By Mick BIRTLES
HEROIC RESCUE
Mick BIRTLES 0408 167 891 birtles@newsofthearea.com.au
Jen HETHERINGTON 0413 871 625 jen@newsofthearea.com.au
Andrea FERRARI 0410 067 966 andrea@newsofthearea.com.au
Ned COWIE 0401 431 460 nerida@newsofthearea.com.au
David WIGLEY wigley@newsofthearea.com.au
Mary KEILY 0476 603 944 mary@newsofthearea.com.au
Doug CONNOR 0431 487 679 doug@newsofthearea.com.au
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ShoreTrack youth land jobs at Express Coach Builders
FROM Page 1
One of the Nambucca Valley’s biggest employers, Express Coach Builders in Macksville has identified the value of the ShoreTrack initiative to industry and the broader community.
The company has since joined forces with the program, resulting in jobs and trade training for a number of young men.
Since its inception ShoreTrack has been building relationships with businesses in the Nambucca Valley to ensure that the training they were providing was relevant to workplaces in the district.
This approach has enabled ShoreTrack to set up their training so young people are ready
to work and attractive to potential employers.
Five young men from ShoreTrack have now been employed by Express Coach Builders, with most likely to take up apprenticeships and ultimately becoming tradesmen.
“I found it really difficult to go to school however through ShoreTack I have been able to develop a strong work ethic and I now realise that there is so much more to life than just sitting around and hanging out with mates,”
Trainee Boiler Maker Roman
told News Of the Area.
“I have been able to secure a role as an apprentice Boiler Maker, I am really enjoying the workplace here, and I am looking forward to becoming a qualified tradesman in a few years.”
Lucas Newman, a tradesman at Express Coach Builders who oversees the work and training of some of the former ShoreTrack attendees, was highly complimentary in relation to the initiative and the capacity for hard work demonstrated by the young men.
Funding injection for country roads
ROADS across the Bellingen Shire are receiving nearly $11 million in government funding to help make them resilient to floods and fire.
Jointly funded by the Albanese and Minns Governments’ Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package and Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, funding includes a $9.8 million package to improve Darkwood, Timboon, Valery and Martells roads and $1.19 million to upgrade a section of Kalang Road.
Bellingen Shire Council is enhancing road resilience with a series of upgrades.
These include improved drainage systems, new concrete kerbs, upgraded road pavement layers, sealing of key unsealed sections, road alignment adjustments, safety barrier installations and retaining walls.
Senator Tony Sheldon, Special Envoy for Disaster Recovery, said, “The Australian Government is pleased to see work progressing in Bellingen Shire, which has been heavily impacted in recent years by both bushfires and floods.
“These projects will increase the reliability of the road network and reduce the frequency and duration of road closures during disasters.
“This will have direct social benefits by reducing
the likelihood of local communities becoming isolated, and by supporting local residents to remain connected.”
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison spoke of the benefits for the Kalang Valley.
“Kalang Road is the only access route for the Kalang Valley and ensuring its resilience will improve the lives of the 280 people who live there, which is good news for them and a huge benefit
Express Coach Builders owner Mark Forster told NOTA, “We are right behind what ShoreTrack is doing and we are proud that we are able to offer these great young people jobs and training that gives them a great start in life.
“Like many in small industry, the COVID pandemic really affected us but thanks to the support of this community, government at many levels, particularly the Member for Oxley, Michael Kemp, we have bounced back, have orders all the way through to 2026 and are able to expand our workforce with fine young people such as those from ShoreTrack.”
for local businesses.”
Bellingen Shire Mayor Cr Steve Allan welcomed the funding from state and federal levels of government.
“Our country roads are currently undergoing muchneeded revitalisation, and it’s encouraging to see the government backing these projects to ensure safer, more reliable roads for our community.
“The impact of the recent disasters has meant the need for significant work to be done on these roads, especially as they serve as crucial links during emergencies.”
Volunteers honoured for 2020 rescue off Nambucca Heads
FROM Page 1
the rapid response by Watch Officer Jennifer Edser and the volunteer crew of Coxswain Peter Holyfield, Ronald Young, Robert Hose, and David Meani on board Trial Bay 30 saved the men’s lives.
“This group of volunteers from Marine Rescue Trial Bay were deployed to assist the multi-agency search on the morning of 5 August 2020 after two fishermen found themselves in waters about six nautical miles off Nambucca Heads when the hull of their runabout split and sank.
“The crew on board Trial Bay 30 located the two men and retrieved them from the ocean a couple of kilometres
q Marine Rescue Trial Bay Unit Commander Ian Turner and Commissioner Alex Barrell.
from where they had made the distress call.
“The fishermen were returned to shore by Trial Bay 30 before both were taken to
The Big Screen
By Lindsay HALL
BOTH releases this week are throwbacks to fondly remembered properties of an older time.
Nosferatu comes courtesy of director Robert Eggers (The Witch, The Lighthouse, The Northman) and is a remake/homage to the legendary German film from 1922.
The story is ostensibly the equally legendary and endlessly retold Dracula, with character names and locations changed so as to
hospital by NSW Ambulance.
“The professionalism and teamwork displayed by the vessel crew and the watch officer in the radio
avoid a lawsuit from the estate of Bram Stoker.
The film stars Bill Skarsgård as Count Orlock (the Dracula stand-in), with Lily-Rose Depp and Nicholas Hoult as the young couple who are forced to contend with the evil and obsessed vampire.
Eggers works are all incredibly distinct in style
185mm (h) x 260mm (w)
Instant health advice when your GP is closed
If you are unwell or injured call healthdirect for free on 1800 022 222
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q Marine Rescue volunteer David Meani, MRNSW Commissioner Alex Barrell, Unit Commander Ian Turner, and volunteer Ronald Young.
room resulted in a positive outcome.
“Marine Rescue NSW volunteers train for these scenarios, and on this day their skills saved two men’s lives.
and tone - he is a filmmaker who creates moods and atmosphere more than he tells stories.
It’s not quite arthouse cinema, but it has been through that part of town.
In a completely different vein of film is Paddington in Peru: Lost in the Jungle, the third installment in that impossibly heartwarming
“I thank all five volunteers involved in this successful search and rescue mission for their dedication to saving lives on the water,” Commissioner Barrell said.
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based notfor-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.
and family friendly series.
Starring half of the UK's roster of well-known actors, with a fun turn from Antonio Banderas as a hunter named Hunter, the soft-spoken Ben Whishaw returns as the voice of the titular, marmalade loving bear.
When Paddington receives word from the Home for Retired Bears in
Peru that his beloved Aunt Lucy is behaving strangely, he and the Brown family decide to travel across the world to visit.
Once they arrive Paddington experiences a series of adventures and misadventures that he must face with his usual disarming charm, generosity and grace.
VIEW club on a fundraising mission
NAMBUCCA Macksville Evening VIEW Club has been on a fundraising mission in recent months for the eight students they support through the Learning for Life program.
The Smith Family’s Learning for Life initiative is an evidencebased program which works with young people experiencing disadvantage.
Through targeted support that begins early in a child’s life and continues throughout their first two decades, Learning for Life keeps students engaged with their education by providing financial support, advice and mentoring.
The VIEW Club also sees the value in “cross pollinating” with other people and organisations in the community.
“After all, we are all there to support each other,” said secretary Michelle Walker.
This was reflected at the Plant and Cake Sale held on 2 November at the Macksville Senior Citizens Centre where local author Karly Lane chatted with locals and visitors while promoting and signing copies of her latest book,
“Twist of Fate”.
Taking the opportunity to fundraise, the VIEW Club ran a raffle on the day, the winners of which have now been announced.
“First Prize, which was a lovely potted plant, three books donated by Karly Lane and chocolates and champagne went to Jenny of Macksville,” said Michelle.
“Second Prize, chocolates and champagne, was won by Carol, also of Macksville.”
One recent morning, VIEW Club Assistant Treasurer Anne read an article about Nambucca Heads Public School and their journey to create a “Food Forest”.
“As we still had some plants in a very healthy condition, Anne contacted Principal Kate Battison and she agreed they would be a great asset in their garden area,” Michelle said.
“So last week three of our members went to the school and presented about 20 plants to the staff and students.”
At the club’s Christmas dinner meeting in December, members and guests were entertained by the amazing Cabaret Belles.
“There was an array of smart,
flowing and sparkly costumes, clever routines and some hilarious moments,” Michelle said.
“These ladies were so much fun.”
Another opportunity to fundraise, a Christmas raffle was drawn on the night.
“First Prize, a stunning, handmade quilt, went to Beryl of Macksville, and Second Prize, some beautiful Turkish bowls, going to Robyn of Macksville.”
The club’s final event for the year - a Christmas baking and gift stall - was held on Thursday 12 December outside Trisleys at Macksville.
“Christmas puddings and Christmas cakes were running off the tables,” Michelle said.
“They have gained quite a reputation as well as all the other delicious goodies baked with much love by our incredible members.
“Our final raffle of the year was drawn by one of the staff from Betta Electrics and Sheryl of Macksville won a Foodworks voucher and a Macksville Quality Meats voucher along with chocolates and champagne.”
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q Anne, Linda and Lyn at the Christmas bake stall.
Santa in the Park
By Jen HETHERINGTON
THOUGH the weather outside was sweltering, Families gathered with anticipation swelling, The word was out, Without a doubt, Santa was on his way!
THE Stuarts Point and District Community Organisation (SPaDCO) welcomed Santa Claus and a crowd of excited locals to the village’s foreshore park on Sunday morning, 15 December.
“Our annual ‘Santa in the Park’ event was a true testament to the warmth and spirit of our community,” SPaDCO Chairperson Mary-Lou Lewis told NOTA.
“Seeing the children's faces light up as they met Santa and played festive games in the park, was a wonderful reminder that coming together is a great way to spread happiness around.”
