Coffs Coast News Of The Area 10 February 2023

Andrea FERRARI 0410 067 966 andrea@newsofthearea.com.au

Andrew VIVIAN 0414 646 198 andrew@newsofthearea.com.au

Sam PARKER 0403 222 706 sam@newsofthearea.com.au

Susan KONTIC 0451 990 247 susan@newsofthearea.com.au

David TUNE 0418 756 797 david@newsofthearea.com.au

Aiden BURGESS 0431 769 041 aiden@newsofthearea.com.au

David WIGLEY 0407 132 074 wigley@newsofthearea.com.au

Doug CONNOR 0431 487 679 doug@newsofthearea.com.au

EDITOR

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Coffs Harbour Health Campus tops blood donations

FROM Page 1

Campus who have helped achieve such great results," Ms Dennett said.

The top hospital donor for 2022, Llyris Wood, who made an impressive nineteen donations during the year, said her fortnightly donation gives something to the community and to her.

“I love that my plasma can be of positive assistance to many people, in many different ways.

“I receive a great sense of satisfaction, a personal feel-good reward, for a small gift of myself, which costs me nothing,” said Llyris.

Lifeblood spokesperson Ruth Harrison thanked the Mid North Coast Local Health District and all other teams for their generosity and encouraged new teams to get on board in 2023 to help meet the everincreasing need for blood and plasma for

patients.

“Our research shows that half of Australians now have a greater sense of wanting to give back and help others postpandemic.

“Donating blood as a team is an easy way to connect with others and give back to your community,” she said.

“We know that a third of Australians also don’t volunteer because nobody has asked them, and we couldn’t meet the need for blood without our wonderful Lifeblood Teams organisers, who are out there every day asking people to volunteer their time and make a lifesaving donation.”

Ruth Harrison paid tribute to all those who had donated in 2022 and said Lifeblood was looking forward to welcoming those who were about to embark on their donation journey for the first time in 2023.

“Thank you to everyone who responded

to our calls in 2022, ensuring that thousands of cancer patients, new mums, road and accident victims, and many other seriously ill Australians, continued to get the blood and plasma products that they need.

“To those who have been thinking about becoming a donor, you too can become part of this very special community of lifesavers.”

With the need for blood and plasma continuing to grow, Lifeblood is encouraging more local groups to sign-up to saving lives together in 2023, and for those in existing groups, to make “just one more donation” this year.

Any business, sporting team or group can donate as part of Lifeblood Teams.

Donations are tracked online, allowing groups to track how many lives they have saved.

To donate blood or plasma, contact 13 14 95 or visit www.lifeblood.com.au.

Candle Lighting ceremony open to all Coffs Coast women

By Andrew VIVIAN

COFFS Coast women are invited to attend the Business and Professional Women (BPW) Coffs Coast annual Candle Lighting Dinner.

This event is a 90-year-old annual tradition that has global implications and the candles and the candle lighting protocols symbolise the ambitions and endeavours of dedicated women in every country around the world.

Alongside the international focus, the Coffs Coast evening each year provides an opportunity to draw together women who represent the increasingly rich and culturally diverse local community.

This year Mitra Hussaini will be a special guest speaker.

Mitra was born in Malistan, Ghazni province in Afghanistan, and her life story is one of survival, resilience and self-belief.

Despite losing both parents at a young age and growing up in patriarchal Afghanistan, Mitra graduated from university and commenced work at the United Nations Human Settlements Programs.

She established an organisation from scratch, using her own money, and ran campaigns and courses educating

young Afghans on the rights of women, particularly with regard to sexual consent.

When the Taliban took over Afghanistan, Mitra was evacuated to Australia where she is now an active and appreciative member of the Coffs Coast community.

The Candle Lighting Dinner will take place on Wednesday February 22 at the

CWA meeting rooms, Coffs Harbour.

All guests are requested to bring a share plate of food.

For further information follow the BPW Coffs Coast Facebook page.

Tickets can be found on Eventbrite by searching for ‘Candle Lighting’ in Coffs Harbour.

q Lifeblood spokesperson Ruth Harrison, top hospital donor for 2022, Llyris Wood, NSW Health’s Jaye Gilchrist and Coffs Harbour Donor Centre Manager Jenny Houlcroft.

q The Coffs Harbour Health Campus team with Lydia Dennett, Coffs Harbour Health Campus General Manager (far left).

q Mitra Hussaini will speak at this year’s Candle Lighting Dinner.

Coffs Harbour nurses in crisis

FROM Page 1

for urgent action.

They say new hospital buildings are welcome, but the real need is for enough staff to do the job.

“Staffing levels for nurses and midwives are at crisis point,” said Amanda Bailey Derrett, the Secretary of the Coffs Harbour Branch of the Nurses and Midwives Association.

“Some wards are operating with just over half the recommended safe level of staffing.”

Ms Bailey Derrett said nurses are working eighteenhour shifts to cover for the shortfall and are tired, overworked and stressed.

“Studies have shown that, at the end of an eighteen-hour shift, a worker is performing with the equivalent impairment of a blood alcohol level of 0.05 percent,” she said.

“They would not be fit to drive, yet they are making critical decisions on patient care.”

According to Ms Bailey Derrett, nurses are leaving the profession in large numbers because there is “no end in sight to understaffing and no commitment from the government for safer staffing levels”.

“It’s not just nurses

that deserve better, it’s also patients,” she said.

Coffs Harbour Labor candidate Tony Judge says he is appalled by the stories he hears from nurses and midwives about their lives and patient care.

“I talk with nurses regularly and have been advocating on their behalf for the last five years as a candidate, but also as a concerned community member,” Mr Judge said.

“Every time I meet with them I hear that patients are being put at risk by understaffing and overworked nurses.

“Nurses don’t want the earth, just enough staff to do the job properly.

“I don’t think that’s too much to ask,” he said.

Labor plans to increase nurse numbers to address the crisis and will introduce mandatory safe staffing levels for nurses, through shift-byshift enforceable minimum staffing levels, according to Mr Judge.

He said that will take some of the pressure off nurses and hoped it may even encourage those who have left the profession to consider returning.

“The election is more than six weeks away, but nurses and patients are suffering from inadequate staffing

levels every day.

“We need urgent action,” Mr Judge said.

Sue White, the former Secretary of the Coffs Harbour Branch of the Nurses and Midwives Association, backs the Labor plan.

“The commitment from NSW Labor goes a long way towards meeting our needs as nurses and midwives,” she said.

The Member for Coffs Harbour, Gurmesh Singh, said, “I meet regularly with nurses, doctors, medical staff and the Nurses and Midwives Association and am aware of the staffing issues in the

health sector both here and nationwide caused by numerous factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the backlog of visas being processed.

“I’m excited to share that our health district will welcome nearly 50 new nurses and midwives over the coming weeks which will further ease pressure on staff.

“This is on top of the largest ever intake of junior medical officers being welcomed at Coffs Harbour Health Campus last month.”

Mr Singh acknowledged that attracting workforce is an enormous challenge

in the bush, and said that is why the State Government announced, as part of the NSW Budget, an $883 million health workforce incentive scheme being delivered alongside new training and recruitment pathways to build a pipeline of regionally based workers and futureproof healthcare in the bush.

In addition, he said, a range of targeted measures are being funded which will support the NSW Government in building a pipeline of future nurses, doctors and other clinical staff who are based in the bush and have

the skills, confidence and expertise needed to work in regional health facilities.

Mr Singh said there are also increased training positions for nursing graduates, nurse practitioners and medical interns, expanded rural generalist and procedural training positions, career development and secondment opportunities for healthcare workers based in regional NSW, including for those based in metropolitan areas to ‘try out’ working in regional NSW.

q Coffs Harbour Labor candidate Tony Judge (second from right) with nurses (from left) Reece Cassidy, Amanda Bailey Derrett and Louise McDonagh, who say there is a hospital staffing crisis.

Ecologists write to Ministers to save Grandpa’s Scrub

By Andrea FERRARI

A DISTINGUISHED group of ecologists, botanists and environmentalists with a combined 600 years of professional experience have sent a letter to Regional Roads Minister Sam Farraway MLC and Environment Minister James Griffin regarding the proposed destruction of a 0.5 ha remnant of rare subtropical lowland rainforest that sits on the route of the Coffs Harbour Bypass.

This unique ecosystem has been on earth for millions of years and the group questions why the NSW Government has routed the bypass through the patch and now says it is too late to make any changes.

The letter asks three things of the ministers and the NSW Government.

1. To meet the legal obligations of the Government and entirely avoid all populations of the Critically Endangered Coffs Harbour Fontainea (Fontainea sp. Coffs Harbour) and the Coffs Harbour Pittosporum (Pittosporum sp. Coffs Harbour) in the development of the Coffs Harbour Bypass;

2. To meet the

legal obligations of the Government and avoid the remnant of the Lowland Subtropical Rainforest Threatened Ecological Community called ‘Grandpa’s Scrub';

3. To conserve these two Critically Endangered species in-situ in the wild to avoid extinction, restore their habitats and rebuild their populations to move them out of the Critically Endangered category.

Signatories, some of whom worked with the late Alex Floyd, cofounder of the North Coast Regional Botanic Gardens, on identifying, protecting, preserving and educating on the extraordinary flora on the Mid North Coast, have educated themselves on what the piece of land on Mackays Road, known locally as Grandpa’s Scrub, means in world ecological terms.

Robert Kooyman, who works with the Department of Biological Sciences at Macquarie University, the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney, and the Missouri Botanical Garden, with research focusing on evolutionary ecology and botany, visited the patch on Monday 23 January 2023 and compiled a spot list of

species.

A global Gondwana rainforest expert, Dr Kooyman told News Of The Area, “The patch has incredible ecological integrity and is an original remnant – the last of its kind in the world.”

Signatory Gwen Harden, a botanist author widely published on the subject of plant identification, played a part in identifying threatened and endangered plants of the Coffs Harbour Bypass (planned route) identifying threatened plants.

“It was so cool to see them," she told NOTA recently.

Advocates for Grandpa’s Scrub want action and answers to understand how in 2023 we are having to protect an area that should already be protected in perpetuity.

The signatories are: Dr Rob Kooyman (global Gondwana rainforest expert, Macquarie University and Royal Botanic Gardens (RBG) Sydney).

Dr Gwen Harden (formerly of RBG and author of the Flora of NSW).

Dr Lachlan Copeland (NSW Botanical expert and frequent expert botanical advisor to the NSW Scientific

Committee).

Dr Andrew Benwell (consultant botanist, author and advisor to the NSW Government on Coffs Fontainea and Korora Pittosporum).

Mr Hugh Nicholson (rainforest expert and conservationist for 45 years).

Mrs Nan Nicholson (rainforest expert and conservationist for 45 years).

Mr Andrew Murray

(rainforest expert and consulting botanist).

Mr Peter Richards (formerly of RBG and a NSW Conservation Agency botanical expert).

Mr John Westaway (formerly a NSW Conservation Agency botanical expert).

Mr Phil Gilmour (formerly a NSW Conservation Agency botanical expert and consultant to NSW Scientific Committee).

Mr Fig Forest (botanical expert).

Mr Clive Barker (botanist and ecologist).

Mr Mark Graham (North Coast ecologist).

This esteemed group states in the letter, “We thank the Ministers for acting to avoid extinctions and to ensure a viable future for these Critically Endangered species and Threatened Ecological Community.”

q Dr Rob Kooyman, a global Gondwana Rainforest expert, standing next to the last of the Lowland Coffs Harbour White Booyong.

q Nan Nicholson, a rainforest expert and publisher, on site at Grandpa’s Scrub in January 2023, was intrigued by the diversity and rarity of the species in this unique ecosystem.

q Letter signatories Dr Gwen Harden and ecologist Mark Graham on site at the unique rainforest patch which is set to be destroyed by the Coffs Harbour Bypass construction.

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Locals and activists dismayed by Moonpar State Forest logging

By Andrew VIVIAN

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THE Dorrigo Koala Alliance, a group of concerned locals and conservationists, is horrified at Forestry Corporation of NSW (FCNSW) logging currently underway in Moonpar State Forest.

The Alliance says the forest contains the best quality remaining koala habitats on the Dorrigo Plateau, in areas labelled by FCNSW as compartments 3,4,5.

Logging began immediately after the completion of operations in Ellis State Forest to the west.

A representative of the Dorrigo Koala Alliance, Mr Mark Graham, recently seen nationwide on the ABC documentary ‘Australia’s Wild Odyssey’ (see article elsewhere in this edition) said, “The scientific evidence is clear - industrial logging operations are sending our koalas to extinction, along with other globally significant forest fauna including Greater Gliders, Yellow-bellied Gliders and Glossy Black Cockatoos.”

Mr Graham said that all these species previously had the biggest strongholds in NSW within the globally-significant tall, eucalypt forests of the Dorrigo Plateau.

He said the fires of Black Spring wiped out many populations and sent these species much closer to extinction, with the Glossy Black Cockatoo alone declining by about 90 percent and continuing to do so.

“Tragically the forests being logged are right beside the major tourist road to the famous Platypus Flat – an area promoted by both state and local government as one of the premiere tourist experiences of our region,” said Mr Graham.

He pointed out that tourism is a major industry on the Coffs Coast, and said it far eclipsed public native forest logging.

In Mr Graham’s opinion, visitors to the region would be unlikely to wish to see “ugly trashed wastelands full of weeds where magnificent forests once stood”.

“We know from real-life experience that this is what FCNSW leaves in the wake of their logging everywhere,” Mr Graham said.

“Even more tragic is that these lossmaking NSW Government logging operations are permanently harming the water security for all residents on the coast between Sawtell and Yamba because industrial logging destroys the water holding and rainmaking functions of native forests and these

forests are a key part of the catchment for the $200 million regional water supply.”

The current operation in Moonpar State Forest is being conducted in regrowth forest which has been harvested for timber and regrown multiple times over the past 100 years.

A FCNSW spokesperson said there are strict conditions regulating forestry in NSW, which have been developed with the input of expert scientific panels to protect and maintain wildlife habitat, forest flora, water quality and biodiversity across the landscape.

The spokesperson said koala habitat has been mapped across the landscape and Forestry Corporation complies with strict rules that specify the number and type of koala feed trees to be protected in each area depending on the quality of the habitat.

This means that preferred koala feed and habitat trees are protected in forestry operations and, in addition, targeted ecology surveys and broad area habitat searches must be carried out before every harvesting operation and operators must inspect trees before felling and immediately apply a temporary stop to operations if a koala is detected within a harvest area.

FCNSW said it has voluntarily applied additional measures to protect koala and other species habitat in forests affected by fire, in recognition of the 2019-202 fires, and has protected an additional five percent of the harvest area of each compartment as koala feed tree clumps.

It said that long-term independent research has shown these rules provide a high level of protection for koalas and that koalas occupy recently harvested forests at the same rate as unharvested forests and that timber harvesting in native regrowth forests takes place in around one percent of state forests each year and each area is completely regrown.

Mr Graham said that, while this might be the case in some operations, overall, as well as drying out water catchment areas and hastening the extinction of koalas, logging operations are making future bushfires more dangerous.

“This is a lose-lose-lose situation that can be solved tomorrow by establishing the Great Koala National Park that will prevent extinctions, ensure water security, maintain our economy and prevent the haemorrhaging of taxpayer dollars ," Mr Graham said.

q Locals examine the logging site. Photo: Dorrigo Koala Alliance.

Tim Nott announced as Coffs Harbour Greens candidate for state election

By Andrew VIVIAN GREENS Upper

House

member Cate Faehrmann

was in Coffs Harbour last Monday to kick off the Greens campaign for the seat in the upcoming State election.

She announced Tim Nott as the Greens candidate for Coffs Harbour, and also discussed koalas, pokies and John Barilaro.

At the announcement, Mr Nott spoke about local planning issues and said the State Government has avoided basic planning principles.

“Has the community been listened to?” Mr Nott asked, citing that development plans had no mention of extra roads, hospitals or schools and no consideration of climate change.

“We need courageous decisions in government.“

Mr Nott also addressed the issue of koala protection.

“Unfortunately, like a lot of local residents, they’re running out of homes.”

Mr Nott said Coffs Harbour should have a separation of tourism and community precincts and noted that, while the Jetty Foreshore master plan shows three

to four storey residential dwellings, the planning laws allow for much higher buildings and wondered if developers would stick to the lower heights.

He said that Coffs Harbour had been left behind and promised to fight for the area.

The Greens candidate for Oxley, Dominic King, also spoke at the event, noting that housing and cost of living pressures had people feeling they are being left behind.

Mr King said current planning laws are prodevelopment and anticommunity and need to be changed.

Ms Faehrmann detailed the Greens’ plans for the next parliament.

She highlighted that John Barilaro’s trade commissioner job nomination was found by an upper house inquiry to be very unsatisfactory and said the Greens will move to censure Stuart Ayres in parliament for his role in the controversy. “People are sick of this jobs for the boys mentality,” she said.

Ms Faehrmann welcomed announcements by NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet to curb the impact of pokie machines but wants faster

action. She said the Greens want limits put on machines so that the maximum is far less than $5000 or $10000, along with other actions to prevent people losing record amounts of money in the next parliament, and not leave it until 2028.

The Greens, she said, want support for venues that want to phase out pokies completely and she has spoken to a number of venue owners who have successfully removed all pokies.

“It’s a very welcome step from the Premier,” Ms Faehrmann said, calling on Labor leader Chris Minns to support the proposed moves.

She also said that the Greens will fight against ‘draconian’ anti-protest laws, arguing that the protection of areas on the Coffs Coast have been facilitated by peaceful protests.

Ms Faehrmann chaired an upper house inquiry that found koalas will be extinct by 2050 unless drastic changes are made.

“Today we draw a line in the sand,” she said, adding that an immediate moratorium on the destruction of koala habitat is needed if they are

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to survive.

“Logging is absolutely ramping up on the Mid North Coast,” Ms Faehrmann, promising that the Greens will introduce a koala habitat protection bill within the first 100 days of the new parliament.

“We are throwing millions of dollars at this industry that is ripping the heart out of our beautiful country.”

According to Ms Faehrmann, the threat to

koala habitat is on private land because that is where two thirds of the habitat is.

In many areas there is no requirement to seek permission to clear private land.

She said the State Government has put $193 million into koala protection but it is not pursuing effective strategies.

She made it clear that the community can have forestry, development and

q (L-R) Greens candidate for Oxley Dominic King, Greens MLC Cate Faehrmann, Coffs Harbour candidate Tim Nott and City of Coffs Harbour councillor Jonathan Cassell announce Mr Nott’s candidature and discuss Greens’ policies.

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agriculture and it can be done in ecologically safe ways.

“It’s not rocket science - identify koala habitat and protect it,” Ms Faehrmann said.

Both Mr Nott and Ms Faehrmann stressed the economic and environmental benefits of a Great Koala National Park in the region, with Ms Faehrmann calling on Labor to get behind its immediate establishment.

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Beth Rogers honoured with OAM for services to refugees

By

Andrea

FERRARI

RECOGNISED with a Member of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Australia Day Awards, Coffs Harbour resident Elizabeth (Beth) Rogers’ exemplary work has been in service to refugee support services, specifically as a volunteer supporting Burundian refugee families since 2006.

Beth will travel to Sydney later in the year to receive her award at Government House.

News Of The Area chatted with Beth about her work.

“The first Burundian family I met lived in a house down the road and we took

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collaboration with

them a meal one night,” Beth told NOTA.

This family was a single

Burundian mother in a foreign country.

“We are so fortunate in Australia, and we have a lot to give.

“I had time, because I was retired, and I could also give them my family to become theirs.”

Beth is also inspired by her Christian faith.

Since 2006 she has supported many members of the Coffs Harbour Burundian community with such services as deciphering school notes, transport when the weather was bad, or when they wanted to attend sporting practices or events.

“People often think it is hard to connect, but food and family are universal.

“My family and I learned and gained far more from them than we gave.

“They became part of an extended family, and we treasure that,” she closed.

Francoise Fara Muhoza, a refugee from Burundi who lived in Coffs Harbour from when she was first in Australia until she finished school, said she is indebted to what Beth offered her family.

mother with five children.

“From that simple exchange, their children came over to play with my grandchildren, starting a friendship.

