Coffs Coast News Of The Area 12 April 2024

By Andrea

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our community.

“Phyllis has been a long-time advocate for seniors on the Coffs Coast, most particularly to inspire and encourage them to step out of their comfort zones and enjoy new experiences,” Mr Singh said.

“She has volunteered her time for many organisations including Radio CHYFM, the Salvation Army Family Store, the Coffs Harbour Table Tennis Club, the Coffs Seniors Computer Club and at Coffs Harbour Health Campus, where she drives the courtesy buggy.”

Phyllis found her purpose in helping others in her early 30s as a mum of three young children.

“My husband had a truck accident, aged 32, and was hospitalised for thirteen years until he passed away,” Phyllis told News Of The Area.

Following her husband’s passing, it was Phyllis’ mother who instilled in her the strength to carry on.

“Mum said to me: ‘Phyllis, you’ve got to get out of bed and help because there’s three young people here depending on you’.

“Her words were like an injection into me to get up, go out and help people, like they had helped me.”

Since then Phyllis has been out and about helping others in any way she can.

She recently campaigned to have Coffs Harbour’s hospital pool reopened to the public so seniors could return to their water aerobics classes.

Despite her best efforts, the pool was not reopened, so Phyllis found an alternative location.

“We’ve set up a seniors’ exercise group for water aerobics at Boambee Swim School.

“There’s been a phenomenal response, I could take more but I haven’t got the room,” she said.

For those heading towards retirement and

looking for ways to contribute, Phyllis gives the following advice, originally offered by her mother.

“People won’t knock on your door; you must go out there.

“The Salvation Army and other op shops are desperate for people to help with an hour a day, or short shifts.”

Apart from the benefit to the community, Phyllis said there are personal benefits from volunteering too.

“It’s the social side of the role…sitting around over morning tea talking through your troubles and having a chat helps you see the brighter side of things.”

A MAN appeared in court on Tuesday charged following an investigation into alleged child approaches at Red Rock last week.

“About 4pm on Thursday 4 April 2024 two girls aged ten were leaving a shop on Lawson Street, Red Rock, when a man allegedly gestured at them to approach him,” a NSW Police spokesperson told NOTA.

“The girls ignored the man and walked away.

Man charged over alleged child approaches Can you write?

Coast is what News Of The Area (NOTA) is all about.

Since successfully launching in mid2020, amid widespread newspaper closures, the independently-owned and family-run NOTA has been keeping locals up to date with all the latest news, sport, current affairs and more.

Now, NOTA is seeking more enthusiastic locals with a background in writing to join

“About 4.45pm, a nine-year-old girl and seven-year-old boy were walking along Park Street, when a man pulled up in a vehicle and spoke to them.

“The pair ran away before the man allegedly approached and spoke to them again, before they ran off.

“About 5.15pm, the same man was allegedly seen hiding in bushland at Little Beach and police were notified.”

the team.

“If you have a background in writing, and a passion for your local community, I would love to hear from you,” said NOTA Group Editor Douglas Connor.

“As the paper continues to grow, we are always looking for enthusiastic wordsmiths to help cover the region’s news, sport, events, music etc.”

Writing for NOTA can be an amazing way to connect with your local community,

Officers from Coffs/Clarence attended and commenced inquiries into the incidents.

Following inquiries and a public appeal, investigators arrested a 30-year-old man after he attended Coffs Harbour Police Station about 6pm on Monday 8 April 2024.

The man appeared before Coffs Harbour Local Court on Tuesday 9 April 2024, where he was granted conditional bail to appear before the same court on Wednesday 24 April 2024.

to meet some of the awe-inspiring locals creating change in the area, and to learn and experience the unique elements of life in our region.

Writing for NOTA is flexible, with contributor reporters able to submit as many or as few stories per week to fit in with their present lifestyle and commitments.

If you want to be a part of helping the community get its weekly local news hit, then let's start the conversation.

Send us an email telling us a bit about yourself to media@newsofthearea.com.au.

q Phyllis Taylor (right) receives her Seniors Local Achievement Award 2024 from Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh.

TELLING the incredible stories of the Coffs

Brelsford Park begins transformation

By Andrea FERRARI

STAGE one upgrade works are in full swing at Coffs Harbour’s Brelsford Park.

Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan joined Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh on site recently to check in on the works currently underway.

Just under $5 million was successfully awarded to the project as part of the Federal and State Coalition Governments’ Bushfire Local Economic Recovery program in July 2021.

Following the successful grant bid, Coffs Harbour City Council (now City of Coffs Harbour) invited community and key stakeholder feedback on design elements of the proposed plan.

Works are scheduled to be completed later this year.

Once completed the area will include an outdoor performance amphitheatre, a new amenities block, picnic shelters, seating, gardens and LED lighting, all connected by a series of wide paths.

Currently in progress, stage one upgrades include construction of a new allabilities entrance to the park and a community event space which includes a small stage

and amphitheatre.

Speaking to accessibility for wheelchair users and vision-impaired people, Mr Conaghan told News Of The Area, “There will also be a space for a Mobile Kiosk, added public amenities, pathway connections to assist mobility aids and prams and new picnic facilities as well as seating and shelters to enhance user comfort and enjoyment.

“In this day and age, there is an expectation that all taxpayer-funded public assets meet modern inclusivity standards; these spaces should be able to be enjoyed by all and grants are generally awarded with these updates in mind.”

A spokesperson for the City of Coffs Harbour told News Of The Area, “The Earl St footpath is nominally 2.5m wide, and the alignment is sympathetic to retaining existing street trees, power poles and various underground facilities wherever possible.

“The improvement works include two new accessible car parks near the southern end.

“The accessible car parks are positioned to allow access via an existing path to the playground, amenities, and general park area.

“Line marking will also be provided along Albany

St, where again parallel parking will be retained,” the spokesperson said.

Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said it was pleasing to see work on this important upgrade now underway.

“Brelsford Park, at the heart of our city, has long been considered the jewel in the crown,” he said.

“We’re fortunate to have this special place next to Coffs Harbour’s CBD but it has desperately needed the reinvigoration which is now taking shape.”

The City of Coffs Harbour says Brelsford Park will retain

its open feel which lends itself to mass community celebrations such as the Coffs Coast Carols.

“The improvements are thoughtful and will enhance the open community space,” City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Cr Paul Amos said.

According to the City of Coffs Harbour, the detailed design of the Brelsford Park works was informed by an Access Design Report but not the Coffs Harbour Disability Inclusion and Access Advisory Committee (DIACC).

The DIACC has not met since October 2022 but a meeting is planned for May 2024.

q Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan and Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh touring the stage one construction works at Brelsford Park.

q City of Coffs Harbour Open Space and Buildings project leader Andrew Gray and Brelsford Park works site manager Jacob Hamilton.

Proposed changes to caravan and small home regulations

By Andrea FERRARI

AS NSW battles a housing crisis the NSW Government is looking into changing planning permission for dwellers of caravans and small homes.

Under proposed legislative changes, if someone is living in a caravan connected to power and water for longer than six months or if the caravan exceeds 20 square metres, they would need council approval.

Currently, the Local Government (Manufactured Home Estates, Caravan Parks, Camping Grounds and Moveable Dwellings) Regulation 2021 allows people to live in a caravan or campervan on a private property indefinitely if it is used by someone from the main household.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully told News Of The Area, “It’s been 30 years since the current regulation for regulations around caravan parks, manufactured home estates and moveable dwellings were reviewed.

“A lot of the industry has

changed, some good and some bad.

“We’re wanting to focus on what’s working well and build on it.

“Any changes made will not be applied retrospectively.

“I am very conscious of the fact that caravans are home to vulnerable people who would be at increased risk of homelessness should parks close down.

“In a time where we are increasingly seeing tiny homes and movable dwellings becoming permanent secondary residencies, we also want to provide our councils with peace of mind when planning for local amenities and infrastructure.

“For example, last week, the Mayor of Shellharbour City Council put up a recommendation to trial a two-year pilot program that would allow mobile tiny homes to be used as rental accommodation in association with an existing dwelling.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) told NOTA, “The proposed changes would not

be retrospectively applied to any caravan that has been installed under the current exemptions, or in accordance with a current council approval.

“Families and individuals who are currently living in caravans would not be impacted by these changes.

“Where the installation of a caravan doesn’t satisfy the proposed exemption criteria, the approval process would fall under section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993.

“A Development Application would not be required.”

The DPHI also pointed out that the council approval process is not the same as the DA process that many people are familiar with.

Councils can issue approvals in a faster average timeframe of between 30–60 days with variable application fees.

City of Coffs Harbour Councillor Tony Judge told NOTA he has mixed feelings about the proposed change to the rules governing installation of caravans on residential blocks.

"The proposed rules do give greater certainty to

Councils and landholders as to what is permissible.

“However, the rules are far more restrictive than current arrangements and may result in fewer cases where a caravan or mobile home can be deployed as temporary housing.

“If that is the case, it would be a terrible outcome in the current housing crisis.”

q Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully.

Mr Judge noted that a temporary home in a caravan may be the only opportunity for many people to avoid joining the rising number of people who are homeless, particularly in regional NSW.

“I will be asking the Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson and her office to consider a submission to the Planning

Minister, seeking an assurance that proposed changes do not have the effect of increasing housing stress and homelessness."

The consultation draft is currently under consideration.

For more information visit www.planningportal. nsw.gov.au/manufacturedhome-estates.

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If you are an adult at higher risk of severe illness or are 65 years and over, a free COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for you every 6 to 12 months.

CARBON QUESTIONS

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habitat in the state until a system is in place to utilise native forests for carbon offsets.

The video report's release comes as over 100 political leaders, academics, environment and climate experts sign an open letter calling on NSW Premier Chris Minns to end all logging in public native forests and immediately gazette the proposed Great Koala National Park (GKNP) as promised.

Signatories to the open letter include former opposition leader Dr John Hewson AM, former RBA Governor Bernie Fraser and former Australian Conservation Foundation President Geoff Cousins.

The Australia Institute is an independently-funded think tank that does not accept donations from political parties.

The video report was produced by Walkley Awardwinner and former senior ABC journalist Stephen Long, Senior Fellow and

Contributing Editor at the Australia Institute.

The report accuses the NSW Government of stalling on saving koalas and gazetting the touted national park in the hope of making money from the forest by selling carbon offsets to polluters.

In NSW Budget Estimates on 25 October 2023, NSW Premier Chris Minns stated, “There are many industries, many companies, governments around the world that are desperate for carbon offsets, and would be looking at jurisdictions like New South Wales in relation to that.

“I mean, you have to have the system up and running before you can quarantine a park or an area to allow for that area or that zone to be eligible for the carbon transfer.

“If you do it in reverse, then you can't retroactively go to that national park or that forest and say this will now apply to carbon offsets in the future.”

A spokesperson from the office of the Minister for the

Environment, Penny Sharpe, admitted that work to develop a GKNP did involve “an assessment of potential carbon benefits”.

“Work is underway on the process to establish the Great Koala National Park.

“$80 million is committed and reference groups are providing advice.

“Carbon credits could allow for the continuation of expansion of greenhouse gas emissions that pose an existential threat to the forests, to the koalas and to

“Australia Institute research has consistently identified serious issues with the integrity of carbon credits and their use as offsets.”

Mr Long said there are a “thousand good reasons” to protect koalas and forest biodiversity.

“Their value does not lie in their capacity to legitimise big polluters to continue to pollute,” he said.

Veteran forest campaigner Susie Russell, who features in Mr Long’s report, said, “We are coming out of an era where we haven’t been able to see the forests for the wood.

“This proposal is taking us into an era where we don’t see the forests for the carbon.

“We need to recognise that the benefits the forests provide are priceless.

“We don’t need to monetise the carbon in the forests, we just need to stop the logging.”

The journalist behind the report, Stephen Long, said the NSW Government came to power with a policy to “create a vast new national park and curtail logging”.

“It is now seeking to financialise native forests through the creation of carbon credits, delaying protection to vital koala

“The process includes thorough environmental, economic, social and Aboriginal cultural heritage assessments which were part of the election commitment.”

Geoff Cousins, the former President of the Australian Conservation Foundation, said, “The Minns Government must see from the outcome of its Koala Summit that a powerful coalition of forces is building quickly to achieve an immediate halt to all logging in areas of native forests that may be part of the proposed Great Koala National Park, and then a complete cessation of logging in all native forests in NSW.

“The government needs to take the initiative and act to protect the habitat and food source of these endangered animals as it promised to do.

“Time has run out.”

Have your say on city centre parking

Do you find it easy to find a car spot in the city centre, and do you have a personal preference on where you like to park? Have you identified some parking issues and areas where things could be better?

Virginia Young from Wilderness Australia said, “The logging industry can see the writing on the wall, and is now trying to argue that carbon credits units will make their industry more sustainable.

“We should see this for the spin it is.”

The video report, ‘The Carbon Credit Grift Destroying Koala Habitat’, can be found at https:// australiainstitute.org.au.

The survey will help shape the development of a car parking plan.

There are several ways you can have your say:

City of Coffs Harbour has launched an online survey and encourages residents to respond so it can get the widest picture possible of the parking situation in the city centre.

- Take the online survey

- Map your experience via the online interactive map

- Head along to a pop-up session to speak with City planning staff.

To find out more, visit https://haveyoursay. coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/cityparking-strategy

The public consultation process will close on 14 May.

This will be held at the Coffs Coast Growers Market from 8am to 2pm on Thursday 2 May.

A Draft Parking Plan will be reported to Council later in 2024, and subject to Council approval, it will be placed on public exhibition providing further opportunity for feedback.

q Australia Institute Senior Fellow and Contributing Editor Stephen Long and local resident John Pile survey an area of cleared plantation.

q NSW Premier Chris Minns discusses carbon credits in Budget Estimates in October 2023.

q Coffs Coast local John Pile featured in the report from the Australia Institute.

CITY of Coffs Harbour wants to hear residents’ views on the parking situation in the heart of town.

Coffs Harbour Show’s 110th birthday bonanza

By Andrea FERRARI

THE Coffs Harbour Show is on track for a bumper 110th birthday event, coming to the city’s Showground on the weekend of 26-28 April 2024.

Organisers are aiming to integrate new ideas with traditional agricultural show favourites.

“We have introduced new competitions, as diverse as Lego, across age categories, for building from a boxed set or freestyle construction using a Lego kit, to cookery where we have new cake and decorating classes,” Coffs Harbour Show President Alice Rehwinkel told News Of The Area.

“We have lots of entertainment booked for all ages to enjoy, from hula-hooping to working dogs.

“There will be reptile shows, alpacas, goats, horses and cattle on show.

“Other entertainment includes mower races, the Young Women's Competition, show jumping, historic vehicles and the Australian Rodeo Queen to lead out the Grand Parade on Saturday at 2pm,” she said.

There will be lots of fun to be had on the carnival rides and in Sideshow Alley throughout the show, kicking off from 4pm on Friday afternoon.

Organisers are still taking bookings for trade stalls across the weekend and car boot

q Coffs Harbour Show committee members drumming up awareness at a Bunnings Warehouse BBQ on Friday 4 April.

stalls for the Saturday market.

The Coffs Harbour Show is once again holding a Window Display competition.

Businesses across the city are invited to create an eye-catching window display themed around the Show.

The committee votes on the overall best display, which wins a show entry prize pack.

The Band Showcase is another introduction this year.

This is in the format of a community stage for musicians to showcase their talents and provide live music across the weekend.

“Whether you’re a rock band, pop sensation, or acoustic duo, Coffs Show wants you,” said Alice.

“We’re excited to confirm local emerging band Colour me Tragic will be playing in the Band Showcase.”

“We’d like to thank the great sponsorship already received and invite Coffs Harbour businesses to sponsor the show in different categories such as in the horse events, or towards entertainment or the overall show, in return for publicity through our promotions for the show,” said Alice.

Forest campaigners share environment award

By Andrew VIVIAN

THE recent NSW Environment Awards 2024, held by the Nature Conservation Council NSW, recognised two conservationists from the Mid North and North Coasts.

Sandy Greenwood and Susie Russell shared the Dunphy Award, given to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to the conservation of the NSW Environment, and courageously challenged government and nongovernment decisionmakers.

The award is in honour of Myles and Milo Dunphy.

Myles Dunphy (18911985) campaigned for national parks and wilderness in NSW and Myles’ son, Milo (19281996), led the fight to preserve the Colong Caves and the Kanangra-Boyd wilderness.

Ms Greenwood is a First Nations actor, voice artist, writer, director and cultural consultant.

In 2020, she became the first Aboriginal woman in history to take the Forestry Corporation of NSW to the Land and Environment Court, where she won, protecting significant Gumbaynggirr cultural heritage.

Ms Greenwood was instrumental in two successful campaigns to halt logging in both Nambucca and Newry State Forest on NSW’s Mid North Coast.

She made her directing debut with a film, ‘Murruy’, about campaigns to protect the Nambucca and Newry State Forests.

Raised on Bowraville Mission and the eldest child of a Stolen Generations survivor, Ms Greenwood is the first person in her family to go university, graduating with a FirstClass Honours degree in Theatre from Queensland University of Technology in 2002.

She has worked for Australia’s leading theatre companies including

Sydney Theatre Company, Melbourne Theatre Company, Belvoir Theatre and has tread the boards internationally for the Atlantic Theater Company in New York City and the Seattle Children’s Theatre Company in Washington.

As a Gumbaynggirr custodian and native title holder, she was raised on her traditional homelands, speaking her language, practising her culture and advocating for the protection of her land.

“All those nominated and selected as winners demonstrate the heart and drive that goes into fighting the good fight,” Ms Greenwood said.

“It’s not always an easy path to take and so it’s vital that we honour the determination needed to keep showing up to protect country.”

Susie Russell’s passion for forest protection was sparked in 1992 when she first visited an old growth forest.

She was awed by its magnificence and shocked

that living beings hundreds of years old could be destroyed.

Since then she has volunteered for the North East Forest Alliance and has represented conservation interests on numerous committees, including as Chair of the Board of the Forest Stewardship Council (Australia) as well as important roles in the North East Forest Alliance (NEFA), North Coast Environment Council and more recently the Rainforest Information

Centre.

Ms Russell has devoted her considerable expertise and networking skills to keeping these organisations functioning, while also being an active and effective campaigner and lobbyist.

Her roles have varied from organising forest actions and community surveys, to catering for the Coffs Harbour koala conference and assisting the Trees Not Bombs cafe after the disastrous 2002

She has supported NEFA's recent court challenges and been instrumental in organising advertising as a third party campaigner in the last two state elections.

“There have been some successes along the way but there is much to do,” Ms Russell said.

“So, there is no retiring in the foreseeable future, because the future facing our forests at the moment is dire.”

Lismore floods.

q Susie Russell (centre) in Bulga State Forest. Photo: supplied by Susie Russell.

q Sandy Greenwood in Nambucca State Forest. Photo: Callum Hockey.

