Port Stephens News Of The Area 29 June 2023

Raymond Terrace swimmers Jakob Thomson (back right) and Isaac Howells (front left) helped Sport Inclusion Australia win gold in the Boys four x 50m Relay at the Global Games in France.

YOUR ONLY LOCALLY OWNED PORT STEPHENS NEWSPAPER

Dan Pedersen joins NOTA as guest editor

NEWS Of The Area (NOTA)

welcomes veteran journalist and editor Daniel Pedersen to the organisation in a six week guest editing role while regular editor Doug Connor is on leave.

Dan will take on the editing of NOTA’s four newspaper titles during this period.

Dan joins NOTA with decades of journalism experience under his belt; having held reporting, editing and senior management roles in media outlets across Australia and Asia.

He also has history with NOTA, joining the team as editor for a three week stint in 2022.

Medal haul for Raymond Terrace swimmers at Virtus Global Games championships in France

FROM Page 1

Thomson, Isaac Howells and Gabby Howells.

The high-functioning autistic trio returned home with a swag of medals after representing Sport Inclusion Australia at the Virtus Global Games in France earlier this month.

A published author, Dan was commissioned to write a book about the Karen ethnic minority in Burma.

The resulting book, entitled ‘Secret Genocide, Voices of the Karen of Burma’, was released worldwide in February 2011.

Opinion pieces, letters to the editor, sports results and community submissions for all NOTA publications should be directed to Dan from Monday 3 July to August 10.

Dan can be reached at media@newsofthearea. com.au or 0483 019 964.

Doug Connor’s inbox (doug@newsofthearea. com.au) and phone will not be regularly checked during this time.

DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION UPDATE APPLICATIONS LODGED FROM 11/06/2023 TO 18/06/2023

Information is correct at time of printing. For up-to-date information visit Council’s DA Tracker at datracker.portstephens.nsw.gov.au or contact us on 4988 0255.

ADDRESS DA NO. PROPOSAL

ANNA BAY

8 Dunmore Ave 16-2023-326-1 Secondary dwelling, proposed studio over existing garage BOAT HARBOUR

2 Koala Pl 16-2023-216-1

CORLETTE

Alterations and additions to tourist/ visitor accommodation (backpackers) –establishment of hotel, cabins, dining area

46 Sandy Point Rd; 2/46 Sandy Point Rd 16-2023-254-1 Awning to existing balcony

10 Kallaroo St 16-2023-309-1 Carport

FINGAL BAY

23 Amaroo Cr 16-2023-281-1 Alterations and additions to dwelling

49 Shoreline Drive 16-2023-292-1 2 lot strata subdivision of existing dual occupancy

MEDOWIE

15 Harvest Rd 16-2023-329-1 Swimming pool

It was a meritorious achievement by the Stroud Seals Swimming Club sensations who performed with distinction under the guidance of respected local swimming coach Mike Abel in the French State of Vichy.

Based at the Lakeside Leisure Centre in Raymond Terrace, the trio shone in the S19 category individual and relay events, impressing keen judges against the powerful French and New Zealand teams.

Battling a head cold, 17-year-old Thomson defied the odds to clinch gold with 15-year-old Isaac Howells in the four by 50m relay and three silver medals in the competitive relay finals.

That followed Jakob’s four gold medals and a silver for Australia at the Oceania/ Asia Games in Brisbane last November.

Isaac also claimed bronze medals in the 400m individual medley and 200m breaststroke while his 19-year-old sibling Gabby recorded personal best times in all her races - grabbing silver in the 400m individual medley and 100m butterfly, bronze in the 1500m freestyle and 200m individual medley and just for fun the 50m breaststroke.

The swimming trio was part of a strong squad of 120 athletes that collected 126 medals including 44 gold in a variety of sports to finish second in the overall tally behind host nation France (188 medals).

A delighted Mr Abel told News Of The Area that “36 countries competed at the prestigious global games and all three Seals did their country proud with spirited performances across all swimming disciplines.”

“They dug deep to secure medals against the best swimmers with an intellectual impairment in the world,” beamed the experienced Abel, who has coached swimmers at the Lakeside Leisure Centre for the past 16 years.

“Each one of the 21 swimmers in the team

managed to snare a medal with Australia finishing third in the swimming medal count behind Brazil and France,” he said.

“My swimmers performed admirably despite the trying conditions - we had issues with transport to and from the venue and lunches and dinners were also an issue

due to insufficient planning as well as adjusting to the environment as it was still light at 10pm,” said Mr Abel.

“With heats in the morning and finals in the late afternoon the outdoor stainless steel pool and air temperatures climbed into the 30s, which made racing that much harder,” he said.

COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (CMP)

2009, such submissions may be referred to third parties for consideration.

42 Macadamia Cct 16-2023-327-1 Single storey dwelling with attached garage

NELSON BAY

37 Gloucester St 16-2023-313-1

RAYMOND TERRACE

Semi-detached dwellings, subdivision, retaining walls, site works, landscaping

13 Meredith Cr 16-2023-241-1 2 lot strata title subdivision of land

SALAMANDER BAY

121 Port Stephens Dr 16-2023-320-1 Carport

SALT ASH 15 David Dr 16-2022-590-2

SHOAL BAY

S4.55 (1A) modification to alterations and additions to existing dwelling including attached garage and swimming pool – amendment for minor adjustments to drawing notes related to flooding and potential acid sulfate soils, and minor adjustments to drawing details

72 Horace St 16-2023-323-1 Demolition of existing building

4 Yale Cr 16-2023-321-1 Dwelling and secondary dwelling

HAVE YOUR SAY – ONLINE MAPPING

We’ve almost finished our Stage 3 community engagement. If you’re interested in having your say on our CMP, you can get involved by providing your feedback on potential management options via our online mapping tool. For more information and to have your say visit pscouncil.info/cmp

The tool will be open for comment until Sunday 2 July 2023

PROPOSED ROAD CLOSING

SECTION 38B ROADS ACT 1993

In pursuance of the provisions of the Roads Act 1993, notice is hereby given that Port Stephens Council proposes to close the Council public road listed in Schedule 1.

Schedule 1:

• Section of road reserve at the end of Morgan Crescent, Raymond Terrace. The road reserve is located between 7 and 9 Watt St, Raymond Terrace NSW.

All interested persons are hereby invited to make submissions concerning the proposal to the General Manager, Port Stephens Council, 116 Adelaide Street, Raymond Terrace, within twenty eight (28) days of the date of this advertisement. Please note that under the provisions of the Government Information (Public Access) Act

Once the submission period is completed, Port Stephens Council will consider all duly made submissions before deciding whether to continue with the road closure proposal.

Council Reference: PSC2022-02800

Enquiries: Michelle McNeil, Senior Property Officer on 02 4988 0283

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES NAIDOC WEEK CELEBRATIONS

William Street and Hunter Street, Raymond Terrace, between Adelaide Street and Glenelg Street, will be closed to traffic for NAIDOC Week celebrations, between 10am and 11am on Tuesday 29 June 2023.

Stockton Street and Victoria Parade, Nelson Bay, will also be closed to traffic for NAIDOC Week celebrations, between 9:30am and 10:15am on Wednesday 5 July 2023.

Further enquiries may be made by contacting the event organiser on 4033 8800 or Council’s Engineering Services Section on 4988 0255.

WORK WITH US AT

OUR AMAZING HOLIDAY PARKS

We’re currently looking for a professional sales and reservations superstar to join our vibrant and energetic team! Learn more and apply at pscouncil.info/careers

Sat 29 July 10am to 2pm pscouncil.info/raymond-terrace-festival

q Gabby Howells (right with glasses) claimed silver in the 200m individual medley at the Global Games with Amelia Moore (left) from Coffs Harbour winning gold.

Turbines ‘taller than Tomaree’, say opponents

FROM Page 1

NATIONAL security, damage to tourism, Port Of Newcastle impacts, and threats to endangered birds, turtles and whales are being cited as reasons offshore wind farms should not be built along the Hunter coast.

Potential noise and light pollution, plus impact to the sea bed as the structures are anchored, are also being criticised by the growing lobby against the renewable energy project.

Critics say the rush to embrace renewable energy could have pitfalls and the assessment process should not be rushed.

Environmentalist and tourism operator Frank Future - who sits on the Marine Parks Association and was active in stopping the harvesting of humpback whales and creating an industry dedicated

to watching the creaturesreckons the offshore wind farm proposal is badly sited.

“This wind farm is a great idea but, in the wrong place,” he said.

“These windmills are 300 metres high - to put that into perspective that is higher than Tomaree,” he said.

Former Paterson MP Bob Baldwin, also Newcastle and Port Stephens Game Fishing Club director, said all values must be considered.

“Firstly we need to sit down with our local members and make sure that they understand the issues and impact that these wind farms will have, if they proceed, on our community and the environment,” Mr Baldwin said.

“In other regions wind farms have been linked to whales beaching,” he said.

A former Liberal Party defence spokesman, Mr Baldwin said the wind farm

could impact Williamtown Air Base.

“Wind farms are proven to affect radar and could impact low-flying exercises,” he said.

“I think there are a lot of very high-level security risks associated with wind farms off the coast here in Port Stephens, in Sydney and Wollongong.

“If you are a foreign power wanting to pick up intelligence the wind farm would be a great location for a submarine and it would be effectively undetectable,” he said.

Mr Baldwin said he worried the offshore wind farms could spell the end of the billfish and other fishing competitions the region is known for.

He said the offshore structures would attract fish from other areas and, combined with the proposed fishing-exclusion zones, would likely end game fishing in the region.

Baldwin, like others

concerned about the proposed wind farms, is calling for more consultation.

“The sheer magnitude of 300 structures is worrying in itself, the way these structures are anchored is really no different to an oil rig,” he said.

Federal MP for Paterson Meryl Swanson told News Of The Area, “We will be working closely with all stakeholders to ensure that any final proposal doesn't have adverse effects on marine life.

“The proposed areas are a starting point for community discussion,” she said.

“The proposed area follows initial analysis of marine topology, vessel traffic, and sensitive environmental and defence areas.

“Final decisions have not been made and the minister has assured me this process is about making sure the community gets its say,” she said.

CAPS welcomes improvements in council policy and consultation

IN MARCH, Port Stephens Council voted unanimously to revoke its 2020 Environment and Climate Change Policies. Council then

adopted revised versions which, according to Climate Action Port Stephens (CAPS), are substantially improved.

Council has also recently established an Environmental Advisory Group (EAG).

The Environment Policy provides

direction for Council's overall environmental performance.

The EAG will provide a mechanism for the community to contribute to how the policy is implemented.

The Climate Change Policy relates to

Council’s recognition that the climate in Australia is changing and that ongoing action is needed to ensure a sustainable future for Port Stephens.

This is also within the scope of the EAG.

Founded in 2019, CAPS is a not-for-profit community group of Port Stephens residents who are concerned about global climate change and ecological crises and want real climate action in the community.

CAPS, along with the Tomaree Ratepayers and Residents Association and other affiliates of EcoNetwork Port Stephens, has been advocating for changes to these policies.

CAPS petitioned Council in 2019 and in 2020 to declare a climate emergency.

“The changes that the Council has made to these important policies are a significant improvement,” said Alisha Onslow, President of CAPS.

“They put Port Stephens in a much stronger position to handle future challenges.”

Specifically, CAPS welcomes the commitment in the Environment and Climate Change Policies to the principles of a circular economy recognition that our resources are finite and implementation of a Climate Change Adaptation Management Plan.

CAPS has nominated for membership of the EAG, and as a first ‘input’ urges Council develop a ‘roadmap’ for carbon neutrality and a renewable energy target.

CAPS looks forward to working with Council to develop the detailed Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan which addresses community-wide emissions, not just Council’s own carbon footprint.

q Tourism operator Frank Future says the proposed turbines are around 300 metres high, which is higher than Mount Tomaree.

Massive blaze engulfs

injuries or casualties.

Authorities from both the Police and Fire Rescue NSW will be launching a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause of the Inspector Murphie from Fire and Rescue NSW Lower Hunter Command provided insight into the incident.

"At approximately 2:35 pm, fire crews received

q Authorities from both the Police and Fire Rescue NSW will be launching a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause of the fire.

q Fire crews from across Port Stephens and the Hunter responded to the blaze. multiple distress calls reporting a house engulfed in flames in Nelson Bay,” Mr Murphie said.