“I started to invite them to family outings with my children’s families.”

What drives Beth to do this work is having lived experience of being a single mother herself.

“I was once a single mother of four children and found it tough to make ends meet.

“However, I was blessed to have a very supportive family and friends in town, and I was fluent in English.”

Beth imagined what it would have been like for this

She has read to the children, listened to them read and played cards and board games with them to build their English and maths skills.

She also accompanied one young person to Sydney so they could get an award and visit the zoo.

“I’ve taken them on family holidays to visit my extended family, acted as a referee for them when they applied for jobs, supported them with homework and taken them for driving practice,” she said.

Anyone inspired to help others will find many families and neighbours in need in our community, according to Beth.

“It only takes sharing a meal and some invitations to get to know them.

“There are no words to describe how blessed we were to have Beth Rogers in our lives when we first came to Australia when I was a teenager.

“The first time we met her was in 2008, and since then she has done so much for my family and me.

“She helped us while we were still learning English and I was amazed at how she understood me and my mum speaking broken English.

“But still, she stood by us.”

With visits to Sydney, study support, family picnics and holidays, Francoise puts a lot of her development and self-belief down to the support given to her and her family by Beth.

Francoise is now studying ‘International poverty and development studies’ full time at Avondale College in Sydney.

q Beth Rogers nursing seven-day-old Isaiah, pictured with Great Aunt Julienne.

q Beth has supported Felix's family since he was a little boy. Here she is pictured at his wedding with his two cousins, Jennifer and Francois, and daughter Sue.

q Beth and family with her Burundian friends on a camping trip.

q When Iggy from the Coffs Harbour Burundian community was awarded a scholarship to University, Beth travelled to Sydney with him to receive it.

Debate over African tulip tree risks

By Andrea FERRARI

THE introduced African tulip tree seen in and around Coffs Harbour should be eradicated, according to one local resident, who cites toxicity in the flowers which kills Australian native bees as the reason.

“African tulip trees are giant piles of poison,” the resident told News Of The Area.

“They attract bees in the same way a blue light attracts mosquitoes, and it then kills them with its toxins.

“Both my neighbours had one and I used to find dead bees on my tennis court every day.

“Now that both trees have been removed, I’m no longer finding dead bees.”

According to the local resident, there is no question whatsoever that the African tulip is a major threat to the welfare of native bees.

“Furthermore, the situation appears to be urgent with so many trees still littering the local landscape, on both public and private land.”

On the Pacific Highway near Plaza Shopping Centre there is a large African tulip tree which drops its flowers on the pavement.

“It’s like a big neon sign to say ‘welcome to bogan town’, the town where the people don’t care about Australian native bees, which are, by the way, critical in the ecosystem,” the resident said.

“I encourage everyone to call out their neighbours, if they have one of these trees, and ask for it to be removed.

“As for the Council’s current position, it is negligent, nothing less,” he closed.

A City of Coffs Harbour spokesperson confirmed to NOTA that Council does not have a funded program to specifically remove African tulip trees on public land.

“However, we monitor them on City-controlled land across the local government area and remove specimens

where necessary based on their condition and available budget,” the spokesperson said.

“Any that are removed are

bees,” Tim told NOTA.

“We don’t have a lot of evidence for or against,” he said.

Dr Cooper Schouten,

replaced with native species.”

The Queensland Government lists the African tulip tree as a category 3 restricted invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014.

The QLD government states the tree must not be given away, sold, or released into the environment.

The Act requires everyone to take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise the risks associated with invasive plants under their control.

NOTA spoke to Tim Heard, an entomologist and exCSIRO research scientist who has been keeping Australian native stingless bees since 1985.

Tim’s company, Sugarbag Bees in Brisbane, provides stingless beehives, products, services, advice, information and education resources.

“African tulip trees are a very small, if any, threat to Australian native stingless

Project Leader, Bees for Sustainable Livelihoods at Southern Cross University has a different view.

“The African tulip tree is native to tropical Africa but a serious environmental weed here in Australian and in the Pacific where we work on ACIAR (Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research) programs that develop capacity building for productive and sustainable beekeeping industries in developing countries and Australia,” Dr Schouten told NOTA.

“The tree is superinvasive, spreads rapidly due to wind-dispersed seeds and profuse suckering, and forms dense stands in gullies and along streams, crowding out native vegetation.

“The natural pollinators of the African tulip are bats/ birds so the tree has probably evolved a mechanism to protect its pollen from being stolen from the early-arriving

stingless bees – it is highly toxic to them, among other bees.

“While native bees and honeybees can be found dead in the flowers (the structure of the flower may cause them to become stuck in there) it’s thought that it can take up to 24 hours for the bees to die after ingesting the toxic nectar – which is a concern because they can spread poison to their hives.

“It’s best to know what they look like, understand the laws prohibiting their movement/sale, let others know of the impacts and remove them via herbicide/ manual removal.

“Compared to other threats faced by bees, the African tulip tree is a fairly minor threat.”

Barry Powells, President of Coffs Harbour Regional Landcare (CHRL) told NOTA, “With regard to African tulip trees, Landcare does not have a particular position other than, along with many other weedy trees and shrubs, we encourage any landowners who make enquiries to us, not to grow them and choose a native alternative wherever possible.

“Other similar trees becoming weedy include Pink Euodea, Golden Rain trees, Chinese Celtis and Broad Leaf

Pepper Tree.

“Although not an urban weedy tree, but certainly an introduced tree with possibly the greatest environmental impact throughout the north coast, is the Camphor Laurel.

“Many introduced shrubs such as Sweet Viburnum, Night Blooming Cestrum and Murraya/Mock Orange are slowly making their presence felt in many of the natural areas around our Coffs Harbour LGA.

“Most of these plants are still available in many nurseries and are popular with many householders,” Barry said.

q Dr Cooper Schouten with a beehive frame.

Photo: Southern Cross University.

q A spindly weedy African tulip tree inland from Coffs.

q An African tulip tree on public ground alongside Pacific Highway, opposite Park Beach Plaza.

Sally Townley to contest State Election as Independent for Coffs Harbour

By Andrea FERRARI

SALLY Townley has announced that she will contest the 2023 State Election as an Independent candidate for the seat of Coffs Harbour.

She officially launched the campaign on Wednesday 8 February at the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden.

“As an Independent candidate it gives me the freedom to listen to what the community wants, hear their thoughts and advice around local issues and act according to my conscience and intellect, rather than follow the line of a Sydneybased party,” Dr Townley told News Of The Area.

For the next six weeks leading up to the NSW State Election on Saturday 25 March 2023, Sally will be “out and about as much as possible, meeting, talking and listening to the community”.

Key platforms for Dr Townley, who is City of Coffs Harbour’s Deputy Mayor,

include affordable housing, climate action, increased investment in health and education and transparency in government spending, particularly within grant programs.

“For many years we have witnessed the selloff of public assets, including our natural assets such as water and forests.

stock.

“And we have seen a stripping of budgets for education and health.

“It’s time to re-invest in the fundamental building blocks of our communities,” she said.

Dr Townley said the proposed conversion of the Jetty Foreshores to private high-end residential is a prime example of the current government’s approach.

“I want to see our communities maintained and strengthened, not mined.

“We should be creating beautiful, usable recreational spaces for everyone to use, not converting a public asset into private property for the wealthy.

“Investment at the Jetty Foreshores should increase opportunities for people to eat, drink and play in a coastal setting.

“We should recognise and enhance the beautiful natural and cultural values that people already enjoy and amplify those uses, rather than focus on simply a dollar return through real estate deals.”

Dr Townley said she also wants to see greater cooperation between local and state levels of government.

“For decades the Coffs area has been pulled in different directions.

“We should be working together for the community and delivering in partnership.

“There is a real opportunity for a community-minded representative to leverage both levels of government for shared outcomes.

“Instead, we see party representatives unable to make their own decisions and a delivery model of random preelection cash splashes.

“Bringing money into the community is always welcome, but pork-barrelling projects which sometimes lack a business case, or a welldeveloped plan can actually cost the community money in the long run.

“The boat ramp is a good example of this.”

She also points to the use of grant money she says is being funnelled to Coalition seats.

“It’s grossly unfair that deserving projects are missing out while other projects are getting funded, sometimes without meeting any criteria at all.

“Coffs Harbour was mentioned in the Senate inquiry into grant rorts as a case in point,” she said.

q Running as an Independent candidate for the seat of Coffs Harbour, Sally Townley looks forward to representing the community if she’s successful in gaining the seat in the 2023 State Election.

“We urgently need fairer and more transparent ways of delivering money based on merit and evidence.”

Townley will stand as an Independent and points to the recent federal election result as an indication that many people are tired of a self-serving party system and want representatives who

are able to make up their own mind and base decisions on what is good for their community.

“I think the people of Coffs Harbour are ready for a more mature and fairer system and I look forward to being able to deliver that for them,” closed Dr Townley.

BigW supports kids Breakfast Library

By Andrea FERRARI

THROUGHOUT January

Big W partnered with the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation (ALNF) to support a program that raises funds for the Breakfast Library program, delivering books and reading support to families in need.

The team at BigW Plaza were 100 percent in.

BIG W Park Beach Store Manager Kacey Stevenson told News Of The Area, “Our team is really excited to be supporting such an important and impactful program.

“We understand the importance of books and story time for families and

all the joys and benefits reading brings, which is why we are so thrilled to be supporting families most in need through the ALNF partnership.

“Heading into the 2023 school year, we know this is an exciting time for many households, but it can also be a challenging time for some as they prepare to purchase all their school essentials.

“It’s important for BIG W to continue to support local communities in need with programs like the Breakfast Library, aiming to help close the gap in literacy development by providing access to books, as well as setting kids up for a successful day of learning

with a healthy breakfast.

“We know that reading and story time have many known benefits and are crucial to child development but understand access to quality age-appropriate books is becoming more challenging for some households,” she said.

Throughout January, Kacey and the team invited customers to buy a $2 bookworm token, round up their purchases over $5 or make a donation at BIG W, in order to raise funds to expand the Breakfast Library further across Australia.

With many known benefits, reading and story time are crucial to child development, but availability of quality age-appropriate

books is not there for all households.

As one of Australia’s biggest book retailers, BIG W encourages accessibility through low prices across its extensive range of children’s books.

The retailer is also committed to continuing to fundraise for The Breakfast Library, supporting kids in challenging circumstances, with a focus on First Nations and refugee communities and other vulnerable preschool, primary and high school aged children.

To learn more about the ALNF and BIG W’s partnership visit https:// www.bigw.com.au/ community and https://alnf. org/.

“We have seen no real investment in public housing

q BigW Plaza Coffs Harbour team members supporting the Breakfast Library Program fundraiser. (Back row) Brandon Phillips, Simone Coleman, Diego Recinos Garcia and (front row) Kacey Stevenson, Koa Sherd and Brittany Beresford.

Bellingen Memorial Hall reopens with a show

By Andrea FERRARI

RAISING the roof metaphorically on the newly renovated Bellingen Memorial Hall, an event series of free shows has been announced for mid-March, following an extensive period of renovation of the old hall.

The multi-arts performance programme spans five nights from Monday 13 to Saturday 18 March (note, no performance on Tuesday 14) showcasing theatre, film, classical music, comedy and contemporary music.

Event organiser Phil Nicholas from Events Delivered said, “I was inspired to propose a five-night program by my experience working as an event producer across diverse artforms at London’s Southbank Centre in the mid-2000s.

“The refurbished hall will be capable of hosting a wide range of performances and community activities.

“I thought it was important that, following a ceremony by Gumbaynggirr

Elders, we showcase several different artforms in a line-up comprising predominantly local performers and organisations,” said Mr Nicholas.

The grand reopening event series is proudly funded by the NSW Government via the Reconnecting Regional NSW – Community Events Program fund, with support from Bellingen Shire Council.

“Shire residents are invited to book free tickets to enjoy a suite of top calibre performances”, he said.

Shows include: Monday 13 March – Theatre (M 15+)

– Minefields and Miniskirts, adapted by Terence O'Connell from a book by Siobhan McHugh, performed by Dorrigo Dramatic Club.

Based on the real-life testimonies of Australian women, Minefields and Miniskirts shines a light on five women's experiences during the Vietnam war, evoking the era through word and song.

Wednesday 15 March

– Film (M 15+) – The Velvet Queen, presented in

partnership with Screenwave International Film Festival (SWIFF).

The film shows a mesmerising journey across the rocky Tibetan plateau looking for the elusive, majestic snow leopard, accompanied by a honeyed, atmospheric soundtrack by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis.

Thursday 16 March –Classical Music (all ages) – Andrea Lam comes to the stage through a partnership with Music Aviva.

Award winning pianist Andrea Lam blends modern technology and classical training and invites the audience to choose its own musical adventure and determine the music playlist, selecting from options spanning J. S. Bach to Bill Evans.

The concert also features performances by the Coffs Coast String Quartet and the Valla Voices choir.

Friday 17 March –Comedy (18+) – Mel Buttle and Harley Breen, presented in partnership with Coffs Comedy, with MC Ben

Stevenson and guests.

The two livewire Australia comics deliver observations on the absurd quirks of everyday life with confidence and delight.

This evening is anticipated as a raucous double headline for an evening of sidesplitting stand-up routines showcasing the best local comedians.

Saturday 18 March –Contemporary Music (18+) – First Beige, Funkatu, Pablo

Blitzer Trio.

The six-piece band First Beige, from Meanjin/ Brisbane, conjure various flavours of sparkling jazzy house, cosmic funk and slinky, extended synth jams.

The night kicks off with original jazz from Pablo Blitzer and folk funk from local favourites Funkatu.

Bookings are essential for each event in the series.

Tickets are free of charge, with a $2 per person gold

coin donation requested on entry.

“The Memorial Hall has a rich history as a cultural hub, occupying a precious place in many a local’s heart,” Mr Nicholas said.

“Because of this, we’re inviting one and all to celebrate this cultural milestone for the community.” Visit www. eventsdelivered.com.au/ memorial-hall for more information.

q First Beige conjures various flavours of sparkling jazzy house, cosmic funk and slinky, extended synth jams.

q Award-winning pianist Andrea Lam comes to the stage through a partnership with Music Aviva.

q Comedian Harley Breen sees the funny side of life.

q Comedienne Mel Buttle quips about the quirks of life.

Road repairs get a boost

By Andrea FERRARI

MORE than $1.6 million from the Government’s Regional and Local Roads Repair Program is coming to the City of Coffs Harbour (CoCH) to help fix more potholes.

Announced on Wednesday

1 February, Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh and CoCH Mayor Cr Paul Amos are both keen to support these local road repairs.

The $1,619,660 will be used to fix council-owned roads around the LGA that have come into disrepair due to the weather in the past couple of years.

“Driving around the Coffs Coast we’ve all seen just how bad the potholes have become,” said Mr Singh.

“This is all about fixing the

roads you use every day, and getting the work done in a timely manner,” he told News Of The Area.

According to Mayor Amos, Council spends $6.5m a year on repairing roads in the local government area.

“Any assistance is gratefully received for us to address the potholes,” Mr Amos said.

“With the 900 kms of road and 30 above-ground carparks that are prone to potholes, this is a great assistance.”

Mr Amos said faster stretches of road will receive funding priority.

“We have a system in place that categorises the roads; the faster roads get priority, and we will work our way through them.

“Based on speed the 80kms go first, then 60kms and so on.

“The problem is the roads get little fissures, the water gets in and it creates a crème brûlée effect where you’ve got a thin crispy top and a slurry underneath and that’s when they give way,” said Mr Amos.

Mr Singh said the timing of the funding release made sense for repair work.

“We’ve now had a couple of months without heavy rain periods, it’s probably allowed the top of the water table to come down a bit and make it more conducive to this kind of work,” Mr Singh said.

The repair works will be welcomed by vehicle drivers and bike riders.

Life beyond eating disorders

q Doris Cowan offers to help people with eating disorders through her own lived experience.

journey through anorexia and managing her health into the future.

Today Doris manages her mental health and focuses on providing services to the community.

She was nominated, and is now a finalist, for the Coffs Coast International Women Of The Year award to be announced on Wednesday 8 March.

“My focus is on homelessness and easing the mental health issues associated with not having a home in individuals and families, as well as helping people internationally as a support for eating disorder sufferers and their loved ones,” Doris told News Of The Area.

“Eating Disorders cause the highest mortality rates of all mental health.

By Andrea FERRARI

EATING Disorders

Awareness Week (EDAW) 2023 is taking place from Monday 27 February to Sunday 6 March.

EDAW is an annual campaign to educate the public about the realities of eating disorders and to provide hope, support and

visibility to individuals and families affected by the condition.

Coffs Harbour community worker Doris Rake (Cowan) has supported the spirit of the campaign by sharing her story, literally, by giving away her book ‘My Passion Became My Obsession’, an autobiographical account which tells the tale of her

“With the fast approaching Eating Disorder Awareness Week, I would like to offer my services to any community member and their loved ones suffering with this issue,” she said.

Through her own lived experience with having suffered from anorexia nervosa later in life, Doris can tap into her eight-year

journey which may offer hope that recovery is possible.

An important part of Doris’ renewed vigour for a healthy future, beyond her past life with an eating disorder, is her community charitable works.

Doris is passionate about helping the community with her volunteering within the 3R's (Rest, Refuel, Recover) Group which she founded.

She has worked tirelessly with a goal to open the 3R’s

overnight homeless shelter in Coffs Harbour.

“This much-needed shelter would assist in easing the mental health issues that arise from not having a roof over your head.

“It has been challenging to find a suitable location for this start-up.

“We have a team of eager community and professional volunteers that I have sourced, all eager to support the 3R’s project.”

In 2023 the 3R's Group will be offering the chance for other like-minded people

to become involved in the continual fundraising events and many behind the scene tasks to propel this project into action.

“Look at the current housing crisis that the Coffs Coast is facing; we need to keep the momentum up to source a location for the shelter,” she said.

For more information on help with eating disorders and/or the 3R’s homeless shelter, please contact Doris on 0411428761 or via email at dmcowan01@gmail.com.

Livable is a not-for-profit organisation that provides an extensive range of Aged Care, NDIS and Family Services across the Clarence Valley, Coffs Coast and, most recently, in Hastings NSW. We are currently experiencing significant growth and seeking skilled individuals to join our Board in the following areas:

• Workplace Health and Safety

• Information Technology

• Marketing/Public Relations

• Aged and/or Disability Services Management

If you are ready to make a positive impact in the community and would like to be part of our continued growth and success, we’d love to hear from you.

For more information and to apply, visit livable.org.au/careers or

Empty Bowls raise funds for Pete’s Place

By Andrea FERRARI

COASTAL Claymakers’ annual Empty Bowls fundraiser - an international grassroots movement by artists and crafts people around the world to raise money to feed the hungry in their community - raised $1,100 at its Sawtell event.

The recent Empty Bowls event, the fourth on the Coffs Coast, took place at the Sawtell Scouts Hall next to the Sawtell Art Gallery late last year.

The cheque for $1,100 was raised and presented to Pete’s Place Manager Anna

Scott on site last week at the Coffs Harbour Community Village.

“Anna was delighted and said that funds will be used to buy new tents and yoga mats for people to sleep in and on, as homelessness is escalating in our region,” said a Coastal Claymakers spokesperson.

Pete’s Place serves breakfast daily and provides access to basic needs provisions such as shower facilities, food, clothing, blankets and tents as well as qualified staff to provide assessment, support, casework and referrals to appropriate services.

by the artists creating the beautiful bowl which is sold at the event, for the purchaser to then fill it up with food to take away.

a healthy lunch of mixed salads and crusty bread was served in a ceramic bowl, which can be taken home by the purchaser.”

fundraisers are now embedded in the group’s calendar with members enjoying the process and creating and giving.

Claymakers held two

Nominate for the Pride of Workmanship Awards

By Andrea FERRARI

THE Rotary Club of Woolgoolga is calling for nominations for its 2023 Pride of Workmanship Awards.

The Pride of Workmanship Awards have been run by the club since 1992, publicly recognising and thanking individuals who perform outstanding service in their everyday work.

The Club will select up to three recipients who will be celebrated at the Awards at a Presentation Dinner on Monday 27 February 2023.