Arty locals exhibit talents at Botanic Gardens

By Andrea FERRARI

SIX Coffs Coast artists will present a handmade arts and crafts show from Sunday 14 April to Sunday 21 April at the Botanic Gardens.

Every school holiday for many years, the Combined Art & Craft Group has put on a free exhibition featuring a huge range of works in different mediums, depending on the artists involved at the time.

“We all enjoy participating in this exhibition and especially talking with the

many visitors about what we do,” participating artist Maxine Kohlhagen told News Of The Area.

“The exhibition is a great two-way opportunity for visitors to meet and talk with the artists, too.”

The Autumn 2024 exhibition features the handmade work of six artists who call the Coffs Coast home.

There will be paintings in various mediums by Mary Abbott, Isabella Brandli and Libby Dal Pozzo.

Arts and crafts items

will be on display by the other three artists - Marion Crear, Maxine Kohlhagen and Yvonne Smith.

Isabella Brandli works in mixed media and collage and produces pieces with lots of texture.

During the time she has been painting she has created her own style and occasionally produces a more traditional piece of artwork.

Today Mary Abbott works with acrylics, having explored other mediums during her painting career.

She loves painting animals and also spent a period painting old saws with acrylic paints.

Libby is currently favouring pastels and acrylics and is also painting on silk.

She’s exhibiting some handmade puppets together with puppet theatres that she’s made.

Yvonne Smith makes hand felted scarves, knits and crochets and also creates journals, books and cards.

Marion Crear is an expert in gelli printing and uses this technique for her journals, cards, bookmarks and collage work.

Some of her work includes her own poetry.

She also sews carry bags and pouches and makes jewellery.

Maxine Kohlhagen is

a calligrapher, porcelain painter, and makes glass suncatchers.

Another keen gelli print artist, she makes journals featuring this art on the covers.

Through her lifelong love of knitting and crocheting she continues to produce a

variety of useful and playful items.

Entry to the exhibition is free and everything is for sale.

There will always be two artists from the Combined Art & Craft Group on hand during the daily opening hours of 9:30am to 3:00pm.

q Artwork by Mary Abbott.

q Artwork by Yvonne Smith.

q Porcelain artwork by Maxine Kohlhagen.

q Handmade journals by Marion Crear.

Windscreen woes with Coffs Bypass trucks

By Andrea FERRARI

STATE and Federal Governments have pledged $2.2 billion for the development of the Coffs Harbour Bypass, but it appears $376 could not be found for the repair of a local's windscreen allegedly damaged by a stone during project roadworks.

Back in November 2023, Woolgoolga resident Donna Houghton was driving to Coffs Harbour hospital where she works as a nurse/midwife.

Her regular route takes her through Coffs Harbour Bypass works in Korora.

After hearing a loud noise while driving, Donna says she quickly realised a stone had hit her windscreen, causing a crack.

Ahead of her she saw the Coffs Harbour Bypass works, which she believes threw up the stone that did the damage.

She made a claim to the Coffs Harbour Bypass team’s Ferovial Gamuda Joint Venture (FGJV), which was declined.

Donna was then advised by Transport for NSW (TfNSW), which is overseeing the Coffs Harbour Bypass project, to make a claim to them, which she did at the end

of December 2023.

At the end of March 2024 she finally heard back from TfNSW.

“Your claim should be directed to the contractor, FGJV, who take responsibility for the construction of the Coffs Harbour bypass.

“We understand that you have already had your claim assessed and rejected by the FGJV following an enquiry into the incident,” the letter stated.

After multiple claim rejections, Donna said she is appalled by the response.

“So basically ‘tough luck’ and I have to somehow find a spare $376 to get the windscreen replaced myself, and in the meantime drive around with this cracked windscreen.

“I wonder how many other honest claims have been declined.”

A Transport for NSW spokesperson told NOTA, “People claiming damages against Transport for NSW or its contractors need to be able to demonstrate that any damages were caused by their activities.

“This claimant has been unable to identify the truck involved or provide any verifiable identification of the vehicle.

“When assessing her claim, Transport for NSW considered the high number of vehicles on the highway at the time and that there were other construction activities involving heavy vehicles happening in the area.

“While Transport for NSW sympathises with the applicant, without further evidence to support her claim that damages resulted from a stone thrown from a truck working on the bypass, the claim cannot be supported.”

However, providing proof that the truck caused the damage is nigh-on impossible, according to Donna.

By law, clear evidence is required, but Donna has no filmed or photographed evidence as the incident moved quickly.

“I was so scared when it happened, I didn't get particular vehicle details,” Donna told NOTA.

“All I knew was that it was one of the big road work trucks.”

Fun school holiday ideas

The April school holidays have arrived, so here’s a couple of ideas to keep the kids entertained.

The Water Worlds holiday program at Yarrila Arts and Museum (YAM) and Coffs Harbour Libraries offers a range of activities for children and families, including arts, crafts, and entertaining educational workshops. One of the highlights is a free silent disco, including pizza, at the Harry Bailey Memorial Library in Coffs Harbour on Tuesday 23 April. Check out the program of events in the What’s On sections of the YAM (yarrilaartsandmuseum.com.au) and Coffs Harbour Libraries (libraries. coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au) websites.

Over at the Jetty Memorial Theatre, there will be two presentations of the awardwinning family show ‘You’re a Doughnut’ on Tuesday 16 April. Recommended for kids aged 5-12 and their families, this is a unique biological-musical-comedyadventure, that explores the ins and outs of the human digestive system. There’s more detail on this and other family-friendly shows at jettytheatre.com

The beach is always a great option for the family and City of Coffs Harbour Lifeguards and volunteer Surf Lifesavers will patrolling the following beaches during the school holidays: Park Beach: 9am-4pm (daily); Sawtell Beach 9am-4pm (daily); Diggers Beach 9am-4pm (daily); Woolgoolga Beach: 9am-4pm on weekdays and 9am-3pm on weekends; Red Rock Beach 9am-3pm (weekends and public holidays only).

To simplify your local travel during the holidays, a reminder that City of Coffs Harbour is partnering with Busways and Forest Coach Lines to offer free bus travel every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, starting Friday 19 April and running to Sunday 14 July 2024.

So take advantage of the opportunity to travel for free, explore the region and support local activities and businesses on your journey.

Harry Bailey Memorial Library turns 60

It has a new home at Yarrila Place, but the Harry Bailey Memorial Library is celebrating 60 years on Monday 15 April! Come along from 11am to enjoy a free cupcake and delve into the rich history of the Harry Bailey Memorial Library, all while enjoying the new modern facilities and resources.

A reminder to library lovers, City of Coffs Harbour Libraries is also seeking input on expanding library services and activities beyond the three branches in Coffs Harbour, Woolgoolga and Toormina. You have until 5 May to complete the survey at haveyoursay.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/library-survey

Nominations open for community awards

Nominations are open from now until 3 May for the Yandaarra Aunty Grace Roberts Community Awards, which celebrate the work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who make a positive difference in the local community.

The awards have been running for 26 years and a ceremony will be held on 8 July as part of the City’s NAIDOC celebrations. To access the nomination form, visit the City of Coffs harbour website at coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au and search NAIDOC Week 2024.

Blood donation runs in the family

By Andrea FERRARI

CELEBRATING his 100th blood donation recently, Sawtell resident Greg Wishnowsky was joined by his eighteen-year-old daughter Kiara, who was donating blood for the first time.

“To be able to do my one hundredth donation with my daughter when she is doing her first makes it extra special,” Greg, 57, told News Of The Area.

Greg has been donating blood since his university days in New Zealand in the 1980s, when a mobile unit started using the campus.

Since he discovered his ‘universal donor’ O negative blood type includes another quality called CMV negative, making his blood a rare perfect match for premature babies, he

became a regular donor.

Whole blood can only be donated every three months, however Greg was recently introduced to the donation of plasma, which can be done every two weeks.

Regular plasma donation can be beneficial not only to the recipient but also the donor by helping to lower cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease.

“It’s a great community minded act knowing you are giving to people or babies when they are most in need of help.

“I make whole blood donations my priority because my blood type is rare, however I like to make time for plasma when I can.

“Only three percent of Australia’s population are regular blood donors so I’d

like to do what I can to get the message out - Australia needs more donors.

“It takes just half an hour to save three lives.”

Kiara is also a universal donor with O-blood, which means her blood can go to anybody who needs blood fast, like in an accident when cross matching is too time consuming.

She attends a local high school and is doing her HSC this year.

Kiara feels honoured to follow in her father’s footsteps and has always wanted to be a donor and help save lives.

“It felt amazing knowing that my blood is going to be used to save three lives.

“It doesn’t require much, as long as you’re eligible and healthy.

“I recommend everyone should give blood.”

Drum roll for Kayleigh

By Andrea FERRARI

NOVICE snare drummer

Kayleigh Ellington, aged fifteen, won the ‘scholarship’ prize in the solo drumming competition at the Maclean Highland Gathering over the Easter weekend.

A band member of Coffs Coast Pipes and Drums and student at St John Paul College, this was Kayleigh’s first ever drumming competition, winning a scholarship towards her ongoing tuition.

“The Coffs pipe band was ecstatic to hear Kayleigh’s name called out,” Coffs Coast Pipes and Drums band President Geoff Rogers told News Of The Area.

“A big cheer came from our group as we stood in the oval with the mass bands.

“Kayleigh has put a big effort into her practice under the tuition of the

“It’s

Drum Sergeant, Ivan Aleman, and has proven her dedicated work has paid off,” said Geoff.

This was the 119th Highland Gathering event in Maclean, a regular on the Coffs Coast Pipes and Drums calendar.

The event traditionally starts on the Friday evening of the long weekend, with bands marching in parade.

Leading this year’s turn out of 26 bands was the Maclean Pipe Band, followed by bands from Queensland and throughout NSW.

The NSW Highlanders band included players from Coffs Harbour.

“As is tradition, the town’s telegraph poles were covered in many tartans from throughout Scotland and the visitors had fun finding a tartan that was part of their family history.”

Saturday saw highland dancers gather for competitions, along with many highland games, including the caber toss and strong man and woman events.

“The kilted race is always a fun event for the crowd in the grandstand to watch,” said Geoff.

“The finale of the day is that all bands come onto the oval and march up and down to the joy of the crowd, all playing the same tunes at one time.

“It's always well run and a great event for the spectators.”

Many stores lined the lower part of Maclean showground during the event, selling souvenirs from Scotland.

Famous Australian kiltmaker Karen Manger from St Kilda Retail was there measuring up for kilts.

Karen has over 45 years of kilting experience, having completed her trade by going to Scotland and learning from the best on how to correctly pleat a kilt.

The bands competed in Grades 4A, 4B, Grade 3 and Grade 2, with many winners coming from Queensland.

The NSW Highlanders band came fourth in grade 4A and hope to improve

as they prepare to travel to Scotland in August to compete in the World Pipe Band Championships.

As a band member Geoff will be competing in Scotland at the European Championships on Sunday 11 August and a week later at the Glasgow World Championships.

“It's a very tough competition,” said Geoff, whose wife Dale is band manager and will also be on the Scottish trip.

Locally, Coffs Coast Pipes and Drums will lead the parade at Coffs Harbour Show on Saturday 27 April.

“Another big Scottish event in the area is the Bonnie Wingham weekend, held in the main oval in Wingham on Saturday 1 June.

“Lots of bands come along, with Scottish stores, medieval displays and highland dancers,” he said.

The Coffs Coast Pipes and Drums welcome new young members who would like to learn snare drumming or the bagpipes.

We would like to introduce our newest member of our team our Chef, Joy Cassells. We are so happy to welcome her aboard and so far, she has delighted us with her wonderful comfort food, fresh salads, pastas and yummy desserts. We look forward to seeing what other creations she comes up with during the coming winter months.

Don’t forget! We have lovely sandwiches, wraps and fruit platters for your next meeting. (24 Hours’ notice required).

Greg and Kiara said they will continue to be regular blood donors.

a nice quiet place to get some reading done,” said Greg, supported by

Kiara, who said, “It didn’t hurt like I thought it would.”

q Greg Wishnowsky makes his 100th donation, joined by daughter Kiara, who was giving blood for her first time.

q Kayleigh Ellington from Coffs Coast Pipes and Drums band, winner of the novice snare drumming competition, being presented with her ribbon and award by Justine from the MacLean Highland Gathering committee.

To Eisteddfod and beyond

By Andrea FERRARI

THE burgeoning careers of past Coffs Harbour & District Eisteddfod performers provide ongoing inspiration to the current crop of young students.

With all applications in for this year’s local Eisteddfod, participants are busy practicing for their performances, which begin in May.

Coffs Harbour & District Eisteddfod President Debbie Waters said it’s a great motivation to entrants to acknowledge past students who are now successfully pursuing careers in the performing arts.

“Coffs Harbour & District Eisteddfod has for over 50 years been a platform for Dance, Instrumental, Piano, Choirs, Vocal and Drama students, providing opportunities for performance, feedback and to obtain scholarships and awards to continue their chosen pathway,” said Debbie.

A number of students from Julie Ross Dance Studio (JRDS) have continued exciting journeys in dance, choreography and acting since leaving the local dance school.

Since graduating from JRDS in 2017, Jaimie Nirvana trained for four years at Launch Performing Arts Centre, gaining two

qualifications in Elite Dance and Dance Teaching and Management through the Australian Teachers of Dance (ATOD).

During her training, Jaimie was signed by her dream agent, PJ Clarke, and has since begun working in the commercial dance, theatre and film TV industry.

Some of Jaimie’s recent credits include ELVIS, Empire of the Sun, Gatsby (Sydney Opera House), L’Hôtel (Sydney Opera House) and The Wilds (Amazon Prime).

Ayden Hayes has been on his own exhilarating journey since graduating from JRDS in 2016.

“From competing at the hip hop world championships in the US to performing at EuroVision, my passion for dance has taken me around the globe,” Ayden told NOTA.

“I’ve had the privilege of working on some of the largest cruise ships, filming television commercials, and now I’m gearing up to embark on Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Utopia of the Seas.

“Despite facing setbacks along the way, I’ve persevered, and looking back, I’m thrilled with what I’ve accomplished.

“As I look to the future, I’m eager to continue chasing my dreams and exploring any and every opportunity that I can get my hands on.”

For the past two months, former JRDS student Darci O'Rourke has been on tour with Dancenorth, a contemporary dance company based in Townsville.

“It has been with deep joy and gratitude to share Wayfinder with regional Australia and larger cities which will tour again later this year.”

Before this, Darci spent three years dancing for the long-established Australian Dance Theatre, founded in 1965.

Kelsie Feltrin is currently living in Vancouver, Canada and working as an actor.

She is known for the TV mini-series ‘The Australian Wars' and continues a career working in short films, tv series, commercials and more.

Amy Gillespie is currently dancing as a trainee with the

Tulsa Ballet in Oklahoma.

She has featured in ballets with the main company as well as community outreach performances.

“It has been such a fun opportunity,” Amy told NOTA.

“I get to learn new, exciting choreography every day and to take classes with some world-renowned

dancers.”

Debbie Waters told NOTA the Coffs Harbour Eisteddfod is proud to be part of the students’ ongoing performing arts journeys, while expressing excitement for the current student group as they approach 2024 events.

“Any member of the public can come along, watch

Flu case numbers alarmingly high

THE National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) reported 26,836 influenza cases across Australia in the first quarter of 2024.

By February, case numbers were already double the number than what was reported the same time last year.

In 2020 and 2021 there were historically low levels of flu across the North Coast as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, however in

2022 and 2023 there was a resurgence due to the reopening of international borders, with cases peaking in June each year.

In June 2023, there were around 1,800 notifications of influenza (all strains) in Northern NSW and Mid North Coast local health districts.

Healthy North Coast is reminding residents across our region to book in for a flu shot this month, to ensure they boost their immunity leading into the winter flu season.

Whilst flu can circulate at any time, it's more likely to happen in the colder months of the year, between April and September.

A yearly flu shot is recommended for everyone aged six months and over, and the vaccine can often be given with other vaccines, including COVID-19.

Healthy North Coast CEO Monika Wheeler is urging the community to think now about their options for

receiving a flu shot.

“Last year, many in our community left it too late, with particularly high numbers of residents suffering from influenza due to the early start to the winter flu season,” Ms Wheeler explained.

“The highest level of protection happens in the first three to four months following vaccination which is why it is so important to receive a flu shot now.

“We are urging North Coast residents to ensure

they book in for a flu shot with their GP, local pharmacy, health professional or Aboriginal Medical Service as soon as possible,” Ms Wheeler added.

Mid North Coast GP Dr Debra King emphasised the importance of keeping up to date with vaccinations.

“Not only does getting vaccinated against influenza protect you from the debilitating effects of the flu, it also plays a crucial role in keeping our hospitals

and support these amazing students give it their all for the teachers, studios and adjudicators in 2024.

“You never know you could be watching the beginning of an amazing career, whether it’s a dancer, singer, actor or instrumentalist.”

and health services from becoming overwhelmed.

“Vaccination is a simple yet powerful tool in safeguarding our communities' health and preventing unnecessary hospitalisations."

According to the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), people who received an influenza vaccine in late 2023 are still recommended to get the flu vaccine in 2024.

ATAGI also advises that flu vaccines can be given on the same day as other vaccines, such as COVID.

q Amy Gillespie. q Darci O’Rourke.

q Jaimie Nirvana.

q Kelsie Feltrin.

q Ayden Hayes.

Women’s Health Centre receives boost

By Andrea FERRARI

IMPORTANT training and equipment has been donated to the Coffs Harbour Women’s Health Centre (CHWHC) by the Pink Silks Trust.

The Centre is run by women, for women, monitoring and responding to changing needs and demands in the community throughout the years.

One of the significant health issues that is commonly seen are vulvovaginal disorders.

“With the support of Pink Silks Trust, we have been able to upskill three of our GPs to provide early detection and biopsy for vulvar cancer,” Coffs Harbour Women’s Health Centre Manager Julie Chakos told News Of The Area.

“We have also been able to purchase vital equipment and surgical instruments used for biopsies, camera to record changes, speculum light and a specialised gynaecological examination couch, for which we are truly grateful.”

Dr Helena Johnston from the CHWHC told NOTA, “Many women would consider they have changes consistent with ageing or possibly recurring thrush (candidiasis) but in some cases it is related to precancerous change of vulvar cancer.

“Access to care for vulvar cancer takes place in tertiary centres, however improved detection of early changes will have a positive effect on outcomes for women with this condition,” Dr Johnston said.

Pink Silks Trust Chair and

co-founder Tanya Johnson OAM said it is important to increase awareness and improve access to vital services in regards to vulval cancer detection.

“We are so proud to once again partner with the CHWHC, their services and professionalism to deliver the positive outcomes of this donation to our local women,” Tanya told NOTA.

