Port Stephens News Of The Area 18 April 2024

Community forum discusses forces undermining action on climate change

forces undermining action on climate change.

Dr Diesendorf, an Honorary Associate Professor in Environment and Society at the University of NSW, was guest speaker at the community forum conducted by EcoNetwork-Port Stephens and the Renew Hunter Region Branch.

The experienced environmental campaigner told attendees that climate change, nuclear war, poverty and social inequality were existential threats facing civilisation.

Dr Diesendorf called on communities to form alliances to combat these challenges.

“These alliances are needed to curb the driving forces causing climate change, pollution, resource depletion, deforestation, war, poverty, social injustice and ill health,” he said.

Dr Diesendorf shared concerns that groups driven by vested interests had participated in “capture” of the nation-state: of government, opposition, public service, media, and, in some cases, police and military.

He said ‘captors’ include

the multinational fossil fuel, forestry, armaments, finance, property, pharmaceutical and gambling industries, as well as some religious organisations and professions.

“State capture can lead to environmental destruction, social inequality, autocracy, illness and war,” he said.

“Dismantling state capture aids democracy and democratic decision making.”

He said the methods of ‘state capture’ that need dismantling include political donations and election expenditure, revolving door jobs, concentrated media ownership, social media campaigns, think tanks like the Institute of Public Affairs and the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, and unpublicised meetings between politicians and lobbyists.

“While local community action has benefits like community education and empowerment through local projects including renewable energy and cooperatives, local and individual action alone cannot change the system,” he said.

“Government decides on infrastructure, urban and land-use planning, pollution control, standards, public

facilities, taxes and rules for banks.”

Dr Diesendorf said alliances can adopt tactics like non-violent obstruction, strikes, boycotts, demonstrations, public education, media and social media, lobbying and legal actions.

He mentioned that in NSW penalties of $22,000 or two years jail existed for illegal protests that disrupt economic activity.

In South Australia you can be fined $50,000 or receive three-months jail time for ‘obstructing a public space’.

Dr Diesendorf argues these extreme penalties undermine democracy.

“The dominant economic system is based on the exploitation of the planet and its people and is also undemocratic.

“It is a tool of state capture by vested interests.

“It is driven by the ideology that endless growth in consumption of energy, materials and land, and population, on a finite planet, is possible and desirable.

“However,” he said, “beyond a certain level, additional consumption doesn’t improve happiness or well-being.

“Growth in consumption delays the substitution of

clean technologies for dirty technologies.”

Dr Diesendorf advocated transitioning to a steady state economy with ecological sustainability and social justice as the priorities.

The Port Stephens community has a long and strong history of advocating for the environment with continued efforts in place to preserve Tomaree Headland for the use of the community and a bid to have the Mambo Wanda Wetlands RAMSAR listed.

However the most divisive issue facing the community and its pristine environment at present is the proposed Hunter offshore wind zone.

q Dr Mark Diesendorf at the community forum hosted by EcoNetwork.

q Forum attendees at the Tomaree Community Centre.

q A smoking ceremony was offered by Worimi traditional owners.

handed back more than 4,200 hectares of land at Stockton Bight to registered Worimi owners to establish the popular Worimi Conservation Lands (WCL) in partnership with the NPWS.

The WCL Board of Management, which manages Worimi Conservation Lands in partnership with NPWS, funded half of the construction costs.

“Establishing a purposebuilt office and depot on Worimi Conservation Lands has been a dream for the Board since the first board began the journey in 2008,” said Jamie Tarrant, Chair of the Board of Management for the Worimi Conservation Lands.

“The Board have wanted

to create a space the Worimi community could be proud of; where our staff can succeed and grow.

“In designing this space, we wanted to have the next generation aspire and be proud to work for NPWS.

“The Worimi Conservation Lands Board are delighted to partner with NSW NPWS to deliver the first office and depot of its kind in NSW.

“We now have a place to come together and deliver our work in caring for Worimi Country.” The NPWS office and depot was purpose-built on Worimi Conservation Lands, consolidating office and field-based operations that were formerly separate, while servicing future park management needs and

reducing response time for incidents such as bushfires.

More than 20 national parks and conservation areas are managed by the NPWS Hunter Coast area, and the new facility will enhance team communication, coordination, work efficiency and safety.

The new Hunter Coast Area office and depot will also establish a vital ‘home base’ for Worimi Conservation Land board meetings, with the building incorporating energy efficiency and other sustainability measures.

Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington was in Anna Bay for the building’s opening.

“In Port Stephens, we are proud of our national parks, and especially the

q The new facility at Anna Bay.

world renowned Worimi Conservation Lands,” she said.

“This new combined office and depot space means all staff are on the one site to work more effectively to protect and manage our precious environments that are so special to the Hunter/ Central Coast.

“This project is the culmination of many years of meaningful collaboration between local NPWS staff and the Worimi Conservation Lands Board - all involved are to be congratulated for their ongoing commitment to caring for country.”

Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment Trish Doyle, also in town for the opening, commended the combined efforts of the NPWS and traditional owners.

“It was a privilege to gather in this extraordinary place and celebrate not only the logistical benefits of this new premises but also, the opportunity to strengthen the part Aboriginal communities play in protecting their cultural heritage.

“The collaboration between NPWS and the Worimi Conservation Lands

ANZAC DAY

THURSDAY 25TH APRIL, 2024

Board of Management sets a shining example of what’s possible and I’d like to think this model can be replicated in other areas of the state.”

The Worimi Conservation Lands Board manages Aboriginal-owned Worimi Conservation Lands park to protect the natural and cultural values of the Stockton Bight landscape, while providing public access and promoting safe, sustainable recreational and commercial use.

The new office is on the Worimi Conservation Lands at 4154 Nelson Bay Road, Anna Bay.

Nelson Bay RSL sub-Branch will host ANZAC Day as detailed below.

All veterans and members of the public are invited to attend.

FRY BROS

medals and their partners ($20) Child ($10).

• TICKETS now on sale at WESTS Diggers Reception. Note that RSL NSW Membership or Service ID card required.

Golf Club named finalists in sustainability award

By Marian SAMPSON

THE team at Nelson Bay Golf Club are celebrating after being nominated as finalists in the Environmental Sustainability category of the 2024 Clubs NSW Clubs & Community Awards.

“Our submission, titled ‘Putting Nature First’, showcased Nelson Bay Golf Club's work for the environment in our community,” the Golf Club’s Brooke Ross told News Of The Area.

“The submission included our course maintenance team's work using Nanobubble technology and hybrid machinery.”

The club is home to a team of dedicated volunteers who work in gardens, on renewable paths, and coordinate recycling initiatives.

“We also included our work with Port Stephens Koala Hospital in rehoming injured koalas and our Kangaroo Tours.”

The tours are run daily by appointment, conducted by a knowledgeable club volunteer working with the University of Sydney and Nelson Bay Golf Club in kangaroo management and research.

“We were lucky enough to receive support for our submission from Kate Washington, Member for Port Stephens, and the Port Stephens Koala Hospital.

“We are incredibly proud of each component that makes up our Putting Nature First submission and proud to be recognised as a finalist,” Brooke said.

The Nelson Bay Golf Club is a stunningly

beautiful 27-hole golf course which also serves as a community hub.

Regular events at the club support local charities, including the Billy Angel Golf Classic which supports the

Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service and the upcoming Rotary Club of Salamander Bay Golf Day and Family of League Golf Day.

The natural beauty of the club's grounds has seen

it and its wildlife become an important part of many weddings and special events. The club currently has around 8,000 members and 70 volunteers.

Looking to dispose of e-waste?

A permanent skip bin is available for residents to drop off e-waste only loads for no charge, at both Raymond Terrace and Salamander Bay. Mixed loads with e-waste within the load will still incur a fee.

q Eastern Grey kangaroos are regulars on the Nelson Bay Golf Course. Photo: Henk Tobbe.

q Some of the proud staff at Nelson Bay Golf Club.

The contribution of ANZAC Jack Bartlett

By Marian SAMPSON

WORLD War II turned ordinary blokes from across the country into heroes.

Some survived, many did not.

Jack (John Edwin) Bartlett, the sixth of seven children in the family, was born on 29 November 1923 in the New South Wales town of Ganmain.

Like many of his peers, Jack attempted to enlist in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) when war was declared in 1939, but was rejected as he was only sixteen-years-old.

Three years later he was again rejected by the RAN on the grounds that, as a child of the Depression, he was considered ‘too slight’ and underweight for the rigorous life of a seaman.

However Jack was not to be deterred and he successfully enlisted in the Army in January 1942.

His persistence to join the RAN was finally rewarded in September 1942 when he transferred to the RAN Reserve at Port Melbourne as Ordinary Seaman (Gunnery Rating) O/N PM 5078.

His life, like many others, was turned upside down when he served his country during WWII.

Jack served on the Manoora, a ship based at HMAS Assault, the Nelson Bay training base during WWII.

The Manoora was an armed merchant cruiser which was converted to an infantry landing ship.

Jack is the last surviving Manoora crewman.

Jack joined HMAS

Manoora as a member of the aft 4-inch (100mm) gun crew.

Between March and October 1943, HMAS Manoora operated primarily in the Port Stephens area, supporting amphibious assault training for Australian and US Army troops at HMAS Assault.

Jack has fond memories of his time in Port Stephens, particularly his interactions with troops from the 1st Dismounted Texas Cavalry regiment.

The Tomaree Museum Association (TMA) interviewed Jack about his time in service, creating a valuable and lasting oral history of his experience serving in the Pacific and his time at Nelson Bay.

"It was a privilege to talk to Jack Bartlett about his life and service in the defence of

q The Manoora on which Jack served.

q A youthful Jack Bartlett during his service to the Royal Australian Navy.

our country,” TMA chairman Doug Cross, who interviewed Jack, told News Of The Area.

“He is a humble, down-toearth bloke, and above all, the quintessential Aussie hero.”

The video recording includes a graphic first-hand description of the Manoora being targeted by a Japanese kamikaze aircraft that narrowly missed and crashed in the sea nearby.

