Port Stephens News Of The Area 27 October 2022

Angel Billy Golf Classic Celebrates Twenty Five Years

By Marian SAMPSON

FOR a quarter of a century local golfers have been teeing off to support the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service at the annual Angel Billy Golf Classic.

In 1997 Mr Ron Smith decided to organise a Golf Classic at the Nelson Bay Golf Club on an annual basis, to raise much needed funds for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

The 25th Anniversary of the Angel Billy Golf Classic will be held on Sunday 6 November 2022 at the Nelson Bay Golf Club.

Carla Beer is one of the

By Marian SAMPSON

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q Bob Greenlees, WRHS-PSSG

Vice President Karen Hendry, Port Stephens Toyota Manager Michelle Smith and Sales Manager Kalum Wright with the hole in one prize for the Angel Billy Golf Classic.

Angel Billy Golf Classic Celebrates 25 Years

volunteers that works to raise funds for the service fondly known as the ‘Angel Of Mercy’.

She told News Of The Area, “On the day, we have a Hole In One Prize of a Toyota Yaris Cross which is kindly sponsored by Port Stephens Toyota.

“The Major Raffle prize is valued at over $4,000 and this is being generously donated by Harvey Norman.

“There is also a Nearest the Pin competition, auctions galore and $50 bags for purchase.

“Each of these bags contain prizes valued at over $100!”

Entertainment on the day will be provided by the Port’s one and only Dave Tarrant plus loads more to appeal to the golfer or non-golfer.

“As this is our annual major fundraising day the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Port Stephens Support Group are looking forward to the community

joining in and supporting us to raise funds for our Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.”

All the funds raised from

the Angel Billy Golf Classic are used to keep the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service in the air 24/7.

“This service is vital to our

region and it is only with the generous support of our wonderful community, like yourselves, that we can all contribute to make this happen,” she said.

q The Westpac Rescue Helicopter in action.

Homelessness and Poverty Discrimination

By Marian SAMPSON

CHURCHILL Fellowships are sought after opportunities to learn from communities around the world and to bring that knowledge to Australia to improve our methods and knowledge.

Last week was National Anti-Poverty Week, which coincided with the launch of the Churchill Fellowship Report into homelessness and poverty discrimination law frameworks by Fazaana Choudhury.

Some of the most vulnerable members of our community are people facing homelessness,

people fleeing family violence and facing discrimination.

Farzana’s report was written after her Churchill Fellowship this year took her to New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom to investigate world best practice in poverty discrimination laws to protect the rights of some of the most disadvantaged members of the community.

“Poverty and homelessness are both local and global problems,” Ms Choudry said.

“Australia can learn from overseas.

“We can definitely do

better.

“Unfortunately, too many people are treated unfairly and excluded because of their socio-economic status.

“Overseas, laws respond to poverty discrimination and provide better legal protection for vulnerable people in society. Across Australia, this is currently not the case in every jurisdiction,” said Ms Choudry.

Choudry is now advocating for stronger discrimination law protections for marginalised communities in Australia.

Adam Davey, CEO of the Winston Churchill Trust said, “I commend Farzana on her report and urge jurisdictions to

take up these findings, to create greater protections in human rights for vulnerable people in Australia to be treated with dignity and respect.”

Today in Port Stephens due to the housing crisis there are families living in cars, emergency housing and unable to find rentals through no fault of their own.

Port Stephens Councillor Leah Anderson told News Of The Area, “Homelessness is a problem for all levels of government, there are things that Council can do to help families in crisis, every Australian deserves a roof over their head.”

Friday 28th October

- Melbourne Cup Night

- Sweeps, horse racing and be entertained by Brett Hall from 9.00 to late.

- Club opens at 5pm

- Come in costume if you want to.

- Plus we have a wonderful chef with great meals.

Off Tarean Road,

Waterfront

q Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington addressing the community at Tomaree Lodge which she believes offers a short term solution to homelessness in Port Stephens. Photo: Henk Tobbe.

Tomaree Lodge retained for community use

“The NSW Government recognises the importance of Tomaree Lodge to the Port Stephens community, and we are immediately looking to plan the future of the site with a focus on the needs of the local community,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.

“From the end of October we will be consulting with the community and interested parties including Port Stephens Council, Worimi Aboriginal Land Council, and local community groups about how best to repurpose Tomaree Lodge for community use.”

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin is encouraging members of the community to have their say.

“The Port Stephens community is passionate

about the future of Tomaree Lodge, and I’m looking forward to hearing more from the community about how this historic and iconic site can be repurposed,” Mr Martin said.

The site of the former large residential centre for people with disabilities was subject to a land claim by the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council.

A judgment handed down

in the Land and Environment Court of NSW on Wednesday, 19 October ruled that the site be retained by the Minister.

The NSW Government remains committed to allowing locals to decide how

Tomaree Lodge is best used for their community.

The Tomaree Headland Heritage Group has long been advocating for the site to be developed as a tourism and education hub.

The site is adjacent to the Tomaree National Park and is listed on the State Heritage Register as a physical demonstration of Port Stephen’s important contribution to WWII, originally developed as a military base by the joint Australian Army-United States Navy defence venture in March 1942.

This register notes the site is ‘rare as one of the few surviving, relatively intact Army Garrison Camps dating from the Second World War in NSW’.