“This donation was the result of the Pink Silks Trust’s Latitude 30 High Tea in 2023, and we again acknowledge the generosity of all that attended and donated to that event, especially Latitude 30 Restaurant and Bar.”

Coffs Harbour Women’s Health Centre has been dedicated to the betterment of women’s health care and wellbeing since it began

Pete the propagator

By Andrea FERRARI

COMBINE Street Community Garden (CSCG) ran the fourth of its free sustainability workshops on Sunday 7 April despite the 150 mm of rain that fell the day before.

Presenter Pete Green discussed the theory of seed and plant propagation and raising seedlings in the garden.

Importantly Pete shared and showed techniques for plant regeneration and grafting.

“Not just a green thumb, Pete is very knowledgeable in plant propagation and ran a very informative session,” CSCG President Peter Lewis told News Of The Area.

Pete Green is very much a child of the 1963-86 television show ‘Why is it so?’ hosted by Prof Julius Sumner Miller, who revelled in cool experiments and interesting science.

With over 30 years

commercial nursery experience, Pete rejoices in exploring possibilities with growing plants.

Much of his working life has been as a nursery manager in wholesale plant propagation.

Today Pete works with community-based projects, introducing plant growing as therapy for those experiencing mental health issues and people with disabilities.

Pete ran though the best seed raising mediums, pot sizes or trays best suited for what you’re growing and ways to take softwood and hardwood cuttings and grafts.

“Growing your own food saves you money but saving seeds saves time, money and varieties that have been winners in your garden,” he said.

Now the president of the Combine Street Community Garden, Peter Lewis had his own unique entry into the

world of seed saving.

“We bought a secondhand washing machine from Lennox heads years ago and, noticing his veggie garden, we commented on the seller’s beans.

“He told us he’d been growing and saving those seeds for 50 years and they were a tasty, easy to grow variety.

“We labelled those beans ‘washing machine beans’ and have been very happy with them ever since.

“Vegetable seeds sometimes have certain qualities you want to preserve,” said Peter.

“They might be resistant to insect attack or disease or fruit earlier or later or have a superior taste to store bought varieties.

“So apart from saving money you avoid genetically modified crops or plants grown for commercial success but low on taste,” he said.

operating in the 1980s.

This donation plays a pivotal role in ensuring the Centre can continue to provide essential healthcare services to all women of our community.

The Composting Household Waste workshop held at CSCG on Sunday 17 March was also well attended and the presentation by Elizabeth Scott was very practical in its content.

“Liz brought multiple sources of compost material, mostly obtainable at no or little cost,” said Peter.

“The demonstration was directed to both apartment dwellers and those living in stand-alone housing.”

The next free workshop in the program is ‘Building Insect Pollinator Biodiversity’, to be held on Sunday 21 April.

In this workshop Steve McGrane (ABC gardening talkback host, presenter, teacher, writer and consultant) teaches participants how to get more bang for their pollinating buck.

The workshops are part of a series of sustainability workshops funded by envirofund through the City of Coffs Harbour.

Digital recordings are being made at each workshop which will be available online.

“The commitment of Pink Silks Trust to improve the health outcomes of women reflects a shared dedication to supporting women in our region,” Julie said.

“We are truly honoured

to partner with Pink Silks Trust in our mission to promote vulva health and awareness, addressing an underdiagnosed and not often understood condition.”

q Horticulturist Pete Green hosts a propagation workshop at Combine Street Community Garden.

You can register for the free workshops through the Coffs regional community gardens website at www. coffscommunitygardens.org. au.

Nominate a young person for Youth Awards

YOUNG people and their communities will celebrate Youth Week across Australia from 11 - 21 April.

Youth Week is an opportunity for young people to get involved in the planning, development and management of a whole range of activities.

It’s also an opportunity for young people to have their voices heard on matters that concern them and for us all to celebrate and highlight young people's efforts, achievements and potential.

Program Manager Families, Young People and Communities at Blue Sky Community Services Sue Currie told News Of The Area, “The Coffs Harbour Youth Services Network (YNet) have joined forces with some amazing young people who make up the Youth Week Youth

Committee to deliver a jam-packed week of free activities for young people for the 2024 National Youth Week.

“The committee of young people has collaborated to assist in the planning with local services to hold the exciting events over the week, which include Ramp Up, River Youth Fest, Concert for Climate, OneMob Radio Breakfast, Coffs Coast Youth Awards and much more.”

Blue Sky Community Services’ Youth and Family Service (YFS) is the lead organisation behind Youth Week in Coffs Harbour and has been coordinating the different events throughout the week.

Although Blue Sky is coordinating the array of Youth Week activities, it is not without the support of other local support services including Wesley Mission, Interrelate, Key Community Group, O2 Living and many

Big penalties on the cards for supermarket code breaches

HEFTY fines for supermarket misbehaviour could soon be on the cards, according to the initial findings of a review into the Food and Grocery Code released on Monday.

The independent reviewer, Dr Craig Emerson, made eight firm recommendations, including that the Code be made mandatory, with penalties of $10 million or more for serious breaches.

The Interim Report of the Review of the voluntary Food and Grocery Code of Conduct (the Code) makes a further three recommendations on which stakeholder views are sought.

The mandatory Code would be enforced by the competition watchdog, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

For serious breaches, the ACCC would be empowered by Parliament to seek penalties from the courts of up to $10 million, ten percent of a supermarket’s annual turnover, or three times the benefit it gained from the breach, whichever is greatest.

Penalties for less serious breaches would be up to 600 penalty units, which at present is $187,800.

Dr Emerson said making the code mandatory was essential to deal with the heavy imbalance in market power between the major players - Coles, Woolworths, ALDI, and Metcash - and their smaller suppliers.

“The voluntary Code of Conduct has no penalties, leaving the competition watchdog chained up on the back porch,” Dr Emerson said.

The Interim Report also makes firm recommendations to strengthen protections for suppliers against possible retribution from supermarkets.

“A new mechanism for making confidential complaints to the ACCC would be of great value to suppliers fearful of retribution from supermarkets if they made a complaint to them,” Dr Emerson said.

Dr Emerson’s support for making the Code mandatory was shared by

the ACCC, former ACCC Chairs Rod Sims and Allan Fels, the National Farmers’ Federation, AUSVEG, Australian Dairy Farmers, the Australia Chicken Growers’ Council, Fresh Markets Australia, and other stakeholders.

Dr Emerson pointed out that getting a better deal for smaller suppliers was also in the interests of supermarket customers.

“An effective Code of Conduct would benefit consumers through greater choice and better prices by enabling suppliers to innovate and invest in modern equipment to provide higher-quality products at lower cost,” he said.

NSW Farmers Vice President Rebecca Reardon said the report’s recommendations around the code could finally set the wheels in motion to address market power misuse by supermarket giants.

“For years, grocery giants have had near unfettered ability to use their market power against suppliers, with a lack of

accountability or penalties for any unconscionable behaviour impacting the supply chain,” Mrs Reardon said.

“Having a mandatory Code of Conduct for our supermarkets and their suppliers with enforceable, meaningful penalties for its breach could make the world of difference when it comes to cracking down on the harmful practices of these super powers.

“Anti-competitive activity needs to be stopped in its tracks, and it’s nice to hear the Federal Government step up and admit the current Code is not good enough.”

However, Mrs Reardon said Dr Emerson’s failure to back divestiture powers as one of the tools in the toolbox to address harmful behaviour by supermarkets was disappointing.

“Australia has one of the most highly concentrated supermarket sectors in the world, and this lack of competition has enabled these superpowers to behave as they have,” Mrs Reardon said.

“We need a number of

“Blue Sky Community Services’ Youth and Family Service (YFS) has also had the pleasure of funding and organising the Youth Week Awards 2024,” said Sue.

This year there are eight different categories with the winners for each category receiving $100 and the runners-up $50.

Nominations close at midnight on Tuesday 16 April 2024.

To nominate a young person for a Youth Award and to get more information on Youth Week 2024, visit the Blue Sky Community Services’ website at http://bluesky. org.au/youthweek/

Join your community in the celebrations to help acknowledge all the great work that young people are doing in the area, as well as the youth professionals who help them achieve their dreams.

q The independent reviewer, Dr Craig Emerson, made eight firm recommendations, including that the Code be made mandatory, with penalties of $10 million or more for serious breaches.

tools and reforms to address the issues at hand, and we have pointed to divestiture powers as one of these mechanisms that could in fact be very effective in busting supermarkets for unfair behaviour.

“Supermarkets have too much power, and too often, they are using it in a way that is hurting farmers and harming families.

“This market concentration is the core issue and the elephant in the room, which we need to address if we want to truly change the system.”

q 2023 Youth Awards winners Mia, Oriana, Jaslyn, Alyssa, Rataj and Nada with Blue Sky Community Services Youth Program Coordinator Sam Stanford (behind). Absent was Carmel.

Funding fuels collaborative community projects

By Andrea FERRARI

TENDERS are invited for the third round of funding in Healthy North Coast’s Community Wellbeing and Resilience (CWR) Program, closing 5pm Thursday 18 April 2024.

Designed to facilitate groups within communities to work together as a combined force to effect change, the program is held in high regard across the North Coast.

The CWR seeks out projects that support communities in their recovery from the health and wellbeing impacts of natural disasters and to build their capacity to respond to future events.

Not-for-profit community organisations can apply for $100,000 - $200,000 (excluding GST) per year, for up to two years, to deliver programs for the community that focus on:

- Improving community health and wellbeing through practical place-based projects that build social connection and social capital.

- Strengthening the capacity of volunteer and

community organisations to collaboratively respond to a changing climate by building partnerships and linkages between institutions, organisations or groups.

- Supporting resilience by ensuring communities are equipped with the knowledge, skills and resources to adapt to the health and wellbeing impacts of a changing climate.

Building community resilience is fundamental to improving health and wellbeing outcomes in the context of natural disasters and a changing climate.

Resilient communities predict and anticipate

disasters, respond and recover from the shock and improvise and innovate in response to disasters.

One previous recipient, the Bellingen-based OzGREEN, delivered a suite of programs and events designed to increase wellbeing, build capacity and facilitate community action to prepare for future disasters.

In total, OzGREEN delivered 36 disaster preparedness events, reaching 558 participants.

Throughout the project period, they also established partnerships with 40 local organisations who they continue to collaborate with

q Past funding recipient OzGREEN trained and supported local people in Kyogle and Evans Head to deliver its award winning Resilient Communities program.

on a regular basis to increase wellbeing and resilience across our region.

The majority of participants involved in OzGREEN’s project reported a greater sense of belonging and connection to their communities and increased skills, knowledge, networks and confidence to prepare for future disasters.

Healthy North Coast CEO Monika Wheeler acknowledged the impact that the CWR program has had since its inception in 2021.

“The North Coast of NSW is an identified natural disaster hotspot in Australia,” Ms Wheeler said.

“We have experienced the impacts of multiple disasters

in recent years, from the bushfires in 2021 to the Northern Rivers floods in 2022.

“Thanks to the CWR Program, we’ve been able to see the transformative impact of community-led initiatives that support recovery from natural disasters and to build resilience for the ones to come.

“I’m thrilled that, off the back of some successful past CWR projects, we can continue this program into 2024.

“I’d encourage all notfor-profits and NGOs in our region to have a think about how they might be able to make use of this funding to deliver impactful resilience and recovery initiatives for

their community.”

Partnerships and trust-building has been embedded into the grant process, otherwise known as participatory grant making (PGM).

PGM acknowledges the importance of involving communities in decisions made on their behalf.

It creates strong relationships between communities and grantees, increases opportunities for networking and collaboration, enables flexibility and innovation and enhances transparency.

It prioritises community organisations working together to put forward proposals, rather than competing for funds.

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q Community Wellbeing and Resilience participant Michelle Speck was mentored and supported by OzGREEN to work with Richmond Valley Council and a local donor to secure land and funding to establish a community garden in Woodburn after the 2022 floods.

EJ Mantova winners announced

By Andrea FERRARI

WINNERS of the EJ Mantova Memorial Art Prize have been announced, following the official opening of the annual event on Saturday 6 April at the Bellingen Gallery and Framing Studio.

The Art Prize attracted a record breaking 153 entries across four categories, each with a first prize of $500 and a second prize of $200.

Renowned local artist and this year’s Art Prize judge Karlee Rawkins announced the winners and provided a commentary on the winning entries with explanations behind her decisions.

Rawkins' commented that she gravitated towards pieces that resonated with her, favouring bold, authentic and quirky works with a distinctive artistic voice.

She commended all of the exhibiting artists for their commitment to the local art scene, and said she was

struck by the colour, skill and effort delivered by the artists, especially significant for a small town.

The 1st prize winners of the four categories are as follows.

Open Artist Julia May with ‘Horatio & the Girls’ (Gouache on clay board).

Judge’s comment: "Unique composition and captivating portrayal, with

distinctive use of shadows and greenery. “'Horatio' engages the viewer with its direct gaze, offering a novel perspective on the subject matter."

Landscape

Artist Coco Elder with ‘Canopy of Water Gums, The Never Never’ (Oil on board).

Judge’s comment: "An engaging and confident piece, impresses with its detailed use of colour, and skillful

q Renowned local artist and this year’s

q 1st Prize winner in Open: Artist Julia May with ‘Horatio & the Girls’ (Gouache on clay board).

q 1st Prize winner in 3D/Sculpture: Artist Jasper Breeze with ‘Pinocchio!’.

q Bellingen Agricultural Society President Dr Susan Lumsdaine welcomed everyone to Bellingen Gallery and Framing Studio.

combination of guaging and painting techniques; very appealing.”

Works on Paper

Artist Warren Brisley with ‘Winging’ (linocut).

Judge’s comment: “Range and tactileness showcasing mark-making techniques and use of pattern.

“The subject matter fills the composition, while the bold framing accentuates the composition and size of the subject.”

3D/Sculpture

Artist Jasper Breeze with ‘Pinocchio!’ (ceramic).

Judge’s comment: “Bold and absurd idea, well executed.”

Bellingen Agricultural Society President Dr Susan Lumsdaine welcomed artists, sponsors, volunteers and the general viewing public to the celebratory event.

Bellingen Shire Mayor Steve Allan officially opened

the Art Prize and celebrated the breadth of talent in the community.

He commended the initiative to extend the Art Prize exhibition dates and to relocate to the Bellingen Gallery and Framing Studio.

Art Prize Coordinator

Barb Edols affirmed the Mayor’s remarks, commenting, "The success of this year's EJ Mantova Memorial Art Prize at its new location speaks volumes, with a remarkable 30 percent increase in entries reflecting the positive impact of extending the exhibition’s duration and moving it to the town centre.”

Voting now goes to the public for the People’s Choice.

You can view and vote at the Bellingen Gallery and Framing Studio.

Winners of the People’s Choice Award will be announced at the Bellingen Show.

Also exhibited were six ‘lost’ EJ Mantova originals, which have been gifted to the Bellingen community by the family of the original owner, John McTackett.

Donations are being sought to cover artwork restoration costs estimated at $3,000, necessary before the artworks can be permanently displayed.

The EJ Mantova Art Prize, run by The Bellinger River Agricultural Society and held in conjunction with the annual Bellingen Show, has been running since the early 1970s.

The prize pays homage to Ernest John Mantova, considered Bellingen’s first professional artist, who spent 20 years in the town producing countless landscape works and helping local artists establish their own creative practice.

Smaller publishers disproportionately impacted by Meta designation

SMALLER local publishers like News Of The Area would be disproportionately affected should Meta remove news content from Facebook and Instagram in response to government designation, with the Australian public bearing the brunt of the impact.

The revenue of these publishers, for whom website display advertising is their greatest income, would be highly impacted by the loss of website traffic driven by social media if Meta removed news content from Facebook and Instagram.

Local and Independent News Association (LINA) Executive Director Claire Stuchbery said government support would be needed to counter this financial loss and support newsrooms

While some smaller publishers received funding from the Meta Australian News Fund in partnership with the Walkley Foundation, most were excluded from the opportunity to engage in commercial deals for funding from Meta under the news media bargaining code, with the primary hurdle being the high threshold of the revenue test for news media organisations.

to strengthen alternative income sources and transition to new ones.

“Local newsrooms have everything to lose, but very little to gain from designation,” Stuchbery said.

“These local and independent media publishers play a critical role within their communities, combatting misinformation and disinformation, supporting community health and safety (including emergency preparedness and resilience), promoting workforce development and fostering social cohesion and civic engagement.

“They are also key to platforming diverse voices and experiences, as these tend to be the most affected by the closure of larger newsrooms and the rising syndication of content.”

The removal of news content from these platforms would particularly impact the 20 percent of hyperlocal newsrooms launched within the past four years.

Many of these newsrooms were formed in response to a need to verify misinformation or fill news deserts with locally relevant updates during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the context

of rising natural disasters and the advancement of generative AI technology.

While larger, more established news organisations have existing brand awareness and direct engagement with audiences through newsletters, subscriptions and organic website traffic, smaller and newer publications tend to rely heavily on Facebook and Instagram to establish awareness of their newsrooms and engage new audiences.

“Not only would this affect the viability of existing news publishers, but the ability

of new organisations and publishers to start-up and build their audience would be hampered in the future, further consolidating what is already one of the most concentrated media markets in the world,” Stuchbery said.

“Government has a responsibility to help guarantee public access to healthy and diverse information and communications systems, and financial support should be provided to newsrooms should Meta be designated.

“This support is key not just to the survival of smaller newsrooms, but to the overall health and functioning of Australian democracy.”

Art Prize judge Karlee Rawkins announced the winners.

Regional Crime Inquiry submissions now open

THE Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) has welcomed the NSW Government’s announcement of a new Inquiry into Community Safety in Regional and Rural Communities, and urges community members to have their say.

The CMA’s call for an inquiry came to address a perceived dangerous increase in crime in regional and rural areas across the state.

CMA Chair and Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the statistics showed clearly there were disproportionate crime levels and fewer police resources in regional and rural New South Wales, and it was now up to community members to bring the full extent of the crisis to the attention of the State Government.

“It has been an enormous challenge to make this Inquiry a reality,” Mayor Chaffey said.

“This is a great first step and now that we have the attention of our Members of Parliament, it is up to us all to make sure that we are sharing our lived experience and any suggestions we have about how to stop the severity and instances of crime.

“We also need to make it

clear that there is a real need for adequate support for both victims and perpetrators that will lead to a safer community.

“We need to share the importance of proactive policing, a change that can only happen with an increase in police numbers.

“We also need to provide any other information that you feel our elected Members of Parliament need to understand when they are making decisions that will affect our confidence in our own safety.

“Whether you have been impacted by crime, know someone who has, whether you work or have previously worked in related services, or come from another state or country that has implemented great working strategies, you need to make your voice heard.”

The CMA’s recent general meeting hosted top level speakers on regional crime at NSW Parliament House days after the announcement.

