Central Coast Sun - April May 2023

PRIME PROJECT Progress at last for CBD transformation

AKEY development on the corner of Mann and Donnison Streets in downtown Gosford is finally underway after five years of ‘stops’ and ‘starts’ including a change of ownership. The original ‘Archbold’ was touted as the crowning glory of the Gosford Revitalisation Plan overseen by the State Planning Department. But a disgraced council and

a perceived anti-development atmosphere brought investor confidence in Gosford to a shuddering halt in the CBD. Prime development sites at the old Marketplace complex opposite Kibble Park and at the former prime location of the Union Hotel suddenly went on the market.

More: page 14.

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April – May 2023

 ISSUE 44

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CENTRAL COAST LEAGUES RENOVATION New chapter in club’s future

CENTRAL Coast Leagues Club is embarking on an extensive renovation project that will signal a new chapter in the famous Club’s future.

Designed by Altis Architecture, the multi-million-dollar refurbishment will deliver a revitalised ground floor precinct packed with features and services for members and guests to enjoy.

Project management firm Colliers International will manage the development, with building work scheduled to start this month and will take approximately 10 months to complete.

Reflective of our relaxed, coastal lifestyle, the design will display finishes and color palettes inspired by the local bush and waterways.

The new CCLC experience will begin the moment you enter the sophisticated, light-filled reception-lobby that will feature a streamlined sign-in process and single-level access. An indoor-outdoor café serving light snacks, coffee and gelato during the day will become a cosy wine bar after dark.

A formidable family dining precinct featuring an open kitchen, wood-fired pizza oven and a dedicated kids’ play space is located off the lobby. Taking centre stage will be a huge central bar that will house more than 80 on tap, showcasing a mixture of craft, domestic

and local brews.

Another exciting addition will be the American-style sports lounge, boasting indoor and alfresco options and unique menu offerings. Home to the largest LED screen on the Central Coast, complete with state-of-the-art audio, the sports lounge will broadcast all major sporting events and provide the best seats in the house all year round.

The popular fitness centre, rebranding as Coast Fitness HQ and Peking Garden Chinese Restaurant will also receive new fanouts as part of the renovation process.

As exciting as this new refurbishment project is, it is just the forerunner of a major master plan that will rejuvenate and enhance the entire CCLC footprint.

Central Coast Leagues Club CEO Edward Camilleri said: “Our ultimate vision is to create a fully integrated lifestyle and entertainment precinct that the whole community can enjoy. But, in reality, the journey has just begun and this refurbishment is the first stage of that plan.’

Building works will be carried out in stages and Central Coast Leagues Club will remain fully operational throughout the renovation.

New homes sales fall

THE sales of new homes in Australia fell by 7.2% in March compared to the previous month, according to the monthly HIA New Home Sales report. The decline leaves sales in the first three months of 2023 down by 45.9% compared to the same

period last year, as the rise in the cash rate over the past year impedes sales.

The increase in the cost of land and construction, compounded by higher interest rates, is dampening demand further, and the cancellation rate increased

in March to 30.5%.

HIA Senior Economist Tom Devitt said that the combination of low sales volumes and rising cancellations of existing projects will hollow out the pipeline of building work over the coming months.

Artist impressions of the redeveloped club.

Exciting new stores at Erina Fair

ERINA Fair Shopping Centre is welcoming several new retailers to the centre including a new Lindt Boutique, Oz Hair and Beauty and Scoopi.

Lindt Boutique, located opposite Oscar Wylee in the centre, will be a first on the Central Coast offering a new premium shopping experience for chocolate lovers, featuring the most extensive range of Lindt products.

“The boutique store is also designed to offer customers a taste of their world-famous Crema Gelata Ice Cream, indulge in takeaway hot or cold chocolate drinks or create a personalised selection from the fan-favorite ‘pick-and-mix’ station,” Erina Fair Centre Manager Stephen Ross said.

Oz Hair and Beauty will open their first solely retail store, located next to Best & Less. To celebrate the opening, the store will run a ‘Styler Swap’ with CLOUD NINE, where customers who come into the store can swap their old styling tool for a brand-new CLOUD

NINE Wide Iron, regardless of its condition.

“As part of Lendlease’s national initiative called The Good Day Collective, Erina Fair will also host a ShoeBox Revolution Charity Sock and Soup donation drive,” Mr Ross said.

“Customers are encouraged to drop off their cans of souse socks at the Customer Service Desk located opposite Cotton On Kids. They are two of the most needed and least donated items received by people who are homeless through winter.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome thel new retailers to the centre, each of which offer something unique to customers.

“We ran a number of exciting Easter and school holiday activations for customers to come enjoy, in addition to highlighting some great social initiatives from both retailers and local organisations that directly benefit the community.”

Details: www.erinafair.com.au.Lendlease

Cameryn starts her dream degree

CAMERYN Smider from Lake Munmorah is beginning her dream double degree at the University of Sydney, thanks to a new scholarship.

The University of Sydney has hosted its biggest-ever Welcome Program as students, including Cameryn, began to arrive on campus for the start of the academic year.

Held over nearly three weeks in February, the extended Welcome Program includes orientation events to help new students get started, workshops for continuing students as they transition into their next year, information sessions and fun social events for all students.

Cameryn who is doing her ‘dream double’, a Bachelor of Science and Master of Mathematical Sciences, will be the first person in her family to go to university.

“Having the scholarship will definitely help me worry less about the financial side of things. I’ll be putting it towards paying off my degree, but

Prime village site on market

„ DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

ONE of the most outstanding land parcels ever to be offered on the Central Coast in recent times has come on to the market at Point Frederick.

The former Legacy Village site opposite Gosford Waterfront and the Olympic Swimming Pool has taken pride of place beside Masons Pde a.k.a. Central Coast Hwy for decades.

CBRE is calling for expressions of interest by May 31 for 100% freehold interest in Part 51-57 Masons Pde, Point Frederick.

Known as Lot 2, the property offers investors and developers a large-scale redevelopment opportunity (STCA) with a favorable leaseback in place.

CBRE said: “It is a rare opportunity to acquire a substantial freehold B4 Mixed Use land holding positioned opposite the idyllic

“Brisbane water in proximity to Gosford CBD. The property is located within walking distance to public transport, shops, and restaurants, positioned nearby the waterfront precinct with views on offer spanning across Brisbane Water.”

The property is zoned B4 Mixed Use and will allow for a variety of uses including commercial, retail and residential.

“Brisbane Water (NSW) Legacy Club has committed to a sale and leaseback over the property for 24 months, thereby providing developers the opportunity to leverage off the income while obtaining relevant development approvals.”

A new high-rise village is being constructed for Legacy residents. The current village was built in 1964.

also for study resources, like textbooks, stationary, a laptop and lab coat, as well as travel expenses to help me commute every day,”bshe said.

“It will also give me a support network with other like-minded people getting a scholarship, so it will really help the transition to uni as well,” Cameryn said.

University of Sydney Union (USU) President and final-year Engineering/Science student Cole Scott-Curwood expects 2023 to be a watershed year for student experiences.

Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Mark Scott said it was a milestone moment for the University with the vast majority of students to be on campus for Semester One.

“Three years after the pandemic first hit our community, we’re giving students our biggest and best welcome to campus life – whether they’re returning or coming to campus for the first time,” Professor Scott said.

New stores at Erina Fair.

Cameryn Smider.

The site for sale.

WARNERVALE: the sleeping giant

„ DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

In 1980 I sat down in the old Central Coast Express office in Donnison St, Gosford and wrote a story about the glittering future of Warnervale and how it was to become the third major urban centre on the Central Coast.

I based it on a 1970’s development report by the State Government which outlined its plans for Warnervale to be the new city centre for the northern end of the Coast.