Peter Clough of the Tomaree Heritage Group told News Of The Area, “We have recently developed a

set of Strategic Concept Plans prepared by Sydney based Landscape Architects which will be made public in the very near future and these are designed to whet the appetite of the authorities and the community.

“This site now has the potential to have community stewardship which supports recognition that the Port Stephens people have a sense of custodial responsibility,” he said.

The group has recently engaged local school students from St Philip’s Christian College in conversations to ascertain the perspective that youth have for the future of the site.

Community consultation will run for 60 days from the end of October.

The community will be able to have their say at https://www.nsw.gov.au/ have-your-say.

Soldiers Point Public School 75th Anniversary Fair

SOLDIERS Point Public School

P&C will host a 75th Birthday Celebration on Saturday 5 November between 11am3pm.

The event will showcase student creative talent in the form of musical performance on the main stage, roaming buskers and a variety of craft stalls offering handmade wrapping paper, gift cards,

toys, and pot plants. There will also be a kids activity zone, dress up photo booth, snow cones, showbags, crazy hair, face painting and nail salon.

Baked goods, books and preloved items will feature alongside a selection of locally made items such as soaps, candles, homewares and paintings by local artists.

“Our major raffle will be

drawn during the event as well as a number of smaller raffles with some fantastic prizes donated by local businesses,” said Kirsty Webb, Events and Fundraising Committee, Soldiers Point Public School P&C.

“There will be a display of historical photographs and information about our school including the contents of the

Service

recently opened time capsule from 1997.

“Our generous friends at Soldiers Point Lions Club will offer a sausage sizzle and our school P&C volunteers will be selling a great range of food choices as well.”

Money raised from the Fair will be directed into constructing an inclusive outdoor learning area to cater

for all students including those with mobility and special needs within the school community.

The 75th birthday celebration is a great opportunity to visit the school, discover local talent, get your Christmas shopping started and then sit back with family and friends to share a meal together - you may even spot

is coming to

community

one of the school’s resident koalas.

Community groups involved include the Soldiers Point RFS, Maritime, Port Stephens Koalas, Salamander Mens Shed, Tomaree Hospital Women’s Auxiliary, Nelson Bay Sea Scouts, Salamander Recycling Centre and the Council Waste Education team.

q Students and teachers from St Philip’s have been engaged in consultation with the Tomaree Headland Heritage Group in relation to the future of the site.

Gardens Galore on Tilligerry Peninsula

By Geoff WALKER

A BREAK in the weather saw garden lovers flock to the annual 'Open Gardens' display on the Tilligerry Peninsula.

On purchasing a ticket,

visitors were given a map of the participating properties which ranged from Salt Ash through to Tanilba Bay, Mallabula and Lemon Tree Passage.

The most popular exhibit was at historic

Tanilba House, now a private home which caters for events such as weddings.

The surrounding grounds and gardens were a riot of colour.

These were framed by

manicured lawns despite the heavy rains of recent weeks.

We caught up with Fiona Cooper and Michael Ford from Raymond Terrace who were impressed by the gardens they visited.

They found the owners of the gardens polite and friendly, with “many smiling faces” in attendance.

“We heard about it on Port Stephens FM radio,” Fiona said.

“It's a great way of

bringing the community together.”

Meanwhile at Mallabula, self confessed gardening tragic Michelle Mc Gregor saw her role in the event as a way of bringing local residents together.

She finds gardening a great stress release activity which she has been passionate about for most of her life.

“This is my second year participating and it is bigger and better than the year before,” she stated.

“I was quite surprised at the number of visitors from outside the area,”

The long term resident has a business – 'Kindred Living' – in Lemon Tree Passage which specialises in indoor plants.

Tilligerry once had a very active garden club and annual flower show but insurance issues and lack of volunteers saw it close down.

What’s in your backyard?

HOST of Gardening Australia and Landcare champion Costa Georgiadis is joining forces with Junior Landcare to ask Aussie kids to get outdoors and snap photos of the fauna and flora in their 'backyard'.

Junior Landcare understands that children can’t be involved in caring for the environment if they don’t love it – and one way to do this is for children to get their hands and feet in it.

Through the 'What's in your backyard?' photo competition, children are being encouraged to grab a camera, get outdoors and capture photos of the flora and fauna in their 'backyard', explaining to Costa and Junior Landcare why their photo is special to them.

“We’re calling on all Aussie kids to get outside and explore their local environment,” said Costa.

“Your backyard might be a garden.

“If you live in an apartment, your garden could be plants on your balcony.

“You may live near a park or bushland area, or a river or wetland.

“You may live on the coast close to the sea, or on a farm – these could all be your backyard!”

Children (via their parents, carers and educators) can

submit photos to the Junior Landcare website, under one of four categories including biodiversity, food production, First Nations perspectives and waste management, to be in the running to win one of nine cameras (RRP $250), book hampers and other great prizes.

One school or youth group will also win a visit from Costa to check out their environmental projects.

Joining Costa as a campaign supporter and host of Channel 10’s The Living Room, Barry Du Bois, said he wants his ten-year-old twins, Bennett and Arabella, to experience the same sense of wonder around nature that he

had when he was young.

“As a young boy, I loved exploring the creeks, beaches, and secret hiding spots in my own backyard, and I want that for Bennett and Arabella.

“There's something magical about nature, and the ‘What’s in your Backyard’ campaign will help kids to find that magic in their own backyards.”

