Coast Community News 278

5 FEBRUARY 2021

ISSUE 278

RATES RAGE

News

There has been a mixed reaction to the State Government’s response to a recent parliamentary inquiry into koalas See page 12

Out&About

On a mission to break a Guinness World Record for the longest journey kitesurfing, Brian Kiss von Soly took a pit stop on the Central Coast to outwait bad weather on February 1.

See page 17

Business Dozens of disgruntled residents gathered outside Gosford Chambers ahead of Central Coast Council’s February 3 meeting, protesting a proposed rate rise of 10-15 per cent.

Protesters tested Administrator Dick Persson’s patience when he bravely fronted them for a conversation before he chaired the first Council meeting of the year.

Resident Marianne Hamilton, who later spoke at the Open Forum, claimed the survey which ratepayers were invited

to complete was “rigged”.

“It doesn’t give you the option to say no rate rise or anything other than 10 or 15 per cent,” she said.

“I feel like Council needs to be a lot more transparent; there are a lot of confidential meetings for example.”

Another resident called for an answer on why Persson refers to ratepayers as“shareholders”.

One woman asked “If we don’t pay our rates, what happens?” but Persson replied “You won’t win that battle”.

Persson faced derogatory

signage, television crews and journalists who moved in to record every word.

He admitted he may have called one person a jerk when he couldn’t get his answers out before people started baiting him, but said afterwards he failed his own standards of behaviour and was sorry for that.

But the Administrator did have a couple of wins.

He asked protesters who had read his interim report; only a minority put their hand up.

He asked how many realised

that Wyong residents would actually on average pay $3 a week less in rates even with a 15 per cent rate increase because of the effect of rate harmonization, which would see former Gosford council residents pay on average about $7 more.

Quite a few ratepayers said they hadn’t realised that.

When he finished, the crowd politely applauded him.

During the meeting itself, Persson said services such as libraries, pool hours and sporting field maintenance would be cut back if the

proposed rate rise does not get IPART approval.

The deadline for the Council’s submission to IPART is next Monday, February 8, and the Council indicated last year that it may need an extension for the report on why such a rise is needed.

“This need for a rate rise has come out of left field and IPART is aware of that and so is being accommodating,” Persson said.

Merilyn Vale and Jacinta Counihan

Minister for Customer Service, Victor Dominello, was at the Australian Reptile Park on February 4 to encourage eligible Central Coast businesses to register...

See page 25

Sport

The occasion of captain Matt Simon’s 200th game for the Central Coast Mariners has been marked with an exhilarating 3-2 win...

See page 40

Puzzles page 22 Office: Level 2, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 - Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 - E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net - Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

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5 FEBRUARY 2021

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22 JANUARY 2021

ISSUE 276

News

Local sculptor, Pete Rush, has been awarded a funded residency deal by Central Coast Council to continue creating sculptures on Central Coast beaches.

27 JANUARY 2021

See page 4

Meals on Wheels volunteer Paula Hardwick was named Central Coast Citizen of the Year at Council’s Australia Day awards ceremony on January 20.

ISSUE 223

REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL WEEKLY NEWS

News

Garden marred by vandals

Four northern suburbs people have been awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the Australia Day Honours List 2021 for their outstanding community service and achievements.

See page 6

Out&About

Funding Rush

It was a bittersweet day for staff at the Australian Reptile Park when Hope the wombat left the park to live in the wild at Cedar Creek Wombat Rescue on January 21.

See page 17

Health

CCN

A letter sent to residents in recent weeks seeking community feedback has sparked a flurry of letters to this newspaper and comments online, with ratepayers unhappy about their limited options.

The online survey pointed to in the letter allows residents to express support for one of the two rate increase options, but has no provision for people to respond that they don’t want any increase at all, or want a variation of the two options on the table.

Some residents are suggesting people should bypass the Council survey and go straight to the IPART website to have their say.

IPART will decide on whether or not the Council can impose a rate rise and how much it can be.

Resident David Watts of Terrigal says the rate increase would take 22 years to pay off the Council debt.

He says a better idea would be financing a half a billion dollar loan at two per cent per year.

That would mean the council would have a $10M interest bill every year.

He said the council had $10B in assets and a plan to sell some to meet the financial obligations could be devised.

Administrator Dick Persson has defended the need for a rate rise.

“As ratepayers you are ‘the shareholders’ of the Council; there is no one else who will or should contribute to fixing the financial mess we’re in,” he said.

“Some call on the former councillors to pay - not possible.

“The amount vastly exceeds their personal wealth, and secondly, there is no legal path for this to happen.

“Others suggest the State Government should pay

because they forced the merger.

“As made clear in my 30- day report, the merger had a very minor role in blowing out Council’s budget.

“The State Government will not accept responsibility for the financial mess created by the councillors elected and the CEO they appointed.

“The ‘turnaround’ plan (acting CEO Rik) Hart and I are putting in place will give a balanced budget next year and deliver small surpluses thereafter to start paying off our debt.

“This plan involves cutting costs more than raising revenue.

“It avoids closing existing services.”

Persson said if IPART approves the increase, when combined with harmonising rates between former Gosford and Wyong, the average rates increase for the former Gosford Council area will be around $7 a week, and former Wyong average rates will decrease by about $3 a week.

Resident Brian Davies of Palmdale said he was like many others who refused to fill out the survey.

“It doesn't matter if we put dissenting comments, they'll only count the ticked boxes,” he said.

“Whose future are we securing?

“The ratepayers didn't get themselves into this mess and yet miraculously it's no one's fault?

“I see the rate rise as being like charging the lab rats to subsidise the experimenters.

“The state government imposed this massive amalgamation experiment on a whole lot of councils for political reasons and it's been a dismal failure.

“It was not imposed on any proven basis and was always expected to take many years before any benefits were achieved.

“To add insult to injury the (State) Government has been cost shifting (its) responsibilities to councils so our rates are de

facto taxes to the government as they spend less of the state taxpayer funds.

“There seems to be a lot of finger pointing at the suspended elected councillors but as I see it the basic problems existed before they came on the scene.

“And they could only work with the financial reports provided to them that did not show the true situation, as demonstrated by several outside investigations into finances not showing any problems.

“Admittedly during their time we had COVID, fires, floods and beach erosion to make matters worse but had we had adequate support for amalgamation and the State Government paying (its) share for disaster support then I believe we'd much better off.”

Feedback to IPART is open until March 1.

The council survey closes at midnight on Friday, January 29.

Merilyn Vale and Terry Collins

Full story, page 6

At the age of just three, Taylah Ross of Point Frederick had her first operation – to remove a plexiform neurofibroma which was growing on the back of her neck...

See page 31

Sport

The Western Sydney Wanderers have brought the dream start by the Central Coast Mariners to an end with a thrilling 1-0 defeat of the locals at Central Coast Stadium on Tuesday evening.

See page 39

Puzzles page 22

Legal action has started against Wyong Race Club amid claims that it has breached obligations under the Trust over the Wyong Showground land.

The showground has been used jointly by community groups for more than 100 years, but over recent years, the Wyong Race Club Board has evicted community groups such as Wyong Poultry Club, Wyong Rescue Squad, Wyong Lions Club, Wyong Pigeon Club and closed the gates to all other community groups and activities.

After 24 months of unsuccessful representations to bring Wyong Race Club representatives to the discussion table, the community groups have resolved to commence legal proceedings against the club,

its directors, auditors and legal advisors.

The community groups are being represented by advocacy enterprise, Albert Warner Pty Ltd, whose spokesman, Mark Hoddinott, said the showground site is, and always has been, community land with many users and uses, including Wyong Race Club.

“For more than a century, the Wyong Showgrounds were a joint community facility used by dozens and dozens of groups.

“However, upon the arrival of the Administrator in 2014, under the direction of NSW Racing, and the appointment of a new Board, the showgrounds have been quarantined for horse racing use only,” Hoddinott said.

See page 4 for more

5 FEBRUARY 2021 3 FEBRUARY 2021

News

Record crowds hit our beaches

News

A dancer from Umina Beach led a performance at a Sydney festival this month to help celebrate the stories of First People.

See page 12

See page 17

Out&About

Nine Central Coast residents have been recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours List (two posthumously).

Health

scratching their heads.

Owner of Helado Cafe, Chris Perkins, said they had no knowledge of the construction until they discovered the newly built wall outside their café on January 20.

“I don’t know what the idea behind the wall was, we have always stayed within our lease,” Perkins said.

“When you walk down the street, the café has kind of become invisible and (it) has

also limited the amount of seating I can place there because it’s encroaching into our space a little bit.”

The Memorial Ave arcade was purchased by a developer with plans to demolish half of

Continued page 4

See page 17

Sport

Woy Woy’s own spider man A Woy Woy resident has made national news after discovering a new species of spider in Western Australia last month.

Adam Fletcher, an electrician and keen photographer, identified the Maratus Fletcheri spider during a three-week expedition through the southern parts of the wildflower state.

And on December 17, the new species was named after Fletcher and described by

An upset win for the Central Coast Mariners away from home against Sydney FC on Friday, January 22 has skyrocketed them back to the top of the A-League.

See page 40

Puzzles page 23 Photo: Adam Fletcher

Julianne Waldock at the Western Australian Museum.

Fletcher said he has always had a love for photography and spiders.

“After years searching for and photographing these little beauties, my good friend Michael Doe and I became friends with Michael Duncan, an entomologist from Western Sydney University,” Fletcher said.

“After many weekend trips away searching for different

species of Peacock spiders, we decided to form a not-for-profit group called Project Maratus.

“We wanted to put them out in the world so everyone could see what they were, and we tried to do as much research as we could ... where they are found, what habitat.

“After five or six years of doing it, we’d already found a few new species that had been given other names by people who wrote the paper.

One of the Australian Reptile Park’s kangaroo joeys got into the Aussie spirit by taking her first hops just days before Australia Day.

Business

Continued page 4

The 2020/2021 Newcastle Permanent Junior Ironperson Series came to its conclusion on Saturday, January 23 at Ocean Beac See page 35

Puzzles page 22

Office: Level 2, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford & 3 Amy Close, Wyong - Phone: 4325 7369 - editorial@centralcoastnews.net - www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

A large number of residents is expected to protest a proposed 10-15 per cent rate increase outside Gosford Chambers at an extraordinary Central Coast Council meeting on February 3.

Ratepayers were set to stage a protest on January 27, before the meeting was cancelled at the request of Administrator Dick Persson for family reasons and the February 3 meeting scheduled.

There will be an Open Forum and a Public Forum and people can still register to speak in accordance with the usual guidelines and timeframes.

People are required to register through the Council website to attend so attendance numbers can be managed in accordance

with Council’s COVID safe plan.

Meanwhile, Council has extended the deadline for its survey on the proposed rate rise and added an option where residents can opt for no rate rise above the IPART peg.

But residents say the survey still has limited options, with many choosing to lodge submissions direct with the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).

Residents can now complete the survey until February 1.

Acting CEO Rik Hart said he was closely monitoring the community sentiment as it was critical that voices were heard.

“Our very early and preliminary survey results are giving a strong indication that ratepayers feel restricted in their opportunity to express their views about the option of

Acting CEO Rik Hart

no rate rise at all,” Hart said.

“We have looked at less than 10 per cent of the survey responses, as there is a lot of data to process with over 3,300 surveys completed.

“More than half the respondents in this small sample don’t want any rate rise … and we are certainly seeing some similar commentary in

letters to my office and the Administrator’s Office.

“I can totally understand this viewpoint.

“However, I need to make it clear that no rate rise is not a viable option.

“Council needs a rate rise to repay the restricted funds spent on community infrastructure and services and to deliver a level of service to the community that ensures our assets and essential services are maintained.

“I urge all community members to keep an open mind, consider the information put before them, and to provide their feedback before February 1.

“We are committed to capturing as much community feedback as we can in order for the Council to consider whether

or not to formally apply to IPART for a Special Variation of the rates.”

Council has notified the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) of its intention to apply for a Special Variation (SV) of either a one-off 10 per cent rise remaining in the rate base for seven years or a one-off 15 per cent, remaining permanently in the rate base, inclusive of the 2021/22 rate peg of 2 per cent.

Information on the options being considered for a Special Variation as well as a survey for ratepayers and residents can be found at https://www. yourvoiceourcoast.com/allprojects/securing-your-futurerate-rise

One of Gosford longestrunning law firms, Brazel Moore Lawyers, is celebrating 40 years of practice, after being established in 1981 by Geoff Brazel and Peter Moore.

See page 25

Sport

Central Coast Cycling Club’s Brendan Buhagiar has taken out first place in the Grade B division of the Australia Day Graded Scratch Road Race on Tuesday, January 26.

See page 40

Terry Collins

On a mission to break a Guinness World Record for the longest journey kitesurfing, Brian Kiss von Soly took a pit stop on the Central Coast to outwait bad weather on February 1.

See page 17

Business

See page 7

Out&About

The NSW Government has granted over $270,000 for improvements to Crown Land reserves and community facilities across the Central Coast, including more than $193,000 being shared among five groups in the northern suburbs.

Photo: Surf Life Saving NSW

Council meeting deferred to February 3

See page 31

Sport

See page 12

Out&About

Chairman of the Board of Wyong Race Club Limited, John Waghorn, has refuted claims that the Club has “closed its gates...

See page 17

More than 200,000 people flocked to Central Coast beaches over the Australia Day long weekend, as authorities dealt with 168 rescues, a prank drowning at Terrigal, parking havoc and jet ski chaos at Ettalong.

Avoca Beach - Australia Day

More than 800 people were tested for COVID-19 in just six days at a pop-up testing clinic established at Woy Woy Hospital in the lead-up to Christmas.

There has been a mixed reaction to the State Government’s response to a recent parliamentary inquiry into koalas

See page 3

See page 4

the site, making space for a five-storey hotel equipped with function facilities, a roof-top terrace bar and swimming pool.

News

News

Full story page 5 A 3-metre high timber wall has been constructed in front of a popular set of shops in The Rocks Arcade at Ettalong Beach, leaving local businesses and community members

ISSUE 278

RATES RAGE

A large number of residents are expected to protest a proposed 10-15 percent rate increase outside Gosford Chambers at an extraordinary Central Coast Council meeting on February 3.

See pages 10-12

Out&About

The Helado team and the newly constructed wall

Office: Level 2, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford & 3 Amy Close, Wyong - Phone: 4325 7369 - editorial@centralcoastnews.net - www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

News

See page 10

Out&About

Blue Bay’s Paula Hardwick has been crowned the Central Coast Citizen of the Year.

Celebrity conservationist, Marc Jacewicz, will host a Clean Up Australia session at Bateau Bay Beach.

ISSUE 224

REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL WEEKLY NEWS

Projects to benefit from new funding

Two Peninsula residents have been recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours List (one posthumously).

See page 10

Vandalism and theft at The Entrance Sensory Garden took a cruel turn a week ago when a woman discovered a memorial to her late husband had been stolen.

ISSUE 277

ISSUE 006

REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL WEEKLY NEWS

The Great Wall of Ettalong

News

Wyong Race Club accused of theft from the community

Ratepayer anger over prospective rate rise Central Coast Council is facing the brunt of ratepayer anger over its plans to institute either a 10 per cent or 15 per cent rate rise from next year.

29 JANUARY 2021 28 JANUARY 2021

Puzzles page 22

Office: Level 2, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 - Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 - E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net - Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

Wallarah 2 coal mine for sale Korea Resources Corporation is planning to sell its 82.25 percent stake in the Wallarah 2 coal mine, as part of efforts to cut its debt totalling $6.1B as of the end of June 2020.

It was reported in The Korea Economic Daily on January 6 that the government owned corporation had called for bids on a stakehold in the Wyong Areas Coal Mine Joint Venture, to comply with South Korean government instructions to offload all its overseas assets as soon as possible.

“It hired law firm, Lee & Ko as the sale manager, and will receive bids until the morning of April 22, according to the company and industry sources

on January 5,” the article said.

A Korea Resources official said in the article that in the sale process, SK Networks and Kyungdong might offer their shares as well.

Wyong Coal Pty Limited manages the Wallarah 2 Coal Project in the Yarramalong and Dooralong valleys on behalf of the Wyong Areas Coal Joint Venture.

Kores Australia Pty Ltd, a fully owned subsidiary of Korea Resources Corporation, holds an 82.25 percent share.

Australian private entity Centennial Wallarah Pty Ltd has a five percent stake.

Korean mine developer, Kyungdong Australia Pty Ltd represents 4.25 percent.

SK Networks Resources Australia (Wyong) Pty Ltd and SK Networks Resources Pty Ltd each hold a 4.25 percent share.

The Korea Economic Daily reported that since last year, the South Korean ruling party had been seeking to ban its state run institutions, such as the power corporation, from financing foreign coal power projects.

South Korea’s parliament looks set to pass new legislation to ban financing on foreign coal power projects, however, the proposed Bill has not yet passed through the parliament.

The rapid transition away from fossil fuels overshadowed the outlook for global coal demand which could lead to a

drop in the Wallarah 2 coal mine’s selling price, the article said.

A Korean resource industry spokesperson voiced opposition to any hasty sale of the mine, according to the article.

“The Wyong mine may be difficult to sell at the right price, but given its productivity, we may need to think about how to utilise its resources directly,” the spokesperson said.

Wallarah 2, with 1.2 billion tons of thermal coal, has approval for 28 years to extract up to five million tons per annum from its underground longwall mine.

Its location in the main water catchment area for the Central

Coast, as well as other significant environmental factors, caused strong community opposition and there has been a concerted campaign led by the Australian Coal Alliance right through to the Land and Environment Court.

The Federal Government approved the mine in 2018 but with hundreds of conditions aimed primarily at protecting the environment and water quality.

Wyong MP, David Harris, said indications were that the Koreans were now wanting to remove themselves from coal mining in the longer term.

Clear skies, blue waves and scorching sunshine have accounted for the Coast’s busiest Australia Day weekend on record.

See page 17

Sport

Dozens of disgruntled residents gathered outside Gosford Chambers ahead of Central Coast Council’s February 3 meeting, protesting a proposed rate rise of 10-15 per cent.

Protesters tested Administrator Dick Persson’s patience when he bravely fronted them for a conversation before he chaired the first Council meeting of the year.

Resident Marianne Hamilton, who later spoke at the Open Forum, claimed the survey which ratepayers were invited

to complete was “rigged”.

“It doesn’t give you the option to say no rate rise or anything other than 10 or 15 per cent,” she said.

“I feel like Council needs to be a lot more transparent; there are a lot of confidential meetings for example.”

Another resident called for an answer on why Persson refers to ratepayers as“shareholders”.

One woman asked “If we don’t pay our rates, what happens?” but Persson replied “You won’t win that battle”.

Persson faced derogatory

signage, television crews and journalists who moved in to record every word.

He admitted he may have called one person a jerk when he couldn’t get his answers out before people started baiting him, but said afterwards he failed his own standards of behaviour and was sorry for that.

But the Administrator did have a couple of wins.

He asked protesters who had read his interim report; only a minority put their hand up.

He asked how many realised

that Wyong residents would actually on average pay $3 a week less in rates even with a 15 per cent rate increase because of the effect of rate harmonization, which would see former Gosford council residents pay on average about $7 more.

Quite a few ratepayers said they hadn’t realised that.

When he finished, the crowd politely applauded him.

During the meeting itself, Persson said services such as libraries, pool hours and sporting field maintenance would be cut back if the

A 1-2 win for Wellington Phoenix against Central Coast in Match Week 6 at Central Coast Stadium has reshaped the A-League table, with the Mariners falling from first place.

proposed rate rise does not get IPART approval.

The deadline for the Council’s submission to IPART is next Monday, February 8, and the Council indicated last year that it may need an extension for the report on why such a rise is needed.

“This need for a rate rise has come out of left field and IPART is aware of that and so is being accommodating,” Persson said.

Merilyn Vale and Jacinta Counihan

Minister for Customer Service, Victor Dominello, was at the Australian Reptile Park on February 4 to encourage eligible Central Coast businesses to register...

See page 25

Sport

The occasion of captain Matt Simon’s 200th game for the Central Coast Mariners has been marked with an exhilarating 3-2 win...

See page 40

See page 38

Continued page 6

Puzzles page 22

Puzzles page 23

Office: Level 2, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford & 3 Amy Close, Wyong - Phone: 4325 7369 - editorial@centralcoastnews.net - www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

Office: Level 2, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 - Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 - E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net - Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

Office: Level 2, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 - Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 - E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net - Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

Office: Level 2.01/86-88 Mann Street Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net - Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

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5 FEBRUARY 2021

Stage 2 of The Con refurbishment commences Central Coast Conservatorium is all set to proceed with Stage Two of its major refurbishment, with a Development Application (DA) now with Central Coast Council.

Stage One of the revamp, made possible by a $2M grant from the State Government in 2019, is still in progress.

Conservatorium Vice President and Chair of the Building Committee, Claire Braund, said much of the Stage One work, which included reroofing, some re-flooring and interior upgrades, work on the Robert Knox hall and the restoration of the sandstone wall at the Mann St entrance, was well underway.

“The restoration of the sandstone wall has been a major thing,” Braund said.

“When we took it down, we discovered it had no foundations, so it had to be reengineered and reworked.

“Also, because the wall is heritage, all the blocks had to be taken out in order and must be replaced in order.”

When work is finished, the Robert Knox hall will have fixed tiered seating, including

disability seating, for 77 people.

Stage Two of the works will see improved disabled access from the rear of the Con in Georgiana Tce. “It will also provide more teaching rooms and better amenities,” Braund said.

“We will also need to shore up the wall between us and the Council block next door.”

The Stage Two works, to cost $728,035, will also include

alterations to the foyer and reception.

Braund said the proposed sale of the Council-owned block to the rear of the Con would not impact Stage Two works, but the Con was in negotiations over a re-think on the sale, mooted under Administrator Dick Persson’s proposed asset sale list.

It currently houses several demountable buildings which

are in use by the Con as well as a timber cottage divided into four studios, a storage area and bathroom and a stairway and ramp joining the cottage to the carpark at the rear.

“We have made representations to the State Government and to Council, which have been well received, and I have had positive reassurances that the Con won’t be hung out to dry,” she

said.

The building is considered to be one of the Central Coast’s most important and oldest structures, starting life as a courthouse and police station.

It is noted as an item of Local Heritage under the Central Coast Council LEP. The report says the proposed works will “prolong the life of one of the Central Coast’s most important historical buildings”.

Documents lodged with the DA say the building is of exceptional significance as one of the earliest remaining complexes of public buildings in the Brisbane Water region and an important symbol of the early imposition of European values and laws on the local Aboriginal population.

“It is particularly noteworthy as the work of two of the most important and long serving colonial architects, Mortimer Lewis (1835-1849) and James Barnet (1862-1890), and demonstrates the high quality design and use of materials characteristic of the work of the office of the Colonial Architect,” the documents say/ With the plans on public exhibition until February 15, Braund said she was confident the DA would be processed quickly, with completion of work expected mid-year, weather permitting.

She said all contractors employed were local.

“All the tradespeople have shown tremendous commitment- I think they like working on such a significant building,” she said.

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Walk through our brand-new display homes and get a sneak peak at the plans for our new lakefront homes!

To celebrate the new year, we’re offering a $10,000* bonus on selected homes for a limited time.

LAKEFRONT HOMES COMING SOON Call Jenni on 0458 018 332 today to RSVP for this event, numbers are strictly limited.

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Eligible buyers must deposit before 19/03/21 and settle by 28/05/21. + Price is based on owning your home and leasing the land and is correct at time of printing and subject to change without notice.

Terry Collins

PAGE 4

5 FEBRUARY 2021

NEWS

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Breakers go solar Breakers Country Club at Wamberal hopes to continue reducing its carbon footprint with the installation of solar panels over its front carpark.