“Past recipients have come from many areas including the hospitality industry, the retail industry, the tourist industry and the

medical profession,” Dick Matthews, spokesperson for the Rotary Club of Woolgoolga told News Of The Area.

The most recent recipients were the former Coffs Harbour Neighbourhood Centre manager Di Wood, medical practitioner Dr Palini Kappusamy, medical receptionist Pauline Cowie and aged care nurse Amandeep Bhumipal.

The Pride of Workmanship program is an approved Rotary project, instigated in Australia in 1975, which has since been adopted by over 600 Rotary clubs in Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, Malaysia, Canada and the USA.

“The awards are not a competition, and there are no winners or losers,” Dick points out.

The recognition program is intended to cover all aspects of work performance and ethics inclusive of quality and quantity of output, customer service, safety, initiative and responsibility.

“It is designed to acknowledge an employee or business operator, irrespective of age, gender or vocation, who in the eyes of his or her employer or customers displays outstanding qualities in terms of approach, attitude, dedication and commitment to his or her job,” he said.

The Rotary Club of Woolgoolga believes that the

awards have two important aspects: they allow the Club to have an association with local businesses and members of the community are publicly recognised for their outstanding performance in their areas of work.

Employers and/or individuals are called to nominate a candidate who they consider to be worthy of being presented with a Pride of Workmanship Award.

Please submit your nomination before 16 February 2023 to Rotary Club of Woolgoolga by post to PO Box 390 Woolgoolga 2456 or email richermat35@ bigpond.com.

q Rotary Club of Woolgoolga calls for the community to make their nominations.

workshops in 2022, making and decorating unique and unusual ceramic ware, including origami inspired

“Local ceramicists also donated beautiful handmade ceramic bowls reflecting their personal style,” said the

The Happy Frog Cafe supported the Sawtell Empty Bowls event last year with healthy and delicious salads for which they are known for.

Live entertainment by talented young musician Saskia Scheib playing the harp and the flute made the lunchtime event very special.

Coastal Claymakers has recently had a committee change with outgoing president Michaela Kloeckner handing the leadership over to Wendy Phillips and her new team.

Michaela is delighted that this year’s Empty Bowls event will be managed by Jane Northway, a ceramicist and committee member from Bellingen.

Supporters can expect a very different and exciting event, most likely being held in Bellingen during the coming winter months, serving hot soup and crusty bread while being entertained by local musicians.

Local ceramicists are already getting prepared, making and setting aside beautiful bowls for the Empty Bowls events in 2023.

Anthony Manny Fogarty Wood

q Coastal Claymakers Michaela Kloeckner and Jane Northway presenting Pete’s Place Manager Anna Scott (centre) with the cheque for $1,100.

q Coastal Claymakers Lisa Magri and Michaela Kloeckner at the fourth Empty Bowls event in Sawtell.

q Dozens of unique handmade ceramic bowls on sale to raise money for Pete’s Place in Coffs Harbour.

q Annette Grone finds a favourite bowl to be filled with a tasty Happy Frog lunch.

The Coffs Con seeks help to keep cool

By Andrea FERRARI

THE Coffs Conservatorium building on Bray Street is undergoing a second major development project thanks to a successful funding application to Create NSW.

“The much-needed upgrade to the air conditioning system at the Con is long overdue, with the aged system frequently presenting problems and requiring constant care,” Coffs Conservatorium Executive Director Patrick Brearley told News Of The Area.

“The Air Conditioning Refurbishment Project has begun to take shape with local builders and businesses developing a plan to deliver a purpose-built and costefficient final result.”

Having secured partial funding through grant applications in 2022, this project will replace the aged,

inefficient and unreliable system that has been in place since the Silvers, and then Copa Banana, nightclub days of the building more than twelve years ago.

“The Conservatorium is actively fundraising to meet the shortfall of the grant and deliver a world-class system for our Performance Space and teaching studios,” said Patrick.

For this to be achieved, a fundraising target of $35,000 has been set and the Con is keen to hear of public support to help raise funds and reach the goal.

“This money will allow the completion of the project without having to delay any part of it due to financial restraint,” he said.

Donations and sponsorships are very welcome, with longterm business promotion opportunities available. welcomes the chance to discuss how you could

Fears that dog-nappers are preying on pets on the Coffs Coast

By Susan KONTIC

A SPATE of missing dogs

along the Coffs Coast recently has sounded the alarm that dog-nappers may be actively targeting particular breeds in the local area.

In the past week, three pedigreed intact male dogs have disappeared from Bonville, Corindi and Valla, and word has it that several others from Woolgoolga and Glenreagh can be added to the list.

It’s difficult to tell just how prevalent dog theft is in the area and while police are usually notified, there is little they can do unless owners can prove a pet has actually been stolen.

Even then, it is considered a ‘theft of possession’ rather than an abduction, without taking

into account the emotional impact on a family of losing a much-loved pet.

Katrina McNeight and her young family were devastated when their twoyear-old French Bulldog, Dougie, disappeared from the large backyard of their Bonville home, even though he was out of sight from the road.

“We were all at home at the time, and Dougie was outside with our two other dogs – a labrador and a lab/ staffie cross, both lovely dogs, and we found it odd that they were still there while Dougie was gone.

“We got Dougie as a pup for our older son who wasn’t well, and both our boys just adored him; he’s always gone with us on holidays, camping and out on the boat.

“We door-knocked the

area, asking if anyone had seen Dougie, and I rode a horse around paddocks for three hours in case he might have been hurt somehow and couldn’t get home.”

The family’s appeal for information on Facebook was shared more than 300 times with no helpful news forthcoming.

Dougie had been registered and listed with the council, so Katrina visited and had his microchip locked, which meant they would be alerted if anyone tried to have a new microchip inserted in New South Wales.

Unfortunately, there is no nationwide register of pets, either through councils or vets, so there is no way to trace pets taken to another state.

After talking with other

victims of dog theft as well as vets and the police, the McNeights now believe that Dougie was taken across the border with the intention of selling him online to unsuspecting buyers or on the black market.

Intact male French Bulldogs, Staffies and Cavoodles fit for breeding are particularly in the sights of these unscrupulous operators, who have no concerns for the distress they cause to the dogs’ families.

Katrina McNeight is calling for a nationwide database of dogs that is perhaps linked through vets.

It sounds like a great idea - but where to start?

In the meantime, the family continues their search while Katrina frets that Dougie has missed his

q Dougie, a lovable two-year-old French Bulldog, has been missing for more than a week and his owners fear he has been abducted in a targeted theft.

injections and is offering a reward for his safe return. If you know his

whereabouts, be a sport: bring Dougie home.

q The air conditioning system at the Coffs Con building is aged and needs replacing.

q The old air con at the Coffs Con is on its last legs. contribute to the successful project, and how the Conservatorium can create

long-term acknowledgement. Any contribution is welcome, don’t hesitate to

contact the Con to discuss this with Patrick on 6652 1592 or pbrearley@coffscon.org.au.

Fabulous Fakes opens at Showground Gallery

By Andrea FERRARI

FABULOUS FAKES, the first exhibition of 2023 at the Coffs Harbour Showground Gallery featuring the Coffs Harbour Creative Arts Group (CHCAG) members, opened on Sunday 5 February.

Members and visitors enjoyed light refreshments and contemplated the variety of works and skills applied in the Fabulous Fakes artworks on display.

“This is an exhibition that’s exactly as it’s titled, CHCAG members doing their interpretation – or a very,

very good copy - of works by other artists: Old Masters, Cubists, Suprematists, Art Nouveau, any and every style that’s available to today’s artist, courtesy of those who came before us,” said CHCAG President Sue Roberts said.

“Members have created works in a wide variety of styles including watercolour, acrylics, photography, collage, pencil, pastel, and more.

“The CHCAG offers classes, workshops, and demo days in many disciplines and this is reflected in the media

members choose to work in,” she said.

Sue said this is a very popular exhibition “both for our members and for visitors”.

“The members enjoy the challenge of replicating an artwork or recreating their own version of an artist’s style, and visitors are amazed at the quality of the work on display.”

Fabulous Fakes is on display until Wednesday 22 March.

The Showground Gallery is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 2pm, with

free entry.

All artworks are for sale.

There is also a People’s Choice award, announced at the end of the exhibition.

Visitors are welcomed to vote for their favourite artwork.

“Winning a People’s Choice is a wonderful validation of the appeal of

Calls for neuroendocrine cancer funding

By Andrea FERRARI

THE number of people diagnosed with Neuroendocrine Cancer (NETs) is increasing, and the Coffs/Mid North Coast NETs Cancer Support Group is playing its part in a national campaign to gain funding for five Telehealth NET nurses across the country.

Scheduled for Wednesday 15 February at 2pm this local support group has a meeting with Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh and the CEO of NeuroEndocrine Australia (NECA), Meredith Cummins.

“NETs was once a rare cancer, but its incidence is on the rise, with one Australian diagnosed every two hours,” Andrea Stafford, facilitator for the Coffs/Mid North Coast NETs Cancer Support Group told News Of The Area.

Neuroendocrine Cancer is relatively unknown and misunderstood, even though it is now the seventh most diagnosed cancer in Australia.

“Our group meets every two months in Coffs to provide support and encouragement to one another in order to navigate this disease that has no cure.

“At our upcoming meeting on 15 February with Gurmesh Singh and Meredith Cummins we are hoping to advance the cause of NETs sufferers.”

The group, which has members with lived experience of Neuroendocrine Cancer, will present its case for having five specifically trained Telehealth Neuroendocrine nurses.

“The estimated total cost to government would be around $650,000 a year.

“Considering there are 200 Breast Cancer Nurses in Australia, which we wholeheartedly support, we are seeking some recognition and equity in funding.

“We are also seeking assistance in education of health professionals, with many in the profession unaware of NETs and its optimal pathway of care,” said Andrea.

The first National Action Plan for Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs) 2022

an artist’s work,” said Sue.

A recent People’s Choice winner, in the For the Love of Art exhibition which opened in December, is Jocelyn Challis.

When the exhibition closed in February, Jocelyn was named People’s Choice winner for her dog portrait, I Am Dog.

- 2027 presented by NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia (NECA), plans to establish, consolidate and expand over the next five years within eight key areas, number one on the list being the implementation of a team of NET specialist telehealth specialist nurses.

Currently there is just one telehealth specialist NET nurse to provide support and information

For more information on classes, workshops, or special interest groups (porcelain painting, calligraphy, and printmaking), check out the Coffs Harbour Creative Arts Group’s website, Facebook page, email CHCAG@icloud. com or phone 0428 491 862

to patients across Australia and, while an excellent and much appreciated patient resource, this is simply insufficient says NECA in its National Action Plan.

The contact number for the one Australian NET Nurse is 1300 CURE NETS (1300 287 363).

For more information visit www.neuroendocrine. org.au and click on National Action Plan.

q The NETs education package for health professionals.

q Coffs Harbour Creative Arts Group presents Fabulous Fakes, its first exhibition of 2023.

q The For the Love of Art exhibition People’ s Choice winner, Jocelyn Challis, with Coffs Harbour Creative Arts Group President, Sue Roberts.

q The new Fabulous Fakes exhibition at Coffs Harbour Creative Arts Group shows at Coffs Showground gallery.

Coffs Coast creatures great and small featured on ABC doco

By Andrea FERRARI

UNCOVERING the incredible connectivity within all of nature, and exploring the roles each and every thing has within an ecosystem, is the driving message delivered to audiences by a new ABC natural history documentary series which focuses on the Gumbaynggirr Nation and the Coffs Coast in Episode 2.

Wild Media’s threepart series, ‘Australia’s Wild Odyssey’, has been aired on TV and is now available through ABC iView.

The connection that water has to the earth’s ecosystems is the thread through all three almost-one-hour long episodes.

The episodes play out over thousands of kilometres, starting at the water’s source, then following it as it transforms the lives of animals and connects ecosystems, stopping along the way to meet incredible creatures and find their role in the great web of life.

Director Nick Robinson was recommended to seek

out Mark Graham, one of the Coffs Coast’s most passionate ecologists, and similarly to work with Uncle Micklo Jarrett.

“The message of the series is that the more that science and ecology has advanced, we’ve learned about the connectivity and interconnectedness of everything living on earth, from the bacteria in the soil to eagles in the sky and even the atmosphere,” Nick told News Of The Area.

“That connectivity is mirrored very well in many traditional cultures and there’s a clear reason for that.

“They depended on nature to survive, and we do too, and it turns out that science points towards respecting nature and looking after it,” said Nick.

The project meaning for Uncle Micklo is also to show the critical importance of living in connection with the land, the way the Gumbaynggirr people lived in this homeland of theirs, the Gumbaynggirr Nation.

“Having my sons and

grandchildren in the episode was a highlight for me, showing them the importance of their homeland and their culture,” he told NOTA.

“We’ve got the ocean, rivers, rainforests, the mountains and we’ve got all these beautiful creatures and plants.”

Choosing where to show the filmmakers, Uncle Micklo knew they wanted to take the documentary to a global audience, so he directed them to places he knew well for their astonishing beauty.

“Knowing my homeland, I suggested places where the lushness and beautiful energy of the land is best held - in Bellingen, Valla Beach and Ebor.”

Episode 2 introduces Micklo in the mystical setting of Janingbirriny, meaning “golden wattle sap, bridge”, the land we now know as Valla Beach, at sunrise paying his respects to the land, welcoming viewers to the episode.

Here Micklo is seen teaching his grandchildren to learn from the land.

“Everything in existence has a story and comes from a long, long way back, and those stories have been passed from generation to generation surviving and knowing the land,” Micklo said.

Filming in the Gondwana rainforests between the Coffs Coast and the Great Dividing Range, Micklo talks with awe about the ecosystems in this moist, lush setting.

Advocate for the sacredness of connectivity in ecosystems, Mark Graham

told NOTA, “I feel immensely honoured to have the opportunity to speak about the processes of life and the global significance of our local forests in Australia’s Wild Odyssey.

“I feel truly humbled to be able to give a voice to the voiceless, to speak for the trees.

“I want nothing more than our society to understand and to act upon the critical and urgent need to protect our life support systems, to restore them where broken

and to expand them so as to ensure a safer future and the wellbeing of all future generations.”

Mark extends his deepest gratitude to the entire Wild Pacific Media team “for their incredibly powerful and moving work and to Uncle Micklo Jarrett for the ongoing chance to work together for the wellbeing of country”. View Australia’s Wild Odyssey at https://iview.abc. net.au/show/australia-swild-odyssey.

q Ecologist Mark Graham, who has spent thousands of hours in the Gondwana rainforests, shares his lived experience of how much connectivity between flora and fauna matters to the healthy existence of earth.

Student challenge seeks volunteers

By Andrea FERRARI

THE Coffs Coast Science and Engineering Challenge (SEC) will take place in Woolgoolga on Tuesday 4 April 2023 and the organisers are seeking at least 30 volunteers to assist with a range of duties on the day.

“The Woolgoolga Organising Committee is pleased to present the award-winning Science and Engineering Challenge in partnership with the University of Newcastle,” Patty Delaney, Secretary of the Rotary Club of Woolgoolga Inc. and Chair of The Coffs Coast Science and Engineering Challenge 2023 told News Of The Area.

“We are expecting 240

local students to attend from eight schools from Dorrigo to Grafton.”

Volunteers need to submit a current Working with Children check and must not have a history of a criminal conviction.

Visit https://ocg.nsw.gov. au/ for more information.

The Science and Engineering Challenge is a nationwide outreach program inspiring school students to consider a future in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).

The SEC delivers a unique, accessible program in every Australian State and Territory, introducing over 30,000 students annually to practical, hands-on applications of STEM through

design-and-build challenge activities.

At SEC event days, students work in teams to solve real-world challenges, from building an earthquake resistant tower, to optimising networks for high-speed rail, and sending encrypted messages with light.

SEC event days foster teamwork, build problem solving and collaboration skills, and provide insights into future STEM careers to support the workforce needs of the future.

“Our program is extremely proud to see over 55 percent rural and remote students, 50 percent female student participation and over five percent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

q Uncle Micklo Jarrett on Australia’s Wild Odyssey said, “Knowing my homeland, I suggested places where the lushness and beautiful energy of the land is best held - in Bellingen, Valla Beach and Ebor.”

q Gondwana as seen on Australia’s Wild Odyssey on ABC TV.

q The lyre bird, an extraordinary and ancient inhabitant of Gumbaynggirr land, seen on ABC’s Australia’s Wild Odyssey documentary.

q The Coffs Coast Science and Engineering Challenge needs volunteers to help on the day.

The Link award comes to Toormina

By Andrea FERRARI

WHEN Sawtell Catholic Care’s ‘The Link’ community gardens were named as the best in Australia at the Australian Institute of Horticulture’s (AIH) Awards Ceremony, held in Melbourne late last year, the local residents and Coffs Harbour community missed out on the experience of being there in person.

So, the presentation is coming to Toormina with a re-run on site at The Link on Thursday 23 February and everyone in the community is welcome to attend.

The AIH has kindly offered to re-present the National

Green Space Regional Award at The Link, along with an official opening of its Potting Shed community garden. Sawtell Catholic Care CEO Michael Darragh told News Of The Area, “The Australian Institute of Horticulture’s President Alan Burnell, Vice President Andrew Prowse and Coffs Harbour local and AIH Treasurer Kris Pierce reached out to us with the idea of re-presenting the award at The Link gardens so our community would also have the chance to celebrate our win.

“The AIH team also thought it would be a great opportunity to present awards

to Garden Expressions’ Senior Landscape Designer Claudia Nevell and Great Gardens Landscaping to recognise their joint efforts in helping us realise our ultimate vision for the five-acre site.

“Their visit also coincides with the official opening of our community gardens and potting shed, and it will be exciting to watch these garden beds grow and thrive throughout the seasons and I look forward to seeing the variety of seasonal produce that our community grows in them.”

The Link’s Community Garden features 20 large, raised garden beds and a

purpose-built potting shed to provide Sawtell Catholic Care residents, school children and members of the community with a safe and accessible space for intergenerational gardening activities.

“Recognising the enormous value horticulture can play in our lives, The Link’s community gardens and potting shed have been designed to create a thriving and sustainable natural environment where you can reconnect with nature and grow your own fresh produce,”

Pink Silks Trust co-founder Tanya Johnson awarded OAM

By Andrea FERRARI

COFFS Harbour’s Tanya Johnson, the chair and cofounder of local charity Pink Silks Trust, has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the community through charitable organisations in the Australia Day Awards 2023.

Pink Silks Trust (PST) was set up in 2006 after Tanya’s breast cancer diagnosis.

News Of The Area asked Tanya about the charity and its purpose.

“The PST is a local registered charity, committed to raising awareness and funds for local women in our community, diagnosed with cancer, long-term illness, traumatic illness and disabilities,” Tanya told NOTA.

90 percent of funds stays locally, funding local

organisations and the Coffs Harbour Health Campus.

Ten percent of monies raised goes to national research for a cure, prevention, or better treatment for current patients.

“As a breast cancer survivor twice (aged 35 and 51 years) and with 30 years in health as a radiographer, I know the journey and the needs of so many women and their families,” she said.

Tanya cites other important reasons why she does what she does.

“I understand the importance of providing more equipment and new services to help women and their families stay here, locally, together.

“The value of increasing awareness about the diseases that impact women and where they can source information and support locally.

“The moments you meet so many amazing people in this community and the friendships that form.

“The gratitude of working with the selfless and driven people on the PST committee…I couldn’t do it without them.

“My true passion is to make a difference in our community as a collective, so significant changes are possible.”

Every donation is a proud moment for Tanya, knowing the PST has helped local women by lessening the impacts of their journey and/or treatment.

“Reaching the $1 million raised milestone in 2020 was a very proud moment for us.

“From starting the PST concept in 2006, to reaching $1 million together with the Coffs community was amazing.”

Looking forward to the fundraising year, Tanya said

every year PST encourages new beneficiaries to come on board.

“This ignites our passion to work hard for this community.”

The annual events calendar continues with old

favourites returning and some more.

Visit the website at www.pinksilks.com.au or follow PST on social media platforms.

“I am so grateful for being awarded the OAM for

said Shaun.

“Hopefully we have planted a seed that will be nurtured in partnership with our community so we can grow together and create a shared understanding and appreciation of our connections to the land, our environment and our connections to each other.”