‘What’s in your backyard?’ is a key activity of Junior Landcare’s Learning Centre.

The online platform features fun, easy-to-use learning activities developed by education professionals to help children be aware, empowered and active in caring for their local

environment.

The resources have all been designed to help children build knowledge and deeper connections to biodiversity, where their food comes from, recycling and waste management, and First Nations perspectives.

This year, together with First Nations educator, Wiradjuri man Adam Shipp, ten new First Nations learning activities have been developed by Landcare Australia to teach children and educators about how to have a connection to Country.

“Young people play a vital role in caring for our environment, which needs all the help it can get! Junior

Landcare gives children – no matter where they are across the country – the opportunity to understand nature, connect with it and take action to protect the world around them.

“With Junior Landcare, we are educating the next generation of Landcarers – and this starts with parents, carers and educators encouraging

simple moments outdoors,” said Costa.

The ‘What’s in your backyard’ campaign closes on 31 October, so grab a camera, get outside, and snap photos of the flora and fauna in your backyard to share with Costa and Junior Landcare.

Find out more at www. juniorlandcare.org.au/WIYBY

q Michelle Mc Gregor displays her front garden at Mallabula.

q Tanilba House owner Deidre Hall flanked by Fiona and Michael at the historic homestead.

q One school or youth group will also win a visit from Costa to check out their environmental projects.

q Costa Georgiadis.

Photo: Landcare Australia.

q Children are being encouraged to grab a camera, get outdoors and capture photos of the flora and fauna in their 'backyard'.

Debate over single-use plastics ban

THE NSW Government is continuing to ban certain single-use plastics, with new laws coming into place from next Tuesday.

From 1 November 2022, all manufacturers, wholesalers, businesses and community organisations will be banned from supplying a range of single-use plastic items.

This follows the ban on lightweight plastic bags that came into place on 1 June.

Around 575 million plastic items were littered in NSW in 2019.

Much of these were singleuse items, such as plastic bags, straws and cutlery.

Over time, these items break into smaller pieces of plastic.

They can be ingested by wildlife, killing or injuring them, and can enter the human food chain.

Plastics never completely degrade.

Over years, they break into tiny pieces called microplastics.

The phase out of single-use plastic items will help prevent an estimated 2.7 billion items of plastic litter from entering our natural environment and waterways over the next 20 years.

The items selected for the ban are littered at approximately 20 times the rate of other plastics.

Approximately 40 percent of these littered items end up in marine environments and waterways.

Of the 16,000 submissions the Government received when consulting on the future bans of plastics in NSW, 98 percent supported the phasing out single-use plastics.

From 1 November 2022, the following items will be

banned:

• single-use plastic straws

• single-use plastic cutlery, including plastic chopsticks and sporks

• single-use plastic stirrers

• single-use plastic bowls (excluding bowls with a spill-proof lid)

• single-use plastic plates

• single-use plastic cotton buds

• expanded polystyrene food service items

• plastic microbeads in rinse-off personal care products such as face and body cleansers, exfoliants and masks, shampoo, conditioner and hair dyes, and toothpaste.

Minister for Environment James Griffin said the ban on single-use plastics is just the beginning of a massive shift away from single-use plastics

q From 1 November 2022, all manufacturers, wholesalers, businesses and community organisations will be banned from supplying a range of singleuse plastic items.

in NSW.

“In June, we banned lightweight single-use plastic bags and from 1 November, we’re banning some of the most commonly littered single-use plastic items, including cutlery, plates, bowls, straws, and polystyrene food ware,” Mr Griffin said.

“About 95 percent of

Inquiry into Property Tax Bill

A PARLIAMENTARY committee has commenced an inquiry into the Property Tax (First Home Buyer Choice) Bill 2022.

This bill would make changes to legislation to enable certain first home buyers to opt to pay an annual property tax rather than stamp duty when

purchasing their home.

The NSW Government introduced the Property Tax (First Home Buyer Choice) Bill 2022 on 12 October 2022.

The Bill passed through the Legislative Assembly, while the Legislative Council voted to refer it to the Upper House's Premier

say

and Finance Committee for detailed examination before it is debated in the House.

The Hon Tara Moriarty MLC, Chair of the Committee said, "Under this bill, it's proposed that instead of paying stamp duty, certain first home buyers could choose to pay a proposed new tax, involving a $400

annual fee plus 0.3 percent of their property's land value.

"Through our inquiry, the committee intends to explore whether the provisions of the bill are sound.

“Importantly, we will also hear from experts as we look at whether the

the litter on beaches and waterways comes from suburban streets, and single-use plastic items and packaging make up two thirds of all litter in NSW.”

Not all are pleased with the ban however, with the Liberal Democrats calling for the ban on single-use plastic items to be replaced with an education program

bill's proposed formula for calculating the intended new tax is clear and easy to understand."

Interested stakeholders are invited to make a submission to the inquiry at https://bit.ly/property-taxbill-inquiry. Submissions close on 26 October 2022.

A public hearing for the inquiry will be held on Thursday 27 October 2022 in the Jubilee Room at

that”

and finding biodegradable alternatives to plastic.

Liberal Democrats NSW President Dean McCrae said there are far more effective long-term solutions than an immediate ban and penalties for non-compliance.

“The LibDems applaud the NSW Environment Protection Authority for their approach to first educate and raise awareness among the public to stop using non-biodegradable plastics,” Mr McCrae said.