The war in the Pacific took place between Japan and the Allies from 1941 to 1945 in a campaign that took place in east and south-east Asia, and the Pacific Ocean.

The Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army, and Royal Australian Air Force

were engaged in areas including Malaya, Singapore, Timor, Milne Bay, New Guinea, Borneo, Bougainville, Guadalcanal, and the Coral Sea.

WWII saw the ANZAC tradition of determination, grit and mateship cemented further into the country’s DNA.

For some war in the Pacific meant defending our coastline; for others it was enduring the Kokoda Trail.

Others like Jack Bartlett came under attack at sea.

The Second World War cost 39,657 Australians their lives and many more were wounded.

Jack’s active service life

q Jack Bartlett aged 100.

continued when he became a permanent member of the RAN as Able Seaman O/N 32361.

He then spent the next six years involved in efforts to locate and destroy the numerous unexploded bombs and sea-mines in the waters around northern Australia, PNG and the Solomon Islands.

He also served as a Petty Officer aboard HMAS Australia in 1952-53 prior to taking up Torpedo and AntiSubmarine duties (TAS) at HMAS Rushcutter in Sydney.

Jack retired from the RAN in September 1954 and saw out his working life with large logistics and manufacturing companies based in Sydney.

Join us tomorrow at Blueheath retirement village in Medowie for our grand open day event! Be one of the first to own a stunning new home in our stage six release. Enjoy a light lunch, drinks, and a tour of our beautiful clubhouse and display homes.

Come and experience the maintenancefree lifestyle in this wonderful village. Don’t miss this incredible chance to start a new life at Blueheath in Medowie.

$5000 moving package*

Available to those attending the Open Day and placing a deposit on a stage 6 home before the end of May 2024.

Register at blueheath.com.au

Tracey Tancred takes out Easter Show win

By Marian SAMPSON

PORT Stephens resident

Tracey Tancred has taken out first place for her craftsmanship at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

In a celebration of traditional craftsmanship, Tracey, a dedicated member of Port Stephens Community Arts Centre’s Spinning and Weaving group, clinched the coveted win with an exquisite handcrafted shawl.

“Tracey was competing in Class 0176, which focused on items made using handspun/ plied yarn, where Tracey's entry stood out among ten others, earning recognition not only for its beauty but also for its exceptional quality,”

Meryl Miller from the Port Stephens Community Arts Centre told News Of The Area.

Tracey's journey to

creating this masterpiece was a labour of love, spanning many hours and showcasing her remarkable patience and skill.

Using raw Merino fleece, she meticulously washed and combed the fibres before spinning and plying them on her spinning wheel, resulting in a stunning 1400 metres/100g of yarn.

This process took Tracey about two weeks.

“Then employing traditional Estonian lace techniques, Tracey knitted the shawl using the intricate ‘Silvia’ pattern, hailing from Haapsalu, Estonia.

“Tracey was inspired by the rich history of these shawls, also known as ‘wedding ring shawls’, and Tracey's attention to detail and craftsmanship shines through in every stitch.”

One of the hallmarks

q The first place winning entry with its Royal Easter Show ribbon.

of Estonian lace shawls is their delicacy, with the finest examples being able to pass through a wedding ring.

While Tracey's shawl has yet to undergo this test,

its fine quality and exquisite design speak volumes about her dedication and expertise.

For Tracey, knitting the shawl was a monthlong labour of passion and

q The shawl being modelled at the Port Stephens Community Arts Centre.

commitment, culminating in a well-deserved triumph at the prestigious Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Her achievement not only highlights the beauty of traditional craftsmanship but also serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of handmade artistry in today's world.

Eighteen search and rescue missions completed in March

MARINE Rescue NSW’s 3,400 volunteers across the state were in high demand last month, responding to the organisation’s busiest March on record.

With favourable boating weather last month, Marine Rescue NSW crews performed an incredible 515 search in rescue missions with 115 of

those conducted between Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Across the eight Hunter and Central Coast units, volunteers completed 38 search and rescue missions including 39 emergency responses, with 300 people safely returned to shore.

Eighteen search and rescue missions were completed in Port Stephens.

“Across the state our volunteers safely returned almost 1,200 people to shore with our Sydney region being the busiest with 538 people returned to shore,” Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Alex Barrell said.

The Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner said 168 of last

month’s record 515 search and rescue missions were emergency responses.

“Unfortunately we are still seeing too many boaters and their vessels succumb to mechanical, fuel and battery issues with 60 percent of responses last month for these three preventable issues,” he said.

q Eighteen search and rescue missions were completed in Port Stephens last month.

Businesses invited to take part in ‘Health Check’

PORT STEPHENS businesses have an opportunity to have a say on what’s working and what they’d like to see improved as part of the Port Stephens Business Health Check.

Running during April 2024, the online survey takes just ten minutes to complete and provides Council with a valuable snapshot of the current business environment.

Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer is encouraging business owners and managers to take part.

“We’ve been back in business after COVID for almost two years now, so we’re interested to know how business has bounced back and identify opportunities or issues to address moving forward,” Mayor Palmer said.

“Our Business Health

Check is the perfect opportunity for us to connect with our business community and make sure we’re planning for the future in a way that reflects their needs.

“We’ll use the feedback to help us prioritise actions in the upcoming review of our Economic Development Strategy and advocate for more funding, investment and programs that benefit local business.

“The more we know about local businesses, the better decisions we can make to support and grow our economy,” he said.

Council’s Economic Development Specialist Deb Rodden says the last survey provided invaluable data to help create positive change for business.

“In our 2021 survey, we heard businesses wanted more professional development opportunities and to focus on environmental issues and future innovation.

“They also felt we could engage more with our local schools to secure our future workforce,” Ms Rodden said.

“We received 250 responses, and in conjunction with boarder community consultation, we used this feedback to inform a review of the Port Stephens Economic Development Strategy.

“The outcomes of this consultation laid the groundwork for our Economic Development Strategy 2021 to 2025, providing clear goals, and identifying opportunities and challenges to help create a blueprint for growth.

“To deliver on key focus areas of the Strategy we’ve delivered projects like Mayoral Academic Scholarships, shop local campaigns, learning sessions to help businesses pitch for major contracts and helping businesses connect with future workforce via the University of Newcastle and our schools,” Ms Rodden added.

The Port Stephens Business Health Check is open until Tuesday 30 April.

“Whatever your business – whether you’re operating out of your home or a multinational company – we want to hear from you,” said Ms Rodden.

q Local business owners and managers are encouraged to take part.

“The more businesses that participate, the more we learn and the more we can help – so if you’re in business in Port Stephens, then get involved,” she added.

For more information and to complete the Business Health Check visit pscouncil. info/business-health-check

Job opportunities and emergency preparedness

By Thomas O’KEEFE

Attendees had the chance to learn local traditions, particularly basket weaving, from the respected Elders.

“Cultural immersion of this kind allowed not only greater insight into traditional practices, but also helped to build a sense of unity and connection within the community,” a Red Cross spokesperson said.

Australian Red Cross representatives underscored

A ‘SAFER Together’ community lunch was held by the Australian Red Cross and Pacific National, partnering with the First Nations community at Gumul Corporation in Raymond Terrace on Wednesday, 10 April. The event served as a platform to foster cultural exchange, to highlight potential employment opportunities in the region, and to enhance the participants’ emergency preparedness.

the importance of being prepared by taking the meeting through hands-on activities, namely the creation of ‘pillowcase kits’, which help to equip citizens with essential items for emergency situations.

Pacific National, known for its freight trains seen running the rails of the Hunter lines, addressed employment opportunities in the Port Stephens area by facilitating discussions, and connecting members with current

employer pathways, providing valuable resources for community members seeking career opportunities.

“Not just train driving, also technical, administrative, and a young First Nations mentor for Indigenous youth were present, as well as a female train driver from the Hunter Valley, to emphasise the possibilities,” local Red Cross Resilience and Recovery Officer Karen Maloney told NOTA.

“There was great

attendance via Youth Express and Job Link Plus, we were glad to see them there.

“We were lucky to run the lunch in Port Stephens, as it only runs three events per year, often in more regional communities, all around the state.”

“It was a great day, special thanks to Zona and Di - CEOs of Gumul and Wahroonga

Corporations, respectively, and 'the Tiddas' for catering.”

Mark McMullen, Red Cross’ Lead Resilience Officer said, “We don’t tell communities what to do; we work with communities with our First Nations Resilience Teams to make sure everyone has the support they need before, during, and after an emergency.”

q Representatives from Pacific National.

q Gumul basket weaving.

q Karen and Julie at Gumul.

Industry welcomes Future Made in Australia Act

LAST Thursday

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese fronted media in Queensland to announce the ‘Future Made in Australia Act’, a plan to “boost investment and create jobs” through seizing opportunities in the green resources and renewable energy space.

“We will bring together in a comprehensive and co-ordinated way a whole package of new and existing initiatives,” Prime Minister Albanese said.

“Investing in new industries – and ensuring that workers and communities will share in the dividend.

“That means giving the new Net Zero Economy Authority every tool it needs to support resource communities in particular through the coming period of economic change.

“This means looking at how government procurement can support small business and local manufacturing, as well as sustainability and the circular economy.

“Putting together the most efficient and effective combination of financing facilities and investor incentives to drive new economic growth.”

Mr Albanese said the Act would secure greater sovereignty over Australia’s resources and critical minerals, as well as drive competition reform, to deliver a better deal for Australian consumers, farmers, producers and workers.

The PM also spoke of the need to deliver “better and broader community benefit” from renewable energy projects and fast-track related infrastructure projects.

Australia’s ability to compete for international green energy investment was also touted.

“Part of the objective here is about Australia presenting potential investors with ‘a single front door’,” Mr Albanese said.

“A clear path to investing in Australia… in hydrogen, green metals and advanced manufacturing.

“And the right skills, supply chains and processes to get projects up and going and see this investment realise a return.

“Above all, this is about giving Australian businesses, Australian communities and the Australian people every possible opportunity to benefit from this moment.”