Everyone is welcome to attend the awards presentation and opening at The Link Pavilion on Thursday 23 February.

my community service, as an advocate for bettering local women’s health,” said Tanya.

“I am very thankful to those who nominated me and for all the beautiful messages I’ve received since.”

q The walkway at award-winning The Link community gardens on Hogbin Drive, Toormina.

q The welcoming entry to The Link community gardens, which is receiving its ‘best in Australia’ Australian Institute of Horticulture award in a local presentation.

q The Link garden beds sow the seed in the community to enjoy the pleasures of growing plants.

q A proud moment for Tanya, presenting breast surgery equipment for Coffs hospital to Dr Salindera and theatre staff.

q Tanya presents the Bi-Pap machine funded by the Pink Silks Trust to the A&E Department at the hospital.

q The PST Committee Race Day in January, which raised $100,000.

q Pinky, the Medical Rescue ATV (all-terrain vehicle), purchased through the Pink Silks Trust for the SES in 2018.

Coffs Shed men band together

By Andrea FERRARI

THE synchronicity of a bunch of blokes joining the Coffs Harbour Men’s Shed, and then finding out there is a wealth of musical talent amongst them, has produced a performing band and a lot of laughs.

The Shedmen, as the band is named, is not only going strong with eighteen members, it has now become two bands in a re-grouping of different musical styles.

Apart from giving these men the fulfilment and camaraderie of rehearsing together at least once a week, it is providing the community with two great local bands they can book as entertainment for events.

Tony Goninan, an inaugural Coffs Harbour Men’s Shed member, in a past role with the organisation, went out into the field and observed other sheds.

“There was a shed out

west with a music group which started with just three or four blokes just playing music in the shed.

“What I observed was 26 guys playing, with others just coming in to listen, and I thought that’s fantastic.

“From then I’d always had a dream that maybe our shed could do just that.

“We were so lucky that there’s a group of us here who are old musos, who’ve been playing in bands for a long time, a long time ago, and we’ve come together and are hopefully playing some good music.

“I know we’re having a great time.”

The main thing is the inclusivity and Tony is keen to invite and include anyone who fancies playing with the guys.

“We encourage anyone to come along, this is not a closed shop.

“Anyone who wants to come in and sit in the

background, or strum along with us or do vocals, we’d love that to happen,” he said.

Dave Peterson, who plays keyboard, came to the Coffs Harbour Shed soon after moving to the area and found it to be a great way to make new friends and “play music at the same time”.

David Gilchrist has made himself a guitar at the shed.

“It’s as heavy as anything but I enjoy playing here with the boys.

“I’ve done some guitar tech work over the years and thought it was time I built my own instrument,” he said.

Band members Neil Matthews and Col Hampshire both came from musical families with a long background in playing music both publicly and at home for enjoyment.

Both musos love the acceptance of any and every standard of playing and look forward to rehearsals and jamming sessions in the shed.

Band member Chris Pile is a foundational member of the band and interested in making musical instruments along with a few of the other guys.

q

Shed members started with an impromptu get together in the office before the initial start of the music section and band now known as The Shedmen.

By Andrea FERRARI

THE much-loved Ocean Film Festival World Tour returns to Coffs Harbour next month for its tenth anniversary.

This year the one-off special event screening takes place at the Jetty Memorial Theatre on Thursday 9 March 2023 from 7.00pm to 10.00pm.

The two-and-a-half-hour screening shows a range of films covering topics including ocean exploration, ocean-related adventures,

“Playing music has been fantastic with these old blokes,” he said with a smile breaking out across his face.

“It’s about old blokes playing old songs I think, and

we just enjoy that,” he closed.

Shout out to the dedicated vocalists: Geoff Knight, Bruce Ellem and Linton Reid.

Warren Sanger is one of the accidental founders of the band, just playing along in the early days before the band was formalised.

Warren is now your man for bookings.

You can chat through what music you’re looking for and find a fit with either or a combination of the bands.

The Shedmen are available to play and entertain by contacting Warren Sanger through the Men's Shed or on 0412461929

Thanks to private donations, NSW Government grants and Men’s Shed contributions, the music section is continuing to upgrade the instruments and electrical equipment.

Ocean Film Festival raises funds and awareness

With astounding visuals and enthralling stories, the films educate, inspire and entertain.

“Our vision is to inspire more people to explore, respect, enjoy, and protect our oceans,” said the Festival organisers.

The ocean awareness and fund-raising project has donated over $40,000 to ocean charities through the festivals.

marine creatures, oceanrelated sports, ocean racing, coastal cultures, sailing,

diving, rowing, free diving, surfing, oceanic environment and ocean lovers.

In ten years, the Ocean Film Festival has seen 771 screenings throughout the globe, 325,670 audience members, has been screened in fourteen countries, with

89 independent filmmakers’ work seen on the big screen.

“Ten years ago we started the Ocean Film Festival World Tour with big dreams, not only to inspire the world to explore and enjoy our oceans but further to protect and respect them,” said Festival founder Jemima Robinson.

“With a personal passion for film and all things ocean, I wanted the Ocean Film Festival World Tour to become an

avenue for promoting ocean conservation and bringing people together to celebrate mother nature.

“We have done this through sharing unique stories by independent filmmakers from around the globe, reaching many exciting milestones, and now we set our sights towards the next ten years of making an even greater impact.”

Watch the festival trailer at https://youtu. be/3eaMLWB8c7Q.

Coffs Harbour Men’s

q The Shedmen’s Tony Goninan started playing drums on an upturned bin on a cardboard box.

q The Shedmen are happy to come along and entertain you at your next event.

q The Ocean Film Festival’s vision is to inspire more people to explore, respect, enjoy and protect our oceans.

q The Ocean Film Festival world tour comes to Jetty Memorial Theatre in March.

q Andrew Englisch telling his story of overcoming depression in the film, 'Gone with the Wing'.

q The ocean awareness and fundraising film project has donated over $40,000 to ocean charities.

Mama Kin Spender to play Woopi Brewery

Mon 13th Feb

Chef Specials Pints for Schooners with 4Pines

q Danielle Caruana and Dingo Spender are Mama Kin Spender.

A Club for Everyone

you receive a swim starter pack, conditions apply.”

For the busy parents and bubs, pre-schoolers can enjoy sessions in the heated toddler pool.

Why not enroll now and have your child learn and progress in swimming skills at times suitable for busy parents?

“The Centre accepts Active Kids and First Lap vouchers which can be used for both Squash or Learn to

Learn and be active in 2023!

A GREAT way to start the year should include a visit to the Squash and Swim Centre at Korora.

They have activities and programmes for children of all ages.

“If you have never played Squash before, join in our free ‘Come and Try’ sessions on Sundays, appointments necessary, or join our Little Squashie

Program from 4.00pm, Monday to Thursday,” said Peter Saxby, Coffs Harbour Squash and Swim Centre.

“Be one of the first to receive a Beginner Starting Pack of Racquet, Eyewear and T Shirt all free, conditions apply.”

Friday junior squash gets underway from 4.00pm, offering fun games for school students,

suitable for ages seven to seventeen years.

Equipment is free and provided to all new players.

“If you are looking for Learn to Swim classes, we have a great program conducted in two pools and are currently accepting new registrations – for term 1, 2023,” said Peter.

“It is a great way to start your child in a life skill and

Swim programs, it’s a great way to get your kids into an active and healthy sport.

“Lessons are in blocks of ten with assessment and the first lesson is free.

“Come check out the Squash Australia Club of the Year 2022 has to offer.” Contact the Squash and Swim Centre on 66536523 for bookings or visit our website for more details.

q Check out the Little Squashie Program at the Coffs Harbour Squash and Swim Centre.

A Club for Everyone

Together from studio to stage

NOTHING beats uniting children from all walks of life together to share a common passion – and Cārnivalé Dance Co’s passion is dance; so whatever dance style your child is most passionate about, Cārnivalé has something for you.

The entire Cārnivalé crew are super excited with the unlimited possibilities that a new year brings – having so many returning and new 2023 students rediscovering their passion for dance.

And as the song goes, ‘I feel better when I’m dancing’ - dance lifts your spirit, it strengthens your body and

it stimulates your mind with lots of challenges, both mentally and physically.

Cārnivalé is not just a dance school, it is a dance experience.

Parents agree “there is no better place that offers the entire package. It has the perfect mix”.

Children are totally immersed in the world of dance, surrounded by children that feel the same about performing as their son or daughter.

When Cārnivalé brought their unique dance programs to Coffs Harbour ten years ago, everyone thought they

were crazy.

Ten years on they are proud to have the reputation of pre-school dance specialists and their junior and intermediate divisions can boast both state and national champions.

Cārnivalé are also proud of their quality training, upto-date syllabi, and excellent examination and performance opportunities.

In fact, celebrating their 10th birthday last year,

this new era promises even more diverse and enriching programs on offer.

Cārnivalé students are definitely spoilt for choice when it comes to their timetable; it is packed with all dance styles and with four amazing programs for all ages and abilities.

A primary performance program for under eight years, their core syllabus skills, skills extension and performance industry mentoring

vocational programs.

Available is core syllabus training in traditional foundation genres of dance like classical ballet, jazz and tap, as well as commercial styles like hip hop, lyrical, musical theatre and contemporary.

Cārnivalé also offers extension coaching in acro and dancer body conditioning.

For those students with performing arts and dance career aspirations, there are

masterclass workshops for troupes, trios, duos, soloists and even assistant teaching opportunities.

Cārnivalé is an AKV and CKV accredited provider and their Term 1 has only just kicked off so there is no time to waste.

Visit their website at www.carnivaledanceco.com, or call up 0407 879 708 to find out how they can help cater your enrolment to your child’s interests.

q Whatever dance style your child is most passionate about, Cārnivalé has something for you.

A Club for Everyone

Robertson Brothers bring variety show to C.ex Coffs

FOLLOWING their soldout national tour in 2022, Australia’s new ‘Kings of Variety Television’ are back in 2023 with a brand-new show!

The Robertson Brothers are thrilled to be returning with their new heartwarming and uplifting 1960’s variety TV show!

Geoff and Ben Robertson are back as your charming and cheeky hosts for this nostalgic night of entertainment as they pay tribute to the musical giants of the 1960’s – The Bee Gees, Simon amd Garfunkel, Roy Orbison, Cliff Richard and The Shadows, Frankie Valli, The Everly Brothers, Neil Sedaka and The Seekers.

“It’s different from other shows…I haven’t seen anything like it before!” said 2022 audience member Joan T.

Variety TV show fans will be excited to know the multi-talented Simon Brook McLachlan (from

the original Australian cast of Jersey Boys) will return in 2023 to thrill us with his very special tributes to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons as well as Neil Sedaka, together with a brand-new Variety Show tribute to the much loved 1960s superstar Sir Cliff Richard.

“It’s the best show I’ve seen in years!” said 2GB presenter Ray Hadley.

Unlike anything you have ever seen before, this 150-minute groundbreaking and interactive theatrical TV experience is filled with all the fun, music and long-forgotten memories of the fabulous 1960s.

The variety TV show audience is taken on a unique and emotional journey back to the best years of their lives.

The Robertson Brothers will perform at C.ex Coffs on Saturday 11 March at 8pm.

Tickets are $55.

q The Robertson Brothers are bringing their variety show to C.ex Coffs on Saturday 11 March.

Something Different

Address: 191 Lindsays Road, Boambee East NSW 2450

Price: $1,149,000

Beds: 4, Bath: 2, Car: 2 and shed

Land Size: 4,489sqm

A CHARACTER semi-rural home on a level small lot acreage with space for the family, pool and large shed.

This bespoke country style home is the perfect opportunity to own a property in the beautiful Boambee Valley, and enjoy living in a rural setting with the advantage of not being too far from shopping centres, schools and stunning Sawtell Beach.

The home is unique to say the least with such features as vaulted ceilings, stained glass entry door, architectural window styles and wraparound verandas prove this is not your everyday property.

All this and set on a manageable, mainly level 4489sqm block.

Featuring three living areas, two can be found on the lower level of the double storey home, the formal living room is upon entry and the large

rumpus living area is to the left, which can be closed off by two timber doors.

This area also adjoins the study at the front of the home with its own sliding door entry, this would be the ideal place for a home business, such as a hairdresser, as the study already has plumbing in place from the previous owners who operated a salon from the space.

It could also be suitable for someone wanting to run a family day care business or simply a home office that is separate from the main action of the home.

Also on the lower level is the perfectly positioned kitchen which boasts views of the inground pool and treed backyard. “

You can watch the kids play in the yard and pool whilst cooking dinner on the gas cooktop and electric oven through the unique picture window.

The kitchen is an entertainer's delight with granite benches galore, cottage style white cupboards, 900mm stainless oven with gas hobs,

double bowl sink with flickmixer tapware, dishwasher and the huge bonus of a walkin pantry.

A separate dining room is adjacent with its own sliding door leading out to the rear yard.

Enjoy happy hour sitting under the enclosed veranda and take in the lovely, landscaped gardens and inviting semi inground pool.

The third living area of the home is located upstairs off the bedrooms, providing a great spot for the kids to enjoy their own space.

Three of the four carpeted bedrooms have built-in robes, and they are all queen sized.

The main bedroom has a walk-in robe, plus large ensuite and has a lovely private balcony.

The other massive

Beautiful Home – Sought after location!

39 Lady Belmore Drv, Boambee East

This spacious ex display home is being offered for the first time in 30 years. The much loved home has 4 bedrooms – master with spa ensuite and all with robes and ceiling fans. There are separate lounge, dining and family rooms with the kitchen designed for the chef. Ducted air conditioning adjusts the temperature with the huge enclosed Queensland room being the ideal place to relax. A double drive thru garage gives access to the rear yard with the low maintenance gardens adding further appeal! Arrange your inspection today!

Home open Sat 11/02 11.00am – 11.30am

For Sale – $910,000

Scott Bellamy 0438 581 611

attraction of the home is the extremely large workshop and showroom which is currently being utilised for a woodwork business.

Tradesmen will love the generous space and storage that the shed provides.

Other features include, 5.5kw solar power with 20 panels, septic system, water tanks, electric hot water, Termi-mesh termite barrier,

ceiling fans and ducted airconditioning to three of the four upstairs bedrooms with a split system to the fourth.

The character home is sure to please those wanting something different from the everyday home, while enjoying a private setting in beautiful Boambee.

Contact an agent today: Kim McGinty on 0432 953 796 or Chris Hines on 0439 667 719.

Fabulous

Villa

Home

- Beach

Nearby!!

8/4 Lalaguli Drv, Toormina 1

The lovely 2 bedroom villa home has been refurnished with Boambee Beach and Reserve being close by. The lounge/ living area features easy care flooring, high ceilings and air conditioning. A dishwasher compliments the beautifully appointed kitchen, both bedrooms have robes with the front verandah being the ideal place to relax. The carport has a lock up storeroom with the surrounding gardens being parklike.

NOTE: For the investor - our excellent tenants pay $380 per week with their lease expiring in April 2023.

For Sale – $535,000

Lovely Boambee East Home - Level Block

9

This well built Brian Hopwood Home is located in one of our best estates! The home has 3 bedrooms - all with robes, the lounge/living areas are open plan with the kitchen being well appointed. The covered entertaining area is the ideal place to relax and the garage has internal access. For the investor, our long term tenant pays $490 per week with their lease expiring in February next year.

For Sale – $689,000

View Saturday 11th February 11:00 – 11:30am

Fantastic Beachside Townhouse

This immaculate townhouse has been home to the one owner for over 15 years. Located in a gated security complex, and just a few minutes walk to the beachfront, the spacious design is the perfect downsizer, with the master bedroom suite and open plan living on one level, and guest rooms and a full bathroom below. Available now – move in and enjoy the beachside lifestyle, invest for future retirement, or reap future capital gain in this popular location

Sale $799,000

Christine Clarke 0408 655 688

The market has changed, and so have this owners expectations – our instructions are to “SELL NOW!

• Architect designed over three levels, there is not a thing to do in this meticulously presented home, being offered for the first time in 36 years.

• Cul-de-sac location, within a short walk to the beach and Korora School.

• Opportunity knocks – live the coastal lifestyle at idyllic Korora Bay.

Sale: Expressions Of Interest

Invited

Christine Clarke 0408 655 688

View Saturday 11th February 10:00 – 10:30am

Immaculate, Different, & Not A Thing To Do!

What’s not to love about this fully renovated family home. Within walking distance to the City Centre, in an area of established homes, this is a “move in & enjoy the lifestyle” home, with not a thing to do. A builders own home, the quality renovation has retained high ceilings and the decorative cornice as a salute to the original design, whilst modern styling, opening up living areas, & extending outdoor entertaining & relaxation spaces. Fantastic hardwood timber flooring throughout. A modern kitchen, the hub of family living, adjoins the dining, lounge & entertaining areas. Step out of the kitchen to a sun-drenched private coffee nook on the northern side of the home, whilst the living area flows seamlessly to a huge deck, providing an undercover alfresco & entertaining “outdoor room”.

Sale: Expressions Of Interest Invited

Christine Clarke 0408 655 688

Christine Clarke 0408 655 688

View Saturday 11th February 12:00 – 12:30pm

Located on an elevated corner block, the convenient location is an easy walk to Tyalla Primary & Orara High Schools, with major shopping centres a few minutes drive.

The home is as neat as a pin, with two living areas enjoying a private outlook to the leafy gardens.

• Separate studio suited to hobbies & work space.

• Spacious undercover entertaining area.

• Lock up garage plus additional parking for a van or oversized vehicle.

• Modern kitchen with stone bench tops and quality stainless steel appliances.

Sale $750,000

Christine Clarke 0408 655 688

View Saturday 11th February 1:00 – 1:30pm

1/27 Orlando Street, Coffs Harbour

66521066

rh.com.au/coffsharbour

Low Maintenance Living 1/6 CORAMBARA CRESCENT, TOORMINA

$399,000

• Within walking distance to Toormina Shopping Centre

• Modern kitchen with stone benchtops, white cupboards

• Combined living dining area with easy care timber look vinyl flooring

• Two bedrooms both with built in robes, freshly painted throughout

• Possible Rental return $350 per week

Well Kept Investment Opportunity

10 KATHERINE CLOSE, COFFS HARBOUR

$649,000

• Ideally located home with tiled loungeroom & dining area

• Grey kitchen with corner pantry, electric appliances, & laminate benchtop

• Enclosed sunroom leading out to the fully fenced level rear yard

• Ideally located close to schools, shopping centres, public transport

• Current tenant in place on an expired lease paying $550 per week who would love to stay on at the property

Chris Hines 0439 667 719

3 1 1

Delightfully Renovated

Phone

4/18 COMBINE STREET, COFFS HARBOUR

Chris Hines 0439 667 719 OPEN

• Minutes to Coffs Harbour CBD, shops, restaurants, cafes

• Public transport out the front of the pet friendly complex of eight townhouses

• Open plan living dining area overlooking the renovated kitchen

• Bedrooms located upstairs with balconies & built-in robes, along with the renovated bathroom

• Private secure courtyard, extra WC in downstairs laundry Kim McGinty 0432 953 796

T/House Size: 117sqm

Perfect Downsizer or Starter

OPEN Phone To Inspect unre.com.au/com4.18

• Positioned perfectly in a great central location with Schools, shops and public transport all within a leisurely 800 metre stroll.

• Sighted on 505sqm lot in a quiet cul-de-sac location.

• There is a wonderful covered alfresco area for entertaining or maybe just sitting with a book enjoying the established gardens which apart from the tranquillity also offer privacy from the outside world.

• A great starter or downsizer ready to move into an enjoy.