“An education campaign that encourages consumers to swap to reusable shopping bags and refuse plastic containers is positive, and the change to shoppers’ behaviour should be accelerated.

“Ultimately, there must be less plastic waste going to landfill, and this will start to happen when biodegradable plastics, papers and bamboo products are more widely adopted,” Mr McCrae said.

Parliament House, Sydney.

The hearing will be streamed live from the Parliament's website at http://bit.ly/webcastnsw.

Details of the hearing, together with more information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference and a link to the bill, can be found on the committee's webpage at https://bit.ly/property-taxbill-inquiry.

It’s all here waiting for you at Blueheath at The Bower, a vibrant over 55s community conveniently located in Medowie. Our resort style clubhouse will o er a range of facilities including heated indoor pool, wellness centre, resident bar and bowling green. Just a stone’s throw away you’ll find championship golf courses, the wines of the Hunter and the beaches of Port Stephens. Come and view our beautiful display home, meet our friendly team and learn about our personalised concierge services.

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“I’ll say yes to that!”

Varroa mite reimbursement available

REGISTERED commercial beekeepers impacted by Varroa mite in the surveillance (purple) zones, including areas of Port Stephens and the Myall Coast, are now eligible for reimbursement payments under the agreed National Response Plan.

Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said the NSW Government recognises that despite not needing to have hives euthanised like those in the eradication (red) zones, beekeepers in surveillance zones have also been adversely financially impacted by the Varroa mite response.

“When we first saw an incursion of the Varroa mite in NSW, we immediately initiated a hive stand still

for beekeepers in the eradication and surveillance zones,” Mr Saunders said.

“This means that commercial beekeepers have been unable to move their hives to other parts of the state to take part in pollination activities, which has greatly impacted the business operations of many.

“The NSW Government has worked closely with the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council to develop a framework for reimbursement that has been endorsed by all governments and industry parties.

“We understand that the payments will not cover the full costs incurred, but will give commercial beekeepers options.”

Australian Honey Bee Industry Council CEO Danny Le Feuvre said his group has been working hard with the NSW Government and other key stakeholders to ensure the reimbursement for purple zone commercial

beekeepers.

“This shows how progress in the response can start to allow more options for commercial beekeepers," Mr Le Feuvre said.

The limited Owner Reimbursement Costs

offers eligible registered commercial beekeepers two options:

· Commercial beekeepers can choose to euthanise their existing hives and receive reimbursement of $290 per standard hive to re-establish new hives outside of the purple zones; or, · They can choose to not euthanise their hives and instead receive a one-off loss-of-income reimbursement of $117 per standard hive.

These reimbursements are one-off payments.

Commercial registered beekeepers in the surveillance zone will be contacted directly with more information on how to apply.

Eligible applicants must

be a registered commercial beekeeper with the DPI, have been impacted as a direct result of the Varroa mite emergency response and meet other criteria as outlined in the program guidelines.

The reimbursement package comes at the same time as the relaxing of some restrictions in NSW, with a change to the movement options for recreational beekeepers in the blue zone.

“Blue zone recreational beekeepers can now move hives and bees in that lowrisk area of NSW in line with commercial beekeepers in the same zone, which will enable people to set up hives, or move locations,” Mr Saunders said.

For more information and the latest updates visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/varroa.

Federal Government signs global Methane Pledge

THE Federal Albanese Government has confirmed it will join Joe Biden’s global Methane Pledge, an attempt to cut methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030, due to concerns that climate change is increasing the frequency and potency of extreme weather events.

Australia joins 122 other countries in signing the Methane Pledge, signalling Australia’s voluntary commitment to participation in global action on methane emissions.

National Farmers Federation Chief Executive Tony Mahar said the pledge will have no negative impacts on the agriculture sector.

“For agriculture it will reinforce our demonstrated commitment to sustainability and ongoing access key markets as an export orientated sector.

“Farmers are already leading the charge on climate action in Australia

and have earned a seat at the table and the strong assurances and partnership provided by government mean the pledge will not negatively impact on farmers or the agriculture sector,” Mr Mahar said.

Concerns have been expressed across the industry regarding the impact the pledge would have on farming businesses.

Prior to the pledge being made, NSW Farmers demanded the federal government put down in writing a promise not to tax farmers for methane emissions.

NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Agriculture Minister Murray Watt, Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen should all sign a statement that farmers would not be left worse off under the Methane Pledge.

“Before we go making pledges to other countries, our leaders should make a pledge to the people who grow our food and fibre,” Mr Martin said.

“We’ve been told that farmers will be excluded, but the same thing happened in New Zealand and now they’re experiencing the disastrous impact of these international agreements.

“Australia cannot afford to put global appearances ahead of our ability to feed and clothe ourselves, and our government should make an iron-clad assurance – in writing – that agriculture will not be impacted by Joe Biden’s Methane Pledge.”

According to the Federated Farmers of New Zealand, “lies, damned lies and statistics” have driven a plan to reduce on-farm greenhouse gas emissions that would see agricultural communities killed off in the name of climate change.

It claimed it was the equivalent of destroying the entire New Zealand wine industry and half the seafood industry.

Mr Martin said while there were promising trials and pieces of research being conducted to help reduce how much methane livestock produced, Australia

was a long way from having commercially scalable options for ‘low methane’ livestock.