The Australian Council

of Trade Unions (ACTU) welcomed the announcement, highlighting the need to work with Government to ensure that the Act’s content guarantees the creation of “good, safe, secure well-paid jobs and tangible community benefits”.

The ACTU celebrated the announcement of public investment, government procurement, financing and training to build critical industries like green metals, green hydrogen, advanced renewable manufacturing, and value-added critical minerals.

“The Prime Minister’s announcement today of a Future Made in Australia Act promises a historic step forward for workers, for the climate, and for every Australian who wants a fair go on a liveable planet,” ACTU President Michele O’Neil said.

“Decarbonising our economy could create hundreds of thousands of good secure well-paid jobs, healthier communities, and a renewed national prosperity, while safeguarding Australians from spiralling climate crises.

“Renewables have proven time and again that they’re the cheapest form of energy.

“More renewables on the grid means lower power bills - incredibly important during this cost-of-living crisis.

“This is a nation-building project; the Future Made in Australia Act will help Australia compete at the head of the pack in the global race toward our clean energy future and make sure the benefits flow to workers, their families and communities.”

Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes said the announcement was a “major step in helping the economy achieve net zero whilst ramping up industrial output in new and existing industries”.

“We know there are and will be major opportunities for local businesses and workers in the Hunter to grow a clean industry and reduce emissions.

“We welcome proactive initiatives that encourage Australian made, it's good for regional economies and the Hunter can and is ready to play its part.

"We look forward to seeing the detail in investment."

“I just think if you look at manufacturing in Australia now, it’s not made in Australia because it’s going broke.

“It’s going broke under the Labor Government because of their energy costs, because of their industrial relations impost, and this Government continues to do everything to please the union bosses, but it’s making it harder for the workers.

“This Prime Minister promises Australian made, but he’s closing Australian industry down.

“Businesses are closing, they’re moving offshore.

“They’re going to Malaysia, they’re going to the United States where they’re paying a fraction of the electricity and gas costs that they are here.

“I want to see Australian made, but under Labor, you won’t get it.

“All you get is business closing down or business moving offshore.”

Heidi Lee, the CEO of independent think tank Beyond Zero Emissions, said Australia was in a position to scale up manufacturing to make the most of its “natural advantages”.

While industry has welcomed the move, Opposition leader Peter Dutton said the Labor Government was taking Australia down “a very dangerous path with their renewables and policy”.

New leadership at Port Stephens Probus Club

By Marian SAMPSON

THE Probus Club of Port Stephens announced a new management committee for 2024 at the club’s annual changeover event and AGM.

A growing club boasting 150 loyal members, the previous committee worked hard to coax some new blood into the club’s leadership roles and other positions that keep everything running smoothly.

“The Probus Club of Port Stephens has indeed achieved this objective at the 2024 AGM,” Ann Gibson told News Of The Area.

“Outgoing President John Rebrik took great pleasure in handing over the reins to Rob Buchanan and John Reid was welcomed as Vice President,” she said.

Members and guests celebrated at the Changeover Luncheon afterwards where President Rob presented Jo Burgess with her ten-year service pin.

He then led the introduction of the committee, the all-important Activity Leaders, and various other positions that are necessary to collectively carry this busy club forward.

“Penny Wilson stays as Secretary, and Cheryl Rebrik as Treasurer.

“Marilynn Buchanan has signed up for her sixth year as Membership Director and Annette Howitt, Mutual Interest Groups (MIG) Director.

“The other Committee positions were filled by John Rebrik, Christine Graham and Phil Dodd,” Ann said.

“It’s fantastic to see Australia step off the sidelines of the global clean energy race, and set up our communities to capitalise on our critical minerals by manufacturing solar panels, wind turbines with recyclable blades, batteries, heat pumps and parts for electric vehicles.

“Communities in regional Australia stand to benefit from the investment in affordable and reliable clean energy, and modern infrastructure that will link our resource-rich areas to clean industry clusters built around our established ports and smelters.”

Tim Buckley, the director of non-partisan think tank Climate Energy Finance, has more than 30 years experience in Australian and international financial markets.

“Australia can't rely on the traditional notion of free markets in international trade and competition,” Mr Buckley said.

“State intervention is the new competition.

“We can’t afford to ‘sit it out’.

“The Future Made In Australia Act puts Australia into the global race.”

q Happy members of the Probus Club of Port Stephens gear up for another year of fellowship, fun and friendship.

BUSINESS SHOWCASE: Trail runners to descend on Hawks Nest

THE LAKES Trail Festival is Australia’s newest off road ultra running event, with endurance athletes set to arrive en masse to traverse the Myall Coast this July.

Runners can compete in gruelling 100km, 70km, 50km or 30km event categories, while a 12km course is available for those wanting a shorter trail experience.

A 1km Lakes Kids run is offered for children.

“The LAKES Trail Festival is about self-discovery, the re-creation of a sense of adventure and encouraging exploration of the natural landscape,” said Richard Old from Fully Rad Adventures, the event organisers.

q The Festival offers running experiences from 1km to 100km in length.

“It is about challenging runners, taking them to new places out of their comfort zone, while at the same time helping them learn more about themselves.

“It is about showcasing the stunning Myall Coast including its forests, beaches and lakes system.”

The race starts and finishes in Hawks Nest, taking runners along beaches, past lakes and through forests, tracking some of the most stunning coastal scenery in Australia.

“It has arguably the most beautiful half way point in Australia beside the beach at

Seal Rocks, taking runners past the iconic lighthouse,” Richard said.

“This trail running experience will be unique as it combines coastal trails with forest tracks, sand dunes, beaches and rocky headlands, taking runners through remote wilderness areas.”

Entrants can run solo or in a team.

Solo runners can go for a quick run or test themselves all day in the ultimate 100km.

Teams of up to four can run the 100km course separated into four legs.

Teams of two can run the 50km.

Race weekend starts with

rego on Friday 5 July and racing starting on Saturday 6 July 2024.

“This is a great time of year to go for a run,” said Richard.

“Temperature wise it will be cool at night but mild during the day and most likely dry – perfect running weather.”

The organisers, Fully Rad Adventures, are an outdoor adventure company who create unique events and experiences across Australia.

“Founded in 2012 our events span adventure racing and exploration, a kid’s obstacle course, trail running and urban adventures, all delivering an experience that is fun, rewarding and memorable.

“We’re suckers for

the ‘let’s give it a crack’ excitement that comes with the unknown, and feel there is an element of magic in going on an adventure.”

Fully Rad Adventures have an insatiable appetite for the outdoors, as well as for inspiring people beyond their limits.

“Our focus is on opportunity and completion – not competition.

“Our aim is to delight through unexpected surprises and enable people to do their best – at whatever level that may be.

“We believe spending time exploring incredible places is good for the body, mind and soul.

“Our lives today are fastpaced, technology-packed bundles of busyness.

“Between work, the commute, taking care of the family, cooking and cleaning, watching television, connecting on social media, and more, we’re spending an average of 90 percent of our time sitting down indoors.

“This is not good and is having a negative impact on our physical and mental health.

“We believe it is time we unplugged, switched off the devices and stepped outside.”

Locals that want to run in the LAKES Trail Festival can use the code Local24 to get a discount on entry.

Fully Rad Adventures are also looking for volunteers and groups who can assist with the event in return for a donation.

q The LAKES Trail Festival begins and ends at Hawks Nest.

FAMILY HOME WITH EXCLUSIVE ADDRESS

• 4 bedrooms, offering plenty of space for the whole family

• Open plan living and dining areas leading off a solid timber kitchen

• Formal lounge with antique timber fireplace for those cooler evenings

• Family room with raked ceilings

• Low maintenance surrounds with security shutters on all external windows

• Expansive undercover outdoor entertaining area

• Double garaging and additional undercover and parking for an additional vehicle

• Garden sheds for extra storage space

• 2 x reverse cycle split system air-conditioning plus ducted air upstairs

STUNNING RENOVATED RETREAT BY THE WATER

• 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

MALLABULA’S BEST BUY?

• Ideal for first home buyers, investors, or retirees.

• Charming 3-bedroom residence on 683m2 level block.

• Quiet street, close to water and amenities.

• Two enclosed sunrooms for comfort and entertainment.

• Abundance of natural light throughout.

• Ceiling fans and split system air-conditioning.

• Two bedrooms with built-in wardrobes.

• Well-maintained kitchen and bathrooms.

• Spacious yard for kids or future upgrades.

HEATH JONES STEPHEN COSTELLO HUGH MCINNES

STEVEN BOOTH

JACK JONES DEBORAH DORAN

Wallawa Road offers the perfect blend of oldworld charm and modern convenience.

As you step inside, you'll be captivated by the home's timeless character, including an antique wooden fireplace in the formal lounge that sets the tone for a cosy and inviting atmosphere.

The open-concept living and dining areas flow seamlessly, providing ample space for both everyday living and entertaining guests.

The kitchen is a true delight, featuring a welldesigned layout and highquality appliances, making meal preparation a breeze.

Just off the kitchen/living room, you'll find a massive covered outdoor area with a built-in BBQ, perfect for alfresco dining and relaxing with family and friends.

Retreat to the spacious master suite, complete with an en-suite bathroom, for a peaceful oasis.

The additional three bedrooms are generously sized, ensuring everyone in the family has their own comfortable space.

The home's crowning jewel is the family rumpus room with its stunning raked ceilings, offering versatile living space that can be transformed into a home office, media room, or children's playroom.

Completing the package is a double garage, providing ample storage and parking space.

Situated in a well-regarded area, this home is just a short distance from the pristine beaches, vibrant dining and shopping options, and top-rated schools that make Nelson Bay such a desirable destination.

This is a rare opportunity to own a piece of Nelson Bay's history.

Schedule a viewing today to make this charming family home your own.

Contact Nelson Bay Real Estate on 02 4981 2655.

Dorin’s Draws

By Paul DORIN

From the Mayor’s desk On theCouch

By Ryan PALMER Mayor, Port Stephens Council

AT Council, we have a key role in creating a vibrant and liveable place where businesses can grow and thrive.

