Coast Community News 284

19 MARCH 2021

ISSUE 284

We are women, hear us roar

News

X-factor star and Gosford resident, Jason Owen, has been nominated as a two-time finalist in the 2021 7News Young Achiever Awards.

See page 10

Out&About

Due to popular demand, Gosford showground will host its second camel racing event, just in time for Easter, on April 2.

See page 17

Health Almost 500 women marched along Gosford waterfront on March 15 to call for an end to genderbased violence.

They were joining thousands of women nation-wide in a March4Justice, after claims of sexual harassment and violence engulfed Federal Parliament recently.

Event organiser, Kel Butler, spoke about her experiences of sexual harassment and abusive

relationships.

“I’ll never forget how it made me feel,” Butler said.

“But now I understand hiding is not the answer, that being silent is part of the problem and a form of enablement.

“I need to speak … silence is poison, and it is exactly what perpetrators rely on so they can keep perpetrating unhindered and unaccountable.

“Women are still getting assaulted in all sorts of ways,

and the institutions that are meant to protect them instead blame them, dismiss them, retruamatise them and worst of all, stand by the men accused of hurting them.”

Butler called for changes in legislation and education, and more support for systems around coercive control, consent, rape and domestic violence.

Continued page 3

Rebecca Baldwin from Narara has stepped out of her comfort zone, stripping off to be painted for the 2022 So Brave calendar to raise breast cancer awareness.

See page 33

Sport

Central Coast local, Matt Graham, has won the International Ski Federation’s World Cup Crystal Globe title in Almaty, Kazakhstan, after a long 2020-2021 Series.

Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, with event organiser, Kel Butler

See page 4

See page 39

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

PAGE 2 19 MARCH 2021 CCN

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ABOUT US

Coast Community News is published weekly on a Friday by Central Coast Newspapers Pty Ltd (CCN), a local, family-owned business.

CCN publishes three local, independent newspapers – Coast Community News, the Coast Community Pelican Post and the Coast Community Chronicle – distributed via more than 450 distribution points right across the Central Coast.

Most of our stories, as well as our digital programs such as “Friday 5@5”, can be viewed online at www.coastcommunitynews.com.au CCN aims to serve the interests of the community in three important ways: 1. To serve the ultimate purpose of the free press in a democracy, that is, to hold powerful interests to account through high-quality, independent journalism without fear or prejudice; 2. To provide an affordable medium for local businesses to advertise their products and services, including discounted rates for eligible not-for-profit organisations; and, 3. To keep the community informed about local issues and ensure that important public notices are available to ALL members of the community irrespective of their socio-economic circumstances.

Our content is originated through both our own team of local journalists as well as external

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Each paper focuses specifically on an area bound by postcodes as follows: Coast Community Pelican Post - Post Codes 2256 and 2257; Coast Community News - Post Codes 2250, 2251, 2260; and Coast Community Chronicle - Post Codes 2258, 2259, 2261, 2262 and 2263.

Coast Community News is published weekly and its coverage takes in parts of Gosford West, Gosford East and Wyong Central Coast Council Wards. It also takes in parts of the State seats of Gosford, Terrigal and The Entrance, and parts of the Federal seats of Robertson and Dobell For all other information, please visit our website or call us on (02) 4325 7369 or call in and see us at Suite 1, Level 2, 86 Mann St, Gosford.

Ross Barry, Publisher

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2250 - Bucketty, Calga, Central Mangrove, East Gosford, Erina, Erina Fair, Glenworth Valley, Gosford, Greengrove, Holgate, Kariong, Kulnura, Lisarow, Lower Mangrove, Mangrove Creek, Mangrove Mountain, Matcham, Mooney Mooney Creek, Mount White, Narara, Niagara Park, North Gosford, Peats Ridge, Point Clare, Point Frederick, Somersby, Springfield, Tascott, Ten Mile Hollow, Upper Mangrove, Wendoree Park, West Gosford, Wyoming 2251 - Avoca Beach, Bensville, Bouddi, Copacabana, Davistown, Green Point, Kincumber, MacMasters Beach, Picketts Valley, Saratoga, Yattalunga 2260 - Forresters Beach, North Avoca, Terrigal, Wamberal

Publisher: Ross Barry - CEO: Cec Bucello - Design & Production: Justin Stanley, Lucillia Eljuga Journalists: Terry Collins, Sue Murray, Jacinta Counihan, Hayley McMahon, Maisy Rae, Harry Mulholland, Haakon Barry, Merilyn Vale - Head of Distribution: Anthony Wagstaff ISSN 1839-9045 - Print Post Approved - PP100001843 - Printed by Spotpress Marrickville

5 MARCH 2021

ISSUE 282

Pressure is mounting on the NSW Government to hold a public inquiry into the causes of Central Coast Council’s financial crisis...

See page 3

Out&About

NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, was on the Central Coast on Friday, February 26, to officially open the highly anticipated Gosford Leagues Club Park.

12 MARCH 2021 10 MARCH 2021

News

Chertsey kids shine at park opening

ISSUE 229

REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL WEEKLY NEWS

News

Community opposes library closure

In a win for people power, the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, has officially voiced an emphatic “no” to an extension of the Petroleum Exploration Permit 11 (PEP11).

Ettalong Beach’s Naughty Noodle Fun Haus combined camp with Coast at this year’s Mardi Gras Parade on March 6 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

See page 17

Health

Fifty community members celebrated the beginning of International Women’s Day (IWD) on the shores of Ocean Beach on the morning of March 8.

New CEO takes the reins

CCN

His appointment was announced by Administrator, Dick Persson, at a press conference on March 2.

An accountant by profession, Farmer will take up the position on April 12.

“His experience is crucial in leading Council toward recovery and will provide strong reassurance to the community that the tough decisions taken now will not be wasted,” Persson said.

“David has had up to 40 years’ experience in local

government in NSW and Queensland, with each of his last three roles involving major challenges in governance and finance.

“These are the same challenges that face this Council and I’m encouraged knowing that David is well equipped in leading the Council through these issues.

“David has a proven track record of success in operating large councils and has been selected based on this solid experience.

“The Central Coast community should feel very reassured that a new and strong CEO will deliver the positive outcome everyone wants to see.”

Farmer said at the press conference that it was going to

David Farmer

be a long-term process to earn the public trust and he would go on the journey with staff who have been traumatised by the Council situation.

He has been the Chief Executive of four councils over the past 23 years; Mudgee in

western NSW, Cairns City in far north Queensland, his hometown of Wollongong and recently Ipswich City Council, the fastest growing council in Queensland.

Each of his last three roles has involved major challenges in governance and finance.

Farmer has assisted an elected council successfully return from a period of administration in both Wollongong and Ipswich.

In Cairns he oversaw the recovery of the organisation, taking more than five years after a poorly implemented merger.

This involved turning around a deteriorating financial situation and correcting a failed IT systems implementation.

Two of his proudest achievements are the major foreshore projects of the Cairns Esplanade and Wollongong’s Blue Mile.

Across these diverse locations he has been able to partner in developing major industry growth in sectors such as tourism, agribusiness – particularly wine - and urban development.

In Wollongong he led the city as it successfully transitioned from its dependence on its traditional industries of coal and steel making into tertiary sectors such as financial services and international education.

Source: Media release, Mar 2 Central Coast Council

See page 23

Sport

The Central Coast Mariners withstood a late charge to record a 2-1 win over Perth Glory, cementing their spot at the top of the A-League ladder.

See page 39

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

The community rally at The Entrance

Scores of people were at a community rally in The Entrance on Tuesday, March 9, to voice their anger about the loss of essential services in the township and plans to close the local library.

The Entrance MP, David Mehan, said two banks had already abandoned the town and he was outraged by the news that Central Coast Council was planning to close The Entrance library.

He said he spoke to Acting CEO, Rik Hart, on Friday, March 5, who told him the library would be closed, but in another conversation on Monday, March 8, Hart said Council might reconsider.

Council still declined to

officially confirm or deny the closure before publication of the Chonicle.

