Myall Coast News Of The Area 7 September 2023

Worimi Art Trail opens at Reflections

By Thomas O'KEEFE

ABORIGINAL art, language and culture are celebrated by the new Art Trail installed in and around the Reflections Jimmys Beach caravan park, officially opened on Friday, 1 September.

Featuring artworks by Tyson Jolly, a Worimi artist from Karuah, the Trail also aims to promote the use of local Aboriginal language in the nomenclature of our wonderful flora and fauna.

“The animals themselves are just so beautiful, as is the lighting on the mornings and evenings in our beautiful area,” Mr Jolly explained

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JOBS TRANSITION

By Doug CONNOR

Dr David GILLESPIE

“THIS is about regional prosperity for multiple generations.”

That is how Oceanex Energy COO Emily Scivetti described what she deems the “incredible opportunity” to bring an offshore wind industry to the Hunter region.

Oceanex, in partnership

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q Reflections CEO Nick Baker, Uncle Danis and Aunty Fran Flaus, Auntie Dr Liz McEntyre, Cheryl Newton, Aunty Colleen Perry, Aunty Michelle Perry and her grandchildren.

Worimi Art Trail opens at Reflections

his inspirations, which feature the local Indigenous fauna names.

“Speaking another language allows you to take more in, and the Aboriginal tongue has a distinctly different way.”

Reflections CEO Nick Baker acknowledged the partnership with Crown Lands, welcoming Cheryl Newton as the team’s their first Aboriginal Engagement Officer, with such events helping “a vision of celebrating culture in each park, through Acknowledgement of Country, cultural park activities, and understanding the histories of the lands and waters.”

“While it’s not the responsibility of

Reflections to educate people, it is certainly a responsibility to enable it,” Mr Jolly said.

Members of the Worimi Tea Gardens Aboriginal Reference Group, and the Gathang Garuwaga Lanauge Group were present, along with representatives from MidCoast Council, Crown Lands, the Hawks Nest Golf Club, Tea Gardens Hawks Nest Surf Life Saving Club, and the Hawks Nest Tea Gardens Progress Association.

“Today we express our appreciation to Reflections and Cheryl for valuing and honouring the Aboriginal Language Gathang through their Cultural Tourism Program; and for showing the world that Worimi remain

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Dhun-barn, strong, in our ways of knowing, being, and doing,” Worimi Elder Auntie Dr Liz McEntyre said.

Auntie Liz and Ms Newton both referred to the ongoing revitalisation of Aboriginal languages in NSW, especially since 2017, when the state became the first to legislatively recognise such linguistic cultural importance.

“We want our guests to return home with a deep appreciation of the lands and waters, and Aboriginal peoples’ significant, ongoing cultural connection to Country,” said Lauren Eyles, Executive Manager, Corporate Communication at Reflections.

q A large contingent of several dozen attended the Reflections event, even in the rain.

q Worimi Elder Auntie Dr Liz McEntyre proudly welcomed all to Country.

q Artist Tyson Jolly (middle) with members of the Worimi community at the big launch.

Myall Park footy field vandalised

By Thomas O’KEEFE

STUPIDITY reigned on the night of Saturday 2

September, as unknown

vandals left wheelie skidmark scars all over Myall Park football field.

First spotted by nearby residents at around 6:30am on Father's Day morning, several witnesses informally placed at least one mud covered vehicle in the area, and zipping through town close to midnight on Saturday.

Skid-marks have been

located in other areas around town, including at the base of the Singing Bridge in Tea Gardens, which, along with evidence left at the field, should provide official investigators ample material for forensic examination.

Onlookers Sunday morning could not ignore the coincidence of the previous day’s semi-final win by the Tea Gardens Hawks, for whom Myall Park is home field, however, hopefully more information will be made available soon.

Tea Gardens Hawks RLFC executives were floored and appalled to see their team’s main field torn up, fielding scraps of witness information to piece together the incident.

Thankfully, the Hawks RLFC happens to include several landscaping experts.

An effective strategy to rehabilitate the field was already in formulation before midday Sunday, and recovery will be swift.

Though disheartening, especially for locals seeking to use the defaced park for

Mum is having a senior’s moment

by Felicity Wardhaugh

Mum cannot make a Will if she lacks legal capacity. A person must be able to understand the nature and effect of the document they are signing. Unfortunately, dementia and other illnesses interfere with this ability. A Senior’s moment is not necessarily serious but it’s a great time to think about whether changes should be made to documents before it’s too late.

Making changes to Wills can involve some expense but the cost of not doing so can be even more expensive. In the case of Re Hall [2023] VSC

482 a mother had married twice. She had a child from her first marriage and a child from her second marriage. Her second husband also had children from a previous relationship. She left all her estate to her second husband possibly trusting that he would not alter his Will and would leave their assets to

both his and her children. Circumstances altered, she went into care and as a result the couple were no longer living a joint life. Her son argued that her Will no longer reflected her wishes. The son commenced family law proceedings on her behalf, made an application for the Court to write a new Will for her (a statutory will) and apparently noted that if she died without her Will being altered he would make a family provision claim. Rather than entertain 3 court cases, how much better to think ahead, have a family discussion and make any changes before Mum’s senior moments stop being a laughing matter.

Our lawyers are available to assist you with advice about estate planning or in relation to disputes about Wills.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation

Father’s Day activities, this will not, in any way, shape, nor form, mitigate the Hawks’ preparations for the Grand Final against Clarence Town this coming weekend.

The matter has been reported to the NSW Police, meaning that no public comment is currently available with the investigation under way.

Anyone with any useful information should contact the local police on 4940 7620.

MULLANE & LINDSAY TAKING THE LEAD

q Neither end of the field was spared.

q Wheelies left ugly scars in the turf.

Fact checkers suspended by Meta after complaints, licensing issue

By Doug CONNOR

RMIT FactLab, an organisation working alongside Meta to ‘debunk’ misinformation and conspiracy theories circulating on social media regarding the Voice to Parliament referendum, has temporarily been suspended from its duties by the social media giant.

RMIT FactLab is a fact-checking, research and training hub based at RMIT University self-described as “committed to fighting the viral spread of misinformation that can harm people and undermine democratic processes”.

According to Meta, the suspension was due to criticisms of FactLab’s fact checking by opponents of the Voice referendum, and a lapse in accreditation from the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN).

Up until last Tuesday, FactLab was tasked with monitoring social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram.

Some posts on Meta’s platforms that were fact checked by FactLab and other third-party fact checking organisations had warning labels applied by Meta but were not removed by FactLab.

FactLab now awaits an investigation by the IFCN to determine if their licence will be reinstated.

All organisations accredited with the IFCN apply for renewal annually.

“The International Fact-Checking Network requires participating organisations to demonstrate a commitment to nonpartisanship and fairness,” a Meta spokesperson told News Of The Area.

“The IFCN will determine whether RMIT FactLab’s expired certification should be reinstated.

“Considering both the nature of the allegations against RMIT and the upcoming referendum, we have decided to suspend RMIT from our fact-checking program pending the IFCN’s decision,” the spokesperson said.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to stop the spread of misinformation on our services and continue to partner with AAP and AFP in Australia.”

Last Wednesday a spokesperson for RMIT told News Of The Area that the IFCN “accreditation is currently in the process of being renewed”.

“The IFCN has confirmed that FactLab’s fact-checking meets all its standards and adheres to the IFCN’s Code of Principles.

“RMIT FactLab stands by the accuracy of its work to date and remains dedicated to slowing the spread of viral misinformation and disinformation through its fact checks.

“Fact checking aims to bring

transparency to debate and reporting on issues of public importance and does not involve the removal or censoring of information.”

Dr Anne Kruger, Associate Director of RMIT FactLab and Director of the CrossCheck division, told News Of The Area on August 25, just four days prior to the suspension decision, that their IFCN licence was in place.

The ICFN is a small organisation, and as such there can be delays with processing renewals and these updates being reflected online.

Displeased with what he called FactLab’s “censoring” of information relating to the Uluru Statement from the Heart, after claims from Sky News’ Peta Credlin that the statement was 26 pages long, and not one page, Liberal Senator James Paterson, the Shadow Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security, wrote to Meta’s regional Director of Public Affairs, Mia Garlick, on August 24.

“I am deeply concerned by recent reports that Meta is censoring legitimate reporting on its platform, Facebook, relating to the upcoming referendum to enshrine an Indigenous Voice in the Australian constitution,” Mr Paterson wrote.

“The substance of the Uluru Statement is a legitimate issue on which people of good will can reasonably disagree and should not be limited on your platform.”

NSW Environment Minister on proposed wind farms

By Marian SAMPSON

IN Port Stephens to celebrate the opening of the Tomaree Coastal Walk, with her back to the Pacific Ocean, it was inevitable that the topic of offshore wind development would come up when Penny Sharpe addressed local media last week.

Despite the project being a Federal Government one, locals have been very interested to hear the perspectives of the State Labor Government, and the area’s elected representatives.

If approved, offshore wind farms could potentially be developed across a zone of 1874 square kilometres between Norah Head on the Central Coast and Port Stephens.

Detractors of the project cite issues with potential damage to the sea bed, noise during construction, hazards to a busy shipping region, impacts on migrating species including whales, and light pollution. Impacts on existing recreational and commercial fishing industries have also been repeatedly raised.

The NSW Minister for Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Heritage, Ms Sharpe told News Of The Area the feasibility of offshore wind projects were still being assessed.

“It's a long way from occurring and all of the issues in terms of the environment, particularly in this area, need to be taken into consideration,” Ms Sharpe told NOTA.

“So we're working with the Commonwealth government on that.

“I wear two hats; the environment hat and the energy hat.

“I'm coming to this with an open mind around the feasibility study.

“They're doing the right thing, which is actually coming and talking to people and working out what it is.

“I’ve been talking to ‘fishers’ and other environmentalists.

“They are very concerned.

“I understand that.

“All of those issues need to be understood before you go anywhere near pressing go!

“I'm not in a position to rule things out, but we can't stand here and look at this area and then go and not understand what the impact would be and we need to work through carefully with that.”

Ms Sharpe said Australia’s need to transition to clean energy is urgent, describing climate change as “the biggest threat that we all face”.

“The government is working through Renewable Energy Zones, of which the Hunter is one.

“We're going to have to do transition projects.