Together with the business community, we focus on creating an environment that attracts new businesses, encourages businesses to flourish, helps develop a workforce for the future, and supports local.

Our Economic Development Strategy is our blueprint to achieve positive outcomes towards local economic growth. Through this Strategy, we’re building business confidence, strength and resilience.

We’re looking for ways to increase housing supply, diversity and affordability to support workforce growth, partnering with the State and Federal government to attract and facilitate investment and supporting place activation programs to increase vibrancy across our town centres.

We’ve also delivered projects like the Mayoral Academic Scholarships, shop local campaigns, learning sessions to help businesses pitch for major contracts and facilitating connections with businesses and future workforce via the University of Newcastle and our schools.

With a review of our Economic Development Strategy on the horizon, our Business Health Check survey is now open.

It’s now time for businesses to have a say on what’s working and what they’d like to see improved.

We’ve been back in business after COVID for almost two years now, so we’re interested to know how business has bounced back and identify opportunities or issues to address moving forward.

Whatever your business – whether you’re operating out of your home or a multi-national company – we want to hear from you.

The more businesses that participate, the more we learn and the more we can help – so if you’re in business in Port Stephens, then get involved.

The outcomes of this consultation will lay the groundwork for our next Economic Development Strategy, informing our direction and helping us advocate for better outcomes at a local, state and federal level – enabling business growth across our community.

The Port Stephens Business Health Check is open until Tuesday 30 April.

To have your say visit pscouncil.info/ business-health-check.

Where is work on Spencer Park?

DEAR News Of The Area,

I REFER to the article in the 4 April 2024 edition of NOTA where Port Stephens Council announced it had secured funding from the Stronger Country Community Fund (SCCF) to upgrade playgrounds in the Local Government Area (LGA).

There was no mention of Spencer Park, Soldiers Point.

However, in May 2020 Council announced that it had secured funding

from the SCCF to upgrade the Spencer Park playground, barbeque and picnic settings, described as maintenance/minor works in the Soldiers Point Aboriginal Place Draft Plan of Management.

The funding was for equipment that everybody could use and was allocated specifically for Soldiers Point.

Disappointingly the playground remains in a dilapidated state.

Junior facilities opened at St Philip’s

NEWS

MEMBER for Paterson Meryl Swanson last week opened a new junior school building at the Salamander Bay campus of St Philip’s Christian College.

The development project was supported by Australian Government funding of $1,750,000 through the Capital Grants Program.

“A lot of work has gone into this project which has delivered a new two storey junior school facility which includes new general learning areas, withdrawal rooms, breakout/practical activities areas and outdoor learning areas on each floor, as well as a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) room, learning support areas, and an administration area,” Ms Swanson said.

“These new facilities will provide school staff, teachers, and students at St Philip’s Christian College – Port Stephens with better, more modern spaces in which to work, teach and learn.”

Ms Swanson said the new facilities would benefit the students currently at St Philip’s, as well as the many students who will follow in future years.

“The teachers, staff and students at St

DEAR Jasminda,

I AM about to start dating again. I have dentures.

Is this something I need to share if I enter a new relationship?

Mary B.

Dear Mary,

IF dentures are the most serious thing that you have hidden in your closet (not literally, of course) then I think any prospective partner should count themselves lucky.

Unless you keep your dentures in a glass next to the bed, I don't think a new partner would even notice.

And if they can see what's on your bedside table, then the relationship has no doubt progressed to a stage where they like you for more than your dental work.

I don't think it's necessary to reveal anything about your dentures.

They are certainly nothing to be embarrassed about, but bringing them up early in the relationship seems completely unwarranted.

It would be like mentioning a hip replacement.

Enjoy your foray into the dating world.

ARMSTRONG,

Regards, Jean

Soldiers Point.

I hope you meet someone who loves you for who you are.

That's what counts.

q Paterson MP Meryl Swanson, St Philip’s junior school students and Principal Martin Telfer celebrate the opening of the new building.

READING by Lynne Miles: James 3: 16"For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing." (Jealousy and selfishness)

q St Philip’s Principal Martin Telfer and Member for Paterson Meryl Swanson at the opening.

Carpe diem, Jasminda.

Philip’s Christian College – Port Stephens have built a strong and positive school community, and these new facilities will further enhance our local educational opportunities,” Ms Swanson said.

More information about the Capital Grants Program can be found at www.education.gov. au/payments-and-grants-schools/capitalgrants-non-government-schools.

Stinker’s History: The tale of Jimmy Chalkley - Part 1

By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE

THIS is the first part of a series on master fisherman Jimmy Chalkley.

MY wife Ella and I arrived in Nelson Bay in 1974.

After settling in to our home in Fingal Bay I regularly dropped into the Country Club Hotel for a beer or two.

It was in the ‘CC’ that I met all the old commercial fishermen who had their own seat ‘reserved’.

No one would be brave enough to sit on a stool that was used by Glen Tarrant, Bob McLean or Jim Chalkley.

For years I ran a weekly frozen chook raffle in the CC for the Nelson Bay Rugby Club, which Ella and I started in 1978.

On one occasion Jimmy walked into the front bar of the pub with a fish box half full of cooked lobsters.

“There Johnny, run a decent raffle,” he said.

Jim then bought tickets off me to win the lobsters that he had just donated.

One time he did win the lobster, which he immediately gave back.

I have so many stories to tell

over those years, mainly told to me by the old fishermen.

All who knew him would agree that Jimmy Chalkley was a champion fisherman and a great bloke.

For the following weeks I have submitted an extensive interview I conducted with Jim back in 2012 for a book that I was writing called ‘Old Salt’, which has since sold out and is unavailable.

Jimmy Chalkley was born in Cessnock in 1944, a fisherman all his life.

Jim’s knowledge of the sea and everything in it is nothing short of remarkable.

It’s little wonder as the lad had fishing in his blood.

“My great grandfather, on mum’s side of the family, Bill Asquith, supposedly, I’ve been told, was the first white fisherman in the Port,” Jim recalled.

“He went opposite the Chinamen who had set up a small business of catching and preserving fish way back in the mid-1800s.”

As the small communities developed in Port Stephens, just about everything revolved around working the oysters or catching fish, and catching fish was something

that young Jim was becoming very good at.

Kingfish - thumpers - had gathered under the old wharf at Nelson Bay.

The big fish swimming among the pylons knew that they were safe from capture, but what they didn’t realise was that a local kid of around fourteen was planning a way to pull them out.

“(I) saved up and saved up and saved up to buy a reel to rig onto a rod so that I could catch those huge kingfish that were in the shadows under the old jetty.

“We saw more than we caught, some fish were as big as 30 – 40 kg, right under our feet.

“Bill Smithers made me the rod out of a Rangoon blank, the tip was as fat as your thumb and I ran 80lb line on my brand new Pflueger reel. “The big aluminium Pflueger, with a centre pin spool, had a gearbox with the drag and everything in there.

“The plan was to catch a live yellowtail, which were swimming under the wharf, then when I did, stick the hook through him and dangle him just so his head was in the water.

“An old Greek bloke on the wharf knew how to fire the kingfish up by frothing all the water up with the tip of his rod. As soon as he did, the kingies took an immediate interest

An island formed in 1898

By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE

KEEPERS and their families who manned the Port Stephens Outer Light lived a Spartan lifestyle which, for them, became increasingly difficult when in 1898 a mighty sea, referred to as the Maitland Gale, roared from the south and continually battered the finger of land that connected the Outer Light to the mainland.

At the time the "finger", about 180 metres wide and four metres higher than the top of storm high water, was a well established vegetated landform with trees and stabilising rocks.

A track from the mainland to the lighthouse across the natural "bridge" was the main artery for supply and for the lighthouse keepers and their families to occasionally travel by horse and cart into Nelson Bay for supplies

and to visit relatives and friends.

By this time the permanent population of the town of Nelson Bay had grown to 30.

When the sea finally settled and the driving winds subsided the trees and rocks were gone as was the telegraph line, which was the first and immediate communication with the outside world.

Established in the 1880s the telegraph link, wires and poles across ‘Narrow Gut’ to the lighthouse went overland to Williamtown and Stockton then under the Newcastle Harbour to Wolfe Street and the exchange in Hamilton.

Along with everything else, this vital link was washed away by the fury of the sea.

By daylight, where the land track had been, was a sheet of turbulent water 500 metres wide and six metres deep. Gone!

and came out from underneath the wharf.

“It’s the same principle they use to handline the tuna.

“The kingies were so excited that they leapt out of the water to swallow my yellowtail.

“When the giant kingfish realised it had been tricked, it took off like a speed boat straight across the Port towards Tea Gardens.

“The reel screamed as the line stripped off.

“Just holding on took all my

strength.

“There was no way I would let go because it took so long to save the money.”

Over time Jim landed a dozen or so monster kingies - it was more about the challenge.

It’s fascinating to me, because as I write these words the kingfish regularly swim along the Nelson Bay breakwall, very close to the same spot that they frequented 50 years ago.

A landform that had taken hundreds of years, maybe longer, to develop, had disappeared in a matter of hours.

To the present day there has been no indication

that the previously vegetated finger of land that reached out and touched the "island" would ever be likely to return.

q An artist's impression of Fingal before the Maitland Gale.

q Jimmy Chalkley was a master fisherman who could catch "anything that moved". Prawns, crabs, fish, lobsters, squid - you name it.

National top ten rankings for Corlette swim sensation

By Chris KARAS

IF dedication and persistence count for anything then the future looks bright for Corlette superfish Ebony Nix.

Fresh from her outstanding deeds at the National Age Swimming Championships on the Gold Coast last week, the Port Stephens prodigy is freely tipped to realise her dream of one day representing Australia at the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.

The sixteen-year-old Nelson Bay Swim Club champion took a giant step towards that goal with top ten finishes in her pet 100m butterfly, 50m butterfly, 50m backstroke, 50m freestyle, 100m backstroke and 100m freestyle events at the national titles.

Ebony demonstrated her potential with a fifth placing in the Girls 16yrs 100m butterfly final, clocking a time of 1.02:39 seconds in a race won by Bond Swimming Club’s Mikayla Bird (59.97 sec) and a sixth placing in the 100m freestyle (58.00 sec).

