Port Stephens News Of The Area 14 March 2024

YOUR ONLY LOCALLY OWNED PORT STEPHENS NEWSPAPER

International Women’s Day

the Murrook Culture Centre.

The theme for this year’s IWD event was ‘Count Her In: Accelerating gender equality through economic empowerment’.

The local IWD event is now in its sixth year, dedicated to celebrating and championing the economic empowerment of the women of Port Stephens.

This year’s theme aims to collectively propel gender equality forward, ensuring that every woman is included and recognised.

The event at Murrook Culture Centre featured a panel of impressive local school leaders, recognition of Port Stephens Woman of the Year, as well as an opportunity for local business women to promote their products and services

at a ‘market’ following the formalities.

Proceeds from the event were donated to Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services (PSFANS), the Yacaaba Centre and Indigenous women’s programs at Murrook Culture Centre.

"Women's voices are essential in decision-making processes, not just for their own benefit but for the

celebrated at Murrook

betterment of society as a whole,” said Federal Member for Paterson Meryl Swanson MP.

“By coming together at this event, we're taking a step forward in creating a more inclusive, equitable world.”

Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington thanked the community for supporting the event once more.

"After six years of hosting

our International Women’s Day breakfast, Meryl Swanson and I still absolutely love it.

“Years ago when we first designed it, we wanted to celebrate local women leaders and empower our local girl school leaders.

“Little has changed since, even our event sponsors have stayed the same.

“We’re grateful to Newcastle Airport, Tomago

Aluminium and Hunter Water for partnering with us from the beginning, so proceeds can go to the Yacaaba Centre, PSFANS and women’s programs run by Murrook.

“The highlight of the event has also been consistent over the yearswith our impressive school leaders filling us all with hope for the future," she said.

BAE Systems offering scholarships for regional women

BAE Systems Australia will offer academic scholarships to women from regional Australia who aspire to study engineering ahead of a career in the defence industry.

Inspired by the achievements of two trailblazing women and aligned to this year’s UN International Women’s Day theme, 'Count Her In: Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’, the company has announced the inaugural Williams Hicks Engineering

Scholarship for women from regional Australia.

In 1988, Flight Lieutenant Robyn Williams and Officer Cadet Deborah Hicks etched their names in history as the first Australian women to become pilots in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

Deborah was the youngest female pilot in Australia to fly solo, and Robyn was one of the RAAF’s first female engineers.

The scholarship will provide a pathway for talented

women from regional areas to be supported through their engineering degree and, upon graduation, pursue a career of infinite possibilities with BAE Systems Australia.

BAE Systems will seek applications from August 2024, with the first four scholarship winners announced in January 2025 to coincide with university intakes.

The program is envisaged to grow through the addition of four scholarships per year,

ultimately supporting up to sixteen female engineering students from regional Australia.

BAE Systems will also provide opportunities for these students to undertake work placements across the company over the course of their studies, providing invaluable industry experience aligned to their degree.

“We are passionate about championing gender equity across our business and the

scholarship program we’re launching celebrates the inspirational story of both Deborah and Robyn and will provide pathways for women from regional Australia to

pursue rewarding careers in the high technology defence sector,” said Ben Hudson, Chief Executive Officer, BAE Systems Australia.

Have Your Say

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

Mail to media@newsofthearea.com.au

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Food Waste

Workshop

Now open, round 2 of the:

• Vibrant Places Fund

• Community Support Fund Visit pscouncil.info/grants or scan the QR code to find out more about eligibility and application criteria.

10am Saturday 23 March at Raymond Terrace Library

Facilitated by Port Stephens local, Jacqui Purcell from In Our Hands Family Farm. Scan the QR code or go to pscouncil.info/food-waste-workshop for more information.

Bookings are essential, contact us on 4988 0111 to secure your place.

Four local ladies inspire on International

FROM Page 1

“The theme for the 2024 International Women’s Day campaign is ‘Count her in: Invest in Women’ and while progress has been made, women still face significant obstacles,” Deputy Mayor Anderson said.

“This scholarship program highlights the amazing work being undertaken right here in our community, celebrating the social, cultural, economic

and political achievements of women.

“I’d like to congratulate the 2024 scholarship recipients, as well as each of the applicants - you’re all playing your part to build and invest in women and strengthen their capacity to learn, earn and lead,” she added.

“Women make a valuable contribution to our community across various fields.

“When women are inspired, they fight for change and equal opportunity, support and recognition.

“It’s been wonderful to see how the recipients of our International Women’s Day Scholarships have worked to impact positive change since the program was first introduced seven years ago.

“We’re proud to continue to offer this support and look forward to seeing how this year’s winners use their

Fire and Rescue save Soldiers Point home

By Lindsay HALL

EMERGENCY services responded to a house fire in Soldiers Point on Monday 4 March.

Matthew Sigmund of NSW Fire and Rescue confirmed that the incident, which resulted in access to the Bagnall Avenue being blocked by police services for several

hours, saw approximately 30 firefighters dispatched.

“This was a fire in the kitchen area of a three level home situated at the top of a long steep driveway,” said the Assistant Superintendent.

“The fire appeared to start in the pantry of the kitchen area.

“Firefighters entered the smoke-filled home to find flames in the kitchen area and worked to bring the fire under control.

“The fire had begun to

scholarships to achieve their goals,” said Deputy Mayor Anderson.

The 2024 International Women’s Day Scholarship recipients are:

Sally-Anne Marshall

A dedicated and tireless social worker who has served the community of Port Stephens for eight years.

There are very few faceto-face social workers in the area, but Sally-Anne has been a beacon of hope for women who have survived domestic violence, homelessness, and other adversities.

Now, Sally-Anne is taking her advocacy work to the next level by focusing on disability, particularly those with neurodivergence.

With the help of this scholarship, she hopes to continue her passion in this space and develop muchneeded books and resources that will support the community.

Emma McMillan

The proud owner of the Wellness Centre in Port Stephens.

With many years of

experience in the wellbeing and community services industry, Emma is passionate about helping people live their best lives.

With the help of this scholarship, Emma is taking her commitment to the next level.

She's been working hard to bring weekly wellness classes to those in need, including people experiencing hardship, homelessness, family and domestic violence, NDIS, or mental health issues.

This scholarship will also help Emma to expand her initiative and offer even more support to people in our community who are struggling.

Brodie Oxlade

A courageous survivor of child abuse and posttraumatic stress disorder who is determined to turn her pain into purpose.

Brodie has an incredible story to share, and she is ready to share it with the world through a memoir that will raise awareness about these issues.

But publishing a book is no small feat, and Brodie can't do it alone - that's where the

Port Stephens Council IWD scholarship will assist.

Brodie will use the scholarship to help cover the costs of publishing her book, including legal checks, editing, formatting, printing, and distribution.

Brodie's memoir will be a powerful tool for raising awareness and helping others heal.

Jacie Whitfield –

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Salamander Bay

Jacie has a passion for empowering women through their menopausal transition, post-partum recovery, and infant care.

She wants to bring her expertise to the beautiful community of Port Stephens through workshops and classes, all of which will be available via a mobile service.

With the help of the IWD scholarship funds, Jacie hopes to level up her skills, education, and training, as well as expand her marketing strategies.

Additionally, the funds will also be used to provide top-of-the-line equipment for her sessions.

burn into the ceiling space between the floors, and firefighters accessed this space to extinguish the fire spread and prevent further damage to the home.”

Fortunately no one was inside the residence at the time and there have been no reported injuries.

The situation was resolved and the road opened in time for buses and residents to collect students at the end of the school day.

q Port Stephens Council Deputy Mayor Leah Anderson with recipients Sally-Anne Marshall, Emma McMillan, Brodie Oxlade and Jacie Whitfield.

Bio-bitumen trial hits the road in Raymond Terrace

PORT Stephens is at the centre of a new trial to create a greener road network through the use of bio-bitumen.

Transport for NSW recently laid the biobitumen asphalt, also known as ECO5, on a section of road at Raymond Terrace as part of the trial.

The bio-bitumen uses repurposed materials including recycled crushed glass, asphalt and crumbed rubber derived from end-of-life tyres, allowing for a lower carbon output per tonne of asphalt and fewer emissions.

The State Government says the carbon footprint of ECO5 asphalt is 30 percent less than that of conventional asphalt.

Transport for NSW will continue to monitor the trial over coming months.

If successful, it could pave the way for similar technology to be adopted across the state’s road network.

“This trial, a first for Transport for NSW, is a huge step on the road to exploring ways we can reduce our carbon footprint,” Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said.

“Trialling innovative technologies, such as bio-bitumen, is vital in achieving the goal of net zero emissions for the transport section by 2050.

local voice

Parliament

“Well done to Transport for NSW and its contractors for paving the way for a more sustainable future.”

Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington said the trial was an “important milestone” in the journey towards utilising more sustainable and environmentally friendly materials on our roads.

“The asphalt company Colas developed the ECO5

product, and the asphalt produced for this trial came out of their Tomago plant in Port Stephens.

“The product was developed through a combination of local and international research and development.

“It’s great to see Port Stephens is laying the foundations for a greener future and better local roads.”

Transport for NSW Senior Manager Maintenance and Delivery North Stuart Baverstock said, “Transport for NSW wanted to see what sort of environmentally beneficial asphalt products were out in the market and what we could utilise on our roads as a better environmental product.

“Transport for NSW uses a huge amount of asphalt.

“It is a very carbon-rich product, so if we can reduce that even in small amounts then we will get huge savings.”

q Transport for NSW recently laid bio-bitumen asphalt on a section of road at Raymond Terrace.

Overcoming climate action hurdles

“However, there’s room for optimism.

GUEST speaker Dr Mark Diesendorf will lay bare the forces threatening to undermine urgent action on climate at a community forum in Salamander Bay on Sunday 7 April.

EcoNetwork-Port Stephens and Renew Hunter Region Branch are conducting the free forum.

“Dr Diesendorf is an environmental campaigner and Honorary Associate Professor in Environment and Society at the University of NSW,” said EcoNetwork president Iain Watt.

“We look forward to becoming enlightened about the threats to a sustainable and just society.

“In his recent book, ‘The Path to a Sustainable Future’, Mark says very powerful vested interests have captured most of our decision-makers and influencers, resulting in effective climate action being held back.

“Mark will show in his presentation how we can transition to a new civilisation that is ecologically sustainable, socially just, healthy and less militarised, with strategies and policies for avoiding the business-asusual path to disaster.”

Attendees will also hear updates from four EcoNetwork affiliates involved in environmental action: the Salamander Bay Recycling Centre, the Renew Hunter Region Branch, the Australian Marine Conservation Society and the Voice of Wallalong and Woodville.

q Dr Mark Diesendorf.

Pindimar suffers avoidable bushfire

By Thomas O’KEEFE

SMOKE choked the skies of Pindimar as a large bushfire persisted for almost a week, first reported at 4:21am on Wednesday 6 March, near Nardoo St, North Pindimar.

whether via deliberate arson or hidden smouldering heaps, the flames had rekindled into a large blaze that tracked north along Warri Street, the only accessway in or out of North Pindimar.

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While its origins are not yet officially determined, eyewitness accounts noted the blaze grew from an illegally lit ‘heap fire’ upon privately owned non-urban land, which had been partially covered with dirt and then seemingly abandoned.

Rural Fire Service (RFS) volunteers’ efforts extinguished the first fire, with returning crews on Thursday morning using around 8000 litres of water in blacking-out operations.

By Thursday afternoon,

RFS volunteers from twelve Brigades, including PindimarTea Gardens, Medowie, Girvan, Bulahdelah, Limeburners Creek, Thornton, Wootton, Karuah, Stroud, Clarence Town, North Arm Cove, Coomba Park, as well as contingents from Tea Gardens 471 Fire and Rescue NSW, united to contain the fire on the eastern side of Warri Street, employing backburning to clear ground fuel ahead of the raging inferno.

Some brief but blessed rain fell at midnight on Thursday, but hardly enough to eliminate the danger.

On Friday, when the fire reappeared and continued north

along Warri Street, RFS crews valiantly kept it from jumping west over Warri St, dowsing spotfires caused by raining embers.

The fire moved northwards, halfway to the Totem, but a favourable wind from 5:30pm, and a water-bombing helicopter, kept it on the eastern side of Warri Street.

Saturday saw several firies and some of their closest supporters run a fundraising BBQ at Motorfest in Hawks Nest, however another flare-up caused half the local brigade to take off to reinforce the under-resourced monitoring group.

The original heap fires along Nardoo Street, which may have smouldered invisibly, were not permitted fires, and therefore illegally lit during the official bushfire season.

“It is very dry in our area and

no pile burns should be started, it's so dry that the usually swampy area is where the fire is expanding,” said one RFS spokesperson.

“Thank you to the Tea Gardens Hotel for providing us with 85 meals for the crews still on the fire ground after the fire was contained.”

Pindimar-Tea Gardens RFS Captain David Bright told NOTA on Sunday night, “The fire is continually emerging from the peat ground cover – we put it totally out, then it reignites 30 minutes later.

“We have to continually monitor until we get some good rain,” Captain David Bright said.

“A huge thanks to everyone who has assisted with the Pindimar fire for the last six days, it has been a major effort from locals and crews from throughout region.”

IWD celebrated at North Arm Cove

By Thomas O’KEEFE

ALMOST 100 local ladies came together for an International Women’s Day (IWD) event at the North Arm Cove Community Centre on Friday 8 March.

“This is the 26th consecutive year we have run this event, and are thrilled to have raised $3390 for International Women Australia,” Jan Peeters, the main organiser of the IWD fundraiser, told NOTA.

The ladies listened to two guest speakers, Linda Harwood from The Umbrella Foundation Australia (TUFA), and locallybased celebrity Maggie Nadal, while enjoying an amazing morning tea provided by several volunteer chefs amongst their number.

Ms Harwood spoke of the conditions of women and children in Kathmandu, Nepal, towards whom the efforts of TUFA have been directed.

“I saw the underlying social issues that led to the poverty in Kathmandu, learnt of child trafficking and how children were often sent from poor mountain villages to the city ‘to be safe’, but ended up in the sex trades,” Ms Harwood explained.

Particularly horrifying was the depiction of the brutal hellscape of the hand-made bricks industry, and the debt-enforced penury suffered by the ‘women and children of the kilns’, who carry up to 1000 bricks per day on their heads while working around 1000-degree kilns in “apocalyptic conditions”.

“There is no sex education and no understanding of contraception, and many of the women are pregnant as teenagers,” Ms

Harwood said.

“TUFA has attempted to help via the distribution of simple feminine hygiene kits, with instructions on how to keep clean and washed, stop infections, and birthing kits that include pictorial instructions on how to deliver a baby.”

Second speaker Maggie Nadal offered a life story punctuated by love, the theatre, and service in the Navy, reflecting on how many things had changed.

“I was born into a very musical family, but refused to ask my mother to support me through theatre school.”

Maggie’s life took her first into the Navy "for the uniforms", having a family, and eventually chasing her own dreams joining Canberra’s first theatre company, acting in the nude, and becoming a pre-eminent voiceover actor for several large corporations.

