ON Saturday 28 June, more than 70 intrepid swimmers braved the cool waters of Soldiers Point for the third annual Bannisters Point2Pub swim classic, hosted by the Tomaree Triathlon Club.
The picturesque Port Stephens environment provided the perfect backdrop for this challenging open water event.
Scott Llewellyn of Macquarie Hills and Matilda Smith of Weston emerged as champions in the two kilometre marquee event.
Smith secured her third title as the top female finisher in this demanding race.
Both athletes took home $250 in prize money and received unique trophies courtesy of Bannisters Resort Port Stephens.
Bryce Cramp of Taree claimed the title of first male out of the water in the one kilometre race, while Louise Fitzsimmons of Stockton led the women’s field.
INQUIRY
YOUR ONLY LOCALLY OWNED PORT STEPHENS NEWSPAPER
Major crash on Karuah M1 Bypass
By Thomas O'KEEFE
SOUTHBOUND lanes along the M1 Karuah Bypass were completely blocked for several hours on Tuesday 2 July, as authorities worked to extricate a large truck from between the bypass bridges.
“Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police
District attended and found the truck had rolled down an embankment and fallen into a creek, with two trailers attached to the vehicle on the grass median strip,” said a NSW Police report.
“The male driver, aged 53, wasn’t injured in the crash.
“He underwent a roadside breath test and returned a negative result.”
Police were told the heavy vehicle had been overtaking another truck, when the
second vehicle began veering into the B-double, forcing the driver to take evasive action.
Images released by LiveTraffic NSW show the double-trailer and cabin lodged in between the northand south-bound bridges along the bypass.
Officers have commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident and are appealing for anyone with dashcam footage or information to contact Police
or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Southbound traffic was diverted along the old highway, since renamed Tarean Road, which runs through the township of Karuah.
Karuah locals, who would have appreciated some extra traffic stopping to contribute to the local economy, were, instead, met with impatient motorists who tended to speed through the town.
“Locals were not happy
Tomaree triathletes go Point2Pub
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Each received $150 in prize money and commemorative trophies sponsored by McCauley’s Bottle Shops.
The Point2Pub swim
classic is gaining recognition beyond the local community.
Competitors from Sydney and even as far afield as
q Southbound lanes were entirely blocked by the massive crane lifting the cabin and trailers separately in the morning. Photo: LiveTraffic.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION
CANDIDATE INFORMATION SESSION
Port Stephens Council is hosting a free Candidate Information Session from 5:30pm Wednesday 17 July at the Council Chambers to help prospective candidates find out what it’s like to serve on Council.
Date: Wednesday 17 July 2024
Time: 5:30 to 7:30pm
Location: Council’s Administration Building, 116 Adelaide Street, Raymond Terrace or online. Register: pscouncil.info/candidate-info-session
The session will recorded and made available on Council’s website. For more information, contact Council’s Governance Section Manager on 4988 0255.
as the motorists, who were put out by the detour through town, chose to speed through, making some of the existing potholes worse for wear too,” one local told NOTA.
The truck was hoisted out of its situation by 3pm that afternoon, and traffic routes returned to normal. Police told NOTA that the investigation is still ongoing, and no official cause for the incident is yet forthcoming. For the latest traffic information, visit www. livetraffic.com or download the Live Traffic NSW app.
expressed his extreme satisfaction with the event and appreciation for the support provided by local club members and the Birubi Surf Club.
“Our aim is to establish
Point2Pub as a permanent fixture on the NSW open water swim calendar - a true drawcard for visitors to Port Stephens,” he said. For more information visit www.point2pubswim.com.
q The truck took a dive between the bridges on the Karuah Bypass. Photo: LiveTraffic.
q What most motorists saw on Tuesday morning, 2 July. Photo: LiveTraffic.
Mildura and Brisbane are joining the ranks.
Tomaree Tri Club President Terry Withers
Inquiry to be launched into offshore wind consultation
FROM Page 1
back to parliament by the last sitting day in February 2025.
Senator Ross Cadell, the Hunter-based Nationals Whip in the Senate, moved the motion in parliament last Wednesday.
Mr Cadell’s original motion sought the committee to review the consultation process undertaken on behalf of the Australian Government into the offshore wind industry, with particular reference to the efficacy of community engagement and the impact on marine life and environments.
Senator Lydia Thorpe then moved an amended motion which included reference to the government and the offshore wind industry seeking consent from traditional Indigenous owners.
In response, Labor Senator Katy Gallagher
stated, “The government is not supporting this motion and will also not be supporting the amendment of Senator Thorpe.
“The government recognises the importance of First Nations consultation.
“As part of this process we are progressing as part of the Dyer review.”
Andrew Dyer, Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner (AEIC), led an independent ‘Community Engagement Review’ commissioned by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy in July 2023 to advise on improving community engagement on renewable energy infrastructure developments.
“We are working to implement the recommendations of the Dyer review by strengthening the governance of the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner to enhance its independence and its ability to address misinformation, support First Nations people and improve complaint resolution,” she said.
Ms Gallagher said the Federal Government had run a “considered, staged process to declare offshore wind zones”, highlighting multiple opportunities for feedback and community consultation throughout.
“We've run this process consistent with consultation requirements outlined in the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021, as legislated by the coalition.
“Across the six zones, we've held face-to-face sessions with more than 3,800 people and reviewed more than 23,000 written
submissions.”
The amended motion passed the senate 31 votes to 30.
“The fight is not over,”
said Senator Cadell.
“The Labor and Greens who hold a majority in the committee both voted against it.
Sensory tourism on the itinerary
SENSORY Tourism Australia has worked with local tour businesses across Port Stephens to develop an engaging local tourism itinerary for blind and lowvision travellers.
Destination Port Stephens says the itinerary “generates excitement, creates repeat visitation, and improves confidence in local businesses to embrace inclusive tourism”.
Sensory Tourism Australia Director and cofounder Kellie Hayes said, “Destination Port Stephens has been instrumental in connecting us with local tour operators and helping us develop sensory journeys that showcase the region beyond sight.
“Our first group of blind and low-vision travellers from Sydney will visit for four days.
“This initial trip focuses on highlighting the evolving wildlife experiences in Port Stephens.
“We selected our accommodation immersed amongst the eucalyptus trees at the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary.
“We are really excited to introduce our travellers to this award-winning facility and listen out for the koalas moving around at night.”
Mel Turner, Industry Engagement Manager at Destination Port Stephens,
said many local tourism operators want to improve their accessibility and inclusivity but don’t know where to begin.
“Others have invested substantially in their businesses and are keen to showcase their venue,” Ms Turner said.
“Wherever a venue or attraction is on its accessible tourism journey, it’s great
to have organisations like Sensory Tourism Australia available to do business with our members.”
Other sensory attractions on the itinerary for this
inaugural visit are a guided walk at the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, a visit to Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, and a ranger guide walk at Oakvale
“This means we will have to fight to have local hearings and meetings and hear from real witnesses who are opposed to the process.”
Wildlife Park with animal interpretation and personal experiences.
On 15 August 2024, Sensory Tourism Australia will run a workshop for Destination Port Stephen members.
q Nationals Senator Ross Cadell addresses anti-offshore wind farm campaigners at an event at Birubi SLSC.
q Oakvale Wildlife Park.
Lindsay HALL 0430 048 398 lindsay@newsofthearea.com.au
Marian SAMPSON 0414 521 180 marian@newsofthearea.com.au
Chris KARAS 0400 819 153 chris@newsofthearea.com.au
Simon EKINS 0434 890 157 simon@newsofthearea.com.au
LABOR has officially announced its candidates for the upcoming council elections, with a campaign launch held on Saturday 29 June.
As previously reported in News Of The Area, the Labor group is being led by current Deputy Mayor Leah Anderson, who will look to secure the position of Mayor in September.
Joining Ms Anderson to contest another term on council are Cr Jason Wells in Central Ward, and Cr Giacomo Arnott and Cr Peter Francis in West Ward.
“The campaign to continue to grow trust, decency, and respect in Port Stephens Council and for the people of Port Stephens continues,” Cr Anderson said.
Running second on the Labor ticket in East Ward is long-time community advocate Rosalyn Armstrong.
Local hairdresser Mackenzie Goring and exfinance professional Sharon Smart will run third and fourth on the ticket respectively.
In Central Ward, Jason Wells will be first on the Labor ticket, followed by community advocate Kelly Hammond and former teacher Beverly Rabbitt.
In West Ward, Cr Giacomo Arnott will run first on the ticket, with Cr Peter Francis second and Raymond Terrace local Sue Sneesby third.
Running fourth is Fern Bay’s Lea Harris, while local lawyer David Jones rounds out the ticket.
Lions contribute to global eyesight mission
By Marian SAMPSON
LIONS Clubs around the world, including here in Port Stephens, are working to restore sight for people living in poverty.
The ‘Lions Recycle for Sight Australia’ program is part of the Lions Clubs International Worldwide Eyeglass Recycling Program, headquartered in Queensland and operating throughout Australia and overseas.
Refractive errors can be easily corrected with eyeglasses, yet millions living in low and middle income countries lack access to
basic eye care services.
Lions Clubs have recognised the urgent need for corrective lenses, and collect usable glasses in their communities to support the Lions Recycle for Sight Program.
“Lion Tanya from the Raymond Terrace Lions Club collects approximately 300 pairs of undamaged and unscratched glasses each month from local Raymond Terrace optometrists OPSM, Hunter Discount Specs and Eyecare Plus,” Lion Judith Schofield told News Of The Area.
Over the 26 years the Australian program has operated, it has delivered over seven
million pairs of refurbished spectacles to men, women and children in need in Africa, Europe, the Middle and Far East, the Indian subcontinent, China, the Pacific Rim, Southeast Asia and Oceania.
In the past ten years several members of the Lions Marine Branch have been able to use their oceangoing yachts to reach and test villagers in the remotest areas for eyesight, and deliver spectacles to them.
You can donate glasses which you are no longer using at Raymond Terrace optometrists OPSM, Hunter Discount Specs and Eyecare Plus.
Police Facts Sheets
Did you know that if you have been charged with a criminal offence but disagree with the police facts sheet, you can negotiate the facts with the police?
If you acknowledge you are guilty but there are errors in the facts or an important detail has been left out, an experienced criminal lawyer can negotiate with the police to change the facts sheet. This is called “making representations” and can have a significant impact on the sentence/penalty you receive.
We can change your facts sheet so that it reflects what actually happened and is more favourable to you.
q Cr Jason Wells, Cr Peter Francis, Deputy Mayor Leah Anderson and Cr Giacomo Arnott at the Labor campaign launch.
Saving lives at sea
By Thomas O’KEEFE
MARINE Rescue Port
Stephens volunteer Laurie Nolan addressed the Hawks Nest District Probus Group on Friday 6 July, impressing them with details of the emergency service group’s activities.
The seaborne rescue group, which is all-volunteer, covers an area up to 5500 square kilometres, from Seal Rocks to Newcastle, and 30 nautical miles out to sea.
“Marine Rescue originally operated from a caravan in the Nelson Head carpark,” Laurie, who has been with the service for fifteen years, explained.
“The current building (next to the Inner Light
Tearooms) was built in 1993.
“Our mission is maintaining a 24-hour watch on VHF and 27MHz radio bands, with on-call 24 hour search and rescue response, as well as maintaining the Nelson Head historic heritage site, and all volunteers see it as a way of contributing back to the community.”
