Billabong Park footbridge
Community stalwarts recognised
GLOUCESTER
edition of News Of The Area for a full profile of Belle.
Findlay McIntosh was CONTINUED Page 3
KOALA EDUCATION
Learning about koalas: how to
By John WATTS
IN June 2024, the MidCoast Council adopted its MidCoast Koala Strategy with the aim of
guiding the conservation and management of koalas and their habitat across the region for the next five years. As part of the strategy, the Council is conducting
surveys to identify koala populations to enable it to identify priority focus areas for conservation, recovery, action and funding.
Council employs
drones, dogs and song meters to locate the koalas.
A survey recently conducted by the Council on part of a property at Copeland found eleven koalas, which was a ratio of one koala per nine hectares. A population of Greater Gliders was also
CONTINUED Page 2
q Belle Mulder. Photos: Gloucester Australia Day.
John WATTS 0438 346 544 watts@newsofthearea.com.au
Wendy BUSWELL 0415 124 960 wendy@newsofthearea.com.au
Doug CONNOR 0431 487 679 doug@newsofthearea.com.au
EDITOR
Disaster support after storms
DISASTER recovery support has been extended to the MidCoast LGA following severe thunderstorms and intense rainfall that impacted the region from 15 January 2025.
The move follows the announcement of support for the Maitland, Port Stephens, and Snowy Valleys LGAs on 18 January.
Assistance measures that may be provided to communities through the CommonwealthState Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) include:
• Support for eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency
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accommodation.
• Grants for low income, uninsured residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain a basic standard of living.
• Grants for low income, uninsured residents to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a safe and habitable condition.
• Support for affected local councils and other agencies to help with the costs of cleaning up, keeping the community safe and restoring damaged essential public assets.
• Concessional interest rate loans for small
businesses, primary producers, and nonprofit organisations and grants to sporting and recreation clubs to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property.
• Freight subsidies for primary producers to help transport livestock and fodder.
"This assistance will ensure more communities can access essential supplies and accommodation and ensure more councils can clean up and restore assets as soon as possible,” said Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister.
“I would like to acknowledge the efforts
KOALA EDUCATION
FROM Page 1
located.
Engaging with private landowners is an important part of the fight to save the koala from extinction and, on 16 January, an event was held to assist landholders identify koala feed trees on their properties and to discuss other koala related issues.
Even though it was a hot day, the event included
a walk-and-talk field trip into the bush where participants were able to look at locally occurring koala feed trees.
The day was led by Caitlin Orr, Koala Project Officer from Council, and Isabelle Strachan, a Private Land Conservation Officer from Landcare who showed guests what to look for when searching for koalas in the wild, and how to identify common feed tree species.
The event was part of the Private Land Conservation Matters program, funded by the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust in partnership with Landcare NSW, and supported by MidCoast Council.
“About 70 percent of NSW is privately owned land, and this program’s purpose is to engage local landowners to conserve what they have on their
of first responders and the local councils who have done a fantastic job in difficult circumstances.
“The Australian and NSW governments are working hard to ensure communities get the support they need to recover.”
NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said disaster declarations like these are crucial in unlocking assistance for communities so they can begin cleaning up as quickly as possible.
“We rely on councils submitting impact assessment forms to extend this relief and I thank them for continuing to work
constructively with the NSW Reconstruction Authority,” Mr Dib said.
“The NSW Government continues to assist people and businesses to clean up debris and remain safe after the severe thunderstorms and intense rainfall.
“There have been a high number of calls to the NSW SES, and I would like to thank our incredible volunteers and emergency responders who responded to these incidents and provided vital support for the community.”
More information on disaster assistance can be found at www. disasterassist.gov.au.
properties,” Ms Strachan said.
One interesting feature of this property is that it contains a significant number of Craven Grey Box trees (Eucalyptus Largeana), which, as well as being a koala feed tree, is an endangered eucalypt.
Participants were shown how to sustainably harvest, process and store Eucalyptus seed for the purposes of propagation.
“Those taking part were very engaged and interested and asked lots of questions.
“It was a great success and more events are planned in the coming months in the MidCoast region.”
Ms Orr added: “Council is keen to hear from landowners with at least 50 hectares of bushland who would like a koala survey to be carried out on their property.”
Bucketts Way Neighbourhood Centre Newsagent
Lovey's IGA
Gloucester Library
Gloucester Caravan Park
Hebbys Bakery
Yates & Twomey
Hannaford Stock & Land Real
Barrington
Barrington Shop
q Chatting in the shade of a Craven Grey Box tree. Photo: Isabelle Strachan.
q Inspecting koala scats. Photo: Isabelle Strachan.
Billabong Park footbridge update
By John WATTS
GLOUCESTER locals will have noticed that the old flood-damaged footbridge in Billabong Park was finally removed late last year.
MidCoast Council has previously indicated that the new bridge is planned to be completed by April this year.
News Of The Area sought an update on its construction.
“The new bridge is actually being constructed off-site and will be transported in,” said a Council spokesperson.
“The community should see some action there [this] week, weather permitting, with site establishment and footings for the piers.”
The Council indicated that the components of the bridge are being constructed locally in Gloucester and that work is underway, although few details were provided, and no photo was supplied, despite it being requested.
“Future flood resilience has been considered as part
of the new design, which will include an aluminium trussframed bridge with three spans,” the spokesperson added.
“The new footbridge has also been designed to allow for shared pathway conditions and to provide for disability access.
“The $260,000 project is being funded by the Australian and NSW Governments under the Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Program.”
the Year went to “Bush Poetry in the Saleyards”, an initiative of Gloucester Rotary. J.A.S Plumbing and Gasfitting was named the Local Community Business of the Year.
q The site of the proposed Billabong Park footbridge.
q Findlay McIntosh q J.A.S Plumbing and Gasfitting.
q Bush Poetry in the Saleyards crew.
Storm scams warning
By Thomas O’KEEFE
SCAMMERS are attempting to take advantage of the recent storms and the community’s increased vulnerability.
The National Broadband Network (nbn) is one of the companies urging everyone to remain vigilant for unsolicited phone calls or messages.
“nbn has been made aware… that some residents have received phone calls from scammers impersonating nbn and asking for funds to expedite the restoration of their service,” a representative told News Of The Area.
“It is unthinkable that scammers would use this as an opportunity to target people and communities.”
“Please be aware [that] nbn will never contact customers asking for payment or any other financial information, and we urge anyone who receives one of these calls
to hang up and report it to ScamWatch immediately at scamwatch.gov.au.”
The nbn website - nbnco. com.au/learn/protectyourself-from-scams - is loaded with alert information and a list of red flags to look out for, advising that immediate action be taken if anyone believes they have been scammed.
“Do not share your bank or personal details with an unsolicited caller or with people who door-knock claiming to be from nbn trying to sell you an nbn service or seeking payment for related services, and never give an unsolicited caller remote access to your computer or mobile phone.