She also finished seventh in the 50m backstroke final in a time of 30.46 sec behind race winner Ainsley Trotter (Bond) who posted 28.48 sec and seventh in the 50m freestyle final where she registered 26.70 sec in an encouraging performance.

UWA West Coast swimmer Sylvia

Czajko won the 50m freestyle title in a time of 25.49 sec.

Ebony also claimed a number ten ranking in the 50m butterfly in her age group after clocking 28.55 sec behind number one Olivia Hine from Brisbane’s Somerville House Aquatic Centre in a time of 26.96 sec and a ninth place finish in the 100m backstroke.

On the final night the Port Stephens sensation helped NSW secure a bronze medal in the Girls 16-17yrs 4 x 50m Mixed Medley final.

It capped a memorable period for the talented Nix, who secured a bagful of medals at this year’s NSW Country and NSW Senior State Swimming Championships.

The Tomaree High School student collected gold in the Girls 15-16yrs 50m freestyle and silver in the 100m butterfly, 100m backstroke, 50m butterfly and 100m freestyle events at the NSW Country Championships at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre before snaring silver in the Under 16 Girls 50m freestyle and bronze medals in the Under 16/17 Girls 50m backstroke and Under 16 Girls 100m butterfly at the NSW Senior State titles.

Ebony has been a part of

Tomaree Aquatic Centre’s Squad Program since the age of eight under the tutelage of Head Swim Coach Tom Davis.

“She is an inspiration to younger swimmers at Tomaree and Nelson Bay Swim Club and often demonstrates drills and stroke correction,” a proud Davis told News Of The Area.

“The tremendous support she receives from the squad and her parents has given Ebony the confidence and determination and help to keep her passion alive,” he added.

Last year Ebony was also part of the NSW National Under 16yrs relay team that clinched gold and set a Queensland all comers record.

She was selected after qualifying for a position in the NSW team for a week of intense training for elite swimmers.

Other Nelson Bay Swim Club squad members to impress at the NSW Country and State Senior titles include Lachlan Parker who won gold in the Boys 13yrs 50m freestyle, 50m butterfly and 100m freestyle events; Isabella Hol who claimed gold in the Girls 12yrs and Over 50m butterfly and bronze in the 11-14yrs 200m

Nelson Bay Club Results

NELSON BAY CLUB RESULTS

7 April – 12 April 2024

Sunday 7th April 2024

Ladies Stab: Gymea Lily Course

A1 Karen west (18) 38 C/B

A2 Anita Hutchinson (24) 38

B1 Norma Smith (27) 40

B2 Ruth Buchanan (34) 38

Men’s Stab: Gymea Lily Course

A1 Matthew Clifton (11) 39

A2 Stuart Phegan (5) 38

A3 David Warder (8) 37 C/B

B1 Mark Thornber (16) 41

B2 Glen Shorter (17) 39

B3 Callan Alderson (19) 38 C/B

C1 William Morley (32) 39

C2 Brendan Neville (27) 37

C3 Peter Bowles (24) 36

Monday 8th April 2024

Vets Results:

Div 1

A1 Stuart Manley Score 20

A2 Geoffrey Brown Score 21

Div 2

A1 Patrick Turner Score 23

A2 David Heath Sore 19

Tuesday 9th April 2024

Ladies Stableford: Christmas Course

A1

A2

A3

B1

Louise Kerr (28) 36

Robyn Rocher (19) 35

Tina Jeggo (30) 34

Susan Hume (46) 37

B2 Jennifer Maher (46) 34

B3

Sue Wilson (47) 33

Ladies Stableford: Brushbox Course

Overall, Winner: 1 Natalie Budden (46) 19

Wednesday 10thApril 2024

Men’s Stableford: Gymea Course

A1 David Warder (8) 33

A2 Brad Rostron (11) 32 C/B

B1 Matthew Bliss (19) 35

B2 Ian Sandy (22) 34 C/B

C1 Richard Bennett (25) 33

C2 Luke Erskine (24) 31

Men’s IND STROKE: BRUSHBOX

1 Clifford Fallan (4) 70

2 Greg Flux (22) 73

3 Shaun O’malley (0) 74

Thursday 1 1 April 2024

Men’s Stableford Brush Course

Overall, Winners

1 Peter campbell (15) 33

2 John Townsend (24) 30

Women’s Stableford Brush Course.

A1 Gwenda bates (31) 33

Joint winners in local friendly

By Thomas O’KEEFE

VISITORS from Tallowood Resort, Medowie, met for the first time on the bowling green with Tea Gardens Palm Lake Resort (PLR) bowlers on Sunday, 7 April, in what was a good, solid day of fellowship and competitive fun.

The stunningly beautiful weather on Sunday, following the heavy rains of last weekend, only added to the atmosphere, as 48 bowlers, along with members of their committees and spectator entourages, swarmed the under-cover bowling green in Tea Gardens.

“Tallowood is a new club, possibly their first visiting challenge for them, so this was a real confidence booster on their first travelling roadshow, as well as for the local team,” Doug Webber, Tea Gardens PLR Bowls President, told NOTA.

Doug praised Tallowood bowls President Vicki Rankin and their bowling members for their involvement in "a great day of meeting new friends and most of all playing friendly and competitive bowls with excellent spirit".

“We are also very proud of the Tea Gardens PLR bowling committee and volunteers for helping make this a very successful day, by organising morning tea and a sit-down lunch for over seventy players and spectators from both clubs,” Doug added.

“The friendships and fellowship formed are absolutely fantastic, a lot of the people in both teams have never played competitively before, and Tallowood at Medowie has a bowling green, but it is not fully established, so this was certainly good practice for them.

butterfly; and Stefan Grant (silver in 100m butterfly).

Impressive displays also came from Teneke Morphew, Anekah Macklin, Lara Budd, Magnus Gregory, Rafe Grant and Beau Gardener. Stefan also claimed bronze in the 200m butterfly at the Junior State titles.

A2 Mary Reisch (20) 32 c/b

A3 Karen Flatt (24) 32

B1 Lorraine Wilcock (46) 36

B2 Di Brown (34) 35

B3 Heather Crutch (37) 31

Vets Results:

1 Richard Lithgow 22

2 Bob Phipps 21

Friday 11 April 2024

Women’s Stableford Gymea

Overall winners

1 Sharon Stevenson (29) 39

2 Kathryn Howe (19) 36

3 Joanne White (43) 34

Men’s Stableford Gymea Course

A1 Callan Alderson (18) 37 c/b

A2 Martyn Jeggo (15) 37

A3 David Palmer (18) 36

B1 Peter Bowen (26) 39

B2 Roger Ball (27) 37 c/b

B3 David Shepard (24) 37

Saturday 12 April 2024

The promising Budd finished a creditable 27th in the 50m breaststroke at the National Age titles at Southport with Hol finishing 29th in the 14yrs 100m butterfly.

Men’s Stab: Brush Box Course

A1 Tim Chaplin (15) 35 c/b

A2 Mitchell Ingle (13) 35

B1 Jamie Keating (16) 38 c/b

B2 Glen Arndell (17) 38

C1 John Keane (24) 35

C2 Noel Yearsley (26) 34

Men’s Stableford Gymea Course.

A1 Vinko Komadina (14) 37

A2 Rosh Grace (6) 36 c/b

A3 Peter Sutton (11) 36 c/b

B1 Mark Barden (16) 37

B2 Mark Balsarini (20) 35

B3 Steven Parrott (16) 34 c/b

C1 Philip Osborne (25) 39 c/b

C2 Terry Smith (31) 39

C3 Richard Bates (26) 37

Women’s Stableford.

Overall, Winners

1 Robyn Rocher (18) 35 c/b

2 Julie Newsham (23) 35

3 Rita Fitzgerald (18) 29

q A quandary as to who won the shot on that

“This was Tallowood’s first visiting bowls day, and both Presidents and players agreed it was so successful that we want this event to be held annually,” Doug said.

Both teams were formally declared to be the winners in the friendly tournament, with the all-round agreed score to be of little consequence to the

fact that everyone came and enjoyed the great day.

Tea Gardens PLR Bowls team will next play against Forster PLR on Sunday 5 May, in what promises to be a very competitive third match in their existing twice-annual event, and a solid challenge for both teams.

q Rising Nelson Bay Swim Club junior Ebony Nix claimed a bronze medal and top ten rankings at the National Age Swimming Championships on the Gold Coast last week. Pictured here with coach Tom Davis.

end, as both clubs’ members discuss.

q Tallowood President Vicki Rankin with opposing Skip Cary Ballinger from Tea Gardens.

Classy Collins shines in Gropers’ 60 point romp

By Chris KARAS

A ROYAL Australian Air Force athlete with silky skills has found a home with the Nelson Bay Gropers women's rugby team.

Sophia Collins, a talented five eighth who has represented the Queensland Orchids, is a player to watch in the Hunter Rugby Women's Suburban competition in 2024.

The classy playmaker was best on ground in Nelson Bay’s thumping 60-0 victory over Cooks Hill – nabbing three tries and creating several others in a dream debut at Bill Strong Oval.

Dashing centre Tash Harris

(three), elusive fullback Ebony Oakley, wingers Briennan Napoli and Emjay Walters and RAAF second rower recruit Sierra Nowlan also posted tries in the first-round romp, with Oakley booting five goals.

With the crafty Collins calling the shots and Nowlan, lock Kristy Cooper and prop Taylor Rich leading by example the Gropers showed they will be a force in their second season in the Suburban Women's competition.

Coach Josh Gamgee tips big things from his charges despite the unavailability of inspirational flanker Sophie Lembcke, second rower Caitlin Guntrip (maternity

leave) and winger Ajay Linfoot (knee reconstruction) – three key players who will return in 2025.

The squad tuned up for this year’s campaign by winning the pre-season Summer Sevens series.

Team manager Leigh Byfield told News Of The Area that the club will feature “some exciting new blood” in the women's ranks but are still keen to bolster their depth.