The 201 active members all find a place, whether it’s in radio operations, rescue operations, or any other useful, often unseen, part of the service.
“Marine Rescue is a category 1 search and rescue coordination centre, and works with other agencies, including the SES, NSW Police,
RAAF, the Navy, and has 45 bases up and down the coast,” Laurie added.
“It can take six to seven hours to tow a boat back from Seal Rocks, and while rescuees are not charged, they are encouraged to donate, as the rescues consume expensive resources."
With highly trained and qualified personnel, using state-of-the-art equipment, Marine Rescue assists between 250 and 300 vessels each year, some in atrocious conditions, such as the East Coast Low that hit in 2016, when they responded to five ‘mayday’ distress calls.
“The longest rescue I've been involved with took
twelve hours - a vessel caught in a storm, blown up to Seal Rocks,” Laurie said.
“We respond to everything ranging from a flat battery on calm waters, up to ECL maydays."
Marine Rescue Port Stephens has also won multiple awards, including fourteen boat crew being awarded the MRNSW Commissioner's Commendation for Courage medal.
A series of recent rescues serve as a reminder of the vital importance of the local service.
At 5:10 am on 27 June a call was received from the skipper of a 13.1m catamaran advising his mooring at Providence Bay, Broughton Island had failed.
The vessel had drifted
onto the reef.
He was requesting assistance to get off the reef, as he suspected the vessel may have a broken rudder.
He also advised the vessel was stuck firmly on the reef with a falling tide.
A welfare check was conducted with the vessel skipper at 7:05 am.
Crew on Port Stephens 31 left the marina at 8:00 am to head out to Broughton Island.
Arriving on scene at 8:35 am, crew on the rescue vessel were able to pull the stuck vessel off the reef and place it onto a mooring.
After assessing the state of the catamaran, the skipper elected to head back into Port Stephens under his own power (on one engine).
The vessel was escorted
back into safe water inside Port Stephens.
Later that day, the skipper on a centre console boat required assistance after his vessel would not run due to fuel contamination.
The vessel was fishing in outside waters near Boondelbah Island.
Port Stephens rescue vessel PS30 and crew were activated to assist.
Some of the crew were also on the Broughton Island assist earlier in the morning.
After arriving on-scene, the disabled vessel was taken under tow and brought back into the bay.
The vessel and skipper were towed back to Karuah, a long job due to traversing the length of the bay.
q This vessel would not run due to fuel contamination.
Teenager dies following fatal crash
Despite the efforts of NSW Ambulance Paramedics and first responders, a teenage boy, aged sixteen, died on the way to hospital.
circumstances surrounding this crash commenced.
and charged with multiple driving offences.
A TEENAGE boy has tragically died following a single vehicle crash at Salt Ash.
IS TRIXIE STAFFY
3 year old female
About 10.45pm on Friday 6 July 2024, emergency services were called to Lemon Tree Passage Road, Salt Ash, following reports of a single-vehicle crash.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District arrived to find a white Ford Falcon sedan containing five young persons, aged between fourteen and seventeen, had left the roadway and impacted with a tree.
Three other teenage passengers - one fourteenyear-old and two seventeenyear-olds - were taken to John Hunter Hospital for various non life-threatening injuries.
A crime scene was established and an investigation into the
“The driver of the vehicle, a seventeen-yearold boy, was subject to a roadside breath test and allegedly returned a positive reading,” a NSW Police spokesperson told NOTA.
“He was taken to hospital for mandatory testing.”
Upon his release from John Hunter Hospital on Sunday, the driver was taken to Newcastle Police Station
He was granted conditional bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 19 August 2024.
“As inquiries continue, anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage in relation to this incident is urged to contact the Crash Investigation Unit or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
Beware of phishing scams
By Thomas O’KEEFE
Staffy, 2 year old, female. Will be microchipped, registered, desexed and vaccinated. Unfortunately abandoned by her previous family. Loves cuddles.
Australian Kelpie 6 year old desexed male. Registered, Microchipped and Vaccinated. Good boy who loves to be active. Only barks at the postie. House trained.
SCAMS take many forms, and awareness is key to preventing some potentially painful outcomes, as several locals have recently learnt the hard way.
assume that the presence of a realistic logo means it came from that company.
Desexed, vaccinated, microchipped & registered
Trixie is a very loving girl, she is generally quiet but can get excited, good on lead. Trixie came in with her sister and they are very good together.
Best to be housed on her own or with dogs her own size (after an introduction), she has no cat or little dog experience.
A ‘PayPal phishing scam’ has been doing the rounds, targeting vulnerable individuals, and even slipping under the radar of some banks by mimicking your spending behaviour.
“I received a gift voucher, which I thought came from PayPal,” said one local victim, who wished to remain anonymous.
“It took several days, and several transactions, before my banking institution cottoned on – there were several small amounts charged to my PayPal-linked card.
Often, the dates for actions to be taken, like ‘pay this invoice’ or ‘claim this prize’, are within days, or mere hours, of the time the message was sent, eliciting a sense of urgency.
The grammar is often poor, including numerals at the start of sentences, oddly placed fullstops, and monetary amounts without the customary two decimal places.
PayPal’s official (real) website has a host of information that concerned users should consult before clicking anything. A word of caution from another local victim: “If you do any transactions online with your card, change it to a credit card, not a debit cardthe former goes through the bank, the latter lets them rob you directly.”
q A phishing scam, claiming to be from Qantas.
Adoption fee $250
Adoption fee is $300
Adoption Fee $300
To enquire about Bunji please call 0434 230 292
To enquire about Trixie please call 0434 230 292
To enquire about Raffy please call 0434 230 292
“The bank told me that the transactions were in line with my previous online activity, so no alarms were raised, until I checked it myself.”
‘Phishing’, like most internet-age vernacular, derives from ‘fishing’, as that is, metaphorically, what the scammer tries to do.
In a ‘phishing’ attack, a scammer sends out emails or text messages designed to hook the recipient with urgent language about an unexpected invoice or offer, and a quick way to deal with it, duping their victims into clicking/ tapping on a link or attachment that will infect their computer, seeking and stealing sensitive information, including bank details.
In the latest attacks, users’ PayPal accounts have been the ultimate targets.
Scammers are relentless and utterly unscrupulous, operating anonymously and employing many base psychological ploys to suck in their victims.
There are, however, a few red flags one can scrutinise.
Firstly, legitimate companies never refer to customers generically, such as ‘Hi Customer’, and will always use your recognised name or handle.
Check the sender’s email address, and never
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NAIDOC Week launches
RESIDENTS of Raymond Terrace and surrounding communities came out in droves to attend Port Stephens Council’s NAIDOC Week Opening and Fun Day on Thursday 4 July.
The day began with a Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony, speeches and flagraising ceremony at Council’s Admin Building.
Hundreds then marched down the main street of Raymond Terrace to Riverside
Park, where a community day was held.
National NAIDOC Week celebrations are generally held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations
cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.
This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is 'Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud'.
More local `NAIDOC events continue this week, with full details at https:// www.portstephens.nsw. gov.au/community/ events/2024/port-stephensnaidoc-week-2024.
Thursday, 11 July 2024
q A large Aboriginal flag led the procession down William Street. Photo: Tracey Bennett.
q Worimi representatives and primary school children lead the march. Photo: Port Stephens Council.
q School groups, work places, community groups and more joined the march. Photo: Tracey Bennett.
q The Port Stephens Hunter Police District joined and supported the event. Photo: NSW Police.
q A traditional smoking ceremony was held at Council’s Admin Building in Raymond Terrace. Photo: Port Stephens Council.
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The Big Screen with Lindsay Hall
By Lindsay HALL
WHEN Majestic Cinemas shuttered their business in February, company director Kieren Dell cited the “perfect storm” of factors that were rendering traditional cinemas increasingly unfeasible businesses.
The effect of three years of social distancing wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic combined with an exponential increase in streaming services for home entertainment and a 2023 strike by the Writers Guild of America that left cinemas “without any movies to show”, has seen many people questioning whether we are looking at the collapse of an industry.
The response of filmmakers around the world?
That suggests a lack of imagination.
While it may be true that the industry needs to think ‘outside the box’ to draw people back into theatres, the film slate for 2024 demonstrates that filmmakers and studios are eager to take more chances on new ideas - or at least dress up some very old ones - to ensure that when people do make a trip to the movies they’ll be spoiled for choice.
This week’s releases are heavy on the horror, along with a throwback to the ‘Space Race’ film dressed in 1960s swagger.
Fly Me To The Moon
TV Producer/Mogul Greg Berlanti takes directing duties for stars Scarlett Johannson and Channing Tatum in a story that attempts to cast a humorous light on the very real desperation felt by the U.S. as they fought to beat the U.S.S.R. to the moon in 1969.
NASA’s Flight Director Cole Davis (Tatum) is forced to collaborate with marketing specialist Kelly Jones (Johannson) to “sell the moon” to the American public and ensure support for the Apollo 11 mission.
The straight-laced space-men becoming increasingly befuddled by Jones’ insistence on ‘dressing up’ the very dull-seeming mission with manufactured drama, casting TV-friendly actors to portray the NASA team in interviews and going so far as to commission a studio to film a ‘back-up moon landing’ just in case the real one can’t make it all the way (cue the somewhat predictable Stanley Kubrick joke).
Berlanti has always been focused on the romance at the centre of his stories, if potentially at the expense of exploring the real depths of his characters.
However if the appeal of Hollywood is truly watching pretty people be funny and charming, it’s hard to go past Johannson and Tatum, who bring all of their considerable charisma to the roles.
As a ‘Two Worlds Collide’ romantic-comedy, the film isn’t really breaking any new ground, but the script is inoffensive and gets its share of chuckles throughout.
Kinds of Kindness
Those looking for something really different might consider the latest offering from director Yorgos Lanthimos (The Favourite, Poor Things).
This is the kind of film that can cause someone an embolism in the attempt to explain ‘what it’s about’, and the effort would likely only be received as incoherent ramblings.
That is not a reflection on this witty, macabre satire in which most cast members are pulling triple duty - playing multiple roles across three loosely-connected tales.
The central relationships in each anthology segment are played by Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons who are mesmerising as couples enduring obsession, paranoia, anxiety and desperation, while inflicting varying degrees of mutilation to themselves and others.
Lending some real gravity to the performances is Willem Dafoe, who is revelling in his film element - arthouse, experimental storytelling full of unnerving intensity and bombastic emotion.
Look, this is the kind of film Aussie Mum’s might charitably describe as “weird”, but is one of that rare form - a modern film for grown-ups.
If you are as much engaged by the emotional and visceral experience of film as by the story, this could be worth making some time for.
You’ll certainly have a lot to talk about afterwards with your date.
Sting
In the 1970s the Australian government introduced a number of financial benefits and incentives to inject life into our budding film industry.
The result was the
Koala Hospital welcomes ‘Birubi’
By Marian SAMPSON
PORT Stephens Koala Hospital (PSKH) is celebrating the birth of its first ever joey.
The female joey is named ‘Birubi’, which is the Worimi term for Southern Cross, acknowledging the contributions of First Nations communities to the shared PSKH history, culture and identity.
PSKH has dedicated over four decades to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of injured and orphaned koalas.
The birth of Birubi represents a pinnacle achievement in the hospital's mission to support and sustain koala populations in the Port Stephens region.
“We have many good days at Port Stephens
‘Australian New-Wave’ of mid-to-low budget genre films, many of them offering a wild take on horror tropes, that became known as ‘Ozploitation’.
