MAYADA, a young Yazidi woman living within her community in Coffs Harbour, has won a place in the 2025 ABC Heywire competition after entering her story of escaping her ISIS captors in Syria.
Heywire is a true story competition from the ABC which calls young people in regional, rural and remote Australia to tell accounts of their lived experience.
The 38 winning writers showcase incredible determination, grit, and powerful commitment to inspiring change in their communities through their stories.
By Mike HELY
q Young Yazidi woman Mayada, who lives in Coffs Harbour, is a winner in the Heywire competition.
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Mayada’s story of survival
FROM Page 1
By speaking openly and authentically about life beyond our major cities, through written stories, photos, videos, or audio recordings, the stories highlight Australia’s rich diversity and provide an insight into the lives and communities of young Australians living in the regions.
Mayada escaped child slavery and saved two other girls after being captured by ISIS in the Yazidi genocide in August 2014.
Her story discusses genocide, rape and child sex trafficking.
“My story begins with me and my family sitting in the kitchen,” writes Mayada.
“We closed all the doors because the village elders said ISIS entered and took over.
“ISIS made everyone in our village, Kojo (Kocho), go to the school.
“Once we were there, they separated the men and women.
“They tied the men's hands and put them in cars.
“After the cars drove away we heard
gunshots.”
She goes on to say how everyone started to cry and scream, with the attackers taking the women away and separating family members.
Aged eleven, Mayada was moved to Syria and taken by a man in his fifties who raped her.
“This kept going for one and a half long years, until he sold me to another equally brutal evil man.
“This continued until six men had abused me constantly.
“It was unbearable.”
After five failed escape attempts, she was successful on the sixth and managed to coordinate the escape of two other young girls kept in the same building.
“I survived and now I'm building a new life in Coffs Harbour where there is a big Yazidi community.”
Mayada was school captain and volleyball captain at Orara High School and now works as a translator for Kurdish and Arabic speakers.
“My story can be difficult to hear but it's important that people know what happened to me and to other Yazidis,” she said.
“One day, I want to write a book about my life.
“I've already thought of a title: She's Brave.”
ABC Director of News Justin Stevens, applauded this year’s winners for their honest and genuine storytelling.
“Heywire’s true magic comes from the young Australians who participate,” he said.
“With bravery and authenticity, they offer us a glimpse into their lives in regional Australia, revealing the obstacles they encounter and the aspirations they hold.
“It’s crucial for young voices to be heard nationwide, and the ABC is honoured to champion this through the annual Heywire competition.”
The stories in 2025 share tales of becoming a world-class musician in outback Queensland, fleeing war-torn Ukraine, surviving a rare childhood cancer, pursuing heptathlon Olympic dreams and raising awareness about climate issues.
Government pushing for council meeting reform
THE STATE Government is progressing reforms to strengthen local government, announcing plans for changes to the way council meetings are conducted.
It is hoped the changes will ensure greater transparency and increase community confidence in council decision making.
All councils are required to adopt a code of meeting practice based on the Model Meeting Code issued by the Office of Local Government.
The government has now released a consultation draft of amendments to the Model Meeting Code for public comment.
The changes aim to simplify the Model Meeting Code and ensure councillors are making decisions in the full view of the communities they are elected to represent.
They also aim to increase the dignity
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of the council chamber and remove the general manager’s involvement in council politics.
Key changes, some of which have been recommended by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) include:
• preventing councils from holding private councillor briefing sessions
• requiring information considered at closed meetings to be made public after it ceases to be confidential
• requiring councils to give reasons when making decisions on planning matters that depart from staff recommendations
• de-politicising the role of the general manager by removing the requirement for them to prepare reports on councillors’ notices of motion
• expanding the powers of the mayor to expel councillors from meetings for acts of disorder
• requiring councillors to stand when the mayor enters and when addressing the meeting.
“Council meetings are where a council’s most important decisions should be made,” Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said.
“It concerns me that these decisions are increasingly being made behind closed doors in private briefings, locking out the
community and protecting councils from public scrutiny.
“As a former mayor, I want to see all councils conducting their business in an open and public forum, where communities can engage with their council on issues that directly affect them.
“The current Model Meeting Code has become unwieldy and is prone to drawing the general manager into political disputes which should be left to elected councillors to resolve.
“These changes are part of the government’s commitment to restoring public trust in local government which has been eroded by years of neglect and a cultural shift towards secrecy over public service.”
Submissions will be accepted until Friday, 28 February 2025.
To learn more and provide feedback, go to: https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/councils/ governance/model-code-of-meetingpractice/reforms-to-the-model-code-ofmeeting-practice/
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SAND SOLUTION
FROM Page 1
to keep the boat ramp open.
In signage erected at Gallows, Transport for NSW explains: “This pump and pipeline installation is a trial which will monitor any effects of discharging sand in this area and the overall contribution to beach nourishment as the sand enters the northern littoral drift.”
One resident who observed the operation described it as “a stream of stinking black sludgy sand” that drifted south along Gallows Beach.
The dredging is due to run until this Saturday, 21
December, when it will be paused for the Christmas holiday period. The boat ramp will remain open.
Transport for NSW said the channel for vessels would be reassessed in early January 2025, with progress updates provided to the community in the new year.
Meanwhile, boaters and waterway users are being urged to stay clear of the cutter suction vessel located near the boat ramp, plan their trips to avoid low tide, and assess conditions before using the channel.
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said dredging would remain a feature of the harbour for as long as the
north and south breakwalls remained in place.
“Sand is naturally trapped in the harbour and needs to be mechanically removed, either by a large dredge or a small-scale dredge, like what is happening at the boat ramp at the moment,” Mr Singh said.
“This will be an ongoing feature of the harbour into the future.”
He said the boat ramp sand build-up was “a symptom of a much larger problem – sand coming into the harbour”. The primary short-term goal was to have a boat ramp that was “open, usable and safe”.
The Coffs Harbour Sand Management Plan produced by Transport for NSW in late
year in the outer harbour.
Closer to shore, along Jetty Beach, sand was building up at between 2000 and 4000 cubic metres a year.
“What we really need to move to in the future is an automated sand pumping
system that dredges the harbour without requiring expensive manual dredging, similar to the system they’ve got up in Tweed Heads,” Mr Singh said.
He said such a system would mimic the natural flow of sand northward and ensure that beaches such as Park
Beach and north to Korora were replenished, rather than have the sand trapped in the harbour.
Mr Singh said he was fighting to have the harbour dredged as part of an existing statewide program, and wanted Coffs Harbour at the top of the priority list.
The harbour needs a significant amount of sand taken out of it at the moment.
"That will probably require a ship-based dredge coming in and taking the sand out and dumping it at sea, as has happened many times in the past.
“The State Government has indicated they are looking at prioritising certain places over others and I think Coffs Harbour needs to be at the top of that priority list.”
2022 indicated sand build-up of up to 20,000 cubic metres a
q A dredge operates at the entrance to the Coffs Harbour Regional Boat Ramp.
q Transport for NSW is urging boat users to be careful when using the boat ramp.
q A sign at the northern end of Gallows Beach explaining the need for sand dredging and disposal.
q The pipeline transporting sand from the boat ramp to the northern end of Gallows Beach.
Forestry’s $29m loss sparks debate
By Andrew VIVIAN
THE North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) is continuing its call for an immediate end to the logging of public native forests in response to the Forestry Corporation of NSW (FCNSW) posting a loss of $29 million on its hardwood logging operations last year - almost double their loss of the previous year.
NEFA spokesperson Dailan Pugh, said the logging of public native forests is “an economic basket case” and that the Forestry Corporation’s Annual Report 2023/24 identifies a loss that equates to $3058 for each hectare logged.
“It is outrageous that we are paying over $3000 per hectare to log the homes of koalas, Greater Gliders and hundreds of other threatened species on public lands,” he said.
“Rather than subsidising degradation of our public native forests, if we protect them we can turn this loss into an economic benefit to the community from increased recreation, tourism, water yields and the removal of CO2 from the atmosphere.
FCNSW views NEFA’s analysis as simplistic.
A spokesperson said FCNSW manages nearly two million hectares of public native forests on behalf of the NSW Government and harvests timber from only about one per cent of this area annually.
Last financial year, the Corporation’s investment in its broad range of land management activities exceeded the government funding received by approximately $23 million.
FCNSW’s finances were also impacted by significant constraints to the ability to produce hardwood timber due to changes to regulations, legal challenges and weather, coupled with a downturn in the softwood timber market.
The spokesperson said that, while Forestry Corporation’s financial results reflect its unique land management responsibilities, the broader native forestry industry continues to support over 100 mills across NSW.
Steve Dobbyns, Executive Officer for Forest and Wood Communities Australia, said NEFA’s claims are “emotive and baseless”.
“When compared to the billion-dollar costs of managing the State’s 7.5 million hectares of National Parks, the $29 million ‘loss’
last year to provide similar sustainable native forest services for our State Forests is a far cheaper form of public land management, while also supporting a $2.9 billion regional industry that employs 8900 people in NSW alone.”
Mr Dobbyns said that forest activism had contributed to the losses and that extensive seasonal surveys are undertaken to determine what flora and fauna species are present or likely to occur in logging areas.
“Timber harvesting by
Instant health advice for when accidents happen
its very nature provides that biodiversity by creating a mosaic of stand structures, age classes and feed sources whilst maintaining tree species composition.”
He said that surveys indicate koala numbers are healthy.
The Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation (ACBF) said the FCNSW results over several years confirm that native forest logging is an economic and environmental failure that survives only by reaching deep into the pocket of taxpayers.
q FCNSW’s hardwood division has made losses over several years. Photo: Mark Daniels.
Chair Dr Ken Henry said that while the latest report reveals significant losses for the native forest division, the corporation's plantation operations returned a profit of $22 million, highlighting the viability of transitioning to reliable timber production.
“What’s even more appalling is that a lot of these native trees are felled for export woodchips.”
Greens MLC Sue Higginson said the losses do not account for logging making forests more susceptible to more intense and frequent wildfire, or the
costs of the carbon emissions and the drawdown and sequestration losses.
“The positive story and the future of timber industry jobs is in sustainably managed plantations and our precious native forests being protected, regenerated and managed for all of their other important environmental, social and economic values,” she said.
The FCNSW Annual Report also documents multiple regulatory breaches, enforcement actions and convictions for breaching environmental protections.
City of Coffs Harbour reports show a thriving LGA
By Andrew VIVIAN
THE just-released City of Coffs Harbour 202324 Annual Report shows that the previous Council’s performance was better than many on social media or in election materials would have people believe.
Former Mayor Paul Amos told NOTA, “What a great turnaround”.
“It was a pleasure to be working with a hardworking and diligent staff and cohesive councillor group to produce these outstanding results.
“It is great position to be in when you can have a few laughs along the way and still contribute to improving people's lives in some small way.”
The report, which includes a high-level commentary by Mayor Nikki Williams, reflects on the City’s significant achievements in implementing its Delivery Program.
In her foreword, the Mayor noted the ongoing development of a waste strategy, the opening of the Whale Trail at Woolgoolga, the redevelopment of Sportz Central and the importance of events-based tourism.
The 2023-24 year saw the completion of the new cultural and civic facility, Yarrila Place, which came in under budget at $80.1 million.
In terms of visitation numbers, both the Harry Bailey Memorial Library and Yarrila Arts and Museum (YAM) have been very successful, with 351,107 physical visits to the library documented.
The C.ex Coffs International Stadium attracted 114,142 visitors while 26,611 tickets were sold at the Jetty Memorial Theatre.
The report also states that there were 891,830 visits to patrolled beaches.
The City celebrates its performance as a provider of services to the community with 92 percent of customer inquiries resolved at first point of contact (based on averages for 2023/24) and all water quality complaints resolved.
The City supported local businesses by providing 25 activities through “6 degrees”.
Other noteworthy milestones for the City were the South Solitary Island Lighthouse Optic conservation project, and the recertification of the Coffs Coast as an ECO Destination.
The financials, audited independently by the Audit Office of NSW, show the City retained a fiscally stable position.
Acting General Manager Andrew Beswick said, “The audited statements show a consolidated surplus of
$18.98m before capital grants and contributions”.
The general fund (not the water or sewer funds) recorded a net operating surplus before capital grants and contributions of $7.658m.
This was largely driven by robust performance by the City’s holiday parks and an $8.741m increase in interest and investment revenue.
“City of Coffs Harbour performed well against the relevant benchmarks for all key performance (financial) indicators.”
Another special report captures the changing face of the Coffs Harbour Local Government Area (LGA) and identifies milestones for the community and ongoing ambitions.
The “State of our City Report” is compiled at the end of every Council term and provides a snapshot for a new Council to reflect on the immediate past.
The report objectively tracks progress against the MyCoffs Community Strategic Plan (CSP) which is a roadmap of aspirations across every aspect of local life and covers actions taken by the City and relevant measures taken by State and Federal governments and their agencies.
City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams said, “It’s important to note that
progress on many of the goals in the CSP can be achieved only through teamwork. So, that might involve Council, business, other levels of government, non-government organisations and the wider community.
“The benefits of success are shared by all so it’s in everyone’s interests to work together.”
The 2021-24 report notes some of the core statistics of the LGA.
For example, the total population was 80,489 in 2023 with the single biggest cohort being those aged 60 to 74 (19.9 per cent), followed by 45 to 59 (18.9 percent) and under 15s (17.7 percent).
Almost seven percent of the population live with a disability.
The biggest employment sector by industry is Health Care and Social Assistance (20.4 percent) followed by Construction (12.5 percent) and Retail Trade (12.4 percent).
The State of our City Report also tracks some of the major projects to be completed under the term of the previous Council: Yarrila Place, Wiigulga Sports Complex, Bobo Bridge renewal, Moonee Forest cycleway, Sportz Central upgrade, North Coast Regional Botanic Garden glasshouse and Sandy Beach Community Hub and Youth Space.
“The Community Strategic Plan covers the various visions of the Coffs Harbour community.”
Councillors receive committee appointments
A SECOND round of appointments to various committees were confirmed at City of Coffs Harbour Council’s last meeting of 2024 (December 12).
- Floodplain Risk Management Committee: Crs Les Oxford and George Cecato;
- Sustainability Advisory Committee: Mayor Nikki Williams and Cr Jonathan Cassell;
- Yandaarra Aboriginal Advisory Committee: Mayor Nikki Williams and Cr Tony
Judge; - RFS Coffs Coast District Liaison Committee: Mayor Nikki Williams and Cr George Cecato; - NSW Public Libraries Association: Cr Tony Judge and delegate authority to the General Manager to appoint a City of Coffs Harbour Officer as an alternate; and
- Solitary Islands Marine Park Advisory Committee: Cr Jonathan Cassell and delegate authority to the General Manager to appoint a City of Coffs Harbour Officer.
Council’s first scheduled meeting for 2025 will be on 13 February, from 5pm after the public forum (if held)
“The first plan was made in 2009 and it has been regularly refreshed since then and will in fact be reviewed again in this current financial year to coincide with the new Council.”
As well as the new Harry Bailey Memorial Library and Yarrila Arts and Museum being popular, the Wiigulga Sports Centre at Woolgoolga is also starting to make waves. The report also touches on some community wellbeing initiatives, including free library service workshops to help seniors become more confident in the online world, through to road safety awareness.
Both reports can be viewed on the City’s website.
in the River Oak Room at Yarrila Place.
Community attendance is free, but as numbers are limited, pre-registration must be completed by request of a ticket.
Tickets will become available after 5pm the Friday before each meeting.
Council meetings are also live-streamed.
q The Jetty Theatre is one of the city’s success stories.
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New action plan for Hearnes Lake
By Andrew VIVIAN
CONCERNS about water quality in Hearnes Lake, which intermittently opens to the sea, have been aired for years, as its catchment has been impacted by intensive agriculture and urban development.
After a 2023 report identified concerning levels of pesticide residue, the City of Coffs Harbour outlined an approach to improve the health of the lake’s catchment.
At its meeting on 12 December, the final one for 2024, Council resolved to endorse a new phase of actions.
A spate of measures designed to get a better handle on water quality at Hearnes Lake near Woolgoolga, and to improve land management practices in the catchment, were endorsed.
These include allocating $16,200 in funding from the 2024/25 Environmental Levy to progress “Stage 2” works.
City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams said, “Hearnes Lake is a popular recreational asset, and the City together with a number of stakeholders wants to develop a sensible, science-based long term strategy which has the potential to improve water quality.
“A key part of that strategy is to get a reliable set of data based on consistent, fixed indicators – apples with applesso any change in water quality can be accurately tracked.”
One of the outcomes from Stage 1 of the project is a “statement of purpose” for the Hearnes Lake Water Quality Working
Group.
This stakeholder body includes representatives from the City, NSW Government agencies, industry and the community.
City Planning and Communities
Acting Director Ian Fitzgibbon, said the “Stage 1 project acknowledged the work being undertaken by stakeholders in the catchment, but gaps and opportunities were also identified”.
These opportunities include supporting landholders to move towards best practice land and water management, improving water quality data and monitoring practices, improving waste management practices and communicating existing initiatives occurring within the catchment.
“Further funding for Stage 2 of the
Hearnes Lake Water Quality Project will be considered as part of the Environmental Levy Program for 2025/26 and 2026/27.”
Maxine Rowley, who compiled the 2023 report, wants more urgent action.
“Hearnes Lake is currently too polluted to be safe for recreational activities and what we need is immediate action to prevent agricultural run-off reaching the waterways running into the Lake," she said.
Councillor Jonathan Cassell also has concerns.
“The broad principles in the report are great, but how best practices can be effectively encouraged is the key to success,” he said.
“An important question is how will incentives hold polluters accountable?”
q Water quality in Hearnes Lake has been a concern for years. Photo: Brett Vercoe.
Liberal Party host community forum
By Ned COWIE
ABOUT 50 local residents attended a community forum featuring Liberal Senator Dave Sharma and Nationals MP Pat Conaghan at the Sanctuary Resort Motor Inn, Coffs Harbour on 2 December.
Mr Sharma is the former lower house member for Wentworth, while Mr Conaghan is the incumbent Federal Member for Cowper.
Both politicians gave a short presentation then took questions from the audience at the function hosted by Coffs Harbour’s Liberal Party branch.
“Topics ranged widely from the recent anti-Israel protests to energy, the navy and the growth of the public service,” Coffs Harbour Liberal Party branch
President Alison Buckley told NOTA.