“Upon arrival, firefighters were met with a fiercely burning structure on both levels.

“They immediately

initiated a defensive fire attack and swiftly requested reinforcements from Newcastle, Raymond Terrace, and the Rural Fire Service.

“Crews have committed to working through the night until the blaze is completely extinguished."

The diligent and coordinated efforts of the

emergency responders prevented the fire from spreading further and minimised the potential damage to nearby properties. Local residents were advised to exercise caution and stay clear of the area while emergency operations were underway.

Unauthorised protests continue across the Hunter

ACTIVISTS protesting the coal industry wreaked havoc with operations at the Newcastle coal port last week, as part of a multi-day protest organised by Blockade Australia.

Last Tuesday night a teenager was charged following an unauthorised protest at Kooragang.

About 8.30pm on 20 June 2023, emergency services were called to Cormorant Road following reports a woman had scaled a coal loader and glued herself to a railing.

“Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District attended, and with assistance from Police Rescue, the woman was removed safely from the structure and arrested about an hour later,” a NSW Police spokesperson said.

“She was taken to Waratah Police Station, where she was charged with enter/remain on etc major facility cause damage to facility, and enter enclosed non-agricultural lands serious safety risk.”

Protester Grace, an eighteen-year-old from Canberra, was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday 21 June 2023.

"Politicians aren't going to suddenly wake up; there is no magic formula of words that will make them want to change things,” Grace said as to why Blockade Australia had launched the protests.

"Engaging in direct action like this makes a clear statement that we won't be messed around.

“We are doing this because it's necessary for survival and necessary to avert mass extinction.

“Actions like this are for our collective survival.

“I act out of love for our haters, for the people rooting for us, for literally all human and non-human life."

Around 6am last Wednesday, another protester entered the Kooragang Island terminal of the Port of Newcastle with a bike, scaling a stacker reclaimer and stopping all

operations.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District, with assistance from Police Rescue, removed the 67-yearold woman.

“She was arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station, where she was charged with enter enclosed non-agricultural lands serious safety risk, enter/ remain on major facility seriously disrupt use and breach of bail,” a NSW Police

spokesperson said.

The woman was refused bail to attend Newcastle Local Court on Friday 23 June 2023.

The activist, Vickers, said protesters need to “disrupt Australia where it hurts most”.

“Ports represent 98 percent of Australia’s trade – where most of its wealth and prestige lies with the

rest of the world.

"I am one person, I can do this, imagine what could we do if you join us,” she said of the protest.

On Monday 19 June, another Blockade Australia protester was arrested after suspending herself from a Kooragang rail bridge.

The activist, Claudia, was released on bail to appear in court on 20 July, charged with

trespass and obstructing a railway.

Protests have also taken place in Brisbane, Melbourne and a range of locations across the Hunter.

As investigations continue, anyone with information about the incidents are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw. crimestoppers.com.au.

q Blockade Australia protester Vickers scaled a stacker reclaimer.

q Grace, a young activist with Blockade Australia, was charged after climbing on top of a coal loader, an action which stopped the world’s largest coal port.

Alleged stabbing prompts student safety concerns at Irrawang High

short distance away.

By Doug CONNOR

AN alleged schoolyard stabbing has prompted renewed calls from parents for issues of violent behaviour to be better addressed at Irrawang High.

On Monday 19 June police and emergency services responded to reports of a stabbing at the Raymond Terrace high school.

“An ambulance and police were called to the school at about 9.50 this morning after an altercation between two students left one with a small flesh wound,” read an email from Irrawang principal Nicole Huxley to parents on Monday afternoon.

“The incident occurred outside our library, and staff moved quickly to intervene and arrange for the injured student to receive first aid; the other student ran from school grounds but was apprehended by police a

“The injured student was taken to hospital by ambulance for treatment and allowed to leave after treatment.

“As police are investigating this incident, we are unable to provide further information, but the student who allegedly caused the injury has been subjected to the school’s disciplinary procedures.”

The injured boy’s mother, Tracey, said Monday’s incident stemmed from a prior episode in which her son’s phone had been stolen.

Following this incident, threats were sent to Tracey’s son via social media.

Tracey said she had informed the school of the threats in the weeks preceding Monday’s incident.

“The school was warned that this child had sent text message threats through, and these had been sent through to the school.

“They knew the full extent of the threat.

“They said they don’t take these kinds of threats lightly, yet nothing was done.”

Despite the school informing parents that the injured student, 15, had been released from hospital, he was in fact kept overnight for observation.

“In that letter it indicated that our son had been treated and left hospital.

school.”

The alleged violent nature of the incident has left Tracey and her husband fearful to return their children to school.

“Why would he (Tracey's son) want to go back to school?

“He isn’t safe.

“We have another daughter in year 9, and she is feeling threatened.

“We feel unsafe in our own community.”

for the education department and school to take their students' safety seriously?

“A stabbing this week, a death next week?

“This should have never happened."

The Department of Education told News Of The Area that support has been made available to any

students who may have been affected by the incident.

“The school does not tolerate any violence or other inappropriate behaviour, and takes prompt disciplinary action in every reported case,” a Department spokesperson said.

“It is not appropriate to comment further as this is a police matter.”

Irrawang High School did not respond to News Of The Area’s request for comment.

“Even though the scans came up clear, they had to keep him on watch to make sure his bowel hadn’t been obstructed or that there wasn’t later damage or delayed internal bleeding."

According to Tracey, the school did not contact the family until 4:15pm on Tuesday

“We have not been offered any form of counselling or emotional support from the

Tracey hopes the incident will prompt changes at the school to improve student safety and what she perceives as a “systemic issue” of violence.

“A few months ago I came across an Instagram page called Irrawang_fightzz.

“It made me feel physically sick.

“Kids film fighting and post it on this page – it is disgusting.

“The kids say there are fights all the time.

“They think it's normal, which is horrible.

“What’s it going to take

“He was treated overnight as they were worried about internal bleeding,” Tracey said.

OUTLETS

Where you can pick up your paper If

Anna Bay Tavern

Anna Bay Bakery

BYO Cellars Anna Bay

Anna Bay Surf & Skate

Ingenia Holiday Park

Middle Rock Retirement Village

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Nelson Bay Bowling Club

Nelson Bay Golf Club

Woolworths Nelson Bay

Nelson Bay Newsagent

Nelson Bay Real Estate

Coles Express Servo Nelson Bay

Tackleword Port Stephens

Essence Cafe

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West Diggers

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Bernie Thompson Village

Shoal Bay Pharmacy

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John Patterson

Bill King Aged Care

Friendly Grocer Fingal Bay

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Natural Tucker

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Horizons Golf Club

Taylors Beach Industrial Cafe

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Red Eye Café Raymond Terrace

Angeez Takeaway Raymond Terrace

Pet Parlour Raymond Terrace

Terrace Central Plaza Post Office

Newsagent Terrace Central Plaza

Woolworths Terrace Central Plaza

MarketPlace Woolworths

Raymond Terrace Shell

Twin Rivers Workwear & Uniforms

Raymond Terrace Library

Lakeside Newsagent

R&R Property

Foodworks Lakeside

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Muree Golf Club

Saxby's Bakery Salt Ash

Tanilba Bay Nursing Home

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Medowie Football Club

BP Servo Medowie

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Metro Servo (Airport Side)

Metro Servo (Lavis Lane)

MANDATED rent freezes, one of the rental crisis solutions proposed by the Australian Greens, seek to address the urgent needs of renters.

The solution involves introducing an immediate two-year emergency freeze on rent, followed by the implementation of a rent cap where rent increases are capped within certain limits.

This means that regardless of market fluctuations and rising interest rates, tenants could find solace in knowing their rent payments will remain relatively stable and stress less about their financial situation.

“Rent increases have been getting much larger and more common,” said Dr Chris Martin, Senior Research Fellow in the City Futures Research Centre at UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture.

How much have rents gone up?

Research has shown that the national average of asking rents has increased by eleven percent in the last twelve months.

Renters in Sydney have seen the median average weekly rent for new tenancies soar by 20 percent over the past year to $650 per week.

“When properties are re-let, a new tenancy commences and 95 percent are getting a higher rent than for the previous tenancy,” said Dr Martin.

“Most are going for at least ten percent more than previously let.

“About 75 percent of properties with existing tenancies have recorded rent increases over the past 12 months, and about 25 percent are getting increases of more than ten percent.”

With statistics such as these, Dr Martin said a rent freeze, and a subsequent rent cap, would protect existing tenants from rents rising to similar levels.

Dr Martin explained that significant rental increases are a crucial price signal to property owners.

This should encourage the supply of new rental properties, ideally from sources outside the existing stock, such as newly constructed dwellings or currently unused and underused properties like second homes and Airbnb listings.

“The goal is to expand the rental market by increasing available housing options.

“That price signal is currently going into the existing stock; as landlords increase rent prices, tenants are being pushed out of their existing homes.

“That brings the property to the market but also means there’s another tenant looking for a lowercost rental property or are being made homeless.

“By regulating rent increases for existing tenants, the price signal from the new tenancy market is directed into sources of genuine new supply,” said Dr Martin.

This approach aims to ensure that the rental market expands in a sustainable manner while simultaneously addressing the immediate needs of tenants facing displacement and housing instability.

Rent-freeze policy pitfalls

While the rent-freeze policy is designed to alleviate financial stress on renters, crucial questions remain about the impact on landlords.

With interest rates on the rise and mortgage repayments increasing, the policy could have serious implications for homeowners.

Dr Peter Swan, a Professor in the School of Banking and Finance at UNSW Business School, said the rental crisis would become “far

worse for tenants and landlords” if the policy came into force.

Would you benefit from a rent freeze?

“While it is true that tenants who are not evicted may gain temporarily, tenants as a whole lose as rental accommodation is withdrawn, fewer new places are provided, and maintenance of rentcontrolled housing deteriorates.

“Rental rates rise due to restricted supply, while landlords with sitting tenants suffer.

"Eventually, a black market evolves with ‘protected’ tenants unable to move and with the rampant use of sizeable ‘key money’ paid by prospective new tenants.

“The latest version of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 in the ACT reveals that pre-existing rent control in Canberra has doubled in its severity in 2019.

"It now limits rent increases to no more than ten percent above the increase in the rent component of the ACT Consumer Price Index (CPI).

"It was previously 20 percent.

“As a result, it has left some landlords no option but to sell their properties, leaving evicted tenants back on a tighter rental market.”

Prof. Swan explained how another example can be seen in the Californian Tenant Protection Act of 2019, which imposed a ten percent cap on rental increases.

According to a 2018 analysis by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) on San Francisco legislation, rent control resulted in a fifteen percent reduction in rental supply as landlords converted their properties to exempt building types, subsequently causing a 5.1 percent rise in rents.

“The repercussions of these circumstances result in a significant portion of tenants being at risk of eviction and will face the challenge of re-entering an increasingly competitive rental market, where they may be required to pay, effectively, a substantial increase in rent in the form of a bribe to secure a new place.

“Interest rates will persistently

climb until we align with the rates of countries like the US, UK, and others.

“As a result, these escalations will lead to even higher rental prices and if restrictions were imposed on these unavoidable increases, the current inventory of rental housing will diminish even more,” said Prof. Swan.

A possible solution: adopting other rental practices

The rent-freeze policy has both positive and negative implications, and it has prompted the need to examine the delicate balance between the needs of renters and the challenges faced by landlords.

“The solution to the crisis lies in boosting the housing supply.

“However, governments and councils commonly exhibit significant reluctance when it comes to permitting new developments or streamlining bureaucratic processes plagued by excessive regulations and prolonged delays,” said Prof Swan.

However, governments and councils often hesitate to approve new developments or streamline bureaucratic processes, which can create housing supply bottlenecks.

This begs the question: should we turn to international renting practices and consider alternative methods?

“All these variations on rent regulations should be on the table,” Dr Martin said.

“Scotland implemented a rent freeze in September 2022, and in April 2023 moved to a rent cap of 3 percent, in most cases.

“For years, most Canadian provinces have had rent caps - called ‘guidelines’ there - that limits rent increases to a certain percentage rate set by the government.