In the following years, I periodically wrote followup stories on the future of the sleepy farmland and reported on the many broken dreams that fizzled out after a lack of interest.

Flash forward 40 plus years and I am writing another story about the future of the ‘Sleeping Giant’.

Except, this time it is actually awakening from the slumber and by 2041 will have 50,000 plus residents, which will make it one of the fastest growing urban centres in Australia.

To be fair, today’s Central Coast Council had nothing to do with heady plans that included a major town centre and a much needed new railway station and transport centre north of Sparks Rd.

That was a key project of the old Wyong Shire Council, a brash upstart LGA that outperformed its older brother Gosford City Council in terms of its “get up and go” attitude and good old fashioned enthusiasm.

With the population of Warnervale

and surrounding suburbs expected to nearly double over the next two decades, the local Council of 2023 is actively taking steps to ensure that future development is both responsible and sustainable for residents and the environment.

It is anticipated that nearly 57,000 people will call Warnervale home by 2041. Council’s draft Greater Warnervale Structure Plan helps the community identify the long-term vision and principles that will guide land use planning in the area.

The Plan pours water on the ambitious Town Centre and even the cramped railway station looks like staying right where it has been for a century or so.

It is disappointing for visionaries such as Ray White’s development expert Les Rogan who believes Warnervale could be “the next Parramatta” if it was planned right and reached its full potential.

“Unfortunately this stems all the way from the top. Gosford has been iden-

Coast buses go hydrogen

BUSES are a vital part of living on the Central Coast, especially for schoolkids and now we will be the first region in NSW to experience a trip on a hydrogen powered electric bus.

The local trial of the new technology is a glimpse into the future of zero emission public vehicles on the Coast.

It will be massive undertaking to eventually replace the Busways fleet on the Coast which services 435 routes from Belmont in the north to Patonga in the south and Spencer in the south west.

The longest route is 2663 which travels 73km from North Belmont to Lakehaven, serving 64 stops.

The shortest route is 2801 which travels one kilometre from Gosford Station to the Imperial Central. The most popular route is 81 Lakehaven to Tuggerah and 79, Charmhaven to Wyong.

But they all add up to a lot of diesel fuel pollution on our roads and surrounding premises and outdoor areas..

And then there is the famous Red Bus fleet which has 96 modern buses on the Coast and is especially critical to local and school bus routes.

“Red Bus has already conducted a trial using a battery electric bus so this trial will allow for a direct comparison between how electric and hydrogen perform in the same location,” Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said.

The hydrogen project is a partnership between the Department of Planning and Environment, local bus manufacturer ARCC and Origin Energy.

The new hydrogen bus is the first of its kind manufactured in NSW and has the potential to travel longer distances without refueling..

The hydrogen bus will be in service until the end of June 2023.

More information is available at https:// www.transport.nsw. gov.au/projects/ current-projects/zero-emission-buses.

tified, to take priority over any future developments in the Northern part of Coast,” said Les.

“The Premier, Minister and MP’s haven’t even able to grasp is Gosford has no more residential land. Warnervale and surrounding Areas have around 10 years of residential land and this will mean the tens of thousands of people in the coming years will choose the Northern part of the Central Coast as a preferred place to live.

They just can’t grasp it

‘It’s only a matter of time and the large development companies will bypass Central Coast Council and their lack of foresight and go straight to State Planning to get major projects going.

“I believe Council has no one that can see any potential for Wyong Area but this will change regardless of premiers, politicians and people who have different agendas.

“There is a lot of land that has been stockpiled over the past eight years and

the major players will ensure that Warnervale reaches its full potential.

“Meanwhile, the adjacent Lake Macquarie area has development happening everywhere,” Mr Rogan said.

Council’s Director of Environment and Planning Alice Howe said the Draft Plan was important to help future-proof the community’s needs.

“We want Greater Warnervale to grow in a sustainable way by allowing for future growth to occur in a manner that does not compromise the attributes that make our community a desirable place to live,” Dr Howe said.

“Although this is a long-term project, it’s important we take the steps now to understand what facilities will be required to ensure development in Warnervale meets future community needs.”

There are several ways the community can have their say on the Draft Plan, including attending a public information session at Lake Haven Library or making a submission online.

And Council Administrator Rik Hart is hoping residents participate in the process.

“We want the community to share local knowledge that can be used to better shape the region to meet future needs,” Mr Hart said.

“Council is seeking feedback on community, education, and recreation facilities as well as environmental open space and connecting pathways that people would like to see in their area.”

The Sun will keep readers informed as to the progress of the feedback.

Shining a light on cancer

THE Central Coast’s own Denyse Whelan is a shining light in the fight against cancer.

Every family in Australia is struck by the terrible disease of cancer with some stories ending well and others ending sadly.

It’s not a story of winners and losers – just luck, reacting early and the right genes. And great doctors.

For Denyse , speaking up about some unusual mouth pains and putting her trust in the experts at Westmead Hospital in Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) was lifechanging.

Her story was featured in the WSLHD’s excellent Pulse magazine this month and I’d like to share with you:

‘It’s nearly six years since some follow-up appointments turned her world upside down, and yet, Denyse is still such a positive force and passionate advocate for head and neck cancer patients.

“We were living on the Central Coast in May 2017 when, after some investigations at my insistence when my very sore mouth did not get better, my dentist referred me urgently to the local oral surgeon. They did a biopsy and she told me three

days later that I had ‘squamous cell carcinoma’ in my upper gums,” Denyse said.

“I was soon told that all of my upper mouth would be removed surgically (with all the cancer too), and a new upper mouth would be constructed, made from parts of my leg.

“In the course of two weeks, I learned I had cancer (and a rare one at that), that I would have half my mouth removed, and that it could be up to nine months before I could eat again. I had to take in a lot of information about my massive surgery to come and over time, I knew, as did my husband, that we had an amazing team on my side, who were going to do all they could for me.”

Denyse’s medical team included a very special prosthodontist from Oral Restorative Sciences at Westmead

Hospital: Dr Suhas Deshpande, and a nurse from his team named Ofelia.

After lots of preparation from a network of experts from Westmead Hospital and Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, including extensive CT planning and measurements for parts of Denyse’s ‘new mouth’ that were being made overseas, Denyse had her first surgery in July 2017.

“It took two theatres and around 25 people for my surgery. And a very important and familiar face looked over as I was wheeled into theatre – Dr Deshpande,” she said.

This familiar face and his team are a big part of Denyse’s ongoing care and she says that the relationships she’s formed with these Westmead Hospital staff have made her experience in difficult circumstances much more comfortable.

BUSiNESS

WHAT A LABOR GOVERNMENT MEANS FOR BUSINESS

Let’s look at commitments

development delays.

„ PAULA MARTIN

THE people of NSW have elected a Labor government for the first time in 12 years, but what does this mean for business?

Business NSW has enjoyed a strong, open and honest relationship with senior members of the Labor caucus while in opposition, and we are confident that these ties will only strengthen as we continue our conversation with the new NSW Government.

The business community is encouraged by government commitments including payroll tax administration reform (alongside the Federal Government), a pledge to introduce no new taxes on business over the next four years, increasing affordable housing and allowing SMEs to take a greater share of government procurement opportunities.

The Labor Government has promised an increase in public sector salaries so we will be placing a strong focus on ensuring this doesn’t come at any cost to business, and that the pledge for no new taxes on business is maintained.

Commitments to Business NSW priorities from incoming government Business NSW’s strong advocacy on the spiralling cost of doing business –including that 30 per cent of businesses face closure if business conditions don’t change – helped win major concessions

from our new government.

The $315 energy rebate for 320,000 eligible small businesses and commitment to no new taxes on business in the next term of government were responses to this advocacy.