“I put my view that it was unfair and it seemed to contradict what they (Council) were telling me in terms of their commitment to maintain services,” Mehan said.

“I’m hoping that when Council sees the community opposition, they will reconsider and change their mind because if they close the library, not only will the community lose a library, they will be left without all the other Council services that this facility offers to the public,” he said.

“These are services such as: payment for rates water and sewerage services; animal registrations; internet and computer access for those who

don’t have such luxury at home; viewing of Council plans and policies; lodging a general inquiry to Council; and, book clubs, knitting groups and mindfulness groups in the library.

“The Administrator publicly stated that he would not be seeking to cut Council services, however, if this library shuts its doors that is exactly what will occur.

“The community doesn’t want to see these facilities vanishing,” Mehan said.

“You can’t drag everything away to the centre, you have to have services in the various branches of the Central Coast because we are so spread out,” he said.

“I won’t accept that my constituents will have to travel

to Wyong or Gosford; we want those services in this area.

“I have written to Council seeking its commitment to keep the library open so that the community and local business operators can continue to use this valuable service,” Mehan said.

“What government needs to realise is that government offices cause people to visit an area and while they’re there, they do other things, like have lunch, a cup of coffee, buy their groceries.

“Once you lose a couple of government businesses, a couple of essential services like banking close, people will stop visiting an area and that’s bad for all business overall.”

Mehan said that already, The Entrance township has suffered

with Westpac closing both its branches and removing its ATM, while the Commonwealth Bank was still in limbo on reopening its branch.

“I guess the good news is that the bank is still considering its position while it is still temporarily closed,” he said.

“That’s why the community is out here today, to show the bank that they really need this bank to stay.

“Banking is an essential service, there’s a lot of people that bank with the Commonwealth.

“First the banks; and it appears that now Council is abandoning The Entrance community,” Mehan said.

A Blue Tree on Kanangra Dr on the way to Gwandalan/ Summerland Point has piqued the curiosity of locals.

Residents of Haynes Ave, Umina Beach, are sick of their street being used as a rat-run and are demanding safety measures be taken to protect residents – especially children.

Located between Ryans Rd and Lone Pine Ave, Haynes Ave is used as an alternate route to busy Ocean Beach Rd, particularly by commuters, and records almost 1,900 traffic movements every day.

Residents say safety precautions are non-existent and have enlisted the support of Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, in demanding improvements.

“Both main roads at either end of Haynes Ave received upgrades in the past few years,

A 2-0 win for the Mariners over Macarthur at Central Coast Stadium has seen the Central Coast side launch themselves into a seven point lead on the A-League table.

See page 40

Sue Murray

Puzzles page 23

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

Residents say Haynes Ave is in urgent need of repair

which was very important, but Haynes Ave was left to be simply the link between these roads without so much as a pothole repair,” residents said in a letter to Tesch.

“In the last two years traffic monitoring has taken place and revealed an average 1,893 cars per day use our link for their journey.

“That is a huge amount of traffic for a 50km/h street, given that 85 per cent of these travellers exceed the speed limit, according to Council statistics.

“That’s 690,000 car movements per year for an avenue with an appalling road surface, no speed limit signs, no drainage, no traffic islands, no regular police patrols and no traffic calming devices.

“There is a children’s park on the corner of Haynes Ave and Ryans Rd. “Our main concern is for the welfare of small children using this park, especially when drivers continue to cut through the park corner without any consideration for their safety.”

Residents say the situation has been exacerbated by the recent addition of a new set of swings closer to the corner.

They say traffic volumes are sure to increase, due to the new United service station on the corner of Ryans Rd and Ocean Beach Rd and the imminent construction of a new shopping mall at the corner of Lone Pine Ave and Ocean Beach Rd. Continued page 6

See page 29

Sport

Woy Woy Peninsula’s Little Athletics Centre has received a $2,000 grant to upgrade its sports equipment from a Coles-led fundraiser..

See page 39

Puzzles page 22

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

State Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, has come under fire from Central Coast Administrator, Dick Persson, during a speech that also targeted former Mayor Jane Smith and sacked CEO Gary Murphy.

Persson took aim during the March 9 Council meeting calling comments from all three “hypocrisy”.

It started after Persson listened to criticism of a tabled financial audit from resident Kevin Brookes, who spoke at the Council meeting’s public forum.

Brookes had questioned the depth of the forensic audit and concluded that the review underlined the need for an independent judicial inquiry into Council’s financial issues.

“What sort of a ‘forensic audit’ identifies

mismanagement without holding anybody accountable for it?” he asked during his three-minute speech.

Persson was having none of it.

“Your suggestion that the consultants to the Council should hold the Council accountable - that’s just fanciful,” Persson said.

“It’s up to you to hold them accountable; that’s how this works – they are an elected body.

“So, if you don’t think they’ve done the right job, hold them accountable.”

Persson went on to let off steam about the proposed 42 per cent rate rise.

This is made up of a harmonisation of rates that amounts to about 27 per cent, plus a 13 per cent rate variation above the regular two per cent

rate peg (yet to be approved by IPART).

“I am responsible for the 13 per cent (amount) of the rate increase,” Persson said.

“There was always going to be the two per cent (increase) and had none of this happened there was going to be a 27 per cent rate increase in Gosford.

“I have nothing to do with the 42 per cent, I just happen to be in the chair at the time of the harmonisation.

“Wyong rates are going to go down considerably because of that.”

Persson said to imply he was trying to mislead was offensive.

“There were a number of other things that I am finding offensive,” he said, and moved on to criticise Crouch.

“The Member for Terrigal, a member of the Government responsible for the mergers, on

his Facebook page last week said the Minister for Local Government and he did not agree with the rate rises.

“Well, I have met with the Minister and that has not been conveyed to me.”

Persson then read out another statement from Crouch’s Facebook page which said: “‘As a ratepayer myself, I am furious that our community might have to pay for the failures of a group of councillors and a group of senior staff”.

Persson then commented : “Well, he’s entitled to that view but had nothing been done here by former Mayor Smith and former councillors at the table, Crouch’s government was going to deliver a 27 per cent rate increase to the residents of Gosford.

“And I resent the fact that he’s hiding behind the 13 per cent

rate increase that’s now being proposed as a special rate increase to imply ‘nothing here, don’t look at me, I’m against all this’.

“I wonder what he would say to defend the 27 per cent rate increase, which by the way is directly as a result of the merger as is the decrease in Wyong that will occur.

“As (Acting CEO Rik) Hart pointed out, there will be no more money coming to Council (from the harmonisation).”

Persson went on to criticise the councillors for not being able to save money on the merger.

He said the government did make some serious mistakes in the merger in his view and one of them was the 15-councillor model.

See page 10

Due to popular demand, Gosford showground will host its second camel racing event, just in time for Easter, on April 2.

See page 17

Health

See page 17

Business Almost 500 women marched along Gosford waterfront on March 15 to call for an end to genderbased violence.

See page 39

On the day marking two years after an accident that left Jack McBride with a brain injury, the 23-year-old will leave on an 800km journey, cycling from the Central Coast to Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane.

There was mayhem on the M1 near Wyong on Thursday, March 11, due to damage to the road surface and reports of debris on the road near the Alison Rd overpass.

See page 33

Problems started in the early hours of the morning with several motorists having to contend with tyres that had blown out and buckled rims after driving over the damaged road surface and the large gap which opened up in the M1 road pavement.

Just after 4am emergency services, Transport for NSW staff and an engineer were on site and two of the three southbound lanes were closed.

Tow trucks were called in to remove the vehicles with tyre trouble which caused even more disruption to traffic.

A Transport for NSW spokesperson said a fourmetre steel plate covering an

Central Coast brothers and open wheel race car duo, Ben and Paul Lister, performed at Round One of the 2021 NSW Formula Vee Championship at Wakefield Park .

See page 40

Continued page 4

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

X-factor star and Gosford resident, Jason Owen, has been nominated as a two-time finalist in the 2021 7News Young Achiever Awards.

For anyone in the Entrance who is seeing funny lights near the waterfront, no it is not alien activities, it is Bright Nights @ The Entrance.