“Mum said: ‘It is never too late to follow your dreams, at least you had a go’,” Maggie concluded, and the Myall Coast has been fortunate enough to enjoy Maggie’s talents on community radio, and compering recent fashion shows.

q Guest speaker Linda Harwood, from The Umbrella Foundation Australia, spoke about the plight of women in Kathmandu.

q Veteran local entertainer Maggie Nadal regaled with her life story - navy, nude plays and all.

Offshore wind zone location doesn’t ‘pass the pub test’

By Marian SAMPSON

WHILE industry is moving full steam ahead with plans for offshore wind development off Port Stephens, the local fishing community still hold grave concerns over the suitability of the location.

The recent Newcastle and

(NPSGFC) Garmin Billfish Shootout, an annual fishing contest held off the coast in areas potentially impacted by future offshore wind development, brought the issue into focus once more.

The Shootout is the biggest billfish fishing competition in the Southern Hemisphere.

According to the NPSGFC, 85 percent of the fish tagged in this year’s competition were found in the proposed wind farm zone.

The Game Fish Club’s President, Troy Radford, said the location of the Hunter offshore wind zone, which starts about 20 kilometres out to sea from the Port Stephens

test”.

“If this was going on in the Great Barrier Reef would this be going on?

“If the development would not pass the pub test on the Great Barrier Reef, what makes you think you can get away with doing it here?

“This marine environment is just as important as the Great Barrier Reef,” he said.

The NPSGFC have staunchly opposed the development of offshore wind since it was first touted early last year, citing concerns over the environmental impacts and effects on commercial and recreational fishing and the tourism industry, including access issues if turbines are installed out at sea.

The Federal Government has maintained that all users before any final decisions are made on offshore wind

ALL

OUTSIDE WIND FARM: 129

INSIDE WIND FARM

“It’s our priority to manage the offshore marine environment in a way that recognises all users and balances competing interests,” the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water says.

“Understanding existing users and interests in and near potential offshore wind

“There are consultation opportunities to consider the views of existing offshore industries and ensure that any new offshore wind development can co-exist alongside other industries, such as fisheries, tourism and

Those opposing the placement of the offshore wind zone also note the area is part of Australia’s Great Southern Reef, a system of interconnected reefs described as having “profound ecological, cultural, and economic significance”.

“Ecologically, it is a global biodiversity hotspot hosting a wide array of species, including a high percentage being unique to the region,” according to Australia’s Great Southern Reef Foundation.

“The Great Southern Reef

supports important fisheries, tourism and recreation activity, contributing at least $10 billion annually to the Australian economy.

“It also plays a vital role in coastal protection, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration, supporting the livelihoods and well-being of millions of Australians.”

A recent community meeting at the Port Stephens Yacht Club delved into the process that proponents need to undertake to develop a project in the Hunter offshore wind zone, with a focus on the impacts of recreational and commercial vessel activity.

However some in the room were disappointed in the lack of information provided around the environmental impact that wind farms could cause.

A local whale watch operator in attendance questioned the safety of locating hundreds of turbines off the Port of Newcastle, highlighting risks in adverse weather and referencing the famous Pasha Bulker incident of 2007 when a storm stranded a 76,000-tonne bulk carrier off Newcastle’s Nobbys Beach.

q Offshore wind was the discussion at a recent community meeting at Port Stephens Yacht Club.

2024 BILLFISH SHOOT

‘SKED’ BOAT LOCATIONS

: 351

q The heat map showing where fish were captured and tagged during a recent game fishing tournament held off Port Stephens.

Anna Bay Tavern

Anna Bay Bakery

BYO Cellars Anna Bay

Anna Bay Surf & Skate

Ingenia Holiday Park

Middle Rock Retirement Village

Anna Bay Village

Seawinds Village

Nelson Bay Bowling Club

Nelson Bay Golf Club

Woolworths Nelson Bay

Nelson Bay Newsagent

Nelson Bay Real Estate

Coles Express Servo Nelson Bay

Seabreeze Hotel

Port Stephens Visitor Info Centre

Tackleword Port Stephens

Essence Cafe

Dolphin Watch Cafe

West Diggers

Harbourside Haven

Bernie Thompson Village

Shoal Bay Pharmacy

IGA Shoal Bay

John Patterson

Bill King Aged Care

Friendly Grocer Fingal Bay

Kreative Space Studio Fingal Bay

Regis Aged Care

Corlette Store

Uniting Care

Homestead Village

Sandy Shores

Big4 Soldiers Point

Soldiers Point Bowling Club

Foodworks Salamander Bay

Wanda Beach Pharmacy

Mobil Salamander Bay

Caltex Salamander Bay

Coles Salamander Bay

Natural Tucker

Woolworths Salamander Bay

Horizons Golf Club

Taylors Beach Industrial Cafe

Sunrise Lifestyle Resort

Seaham General Store

Opal Aged Care

Red Eye Café Raymond Terrace

Angeez Takeaway Raymond Terrace

Pet Parlour Raymond Terrace

Terrace Central Plaza Post Office

Newsagent Terrace Central Plaza

Woolworths Terrace Central Plaza

MarketPlace Woolworths

Raymond Terrace Shell

Raymond Terrace Library

Lakeside Newsagent

R&R Property

Foodworks Lakeside

Lakeside Leisure Centre

Muree Golf Club

Saxby's Bakery Salt Ash

Tanilba Bay Nursing Home

Tanilba Bay Retirement Units

Coles Tanilba Bay

Endevour Servo Tanilba Bay

Tanilba Newsagent

Post Office Tanilba Bay

Blue Marine Services

Chemist Lemon Tree

Club Lemon Tree

Tilligerry RSL

Tilligerry Real Estate

Coles Medowie

7-Eleven Medowie

Medowie Newsagent

Medowie Pharmacy

Woolworths Medowie

Medowie Social

Medowie Football Club

BP Servo Medowie

Pacific Dunes Golf Club

Metro Servo (Airport Side)

Metro Servo (Lavis Lane)

Karuah receives earthquake wake up call

By Thomas O’KEEFE

KARUAH experienced a minor earthquake, measuring roughly 2.5 on the Richter Scale, on Sunday 3 March at 1:21pm.

Geoscience Australia (GA), the Federal Government’s pre-eminent geoscience organisation, has identified the epicentre amongst the mangroves just north of town.

No property damage has been reported, and only a few individuals directly reported feeling windows rattling in Karuah, Medowie and The Branch, as well as domesticated dogs becoming agitated.

There is anecdotal evidence that dogs are capable of detecting the ultra-low frequency kinetic waves that can precede and accompany a seismic event.

Myall Way Emergency Planning Group leader Joanne Pearce told NOTA that the relatively low intensity of the Karuah quake should be taken as a clear reminder of the need to prepare for more destructive events.

“Earthquakes are not too common, but also not impossible, and preparations and actions you can take for bushfires can also be useful in earthquakes,” Joanne told NOTA.

“Having a network of communications in the community, being prepared for your access road being

cut off, having food stores in case you cannot get to a shop for a few days, and preparations for electricity blackouts.

Earthquakes can affect other locations, so the emergency services focus may be on other, bigger towns first.”

Many Port Stephens residents would remember the 1989 Newcastle earthquake, which wrought significant damage due mainly to the fact that few

people ever expected it could happen.

As the GA information clearly shows, earthquakes are not necessarily isolated to the edge of tectonic plates.

“If you do proper emergency preparation, you only need small adaptations to be prepared for all emergencies - the main preparation can help in all emergencies, something we can all consider,” Ms Pearce added.

The last nearby quake was actually in January, its epicentre underwater off the coast of Port Stephens.

GA’s meticulous records of seismic activity around the country show that, within the last ten years, there have been three other offshore earthquakes near Port Stephens, one near Seal Rocks, and multiple onshore quakes surrounding an identified ‘neotectonic feature’ south of Cessnock.

q Geoscience Australia map showing earthquake activity in the vicinity over the last decade: Karuah’s recent event (circled), two offshore from Port Stephens (arrows) and several just south of Cessnock, near an identified ‘neotectonic feature’ (red lines).

Big investment needed for social housing solution

HOMELESSNESS NSW is urging the state government to spend $1 billion each year for a decade to double the supply of social housing by 2050.

Homelessness NSW CEO Dominique Rowe said the state must build 5,000 dwellings annually to lift NSW’s share of social housing from one in 20 to one in ten homes.

“NSW has failed to invest in social housing for decades.

“Last year, just one-fifth of people seeking help from homelessness services could find long-term accommodation,” she said.

“Our ability to give NSW’s most vulnerable communities a roof over their heads is falling while housing stress and homelessness soar.

“Right now, many of the 57,000 households on the social housing waitlist are forced to wait up to a decade for a safe and stable place to call home.

“Investing in social housing will not only save lives but pay dividends by easing pressure on health, community and justice services in the long run.”

In its budget submission, Homelessness NSW warns frontline services risked staff cuts and closure without a 20 percent funding boost.

“Underfunded frontline providers are being flooded with calls for help and forced to turn away one in every two people who need accommodation.

“Services will be unable to keep staff on or their doors open without more funding,” Ms

Rowe said.

“Even for people who get through the door, help is limited.

“Half of those who need temporary or crisis accommodation cannot access it.

“That means women and children are forced to return to violent partners, seek shelter in a vehicle, on a couch or the street.”

Homelessness NSW is calling for $30 million over three years to provide more temporary accommodation and ensure one-fifth was reserved for women and children experiencing domestic violence.

It also urged the government to develop a dedicated approach to ending homelessness among Aboriginal communities, arguing 30 percent of social housing stock should be allocated to Indigenous Australians.

“It is unacceptable that we have failed to reduce the rate of homelessness among Aboriginal people who

media@newsofthearea.com.au

account for a third of those receiving help from frontline services in NSW,” Ms Rowe said.

“The solutions must be led by Aboriginal people and investment is needed in Aboriginal organisations and across the whole sector to support this work.”

Homelessness NSW are also calling for a 20 percent funding boost for specialist homelessness services, or $64 million a year for two years.

NSW Minister for Housing Rose Jackson said the data featured in the preBudget submission from Homelessness NSW was “heartbreaking, but not surprising”.

“It paints a clear picture of the direct impact of the lack of housing affordability on homelessness,” she said.

“The cost-of-living crisis is hitting hard, and we (the NSW Government) hear the calls to do more to support vulnerable people across NSW.

“In the lead up to the budget I will continue to advocate for more resources and funding to bolster support for housing and

homelessness support across the state.

“Confronting the housing crisis is a key priority for the NSW Government, and we are actively exploring every opportunity to build more homes and improve support services for people facing housing stress.”

While Ms Jackson did not comment on specific plans for addressing homelessness among Aboriginal communities, she said the NSW Government was committed to “a housing first approach”.

“That means building homes across our state and investing in crucial homelessness support services,” she said.

“The creation of Homes NSW, bringing together the housing and homelessness work of the Department of Communities and Justice with the Land, Housing Corporation and the Aboriginal Housing Office, will streamline support for residents, work to actively address homelessness and bolstering housing security for those in need, particularly Indigenous Australians.”

Tributes flow for Port Stephens cricket ambassador Ricky Mace

By Chris KARAS

THE PORT Stephens cricket fraternity is mourning the loss of prominent playercoach and national representative Ricky Mace.

A decorated stalwart with the RAAF and Australian Defence Force cricket families, Mace passed away suddenly last week from a cardiac arrest at the age of 48.

He was a talented all rounder with the Port Stephens Pythons, Thornton Park and Raymond Terrace District Cricket Clubs in the Newcastle District Suburban competition and an accomplished first grade player with the Stockton and Northern District Seagulls.

Mace was a key member of the Seagulls’ premiership-winning second grade team in 2011-12 but his greatest impact was as a coach and mentor of young men and women, mostly within the RAAF and Australian Defence Force cricket ranks.

Twelve months ago he represented the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) Barbarians at the Pacific Islands Twenty20 Cricket Challenge in Fiji.

Mace helped the Barbarians chalk up wins over Samoa and eventual champions Papua New Guinea at the international tournament.

Port Stephens Pythons legend Josh Moxey told News Of The Area that Mace’s legacy to cricket in the region will be “everlasting”.

“We are shocked and heartbroken at Ricky’s unexpected passing – he gave so much to the sport wherever he played and was respected by all,” quipped a devastated Moxey.

From his early sporting achievements in Tasmania to senior cricket honours with the Defence Force and the various clubs he crossed paths with on his journey, the affable Mace proved an inspiration.

“Ricky only had a short time with our club as a player/coach but what an impact he made,” said Moxey.

“Macey loved cricket but he was a stand out gentleman too.

“He genuinely loved and cared for everyone he came into contact with and subsequently, they loved him too.

“But, there is no doubt he loved his family most.

“Ricky’s support and dedication will be hard to replace,” the Pythons first grade skipper added.

Mace is survived by his wife Leneice, sons Harry, Riley and James and granddaughter Bella.

Changed traffic (M1) conditions

Raymond Terrace – Black Hill to Tomago project

MOTORISTS are advised of changed traffic conditions on the New England Highway to continue construction work for the M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace.

A temporary 60km/hr speed reduction is now in place on the New England Highway westbound from Tarro Interchange to John Renshaw Drive.

Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and follow the directions of signs and traffic controllers.

Transport for NSW thanks motorists for their patience during this time.

For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW app, visit livetraffic.com

q Port Stephens cricketing legend Ricky Mace (standing third left) helped Stockton and Northern Districts win the Newcastle District Cricket second grade premiership in 2011-12. He is pictured with team mates Lance Johnson, Marco Caponecchia, Patrick O’Rourke (captain), Rob O’Rourke, Andrew O’Rourke, Chris Blanch, James Harding, Dion Horne, Laurence Kelly and Brett Crosdale.

Regional airport strategy released

THE Hunter Joint Organisation (HJO) and the Newcastle Airport have released the Hunter Airports Strategy, aimed at improving regional connectivity and economic prosperity.

The HJO represents the ten councils of the Hunter region, including Port Stephens Council and MidCoast Council.

The Strategy advocates for further investment into the region, with the key outcome of the Strategy identifying the need for a cargo terminal to unlock international air freight opportunities at Newcastle Airport.

Funded by the NSW Government, this strategic initiative aligns with a broader vision for the region

to be a globally connected and economically thriving city-region, serving as an international gateway while providing its communities with a vibrant and unique lifestyle.

While focusing on the crucial role played by the five regional airports in the Hunter in facilitating general aviation and essential services, the Strategy also highlights the significance of international connectivity with the redevelopment of Newcastle Airport.

A prioritised action plan has been crafted, aiming to unlock opportunities for new investments, business diversification, and local job creation.

The Strategy places the construction of a cargo terminal at Newcastle Airport as the highest priority investment to harness the value and opportunities in international air freight for the region.

Following the Strategy, a business case has been developed for the cargo

terminal outlining the investment of $27 million required and subsequent economic stimulus that could be realised for the region with its development.