“Ireland has a system of ‘rent pressure zones’, if a local government area records increases in median rents above a certain threshold for successive quarters, a cap kicks in, currently two percent, and not more than once in twelve months.”

Hunter region housing hotspots revealed

HIA RECENTLY revealed Australia’s strongest markets for home building in the 2023 edition of the HIA Population and Residential Building Hotspots Report.

The report identifies Australia’s fastest-growing suburban regional ‘hotspots’ based on population growth and also indicates areas with high levels of building activity and, therefore, employment for the building industry.

Once again the HIA Hunter region was well represented in the report.

“Nine areas of the HIA Hunter region qualify as housing hotspots based on their strong performance in terms of building approvals and population growth,” commented HIA Hunter Executive Director Craig Jennion.

“Thornton-Millers Forest, is once again the HIA Hunter region’s number one building hotspot with a population growth rate of 6.6 percent and $119.5 million in building approvals.

“Second on the list, BranxtonGreta-Pokolbin, had a population growth rate of 5.6 percent and $145.7

million in building approvals.

“Up one place from last year, Kurri Kurri-Abermain was ranked third with a population growth rate of 3.5% and $71.2 million in building approvals,” said Mr Jennion.

In fourth was Williamtown, Medowie and Karuah, with a population growth of 3.2 percent and $93,000 million in building approvals.

An area qualifies as a hotspot

in the Hunter Valley and Central Coast region if at least $50 million worth of residential building work was approved during the 2021/22 financial year, and its rate of population growth is faster than the 1.2 per cent national average.

“The report found that Australia’s population growth improved after being constrained in previous years due to closed borders, whilst the value of building works approved

and the growth rates of the local population has been very high locally.

“COVID-19 has also seen consumer preferences shift away from inner-city apartment style living to detached housing in regional areas.

“This shift saw strong Hunter based areas in this edition of HIA’s Population and Building Hotspots Report,” concluded Mr Jennion.

q A table detailing the nine HIA Hunter Region Building and Population Areas.

Flights to Cairns to Beat Winter

By Thomas O’KEEFE

SEASONAL flights from Newcastle to Cairns and other tropical Queensland destinations have now begun, just in time for the July winter school holidays in NSW.

Some Hunter residents who may not take too well to a sub-tropical winter here may wish to take advantage of the numerous flight options heading north of the Tropic of Capricorn this season.

These flights have only been running with Jetstar for the last two

years, and have come as a welcome escape for some from the frosty mornings and nights.

“There has been huge demand so far, with many dates already fully booked,” an airport spokesperson told News Of The Area.

“If demand continues long-term, this could become a year-round thing, as the airport always seeks to improve transport for people in the Hunter,” the spokesperson said.

“We are confident the seasonal direct flights between Newcastle and Cairns will continue to be a success,”

At other times of the year, the influx of interstate tourists and visitors was usually stymied by having to be routed via Sydney, but this opportunity should allow more people to visit during the off-season here too, he said.

“Demand for travel in both

directions is incredibly strong, and with the continued support of our region we hope the Newcastle-toCairns service will extend beyond October 2023 to a year-round service,” Dr Cock added.

Jetstar is the only airline operating the Newcastle-to-Cairns route, but other airlines, such as the relative newcomer Bonza,

started flying from Newcastle to the Sunshine Coast as of March 28 this year, and to the Whitsundays from March 30.

In lieu of more convenient infrastructure, the best way to get to and from Newcastle Airport remains buses from Port Stephens, or local transfer services.

Newcastle Airport chief executive Dr Peter Cock has said.

q Many flights have already been booked for a Newcastle-to-Cairns trip. Photo: supplied.

Ballet, bowling and billy tea

By Marian SAMPSON

THE Probus Club of Port Stephens recently celebrated its 40th birthday.

It’s a milestone marking four decades of keeping the club’s 140-plus members connected, occupied and entertained.

“We always add new activities to the calendar to see if there is something that our members have an appetite for,” Ann Gibson told News Of The Area.

“One new activity for our club is 10-pin bowling.”

Organiser Jeanette led an enthusiastic group of

20 members who said they thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

“Other regular activities include fishing when the tide is right, along with walking twice a month and a game of social bowls as well as participating in the more competitive Probus interclub bowls competition.

“We also have ‘bring your own’ morning teas - the most recent at Barry Park offering an opportunity to sit in the sun and hopefully enjoy a bit of whale spotting,” she said.

“Another very popular activity is a barbecue every second month, it’s manned

by very experienced master chefs!

“We also dine out,” said Jeanette.

“Recently 50 Probians were extremely happy with the fabulous food for a dinner at the Zenith Café in Shoal Bay.”

Not every activity or outing is in Port Stephens, and recently a group of members attended a performance by the Grand Kyiv Ballet of Ukraine at the Civic Theatre.

Also in Newcastle some members are attending ‘The Ten Tenors’ followed by

q Bowling has proved to be a great new activity for the Port Stephens Probus Club.

‘Tina Turner the Musical’ in October.

“In the meantime, members have a visit planned to the Port Waratah Coal Services in July and are off to the Newcastle races in August.”

“Our member, Ken White, is to be congratulated as a recipient of an Order of Australia Medal in the King’s Birthday Honours List,” said Jeanette.

“Ken has been a Lifeline volunteer for many decades, travelling to Sydney to do his shifts.

“He is also heavily involved with the local radio station, Port Stephens FM,” she said.

“There are a lot of reasons to check out this club for retired and semi-retired seniors - so come along to a meeting at the Nelson Bay Bowling Club on the second Thursday of each month at 10.30am visit,” said Jeanette. For more information go to www. probusclubofportstephens. org or phone Marilynn on 0417 485 614.

q Dining out with 50 friends is fun.

Probus Club to celebrate 20th Anniversary

By Marian SAMPSON

THE Medowie Probus Club will be celebrating its 20th birthday in July 2023 with a lunch at The Greenhouse Eatery at the Dunes, Medowie.

9 July marks the 20th anniversary of the Club, with the inaugural Foundation meeting held on 9 July 2003.

The 20th birthday lunch is being held on 6 July 2023.

hoped that quite a number of the Foundation Members will be there to help celebrate.

“The ages of the Foundation Members now range from 93 down and fortunately some are in reasonable health.”

Members past and present are welcome to attend the anniversary lunch.

third Wednesday of each month at 10.00 am.

Each meeting has a guest speaker to entertain members and visitors on a diverse range of subjects.

Recent speakers have discussed Fort Scratchley, and the Carrington slipway and its history.

q Discussing plans for the club’s anniversary lunch at a regular ‘Munchies

Business Hunter Awards now open

THE iconic Business Hunter Awards seek to highlight the important contributions businesses make to the local, national and global business communities.

Held annually for more than 40 years, the program is known for celebrating the achievements and entrepreneurial spirit of

our region's most inspiring organisations and individuals and is the largest regional business awards program in Australia.

Entering your business can be a rewarding experience.

“We have been entering this award for the last eight years and have been a finalist on all occasions and won this regional award in 2017 and were runner up at the state awards in the same

Kevin Tomlinson of Medowie Probus Club told News Of The Area, “It is

The Club welcomes any visitors to their meetings, held at the Medowie Community Centre on the

Any information on the Club can be found by emailing medowieprobus@ gmail.com.

The club looks forward to welcoming visitors and new members.

year,” Bulahdelah Chamber of Commerce and Tourism President John Sahyoun said.

“It has been a great experience and it helps us focus on the great things we are doing and makes us look hard on things we could be doing better.

“We would encourage all to have a go and tell everybody the great things you are doing.”

With seventeen categories ranging from individuals to large businesses, there is something for everyone.

The award provides an opportunity to reflect on the goals, strategies and vision which have shaped your business success and the

insights you gain to help drive growth and the longevity of your business.

Businesses that submit an entry must trade under an active Australian Business Number (ABN), be a current member of NSW Business Chamber Ltd and must have been trading for the last two years.

The 2023 Business Hunter Awards will take place on Friday 25 August 2023 at the Newcastle Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Entries close 6 July at 5pm.

For further information and how to enter, visit www. businessnsw.com/events/ business-awards/terms-andconditions.

Meet Up’.

q Happy award recipients at the 2022 Business Hunter Awards.

q A high class affair at the Business Hunter Awards.

Coming together at Tomaree

By Marian SAMPSON

COMMUNITY service

providers and their clients came together at Tomaree during the week to make people aware of services on offer.

Dubbed the ‘Tomaree Connect Day’, the event was hosted by Tomaree Neighbourhood Centre (TNC) and coordinated by TNC program support officer Clare Saunders, community member Bill Cottrell and Mitzy Dewhurst, from the Tomaree Library and Community Centre.

Port Stephens Councillor Leah Anderson, representing Kate Washington MP, officially opened the event.

The Tomaree Community Connect Day was a project of Tomaree Interagency - a collaboration of local service providers who meet bi-monthly in the Tomaree Library and Community Centre to exchange information and address key issues facing the Port Stephens community.

The interagency is growing rapidly and all up 23 community organisations attended the event.

The services they provide include seniors’ support services; financial hardship support; domestic violence support; youth counselling services; health services; indigenous services; legal services; employment services; housing support and justice of the peace services.

Clare Saunders, Tomaree Neighbourhood Centre’s program support officer, told News Of The Area, “The event also provided a fantastic opportunity for services to

network and collaborate on how we can all work together as a collective, to provide the best possible outcomes for our vulnerable community members.

“There wasn’t a minute of silence in the room, while service providers connected and built partnerships,” said Clare.

“We are so grateful for the sponsorship we received by local community organisations and businesses for the event.

“We would like to thank Jennifer Underwood from Port Stephens Council for providing a space for the event, John Chamber from Rotary Raymond Terrace

and Mark Freeman from the Men’s Shed Salamander for cooking the barbecue, Salamander Bay Village for providing sausages, Bakers Delight Salamander Bay for donating 20 loaves of bread, and Bay FM Port Stephens for advertising the event.

“Tomaree Neighbourhood Centre would also like to express their gratitude to Bill Cottrell for his many hours of work on the project.

“We would also like to thank our centre volunteers for all of their help on the day,” she said.

The Tomaree Interagency is looking to learn and grow from the experience.

Nicole Chapman of the

Seniors Rights Service said, “It’s so important for our older community members to know and see firsthand the services that are available to them.

“We found the event to be a valuable opportunity for Seniors Rights Service to educate and provide information to not only older people but also other service providers.

“We try to collaborate as much as possible, and it’s events such as the Tomaree Community Connect day that help us build those collaborative relationships,” she said.

Avril Saunders of jupiter Youth Counselling Service

q The Port Stephens Community Connect Day was a time for people to discuss how best to help each other.

said, “It was an honour for jupiter to be a part of the community connect day.

“Being surrounded by and connecting with all the amazing caring organisations in our community was truly wonderful,” she said.

“[It was] a room full of likeminded people who share the same passion for improving the quality of life for everyone in our community,” she said.

Louise Simpson of the Yacaaba Centre said, “We at the Yacaaba Centre are thrilled to have participated in the Tomaree Community Connect day, where various services joined forces to serve the people of the Tomaree community.

“It was truly inspiring to witness the collaborative efforts of numerous organisations coming together for a common cause,” she said.

The Tomaree Neighbourhood Centre has had a huge increase in demand for services - in the last reporting period TNC experienced a 35-percent increase in community members accessing emergency relief crisis support.

The complexity of the issues facing clients has increased because of cost of living issues and the country’s housing crisis.

Soldiers Point’s new dance club firing

A DINNER dance last week hosted by Soldiers Point New Vogue and Ballroom Dance Group marked the

club’s steady regrowth since returning from covid lockdowns.

There was plenty of

dancing and also lucky door and spot prizes.

Soldiers Point New Vogue and Ballroom Dance Group

meets Thursday nights at Soldiers Point Bowling Club. The group comprises beginners, competition

dancers and those in between. Anyone can join in or just watch.

Generally a half-hour

q Dancing the night away - Soldier Point’s New Vogue and Ballroom Dance Group is stepping out.

practise session helps beginners. For more information phone 0427 147 298.