Chris Hines 0439 667 719 Kim McGinty 0432 953 796

Land Size: 506sqm

Move

OPEN

1 BOWER CRESCENT, TOORMINA

$729,000

• Three bedroom home featuring renovated kitchen with stunning timber benches, and large island bench

• Generous open plan living area

• Sunroom which leads to fully fenced rear yard with outdoor entertaining area

• Main bedroom has walk-in robe and stylish ensuite

• Renovated combined bathroom/laundry

• DLUG and two garden sheds

Kim McGinty 0432 953 796

Chris Hines 0439 667 719

3 2 2

unre.com.au/bow1

Large Family Required

HARVIE DRIVE, BOAMBEE EAST

• Large high set 5-bedroom home located in popular residential enclave • Open plan living dining area with timber floorboards adjacent to the kitchen with breakfast bar • Main bedroom is suite sized with huge walk-in robe & ensuite which can be used by the whole family while you install the bathroom of your dreams • Double lock up garage, plus under house storage, & additional side parking

Kim McGinty 0432 953 796

Hines 0439 667 719

Land Size: 712.7sqm

Phone To Inspect

Chris Hines 0439 667 719 in Ready 7 MCFADYN STREET, TOORMINA

OPEN

Family Home with Potential 6 MIRROOLA CRESCENT, TOORMINA

$780,000-$820,000

• Set on a large 836.1sqm block this home has

• Two living areas plus study, main bedroom with walk in robe and ensuite located at the rear of the home, separate from the other four bedrooms

• Single lock up drive through garage to rear yard with carport

Kim McGinty 0432 953 796

Chris Hines 0439 667 719

5 2 2

• Outdoor entertaining area, Inground pool (currently not functional) with established gardens unre.com.au/mir6

Land Size: 836.1sqm

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Kim McGinty 0432 953 796

Land Size: 3,000sqm

2 1 0 OPEN Phone To Inspect c NOTA Graphics Ref: UNRE_100223 3 2 2

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By Manny WOOD

Strata nuisance and hazard claim

PETER has been residing in a strata unit for six years.

Barry moves into a unit five meters directly below him.

Peter soon notices that Barry smokes cigarettes on his balcony and that the smoke drifts up to Peter’s unit.

The by-laws of the strata plan do not prohibit smoking cigarettes.

Peter proposes a special resolution to adopt a by-law prohibiting smoke drift/ penetration but his motion is defeated.

Peter writes to Barry, stating that the cigarette smoke is preventing him from using his balcony and that it is causing health problems, including migraines, coughing and sleeplessness.

He states that he has to keep his windows and doors closed for 95 percent of the day due to the smoke drift.

Peter invites Barry to participate in mediation but Barry declines.

Peter commences action, seeking an order that Barry cease permitting cigarette smoke to drift into Peter’s unit on the basis that it causes a “nuisance or hazard” under strata legislation.

Peter files an affidavit, containing diary entries regarding the smoke drifts and a spreadsheet matrix recording more than 400 smoke drifts over two months, plotted hourly over 24-hour periods.

The matrix also records wind direction.

Peter’s affidavit also includes medical certificates, detailing his health conditions.

He references material from the Cancer Council, the World Health Organisation and an Oxford Academic publication stating that tobacco smoke can be detected up to nine meters away.

Barry’s affidavit provides evidence that he was not present in the unit on some of the occasions when smoke was identified.

He describes Peter’s behaviour as being aggressive, unreasonable and controlling. Barry also files affidavits from several other residents, stating that they do not experience the smoke drifts that Peter describes.

The tribunal states that smoking is not illegal and that there is a general rule preventing smoking within four meters of a neighbouring unit.

However, the Tribunal accepts that Barry is a frequent daily smoker and that cigarette smoke is capable of rising up to Peter’s balcony.

The Tribunal states that secondhand tobacco smoke is a serious health risk and ultimately orders Barry to cease smoking on his balcony.

Email Manny Wood, Principal Solicitor at TB Law at manny@tblaw. net.au or call him on (02) 66 487 487.

This column cannot be relied upon as legal advice.

Labor’s impact on regional Australia

DEAR News Of The Area,

NSW Labor leader Chris Minns made a comment last week on Moffee that he wants to change regional Australia’s opinion on the Labor party, yet less than twelve months ago his Federal Labor colleagues ripped $9 billion dollars out of regional Australia and moved those funds to his city electorates on the day he took power.

The silence from our local Labor party was deafening when Albo pulled funding from our local university for the health

service hub and pulled funding away from the veterans centre for the Mid North Coast to city Labor seats.

Our own Council has suffered under Labor with Albo not willing to extend federal grants while our Council sort out its back log.

Regional areas have gone backwards under Federal Labor and we can’t risk the same at the state level.

Regards, Nikki

WILLIAMS, Coffs Harbour.

On theCouch

Email Jasminda: media@newsofthearea.com.au with Jasminda

Do you have a pressing problem, annoying anxiety or community conundrum? Jasminda Featherlight, our resident roving Agony Aunt, is here to help. Jasminda will be responding to questions from readers. SEND your concerns to Jasminda care of media@newsofthearea.com.au and include your name and suburb.

DEAR Jasminda,

I RECENTLY had my oven professionally cleaned and when I showed it off to my husband he said he might get a lawn maintenance man since we can clearly splash around money for hired help.

I’ve never done it before and it looks amazing.

I don’t see the issue.

Dear Roxanne, I’m with you on this one.

Roxanne D.

There are some jobs that are worth contracting out and the oven clean is right up there.

Nothing compares to the combination of caustic fumes, baked on grease, grimy sludge dripping onto the floor and the sheer time it takes to get the oven looking remotely clean.

I’m sure there are many other jobs you do that you don’t want or need to farm out so your husband’s dig is childish bordering on sexist.

Does he get his car serviced?

His mower repaired?

His suit professionally cleaned?

I personally find cleaning the oven so tedious that I’ve made a rule that any messy meals, like a roast, must be cooked on the outdoor barbecue.

The oven is for reheating or cake baking.

consortiums.

Long term pushback on tourism and residential development of Jetty Foreshores

DEAR News Of The Area,

FROM 1984 to 1990 I held a senior position in the NSW PWD for the Mid North Coast responsible for various Government Programs including the management of the Coffs Harbour Port Area.

I was the local representative for the State Government’s project known as the Jetty Foreshores Development Project.

This project was introduced by the Wran Labor Government in about 1984 and included extensive tourism and residential development on the land to the east of the railway line.

Most of the land had been used previously for port, railway and industrial purposes including timber processing activities, fuel storage etc.

It was recognised by the Government (at the time) that there was a need to provide an overpass to replace the level crossing to cater for the increased traffic that would be generated by the proposed development.

There was extensive community consultation over many years including expressions of interest and development proposals from major development

The extent of development was scaled back considerably in response to community feedback.

However, it became very clear that both Council and the community did not support residential and tourism development east of the railway line.

With the passage of time and the change of Government the decision was taken by the then Liberal and National Party not to proceed further.

In about 1989, Wal Murray (leader of the National Party, Deputy Premier and Minister for Public Works) came to Coffs Harbour and I stood beside him when he announced on TV that the Government had listened to the people and would not be proceeding with residential or tourist development east of the railway line, as it was clear that the proposal did not have the support of Council or the community of Coffs Harbour.

There have been several attempts by various Governments to prepare management plans to permit the use of the foreshore lands for residential and tourist development since that time and they have always failed through lack of community support.

I believe Coffs Harbour is unique and both the people who come here to live and

Maybe suggest to your husband that if he doesn’t want you to get an oven cleaner, you just won’t cook anymore. Problem solved.

Carpe diem, Jasminda.

the tourists are attracted by the fact that the area hasn’t been overly developed.

We don’t have development along the beaches like Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast or even many of the smaller towns where imposing development encroaches on the beaches and foreshores, destroying the ambience and amenity of the area.

There is, in my opinion, a deep-seated belief in the community, that has been demonstrated over an extended period of time, that we should preserve what we have for future generations.

The State Government has been putting up these development proposals for almost 40 years and the community keeps rejecting them.

Why won’t they take no for an answer?

Why won’t Mr Singh accept what Wal Murray, a well-respected leader of the National Party, said 30 years ago?

Regards, Bruce FIDGE, Coffs Harbour.

State election candidates' views on Foreshores development

DEAR News Of The Area,

WITH the state election coming up soon it would be good to hear from the candidates their stance on the proposed residential development of the jetty foreshores east

of the railway line.

We already know that Gurmesh Singh (or his Sydney based policy makers) is in favour of residential development, but we haven't heard from the other candidates yet.

This is Coffs Harbour's only chance to establish a first class harbourside park that will attract visitors from everywhere to our city.

High rise residential development will not only dramatically decrease the amount of space available for a worthwhile park but the massive increase in population and traffic on the eastern side of the railway

Make your submission on Grandpa’s Scrub now!

DEAR News Of The Area,

WE notice Transport for NSW have been holding Information sessions exhibiting final design changes before the Bypass construction commences next month.

The community has an opportunity to make submissions and comment on these changes up until 20 February.

We also notice a section in their update document flagging their proposal (fortunately currently not approved) to cut the best corner out of the Mackay’s Road

Scrub (Grandpa’s Scrub) and give us back the leftovers.

They claim that an alternative design which spares it would cause delays and cost overruns.

This unbelievable proposal exhibits an incredible lack of understanding of what rainforest is; its ancient origins, its structure, and how it has been impacted by the advance of more dominant fire tolerant species.

Ancient rainforest doesn’t naturally regenerate and will not happen without significant long term (decades and more) of human effort to exclude dominant exotic species.

These are the very reasons the stuff is so rare and why we must fully protect the small patches that are left.

The suggestion that local organisations will have the opportunity to salvage and on-grow seedlings on adjacent land underpins a failure to recognize what we are dealing with here.

A patch of planted rainforest seedlings is no more a rainforest than a pile of rocks in an Egyptian desert is a 5000 year old pyramid.

We want to thank those organisations and individuals who have supported our push to save this rare local gem. Concerned community members who wish

More money from Gurmesh Singh for Coffs koalas?

DEAR News Of The Area,

GURMESH Singh talks large sums of money (as reported in NOTA on 27 January, 2023) in response to the Labor Party’s announcement of an initial $80m to establish the proposed Great Koala National Park in the Coffs Harbour region.

$190m in fact, says Gurmesh, from the Coalition Government, which he adds is the biggest commitment by any government to protect koalas in the wild.

But wait a while Gurmesh, how much of it is being spent on protecting koalas in the wild in the two koala metapopulations which make up the proposed Great Koala National Park?

One of those, the Guy Fawkes –Coffs Harbour koala meta-population was recognised as perhaps the best wild population of koalas in the World, or at least was until the 2019-20 fires.

The meta-population was smashed by the fires and could really do with a large share of the $190m to help it recover.

The north western section and the other meta-population in the proposed

Great Koala National Park, the BellingenNambucca-Macleay meta-population, largely escaped the fires and investment in that area should also be a priority.

Spending $43.4 m on science and research is a noble intention if the need is really there, and it’s not funding competing knowledge empires amongst bureaucrats and academics and avoiding real habitat protection.

The bulging proliferation of descriptions of koalas and their habitats include: koala hubs and arcs, bioregional assessments, areas of regional koala significance, koala habitat suitability

Is the Voice based on a lie?

DEAR News Of The Area,

I CONGRATULATE NOTA for allowing open debate on the issue of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament but I wonder if our national broadcaster the ABC is as open?

On the ABC TV’s Insiders program on Sunday 5 February the host David Speers asked Professor Megan Davis of the Voice Referendum Working Group ‘what is the Voice and why do we need it?'

Prof. Davis replied: "The Voice is a mechanism that allows First Nations people to have a voice in the decisions

and policies made by the government of the day and by the parliament.

“It gets us a seat at the table and that’s something we don’t have now.

“That’s what a Voice to Parliament is in a nutshell.

“It’s not about our mob wanting to be politicians.

that doesn’t happen and that’s why we see the situation that we see in indigenous affairs across the nation."

line will impinge on the available parking and enjoyable open space available to locals and visitors.

We have already seen the loss of the view of Muttonbird Island from Jordan Esplanade with the building of the huge “community building” at the western end of the jetty - let's not have more of our available parkland obliterated by buildings.

Regards, Graeme HENRY, Coffs Harbour. to comment and ask Transport for NSW to keep the entire patch of scrub complete and intact can make a submission.

The easiest way to do that is on Transport’s web form found at this online address - (just fill it in and submit) - www. pacifichighway.nsw.gov.au/contact-us

Or you can email pacific.highway@ rms.nsw.gov.au

Or deliver or post a letter to TfNSW, 54 Moonee St, Coffs Harbour 2450.

If you wish to see what the Scrub looks like without leaving your comfy chair, check out this YouTube clip - www.youtube.com/ watch?v=jFzhLlWQ_Cs

Regards, Dave WOOD, Advocates for Grandpa’s Scrub, Boambee East. models, focus areas, frameworks for spatial prioritisation, habitat mapping, habitat connectivity, koala tree indexes and refuges.

That’s as well as koalas being increasingly pursued by sniffer dogs, drones, scat collectors and listening devices.

Surely all this must be an expensive overreach and must make a poor koala’s head spin.

It’s time to set aside some significant koala reserves, like the Chinese did for the Giant Panda, and similarly improve its conservation status.

Regards, Ashley LOVE, Coffs Harbour. justification for this ‘second voice?’

If 38 elected, Indigenous parliamentarians are having no influence, what will a committee of a further 24 achieve?

Not one of his panel nor David Speers, who is usually quite pedantic and incisive in his questioning of guests and seizes on any little misspeak that they may commit, questioned this statement.

DEAR News Of The Area,

I WOULD like to take issue with recent letters referring to the Coffs Harbour Bypass and the effects it will have on a very small section of Grandpa’s Scrub.

I would like to know where these letter writers have been since 2019.

As a member of the Community Consultative Committee since its inception in 2019, I represented the residents on the Eastern side of the highway.

In all my time on that Committee and

“They don’t want to join political parties, it’s not about being ideological, they live in communities, they work for their communities, they’ve lived there their whole lives but they do want to have input into rules and policies because currently in all the opportunities given to the Public, there has never been any mention of 'Grandpa’s Scrub' until very recently.

However, according to the Parliament House website, contrary to Prof Davis’s claim, there are eleven members and senators of Federal Parliament who identify as Aboriginal and 27 in State and Territory parliaments, all of whom have a say in how laws are made and enacted.

If as Prof. Davis asserts, this total lack of any Indigenous input into legislation is the reason for the Voice and she is clearly telling an untruth, is there really any

Is this omission on this occasion part of deliberate ABC political correctness and bias?

Regards, Tony CLEGG, Boambee.

Where were Grandpa’s Scrub activists in 2019? Coffs Council: Please look after your seniors

What's the deal?

Is it because an election is coming up?

Because most of us just want to get on with our bypass and set our city free of those traffic jams!

Regards, Barbara DAVIS, Coffs Harbour.

DEAR News Of The Area,

I WRITE on behalf of Coffs Seniors Computer Club which meets on a Monday from 8.30am to 11am at the Council-owned Cavanbah Hall, who are charging the elderly for renting this space each week $162.82 (including charge for cupboard space).

With insurance we have to fork out $200 weekly (a $48 deficit).

The air-conditioning does not work and hasn't for the last five months and it could be another three months.

Our seniors attend each week so they can learn to integrate with family and other folk and not become socially isolated or depend on their young grandchildren.

Whenever one person stands up and says "Wait a minute Council, this is wrong’ it helps other people to do the same.

Regards, Phyllis TAYLOR, Coffs Harbour.

LOCALSPORT

Woolgoolga Surf Lifesaving Club perform well at NSW Country Championships

By Aiden BURGESS

WOOLGOOLGA Surf Life

Saving Club have proven themselves to be one of the best clubs in country NSW.

The Woolgoolga club had a very successful state country championships, finishing seventh out of all the clubs at the NSW Surf Life Saving Club Country Championships in Forster.

The Woolgoolga club members brought home a number of medals and also placed top ten in many events.

Woolgoolga Surf Lifesaving Club’s Director of Junior Administration, Sue Macnamara, said the club members performed well in Forster.

“Our awesome little club finished an amazing seventh overall out of 39 country clubs with 214 points, not far behind Lennox Head on 252 and Yamba on 255,” she said.

“It was a hot and humid weekend but the kids (and adults) performed amazingly and brought home lots of medals and top ten placings.

“Woolgoolga also had a great deal of top 10-20 placings in fields of 30-55 competitors which is a huge achievement.

“Woolgoolga Seniors and Boaties also performed well, all seven surf boat crews who travelled to Cape Hawke Surf

Life Saving Club in Forster scored medals and points for the club.”

Woolgoolga Surf Lifesaving Club results

U8

Teo Eggeling – 1st in U8

Male Wade, 3rd in U8 Beach

Sprint Relay and 8th in U8

Wade relay

Mia Brown – 2nd in U8

Female beach sprint & 6th in U8 Female beach flags, 7th

U8 female wade

Allirah Hazeldene, Teo

Eggeling, Bonnie Harris & Mia Brown – 3rd in U8 Beach sprint relay

Parker Skibba – 6th in U8

Male beach flags

Bonnie Harris – 10th in U8 Female beach flags

U9

Evie Sutton – 1st in U9

Female beach sprint, 2nd in U9 Female Surf Swim

Freya Hannaford, Evie Suttton, Indiarna Banks, & Alex Crockford – 2nd in U9

Surf SwimTeam

U10

Kalani Brown – 3rd in U10 Male beach flags, 4th in

U10 Male Board race

Hugh Morgan - 6th in U10

Male surf swim

Saxon Gourley – 7th in

U10 Male surf swim

Ben Wilson – 8th in U10

Male surf swim, 10th in U10

Male Board race

Eliza Kelly – 7th in U10

Mixed Board Relay, 8th in

U10 Female surf swim

Mackenzie Jamieson – 9th in U10 Female Surf Swim, Indiana Eggeling – 10th in U10 Female surf swim, Ben Wilson, Kalani Brown, Eliza Kelly & Mackenzie Jamieson - 4th in U10 Surf Swim Team

Indiana Eggeling, Saxon Gourley, Bobby Mcguiggan & Angus Morgan – 6th in U10 Surf Swim Team

Ben Wilson, Eliza Kelly & Bobby Mcguiggan - 7th in U10 Mixed Board relay

Indiana Eggeling, Hugh Morgan & Angus Morgan –10th in U10 Mixed Board relay

U11

Luke Wilson – 2nd in U11

Male Surf swim, 8th in U11

male ironperson

Lachlan Zemaitis – 9th in U11 Male Beach flags

Khloe Pepper – 5th in U11 Female Beach Flags

Luke Wilson, Khloe Pepper, Will Jamieson & Lachlan Zemaitis – 5th in U12

mixed Surf Teams

U12

Olivia Kelly – 1st in U12

Female beach flags, 3rd in U12 Female beach sprint

Zara Johnson – 4th in U12

Female surf swim, 5th in U12

Female Ironperson, 8th in U12 Female beach flags, 9th

U12 Female Board race.

Hannah Burton – 2nd in U12 1km Beach Run

Dylan Hannaford – 7th in U12 1km Beach run.

Big win for Westside Tennis Club

By Aiden BURGESS

WESTSIDE Tennis Club is celebrating a big win after being awarded a $244,770 grant for the upgrade of two of their tennis courts.

The club received the grant to undertake their priority project thanks to Round Five of the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund.

Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh congratulated Westside Tennis Club on receiving the vital funding.

“I congratulate the hardworking team at Westside Tennis Club on this significant funding and I look forward to their project coming to fruition,” he said.

“Westside is a popular club in our community and is renowned for promoting participation in sport and its health and wellbeing initiatives.”

Westside Tennis Club facility manager Allan Pade welcomed the great news.

“This funding will be really instrumental in the

Josh Howard – 6th in U12

Male Surf race

Ned Griffin – 7th in U12

Male beach sprint

Hannah Burton, Olivia Kelly, Ned Griffin & Willem Rowbotham - 3rd in U12

Mixed Beach relay

Josh Howard, Zara Johnson, Olivia Kelly & Ned Griffin - 5th in Junior Cameron relay

Zara Johnson, Saxon

Bannerman & Josh Howard5th in Mixed Board relay

Scarlett Hazeldene – 10th in U12 1km beach run.

Saxon Bannerman, Josh Howard, Zara Johnson & Dylan Hannaford - 4th in U12

Surf Swim Team

U13

Bayley Johnson – 2nd in U13 2km Beach Run, 5th in U13 Female Surf, 7th in U13 Female Board Race, 7th in U13 Female Ironperson, Tom Ricketts –5th in U13 Male beach sprint, 5th in Male beach sprint, 7th in Male Ironperson, 8th in Male surf swim, 10th in Male beach flags.