Breakers Country Club CEO Ken Pearson

The Club has applied to Central Coast Council for permission to position the solar panels on aluminium fixed tilted frames, secured to the ground via frames and concrete footings, covering an area which comprises around 80 car spaces.

The proposal includes a 252kW solar system for onsite consumption.

CEO Ken Pearson said the proposal was the latest attempt by the club to reduce its

reliance on fossil fuel-sourced electricity.

“We have already installed solar panels on the roof at our own cost,” he said.

Pearson said the club was also water wise, having provided dams on its golf course to reduce its reliance on town water.

“We were also one of the first venues to install waterless urinals,” he said.

This latest venture will see the club’s use of fossil fueled power reduce under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Smart Commercial Solar, which will see the club invest $100,000 of the total project cost of $436,724.

“Under the agreement, the company finances the rest of the project and then sells power sourced through the panels to the club at an agreed rate,” Pearson said.

“This is quite a common procedure overseas and it means we will not be tying up much of our own capital.

“The solar company is also responsible for the upkeep of the panels.”

Pearson said surveyors were already on site in anticipation of DA approval and that installation would be speedy.

“We’re ready to go and anticipate completion around six weeks after DA approval,” he said.

A report to Council said the panels themselves would be made from silicon with a protective glass layer.

“The modules are dark in colour and are by design, nonreflective, to absorb the maximum amount of sunlight and produce more power,” the report said.

“Therefore, the effect of glare or reflection of the solar array is going to be minimal or nonexistent.”

The installation will require minor earth works for cabling requirements.

The submission said the installation will have a positive impact on the environment as it will reduce the Club’s reliance

on fossil fuel sourced electricity.

No trees are required to be removed to ensure sunlight reaches the solar system.

The solar panels are expected to generate approximately 374,976 kWh of electricity per year, which saves approximately 307 tonnes of CO2 equivalent each year.

“No greenhouse gasses are emitted whatsoever during the operation of the solar system,” the report to Council said.

Public responses to the submission close on February 9.

Merilyn Vale and Terry Collins

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Community Environment Network FIRST 2021 WILDPLANT COMMUNITY NURSERY ON SATURDAY 6 FEBRUARY Our popular plant sales are back for 2021 and will continue to be held on the first Saturday of each month from 9am to 12pm.

Our next sale day is: Saturday 6th February 9am to 12pm CEN Office, Brush Rd,

Ourimbah We have a range of local native plants available including ground covers and herbs, shrubs and trees, bush food, bird attracting, native bee attracting, frog friendly and screen plants.

Cash and EFTPOS accepted.

BREAKFAST WITH THE BIRDS 2021 Join us to celebrate World Wetlands Day at the Central Coast Wetlands, Pioneer Dairy.

When: Sunday, 7th February, 2021 Time: 8am - 11am

Registration 8am Bird Watching tour, Buffet Breakfast and Wetland talks.

Activities 10-11am (dip netting, water testing, tree planting and displays).

Due to COVID restrictions YOU MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE Cost: $10 (Adult), $6 (child) To register go to: https://cen.org.au/ events/cen-event-list

SOMERSBY GREENTEAM INFORMATION PICNIC TACKLING WEEDS TOGETHER

Are you a rural landholder interested in forming a private landholder ‘Greenteam’ Landcare group in your area to tackle weeds together?

Come along to our Somersby-Mangrove Mountain Greenteam information picnic*.

When: Saturday, 13 February, 9am to 10.30am Where: Somersby Falls Picnic Area, Somersby Falls Rd, Somersby Cost: FREE * Morning tea included Find out what support we can offer. CEN will provide: bush regen supervisor; help with bushland management and planning; plant identification; seed collecting; planting; tool kit; and health and safety.

The Community Environment Network (CEN) is registered as a landcare group and is a member of Landcare NSW and Greater Sydney Landcare Network (GSLN). The Greenteam groups will be covered by CEN’s Volunteer Insurance and Public Liability Insurance.

Private property Landcare Groups provide a supportive environment that enables local people with the opportunity to come together, share knowledge and experiences and to do something positive and practical for the long-term health of their land.

Each group has control in setting their own group’s destiny and the particular activities or focus that their group may wish to pursue.

For more information contact: Nicole Heta, Project Officer, Community Environment Network P: 4349 4756 E: nicole.heta@cen.org.au

Imagine Look ahead to 2050. Imagine the Central Coast youth of 2021 leading their respective fields. The transition to renewable energy will be complete. The local economy will consist of locally-owned sustainable industries. Community gardens will be hives of activity – dynamic community meeting hubs.

Eco-tourism will thrive and generate employment in our region. Our wetlands, old growth forest, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries will be world acclaimed.

In 2019 CEN Youth set down ‘Steps Towards a Sustainable Future’. Their core theme was to ‘Protect, Reconnect and Regenerate’.

They identified that steps will need to be taken to: ‘reduce-reuse-recycle’; improve transport; increase renewable energy; grow more native trees; transition to plant-based foods; and embrace storytelling.

CEN Youth’s ‘Steps Towards a Sustainable Future’ are an easy guide for our community to build a more sustainable future in which everyone, with every action taken, can have a positive impact.

This year our CEN Youth will work with CEN staff to contribute to core projects: Costal Open Space System (COSS); Habitat for Wildlife; and Waterwatch.

At CEN, we are playing our part.

We all have a role to play in building sustainable communities and future leaders. What role will you play?

Visit www.cen.org.au and contact us via our CEN Youth projects page for more information about how to become involved with CEN Youth.

Hale Adasal CEN Chairwoman

The Community Environment Network (CEN) is an alliance of individuals and groups that work for ecologically sustainable development.

Support CEN - Become a member - Volunteer - Make a donation

www.cen.org.au Ph: 4349 4756

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NEWS

PAGE 5

5 FEBRUARY 2021

Labor MPs add to calls for more social housing Labor MPs on the Central Coast have thrown their support behind a call from the St Vincent de Paul Society for a commitment from the State Government to provide more social housing in the region, with latest figures showing the waitlist still tops 3,000.

The Society is calling on the Government to build an additional 5,000 new social housing properties state-wide each year for the next decade to address the current waitlist.

St Vincent de Paul Society Central Coast Social Justice Representative, Denis O’Rourke, said latest government figures show 46,000 general social housing applicants in NSW and a further 5,300 listed as priority up to the end of June 2020, with 3004 on the Central Coast alone.

“Each applicant represents a household, meaning the number of people, including children, who are without a place to call home remains well over 100,000 across the state,” he said.

“When the JobSeeker payment was raised, we were seeing a decrease in the number of people turning to Vinnies for assistance.

Labor MPs David Harris, Liesl Tesch and David Mehan are backing calls for more social housing on the Central Coast

“Now that the rate is dropping there is a growing concern from people unsure of how they will stay above water.”

Member for The Entrance, David Mehan, said it should be no surprise to anyone that the Central Coast public housing waiting list has increased.

“There is less public housing on the Coast now than when the current State Coalition Government was elected in 2011,” he said.

“Answers provided to questions on notice by the Member for The Entrance show that the total number of social

housing dwelling on the Coast in 2011 was 4565.

“By 2020 this had fallen to 4343 - a reduction of 222 dwellings over the period.

“Many of these dwellings have been sold to the private sector in what is effectively the privatization of public housing.”

Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, said it was unfortunate to see regular opposition to social and affordable housing developments due to unfair beliefs about the kinds of people who might move in.

“The reality is that more than

half of people in social housing are single pensioners, and a number are families in dire need,” she said.

Shadow Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Wyong, David Harris, also supported calls for more social housing.

“On existing social housing properties maintenance is a real issue; some are remaining empty for a long period of time [waiting] on repairs,” he said.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said the Government was aware of calls to build

A Good Deal Better

more new social housing on the Central Coast and was working to identify local demand for suitable homes and recycle ageing, outdated properties to build more new homes.

“This reinvestment program also delivers new homes to support vulnerable people while generating jobs and spending in the construction sector, to help boost NSW’s economic recovery from COVID-19,” Crouch said.

“Recognising the ability to deliver these multiple benefits, this financial year the NSW

Government increased the budget for social housing investment by over 80 per cent.

“This includes almost $900M to accelerate the delivery of thousands of new homes and create up to 3,000 jobs.

“Of this, $812M is for new and upgraded housing across the state, and $80M to support new housing sector preapprenticeships, apprenticeships and cadetships, and help deliver 100 new social homes.

“This new funding takes the total NSW Government investment in social and affordable housing to $4.4B over four years.

“The NSW Government also continues to invest in the growth of the community housing sector and working together we have delivered more than $3.2B in social housing properties since 201415.

“In the next five years, LAHC is on track to deliver more than 3,200 new homes across NSW, while Community Housing Providers are expected to contribute nearly 3,000 social and affordable homes over the next couple of years.”

Terry Collins

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A referendum on the number of councillors?

If the Minister for Local Government, Shelley Hancock, doesn’t sack our current crop of councillors - now suspended until April 30 - then Central Coast residents will vote in the local government elections slated for September 4 this year.

And if residents get to vote, they might also get to vote on a referendum on how many councillors they want in the future.

If the referendum gets up, residents will then at the next elections - due in 2024 - only vote for a total of nine councillors rather than the current 15 positions.

There are a lot of IFs in this story.

Administrator Dick Persson

has formally resolved that we will vote at the September 2021 local government elections on reducing the number of councillor positions from 15 to nine.

He is also suggesting the wards should be abolished but he is willing to ask the residents of the Central Coast for their opinion.

“It is my desire to present a viable and appealing proposal at the referendum and for this reason I am proposing community consultation regarding the ward structure,” he said.

“I personally think the no ward option is best so councillors represent the whole Coast, but I know there are other views.

“I will be seeking those views

through a formal consultation process before deciding on what should be included in the referendum question.

Persson adopted his Administrator’s Minute - similar to a Mayoral Minute but without the debate - at the February 3

meeting.

The cost of asking one question in a referendum at a council election amounts to $214,700 or about 10 per cent of the estimated cost of running an election, which at this stage the NSW Electoral Commission

has estimated for the Coast to be $2.1M. Persson admitted he didn’t yet know how much cost would be involved in the preparation and publicity of the required explanatory material for the referendum which the Council must ensure presents a balanced case both for and against any proposition to be put.

“I believe 15 councillors is simply too many and does not facilitate collaborative and effective decision making and that has to change,” Persson said.

He said the smaller number would assist in changing the Council from a combative parliamentary style to a more collaborative and co-operative approach to its business.

He would like to see the position of mayor elected by the nine.

Community consultation will be undertaken in the next few months with a report due back to Council no later than midApril.

We should know by then if the councillors are coming back or if the Minister has decided to sack them and begin an inquiry in the Council’s problems, which led to it being incapable of paying staff.

If she sacks them, the Council would probably continue to have an administrator for another 18months or so while the inquiry unfolds and, if so, we won’t be voting for any councillors, let alone 15 of them, this September.

Merilyn Vale

Coast Connect Central Coast Council’s weekly news and community information

From Council Recently I explained why I was proposing a rate increase.

Unsurprisingly it drew considerable opposition. No-one wants a rate increase, particularly when it’s a result of their own Council’s mismanagement.

“Why should we pay, it had nothing to do with us?” many replied.

My column mentioned that “you did vote them in”.

Many felt I was blaming ratepayers. Not my intention.

My 30-Day report very clearly laid the blame with the previous CEO, CFO and the elected councillors.

They all fell well short of their job requirements.

The CEO and CFO have gone, and the elected representatives have been suspended by the Minister.

While anger is understandable, I need to find real solutions to the massive budget shortfall and ballooning debt.

Mr Hart and I collectively have over 70 years’ experience in this space. Warringah Council, where I recruited Mr Hart as CEO, went on to win the prestigious Bluett Award - the Best Council in NSW. Please read my report and enter the discussion with realistic proposals.

Our main focus is on cutting costs. We are reducing staff by around 300, and managers by 30%. We are reducing spending on capital works and contractors.

But we also believe an increase in revenue is necessary.

If IPART don’t approve a rate increase, then even deeper service cuts and closures will be needed.

We really don’t have many choices.

Dick Persson AM Administrator, Central Coast Council

Twelve exceptional Coasties have received Australia Day honours at our 2021 Australia Day Awards

Each of our recipients have enriched our community through their unique achievements and contributions, including our 2021 Citizen of the Year, Paula Hardwick, who has committed her time as a volunteer with Meals on Wheels Central Coast for more than 20 years.

Central Coast Australia Day honours for 2021: •

Citizen of the Year (Winner) – Paula Hardwick

•

Volunteer of the Year (Joint Winner) – Mervyn Lane

•

• • • • • • •

Youth of the Year (Winner) – Elyssia Gasparotto

Volunteer of the Year (Joint Winner) – Pamela Price Sportsperson of the Year (Winner) – Paul Lemmon

Environmental Award (Winner) – Sue Booth Community Service and Activity (Winner) – Lynn Axford

Keeping our kids safe

It’s back to school time! Remember 40km/h school zones are back in force. Most school zones operate between 8-9.30am and 2.30-4pm but times vary at some schools so please check signs in your area.

As the busy summer season continues, there will also continue to be lots of kids around our beaches and popular locations.

Some important ‘Coast Summer Safety’ steps to help keep our kids safe: • Drivers take extra care because excited children may be on the road while they walk/cycle to the beach or the playground.

• Mums, dads, grandparents and other carers, please hold your child’s hand and keep them safe.

• When walking/cycling, wear brightly coloured clothing so you’re easily seen by others – also avoid busy roads and closely supervise children.

• Supervise children at all times when they are in or near water.

Find out more at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/ coastsummersafety

Community Service and Activity (Highly Commended) – Patonga Beach RFS Brigade, Berkeley Vale RFS Brigade, Spencer RFS Brigade Business Connecting Communities (Winner) – Kaylene Conway Arts, Culture and Entertainment (Winner) – Sharon Aldrick

To learn more and for a brief biography of each recipient, search ‘Australia Day’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

Development Applications and Consents Development Applications and Consents can be inspected at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au by searching ‘Development Applications’ or in person at Council offices in Gosford and Wyong 8.30am-5pm weekdays.

Under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2019, submissions on Development Applications are required to be published on our website. Submissions lodged using Council’s DA Submission Form or online portal will have personal contact details and signature redacted. All other submissions will be published in full. Your submission may also be reproduced in full in Council reports or in Court proceedings.

Council meeting

To find out when the next Council meeting is and to view it online go to centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/ meetings

Be the

first

to know!

at Sign up today .gov.au/ sw .n st oa lc centra enews

Council Offices 2 Hely St Wyong / 49 Mann St Gosford | 8.30am - 5pm, Monday to Friday | P 1300 463 954 NEXT ISSUE Don’t miss the next issue. Sign up for our e-news at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/enews

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PAGE 7

5 FEBRUARY 2021

McKinna’s focus on more local jobs Newly appointed Chair of Regional Development Australia Central Coast (RDACC), Lawrie McKinna, says his first priority in the role is to get all levels of government working together to help create more local jobs.

businesses, developers and investors to help create opportunities in our region for local jobs and economic growth; however, there is a constant struggle to gain the support required from all levels of government on approving and kick-starting projects to enable these opportunities.

“For example, people at a well-respected local business contacted me recently to voice their frustration as they have been trying to deliver a staged commercial development for the past six years that would create about 500 full-time local jobs once the project is completed.

“However, they have been unable to secure the required government approval for the project to commence.

“There are far too many examples of these lost job opportunities occurring here on the Central Coast and as a

McKinna says he is bewildered by the fact that more than 44,000 residents, himself included, are still commuting to Sydney and Newcastle for work and he is urging all government authorities to come together to address the ongoing issue.

“For more than a decade we have been discussing ways to create more local jobs on the Coast, while almost 45,000 locals are travelling outside of our region to work on a daily basis,” he said.

“RDACC has long been having this conversation with local

region we deserve better.

“As the new Chair of RDACC, I’m making it my top priority to being all of our regional stakeholders together to work as a united team so we can create better employment and economic outcomes right here in our own backyard.”

McKinna said these priorities are aligned to the Central Coast Regional Plan 2036, which guides the NSW Government’s land use planning priorities over the next 20 years and estimates that the Coast population will increase by 75,500 individuals, with 24,674 new jobs required.

RDACC Director Regional Development and Chief Executive Officer, John Mouland, said that to meet these requirements as a region, we need to start saying yes to projects that will drive our economic and employment capacity and find workable

A L L- I N C LU S I V E H O L I D AY PAC K AG E • T R AV E L A N Y T I M E

solutions to get these projects off the ground.

“We witness key projects being approved in Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, Newcastle and all across Western Sydney, and there is absolutely no reason why we can’t be doing the same here on the Central Coast,” Mouland said.

“We need to move away from saying no to these important employment opportunities and start working collaboratively to find viable solutions that deliver the outcomes our region rightly deserves.”

During his first weeks as RDACC Chair, McKinna will be discussing the critical issue of local job creation with all regional stakeholders.

Source: Media release, Jan 28 Regional Development Australia Central Coast

Chair of Regional Development Australia Central Coast, Lawrie McKinna

S E E LO C A L P R O P E RT I E S & G A R D E N S • 0 8 - 1 6 O C T 2 0 2 1

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5 FEBRUARY 2021

NEWS

Supporting our youth through the pandemic For the youth of the Central Coast, COVID-19 has brought its challenges, and as schools start up again for 2021, many are hoping the year will be a little less disruptive.

One of those optimistic about the coming school year is Central Coast Council of P&Cs President, Sharryn Brownlee, who said schools are more equipped to deal with the struggles of the pandemic.

“I think schools are in a much better position this year to look after students from an online learning platform and around the disruption at home with family and work,” Brownlee said.

“There is a deeper understanding of the impact of COVID-19 and the fear it has in the community and families.”

“Schools are better placed now; there is more training in place for them, and there is better mental health first aid through schools as mandatory training, so that will help

teachers identify children that are frightened or worried.”

According to Mission Australia’s 2020 annual Youth Survey of 25,800 young people aged 15-19, COVID-19 and Mental Health were in the top three concerns of young people.

Almost 40 per cent of those concerned about COVID-19 said their biggest worry was on the pandemic’s impact on education.

Brownlee said the biggest concern she has for this year’s academic year is how schools will monitor at-home online learning.

“What we are concerned about is the inequality between the digital and in-school learning platforms, and if we go into another situation, we want to make sure that children are not left behind, such as those students who don’t have access to the internet or a quiet place to study,” she said.

A disturbance in education has not been the only issue to come out of the pandemic.

Helen Isenhour

Headspace Gosford and Lake Haven Manager, Helen Isenhour, said anxiety and depression are still the top presenting needs for young people, however, loneliness has been an increasing concern.

“Now you have things like loneliness that are creeping in, which had never even touched the sides before,” Isenhour said.

“Generally it has often been quoted that young people are

among some of the most affected people, because of the disruption in education, poignant issues that have arisen out of COIVD, and also social isolation.

“Also, I think a lot of young people also see the future quite differently and are quite unsure about the future.

“There have been constant changes which are out of their control, and they have high volumes of information coming at them, which can change daily or numerous times a day.

“The other thing that I have noticed is a lot of young people generally are starting to feel that this world is fairly unpredictable.

“And on top of other things which are happening around the world, the world is starting to feel quite unsafe.”

With loneliness comes other issues such as lack of intimacy and the breakdown of social connections.

A lack of intimacy among single young people is

something the NSW Government tried to address when releasing articles on information relating to COVID-19 and sex on their Play Safe website.

Everything you need to know about sex and COVID-19; Can you get COVID-19 from sex; and Is mutual masturbation the safest sex during COVID-19 were just some of the well-read topics covered on the site, according to a Play Safe spokesperson.

Brownlee said schools need to try not put too much pressure on families at home.

“Schools are a place for learning and schools need to take responsibility for that burden and not push too much back home to families,” Brownlee said.

Isenhour said it was important for young people to stay connected with friends and a support network, sleep well, eat well, have a routine and get out and about.

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PAGE 9

5 FEBRUARY 2021

NORTHCONNEX DELIVERED The $3 billion NorthConnex mega-project will be a game changer for Central Coast motorists.

Reducing travel times by up to 15 minutes each way

Allowing drivers to avoid 21 sets of traffic lights along Pennant Hills Road

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PAGE 10 5 FEBRUARY 2021

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Council uses machine learning technology to assess road conditions Central Coast Council is working with the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia NSW and ACT Division (IPWEA) to trial new technology using video footage and machine learning to deliver an automated assessment of road conditions.

New technology will be used to assess road conditions on the Coast

The exciting new technology has the potential to deliver superior data while also saving time and money.

Council’s Director Roads Transport Drainage and Waste, Boris Bolgoff, said the system

is designed to be easily mounted to Council vehicles – trucks and vehicles of inspectors and rangers – which are already driven across the road network on a regular basis.

“Our goal is to deliver thorough, regular and costeffective assessments of our road network and this incredible new technology could see standard Council vehicles equipped to asses our roads,” Bolgoff said.

“Video and machine learning is the future of road assessments and indicators

suggest that the technology we are trialling could provide a safer and more cost-effective means for monitoring and assessing 2,200 kilometres of Central Coast roads.”

Council Administrator Dick Persson said it is Council’s responsibility to explore and utilise the most effective techniques for maintaining and developing the local road network.

“The Central Coast is an expansive region with an extensive road network and it is exciting to be exploring a technology that offers the

potential to provide us with better data in a more costeffective way,” Persson said.

IPWEA is also working with Canterbury Bankstown, Georges River and Blayney Councils for the trial and there is no direct cost to Central Coast Council to participate.

The evaluation of the trial will be released at the IPWEA state conference, at the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley from March 23-25.

Source: Media release, Feb 3 Central Coast Council

200 new Aussies on the Coast The Central Coast has 200 more Australian citizens, following a Citizenship Ceremony on January 26, Central Coast Council’s first since the COVID-19 outbreak last March.

The ceremony was a little

different to those held previously, with all those in attendance wearing masks, including Council staff, and only children aged under 12 exempt.

Candidates for citizenship were unable to bring guests as

in previous years and catering was limited to tea and coffee and individually packed cookies.

There was no handshaking or singing, movement and contact was limited, with new citizens had to collect their certificates

at the end of the ceremony.

Administrator Dick Persson told conferees that their pledge was a commitment that embraces values, rights and responsibilities of Australian citizenship.

“I encourage you to play an

active part in local communities which will build an even stronger nation,” he said.

Held at Mingara Recreation Club, the ceremony saw people from 40 different countries take the oath, from South America and Scandinavia to

Europe, Asia and Africa.

Council expects to hold another in person citizenship ceremony in the coming months.

Source: Media release, Feb 2 Central Coast Council

Liesl Tesch MP Member for Gosford

Schools and education Community Recognition Awards

Anniversary & birthday messages Fair Trading Hospitals and health Main roads

Police and Emergency Services Public housing

Trains and public transport

Authorised by Liesl Tesch, 20 Blackwall Road, Woy Woy NSW 2256. Funded using Parliamentary Entitlements.

How can I help?

20 Blackwall Road, Woy Woy NSW 2256

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Inquiry spurs more debate over koalas There has been a mixed reaction to the State Government’s response to a recent parliamentary inquiry into koalas, with Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch claiming the Government is ignoring the bulk of its recommendations and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch countering that it has supported or noted all 42 of them.

Tesch has endorsed comments from Shadow Environment Minister Kate Washington that the Government has refused to commit to 31 of the urgent recommendations, committing to only 11.

The inquiry warned that the iconic species will be extinct before 2050.

Washington said 14 recommendations were effectively ignored, or “noted”, while 17 were “supported in principle” but not in practice.

“The parliamentary inquiry made it crystal clear that koalas will soon become extinct in NSW unless urgent action is

There has been a mixed reaction on the Coast to a parliamentary inquiry into koalas

Government refuses to listen to science and experts.

“We love our koalas and we are known for them worldwide.

But Member for Terrigal and Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said the Government had committed to double koala numbers by 2050.