Have a unique experience at the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

THESE School Holidays why not pay a visit to the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, a partnership between Port Stephens Council

and Port Stephens Koala Hospital, a volunteer group that aims to provide the world best practice standards of care to sick, injured and orphaned

q These School Holiday visitors can enjoy morning ‘Sanctuary Talks’ hosted by the Educational Officers from the Port Stephens Koala Hospital.

koalas to give them the best opportunity to be returned to the wild.

Day visitors to the Sanctuary can enjoy unique experiences with koalas in a

q Spend time with koalas in a natural and idyllic bushland setting.

FUN

The Wangi Queen Showboat: A Timeless Jewel in Lemon Tree Passage

STEP aboard the Wangi Queen Showboat, a floating gem now docked at Lemon Tree Passage. This heritage-listed vessel is the latest attraction on the beautiful Tilligerry Peninsula, captivating visitors with its rich history and timeless charm.

For over 35 years, it graced Lake Macquarie, hosting countless weddings and joyous celebrations.

Originally named the Ettalong, this magnificent vessel was launched in 1922, two weeks after famed poet Henry Lawson's state funeral.

Constructed from timber hand cut from the Watagans Forest, it embodies the craftsmanship and resilience of a bygone era.

Shipwright Gordon Beattie incorporated salvaged teak from an 1855 shipwreck, adorning the super-structure and window sashes with maritime history.

Teresa Charchalis, part owner and operator, describes the Wangi Queen as "a piece of living history that brings people together".

With its new home in Lemon Tree Passage, the Wangi Queen invites locals and visitors to experience the charm of early twentieth century shipbuilding while exploring the beauty of Port Stephens western harbour.

Cruises take in stunning waterways and secluded coves including Taylors Beach, Soldiers Point, Boondelbah Island, Fame Cove and North Arm Cove.

Embrace the Queen's timeless quality and let it inspire you.

As you sail, remember the enduring power of history to shape our present and future.

For cruise times and fares call 0411 388 380 or visit wangiqueen. com.au.

You will find an incredible range of artwork and special craft pieces reflecting the great skills of our local artisans, whose talents cover sixteen unique crafts. Mementos of your stay in the Bay are available for sale in our gallery. Exhibitions change every six weeks. artscentrenelsonbay.org.au/about-us/ School Holidays - three

204

3 Lilly Pilly Close, Clarence Town 0421 234

q New tech meets old tech in the Wangi Queen wheelhouse.

q Sunset cruisers enjoying the view.

q Dolphins are a regular sight on Wangi Queen cruises.

WINTER SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN

Spectacular sandboarding on the Stockton Sand Dunes

ENJOY unlimited sandboarding on the spectacular Stockton Sand Dunes in Port Stephens.

Sandboarding Australia at 4WD Tour R Us invites you to join them for an Unlimited Sandboarding Adventure from their meeting point at Birubi Beach, Anna Bay.

“You will board our custom-built off-road vehicles for the short, bouncy ride into the largest

moving sand mass in the southern hemisphere,” said the Sandboarding Australia team.

“The dunes stretch 32 kilometres, that’s the entire length of Stockton Beach and can reach over 40-50 metres high, that’s like a ten storey building.

“The views alone are spectacular.”

Once in the dunes, the team will give you a rundown

on sandboarding and how to use the hand made custom designed boards for maximum speed (and safety!)

Climb to the top of the dunes, jump on your sandboard, slide on down, then repeat!

“Our instructors are always on hand to help and answer any questions about sandboarding Port Stephens or the

dunes and to make sure you have maximum fun!

“When you are done just jump back aboard our 4WD buses to be taken back to the Birubi Beach starting point.”

It’s an amazing experience for everyone, no matter your age.

q Experience the thrill of sandboarding.

WINTER SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN

Reduced School Holiday prices remain despite $2.8m expansion

DESPITE recently outlaid almost than $2.8m to extend and modernise his centre, StrikeZone Raymond Terrace

tenpin bowl owner Neville Marchbank is determined to keep the sport and associated entertainment areas affordable for families.

This week he detailed numerous inexpensive July

school holiday options.

These include $6 games during happy hour and a package deal of two games, a drink, and a choice of either a hotdog or chips for just $17.95.

A comparison of advertised prices elsewhere reveals StrikeZone’s Happy Hour price is $4 cheaper

than the next lowest.

Even in non-holiday periods, StrikeZone is easily the price leader with deals such as $6 games all day Sunday.

Neville embarked on the $2.8m redevelopment of the 24-year-old centre just as Covid forced industry wide lockdowns.

Despite the prospect of being without revenue for months, he was determined to go ahead.

He added four lanes, installed new approaches throughout, purchased new pins, upgraded the computer scoring systems and installed a state-ofthe art computerised lidar

sensor analytics system that takes coaching and practice to a whole new level.

Known as Specto, the system gathers 120 readings per lane per shot.

It then uses this information to calculate 40 different readings including speed, revolutions, and track.

The system has caught the attention of coaches everywhere, resulting in StrikeZone having already hosted training camps for two national squads.

Neville said that money aside, the most difficult challenge he has faced in his vision to build a nationally recognised centre of excellence, has been finding tradesmen.

“We have been waiting months for plumbers to upgrade our amenities.

“We recently sought prices from eight stainless steel fabricators with only one response,” he said.

At a time when tenpin centres are increasingly taking an arcade game approach to cut costs, installing machinery that dangles pins from strings

and thus eliminates the need for back-end staff, Neville is determined to stay true to the highest standards of the sport with traditional pin setter equipment.

However, he is just as determined to continue to grow the fun side of his business.

In the past twelve months he has doubled the size of his arcade games area, adding all manner of amusement machines and a prize shop.

Currently he is in the middle of a $200,000 development that will see the addition of a 3D putt putt golf course on the ground floor and a licensed mezzanine area with pool tables and dart boards.

“As well as providing yet another level of entertainment for our existing customers, we intend that this new area will allow us to regularly host both pool and darts tournaments,” Neville said.

StrikeZone is opposite the swim centre on Leisure way and is open seven days a week.

q US professionals Parker Bohn III and Sean Rash at Terrace StrikeZone with owner Neville Marchbank.

q In the past twelve months the size of StrikeZone arcade games area has doubled.

q The renovations have added four lanes, installed new approaches throughout, purchased new pins, upgraded the computer scoring systems and installed a state-of-the art computerised lidar sensor analytics system that takes coaching and practice to a whole new level.

WINTER SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN

Witness the whales!

THE whales have arrived and Imagine Cruises are heading offshore on their famous Whale and Dolphin Watch Cruises.

Book now for an experience of a lifetime!

“Come and witness the majestic Humpback Whales as they travel up and down our coastline.

“Join us on an Express Whale Watch (90 minutes/ up to three cruises a day),

q Imagine Cruises offer a range of whale and dolphin watching experiences to enjoy these school holidays.

or a three-hour Whale and Dolphin Watch Cruise departing daily at 10:30am and 2:00pm on Imagine, our luxury sailing catamaran, from June 1,” said Captain Frank Future, Imagine

Cruises.

This season, Imagine Cruises are also offering a Sunrise Whale Watch – scheduled for 7am on Saturdays throughout the season.

Imagine Cruises also offer private charter experiences.

“See ‘Charters’ on the website to register your interest and find out more about hiring us for a private charter for an upcoming

special event or a Private Whale Watch experience,” Captain Future said.

“We now have season passes for 10 x tickets (45 percent off RRP) and 5 x tickets (30 percent off RRP available to purchase through the whale section of our website.”

For more information, visit www.imaginecruises. com.au.

q The majestic marine mammals love putting on a show.

Get hands on at Fighter World

LOCATED at Newcastle airport, Fighter World has been operating for more than 30 years and is a totally ‘hands on’ experience.

Visitors can walk-around, touch and view some of Australia’s most iconic aircraft and enjoy the added benefit of sitting in the cockpits of a Mirage jet fighter and a Macchi jet trainer.

If you are looking for

q Free WiFi, a souvenir shop and a cafe means that there’s something for everyone these school holidays.

more excitement, try flying the F/A-18A Hornet in the new VR headset simulator.

Of course, the experience is not just about the museum.

Standing on the Observation Deck you can watch all the action involving Australia’s latest fighter aircraft, the F-35A Lightning II.

It is simply awesome.

In addition, you can

q Visitors can walk-around, touch and view some of Australia’s most iconic aircraft and enjoy the added benefit of sitting in the cockpits of a Mirage jet fighter and a Macchi jet trainer.

observe the Wedgetail early warning and control aircraft and the Hawk jet trainer as well as the many civil aircraft that come and go.

Let’s face it, everyone is fascinated by aircraft and the kids will have a ball.

Inside the main hangar you’ll also discover the Norm Forrester Collection; one of Australia’s greatest displays of hand-crafted model aircraft.

Constructed over a 40year period, this collection

was built by local artist Norm Forrester.

Free WiFi, a souvenir shop and a cafe means that there’s something for everyone these school holidays.

Simulator bookings are essential on 02 4965 1810.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN

Experience nature at the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens

q The Botanic Gardens have a fun filled schedule of kids activities this school holidays.

THIS school holidays, enjoy family fun and connect to nature at the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens.

Children’s Discovery Day - 4 July, 10am

Claim your exclusive discount when you book your tickets online.

The day is designed for learning about nature through play.

“We have market and food stalls along with free activities including education displays, plant science experiments, lawn games, a DJ and the Hunter Performing Arts Marching Band, a rainforest treasure hunt, fossil dig, story telling, face painting and more,” said the Botanic Gardens team.

Adults: $8 (with discount),

children 3-15 years $5 and infants 0-2 years free.

NAIDOC Week

Celebration: 9 July, 10am - 2:30pm

“Book a Coolamon making workshop or attend the many free activities including Aboriginal Dance workshops, story telling, bush food sampling and tours of our Gundabooka Trail garden.”

Adults: $10 (with discount), children 3-15 years $5 and infants 0-2 years free. The workshop is $30 to attend.

Creative workshops: 12 July

Get creative with

'Christmas in July' Cupcake

Decorating or 'Nature is Fun' workshops.

Bonsai for Children

Workshop: 15 July

“We are open every day, 9am to 4pm (10am open for event days).

“Café open until 2pm and serves coffee and Slices until 2:30pm.

“Excluding our two main events above, entry is $5 per person or $10 for a family. Workshops $25 each. Bookings essential.

q Lots of opportunities for kids to learn and play at the Botanic Gardens.

WHAT'SVIBIN' ENTERTAINMENT

Test your trivia knowledge with Medowie FC

By Rochelle TIMONY-WRIGHT

ON Saturday July 29 Medowie Football Club will be holding a ‘Trivia in July’ night at Raymond Terrace Bowling Club.

The trivia night aims to raise key funds for the club to use where needed, such as for equipment purchases and upgrades.

The committee have been busy organising the event and approaching local businesses to help support the fundraiser through donations of goods or

services to use as prizes on the night.

“So far we have had some really great prizes donated ranging from a Nespresso Lattissima One coffee machine and brand new refrigerator to family passes to some great locations around Port Stephens and the Hunter Valley,” said Ebony Morris, Assistant Secretary of Medowie Football Club.

“We have been delighted by the response of local businesses and can’t wait for a really successful and fun trivia night.”

Football is gaining popularity in Medowie, reflected by encouraging growth to the club’s player base.

“The Club is growing, along with Medowie,” added Medowie FC’s Rachel Moloney.

“We have our highest number of registered players this year, with 593 players ranging from under 6’s to over 35’s age groups.”

On the night the Club will be running six rounds of trivia, lucky door prizes, tombola raffles, toss a coin events and more.

If any businesses are interested in supporting this event, please get in touch with Medowie Football Club.

Tickets are still available and can be purchased via Sticky Tickets.

Tomaree Peninsula Transition to School Expo

THE Tomaree Peninsula Early Years Network is holding a Transition to School Expo on 20 July.

The Early Years Network brings together representatives from schools and early childhood services to discuss relevant issues and topics in education with a

particular emphasis on transition to school.

The Transition to School Expo is an opportunity for all families with a child starting school in 2024 to meet representatives from local schools, listen to the information session as well as network with other professionals

such as psychology, speech Therapy, Gan Gan Family Centre and OOSH services.

Families can ask questions and get the resources they need to support their child to transition to school and school aged care.