Lily-Mei Wong – 8th in Female Beach Sprint Bayley Johnson, Lily-Mei Wong, Jordy McPherson, & Tom Ricketts - 2nd U13 Mixed beach Relay, Lily-Mei Wong, Jake Wilson, Bayley Johnson & Tom Ricketts - 3rd in U13

Surf swim team U14

build social connections and boost their wellbeing through sport or community events,” he said.

continued development and promotion of tennis in Coffs Harbour for at least the next 20 years – this is the importance of this level of funding,” he said.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW

Paul Toole said in the past five years the Stronger Country Communities Fund had delivered more than 2000 grassroots projects, benefitting every Local Government Area in regional NSW.

“We all know how important it is for communities to have great places to come together to

Cara Crockford – 2nd in U14 Female Surf Swim, 4th in U14 Female Board race, 8th in U14 Female Beach Flags

Xavier Poole – 1st in U14

Male Board race, 5th in U14

Male Ironperson, 8th in U14

Male Surf swim

Lara Hannaford – 1st in U14 Female Beach Sprint, 3rd in U14 Female Beach Flags, Riley Burgess – 8th in U14 Male Board Race.

Isabel Kelly – 7th in U14

Female Beach Flags

Xavier Poole, Isabel Kelly, Cara Crockford, Riley Burgess

– 4th in U14 Surf Swim Team

Alannah Zemaitis, Koby

Kudrins, Lily Morgan Lara Hannaford – 8th in U14 Surf swim team.

Xavier Poole, Cara

Crockford & Riley Burgess

- 2nd in U14 Mixed Board

Relay Riley Burgess, Lara

Hannaford, Xavier Poole & Cara Crockford - 2nd in U14

Mixed Beach Relay

Chloe Burton, Xavier

Poole, Cara Crockford, Lara

Hannaford - 4th in Senior

Cameron Relay Bayley Johnson, Tom Ricketts, Riley Burgess, Jordy

McPherson - 8th in Senior

Cameron Relay, Riley Burgess & Xavier

Poole – 3rd in Senior Board

Rescue Cara Crockford & Bayley

Johnson – 6th in Senior Board Rescue

U15

Charlotte Ricketts - 7th in U15 female beach sprint, , 7th in U15 Female beach flags, 10th in U15 female

Ironperson

Shanae Crispin – 1st in U15 Female beach flags, 8th in U15 Female Beach Sprint

Finn Casper – 10th in U15

Male Surf Race, 10th in U15

Male Board race

Roy Gulliford – 5th in U15

2km Beach Run, 9th in U15

Male Beach flags, Charlotte Ricketts, Billy

Macpherson, Shanae Crispin – 3rd in U15 Mixed Beach Relay

Lara Hannaford, Riley

Burgess, Xavier Poole, Cara Crockford (u14’s) – 4th in U15 Mixed Beach Relay

Charlotte Ricketts, Shanae Crispin, Cara Crockford Chloe Burton - 4th in U15 Female Cameron relay

Roy Gulliford, Riley Burgess, Finn Casper, Billy Macpherson – 6th in U15

Male Cameron

Charlotte Ricketts & Shanae Crispin - 7th in U15 female board rescue

Shanae Crispin, Roy Gulliford, Finn Casper, Charlotte Ricketts – 6th in U15 Mixed Surf Team

Roy Gulliford, Finn

Casper, Charlotte Ricketts8th in U15 Mixed Board relay

U17

Richard Mansbridge –3rd in U17 Male Beach Flags

Riley Nugent – 7th in U17 2km Beach Run

q Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh at Westside Tennis Club with facility manager Allan Pade and secretary Kate Blackman.

Round Five of the Stronger Country Communities Fund will support local community and sporting infrastructure projects, street beautification, public programs and events that display the best of local character and community spirit.

Round 5 will see a further $160 million in funding for community projects that increase the wellbeing of regional NSW communities, including up to $50 million for projects delivered by community organisations.

The Stronger Country Communities Fund is a grant

opportunity that aims to deliver grassroots projects that reinvigorate the rural communities in each Local Government Area in regional NSW.

North Coast Football teams learn Australia Cup opponents

By Aiden BURGESS

NORTH Coast Football teams have learnt who they will play in the opening preliminary round matches to kick off this year's Australia Cup.

The Australia Cup is the

annual national knockout competition like England’s FA Cup, and which sees A League teams enter when it reaches the Round of 32.

Nine North Coast Football clubs kick off their Australia Cup campaigns on 18-19 February.

Last season's Coastal Premier League champions Coffs City United FC play host to Bangalow, while fellow Coffs team Coffs Coast Tigers travel to Armidale to take on the Demon Knights.

Bellingen FC play host to

last year's Northern Inland Premier League champions Oxley Vale Attunga.

Fellow North Coast Football teams Westlawn Tigers and Northern Storm face off in Junction Hill. Urunga, Sawtell, Woolgoolga United, and

Maclean are all away from home for their opening Australia Cup matches.

Urunga play Alstonville, Sawtell take on Lake Cathie, Woolgoolga United face Inverell, and Maclean travel to take on last season's Coastal Premier League finalists Port United.

The nine North Coast Football teams are part of

It was established in 2017 by the NSW Government to deliver local projects that enhance the lives and wellbeing of regional communities.

28 teams competing in the Northern Zone of the initial stages of the Australia Cup, which also includes teams from Football Far North Coast, Football Mid North Coast, and Northern NSW Football - Northern Inland member zones.

There will be seven knockout rounds to decide the two Northern NSW Football representatives that qualify for the national round of 32.

Table tennis for retirees and veteran players in Coffs Harbour

By Aiden BURGESS

RETIREES and veteran players are invited to join in social games of table tennis in Coffs Harbour.

The weekly games are held each Monday afternoon from 1pm to 3pm at Sportz Central.

Four tables are available, and it is a chance to meet new friends and get some exercise in

a relaxed and friendly environment.

Organiser Maree Gudgeon said table tennis was a great way to keep active.

“It’s healthy, it keeps you fit, and it’s good for your hand eye coordination,” she said.

“We have been running for the past twelve to thirteen years, and it does not cost very much, only $4 each week.

“We are all a happy lot, and we are looking for more players and anyone is welcome.” For more information, please contact Maree Gudgeon on 0478699902

q

By Aiden BURGESS

THE Gumbaynggirr Coffs Coast Raiders have made a winning return to the field after more than fifteen years.

The Raiders have won their first two games of the new East Coast Tribal League season.

The Raiders won their opening game of the season 38-10 against the Garruka Gimbisi Valley at Kempsey.

The Coffs Coast side backed it up with a 24-12 win in the second round against the Dunghutti Nulla side at Smithtown.

The Raiders two wins came as they returned to the field more than 15 years after the club disbanded.

The Raiders sit at the top of the East Coast Tribal League ladder after two rounds, with the competition resuming after many players participated in various teams at the Newcastle All Blacks 9s Knockout.

Gumbaynggirr Coffs Coast Raiders make winning return to the field Northern Heat players put in the hard yards over the offseason

The East Coast Tribal League caters for Aboriginal teams on the NSW Mid North Coast, and made its debut last season.

The Raiders will look to make it three wins in a row to start the season when they take on Dunghutti Bingayi Macleay River this weekend in Kempsey.

The Raiders women also play this weekend against the Dunghutti Connexions.

The Coffs Coast Raiders first home game of the season will be on Saturday, 25 February, when they also host the other Round 6 matches in Coramba.

By Aiden BURGESS

AFL North Coast’s best juniors have been putting in the hard years over the Christmas and New Year’s period as part of a representative program.

Northern Heat players had excellent fitness testing results during a training session at Armidale.

Having been provided with a strength and conditioning program by Heat coach and former Sydney Swans staffer Matt Pine, the players knuckled down during the break and ground out the sessions.

Last weekend’s testing provided tangible results for the players to see the improvements made and to renew their focus ahead of the 2023 season.

In addition to the fitness testing, the squad worked hard in contested sessions with an emphasis on fast ball movement and second efforts to support the player with the ball.

These drills reflect modern AFL game play and are the way that the two squads will be asked to play in matches on the Gold Coast on Saturday 18 March.

Prior to the Gold Coast matches, a training session will be held at the Wiigulga Sports Complex at Woolgoolga on Saturday,

25 February.

This session will see the two squads continue to build on the game play principles that they have been introduced to throughout the program.

The Northern Heat representative AFL program comprises the best players from the North Coast and North West regions in Under 15 and Under 17 squads.

Players are selected into the program based on their performance at the Northern NSW Challenge.

This off-season program exists to extend the representative pathway for the players of the regions and provide them with a further avenue to build their game ahead of transitioning towards senior footy.

The Gumbaynggirr Coffs Coast Raiders

q Northern Heat players take part in a time trial at Armidale.

Another NSW title on the line at Grafton Speedway

By Aiden BURGESS

ANOTHER NSW title will be on the line at Grafton Speedway this weekend as it hosts the NSW RSA Street Stockers Title during its latest race meeting.

Just a few weeks after crowning the winner of the NSW V8 Dirt Modified Title, a new state champion will triumph on the Grafton track.

An impressive field of 40 drivers from across the state will put the pedal to the medal in pursuit of the NSW title.

Sydney’s Chris Marino is the current NSW title holder and will look to defend his crown on Saturday night.

Apart from Marino, other previous title holders in the field include the likes of Shane Carlson (Australian and

NSW Titles), Shaun Davoodi (Australian Title) and Chris Corbett (current Queensland SSA Street Stock Champion), who will all be eager to add another title to their trophy cabinets.

Another top contender is the form driver of the season in Northern NSW, Jakob Lesha, as he eyes his first NSW title.

The NSW Title format will

see the drivers contest a total of three rounds of the heat races, a B main and then the NSW Title deciding feature race.

The V8 thundering Late Models make their return to Grafton Speedway this weekend, and are all eager to put on a spectacular show. Support classes on the night include the highly competitive AMCA Nationals, RSA Four Cylinder Sedans and Junior Sedans.

Sawtell Golf Club hosts Ladies opening day

By Aiden BURGESS

SAWTELL Golf Club’s ladies kicked off their year of competition with their opening day on Wednesday, 1 February.

A field of 134 lady golfers including those from visiting clubs enjoyed a stableford round to mark the start of competition for 2023.

A warm welcome was extended to visitors from many clubs, including Safety Beach, Coffs Harbour, Bonville, Dorrigo, Urunga, Nambucca Heads,

Frederickton and Emerald Downs.

The opening day featured four divisions, with the winners being Julie Jones, Gayle James, Robin Hodgson and Rosie Hrncir.

Sawtell Golf Club Ladies' Assistant President Elaine Everitt said a lot of effort went into hosting the opening day.

“The organisation of the day involves many people,” she said.

“Thank you to the committee led by Captain Kerrie Pitman, Brendan

Barnes and staff in the Pro Shop, greenkeeper Matt Duff and staff, the club and Par Tee Restaurant Staff and all volunteers.

“Our wonderful sponsor's support contributes greatly to the success of the day, thank you MI Organics.

“We wish all golfers good golfing in 2023.”

The opening day launches a big year for the ladies of Sawtell Golf Club.

The club hosts special days raising funds for Headspace (31 May) Breast

Cancer (11 October) and Warrina Women's Refuge (22 November) on regular Ladies competition days.

In September the club hosts a two-day Spring Tournament to which they invite other clubs.

Age no barrier for Rowan and Maggie

By David WIGLEY

AGE is no barrier for 92-yearold Rowan Hickson and 91-year-old Maggie Oliver, who love playing golf at Bellingen Golf Club.

Maggie has been playing for 54 years and attributes her passion for golf as a key ingredient to her physical and mental fitness.

“Golf is a great way to keep fit and get exercise through walking.

“Even when you have a cart you do a lot of walking and it also helps you keep your marbles!,” she laughed.

The fresh air and beautiful scenery of the Bellingen

countryside also helps.

“The Bellingen Golf Course is so picturesque and so well maintained that it’s a pleasure to play a round, even when you’re not playing too well.”

Maggie has many highlights spanning five decades but at the age of 91 she is still setting goals.

“I was a member of the Bellingen Ladies Pennant team that won the Mid North Coast competition in 2019 and was playing club competition golf until the end of 2022.

"I won the individual District Seniors Competition nearly 20 years ago but now

I’m limited to social games.

“I have many great memories - my favourite ones are two holes-in-one, I’m still hopeful for a third,” she quipped.

92-year-old Rowan Hickson has been playing golf for a staggering seven decades and only started getting serious after he gave up the day job.

“I’ve been playing golf since the 1950s but joined Bellingen and started to take it seriously in 1998 after retirement,” he said.

“I practice almost every day and play competitions as often as I can on Thursdays and Saturdays.

“Thanks to the handicap system, seniors can compete on equal terms with all the other members - age is no barrier to enjoying the benefits of playing golf.”

In addition to the exercise and beautiful scenery, the social side of golf remains a big drawcard.

“It helps me keep fit.

“Bellingen is a wellbalanced and challenging course; very beautifully maintained and very enjoyable to play, the club members are all incredibly friendly.

“I still remember my best round ever - about fifteen years ago when I played the

Internal Championships are also important competitions in the yearly calendar.

q Age is no barrier for 92-year-old Rowan Hickson and 91-year-old Maggie Oliver.

back nine in two over par!

“Very keen to be awarded a free game on my 100th

birthday, and must have a word with the President about that,” he chuckled.

from their 8 overs.

By Aiden BURGESS

IT was a busy weekend for North Coast Cricket Council’s Premier League teams playing two matches in two days.

Saturday saw Valleys Cricket go to the top of the ladder with a 5 wicket win against Harwood in their top of the table clash at Phillip Hughes Oval.

Harwood opened the batting and posted 7/188, with Hayden McMahon top scoring with 68.

Brodie Bartlett top

scored in the successful run chase with a knock of 78.

Coffs Colts and Sawtell both bounced back from last round losses.

The Colts beat the Diggers/Nana Glen All Stars by 37 runs at Fitzroy Oval, after setting an opening total of 146.

The Colts bowlers got the job done dismissing the All Stars for 109 as Blake McNeil took 3/18 from his 6 overs, and Ryan Gilkinson took 3/26 from his 8 overs.

Sawtell beat the Northern Districts Rebels

by 68 runs at Richardson Park.

The home side posted 7/177, with Tyh Murphy top scoring with 45 and Trent Mitchell scoring 43, with Angus Rissel the best of the Rebels bowlers taking 3/23 from 7 overs.

Sawtell then defended their total in fine style, bowling out the Rebels for 109 with David Schutt bowling a sensational spell of 5/32 from his 8 overs.

Sunday saw the second of the weekend's matches played, with Valleys Cricket,

Northern Districts Rebels and Harwood all winners.

Valleys Cricket maintained top spot on the ladder with a 6 wicket win against Sawtell at Richardson Park.

The home side opened the batting and posted 6/197 from their 40 overs, with Will Bailey top scoring with 67.

Brodie Bartlett led home the successful run chase finishing on 96 not out.

The win was Valleys Cricket fourth in succession.

The Northern Districts Rebels had an 81-run win at home against the Coffs

Colts in Woolgoolga.

Two matches in two days for Premier League cricket sides

The Rebels had an 8/195 opening total with Luke Cox top scoring on 65.

The Rebels bowlers then duly delivered, bowling out the Colts for 114 with Humraj Singh taking 2/16 from his 8 overs and dismissing the two openers.

Harwood had a dominant 8 wicket win against the Diggers/Nana Glen All Stars in their match at Harwood Oval.

Harwood bowled out the All Stars for 73, with Dean Carroll and Ben McMahon both having the same figures taking 3/14

The Premier League season continues this weekend with the opening day of two-day matches played in Sawtell, Macksville, and Harwood.

Sawtell play host to the Coffs Colts at Richardson Park, Valleys Cricket host the Diggers/Nana Glen

All Stars at Phillip Hughes Oval, and Harwood host the Northern Districts Rebels. Premier League standings. 1.Valleys Cricket. 55 points. 9 wins. 2.Harwood. 52 points. 8 wins. 3.Diggers/Nana Glen

All Stars. 32 points. 5 wins. 4.Sawtell. 31 points. 4 wins.

5.Northern Districts Rebels. 30 points. 5 wins. 6.Coffs Colts. 23 points. 3 wins.

q Players enjoy Sawtell Golf Club’s Ladies opening day.

q Defending NSW title winner Chris Marino. Photo: The Art of Speedway.

North Coast Bulldogs under 18s kick off Laurie Daley Cup season

By Aiden BURGESS

THE North Coast Bulldogs under 18s have suffered a heartbreaking loss in the opening game of their Laurie Daley Cup representative season at Geoff King Motors Oval.

Up 26-0 with 26 minutes to go, the Bulldogs were the victims of a magnificent comeback from the Great Northern Tigers who came back from the dead to win 30-26.

The Bulldogs showed the form which saw them finish as runners up in last year's competition, their attack a well-oiled machine as they took a 14-0 lead into halftime.

They continued their dominance with two early

tries in the second half to take a seemingly match winning lead.

But the visiting Tigers team had other ideas, scoring five tries in the final 23 minutes in a blistering display of all-out attack, snatching an improbable win as they took the lead with just two minutes to go.

Bulldogs coach Matt Freebairn said the tough loss was a learning experience for his side.

“We probably needed to be more patient, and we became complacent in defence,” he said.

“We needed to read the situation better and not switch off, and we will learn from our mistakes and then move on to next week.

your losses, and we’ll assess our mistakes during training and move on to our next game against Macarthur.

the wire and now they have bragging rights for the next twelve months.”

Coach Freebairn outlined the makeup of this year's squad.

Cup is NSW's regional representative competition for under 18s.

“Credit to the Tigers, we knew it would be a tough game and it came down to

coming back from the under 18s squad which finished runners up last year, and six from the under 16s team from last year who have been promoted,” he said.

The Bulldogs now play the Macarthur Wests Tigers this weekend in Wauchope.

“We have six players

The Laurie Daley

North Coast Bulldogs under 16s kick off Andrew Johns Cup season

By Aiden BURGESS

THE North Coast Bulldogs under 16s have made a competitive start to their Andrew Johns Cup representative season going down 14-10 to the Great Northern Tigers at Geoff King Motors Oval.

The Bulldogs took a 10-4 lead into halftime, with the game played predominantly in their attacking half as they dominated the first half.

The Tigers came out a different side in the second half and had the Bulldogs defending valiantly on their own goal line.

The attacking pressure finally broke through the Bulldogs resistance, as the Tigers levelled the scores at 10-10 with fifteen minutes to go, setting up a

“You learn more from grandstand finish.

It would be the visitors who would start their season with a win, scoring with seven minutes left and holding out last gasp attempts from the Bulldogs.

Bulldogs coach Peter Wood took some positives away from the first-round defeat.

“Even though we went behind, we didn’t drop our heads and we stuck to the task,” he said.

“Defensively we scrambled really well and there were no soft tries scored.”

Wood reflected on missed opportunities in the match.

“We dominated the first half but we didn’t turn it into points, we had a number of chances and we didn’t convert,” he said.

“We put ourselves under pressure making mistakes, and we let them back into the match.”

The Bulldogs coach said the local Group 2 players

were influential against the Tigers.

“We had seven Group 2 players in the team, and our two halves are from the Bowraville Tigers,” he said.

“Connor Corbett is also from Bowraville and he scored a try and set up another before he went off injured, so that hurt us.”

The Andrew Johns

Cup is NSW's regional representative competition for under 16s.

The Bulldogs now play the Macarthur Wests Tigers this weekend in Wauchope.

Duncan makes her North Sydney Bears under 19s debut

By Aiden BURGESS

KIMBERLY Duncan has taken a big step towards potentially playing in the NRLW.

The eighteen-year-old made her debut for the North Sydney Bears under 19s team who recently kicked off their Tarsha Gale Cup season.

The Tarsha Gale Cup is the top under 19s women’s rugby league competition in NSW, and is the main bridge between juniors and the NSWRL Women’s

Premiership.

The North Sydney Bears under 19s kicked off their season last weekend when they hosted the Newcastle Knights in Sydney.

Duncan came off the bench to play 30 minutes at hooker.

Her Bears debut comes on the back of a strong year on the field for the former Sawtell Panthers junior.