“Koalas are Aussie icons, and we don’t just want them to survive in NSW, we want them to thrive,” he said.

“The NSW Government has responded to the Upper House inquiry’s report by supporting or noting 42 out of a total of 42 recommendations.

“The NSW Environment Minister is currently working with the NSW Chief Scientist and a panel of experts on a new Koala Strategy that focuses on targeted conservation and investment actions to deliver on the Government’s ambitious goal of doubling koala numbers by 2050.

“This Strategy will be released in the coming months.”

FO taken to protect their habitat,” she said.

“Instead of heeding the shocking warning, the Government has failed to commit to 31 of the inquiry’s 42 recommendations.

“It’s a reprehensible response, as it condemns our

national icon to a bleak then non-existent future.”

Washington said the government wouldn’t even commit to maintaining the exclusion fences that already exist alongside major roads.

“The Government has conceded that some crucial

issues won’t even be during last summer’s bushfires. considered until 2022, let alone “Three billion animals were resolved,” she said. killed or displaced (nationwide) “That’s not urgent action; in theADVERTISEMENT fires and the World Wide that’s shameful.”

Fund for Nature (WWF) said it Tesch said the response was was one of the worst disasters “beyond belief”, especially in modern history,” Tesch said. given the devastation caused “We have already witnessed ADVERTISEMENT to koala habitat in the region what happens when the

Emma McBride MP u m

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Emma loves the Coast. A true local, Emma’s family has been on the Coast for generations - and she went through Emma spent 20 years working in health, 10 years as a Pharmacist at Wyong Hospital. school in Wyong and Tuggerah.

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Emma understands families• are N doing it tough and will do her best toAffairs care for our community by: DIS ships •Protecting Centrelink • Education &funding Medicare and strengthening Guaranteeing TAFE our hospitals and creating new apprenticeships •Restoring NBNpenalty rates and easing Training Investing in cheaper, on family budgets cleaner renewable energy •pressure Taxation • Congratulatory local schools with $43.7 •Strengthening C

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She fought to save Wyong Hospital from privatisation and will stand up for pensioners, working families and

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Emma understands families are doing it tough and will do her best to care for our community by:

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Mail: PO Box 3763 Tuggerah NSW 2259 Mail: PO 3763 Tuggerah Mail: PO BoxBox 3763 Tuggerah NSW 2259 NSW 2259 @ 02 4353 0127 emma.mcbride.mp@aph.gov.au @ emma.mcbride.mp@aph.gov.au @ emma.mcbride.mp@aph.gov.au 01270127 ✆ 02 024353 4353 www.facebook.com/mcbrideemma

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Authorised by Emma McBride, MP, ALP, Suite 204, 1 Bryant Drive, Tuggerah NSW 2259.

Authorised by Emma McBride, ALP, 204/1 Bryant Drive, Tuggerah NSW 2259

Authorised by Emma McBride, MP, ALP, Suite 204, 1 Bryant Drive, Tuggerah NSW 2259.

Authorised by Emma McBride, MP, ALP, Suite 204, 1 Bryant Drive, Tuggerah NSW

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PAGE 13 5 FEBRUARY 2021

ADVERTISEMENT

KEEP YOURSELF AND OUR COMMUNITY SAFE FROM COVID-19

Stay COVID-safe this summer season!

1

Maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from others

2

Wash your hands well and often

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Stay home if you’re unwell and get tested as soon as you have any symptoms

4

When you go out to eat and drink, remember to check-in every time via the Service NSW app

If you have any symptoms, book a COVID-19 test immediately For the Gosford clinic, call 4320 5055 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 4pm on weekends For the Erina clinic, call 4302 5252 between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 2pm on Saturdays For the Wyong clinic, call 4394 9200 between 9am and 5pm everyday

Adam CROUCH MP Member for Terrigal 02 4365 1906 adamcrouchmp

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PAGE 14 5 FEBRUARY 2021

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Wallarah 2 up for sale Korea Resources Corporation is planning to sell its 82.25 per cent stake in the Wallarah 2 coal mine, as part of efforts to cut its debt totalling $6.1B by the end of June, 2020.

It was reported in The Korea Economic Daily on January 6 that the government-owned corporation had called for bids on a stakehold in the Wyong Areas Coal Mine Joint Venture, to comply with South Korean government instructions to offload all its overseas assets as soon as possible.

“It hired law firm, Lee & Ko, as the sale manager and will receive bids until the morning of April 22, according to the company and industry sources on January 5,” the article said.

A Korea Resources official said in the article that in the sale process, SK Networks and Kyungdong might offer their shares as well.

Wyong Coal Pty Limited manages the Wallarah 2 Coal Project, in the Yarramalong and Dooralong valleys, on behalf of

the Wyong Areas Coal Joint Venture.

Kores Australia Pty Ltd, a fully-owned subsidiary of Korea Resources Corporation, holds an 82.25 per cent share.

Australian private entity Centennial Wallarah Pty Ltd has a five per cent stake while Korean mine developer, Kyungdong Australia Pty Ltd represents 4.25 per cent and SK Networks Resources Australia (Wyong) Pty Ltd and SK Networks Resources Pty Ltd each hold a 4.25 per cent share.

The Korea Economic Daily reported that since last year the South Korean ruling party had been seeking to ban its staterun institutions, such as the power corporation, from financing foreign coal power projects.

South Korea’s parliament looks set to pass new legislation to ban financing on foreign coal power projects, however, the proposed Bill has not yet passed through the parliament.

The rapid transition away from fossil fuels could lead to a

Headquarters for Wallarah 2 mine on Bushells Ridge Rd, Wyee

drop in the Wallarah 2 coal mine’s selling price, the article said.

A Korean resource industry spokesperson voiced opposition to any hasty sale of the mine, according to the article.

“The Wyong mine may be difficult to sell at the right price but given its productivity, we may need to think about how to utilise its resources directly,” the spokesperson said.

Wallarah 2, with 1.2 billion tons of thermal coal, has

approval for 28 years to extract up to five million tons from its underground longwall mine.

Its location in the main water catchment area for the Central Coast, as well as other significant environmental factors, caused strong community opposition and there has been a concerted campaign led by the Australian Coal Alliance right through to the Land and Environment Court.

The Federal Government approved the mine in 2018 but with hundreds of conditions aimed primarily at protecting the environment and water quality.

Wyong MP, David Harris, said indications were that the Koreans were now wanting to remove themselves from coal mining in the longer term.

“I’ve always believed that the application for Wallarah 2 was always about getting the licence and that they always intended to sell,” he said.

He said the federal and state governments would have to ensure that the purchaser

actually had the ability to meet all the conditions, and if they didn’t, that meant the licence could be withdrawn.

“We’d have to make sure that all of the promises that Kores has made in their application can be 100 percent honoured by whoever took it over,” he said.

Harris said the government had the capacity to terminate the licence if the new shareholder was a mining company with an environmental record of leaving terrible legacies in communities.

Following inquiries to the NSW Department of Mining, Exploration and Geoscience, Deputy Premier John Barilaro responded by saying any internal changes in ownership arrangements for the Wallarah 2 mining lease held by Kores Australia Pty Ltd, was a matter for the proponent.

Several attempts to contact the Wallarah 2 mine manager, Ken Barry, were unsuccessful before publication.

Sue Murray

Stage 2 of Bouddi Walk upgrade completed The second stage of a $1.4M project to improve accessibility and safety along the Bouddi Coastal Walk is now complete and open for the public to explore.

Part of the newly completed section of the walk

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, said a stretch of track between Little Beach and Mourawaring Moor, near Macmasters Beach, had undergone an upgrade.

“Stage two works included the installation of 260

sandstone steps to improve safety, the installation of a new wooden bridge across the creek to improve accessibility and a new side-track that links to a scenic lookout with views over Little Beach and the rock platform,” Crouch said.

“Stage three of the upgrade will soon be underway, with works between Gerrin Point and Maitland Bay scheduled to start in March.

“Stage three works will include access and safety upgrades to the walk and a new passing area that will

serve as a lookout point for visitors to enjoy scenic views towards Sydney.”

Crouch said Bouddi National Park had seen an unprecedented surge in visitors in 2020.

“Over 60,000 people used the Bouddi Coastal Walk during the peak of the pandemic, which is more than double the number of visitors over the same period in 2019,” he said.

“Despite the challenges of COVID-19, the local team of National Parks staff have been able to undertake the upgrades on time and I know the

community in Macmasters Beach, Killcare Heights and surrounding suburbs will enjoy better access to Bouddi this summer.”

The Bouddi Coastal Walk is one of 170 projects to receive funding as part of the NSW Government’s record $257M investment in new and improved infrastructure in National Parks.

Source: Media release, Jan 28 Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch

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Whither those ‘additional benefits’?

FORUM

Concerning the Central Coast rate increase feedback on Yourvoiceourcoast, even though the survey has been reissued, it still has a deep flaw that undermines the statistical integrity of any analysis of the results.

Question 7 still only has two options for the future increases – 10 per cent or 15 per cent.

Without selecting one, you cannot proceed with the survey.

This survey has been purposely designed to be misleading and is as scandalous as the financial

See Page 2 for address and contribution conditions.

Opinions expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily of the newspaper mismanagement of our Council!

I hope all Coasties take it upon themselves to only pay a 2.5 or 3 per cent increase next financial year, regardless of the

rates statement issued by Council.

I have read stories of the Coast benefitting by the overspend, and so it is only fair we pay back the over spend - if only they could list out and articulate the additional benefits we have enjoyed due to this overspend.

I have not seen any noticeable improvement in anything provided by Council!

And finally, how are the councillors and CEO being punished for their financial mismanagement?

Email, Jan 22 Paul Don, Terrigal

Wait, we’re council shareholders? Sell! Sell!

I refer to CCN issue 276, where Central Coast Council Administrator Dick Persson describes ratepayers as “shareholders.”

I would like to know where the shareholder meetings were held to discuss LG amalgamation.

Do shareholders elect the CEO and Administrator?

When shareholder meetings are held in Wyong, shareholders sit in the gallery as observers,

FORUM banned from participating.

Rules of engagement between the Board and shareholders are strictly enforced by the sole arbitrator.

This is not a corporation I wish to support.

How can I sell my shares as the market has crashed with no sign of recovery in the near future?

When is the next shareholder meeting?

Will shareholders have the power to elect a new CEO and Administrator?

Do shareholders believe they are getting a fair go from this corporation?

Ratepayers strongly believe the shifting of planning power by and to the State Government is a ploy to increase its own shareholding, leading to a significant decrease in ratepayer share value.

Letter, Feb 2 Norm Harris, Umina

Where were their masks?

I note (an article) in the December 24 edition of Community Coast News.

The article indicates that the Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks and the Communications Minister rode the train from

FORUM Gosford to Woy Woy, yet neither of them is wearing a mask nor are any masks in sight.

The NSW Premier continues to strongly advocate for mask-

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wearing on public transport and there is signage on train stations, yet this recommended protocol has been ignored.

Email, Dec 30 Wendy Baylis, Woy Woy

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Ratepayers should only pay for what they use I refer to letters from Evan Deas and Joy Cooper about the Council’s bankruptcy matters in Central Coast News, January 15.

These reveal there is both lack of information and of trust amongst us about where Council matters are today and into the future.

Democracy requires honesty, openness and fairness.

Ratepayers can only expect what they pay for.

I believe that most of us are shocked about the parlous state of Council finances and we cannot expect any miracles into the future.

Mr Persson has a mammoth job.

But most of us ask ourselves how did Council get into such a disastrous situation?

Surely those in control could have seen the financial cliff approaching?

Should there be some liability here?

Should councillors hold onto any remuneration and benefits they received when the Council’s financial affairs seem to have been mismanaged?

It seems like the Mascot Towers debacle where the builders earned a lot of money and now no one is responsible

FORUM for the dire straits that the owners are in.

The overall financial situation of any organisation or person is simple.

If inflows are greater than outflows (over time) all is well; if the converse, problems arise, as in the case when the Council could not pay its bills.

The financial state of any entity is usually obscured by administrative complications and the difference between cash and accrual accounting.

The latter is where creative accounting comes into play and it can become very imaginative and fatal.

Regardless of whatever accrual accounting strategies are used, at the end of the day you still need money in the bank to pay the bills.

I propose that ratepayers be made aware of the true state of finances in a simple summary way by publishing a spreadsheet with complementary notes in a newspaper such as this, as the start of getting community feedback.

The Administrator should not be allowed to pick and choose what information is given to the public as it is the public whose

money via rates pays the bills.

The ratepayers deserve to know the critical and basic facts around how their contributed funds are disbursed.

There are some basic services such as garbage, water, sewerage and infrastructure maintenance that have to continue.

However, there are other discretionary services such as Learning and Leisure Centres, swimming pools and gymnasiums which are used by only a part of the rate paying community.

Under the conditions that exist it would seem reasonable for those who use these services to pay the full cost as it is unfair to charge the general ratepayer for services they do not use.

This way rates would only increase to the extent necessary to pay for basic services.

We expect value for our rate payments but we cannot expect to be subsidised by others and those in charge of the money we contribute should be held accountable.

Email Jan 15 Charles Hemmings, Woy Woy

Fantasy world Local government operates in a fantasy world.

FORUM

Fail miserably in your major task and you will be rewarded with base revenue increases of either 10 or 15 per cent which impact ratepayers for future years.

In the real world where I work - do a lousy job – you don’t get paid.

Recently I engaged a tradesman to undertake a project which was not up to standard.

We negotiated a reduced fee - not in my wildest dreams, would I have paid him the invoice amount plus 10 per cent.

Why should all Central Coast Council ratepayers be slugged for items such as paying (a $380,000 severance fee to) its former expert CEO who on face value has not fulfilled his role of managing the council finances properly?

Landlord ratepayers will need to pass on the rate increases to their tenants, so rents will go up across the Central Coast.

We must not let the Council be rewarded with the proposed rate increases.

It would set a dangerous precedent as other councils are likely to follow suit (with their financial performance).

Email, Jan 25 David O’Brien, Kincumber

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Upgrade needed for Tascott Station too I agree with Robert Findley (CCN276) that ramps on the eastern and western side of Point Clare Station are more affordable and practical than lifts as there are only eight stairs from ground level to the platform.

With the ramps being covered and connected to the underpass all age groups are catered for.

Not so Tascott Station, which has 40 uncovered stairs up and 40 down just so we can get the train to Sydney from the western side.

To see elderly people with their small suitcases struggle with these 80 stairs is a disgrace.

There is no interconnecting tunnel like Point Clare.

Students are drenched as they scramble up and down the uncovered stairs.

FORUM See Page 2 for address and contribution conditions.

Opinions expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily of the newspaper We on the western side have to climb these 80 stairs just so we can enjoy a walk along the waterfront thus preventing many elderly (people) from this enjoyment.

The approach from the eastern side is a shambles as there is no path that lines up with the pedestrian refuge to cross Brisbane Water Dr. Long-time locals have told me the Government won’t update Tascott station because

Happy Australia Day, October 9

of its under use but they cannot use it because of all the stairs.

An upgrade would also take pressure off parking at Point Clare.

In November, by sheer chance, I noticed on Facebook the NSW Government was requesting input re the Point Clare lifts, to which I replied and highlighted the more urgent need of Tascott.

To my knowledge, the Liberal Member for Terrigal and Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, has been mute on this subject as has the Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch.

Hopefully common sense will prevail and Point Clare will receive its ramps and Tascott the urgently needed lifts.

Email, Jan 27 Trevor Maher, Tascott

Nothing democratic about being kept in the dark In my opinion the State Government is to blame for the trouble in the Central Coast Council and they should be the ones to pay the alleged debt.

If the Government was honest with ratepayers they may be more understanding.

How did the debt occur?

Who was responsible?

Why didn’t the auditors pick it up?

FORUM Who has the Administrator borrowed money from on our behalf and how much interest are we paying?

Keeping us in the dark is not the democratic way.

Having watched how governments work I expect that this is a smokescreen to hide what they really want to do.

I would not be surprised if we see some privatisations of our precious assets.

This present government has many private companies knocking on its door asking to buy our public property and if history is anything to go by they will sell everything Gosford ratepayers own.

Email, Jan 28 Doug Cliff, Saratoga

Colin Hodgson (CCN277) has hit the nail on the head when he points out that the current celebration of Australia Day offends an important minority of the population for no supportable reason, given that most people have no particular connection to January 26 and wouldn’t care when Australia Day was held, as long as it was a day of real national significance.

However,

nobody

has

FORUM suggested an acceptable alternative on which we can all agree, so the “debate” drags on acrimoniously, with nobody really attempting to solve the problem.

The difficulty with January 1 is that it is already a recognized public holiday, so any celebration of Australia’s independence on that day would be lost in the general festivities of New Year’s Day, which would be patently

undesirable.

Fortunately, there is an obvious day that we can designate for national celebration, and that is October 9 - the day on which Australia actually became a sovereign nation, with the adoption of the independence legislation in Westminster.

Let us have a genuine Australia Day on that date, so that we can all participate with a clear conscience.

Email, Feb 2 Bruce Hyland, Woy Woy.

Why blame councillors?

Kevin Brooks of Kincumber makes many very valid points in letter of January 15 regarding the lack of citizens’ representation and lack of accountability at Central Coast Council with the installation of yet another Administrator.

The result of the last election in September 2017 gave us what seemed to be a balanced mix of Labor, Liberal and Independent councillors (only Budgewoi ward had two Labor, one Independent and no Liberal).

Although enthusiastic, it appears now that they were not given the correct financial advice to carry out their duties responsibly, and two Liberal councillors resigned when the going got tough.

FORUM However, no-one who lives on the Central Coast can possibly deny that there’s a crying need for infrastructure projects in our local government area: chronic lack of footpaths, kerbs, guttering, sheltered playgrounds or parking and ongoing flooding and beach erosion issues.

Who can blame the councillors for trying to get something done?

At the same time, it seems that the NSW State Government has been limiting the amalgamated Council’s access to funds by cutting developer contributions and other subtle means.

What culpability does the

Minister for Local Government hold in the current dismal situation of the forcibly amalgamated Council?

The core function of her Department is to ensure that all NSW councils comply with regulatory requirements.

Along with the auditors it seems that the correct oversight was not provided, and the councillors are left to carry the can.

Here’s a thought - why doesn’t the State Government give a grant to our beleaguered Council to wipe the debt instead of slugging the local ratepayers with a 10 or 15 per cent rate hike?

Email, Jan 25 Lyndall Davis, Green Point

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OUT&ABOUT PAGE 17 5 FEBRUARY 2021

Coast pit-stop as Brian kitesurfs to Melbourne

Kiss von Soly started in Queensland on December 28 and has so far kite surfed 674km over 13 days on the water.

He is currently only 188km from the record.

But even after he breaks the record, he plans to continue down the East Coast to

Melbourne.

“I think if I hit Narooma just below Sydney that’ll be the record, but I’m going to keep going down to Victoria,” Kiss von Soly said.

“Hopefully I get into Melbourne, but I do understand the coastline there is pretty gnarly, so I’m just going to see how I go.”

Leaving near the border of Queensland with a kite, a board and a backpack, Kiss von Soly has averaged 70km of kitesurfing each time he is on the water.

“I haven’t been moving as fast as I wanted; it’s probably

been the worst year to do something like this,” he said.

“The weather patterns haven’t been as normal as the usual weather patterns are.

“Normally we get three to four days of north-easterly winds, but there’s been lots of rain and southerlies, and it has been all over the shop, so it’s been slow-moving.

“I’ve got a dry backpack, and in it I have a sleeping hammock...like a normal hammock but with a mozzie net built into it.

“I have a sleeping bag, a tiny little hiking cooker with a gas stove, and just some dry food

like quinoa, buckwheat and rice.

“I’ve got some technology like the go pro and a battery bank to charge my devices … oh and some water as well.

“I do have an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) with me, which I paid with for the best subscription service. “(This) means if I ever do get in trouble, I can get a helicopter to pick me up, take me to the hospital, and fly me home.

“So, it is not a suicide mission; I do have a backup plan.”

Kiss Von Soly said the first

time he took the kite surf out with a backpack was the day he left.

“I didn’t realise how extra weight does affect your legs, so future Brian would’ve probably told past Brian to do some leg workouts,” he said.

Along the way he has received a large amount of support from locals, occasionally taking up the offer of a hot shower and a meal.

“I am doing it for personal achievement; I had 44 days of annual leave, so I took it all,” he said.

“There are some times where I’m just stuck somewhere so I

can rest and recover, and the people I’ve met are just amazing.

“You tell them a story and introduce yourself, and when you tell them what you are doing, people at first are quite amazed, and they are really hospitable as well.

“I was meant to go back to work on February 8, but since then I’ve resigned because I’m not moving as fast as I wanted.

“So now I’m just a free agent and doing this until the bank account goes dry.”

Jacinta Counihan

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On a mission to break a Guinness World Record for the longest journey kitesurfing, Brian Kiss von Soly took a pit stop on the Central Coast to outwait bad weather on February 1.

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PAGE 18 5 FEBRUARY 2021 OUT&ABOUT

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Mangrove DISTRICT

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70 years and going strong After meeting in their late teens, Shirley and Don Auburn celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on February 3.

Mrs and Mr Auburn, who now live at Tarragal Glen Retirement Village, were born in Sydney and have lived on the Central Coast for 37 years.

Mrs Auburn said they marked their anniversary over lunch with their two children, two grandchildren, and six grandchildren.

“We had our big celebration

on Saturday up at Saddles in Mount White,” she said.

“It was just a family affair; there were 15 of us, including our grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

“It was a beautiful day; it was absolutely lovely up there.”

The couple met at a Scout reunion and married three years later, when they were aged 21 and 23.

“My husband was a financial officer for the government, and I was a dressmaker,” Mrs Auburn said.

“I can’t say we haven’t had an argument in all of our 70 years.

“But I think you need to help one another and have much of the same interests.

“You’ve got to work with one another, otherwise it wouldn’t be successful.

“Mind you, you have to work at it, and you have to be very patient with one other.

“It has been quite an achievement.

“We have had many happy times.”

Jacinta Counihan

COASTAL DIARY EVENTS ON THE CENTRAL COAST

SATURDAY, FEB 6

Wildplant Community Nursery: Plant sale day, CEN Office, Brush Rd, Ourimbah, 9am - 12pm SUNDAY, FEB 7

11am

Breakfast with the Birds 2021, Central Coast Wetlands, Pioneer Dairy, Ticketed - register prior to event, 8am 43494757

GEBC February Luncheon Event with Guest Speaker Lawrie McKinna, The new Marquee - Central Coast Stadium, Ticketed, 12:15pm

SATURDAY, FEB 13

waterwatch@cen.org.au

Pink Stumps Day, WEDNESDAY, FEB 10 Toukley’s Harry Moore Somersby Greenteam Oval, 10am Karen Knowles In Concert Information Picnic, Morning Melodies, Somersby Falls Picnic Laycock Street Community Area, Free, Theatre, Ticketed,

9am - 10:30am

Open day, Ingenia Lifestyle Sunnylake Shores 2 Macleay Dr. Halekulani, 10am - 2pm 0458 018 332

conversation group: Woy Woy Waterfront, practice your French at Brick Wharf Rd, any level, 9am - 2pm Ettalong Diggers Club, First attendance is free, FRIDAY, FEB 19 10am - 12pm 0416 303 804 SUNDAY, FEB 14

19/02 - 26/02, 10am - 3pm SATURDAY, FEB 27 Troubadour Folk Club Grand opening, Everglades Club Woy Woy, Ticketed event Coal Ash Public Meeting,

Play AFL with the Point Wolstoncroft Sport Love Letters, Bombers - register now Woy Woy Little Theatre, and Recreation Centre for season 2021, Ticketed, 19/02 - 7/03, Recreation Hall, RSVP to attend, Adelaide St Oval, Tumbi www.trybooking.com Summer Spandex 1pm - 4pm Umbi, 10am 2pm Be my Valentine, 0438 153 328 Naughty Noodle Fun Haus, Antiques & SUNDAY, FEB 28 president@kvbombers.com Ticketed, 8pm Collectables, Mercure Kooindah Handmade on the Coast, Waters Resort Wyong, Alliance Francaise

Peninsula Lions Club: Car Boot Sale, Dunban Road Car Park on the cnr of Ocean Beach Road, 7am - 1pm WEDNESDAY, MAR 10 Tribute: Olivia Newton-John, Laycock Street Community Theatre, Ticketed, 11am

Basic entries in the Coastal Diary are FREE. Send information to coastaldiary@centralcoastnews.net

ENHANCED entries using bold typeface with an address, phone number and a live link are available for a small fee.