“We're looking at all options to get as much renewables into the ground as quickly as possible and that's not without challenges either.”

Ms Sharpe said that all viable options for renewable energy generation will be considered.

“We're looking at every option because the need for this transition is urgent.

“We're not ruling things out straight away either, the offshore wind proposal is a very long way away and careful work needs to be done and we will do that,” she said.

Karuah Motor Yacht Club

q NSW Minister for Environment and Energy Penny Sharpe. Photo: Marian Sampson.

with Equinor Energy, is one of multiple proponents seeking to develop a project in the recently declared offshore wind zone off the Hunter coast.

“Since 2020 we have always led with the opportunity of offshore wind as a new industry,” Ms Scivetti said.

“With the heavy industry that already exists in the Hunter, and the 10,000 jobs that rely on the coal industry, there is a huge opportunity to diversify and transfer skills and workers.”

Oceanex predicts that 3000 jobs will be created during construction of their project alone, with 200-300 jobs ongoing to operate and maintain the wind farm for its 30 year lifespan.

The challenge, according to Scivetti, is creating the local workforce.

“We don’t have the offshore infrastructure or the marine experience that we have on the west coast.

“We have to build an offshore wind workforce.

“That comes from new workers, as well as transferring and diversifying workers from sunset industries.”

If Oceanex, or any other wind farm developer, is granted approval to build a wind farm off the Hunter coast, construction is expected to be at least seven years away.

“There is a whole new skill set to develop and construct offshore wind assets, but there is opportunity in that challenge.

“(Seven years) is a good runway with clear sight as to what those jobs are for us to prepare local residents for the thousands of jobs this construction project will bring.”

Founded in 2020 by offshore wind pioneers Andy Evans and Peter Sgardelis, Oceanex has multiple offshore wind projects underway in Australia and New Zealand.

Norwegian energy giant Equinox Energy will partner with Oceanex on their NSW

projects, including the Novocastrian Offshore Wind Farm in the Hunter.

The Novocastrian floating offshore wind farm is forecast to generate 2 gigawatts of renewable energy, similar to the output of the Liddell Power Station.

The Equinor portfolio includes the largest offshore wind farm in the world, Dogger Bank off the coast of England, and the world’s largest floating offshore wind farm, Hywind Tampen in Norway.

Oceanex has been working on their Novocastrian project since 2020 and hopes to apply for a feasibility licence within the declared Hunter offshore wind zone in November.

“If the Minister (Chris Bowen) awards us with a feasibility licence then we can start all the feasibility licence activities.

“That is five to seven years of surveys, studies and campaigns to determine the feasibility of an offshore wind farm.”

The feasibility licence gives a proponent exclusive exploration rights over their patch of seabed.

“Before a final investment decision there are many years of environmental surveys and geotechnical campaigns,” she said.

“We have to measure the wind by floating LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) for many years.

“All of these things have to happen for the next phase, which is a commercial licence.”

If, after these studies, the proponent thinks the project is financially viable, and they have approval from the regulator and environmental bodies, they can apply for a construction licence.

“That is the licence where the regulator gives permission to actually build offshore wind farms,” Scivetti said.

In July, the Federal Minister for Energy and Climate Change Chris

Bowen officially declared an offshore wind zone off the coast of the Hunter, inviting wind farm developers to apply for feasibility licences until November.

The area put out for public consultation was almost 5000 square kilometres, while the finalised zone is around 1800 square kilometres.

“The government took on board all those community issues around the Gould’s petrel, the visual amenity, Norah Head, Port Stephens and the defence force,” Ms Scivetti said.

“All of the consultation meant that he (Chris Bowen) changed the shape of the declared area.”

Under the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act, potential wind farm developers can apply for an area of up to 700 square kilometres within the zone.

“There are really specific guidelines from the offshore regulator, the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA), around the evaluation process for proponents,” Ms Scivetti said.

“You are going to be evaluated higher if you can demonstrate efficiencies within a smaller area.

“We would expect, just like we have seen at Gippsland, that many proponents will make submissions for areas of up to 700 sq km.

“We think that a 2 gigawatt floating offshore wind farm will probably occupy between 400-500 sq km in the end.”

At these sizes, and with the Federal Government’s aim to generate up to 5 gigawatts of renewable wind energy off the Hunter coast, it is likely that multiple wind farms will sit within the zone when finalised.

“The regulator is encouraging proponents not just to take up as much area as they can in their feasibility application, but to be optimised and considered in how they

submit for a patch of sea bed,” Ms Scivetti said.

“You submit with geocoordinates which area you seek a licence for.

“You must choose your puzzle piece.

“Depending on how big the puzzle pieces are within the zone, will ultimately decide how many licences are granted.”

From an economic standpoint, Ms Scivetti said projects must generate a gigawatt of electricity to be viable.

“These are large, nationally significant infrastructure projects with capital expenditures of around $10 billion.

“To recoup the investment you need to have large scale energy production, or what we call gigawatt scale generation.

“Typically, you would not see a proponent submit for a farm less than one gigawatt, because of course the more power you generate, the more you sell into the national energy market.”

The declaration of the Hunter offshore wind zone has been met with anger from sections of the Port Stephens community, with concerns raised over the fishing sector, the impact on whales, tourism, the visual amenity and national security, among others.

When it comes to the impact of floating offshore wind farms on the marine environment and species,

Ms Scivetti urges patience while studies are carried out during the feasibility licence stage.

“In terms of whale migration, because we have never had assets off the east coast, we do not have any data when it comes to how whales would interact with offshore wind farms off our coast.

“That is why that is one of the key studies we want to start straight away.

“There are no studies on the east coast around sea and migratory birds, so that is another data set that we would need to start really early.

“We need to carry out many years of seasonal surveys to bring to the regulators and the environmental approval authorities.”

Ms Scivetti did concede however, that offshore wind turbines will be visible from the shore, despite the zone moving ten kilometres further out to sea following public consultation.

“You will be able to see offshore wind turbines from the coast,” she said.

“Some days, if it's not a clear day or the sun is not shining in the right direction, you probably won’t see them.

“There will be a difference to the horizon, there is no getting around that – that is an offshore wind farm.

“However, we do choose sites that are as far from the

coast as possible, so 20 to 30 km off the coast is a 260 metre wind turbine.”

Ms Scivetti spoke to News Of The Area from the Global Wind Energy Council’s inaugural APAC Offshore Wind and Green Energy Summit, where Chris Bowen announced public consultation on further offshore wind zones in Tasmania and Western Australia.

The Clean Energy Council, the peak body for the clean energy industry in Australia, said the proposed offshore wind projects have the potential to “provide a windfall for the economy, supporting the growth of local supply chains, jobs, and investment into regional Australia”.

“From transport vessels and ports through to construction support, offshore wind will create approximately 8000 Australian jobs,” a Clean Energy Council spokesperson told News Of The Area.

“There is a need to accelerate these projects to meet renewable energy generation targets and for the economy.

“However, development of the offshore wind industry must be consistent with the economic, environmental, social and cultural needs of all the other users of the marine environment and neighbouring communities.”

q The Hywind Tampen wind farm in Norway is owned by Equinox Energy.

Photo: Jan Arne Wold/Woldcam.

q Emily Scivetti speaking at Weld Australia’s National Manufacturing Summit in Canberra in August.

q Hywind Tampen is the world’s largest floating offshore wind farm. Photo: Ole Jørgen Bratland.

Voice referendum debate becomes a misinformation “war zone”

By Doug CONNOR

PRIME Minister Anthony

Albanese has announced the Voice to Parliament referendum will be held on October 14, leaving the Yes and No campaigns with less than six weeks to make their cases to Australians. With the circulation of misleading information a major feature of the referendum debate so far, Yes23 Campaign Director Dean Parkin encouraged Australians last week to administer “the antidote to misinformation” by engaging in fact-based conversations with family and friends.

“We’re on the final sprint – but to get over the line,

we’re going to need all hands on deck.

“This referendum was never going to be easy, important things rarely are.

“We’ve seen the No campaign use untruths and disinformation to confuse Australians.

“Their campaign is obsessed with creating division rather than real ideas and practical solutions to make people’s lives better.”

AAP FactCheck Editor Ben James told News Of The Area that the AAP team had published more than 60 fact checks relating to the Voice.

Mr James’ team attempts to check the veracity of news and social media

content ‘through rigorous questioning, careful consideration of evidence and verification using multiple sources’.

“The majority of the misinformation/ disinformation we’ve encountered has come from those against the proposed Voice,” Mr James said.

“However, it is inaccurate to say this is all from the official ‘no’ camp.”

Mr James said much of the misinformation his team is reviewing is shared on social media, where it is often difficult to confirm the identity of the person/group making the claim.

“When assessing misinformation, we’re

primarily dealing with the substance of the claim itself.

“We are generally not looking at the person making the claim or their motivations.

“We see a lot of misleading statements and comments lacking context but the outright falsehoods tend to come from social media users, some of whom are anonymous,” Mr James said.

Professor Jolanda Jetten, Head of the University of Queensland’s School of Psychology, told NOTA the Voice referendum debate had become “a war zone”.

“What you have here is two very clear camps: the yes vote and the no vote,”

Hunter Business Awards celebrate the best

THE Hunter Business Awards celebrate the remarkable efforts of businesses, community groups and individuals from across our region.

Even being nominated as a finalist is prestigious, with the Awards being the largest regional business awards program in Australia.

With over 200 nominations the judges had a hard time deciding on the finalists.

Judge and previous Hunter Business board member Narelle Redman said, “The judging was very difficult as there were so many entrants that were in a

close margin of each other.”

A night of celebration and a chance to dress up, it is also an opportunity to connect with other like-minded people while enjoying both excellent food, wine and entertainment at NEX Newcastle.

With 76 finalists over 19 categories it was a nail biting wait to see the eventual winner for each award.

Business Hunter President Lauren Eyles said, “Tonight is a celebration of your hard work, resilience and dedication.

“On a night like this I’m always inspired by the stories of creativity, leadership and

winning against the odds.”

Bulahdelah Chamber of Commerce and Tourism took out the Highly Commended award in the Outstanding Local Chamber category.

Bulahdelah Chamber of Commerce and Tourism president John Sahyoun said, “We were thrilled at our success as this is the first time we have been awarded a highly commended award after nine years of being involved with this program.