He pointed out that Australian farmers got a 1.3 percent return on assets, whereas larger food businesses such as Woolworths got a 15 percent return, so there was little room to move given farmers had already reduced emissions by more than 30 percent.

“As it stands, the only way to reduce livestock emissions is to reduce the size of the national herd,” Mr Martin said.

“Families are already feeling stress at the checkout, they will be wanting ironclad assurances that farm production isn’t reduced.

“If the government wants to cut methane it needs to

invest in research that will let us do that without impacting production.”

Mr Mahar said industry concerns are being taken seriously and have been raised with the Federal Government.

“Australian agriculture cannot and will not tolerate interventions like the New Zealand or Netherlands governments are implementing which target and undermine agriculture’s productivity.

“We welcome Government’s commitments which recognise the role farmers play in sustainably producing food and fibre and managing the landscape every day of the week as part of the ongoing emission reduction journey.”

Mr Mahar said farmers have been given assurances

there will be no new taxes or regulation on livestock methane, and no reduction to agricultural production nor livestock numbers.

“This commitment recognises agriculture’s existing achievement, future plans and dedication to ongoing partnership with government to develop technology-led solutions and associated innovation.

“We are confident Australian agriculture and farmers will retain a seat at the table as the conversation continues and this dialog with government is open and dynamic

“Australia’s farm sector has already reduced its emissions by about 59 percent on 2005 levels.

“And our red meat sector is planning to be carbon neutral by 2030.”

q Varroa mites (Varroa jacobsoni and V. destructor) are the most serious pest of honey bees worldwide. The mites are tiny reddish brown external parasites of honey bees.

q NSW Farmers say the only way to reduce livestock emissions is to reduce the size of the national herd.

Mateship Morning Tea

By Marian SAMPSON

MENTAL Health Awareness Month has been acknowledged by Lemon Tree Passage Marine Rescue who recently held their inaugural Mateship Morning Tea.

The event was designed to bring the community together to chat in a safe environment.

Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage hosted the inaugural Mateship Morning Tea for

past and present members of the emergency services community and nursing profession as part of Mental Health Awareness Month.

Mick Chubb of Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage told News Of The Area, “There’s a lot of good things about living and working outside.

”Living in smaller regional communities has its unique challenges.

“These include fewer services, isolation and resources to respond to extreme weather events are just a few of the things that can be harder to deal with here.

“There were 25 people in attendance for a cuppa with scones and a great chance to catch up as well.”

Mick and the team passed their thanks on to Anne and Sue who organised the morning tea event.

Nominate a multicultural champion today

COMMUNITY members now have the chance to recognise the outstanding contributions people have made to NSW’s multicultural society by nominating them for a Premier’s Multicultural Community Medal.

Submissions are also open for the Multicultural Honour Roll, which gives posthumous recognition to people who have made

significant achievements in NSW.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said for ten years, the NSW Government has been recognising the remarkable contributions of individuals, groups and organisations in serving the state’s multicultural society.

“While these awards give an opportunity to acknowledge their amazing service, they also

give the people nominating them a chance to say thank you for all that they do,” Mr Perrottet said.

“I believe it is important to give people the chance to acknowledge the amazing work in our multicultural communities and the profound difference they make in other people’s lives and their communities.”

Among the twelve

categories that people can nominate for include a brand new award, the Community Languages Teacher Medal, which will recognise the achievements of an outstanding and innovative language teacher who instils knowledge and a love of language and culture in their students.

Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure

Positive Behaviour for Learning Awards

By Marian SAMPSON

REGULAR readers of News

Of The Area will have noticed an array of students being recognised in the paper each week during the school term for their positive actions in the community.

These students are nominated for awards through the region’s Positive Behaviour for Learning program.

This week’s nominees:

- At Irrawang High School it was too hard to choose between these three great students, Teagan Munoz, Eden McAusland and Imogen Mehonoshan, who were all nominated.

These young ladies were part of a group of IHS CAPA students who were of immense assistance to support students from Grahamstown Public School at Star Struck and Showcase.

- Salt Ash Public School’s Madeline Preseton demonstrates PBL values whilst representing her school out in the community by nominating herself to participate in the Showcase.

said these medals recognise NSW’s greatest asset - its people.

“It is because of the extraordinary people and significant contributions they make that position NSW as the most successful multicultural society in the world,” Mr Coure said.

“I encourage everyone to look within their community and nominate someone, a

- Medowie Public School student Elizabeth Earle was nominated for demonstrating great responsibility.

She walks to school holding her sister’s hand, making sure she is away from the road and on the path.

- Seaham Public School’s Cooper Boxall was nominated for the way he always goes out of his way to greet other students and staff in the mornings.

Cooper is always friendly and caring towards others.

- Karuah Public School’s Lily Kennedy was nominated for her amazing help during the school’s Father's Day stall.

Lily assisted the younger students to find the right gift and helped them add up their money.

She demonstrated great respect to the volunteers and made their jobs so much easier.

- Irrawang Public School student Skye Lawrence was nominated for being helpful to others in the street and always keen to help people in need.

- Raymond Terrace Public School student Tanaya Bolte was nominated for demonstrating her PBL values at sporting events.

- Anabelle Bullivant of

Big business talks jobs and housing availability

MEMBERS of the Regional Australia Institute’s Regional Australia Council (RAC) met this week for the first time following the launch of the RAI’s ‘Regionalisation Ambition 2032 – A Framework to Rebalance the Nation (the Ambition)’.