Happily that tradition is alive and well in the hands of filmmaker Kiah RoacheTurner (Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead, Nekrotronic), who brings an Aussie sensibility in a throwback to one of the staples of horror cinema - the Creature Feature.
Starring Alyla Browne (Furiosa), Penelope Mitchell and Ryan Corr, with appearances by Australian acting legends Robyn Nevi and Noni Hazelhurst, Sting focuses on young Charlotte (Browne), a latchkey kid coping with a recently acquired step-dad (Corr), a semi-neglectful mum (Mitchell) with a newborn brother, who discovers a remarkably intelligent and talented spider which she decides to keep as a pet.
As is the case in all such genre-fare, this is clearly not an ordinary Redback, and as the critter begins to grow in size, its appetite threatens the apartment building where Charlotte lives.
Spiders are hands down the best source material for this kind of horror that either calls for a swarm (Arachnaphobia) or a giant (Earth Vs. The Spider) or a swarm of giants (Eight Legged Freaks).
Roache-Turner may not be a name well known by the average film-goer, but his consistent efforts have brought entertaining results with an economical budget, and the same is true here.
The cast find the right balance of character work and pathos (particularly from young Ayla Browne, who is having a good year as an actor) while leaving room for the real star - the titular Sting - and its antics/attacks as the main attraction.
If you can get past the decision for the cast to adopt
American accents (no doubt for a better international reception), this is a wellpaced thrill that lasts 90 minutes - and in an age where three-hour runtimes are increasingly common, that is refreshing in itself.
MaXXXine
The third in a trilogy of films from writer/director Ti West and star Mia Goth, MaXXXine is a stylish, sexuallycharged horror-thriller which is related to a slasher film, but feels simultaneously more elevated and more disturbing.
Maxine Minx (Goth, reprising her role from 2022’s X) is on the verge of transition from her career in adult entertainment to more mainstream film under the shadow of the infamous Night Stalker of 1985.
Faced with the murder of her colleagues, Maxine begins to suspect that the real killer may have some connection to her, and the events of her past.
If you’ve seen the previous installments in this series (X, Pearl - both currently streaming on Netflix) and vibed with what West and Goth were doing, then you won’t need convincing to check this out.
The same sense of hip energy, beautiful and stylistic cinematography and an allout powerhouse performance from Goth make these movies something memorable.
If slashers are not your style, there’s nothing here that would likely persuade you to give it a shot - the violence is graphic, the behaviour of characters is disturbing and the imagery lingers in a creepy way.
Therein lies one of the great mysteries of the horror genre - that one description will be read as a reason to avoid by some, while sounding like a ringing endorsement to others.
Whatever your tastes and wherever you land, happy viewing!
Koala Hospital, and this is one of them,” said RSKH President Ron Land.
"Please welcome a baby girl for mum Midnight Rose and proud dad Blinky!
“This little treasure is the first koala actually conceived and born at our hospital, and when big enough, she will be released into the wild.
“Another day in the wonderful world of Port Stephens Koala Hospital.”
To help PSKH nurture Birubi, she can be adopted.
For more information about Port Stephens Koala Hospital and their vital work, please visit www. portstephenskoalas.com.au or contact the rescue line on 1800 775 625
q Birubi and her mother Midnight Rose.
Art forming connections
By Marian SAMPSON
THE Port Stephens Community Arts Centre has introduced a new initiative called ‘Social Saturdays’, a project which brings together members from various groups to socialise and collaborate on creative projects.
Whether working on their latest masterpiece or just looking to enjoy some company, Social Saturdays provides artists the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow creatives.
“At the Port Stephens Community Arts Centre, member synergy is at the heart of what we do,” Centre President Meryl Miller said.
“Together, we create an enriching and inspiring environment for all.
“Social Saturdays are
a testament to this spirit, allowing us to cross-pollinate creative ideas and build a stronger artistic community.”
In addition to these regular gatherings, the centre hosts monthly workshops to explore new art forms.
“Recently, we held a Silk Tie-Dye workshop, which was a fantastic success,” Meryl said.
The workshop brought together members from various Centre groups including Exploring Art, Fusion, Monday Craft, Painting, Patchwork, Paper Craft, Pastels, Polymer Clay, and Pottery.
“Thirteen talented ladies participated, transforming plain white silk scarves into beautiful, vibrant patterns using alcohol inks.”
The creativity and
stunning results showcased the incredible potential of Centre members.
“Join us as a member to experience the vibrant energy and creativity that define the Port Stephens Community Arts Centre,” Meryl said.
The Centre is currently hosting a Modern Contemporary and Spinners and Weavers exhibition; a dynamic display of artistic expressions that push the boundaries of creativity, showcasing a variety of themes.
“Come in and view the exhibition which will provide an enriching and inspiring experience that celebrates the boundless potential of artistic expression,” she said.
The Spinners and Weavers exhibition showcases the artistry and craftsmanship
Visitors
celebrating the rich tradition of fibre arts.
Dance studio takes out national award
COMPLETE Performing Arts and Classical Coaching (PACC) at Taylors Beach has been recognised as the Diversity and Inclusivity Champion in the 2024 Ready Set Dance Awards.
The awards are an opportunity to recognise the tremendous hard work, effort, determination and achievements of eligible Ready Set Dance locations.
The Ready Set Dance program is a preschool curriculum that is taught in over 400 dance studios across Australia, New Zealand and North America.
Supported by early childhood specialists, the programs have been developed so preschoolers can enjoy the magic of dance whilst simultaneously reaching development
milestones.
Complete PACC is in its sixth year of operation, opening its doors in 2019.
The studio is run by directors Madelyn Comley and Heather Perry-Comley. Their passion for dance and these programmes has seen them win three Ready Set Dance awards in six years. Principal and senior teacher Madelyn Comley trained in
q Supported by early childhood specialists, the Ready Set Dance programs have been developed so preschoolers can enjoy the magic of dance whilst simultaneously reaching development milestones.
full-time classical ballet from the age of fifteen to eighteen in Sydney.
After completing a Diploma of Elite Performance and considering offers from overseas ballet schools and companies, and adding a scholarship position training in commercial dance, Ms Comley decided opening her own dance school was where
The studio’s wide range of classes reflect its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
“A wide range of classes are available for students aged from eighteen months to eighteen years of age, as well as a ‘Dancing Queens/ Kings’ class for [dancers] over 60 years which has
Helping the endangered Black-necked stork
AN exciting new project is underway to install a nest platform for the endangered Black-necked Stork in Hexham Swamp this coming Spring.
The project - a partnership between Hunter Local Land Services and Hunter Bird Observers Club (HBOC) - aims to provide a home for the pair of Storks that have been residing in Hexham Swamp since 2018.
Amanda Hyde from Hunter Local Land Services said implementation of the rehabilitation project began over twenty years ago and has gradually restored tidal inundation to Ironbark Creek, resulting in the reestablishment of a mosaic of wetland habitats including
saltmarsh and open water.
“Through ongoing environmental monitoring we have seen the project restore fish and prawn habitat,” Amanda said.
“A recent survey of aquatic fauna in Hexham Swamp has shown habitat improvement has successfully increased the abundance of fish and eels and it is thought the availability of this important food source for the Black necked Stork has been a contributing factor to the pair continuing to reside in Hexham Swamp.
“Since 2020, the resident pair has bred each year and has been closely monitored by members of HBOC.”
The proposal to install a nest platform was first
raised in a research paper published by HBOC member Ann Lindsey.
Anne said the breeding biology of this species is not well understood and, as it is classified as Endangered under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, it is important that information about its breeding behaviour is documented.
“The Black necked Stork is known to breed as solitary pairs in often difficultto-access places, making detailed breeding studies a challenge, and this region is regarded as the southern limit of its breeding range,” Anne said.
“Because the large birds build a nest that is up to two metres wide and one
metre deep, there is a lack of suitable nest trees in the swamp to support this size.
“Two years ago a nest was blown out of the tree in a storm, resulting in the death of one of the two chicks, which is why we are installing constructed nests to help the storks to successfully breed.”
With the expertise of local HBOC members, Hunter Local Land Services are working with a Newcastle industrial designer to construct a nest platform from aluminium that is large, robust and will be secured to a tripod.
“The platform will be embedded around a paperbark tree that was previously used by the storks as a nest tree and has since fallen into disrepair,” Amanda
said. Due to the sensitive nature of the wetlands, the environmental assessment recommends transporting the nest by helicopter to the tree as the method of least
proved to be popular and engaging, bringing the house down every year at Complete PACC’s end of year concerts,” Ms Comley said.
“This wide range of dancers brings the studio much joy and increases the feeling of inclusiveness that Complete PACC pride themselves on.”
impact. Installation is planned for early July, prior to the upcoming breeding season to encourage the pair to make use of it. The project is the first of its kind for Black-necked Stork in Australia and will contribute to the knowledge of this endangered species.
q The results of a shared workshop where participants connected through creativity.
of textile artists who create intricate fabrics using traditional spinning and weaving techniques.
can admire a colourful array of hand-
spun yarns, intricate woven patterns, and beautifully crafted textile artworks,
Admission to the Gallery is free.
The gallery is open to the public from 10am to 4pm daily. Please note the gallery closes at 1pm on a Sunday.
her heart truly lay.
q Heather Perry-Comley.(centre) and Madelyn Comley.(right) accept the Diversity and Inclusivity Award from Ready Set Dance founders Priscilla, Belinda and Natalite.
q The endangered Black-necked Stork. Photo: Paul Fuller.
Stinker’s History: The Dutch connection (part 2)
By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE
BACK to work on the leases, it is every oyster farmer's worst nightmare to fall into the tar pit. Unfortunately for a recently married Sos de Koeyer that is exactly what happened.
It was 1965 and the oysterman overbalanced while walking along the edge of the tank, slipped into the tar and sank into the blackness.
Regaining his feet he crawled from the deep pot and immediately stripped off all his clothes and ran up the hill calling out for wife Kay.
As you could well imagine Kay was horrified to witness a naked tar man running up the road.
Her surprise turned to concern when it was realised that it was her husband in distress.
The tar was scraped off with a stick followed by a liberal covering of lanolin hand cleaner.
Numerous warm baths gradually washed the tar off, however it was nearly a week before Sos could venture out into the sun as the tar still clogged the pores in his skin.
“Never again,” declared Sos.
It was 1966 when Sos bought his next launch for £750 from Charlie Asquith of Nelson Bay.
Formerly the ‘Conray’, the launch was driven by a three cylinder Perkins replaced after twelve months by a 375 hp GM 2 stroke diesel.
The boat was renamed the ‘Katherine’ after his daughter.
Port Stephens was a good waterway for catching spat (fertilised eggs).
Sos put out what he called “contract sticks” – sticks that would catch the spat in Salamander Bay and be sold and transported to other systems to mature.
Contract catching was successful with the small oysters being sent to Batemans Bay, the Hawkesbury and other bays and rivers along the coast.
Many were sent on Cliff Godwin’s trucks from Stroud to Reg King and the Humbly Bros in Georges River.
Through long hours of hard work Sos’ business continued to grow to the stage where it was not possible to put out their 80,000 catching sticks from Tanilba as the block was too small, so it was
Stinker’s Fishin’: No surprises any more
By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE
NOTHING surprises me
anymore when it comes to fishing in and around Port Stephens.
Who would have thought that you could dawdle into Woolworths and purchase
required vaccination.
The problem now was how to catch them.
decided to purchase more land at Orange Grove.
