Coffs Coast News Of The Area 5 April 2024

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

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

Mary KEILY 0476 603 944 mary@newsofthearea.com.au

Aiden BURGESS 0432 816 977 aiden@newsofthearea.com.au

David WIGLEY wigley@newsofthearea.com.au

Mike Hely 0427 108 089 mike@newsofthearea.com.au

Doug CONNOR doug@newsofthearea.com.au

All eyes on Bonville for Australian Women’s Classic

FROM Page 1

regional Australia.

Now, five years and five champions later, the Australian Women’s Classic Bonville is a hallmark event on the Australian leg of the Ladies European Tour and a launch pad for the rising stars of women’s golf.

With a history featuring the likes of World Golf Hall of Famer Dame Laura Davies, Aussie favourites Hannah Green, Sarah Kemp and Stephanie Kyriacou as well as the enigmatic Christina Kim, the event and associated drawcards deliver an economic return to the region hard to measure.

“The enduring return of the event, year onyear is building a legacy for our region,” Group Marketing Manager Christopher Winn told News Of The Area.

“Each year, the broadcast and associated media clips for the Australian Women’s Classic Bonville generate incredible value for Coffs Harbour,” he said.

“We’re talking eyes from across the globe, focussed on the players enjoying all of the parts of the Coffs Coast - the beaches, the food, the people."

Bonville Golf Resort General Manager Brad Daymond said the Coffs Coast has grown to become an “incredible event city” in recent years.

“This is the sixth year of this international tournament held here at Bonville and it’s adding significant visibility and demand for our region.”

The 2024 Australian Women’s Classic

Bonville, presented by Pacific Bay Resort Studios, will once again showcase many of the best female golfers on the Ladies European Tour.

Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said that supporting events like the Australian Women’s Classic is essential to the local visitor economy.

“The NSW State Government commitment to growing opportunity through major sporting events is unwavering,” he said.

“The Australian Women’s Classic Bonville has become a drawcard event for our region and one we can all be very proud of.”

Machete seized after police pursuit

A MAN has been charged following an alleged pursuit at Coffs Harbour on Tuesday, with police reportedly seizing multiple dangerous weapons and illicit drugs.

attempted to stop a Hyundai i30 hatchback.

Curated as a spectator event, visitors are encouraged to download a free ticket to attend Bonville Golf Resort and catch all the action live this weekend.

Visit www.auswomensclassic.com.au.

The Australian Women’s Classic was secured exclusively for Bonville by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Bonville Golf Course is ranked in twelfth place in the 2024 Ausgolf Top 100 Courses in Australia, and continues to reign as the guide’s ‘most beautiful mainland course’.

Officers subsequently searched the vehicle and allegedly located and seized a machete, knuckle dusters, methamphetamine, and prescription medication.

The Coffs Harbour man was charged with counts relating to the alleged pursuit, driving while disqualified, displaying misleading number plates, possessing prohibited weapons and drug possession.

About 3.30am on Tuesday 2 April 2024 police from Coffs/Clarence Police District were patrolling Hogbin Drive when they DATES have been confirmed for Coffs Harbour’s free bus trial, designed to showcase public transport options and ease social isolation.

When the vehicle allegedly failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated, continuing south along the Pacific Highway towards Sawtell where the vehicle came to a stop.

Following a short foot pursuit, a 25-yearold man was arrested before being taken to

He was refused bail to appear before Coffs Harbour Local Court on Tuesday 2 April 2024.

Dates formalised for free bus trial

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for three months. The trial will start on Friday, 19 April and run through to Sunday, 14 July.

rarely drive, and to teenagers who rely on their parents to help them get around.”

The pilot trial is being driven by City of Coffs Harbour, Busways and Forest Coach Lines.

Stretching from Macksville to Grafton and west to Bellingen, the program will offer free bus travel on existing service runs on

“This is about connecting the community, and building an awareness of how you can get around the local area by bus,” City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Cr Paul Amos said. “Some in our community may not have used public transport for many years – let alone realise the places they can get to through our local operators in Forest Coach Lines and Busways.

“The free bus trial may prove especially valuable to older people who no longer or

Cr Amos drove the bus trial initiative which was backed by Council at its 14 March meeting.

The three-month trial will be for existing regular services outside of the school runs.

The bus companies will provide daily statistics on the service's use at the end of the trial.

For full details of the eligible services visit https://www.coffsharbour.nsw.gov. au/Your-Council/Projects-and-initiatives/ Initiatives/JUMP-ON-A-FREE-BUS.

q International golfers Emma Spitz, Pauline Roussin-Bouchard and Rhianna Lewis on the beautiful Bonville headland. Photo: Tristan Jones/LET.

Coffs Harbour Police Station.

BIPARTISAN SUPPORT

FROM Page 1

Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh to deliver plans for the revitalisation of the Jetty Foreshores precinct.

Despite intense opposition from the City of Coffs Harbour in recent months, including an attempt to purchase the foreshore land, Mr Kamper joined Mr Singh on site this week to discuss the project the Labor Minister describes as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for the region.

With recent Budget Estimates discussions revealing NSW Government plans for the revitalisation could include a maximum of 250 residential dwellings and 200 short stay units being built in the precinct, there is still much division locally as to the best way forward for the foreshore site.

Acknowledging the work done by the former Coalition government to further the project in the past few years, the State Government says “bipartisan support” will help deliver a “20-year shared community vision to connect community with country”.

Mr Kamper said the revitalisation of the foreshore will deliver jobs, economic and tourism benefits and muchneeded housing.

was informed by more than 3600 responses from the community and will create a ‘self-sustaining, cost-neutral precinct’ that reinvests all proceeds into improving the foreshore’s public areas to create a family-friendly area that everyone can enjoy, including renewal of parklands, and better recreational facilities.

“We will not develop any foreshore land here for profit, and all funds generated will be reinvested into the Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshore precinct to revitalise the land to create a family-friendly precinct with a focus on parks and places that are attractive, safe and lively,” Mr Kamper said.

In a statement this week, the NSW Government described much of the precinct as “currently inaccessible for public enjoyment”, citing gravelled areas used to provide overflow parking which “do not reflect the potential of this foreshore land”.

over the years, there was a need to “reimagine its future direction”.

“The majority of people in Coffs Harbour want to see this current site transformed into a thriving destination that attracts tourists, supports local jobs and businesses, addresses housing needs and makes us all proud,” he said.

“It was great to have the Minister in Coffs Harbour today where we could walk over the entire Jetty Foreshores precinct and see the opportunities first hand.

“It’s important to see the Minister offer his support to the revitalisation of the Coffs Jetty Foreshores because this precinct is important to the future of our city – especially with the bypass completion date looming not too far in the future.”

which claims that Minister Kamper is “regularly unavailable” to meet with Mayor Amos on the issue, claims to have a “bold vision” to optimise the waterfront land.

“These parklands are an essential community meeting place for locals and visitors and the cost of selling them off to commercial hands will haunt us for generations,” Cr Amos said.

“Once it’s gone, it’s gone.

“I’ve had over 11,000 residents elect me as their Mayor but the Minister is prepared to ignore these people and believes he knows it all because of selective responses to a clearly biassed survey.”

see if there’s some common ground from where we might find a solution that is favourable to the community."

The City offered to buy the State Government land at the Foreshores late last year for $6.7 million, offering two inner city blocks suitable for highrise affordable housing as an additional incentive.

This offer was rejected, with the City now investigating a compulsory acquisition process for the land.

The Government claims the revitalisation will include additional homes to address the housing crisis, an expansion of tourism and hospitality offerings, an increase in public open space and improved parking.

The State Government says the precinct masterplan

City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Cr Paul Amos remains gobsmacked by the scale of the State Government’s proposal, with up to 450 dwellings potentially destined for the Jetty Foreshores.

“That is equivalent to more than seven Pacific Towers,” said Mayor Amos.

“The State is blinkered on this,” Mayor Amos said.

The Labor candidate in last year’s state election and the President of Coffs Harbour Labor, Tony Judge said the community has “every right to feel betrayed” by the State Government’s backflip on an election promise to keep the Jetty Foreshores free from residential development.

“Instead, it will focus on high-end, high cost multi storey apartments that the vast majority of people in Coffs could never afford.

“The recreational areas of the Jetty Foreshores will be overshadowed by blocks of flats up to six storeys high.

“It flies in the face of decades of decisions by NSW Governments, both Labor and Coalition, to keep public land on our beachfronts free from multi-storey residential."

State MP Gurmesh Singh said as Coffs Harbour had undergone significant change

The City has described the plan as “short sighted”, highlighting the additional pressures extra residential dwellings will place on parking at the foreshore.

The City of Coffs Harbour,

“I heard on the grapevine that Minister Kamper was in Coffs at the Fishing Club so I went down there to put the community’s side, but was ignored,” he said.

“I’ve also had no cutthrough in seeking to work with the NSW Government to

"Minister Kamper may be standing shoulder to shoulder with the National Party by continuing with their project, but he has no support in local Labor and he does not stand with the majority of the Coffs Harbour community.”

Mr Judge, who serves as a City of Coffs Harbour councillor, said the project ignores the “genuine and urgent” need for social and affordable housing in Coffs Harbour.

A spokesperson for the office of NSW Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper stressed that the final number of dwellings proposed for the Jetty Foreshores precinct will be dependent on community feedback received when the rezoning proposal goes on public exhibition, and again when the development application is exhibited.

q Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh and NSW Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper at the Jetty Foreshores on Tuesday.

Digging in for TAFE

By Andrea FERRARI

MARKED with the traditional turning of the first sod, the start of construction work on a new creative arts facility for TAFE NSW at Coffs Harbour Education Campus (CHEC) took place on Tuesday 26 March.

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan visited Coffs Harbour

to officiate over the beginning of the $29 million upgrades to CHEC, a project set to further strengthen vocational education and training in the region.

The work will include upgrades to existing classrooms and staff facilities and will accommodate for future growth and enable a greater variety of courses to be delivered to the region.

“This project will deliver facilities for creative services, business and adult migrant English program courses as well as upgraded student services, library services and staff workspaces,” said Minister Whan.

“Coffs Harbour is one of the fastest growing and dynamic areas in regional NSW so it’s crucial that we are providing high quality

q The sod is turned at TAFE NSW CHEC’s redevelopment site: Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh, Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan, City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Cr Paul Amos and TAFE NSW Executive Director, Education and Skills Jason Darney.

learning facilities to help build a pipeline of workers that meet the skills needs of the city and surrounding areas.”

Mr Whan referred to Coffs Harbour as fast becoming an epicentre of vocational education and training opportunities.

The project is expected to be completed in 2025.

Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh joined the minister at CHEC for the sodturning.

“The creative arts facility and its state-ofthe-art learning spaces will enhance TAFE NSW’s delivery of industry-aligned

q Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh, Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education

Steve Whan, City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Cr Paul Amos and TAFE NSW Executive Director, Education and Skills Jason Darney.

education and training at the contemporary Coffs Harbour Education Campus, a thriving precinct shared with Southern Cross University and Coffs Harbour Senior College,” Mr Singh said.

“This $29 million investment was announced by the former Coalition Government in our 202223 NSW Budget and I’m delighted to see the first sod turned today on this vital project,” said Mr Singh, Shadow Minister for Tourism, Emergency Services and the North Coast.

“TAFE NSW is crucial to our local economy and this investment represents an

important step in training our region’s workforce.

“The funding increases TAFE’s capacity to deliver training aligned to growing local industry and supporting our economy into the future.”

The project includes upgrades to existing classrooms and staff facilities while at the same time delivering world-class vocational education and training.

It will deliver facilities for creative services, business and adult migrant English program courses as well as upgraded student services, library services and staff workspaces.

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

Sawtell Cinema saved by new ownership

By Andrea FERRARI

SAWTELL Cinema will remain operational thanks to new ownership by Regional Cinemas Australia (RCA).

Since Majestic Cinemas appointed administrators on 1 February, four of its cinemas on the Mid North Coast have been the subject of a sevenweek purchase negotiation.

Regional Cinemas Australia has now announced that, as part of a sale agreement with Majestic Cinemas, it has taken ownership of Majestic Port Macquarie, Sawtell Cinema, Nambucca Cinema Centre and Riverside Movies Kempsey.

Regional Cinemas Australia CEO Kieren Dell, the former CEO of Majestic Cinemas, told News Of The Area, “We are still getting the information out, but the stories that have been posted on social media have

had a great response, with a huge sense of relief in our communities that they won’t be losing their cinemas, and an appreciation of how much they value the entertainment that their local cinema offers.

“We’ve worked tirelessly over the last seven weeks with a variety of stakeholders to create a more sustainable business model as we progress into the new future of cinema as RCA.

“Whilst we’re excited by the outcome, it’s been an incredibly difficult process, where some Majestic locations in other regions have closed in order to secure a future for the business on the Mid North Coast.

“I’d like to specially mention the support of our landlords at our Mid North Coast sites - their passion and desire to see cinema continue in their towns has been critical to us being

able to move forward and continue to provide quality entertainment.”

Terry van der Velde, one of the joint administrators of Majestic Cinemas noted, “The sale of the four sites is expected to result in a more favourable outcome to the creditors of Majestic Cinemas and a reduction of creditor claims in any potential liquidation scenario.”

The new business will retain all current Mid North Coast employees, saving any potential job losses, which was a concern for RCA Executive Chairman Wayne Wilson.

“The cinema industry has been impacted through a variety of factors across the last few years, and developing a sustainable model that allows for four cinemas across the coast to continue under the banner of a broader group has allowed

us to keep our staff employed.

“Like any business, our employees are the heart of what we do, and it was always our aim to find a way to keep our staff employed and for our customers to continue to be served by the same friendly faces.”

Mr Dell offered his thanks to the community for their enduring support.

“On behalf of our Board, Senior Management, Site Managers and staff, we want to thank our local communities for the unwavering support that they’ve shown us over the last two months.

“It’s been incredibly humbling in what has been a challenging time for a business we’ve spent 21 years growing.

“It’s been quite remarkable seeing what we mean to our local audiences and reminds us why we love what we do and how it brings

Thousands march for forest protection

By Andrew VIVIAN ACROSS

Australia, the ‘March for Forests’ on Sunday March 24 drew thousands of participants, with almost 900 marchers taking to the streets of Bellingen.

The Bellingen event, supported by Gumbaynggirr elders and representatives, brought hordes of passionate advocates out to voice their plea to government to end native forest logging and protect biodiversity.

Local organisers have proclaimed the event a resounding success.

The national event,

organised by the Bob Brown Foundation, was a celebration of community unity and commitment to safeguarding forests and wildlife.

“It was awesome to see so many people wanting to end native forest logging and protect our unique

plants and animals,” said local organiser Kaz Selbie.

“It’s up to each and every one of us to defend our forests.

“The more we talk about it, write to our local and federal government and act where we can, the forest killing laws will change.”

Ms Selbie said anyone would be inspired by the dedicated and passionate ‘forest legends’ who work hard to preserve forests, however those people need ongoing support to succeed.

Speakers emphasized the urgency of action to preserve forests and

q Regional Cinemas Australia CEO Kieren Dell outside Sawtell Cinema, where the community is relieved to hear the cinema has a bright future.

people together.”

Rebranded as Sawtell Cinema, Majestic gift cards, vouchers and movie club cards will continue to be

protect endangered wildlife, encouraging individuals to step up and take a stand before forests disappear.

Cath Eaglesham from the Bellingen Environment Centre highlighted the issue of active logging in seven local native forest compartments.

“The Bob Brown Foundation rally is a nationwide call to action to end native forest logging and this couldn’t be more welcomed than here in the Bellingen Shire,” she said.

“There are at least seven forest compartments surrounding Bellingen that are active or about to become active (proposed for logging).

“This has to stop because everyone in our Shire depends on the healthy drinking water that comes from our forests and the impacts logging has on our wildlife is a disaster.”

Louise Cranny from the Kalang River Forest Alliance highlighted the significance of protecting local forests.

The threat of imminent

accepted at the cinema, with all their original benefits and conditions applying to their usage going forward.

logging in the Oakes State Forest is a wake-up call, demanding our immediate action.

“As a long-term resident of the Kalang Valley, I am motivated to protect Oakes because it risks permanent and irreversible damage to the Kalang River as well as our clean water supply.

“It is shameful of the Labor party if logging of Oakes is allowed to go ahead, wasting tax-payers money by destroying a pristine forest and river system that is prime koala habitat.”

Jenny Weber, the Bob Brown Foundation’s Campaigns Manager told the crowd, “Our Foundation is building a nationwide movement to end native forest logging.

“We are uniting groups around the country who defend native forests.

“We are urging the public to stand with us and become a part of this critical movement to save our forests.

“Together, we can make a difference.”

q The Bellingen march was part of a national campaign. Photo: Jonathan Cassell.

Countdown to CWA NSW’s biggest annual event

2024.

The CWA of NSW State Conference and AGM are being held in Coffs Harbour between 5-9 May 2024, meaning an influx of over 600 CWA members and their partners to the city.

“To welcome our visitors we have been busy out in the community talking to businesses about sponsorships, discounts and offers

“Throughout Coffs’ CBD we have been met with fabulous enthusiasm.”

The CWA's AGM and Conference is a cornerstone event in the organisation's calendar, bringing together dedicated women from rural and regional communities to discuss key issues, share ideas and celebrate their achievements.

The Coffs Harbour State Conference will feature a diverse program of business sessions, presentations and networking

opportunities, covering a range of topics relevant to rural and regional communities.

“From discussions on sustainable agriculture to a Q & A on rural crime, the conference aims to equip attendees with valuable insights and tools to address the unique challenges they face,” said Jodie.

All displays are free and open to the public.

Members of the community are welcome to sit in on the business sessions as observers.

In addition to its substantive agenda, the conference will also showcase the rich culture and hospitality of Coffs Harbour.

“Attendees will have the

opportunity to explore the city's stunning coastline, sample its renowned local cuisine, and experience its warm and welcoming community spirit.”

The Big Banana Fun Park is supporting CWA's efforts as a great driver of tourism to the region with special deals, homemade banana muffins, locally roasted coffee and more.

“As preparations for the 2024 State Conference continue, the CWA of NSW looks forward to welcoming members, partners, and supporters to Coffs Harbour for what promises to be an unforgettable gathering of rural women united in purpose and passion,” said Jodie.

Mixed reactions to Koala Summit

By Andrew VIVIAN

ON Friday March 22 the NSW Government hosted 150 people at Sydney's Taronga Zoo for the 2024 Koala Summit.

A diverse range of stakeholders, including nongovernment organisations, government agencies, private landholders, local councils, Aboriginal representatives, academics, researchers and policy makers were on the guest list.

