WEATHER

Northern Rivers District:

The chance of morning fog. Mostly sunny afternoon. Light winds becoming northerly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening.

Thursday. Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower in the south. Light winds becoming northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then becoming light during the afternoon.

Northern Tablelands District:

Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower in the south. Winds northerly 20 to 30 km/h turning northwesterly 25 to 35 km/h during the morning.

Thursday. Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Winds west to northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h becoming light during the evening.

New South Wales:

Scattered showers along the western slopes of the southern ranges, falling as snow on the Alps above 1700 metres, tending isolated elsewhere in the east. Storms possible along the southern half of the ranges and western slopes. Fine and mostly sunny in the west. Daytime temperatures above average, particularly in the east and north. West to northwesterly winds, fresh at times in the east.

Thursday. Isolated showers in the northeast and across the south, mainly about western slopes of the southern ranges. Snow showers on the Alps above 1600 metres. Fine and partly cloudy in central and northwestern areas. Morning fog patches in the south and east. Daytime temperatures near or above average. Northwest to southwesterly winds, tending light and variable in the far west.

Byron Coast: Winds: Northerly 20 to 30 knots. Seas: 1.5 to 2.5 metres. Swell: Southerly 1.5 to 2 metres, decreasing to 1 to 1.5 metres during the afternoon. Weather: Mostly sunny.

Coffs Coast: Winds: Northerly 20 to 30 knots. Seas: 2 to 3 metres. Swell: Southerly 1.5 to 2 metres, decreasing to 1 to 1.5 metres during the afternoon. Weather: Mostly sunny.

Gold Coast Waters: Winds: Northerly 15 to 25 knots. Seas: Around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 2 metres during the morning. Swell: Southeasterly around 1 metre inshore, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres offshore. Weather: Partly cloudy.

By Jeff Gibbs

The highly anticipated 2024/25 Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle is set to return for its twelfth season, with the frst qualifying round kicking off on September 14 at Trigg Beach in Western Australia.

As the largest club surfng series globally, the Hyundai ABB sees the nation’s top boardrider clubs from each state compete across nine electrifying rounds, culminating in a prestigious Grand Final that determines Australia’s best boardrider club.

The series will make stops across Australia, including Coffs Harbour (NSW), Phillip Island (VIC),

Sunshine Coast (QLD), Fleurieu Peninsula (SA), Clifton Beach (TAS), Wollongong (NSW), North Narrabeen (NSW), and will culminate at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast for the Grand Final, the country’s most signifcant surfng event.

Tully White from Torquay Boardriders Club in Victoria expressed excitement for the upcoming season, stating, “After making our frst-ever fnal, we cannot wait to have another crack at a big result. Surfng is typically an individual sport, so when we get the chance to surf as a team, it’s very special.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate added, “The Gold Coast is thrilled to welcome back the

BALLINA MAHJONG RESULTS – 16

AUGUST 2024

1st: Lynda Lovett

2nd: Shirley Atkinson

3rd: Jane Fenech

4th: Joy Lowein

5th: Pauline Kearney

6th: Wendy Thornton

7th: Gail McDonagh

8th: Lorna Simpson

9th: Venessa Reynolds

10th: Jan Small

11th: Pauline Bolte

12th: Sally Lowry

13th: Cindy Smith

14th: Barbara Ellan

15th: Kath Hubbard

16th: Margaret Bryant

17th: Coral Lavelle

18th: Jan Boardman

19th: Lisa Wong

20th: Pam Farrell

21st: Jenny Lang

22nd: Jan Henley

Mahjong is played every Friday at 12:30 PM at the Ballina Bridge Club, North Creek Road. New players are welcome. For inquiries, please contact Shirley at 0423 384 647.

CASINO SOCIAL GOLF RESULTS – 18

AUGUST 2024

Sunday’s social golf competition saw Garry Randall emerge as the winner with a Stableford score of 27, narrowly edging out Ray Ruttley, who fnished with 26 points. Garry Randall also claimed the putting trophy with an

Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final in 2025, following a hugely successful event last year at our iconic Burleigh Heads break. Surfng is in our DNA on the Gold Coast, with many World Champions, including our recent Olympic silver medallist Jack Robinson, calling this city home. Expect to see more future champions competing right here in March 2025.”

Andrew Tuitahi, Marketing and Product Director at Hyundai Motor Company Australia, highlighted the signifcance of the event, stating, “Australian boardrider clubs are the backbone of grassroots surfng, playing a crucial role in their communities by bringing people together through a shared love of the sport. As we enter our fourth year as the title partner of the Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle Series, we’re incredibly proud to support the continued growth and development of grassroots surfng.”

Tuitahi added, “After a successful 23/24 season, we’re excited to enhance the experience for both fans and competitors. We look forward to seeing the 42 clubs vie for their place in the fnal showdown at Burleigh next year.”