The business case provides the foundation for Newcastle Airport, with the support of the HJO, to seek funding to realise this opportunity.

Hunter JO Board Member

Cr John Connors, Mayor of Dungog Shire Council, recognises the importance of the Hunter Airports Strategy to attract necessary growth and infrastructure to our region.

“Without the essential infrastructure of an air cargo terminal, international cargo cannot be loaded onto airplanes in our region,” he said.

“Enabling the movement of international goods into and out of our region unlocks unprecedented economic opportunities.

“We have great products that the region already exports internationally, but they are currently transported

via Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane to reach international markets.

“Being able to export our products through our airport will bring valuable and necessary growth and investment to the Hunter.”

Recognising the challenges faced by the regional airports in terms of commercial sustainability and encroachment, the Strategy outlines supportive activities, including measures to protect and support this essential

infrastructure for the benefit of the region’s future.

To strengthen economic development activities and enhance regional influencing power, the Strategy proposes further activities focused on addressing these challenges and the role that the region can play in leveraging the proposed opportunities at Newcastle Airport.

“It’s exciting to be part of this project, especially because it aligns so closely with our purpose of being the

airport the region deserves,” Newcastle Airport CEO Peter Cock said.

“It will support the many fine local producers accessing overseas markets, the local small to medium enterprises who need to import components to continue their innovation and progression and support passenger air services.

“Together, the freight and visitor economy will generate over 4,400 jobs and $12.7 billion in regional economic activity,” he said.

"This is a truly catalytic development for the region.”

Fern Bay pilot takes to skies over Scone

By Marian SAMPSON

FERN Bay aerobatic pilot Paul Bennet is about to spiral

through the skies once more as he puts a range of historic aircraft through their paces at Warbirds Over Scone.

The event promises an extraordinary celebration of history, innovation and a spectacular showcase of

Wallalong House to host more weddings

By Lindsay HALL

PORT Stephens’ historic Wallalong House is set to increase its capacity as a highly sought venue for weddings.

A Development Application (DA) was discussed at Port Stephens Council’s most recent meeting which sought

permission to increase the number of events held on an annual basis.

The DA seeks to permanently entrench and expand a temporary modification application made in 2022, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, that allowed the operators to book events from Sunday to Thursday on a limited basis.

This kind of allowance enabled the business to survive the restrictions of the pandemic.

While there was some discussion around operational concerns with increasing the allowance for weddings and other events - most notably the potential for noise complaints from neighbouring properties - councillor (Cr) Giacomo Arnott was quick to concede the potential benefits for the community surrounding Wallalong House.

“Recently we recently adopted the Hinterland Place Plan, which is a vision for the

flight over two days at Scone Airport on March 23 and 24.

An event for the whole family, children and parents alike will marvel at aerobatic performances from skilled stunt pilots who push the boundaries of possibility, showcasing incredible agility and precision.

In 1983, Australian aviation legend Col Pay held the first Warbird event at Scone Airport.

This year, the event celebrates 40 years. An internationally recognised aerobatic pilot, Paul is thrilled to be taking part in the long-standing Hunter Valley event.

“This event has been an

future for what we used to call the ‘rural west’ of Port Stephens, and it’s a future that I really subscribe to,” said Cr Arnott.

“It’s a future where we have really good economic activity in the area, weddings, other sorts of agricultural tourism, and it’s a future I really want for our Hinterland, and Wallalong House is a historical house which has the capacity to provide a

essential part of Australia's warbird legacy, and I am honoured to be part of its 40th anniversary.

“The event won’t just commemorate the evolution of aviation, but showcase some of the most iconic warbirds and pilots in Australia to date.”

Attendees can expect a weekend of full-throttle family entertainment including hairraising aerobatics, historical warbirds, amusement rides, local markets, delicious street food, display cars, helicopter rides and so much more.

In marking the 40-year legacy of Warbird airshows in Australia, enthusiasts, families and community

really big part of that for our community, for our economy and for the reputation of Port Stephens.”

The current owner and operator of Wallalong House, Tess Borg, agreed that Council’s DA approval will have wide-reaching positive impact.

“Obviously we’re very happy that Council has approved our application.

“This doesn’t just benefit

members are warmly invited to attend the iconic anniversary celebration of Warbirds Over Scone.

Paul, who is currently restoring a Mk5 Spitfire, understands the importance of keeping these rare planes in the air.

“They are amazing pieces of history.

“They are built really well for their age and they are fast, manoeuvrable and the engines make a very unique sound.

“The Sea Fury is a 1949 model and some of my others are from 1942.

“My favourite is the Wolf Pitts Pro.

“It is the highest performing aerobatic biplane in the world and the only one of its type flying in the world.”

us, but it benefits our partnerbusinesses in the area such as florists, caterers, musicians and others who contribute to the kinds of functions we host.”

The DA was approved by Port Stephens Council with the requirements that noise monitoring systems were implemented on-site, and that Council be provided with the data gathered for a period of six months.

q The Hunter Airports Strategy highlights the significance of international connectivity with the redevelopment of Newcastle Airport.

q One of the 'Warbirds' in action. Photo: Duncan Fenn.

Local historian launches fifth and final book

By Thomas O’KEEFE

POWERHOUSE historian

Janis Winn’s fifth and latest book was officially launched before 140 people at the Tea Gardens Baptist Church on Saturday, 9 March.

In ‘The Chronicles of Carrington, Tahlee and the Legacy of the Australian Agricultural Company 200 Years’, what Janis says is her final book, she has extensively covered the people and times of the oldest continuously operating company in Australia, from its humble and ambitious beginnings here on the northern shores of Port Stephens.

Emceed by Janis’ daughter Michele Winn, the event’s guest speakers included former Stroud Mayor John Chadban, who has a long personal connection to the Australian Agricultural Company (AACo), and State MP Kate Washington, who officially launched the book on Janis’ behalf.

Several descendants of the AACo’s original settlers were also present, as was special guest Aaron Wakeley, all the way from Brisbane to represent the modern AACo.

“It’s wonderful to be here and show our support for Jan,” Aaron said.

“This is where the company started, and great to see people keeping that history alive.”

Michele Winn said her mum had been documenting the area's history since the 1970s.

“This is all we have known her to do,” said Michele.

Mr Chadban celebrated the detailed nature of Janis’ latest offering.

“This book is different, it deals with the settlement of the northern side of Port Stephens, when the AACo brought 250 people, 720 sheep, twelve head of cattle and fifteen horses to one million acres of wilderness along the mangrove marshes back in 1826,” Mr Chadban declared.

“Jan has done wonderfully researched work, with a painstaking eye for detail, tremendous will and energy.” Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington was equally enthused.

“This book has a remarkable story, about a remarkable area, by a remarkable woman,” Ms Washington declared.

“The effort that goes into Jan's books is an extraordinary act of generosity, and her deep connections to the community make it more powerful.”

Janis thanked AACo, the Tea Gardens Hawks Nest Family Research and Local History Group, Sabrina and Neville Smith, Pauline Ibbettson, Kim and Janine Burton for their help funding the work, and Newcastle University’s Hunter Regional Living History Group, along with Shirley Cox and Leslie

Turner, especially for their exhaustive help researching.

“I consider myself fortunate to have grown up in this area, and seeing the changes over time first-hand,” Janis said.

While Janis promises this will be her last work, those in attendance were not convinced.

“Last book? We've all heard that before,” agreed the speakers.

Today, AACo owns and operates around 6.5 million hectares of land in Queensland and the Northern Territory, equating to roughly one percent of Australia’s landmass.

Aussies failing to prioritise hearing health

By Marian SAMPSON

WORLD Hearing Day was held around the globe on March 3, with Port Stephens residents reminded to prioritise their

hearing health.

A recent survey reveals that only two percent of Australians prioritise their hearing over other health aspects such as physical

health (52 percent), mental health (20 percent), eye care (ten percent), dental health (nine percent), and skin care (seven percent).

An estimated one in four people worldwide are predicted to be living with some degree of hearing loss by 2050.

Hearing loss costs Australians around $11.75 billion annually in lost productivity and other impacts.

While awareness exists, there is a significant gap in making hearing checks a priority, particularly for older Australians.

While 77 percent of Australians know where to go to get their hearing tested, only 38 percent have undergone a hearing test in the last three years.

Two in three adults over the age of 60 years experience some degree of hearing loss.

This increases to four in five adults aged 80 and over.

Caroline Reichard, a 62-year-old recently retired wife, mother, friend, and grandmother from Port Stephens, faced a lifelong struggle with single-sided deafness.

However, in her early forties, she encountered a decline in the hearing ability of her 'good' ear.

As her hearing in her right ear began to deteriorate, Caroline found it increasingly challenging to hear clearly at

her workplace.

Eventually, at her husband’s persuasion, she consulted with an audiologist who provided her with a hearing aid.

"This wasn't just like opening one door to a world of hearing possibilities; it felt like unlocking 10,000 doors," said Caroline.

Caroline now has a bimodal hearing solution, which means she has a hearing aid in her right ear and a cochlear implant in her left ear, which has enabled her to have 95 percent hearing in quiet listening environments.

The most important thing for Caroline is that her ability to hear clearly has reconnected her to the sounds she cherishes.

She can now hear every word her grandchildren utter, no longer missing precious moments or having to request explanations from her daughter.

Improved hearing has had a significant positive impact on her social confidence, enabling her to meet friends at noisy cafés and restaurants without worrying in advance about where she will be seated, as she no longer relies on lip reading.

q John Chadban, former Mayor, has launched three of Janis’ previous works.

q A successful launch for the Winns: Janis (middle) with her children (l-r) Kathy, Graham, Michele and Alison.

q Caroline Reichard with her grandson Bowie. Photo: Julie Firmstone.

Animal-inspired art on display

By Simon EKINS

NELSON Bay’s Artisan Collective is hosting a vibrant and exciting collection by local artist Trevor Weekes.

For the entire month of March, Trevor’s artwork and books will be on display at the Nelson Bay Marina gallery.

His main interest is a fascination with animals, often capturing unusual depictions with his own unique brand of humour.

Trevor has exhibited for over 50 years both nationally and internationally, and has worked as a lecturer at COFA in Sydney and in natural history illustration and fine art in the School of Design, Communication and Information Technology, University of Newcastle.

“My exhibition here at Nelson Bay is a mixture of different work I have shown in the past,” said Trevor.

“The birds are from a collection based on

illustrations from a book entitled ‘North American Birds’, and all the tigers and leopard pieces were from a show called ‘To Be Humanized’, which also included some of the monkey portrayals displayed here

today.

“I spend a lot of time studying animals at places like Taronga Zoo, and the animals there inspire me to create work for some of my books.”

Trevor’s 2019 book

‘When Pigs Fly’ features an interesting artistic bent on technical drawing, and a locally famous porcine friend.

“I was upset when Otto flew away, but was happy when he later turned up at the Tamworth music festival,” said Trevor with a wry smile.

Trevor continues to

q ‘The days crawl by’.

produce his unique work, and there are more books to be released soon, as well as a talk to be given by Trevor himself at the gallery’s ‘Meet The Artist’ event on Saturday 16 March at 1.00pm.

The Artisan Collective continue to support other local artists such as Ileana

Clarke and Megan Barrass to name but two, and the gallery welcomes visitors to peruse and even purchase their work in a serene and friendly environment.

The gallery can be contacted via https:// artisancollectiveps.com.au.

q Trevor Weekes with some of his artwork and books at Nelson Bay Marina’s Artisan Collective.

Individual treatments for complex problems

“BEFORE 50 God looks after your health, after 50 it is wise to give him a hand.”

The Maitland Wellness Centre’s mission is to give you a hand by taking the time to listen to your concerns and offer you the best possible treatment for your problems.

The team’s acupuncturists bring years of experience in health care to their treatments.

Patrick Navia is a registered nurse and qualified naturopath and herbalist.

He has a special interest in complex health problems where the addition of herbs and supplements can make a big difference.

Kate Navia is also a registered nurse that brings enthusiasm and warmth to her treatments, combining acupuncture with traditional herbal formulas where appropriate.

Bjorn Mella has spent the last 35 years working with acupuncture, massage, meditation and tai chi to treat pain and stress.

He is now focusing on helping people through the major challenges that come with a serious medical diagnosis or life traumas.

Call the Maitland Wellness Centre, now with a Raymond Terrace location, to find out how the team can help you.

q The Maitland Wellness Centre will hear your concerns and offer tailored solutions.

Don’t let hearing loss go untreated

FAR too many people around the world live with untreated hearing loss.

In fact, it is the world’s third most common health problem.

Port Stephens Audiology

offers a wide variety of personalised hearing solutions from their convenient Medowie and Nelson Bay locations.

“We want to make a positive impact in this area

through providing hearing care, and we have made it our vision to help more people hear better.”

can assist with comprehensive hearing tests, the latest

q The Port Stephens Audiology team caters to a host of hearing issues.

How can I assist you How can I assist you

Seniors Kit with information about pensions, government services, Centrelink & more

Anniversary and Birthday Messages from the Prime Minister, Governor General, The King for Australians celebrating a milestone birthday or a wedding anniversary

Assistance with Government departments and agencies such as superannuation, communications, pensions, Medicare, Centrelink and Veteran’s Affairs

YOU may have heard of Linked Community Services, but may not know what they do! Linked

and reliable not-

community transport provider committed to keeping its clients connected to their community.

“We offer individual transport, weekly shuttle services and fun social outings,” said the Linked Community Services team.

“Connection is so important.

“Studies show that older people who have social connection experience many mental, emotional and physical health benefits, including a sense of belonging, which has positive impacts on health, wellness and quality of life.

“That’s why the main purpose of Linked Community Services is to assist our clients to maintain connection and independence.”

Thanks to Government subsidised funding, Linked Community Services are able to provide lower cost transport services to those who need it most.

“Whether it’s taking you to an appointment, to visit friends or on one of our social outings –we are here to take you there!”

Tailored support with Driving Miss Daisy

COMPANION driving service

Driving Miss Daisy Nelson Bay has been providing trusted and reliable transport support for individuals in need for the past three years.

"We are family when family can't be there,” the team said.

Driving Miss Daisy supports clients to run

errands, attend medical appointments, get socially active and live their life independently and to the fullest.

While predominantly working with ageing clients or people with a disability, Driving Miss Daisy can also provide companion services to those seeking social

support, a coffee at the beach or a walk to engage with their local community.

“We've even gone with clients on bike rides!

“We are so thankful that we can support all our clients in sustaining their independence, provide companionship and facilitate their connection to family,

q Driving Miss Daisy supports clients to run errands, attend medical appointments and more.

friends and community.”

Offering kerb-to-kerb collections and drop offs, clients can pre-book services which are individually tailored to their own unique needs.

“You book the journey and you let us know what you would like to do and how, and we do it together.

“We can pick you up from your door, or from your armchair!

“When we bring you home, we can unpack your shopping and make you a cup of tea.

“While running errands we are always happy to have a coffee with our clients and get to know them better.”

Employing eight local companion drivers, the Driving Miss Daisy team prides itself on being “friendly, compassionate and respectful”.