“People were concerned at the spread of antisemitic behaviour in Australia, but there were also questions on the power of the unions, energy security and concerns that the Navy has become run-down, and we are down to only two frigates,” she said.
Senator Sharma, a former Australian ambassador to Israel, told NOTA the full force of the law should be applied to those who commit acts of violence or property damage against the Jewish community.
Several members of the
local Jewish community present in the audience were concerned about the rise of antisemitism, particularly in the major cities but also in Bellingen and Ballina of late, Mr Sharma explained.
“There has been a general deterioration in law and
order around this and for too long we have had a culture of permissiveness towards this behaviour,” he said.
Mr Sharma acknowledged the arrests made after a recent fire-bombing incident in Sydney, however believes police have not been willing to investigate what was seen as low level vandalism until now.
“These really are hate crimes designed to intimidate,” he said.
“It is an act of racism to target a business because it’s Jewish-owned and we have
fairly strong laws in regard to this already.”
As for energy, Senator Sharma said all the small businesses he visited while in Coffs Harbour were concerned with the tough economic conditions.
“Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary mentioned how astronomical their electricity bills have become – they have a lot of marine animals – but every business I spoke to mentioned electricity prices,” he said.
“Our (the LiberalNational Party Coalition)
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20 December 2024
solution is to slow down the roll out of renewables.
“It is the push toward renewables without battery storage in place and the premature closing of coalfired power stations that is causing these high electricity prices,” he said.
Mr Conaghan told the audience his main areas of interest were in Australia’s forestry, fishing, agriculture and energy sectors but he was also concerned with the high cost of living and border security.
q Senator Sharma visited several businesses while in Coffs Harbour, including Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary.
q Senator Dave Sharma (second from right), with Coffs Harbour Liberal Party branch Vice President Mark Attwood, President Alison Buckley and Secretary Adam Payne at the December forum.
q Liberal Senator Dave Sharma and Federal MP Pat Conaghan spoke at the forum in early December in Coffs Harbour.
Koala surveys show breeding activity in Bongil Bongil
By Andrew VIVIAN
WALKING three kilometres along forest roads quietly, in the dark, might not be everyone’s idea of fun, but Ian Scott and Maureen Courtenay have been doing it every spring for ten years.
They are part of a large, dedicated group of volunteers who conduct koala surveys in Bongil Bongil National Park for the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
Over five nights, groups cover five areas in the park listening for responses to a recorded koala call.
They record any responses they hear, along with any sightings.
Sightings of other notable animals, such as gliders, are also recorded.
The 2024 season concluded in October on a night the rain became so heavy that two teams halted midway due to safety concerns.
This was the second significant rain disruption to the usual dry spring survey program in 2024, and was in marked contrast to all previous years.
Both visibility and hearing
on two other survey nights were seriously impacted by inclement weather.
However, despite the unfavourable conditions, happy volunteers kept turning up and the results from this year’s survey season were encouraging, with a total of 34 koala records (31 heard and three seen) made during the 25 surveys.
“I enjoy adding a bit of citizen science to help the koala population," Mr Scott said.
“The surveys indicate that the Great Koala National Park should go ahead and the politicians should get their act together.
“It’s been a great bunch of people to work with over the years.”
While koalas seen were at record low levels, two of the three were either joeys or young juveniles and another animal heard was recognised by an experienced WIRES koala carer volunteer as the “yip” of a juvenile.
Other interesting wildlife encountered during the surveys were Masked Owls and many Great Barred Frogs – not surprising given the wet
conditions.
These results confirm that breeding activity within the primary koala habitat of Bongil Bongil National Park continues.
No visibly diseased or injured koalas were observed during this year’s program.
Koalas were recorded on all transect lines spread right across the national park indicating the whole of the park’s 4300ha of forest provides valuable habitat for the park’s significant koala population.
This indicates that the
population trend over time remains positive and upward, providing scientifically valid data that the park’s koala population is growing.
It shows the park is home to a widespread breeding population of koalas which is distributed right across the national park, from Tuckers Rocks in the east to Gordons Road on the northwest fringe.
The data provides evidence that the park’s habitat is being well managed for this species through effective reduction of all major threatening processes.
This citizen science program contributed 176 volunteer nights, approximately 600 hours of volunteer work, and generated valuable information that substantially increases the NPWS’s knowledge of one of the most important and permanently protected wild koala populations in the world.
NPWS Ranger Martin Smith said, “We are grateful to all our dedicated volunteers who took part in this year’s five-night Bongil Bongil National Park Community
Koala Survey, despite two nights of heavy rain.
“Each year the work of these wonderful volunteers adds significantly to our knowledge base about these koalas, where they live, what they are eating and how the population is trending, which guides our ongoing management of this important population."
Anyone interested in participating in next year’s surveys is welcome to email NPWS at npws.coffscoast@ environment.nsw.gov.au to register their interest.
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q Volunteers searching for koalas in Bongil Bongil: Photo: Graham Tupper.
Carols to light up Brelsford Park
THE Coffs Harbour Christmas Carols will bring festive cheer to life when nine stellar acts take the stage at Brelsford Park on Saturday, 21 December.
Kicking off the evening at 6:30 pm, local talent Adelaide Robinson will enchant the crowd with her angelic renditions of Silent Night and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Event organiser John Logan promised a night to remember, calling it a “Christmas extravaganza not to be missed.”
“In addition to the best local talent, we’re thrilled to have Mak and Shar headlining
the event,” Logan said.
“They are a class act who began their careers as kids, performing alongside Hugh
Jackman in The Boy from Oz. “Now, as one of Australia’s top country music duos, they grace the biggest stages
across the country.
“Coffs Harbour is in for a real treat.”
This year’s lineup is packed with incredible performances capturing the true spirit of Christmas, Logan said.
“Our youngest stars, Zahra Cawley, Adelaide Robinson, and Dylan Wigley, have been making waves across North Coast venues.
“While seasoned performers like Imogen Daymond, Matt Winckle, Haleb Beaumont, Jessica Wyborn, Reo Hita, and Louise Richards are set to dazzle.”
The performers will be backed by a full live band,
including Mitch Young and his sons Bryson and Flin, alongside Dave Strauss and Mark Hoare.
“The evening will feature a visit from Santa Claus and a spectacular fireworks finale around 8:30pm.
"Supported by the City of Coffs Harbour, the event emphasises community and family.
“It’s a time for the whole community to come together and celebrate Christmas in true Coffs style – relaxed, joyful, and family-friendly.
“Bring a picnic blanket, enjoy delicious food stalls and kids’ activities, and sing along to your favourite carols.”
q Rising star Dylan Wigley will perform at the carols for the second year running.
q Country duo Mak and Shar will be headlining the Carols.
q Imogen Daymond returns after wowing the crowd last year.
q Adelaide Robinson, performing in 2023, will kick-off the celebrations with Silent Night and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
New day for Showground Exhibition Hall
By Andrea FERRARI
THE grand opening of Coffs Harbour Showground Exhibition Hall was celebrated with a sigh of relief.
There have been some setbacks but the renovated and extended facility welcomed the community on Saturday, 14 December.
“Throughout it all we were supported by our wonderful building team at Level Projects Pty Ltd.,” Board Chairman Deb Farquhar said.
She also thanked the showground tenants, fellow Board members and staff,
“In particular, I wish to thank John Clark for all the work that he does in obtaining grants; past member, Dan Heather, for getting the build moving; and our manager, Shane Herden who had to hit the ground running immediately he started with us.”
Cutting the ribbon alongside members of the Coffs Harbour Showground and the Public Recreation Land Management Board, was Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh.
“This is an extremely proud day for our community and an important moment in the history of our iconic Coffs Harbour Showground,” he said.
“The Exhibition Hall refurbishment included a
one-bay extension to the hall, construction of a new entry, new meeting rooms, stateof-the-art amenities and new dedicated parking for people with disabilities.
“This upgrade has been a win-win. Not only has it vastly improved community infrastructure, it’s also created work for local tradies and materials suppliers.
“By working with the Showground’s Crown Land Management Board, I was able to secure funding from the former NSW Coalition Government, which included $3.2 million for the redevelopment project and $350,000 for an electricity supply upgrade.”
Mr Singh said the next project rapidly taking shape at the Showground is construction of the new grandstand and associated amenities, funded to the tune of $4 million by the former NSW Coalition Government.
Mayor Nikki Williams was surprised at how big the new space is.
“It has capacity for big groups and it’s affordable, it’s a great asset for the city,” she said.
For local builders Joel Paine and Mike Zucher from Level Projects Pty Ltd it was good to see the under-utilised area being developed and discovered by people in the community who didn’t know
it was there.
“It’s really nice to see money being put back into a facility the whole community can use, and it’s so close to the Coffs CBD,” Mr Paine said.
Coffs Harbour Creative Arts Group has its gallery at the Showground and a
cohort of artists joined in the celebrations.
President Sue Roberts and member Ken Pay have both donated artworks which hang in the renovated building.
“The new hall gives us another place to have an
exhibition.
“In the past we’ve used the Norm Jordan Pavilion, but the Exhibition Hall will be much better and fit for purpose,” Sue said.
Rotary Club of Coffs Harbour Secretary Betty Kitchener said the hall will play host to the club’s biggest annual fundraiser, the Rotary Book Fest.
“The hall looks wonderful – it’s got such potential for events.
“We look forward to bringing Rotary Book Fest here on 15-22 March, 2025.”
Many other user clubs and organisations attended the opening including Pacific Dance Centre, Coffs Harbour Lapidary Club, Coffs Coast Railway Modellers Club, Coffs Coast Pipes and Drums band, Coffs Harbour Creative Arts Group, Coffs Harbour Show, the equestrian clubs and many more.
q Coffs Coast Pipes and Drums entertain guests.
q Coffs Harbour Creative Arts Group members Maxine Kohlhagen, Ken Pay, Isabella Brandli, President Sue Roberts and Ivinnie Brown.
q Young Zavier and his dad watch the model trains display.
q Sue Roberts by her painting Tree of Life, in the style of Gustav Klimt, donated to the Showground Exhibition Hall.
q Rotary Club of Coffs Harbour Secretary Betty Kitchener.
q Groundsman Kevin Cheers, Showground Manager Shane Herden, Level Projects director Joel Paine and partner Taylah Raymond.
q Showground and Public Recreation Land Management Board Chairman Deb Farquhar, Gurmesh Singh MP and Mayor Nikki Williams.
Award for Jetty design
By Andrea FERRARI
MID North Coast architecture
practice King and Campbell has won a commendation for a Coffs Harbour project at the Australian Institute of Architects 2025 NSW Regional Architecture Awards.
The Commendation for Public Architecture was awarded for their work on the Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshore Community Building.
The design is a two-storey public building, located within the Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshore precinct.
Port Macquarie based King and Campbell worked collaboratively with Property
and Development NSW, along with NSW Public Works, Northrop Consulting Engineers and Lahey Constructions over two years, to deliver the building.
Judging was based on core criteria including the conceptual framework, public and cultural benefits, cost/ value outcome, sustainability and the response to user needs.
King and Campbell Director and Lead Architect Trent Walsh said their aim was to connect the building to its surroundings.
“The building is designed to be consistent with the local coastal, sub-tropical vernacular of Coffs Harbour,
iconic in nature, whilst balanced in intricacies of the cultural and European histories of the area.
“Our proposal focused on the use of resilient materials, parkland connections and place making.
“The building form blends within an Indigenous landscape and houses several community groups, public amenities and kiosk – making it an important meeting place for the community.
“On the upper level there is space for a restaurant and function area, along with meeting rooms.”
Mr Trent said solar panels have been installed to supplement energy
consumption, while a large inground rainwater tank, solar screening, and the use of recycled materials during construction all work to reduce the building’s longterm carbon footprint.
“We are extremely grateful and overwhelmingly appreciative of Property
and Development NSW, for providing an opportunity for regional emerging architects to work on such a high-profile and regionally significant project.”
The project is now invited to progress to the 2025 NSW Architecture Awards, which celebrates design excellence
and its contribution to communities across the state.
The building was also listed as a finalist for the Urban Development Institute of Australia NSW 2024 awards in the category for Excellence in Regional Development.
q The Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshore Community Building.
q Award presenter Jessica Lindsay with King & Campbell’s Trent Walsh (Architect/Director) and Harriette Fisher (Architect). Photo: Edward Cross Photography.
Op-ed: Embracing opportunities for the Coffs Coast
By Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh SINGH
AS Christmas Day nears and 2025 beckons, I’m reminded of just how swiftly time marches on.
It feels like only yesterday when I was elected in 2019.
Yet here we are, more than five-and-a-half years later, reflecting on a period that has dramatically reshaped our world.
In what feels like the blink of an eye, we’ve been confronted with events of immense magnitude that have tested our resilience and redefined our collective experience.
We faced the devastating fires of 2019 and 2020, which ravaged our landscapes and communities.
Before we could fully recover, a global pandemic swept across the world, altering the very fabric of our daily lives.
As we grappled with lockdowns and a health crisis, floods came crashing through, adding yet another layer of hardship.
Now, as we emerge from those challenges, we’re met with soaring inflation and a rising cost of livingissues weighing heavily on households everywhere.
Amid these trials, we’ve also witnessed the strength and resilience of our communities.
Time has marched onquicker than we would like - and many projects on the Coffs Coast have moved along quite considerably since 2019.
The biggest is the Coffs Harbour bypass.
Back in 2019 the big debate was whether we would get tunnels or cuttings.
I’m proud to say that I was able to advocate for, and secure funding for, the tunnel construction on the bypass.
The project moved through the preliminary stages, and recently the project moved forward in huge leaps with the blasting of some of the tunnels breaking all the way through.
The bypass is on track to open to traffic at the end of 2026, with full completion of the project by 2027.
With a bumper holiday season now with us and the traffic that comes with it, we cannot wait to get the congestion out of our city.
Alongside the bypass, the Pacific Bay Film Studio project is continuing ahead.
I’ve facilitated productive meetings with Transport for NSW and various Ministers
in the State Government to ensure that the studios are able to proceed.
These two projects are the two biggest infrastructure projects in our city's history.
Not only are they happening at the same time, but they also share a boundary.
We need Transport and the State Government to commit to building a noise wall between the two projects, not only to allow the studios to continue to proceed full steam ahead but to also replicate the natural forest wall, which used to provide a noise and amenity barrier but has since been removed for the road construction.
Also in 2019, the State Government recommenced a project to revitalise the Coffs Harbour Jetty Precinct.
A generation of people have witnessed what should be a vibrant waterfront precinct languish in weeds, dust and vast unusable areas.
Collaboration and working across all levels of government is the only way to deliver outcomes our community wants and deserves.
Most people want a Jetty Precinct that meets the needs of residents and enhances our region’s appeal to visitors.
q Play on till 10pm at Connell Park Precinct hardcourts.
In my lifetime, I have seen the industrial sheds disappear, leaving behind an amazing opportunity to create something for the next generation.
I’ve called on the Minns Labor Government, which is both the landowner and rezoning authority for the revitalisation project, to prioritise tourism accommodation over other types of accommodation in the Jetty Precinct.
That sentiment is also shared by our council.
The community will, of course, continue to have input into the project as it progresses.
But our community cannot afford to kick this
project down the road any longer.
Just look at the decision to defer spending on the Woolgoolga and Sawtell pools.
Who knows how much more time will pass before that opportunity for those communities will come around again.
In October, I joined hundreds of others for the relaunch of Aanuka Beach House.
Aanuka is one of Coffs Harbour’s original resorts and has seen a great investment from the Tilley and Wills hospitality group.
Tilley and Wills bring with them a great hospitality pedigree, and the feedback
from the community is that they love it and they’re hungry for more.
There is so much happening in our community every day.
I am grateful to live where I live and to represent the people of the Coffs Harbour Electorate in the NSW Parliament.
As we reflect on the past five or so years, there is so much to look forward to over the next five years.
But just as the past five years have gone by in the blink of an eye, so too will the next five.
There is so much to be done, and only so much time. Merry Christmas.
Connell Park to be lit longer
By Andrea FERRARI
CONNELL Park Precinct’s hardcourts will see the light for longer these school holidays.
Bellingen Shire Council has extended the lighting hours for the newly upgraded multi-purpose hardcourts until 10pm, allowing for evening games and community activities.
Previously, the lights were available until 9pm. However with the school holidays in play, more community members are up for using
the facility in the cool of late evening.
The lighting is available in 30-minute blocks by pressing a switch at the courts that was installed as part of the precinct’s transformation.
The completion of Stage 1 of the Connell Park Precinct Project in May 2024 saw the transformation of grass netball courts into state-ofthe-art hardcourts, complete with the competition-grade lighting.
The extended lighting hours reinforce Council’s efforts to promote safe and
inclusive recreational opportunities for the community.
“This decision reflects Council’s focus on creating inclusive, accessible, and safe spaces for recreation, and we’re proud to support our local sporting groups and families in this way,” said Mayor Steve Allan.
Looking ahead to 2025 there are two more stages to be completed.
Stage 2 sees field drainage, surface improvements, and lighting installation completed by June 2025.
The fields at Connell Park are currently closed for these works.
Stage 3 focuses on new amenity buildings, which are scheduled to start in early 2025 and finish late in the year.
The meaty history of the mince pie q
By Kimberley G CONNOR, Food Historian and Historical Archaeologist
THIS year as you sit down to a well-deserved cup of tea and a mince pie, or leave a plate out for Santa, take a moment to think about the centuries of history behind this Christmas staple.
During the medieval period it was common to mix meat or even fish with expensive imported ingredients like sugar, dried fruit and spices.
Recipes of this type, sometimes called ‘shrid’ pies, are included in some of the earliest English recipes collections.
By the end of the 16th century the pies had acquired both their modern name (‘minst pyes’ in The Good Haus-wives Treasurie, 1588) and the strong connection with Christmas which meant they were sometimes also called Christmas pies.
Early modern recipes continued to have a good proportion of meat - veal or beef, mutton or even tonguebut they called for more and more fruit, spices and sugar.
Shipped from the Middle East, the East Indies and the Americas, these ingredients were a way to show off wealth and good taste.
For families that could only afford them once or twice a year then Christmas was the time.
Since then, as those ingredients became cheaper and as the combination of meat and sweet fruit became less fashionable the meat has all but disappeared from mince pies.
The only reminders of mince pies' meaty history are the name, and the suet (kidney fat) which is still found in many recipes but can be replaced with butter
for vegetarians.
If you’re not avoiding meat this season, however, why not add some meat to your mince pies with this seventeenth century recipe?