The new members of the Independent Koala Expert Panel were also in attendance.

Guests heard several keynote speeches from experts and practitioners dedicated to saving koalas and then had the opportunity to provide advice to help update the current NSW Koala Strategy to ensure the future of koalas in the wild.

Minister for Climate Change and the Environment

Penny Sharpe also asked all attendees, as well as any individuals, communities or organisations not in attendance, to make a submission to the State Government’s recent Koala Strategy Discussion Paper.

The paper seeks community input into the review of the NSW Koala Strategy.

“It is a rare opportunity to have this diversity of expertise and experience in one room, and I want to listen and draw on this knowledge for positive

change,” Ms Sharpe said.

“Nothing is off the table in the discussions and I welcome everyone’s input.”

Ms Sharpe said the Koala Summit is a key part of the process to review and refocus the NSW Koala Strategy.

“We need to take a good, hard look at the strategy, to take it apart and remake it to ensure it will save koalas in the wild,” she said.

However, according to Dailan Pugh from the North East Forest Alliance (NEFA), “The dismay and frustration of koala advocates with the ALP’s refusal to redress the draconian policies of the National Party was palpable.”

“This Government has been in power for a year and yet logging and clearing of koala habitat continues unabated, while there has been no attempt to rectify the dysfunctional changes to the State Environment Planning Policies introduced in response to the National Party declaring war on koalas in 2020.

“The biggest concern is that the summit just represents another excuse to delay taking action to provide koalas with the habitat protection they urgently need if we want to save them from extinction in the wild by 2050.”

Mr Pugh said the National Parks Association and World Wildlife Fund put forward a motion calling for a moratorium on logging in the proposed Great Koala

National Park, and the North East Forest Alliance put forward a motion to stop logging of occupied koala habitat on State forests.

He said both motions achieved overwhelming support by a show of hands.

Another local Summit attendee was Grahame Douglas, the Coffs Coast Branch President of the National Parks Association of NSW (NPA), which submitted the proposal for the Great Koala National Park (GKNP) to the previous government.

“The NPA believes there should be a greater focus on the assessment of public lands, and, in particular Forestry Corporation operations in State forests,” Mr Douglas said.

“We welcomed the opportunity to participate and are grateful for the Minister’s invitation.”

Mr Douglas said he came away from the Summit with the clear impression that Ms Sharpe was listening to issues associated with koala conservation, however believes an emphasis on reviewing public lands is essential for NSW.

“We also believe that Minister Sharpe recognised the importance of the GKNP to the Mid North Coast.”

Jacqui Mumford, CEO of the Nature Conservation Council of New South Wales (NCC), also attended the Summit, welcoming the opportunity to discuss the protection of koala habitat.

“This is a very different

q NSW Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Penny Sharpe chats with attendees at the Koala Summit. Photo: NCC.

approach than the former government, who were unwilling to even talk to the environmental movement about this issue,” Ms Mumford said.

“We know that native forest logging and habitat clearing on freehold land are two major threats to koalas.

“I recommended at the Summit that the best way to protect koalas is to stop native forest logging and rein in habitat clearing across NSW.”

New ratepayers and residents group

By Ned COWIE

AROUND 100 people have voted to form the Coffs Coast Ratepayers and Residents Association (CCRR) after a meeting last Tuesday night in Coffs Harbour.

“We have unanimously voted, after much lively

discussion, to form the association in order to give ordinary people a voice to council (City of Coffs Harbour),” said George Christensen, the meeting’s chairperson.

“This is something which is not currently offered to us,” he told News Of The Area.

The group will meet monthly, and all are encouraged to come along and join in the discussion.

The next meeting is planned for 7pm, 23 April at the Boambee East Community Centre.

Currently membership is free and open to all who

scrutinise plans for the city and surrounds as well as reject such projects as the community feels are detrimental to the health and well-being of residents.

“We would like to invite current council members to come along and participate with us in our monthly

The Koala Strategy Discussion Paper is available online at https://www. environment.nsw.gov.au.

meetings but otherwise we plan to reach out to the council with what the community decides,” Mr Christenson told NOTA.

“We elect councillors to represent our interests, not to run our lives.

“We hope the ratepayers and residents’ association can give them a better idea of what our community’s interests are,” he said.

Applications open for Housing Support Program

THE Australian Government’s $500 million Housing Support Program is now open for applications from state, territory and local governments for projects that will boost the planning required to increase housing supply.

Stream 1 is for projects that aim to build the planning workforce and capability

to improve the efficiency of the planning process so that housing construction can start sooner.

These could be new pathways for planners and related professions to enter the industry, or tools to streamline planning systems and improve decision-making efficiency.

Projects could also look

at sharing resources between local governments or supporting master planning and planning reform.

Projects must demonstrate how they will align with planning, zoning and regulatory reforms agreed through National Cabinet’s National Planning Reform Blueprint, landuse planning for disaster

resilience and the aims of the National Housing Accord.

The National Housing Accord with states and territories sets out a shared ambition to build 1.2 million new well-located homes over five years from 1 July 2024.

Homes would be close to jobs, schools, transport and other amenities to support improved productivity and liveability.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Julie Collins

Changed traffic conditions on Shephards Lane

MOTORISTS are advised of changed traffic conditions on Shephards Lane, Coffs Harbour, from Wednesday, to manage heavy vehicle movements between Pearce Drive and the North Coast Railway line. Traffic control will be in

place to manage up to 140 heavy vehicle movements and 30 light vehicle movements a day safely across Shephards Lane for the construction of the Coffs Harbour bypass.

said, “I urge all councils and state and territory governments to submit their projects so we can work together to get more homes on the ground, faster.

“Our ambitious housing reform agenda is working across the board – more help for renters, more help for homebuyers and more help for Australians needing a safe place for the night.”

Applications for stream 1 of the $500 million Housing

This crossing will be in place during approved construction hours of weekdays from 7am to 6pm and Saturdays from 8am to 1pm.

Support Program opened Wednesday 27 March 2024 and will close at 12.00pm on Monday 29 April 2024.

Stream 2 will provide funding for projects that provide enabling infrastructure and amenities such as footpaths, roads and parks to support new housing.

This stream will open for applications May 2024.

For further information visit www.infrastructure.gov. au/territories-regions-cities/ cities/housing-supportprogram

Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and follow the directions of signs and traffic control.

For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW app, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

Motorists can expect stoppages of up to five minutes with traffic control and a reduced speed limit in place for the safety of workers and motorists.

Industrial hemp processing options

By Mary KEILY

A MEETING was held recently in Bellingen to gauge interest in the local growing and processing of industrial hemp.

The event was hosted by Marg Hope of Bellingen Riverside Cottages and her builder husband John, from Beyond Hope Construction.

“The fires triggered the interest, but John’s been interested for years in building with industrial hemp,” Marg told NOTA.

“So we feel it could make a really good community enterprise.”

Globally, it is estimated that hemp is used in more than 25,000 products spanning nine sub-markets, including agriculture, building materials and textiles.

However, the high cost of transporting hemp to be processed is a daunting one, with legislative red tape seen to be thwarting the industry in Australia at present - the latter challenge

currently being tackled by the NSW Government Hemp Industry Taskforce, initiated in February.

The Hopes have been researching Australian hemp and have contacted many stakeholders involved in the burgeoning industry such as growers, processors and builders.

“We found that Croatia still builds with hemp in many products,” said Marg.

“We thought: ‘Well, Australia has the climate and the space’.”

The Hopes research brought them in contact with Lonnie and Connie Minus, the owners of a hemp processing plant in Ashford near Glen Innes.

“The Ashford community had been dying, and people had asked the couple to grow hemp,” said Marg.

“They already had a lot of machinery from Lonnie’s father having been a tobacco farmer, so they adjusted the machinery to processing hemp which

is a very harsh material initially, like tobacco.”

Many young families were employed in the local industry, keeping the school and the corner store open.

The Minus’ also came up with a solution to reduce transport costs.

“The transport of hemp for processing is too costly,” said Marg.

“So that’s why the Minus’ developed a portable processing plant and it’s in a shipping container.

“They’ve just shipped one to Adelaide, then one is off to New Zealand for a Maori community.”

The plant’s focus is on processing building materials, such as hemp ‘hurd’.

Also produced is clothing and pet bedding, hemp ‘fines’ for creams and food (not medicinal hemp).

The Hopes now plan to run a workshop midyear featuring key hemp stakeholders including Andi Lucas from X-Hemp, Tasmania’s only hemp fibre

processing facility, and Hannan Build from Dungog, who build sustainable homes from hemp.

It is also hoped that Klara Marosszeky from The Australian Hemp Masonry Company (Lismore) will appear.

“Klara devised the binding unit to keep the hemp together in the walls,” said Marg.

An agronomist will also explain how to grow hemp and what sort of soil is needed.

“We want to get hurd at the meetup and build a shed so people can get their hands dirty.”

q John Hope (right) from Beyond Hope Constructions discusses the future of hemp at the recent meeting.

A discussion of public art

By Andrea FERRARI

ARTIST and sculptor David Worthington opened his recent ArtsNational Coffs Coast talk on public art with the question: ‘Does a roundabout need art?’.

“Well,” he posed, “it depends.”

Thus began a lively presentation which prompted keen interaction from the gathering of over 140 people.

“An evening of questions without easy answers,” is how ArtsNational Coffs Coast spokesperson Annie Talvé described the event.

Mr Worthington’s own public artworks exhibit what he calls ‘embraceable art’.

Citing a local example of this kind of durable public art,

the gathering commented on the set of dolphins adjacent to the Coffs Jetty Boardwalk.

People can look, touch, climb over and sit on the dolphins without damaging them.

While, as Mr Worthington argues, sculpture generally equates to physicality, not all public art invites touch.

“Emma Coulter’s ‘Let Them Feel The Light’, which clings to three levels of brickwork in Yarrila Place, attracts the eye through colour, scale, and the sense of energy and movement she creates through the clever combination of steel and glass,” noted Annie.

Public artworks can, Mr Worthington observed, be controversial at the outset and

loved over time.

For example, he said, Anthony Gormley’s famous Angel of the North (1984) in Gateshead, England was deeply controversial during its inception, but now serves as a symbolic emblem of Northern pride.

This led to the question of: What we might value tomorrow but not today?

History can change our perspective completely, Mr Worthington explained.

“Once a hero, now a villain, we’ve seen public monuments erected to dictators, slave traders and criminals unceremoniously toppled to cheering crowds,” he said.

“Public art can be political, particularly when it comes to its possible removal, replacement, retention or preservation somewhere else.”

Yandaarra Nominate now!

Public art can also be ephemeral.

Christo and Jean-Claude, partners in life and art making, were famous for wrapping notable buildings and spaces in fabric.

The Pont Neuf Bridge in Paris, Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, and even Sydney’s Little Bay (1969) were transformed by the pair’s commitment to drawing attention to the fleeting nature of human experience as opposed to permanence and immortality.

Even ‘bad’ public art can serve a purpose, argued Mr Worthington.

It stimulates future generations of artists to do something better, more imaginative, and, hopefully, site specific, he said.

Mr Worthington’s questions and examples contributed to lively conversations with him and between audience members. The general consensus

was that Coffs Harbour could do with more striking public artworks.

Some speculated as to whether a building like Yarrila Place itself could simultaneously be a public artwork.

Many audience members queried why public art is often seen as a waste of ratepayer’s money, while sports stadia are not.

ArtsNational Coffs Coast welcomed the presence of Councillor Tony Judge, who “graciously fielded lots of ideas about future public

artworks in Coffs Harbour”, said Annie.

“We hope our next talk on 15 April will also get people talking,” said Annie.

“Australian artist, author, collector and TV presenter Claudia Chan Shaw will present ‘Well Heeled - Shoes Through Time’, a romp through the history of shoes.

“From the comfort of Birkenstocks to shoes as symbols of power and status, Claudia’s talk will be entertaining, informative and possibly controversial.”

q Artist and sculptor David Worthington with ArtsNational Coffs Coast Chair Libby Davis.

q David Worthington in full flight during his talk.

q Audience members Jeremy and Jane Nash with David Worthington (centre).

q City of Coffs Harbour councillor Tony Judge with daughter Fiona and wife Diane Judge.

Biosecurity Protection Levy passes House of Representatives

THE Federal Government’s Biosecurity Protection

Levy passed in the House of Representatives last week - legislation which the Nationals are describing as a “fresh food tax” and an “attack on families and farmers”.

According to the Department of Agriculture, the Biosecurity Protection Levy will “ensure that those who directly benefit from Australia’s strong biosecurity make a modest and direct contribution to ensure the biosecurity system is sustainably funded into the future”.

The Nationals however

say the new levy will force farmers to pay for the biosecurity risks of international importers.

“In what parallel universe would a government charge its own farmers to pay for the risks their competitors are creating?” Nationals leader David Littleproud said.

“This new tax will hurt families at a time they can least afford it and farmers who are already under pressure.

“It doesn’t make sense at all and comes amid a cost-of living crisis.

"Farmers will be forced to pass on costs, meaning

families will feel more pain at the grocery checkout.”

National Farmers’ Federation President David Jochinke said while farmers were disappointed to see the controversial levy progress to the Senate, it was encouraging to see a range of Coalition, Greens and independent MPs validating the industry’s strong concerns.

“This was a very lonely vote for the Government, and we thank every member who voted against this bad idea.

“It’s an important demonstration to farmers that their concerns are being heard.”

Joining opposition to the levy by the Liberals and Nationals, Greens MP Elizabeth Watson-Brown stated her party had “serious concerns about the lack of transparency and oversight” applied to the allocation of collected industry funds.

“The Greens will be pushing the government to commit to progressing a levy on risk creators in the form of a container levy,” Ms WatsonBrown noted.

Several members of the crossbench also reiterated the industry’s concerns.

Indi MP Dr Helen Haines shared concern that the

Koala rescue equipment donated to WIRES

By Andrea FERRARI

KOALA rescue equipment was recently handed over to local WIRES Mid North Coast volunteers at a morning tea held at the Coffs Harbour Botanic Gardens.

Thanks to the donation made by the Jaliigirr Biodiversity Alliance, the small network of local volunteers are better equipped for their role at the front line of koala rescue.

These hard-working volunteers rapidly mobilise to rescue sick and injured koalas when a call comes through to WIRES.

Four custom built koala rescue cages, two nine metre telescopic poles, eight rescue bags and two telescopic loppers were gifted to the koala rescue volunteers.

Jaliigirr project manager Justin Couper told News Of The Area, “The volunteers were very excited and happy to receive the rescue equipment.

“Receiving this specialised gear was well overdue.

“It will increase their capacity to mobilise quickly and help them immensely to get injured or sick koalas into care efficiently.”

Mr Couper said the region’s “rapidly changing landscape due to urban development, timber harvesting and agricultural pursuits” puts immense pressure on the local koala population.

“Koalas are at the frontline of our forests and are often displaced through loss of habitat leaving them vulnerable to injury and sickness,” Mr Couper said. “Fortunately, we have a dedicated group of volunteers who are ensuring koalas are getting the help they need,” he said.

Zaiga Deist, Koala Coordinator, WIRES Mid North Coast branch said, “The cages will ensure more rescue members can attend calls.

“The leaf cutters will go to our carers to assist with the daily leaf collecting of

levy will be going into consolidated revenue, noting that “there is no guarantee that this new charge on farmers will actually go to biosecurity measures”.

“In criticising this bill, farmers are not asking the government to do all the work, because they already contribute to biosecurity measures via existing levies, on-farm activities and much, much more,” she said.

Allegra Spender MP called out “the failure of the government to follow its own processes and best practices in policy development”.

The Department of Agriculture has recognised that many primary producers already invest in biosecurity

through on-farm activities, but argue more needs to be done.

“Producers also support Australia’s biosecurity system through investment in research and development, membership fees for Animal Health Australia and Plant Health Australia, and contributions to emergency responses under deed arrangements,” the Department stated in a release in February.

“While these investments are important, they do not directly fund biosecurity costs at the border that prevent pest and disease incursions into Australia.

“These investments are not being replaced or duplicated by Commonwealth activities funded through the Biosecurity Protection Levy.”

eucalyptus cuttings to feed koalas in care.

“With a large area to cover it is helpful to have multiple members equipped to do a rescue as one member may not always be available.”

Coffs Harbour has one of the largest koala populations in NSW, however their numbers are dwindling.

q Jaliigirr representatives Jack Nesbitt and James Birnie, WIRES MNC volunteers Zaiga Deist and Michelle Whackett, Jaliigirr representative Lynn Baker and WIRES MNC representative Jody Shone.

It is estimated that population numbers dropped by a third between 1990 and 2010, while the 201920 bushfires reportedly killed over 70 percent of the remaining koalas on the North Coast.

The Jaliigirr Biodiversity Alliance is currently funded by the Australian

Government to work in partnership with public and private land managers, government agencies, traditional custodians and local community groups to undertake actions to assist with long term conservation outcomes for koala in the Coffs Harbour and Bellingen 'Areas of Regional Koala

Significance’. This project received grant funding from the Australian Government Koala Community Grants: Round 1.

“We are immensely grateful to Jaliigirr for facilitating us having this extra equipment through the grant,” Zaiga said.

since.”

Probus stalwarts step down after years of dedicated service

By Andrea FERRARI

A LIFE member of the Woolgoolga Probus Club, the dedicated Robyn Rooth is stepping down from her committee duties after years of tireless service.

The Club recognised Robyn’s contributions with thanks and a bouquet of flowers at the AGM on Wednesday 27 March 2024.

Robyn’s husband John, a founding member of the club, is its longest standing member.

Woolgoolga Probus Club began in 1987. Like many Probus Clubs at that time, its membership featured men only. The Club thrived with membership of around 80

“I look forward to being involved as a member and enjoying the activities without the stresses of duties and I am delighted that new faces are prepared to take office,” Robyn told News Of The Area.

and had a busy program of outings, tours, a range of guest speakers, activities days and meetings with clubs from out of town.

By the turn of the century the members were ageing, and it became increasingly hard to attract new members and overcome a reluctance to hold office.

Discussion with the local Ladies Probus Club had failed to reach agreement on a joint club despite sharing of activities.

After much discussion the men’s group reached an agreement to invite ladies to join the club in their own right.

In late 2009, the first ladies were welcomed.

“I was reluctant to join as I was very busy as Vice Chair of the NSW Red Cross Board but a few of the wives of the men members agreed to support the move.

“At the next AGM I was appointed Secretary and have held the position ever

Over the next few years more ladies joined and eventually the Ladies Probus Club closed and some of their members joined the combined group.

The Club continued to grow, and the input of new people brought some new activities and a wider range of guest speakers.