Council members include Aurizon, Australia Post, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Commonwealth, Domain, Elders, Essential Energy, Expedia Group, KPMG, nab, nbn co., Nutrien Ag Solutions,

NRMA, Optus, Transgrid, Telstra and Woolworths.

The Ambition was co-developed by Council members to advance solutions to regional Australia’s challenges and to capture the opportunities over the next ten years.

This important body of work has sparked a critical new national conversation about Australia’s population distribution and the planning needed to support the nation’s future.

Members once again reported that finding workers and the availability of housing were the biggest challenges when doing business in the regions.

“Council members make up some of regional Australia’s biggest employers,” RAI CEO Liz Ritchie said.

“The consistent message from RAC members is that finding enough people with the requisite skills is becoming more and more difficult.”

This is in the context of last week’s record 93,000 regional job vacancies as reported by the National Skills Commission.

“Central to the job challenge is a historically tight regional rental market, which is impeding the attraction of new recruits to our regions and therefore putting a handbrake on business growth,” Ms Ritchie said.

“In order to change our future, we must act and think differently, and we must call

www.newsofthearea.com.au

on our leaders to do the same.

Australia needs a tailored regional lens on the issues affecting our nation.

“We are not a homogeneous nation, we are diverse and this requires unique solutions and settings.”

The Regionalisation Ambition 2032 includes targets to reduce recruitment difficulty to 40 percent down from 70 percent in 2022 and to increase regional rental vacancy rates to above three percent.

PORT STEPHENS

business or an organisation that is selflessly serving for the benefit of others.”

Nominations close Friday 18 November, with the medal winners and honour roll inductees announced at the annual Premier’s Harmony Dinner in 2023.

For more information or to nominate, visit www. multicultural.nsw.gov.au.

Grahamstown Public School was nominated for the way she shows initiative at school and in the classroom.

She regularly assists younger students in the playground. Anabelle greatly assists staff by volunteering to do jobs and extra duties when required.

Hunter River High School's (HRHS) PBL coordinator Sarah Donn told News Of The Area, “Hunter River High School is a proud member of the Raymond Terrace Community PBL program.

“It has been an incredible opportunity each week for HRHS to celebrate our dynamic students who continue to embody our core values of ‘Harmony, Respect, Honesty and Success’.

“These values encompass all aspects of our school.

“This week's HRHS nominee, Amy Richens, embodied these values whilst participating in our annual Write a Book in a Day event, where she assisted with set up and clean up, and supported her peers and primary school students throughout the day," she said.

The NOTA congratulates all of the PBL Nominees this week!

Vacancy rates in many regional centres are currently below one percent.

Having co-developed the Regionalisation Ambition 2032, the focus of the Council, through the RAI, now turns to bringing about the policy and investment changes needed to achieve targets and to rebalance the nation.

“The Council is of firm agreement that shared advocacy across the whole of government is the best strategy.

“We thank them for their commitment to rebalancing our nation,” Ms Ritchie said.

q The inaugural Mateship Morning Tea.

q This week's PBL award nominees.

Dorin’s Draws By Paul DORIN

On the Couch

DEAR Jasminda,

MY wife has awful infidelity dreams about me and then won't speak to me for hours because of what I did.

I have no control over what she dreams.

I'm constantly being blamed for things I haven't done.

Thanks, Roger P.

Oh, Roger,

I can only imagine how annoying this is.

The NOTA needs you!

TELLING the incredible stories of Port Stephens and the Myall Coast is what News Of The Area (NOTA) is all about.

The independentlyowned NOTA has had a presence in the region for decades and is proud to keep locals up to date with the happenings of the area.

Now, NOTA is seeking more enthusiastic locals with a background in writing to join the team.

Are you a freelance reporter, current or exjournalist, or simply a passionate and quality writer?

“If you have a background in writing, and a passion for your local community, I would love to hear from you,” said NOTA Group Editor Douglas Connor.

“As the paper continues to grow, we are always looking for enthusiastic wordsmiths to help cover the region’s news, sport, events, music etc.”

Writing for NOTA can be an amazing way to connect with your local community,

to meet some of the aweinspiring locals creating change in the area, and to learn and experience the unique elements of life in our region.

Writing for NOTA is flexible, with contributor reporters able to submit as many or as few stories per week to fit in with their present lifestyle and commitments.

Veteran NOTA reporter Marian Sampson, who has reported on local issues on the Myall Coast and Port Stephens for five years, said the role allowed her freedom, and new opportunities.

“Writing for News Of The Area has been a wonderful opportunity for me.

“I have become further connected to my community and importantly those who care passionately about their causes.

“I have had the privilege to meet some amazing people who are doing amazing things locally and internationally.

“I am valued and

respected by my community as is the publication.

“As a NOTA reporter I write when I like and choose the stories that are of interest to me and my community.

“I choose my own hours and I can work from anywhere,” Marian said.

News Of The Area was recently named as a finalist in the Outstanding Stand Up category of the Mid North Coast NSW Business Awards, while Client Account Manager Gaye Conway and Group Editor Douglas Connor were named as finalists in the Outstanding Employee and Outstanding Young Business Leader categories respectively.

If you want to be a part of helping the community get its weekly local news hit, then let's start the conversation.

Send us an email telling us a bit about yourself to media@newsofthearea. com.au.