A free event, community members were encouraged to join a children’s gift register, with presents sourced and donated by many generous local businesses.
Genevieve Lovell was part of the volunteering team.
“Thank you to all at SPaDCO for the event, and the community for coming and having a great time.
“The kids surely do love Santa.”
The excitement was palpable as Santa was delivered in the local RFS truck, and amongst the throng the jolly gent took his seat centre stage and all went quiet in anticipation.
Santa’s indefatigable helpers had gifts on hand for him to personally give to all the children present.
Free ice lollies were very
welcome in the midst of numerous field games, including ‘dress-up’
races, tug-of-war and sack races. Rumour has it that Santa was treated to a nice cold brew after his thirsty morning duties.
q Families settled in the shade awaiting Santa.
q The local RFS delivered Santa.
q The very comical ‘dress-up’ running race.
q The tug-of-war was lots of fun.
Max sniffs out chlamydia-free koalas
By Andrew VIVIAN
A POO-SNIFFING English
springer spaniel named Max has identified a new group of koalas inland of Coffs Harbour that appear to be chlamydia free and genetically different to the rest of the koala population.
Chlamydia is one of the leading causes of the catastrophic decline in koala numbers, and populations free of the disease are rare.
Surveys by Max and the team from Canines for Wildlife have also shown the broader koala population in Coffs Harbour and Bellingen has low levels of chlamydia and high genetic diversity.
Canines for Wildlife were recruited to survey for koalas across 115 sites in the Coffs Harbour and Bellingen areas, ranging from coastal regions to the Dorrigo Plateau nearly 1000 metres above sea level.
The surveys identified close genetic relationships between individuals along habitat corridors, emphasising the importance of connected habitat for gene flow and a healthy genetic population.
The results have conservationists celebrating and calling for a halt to logging in state forests that contain vital koala food and
habitat trees.
Max is trained to sniff out koala scats, which can be tested to determine the sex, health and genetic diversity of koalas.
A total of 109 scat samples were collected in 2022-2023 and sent for genetic testing at University of the Sunshine Coast - and the results are surprising and encouraging.
Testing showed there is some genetic differentiation between a group of ten koalas on private properties at Fernbrook and those elsewhere on the Dorrigo Plateau.
The Fernbrook koalas also appear to be chlamydia free.
Lynn Baker, from Canines for Wildlife, said, “For a koala researcher this is such an exciting result”.
“We knew the koalas at Fernbrook looked different.”
“They are a lot furrier and darker in colour than their compatriots on the coast.”
“They look like cold weather koalas.”
Ms. Baker said, “But, if this is a genetically different and chlamydia-free group, then it’s important that they are protected.
“There are not many areas left in NSW that have
distinct groups of chlamydiafree koalas.
“The burning question is are these koalas isolated to the habitat on these properties or are they connected to other chlamydia-free koalas that we haven’t sampled yet?”
The surveys to date were organised by the Jaliigirr Biodiversity Alliance with funding from a range of partners including the Great Eastern Ranges (GER) and WWF-Australia, who are working together on the Cores, Corridors and Koalas project to support koalas and other forest-dependent wildlife.
“We wanted to survey around Dorrigo because we believed it could be a hotspot for koalas,” said Justin Couper, GER project lead from the Jaliigirr Biodiversity Alliance.
“Most of the previous koala surveys have focused on the hinterland and coastal areas of Coffs, so we know very little about what is happening with koalas on the plateau, particularly since the 2019-2020 bushfires.”
While the results from Dorrigo are exciting, the scat surveys also brought good news on the wider koala population in Coffs Harbour and Bellingen.
Genetic testing of 90 koalas shows a healthy population with high genetic diversity and comparatively low levels of chlamydia, with just 32.9 percent showing signs of infection, while in other locations in NSW infection rates can be as high as 100 percent.
However, many of these high-value koalas are in danger because they live in or move through Pine Creek, Tuckers Nob and Tarkeeth State Forests – habitat currently being logged by
the state-owned Forestry Corporation NSW (FCNSW).
WWF-Australia conservation scientist Dr Stuart Blanch said, “These surveys provide a picture of a robust, genetically healthy koala population, but that will change very quickly if we allow logging to knock down food trees and sever vital habitat corridors.
“The community-led efforts being supported through projects such as Cores, Corridors and Koalas are already providing
substantial benefits for our endangered koalas by restoring and reconnecting patches of core forest habitat,” said Gary Howling, CEO of Great Eastern Ranges.
“Without this crucial survey we could easily have lost this koala population without ever knowing how critically important it is.
“Now the government has the chance to help bolster this genetically diverse koala population’s survival by quickly protecting the remaining habitat in the region before it is gone for good.”
q Lynn Baker and Brad Nesbitt from Canines for Wildlife (standing) and WWF’s Dr Stuart Blanch (kneeling) beside detection dog Fen.
Photo: Canines For Wildlife.
Cicada cacophony
By Andrea FERRARI
CICADAS are enjoying a very big year in 2024 with their incessant daytime cacophony kicking off before the kookaburras and fizzling out after the frogs set-up their night time croaks.
News Of The Area asked cicada expert Prof David Emery, what the song and dance is all about.
While this year was predicted to be huge for Green Grocers around Sydney, it was not anticipated to be at plague proportions statewide for so many species.
It is thought that the good winter rainfall followed by a warmer than usual Spring
(3C above average), has coaxed a prolific number of cicadas to emerge; small (and pretty quiet) as well as large (and loud).
Researchers are still working to identify the factors involved in these phenomena.
This season, they have also commenced their emergences around three
weeks earlier than usual; so temperature is a likely factor.
Naturally, with one to seven-odd years spent underground, and less than a month to find a mate to ensure one's genes show up in the next generation, males are calling prodigiously to attract females.
Each species has a
q A newly emerged Double Drummer (Thopha saccata) in Jodie Nanacarrow’s veggie garden in Coramba.
q Registering a maximum of
specific song recognised by the relevant ladies; in the larger species, females fly to the calling males.
Several studies show noise matters, with louder males more likely to attract females, so it’s no wonder that ‘less sound endowed’ males fly and congregate near noisy ones to increase their chances (like in night clubs), so we have these huge populations in selective trees.
And the populations shift about during the day.
The larger ones do not all call together or we have chaos.
There is a bit of a timetable to the daily orchestra; Razor Grinders and Red-eyes rev up early at dawn on warm days and sing intermittently for most of the day.
They are joined by Green Grocers, Cherrynoses, Black Princes and Double Drummers by around 10am to mid-afternoon, before Green Grocer and Bladder cicadas call at dusk and Razor Grinders complete their evening cadence.
Smaller ones are quieter and not noticed so readily, but there are plenty about.
The Coffs Coast is blessed with all of the major ‘biggies’, including Double Drummers, Razor Grinders, Red-eyes and Cherrynoses in the forests like Bongil Bongil and Bagawa State Forest and the mountains, White Drummers rattle daily along the beach together with Black Princes,
q In Nana Glen, numerous cicadas shucks deposited on plants after hatching has occurred.
while Bladder cicadas and Green Grocers drone in the evening.
Recordings or photos of any cicadas are encouraged to be posted on websites such as The Great Cicada Blitz or iNaturalist.
This enables scientists to use such a valuable resource to assess population size, distribution, emergence times and also identify new
Money to boost coverage during MNC disasters
ADDITIONAL funding to improve mobile phone connectivity across the Mid North Coast is now available.
The Albanese Government has announced $55 million worth of grants through Round 8 of the Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP).
MBSP is a cofunding arrangement with the telco industry for new and upgraded telecommunications infrastructure to enhance mobile coverage and competition.
Round 8 funding is targeted at natural disaster prone locations in regional and rural Australia, to bolster community safety and enable better assistance for locals during and after emergencies.
An online Project Noticeboard has been set
up to allow local councillors and state and federal parliamentarians to work with their local communities to identify potential projects.
This can be found by searching “mobile black spot program” on the infrastructure.gov.au website.
Telco industry applicants are being encouraged to review these community and regional submissions when preparing their own applications.
Round 8 also provides higher levels of funding for colocation and active sharing technologies delivered by all three national mobile carriers - Optus, Telstra and TPG.
Meanwhile, Telstra has joined Optus in upgrading its resources in the Mid North Coast region.
It has announced the upgrade of ten payphones,
recovery equipment on standby and extra mobile data for customers during times of disaster.
Telstra Regional General Manager for Northern NSW Michael Marom said with extreme weather events becoming more common and harder to predict, it is critical to ensure the telecommunications provider can keep communities connected.
“While we can’t predict what mother nature will throw at us, we’re as ready as we can be,” Mr Marom said.
Payphones in Sawtell, Telegraph Point, Urunga and Woolgoolga are among 1000 across the nation being upgraded with free Telstra Wi-Fi, USB charging ports and back-up power.
Last disaster season, Telstra deployed new trailermounted, high-powered generators across Australia as part of a multi-milliondollar co-investment under
the Federal Government’s Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters (STAND) program.
Twenty-seven have been deployed “proactively” this season, including three to the Mid North Coast.
“We have back up power systems built into many of our network sites, but these high-powered generators along with other infrastructure such as temporary mobile towers known as Cells-on-Wheels can help with getting people back online faster.”
Optus has also improved its disaster preparedness.
It has a satellite-powered unit (SatCat) permanently based in Coffs Harbour, ready to deliver connectivity to residents, medical responders and evacuees in the event of bushfires or other emergencies.
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cicadas for descriptions and placement in museums.
The local orchestra is still being joined by emerging cicadas and will be intrusive on our peace and midday kips until mid-January, said Prof. Emery. If you are starting off, there is a guide to the species and their songs at cicadarama. square.site/cicada-book.
q Cherry Nose cicada. Photo: Professor David Emery.
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Men’s Shed celebrate
By Jen HETHERINGTON
FAITHFUL to a lasting tradition, Stuarts Point Men’s Shed hosted the 2024 festive season with a generous luncheon on Saturday 14 December.