Not only does it cut down on the sickly sweetness of modern mince pies, but it’ll be a great conversation starter over a glass of eggnog.
The following is a mincemeat recipe based on My Lady of Portland’s Mince Pyes from ‘The Closet of Sir Kenelm Digby, Knight Opened’ (1669).
q Kimberley Connor is a historical archaeologist, food historian and postdoctoral scholar with Stanford Archaeology Center. Her work combines archaeological analysis with archival research to study historical diets.
• 113g cooked beef, veal or tongue, diced (great for using up leftovers from roast beef or lamb or similar)
• 227g suet
• 170g currants
• Peel of 1/8 lemon, diced
• 2/3 green apple, cored and grated
• 1 1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/3 tsp mace, grated
• 1 tsp ground cloves
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup rosewater
• 40g sugar
• 1/4 cup sherry
• Candied citron and orange peel, sliced
• Dates, sliced
• Caraway seeds
To make the mincemeat, combine the meat, suet, currants, lemon, apple, ground spices, sugar and rosewater in a large bowl.
When making the pies,
prepare shortcrust pastry cases and fill them with mincemeat then place slices of candied citrus peel and a sprinkle of caraway seeds before covering with the lid. You can make either more modern small pies or, for a more traditional feel, make one large pie in a pie-tin. For more historical recipes, see Kimberley’s blog Turnspit & Table at www. turnspitandtable.com.
Mince pies ready for baking.
Newborn sea lion pup’s a ‘Maverick’
By Andrea FERRARI
THE Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary announced the birth of a male Australian Sea Lion pup on 15 November, 2024.
Sanctuary manager Tiga Cross expressed excitement about the new arrival named “Maverick”.
“Maverick's birth fills us with immense pride and optimism,” she said.
“Each new pup represents not just a victory for this very important breeding program but also a beacon of hope for the future of
Australian Sea Lions.
“Maverick’s strong spirit reminds us of the importance of protecting these incredible animals.”
Born to mother Miri, who also has a two-yearold named Miki, Maverick already shows signs of independence and strength, characteristics that inspired his name.
At two weeks of age,
q Four-weekold Sea Lion pup ‘Maverick’ was born at Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary.
he weighed in at 11.9kg, which makes him the heaviest pup born at the facility to date.
Now, at four weeks, he’s growing very fast and showing strong signs of physical development.
The Sanctuary, which operates one of the world’s most successful species management program for Australian Sea Lions, welcomes Maverick as its 21st pup.
The most recent pup
being Garlambirla born in February of this year.
Mum Miri, also born at the facility in 2009, continues to play a vital role in the success of their endangered species management program.
Staff at the Sanctuary see Maverick’s arrival as a symbol of good luck and resilience, reflecting the ongoing fight for the species’ survival against challenges like habitat loss, entanglement in fishing
gear and pollution. Through proactive conservation efforts, the Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary is dedicated to ensuring a brighter future for Australian Sea Lions and the marine ecosystems they call home.
“This milestone emphasises the importance of collective action in safeguarding our oceans and the diverse life they sustain,” Ms Cross said
this ad in-store to receive 15% off your purchase! Open 6 days a week until Christmas Eve!
Cr Nikki Williams Mayor, City of Coffs Harbour
Christmas is here and the entire LGA has festivities in full swing, with Santa out doing the rounds already! We kicked off the Christmas spirit with the Ulong Mountain Community Carols last weekend followed by a wonderful night of Christmas cheer in sunny Sawtell on Wednesday night, doubled up with the annual Sawtell Christmas Street Party on Thursday.
Woopi will take its turn tonight, with the main event, the Coffs Harbour Carols by candlelight happening tomorrow night, Saturday 21st in the newly revitalised Brelsford Park. It will be a night of pure Christmas magic for all to come together and share the spirit of the season.
It’s this time of year that we truly witness just how much good there is in our community. I’ve been honoured to celebrate with so many volunteer community groups, who work tirelessly to share joy and kindness with those around them. I want to take this opportunity to thank every single person in our community who gives back to those in need, the many volunteers who make our community stronger, and the businesses that sponsor the community events bringing our City to life.
A great City is a team effort and it’s the generosity of our community that makes Coffs Harbour the best place to call home.
There is no chance for the kids to get bored this summer. There is so much to see and do in a jam-packed events calendar. Whether you’re planning a staycation or hosting family and friends, ‘Your Summer Place’ is your go-to for all the action! From music and art to family entertainment, it’s all waiting for you to discover on the Coffs Coast website.
Summer isn’t summer in Australia without cricket! The Big Bash is back on Jan 3rd at C.ex Coffs International Stadium. Don’t forget to secure your tickets - we are expecting another sold out crowd.
And remember to show your thanks to those wonderful people doing great things in our community by heading to the City of Coffs Harbour website and nominating them for our Australia Day awards!
Merry Christmas to all. Enjoy your families and loved ones, stay safe on the roads and let’s look toward a bright 2025.
www.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au
Comic strip a ‘rare’ winner at cartoon awards
By Andrea FERRARI
THE winners of the National Rotary Cartoon Awards have been announced with a comic strip taking out both its category award and Cartoon of the Year for the first time.
The winners were revealed at a presentation evening at the National Cartoon Gallery at The Bunker in Coffs Harbour attended by local and visiting cartoonists.
Ian Jones’ Bushy Tales featuring Doug the Wombat, syndicated by major daily and Sunday newspapers, was awarded the top gong with a take on putting life in perspective.
The national competition, now in its 36th year, is open to cartoonists and illustrators from around the country and run by the National Cartoon
Gallery in conjunction with Rotary.
National Cartoon Gallery vice president Margaret Cameron, said the comic strip was chosen as Ian's cartoon was a gentle reminder to be kind to ourselves, and something we tend to forget.
“We're all dwarfed by the events of the world in 2024; the war in Ukraine, the Middle East, and at home it's homelessness, the cost of living, and numerous other issues,” she said.
“Sometimes it's the quiet moments we have, among the bustle of the events of our day, that count, and Ian’s perspective summed this up perfectly.
“It's also rare for a comic strip to be a winner.”
Other winners are:
- Caricature - Xavier Ghazii’s portrait of Gina Reinhart.
- Sport – Harry Bruce’s take on the competitiveness of State of Origin.
- Politics – Rod Emmerson’s poignant look at the 80th anniversary of D–Day.
- Comic Strip – Ian Jones’ Bushy Tales.
- Special Category – Tim Mellish’s salute to the Roo’s and the Pies.
All entries are on display at the National Cartoon Gallery until February 2025.
This year’s awards attracted almost 180 cartoons from some of the best-known cartoonists with categories including sport, politics, caricature, comic strip, and the special category Football, Meat Pies, Kangaroos and Holden Cars in recognition of the new Holden Motor Museum which now shares the gallery.
q Cartoon of the Year winner Ian Jones with Rotary’s Bob Carle presenting the award, with the winning cartoon behind.
PM rubbishes Dutton's nuclear energy plan as 'farcical'
By Emily VERDOUW and Tess IKONOMOU, AAP
PRIME Minister Anthony Albanese says Peter Dutton is "hiding from scrutiny" of his $330 billion nuclear energy plan by releasing it weeks before Christmas.
Mr Albanese also criticised the bill for the opposition leader's plan, telling journalists it would be fully funded by taxpayers "because no private sector investor will go anywhere near this".
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton on Friday announced the nuclear energy plan, which he said would lead to cheaper electricity for Australians.
Setting up seven reactors across five states would cost each of Australia's 13.6 million taxpayers more than $24,200.
There was no price
modelling for power bills.
The prime minister condemned the policy's modelling, arguing public investment in "the most expensive form of energy" would drive up electricity costs, not lower them.
"That's why he didn't come out with a single costing of what difference it would make for consumers," Mr Albanese told journalists on Saturday.
The coalition's nuclear energy plan will likely be beset with hurdles and delays, a leading environmental law expert warned.
The current prohibition on nuclear generators was the first obstacle and opposition from the states would create a "bunch of issues", Australian National University professor Andrew Macintosh said.
The premiers of NSW,
Victoria and Queensland have said they would not repeal their states' prohibitions on nuclear power plants, and WA Premier Roger Cook slammed the Liberal policy costings as a "con".
The federal government could acquire land to build the facilities, Professor Macintosh said, but that could be an "enormous debt" and wouldn't solve the gap caused by ageing coal-fired power stations retiring within the decade.
"If you're wanting to make nuclear energy a large part in our generation capacity in the national electricity market, then you're going to have to do something to bridge the gap," he said.
"It's going to take a long time before you even get the first nuclear generator, let alone a whole fleet that's able to basically trade one for coal. We shouldn't kid ourselves."
The Big Screen
By Lindsay HALL
CINEMAS are hoping to bring in the families this week, with only two new releases, but both targeting an all-ages audience.
Mufasa: The Lion King will have its obligatory release prior to becoming available on Disney Plus.
A prequel to the 2019 remake “The Lion King”, this film similarly is a photorealistic animated
feature, recounting the tale of how a young Mufasa came to build the kingdom of Pride Rock.
While the original “The Lion King” was a global phenomenon that is regarded as one of the Mouse House’s very best, the remake was received tepidly upon release five years ago.
There is clearly enough good will surrounding it though, since the entire voice-cast return for brief
roles in this film, alongside the newcomers portraying younger versions of some of the well-known parental characters.
Director, Barry Jenkins, has been vocal in promoting the film, emphasising the important legacy of the original as a story that introduced many young people to Shakespeare, tragedy and the importance of community.
Playing equally well to
q The prime minister says private investors would shun the opposition's plan for nuclear reactors. Photo: Diego Fedele/AAP PHOTOS.
Nuclear energy generation would be up to twice as expensive as large-scale solar, according to analysis by the national science agency CSIRO and the Australian Energy Market
the nostalgia of parents, but with far more guaranteed laughs, the much-beloved but clueless inventor and his long-suffering dog return to the screen with Wallace and Grommet: Vengeance Most Fowl
This is going to be a wonderful opportunity to introduce younger children to the delightfully absurd world that was first brought to life by creator Nick Park in 1993 with “The Wrong Trousers”.
Returning along with the title characters, for the first time since that original short,
Clamp down on illegal seafood sales
AS the 2024 festive season approaches, authorities are intensifying efforts to tackle illegal seafood sales across NSW.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and NSW Police have again joined forces for Operation Trident, a statewide initiative aimed at protecting consumers and ensuring the safety and sustainability of seafood.
NSW DPIRD Deputy Secretary Fisheries and Forestry, Sean Sloan, said fisheries officers will be conducting a targeted
crackdown on the illegal sale of seafood, particularly during the peak holiday period.
"The holiday season sees a significant rise in seafood consumption, but unfortunately, it also leads to an increase in illegal seafood trading,” Mr Sloan said.
"Operation Trident, now in its 17th consecutive year, is designed to combat the illegal harvesting and trade of seafood across NSW, especially as demand for oysters and other seafood soars during Christmas and New Year.
"The joint operation involves both covert and overt patrols, in order to disrupt the black-market trade, prevent oyster theft, and protect consumers from potentially unsafe or illegal produce.
"The penalties for involvement in the blackmarket seafood trade are severe, with fines of up to $275,000 and possible imprisonment for both sellers and buyers."
Acting Executive Director Biosecurity and Food Safety, Dr Lisa Szabo, said it is important that the seafood that lands on NSW
plates this Christmas is safe, lawfully obtained and sustainably harvested.
"NSW is renowned for its fresh, healthy, and sustainable seafood, however the illegal oyster trade poses serious health risks to consumers,” Dr Szabo said.
"Stolen oysters, in particular, may not meet health and safety standards and could come from areas outside the NSW Shellfish Program, which monitors the safety of shellfish.
"The NSW Food Authority strongly urges the public to avoid purchasing
Operator (AEMO).
The coalition has attacked Labor over high energy bills as households struggle with cost of living pressures.
The nation's coal power plants would be shut by 2038,
is the diabolical Feathers McGraw.
Filmed in Claymationa stop-motion format that utilises clay models - this series understandably requires long production periods in order to produce films of any quality.
Aardman entertainment, the company that also produced “Chicken Run”, had a difficult relationship with Dreamworks who produced the 2005 feature “The Curse of the Were-Rabbit”, which resulted in a degree of reluctance to attempt another
seafood from untrusted sources this festive season and only purchase oysters from reputable retailers."
NSW Police, State Rural Crime Coordinator, Detective Chief Inspector Cameron Whiteside said historically we have seen an increase in oyster thefts in the lead up to the holiday period.
"Rural Crime Investigators are undertaking operations across NSW, in order to detect and deter oyster theft and protect consumers against potentially unsafe black-market produce,” Mr Whiteside said.
"Oyster theft is a serious
according to the operator.
Prof Macintosh said decarbonisation of the power grid was going to cost a lot of money regardless, but generation from renewables was cheaper.
Wallace and Grommet feature.
Added to this was the complication that Aardman’s preferred supplier of modelling clay closed down in 2023 (fortunately they had already purchased enough to complete the film).
One of the strengths of the Wallace and Grommet series is that the time is taken to ensure every production is completed to the highest standard.
The film will come to Netflix in January, but will be well worth the price of a cinema screening.
crime that NSW Police and the Rural Crime Prevention team take very seriously.
"We encourage the community to report any suspected thefts or illegal activity so that we can investigate and take action swiftly."
The public are urged to report illegal or suspected illegal fishing activities to the Fishers Watch Phoneline on 1800 043 536 or via the online report form herehttps://fal.cn/3gJWh.
Anyone with information on marine-related crimes should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: www.police.nsw.gov.au.
Funding to fast-track thousands more social homes
By Tess Ikonomou IKONOMOU, AAP
AN extra 5000 social homes will be built through $3 billion in joint funding as part of a fast-tracked round of Labor's signature housing policy.
Housing Minister Clare O'Neil will announce a new partnership with the states and territories to deliver the additional homes under the Housing Australia Future Fund.
The fund will support the delivery of 20,000 social and 10,000 affordable homes.
It follows the first
investment through the housing fund, announced in September, to deliver up to 13,700 social and affordable homes.
The extra capacity is expected to alleviate rent pressures and help thousands of vulnerable Australians get into social housing.
The second round of funding will seek states and territories that can rapidly deliver more housing through contributions such as offering new land.
The jurisdictions will be encouraged to partner with community housing providers
and will have to show the projects add to new housing stock.
Money will be provided on a "use it or lose it basis".
Applications for state and territory governments to submit projects will open this week and close at the end of January.
The federal government will also fast-track the third round of the Housing Australia Future Fund, with applications to open in mid-2025.
The government has asked Housing Australia - the nation's independent housing agency - to set up a working
group with peak community housing bodies to help engagement with the sector.
Ms O'Neil said the way out of the nation's housing crisis was to build.
"While we're working with states, territories and industry to bring tens of thousands of homes online as quickly as possible, Peter Dutton is promising to scrap Labor's housing fund and the 30,000 homes that come with it," she said.
"This partnership is about building thousands of homes quickly, and it's one part of Labor's ambitious plan to build more houses right across Australia, making housing more abundant and affordable."
A summer staple
FAMILIES across NSW are urged to put locally grown oysters on their table this summer and support an industry that is bouncing back against the odds.
NSW Farmers Oyster Industry Project Manager Andy Myers said while the industry continued to recover from the impacts of bushfires and floods, it still had plenty of top quality, fresh oysters to offer Australians this Christmas.
“It takes three to four years to grow a Sydney rock oyster to market size, so while some bushfires and floods may seem a distant memory to many Australians, the effects of these disasters are still being felt by oyster growers throughout NSW,” Mr Myers said.
“Despite this, growers have been working relentlessly to bounce back from these challenges, so
as many Aussies as possible can enjoy their produce during the festive season.
“A seafood Christmas is a favourite for a lot of families here in NSW, and our growers have made sure no one will be left without fresh and fabulous oysters this year.”
As the industry faced new challenges including increased competition from the west coast market, Mr Myers said the NSW oyster
industry needed the support of consumers more than ever.
“Oyster farmers are out working rain, hail or shine to produce some of the most healthy, delicious food for us to eat, and we should be showing our support by putting their produce on our shopping list this summer,” Mr Myers said.
“It’s time for consumers to reap the rewards of the industry’s hard work and enjoy all the incredible, fresh oysters that are heading our way.”
q Sydney rock oysters.
Photo: Queensland Museum.
q A new federal partnership with the states and territories will help deliver 5000 social homes. Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS.
'Wholly achievable': calls grow for $10-a-day childcare
By Abe MADDISON, AAP
CALLS for further reforms to create a universal childcare system are mounting, after major government announcements to improve access for families.
Anthony Albanese has promised a re-elected Labor government would abolish the childcare activity test and offer three days of subsidised care to families earning up to $530,000 a year.
The proposal would scrap the activity test, which determines the level of childcare subsidies parents get based on the number of hours they work, opening up childcare to an estimated 150,000 children.
Removing the activity test was "the first plank towards a truly universal system", Impact Economics and Policy lead economist Angela Jackson said.
"We can see very clearly that the current market just isn't working," Dr Jackson said.
Over the past year, childcare fees have increased by 10.6 percent, eroding the benefits of the $5 billion Cheaper Child Care Reforms introduced in July 2023.
"I think the next step is to really have a look at the way in which support for people using early childhood education and care has often failed to deliver in terms of access, quality and the cost, and whether or not we need some really fundamental reform," Dr Jackson said.
A $1 billion fund to build or expand more than 160 early childhood education and care services has also been announced, following parliament's approval of a 15 percent wage rise over two years for early childhood educators.
"I can't tell you how important this week was for these kids who were missing
out from disadvantaged backgrounds," Dr Jackson said.
The fund, which will prioritise not-for-profit and government centres, will give providers more security through direct funding and had genuine potential to eradicate the nation's childcare desert, The Parenthood's Maddy Butler said.
A childcare desert is an area where three or more children compete for one childcare place, and they predominantly exist in outersuburban, regional, rural and remote communities.
"The current early education market has failed country towns," Ms Butler said.
"Providers don't have the financial incentive to set up or stay open there and the early educator workforce means existing services often can't run at full capacity."
Jay Weatherill, from Minderoo Foundation's Thrive by Five campaign, said the fund was "what rural and outer-suburban communities have been crying out for".
"Not having access to childcare and early learning affects everyone, because parents can't get back to work when they want to, and local businesses and services suffer," the former South Australian premier said.
"The next step should be a commitment to free early learning for low income families and a $10-a-day cap on out-of-pocket fees for everyone else."