We also had advocacy wins on the delivery of three Manufacturing Centres of Excellence in Illawarra, Western Sydney and the Hunter, a commitment to conduct an audit of manufacturing in NSW, $93.7M to hire 1000 apprentices and trainees across the NSW Government by 2026, and a promise of 30 per cent affordable housing on government-owned land.

On the Central Coast we saw a commitment of $8 million towards phase one of the Gosford Waterfront Project, strengthened pathways between the University of Newcastle and TAFE and a focus on planning reform to reduce

Our policy platform was informed by deep consultation with members, including a powerful election survey of more than 1200 business owners.

Commitments to Business NSW priorities

• No new taxes on business in the next term of government.

• Boosting small business access to government procurement.

• Reducing administrative red tape for payroll tax – 52,000 businesses to have the option of bypassing Revenue NSW and using the ATO “single-touch” payroll system*.

• Delivery of three Manufacturing Centres of Excellence in Illawarra, Western Sydney and the Hunter Commitment to conduct an audit of manufacturing in NSW $315 energy rebates for 320,000 eligible small businesses.

• Acceleration of energy transition via NSW Energy Security Corporation.

• $93.7 million to hire 1000 apprentices and trainees across the NSW Government by 2026 Commitment to 30 per cent affordable housing on government-owned land

• Reform of the NSW workers’ compensation scheme to fix the broken claims management system. Additional commitments for NSW businesses

• Scrapping stamp duty on first home purchases below $800k and having a reduced rate on homes $800k-$1million.

• A NSW Business Bureau to improve government interface with business.

Ongoing Conversations with Government

• Lowering the payroll tax rate below 5 per cent from 5.4 per cent and increasing the threshold to at least $1.3M.

• Making NSW the start-up state by establishing a $1.3B government backed venture capital fund Offer another 100,000 fee-free apprenticeship and 70,000 fee-free traineeship places to boost our local skills.

Commit to working with the Federal Government in increasing the NSW Skilled Nomination visa program to at least 30,000 places to begin to address workforce shortages.

About Business NSW

Formerly the NSW Business Chamber, Business NSW is the peak policy and advocacy body which has been representing businesses in NSW since 1826. We represent almost 50,000 businesses.

MARTIN is Executive Director, Regional NSW and The Visitor Economy

PAULA

THE founder of the iconic Doggie Dates organisation

Te’re Melrose has been named 2023 Women if te Year for The Entrance electorate.

Popularly known as ‘TJ’, the creator and driving force behind the not-for-profit organisation Doggie Dates NSW Ltd was a popular choice.

TJ established the organisation in 2015 with the aim of reaching a diverse range of participants including retirees, young people, families and people with physical and or mental health challenges.

Her goal is to connect the community through regional based dog walking groups.

The organisation currently has six regional groups, one of which is on the Central Coast and interacts with the community via walks and social media posts.

TJ has designed the groups to be safe and to help foster inclusiveness, socialisation and friendships; as well as providing education in responsible dog ownership.

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

So it was only fitting that Member for The Entrance David Mehan presented her award with an unusual support act.,

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

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

“I now look forward to attending the official 2023 NSW Women of the Year Awards ceremony in Sydney with Ms Melrose to celebrate her wonderful achievement,” Mr Mehan said.

Long Jetty rocket back to earth

GENERATIONS of Central Coast kids and visiting families have reached for the stars on board Long Jetty’s famous rocket.

From Flash Gordon to Star Trek, Star Wars and Apollo 11, with a little bit of imagination it was possible to fly from Lions Park to the Moon, Mars or a billion light years into an unknown Galaxy..

A visit to the rocket was almost mandatory for any kids staying or camping in the area,

Now, even kids’ rockets need maintenance from time to time and the call finally came for the Long Jetty icon: ‘Return to Earth..we have a problem!’

So the Central Coast’s most iconic play structure is going into a temporary orbit but there is no need to worry as it will return as good as new and ready for many more trips around the sun.

The gleaming yellow rocket is enshrined in the memories of generations of Coasties and this planned refreshment of the structure ensured the asset’s life would be extended for decades to come.

In a first-of-its-kind operation, Lions Park will be shut for a few hours to allow crane access to the site and lift the rocket ship out in one piece before trucking it offsite for the repair work to begin.

Underpinning the refresh is a need to

bring the park up to modern standards and includes replacing corroded metal that has reached the end of its design, removing rust, upgrading access points to be more accessible and painting the rocket in its original colors.

It is expected to be completed by the end of June. The park will remain open during the duration of the project work.

Council Director Community and Recreation Services Melanie Smith said she is not only excited for the project to get underway but also the unique way residents were able to contribute to the final design.

An information board will be erected at the completion of the project to highlight the rocket’s life throughout the years.

MP David Mehan with Ms Melrose.

Long Jetty Rocket.

THANK YOU TO THE PEOPLE OF TERRIGAL

There’s much to be proud of

„ ADAM CROUCH

IWANT to thank the great people of the Terrigal Electorate for their support in the 2023 March Election. I will continue to fight for our Electorate every day and ensure that our community gets a fair share.

Looking back on the Liberal National Government’s achievements on the Central Coast, there is so much to be proud of. There have been major investments in health, infrastructure, community projects and in the people of the Central Coast on all fronts.

I was proud to deliver a $348M redevelopment of Gosford Hospital, which included a new cardiovascular suite, cancer day unit and an Aboriginal cultural lounge.

Not only that, working with the Elsie’s Retreat team we were able to fund and deliver the Central Coast’s first dedicated Palliative Care Unit –one of the proudest moments of my career.

Further, in November 2022 I was proud to stand with Hon. Bronnie Taylor MLC and announce 13.6M in funding for another Palliative Care Unit at Wyong Hospital – where we also completed a $200M redevelopment in October 2021.

While we made major investments in local health, we also committed and delivered major improvements in local infrastructure – such as the $1M

investment into upgrading Crackneck Lookout at Bateau Bay which is currently underway, completed upgrades to Niagara Park, Ourimbah, Narara and Point Clare stations, and an in-progress upgrade at Tuggerah station.

We’ve delivered countless upgrades to local sporting fields such as Paul Oval in Holgate and Adelaide Oval in Killarney Vale just to name a few.

We were also committed to investments in education – that is why I was proud to be able to deliver funding for upgrades to both Wamberal and Terrigal Public Schools to provide brand new classrooms, as well as the delivery of a brand new, modern school at Porter’s Creek.

Countless upgrades occurred to school facilities across the Central Coast including brand new COLAs, canteen upgrades, toilet upgrades and outdoor refurbishments at schools like Avoca Beach Public School, Brisbane Water Secondary College Woy Woy Campus, and Jilliby Public School.

There’s more work to be done

While these achievements are certainly something we can be proud of, there is still so much more work to do.

With the election of a new State Labor Government, it will be my job as the sole Opposition Member on the Central Coast to hold them account to their commitments.

I’ll be fighting to ensure that fund-

ing is on the table for several projects including investigating upgrades to the Wards Hill Road intersection with Empire Bay Drive, $100,000 in funding for Empire Bay Tennis Club and $10,000 each in funding to MacMasters Beach, Avoca, North Avoca and Wamberal Boardriders groups – all of which has been committed to by the new State Labor government.

Additionally, the delivery of a brand new, state-of-the-art TAFE in the heart of Gosford will be another project I will be fighting for.

As part of the Coalition Government, we were able to facilitate discussion between TAFE, Central Coast Council and Landcom to develop a brand-new vertical TAFE on the site of the old Gosford Council Chambers.

I am even prouder to announce that during the caretaker period of the previous Coalition Government, the deal between TAFE and Central Coast Council was signed to transfer the land for construction of the brand-new TAFE.

Over the next four years, I will be calling on the new State Labor government to commit to fully funding this desperately needed TAFE site and continuing the former Coalition government’s vision to transform Gosford as an educational hub.