It was the early 1970s and a 50 acre block, a market garden at Orange Grove on Tilligerry Creek, was bought for $10,000, allowing Sos to work the catching leases on board ‘Katherine’.
These were boom years for Sos with leases purchased off Denzil Crawford and the Lindemans at Pig Creek and behind Upton Island and another half dozen leases up the Karuah River.
He even considered buying a dredging lease in the Karuah as there had been dredging there in the past.
At this stage Sos had 20 leases including one in the Brisbane Waters and was doing so well that his brother Digenis from Holland came out and worked with him for eight years.
Renee Sinke, a Dutchman who married Sos’ daughter, also came to Australia to work with Sos, later branching out by himself.
To keep the grass down on his Orange Grove property Sos bought twelve steers off Keith Moxey at Williamtown.
This appeared at first to be an ideal solution until they contracted worms and they
a small plastic spool with fishing line and hook attached and use it to catch a monster.
Armed with the reel and a fillet of bonito, twelve-year-old Nelson Bay champion Jayden Astill headed for the breakwall hoping for a nibble.
Peeling off line Jayden tossed the scrap of bonito into the water.
Whammo!
Something big took off towards Tea Gardens.
A mighty battle followed before Jayden hauled the 75cm flathead up onto the rocks.
The mighty fish was measured and weighed before being gently released to fight another day.
NSW Fisheries law prohibits keeping any flathead over 70 cm.
A great law that keeps all the breeding female fish in the water.
An old Stinker saying: “Big female flathead are better off in the water than the kitchen.”
If you have time to spare, take a wander along the breakwall in Nelson Bay and watch the luderick fishers at work.
Fascinating to see the coloured floats disappear under the water, the strike and the following battle.
It really is the cheapest entertainment in town.
This was finally achieved after many miles chasing them through the bush.
Then it was decided to run a few cows and of course a bull to breed from.
It was time to build a yard, loading ramp and a race so that the cattle could be transported away or others brought in. All was in order until the bull arrived.
“Things started getting out of control,” explained Sos.
“He was wild, I mean really wild, dangerous and couldn’t be approached.”
The bull was so crazy that Sos was of the belief that his future was as a bucking bull at a rodeo.
There was no way, it seemed, that this bull could be ridden.
The decision had been made that this mad animal was leaving Orange Grove.
A man by the name of Fitzgibbon from Branxton was contacted and he arrived with his truck and horses to catch the bull, which was destined to join the rodeo.
Riding through the scrub, the excellent horsemen finally rounded up the bull and cornered him in the yard.
The bull refused to go up the race so they lassoed the beast and attempted to inch him into the truck.
By this time he had all but destroyed the fences around the yard.
“Boy,” gasped Fitzgibbon, “this bull will sure be a good one at the rodeo.”
That same day they took
the bull to the Branxton Oval to try it out.
With a champion bull rider all prepared he climbed on the beast’s back and they opened the shoot and let him out. The raging bull took off straight for the fence with a steel rail and he crashed his way through to freedom, leaving the rider dangling from the highest rail.
The enraged animal charged around until he became lame, ending a very short career as a rodeo bull.
The next stop was his last one - the knackery.
Unfazed by these early setbacks into livestock breeding Sos bought a 400 acre block in Stroud and another 400 acres in Gloucester where he then commenced a breeding program hopefully not to produce another rodeo bull.
Resurgence for Little Terns
AFTER more than 20 years in decline, endangered Little Terns appear to be experiencing a resurgence in numbers in NSW, with an almost fifteen percent increase in breeding pairs from last season.
The beach-nesting bird breeding season commences at the beginning of spring and breeding activity was documented at sixteen sites along the NSW coastline in 2023-24, stretching from Wilsons Head in the north to
around 430 breeding pairs of Little Tern in the state, which is an increase from almost 380 the previous season.
This impressive number of breeding pairs resulted in over 370 fledglings, almost 100 fledglings more than the previous season.
These figures were led by standout colonies in Karagi Point on the Central Coast and Shoalhaven Heads on the South Coast, where collectively almost 70 percent of the state’s fledglings were
beach-nesting birds, we are always hoping for a prosperous season for these animals, and we could not be happier with the results we have seen over this season,” said Naomi Stephens, Executive Director Park Operations Coastal, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
“For over 20 years Little Terns have experienced decline in NSW, so it is incredibly uplifting to see their numbers beginning to
q The 'Katherine', named after Sos' daughter and built by Fred Asquith in Nelson Bay.
q Jayden Astill with his cracker flathead, which he promptly released.
Broughton Island Historical Cruise with John 'Stinker' Clarke
OPINION & LETTERS
By Ryan PALMER Mayor, Port Stephens Council
Of The Area
From the Mayor’s desk Coastal Management Program
THE Port Stephens coastline is really something special - our beautiful beaches and bays, rocky headlands, sand dunes, mangroves, saltmarshes and seagrass beds are all part of a very unique ecosystem that have created this beautiful place we are lucky to call home.
Protecting our coastline is a key focus of Council and our community.
Finding solutions for coastal erosion, inundation and dune transgression have been identified as important priorities for our community.
The Port Stephens Coastal Management Program (CMP) was unanimously endorsed by Council on 25 June 2024.
The CMP is a huge body of work designed to provide a framework for managing coastal threats across Port Stephens.
The CMP identifies coastal issues, determines actions that can address these issues, outlines costs and responsibilities and sets time frames to deliver these actions.
Our CMP includes 67 management actions.
These range from tidal gates on storm water outlets and the rehabilitation of dunes on some of our most popular beaches to more detailed studies on the coastal erosion processes and development of water quality monitoring programs across the area.
The CMP also brings together other important strategies and documents into one program of work including the Port Stephens Boating and Fishing Infrastructure Plan and the Mambo Wetlands Plan of Management.
Following Council endorsement, the CMP has been sent to the State Minister for the Environment for certification.
Once the CMP is certified, we can start to deliver actions across our community that will both protect and enhance our incredible coastline for years to come.
To learn more visit pscouncil.info/cmp Keep up to date as the project progresses visit portstephens@nsw.gov. au or follow us on social media, Facebook - @PortStephensCouncil or Instagram - @ pscouncil.
Resurgence
FROM Page 12
“Those committed to these precious feathered residents conducted around 5,000 observations across 417 survey days to closely monitor the progress of these Little Terns.
“Despite these great results, ongoing management needs to occur to ensure these birds do not go
Dorin’s Draws By Paul DORIN
Nuclear power promotion
DEAR News Of The Area,
OUR Federal parliamentary representative in the Electorate of Lyne, Dr David Gillespie, publishes a front-page advertisement in your Myall Coast paper every week disparaging the Federal Government’s proposed offshore wind farms.
He has spoken at meetings arranged by an organisation called ‘Reckless Renewables’ who oppose onshore and offshore wind farms and grid modernisation initiatives.
He is also the leader of ‘Friends of Nuclear Industries’, an organisation set up in November 2022 within the 47th Federal Parliament, and he supports the Coalition initiatives to build nuclear power stations to replace retiring coal fired power stations.
I am surprised that despite his medical training he is comfortable with introducing the multiple problems that come with nuclear power.
Occupational exposure to radiation will increase for every worker involved; in power production, waste storage, mining,
refining, and transporting ore.
The uranium mines are in general a long way from the reactor sites envisaged.
Safe transport will require hundreds of kilometres of rail infrastructure which does not yet exist. At many points radioactive substances will be potentially vulnerable to mischievous or malicious damage by local activists or foreign powers and foreign powers will also have easy targets for morale-destroying dirty bombs in wartime.
A catastrophic accident like Chernobyl would alienate thousands of square kilometres around a site like Liddell in our beautiful Hunter Valley; of course, catastrophic accidents are rare, but if we don’t have nuclear power stations we won’t have any nuclear accidents.
Following the nuclear option looks ‘reckless’ when safer alternatives are available and in progress.
M J SUTCLIFFE, Hawks Nest.
Coalition turns on own legislation
DEAR News Of The Area,
THE has been a lot of discussion locally about the overall impact of offshore wind turbines on the NSW coast.
The regulatory framework for offshore wind projects in Australian waters was established by the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021.
That Act was legislated in November 2021 by the Liberal/National coalition government led by Scott Morrison and applies to renewable energy resources, including offshore wind turbines.
The Act governs the construction, installation, operation and decommissioning of infrastructure
extinct, and every person can make a difference.
“These numbers are not possible without the unwavering dedication of countless volunteers, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service staff, local councils, land managers and stakeholders.” Beach-nesting birds like the Little Tern lay eggs directly on the sand, and eggs and chicks are
activities in the Australian offshore area and also requires thorough environmental impact assessments before project approval.
These environmental impact assessments evaluate potential impacts on marine ecosystems, wildlife and coastal communities and MUST be completed before project approval is given.
Obviously the Liberal/National Party coalition government in 2021 was in favour of permitting the construction of offshore wind turbines, subject to the conditions that they imposed, including the requirement for environmental impact assessments.
The Liberal/National coalition government in 2021 included Peter Dutton and Barnaby Joyce who, along with National
On theCouch
Email Jasminda: media@newsofthearea.com.au
DEAR
Jasminda,
A FRIEND recently asked me to vote for her son's artwork to help him win a competition.
When I looked at the entries, I actually thought another artwork was far superior, so I voted for it instead. Should I come clean?
Mandy B.
Dear
Mandy,
A popular vote and a deserving candidate are often poles apart.
The artistic merit (or inferiority) of Jackson Pollock's Blue Poles, for example, created an uproar, exemplifying the idea that one person's abstract impressionism is another person's 'bacchanalian rampage' as it was described at the time.
Mandy, may I suggest that you look up the word bacchanalian.
It may come in handy.
Now, to your dilemma.
I can almost guarantee you weren't the only person your friend contacted. She probably hedged her bets on friends and family, hoping for safety in numbers.
It's a solid ploy, unless they've all had the same artistic epiphany. You could fess up and lose a friend. Frankly, it's not worth it.
Silently stand by your decision. Maybe even go to the presentation. And when the child with true artistic merit wins, as they should, refrain from looking smug and muttering, 'I knew it. Look at the textural intricacies, the considered balance of light and shade, the vibrant colours. It's far superior to that other one. A bacchanalian rampage if ever I saw one.'
diem, Jasminda.
Party Senator Ross Cadell, are now vocal in their strong opposition to the construction of offshore wind turbines on the coast of NSW even before the environmental impact assessments (that are required in accordance with their legislation) have been completed!
Clearly the Liberal/National coalition is arguing against its own legislation.
Can we believe anything they say?
Regards, Grant KENNETT, Corlette.
q During the 2023-24 breeding season there were around 430 breeding pairs of Little Tern in the state, which is an increase from almost 380 the previous season. Photo: Andrew Robinson.
so well camouflaged they are almost invisible.
Despite the good results this year, Little Terns are still vulnerable to a wide range of threats, including native and introduced predators, crushing and disturbance from vehicles, humans and domestic dogs, flooding of nesting sites and adverse weather conditions.
Carpe
READING by Lynne Miles: Matthew 7:12The Golden Rule: "In everything, do unto others what you would have them do unto you."
Stargazing: The man who owns the Moon
By Dave RENEKE, Astronomer
IN 1969 we landed on the Moon.
The astronauts proudly stuck an American flag into the ground.
Were they staking a claim to the dusty rock?
No, and it wouldn’t have been possible anyway.
Just two years earlier, a United Nations treaty had been created to prohibit any nation owning the moon.