“Be aware that your devices can be accessed by people externally through the installation of Remote Desktop Access websites, programs or applications including, but not limited to, TeamViewer,
AnyDesk, QuickSupport, Ultra Viewer, Splashtop Streamer, Chrome Remote Desktop, Microsoft Remote Desktop, Windows Quick Assist, Supremo, AnyConnect, or Anyplace control.”
A common scammer technique is simple, yet horrifyingly effective: they call during a time of distress, heighten their victim’s panic by telling them they have a significant problem, then offer a quick and easy way to solve it,
These “quick fixes” usually involve the handing over of personal information, such as credit/debit card numbers, bank access details, personal login information.
“And scammers will happily employ high-pressure tactics to force people into a state of panic to cloud their judgement.”
The ACCC’s ScamWatch, the Federal Government’s main body for dealing with scammer
'Metaphysical Space’ to open at Gloucester Gallery
By Wendy BUSWELL
IN her latest exhibition at the Gloucester Gallery, Susana Enriquez delves into the concepts of reality, time, and space.
Susana Enriquez is an interdisciplinary artist whose works are in public and private collections in Mexico, Canada, Australia, Spain, Italy, Argentina, and the United States.
Now residing in Newcastle, Susana Enriquez began her artistic career in Mexico.
“Metaphysical Space’' is the second exhibition she has held at the Gloucester Gallery.
"I like the gallery space and the responses from the public,” she told News Of The Area.
“The first time I exhibited here, I was surprised by how many people visited the gallery.”
The title of the exhibition reflects her understanding of the term.
She defines metaphysics as "what is beyond the physical, what goes beyond what our senses can perceive and our instruments can measure."
As an abstract artist, Susana employs colour to convey meaning in her images, often applying multiple layers.
In some cases, she paints over these layers to obscure the obvious.
"It is like life," she explains.
"There are many layers; some we want to hide and some we want to show."
She uses a variety of media, such as photography, painting, and engraving, to complement the different works in the exhibition and challenge the artistic process.
Susana began this body of work by focusing on her
immediate surroundings - her studio space.
"I spend time here with the objects around me, contemplating my existence and delving into what lies behind this apparent reality."
The exhibition includes paintings and objects, which
activity, has an easy, threeword slogan that helps citizens remember what to do - “Stop. Check. Protect.”
If, for example, you receive an unsolicited call from someone claiming to work for NBNCo, or any other telco company, “Stop. Check. Protect.” would look like this:
- Stop by hanging up the call immediately, and do not give any personal information.
- Check by locating the supposed company’s official contact details, either from a known website, or from your household’s original sign-up paperwork. Call them directly to ask if they have tried to contact you.
- Protect yourself, and others, by reporting any suspected scam action to the relevant bank or financial institution, the Police, or to the Australian Cyber Security Centre.
Susana hopes will encourage viewers to think beyond the literal.
"Being an artist is a wonderful career. I love immersing myself in the creative process of making, unmaking, doing, redoing, playing with materials, discovering my capabilities and always learning."
“Metaphysical Space” opens at the Gloucester Gallery on Saturday, 1 February, with a talk by Susana at Midday. All are welcome.
Education scholarships open
By Wendy BUSWELL
JOHN Walton is passionate about education, especially when it comes to supporting young people in the Gloucester area who are pursuing further study.
In 1994, John and Peter Billins, both members of the Gloucester High School P&C, decided to advocate for the establishment of an education fund with Stratford Coal.
The Stratford Education Fund was eventually established in 1996 by Tony Haggarty, who was the CEO of Gloucester Coal at the time.
The original objective of the Education Support Fund was to provide financial assistance to local businesses and students for training and apprenticeships.
John, Peter and Tony recognised the importance of retaining students in the Gloucester Valley by offering them opportunities to gain skills and qualifications for future employment.
Over the years, the fund's focus has expanded to include support for students wishing to pursue tertiary education.
"Since its inception, the fund has supported over 200 tertiary students, 130 apprentices, and 60 businesses," John told News Of The Area.
An independent committee, which includes representatives from the Gloucester community, Gloucester High School, and MidCoast Council, has been established to oversee the operations of the fund.
John Cullen, Operations Manager for Stratford Coal, said in a recent statement, "We are proud to provide ongoing support to local students to help kick-start their careers and create a pathway towards future employment."
Applications are open, with the deadline extended to mid-February.
The funding round includes several categories:
- Tertiary Assistance scholarships for current school leavers, valued at up to $3000. Previous school leavers can apply for up to $2000.
- Students enrolling in TAFE courses can apply for $1000.
- Assistance for school-based traineeships is valued at $500.
- Local businesses can receive support for apprenticeships/traineeships valued at up to $6000 over three years. "We encourage students who need assistance with their education to apply," John said.
"There is a total of $30,000 in the funding pool, so we can support several people."
Application forms are available at the MidCoast Council Gloucester and Stroud offices or on the Stratford Coal website, where you can find links to the Education Support Fund.
q Dr Susan Enriquez. Photo: supplied.
Apprentice incentive not enough to meet housing targets
By Jacob SHTEYMAN, AAP
AN
But as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faces an election campaign in which housing affordability is set to be a key issue, his government's record has little to show.
Housing Accord target of 1.2 million new homes by 2029 is looking increasingly unlikely to be realised, with dwelling completions still well short of the required rates.
While they have hit the right rhetoric in identifying
the need to increase supply, the delivery has been lacking, says Peter Tulip, chief economist at think tank the Centre for Independent Studies.
With the next federal election due to be held by May 17, Mr Albanese defended his government's record at the National Press Club on Friday, where he also announced new incentives to bolster the construction workforce.
Eligible apprentices in housing construction or clean energy will be given $10,000 in payments, delivered in $2000 instalments at the six, 12, 24 and 36-month milestones, and upon completion, to support retention throughout the training process.
The Housing Industry Association and Master Builders Australia, who both provide training programs for aspiring builders that will be able to access the funding, welcomed the announcement.
But more has to be done to attract the 83,000 additional tradies needed to meet the
Housing Accord targets, said the association's managing director Jocelyn Martin.
Retention is also an issue, as one in two apprentices fail to complete their studies.
Many young people are being discouraged by the arduous nature of working in construction, says Ante Susic, a builder at Chapman Constructions in Canberra.
He oversees one apprentice undertaking an industry-based mentoring program with the HIA, which he feels provides a better level of support.
"If you go through TAFE you're not getting the same experience," he told AAP.
Dr Tulip believes the 1.2 million new homes target is still achievable, but not under the government's existing policies.
NSW and Victoria were leading the country in this regard, with ambitious housing targets and rezonings to encourage more development, but have had little support from the federal government.
"In fact, federal Labor MPs are opposing new building in their electorates," Dr Tulip said, citing antidevelopment campaigns by Michele Rowland and
Andrew Charlton.
Meanwhile, Housing Minister Clare O'Neil has openly admitted in an interview with ABC's Triple J she wants house prices to keep rising "sustainably" instead of coming down.
"That's exactly the wrong message from what needs to be sent and that communication, to be credible, needs to be backed with money," Dr Tulip said.