“Given that we were up against Chambers serving populations more than ten times our size, the success is a testament to the hard work of our members and means

what we are doing is as good if not better than anywhere else.

“I would encourage others to consider entering the 2024

Professor Jetten said.

“Everything is allowed and misinformation is of course a very powerful weapon in that battle,” she said.

Professor Jetten, who has compiled research on the factors behind conspiratorial thinking, said misinformation had a long history of being weaponised for political purposes.

“If you look historically in the US when you had the witch hunts of the communists, it was a very similar sort of phenomena.

“You had so much misinformation and conspiracy theorising about communism infiltrating all sorts of American society.

“When you have such a strong us versus them situation, misinformation

is a very powerful tool; to confuse them and to get them ready for your view or your message.

“It is no longer a debate, it is a battle.”

Despite its storied history, Professor Jetten said misinformation is near impossible to combat effectively.

“It is very difficult.

“There is a responsibility on everyone to stick to the facts but clearly if those rules are not obeyed by all players, there is not much you can do about it.

“The politicians themselves are a big part of the misinformation.

“Of course it would help if there were stronger rules in Australia around misinformation and an independent body who could regulate that and make sure it can't do the damage that it does.”

awards and show people the great job you are doing.

"We are in what I consider to be the best region anywhere and we need to let

everyone know what a great job we are doing.”

Category winners progress to the State Awards in November.

Gillespie visits Jimmys Beach Aquatic Club

By

Thomas

O’KEEFE

ROWERS from the Jimmys Beach Aquatic Club (JBAC)

received a visit from Federal Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie on Monday 21 August.

First formed in June 2022, the JBAC has grown from its initial five members, who saw

a need in the local community, to over 40 now, all enjoying the camaraderie of surfboat rowing, an activity previously enjoyed by many in the community.

The JBAC carries the torch with its ‘rowing Mullets’, contributing to the wellness and physical activity for men in the Tea Gardens/Hawks

Nest area.

Dr Gillespie spent over an hour with representatives from the group, listening and discussing their activities locally, including a recent grant from the Australian Men’s Shed Association, who recognised JBAC as the first ‘Aquatic Men’s Shed’ in NSW.

“What a unique physical and mental wellness opportunity it is for the club’s demographic in the

community,” Dr Gillespie commented.

David Gillespie was specifically impressed with how JBAC has been involved in the community, and “has always been dedicated to promoting healthy living, male wellness, community building, and social engagement.”

Lunch was a traditional mullet sandwich, served straight off the new BBQ funded by the Australian

Men’s Shed Association.

Surf Lifesaving NSW has also recently announced it will provide funding support to further enable the development of sweeps and rowers in surfboat rowing.

“The funding will assist the delivery of sweep schools and youth development programs and assist with an increase in patrolling surf club members,” Peter Rogers, President of JBAC told NOTA.

“Jimmy’s Beach Aquatic Club will be conducting one of these sweep schools in Hawks Nest.”

According to JBAC, NSW hosts the largest surfboat rowers’ contingents in the country, and Surf Life Saving NSW has advised that anyone interested in joining should contact the Surf Boat Captain at the local Surf Life Saving Club, or reach out to JBAC directly.

q Members of Jimmys Beach Aquatic Club with Federal Member for Lyne David Gillespie.

q Federal Minister for Lyne David Gillespie with Jimmys Beach Aquatic Club President Peter Rogers.

q Bulahdelah Chamber of Commerce and Tourism president John Sahyoun accepts finalist and highly commended awards.

Surf Club reopens for summer

By Thomas O’KEEFE

OPPORTUNITIES for learning and serving the community abound at the Tea Gardens Hawks Nest Surf Life Saving Club, which reopened its Bar and Club doors over the Father’s Day weekend.

Its hardy volunteers rested over August, both were reopened to assist new registrations, with the fleet of Inflatable Rescue Boats and surf boards showcasing just some of the active roles available during the imminent season.

Youth from all around who enjoy the beach on a regular basis were especially welcome, with the chance to gain swimming and Surf Life Saving certifications,

and some highly transferable skills to boot.

“Active members can learn how to operate radios, UAVs, learn emergency care, and patrol the beach for others’ safety,” Vice President Amanda Osmond told NOTA.

“Members of the community, especially Youth

(teenagers) and Nippersaged kids, can do something productive and mentally healthy, and join a family here, too,” Ms Osmond added.

“The youth are our real superheroes, and will soon get a purpose-designed Hub building next to the Club.”

Members are also allowed

some seriously discounted First Aid courses, and even Responsible Service

q Many turned out on Father’s Day to sign up for all the Surf Club has to offer its members.

Book Week at TGPS

By Thomas O’KEEFE

BOOK Week landed at Tea Gardens Public School (TGPS) in late August, as fictional and literary heroes united to celebrate literacy.

Highlighting the quintessential importance of literacy in children’s education, Book Week is a chance for kids to express and share their favourite characters and stories openly with others.

Rachel Cooper, TeacherLibrarian at TGPS, thanked everyone for joining the

annual event that celebrates Australian authors, illustrators, and reading in general.

“Did you know that reading for pleasure every day improves a person’s empathy and emotional intelligence, reduces stress levels and has been shown to slow the process of Alzheimer’s and dementia?

“Reading for ten minutes each day, be it the newspaper, comics, recipes or a book, exposes students to more than 600,000 words a year, keeping our brains

healthy, improving our general knowledge, as well as various life skills.”

With a theme of “Read, Grow, Inspire”, Ms Cooper created her own costume out of paper to metamorphose into a Book Fairy.

The students took several adventures, including a yarning circle and leaf-rubbing walk based on Children’s Book

Council of Australia (CBCA) shortlisted “Our Dreaming” by Kirli Saunders and illustrated by Dub Leffler.

“Book Week was very successful this year with students dressing up, turning our school into a world of books and fairytales,” Principal Mark Clemson told NOTA.

“Where’s Wally could be found in almost every classroom with students

of Alcohol training and experience at the bar, which could help younger life savers get a head start on gainful employment.

The Service NSW ‘Active Kids’ $50 vouchers will fully cover registration costs for Nippers, so with patrol season set to begin in the September holidays, some parents may see the perfect chance to gainfully occupy the kids into summer.

Certainly, many adults today wish they had taken

the chance to be carted to the beach every weekend, a fate far better than that of many suburban city kids.

Hawks Nest’s Bennetts Beach needs an active patrol to remain safe for locals and visitors, with its undoubted role as the biggest summertime attraction in a tourism-reliant town.

Anyone interested in joining as an active member with TGHN SLSC should email Education.tghnslsc@gmail. com.

and even Mrs Ingram in the outfit - we were inspired by an array of amazing literature and thoroughly enjoyed our first book week parade.”

Superheroes and characters from Star Wars and Harry Potter were popular costumes with students.

Hudson (AKA Where’s Wally) from Kindy said, “I liked wearing the glasses

and beanie, I loved having my Mum, Nan, Daddy and Ninny visit me in the classroom afterwards.”

Parents were invited to stay behind after the parade and join their children/grandchildren in classrooms to see some of the amazing work they do at TGPS, including classroom door decorations based on some CBCA shortlisted books.

q The Surf Club Bar reopened with volunteers Amanda Osmond, Kerrie Moore, Rebecca Curtis and Cheryl Newton.

q TGHNSLSC Youth at Superheroes’ Day last season.

q The IRB and lifesaving equipment ready to roll with the waves on Bennetts Beach.

q Where’s Wallies AKA Mrs Ingram and Hudson. q Owls class students dressed for success.

q Mrs Howarth (The Queen) and Darth Vader

q Blaire and Tegan, the Unicorn and the Witch.

q Charlie (Book Worm), Miss Cooper (Book Fairy) and Mr Clemson (Bob the Builder). q Riley and Aaron as the Mario Bros.

q The Yuswak family participating in the Open Classrooms session.

Margie Abbott visits Hawks Nest Probus

By Thomas O’KEEFE

PROBUS members and visitors were privileged to receive Margaret Abbott, wife of former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, at their monthly meeting on Friday, 1 September at Hawks Nest Golf Club.

“I love to see the rain now,” began Mrs Abbott, who recently purchased a property in tank-dependent North Arm Cove.

A native of New Zealand, Mrs Abbott began her working career by fulfilling a long-held dream to become a teacher, but soon shifted into the business world, which, in turn, brought her across the ditch to Australia.

After meeting Tony Abbott in Sydney, then a

journalist with The Bulletin, the rest was history.

“Political spouses are conscripts, not volunteers,” Mrs Abbott said, speaking with candour and providing some refreshingly realistic perspective on the experience.

“I tried to be a supportive spouse, be there as a mother, but the reality was a juggling act,” Mrs Abbott explained, “so I decided that my daughters needed a mother with them.”

The quest for ‘normalcy’ was also, admittedly, not quite practical, with a Federal Police presence outside the family home during Mr Abbott’s time as the PM, however the value of supportive friendship circles could not be

underestimated.

Far from idle, Mrs Abbott met many world leaders and their spouses, who sought to improve the world, and even saw the human side of Royalty when Princess Cate and Prince William visited Australia in 2014.

She continued to pursue education, passionately advocating for early education, clearly stating that, “Childcare workers are underpaid.”

Mrs Abbott nodded to the charities and causes that she has had the privilege to support, including the Smith Family, KidsXpress and Motor Neurone Disease, as well as some heartfelt comments on her own fight with breast cancer.

While political topics

were mostly eschewed, when asked about the state of gender equality, Mrs

Abbott responded, “Politics is an interesting business, women can do just as well as

Public Block Mural Begins

By Thomas O’KEEFE

A MEGA community collaboration started the new mural upon the walls of the public toilet block across from the Tea Gardens Police Station on Marine Drive on Sunday, 3 September.

Three major community groups: the Hawks Nest Tea Gardens Progress Association (HNTGPA), the Myall River Art Walk Group, and the Worimi Aboriginal Reference Group, assembled to roll out the paint brushes and pans to apply the undercoat on both the Ladies and Gents blocks.

Members from each group have donated their time and energy to this project leading up to this day, too.

The Worimi Reference Group had received initial Council approval a while ago, and the Art Walk Group, with the close assistance of the HNTGPA, has helped turn talk into reality.