The Covid years produced a downturn as some members moved away and some simply found other things to do during lockdown.

It became a challenge to rebuild the Club but outreach and encouragement with extra publicity and recruitment has resulted in considerable regrowth.

“It has been pleasing to see membership grow again over the past few years and although I have had to take on a couple of extra roles recently, I have been pleased to be part of that growth,” Robyn continued.

“Certainly, on a personal front I have taken the Club from almost solely paper based to being almost all digital – and it was a challenge for me to learn those skills.

“I will of course continue to participate in the Club and its activities,” she said.

Also retiring from the committee is past-president and social organiser Laurie Pillon.

Laurie is looking forward to having a break from the committee but will still enjoy being an active member.

“I will definitely continue attending meetings and social outings and enjoy the company of the many friends I have made through Probus,” Laurie said.

Retiring President Trish Pope has been a member of Woolgoolga Probus for ten years and like Robyn and Laurie has been an active committee member during that time.

Trish finished her term by thanking members for their support, especially the many committee members and helpers who made her year so enjoyable.

Incoming President Cheryl Murphy told NOTA, “This year will be an exciting and challenging time for me in Probus.

“As the incoming President I hope that I can be a positive and supportive role model for our new committee.

“I am fully aware of the honour and the responsibility of being President but believe I am up to the task.

“This year our main focus will be on increasing membership.

“We are hoping to entice new members by continuing to provide exciting and interesting speakers and outings and also introduce new activities and increasing our social outings,” she said.

“I love the ethos of Probus Clubs and have been a member of various Probus Clubs for 20 years and have held a variety of committee positions during that time.”

Sea Shepherd joins Jetty Dunecare for beach clean up

By Andrew VIVIAN

THE Sea Shepherd ship, the ‘Allankay’, recently anchored off Coffs Harbour on a series of visits from Hobart to the Gold Coast.

In between an Antarctic campaign to protect whales and a Pacific campaign to protect sharks from illegal fishing, Sea Shepherd volunteers joined with Jetty Dunecare group members who welcomed them and thanked them for helping to clean up Jetty Beach.

They removed 48 kilograms of trash from the beach, preventing over 1,600 pieces of litter from entering the ocean.

Sea Shepherd members praised Jetty Dunecare for caring for such a special place on the coast for 42 years.

The beach clean up revealed that litter including coffee cups, fruit juice poppers, cigarette butts and balloons is still a significant problem.

“It’s still very sad we still have so many thoughtless tossers in our community,” Desnee McCosker, President of the Jetty Dunecare group said.

One young child was clapped and cheered as she bought in her collection of rubbish.

Sea Shepherd members counted, recorded and

weighed the rubbish collected.

Jetty Dunecare members were able to dispose of the rubbish after recyclable materials were separated.

Group members also learnt about the impact of nurdles; tiny recycled plastic parts that are shipped around the world for further recycling processes, and, when they fall off ships during transport, become toxic to marine life.

Sea Shepherd staff sieved the sand but no nurdles were found.

Ms McCosker thanked the Sea Shepherd crew for their valuable work and said it was a great pleasure to have them visit Coffs Harbour.

q Coffs Harbour locals worked with Sea Shepherd to clean up Jetty Beach. Photo: Desnee McCosker.

q Robyn Rooth is presented with a bouquet of flowers from retiring Woolgoolga Probus President Trish Pope.

q Woolgoolga Probus Club life member Robyn Rooth with husband John Rooth, stepping down from her committee duties.

Reconnecting seniors to the community

By Andrea FERRARI

SENIORS in Coffs Harbour are being offered a new program aimed at reconnecting them to the community.

Active Communities Together (ACT) is spearheaded by Julie Ferguson, a Coffs Harbour local who founded the area’s OzHarvest chapter in 2013.

With funding from the NSW Department of Community and Justice and support from Mission Australia, ACT aims to address the varied challenges

facing people aged 50 and over in the Coffs Harbour community.

ACT volunteers will work to support older people impacted by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, connecting them with cost savings and helping them to actively participate in community life with the aim of fostering meaningful connections and combating feelings of isolation and loneliness.

This is a free service run by volunteers.

ACT founder Julie Ferguson told News Of The Area, “I’m passionate about changing people’s lives for the better; this is what I’m good at.

“Loneliness and isolation can have a huge impact on people’s physical and mental

health.

“Older people, especially those relying on the pension or other income support payments, may become isolated as they feel unable to participate in social activities due to cost pressures,” she said.

“By nurturing a sense of belonging and facilitating social interaction, ACT seeks to enrich the lives of seniors and strengthen the fabric of our community.”

The plan is for Julie and her team of trained volunteers to go into the community and seek out the people who will benefit from ACT.

“We will be door knocking in targeted areas and talking with the community to identify people we can work with,” Julie told News Of The Area.

Play your part in water health on the Coffs Coast

A PARTNERSHIP between the City of Coffs Harbour and the Armidaleheadquartered University of New England (UNE) is tracking the health of local waterways – and now residents can contribute to the science.

Experts have been gathering and analysing data from Bonville, Pine, Boambee, Newports, Coffs, Moonee, Darkum, Arrawarra, Corindi and Saltwater creeks as well as Hearnes and Woolgoolga lakes.

They have been assessing water quality, the condition of riverbank vegetation and water bug and fish distribution.

“Gathering information on water quality empowers the City and other government agencies to make informed decisions on

the management and maintenance of these natural assets,” City of Coffs Harbour City Planning and Communities Director Chris Chapman said.

The City and UNE have been working together for ten years and the arrangement has given rise to ‘Ecohealth’, a catchmentbased estuary and freshwater monitoring and reporting program.

In a new development, residents can now contribute to the volume of observations through a community portal on the Ecohealth website.

“This is a positive addition as local people have a particular affinity with their neighbourhood creek,” City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Cr Paul Amos said.

While the project continues to evolve and collect data through regular samplings, the latest ‘report card’ for the Coffs Coast rated the water quality as ‘good’.

The Ecohealth project has been further supported by City of Coffs Harbour through the Environment Levy program (grant nominations for 2024/25 projects are now open).

Once a ‘client’ is on board, there are four visits, one per month.

“We start with a chat about identifying ways the cost-of-living has impacted them and how we can assist.

“The second meeting is a check-in to see that what we talked about and put in place is working for them.”

On the third visit the discussion centres around dreams.

“Such as, what activities in Coffs Harbour would they really like to be involved

in but can’t, owing to their circumstances,” Julie said.

The fourth meeting is a review.

“We’ll chat through how ACT has assisted them in creating new connections and friendships and how their happiness has been impacted.”

Jesse Taylor, Mission Australia Housing Community Development Manager, said the ACT program would connect hard-to-reach residents in community housing and the wider community with

services and other forms of assistance.

“We’re always looking for new ways to support housing residents and ACT is an exciting opportunity to foster engagement and connection with the Coffs community,” he said.

Julie Ferguson and Mission Australia encourage community members to join this grassroots effort by volunteering their time or by reaching out on behalf of seniors who may benefit from the program.

q Active Communities Together (ACT) is spearheaded by Julie Ferguson.

Family’s eight-year battle for right to farm

By Ned COWIE

FOR

Murray Greenaway

and his young family, the beautiful macadamia nut farm he purchased in Valla should have been a dream come true.

“My partner flew down from the Territory to look at the property in 2016 and it was perfect; 1500 established macadamia trees surrounded by cattle pastures,” he told News Of The Area.

But, before he arrived with the rest of the family, blueberry growers from the Coffs Harbour region had purchased the adjoining property.

Quickly the growers allegedly installed a large dam which prevented overflow into a creek on Murray’s property and bulldozed any remaining vegetation before planting out the area with blueberries.

Due to the lack of requirement for buffer zones or development approvals, Murray and his family found the netting and posts had been installed in some places just 30 cm from their boundary.

The dam wall, a steep pile of dirt around 2.5 metres high, had been built within a couple of metres of an old fence line between the properties.

The creek on Murray’s property, which he says had never previously run dry, now does when there is dry weather.

Over the years since, Murray has contacted Nambucca Valley Council, the

NSW Department of Natural Resources Regulator (NRAR) and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) on multiple occasions.

“NRAR told me the dam was too big and he (the blueberry farmer) needed to reduce the overflow by a few metres,” Murray said.

The blueberry farmers then allegedly offered a high price to buy another neighbouring property, making a dam this large possible under current regulations.

The situation also has impacts on Murray’s own farming operation.

The lack of ‘buffer zones’ means Murray worries that next year, when three years of farming macadamias without chemicals is up, he may be refused organic farmer status.

This could mean the price of his produce would be 50c a kilogram rather than $4.50$5.50 a kilogram.

The blueberry plants next door are so close that Murray says he and his family often smell chemicals that are being sprayed on the fruit trees, even inside the house.

He says he has contacted the owner about this issue many times with little effect and has since taken his complaints directly to the EPA.

In April of last year, a new grower leased the property.

In November 2023, Murray claims two old sheds on the property were pushed to the ground and disposed of into a gully, which was then covered in dirt and a banana grove planted on top of it.

The EPA appears to have found evidence to support this in a document seen by NOTA.

“Evidence of burn piles and burnt waste mechanically pushed into the ground and

gully was observed and EPA is supporting the Council personnel to take regulatory action,” the EPA told Murray in a letter last December.

“It is very disappointing to see this poor practice from the same property owner who has received multiple clean-up notices from EPA recently,” the letter said.

When Murray contacted Nambucca Valley Council, he was told that no regulatory action was being taken.

“The waste identified on site in November 2023 was a small amount of metal and

timber waste.

“There was no evidence of asbestos or chemicals and the waste was clear of the watercourse.

“As such, a clean-up notice was not issued as it is not considered that the waste is going to have any significant impacts on the site or impact surrounding properties,” Daniel Walsh of Nambucca Valley Council told Murray in an email last week.

When Murray asked if he was allowed to bury rubbish

on his farm too, Mr Walsh replied, “It isn’t permissible to bury rubbish on the farm.

“The EPA and I both inspected the property and there was no suggestion that landfilling had occurred as you suggest.

“Council hasn’t done any excavations and does not have the capacity to do any.”

Murray has a litany of other complaints in regard to living next door to an unfenced blueberry farm for seven years.

On countless occasions, he says he has found toilet paper and human faeces under his macadamia trees and believes the 50 or so workers, who reside next door during picking season, rather than travel to far-away amenities, have entered his property and found a closer location to relieve themselves.

A spokesperson for the blueberry farm disputes this is even possible.

“There is netting around the farm and nobody could get

q Non-existent

through,” he told News Of The Area.

Murray claims neighbourhood children regularly enter the farm through the holes in the nets and pick blueberries when they are in season.

The spokesperson for the farm also said that Murray has never contacted him in regard to spray drift but has gone directly to the EPA with complaints.

Text messages between the two from last year appear to contradict this.

As for the dam wall, the grower told NOTA that he believes Murray has been making holes into it, which Mr Greenaway disputes.

When asked about the buried construction materials, the spokesperson said that “nothing was buried”.

“All of the materials, just one big shed, are still in a pile.”

Since moving back to the Valley in 2016 with big plans, a young family and many dreams to produce organic and high-quality macadamia nuts, Murray finds himself wondering these days if it is worth it.

From Murray’s perspective, it seems there is one rule for the farm beside him and another for farmers like him. Authorities seem unable or unwilling to ensure others follow the rules, meaning that he and his family lose out continually to the large industrial-style farm that has sprung up beside them.

“When I smell the chemicals in the house and your kids live there, I start to wonder if it’s my own fault for making the decision to move everyone here,” he admitted to NOTA.

q Murray Greenaway in the orchard of his macadamia farm in Valla.

q The gully where Murray believes construction material was buried, directly to the left of the pictured large eucalypt, is now lush and green with young banana plants.

q Murray Greenaway stands on the edge of his property, next to the dam wall constructed by the next-door blueberry grower. He says the creation of this dam has stopped flow to his creek.

buffer zones. Current council rules mean that netting placed 30 cm outside of the boundary of Murray’s property is legally allowed on the blueberry farm next-door.

CITY

OF COFFS HARBOUR Notice Pursuant to Section 715(1)(b) Local Government Act 1993

Sale of Land for Unpaid Rates and Charges

NOTICE is hereby given to the persons named hereunder, that the CITY OF COFFS HARBOUR has resolved, in pursuance of Section 713 of the Local Government Act 1993, to sell the land described hereunder (of which the person(s) named hereunder appear to be the owner(s) or in which they appear to have an interest) and on which the amount of rates and charges stated in each case as at 27 March 2024 is due:

In default of payment to the Council of the amount stated in column (e) above and any other rates (including extra charges) becoming due and payable after publication of this notice, or an arrangement satisfactory to the Council for payment of all such rates and charges being entered into by the rateable person before the time fixed for the sale, the said land will be offered for sale by public auction by One Agency Coffs Harbour on 24 May 2024 commencing 10am at Level 1, Hub2 Coffs Coast Sport and Leisure Park (adjacent to C.ex Coffs International Stadium), located at Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450.

Occupancy of dwellings unknown. Vacant possession is the responsibility of the purchaser.

Natalia Cowley, General Manager, City of Coffs Harbour, Locked Bag 155, COFFS HARBOUR, NSW, 2450

Urunga Harmony Day welcomes all

By Mary KEILY

THE first Harmony Day celebrations in four years have been held in Urunga, celebrating the region's diversity and multiculturalism.

“The last Harmony Day in Urunga was meant to be in 2020, but when Covid kicked in we had to cancel it,” organiser May Smith, coordinator of the Bellingen and Urunga Neighbourhood Centres, told NOTA.

“We had a great mix of people come today, (including) Burmese, First Nations and French.”

The event at the local Neighbourhood Centre kicked off with a Welcome to Country, followed by

activities for children with local artist Janet Besancon, who hails from France.

“I believe we need to keep aware of differences - vive la différence,” Janet told NOTA.

“As long as we show children diversity, we also show them they have more options in their lives and more ways to take all people into their hearts.”

Attendees were encouraged to dress in their cultural attire, share a meal and enjoy the French jazz stylings of local trio Miss Paris.

May Smith, proudly wearing a native Swiss costume, recognised how important it is to celebrate diversity in the community.

The coordinator has worked at the Neighbourhood Centre for five years and has noted the change in demographics since she took on the role.

“There are definitely a lot more homeless people here.

“It’s interesting because emergency relief just used to be for single men, but now it’s generally older people who are homeless,” she said.

“Apart from free counsellors, we also offer free meals - every first Wednesday here in Urunga and every second and fourth Wednesday in Bellingen in the Citizen’s Room, all from 11am-1pm.”

Consider safety when crossing coastal bars

FOLLOWING a recent spate of bar crossing incidents on the NSW North Coast, boaters are reminded to think twice before heading offshore in dangerous conditions and not to succumb to ‘mackerel madness’.

NSW Maritime’s Principal Manager North Region, Jay Ruming, said that of the 17 bar crossing incidents across the state in the last 18 months, 13 of those happened along the northern NSW coastline.

"Our waterways are overrepresented when it comes to bar crossing incidents, and with five incidents already this year, it’s an important reminder to boaters to monitor conditions and to wear a lifejacket.”

On 14 March, two boaters were taken to hospital after their 5.3m vessel was capsized. Last weekend, a boater was thrown overboard as they attempted to cross the entrance and was forced to swim to the breakwall to exit the water.

Mr Ruming said warm weather and a longer boating season on the North Coast attracts recreational fishers from as far as Victoria and Queensland who may be unfamiliar with local bar conditions and find themselves on the hook.

“With school holidays just around the corner, we’re expecting plenty of keen fishers to flock to popular offshore launching spots.

“Coastal bars pose unique risks and conditions can rapidly change, making them extremely risky for

boaters,” Mr Ruming said.

“Bar crossing incidents, including capsizes, can result in serious injuries to people on board and significant damage to vessels - the risks are real.

“Have a plan B in case conditions aren’t ideal. For example, you could switch up your plans and go to a protected estuary to fish for flathead, inland waterway, or safe enclosed harbour.”

Working with NSW Maritime on bar crossing education, the Bureau of Meteorology warns that one

in seven waves will be higher than twice the average wave height. In addition, boaters should be prepared for waves of up to four times the average to occur around three to four times each day.

“What people sometimes refer to as a ‘rogue wave’ or a ‘king wave’ is far from random. Watching the bar before launching can give boaters a sense of what the waves are doing and give them a chance to learn by watching others,” Mr Ruming said.

The advice for boaters

is to monitor conditions before and during your time on the water, if in doubt don’t go out, have a plan B in place, use a kill switch when necessary, and always wear a lifejacket.

Coastal

are available for boaters to check conditions before hitting the water.

Visit www.nsw.gov. au/driving-boatingand-transport/usingwaterways-boating-andtransport-information/ conditions-weather-andtides/webcams

NSW taskforce takes action to destroy tropical soda apple

THE NSW Tropical Soda Apple Taskforce has launched a new best practice manual to assist farmers and landowners better manage the weed.

North Coast Regional Weeds Coordinator

Ashley Donges said the new manual, which was launched in Coffs Harbour this week, supports the NSW Tropical Soda Apple Strategic Plan.

“The plan is to suppress, destroy and contain existing tropical soda apple

infestations and rapidly eradicate all new incursions of this insidious weed,” Ashley said.

"It’s important we all work together to control and contain tropical soda apple as it has the potential to spread in coastal regions of NSW and Queensland and inland through cattle movements.

and how to stop its spread when selling, buying and transporting livestock or moving vehicles, fodder and machinery.”

Nambucca Valley, Kempsey Shire, Port Macquarie Hastings, Tenterfield Shire and MidCoast councils and the New England Weeds Authority.

weed and prevent further germination.

roadsides, recreational areas, and horticultural and cropping areas. It reduces biodiversity by displacing native plants and disrupting ecological processes.

APPLICATIONS are open for the 2025 NSW Youth Advisory Council (YAC).

Young people aged twelve to 24 years who are passionate about advocating for issues that affect them are encouraged to apply.

Twelve young people from across NSW with

“This new manual shows you how to identify the weed and what to do if you find it, how to control and dispose of the weed diverse life experiences will be recruited for a one-year term to provide advice to the Minister for Youth and the Advocate for Children and Young People.

“We know that listening to people with lived experiences and amplifying their voices is the best way

The manual is a collaborative initiative delivered by the NSW Government, including NSW DPI, Local Land Services, National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Forestry Corporation of NSW, with NSW Farmers, Queensland Government, Rous County, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Bellingen Shire, to lead enduring change.

Tropical soda apple is subject to a state-wide Biosecurity (Tropical Soda Apple) Control Order 2022 under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015.

The best practice manual gives landowners information they can use to meet the requirements of the control order.