The opposition's promise to spend $5 billion on housing-friendly infrastructure, which the industry says will deliver half a million homes, is a more efficient way of delivering housing supply, he argued.
The government's $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund, promises to deliver 40,000 new homes.
That's not a whole lot more than the 25,000 new homes promised by the government for a $182 million investment in enabling infrastructure unveiled last Wednesday.
"Often council approval is not forthcoming because of an absence of infrastructure," Dr Tulip said.
"So for relatively modest sums, you can unlock very large amount of housing."
Authorised by Dave Layzell MP,
q Building industry bodies have welcomed the government's announcement of new funding for apprentices. Photo: Julian Smith/AAP PHOTOS.
Ageing 'coal clunkers' posing power outage risk
By Alex MITCHELL and Poppy JOHNSTON, AAP
FRESH warnings Australia's coal generation fleet is ageing and becoming less reliable come as the federal government dials up its clean energy commitment with a $2 billion top-up for the national green bank.
More than 60 percent of Australia's coal power stations are over four decades old, an advanced age Climate Councillor and energy expert Greg Bourne says increases the chance of unplanned outages.
"Clapped-out coal clunkers are making it harder to keep the lights on," Mr
The release of the Climate Councilcommissioned research, produced by consulting firm Baringa, follows Labor's announcement to provide an additional $2 billion for the government-owned green bank.
Federal ministers believe
the top-up for the Clean Energy Finance Corporation should unlock $6 billion of private investment in renewables and clean technology, and help lower household energy prices.
"The world is shifting to net zero… there are big opportunities and big benefits for Australia, so long
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as it acts now to make the most of demand for clean energy and inputs globally," Energy Minister Chris Bowen said.
The announcement comes days after US President Donald Trump pulled his country out of the Paris climate agreement, vowed to halt new offshore wind farm approvals and signed orders speeding up drilling for fossil fuels.
Mr Bowen used the announcement to distance his government's energy strategy from the opposition's nuclear-focused agenda.
"Meanwhile, (Opposition Leader) Peter Dutton's only answer to how he'd make things better is to throw this opportunity away, cancel the programs and the projects that are working to make Australia better right now, and wait 20 years to build the world's most expensive form of power," Mr Bowen said.
Mr Dutton has been defending the $330 billion nuclear energy blueprint he announced to build seven reactors across five states, costing each of Australia's 13.6 million taxpayers more than $24,200.
Analysis by the national science agency CSIRO and the Australian Energy Market Operator agreed nuclear energy generation would be up to twice as expensive as large-scale solar.
But the opposition leader maintains as the federal government's "renewablesonly" policy is leading to high power prices for households and businesses.
Baringa Partners' Peter Sherry said his firm's analysis of the coal power fleet suggests most of the nation's generation will be replaced by renewables and firming technologies like storage within the next 10 years, given the advanced age of the fleet.
"Our analysis finds that coal generators in the National Electricity Market become less available with age, particularly beyond 40 years of age," he said.
Coal generators' availability to produce electricity drops off after the 40-year mark, according to the analysis, from 81 percent to 65 percent, on average.
Coal outages were also linked to broader blackout risks.
At times when the Australian Energy Market Operator has flagged the risk of power demand exceeding supply - signalling a higher threat of power outages - coal was typically "significantly less available".
NSW and Victoria were particularly prone to reliability mishaps with the oldest coal stations in the country.
Authorised by David Gillespie, Cnr Cameron St and Oxley Hwy, Wauchope NSW 2446
Bourne said.
q Australia's ageing coal-fired power stations increase the chances of blackouts, experts say. Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS.
BEST ON THE BOX
SATURDAY
MOVIE: ELVIS (2022)
NBN, 7.30pm
Baz Luhrmann’s kaleidoscopic biopic about the king of rock’n’roll, played brilliantly by Austin Butler (pictured), is seen through the eyes of Elvis Presley’s duplicitous manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks). Parker narrates the story of Presley’s life, from early days growing up obsessed with gospel music to his meteoric rise as a singing and acting megastar, right through to his tumultuous marriage to Priscilla (Olivia DeJonge) and his troubled later years. Luhrmann’s trademark frenetic directing style is on full display here, but the most memorable sequence is a less showy one which depicts the filming of Presley’s 1968 comeback special.
FRIDAY, January 31
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)
7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.
7.30 Monty Don’s History Of The British Garden: The 20th Century. (Final, R) Monty Don concludes his journey.
8.30 Silent Witness. (Masv) The team works on a suspected suicide. 10.15 Optics. (Ml, R)
10.45 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)
11.20 ABC Late News.
11.35 Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee (NZ) (PG, R)
12.20 Grand Designs. (R)
1.10 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv)
5.00 Rage. (PG)
Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 Teen Titans Go! 8.00 Scooby-Doo And Guess Who? 8.25 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 8.50 Robot Wars. 9.50 Doctor Who. 10.40 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22)
SUNDAY
AUSTRALIAN IDOL
SEVEN, 7pm
Singing sensations from around the country take notice: this season, it’s not just a standout voice that superstar judges Marcia Hines, Kyle Sandilands and Amy Shark (pictured) are in the market for. In the third edition of this reality reboot, only a singer with a distinct sound, style and star quality will do. Long gone are the days when karaoke heroes or delusional hopefuls who can’t carry a tune merited airtime – nowadays, Idol is all killer, no filler. A new round of auditions begins tonight, with just 30 “golden tickets” – the only route to the next stage – up for grabs. Mild-mannered student and checkout chick Iilysh from Culcairn, NSW, kicks things off with a powerhouse performance of “You Oughta Know”. Definitely one to watch.
SUNDAY THE NEWSREADER
ABC TV, 8.30pm
From wardrobe to set design, this awardwinning Aussie drama set in a 1980s TV newsroom has always done an exceptional job of recreating the glitzy period. But the production team really ups the ante for this season three premiere that takes viewers back to the 1989 Logies, with stretch limousines and shoulder pads for days. News at star Dale Jennings (Sam Reid) has well and truly cemented his position as a media personality and is up for the coveted Gold Logie. Meanwhile, his former lover and colleague Helen (Anna Torv, pictured) has secured her very own current affairs program and finds herself in direct competition with her ex and old crew.
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 MOVIE: Argo. (2012, Mlv, R) 9.55 Rock Legends: David Bowie. (PG, R) 10.25 SBS World News Late.
10.55 Bonn. (Premiere, Mav)
11.50 Kin. (MA15+lv, R)
1.45 Home Is Where The Art Is. (R)
2.35 22 Kids And Counting. (PGa, R)
3.30 Death On The Common: My Mother’s Murder. (Ma, R)
4.25 Bamay. (R) 4.55 Destination Flavour. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Cricket. First Test. Sri Lanka v Australia. Day 3. Afternoon session. 8.10 Sri Lanka Vs Australia: Tea Break. Takes a look at the day of play so far in the First Test between Sri Lanka and Australia.