Labor is believed to be considering the cap as a federal election promise as it pursues its long-term goal of universal childcare.
Parents pay about $50 per child per day, and childcare was recently identified as the third fastest-growing cost in the Consumer Price Index.
Each time governments increased subsidies, the value of the gains was eroded by increases in the cost of care, Dr Jackson said.
"The current market settings encourage providers to charge higher fees, rather than drive more costeffective and higher quality care," she said.
A supply-side system, where providers were funded based on service delivery costs and parents paid $10 to $20 per day, was "wholly achievable", she said.
"There are debates about whether… higher-income earners should contribute more, and I think you can have those debates within this context," she said.
Australian Childcare Alliance president Paul Mondo said rushing change increased the chance of getting it wrong and causing long-term damage to the sector that would be difficult to reverse.
A report commissioned by the alliance found that if the costs of delivering highquality services weren't considered in supply-side funding, centres might be forced to take a minimalist approach to staffing.
"Universal application of a supply-side funding model would be complex and costly to get right, taking years to implement which is too late for many families struggling under the cost-of-living crisis that is happening now," Mr Mondo said.
Dr Jackson said there was no need to rush into a supply-side system and it could be delivered sensibly.
"We need to outline just how a universal system could work, and how it can be delivered in a way that we know the benefits of the additional government investment aren't going to be eroded," she said.
The government's
proposals were a "gamechanger" that would mean thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children could access early education and care, SNAICC – National Voice for our Children chief executive Catherine Liddle said.
"The activity test effectively denied many children the opportunity to access crucial early learning
services," she said.
"Our families are five times more likely to access only one day of care as a result of the activity test, and many families disengage completely because of the small amount of subsidised care available."
Dr Jackson said it was important to recognise that childcare was "a critical market for the Australian economy".
"It's the key mechanism by which we invest in the next generation of workers, but it is also a huge enabler in terms of participation of women," she said.
"So if we can get the market working in terms of the quality and the cost and access, then we can also help unlock a lot of economic potential."
q Anthony Albanese is making childcare access a central plank of Labor's re-election bid. Photo: Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS.
SCHOOLWEEK
TOORMINA HIGH SCHOOL
TALENT THRIVES AT THS!
Toormina High School is excited to announce an Accelerated Dance program for talented Year 8 students in 2025 as part of their High Potential Gifted Education programs. This unique opportunity allows aspiring dancers to complete their Stage 5 Dance course by the end of Year 9 under the expert guidance of Sally Atkins, the school’s highly accomplished dance teacher.
Mrs. Atkins brings a wealth of experience, holding qualifications in BAL, Cecchetti Ballet, and Glenn Wood Tap. Her impressive career also includes working at Walt Disney World, Florida. With decades of teaching experience, Mrs. Atkins has mentored hundreds of students, many achieving success as soloists and group performers at eisteddfods across Australia. Her students have won multiple championships and prestigious scholarships, cementing her reputation as an exceptional mentor.
Toormina High offers a wide range of opportunities for students to be involved in extracurricular activities. Debating remains a popular choice with teams from years 7-12 competing in the Premier’s Debating Challenge each year, as well as in-school training, mock debates and mentoring. 2024 saw the Toormina High School Year 10 team awarded zone champions and Year 9’s Saskia Iredale was selected for the North Coast Junior State Debating Team.
Talented senior students from Toormina High School took on mentoring roles to assist the passionate teachers in training and supporting junior teams and local primary school students. In 2025 the Bongil Bongil Community of Schools hopes to establish a Stage 3 Debating Competition supported by Toormina High Students and their debating coaches.
Public speaking events throughout the year saw fabulous future leaders competing in the Lions Youth of Year, Junior Secondary and Plain English
Speaking Awards. Interest in the SpecFest Poetry Slam grows each year and will encourage more aspiring poets.
The Student Leadership Team is another extracurricular opportunity for students from each year at Toormina High School, which allows students to broaden their scholastic experience.
Tournament of the Minds teams from Toormina High School competed across three divisions this year to demonstrate collaborative problem solving and critical thinking skills. The Language and Literature team, “The Unreliable Narrators” placed first in the region and went on to compete in the state finals in Sydney. This is the second year in a row Toormina High has seen teams make it to the state final level. This amazing academic program will be back again in 2025.
As part of THS’s ongoing commitment to creating supportive learning environments, 15 Year 8 students participate in the
HPGE art program. Tutor Gabrielle Brabander has worked with students on various projects over the past year, including drawing, painting, sculpture, and storyboarding. Students have enthusiastically embraced experimenting with previously untried creative mediums and techniques, producing excellent results. Writing accompanying artist statements reflecting on processes has been essential to the HPGE art program. Students are collaborating to write and illustrate a 36-page graphic anime work. Set in a fantastical world, the story follows the adventures and conflicts of a group of monster hunters as they navigate their unique world and maintain balance in their realm.
As part of the Schools Reconciliation Challenge 2024, Toormina High Schools collaborative artwork ‘Bindarray Jurriyay - The River is Flowing’ won the Judges Choice Award from over 500 remarkable
entries from schools across NSW and the ACT. This opportunity allowed talented students to connect with their Gumbaynggirr culture whilst extending their creative skills.
The school band program, run by the school’s very experienced music teachers, identifies talented Year 8 students and extends their skills and proficiency through practice and performance.
This year, the school has eight Year 10 students who have accelerated their mathematics knowledge by completing the Year 11 course content in preparation for HSC mathematics in 2025.
A before school training group, ‘Stronger Strides,’ has enabled THS athletes to improve their strength, speed and agility, with a number of students competing at state level.
Toormina High School looks forward to further inspiring and challenging their HPGE students in 2025.
At Toormina High School our goal is to build an ethical and effective community with trust and inclusion at its heart. We aim to prepare students for the future by providing a supportive learning community where students are encouraged to strive
At Toormina High School our goal
Coffs Harbour welcomes Qantas Boeing 737
COFFS Harbour Airport (CHA) has welcomed the first of Qantas’ Boeing 737s, boosting capacity to the region for the summer season.
Services between Coffs Harbour and Sydney will now be operated by a mix of the 737s and current Q400s until April 2025 while Qantas begin training pilots for their new Q400 fleet.
The Qantas 737 adds capacity to the region with the larger aircraft offering 184 seats that will provide a boost to the region over the holiday period and into the New Year.
CHA General Manager Frank Mondello said while the change was temporary, it would offer a short-term boost.
“It’s exciting to see a 737 touchdown in Coffs Harbour once again,” Mr Mondello said.
“The aircraft will now operate on the Sydney route until April 2025, before services return to the Q400 full-time. The change will provide more options for both business and leisure travellers, uplifting seats in time for the school holidays helping to better connect family, friends, and loved ones.
“While the change is only temporary,
q Qantas Boeing 737.
we thank Qantas for their support of our region and remain committed to improving regional connectivity.”
City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams said, “The peak summer season capacity increase between Coffs and Sydney adds to the regeneration of our air travel
connections which suffered a significant setback during the initial Covid outbreak.
“The 737 service has the potential to significantly enhance both business and tourism travel between Sydney and Coffs Harbour as a premier North Coast destination.”
5pm - 8pm
EVERY SUNDAY
OPINION & LETTERS
Taking a Legal Look
By Manny WOOD
The Grinch v Santa Claus
ON Christmas Eve, Santa and his reindeer were making their annual delivery rounds and as they were soaring across Whoville they stopped in at the Grinch’s home, eager to deliver a sprinkle of Christmas cheer.
When landing on the Grinch’s roof, Rudolph slipped and damaged several roof tiles. Unbeknownst to Santa, the Grinch had recently taken out an extravagant “Anti-Christmas Roof Protection Policy” with Whoville Insurance that included a special condition that explicitly excluded damage caused by “holiday-related creatures”.
The Grinch, furious, wrote to Santa stating “HO, HO, NO!
You have 24 hours to fix my roof, or I will see you in Court”. Santa, in his holiday spirit, offered to repair the roof immediately with the help of his elves, using magical hammers and enchanted nails.
However, the Grinch suddenly changed his mind, demanding an immediate settlement in the sum of $1 million claiming “irreparable emotional distress”.
Suspicious of the Grinch’s sudden change of tune, Santa and his reindeer conducted a close inspection of the roof, discovering that the Grinch had sabotaged the roof by applying a slippery peppermint oil likely to prevent “holiday intruders”.
When the case was heard in the Whoville Supreme Court, the Grinch argued that a reindeer landing on peppermint oil should know better and that Santa and his reindeer did not have the right to land on his roof.
However, Santa argued that he had an implied rooftop easement due to his longstanding tradition of delivering joy to children across the world.
After careful deliberation, the Court ruled that Santa does indeed hold an implied rooftop easement for Christmas deliveries on the night of 24 December and awarded Santa and his reindeer the right to continue using rooftops globally provided they continue to act in good faith and spread holiday cheer.
As for the Grinch, his claim was dismissed and the Court ordered him to clean his roof and issue a formal apology to Rudolph.
Thank you to Rhiannon Beck for her 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 fictional column cannot be relied upon as legal advice.
Don’t ruin our Jetty Foreshores ‘home’
DEAR News Of The Area,
IT’S the time of the year when many people return "home" for the festive season.
For a lot of us, the Jetty Foreshores area is a precious touchstone on returning. It should be kept as an iconic place to return to.
This has been my position from my first Foreshores committee appointment some 29 years ago.
We all want improvements, I say recreational improvement for the city to grow into.
So, a recap on the Jetty Foreshores activation process and plans.
A steering committee formed about four years ago overseen by local State Member Gurmesh Singh.
In my opinion the composition of this committee had little diversity and the selection process of members was unusual.
This committee did meet about four times a year, but some members had extremely poor attendance records.
There were no votes taken or recorded on endorsing outcomes.
Minutes of meetings took many months to be published.
The consulting company driving the process was changed during the process.
A resulting survey that was initiated was not random, was subject to social media lobbying, allowed multiple responses from the same IP address, had loaded questions and consequently a poor completion rate was evident.
The validity of this survey, which was the cornerstone of the multi-story private residential development lobby, was debunked by a defining poll conducted asking all LGA registered voters their opinion.
Nearly 70 percent of voters said no to multi-storey private residential development
It must be remembered that the plan to rezone the subject area to allow up to 450 privately owned dwellings on the foreshores was not volunteered by your politicians, it was buried in senate estimates enquiries to be unearthed by diligent council staff.
It should be noted that an Aboriginal consultancy report and local leaders of this community have been dismissed.
Council offered to buy the land for $6.7 million at private valuation (State Government had an internal department value transfer of $2.3 million) and include two CBD blocks for affordable housing redevelopment.
This was rejected.
Council submitted a compulsory land acquisition application.
The new council resolved to withdraw the compulsory acquisition support and three days later the council was informed the compulsory acquisition application had been rejected.
There has been mischievous maneuvering to turn generation against generation on this issue.
It is not about this, it is about preservation for all generations to use and enjoy.
It is about foresight.
When the Foreshores' potential for recreational pursuits is taken away it is gone forever. Come on Coffs Harbour, wake up!
If you don't support the groups that are trying to change this dire situation the foreshores will be choked out… forever!
A good start would be to go to the Jetty Foreshores - Let’s Own Our Future Facebook site. Get informed and get motivated.
Regards, Cr Paul AMOS, Coffs Harbour.
On theCouch
Email Jasminda: media@newsofthearea.com.au
DEAR Jasminda,
I HAVE 45 people coming to my place for Christmas.
Parents, cousins, aunts and uncles, and three rescue dogs are descending on our doorstep. I'm stressed about how I'm going to feed everyone and worried some will want to stay overnight.
I don't have any extra room. Help!
Katie M.
Dear
Katie,
I CAN tell, without even meeting you, that you are a reliable soul, a great host, and you probably live on the coast within walking distance to a beach.
Chances are you also have a wellstocked bar and an inground pool. Who wouldn't want to come and spend Christmas Day with you, and possibly extend the stay, maybe stretching it out until New Years' Eve, at which point it would be silly to leave because of the traffic.
No, far better for your extended family to start packing up around the 5th of January so they can go back to work on the 6th.
And, even though you will protest, with the modern version of, 'there's no room at the inn,' they will not heed you, nay, because your home is like a little Christmas miracle.
Your guests may try to sweeten the deal by bringing you gifts as useless as gold, frankincense and myrrh (a tropical punch reed diffuser that makes your sinuses play up and some silver-plated cubic zirconia hoop earrings that bring out a rash), but don't be fooled.
They know the game, and they are playing it to their advantage.
And there you'll be, passing around beetroot dip and Artisan biscuits and tripping over Uncle Roger's gammy leg that's stretched out on the pouffe, but you'll soldier on, or rather glide, in your baby-blue sarong, with the grace and dignity of Mary because you're a doer, Katie.
You get things done.
On Boxing Day, while your guests alternate between lolling on a blow-up flamingo, sunning on the sun lounges, having 30-minute showers (can I have another towel, Katie?) or giving you plaintive 'what's for brunch?' looks, you'll be at Aldi stocking up on glutenfree cereal (Uncle Roger's new girlfriend can't tolerate Weetbix, but doesn't mind a long-neck or two), more cheese and crackers (cousin Clara has built up quite an appetite doing laps) and another Christmas ham (Limos, the rescue Rottweiler named after the Greek god of hunger took off with the last one).
I feel you'll have to just soldier on with this Christmas.
Changes to council Code of Meeting Practice
will only be obliged under law to meet 10 times a year.
Under current arrangements, the ordinary meetings are held at least 20 times a year.
Less transparency?
Given how the current council ignored the LGA vote on Jetty foreshore development, I feel I might be wasting my time when I make a submission opposing the proposed change.
Regards, Lorraine DAVIES, North Boambee Valley.
You've made your bed (and everyone else's) and now you (and they) will lie in them (including Limos, whose PTSD has been miraculously soothed by your 1000-thread count sage sheets (who knew?).
Next Christmas, may I suggest a trip away (somewhere they can't find you).
And make sure you AirBnB your house just in case they are tempted to turn up and housesit.
diem, Jasminda.
Carpe
DEAR News Of The Area,
THE newly-elected City of Coffs Harbour Council proposes changing the timetable for ordinary meetings.
The upshot will be that the council
at the foreshores.
Coastal luxury redefined
Address: 7/10-14
Daintree Drive, Korora
Price: $1,199,000
Beds: 4, Bath: 2.5, Car: 2
IMAGINE waking up to breathtaking ocean views, where tranquility meets sophisticated living. 7/1014 Daintree Drive represents more than a home - it's an exclusive lifestyle statement in the pristine Korora enclave.
Nestled in a rare collection of just seven premium townhouses, this
remarkable property offers an unparalleled coastal living experience.
With nothing between you and the stunning ocean except pristine reserve and estuary, you'll feel a profound connection to nature's most magnificent landscape.
The expansive ground floor is a masterpiece of design flexibility.
Generous living spaces invite natural light through grand windows, presenting uninterrupted views of the
surrounding natural beauty.
Sliding doors seamlessly blend indoor comfort with outdoor entertainment possibilities, creating a perfect environment for relaxation and social gatherings.
The gourmet kitchen is a culinary enthusiast's dream - abundant bench space, generous cabinetry, and a layout designed for both serious cooking and effortless entertaining.
Upstairs you find your private retreat, four
spacious bedrooms promise comfort and privacy. The luxurious main bedroom is a true sanctuary, featuring a private ensuite, walkin dressing area, and a personal balcony capturing mesmerizing estuary and ocean panoramas. Additional bedrooms boast floor-to-ceiling wardrobes and abundant natural light, ensuring every space feels open and inviting. This extraordinary property doesn't just offer a home - it provides a lifestyle. A shared pool adds resort-like luxury, while the unique par-three golf hole at the property's rear offers recreational pleasure steps from your door. With ducted air conditioning, a double remote garage, and a strategically located powder room, every detail has been meticulously considered.
7/10-14 Daintree Drive isn't just a property - it's your gateway to coastal living excellence. Your extraordinary journey begins here.
Agents: Chris Hines (0439 667 719) and Kim McGinty (0432 953 796).
Visit newsofthearea.com.au to sign up for a FREE digital subscription to one / all of our newspapers. You will be sent an email when each of the printed editions are available to be read online. www.newsofthearea.com.au
LOCALSPORT
Brilliant Braves win Far North Coast title
By Aiden BURGESS
BELLINGER Valley Braves are champions of the Far North Coast after winning the grand final of the Sunshine Basketball Conference representative season.
The Braves capped off a magnificent undefeated season with an 82-70 win against the Lismore Storm in the season decider at Byron Bay.
The Braves successfully defended the Sunshine Conference title they won last year, winning all sixteen of their games this season.
Lachlan Alexander top
scored for the Braves in the grand final with 22 points, earning Most Valuable Player honours.
The Braves earned a grand final spot with a 7159 win against the Lismore Storm in their semi-final.
Ryan Crowney and Bryce Sully top scored with seventeen points each.
Braves player Bryce Sully was awarded the Most Valuable Player of the competition, and teammate Sam Russo was awarded Defensive Player of the Year.
A club spokesperson gave a recap of their grand final victory.
“The lads have had a
wonderful season going undefeated heading into the finals to match up against a strong Lismore Storm line up,” they said.
“The lads secured their fifth grand final appearance with a win on Saturday to wait to see who they would play Sunday morning, again it was the Lismore boys.
“It was a strong physical contest, with some awesome basketball on display from both teams.
“With the game being tightly contested all game, our boys got up to win by twelve when the siren sounded, for back-to-back flags.”
Colts and Lizards win latest first grade round
By Aiden BURGESS
THE COFFS Colts and Nana Glen Lizards have been victorious during the latest round of the Sixers Cricket League’s first grade season.
Nana Glen Lizards maintained top spot on the ladder after beating Sawtell Cricket Club in their two-day match.
Sawtell won the toss and elected to bat, finishing at
9/200 after 58.1 overs.
Jesse Buckle top scored for his side with a knock of 70, Will Bailey retiring on 60 not out.
Jonathon Paff took 2-35 from thirteen overs for the Lizards, Zane Guthrie taking 2-30 from 10.1 overs.
The Lizards resumed at 0/80 on the second day, and finished all out for 335 after 86.4 overs.
Josh Bartlett top scored
with 86, Matt Giri was next best with 62.
David Schutt took 3-55 from his 22 overs for Sawtell, and Harmandeep Sidhu 3-27 from 11.4 overs, Toby Bailey 2-61 from 16 overs.
The Coffs Colts beat Bellingen/Dorrigo Cricket Club by one wicket, coming down to the last ball in their one-day match at Dorrigo.