Landowners and occupiers must keep their land free from the Jackson said.

Applications open for Youth Advisory Council

“The diverse members of the Youth Advisory Council will provide valuable advice to the NSW Government on matters that directly impact young people, while also sharing their inspiring vision for the future,” Minister for Youth Rose

Advocate for Children and Young People Zoë Robinson said it is important for young people to have their say on the policies and services that affect them.

“We know that we create better solutions when they are informed by young people.

"Being on the Youth Advisory Council gives

They need to ensure no part of a tropical soda apple plant which could produce a new plant, including stems, leaves, fruit, and seeds, is moved off their land, which includes movement by machinery, fodder and livestock.

Tropical soda apple, Solanum viarum, is an aggressive, prickly, perennial shrub which has invaded areas from the Hunter to Northern NSW.

It invades open to semishaded areas, pastures and riparian zones, forests,

young people a real opportunity to work with government to improve the lives of all young people in NSW,” Ms Robinson said.

The Chairperson of the 2024 Youth Advisory Council, Dylan Farr, sees this as an amazing chance to advocate for youth in NSW.

“This is a great opportunity for young people to work towards improving the lives of all young individuals in NSW,” he said.

The YAC provides a direct

The weed grows in thorny thickets, creating physical barriers to prevent animals from accessing shade and water, hosts diseases and pests of cultivated crops and contains solasodine, which is poisonous to people.

More information is available at https://weeds. dpi.nsw.gov.au/Weeds/ TropicalSodaApple

avenue of communication between the children and young people of NSW and the NSW Government.

YAC members work together with government and non-government agencies to better understand and work on issues that affect children and young people in NSW. Applications can be completed online before Sunday 21 April.

Visit www.acyp.nsw.gov. au.

q French native Janet Besancon (centre) offered children’s activities at the event, pictured alongside Htun Htun Oo, Chair of the Coffs Coast Multicultural Society.

bar cameras

Creative talents at Plantations

By Andrea FERRARI

RESIDENTS of Plantations

Over 55’s Retirement Village in Woolgoolga held their fourth annual Arts and Crafts Exhibition on the weekend of March 23 and 24.

The event was opened by Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh.

Turning into a welcomed tradition, the show displayed a wide range of exhibits including fine art, woodwork, fabric work, quilts and paper craft.

The People's Choice award went to Bob George for a watercolour painting called ‘Beach Path’. “Residents and their

friends and family took this opportunity to admire the enormous talent in this community,” organiser Robyn Edwards, also a resident at Plantations, told News Of The Area.

“A broad range of creative work was on show including woodwork, oil and watercolour paintings, crocheting, quilts, knitted

items and paper craft.

“The contributions were of a very high standard, such as Barry Borchart’s handmade wooden clock.”

Everyone who displays items in this show is a resident of Plantations.

Jetty Foreshores precinct is “treasured asset”

DEAR News Of The Area,

SITTING down to write this letter feels as futile as completing the questionnaire for the NSW Dept of Planning Jetty Foreshore Consultation survey.

It feels as futile as sitting in a Project Steering Advisory Committee meeting and feeling the full weight of the NSW Dept of Planning, vested interests and elected representatives.

Like an echidna staring down a B Triple on the road to Armidale.

As a united force they came together to dismiss any inkling there might be other ways to see the Foreshore “revitalised” than introducing upwards of 1500 permanent and temporary residents to the precinct.

As a united force they came together to dismiss any inkling there might be residents and visitors who would not benefit from sharing the space with 1500 permanent and temporary residents and attendant service persons along with eighteen 6 to 15 storey buildings.

If you think 18 buildings is a stretch, revisit the images and the model produced by the NSW Dept of Planning.

If you think 15 storey’s is a stretch, revisit the survey conducted by the NSW Dept of planning.

Having said that the Foreshore is vital without all

those residents. No doubt it needs some TLC.

Nothing the City of Coffs Harbour’s Coastal Works and the city’s gardeners and a few “local” tradies couldn’t attend to.

There was much said in those meetings regarding the singular crossing of the rail line at Orlando St/ Harbour Drive intersection and a definitive NO to a second crossing from the Dept of Planning. No resolution was found to the increased traffic 1500 daily additional users along with their attendant service persons would bring. No resolution was reached regarding access for emergency service vehicles during a traffic jam.

Saturday or Sunday morning everyday looms loud for recreational users and businesses located within the precinct. No resolution to the additional requirements for parking other than to create a massive car park on the one piece of land that holds the most promise for additional development of any kind.

The current informal parking area on the northern side of Marina Pde.

That could be a whole other story given the future development of the Jetty Village shopping centre along with several other stalled developments in that

precinct.

Did I mention muttonbirds?

Did anyone mention muttonbirds?

Did anyone mention the disorientation they incur as a result of unnatural lighting already caused by the built environment.

There is an annual rescue event for disoriented muttonbirds.

Many local people would have participated in this.

If you were planning a private submission for rezoning or an event on a property which would impact an iconic species or heaven forbid limit access for emergency service vehicles how much success do you think you would have?

As to coastal inundation in the future - who knows?

This whole process has been about the Dept. of Planning rezoning land adjacent to the railway line to make a profit which would barely be heard in the coffers of the NSW Government.

Why?

Why when the future wellbeing of this community rests on good decision making now.

Perhaps we should talk about planning?

To date the NSW Dept of planning would appear to not be entirely on top of their game.

In the last 18 months preliminary incursion into the Jetty Foreshore by the

Dept. of Planning has ignited a fair share of controversy over the new boat ramp and the vacant community “hub” thus far failing to fulfil their brief.

Hand that over to private enterprise and by now the developers would possibly be insolvent.

More to come on those two no doubt.

For brevity a list of all the empty commercial retail and residential buildings throughout the city is a testament to poor planning and a vision in extreme overreach.

We could though mention the courthouse and police station.

Don’t get me wrong I just love the new buildings housing the police and the courthouse however we seem to be leaving a trail of empty developments and vacant land in the wake of pursuit for Coffs Harbour's economic golden goose.

Recently the NSW government was on the hunt for a site for a new building to house all their local agencies in one place.

I believe a site on Gordon St was chosen.

Purchased from City of Coffs Harbour?

I am guessing they must have forgotten they already owned the empty building on the Pacific Highway adjacent to Park Avenue and Moonee Street.

Also an area touted for revitalisation.

They may also have overlooked the land the

“Not all items were for sale, but many were,” said Robyn.

OPINION

current Service NSW offices are located on in a single storey building and the Centrelink Offices in Duke St which is also single storey.

All located in the CBD.

All well positioned to be redeveloped into ten storey buildings or more depending on the wording of the DA.

I believe City of Coffs Harbour is also sitting on several underdeveloped/ undeveloped properties.

The fact the old museum seems to have failed to be put to good use, the Bunker Gallery is now closed and the previous council administration offices are sitting idle gives us some indication of the amount of property being held by the NSW Government and City of Coffs Harbour.

Not to mention the Airport Technology Park.

How many blocks?

Possibly the best drained parcel of land in the region.

Beautifully curbed and guttered.

Plenty of lighting. No tenants.

All have received plenty of investment of taxpayer and ratepayer funding. Correct. Public money.

This is without mention of the multitude of private investments sitting idle including the new two story office building opposite the Clog Barn or the old Coffs Harbour Base Hospital site still sitting underdeveloped 20 years after decommissioning.

It just goes on.

I am reminded of a holiday to Vanuatu 20 years ago.

Similar story following abandonment by the French and then the US governments.

A third world country.

1500 new permanent and temporary residents are expected to turn the lights on the pot of gold for Coffs Harbour’s future development.

I doubt it.

Unless there is going to be a casino and international flights to bring the punters in.

Or mining in the mountains, tablelands and river valleys.

The latter of course being a little way off for now.

Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshore is a treasured asset which delivers immense wellbeing and joy to the people of Coffs Harbour.

As the city continues to grow this space will serve a far greater service to locals and visitors if it is kept for that purpose.

Having to take it back later as is happening with waterfronts in cities all over the world would be a waste on numerous levels.

Let the Yacht Club and the Marina get on with their proposals for “revitalisation”.

I didn’t forget the Old Fishing club currently known as Jetty Beach House.

That is a whole other conversation.

The Jetty Foreshore is vital for the wellbeing of these generations and those that follow us.

Regards, Ann LEONARD, Sawtell.

q Artist Peter Reeves, organiser Robyn Edwards and Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh at the annual Arts and Crafts exhibition.

q Bob George with his People’s Choice-winning painting ‘Beach Path’.

q A proud moment in time: Barry Borchart with his handmade wooden clock.

WHAT'SVIBIN'

Two concerts by amazing soloists

By Andrew VIVIAN

ONE of Australia’s leading harpists will present a magical musical performance, ‘A Journey of Harps’, at St John Paul College Theatre on Friday, April 5.

A solo harp concert is unusual, but Louise Johnson will bring seven harps, ranging from a green, Irish harp to a brilliant blue electric harp as well as a medieval harp and her superb concert harp.

Not only do the harps each have different sounds, but Ms Johnson will present an eclectic repertoire from medieval to modern, classical to jazz and acoustic to electric.

Ms Johnson makes each instrument sing with its own distinctive nuance and colour, creating a magical world of sound.

Highlights of her program include the ‘Hurrian Hymn No 6’ from Syria, dated from around 1400BCE - the oldest known harp melody.

Other works include ‘Richard the Lionheart’, Handel, traditional Irish and Paraguayan works, a piece by Billie Eilish and Ms Johnson’s own improvisations.

Louise began her harp studies at the Sydney Conservatorium High School before graduating to the

Cleveland Institute of Music and the Salzedo Summer Harp Colony.

She gave her first performance with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at age fourteen and began her professional career at fifteen as a soloist and chamber musician, later joining the orchestra as principal harp in 1985.

Other positions include principal harp of the Queensland Symphony, guest principal of the London Symphony, guest principal of all the major Australian symphony and opera and ballet orchestras, the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Australia Ensemble as well as tours with well-known global orchestras

Ms Johnson has taught harp both privately and at the Sydney Conservatorium for more than 45 years and has backed artists such as Cher, Sammy Davis Jnr, Peter Allen and the Bee Gees.

She has played on radio and television broadcasts around the world, given recitals and was a regular solo artist on the Mike Walsh Show, the Ray Martin Show and appeared on The Two Ronnies.

There will be a free pre-concert talk by Coffs Harbour Music Society vice-president Robert Smallwood at 6.30pm and the concert will begin at 7.30pm.

The Coffs Harbour Music Society will present a second concert in April by composer pianist Elena Kats-Chernin.

This will be one of the musical highlights of the year and tickets are selling fast.

As one of Australia’s foremost contemporary composers, Ms KatsChernin’s vibrant and distinctive music across all genres has reached millions worldwide, featuring at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, the 2003 Rugby World Cup and the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, she has received numerous prizes, has written for ballet, opera and theatre and has had works performed by major orchestras in Australia and abroad.

Her opera, ‘Whitely’, written for Opera Australia (with libretto by Justin Fleming) on the life of iconic Australian artist Brett Whiteley, was nominated in the 2020 International Opera Awards for ‘Best new opera’.

Tickets are $60 ($55 concession) or $15 for students/children and a special family package of two children free with two adults.

It is also still possible to buy subscriptions at a discount for three or more concerts.

The Society’s new venue has ample level parking and there will be a bar and snacks available.

q Louise Johnson with one of her seven harps. Photo: Coffs Harbour Music Society.

State Tennis Team!

Toormina High School Vice Captain, Zac Creenaune, has twice secured a coveted spot as a representative of NSW in the State Combined High School tennis team.

At the recent State Championships held at Parramatta, Zac won through to the quarterfinals of the singles event and claimed gold medals in both the Mixed Doubles and the Boys Doubles.

This remarkable feat marks Zac’s second selection for the NSW CHS team, a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication to the sport. By achieving double gold in a state event, Zac joins a prestigious group of students who have excelled at such a high level.

Last week Zac and the NSW CHS tennis team won the silver medal at the All Schools State Championships in Bathurst and individually Zac qualified to try out for the Pizzey Cup.

Agriculture

Toormina High School offers an amazing Agriculture program for students.

Agriculture is offered as an elective subject for Year 9 and 10 in addition to students being able to study it as and ATAR course in their HSC. So far this year, students have learned about various plant and animal systems and sustainable ways in which we can produce food at home and on the farm.

Year 9 students have commenced hand-raising their own chickens with daily monitoring and learning about the wellbeing aspects of poultry farming. They have also begun the establishment of a perennial food garden system which

Congratulations Zac, a fantastic representative of Toormina High School and public education.

Flying Kai

Congratulations to year 12 student, Kai Howes, on his first solo flight! Kai has been flying for 4 years with the Coffs Harbour Aero Club and is a member of the Australian Air Force Cadets.

Congratulations Kai!

is based on the principles of permaculture and alternative farming methods.

Year 10 students have been focusing on the small herd of Dorper and Merino sheep and learning basic animal husbandry skills such as tagging,

TOORMINA HIGH SCHOOL TOORMINA

Excellence in Debating

Toormina High School has a tradition of excellence in debating with teams and individuals, over many years, qualifying and competing at regional and state level. The 2024 debating year has begun with our senior team of Penelope Farmer, Abby Durbin, Eva Smith and Jack Jones participating in the Premier’s Debating Challenge and winning their first round against Brisbane Waters Secondary College Woy Woy. The team presented the negative case for students having a 4 day week. Congratulations to our new senior team on their first victory!

In preparation for another year of debating success, Toormina High School has begun a debating coaching program, supported by Speaker’s Corner Australia. Students across Years 7-12 have been invited to participate in online coaching sessions with experienced and passionate coaches and teachers. During these workshops, students will receive guidance on structuring arguments; identifying and

shearing and vaccinating. In addition to these activities, Year 10 have also been learning how to operate a tractor which is fitted with a remote control shutdown system for safety. They have participated in the ploughing of fields and planting of sunflowers.

There are many other exciting projects planned for the school farm for the remainder of this year including native bee hives and composting systems.

characterising stakeholders; and strategic reasoning. Students have the opportunity to work individually and as teams to put their skills to the test and practise their craft. This is a fantastic opportunity to work with some of the top coaches and adjudicators in the state. Student participants will now have the opportunity to represent Toormina High School in the Premier’s Debating Challenge for years 7, 8, 9 and 10 in term 2.

Our amazing and supportive students have also been working as mentors to help train students at Boambee Public School in debating. Eva Smith, Saskia Iredale and English teacher/debating coach Anita Milne shared their knowledge and experience to help students in years 5/6 prepare for their first year in the Premier’s Debating Challenge. It is inspiring to see our students volunteer their time and skills to support our new and upcoming debaters.

Toormina High School is also looking forward to students representing Toormina High in the Plain English Speaking Award and Junior English Speaking Award this year, as well as the new Poetry Slam competition in term 4.

Toormina High School aims to educate all students to their potential resulting in high quality outcomes. Our school develops independent, reflective and self-directed learners who are decisive, creative, critical thinkers and problem solvers.

By Manny WOOD

Executor faces contempt of court charges

BETTY passed-away 20 years ago.

She appointed her son, Daniel, as her executor and left half of her estate to her granddaughter. The granddaughter’s inheritance was approximately $150,000.

Betty’s will stated that her executor was to hold her granddaughter’s inheritance on trust, until she turned 21.

She recently attained that age.

Due to an estrangement, the granddaughter seeks legal advice regarding the funds held on trust by her father.

Her solicitor writes to Daniel but does not receive a response. Proceedings are commenced in the Supreme Court.

Daniel does not appear at the hearing.

The Court notes the granddaughter’s dire financial circumstances and makes orders to the effect that Daniel must distribute the funds, provide accounts regarding the management of the funds and that he must pay the Court costs.

Daniel is served with the Court orders but does not comply.

Fearing that the funds have been misappropriated, further orders are sought, seeking Daniel’s arrest for contempt of Court.

Daniel is arrested and brought before the Court. He acknowledges the seriousness of the charges and proceedings are adjourned for sentencing.

In the meantime, the granddaughter’s inheritance is located as “unclaimed monies” held by the Commonwealth Consolidated Revenue Fund.

The funds are released to her and Daniel pays her legal costs.

At sentencing, the Court considers the circumstances of the contempt, the consequences of the contempt, Daniel’s personal circumstances and the need to deter others from repeating the contempt.

The Court finds, beyond reasonable doubt, that Daniel’s actions constituted such wilful breaches of the orders of the Court that they were criminal in character.

On the basis of a guilty plea, and an assessment of “mitigating” and “aggravating” factors, Daniel is sentenced to four months imprisonment and again is ordered to provide accounts relating to the funds that he once held on trust.

After providing the requisite accounts, Daniel is “afforded clemency” and is discharged from custody.

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

This column is only accurate at today’s date and is not legal advice.

Cashless society a scary scenario

DEAR News Of The Area,

TAKE two families A and B, and a little shop in a country town.

The little shop embraces diversity.

The shop has a backup generator and accepts both card and cash.

There has been a large bush fire that has destroyed all the poles and wires, hence no power. Power will be restored in about two weeks.

No power means no fridge, no freezer, no cooking, no lighting.

Feeding your family becomes a problem.

Both families have their cars locked in their garage, a power source is required to access their cars.

Family A has had grandparents that survived WW2 and know to keep a little cash on hand as well as embracing technology to pay their bills etc.

Family B considers cash old fashioned and embraces technology for all their needs.

The little shop switches on their generator and places a sign on the

counter: ‘Cash Only’.

Both families walk to the little store to buy food?

Which family gets to eat?

Which family goes hungry?

Which family will you be a part of?

Other examples where there is no diversity.

The honeybee industry and pollination of food crops - enter the Varroa Mite, many businesses go to the wall.

The wine industry, which relied on one huge Asian market - enter Covid 19.

The political fallout as to the origins of Covid 19 saw tariffs go up on Australian exports and a huge loss of trade worth billions to the Australian economy.

We need diversity in our payment systems, without it, we have many vulnerabilities.

Make no mistake, going cashless completely is a disaster in the making.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs Margaret JOHANSON, Coffs Harbour.

Our future, our forests

DEAR News Of The Area,

INDUSTRIAL logging of our hardwood forests is in decline in our region.

The Great Koala National Park will accelerate this process but the industry is also facing public opinion backlash nationally.

This is what I witnessed in Bellingen last weekend as around 900 people took to the streets calling for an end to forest logging and reflects the changing attitudes of Australians nation-wide who are increasingly concerned about forest logging links to climate breakdown and the biodiversity extinction crisis.

This is reinforced by former Australian politician Bob Debus, who recently wrote, “supporters of continued logging speak of the maintenance of a ‘sustainable industry’ but it’s too late for that… “The idea of ‘balance’ is no longer effective.