The Hyundai ABB has been a launchpad for many Olympic and Championship Tour athletes, including Joel Parkinson, Danny Wills, Jay Thompson, impressive 15 putts, while M. Gooding took home the players’ draw prize.

Nearest to Pins:

• 8th: D. Hampson

• 9th & 10th: G. Randall

• 11th & 13th: G. Skennar

• 12th: D. Slade

• 14th & 15th: P. Piccoli

• 16th & 17th: R. Ruttley

• 18th: G. Shephard

Next Sunday’s event, sponsored by Newstead Automotive Services Casino, will feature a single stroke format on the bottom 10 holes, with players dropping their worst hole score.

Visitors are welcome to join, with tee-off times between 6:30 AM and 7:30 AM.

CASINO WOMEN’S BOWLS RESULTS

2024 Minor Pairs Champions:

Julie Creighton & Ivy Watson

On Wednesday, 14 August, the winners of the day were determined based on the highest margin. The victorious team consisted of Julie Creighton, Jan Cooke, and Denise Skinner, who triumphed over Julie Creighton, Raelene Skirrey, and Ivy Watson. Other Rink Winners:

• Judy Carthew &

Josh Kerr, Ace Buchan, Stephanie Gilmore, Tyler & Owen Wright, and Sophie McCulloch, as well as Challenger Series and Qualifying Series athletes.

Surfng Australia CEO Chris Mater remarked, “The Hyundai ABB brings together surfers at various stages of their careers—from juniors to World Champions—to compete in a team format in front of thousands of spectators. There’s truly no event like it, and we’re excited to kick off the twelfth season of the Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle at Trigg Beach next month.”

• Event 1: ABB WA

- 14th Sept - Trigg Beach, WA

• Event 2: ABB NSW North - 28th SeptCoffs Harbour, NSW

• Event 3: ABB

VIC - 6th Oct - Phillip Island, VIC

• Event 4: ABB QLD

- 12th Oct - Sunshine Coast, QLD

• Event 5: ABB

South Aus - 19th Oct

- Fleurieu Peninsula, SA

• Event 6: ABB Tas

- 26th Oct - Clifton Beach, TAS

• Event 7: ABB NSW

South - 2nd NovWollongong, NSW

• Event 8: ABB NSW Central - 9th Nov

- North Narrabeen, NSW

• Grand Final: 8th9th Mar - Burleigh Heads, QLD (entry by qualifcation)

Kaye Jonsson defeated Jan Dwyer & Mary Mead. Congratulations to all the players!

CHERRY STREET CROQUET CLUB SPORTS RESULTS

Norfolk Island Golf Croquet Convicts Cup Doubles Play –Northern Rivers Players: Block A Division:

• June Cox & Julie Barker: 12 wins (1st place)

• Christine Edlund & John Cook: 12 wins (1st place)

• Dennise Simmons & John Tregoning: 9 wins

• Joan Doust & Leonie Condon: 6 wins

• Helen Young & Cheryl Fell: 6 wins

• Wendy Gilmore & Sue Ryan: 5 wins

Block B Division:

• Jim Hannigan & Marg Rowan: 13 wins (3rd place)

• Mick Ayshford & Dot Davidson: 7 wins

• Rossie Offey & Penny Paterson: 6 wins

• Bev Philps & Carol Taylor: 6 wins

• Mary Ayshford & Lorelle Wilson: 5 wins

Congratulations to all the Northern Rivers players who competed at the Norfolk Island Golf Croquet Convicts Cup!

The Minns Labor Government and the Sydney Roosters have today announced an inaugural Emergency Services NRL Event to be held each year at Allianz Stadium on Sunday, September 1st 2024.

This new marquee fxture will highlight the commitment and selfessness of emergency service personnel, frst responders, medical professionals, and volunteers from NSW’s emergency services.

The Emergency Services Event will bring together the NSW Police Force, NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service, Surf Life Saving NSW, NSW State Emergency Service, Marine Rescue NSW and VRA Rescue NSW.

Initiated by the Sydney Roosters, the September 1 event will showcase a triple-header at Allianz Stadium, with NSW Police and the Australian Firefghters going head-to-head in the opening match, followed by the Roosters’ NRL and NRLW teams playing the Canberra Raiders.

Each year, the event will spotlight one agency, and for the inaugural year, that honour goes to the NSW Police.

The NSW Police will lead a pre-game show, showcasing their breadth of excellence and experience.

Highlights will include a police helicopter display, abseiling from the stadium roof, involvement from the riot and dog squads, a marching band, and much more.

The precinct outside the stadium will be a hive of activity.

All participating emergency services agencies will have activations, equipment and representatives ready to welcome attendees.