8.30 Cricket. First Test. Sri Lanka
v Australia. Day 3. Late afternoon session. From Galle International Stadium, Sri Lanka. 11.00 Ambulance: Code Red. (Ma, R)
12.00 Dr Harry’s Animal Encounters. (PG, R)
1.00 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 5.00 NBC Today.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo. (PG)
8.30 MOVIE: The Intern. (2015, Mal, R) Robert De Niro. 11.00 My Life As A Rolling Stone. (Mad, R)
12.10 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
1.00 Explore TV: Trade Routes Of The Middle Ages. (R)
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)
4.30 Global Shop. (R)
5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
5.30 The Garden Gurus. (R)
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Contestants compete in a high-stakes game where they must beat The Banker to win a cash prize.
6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 MOVIE: Bumblebee. (2018, Mlv, R) After the fall of Cybertron, the Autobot Bumblebee befriends a teenage girl in California in the ’80s. Hailee Steinfeld, John Cena. 9.50 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather. 10.15 The Project. (R) A look at the day’s news. 11.20 The Late
6.00
SATURDAY, February 1
6.00 Dr Karl’s How Things Work: Cricket Balls. (R) Dr Karl learns how cricket balls are made.
6.30 Back Roads: Kandos, NSW. (PG, R) Presented by Heather Ewart.
7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.
7.30 Beyond Paradise. (PGa) An arsonist targets three businesses.
8.30 Vera. (Ma, R) After a local teacher is found dead at the bottom of a cliff-side coastal walkway in what appears to be a terrible accident, Vera uncovers evidence that the body may have been tampered with. 11.35 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
6am Children’s Programs. 5.55pm Paddington. 6.05 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts. 6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Riley Rocket. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Good Game Spawn Point. 7.50 MOVIE: Gangsta Granny Strikes Again! (2022) 8.50 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.30 Speechless. 9.55 Officially Amazing. 10.20 Dragon Ball Super. 10.45 Late Programs.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Magical Train Journeys In Switzerland. (Mn)
8.30 Cotswolds And Beyond With Pam Ayres. (PGa, R)
9.20 Great Australian Walks
With Julia Zemiro. (PG, R)
10.15 Ruby Wax: Castaway. (Final, Mal, R)
11.10 Everything You Love. (Mals, R)
2.35 Home Is Where The Art Is. (R)
3.25 Love Your Garden. (PGa, R)
4.20 Peer To Peer. (PG, R)
4.50 Destination Flavour: Singapore Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Cricket. First Test. Sri Lanka v Australia. Day 4. Afternoon session.
8.10 Sri Lanka Vs Australia: Tea Break. Takes a look at the day of play so far in the First Test between Sri Lanka and Australia.
8.30 Cricket. First Test. Sri Lanka v Australia. Day 4. Late afternoon session. From Galle International Stadium, Sri Lanka.
11.00 MOVIE: Morbius. (2022, Malv, R) Jared Leto.
1.00 Dr Harry’s Animal Encounters. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 It’s Academic. (R)
5.00 My Greek Odyssey. (PG, R)
6.00
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 MOVIE: Elvis. (2022, Mal) The life of Elvis Presley. Austin Butler, Tom Hanks.
10.35 Becoming Madonna. (MA15+als, R) A retelling of Madonna’s journey.
12.25 Australia’s Top Ten Of Everything. (PGa, R)
1.20 Destination WA. (R)
1.45 My Way. (R)
2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PG)
2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.30 Global Shop. (R)
5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Helping Hands. (PG)
6.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated by Dr Chris Brown. 8.30 The Dog House. (PGa, R) Follows a team of matchmakers as they pair homeless dogs with hopeful companions. A frisky French bulldog gets attached to a couple. Wood Green’s unluckiest dog, Peaches, has not just one, but two dates. 9.30 Ambulance Australia. (Mad, R) NSW Ambulance crews race to a call for a slashed throat and perform life-saving CPR on teens. 10.30 Ambulance UK. (M, R) First responders attend to elderly patients. 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.
6am The Man
SUNDAY, February 2
6.00 Antiques Roadshow. (PG, R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Muster Dogs: Collies And Kelpies. (Return, PG)
8.30 The Newsreader. (Return, Ml) In 1989, Helen and Dale are forced into direct competition as they fight to become number one.
9.25 Love Me. (Return, MA15+s)
10.10 MOVIE: Sirens. (1994, MA15+ans, R) Hugh Grant.
11.45 You Can’t Ask That. (Mal, R)
12.15 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
3.05 Australia Remastered. (R)
4.00 Gardening Australia. (R)
5.00 The Great Acceleration. (PG, R)
6am Children’s Programs. 5.35pm Peter Rabbit. 5.45 Hey Duggee. 5.55 Paddington. 6.05 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts. 6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Riley Rocket. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Moominvalley. 8.00 Horrible Histories. 8.30 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.10 Speechless. 9.55 Doctor Who. 11.25 Late Programs.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Mysteries Of Stonehenge. (Mav)
9.20 Legends Of The Pharaohs: Birth Of The Tutankhamun Dynasty. (Mav, R)
10.20 Great British Landmark Fixers. (PGa, R)
11.15 Signed, Theo Schoon.
1.10 MOVIE: Radioactive. (2019, Mavw, R)
3.05 Love Your Garden. (PGa, R)
4.00 Peer To Peer. (R)
4.30 Bamay. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.15 France 24 Feature.
5.30 Al Jazeera News.
4.25 PBS Washington Week. 4.50 Queer Sports. 5.45 Domino Masters. 6.40 Abandoned Engineering. 8.30 The UnXplained With William Shatner. 10.10 Deadly Funny 2023. 11.15 Hoarders. 12.55am The X-Files. 3.40 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera. 6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Escape To The Country. Noon Horse Racing. Southern Cross Stakes Day, Caulfield Members Day and Doomben Raceday. 5.30 The Lunch Break. 6.10 Cricket. First Test. Sri Lanka v Australia. Day 4. Afternoon session. 7.00 Dog Patrol. 7.30 The Yorkshire Vet. 8.30 Escape To The Country. 9.30 I Escaped To The Country. 10.30 Australia’s Amazing Homes.
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(64) SBS MOVIES (32) SBS MOVIES (32)
Who Invented Christmas. Continued. (2017, PG) 7.50 Flash Of Genius. (2008, PG) 10.00 I’m Not There. (2007, M) 12.30pm The Space Between The Lines. (2019, M, German) 2.45 Kung Fu Yoga. (2017, PG) 4.45 An Ideal Husband. (1999, PG) 6.35 Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael. (1990, PG) 8.30 The Royal Hotel. (2023, MA15+) 10.10 Lonesome. (2022, MA15+) Midnight Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 7.10 Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael. (1990, PG) 9.05 Shaolin Soccer. (2001, PG, Cantonese) 11.10 Miss Marx. (2020, M) 1.10pm Grand Piano. (2013, M) 2.50 Riding Alone For Thousands Of Miles. (2005, PG, Japanese) 4.50 Courted. (2015, PG, French) 6.40 Toast. (2010, PG) 8.30 Close. (2022, M, Dutch) 10.30 Miracle. (2021, M, Romanian) 12.40am Late Programs.