“We must accept that the repair and improvement of the environment needs to have primacy over all other social and economic considerations.”

Industrial-scale logging is breaking our fragile Coffs Coast forests’ ability to support biodiversity across the landscape and threatens to undermine our region's water catchment health.

We need a transition out of native and plantation forest logging and into forest restoration and rehabilitation programs.

These are good jobs for forest workers and will bring lasting benefit to our local economy and the wider environment.

The major parties have failed to provide a sustainable timber industry.

The issue of timber as a resource needs to be rethought and shouldn’t come at the extinction of native animals, threatening our region's water supply or accelerating climate change.

Further, the waste generated by hardwood forest logging on-site and throughout the supply chain is designed to increase the value of scarce products regardless of the externalities they produce along the way.

So, in responding to Jamax Forest Solutions letter (22/3/24), our hardwood

Dear Jasminda

My brother came over the other night and asked for a beer. My wife, the previous night, had finished off the last one, meaning we had none left. He basically turned around and walked out of the door. How should I approach this topic with him?

Roger M

Dear Roger,

THERE is more to unpack in this problem than a hitchhiker's backpack, and, like that backpack, some tuckedaway elements that shouldn't see the light of day.

It starts off simply enough, with your brother coming over for a beer. Then I feel your message takes on an accusatory tone when you reveal that your wife downed the last one. Not content to leave it at that, you add, with Sherlock-esque observational skills, 'meaning we had none left'.

I'm suspicious that your real problem is with your wife polishing off the last beer, exposing you to the judgement that comes with a poorlystocked beer fridge. One beer? I mean, what's going to happen when we have a zombie apocalypse, Roger? My understanding (I don't drink beer, but I'm surrounded by beer drinkers) is that there should be at least six beers in the door of the main fridge, a case of Coopers (or similar) in the shed beer fridge, another case in the pantry, beer plumbed into the water dispenser, and at least 12 boutique beers on hand for more discerning guests. How you let your stocks get so low that your wife managed to drink the last one is beyond me. It's definitely outside the realms of Australian etiquette. You should be ashamed of yourself.

I think this is the real reason your brother walked out. I present exhibit A, sung by Slim Dusty: There is nothing so morbid, lonesome or drear / Than to stand at the bar in a pub with no beer. Your brother just couldn't make sense of the no-beer situation and didn't have it in him, on a weeknight, to get you some help. I reckon he was muttering to himself when he walked down your drive, 'What's become of Roger? Where did it all go so wrong?'.

Perhaps consider a subscription or a home brew kit to avoid this in the future.

Carpe

diem, Jasminda.

forests are worth more standing and increasingly Australians want an end to the misuse of our public forest estate. It’s our future and they are our forests!

Kind regards, Jonathan CASSELL, Emerald Beach.

A response to ecologist’s forestry claims

DEAR News Of The Area,

IT is obvious from Mark Graham’s letter in NOTA of 15/3/24 that he fails to read anyone’s response to his false assertions.

As I have previously responded, of the $15M “loss” Mr Graham refers to, only $2M was associated with timber harvesting of native forests and was due to extended wet weather, inflationary pressures, particularly a spike in fuel prices and investment in compliance assurance.

The balance related to the cost of delivering community services across the State, such as delivery of services including road construction and maintenance for community purposes, firefighting and prevention for community purposes, recreation and tourism activities, community and government engagement, research and development and management of the parts of State forest not available for

timber production (Annual Report 2022-23, Forestry Corporation of NSW, Pg. 26).

Rather than losing money as claimed, FCNSW paid a dividend of $13.5 million (FY22: $0.4 million) to NSW Treasury for the 2022-23 financial year and their balance sheet shows their cash position remains robust at $128 million (FY22: $101 million).

Contrary to Mr Graham’s claims, the fire that impacted Nymboida was the Liberation Trail fire, which originated in National Park and was being managed under Section 44 of the Rural Fires Act, i.e. a localised State of Emergency.

Control strategies, including the use of back burning, were planned and under direction of the RFS, part of a multi-agency response, including RFS, NPWS, SA CFA, FCNSW et al.

To claim that FCNSW undertook backburning and caused the destruction of

Nymboida is not only false but disrespects all FCNSW staff and contractors who put their lives on the line to protect others.

In regards to Mr Graham’s claims about the impact from timber harvesting on water quality, the dominant land use in the Nymbioda and Orara River catchments is public forested land.

The dominant land tenure is National Park.

State forest is a distant second.

Less than fourteen percent of the public forested land in these catchments is available for sustainable timber supply and in any given year less than 0.3 percent of these forests are subject to disturbance from timber harvesting.

In State forest there is a very high level of catchment protection.

For example, there are over 2,000 operating conditions with over a hundred relating specifically to the protection of soil and water.

All waterways and drainage lines that flow into them are protected and buffered

by undisturbed filter strips.

This information is all publicly available.

What is occurring on state forests is best management practice.

Forest researchers have been monitoring the effects of harvesting on water quality and quantity for many decades.

A desktop review of this research was recently completed by the Natural Resource Commission and the report is on their website.

The biggest issue impacting water quantity and quality is bushfires.

The effect of wildfires on water quality and quantity is ten-fold greater than any other forest disturbance impacts.

A recently released report by the Dept of Environment found that over 75 percent of the areas that were burnt at higher severity in the 2019-20 bushfires had large to extreme increases in vegetative cover. In simple terms these fires have had a very large impact on water quantity.

Kind regards, Steve DOBBYNS, Jamax Forest Solutions.

Save some open spaces at Jetty Foreshores

DEAR News Of The Area,

SO much for the Jetty Foreshores being the ‘Jewel in the Crown’.

There is no way that 450 units of residential development is going to enhance that ‘jewel’.

To the contrary, it will overcrowd and dwarf the area with multi-level buildings

(six storeys with even eight on the agenda after successful appeals to planning) with developers attempting to eke out the maximum profit from the space at their disposal.

When the discussion switches to land shortages for housing it should be switched to land shortages for open public spaces.

The whole precinct between the CBD and the Jetty village is zoned for medium density residential use, and it is slowly progressing along those lines.

None of those residential developments provide outdoor recreation spaces (backyards).

With each redevelopment of the old single dwelling site to four, six or even

eight units, the demand for public open space increases.

The land adjacent to the railway and Jordan Esplanade is an ideal opportunity to reserve some open space for the current and future needs of Coffs Harbour.

I refuse to deal with anyone who refuses to accept cash!

including banks, politicians, service stations etc.

If not, I refuse to deal with

anyone who refuses to accept cash!

Whilst cash strapped individuals who max out their credit cards are given more respect, the rest of us who are financially

literate are treated as second class citizens!

Remember next time the internet crashes - no ATMs, no tap and go, no credit cards - you will all be desperate for our cash!

Cash is king!

A rebuttal of statements from Forestry Corporation

DEAR News Of The Area,

I WRITE to correct the (highly predictable) latest batch of blatant lies and absolute fabrications that were published in NOTA by the Forestry Corporation (FCNSW) about me and my property and the many aggravated crimes committed against me, my property and the threatened species on my property that were committed by FCNSW between January 8 and February 21 2024.

I will correct the public record chapter and verse below.

In so doing I loudly decry the use of our taxes to develop and promulgate such blatant lies and disinformation by this crown company.

The public servants writing these lies (and in so doing taking home our taxes) need to be brought under control by their CEO Anshul Chaudhury, their Minister Tara Moriarty and the Chair of their board, Stefanie Loader, and these “bosses” must act immediately to stop the lies and to ensure that the ongoing targeted brutal criminal abuse of me by FCNSW stops.

Forestry Corporation lies:

“In relation to the entry into private property, this occurred after a crew identified a hazardous tree that had been blown onto

State forest from the adjoining property, with the root ball partially exposed.”

The facts:

The New England Blackbutt tree that was illegally killed by FCNSW was entirely on my property and was in no way “hazardous” to the nearby State Forest.

This tree was absolutely not “blown onto State Forest” and the root ball, which was approximately 15 metres on my property, was not “exposed”.

Four nights before FCNSW trespassed on my property and maliciously killed this tree I had spotlighted an Endangered Greater Glider feeding in this very tree.

This means that actual and known habitat of a Nationally Endangered (and rapidly declining) species that I seek to conserve and rebuild the population of following the fires of Black Spring has been maliciously destroyed by FCNSW in a litany of aggravated crimes against me.

Forestry Corporation lies:

“There was no question the tree could be saved as it had fallen and was only held up by other trees, with the tree leaning across the road and the head hung up within trees that were on State forest.”

The facts:

The New England Blackbutt tree was entirely on my property.

This tree absolutely had not “fallen”.

I had been observing this tree daily for some time leading up to the trespass and aggravated malicious killing of it by FCNSW.

The tree was alive and healthy and at no risk of structural failure.

FCNSW has absolutely no legal rights to trespass and maliciously destroy and kill my Endangered Greater Glider habitat tree.

This is absolutely a case of a neighbour trespassing onto an adjoining property without any communication about or permission to do so and committing aggravated acts of malicious damage.

Forestry Corporation lies:

“The base of the hazardous tree was approximately five metres inside private property and the crew entered the property to remove the hazard without first consulting with the adjoining property owner, for which Forestry Corporation has apologised to the property owner.”

The facts:

Just prior to Christmas 2023 FCNSW spent our taxes on private contractors surveying parts of the boundary between my private conservation area (freehold land belonging to me) and the adjoining Clouds Creek State Forest.

Boundary pegs were installed and stakes with highly visible pink marking tape were installed to make the boundary obvious.

The bulldozer used by FCNSW to kill

Show some common sense, it only takes 24 hours of denied internet access, no food, no petrol, no bills paid etc to create absolute chaos!

my Endangered Greater Glider habitat drove immediately past (within 20cm of) a one metre high stake with a 40cm length of bright pink flagging tape on the top.

This bulldozer drove 13.5m onto my property and gouged my Endangered Greater Glider habitat from the ground.

A person cut my tree with a chainsaw (all on my property) and they dumped the remains of this tree entirely on my property.

The suggestion by FCNSW that my tree was “approximately 5m inside private property” is a blatant lie and a gross and damning attempt to seek to avoid or downplay the severity of the serious criminal conduct of this crown company that I am a victim of (as are the Greater Gliders resident on my private conservation area).

Forestry Corporation lies:

“Staff and contractors have been reminded of the importance of engaging with neighbours when managing issues on land bordering State forests.”

The facts:

If by “engaging with neighbours” FCNSW means targeted acts of trespass, aggravated malicious damage, illegal surveillance, lengthy deprivation of access to residences, abuse, fraud and assault then they are correct.

Anything else is just lies, disinformation and propaganda; which FCNSW systematically engages in, is consistently caught out doing and is renowned for across our community and the state.

Regards,

Mark GRAHAM

Regards, Ken BUCKLEY, Coffs Harbour.

Regards, Ziggy KOENIGSEDER.

Boambee East Classic

Address: 37 Lady Belmore Drive, Boambee East

Price: $799,000 - $819,000

Beds: 3, Bath: 2, Car: 2

Land size: 704.02 sqm

NESTLED in the heart of Boambee East, 37 Lady Belmore Drive presents a rare opportunity to own a charming three-bedroom older style Hopwood Homes built residence that exudes character and comfort.

Boasting a spacious main bedroom with not one, but two sets of mirrored door built-in robes and a convenient ensuite, this residence offers a retreat-like experience within your own home.

The two additional

bedrooms, each equipped with built-in robes (one presently utilised as an office), provide ample space for family members or guests. A well-appointed bathroom with a shower and bath, complemented by a separate toilet, ensures convenience and privacy for all residents.

Step into the two distinct living areas; a formal lounge room seamlessly connected to a formal dining area sets the stage for elegant gatherings.

The large timber galleystyle kitchen is a chef's dream, complete with an electric cooktop, wall oven, and dishwasher. Adjacent to the kitchen,

a separate informal living and dining area offers a cozy space for everyday living.

Entertaining is a breeze with the 6m x 3m enclosed sunroom spanning the rear of the home, providing the perfect setting for hosting guests or enjoying quiet moments of relaxation.

The double lockup garage, featuring a convenient drive-through option giving vehicular access to the rear yard, ensures easy access and ample storage space.

Conveanience is key with this property, as it is just a short stroll away from primary and high schools, a neighborhood shopping centre, complete with

chemist, bottle shop and takeaway options, and public bus routes

Lovely

For Sale – $655,000

supermarket,

in the street.

Don't miss this rare opportunity to own a home that blends timeless charm with modern comforts in a sought-after location. Agent: Chris Hines (0439 667 719) and Kim McGinty (0432 953 796).

Kim McGinty 0432 953 796

$599,000 - $639,000

Kim McGinty 0432 953 796

Chris Hines 0439 667 719

Land Size: 314.7sqm

• Three bedrooms, two with built in robes, one with direct access to the fully enclosed sunroom which overlooks the tranquil backyard with established gardens and the reserve at the rear • Renovated kitchen with stone benchtop, open plan living dining area

Kim McGinty 0432 953 796

Chris Hines 0439 667 719

Land Size: 702sqm

•

LOCALSPORT

Coffs Basketball season reaches finals series

By Aiden BURGESS

FINALS time has arrived for local basketballers with the finals series of Coffs Harbour Basketball Association’s summer season getting underway.

The final round of the regular season was played last week at Sportz Central.

Run It Back finished on top of the Men’s A Grade ladder undefeated, winning their tenth straight game accounting for All Washed Up! 41-36.

Joshua Wagenfeller top

scored for the winners with 19 points.

The Chihuahuas had a 73-66 win against You Wouldn’t Understand.

Kieran Austin had a game high 27 points for the winners.

Shake n Bake were also winners in Round 10 edging past The Warriors 73-72.

Jonathon Orange had a game high 21 points for the winners.

Men’s A Grade minor premiers Run It Back play Shake n Bake in their semi-final, and defending

champions All Washed Up! play The Chihuahuas.

Saints finished on top of the Men’s B Grade ladder, having a 42-34 win against Can’t Catch a Breath.

24fitty finished second on the ladder with a 68-61 win against The Bears.

William Cunningham had a game high 27 points for The Bears, and Ezekiel Niyonkuru top scored for the winners with 18 points.

White Chocolate were also winners in Round 10 beating Thunderbirds 47-40.

Minor premiers and

defending champions Saints play Thunderbirds in their semi-final, and 24fitty play White Chocolate.

Mantas became the first team to beat Chiroraptors in the Men’s C Grade season, having a 41-38 win.

Clips beat Mantastic in Round 10 having a 67-32 win.

Jacob Shanahan top scored for the winners with 29 points.

Minor premiers Chiroraptors play Mantastic in their semi-final, and Mantas play Clips.

Coffs Harbour Suns Under 18s Women finished on top of the Women's A

Grade ladder with a 71-16 win against the Coffs Suns Under 16s Women 1 team.

Waratah Women won their eighth straight game beating the Coffs Suns Under 16s Women 2 team 97-59.

Indiana Baldwin top scored for the winners with 40 points, and Clair Crampton scored 35 points.

Women’s A Grade minor premiers Coffs Harbour Suns Under 18s Women play the Coffs Suns Under 16s Women 2 in their semifinal, and Waratah Women play Coffs Suns Under 16s Women 1.

Hilliars Roses finished on top of the Women's Social Competition ladder, winning their fifth straight game edging past Sky Hookers 33-

31.

Block It Like It's Hot had a 47-17 win against Coffs Reo.

Kailang Sorensen top scored for the winners with 21 points.

Women's Social Competition minor premiers Hilliars Roses play Block It Like It’s Hot, and Sky Hookers play The Ring Ins.

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

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

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

Armidale School to hit the water in record numbers

By Andrea FERRARI

A RECORD team of around 160 swimmers from The Armidale School (TAS) will launch into the Coffs Coast Ocean Swims on Sunday 7 April at the Jetty in Coffs Harbour.

This keen cohort is likely to make up a third of all entries in the iconic event.

Swimming for their long-time chosen charity for mental health, the Blue Tree

Project, the students’ plungewith-purpose is a hallmark on the TAS calendar.

The two-kilometre swim is a qualifier for TAS’s Triple Crown, an award for those who complete designated physical challenges during their time at the school.

It is also a requisite component of the school's surf lifesaving program, in which Year 11 students can achieve their Surf Bronze Medallion in conjunction

with the Sawtell Surf Life Saving Club, which organises the ocean swims.

Competing for the second time, TAS swimming captain Prue Black told News Of The Area, “Swimming in the ocean can be very scary.

“Even though it is in the protected harbour, it’s a big transition from a pool where you can touch the bottom or hang on to a lane rope, to not being able to see what’s in the water.

q An even larger number of swimmers from TAS will be part of the 2024 event on Sunday 7 April.

q The Armidale School (TAS) contingent take to the water in the 2023 Coffs Ocean Swim.

“For many it will be a mental challenge as much as a physical one particularly for those who aren’t regular swimmers but are prepared to go out of their comfort zone and have a crack, which is something TAS students do so well,” she said.

Supporting the TAS swimmers will be twelve Year 12 students who gained their Surf Bronze Medallions last year.

They will be positioned along the course on rescue boards.

Numerous staff will also

North Coast triumph in three Knockout Cup matches

By David WIGLEY

NORTH Coast sides have progressed to the second round of the Premier Youth League Knockout Cup, battling their Mid Coast counterparts on Good Friday at the Coffs Coast Synthetics.

The under 15s secured their berth in round two with two pivotal second-half goals, while Mid Coast retaliated on pitch two, clinching victory in the under 13s category.

be offering encouragement by swimming alongside participants, in kayaks, and on shore.

For the second year the TAS team will be wearing blue caps as part of the school's Blue Week, which focuses on positive mental health as part of the Blue Tree Project.

Visit www. bluetreeproject.com.au for more information.

“It’s lovely that we can use the swim to lift the profile of the cause and raise funds for something that is close to

our community, while doing something active which also contributes to positive mental health,” Prue said.

Race Director Kerry Bayliss told NOTA, “It is an absolute pleasure to give a wrap to TAS.

“They have produced record numbers of students as swimmers, record numbers of parents as swimmers and the latest bronze squad are attending as water safety.

“It is also a pleasure to work together with them,” he said.

However, the under 16s narrowly missed out, going down by a solitary goal in a tightly contested match.

With the scoreline tied at two matches each, all eyes turned to the North Coast under 18s, who sealed the deal with an impressive 3-0 victory in the day's final match.

The representative squads are now set to travel to Newcastle to take on Broadmeadow Magic on

North Coast 14s rebounded from last week's setback with an emphatic 5-0 triumph.