While passers-by witnessed a seemingly spontaneous showing of volunteer effort, the project started in earnest days earlier, with HNTGPA garden gurus trimming and clearing the vegetation that had overgrown the privacy screen, and rigorously scrubbed both blocks inside and out, noting it as a “substantial project” upon a façade that has not seen much attention of late.

Many local hands made light work, proving that it really is as easy as picking up a brush or roller and slapping some of the custom-blended ‘Myall Blue’ paint on the outside walls.

In days to come, riverwalkers will witness the transposition and stencilling of the pre-approved imagery, first designed by Chez Rands, including pelicans and Banksias, with a full-

wall feature Black Cockatoo, to be done by Karuah artist and Worimi Reference Group member Clare McClennan.

“The three groups, after much collaboration on design and getting approvals, came

up with a final design that all were happy with, and received MidCoast Council’s final approval, too,” Jeanette Hart, of the Art Walk Group, told NOTA.

“The mural is about doing

men, not an easy life, takes a hide like a rhinoceros, and a vision.”

something for the community to enjoy, representative of the area, embracing our special environment here, collaborating and bringing the community together.”

Bulahdelah Men’s Shed to host visit from men’s health van

By John SAHYOUN

“SAVING men’s lives” is the catch cry of the Rotary Men’s Health Education Rural Van (MHERV), a service coming soon to the Bulahdelah area.

Since 2017 MHERV has been out in the backblocks of NSW on two scheduled tours per year, seeking out menfolk who haven’t seen the inside of a doctor’s rooms for years.

These are the blokes who drop dead in a paddock, because nobody saw it coming.

The MHERV project is operated by the Rotary Club of Warners Bay.

It is also generously supported by the Royal Freemasons Benevolent

Institution, which provides the funds to employ the Registered Nurse onboard the van.

The MHERV Project offers free ten-minute health checks and whilst the program was originally targeted to men, women are also encouraged to take advantage of a free screening, which covers blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes.

This free service has been operating for six years with the aim to ensure men and women are receiving health screening, as many are not finding time to see their GP for check-ups.

The service is offered in a relaxed, confidential and informal setting.

The MHERV Nurse conducts the tests and discusses any health concerns in the privacy of the consulting rooms within the van.

The consultation takes ten minutes and provides immediate results.

The Nurse submits a

daily report to the Program Management, from which statistics are gathered.

Over the last six years, approximately three percent of visitors have required urgent attention, around 40 percent are advised to follow up on something with their GP in the next week and 57

percent are encouraged to keep up the good work.

MHERV screenings have saved lives and improved health outcomes for many men and women throughout NSW.

This free service will be available for walk-ins for men and women on Friday

8 September from 9:30pm – 3:30pm and Saturday 9 September from 9:30pm – 12:30pm at Wade Park, corner Mead and Crawford Streets, Bulahdelah.

To find out more about this service visit www.mherv. com.au.

q The Rotary Men’s Health Education Rural Van is coming to Bulahdelah.

q Margaret Abbott enlightens the Hawks Nest Probus Club about life as a PM’s wife.

q Sandra Bourke, Jeanette Hart, Chez Rands, Uncle Denis and Auntie Fran Flaus, and Bruce Murray get the Myall Blue undercoat underway.

q A concept design featuring the black cockatoo wall. Photo: supplied.

1.5 acres in prestigious residential location

4 Prion Place, Tea Gardens

Price: $630,000 – $650,000

INTRODUCING 4 Prion Place, Tea Gardens, a prestigious acreage/semi-rural property that offers a perfect blend of rural living and coastal charm.

Spanning over a generous 6041 square metres (approximately 1.5 acres), this impressive land parcel is situated in the highly sought-after Shearwater subdivision, making it an ideal investment for home builders or retirees seeking to create their dream residence.

Enjoy the tranquillity of a rural setting, while also benefiting from the convenience of being located only minutes from pristine beaches and the iconic Myall River and just a two-hour drive north of Sydney on the M1 motorway.

The charming twin towns of Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest provide an idyllic backdrop for a relaxed and comfortable lifestyle.

With an abundance of local amenities, recreational activities, and friendly community atmosphere, this exclusive address is a rare opportunity not to be missed.

Don't miss your chance to secure a piece of paradise in this prestigious residential location.

Contact us today for further information on this magnificent block and start planning your dream home today.

Contact John Rumble on 0425 289 200 today to arrange a private inspection.

Inspections are by appointment only.

Waterfront on Port Stephens

23 The Point, Bundabah

3 bedrooms/1 bathroom/2 garage/1076 sqm

THE waterfront position ensures these views will never be impacted - they are yours to enjoy always.

Backing onto the waters of North Arm Cove, the property boasts a corner location which enhances the sense of privacy offered.

From the water frontage there is deep water that allows you to moor your boat offshore and have it in view at all times.

For even easier access, apply and build your own jetty (subject to Council approval).

This is a waterfront home set on approximately 1076 sqm in Bundabah, located at the end of a cul-de-sac, giving the advantage of no through-traffic.

This brick and tile residence is approximately 30 years old and was architecturally designed to take full advantage of the views over the waters and out to the Bay.

The open plan living and dining areas have wonderful water views, have soaring cathedral ceilings and transom windows to capture as much light as possible – all adding to the home's ambience.

The kitchen also has those same water views, is spacious, functional and offers plenty of storage/bench space as well as a breakfast bar.

There is a large laundry with an additional WC and access to the outdoors and the utility area.

The home enjoys three spacious double bedrooms, all featuring built-in robes, and ceiling fans. The family bathroom comes with a bathtub as well as a separate shower and powder room.

Full of character, this home with its splitlevel design is surprisingly spacious, but still has plenty of scope for those wanting to upgrade and/or extend.

An outdoor kitchen and seating area on the waterfront could be the main go-to space for entertaining or that quiet place for the family to enjoy on those sunny days

The home offers many extras: slow combustion stove, air conditioning, new energy efficient HWS, ceiling fans throughout and a double garage.

There is also plenty of room for parking a boat and/or caravan.

The transpiration septic system is one of the best and most cost effective.

There are a number of water tanks to service the property.

This property has a special and spectacular outlook that is rare.

Enjoy a glass of wine taking in the spectacular sunsets over the water. Bundabah is a small coastal village set on

the shores of Port Stephens with only a small number of homes. Waterfront homes in the area are hard to

find, so contact Ivy Stevenson on 0432 705 766 now for a private viewing.

OUTLETS

Where you can pick up

paper

media@newsofthearea.com.au

Hawks Nest Golf Club

Hawks Nest Caravan Park

Benchmark on Booner

Oceanside Motel

Peter Sinclair Gardens

Jimmy's Beach Caravan Pk

Hawks Nest Motel

BYO Cellars

So Lo Hawks Nest

Alanas Gifts

Hawks Nest Realty

Hawks Nest Sport Store

IGA Hawks Nest

Hawks Nest Newsagency

Hawks Nest First National

Hawks Nest Pharmacy

Hairdinkum

Tea Gardens Council Office

Arts & Crafts Centre

Tea Gardens Library

Tea Gardens Fish Co op

Boathouse Tea Gardens

CTC Tea Gardens

Tea Gardens Bakery

Estia Health Tea Gardens

SoLo Tea Gardens

Dental Surgery Tea Gardens

Silk Haidressing

Ray White Real Estate

Vitamin Bead

Tea Gardens Real Estate

Tea Gardens Hotel

Tea Gardens Ice Cream Shack

Tillermans Tea Gardens

Hook n Cook

Century 21 Tea Gardens

Myall River Bakery Cafe

Tea Gardens Country Club

The Grange

Palm Lakes Resort

Autocare Tea Gardens

Woodwards Nursery

Puma Fuel

Home Timber & Hardware

Tea Gardens Medical Centre

Hawks Nest Doctors Surgery

Myall Pharmacy

Tea Gardens Post Office

Myall Meats

Coles Tea Gardens

Purcell & Mount Solicitors

Regional Australia Bank

Vinnies

Karuah RSL

Karuah IGA

Munchies Cafe Karuah

Riverside Motel

Karuah Motor Inn

Tony King Auto

Info Centre Karuah

Russ's Bakery

Karuah Butcher

Karuah Pharmacy

Newsagent Karuah

BP Service Station

Big4 Jetty Village

Cafe Karuah

Barry Bros Butcher

BP Servo

Bulahdelah Bowling Club

Farm & Produce

Bulahdelah IGA

Information Centre

R&R Property Bulahdelah

Rural Transaction Ctr

Shell Servo Bulahdelah

Lady Jane Motel

Nerong intersection drop point

Nth Arm Cove Community Hall

Pindimah intersection drop point

R&R Property Stroud

Post Office/newsagent Stroud

Creatives combine to bring children’s story to life

By Pat JENSEN

A TEAM of Port Stephens locals have joined forces to create a children’s book called ‘Banjo - The Adventurous Bream’.

Written by local author and NOTA columnist John ‘Stinker’ Clarke, the book is due for release in November, telling the incredible tale of a Bream born under the Karuah bridge.

“Banjo is far more curious than his numerous family and friends and swims throughout the Port in search of adventure,” John told News Of The Area.

Among his many excursions, Banjo visits the Nelson Bay breakwall and swims inside the Marina before heading for Corrie Island.

“It is when Banjo swims into the old wreck in Salamander that he discovers what dangers await.”

The concept of the book, according to John, is to get kids reading and educate them on the variety of fish inhabiting the waterways of Port Stephens.

“Who knows, it may be the first of a series of different species of fish in Port Stephens,” John said.

‘Banjo’ is John’s fifth children’s book, all of which have had a focus on being fun and educational.

His latest work has once again been influenced by his life-long love affair with the ocean.

“I’m a fisherman,” John said, “I’m very interested in fish and all creatures of the sea.”

John has been reporting on fish for over 40 years for radio and other media platforms.

With John looking after the words, he expressed the importance of working with talented people who could bring his words to life.

For this project, John has collaborated with local artists Megan Barrass and Doris Glasson, as well as Katie Monin, who assisted with graphics and design.

direct from the makers.

“My part (in the book) is to create over 20 individual very colourful and fun paintings all about a little bream and his friends that live here in the Bay.

“The biggest influence on the art was the process.

“A college is a visual representation (a painting) made from an assembly of different forms, materials and sources creating a new artwork.