“Driving Miss Daisy is all about the local community.

“We are passionate about providing the highest level of service to our clients.”

q Driving Miss Daisy employs eight local companion drivers.

• Low maintenance, uniquely designed quality built, brick and tile

• Three bedrooms, study ,ensuite and family bathroom

• Open plan kitchen, dining and lounge

• Additional features include split system air conditioner double garage and bore water

• Paved entertaining area fenced yard with shed and WC

• Adjoins reserve, quite location and close to beach and shops

• Immaculately renovated 2-bedroom unit in sought-after Landmark Resort

• Enviable east-facing position with stunning views

• Adjacent to Nelson Bay Golf Course and Bowling Club

• Nelson Bay town centre amenities at your doorstep

• Newly renovated pool, steam room, and entertaining games room in complex

• Ideal for personal enjoyment or rental income, offering both luxury and convenience

STUNNING

KARUAH

• Immaculate five-bedroom home overlooking Karuah River

• Recently renovated two-story property with exceptional features

• Quiet no-through road with access for small boat launch and mooring for larger vessel

• Kitchen with Caesarstone benchtops, waterfall island, 6-burner gas SMEG stove, SMEG range-hood, integrated BOSCH dishwasher, and spacious butler’s pantry

• Four bedrooms, study, and media room. Main Bedroom with walk-in robes and ensuite overlooking Karuah River

• Three modern bathrooms with rain-head showers

• Huge double garage with space for workshop or gym

HEATH JONES STEPHEN COSTELLO HUGH MCINNES STEVEN BOOTH

JACK

Stunning renovated retreat by the water

52

5

YOUR hunt is over!

Have you dreamed of living in an immaculate five bedroom home looking over the water?

This recently renovated, two storey, five bedroom home overlooks the Karuah river and boasts exceptional features in every aspect.

The home presents as a dream oasis, nestled on a quiet no-through road with access for a small boat to be launched, and permanent moorings for a larger vessel within the area.

There is so much this property has to offer we have done our best to summarise

some of the home’s best aspects.

Location: In the years to come, this is one of those spots that you'll tell stories about how you could have bought beside the river!

Just 15-20 minutes by boat to Soldiers Point boat ramp.

Kitchen: Immaculate chef’s kitchen overlooking the huge open plan space with beautiful views of the water featuring ceasar-stone benchtops, waterfall kitchen island, six-burner gas Smeg stove and matching Smeg range-hood, integrated Bosch dishwasher and a spacious walk-in butlers pantry.

Bedrooms and media room: The home currently has four bedrooms, a study along with a media room.

Three of the five bedrooms feature ceiling fans, plantation shutters, down lights and are a generous size.

The study which could easily be converted to the fifth bedroom features built in cabinetry and a view of the stunning river.

The media room also can be used as a perfect place for entertaining, relaxation or has the option to be converted into a sixth bedroom for the property!

Main bedroom: The main bedroom is a show stopper!

Overlooking the stunning Karuah River with walk in robes and an ensuite you will have to see to believe!

Bathrooms: There are three stunning bathrooms, all modern, generously sized and in immaculate condition as well as boasting rain-heads in

all the showers.

Garage: Huge double garage with space at the back perfect for a workshop or gym.

Rear gardens: Outdoors the property features a spacious (brand new) deck overlooking the level, low maintenance yard.

Downstairs: Upon entering, you will immediately notice the floating timber floors and coastal black-butt staircase.

The downstairs area also features an additional living area and storage room.

Additional features: Walkin linen, NBN connection,

town water supply (all new plumbing), solar panels, new gas and hot water system, spacious laundry with built-in cupboards.

Don’t miss your opportunity to secure the dream home you’ve always wanted.

With no work to be done, it’s ready for you to move straight in!

Call our office today to organise a private VIP inspection.

Contact sales@ nelsonbayrealestate.com.au or 02 4981 2655.

Students get fisheries education

By Marian SAMPSON

STUDENTS from Bobs Farm Public School have spent a day at the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) at Taylors Beach.

One of the largest specialised aquaculture research facilities in the country, the PFSI is a multidisciplinary centre with staff from several units within the DPI based on-site.

The site is part of a broader complex of fisheries-focused DPI sites including the Narrandera and Grafton Fisheries Centres and the Batemans Bay and Coffs Harbour Fisheries Offices.

The Bobs Farm primary class excursion was an extension to their literacy unit of study on the novel ‘Blueback’ by Tim Winton.

“Parents, students and staff learnt about fisheries research, aquaculture, recreational fishing, the local oyster industry and all about different algae grown to feed the growing fish in the facility,” said Megan Elliott, Principal of Bobs Farm Public School.

“A big thank you to Luke from DPI for leading the presentation and parent Shona for suggesting to the school of 37 students to attend after her son Cobin in year 3 told her how much he now loved reading due to the story in class about Blueback.”

Excursion attendees were also encouraged to think about opportunities for further learning when they reach high school.

Legacy to hold third annual Golf Day

By Marian SAMPSON

PORT Stephens Legacy will hold their third annual Golf Day at Horizons Golf Resort in Salamander Bay on 18 March, raising key funds for the longserving Australian not-forprofit which has supported veterans’ families since 1923.

The event is a two ball Ambrose played in teams of four.

“This is the first major fundraising event for Port Stephens Legacy in 2024,” Legatee Doug Jacka told News Of The Area.

“The major sponsors of the day are First National

Port Stephens,” Mr Jacka said.

“The event is also supported by Port Stephens Toyota who supply a Haval Julion SUV for a hole-in-one prize, and Horizons Golf Resort, and many more local businesses who have all provided prizes.”

Legacy was formed in

Australia by ex-servicemen to help widows and the children of defence personnel who have given their lives or health serving our nation.

In the Port Stephens area there are more than 180 widows and sixteen children currently being assisted by Legacy.

Students can choose electives in marine and aqua studies at Tomaree High.

“The DPI is always keen to have volunteers from high school for work experience,” she said.

q The students from Bobs Farm Public School at the Port Stephens Fisheries Institute.

Sadly, this number is on the rise.

Legacy receives no support from the government and relies on donations and fundraising events.

Legacy began after World War One, when some 60,000 Australian service personnel were killed and more than 150,000 were wounded, many dying soon after.

In 1923, Major General

Sir John Gellibrand formed the Remembrance Club in Hobart.

Another returning soldier, Lieutenant General Sir Stanley Savige, was inspired to establish a similar club in Melbourne which was named Legacy.

Originally, it was returned servicemen who took this duty of caring for and supporting widows and children.

They later became known as Legatees.

To this day, it is the Legatees who volunteer the support that Legacy provides to its beneficiaries.

Legacy is still caring for tens of thousands of widows who have lost their loved ones and been affected by their partner’s service in the Korean War, Malayan Emergency, Vietnam War; as well as campaigns in Iraq, Afghanistan and in peacekeeping operations across the globe.

Legacy Clubs started as a small organisation with local Legatees assisting local families.

Today, there are 44 Legacy Clubs, plus one in London, providing emotional, social and financial support.

q Legacy bear Lesley Ceurvorst and Legatee Peter Polack with the Haval Julion SUV, the hole-in-one prize.

q Sharon and Colin Wood were winners at last year’s event.

Simple renewable energy solution

DEAR News Of The Area,

OUR government appears desperate to reach its emission targets by 2030 and no matter where you sit with renewable energy there is great concern about the concerted push towards wind turbines, particularly those offshore projects which are predicted to play a very large part of the plan to reduce our carbon emissions.

Fact 1: Most of these projects are at least seven to ten years away and the feasibility studies have barely begun and community opposition to some of those projected areas is mounting and will be controversial.

Concerns over whale migrations, fisheries and the loss of natural seascapes are all valid.

By 2030 the cost of offshore wind generated electricity estimated by the CSIRO particularly in relation to floating turbines will be between two and four times more than that of a land turbine.

So, the suggestion that offshore wind generated electricity might be cheaper is unlikely.

Fact 2: Australia has eighteen coal fired power stations.

China has 1142 with 326 under construction or in a pre-plan phase.

Both were clearly on the side of climate concern requiring community engagement so we can be educated (inferred to be saved).

However, and as a point of difference, the Hunter Valley has been a powerhouse of mining, energy generation and wholesale distribution of energy for decades.

Many climate zealots get caught out by the depth of the energy system and

Australia is the 2nd largest exporter of coal in the world so even if we cut our own coal usage it’s unlikely we will stop exports any time soon so let’s face it, climate change driven by Australia’s coal fired power stations is not the issue here.

A simpler solution: There are around 3.3 million houses in NSW and less than 900,000 currently have solar.

If every house in the State had a 2.5 kilowatt system installed (cost around $10,000 per house) that would mean 6.6 gigawatts generated so we could replace the three Hunter valley coal fired power stations the Feds want to shut and we wouldn’t need the 5 gigawatt floating turbines suggested for the Hunter.

The power generation would also be owned by Australians instead of

engineering knowledge that other jurisdictions more than likely don’t demonstrate.

In my case it’s 45 years of power plant and wholesale transmission engineering and there are many like me now retired in this area we’ve always called home.

The factual issue of physics and therefore the technical challenge, is that the energy density of renewables is very low compared to coal, gas or nuclear.

Couch

DEAR Jasminda,\

What are the expectations for Easter presents this year?

I just went to the shops for my grandchildren and there are Easter trees, Easter decorations, Easter wreaths, Easter clothes, and on it goes.

Brian W.

Dear Brian,

Wreaths? Trees? Decorations?

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas (feel free to sing in Michael Buble's baritone voice).

It would appear Easter eggs aren't bringing in enough retail dollars, so now we have Easter activity cases and Easter egg wreaths and flocked Easter bunnies

overseas interests which is what would happen with the offshore turbines.

We could then have micro grids set up with large community batteries so should there be a natural disaster such as a flood or fire like that experienced recently in South Australia where thousands of houses dependent upon the grid and its large transmission lines have lost power for weeks due to collapsing power pylons.

Community power makes a lot of sense, particularly with extreme weather events increasing.

OK, so if the Feds funded it that would cost $24 billion,

Put simply this means you need way, way more renewables to meet the system demand every millisecond, 24 hours of every day and these assets are physically distributed across vast areas of land and along vast coastal marine areas, in the case of offshore wind.

They must then be joined together which adds to the expense, an expense that some of the CSIRO data chooses to exclude.

Whilst it was mentioned in the article, it’s worth

made of polyfoam and polyethylene terephthalate, and this little bunny isn't falling for any of it.

The only Easter expectations are the ones you place on yourself, but I can almost guarantee that your grandkids will be far more excited by a challenging mini egg hunt in the backyard than unwrapping bits of plastic wrapped in (you guessed it) bits of plastic.

And no, they don't need egg-hunt grabbers (that look very much like rainbowcoloured poop-scoopers), because most of them have these handy things called hands.

Just make sure you roll the foil wrapping into a fist-sized ball before recycling.

Or perhaps you could suggest that your grandkids join you in hand-dyeing some eggs or baking some homemade Easter buns.

Yes, I know you can get them straight off the shelves (and have been able to since Christmas), but nothing beats the smell of freshly-baked buns.

Carpe diem,

Jasminda.

a lot of dosh but given they have pumped $14 billion already into Snowy hydro and not 1 KW has come out and it's still four years away from completion this could be seen as a more immediate and practical move towards their 2030 goal.

As Albo said recently when quizzed on the Hunter turbines: “It’s all about jobs”.

Well, there would be lots of jobs for Aussies fitting rooftop solar to two million houses.

Not many jobs for us in floating turbines which will all be made offshore.

Add another thousand hectares of panels to the PFAS affected land around

repeating, and that is renewables have very low capacity factors of around 30 percent to 40 percent.

What this means is that they don’t generate any power whatsoever for most of the time.

So, renewables need to be firmed up by something else when renewables can’t generate power, power which is needed all the time.

Again, this adds to the overall expense of moving to solar and wind as the predominant sources of energy.

the airport, that’s another 1 gigawatt so 7.7 gigawatts of renewables all before 2030 and no loss of fishing ground, no dead whales from ship strike (I couldn’t help notice Bowen is backing off the SA areas due to Blue Whales), no industrialisation of our coastal waters and community protection with microgrids.

Come on Labor, back us Aussies!

Regards, Frank FUTURE, Imagine Cruises.

The decarbonisation path of using solar and wind is currently costed at $1 trillion.

That’s an eye watering amount of money to spend for almost no effect on global CO2 emissions given Australia’s miniscule contribution relative to other countries.

Regards, Derek MUSGROVE, Tea Gardens.

Strategic weeds funding available

HUNTER Local Land Services has announced the launch of the 2024 Strategic Weeds Grant Program. The funding aims to reduce the impact of weeds and help landholders and a wide variety of community organisations, schools or government agencies undertake activities that highlight weed impacts and implement weed control programs.

Applications for funding can be varied and range from on-ground works, capacity building of general community or organisations or

groups, management documents to help plan out the management of a weed species or weed situation long term, or to gather data to inform of weed situations of the Hunter.

“We are inviting landholders and organisations in the eligible regions across the Hunter to put forward a wide variety of project ideas for funding," said Matt Kennedy, Hunter Local Land Services Regional Weeds Coordinator.

“The funding is perfect for local Landcare groups and primary

producer groups to implement priority weed control projects that would normally be too big to implement individually.

“It is also a great opportunity for groups to run training and information events for their members and the public, write a strategy or operational weed plan, undertake research to better detect or manage priority weeds.

“It is a perfect time for groups to consider what their weed objectives are over the next few years and

what projects would help their community minimise the impact of weeds in their area.”

The Hunter Strategic Weeds Grant funding will help implement the actions outlined in the Hunter Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan and is made up on contributions from the Hunter Catchment Contributions and the Widespread Weeds Fund.

There is detailed information about the Strategic Weeds Grant Funding Program and the online

application form available from the Hunter Local Land Services website: https://www.lls.nsw.gov. au/regions/hunter/grants-fundingscholarships.

Interested organisations can also contact Hunter Local Land Services by email at incentives. program@lls.nsw.gov.au or call

1300 795 299 to speak to Matt Kennedy, the Regional Weed Coordinator.

READING by Lynne Miles: Mark 10: 43 & 44 ".........Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant and and whoever wants to be first must learn to be the servant of all."

North Arm Cove’s telecom black hole

By Thomas O’KEEFE

TELECOMMUNICATIONS across

the northern shores of Port Stephens are non-existent, as the next focused stage of NOTA’s telecommunications review can now show.

The residents of North Arm Cove, Carrington and Tahlee are utterly dependent upon scant signals that may or may not cross the Bay, with all identified towers being several kilometres away, blocked by rugged terrain, or, inevitably, swamped by traffic from the more populous south side.

Karuah to the west has its own problems, while Pindimar and Bundabah to the east are in the same boat as North Arm Cove, and there are only distant highway towers to the north, all of which are too far away to be of any use to residents.

The nearest mobile tower is an Optus-only transceiver at Soldiers Point, however, as last November’s infamous Optus blackout showed, communities cannot safely rely upon only one carrier.