Bellingen/Dorrigo won the toss and chose to bat, and
were bowled out for 111 after 32.1 overs.
Mike Hartley top scored with a knock of 35, Rohan Hackett and Simon Hopper both took three wickets each, with Hackett taking 3-17 from eight overs, and Hopper 3-18 from five overs.
Mitchell Weeden took 2-11 from 5.1 overs.
Needing 112 for victory, the Colts won off the last ball after needing three off the
Maud Demazure joins Coffs Harbour Yacht Club
By Andrea FERRARI
COFFS Harbour Yacht Club (CHYC) has welcomed new member Maud Demazure, a talented sailor with purpose who arrives in the city this month.
"When my husband confirmed we were moving to Coffs Harbour for his work, it felt only natural for me to join the local yacht club to participate in local races and meet sailors alike,” Maud told News Of The Area.
“As a professional skipper, I've delivered yachts around Australia and spent some time in Coffs Harbour.
“This sailing playground always reminds me of my home waters where I grew up in South Britanny, France.
“The Solitary Islands are a beautiful day escape and it's especially nice to know you can get in and out of the marina in all weather; something I'm very much looking forward to as my yacht is currently in Iluka with much more limited access to offshore sailing.”
Maud is one half of the Mothership Sailing campaign raising awareness and funds for national not-for-profit organisation, Jean Hailes for
Women’s Health.
With co-skipper Saskia Groen-in't-Woud, the pair are active brand ambassadors for the organisation.
Throughout a series of double-handed races across the Pacific including the
Sydney to Hobart on Boxing Day and the Melbourne Osaka Cup 2025, Maud and Saskia’s goal is to promote women’s and mothers’ resilience by undertaking some of the greatest challenges in ocean racing.
last over, finishing at 9/112 off 40 overs.
Matthew Rose top scored with 45, Taylor Gilbert took 3-19 from eight overs for Bellingen/Dorrigo, Kurt Stennett 3-27 from 8 overs, and Jaydan Taylor 3-9 from four overs.
The first-grade season now takes its Christmas/New Years break, and resumes on Saturday, 11 January.
5. Woolgoolga Cricket Club Rebels. 10 points. 1 win. 3 losses. 1 no result. 2 byes.
q Maud and Saskia sailing Celeste as brand ambassadors for Jean
“After receiving a heartwarming welcome from CHYC Sailing Committee Secretary Moyra Mendham, I have no doubt I've made the right choice to join the club and will absolutely love being part of the club community.
“During the Sydney to Hobart as well as the Melbourne to Osaka yacht races, I'll proudly fly the CHYC burgee in Celeste's port shroud.”
Maud hopes that in between the two events, she'll have the opportunity to meet everyone at the club and to do a race or two.
“I'm certainly planning on spending a lot of time over there once I'm back from Japan with my yacht Bluebonnet (a Rustler 36) that hopefully will be happily sitting in the marina."
CHYC Director Tammy Mills-Thom said, “Maud brings a wealth of experience to the club having won the 2022 Sydney to Hobart Race in the PHS division on a Beneteau 473, “Cyan Moon”.
“Members look forward to following her progress in the Double Handed division in this year’s race onboard “Celeste”, a Sparkman and
Stephens designed Nautor Swan 38, owned by her sailing partner Saskia.”
CHYC has another member sailing in the doublehanded division this year.
Following on from their success in winning the inaugural 2024 Gold Coast to Mackay Yacht Race, Peter Vaiciurgis will be joining Michael Spies sailing on Maritimo Katwinchar, a Watney Circa 1904.
“We wish both skippers every success and look forward to sharing their stories on their return,” Tammy said.
q Bellinger Valley Braves players celebrate their grand final win.
Hailes for Women’s Health.
q Talented sailor Maud Demazure.
Nana Glen hit a six in T20 Cup
By Aiden BURGESS
NANA Glen Lizards have continued their dominance of the short form of the game, winning their sixth from as many matches in the latest T20 Cup.
The Lizards won by four wickets against Bellingen/ Dorrigo Cricket Club, in their T20 Cup match at Fitzroy Oval.
Bellingen/Dorrigo won the toss and elected to bat,
setting 7/132 from their 20 overs.
Lincoln Kellett top scored with a knock of 40, Ben Watson (2-18 from four overs) and Riley Dagger (222 from four overs) were the best of the Lizards bowlers.
Nana Glen chased down the total with three balls to spare; Hayden Cekanauskas top scoring with 43.
Coffs Colts smashed Sawtell by 80 runs at Coffs
best on 33.
The Colts opened the batting and scored 6/141 from 20 overs.
Rohan Hackett top scored with 37, with Colts captain Connor McCoy next best with 35.
Haydn Smallwood took 2-13 from his two overs for Sawtell.
Sawtell finished at 8/61 from their 20 overs, Tom Rawding and Tony Slaviero
By Aiden BURGESS
THE latest round of the Sixers Cricket League’s junior season was played across the Coffs Coast, in the second last round before the Christmas Holidays break.
Under 16s: Nana Glen Lizards went to the top of the ladder with a three wicket win against the Macksville Bulls at Reg Ryan Oval.
The Bulls won the toss and elected to bat, scoring 9/118 off 19.2 overs.
Aston Ramunno top scored for the Bulls with 37, Charlie Cameron was the best of the Lizards bowlers taking 3-16 from two overs, Leo Tarlinton taking 2-9 from two overs, and Manat Singh 2-5 from 1.2 overs.
Nana Glen chased down the target in the 20th over, Zane Guthrie scoring 44 off 31 balls.
Sawtell Sloggers maintained second spot on the ladder, beating Bellingen/Dorrigo by five wickets at Urunga.
Bellingen/Dorrigo won
By Aiden BURGESS
MACKSVILLE Bulls, Sawtell Sixers, and the Woolgoolga Cricket Club Rebels have all tasted sweet victory in winning the grand finals of the Sixers Cricket League’s first Under 12s season.
Macksville Bulls capped off their undefeated season by winning the Pool A Grand Final.
The Bulls triumphed by 34 runs at home against Diggers Cricket Club Red.
The Bulls scored 6/113 from 20 overs after opening the batting.
Cody Notley top scored retiring on 25 not out, and
Ashton Grace finished on 21 not out.
Daniel Martin was the pick of the Diggers bowlers taking 2-5 from two overs.
The Bulls successfully defended their total, restricting Diggers to 6/79 from their 20 overs.
Daniel Martin top scored on 27 not out, Jennifer Martin finishing on 19 not out.
Nate Wilkes took 2-7 from two overs for the Bulls.
Sawtell Sixers won the Pool B Grand Final beating Bellingen Green by two runs at Urunga.
The Sixers won the toss
Braves and Suns teams
By Aiden BURGESS
BELLINGER Valley Braves and Coffs Harbour Suns teams have taken out their divisions during the annual Bronwyn Vigors Pacific Challenge in Coffs Harbour.
The Bronwyn Vigors Pacific Challenge is an oddage carnival run annually in the Coffs Harbour region by the Bellinger Valley Braves.
The carnival started in 2015 and is named after former Braves President and co-founder Bronwyn Vigors, who passed away in 2016.
Coffs Harbour Suns teams were winners in the Under 13 Girls Division 1, Under 15 Girls Division 2, and Under 17 Girls Division 1 competitions.
Suns teams also finished runners up in the Under 11 Boys Division 1, Under 13 Boys Division1, Under 13 Boys Division 2, and Under 17 Girls Division 2.
Woolgoolga Cricket Club Rebels Grey were also winners in Round 7, having a 12-run win against Woolgoolga Cricket Club Rebels Blue at Wiigulga Sports Complex.
Rebels Grey opened the batting and finished all out for 135 after 20 overs.
Ian Holder top scored with 43, Luke Cox was next
Coffs junior cricket wrap
the toss and elected to bat, scoring 6/96 from 20 overs.
Tate Bailey finished on 33 not out, Nate Maguire had a top spell for Sawtell taking 2-4 from two overs.
Sawtell chased down the target after 16 overs, Elijah Carle top scoring with 42, and Hunter Sawaya finishing on 21 not out.
Beau Glyde took 3-19 from three overs for Bellingen/Dorrigo.
Coffs Colts were also winners in Round 8 beating the Woolgoolga Cricket Club Rebels by seven Coast Sport and Leisure Park.
and chose to bat, finishing at 6/80 from 20 overs.
Hunter Lynch top scored with 21, with Lev Morris the best of the Bellingen bowlers taking 2-6 from three overs.
Needing to defend 80, Sawtell bowlers rose to the occasion keeping Bellingen to 5/78 from 20 overs for the narrow victory.
Leo Salter took 2-8 from two overs, and Lucas Townsend 1-3 from two overs.
Woolgoolga Cricket Club Rebels won the Pool C Grand Final, triumphing by three wickets against Urunga at Woolgoolga.
The home side won the toss and elected to bowl, with Urunga finishing at
wickets at Woolgoolga.
The home side were all out for 67 after 13.5 overs, Heath Ball and Stephanie Rose having great spells for the Colts, with Ball taking 3-5 from 1.5 overs, and Rose 3-9 from two overs.
The Colts chased down the total after 12 overs, Heath Ball leading his side home on 32 not out.
Under 14s: Sawtell Storm maintained top spot on the ladder with a 65run win against Bellingen/ Dorrigo Blue at Urunga.
Sawtell opened the both taking 2-9, and Knox Porter 2-15 from four overs for the Colts.
Prabhjot Singh was the pick of the bowlers taking 3-19 from four overs, Buta Singh took 2-36 from four overs.
Rebels Grey successfully defended their total keeping Rebels Blue to 9/123 from 20 overs.
Anu Grewal top scored with 30, Ian Holder (216 from four overs), Scott Jennings (2-18 from four overs), and Malcolm Bird (2-16 from two overs) were all multiple wicket takers for Rebels Grey.
batting and scored 3/165 from 20 overs.
Denzel Wynne-Primus smashed 54 off 30 balls retiring not out, Jaybien Johnson retired not out on 49 off 30 balls.
Harrison Kelly took 2-25 from three overs for Bellingen/Dorrigo.
Chasing 166 for victory, Bellingen/Dorrigo finished at 7/100 from 20 overs.
Anthony Dyson top scored with 36, and Lachlan Purnell took 2-6 from two overs for Sawtell.
Woolgoolga Cricket Club Rebels maintained third spot on the ladder with a 54-run win against
Inaugural winners crowned Suns teams bow out in semi finals
By Aiden BURGESS
COFFS Harbour Suns senior teams have finished their representative season at the semi-final stage, during the finals weekend of the Sunshine Basketball Conference season in Byron Bay.
The Suns men ended their season by giving the home town Byron Bay Beez all they could handle, going down 8683 in their elimination semifinal.
Jake McMillan was a
The T20 Cup ladder is: 1. Nana Glen Lizards. 26 points. 6 wins. 0 losses. 1 no result.
the Nana Glen Lizards at the Wiigulga Sports Complex.
The Rebels won the toss and scored 3/99 off 20 overs.
Nana Glen finished at 3/45 from 19.3 overs.
Diggers Cricket Club moved into fourth spot on the ladder after a ten wicket win against the Coffs Colts at Forsyth Park. The Colts opened the batting and finished at 7/24 from sixteen overs, Arbie Britton taking 2-7 from two overs for Diggers.
Diggers chased down the target in the sixth over.
4/75 from 20 overs.
Arlo Browne was the pick of the Rebels bowlers taking 1-1 from two overs.
q Sawtell Sixers players celebrate their grand final win.
Chasing 76 for the grand final victory, the Rebels reached it in the nineteenth over.
Cantrill had a great spell for Urunga taking 3-3 from four overs including three maidens.
standout for the Suns with a game high 28 points.
The Suns women began their weekend by taking on the Ballina Breakers in their semi-final, going down 63-58.
Teagan Mayer top scored for the Suns with a game high 26 points.
After finishing on top of the ladder, the Suns women got a second chance to make the grand final by taking on the Lismore Storm in their preliminary final.
The Suns women went
down 71-62, Teagan Mayer backing up her strong semifinal with a game high 22 points.
Suns player Alexis Plater was named as the
Most Valuable Player of the competition, with teammate Kira Juffermans named in the women’s All Star 5. The Sunshine Basketball Conference is the Far North Coast’s premier representative basketball competition, featuring teams from Ballina, Bellinger Valley, Byron Bay, Casino, Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Lismore, and Yamba.
Lennox
Bellingen Diggers Swimming Club
By Lois LANE
3.12.24
THERE were twelve swimmers tonight.
RACE 1 $ 50m Freestyle
HEAT 1
Sue Crossley romped it in coming first, in second was Elizabeth Casey and in third was Jim Baird.
HEAT 2
Jill Williams stole the show coming first, in second was Peter Allison and in third was Dean Bonventi.
HEAT 3
Rachel Browning went hell for leather coming first, in second was Amanda Vockler and in third was Andrew Denham.
FINAL
Jill Williams held on by a whisker coming first and in the money, closley followed by in second was Peter Allison and in third was Sue Crossley.
RACE 2 25m Freestyle
There were three busts in this race, Dean Bonventi and Amanda Lockman taking one second off
Woolgoolga Bowling Club Results
By Julie LANE
TUESDAY Social Bowls
10 – 12 – 24
S Barnard and D Mason defeated J Gibbins and F Cacciattolo 23 – 17
J Clarke and S Dodd defeated M Hodge and G Pallister 27 – 12
J Taylor and H Schutz defeated J Weston and A Wroe 19 – 14
N Wills, K Stirling and R Ryan defeated S Wall, G Lane and G
Coffs CEX Social Golf Results
By Steve ROBINSON
15 DECEMBER 2024
Coffs CEX Social Golf Club played on Sunday 15 December 2024 at Coffs Harbour, Single Stableford.
The Winner: Matt Smith (40 pts)
Runner Up: Courtney Robinson (39 pts)
Coffs Harbour Rifle Club
By Geoffrey HART
DECEMBER 11 - Howard St Rimfire Range. The 30m Field Class match was conducted with 23 participants.
Master Grade: Jake Buckley 97.5, A Grade: Phillip Payne 93.8, Stuart D 84.2, B Grade: Sarah Jones 86.4, Cherelle Steinhardt 85.6, Michelle D 83.2, Gary McKinnon 73.4, C Grade: Carl P 86.2, Matt Miller 81.2, Jordy T 78.0, Danny W 77.3, Pete C 74.1, Jeffrey W 73.2, Phil Hartmann 68.1, Michael F 68.0, Member-926 61.1, Austin Atkinson 42.0, Visitors: Matthew Eldridge 79.2, Elliott Hartmann 79.0, Alan Shafto 78.3, Codie Eldridge 62.1, Leah Gallo 40.0, Asher Solomon 40.0, Open Sights: Phil Hartmann 85.1, Sarah Jones 79.1, Pete C 77.1, Carl P 72.3
The 50m F-Class match was conducted with 19 participants. Cherelle Steinhardt 196.12, Jeffrey W 194.8, Member-677 193.7, Pete
their time and Amanda Vockler taking a massive ten seconds off her time.
HEAT 1
Jim Baird swam like a bat out of hell coming first, closely followed by Sue Crossley in second and in third was Elizabeth Casey.
HEAT 2
Jill Williams left her flippers on coming first and in second was Peter Allison.
HEAT 3
Julie Cornall came from behind coming first, in second was Andrew Denham and in third was Rachel Browning.
RACE 3 35m Breaststoke
There were two busts in this race, Amanda Lockman and Julie Cornall taking two seconds off their time.
HEAT 1
Jim Baird had his froggy legs on coming first, in second was Peter Allison and in third was Sue Crossley.
HEAT 2
Jill Williams has done it again, coming first, in second was Amanda Vockler and in third was Rachel Browning.
HEAT 3
Andrew Denham was all on his
Cunningham 22 – 17
R Shaw and I Cork defeated J Burgess and D Barnard 24 – 13
M Hopes and J Wilcox defeated R Bennell and S Bailey 20 – 18
K Costelloe and Lorna Walsh defeated M Lampert and C Latham 27 – 14
1st Rink S Barnard and D Mason
2nd Rink K Costelloe and Lorna Walsh
3rd Rink N Wills, K Stirling and R Ryan
Jackpot J Clarke, S Dodd and M Hodge and G Pallister
WEDNESDAY Woopi Wanderers
Ball Winners: Amrik Thandi (34), Carmel Hill (33), Gary Brazel (33), Jose Caravante (33), Freddy Caravante (33), Chad Nagel (30), Troy Henderson (29), Rick Paxton (29), Peter Hill (28), Scott Croft (28) & Mike Watkin (28)
NTP’s: Courtney Robinson, Matt Hood, Freddy Caravante & Peter Hill
Chip In’s: Jose Caravante & Peter Woods
Next Game is at Sawtell, first game for the year 2025, on 5th January 2025. All Welcome.
C 192.5, Phil Hartmann 192.4, Carl P 188.4, Member-926 186.5, Austin Atkinson 182.3, Kathy Atkinson 181.3, Visitors: Alex Young 193.8, Mirah Miller 191.6, Kiva Solomon 178.3, Alan Shafto 177.3, Asher Solomon 176.2, Codie Eldridge 175.4, Leah Gallo 155.1, Diesel 149.0, Tyrone Voytas 138.2, Elliott Hartmann 132.0
December 15 - Dairyville Range 100m Field Class match was conducted with 22 participants. Master Grade: Joel Walker 96.9, Glenn K 93.6, A Grade: Stuart D 90.2, Jeffrey Pfeiffer 87.6, B Grade: Tony Bowling 94.6, Lindsay McConachy 91.2, Member-677 90.2, Cherelle Steinhardt 90.0, Matt Walsh 89.3, Jessica Hancock 88.1, Lockie Knight 85.2, C Grade: Sarah Jones 90.2, Danny W 88.2, Tex Beaumont 87.2, Pete C 82.1, Johan Greyling 78.2, Phil Hartmann 73.0, Theo G 71.1, Service Rifle: Ben R 90.4, Jake Buckley 84.0, Paul Beaumont 78.0, Ron Dean 63.0
SPORTS RESULTS
own coming first.
RACE 4 4 x 50m Relay
Sue Crossley, Jim Baird, Dean Bonventi and Elizabeth Casey put the pedal to metal coming first, in second was Amanda Vocker, Amanda Lockman, Julie Cornall and Cath Fisher and in third was Peter Allison, Jill Williams, Andrew Denham and Rachel Browning.