“Our six-month campaign paid off and the NSW Government announced the Parliamentary Inquiry into Community Safety in Regional and Rural Communities,” Mayor Chaffey said.

“Our meeting saw presentations from the NSW Minister for Police, the Shadow Minister for Police, the Deputy Police Commissioner and PresidentElect of the NSW Police Association.

“I accepted the praise we received from most of our special guests on behalf of our members for our regional NSW crime campaign as vindication for the important role of the Country Mayors Association of NSW – and the important issue of regional crime.

“The inquiry that the NSW Government has announced is not everything we hoped for, but the Minns Government has listened and responded, which the CMA commends.

“As Shadow Police Minister the Hon. Paul Toole told our meeting this inquiry must get to the front lines of the regional crime battle and not remain safely holed up in Sydney.

“We encourage regional Councils to send submissions to the Inquiry members, including Mr Toole, asking that the inquiry conduct a hearing in their town and hear from locals in person.”

The meeting in Sydney included a presentation by Executive Director NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and

Research, Jackie Fitzgerald.

CMA Deputy Chair and Temora Mayor Rick Firman AOM said the bureau’s data underpins the CMA’s recently updated Regional NSW Crime, Law and Order Report.

“The statistics and trends speak for themselves,” Mayor Firman said.

“As Jackie Fitzgerald told our meeting, the data shows

that regional NSW has far worse reported crime figures than Sydney.

“What we need is for policy makers and Government departments to get more than the numbers, to really understand what crime has done to people in our regions and what consequences or potential solutions are, when we do not feel safe in our own

MYTH BUSTING - HAIR

Adrian from Celtic Roots Hair Designers tackles some common myths about hair:

1.“Cut your hair regularly and it will grow faster”

No matter what your mother told you, cutting your hair does not make it grow quicker. It will, however, be healthier as split ends and overheated bits will be removed.

2.“Stress gives you grey hair”

Unfortunately, much as I’d like to blame the kids, genetics and getting older are what cause grey hairs to grow. Stress can cause hair to fall out, but this is usually reversible once the stress is managed.

3.“Air drying is better for your hair than blow drying”

As with most things, it’s all about moderation. It’s not good to attack your hair everyday with heated implements, but two or three times a week is fine. Just make sure you’re not going over the same bit of hair five times with your straighteners - once should be enough!

No

4.“Dandruff is dry, flaky skin”

communities and our own homes.”

The CMA’s current Crime, Law and Order Report is online at www. nswcountrymayors.com.au/ publications/.

The submissions deadline for ‘Community Safety in Regional and Rural Communities’ is 31 May 2024.

Dandruff is actually the result of too much oil on the scalp which causes the production of too many skin cells. Dry flakes mean you need more moisturising not Head and Shoulders.

5.“Pigtails will make your hair fall out”

If you’re doing loose up-dos then you’ll be fine. If you are overly stretching the ponytail or making very tight plaits then you’re putting stress on the roots so it’s possible you may run into problems. It would be better to save those styles for occasions.

6.“Rinsing your hair in cold water will make it shinier”

No, it will just make you feel cold! However, products such as Goldwell conditioners or colour can certainly make your hair shinier.

7.“Brushing your hair 100 times a day will make it shiny”

Years ago when we washed our hair once in a blue moon this was an excellent way to spread the natural oils along the length of the hair, making it naturally shiny. However, today we generally wash our hair a few times a week, removing the natural oils in the process. Consequently, the shine must be achieved through products like Goldwell Elumen.

8. “You need to regularly swap shampoos to keep your hair glossy”

This one is true! No matter how fancy your shampoo is, it leaves a residue which quickly dulls your hair so that it doesn’t reflect light so well. How often have you left a salon with shinier hair? By using a different shampoo the residue is removed and, hey presto, shiny hair! The trick is to interchange a good quality salon shampoo like Goldwell with your regular one and use it every third to fifth wash. This way you’ll never get a build-up of residue and have

q Country Mayors Association Chair and Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey discussing the Community Safety in Regional Communities Inquiry with Shadow Police Minister Paul Toole.

Yandaarra Aunty Grace Roberts Community Awards now open

NOMINATIONS for the

Yandaarra Aunty Grace Roberts Community Awards are now open, offering recognition to outstanding members of the Aboriginal community.

The awards - presented by City of Coffs Harbour and the Yandaarra Aboriginal Advisory Committeeshowcase the amazing work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on the Coffs Coast.

The awards are named in honour of Coffs Harbour’s Aunty Grace Roberts, a key driver in the construction of Aboriginal housing near the Park Beach Plaza in the 1970s.

Kulai Preschool Educational Leader Leanne Roberts is encouraging nominations for the 2024

awards.

She said Aunty Graceher grandmother - was born in The Channon and was a proud Bundjalung woman but moved to Coffs Harbour and spent most of her life here.

“She was a well-known woman, well respected, and a member of the Stolen Generation,” Ms Roberts said.

“She used to travel up and down the coast and could see the living conditions of her people and that’s why she fought so hard for homes.

“I heard she had a stroke the week before the opening of the housing (at Coffs) but was still there on the day they were opened.”

While the annual awards have gained a reputation, Ms Roberts said many still didn’t know the back-story of Aunty

Grace.

Regularly getting around Coffs on foot, Aunty Grace was not one to take a backward step.

“She’d be upfront with them (government agencies) and she had the whole community behind her,” Ms Roberts said.

City of Coffs Harbour

Mayor Cr Paul Amos said he would like to see strong support for the 2024 Yandaarra Aunty Grace Roberts Community Awards.

“If you know a First Nations person, organisation or business going beyond, give them a shoutout by nominating them,” Cr Amos said.

Ms Roberts echoed the call.

“They (Aboriginal achievers) should be celebrated,” she said.

“She (Aunty Grace) always

used to say: ‘Be strong and just do it’.

“This is my grandmother’s award and I’m just here to back her up.”

There are seven award categories: Grace Roberts Memorial Community Development Award, Aunty Award, Uncle Award, Sports Achievement Award, Youth of the Year Award, Arts and Cultural Achievement Award, and Aboriginal Community Organisation/Business of the Year Award.

“Our First Nations community on Gumbaynggirr Country is a source of great strength,” City of Coffs Harbour City Planning and Communities Director Chris Chapman said.

“You don’t have to be a First Nations person to nominate someone for an award, but the person you nominate needs to be.”

Nominations open Wednesday 3 April and will close Friday 3 May.

You can make a nomination here: https:// www.coffsharbour.nsw. gov.au/Community-andrecreation/MyCoffs-Connect/ NAIDOC-Week.

The award ceremony will be on Monday 8 July at Yarrila Place, River Oak Room – keep an eye out online for further details.

Timber factory open after major upgrades

BIG River Group’s Grafton timber factory has opened the doors to a major upgrade that will boost the supply of high-quality timber products to the construction industry across the state.

The Australian and NSW Governments jointlyfunded $10 million under the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund for the upgrade project, matched by an additional $10 million from Big River Group.

With the upgraded factory now open, Big River Group is able to supply 8000 cubic metres of timber products throughout NSW each year.

“We understand just how important the factory is to our workforce and the Grafton community and will remain future-focused on continuing to create opportunities to diversify with new valueadded niche products and remain sustainable into the future,” Big River Group CEO John Lorente said.

“I’d also like to express my sincere gratitude to both

the Australian and NSW State Governments who facilitated the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, and delivered the funding which has enabled us to modernise our operations and secure an expanded workforce.”

Since being impacted by the 2019/2020 bushfires, this project has allowed Big River Group to future proof its business model so it can continue to supply specialty and technical timber products to the market for years to come.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said, “Big River Group’s Wagga Wagga plantation was devastated by the Black Summer Bushfires, but with significant investment from both levels of Government, new machinery and equipment has been installed in the factory in Grafton, bringing a big boost to the local community.

“This major milestone to modernise and expand operations will enable

workers to access valuable trade skills and support the timber industry’s economic recovery in the region.”

The project will also boost jobs in the region, with an additional 20 new employees.

In addition, the entire workforce will be able to upskill when working with

the new equipment, such as lathes, chippers, a dryer and machinery for cutting and finishing timber products.

“Big River Group’s Grafton timber factory is going from strength-to-strength and it’s great to see these upgrades will support them to deliver high-quality timber products

q With the upgraded factory now open, Big River Group is able to supply 8000 cubic metres of timber products throughout NSW each year.

to the construction industry well into the future,” Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said.

“We know the NSW building industry has been experiencing a shortage of building supplies, which is why the NSW Government is supporting projects, like

this, that inject more timber supply into the state.

“The opening of the upgraded factory is a big win for Grafton and the surrounding region as it’s bolstered the local economy by taking on additional employees with further plans to grow.”

q Kulai Preschool Educational Leader Leanne Roberts.

Artists group presents Sawtell exhibition

A LOCAL artists group which has been meeting for 24 years will present an exhibition and sale at the Sawtell Art Gallery from 13-23 April.

The Coffs Coast Artists group began with several artists with like minds and interests meeting to share information and techniques in oil, pastel, watercolour, plein-air and landscape painting.

“The members meeting each week generally number eight to ten,” a group spokesperson said.

“They travel on the coast anywhere from Urunga to Grafton and occasionally inland to Bellingen, The Promised Land and Nana Glen to paint the local scenes.

“The varying styles and different approaches to the use of colours and media, along with discussions and critique sessions go toward improving all members’ skills and styles.”

Group members encourage one another to enter various exhibitions held in the local area.

Among the members are award-winning artists and well known tutors who have had successful sales locally and overseas.

Their paintings are exhibited in galleries across the Coffs Coast.

“The group also share in the enjoyment of the love of the countryside and the social outing, going home at the end of the day feeling rewarded and relaxed in the achievements of the day.”

The exhibiting Coffs Coast Artists members are Ron Bath, Gloria Hickey, Ann Jennings, Lyndy Dent, Judy Woods, Dave Aber, Shinobu Donkin and Peter Wiseman.

q Artists at work in Bellingen.

By Manny WOOD

Search for Grace creates legal complexities

PAUL’S will bequeaths his substantial wealth primarily to his children, Harry and Grace.

As the executor, Harry is tasked with ensuring Paul's wishes are respected.

However, the family faces a dilemma: Grace has been estranged from the family for many years, having moved overseas in her youth.

The family understands she moved back to Australia approximately 20 years ago but her whereabouts and other details of her life remain unknown.

Harry's duty as executor is to locate Grace and distribute her inheritance to her. If Grace is untraceable, the estate's handling becomes complex.

According to the will, if Grace predeceased Paul without having had children, her share would revert to Harry and other beneficiaries.

Yet, the possibility of Grace having descendants complicates the execution, as they would stand to inherit her share.

Harry conducts an extensive search for Grace, including the engagement of a private investigator, a social media campaign and associated media advertisements as well as conducting other relevant searches.

After searches spanning several years, Harry can petition the Supreme Court for a declaration based on his exhaustive searches proving Grace's presumed death, allowing Grace's inheritance to be reallocated to the surviving beneficiaries.

Alternatively, after a comprehensive search, Harry might proceed with the estate distribution, securing the beneficiaries' agreement via a deed of family arrangement.

This deed would commit them to reserve Grace's share for a potential future claim.

However, this approach bears risks, notably the beneficiaries' potential expenditure of these funds, complicating a potential restitution to Grace.

To mitigate this, Harry could consider inheritance insurance, ensuring Grace's portion is safeguarded.

Harry's navigation through NSW's inheritance legalities illustrates the extensive measures required to fulfill a loved one's last wishes, anchored in fairness, thoroughness, and familial ties.

Thank you to Anthony Fogarty for his assistance with this column. Email Manny Wood, principal solicitor at TB Law at manny@tblaw.net.au or call him on (02) 66 487 487.

This column is only accurate at today’s date and cannot be relied upon as legal advice.

Use a citizens jury to solve Jetty redevelopment disagreements

DEAR News Of The Area,

OUR politicians at all levels should be there to serve the interests of all electors in an electorate/council.

This is a daunting task given the diversity of opinions and often lack of trust.

The State Labor government and the National Party Member for Coffs Harbour both seem to agree on a plan for the Jetty.

This plan has polarised the residents but no one has a real understanding of where the electorate as a whole stands on this.

I would suggest that all sides in the debate around the proposed Jetty Foreshore redevelopment have as a goal, the ‘best interests’ of the people who live here.

However, the value judgments come into play with what is perceived to be ‘best’.

The past surveys were not well designed, seemed to nudge people in a certain direction and were rather superficial ignoring key problem areas and interconnections.

How to get broad support for an outcome we can all live with?

This is a decision that will affect Coffs Harbour for many years to come and shape its character. We need to get it right and broadly supported.

I would propose the NSW State government and the City of Coffs Harbour Council set up a properly constructed and resourced citizens’ jury to resolve the question (see newdemocracy.com.au for what a citizen jury is and how it works).

This concept has been used successfully in many other states and overseas to resolve questions where there are diverse opinions.

If done well, the jury presents a set of recommendations to the decision makers at the end of their deliberations.

These public recommendations are usually widely supported by the community and seen as being at arms length from any self-interested parties.

It is still the decision makers who have to take the decision but, they will be aware of the reasoning and support for the recommendations.

Yours sincerely,

Michael FAULKNER, Coffs Harbour.

What do we have to lose?

DEAR News Of The Area,

THANK you, Fran Stephenson, for giving us a kick along with the contact details of the various state ministers involved with the Jetty Foreshores revitalisation (NOTA March 15).

It is disappointing that our State Member does not stand with the people of Coffs Harbour in this, but the council has stood up to the state before.

Remember the tunnels v cuttings tussle?

With the State's plan a few people will have little to lose and much to gain, while the large majority will have everything to lose and nothing to gain.

I am all for more public housing but public or private, the Jetty Foreshores is not the place.

It belongs to all of us and open space is too easily lost.

Let's make our thoughts known to those Ministers and our own Gurmesh Singh before it is too late.

DDEAR Jasminda

MY husband is completely obsessed with Taylor Swift, and plays her songs constantly in the car.

Personally I do not like Taylor Swift, and ask him to turn it off.

To this he replies, “I am expanding your musical horizons.”

However, I don’t want to ‘expand my musical horizons’.

What should I do?

Dear Opal,

Opal B.

MUSIC is a passionate and highlysubjective subject, and Taylor Swift, I have just discovered, is a billionaire.

A billionaire!

People of all ages went into a Swifty-frenzy when she performed here.

Never had I witnessed so many otherwise calm and intelligent people pleading to do almost anything for tickets for their kids (or themselves).

Friends were glued to their computers, debating whether to refresh the screen in order to secure a night with Taylor (which seemed more unlikely as the hours passed than getting a golden ticket to gain access to Willy Wonka's chocolate factory).

Whether she will expand your musical horizons is another matter.

'We are never ever, ever getting back together' is hardly up there with Nick Cave or Leonard Cohen.

Like all trends, the Taylor Swift craze will pass.

And what will we be left with?

Broken marriages by the sounds of it.

Oh, and mountains of plastic beads left over from all the Swifty friendship bracelets.

Like a dystopian Scrabble game, those LIKE*EVER and BEAUTIFUL and BREATHE beads will be reformed into LANDFILL and MICROPLASTICS and SWALLOWED*BY*A*TURTLE.

Maybe next time your husband plays the Taylor Swift song 'Forever and Always' you can expand his horizons and turn it into a conversation about the environmental devastation caused by millions (perhaps billions) of plastic beads.

Here are the details kindly supplied by Fran Stephenson: Hon. Ron Hoenig, Minister of Local Government and Hon. Steve Kamper, Minister for Lands and Property.

The Mayor deserves our full support. Regards, Margaret ENGLAND, Toormina.

Carpe diem, Jasminda.

The rezoning of the Jetty Foreshores

DEAR News Of The Area,

PROPERTY and Development NSW is preparing an application to rezone waterfront land east of the railway line in Coffs Harbour to allow residential housing.

It is disappointing that the Labor Government has broken their election promise that there would be no residential buildings east of the railway line while they are in power.

Public consultations regarding this issue are repeated every few years with more obscure questions, but the results are still the same.

People from all demographics condemn residential development whilst being in favour of beautification of the area.

The process is repeated because Coffs Harbour people do not give governments

the outcome they seek.

Yamba and Byron Bay, where regional affairs reporter Catherine Naylor stated the tourists prefer to Coffs Harbour (SMH April 2), have not built residential housing on their waterfront land.

At Main Beach in Byron Bay there is a pleasant grassy area and a walking path between the road and the beach which is enticing for locals and tourists alike to spend time at leisure walking or picnicking.

The Planning Department in NSW surely cannot consider that affordable waterfront housing will be stylish, solid and well built.

The Department expects there could be 200 short stay units for tourists and 250 residential buildings.

Apart from taking our open space needed for future generations there is the traffic to consider.

There are two access portals to this area and all these new buildings could bring an extra 600 cars in and out of the area.

That will not leave much parking space for the tourists we are trying to entice or the locals who often have parking issues with the space we have got.

I ask how any government department can expect Coffs Harbour to trust any of their decisions or planning.

The boat ramp is a costly ongoing disaster.

Every day there is heavy equipment working to keep the boat ramp navigable. Dredging is required and the resultant sand has to be trucked away.

The cost must be phenomenal but there is no transparency so we do not know the official ongoing costs.

Another white elephant is the Vendetta building.

NSW Government moving forward

DEAR News Of The Area,

IN the NOTA on 6/5/22 it advises the Whale Tail land purchase gets the nod from Council for just over $2.5m.

This land is 5099 m2 and is directly across the railway line from the Jetty Precinct land.

In the NOTA on 17/11/23 the General Manager said the City is offering to purchase the Jetty Foreshores Land from the NSW Government for its full valuation.

The Jetty Precinct land is 42,100 m2, over 8.25 times larger than the Whale Tail land.

How can the Jetty Precinct land have been valued at just $2.17m? (NOTA 15/3/24, Letters, Fran Stephenson).

The valuation of the Jetty Precinct land, based on the above sale and size, increased in value since May 2022 should be more than $20m.

In the NOTA on 16/2/24 it was reported Transport for NSW transferred the land to Property and Development NSW for $2.2m on 31 October 2023.

No doubt not the real value but a token one to save on stamp duty?

The City offer to purchase the Jetty

Precinct land was $6.7m plus in addition to transfer to NSW Government two city owned blocks valued at $2.15 million suitable to build high-rise-low-cost housing units.

Based on the above the combined offer for the land and city blocks should have been well over double what was offered if the real value was offered.

In the NOTA 2/2/24 the offer being rejected had left Council officials baffled, describing the multi-million-dollar proposal as a “golden goose deal”.

It could be asked was the “low ball” offer in the communities’ best interests to retain this for future open space?

In the September 2023 State Budget, it includes $20m to redevelop the Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshores Precinct.