All you want in the morning is to be left alone to do your Wordle, sip your coffee, scan the news headlines and try to decide whether it's a good day to spread some weed and feed on the lawn, and instead you are on the receiving end of a barrage of accusations that somehow manifested in the previous eight hours when you weren't even awake.

Dreams are fascinating.

Some of us dream in exquisite detail.

Others rarely remember their dreams, and when they do, they aren't worth recalling due to their bland content.

There are rainbow dreamers and vanilla dreamers, and, beyond that realm, psychopathic dreamers who perhaps do need to have their

dismemberment dreams dissected by a professional (pun intended).

Now, in order to put your wife's mind at ease, I would take a Jungian rather than a Freudian approach to her dreams, since Freud could make absolutely anything about sex, even an obscure dream about planting some new spring bulbs in the garden.

If your wife is dreaming about you cheating with someone you know, you could explain to her that this is really just symbolic of that person representing something you may want in your life that they have.

A remote-control garage for example.

Freud, on the other hand, would have a field day with a remote-control garage and somehow turn it into an Oedipus complex.

If the dreams are in relation to a celebrity, perhaps she just wants something that celebrity has - the ability to make billions out of rapping and selling sneakers, for example.

If your wife confronts you again, tell her you had a very similar dream where she ran off the local accountant.

Then go into excruciating detailthe business activity statements, the fuel excise, a dodgy PAYG summary, missing bank interest statements, a dubious lump sum termination and no dividends.

I doubt she'll mention her dreams for a while after that.

Carpe diem, Jasminda.

Nelson Bay Golf ClubSPORT

MONDAY 17 October:

Veterans Competition: Ambrose Winners:

1. Barry Lindsay, Gavin Thom, Brian Hodges, Warren Parkinson 29

2. Mike Coghlan, Walter Harris, Neil Carmady, Robert Nelson 29.43

Tuesday 18 October

Ladies Stableford Christmas Bush Course:

A: Arja Levonpera (24) 41; Dianne Moon (25) 39; Jenny Frost (10) 38c/b.

B: Jeannie Punshon (26) 42c/b; Elizabeth Pfenigwerth (28) 42; Nicola Bethwaite (26) 40.

C: Robbie McClurg (37) 42; Pam Townsend (40) 41 c/b; Linda Goudge (42) 41.

Wednesday 19 October

Men’s Stableford: Brushbox Course:

A Grade: Graeme Luke (10) 40, Stephen Spillane (13) 38.

B Grade: Michael Haddad (18) 37c/b, John P O’Shea (23) 37.

C Grade: John Hourigan (26) 38,

Gary McCann (24) 36.

Men’s Stableford: Gymea Lily course:

A Grade: John Clark (11) 43, Peter Kent (10) 41;

B Grade: Bob Scott (18) 18c/b, Brian Lawrance (20) 40c/b.

C Grade: Colin Tinker (25) 42c/b, Mick Henneberger (24) 42.

Thursday 20 October

Veterans Competition: Stableford:

Overall winners:

1: Rob Scheilbel 19.

2: Rod Daniels 19.

Ladies Stableford:

1: Jane foster (38) 39.

2: Anne Maree Barrett (53) 37.

Men’s Stableford: Gymea Lily course

1: Steve Mitchell (35) 40.

2: John Lulham (1) 39

Friday 21 October

Men’s Stableford: Brushbox course:

A Grade: Steven Wilson (14) 32.

B Grade: Manny Mifsud-Ellul (23) 35, Mike Coghlan (20) 35;

C Grade: Craig Tucker (26) 36, Karl Jorgensen (32) 35c/b.

Women’s Stableford: Brush box course:

A Grade: Suzanne Peters (54) 40, Heather Atkins (22) 35.

Saturday 22 October

Men’s Stroke: Brushbox Course

A Grade: Shaun O’Malley (2) 73; William Marshall (5) 73.

B Grade: Michell Ingle (14) 69; Peter Power (15) 71.

C Grade: John Mudie (19) 69; Neil Lembcke (17) 70 c/b.

D Grade: Phil Walker (25) 73; John Harvey (22) 74.

Womens Stableford: Gymea Lily Jeannie Punshon (25) 28c/b Leesa Wilson (43) 28

Men’s Stableford: Gymea Lilly

A Grade: Mark Woods (14) 40c/b; Ivan Skoda (15) 40.

B Grade: Jim Taylor (18) 42; Scott Ferguson (17) 41.

C Grade: Steve Ryan (29) 41; Craig Mather (25) 37c/b.

Tilligerry Social Golf Club

TILLIGERRY

B. Bill McMaster

NTP18th: A. Ron McKay.

Money hole: A. Matt Baldwin Lucky number 8: Margaret McDonald No ladies 9 hole competition. There were 11 starters. Congratulations to all the winners.

Next game Friday 28/10/22 6x6x6.

with Jasminda

Email Jasminda: media@newsofthearea.com.au

READING by Lynne Miles: Proverbs 13: 34

"Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a disgrace to any people."

q News Of The Area Group Editor Douglas Connor, Client Account Manager Gaye Conway and owners Rochelle and Michael Wright at the Mid North Coast NSW Business Awards in September.

In

SUDOKU

Junior

Doubles Time!

By David WILSON

THE Blowes Shield, named in honour of the late Cyril Blowes, a life member of the club, is Nelson Bay Croquet Club’s annual handicap Golf Croquet doubles competition.