Saturday, April. Head Coach Greg Brown expressed anticipation for the challenge ahead.

"It will be a significant test against the Magic," Brown commented.

"They consistently rank among the top clubs across all age groups in the competition.

“We’ve had a disrupted pre-season with some extreme weather conditions but we are finding our combinations and getting better every week.

"While our aim is to secure victories in all matches, player growth

remains paramount.

"Many of the players have adapted to new coaching

styles and roles, which will contribute to their long-term progression."

q North Coast Football under 15s in action in the Knockout Cup.

Premier League season to kick off this weekend

By Aiden BURGESS

THE WORLD game returns to the Coffs Coast this weekend, as North Coast Football’s Premier League kicks off for another season.

Woolgoolga Wolves begin their title defence at home when they host last season’s minor premiers the Northern Storm in an opening round blockbuster at Clive Joass Memorial Sports Park.

Last season’s runners up the Coffs Coast Tigers also kick off their season at home when they host the Boambee Bombers at Polwarth Drive.

to Woolgoolga, while the Bombers make their return to top flight football after a year’s absence.

The Tigers will look to go one better this season after losing the grand final

Last season’s semifinalists the Coffs City United Lions host the Sawtell Scorpions at Forsyth Park on Saturday afternoon.

After winning last season’s Men’s 2nd Division

South competition, the Urunga Raiders make their return to top flight football as they travel to take on the Westlawn Tigers at Barnier Park.

The Coffs Coast Tigers and Woolgoolga Wolves meet in their grand final rematch during Round 4 on Saturday, 27 April.

The Women's Premier League season also gets underway this weekend.

Coffs City United

Hockey Coffs Coast season gets underway this weekend

By Aiden BURGESS

THE 2024 Hockey Coffs Coast season is set to get underway this weekend with opening round matches at the Coffs Harbour Hockey Complex.

Clubs will compete in six competitions this season; Men’s, Women’s A, and Women’s B in the seniors, and Under 16s, Under 14s, and Under 12s in the juniors.

Last season's Men’s Division 1 champions Urunga Thunda begin their

premiership defence this weekend, when they take on last season’s Men’s Division 2 champions Urunga Cyclones on Saturday afternoon.

Beaches Hockey Club won both women’s titles last season.

This season’s Men’s competition features eight teams, with the Women's A having seven teams and the Women's B also having seven teams.

The three junior competitions feature a combined 14 teams, with

the Under 12s having six teams, and the Under 14s and Under 16s both having four.

Hockey Coffs Coast competitions feature five clubs; Beaches Hockey Club, Bellingen Hockey Club, Norths Hockey Club Coffs Coast, Orara Valley Hockey Club, and Urunga Hockey Club.

Hockey Coffs Coast’s Hook in 2 Hockey sessions for children aged 4-10 also gets underway this weekend.

Lionesses host the Urunga Raiders at Forsyth Park, in a rematch of their recent Challenge Cup final won by the Raiders.

Sawtell Scorpions host the Orara Valley Dingoes at Toormina Oval, with the Dingoes coming up to the Premier League after winning last season’s Women's 2nd Division South competition.

Woolgoolga Wildcats have the opening round bye.

q Urunga Thunda begin their premiership defence this weekend.

Mid North Coast Rugby Union season kicks off next weekend

By Aiden BURGESS

in the opening round, while the Marlins travel to take on the Kempsey Cannonballs.

Port Macquarie Pirates begin their premiership defence at home when they host the Hastings Valley Vikings.

Coffs Harbour Snappers and SCU Marlins face off in their first local derby of the season in Round 2 at Coffs Rugby Park.

The Marlins play their first home game of the season

in Round 3 against the Port Macquarie Pirates at Coffs Coast Sport and Leisure Park.

The Marlins and Snappers face off in their second local derby of the season in Round 7 at Coffs Coast Sport and Leisure Park, and their third meeting in Round 12 at Coffs Rugby Park.

The Snappers will look to go one better this season after finishing as runners up in 2023.

The Snappers travel to play their grand final rematch against the Port Macquarie Pirates in Round 4.

The Snappers reserve grade side begin their premiership defence at Grafton, when they take on the Grafton Redmen.

Coffs players to represent Mid North Coast at Regional Futsal Titles

By Aiden BURGESS

A GROUP of Coffs Coast players are headed to take on some of Australia’s best junior futsal players.

The group of eight will represent the Mid North Coast at the Northern Regional Futsal Titles, to be held in Brisbane from 12-14 April.

The Coffs Coast players include Finn Adam, Oliver Clayton, Luke Garnett, Dean Gerhardt, Ashdan Lee, Ben Milne, Emile Simmonds and Darby Wall.

The Northern Regional Futsal Titles is the biggest regional futsal event in Australia, featuring regional representative teams ranging from the Whitsundays to the Mid North Coast.

The Coffs Coast players were part of the Mid North Coast team that lost their semi-final by a goal at last year’s Northern Regional Futsal Titles.

The boys take good form into this year's titles, having won the recent Ballina Futsal Cup going through the tournament undefeated. Their coach Cale

Simmonds was looking forward to continuing their winning run in Brisbane.

“They went undefeated at the Champion of Champions event in Ballina, which was against top teams from Northern NSW,” he said.

“I think they will go well in Brisbane, they are all really good players.

“They don’t play as much together like other teams we will play against, which will be tough.

“Our team is really strong and I think other teams won’t like to play them.”

The Northern Regional

Titles.

THE latest Mid North Coast Rugby Union Northern

Division season is set to kick off next weekend, with the opening round of matches played on Saturday, 13 April

in Grafton, Kempsey and Port Macquarie.

Both the Coffs Harbour Snappers and SCU Marlins begin their season away from home.

The Snappers travel to take on the Grafton Redmen

q Coffs Harbour Snappers reserves begin their premiership defence in Grafton.

q Coffs Coast junior futsal players get ready for the Northern Regional Futsal

Futsal Titles are also a pathway to playing in the National Club Futsal Championships, and Australian Futsal Association's international selection program.

North Coast Force look for players

By Aiden BURGESS

NORTH Coast Force is looking for junior AFL players wanting to be involved in the representative program this year.

Trials for the Force junior representative teams will be held on the first two Sundays of April at Richardson Park.

Age groups for this year will

be Under 13s, Under 15s, and Under 17s, for both boys and girls.

The Force teams will compete at the Northern NSW Championships in Coffs Harbour in July.

Community Football and Competition Manager Brad Greenshields said the Force program was a pathway to the Sydney Swans Academy program.

“Last year’s teams recorded their best overall performances yet and over summer the AFL North Coast had the largest contingent ever of players selected for the Sydney Swans Academy program,” he said.

“The Force continues to be included as a key element of Sydney Swans Academy’s local pathway and it’s also the stepping stone to the highly successful Northern Heat program.”

Rotary Clubs enjoy annual Golf Day

By Andrea FERRARI

A MASSIVE turnout of 31 teams made a big start to a very wet game of golf at the Rotary Clubs of Coffs City and Daybreak Charity Golf Day on Friday 15 March.

With drizzly conditions not letting up, rain eventually stopped play once most teams had completed at least nine holes and scores were worked out.

Coffs City Rotary President Bob Carle told News Of The Area, “Andrew Fraser and Gurmesh Singh did the 18 holes, while many others decided the Club House was a better place.”

While no one took out the $10,000 hole-in-one prize, a

couple “got close”. An estimated $10,000 was raised which will be distributed amongst local charities.

The major beneficiary will be the Waratah Respite Services and the Mid North Coast Disabled Surfers Association.

“Two great causes in our community,” said Bob.

“We were blessed with much local business support, Todd Blewitt being our major event sponsor coming along himself, and the Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary donating an Ultimate Dolphin Experience for four worth $1500.

“Many smaller donations were made to fill an auction, a

raffle plus team prizes down to tenth place.

“There was a special ladies team prize and of course a Bradman’s prize.”

On behalf of both Rotary Clubs Bob thanked all businesses who gave prizes and also those who entered teams.

“It has become a real community event,” Bob said.

“The committee would like to thank the players, the sponsors and the workers from both Clubs who, although all got wet, stayed on the course ‘til it was cancelled by the Club.”

Hosting the event Coffs Harbour Golf Club management was complimented for its support and work behind the scenes from the build-up to the running and the wrap-up afterwards.

weather really rolled in.”

The winners were:

1st - The Hacks

2nd - Shearwater

“Congrats to Paul and Kylie and the team, this made the day for everyone, despite having to make the call to ‘pull the pin’ when the

3rd - SCC Support Service

q Members from the Daybreak Rotary and Coffs City Rotary teams. (Back row) Bob Carle, Terry Maguire, Marilyn Brien, Geoff Pollack, Bev Stalling with Richie Goddard from Disabled Surfers Association. (Front row) Di Leach and Ingred Gardner. Absent is Paul McKeon.

q The drizzle didn’t stop, but they played on – soaked but satisfied at Rotary Clubs of Coffs City and Daybreak Charity Golf Day.

q The winning Ladies team was the ‘Foxettes’.

q Men's team first place winners were ‘The Hacks’.

Heat turned up at Coolangatta

By Aiden BURGESS

AFL NORTH Coast’s best juniors have wrapped up their summer development program with victory against Coolangatta teams.

Northern Heat representative teams beat the Coolangatta Blues as their development program wrapped up for the summer.

The Heat girls snuck home by one point against the Blues, winning 7.7 (49) to 7.6 (48) in their match at Coolangatta.

It is the first time the Heat program has had a girls team, with the victory coming in their first match.

The hard work the girls put in over the summer came to fruition in an exciting last quarter at Len Peak Oval.

Starting nervously, the Heat girls conceded the first four goals of the match.

Once they got into their stride however, they began to wrestle momentum their way.

At the last break the Heat girls trailed by 15 points but, armed with a fitness program they’d been completing since December, ran over the top of their opposition kicking four goals to grab a seven point lead.

The Blues produced one final effort to kick a goal and drag the margin back to one point with less than a minute to play, but the Heat girls marked their inaugural match with a win.

A dominant nine goals to one second half saw the Heat boys have a 12.9 (81) to 2.3 (15) win against the Blues.

The boys match started in the only rain of the day and despite dominating territory with strong

clearance work and a high press, the Heat were inaccurate in front of goal.

Despite leading by 17 points at the first break, they didn't get full value for their strong play.

The second term, played in drier conditions, saw Coolanagatta’s boys turn the contest into a strong battle and the Blues kept neck and neck with the Heat leading into the main interval.

After half time though the Heat showed a fitness edge and kicked nine goals to one in the second half including five goals to nil in the last term while kicking into the wind.

The Northern Heat representative AFL program comprises the best junior players from the North Coast and North West regions in Under 15 and Under 17 squads.

This off-season program exists to extend

them

Louez claims Coffs Club Championship

stroke with two holes to play.

Louez said using his driver on that hole wasn't unusual for him.

"I just played to win and just hit the wrong shot at the wrong time, a bit of a pull left," Louez said.

"That's what I do every Saturday (use the driver) so I wasn't going to change my game plan.

“I told my caddy to just trust me on the decision and I hit it.

"But the thing is I never got nervous or anything once it happened.

“I sort of just accepted it and moved on."

The final hole saw Flanagan push his drive right and be forced to hit his second shot back onto the fairway.

Louez made par which left Flanagan with a nine-foot putt to send the Championship into a playoff.

The narrow miss meant Louez's wait to win the trophy a second time was over.

"I won it back in 2018 but Billy has been on a bit of a hot streak," he said.

"It's nice to get my name on the trophy again."

Cameron Pollard finished third in the A-Grade Championship seven strokes off the lead.

The B-Grade contest was also a thriller with Gerard Martin making a birdie on the last hole to edge out Darren Girard by a stroke.

Peter English won the C-Grade crown ahead of Robert Phillipse and Thomas Frewen. STORY STARTS on BACK COVER, Page 40

Campbell, P Bartholomew, B Newling

S Sillar, G Fisher, M Langley DEF R Smithers, S Shaw, J Rice

D Anderson, H Slater, M Aujard

J Oates, R Morris DEF

B Pemberton. C Christian, D Wheeler

J Webber, G Crane, M Sharpe DEF G Hunt, J Harter, M Wilson

K Taylor, A Murphy DEF N McClelland, J Urge

T Lavelle, A Baker, B Blight DEF P Roach, D Bond, W Meadows

B Martin, P Collins, R Stock DEF G

This Carnival is usually held every four years but Covid made it necessary to cancel the carnival in Perth making it six years since this carnival has been held. The competition consists of two games for four days with a two day break on the weekend when the National Meeting will be held with delegates from each area attending.

Each day, teams play at different venues and rotate so that every team plays at four of the participating Bowling Clubs. This team will play at Queanbeyan RSL Memorial Bowls Club, Tuggeranong Bowls Club, Weston Creek Labour Club and Belconnen Bowls Club.

A welcome dinner before the competition begins will set the mood and a presentation dinner at the completion of the games is a splendid way to finish. It will be an opportunity to catch up with bowling friends from the

other side of Australia, as well as other states and it is always an exciting time making new friends. This carnival is such a very special occasion for The Past Presidents Association and especially exciting to have representation from our area.

The National Carnival will be followed up with a State Friendship Carnival to be held at Taree from 6th September to 8th September, 2024. The Venue for this Carnival will be West Taree Bowling Club and it is not too

late to get a team together for some fun competition at Taree.

right) Owen Kesby, Sue Cornish, Rhonda Kesby and Brian Hall from the Clarence District branch of The Past Presidents Association.

the representative pathway for the players of the regions and provide

with a

further avenue to build their game ahead of transitioning towards senior footy.

q Beau Willoughby and Tane Skinner lay a strong tackle during the Northern Heat's victory over Coolangatta. Photo: AFL North Coast.

q Adem Louez tees off during the final round of the Coffs Harbour Golf Club's Brown and Hurley Club Championship last Sunday. Photo: Green Shoots Marketing.

NORTHERN BEACHES

Woolgoolga Woolworths Moonee Beach Newsagency Moonee Beach Coles Supermarket Emerald Beach General Store Sapphire Beach Service Station Woolgoolga Diggers Club Woopi Bottle Shop Liquor Legends Emerald Beach Blue Bottles Brasserie Mitre 10 Woolgoolga Top Town Market Sunken Chip Takeaway Sandy Beach Village Growers Market Woolgoolga Nicole Cardow Real Estate Sunset Room Restaurant Woolgoolga Library Royals Garage, Corinidi Beach COFFS HARBOUR Coffs Central Shopping Centre Fresco Marketplace Palate and Ply Coffee Shop Lucky 7 Supermarket, Northside Shopping Centre Bray Street Newsagency Coffs Coles Supermarket Woolworths Spar Supermarket Coffs Harbour Spar Supermarket Jetty Village Shop 36 General Store Midway Convenience Shop Good Price Pharmacy Discount Chemist CBD BP South BP Truck Stop South Caltex Service Station BP Service Station Bailey Centre Service Station Caltex Service Station Park Beach Bowling Club Coffs Hotel Green House Bottle Shop BYO Cellars Big Country Meats Bray Street Butchery Coffs Harbour Produce Clog Barn Coffs Macleod's Furniture Court Homebase

The Village Pantry - Homebase Observatory Apartments

Nolan’s Real Estate

URUNGA/BELLINGEN

Woolgoolga Bowling Club Results

By Glenn LANE

TUESDAY Social Bowls 26 - 3 - 24

A Wroe and R Gurber defeated M

Brookes and S Bailey 21 - 16

K Stirling and S Dodd defeated W

Gavenlock and F Cacciattolo 31 - 11

P Wroe and T Allen defeated M

Lampert and C Latham 21 - 9

Laurie Walsh, I Cork and R Bennell

C.ex Coffs Bowls Club

By Mary BUCKLEY

CLUB Major Singles and Pairs Championships have been played and won, which left the month of March a good time to get some social games and practice in. Next Championship will be the Minor Singles.

Tuesday 5th March: Joan Griffin, Brenda Fane d Jeanette Kutz, Jan

Sawtell Golf Results

By JANET O’DOWD

26/3 MEDLEY Stableford Lochie Smith 38c/b, Alan Wallis 38c/b, Neil Oates 38, Daniel Shipley37c/b, David Knudsen 37. Balls to 34. NTP & A: Mark Greenshields (pro pin), B: Ian Jones, C: Wayne Parkin. NTP 11 A: James Murdoch, B: Ian Jones, C: Bob Harris 27/3 4BBB Championships Joy Lawrence & Sandra Guymer 40, Brenda Connors & Debbie Telford 37c/b, Lynne Rapley & Linda Graff 37, Hermie McGuire & Gaye Hardcastle 36c/b, RobynThompson & Margaret Gill 36c/b, Gayle James & Kerry Humphreys 36. Pro pin Narelle Foy. NTP !! A: Charmaine Edwards, B: Robbie O’Dwyer

Coffs Table Tennis Results

By Dale ALLEN

FRIDAY, 29th March, 2024

Division 1

Reece Baker d Will Fang 3/1, Arpit Pathak d Troy Prystasz 3/0, Reece Baker d Troy Prystasz 3/0, Will Fang d Arpit Pathak 3/1, Will Fang d Troy Prystasz 3/0, Reece Baker d Arpit Pathak 3/2. WINNER: Reece Baker from Will Fang.

Group A (Divisions 2 & 3)

Bo Zhang d David McGrath 3/0, Dale Allen d Gareth Berglund 3/0,

Coffs Harbour District Darts

By Ray BEASLEY

SAWTELL RSL Club

Summer Comp

Monday 25 March

Surgical Steel def Thunderstruck 6-3

DILLIGAF def Fluke Shots 7-2

Warriors def TeeBeeAye 7-2

Bad Habbits - Bye

180s

Paul (1)

Ricky (1) 100s

MNCVGA Results

By Colin CUTT

ON Tuesday, 26th March, 2024, 21 MNC Veteran golfers competed in a single stableford at Sawtell Golf Course.

Winner: Ken Graham 35, 1st runnerup Des Hoy 34, 2nd runner-up Mike Raymond 32.

Ball run to 32 pts.

No NTP’s. (Apologies from Sawtell Pro Shop for not putting NTP markers out).

Also, on Tuesday 26/03/2024, 41

MNC Veteran golfers competed in a single stableford at CEX Urunga.

Winner: Michael Bleakley 43, 1st runner-up Mick Bellew 41, 2nd runnerup Matt Lark 36, 3rd runner-up Roslyn Hooper 34.

NTP’s: John Ward (3rd), David Nicholls (9th and 18th), Mick Bellew (16th).