“We are very supportive and inclusive and welcome any women that are interested in taking up rugby,” revealed Leigh.

“The squad train at Tomaree Sporting Complex on Mondays and Bill Strong Oval on Wednesdays from 5.45pm,” she added.

Midfield ace Mooney grabs double in 5-0 victory

By Chris KARAS

A ROUSING performance by midfield maestro Scott Mooney has spurred Nelson Bay FC Men’s first grade side to a winning start in the 2024 Newcastle Football Zone Three competition.

The club warrior nabbed two goals in a dominant 5-0 away victory at Southern Lakes as the revamped Bay line up showed they will be a force to be reckoned with this season.

Mooney snared a brace of goals either side of a pin-point attacking header by talented target man Nathan Willoughby in a sharp display to earn the Players’ Player of the round award.

Midfield ace Joel Ingram and speedy winger Dylan Baillache rounded up the scoring for the Bay.

Head Coach Shaun Shelley praised the efforts of his new group and described the emphatic first-up victory as “a positive start to our top grade campaign”.

It followed the club’s third round

exit from the National Football Australia Cup after a 5-2 loss to Cardiff City.

In reserve grade action Nelson Bay secured all three points after a decisive 2-0 triumph following neat goals by Steve O’Dea and Bailey Meir.

Tanilba Veteran Golfers

By Ian WILLIAMS

TUESDAY 09.04.2024

Player registration from 7.30am, Tee off from 8.30am.

Second round of the Buscombe

Trophy 2 BBB Stableford Aggregate

Total Player Number: 26

FRONT NINE:

WINNERS:

Les Dean & Fred Drury 28 nett pts

RUNNERS UP:

Grahame Glover & Ron Dews 26 nett pts c/b.

BALL WINNERS:

Peter Beesley & Joe Croci 26nett pts

Adam Cowie & Kim Miller 23 nett pts

NTP:

A Grade not won.

B Grade not won

C Grade not won.

D & C:

A Grade: not won.

B Grade: not won

C Grade: Barry Sampson

BACK NINE:

WINNERS:

Barry Disch & Rob McKinney 38 nett pts

RUNNERS UP:

Steve Robards & Ray Stubbs 36 nett pts

BALL WINNERS:

Darren Willis (visitor) & B. Eaton 26 nett pts

Ian williams & Andrew Corbett 22 nett pts

NTP:

A Grade: Ian Williams

B Grade: Steve Robards

C Grade: Andrew Corbett

D & C:

A Grade: Rob McKinney

B Grade: Greg Garvin

C Grade: not won.

Raffle won by Peter Beesley

Next week, 16th April Individual

Stableford off White tees

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS : OUR WINTER TEE TIMES NOW

APPLY

REGISTRATION FROM 7.30am TEE

TIME

WINTER CLOTHING ORDER TO BE SUBMITTED TO FRED BY END OF PROCEEDINGS NEXT TUESDAY THE 16th APRIL.

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.

Experienced mentor Shelley is in the unique position of operating both men’s and women’s first grade squads, ably supported by men’s Assistant Coach Jakob Graham and Johnny Andrijic (womens).

Shelley has set some realistic targets for both groups.

“We are aiming to build on the finals appearances in the men's senior sides from last season,” the astute Shelley told News Of The Area.

“Coaching is the easy part; we need to build belief in this new group and create a culture to show our players and community we are a team they can get behind - for today and the future,” he added.

and seasoned campaigner Mooney leading the way.

All eyes will be on Naran Singh, a skillful number ten recruited from Armidale.

The Bay will look to Singh as the playmaker to keep things ticking over in midfield, ensuring speedsters Baillache and Jarryd Clifton receive plenty of service to create opportunities for sharpshooter Willoughby and Blake Sibbald to find the back of the net.

Other players of note to watch are giant goalkeeper Matt Guest, who joins the Bay after a stint at Newcastle Croatia, along with Mooney, Strath and Josh Oldham offering experience and guidance.

The rejuvenated squad that includes the leadership team of O’ Dea, Adam Strath and Alex Gray and featuring several promising juniors from the club’s Under 18 ranks, gave a strong showing in their first League game of the season.

We are governed by the general rules of the Australian Golfing Union with some local club amendments and our handicaps are calculated and ratified fortnightly by the AGU as well. 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

media@newsofthearea.com.au

An excited Shelley steps into the role having bolstered his men’s squad after recruiting 32 registered players across first and reserve grade - eighteen of which are new to Zone League football.

To support the structure a leadership group within the playing squad has been established, with Lachlan Rowan, David Nicholls

Stalwart David Nicholls will be sidelined for up to twelve weeks with a broken collarbone and the capable Strath (broken toe) which will test the club’s depth.

Nelson Bay FC will host fixtures at home against Lambton Jaffas this Saturday April 20 and Lake Macquarie on April 27.

Brown Snakes sink Gropers in rugby boilover

By Chris KARAS

THE Cooks Hill Brown Snakes have ended the golden winning streak of Hunter Suburban Rugby champions Nelson Bay.

A revved up Cooks Hill team produced a spirited performance last Saturday at Bill Strong Oval to upset the reigning premiers 1917 in the 2024 season opener.

It was the Gropers’ first defeat in two years after clinching the 2023 Suburban Mens premiership undefeated.

A dubious penalty try before the interval plus four penalty goals by centre Cameron Logan ensured the Brown Snakes pulled off a stunning victory.

Nelson Bay scored two tries to one with talented fullback Will Dunn and replacement prop Riley Byfield grabbing five pointers to keep the premiers in contention in an enthralling tussle.

Undisciplined play proved the Gropers' downfall as the Brown Snakes forward pack laid the foundations for a shock win through sound field position in the second half.

The Gropers conceded a string of penalties with Cooks Hill capitalising through the trusty boot of Logan.

Nelson Bay coach Michael Wiringi described the loss as “disappointing” and said the Brown Snakes were the better team on the day.

Outstanding five eighth Ilisoni Vonomatairatu, rookie winger Taj Turner, flanker Mitchell Workman, prop Byfield and the dynamic Dunn shone for the Gropers.

Coach Wiringi blooded several colts from Nelson Bay’s premiership-winning Under 18s team with hooker Jack Traven, half back Jack Ballard, winger Khai Poulsen and the elusive Turner making an impact on debut.

q Nelson Bay Gropers Rugby women captured the pre-season Summer Sevens series title.

q Nelson Bay FC first grade midfielder Scott Mooney (right) scored two goals in the 5-0 win over Southern Lakes. Photo: Shoots and Scores Photography.

Funeral Notice

BLANCH

Allan Clifford

Passed away peacefully on 10.04.2024

Aged 82 years

Late of Hawks Nest

Beloved husband of MARIE. Much loved by all his family and friends. Family and Friends of ALLAN are warmly invited to attend his Thanksgiving Service to be held at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, cnr Witt & Ogden St, Tea Gardens this FRIDAY 19.04.2024 at 2:00pm. A private interment will take place prior.

LANCE BOOTS FUNERALS 4987 2101 www.lancebootsfunerals.com.au

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

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 F250124

CHEST of drawers

Antique, 3 full length drawers and 2 half length drawers. 160cm x 55cm x 120cm H. $120 0418 950 995

6 x new in package single bed mattress protectors. 2 x new out of package, never used single bed fitted sheets $75 or $12 each. 0408 431 488

12VOLT 2 tone jack 12 volt wheel brace Twin 100mm saw Ph: 4982 3648

CHEST of drawers large, wooden, 104cm H x 105cm W. Painted off white, VGC. $30. 0403 177 795 F210324

EXTENSION Cord 25 metres 10 Amps $25 4919 8277 Tea Gardens F021123

FISH fern for pond or aquarium. 0466 880 639

HUSQVARNA self propelled lawn mower VGC, mulcher catcher petrol edger GC $300 for both units. 0427 980 079

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

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

LARGE Invacare Meteor mobility scooter imacculate condition front basket, rear bag weather shade hood can deliver. $2,300 0418 430 643

OFFICE chair, IKEA exec, as new. $100. Ph 0418 191 818 F210324

OUTDOOR setting

powder coated, as new 15 months old, 1 table with 3 chairs, fawn colour. Paid $1,400, sell for $750 ono. Call Raymond 0423 640 489

PIANOLA rolls cabinet timber with leadlight glass door, elock, 70cm x 46cm x 105cm high $100. 0418 950 995 F210324

WORLD book encyclopedias, full set Offer. 49979313

ANTIQUE sewing machine, Singer 306K model. Good working order, manual & all attachments inc. $75 0419 970 527

COFFEE/Lamp table Walnut stained good cond. Top has glass inset 60cm x 60cm H 44cm Magazine shelf at bottom $50. 0430 092 825 f140923

COLLECTION of assorted windsurfing gear. Extensions, bases vest, fins etc. $99. Ring 0419 932 992 F191023

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

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

GO Fit Vibration Platform $100 ono. Must sell 0417 664 032

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

MICROWAVE, new small $100. 0493777707

MOBILITY white raised toilet seat on legs, arm rests and brand new bowl. Stands over exiting toilet, light easy pickup and replace no installation req. Exc cond. $60. 4981 7523

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

RYOBI RSCD750 Clean and Dirty Submersible Pump with automatic float switch. As new. $75 Ph 0412 081 979 f301123

SCOTTY’S Cinema gift cards $75. Buy for $60, expire June 25. 0418 845 358

SINGLE base mattress and white bedhead clean, GC with single clean quality used linen $100. 0408 431 488

60 year old, fit gentleman like to meet a nice lady for coffee outings. Ph 0415 344 394

BABY carrier, BabyBjorn new price is over $300 selling for $90 ono. Ph 0412 783 707

CURLING iron $10 0493 777 707

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 F230223

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

HOLDEN Astra car rim and tire tubeless steel belted radial. Size 205 / 55R16 $70 ono. Ph 4981 7523 F150623

HOLDEN racing team shirt from early 2000’s Red with insignias of Dunlop, Holden and Coca Cola. Large. $10 4981 7523.