This treaty declared that the moon and other ‘celestial bodies’ were non-negotiable, not to be bought and resold for monetary gain.
So pretty much all countries have agreed to hold off on claiming the moon. But what about private citizens?
The treaty mentioned governments and their agencies but it left a gaping loophole, it neglected to mention private individuals!
Well, seeing an opportunity, one man had a crack at it and was successful!
Dennis Hope, an American entrepreneur, says he has owned the moon since 1980.
He was broke and going through a divorce when the idea of owning property came to him.
“Why not the Moon?” he thought, “nobody owns it yet.”
With nothing to lose he filed a claim with the United Nations for ownership of the Moon.
They never responded, and since Hope has never been challenged, he maintains that the moon is his to sell.
Before you laugh, consider that Hope has been in space real estate full time since 1995 and has sold over 600 million acres of lunar real estate.
On Hope’s website, Lunar Embassy, you’ll find that an acre of planetary land goes for as low as $29.95.
He’s now made around $11 million and has sold plots to movie stars, pop stars, politicians and ordinary folk from all walks of life.
What a perfect gift for the
‘man who has everything’.
While that may not matter much now, things could change soon.
Space tourism is on our doorstep, a Moon base is planned and already entrepreneurs are lining up to figure out ways of mining the lucrative mineralogy locked up in the lunar soil.
When we go we’re going to have to figure out a much more watertight system for handling legal issues in space.
We’re actually in the midst of a Moon rush right now.
A growing number of countries and companies have the lunar surface in their sights in a race for resources and space dominance.
So, are we ready for this new era of lunar exploration?
Recently, images were beamed back to Earth of China’s flag unfurled on the Moon.
It’s the country’s fifth landing there - and the first ever mission to return
samples from the Moon’s far side.
Meanwhile, NASA wants to send humans back to the Moon, with its Artemis astronauts aiming for a 2026 landing. China says it will send humans to the Moon by 2030.
And instead of fleeting
‘Affordable luxury’ in Port Stephens
By Marian SAMPSON
SUBURBS across Port Stephens and the Myall Coast have been highlighted in a new report as ‘affordable luxury alternatives’ to Sydney’s pricey housing market.
The ‘Hidden Gems’ report, released last month, was compiled by Property Credit and lists Anna Bay, North Arm Cove, Hawks Nest, Nelson Bay, Salamander Bay and Corlette among suburbs that “offer a higher quality of living for homebuyers looking to spend below the Sydney median price of $1,345,000”.
“These suburbs provide excellent amenities, scenic beauty and a vibrant community, making them attractive alternatives to Sydney's expensive market,” Property Credit CEO Giordano Stepancic stated in the report.
“We’ve pinpointed some of the best suburbs across the country where homebuyers can get more value for their money without compromising on lifestyle.
“The Hunter Valley’s Port Stephens region is a paradise for homebuyers, with the market conditions recently tilting slightly in favour of buyers due to a steady rise in listings.”
Tilligerry
5/7/24
OUTRIGHT winner. Greg Hinton. 33 Runner up. John McDonald. 31 c/b Bonus points winner. Ron McKay. 31 c/b Runner up. Bob West. 31 c/b Ball winners. Ron Dews. 29
Mr Stepancic said historically the Port Stephens area experienced significant market cycles driven by impulsive holiday home purchases.
However, today’s Port Stephens is much more diverse, attracting not only retirees and weekenders but also a vibrant mix of industries and new residents.
“The ongoing expansion of Newcastle Airport and the development of new industries in the region have further enhanced its appeal,” Stepancic said.
“Many people selecting regions like Port Stephens and the Hunter are already familiar with the area.
“Given the access to Sydney, it is much easier for a buyer to move out of Sydney without it being unfamiliar.”
An increase in flexible work-from-home arrangements has also made a difference for buyers, particularly with hybrid arrangements where workers can visit the office one or two times a week.
Drawbacks for buyers in the Port Stephens region usually relate to work or family.
“Retirees enjoy access to Sydney-based family members who can travel and
ideally stay for weekends, but for those younger families or individuals still working, they will obviously need to retain their income either via a local job or a work-from-home arrangement,” he said.
However, the growth of the broader Hunter region’s jobs market supports a much larger number of people looking to move into the area than in years past.
The report highlights Anna Bay, with a median house price of $921,500, as an attractive option for those seeking a serene coastal lifestyle.
“Located 147 km from Sydney’s CBD, Anna Bay offers a peaceful environment with stunning beaches and natural beauty,” the report states.
“The suburb has sixteen
visits, the plan is to build permanent bases.
Hey, it’s no longer science fiction, this is happening now!
If you’re under forty years of age and reading this, there’s a good chance you’ll holiday on the Moon one day.
If you think this is all ‘pie in the sky’, think again.
properties currently for sale, presenting ample opportunities for buyers to secure a home in this idyllic location.
“Anna Bay’s low socioeconomic ranking indicates its affordability relative to other coastal regions, making it an excellent choice for families and retirees alike.”
Corlette is also featured, praised for its “upscale homes and beautiful waterfront views”.
“Corlette, another gem
The
have already been born. The first people to live and work in space are being born now. It’s that close! See Dave’s website: www. davereneke.com.
in Port Stephens, boasts a median house price of $1,100,000.
“With 21 listings currently available, Corlette offers potential buyers a range of options to find their perfect home.
“The suburb’s higher socio-economic ranking reflects its desirability and quality of life, attracting professionals and families seeking a blend of luxury and coastal living.”
q The ‘Hidden Gems’ report, released last month, was compiled by Property Credit and lists Anna Bay, North Arm Cove, Hawks Nest, Nelson Bay, Salamander Bay and Corlette among suburbs that “offer a higher quality of living for homebuyers looking to spend below the Sydney median price of $1,345,000”.
Social Golf Club
Grahame Glover. 28 Sean Brennan. 28 Hugh Potts. 27 Matt Baldwin. 27 Bradman Award. Ed Martin. D&C7th. A. Ron Dews. B. Ed Martin
D&C18th.
A. John Clayton. B. Wendy Couvaras
Money hole. A. Matt Baldwin. B. Greg Hinton Lucky number. 16. Ron Dews
There were 16 starters. Congratulations to all the winners. Next game Friday 12/7/24 “The Challenge Cup” Single Stableford.
Muree Golf Results
By Lee RANKIN
SATURDAY 29th June. Stableford. A Grade
1. John P Sullivan 38 2. Mark Sullivan 37 3. Shayne Bradley 36 B Grade 1. Nathan Wallace 41
2. Kyle Single 40
3. Chad Hood 37
C Grade
1. Michael Cumming 38
2. John Backes 35
3. Benjamin Maytom 34 Pro Pin Callum Bartley Wednesday 3rd July. Washed Out
first people to travel and holiday regularly in space
q Dennis Hope, an American entrepreneur, says he has owned the moon since 1980.
Tireless Gropers trio make impact
By Chris KARAS
NELSON Bay Rugby Club’s youth drive is reaping plenty of dividends in the Hunter Suburban Rugby Men's competition.
Head Coach Michael Wiringi has blooded a host of rookies this season to complement his experienced senior players in a new look Gropers line up that still exudes class and power.
Three forwards to make an impact are talented number eight Mitch Workman, flanker Ronan O’Connell and lock Lewis Affleck.
All three grew up together, honed their rugby craft in the Nelson Bay Juniors system and share a special bond.
The hard working trio have been best mates since
their days at Tomaree Public School and graduated into the club’s first grade ranks from the Hunter Rugby Premier Three division.
Since their elevation to the top grade the emerging colts have built a reputation for having a strong work ethic, never-say-die attitude, punishing defence and “big motors” in the Nelson Bay engine room.
Workman and O'Connell are both 22-years-old and went through primary and high school together at Tomaree with former Groper Mitch Affleck, the elder brother of twenty-year-old Lewis.
Club officials identified the promising trio from an early age with Workman starting his career in Under 8s, O’Connell in under 12s and the
industrious Affleck showing plenty of potential from the day he first laced on a boot.
They were plucked from the Juniors to play grade rugby in 2022 before taking a gap year out of the code and have relished their return to the Suburban competition.
Refreshed and bulked up, the trio are the unsung heroes in a Nelson Bay team ravaged by injuries and overseas departures by key forwards that are starting to hit their straps in pursuit of the 2024 President’s Cup trophy.
Workman has already racked up 25 appearances for the Gropers with O’Connell (23) and Affleck (18) also making the most of their opportunities in senior company.
Mitch and Lewis hail from
good stock – they are the sons of Nelson Bay Rugby legends Anthony Workman and Dave Affleck, who were a tough and skilful lock and centre in their heyday.
Outside of rugby both Mitch and Ronan enjoy marathon running and have entered the upcoming Hunter Valley Marathon where they’ll test their endurance skills.
But their immediate goal is helping the premiers extend a golden winning streak in this Saturday’s top of the table clash with Singleton Red Bulls at Bill Strong Oval.
The Gropers received a forfeit victory over Singleton Black last weekend and are primed to exact revenge against the Reds for a 15-10 second round loss at Rugby Park earlier this season.
Wanderers roll Gropers to remain top
By Chris KARAS
WANDERERS Rugby Club have confirmed their position as favourites for the Hunter Women’s Rugby premiership title.
Geoff Davy’s all conquering Blues showed why they are freely tipped for championship honours after skittling Nelson Bay 38-7 in a midweek clash at Bill Strong Oval.
Dashing Wanderers fullback Georgie Ball produced a best-on-ground performance for the undefeated competition leaders – notching two tries, booting four conversions and creating havoc with her turn of speed and tricky footwork to cap a superb display on a cold night.
Wanderers have won all ten matches this season and top the table on 49 points ahead of second placed Merewether Carlton (45), Hamilton Hawks (42) and Maitland Blacks (36).
Nelson Bay have chalked up six victories from their ten fixtures and remain in fifth spot on 28 points.
Gropers coach Josh Gamgee told News Of The Area that his full strength squad is
“very competitive and well and truly in the finals mix”.
“When we can assemble our best lineup there is every chance of figuring in the big end-of-season matches,” revealed a confident Gamgee.
With the Number 2 Sportsground in Newcastle closed for the week, the
Women's fixture against ladder leaders Wanderers was relocated to Bill Strong Oval.
Nelson Bay capitalised on early possession from their power forwards to nab the opening try of the match.
A slick backline movement resulted in classy centre Tash Harris stepping through the
q The Nelson Bay Gropers women’s rugby team have plenty of strike power in their back division.
Tickets are available at https://www.stickytickets.com.au/G3NS6 or CASH at thedoor
opposition and outpacing the cover defence to score, with fly half Ebony Oakley landing a tough conversion for a 7-0 lead.
In a game of fluctuating fortunes and with field position vital the Blues’ larger forward pack soon gained the upper hand.
Tries by Ball and flying winger Kelby Curtis helped the Blues establish a 12-7 lead at the half time interval against a tenacious Gropers outfit who tackled themselves to a standstill.
Wanderers forwards continued to dominate after the break, enabling the Blues’ classy backline to click into top gear with five unanswered tries.
This was not a one sided contest as the score may indicate as there were several line breaks and bruising defence from the Gropers who continued to play exciting rugby and never stopped trying.
Nelson Bay were best served by crack centre Harris, winger Kayla Campbell and fullback Emily Harmon.
The team hosts the Hamilton Hawks this Saturday in a double header at Bill Strong Oval at 4.30pm following the men's clash with Singleton Red Bulls at 3pm.