Ball run to 32 pts.

defeated G Pallister, D Barnard and B Merchant 19 - 16

W Prosser and C Davis defeated B Richards and G Lane 24 - 17

J Taylor and H Schutz defeated G Cunningham and M Hodge 28 - 11

2nd Rink J Taylor and H Schutz

3rd Rink W Prosser and C Davis No

Jackpot

Wednesday Wanderers 27 - 3 - 24

Punkin, J Martin and I Gentle

defeated T Collins, J Whalen and I Carruthers 16 – 12

G Burgess and S Oliver defeated P

Appleton 18-13; Jo Burgess, Mary Buckley d Robyn Groundwater, Dot Heron 21-18; Beryl Foster, Angela Fryer, Shirley Willis d Beryl Foster(s), Margaret Stocks, Rosemary Williams 17-11.

Thursday 7th March: Jo Burgess, Jane Ryan, Shirley Willis d Chris Irvine, Angela Fryer, Mary Buckley 22-13; Rosemary Williams, Robyn Groundwater, Dot Heron d Margaret

28/3 Play 9 Peter Rode 19. Balls to 16

29/3 Medley Stableford Kyle Banks

38, Luke France 37. Balls to 34

30/3 4 Person Ambrose Jesse

Buckle, Rod Buckle, Richard Gallichan & Steve Palmer 54.5, Mark Mason, Brendan Barnes, Tony O’Rourke & Scott

Pollard 56.625, Dean Szabo, David

Jackson, Dieder Galas & Cameron Arnold

56.75. NTP 7 A: Chris Neal, B: Kelvin

Wilton, C: Phil Klaus. NTP 11 A: Anthony

Rapley (pro pin), B: Richard Johnson, C: Barry Wilson

Ladies 9 hole Sharon Shipman 16c/b, Chris Constable 16.

Balls to 14c/b. Saturday Sal Liz Jackson. NTP Sharon Shipman

31/3 Medley Stableford Norm

Nikolick 37. Balls to 31

Lulu Zhang d Terry Baker 3/2, King McKie d Char Berglund 3/1.

Division 2

Bo Zhang d King McKie 3/0, Dale Allen d Lulu Zhang 3/1, King McKie d Lulu Zhang 3/2, Bo Zhang d Dale

Allen 3/0. WINNER: Bo Zhang from Dale Allen.

Division 3

David McGrath d Char Berglund 3/1, Terry Baker d Gareth Berglund 3/0, Char Berglund d Gareth

Berglund 3/1, Terry Baker d David

McGrath 3/2. WINNER: Terry Baker from David McGrath.

Hannah (2)

Jayne (1)

Karen H (2)

Wendy (1)

Ben (4)

Brad (3)

Chris H (1)

Craig S (1)

Dean (4)

Garry (1)

Michael (1)

Paul (3)

Ricky (3)

Sam (2)

High pegs

Anna (72)

Urunga Men’s Veterans Golf

By Ross HARDAKER

APRIL 1st

Single Stableford Winner Gary Teale 38 , on a count back, from Grant Cardow, 3rd Dave McBaron 37.

Run-down Ross Farrar, Kevin Sanford 35, Garry Matthews, Dale

Urunga Men’s Veterans Golf

By Ross HARDARKER

MARCH 25

Single Stableford Winner Kevin Sanford 37, 2nd Selwyn Newby 36 , 3rd Arthur Hassett 33 c/b.

Run-down Peter Drysdale 33, Grant Cardow, Tony Shields , Garry Matthews 32, Tom Cornelius, Dave McGilvray, Dale

Hatton and I Cork 22 – 17

K Costelloe and P Devine defeated P Diamond and I Brien 28 – 19

J Taylor, G Lane and B Lipman defeated M Lampert, B Pendred and P Jones 23 – 22 (won on the toss of a coin)

Bear, M Mulligan and D Mason defeated G Woolley, S Ferro and J Hampstead 21 – 16

1st Rink J Taylor, G Lane and B Lipman 2nd Rink K Costelloe and P Devine

Lucky Loser G Woolley, S Ferro and J Hampstead No Jackpot

Stocks, Jeanette Kutz, Mark Ryan 1816; Joan Griffin, Sue Wilson d Ardis Ellsmore, Jan Appleton 17-14.

Tuesday 12th March: Beryl Foster, Robyn Groundwater, Mary Buckley d Joce Landrey, Chris Irvine, Jeanette Kutz 19-17; Margaret Stocks, Di De La Cruz d Angela Fryer, Jan Appleton 20-15; Sue Wilson, Shirley Willis d Rosemary Williams, Dot Heron 15-4.

Friday Social Bowls 29 - 3 - 24

B Pendred and B Parker defeated

Lorna Walsh and T Allen 30 – 12

J Taylor and G Lane defeated M Lampert and G McInerney 22 – 17

H Schutz and R Bennell defeated N

Haines and J Hampstead 30 – 11

J Martin, P Devine and K Costelloe

defeated I Gentle, D Foster and D Barnard 22 – 17

1st Rink H Schutz and R Bennell 2nd Rink J Taylor and G Lane No

Jackpot

Ellsmore, Jan Appleton 29-8.

Thursday 14th March: Margaret Stocks, Shirley Willis, Jeanette Kutz d Rosemary Williams, Jo Burgess, Dot Heron 16-15; Angela Fryer, Sue Wilson, Brenda Fane d Joce Landrey, Ardis

Coffs Harbour Golf Club

By Vicki SILVER

1 APRIL 2024, at 1:11 pm, Vicki Silver <vicki.silver@bigpond.com> wrote:

Results Coffs Harbour Golf Club

Monday Vets 1st April, 2024.

39 Members and 1 visitor played a 9 hole single stableford event - results as follows:

Gents:

First - Andy Gilkes 19

Second - Les Rollins 18

Third - Rick Jenkins 17

Fourth - Garry Silver 16

Ball Comp: Phil Mackay 15

Park Beach Women’s Bowling Club

By Mandy TRENGOVE

CONGRATULATIONSto the PBBC ladies who played in the State Play-offs in Dubbo last week

Triples Chris Sheridan, Joan Woodford, Mandi Monck

Singles Chris Sheridan

Fours Chris Sheridan, Kerry Frail, Carol Dodd, Mandi Monck who made the semi finals

You have all done your club proud Social bowls Wednesday 27th March

Bob (81)

Brad (92, 75, 66, 90)

Ray (63)

Ricky (85)

Bull pegs

Brad (1)

Ricky (1)

Leader Board

Warriors 45

DILLIGAF 44

Surgical Steel 30

Bad Habbits 28

Thunderstruck 24

TeeBeeAye 24

Fluke Shots 21

Fluke Shots 21

Tierney 34, Mal Eades, Peter Brotherton, Ross Hardaker 33.

Bradmans Dave Baldock 20.

NTPs 3rd Dave McBaron, 9th Ross

Hardaker, 18th Dave McBaron.

Longest Putt Peter Brotherton.

Slab Winner Glenn Anthony.

A reminder, daylight saving finishes on Sunday, so don’t be late . Fines will be enforced !

Tierney 31.

Bradmans Nick Betar 22.

NTPS 9th Peter Drysdale, 18th Artie

Hassett.

Longest Putt Neil Richardson.

Slab Winner Selwyn Newby.

Next week is Easter Monday, however we will be playing as normal.

See you there.

Tuesday 19th March: Jo Burgess, Joan Griffin, Mary Buckley d Margaret Stocks, Chris Irvine, Dot Heron 19-13; Rosemary Williams, Jeanette Kutz, Di De La Cruz d Joce Landry, Angela Fryer, Shirley Willis 18-16.

Norman Shannon 14 c/b

David Turnbull 14 c/b

Ladies:

First - Anne Grundy 20 c/b

Second - Lin Kildea 20

Third - Frances Gaunt 19

Fourth - Vicki Silver 18

Ball Comp:

Roz Bennett 17 c/b

Joan Levingston 17 c/b

Janette Curran 17 c/b

Nearest the Pins:

3rd Hole - David Turnbull & Jean O’Connor

6th Hole - David Turnbull & Carlene Bath.

Congratulations to all winners - next week is a single stableford.

J Clarke, A Stone, Y Hinsley def M England, D Rowe, D Crockett 29/17

A Oak, D Futcher, H Hardwick def M Gudgeon, P Garner, E Kidd 25/18

H Illingworth, D Hargraves, Y Schmidt def J Rodwell, C McVicar, V Valentine 21/16

J Farrell, C Jones, C Garrett def A M Taylor, L Mitchell, K Loadsman 25/17

C Domjahn, P Poulton, R Jupp, R Crestani def C Domjahn, M Trengove, B Bodel, J Brown 20/18

E Blanton, G S-Latimer, L Kellahan , J Pearce- Kennedy def K Elliott, S Hancock, C Treharne, S Betts 30/11

Coffs

Sawtell Veterans Golf

By Ian REYNOLDS

RESULTS for 1st April 2024

9 Hole Stroke Net 19 Starters

Ladies

Lynda Wood 37, Marlene Starr 39

Men

Ken Towerton 33, Andy Carroll 35

Death Notices

AUSTEN

Sister Christine

30th March 2024, peacefully at Mater

Christi Aged Care facility. Much loved aunt of Melinda and loved member of The Sisters of Mercy ISMAPNG. Sister Chris will be sadly missed by her many friends, especially those at Marian Grove.

Aged 84 Years

Rest In Peace

Sister Chris was privately cremated at Hogbin Drive Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a Requiem Mass for Sister Chris to be celebrated at Our Lady of The Way Chapel, Marian Grove, Toormina on Monday 8th April 2024 commencing at 10.30 am.

EARNSHAW

Hazel Myrtle

3rd April 2024, peacefully at Toowoomba, formerly of Marian Grove, Toormina. Dearly beloved wife of Bill (dec’d). Former wife of Reg ‘Toby’ Cleaver (dec’d). Loving mother and mother-in-law of Diane & Earl Evans, Wayne & Janelle Cleaver, Fred (dec’d) & Valda Cleaver, Ruth & Errol Braithwaite, Denis & Judy Cleaver and Annette & Graeme (dec’d) Brownlee. Adored grandmother, greatgrandmother and great-greatgrandmother of their children.

Aged

88 Years

In Gods Care

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Hazel’s Funeral Service to be held in the Chapel of Hogbin Drive Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour on Friday 12th April 2024 commencing at 10.00 am.

Hazel’s Funeral Service will be live streamed on Keith Logue & Sons Facebook page.

KEITH LOGUE & SONS

Coffs Harbour 6652 1999

Funeral Director’s Assoc. of NSW

Accred No 12033-01

ELY

Dennis William

30th March 2024, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends. Now pain free after 14 years. Much loved husband of Marilyn ‘Missy Mal’. Loved brother of Ron & partner Rose, brother-in-law of Shirley and uncle to their children. Dennis will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Aged 75 Years

His Days Spent Walking Are Over. A Kind, Gentle And Devoted Husband To The End. Rest In Peace.

A private family Funeral Service will be held for Dennis followed by private cremation at Hogbin Drive Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to join the family for light refreshments at the Safety Beach Golf Club to celebrate Dennis’ Life on Thursday 11th April 2024 commencing at 12.00 midday.

In lieu of floral tributes the family have requested a donation be made to The Leukaemia Foundation at www.leukaemia.org.au

KEITH LOGUE & SONS

Coffs Harbour 6652 1999

Funeral Director’s Assoc. of NSW Accred No 12033-01

HEANEY

Gerald Patrick ‘Gerry’

26th March 2024, peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Much loved husband of Margaret. Loving father of Julie, Mark, Kylie and Shane. Adored pop of Madi, Jack, Scarlet, Henry, Millie and Layla. Gerry will be sadly missed by all his extended family and many friends.

Aged 79 Years

Go The Mighty Eels

Gerry will be privately cremated at Hogbin Drive Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour.

KEITH LOGUE & SONS Coffs Harbour 6652 1999 Funeral Director’s Assoc. of NSW Accred No 12033-01

SLATER

Lynette ‘Nan’

2nd April 2024, late of Emerald Beach. Dearly beloved wife of Brian (dec’d). Loving mother of Narelle, Tania, Diane, Rodney and their partners. Adored ‘nan’ and ‘old nan’ of their families.

Aged 78 Years

Forever Gardening

Nan’s private family Funeral Service will be live streamed on the Keith Logue & Sons Facebook page on Monday 8th April 2024 commencing at 1.00 pm.

KEITH LOGUE & SONS Coffs Harbour 6652 1999

Funeral Director’s Assoc. of NSW

Accred No 12033-01

TAYLOR

Bruce William

2nd April 2024, peacefully at Shoreline

Aged Care with his loving family at his side. Late of Loaders Lane Coffs Harbour. Loving husband of 61 years to Judy. Dearest father of Belinda. Adored grandfather of Maddy. Fond uncle of his nieces and nephews.

Aged 88 Years

Gone Fishing

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Bruce’s Funeral Service to be held in the Chapel of Hogbin Drive Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour on Monday 8th April 2024 commencing at 10.00 am.

Bruce’s Funeral Service will be live streamed on Keith Logue & Sons Facebook page.

DOC23/151790

Dear Aboriginal Owner,

Dear Aboriginal Owner,

The Gaagal Wanggaan National Park Board of Management commenced its third term of office on the 20th of October 2020. To ensure the ongoing operations of the Board of Management, the Board hosted an Aboriginal Owner nomination meeting on the 2nd of November 2019 to call for nominations for Aboriginal Owner Board members for the 2020 to 2024 term.

The Gaagal Wanggaan National Park Board of Management will complete its third term of office on the 19th of October 2024. To ensure the ongoing operations of the Board of Management, the Board will host an Aboriginal Owner nominations meeting on the 9th of March 2024 to call for nominations for Aboriginal Owner Board Members for the 2024 to 2028 term .

A second Aboriginal Owner nomination meeting is now being held to seek nominations for the Ballangarry Family Deputy and the Marshall/Edwards Deputy.

I am inviting all Aboriginal Owners to attend the nominations meeting which will be held at the Macksville Ex-Services Club on the 20th of April commencing at 10:00am. Consistent with the previous Aboriginal Owner nominations meetings, to be nominated as a Board Member or Deputy you must be present at the nominations meeting.

I am inviting all Aboriginal Owners that have an association with the Ballangarry family and the Marshall/Edwards family to attend a nomination meeting on the 18th of April 2023 commencing at 5pm, at the Macksville Ex-Services Club. Consistent with established nominations processes, to be nominated as a Board Member or Deputy you must be present at the nominations meeting.

The nominations meeting will be independently facilitated , and a representative of the Office of the Registrar Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 will also be present to discuss matters that the Minister considers in appointing Board members.

It is vital that we have a Member and Deputy for each Aboriginal Owner family for a functioning Board and to ensure all Aboriginal Owner family groups have equal representation on the Board so your attendance at this meeting is strongly recommended.

If any Aboriginal Owner positions are unable to be filled on the 20th of April 2024, subsequent meetings will be scheduled as required to fill Board vacancies.

All enquiries about Aboriginal Owner nominations should be directed to our Joint Management Coordinator, David Kennedy. David can be contacted on 0408 473 904 or david.kennedy@environment.nsw.gov.au

to our Joint Management Coordinator, David Kennedy. David can be contacted on 0408 473 904 or david.kennedy@environment.nsw.gov.au

All enquiries regarding Aboriginal Owner nominations should be directed to me. I can be contacted on 0419 895 170.

I look forward to seeing you at the nominations meeting on the 18 th of April.

I look forward to seeing you at the nominations meeting on the 18 th of April.

I look forward to seeing you at the Aboriginal Owners’ nominations meeting on the 20th of April 2024.

Sincerely

Sincerely

Yours sincerely,

Jennifer Rosser Chair

Jennie Rosser Chair Gaagal Wanggaan (South Beach) National Park Board of Management

Jennie Rosser Chair Gaagal Wanggaan (South Beach) National Park Board of Management

Gaagal Wanggaan (South Beach) National Park Board of Management

Gaagal Wanggaan (South Beach) National Park Chair: Jennie Rosser PO Box 4200, Coffs Harbour Jetty NSW 2450 Tel (02) 6652 0900 Fax (02) 6651 9525 npws.coffscoast@environment.nsw.gov.au

ABN 30 841 387 271

2 fridges plus wine fridge corner cupboard unit and gas heater. Prices neg. 0407580436 F040823

80 DVDs, a few movies but majority war documentaries. $50. Ph 0411 352 198

A variety of pictures old & modern prints, several by old masters. Reducing collection, prices lower Phone 6652 3791 F070722

CHILDS bed, suit 2-10 year old, drawers mattress, GC. $95 66536275 CHILDRENS play table and 2 chairs, painted wood, 1 metre plus. $90. 66523791 CD Rack stand, Solid timber holds 60 CD’s in excel cond $40 Ph 0422 440 802 Woopi F180823 CANON Printer colour Pixma. $25ono Ph: 6650 0380 CAMPING Rooftop ladder. Extendable. Alum James Baroud. Never used. $70. 0437 543 943

COMPUTER aided drawing machine Open to offers Ph: 0429 945 374

COMPUTER desk vgc $70 ono. 6650 0380

BBQ, GC, 4 burner captain cook, older style $15. 0419 166 688

BENCH grinder. $100 0400 323 656 F180823

BILLARD table 8ft x 4ft plus accessories - equal to new. Slate top, Drop pockets, turn legs and sides. Full price $5,000 Ph: 6653 7595 Re110823

BISLEY womens workpant stretch cotton S10 1x black 1x stone Brand new $30 each Ph 0432 294 491

COOK canopy rangehood 60cm $50 Kitchen sink 1/1/2 basins with tap $50. Sawtell Ph: 0458 006 643

CORNINGWARE Platter on stand, Blue Corn Flower, 1960's. $85 0407 654 879

CUFF Links, mesh gold tone, wrap around with red stone. $25 0407 654 879

DESK Grey, very strong folds down for moving 1.5m L x 73cm H x 75cm W. Exc cond. $40. 0415 981 605

BLOWER Vacuum Morrison. $30 0499 592 475 f081223

BOOKCASE, white 4 shelves, 150cm H x 90cm W x 30cm D. $20 0499 592 475

BOOTS blk 37 Dj & J $90. 0432 294 491

BOOTS, blk s37 Effegie $50. 0432 294 491

BREVILLE bread and dough maker, used once. $98. 6653 8337 or 0419 166 688 F230224

DINING room table with turned red cedar legs and frame and coachwood top $200 Restored antique bed $3,500. 0400 976 080

DISPLAY shelving units 3 types for ornaments plants, models etc. $75 each. 66523791