The 2021 NSW Surf Life Saving Championships moved on to the Masters’ Beach & Water events, as well as the Masters’ and Opens’ Lifesaving Championships, hosted

by Swansea Belmont SLSC from March 12-14, with a number of Northern Central Coast clubs finding more podium placements.

Sport

News

Out&About

Mayhem and gridlock on the M1 and surrounds

Administrator lets fly The rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations has finally hit the Peninsula after delays to the scheme resulted in disappointment from aged care providers.

ISSUE 284

We are women, hear us roar

See page 3

See page 17

Health

See page 38

19 MARCH 2021

Out&About

Photos: Ryan Miu, Cycling NSW

Haynes Ave residents demand road safety measures

See page 31

Sport

Parliamentary Secretary for Central Coast and Terrigal MP, Adam Crouch, has come under fire from Central Coast Administrator, Dick Persson...

Competitors with the Central Coast Cycling Club: (from left – right) Liliya Tatarinoff, Nicole Duncan, Maya Dillon

50 people started International Women’s Day off with a meditation session at Ocean Beach

In response to a large volume of requests from readers, gardening guru, Cheralyn Darcey shares a range of organic measures to get rid of garden pests.

News

The Coast’s own Naughty Noodle Fun Haus combined camp with Coast at this year’s Mardi Gras Parade on March 6 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Three young members of the Central Coast Cycling Club have again accomplished high standings in the 2021 NSW U15-17 Junior State Championships held at Dunc Gray Velodrome on Saturday and Sunday, March 6-7.

LANDMARK INTERVIEW: Rik Hart, Council's Acting CEO, unpacks council's financial troubles - See our website for more

With almost 40 years’ experience in local government in NSW and Queensland, David Farmer is the new Chief Executive Officer of Central Coast Council.

ISSUE 230

REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL WEEKLY NEWS

40 state medals between three clubs

Out&About

See page 4

NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, opening Leagues Club Park with Chertsey Primary School students, and Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch

17 MARCH 2021

See page 5

See page 8

Out&About

See page 17

Health

News

Terrigal resident, Claire Braund, has been named Terrigal electorate’s 2021 Woman of the Year in recognition of her outstanding work in the community.

The Grow Urban Shade Trees (GUST) organisation celebrated its 500th tree planting at Umina’s Sydney 2000 park on February 28.

Winners of the Women in Art exhibition run by Tuggerah Lakes Arts Society were announced when the show opened on Saturday, March 6.

See page 17

Gardening

Coast trio selected for Nationals

News

See page 5

See page 34

ISSUE 283

ISSUE 009

REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWS

Community members mindfully mark International Women’s Day

Out&About

Live theatre is returning to the Coast, with the Laycock Street Community Theatre announcing a line-up of performers for its 2021 season.

See page 5 Five lucky students represented Chertsey Primary School at the opening of the Leagues Club Park in Gosford on February 26.

11 MARCH 2021

Southbound traffic banked up on the M1 near Sparks Rd

expansion joint became detached on the M1 at the southbound Deep Creek No.3 bridge at Wyong.

Expansion joints are installed to accommodate movement, shrinkage and temperature variations on bridges.

The bridge had to be urgently repaired, which involved forming and pouring new concrete to replace the steel.

By 7am, it was havoc, the queues on the M1 were 10km long, only moving at a crawl, and there were reports that some motorists had been in traffic at a standstill for up to two hours.

As the news got out, motorists started taking detours and other shortcuts but it wasn’t long before all other roads in and around Wyong were in gridlock.

Children were stranded at bus stops for hours waiting for their school buses while many others decided to walk, causing a different set of safety problems because in many locations there are no footpaths for the children to walk on.

The repair work continued through the morning peak and it was expected to go on until early evening, however, at 2pm, Live Traffic NSW

announced all southbound lanes were again open although traffic remained heavy for some time afterward.

Following this incident, Transport for NSW carried out further inspections of bridges with a similar type of joint and identified a piece of expansion joint on the nearby Deep Creek No.2 bridge which required urgent replacement.

That work was completed by 7am on Tuesday, March 16.

Transport for NSW is continuing its investigations into this type of bridge joint to reduce the risk of similar issues and to ensure the safety of all road users.

Motorists who sustained damage to their vehicles which they believe has been caused by the condition of the road can lodge a claim for repair costs.

E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net - Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

and the institutions that are meant to protect them instead blame them, dismiss them, retruamatise them and worst of all, stand by the men accused of hurting them.”

Butler called for changes in legislation and education, and more support for systems around coercive control, consent, rape and domestic violence.

Continued page 3

Sport

Rebecca Baldwin from Narara has stepped out of her comfort zone, stripping off to be painted for the 2022 So Brave calendar to raise breast cancer awareness.

See page 33

Sport

Central Coast local, Matt Graham, has won the International Ski Federation’s World Cup Crystal Globe title in Almaty, Kazakhstan, after a long 2020-2021 Series.

The Mariners have drawn in the A-League at Central Coast Stadium, 2 – 2, against Perth Glory.

See page 38

Sue Murray

Puzzles page 23

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

Office: Level 2.01/86-88 Mann Street Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250

They were joining thousands of women nation-wide in a March4Justice, after claims of sexual harassment and violence engulfed Federal Parliament recently.

Event organiser, Kel Butler, spoke about her experiences of sexual harassment and abusive

Regional Development Australia Central Coast (RDACC) is hoping that a roundtable held on March 11 will be the beginning of a new co-operative approach.

See page 26

relationships.

“I’ll never forget how it made me feel,” Butler said.

“But now I understand hiding is not the answer, that being silent is part of the problem and a form of enablement.

“I need to speak … silence is poison, and it is exactly what perpetrators rely on so they can keep perpetrating unhindered and unaccountable.

“Women are still getting assaulted in all sorts of ways,

See page 4

Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, with event organiser, Kel Butler

See page 39

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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PAGE 3 19 MARCH 2021

We are women, hear us roar

From page 1 “We don’t need another media campaign in an election year, we need real change,” she said.

“And it starts with having more women, all types of women, in our Parliament, on our boards, in our judicial system.

“I feel like we need to tear it all down to the ground and start fresh, starting with the patriarchal systems and our conservative government.”

Member for Gosford, Liesl

Tesch, was among the women who gathered at Brian McGowan Bridge to protest sexism, misogyny and experiences of sexual harassment in the workplace.

“We are angry, we need equity, political accountability and real change.

“It’s not just in politics, it’s across the country, it’s on the sporting field, it’s in our board rooms … white, privileged men cannot continue to get away with everything.”

“The Prime Minister of Australia had an opportunity to

show us that sexual violence is not acceptable in our society; unfortunately he decided to look the other way when a courageous woman stepped forward.

“Women should be believed when they come forward.”

Mel Wojtas said she was marching in support of the women who have been tragically killed as a result of gender-based violence.

“Currently in Australia, one woman per week, on average, loses their life as a result of gendered violence … today,

You’re invited to our

Autumn Open Day SATURDAY 20 MARCH 10am to 1pm

Cheers

ITH TO 2021 W * $

10,000

I’m marching for those women who can’t be with us anymore,” Wojtas said.

Representative of Central Coast Youth Parliament, Phoebe Sheridan, also spoke at the event, thanking the generations of women who had come before her in their fight for the right to vote.

“Its time for Generation Z’s to pave the way for Generation Alpha,” Sheridan said.

“We have come so far from the 1950s housewife, now we have opportunity to vote, we have rights.

“Women are still mistreated, bruised and abused, but in a different way.

“We should have respect, we should have equality, otherwise our lives will lack quality.”

The St Joesph’s Catholic College student also spoke about her experiences of playing in Aussie Rules and basketball and the discrimination she has faced as a young woman.

Aunty Robyn Reid, a local Aboriginal elder and representative of Mingaletta

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Corporation, said it was a very important day to recognise the cause.

“We are here standing up for our sisters across Australia … no more will we not be heard, we will not be silent,” Reid said.

Dozens of signs were planted across the waterfront speaking of bodily autonomy and a woman’s right to speak out about inequality and sexual abuse.