A great night had by all, come and join us for some fun and laughter on Thursday nights at 5.15.
We would like to thank our sponsors, IGA, The Bellingen Providore and Fullers Fresh.
12.12.24
There were nine swimmers tonight.
RACE 1 $ 25m Backstroke
There was two busts in this race, Jo Brotherton and Peter Allison, taking one second off their time.
HEAT 1
Amanda Vockler had her windmill arms on coming first, in second was Jill Williams and in third was Jim Baird.
HEAT 2
Andrew O'Keeffe ripped his lane apart coming first and in second was Mike Navin.
HEAT 3
11 – 12 – 24
T Collins, M Mulligan and P Hatton defeated G Woolley, S Ferro and J Hampstead 19 – 17
I Gentle, B Pendred and M Lampert defeated J Taylor, G Lane and B Lipman 24 – 23
K Costelloe, R Pillon and D Mason defeated G Burgess, S Oliver and I Brien 24 – 12
J Simmons and I Cork defeated N Wills and K Stirling 21 – 8 Punkin, C Nightingale and J Martin defeated C Lawson, P Diamond and P Lawson 22 – 14
1st Rink K Costelloe, R Pillon and D Mason
Coffs Harbour Golf Club Monday Vets
By Vicki SLIVER
THE winners of Xmas Hampers and goodies:
Trish Mackay
Phil Mackay
David Turnbull
Chris Oddy
21 c/b
Andy Gilkes
Lois Elworthy
Park Beach Men’s Bowls Results
By Doug POWELL
OPEN Social Triples 10/12/24
H. Major, M. Ross, B. Johns d B. Worboys, N. McVicar, I. Trengove 33-13
R, Coffey, K. Hohnson, D. Hull d C. Domjahn, J. Clarke, R. Douglas 20-19
K. Bienefelt, M. Millar, C. Jones d K. Elliot, L. McLeod, J. Slater 23-15 K. Williams, R. Finch, W. Moore, L. Morris d B. Kelly, J. Lean, G. Power, P. Lilly
D. Powell, J. Thorn, R. Lane d M. Flint, J. Robinson, M. Berube 26-15
S. Kindred, A. M. Taylor, K. Kaaden d G. Skinner, L. Boekman, K. Morrison 33-7
P. North, P. Booth, J. Dunn d J. Kennedy, P. Elliot, R. Jupp 20-11
C. Weatherall, V. Valentine, D. Valentine d G. Williams, R. Beaumont, G. Stanford 25-10
Cath Fisher was in a rush to finish coming first and in second was Elizabeth Casey.
FINAL
Andrew O'Keeffe secured the final coming first and in the money, in second was Cath Fisher and in third was Amanda Vockler.
RACE 2 25m Freestyle
There was one bust in this race, Jill Williams taking one second off her time.
HEAT 1
Jim Baird held on by the skin of his teeth coming first and in second was Amanda Vockler.
HEAT 2
Andrew O'Keeffe was in high speed coming first, in second was Mike Navin and in third was Elizabeth Casey. Jo Brotherton did a time trial.
HEAT 3
Cath Fisher swam in double time coming first and in second was Peter Allison.
RACE 3 50m Breaststroke
HEAT 1
Jim Baird had some expresso before starting coming first and in second was Jill Williams.
HEAT 2
Andrew O'Keeffe swam like a bolt of lightening coming first and
2nd Rink T Collins, M Mulligan and P Hatton Lucky Loser J Taylor, G Lane and B Lipman No Jackpot
FRIDAY Social Bowls 13 – 12 – 24
H Schutz and R Bennell defeated J Burgess and D Mason 20 – 17
S Barnard and S Oliver defeated D Chandler and G Lane 33 – 6
N Haines and J Hampstead defeated N Wills and K Stirling 20 – 11
D Barnard and H Katala defeated Ida Bruno and Ian
Bev Niles
John Miles
21 c/b
Anne King-Scott
Neal Sutton
Tony Dew
Anne Dew 21
Vicki Silver
Garry Silver
Jim McIntosh
Geoff Clerke 22
Nearest the Pins:
D. Wilson, B. Nicholson, S. McAvinney d D. Catling, R. Wisely, M. Stark 17-8
Social Men’s Triples 12/12/24
A.McKee, R. Douglas, K. Crooks d H. Major, B. Walmsley, R. Kelly 19-11
H. Katala, G.Coleman, J. Swan d T. Lanchbury, B. Worboys, G. Hinsley 20-13
D. Valentine, R. Harris, J. Thorn d G. Stanford, W. Moore, C. Weatherall 34-12
G. Power,S. Crawford, D. Hall d P. Lilly, P. North, L. Goodacre 27-9
D. Burridge, B. Edwards, L. Morris d M. Lee, J. Long, B. Kelly 20-15
D. Wilson, R. Host, J. Bishop d R. Shephard, K. Johnson, D. Hull 18-11
G. Meyer, R. Wisely, J. Proud d J. Dunn, J. Robinson, M. Berube 19-11
D. Powell, C. Brian, P. Booth d G. Williams, R. Beaumont, R. Aitken 27-7
I. Trengove, B. Nicholson, P. Rambow d S. Kindred, J. Kindred, G.
in second was Mike Navin.
HEAT 3
Amanda Vockler was red hot in this race coming first, in second was Cath Fisher and in third was Peter Allison.
RACE 4 100m Freestyle
HEAT 1
Mike Navin had his fast swimmwers on tonight coming first. In second was Andrew O'Keeffe and in third was Amanda Vockler.
HEAT 2
Peter Allison flew home coming first and in second was Elizabeth Casey.
Jo Brotherton did a time trial.
RACE 5 Fun event, 3 x 25m Relay
Mike Navin, Andrew O'Keeffe and Jo Brotherton were eager to finish coming first, in second was Amanda Vockler, Jill Williams and Jim Baird and in third was Cath Fisher, Elizabeth Casey and Peter Allison.
A great night had by all, come and join us for some fun and laughter on Thursday nights at 5.15.
We would like to thank our sponsors IGA, The Bellingen Providore and Fullers Fresh.
Coltman 23 – 15
A Wroe and R Shaw defeated J Taylor and S Wall 24 – 15
F Cacciattolo and C Davis defeated Laurie Walsh and Lorna Walsh 20 – 16
G Pallister and R Ryan defeated W Gavenlock and I Cork 18 – 15
1st Rink N Haines and J Hampstead
2nd Rink D Barnard and H Katala
3rd Rink S Barnard and S Oliver
4th Rink F Cacciattolo and C Davis No Jackpot
22nd Neal Sutton, Tony, Dew Anne Dew, Anne King-Scott 26th Vicki Silver, Garry Silver, Jim McIntosh, Geoff Clerke.
The major raffle was won by Geoff Clerke. Thanks to all who contributed in some way towards ensuring today was a huge success.
This was our final game for 2024 - see you all 20th January 2025.
Merry Christmas - stay safe.
Kindred 21-16
M. Miller, P. Elliot, M. Star d P. Woodsell, G. Felton, L. Frail 25-11
K. Kaaden, K. Morrison, M. Flint d B. Trotman, D. Catling, B. Garner 17-13
C. Orton, C. Jones, S. McAvinney d J. Leak, K. Williams, R. Alford 23-10 Saturday Open Social 14/12/24
D. Valentine, R. Farmer d G. Duffey, J. Erskine 19-11
B. Walmsley, R. Holland d S. McAvinney, J. Dunn 22-18
D. Lindner, K. Cutmore d G. Stanford, R. Holloway 27-12
G. Flynn, J. Flynn d C. Weatherall, K. Morrison 29-12
M. Flint, R. Douglas, R. Oakley d W. Moore, P. Rambow, M. Monck12-8
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 3.00pm Thursday
Mid North Coast Veterans Golfers Association
By Colin CUTT
TUESDAY, 10th December, 16 MNC
veteran golfers competed in a single stableford at Bellingen Golf Course in great golfing conditions.
Winner: Chris Smith 36, runner-up Anthony Grebert 34. NTP’s: 3rd & 12th Anthony Grebert, 7th Cormac McMullan, 16th Doug Hurley. Ball run to 32 pts.
Sawtell Bowls Results
By Geoff HAMPSON
MONDAY – Twilight Bowls 9/12/24
Christmas Party and Bowling
G Hampson. S Kennedy, P Day
DEF K Taylor, J Cherne, L Mitchell
D Beedie, I Connors DEF B Connors, G Davidson
M Flint, L Kratz B Kennedy DEF C Christian, A Day, R Hampson
S Beedie, K Mason DEF J Knight, B Tremayne,
TUESDAY- Ladies Social Bowls 10/12/24
M Friend, K Lewis DEF T Rhoades n Harvey
A Waters, N Feltrin, E Tindall
DEF A Waters, L Kratz, D Grebert
M McDonald, L Wheeler, C Hill
DEF R Lucas, B Connors, J Poletti
WEDNESDAY – Men’s Social Bowls 11/12/24
L Preston, N Sillar, S Sillar DEF L Hartog, G Fisher, D Frost
B Fitzpatrick, R Williams, B Clugston Def R Stock, B Martin, P Collins
M Flint, N McClelland, J Urge Def J Knight, W Kellam M Gibbons
A Vivian, M Aujard DEF R Mitchell P Cook
P Roach, D Bond, W Meadows
Sawtell Golf Results
By Janet O’DOWD
7/12 XMAS Freeforall Nikki Owen, Chris Anderson, Michelle Blackman & Lee Stewart 70. Gaye Hardcastle, Chris Constable, Chris Veerhuis & Lee Farrell 65. Longest Drive Chris Constable. Saturday Sal Joy Lawrence. Nearest Santa's pants Vicki McNamara. NTP Narelle Foy. Nearest Santa in the sand Lynne Rapley 10/12 Medley Stableford A: Trevor Smith 38c/b, Glen Collon 38. B: Bruce Lynch 39, Barry Woods
Also, on Tuesday, 10th December, 40 MNC veteran golfers competed in a two person Ambrose at CEX Urunga in excellent golfing conditions.
Winners: Matt Lark and Chris Bournon with 62.25 c/b, from Wayne Cormick and Ross Donnelly.
Five other pairs won balls for 68.75 or better.
NTP’s were nearly all inside a club length and were awarded to Matt Lark (3rd), Steve Arnold (9th), Peter Vernon (12th), Chris Cuthbertson (16th) and Chris Bournon (18th).
DEF C Christian, E Nicolaou, D Wheeler
W Hall, D Anderson, A Berry
DEFD I Maderic, M Jenkins, B Biddle
P Covington, W Vaughn, J Townsend DEF P Bird, R MacLellan, S Wilkinson
N Stahlhut, B Newling, G Campbell DEF R Smithers, J Leak, J Rice
K Raymond, M Cutts, J Murtas
DEF P Paunovic, K Sharman, B Kennedy
H Slater, J Oats DEF J Chapman, A Sorbello
FRIDAY – Open Social Bowls
14/12/24
P Roach, J Oates, J Townsend
DEF P Mont, G Rose, W Sharkey
S Sillar, A Day, G Campbell DEDF
K Sharman, C Christian, A Berry
K Lowry, B Hamilton, W Bujeya
DEF T Brooks, M Flint, A Taylor
Ken Taylor, P Day G Hampson
DDF D Frost, P Covington, N Sillar
M Friend, H Slater DEF J Chapman, M Anderson
G Staunton- Latimer, A Baker, B Biddle, DEF T Karam, M Saillard, J Urge
A Wagstaff, W Vaughn, D Anderson DEF L Read, P Bird, P Paunovic
38c/b. C: Gus Schroder 40, Jackie Chapman 37c/b. Balls to 35c/b. NTP 7 A: Ethan Thornborough, B: Anthony Sozou, C: Samuel Rongen. NTP 11 A; David Knudsen, B: Barry Woods, C: Greg Jensen, 11/12 4 person Ambrose
Jennifer Ball, Theresa Beswick, Trish Rhoades & Jane Roser 30, 2024 ANNUAL PRIZE WINNERS: Point Score: Kate Pollard 9. Best
Average Stroke: Margaret Gill 73.4. Best Average Stableford: Charmaine Edwards 34.14. Stroke Eclectic: 1: Rebecca Goldsmith 68, 2: Margaret Gill 70.75. Stableford Eclectic 1: Kerry Humphreys 57, 2: Lee Farrell
Sixers session
necessary and all equipment provided on the day.
Special guest was Ben Dwarshius, the Sydney Sixers allrounder who has represented Australia in both T20 and 50-over cricket.
“It was great to have a big name of the game here to promote the sport,” City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams said.
“Whether it’s at the beach or in a suburban backyard, it’s a game for families and friends right through the Aussie summer.”
The Sydney Sixers Junior Super Clinic was also a taster for locals ahead of the Big Bash League (BBL) match at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium on Friday 3 January.
The game will pit the powerful Sixers franchise against last season’s champions, Brisbane Heat.
Park Beach Women’s Bowls Club
By Trish WELSH
PARK Beach Women’s Bowls Club are renowned for their Christmas party celebrations. After a game of bowls and a lovely traditional lunch, lots of hampers and hams to be won, there was singing and dancing to entertainer Tim Pike. Results from the day: C McVicar & R Crestani 23 d P Poulton & C O’Dwyer 14; J Davis, L McLeod & J Davis C Keogh & R Jupp 18 d C Keogh, L Clancy & M Watt 8; H Illingworth, D Walsh & S Willis 23
d A Oak, D Doyloe & V Valentine 11; S Betts, P Garner & J Stirton 22
d T Thorne, J Kennedy & B Fane 7; M England,m K Dunn & R Riley d F Gaunt, L Mitchell & L Loadsman 19; K Wilson, C Domjahn & E Denner/S Hancock 20 d M Long, AM Taylor & D Futcher 18; J rodwell, B Bodel & V Slater 17 d V Maher, Y Hinsley & J Monks 12.
Friday Open Pairs/Triples: T Blow, N McVicar & M Starr d J Rodwell, C McVicar & K Blow 16; M &C England 24 d P Poulton & E Kidd 15; R Coffey & R Oakley 18 d D Futcher & R Lane 15; G Hinsley & D Walsh 19 d K Elliott & L Clancy 10; G Duffy & D Lindner 16 d D Doyle & C Sheridan 13; R Jupp & MMonck 28 d G Haigh & C Cutt 6; P Elliott & R Holloway 19 (toss of coin) d M Cutts & J Murtas 19.
61. Best Average Putting 1: Wendy Mason 29, 2: Robyn O'Dwyer. Most Birdies 1: Chris Constable 6, 2: Trish Bailey 1. Most Chip-Ins 1: Charmaine Edwards 8, 2: Robyn O'Dwyer. Captain's Pick: Gayle James 12/12 Play 9 Letitia McEntyre 23, Keith Hutchinson 22. Balls to 17 13/12 Medley Stableford James Atkins 43. Ball to 37 14/12 Stableford Gregory Alchin 39, Chris Collins38c/b, Kevin Riddell 38c/b, Charles Bevan 38 Fourball Stableford Patrick & Johannes Van Zwol 50. Trevor Adams & Mark Geary 48. Balls to 42c/b. NTP 7 A: Max Neal,
q Sydney Sixers star Ben Dwarshuis holds court at the Junior Super Clinic at the Coffs Coast
Sawtell RSL Snooker Club
By Ken MASON
TUESDAY 10th November 2024
Main Draw Winners: - Jayne Taylor - R/U Dave Laneyrie Consolation Winners: - Wayne Farrell - R/U Brian Ng
q The bowlers' Christmas celebration.
B: Clifford Hutchings (pro pin), C: Luke Johnson. NTP 11 A: Sam Rava, B: Ross Cook, C: Dennis Ryan 15/12 2 Person Ambrose Gina & James Phillips 62, Cameron Pollard & Kate Thornborough 63. Balls to 64.5
STORY STARTS on BACK COVER, Page 40
Sport & Leisure Park.
MADDOX
Ronald Wallace ‘Ron’
13th December 2024, peacefully at Coffs Harbour Health Campus, after a short illness, late of Coffs Harbour. Dearly beloved husband of Bev. Loving father and father-in-law of Maretta Wood, Joanna & Colin Trickett and Belinda & John Jones. Proud grandfather of Jaraya, Noriko, Toby, Harley, Noah, Eden, Liam, Sophie, Levi and their partners. Adored ‘great-gramps’ of Theo and Felix.
Aged 91 Years
He Was A Beautiful Man Ron’s Funeral Service was held in the Northern Beaches Anglican Church, Woolgoolga on Wednesday 18th December 2024, followed by a private cremation at Hogbin Drive Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour.
KEITH LOGUE & SONS
FUNERAL DIRECTORS
Coffs
Joan Walker 15th December 2024
Passed away peacefully at Legacy Nursing Home. Long time resident of Coffs Harbour. Much loved wife of Bill (dec). Loving mother of Peter, Julie, and John (Tom). Adored mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Aged 103 Years
Loved By Many
Joan was privately cremated. A memorial for Joan will be held at a later date.
VICTOR RULLIS
(02) 6651 5007 www.funeralcoffsharbour.com.au
14th December 2024, passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Aged Care, Coffs Harbour, formerly of Toormina.
Dearly beloved wife of Milton (dec’d).
Much loved mother and mother-in-law of Debra & Eric Hammond, Jane & Robert Glanford, Mark & Ingrid and Jason & Amanda. Adored grandmother of her 9 grandchildren and great-grandmother of her 9 great-grandchildren.
Aged 92 Years
‘Resting And In Jehovah’s Memory Awaiting A Resurrection Onto A Paradise Earth’ Psalm 37:11
June was privately cremated at Hogbin Drive Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour.
June’s family would like to thank the staff at St. Joseph’s Aged Care for their excellent care and kindness extended to June during her four and a half years residency. Also a special thank you to her neighbour and friend Rachel for her care and love to June.
KEITH LOGUE & SONS
FUNERAL DIRECTORS
Coffs Harbour 6652 1999
ADJIKOU
Kokouvi ‘Abraham’ 10th December 2024, passed peacefully. Late of Coffs Harbour, formerly of Lomé Togo. Dearly beloved husband of Beatrice. Loving father and father-in-law of Samson, Robertine & Tanaka, Mary, Kossi, Dovi and Isabella. Adored grandfather of their children.
Aged 58 Years
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Abraham’s Requiem Mass to be celebrated in St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Coffs Harbour on Friday 20th December 2024 commencing at 1.30 pm, thence for interment in Coffs Harbour Lawn Cemetery, Karangi.