DOG cage, metal collapsable, GC, 90cm L x 60 cm W x 65cm H $40. 0418 795 449

DVD complete set all 7 seasons Madmen $50ono 0488 763 132

ELECTRIC

ERGONOMIC Height adjustable study desk chair. $50. 0490 161 119

FAN (floor or desk) new, $65. 6653 8337 or 0419 166 688

FEED bin, solid metal with lid, used for animal feed, capacity equivalent to a 44 gal drum. $75 6653 8337

FEEDER bin, metal galvanised, hooks onto fence or post. $55. 6653 8337 F250823

FENCING Star Pickets new, 10 x 5' 6" (165cm) $5 each, 10 x 2' $2 each 0437 543 943

FLAMMETTA gas outdoor patio heater inc gas bottle. $65. Photos can be sent. 0490161119 F120124

FLAVOURCHEF cooking systyem-brand new $50 ono SMS 0409 916 076

FLOOR rugs, 2 green rugs, 1 - 180cm x 125cm $50. Silver collection made in Turkey. Photos can be supplied. 0490 161 119 F020224

FRIDGE Fisher & Paykel.142cm high x 63cm wide x 70cm deep Fridge only, no freezer VGC. $100. 0437 543 943

HELMET, x 2, suit children, GC, $20 for both. 6653 8337 or 0419 166 688

HORSE rugs. 2 x winter rugs 6' 3" brand new belly straps, very warm polyester filling. $50 each 0418795449

JUST Cars magazines 60 total just $50 Ph: 0467 587 536 F111122

KAYAK, light weight & fast. Green Ant 580mm W x 4.570 m L fibreglass has extras Exc cond. $850 0439 740 453

MUSO Stomp Box SK inc cable, pick up & battery. $99 0407654879

NORDIC track exercise bike fully featured console $350. 0417 481 120

OTTOMAN padded with 2 storage drawers $30. Photos can be supplied. 0490 161 119

OVEN/GRILLER, small $20. As new. 6653 8337 F230224

COFFS COAST NEWS OF THE AREA

For Sale

SHEET Music, piano/ guitar, artists from 50's - 80's, 90+ pieces $60 0407 654 879

SHOWER screen 2 sliding doors 890 x 840 x 1690, VGC, $70 ono 0467 634 668

OZ trail wardrobe four shelves and hanging space $50 Ono 0456 210 772

SINGLE bed with wooden frame & unused mattress. $100. Call 0488 799 424

SMOKE alarms, 5 clipsal, fire tek 755psma2 New in box. $20 each Photos can be sent 0490161119 F120124

SPEED music albums 7 + others, country & popular hits. $50 0407 654 879

PICK

STAND up work bench ornamental for play or computer use. 1.2 h and wide, $99. 66523791

PUPPY pen, metal panels x 8. Each panel

61cm L x 91cm H. GC $70. 0418 795 449

LARGE bench for work or decoration. 2m have a look. Phone 6652 3791

LARGE gold framed wall mirror. 75cm x 50cm. Photos can be sent. $30. 0490161119

LEATHER jacket, tan perfect cond, size 12 $50. 0419 166 688

LG Bluray CD/DVD disk player. With remote. $45. Photos avail. 0490 161 119

LOUNGE 2 seater 2x 1 seater wooden arm rests exc cond $100 Call John 6651 7710

MARKWELL 3 phase 18cfm air compressor $99. Ph 0474 378 447

GYM stepper, Celsius multilevel gym stepper consists of one top and four stands making avail 3 height levels. Height range 100 - 200mm dimensions 1100mm long x 400mm wide. $40 0431 514 637 F290324

Camper Trailers

CAMPER Trailer, 6 x 4,12 months rego, new tyres electricals, battery and solar panel. Pull out kitchen and fridge. TH00YR. $16,000 ono. 0429 945 374 e220324

VACUUM, RYOBI, wet & dry, stainless steel barrel. $59. 0410 439 950

STEAM Mop Hoover with 2 cleaning pads in very good as new condition $40 Moonee 0422440802

WINE Bar decor 3 green glass bottles in Seagrass Vintage 1970 $100 ono 0407654879

QUALITY wooden furniture for sale made by craftsman/carpenter variety to choose from view anytime. 66523791

STORAGE cupboards complete with shelves and coat storage space (1) 0.9m W x 1.8m H x 0.3m D. 2 doors. 2nd unit 1.2m W x 1.8m H x 0.3m

D. Fair cond. $100 for the two. Photos available 0415 669 378

TANDEM Holstar Grand Tourer bike, exc cond $1200. 0458 274 319

RECLINER Jason brand. Fully operational $50. 0409 022 456 F080324

TENNIS racquets, man and ladies older style (Yvonne Goolagong) $40.00 each. Phone 0401 221 864 F270123

RUSTIC oblong 6 seat 1930's white mahogany farm table $60. Ph 0474 378 447 F280723

SADDLE, stock saddle 17", Marshall Poley. Price neg. Ph 6653 8337 F230224

THREE Heavey duty collapsible reflective safety truck triangles $30 0490 161 119

WINE Fridge – Large Transtherm Ermitage Holds 240 bottles Reasonable Offer Accepted. 0418278966

WOK Bessemer $20. 0499 592 475

Caravans

2010 Jayco Poptop Caravan

Motors

2011 B 180 Mercedes 144,000 kms, single owner, reliable runner rego Oct, tow hitch roof rack. BZN55R $9,900ono.0439521414

AVAN Aliner 3 berth 850kg tare, 2012, 12 months rego, W97212 Extras. $22,000 ono Karuah. 0414 891 285

MILLARD Horizon 2001. Rollout awning 12 months rego. Annex N65160. $10,000 Ph 0438 020 040 Re270924

ANSWERS: Spot the difference

Picture B – Hill is a different colour, horse’s eyes, bark missing from right tree, Ned’s beard bushier and rivet missing from armour.

Buzz Words - Beer, beef, bees, been, beet, beep. Kids Boot Camp 008

BEST ON THE BOX

SATURDAY MURDER IN PROVENCE

ABC, 7.30pm

Like a mimosa among a shout of whiskeys, this amiable crime comedy is light and airy with a nose for fun. It’s the antithesis to crime shows that concentrate on the dark and disturbing side of murder – if you’re fond of distractions such as Death in Paradise, this beautifully polished crime caper will tickle your fancy. The sublime French terrain and buildings set the tone, with sun and whimsy the overarching focus as chief magistrate Antoine Verlaque (Endeavour’s Roger Allam) and his glamorous criminal psychologist lover Marine Bonnet (Father Brown’s Nancy Carroll, pictured with Allam) play detective in the small town of Aix-en-Provence.

That Pacific Sports Show. (R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Silent

SUNDAY VERA

ABC, 8.30pm

The beauty of this long-running detective series –returning for its 13th season tonight – lies not just in the high-end, gorgeous Northumberland scenery cultivated with medieval churches and windswept cliffs overlooking the moody coastline.

It’s the titular detective (Brenda Blethyn, pictured), grumbling and bluntly speaking her mind, who is categorically enchanting. These three new episodes feature an admirably unguessable whodunnit involving a hit and run in a serene country lane. The return of Joe Ashworth (David Leon), who worked with Vera over a decade ago, unsettles the power dynamic and irks our otherwise unflappable, lovably unkempt lawwoman.

TUESDAY

CREATIVE TYPES WITH VIRGINIA TRIOLI

ABC, 9pm

Feed into the artistic spirit with this inspired new series fronted by the warm and inquisitive Virginia Trioli. The two-time Walkley Awardwinning journo explores the seed of artists’ creative force in this six-part series that traverses acting, performing, writing and visual arts. The exciting line-up of visionaries includes Samson & Delilah director Warwick Thornton, stage and screen star Marta Dusseldorp, comedian and Hard Quiz host Tom Gleeson, and boundary-pushing artist Patricia Piccinini. In tonight’s enchanting premiere, celebrated writer Trent Dalton (pictured with Trioli), whose book Boy Swallows Universe is now a hit miniseries on Netflix, shares how creativity saved his life.

Australia. (R)

SATURDAY, April 6

TV (2)

6.00 Morning Programs. 12.00 News. 12.25 Death In Paradise. (Mv, R) 1.25 Miniseries: Life After Life. (Final, Mal, R) 2.20 Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery. (PG, R) 2.50 Extraordinary Escapes. (PG, R) 3.40 Brian Cox’s Adventures In Space And Time. (R) 4.30 Better Date Than Never. (PG, R) 5.00 Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery. (PG, R) 5.30 Landline. (R)

6.00 Australian Story: Patient Zero – Richard Scolyer. (R)

6.30 Back Roads: Braidwood, NSW. (PG, R) Presented by Heather Ewart.

7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.

7.30 Murder In Provence. (Mav) Part 1 of 3.

9.00 Miniseries: The Suspect. (Mal) Part 1 of 5. A clinical psychologist is asked to assist in the investigation of the murder of a young woman.

9.50 House Of Gods. (Ma, R) Sheikh Mohammad departs for Mecca.

10.50 Happy Valley. (Malv, R)

11.50 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

(3)

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.50 My Unique B&B. 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Motorcycle Racing. FIM Superbike World C’ship. Round 2. H’lights. 3.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Tour Of Flanders. Men’s race. H’lights. 4.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Tour Of Flanders. Women’s race. H’lights. 5.00 Grand Tours Of Scotland’s Rivers. (PG, R) 5.35 A Cold War Of Spies.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Ireland’s Wild Islands. (PGa)

8.30 New Zealand From A Train. (R)

9.25 From Paris To Rome With Bettany Hughes. (PGaln, R)

10.20 Secrets Of The Royal Palaces. (PGa, R)

11.10 Between Two Worlds. (MA15+asv)

12.05 Miniseries: True Colours. (Malv, R)

1.59 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (PG, R)

3.00 Looking For Life On Mars. (R)

4.00 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30

ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

(6)

6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise.

10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. (PG)

12.00 Horse Racing. The Star Championships Day 1 and Caulfield Race Day.

5.00 Seven News At 5.

5.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R) Biosecurity stop a woman entering the country.

7.30 MOVIE: Raising Helen. (2004, PGal, R) A woman cares for her late sister’s children. Kate Hudson, Abigail Breslin.

10.00 MOVIE: Anna. (2019, MA15+av, R) A woman becomes a feared government assassin. Sasha Luss. 12.30 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

Harry’s Practice. (R)

Home Shopping.

Mystic. (R)

My Greek Odyssey. (PG, R)

(8)

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.00 Today

Extra: Saturday. (PG) 12.00 Great Australian Detour. (R) 12.30 Destination WA. (PG, R)

1.00 Ageless. (PGa) 1.30 Living On The Coast.

2.00 The Pet Rescuers. (PGm) 2.30 David Attenborough’s Dynasties II. (PGa, R) 3.30

(5)

6.00 To Be Advised.

7.00 The Dog House. (PGa) Two brothers are wowed by a pure husky.

8.00 Ambulance UK. (Return, Ma)

In the first of two strike days, North West Ambulance Service loses over a third of its workforce.

10.30 So Help Me Todd. (PGv, R)

Todd stumbles into a case Margaret agreed to co-counsel with Gus.

11.30 FBI: International. (Mv, R)

A lawyer is killed in a car bombing.

1.00 FBI: Most Wanted. (MA15+v, R)

The team investigates a murder spree.

1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

5.00 Hour Of Power.

SUNDAY, April 7

TV (2)

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.00 Offsiders. 10.30 World This Week. (R) 11.00 Compass. (PG, R) 11.30 Praise. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. 1.30 Gardening Aust. (R) 2.30 Dream Gardens. (R) 3.00 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.30 Cook And The Chef. (R) 3.55 Grand Designs NZ. (R) 4.40 Extraordinary Escapes. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.

6.30 Compass: Goodbye My Dog. (PG) Follows families’ final days with their dogs.

7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.

7.30 Death In Paradise. (Final, PG) A calypso singer’s husband is murdered.

8.30 Vera. (Ma) Part 1 of 3. DCI Vera Stanhope investigates after a young man is found dead following a collision with a car.

10.05 Happy Valley. (Malv, R) Tommy’s big day approaches.

11.05 Miniseries: The Suspect. (Mal, R) Part 1 of 5. 3.10 Rage Vault. (MA15+adhlnsv)

4.00 Doctor At The Door. (R)

5.00 Insiders. (R)

(3)

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.00 Vintage Voltage. (PG) 10.50 My Unique B&B. 12.00 WorldWatch. 12.30 PBS Washington Week With The Atlantic. 12.55 Trampolining. (R) 1.00 Motorcycle Racing. ProMX Australian C’ship. Round 2. 4.00 Gymnastics. FIG Artistic World Challenge Cup. H’lights. 5.35 A Cold War Of Spies. (PG)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 The Hunt For Cleopatra’s Missing Tomb. (PGa)

8.20 Treasures Of The Mediterranean Islands. (PGs, R)

9.15 Incas: The New Story. (Mad, R)

10.55 Underwater Stonehenge. (PG, R)

11.50 Ancient Metropolis. (Mav, R)

2.45 Vaccine: The Inside Story. (Ma, R)

4.25 Bamay. (R)

4.55 Destination Flavour

Scandinavia Bitesize. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.15 France 24 Feature.

5.30 Al Jazeera News.

9GO! (83) 6am Binti. (2019, PG, Dutch) 7.40 A Hero. (2021, PG, Farsi) 10.00 The Internship.

(6)

6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise.

10.00 Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Border Security: Int. (PG, R) 12.30 Football. AFL. Round 4. Gold Coast Suns v GWS Giants.

3.30 Better Homes. (R) 4.30 Border Security. (PG, R)

5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Sydney Weekender.

(8)

6.00

(5)

6.30 The Sunday Project. Panellists dissect, digest and reconstitute the daily news, events and hottest topics.

7.30 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (PGals) The celebrities share the personal stories that connect them to the charities they are playing for.

9.00 FBI. (Return, Mv) When a bus explosion kills several innocent people, the FBI team jumps into action to take down the terrorist organisation responsible. Scola tries to balance fatherhood with the job.

12.00 The Sunday Project. (R) A look at the day’s news.

1.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

MONDAY, April 8

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Landline. (R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (PG, R) 12.00 News. 12.55 Vera. (Ma, R) 2.25 Back Roads. (PG, R) 2.55 Old People’s Home For 4 Year Olds. (R) 3.55 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 4.45 Grand Designs. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.20 Earth’s Sacred Wonders. (PGa, R) 11.30 Mountain Vets. (PG) 12.10 WorldWatch. 2.10 Ancient Egypt’s Darkest Hour. (PGa, R) 3.00 Mastermind Aust. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 World’s Most Scenic River Journeys. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R)

5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

10.20 SBS World News Late.

10.50 Christian. (Malv)

11.50 My Brilliant Friend. (Mlv, R)

2.50 Mastermind Australia. (R)

3.50 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (R)

4.50 Destination Flavour: Japan Bitesize. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)

7.30 Highway Patrol. (PGl)

A group of tradies goes ballistic.

8.30 MOVIE: The Equalizer 2. (2018, MA15+v, R) A man seeks revenge after his friend is murdered.

Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal.

11.00 The Latest: Seven News.

11.30 The Clown And The Candyman. (MA15+av, R)

12.30 Grand Crew. (Return, PGadls)

2.00 Home Shopping.

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise 5am News.

5.30 Sunrise.

TUESDAY, April 9

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Foreign Correspondent. (R) 10.30 The Pacific. (R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Call The Midwife. (PGa, R) 2.00 Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 2.25 Back Roads. (PGa, R) 2.55 Old People’s Home For Teenagers. (R) 3.55 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 4.40 Grand Designs. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.15 Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs. (PGa, R) 10.15 Earth’s Sacred Wonders. (PG, R) 11.25 Mountain Vets. (PG) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.05 Ancient Egypt’s Darkest Hour. (PGa, R) 3.00 Mastermind Aust. (PG, R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 World’s Most Scenic River Journeys. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Great British Railway Journeys. (PG, R)

8.30

(8)

WEDNESDAY, April 10

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.45 Gardening Australia: My Garden Path. (R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Press Club. 1.35 Media Watch. (PG, R) 2.00 Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 2.25 Back Roads. (R) 2.55 Old People’s Home For Teenagers. (PG, R) 3.55 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 4.40 Grand Designs. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.15 Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs. (PGa, R) 10.15 Earth’s Sacred Wonders. (PGa, R) 11.25 Mountain Vets. (PGa)

12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Dateline. (R) 2.30

Insight. (R) 3.30 Destination Flavour China

Bitesize. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10

World’s Most Scenic River Journeys. (R) 5.05

Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

THURSDAY, April 11

TV (2)

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Aust Story. (R) 10.30 Compass. (PG, R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Miriam Margolyes Impossibly Australian. (Mls, R) 2.00 Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 2.25 QI. (PG, R) 2.55 Old People’s Home For Teenagers. (R) 3.55 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 4.40 Grand Designs. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

(3)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Peer To Peer. (PG, R) 9.30 Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs.

(PGa, R) 10.25 Outta Town Adventures. 11.25

Mountain Vets. (PG) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00

Alone Australia. (Ml, R) 3.00 Mastermind

Aust. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 World’s Most Scenic River Journeys. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

SBS World News. 7.35 IKEA: How Do They Really Do It? (Ml, R)

8.30 Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy. (PGa)

9.20 The Vanishing Triangle. (Final, MA15+a)

10.10 SBS World News Late.

10.40 Illegals. (Malv)

11.35 Miniseries: DI Ray. (Malv, R)

3.10 Mastermind Australia. (R)

4.15 Going Places. (R)

4.45 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGad)

7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PG)

8.30 The Front Bar. (Ml) Takes a lighter look at all things AFL.

9.30 Unbelievable Moments

Caught On Camera. (PGa) Footage of headline-grabbing moments.

10.30 The Latest: Seven News.

11.00 Talking Footy.

12.00 Parenthood. (Ma, R)

1.00 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

2.00 Home Shopping.

4.00

(8)

(6)

(8)

(5)

Louez claims Coffs Club Championship

that were watching.

On the back nine, Louez enjoyed a two stroke swing on the 12th hole to take the lead which went out to two strokes on the next hole.

Nobody else saw his ball move but the reigning champ did and he revealed his tremendous character with his admission.

on the second hole still held a three shot lead after 7

The 16th hole was drama-packed when Louez took driver off the tee and pulled his shot left into the water before making a double bogey.

Flanagan made birdie to regain the lead by just one

CONTINUED Page 28 q Adem Louez tees off during the final round of the Coffs Harbour Golf Club's Brown and Hurley Club Championship last Sunday. Photo: Green Shoots Marketing. holes. Louez birdied the par5 8th hole before Flanagan displayed incredible sportsmanship on the 9th hole when he called a one stroke penalty on himself.

Considering the final margin, it was a vital moment in the Championship but Flanagan earned the admiration of all