Hunter boxers to do battle
FROM Page 24
late Newcastle boxing great and top referee Joe Keegan, who won sixteen and drew three of his 33 bouts as a middleweight from 194756.
Joe’s scalps included the likes of Joe Manners, Les Dobson, Tommy Barber, Ray Norton, Johnny Bradd and Len Gallagher and eight
knockouts.
In a family twist, Conner will compete for the Joe Keegan Memorial Shield and plans to do his late grandfather proud. Other local boxers to showcase their skills on the night are Nelson Nikora, Kenny Edwards, Ethan O’Connor, Bones Claridge and Dylan Short. Best fighter on the night will receive the James McDonald Trophy.
q Wickham’s light heavyweight sensation David Dargin is featured in the main event at Shorts Boxing’s Amateur Boxing Night.
Port Stephens Veteran Golfers Association
By Gary WATT
RESULTS from a Stableford competition played at Tanilba Bay GC on Monday 1st July 2024 with 24 players competing for the Arthur Wright Trophy.
Trophy Winner : Greg Garvin, 36pts.
Trophy Runner Up : Lester Lake, 35pts.
Bonus Point Winner : Gary Watt, 36pts c/b.
Bonus Point Runner Up : Kevin Stewart, 36pts.
Nearest the Pin, 4th Hole :
Div 1 : Fred Rimoni.
Div 2 : No Winner.
Nearest the Pin, 11th Hole, :
Div 1 : Graham Woolley.
Div 2 : Michael Best.
Drive & Chip, 7th Hole, Div 1 : Gary Watt.
Div 2 : Lester Lake.
Drive & Chip, 18th Hole,
Div 1 : Wayne Richards.
Div 2 : Jim Gill.
Ball Winners : John Howlett 35pts, Ron McKay 34pts, Jim Gill 34pts, Frank Vandruten 33pts, Fred Rimoni 32pts, Michael Day 32pts, Michael Best 32pts, and Graham Woolley 32pts. Lucky Draw Prize Winner : Kevin Stewart. Next weeks game is at Hawks Nest GC and is a 7:30am start.
q Nelson Bay Rugby’s emerging forward trio of Lewis Affleck, Mitch Workman and Ronan O'Connell have turned in outstanding performances in the 2024 Hunter Suburban Men’s competition.
Nelson Bay Croquet Club
By David WILSON
THE Thompson Trophy B Grade is for members with GC handicaps 5 to 8.
The cold wet weather caused several entrants with minor ailments to drop out at the last minute, resulting in 5 members contesting the championship: Sherry Gordon, Karen Lilly, Greg Long, David Smith and David Wilson.
The championship was played as a single round-robin of 4 games each, 13-point games with a time limit of 1 hour.
David Wilson took out the trophy unbeaten with 4 wins, completing a 'threepeat' having previously won the trophy in 2021 and 2022 (there was no competition in 2023).
Greg Long finished runner-up on hoop difference, sharing 2 wins with Karen Lilly.
Despite the wet weather, the games were completed on time - a good competition, well organised by Club Captain Les Guzowski and Vice-President Jane Scorer.
The Club is organising a Come-and-Try Day for Sunday 22nd September – anyone interested in learning about the sport of croquet is welcome to attend between 9am and 3pm, morning or afternoon tea provided, at the courts on Tomaree Sports Complex.
For further information about the Club and the Come-and-Try Day, visit nelsonbaycroquet.org.au or e-mail nelsonbaycroquet@gmail.com
Nelson Bay Golf Club
30 JUNE – 6 July 2024
Sunday 30 June 2024
NO GOLF DUE TO RAIN
Monday 1 July 2024
NO GOLF DUE TO RAIN
Tuesday 2 July 2024
NO GOLF DUE TO RAIN
Wednesday 3 July 2024
Stableford: Gymea Course
A1 Graeme Eaton (12) 33c/b
A2 Shaun O’Malley (0) 33c/b
A3 James Silvestri (15) 33
B1 Ross Lalor (18) 37c/b
B2 Danny Marmo (19) 37
B3 Greg Durie (22) 35
C1 Richard Hingston (30) 36c/b
C2 Garry Jones (27) 36
C3 Jarrah Morgan (24) 34c/b
Men’s Stableford: Brush box Courses
A1 Wayne Cleaver (12) 36
A2 Chris Baldwin (12) 35
A3 Kenneth Obermann (15) 33
B1 Laurence Van Niekerk (17) 39
B2 Mike Selmo (20) 38
B3 Col Buchanan (20) 37
C1 Max Stocker (26) 39
C2 Keith Rogers (27) 36c/b
C3 Christopher Dunn (25) 36c/b
Thursday 4 July 2024
Women’s Stroke: Gymea Course
A1 Norma Smith (25) 33 c/b
A2 Anne Milne (28) 33 c/b
A3 Karen Flatt (25) 33
B1 Chris Wright (32) 36
B2 Mary Kay (31) 32 c/b
B3 Annette Rumble (30) 32 c/b
C1 Linda Goudge (41) 35
C2 Ros Metham (43) 33
C3 Vicki Smith (47) 32 c/b
Vets Results
1 Peter Campbell 36
2 Bruce Stimpson 33
Friday 5 July 2024
Ladies Stableford: Christmas Course
Overall winners
1 Audrey Hewitt (28) 39
2 Kris Heggie (20) 38
3 Sharan King (34) 37
Men’s Stableford: Christmas Course
A1 David Hogan (5) 38
A2 Manny Mifsud-Ellul (23) 35 c/b
A3 Steve Wilson (15) 35 c/b
A4 Mark Thornber (16) 35
B1 John Ambrose (31) 40
B2 Mark Baker (25) 39
B3 Allan Milne (38) 38
B4 John Lebas (29) 37
Men’s Stableford: Brush box Course
A1 Leroy Gordon (15) 42
A2 Kylie McElwain (12) 37
A3 Gary Donald (13) 36 c/b
B1 Barry Bisset (19) 39
B2 Zachary White (21) 38 c/b
B3 Graham Kerslake (16) 38 c/b
C1 Andrew Driscoll (28) 43
C2 Keith Rogers (27) 39
C3 Reece Clancy (26) 38
Men’s Stableford: Gymea Course
Overall, Winners
A1 Leonard Woods (20) 68
A2 David Hogan (6) 69
A3 Peter Sinclair (25) 70 c/b
Newcastle City down Power
By Chris KARAS
NEWCASTLE City goal scoring
sensation Billie Davies has continued her superb form in the AFL Hunter Central Coast Women's senior ranks.
The seventeen-year-old young gun bagged another five goal haul in the Blues’ resounding 66-10 victory over Port Stephens Power in Black Diamond Plate action at Ferodale Oval last weekend.
Davies was at her spectacular best as the youthful City outfit proved dominant in the air to lead at every change.
The Hunter representative full forward was supported by Jess
Sanderson, who booted four goals, and outstanding midfielder Eddie Higgins.
Newcastle City nabbed three early goals to lead 19-9 in an absorbing first quarter before adding another two to establish a twenty four point lead at the half time interval.
Other Blues players to shine were Charlie Godfrey, Jess Jeffrey, Carrie Tucker and Anneke Donnelly.
Port Stephens stalwart skipper Josie Johnson told News Of The Area that her team struggled to contain the Newcastle big guns on a dry track.
“They are too quick and strong and have plenty of firepower right
Soldiers Point Bowling Club
By Peter SMITH
TWO Soldiers Point Bowling Club Teams qualified for the State Open Pennant Finals by winning Flags in the Newcastle Zone.
The 1st team - known as the ‘Ones’ - played for three days on the impressive grass greens at Ettalong Bowling Club.
In Section 2, with six teams competing, the Point had an impressive win over Forster 57 shots to 46 with T. Antram's team winning by 17 shots.
Next, they had a narrow one shot win over Mona Vale with M. Beesley's Team winning by 12 shots.
However, in their next match they faced a strong Cabramatta Team.
All three Soldiers Point rinks lost in a convincing win for Cabramatta with only S. Gleeson's Team coming close with a one shot loss.
The Point also lost the next game against Narendara 61 shots to 51 with the only winning rink being Antram’s.
With all games completed, Soldiers Point finished a creditable
across the ground,” quipped the experienced defender.
“We tried hard as always but couldn’t get enough ball possession to eke out some goals,” she added.
It was all Newcastle City in the final two quarters – booting another five goals and keeping the Power side scoreless in an impressive display.
Talented Power forward Dimity Roberts was switched to midfield for the big clash and produced a non-stop performance.
She was ably supported by Lauren Kidd, defensive midfielder Beth Daniels and the Terranova sisters Natasha, Kirra and Cassie.
In her comeback match from maternity leave, Natasha turned in a wholehearted effort while utility ace Kirra proved effective in the back pocket.
Port Stephens club will celebrate Joey’s Round when they host undefeated leaders Lake Macquarie this Saturday at Ferodale Oval from 2pm.
The day perpetuates the memory of Joey Potter, the stillborn son of original Power vice captain Rose Potter and husband Steve, who they lost in 2019, and helps raise awareness for the Stillbirth Australia and Bears of Hope movements.
They had a very successful three day tournament at Yamba eventually reaching the State Final -
q Thompson Trophy B Grade entrants: (l to r) David Wilson, Sherry Gordon, Greg Long, Karen Lilly and David Smith.
q Port Stephens Power AFL stars Kirra Terranova, Beth Daniels and Dimity Roberts turned in strong games against Newcastle City.
2nd in Section 2 to Cabramatta who qualified for the Final against Maitland City winning Section 1. Cabramatta won the Final 56
shots to 48 making them worthy State Champions! The other Soldiers Point Team to qualify for the State Finals was their six grade team.
full report next week!
q Action from the State Pennant Finals.
SUDOKU
Public Notices
Brunch in Bulahdelah
Meet the MidCoast Greens including Cr. Dheera Smith at Bulahdelah War Memorial Hall from 10am Sunday July 14. Enjoy pancakes, hot drinks and plans for a Greener future. All welcome. No charge.
newsofthearea.com.au
Public Notices
Hawks Nest Town Hall Meeting Meet the MidCoast Independents, your new local team, on Saturday, 13 July from 1pm at Hawks Nest Community Hall, 71 Booner Street, Hawks Nest. All welcome.
Authorised by Thomas O’Keefe 3 West Close Hawks Nest NSW 2324 Australia
Room to Rent
ROOM to rent, own bathroom, walking distant to Estia Aged Care, young person 3-6 months, call Lee on 0435 770 067
DINING table with 1500 x 900 x 10 thick black tinted glass top and crome metal frame $100. 0433 210 187
MENS slip on shoes size 11, brown, new from Sketchers, air cool memory foam $10. 49828628 F110724
WOMENS winter clothing size 10-12 quality, near new, nothing over $20. Ph 49385923 for address
Business
for Sale Lawnmowing & Gardening Business
Small town in Port Stephens waters. 75% market share & growing. Full time role with large client base would suit owner operator. Included is 4x4 ute, large box trailer, zero turn ride on, push mowers, wipper snippers, plus other tools. $55,000 the lot. Ph 0417 417 077 e110724
Wanted to Buy
Pets
MALTESE x SHITSU
Male 16 weeks fully vaccinated and vet checked. M/chip no: 991003002406814 $1,800. 0406 185 362
PREASSURMENTS
Ltd hydraulic deadweight tester with weights. 4982 3790
RECLINERS La-Z-Boy x 2. GC. 0418 329 926 Free
3 new womens leather jackets worth $400 each will sell for $100 each Small - medium. 0493 777 707 F060624
BABY carrier, BabyBjorn new price is over $300 selling for $90 ono. Ph 0412 783 707 F140324
BED, king single GC, no stains, $60 0433 210 187
BED single, GC, no stains. $60. 0433210187
BLACK Pepper Ladies quilted microfibre Jacket in Winter White Size 18-20 $35 Tea Gardens 0412 083 543.