Photographs can also be added for a small fee. All display advertisers are entitled to a free enhanced entry.

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OUT&ABOUT PAGE 19 5 FEBRUARY 2021

Point Clare tenor chalks up 47 years as opera singer Grant Macfarlane’s first opera audition was in the Sydney Opera House back in 1973 when it was opened.

Forty-eight years later, the Point Clare local still performs in one of Australian’s most famous venues, with his latest role being Spoletta in Opera Australia’s coming grand production, Tosca, in February.

The established tenor and principal singer has performed around the country and internationally for many years, however Macfarlane said he has not performed since March due to COVID. “I have been on JobKeeper basically since March ... we were just about to do La Traviata on the Sydney Harbour,” Macfarlane said.

“Basically, I have not worked since then, so I am really looking forward to going back.”

He said one of the reasons he can continue performing with Opera Australia is because of the generosity of the audience members who had already bought tickets.

“We had a lot of advanced bookings which was a surprise, and we have a huge subscriber base,” Macfarlane said.

Graeme Macfarlane in La Boheme

“What most of them (the audience) did was, rather than getting their money back, they donated it to the company.”

Macfarlane never intended to become a full-time opera singer as he originally was enrolled in a science degree at university.

“The last thing I expected when I was at school was that I was going to be an opera singer; it was the furthest thing from my mind,” he said.

“I had always loved music.

“I started at university around the same time I was having singing lessons and ended doing pretty well.

“I ended up going in a competition, and someone in there ran the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and offered me a scholarship to study at the conservatorium; I thought I could always put my degree on hold.

“So that is what I did, it was

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a four-year program, and when we finished, they sent the students to an audition in this new building called the Sydney Opera House.

“I finished my course at the time it was being completed.

“I went down and did the audition and got this contract back to say that I was going to be paid to sing.

“I thought, that is a bit of a novel idea.

“That was in 1973, and essentially I have not stopped since; it was extraordinary.”

Throughout his career, Macfarlane has performed thousands of shows, has won a Green Room Award, and has shared the stage with famous opera singers such as Dame Joan Sutherland.

“I remember doing a rehearsal ... I was covering one of the main tenor roles because he was sick,” he said.

“I was in the room with Dame Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge, and I thought, I have to do this.

“I sang my aria, and at the end, there was this spontaneous applause, led by Dame Joan.

“Here I was, this young singer, being recognised by this famous singer, being applauded by this famous singer.

“It was a real shot in the arm for my career as I was being respected by the people that I respected the most.”

Puccini’s production, Tosca, is a tale of love, lust and betrayal which features dramatic music dark themes.

“The thing with live theatre is that it is always celebrated in the moment,” Macfarlane said.

“It is not just you; it is the chorus, it is an orchestra, conductor, it is the audience, and you all just celebrate in the moment - it is so extraordinary, and you get addicted to it.

“And living on the edge, like, is that person going to get to that note?”

The production will run at the Sydney Opera House from February 22-March 13.

Jacinta Counihan

Proposed road and drainage reconstruction LUSHINGTON STREET, EAST GOSFORD Council hereby advises that it proposes to reconstruct Lushington Street, East Gosford.

The project includes full road reconstruction including new kerb and channel and asphalt road surface, an upgrade to the stormwater drainage system, new concrete footpath to provide increased pedestrian connectivity and improved parking.

Members of the community are entitled to submit written comments relating to the proposed work, from 1 February 2021 to 28 February 2021. Submissions should be addressed to the undersigned, quoting Folder ECMP1103/2.

A plan of the proposed works will be available for inspection by members of the community, on the first floor of Council's Gosford Administration Building, 49 Mann Street, Gosford, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm (excluding public holidays), during the above period.

Your attention is also drawn to the provisions of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009, which allows for public access to Council documents.

Central Coast Council Offices 2 Hely St Wyong / 49 Mann St Gosford 8.30am - 5pm, Monday to Friday | Ph 1300 463 954 Acting Chief Executive Officer Rik Hart

PAGE 20 5 FEBRUARY 2021

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Sunday 7 February

Saturday 6 February

Friday 5 February

ABC (C20/21)

PRIME (C61/60)

NINE (C81/80)

TEN (C13)

SBS (C30)

6:00 Today [s] 6:00 Headline News [s] 5:00 CGTN English News 6:00 News Breakfast [s] 6:00 Sunrise [s] 5:15 NHK World English News 9:00 The Morning Show [s] 9:00 Today Extra Summer [s] 8:30 Studio 10 (PG) [s] 9:00 ABC News Mornings [s] 12:00 Dr Phil (PG) [s] 5:30 Worldwatch 10:00 Q&A [s] 11:30 Seven Morning News [s] 11:30 NINE’s Morning News [s] 1:00 Jamie & The Nonnas: Sicily [s] 1:00 PBS Newshour 11:05 The Pacific: In The Wake Of 12:00 Movie: “Runaway Millionaires” 12:00 Ellen (PG) [s] (M) (’19) – A New Zealand 1:00 Movie: “Speechless” (PG) (’94) 2:00 10 Travlr Northern Territory [s] 2:00 Where Are You Really From?

Captain Cook With Sam Neill: (PG) Endeavour And Tahiti [s] couple go on the run after $10 – Two political speechwriters fall 2:30 Entertainment Tonight [s] 2:30 Great British Railway 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] million is accidentally deposited in love before they find out they 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] are working for candidates on 3:30 Left Off The Map [s] Journeys (PG) 1:00 Back Roads (PG) [s] into their bank account. Stars: 4:00 Farm To Fork [s] 3:00 NITV: Nula opposite sides. Stars: Geena 1:30 Outback Ringer (PG) [s] Jess Sayer, George Zhao, Pip 3:30 Great British Railway Davis, Michael Keaton, 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful Hall, Jen Van Epps, Sam Wang, 2:00 Rake (M l) [s] (PG) [s] Journeys (PG) Christopher Reeve, Bonnie 3:00 ABC News Afternoons [s] Ally Xue, JJ Elijah, Chloe White 4:00 Who Do You Think You Are? Bedelia, Ernie Hudson, Charles 5:00 10 News First [s] 2:00 House Of Wellness [s] 4:00 The Heights (PG) [s] (PG) 6:00 WIN News [s] 3:00 The Chase UK [s] Martin Smith, Willie Garson 4:30 Back Roads (PG) [s] 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] 5:05 Letters And Numbers 3:00 Tipping Point (PG) [s] 5:00 Escape From The City (PG) [s] 4:00 Seven News At 4 [s] 5:35 Jeopardy! (PG) 7:30 The Living Room [s] – Barry 5:00 The Chase Australia [s] – It’s a 4:00 NINE’s Afternoon News [s] 6:00 The Drum [s] transforms a backyard into the 6:00 Mastermind Australia hit with audiences around the 5:00 Millionaire Hot Seat [s] 7:00 ABC News [s] ultimate outdoor living room for 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 Nigella’s Cook, Eat, Repeat [s] globe - now the general 6:00 NINE News [s] an ever-growing family. Plus, 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) [s] – Nigella debates whether you knowledge game show with a 7:30 Uncovering France’s Roman Miguel gives Amanda a lesson should meddle with classics and difference lands on our shores 7:30 Tennis: ATP Cup Tennis: Semi City (PG) (In English/ French) Finals *Live* [s] on how to use your leftovers concludes that in the case of her with The Chase Australia.

8:35 Who Do You Think You Are 11:30 Movie: “Double Jeopardy” more creatively. crab mac’n’cheese it’s a must. 6:00 Seven News [s] UK?: Jack Whitehall (PG) 8:30 The Graham Norton Show (M) 9:45 My Grandparents War (PG) 7:00 Better Homes And Gardens [s] (M l,v,s) (’99) Stars: Ashley 8:05 Vera: Old Wounds (PG) [s] 10:30 The Project (PG) [s] Judd, Tommy Lee Jones, 9:35 Mystery Road: The Truth (M) 8:30 Program To Be Advised 10:40 SBS World News Late Benjamin Weir, Jay Brazeau, 11:30 WIN’s All Australian News [s] 11:10 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does 10:00 Program To Be Advised 10:40 ABC Late News [s] 12:30 The Late Show (PG) [s] 11:30 Program To Be Advised Bruce Greenwood 11:10 The Weekly With Charlie Countdown (M) 1:30 Home Shopping 1:30 Home Shopping Pickering (PG) [s] 12:30 Home Shopping 12:00 Twin (M l,v) (In Norwegian) 5:00 CGTN English News 6:00 Which Car? [s] 6:00 Easy Eats [s] 6:00 Home Shopping 6:00 rage (PG) [s] 5:15 NHK World English News 6:30 Entertainment Tonight [s] 7:00 Weekend Today [s] 7:00 Weekend Sunrise [s] 7:00 Weekend Breakfast [s] 5:30 Worldwatch 7:00 Escape Fishing With ET [s] 10:00 The Morning Show - Weekend 10:00 Today Extra Saturday [s] 10:00 rage (PG) [s] 1:00 PBS Newshour 7:30 All 4 Adventure [s] 11:00 Tennis: Melbourne Summer 11:00 rage Guest Programmer (PG) 12:00 Seven’s Horse Racing: 2:00 Cycling: AusCycling 2021 Road 8:30 4X4 Adventures [s] Series *Live* [s] – Australian Randwick: Inglis Millennium Day 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] National Criterium 9:30 Studio 10 Saturday (PG) [s] superstars, World No.1 Ash 12:30 Employable Me Australia (M l) 5:00 Seven News At 5 [s] 4:00 Travel Man: Valencia Barty and Nick Kyrgios headline 12:00 Beyond The Fire (PG) [s] 1:30 Agatha Christie’s The Witness 5:30 Border Security - Australia’s 4:30 Remarkable Places To Eat: 12:30 Good Chef Bad Chef [s] a blockbuster Melbourne Front Line (PG) [s] – An For The Prosecution (M v) [s] Paris (PG) 1:00 10 Minute Kitchen [s] Summer Series at Melbourne unsuspecting elderly couple are 2:20 Making Child Prodigies [s] 5:40 Secret Nazi Bases 1:30 Destination Dessert [s] Park from 31 January to 6 found to be carrying a supply of 3:00 Nigella’s Cook, Eat, Repeat [s] 6:30 SBS World News February 2021. Join as NINE’s 2:00 Bondi Rescue (PG) [s] something illegal and possibly 3:30 Dream Gardens [s] 7:30 Going Places With Ernie 2:30 Australia By Design [s] stellar team bring you all the deadly. Also, biosecurity catch a 4:00 Landline Summer [s] Dingo 3:00 What’s Up Down Under [s] action live and free.

Vietnamese couple with a bag 4:30 Ask The Doctor (PG) [s] 8:05 Michael Portillo’s Abandoned 3:30 My Market Kitchen [s] 5:00 NINE News: First At Five [s] full of restricted items.

5:00 Football: A-League: Round 7: Britain (PG) 4:00 Everyday Gourmet With 5:30 RBT: Parole Buster (PG) [s] 6:00 Seven News [s] Brisbane Roar v Melbourne 9:00 Movie: “Hannibal” (MA15+) Justine Schofield [s] 7:00 Cricket: Big Bash League: Final 6:00 NINE News Saturday [s] Victory *Live* From Dolphin (’01) Stars: Anthony Hopkins 4:30 Farm To Fork [s] Game: Teams TBC *Live* [s] – 7:00 A Current Affair [s] Stadium, Redcliffe [s] 11:20 Movie: “Love And Friendship” All of BBL 10 has been leading 7:30 Tennis: ATP Cup Tennis: Finals 5:00 10 News First [s] 7:00 ABC News [s] (PG) (’16) Stars: Kate 6:00 Bondi Rescue (PG) [s] *Live* [s] to this, the showdown between 7:30 Death In Paradise (M v) [s] Beckinsale, Morfydd Clark, the BBL’s best two teams that 11:30 Movie: “Thomas Crown Affair” 7:00 Toddlers Behaving (Very) 8:30 Call The Midwife (M) [s] Lochlann O’Mearáin Badly (PG) [s] (M s,l) (’99) Stars: Pierce will determine this season’s 9:30 Endeavour: Confection (M v) [s] 1:00 Atlanta: Alligator Man/ Sportin’ 8:00 Movie: “The Help” (M) (’11) Brosnan, Rene Russo, Denis champion. With so much at 11:00 Call The Midwife (PG) [s] Waves/ Money Bag Shawty/ Stars: Emma Stone Leary, Ben Gazzara stake, there’s sure to be 12:00 Deep Water (M l,s) [s] Helen/ Barbershop/ Teddy 10:55 Bull: Flesh And Blood (M) [s] 1:45 Explore [s] fireworks.

12:50 rage Guest Programmer Perkins (MA15+) 12:00 Home Shopping 2:00 Home Shopping 11:00 Program To Be Advised (MA15+) [s] 4:00 Luke Nguyen’s Food Trail 5:00 Religious Programs 5:30 Wesley Impact [s] 12:30 Home Shopping 5:00 CGTN English News 6:00 Religious Programs [s] 6:00 Easy Eats [s] 6:00 Home Shopping 6:00 rage (PG) [s] 5:15 NHK World English News 7:30 Fishing Australia [s] 7:00 Weekend Today [s] 7:00 Weekend Sunrise [s] 7:00 Weekend Breakfast [s] 5:30 Worldwatch 8:00 Good Chef Bad Chef [s] 10:00 The Morning Show - Weekend 10:00 Surfing Australia TV [s] 9:00 Offsiders [s] 10:00 Cycling: AusCycling 2021 10:30 The Xtreme Collxtion (PG) [s] 8:30 Australia By Design [s] (PG) [s] 10:30The World This Week [s] Women’s Road National *Live* 9:00 Luca’s Key Ingredient [s] 11:00 Tennis: Melbourne Summer 11:00Compass: Material Gain (PG) 12:00 House Of Wellness [s] 12:00 Cycling: AusCycling 2021 Road 9:30 Studio 10 Sunday [s] Series *Live* [s] 1:00 Program To Be Advised 11:30Songs Of Praise (PG) [s] National *Live* 5:00 NINE News: First At Five [s] 12:00 10 Minute Kitchen [s] 2:30 Program To Be Advised 12:00ABC News At Noon [s] 1:00 Cycling: AusCycling 2021 12:30 Left Off The Map [s] 4:00 Australia’s Amazing Homes: 5:30 Territory Cops (PG) [s] 12:30Landline Summer [s] Men’s Road National *Live* 1:00 My Market Kitchen [s] 6:00 NINE News Sunday [s] Inventive Architecture [s] 1:00 Everyone’s A Critic [s] 5:35 Secret Nazi Bases (PG) 1:30 Everyday Gourmet [s] 7:00 60 Minutes (PG) [s] 5:00 Seven News At 5 [s] 1:30 Aftermath (PG) [s] 6:30 SBS World News 8:10 The Trump Show: Downfall (M) 2:00 Freshly Picked [s] 5:30 Sydney Weekender (PG) [s] 2:30 War On Waste (PG) [s] 7:30 The Last Hours Of Pompeii: [s] – A gripping final instalment 2:30 Farm To Fork [s] 6:00 Seven News [s] 3:30 The Mix [s] Discoveries/ New Enigmas (PG) 3:00 Bondi Rescue (PG) [s] of the acclaimed BBC series 4:00 Football: W-League: Round 7: 7:00 Holey Moley Australia (PG) [s] (In English/ Italian) 3:30 Program To Be Advised The Trump Show. This film Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory 8:30 Movie: “Captain America: The 9:30 Bruce Lee: Be Water (M) 5:00 10 News First [s] charts Donald Trump’s last Winter Soldier” (M v) (’14) – *Live* From Epping Stadium [s] 6:00 WIN News [s] (In English/ Cantonese) months as president as he Steve Rogers struggles to 6:00 Antiques Roadshow [s] 6:30 The Sunday Project (PG) [s] 11:20 Filthy Rich And Homeless attempts to win, and embrace his role in the modern 7:00 ABC News Sunday [s] 7:30 The Amazing Race Australia (M l) subsequently overturn, the world and teams up with 7:40 Grand Designs - House Of (M) [s] 12:10 M - The City Hunts A Murderer results of the 2020 election.

Natasha Romanoff, aka Black The Year (PG) [s] 9:00 FBI: Most Wanted: (MA15+) Widow, to battle a powerful yet 9:25 NINE News Late [s] 8:30 Harrow (M v) [s] Anonymous (M) [s] 2:00 The Little Drummer (M l,v) shadowy enemy in present-day 9:55 Outbreak: The Virus That 9:25 Stateless (M l,s,v) [s] 10:00 FBI: Most Wanted: 3:40 Inside North Korea’s Dynasty: Shook The World (M) [s] Washington, DC. Stars: Chris 10:20Killing Eve (MA15+) [s] Dopesick (M) [s] The Son Of God (PG) 11:30 5 Mistakes That Caught A Evans, Sebastian Stan 11:05Wentworth (MA15+) [s] (In English/ Korean) Killer: Roy Whiting (MA15+) [s] 11:00 The Sunday Project (PG) [s] 12:05Endeavour: Confection (M d,v) 11:15 World’s Most Shocking 4:35 My Sister’s Wedding In War Emergency Calls (MA15+) [s] 12:30 Young, Dumb And Banged Up 12:00 Home Shopping 1:20 rage (MA15+) 4:30 CBS This Morning [s] Torn Syria (PG) [s] (PG) In The Sun (M) [s] 12:30 Home Shopping 4:10 Wentworth (MA15+) [s]

Also see: ABC COMEDY (Channel 22) ABC ME (Channel 23) ABC NEWS (Channel 24)

Also see: 7TWO (Channel 62) 7MATE (Channel 63) 7FLIX (Channel 66)

Also see: GEM (Channel 82) GO! (Channel 83/88) LIFE (Channel 84)

Also see: 10 PEACH (Channel 11) 10 BOLD (Channel 12)

Classifications: (G) General, (PG) Parental Guidance, (M) Mature Audiences, (MA15+) Mature Audience Over 15 Years, [s] Subtitles Consumer Advice: (d) drug references, (s) sexual references or sex scenes (h) horror, (l) language, (mp) medical procedures, (n) nudity, (v) violence

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Also see: SBS VICELAND (Channel 31) SBS MOVIES (Channel 32) SBS FOOD (Channel 33) SBS NITV (Channel 34)

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5:30 Today [s] 6:00 Sunrise [s] 10:00 Tennis: Australian Open 10:00 NFL: Super Bowl LV: Teams Tennis: Pre Show [s] TBC *Live* From Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida 11:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Day *Live* From 4:00 Seven News At 4 [s] Melbourne [s] 5:00 The Chase Australia [s] 4:00 Tennis: Australian Open 6:00 Seven News [s] Tennis: Afternoon *Live* From 7:00 Home And Away (PG) [s] Melbourne [s] 7:30 Holey Moley Australia (PG) [s] – Tonight, one mini golfer sinks 6:00 NINE News [s] the most incredible hole in one 7:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Night *Live* From ever seen on Holey Moley, plus Melbourne [s] two crowd favourites “grind” it 11:00 Tennis: Australian Open out on the Distractor Duel.

Tennis: Late Night *Live* From 9:00 9-1-1: Alone Together (M) [s] – Melbourne [s] In the aftermath of the dam break, massive mudslides wreak 12:00 Chicago Med: Be My Better Half (M mp) [s] – Bekker takes havoc throughout Los Angeles. drastic action to keep Rhodes Bobby, Hen and Eddie rush to from leaving Med for good; save hikers endangered by the Halstead questions Manning’s falling of the Hollywood sign. feelings about their upcoming 10:00 The Rookie: Casualties (M) [s] wedding; Ethan receives 11:00 World’s Deadliest Weather: shocking news about his sister.

Caught On Camera (M) [s] 12:00 Cycling: 2021 Santos Festival 1:00 Destination WA [s] 1:30 Home Shopping Of Cycling: Highlights [s]

6:00 Headline News [s] 8:30 Studio 10 (PG) [s] 12:00 Dr Phil (PG) [s] 1:00 Program To Be Advised 2:30 Entertainment Tonight [s] 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 3:30 Left Off The Map [s] 4:00 Farm To Fork [s] 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 6:00 WIN News [s] 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] 7:30 The Amazing Race Australia (M) [s] 8:30 Hughesy, We Have A Problem (M) [s] 9:30 The Graham Norton Show (M s) [s] 10:30 The Project (PG) [s] 11:30 WIN’s All Australian News [s] 12:30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (PG) [s] 1:30 Home Shopping 4:30 CBS This Morning [s]

CGTN English News NHK World English News Worldwatch Destination Flavour China (In English/ Mandarin) 2:30 Morgan Freeman: The Story Of God - The Chosen One (PG) 3:30 Who Do You Think You Are?: Shirley Ballas (PG) 4:35 Great American Railroad Journeys (PG) 5:05 Letters And Numbers 5:35 Jeopardy! (PG) 6:00 Mastermind Australia 6:30 SBS World News 7:35 The Architecture The Railways Built: Snowdown (PG) 8:30 24 Hours In Emergency: Live And Learn (M) 9:25 The Story Of The Songs: Celine Dion (M) 10:20 SBS World News Late 10:50 Hamilton Agent (MA15+) (In Swedish/ English) 11:40 Outlander (MA15+)

6:00 News Breakfast [s] 9:00 ABC News Mornings [s] 10:00 Four Corners [s] 11:00 Our Dementia Choir (PG) [s] 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 1:00 Call The Midwife (M) [s] 2:00 Rake (M l) [s] 3:00 ABC News Afternoons [s] 4:05 The Heights (PG) [s] 4:35 Back Roads (PG) [s] 5:05 Restoration Australia (PG) [s] 6:00 The Drum [s] 7:00 ABC News [s] 7:30 7.30 (PG) [s] 8:00 Foreign Correspondent [s] 8:30 Australia Remastered: Wetlands [s] 9:30 Our Dementia Choir (PG) [s] 10:30 Program To Be Advised 11:00 ABC Late News [s] 11:30 Q&A (M l,s) [s] 12:35 Wentworth (MA15+) [s] 1:20 rage (MA15+) [s] 3:45 Wentworth (MA15+) [s] 4:30 The Drum [s] 5:30 7.30 (PG) [s]

5:30 Today [s] 6:00 Sunrise [s] 10:00 Tennis: Australian Open 9:00 The Morning Show (PG) [s] Tennis: Pre Show [s] 11:30 Seven Morning News [s] 11:00 Tennis: Australian Open 12:00 Movie: “Watch Your Back” Tennis: Day *Live* From (M v,l) (’15) Stars: AnnaLynne Melbourne [s] McCord, Mark Ghanimé, Gracyn 4:00 Tennis: Australian Open Shinye, Darla Taylor Tennis: Afternoon *Live* From 2:00 What The Killer Did Next: Melbourne [s] Bei Carter (M v) [s] 6:00 NINE News [s] 3:00 The Chase UK [s] 7:00 Tennis: Australian Open 4:00 Seven News At 4 [s] Tennis: Night *Live* From 5:00 The Chase Australia [s] Melbourne [s] 6:00 Seven News [s] 11:00 Tennis: Australian Open 7:00 Home And Away (PG) [s] Tennis: Late Night *Live* From 7:30 Holey Moley Australia (PG) [s] Melbourne [s] – What do you get when a Cheerleader, a Plumber and a 12:00 Chicago Med: When To Let Go (M mp) [s] – Chicago Med, Fire Surfer walk on a Mini Golf and P.D. cross paths when a Course, all will be revealed as high-rise fire floods Med with eight new mini golfers take to victims, including Will and Jay the course!