“Research has shown that having a successful start to school

is linked to more positive life outcomes, both educationally and socially,” local education consultant Wendy Eves stated.

“Having a whole of community approach to transition to school goes a long way in supporting children and families to achieve these positive outcomes”.

The Expo will be held on Thursday July 20 at Soldiers Point Bowling Club.

Doors open at 6.00pm with the parent information session starting at 6.30.

For further information call 4982 1767.

The Schools represented at the expo are Anna Bay, Bobs Farm, Shoal Bay, Tomaree, St Michaels and St Philips.

q Trivia organisers Rochelle Timony-Wright, Treasurer, Ebony Morris, Assistant Secretary and Rachel Moloney, Female Liaison.

Celebrating NAIDOC Week in Port Stephens

FAMILY fun days will be at the heart of NAIDOC Week Celebrations this year, paying homage to Indigenous Elders and the role they play in our communities.

NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The week is celebrated by Australians from all walks of life.

Mayor Ryan Palmer says NAIDOC week is a great opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the valuable contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make to Port Stephens, particularly Indigenous Elders.

“This year, the NAIDOC week theme pays tribute to the knowledge and experience Indigenous Elders have, and how they harness this to help guide younger generations,” Mayor Palmer said.

“They are cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, and nurturers, for their families and their wider community.

“Elders are the heads of their families, and this year’s focus on family friendly events helps to bring everyone together for a day of fun and celebration,” he added.

The Port Stephens NAIDOC week celebrations are starting early, on Thursday 29 June, allowing local Indigenous students to attend and participate before the school holidays begin.

Events will begin with a flag raising ceremony and march from 9:30am, followed by a family fun day at Riverside Park, Raymond Terrace.

Thursday 29 June

Raymond Terrace NAIDOC Week opening and Fun Day

9:30am – Flag raising and speeches

10am – March down William Street

10:30am – Community day at Riverside Park including BBQ and Kooriokee

Monday 3 July

Murrook Family Fun Day

10am to 2pm – Activities and entertainment

Tuesday 4 July

Kaurah Family Fun Day

10am to 12.30pm – Activities, entertainment, cultural games and BBQ

Karuah Hall: Mustons Road, Karuah

Wednesday 5 July

Nelson Bay Fun Day

9:30am – March down Stockton Street

10am – Family fun day Nelson Bay Foreshore

Koori Colours Clay Class with Jason Russell

10am to 12pm at the Port Stephens Visitor Information Centre

Come along to the Port Stephens Visitor Information Centre for an intimate sculpting class with Worimi artist Jason Russell, from Koori Colours. Jason will show you how to make your very own coolamon, using air dry clay.

All ages welcome. Young children must be supervised by an adult.

Cost: Free

There are only 20 places available. Please call the VIC on 4988 0900 to secure a place.

Thursday 6 July

Coolamon making workshop @ Your Library

Coolamons were traditionally used to carry water, fruits and nuts, as well as to cradle babies. Come along and create your own coolamon from clay.

10am to 12pm: Tomaree Library

2pm to 4pm: Raymond Terrace Library

For ages 7 to 13 years

Cost: Free

Bookings are essential. Contact your preferred Library to secure your place. Raymond Terrace 4988 0111 or Tomaree 4988 0670.

This National NAIDOC Week Activity is funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency.

We

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Port Stephens students embrace positivity - this week’s stars

By Marian SAMPSON

THIS week around the western region of Port Stephens students were recognised for their positive contribution to the community and their schools through the Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) program.

Sue Holloway, PBL coordinator at Grahamstown Public School, told News Of The Area, “Grahamstown Public School students and staff are proud to be members of the Raymond Terrace Community PBL program.

“We are a school of respectful, safe learners who always try our personal best,” she said.

“Our school embodies these values and the learning dispositions of persistence, collaboration, engagement and creativity.

“We have fortnightly PBL focuses where students are explicitly taught expected behaviours.

“Students are acknowledged for their positive behaviour by gaining ‘Graham’ tokens, which build to whole-school rewards, and school-merit awards presented at assemblies,” she

said.

“All of our students recently participated in a whole school ‘Survivor Challenge’, where students had to demonstrate persistence in some fun, yet challenging events.

“Soon to come is a whole-school collaboration initiative.

“The GPS students proudly participate in community activities where they demonstrate the skills of positive behaviour they have developed at school,” she said.

NOTA congratulates this week’s nominees who received their awards at MarketPlace, Raymond Terrace.

Brandi Bell of Irrawang Public School was nominated for a PBL award for going above and beyond in supporting younger students. Her teachers said Brandi helps pupils get to school safely and ensures they feel safe and happy. She showed kindness and patience at all times, her teachers said.

Raymond Terrace Public

School’s Lucas Cheetham was nominated for valuing and displaying inclusivity for everyone within his leadership roles as a 007 student leader and kinder buddy.

Kayley Brien of Grahamstown Public School was nominated for displaying the school values of respect at all times.

She is polite, cooperative and kind, said her teachers.

Nate Blundell of Irrawang High School (IHS) was nominated for demonstrating school PBL values by handing in earpods found on a bus belonging to a student from

another school.

Nate is a wonderful representative of IHS in sport and with his school-based traineeship, his teachers said.

Hunter River High School’s Braiven Megallon was nominated for his committed effort to the school's Student Representative Council.

Loriah Toan of Salt Ash Public School was nominated for being a respectful community member when visiting a local doctor’s surgery.

She was a polite patient and demonstrated bravery and resilience, while putting her trust in the medical staff, her teachers said.

Medowie Public School student Ellie Wallace was

nominated for being a kind and considerate student.

Ellie started her own lunchtime club, so everyone in the school always had someone to play with.

Layla Bridge of Seaham Public School was nominated for upholding the Seaham PBL values of respect and responsibility.

Layla found a valuable item whilst at Starstruck that she secured and handed in so it could be returned to its rightful owner.

And Karuah Public School’s Jimi Nolan was nominated for displaying outstanding sportsmanship, determination, dedication and team spirit during weekend AFL games.

Environmental changemaking: preschoolers’ first lessons

By Marian SAMPSON

SALAMANDER Early Education, also known as Salamander Child Care Centre, is a not-for-profit centre committed to providing children with a safe space where they can play, learn and grow on Worimi land.

News Of The Area spoke with the team about the support the centre and education provided around the rescue and release of Beryl the green sea turtle.

“Last year the children were inspired by a book called ‘Duffy’s Lucky escape’,” Roseanne told NOTA.

In the book Duffy the green sea turtle is hurt in the

ocean, rescued, rehabilitated and released.

“That really resonated with the children being close to the water here,” said Roseanne.

Each year the students fundraise for causes that are important locally, such as looking after the ocean and spreading awareness to their families,” she said.

“We are currently selling plastic-free Port Stephens water bottles, and reusable coffee cups.”

In the past the kindergarten has raised funds to sponsor a green sea turtle and a dolphin.

Books and toys come with the sponsorships, which the

children engage with at the childcare centre and also at home.

“They have been undertaking sustainable adventures; activism and changemaking is starting right at a grassroots level for the children,” said Roseanne

The centre also has a fish sculpture to help children understand the journey between rubbish in our streets and environment and it flowing into our waterways.

Learning about the environment is a key part of the curriculum at the centre.

Highlighting environmental science including the effects of rain and rubbish through hands-on experiments.

Also in the curriculum are Indigenous lessons.

Children experience the ethos of Indigenous culture with respect, rather than tokenism, Roseanne said.

Veterans sought for feedback on new memorial

THE NSW Government has commenced consultation with contemporary veterans and their families to seek feedback on how their service can be further acknowledged.

The survey is an important step to hear directly from the veteran community in response to the proposal to establish a new memorial

to honour their service and sacrifice.

The NSW Office for Veterans Affairs is leading the consultation process which includes an online survey for veterans of recent operations, as well as forums to enable further discussion once the survey results have been analysed.

The information received from the survey and community consultation will complement the current NSW Government Veterans Strategy and Actional Plan which is in place until the end of 2024.

“The NSW Government values our veteran community and is working hard to ensure that veterans and their

families are acknowledged and supported,” Minister for Veterans David Harris.

“I encourage all veterans from recent conflicts and peacekeeping operations to share their thoughts via an online survey so we can hear what the community values as an important way to honour their service.

“The survey is completely anonymous, and it is important that veterans and their families share their views with us.

“The results will be analysed, and the data will then help inform us about the needs and wishes of our veteran community.

“This could be a new

memorial to honour contemporary service, a living and interactive memorial space that veterans and their families can use, or other ideas.”

The survey will be open for another two weeks and closes on Sunday 9 July. Visit www.veterans.nsw. gov.au/survey

q This week’s nominees for the Positive Behaviour for Learning program.

q Sally, Roseanne, Nat and Dan oversee a turtle release. Photo by Marian Sampson.

From the Mayor’s desk

By RYAN PALMER Mayor, Port Stephens Council

Housing in Port Stephens

LIKE many regional communities across Australia, Port Stephens is facing a huge challenge – the trifecta of housing supply, diversity, and affordability.

If not managed now, it has the potential to threaten the long-term sustainability of our communities.

The NSW Government has suggested that Port Stephens needs to find housing for an additional 20,000 residents over the next 20 years.

With increasing investment in Tomago and Heatherbrae and the expansion of Newcastle Airport to accommodate international flights, it would be naïve to think more people wouldn’t want to choose Port Stephens as a place to call home.

With limited opportunity for new housing developments, we’re seeing housing prices increase – pushing low to middle income families out of the market.

This not only causes significant social impacts but also, economic impacts.

As we lose our students, our young professionals and in some cases retirees who can no longer afford to live in our community, we struggle to find people to fill jobs.

Aged care facilities, health, hospitality and trades are all looking for more people to fill more and more vacancies.

Unless we find solutions, these problems will only get worse over time.

As a community, we’re facing a critical point in time, where our collective actions and decisions will shape the future of our communities for years to come. It’s important that we face this challenge head on.

As a start, to help us address these issues, Council will be reviewing our Housing Strategy.

This strategy will guide future land use planning decisions for new housing throughout Port Stephens in all our unique towns and villages, particularly Raymond Terrace.

In partnership with the community, we’ll seek solutions to how we can enable a move away from the standard detached home, how we encourage more townhouses and apartments around our town centres, how we encourage developers to invest in a mix of housing types and what we need to do, as a community, to drive this change.

Dorin’s Draws By Paul DORIN On theCouch

Dear Jasminda,

WHY does my dentist talk to me when my mouth is full of his fingers and equipment?

Sarah B.

True cost of inflation leaves ordinary Australians reaching into empty pockets

By Professor of Economics John HICKS, Charles Sturt University School of Business.

AUSTRALIANS have been hit with rising interest rates, consecutively, reaching levels not seen for more than a decade.

For many, this has crippled their financial world.

It has also been argued that other factors being equal, rising prices should be accompanied by rising wages, and therefore, ordinary Australians will feel little to no impact of the change.

But this is not the ‘dream world’ scenario unfolding, and even if it were, it is not black and white.

Wages do not rise by equal amounts to the cost of living, but even if they did, they do not change at the same rate over time.

The result, in the short-term, is people falling victim to financial crises.

Some are hurt more than others in these scenarios; for example, where the majority of their income is spent on life’s necessities ─ food, shelter, including adequate heating, clothing, and health.

In these cases, the price of necessities often outstrips the growth in their disposable income.

In a civilised society, such as for those of us fortunate enough to call Australia home, there is a clear case for social assistance for people in this position and this will typically take place through government intervention.

But should that intervention come in the form of a rise in the minimum wage payment?

Many economists would argue the answer to this question is ‘no’, and for good reason.

As with any simple supply and demand formula, one small change at the beginning leads to potentially major alterations at the finish line.

You can’t knock the first domino over without watching the rest follow suit.

Put simply, prices directly impact choices around production, distribution and overall efficiency.

Hence, if you raise the price of wages, you can end up raising the cost of goods for the

average consumer – including those with their shiny new income.

However, markets can fail, and some price signals can be misleading.

Unfortunately, this invariably happens in a period of high inflation.

The obvious response is to bring about an end to inflation, but this is easier said than done.

We all have expectations about what we want in life, and many of these have been formed by past events. If our living standard has been improving regularly over time, we expect this to continue.