6.00 Morning Programs. 2.00 The Women’s Ashes Pre-Game Show. 2.30 Cricket. The Women’s Ashes. Test Match. Australia v England. Day 4. Afternoon session. (Please note: alternative schedule may be shown due to changes to cricket coverage). 4.00 Better Homes And Gardens Summer. (R) 5.00 News. 5.30 Weekender.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Australian Idol. (Return, PGl)
8.50 Billy Joel Live At Madison Square Garden. (PGl) A concert celebrating Billy Joel’s 100th consecutive performance at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
10.50 April Jones: The Interrogation Tapes. (MA15+a, R)
12.20 Friday Night Lights. (Madsv, R)
1.20 Travel Oz. (PG, R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
NBC Today.
Sunrise Early News.
Sunrise.
6am Morning Programs. 1pm Bathurst 12 Hour. Qualification and support races. 3.00 Bathurst 12 Hour. Qualification and support races. 3.30 Cricket. The Women’s Ashes. Test Match. Aust v England. Afternoon. (Alt schedule may be shown). 4.30 Tea Break. 5.00 The Women’s Ashes. Test Match. Aust v England. Late arvo. 7.00 Dinner Break. 7.30 The Women’s Ashes. Aust v England. Evening session. 10.00 Late Programs. 6am Motor Racing. Bathurst 12 Hour. Continued. Noon Motor Racing. Bathurst
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 Married At First Sight. (PGls) 8.40 60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating, analysing and uncovering the issues affecting all Australians.
9.40 9News Late. 10.10 See No Evil: Nowhere Girl. (Mav) A look at the murder of Dioneth Lopez. 11.10 The Brokenwood Mysteries. (Mav) 1.00 Destination WA. (PG, R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 Fishing Australia. (R) 5.00 Today Early News.
Today.
ABC FAMILY (22) ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s Programs. 1.30pm Young Sheldon. 2.30 Surfing Aust. 3.00 Surf Boat Tsunami. 4.00 Rugby Sevens Highlights. 5.10 MOVIE: The Flintstones. (1994) 7.00 MOVIE: Trolls World Tour. (2020) 8.45 MOVIE: Zookeeper. (2011, PG) 10.50 MOVIE: Locked Down. (2021, M) 1.10am The Originals. 3.00 Teen Titans Go! 3.30 Beyblade X. 4.00 Transformers: Prime. 4.30 Pokémon: XYZ. 4.50 Late Programs. 6am Children’s Programs. 12.30pm Basketball. WNBL. Bendigo Spirit v Southside Flyers. 2.30 Young Sheldon. 3.00 MOVIE: Flight Of The Navigator. (1986) 5.00 MOVIE: Short Circuit. (1986, PG) 7.00 MOVIE: Three Amigos! (1986, PG) 9.05 MOVIE: Lethal Weapon 4. (1998, MA15+) 11.35 Gotham. 12.35am Arrow. 2.30 Teen Titans Go! 3.30 Beyblade X. 4.00 Bakugan: Legends. 4.30 Late Programs.
6.00 The Sunday Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.00 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out
9GO! (83) 9GO! (83)
MONDAY, February 3
6.00
7.35 Madrid With Michael Portillo. (Premiere, PG)
8.25 Wilderness With Simon Reeve. (Premiere, PGa)
9.35 Inside Sydney Airport. (PGad, R)
10.35 SBS World News Late.
11.05 Clean Sweep. (Malsv)
12.05 Wisting. (MA15+v, R) 1.00 You Shall Not Lie. (MA15+als, R) 2.45 Home Is Where The Art Is. (R) 3.35 22 Kids And Counting. (PGal, R) 4.25 Peer To Peer. (R) 4.55 Destination Flavour: Singapore Bitesize. (PG, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
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6am Children’s Programs. 6.05pm Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts. 6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 The Deep. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Dr Karl’s How Things Work. 8.35 BTN Newsbreak. 8.40 Hard Quiz Kids. 9.10 The Wonderful World Of Puppies. 9.55 Merlin. 10.40 Late
TUESDAY, February 4
6am Toast.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) Eden wants answers from Cash.
7.30 Australian Idol. (PGl) It is day two of the auditions. 9.15 St. Denis Medical. (Premiere, PGals) Matt’s first day as a nurse is not going as planned.
10.15 First Dates UK. (M) Singles experience the thrills of dating.
11.15 Lopez Vs. Lopez. (Return, PG)
12.15 Friday Night Lights. (Madsv, R) 2.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls)
9.00 Australian Crime Stories. (Return, Mlv)
10.00 9News Late.
10.30 Forensics: Murder Scene. (Premiere, MA15+av)
11.30 First On Scene. (Maln, R) 12.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 12.50 Hello SA. (PG)
1.20 Talking Honey. (PGa) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Who Do You Think You Are? (PGa, R)
8.35 Irresistible: Why We Can’t Stop Eating. (PG)
10.05 The Artist’s View. (Mls, R)
10.35 SBS World News Late.
11.05 Beyond Signs. (MA15+a)
12.05 Fargo. (Mlv, R)
2.00 Home Is Where The Art Is. (R) 2.50 Inside The Modelling Agency. (R) 3.45 Peer To Peer. (R) 4.15 Bamay. (R) 4.55 Destination Flavour: Singapore Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
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(64) SBS MOVIES (32) SBS MOVIES (32)
Continued. (2010, PG) 7.15 An Ideal Husband. (1999, PG) 9.05 Courted. (2015, PG, French) 10.55 Miracle. (2021, M, Romanian) 1.05pm From The Vine. (2019, M) 2.50 The Movie Show. 3.25 Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael. (1990, PG) 5.20 Goal! (2005, PG) 7.30 One Night In Miami… (2020, M) 9.35 Saint Omer. (2022, M, Wolof) 11.50 Late Programs. 5.50am Goal! (2005, PG) 6am Goal! Continued. (2005, PG) 8.00 Riding Alone For Thousands Of Miles. (2005, PG, Japanese) 10.00 Close. (2022, M, Dutch) 11.55 One Night In Miami… (2020, M) 2pm Toast. (2010, PG) 3.50 Binti. (2019, PG, Dutch) 5.30 Goal! 2: Living The Dream. (2007, PG) 7.40 The Tracker. (2002, M) 9.30 Full Time. (2021, M, French) 11.05 Annie’s Fire. (2022, M, French) 1.20am Late Programs.
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6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PG) Leah is a fully fledged activist. 7.30 Australian Idol. (PGl) Hosted by Ricki-Lee and Scott Tweedie.
9.15 The Hunting Party. (Premiere, Mav) When a serial killer escapes custody, a disgraced FBI agent is called back into action to hunt him down.