Emergency services staff, frst responders and medical professionals have also been invited to attend the event as the Roosters and NRL community unite to say a heartfelt thank you to our emergency service heroes.

By Gary Nichols

The Grafton Women’s 10s side downed the Kempsey Cannonballs 24-5 on Saturday to set up a blockbuster grand fnal against nemesis Coffs Harbour Snappers on Saturday.

And the script is set up beautifully. Grafton, the early season favourites have lost their last two games against Snappers, including the major semi-fnal.

And with Grafton and Coffs both featuring plenty of representative players, the game should be one for the ages.

Grafton entered yesterday’s game as red-hot favourites, and it showed on the scoreboard.

The Redmen scored four tries to one with Yuri Fuller and arguably Grafton’s best on the day, Anna Kobukobua, both scoring a double.

Final as the Grafton Redmen and Coffs Harbour Snappers collide for the ultimate prize.

The Grafton Redmen have been runaway favourites all season claiming the minor premiership by a considerable margin.

However, Coffs Snappers have gained momentum of late evidenced by their 27-22 victory over Grafton in the major semi-fnal two weeks ago.

Both sides ooze class with representative players littered throughout the two teams.

Finals are all about one -percenters and putting your body on the line.

With only 20-minutes per half, getting off to a good start will be paramount for both sides.

ROAD TO THE GRAND FINAL

GRAFTON REDMEN:

24-10

Why the Redmen will win:

They have been the best team all year, however their two losses have been against Snappers.

Most current players featured in the 2023 grand fnal and know what it takes to win.

When on song can rack up plenty of points.

Have scored an amazing 91-tries this season.

Workhorse-like pack of forwards and speed out wide

There is no obvious weakness in this side.

Why Snappers will win:

They have improved dramatically at the back end of the season.

Have had the better of the Redmen in recent clashes

Home ground advantage a huge plus.

Match-winners throughout the team.

Greta Smith

Has the ability to read a game and natural leader. Loves to roll up her sleeves and do whatever is needed for the team.

Can also turn a match in the blink of an eye.

KEY STATS:

Both teams have met twice during the season with two wins a piece.

Grafton have racked up 469-points for and 85 against Snappers have scored 371 points and conceded 119

Grafton have scored 91 tries to Snappers 66.

The Redmen will be hoping for a dry track after losing 20-0 to Snappers in the wet at home in round 9.

It’s the second season in a row, the Grafton Redmen women’s side have booked a place in the Mid North Coast grand fnal.

Key stats and predictions

Here’s a run down of their season, key stats and predictions

A blockbuster showdown awaits in the 2024 Mid North Coast Women’s 10s Grand

Played 12 games won 11 lost one. Lost Major semi-fnal against Snappers 27-22. Won fnal against Kempsey 24-5

COFFS SNAPPERS: Played 12 won 10 lost 2. Won major semi-fnal 27-22

Last Four Meetings: Snappers def Redmen 27-22 Snappers def Redmen 20-0 Redmen def Snappers 31-7 Redmen def Snappers

Backline has plenty of tricks up their sleeves and are unpredictable which will test Grafton’s defensive structure.

Key Player Grafton:

Yuri Fuller

Has a lethal mix of speed, strength and elusiveness. Also, a wonderful defender and tireless worker.

Tops the try scoring each season and thrives on big match occasions

Key Player Snappers:

Grafton boast three Mid North Coast representative players including Tamar McHugh who captained the side, and have two current NSW Country Corellas

Coffs had four players represent Mid North Coast and have three players in the Corellas side

Prediction: Grafton Redmen by fve points. Try-scorers Tamar McHugh, Yuri Fuller, Anna Kobukobua, Esther Barker. Ruby Flanders, Callie Winsor, Brooklyn French

By Tim Howard

A pulsating major semifnal has propelled Group 2 Rugby League minor premiers the Nambucca Roosters into the grand fnal.

A try to Roosters half back Logan Jones was the only difference between Nambucca and the Sawtell Panthers in a thrilling game that went down to the wire.

Both teams showed a willingness to move the ball around in the frst 30 minutes, but both defences held.

Nambucca looked to have suffered a damaging blow about 11 minutes from half time when they lost lock Jay Melrose to the sin bin.

But it was Nambucca that opened the scoring with skipper and fullback Tyrone Roberts-Davis featuring twice in the lead up to the try.

He made the initial break with a brilliant kick return carrying the ball into the Panthers half.

Nambucca then unleashed the kind of ad-lib football that has tormented defences throughout the season.

The Panthers defence held, but was thin on the left edge and when Roberts-Davis slotted into dummy half, he spot the weakness and slipped the ball to second rower Brody Simons, who plunged over out wide. Roberts-Davis’s conversion from out wide sailed over the black dot to make the score 6-0 to the Roosters.