Unfortunately, such expectations do not consider war, such as in Europe, supply disruptions throughout the world, or natural disasters at home and abroad.

When such disruptions are of significant magnitude the ability of our economic system to meet our expectations is thwarted.

Demand for goods and services within the economy currently exceeds our ability to supply those goods and services demanded, and if this excess demand is not curtailed then prices are, inevitably, going to rise.

Our economic system does not, if only temporarily, have the ability to meet our expectations, and the cost of this failure will be distributed throughout society.

The issue then becomes, how high will these costs be?

And how will they be distributed?

If nothing is done to curtail inflation the costs may be considerable in terms of lost production.

At the extreme, the evolution of the inflationary process into hyperinflation will see the complete destruction of the price system accompanied by utter turmoil in a dysfunctional economy, where work will only be undertaken if payment is immediate and, once paid, recipients have the opportunity to spend the income before its value can be decimated.

In such an environment, barter will become the means of exchange, and those having little to barter with will bear the biggest brunt.

Dear Sarah,

I UNDERSTAND that this may be frustrating, and it is extremely hard to communicate when your mouth is clamped open and full of tweezers, pliers and probes, but your dentist chats to put you at ease by explaining what he is doing every step of the way.

This is a great theory, but didn't work so well when I had a wisdom tooth out in the chair. As I frantically waved my hands and moved my eyes to let him know the local anaesthetic wasn't working, he replied that it should be. When I tried to communicate that I was so stressed I felt like I was about to have a heart attack, it came out as 'Giskrkrsl sktjeoshhh beisdldlfmsmd' and he kept going. Finally, when he said he was going to have to cut into the bone, I yelled 'get me my lawyer and a priest'. The fact I don't have a lawyer or go to church seemed inconsequential at the time.

What I have learned, from this experience, is to carefully research your dental options, always choose to be knocked out for dental procedures, and the very helpful thumbs down and stop hand signals.

Don't worry too much if your dentist is making idle chit chat; that's the least of your concerns.

Carpe diem, Jasminda.

One would not expect that, in a modern economy, it would come to this.

Surely, eventually, action will be taken.

However, the greater the delay in acting, the more difficult it will be to bring inflation under control – and the higher the unemployment penalty of doing so is likely to be.

Similarly, if the government fails to act on all fronts simultaneously, the load being borne by those policy measures that are put into play to reign in inflation will be all the greater to the extent that complimentary policy options are ignored.

In sum, failing to deal with inflation is quite literally a costly business.

Very few people, if any, will escape at least some level of detriment.

Invariably, the total cost of an unfettered inflation will be higher than the costs of successfully bringing inflation under control.

However, there will be costs and, to a large extent, the incidence of these costs will depend on the policies adopted to control inflation and the speed with which it can be arrested.

The unspoken issue, which few want to address, is that, as a nation, we are currently trying to live beyond our means.

A potential solution, as the Governor of the Reserve Bank is constantly pointing out, is to raise our productivity to match our lifestyle expectations.

Yet, this cannot be done in the short run and, inevitably, will come with costs of its own before the elusive ‘happy medium’ is found.

READING by Lynne Miles: Psalm 1: 1 & 2"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path (way) of sinners, not sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and on His law he meditates day and night."

Help needed: Can you identify these people?

By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE

LOOKING through my library of historical photos through the week I came across this old snap that I have no information about.

Can anyone help identify the characters and maybe the boat, which looks very much like Cecil ‘Cat’ Holbert’s.

Cat Holbert was a fisherman and oyster grower from Tea Gardens who worked the waters on the northern side of the port.

Contact stinkerfishing@yahoo. com.

Appreciation must be extended to Tanilba resident Denise Gaudion and Port Stephens Councilor Jason Wells for their efforts to establish a Heritage Committee under the umbrella of Port Stephens Council.

The committee will offer advice to Council and will give the opportunity for all, who are interested in local history, to play a part.

Great to hear that there is a move for the Port Stephens Historical Society to merge with Tomaree Museum Association.

This is a positive step for both organisations and will give a solid

platform for those, including me, to establish a home venue for a regional museum that we can all be proud of.

My venue vote goes to Tomaree Headland.

q On the decline: Pipis are becoming harder to find.

Stinker’s Fishin’ and Stories

By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE

HAVING written a local fishing column for close to 40 years, I have been in the position to monitor fluctuations in fish population. Some positive, some concerning.

Fish from the warmer northern waters are visiting us more regularly with increased reports of spangled emperor and pearl perch.

These fish are most welcome as their table qualities are first class. One northern fish that I have been

What a pearler

waiting to arrive is the mangrove jack.

Diners of fine fish, I'm sure, would agree that ‘jacks’ are hard to beat on the end of a line or in the kitchen.

Our local fish population of bream, flathead, luderick, whiting, mulloway and kingfish remain in healthy numbers while travelling schools of mullet are proving to be sustainable.

This past mullet season was a bumper for commercial fishers.

Salmon and tailor numbers remain stable.

On the other side of the coin, I am mystified as to the absence of

q Local champ Tony Baker with his cracking 65cm 4kg Pearl Perch caught just north of Broughton Island. Fishing in 100m of water the bait will astound you - a fillet of Sergeant Baker!

thumping, green eyed squid.

Once so prolific that bag limits could be caught in a matter of minutes.

Where have they gone?

Abalone all but disappeared when the parasite perkinsus arrived and wiped out over 90 percent of the local population.

Thankfully there is a steady recovery.

Pipis remain a concern as Stockton Beach, once alive with the shellfish, is now home for very few.

I’m interested to hear your opinions on the issue, drop me a line at stinkerfishing@yahoo.com.

q Missing in action: Where are the squid?

Croquet Club hosts Gala Day, takes on State Championships

NELSON Bay Croquet Club held their annual Gala Day on 17 June to mark the date they moved to their present facility on Tomaree Sports Complex.

A brilliant clear and bright winter day greeted the 44 members who attended together with ten guests representing local croquet clubs Maitland, Mount Sugarloaf and Newcastle National Park.

The day started with President David Wilson and Life Member Margaret-Rose Thompson welcoming everyone before they enjoyed morning tea.

The main part of the day was a series of games that tested mallet skills.

The games included perennial favourites such as ‘Walk the Plank’, ‘Nearest the Peg’, ‘Tyre Jump’, ‘Four Balls’ and the wobbly mallet.

The day was rounded off by a traditional BBQ, the ceremonial cutting of the birthday cake and the awarding of prizes for the various games.

Congratulations to MargaretRose Thompson who acted as MC and Faby Batho who was in charge of the catering - a great

effort.

Over the same weekend, three members of the club, Liz Friend, Sherry Gordon and Rae Uptin, played in the Croquet NSW Division 2 Golf Croquet Singles State Championship, hosted by Nowra Croquet Club between 17 and 19 June.

20 players entered and played qualifying roundrobin games in three blocks.

Rae Uptin finished second in her block, winning four of five games, to qualify for the eightplayer knock-out finals.

Rae beat Bernie McAlary 10-6 and Jaki Gaskell 5-6 / 7-3 / 7-5 to reach the final.

In the final, she lost to local player Brian Mitchell 6-7 / 4-7 to finish runnerup.

A great result for Rae.

For further information about the Club, visit nelsonbaycroquet.org.au or email nelsonbaycroquet@ gmail.com.

q Life Member Margaret-Rose Thompson cuts the birthday cake.

q Rae Uptin receives award as runner-up at Division 2 Championship.

q Rae Uptin in action at the Division 2 Championship

q Gala Day Play-offs.

q Gala Day games.

q The Gala Day in action.

Port Stephens netballers impress at state titles

By Chris KARAS

TENACIOUS and free spirited are words that best describe the Port Stephens Netball Association Under 15 representative team.

At the recent State Senior Netball Championships, hosted by the Hunter region, these hard-working local products caught the eye of keen judges with their commitment, team chemistry and never-say-die attitude against the cream of the best 15 years talent in NSW.

Under the inspirational guidance of head coach Nadina Marsh and manager Sue Coulter, the Port Stephens outfit did its association proud - chalking up eight wins and a draw from its 17 fixtures in the Division 4 category to finish a creditable 10th at the coveted carnival.

Port Stephens Netball representative convenor Sam Rumbel told News Of The Area “all the girls showed great sportsmanship and determination to achieve their best over the weekend.

“Both our 15-year and 17-year squads proved fine ambassadors and remained competitive throughout

the round robin series against strong opposition,” said Sam.

“The association is extremely proud of their efforts” she added.

Port Stephens 15s comprised of Chelsea Lawlor, Maddison Mitchell, Kaitlyn Newman, Charlotte McDowell, Bronte Bohan, Claire McAlary, Ella Walmsley, Caitlin Scanes, Micaela Deguara and Ella Parry-Jones and produced enterprising displays in a tough division.

The team combined effectively to register victories over Mount Druitt (24-15), Parkes & District (33-5), Sapphire Coast (20-10), Tumut (265), West Wyalong (24-7), Woolgoolga District (15-12), Casino (15-14) and Cowra & District (22-8) and drew 15all with Narrabri.

A testimony to their skill and tenacity was evident in the narrow losses to eventual champions Kurri Kurri (16-9), runners up Inverell (17-14) and third-placed Armidale (18-15).

The Port Stephens 17-year team posted wins over West Wyalong (1615), Woy Woy Peninsula (14-8) and Cowra & District (20-14) and drew 14-all with Singleton.

Nelson Bay Golf Club Results

JUNE 25 2023 to 1 July 2023

Sunday 25 June 2023

Mens Stableford:

Brushbox Courses

A1 David Rann (15) 38

B1 Martyn Jeggo (16) 37

C1 Christopher Dunn (25) 31

Womens Stableford:

Brushbox Courses

Over-all Winners:

1 Tina Jeggo (32) 38

2 Robyn Butler (18) 35

3 Charmaine Elliott (22)

Monday 26 June 2023

NO RESULTS

Tuesday 27 June 2023

Ladies Stroke:

Xmas Bush Course

A1 Jenny Frost (10) 73

A2 Sharon Dunn (21) 75

B1 Elsie Flanagan (32) 70

B2 Barbara Clark (31) 74c/b

Ladies Stableford: Brushbox Course

Over-all Winners:

1 Jennifer Maher (52) 17

2 Joan Frost (31) 16

Wednesday 28 June 2023

Mens Stableford: Xmas Bush Course

A1 Tim Chaplin (15) 36

A2 Steven Wilson (14) 33c/b

B1 Anthony Diemar (19) 37c/b

B2 Vince Northwood (20) 37c/b

C1 Peter Arnold (31) 36

C2 Peter Parry (33) 35c/b

Mens Stableford:

Gymea Lily Course

A1 Ron Castles (14) 38

A2 Peter Sutton (10) 35c/b

B1 Alan Gadsby (21) 38c/b

B2 Garry Hall (18) 38

C1 Gary McCann (24) 37c/b

C2 Yuri Suska (31) 37

Thursday 29 June 2023

Ladies Stroke –Max Double Par:

Xmas Bush Course

1 Debbie Buckley (38) 75

2 Gail Holdforth (46) 77 C/B

3 Jill Rowland (27) 77

Port Stephens Veteran Golfers Association

By Gary WATT

RESULTS from a Stableford

Competition played at Tanilba Bay GC. on Monday, 19th, June, with 39 Players.

Nett Winner :

Jim Asvestas, 38pts. Nett R/U: Wayne Smith, 35pts.

Bonus Pt Winner : Gary Chapman, 37pts.

Bonus Pt R/U : Gary Gazzard, 36pts.

Nearest the Pin, 4th Hole, Div 1 : Gary Chapman. Div 2 : Kel Dorney. Nearest the Pin, 11th Hole, Div 1 : Tony Care. Div 2 : Frank Vandruten. Drive & Chip, 7th Hole, Div 1 : Jim Asvestas.