BOOTS, Wellington long, Size 10. $20 4997 0611
BOOKS for sale - 16 x Bryce Courtenay from $1 - $2 each, 3 x Colleen McCullough $1 - $2 each, 2 x Wilbur Smith $2 each. 0404969257
DINNER Set Noritake Vintage Issabella, 40 piece in GC $150. Ph 0458 257 676
DOONAS single x 2, $30 each. Mattress protectors x 2, $10 each. New in packaging. 0408431488 F230524 Items
Joining hands with NAIDOC Week, this sprightly game show celebrates all things Australian from a blak perspective. Delving into sport, music, food and people, it’s a lighthearted and playful trek through history that proudly looks at the Australian experience “the way we were not taught in school”. Produced by Spicks and Specks’ Anthony Watt, join hosts Narelda Jacobs (The Point) and Steven Oliver (Black Comedy) with team captains rapper Barkaa and triple j’s Dave Woodhead.
FRIDAY, July 12
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Love Your Garden. Presented by Alan Titchmarsh.
8.20 Troppo. (Malv) Ted and Amanda investigate Julian’s neighbours. 9.20 Gruen. (R) Presented by Wil Anderson.
9.55 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) 10.25 Austin. (PG, R)
10.55 ABC Late News. 11.10 Grand Designs: House Of The Year. (R) 12.00 Martin Clunes: Islands Of America. (PG, R) 12.45 We Hunt Together. (Malsv, R)
1.30 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
SUNDAY
LADIES IN BLACK
ABC TV, 8.30pm
Set in early 1960s Sydney, a city on the cusp on change, this decadent production delights with period-perfect details as it draws back the curtain on the lives and loves of the women who work at Goodes Department Store. in Black harks back to another era with its costumes, sets and social expectations, but also by being an Australian drama series on free-to-air TV – in this day and age, they’re few and far between. With just two episodes to go, this homegrown standout is worth savouring. Tonight, in “Men in Briefs”, Magda (Debi Mazar) ropes Angela (Azizi Donnelly) and Lisa (Clare Miles) in on her plans for a bold promotion.
MONDAY GHOSTS
TEN, 10pm
With this American sitcom third season, gem’s premise is all about versatility. It’s simple: several spirits who all died in the same mansion at different points in history are stuck together until a young couple moves in. Sam (Rose McIver) is the only one who can see her spectral housemates, while husband Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar) does his best to help her deal with their shenanigans. But all that’s about to change – in tonight’s episode, Bela (Punam Patel) and Eric (Andrew Leeds) return to Woodstone, where he reveals a major change.
6.00 Mastermind Australia.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Ancient Egypt: Top 7 Pyramids. (R) 8.30 Nazca Desert Mystery. (PG, R) Takes a look at the Nazca Lines.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Johanna Griggs catches up with Morgan Hipsworth.
8.30 MOVIE: The Dressmaker. (2015, Malsv, R) After a woman returns to her home town in the Australian outback, old rivalries are reignited. Kate Winslet, Judy Davis, Liam Hemsworth.
10.50 Dancing With The Stars. (PG, R)
12.35 Criminal Confessions. (MA15+alv, R)
1.35 Harry’s Practice. (R)
2.00 Home Shopping.
4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
5.00 NBC Today.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 19. Cronulla Sharks v Wests Tigers. From PointsBet Stadium, Sydney.
9.55 Golden Point. A wrap-up of the Cronulla Sharks versus Wests Tigers match, with NRL news and analysis.
10.30 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 12.
12.00 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 12 Late.
4.00 Postcards. (PG, R) The team travels to the Peninsula.
4.30 Global Shop. (R) Home shopping.
5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
5.30 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) A professor tries to study Skippy.
FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s Programs. 12.30pm Ben Fogle: Starting Up Starting Over. 1.30 Bewitched. 2.00 Full House. 2.30 The Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 The Addams Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 Children’s Programs.
6am Romeo And Juliet. Continued. (2013, PG) 7.40 Jonsson Gang. (2020, PG, Finnish) 10.00 The Tracker. (2002, M) 11.50 Charlie And Boots. (2009, M) 1.45pm Breaker Morant. (1980, PG) 3.45 Skies Of Lebanon. (2020, PG, Italian) 5.30 Goddess. (2013, PG) 7.30 Made In
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R)
6.30 The Project. 7.30 Have You Been Paying Attention? (Malns, R) Hosted by Tom Gleisner.
8.30 The Graham Norton Show. (Ml, R) Guests include Dominic West, Michelle Keegan, Jacob Anderson, Alan Carr and Teddy Swims. 9.30 The Cheap Seats. (Mal, R) Presented by Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald. 10.30 10’s Late News.
10.55 The Project. (R) 12.00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R)
6am Children’s Programs. 2.05pm MOVIE: Thomas And Friends: Big World! Big Adventures! The Movie. (2018) 3.30 Children’s Programs. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Hard Quiz Kids. 7.55 The Crystal Maze. 8.45 All-Round Champion. 9.35 MOVIE: Open Season 3. (2010, PG) 10.45 Good Game Spawn Point. 11.30 Rage. 1.05am TMNT. 1.50 The Legend Of Korra. 2.10 Shasha And Milo. 2.35 Late Programs.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Big Backyard Quiz. (Mls) Hosted by Narelda Jacobs and Steven Oliver.
8.30 The Artist’s View: AC/DC. (Ms, R) Angus Young and Brian Johnson recall the inspiration behind AC/DC’s most hard-hitting music videos.
9.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 14.
2.00 Blinded. (Malns, R)
3.45 Peer To Peer. (PG, R)
4.45 Bamay. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.15 France 24 Feature.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
SUNDAY, July 14
6.00 Antiques Roadshow.
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Spicks And Specks. (PG)
8.00 Austin. (PG)
8.30 Ladies In Black. (Ms) Fay confronts marital disaster.
9.20 The Split. (Ml, R) Ruth learns of Nina and Tyler’s affair. 10.20 Shetland. (Mal, R)
11.20 Annika. (Mal, R)
12.05 Miniseries: Des. (Mal, R)
12.55 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
3.00 Classic Countdown. (Ml, R)
4.00 Landline. (R)
4.30 Art Works. (PG, R)
5.00 Insiders. (R)
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R) Border Force busts an attempt to smuggle cocaine.
7.30 MOVIE: Free Guy. (2021, Mlv, R) A bank teller discovers he is in a video game. Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer.
9.50 MOVIE: Deadpool 2. (2018, MA15+lv, R) Deadpool protects a young mutant. Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin.
12.15 Criminal Confessions. (MA15+av, R)
1.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping.
4.00 Drop Dead Weird. (R) 5.00 House Of Wellness. (PGa, R)
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Rugby Union. International Test Series. Game 2. Australia v Wales. 9.50 Test Rugby: Wallabies V Wales Post-Match.
6.00 Bondi Rescue. (PGlm, R) Reidy returns.
7.00 The Dog House Australia. (PG, R) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith. 8.00 The Dog House. (PG, R) Follows pets, including a timid puppy, which are matched with potential companions. 9.00 Ambulance UK. (Ma, R) With a spike in staff illness due to COVID-19, the ambulance service calls on the military for help. 11.30 The Cheap
2.30 Getaway. (PG, R)
3.00 TV Shop. (R) 4.30 Global Shop. (R) 5.00 TV Shop. (R) 5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)
Home Shopping. 8.30 Travel Oz. 10.00 Escape To The Country. Noon House Of Wellness. 1.00
6am Skies Of
Lebanon. Continued. (2020, PG, Italian) 6.45 Swallows And Amazons. (2016, PG) 8.35 The Wild Duck. (1983) 10.20 Ten Canoes. (2006, M, Ganalbingu) Noon Selma. (2014, M) 2.20 Jonsson Gang. (2020, PG, Finnish) 4.40 Romeo And Juliet. (2013, PG) 6.50 Eat Wheaties! (2020, PG) 8.30 Marmalade. (2024, M) 10.25 Stars At Noon. (2022) 12.55am Late Programs.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Paris Hotel De Ville: A Masterpiece. Takes a look at the Hotel de Ville in Paris, home to the city council and mayor.
8.30 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 15. Loudenvielle to Plateau de Beille. 198km mountain stage. From France.
2.15 Battle Of Britain: 3 Days To Save The UK. (PG, R)
3.05 Hitler: Countdown To War. (PGav, R)
4.00 Peer To Peer. (PG, R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.15 France 24 Feature.
5.30 Al Jazeera News.
6am Children’s Programs. 7.05pm Karma’s World. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 MOVIE: Hotel Transylvania: Transformania. (2022, PG) 8.50 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.55 Doctor Who. 10.40 Merlin. 11.25 And We Danced. 12.25am Horrible Histories. 12.50 Wildlifers! 1.05 Operation Ouch! 1.35 Holly Hobbie. 1.55 Malory Towers. 2.20 The Next Step. 3.25 Odd Squad. 3.55 Close. 4.00 Moon And Me. 4.20 Late Programs.
VICELAND (31) VICELAND (31)
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Dancing With The Stars. (PGl)
7NEWS Spotlight. An exclusive special investigation.
The Latest: Seven News. 10.10 Code 1: Minute By Minute: The Sydney To Hobart Yacht Race. (Mal, R)
Born To Kill? (MA15+av, R)
Lipstick Jungle. (Mds, R)
Travel Oz. (PG, R)
Home Shopping.
Million Dollar Minute. (R)
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 Travel Guides. (PGl) The guides
(22) 6am Children’s Programs. 2.10pm Motor Racing. IndyCar Series. Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio.
With Julia Zemiro. 7.35 Abandoned Engineering. 8.30 Cars That Built The World. 9.20 WWE Legends. 10.55 Late Programs.
(32)
6am Jonsson
Gang. Continued. (2020, PG, Finnish) 7.20 Goddess. (2013, PG) 9.15 The 400 Blows. (1959, PG, French) 11.10 We Are Still Here. (2022, M) 12.50pm Skies Of Lebanon. (2020, PG, Italian) 2.35 About Elly. (2009, PG, Persian) 4.45 Swallows And Amazons. (2016, PG) 6.35 Leap Year. (2010, PG) 8.30 Begin Again. (2013, M) 10.25 I’m Not A Killer. (2019, MA15+, Italian) 12.30am Late Programs.
M) 10.35 MOVIE: RoboCop 3. (1993, M) 12.40am Love After Lockup. 2.05 Rich House, Poor House. 3.00 Teen Titans Go! 3.30 Beyblade Burst QuadStrike. 4.30 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs.