But worse was to come for the Panthers just a few minutes later when speedy centre Willy Baker sprinted into the clear and showed a clean pair of heels to the defence in a 70m sprint to the line.

The conversion made it 12-0 to the Roosters.

Nambucca rounded out the half with a third try to prop Dean Goodwin with no time left on the clock

The 18-0 scoreline that wasn’t a fair refection of he effort Sawtell had put into the game, but showcased the attacking fair the Rooster possessed across the park.

It was the Panthers turn to hit back in the second half.

Their skipper and prop forward Samuel Johnstone scored twice, split by a try to fullback Jake Thornton as they roared back into contention, while the Nambucca attacking wizardry looked to have stalled.

Johnstone scored his frst try only two minutes into the second half, crashing onto a short ball one off the ruck to plunge over the line.

Minutes later Thornton when he few onto a short ball from fve- eighth Tyke Kemp and raced over virtually untouched to score just to the right of the posts. With the score narrowing the Panthers found new vigour in attack, using their forwards to punch the ball upfeld.

But the Roosters were always threatening and were unlucky not to score when Jones backed up some enterprising passing and plunged toward the line only for the defence to hold him up.

Some ill discipline soon after allowed the Panthers to get out of their half and launch an attack of their own.

A series of forward charges took the ball to within a metre of the line and then an enterprising backline move faltered when the last past went astray with the line open. With both teams creating chances it seemed the next score would be decisive as the game moved into its fnal 10 minutes.

The game stopped for several minutes while Rooster centre Dane Saunders received treatment while the Panthers waited to play the ball.

A scuffe around the play the ball a few tackles later saw Roosters centre Baker become the second player binned for the game.

And Johnstone made them pay within a few more tackles when he crashed over to bring the score to 18-16, soon to be 18-18 with the conversion.

With six minutes to go, the game was in the balance.

The Panthers surged out of their half, but a dropped ball on the ffth tackle gave possession back to the Roosters. It was a decisive switch.

Within two plays Jones put a grubber kick to the line which bounced up to avoid a diving defender and into the arms of Jones who touched down a couple of metres in from the left touchline.

It set up a mouthwatering fnal on Sunday when the Panthers take on reigning premiers the Woolgoolga Sea Horses, who accounted for Macksville 30-20 in Saturday’s minor semi fnal.

It was the Sea Horses’ big game players, fullback and captain Dane O’Hehir and powerhouse centre Shayde Perham and kicker Emanuel Sutton who were the difference against the game Macksville team.

O’Hehir and Perham scored two tries each and Sutton nailed four conversions and a penalty.

Macksville scored four tries but their kicker Andrew Blair had an off day with the boot kicking a conversion and a penalty.

In the only game they played back in May the Panthers nailed them 32-12, but Woolgoolga were going through a slow start to the season. They must also overcome the Panthers’ home ground advantage at Rex Hardaker Oval on Sunday to earn a chance to defend their title.

The Tweed region is gearing up to welcome home its Olympians, who proudly contributed to the most successful Australian Olympic team in history. The Australian contingent returned from Paris with an impressive haul of 18 gold, 19 silver, and 16 bronze medals, securing fourth place on the Olympic medal table with a total of 53 medals.

For the athletes from Tweed, being part of such a triumphant Olympic Games has made them all winners, regardless of whether they won a medal or not. The distinction of being called an Olympian is a rare honour that Chloe Covell, Jeff Dunne, Moesha Johnson,

Jack McVeigh, Jack Robinson, Flynn Southam, and Isabella Rose Miller will carry with pride.

Some of Tweed’s Olympians not only competed but also excelled on the world stage. Swimmer Flynn Southam earned two medals in Paris—a silver in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay and a bronze in the 4x200m freestyle relay. Marathon swimmer Moesha Johnson secured a silver medal in the 10km swim in the Seine River, after placing sixth in the 1500m fnal in the pool. Surfer Jack Robinson, originally from Western Australia, took home a silver medal in the men’s surfng competition in

Tahiti.

Meanwhile, Jack McVeigh represented Australia as a member of the Boomers basketball team, which reached the quarterfnals before being eliminated by Serbia. Teenage skateboarding sensation Chloe Covell made her Olympic debut, fnishing eighth in the fnal, while breakdancer Jeff Dunne showed promise during the round-robin stage of his event. Isabella Rose Miller had the distinct honour of representing the Solomon Islands in the 50m freestyle heats. The achievements of these athletes at Paris 2024 are indeed worth celebrating, and the Tweed Shire Council is planning a special event at the end of August to honour these remarkable individuals. Stay tuned for more details via our Tweed Link and social media channels!

To learn more about our Olympians, visit www.olympics.com.au.