While there are still many projects that the State Labor government committed to funding on the Central Coast, such as housing with mental

health support it is what they have not committed that concerns me most.

There is still no commitment by the the NSW Government to fund and extend the Regional Seniors Travel Card – which provides $11.5M in support to over 46,000 regional seniors for petrol, taxi services, coaches and travel on NSW TrainLink.

They have also not committed to regional fund programs established under the Coalition government such as the $240M Regional Job Creation Fund, which delivered $8.8M in funding to projects in the Entrance, Wyong and Gosford electorates resulting in 500+ jobs, as well as the Stronger Country Communities Fund, which delivered $660M in funding to 2,530 local projects including 60 in the Central Coast region has also not been committed for continuation of funding.

Labor’s lack of commitment to regional funding is a great concern for me as I begin the start of my parliamentary term and this alongside the commitments made by the State Labor government on the Central Coast will be weighing on my mind over the next four years.

I’ll be continuing to do the same as I have done before, advocating, and fighting for the people of the Terrigal Electorate and the Central Coast.

Adam Crouch

Adam Crouch is the NSW Member for Terrigal.

Adam Crouch - at home on Terrigal beach.

Need to fix the little things

„ ELECTION WRAP UP

BY DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

MEMBER for Terrigal Adam Crouch has survived a weeklong battle with the ALP’s Sam Boughton to retain the seat despite a massive swing away from the former State LNP Government.

As of the weekend, Mr Crouch had secured 51.4% of the vote to hold the seat for the Libs with 85.3% of the vote counted.

Mr Boughton at one stage last week was being applauded by the ALP for a likely win in the seaside seat, but the call proved premature for the popular local physio and surfer and he held 48.6% of the vote when the seat was called by the ABC on Saturday.

Mr Crouch had previously held the seat by a healthy 12.5% margin.

Elsewhere across the Central Coast, it was business as usual for the ALP with

Wyong’s David Harris, Gosford’s Liesl Tesch and David Mehan of The Entrance all comfortably returned.

Mr Harris 70.6%, Ms Tesch 65.5% and Mr Mehan 57.6% all enjoyed resounding wins in their respective seats, proving that long hours of attending local events and listening to the concerns of local voters about housing, health, education and a myriad minor concern paid rich dividends.

The overall victory also showed the people of the Central Coast are struggling under severe rental and body corporate hikes, inflation and the stress on medical services, roads and education.

Add to this the deteriorating standard of secondary education discipline brought on by bureaucrats seemingly more interested in the future of the perpetrators than the average student who is falling victim and you have a backlash across the board.

Coast people are also worried that their beautiful laid-back area is being

swamped by an inrush of new residents which would have seen 75,000 plus people move here over a 20-year period with the current population already under serviced by Macquarie Street.

Mr Harris’s big win is especially significant for the region because he is now effectively the Minister for the Central Coast and that is a position that now has enormous potential to get things right for the average citizen.

Badly let down

The Coast has no democratically elected Council and was perceived to have been badly let down by its ALP dominated councillors which led to the sacking of the organisation by the State Government.

Mr Harris wisely stood apart from the mess and Mr Mehan was deeply critical of several key problems affecting his residents including poor roads, flooding and a general lack of support for The Entrance by local and state governments.

So, it means the new State Government will need to set about fixing the “local things” that play a key role in the life of the average resident, rather than concentrating on the “big picture” for the Coast’s future touted by the LNP and the previous Council management.

Getting the balance right will be critical. Part of the ALP success story of 2023 has been winning the tradie and small business vote.

COVID hit hard across the board and was particularly damaging to the construction industry and small business on the Coast.

The problem is, they rely on a healthy, affluent economy to survive and grow and that inevitably means regional growth while servicing and enhancing the current lifestyle of voters.

Putting the infrastructure in place to meet that growth while fixing the “little things” is a balancing act requiring the finest skill.

Only time will tell if they get it right.

Specialist agency offers service

„ BUSINESS PROFILE

KEY2 Realty Central Coast Property Management

Specialist is a unique real estate agency that offers a personalised property management service to landlords with competitive fees.

The company is based in the Gosford CBD and covers all areas of the Central Coast and up to the lower Hunter.

What sets Key2 Realty apart is that it is a social enterprise business with all profits generated going back to a local not-for-profit community housing provider, Pacific Link Housing.

Pacific Link Housing is a Community Housing Provider with a mission to provide affordable and secure housing for those in the community who are in the greatest need.

The organization has a strong commitment to assist tenants in reaching their goals in life and supporting their aspirations to study, gain employment, learn new skills, or actively participate in their local community.

Key2 Realty’s point of difference lies in the fact that it is a social enterprise expert property management services to landlords, with the aim of meeting a social need.

Key2 Realty offers all the services of a traditional real estate office and many more. As a social enterprise, profits from Key2 Realty are used to support programs that provide community members with opportunities to reach their goals in life.

Tools for self-improvement

These programs are offered to Pacific Link Housing’s tenants and provide them with tools for self-improvement, greater independence, and ultimately, self-belief.

One of the benefits of choosing Key2 Realty is that the company has access to headlease tenancies and affordable housing options, which sets it apart from other property management companies.

As property management specialists, Key2 Realty can help landlords navigate the world of being a landlord with ease and give them peace of mind that they can handle any difficult situation that arises.

As a social enterprise, Key2 Realty’s profits help support Pacific Link Housing’s tenant support pro-

grams that provide community members with opportunities to reach their goals in life.

These programs are offered to Pacific Link Housing’s tenants and provide them with tools for self-improvement, skill development, greater independence, and connection to the community.

By choosing Key2 Realty, landlords can take pride in knowing that they are helping to provide lasting outcomes and a brighter future for those in need.

Overall, Key2 Realty is property management done on purpose, for a purpose. The company’s focus is solely on property management and it prides itself on being a leader in the Central Coast rental market while providing a high level of service for both tenants and landlords alike.

Liesl Tesch David Mehan David Harris Adam Crouch

Social casinos highly ranked THE Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has released a report on social casinos, offering insights into consumer behavior and industry trends in this rapidly growing market. Social casinos offer online casino-style games without real money wagering, but users can make in-game purchases. Australia ranked in the top five markets by consumer spend in H1 2022, with global revenue expected to grow by 5% per annum until 2025. Research shows that social casino game players tend to be older, with slots being the most popular game.

Call for four-day working week

TRADEMUTT, Australia’s leading social enterprise workwear company, has shifted its five-day work schedule to four days to promote better work-life balance. The change in schedule aims to show that reducing working hours per week can still maintain the required output and increase productivity, lessening stress and increasing profitability. TradeMutt’s founders, Daniel Allen and Edward Ross, encourage business owners across Australia to implement a four-day workweek and discuss with their staff how they can support this change.

Cost of doing business too high

DENITA Wawn, CEO of Master Builders Australia, has warned that the inflation indicator for February 2023 is a reminder of the risks of entrenching inflation without addressing supply-side hurdles. Although the annual rate of inflation fell from 7.4% in January to 6.8%, it is still declining too slowly. The cost of new dwelling purchases remained up by

13% over the year to February, demonstrating how more aggressive measures to tackle home building cost pressures could help reduce inflation across the economy.

Songs that are simply ear-resistible

DO you ever find yourself with a song stuck in your head, even if you don’t particularly like it or know where it came from? You may have an earworm, a catchy piece of music that plays involuntarily in your mind. Earworms are quite common, with some studies suggesting that up to 98% of people experience them. New research published in the journal Music & Science suggests that repetition is the key factor that causes earworms. The study’s author, Professor Emery Schubert, explains that the chorus of a song is usually the most repeated section, which is why it often becomes an earworm. However, repetition alone is not enough; familiarity and recency of the music, as well as being in a relaxed and low-attentional state, are also necessary preconditions. While some people may find earworms enjoyable, they can be a problem if the music is not liked. To get rid of an earworm, one can try finishing the music, consciously thinking of another song, or avoiding triggers like lyrics or memories associated with the music.