“Our Amaysim mobile phones use the Optus network, the strength of the signal inside our house is unreliable, and it’s not much better outside,” Doug Kohlhoff, a North Arm Cove resident with extensive ICT experience told NOTA.

“Some days our mobiles will beep every ten minutes or so with a message saying the network is

SPORT

unavailable.

“Important phone calls, like telehealth appointments, have been cut off halfway through.

“We did use a mobile as a hotspot when the NBN was offline for almost three days recently, and we managed to have a fifteen minute video call without any buffering or interruptions.”

The Gan Gan towers, the focal point of radio-based communications in Port Stephens, are only visible from a handful of spots, while first-hand measurements have shown that

Port Stephens Veteran Golfers Association

By Gary WATT

RESULTS from a Stableford competition played at Tanilba Bay

GC on Monday 4th March 2024 with 40 players.

Nett Winner : John Clayton, 37pts.

Nett Runner Up : Ron McKay, 35pts.

Bonus Point Winner : Alan Foster, 38pts.

Bonus Point Runner Up : Phil Rogan, 37pts.

Nearest the Pin, 4th Hole :

Div 1 : Phil Rogan.

Div 2 : No Winner.

Nearest the Pin, 11th Hole, :

Div 1 : Robert Paul.

Div 2 : Ross Dobson.

Drive & Chip, 7th Hole,

Div 1 : Shayne Mullarvey.

q Composite map of nearest mobile transceivers to North Arm Cove, Carrington and Tahlee (dark blue areas, top) – none provide an adequate signal, leaving these areas in a virtual black hole.

there are only three points in North Arm Cove where a useful signal can be found on a clear day: Baromee Point, Cove Boulevarde, and, sometimes, from the Community Centre along The Ridgeway.

“Our Community Hall is meant to be a place of last resort in an

emergency, but the mobile coverage there is very poor to non-existent,” Mr Kohlhoff added.

Regarding broadband telecommunications, the official NBNCo website technology coverage map says that Tahlee and Carrington can get 'fixed wireless',

while the Foreshore Village at NAC can get 'fixed line', advertising that "full fibre" is now available, but the even more recent NBN blackout in the region has already proven the dangers of over-reliance on home internet, too.

q One of only two spots in North Arm Cove where the Gan Gan towers can be seen, hence a bar or two of mobile signal is possible.

q The Gan Gan towers from Carrington’s Pier Street, a speck upon the horizon, although Lemon Tree Passage might toss a bar or two if it is not overloaded.

Div 2 : Bryan Porter.

Drive & Chip, 18th Hole,

Div 1 : Lance Slade.

Div 2 : Phil Sherwood.

Ball Winners : Bryan Porter 35pts, Fred Rimoni 35pts, Gary Watt 35pts, Frank Vandruten 34pts, Robert Paul 34pts, Phil Sherwood 34pts, Ron Dodd 33pts, Brian Marshall 33pts, Gary Chapman 33pts, Bill Osborne 32pts, Lester Lake 31pts, and Jim Gill 31pts.

Lucky Draw Prize Winner : John McDonald.

Next weeks game is at Shortland Waters GC with a 7:30am start.

Visitors are welcome any Monday, please ring Gary Watt on 49814536 for starting times.

A Special Presentation was made at last weeks event when our three life members were presented with Life Members Shirts for their service to our club.

q Life members Ron Dodd, Terry Cook and Colin Marsden being presented with their shirts by Captain Gary Watt.

Stinker’s History: The adventures of ‘Clanka’ - Part 1

By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE

FOR the next four weeks this column will feature the life and times of one of Port Stephens’ greatest characters.

The articles do not simply reflect on one man's life but give an insight into the tough times that existed in the 1950s.

The articles are taken from ‘Old Salt’, a book which I wrote back in 2009.

Unfortunately the book is out of print and is no longer available.

Part One

THE adventures of, and the havoc caused, by Ronald Barry ‘Clanka’ McLean, would make Ned Kelly look like the ‘sugar plum fairy’.

I wished I’d have met the man.

Born in Maitland in 1932 Ron was from tough stock.

His father, Norman, worked as a labourer through the western region from town to town raising a family in a tent with wife Violet.

For some unknown reason young Ron developed a love of the sea, and it was to be the sea that defined his life.

He left school at sixteen years of age and went prawning with Bill Wilson on the Hunter River.

In those early days the prawning boats were no bigger than a regular rowing boat.

One man would row the boat along the water's edge while the other would pull the net along the

shoreline, requiring some strength.

This was Ron’s job.

Still in his teens the keen young fisherman moved on to Nelson Bay where he lived and worked with Bobby ‘Old Mouldy’ Tarrant, beach fishing and prawning in the Myall.

At nineteen years he worked as a relieving assistant at the Outer Lighthouse off Fingal, a small outpost across a very dangerous stretch of water known as the ‘Fingal Spit’.

Ron swam the Spit on many occasions to tow supplies and grog back to the light.

One time he crossed the treacherous waterway to post a card to a young lady from Anna Bay, Adele Kafer.

Back on the mainland he began work with Alf Mitchell on the trawler ‘Girl Pat’ and then did a season as a deckhand for Harry Hunter catching sharks on the ‘Dorothy Anne’.

By this early stage of his life Ron had gathered valuable experience in many differing styles of fishing and the related conditions.

Unlike many other fishermen his age, Ron could turn his hand to anything - except crabbing and oystering, which he refused to do.

This extensive knowledge that he was accumulating plus his toughness, unrelenting desire to work hard and willingness to continue learning was to see him emerge, in later years, as a master fisherman and fearless seaman.

Still only a young man, Ron married Adele and moved into a

Stinker’s Fishin’: Snapper wonderland

By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE

IF you need any convincing that the waters off Port Stephens cannot be beaten when it comes to snapper fishing, then look no further.

I’m forever rattling on about the sensational snapper opportunities off Fingal and Broughton.

Rarely do I look south to the best kept secrets of Boat Harbour and Fishermans Bay.

Local ‘Boatie’ champion Nick Dayman knows the extensive reefs and drop-offs better than most and rarely does he return home without a cracker snapper in the esky.

Nick’s methods are very similar to mine and his results are fantastic.

Anchoring over broken ground of rocky peaks and troughs, Nick sets up a rich berley trail, inviting every snapper within cooee to the party before tossing an unweighted bait of

salmon back behind the trail.

As the fresh bait slowly sinks, expectations heighten in the hope that a big red will not be far away.

Such was the case last week when a 9kg thumper swallowed Nick’s bait and took off towards Stockton.

The snapper habitat off Boatie is ideal with reefs stretching north to One Mile headland and onwards to Rocky Point and Boulder Bay.

There is one hurdle if you intend to target this reef system and that is the distance to reach it if you are unable to launch off the beach.

The closest boat ramp to the north is Shoal Bay and to the south a long ride to Stockton.

Although conveniently close to the snapper reefs, launching off the beach at either Fingal or Boat Harbour does have a few obstacles.

Any swell hitting the beach can cause troubles which can be

q With a mechanical mind, Clanka got the old car going.

humble shack at Rocky Point on an acreage owned by Charles and Nettie Diemar.

The shack was in fact an old garage that was moved onto a clearing to become home for the couple and first born, daughter Vicki.

Vicki recalls their neighbour Wally Rogers trying to shoot a snake that was living in their roof.

“Wally brought his shotgun over and took aim at the snake,” she said.

“An almighty BOOM!

“He missed the snake but the hole remained for years.”

The early 1950s were wild times at Rocky Point, shared with a gathering of squatters eking out an existence any way they could by fishing, farming and gathering shell grit.

Bagging shell grit for the chicken farmers and in particular, Steggles, was a meagre source of income in tough times.

The history of gathering shell

overcome if you have a friend to hold the boat while you park the truck.

Sometimes, particularly at Fingal, the sand becomes very soft in dry weather and heavy traffic.

Do not think that 4x4 vehicles do noy get bogged – they do. Another trap for the inexperienced is to back the trailer too far into the water.

All these problems are increased if your boat is over 16 ft.

After launching off the beach for many years I have experienced most of these obstacles.

The best advice I can give those who are launching off the beach for the first time is to consider the tide, the expected conditions and the size of the swell before spending some time watching a couple of experienced crews leave the beach.

It is not as easy as it looks.

grit on Fingal Island during the Depression years is documented in ‘Sheer Grit’, an excellent book written by Arthur Murdoch.

The gatherers at Rocky included Jikky Dumont, who arrived each weekend from Newcastle to shovel grit.

He and his wife Myrtle would arrive drunk, as they had been drinking wine all the way from Newcastle.

When they arrived at Rocky they would both fall out of the truck and stagger around.

On one occasion Myrtle attempted to straddle the Kafers' barbed wire fence with catastrophic consequences.

While at Rocky, Ron purchased his first powered boat off Les Ode, called ‘Gung Ho’.

The small boat was worked to trap the rocky reefs and headlands for lobsters.

Living at Rocky Point was rough - no house, no road, no electricity or running water - but the young family had heaps of good old fashion guts.

To get money to establish himself as a rock lobster man, Ron went to work for the Hunter District Water Board. Having no transport available from Rocky Point he would run two miles to the main road, night and morning, to be picked up by passing workers.

He did this until he had saved enough to buy a motor for his small dinghy.

Then came a stroke of ‘luck’.

Ron’s father, Norman, came to visit driving a converted 1928 Chevy ute.

He swerved off the beaten track and ran smack bang into a tree.

He got out, took one look at the damage, kicked the tyre and simply left it where it was, up the tree.

With his acquired knowledge of

q Hard to believe that with Hollywood looks, Clanka could be tougher than Ned Kelly.

all things mechanical, it didn’t take Ron too much to fix it.

The family were on the movewheels!

The ute enabled Ron to travel so that he could collect and cut sticks to make lobster traps, to collect vines to weave the necks for the traps and to gather rocks for ballast to hold the traps against the sea.

The main thing was that there was now transport to town to do the shopping and an escape for Adele from the isolation of Rocky Point.

During this period Ron saved enough money, £300, pound by pound putting it into an envelope, to buy a block of ground in Nelson Bay.

During the ‘travelling season’ when mullet, bream and luderick were on the move, Ron joined Jack and Ken Barry on Fingal Beach.

This he did for many years.

Working long hard hours Ron saved what money he earned and purchased the ‘Bosto' off Bernie Thompson for trapping and taking weekend parties out hand lining for snapper and other reef fish.

Unlike modern day charter boat captains Ron couldn’t contain his laughter seeing those in the fishing party get sea sick.

There was always a great deal of drinking before heading to sea, which was considered as preparation for the ‘crew’.

Once on the water Ron would ask the ones showing early signs of seasickness to go down into the blackness of the bilge and blow and suck on the pipe, so that the bilge could be pumped.

A combination of the rolling boat, the smell of the bilge and the rotting fish that had filtered through below deck was enough to send the paying customers a bright shade of green and spend the remainder of the fishing trip “head down bum up” gurgling into the sea.

Although not good for business, Ron thought this was hilarious.

q The Richardson family of commercial fishers have been launching off Boat Harbour beach for years.

IBeam warriors qualify for national championships

By Chris KARAS

WHEN it comes to tactics, endurance, durability and throwing skills in Ultimate Frisbee they don’t come more polished than the Newcastle IBeam mens combination.

Medowie native Tim Hayes is one of the inspirational leaders in this accomplished team that recently finished runners up at the NSW State Championship tournament in Terrigal.

The astute defensive captain, who has represented Australia in Beach Frisbee, was a key figure for the experienced Newcastle side that were pipped 9-7 by Sydney Sunder Slice in this year’s Grand Final.

Hayes along with talented receiver Chris Stoddard, handler Michael Thomas and skilful defender Luke Prosser led the way with superb performances to help IBeam qualify for the National Championships at Ballarat during April.

“The team was determined to make an impression at this year’s national titles,” frisbee warrior and lauded reset handler John Greenfield told News Of The Area.

“Our team is a mix of exciting young talent with experienced campaigners that can lift under pressure,” revealed the former Australian representative.

“We pushed the formidable Sydney Sunder side all the way in the title decider with a wholehearted effort to book a spot at the nationals next month in Victoria,” he added.

The Newcastle outfit chalked up impressive wins over Wollongong

Muree Golf Results

By Lee RANKIN

SATURDAY

2.

3.

4.

C

1.

(12-3) and Sunder Slice (11-8) and suffered a 13-7 loss to Canberra in Pool play before knocking out Equinox (15-6) and rivals Manly (12-8) in the quarter and semi finals phase.

IBeam’s second round victory over the Sunder Slice was the club’s first over their traditional rivals since 2017 with Stoddard, Hayes, Thomas and Prosser making an impact with tireless displays.

Tilligerry Social Golf Club

8/3/24

OUTRIGHT winners.

Brian Riddell & Adam Cowie. 68

Runners up. Bryan Porter & Ed Martin. 67 Ball winners.

Nelson Bay Club Results

3 MARCH – 9 March 2024

Sunday 3 March 2024

Men’s Stableford

Xmas Bush Course

A1 Tony McGee (15) 39

A2 John McCaw (14) 35

B1 Jordan Monin (18) 41

B2 Neil Young (16) 37

C1 Peter Godfrey (32) 38

C2 Josh Davies (32) 37

Ladies Stableford:

Xmas Bush Course

A1 Rhonda Shaw (16) 37

A2 Jenny Frost (9) 36

B1 Glenda McCaw (28) 36c/b

B2 Gretchan Fryar (39) 36

Monday 4 March 2024

Vets Stableford

Div 1

1 Neil Edwards 20

2 Manny Mifsud 19

DIV 2

1 Bob Phipps 20

2 Peter Bowen 21

Tuesday 5 March 2024

Ladies Stab: Brush Box Course

A1 Diana Johnson (22) 39

A2 Julie Walker (22) 38

B1 Janette Oechsle (28) 36

B2 Julie Partridge (27) 35 C/B

C1 Victoria Lalor (33) 32

C2 Pam Norman (38) 31 C/B

Wednesday 6 March 2024

Men’s Stableford:

Xmas Bush Course

A1 Nathan Lilly (13) 40

A2 Neil Edwards (8) 37c/b

A3 John Morgan (13) 37

B1 Wayne Blackley (17) 42

B2 Paul Wheatley (19) 39

B3 Mark Balsarini (22) 38

C1 John Hourigan (25) 43

C2 Flynn O’Malley (29) 42

C3 Steve Jones (26) 35c/b

Men’s Stableford:

Brushbox Course

A1 Rosh Grace (6) 39

A2 Michael Hoare (14) 38

Pythons glide towards finals

By Chris KARAS

THE Port Stephens Pythons will continue their Grand Final charge when they host Merewether this Saturday in a Newcastle District Suburban Division One preliminary

final, with second ranked Waterboard Wests up against Warners Bay.