Invited guests, totalling 22, including five new members to swell the ranks, assembled around a long set of tables, furnished in casual banquet styling, to reminisce and tell the inevitable tall tales.
Attendees included revered life members and partners, some of which had travelled for the event from South West Rocks, Macksville, Scotts Head and Port Macquarie.
In celebrating another successful year of projects, Member George Driussi told NOTA, “Our projects include the assembly of another picnic table, the eighth so far, and numerous recycling endeavours.
q Intriguing repurposing of discarded hot tubs and bath tubs in the grounds of the
“Notably, in the last month we have ‘revolved’ (refurbished) 12 discarded lawn mowers which were snapped up by visitors to the shed.”
President George Bambling delivered a heartfelt address speech on behalf of the members, thanking the wives and partners for the delightful feast, as well as offering everyone best wishes for the festive season and the new year.
With a remarkably wellequipped workshop, the Men’s Shed welcomes new members and the public to their spacious facility on Fishermans Reach Road, which is open on Monday, Wednesday and
q President George Bambling delivered a heartfelt address on behalf of members.
Art Prize adds miniatures
By Andrea FERRARI
GROWING the annual E J Mantova Art Prize is a mission close to the heart of Bellingen’s arts community.
Following the tremendous success of this year’s exhibition, which saw record-breaking participation and sales, the Prize will return in 2025 with a new Miniatures category.
The Prize pays homage to Ernest John Mantova, who is credited as Bellingen’s first professional artist.
Born in Canterbury, NSW, in 1882, Mantova studied at the Julian Ashton Art School before establishing a career as a signwriter and house painter.
It was a roving contract creating advertising murals that brought him to Bellingen in 1931.
He spent the next 20 years producing innumerable landscape works and helping local artists establish their own creative practice.
A letter from Norm Braithwaite to Les and Ella Moodywe, reveals that Mantova “found special
pleasure in the grand canvas of hoardings and the huge bare walls of prominent buildings for picturesque murals canvassing the virtues of Lipton Tea, Sunlight Soap and Shell Motor Spirit”.
Upon his death in 1952 the community rallied to celebrate his
achievements by way of a Memorial Exhibition at the Bellingen Show.
This event captured the admiration of other friends and art lovers, so the event became an annual art competition in conjunction with the agricultural show.
Artists from Bellingen and beyond are invited to be part of this celebrated local tradition, with the next exhibition planned to open on Saturday, April 26.
Entries open on Monday, February 24, and close on Monday, March 31,
and
The EJ Mantova Art Prize is presented by the Bellinger River Agricultural Society and sponsored by Bellingen Shire Council.
Saturday mornings. Contact Shed Manager Glenn Button (0493 601
q The wide array of deserts on the menu was almost overwhelming.
The prestigious art event will once again be hosted at the Bellingen Gallery and Framing Studio, under the enthusiastic stewardship of new owners Jude
Paul Regan.
q EJ Mantova 2024 exhibition.
Eungai Christmas Carols
By Jen HETHERINGTON
ON Friday evening, 13 December, families gathered for the annual Unkya Reserve (Eungai Creek) Christmas Carols which commenced in pleasant conditions at 5.30 pm.
Along with performances by students from the Eungai Public School and the Nambucca Valley Band, the Bowraville Theatre Singers entertained the crowd.
Local RFS members provided a sausage sizzle, as booklets containing 16 popular song lyrics were handed out and families relaxed in the picnic atmosphere, many set up with chairs, rugs and snacks.
Supporting the theme, ‘Celebrate Christmas with your Community’, the Unkya Reserve Committee gave all the kids gifts of ice creams and glow sticks to enjoy.
The seasonal magic was summed up by spectator George Driussi: “It’s so good to see the community enthusiastically involved in the carols.”
annual Eungai Community Carols.
As one of the dedicated organisers, Lisa Hall was pleased to report, “Around 100 people enjoyed a beautiful summer's evening at Unkya Reserve for the
“Firstly, we were entertained by the delightful students of Eungai Public School, all decked out in their Christmas finery.
“Then the Nambucca District Band and two of the Bowraville Singers (Elizabeth Driussi and Heather Edwards) led us in a selection of Christmas carols and songs.
“The Eungai RFS cooked up some amazing sausage sandwiches, ably served by our canteen volunteers.”
Koala surveys show breeding activity in Bongil Bongil
By Andrew VIVIAN
WALKING three kilometres along forest roads quietly, in the dark, might not be everyone’s idea of fun, but Ian Scott and Maureen Courtenay have been doing it every spring for ten years.
They are part of a large, dedicated group of volunteers who conduct koala surveys in Bongil Bongil National Park for the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
Over five nights, groups cover five areas in the park listening for
responses to a recorded koala call.
They record any responses they hear, along with any sightings.
Sightings of other notable animals, such as gliders, are also recorded.
The 2024 season concluded on the night of 8 October in rain
that became so heavy that two teams halted midway due to safety concerns
(This was the second significant rain disruption to the usual dry spring survey program in 2024, and was in marked contrast to all previous years.)
Both visibility and hearing on two other survey nights were seriously impacted by inclement weather.
However, despite the unfavourable conditions, happy volunteers kept turning up and the results from this year’s survey season were encouraging, with a total of 34 koala records (31 heard and three seen) made during the 25 surveys.
“I enjoy adding a bit of citizen science to help the koala population,” Mr Scott said.
“The surveys indicate that the Great Koala National Park should go ahead and the politicians should get their act together.
“It’s been a great bunch of people to work with over the years.”
While koalas seen were at record low levels, two of the three seen were either joeys or young juveniles and another animal heard was recognised by an experienced WIRES koala carer volunteer as the ‘yip’ of a juvenile koala.
Lisa offered a closing message for 2024.
“Merry Christmas everyone, and look out for our first Funkya@ Unkya market next year on Sunday 23 February!”
Other interesting wildlife encountered during the surveys were Masked Owls and many Great Barred Frogs – not surprising given the wet conditions.
These results confirm that breeding activity within the primary koala habitat of Bongil Bongil National Park continues.
No visibly diseased or injured koalas were observed during this year’s program.
Koalas were recorded on all transect lines spread right across the national park indicating the whole of the park’s 4300ha of forest provides valuable habitat for the park’s significant koala population.
This indicates that the population trend over time remains positive and upward, providing scientifically valid data that the park’s koala population is growing.
It shows the park is home to a widespread breeding population of koalas which is distributed right across the national park, from Tuckers Rocks in the east to Gordons Road on the northwest fringe.
The data provides evidence that the park’s habitat is being well managed for this species through effective reduction of all major threatening processes.
This citizen science program contributed 176 volunteer nights, approximately 600 hours of volunteer work, and generated valuable information that substantially increases the NPWS’s knowledge of one of the most important and permanently protected wild koala populations in the world.
q Volunteers searching for koalas in Bongil Bongil: Photo: Graham Tupper.
Planting support
By Andrea FERRARI
LOCAL support for the Bellingen Street Landcare Group is funding a project to regenerate an important bushland site near Lions Park, Urunga.
Thanks to Bellingen Shire Council’s Environmental Levy providing a grant of $3762, a donation of 350 native plants by Urunga Lions Club, and help from a local bush regenerator, the group is making great headway.
The vegetation at the Crescent Close site is dominated by a single Keith Class vegetation type, Estuarine Sea Rush Swamp Oak Forest, which is a “Threatened Ecological Community”.
The presence of Swamp Mahogany and Broadleaved Paperbark suggests that Flying Foxes and other nectivores are likely to forage at the site, particularly in winter.
The mid-storey species include Cheese Tree and Bangalow Palm while the native ground cover species are sparse, with Mat-grass and regenerating natives present.
More than forty species have been identified on-site so far.
Over the years, it has become infested with weeds such as trad, ochna, madeira vine, asparagus fern, morning glory and lantana.
Using grant funds, bush regeneration contractors have been employed to control weed infestations so
that volunteer regenerators can expand across the site with regular working bees.
Recently, Urunga Lions Club, Mayor Cr Steve Allan, Cr Jo Brotherton and members of Council’s Sustainable Environment and Waste Team had a working bee to plant the donated plants.
Mayor Allan got stuck in with the ground work.
“It is great to be working alongside community members to help protect and restore our natural environment,” he said.
“You can already see changes to the site with weed cover decreasing and native seedlings starting to emerge. “The project is a great example of what can be achieved on a local scale with a dedicated group of volunteers, and I encourage others in the community to get involved in local projects
such as this.”
The Mayor was given the task of planting an aniseed myrtle (Syzygium anisatum), which is a rare Australian rainforest tree naturally found only in the Nambucca
and Bellinger valleys.
Project Coordinator Jenny Sewell, is thrilled with how the project is going.
“When we started the project, you couldn’t even access the site because it was
Landcare Jenny Sewell.
so thick with weeds,” she said.
“With the help of contractors and our dedicated volunteers the vine weeds are now under control, and you can really see the beauty of the site returning.
“It’s great to be working alongside neighbours and community members and I am looking forward to seeing further transformation of the site as the new trees start to establish.”
Banded bird’s record travel revealed
By Andrea FERRARI
WHEN Coffs Harbour
birding enthusiast Ellany
Whelan snapped a photo of a shorebird early one morning at Old Bar beach, she had no idea the picture would open up the fascinating details of the bird’s travel itinerary of the past eight years.
A member of both the Bellingen Birders group and the Coffs Coast Bird Observers (CCBO) group, Ellany was participating in a three-day, two-night
campout organised by the CCBO, which gave the group time to explore an area away from their usual birding spots.
As the planned group outings for the day were not starting until 8.30am, Ellany and fellow birder, Cheryl Cooper, decided to have an early start to explore the nearby tidal inlet from the ocean side.