She was the best back for the Coffs Coast Dolphins during the inaugural North Coast Open Women’s Rugby League competition.

She also played representative football for the North Coast Bulldogs women’s team, and was a member of the Dunghutti women’s team who were the Koori Knockout winners.

Duncan was also selected to the Indigenous All Stars team in their match against the All Stars during NAIDOC week in Kempsey.

She noticed the level of difference playing in NSW’s elite junior competition.

“The girls are all really

fit, and some of the girls are six foot tall,” she said.

"The mentality is really different; training is serious, three times a week with the team.”

The emerging player explained what she wanted to take away from her debut season for the Bears.

“I hope to learn a lot of things, get more experience, and have a better mindset and also get fitter.”

The Bears debutant had ambitions of playing at the highest level.

“NRLW is definitely a goal, and I would love to with the right support.”

q The North Coast Bulldogs under 18s representative side.

q The North Coast Bulldogs under 16s representative squad.

q Kimberly Duncan in action for the Bears.

OUTLETS

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NORTHERN BEACHES

Woolgoolga Woolworths

Moonee Beach Newsagency

Moonee Beach Coles Supermarket

Emerald Beach General Store

Sapphire Beach Service Station

Woolgoolga Diggers Club

Woopi Bottle Shop

Liquor Legends Emerald Beach

Blue Bottles Brasserie

Mitre 10 Woolgoolga

Top Town Market

Sunken Chip Takeaway Sandy Beach

Village Growers Market Woolgoolga

Nicole Cardow Real Estate

Sunset Room Restaurant

Woolgoolga Library

Banana Bender (Behind United S/S)

Royals Garage, Corinidi Beach

COFFS HARBOUR

Coffs Central Shopping Centre

Plate to Ply Coffee Shop

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Shopping Centre

Bray Street Newsagency Coffs

Coles Supermarket

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Spar Supermarket Coffs Harbour

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Shop 36 General Store

Midway Convenience Shop

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Park Beach Plaza Customer Information

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BOAMBEE/TOORMINA/SAWTELL

Sawtell Newsagency

Coles Supermarket

Ritchie’s Supermarket Boambee

Lucky 7 Convenience Store

Blooms the Chemist Sawtell

Boambee Liberty Service Station

Bonville Service Station

Toormina Hotel

Sawtell Surf Lifesaving Club

The Country Brewers

Marian Grove Retirement Village

C.ex Coffs Bowls Club

By Mary BUCKLEY

C.EX Coffs Bowls Club has resumed play after their short Summer Break, and were virtually straight back into competition mode.

The Club Fours Championships have been played and won by Jan Appleton, Jeanette Kutz, Shirley Willis and Brenda Fane with Di De La Cruz’s team of Joan Griffin, Margaret Stocks and Beryl Foster

Coffs Harbour Golf Club

Ladies

By Helen Rhodes

TUESDAY 31 January - No-one played due to wet weather.

Wednesday 1 Feb - Club Medal

Stroke Event with 48 starters

Numbers were down in this event due to a lot of ladies participating in

Sporting Shooters Results

By Rodney MADELEY

SSAA Benchrest results from Dairyville range.

Event was Rimfire 100yds Group.

Greg Sutherland .6236, sg .440.

Bill Buchanan .6702, sg .394.

Peter Fleming .7478, sg .656.

Barry Warwick .7522, sg .440.

Rod Madeley .7686, sg .575.

Bernie Axford .8640, sg .505.

Hunting rifle: Josh 1.1014, sg .560.

Event was 200yds Centrefire Group:

Woolgoolga Athletic Club

By Steel BEVERIDGE

200 METRES (MALE): Jaiveer Grewal

41.4, Jackson Cheney 41.6, Diesel Cheney 42.5, Mitch Custance 44.5, Rajveer Grewal 45.2, Sam Custance 47.1, Ben Haagsma & Matthew Evans NTA.

(FEMALE) : Clarissa Hull 39.1, Joanne Munn 40.5, Sara Evans 1:00.1.

600 METRES (MALE): Matthew Evans

1:43.8, Jackson Cheney 2:47.0, Mitch Custance 2:47.7, Sam Custance

2:50.9, Diesel Cheney 2:54.9.

Woolgoolga Bowling Club Results

By Glenn LANE

TUESDAY 31/1/23

Bowls cancelled due to rain

Woolgoolga Wanderers Bowling Club Results

Wednesday 1/2/23

M Bellette, R Shaw and P Hatton defeated G Smith, J Martin and I Cork 15 - 14

J Taylor, G Lane and M Mulligan defeated R Holliday, L Main and N Lynn 27 - 11

E Wolley, Jenny Hampstead and A Wicken defeated T Collins, J Whalen and I Carruthers 27 -16

Bear, R Pilon and D Mason defeated I Gentle, M Lampert and P

Safety Beach Golf Club

VETS

Toormina Centre Management

Boambee Garden Retirement

Raine & Horne Toormina

Unrealestate Agent

Sawtell Real Estate

URUNGA/BELLINGEN

Bellingen Newsagent

IGA Supermarket

Spar Supermarket Urunga

Foodworks Urunga

Lindsay’s Oysters

Kombu Wholefoods

Cardow’s Urunga

Cardow’s Real Estate Bellingen

Fermount Fire Station

Ray White Real Estate

Friday, 10 February

30 January

9 Hole Stroke

Winner Gary Richards 26

R/up Ron Litherland 27

MIDWEEK 18 Hole Stableford

Sponsor Coffs Coast Sports Physio

1 February Winner M. Rennes 41

R/up S. Thorn 40

3rd B. Boorman(vis) 39 cb

4th R. Richardson 39 cb

5th R. Treweek 39

WEEKEND

4 February

Monthley Medal Stroke

SPORTS RESULTS

the runner-ups.

A good competition played in a round robin format that all enjoyed.

Thursday 26th January: Robyn Groundwater, Jan Appleton, Brenda Fane d Linda Hoffman, Jeanette Kutz, Brenton Merchant 12-8; Angela Fryer, Sue Wilson, Di De La Cruz d Jill Merchant, Shirley Willis, Dot Heron 22-11.

Tuesday 31st January: Joan Griffin, Margaret Stocks, Brenda Fane d Beryl Foster, Jeanette Kutz,

the Sawtell Golf Club Open Day. Lynn Major (25) 70, Kit Goodsell (26) 73, Hayley Butler (11) 74. NTP’s3rd (Pro Pin) Caroline Campbell, Lynn Major, Narelle Turner, 12th Romana Murphy (Shearwater Voucher), Lynn Major, Christine Tessari, 15th Jos Mitchell, Kit Goodsell, Mary Quirk. Putting Comp. - Louise Knight with 26 putts. A Grade Medal Winner

Peter Fleming .3268, sg .615. Gary Hunt .3562, sg .455.

Michael Thompson .3761, sg .560. Rob Evans .3810, sg .408. Rob Hamilton .3847, sg .653. Barry Warwick .4160, sg .690. Ray Beavis .4313, sg .445.

Alistair McMillan .4375, sg .525.

Hunting rifle: K.G. .6758, sg 1.115.

Steve Dines .7280, sg .812.

K. M. 1.2135, sg 1.680. Next week is IRB Rimfire starting at 10am.

Sunday is the Interclub IRB.

3000 METRES (FEMALE): Clarissa Hull 15:22.0.

DISCUS (MALE): Matthew Evans

20.50, Jackson Cheney 19.70, Sam Custance 19.33, Ben Haagsma 16.94, Mitch Custance 14.46, Diesel Cheney

14.08. (FEMALE) : Joanne Munn

21.62, Clarissa Hull 13.09, Doreen Conroy 12.23, Sara Evans 7.92.

LONG JUMP (MALE): Matthew Evans 5.02, Mitch Custance 4.29, Ben Haagsma 2.87, Jaiveer Grewal 2.68, Rajveer Grewal 2.32. (FEMALE) : Jonne Munn 2.85, Sara Evans 2.65, Clarissa Hull 2.47.

Jones 35 - 13

Lucky Rinks 1. M Bellette, R Shaw and P Hatton 2. E Wolley, Jenny Hampstead and A Wicken No Jackpot Woolgoolga Bowling Club Results

Friday 3/2/23

Judy Mansdow and Allan Morris defeated S Bailey and J Thompson 24 - 17

H Schutz and R Bennell defeated R Show and B Merchant 24 - 15

R Gurber and I Cork defeated G Lane and G Pallister 25 - 12

T Allen and R Ryan defeated G Cunningham and M Hodge 24 - 19

J Taylor and P Buck defeated S Barnard and D Barnard 18 - 17

Lucky Rinks 1. R Gurber and I Cork 2. No Jackpot

Sponsor Rob Brown Dental Clinic

A Winner J. Jurrotte 73

A R/up Cheyne Clarke 74 cb

A Gross A. Hart

B Winner A. Maggs 68 cb

B R/up T. Sutherland 68

B Gross T. Sutherland

C Winner G. Penfold 70

C R/up G. Geyson 71

C Gross W. Biggin

D Winner S. Gresty 71 cb

D R/up G. King 71

D Gross S. Gresty

BEACH STREET DINING

9 Hole Stableford

3 February Winner G. Mallett 24

R/up P. Crook 23

Di De La Cruz 18-14; Jill Merchant, Shirley Willis d Jo Burgess, Dot Heron 20-8; Sue Wilson, Jan Appleton, d Robyn Groundwater, Mary Buckley 19-12.

C.ex Golf Results

By Graeme ROBERTSON

4 BBB Stableford Played at Coffs Harbour Golf Club On Sunday 5

February. Winners Carmel Hill & Prue

- Hayley Butler. B Grade Medal WinnerLynn Major. C Grade Medal Winner - Christine Tessari.

Saturday 4 February - Single Stableford with 45 starters

Play was split across 2 courses due to the mens monthly medal stroke round.

Eastlakes Course with 25 players

Lydia Dennett 42, Gloria Thomas

Coffs Harbour Golf Club

Monday Vets

By Vicki SILVER

RESULTS Coffs Harbour Golf Club

Monday Vets 6 Feb 2023

40 members played a Single Stableford 9 hole competition in perfect golfing weather.

Winners:

Gents:

Andy Gilkes 22

Les Rollins 21 c/b

Trevor Bissett 21

Mid North Coast Veteran Golfers Association

By Colin CUTT

MNCVGA RESULTS

On Tuesday, 31st January, 18 golfers competed at Safety Beach Golf Course in a single stableford event. The field was reduced due to the inclement weather conditions.

Winner: Mark Feeney 34, 1 st runner-up Nick Jenkins 33, 2 nd runner-up Michael Bleakley 32 c/b, Park Beach Mens Bowling Club

By Mark STAR

MINOR Pairs Sunday 05/02

Q/F- T. Gordon, D. Wilson def G. Duffey, D. Lindner

S/F - R. Halloway, P. Hall def M. Berube, D. Orchard

Tuesday Open Fours 31/01

P. Woodsell, E. Crestani, J. Bennett, L. Morris def D & V Valentine, C. Weatherall, D. Orchid 13/12

T. Gordon, J. Long, C. Jones, J. Phillips def R. Kelly, G. Skinner, D. Burridge, L. Boekman 12/11

L. McLeod, A. Orr, A. Stone, R. Lane def M. England, W. Moore, E. Kidd, C. England 13/8

A. Dorrington, N. McVicar, I. Trengove, D. Hull def S. Jones, B. Odmark, M. Flint, M. Star 12/11

C. Treharne, J. Clarke, R. Oakley, D. Condon def K. Williams, B. Kelly, H. Slater, S. Campbell 14/7

P. Booth, J. Kennedy, T & M Monck def C. McLeod, P. Crockett, J. Robinson, P. Rambow 19/9

P. North, Macca, Nicko, D. Wilson def G. Williams, R. Beaumont, D. Catling, R. Shephard 16/6

Thursday Men’s Social 02/02

D. Hoffman, S. Bloomfield, B. Baine, B. Garner def S. Jones, J. Robinson, W. Grimshaw, S. Cook 28/11

T. Gordon, J. Wills, M. Star, P. Rambow def D. Valentine, C. Weatherall, D. Orchid, R. Aitken

Trethowan 44 Pts; R/s-Up Cathy Robinson & Maria Sanford 42 Pts; Ball Winners; Peter Hill & Kevin Sanford

41; Sam Brazel & Warick Wallace

41; Jeff Harris & Peter Hill 39; Mike Watkin & Ron McDonald 38; Amrik Thandi & Warick Wallace 38; NTP’s; 3rd Sam Brazel, 22nd Scott Croft, 26th Peter Hill; Chip-Ins; Maria Sanford, Jose Caravante, Terry Smallman, Chad Nagle; Next game is on the 19th February at Grafton. 1st round of Aus v’s Rest of World. Tee-off at 8.00am. Single Stableford.

38.

Lakes Course with 20 players Trish Nance 39, Helen Rhodes 37.

NTP’s (combined courses)

3rd (Pro Pin Lakes course)

Di Woods, 6th Ada Lynch, 12th Jo Symons, 15th

Fiona O’Meara, 22nd Lynn Major, 26th (Pro Pin Eastlakes course) Maria Swain.

Ken Barber 20

Ladies:

Marilyn Waterhouse 23

Bev Miles 20

Chris Tessari 19

Betty Peen 18

Ball Comp:

Jim McIntosh 18 c/b

John Miles 18 c/b

Roger Martin 18

Nijole McNally 17 c/b

Jean O’Connor 17 c/b

Sandy Dolli 17

Next week is a single eventBISQUE PAR.

3 rd runner-up John Plummer 32 c/b.

NTP: 11 th - Michael Bleakley. Ball run to 32 pts.

Also, on Tuesday 31/01/2023, 31 golfers competed at Macksville Golf Course in a single stableford event, the field also being reduced because of the weather.

Winner: John Clancy 36 c/b, 1 st runner-up Roy Rudner 36, 2 nd runner-up Mary Ann Perry 35. NTP: 11 th - John Clancy. Ball run to 32 pts.

22/20

G. Williams, R. Beaumont, B. Kelly, I. Trengove def T. O’Halloran, K. Johnson, A. Dorrington, D. Hull 28/16

P. Woodsell, P. Toy, J. Bennett, L. Morris def D. Catling, R. Host, R. O’Keefe, L. Miles 21/19

J. Eding, B. Odmark, N. Condon, G. Colman def B. Hardwick, G. Bugden, M. Berube, K. Morrison 21/12

L. Goodacre, A. Taylor, M. Flint, M. Moppett def C. McLeod, N. Dean, P. Newman, P. North 23/13

P. Booth, J. Long, R. Lane, D. Wilson def W. Moore, S. Campbell, A. Pike, L. Boekman 29/9

Park Beach Bowling Club conducts free bowls lessons every Saturday morning, weather permitting, from 9.30am. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Please put your name down at the Club reception by 5.00pm Friday.

Sawtell Veterans Golf

By Ian REYNOLDS

RESULTS for 6 February 2022

9 Hole Stableford 26 Starters

Ladies Heather Snow 21, Lesley Kimber 20, Pam O’Sullivan 19, Lynda Wood 18 c/b

Men Brian Bayliss 22, Brian Holman 21, David Starr 20

NTP’s

3rd Hole, Allan Robertson, Lesley Kimber

7th Hole, Brian Holman, Rosie Hrncir

In loving memory of Colleen Turner 10/01/1935 - 08/02/2016

Sadly missed, dearly loved, and always in our hearts. Husband Peter, son and daughter, grandsons, grandaughters and great grandchildren.

Funeral

Funeral Notices Funeral Notices

Barbara Lynette Goodfellow

6th February 2023

Passed peacefully surrounded by family at Woolgoolga Aged Care. Late of Safety Beach. Much loved wife of Leo (dec).

Treasured mother and mother-in-law of Robyn & Joe, Mark & Carolyn, Brett & Diana and Scott & Melissa. Cherished grandmother to Jed, Will, Brooke, Dan, Ben, Matt, Beau, Hannah, Holly and Casey. Great-grandmother to Cooper, Mikayla, Mia, Theo, Bree and Ella.

Aged 88 Years

Forever in our hearts and forever loved.

BROOKS

Janice Kay

1st February 2023, peacefully at Bellinger River District Hospital. Late of Coffs Harbour. Dearly beloved wife of Robert (dec’d). Loving mother & mother-in-law of Summa & Brett Saunders. Loved ‘nanny’ of Ruby and Olivia. Cherished sister, sister-in-law and aunty of their families.

Aged 67 Years Forever In Our Hearts

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Janice’s Funeral Service to be held in the Chapel of Hogbin Drive Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour on Friday 10th February 2023, commencing at 1.00 pm.

Please wear bright and colourful clothing.

Janice’s Funeral Service will be live streamed on Keith Logue & Sons Facebook page.

KEITH LOGUE & SONS

Coffs Harbour 6652 1999

Funeral Director’s Assoc. of NSW Accred No 12033-01

Email: ads@newsofthearea.com.au Phone: (02) 4981 8882

Family and friends are warmly invited to attend Barbara’s funeral service on Friday, 10th February 2023 at 2pm in the Coffs Harbour Crematorium Chapel, Coramba Road, Karangi. If you are unable to attend in person please join us via livestream. The link is on the Victor Rullis Funerals website.

VICTOR RULLIS FUNERAL SERVICES

(02) 6651 5007 www.funeralcoffsharbour.com.au

MACKAY

Patricia Coral ‘Pat’

6th February 2023, peacefully at Mater Christi Aged Care, with family by her side. Much loved wife of Bob for 69 years. Cherished mother & mother-in-law of Jenny & Peter Hoad, Tony & Annette, Kate & Mick, Paul & Kelly (dec’d), Robert ‘Rob’ (dec’d), James & Susan and Anne & David. Adored nan of 13 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren & 2 great-great-grandchildren. Pat will be sadly missed by all of her extended family and friends. Pat ‘Mrs Mac’ & Bob ran Peters Café at the Coffs Harbour Jetty from 1972 to 1998.

Aged 87 Years

Loving Mum & Nan Of Five Generations

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Pat’s Funeral Prayers to be celebrated in Our Lady of The Way Chapel, Marian Grove, Toormina on Monday 13th February 2023, commencing at 1.00 pm, thence for interment in Coffs Harbour Lawn Cemetery, Karangi.

Pat’s Funeral Prayers will be live streamed on Keith Logue & Sons Facebook page.

KEITH LOGUE & SONS

Coffs Harbour 6652 1999

Funeral Director’s Assoc. of NSW Accred No 12033-01

Patricia Anne Sykes

10.08.1941 to 06.02.2023

“All you need is love. But a little chocolate, now and then doesn’t hurt” – Charles Schultz Beloved wife of Wilhelm Henne, Braunstone, New South Wales. Mother of Matthew, Andrew and Jennifer. Mother in law to Malia, Janelle, and Peter. Grandma to Jasmine, Joshua, Callum, Keona, Iolana, Myah, Eli and Nathan. Great Grandma to Haven. Funeral to be held at 11am on Friday 17 February 2023 at Saint Patricks Church, Skinner Street, South Grafton. Wake at 1.30pm at Coramba Hotel.

(02) 4981 8882 Coffs Coast News Of The Area

Vacant COMMERCIAL CLEANER WANTED

houses, airbnbs and commerical cleaning.

or singles welcome.

and weekend cleans available.

0448 308 580

OPPORTUNITY FOR SELF

EMPLOYED CLEANERS

We are seeking self employed reliable cleaners for a medium sized resort in Coff Harbour.

The following are required

• Cleaning experience

• Good time management and communication skills and the ability to work unsupervised

• Flexibility around hours to meet the needs of short stay rentals

• ABN

• Police check

The position is available for immediate start and excellent pay rates are available. Please contact the managers: 02 66 00 1579 or 0431 114 113 or pacifictowers@pacifictowersbeachresort.com.au

E170223

Israel not cast off forever.

JEREMIAH 3. 11 And the LORD said to me, "Faithless Israel has proved herself more righteous than treacherous Judah.

12 "Go, and proclaim these words toward the north and say, 'Return, faithless Israel,' declares the LORD: 'I will not look upon you in anger. For I am gracious, declares the LORD; 'I will not be angry forever. And I will bring you to Zion.

15 "Then I will give you shephers after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding. TRUTH.