Halstead’s father; Rhodes must 9:00 The Good Doctor (M) [s] save the life and career of Stella 10:00 The Resident: (M) [s] Kidd.

11:00 Station 19 (M l) [s] 12:00 Splitting Up Together (PG) [s] 1:00 Destination WA [s] 1:30 Home Shopping 12:30 Home Shopping

6:00 Headline News [s] 8:30 Studio 10 (PG) [s] 12:00 Dr Phil (PG) [s] 1:00 Program To Be Advised 2:30 Entertainment Tonight [s] 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 3:30 Left Off The Map [s] 4:00 Farm To Fork [s] 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 6:00 WIN News [s] 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] 7:30 The Amazing Race Australia (M) [s] – Like castaways left at sea, the teams are left with only a simple treasure map and a cryptic message in a bottle to guide them towards the finish line.

8:30 NCIS: (M) [s] 9:30 NCIS: Los Angeles (M) [s] 10:30 The Project (PG) [s] 11:30 WIN’s All Australian News [s] 12:30 The Late Show (PG) [s] 1:30 Home Shopping

5:00 5:15 5:30 1:00 2:00

CGTN English News NHK World English News Worldwatch PBS Newshour Destination Flavour China (In English/ Mandarin) 2:30 Morgan Freeman: The Story Of God - Heaven And Hell (PG) 3:30 Who Do You Think You Are?: Marvin Humes (PG) 4:35 Great American Railroad Journeys (PG) 5:05 Letters And Numbers 5:35 Jeopardy! (PG) 6:00 Mastermind Australia 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 Great Continental Railway Journeys 8:35 24 Hours In Emergency (M) 9:30 Cat Tales (PG) 10:30 SBS World News Late 11:00 The A Word (M l,s) 12:05 The Pier (MA15+) (In Spanish) 1:00 Deep State (MA15+) 3:00 Wasted! The Story Of Food Waste (M l)

6:00 News Breakfast [s] 9:00 ABC News Mornings [s] 10:00 Foreign Correspondent [s] 10:30 Stan Grant’s One Plus One [s] 11:00 Grand Designs [s] 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 12:30 National Press Club Address 2:00 Rake (M l) [s] 3:00 ABC News Afternoons [s] 4:00 The Heights (PG) [s] 4:30 Back Roads (PG) [s] 5:00 Restoration Australia [s] 6:00 The Drum [s] 7:00 ABC News [s] 7:30 7.30 (PG) [s] 8:00 Hard Quiz (PG) [s] 8:30 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering (PG) [s] 9:00 Aftertaste [s] 9:30 QI: Ridiculous (M l) [s] 10:00 Adam Hills: The Last Leg (M) 10:45 ABC Late News [s] 11:15 Four Corners [s] 12:00 Media Watch [s] 12:20 Wentworth (MA15+) [s] 1:05 rage (MA15+) [s]

6:00 Sunrise [s] 9:00 The Morning Show [s] 11:30 Seven Morning News [s] 12:00 Movie: “My Life As A Dead Girl” (M) (’15) Stars: Cassandra Scerbo, Keegan Connor Tracy 2:00 What The Killer Did Next: Peter Fasoli (M v) [s] 3:00 The Chase UK [s] 4:00 Seven News At 4 [s] 5:00 The Chase Australia [s] 6:00 Seven News [s] 7:00 Home And Away (PG) [s] 7:30 Ambulance - Code Red (M) [s] – Follows the work of an ambulance service, giving an insight into the life and death incidents faced by specialist emergency response teams.

8:30 The Bay (M v) [s] 10:30 Criminal Confessions: Chris Watts: Confession Untold (MA15+) [s] 12:00 Code Black: Cabin Pressure (M s) [s] 1:00 Home Shopping

5:30 Today [s] 10:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Pre Show [s] 11:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Day *Live* From Melbourne [s] 4:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Afternoon *Live* From Melbourne [s] 6:00 NINE News [s] 7:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Night *Live* From Melbourne [s] 11:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Late Night *Live* From Melbourne [s] 12:00 Chicago Med: Heavy Is The Head (M mp) [s] – Halstead arranges a great deal on a wedding venue; Manning and Elsa treat an ill pregnant woman convinced that God will save her; the staff is conflicted about the law-breaking father of a 5year-old patient 1:00 Destination WA [s]

6:00 Headline News [s] 8:30 Studio 10 (PG) [s] 12:00 Dr Phil (PG) [s] 1:00 Program To Be Advised 2:30 Entertainment Tonight [s] 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 3:30 Left Off The Map [s] 4:00 Farm To Fork [s] 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 6:00 WIN News [s] 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] 7:30 Jamie’s Easy Meals For Every Day [s] 8:30 Bull: Cloak And Beaker (M) [s] 9:30 Bull: The Invisible Woman (M) [s] – An expert on anthrax is accused of orchestrating a series of anthrax attacks; Bull sets out to prove the city was in such a rush to calm the public’s hysteria, they arrested the wrong person.

10:30 The Project (PG) [s] 11:30 WIN’s All Australian News [s]

5:00 5:15 5:30 1:00 2:00

6:00 News Breakfast [s] 9:00 ABC News Mornings [s] 10:00 Australian Story [s] 10:30 Program To Be Advised 11:00 Australia Remastered [s] 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 1:00 Hard Quiz (PG) [s] 1:30 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering (PG) [s] 2:00 Rake (M l) [s] 3:00 ABC News Afternoons [s] 4:00 The Heights (PG) [s] 4:30 Back Roads (PG) [s] 5:00 Restoration Australia [s] 6:00 The Drum [s] 7:00 ABC News [s] 7:30 7.30 (PG) [s] 8:00 Back Roads: Kyogle, NSW [s] 8:30 Q&A [s] 9:35 The Rise Of The Murdoch Dynasty (M l) [s] 10:25 ABC Late News [s] 11:05 Program To Be Advised 12:05 Wentworth (MA15+) [s] 12:55 Killing Eve (M v) [s] 1:40 rage (MA15+) [s]

6:00 Sunrise [s] 9:00 The Morning Show [s] 11:30 Seven Morning News [s] 12:00 Movie: “Hometown Killer” (M) (’18) Stars: Kaitlyn Black 2:00 What The Killer Did Next: Sian Roberts (M v) [s] 3:00 The Chase UK [s] 4:00 Seven News At 4 [s] 5:00 The Chase Australia [s] 6:00 Seven News [s] 7:00 Home And Away (PG) [s] 8:30 Wife Swap Australia: Walker And Duncan Families (M) [s] – In the series premiere, a fashion conscious, fitness obsessed mum of six straight-A students and a bus-dwelling, free-range mum of eight unschooled kids swap lives, turning their families upside down.

9:45 Busted In Bangkok (M) [s] 10:45 Gordon Ramsay On Cocaine (M d,l) [s] 11:45 Celebrity Obsessed (M) [s] 1:00 Home Shopping

5:30 Today [s] 10:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Pre Show [s] 11:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Day *Live* From Melbourne [s] 4:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Afternoon *Live* From Melbourne [s] 6:00 NINE News [s] 7:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Night *Live* From Melbourne [s] he live coverage continues.

11:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Late Night *Live* From Melbourne [s] 12:00 Chicago Med: Backed Against The Wall (M mp) [s] – Halstead is backed into a corner after unknowingly making a deal with a gangster; Manning fights for her dying patient, who is not a US citizen.

1:00 Destination WA [s] 1:30 Home Shopping

6:00 Headline News [s] 5:00 CGTN English News 8:30 Studio 10 (PG) [s] 5:15 NHK World English News 12:00 Dr Phil (PG) [s] 5:30 Worldwatch 1:00 Program To Be Advised 1:00 PBS Newshour 1:30 Program To Be Advised 2:00 Destination Flavour China (In 2:00 Entertainment Tonight [s] English/ Mandarin) 2:30 Everyday Gourmet With 2:30 Great Wall Of China: The Justine Schofield [s] Hidden Story (PG) 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 3:25 Who Do You Think You Are?: 3:30 Left Off The Map [s] Jonnie Peacock (PG) 4:00 Farm To Fork [s] 4:35 Great American Railroad 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful Journeys (PG) (PG) [s] 5:05 Letters And Numbers 5:00 10 News First [s] 5:35 Jeopardy! (PG) 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] 6:00 Mastermind Australia 7:30 Ambulance Australia (M) [s] 6:30 SBS World News 8:30 Law & Order: SVU: Sightless In 7:35 The World’s Greatest Palaces A Savage Land (M) [s] (PG) 9:30 Law & Order: SVU: The 8:30 Michael Mosley On Cosmetic Longest Night Of Rain (M) [s] Treatments (M) 10:30 This Is Us: There (M) [s] 9:35 World On Fire (M) (In English/ 11:30 WIN’s All Australian News [s] French/ German/ Polish) 12:30 The Project (PG) [s] 10:40 SBS World News Late 1:30 The Late Show (PG) [s] 11:10 24 Hours In Police Custody: 2:30 Home Shopping The Detective And The Surgeon 4:30 CBS This Morning [s] (M l)

Monday 8 February

6:00 News Breakfast [s] 9:00 ABC News Mornings [s] 10:00 Antiques Roadshow [s] 11:00 China Love [s] 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 1:00 Death In Paradise (M v) [s] 2:00 Rake (M l) [s] 3:00 ABC News Afternoons [s] 4:00 The Heights (PG) [s] 4:30 Back Roads (PG) [s] 5:00 Restoration Australia (PG) [s] 6:00 The Drum [s] 7:00 ABC News [s] 7:30 7.30 (PG) [s] 8:00 Australian Story [s] 8:30 Four Corners [s] 9:15 Media Watch [s] 9:35 The Pacific: In The Wake Of Captain Cook With Sam Neill (PG) [s] 10:25 You Can’t Ask That (M) [s] 10:55 ABC Late News [s] 11:25 Waltzing The Dragon With Benjamin Law (PG) [s] 12:25 Wentworth (MA15+) [s] 1:10 rage (MA15+) [s]

Tuesday 9 February

NINE (C81/80)

Wednesday 10 February

PRIME (C61/60)

PAGE 21 5 FEBRUARY 2021

Thursday 11 February

ABC (C20/21)

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CGTN English News NHK World English News Worldwatch PBS Newshour Destination Flavour China (In English/ Mandarin) 2:30 Morgan Freeman: The Story Of God - Proof Of God (PG) 3:25 Who Do You Think You Are?: Robert Rinder (PG) 4:35 Great American Railroad Journeys (PG) 5:05 Letters And Numbers 5:35 Jeopardy! (PG) 6:00 Mastermind Australia 6:30 SBS World News 7:35 Britain’s Most Historic Towns: Georgian Edinburgh (PG) 8:30 Michael Palin: Travels Of A Lifetime (PG) 9:25 Vikings (MA15+) 10:15 SBS World News Late 10:45 24 Hours In Emergency: Child At Heart (M) 11:45 Movie: “C’est La Vie” (M l,s) (’17) (In French)

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OUT&ABOUT PAGE 23 5 FEBRUARY 2021

DOWN IN THE GARDEN - TIME TO GET SHADY welcome more endemic natives to be grown as shade trees on the Central Coast, which makes perfect sense as these will naturally be easier to grow and help provide shelter and food for our local wildlife.

You can find GUST on Facebook: facebook.com/ GUSTGrowUrbanShadeTrees Lachlan McDonald of Ray White Point Clare gave me another angle to consider in terms of energy conservation.

“If you have solar panels on your roof, then you do not want trees shading them” he explained.

And, as much as people love shade, they also prefer living in homes with good natural light Lachlan told me.

TREES TO CONSIDER

CHERALYN DARCEY

We all love more than a bit of sun and our gardens, particularly our veggie plots that would not thrive without it.

But a balanced garden needs a bit of shade as well and the best way to do that naturally is with ‘Shade’ trees. What is a shade tree?

It isn’t a species; it is simply a tree that has thick foliage so that it provides more cooling shade than your average tree.

BEFORE YOU BRING A TREE HOME Size matters so find out the expected minimum and maximum heights of trees.

Thinking you will just ‘trim it down’ is not a good plan as trees are healthiest if they are allowed to grow naturally, just like you!

The lifespan of the tree will need to be considered as well.

Some areas, such as the average home garden, are suited for faster-growing, short-lived trees while others, like verge trees and larger home gardens, are better for long term planning and planting.

This is not at all a hard and fast rule because of course you can still successfully plant a tree you hope will live on for decades in any suitable place.

How deep, wide and invasive the root system of trees will become differs across species so you will need to do a bit of research or ask your tree provider about these facts.

It is just as important to plant trees away from overhead lines as it is to steer clear of underground services and infrastructure.

Where is that shade going to drape itself?

There’s an app for that!

They can work with ‘Goggle Maps’ – one you could explore is called ‘Sun Seeker’.

An online desktop tool I have tried is ‘Find My Shadow’ and it will help you plot the sun’s position and shadow cast on your garden and home.

There are also various physical tools to help you work these calculations out including the interesting ‘Solar Pathfinder’, a non-electronic device that maps the sun’s path in the field.

Whether the tree is deciduous, or evergreen is also important – a deciduous tree will be perfect for areas in which you would prefer increased light and warmth in winter and shade and coolness in summer, such as a patio.

SHADE TREES I spoke with Jennifer Wilder of GUST (Grow Urban Shade Trees), a group of Central Coast volunteers dedicated to urban greening through education and community assistance about the need for shade trees in our suburbs.

“One way they help is by lowering the temperature of their surroundings, especially verge trees which make a huge difference to tarmac temperature.”

Jennifer explained.

GUST will help those living on the Central Coast plant trees on their verges, ones that are most suitable for the area, and provide gardening advice on looking after them.

They have a particular focus on encouraging us to

Something Fast?

If you want your shade quick, these suggestions all grow faster than most trees.

Please note that many fast-growing trees are shortliving.

Blueberry Ash (Elaiocarpus reticulatus) is a coastal beauty that does very well in frost-free areas. It can attain a height of 9m when given a rich soil that drains well and warm sunny position.

Evergreen Ash (Fraxinis griffithii), a popular parkland and street tree that grows to provide a glorious canopy to 5m in width and can attain a height of up to 8m.

Easy to grow and hardy once established.

Dwarf Lemon-scented Gum (Corymbia citriodora) will give you speed of growth, that sought-after lemon fragrance and lovely flowers without the gigantic size of its 30m full-sized relative. These will only get to about 7m high and 5m wide so are much more suitable as the average garden shade tree.

Weeping Lilly Pilly (Waterhousia florinund) is one for the fans of soft hanging foliage. Due to this habit, it also makes a brilliant screening tree and can, in the right conditions for it, grow to a height of 10m but you can get 8m out of most.

Deciduous Trees?

If you are seeking that winter sun and summer shade, then here are a few likely suspects.

Red Cedar (Tonna ciliate) is a fast growing and large tree that is only suitable for those with lots of space.

It is a native rainforest tree that is one of the few Australian deciduous trees and it can grow up to 60m in height.

Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei) fills the streets of many suburbs with its brilliant, coloured flowers. I’m a sucker for the hot pink ‘Tuscarora’. They grow best in full sun with rich soil and usually grow to 8m.

Chinese Poplar (Populus simonii) is a thinner tree, and a few grown in a line can make a non-intrusive tall screen. They suit areas where width of growth may be an issue and can give your garden that delightful autumn feel as the leaves turn from green to a brilliant yellow as the season changes. They can grow to 8-12m in the right conditions, width is about 2 to 3m.

A full sun position with a rich soil is best.

Something Endemic?

If you plant something that is originally from the area you live in, then you are almost guaranteed of success and a wonderfully happy and healthy plant that also contributes to regenerating the local environment.

You can contact GUST for a more defined suggestion of trees that would be happiest at your place.

Local councils, Landcare and native plant groups, and Indigenous land councils are also good contacts that can supply this information.

Here are few general Central Coast suggestions for you to consider.

Coast Wattle (Acacia sophorae) is a beautiful shrub that can grow into a small tree to 3m in sheltered positions. It has thick foliage, bright golden flower spikes and is happiest in sandy soil.

Willow Bottlebush (Callistemon salignus) has the gorgeous, yellow bird-attracting flowers and can attain a height of 5m. It has very pretty pinkish-red foliage and although the roots can be invasive, they are a good choice if you have the right position as they are drought tolerant and can handle the wetter months well.

Cheese Tree (Glochidion ferdinandi) provide food for many of our birds and is an excellent tree to consider as it will grow in most conditions, including shade and sun and in most soils. Height range is 8 to 30m depending on conditions.

Native Frangipani (Hymenosporum flavum) is not related to common frangipani. This beautiful tree will reward you will delightfully scented flowers in spring and can grow up to 8m. Although it does like soil on the richer side, it is rather tolerant of most.

HOW TO PLANT A TREE Once you have selected your tree give it the best start in life and you will be rewarded. An old gardening

saying: ‘Spend three times as much on your hole as your tree’ is very true! *No matter the soil types your tree needs, it will require good drainage. Get yours up to scratch by adding compost to heavier clay soils. *Dig the hole three times the width of the pot. *Enrich the hole depending on your tree species with compost/fertiliser. *Pop your pot into a larger container of water until bubbles cease. *Slide tree out of pot and plant to the advised depth for your species. *Ensure your tree is straight. Install stake/s if suggested but be careful to use flexible ties and do not tie too tightly or you will damage tree and inhibit natural growth – trees need to be secure, but they must be able to flex in the wind. *Fill in the hole and press down soil firmly to remove air pockets. *Water deeply to encourage deep and stabilising root growth. Most newly planted trees need to have their soil kept moist until they are established (a few weeks) but check with your species requirements. *Depending again on your tree type, additional liquid fertiliser may be added. *Mulch is vital in our climate. A mulch will regulate the soil temperature, retain water and eventually break down to provide nutrients. Mulch should be kept at least 10cm away from the trunk of the tree and by about 6cm thick.

ON THE GARDEN GRAPVINE Long Jetty Produce Swap, Sat 6th Feb, 10 - 11am.

Tuggerah Lakes Branch of CWA NSW – share your excess (chemical free) edible produce from your garden with like-minded locals and make new friends.

Gong Fu Cha & Tea Culture, Sat 6th Feb, 4:30 6:30pm. Like Minds, Avoca Beach, NSW - enjoy the story of Camellia sinensis as Certified Tea Master Mafalda Moutinho shares her passion for traditional Gong fu cha blending and tea culture in this social, educational workshop. Details and bookings: https:// casadecha.com.au Bonsai Workshop and Demonstration Day, Sun 14 Feb, 9 - 4pm. Mingara Recreation Club - Central Coast Bonsai Club invites you to join a fun filled day with Sam Thompson: www.centralcoastbonsai.com.au

THIS WEEK YOU COULD PLANT bush beans, dwarf beans, beetroot, carrot, chives, cucumber, endive, leek, marrow, pak choy, turnip, anise, bergamot, burdock, calendula, amaranth, canterbury bells, nigella, pansies, snapdragons, violas Cheralyn Darcey is a gardening author, community garden coordinator and along with Pete Little, hosts ‘At Home with The Gardening Gang’ 8 - 10am every Saturday on CoastFM96.3 a live home and gardening lifestyle radio show: www.coastfmgardeninggang.com Send your gardening questions, events and news to: gardeningcentralcoast@gmail.com

PAGE 24 5 FEBRUARY 2021 OUT&ABOUT

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Copa celebrates Australia Day It might have been as Australia Day like no other due to COVID-19 restrictions, but the residents of Copacabana were determined to make the most of it.

Copacabana residents got into the spirit of Australia Day

Residents came together and had an enjoyable celebration with a Flag Raising Ceremony.

More than 150 small Australian flags, along with toy

kangaroos and koalas, were handed out to children on the day.

With background music of Australian songs, the children also enjoyed free ice cream.

Resident Roque “Rocky” Hammal said respect was shown to the First People of Australia – of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent.

“Our celebration was acknowledged and approved

by a key local Aboriginal spokeperson and also by NSW Health,” Hammal said.

“Both the Australian and Aboriginal Flags were presented to me to be used on Australia Day and our celebration was approved by Central Coast Council.”

Source: Email, Jan 29 Roque “Rocky” Hammal

Saratoga mum publishes second children’s book Saratoga local, Melita Lovett-Sisson, has given up the corporate life to pursue her passion for writing children books, publishing her second book on January 29.

The 32-page picture book, called My Puppy Kev, is the sequel to her first book, I Really Want a Puppy Mum! Both are inspired by watching her children as they grow up playing in the backyard.

“We were living in Matcham, and I was watching my son and his puppy playing out on the farm, so I wrote that (second book) for him,” Lovett-Sisson said.

“They build forts and moats, there is a really cranky billy

goat who bleats, and they are muddy and exhausted by the end of the day.

“It follows on from my first book.

“I have always written poetry and stories my whole life, and when my kids were growing up, instead of buying books, I used to write little stories for them on parts of their lives.

“Even back in my teenage days I would write; if I broke up with a boy back then, I would write about it.

“But I have written a lot of children’s books, so it is exciting to get two of them published.”

Lovett-Sisson spent 30 years working in demanding corporate jobs, but said she left

that life behind two years ago when she retired.

“When I had all the time in the world, I could sit there and give my writing my full and complete focus,” she said.

“I Really Want a Puppy Mum! was for children in preschool, My Puppy Kev has a lot more words.”

Lovett-Sisson said with Austin Macauley Publishers being based in London, the process of writing a children’s book can be hard.

“Trying to verbally express what they have to have to create visually was a really challenging experience,” she said.

“But it was also super fun and it made me a lot more vigilant

to get the story right and the imagery.”

Now her kids are older, Lovett-Sisson is looking to finish her Psychology Degree.

“I think writing and psychology go hand and hand, especially when you are writing nonfiction,” she said.

“You really have to look into people’s personas and how they operate, and yourself, so the readers are captivated.

“I am halfway through writing a fiction novel about a real-life experience where 10 of us got together over several years and completed each other’s bucket wish challenges.

“I want to continue to pursue my more creative side.”

Jacinta Counihan

Ella a top young achiever Ella Sandeman from Mount Elliot has been nominated for a Western Sydney University Academic Achievement Award, part of the 2021 7news Young Achiever Awards NSW/ACT. The award recognises young people who display a passion, drive, and willingness to learn.

Sandeman left school in Year 11 to complete her Certificate 4 in Tertiary Preparation in 2019, scoring a UAC ranking of 99.05.

After completing a Diploma of Visual Art at Ourimbah TAFE in 2020, she enrolled in a Bachelor of Health Science at Western Sydney University for a Master’s in Occupational therapy.

She hopes to combine her knowledge and career in Occupational Therapy with her passion for singing and art.

“I have been singing ever since I was little; I think I

entered a talent quest in junior school, so I have sung for a long time,” Sandeman said.

“I did more classical training at the Conservatorium of Music and then more modern training with Gina Jeffreys.

“Mainly, occupational therapy is about helping people reach their goals and working with them.

“I think art is a cool way to do this and just help (them) express themselves and have a fun time.

“Especially when working with kids with disabilities, it’s a good way for them to express themselves; same with music.”

Sandeman said completing her Certificate 4 gave her two days off a week to concentrate music and art.

“It was really good for that as I was able to get a lot better at music and art that year which was nice,” she said.

“I try to busk weekly, just at Terrigal and at some markets, and I used to do it at Lisarow, which was nice.

“My favourite thing is when I go busking, and I am singing Disney songs, a lot of little kids come up and dance.

“Just seeing them smile, laugh, and play around is the best thing ever.”