Vets Results

A Martyn Jeggo

B R Mahady

Friday 30 June 2023

Mens Stableford:

Gymea Lily Course

A1 Peter Mentis (15) 37

A2 David Hogan (5) 35

A3 Graeme Eaton (15) 32

B1 Michael Haddad (18) 41

B2 Trevor Plane (23) 39

B3 Sean Gardner (16) 35c/b

C1 Stephen Barrett (31) 35c/b

C2 Bruce Scott (24) 35

C3 Richard Bennett (29) 34

Womens Stableford:

Gymea Lily Course

1 Barbara Clark (31) 35

2 Kathy Edmunds (28) 33

Saturday 01 July 2023

Div 2 : Ross Dobson. Drive & Chip, 18th Hole, Div 1 : Robert Paul. Div 2 : Bryan Porter. Ball Winners : Ian Dean 35pts, Barry Leo 35pts, Tony Care 35pts, Kel Dorney 34pts, Gary Watt 34pts, John Howlett 33pts, Lester Lake 33pts,

Womens StablefordBrushbox Course

1 Barbara Frost (17) 32

2 Bev Suska (41) 24

Mens Stableford: Gymea.

A1 Phil Chisler (9) 37

A2 Ron Castles (13) 35

B1 Bruce Thomas (20) 38

B2 Chris Pene (20) 37

C1 Ross Skinner (38) 38

C2 Ian Sandy (25) 35

Men’s Stableford Christmas bush.

A1 Mitchell Metcalfe (1) 38c/b

A2 Damon Goode (2) 38c/b

B1 Glen Arndell (21) 39

B2 Phil Murray (20) 35c/b

C1 Shane Fogg (25) 40

C2 Neil Goudge (28) 36

John Clayton 33pts, Peter Hawkins 33pts, Frank Vandruten 33pts, Ray Stubbs 32pts, Shayne Mullarvey 31pts, and Robert Paul 30pts. Lucky Prize Draw Winner : Jim Asvestas.

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

q Port Stephens 15-year representative netball team - standing, left to right, Nadina Marsh (coach) Ella Walmsley, Chelsea Lawlor, Bronte Bohan , Ella Parry-Jones, Kaitlyn Newman, Sue Coulter (manager) Charlotte McDowell, Caitlin Scanes; front Micaela Deguara, Maddison Mitchell and Claire McAlary.

To solve the puzzle, all the blank cells must be filled in using numbers from 1 to 9. Each number can only appear once in each row, column and in the nine 3x3 blocks.

  



 

Junior Puzzler 019

Auspac Media

Safe drivers to be rewarded under demerit point return scheme

MORE than 1.7 million drivers will be eligible to have a demerit point scrubbed from their licence record as the NSW Government’s trial to encourage safer driving comes into effect six months sooner than flagged.

Drivers who have maintained a clean record since January 17 this year will need to continue that spotless behaviour until January 17 next year to qualify to have a demerit

point removed from their record.

Announced during the state election, the trial had originally been slated to start on July 1, but the Minns Government is determined to allow drivers who do the right the chance to shed a demerit point sooner.

Transport for NSW will take a ‘snapshot’ of the demerit point register as it stood on January 17 this year – the day the initiative

was announced – to identify all unrestricted and professional licence holders with active demerit points recorded against them.

Under the twelve-month trial, eligible motorists who have at least one demerit point on their record from January 17 but remain offencefree for twelve months to January 17, 2024, will have one demerit point removed from their driving record. It normally takes three years for a

demerit point to be expunged.

It is expected to take about three months to finalise offences, so eligible drivers will start seeing one demerit point removed from their records starting in mid-April 2024.

Learner and provisional licence holders are not included in the trial given they are subject to strict conditions of the Graduated Licensing Scheme.

“Reducing the road toll and

rewarding safe driving across the state is the aim of this trial and we hope it gives drivers that little bit of extra incentive to achieve a spotless record,” NSW Premier Chris Minns said.

“It’s time we put safety back at the centre of our road rules, not revenue raising.

“This is an appropriate way for good drivers to earn a point back.”

Puzzle Play 177

THE RIGHT TABLE SHOW TIDAL VARIATIONS AT SEVERAL LOCATIONS

The time variation should be added to the corresponding Fort Denison time.

STEPHENS

Sudoku is an 81 square number grid with nine blocks each containing nine cells. To solve the puzzle, all the blank cells must be filled in using numbers from 1 to 9. Each number can only appear once in each row, column and in the nine 3x3 blocks.

Graph and

are for Sydney Fort Denison

PORT STEPHENS (high) (low) Nelson Bay 30min 15min Salamander Bay 45min 30min Soldiers Point 1hr 45min Karuah (Karuah River) 1hr 15min 45min Pindimar 45min 45min Tea Gardens 1hr 45min BROUGHTON IS. nil nil CAPE HAWKE Forster 0 to 15min NIL Wollomba River (mouth) 1hr 50min 2hrs 10min MANNING RIVER Based on bar at Harrington Harrington NIL 15 to 30min Taree 2hrs 2hrs 45min Wingham 3hrs 5min 3hrs 45min HUNTER RIVER Newcastle NIL NIL Hexham 1hr 10min 1hr Raymond Terrace 1hr 50min 1hr 55min Morpeth 3hrs 10min 3hrs 30min NEWS OF THE AREA PORT

1. The boy’s arm is bent. 2. The star logo is missing from the frisbee. 3. There isn’t a drink can in

4. A branch is missing from the tree. 5. The dog’s ear is straighter. SCRAMBLED WORDS: 2 bats wings, 4 worms, 2 snails, 1 toad, sugar, pepper and 1 green chilli.

BEST ON THE BOX

FRIDAY LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION AUSTRALIA

TEN, 7.30pm

FRIDAY

THE AUSTRALIAN DREAM

ABC, 9.55pm

This stirring documentary, written by Stan Grant and directed by British documentarian Daniel Gordon, is an incisive look at former Sydney Swans player and 2014 Australian of the Year Adam Goodes’ (above) life, which leads into an exploration of racism in Australia. Using archival footage and illuminating and generous interviews from people such as Olympian Nova Peris, Goodes’ wife Natalie Croker and Nathan Buckley, it explores an element of Australian culture that many would like to brush under the rug.

FRIDAY, June 30

6.00 The Drum.

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Gardening Australia. Advice for the home gardener.

8.30 Utopia. (PG, R) Jim heightens security while trying to sway the outcome of tenders for an international partnership.

9.00 Smother. (Final, Malv) Val appears in court accused of Paul’s murder.

9.55 MOVIE: The Australian Dream. (2019, MA15+l, R) Explores the life of Adam Goodes. Adam Goodes.

10.55 ABC Late News.

11.10 The Split. (Ml, R)

12.10 Harrow. (Mav, R)

1.05 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

The Aussie spin-off of this long-running British franchise – once a stalwart of pay TV – was last seen almost a decade ago, receives a vibrant makeover for its new home on Network 10. In this highly anticipated return, The Block favourites, fun-loving couple Mitch Edwards (below left) and Mark McKie (below right), have taken over presenting duties; their bubbly banter infuses the house-hunting with welcome pizazz. This fresh batch of episodes sticks to the formula of helping people find their dream home. Tonight’s premiere kicks off in booming Brisbane with new parents Brooke and Peter.

SATURDAY SNOWPIERCER

GO!, 10pm

This arthouse action offering might initially seem pretentious but the bold cinematic style of director Boon Joonho (Parasite) strikes gold in this powerful drama starring Tilda Swinton (right) and Jamie Bell. It’s set in a future where a failed climate-change experiment kills all life on the planet except for a lucky few who boarded the Snowpiercer. Aboard this train, where a complex class system emerges, cryptic messages incite the passengers to revolt, thrusting the train full-throttle towards disaster. One of the most uniquely fascinating, exciting, and disturbing science-fiction films to chug on to screens in a while. Highly recommended.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 World’s Most Scenic River Journeys. (R)

8.30 Hampton Court: Behind Closed Doors. (PG, R)

9.25 Legends Of The Pharaohs. (PGasv, R)

10.20 SBS World News Late.

10.50 MOVIE: The Final Quarter. (2019, PGa, R)

12.15 Miniseries: True Colours. (Mlv, R)

4.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

4.30 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Better Homes And Gardens.

Johanna Griggs and Pete Colquhoun visit Sydney’s Middle Harbour House.

8.30 MOVIE: Murder On The Orient Express. (2017, Ma, R) After a ruthless businessman is murdered while travelling aboard the Orient Express, one of the passengers, renowned Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, tries to solve the case before the killer strikes again. Kenneth Branagh, Daisy Ridley, Judi Dench.

10.50 To Be Advised.

12.30 Home Shopping.

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 18. Melbourne Storm v Penrith Panthers.

9.55 Golden Point. A wrap-up of the Melbourne Storm versus Penrith Panthers match, with news and analysis.

10.40 MOVIE: Assault On Precinct 13. (2005, MA15+lv, R) A cop battles rogue colleagues. Ethan Hawke.

12.40 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Postcards. (PG, R)

4.30 Global Shop. (R)

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

5.30 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)

6.30 The Project.

7.30 Location, Location, Location Australia. (Premiere) Property experts search for homes.

8.30 Have You Been Paying Attention? (Malns, R) Celebrity panellists include Kitty Flanagan, Ray O’Leary and Bron Lewis.

9.30 The Graham Norton Show. (Ml, R) Graham Norton is joined on the couch by celebrity guests including Dame Helen Mirren and Pedro Pascal.

11.30 The Project. (R)

12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

SATURDAY, July 1

6.00 Morning Programs. 12.00 News. 12.30

Smother. (Final, Malv, R) 1.20 Classic 100 In Concert With The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. (R) 3.05 Grand Designs Revisited. (PG, R) 3.50 Landline. (R) 4.20 Power To Country. 4.30 Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery. (PG, R) 5.00 NDIS: 10 Years. (R) 5.30 The Black

6.30 The ABC Of... (Final, PGl, R)

Hosted by David Wenham.

7.00 ABC News. Takes a look at the top stories of the day, including coverage of developing stories and events.

7.30 NAIDOC Awards. Mark Coles Smith and Casey Donovan host the National NAIDOC Awards.

9.00 Vera. (Mav, R) After her former colleague and his daughter are badly burnt by an arson attack on their home, DCI Vera Stanhope is determined to track down the assailant and discover why someone would try to kill them.

10.35 The Messenger. (Malv, R)

11.25 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Growing A Greener World. 10.00 Barkley Manor. (PG, R) 11.00 Travel Quest. (PG) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight With David Muir. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 The Art In Healing. (PGa, R) 2.30 Life Is A Battlefield. (PGal, R) 4.30 Preparing To Give. 5.30 Hitler-Stalin: A Secret Relationship. (av)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Paul Newman: Always On The Move. Takes a look at Paul Newman, a perpetually dissatisfied man who lived his life free from Hollywood’s shackles.

8.30 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 1. Bilbao to Bilbao. 182km hilly stage. From Spain.

2.00 Witch Hunt. (Mals, R)

3.45 Food Safari Water. (PG, R)

4.45 Bamay: Larrakia And Wulwulam Country. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.15 France 24 Feature.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SUNDAY, July 2

6.30 Compass: Changing Tides.

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Grand Designs Revisited. Part 3 of 4.

8.20 Silent Witness. (Final, Malv)

Nikki realises that getting to the truth will put the Lyell team, and everything they love, in danger.

9.20 The Messenger. (Final, Mal) Ed is failing the most important card but comes to see the real message has been for him.

10.20 In Limbo. (Final, Mal, R)

10.50 Miniseries: Small Axe. (Madl, R)

12.00 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

3.05 The Heights. (PG, R)

5.00 Insiders. (R)

6.00 Morning Programs. 11.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 1. H’lights. 12.00 WorldWatch. 1.00 Motorcycle Racing. Australian Superbike C’ship. Round 4. 3.00 French Castles: Defying The Nazis. (PGav, R) 4.00 Trail Towns. (PG, R) 4.30 Tour De France: Bonjour Le Tour. (Premiere) 5.30 Hitler-Stalin: A Secret Relationship. (av)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Mystery Of The Ark Of Covenant. Takes a look at one of the holiest relics from the Bible that has been missing for more than 2000 years.

8.20 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 2. Vitoria-Gasteiz to Saint-Sébastien. 209km hilly stage. From Spain.

1.45 Exit. (MA15+ads, R) Hermine plots her revenge.

4.30 Food Safari Water. (PG, R) Presented by Maeve O’Meara.

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.15 France 24 Feature.