This is to move forward with the previous Government's plans.

It’s no wonder the City offer was rejected by the NSW Government, they clearly had no intention to accept any offer from the City of Coffs Harbour.

On the front page of the NOTA on 22/3/24 it advises of the a ‘450-Dwelling Plan’ at the Jetty Precinct.

In the Public Notices that same day

appears an advert submitted by Artefact about conducting an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment on the site.

The first line of the advert advises, Property and Development NSW (PDNSW) is continuing to progress a community led revitalisation of the Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshores Precinct on behalf of the NSW Government.

The Public Notice also advised in December 2022 following extensive community consultation, PDNSW released a refined masterplan which incorporated community feedback and had an even greater focus on public open space, support for local businesses and tourism opportunities, to create a thriving local economy.

PDNSW is finalising technical studies to support the precinct masterplan and is now targeting lodgement of a rezoning proposal with Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure (DPHI) by the end of March 2024.

The NSW Government are not only 100 percent moving forward but appear to be writing the adverts for anyone who will be conducting studies on the area.

As we know it was the NSW Government

The original building was demolished a few years after having a new roof installed and the new building is not fit for purpose.

The cadets' boats are stored in containers at the southern end of Jordan Esplanade and the supposed restaurant at the top of the building has never eventuated.

I support the Coffs Harbour City Council offer to buy the land at the Jetty Foreshores with a land deal for affordable or social housing nearer the city centre.

If addressing the housing crisis and attempting to revitalise tourism is the real reason for rezoning it won’t happen by clogging up the Foreshore area with cheap residential buildings and unworkable traffic flow.

Yours faithfully, Bernadette BREBNER, Coffs Harbour.

who is pushing, not the community who do not want residential development east of the railway line.

On 2 April 2024 Nine News reported the rezoning plans had been lodged that day.

The Government officials and local MP were there for their exposure and photo opportunities.

The Government officials advised the community would be able to have a say.

As we know from past experiences, despite the majority saying NO to residential housing, their voices will be ignored yet again.

If the State Government wishes to sell off to developers and develop the Precinct, they should be the ones building a new access road via Howard Street, across the railway line to join Jordan Esplanade.

This road is required now and especially over December and January when the Great Southern train closes the railway crossing for nearly half an hour, four times a week, with one being 9.30 am on busy Sunday mornings.

The other question is where all the extra vehicles will park, as you cannot get a park on Sunday market days now.

Thanks,

Good news for motorists and our local wildlife

DEAR News Of The Area,

IT is satisfying to see the new extension to the old fauna fence adjacent to Newports Creek along the link road.

Credit must go to Councilor Townley

DEAR News Of The Area,

WE are writing today as very concerned ratepayers of the Coffs Harbour Council for the last 35 years.

We are most concerned about the proposed plan the NSW Government has for the future of the Jetty Foreshore development area.

It is our understanding that on March 22 the ‘News Of The Area’ newspaper reported that the state government proposes up to 450 dwellings for the site.

We are greatly concerned that these dwellings will result in multi-storey buildings as the only option offered in the community consultation was ‘how high and how much residential development should be included’.

who initiated the Notice of Motion calling for an investigation into options back in 2020 after a horrific spike in koala road fatalities, and the Council’s Biodiversity team who undertook investigations, sourced funding and made this happen.

The extra protection afforded wildlife, and particularly the koala population in that area, must also reduce the workload and stress experienced by our dedicated WIRES volunteers, and the fence’s presence should remind all of us of the

presence, value and vulnerability of our unique wildlife. Regards, Dave WOOD,

on Foreshores

There was no option for ‘no residential properties on the site’.

We firmly believe that the area of land should remain an area for the people, all people, and be kept and preserved as Coffs Harbour green space both for residents and visitors and generations to come.

Not only for a select few.

Once green space is lost it is lost forever.

It is our understanding that affordable housing will be encompassed into the dwellings referred to for this plan.

We believe Coffs Harbour Council has offered other areas of land for this purpose instead of building on the Jetty Foreshores which the government has rejected.

This piece of prime real estate should remain with Coffs Harbour Council and its

future decided by the representatives of the people who live, work and pay rates in Coffs Harbour and should not be bullied by the State Government who have problems to

solve quickly in the need for more housing.

Yours sincerely, Grace and Ian BLACKIE, Coffs Harbour.

council might like to have a look at bus seating in Coffs Harbour. Could we expect an improvement in seating and shade inside ten years?

DEAR News Of The Area,

I WOULD like to congratulate our Mayor Paul Amos and the council on this decision.

As a regular public transport passenger l would like to suggest that if your purpose is to improve access for the elderly, the

Again thank you to Mayor Cr Paul Amos for the free bus travel on Friday, Saturday and Sundays.

Yours sincerely, Ms Margaret JOHANSON, Coffs Coast.

Wayne WELSH, Coffs Harbour Jetty.

Boambee East.

Modern and appealing

LOW maintenance living is what this lovely modern fourbedroom home is all about.

With a practical layout for families and investors this property is sure to appeal to the astute buyer.

Beautiful timber floorboards are found throughout the open plan living, dining and kitchen area providing easy-care and a warmth to the home.

Adjacent is the dining area which can easily accommodate an eightseater dining set, flowing on from here you will find the cream kitchen with stainless steel appliances including dishwasher, corner pantry and large laminate kitchen bench provides ample space for the chef in the household to whip up the meals.

The layout provides a few options for family living, one of the bedrooms is located on the lower level and enjoys its own bathroom located next to the laundry.

This area is perfect for the teenager in the family, when guests come to stay or is a

The living room receives plenty of natural light through the double windows and is spacious enough to configure a large lounge setting as well as a spot for the computer desk for those who work from home or for the kids to be in full view while doing their homework.

great bonus for investors as it will appeal to tenants who want their own space but still have access to all the facilities that the home has to offer.

The remaining three carpeted bedrooms are located upstairs.

They all have built in robes, and the main bedroom which is positioned at the front of the home has its own ensuite.

The all-in-one bathroom is neutral in colour and has a full-sized bathtub.

A covered outdoor entertaining deck can be accessed from the dining area and overlooks the rear fully fenced yard.

The sloping yard with minimal gardens in place, is a perfect blank canvas for the keen gardener to create a

garden to suit their style or you may want to keep the lawn in place for pets and kids to have room to play.

Other features of the brick and tile home are ducted air con throughout, water tank in rear yard, NBN, under stair storage cupboard, and remote double lock up garage.

The self-managed strata property is positioned on a 443sqm block in a great

established neighbourhood.

Agents: Kim McGinty (0432 953 796) and Chris Hines (0439 667 719).

LOCALSPORT

AFL North Coast season gets underway

By Aiden BURGESS

AFTER an offseason which saw the defending champions leave the competition and two clubs joining forces, the latest AFL North Coast season gets underway this weekend with opening round matches in Coffs Harbour and Sawtell.

Sawtell/Toormina Saints start their season at home when they play host to the newly combined Northern Beaches/Nambucca Valley team.

The Saints were eliminated in the first week of last season’s finals series.

The Northern Beaches

Blues and Nambucca Valley Lions combined to enter a first-grade side this season, as well as in the other three senior competitions, with this weekend’s game at Richardson Park their first as a combined entity.

The Lions are coming off winning the reserves premiership last season, while the Blues finished with the wooden spoon in seniors.

The other opening round match sees the Coffs Harbour Breakers hosting the Port Macquarie Magpies at Fitzroy Oval.

The Breakers will look to bounce back in 2024 after

missing finals last season.

The Magpies were runners up in 2023 after losing the grand final to the Byron Bay Magpies, who have returned to play in the Queensland Football Association competition.

Last season’s preliminary finalists the Grafton Tigers have the opening round bye.

Coffs Harbour Breakers women begin their premiership defence at home when they take on the Port Macquarie Magpies at Fitzroy Oval.

Sawtell/Toormina Saints Under 18s begin their premiership defence at home when they welcome Northern Beaches/Nambucca Valley to Richardson Park.

q Coffs Harbour Breakers women begin their premiership defence at home against the Port Macquarie Magpies. Photo: AFL North Coast.

Scorpions sting Lions in North Coast Premier League

By David WIGLEY

SAWTELL FC made a superb start to the HIT105.5 North Coast Premier League, delivering a commanding 5-1 victory over Coffs City United at Coffs Coast Synthetics on Saturday, April 6.

Persistent rain across the region waterlogged every grass football field on the Coffs Coast, prompting the relocation of the match to the all-weather surface of the synthetic.

Hugo Alderman opened the scoring with a ballistic strike into the top corner, igniting Sawtell's scoring spree.

Coffs United Lions retaliated with a perfectly weighted cross from Blake Townsend, setting up Melad

Group 2 Rugby League season kicks off

By Aiden BURGESS

THEY have waited over six months for their return to the field.

Now that moment has arrived.

Coffs Coast’s rugby league players return for another year of blood, sweat, and tears, as the latest Tooheys New Group 2 Rugby League season kicks off this weekend.

The Woolgoolga Seahorses begin their premiership defence away from home when they travel to take on last season’s preliminary finalists the Nambucca Heads Roosters.

The Seahorses broke through for their inaugural first grade premiership last season.

Coffs Harbour Comets also begin their season away from home when they travel to take on the Macksville Sea Eagles, in a rematch of last month’s Hoey Moey 9s tournament final won by the Sea Eagles.

The Comets were knocked out in the first week of finals last season, while the Sea Eagles failed to crack the top five.

The Grafton Ghosts and South Grafton Rebels face off in their first local derby of the season this weekend.

The Ghosts made the second week of finals last season, while the Rebels were runners up in their premiership defence. Sawtell Panthers have the opening round bye and begin

Khalaf for a clinical volley to equalise.

With both teams displaying attacking intent, the game remained evenly poised at 1-1 after 30 minutes, with opportunities aplenty for both sides.

However it was Sawtell who seized the initiative before halftime, as Hugo Alderman struck again to give the Scorpions a 2-1 lead going into the break.

At the halftime break, Sawtell coach Rachel Oberleuter must have delivered an inspiring team talk, as her players seized control of the match in the second half with three unanswered goals.

Keeden Corliss extended Sawtell's advantage to 3-1, dribbling through the Lions’

backline and delivering a composed side-footed finish.

On the day the clocks were turned back, Sawtell’s veteran striker Luke France, who plays in the over 35s, turned back time to penetrate the Coffs United defence and unleash an unstoppable finish into the roof of the net.

The Scorpions sealed their emphatic victory with a fifth goal, courtesy of an unfortunate own goal by the Lions, five minutes from full time.

With momentum on their side, Sawtell now eagerly prepares to face reigning Premiers Northern Storm next week at Toormina Oval, in what promises to be a highly anticipated encounter.

q Woolgoolga Seahorses begin their premiership defence in Nambucca Heads.

their season in Round 2, when they take on defending premiers the Woolgoolga Seahorses in Woolgoolga.

The Panthers will look to bounce back in 2024 after a

wooden spoon season.

The Coffs Harbour Comets reserves begin their premiership defence against the Macksville Sea Eagles at Macksville.

The inaugural Group 2 Women's Tackle competition also kicks off this weekend with opening round matches.

Last year’s North Coast Women’s Rugby League

premiers the Sawtell Panthers have the opening round bye, and begin their season in Round 2 against the Woolgoolga Seahorses in Woolgoolga.

q Jesse Buckle with a talismanic performance in the midfield for Sawtell FC.

Memorable day for Coffs Ocean Swims

By Andrea FERRARI

YEAR 10 Woolgoolga High School student Finn Casper won the two kilometre (km)

Sawtell SLSC Coffs Coast Ocean Swim on Sunday 7 April at Jetty Beach.

His time of 26:52 put him just ahead of Richie Goddard, who came in four seconds later at 26:56.

The first female across the line was Anthea Warne with a time of 28:18.

In an impressive double win, thirteen-year-old Saul Easman took first place in the Mike Blewitt 600m swim, steaming in at 7:59, and in the John Mills/North Coast Swim Academy Junior 300m swim at 4:08.

A nipper at Sawtell Surf

Life Saving Club, Saul attends Bishop Druitt College.

The winning female in the 600m was Larnie Mordue, coming in bang on 9:00 minutes.

The first young lady in the 300m junior swim was Hazel Gadsden with a time of 5:24.

Despite thunderstorms on Saturday night and flooding inland of Coffs Harbour, the races went ahead on Sunday morning in drizzle. “Given the conditions we faced the Club was so lucky the event could proceed,” Race Director Kerry Bayliss from Sawtell SLSC told News Of The Area.

Long-time Race Ambassador, Olympic swimmer Brooke Hanson OAM, welcomed the crowds

to the sandy shores of Jetty Beach at the crack of dawn.

“Coffs Ocean Swims 2024 was another memorable day for myself and my family,” Brooke told News Of The Area.

“Despite the rain and overnight thunderstorms, it didn’t stop hundreds of people from swimming in the event.

“For me personally it was wonderful to have my three children; Cooper Clarke, 14, Billy Clarke, 10, and Matilda Clarke, 8, all competing for the first time together this year.

“My father Ian Hanson joined me in the 600m swim, finishing second in the men’s 70-plus age group.

“We all swam in memory

of my grandfather John Mills.”

For Brooke the highlight was watching her daughter Matilda swim in the John Mills/North Coast Swim Academy 300m swim.

“It was Matilda’s first Coffs Ocean Swims and she woke up saying, ‘I hope it’s not cancelled as I’ve waited my whole life to do this swim with my family in memory of my great granddad’.”

The late John Mills is Matilda’s great grandfather and the young swimmer surprised herself by winning the eight-years girls’ race despite being a bit worried by the waves breaking into the Jetty.

“I kept thinking I’ve got to keep going and I know he would be so proud that I

didn’t give up,” said Matilda.

As a longtime ambassador of the race, Brooke continues to enjoy watching the competitors who show up every year and have fun.

“I love the ‘Jetty swim’, it’s an iconic event which I will continue to support.

“Winning my age group is a bonus but to me it’s about making memories and honouring my grandfather’s legacy.”

Results are now on the Sawtell SLSC website and Facebook page.

Winner Finn Casper is one of the school students who rescued a woman from the surf at Woolgoolga Back Beach in March 2023, along with fellow students Koby Kudrins and Jack Hayes.

q Race Ambassador Brooke Hanson with Saul Easman, the first finisher in both the Mike Blewitt Coffs Coast 600m Swim and the John Mills/North Coast Swim Academy Junior 300m Swim.

q Cooper Clarke, Ian Hanson and Brooke Hanson.

q Winner of the 2km swim, Finn Casper, with Race Ambassador Brooke Hanson.

q Billy Clarke, Brooke Hanson, Matilda Clarke and Levi Bannerman from North Coast Swim Academy.

q Hundreds race into the water at Jetty Beach for the 2024 Coffs Coast Ocean Swims.

The Armidale School creates blue wave

By Andrea FERRARI

150 STUDENTS, staff and parents from The Armidale School (TAS) plunged into the water for the two kilometre (km) Sawtell SLSC Coffs Coast Ocean Swim on Sunday 7 April at Coffs Harbour’s Jetty Beach.

The record number of TAS participants made up almost half of all entries in this year’s event.

In strong rain, the youngsters adjusted their expectations and rose to the occasion.

Year 10 student Bella Henderson led the TAS team across the finish line for the second consecutive year and was the 34th finisher overall.

“It was very different conditions to last year with quite a bit more chop and a current pushing us all to the

south of the harbour which added a twist to the race and made us work a bit harder,” said Bella. “But the water was beautiful, it was warmer in the water than out of it.”

Large enough to warrant their own official start, the TAS team wore blue caps not only to be distinct, but to give visibility to the important issue of mental health.

“This is the last event for Blue Week at TAS which is about giving profile to the Blue Tree Project, which encourages people to have conversations about mental health.

“It’s such a special swim for TAS to spread the message about a good cause – I didn’t go into the race to win, but it was the cherry on top to come on top,” she said.

Eleven-year-old Lachlan

Wood

“I did the 600 metre one last year and have also swum a kilometre in the Armidale pool,

so it wasn’t as bad I thought it was going to be.

“Because of the swell there was a challenge not to swallow the sea water and also to keep my strokes at the end when I was getting a bit tired, but it

q Isabella Henderson, first out of the water for TAS, is given a congratulatory hug by swimming captain Prudence Black, who was second girl home for TAS.

was really good and I’m pretty proud of myself for doing it,” he said.

Amongst the course marshalls on rescue boards were a number of TAS Year 12 students who last year completed their surf bronze medallions as part of the school’s surf lifesaving program, run in conjunction with Sawtell Surf Life Saving Club, which organises the Coffs swim.

q Eleven-year-old Lachlan Wood was the youngest competitor for TAS.

Coffs Basketball teams earn grand final spots

By Aiden BURGESS

COFFS Harbour’s best basketball teams have booked their places in the grand finals of Coffs Harbour Basketball Association’s summer season.

Teams earnt grand final berths after victories in their semi-finals at Sportz Central.

Men’s A Grade defending champions All Washed Up! booked their place in this season's grand final with a 50-41 win against The Chihuahuas.

Luke Wighton had a game high 19 points.

Minor premiers Run It Back also earnt a grand final berth progressing against Shake n Bake.

24fitty earnt a place in the Men’s B Grade grand final with a 84-55 win against White Chocolate.

Kieran Austin had a game high 21 points for the winners.

Thunderbirds also earnt a grand final berth with a 52-45 win against minor premiers Saints.

Nicholas Tobin had a

Coffs Harbour Swimming Club members take on nation’s best

game high 21 points for the winners.

Men’s C Grade minor premiers Chiroraptors earnt a grand final berth with a 60-31 win against Mantastic.

Gunsanjh Singh Brar had a game high 23 points for the winners.

Mantas also earnt a grand final berth with a 4227 win against Clips.

Coffs Harbour Suns Under 18s Women earnt

in the team but had to withdraw due to injury.

a spot in the Women’s A Grade grand final, with a 93-34 win against the Coffs Suns Under 16s Women 2 team.

Kira Juffermans top scored for the winners with 33 points, with Maya Duncan scoring 24 points.

Waratah Women booked their place in the season decider with a 55-49 win against the Coffs Suns Under 16s Women 1 team.

Annalise Crawley had a game high 26 points.

Hilliars Roses progressed to the Women’s

The qualifying times for the Australian Age Swimming Championships are famously challenging; all swimmers have had to work incredibly hard to qualify, training up to five times a week in some cases.

One of the Coffs team's coaches, Daniel Bannerman, said they had made a great start at the Australian Championships.

“They are doing pretty well, it started on Saturday and the girls have already made finals and achieved personal bests,” he said.

“It has been a good meet to test themselves against the best in Australia.

“And it’s good to see country kids doing so well at Nationals.”

Social Competition grand final with a 37-16 win against Block It Like It’s Hot.

Defending champions Sky Hookers made the grand final with a 21-19 win against The Ring Ins.