Maisy Rae

A change of season… why not a change of lifestyle?!

Join us at Ingenia Lifestyle Sunnylake Shores for our open day where you can view our community clubhouse, recreational facilities, and lakefront location.

Plus, walk through our brand-new display homes and find out more about our lakefront homes, which are coming soon!

Enjoy complimentary refreshments from food trucks, meet our friendly team and residents, and find out how your life could change for the better at Ingenia Lifestyle Sunnylake Shores.

ACTUAL DISPLAY HOME

Call Jenni on 0458 018 332 today to RSVP for this event – numbers are limited.

2 MACLEAY DR, HALEKULANI liveinsunnylakeshores.com.au *Terms and conditions apply visit liveinbethania.com.au for details. 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.

PAGE 4 19 MARCH 2021

NEWS

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New campaign to speak up against domestic violence

A call to speak up against domestic abuse is the focus of a campaign developed by Central Coast Council, local police, the Tuggerah Lakes and Brisbane Waters Liquor Accords and Central Coast Domestic Violence Committee.

The campaign will deliver the simple and important message – if you see or suspect something, say something – to emphasise that everyone plays a role in ending domestic abuse.

March 8 was International Women’s Day. With one Australian woman a week murdered at the hands of an intimate partner, intervention has never been more important.

Central Coast Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Julie Vaughan, said the campaign is particularly

Mel Wojtas marched for the women who have been killed as a result of gender-based violence

important for the Central Coast as the region has higher rates of domestic violence compared to city centres.

“We can all play a role in stopping violence by taking action if we see or suspect any

form of abuse.

“In some cases, there are simple steps we can take to help diffuse an abusive situation and we must always report what we see or hear to the police.”

Phoebe Sheridan spoke of playing in male-dominated sports

Rugby League star and Central Coast local, Peter Sterling, is supporting the campaign by appearing in a powerful video that explains what to do if domestic abuse is observed or suspected.

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

From Council As most readers know I have extensive experience as an Administrator of four Councils.

To those asserting I have political bias, for the record let me point out that for Warringah and Port Macquarie Councils I was appointed

by Labor Governments, and for the merger of the Northern Beaches Council and for the Central Coast I was appointed by Liberal Governments.

While parts of the job don’t change, the big difference this time is Social Media. This is the first time I have had a Facebook Page, and while I enjoy the ease of communication with large numbers, I am surprised by how many people are prepared to express themselves in such aggressive and abusive ways.

To call someone “SCUM” because you don’t like what they are saying is really OFF. And it’s not just the rudeness. It’s the preparedness to express such strong views while having made such little effort to seek out the truth or facts.

When reading such comments I often click on to the authors’ site only to see a lovely family scene with 2 or 3 lovely children sitting on their parents lap.

I wonder what sort of example they think they are setting. We are dealing with a very difficult issue, and I understand many are angry. I am angry too.

But constructive and informed comments with a bit of civility would be so much more welcome and influential.

Dick Persson AM Administrator, Central Coast Council

In a major disaster emergency services may not be able to get to you, so it’s important to think about how you and your family are going to survive BEFORE a disaster happens.

Preparation is the best way to do this and we now have a new ‘Get Ready Emergency Guide’ to help you prepare your family and home for storm, flood, fire or just generally to make your home safer.

Tips include asking yourself and your family the right questions like:

• • • •

Source: Media release, Mar 15 Central Coast Council

Photo credit: Jeffrey Whitley

New ‘Get Ready Emergency Guide’ out now

•

Community members will also see the campaign slogan Domestic abuse – it is your business featured at bottle shops across the Coast – on brown bags for bottles and posters in shopfronts.

Council Administrator, Dick Persson, said Council was proud to be collaborating with other authorities to deliver this important message.

“Domestic abuse is never acceptable, and we must speak up if we see or suspect something,” Persson said.

The Domestic abuse – it is your business campaign will feature on social media and YouTube over coming weeks and the video can be viewed on Council’s YouTube channel.

The Central Coast had the second-highest number of domestic violenceApprehended Violence Orders in figures issued for the 12 months prior to June 2020 (NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research – BOCSAR).

Do you have people in your home at greater risk or with less ability who will need assistance in an emergency?

Do you have medications or specific medical conditions that will need to be considered?

Where might you or your family be if there is an emergency (home, school, work)?

What preparations do you need to make for pets and animals?

How easy is your property to escape from in an emergency, and what would you do if your Plan A, B or C was not possible?

The Guide also has a check list to help you understand your individual risks and identify what items should be included in an Emergency Evacuation Kit.

It also has information on where to go to stay up-todate on an emergency as it unfolds.

‘Get Ready’ and download the new Guide, search ‘emergencies’ 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.

Special workshops as part of Seniors Festival

Emergency situations can arise rapidly and quickly develop into life threatening situations.

For some people, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and anxious when thinking about disaster preparation.

This can be even more so for the many seniors in our community.

As part of this year’s Seniors Festival, we are holding a special series of ‘Are You Ready?’ workshops specifically for community members over the age of 55.

Workshops will be held from 20 April to 28 May at locations including Ettalong, Gosford, San Remo, Green Point, Patonga, Narara, Glenning Valley, Spencer and Kulnura, and have been developed to help participants build strategies to stay safe in extreme weather events like fire, flood, storm or heatwave.

If you or someone you know could benefit from attending, search ‘are you ready’ at centralcoast. nsw.gov.au/events and book your place.

Alternatively, you can contact Anni Griffiths on 0419 400 283.

Council meeting

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

Council’s financial situation

Council has adopted a Recovery Action Plan that will review all aspects of Council’s operations.

For up-to-date information search ‘news’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

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NEWS

PAGE 5 19 MARCH 2021

$15,000 EPA fine “woefully inadequate” Hymix Australia has copped a $15,000 fine from the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) for alleged pollution of Kincumber Creek, but community activist Cori Hopper says it is “woefully inadequate”.

A spokesperson said the EPA inspected the Kincumber concrete batching plant on October 19, 2020, in response to community concerns over dirty water pollution coming from it.

EPA officers found evidence of concrete waste water discharging into a stormwater drain on Cochrone St which leads to Kincumber Creek.

Officers also noted that a pump in the settling pit was not operating, which would normally send dirty water back to a holding tank for re-use.

The discharges had elevated pH levels and total suspended solids, with the potential to cause harm to the local environment.

The EPA has issued Hymix with a $15,000 penalty for the alleged water pollution and an $8,000 penalty for allegedly failing to properly operate control equipment.

Hymix was also issued with a Clean-up Direction and Prevention Notice to address ongoing surface water management issues at the plant.

EPA Director Regulatory Operations, Adam Gilligan, said he expected compliance at the Hymix site to improve as a result of the penalties.

“It is important that companies like Hymix take their environmental management responsibilities seriously so that their activities don’t impact the surrounding environment,” Gilligan said.

“Concrete waste can increase the pH of surrounding waters and has the potential to harm aquatic life and pollute water for those that rely on it.

Hymix’s prior compliance record and lack of voluntary action to mitigate harm was also taken into consideration by the EPA. Penalty notices are one of a number of tools the EPA can use to achieve environmental compliance, including formal warnings, licence conditions, notices and directions, mandatory audits, legally binding pollution reduction programs, enforceable

undertakings and prosecutions.

Cori Hopper, who has been agitating for something to be done about the situation for six years, said he was “genuinely disappointed” at the amount of

the fine.

He says operators and management at the Hymix plant have been “acutely aware” that they have been polluting the waterway since

December 2014.

“They knew because that was when the EPA first issued Hymix concrete a penalty of a staggering $1,500 for the exact same thing it was fined for recently,” Hopper said.

“This time they were fined $15,000.

“The part that beggars belief here is how Hymix was allowed to continue to openly devastate Kincumber Creek and its sensitive habitat (for six more years) before they were … charged for the same disgraceful environmental crime.

“The EPA knew it was happening as did Central Coast Council.

“State and Federal government representative were also made fully aware.”