GPs struggle with Medicare

THE Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has expressed support for an independent review of Medicare non-compliance and has urged the Australian Government to offer more assistance for general practice

care. The review was conducted by Dr Pradeep Philip and found that leakage in the Medicare system is mainly due to non-compliance errors caused by the complex system, rather than deliberate fraud. RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins welcomed the report’s findings,

which cleared GPs of any allegations of Medicare rorting. She stated that GPs are struggling with a fiendishly complex Medicare Benefits Schedule and that an educative, rather than a punitive approach from the Health Department, would be more beneficial

Catch all the latest Coast news with Sun Digital.

GPs struggle with Medicare

WHAT’S AT STAKE WITH THE REFERENDUM Our part in The Voice

„ EMMA MCBRIDE

BETWEEN October and December 2023, the Australian people will have their say on Constitutional recognition through a Voice at a referendum.

Constitutional recognition through Voice is fundamentally about two things: recognition and consultation.

Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in our Constitution is the best chance this country has had to address the injustices of the past and move Australia forward for everyone, and the best way to do this is to give people a voice.

For 122 years our nation’s founding document has failed to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, and their more than 65,000 years of continuous connection to this vast land.

A Voice to Parliament, enshrined in our Constitution, will also mean that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are listened to and heard on the issues that affect them.

The Voice is about making a practical difference – it is about addressing poor

outcomes from the long legacy of failed programs and broken promises – by listening to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people about what works in areas like health, education and housing. This is a moment for our nation to come together as one to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander Australians in our Constitution, and deliver a reform that will help improve lives.

In order to update our Constitution, we need to hold a referendum where every Australian will get to have a say on the proposed change.

The question that the Parliament will consider putting to the Australian people at the 2023 referendum will be:

“A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aborigi-

nal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?”

If the Australian people say “Yes” to the Voice at the referendum, then the Parliament will legislate the Voice.

Constitutional recognition through Voice is an idea that came from First Nations people, and this will be a decision made by all Australians, not politicians.

I hope that when the time comes for you to vote in the 2023 Referendum, you say “Yes” to recognising our first peoples in our constitution.

“Yes” to celebrating the over 65,000 years of continuous connection to this vast land we all call home.

And “Yes” to delivering a responsible reform that will mean that we will make better policies to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians – because they will have a Voice and they will be heard on the issues affecting them

EMMA MCBRIDE is Federal member for Dobell and Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health. Visit www. emmamcbride.com.au

with Emma McBride

PRIME GOSFORD PROJECT STARTS

Time for CBD transformation

„ DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

AKEY development on the corner of Mann and Donnison Streets in downtown Gosford is finally underway after five years of ‘stops’ and ‘starts’ including a change of ownership.

The original ‘Archbold’ was touted as the crowning glory of the Gosford Revitalisation Plan overseen by the State Planning Department.

But a disgraced council and a perceived anti-development atmosphere brought investor confidence in Gosford to a shuddering halt in the CBD .

Prime development sites at the old Marketplace complex opposite Kibble Park and at the former prime location of the Union Hotel suddenly went on the market.

Sydney-based developer Aland bought the Union Hotel site and has broken ground on the $375m twin-tower apartment and hotel complex.

And the project is seen as a ‘clarion call’ that Gosford CBD is back and open for business.

Ground works have begun on the 5656sq m block which will house the two, 28-storey towers to be known as The Archibald, after Archibald Acheson, the second Earl of Gosford.

When finished the two buildings will

have 323 apartments, 130 hotel rooms, multiple food and beverage outlets, a 2060-sq-m pub and a sky bar and lounge.

It will be a prime location to live or stay in town for professionals and the marketing is targeted towards the high end of the market and investors.

“Archibald residences offer the chance to live at the pinnacle of a highly sought after urban destination,” the introductory sentence on the official sales website reads.

Aland acquired the property for a reported $35.2m including approved development plans.

Gosford’s been waiting for this

Last year the Central Coast Council approved changes to the plans which now comprise 37 less hotel rooms.

Council has managed to reinstate Gosford’s future potential under the stewardship of the administrator and the new Chief Executive Officer David Farmer.

Aland chief executive George Tadrosse said told leading development newsletter Urban Developer Gosford his been waiting several years for the site cleared after an initial development approval in 2019—to be transformed.

“This is a huge opportunity to create a legacy for the city and make the most

of this outstanding location,” he said.

“The strong level of interest to date is testament to the demand for a premium lifestyle community. Now the project is coming out of the ground we expect that interest to increase.”

There was plenty of interest in the Archibald right from the start with about 30% of the mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments already sold. Fifty-eight square-metre, single bedroom apartments start at $450,000 and four-bedroom homes from $1.3m. Aland is not releasing the price of the 280-sq-m penthouses.

Highland Project sales director Georgia Scanlon said despite successive rate rises and a change in Australia’s

property market conditions in the past 12 months, buyers were active in high growth sea change areas such as the Central Coast.

“Lifestyle, affordability and proximity to the city underpinned long-term growth,” she said.

“Gosford has had a shortage of high-quality new projects in recent years. A luxury development such as Archibald has appealed to Sydneysiders as well as investors seeking an easily accessible getaway option just under an hour’s drive from the city.”

The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2024.

Sources: Aland, Urban Developer

Artist imnpressions of the development.

MAGAZINE

MARIO’S AIMING AT A WORLD RECORD…

56 hours of a continuous podcast

„ SASWATI MUKHERJEE

COME April 29, 2023 and Western Sydney businessman Mario Bekes will attempt to create history and enter the Guinness Book of World Records.

The 51-year- old is looking at a 56-hour marathon of continuous radio broadcast.

This, Mario says, is his way of challenging life. “I want to set an example, live life to the fullest and inspire people to believe in their abilities,” says Mario who first came to Canberra in Australia in 1998 on an official task.

He took a liking to this country and later moved to Sydney in 2003. This city has been his home since then.

With a background in military and diplomatic affairs, Mario did quite a lot of odd jobs to start off with as a migrant in a new country and eventually started his own business.

A successful businessman now, he took to podcasting as a hobby during lockdown.

A few years down the line and Mario is attempting to enter the Guinness Book of World Records – his proposed schedule would have him in his podcast studio, the ‘Secret Location’ for 56 straight hours and one minute from 11 am that day. That means he must give up on his sleep and talk continuously for the entire length of time. For him, the longest pod-

cast so far has been a two-hour stint.

“I am mentally setting myself up for the challenge, I want to create a legacy,” says Mario who is in the final stages of preparing my script. He wants to touch on his personal experiences around health, friends, family, business and maybe even his books.

Yes, Mario is a successful author of seven published books too.

At this point in time, he is still working out the nitty-gritty’s of the program, and is certainly hoping to make it as interesting as possible.

Sponsorship opportunities are avaiolbale.

The entire broadcast would be available for streaming live through his website: https://mariosworldrecord.au/

QUICK CROSSWORD SUDOKU

10 Refuge (7)

14 Lucky (10)

17 Methods of travel between floors (9)

18 Husbands or wives (7)

20 Staggered (6)

22 Military student (5)

23 Japanese dish (5)

25 Sat (5)

26 Italian meat-based sauce (4)

1 From 1897 to 1905, what was Sydney’s Kings Cross named?

2 In the comic strip Garfield, what is the name of Garfield’s owner?

3 Who played the third ghostbuster in the film series of the same name, alongside Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis?