“Due to this technique's flexibility with time, it was the perfect choice for this large project,” said Megan.

history book, ‘Marsh Road’, which follows the history of the development and maintenance of the road and all those who relied on it.

The book will be launched in October 2024.

“Painting on paper and then cutting out all different shapes and rearranging the pieces to suit the story line,” she said.

John is also writing another

Anyone with stories or photos relating to Marsh Road is asked to contact John at stinkerfishing@ yahoo.com.

Tea Gardens Pool ready for summer

By Thomas O’KEEFE

CLEAN, clear water will soon be made available for all to use as the Tea Gardens Pool was scoured and purified last week by volunteers from the Hawks Nest Tea Gardens Progress Association (HNTGPA) and The Y.

In stark contrast to the last time the Pool was featured in News Of The Area, back in July, it now features crystal-clear water and renewed internal facilities for pool users in the summer.

Readers may recall a phenomenal build-up of plover poo and duck droppings, murky green water and several outdoor furniture pieces in desperate disrepair.

It has taken a concerted effort, led by the HNTGPA, to turn the pool around after the winter-time neglect, mobilising several apt volunteers to get the job done.

“Progress Association volunteers have re-grouted the showers, and re-done many of the fittings inside, too,” Sandra Bourke, Secretary of the HNTGPA, told NOTA.

“MidCoast Council and The Y have also helped out, with Council repainting the showers and toilets, and fixing the rickety picnic

Megan and John are close friends, connecting over art through the Artisan Collective Port Stephens, an artist-run gallery providing visitors to the area with high quality, locally made gifts benches.”

The Y affiliates spearheaded the campaign to completely drain the pool and then power-scrub the bottom and sides.

The Pool area now sports a new 12-hour clock, and will soon have its brand-new lap-timer installed near the entryway, while new flora has been planted along the fence to

grow into a nice windbreak hedge.

The Honour Board, badly faded from age and weather, has also been restored – a joint effort by the Men’s Shed fixing the frame, and local artist Jeanette Hart breathing vibrant life back into the proud white lettering for all to see.

It was in a sorry state not too long ago, but after many days of

hard, gruelling work, mainly by some very committed volunteers, the pool has been cleaned, refilled and covered over, patiently awaiting the summer swimmers.

The Pool will be administered by The Y again this coming season, and is on track to re-open in the first week of October.

q Artist Megan Barrass brings her considerable creative talents to the project.

q After shot – crystal clear waters right to the bottom in September.

q Before shot – murky waters back in July.

q The cover has been rolled out to protect the purified pool until the season starts next month.

q Jeanette Hart revitalised the aged Honour Board of the Amateur Swimming Club, while the Men’s Shed fixed the frame.

Dorin’s Draws By

Paul DORIN

DEAR Jasminda

I AM thinking of taking up surfing in retirement but I've noticed that all surfers, when carrying their board, seem to break into a quick jog.

After two knee replacements I'm not sure if I can do this.

Why do surfers run when carrying their board?

Dave A.

The Write Direction

By John BLACKBOURN

Planning our future

LAST month the Australian Government completed its look into our future with the Intergenerational Report delivered by the Treasurer.

From the information it delivered, it immediately reminded me of an ancient African Proverb which says, “The sheep will spend its entire life fearing the wolf, only to be eaten by the shepherd.”

So be aware of the report and the remarks of Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers, who went on to say that the report will not

trigger an overhaul of the Government's spending or its taxation policy.

His preferred action was to take “bitesized “incisions from the edges of the budget to focus on growing productivity in order to ward off the economic woe that he sees eventuating in our future.

Australia’s present fertility rate is below the replacement rate of 2.1 babies per woman, meaning the median or average age of Australians will be 4.6 years older than now in 2063 - thus becoming 43.1 years old.

Because our Government is locked into the theory that growth is the only way to balance our economy into the future, they will embark upon an expansion of immigration in order to increase our population to their figure of 40.5 million by 2063.

They go on to say that a smaller percentage of Australians will be in work and many more will need to depend on health and care services.

It means that Australia’s trend away from manual industries must move towards

Dear Dave,

I ADMIRE you taking up a new sport in retirement.

What did you do before retirement to cause two knee replacements?

Triathlons? Tiling?

Commercial fishing in rough seas?

Landscape gardening?

Regardless, you don't want to do more harm than good now.

There are a few hazards with surfing

a care economy and this trend will only increase in time.

The forecast is that the care and support workforce will need to double by 2050 in order to meet the future demand and they see this as a planning challenge.

The Treasurer went on to suggest that wages and the Government's ability to maintain these services will depend on continuous productivity growth, but this has stagnated for decades.

A lot of our future prospects will depend on the growth of technology, as the expectation is that those working will be doing so for less hours per week.

The other hope is that Australia becomes a leading exporter of critical minerals such as lithium, nickel, zinc, bauxite and other minerals that are essential for renewable technologies.

These minerals Australia has in

ranging from sharks to out-of-control kids on body boards to stomach pains from sucking in your gut to look better in your boardshorts. Surfing can be hard work even when you don't catch a wave.

Now, to your running-with-surfboard question.

I've done a bit of preliminary research and these are my findings:

• Summer sand is scalding and surfers are just trying to get to the water before the skin on their heels peels off.

• The anticipation of catching a wave is so exhilarating that surfers can't help but sprint down to the water's edge.

• Running makes the board feel lighter - a psychosomatic response.

• A quick warm up before diving in the ocean is a sensible way to ease into the stamina and endurance necessary to surf.

• Running is gnarly, dude, you've gotta run when you're feeling amped so you can get onto those rad barrels.

I don't know if that is accurate.

My surfing lingo is mainly gleaned from Finding Nemo, but I thought I'd throw it in there.

If any readers, who are also surfers, can give Dave A. with his two knee replacements some more informed reasons for the surfboard-jog, please write in. Carpe diem, Jasminda.

abundance, but we must never forget the damaging effect these might have on our environment.

With the continuing deficits (losses) becoming the norm for running the country and for starting new mining ventures etc, this can only increase our national debt in the future, now said to be in the order of $3 trillion.

So, the cost of servicing that debt will be a major stumbling block to be encountered by our economy.

An interesting conclusion might be provided by the world’s best investor, Warren Buffett, when he publicly stated that he “could end the deficit in five minutes”.

“You just pass a law that says anytime there is a deficit of more than three percent of GDP, all sitting members of parliament are ineligible for re-election,” he said.

Contesting Minister King’s Voice assertions

DEAR News Of The Area,

WITHOUT responding seriatim to the letter from the Hon Catherine King MP ('We make better decisions when we listen', 31/08), there are a couple of assertions by her that must be contested.

She claims a Voice to Parliament is about advice and that it would be a committee of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders from across the country who would give advice to the government of the day about what really works in their communities.

She adds to this with the assertion that putting the Voice in the Constitution gives it stability and independence now and into the future.

She concludes that a yes vote for constitutional recognition through a Voice

gives us all a chance to be part of a better future.

It is clear that recognition and the Voice are two separate issues though there has been some blurring of that duality.

Whatever it may be it is not, as PM Albanese asserted in his campaign launch speech in Adelaide, simply a committee of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, local representatives from every state and territory, regions, remote communities providing advice about the challenges those people face in health, education, jobs and housing.

It will be a constitutional entity with its own chapter in the Constitution that ensures its perpetuity and a much wider ambit of power that is yet to be determined and probably will be over many years by the High Court

as references are made to it concerning the extent of that power.

No one from either side of the Voice debate could sensibly deny that the Voice will be a constitutional entity that will grant one group of Australian citizens, and one group alone whether or not others are disadvantaged, a constitutionally guaranteed political entitlement.

That it would do so on the basis of ancestry makes it entirely unacceptable as being inimical to the principle of equal citizenship that underpins Australian democracy.

That will continue to be so in the face of continuing pressure from government, big business, academia, major sporting bodies and others in positions of power seeking to impose their will on ordinary Australians.

That pressure must be resisted in the absence of full and frank disclosure and explanation of the Voice detail, purpose, intended power and its likely manner of operation.

That is to say nothing about the other matters relating to treaty, truth-telling and financial settlement that have surfaced in the course of the debate thus far.

At present all Australins enjoy the same civic status regardless of race or background.

That situation should not be disturbed now or ever.

Any departure would change us as a people and cannot be contemplated in any circumstance.

Yours truly, Ian DUNLOP, Hawks Nest.

Your Paper, Your Voice Have Your Say

News Of The Area would love to hear your OPINION and VIEWS on issues and topics affecting our area. Keep Letters to the Editor under 250 words for its best chance of publication. Please be aware that there is no guarantee or certainty of publication from your submission to us. Publication will be determined by the editor around available space, relevance and appropriateness.

Email to media@newsofthearea.com.au

READING by Lynne Miles: John 14: 6"Jesus answered, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. Noone comes to the Father except through me.""

A day to remember

Stinker’s Fishin’

By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE

WHAT a thrill for ten-yearold Mia Wilson who caught her first ever fish tossing a prawn off Shoal Bay Beach. Visiting her grandparents David and Penny Wilson, Mia was amazed when a cracker bream took her bait and headed off in the direction of Tea Gardens.

After a mighty tussle the bream bounced up the beach.

An occasion the young visitor will never forget.

I visited Broughton Island through the week on a guided history trip.

The weather was spectacular with a gentle breeze gusting over crystal clear water.

As we left the port, we were joined by a large pod of Common Dolphins which took the opportunity to

ride the bow wave much to the excitement of the 50 passengers onboard.

Rounding Yacaaba headland we were witness to huge schools of surface fish feasting among the diving

birds.

It has been quite some time since I have seen so many surface fish including bonito, tailor, salmon, slimy mackerel and tuna.

The tuna are the most

spectacular as they launch completely out of the water like some guided torpedo.

On reaching the island we wandered over to Coal Shaft Bay where we stood on the cliff top and took in one of the greatest scenes we have to offer.

From the lighthouse on Fingal Island to the conical mountains and the majestic headlands onto Bennetts Beach which stretches from

Fire Flora Explained

By Thomas O’KEEFE

‘SCLEROPHYLL’ is not a term that many people would have heard, however, it is critical to understanding the coming bushfire season, and our local flora in general.