The next season’s men’s competitions move to Monday nights, with the winter season starting on Monday, 29 April.

A new Men’s Over 30s competition gets underway on Tuesday, 30 April.

The women’s winter competitions tip off on Tuesday, 30 April.

q Swimmers from The Armidale School (TAS) made up almost half the entries in the 2km Coffs Ocean Swim on Sunday 7 April.

was the youngest in the TAS team, spending just over an hour in the water in his first two kilometre ocean swim.

The Coffs team features four multiclass athletes and one able-bodied

Rain makes golf history

By Andrea FERRARI

UNRELENTING wet weather on the last day of the Australian Women’s Classic Bonville presented by Pacific Bay Resort Studios compelled the officials to cancel the final round.

The historic decision was made on Sunday 7 April, and for the first time in the golfing tournament’s history, joint winners have been declared.

With the final round cancelled, Jess Whitting of Western Australia, Nicole Broche Hestrup of Denmark, and Chinese Taipei’s Peiying Tsai, who all carded opening rounds of six under par 66, have etched their names in history as the first-ever joint winners of the Australian Women’s Classic Bonville.

Annika Rathbone of the Australian Golf Club was declared the low-amateur with a score of three under.

Despite the daunting task of dealing with over 80 millimetres of rain overnight, the Bonville green staff made every effort to make the course playable.

This was in addition to the nearly 200 millimetres of rain the course had already endured since Monday.

Australia’s Whitting was delighted with the unexpected victory.

However, she acknowledged circumstances could have unfolded differently under normal conditions.

“It’s hard because I wanted a chance to go out there and play and prove myself.

“But then it’s also a great

Coffs Harbour Bridge Results

By Nerellyn MITCHELL

MARCH 4th - A NS N Williams, J Burrows; EW B Butler, M Pailthorpe - B NS T Maxwell, J Reid; EW N Brook, N Anderson

March 5th - J Watson, D Johnson

March 6th - NS M Johnson, S Dilosa; EW D Hickie, N Williams

Coffs Table Tennis Results

By Dale ALLEN

FRIDAY, 5th April, 2024

Division 1 Will Fang d Arpit Pathak 3/2, Reece Baker d Gerard Martin 3/0, Will Fang d Gerard Martin 3/2, Reece Baker d Arpit Pathak 3/0, Arpit Pathak d Gerard

MNC Cross Country

By Peter BERINGTON

7 APRIL 2024 at Botanic Gardens

RESULTS: 2km (Male) - Kweller

Happ 8:45, 1; Ned Griffin 9:09, 2; Edison Happ 9:49, 3; Matthew McAleer 9:54, 4; Jackson Hood 10:01, 5; Finn Kahler 10:06, 6; Astin Nuttall 10:09, 7; Kyle McGrorey 10:26, 8; Noah Stokes 10:35, 9; Brad Simmons 10:40, 10; Christian Petersen 10:48, 11; Rodney Howe 11:18, 12; Hudson Nightingale 11:52, 13; Austin Hundle 11:53, 14; Andrew Wong 11:54, 15; Craig Hundle 11:58, 16; Sol Bridger 11:59, 17; Max Kelly 12:06, 18; Iggi Nuttall 12:14, 19; Safety Beach Women’s Golf Club

By Marylin ELY

SAFETY Beach Women’s Golf Club’s recent competition

On Tuesday 26 March, Safety Beach held their Open Day at Safety

outcome because, who knows, I could have gone out there and not played well and fell down the ranks… but it’s out of my control.

“I’m pretty excited though, it’s a pretty cool thing to write down on the resume,” she said.

Broch Estrup arrived at the course earlier than she would have liked after an interrupted night.

She had adjourned to the range to practice before hearing the result.

“I was on the range.

“I just thought I would do something when I found out.

“I was woken up at midnight with the thunder and thought we were not playing any golf, then when I woke up a little nervous, I had a chat with my husband and got a nice message from Thomas Bjorn (Danish Olympic golf captain).

“I really wanted to play golf today.

“It’s unfortunate we are not playing.

“The course is not good, and we can’t do anything about the weather.

“Right now, it feels a bit weird, but a win is a win.

“Obviously, I’ll take it.”

Peiying Tsai was delighted to pick up her first win on the WPGA Tour.

Bonville Golf Resort General Manager Brad Daymond thanked the players for their patience in extraordinary circumstances.

“Obviously we are disappointed not to be able to proceed with the final round, but I don’t know if there is a golf course on the east coast right now that could have dealt with that much rain,” said Daymond.

March 8th - NS C Brown, J Burrows; EW T Cooper, N Williams

March 9th - NS B Herring, C Tolley; EW S Kreplins, J Isaacs

March 11th - A NS A Schwarz, T

Schwarz; EW A Anderson, D Anderson - B C Everson, J Michael

March 12th - D Featherstone, N

McIvor

March 13th - NS V Gayford, R Rutter; EW J Stimpson, H Chalk

Martin 3/0, Reece Baker d Will Fang 3/0. WINNER: Reece Baker from Will

Fang.

Division 2 Troy Prystasz d Bo Zhang 3/1, George Ruaporo d Ann Joy 3/0, Bo Zhang d Lachlan Dierkx 3/2, Troy Prystasz d Ann Joy 3/0, Lachlan Dierkx d Ann Joy 3/0, Troy Prystasz d George Ruaporo 3/1, George Ruaporo d

Darcy Kelly 12:15, 20; Bryson Kelly 12:16, 21; Mark Kirstein 12:17, 22; Chris Hamilton 12:18, 23; Murray Stuart 12:44, 24; Matt Evans 13:21, 25; Oaklei Nuttall 15:02, 26; Peter Hood 17:50, 27; Jesse Munn-Power 19:33, 28; Jeff White 22:15, 29; Steel Beveridge 28:29, 30.

RESULTS: 2km (Female) - Poppy

Barclay 8:23, 1; Amelia Harrigan 9:48, 2; Harper Nightingale 9:50, 3; Skyla Petersen 10:28, 4; Kristy Bridger 10:34, 5; Sienna Forrest 10:46, 6; Lola Barclay 10:50, 7; Clarissa Hull 10:59, 8; Penny Harrigan 11:08, 9; Maddison Riley 11:10, 10; Alex Greenhalgh 11:11, 11; Megan Bailey 11:17, 12; Victoria Jones 12:09, 13; Eliette Munn-Power 12:11, Beach Golf Course and 76 ladies started with a shotgun start. The day was strongly supported, and a sincere thank you to all our wonderful sponsors. Winners of the 4BBB were Trish Hill and Karen Smith. Second place Leanne Clark and Merryl Kyburz, third place visitors Jackie Chapman and Gaye Hardcastle.

As a show of goodwill, tournament promoters Golf NSW will issue a $500 payment to every player in the field to assist in travel costs incurred during the week.

“This is not how anyone wants to finish a tournament, but we felt that it would be unfair on players to hold them for an extra day with no guarantee of play being able to go ahead,” said Golf NSW Chief Operating Officer Graeme Phillipson.

March 15th - NS C Hocking, P Hocking; EW D Jeffery, M Pailthorpe

March 16th - NS E Colley, D Strachan; EW V Gayford, P Haigh

March 18th - A NS C Tolley, P Griffin; EW T Cooper, D Hickie - B P Lee, A Smith

March 19th - J Watson, D Johnson

March 20h - NS S Dilosa, D O’Meara; EW S Kreplins, J Isaacs

March 22nd - NS E Colley, D Lachlan Dierkx 3/1, Ann Joy d Bo Zhang 3/1, Troy Prystasz d Lachlan Dierkx 3/2, George Ruaporo d Bo Zhang 3/0.

WINNER: Troy Prystasz from George Ruaporo.

Division 3

Ray Pine d King McKie 3/0, Dale Allen d Terry Baker 3/1, Ray Pine d Terry Baker 3/0, Dale Allen d King McKie 3/0, King McKie d Terry 14; Kathy Robson 12:21, 15; Brooklyn Stokes 12:37, 16; Kylie Davis 12:38, 17; Janie Mahoney 12:39, 18; Sierra White 12:43, 19; Isla Kelly 13:15, 20; Sara Evans 13:20, 21; Sara Bergen 13:25, 22; Lisa Jenyns 13:32, 23; Zoe Counter 13:32, 24; Melinda Counter 13:34, 25; Iris Greenwood 13:40, 26; Joanne Munn 14:21, 27; Bridgette Jones 14:22, 28; Tasman Kahler 14:23, 29; Melissa Kahler 14:24, 30; Megan Harrigan 14:43, 31; Vicky McClure 15:03, 32; Lara Karrasch 15:34, 33; Kirra Bridger 15:35, 34; Kymberley Rivera-Torrez 16:23, 35; Stella Hood 16:25, 36; Rhea Nuttall 17:10, 37; Kristie Hood 17:12, 38; Lucy Hood 17:47, 39; Roberta Power 19:31, 40.

Tuesday 2nd April was a good day for the 2nd round Monthly Medal and Veterans Ball comp. Once again Trish Hill played a great game and scored nett 72. R/up Jo Elwood 73 nett. 2nd runner-up Kim Batty 75 nett on c/b from Ros Myles. Gross winner Marian Brading with 95.

NTP 4th Anne Tobin, 9th Marney

“The staff at Bonville have done everything possible to stage a tournament for us this week, but these situations are even out of their control.

“We have thoroughly enjoyed our past two weeks working with the LET and WPGA and hope to see the players and officials who have visited Australia this past fortnight back again next year,” he said.

“We understand that some

O’Meara; EW L Quinn, P Haigh

March 23rd - NS W Rogers, B Hagsma; EW V Gayford, P Haigh

March 25th - A NS C Tolley, B Herring; EW J Stimpson, A Windows - B J Isaacs, M Jil Hosie

March 26th - P Jonutz, H Eyers

March 27th - NS G Stubbington; J Hunt; EW R Levy, K Taylor

March 29th - NS R Roark, P Griffin; L Quinn, P Haigh

Baker 3/1, Dale Allen d Ray Pine 3/2. WINNER: Dale Allen from Ray Pine.

Group A (Division 4 & Division 5)

Tim Garrad d Nicole Goh 3/0, Lulu Zhang d David McGrath 3/0, Darren Morgan d Nick Jankovic 3/1, Sharee Templeton d Char Berglund 3/1. Division 4

Tim Garrad d Sharee Templeton 3/1, Lulu Zhang d Darren Morgan 3/1,

RESULTS: 5km (Male) - Kyle McIntosh 17:32, 1; James Karrasch 20:59, 2; Edward Harrod 21:27, 3; Andrew Wong 21:31, 4; Matt Evans 21:55, 5; Eric Greenwood 22:26, 6; Leon Petrohelos 22:42, 7; Peter Hood 22:42, 8; James Counter 22:58, 9; Craig Hundle 23:06, 10; Austin Hundle 23:08, 11; Jon Kahler 23:16, 12; Edison Happ 23:18, 13; Alex Greenwood 23:19, 14; Reuben Wong 23:20, 15; Ned Griffin 23:23, 16; Kweller Happ 24:18, 17; Jackson Hood 24:27, 18; Matthew McAleer 24:38, 19; Astin

Nuttall 26:10, 20; Hayden Counter 26:30, 21; Ben Happ 30:32, 22; James Barry 33:36, 23; Keith Williams 33:43, 24.

Jefferies, 11th Marian Brading. Monthly Medals went to Merryl Kyburz, Div 1, 76 nett, Jo Elwood, Div 2, 73 nett, Trish Hill, Div 3, 72 nett. Vets Ball Comp went to Trish Hill, Jo Elwood, Michelle Merrikin, Merryl Kyburz and Marian Brading. If the rain ever stops, I’m sure we will enjoy future games planned in

players will be disappointed,” said WPGA Tour of Australasia CEO Karen Lunn.

“After inspecting the course it became clear that we could not complete 18 holes today and that there were no guarantees of finishing tomorrow.

“The Bonville greens staff have done everything they can to get our players on course but the volume of rain was just too much.”

March 30th - NS L Essex-Clark, A Fisher; EW J Archer, P Quinlan

April 1st - NS C Tolley, B Herring; EW E Colley, D Strachan

April 2nd - J Watson, D Johnson

April 3rd - NS N Williams, D Hickie; EW R Rutter, P Quinlan

April 5th - NS I Doland, S Dilosa; EW B Butler, M Pailthorpe

April 6th - NS C Tolley, B Herring, M Johnson, D Johnson

Darren Morgan d Sharee Templeton 3/0, Tim Garrad d Lulu Zhang 3/0.

WINNER: Tim Garrad from Lulu Zhang. Division 5

Char Berglund d Nicole Goh 3/2, Nick Jankovic d David McGrath 3/2, David McGrath d Nicole Goh 3/0, Char Berglund d Nick Jankovic 3/2.

WINNER: Char Berglund from Nick Jankovic.

RESULTS: 5km (Female) - Kristy Bridger 23:09, 1; Willow Nuttall 24:33, 2; Lara Karrasch 25:03, 3; Sierra White 26:35, 4; Michelle Randall 26:50, 5; Kathy Robson 27:52, 6; Trisha Barry 32:08, 7.

RESULTS: 10km (Male) - Paul Woodhouse 43:20, 1; Chris Giffin 43:20, 2; Bruce Meder 48:01, 3; Rodney Howe 48:45, 4; Chris Hamilton 49:36, 5; Brad Simmons 49:54, 6; Mark Kirstein 50:56, 7.

RESULTS: 10km (Female) - Megan Bailey 46:01, 1; Clarissa Hull 53:51, 2; Janelle Giffin 58:36, 3; Janie Mahoney 59:47, 4; Lisa Jenyns 1:05:01, 5. Next

q Trio of winners: Nicole Broch Estrup of Denmark, Jess Whitting of Western Australia and Chinese Taipei’s Peiying Tsai at the Australian Women’s Classic-Bonville presented by Pacific Bay Resort Studios.

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 Mitre 10 Woolgoolga Top Town Market

Sunken Chip Takeaway Sandy Beach Nicole Cardow Real Estate Sunset Room Restaurant Woolgoolga Library Royals Garage, Corinidi Beach COFFS HARBOUR Coffs Central Shopping Centre Fresco Marketplace Palate and Ply Coffee Shop Lucky 7 Supermarket, Northside Shopping Centre Bray Street Newsagency Coffs Coles Supermarket Woolworths Spar Supermarket Coffs Harbour Spar Supermarket Jetty Village Shop 36 General Store Midway Convenience Shop Good Price Pharmacy Discount Chemist CBD BP South BP Truck Stop South Caltex Service Station BP Service Station

Woolgoolga Bowling Club

Results

By Glenn LANE

TUESDAY Social Bowls 2 - 4 - 24

Mark Sharpe and T Allen defeated D

Barnard and G Pallister 23 - 19

M Lampert and C Latham defeated C Davis and G McInerney 33 - 15

M Hopes and R Bennell defeated W

Gavenlock and F Cacciattolo 24 - 12

C Boyden and G Cunningham

Sawtell Bowls Results

By Geoff HAMPSON

MONDAY AFTERNOON BOWLS 2pm to 4pm Replaces Twilight Bowls as from 8/4/24

MONDAY Twilight Bowls 1/4/24

R Redman, L Kratz, A Wheeler DEF J Chapman, K Taylor, B Connors

J Cherne, N Elford, G Hampson

DEF K Mason, S Wheeler, A Day

E Korchma, S Mason, N Foy DEF R Hampson, P Day, M Flint

Mid North Coast Veteran Golfers Association

By Collin CUTT

TUESDAY , 26th March, 2024, 21 MNC Veteran golfers competed in a single stableford at Sawtell Golf Course.

Winner: Ken Graham 35, 1st runner-up Des Hoy 34, 2nd runner-up Mike Raymond 32.

Coffs Harbour Golf Club

Ladies

Court Homebase

The Village Pantry - Homebase Observatory Apartments

The Happy Frog

Northside Bakery

Book Warehouse Community Village

Coffs Harbour Library and Cafe

Coffs City Council

Nu Era Kitchens

Big 4 Park Beach Holiday Park

Clarke Rubber Morrisons Betta Electrical

Coffs Harbour Surf Club

North Coast V Twins

Masonic Lodge

By Lynda Butler

TUESDAY 2 April – 9 hole Single

Stableford with 35 starters

A Grade –Jenny Malouf (35) 18, Carolyn Daley (25) 17

B Grade – Lin Kildea (54) 16, Anne Ericsson (46) 15 c/b

NTP’s - 12th hole (Pro Pin) Div 1 – Jenny Malouf, Div 2 – Natalie Heckenberg 15th hole Div 1 - Prue Trethowan, Div 2 – Lin Kildea Wednesday 3 April – Ladies Single

Coffs Harbour Rifle Club

By Geoffrey HART

APRIL 03 - Howard St Rimfire Range. The 90m Field Class match was conducted with 22 participants. Master

Grade: Jake Buckley 94.7, Ben R 94.4, Bruce Hartmann 93.9, Daniel Finlay 93.5, A Grade: Johan Greyling 81.2, Geoff Slattery 80.0, Matt Walsh 75.0, Anthony Khalil 62.0, B Grade: Sarah Jones 80.3, Cherelle Steinhardt 73.2, Member-677 70.1, Ryan Banks 65.1, C Grade: Jeff W 74.2, Carl P 68.2, Pete C 65.0, Mitch

defeated K Costelloe and Doug Coombes 17 - 16

J Prosser, L Walsh and M Brookes

defeated J Lynn, W Prosser and D Mason 31 - 26

L Kaufmann and R Kaufmann

defeated R Shaw and A Wroe 26 - 12

J Weston and T McKenzie defeated G Lane and I Cork 23 - 22

J Taylor and H Schutz defeated K Stirling and S Dodd 17 - 15

1st Rink Mark Sharpe and T Allen

2nd Rink J Prosser, L Walsh and M

TUESDAY– Ladies Social Bowls 2/4/24 Triples

T Rhoads, A Day, N Harvey (won on ends) DEF M Friend, B Connors, D Grebert

H Dodd, H Muir, J Partridge DEF L North, T Thomas, D Ide

T Goninan, L Kratz, L Mitchel DEF L Savage, M McDonald, N Foy

N Elford, L Wheeler, D Tree DEF G Pickard, R Lucas, J Wheeler

WEDNESDAY- Men’s Social Bowls 3/4/24

R Stock, P Collins, B Martin Def C Bourke, J Townsend, L Zecchinati

Ball run to 32 pts.

No NTP’s. (Apologies from Sawtell Pro Shop for not putting NTP markers out).

Also, on Tuesday 26/03/2024, 41 MNC Veteran golfers competed in a single stableford at CEX Urunga.

Winner: Michael Bleakley 43, 1st runner-up Mick Bellew 41, 2nd runner-up Matt Lark 36, 3rd runnerup Roslyn Hooper 34.