Hopper said he had documented damage to the creek at regular intervals since 2013 and was still collating evidence.

He said the creek still runs grey most weeks and it appears little has been done to mitigate the situation.

Davistown Progress Association President, Jenny McCulla, was a little more hopeful.

“Local recreational fishers will be pleased to know the fish they eat caught in Brisbane Waters in the vicinity of Kincumber will be a lot cleaner,” she said.

A spokesperson for Hymix Australia said the fines recently issued by the EPA relate to the alleged discharged of high pH and sediment laden water as a result of a failure within the concrete plant’s stormwater treatment system following a significant rainfall event October 19, 2020.

“The failure was isolated within the stormwater system and was not directly associated with concrete waste,” the spokesperson said.

“Following the EPA’s investigation Hymix took immediate interim measures to improve the plant’s water management system.

“Further to this Hymix is currently undertaking capital infrastructure works in conjunction with a Water Management Report.

“This is being undertaken in consultation with the EPA and is expected to be completed soon.”

ANZAC DAY Service P R O U D LY P R E S E N T E D B Y

The Palmdale Group will host ANZAC Day Ceremonies at both Palmdale and Greenway on 25th April, to pay respect to the memory of our service men and women. Due to COVID Restrictions within the chapels, extra seating outside the chapels at Palmdale and Greenway will be available, with accompanying screens to watch the services.

Palmdale Lawn Cemetery & Memorial Park

The ANZAC Day Services will be live-streamed online through the Palmdale Website for those that cannot attend.

460 Avoca Drive, Green Point Commencing at 11am in the Greenway Chapel, with complementary live-streaming available online.

How to Watch Online 1.

2.

3.

4.

Visit palmdalegroup.com.au Click ‘Community & Events’ on the Top of the Page Click ‘ANZAC Day Services’ Access the livestreams for both Greenway and Palmdale’s ANZAC Day services live on this page.

57 Palmdale Road, Palmdale Commencing at 9am, services will be held in the Hillside chapel and Rose chapel, live-streaming available online.

Greenway Chapel & Memorial Gardens

Palmdale Phone: 4362 1203 Greenway Phone: 4369 2013

palmdalegroup.com.au

Terry Collins

PAGE 6 19 MARCH 2021

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The Central Coast we love

Central Coast Floormasters gifting a floor to a local family

One Central Coast grandmother and her four grandchildren no longer have to live on cold, dusty, cement floors after a collaborative effort from the community to install floorboards in their house.

The family had been living on cement ground for almost two years after complications and financial problems with a previous flooring company.

In June last year, Support Coordinators at Jorna Services, Nicole Mazur and Trent James,

started working with the family.

The grandmother, Helen, is the sole carer of her four grandchildren aged between eight and early twenties after the family had gone through personal hardship.

As a pensioner, she had not been able to pay for a replacement floor on her wage, motivating Mazur to take matters into their own hands.

“Every time we would go around to see the family, Helen would be in tears, as all she wanted was to help and support her grandchildren,” Mazur

said.

“We took the previous floor company to Fair Trading and eventually got them to pay Helen her money back.

“We told her to use that money for other things, and we would take care of the floor.”

After emailing many flooring places, Mazur came across Central Coast Floormasters Kincumber, who had previously participated in the Free Trade Day initiative – a day dedicated to delivering free services or trade work to those who need it most.

Unfortunately, due to COVID, the Free Trade Day initiative was not funding any projects but Central Coast Floormasters decided to fund and complete the project anyway.

Karen Norkett from Central Coast Floormasters said the decision to help the family came after she visited their home.

“The house was so grim,” Norkett said.

“We try to gift a floor each Christmas to a family in need, so I spoke with my husband, and we decided to gift a floor to

Nicole Mazur and this family.

“We spent the three days before Christmas laying down flooring.”

Jorna Services and Central Coast Floormasters were not the only ones to make this family’s Christmas; Kincumber Mitre 10 donated skirting boards, Browniebrownie donated baked treats, and La Notte Uno Italian restaurant donated lunch for the family to share.

Mazur said the floorboards have helped lift the family’s spirits and ensured they had a

happy Christmas.

“The family still has its struggles, but they are doing really well,” she said.

Mazur, James, Central Coast Floormasters, Kincumber Mitre 10, Browniebrownie, and La Notte Uno Italian Restaurant were all mentioned in a Community Recognition Statement by Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, on February 18.

Jacinta Counihan

Caring for our community • • • • 204/1 Bryant Drive PO Box 3763 Tuggerah NSW 2259

I

COVID-19 Medicare NDIS Centrelink

02 4353 0127

• • • •

NBN Veterans’ Affairs Jobs & Training Congratulatory Messages

I Emma.McBride.MP@aph.gov.au I emmamcbride.com.au

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

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We’re loving the Alloura Waters lifestyle Come and join us!

1 3 D E W H C R A M

“We should have moved sooner”. That’s the most common response when Living Choice director, Graham Hobbs, makes his customary welcome call to new residents. Come and discover why more than 250 residents have chosen to call Living Choice Alloura Waters “home”. View our attractive homes, including waterfront apartments, spacious units and beautifully designed villas. There’s plenty of onsite support too, including experienced, long-serving staff, a much valued gardening team, 24-hour emergency response and a wide range of services provided by the Living Choice Home Care team.Find out more at our Open Day. Where: Living Choice Alloura Waters, 1 Murna Road, Davistown.

When: Wednesday 31st March 2021.

Time: 11am for tours, followed by lunch.

GORGEOUS GARDENS

DAVO CLUB NEXT DOOR

RSVPs essential for catering purposes.

Phone 1800 064 344 or email sales@livingchoice.com.au by 26th March.

You may have to pay a departure fee when you leave this village which may impact on the capital gains received when leaving the village.

WALKING GROUP

1 Murna Road, Davistown

1800 064 344

www.livingchoice.com.au

PAGE 7 19 MARCH 2021

PAGE 8 19 MARCH 2021

NEWS

Greens call for a Boundary Commission Inquiry The Central Coast Greens have criticised Central Coast Council Administrator, Dick Persson, for ruling out a popular vote on deamalgamation at the September Council elections and declining to withdraw the Gosford Council building from the asset sales list.

Spokesperson Sue Wynn said The Greens believed residents deserve an opportunity to have their say on the amalgamation and whether to reverse it.

“That is entirely their privilege,” she said.

“We will now be commencing the process of collecting enough signatures to obtain a Boundary Commission Inquiry.

“We are mindful that the surveys of Central Coast residents conducted before amalgamation showed widespread opposition to the merger.

“The Boundary Commission will then recommend the Local Government Minister either maintain the amalgamated Central Coast Council or de-

merge into new Wyong and Gosford Councils.

“By now, everyone is acutely aware of the Council’s financial situation and, if the residents choose to opt for a de-merger, this would also be in the knowledge of the costs associated with it.

“Yes, a de-merger would involve additional cost, but it is

unclear if these would be as excessive as for the bungled amalgamation.

“It is not contentious to say that the NSW Government strongly pursued consent for the unpopular amalgamation.

“It follows that the State Government should be expected to contribute to and assist with re-establishing the

two former Councils if that is what people really want.

“We have put theAdministrator on notice that there is considerable interest in our community to explore a demerger.

“To now proceed with the sale of the Council building in Gosford is a reckless act which seeks to close the door on a

potential new Gosford Council.

“The Central Coast can absolutely come back from this stronger and better.

“The return of our Central Coast Mariners from the bottom of the league table to lead the competition is an inspiring reminder that no one should write us off.”

The Greens have also criticised Persson for refusing to extend the options for the referendum questions to be put at the election, saying the exclusion of an option for 15 councillors with no wards is a “glaring omission”.

“Absurdly, cutting councillor numbers won’t solve the political game-playing of the last suspended Council,” Wynn said.

“It will give each part-time councillor far too much work and make it more likely to miss issues that the staff are not reporting.

“A reduction in (the number of) councillors means that the future Council will be characterised by the voting blocs of the major parties (with) the same old adversarial politics returning to the Council

chamber.