According to the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OHE), sclerophyll forests (pronounced “sklehrow-fill”) exist as both ‘wet’ and ‘dry’, encompassing many well-known botanical species, including eucalypts, wattles and banksias, and reign as the most common vegetation type north of Sydney.

Characterised by tall, open tree canopy, according to the NSW OHE, they have “hard, short and often spiky leaves, a condition often associated with low-fertility soil, rather than rainfall or soil moisture”.

This sort of dry, nutrient-poor existence has

toughened sclerophyll trees to withstand unforgiving environments that would decimate other species, as their narrower, spikier leaves limit surface area and minimising moisture loss.

The most important fact about sclerophyll, however, is their adaptation to fire.

In the absence of regular rainfall, sclerophyll instead

species actually requiring the intense radiant heat bushfires to open their seed pods for reproduction.

To that end, many sclerophyll will drop oilladen leaves, deliberately dried and deadened branches, and even entire limbs, their woody stems and trunks becoming sacrificial fuel to stoke

Hawks Nest to the Little Gibber.

The mountainous backdrop of the Bulahdelah Ranges made for a complete postcard picture.

Our next excursion took us along a well-maintained track to the northern face of the island with spectacular beaches and a huge expanse of ocean.

A couple of whales put on a display.

Again the view was something else looking south to Seal Rocks.

Returning to the boat, we headed home with the northerly breeze pushing us along until we reached Cabbage Tree Island where a permanent colony of seals basked in the warm sunshine before sliding into the water to cool off.

A great day was had by all.

botanical rebirth.

Sclerophyll now blanket over a quarter of NSW, and they are very, very patient organisms.

Look up and consider the true weight of solid, hard wood that is suspended overhead, and notice the oddly deadened branches

waiting to fall in the next wind, perhaps on a power line or car.

Inspect the leaf-litter on your next bushwalk, noting the absence of grass and the amazing variety of leaves that refuse to decompose, instead lying in wait to power a raging inferno

along the grassless forest floor.

RFS hazard reductions are undertaken as often as needed or possible, in order to reduce this constantly accumulating hazard, which, if left unattended, can fuel highly-destructive infernos.

q Tuna breaking the surface north of Cabbage Tree Island. Photo: Andrew Thomas.

q Ten-year-old Mia Wilson visiting Shoal Bay from Tokyo, Japan. Her first fish.

q Sclerophyll leaf litter just won’t decompose, it waits to fuel the next fire.

q Narrow wattle leaves reduce the loss of moisture and nutrients.

q A half-dead wattle near the beach shows how woody the plant really is.

q Tall and straight sclerophyll gum trees line our roads and highways.

q A serrated Banksia leaf has a shiny, oil-laden leaf topside.

Tea Gardens Women's Bowling Club

By Lynda RICHARDS

TUESDAY 29th August: Social bowls plus Round 3 of the Open Consistency Championship. Results of the Open Consistency are as follows Maryanne Cuss defeated Kay Berczelly on the 26th end 155 v 105. Karen Green and Dale Cameron also played 26 ends Karen winning 150 v 120. Sheila Rattray claiming victory on the 24th

end v Lyn Nightingale 154 v 86. Congratulations to Bette Saillard on her win v Lynda Richards on the 26th end Lynda just needed 9 shots to win 141 v Bette 119 but from here on Bette took control of this contest the score on the 30th end 150 all. Another end to bowl to decide the winner Bette scored 7 (157) and progressed to the Semi Final, always next year for Lynda. Social bowls a win for Sheril

Johnson, Liv Everingham and Judy McGavock 21 v Loretta Baker, Dot Dallas and Ingrid Luck 17. Carol Fredericks and Jeanette Emmett 19 v Jane Uff and Jean Glover 17. Winners on the day winning with the highest margin were Sheril, Liv and Judy.

Thursday 31st August: The Semi Final of the Open Consistency Competition both great games of draw bowling despite a gusty

wing blowing. Bette Saillard started strongly and held the lead v Karen Green till the 17th end, now 85 all. Karen winning the next 2 ends and holding a very narrow lead of 2 shots, on the 20th end Bette scored a 10, ( the only perfect score for this whole game) once again in front. This match was definitely not over yet, a nail biter to the end on the 29th end the score was 145 all, the next end

would be the final/decider, Bette scored 6 winning 151 v Karen 149. Well done to Maryanne Cuss for reaching the Semi Final, of this event it is the first time Maryanne has bowled in a Consistency Competition and she is a relatively new bowler. Maryanne bowled well and it wasn’t till the 28th end that Sheila Rattray won, 154 v 126. Social bowls played 3 games of 3 bowls Triples, Loretta

Baker playing “swinger Lead”. Loretta, Jan Coomer and Dale Winter 12 v Loretta, Maureen Campbell and Bev Harrington 9. A convincing win to Chrissy Buddle, Carol Hayden and Lynne Green 13 v Deb Gardner, Sue Morris and Ingrid Luck 5 and a win also for Precy Swaddling, Christine Fossey and Bev Dunn 16 v Jane Uff, Irene Roberts and Jean Glover 11. The winners on the day winning with the lowest margin were Loretta, Jan and Dale.

Hawks Nest Social Club Fishing Competition

By Brenda EDWARDS

RESULTS from 25th-27th

August. Mens and overall winner: Matty Weilsgaz with a 11.46 Jewfish and some nice Snapper, Bream and Tailor.

Ladies winner: Christine McKenzie with 10 Luderick, 10 Bream and 5 Tailor.Junior winner: Bill Braddick with 10 Snapper 1 Nannygai and a nice Marwong ,mystery fish was a groper. Well done, to all the members who fished on the weekend.

Hawks Nest Thursday Night Darts

By Brenda EDWARDS

AUGUST 31st Winner: Phil Jones who showed his

class, after not picking up a dart in two months, was unbeatable tonight. Runner up John Edwards. Ladies

Myall Coast Vets

Highest Score: Jackie Wall88. Mens Highest Score: John Edwards-140. Darts are on every Thursday night, names in by 6.45pm, darts start 7pm. Everyone is welcome to come along and play.

By Peter SEE 31/08/2023.

18 HOLE Stableford.

A Grade

1. Ian Richardson 39 c/b

2. Bill Kerr 39

3. Tony Clarke 38 c/b

4. Breton Gibbs 38 c/b

5. Jim Rutter 38 c/b

B Grade

1. Len Eardley 40 36 c/b

2. Graham Illand 38 c/b

3. Peter Inskip 38

4. Barrie Newton 36 c/b

5. Peter Buttrey

C Grade

1. Ian Raine 41

2. Neil Clifton 40

3. Gordon Morrison 39

4. Des Patfield 37

5. Ross Kirwan 36 c/b

NTP. A. B.

C.

3rd. Bill Kerr Lloyd Smith Des Patfield

5th. Bob Peters Des Pagett

10th. Denis Casey Stephen McDermott Des Pagett

16th. Bob Peters Ken Hudson Des Patfield Balls To. A. 32 c/b B. 33 c/b C. 30

Hawks Nest Golf Club Lady Veterans Golf Competition

AUGUST 31 2023

1st Julie Williams -2

2nd Pat Dodd 1 C/B

3rd Helena Wilton 1

4th Lorraine Lock 2

5th Carol Wiggins 4 Chip Ins: Janet Merryweather 18th

By Thora-Lou SMITH

THE last Wednesday in August was the ladies' Monthly Mug and the winner was new member J.Baird with 71nett.

M.Reinhard was 2nd with 73nett and T-L.Smith won the putting with 27putts.

The Vets played a 2BBB multiplier on Thursday 31st and the winners were A.Jobson and M.Barrow with 73pts.

Individual winner was D.Harvey with 39pts. NTPs were C.Littlechild and J.Graham. D.Brown won the $20 jackpot.

Saturday September 2nd was a Single Stableford and the winner was J.Arthur with 40pts

from D.Harvey with 37pts on a c/b from T.Griffis.

NTPs were J.Graham, S.McNaughton, R.Norberry, J.Baird and B.Newton.

Long drivers were S.McNaughton,S.Sharp, B.Gordon and M.Bramble, who also won the $25 jackpot.

The ladies' winner was B.Gordon with 38pts from A.Benson with 36pts.

By Shayne FULLER

MONDAY 21/8/23 1. Peter Baily & Adrian Ryan 2. Linda & Glenn Conroy

3. Carol Richards & Sue Matheson E/W 1. Shayne Fuller & Kerry McMurray

2. Pat Marr & Sylvia Schmeding 3. Shirley Pearson & Beth Williams

Wednesday 23/8/23

(Howell) 1. Esther Digby & David Hipkins 2. Jan Armstrong & Margaret Rowden 3. Shirley Sinclair & Ann Remment 4. Carol Richards &

Di Russell = Beverley

Richardson & Peter Baily

Friday 25/8/23 1. Chez

Rands & Leslie Falla 2. Trish & Jim Thatcher

3. Pamela & Breton Gibbs

4. Peter Baily & Gordon

Morrison

E/W 1. Sally Aldrich & Margaret Rowden 2. Bea

Treharne & Sue Matheson

3. Jan Armstrong & Dawn

Dale = Shirley Pearson & Beth Williams

Monday 28/8/23 1. Linda & Glenn Conroy 2. Liz

Caro & Trish Thatcher

3. Dawn Dale & Jan Armstrong E/W 1. Leigh

Wood & Geoff Smith = Helen Blackbourn & James

Slater 3. Esther Digby &

Beverley Richardson

4. Adrian Ryan & Susan Helsen

Hawk Nest Bridge Club News

Wednesday 30/8/23 1. Beverley Richardson & Peter Baily 2. Carol Richards & Susan Helsen E/W 1. Esther Digby & David Hipkins

2. Julia Dixon & Kerry McMurray

Friday 1/9/23 1. Trish & Jim Thatcher 2. Bea Treharne & Sue Matheson

3. Peter Baily & Gordon Morrison 4. Elke & Alan Greenhalgh

E/W 1. David Hipkins & Bruce Eyre 2. Linda & Glenn Conroy

3. Shirley Peason & Beth Williams 4. Sally Aldrich & Margaret Rowden

q Winner Phil Jones and Runner Up John Edwards.

q Men’s winner: Matty Weilsgaz. q Ladies winner, Christine McKenzie.

q Junior winner, Bill Braddick. q Junior winner, Bill Braddick.