“As we walked along the beach, we noticed a Pied Oystercatcher successfully hunting pippies at the water's edge, so we stopped
and watched for a little while,” Ellany told News Of The Area.
“Although light conditions were not ideal, being quite harsh in the early morning and with the sun behind the bird, I snapped a couple of shots for record purposes before we moved on.”
It was only later, on reviewing the day's photos, that Ellany noticed the leg flag, and that it was clear enough to report to the Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme (ABBBS).
A few days later Ellany received a reply from the ABBBS giving details about the bird from past recorded sightings.
“It turned out to be a South Island Pied Oystercatcher (SIPO), normally a New Zealand bird, so a rare visitor to our coast.
“And it’s the only SIPO that the Victorian Waders Group has banded.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the
Environment and Water told NOTA that the flagged bird Red N1 was banded on 6 August 6, 2016, as a threeyear-old at Stockyard Point in Westernport, Victoria.
“The time between banding and resighting was eight years, three months and fifteen days which set a record for the longest time between banding and resighting of this species in Australia.
“This is currently the oldest known banded bird of this species in Australia.”
There have been three recorded sightings in Victoria in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
The next ID recordings were in Ballina, in 2019 and 2020.
In 2021, the bird was sighted on the Manning River estuary.
In December 2023, it was seen at Old Bar beach and in November 2024, Ellany spotted the bird back on the beach at Old Bar.
“I have reported a couple of banded sightings previously, through the
ABBBS, as it adds to the store of knowledge on the species of interest for those that can constructively use the data, and it is also fascinating to receive an insight into the life of the bird seen.
“I am always amazed at the distances these small and seemingly fragile creatures manage to cover, all under their own steam.
“That, and the mere fact of an individual's
continued survival under what must be increasingly difficult conditions, such as habitat loss and human interference,” Ellany said.
“Being present to witness such natural behaviour is always a blessing, so I am very conscious of minimising any impact my presence may have in possibly disturbing any bird from attending to its daily requirements, especially birds that may have just flown thousands of kilometres and need their rest and food.”
Nambucca Valley Bridge Club
By Barbara MARANIK
q Mayor Cr Steve Allan, planting alongside volunteers near Lions Park, Urunga.
q Brent Hely, Celeste Lymn and Lara Cumming.
q Rebecca Lynn, BSC sustainability Manager Lara Cumming, Bush Regenerator Contractor Brent Hely, BSC River and Biodiversity Officer Celeste Lymn, Tracy Pearson, Paul Baker, Mayor Cr Steve Allan, Lions Club’s Peter Brotherton and Project Coordinator for Bellingen Street
q South Island Pied Oystercatcher bearing the Red N1 leg band photographed by Ellany Whelan at Old Bar beach.
Tips to keep Nambucca’s kids cyber-safe over Summer
By Sue STEPHENSON
LIVING or holidaying in this part of the world comes with an endless supply of outdoor activities, yet parents still struggle to keep their children off social media.
And not for lack of trying.
During these school holidays, children will spend more time online, potentially unsupervised.
This will expose them to distressing, harmful and violent content, inappropriate and unwanted contact, or online grooming and sextortion to produce child abuse material.
Education is the key to winning the battle, according to the crime agencies that have partnered this Summer to produce the “Child Online Safety Fact Sheet”.
It can be found at esafety. gov.au/parents/resources.
Crime Stoppers (NSW), the NSW Police Force, the eSafety Commissioner, and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE), which is led by the Australian Federal Police, are taking a coordinated approach to safeguarding children.
They are doing this by ensuring parents, carers and educators understand and manage the challenges.
Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty is the Commander of the NSW Police Sex Crimes Squad and Child Exploitation Internet Unit.
She believes society has to change the way it looks at children’s use of the internet.
“The internet is just like the real world. There are places your children can go by themselves and places you should go with your child,” she said.
“No matter what, you should always know who your kids are speaking to online and ensure they are prepared for what they may encounter and who to turn to if something bad happens.
“Crime Stoppers CEO Peter Price, warns that there are no boundaries when it comes to sexual offenders online and there is no single demographic targeted.
“What is common is children being alone online
and not having the knowledge or maturity to understand or manage the online space.”
“Our priority for our most vulnerable will always be prevention.”
eSafety Deputy Commissioner Toby Dagg said that, “helping children navigate the online world is probably the most important thing parents and carers can do.”
eSafety recently released nationally representative data of Australian children aged between eight and twelve-years-old. It reveals:
- 84 percent have used social media and messaging services since the beginning of the year.
- 93 percent of twelveyear-olds used social media before reaching the current official age for social media entry.
- 80 percent of children with a current social media or messaging account had help in setting it up.
- Of these, 90 percent said they had assistance from a parent or carer.
ACCCE and Human Exploitation Commander Helen Schneider said the holiday season was often busy for parents and carers, but “having open and honest conversations can help your child understand the risks and confide in a trusted adult if they are faced with unsafe situations online.
“When something happens, young people should seek help as soon as possible and know that, with help, they can make it stop.”
If it does happen there are three key steps:
1. Collect evidence. Get screenshots or photos of the conversation/s. Record details such as profiles, usernames and URLs.
2. Block the user and report it on the platform where the contact occurred.
3. Report it as soon as possible to ACCCE. Details can be found at accce.gov.au/ report
Case studies
The consequences of not prioritising prevention are painfully real. Documented case studies include:
- A 13-year-old female
5 tips to keep your family safe online
Parents and carers can use a combination of strategies to help young people build their digital technology skills and have safer experiences online.
1. Start the chat
Get into the habit of talking about online safety as a family, so your child feels comfortable coming to you if they ever need help working out an issue. It’s never too early to introduce good online habits such as respect, empathy, critical thinking, responsible behaviour and resilience. As your child grows older, eSafety’s advice about hard to have conversations will help with some of the tricky topics like sending nudes, online pornography and contact from sexual predators.
2. Create a family technology agreement
Creating a Family Technology Agreement can help you and your kids decide together when and how digital technology will be used at home. As a family, brainstorm easy-to-follow rules and display them where everyone will see them. Your agreement could cover things like: time limits, apps your kids are allowed to use and online behaviour. Families with younger children can download a template to guide the conversation.
3. Set up parental controls
Parental controls let you monitor and limit what your child sees and does online. It’s best to use them in combination with the other online safety strategies listed here. Taming the technology can help you understand your options. Grab a device and get started with our guides to setting up parental controls on devices and accounts or in social media, games and apps
4. Choose games and other apps carefully
Use eSafety’s App checklist for parents to think about the positives and negatives when your child asks to download a new game or other app. The checklist covers things like age ratings, managing privacy settings and reporting abuse in-app. You can also use The eSafety guide to check and set up safety features with your child.
5. Use digital technology together
Exploring or playing on devices or online with your child can be a positive experience that promotes learning and development. Ask questions, be curious and get involved. To learn more, read our blogpost How to encourage good screen practices for your child esafety.gov.au
was playing an online game and was talking to a person in the in-game chat. The person manipulated the girl to continue talking on another platform and then tricked her into performing acts with no clothes on. Source: Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation.
- A 15-year-old male
joined a video call on a messaging app from someone they thought was a person their own age. The boy was tricked into sending images of himself with no clothes on, and the other person started to blackmail the boy for money, threatening to share the images with his family.
Source: Australian Centre to
Counter Child Exploitation.
- A 12-year-old child received a request on Instagram to follow an unknown person who posed as an 18-year-old. This person groomed the child over a three-week period and asked for information such as their age and address. The child shared self-generated child
Coffs cricket midseason review
By Aiden BURGESS
THE newly rebranded Sixers Cricket League has reached the midway point of its season, as it heads into its Christmas/New Year's Break.
Here is how each club has fared so far this season.
Nana Glen Lizards: The
standout club so far, sitting at the top of both the first grade and T20 Cup competitions. Also lead the way in the Under 16s.
Bellingen/Dorrigo Cricket Club: Sitting in second spot on the firstgrade ladder after being the early season leaders.
Diggers Cricket Club: Lead the way in both the second and third grade competitions.
Finished runners up in the first Under 12s season.
Coffs Colts Cricket Club: The defending T20 Cup champions currently sit in second spot on the
ladder in this season’s T20 competition.
Sawtell Cricket Club: The traditional powerhouse haven’t been as strong this season, not helped by a number of their matches being abandoned. Sit on top of the Under 14s ladder, and second in the
SPORTS
Under 16s.
Woolgoolga Cricket Club Rebels: Have had a tough start to the first-grade season currently sitting on the bottom of the ladder, but were the first side to beat then ladder leaders
Bellingen/Dorrigo. The Rebels are coming
esafety.gov.au
sexual exploitation material, which was then posted across a platform’s public group chat dedicated to displaying such material. eSafety reported the material to the platform, the material was removed, and the group chat was suspended for violating the platform’s Terms of Service.
Source: eSafety.
second in second grade and first in fourth grade.
Macksville Bulls: Strong in the junior ranks winning the first Under 12s season, and are currently second in the Under 14s, and third in the Under 16s.
Urunga Cricket Club: In the top four of the secondgrade competition.
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On theCouch
Email Jasminda: media@newsofthearea.com.au
Dear Jasminda,
I'm sick of supermarkets acting like we are employees when we don't get paid. There is hardly anyone on the checkouts, and we have to self-serve.
Heidi L.
Dear Heidi,
When my parents were young adults, they'd go to the local store and ask for a loaf of bread, a certain type of biscuit and other ingredients and the shop owner would gather the items, put them into brown paper bags, box everything up, and send them on their way. My parents happen to be here at the mo-
ment and your conundrum has encouraged them to debrief. They are in full agreement. Dad: 'Now you wheel a bloody trolley around, often with a dodgy wheel, search and search for what you want because all the aisles have been reordered overnight by someone who thinks the nuts need to be in three separate spots. And then, when you finally get to the checkout, there are only two operators and no express checkout because they've been removed, so all you can do is go to the service desk, but then you have to line up behind the smokers.'