Sandeman has also completed voluntary courses such as autism training in order to participate at Camp Breakaway.

“I visited the Autism Camp (Camp Breakaway), and got to meet the kids, which was really cool,” she said.

“More recently, I went to a siblings camp.

“We got to hang out, go on waterslides, and I got to do a bit of music with them too, which was nice.”

Through singing, Sandeman

has been involved in many community charity events including: a talent quest at Mingara; at Coast Shelter; at the 5 Lands Walk; at an Avoca Beach Theatre community event; at Mingara Carols, Gosford Carols, nursing homes and retirement villages.

“I want to help people, and I think I have an opportunity to help people, so I want to take that chance,” she said.

Winners of each award will be judged on February 24 with an Awards Gala Presentation Dinner on April 30.

Category winners will each receive $2,000 worth of prizes and a trophy.

One of the category winners will also be named the 2021 NSW/ACT Young Achiever of the Year and will receive a state trophy.

Jacinta Counihan

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BUSINESS & PROPERTY PAGE 25 5 FEBRUARY 2021

Business & Property

Register now for Dine & Discover vouchers

Australia Reptile Park staff, and CEO, Tim Faulkner, with Minister for Customer Service, Victor Dominello, and Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch

Minister for Customer Service, Victor Dominello, was at the Australian Reptile Park on February 4 to encourage eligible Central Coast businesses to register for the NSW Government’s Dine & Discover NSW voucher program.

The program, which will start in March, aims to boost dining, arts and tourism industries in the area by offering anyone aged 18 four $25 vouchers; two to be used for dining and two for discovery.

The Australian Reptile Park is one of more than 70 businesses on the Central Coast which have already signed up for the program.

Dominello said registering is simple and easy and can be done online.

“Whether it’s a café, restaurant, wildlife park or museum, this program will be a game-changer for local economies and will give businesses a much-needed boost after the busy summer period,” Dominello said.

“The past 12 months have been incredibly tough for businesses, and we want this voucher program to not just keep the doors open, but to help businesses grow.

“Central Coast businesses can register online now, and for those who have questions

about how the program works, there is a dedicated team of Service NSW business concierges who can assist with the registration process and tips on how to redeem vouchers.”

Dominello said to get the most out of the vouchers, people should use the full amount of $25, as credit left on the voucher cannot be used.

He also explained that both $25 vouchers could not be

used simultaneously to pay for the same bill, which he said is to encourage people to share the spending.

Following a brief pilot in February and the statewide roll out from March, Dine & Discover NSW will run until June 30.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said customers could download the Service NSW app now in advance of the statewide

rollout.

“After the triple whammy of fires, flooding and COVID-19 this stimulus is exactly what our community needs to boost business and get people out and about in a COVID safe way,” Crouch said.

“I encourage everyone to do themselves a favour – download the Service NSW app now so you’re ready to reap the rewards when the Dine & Discover NSW voucher program

goes live.

“Eligible locals will be sent an email from Service NSW with details on how to apply for Dine & Discover vouchers online.”

Australian Reptile Park CEO, Tim Faulkner, thanked Dominello for the rollout of the Service NSW app.

“From the Reptile park perspective, as a business, we closed last year for the first time in 70 years for three

months, and it was terrifying,” he said.

“But thanks to the Minister, (through) an economy that has been opened through a pandemic managed well, (we are) in a position where we haven’t lost a staff member, haven’t stopped our production of antivenom for saving lives and haven’t had a decrease in our conservation measures.”

Business NSW Central Coast Regional Director, Paula Martin, said the introduction of the $500M digital voucher scheme was a welcome boost to local businesses operating across the region’s 12 town centres and would help to sustain businesses outside traditional peak seasons.

“By getting out and about in our local towns, we are helping our hardest-hit businesses to continue to operate and keep their staff working in these challenging times,” Martin said.

Downloading the app only takes a few minutes and it can also be used to download a Digital Driver Licence and renew registrations.

A non-digital solution will be made available to customers who don’t have a smartphone or compatible device.

For more information, go to: www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/ dine-and-discover-nsw.

Jacinta Counihan

PAGE 26 5 FEBRUARY 2021

BUSINESS & PROPERTY

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Helping students find work placements

With many work placements not possible last year due to COVID-19, The Skill Engineer (TSE), has opened at North Gosford to help assist HSC students find positions with local businesses.

The not-for-profit workplace provider specialises in finding placements for those who completed vocational education and training (VET) courses.

TSE chief executive, Maggie MacFie, said 2020 put an unimagined strain on local businesses, which had to adapt swiftly to changing regulations to stay afloat, and also on HSC students, who were unable to complete their mandatory work placements due to the pandemic.

“Despite these challenges,

the Central Coast community has proven itself to be strong and resilient,” MacFie said.

“Already, we’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response from businesses

willing to host work placement students this year.

“It’s because of the generosity of employers on the Coast that our young people are able to become equipped for the jobs

of the future.”

The company delivers coordination services in industries such as automotive, business services, construction,

electrotechnology, entertainment, financial services, hospitality, human services, information and digital technology, primary industries, retail services and

tourism, travel and events.

HSC Entertainment students from Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College will be one of the first groups for the year heading out on work placement.

The three Year 12 students will be assisting in creating video content for GoClimatarian, an organisation committed to fighting climate change through diet awareness.

MacFie said working in a fastpaced environment with tight deadlines will give the students the chance to implement their classroom skills in a workplace setting.

“Employers play an integral role in assisting our young people to make that important transition between school and work,” he said.

Jacinta Counihan

Hopes for small business recovery measures in Budget Business NSW has asked the Federal Government to provide a clear pathway for business recovery in its annual Pre-Budget submission to Treasury, with thousands of Central Coast businesses facing bleak times when government COVID-19 business support measures end.

Business NSW Regional Director, Paula Martin, said this year’s Budget needed to be about “accelerating the path to the new normal”.

“In our most recent Business Conditions Survey conducted across NSW, 23 per cent of businesses believed they were at a high risk of failure when supports such as JobKeeper, tax relief, interest waivers and

other measures end,” Martin said.

“With 11,000 local businesses utilising JobKeeper on the Central Coast, this rate of unpreparedness could mean job losses.

“Whilst we saw bumper Christmas trade, particularly in our beach towns, some businesses tell me that they are surviving month to month, particularly those in the events and tourism industry.

“This vulnerability will hang over the small business sector for much of the year and will need to be factored into decisions around when and how measures are withdrawn.

“We support the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s call to introduce a new program of wage subsidy

support for businesses heavily impacted by government restrictions, such as those in the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors.”

Martin said the wage subsidy would be set at $450 per week per employee if business turnover is down over onethird, or $700 per week per employee if business turnover is down over two-thirds, relative to the same quarter in 2019.

The subsidy would also be tested quarterly to confirm eligibility, be available to those employed on or before 1 January 1 2021; and retain the industrial relations flexibilities of the JobKeeper payment.

“Many businesses are finding it impossible to plan past March,” she said.

“The new package must provide longer-term certainty for businesses to plan whilst restrictions exist.

“Businesses continue to struggle financially, with more reporting decreases in staff and reduced capital spending than any growth.

“We’ll need much stronger consumer spending for these businesses to begin to rehire and reinvest.”

Meanwhile, Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell, is calling on the Federal Government to change JobKeeper rules while the supplement is still available to allow struggling small businesses to replace staff.

Ms Carnell says as the economy recovers from the

COVID crisis and more jobs become available, small businesses that are still trying to get back on their feet are losing their staff and cannot hire replacement employees under JobKeeper rules.

“While some small businesses are doing well, there is a significant proportion of small businesses that are still doing it tough,” Carnell said.

“JobKeeper was reduced again on January 4 and with some eligible businesses unable to afford to top up wages, they are having to reduce the hours of their staff.

“It means staff are resigning to go to jobs offering more hours and pay.

“While the JobKeeper program was originally designed to allow businesses

to keep their existing staff, the economic recovery is presenting new challenges for some small businesses.

“Under JobKeeper rules, eligible businesses cannot replace their staff with a new staff member and still attract the government payment.

“Unfortunately, this rule has the unintended consequence of increasing the divide between the haves and have nots in the small business sector.

“It’s imperative that the government changes JobKeeper so that small businesses that have been hit hardest by the COVID crisis can replace their staff to help them get their businesses back upand-running.

Terry Collins

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Have your say on Terrigal unit proposal

15 to lodge their submissions.

The originally approved building height was 16.38m for five storeys.

The proposed penthouse on a sixth floor would bring the height up to 19.67m.

The extra Level 6 penthouse plans would increase the number of residential units from 12 (approved) to 13; revise the roof plan; and enlarge the terraces of the

Level 5 units.

The application says the development would still be substantially the same as that approved in 2017.

It says the proposed penthouse level does not result in any significant additional view loss from neighbouring developments.

Merilyn Vale

LPP to decide on Terrigal boarding house proposal A controversial plan for a boarding house at Terrigal is set to be considered by the Local Planning Panel meeting on February 4.

The proposal was to come up at the Panel’s first meeting of the year, with a decision expected to be announced publicly next week.

The proposal, for a sevenroom boarding house at 59 Terrigal Dr, was recommended for approval by Central Coast Council, despite attracting 68 public submissions during its first exhibition period and 17 from the second exhibition period.

Originally proposed to have nine units, the application has been revised, with improved

setbacks, reduction of room numbers, a widened driveway and increased landscaping.

The Council report to the Planning Panel says the proposed development, which allows for a maximum of 11 boarders, is not considered to have adverse amenity impacts to adjoining development from overshadowing, privacy, noise generating activities and views.

Council disagreed with objections including claims the boarding house would add to traffic and parking issues generated by the nearby school.

It said parking requirements were met.

Other concerns raised in

submissions were privacy impacts on neighbours, acoustic impacts, the bulk and scale of the development, waste issues and economic impacts on nearby property values.

The new proposal would see four two-person units and three single person units.

Documents provided with the application say at no time would any room be advertised or made available for short stay accommodation such as that associated with backpacker hostels.

Source: Agenda, Local Planning Panel meeting, Feb 4

Nuclear free zone policy could face the chop Central Coast Council staff have recommended the revocation of the Gosford City Nuclear Free Zone Policy.

The recommendation will be considered by Administrator Dick Persson at a council meeting on February 8.

The Gosford City Nuclear Free Zone Policy was first made by the former Gosford City Council in 1984.

The policy prohibits various nuclear-related activities,

except those “in direct and exclusive association with a hospital, medical facility and in any measuring device”.

The former Wyong Shire Council had a similar policy, which was revoked in April 2014.

Staff consider that the policy is no longer required and recommend it be revoked because: the handling and mining of radioactive materials is now highly regulated by Federal and State laws; and the planning system should deal

5 FEBRUARY 2021

Choice Living appeals decision on original Bangaloe Stud proposal

Central Coast Council has confirmed a link is now live on the Council website for people wishing to submit their opinions on proposal to increase a unit block in the heart of Terrigal by one storey to six storeys.

The site has Council approval for a five-storey development which is currently underway at 5-7 Church St but the applicant wants to add a storey for a penthouse unit.

Residents notified Council last week that the proposal was not showing up on the online portal, a glitch which meant they could not use the online submission form to lodge objections or support for the plan.

Council said on February 1 that the problem had been resolved and the link is now showing.

Residents have until February

BUSINESS & PROPERTY PAGE 27

with any planning proposal relating to this industry.

Staff do not recommend asking the public their opinion on the issue.

“This is not recommended because public consultation is costly and unnecessary in this instance,” the recommendation says/ “Any public concern regarding nuclear-related activities is best dealt at the State and Federal level.”

Merilyn Vale

With submissions yet to close on its scaled back DA for a caravan park on the former Bangaloe Stud site at Kincumber, Choice Living Australia has lodge a request for a review of the Central Coast Planning Panel’s refusal of its original application for an over 55s lifestyle community on the same spot.

The $19.7M project, comprising 202 houses and accompanying buildings, was knocked back last August following a protest campaign spearheaded by the Kincumber and Picketts Valley Community Action Group (KPVCAG).

Project Director, Phil Goodman, Project Director, said Living Choice had recently lodged a request to review the decision.

“To create truly unique places there must be open collaboration and negotiation between all stakeholders and there has to be a belief that a solution can be found to house an ever-increasing population base,” Goodman said.

“During the assessment period prior to August 6, 2020, we openly sought to work with Council towards a workable development.

“During this period, we received only two Requests for Information from Council, which we acted upon immediately.

“It was frustrating and disappointing to learn of additional requirements contained in the Council’s reports presented to the Local

Planning Panel which had not been conveyed to us during the 200 days of the assessment period.

“Had such concerns been conveyed earlier, we could have clarified and responded to them prior to the Planning Panel’s consideration.

“For example, Council had not communicated any concerns in respect to flooding, stormwater, ecology or heritage during the Assessment Period.

“When we learned of the Council’s need for further clarity just prior to the Planning Panel Meeting we sought to have the matter deferred to allow for more time to provide the requested information.

“This request was denied.

“In seeking the review, the comments contained within the Council report and Local Planning refusal have been taken into account in reducing the yield to improve the proposed development, which now achieves a greater balance in providing suitable accommodation for a growing and ageing population, whilst still retaining key wooded hillsides and green corridor linkages, and re-establishing watercourses to mimic natural conditions in accordance with the zone objectives.

“These natural elements will be preserved and maintained, under the land lease community scheme, for the life of the community.”

Goodman pointed out that Living Choice was a major long-time employer and supporter of the region.

“Based on my experience in

other jurisdictions and the stature of Living Choice in the community, we would have expected that the Central Coast Council officers tasked with assessing the application would have engaged in a more meaningful way,” he said.

Meanwhile, public submissions close on February 22 for the new proposal, for a $9.27M tourist/caravan park comprising 68 sites.

Of these, 31 would be used as “long-term” sites and 37 for “short-term” sites.

“The development is proposed to be used as a tourist park with draw card amenities and recreation facilities,” documents lodged with the DA say.

“The site will accommodate short stay visitors where stays will be limited to 180 days in any 12-month period, and long stay visitors/residents.”

The proposal also includes a community centre, a fenced dog park, bushwalking tracks including a canopy walk, an exercise circuit, a playground and a jumping pillow.

KPVCAG President Graham Murray says the new proposed development also raised concerns including the extent of large scale cut and fill earthworks, the proposed dewatering and filling in of a large dam and the potential loss of 210 trees (including 80 threatened species).

Goodman said future plans for the site would hinge on the success or otherwise of the new DA and the request for review.

Terry Collins

PAGE 28 5 FEBRUARY 2021

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Brought to you by moneymag.com.au

CREATING FINANCIAL FREEDOM

Wanting an Insta-worthy kitchen puts pressure on homeowners Julia NEWBOULD Editor-at-large • Money magazine Instagram feeds of perfectly-styled rooms and expensive renovations are putting pressure on homeowners to keep up with the Jones - or this season’s contestants on The Block.

And it’s leading to financial and emotional stress, according to behavioural finance experts.

Karen Eley, a money coach and CEO of Women Talking Finance, says the beautifully made-up houses on TV shows like The Block and Grand Designs lead to a natural impulse to compare ourselves to others and, from a financial perspective, can push us to take on more than we can afford.

“A lot of us have a better perception of ourselves in the future - we think we will earn more, save more, exercise

more, and in reality we don’t,” Eley says.

“So we take on all these commitments thinking we’ll pay for them later but we don’t really think about it rationally.

“In these shows no one talks about the financial challenges - you see the beautifully madeup home, and furnishings but how are they paying for it?”

Griffith University behavioural finance lecturer Tracy West thinks we are influenced by celebrity culture and a desire for instant gratification.

“The Gen Ys and millennials have never had a correction; baby boomers had good times and the generation before that was frugal - they had houses for 20 years before they did anything to them,” West says.

“We’ve had good house price growth, so the amount of

money spent has been seen as an investment but it might not happen again any time soon.”

Sunk cost fallacy is another behaviour that can lead people into overspending, West says.

People spend money on renovations, then the cost goes up but people feel they’ve already

put in so much money that they can’t afford to stop.

Renovation queen Cherie Barber says the nation is obsessed with home shows.

“What happens is that people sit in front of the telly each week and see jaw-dropping designs of The Block, but for

many people that’s not realistic.

“They aim to have that look but when reality sets in they see the bathroom costs $40,000 and they only have $15,000 - they realise that it’s not that achievable.”

“People underestimate the cost of labour, the cost of ma-

terials, how long the process will take from start to finish and it’s not just the planning. Even doing a simple bathroom renovation might trigger the need for council approval, and a draughtsman, which is $2000, and another $1000 to lodge the application.

Aussies need to start using the family home to fund retirement: report The home is an untapped asset that can be used to fund retirement, urges the retirement income review.

Australia’s current retirement system consists of three pillars: the age pension, superannuation and savings, which includes the home.

Typically, retirees lean predominantly on the age pension, super and other liquid assets to fund retirement. But home equity remains untouched.

Making use of home equity

means reverse mortgages, equity release schemes, home equity loans or downsizing.

“Homeownership is an integral part of Australian wealth creation and it should also be widely available for Australians to voluntarily draw on their wealth to fund their retirement,” Household Capital CEO Josh Funder says.

“We have the technology to efficiently deliver home equity retirement funding across Australia. The key is to establish national awareness of the

opportunity to make the family home both the best place to live and the right way to fund retirement.”

And it’s not as if Aussies are unaware that the home can be

used to fund retirement.

Research by the UNSW Centre for Excellence in Population Aging Research (CEPAR) shows that more than 80% of Australians are aware that their home

is a significant asset to fund retirement, 43% of retirees are open to the idea of using home equity to fund retirement and, if they did, would draw 13% of their home equity to do so.

Separately, the home can be used as collateral to access the government’s Pension Loan Scheme.

“If you are currently receiving the Age Pension or similar seniors’ welfare payment (or a DVA pension) and you own property in Australia, you will most likely meet the eligibility

criteria,” says Pension Boost CEO Paul Rogan.

“The government recently enhanced this Scheme, in part, to provide liquidity to a wider group of retirees who prefer to keep living in their homes but need more income to take the stress off meeting regular bills.”

At the end of the day, it’s all about improving the quality of life for retirees.

“Available home equity can double the amount of their superannuation and help fund their retirement,” says Funder.

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BUSINESS & PROPERTY PAGE 29 5 FEBRUARY 2021

Council staff cuts continue The directors of four directorates; Governance, Innovation and Futures, People and Culture, and Information Management and Technology have been culled from Central Coast Council as part of cost cutting measures but an extra $70M a year is needed to pour into the Council coffers for it to continue to deliver essential services of roads, rates and rubbish at current levels.

Administrator Dick Persson presented the information in his three-month progress report tabled at the first Council meeting of the year on Wednesday, February 3.

Cutting costs will deliver about 70 per cent of the $70M needed while a rate rise will

CCN

deliver the rest - if the Independent Pricing and Regularity Tribunal (IPART) agrees to grant one, Persson said.

Meanwhile the work of reducing the number of staff at council continues.

The number of senior staff has been cut from nine to five and the business areas that fell under these Directorates have been moved elsewhere within the organisation.

The Governance Director’s position was vacant as was the IT position and the director of Innovation and Future has left.

HR Services has been incorporated into Corporate Services and the Ombudsman is no longer on the executive leadership team.

Also, the next line of managers have been cut from 39 to 26.

approach which focuses mainly on reducing costs (70 per cent) but also includes a proportion of the necessary funds coming from increased revenue (30 per cent).”

Persson said he, Hart and Chief Operating Officer Malcom Ryan had more than 100 years of experience between them.

“We are of the view we cannot cut any deeper,” he said.

Persson said the team was writing budgets that would see an accumulated surplus of about $113M by the end of 10 years and that surplus would go towards paying down the Council debt but would not allow Council to start any new projects.

The debt stands at $565M even with the loans of $150M that the Council under the Administrator signed up for late last year.

Those loans were factored into the $565M as was $45M to pay for staff redundancies.

The $565M debt includes $317M debt that the amalgamated Council started life with, back in 2016 when the former Wyong and Gosford councils were merged, and was made public in the Administrator’s 30-day report which he urges people to read in conjunction with his latest report.

Persson said that soon, the community will be able to monitor in real time, on the website, how each of the five directorates is tracking in real time to their budgets versus actual spending.

He said the most important thing now was to get a new CEO asap.

If the Minister for Local Government decides the

councillors will come back after the second period of three month suspension, he will recommend acting CEO Rik Hart be appointed financial controller.

His powers would override the councillors on all financial matters.

He acknowledged the challenge in communicating to the community the need for a rate rise.

“I can’t get the message to the community strong enough - this is dire,” he said.

Persson said he was happy to talk to residents but warned: “If you come to me with alternatives, we won’t talk if you haven’t read the report.”

It is available on the website.

Merilyn Vale

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Weekly paint-outs enquiries Tuesday. Phone: 0428 439 180 Workshops: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays 9.30 am to 12.30 pm, at Gosford Regional Gallery & Art Centre.

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Would you like to read, write and share your poetry.

We hold workshops and create anthologies.

We meet the second Saturday each month.

Wyoming Memorial Community Hall. Contact us by email info@centralcoastpoets.com.au

or you may ring Clive 0419120347

HANDWEAVERS, SPINNERS AND TEXTILE ARTS GUILD

Spinning and weaving, patchwork and quilting, felting and other fibre and fabric crafts, community quilting bees - Day and Night Groups 4325 4743

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These positions will go as staff leave the business over the coming months.

Persson said the council was meeting its redundancy target.

“People are willing to go,” he said.

The capital works program for this financial year had been cut from $240M to $170M. Persson said the current shortfall of $70M every year was not sustainable and banks wanted evidence of a plan to reduce costs. “(Acting CEO) Rik Hart and I had to be at our persuasive best to stop another major bank calling in a $104M loan,” Persson said.

“Mr Hart and I have explored all available options for securing a financial turnaround for the CCC. “We strongly support an

drawing, scrabble, CENTRAL COAST MARINE scrapbooking, sit & sew, table DISCOVERY CENTRE

Wed of each month.

Maree 0419 418 190

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PROBUS CLUB

with a great social program, guest speakers and optional bistro lunches. Google our name for our fully informative newsletter. Meet 10am, 3rd Mon each month at Avoca Beach Bowling Club.

tennis, Ukulele The revamped CCMDC is open.

4304 7065 FELLOWSHIP OF DYING WITH DIGNITY Schools and Group bookings Campaigning to give those FIRST FLEETERS Join us for the fun and welcome by appointment. suffering unrelievable terminal For anyone interested in early enjoyment of art!

Building has special needs GOSFORD-NARARA or incurable illness the choice history.

Attend a weekly art group with access and toilets NEIGHBOURHOOD to receive legal medical Don’t need to be a First Fleeter. mentors, exhibitions, Open 7 days 9am – 3pm.

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Point Clare Community Hall workshops and a monthly Terrigal.

School Holiday activities, Quarterly mtgs, Erina Fair.

2nd Sat 10:30am members meeting with guests 4385 5027 playgroup, multicultural 0434 426 486 4392 1926 4311 6254 ccmdc@bigpond.com and prizes, held on the 4th programs, community activities robyncameron@y7mail.com www.ccmdc.org.au Thurs of the month at The Rooms for Hire Entrance Community Centre LIONS CLUB OF WOY WOY 4329 4477 4333 8387 Make new friends & have fun PROSTATE CANCER TERRIGAL WAMBERAL admin@gnnc.com.au www.tlas.org.au COASTAL A CAPPELLA while serving your community SUPPORT GROUP RSL SUB-BRANCH president@tlas.org.au Everglades Country Club Award winning women’s Last Fri 9.30am Pension and welfare officers 3rd Monday of each month a cappella chorus.

Terrigal Uniting Church available to assist with DVA COMMUNITY GROUPS 0478 959 895 Music education provided.