“The Administrator’s preferred model of nine councillors in three wards makes it harder for genuine community and minor party candidates to get elected.

“It is fair to say that the administrator has now chosen to extend his remit from fixing the financial and administrative problems of this Council into meddling in our local democracy.

“He has crossed over into the realm of politics.

“The Central Coast Greens favour abolishing the ward system to allow residents to elect representatives for the entire area and encourage councillors to cooperate across the wide range of issues in our region.

“We see this as the best way to circumvent the tendency (as noted by the Administrator) for representatives to divide into two hostile groups along party lines.”

Source: Media releases, Mar 12 and 16 Central Coast Greens

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

Gosford@parliament.nsw.gov.au (02) 4342 4122 Peninsula News - half page - Aug 20.indd 1

30/10/2020 10:20:13 AM

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Central Coast Medical School and Research Institute Opens Mid-2021 Around 550 student places for medical and allied health students administered by the University of Newcastle. $85 million project jointly funded by the Federal and NSW State Governments and the University of Newcastle at Gosford Hospital.

Creating hundreds of local jobs in the heart of Gosford.

LUCY WICKS MP

FEDERAL MEMBER FOR ROBERTSON Level 3, 69 Central Coast Highway, West Gosford NSW 2250 lucy.wicks.mp@aph.gov.au

lucywicksmp.com

LucyWicksMP

Authorised by Lucy Wicks MP, Liberal Party of Australia, Level 3, 69 Central Coast Highway, West Gosford NSW 2250.

02 4322 2400

PAGE 10 19 MARCH 2021

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X-Factor’s Jason Owen determined to help rural kids X-factor star and Gosford resident, Jason Owen, has been nominated as a twotime finalist in the 2021 7News Young Achiever Awards for Community Service and Indigenous Achievement.

He was nominated for the Community Service award for his charity work in supporting kids in isolated and regional areas across Australia, and for the Ausgrid Indigenous Achievement Award for his commitment to Indigenous communities.

Owen grew up in a town 140km west of Dubbo with a population of 12 called Albert.

To follow his dream of becoming a country singer, Owen appeared on the competition show X-factor in 2012.

It was after this achievement that Owen decided to start giving back to kids and families in rural towns.

“Ever since my career kicked off in 2012 on X-factor, I’ve always done what I possibly can to help people around rural Australia,” Owen said.

In 2019, Owen started the charity Doin It For Rural Aussie

Founder of charity, Doin It For Rural Aussie Kids, Jason Owen, at Bymount School

Kids.

In December, 2020, he undertook a road trip covering 8,000km in 10 days across NSW, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia, to personally deliver funds, Christmas gifts and groceries to around 800 children at 21 schools affected by bushfires, drought and the fallout of COVID 19.

“We got to see first-hand the drought and how the hard times affected rural Australian businesses, families, farmers

- you name it, everything across the board,” Owen said.

“Doin It For Rural Aussie Kids is not just about the kids, but also about supporting rural communities through buying local fuel, drinks, food, and toys we deliver.

“We heard so many different stories about how families couldn’t give their children Christmas presents due to hard times last year.

“School teachers were saying they knew for a fact certain

kids probably wouldn’t get any presents because the families were in such a bad way.

“Also, some kids had parents die through suicide due to hardship; it’s heartbreaking.”

This year, Owen hopes to cover even greater distances by aiming to travel to each state.

“I’m really hoping to visit schools and families in all eight states and territories this year,” he said.

“We have already begun

planning and will also have several fundraisers throughout the year, including our popular Coins for Santa schools initiative.

“We are expanding, and now because I’ve moved to the Central Coast, I’m also hopefully going to visit some schools and families around this area.”

The annual awards ceremony, which honours 10 different areas of endeavour by NSW residents aged under 30, will take place on April 30 at

Sydney’s Doltone House.

“As a proud Wiradjuri man, I’m also greatly honoured to be nominated for Indigenous Achievement,” Owen said.

“I lend support to Aboriginal families when I can and make an effort when I speak to kids to encourage children, particularly Aboriginal children, to dream big and never give up, which is an important message for them to hear.”

Owen was the most nominated semi-finalist in this year’s prestigious competition, which had hundreds of entries.

He also picked up a semi-final mention for the Total Smiles Health and Wellbeing Award for his mental health online content series, How Ya Goin with Jason Owen.

The nominations mark the start of a new phase in Owen’s career.

Unable to tour last year due to COVID restrictions, Owen will release a new album in May – Jason Owen Sings John Denver: The Acoustic Sessions, with the first single, Thank God I’m a Country Boy, to be released on March 15.

Jacinta Counihan

Submissions to close soon on water rates Residents have until March 28 to provide feedback on water, sewer and stormwater pricing in the region.

Water, sewer and stormwater prices are set by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), which undertakes a review of pricing every three to four years.

Typically, a pricing determination goes for four years, however IPART set it for a three-year period due to the newly merged Council.

The latest review by IPART requires Central Coast Council to propose pricing for these services by September 2021, to take effect from July 1, 2022, until June 30, 2026.

Director Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader, said community

feedback is a crucial part of putting together Council’s submission.

“We want to find out what’s important to you about how we provide water, sewer and stormwater services to the Central Coast,” Loader said.

“We will then balance this information with our assessment of how much it costs to produce water, treat sewage and ensure that

stormwater is managed.

“This does not mean prices go up automatically, they could in fact go down or remain the same.

“IPART will independently consider Council’s submission, which will include community feedback, and will set a fair price for customers.”

Council Administrator, Dick Persson, said that he wanted

the community to understand that this submission to IPART for water,sewer and stormwater prices is completely separate to the application for a rate rise that Council recently lodged.

“Council applied to IPART for a 15 per cent rate rise to help with Council’s financial recovery,” he said.

“This process is called a Special Variation application and is a one-off application as

part of our Business Recovery Plan.

“Water,sewer and stormwater prices are required to be separately reviewed every three to four years and that is what this process is for.

Source: Media release, Mar 1 Central Coast Council

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PAGE 11 19 MARCH 2021

The Liberal Party is fighting to shutdown a Public Inquiry into the Central Coast Council debacle.

What is it that the Liberal Party doesn’t want you to see?

Labor is calling for a full Judicial Inquiry into why Central Coast residents are being forced to pay higher rates for this Liberal Government’s failure.

We need to take back our Central Coast.

Authorised by Senator Deborah O’Neill, Suite 312, 4 Illya Ave, Erina, NSW 2250

PAGE 12 19 MARCH 2021

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Need a lift?

The duplication of the Pacific Highway at Lisarow is powering ahead, with concrete girders for a new rail bridge lifted into place on March 13-15, as part of the $178M upgrade project.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said 27 girders were loaded at the northern compound on the Pacific Hwy using a crane and transported along the highway on oversized trucks to the new bridge, where they were installed using a 600-tonne crane.

“A crew of more than 70 workers was needed over the weekend and on Monday to

CEN celebrates 75 years of environmental activism

The Community Environment Network (CEN) is set to mark 75 years of environmental activism on the Central Coast, with its annual forum on Sunday, March 21, an opportunity for the environmental community to come together, share victories and prepare for the challenges ahead.

CEN life member, Mike Campbell, said the local environmental movement had been in place long before the inception of CEN. “The 2021 forum will be a great opportunity for CEN’s members, supporters and the broader community to share their knowledge and expertise so the local environmental movement can last another 75 years,” Campbell said.

“The amount of energy we produce when we come together is inspiring.

“This year’s theme is Air, Water, Earth, Community and they really are the four pillars we are working for.”

Campbell and his wife Lyn have lived in the region for 43 years.

“Lyn and I actually met during an environmental campaign in 1972 when we were both rallying to save Birdwood Park in the middle of Newcastle,” Campbell said.

With the late Laurie Breen, Campbell was instrumental in applying a green ban to the development of Riley’s Island in Brisbane Water through the Central Coast Trades and Labour Council.

LJ Hooker had planned to develop Riley’s Island but, as a consequence of the green ban, the island ended up being acquired by the NSW Government from the developer and remains an area of important local habitat to this day.