Mum: 'Then, after making you work as an unpaid employee, they put cameras everywhere because they don't trust you. Well you know what I do, I take some
grapes and I eat them in front of the cameras. And I knock a few potatoes on the floor. The buggers.' It seems, Heidi, that you are not alone. Perhaps as employees we should get some decent training, uniforms with name tags, and some sort of promotional system whereby if we can work out how to scan all the products without the 'please place items in the bagging area' alert, we progress to section manager. A tax break or two and some long service leave wouldn't go astray either. If we're contractors, travel to and from the place of work should be included. So are we contractors or employees, because we're certainly not customers. The customer is supposed to always be right.
'We want an arrest': new push over exhumed teen's death
By Luke COSTIN, AAP
THE family of a talented Indigenous teenager who died unexpectedly still don't know what their painful decision to exhume his body has achieved.
Lewis "Buddy" Kelly had just bought a car and was set to travel overseas to play tennis when found dead on railway tracks outside Kempsey in December 1983.
No autopsy, no bloodalcohol readings and few witness statements were taken before his death was marked down as accidental self-harm related to drunkenness.
After campaigning by aggrieved relatives, the 16-year-old's grave was exhumed in 2020.
But the family say they have been left in the dark about what the autopsy showed.
"It's been four years since our family made the impossible decision to have our Buddy exhumed and more than 41 years since he was taken from us and denied his life," younger sister Monica Kelly said.
"We need answers and we need them urgently."
In a meeting with a court on Thursday, the family was told the Crown Solicitor's Office was reviewing material gathered during the coroner's investigation.
That included fresh evidence recently handed to police and the coronerwhich the family believes can kickstart more than just a
fresh inquest.
"We want an arrest," Ms Kelly told AAP.
"And with the information that has been received, that can happen.
"Even though it's 41 years, we still suffer. For them to not call or send us updates in recent years is unprofessional for a government department."
Her brother was a very active sportsman who was going to travel to play tennis in America in January 1984.
Buddy had just got his L-plates, bought himself a car and scored an apprenticeship as a glazier.
It makes the original finding that he drunkenly wandered onto train tracks and laid down in the path of a train on New Year's Eve
impossible for loved ones to believe.
"He had a family that loved him... he had everything going for him," Ms Kelly said.
Greens Senator David Shoebridge and state MP Sue Higginson recently wrote to the coroner highlighting concerns about communication with the family.
They urged the information that came to light in recent weeks be "urgently investigated".
"Buddy's death is shrouded in suspicion and state failure, there should be protocols in place for dealing with this now and providing the family with the support they need and deserve, as is the case for deaths in custody," Ms Higginson said.
Nambucca Heads Island Golf Club
By Chris KNIGHT
MORE than 100 players teed off in a charity fundraising golf day at the Nambucca Heads Island Golf Course on Saturday - bringing a riot of colour to the fairways.
Participants were challenged to wear something yellow and to donate generously for the Cancer Council.
"From loose change through to plenty of big notes we ended up with $750 in the donation jar which we were pleased with as cancer touches everyone sooner or later in life, either directly or indirectly," Nambucca Golf Director Henny Oldenhove said.
"Spirits were high on the eve of Christmas, especially the young lads who dressed up as bananas though we're not sure how B1 and B2 faired on the course as it must have been very warm in those costumes."
The 18-hole championship layout would benefit from a drink, but the bent grass greens were in magnificent condition.
Playing from the
mysteriously positioned gold tees, many in the field struggled on reduced handicaps.
Not so 10-marker Stephen Truelove who followed the yellow brick road to card 37 points to win Division 1 of the Cancer Council Plaza Butchery medley stableford.
Runner-up was Garry Johnstone (10 handicap) with 36 points.
Dale Hanson (19) won Div 2 with 37 points from Wayne Wright (14) on 35. In Div 3, Robert Battaglini (24) saluted with 34 points, from Gregory Lucas (21) on 32.
Ross Morpuss won the Ecomist longest putt on the 1st, while the nearest the pins went to Thomas Wattison on 5, Rodney Robertson on 7, Ben Venner on 8, Andrew Johnston on 13 (Pizza This
voucher), Stephen McNeil on 15 and Paul Maxwell nailed it to 22cm on the last to collect the $100 Pro Pin.
On Thursday Craig Riddington (33) had the best round of the day with 42 points to take out Div 3 of the Plaza Butchery medley stableford. Runner-up was Graham Cass (27) with 38.
Graham Long (8) won Div 1 with 38 from Paul Ryan (13)
q
The NSW Coroners Court said it had not decided whether to reopen the case but could not comment further on the investigation.
"The court's Aboriginal
q Monica Kelly says her family has been left in the dark about an autopsy on her brother Lewis Kelly.
on 36, while in Div 2 Mandy Henry (20) got the chocolates from David Bartos (18).
Neil Duffus won the longest putt on the 1st, while nearest the pins were claimed by Chris Thorndike on 5, Graham Long on 7 and 8, Andrew Maggs the pizza and Peter Farrell on 15. Glen Crow - normally so astute on and around the greens - threeputted the last but has $80 for self-comfort after winning the Pro Pin.
The women played a nine-hole four-member Irish stableford on the Wednesday and the winners with 47 points were the A-Team of Chris Crowley, Kylie Blay, Lisa Urquart and Lyn Vidler. The celebrations rolled on with a Christmas lunch and the 2024 presentations to the champions.
Bowra Golf
Results
By Julee TOWNSEND
21-12-24
SATURDAY 21 st a Christmas Foursome was held. Christmas
On Tuesday, in another medley stableford sponsored by the Plaza Butchery, big blaster Kai Burkinshaw (3) took the honours with 40 points from Colin Habgood (11) on 37.
Nearest the pins went to Gary Rumble on 5, Paul Ryan on 7, Henry Lysaght on 8, Deidre Fletcher on 13 for the pizza, Daryl Wall on 15 and Club Captain Ray Guiana had the last laugh on 18 winning $40 in the Pro Pin.
Every Friday The Island runs a fun ambrose ninehole competition open to allcomers, including social players without an official golf handicap. The winners on December 20 were K Gadsden and A Emary with nett 28 from T and S Kimber on 29.25.
Hams and Cakes were up for grabs donated by The McNally’s and L Porter. The Winners were Maz McNally and Leanne Porter with 66.5. Very generously they have donated their prize back to the Club for another competition. All the girls did very well on the day with Eliza McNally and T Donovan getting N/Ps. Cake winners were T Noble & D Salvin.
Premiership winning First Grade coach Warwick Jones will sharpen the Roosters defence as a priority.
Coronial Information and Support Program and the court registry have been available to the Kelly family," a spokesperson said.
Photo: Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS.
Metcalfe, Russell Enoch
Late of Bowraville. Dearly loved father & father-in-law of Allison & Ben, Kristee & Brear and Lauren. Much loved pop to Tiara, Jacinta, Jake, Bianca, Haylee, Courtney, Noah, Jessica, Imogen and great grand poppy to Isla, River and Ivy. Loved brother of Robin (dec), Pamela, Delma, Valma, Richard, Anita (dec), Ross (dec), Ronald and Tanya.
Aged 72 Years
Family and friends are invited to attend Russell’s funeral service at The Uniting Church, Macksville on Friday 3rd January, 2025 commencing at 11.00am followed by Interment in Macksville Cemetery.
Bernard Laverty Funerals Tel: 6568 1555
newsofthearea.com.au
Wanted
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For Sale
FOLDING bed (single size) with covered foam mattress. Good condition $50 Ph 0481 231 965
HOOVER EVC500 Evaporative Cooler, new from Bunnings $299, still in box. $80. 0434212460
LARGE amount of vertical blinds, white only, new. $100 0415 981 605 F061224
MOBILE aircon Dimplex 1.3hp cooling 850W power. Ideal for med/ small room. Used but works well. $80 Ph 0481 231 965
STORAGE cupboard 1m H x 3mL x 60cm D. 6 drawers, 2 long drawers 1m long and 3 double shelves. Black/brown outside, white inside Immac cond. Moving sale $200. 0415 981 605
WINE Fridge – Large Transtherm Ermitage Holds 240 bottles Reasonable Offer Accepted. 0418278966
Motorcycles
klms rego Mar 25, with some riding gear. $6500 the lot. Rider TBO. Gazza 0448 133 303
Motors
MITSUBISHI Mirage 2014, immac cond 63,000klms, auto older lady owner, very well maintained, very economical to run CVT18T. $9,800 0408 562 752
Caravans
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BEST ON THE BOX
FRIDAY
A BITE TO EAT WITH ALICE
ABC TV, 6pm
This nightly cooking show hosted by the bubbly Alice Zaslavsky focuses on recipes that are simple, fresh and easy for viewers to recreate at home. Tonight, Zaslavsky is in a sporty mood, preparing a nutritious, protein-packed avocado dish fit for elite athletes, before being joined by Olympic gold medallist, BMX star Saya Sakakibara (pictured left with Zaslavsky). Inspired by a gift from Saya, whose mother is Japanese, Alice decides to showcase their dumpling-making skills by preparing sour cherry pierogi. Then, Alice tries to convince Saya to embrace the beauty of Brussels sprouts.
FRIDAY, January 3
TV (2)
6.00 Morning Programs. 9.30 The Princes And The Press. (PG, R) 10.30 The Art Of... (PG, R) 11.00 The Human Revolution. (Final, PG, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 The Newsreader. (Ml, R) 1.55 The Split Special. (R) 3.00 A Bite To Eat. (R) 3.30 Grand Designs. (PG, R) 4.15 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.00 Great Australian Stuff. (PG, R)
6.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice.
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 A Grand Royal Design. (R) A look at the restoration of Dumfries House.
8.25 Murder In Provence. (Mav, R) An investigating judge and his romantic partner, a criminal psychologist, investigate murders.