380 Terrigal Dr, Terrigal compensation claims and ALCOHOLICS Rehearsals Tuesday 7pm @ 4367 9600 benefits ABC - “The Friends” ANONYMOUS Red Tree Theatre Tuggerah.

WOMEN’S GROUPS www.pcfa.org.au Breakers Country Club Safeguard ABC’s - Someone cares.

Performance opportunities.

Wed & Fri 10am – Midday independence, funding, & Thurs - 12.30pm, Progress Hall Hire us for your next event.

Meet 2nd Sat 10am WOMEN’S HEALTH standards. Meetings through MEALS ON WHEELS Henry Parry & Wells 0412 948 450 4384 2661 the year & social mornings Delicious meals delivered free CENTRES Street East Gosford coastalacappella@gmail.com Terrigal-WamberalSB@rslnsw.

Well-known guest speakers Join us for a midday meal Counselling, therapeutic and org.au.

0400 213 514 Help with shopping and social groups, workshops, POLITICAL PARTIES AL - ANON FAMILY www.fabcnsw.org.au cooking classes domestic violence and abuse GROUPS HEALTH 4363 7111 issues. All services provided by U3A CENTRAL COAST We offer hope and friendship women for women CENTRAL COAST Enjoy a diverse range of CENTRAL COAST GREENS for people affected by 4324 2533 courses and activities for Local, state wide, national and CARAVANNERS S.A someone else’s drinking. www.cccwhc.com.au seniors. Keep your mind active international issues and 3rd Sun - Jan to Nov Is Internet porn destroying your Al-anon family groups and make new friends. campaigns Trips Away, Social Outings, life. meet weekly, please contact 0408 704 701 Council and parliamentary SOROPTIMIST friendship with like minded We may be able to help.

1300 252 666 www.centralcoast.u3anet.org.au representation folk We are a 12 step fellowship INTERNATIONAL al-anon.org.au 3rd Thur Geoff 0447 882 150 like AA. BRISBANE WATER Meets every Sat at 7pm on the centralcoast.nsw.greens.org.au Making a difference in the lives VOLUNTEERING BETTER HEARING centralcoastgreens@gmail.com Central Coast of women & girls through CENTRAL COAST COMMUNITY LEGAL AUSTRALIA Contact for further details awareness, advocacy & action Refer potential volunteers to CENTRE Hearing loss management LABOR PARTY 2nd Thur 7 pm 0473 631 439 community organisations & Not for profit service providing Support and educational newcastlesagroup@gmail.com OURIMBAH/ NARARA Breakers Country Club, provide support to them. free legal advice groups providing practical Dover Rd, Wamberal Training to volunteers and BRANCH Mon - Fri 9am to 5pm experience and confidence 4323 3890 sibrisbanewater@siswp.org managers of volunteers Info Discussion/action community 4353 4988 4321 0275 www.siswp.org sessions held regularly.

Issues – 3 levels of contact@centralcoastclc.org.au HENRY KENDALL 4329 7122 Government CENTRAL COAST recruit@volcc.org.au COTTAGE & Function Room, Grange Hotel, LEARN TO DANCE ASBESTOS DISEASES Wyoming Social ballroom dancing for all HISTORICAL MUSEUM SUPPORT GROUP COMMUNITY CENTRES 7.30pm 1st. Monday ages, all you need is a desire Visit our c1838 Cottage & DOYALSON WYEE Support for those suffering 0410 309 494 to learn and dance, Museum with exhibits of early SOCCER CLUB with asbestos diseases and Kyle.macgregor@hotmail.com no partner required. settlers. School and group GOSFORD 50+ LEISURE others interested in asbestos Football club for the local meet every Wed -15 Lorraine bookings. Members & AND LEARNING CENTRE issues. You are not alone, meet community. Juniors from under Ave Berkeley Vale, 2:00pm volunteers welcome. Open PROBUS CLUBS Mon-Fri 5 to senior teams. with others who can share Anne - 0409 938 345 Wed/Sat/Sun 10.30am Chess, darts, handicraft, indoor Kerry 0410 045 981 their experiences. Bring a anneglazier@y7mail.com 2:30pm.

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AVOCA BEACH 4325 2270 origami, painting, pencil 1pm at Ourimbah RSL on forth

SERVICE GROUPS

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If you would like your Community Organisation listed here call us on 4325 7369 or see www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

Entries in the Not For Profit Community Organisations Directory are free. However, we require each organisation to subscribe to each newspaper to ensure that someone from that organisation keeps their entry up to date. Subscription rates $75 for 25 editions.

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HEALTH & LIFESTYLE PAGE 31 5 FEBRUARY 2021

Nursing graduates balance work and study Three Central Coast aged care workers have managed to balance studying, work and home to attain a Bachelor off Nursing degree while working for Central Coast Community Care Association (CCCCA).

Amy Holton, Jordon Garrett and Rutendo Muzamhindo obtained their degrees while working for the not for profit’s Central Coast aged care facilities.

Garrett started her aged care career as a nursing assistant before deciding to further her skills.

“I loved being able to make a difference in people’s lives,” she said.

“I knew it was a career I wanted to pursue further so I decided to do my registered nursing degree.”

CCCCA recognised the importance of flexibility and

supporting staff to upskill, accommodating absences and rostering requests.

Fellow graduate Holton started her aged care journey at the age of 16 and has a deep affection for aged care.

“I instantly fell in love with the industry and knew that aged care was where my career would be,” she said.

“I love the diversity of residents in aged care, as well as being able to spend quality time with them and getting to know their stories.

“I looked into different avenues for career progression in aged care and kept coming back to wanting to further my skills and experience clinically, so I decided to complete my Bachelor of Nursing degree to become a Registered Nurse.”

Holton studied part-time over four years, while working fulltime and raising a family, with CCCCA allowing her extended blocks of leave to complete

placements.

“Clinical placement allowed me to gain experience in a range of clinical areas from paediatric wards to emergency, theatres and general medical wards,” she said.

Holton plans to stay with CCCCA in her present role, and following her graduate year is planning on furthering her nursing qualification with a master’s program.

Muzamhindo particularly enjoyed the collaboration between students and practicing nurses she found while studying for her degree.

“It just amazed me how the nurses were so knowledgeable and willing to teach me what l did not know,” she said.

“I am so grateful for the support CCCCA provided while completing the nursing degree.

“Due to clinical placements l had to take long periods of annual leave twice every year in addition to my study and

other personal leave.

“In those three years all my annual leave requests were approved.”

CCCCA CEO Greg Williams said in order to retain and develop his team, he needed to be flexible.

“There never was any question that we wouldn’t support these three team members in their education,” Williams said.

“For the organisation to retain excellent staff, they have to be encouraged to grow, and adding more registered nurses to our team is fantastic.

“CCCCA has a proud history of supporting local Central Coast aged care workers to achieve their goals, and I am proud of the dedication and resilience of these team members.”

Source: Media release, Feb 2 Brilliant Logic

Rutendo Muzamhindo with a patient

Further easing of COVID restrictions Central Coast residents are once again adjusting to the “new normal”, with the wearing of masks in shopping centres, including supermarkets no longer compulsory, although it is still recommended.

As per changes announced by the State Government on January 29, it is still mandatory to wear a mask on public transport – including waiting areas such as a bus stop or train platform – and in some indoor settings such as places of public worship, gaming rooms and hair and beauty premises.

Face masks are also mandatory for all staff in hospitality venues who have a customer-facing role.

You can now have up to 30 visitors in your home, including children.

For outdoor gatherings in a public place the total is now 50, including children.

Weddings and funerals can now have 300 people in attendance, although these need to allow four square metres per person indoors and two square metres per person outdoors.

All guests must be seated.

The only people who can dance at a wedding are the 20

nominated people in the wedding party.

Capacity at places of worship stays the same: one person per four square metres indoors, and one person per two square metres outdoors.

The number of people allowed at pubs and restaurants is unchanged and there must still be four square metres per person at hospitality venues.

Smaller venues are allowed at least 25 people before the four square metres per person rule applies.

Physical distancing is still required.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam

Crouch, said the easing of restrictions was fantastic news for Central Coast residents.

“The vast majority of the Central Coast community have been abiding by the mandatory mask wearing rules over the last few weeks,” Crouch said.

“While the mask wearing rules have been relaxed for some environments, I would urge everyone to be careful in busy indoor spaces and wear a mask if social distancing cannot be maintained.”

Authorities warn it is still essential you get tested immediately if you have even mild symptoms.

You must continue to isolate

until you receive a negative test result.

Masks are effective in reducing the spread of COVID-19, especially when you’re indoors or can’t physically distance.

Service NSW advises you should always carry a clean face mask with you and wear it properly: wash or sanitise your hands before putting on or taking off your mask; make sure the mask covers your nose and mouth, fits snugly under your chin, over the bridge of your nose and against the sides of your face; avoid touching the front of your mask while wearing it or taking it off;

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don’t wear the mask hanging around your neck or under your nose; and put single-use masks in the bin after one use You don’t have to have a MyServiceNSW Account to check in with the QR code.

All you need to do is scan the QR code using your phone’s camera.

Your phone will take you to the Service NSW online webform, where you can type in your contact details.

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Source: Media release, Jan 30 Service NSW

PAGE 32 5 FEBRUARY 2021 HEALTH & LIFETSYLE

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Beetroot: the humble mood booster pigments, namely betacyanin (red) and betaxanthin (yellow).

These phytochemicals are powerful antioxidants that help protect our cells from free radical damage and help increase what’s known as ‘phase 2’ detoxification in the liver, which in layman’s terms is often a bit of a bottleneck in the overall process of detoxification.

These wonderful pigments are very water soluble and tend to leach out easily whenever we cook beetroot. For this reason, it’s a good idea to cook beetroot with the skins in-tact and I’ve outlined my simple method for doing this, below.

A rich source of betaine

GEORGIA LIENEMANN We’re midway through a six-part guide to feeling good. Thus far, we’ve explored the importance of breathing, sleep, rest, pleasure, human connection and the nutritionist in me feels compelled to indulge in a couple of posts about food and mood.

Researchers now believe that many mood disorders, including depression, are not just brain disorders, but whole-body disorders, with chronic, low-grade systemic inflammation as a major risk factor. Chronic inflammation arises as a result of many of the environmental stressors that we’ve talked about, such as poor diet and sleep, sedentary lifestyle, stress, negative thinking habits – all the usual culprits that you probably already know are important to address. All of these factors influence our gut bacteria, which are critical to virtually every aspect of health including our brain function and mental health.

Beetroot to the rescue The humble beetroot is a vegetable that in my experience is sorely overlooked by many a home cook. It’s a source of mood-boosting nutrients and in recent years there’s been growing interest in its potential utility as a health promoting and disease preventing functional food – not just in the area of mental health, but across the board.

Having worked in the NRL, I know professional athletes are using beetroot juice and fermented drinks like beet kvass to increase their levels of nitric oxide (NO) which improves athletic performance.

Another explanation for the powerful antiinflammatory and detoxifying effects of beetroot is that it’s one of the richest dietary sources of betaine. Betaine is a compound that appears to have a beneficial effect on mental health for several reasons – one being that it promotes the synthesis of serotonin.

Along with B vitamins, like folate and vitamin B12, betaine is considered to be a ‘methyl donor’, which means it supports liver function, detoxification and cellular functioning.

More beetroot on the menu When it comes to our health, knowledge is important, but practical application and changing our everyday habits is where the rubber hits the road. You may have been aware of the fact that beetroot is a nutritional powerhouse but is it on high rotation in your weekly menu?

It can be peeled and grated raw into salads, tossed raw or cooked into smoothies for a great burst of nourishing colour, or my favourite easy method – cooked in its skin.

I adore having plenty of prepped beetroot on hand for salads, dips and lunchboxes (thankfully the kids enjoy this wonderful vegetable as much as I do!) and so I’ve mastered the art of quick beetroot preparation – it’s become one of my weekly set-and-forget systems.

I’m all about kitchen systems that create efficiency and take the thinking out of meal preparation. I’m also a huge fan of meal ‘building’ rather than meal planning and by spending an hour or so bulk-cooking a few different elements at the start of the week, it dramatically reduces mid-week stress and helps me to get delicious meals on the table quickly and without much thinking or fuss.

Powerful pigments

My beetroot system

One of the primary ways we can reduce chronic inflammation and maintain mental health is to keep our toxic load in check by assisting our detoxification processes. This is fundamentally the liver’s job and simply put, beetroot is a wonder food for this important organ, mostly because of the rich purple colour, which is due to the presence of betalain

1. Chop the leaves off at the base of the stem and give the beetroots a quick rinse to remove any residual soil. Pop them in a saucepan with enough water to cover and simmer with the lid on for roughly an hour, depending on the size of the beets.

If you’d like to add some flavour – and let’s face it, most of us have grown up on tinned beets and have come to expect a little bit of sweetness – you can include a slurp of apple cider vinegar, a pinch of salt and a tablespoon of your choice of sugar (I use rapadura). Don’t get too fussy about exact measurements – it’s just to take the edge off the fairly bland, earthy flavour of plain, boiled beets!

2. Once the beets have finished cooking, leave them on the stove and come back to them once they’ve cooled. I get my veggie box from local girls ‘Nurtured Earth’ on Monday

afternoon, so I like to cook them that evening to prevent double-handling and they sit cooling in the pot, overnight. Alternatively, you can rinse them immediately after cooking in some cold water.

3.. One by one, pick up the beets and massage the skin to remove it. You’ll find that it slips off effortlessly – a much more efficient process than peeling them raw! Store the beets in a pyrex container in the fridge and they’re ready for a quick dice into salads or can be blended with some nuts and spices for a delicious, easy dip.

Beetroot, rocket and feta salad This is one of my favourite easy beetroot salads, however once you have your prepped beets in the fridge, they will compliment virtually any salad! I like to eat seasonally and that means I rarely have tomatoes on hand throughout the cooler months. Cooked beets are a great alternative because they add moisture and sweetness to my salads.

Salad ingredients A base of wild rocket A few leaves of radicchio, sliced 60g feta cheese Handful of walnuts, roasted and roughly chopped Honey mustard dressing 2 tbsp honey 2 tbsp Dijon mustard 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar ½ tsp good quality salt 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil For the dressing: add all ingredients, except the olive oil to a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake vigorously, ensuring the honey is fully dispersed before continuing. Add roughly half the olive oil and shake well, then the second half and repeat until incorporated.

Assemble the rocket first, then the beets and walnuts and crumble the cheese over the top. Add the dressing, toss to combine and enjoy!

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HEALTH & EDUCATION PAGE 33 5 FEBRUARY 2021

Free forums on accessing aged care services The aged care and disability support services provider, integratedliving Australia, is hosting free virtual forums in February and March to inform Central Coast residents on how to access aged care services from home.

The non-for-profit aims to increase the community’s awareness of the home care services available for ageing Australians and people living with disabilities in regional, rural and remote communities.

The Creating Conversations: Healthier at Home Forums will run between February 16 and March 4 and are designed to answer the key questions people have when considering aged care services for themselves or loved ones. integratedliving Australia CEO, Catherine Daley, said is it better people inform themselves on matters relating

to preventative health and maintaining independence at home earlier rather than later.

“We can help you navigate the complexity of the system and understand the many service and support offerings available to you or your loved one,” Daley said.

“The forums will empower you to be proactive in setting yourself or a loved one up for aged care services so that people can access what they need in a timely manner.

“You may be surprised at the many ways you can use aged care funding to live a healthy and active life.

“You don’t need to wait until you find it hard to do something or require help around your home.”

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2019), Australia’s ageing population is increasing year on year, with one in six people now over the age of 65.

Of those, 95 per cent of Australians over age 65 live at home, and 25 per cent live alone.

Ten per cent of the Australian population provides unpaid care to older Australians or people living with a disability.

The forums are tailored to individuals seeking information for their own service needs and family or carers seeking information for loved ones.

Topics covered include service areas, funding options and service types such as meal plans, home and garden maintenance and nursing care.

People can access the forums via their smartphone, desktop or laptop by clicking on a link sent to them after registering.

Registration via www. integratedliving.org.au or call 1300 782 896.

Source Media release, Feb 2 Integratedliving Australia

Catherine Daley on a Virtual Forum

Slow down around school zones With Central Coast children returning to school last week, drivers are being urged to slow down and watch for the 40km speed zones around the region to ensure safety.

Central Coast Council of P&Cs President, Sharryn Brownlee, said drivers need to stay

vigilant and continue to look out for school zones.

“It has been six weeks since school has been operating, so people just need constant reminders to remain vigilant,” Brownlee said.

“Generally, people drive around with their destination in mind, and not tuned into what

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they are doing.

“This is why reminders such as flashing lights and 40km speed signs are important.”

A recent survey by the NRMA revealed more than a quarter of parents witnessed a near-miss collision between pedestrians and cars outside schools in the past year.

More than half the respondents in the survey of more 1000 members (51 per cent) were concerned about double parking or illegal stopping when dropping off and picking up children.

Forty-one per cent were concerned about speeding in school zones, and half were concerned about a lack of parking near schools.

NRMA Road Safety Expert, Dimitra Vlahomitros, said motorists needed to employ

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take simple steps to ensure the safety of their children and other children around school zones,” Vlahomitros said.

“Schools worked so hard in 2020 to ensure safe environments were provided for children during COVID. “As we start the school year

the extra traffic congestion around the schools will return and the NRMA is calling on all road users to adjust to these conditions and take safe measures to keep children safe.”

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“Our members tell us they are witnessing shockingly risky behaviour around schools, like drivers driving on the wrong side of the road to get past queues of parents dropping kids off, speeding, dropping very young children off alone on roads, or performing illegal or dangerous u-turns.”

She said primary schoolaged children were more vulnerable around vehicles because they did not have the skills and judgment that come naturally with age and experience.

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Facilities upgrade for TAFE campuses TAFE campuses at Gosford, Ourimbah and Wyong are set to benefit from a $100M state-wide investment in improved facilities and new equipment.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, inspects the woodwork room at Gosford TAFE

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, said students and staff at the region’s campuses would benefit from a safer learning and working environment.

“Plumbing, fire safety improvements and electrical work will be undertaken at each of our three local campuses,” Crouch said.

“In addition, a range of brandnew training equipment will also be purchased to ensure

students have the best possible learning experience.

“Given the challenges of COVID-19, the NSW Government wants to ensure TAFE can assist people re-skill and re-train in the best way possible.

“Having new equipment is a key part of this.”

Gosford campus will receive funding to supply pedistool dryers, two industrial gearboxes, nail chairs and large trolleys, while Ourimbah campus will gain a kitchen refurbishment, ice cream machine and commercial oven.

The Wyong campus will be funded for hybrid vehicle, battery bank and electric

hospital beds.

Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education, Geoff Lee, said more than 140 campuses across NSW would receive funding for plant and teaching equipment upgrades and programmed maintenance.

“The NSW Government has already committed $160M to reskill 100,000 people as part of its Skilling for Recovery initiative,” Lee said.

“And now, we’re investing a further $100M to provide stateof-the-art training facilities for the people of NSW.” Source: Media release, Feb 3 Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch

New facility for a new year Junior students at Central Coast Grammar School at Erina Heights started the school year in a new Kindergarten-Year 6 facility.

The complex includes spacious and flexible bright rooms, new playgrounds and a newly landscaped garden.

Headmaster, Bill Low, said he is excited to have the facility open.

“The new Junior School is the latest stage in a long-term strategy to continually invest in teaching and learning infrastructure that provides optimum learning environments coupled with very high-quality teachers,” Low said.

“The new facility builds on an

ambitious capital works program over the last 10 years and sharpens our focus on innovation and cutting-edge teaching and learning.”

A blank sheet allowed the optimum design for teachers to collaborate in teams within flexible learning spaces that can quickly adapt to the moment’s learning needs.

Integrated learning technology is instantly at hand.

Student and staff wellbeing were key design principles, alongside energy conservation and environmental awareness.

Each year group has its own area and facilities, with teachers and students connected across light-filled learning and neighbourhood

spaces.

Three buildings, one for each stage (Kindergarten to Year 2, Years 3 and 4 and Years 5 and 6) are linked around a central courtyard.

Additional works undertaken include a covered grandstand with amenities for KindergartenYear 12 use, overlooking the ovals.

The grandstand will double as an outdoor assembly area.

The new Junior School is said to open up education opportunities both for local families and those relocating from Sydney and beyond.

Source Media release, Jan 28 Central Coast Grammar School

Central Coast Grammar School Junior Complex

Local campuses set to share in new UoN funding The Federal Government is to provide more than $25M for new places and short courses at the University of Newcastle with Ourimbah campus and the Central Coast Medical School expected to share in the placements.

Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, UON Dean Regional Campuses, Brok Glenn, Central Coast RDA Chair and Lawrie McKinna, outside the Central Coast Medical School and research Institute in Gosford

The University will receive $15.3M in 2021 to deliver student places and $9.9M to deliver short courses.

Minister for Education and Youth, Alan Tudge, said the additional funding builds on the Government’s significant reductions to the cost of study in priority areas.

“We’ve created up to 30,000 additional university places for Australian students through our Budget funding and Jobready Graduates package,” Tudge said.

“There are more university places for Australians to study in areas like teaching, engineering, health, languages and agriculture, and we are also making it cheaper to study those subjects.

“The cost of studying teaching and nursing is 42 per cent less under the Job-ready Graduates package.”

Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks said the University of Newcastle’s Central Coast

campuses would share in the $25M over four years and would attract more students to the region.

“The University of Newcastle will be helping students to gain the skills and qualifications needed to help drive our economic recovery from COVID-19,” Wicks said.

“Having more students studying at the University of Newcastle will also help boost local businesses.

Wicks said the Government is providing an additional $586.6M to fund additional places for higher education through the 2020-21 Budget and Job-ready Graduates

package.

University of Newcastle Vice Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky, welcomed the announcement.

“The additional places announced provide the perfect opportunity for our Central Coast students to develop the relevant skills for a career in industries that already exist on the Coast,” he said.

“We look forward to welcoming new students into these priority places.”

Source: Media release, Feb 2 Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks

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SCIENCE & EDUCATION

PAGE 35 5 FEBRUARY 2021

Brekky club on again Erina High School’s Breakfast Club has started up again for the third year in a row, supplying free breakfast for students before 7.45am every morning.

Head Teacher for HSI, Ben Joyce, said the initiative encouraged by his wife was to ensure no child misses out on breakfast.

“We have several kids who come to school who have either missed breakfast because they did not wake up in time or don’t have the means to have

breakfast at home,” Joyce said.

“All we did was approach Woolworths, and they give us all of us all of our bread and some cereals for free, and we then buy the rest of the stuff involved.

“When we first started, we had anywhere between 50 and 100 kids every day.

“But by the end of last year, we had between 20 and 50.”

Joyce said they had just started a big push again this year to ensure students know the service is available.

“I think a lot of the kids wake up too late to have breakfast, so they come to grab breakfast from there,” he said.

“We have bread, fresh fruit twice a week, Rice Bubbles, Cornflakes and Weetabix.

“We sometimes have pancakes.

“Our school captain who just left would cook pancakes twice a week, so there was a bit of variety there, but we need a new pancake chef.

“We also make up cheese toasties in the middle in the day so kids who are at school in the

afternoon can have one.

“We have staff who give up their morning and get there early to go run the breakfast club.

“Five to six staff members regularly help out.

“There is also a number of kids who give up their mornings to help their peers out.

“They will come in and help run the breakfast club with their teacher, so that has been a great initiative as well.”

Jacinta Counihan Erina High School Breakfast Club helpers

Funding boost for Empire Bay P&C Empire Bay Public School P&C has just received a $10,000 grant from the State Government to upgrade its facilities.

The money is part of the Government’s Community Building Partnership program.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said $136,350 would

be shared by 10 local organisations, including sport clubs and not-for-profit groups.

“The Empire Bay Public School P&C Association will install cabinetry, counter-tops and an oven with a cook-top, thanks to $10,000 in funding,” Crouch said.