To reach the preliminary final, Merewether (9-140) ousted journeymen Wests (136) at Connolly Park with top performances from all rounder James Pryde, who scored 50

A3 Jamie Keating (15) 37c/b

B1 Ross Lalor (18) 39

B2 Steven Parrott (17) 37

B3 Steve Fogwill (19) 36c/b

C1 Michael Wojko (25) 38

C2 John Ambrose (35) 36

C3 David O’Brien (31) 35c/b

Men’s Stableford:

Four Ball: Xmas Courses

Overall Winners

1 John Hourigan & Helmut Kollmann 48

2 Nathan Lilly & Tim Chaplin 46c/b

Women’s Stableford:

Brushbox Course

Overall Winner

Catherine Dewar (24) 27

Thursday 7 March 2024

Ladies 4bbb Stableford:

Christmas Bush Course

Overall Winners

1 Frances Yates & Yvonne Barnes 46

runs and grabbed 4-21 off eight overs with the ball and Wests skipper Paul Gauci, who hit 88 off 87 balls with eleven boundaries and three sixes.

Warners Bay batsmen Kayne Bradley (32 not out) and Byron Jensen (31 not out) steered their side to an eight wicket victory over Mary Ellen Mudrats (109) with Jensen (310 off six overs) and quicks Simon

media@newsofthearea.com.au

All four have “huge motors” and played vital roles with their athleticism, stamina and handling skills during the tournament.

Super-fit Stoddard of Raymond Terrace was a stand out and used his jumping and evasive skills to give IBeam the edge while Sunder recruit Thomas proved a weapon with his accurate strike throws.

The tactic nous of Hayes and defensive power of young gun Prosser, an Australian Under 24 representative, and the courage of wounded skipper and champion handler Ryan Davey were

Bob West & Hugh Potts. 62

John Clayton & Matt Baldwin . 61

John McDonald & Ron McKay. 59

Bradman Award.

Bill McMaster & Colin Marsden. D&C7th.

A. Hugh Potts.

B. Bill McMaster

2 Barbara Foy & Susan Blundell 45

3 Margaret Kollmann & Sharan King 42c/b

4 Lorraine Wilcock & Liz Tinkler 42

Men’s Stab:

Christmas Bush Course

Overall winner:

1 Craig Hill (14) 34

Vets Stableford

1 Gary O’Hare 20

2 Warren Cannon 18

Friday 8 March 2024

Men’s Stab: Gymea Lily Course

A1 Aaron Lambert (17) 40

A2 Christopher Gilbert (12) 37 C/B

A3 David Hogan (5) 37

A4 David McGowan (18) 36 C/B

B1 Forster Breckenridge (32) 38

B2 Stuart Manley (32) 37

B3 Bruce Thomas (20) 36 C/B

B4 Alan Stewart (31) 36 C/B

Ladies Stab: Gymea Lily Course

A1 Lynda Le Bas (39) 36

A2 Mary Conway (29) 35

A3 Beth MacDuff (24) 33 C/B

Smith (3-26 off seven) and Matthew White (2-14 off six) creating havoc with the ball.

Port Stephens line up against Warners Bay in a Division Two preliminary final this Saturday after eliminating Nelson Bay Makos in a knockout semi-final at Don Waring Oval.

The Pythons skittled Nelson Bay

instrumental in Newcastle’s State Championship charge.

Stoddard and Davey will represent the Australian Mixed team at the 2004 Ultimate Frisbee World Cup on the Gold Coast in September. Other IBeam players to shine were Melbourne recruits Adrian Lim, Ben Richardson and Sam Jacobs in the defensive line; dynamo receiver and Australian Disc Golf rep Chris Hill; defender Grayson Haynes and offensive line duo Liam Doherty and Nathan Innes. Chris Folkes, Matt Keeley, Bryce Winchester, Tim Lavis and Jake Winchester.

D&C18th.

A. Matt Baldwin.

B. Bryan Porter Money hole.

A. Ron McKay Lucky number.

1. John McDonald

There were 17 starters.

Congratulations to all the winners. Next game 15/3/24 2nd round of Presidents Trophy.

Saturday 9 March 2024

Men’s Stableford:

Gymea Course

A1 Jim Papworth (10) 41

A2 Kyle McElwain (14) 40

A3 Chris Drake (7) 39

B1 Jeremy Ridgeway (19) 42

B2 Glen Shorter (18) 38c/b

B3 Ian Sandy (22) 38

C1 Paul Buckley (27) 40

C2 Bradley Foley (27) 37

C3 Guy Bonfante (32) 34

Men’s Stableford: Brush box Course

A1 John Morgan (13) 43

A2 Brad Rostron (12) 39

A3 Michael Penman (14) 36c/b

B1 Nikhil Pillay (17) 40

B2 John James (23) 37c/b

B3 Craig James (16) 37

C1 Steve Jones (26) 37c/b

C2 Rex Harris (24) 37

C3 Warren Noble (31) 35

Women’s Stableford: Stableford

Overall Winners

1 Julie Newsham (25) 36

2 Linda Drake (18) 30

3 Barbara Frost (17) 28c/b

for 64 with Cameron Wilson snaring 5-12 off six and Tyran Eveleigh bagging 4-22 off seven in a dominant display.

Travis Ling top scored with 21 as Port Stephens (8-65) scrambled to victory in the 25th over despite fine bowling from paceman Matthew Palmer (3-7 off seven) and Ashish Prasher (2-9 off six).

q Port Stephens locals Tim Hayes and Chris Stoddard helped the Newcastle IBeam Mens team secure silver medals at the recent NSW State Ultimate Frisbee Championships at Terrigal. Photo: John Greenfield.

Vincent cracks 97 for Seagulls

By Chris KARAS

ROOKIE first grade batsman Lucas

Vincent has produced a super knock for Stockton and Northern Districts on the eve of the 2023-24 Newcastle District Cricket finals series.

The emerging sixteen-year-old cricketer from Salamander Bay top scored with a classy 97 against fourth ranked Wallsend at his home base at Lynn Oval - just three runs shy of a maiden top grade century.

A determined Vincent cracked eight boundaries and a six during a mature innings that caught the eye of keen judges at the ground.

He faced 172 deliveries and showed the composure and technique that has earned the Nelson Bay junior product representative

honours this summer with the NSW Combined High Schools Under 18s team.

But his efforts were to no avail as Wallsend (277) registered a pulsating thirteen run triumph over the Seagulls in the competition’s final preliminary round.

“I felt good at the crease and was really focused on building partnerships during our run chase,” a chuffed Lucas told News Of The Area.

“It would have been nice to reach triple figures but to achieve my highest score in first grade under pressure will give me a confidence boost for the big matches to come,” said the Year 11 Tomaree High student.

The Seagulls were reeling at

5-54 before the talented Vincent shared a crucial partnerships of 110 for the sixth wicket with Adrian Chad (51), a seventh wicket union of 28 with Nathan Hudson plus an eighth wicket stand of 54 with Newcastle representative skipper Nick Foster (45) to keep Stockton in the hunt.

Vincent was poised to bring up a milestone ton before he was yorked by Tigers quick Patrick Magann while attempting to boost the run rate in a tense afternoon session.

Earlier, Wallsend opening batsman Ryan Brooks smashed an unbeaten 132 off 212 deliveries with fifteen boundaries and a six with Seagulls spinner Hudson returning the excellent figures of 7-86 off 25 overs.

The final result had no bearing on the top four with the Seagulls qualifying in third spot on 63 points ahead of fourth placed Wallsend (57 points).

Minor premiers Charlestown (70 points) square off with Wallsend this weekend at Newcastle Sportsground while the Seagulls face Newcastle City (69 points) in the other Grand Final qualifier.

Friendly ‘grudge match’ for bowling clubs

By Thomas O’KEEFE

BOWLERS from Tea Gardens Palm Lake Resort (PLR) celebrated a narrow victory in their twice-yearly bowls tournament with PLR Fern Bay, held at Tea Gardens on Sunday 3 March.

Palm Lake Tea Gardens hosted their counterparts from Fern Bay in a friendly ‘grudge match’ that has entered its twelfth year, with a total of 64 players competing.

More than two dozen members of the local Tea Gardens PLR cheer squad were also on hand to add their support in what was a veritable ‘David and Goliath’ battle, as Tea Gardens had not won the event for the last four years.

“Fern Bay is a very competitive group, with some bowlers participating in Newcastle pennant

q President of Fern Bay Palm Lake Resort Bowling Club Robert Hill presenting the shield to Doug Webber.

competitions, while Tea Gardens has no such committed bowlers,” Doug Webber, President of Tea Gardens

q Salamander Bay’s Lucas Vincent came close to achieving a maiden first grade century after hitting 97 for Stockton and Northern Districts Cricket Club last weekend.

PLR Bowling Club, told NOTA.

“We have been creeping up on the scoreboard each year, slowly but surely.”

The battle royale is played out ‘club vs club’.

All players’ scores are accumulated into an overall team score for their respective club on the master-board.

“It came down to the last game, the final score was Tea Gardens: 118, Fern Bay: 117,” Mr Webber triumphantly declared.

Afterwards, players from both clubs, and their supporters, enjoyed a very nice lunch of lamb burgers and sweets, put on by the Tea Gardens PLR Bowling Committee.

“The whole event is just a bit of friendship and fellowship, competition between PLR resorts, and also gives our players a reason to be more competitive in their play of the game,” Mr Webber added.

“We've worked hard for this victory, and enjoy sharing our facilities with the other clubs,” Mr Webber said as he accepted the plaque from Robert Hill, President of the Fern Bay PLR Bowling Club.

This will, no doubt, make a nice addition to the trophy wall at Tea Gardens PLR Bowling Club, at least until the next showdown with Fern Bay.

The Club also hosts other Bowling Clubs from other Palm Lake Resort locations as well as retirement villages throughout the year.

Fingal Beach SLSC boat crew win gold

By Simon EKINS

AFTER many years without one, the Fingal Beach Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) now has a boat crew and have just won big at a Masters Championship Carnival.

At the recent Hunter Branch Surf Lifesaving Championships held at Stockton Beach, Fingal Beach won the Gold medal in the Masters Surfboat race event.

Fingal SLSC members Steve Howell, Peter Larkin and sweep Eddie Bergsma (OAM), along with Tea Gardens Hawks Nest SLSC members Jeromy Nolan and John Estens (competition rights transferred to Fingal Beach) won Gold in their surfboat race event on Saturday 24 February, 2024.

“We’re very proud of these

guys, and the same crew will be representing Fingal Beach SLSC at the next Hunter Central Coast Surf Lifesaving ‘Stevens Group’ round 4 Surf Boat Series to be held at

Swansea Belmont this weekend,” said Michelle Edwards, Merchandise and Fundraising Coordinator for Fingal Beach Surf Life Saving Club.

“Good luck and go Fingal SLSC!”

Tanilba Veteran Golfers

By Ian WILLIAMS

TUESDAY 05.03.2024

Player registration from 7.00am, Tee off from 8.00am.

Individual Stableford event.

Player # 31

Welcome to new member Gary Payseno, we hope you enjoy your time with us.

FRONT NINE:

WINNER:

Barry Disch nett 20 pts

RUNNER UP:

Rob McKinney nett 19 pts

BALL WINNERS:

Greg Garvin 14pts

Steve Robards 13 pts

Les Dean 12 pts

Barry Gheraty 9 pts.

NTP:

A Grade: Max Harrison

D & C:

A Grade:

Steve Robards

B Grade: David Enderby

BACK NINE:

WINNER:

John Street 22 nett pts

RUNNER UP:

Barry Sampson nett 18 pts

BALL WINNERS:

Gary Payseno 18 pts

Adam Cowie 17 pts

Andrew Corbett 17 pts

Phil Germon 16 pts

NTP: Not won.

D & C:

A Grade:

Kim Miller

C Grade:

Andrew Corbett

Next week, 12th March, 2BBB Stableford Aggregate playing off the yellow tees.

ATTENTION ALL GOLFERS

TANILBA BAY VETS DO IT BEST

The Tanilba Veterans Golf Club

extends a warm welcome to all current and past players looking for a more relaxed format of our beloved game where mateship and casual competition go together.

We are a group of like minded people, 50yrs or older, with a love of the game, especially during our senior years, with most members, but not all, being retired. We play 9 hole competitions every Tuesday morning, we hope you'll be able to join us for a very relaxed round on a regular basis.

To become a full playing member of the TBVGC we ask for a very low $5.00 annual membership

fee and the payment of $15.00 game fee each round. You are also expected to be a playing member the Tanilba Golf Club, see pro shop for details.

THE TANILBA VETERANS GOLF CLUB ALSO RECOGNISE AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE SERVICE OF CURRENT AND EX MEMBERS OF THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCES (ADF) AND AS SUCH, DO NOT CHARGE JOINING FEES FOR THESE VETERANS.

Contacts:

Fred Drury (President) 0458 845

565

Bill Alexander (Captain) 0452 603 656

q The boat crew ready for action.

q The crew with their medals.

Seals talent pool book spots for State swimming titles

By Chris KARAS

STROUD Seals Swimming Club prospects are reaping the rewards of an intensive training program

at the Lakeside Aquatic complex at Raymond Terrace.

Four of the club’s outstanding prospects - Dan Tatchell, Will Bradshaw, Caitlin McDonald and

Alexander Ford - will compete at this weekend’s NSW Open Swimming Championships in Sydney after impressive performances in the pool this summer.

Fifteen-year-old whiz kids McDonald and Ford clocked personal best times while Tatchell, 22, and seventeen-year-old Bradshaw continue to shine in multiple events.

The promising Ford captured gold in 50m butterfly at the Ripples carnival - clocking his first National qualifying time in the process.

A batch of promising Seals swimmers also left their mark with medal-winning performances at the recent Port Stephens Zone Primary Schools, Speedo Sprint Series and Castle Hill Swimming Carnivals.

“Our squads are benefiting from the hard work they’ve put in at training at Lakeside with personal best times across various swim events and a bagful of medals,” Head Coach Mike Abel told News Of The Area.

“There is so much potential within the group and some get an opportunity to test their skills at State Championship meets over the next fortnight,” quipped Abel.

Rising eleven-year-olds Beau Wheeler, Clair Cousins and Saxon Hayes along with twelve-year-old Valentina Ward have qualified for the NSW State Junior Swimming Championships at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre from March 22.

The talented Hayes was crowned Christian Schools Sports Association

Hunter age champion in the Open Multi Class - breaking three school records that stood for over fifteen years and will compete at the Combined Independent Schools State Championships from March 27.

Wheeler and Cousins and nineyear-old Anthony Ford were also declared age champions after superb performances at the Port Stephens Zone Primary Schools Sports Association carnival.

Cousins shone in the 50m breaststroke - posting a Junior State qualifying time with Ford revelling in several events.

At the Castle Hill meet, the versatile Wheeler clinched gold medals in the 100m breaststroke with a personal best time of 1.93 sec and 50m breaststroke plus bronze in the 50m freestyle.

Georgia McDonald claimed silver in the 13 years 50m butterfly; bronze in the 100m butterfly and registered top ten finishes in 50m and 100m freestyle while Lachlan Webster secured bronze in the 15 years 100m butterfly and top ten finishes in 50m butterfly (PB) and 50m freestyle.