In 1985 Campbell was a leader in the campaign to stop new coal fired power stations from being built on the Pioneer Dairy site at Tuggerah.

“The power stations had everything set up and ready to go; they had their glass-front

office, but we knew of air quality problems around the power stations to the north.

“We were able to get doctors to sign letters about the air pollution causing breathing problems and asthma in children.

“We got it to a commission of inquiry, and it blew up in the media, it went national.”

The proposed power stations were never built, and the dairy site has been retained as the Central Coast Wetland, an important wildlife corridor and community asset.

Campbell has also been part of the campaign against the Wallarah II coal mine which he said has been threatening our water catchment valleys for the past 26 years.

He said population growth and development on the Central Coast continue to result in the loss of biodiversity and pose ongoing risks to local forests and wetlands.

He cites the Kangy Angy Rail Maintenance Facility and the road widening through Lisarow as two recent environmental

install these girders in a complex operation while the rail line was closed for regular maintenance,” Toole said.

“The duplication project has provided work for about 1,000 people since work started about two years ago, including more than 150 different suppliers and contractors.

“The concrete girders were lifted into place starting early on Saturday morning and crews worked around the clock to ensure work was completed by the time the rail line was due to reopen.”

Source: Media release, Mar 15 Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch

No.1 priority – jobs

losses.

Campbell said he is concerned about Central Coast Council’s reticence to sign off on a Conservation Agreement with the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) to permanently protect Porters Creek Wetland.

“I don’t know why they wouldn’t just sign off on the agreement for such an important wetland,” he said.

“It is a 700ha wetland that holds water to stop flooding further south, it’s like a lake when it fills up and if you make more hard-stand areas, like the 58-block development near Porters Creek, you are going to cause the water to flow like a torrent and result in flooding rather than have the natural flows into Wyong River.”

Campbell said education was the foundation of all good environmental campaigns and has been a particular strength of CEN. Source: Media release, Mar 17 Community Environment Network

Jobs closer to home is the key to the region’s economic future, according to submissions received during a seven-week consultation period to help shape the first Central Coast Strategy.

Of 700 people who lodged submissions, 34.2 per cent said jobs closer to home was the key, with 23.2 per cent opting for attracting new business.

Better transport connectivity was considered vital to 22.8 per cent of respondents, while 15.4 per cent rated education and training opportunities as key and 4.4 per cent felt better digital connectivity was important.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, said Premier Gladys Berejiklian had tasked the Greater Sydney Commission (GSC) with developing a Central Coast Strategy to deliver new jobs, businesses and opportunities.

“We first called for feedback in December and over a sevenweek period, the GSC received

306 survey responses, 298 poll answers and 132 idea contributions,” Crouch said.

“Receiving input from residents, business owners, industry stakeholders, the local council and Government agencies is a vital part of forming a vision for the future.

“Six areas of interest have been identified and this feedback – which is being analysed and considered while drafting the Strategy – will quite literally shape the Central Coast’s future.”

Crouch said the Strategy would identify opportunities for employment, education and economic growth, with the aim of supporting existing industries while also attracting new businesses and investment to the Central Coast.

“This is not just another policy or planning document,” he said.

“The finishing touches of the Central Coast Strategy are now being finalised and its release is expected in April.”

Source: Media release, Mar 17 Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch

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PAGE 13 19 MARCH 2021

LETTER TO THE CENTRAL COAST COMMUNITY

As a ratepayer myself, I am furious at Central Coast Council’s financial situation.

I do not support the proposed rate rise. It’s outrageous that our community might be forced to pay for the mistakes and failures of a group of Councillors and Council senior staff.

The Administrator has made progress in exposing the cause of Council’s debt totalling $565 million. However I believe that further investigations will be required to ensure a sustainable financial situation can be restored.

Over the past couple of weeks, I have raised concerns about Council on the floor of Parliament five times. I will continue to ensure the Central Coast community’s concerns are heard loud and clear.

Adam Crouch MP Member for Terrigal

Adam CROUCH mp Member for Terrigal 02 4365 1906 adamcrouchmp

terrigal@parliament.nsw.gov.au adamcrouchmp

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Authorised by Adam Crouch MP, Shop 3 Fountain Plaza, 148-158 The Entrance Road, Erina NSW 2250, funded using parliamentary entitlements.

PAGE 14 19 MARCH 2021

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Davistown’s missing link to be completed Ten months after Coast News published Davistown Progress Association’s impassioned plea for completion of a shared pathway/cycleway at Davistown, Central Coast Council is to complete a 320m section of the “missing link” pathway along Malinya Ave. The move follows a campaign orchestrated by Davistown Progress Association, during which more than a thousand signatures were collected on a petition calling for the work, and approaches were made to Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, to point Council in the right direction for securing Federal grants.

Progress Association President, Jenny McCulla, said it was good to see the campaign had yielded results, with the project to be funded through the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.

Davistown Progress Association President, Jenny McCulla (left) with Council Director Infrastructure Services, Boris Bolgoff, and Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks at Malinya Rd

The project will be the first stage in completing a missing section of the pathway between Henderson Rd and Coomal Ave, which has forced residents and schoolchildren to walk or cycle along the dangerously narrow Malinya Rd. Council Director Infrastructure Services, Boris Bolgoff, said Stage 1 works will see the

320m section of the shared pathway completed in the current financial year.

“Our community has requested this project which will deliver a key missing link of the NSW Coastline Cycleway,” Bolgoff said.

“The Stage 1 works begin the pathway from Coomal Ave towards Henderson Rd.

“Subject to securing grant funding, Stage 2 works will take place in 2021-22 and see the new section of shared pathway span 585 metres to Henderson Rd and will complete the link between Davistown and Kincumber,” Bolgoff said.

Council Administrator, Dick Persson, said the project would

deliver on key objectives outlined in the Central Coast Bike Plan and Central Coast Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan (PAMP).

“The Central Coast is hard to beat for walking and cycling and this new section of shared pathway will complete an important ‘missing link’ and is sure to be popular with both

locals and visitors,” Persson said.

Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, said she was thrilled to see the important project underway. “(The Progress Association) has been fighting to make this safety upgrade a reality with over 1,300 signatures on its petition for a shared pathway along Malinya Rd,” Wicks said.

Stage 1 will be completed at a cost of $911,892, with future stages of the project dependent on securing additional grant funding.

McCulla said it was pleasing to see work underway and she hoped future stages of the project would include a stretch of road between Malinya Rd and Emora Ave, so Davistown children can safely travel “the back way” along Coomal Ave to Brisbania Public School.

Terry Collins

Unions negotiate with council over restructure The next stage in the proposed restructure at Central Coast Council has been released to staff for consultation with uncertainty over possible redundancies and jobs being axed in the service areas.

The United Services Union (USU) and Council have been in constant negotiations since Council’s financial troubles emerged in October 2020, with Council seeking savings of $31M in resourcing costs as part of its financial recovery.

USU representative, Luke Hutchinson, said they are about midway through consultation about the proposed organisational and staffing restructure, and any restructure measures probably wouldn’t be implemented until mid-May.

“There’s no doubt that people have been informed that their positions will not be in the proposed restructure, or that their position has been merged with another position, and that’s probably at the professional staff and management level,” he said.

“There is a proposed hit to the trades areas and a lot of those (job cuts) have been facilitated by voluntary redundancy.

“The cuts are right across the board with every single service area and unit affected and there’s no doubt people are worried about their job security but there’s no one at this stage that has been forcibly made redundant or sacked.”

Hutchinson said negotiating with Council was a balancing act to get the right structure and the right staff numbers in

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“We’ve got due process to follow under the Award and Council has to consult adequately either with the Union or our members over this consultation period,” he said.

“The Union’s key goal is to ensure there are no forced redundancies out of this process and we will continue to keep the pressure on Council in relation to that.”

Hutchinson said if there were to be any forced redundancies the Union would take it to the Industrial Relations Commission.

A Council spokesperson said outcomes of the reduction in staff would not be known until staff consultation was concluded and the new organisation structure implemented.