KEITH LOGUE & SONS FUNERAL DIRECTORS Coffs Harbour
Barbara Harper (Brown) 24/1/41 - 13/12/24
A direct descendent of the pioneering family of Woolgoolga. Granddaughter of Anna Martha Hofmeier & Denys Nelson Younger. Daughter of Ethel Harper (nee younger). Baby sister of Margaret Tobin, Dougie, Ronnie, Bobbie and Johnnie Harper (all dec). Survived by her two children Fiona and Patrick, her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchild, and her extended family & friends. Reunited with her soulmate, the late Bob Wilson. Our hearts are broken and our hearts are full.
Aged 83 Years
Everybody who knew her, loved her.
Relatives & friends are warmly invited to attend Barbara’s funeral service to be held TODAY, Friday, 20th December 2024 at 10.30am in the Northern Beaches Anglican Church, Scarborough St, Woolgoolga. Thence for private cremation.
VICTOR RULLIS
(02) 6651 5007 www.funeralcoffsharbour.com.au
Funeral Notices
WERNER
Rolf Alfons
‘Silver Fox’
13th December 2024, passed away peacefully at Coffs Harbour Health Campus surrounded by family. Late of Moonee Beach. Beloved husband of Frieda. Loving father and father-in-law of Matthew & Bing, Larissa & Keith and Michael & Peta. Loved grandfather of Jake, Luke, Ben, Archie, Charlotte and Hayley.
Aged 75 Years He Was One Of A Kind (Thank Goodness!)
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Rolf’s Funeral Service to be held in the Chapel of Hogbin Drive Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour on Friday 20th December 2024 commencing at 11.30 am. Please find livestream details on Keith Logue & Sons website.
KEITH LOGUE & SONS FUNERAL DIRECTORS Coffs Harbour 6652
Wanted
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For Rent
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Items for Sale
36V Hedge Trimmer
$50. Blower Vacuum
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BEAUTIFUL Wooden Outside Bench Seat with Coffs Hbr Maritime iron wheel sides. 6652 3791
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BBQ'S Galore turbo select BBQ with rotisserie, needs some work. 0467 640 964
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2 massage tables in GC $150. 0412 954 085
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treasurers (2 volumes) Singer of the Bush AB Banjo Patersons complete works from 1885 to 1941. $100 ono. 0491 035 704
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COMPUTER desk very good condition Make an offer 6650 0380f011124
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ASPIRE waterfall high back adjust height orthopedic chair. As new cond. $95. Photos can be supplied. 0490161119
BASKET, high quality cane, 2 handles, 460L x 410W x 300H, exc cond. $20. 0408 465 886
EASYCOOK. Good cond. Includes air fryer insert, easy clean. $50 6652 3780 & 0407 431 090 f251024
FEED bin, solid metal with lid, used for animal feed, capacity equivalent to a 44 gal drum. $75 6653 8337
HOOVER EVC500 Evaporative Cooler, new from Bunnings $299, still in box. $80. 0434212460
For Sale
IDEAL CHRISTMAS GIFT for Fishermen & Sons & Grandsons NEW Daiwa “Conteck” Spin Reels 2000/3000 $40ea, 5000 $50, 7000 $60. John, 6652 4889 > radorimfire@live.com.au e201224
For Sale
JACKET, Ladies Brown, suede leather Size 10, zip front, no marks $45. 0407654879
JIGSAW puzzles, one owner. 14 available $5 each. 0407 368 886
SOLD
ads@newsofthearea. com.au
KAYAK, light weight & fast. Green Ant 580mm W x 4.570 m L fibreglass has extras Exc cond. $790 0439 740 453
LARGE amount of vertical blinds, white only, new. $100 0415 981 605
LARGE outdoor umbrella with steel brace $60. 0498 090 551 F140624
LEATHER cloggs for children saddle, VGC $40. 0419 166 688 F050724
LEATHER lounge 3 x 1 + 2 x 1, 2 timber outdoor settings & 2 budgies in large cage. 0407 580 436
LOVELY vertical circular 5 shelves display tower for collectibles etc. $80 6652 3791
MOUNTAIN Bike Solid frame Euro 21 Speed, Disc brake VGC Suspension Extras New Seat Tyres 27.5 x 1.95 Heaps tread $89 Ph 0417 471 225
MOWER Rover Micro Rider Tractor. 6spd. 24” blade with mulcher. Like brand new. Only used 3 times + mower cover $2950. 0410 439 950
PAVERS 90mm square $1 each. 0467 640 964
PEAK Raised toilet seat with arm rests. 15cm. In new cond. Can be fitted Permanently to the toilet pan. $95. Photos can be supplied. 0490161119
PIANO ex cond incl stool Yamaha 93cm H. $1000 neg. 0402 760 065
RAISED toilet seat with padded arm rests, 12cm rise, $85. Photos can be supplied. 0490 161 119
ROYAL Plum carpet offcut. New 165cmx130cm. $35 Photos can be supplied 0490 161 119
Sale
SET of Kleeva pruning tools. Ratchet pruner pruning saw, sharpening tool, knee rest pad and gloves. Brand new As seen on TV. $45 Photos can be supplied 0490 161 119
STORAGE cupboard 1m H x 3mL x 60cm D. 6 drawers, 2 long drawers 1m long and 3 double shelves. Black/brown outside, white inside Immac cond. Moving sale $200. 0415 981 605 F221124
SURFBOARD bag ProLite 2 board travel bag Excellent condtion $80 0412 450 328
TIMBER Display Cabinet 2 x Doors, 2 x Drawers 9 Glass shelves & mirror 1950cm H x 95cm W x 35 cm D. As new cond $500. 5633 6352 e201224
TV, Bauhn, 30cm x 55cm. $20. Ph 0499 592 475 SUN God solid concrete sand colour 70cmx70cm $95. 0427 544 342
VINTAGE cane hutch 145cm tall, 75cm wide, 40cm deep. 2 shelves, 1 mirrored and 2 bottom doors $145. Photos can be supplied. 0490161119 F111024
WHEEL Ford 205-65R15 pro sand blasted epoxy primed & painted good rubber $75 0467 634 668
WHEELIE walker
Aspire. Good brakes fold up seat, VGC $59 Ph 0417 471 225 f151124
LOCALCLASSIFIEDS
For Sale
WHEELS. 3 of, with new tyres. 480/400 Axle with new bearings All suitable for boat trailer $100. 6649 1472
WORK shoes Colorado Silverton CF Black Leather Size 8 New still in box $100. 6655 3193
XG Camper potti (toilet) incl chemicals. As new cond. $95. Photos can be supplied. 0490161119 f251024
BLUEFIN 4.75m boat Comes with Bimini Safety gear, marine radio, sounder, and EPIRB. 70HP Yamaha 2 stroke outboard. Boat and trailer in good cond $10,500ono. Rego ADF620N, W88189 Ph: 6649 1472
WINDOW frame, louvre shutter mirror. White wash timber 95cm tall x 60cm wide. $75 Photos can be supplied 0490161119
WINE Fridge – Large Transtherm Ermitage
Holds 240 bottles
Reasonable Offer Accepted. 0418278966
WINE rack, quality compact, stackable sturdy, standard size holds 12 bottles, magnum holds 6. $15 each. Ph 0467 640 964
WOODEN sous trolley on wheels, 3 shelves, VGC $100. 0428 367 133
3.4m Savage with trailer rego, 6HP and electric swivel seats, cover safety gear, lots of extras ACF724N. L26949 $2,000. 0427 528 084
7ft x 4ft with pull out kitchen & fridge. Full canopy all round. 12mths rego TH00YR Sleeping quarters up top. $10,000 ONO 0429 945 374e201224
Caravans
1988 Vicount Seabreeze 16ft. Rego until 02/25 261133. Air con, awning gas stove. Good condition. $7,500. Ph 0458 665 956
LUXURY Regal 23’
Caravan. Lge ensuite separate toilet/shower/ front load washing machine, full oven recessed bench elec/ hot water, Q bed/full wardrobes, reverse air/con, microwave/ lge fridge freezer, 3-way & pullout pantry, spice cupboard, lots of storage, radioTV with satellite connection wired for solar panels new awning, full annexe, fully serviced like new, front boot Rego 6/8/25, 754QPJ $33,500. Ph John 0428 464 063
Double Bed with Reading Lights both sides 2 Deep Cycle Batteries
3 Gas 1 Electric Cooktop with Gas Oven, Grill & Rangehood Sphere Microwave Oven Hot Water Storage Heater
Furrion Entertainment System (Outside Speakers) Furrion LED HD TV
Ensuite with separate Shower / Toilet
3.3 KG Automatic Washing Machine
Air Conditioning. Serviced regularly Ph John 0434 195 197
THIS LUXURY 2011 NOVA STELLAR, TOP OF THE RANGE VAN IS CUSTOM MADE AND TAKES OUT ALL THE DESIGN FAULTS FOUND IN NORMAL FACTORY PRODUCED VANS AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION
PRICE: $50,000 ono
FEATURES:
7310mm (24 Foot) length, Rock and roll suspension off road with electric brakes and shock absorbers to all wheels, 2 x single beds with 3 x doonas for each bed, covers and sheets, Large Ensuite with shower/Ceramic toilet and vanity/washing machine/Hoover vacuum –shower doubles as a bath, 4 burner gas cooktop/oven/grill, 3 way fridge/freezer, Gas/240V hot water system, Microwave, Slide out food pantry – two basket drawers for food storage + wine glass storage + plate storage, Portable table located in wardrobe for eating inside the van on overnight trips, Lounge converts to another single bed, 2 x wine storage lockers + fresh water pump under the lounge, 40″ flat screen TV with DVD/radio, Slide out computer desk with 12/240v connections, Explorer plug to computer desk for aerial connections + printer drawer under desk, Dometic B3000 air conditioner, 20 KVA diesel heater under lounge with electronic controls, All windows have fly screens and block out blinds, 4.5KVA remote start generator which will run the air conditioning and other services where 240v power is not available, ¾ Tunnel containing: full annex together with plastic windows and 3meter BBQ annex extending out to the tow ball, Sunshade awning and awning struts, Front Boot Locker containing 2 new 160 AH long life Gel batteries with 5-year warranty, bag of steel stakes, bag of tension ropes, tools and hose fittings and Caravan Jack, A Frame mesh containing fresh water hoses, Under Chassis tool box containing wood blocks, caravan ramps and chocks, 8-meter sullage hose in pipe container under the caravan access from the rear, 3 x fresh water tanks, with independent valve system to enable pumping from specific water tanks, 2 x 100L and 1 x 60L tanks, 2 x external LED lights and BBQ light and LED handle at entrance, Lifestyle picnic table - folds out from side of the van, External speakers and TV connections for running a portable TV outside in the annex area, Gas bayonet at the front of the van for the BBQ, Reversing camera, New caravan cover, New awning Note: Landcruiser also available as a package deal. POA. Phone 0412 081 950 3.7m
Peter is a male tabby cat, approximately 2 years old, since coming into the shelter Peter has shown his friendly and gentle nature. Peter has a lot of love to give. Peter’s expressive nature makes it clear that he thrives on interaction, and his a ectionate demeanour would make him an ideal companion in almost any home environment.
Adoption fee for 2024/2025 is $220
Caravans
Camper Trailer
Boats
Caravans Caravans
PUZZLES
SUDOKU
TRADESSERVICES
Contractors Licence 77993C
SPECIALISING IN ROOF LEAK REPAIRS, ROOF REPAIRS ,ROOF RESTORATION, RE-ROOFING, GUTTER REPLACEMENT, FASCIA BOARD REPLACEMENT, COLORBOND FASCIA COVER, COLORBOND EXTERIOR WALL & EAVE CLADDING
COLORBOND SUPPLY ONLY OR SUPPLY AND INSTALL.
4 METHODS OF USE: FLUSH VERTICAL, FLUSH HORIZONTAL, OVERLAP HORIZONTAL AND FLUSH EAVE LOOK
SPECIALISING IN ROOF LEAKS, ROOF REPAIRS, ROOF RESTORATION, RE-ROOFING, GUTTER REPLACEMENT, FASCIA BOARD REPLACEMENT, COLORBOND FASCIA COVER, COLORBOND EXTERIOR WALL, EAVE CLADDING AND EXTERIOR PAINTING DESIGNER OF VERSATILE CLADDING MADE FROM COLORBOND SUPPLY ONLY OR SUPPLY AND INSTALL. 4 METHODS OF USE: FLUSH VERTICAL, FLUSH HORIZONTAL, OVERLAP HORIZONTAL AND EAVE LOOK OVER 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE
Mobile 0434 330 555 nestlershomeimprovements.com.au nestlersversatilecladding.com.au
ONTHEBOX
BEST ON THE BOX
SUNDAY
CHRISTMAS WITH DELTA
NBN, 7pm
Now in its fifth year, this holiday concert is becoming a Christmas tradition. Australian music royalty Delta Goodrem (pictured) returns with a blend of highlights from past Christmas specials and new performances. This year, Delta and her musically talented friends are ringing in the season in Hollywood, with Josh Groban, “Kid at Christmas” crooners Calum Scott and Christina Perri, Howie from the Backstreet Boys, Men at Work’s Colin Hay, chef Curtis Stone and Aussie DJ Fisher just some of the stars taking to the stage.
FRIDAY, December 20
6.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. Alice Zaslavsky is joined by Andrea Lam.
6.30 Hard Quiz Kids. (R) Hosted by Tom Gleeson.
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 A (Very) Musical Christmas.
9.00 The Yearly With Charlie Pickering. (R) A look back at 2024. 10.00 Neighbours Does Hard Quiz. (Final, PG, R)
10.30 The Cleaner. (Ml, R)
11.30 Grand Designs: House Of The Year: Hard To Build Houses. (R)
12.20 Rage Best New Releases 2024. (MA15+adhnsv)
5.00 Rage. (PG)
MONDAY
CHRISTMAS AT GRACELAND
SBS, 7.35pm
Produced by Elvis Presley’s granddaughter, Riley Keough, Christmas at Graceland celebrates the festive season at the singer’s famed family home. Big-name music stars are joining the fun, performing Christmas songs and Elvis classics in locations throughout the home and grounds: from the “jungle room” to the pool and “chapel in the woods”. Performers include Alanis Morrisette, Rey, Post Malone (pictured), John Kacey Musgraves and Lainey
This special also includes neverbefore-seen home movies of Elvis and his family, while some iconic friends of the King of Rock’n’Roll share their memories of Christmas at Graceland –his favourite time of year.
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Every Family Has A Secret. (PGa, R) 8.35 Marlon Brando In Paradise. 9.35 Kennedy. (Final, PG)
SBS World News Late. 10.55 De Gaulle. (Premiere, Ma) 11.55 Kin. (MA15+dlv, R) 1.55 Miniseries: Too Close. (Madls, R)
2.50 Legacy List With Matt Paxton. (PGa, R)
3.55 Make Me A Dealer. (R)
4.45 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
TUESDAY A BOY CALLED CHRISTMAS
ABC TV, 8.05pm
In comparison to the lighter Christmas fare that rolls around A Boy
Called Christmas is unafraid to embrace darker elements, while still retaining the necessary spirit of the season. In this original story, a boy named Nikolas (Henry Lawfull, pictured) sets out on a quest to the snowy north to find his father, and encounters extraordinary adventures along the way with the help of a reindeer and a pet mouse. Featuring a fabulous cast, including the late, great icon of British cinema, Maggie Smith, as well as a positive message, this is a movie sure to ignite some festive Christmas cheer.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens Summer. Juliet Love revamps a cluttered laundry. 8.30 MOVIE: Jaws. (1975, Mlv, R) A police chief, a game fisherman and a marine biologist set out to hunt down a giant killer shark that is terrorising beachgoers in a small seaside community, despite a lack of support from the local mayor. Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Shaw.
11.00 MOVIE: Underwater. (2020, Mlv, R)
1.00 Taken. (Mav, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
5.00 NBC Today.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Find My Beach House Australia. Hosted by Shelley Craft.
8.30 MOVIE: Jingle All The Way. (1996, PGv, R) A man searches for a Christmas present. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sinbad.
6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 The Graham Norton Show. (Ml, R) Celebrity guests include Demi Moore. 8.40 MOVIE: Daddy’s Home 2. (2017, PGals, R) Two men plan to have the perfect Christmas, but when their fathers arrive, their holiday is turned into chaos. Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Mel Gibson. 10.40 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather.
SATURDAY, December 21
6.00 Rage Best Of The Charts 2024. (PG) 7.00 Wknd Breaky. 9.00 Rage. (PG) 10.30 Rage Best Of The Guests 2024. (PG) 12.00 News. 12.30 All Creatures Great And Small. (PG, R) 1.15 Miniseries: Douglas Is Cancelled. (Ml, R) 1.55 Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker! (R) 3.25 Solar System. (R) 4.30 Headliners. (Final, PG, R) 5.30 Landline. (R)
6.00 Take 5 With Zan Rowe: Bernard Fanning. (PG, R)
6.30 Muster Dogs: Where Are They Now. (PG, R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 All Creatures Great And Small. (PG) James prepares for his new life.
8.20 Vera. (Final, Mav, R) Vera and her team investigate the death of a beloved family man.
9.50 Miniseries: Douglas Is Cancelled. (Ml, R) The furore around the joke continues.
10.30 Shetland. (Mal, R)
11.30 Rage Best Of The Guests 2024. (MA15+adhlnsv)
ABC FAMILY (22)
6am Children’s Programs. 5.35pm Peter Rabbit. 5.45 Kiri And Lou. 5.55 Octonauts. 6.05 Interstellar Ella. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Builder Brothers Dream Factory. 6.45 Fireman Sam. 7.05 Riley Rocket. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Wallace And Gromit: A Matter Of Loaf And Death. 8.00 The Crystal Maze. 8.45 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.30 Speechless. 9.50 Officially Amazing. 10.20 Teen Titans Go! 10.45 Late Programs.
(PGa, R) 10.00 Love Your Garden. (PGa, R) 11.00 Along Ireland’s Shores. (R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Portillo’s Greatest Railway Journeys. (PG, R) 2.55 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.05 French Atlantic. (R) 3.35 Ethnic Business Awards. (R) 5.35 Weeks Of War. (PGa, R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Magical Train Journeys In Switzerland. (PGn)
8.30 Christmas At Longleat.
9.25 Tis The Season: The Holidays On Screen. (Mal, R)
10.55 Great Australian Railway Journeys. (R)
12.05 Miniseries: The Dark Heart. (Mal, R)
2.40 Love Your Garden. (PGa, R) 3.30 Make Me A Dealer. (R) 4.20 Peer To Peer. (R) 4.50 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
Pakenham Cup Day and Seven Members Mile Raceday. 5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens Summer. The team counts down to Carols In The Domain with a Christmas camping celebration.