Caitlin McDonald finished fourth in the 200m Individual Medley and 200m breaststroke and achieved personal best times in both the 100m butterfly and 100m freestyle events.

Yachts compete for Peter Collins Memorial trophy

By Marian SAMPSON

THE Port Stephens Yacht Club annual teams race day was held over the weekend, with teams competing to take out the coveted Peter Collins Memorial trophy and prizes.

Yachts of all shapes and sizes were drawn into teams to compete in two races.

One race ran from a start line at Soldiers Point to the ‘Wedding Cake’ marker near the mouth of the Myall River and back.

The second race also trekked

to the mouth of the Myall twice and through Salamander Bay.

The winds at the beginning of the day were reasonably light but strengthened later, with spinnakers flying on the downwind legs.

The annual teams race was the concept of local residents and past members Kay Barnes and Peter Collins.

Port Stephens Yacht Club Vice President Richard Kerr told News Of The Area, “It was a pretty good day of competition.

“It is these past members'

commitment that makes us place such importance on this event and we try very hard to make it a good one.“

Race starter and long time volunteer of the club Heather Atkins said, “Peter and Kaye both worked tirelessly for the club.”

“The boats on the water couldn’t participate in the races without our race starters and the caravan crew.”

The winners of the teams event were the blue team comprising the trimaran Chilli II, the catamaran Subzero and the monohull Sher Khan.

Medowie students take on mountain challenge

By Marian SAMPSON

STUDENTS from Medowie Christian School have taken on an immense challenge, pedalling up a 40 km mountain trail network at Thredbo as part of the school’s Mountain Bike Camp.

Running for the last five years, the camp isn’t just about riding.

The nineteen students who attended this year’s camp were also responsible for cooking and cleaning up, tasks which help build strong bonds between school peers.

The four night camp gave students with varying abilities all kinds of options.

For the adventurous type, there was the ride up the mountain; for the less inclined, there were ski lifts.

No matter which rides the students chose it was all topped off with some more leisurely riding around the town of Jindabyne.

The camp, which stemmed from

the success of a lunchtime activity, has grown to be an incredible draw card for the school with 25 percent of K-12 students involved.

Students are also currently involved in creating their own onsite mountain bike track on the

school grounds.

“I don’t know too many schools that are creating the tracks for the students to ride on,” Principal Daniel Weeks told News Of The Area.

“The mountain bike students get great skills and development in the

sport and build a great community contributing to design and constructing the on site mountain bike track.

“The older students get to work with younger ones and a number of the secondary school students

compete in the sport outside the school environment.”

The on-site track is not only a hit with students enrolled at the school but has also attracted riders from other schools to come and use the track.

q Leading Raymond Terrace swimming coach Mike Abel with talented Stroud Seals Swimming Club juniors Clair Cousins, Anthony Ford and Beau Wheeler.

q The fleet at the start of the sprint to the mark at the mouth of the Myall River. Photo: Marian Sampson.

q Students from Medowie Christian School at the Mountain Bike Camp in Jindabyne.

Auspac Media

Notices

Pets

CHIHUAHUA

puppies. Vaccinated, microchipped. Numerous colours Happy, Healthy, Adorable. Avail 16 Mar 24. Breeder ID B001086744. Contact for photos 0431821075

War Medals

Top prices paid by local collector. Call Jim 0400 060 215

Free

FREE WARDROBE hanging spaces and drawers 0428 943 812

CHAIR recliner, black worn areas on arm 10cm x 6cm & small areas on other arm & lower back. Could be suitable to recover. Ph 0404 035 634 F020224

full pedal board, works well, free to good home 0432 058 522

Found

IPHONE 6 in butterfly case. Found near swimming pool entrance at Lemon Tree Passage on Monday 5/2. Ph 0466 453 681.

For Sale

For Sale

COFFEE/Lamp table

For Sale For Sale

For Sale

GO

Platform

Soliders Point Rd Salamander Bay

For Sale

2 cream leather two seater lounges. $500 each or both for $900 exc cond. 0400 955 778 Re280923

3 OROTON evening purses, collectables from the 1970s, converts from should strap to clutch beautiful cond. Like new Best offers. 49817523

Walnut stained good cond. Top has glass inset 60cm x 60cm H 44cm Magazine shelf at bottom $50. 0430 092 825

COLLECTION of assorted windsurfing gear. Extensions, bases vest, fins etc. $99. Ring 0419 932 992

COSMOPOLITAN

12VOLT 2 tone jack

12 volt wheel brace Twin 100mm saw Ph: 4982 3648

Travelling port, half price, $85 used once 4982 6443

CURLING iron $10 0493 777 707 F150224

BEAM hanging racks pair, powder coated steel grey and rubber Suits use with bicycles or ladders. Never used $50. 0408 431 488

ono. Must sell 0417 664 032 F010224

GOLF buggy, 2nd hand new batteries, new upholstery, GC inc power drive battery charger

6 x 8 volt plug in wall 49872761

MENS valet chair gold vinyl covered seat, hanging back for coats, shirts etc and a tray for the wallet and valuables exc cond. $70 49817523 F140324

SOLD Garage Sale BIBLE

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

CANVAS bag for shopping trolley. $14 4982 8628

CHAISE Lounge Timber, painted white Era 1890s. $100 0418 950 995

CHEFS uniforms, 2 jackets (small), 4 trousers (3 medium, 1 small) 1 cap. $70 for the lot. Ph 0412 783 707

DRESS, New, Short Sleeve, Golden Blue Marble print Size M / Maxi Length Light weight & lined $ 50. 0427 818 294

DRESS, New Sleeveless, Pink/Blue Multicolour Mid length Size M $45 Ph: 0427 818 294

DVD movies incl. drama and westerns, mainly last 5-20 years. Incl 1 TV series 10x10 disks $60 Ph: 02 4966 5000 F180822

ELECTRIC Heaters

1 Electric 700mm x 360mm 2000 watts

1 Oil filled 2400 watts $40 for both. Please ring 0404 724 347 F020622

EXTENSION Cord 25 metres 10 Amps $25 4919 8277 Tea Gardens

FRIDGE, great second fridge, GC. $45 or offer 49979313

HAIR dryer with diffuser new, worth $170, will sell for $15. 0493 777 707 F150224

MODEL trains and track HO gauge locos and rolling stock. Make an offer. 0407 393 489

MUSIC 50’s - 90’s CDs and vinyl 45’s various compilations plus single artists. 02 4966 5000

NEW Mahogany side tables. $100each 0493 777 707 F071223

TV 32 inch with remote all working, no damage $70. 0493 078 190 F080623

VW body parts 3 fan housing engines, plus porsche 356B. 0431 751 651

WHEELY walker, maron seat size 30cm2, holds 100kg, exc cond. $65 0419 970 527

WOMENS vanity bedroom chair, gold velveteen cover with back and round seat with a pleated skirt on wheels, exc cond. $100 49817523

WORK bench 136cm L $100 Ph: 4938 5923

WORLD book encyclopedias, full set Offer. 49979313

HOLDEN Astra car rim and tire tubeless steel belted radial. Size 205 / 55R16 $70 ono. Ph 4981 7523

HOLDEN racing team shirt from early 2020’s Red with insignias of Dunlop, Holden and Coca Cola. Large. $10 4981 7523. F231123

HOME Office, Solid wood Lockable Computer shelving $60.00 Phone Sam 0437 878 155

IKEA Stornas Bar Table GC. $95. 0493 078 190

NEAR new motor cycle helmet . Size XL. Aeroblade 3 Kabuto Japan. $99 Peter 0419932992

NEW 5L water jug with tap. $15.00 Call 0493 078 190

NISSAN GQ Parts:

New hub seals, oil and water pump, and more. Ph 4982 8689

NURSES shoes size 8 ladies, worn once $70ono 0413 401 589

1999 Goldstream Sapphire 201 series. 5m with awning and sides, double bed, sofa gas/elect fridge, stovetop microwave, TV, always garaged with lots of extras. M47529. $17,000 ono. 0488 256 253

2012 Billabong Shearwater with a long list of extras. VGC, always shedded. $38,000 ono X91944 . 0408431323

2016

3 Windsurfer boards and fins, 85 litres. 2.4m long $99. Ring 0419 932 992

COFFEE Capsule machine. Piccolo brand Still in box. Instruction book. Milk frother incl $30. Ph: 0439 252028

selling for $90 ono. Ph 0412 783 707 F140324 IT’S YOUR COMMUNITY, IT’S YOUR PAPER EASTER 2021 EARLY DEADLINES NOTIFICATION Due to Easter Public Holidays we will have early deadlines for the below editions: Friday 2nd April 2021 will be printed and distributed Thursday 1st April 2021 (Booking/Copy/Final approvals will change) Friday 9th April 2021 (Booking/Copy/Final approvals will change) For more information, please contact Gaye gaye@newsofthearea.com.au We wish you all a Happy & Safe Easter from the team at Coffs Coast News Of The Area COFFS COAST EASTER 2024 Due to Easter Public Holidays we will have early deadlines for the below edition: Thursday 4th April 2023 (Booking/Copy/Final approvals will change) For more information, please contact ads@newsofthearea.com.au MYALL COAST PORT STEPHENS Become a donor today. Give life. Give blood. Donated blood can only last 42 days Garage Sale To place a classified ad call 02 4981 8882

FRIDGE/FREEZER in good working cond Hisense, 350L $150 Photos available. Hawks Nest. 0419 444 119

FULL length Driza-Bone wet weather coat. $90 0419 985 601

LADIES Bike 27” New tires and tubes Front basket and back carrier. Geared. $100 0404 292 942

MICROWAVE, new small $100. 0493777707 F150224

MILLARD Horizon 2003 19ft dual axel light weight. Tare 1544. GVM 1944. 2 x 200 solar panels, anderson plug 3 way fridge, queen bed, shower/toilet, full 12 months rego, roll out awning. Non smokers Selling due to update $27,950. Q25752 0418 430 643 Re220824

BEST ON THE BOX

FRIDAY

HAPPY VALLEY

ABC, 8.30pm

After a seven-year wait, the third and final season of this supreme crime thriller lands on free-to-air. Featuring a fascinatingly ordinary protagonist in Yorkshire policewoman Catherine Cawood (played with bewitching emotional dexterity by Sarah Lancashire, pictured), this sterling British whodunnit from Sally Wainwright is a masterclass in character-led drama. In this thrilling six-episode conclusion, it’s seven years later in Cawood’s chaotic life too, with her grandson Ryan (Rhys Connah) now 16.

FRIDAY, March 15

(R) 10.30 That Pacific Sports Show. (R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (PG, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Silent Witness. (Ma, R) 2.00

Of Gods. (Ml, R) 3.00 Cook And The Chef. (R) 3.25 Tenable. (R) 4.15 Antiques Roadshow. (PG, R) 5.10 Grand Designs. (R)

SUNDAY

THE EMERALD ISLES WITH ARDAL O’HANLON

SBS, 7.30pm

Irish comedian Ardal O’Hanlon (pictured) whips off any rose-coloured glasses for this very engaging and witty tour of his homeland. The Death in Paradise playful presenter in this three-part sojourn, airing in full tonight. He employs the dubious wisdom of the 1840’s book Ireland, its Scenery, Character, etc. and Mrs Hall to answer his own question:

”Are we really a bunch of superstitious, god-fearing, whisky-sodden chancers?” Airing for the first time on free-to-air.

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.20 Make Me A Dealer. (R) 10.10 Kew Gardens: Season By Season. 11.00 Food Markets: In The Belly Of The City. (PGa, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Mastermind Aust. (R) 3.00 NITV News: Nula.

3.45 The Cook Up. (R) 4.15 World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

TUESDAY

BETTER DATE THAN NEVER

ABC, 8.30pm

Tonight, Asher is a bundle of nerves ahead of her first date. But when she meets her handsome date

Matt, who arrives with a posy of flowers, and the conversation flows, will her daring move steering the chit-chat into the realm of politics and religion douse the feel-good mood? Allycia’s theme park date is full of fun, but the emotional aftermath has her mum reaching for the tissues. For a complete emotional U-turn, tune into Seven’s frivolous First Dates at 9.30pm for a dose of conventional, superficial dating

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG)

11.30 Seven Morning News.

12.00 MOVIE: Happily Never After. (2022, Masv)

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Johanna Griggs and Charlie Albone continue their journey to the Cassowary Coast. 7.30 Football. AFL. Round 1. Collingwood v Sydney. From the MCG. 10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews.

11.15 Armchair Experts. (M) A panel discusses all things AFL.

12.00 Miles In Front. (PGa, R) A look into the world of Australian horse racing. 2.00 The Arrangement. (Mav, R)

3.00 Home Shopping. 4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

NBC Today.

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 2. Penrith Panthers v Parramatta Eels.

9.55 Golden Point.

10.45 NRL: Penrith Panthers Undisputed. (PGl, R)

12.20 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.20 Pointless. (PG, R)

2.20 The Garden

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Contestants compete in a high-stakes game where they must beat The Banker to win a cash prize.

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

7.30 Ready Steady Cook. Hosted by Miguel Maestre.

8.30 The Graham Norton Show. (Ml) Irish comedian Graham Norton presents the first of two compilations of highlights from the recent series.

10.50 Fire Country. (Mv, R) A delivery truck crashes into the fire station.

11.40 The Project. (R)

12.40 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

SATURDAY, March 16

ABC TV (2)

6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 Weekend Breakfast.

9.00 Rage. (PG) 12.00 News. 12.30 Death

In Paradise. (PG, R) 1.30 Miniseries: Life After Life. (Mas, R) 2.40 Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery. (R) 3.10 Extraordinary Escapes. (PG, R) 4.00 Universe With Brian Cox. (R)

5.00 Better Date Than Never. (R)

5.30 Landline. (R)

6.00 Australian Story: Call Of Duty – Anjali Sharma. (R)

6.30 Back Roads: East Arnhem Land, NT Pt 2. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Miniseries: Life After Life. (Mav) Part 2 of 4.

8.25 Endeavour. (Mav, R) Part 1 of 3. A grisly discovery in a college garden raises suspicion among a celebrated Oxford orchestra.

10.00 House Of Gods. (PGl, R) Isa struggles to meet his financial commitment.

11.00 Happy Valley. (Malv, R)

12.00 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.15 Love Your Garden. (PGa, R) 10.10 Vintage Voltage. (PGl) 11.00

Urban Conversion. (R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Gymnastics. Artistic Apparatus World Cup. H’lights. 4.00 France: A Journey Through Time. (R) 5.00 Grand Tours Of

Scotland’s Rivers. (PG, R) 5.35 WWII Women On The Frontline. (PGav)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Britain’s Most Beautiful Road. (PGa)

8.30 Royal Crisis: Countdown To Abdication. (PGa)

9.30 The Wonders Of Europe. (PGav, R)

10.30 Those Who Stayed. (Mal)

11.10 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Milan-San Remo.