Hawks go to Grand Final

STORY STARTS on BACK COVER, Page 24

Both teams should be congratulated on their sensational performances, rising to the penultimate match of 2023, the real shame being that this was not the actual Grand Final. Hawks quickly established dominance,

keeping the ball on the Roos’ half, but Karuah’s O’Bryan was characteristically slippery in defence, while Hawks’ Napier took four opponents to bring down.

The first score was a two-pointer kick by Shaquiel Saunders, soon followed by Bills’ trademark lightningstrike up the left wing to make the first try.

After a tough Roos’ counter-offensive, Hawks’ swift passing put it into Simon’s hands for the next try.

Shaq Saunders broke away from the pack 30 metres out and sprinted it in, altering the score faster than the scoreboard could tick over, and easily self-converting.

Karuah attracted

penalties like flies, under immense pressure to score, worsened by Bills’ second try.

Roos’ O’Neill finally scored before the break, but another penalty amid onfield confusion gave Saunders a second two-pointer kick.

The Roos tore the Hawks’ defence to tatters in the second half, demolishing their 20-point lead with successive tries to O’Bryan, Crampton and Evans, and Croese finding the post in the conversion.

Croese grounded a fifth Roos’ try himself, completing a gruelling score equalisation at 24-all, then the full-time siren sounded.

A season of games, three head-to-heads, and a full semi-final could not separate the two teams, even as they started on Golden Point overtime.

Both defences proved impregnable, each dragging the ball up and down the field, pummelling the other’s

back lines.

In the surging adrenaline, one of many fumbles throughout the game awarded the Hawks a miraculous opportunity they wisely took.

Saunders’ magic boot sent the ball sailing true over the crossbar, and the Hawks’ fans erupted and screamed themselves to death as their team advanced to the Grand Final with overall score: 24-26.

q Sam Croese kicks to convert near the sideline. q Strong defence lines fortified for the overtime period.

q Tea Gardens supporters greeted their team like heroes after the close, dramatic victory.

q Hawks supporters erupt as their team progresses to the Grand Final.

q Shaquiel Saunders kicks the match-winning goal.

BIG CROSSWORD SOLUTIONS

SUDOKU

Sudoku is an 81 square number grid with nine blocks each containing nine cells. To solve the puzzle, all the blank cells must be filled in using numbers from 1 to 9. Each number can only appear once in each row, column and in the nine 3x3 blocks.

Puzzle Play 182

BREAKER: Dogs are my favourite people.

1. The scared boy only has two teeth. 2. His tongue is in a different place. 3. The sheet ghost has a smaller mouth. 4. There is no skull on the boy’s shirt. 5. The real ghost is missing a finger. CODE

NEWS OF THE AREA

THE RIGHT TABLE SHOW TIDAL VARIATIONS AT SEVERAL LOCATIONS

The time variation should be added to the corresponding Fort Denison time. In view of the variations caused by local conditions and meteorological effects, these times are approximate and must be considered as a guide only. They are not to be relied on for critical depth calculations for safe navigation. Actual times of

TIDES

BEST ON THE BOX

SUNDAY

THE

NEWSREADER

ABC, 8.30pm

The headlines ripped from the history pages; the compelling relationship between troubled Helen (Anna Torv) and in-denial Dale (Sam Reid); and, of course, the meticulously detailed ’80s wardrobes and settings: what’s not to love about this engrossing and dark homegrown series?

FRIDAY GARDENING AUSTRALIA JUNIOR

ABC TV PLUS, 7.05pm

Costa Georgiadis’ sizeable fan club is set to swell. In a move sure to inspire a new generation of green thumbs, this veteran gardening show has planted a fresh series for kids. After enamouring children playing a garden gnome in the outdoorsy series Get Grubby TV Georgiadis is the perfect presenter of this educational and fun lark. Premiering tonight, and featuring 20 episodes, beekeeping, composting and veggie gardening are on the agenda, along with Gardening Australia stalwarts Tammy Huynh, Clarence Slockee and Hannah Maloney.

FRIDAY, September 8

6.00 The Drum.

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Gardening Australia. Josh Byrne prunes native plants.

8.30 Miniseries: The Control Room. (Mal) Part 2 of 3. Gabe is blackmailed into further criminal behaviour by Anthony over his links to Sam.

9.30 Midsomer Murders. (Mv, R) Barnaby and Nelson investigate after an artist who had a manuscript stolen is electrocuted.

11.00 ABC Late News.

11.15 Miniseries: Innocent. (Malv, R)

12.00 Harrow. (Mv, R)

12.55 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

Returning for its highly anticipated second season, the top-notch drama moves forward one year to 1987 – it’s election night with Hawke versus Howard – and Helen and Dale now basking in the glow of being dubbed “The Golden Couple of News”. Yet, the newsreaders’ veneer of success is brittle and when former colleague Geoff (Robert Taylor) surfaces on a new network, it’s game on.

WEDNESDAY STARSTRUCK

ABC, 9.30pm

Dynamic Kiwi comedian Rose Matafeo’s quirky rom-com has returned for its third season with an unexpected twist. After concluding on a heartwarming note between lovers Jessie (Matafeo) and Tom (Nikesh Patel), this spirited, funny story has fast-forwarded two years, and Jessie is now single. “It could have just been another year of Tom and Jessie going out and crazy pratfalls and stuff that happened because he’s famous,” declares Matafeo. “I’d be bored by that… I want to get to the heavy stuff.” As we ponder whether their spark can be reignited, Jessie distracts herself from news of Tom’s engagement by going on a date. Lively and refreshing, this new direction is seductive.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 South America With Simon Reeve. (PG)

8.40 Ancient Egypt: Chronicles Of An Empire. (Mav)

9.40 Tony Robinson: The Thames At Night. (Ml, R)

10.35 SBS World News Late.

11.05 Vise Le Coeur. (MA15+a)

12.05 Reunions. (Mas, R)

1.55 Box 21. (MA15+v, R)

3.45 Food Safari. (R)

4.15 Bamay. (R)

4.50 Destination Flavour. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Adam Dovile shows how to make a daybed. Graham Ross visits the Broughton Hall garden.

7.30 Football. AFL. Finals Series. First elimination final. Carlton v Sydney.

10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews.

11.00 Armchair Experts. (M) Adam Cooney, Cam Luke and Georgie Parker present their unique analysis of the week in AFL.

12.00 Reverie. (Mav, R) The upgrade is set to launch.

1.00 Home Shopping.

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 Rugby League. NRL. Finals Series. First qualifying final. Brisbane Broncos v Melbourne Storm.

9.45 NRL Finals Footy Post-Match. A post-match NRL wrap-up.

10.30 MOVIE: The Enforcer. (1976, Mlnsv, R) Clint Eastwood.

12.30 MOVIE: Slayground. (1983, Mlv, R)

2.20 It’s All Greek To Me. (R)

2.50 9Honey: He Said She Said.

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Postcards. (PG, R)

4.30 Global Shop. (R)

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

5.30 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)

6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news and events.

7.30 Have You Been Paying Attention? (Malns, R)

Hosted by Tom Gleisner.

8.30 The Graham Norton Show. (Mals, R) Graham Norton is joined by actors Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kate Hudson, Elizabeth Banks and British Vogue’s head fashionista Edward Enninful. Music comes from Self Esteem.

10.30 Just For Laughs Australia. (MA15+s, R) Hosted by Nath Valvo.

11.00 The Project. (R) A look at the day’s news and events.

12.00 Home Shopping. (R)

SATURDAY, September 9

6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 Weekend Breakfast.

9.00 Rage. (PG) 12.00 News. 12.30

Midsomer Murders. (PG, R) 2.00 Miniseries: The Control Room. (Mal, R) 2.55 Landline. (R)

3.40 Secrets Of The Museum. (Final, R)

4.30 Restoration Australia. (Final, PG, R)

5.30 Matt Okine Is Going To Die. (PGa, R)

6.30 Kitchen Cabinet. (PG, R) Annabel Crabb meets Lidia Thorpe.

7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.

7.30 Grantchester. (Final, Mav) Looking to be punished, Will ends up battered and bruised in the middle of nowhere.

8.20 Vera. (PG, R) After a suspected poacher is found dead from a single gunshot wound, DCI Vera Stanhope investigates.

9.50 Bay Of Fires. (Final, MA15+v, R) Johann and his hit men arrive in town.

10.45 You Can’t Ask That: Recent War Veterans. (Mals, R)

11.15 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) Music video clips.

6.00 Morning Programs. 8.00 WorldWatch. 10.00 Cook Up Bitesize. (R) 10.05 The Bee Whisperer. (PGad, R) 11.00 Curious Traveller. (PG) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Saved By A Stranger. (PGa, R) 4.00 Trail Towns. (PG) 4.30

Cycling. UCI World Tour. La Vuelta. Stage 13. H’lights. 5.30 Don’t Forget Us. (R) 5.40 Secret Nazi Bases. (PGa, R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (PG)

8.30 Queen Victoria’s Royal Mob. (M)

9.25 World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys. (R)

10.15 Tony Robinson’s History Of Britain. (PGav, R)

11.05 9/11 Kids. (Ma, R)

12.35 Children Of 9/11: Our Story. (PGa, R)

2.45 MOVIE: 9/11: The Falling Man. (2006, Maw, R) 4.05 Food Safari. (R) 4.35 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SUNDAY, September 10

6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 Weekend Breakfast.

6.30 Compass. (Final)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Death In Paradise. (Mv, R)

8.30 The Newsreader. (Return, Ml) It is election night 1987 and Helen and Dale are now established as the “Golden Couple of News”.

9.25 Mother And Son. (Ms, R) Maggie keeps going missing.

9.50 Annika. (Mav, R) A detective inspector returns to Glasgow.

10.40 Total Control. (Mln, R)

11.30 Talking Heads. (Ma, R)

12.05 Rage Vault. (MA15+adhlnsv)

2.05 Escape From The City. (R)

5.00 Insiders. (R)

6.00 Morning Programs. 8.00 WorldWatch. 10.00 The Eco Show. 11.00 Curious Traveller. (PG) 12.00 WorldWatch. 1.00 Speedweek.