9.55 Joanna Lumley’s Great Cities Of The World: Paris. (PG, R) Dame Joanna Lumley explores Paris.
10.45 Grand Designs. (PG, R)
11.30 Long Lost Family. (PG, R)
12.20 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv)
5.00 Rage. (PG)
ABC FAMILY (22)
SATURDAY
BEYOND PARADISE
ABC TV, 7.30pm
While life goes on for the residents of Saint Marie in Death in Paradise, some viewers find themselves wondering what happens to the show’s rotating roster of lead detectives after they depart the isle’s sunny shores. Look no further: this long-awaited spin-off series finds out what DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall) has been up to since following his heart back to London in 2017. Starting a new life with his now-fiancée Martha (Sally Bretton, pictured) in her not-so-sleepy hometown of Shipton Abbott, Devonshire, Goodman has just joined the local police force, with his first case involving a rather unusual prime suspect: a 17th-century witch. It’s a strong start for this whodunnit with plenty of heart.
(3)
6.00 WorldWatch. 9.15 For The Love Of Dogs. (PGa, R) 10.10 Paddington Station 24/7. (PGal, R) 11.05 Great Canal Journeys. (PG, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Celebrity Mastermind. (PG, R) 3.00 Ireland In Music: Caithnin. 3.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 Icelandic Adventure. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Every Family Has A Secret. (PG, R)
8.35 Mystery Of The Loch Ness Monster. (PG, R)
9.25 Big Ben Restored: The Grand Unveiling. (R)
10.20 SBS World News Late.
10.50 De Gaulle. (Mav)
11.50 Kin. (MA15+d, R)
1.45 Miniseries: Too Close. (Mal, R) 2.40 Grayson’s Art Club. (PG, R) 3.30 Make Me A Dealer. (R) 4.20 Her Majesty’s Cavalry. (PGl, R)
4.50 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (PG, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Sunrise. 9.30 Test Cricket: Pre-Game Show. 10.30 Cricket. Fifth Test. Australia v India. Day 1. Morning session. 12.30 Test Cricket: The Lunch Break. 1.10 Cricket. Fifth Test. Australia v India. Day 1. Afternoon session. 3.10 Test Cricket: Tea Break. 3.30 Cricket. Fifth Test. Australia v India. Day 1. Late afternoon session.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Match 21. Sydney Sixers v Brisbane Heat. From C.ex Coffs International Stadium, NSW. 9.10 Cricket. Big Bash League. Match 22. Perth Scorchers v Sydney Thunder. From Optus Stadium, Perth.
12.30 Taken. (Mav, R) The team must find a way to stop Ramsey before his plan to assassinate a senator starts a war.
1.30 Harry’s Practice. (R) Information about pet care.
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer.
5.00 NBC Today. News and current affairs.
TUESDAY
DR KARL’S HOW THINGS WORK
ABC TV, 8pm
In a series that’s not afraid to ask – and answer–some very unusual questions, everyone’s favourite science guru, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki (pictured), travels across Australia, stepping behind factory doors to see how some of the nation’s best loved products are made: from ginger beer to cheese and cricket balls. Kruszelnicki meets the people who keep the whole process flowing, from the factory floor to the packing lines. Tonight’s premiere sees the endlessly curious Dr Karl lift the lid to discover how recycled toilet paper is made at the Encore toilet paper factory in Melbourne. If the COVID-19 pandemic taught us nothing else, it proved just how much we Aussies value a bog roll.
6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra Summer. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 MOVIE: The Nature Of Romance. (2021, G, R) 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R)
3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Tennis. United Cup. Day 8. Quarterfinal. From Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney. 11.30 MOVIE: No Reservations. (2007, PGal, R) A chef’s life changes after she becomes the guardian of her late sister’s daughter. Catherine Zeta-Jones, Aaron Eckhart, Abigail Breslin.
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) Robbers hide their loot in the park.
4.30 Global Shop. (R) Home shopping.
5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
5.30 Drive TV. (R) A look at the Mazda MX-5.
9GEM (82) 7TWO (62) VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 6.20pm Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Gardening Australia Junior. (Return) 7.20 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.
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9GO! (83) 6am Morning Programs. 9.05 Monty Python And The Holy Grail. (1975, PG) 10.45 Monty Python’s Life Of Brian. (1979, M) 12.25pm The Legend Of Ben Hall. (2017, M) 3.00 Whisky Galore. (2016, PG) 4.50 Four Souls Of Coyote. (2023, PG) 6.50 Horrible Histories: The Movie. (2019, PG) 8.30 A Fish Called Wanda. (1988, M) 10.35 Blue Is The Warmest Colour. (2013, MA15+, French) 1.40am Late Programs.
Nambucca Bowls Report
By Charlie POTTER
WEDNESDAY bowls drew 14 players, there were no prizes awarded. The Nissan/Breakaway competition winners were drawn after the Christmas Pairs results on Saturday. Our yearly 6 months visitor from Geelong, Glenn Brady, won the 3 nights at Breakaway
Apartments on the Gold Coast with a car supplied by Nissan there and back from Nambucca Heads. Ken Brown won the points competition with $100 from Nissan. Congrats to both and many thanks to Nissan and Breakaway for their support. Fri Dec 20 The usual suspects, and Alan Cosgrave's team of Roger McGuigan and Pat Kemp were
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer.
6.30 The Project. 7.30 MOVIE: 80 For Brady. (2023, Ml, R) Four friends set out on a journey. Lily Tomlin. 9.40 MOVIE: Galaxy Quest. (1999, PGv, R) The cast of a sci-fi TV series, cancelled more than 20 years earlier, is called upon by real aliens to save their race. Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver. 11.45 The Project. (R) A look at the day’s news. 12.40 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.30 Home Shopping. (R)
6am Hop. 6.30 Children’s Programs. Noon Tennis. Brisbane International. Quarter-finals. 6.00 Tennis. Brisbane International. Night 6. Quarter-finals. 11.00 MOVIE: Fletch Lives. (1989, PG) 1am Life After Lockup. 2.30 La Brea. 3.30 Beyblade Burst: Quad Drive. 4.00 Transformers: Prime. 4.30 Ninjago: Masters Of Spinjitzu. 4.50 Yu-Gi-Oh! Sevens. 5.10 LEGO Friends: The Next Chapter. 5.30 Pokémon: XYZ. 6am Morning Programs. Noon Pawn Stars. 2.00 Close Encounters Down
8.30 MOVIE: Salt. (2010, M) 10.35 MOVIE: Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City. (2021, MA15+) 1.05am Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 1.50pm Carpool Koorioke. 2.00 Taste Of The Territory. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Waabiny Time. 3.25 Little J And Big Cuz. 3.35 Spartakus. 4.05 Cities Of Gold. 4.35 Motown Magic. 5.00 Our Stories. 5.15 Harlem Globetrotters.
successful. Dave Ogilvy made a comeback after back surgery, together with Paddy Byrne and Angry Lawrence for second place and Peter Dawe, John McCollum and Peter Meehan were third. The Lucky Losers went to Bill Mann, Charlie Sorrentino and Mick Boyle. The Lucky Bowler remains anonymous in the diary but he missed the Jackpot of $420 anyway.
Sat Dec 21, Christmas Pairs. A field of 30 teams played two games
of 12 ends 3 bowls pairs, stopped for an excellent Christmas lunch at Rita's Bistro, followed by one more game.
Winners... Greg Hines and Hoggy, $200 and a ham each: 2nd Michelle and Peter Fredericks $150 and a ham each: 3rd Harry Rauchenberger and Angry and 4th Kim and Graham Porter each won $50 and a ham. Best First Game Col Crawford and Andrew Shearer on c/b. Best 2nd game Stuart Hughes and Beresford
Ruane: Best 3rd dame Stuart Garvey and Darcy Rostron. They all won $50 and a ham. 3 Lucky Teams were drawn for a ham each... Ava and Andrew Power, Nathan and Psycho Carr and Dave Ogilvy and Paddy Byrne.
Special thanks to Kempsey Nissan, Nambucca Taxis, Terry Perkins Solicitor, Tooheys and Nambucca Bowlo Recyclers for their sponsorship.
SATURDAY, January 4
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6.00 Morning Programs. 12.00 News. 12.30 All Creatures Great And Small. (PG, R) 1.15 All Creatures Great And Small Christmas Special. (Final, PG, R) 2.10 Wallace And Gromit: A Close Shave. (R) 2.45 Last Night Of The Proms. (R) 4.10 Joanna Lumley’s Great Cities Of The World. (PG, R) 5.00 Great Australian Stuff. (PG, R)
6.00 Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery: Costa Georgiadis. (PG, R) Julia spends time with Costa Georgiadis.
6.30 Tiddler. (R) Animated short film.
7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.
7.30 Beyond Paradise. (Premiere, Ma) A DI joins the police force in Shipton Abbott.
8.20 MOVIE: The Fabelmans. (2022, Malv, R) A young man discovers a shattering family secret and explores how the power of film helps people see the truth. Michelle Williams, Gabriel La Belle, Paul Dano.
10.45 Shetland. (Mal, R) 11.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
6am Children’s Programs. 5.10pm Tiddler. 5.35 Children’s Programs. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 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. 7.55 MOVIE: The Midnight Gang. (2018, PG) 9.00 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.45 Speechless. 10.05 Officially Amazing. 10.35
6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Cook Up Bitesize. (PG, R) 9.10 The World From Above. (R) 10.10 Love Your Garden. (PGa, R) 11.00 Along Ireland’s Shores. (R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Best Of Dakar Rally 2024. 3.00 Aliquam Dive Stories. (PG, R) 4.00 Forgotten Frontlines. (PGa, R) 5.00 Motor Racing. Dakar Rally. Prologue. H’lights.