NEW Mahogany side tables. $100each 0493 777 707

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 F091123

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

WALL mirror, 75cm x 60cm, wood surround $10. 4997

WHEELCHAIR Breezy Basix, Transit. Exc. Cons $100. 0432 210 234

WOMENS vanity bedroom chair, gold velveteen cover with back and round seat with a pleated skirt on wheels, retro 1970s, exc cond. $100 ono 49817523

12FT runabout (AAU544N) and trailer (H40343), 9.8 Tohatsu outboard, 12 months rego. $1,500 ono 0428 549 282

STACER Seaway 435 boat, IBP617N, Honda 40hp 4 stroke motor, low hours, gal trailer R43321 Bimini boat cover, life jackets plus extras. Exc cond. $13,000 ono. Ph 0428 865 938

Boats Motors

SUBARU Outback Touring wagon, 2011 2.5L auto, AWD, 155km rego till Feb 2025, log book. DZD22L. $8,500 0448 253 290

2 solar panels, sat dish, gas heater, many extras $70,000 ono. Reg till Nov 2023. TR76FN. Contact 0415 359 809

AVAN Aliner 3 berth 850kg tare, 2012, 12 months rego, W97212 Extras. $22,000 ono Karuah. 0414 891 285

JAYCO Journey single axel, single beds shower/toilet, microwave auto awning, review camera, all as new 16.5 ft, 15 months old TL85A1. $62,500. Ph Les 0419 194 188

MILLARD Horizon 2001. Rollout awning 12 months rego. Annex N65160. $10,000 Ph 0438 020 040

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 $25,500. Q25752 0418 430 643 Re220824

BEST ON THE BOX

SATURDAY

JEOPARDY! AUSTRALIA

NBN, 7.30pm

This US game show institution is getting an Aussie twist. Filmed in England, the Australian version sees UK television stalwart Stephen Fry quiz Aussie players. Flipping the traditional question-and-answer format, Jeopardy! presents answers first in the form of short, written clues. Contestants must then respond in the form of a question that correctly identifies the clue description. Contestants on this quiz show need a vast knowledge, fast buzzer skills and a daring to bet on their intellect. Jeopardy! Australia will test competitors across a range of categories, offering up puzzles, daily doubles and impressive cash prizes.

Witness. (Mal, R) 2.00

Of

(Mal, R) 2.25 White Fever. (Ml, R) 2.55 Old People’s Home For Teenagers. (R) 3.55 Long Lost Family. (PG,

WEDNESDAY

BULLET TRAIN

SEVEN, 8.30pm

A hip, bucket-hat-wearing Brad Pitt is a twinkly eyed force of nature in this bombastic black comedy action thriller. You’re on track for a violently fun adventure in Atomic Blonde director David Leitch’s caper: it’s infused with the flavour of manga, a hearty dose of Quentin Tarantino’s’s fast-paced style and Guy Ritchie’s barbed dialogue. Pitt is magnetic as unlucky hit man Ladybug. When he boards the Shinkansen for an easy job to steal a briefcase, crime worlds collide in punchy, colourful and unexpected ways. Set almost entirely aboard the moving train, the journey is loaded with stunning scenery, comic book-style fights and exaggerated characters. With Atlanta’s Brian Tyree Henry and Fargo’s Joey King, it’s an action-packed ode to karma.

PG) 10.50 Mountain Vets. (Final, PGa) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.05

Tony Robinson: WWII By Drone. (PGavw, R) 3.00 NITV News: Nula. 3.45 The Cook Up. (R) 4.15 Inside Windsor Castle. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

World News.

7.35 Ancient Egypt By Train. (R)

8.30 Michael Palin: Into Iraq. (Ms, R)

9.25 Secrets Of The Lost Liners. (PGa, R)

10.15 SBS World News Late.

10.45 A French Case. (Malv)

11.45 L’Opera. (Mdls, R)

2.25 Employable Me (UK) (Mals, R)

3.35 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (R)

4.35 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

THURSDAY STANLEY TUCCI: SEARCHING FOR ITALY

SBS, 8.30pm

Actor Stanley Tucci has all the charm of a leading

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 11.30 News. 12.00 MOVIE: Murder, She Baked: A Peach Cobbler Mystery. (2016, PGav, R) 2.00 House Of Wellness. (PG) 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Better Homes And Gardens.

Johanna Griggs and Colin Fassnidge explore Uluru. Graham Ross visits the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Clarissa Feildel prepares some Malaysian fried chicken.

8.30 Farmer Wants A Wife. (PGl, R)

Hosts Samantha Armytage and Natalie Gruzlewski bring together a group of new farmers on a quest to find true love, beginning with the first three setting out on a series of speed dates.

2.00 Home Shopping.

4.00 Million Dollar Minute.

(R) Hosted by Simon Reeve.

5.00 NBC Today. News and current affairs.

with curiosity and humour, The Devil Wears Prada star has amiably eaten and chatted his way through his ancestral country. Tonight, the final episode of season two arrives and it could be Tucci’s final junket through Italy, at least for this series; a third season of pastaeating and sea-gazing is not on the horizon. On this final itinerary is one of the most famous and frequented regions of Italy: Liguria, also known as the Italian Riveria. It’s a scenic way for this gastronomic delight to bow out, but given Tucci’s conspicuous flair as a travel guide, don’t be surprised if he pops up in another gorgeous location sometime soon.

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG)

9News Morning.

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 7. Parramatta Eels v Dolphins.

9.55 Golden Point. Post-match NRL wrap-up.

10.45 MOVIE: The Rhythm Section. (2020, MA15+adlsv, R) Blake Lively.

12.50 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.40 Pointless. (PG, R) 2.30 Ageless. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Postcards. (PG, R) 4.30 Global Shop. (R) 5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping.

Deal Or No Deal.

by Grant Denyer.

The Project. Special guest is Anthony “Lehmo” Lehmann.

Ready Steady Cook. Hosted by

SATURDAY, April 20

TV (2)

6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 Weekend Breakfast. 9.00 Rage. (PG) 12.00 News. 12.30 Call The Midwife. (PG, R) 1.30 Murder In Provence. (Mav, R) 3.00 George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces. (R) 3.45 Brian Cox’s Adventures In Space And Time. (R) 5.00 Creative Types With Virginia Trioli. (PG, R) 5.25 Landline. (R) 5.55 Australian Story. (R)

6.30 Bluey. (R)

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

7.30 Murder In Provence. (Final, Mav) Part 3 of 3. A love affair seems to be at the heart of a young woman’s death in a nearby town.

9.00 Miniseries: The Suspect. (Mal, R) Part 3 of 5. Joe embarks on his own investigation, while the police continues theirs.

9.50 A Life In Ten Pictures: Carrie Fisher. (PG, R) A look at Carrie Fisher’s life in 10 pictures.

10.45 Happy Valley. (Final, Malv, R) Scores are settled for good.

11.55 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

6.00 Morning Programs. 2.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Amstel Gold Women’s Race. H’lights. 3.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Amstel Gold Men’s Race. H’lights. 4.00 Motor Racing. World Rally-Raid C’ship. Round 3. BP Ultimate Rally-Raid. H’lights. 4.30 Roman Megastructures. (PGv, R) 5.30 Untold Arctic Wars. (Premiere, PGaw)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Ireland’s Wild Islands. (PGa)

8.25 Nick Knowles Into Death Valley. (PG)

9.20 Miniseries: The Boleyns: A Scandalous Family. (Mas, R)

10.30 Secrets Of The Royal Palaces. (PGa, R)

11.20 Between Two Worlds. (Malv)

12.15 While The Men Are Away. (MA15+s, R)

1.15 Miniseries: New Gold Mountain. (Madl, R)

3.15 Employable Me (UK) (Mal, R) 4.25 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines

The World Tonight.

SUNDAY, April 21

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.30 World This Week. (R) 11.00 Compass. (PGa, R) 11.30 Praise. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. 1.30 Gardening Aust. (R) 2.30 Dream Gardens. (R) 3.00 Forever Summer With Nigella. (R) 3.30 Cook And The Chef. (R) 3.55 Grand Designs NZ. (Final, R) 4.40 George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.

6.30 Compass: Ageing Fabulously.

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Call The Midwife. (PGa) Sister Julienne helps care for a first-time mother who is going through a challenging diagnosis.

8.30 Vera. (Ma) Part 3 of 3. Vera investigates when the body of the co-owner of a chip shop is found in his own freezer.

10.05 Happy Valley. (Final, Malv, R) Scores are settled for good.

11.15 The Messenger. (Mal, R)

1.05 Rage Vault. (MA15+adhlnsv)

3.55 Rage Closer. (R)

4.00 The Soundtrack Of Australia. (R)

5.00 Insiders. (R)

6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Horse Racing. All Aged Stakes Day, Mornington Cup Day, Charity Race Day and Morphettville Race 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) Officers stop a woman from Canada.

7.30 MOVIE: The Mummy Returns. (2001, Mhv, R) A couple battle a resurrected mummy. Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz.

10.15 MOVIE: Gunpowder Milkshake. (2021, MA15+v) An assassin is reunited with her mother. Karen Gillan.

12.45 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round 3. Taupo Super400. Day 1. Highlights.

2.00 Home Shopping.

4.00 Mystic. (R)

6.00 Morning Programs. 11.00 Surf Life Saving. National C’ships. 2.00 Speedweek. 3.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. La Flèche Wallonne. Women’s race. H’lights. 4.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. La Flèche Wallonne. Men’s race. H’lights. 5.00 Cycling. National Road Series. Tour of Brisbane. H’lights. 5.30 Untold Arctic Wars. (PGalw)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 The Cambridgeshire Crucifixion. (PG)

8.35 Destination Ancient Rome.

10.20 Egypt Code Breakers. (R)

11.25 End Of The World: The Mayans. (PGa, R)

12.25 The Riddle Of The Roman Coneheads. (PGa, R)

1.20 Secrets Of Playboy. (Mads, R)

3.45 Employable Me (UK) (MA15+l, R)

4.50 Destination Flavour: Japan Bitesize. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera.

6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 House Of Wellness. (PG, R)

1.00 Football. AFL. Round 6. Sydney v Gold Coast Suns. 4.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R)

Seven News At 5.