10.15 The Irrational. (Return, Mav)
12.15 Friday Night Lights. (Madsv, R) 1.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
WEDNESDAY, February 5
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 The Real Crown: Inside The House Of Windsor. (PG, R)
8.30 Wonders Of The Moon With Dara Ó Briain.
9.25 Miniseries: Playing Nice. (Mal)
10.20 SBS World News Late.
10.50 Pagan Peak. (MA15+av) 11.40 Rogue Heroes. (MA15+lsv, R) 12.50 Agent Hamilton. (MA15+v, R) 2.30 Home Is Where The Art Is. (R) 3.20 Inside The Modelling Agency. (Ml, R) 4.15 Peer To Peer. (R) 4.45 Destination Flavour: Singapore Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
VICELAND (31)
6am Children’s Programs. 5.45pm Hey Duggee. 5.55 Paddington. 6.05 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts. 6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom. 7.00 The Deep. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Operation Ouch! 8.35 BTN Newsbreak. 8.40 Doctor Who. 10.55 Late Programs.
THURSDAY, February 6
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PG)
7.30 The 1% Club UK. (Return, PG)
8.30 Ludwig. (Premiere, Ma) The life of puzzle setter John “Ludwig” Taylor is upended when his identical twin disappears.
11.00 The Suspects: True Australian Thrillers. (Mlv, R)
12.00 Black-ish. (PGa, R)
1.00 Harry’s Practice. (R)
1.30 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
7TWO (62)
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls)
9.00 Big Miracles. (Return, Mam) 10.00 9News Late.
10.30 Casualty 24/7. (Mm, R) 11.30 The Equalizer. (Mv, R) 12.15 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.05 Cybershack. (PG, R)
TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R)
6am Children’s Programs. 5.55pm Paddington. 6.05 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Finding Your Roots.
8.30 Scotland’s Poshest Train: Alan Cumming. (Premiere, PG)
9.30 The Darkness. (Malsv)
10.20 SBS World News Late.
10.50 Divided We Stand. (Ml)
12.40 Blanca. (Malv, R)
2.40 Barkley Manor. (PG, R)
3.05 Inside The Modelling Agency. (Ml, R) 4.05 Peer To Peer. (a, R)
4.35 Bamay. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
VICELAND (31)
6am The Movie Show. 6.10 Goal! 2: Living The Dream. (2007, PG) 8.20 Binti. (2019, PG, Dutch) 10.00 Under The Stars Of Paris. (2020, M, French) 11.35 Saint Omer. (2022, M, Wolof) 1.50pm Goal! (2005, PG) 4.00 Spitfire. (2018, PG) 5.50 Skating To New York. (2013, PG) 7.35 Rob The Mob. (2014, M) 9.30 The Sitting Duck. (2022, M, Hungarian) 11.45 Late Programs. 6am
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Home And Away. (PGav) Harper puts on a brave face. Eden comes clean. Levi challenges Cash to step up.
8.30 MOVIE: Bridget Jones’s Diary. (2001, Mlv, R) A British woman, struggling with various romantic entanglements, documents a year of her life through her diary. Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant.
10.45 To Be Advised.
12.45 Damnation. (Premiere, MA15+asv)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
Emergency. (Return, Mlm)
A+E After Dark.
HERBICIDE SPRAYING
MidCoast Council will be carrying out a range of herbicide spraying activities in various waterways, open drains, and retention ponds; on roadsides and reserves; and on sporting fields, parks, pools surrounds, cemeteries and Council building surrounds within the entire MidCoast region during February, March and April 2025.
These activities will be targeting general vegetation, grasses, reeds, bindii, broadleaf and annual and perennial environmental weeds and each program is subject to weather conditions. Only qualified operators will be undertaking works.
On the roadsides and reserves, subject to availability and need, registered herbicides Weedmaster Duo, Sixgun 360, Biochoice 360, Glymac 360 (360g/L glyphosate), and/or Metsun 600, Lynx WG, metmac 600, Kenzon and/or Grazon extra will be used as per the requirements of the label and APVMA off label permit 9907 where applicable.
In various waterways and retention ponds Herbicides Weedmaster Duo, Sixgun 360, Biochoice 360 and/or Glymac 360 (360g/L glyphosate) will be used as per the requirements of the label and APVMA off label permit 9907 where applicable and as a precaution residents are advised to refrain from using, drinking or swimming in the water for two weeks following treatments.
Registered herbicides, chemicals Spearhead, Kamba M and Broadside will be used as per label directions on sporting fields, parks, pools surrounds, cemeteries, reserves and Council building surrounds.
Scheduled areas will be assessed individually and treated as required. Individual areas will be sign-posted at the times of treatment in commonly accessed areas. A list of areas to be treated is available by calling MidCoast Council on 7955 7777.
On theCouch
Email Jasminda: media@newsofthearea.com.au
DEAR Jasminda
,
Why can't the other members in my family replace the toilet roll with a new one?
Invariably there is an empty roll sitting on the windowsill or the floor. How hard can it be?
Betina M.
Dear Betina,
It was a relief to receive your message because I'd been reading about the effect of arctic glaciers on sea levels and female hostages being freed from armed forces and the confounding
situation of Trump's return to office, when I was brought back to the pressing impact of toilet paper etiquette. Thank you.
I'd never really thought too much about toilet paper until people started panic buying it during the pandemic.
It seems confounding now that some members of the community were racing past supplies of pantry staples like rice and flour to stock up on an item that has feasible alternatives including newspaper, gum leaves and the garden hose.
I was quite glad during this experience that I'd been involved in many extreme camping adventures as a child.
Nothing creates life skills better than a week stuck in the bush with some two-minute noodles, an axe, a litre of water and a flimsy tent.
Toilet paper was the last thing on our family's mind.
Now, to your issue.
Perhaps your less resilient family members don't recall the desperation of a toilet paper shortage.
Maybe they lack an appreciation of the convenience of a plentiful supply of four-ply toilet paper.
They may need to experience a shortage to reinvigorate the value they place on this household item.
May I suggest you put your toilet roll supplies under lock and key?
Soon you will hear the plaintive mid-ablution cries of, 'Mum, can you chuck me a roll of toilet paper?' to which you will be able to reply: 'Last time I looked, we'd run out."
Soon toilet paper will be reinstated as an essential item in your home and you will never again have to worry about being the sole toilet paper replacement officer. It is a duty best shared.
Carpe diem, Jasminda.
The faces of Australia Day in Gloucester
A selection of the Gloucester locals who attended official Australia Day celebrations at the Gloucester Showgrounds on Sunday, 26 January. Photos: Gloucester Australia Day.
Big field in Saturday Gloucester Golf
By Peter WILDBLOOD
THERE was a near capacity field on show at the Gloucester Golf Course on Saturday 25 January.
The event was sponsored by Graeme Marsh and Dave Boehman of D&B Plumbing
The event, a Four Ball Better Ball Stableford, was played in fine and warm
conditiuons although bunkers were still ouit of play as a result of the rain a week or so previously.