MONDAY, July 15
6.00 Mastermind Australia.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Amazing Railway Adventures With Nick Knowles. (Final, PGa, R)
8.30 Unlocking The Secrets Of Stonehenge. (PGah, R)
9.20 24 Hours In Emergency. (Mal, R)
10.15 SBS World News Late.
10.45 Sisi. (Ma)
12.35 Tokyo Vice. (Malsv, R)
2.35 The Autistic Gardener. (R)
3.30 Peer To Peer. (PGa, R)
4.30 Bamay. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Home And Away. (PG)
7.30 Turbulence: How Safe Is Your Flight? (PG)
8.30 Alert: Missing Persons Unit. (Mav)
9.30 S.W.A.T. (Mv)
10.30 The Latest: Seven News. 11.00 Code Blue: The Killing Of June Fox-Roberts. (MA15+av, R)
Shop. Continued. (2018, PG) 6.40 Stolen Kisses. (1968, PG, French) 8.20 Eat Wheaties! (2020, PG) 10.00 Marmalade. (2024, M) 11.55 J.T. LeRoy. (2018, M) 1.55pm Creation. (2009, PG) 3.55 The 400 Blows. (1959, PG, French) 5.50 The Witches. (1990, PG) 7.30 Real Genius. (1985, M) 9.30 La Femme Nikita. (1990, MA15+, French) 11.40 American History X. (1998, MA15+) 1.50am Late Programs.
6.00 Mastermind Australia.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Great British Railway Journeys: Wokingham To Heathrow. (PG) Presented by Michael Portillo.
8.30 Insight. Kumi Taguchi explores second chances and whether they are a blessing or a curse.
9.30 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 16.
2.10 Unseen. (Maln, R)
4.05 Peer To Peer. (PG, R)
4.35 Bamay. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 Alone. 9.40 Hoarders. 11.20 Couples Therapy. 12.50am Hypothetical. 2.40 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera. 6am Morning Programs. 7.30 Medical Emergency. 8.00 Million
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am About Elly. (2009, PG, Persian) 8.10 Leap Year. (2010, PG) 10.00 Anonymous. (2011, M) 12.25pm Begin Again. (2013, M) 2.20 Stolen Kisses. (1968, PG, French) 4.00 Ramen Shop. (2018, PG) 5.40 Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael. (1990, PG) 7.30 The Big Chill. (1983, M) 9.30 Hero. (2002, M, Mandarin) 11.25 Snatch. (2000, MA15+) 1.20am Parallel Mothers. (2021, M, Spanish) 3.35 Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGs) Tane makes inroads with Perri. 7.30 Britain’s Got Talent. (PG) Hosted by Ant and Dec.
9.30 The Good Doctor. (M) Claire returns from her work in Guatemala for a medical examination. 10.30 The Latest: Seven News. 11.00 The Chernobyl Disaster: Firestorm. (Ma, R) 12.00 The Disappearance. (Madv, R) 2.00 Home Shopping.
NBC Today.
Sunrise 5am News.
7MATE (64)
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair.
Travel Guides. (PGl) 8.40 Limitless With Chris Hemsworth. (PGa) 9.40 100% Footy. (M) 10.40 9News Late.
(R)
Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa)
A Current Affair. (R)
Today Early News. 5.30 Today. 6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Beyond The
9GO!
WEDNESDAY,
July 17
6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Four Corners. (R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Press Club. 1.35 Media Watch. (PG, R) 2.00 Ladies In Black. (Ml, R) 3.00 Restoration Australia. (R) 3.55 Martin Clunes: Islands Of America. (PG, R) 4.45 Grand Designs: House Of The Year. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
6.00 WorldWatch. 7.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 16. H’lights. 8.00 WorldWatch. 11.00 Tour De France 2024 Highlights Review. (R) 12.00 Tour de France. Stage 16. H’lights. 1.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Insight. (R) 3.00 Trail Towns. (PG, R) 3.35 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Jeopardy! (R) 4.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.00 Tour De France 2024 Highlights Review.
6.00 Mastermind Australia.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Moulin Rouge: Yes We Can-Can! (Mn)
8.30 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 17. Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux to SuperDévoluy. 177.8km mountain stage. From France. 1.45 Trom. (Madl, R)
3.20 Diversity Theatre
Project:Transformation. (PGa, R)
4.00 Peer To Peer. (PG, R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
The Boat. 8.25 Matilda And The Ramsay Bunch. 8.45 BTN Newsbreak. 8.50 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 9.15 Robot Wars. 10.15 Doctor Who. 11.00 Merlin. 11.45 Good Game Spawn Point. 12.30am Rage. 1.30 Wildlifers! 1.45 Operation Ouch! 2.10 Late Programs.
6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 11.30 Seven Morning News. 12.00 MOVIE: Adriana Trigiani’s Very Valentine. (2019, PGa) 2.00 Catch Phrase. (PG, R) 3.00 The Chase. 4.00
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)
7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PG) Hosted by Lee Mack.
8.30 The Front Bar. (Ml) Takes a lighter look at all things AFL.
9.30 Kitchen Nightmares Australia. (MA15+l, R) Hosted by Colin Fassnidge.
10.45 The Latest: Seven News.
11.15 Talking Footy.
12.15 Dracula. (MA15+hv)
1.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping.
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 Rugby League. State Of Origin. Game 3. Queensland v New South Wales. 10.00 State Of Origin Post-Match. A wrap-up of the State of Origin clash. 11.00 Come To The Edge. (Ml) Follows the Australian Olympic Surf Team.
12.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
1.00 Pointless. (PG, R)
2.00 Surfing Australia TV. (R)
2.30 Global Shop. (R)
3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa)
4.30 Fishing Australia. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
6.00 Morning Programs. 10.30 The Greek Islands With Julia Bradbury. (R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Maggie Beer’s Big Mission. (R) 2.00 Ladies In Black. (PG, R) 3.00 Restoration Australia. (R) 3.55 Martin Clunes: Islands Of Australia. (PG, R) 4.45 Grand Designs. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
(31) 6am Children’s Programs. 7.20pm Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 The Inbestigators. 7.50 Little Lunch. 8.05 Fresh
Front Up. Noon WorldWatch. 12.30 Marry
Marry My Family. 1.30 WorldWatch. 2.00 Tour
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael. Continued. (1990, PG) 7.25 The Witches. (1990, PG) 9.05 The Color Purple. (1985, PG) 11.55 Real Genius. (1985, M) 1.50pm The Mole Agent. (2020, Spanish) 3.30 A Hero. (2021, PG, Farsi) 5.50 The Grey Fox. (1982, PG) 7.30 The Talented Mr Ripley. (1999, M) 10.00 Heathers. (1988, MA15+) 11.55 One False Move. (1992) 1.55am Late Programs.
THURSDAY, July 18
(PG, R)
The Art Of... (R) 11.10 Talking Heads. (PG, R) 12.00 Grand Designs. (R) 12.50 Martin Clunes: Islands Of Australia. (PG, R) 1.35 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.40 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Landline. (R) 5.00 Art Works. (PG, R) 5.30 7.30. (R)
6am Children’s Programs. 7.20pm Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 The Inbestigators. 7.50 Little Lunch. 8.05 Fresh Off The
6.00 WorldWatch. 7.00 Tour de France. Stage 17. H’lights. 8.00 WorldWatch. 11.00 Tour De France Highlights Review. (R) 12.00 Tour de France. Stage 17. H’lights. 1.00 WorldWatch. 2.10 Wildlife ER. (PGa, R) 3.05 Trail Towns. (PG, R) 3.35 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Jeopardy! (R) 4.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.00 Tour De France Highlights Review.
6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Guillaume’s French Atlantic. Part 5 of 5.
8.30 Riveted: The History Of Jeans. (PGadnvw, R) Takes a look at the story of jeans.
Highlights Review. 3.00 Cycling. Tour de France. H’lights. 4.00 WorldWatch. 5.30 Curse Of Oak Island. 6.20 Forged In Fire. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 Under The Banner Of Heaven. 11.20 Came From Nowhere. 1.05am Late Programs. 6am WorldWatch. 10.00 Front Up. 11.35 Front Up. 12.10pm WorldWatch. 12.40 Hypothetical. 1.30 WorldWatch. 2.00 Tour De France 2024 Highlights Review. 3.00 Cycling. Tour de France. H’lights. 4.00 WorldWatch. 5.25 Curse Of Oak Island. 6.15 Forged In Fire. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 History’s Greatest Heists With Pierce Brosnan. 10.10 Late Programs.
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am The Grey Fox. (1982, PG) 7.40 A Hero. (2021, PG, Farsi) 10.00 Hero. (2002, M, Mandarin) 11.50 The Big Chill. (1983, M) 1.50pm Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael. (1990, PG) 3.40 Menashe. (2017, PG, Yiddish) 5.15 Cutthroat Island. (1995, PG) 7.30 Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery. (1997, M) 9.10 A Fish Called Wanda. (1988, M) 11.10 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 7.30 Medical Emergency. 8.00 Million Dollar Minute. 9.00 Harry’s Practice. 9.30 NBC Today. Noon Better Homes. 1.00 Escape To The Country. 2.00 Weekender. 2.30 The Yorkshire Steam Railway: All Aboard. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Medical Emergency. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Heartbeat. 8.45 Judge
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6am Morning Programs. 11.00 American Pickers:
The Nanny. 7.00 Young Sheldon. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: Encino Man. (1992, PG) 10.20 Seinfeld. 11.20 Metro Sexual. 11.50 Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) Xander suffers a freak accident.
8.30 Starstruck. (Return, PG) Ordinary members of the public transform into some of the world’s biggest music icons.
9.45 ABBA Vs Queen. (PGa, R) A comparison of ABBA and Queen.
10.45 Air Crash Investigations: Terror Over The Pacific. (PGa) A look at United Airlines Flight 811.
12.45 The Goldbergs. (PGl, R)
2.00 Home Shopping.
4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
5.00 Sunrise 5am News.
5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 RBT. (Mdl) Follows the activities of police units.
8.30 To Be Advised.
10.30
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6am Children’s Programs. Noon Motor Racing.
5.30 I Dream Of Jeannie. 6.00 The Nanny. 7.00 Young Sheldon. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: The Waterboy. (1998, M) 10.20 Late Programs.
9GO! (83)
9GO! (83)
By Chris KARAS
SHAPING the futures of local youth through boxing in the Hunter and Port Stephens regions has been a way of life for decorated trainer Neville Short.
With nearly 70 years of life time experience in the boxing game, the Thornton identity is well versed in developing the pugilistic skills of his many charges.
The legendary Short, who was introduced to the sport as a five year old back in the 1950s, is highly regarded in boxing circles.
He has coached well over fifty State champions, twenty three Australian champions, Commonwealth champions
and Olympic captains during an illustrious career that has spanned six decades.
A former junior welterweight ace who tasted defeat only once in 46 fights, Short continues to unearth potential champions through his Newcastle gym Short's Boxing.
“Giving kids a purpose in life and showing them a little discipline is my way of contributing to the local community,” the widelyrespected trainer told News Of The Area.
“I still have a strong passion for boxing and enjoy educating our youth on the sport’s finer points,” quipped the dedicated Short, who was officially recognised by Boxing Australia for his many years of sterling service to the industry.
The Australian Sports
Medal recipient has organised an Amateur Boxing Night on Saturday July 20 at Club Lemon Tree where he will showcase eight of his talented boxers.
Doors open at 6pm for VIP and 6.30pm for general with the fight program commencing at 7pm.
The main event will feature Newcastle’s rising light heavyweight boxer David Dargin, who has produced outstanding performances in the ring over the past eighteen months.
Another highlight will be the debut of promising fourteen-year-old Stockton rookie Conner Keegan, a young boxer from good bloodlines who is stepping up for his first fight.
Conner is the grandson of
Meryl Swanson MP - Federal Member for Paterson
q Rising fourteenyear-old boxer Conner Keegan steps up for his first fight at Neville Short’s Amateur Boxing Night on July 20 at Club Lemon Tree.