3.30 Face To Face. (Ma, R)

4.25 Bamay. (R)

4.55 Destination Flavour: Japan Bitesize. (R)

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

6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise.

10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. (PG)

12.00 Horse Racing. The All-Star Mile and Chandon Ladies Day.

5.00 Seven News At 5.

5.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R) A man makes a shocking confession.

7.30 MOVIE: Ford V Ferrari. (2019, Ml, R) American car designer Carroll Shelby and driver Ken Miles try to build a race car for Ford so they can defeat Ferrari. Matt Damon, Christian Bale.

10.35 MOVIE: Baby Driver. (2017, MA15+v, R) A getaway driver gets involved in a doomed heist. Ansel Elgort.

1.00 The Arrangement. (Mav, R)

2.00 Home Shopping.

4.00 Get Clever. (R)

5.00 House Of Wellness. (PG, R)

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.00 Today Extra: Saturday. (PG) 12.00

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Space Invaders. (PG)

8.30 MOVIE: Jason Bourne. (2016, Mav, R)

10.55 MOVIE: Into The Blue 2: The Reef. (2009, MA15+sv, R)

12.45 Abby’s. (PG, R)

1.10 Renovate Or Rebuild. (R)

2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PGa)

2.30 Getaway. (PG, R)

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R)

Hosted by Grant Denyer.

6.30 The Dog House Australia. (PG, R) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith.

7.40 The Dog House. A couple dream of very different dogs.

8.40 Ambulance Australia. (Mad, R) NSW Ambulance crews race to a call for a slashed throat and perform life-saving CPR on teens.

9.40 Ambulance UK. (Ma, R)

The ambulance service calls for help.

10.55 So Help Me Todd. (PGv, R)

11.50 FBI: International. (Md, R)

12.30 Home Shopping. (R)

5.00 Hour Of Power.

6am Lola. Continued. (1961, PG, French) 7.10 A Handful Of Dust. (1988, PG) 9.20 Driving Miss Daisy. (1989) 11.10 American Hustle. (2013, M) 1.40pm A River Runs Through It. (1992, PG) 3.55 The Falcons. (2018, PG, Icelandic) 5.50 Mr Holland’s Opus. (1995)

SUNDAY, March 17

ABC TV (2)

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.00 Offsiders.

10.30 World This Week. (R) 11.00 Compass. (PG, R) 11.30 Praise. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. 1.30 Gardening Aust. (R) 2.30 Dream Gardens. (R) 3.00 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.30 Cook And The Chef. (R) 3.55 Grand Designs NZ. (PG, R) 4.40 Extraordinary Escapes. (PG, R) 5.30 The ABC Of... (PG, R)

6.00 Anh’s Brush With Fame. (PG, R)

6.30 Compass. (PGa)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Death In Paradise. (Mv) A former children’s home resident is murdered.

8.30 House Of Gods. (Mls) Batul’s politicking is interrupted by the possibility of motherhood.

9.30 Happy Valley. (Malv, R) A body is found in a drained reservoir.

10.30 A Life In Ten Pictures. (PGln, R)

11.20 Harrow. (Final, Mav, R)

12.15 Significant Others. (Madl, R)

1.05 Rage Vault. (MA15+adhlnsv)

4.05 Catalyst. (PG, R)

5.00 Insiders. (R)

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.10 Vintage Voltage. (PGl) 11.00 Urban Conversion. (R) 12.00

WorldWatch. 12.30 PBS Washington Week

With The Atlantic. 12.55 Starblasters Cricket. (R) 1.00 Speedweek. (R) 2.30 Volleyball. Australian Beach Tour. Gold medal matches. 4.30 Cycling. Paris-Nice. H’lights. 5.30 Lisbon & WWII: Spies, Gold And Diplomacy. (PGa)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 The Emerald Isles With Ardal O’Hanlon. (PGa) Part 1 of 3.

10.30 Pompeii: The Origins. (Mv, R)

11.30 Egypt’s Lost City of Canopus. (PG, R)

12.25 Spain’s Secret Conquest. (Mav, R)

2.45 Chernobyl: The New Evidence. (PGa, R)

3.40 Grayson Perry: Divided Britain. (Ml, R)

4.35 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.15 France 24 Feature.

5.30 Al Jazeera News.

VICELAND (31)

6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise.

10.00 Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 House Of Wellness. (PG, R) 1.00 To Be Advised.

3.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)

4.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R)

5.00 Seven News At 5.

5.30 Sydney Weekender.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Australian Idol. (PGl) Hosted by Ricki-Lee and Scott Tweedie.

8.30 Lockerbie. (PGav) Part 1 of 4. Documents the investigation into the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.

10.30 Quantum Leap. (Return, Mav)

11.30 Autopsy USA: Gilda Radner. (Ma)

12.30 MOVIE: Jesse Stone: Death In Paradise. (2006, Masv, R)

2.30 Home Shopping.

3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Seven Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

7TWO (62)

9GO! (83)

Planet Shapers. (R) 1.30 Cook With Luke. (R) 2.00 4x4 Adventures. (PGl) 3.00 Taste Of Aust. (R) 3.30 Farm To Fork. (R) 4.00 My Market Kitchen. (R) 4.30 GCBC. (R) 5.00 News.

6.30 The Sunday Project.

A look at the day’s news.

7.30 Australian Survivor. (PG) With only days remaining, someone’s in the firing line and another must make an impossible choice.

8.40 NCIS: Hawai’i. (Mv, R) After ransomware is used to cause the controls on a dam to malfunction, Ernie is tasked with finding the culprit.

10.40 FBI: International. (Mv, R)

The fly team chases a tech tycoon.

11.30 The Sunday Project. (R)

A look at the day’s news.

12.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

9GO! (83)

7.30 Murder In Big Horn. 8.30 The Song Keepers. 10.00 Late Programs.

MONDAY, March 18

ABC TV (2)

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Landline.

(R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (PG, R) 12.00

News. 1.00 Australia Remastered. (R)

2.00 Parliament Question Time.

3.00 The Cook And The Chef. (R)

3.25 Tenable. (R)

4.10 Antiques Roadshow. (PG, R)

5.10 Grand Designs. (R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Peer To Peer. (R) 9.30 Make Me A Dealer. (R) 10.20 Kew Gardens: Season By Season. 11.10 Food Markets: In The Belly Of The City. (PGa, R) 12.10 WorldWatch. 2.00 Blitz Spirit With Lucy Worsley. (PGav, R)

3.45 The Cook Up. (R) 4.15 World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys. (PG, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R)

5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGad) Roo proceeds with caution.

7.30 Australian Idol. (PGl) Hosted by Ricki-Lee and Scott Tweedie.

8.30 The Irrational. (Mav) Alec agrees to testify as an expert witness in a wrongful death trial for a

ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Deal Or No

Hosted by Grant Denyer.

6.30 The Project.

7.30 Australian Survivor. (PG) With only the final four contestants remaining, tensions are on the rise as deals are exposed.

8.40 FBI: Most Wanted. (MA15+v, R) The team searches for a businessman wanted for murder and an embezzlement scheme.

11.30 The Project. (R)

12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

1.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.

9GO! (83)

6am Beauty

And The Beast. Continued. (2014, PG, French) 7.25

Mr Holland’s Opus. (1995, PG) 10.05 La La Land. (2016, M) 12.25pm Sex, Lies And Videotape. (1989, M) 2.20 The Man Who Knew Too Little. (1997, PG)

4.05 About Elly. (2009, PG, Persian) 6.15

TUESDAY, March 19

ABC TV (2)

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Foreign Correspondent. (R) 10.30 One Plus One. (a, R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Call The Midwife. (PG, R) 2.00 Parliament. 3.00 Cook And The Chef. (R) 3.25 Tenable. (R)

4.15 Antiques Roadshow. (PG, R)

5.10 Grand Designs. (PG, R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.20 Make Me A Dealer. (R) 10.10 Kew Gardens: Season By Season.

11.00 Food Markets: In The Belly Of The City. (PGa,

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Who Do You Think You Are? (PGa, R)

8.30 Insight.

9.30 Dateline.

10.00 SBS World News Late.

10.30 Railway Journeys UK. (R)

11.05 Blackout: Tomorrow Is Too Late. (Mlv) 12.00 Miniseries: Bonnie And Clyde. (MA15+av, R) 12.40 Trom. (Malv, R) 3.10

Grayson Perry’s Rites Of Passage. (Mal, R)

4.05 Bamay. (R) 4.45 Destination Flavour: Singapore Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal.

Hosted by Grant Denyer.

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

7.30 Australian Survivor. (Final, PG) Presented by Jonathan LaPaglia.

9.15 Aaron Chen Comedy Special. (PGal) A stand-up comedy performance of Aaron Chen’s If Weren’t Filmed, NobodyWouldBelieve show.

10.15 NCIS. (Mdv, R) A navy commander is killed.

12.00 The Project. (R)

1.00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.

9GO! (83)

League. Salford Red Devils v Wigan Warriors. Replay. 12.15am Late Programs.

WEDNESDAY, March 20

ABC TV (2)

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Four Corners.

(R) 10.45 Q+A. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Press Club. 1.35 Media Watch. (PG, R)

2.00 Parliament Question Time.

3.00 The Cook And The Chef. (R)

3.25 Tenable. (R)

4.15 Antiques Roadshow. (PG, R)

5.10 Grand Designs. (R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Destination Flavour. (R) 9.20 Make Me A Dealer. (R) 10.10 Kew

Gardens: Season By Season. 11.00 Food

Markets: In The Belly Of The City. (PGa, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Dateline. (R) 2.30

Insight. (R) 3.45 The Cook Up. (R) 4.15 World’s

Most Scenic Railway Journeys. (R) 5.05

Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Australia’s Sleep Revolution. (PGa)

8.30 Jimmy Carr’s I Literally Just Told You. (Premiere, M)

9.30 Kin. (Final, MA15+alv)

10.25 SBS World News Late.

10.55 Blinded. (Malns)

11.45 The Wall: The Chateau Murder. (Mal)

3.05 Grayson Perry’s Rites Of Passage. (Ms, R)

4.00 Bamay. (R)

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

THURSDAY, March 21

TV (2)

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Aust Story. (R) 10.30 Compass. (PGa, R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (PG, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Whale With Steve Backshall. (R) 2.00 Parliament.

3.00 The Cook And The Chef. (R)

3.25 Tenable. (R)

4.15 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

5.15 Grand Designs. (R)

8.00 Foreign Correspondent.

8.30 Grand Designs New Zealand. (PG)

9.20

10.20

10.50

12.05

1.55 Tenable. (R) 2.40 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

4.30 Catalyst. (PG, R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

6.00 Morning Programs. 9.45 Make Me A Dealer. (R) 10.35 Kew Gardens: Season By Season. 11.25 Vanitas. 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Surviving An American Concentration

Camp. (Ma) 3.00 Where Are You Really From? (PG, R) 3.45 The Cook Up. (R) 4.15 World’s

Most Scenic Railway Journeys. (PGa, R) 5.05

Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Bettany Hughes: The Silk Road Treasures.

8.30 Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy. (PGl)

9.20 The Vanishing Triangle. (Malv)

10.10 SBS World News Late.

10.40 Illegals. (Premiere, Malv)

11.40 Unseen. (Maln, R)

3.25 Grayson Perry’s Rites Of Passage. (Mas, R)

4.20 Bamay. (R)

4.50 Destination Flavour Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 11.30 Seven Morning News. 12.00 MOVIE: My Life As A Dead Girl. (2015, Masv, R)

2.00 The Chase. (R)

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away.

7.30 The 1% Club. (Final, PGls)

8.35 The Front Bar. (Ml) Takes a lighter look at all things AFL.

9.35 Crime Investigation Australia: The Cangai Siege. (MA15+alv, R)

A look at the 1993 Cangai siege. 11.05

(PGa, R) 1.35

Practice. (R)

6.00

GCBC. 3.30 10 News First: Afternoon. 4.00 Neighbours. (PGa) 4.30 Bold. (PGlv) 5.00 News.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer.

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

7.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith. 8.40 Ambulance Australia. (Ma) NSW Ambulance delivers a baby and saves a four-year-old with a critical heart condition.

9.40 FBI: International. (Mav) The FBI Fly Team heads to Austria to find an American teen who was kidnapped as a child.

12.30 The Project. (R)

1.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 2.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.

6am Seaway. 7.00 Creflo.

7.30 Skippy. 8.00 TV Shop. 10.30 Pointless. 11.30

My Favorite Martian. Noon Days Of Our Lives. 12.55

The Young And The Restless. 1.50 Explore. 2.05

Dr Quinn. 3.05 Antiques Roadshow. 3.35 MOVIE:

Spring In Park Lane. (1948) 5.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 As Time

Goes By. 8.40 Midsomer Murders. 10.40 Forensics:

Catching The Killer. 11.40 Late Programs.

9GO! (83)

6.00

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGads)

7.30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly. (PG) Hosted by Graeme Hall.

8.30 America’s

6am

6.00 Morning Programs. 9.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 10.00 GCBC. (R) 10.30 Judge Judy. (PG, R) 11.00 Dr Phil. (PGa, R) 12.00 10 News First: Midday. 1.00 Ent. Tonight. 1.30 Judge Judy. (PG, R) 2.00 Dr Phil. (Mas, R)

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer.

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

7.30 The Dog House Australia. (PG) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith. 8.40 Gogglebox Australia. TV fanatics open up their living rooms to reveal their reactions to popular and topical TV shows.

9.40 Law & Order: SVU. (Mav, R) The team joins forces with Elliot Stabler. 10.30 Blue Bloods. (Mv, R)

11.30 The Project. (R)

12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.

Soccer. A-League Men. Round 21. Perth Glory v Western Sydney Wanderers. Highlights. 8.30

Murder. 9.30 Jake And The Fatman. 10.30 JAG. 12.30pm In The Dark. 1.30 NCIS. 2.30

And The Fatman. 3.30 Diagnosis Murder. 5.30 JAG. 7.30 Soccer. AFC 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. Second round. Australia v Lebanon. 10.30 NCIS: New Orleans. 11.25 Late Programs.

9GO! (83)

Triathlon for all

By Simon EKINS

THE women's Finish Lines Not Finish Times event last week at Soldiers Point saw around 50 participants complete the races on offer.

The event was free and fully supported by the Tomaree Tri Club and Triathlon NSW.

“What a successful day,” Club President Terry Withers said, “congratulations to all who took part and volunteered during this wonderful local achievement.”

Proceedings began at 6:30am, starting with the swim phase, followed by the bicycle phase, and ending with the running phase.

First across the line was Hayley Lyall, closely followed by Min-Ting Chang and Emma Cram.

Not everyone had to take part in all the phases and all participants were awarded a finishers medal.

Bannisters Resort Port Stephens also sponsored the event and provided participants and supporters with a post-race catered breakfast in the Cheeky Dog bar, whilst Evado Studios of Nelson Bay provided race day giveaways.

For information about the club and upcoming events go to www.tomareetriclub.org.au

q Justine Hourihan of Nelson Bay.

Photo: Danny James.