17 "At that time they shall call Jerusalem "The Throne of the LORD,' and all the nations will be gathered to it, to Jerusalem, for the name of the LORD; nor shall they walk anymore after the stubborness of their evil heart.

18 "In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave your fathers as an inheritance.

Your

Paper, Your Voice Have Your Say

News Of The Area would love to hear your OPINION and VIEWS on issues and topics affecting our area. Keep Letters to the Editor under 250 words for its best chance of publication. Please be aware that there is no guarantee or certainty of publication from your submission to us. Publication will be determined by the editor around available space, relevance and appropriateness.

Email to media@newsofthearea.com.au

Billy doesn’t have what he needs for school.

PUZZLES COFFS COAST

BIG CROSSWORD

SUDOKU

Sudoku is an 81 square number grid with nine blocks each containing nine cells. To solve the puzzle, all the blank cells must be filled in using numbers from 1 to 9. Each number can only appear once in each row, column and in the nine 3x3 blocks.

SOLUTIONS

COFFS COAST

THE RIGHT TABLE SHOW TIDAL VARIATIONS AT SEVERAL LOCATIONS

The time variation should be added to the corresponding Fort Denison time.

In view of the variations caused by local conditions and meteorological effects, these times are approximate and must be considered as a guide only. They are not to be relied on for critical depth calculations for safe navigation. Actual times of High and Low Water may occur before or after the times indicated.

FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU

Home Improvements

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BEST ON THE BOX

FRIDAY GARDENING AUSTRALIA

ABC, 7.30pm

FRIDAY PENGUIN BLOOM

NBN, 8.30pm

Award-winning actress Naomi Watts gives a predictably moving and poignant performance in this tear-jerker, but a mischievous magpie almost steals her thunder. Surf-lover Samantha Bloom (Watts) is holidaying in Thailand with her husband (Andrew Lincoln, The Walking Dead) and their three sons when she falls from a balcony, becoming paraplegic. Returning home, she is consumed by grief for a year, until her sons bring an injured bird home. The scenes involving the inquisitive magpie are utterly charming and beautifully shot.

FRIDAY, February 10

6.00 The Drum. Presented by Ellen Fanning.

7.00 ABC News. Takes a look at today’s top stories.

7.30 Gardening Australia. (Return)

Sophie Thomson visits a designer’s home.

8.30 Van Der Valk. (Mdsv, R) Part 2 of 3. Van der Valk investigates the death of a young woman.

10.00 The Larkins. (PG, R) Ma books a weekend in Margate.

10.50 ABC Late News.

11.05 The Larkins. (Ms, R)

11.55 Adam Hills: The Last Leg. (R)

12.35 Unforgotten. (Mal, R)

1.20 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

You don’t need to be a green thumb to adore this long-running gardening series. Featuring a tribe of passionate and interesting presenters, they are the secret to its success. Returning with its 24th season (or 34th year of episodes) tonight, effervescent host Costa Georgiadis (right) a and his crew – including new team members Tammy Huynh and Hannah Moloney – are in Melbourne’s lush Royal Botanic Gardens. The episode is flush with many varied segments, but highlights include Hannah chatting with a First Nations educator at the Botanic Gardens about the gardens’ history and Sophie visiting the plot of an acclaimed landscaper.

SUNDAY MATERNAL

SEVEN, 8.45pm

It’s generally the hard truths that make for the most gripping TV and this incisive new British medical drama shoots for the heart – and the head. The second episode fires up tonight: it’s not too late to become absorbed in the lives of doctors Maryam Afridi (Parminder Nagra), Catherine MacDiarmid (Lara Pulver, Sherlock, above) and Helen Cavendish (Lisa McGrillis). Set postpandemic, the three women are returning to work after maternity leave at the troubled NHS. Pulling no punches, and with a snappy script, it’s filled with relatable situations, with the drama turned up a few notches. Tonight, Maryam struggles to control her anxiety and keep working as a surgeon.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Scotland: A Wild Year. (PG)

8.30 Megabridges: Spanning The Void. An insight into three bridges.

9.30 Lighthouses: Building The Impossible: The Smalls. (PGa, R)

10.25 SBS World News Late.

10.55 Gomorrah. (Malv, R)

1.30 Das Boot. (Malv, R)

3.40 Mastermind Australia. (R)

4.40 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 7News Local.

6.30 7News @ 6:30.

7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Johanna Griggs checks out a business that recycles plastic milk bottles into cutting boards.

8.30 MOVIE: The Martian. (2015, Mal, R) An astronaut believed to be dead after his crew were forced to abandon their expedition to Mars prematurely, has to rely on his ingenuity to survive in the planet’s hostile conditions while awaiting rescue. Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels.

11.30 Maternal. (Mals, R) Three doctors return to work.

12.30 Home Shopping. (R)

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 For The Love Of Pets. (PGm)

8.30 MOVIE: Penguin Bloom. (2020, PGal) Based on a true story.

A mother’s world is shattered after a near-fatal accident leaves her paralysed.

Naomi Watts, Andrew Lincoln.

10.20 MOVIE: The Glass Castle. (2017, Ma, R)

12.40 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

Take Two. (R)

Global Shop. (R)

TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)

6.30 The Project.

7.30 The Graham Norton Show. (Ma) Chat show with celebrity guests.

8.30 To Be Advised.

9.30 The Graham Norton Show. (Ml, R) Guests include Dame Judi Dench, Jamie Dornan, Salma Hayek, Bruce Springsteen, Barack Obama and Tinie Tempah.

10.30 Just For Laughs Australia. (Mls, R)

11.00 Just For Laughs Uncut. (MA15+ls, R)

11.30 The Project. (R)

12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

ONTHEBOX

SATURDAY, February 11

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.15 Blue Water Safari. (PG) 10.10 Love Your Garden. (PGa, R) 11.05

Paul O’Grady For The Love Of Dogs: What Happened Next. (Premiere, PG) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Figure Skating. European C’ships. H’lights. 3.30 Cycling. The Saudi Tour.

H’lights. 4.40 Secret Scotland. (PGa, R) 5.30

WWII Battles For Europe. (PGaw, R)

6.00 Home Shopping.

7.00 Weekend Sunrise.

10.00 The Morning Show. (PG)

12.00 Horse Racing. Family Race Day and Inglis Millennium Day.

5.00 Seven News At 5.

6.25 Better Date Than Never. (PG, R)

Dianne visits one of her biggest supporters.

7.00 ABC News. Takes a look at today’s top stories.

7.30 Call The Midwife. (Mad) Shelagh faces a challenging delivery.

8.30 Midsomer Murders.

(Final, Mav, R) After a body is found surrounded by ritual symbols, DCI John Barnaby and DS Winter investigate.

10.00 Unforgotten. (Final, Malv, R)

The team narrows down the suspects.

10.50 Miniseries: Come

Home. (Madlsv, R)

11.50 Rage Goes Retro. (MA15+adlhnsv)

5.00 Rage. (PG)

COFFS COAST NEWS OF THE AREA

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 The World’s Most Beautiful Landscapes. (Premiere)

8.30 Portillo In The Pyrenees: A Physical Challenge. (PG)

9.30 Inside Windsor Castle. (PGa, R)

10.25 Great Escapes With Morgan Freeman. (Mav, R)

11.15 Atlanta. (Final, Madls, R)

11.55 Mister 8. (Premiere, Mls)

4.30 Mastermind Australia. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.15 France 24 Feature.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS MOVIES (32)

SUNDAY, February

Wild Odyssey. (R)

6.00 Antiques Roadshow.

7.00 ABC News. Takes a look at today’s top stories.

7.30 Death In Paradise. (Return, Mv)

A kidnapping ends in murder.

8.30 Vera. (Final, PG, R) DCI Vera Stanhope investigates after the body of a woman is washed up on the banks of the River Tyne.

10.00 Farewell Doc Martin. (Ma, R)

10.50 Operation Buffalo. (Final, Malv, R)

11.50 Just Between Us. (Malns, R)

12.50 Les Misérables. (Mv, R)

1.50 Victoria. (PG, R)

2.40 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

4.15 The Recording Studio. (PG, R)

5.00 Insiders. (R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.10 Blue Water Safari. (PG) 10.05 Love Your Garden. (PGa, R) 11.05

Paul O’Grady For The Love Of Dogs: What Happened Next. (PG) 12.00 WorldWatch.

1.00 Speedweek. 3.00 Figure Skating. European C’ships. H’lights. 4.40 Secrets Of The Tower Of London. (PGa, R) 5.30 WWII Battles For Europe. (PGaw, R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Ancient Egypt By Train: Alexandria.

8.30 Dan Snow’s Greatest Discoveries. Part 1 of 3.

9.30 Expedition Bermuda Triangle. (PGalv, R) A look at the Bermuda Triangle.

11.00 24 Hours In Emergency. (Ma, R)

12.50 Pandemic 2020. (Ma, R)

4.00 The Source. (Mal, R)

4.50 Destination Flavour: Japan Bitesize. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.15 France 24 Feature.

5.30 Al Jazeera News.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Border Patrol. (PG) Customs deal with a Lithuanian man who has questionable holiday plans. A risky item lands at the mail centre.

7.30 MOVIE: Black Panther. (2018, Mv, R) The Black Panther, a superhero and newly crowned ruler of the African kingdom of Wakanda, must defend his claim to the throne against a claimant whose plans would threaten his people’s future. Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong’o, Michael B. Jordan.

10.25 Australian Idol. (PGl, R) Hosted by Ricki-Lee and Scott Tweedie.

12.30 Home Shopping. (R)

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Space Invaders. (PGa)

8.30 MOVIE: Godzilla Vs. Kong. (2021, Mav)

10.45 MOVIE: Species. (1995, MA15+hlsv, R)

12.45 Living On The Coast. (R)

1.10 Australia’s Top Ten Of Everything. (PGs, R)

2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PGa)

2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 Global Shop. (R) 5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Helping Hands. (PG)

6.00 Bondi Rescue. (PGl, R) A husband and wife are washed off rocks.

6.30 To Be Advised.

7.30 NCIS: Los Angeles. (Mav) A US Marine falls ill during a training mission after an attack by a genetic weapon.

9.30 FBI: International. (Mav) The Fly Team questions an NYPD officer who is under arrest for assault in the breakaway Moldovan state of Transnistria, amid claims that a sex trafficking ring is being concealed by those in power.

11.30 NCIS. (Mv, R) A US Navy officer is murdered.

12.30 Home Shopping. (R)

5.00 Hour Of Power.

PG) 6.40 Ping Pong Summer. (2014, PG) 8.30 Nurse Betty. (2000, MA15+) 10.35 Sleeping Beauty. (2011, MA15+) 12.30am Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 8.25 Dean Spanley. (2008, PG) 10.15 The Movie Show. 10.50 Three Colours: Red. (1994, M, French) 12.40pm How To Be A Good Wife. (2020, M, French) 2.45 Time Bandits. (1981, PG) 4.55 Three

5.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R) 6.00

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Australian Idol. (PG) Hosted by Ricki-Lee and Scott Tweedie.

8.45 Maternal. (Mal) As Maryam fights to control her anxiety, Catherine weighs up what it will take to progress as a female surgeon.

9.45 What The Killer Did Next: Nadine Aburas. (Mav) Hosted by Philip Glenister.

10.45 Born To Kill? Dale Hausner And Samuel Dieteman. (MA15+av)

11.45 Autopsy USA. (Mads, R)

1.00 Home Shopping.

5.00 Seven Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 Married At First Sight. (PGls)

8.40 60 Minutes. Current affairs program.

9.40 Nine News Late. A look at the latest news and

10.10 Australian Crime Stories. (Mv, R)

11.10 The First 48. (Ma) 12.00 Manhunt: The Wests. (MA15+av, R) 12.50 Explore TV. (R) 1.20 He Said/She Said.

6.30 The Sunday Project. A look at the day’s news.

7.30 Australian Survivor. A tribe faces what could be one of the most catastrophic Tribal Councils ever witnessed.

9.10 NCIS: Hawai’i. (Mv, R) After Tennant and the team are tasked with finding a globetrotting social media star who has been kidnapped, they find out that she is not the person her husband, or her followers, think she is.

10.10 FBI. (Msv, R) The team tracks down a shooter.

11.00 The Sunday Project. (R)

12.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

SBS MOVIES (32)

(2019, PG, Portuguese) 6.45 Flight Of The Navigator. (1986, PG) 8.30 Without A Clue. (1988, PG) 10.35 Free Fire. (2016, MA15+) 12.05am Late Programs.

(64)

ONTHEBOX

MONDAY, February 13

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.15 World’s Most Secret Homes. (PG) 10.10 Billy Connolly: Great American Trail. (Man, R) 11.05 The Story Of Sugar. (PG) 12.05 WorldWatch. 2.00 Lost Worlds And Hidden Treasures. (PGa, R) 3.00 Mastermind Aust. (R) 4.00 Who Do You Think You Are? UK. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

COFFS COAST NEWS OF THE AREA

TUESDAY, February 14

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.10 Billy Connolly: Great American Trail. (Ma, R) 11.05 The Story Of Tea. (PG) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Cook Up Bitesize. (R) 2.05 Lost Worlds And Hidden Treasures. (PGa, R) 3.15 Mastermind Aust. (R)

4.15 Britain’s Cathedrals With Tony Robinson. (PGav, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (PGa, R) 5.30

Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Sunrise. 10.00 NFL. Super Bowl LVII. Kansas City Chiefs v Philadelphia Eagles. 3.00 The Chase. Hosted by Bradley Walsh.

Seven News At 4.

The Chase Australia. Contestants race to answer quiz questions correctly to avoid being caught by The Chaser.

6.30 7News @ 6:30.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) John and Alf dive into the tech world.

7.30 Australian Idol. (PG) Hosted by Ricki-Lee and Scott Tweedie.

9.15 Starstruck. (PG) The next four teams go head-to-head for a place in the final and a chance to win the £50,000 prize.

10.30 The Latest: Seven News.

11.00 Busted In Bangkok. (MA15+as, R)

12.00 MOVIE: Secrets In Suburbia. (2017, MA15+a, R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

5.00 Seven Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

6.30 The Project.

7.30 Australian Survivor. Presented by Jonathan LaPaglia.

8.40 Would I Lie To You? Australia. (Return, Ml) Two teams, including Rebecca Gibney, Luke McGregor, Harley Breen and Concetta Caristo, go head-to-head.

9.40 Ghosts. (PGds) Sam gives relationship advice to Freddie.

10.10 FBI: Most Wanted. (Mv, R) The team goes after the vigilante.

11.00 The Project. (R)

12.00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.

1.55

6.00 7News Local.

6.30 7News @ 6:30.

7.00

(MA15+v, R)

6.30 The Project. The hosts and guest panellists take a look at the day’s news, events and hot topics.

7.30 Australian Survivor. A survivor favourite brings a shocking twist that will flip the game on its head.

9.10 NCIS. (M, R) The team is immersed in the world of food trucks after a man is found frozen to death in the back of one.

11.00 The Project. (R) The hosts and guest panellists take a look at the day’s news, events and hot topics.

12.00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) Late-night talk show.

1.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

Orara Dingoes score $5,500 grant from

STORY STARTS ON BACK COVER - Page 48

“The grant resources will go towards improving the field, which will be really cool.”

The Matilda’s kick off their

World Cup campaign against Ireland on 20 July 2023 in Sydney which is good news for women’s football.

“We're hoping to run a ‘Kick On for Women’,” said Ruby

“We already have thirteen

women that are registered, eleven of them haven't played for us before, so that's actually really exciting for the club.

“Female football is really big in the area, so for us to grow the club in that aspect is

really exciting.

“The Women’s World Cup is definitely a pump-up for us.

“We'll have our senior women's team and we are looking for numbers to try and get an over 30's team.

“We haven't had one of

those at the club before so hopefully we can get the numbers.

“Hopefully some of the girls really enjoy the ‘Kick On for Women’ and decide to join the club this season.”

Member for Coffs Harbour

Gurmesh Singh was delighted to see the benefits at the grassroots and couldn’t resist a kick around with the next generation of footballers.

“From girls and boys lacing up their boots for the first time to participants

WEDNESDAY, February 15

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 World’s Most Secret Homes. (PG) 9.55 Confucius Was A Foodie. 11.00 The Story Of Coffee. (PG) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.05 Lost Worlds And Hidden Treasures. (PGavw, R) 3.15 Mastermind Aust. (R) 4.15 Britain’s Cathedrals With Tony Robinson. (PGav, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The

11.05 Cargo. (Mal)

12.00 Thin Blue Line. (MA15+alv, R)

2.15 Face To Face. (Premiere, Ma)

Mastermind Australia. (R)

Bamay. (R)

English

THURSDAY, February 16

R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 World’s Most Secret Homes. (Final, PG) 9.55 Confucius Was A Foodie. 11.00 The Story Of Cheese. (PG) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Bamay. (R) 2.20 Walking Britain’s Roman Roads. (PGa, R) 3.15 Mastermind Aust. (R) 4.15 Britain’s Cathedrals With Tony Robinson. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

7.35 From Paris To Rome With Bettany Hughes. (PG)

8.30 American Presidency With Bill Clinton. (PG)

9.20 Miniseries: The Walk-In. (MA15+)

10.15 SBS World News Late.

10.45 L’Opera. (Ml, R) 11.40 World On Fire. (MA15+v, R)

3.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

4.30 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 7News Local.

6.30 7News @ 6:30.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)

7.30 Code 1: The Lismore Floods. (M)

8.30 The Front Bar: All Sports Edition. (Ml) A lighter look at the world of sport.

9.30 Kitchen Nightmares Australia. (MA15+l, R) Hosted by Colin Fassnidge.

10.35 The Latest: Seven News.

11.05 Police Code Zero: Officer Under Attack. (Mlv, R)

12.05 Filthy Rich. (Mas, R)

1.00 Home Shopping. (R)

5.00 Seven Early News.

6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news and events.

7.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa) Narrated by Dr Chris Brown.

8.40 Fire Country. (Mv) After a hiker trying to take a selfie falls off a cliff, Bode and Jake put aside their differences to make a rescue.

9.40 Bull. (PGa, R) Izzy puts the brakes on her wedding to Bull after he jeopardises Benny’s election campaign.

11.30 The Project. (R)

12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

6.30 The Project.

7.30 Taskmaster Australia. (PGl) Hosted by Tom Gleeson.

8.30 The Montreal Comedy Festival. (Mls) Ronny Chieng takes to the Just For Laughs Montreal stage for his very own comedy gala.

9.30 Law & Order: SVU. (MA15+adv) The team investigates a sexual assault by a man wearing a crow mask at an underground party.

11.30 The Project. (R)

12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

from Northern NSW Football Legacy Fund

in our elite development programs, local players will benefit from projects funded through the NSW Football Legacy Program,” Mr Singh said.

“Sport is part of the fabric of our community and I look

forward to seeing the positive impact this program has on local football, at all levels.”

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said these projects and programs will ensure the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 leaves a lasting legacy

for football across the state.

“Having the World Cup on home soil is a once-ina-lifetime opportunity that will inspire young girls and boys to lace up the boots and emulate their football heroes,” Mr Henskens said.

“With six months to go before the tournament kicks off, there is already an enormous buzz around football and this program will help local clubs capitalise on excitement by running programs that will boost

participation in the sport.

“It will also deliver funding to improve infrastructure, creating more modern and accessible facilities for communities across NSW.”

The FIFA Women’s

World Cup 2023 will feature 32 teams competing in 64 matches across Australia and New Zealand during July and August with seven games at Allianz Stadium and four at Accor Stadium, including a Semi Final and the Final.

COFFS COAST

Friday, 10 February 2023

Dingoes Score Grant

By David WIGLEY

the growth of female football.

Orara’s Ruby Kenny couldn’t contain her enthusiasm for the upcoming 2023 season

“We're super pumped,” she said.

The funding will go towards improving coach education, purchasing new equipment, free school holiday clinics and nurturing

“Registrations opened today (1 February), we already have some pretty good numbers, so it's pretty exciting.

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THE Orara Valley Dingoes hit the back of the net, landing a $5,500 grant from the Northern NSW Football Legacy Fund.

q Orara Valley Dingoes hit the back of the net with a $5,500 grant. Photo: David Wigley.