5.00 House Of Wellness. (PGa, R) 6.00 Seven News.

Sydney Weekender. 6.00 Getaway. (PG, R) 6.30 ACA. (R) 7.00 Weekend Today. 10.00 Today Extra: Saturday. (PG)

Farmer Wants A Wife. (PGal)

7NEWS Spotlight.

The Latest: Seven News.

Tears Of Hope… With David Wenham. (Ma)

Quantum Leap. (Mav)

60 Minutes.

9News Late.

The First 48. (Ma)

Transplant. (MA15+m, R)

David Attenborough’s Green Planet. (R) 1.00 World’s Greatest Engineering Icons. (PGa, R) 2.00 Australia’s Top Ten Of Everything. (PG, R) 3.00 TV Shop. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 Drive TV. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

6.00 Ready Steady Cook. (R) Hosted by Miguel Maestre.

7.00 The Dog House. (PGa) A couple are looking for an outgoing pup and a playful spaniel may be the perfect match.

8.00 Ambulance UK. (Mad) It is a busy weekend night shift across Lancashire as crews attend to patients with mental health issues. A paramedic is dispatched to a baby born in the passenger seat of a car.

10.30 So Help Me Todd. (PG, R)

Todd takes on the role of babysitter.

11.30 FBI: International. (Mv, R)

Kellett questions her new relationship.

12.30 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.

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

7.30 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (Final, PGals) The top three celebrities receive a visit from their loved ones, before the King or Queen of the Jungle is crowned.

9.00 FBI. (Mv) After a local club owner is found dead, the team works quickly to find the motive behind the murder. OA is smitten with a new love interest, but is concerned that she’s mixed up with the wrong crowd.

12.00 The Sunday Project. (R) A look at the day’s news.

1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.

MONDAY, April 22

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Landline. (R) 11.00 Our Vietnam War. (PGa, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Vera. (Final, Ma, R) 2.30 Back Roads. (PG, R) 3.00 Old People’s Home For Teenagers. (R) 3.55 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 4.40 Grand Designs. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.20 Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs. (PGa, R) 10.20 Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out. (PG, R) 11.10 Ancient Invisible Cities. (PG, R) 12.10 WorldWatch. 2.05 Tony Robinson: WWII By Drone. (PG, R) 3.00 Mastermind Aust. (R) 3.30 The Cook Up. (R) 4.00 Infected Earth. (PGal) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Finding Your Roots. (PG)

8.30 Secrets Of The Tower Of London.

9.25 24 Hours In Emergency. (Ma)

10.20 SBS World News Late.

10.50 Christian. (Malv)

11.55 My Brilliant Friend. (Masv, R)

3.10 Employable Me (UK) (Mal, R)

4.15 Peer To Peer. (PG, R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal.

Hosted by Grant Denyer.

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

7.30 MasterChef Australia.

(Return) A fresh batch of talented and passionate amateur cooks competes to impress the judges.

9.15 FBI: Most Wanted. (Mav, R) Rookie agent Ray Cannon struggles to prove himself when he joins the fugitive task force.

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

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

TUESDAY, April 23

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.30 The Pacific. (R) 11.00 Our Vietnam War. (PGa, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Call The Midwife. (Final, PG, R) 2.00 Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 2.30 Back Roads. (PG, R) 2.55 Old People’s Home For Teenagers. (Final, R) 3.55 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 4.40 Grand Designs. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.10 Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out. (PGa, R) 11.00 Ancient Invisible Cities. (R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.10 Tony Robinson: WWII By Drone. (PG, R) 3.00 Living Black. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (PG, R) 4.10 Coastal Ireland With Adrian Dunbar. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers.

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Great British Railway Journeys. (PG, R)

8.30 Insight. (R) 9.30 Dateline. (R)

10.00 SBS World News Late.

10.30 Living Black. (R)

11.00 The Murdochs: Empire Of Influence. (Ms, R)

11.50 Faking Hitler. (Mln)

12.45 Reyka. (MA15+av, R)

Art Works. (PG, R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

3.45 Employable Me (UK) (PGal, R) 4.55 Destination Flavour. (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 MasterChef Australia. The contestants are thrown into their first big service challenge, with celebrity chef Jamie Oliver running the kitchen. 9.00 NCIS. (Mv) The team is in a race against time to find an officer who disappeared during his wedding proposal. 11.00 The Project. (R) A look at the day’s news.

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

WEDNESDAY, April 24

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.10 Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs. (PGa, R) 10.10 Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out. (PG, R) 11.00 Ancient Invisible Cities. (R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Dateline.

(R) 2.30 Insight. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (PG, R) 4.10 Coastal Ireland With Adrian Dunbar. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

7.30 Alone Australia. (Ml)

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 11.30 Seven Morning News.

12.00 MOVIE: Murder, She Baked: A Deadly Recipe. (2016, PGav, R)

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGas)

7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PG)

8.35 Swift Street. (Premiere, Malv)

9.35 Putin And The West: The Next Chapter.

10.40 SBS World News Late.

11.10 You Shall Not Lie. (MA15+als)

12.10 COBRA. (Mal, R)

3.45 Employable Me (UK) (PGal, R)

4.50 Destination Flavour: Japan Bitesize. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

THURSDAY, April 25

6.00 News Breakfast On Anzac Day. 9.00 Anzac Day March Sydney. 12.30 Gallipoli Dawn Service. 1.30 Villers-Bretonneux Dawn Service. 2.30 ABC News On Anzac Day. 3.00 The Many Days Of Anzac. (PG, R) 4.00 Teacups. (PGa, R) 4.05 Aust Story. (R) 4.40 Miriam Margolyes Impossibly Australian. (PG, R) 5.35 Grand Designs. (PG, R)

Islands Of Australia. (PG, R) 9.20 To Be Advised. 11.00 Teacups. (PGa, R) 11.10 ABC Late News. 11.25 The Business. (R) 11.40 Love On The Spectrum. (PG, R)

Grand Designs. (PG, R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.10 Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs. (PG, R) 10.10 Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out. (PG, R) 11.00 The Art Of France. (PGal, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Alone Australia. (Ml, R) 3.05 The Rover Of Tobruk. (PGalv) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10

Etoa: A Kokoda Track Story. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Anzac. Lemnos. 1915. (PGa)

8.30 Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy. (Final, PGas)

9.20 Blue Lights. (Malv)

10.25 SBS World News Late.

10.55 Illegals. (Madlv)

Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 5.00 Art Works. (PG, R) 5.30 7.30. (R) 6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News.

11.50 Auschwitz: One Day. (MA15+av, R)

12.50 Miniseries: The Long Call. (Mals, R)

2.40 Employable Me (UK) (PGa, R) 3.45

World’s Most Extraordinary Homes. (R) 4.55

Destination Flavour. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines

The World Tonight.

Hosted by Lee Mack.

8.30 MOVIE: Bullet Train. (2022, MA15+lvw) Five assassins aboard a bullet train discover their missions have something in common. Brad Pitt, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

11.10 The Latest: Seven News.

11.40 Tears Of Hope… With David Wenham. (Ma, R)

12.55 Parenthood. (Ma, R)

2.00 Home Shopping.

4.00 NBC Today.

4.50 Anzac Day Dawn Service.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal.

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

7.30 MasterChef Australia. Sofia Levin sets the contestants a challenge.

8.45 FBI: International. (Mv, R) Jubal Valentine and Nina Chase join the fly team in Rome to gather intel after an American architect is abducted.

9.40 FBI. (Mv, R) To bolster Scola’s mission, Maggie calls in Remy Scott.

10.35 FBI: Most Wanted. (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.

Home And Away. (PGad) Eden is a support for Imogen. Levi struggles. Theo takes surprising steps in his recovery.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer.

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

7.30 MasterChef Australia. Contestants compete in an immunity challenge.

8.40 Gogglebox Australia. (Final) TV fanatics open up their living rooms to reveal their reactions to popular and topical TV shows.

9.40 Law & Order: SVU. (MA15+adv, R) The team investigates a sexual assault.

11.30 The Project. (R)

Jessica still involved with the sport

qualified

and coaches in

former Hunter Flyers captain in the Metro Netball League, has retired as a player but devotes her time to developing young netballers while nineteen year old Jessica has been appointed coach of the Port Stephens 14yrs representative team and assistant coach to Nadine Marsh with the 15yrs squad to compete at the Junior State titles in Penrith and Baulkham Hills from July 6-8.

Netball Inspiration

By Chris KARAS

After three decades of distinguished service as a decorated administrative officer for both the Dungog

in receiving life membership of the Port Stephens Netball Association that marks 35 years of sterling service to the sport she loves.

A proud Sam accepted the award from president Jodi Cassar at the Association’s recent AGM.

It is a second life membership for the current secretary of Hunter Netball, who was previously honoured by the Dungog Netball Association after 20 years of exemplary service.

“This is a deserved honour for Sam who has given so much to netball in the Hunter region over the years,” a delighted Cassar told News Of The Area.

“She is a great ambassador for the sport and one of the hardest working officials you will ever meet,” reflected Jodi.

Sam first became involved with netball in a coaching role when eldest daughter Emma was introduced to the game as a five-year-old in the small Dungog Association.

She was later appointed Treasurer and served ten years as Association President before helping transfer ten local teams to the nearby Port Stephens Netball Association winter competitions.

With her vast experience the respected Rumbel has proved a valuable acquisition to Port Stephens Netball in a variety of roles over the past fifteen years.

Sam has served eight years as Rep Convenor, managed several Association rep teams at Junior and Senior State Carnivals and helped prepare the triumphant HunterCentral Coast representative side that won the inaugural Regional State Cup in 2022.

The Dungog stalwart was also appointed Team Manager of last year’s Hunter-Central Coast State Cup representative squad - another fine achievement.

It remains a family affair

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q Long serving Port Stephens Netball official Sam Rumbel (left) receives her life membership award from president Jodi Cassar at the Association’s recent AGM.