4 YouTuber Lindsay Ellis released which sci-fi novel in July 2020?

5 Which Queensland town holds the record for the highest ever annual rainfall in a populated area of Australia?

6 Michael Mancini and Amanda Woodward are characters from which 1990s US TV series?

7 Who wrote the 2000 Booker Prize-winning novel The Blind Assassin?

8 Which character did Audrey Tautou (pictured) play in the 2006 film adaptation of Dan Brown’s novel The Da Vinci Code?

9 In what month does the winter solstice occur in Australia?

10 In which year was Tim Flannery awarded Australian of the Year?

ACROSS

1 Hit

5 Competent

6 Behind

7 Border

DOWN

1 Naked

2 In bed

3 Waste

4 Location

WORD FIND No. 026

The leftover letters will spell out a secret message.

A B

E R N T S

D

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list?

The centre letter must be included, and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”.

9-LETTER WORD No. 026 3

Secret message:

TRAVELLING AND WORKING….

We explore some cool options

„ DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

THERE has been a dramatic 12-month increase in searches for remote work locations in Australia as thousands of workers move to regional centres.

Exclusive data from Instant Offices has revealed a dramatic increase of 82% in searches for remote work since last year- confirming people are growing tired of the city office lifestyle.

With the world opening up since the covid pandemic and workers getting excited to jump back to normality, there was a buzz of excitement last year for everyone to get back to the office, but the new data shows the enthusiasm was short lived.

CMO for The Instant Group

John Williams said the significant rise in searches from the Instant Offices data showed a vast surge in searches for remote working.

“It indicates a robust demand for remote and hybrid working, including both careers and workspaces that can enable this working pattern.

"Most people have moved on from the initial post-covid freedom and return to office and are now looking for a more permanent routine that strikes a comfortable work-life balance between commuting, working hours, collaboration, and flexibility.”

People are also using caravans and motorhomes as work bases as they travel around Australia.

However, the best we came across was a Meta employee who plans to work remotely from a new mega cruise ship for several years.

Austin Wells, whose job in augmented and virtual reality for Meta is fully remote, has bought a 12-year lease on the soon-to-launch MV Narrative cruise ship, which markets itself as a “residence at sea”.

Mr Wells said he spent $300,000 on a 12-year lease for an entry-level “Discover” studio on the ship, which will launch in 2025.

Living onboard the ship full-time, the tech employee will have access to a medical centre, a gym and spa, a co-working space, three swimming pools, a bank and even a farmer’s market.

It will make stops in the likes of Rome, Venice, Croatian islands and Greece, as well as travelling to the Arctic Circle, on a yet-to-be-confirmed threeyear itinerary.

“The thing that most excites me is [that] I don’t have to upend my daily routine in order to go see the world,” Mr Wells said.

“I’m going from this model where if you want to go somewhere, you pack a bag, you get on a flight, you rent a room... to now my condo, my gym, my doctors and dentists, all of my grocery stores travel the world with me.”

Passengers can choose to pay an “all-inclusive” living rate per month, meaning all meals, clinic visits, fitness classes and laundry would be covered, or simply pay as they go.

The 18-deck vessel will also feature 20 restaurants and bars, a school, library and a cinema. It is currently under construction in Split, Croatia, from where it will set sail in 2025.

Studies have shown that a stimulating working environment can help to increase productivity. Couple this with advances in mobile technology and you open up a plethora of interesting workplace solutions.

Workspace-sharing website Vrumi offers users a wide variety of locations available to hire, with current listings ranging from a private dining room in Notting Hill to a retro barge moored just outside Little Venice to a pond-side cabin

for 10 in Enfield. England.

Many larger corporates are also embracing this trend with PR giant Ogilvy & Mather adopting a carnival-themed design at their offices in China, where workers can enjoy giant Nutcrackers and merry-go-round horses suspended from ceilings.

Google’s Zurich base offers themed gondolas for team meetings alongside break-out spaces where employees can sing, dance, enjoy a massage or perfect their slam-dunk on a mini basketball court.

We have taken a closer look at some other unusual places to work around the world. Here are our top 5:

1. Sphinx ObservatoryFieschertal, Switzerland

This astronomical observatory is located above the Jungfraujoch in Switzerland. Standing some 11,716ft above sea level, it is precariously balanced on a steep narrow summit high in the Bernese Alps. The observatory has accommodated a multitude of the world’s top scientists and includes living quarters, several laboratories, high-tech weather station, astronomical and meteorological domes, and a 76-cm telescope. It can only be accessed via the Jungfrau railway buried deep within the mountain and entered via James Bond-esque doors carved out of the ice.

2. Stanley Hotel - Colorado, USA

Situated in the beautiful Estes Park and nestled within the Rockies, The Stanley Hotel is said to be America’s most haunted hotel. Staff and guests alike have reported witnessing ghostly apparitions and hearing children playing in the corridors with music drifting from the Concert Hall deep into the night. The hotel is thought to have inspired Stephen King’s novel ‘The Shining’ following the author’s nightmarish stay here. Today, visitors flock to the hotel to see the strange goings-on for themselves and the hotel now employs clairvoyants and Night Spirit Tour leaders amongst its staff!

3. Village Underground –Shoreditch, East London

The Village Underground is an art collective in Shoreditch, East London where creatives can hot-desk within the four refurbished London Underground tube carriages and two shipping containers, all sitting atop a Victorian warehouse which can be hired for events. Holywell Lane Wall, the largest dedicated street art wall in London, is located just outside the warehouse and is repainted every three months by local and world-renowned artists.

4. TREExOFFICE - Hoxton Square, London

The TREExOFFICE in Hoxton was a joint initiative by Groundwork London, Artsadmin and Hackney Council and formed part of the Park Hack project in 2015. The group aimed to create more sustainable, innovative and flexi-working spaces for the local businesses and community. They teamed up with designer Natalie Jeremijenko, in collaboration with artists Shuster + Moseley, architects Tate Harmer and briefing architects Gensler, to create this eightpod tree house office space in Hoxton Square. This project has since inspired similar ventures across the world such as the TREExOFFICE build, designed by students at the University of Colorado in 2017.

5. Inventionland – Pittsburgh, USA

Davison Design & Development’s Headquarters represent America’s largest innovation factory at 70,000sq ft. The self-titled "idea incubator" is the brain-child of Davison founder and CEO, George McConnell Davison. Inventionland is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and is a state of the art production facility for educational materials and corporate innovation products. It houses no less than sixteen themed workspaces, including a shipwrecked pirate ship, three running waterfalls and a castle complete with turrets and drawbridge.

At Halcyon, we may not be able to boast a fire-breathing dragon to inspire our workers, but we certainly have some beautiful and unique locations, such as the Thorncroft Manor Estate in Leatherhead, Surrey which offers small businesses both flexi-working options and a permanent base.

My Narrative.

Stanley Hotel.

A T R

WORD FILL

Each number corresponds to a letter. Can you crack the code?

L A S

Solve all the clues and an eight-letter word will be spelled out.

1 Places that store your money

2 in Wonderland

6 White fluffy thing in the sky

7 Opposite of friend

Insert the missing letters to make 10 words –five reading across

and five reading down.

NOTE: more than one solution may be possible

3 There are 52 of them in one year

4 French for ‘thank you’

5 Jumps

8 Person who fights with gloves

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW...