6.00 Grand Tours Of Scotland’s Rivers. (Return, PG) 6.30 News.
7.30 Magical Train Journeys In Switzerland.
8.30 Cotswolds And Beyond With Pam Ayres. (R)
9.20 Great Australian Walks With Julia Zemiro. (PG, R) 10.20 Great Australian Railway Journeys. (PGa, R) 11.30 Mister8. (Mls, R) 1.45 Love Your Garden. (PGa, R) 2.35 Make Me A Dealer. (R) 4.15 Her Majesty’s Cavalry. (PGal, R) 4.45 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
VICELAND (31)
6am Four Souls Of Coyote. Continued. (2023, PG) 7.00 Horrible Histories: The Movie. (2019, PG) 8.40 Swallows And Amazons. (2016, PG) 10.30 I Love My Dad. (2022, M) 12.20pm Baby Done. (2020, M) 2.00 The 400 Blows. (1959, PG, French) 3.55 Soft Skin. (1964, PG, French) 6.05 Fried Green Tomatoes. (1991, PG) 8.30 A Good Person. (2023, MA15+) 10.50 Late Programs.
SUNDAY, January 5
6.00 Morning Programs. 11.00 Compass. (PG, R) 11.30 Praise. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. (R) 1.00 A Symphonic Odyssey With Professor Brian Cox. (R) 2.30 A Grand Royal Design. (R) 3.25 Long Lost Family: The Unknown Soldiers. (PG, R) 4.30 Dream Gardens. (PG, R) 5.00 Fake Or Fortune? (Final, PG, R)
6.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.
7.30 The Split: Barcelona. (Ml) Hannah and her family are reunited. 9.30 Love Me. (Final, Mdl) Glen and Anita prepare for the wedding. Clara tries to work things out with Peter. 10.20 You Can’t Ask That: Postnatal Depression. (Mal, R)
12.30 Take 5 With Zan Rowe. (Final, Ml, R) 12.55 Rage Vault. (MA15+adhlnsv)
3.10 Australia Remastered. (R) 4.05 Gardening Australia. (R)
5.05 The Great Acceleration. (R)
6.00 Morning Programs. 10.00 FIFA World Cup Classic Matches. 11.30 Along Ireland’s Shores. (R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 12.30 PBS Washington Week. 12.55 Wheelchair Sports. (R) 1.00 Speedweek. 3.00 Plat Du Tour. (PG, R) 3.10 Wonders Of Scotland. (PGa, R) 4.05 Forgotten Frontlines. (PGav, R) 5.00 Motor Racing. Dakar Rally. Stage 1. H’lights.
6.00 Toby Price Dakar Preview. 6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Fortress Britain With Alice Roberts. (PGa, R)
8.25 Asia’s Ancient Civilisations. (PG, R) 10.15 Putin And The West. (Mav, R) 11.25 Lies, Politics And Democracy. (Malvw, R) 1.30 Rise Of The Nazis: Dictators At War. (Ma, R) 2.40 Love Your Garden. (PG, R) 3.35 Make Me A Dealer. (R) 4.25 Her Majesty’s Cavalry. (MA15+l, R) 4.55 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera.
VICELAND (31)
6am The 400 Blows. Continued. (1959, PG, French) 6.55 Fried Green Tomatoes. (1991, PG) 9.20 Binti. (2019, PG, Dutch) 11.00 A Fish Called Wanda. (1988, M) 1pm Coming Through The Rye. (2015, M) 2.50 Horrible Histories: The Movie. (2019, PG) 4.30 The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir. (2018, PG) 6.20 Roman Holiday. (1953, PG) 8.30 Both Sides Of The Blade. (2022, MA15+, French) 10.40 Late Programs.
10.30
v India. Day 2.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Horse Racing. Magic Millions Night. 9.00 MOVIE: Life. (2017, MA15+v, R)
A mission of discovery turns to primal fear for a team of scientists aboard the International Space Station. Ryan Reynolds, Jake Gyllenhaal.
11.15 Border Security: International. (PGadl)
11.45 The Real Manhunter: The Murder Of Krystal Hart. (Madv, R)
12.45 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
1.30 Harry’s Practice. (R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 It’s Academic. (R)
5.00 My Greek Odyssey. (PG, R)
12.30 Test Cricket: The Lunch Break. 1.10 Cricket. Fifth Test. Australia v India. Day 2. Afternoon session. 3.10 Test Cricket: Tea Break. 3.30 Cricket. Fifth Test. Australia v India. Day 2. Late afternoon session. 6.00 Morning Programs. 9.30 Test Cricket: Pre-Game Show. 10.30 Cricket. Fifth Test. Australia v India. Day 3. Morning session. 12.30 Test Cricket: The Lunch Break. 1.10 Cricket. Fifth Test. Australia v India. Day 3. Afternoon session. 3.10 Test Cricket: Tea Break. 3.30 Cricket. Fifth Test. Australia v India. Day 3. Late afternoon
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Tennis. United Cup. Day 9. Semi-final. From Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney. 11.30 To Be Advised.
2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PGa) Religious program.
2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.30 Global Shop. (R) Home shopping.
5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
5.30 Helping Hands Summer Series. (PG, R) A celebration of people and organisations across Australia which make the world a better place.
6.00 MOVIE: Sonic The Hedgehog. (2020, PGv, R) A super-fast hedgehog joins forces with a small-town police officer to stop an evil genius. Jim Carrey, James Marsden. 8.10 MOVIE: The Heartbreak Kid. (2007, Mdls, R) After rushing into marriage, a man falls in love with another woman while on his honeymoon. Ben Stiller, Malin Akerman. 10.30 Ambulance Australia. (Mal, R) A crash involving a motorcyclist occurs. 11.45 Ambulance UK. (Madl, R) Crewmates help an elderly patient. 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.
6am Morning Programs. 1pm Blokesworld. 1.30 The Weekend Prospector. 2.00 Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars. 3.00 Boating. Circuit Drivers C’ship. 2024 Windsor Spectacular. Replay. 4.00 Desert Collectors. 5.00 Counting Cars. 6.00 Pawn Stars. 7.00 Storage Wars. 7.30 MOVIE: Back To The Future Part II. (1989, PG) 9.45 Air Crash Investigations: The Accident Files. 10.45 Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Match 24. Hobart Hurricanes v Adelaide Strikers. 10.30 Big Bash League Post-Game. Post-match coverage of the game. 11.00 7NEWS Spotlight. (R) A look at screen addiction.
12.00 MOVIE: House Of Chains. (2022, MA15+av) A couple imprison their six children. Mena Suvari, Greyston Holt.
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
4.00 NBC Today. News and current affairs.
5.00 Sunrise 5am News. The latest news, sport and weather.
5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 Tennis. United Cup. Day 10. Final. From Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney. 11.30 The Brokenwood Mysteries. (MA15+ahv) The local scare attraction of the House of Screams becomes the venue for an actual murder. 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) Religious program. 4.30 GolfBarons. (R) A panel of experts discusses golf.
5.00 Today Early News. A look at the latest news, sport and weather.
5.30 Today. The latest in news and current affairs.
Programs. Noon Tennis. Brisbane International. Semi-finals. 6.00 Young Sheldon. 7.30 Tennis. Brisbane International. Night 7. Semi-finals. 11.30 MOVIE: 17 Again. (2009, PG) 1.30am The Originals. 3.30 Surfing Aust. 4.00 Transformers: Prime. 4.30 Late Programs. 6am Children’s Programs. 12.30pm Basketball. WNBL. UC Capitals v Geelong United. 2.30 Young Sheldon. 3.30 Tennis. Brisbane International. Finals. 6.00 Tennis. Brisbane International. Finals. 10.00 MOVIE: Get Shorty. (1995, MA15+) 12.10am Gotham. 1.10 Love After Lockup. 3.00 Young Sheldon. 3.30 Beyblade X. 4.00 Bakugan: Legends. 4.30 Transformers: Cyberverse. 4.50 Late Programs.
Matildas coach recruitment could drag beyond
FROM Page 20
focused on getting the person that we think will serve the team the best.
"We're not there yet, but we're certainly getting closer to that point and we'll make the appointment in 2025 as soon as we can.
"We've done hundreds of screenings. And rest assured, we've talked to the right people, and we'll continue to do so."
FA appears to have entered the market at an awkward time, with many top national team and club coaches already contracted.
"All your top coaches are
contracted for long periods at all the best national teams and clubs around the world," Johnson said.
"And if you want to get the right person there's going to be some restrictions."
There remains no preference for either an Australian or foreign coach, with Johnson focused on
securing the right, "tactically astute", successful mentor who can get the best out of the Matildas.
"We're in a local but global sport and since I've been here, we've recruited Australian coaches and we've recruited foreign coaches," Johnson said.
6.00 MOVIE: Sonic The Hedgehog 2. (2022, PGalv, R) Dr Robotnik enlists Knuckles the echidna to help search for an emerald with the power to destroy civilisations. Jim Carrey, James Marsden. 8.25 The Graham Norton Show. Graham Norton is joined on the couch by Robbie Williams, Rami Malek, Motsi Mabuse and John Bishop. 9.55 MOVIE: Scream. (2022, MA15+l) Decades after a streak of brutal murders shocked Woodsboro, a new killer begins targeting a group of teenagers. Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette. 12.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.
February
FA has consulted with senior players throughout the process.
"The message has been loud and clear," Johnson said.
"Just get the right person, get the best person."
12.40 Long Lost Family. (PG, R)
Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.45 Parkinson In Australia. (Mas, R) 4.30 Gardening Aust. (R)
6am Children’s Programs. 5.55pm Paddington. 6.05 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 The Deep. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 The Holy Grail Mystery. (Ma, R)
8.25 Jimmy Carr’s I Literally Just Told You.
9.20 Inside Sydney Airport. (PGal, R)
10.15 SBS World News Late.
10.45 Clean Sweep. (MA15+l)
11.45 Wisting. (Malv, R)
12.40 Faking Hitler. (Man, R)
2.30 Grayson’s Art Club. (PG, R) 3.25 Make Me A Dealer. (PG, R) 4.15 Her Majesty’s Cavalry. (PGav, R) 4.45 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Match 25. Brisbane Heat v Sydney Thunder.
