held at Tuggerah over the October long weekend, hosted by Central Coast Council in partnership with the Newcastle All Blacks. Also referred to as the Koori Knockout, the mass participation sporting event will showcase some of the best rugby league talent in the country and holds a highly regarded and significant place on the Indigenous calendar. The Knockout will kick off on Friday, September 29, at the Central Coast Regional Sport and Recreation Complex (CCRSRC) at Tuggerah and will be played out over the weekend.
Council’s Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith, said up to 150 teams were expected to participate across the four-day event, attracting thousands of people to the Coast.
“With so many people expected to attend the Knockout, we have put in place a traffic management plan to help cater for the extra visitors and traffic,” Smith said.
“With limited parking in the area for so many event goers, we’re encouraging people to take advantage of public transport – as our facility has been built in such a perfect location it’s only a short walk from the already existing train and bus services at Tuggerah Station.
“We will also be providing a free shuttle bus service to the complex from EDSACC Oval North at Bateau Bay, and Tuggerah Dog Park that will run until 7pm every day of the Knockout.”
Administrator Rik Hart said Council hosted the event in 2019 with the Newcastle All Blacks and was excited to be doing it all again.
“With so many more teams participating this year,Tuggerah has proven it’s the best complex to cater for the extra games and hosting such a major sporting event will deliver significant benefits to our local community,” he said.
“This event will be attracting thousands of spectators and will boost our local tourist economy by an estimated $6M, providing a direct benefit to our region’s small businesses and local employment.
“The Koori Knockout is one event not to be missed, and with some of the country’s best talent on display you might even catch a close-up of an NRL/NRLW star in action too.”
The 51st NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout will be
Husband said all three women would contribute to building the depth of the women’s squad.
“The versatility and quality Kyah Simon possesses as a forward, who has experience in some of the best leagues in women’s football, is an exciting signing for us,” Husband said.
“Her international career speaks for itself.
“Kyah has a fantastic character, and she will make an immediate impact on the group.”
Husband said Faye Bryson had great game understanding and awareness which came from playing in a competition with the quality of the Women’s Super League.
“Faye has a great engine and is technically really strong which will be extremely important for us this season.”
Husband said Tiarna Karambasis was an extremely calm and composed player who brought many individual qualities with her.
held at Central Coast Regional Sport and Recreation Complex Tuggerah from Friday, September 29 to Monday, October 2.
Council will be placing the Complex into a lockdown (no public access aside from Knockout spectators) from 6am on Monday, September 25, through to 6am on Tuesday, October 3 to help event organisers set-up and prepare for the huge four-day event. Find out more about the best way to travel to Tuggerah and watch the Koori Knockout by visiting centralcoast.nsw.gov. au/knockout
Source: Central Coast Council
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.
Avoca Beach defeated the Razorbacks by a narrow margin of 17-16 to take out the Central Coast Rugby Union championship on September 23.
The two teams went point for point for the entire 80 minutes, with great defence from both sides preventing either from taking a decisive lead on the scoreboard.
Avoca Beach opened the scoring with a penalty goal in the 14th minute, but the Razorbacks were quick to respond with their own penalty goal two minutes later.
A further penalty goal to each team made the score 6-all at the 33rd minute of the first half, with a third penalty goal to Avoca Beach right on half-time seeing Sharks go into the break with a slim 9-6 lead.
The second half saw some more hard-fought rugby, intense with both teams giving it their all.
At the midway point of the second half Avoca Beach maintained a 12-9 lead, before a try from prop Mackenzie Zammit saw the Razorbacks take the lead for the first time in the match.
But Avoca Beach regained the lead in the 33rd minute when
fullback Kye Tancred crossed for a try, taking the score to 1716.
The Razorbacks had a late chance to snatch back the lead with a penalty goal but the kick went just wide of the posts.
Best players for Avoca Beach were flanker Fionn HendersonFoley, centre Alex Halls and locks Matt Anderson and Michael Hobden.
Best efforts for the Razorbacks were put in by flanker Rob Peden, centre Owen Turner and halfback Connor Peden.
The win saw Avoca Beach take out both the Minor and Major Premierships.
In second grade, Terrigal secured a very tight 23-17 victory over the Razorbacks after extra time to take out the premiership.
Terrigal was in control for most of the first half and led 17-0 at half-time.
But the second stanza saw the Razorbacks score 17 points of their own, taking the match into extra time at the full-time mark.
Terrigal managed to kick a penalty goal in each half of extra time in a gripping encounter which could have gone either way.
Best players for Terrigal were flanker Edward Bookallil and
No.8 Will Shipton, while No.8 Sam Kearney proved strong for the Razorbacks.
The President’s Cup grand final saw the Razorbacks defeat Terrigal by 21-20.
The Razorbacks opened the scoring and continued to be in control in the early stages of the match, going into the halftime break with a 12-8 lead.
Despite a late surge from Terrigal in the second half and a late-minute try, the Razorbacks held on to claim victory by a single point.
Best for the Razorbacks were winger Alifereti Joji, who crossed for two tries and halfback Josh Holman, while
lock Blake Cavanagh and winger Jack Jenkins played well for Terrigal.
The Women’s 10s grand final saw Terrigal record a 36-14 victory over Avoca Beach. After going into the half-time break with a 14-7 lead, Terrigal dominated the second half, scoring 22 points in that second stanza while Avoca Beach was able to respond with just one converted try.
A feature of the match was the 21 individual points posted by Terrigal’s Mia Barber.
Source: Central Coast Rugby Union