5.30 Al Jazeera News.

6.00 Shopping. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Jabba’s School Holiday Movie Special. (PGhv, R) 12.30 MOVIE: Ocean’s 11.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R) Officers are suspicious of an unemployed man who frequently travels business class.

7.30 MOVIE: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. (2018, PGs, R) A young woman prepares to reopen her family hotel, while learning more about the life of her late mother. Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep.

10.00 MOVIE: The Mountain Between Us. (2017, Mals, R) Stranded after a plane crash, two strangers in a remote mountainous region must learn to trust each other. Kate Winslet, Idris Elba, Beau Bridges.

12.30 Home Shopping.

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Cricket. The Ashes. Second Test. England v Australia. Day 4. Morning session. From Lord’s, London, England. (Please note: alternative schedule may be shown due to changes to cricket coverage).

10.40 Cricket. The Ashes. Second Test. England v Australia. Day 4. Afternoon session.

3.30 The Pet Rescuers. (PG, R) Xavier rescues a native wild animal.

4.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 Global Shop. (R) Home shopping.

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)

6.00 To Be Advised.

7.00 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated by Dr Chris Brown.

8.00 NCIS: Los Angeles. (Mv) Sam’s friend Tom Olsen finds himself being hunted down by enemies from his past.

9.00 Blue Bloods. (Ma) Baez and her daughter are targeted by a perp she once put away.

10.00 CSI: Vegas. (Mav) An investigative reporter is found dead.

11.00 The Cheap Seats. (Mal, R) Presented by Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald.

12.00 Home Shopping. (R)

5.00 Hour Of Power.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Dancing With The Stars. (PGl) Celebrities show off their dance skills.

8.40 7NEWS Spotlight. An exclusive, special investigation.

9.40 The Latest: Seven News.

10.10 Born To Kill? Timothy Spencer. (MA15+av) Takes a look at Timothy Spencer, who would climb through windows to kill women in their homes in the state of Virginia in 1987.

11.10 Autopsy USA: Howard Hughes. (Mad)

12.30 Home Shopping.

5.00 Seven Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 Rush. (Premiere, PGl)

8.40 60 Minutes. Current affairs program.

9.40 Nine News Late. A look at the latest news and events.

10.10 Australian Crime Stories: Murphy’s Law. (MA15+lv, R)

11.05 The First 48. (Mal)

11.50 Law & Order: Organized Crime. (Mv, R)

12.40 Family Law. (Ma, R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa)

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

7.30 MasterChef Australia. (PGal) Kirsten Tibballs sets a sweet-themed elimination challenge across two rounds for the contestants.

9.00 FBI. (Masv) The team investigates a series of assaults on women, while OA withholds information about his own attack.

10.00 NCIS: Hawai’i. (Mv, R) The NCIS team investigates a case involving US Marines with damaged ear canals.

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

12.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

MONDAY, July 3

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Landline. (R)

11.00 Fake Or Fortune? (R) 12.00 News.

1.00 Queen Of Oz. (Mal, R)

1.30 Vera. (Mav, R)

3.00 Gardening Australia. (R)

4.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

5.00 Australian Story. (R)

5.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

6.00 Morning Programs. 11.00 Tour De France: Bonjour Le Tour. (R) 12.00 Cycling.

Tour de France. Stage 2. H’lights. 1.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Arts Centres Keep Our Elders Connected. (R) 2.15 Made It With My Hands. 3.35 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Jeopardy! (PG, R) 4.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.00

Tour De France: Bonjour Le Tour.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes. (Premiere)

8.30 The Great House Revival: Stradbally, Co Laois. Presented by Hugh Wallace.

9.30 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 3.

2.00 Gomorrah. (MA15+av, R)

3.55 Food Safari Water. (PG, R)

4.55 Destination Flavour: Japan Bitesize. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

TUESDAY, July 4

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Dream Gardens. (Final, PG, R) 10.30 Outback Ringer. (PG, R) 11.00 Will Australia Ever Have A Black Prime Minister? (R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Grantchester. (PG, R) 2.00 Freeman. (R)

3.00 Gardening Aust. (R) 4.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 4.55 Aust Story. (R) 5.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

6.00 Morning Programs. 11.00 Tour De France: Bonjour Le Tour. (R) 12.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 3. H’lights. 1.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Land Wars. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG, R) Presented by Marc Fennell.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Great Coastal Railway Journeys: Morecambe To Grange-OverSands. Hosted by Michael Portillo.

8.30 Insight. Presented by Kumi Taguchi.

9.30 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 4. Highlights.

1.50 No Man’s Land. (MA15+sv, R)

3.30 Food Safari Water. (PG, R)

4.30 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) Irene and John are the talk of the town.

7.30 Million Dollar Island. (PGl) One hundred players started but now only 33 remain. With supplies dwindling, one camp has its last meal.

9.00 9-1-1: Lone Star. (Ma) Tommy faces off against her former employer, Paragon Medics, as they deal with emergencies.

11.00 The Latest: Seven News.

11.30 The Blacklist. (Madv) Red is identified as a possible hostage.

12.30 Home Shopping.

5.00 Seven Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Rush. (PGl) The adventure of a lifetime continues as three teams of everyday Aussies, who begin each challenge deprived of sight and sound, are dropped at their next location, Turkey. Hosted by David Genat.

8.55 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 1. From the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, England.

5.00 News Early Edition.

5.30 Today. The latest in news, current affairs, sport, politics, entertainment, fashion, health and lifestyle.

6.30 The Project.

7.30 MasterChef Australia. (PGal) The top five cooks compete.

8.40 Have You Been Paying Attention? (Malns) Celebrity panellists include Urzila Carlson, Aaron Chen and Celia Pacquola.

9.40 Just For Laughs Australia. (Mls) Hosted by Nath Valvo.

10.10 FBI: Most Wanted. (Final, Mv) The fugitive task force helps Remy.

12.00 The Project. (R)

1.00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) Rose and Mali come to an agreement.

7.30 Million Dollar Island. (PGl) Hosted by Ant Middleton.

9.00 The Rookie. (Mv) Officers John Nolan and Celina Juarez are in a race against time to stop the source of an explosive rampage.

10.00 The Rookie: Feds. (Mv) A father and daughter are kidnapped on Thanksgiving.

11.00 The Latest: Seven News.

11.30 The Blacklist. (Mav)

12.30 Home Shopping.

5.00 Seven Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Rush. The adventure of a lifetime continues as three teams of everyday Aussies, who begin each challenge deprived of sight and sound, are dropped at their next location, Jordan. Hosted by David Genat.

8.55 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 2. From the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, England.

5.00 News Early Edition.

5.30 Today. The latest in news, current affairs, sport, politics, entertainment, fashion, health and lifestyle.

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

7.30 MasterChef Australia. (PGl) The contestants take a road trip.

8.40 The Cheap Seats. (Mal) Presenters Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald take a look at the week that was.

9.40 NCIS. (Mav, R) Jimmy and Kasie are exposed to a biotoxin.

10.30 Miniseries: Riptide. (Mdlv, R) Part 1 of 4.

11.30 The Project. (R)

12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

Nelson Bay Gropers a real force in Hunter Rugby Womens competition

FROM Page 40

“They continue to produce each week and will take some stopping at the business end of the

competition when key players return from injury” he added.

Nelson Bay has registered victories over Southern Beaches/Medowie

(31-12 and 28-0); Maitland (38-5); Waratah (24-19) and Merewether Carlton (43-7) with powerful number eight Jessica Beam a stand out.

The talented Beam has proved a prolific-scoring forward for the Gropers

– using her strength, ballplaying skills and tricky step to nab more than 10 tries and many a goal with her trusty boot.

Coach Josh Gamgee has the team humming at the midway mark of the

competition, with plenty of room for improvement.

Other players to impress include dashing fullbacks Brie Napoli and Katrece Duggan, centres Victoria Hawthorn and Emjay Walters, crafty

playmakers Ngaomi Stone, Shannon Hawkins and Bak O’Donoghue, hooker Kira Ortolani, Taya Jones and Tash Harris, prop Taylor Rich and back rower Lydia McQueen.

WEDNESDAY, July 5

Morning Programs. 11.00 Tour De France: Bonjour Le Tour. (R) 12.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 4. H’lights. 1.00

No

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG, R) 6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 History Of The Sitcom: Escaping Reality. (Malvw) Explores sitcoms as comedy comfort food.

8.25 Rainbow Warrior: Murder In The Pacific. Part 1 of 3.

9.20 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 5.

2.05 Cheyenne & Lola. (Mlsv, R)

4.20 Food Safari Water. (PGa, R)

4.50 Destination Flavour: Japan Bitesize. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

THURSDAY, July 6

6.00

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

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)

7.30 Animals Aboard With Dr Harry. (Premiere, PG) Hosted by Dr Harry Cooper.

8.30 Accused. (MA15+a) An ageing rock star attempts to cement his musical legacy while trying to prevent his troubled son from unraveling.

9.30 The Front Bar. (Ml) Takes a lighter look at all things AFL.

10.30 The Latest: Seven News.

11.00 Crime Investigation Australia: Most Infamous. (MA15+av, R)

12.30 Home Shopping.

5.00 Seven Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Travel Guides. (PGls, R) Ordinary Australians become travel critics, experiencing a week-long resort holiday with a cultural twist in the tropical island paradise of Mauritius, off the east coast of Africa.

8.30 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 3. From the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, England.

5.00 News Early Edition.

5.30 Today. The latest in news, current affairs, sport, politics, entertainment, fashion, health and lifestyle.

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

7.30 MasterChef Australia. (PGa) The cooks tackle alfresco cooking.

8.40 Miniseries: Riptide. (Mlv) Part 2 of 4. Alison’s suspicions grow after learning that Sean argued on the beach with his son Ethan.

9.40 So Help Me Todd. (PGd) Margaret joins an elite philanthropy club.

10.30 FBI. (Masv, R)

11.30 The Project. (R)

12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

(MA15+adhlnsv) 3.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 4.30 The Drum. (R)

(R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Inside Sydney Airport: Training. (M) A passenger is found travelling with a gun.

8.30 Devil’s Confession: Lost Eichmann Tapes: Dealing With The Devil. Part 3 of 3.

9.35 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 6.

1.50 Dignity. (Ma, R)

3.40 Food Safari Water. (PGa, R)

4.40 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) Mercedes considers leaving Lyrik in the lurch.

7.30 Highway Patrol Special: Cops Tell All. (Mal, R) A look behind the scenes of the show.

8.30 Britain’s Got Talent. (PG) The fourth set of semi-finalists try to impress the judges and earn a place in the grand final.

10.30 The Latest: Seven News.

11.00 Fantasy Island. (Ma)

12.00 MOVIE: Dying On The Edge. (2001, Msv, R)

2.00 Home Shopping.

5.00 Seven Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 19. Wests Tigers v Cronulla Sharks. From CommBank Stadium, Sydney.

9.45 Thursday Night Knock Off. Post-match NRL news and analysis of the Wests Tigers versus Cronulla Sharks clash.

10.30 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 4. From the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, England.

5.00 News Early Edition.

5.30 Today. The latest in news, current affairs, sport, politics, entertainment, fashion, health and lifestyle.

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

7.30 MasterChef Australia. (PGa) Amateur cooks compete.

8.40 The First Inventors: Navigating The Future. (PG) Part 4 of 4. Takes a look at how Indigenous knowledge is developing lifesaving medicines.

9.40 The Cheap Seats. (Mal, R) Presented by Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald.

10.40 Law & Order: SVU. (Mav, R)

11.30 The Project. (R)

12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

29 June 2023

Gropers a new force for finals

By Chris KARAS

NELSON Bay Gropers are proving a force to be reckoned with in the Hunter Rugby Womens competition.

The Bay girls have made an impact with their power up front and backline skills in the early rounds – winning five of their seven fixtures to date to zoom into finals calculations.

With games in hand, the fast-developing Gropers are currently entrenched in the top three, behind the allconquering Hamilton Hawks and second-placed Wanderers.

Nelson Bay Rugby stalwart Gavin Rocher told News Of The Area the team was “well in the mix for a finals berth in the women’s division this season.”

“The girls are playing some positive rugby and have assembled a very competitive unit with strike all across the park,” Rocher said.

CONTINUED Page 38

q Nelson Bay Gropers on the attack against Merewether Carlton in Hunter Rugby Women’s action.