10.30 Big Bash League Post-Game. Post-match coverage of the game between the Brisbane Heat and Sydney Thunder. 11.00 Murder In A Small Town. (Mav) Alberg and his team piece together clues.
12.00 Satisfaction. (MA15+ads, R)
Adriana interferes in a family matter.
1.00 Travel Oz. (PG, R) Presented by Greg Grainger.
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today. News and current affairs.
5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Morning
Programs. 7.25 An Ideal Husband. (1999, PG) 9.15
A River Runs Through It. (1992, PG) 11.30 Wheel Of Fortune And Fantasy. (2021, M, Japanese) 1.45pm Fried Green Tomatoes. (1991, PG) 4.10 Binti. (2019, PG, Dutch) 5.50 The Producers. (1967, PG) 7.30 The Man Who Knew Too Little. (1997, PG) 9.15 An Almost Perfect Town. (2016, M, Italian) 11.05 Late Programs.
6.00
6.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. (R)
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC News.
7.30 7.30.
8.00 Dr Karl’s How Things Work. (Premiere)
8.30 Eat The Invaders. (Premiere, PG)
9.00 David Attenborough’s Tasmania. (R)
9.55 Flyways: The Story Of Migratory Shorebirds. (R)
10.55 Murder In Provence. (Mav, R) 12.25 Grand Designs. (R) 1.15 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 2.00 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.45 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Aust. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Who Do You Think You Are? (PG, R)
8.35 MOVIE: James Blunt: One Brit Wonder. (2023, MA15+l, R)
10.25 SBS World News Late.
10.55 Beyond Signs. (Premiere, MA15+a)
11.55 Christian. (MA15+d, R)
2.40 Grayson’s Art Club. (PGl, R)
3.35 Make Me A Dealer. (R)
4.25 Peer To Peer. (PG, R)
4.55 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
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6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 RBT. (PGdl, R)
8.30 MOVIE: Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull. (2008, Mv, R)
10.55 Miniseries: Love Rat. (Mv, R)
11.45 Chicago Med. (MA15+amv)
12.35 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
2.30 Global Shop. (R)
3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
6.30 The Project. The hosts and guest panellists take a look at the day’s news, events and hot topics. 7.30 The 82nd Annual Golden Globes. (R) Hosted by Nikki Glaser. 10.30 MOVIE: Downsizing. (2017, Mdlns, R) A couple decide to shrink themselves. Matt
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Binti. Continued. (2019, PG, Dutch) 6.40 The Producers. (1967, PG) 8.20 Roman Holiday. (1953, PG) 10.30 Police. (2020, M, French) 12.20pm Twist. (2021, M) 2.00 The Man Who Knew Too Little. (1997, PG) 3.40 An Ideal Husband. (1999, PG) 5.30 Basmati Blues. (2017, PG) 7.30 Official Competition. (2021, M, Spanish) 9.35 Blindspotting. (2018, MA15+) 11.25 Late Programs. 5.50am The Movie Show.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Match 26. Perth Scorchers v Melbourne Renegades. From Optus Stadium, Perth. 10.30 Big Bash League Post-Game. Post-match coverage of the game.
11.00 Lockerbie. (PGav, R) A key piece of evidence is uncovered.
12.05 Satisfaction. (MA15+ads, R)
Anika takes a mind-altering drug.
1.05 Travel Oz. (PG, R) Presented by Greg Grainger.
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise 5am News.
5.30 Sunrise.
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6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Travel Guides. (PGl, R) The travel
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WEDNESDAY, January 8
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 The Real Crown: Inside The House Of Windsor. (PG, R)
8.30 Michael Palin: Into Iraq. (PG, R)
9.25 The Night Manager. (MA15+sv)
10.30 SBS World News Late.
11.00 Pagan Peak. (Return, MA15+asv)
11.55 Soldiers. (MA15+av, R)
2.30 Grayson’s Art Club. (PGl, R)
3.20 Make Me A Dealer. (R)
4.15 Peer To Peer. (PG, R)
4.45 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
VICELAND (31)
6am Children’s Programs. 5.55pm Paddington. 6.05 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 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 Operation Ouch! 8.35 Doctor Who. 10.05 Mythbusters “There’s Your
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am The Movie Show. 6.25 Basmati Blues. (2017, PG) 8.20 The Man Who Knew Too Little. (1997, PG) 10.05 Breaking Up In Rome. (2022, M, Italian) 12.15pm An Almost Perfect Town. (2016, M, Italian) 2.05 The Producers. (1967, PG) 3.45 Diana. (2013, PG) 5.50 Earth To Echo. (2014, PG) 7.30 Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery. (1997, M) 9.10 Violet & Daisy. (2011, MA15+) 10.45 Late Programs.
THURSDAY, January 9
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Match 27. Sydney Thunder v Hobart Hurricanes. 10.30 Big Bash League Post-Game. Post-match coverage of the game. 11.00 Unbelievable Moments
Caught On Camera. (PGa, R) Footage of headline-grabbing moments.
12.00 Stan Lee’s Lucky Man. (MA15+av) Suri follows a trail of breadcrumbs.
1.00 Travel Oz. (PG, R) Presented by Greg Grainger.
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo. (PGm)
8.30 Space Invaders. (PGa, R)
9.30 Millionaire Holiday Home Swap. (PG)
11.30 Social Media Murders: The Murder Of Alex Rodda. (Malv, R) 12.15 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.05 Hello SA. (PG) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 6.30 The Project. A look at the
Denyer.
8.30 MOVIE: Meet The Fockers. (2004, Ms, R) A young man takes his fiancée and her parents to Miami to meet his family, who live an alternative lifestyle. Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Barbra Streisand. 10.55 The Project. (R) 11.55 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.
Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R)
Gardening Australia. (R)
7.30. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (PG)
8.30 The Emerald Isles With Ardal O’Hanlon. (Final, PGa, R)
9.30 The Darkness. (Premiere, M)
10.25 SBS World News Late.
10.55 DNA. (Malv)
11.45 Blackout: Tomorrow Is Too Late. (Mlv, R)
12.40 Blanca. (MA15+a, R) 2.35 Grayson’s Art Club. (PG, R) 3.25 Make Me A Dealer. (R) 4.15 Peer To Peer. (R) 4.45 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
VICELAND (31)
Oak Island. 10.10 Cars That Built The World. 11.00 Question Team. 12.50am MOVIE: Subjects Of Desire. (2021, MA15+) 2.40 Late Programs. 6am Shopping. 6.30 Escape To The Country. 7.30 Harry’s Practice.
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Diana. Continued. (2013, PG) 7.05 The Lake House. (2006, PG) 8.55 The Bookshop. (2017, PG) 11.00 Official Competition. (2021, M, Spanish) 1.05pm Stage Mother. (2020, M) 2.50 Basmati Blues. (2017, PG) 4.45 The Majestic. (2001, PG) 7.30 Wild Target. (2010, M) 9.20 Charlie And Boots. (2009, M) 11.15 Six Minutes To Midnight. (2020, M) 1.10am Hive. (2021, M, Albanian) 2.45 Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Match 28. Melbourne Stars v Sydney Sixers. 10.30 Seven’s Cricket: The Spin. An expert panel tackles all the big news and issues with a deep dive into the wild world of cricket.
11.15 Pam & Tommy. (MA15+alns) The tape falls into Bob Guccione’s hands. 12.15 The Real Manhunter: The Night Stalker Delroy Grant. (Mav, R) Takes a look at Delroy Grant.
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today. News and current affairs.
5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.
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6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R)
6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 The Truth About The Skinny Jab. (Ma) Presented by Anna Richardson. 8.30 MOVIE: Little Fockers. (2010, Msv, R) A man visits his son-in-law to discover if he has what it takes to become the family patriarch. Ben Stiller, Teri Polo, Robert De Niro. 10.30 MOVIE: Shutter Island. (2010, MA15+, R) Leonardo DiCaprio. 1.15
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Recruitment drive
By Anna HARRINGTON, AAP
THE hunt for the next Matildas coach could drag on beyond February's international window with Football Australia determined to take its time to appoint the right long-term candidate.
Former long-time mentor Tony Gustavsson departed in August and interim coach Tom Sermanni has led the Matildas in six friendlies since his appointment in September.
That interim reign could continue into and beyond February's SheBelieves Cup as FA contemplates candidates for the next four-year cycle.
The coach needs to lead Australia at the home 2026 Asian Cup and qualify and compete in the 2027 Women's World Cup and 2028 Olympics.
But Johnson noted there were still six women's international windows in 2025, plus two before the Asian Cup in 2026 in which to prepare.
"The hard deadline is as soon
as possible, and as soon as possible means getting the right person," Johnson told AAP.
"So we have a window in February, and then a window in April. I would hope we at least have confirmed who our coach is by one of those two windows, I hope.
"But again, I don't want to put any hard deadlines because the priority is to get the right person, and the right person is important, right?
"We've got this juggernaut called the Matildas now - the expectations are high.
"We've got a women's Asian Cup at home that the expectation from the community, as it should be, is that we will win that tournament.
"So we're playing the long game on this one. And it's about getting the right person in, not about the speed of which we make the appointment."
Johnson insists FA are deep into the recruiting process, including interviews and screenings, as they search for the right candidate.
"We've looked under every rock," he said.
"We've looked locally. We've looked globally.
"We've analysed a lot of potential candidates for that role, but we've narrowed it right down and we're
CONTINUED
17
q FA boss James Johnson is prepared to wait until the right person comes along to coach the Matildas.
Photo: Dan Himbrechts/ AAP PHOTOS.