NTP’s: John Ward (3rd), David

Stableford Lakes with 85 starters

A Grade – Caroline Hoogervorst (15) 40, Jos Mitchell (14) 38

B Grade – Michelle Palmer (27) 40, Joan Griffin (26) 37 c/b

C Grade – Narelle Turner (36) 41, Maria Sanford (33) 37

NTP’s – 3rd hole (Pro Pin) Caroline Campbell, Trisha Leng, Denise Kaiser 6th hole Lynda Bradley, Maureen

Warnock

12th hole Gloria Thomas, Carolyn Daley, Prue Trethowan (Shearwater voucher)

15th Jackie McIntosh, Narelle Turner,Maria Sanford

Saturday 6 April – no ladies comp due to wet weather

Upton 64.0, Member-832 63.2, Philip Grace 61.1, Cooper Finlay 60.3, Wendi H 27.0, Tyler K 10.0, Visitors: Danny Winkler 67.0

The 50m F-Class match was conducted with 16 participants. Cherelle

Steinhardt 195.10, Ben R 195.8, Jake Buckley 194.10, Member-677 193.8, Anthony Khalil 193.6, Bruce Hartmann 193.6, Carl P 192.6, Daniel Finlay 190.7, Cooper Finlay 187.6, Pete C 187.2, Johan

Greyling 186.2, Jeff W 185.5, Philip Grace 185.1, Saxon G 183.3, Mitch Upton 159.2, Visitors: Danny Winkler 177.3

P. Woodsell, P. Toy, L. Morris d C. Brian, R. Kelly, S. Crawford 22-11

Saturday Social 30 March

K. Williams, M. Finn, G. Stanford d S. McCudden, K. Ogilvie, R. Aitken 15-13

N. Dean, D. Orchard, R. Lane d R. Douglas, M. Berube, I. Trengove 17-15

Brookes 3rd Rink J Weston and T McKenzie

No Jackpot

Woolgoolga Wanderers Wednesday

3 - 4 - 24

K Costelloe, P Diamond and P Devine defeated J Taylor, G Lane and B

Lipman 18 - 12

G Burgess, P Hatton and I Brien

defeated T Collins, J Whalen and I Carruthers 21 - 17

G Smith, J Hampstead and I Gentle

defeated G Woolley, S Ferro and M

P Bird, R McLennan, S Wilkinson

DEF W Hall, G Fisher, M Langley

R Smithers, S Shaw, J Rice DEF P Paunovic, S Sharman, M Flint

N Wong, S Taylor, R Petterson

DEDF N Thomas, C Attard, L Preston

P Pemberton, R Rolinson, A Wagstaff DEF A Vivian, H Slater, M Aujard

T Lavelle, A Baker, B Blight DEF C Christian, M Hart, D Wheeler

B Clugston, R Williams, B Fitzpatrick DEF B Newling, P Bartholomew, G Campbell

L Woods, W Vaughn, A Robinson

Nicholls (9th and 18th), Mick Bellew (16th).

Ball run to 32 pts.

Tuesday, 2nd April, 94 MNC Veteran golfers competed in a single stableford event at Nambucca Island Golf Club, which was in good condition following recent extensive renovations to the greens.

Winners:

A grade: Stephen McNeil 37, 1st runner-up Ross Donnelly 36 c/b, 2nd

Sawtell Golf Results

2024 LADIES 4BBB Champions

Charmaine Edwards & Jakie Chapman Rs/up Hermie McGuire & Gaye Hardcastle

Gross winners

Joy Lawrence & Sandra Guymer

2/4 Medley Stableford A: Dave Rava 38, Shane Burns 37. B: Neal Oates 39, Chris Ryan 37c/b. C: Louis White 37, Bill Hicks 35c/b. Balls to 32c/b. NTP

7 A: Dave Rava, B: Brian McKellar, C: Andrew Edwards. NTP 11 A: Greg White (pro pin), B: Allan Robertson, C: Gus

Urunga Men’s Veterans Golf

By Ross HARDARKER

APRIL 1st

Single Stableford Winner Gary Teale 38 , on a count back, from Grant Cardow, 3rd Dave

McBaron 37.

Run-down Ross Farrar, Kevin Sanford 35, Garry Matthews, Dale

Sawtell Veterans Golf

By Ian REYNOLDS

RESULTS for 8th April 2024

9 Hole Stroke Net 21 Starters

Park Beach Women’s Bowling Club

By Mandy TRENGOVE

WEDNESDAY 3rd April

Mulligan 22 - 11

Bear, B Pendred and D Mason defeated M Lampert, I Cork and P Jones 21 - 15

1st Rink G Burgess, P Hatton and I Brien

2nd Rink K Costelloe, P Diamond and P Devine

Lucky Loser M Lampert, I Cork and P Jones

No Jackpot Friday Social Bowls 5 - 4 - 24 Cancelled due to inclement weather

DEF P Roach, D Bond, B Meadows

N Kotrozos, J Oates, R Morris DEF

N McClelland, J Urge, J Richardson

J Chapman, M Cutts, J Murtas DEF

N Stahlhut, P Weir, A Sorbello

I Maderic, G Walsh DEF D Isaacs, M Jenkins

THURSDAY - 4/4/24 – Ladies

Minor Singles Championships

J Partridge DEF T Thomas

S Mason DEF H Muir

L Savage DEF R Lucas

FRIDAY -Open Social Bowls 5/4/24 Cancelled Due To Rain

runner-up Matthew Lark 36 c/b

B grade: John Greensill 39, 1st runner-up Michael Bellew 36 c/b, 2nd runner-up Brad Reeson 36 c/b.

C grade: Colin Hoskins 37 c/b, 1st runner-up Houston Baker 37 c/b, 2nd runner-up Stephen Currie 37.

NTP’s: 5th – Colin Cutt, 8th – Barry Ellis, 13th – John Greensill, 18th –Bruce Parfett, Ball run to 32 pts.

Schroder

3/4 Stroke & Putting A: Lynne

Rapley 70, Charmaine Edwards 76, Rebecca Goldsmith 77. B: Karen Wilson 73, Liz Jackson 76, Paula Sercombe77. Balls to 79c/b. Straight Drive A: Rebecca Goldsmith, B: Rhonda Cooper. Putting A:

Georgina Spinaze, B: Karen Wilson. NTP

Liz Jackson

4/4 Stableford Scott Pollard 18. Balls to 16

5/4 Stableford Phil Klaus 40, Chris Barrow 38. Balls to 32. Eagle on 8 Cameron Pollard

Tierney 34, Mal Eades, Peter Brotherton, Ross Hardaker 33.

Bradmans Dave Baldock 20. NTPs 3rd Dave McBaron, 9th Ross Hardaker, 18th Dave McBaron. Longest Putt Peter Brotherton. Slab Winner Glenn Anthony. A reminder, daylight saving finishes on Sunday, so don’t be late . Fines will be enforced !

Ladies Marlene Starr 34, Debbie Telford 36 c/b

Men

David Knudsen 30, Paul Nagle (v) 34 c/b, Peter Rode 34 c/b

F Gaunt, M Long, R DeMeio 21/12

M Trengove, K Kellahan, H Brown def A M Taylor, B Bodel, L Loadsman 18/14

L Clancy, j Kennedy, C Garrett def J Rodwell, D Futcher, R Crestani 20/11

Grimshaw, P. Rambow 20-15

C. Weatherall. J, Long, T. Erskine d

N. Dean, R. Host, J. Bishop 21-18

C. Lloyd, K. Ogilvy d S. McCudden, R. Douglas 21-11

G. Williams, R. Beaumont, M. Flint d

J. McLeod, M. Meyer, P. Newman 19-13

R. Harris, M. Benham, R. Banwell d

A. Taylor, B. Edwards, M. Moppett 23-5

C. Hausen, D. Wilson, G. Hinsley d H. Katala, P. North, G. Colman 24-23

D. Condon. J. Thorn, D. Valentine d P. Lilly, G. Stanford, R. Aitken 23-19

R. Finch, J. Wills, J. Swan d J. Kindred, G. Kindred, S. Kindred 27-13

M. Finn, M. Berube, J. Dunn d S. Campbell, D. Catling, B. Garner 23-13

K. Read, N. McKee, K. Kaaden d W. Moore, R. Oakley, D. Orchard 19-18

A. Player, R. Oakley d D. Lambert, R. Holloway 19-11

S. Campbell, E. Tindall, B. Sorenson d G. Williams, M. Flint, T. Erskine 2210

Tuesday Social 2 April

G, Williams,R. Beaumont, G. Hinsley d J. McLeod, J. Rodwell, A. Dorrington 25-14

J. Robinson, G. Mayer, M. Flint d M. Miller, B. White, D. Peake 18-11

P. Woodsell, E. Cretani, L.Morris d J. Clarke, A. Stone, M. Berube 22-14

C. Williamson, D. Fulcher, R.Lane d J. Kennedy, P. North, J. Dunn 25-21

D. Stirton, G, Skinner, L. Boekman d

P. Lilly, S. Crawford, J. Phillips 24-8

C. Sheridan, J. Woodford, M. Monck

d R. Douglas, G. Stanford, B. Smith 29-13

W. Moore, R. Finch, R. Oakley d R.

T Thorn, E Blanton, C Sheridan def S Meyer, J Boulton, J Slater 29/8

S Betts, D Rowe, R Jupp def J Elliott, C Treharne, H Hardwick 18/10

C McVicar, S Hancock, J PearceKennedy def B Maher, L McLean, D Crockett 18/11

J Farrell, T Rhodes, K Blow, M Watt def C Keogh, D Walsh, L McLeod, V Slater 22/16

M England, E Kidd, K Dunn def H Illingworth, J Clarke, Y Hinsley 25/5

K Wilson, M Gudgeon, Y Schmidt def

Aitken, J. Long, B. Johns 30-15

P. Rambow, V. Valentine, D. Valentine d K/ Bienefelt, S. Campbell, G. Power 32-5

R. Jupp, J. Thorn, D. Condon d R.

Wisely, J. Proud, K. Kaaden 32-18

D. Catling, D. Orchard, M.Star d B.

Good luck to the Ladies Pennant Teams playing in Ballina this week !

Sawtell RSL Snooker Club

By Ken MASON

TUESDAY 2nd April 2024

Nicholson, Macca, D. Wilson 24-13

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

Narelle Hazon Onley

Passed away on her own terms 4th April 2024, in the arms of her loved ones. Late of Coffs Harbour, formerly from Palmers Island. Adored wife of Greg (dec). Best Mum in the world to Di, Chris, Sue and Steve. Loved mother-in-law to Gary, Phill, Craig and Nic. Treasured ‘Gems’ to Andrew & Katie, Jaime, Taryn, Scott & Steph, Kai & Brodee, Olissa, Jarrah, Jayden, Lexie, Stevi, Sienna, Bailey and Everleigh. Narelle’s family would like to thank the NSW Voluntary Assisted Dying team and staff at Baringa Hospital for helping Narelle to fulfil her final wishes.

Hoo Roo mum…we love you. As per Narelle’s wishes, a private cremation was held at the Coffs Harbour Crematorium, Karangi.

VICTOR RULLIS

FUNERAL SERVICES

(02) 6651 5007

www.funeralcoffsharbour.com.au

ROTHWELL

Amy

7th April 2024, peacefully at Raleigh Urunga Masonic Village, late of Urunga. Dearly beloved wife of Les (dec’d). Loving mother and mother-in-law of Janice & Roger ‘Stumpy’ Adams, Roby & Charmaine and Cheryl Maxwell (dec’d). Adored grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother of their children.

Aged 100 Years

Sadly Missed In God’s Care

A private interment was held for Amy in the Urunga Cemetery, Urunga.

KEITH LOGUE & SONS Coffs Harbour 6652 1999

Funeral Director’s Assoc. of NSW

Accred No 12033-01

Death Notices

SLATER

Alan Seymour

6th April 2024, peacefully at Legacy Nursing Home. Late of Coffs Harbour, formerly of Woolgoolga. Dearly beloved husband of Jan. Loving father of Julie and Darren. Adored grandfather of Ryan, Beau, Elyse, Ashton and Shadow. Cherished great-grandfather of Maddy, Liam, Tahlia, Cameron and Kiarra.

Aged 86 Years

Sadly Missed Always A Gentleman

Alan was privately cremated at Hogbin Drive Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour.

KEITH LOGUE & SONS

Coffs Harbour 6652 1999

Funeral Director’s Assoc. of NSW Accred No 12033-01

HABGOOD

Heather Joyce

6th April 2024, peacefully at Coffs Harbour Health Campus. Much loved wife of Kevin (dec’d). Loving mother of Rod, Donald (dec’d), and Lyndell. Adored grandmother of Peta, Kellie, Lee, Richelle and great-grandmother of their children. Heather will be sadly missed by all her extended family and friends.

Aged 94 Years

An Amazing And Beautiful Soul

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Heather’s Funeral Service to be held in St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Urunga on Monday 15th April 2024 commencing at 1.00 pm, thence for interment in Urunga Cemetery, Urunga.

KEITH LOGUE & SONS Coffs Harbour 6652 1999 Funeral Director’s Assoc. of NSW Accred No 12033-01

Beverley Jennings

7th April 2024

Passed away peacefully at Woolgoolga Retirement Village. Formerly of Tamworth. Long time partner of Kevin (dec). Loved mother and mother-in-law of Jeff & Lea, Darren & Sue, and Dale & Loraine. Cherished Nanny to Rory, Jack, Dylan and Blake. Loved sister to Rhonda and Bob. Sadly missed by her extended family and friends.

Aged 86 Years ‘Be Happy’

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Beverley’s funeral service to be held TODAY, Friday 12th April 2024 at 2pm in the Chapel of the Coffs Harbour Crematorium, Coramba Road, Karangi.

VICTOR RULLIS

FUNERAL SERVICES

(02) 6651 5007

www.funeralcoffsharbour.com.au

VERBRUGGEN

Alida Mechtelina

‘Ali’

Saturday 6th April 2024, passed away peacefully at Mater Christi Nursing Home, formerly of Boambee East. Loved wife of Tony (dec’d). Loving mother and mother-in-law of Tony & Lynne (dec’d), Hendrik & Alison and Ron & Cheryl. Cherished oma of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Much loved sister, sister-in-law and aunty of their families.

Aged 94 Years

Reunited With Tony

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Ali’s Funeral Service to be held in the Chapel of Hogbin Drive Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour on Friday 12th April 2024 commencing at 11.30 am.

Ali’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

DOC23/151790

Dear Aboriginal Owner,

The Gaagal Wanggaan National Park Board of Management commenced its third term of office on the 20th of October 2020. To ensure the ongoing operations of the Board of Management, the Board hosted an Aboriginal Owner nomination meeting on the 2nd of November 2019 to call for nominations for Aboriginal Owner Board members for the 2020 to 2024 term.

The Gaagal Wanggaan National Park Board of Management will complete its third term of office on the 19th of October 2024. To ensure the ongoing operations of the Board of Management, the Board will host an Aboriginal Owner nominations meeting on the 9th of March 2024 to call for nominations for Aboriginal Owner Board Members for the 2024 to 2028 term .

A second Aboriginal Owner nomination meeting is now being held to seek nominations for the Ballangarry Family Deputy and the Marshall/Edwards Deputy.

I am inviting all Aboriginal Owners to attend the nominations meeting which will be held at the Macksville Ex-Services Club on the 20th of April commencing at 10:00am. Consistent with the previous Aboriginal Owner nominations meetings, to be nominated as a Board Member or Deputy you must be present at the nominations meeting.

I am inviting all Aboriginal Owners that have an association with the Ballangarry family and the Marshall/Edwards family to attend a nomination meeting on the 18th of April 2023 commencing at 5pm, at the Macksville Ex-Services Club. Consistent with established nominations processes, to be nominated as a Board Member or Deputy you must be present at the nominations meeting.

Owners that have an association with the Ballangarry family and the Marshall/Edwards family to attend a nomination meeting on the 18th of April 2023 commencing at 5pm, at the Macksville Ex-Services Club. Consistent with established nominations processes, to be nominated as a Board Member or Deputy you must be present at the nominations meeting.

The nominations meeting will be independently facilitated , and a representative of the Office of the Registrar Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 will also be present to discuss matters that the Minister considers in appointing Board members.

It is vital that we have a Member and Deputy for each Aboriginal Owner family for a functioning Board and to ensure all Aboriginal Owner family groups have equal representation on the Board so your attendance at this meeting is strongly recommended.

It is vital that we have a Member and Deputy for each Aboriginal Owner family for a functioning Board and to ensure all Aboriginal Owner family groups have equal representation on the Board so your attendance at this meeting is strongly recommended.

If any Aboriginal Owner positions are unable to be filled on the 20th of April 2024, subsequent meetings will be scheduled as required to fill Board vacancies.

All enquiries about Aboriginal Owner nominations should be directed to our Joint Management Coordinator, David Kennedy. David can be contacted on 0408 473 904 or david.kennedy@environment.nsw.gov.au

All enquiries about Aboriginal Owner nominations should be directed to our Joint Management Coordinator, David Kennedy. David can be contacted on 0408 473 904 or david.kennedy@environment.nsw.gov.au

All enquiries regarding Aboriginal Owner nominations should be directed to me. I can be contacted on 0419 895 170.

I look forward to seeing you at the nominations meeting on the 18 th of April.

I look forward to seeing you at the nominations meeting on the 18 th of April.

I look forward to seeing you at the Aboriginal Owners’ nominations meeting on the 20th of April 2024.