A. Sidebottom

B. Smith

C. Cockburn

D. Brown

drabs, nearby, sabre, stab, standby puzzles

2. In which medical drama did she star?

A. grey’s Anatomy

B. House

C. Nurse Jackie

Olivia Wilde

3. In which teen drama did Wilde have a role?

A. gossip girl

B. Dawson’s Creek

C. Skins

D. The O.C.

4. With which movie did Wilde make her directorial debut?

A. Drinking Buddies

B. Cowboys & Aliens

C. Booksmart

D. The Change-up TOdaY’S SOlUTiONS

1C, 2B, 3D, 4C. × + = 35 + + + –× = 1 ––× × × = 84 = = = 7 0 39

D. Scrubs

MATH HIDDEN WORD banks, Alice, weeks, merci, leaps, cloud, enemy, boxer, (BEWILDER)

ANSWERS:

8 × + 3 9 = 35 + + + 1 –× 4 5 = 1 ––× 2 × × 7 6 = 84 = 7 0 39 0423

HAVE YOU HEARD OF CORTISOL? Tips for managing stress

„ DR JOHN HINWOOD

CORTISOL is the hormone we release as part of the stress response. When the body perceives a threat, cortisol is released to help us respond appropriately. Now, bear in mind, as part of the animal species, a threat is something that will impact on our wellbeing or livelihood; such as a predator.

However, in this modern world, the things that threaten our wellbeing are losing our phone, not being able to connect to the internet, not finding a park when you’re running late for meeting etc.

So, you can see, it’s not difficult to be living with a chronic level of stress that can cause cortisol levels to remain elevated, which can then lead to a range of health problems.

Here are five warning signs that you may have high cortisol levels:

1. 2-4 AM Wake Up: Cortisol levels naturally peak in the early morning, helping us wake up and feel alert. However, when cortisol levels are chronically high, it can cause you to wake up between 2-4 AM and struggle to fall back asleep.

2. Hard-to-lose Belly Fat: Cortisol can contribute to the accumulation of fat, particularly around the midsection. High cortisol levels can make it difficult

to lose belly fat, even with regular exercise and a healthy diet.

3. Cravings for Salty and Sugary Foods: High cortisol levels can cause you to crave salty and sugary foods regularly. This is because cortisol triggers the release of glucose, which can cause cravings for foods that provide a quick energy boost.

4. Exhausted but Energized: High

cortisol levels can cause you to feel exhausted and wired at the same time. You may feel like you are always on edge, even when you are tired and need to rest.

5. No Morning Hunger: Cortisol is responsible for suppressing hunger in the morning, so when cortisol levels are high, you may not feel hungry when you wake up. This can make it difficult to get the nutrients you need to start the day.

Things you can do to reduce stress levels:

1. Exercise… choose exercise that you love to do.

Research has shown that low-intensity exercise lowers cortisol levels.

2. Sleep… make sure you get enough.

Research tells us that 7 to 8 hours sleep is ideal to allow your brain to complete its cleaning process. Also, you need to get enough sleep.

3. Do things that you enjoy and find relaxing.

Focus on these joyful activities – like reading a book, listening to your favourite music, gardening, going for a walk, matching movies, or whatever these special things are for you.

4. Re-think regular alcohol. TV and movies constantly show us people engaging in alcohol as a destress tool, where in fact, it has an opposite effect of the body. The way to go is to cut back on alcohol.

5. Avoid the late-night news just before bed.

Anticipatory stress is a major problem for many people. Research has identified that bad news can increase your stress levels and interfere in a major way with healthy sleep.

The Hinwood Institute.

Exercise can relieve stress.

But the Volkswagen MEB-based electric five-seater will not be heading to OZ

„ MATT BROGAN

FORD has debuted its all-electric Explorer SUV this week, with the Volkswagen-based five-seater to go on sale in Europe later this year price from €45,000 ($A72,000) plus on-road costs.

The stylish mid-sized model – which will not be offered in Australia – will be produced at Ford of Europe’s Cologne facility in Germany. It shares underpinnings with the VW ID.4, making it one of two Ford models that will stem from Volkswagen’s MEB electric platform before the end of 2024.

For the EU, Ford will offer the Explorer EV in three configurations: an entry-grade rear-wheel drive with a 52kWh battery, 350km range and 125kW output; a mid-tier rear-wheel drive with larger 77kWh battery, 540km range and stronger 210kW output; and a range-topping all-wheel drive dual-motor with the same 77kWh battery, 490km range and 250kW output.

DC fast charging can replenish the smaller battery pack at a capacity of up to 130kW, while the larger battery pack supports a charging capacity of up to 170kW. A 10 to 80 per cent charge is said to take just 25 minutes.

Ford says the Explorer EV receives its own suspension tune with a familiar MacPherson strut front and multilink rear arrangement providing a “different driving experience” to the Volkswagen derivative.

The 2024 Ford Explorer EV measures 4450mm in length, giving it a similar stature to the Honda HR-V, Nissan Qashqai or Toyota Corolla Cross. It will be offered in two model grades in Europe: Explorer and Explorer Premium, each with a generous list of standard equipment.

Ford’s 15.0-inch SYNC Move central infotainment array offers a moveable, portrait-oriented display that combines wireless app integration with a tailored audio package and advanced driver assistance technology. The screen conceals a storage cubby ahead of the centre console, which itself offers a separate compartment of 17 litres.

The “ultra-modern” interior combines premium materials and sculpted sports seats across two rows. Like many

EVs, pre-conditioning of the cabin’s climate is possible, the space also boasting heated front seats and a heated steering

wheel, a massaging driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, as well as keyless entry and start.

Further back, and with access via an optional handsfree electric tailgate, the Explorer EV provides “about 470 litres” of cargo space in five-seat mode.

Advanced driver assistance systems include assisted lane change and clear exit assist among a raft of active and passive safety systems.

“(The) Explorer is a trailblazer for a new breed of exciting Ford electric vehicles,” said Ford Model e Europe general manager, Martin Sander.

“Steeped in our American roots but built in Cologne for our customers in Europe, it is road-trip ready for the big adventures and fully loaded with everything our customers will need for their daily drives.”

Speaking to GoAuto about the possibility of an Explorer EV for Australia, a local spokesperson said simply, “while we have no plans to introduce the all-electric Explorer in Australia, we’re looking forward to sharing the next phase of our EV journey very soon”.

FilM with JACOB RICHARDSON

John Wick: Chapter 4 - 4 Stars

John Wick, and Keanu, are back and this final film is a complete bloodbath; giving fans of the series everything they could want.

RUNNUING tiemn is epic. At 2 hours and 49 minutes, it’s a long one for sure - and particularly with the sort of film that has less story than could be expected. Instead, it’s a lengthy slugfest; with mammoth action sequences, endless shoot outs, and blood by the bucketload.

And that’s exactly what it should be. Keanu is pulling his usual Wick Schtick, grunting his way through the bare minimum dialogue they give him. Director Chad Stahleski wisely keeps him out of the first section of the film; making him more of a bogeyman than before. In particular, the scenes at the Tokyo Continental are particularly effective, with Wick standing like a painting atop the roof, hunted by everyone around the world.

It’s the newcomers, though, that really shine! Donnie Yen is an absolute standout as the blind assassin Caine. He is a complete badass, and worms his way into your heart over the course of the nearly 3 hour film despite being predominantly the villain. Perhaps most surprising is Scott Adkins, who plays the villain Killa in a fatsuit. He monologues fantastically, but more impressive is the physicality of his role. In a film filled with a heap of frankly over the top, fantastical gun violence, the fist fight between Killa and

John in a water soaked Berlin club feels the most visceral.

The fight scenes continue to be striking in this franchise. This installment continues to up the ante. There’s fantastic moments peppered throughout, but the best scenes happen in Paris - one particularly fantastic staircase sequence, a gorgeously shot overhead gun battle in

a Parisian apartment, and a tense gun battle amidst hectic traffic around the Arc De Triomphe. It’s gorgeously shot, stunningly brutal, and completely inventive - as we’ve come to expect from this franchise.

Ultimately, you find yourself longing for the feel of that first John Wick. What happened to the simplicity of that mov-

Air - 4 Stars

SONNY Vaccaro (Matt Damon) works for Nike, tracking down talent that the Basketball Division can entice to wear their fledgling array of basketball shoes. He, marketing director Rob Strasser (Jason Bateman), Howard White (Chris Tucker), and the CEO of Nike Phil Knight (Ben Affleck), are all trying to use their paltry budget for the year to entice some lower tier players to join their shoe roster. But Sonny has an idea, to go after just one player and pour the whole budget into that venture; Michael Jordan.