3.00 Cycling. National Road Series. Tour of the Tropics. H’lights. 3.30 Going Places. (R)

4.00 Trail Towns. 4.40 Cycling. UCI World Tour. La Vuelta. Stage 14. H’lights. 5.40 Secret Nazi Bases. (PGav, R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Unlocking The Secrets Of Stonehenge. 8.30 9/11: Four Flights. (PGa) 10.00 Raiders Of The Lost Treasures. (PGa, R)

11.10 24 Hours In Emergency. (Ma, R)

1.00 9/11: The Unheeded Warning. (MA15+v, R)

2.00 9/11: Ten Mistakes. (Ma, R)

2.55 Patriot Brains. (Mals, R)

3.45 Food Safari. (R)

4.15 Bamay. (R)

4.50 Destination Flavour. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature.

6.00 Shopping. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. (PG)

12.00 Horse Racing. Run to the Rose Day and Ladbrokes Cox Plate Qualifier Day.

2.30 AFL Pre-Game Show.

3.00 Football. AFL. Finals Series. Second elimination final. St Kilda v GWS Giants.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Football. AFL. Finals Series. Second qualifying final. Brisbane Lions v Port Adelaide. From the Gabba, Brisbane.

10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. A wrap-up of the game, including panel discussion and interviews, with access to players, coaches and staff.

11.00 My Kitchen Rules. (PGal, R) The competition travels to Western Sydney where identical twin sisters Radha and Prabha hope to impress judges Manu Fieldel and Colin Fassnidge with their traditional Indian family recipes.

1.00 Home Shopping.

6.00 Morning Programs. 11.00 NRLW Wrap. (PG) 11.30 Rugby League. NRL Women’s Premiership. Round 8. Wests Tigers v Brisbane Broncos. 1.30 Rugby League. NRL Women’s Premiership. Round 8. Newcastle Knights v Sydney Roosters. 3.15 Rugby League. NRL. Finals Series. Second qualifying final. Penrith Panthers v New Zealand Warriors.

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 Rugby League. NRL. Finals Series. First elimination final. Cronulla Sharks v Sydney Roosters.

9.45 NRL Finals Footy Post-Match. A post-match NRL wrap-up.

10.30 Rugby Union. Rugby World Cup. France v New Zealand.

12.30 Ray Warren: Calling Time. (PG, R) A unique insight into Ray Warren.

1.30 Rugby Union. Rugby World Cup. Australia v Georgia.

3.45 Rugby World Cup Post-Match. 4.30 Global Shop. (R)

6.00

6.30 Bondi Rescue. (PGal, R) A car freefalls off a ledge.

7.00 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith.

8.00 Thank God You’re Here. (PGdls, R) Hosted by Celia Pacquola.

9.00 MOVIE: Ghost In The Shell. (2017, Manv, R) In the near future, a cyborg uncovers a conspiracy while working as a counter-terrorism operative. Scarlett Johansson, Takeshi Kitano.

11.00 The Cheap Seats. (Mal, R)

12.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 Authentic. (PG)

5.00 Hour Of Power.

6am Morning Programs.

12.30pm Timbersports. 1.00 Football. AFL

Women’s. Round 2. Sydney v Geelong. 3.00 Australian V8 Superboats Championship: 2023

6.00 Morning Programs. 11.30 Rugby League. NRL Women’s Premiership. Round 8. North Queensland Cowboys v Canberra Raiders. 1.20 Rugby League. NRL Women’s Premiership. Round 8. Gold Coast Titans v Parramatta Eels. 3.15 Rugby League. NRL. Finals Series. Second

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 The Voice. (PG) The artists from Team Guy and Team Jason will take to the stage to fight for a place in the semi-final.

8.45 7NEWS Spotlight. An exclusive, special investigation.

9.45 The Latest: Seven News.

10.15 Born To Kill? Charles Albright. (MA15+av) Takes a look at Charles Albright, who was convicted of murdering a sex worker and removing her eyeballs.

11.15 Autopsy USA: Burt Reynolds. (Mad) A look at the death of Burt Reynolds.

12.30 Home Shopping.

5.00 Seven Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

5.30 Children’s Programs. 5.40 MOVIE: The Flintstones. (1994) 7.30 MOVIE: Tomb Raider. (2018, M) 9.45 MOVIE: Mortal Kombat. (2021, MA15+) 11.45 Falling

6.30 The Sunday Project. A look at the day’s news.

7.30 The Traitors. (Final) Hosted by Rodger Corser.

8.50 FBI. (Mav) After a bioweapon attack leaves two people dead, the FBI tries to determine who is behind it.

9.40 NCIS: Hawai’i. (Mv, R) The NCIS team investigates a fatal car crash involving a US Navy officer who turns out to be an imposter.

10.30 Five Bedrooms. (Ml, R) Ainsley gets into a committed relationship.

11.30 The Sunday Project. (R)

12.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

MONDAY, September 11

Morning Programs. 8.00 WorldWatch. 10.00 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 10.25 Employable Me (USA) (Ma, R) 11.15

(PG) 12.10 WorldWatch. 2.00 A

To Her Majesty The Queen. 3.35 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Jeopardy! (R) 4.30 Letters

Numbers. (R) 5.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. La Vuelta. Stage 15. H’lights.

TUESDAY, September 12

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.20 Peer To Peer. (R) 10.15 Employable Me (USA) (Mal, R)

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGadv) Cash chases a lead.

7.30 My Kitchen Rules. (PGl) Hosted by Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge.

9.15 The Rookie. (Mdv) Now that Elijah and Abril are allies, the team must rely on Monica, Elijah’s lawyer, to uncover their plans.

10.15 The Rookie: Feds. (Mav) The team pursues a gang leader.

11.15 The Latest: Seven News.

11.45 Chicago Fire. (Ma) 1.00 Home Shopping. 5.00 Seven Early News. 5.30

6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news and events.

7.30 The Masked Singer Australia. (Return) Hosted by Osher Günsberg.

8.50 Have You Been Paying Attention? (Malns) Celebrity panellists compete to see who can remember the most about events of the week.

9.50 To Be Advised.

10.20 FBI: Most Wanted. (Mdv, R) Two gunmen go on a rampage.

11.10 NCIS. (Mv, R) McGee investigates a break-in.

12.00 The Project. (R)

1.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

6.00

News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGadv) Cash embarks on a rescue mission.

7.30 My Kitchen Rules. (PGl) Amateur cooks put their culinary skills to the test in order to prove they have what it takes.

9.15 RFDS. (Ma) Tensions flare between Eliza and Pete while transporting a contagious patient in stifling PPE.

10.15 Ambulance: Code Red. (Ma) Follows the work of an ambulance service.

5.30

6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news and events.

7.30 Shark Tank. A panel is pitched inventions and ideas, including an ice facial tool and science kits for kids.

8.40 The Cheap Seats. (Mal) Presenters Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald take a look at the week that was.

9.40 NCIS. (Mv, R) The team investigates after a body is found at an ancient burial site that is thought to be cursed.

10.30 NCIS: Hawai’i. (Mv, R) The team investigates a fatal car crash.

11.30 The Project. (R)

12.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

WEDNESDAY, September 13

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PG)

7.30 My Kitchen Rules. (Ml) Hosted by Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge.

Wolf. (Madlv) 10.40 SBS World News Late. 11.10 Trom. (Premiere, Mv) 12.00 Reyka. (MA15+av, R) 3.55 Food Safari. (R)

THURSDAY, September 14

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

7.35 Great Australian Walks With Julia Zemiro. (PG)

8.30 Eva Longoria: Searching For Mexico. (PGad)

9.20 Kin. (Final, MA15+lv) 10.15 SBS World News Late.

9.15 Unbelievable Moments Caught On Camera. (Return, PGa) Footage of headline-grabbing moments captured on camera by members of the public.

10.15 Homicide: With Ron Iddles: Gary Adams. (Mav, R)

11.20 The Latest: Seven News.

11.50 Talking Finals. Hosted by James Brayshaw.

1.00 Home Shopping.

5.00 Seven Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 The Block. (PGl) As the master bedrooms take shape, fake friendships are exposed and conspiracy theories run wild.

8.35 Luxe Listings Sydney. (Ml)

D’Leanne’s client confronts her with unwelcome news during a family celebration. Gavin chases a lead on a unique Bondi listing that has been sitting on the market for a while. Simon tours a mega mansion.

9.45 Tennis. Davis Cup. Finals. Group Stage. Great Britain v Australia. From AO Arena, Manchester, England.

5.00 News Early Edition.

5.30 Today.

6.30 The Project.

7.30 Thank God You’re Here. (PGls) Hosted by Celia Pacquola.

8.30 Inspired Unemployed (Impractical) Jokers. (PGl) Jack, Falcon, Dom and Liam play one of their favourite games, You Laugh You Lose.

9.00 Five Bedrooms. (Mls) Heather’s in a funk hitting peak mediocrity and just tolerating Ben.

10.00 So Help Me Todd. (PGa) Todd takes on the role of babysitter.

11.00 FBI. (Mav, R)

12.00 The Project. (R)

1.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PG) Eden and Remi consider giving up on Kirby.

8.30 Air Crash Investigations: Mystery Over The Mediterranean. (PGa) Examines the 2016 crash of EgyptAir Flight 804 that claimed the lives of all 66 passengers and crew.

9.30 The Front Bar. (Ml) Hosts Mick Molloy, Sam Pang and Andy Maher take a lighter look at all things AFL.

10.30 The Latest: Seven News.

11.00 My Kitchen Rules. (PGl, R)

1.00 Home Shopping.

5.00 Seven Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Rugby League. NRL Women’s Premiership. Round 9. Wests Tigers v Newcastle Knights. From Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney.

10.00 Tennis. Davis Cup. Finals. Group stage. Australia v France. From AO Arena, Manchester, England.

5.00 News Early Edition.

5.30 Today. The latest in news, current affairs, sport, politics, entertainment, fashion, health and lifestyle.

6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news and events.

7.30 Gogglebox Australia. Opinionated viewers discuss TV shows.

8.30 The Gold. (Mlv) A group of criminals robbing a security depot inadvertently stumbles across a fortune in gold bullion.

9.30 The Cheap Seats. (Mal, R) Presenters Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald take a look at the week that was.

10.30 Law & Order: SVU. (Mav, R) A college’s secret society preys on female students.

12.30 The Project. (R)

1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

q Bills could not be caught, scoring the Hawks’ first two tries.

By Thomas O'KEEFE