8.00 Carols In The Domain. (PG) Coverage of Carols In The Domain from Sydney. Featuring The Wiggles, Samantha Jade and many others.
7.30 MOVIE: Central Intelligence. (2016, Mlsv, R) Dwayne Johnson. 9.40 MOVIE: Vacation. (2015, MA15+ln, R) Ed Helms. 11.35 MOVIE: The Dunes. (2021, MA15+alsv, R)
1.10 Australia’s Top Ten Of Everything. (PGs, R)
2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PGa)
2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.30 Global Shop. (R)
5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)
6.00 Jamie’s Christmas Shortcuts. (R) Jamie Oliver transforms leftovers.
7.00 The Dog House. (PGa, R) The team makes a doggy Christmas dinner.
9.00 The Dog Hospital With Graeme Hall. (PGm) A five-year-old dachshund has become very unsteady on its back legs and requires surgery. 10.00 Ambulance Australia. (Maln, R) A crash results in a broken leg, but paramedics fear the patient may also have spinal cord injuries.
11.00 Ambulance UK. (Ma, R) It is a busy shift for the ambulance service.
(R) 6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Cook Up Bitesize. (R) 9.05 The Eco
6.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Muster Dogs: Where Are They Now. (Final)
8.00 Miniseries: Douglas Is Cancelled. (Final, Ml)
8.45 Love Me. (MA15+s)
9.30 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R)
11.10 Take 5 With Zan Rowe. (PG, R) 11.40 You Can’t Ask That. (Ma, R)
12.45 New Leash On Life. (R)
1.10 Rage Vault. (MA15+adhlnsv)
3.05 Australia Remastered: Forces Of Nature. (R)
4.00 Gardening Aust. (R) 5.00 Pilgrimage: The Road Through North Wales. (Final, PG, R)
6am Home Shopping. 8.30 Travel Oz. 10.00 Escape To The Country. Noon The Yorkshire Vet. 1.00 I Escaped To The Country. 2.00 Escape To The Country. 5.00 Horse Racing. Royal Randwick Raceday, Pakenham Cup
6am Go! (2020)
7.55 Fantastic Mr. Fox. (2009, PG) 9.30 Petite Maman. (2021, PG, French) 10.50 Nowhere Boy. (2009, M) 12.40pm The Comeback Trail. (2020, M) 2.35 Bride And Prejudice. (2004, PG) 4.40 A River Runs Through It. (1992, PG) 6.55 A Hard Day’s Night. (1964, PG) 8.30 Last Cab To Darwin. (2015, M) 10.45 Nymphomaniac: Vol 1. (2013, MA15+) 12.55am Late Programs.
SUNDAY, December 22
6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 The Eco Show. (PG, R) 10.00 FIFA World Cup Classic Matches. 12.00 APAC Weekly. (R) 12.30 PBS Washington Week. 12.55 Ballroom Fit. (R) 1.00 Speedweek. 3.00 Seeds: Planting Hope Through Education. (PG, R) 3.45 Portillo’s
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Tsunami 2004: The Day The Wave Hit. (Ma)
9.20 Jonathan Ross’ Myths And Legends. (PGa, R)
10.15 Curse Of The Ancients. (Mav, R)
11.05 Napoleon: In The Name Of Art. (Mans, R)
1.00 Rise Of The Nazis: Dictators At War. (Mav, R)
2.10 Love Your Garden. (R)
3.05 Make Me A Dealer. (R)
4.00 Peer To Peer. (PG, R)
4.30 Bamay. (PG, R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera.
6am Children’s Programs. 3.15pm Wiggle. 3.30 A Very Play School Christmas. 4.20 Odd Squad. 4.35 Little J And Big Cuz. 4.50 Gardening Australia Junior. 5.00 Peppa Pig. 5.10 Thomas. 6.10 Kiri And Lou. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Stick Man. 6.55 Hey Duggee. 7.05 Riley Rocket. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 MOVIE: Paddington. (2014) 9.00 A (Very) Musical Christmas. 10.30 Speechless. 10.50 Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Match 9. Brisbane Heat v Adelaide Strikers.
10.30 Big Bash League Post-Game. Post-match coverage of the game. 11.00 7NEWS Spotlight. (R) A look at tactics scammers use.
12.00 Miniseries: Patrick Melrose. (Final, MA15+a, R) Patrick confronts his resentment.
1.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise 5am News.
5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 Christmas With Delta. A Christmas concert with Delta Goodrem.
9.00 MOVIE: The Holiday. (2006, Mls, R) Two women who live on opposite sides of the Atlantic impulsively switch homes for Christmas. Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law. 11.40 The Brokenwood Mysteries. (Mv) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) Religious program.
4.30 GolfBarons. (PG, R)
5.00 Today Early News.
5.30 Today.
ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s Programs. 1.30pm MOVIE: Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back – Evolution. (2019, PG) 3.30 MOVIE: Pokémon The Movie: Secrets Of The Jungle. (2020, PG) 5.30 MOVIE: Tom & Jerry. (2021) 7.30 MOVIE: Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1. (2010, M) 10.20 MOVIE: The Legend
Engineering That Built The World. 6.40 Abandoned Engineering. 8.30 Christopher Reeve, The Eternal Superman. 9.40 WWE Legends. 11.15 Late Programs.
(32)
6am Morning Programs. 7.25 A Hard Day’s Night. (1964, PG) 9.00 Walking On Sunshine. (2014, PG) 10.50 Priscilla Queen Of The Desert. (1994, M) 12.45pm We Might As Well Be Dead. (2022, M, German) 2.35 Go! (2020) 4.30 Princess Caraboo. (1994, PG) 6.20 Little Women. (1994, PG) 8.30 Force Of Destiny. (2015, MA15+) 10.30 The Woodcutter Story. (2022, MA15+, Finnish) 12.25am Late Programs.
6.00 The Dog House. (PGa) The Griffiths family hopes Gigi the Labrador cross will help dad Dave get into the festive spirit. 7.00 Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas To All. Mariah Carey performs her festive holiday hits. 9.00 The
Children’s Programs.
ONTHEBOX
MONDAY, December 23
Antiques Roadshow. (R)
6.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice.
6.30 Hard Quiz Kids. (PG, R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Tracy: A Force Of Nature. (PG)
8.30 ABBA: Against The Odds. (Mal, R)
10.05 The Rise And Fall Of Boris Johnson. (Final, Ml, R)
11.00 A Life In Ten Pictures. (PGa, R)
11.55 Grand Designs: House Of The Year. (PG, R)
12.45 Long Lost Family. (PG, R)
1.30 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
3.30 That Christmas. (PG, R)
4.30 Gardening Australia: Christmas Family Special 2017. (R)
5.30 A Bite To Eat With Alice. (R)
6.00 Morning Programs. 9.30 For The Love Of Dogs Xmas. 10.25 Wonderful World Of Baby Animals. 11.20 Kew Gardens: Season By Season. 12.10 WorldWatch. 2.00 TradFest: The Fingal Sessions. 2.30 Language Of Light. 3.00 Plat Du Tour. 3.10 French Atlantic. 3.40 Cook Up. 4.10 The Supervet. 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Christmas At Graceland.
8.25 Never Mind The Buzzcocks Christmas.
10.10 How To Make It In Comedy. (MA15+l, R)
11.05 Dead Mountain: The Dyatlov Pass Incident. (MA15+av)
1.10 Wisting. (Malv, R)
2.00 Legacy List With Matt Paxton. (PGa, R)
3.05 Make Me A Dealer. (R)
3.55 Legacy List With Matt Paxton. (PGav, R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 11.30 Seven Morning News. 12.00 MOVIE: Steppin’ Into The Holiday. (2022, PGa, R) 2.00 Catch Phrase. (PG, R) 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Match 10. Melbourne Renegades v Perth Scorchers. From Marvel Stadium, Melbourne. 10.30 Big Bash League Post-Game. Post-match coverage of the game.
11.00 Murder In A Small Town. (Mav) A murderer is on the loose.
12.00 Satisfaction. (MA15+ads, R) Neil and Simon start a business together.
1.00 Travel Oz. (PG, R) Hosted by Greg Grainger.
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise 5am News.
5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 RBT. (Ml, R)
8.30 Australian Crime Stories: The Investigators. (MA15+alv, R)
9.30 Miniseries: Love Rat. (Premiere, PGal)
11.30 Chicago Med. (MA15+amv)
12.15 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
1.05 Drive TV. (R)
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
2.30 Global Shop. (R)
3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa)
4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R)
6.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith. 7.30 Wheel Of Fortune Australia. (PGs) Hosted by Graham Norton. 8.30 Matlock. (PGa) Olympia defends a defamed nanny at her children’s school. Matty is on a stressful hunt for an important document on the Wellbrexa case.
6.00 Morning Programs. 10.30 The Art Of... (Ml, R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Headliners. (Final, PG, R) 1.50 Bluey. (R) 2.00 Brush With Fame. (R) 2.30 Shaun The Sheep. (R) 3.00 A Bite To Eat. (R) 3.30 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 4.15 Grand Designs: House Of The Year. (R) 5.05 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
6.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice.
6.30 Hard Quiz Kids. (PG, R)
7.00 ABC National News.
7.30 Shaun Micallef’s Eve Of Destruction Christmas Special. (PG) 8.05 MOVIE: A Boy Called Christmas. (2021, PG)
9.45 Believing In Australia. (Mns, R)
11.30 Ithaka: A Fight To Free Julian Assange. (Final, Mlv, R) 12.30 Keep On Dancing. (Final, R) 1.35 Grand Designs: House Of The Year. (R) 2.25 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 3.10 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.35 Rage Closer. (R) 3.40 Christmas In Australia With Christine Anu. (R) 4.30 Gardening Aust. (R) 5.30 A Bite To Eat. (R)
6am Children’s Programs. 5.15pm Supertato. 5.20 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 5.35 Peter Rabbit. 5.45 Kiri And Lou. 5.55 Octonauts. 6.05 Kangaroo Beach. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Tabby McTat. 6.55 Peter Rabbit’s Christmas Tale. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas. 8.00 MOVIE: Get Santa. (2014, PG) 9.40 Doctor Who. 10.30 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 10.55 Late Programs. 6am Children’s Programs. 5.45pm Builder Brothers Dream Factory. 6.10 Ginger And The Vegesaurs. 6.15 Bluey. 6.35 Nella The Princess Knight. 6.55 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Mystery Lane. 8.20 Miraculous: Tales Of Ladybug And Cat Noir. 8.45 Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! 9.05 Teen Titans
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Little
Women. Continued. (1994, PG) 7.10 Bride And Prejudice. (2004, PG) 9.15 A River Runs Through It. (1992, PG) 11.30 Last Cab To Darwin. (2015, M) 1.45pm Selkie. (2000, PG) 3.25 A Hard Day’s Night. (1964, PG) 5.00 Finding Graceland. (1998, PG) 6.50 Thunderbirds Are GO. (1966, PG) 8.30 I Love You Too. (2010) 10.30 Destination Wedding. (2018, M) 12.05am Late Programs.
6.00 Morning Programs. 10.20 Wonderful World Of Baby Animals. 11.10 Kew Gardens: Season By Season. 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Tradfest: The Dublin Castle Sessions. 2.30 Language Of Light. 3.00 Plat Du Tour. (PG, R) 3.10 French Atlantic. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 The Supervet. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)
6.20 Curse Of Oak Island. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 The UnBelievable With Dan Aykroyd. 9.20 Stacey Dooley: Inside The Convent. 10.30 Late Programs. 6am WorldWatch. 10.00 Celebrity Mastermind. 3.10pm WorldWatch. 5.40 Joy Of Painting. 6.10 Travel Man: Jon Hamm In Hong Kong. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 The UnXplained Mysteries Of The Universe. 9.20 Hoarders. 10.55 Two Weeks To Live. 11.55 Letterkenny. 12.25am Dark Side Of The ‘90s. 2.15 Hamilton’s Pharmacopeia. 3.05 NHK World English News. 5.00
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am
Thunderbirds Are GO. (1966, PG) 7.40 Selkie. (2000, PG) 9.20 Princess Caraboo. (1994, PG) 11.10 Breathless. (1960, M, French) 12.50pm Cousins. (2021, M) 2.40 Little Women. (1994, PG) 4.50 Walk With Me. (2017, PG) 6.35 The Secret Garden. (2020, PG) 8.30 Phar Lap. (1983) 10.40 My Old Lady. (2014, M) 12.40am Birds Of Passage. (2018, MA15+, Spanish) 3.00 Late Programs.
7MATE (64)
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 7NEWS: Special.
7.30 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. (PG, R) A show of military precision, entertainment, massed pipes and drum performances from Scotland.
9.30 MOVIE: Groundhog Day. (1993, PGal, R) A cynical TV weatherman finds himself living the same day over and over again. Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott.
11.40 ABBA Vs Queen. (PGa, R)
12.40 Satisfaction. (MA15+ads, R)
2.30 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
5.00 My Greek Odyssey. (PGal, R)
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Christmas With Delta. (R) A Christmas concert with Delta Goodrem. 8.00
7MATE (64)
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9GO! (83)
9GO! (83)
ONTHEBOX
WEDNESDAY, December 25
6.00
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 No Hamburg, No Beatles. (Mdns)
8.30 Rock Legends: ABBA. (R)
9.30 The Night Manager. (R)
10.35 Paul Newman: Always On The Move. (Malv, R)
11.35 Maxima. (Mav)
12.35 Pagan Peak. (MA15+a)
3.20 Legacy List With Matt Paxton. (PG, R)
4.25 Bamay. (R) 4.55 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Carols In The Domain. (PG, R) 9.30 Alinta Energy Christmas Pageant. (PG) 10.30 Mayor’s Christmas Carols. (PG) 11.30 St John Ambulance Carols By Candlelight. (PG, R) 2.00 Christmas With The Salvos. (PG, R) 2.30 MOVIE: A Christmas Number One. (2021, PGalsv, R) 5.00 The Chase Australia.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 The Force: Behind The Line. (PG, R) Narrated by Simon Reeve. 7.30 MOVIE: Love Actually. (2003, Mlns, R) Explores a series of interlocking vignettes about love and romance in Britain in the weeks before Christmas. Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman, Keira Knightley. 10.15 MOVIE: Last Christmas. (2019, PGals, R) An aspiring singer gains a new perspective. Emilia Clarke.
12.30 Stan Lee’s Lucky Man. (MA15+av)
2.30 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise 5am News.
5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 MOVIE: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. (1989, Ml, R)
9.30 MOVIE: National Lampoon’s Vacation. (1983, Mdl, R) Chevy Chase.
11.30 The King’s Christmas Message. 11.40 MOVIE: The Jazz Singer. (1980, G, R) 1.35 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa)
A Current Affair. (R)
Today Early News.
Today.
6.00 MOVIE: School Of Rock. (2003, PGl, R) A down-and-out rock guitarist takes a job as a substitute teacher at a prestigious primary school. Jack Black, Joan Cusack, Mike White. 8.30 Basketball. NBL. Round 13. Sydney Kings v Illawarra Hawks. From Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney. 10.30 MOVIE: The Truman Show. (1998, PGla, R) A man is unaware his life is on TV. Jim Carrey, Laura Linney. 12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) Hosted by Stephen Colbert. 1.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings. Morning news and talk show.
6am Children’s Programs. 6pm Kangaroo Beach. 6.15 Bluey. 6.30 Thomas And Friends. 6.40 The Adventures Of Paddington. 7.00 Fireman Sam. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 MOVIE: Scoob! (2020, PG) 9.10 Wallace And Gromit: A Matter Of Loaf And Death. 9.40 Wallace And Gromit: A Grand Day Out. 10.00 Horrible Histories. 10.30 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 10.55 Late Programs.
6am Children’s Programs. 4.55pm Bluey. 5.00 Peppa Pig. 5.10 Kangaroo Beach. 5.35 Peter Rabbit. 5.45 Kiri And Lou. 5.55 Octonauts. 6.05 Kangaroo Beach. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Zog. 6.55 Zog And The Flying Doctors. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 MOVIE: Pokémon Detective Pikachu. (2019, PG) 9.20 Secrets Of The Zoo. 10.00 Doctor Who. 10.50 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) ABC FAMILY (22)
6am Walk With Me. Continued. (2017, PG) 6.45 The Secret Garden. (2020, PG) 8.40
THURSDAY, December 26
Of Baby Animals. 11.10 Kew Gardens: Season By Season. 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Tradfest: Dublin Castle Sessions. 2.30 Language Of Light. 3.00 French Atlantic. 3.30 Cook Up. 4.00 The Lakes. 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (PG)
8.30 The Emerald Isles With Ardal O’Hanlon. (PGa, R)
9.30 Daddy Issues. (Mls)
10.30 Billy Joel: Live At Yankee Stadium. (PG, R)
12.05 DNA. (Mav) 1.00 Blackout: Tomorrow Is Too Late. (Mlnv, R)
1.55 Miniseries: The Night Logan Woke Up. (MA15+dv, R) 4.10 Make Me A Dealer. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
(31) VICELAND (31)
6.00 Sunrise.
6am Children’s Programs. 12.45pm MOVIE: Alice-Miranda: A Royal Christmas Ball. (2021, C) 2.15 MOVIE: Penguins Of Madagascar. (2014) 4.00 The Nanny: Oy To The World. 4.30 The Addams Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 I Dream Of Jeannie. 6.00 The Golden Girls. 6.30 The Nanny. 7.30 MOVIE: A Savage Christmas. (2023,
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Match 11. Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Stars.
9.10 Cricket. Big Bash League. Match 12. Perth Scorchers v Brisbane Heat. From Optus Stadium, Perth. 12.30 Criminal Confessions: The Worst Betrayal. (MA15+av, R) A missing woman is discovered murdered in the backyard of her family home.
1.30 Travel Oz. (PG, R) Hosted by Greg Grainger.
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise 5am News.
5.30 Sunrise. News, sport and weather.
NBN News.
A Current Affair.
Great Getaways. (PG)
Cyclone
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 6.30 Dog House Australia:
THIRTY FIVE youngsters made the most of a free Sydney Sixers Junior Super Clinic at the Coffs Coast Sport & Leisure Park on Sunday. The four-hour session was aimed at five to 12-year-olds, with no prior cricket experience