The 3rd round draft pick famously hates Nike shoes, and is almost guaranteed to go to Adidas. In fact, his agent David Falk (Chris Messina) refuses a meeting outright.

But Sonny believes Michael has the chance to be great. He goes down to meet with Michael’s mother Deloris (Viola Davis), as he and his team break all the rules, and all the conventions, to get this future NBA star into a shoe with a swoosh on it.

Air is such an interesting film, because you can see exactly how easily it could have gone off the rails. It’s the sure hand of Ben Affleck here in the director's seat, and the script from Alex Convery, that makes certain Air never overreach-

es.

It never grabs for the tempting fruit around it; the mile a minute pace of a basketball game, or the tempting headlines that could be generated by having some young up and coming actor play Michael Jordan himself. Instead, it grounds itself in the core heart of this story, and one that ultimately is fascinating.

Affleck makes the imaginably staid process of designing a shoe, doing financial deals for revenue share, and enticing the family into a single meeting,

extremely fun.

He has a fantastic balance for flair and character, and delivers this melting pot of 80’s memorabilia, office politics, and adjacency to big basketball, in a very compelling way. The film gives a very lived in and authentic view of the 80’s vibe, avoiding some of the more poppy versions done in other recent fare.

Character-wise, the balance is all here. Damon delivers the lead role as the straight man, and does so with aplomb, delivering the needed inspirational speech as required. The dialogue may

ie? More importantly, what happened to the character work?

There is nothing dialogue-wise here that could possibly match John Wick’s speech in the first film where he proclaims that, yes, he is back.

Perhaps that is because Wick has nothing to fight for here other than his own life. In the first film, John sought revenge; he was hurt, angry, and nothing could stop him.

For the last three films, this one included, his motivation is solely self-preservation; trying to save a life that, even once he saves, he barely wants to live in. Keanu had so much more to work with in that first movie, and while the action has intensified, the emotionality behind it and the simplicity behind it has gone. For that reason, no John Wick film could top that first installment.

That being said, while this film suffers by comparison to the first one in the franchise, it is still the second best in the series by a long stretch. It’s also a fitting end, and head and shoulders above the action fare offered by other modern movies.

Reviews by Jacob Richardson Creative Director | Film Focus www.filmfocusau.com

be stock standard, but Damon tackles it winningly.

Bateman plays a sort of more earnest version of his usual character, and has a number of winning jokes. Affleck’s Phil Knight is iconically 80’s, perfectly self-doubting, and a fan fave. Viola Davis, in her brief screen time, also impresses. Chris Messina is an absolute standout as the foul mouthed agent, Falk. He is frequently hilarious, completely over the top, and brings a smile to your face constantly.

Ultimately, what makes Air such a winning film is the fact that it tells an interesting story, self-contains it, and is confident in delivering what it sets out to do. The ambition here is curtailed, but in doing so it foisters a vote of confidence in the source material it’s dealing with.

The tale of this shoe deal is interesting, almost anecdotally, and Air tells it in a fun, enjoyably engaging, funny and affecting way. This movie probably isn’t going to change your life, but you’ll have a blast watching it.

Reviews

by

Jacob Richardson Creative Director | Film Focus www.filmfocusau.com

Air is the sort of simple, wholesome content that - when done well, and it is done very well here - makes an impact.

MAREE’S TRAINING FUTURE CHAMPIONS

Coast athletes get a step up

FORMER champion Australian athlete Maree Holland of Lake Munmorah has joined the Fit

For Sport coaching team to help provide speed and athletic development training to young athletes across all sports on the Central Coast.

Maree, who was a 1988 Seoul Olympic 400m finalist and the alltime number three ranked 400m female athlete in Australia, will be working alongside Keatyn Davies, who represented Australia in 2003 and 2008.

She had her first view of the local talent when she was in attendance at the Wyong Rugby League Club Grounds where over 70 young sportspeople are being put through their paces each Monday afternoon.

Fit For Sport is owned by local conditioning and sprints coach Paul Nancarrow, who set up the program in November 1988 to provide training to male and female junior athletes on the Central Coast and Lake Macquarie.

The program has since boomed, with Paul stating that it had “far exceeded expectations” and the team had been invited to conduct clinics as far south as Merimbula and as far north as Yamba.

Maree expressed her enthusiasm for joining the Fit For Sport team, citing her experience as a two-time national senior champion and her participation in major sporting events such as the Commonwealth Games, Olympic Games and Athletics World Cup.

She is also one of only four Australian women to have ever made an Olympic 400m final, along with Cathy Freeman, Betty Cuthbert, and Charlene Rendina.

Maree’s goal is to inspire young athletes to pursue a healthy and active lifestyle.

“My passion remains coaching and fitness and providing awareness of activities and sports as a way to a better life,” she said.

Residing on the Coast, she sees the Fit For Sport program as an invaluable resource for young athletes not only on the Coast but also for all areas that the team will reach.

The Fit For Sport coaching team is set to provide top-notch training and guidance to young athletes across Australia. For more information on Holland and the Fit For Sport program, visit their website or Facebook page.

www.fitforsport.com.au

SPORTS QUIZ

1. Which player scored three goals in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final?

2. Which two teams played in the NBL's first Christmas Day fixture in 2022?

3. Leg spinner Rehan Ahmed took five wickets in his Test debut playing for which country?

4. The NBA’s Most Valuable Player trophy is named after which former Bull and Wizard?

5. Before moving to Los Angeles, the Dodgers were established in 1883 in which borough of New York City?

6. The NBA’s Defensive Player Of The Year trophy is named after which Nigerian-born former Rocket and Raptor?

Which country has won the most FIFA World Cups?

The NBA’s Rookie Of The Year trophy is named after which former Warrior, Sixer and Laker? Pato, a team game played on horseback similar to a cross between polo and basketball, is the national sport of which country?

Bob Dylan’s song Hurricane is about the imprisonment of which middleweight boxer?

Which A-league team was fined $550,000 after their fans’ violent pitch invasion during a match?

12. Aussie swimming star Matt Temple tattooed which teammate with their record breaking butterfly time trial?

13. NRL prop Matthew Lodge planned to debut in which other sport in Dubai?

14. The 2022 literary novel Carrie Soto Is Back is about which sport?

15. What is the name of golf champion Tiger Woods' yacht?

16. Which viral celebrity chef was criticised for his behaviour at the 2022 FIFA World Cup?

17. What special tradition did the Argentine government declare to celebrate their World Cup win?

18. In which year did F1 racer Daniel Ricciardo win the Canadian Grand Prix?

19. Who was named the best coach at the 2022 FIFA World Cup by a French newspaper?

20. And which country/team did they coach?

21. A post by which Argentine soccer player holds the record for the most-liked post on Instagram?

22. Which martial art is the national sport of South Korea?

23. Ivan Cleary and his son Nathan Cleary, are coach and co-captain of which NRL club?

24. Which three-time Wimbledon champion was released in December after serving eight months prison time?

25. Cristiano Ronaldo recently signed with a soccer club in which country?

26. And what is the name of that soccer club?

27. The Greensboro Swarm are an NBA G League team affiliated with which NBA team?

28. Which Brazilian soccer legend’s real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento?

29. By what nickname is New Zealand’s national baseball team known?

30. What medal did Australian 200m sprinter Peter Norman win at the 1968 Olympics?

Charlotte Hornets 28. Pelé 29. The Diamondblacks 30. Silver

Cristiano Ronaldo

Tiger Woods

Rookie 11-20: Off the bench 21-25: Rising star 26+ Most valuable player