The 2022 championship was played on Sunday 16 October 2022.

A fine day greeted the sixteen

members entered in the competition.

Two blocks seeded on handicap were formed with each block playing a round-robin of three 13-point games each, with each game limited to 50 minutes.

Block A: Karen Lilly and Rae Uptin, Rob Batho and Ian Spight, Jane Scorer and Greg Long, and Jeff Pettifer and Barry Schultz.

Block B: Ann Barrett and Rod Peet, Ralph Harrison and David Wilson, Faby Batho and Marion. Graff, and Beryl and Col Chalkley.

In Block A, Rob and Ian won three games from three to top the block with Karen and Rae second with two wins from three.

In Block B, Ann and Rod won three games from three to top the

block with Ralph and David second with two wins from three.

In the final, Rob and Ian skipped out to a two-hoop lead over Ann and Rod but the remainder of the game was a close affair with hoops traded both ways.

Rob and Ian maintained the twohoop advantage winning 5-3 when the 50 minute time limit was reached.

Gordon on Fire

Peter Gordon won his 5th and 6th State Titles of 2022 at the NSW Division 3 Ricochet Croquet Championships held at Maitland Croquet Club.

The Doubles were played Monday 17 and 18 October with the Singles played Wednesday 19 to Friday 21 October 2022.

Both championships were played as 26-point games with a time limit of 2 hours for each game.

In the Doubles, Peter played with David Rush of Killara Croquet Club. Associate members Ann Barrett and Rod Peet also played in the competition.

With just four pairs entered, the competition was played as a roundrobin qualifying block with all four pairs advancing to a seeded knockout semi-final and final.

Peter and David won two of three qualifying games to finish 2nd in the block, losing only to Phil Monds and Darren Warner of EDSACC.

In the semi-final, Peter and David beat Cecily Mahoney (Sawtell) & Lynette Stewart (Gloucester) 13-5. In the final, they played Phil & Darren again, this time winning 15-5 to claim the title.

The Singles attracted six entries including Peter and associate member Ann.

Again, the competition was played as a round-robin qualifying block with all six players advancing to a seeded knock-out stage.

Peter was unbeaten in the qualifying round-robin, five wins and +40 hoops, to finish top of the block and advance straight to the semi final.

Peter beat Ann 17-2 in the semifinal before taking the title with a 26-1 win over Graham Heydon (Maitland) in the final. Ann finished 3rd beating Janine Crellin (Taree) 13-5 in a play-off.

Not only does Peter currently hold six State titles but remarkably these cover all three codes of the game - Golf, Ricochet and Association.

Support for Mallabula’s Little Athletes

COLES is throwing their support behind Mallabula’s little athletes with a $1,800 grant to help Tilligerry and Districts Little Athletics buy brand new equipment for the new season.

The latest round of grants from the Coles Little Athletics Community Fund takes Coles’ donation to grassroots Little Athletics centres to more than $2.2 million in four years and will help centres buy new sports and safety equipment such as javelins, discuses, and defibrillators to support aspiring athletes and community volunteers.

This year’s grants have been made possible with money raised by Coles, its banana growers and customers during the inaugural Coles Little Athletics Banana A-Peel held earlier this year, when 10 cents of every kilogram of Cavendish bananas sold in Coles supermarkets was donated to the cause.

Tilligerry and Districts Little Athletics Treasurer Jade Morrison said the grant will help the centre’s

dedicated volunteers to focus on providing a quality program for its athletes rather than fundraising.

“Our committee are hardworking and do everything possible to keep the centre up and we give everything to our club and any financial assistance will help us greatly,” she said.

“COVID restrictions impacted on our ability to fundraise from canteen sales and a weekly raffle at the local RSL.

“With this grant, we’ll be able to buy a new online timing program and laptop that will alleviate the need to have multiple timekeepers.”

“The new laptop and program will mean that only one or two parents will be required to keep time and the results will be automatically uploaded on a laptop.

“This in turn will mean we can have more families helping at other events, or actually sitting back and enjoying watching their children compete.”

Coles State General Manager Ivan Slunjski said Coles was delighted to continue to support grassroots Little Athletics centres in New South Wales through initiatives like the Coles Little Athletics Community Fund and banana donations.

“Coles has been a proud supporter of Little Athletics for over five years, and we’re delighted to provide over $80,000 in sports equipment grants to NSW’s Little Athletics centres to help them gear up for this season,” he said.

“We’re particularly delighted to help centres that were affected by the floods earlier this year so that they can replace some of their equipment.

“We know very well the devastating impact these floods have had on local clubs and communities, and we hope these grants will help them to recover and look forward to a new Little Athletics season.”

More than $250,000 in sports equipment grants were distributed to 73 Little Athletics centres across

Australia in the latest round of grants from the Coles Little Athletics Community Fund.

Since the Fund was established just four years ago, Little Athletics NSW centres have shared in over $725,000 from money raised and

donated by Coles and its banana growers and customers.

In addition to the distribution of sports equipment grants, Coles will continue to support Little Athletics centres across New South Wales with banana donations from local supermarkets throughout the season.

q Coles Ambassadors KelseyLee Barber and Matthew Denny with little athletes celebrating new equipment from the Coles Little Athletics Community Fund.

q Rob Batho and Ian Spight receive the winner's prize from Club Captain Rae Uptin.