The winners were two visitors, Jim Bird and Gary Elsey who turned in a combined score of 47 Stableford points with Gary scoring 40 points in his own right to win the trophy for the top individual score. The
runners up were Ryan Yates and Heyden Cornall 46 on a countback. The top team of women golfers were Dale Rabbett and Sally Higgins with their combined 39 points Balls were won by Gary Elsey and John Bird 47, Ryan Yates and Heyden Cornall, Doug Barron and Steve Burns 46, Dave Robbins and Ben Veitch 45, Paul Coote
Chris Clarke wins Vets Golf
By Peter WILDBLOOD
TUESDAY 21 January the Gloucester veteran Golfers played an Individual Stroke event with a putting competition run in conjunction.
The event, sponsored by Carolyn Davies, attracted a modest field and was played in heavy conditions after the drenching the area received the previous week.
The winner, with net score
of 73 was Chris Clarke; he was followed by runner up Derek Wand whose 74 was a mere count back ahead of the leading ball winner, Rod Burrows 74; he was followed by Ken Kelly and Mark Stone 75, and Arthur Poynting and Gary Peters 76. Colin Ware won the associated putting competition with 29 putts although he needed a count back to do so.
The Nearest-to-the-Pins were won by Chris Clarke at the 4th and 13th holes after finishing 918 cm from the hole. At the 6th and 15th holes Arhtur Poynting was closest at 267 cm.
On Tuesday 28 January Di and Derek Bardwell sponsor a Four Ball Better Ball Stableford and the following Tuesday there will be an Individual Stableford sponsored by Amanda Robertson.
Gloucester Men's Bowls Report
By George WISEMANTEL
THURSDAY social bowls presented a good field of thirty six players but some may have wished they had stayed home to do housework with Rob Heininger, Ian Tull, Paul Sheridan having a stroll in the park over Tony Tersteeg, Norm McLeod, Michael Way 25-13 (17+12) only conceding four ends of the first seventeen, runners up were Mark Groves, Craig
Yates, George Wisemantel def Mark Tull, Steven Higgins, Ron Jones 23-15 (17+8) Mike sheely, Adrian Rovere, Charlie Faulkner def Kevin Everett, Don Mehieloff, Karl Weiss 2720 (17+7) Peter Sansom, Ken Bryant (returning from a spell) Chris Pritchard def Col Beattie, Gordon Pritchard, Rob Cushway 1811 (16+7) Robert Hayes, Alex Laurie, Terry Davies def Vic Hebblewhite, Steve Kriss, Neville Atkins 21-15 (16+6) after having a massive lead of 21-3 after 15 ends and Kevin
Burley, Jody Thompson, Max Stevens def Bob Charman, Paul Young, Phil Ellis 22-21 (15+1)
Saturday bowls resulted in a win for Adrian Rovere and Rob Cushway who def Dennis Bartlett, Debbie Cushway 28-9 (16+19) Stephen Hurworth, Ron Jones def Ian Tull, Terry Davies 19-8 (15+11) and Steve Kriss, Anne Andrews def John Andrews, Julie Kriss 16-14 (13+2)
The first round of the W. T. Howard sponsored mixed fours has been completed
and Brian Osborne 43, Liam Walmsley and Dennis Walmsley 43, and by Jim Spencer and Kev Arney 41.
The Nearest-to-the-Pin at the 4th and 13th holes was won by Ben Veitch in A grade, Geoff Reynolds in B grade, by Paul Griffiths in C grade; they finished 330 cm, 800 cm and 490 cm from the hole respectively. Dale Rabbett
finished 790 cm away to claim the women’s trophy. At the 6th and 15th holes Steve Burns, 192 cm, Glen Wright 998 am, Paul Griffiths, 661 cm, and Gai Falla 447 cm took home the trophies for the men and women players.
The long drive trophies at the 8th and 17th holes were won by Paul Blanch, Brendon Murray and Mark Garner in the men’s grades and by Dale Rabbett in the women’s field.
The Super Sevens for the week ending Friday 24
January was won by Rod Burrows with 17 Stableford points and balls were won by Chris Steele, Bill Murray, Rob Moore and Ken Kelly all scoring 16 points.
On Saturday 1 February the Gloucester Golf Club will be playing the Monthly Medal, an Individual Stroke event sponsored by the Arkwood family. The following week Avon Valley Concreting sponnsor an Individual Stableford.
Gloucester Lady Bowlers
By Jennifer BURLEY
WEDNESDAY 22nd, we managed to play 1 game of Triples and 1 game of 4s with a " swinger" for social players as the forecast for hot weather, holidays and Championships take a toll of our girls. Karen Heiningher, Penny Gibson and Paula Standen 15 had a narrow win over Julie Kriss, Suzanne Cross and Bev Germon 14 in the Triples . And in the 4 s. Gina Dalmulder (swinger) Jill Everett , Jenny Burley and Di Pritchard 18 scraped home over Gina, Lorraine Ratcliffe, Jenny Stevens and Del Buckton 14 and with a draw of the cards Bev
with most games being very closely contested. Louise Clements, Col Hebblewhite (sub), Joe Pfeifer, Karen Heininger def Mark Groves, Max Stevens, Penny Gibson, Jenny Stevens 28-14 after being twelve all on end 13, Rob Heininger, Del Buckton, Sue Cross, Dennis Bartlett def Kevin Everett, Mike Sheely, Judy Sheely, Jill Everett 19-
Germon's were the victors. The draw has been done for the Mixed Triples and will be displayed on the notice board with 1 match only to be played on Wednesdays 5th February,that being Karen Heiningher,Del Buckton and Rob Heiningher to play Jenny Burley, Mark Tull and Mark Groves. The winner of that match will play the following Wednesday 12th against Paula Standen,Alec Laurie and Joe Pfiefer. The other teams also play on the 12th. Suzanne Cross,Joy and Steven Hurworth versus Jill Everett,Bev Germon and Kevin Everett Jenny and Max Stevens and George Wisemantle play Joan
15 by picking up four shots on the last two ends, Allen Rose, Neville Atkins, Bev Germon, Jenny Burley had a comfortable win over Don Mehieloff, Terry Davies, Paula Standen, Patty West 32-10 and Tony Tersteeg, George Wisemantel, Bev Murray, Joan Ridgeway had to fight all the way to defeat an in form Joy Haworth playing
Sate and Nightingale win Women’s Golf
By Carolyn DAVIES
Ridgeway,Neville Atkins and Tony Tersteeg. And Ian Tull, Bev Murray and John Andrews take on Judy and Mike Sheely and Terry Davies .And owing to the Men's 4s Championship starting on Sunday 23rd of February the final for the Mixed Triples will now be played on Friday 21st at 9 am for 9.30 sta rt. A reminder ladies that the draw for the Bonnie Hazelwood 4s will be done on the 12th March so if you want to play and are holidaying prior to that please let the Match Committee know or put your name on the sheet which will be on the notice board.
great lead bowls to combine with Jill Carson, Alex Laurie, Stephen Haworth 23-15. Due to Australia Day bowls the next round will be played on 2 February.
WEDNESDAY 22 January, the clouds had cleared and the temperature was rising, as the Gloucester Golf Ladies played another round of their Summer Competition, an Individual Stableford event played over twelve holes.
The conditions were heavy and bunkers were out of play with many of them still filled with water following the recent downpours.