Kincumber Roos Football Club, North Avoca Surf

5@5

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, awarding Empire Bay Public School with a $10,000 grant

Lifesaving Club, Hardys Bay RSL, Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Central Coast Baseball Park, The 3 Villages Community Group, Soul Soup, Clean4Shore, and Killcare Surf Life Saving Club, are the nine other groups to receive different amounts of funding.

Crouch said applications for the 2021 round of Community

Building Partnership program would open soon.

“I congratulate each of these 10 organisations for their success in receiving funding from the NSW Government, and I look forward to seeing how each project benefits our wider community,” he said.

Jacinta Counihan

CCN

WEEKLY NEWS BRIEF

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PAGE 36 5 FEBRUARY 2021 CLASSIFIEDS

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ELECTRICIAN

TRADE SERVICES

BATHROOMS

ANTENNAS

A Better Picture

Antenna & Digital

Installations & Tuning New home specialist Credit cards OK HAYWARD VIDEO All areas ray.hayward@gmail.com

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Bathroom Doctor BN: 98022397 - Lic 127 403c

WE TILE TO MAKE YOU SMILE • Leaking Showers • Waterproofing • Re-Grouting • Wall & Floor Tiling • Pool Coping • Pool Surroundings

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BRICK LAYING

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Ph: Tom 0422 653 794 or 4393 9890 Safe Work NSW Lic. AD212564

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Licence - AD212788

CLASSIFIEDS ADVERTISING RATES Classified advertising is the cheapest form of newspaper advertising.

This newspaper is also published on line on the publication date, and is also read that way by hundreds of people. All advertisements, including these classified advertising pages, appear in full on-line as an additional benefit for free.

See www.coastcommunitynews.com.au Central Coast Newspapers’ classified advertising rates are relatively much lower than in other newspapers and at the same time much larger than in other newspapers, with the minimum size being 50mm X 42mm.

Approximately 20,000 copies of this newspaper are printed and distributed every week.

0458 130 829

4341 1346 NO LABOUR & MATERIALS OVER $5000

ALL GENERAL CARPENTRY Stairs, pergolas, verandas, decks etc.

Available now Call Michael Bennett Ph: 0407 281 046 Lic. 28352c

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Cleaning Company Home & Office 15 years experience pressure and window cleaning and outdoor maintenance

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CONCRETING

Classified advertisements in all 3 papers are only $40+GST each.

Most businesses choose to advertise on an ongoing basis and discounts apply for multiple bookings, if they are paid for in full, in advance.

Having a prepaid classified advertisement run for 6 editions only costs $250 + GST and $50 + GST more for colour. For 12 editions, it is $495 + GST and $100+ GST more for colour. For 24 editions, it is only $950 + GST and $200 + GST for colour, a saving of $290 + GST. Artwork is free and advertisers are encouraged to change their advertisements frequently

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Balayage starting from $150*

find us on instagram DECKS

advertisements need to be paid for at the time of booking.

The minimum size of 5cm X a single column only costs $50 + GST in mono and an extra $10 + GST for colour, a logo or a photograph.

No job too small.

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As Central Coast Newspapers are community newspapers, the cost of advertising not for profit organisations’ events is subsidised. This makes them the same rate as non business advertisements.

Business and In Memoriam rates

Lighting, Power Points, Phone & Data, Fault Finding,

REMOVALS

Back2Basics APT HANDYMAN

Personal and Not For Profit Organisations

A mono 5cm advertisement only costs $33. Each additional cm costs $6.60 as does colour, and/or a photograph or a logo. Private

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Somersby development proposal

GIBBENS

Gregory Richard “Greg”

Passed Away Peacefully

3rd February 2021 Late of Point Frederick Beloved husband of Jane. Much loved father, father-in-law and Poppy.

A great friend to many.

Will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Aged 69 Years Family and friends are warmly invited to celebrate the life of Greg to be held on Tuesday 9th February 2021, at the Greenway Chapel and Memorial Gardens, 460 Avoca Drive, Green Point commencing at 2pm

02 4324 1533

TILING

Wall & Floor Tiling Property Maintenance 0439 589 426

homes2nv@gmail.com

The land is located in an industrial portion of Somersby which includes a mix of old and new development constructed in the past 30-40 years.

The area includes newer development constructed in the past 5-10 years The site is currently being used for storage of materials in an open environment, within

IN MEMORIAM

shipping containers and under a canvas awning temporary structure.

Proposed improvements would see the construction of a single-storey wide span industrial building with associated two-storey office building attached, concrete driveway parking apron, retaining walls, landscaping and boundary fencing.

The building would include a covered outdoor area that provides a common space for

09.02.2013

POSITION VACANT

workers to enjoy down time overlooking the bushland setting.

The development offers sufficient parking for 17 cars and provides access to the production building for medium rigid vehicles.

Public comment on the proposal is open until February 8.

Source: DA60404/2020 DA Tracker, Council website, Feb 1

POSITION VACANT Automotive Spray Painter, Buffer and Prepper required

RAYNER, JILL

(3 positions) Hornsby NSW, Immediate start.

Darling Jill. Sadly, eight years have passed.

And remembering you is so easy, i do it everyday. it is the pain of losing you that never goes away.

Your loving husband David.

• Experience working on a range of vehicles, as well your attention to detail along with excellent communication skills.

• Previous leadership experience would be advantageous, however training and ongoing mentoring will be provided • High standards of workmanship at all times • The ability to work in a team We’re offering a competitive starting salary with ongoing training and support.

This is a genuine opportunity to develop your automotive career within an excellent team environment.

Emails Resume to Joanne – joanne@hpsr.com.au

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

Car Boot Sale

NEED A SENIOR TO SHARE WHO IS LOOKING FOR ACCOMMODATION

CANCELLED

Due to the cost of rent, I am looking for a senior, preferably over 65, to share.

Reasonable health and good sense of humour.

• Spacious bathroom • 2 bedrooms (essential) • Study area or additional small room • Separate lounge room and kitchen area.

• Fans in bedrooms • Generous cupboard space

Woy Woy Peninsula Lions Club

UNTIL FEB 28 2021 due to current Coronavirus health concerns ENQ 0478 959 895

PAGE 37 5 FEBRUARY 2021

Rental: $350 - $380.00 per fortnight (per person) I am 71 years and in good health. I cook and am active with family. T You are welcome to sight, both personal and from the current owner References of current residence. I realise the importance of keeping the premises clean and safe. I have to leave Terrigal Waters by March 20th. All enquiries welcome.

WORK FROM HOME! Advertising Sales

50 year old International publishing company with Head Office in Australia is seeking energetic salespeople to sell advertising into their extensive range of B2B and B2C publications.

We are looking to put together a team on the Central Coast under the guidance of our longterm NSW Manager who is now home based in the district.

Sales experience is essential as is a phone and access to the internet. *Commissions are very high and hours can be flexible.

If you know how to engage a decision-maker, ask the question and get the right answer Phone Gary on 0420 744 353 to discuss further.

Immediate start available for the right people. (*This is a commission-only position)

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice of 1080 baiting The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will be conducting a baiting program using fresh meat and Foxoff baits containing 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of foxes. The program will be conducted between 11 February 2021 and 1 April 2021 in Bouddi National Park.

All baiting locations will be identifiable by signs.

Please be reminded that domestic pets are not permitted on NPWS Estate. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.

For further information please call NPWS CENTRAL COAST AREA OFFICE on (02) 4320 4200

BLZ_LP2148

IN MEMORIAM

develop industrial land at 7 Ace Rd, Somersby.

NEWS

PETER HOURIGAN Email: peteranthony@iinet.net.au Mobile: 0417 903 013

POSITION VACANT

POSITION VACANT

NSW National Park and Wildlife Service is hiring!

NSW National Park and Wildlife Service is hiring!

The roles will support delivery of a stimulus funded program that was announced in late 2020 by the NSW Government. This funding – provided to create jobs and grow the NSW economy – will focus on the maintenance, repair and restoration of visitor and park management infrastructure as well as weeding and landscaping in key locations to improve the local environment, enhance the visitor experience and support local tourism.

The roles will support delivery of a stimulus funded program that was announced in late 2020 by the NSW Government. This funding – provided to create jobs and grow the NSW economy – will focus on the maintenance, repair and restoration of visitor and park management infrastructure as well as weeding and landscaping in key locations to improve the local environment, enhance the visitor experience and support local tourism.

For further information on the roles, and to apply for one of the 167 roles available across the State please visit the I Work for NSW website via the following link: https://bit.ly/3frQwZA

For further information on the roles, and to apply for one of the 167 roles available across the State please visit the I Work for NSW website via the following link: https://bit.ly/3frQwZA

We are currently looking to hire for the below roles across the Blue Mountains region. You can enter the job reference numbers listed below to find information for specific roles on the I Work for NSW website:

Applications close: 7 February 2021 (11:55pm) NPWS is an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTIQ+ community, veterans, refugees and people with disability.

We are currently looking to hire for the below roles across the Hunter Central Coast region.

You can enter the job reference numbers listed below to find information for specific roles on the I Work for NSW website:

BLZ_LP2171

• Team Leader Ranger ($111,007 – $122,404) Job Reference Number: 514914 • Project Support Officer ($72,635 – $79,535) Job Reference Number: 514909 • Field Officer Grade 1/2 ($52,464 – $54,910) Job Reference Number: 514905 • Field Officer Grade 1/2 – Identified ($52,464 – $54,910) Job Reference Number: 514908 • Field Officer General Operations – Targeted ($42,460) Job Reference Number: 000084ZP • Field Officer General Operations ($42,460) Job Reference Number: 000084ZL

• Team Leader Ranger ($111,007 – $122,404) Job Reference Number: 514914 • Field Officer General Operations – Targeted ($42,460) Job Reference Number: 000084ZP • Field Officer General Operations ($42,460) Job Reference Number: 000084ZL

Applications close: 7 February 2021 (11:55pm) NPWS is an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTIQ+ community, veterans, refugees and people with disability.

BLZ_LP2172

Central Coast Council has received a development application from Ledonne Plant Hire Pty Ltd to

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PAGE 38 5 FEBRUARY 2021 SPORT & NEWS

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Showdown looms in Zone 15 bowls grand finals

LAWNBOWLS Central Coast Bowls is now in preparation for three Central Coast wide (Zone 15) Grand Finals in the 2021 Fours Championship, with Terrigal Bowling Club featuring in the Seniors.

Many games were played over the past weekend of January 30 – 31 across the Opens, Seniors and President Reserves at Avoca Beach, Ettalong and Gosford City Bowling Clubs, despite games in the President Reserves being postponed due to wet weather conditions.

In the Opens, Bateau Bay had 3 out of 4 teams playing of in the Section One semi-finals at Ettalong, with two of them reaching the finals, wherein P. McCarton, J. Watson, C. Edwards and R. Rewco won over G. Coleman, M. Burnes, R. Wood and W. Power.

Section Two also included some very strong teams, with several zone 15 representative players playing at Gosford City.

These included John Roberts’ side from Ettalong, Mark Wheatley’s side from Halekulani, Dick Thornton’s

The Senior Section Two winning Fours team from Terrigal, led by Tony Swaine Photo: Peter Springett, Publicity Officer, Zone 15/BCC

side from The Entrance, Sean Love’s side from Davistown, Ron Spek’s side from Munmorah, Dave Neilson’s side from Bateau Bay and Lee Patterson’s side from Ettalong.

After some enthralling games, it was the team led by Ron Spek that played the Lee Patterson led side in the Section Two

final.

After a very tight game, Lee’s team won 18 – 14 and will now play the Bateau Bay winners of Section One in the Fours Grand Final.

The Seniors division involved some tremendous match ups as well, with all the games being played at Avoca Beach

Bowling Club.

The Section One final came down to the Bateau Bay team led by Tony Shoebridge and Philip Westcott’s team from Ettalong.

The two teams went into this final with a healthy rivalry already running between them, with Westcott’s 2019 Fours

Championship team losing to Shoebridge’s team, who at the time played for Terrigal Bowling Club, the next year in 2020.

Both these teams had been favourites for winning the overall Championship this year before being drawn in the same section, therefore everyone knew they were in for a great

game to watch and worthy of a Grand Final.

However, the Tony Shoebridge led side handled the cold, wet conditions better than the Phil Westcott led side and won by a comfortable 22 - 8 margin.

Section Two also had some great teams including the Neil Dell side from Mingara, Chris Epple’s side from Avoca, Peter Hamill’s side from Toukley and Tony Swaine’s side from Terrigal, with Tony Swaine’s side beating Chris Epple’s side in the Section Two final, 22 13.

Due to this, Shoebridge’s exTerrigal side will now face up against their old club and four new Terrigal bowlers who will seek to take the trophy from the reigning champion bowlers and keep it safely in the possession of the reigning champion club.

This Grand Final, along with that of the Opens and Presidents Reserve, will all be hosted by Ettalong Bowling Club, at 1:00 pm on Sunday, 7 February.

Haakon Barry

Andy Hellmich wins Masters race in Goulburn CYCLING The Central Coast Cycling Club were involved in two big race day events in the juniors and the seniors over the weekend of 30-31 January, in a number of instances earning podium positions.

On Saturday, 30 January, The Goulbourn Track Power Carnival was attended by Central Coast’s Under 17 Women’s race team for the NSW Madison Championships, as well as a team of senior riders competing in the Senior Carnival.

In the Under 17’s, Nicole Duncan and Liliya Tartarinoff made up one team, and Maya Dillon and Sonia Vetisch another.

Sonia stepped up from the U15’s to compete with the older riders in a race involving 25 laps of a 400m track, with sprints for points every five

Photo: Joshua Nicholson

laps.

The contest for first place was hard fought by Nicole and Liliya taking out the silver medal.

Maya and Sonia were not far behind, in fourth place.

In the seniors, the Central Coast’s Darren Dillon, Paul

FORT DENISON

Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00) or daylight savings time (UTC +11:00) when in effect.

5

FRI

12 FRI

0305 1.56 0926 0.59 1522 1.34 2130 0.54 0302 0.48 0933 1.88 1613 0.29 2209 1.40

Craft and Maya Dillon competed, along with Nicole and Liliya who were eager for more challenges.

Maya finished second in the Keirin race, while Nicole won her event narrowly ahead of Liliya.

The final event of the race day

was the inaugural Women’s version of the Roller Derby, involving two riders against each other, side by side, on a treadmill style roller that measures distance travelled.

Liliya who made it all the way to the final, finished second to NSWIS rider, Sarah Cliff.

TIDE CHART

The next day, more members of the Central Coast club attended West Head National Park for a long distance road race hosted by Manly Warringah Cycling Club.

The race included nine different grades, with two Masters grades and three

Women’s, each at varying distances between 25-95km.

Two outstanding performances were from Brendan Buhagiar at third place in the Men’s B Grade and one for Andy Hellmich who won the A Grade Masters race.

For Andy, the win took all his legs had to give him and left him almost unable to spin another cycle on his bike.

“It was a battle of attrition due to all the hills along the West Head course,” Andy said.

“There were 10 to 15 of us in contention for the finish, jockeying for position in the last few hundred metres.

“At this point in the race, you don’t want to break ahead too early because it’s an uphill finish, but you also don’t want to leave it too late because then you’ll run out of road.

Haakon Barry

LAT 33° 51’ S - LONG 151° 14’ E - TIME ZONE - 1000

6

7

8

9

10

11

13

14

15

16

17

18

Times and Heights(m) of high and low waters

0410 1.60 0516 1.66 0621 1.73 0042 0.55 0137 0.51 0228 0.47 1048 0.57 1208 0.51 1315 0.43 0719 1.80 0812 1.86 0859 1.88 SAT 1642 1.26 SUN 1801 1.25 MON 1909 1.28 TUE 1410 0.35 WED 1457 0.30 THU 1539 0.28 2233 0.58 2340 0.58 2004 1.33 2052 1.38 2135 1.42 0346 0.44 0432 0.43 0520 0.44 0022 1.49 0112 1.51 0205 1.53 1015 1.91 1059 1.90 1143 1.84 0612 0.47 0708 0.51 0812 0.56 SAT 1652 0.26 SUN 1732 0.26 MON 1814 0.28 TUE 1229 1.75 WED 1318 1.62 THU 1415 1.47 2251 1.44 2335 1.47 1857 0.33 1942 0.40 2032 0.47

APPROX. TIME LAG AFTER FORT DENISON Ettalong 40 min, Rip Bridge 2hrs - Wisemans Ferry 2 hrs 30 min, Koolewong 2 hrs 10 min In view of the variations caused by local conditions and meteorological effects, these times are approximate and must be considered as a guide only. They are not to be relied on for critical depth calculations for safe navigation. Actual times of High and Low Water may occur before or after the times indicated

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SPORT PAGE 39 5 FEBRUARY 2021

Mick Fanning welcomes Molly P to Red Bull team SURFING Central Coast local, Molly Picklum has been officially welcomed to the Red Bull surfing team by Australian surfing icon, Mick Fanning, who presented her with a new sponsored surfboard.

The 18 year old Shelly Beach resident from Gosford has many surfing accolades to her name already in the early stage of her career, with two back-toback Australian Championship Titles in the under 16’s, then under 18’s, and an Australian Pro Junior win in 2019.

Molly was also named the Female Rising Star at the Australian Surfing Awards in 2020.

Now joining the Red Bull team, Molly continues to prepare for the World Surf League Qualifying Series, which kicks off at Boomerang Beach between 16-19 February, and she is also the

wild card entry for Rip Curl Pro surfing event at Bells Beach, Victoria, in April.

“I am so excited to be part of the Red Bull family,” she said.

“The support Red Bull gives me makes a huge difference to my performance.

“I am only early days in my surfing journey, but the Red Bull team go above and beyond to help me achieve my goals.

The occasion of Molly’s swearing-in-of-sorts with Mick Fanning was marked by a quick ceremony, followed by the two taking up their Red Bull boards and heading out together for a surf.

“Getting my hat from Mick and having a surf together today was pretty special.

“I feel lucky to be on a team with incredible athletes like him,” she said.

Source: Media Release provided by Kira Kitay of KK Projects.

Molly Picklum with her new Red Bull board and cap, presented to her by surfing icon, Mick Fanning

New funding on offer for more inclusive sporting facilities Sporting organisations on the Central Coast are being encouraged to apply for the latest round of grants available under the NSW Government’s Regional Sport Facility Fund to create new and upgrade existing sport facilities.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, said $25M is available in 2020/21, with a further $25M to be made available next financial year and he wants to make sure the Coast gets its fair share.

“Central Coast Council, State Sporting Organisations (SSOs) and local sport clubs are all eligible for this funding,” Crouch said.

“I have already written to the Council and am also urging local clubs and organisations to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity.

“We know that investing in sports infrastructure is vital to improving the health and wellbeing of people, and that’s why the NSW Government has allocated $50M over the next two years.

“Sports infrastructure also has the potential to boost construction jobs and stimulate our local economy as we work to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Acting Minister for Sport, Geoff Lee, said inclusive projects which encouraged the participation of females and people with a disability would be prioritised.

“I’m excited about the opportunities this will give to sports clubs and organisations throughout the Central Coast, to upgrade and build new facilities,” Lee said.

“I’m especially passionate about the focus on increasing and improving change room facilities for girls and women so they have their own comfortable environment for playing sport and therefore stay playing sport.”

Applications close on February 26.

For more information, go to: www.sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/ grants.

Source: Media release, Feb 2 Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch

The renovation of Adcock Park, at West Gosford was partly funded through the fund

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Matty for Mayor!

Matty Simon kicks an equalizer in his 200th match

FOOTBALL The occasion of captain Matt Simon’s 200th game for the Central Coast Mariners has been marked with an exhilarating 3-2 win against Melbourne City at Central Coast Stadium on Wednesday, 03 February.

The Mariners came from 0-2 down to win the game, including a thrilling penalty from the skipper.

The history of this fixture pointed towards a high scoring game, with a total of 30 goals being scored between these two teams in their previous seven matches at Central Coast Stadium.

And, indeed, history repeated

itself, with 3 goals in the first half alone: two going to the away side before the Mariners pulled one back close to half time and then scoring two more in the second half to win the game.

With the opening quarter played as a midfield stalemate, the first big chance broke for De Silva, set up by Simon, but was turned away by City goalkeeper, Tom Glover.

However, cracks started to show early on in the Mariners defence in front of goal, with Adrián Luna positioning himself unmarked in front of Mariners keeper, Mark Birighitti, off a cross from Craig Noone, scoring the night’s first goal.

The situation got worse in the 31st minute with a goal for

McLaren, capitalising on a brittle Mariners’ midfield, uncharacteristic so far this season, with a wayward pass setting up Florin Berenguer in an attacking position.

Centre back, Kye Rowles closed in on Berenguer, leaving Jamie Maclaren free to advance on a pass in front of goal and dink the ball over Birighitti into the net.

Maclaren is the only A-League player to have multiple hattricks logged against a single opponent - the Mariners - an ill omen not lost on the blue and yellow.

In dire straits, the Mariners lifted in front of their home crowd.

A chance came for Ruon Tongyik to score off a free kick

cross from Marco Ureña.

The centre back towered over Curtis Good, meeting the ball with his head, but Glover got across and palmed it away.

For the Mariners, the break through came at the closing of the first half with an interchange of passes and a through ball from Urena that put Matt Simon into space.

The Mariners veteran showed his vision, threading a pass in between Scott Jamieson and Berenguer to Joshua Nisbet, leaving him with a simple touch in for his first goal of the season.

The late first half goal set up the home with better chances in the second, which they eagerly took early on to swing the flow of the game almost

entirely in their favour.

Simon aggravated City’s Nathaniel Atkinson until the youngster rode him into the ground in the 57th minute.

Time stood still as the captain put the penalty away for his first goal of the season on his most momentous of days with the club, evening out the scores.

Duress struck the travelling Victorians when three minutes later, a lazy challenge on Alou Kuol in attacking space earned Kerrin Stokes his second yellow card.

The Mariners’ style of play this season has favoured wide passing, and with an extra man over their opponents, the hosts tightened their control on the match.

Yet a winning goal still alluded them, all the way up to the 80th minute, when a fiery blast from De Silva outside of the box swung away from Glover and nestled itself in the back of the net.

When the final whistle blew, the Central Coast side swarmed their captain who, on his 200th game, had earned himself an assist and a goal.

The Mariners now have another quick turn around in the A-League, with their next game being against Western United FC at Central Coast Stadium, 6:10 pm on Sunday 7 February.

Haakon Barry

Junior lifesaver awards for Tarah Bryers and Jonathan Hall LIFESAVING A busy weekend for Surf Life Saving Central Coast ended with by achievements by a number of young nippers across two major junior events.

Two young members of Surf Life Saving Central Coast were awarded first place in the Newcastle Permanent Junior Lifesaver of the Year competition, with Terrigal Surf Life Saving Club’s Tarah Bryers winning in the Women’s

division.

The award was contested between 19 nominees, each representing their own surf club in the under 14’s age group, with a male and female winner being announced at the Junior Branch Carnival that took place over the weekend of 30-31 January.

Alongside Tarah Bryers was Jonathon Hall of Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club.

Both of whom received their awards after undertaking an

interview and set of lifesaving tests as part of their application process.

“It is incredible the community spirit shown in all of the nominees,” said Surf Life Saving Central Coast Director of Youth, Amy Fletcher.

“Whilst we only award two members with this prestigious award, it is clear the amazing job our clubs do in developing these young lifesavers to become great Australians.

“The standard of the

nominees was extremely high this year.

“The future of the organisation is in safe hands if the quality of the Junior Lifesavers of the Year nominees is anything to go by.”

Tarah and Johnathan will now go onto represent Surf Life Saving Central Coast at the NSW Junior Lifesaver of the Year camp being held in Narrabeen in April.

Source: Surf Life Saving Central Coast Media Release

Terrigal’s Tarah Bryers (Left) and Ocean Beach’s Jonathon Hall (right)