Sincerely

Sincerely

Yours sincerely,

Jennie Rosser

Jennie Rosser Chair Gaagal Wanggaan (South Beach) National Park Board of Management

Chair Gaagal Wanggaan (South Beach) National Park Board of Management

Jennifer Rosser

Chair Gaagal Wanggaan (South Beach) National Park Board of Management

Dear Aboriginal Owner,

2 fridges plus wine fridge corner cupboard unit and gas heater. Prices neg. 0407580436 F040823

80 DVDs, a few movies but majority war documentaries. $50. Ph 0411 352 198

A variety of pictures old & modern prints, several by old masters. Reducing collection, prices lower Phone 6652 3791

Rooftop ladder. Extendable. Alum James Baroud. Never used. $70. 0437 543 943

ELECTRIC Fencer 240 v energiser. Daken perfect cond. Electric tape also avail. $90 0418 795 449

ERGONOMIC Height adjustable study desk chair. $50. 0490 161 119

COMPUTER aided drawing machine Open to offers Ph: 0429 945 374 F061022

BBQ, GC, 4 burner captain cook, older style $15. 0419 166 688 F010324

BENCH grinder. $100 0400 323 656

BILLARD table 8ft x 4ft plus accessories - equal to new. Slate top, Drop pockets, turn legs and sides. Full price $5,000 Ph: 6653 7595

BISLEY womens workpant stretch cotton S10 1x black 1x stone Brand new $30 each Ph 0432 294 491 F031122

COMPUTER desk vgc $65. 6650 0380

COOK canopy rangehood 60cm $50 Kitchen sink 1/1/2 basins with tap $50. Sawtell Ph: 0458 006 643

CORNINGWARE Platter on stand, Blue Corn Flower, 1960's. $85 0407 654 879

CUFF Links, mesh gold tone, wrap around with red stone. $25 0407 654 879

DESK Grey, very strong folds down for moving 1.5m L x 73cm H x 75cm W. Exc cond. $40. 0415 981 605

FEED bin, solid metal with lid, used for animal feed, capacity equivalent to a 44 gal drum. $75 6653 8337 F250823

FEEDER bin, metal galvanised, hooks onto fence or post. $55. 6653 8337

FENCING Star Pickets new, 10 x 5' 6" (165cm) $5 each, 10 x 2' $2 each 0437 543 943

FLAMMETTA gas outdoor patio heater inc gas bottle. $65. Photos can be sent. 0490161119

HORSE rugs. 2 x winter rugs 6' 3" brand new belly straps, very warm polyester filling. $50 each 0418795449 F080324

MUSO Stomp Box SK inc cable, pick up & battery. $99 0407654879

NORDIC track exercise bike fully featured console $350. 0417 481 120

OTTOMAN padded with 2 storage drawers $30. Photos can be supplied. 0490 161 119

OVEN/GRILLER, small $20. As new. 6653 8337

For Sale

SHEET Music, piano/ guitar, artists from 50's - 80's, 90+ pieces $60 0407 654 879 F160224

SHOWER screen 2 sliding doors 890 x 840 x 1690, VGC, $70 ono 0467 634 668 F010324

BLOWER Vacuum Morrison. $30 0499 592 475

BOOKCASE, white 4 shelves, 150cm H x 90cm W x 30cm D. $20 0499 592 475 F020224

BOOTS blk 37 Dj & J $90. 0432 294 491

BOOTS, blk s37 Effegie $50. 0432 294 491

BREVILLE bread and dough maker, used once. $98. 6653 8337 or 0419 166 688

DINING room table with turned red cedar legs and frame and coachwood top $200 Restored antique bed $3,500. 0400 976 080

DISPLAY shelving units 3 types for ornaments plants, models etc. $75 each. 66523791

DOG cage, metal collapsable, GC, 90cm L x 60 cm W x 65cm H $40. 0418 795 449 F080324

FLOOR rugs, 2 green rugs, 1 - 180cm x 125cm $50. Silver collection made in Turkey. Photos can be supplied. 0490 161 119

FRIDGE Fisher & Paykel.142cm high x 63cm wide x 70cm deep Fridge only, no freezer VGC. $100. 0437 543 943 F080324

KAYAK, light weight & fast. Green Ant 580mm W x 4.570 m L fibreglass has extras Exc cond. $850 0439 740 453

210 772

PICK up walking frame no wheels, collapsible / foldable lightweight Adjustable legs. Very sturdy. $40 0449707828

PUPPY pen, metal panels x 8. Each panel 61cm L x 91cm H. GC $70. 0418 795 449 F080324

SINGLE bed with wooden frame & unused mattress. $100. Call 0488 799 424

SMOKE alarms, 5 clipsal, fire tek 755psma2 New in box. $20 each Photos can be sent 0490161119

SPEED music albums 7 + others, country & popular hits. $50 0407 654 879

STAND up work bench ornamental for play or computer use. 1.2 h and wide, $99. 66523791 F260124

STEAM Mop Hoover with 2 cleaning pads in very good as new condition $40 Moonee 0422440802 F271023

STORAGE cupboards complete with shelves and coat storage space (1) 0.9m W x 1.8m H x 0.3m D. 2 doors. 2nd unit 1.2m W x 1.8m H x 0.3m

D. Fair cond. $100 for the two. Photos available 0415 669 378

For Sale

TV hearing aid ear phones, Digitech, in box Rechargeable. $100 0407 654 879

VACUUM, RYOBI, wet & dry, stainless steel barrel. $59. 0410 439 950

STACER 429 RAMPAGE. Aluminium revolution hull. Ali trailer. Mercury EFI 40 HP, 25 hrs, under warranty. 2 years old. Lowrance Elite 9" sounder. All safety gear. New cond.

WINE Bar decor 3 green glass bottles in Seagrass Vintage 1970 $100 ono 0407654879

WINE Fridge – Large Transtherm Ermitage Holds 240 bottles Reasonable Offer Accepted. 0418278966 Re190424

WOK Bessemer $20. 0499 592 475

Caravans

LARGE gold framed wall mirror. 75cm x 50cm. Photos can be sent. $30. 0490161119

LEATHER jacket, tan perfect cond, size 12 $50. 0419 166 688

LG Bluray CD/DVD disk player. With remote. $45. Photos avail. 0490 161 119

RUSTIC oblong 6 seat 1930's white mahogany farm table $60. Ph 0474 378 447 F280723

SADDLE, stock saddle 17", Marshall Poley. Price neg. Ph 6653 8337

THREE Heavey duty collapsible reflective safety truck triangles $30 0490 161 119

AVAN Aliner 3 berth

Motors

MARKWELL 3 phase 18cfm air compressor $99. Ph 0474 378 447

BEST ON THE BOX

SUNDAY BLUEY

ABC TV PLUS, 7.20pm

Wackadoo! A brand new episode of Bluey hits our screens today. And it’s a bumper one – running for 28 minutes, it’s like four Blueys in one! “The Sign” follows on from last week’s cliffhanger “Ghostbasket” and revolves around the wedding of Uncle Radley (Patrick Brammall) and Frisky (Claudia O’Doherty). With Bluey and Bingo spending the day with their cousins it’s sure to be full of fun and a little bit of silliness. “The Sign” is jam-packed with talent in Megan Washington, Myf Warhurst and Rose Byrne. Making their Bluey debuts are Rove McManus, Deborah Mailman, Brendan Williams and Joel Edgerton.

FRIDAY, April 12

Programs. 10.30 That Pacific Sports Show. (R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Silent Witness. (Ma, R) 2.00 Queen Of Oz. (Ml, R) 2.30 White Fever. (Mls, R) 2.55 Old People’s Home

MONDAY 9-1-1

SEVEN, 9.15pm

This big-budget US drama series, which follows the high-pressure experiences of a group of first responders, returns with an explosive seventh season tonight. The season premiere sees Athena (Angela Bassett) and Bobby (Peter Krause) set off on their long-overdue honeymoon on a cruise ship. But when duty calls, their holiday is put on hold. And it is only the beginning of a tumultuous time on the ship, with their onsea ordeal making up the first three episodes of the season. Meanwhile, back on land, Eddie and Buck are focused on romance, an unusual incident leaves a couple stuck together, and a fighter jet traps a civilian.

NITV News: Nula. 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10

World’s Most Scenic River Journeys. (R) 5.05

Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 6.00

Australia.

SBS World News.

Ancient Egypt By Train. (R) 8.30 Michael Palin: Into Iraq. (PGa, R)

9.25 Secrets Of The Lost Liners. (PGav, R)

10.15 SBS World News Late.

10.45 A French Case. (Mas)

11.45 Miniseries: Algiers Confidential. (MA15+as, R)

3.25 Mastermind Australia. (R)

4.25 Bamay. (R) 4.55 Destination Flavour: Japan Bitesize. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

TUESDAY

MIRIAM MARGOLYES IMPOSSIBLY AUSTRALIAN

This three-part series sees octogenarian Miriam Margolyes, spurred on by a recent health issue, embark on a mission to better understand her adopted home of Australia, meeting with changing communities to see how they are faring. In tonight’s second episode, Miriam travels to Byron Bay, where hippies, influencers and celebrities live side by side. Despite its free-thinking reputation, Miriam finds the price of freedom is steep in Byron, which is facing a housing crisis and feeling the impacts of climate change. Miriam meets a “social media powerhouse” and undergoes a spiritual experience with some local hippies.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Johanna Griggs meets waste warrior Lottie Dalziel.

8.30 MOVIE: The Green Mile. (1999, MA15+av, R) An elderly man recalls his time as a prison guard where he befriended a man with an unusual gift. Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, David Morse.

12.30 Celebrity Obsessed: David Letterman. (MA15+a, R) The story of Margaret Mary Ray.

1.30 Harry’s Practice. (R)

2.00 Home Shopping.

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

5.00 NBC Today.

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 6. Brisbane Broncos v Dolphins.

9.50 Golden Point. Post-match NRL wrap-up.

10.40 MOVIE: Gringo. (2018, MA15+dlv, R) David Oyelowo.

Tipping Point. (PG, R)

Pointless. (PG, R)

Living On The Coast. (R)

TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

SATURDAY, April 13

TV (2)

6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 Weekend Breakfast. 9.00 Rage. (PG) 12.00 News. 12.30 Death In Paradise. (Final, PG, R) 1.30 Murder In Provence. (Mav, R) 3.00 Extraordinary Escapes. (PG, R) 3.45 Brian Cox’s Adventures In Space And Time. (R) 4.55 Creative Types With Virginia Trioli. (PG, R) 5.20 Landline. (R) 5.50 Australian Story. (R)

6.20 Back Roads: The Great Australian Road Trip. (R)

6.50 Bluey. (R) Dad pretends to be an estate agent.

7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.

7.30 Murder In Provence. (Mav) An aristocrat is murdered.

9.00 Miniseries: The Suspect. (Mal, R) Part 2 of 5. Despite his best efforts, Joe becomes more entangled in the case of the murdered young woman.

9.50 House Of Gods. (Final, Ml, R) Sheikh Shaaker senses fraud.

10.50 Happy Valley. (Mlv, R)

11.50 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

(3)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Ageless Gardens. (PGd, R) 10.00 Vintage Voltage. 10.50 My Unique B&B. 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 WorldWatch. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Figure Skating. ISU Synchronised C’ships. H’lights. 4.30 The Point: Road To Referendum History

Bites. (R) 4.35 I’ll Be Frank. (PG) 5.35 A Cold War Of Spies. (PG)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Ireland’s Wild Islands. (PGa)

8.30 New Zealand From A Train. (PGa, R)

9.25 From Paris To Rome With Bettany Hughes. (PGas, R)

10.15 Secrets Of The Royal Palaces. (PGa, R)

11.05 Between Two Worlds. (Mals)

12.00 Dear Mama. (Madl, R)

4.15 Bamay. (R)

4.50 Destination Flavour: Japan Bitesize. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

(6)

6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Horse Racing. The Star Championships. Day 2 and Golden Mile Race Day.

5.00 Seven News At 5.

5.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R) A biosecurity dog makes a fishy discovery.

7.30 MOVIE: The Mummy. (1999, Mhv, R)

A former soldier awakens a mummy. Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz.

10.00 MOVIE: Non-Stop. (2014, Malv, R)

A man threatens to kill passengers onboard a flight. Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore.

12.00 My Greek Odyssey: Sikinos To Folegandros. (PG, R)

1.00 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

2.00 Home Shopping.

4.00 Mystic. (R)

5.00 My Greek Odyssey. (PG, R)

(8)

(5)

6.00 Ready Steady Cook. (PGs, R) Hosted by Miguel Maestre.

7.00 The Dog House. (PGa) A new couple are ready to make a commitment.

8.00 Ambulance UK. (Ma) It is a busy night shift for the ambulance service when they are alerted to an infectious disease outbreak at Fairfield General Hospital, while waiting times stretch out into the early hours of the morning.

10.30 So Help Me Todd. (PGa, R) When Veronica appears at the law firm requesting a favour from Todd, he agrees to help.

11.30 FBI: International. (Mv, R) 12.30 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.

SUNDAY, April 14

TV (2)

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.00 Offsiders. 10.30 World This Week. (R) 11.00 Compass. (PG, R) 11.30 Praise. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. 1.30 Gardening Aust. (R) 2.30 Dream Gardens. (R) 3.00 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.25 Cook And The Chef. (R) 3.55 Grand Designs NZ. (R) 4.40 George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.

6.30 Compass: The Friendship Recession. (PGa) Presented by Siobhan Marin.

7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.

7.30 Call The Midwife. (Return, PG) Racial tensions cast a shadow over Poplar.

8.30 Vera. (Ma) Part 2 of 3. The body of a sickly young girl is discovered at the side of an isolated railway crossing.

10.05 Happy Valley. (Mlv, R) Catherine races to protect her family.

11.05 The Messenger. (Mal, R)

12.55 Rage Vault. (MA15+adhlnsv)

4.00 Catalyst. (PG, R)

5.00 Insiders. (R)

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6.00 Morning Programs. 10.50 My Unique B&B. 12.00 WorldWatch. 12.30 PBS Washington Week With The Atlantic. 12.55 Wrestling. (R) 1.00 Speedweek. 3.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Paris-Roubaix. Women’s Race. H’lights. 4.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. ParisRoubaix. Men’s Race. H’lights. 5.30 A Cold War Of Spies. (PG)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Lost Temples Of Cambodia. (PG) Part 1 of 3.

10.15 Iznik: The Sunken Basilica. (PGa, R) A look at a Byzantine-era basilica.

11.15 Mystery Of The Golden Warrior. (PGa, R) Takes a look at the birth of Ancient Greece.

12.10 Secrets Of Playboy: The Playboy Legacy. (Mans, R)

2.40 Why Buildings Collapse. (PGa, R)

4.30 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.15 France 24 Feature.

5.30 Al Jazeera News.

(6)

6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise.

10.00 Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 House Of Wellness. (PGa, R) 1.00 Better Homes. (R)

2.00 MOVIE: Runaway Bride. (1999, PGls, R)

4.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)

5.00 Seven News

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Farmer Wants A Wife. (PGl) 8.45 7NEWS Spotlight.

An exclusive, special investigation.

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(5)

6.30 The Sunday Project. Panellists dissect, digest and reconstitute the daily news, events and hottest topics.

7.30 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (PGals) After many long weeks in the jungle, the celebrities finally receive letters from home.

9.00 FBI. (Mav) After the president of the NY Fed is gunned down trying to help a young woman in peril, the team races to find the killer and the missing woman.

12.00 The Sunday Project. (R) A look at the day’s news. 1.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings. Morning news and talk show.

MONDAY, April 15

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Landline. (R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Vera. (Ma, R) 2.30 Back Roads. (PG, R) 2.55 Old People’s Home For Teenagers. (PG, R) 3.55 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 4.45 Grand Designs. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs. (PGa, R) 10.00 Outta Town

Adventures. 11.00 Mountain Vets. (Ma) 12.05

WorldWatch. 2.05 Tony Robinson: WWII By Drone. (Ma, R) 3.00 Mastermind Aust. (R)

3.30 The Cook Up. (R) 4.00 Scotland, Slavery

And Statues. (PG, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30

Letters And Numbers. (R)

Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

TUESDAY, April 16

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Foreign Correspondent. (R) 10.30 The Pacific. (R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Call The Midwife. (PGa, R) 2.00 Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 2.25 Back Roads. (PG, R) 2.55 Old People’s Home For Teenagers. (PG, R) 3.55 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 4.40 Grand Designs. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.20 Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs. (PGa, R) 9.50 Outta Town

Adventures. 10.50 Mountain Vets. (M) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.05 Tony Robinson: WWII By Drone. (Mav, R) 3.00 Mastermind Aust. (R) 3.45 The Cook Up. (R) 4.15 Inside Windsor Castle. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Great British Railway Journeys. (PG, R)

8.30 Insight.

(R)

4.05 Going Places. (R)

4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)

7.30 Farmer Wants A Wife. (PGa)

Joe and Tom meet their love matches.

9.15 9-1-1. (Return, Masv) Athena and Bobby set off on their honeymoon cruise, but when duty calls, their holiday is put on hold.

10.15 The Irrational. (Mav) 11.15 The Latest: Seven News. 11.45 The Clown And The Candyman. (MA15+av, R) 12.45 Grand Crew. (Mal)

Home Shopping.

NBC Today.

Sunrise 5am News.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer. 6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (PGals) Eight celebrities are still in camp, but by the end of the night only seven will remain.

9.00 FBI: Most Wanted. (Mv, R) The team chases an oligarch who goes on a terror spree in New York City.

11.00 The Project. (R) A look at the day’s news. 12.00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

Home Shopping. (R)

CBS Mornings. 6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer. 6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news.

7.30 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (PGals) The celebrities face their final food trial, as yet another celebrity is eliminated from the competition.

9.00 NCIS. (Mv) The team engages in Walk-a-Mile Day to gain a new perspective on different departments.

11.00 The Project. (R) A look at the day’s news.

12.00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.

WEDNESDAY, April 17

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Four Corners. (R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Press Club. 1.35 Media Watch. (PG, R) 2.00 Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 2.25 Back Roads. (PG, R) 2.55 Old People’s Home For Teenagers. (PG, R) 3.55 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 4.40 Grand Designs. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.20 Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs. (PGa, R) 9.50 Outta Town Adventures. 10.50 Mountain Vets. (PG) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Dateline. (R) 2.30 Insight.

(R) 3.30 Destination Flavour China Bitesize.

(R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 Inside Windsor Castle. (PG, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

Miniseries: Litvinenko. (Mal)

SBS World News Late.

You Shall Not Lie. (Premiere, MA15+als)

11.55 COBRA. (MA15+av, R)

3.15 Mastermind Australia. (R)

4.15 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (R)

4.45 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30

ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

THURSDAY, April 18

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Aust Story. (R) 10.30 Compass. (PGa, R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 News. 12.55 Miriam Margolyes Impossibly Australian. (Mdl, R) 1.55 Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 2.25 QI. (PG, R) 2.55 Old People’s Home For Teenagers. (PG, R) 3.55 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 4.40 Grand Designs. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Destination Flavour.

(R) 9.20 Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs. (PGa, R) 9.50 Outta Town Adventures. 10.50 Mountain Vets. (Ma) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Alone Australia. (PGal, R) 3.00

Mastermind Aust. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (PG, R) 4.10 Inside Windsor Castle. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Costco: Is It Really Worth It? (PG, R)

8.25 Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy: Puglia. Stanley Tucci visits Puglia.

9.20 Blue Lights. (Return)

10.20 SBS World News Late.

10.50 Illegals. (Malsv)

11.50 The Witnesses. (Ma, 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 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGadv)

7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PG)

8.30 The Front Bar. (Ml) Takes a lighter look at all things AFL. 9.30 Unbelievable Moments

Caught On Camera. (PGa) Footage of headline-grabbing moments. 10.30 The Latest: Seven News. 11.00 Talking Footy. 12.00 Parenthood. (Ma, R)

Hosted by Grant Denyer. 6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30

reveal their reactions to popular and topical TV shows. 10.00 Law & Order: SVU. (Ma, R) A young lifesaver asks the SVU for help. 11.00 The Project. (R)

By Aiden BURGESS

CONTINUED Page 27