The conditions were
reflected in the scores for the day, with no one playing to their handicap. Division 1 was won by Debbie Sate with 22 points and Division 2 by Rhonda Nightingale with 23 points. Both were happy with their game but surprised to win given
the higher scores usually needed. Gai Falla and Julie Paterson both hit the popular score of 22 points to claim a ball each, while Carolyn Davies took home the last ball with 21 points.
Carolyn Davies won Nearest-the-the-Pin on the
Bushmen pushing for finals berth
By Mick MCDONALD
GLOUCESTER Bushmen will look to leapfrog Taree West in the Manning T1 cricket competition when play is scheduled to resume on Saturday.
The Bushmen are currently in fourth spot on 30 points, three shy of Taree West.
Gloucester will host West this Saturday.
There has been no play in either T1 or T2 this year since play was drawn to return from the Christmas break on 11 January.
Both games were washed out.
Gloucester was to play Wingham on 11 January and Great Lakes on 18 January.
Four rounds remain before the start of the finals series.
Should the Bushmen manage to grab third they will host the minor semi on the opening week of the finals series.
However, Gloucester has yet to secure a top four berth as they are only six points – or one win – clear of Great Lakes.
Old Bar, on 18 points, appear to be out of the
running.
Four rounds remain before the start of the finals series.
Either Wingham (48 points) or Taree United (45) will finish minor premier.
These sides meet on Saturday.
Gloucester skipper Ryan Yates said he was reasonably happy with his side’s form leading into Christmas.
The bowlers in particular have been impressive although, like all sides, Gloucester’s batting has been inconsistent.
Veteran Jamie Andrews
has scored runs and taken wickets for the Bushmen in his comeback season to cricket. His availability in the matches ahead could well determine where Gloucester finishes in the top four.
Promising all-rounder Andrew Fraser is another Bushmen to impress.
After this Saturday, Gloucester is away to Taree United, home to Old Bar before finishing the seasonproper against Wingham.
The Bushmen have been semi-finalists every year since entering the Manning T1 competition, but have yet
4th and 13th holes, while the course won on the 6th hole with none of the players claiming the NTP trophy.
The Gloucester Women Golfers continue their 12hole Summer Competition each Wednesday through to late February.
to progress beyond the first week of finals.
Gloucester’s T2 side will play semi-finals this season, although in what grade has yet to be determined.
Ten sides play T2 and after the competition rounds the top four will contest the T2 finals with the teams from fifth to eighth involved in the T3 playoffs.
Mathematically seven sides could make the top four.
Old Bar Eggins and Taree West Sixers are co-leaders on 48 and with Taree United on 45 seem assured of a top four place.
Old Bar Cellars, premiers Bulahdelah and Gloucester are on 39 while Pacific Palms
The Australia Day Bowls sponsored by Gloucester Community Shop was well supported with forty five bowlers competing for the medals in warm conditions. The winners were presented with their medals by Di Relf from the Gloucester Community Shop and Adam Clements, Robyn Eather, Sue Bryant, Ron Jones are the 2025 Australia Day champions and in second place was Bev Germon, Dennis Bartlett, Vic Hebblewhite and third position went to Col Hebblewhite, Bruce Wilson, Max Stevens.
sit on 33 and could press for the top four with a strong finish.
Bulahdelah and Palms have been the leading two sides in the competition in recent seasons.
The Bushmen made the trip to Pacific Palms on Saturday then meet Sixers (away), Great Lakes (away) and Old Bar Eggins (away) so it is a tough run into the finals.
Gloucester entered T2 for the first time this season so it has been a learning experience for many of the players. Skipper Adam Cameron has consistently been the side’s best bowler and this includes a five wicket haul against Great Lakes.
Gloucester Study Hub opening soon
If you’re kickstarting a degree, retraining into a new industry or simply taking the first small step towards study, get in touch with us. Supported
FREE STUDY
HUB + FACILITIES
Available 5am – Midnight for Registered TUC Gloucester students!
SCAN HERETOFIND OU T M !ERO
Khawaja considers future
period.
As that time approaches, Khawaja cringes at the thought of being the guy who hangs around too long.
"Over the next three to four years, there's going to be a lot of transition going on," Khawaja said.
"I'm quite attuned to that and I still want to palay and I want to keep playing for as long as I can.
By Jasper BRUCE, AAP
USMAN Khawaja will be ready to pull the pin on his own Test career if he ever feels that's what Australia needs, but he has no active retirement plans as he prepares to face Sri Lanka.
The 38-year-old's future received renewed interest when he managed only one score above 20 across the first three India Tests of the
home summer, before new opening partner Sam Konstas seemingly reinvigorated him at the top.
Khawaja posted a halfcentury in an enthrallingly tight MCG Test win, followed by a gutsy 41 in the SCG run chase that helped Australia reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in a decade.
The veteran arrives at the team's luxurious hotel in Galle
with a positive mindset, but aware he is nevertheless the elder statesman of an ageing squad.
Of the XI who won Australia the India series in Sydney, only Konstas was younger than 30.
The inclusions of Konstas, Cooper Connolly and Nathan McSweeney in the squad for the two matches in Galle signal Australia's need to start planning for a transition
"But I also know there might be a right time to slip out. If I'm still playing and the selectors are like, 'We feel like the time's come', it's, 'You let me know and I can slide out'."
Khawaja is reticent to put a timeline for when he would like to sail off into the sunset.
His childhood mate and former Test opening partner David Warner inadvertently put his own form further under the microscope when he declared he wanted to bow out at the SCG in the summer of 2023/24.
At the very least Khawaja
wants to be there when England next visits Australia over the 2025/26 summer.
In a perfect world, he would hope to bow out at the SCG - his home ground as well - but that may not be in 12 months' time against England.
"There's definitely those thoughts (bowing out in Sydney) in my head, I'm not afraid to talk about that. I'm human," he said.
"I'd still like to play the Ashes at a bare minimum. I try not to think too far ahead, that's as far ahead as I'll think.
"As long as we're winning, I'm still contributing, my body's still feeling good, I'll play. For me it always feels more like one summer at a time (rather than retiring after the Ashes)."
Khawaja's most recent knock at the SCG carried considerable weight in the eyes of Australia's higherups; captain Pat Cummins intimated as much when play had early finished on day
three.
He is a lock to open the batting for the two Tests against Sri Lanka in Galle, especially given he led all run-scorers on either side when Australia last toured the subcontinent to India in 2023. It's a far cry from the Khawaja who had been derided for his track record in Asia before an emotional 141 runs against Pakistan in Dubai in 2018.
His rise back to Australia's most reliable batter in India two summers ago has convinced him not to pay heed to questions of his form.
"(Playing on the subcontinent) has been a lovehate relationship," he said.
"(But) there's going to be times when you score runs, times you don't score runs. You respect that the older you get.
"Cricket always ebbs and flows. I'm very attuned to that now."
q Usman Khawaja is reluctant to put a timeline on his retirement from Test cricket.
Photo: James Ross/AAP PHOTOS.