Central Coast State Labor MPs have weighed into the issue and are calling on the State Government to guarantee there will be no forced redundancies at Council in the wake of the financial crisis.

They say Council has rejected some voluntary redundancy applicants on the basis that they work in areas of the organisation where roles are not being cut, creating the possibility that others will be forced to go in order to make up the numbers.

A mix-and-match program proposed by the United Services Union (USU) would ensure no involuntary terminations, while maintaining core services, if it is adopted by Government-appointed Administrator, Dick Persson, the MPs said in a statement.

MPs David Harris (Wyong), David Mehan (The Entrance), Yasmin Catley (Swansea) and Liesl Tesch (Gosford) are urging the Administrator to support the program, which proposes that staff seeking voluntary redundancies in core service areas could be replaced by staff from other service areas who are not seeking a redundancy.

A Council spokesperson said the opportunities for mix and match (positions) were being fully maximised to the extent that they could be, to facilitate the best possible outcomes for staff.

Harris said he was hearing from some workers in the operational and trades sectors that they had been given notice and that their work would be outsourced.

“The financial situation is not the staff’s fault, they’ve been doing their jobs, they’ve done nothing wrong, there’s been no performance issues, but Council might be outsourcing their jobs and those workers are getting axed,” he said.

“At the moment, for instance, all the vehicles are kept and maintained in-house but what I’m hearing is that’s going to cease and that work outsourced.

“Council needs to be honest – if the actual agenda is to outsource work, then say that.

Hutchinson said he hadn’t heard anything about outsourcing.

“I don’t believe Council has the money to outsource a lot of the projects,” he said.

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No workable compromise As someone with family members who enjoy cycling, I really wanted to find a way for it to work on COSS land, but after research, personal investigation and talking to others, I cannot see a workable compromise.

The vandalism that has been carried out to date, both environmentally but also to the Indigenous landscape, is devastating and cannot be permitted to continue.

COSS is valued for many reasons by walkers, birders, people interested in learning about our Indigenous heritage,

FORUM and people who care about the environment.

Mountain bike riding has always been permitted on fire trails under the Plan of Management but they want to create their own routes and then are constantly adding extra loops for fun that go nowhere, but destroy a lot of bush in the process.

I have observed numerous tyres, sandbags, many metres of timber to build ramps, used to create jumps and many trees and tree roots hacked away if they are in ‘their’ way.

The demolition of barriers trying to keep them out of sensitive areas is not acceptable.

Peaceful enjoyment of the bush and the noisy adrenaline rush of mountain biking are not complementary.

Shaving off sandstone engravings in order to ‘smooth’ a piece of track is vandalism that cannot be repaired.

The risks are far too great, and they need to look at land other than COSS to create their mountain bike park.

Email, Mar 16 Glenys Ray, Springfield

Close and rehabilitate illegal bike trails For many years I have walked in our precious Coastal Open Space System, (COSS) which includes many of the ridelines around the Gosford area.

Due to COVID-19, I took walks to places I hadn’t often visited.

Having time, and taking the time, I have been able to have a closer and deeper look at the natural beauty we have in our COSS. Regular walking in COSS has allowed me to see not only the beauty and diversity of COSS, it has also allowed me to see the damage which is occurring in these natural areas.

Disappointingly, Central Coast Council and the former Gosford Council have not been taking their custodian and environmental responsibility seriously by enforcing the COSS Strategy or the Kincumba Plan Of Management.

The Plan clearly states that any illegal mountain bike trails are to be closed and rehabilitated.

Due to this lack of Council action and continued recalcitrant behaviour of mountain bike riders who refuse to follow the guide of the signs (and even removal of signs) as well as continued creation of illegal trails through Endangered Ecological Communities (EEC) in areas where there are threatened species we have continuing environmental vandalism.

Off approved trails, riders are so confident when they ride they expect walkers to move to the side so they can ‘power through’ to enable themselves

FORUM to keep or improve their lap record.

They do this in areas which are often over ancient Aboriginal engravings and areas of Aboriginal Cultural Landscape.

Ignorance is no excuse for this environmental vandalism and just because an area doesn’t look to them like it is endangered or an Aboriginal site, doesn’t mean it isn’t.

Some attempt to claim that these riders are ‘just kids’, they are not!

They are adult men, and some women, who know they are doing the wrong thing and refuse to consider others or the precious natural environment.

They should be ashamed of their illegal behaviour and remorseful for the damage which has occurred.

Our COSS has so much to offer as a unique passive recreational area for which it was intended.

COSS includes a place for our endemic flora and fauna, as well as a magnificent drawcard for tourism.

These long-term and natural benefits shouldn’t be cast aside for an extreme sport which could easily be located in other areas.

While there is a Mountain Bike Strategy out for consultation at the moment, and the suggestion that riders can maintain their own trails, the current behaviour of many clearly shows that they can’t self-police nor have a genuine care or concern for our natural areas.

Finally before any more money is spent on this extreme sport, the current damage to our natural bushland needs to be remediated and the focus needs to be on the jewel in the crown that we already have.

Email, Mar 17 Joy Cooper, Green Point

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FORUM

PAGE 15 19 MARCH 2021

Council had no vision for the future Further to the recent articles posted in CCN283,

by Council Administrator, Dick Persson and (sacked CEO) Gary Murphy, it would appear to me that Mr. Persson acted in haste in standing down Mr. Murphy.

A clearer understanding of the background to the current chronic financial disaster might have been obtained.

Further, a recovery road map might have been better achieved if they had worked harmoniously together.

An event that hasn’t surfaced in any articles to date is the fact that on March 29, 2019, Central Coast Council facilitated an Economic Development Strategy workshop held at the Central Coast Smart Hub. They retained a Gold Coast based company of consultants to prepare the strategy.

The structure of the workshop was to gain input from the community as to what strategies could accelerate the economic wealth of the Coast.

Many thought developing tourist attractions was a

FORUM See Page 2 for address and contribution conditions.

Opinions expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily of the newspaper priority.

I suggested the Central Coast could become a hub for supporting start-up companies developing innovative technology and therefore new industries with export potential.

In that same workshop, I queried why Council was retaining two Council Chambers and not selling both and downsizing to a property that would accommodate the forecast reduced number of senior Executives, Managers and staff required after the amalgamation.

Yet here we are two years on, and members of the community are still asking the same question.

In a meeting some months later, with the Mayor, Jane Smith, I promoted a plan to gain Council support to establish a start-up incubator in North Wyong.

Her response was very favourable, but she stated that she couldn’t give a commitment for at least six months as councillors were proposing to disaggregate the Council and return to the two prior Councils.

Is that still on the table and is this the reason for retaining the Wyong and Gosford Chambers?

I would like to thank Adam Crouch MP for his actions in Parliament in standing up for an independent investigation.

Although Mr Persson insists that IPART will make the final assessment it must be borne in mind that the current Chairman of IPART, Dr Peter Boxall, is responsible to the Premier of NSW, presently Gladys Berejiklian, and therefore (IPART) may not be as independent at the name implies.

Email, Mar 15 Dennis Silvers, Narara

PAGE 16 19 MARCH 2021

FORUM

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The real regional capital … Tuggerah Mark Ellis’s contention that Council meetings should be held in Ourimbah, rather than in Gosford or Wyong (CCN 283) is right in principle but wrong in detail.

He is certainly correct that Gosford is probably the worst possible location for our administrative centre, despite its designation as the “regional capital” - a meaningless name tag attached to it in the Regional Plan for no supportable reason.

As I have pointed out previously, the location is far off-centre in the city, with poor road access, bad topography and an existing development pattern that would make it almost impossible to upgrade the centre to reflect current needs.

Why the Council persists with the idea of a white-elephant regional library in Gosford - a bad location for a bad idea - is incomprehensible.

Wyong is a somewhat better choice but a rather makeshift one, and the long-term solution should be to establish the administrative centre at the

FORUM See Page 2 for address and contribution conditions.

Opinions expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily of the newspaper real regional capital in its proper location which is at Tuggerah.

Largely unhampered by all the bad planning decisions of previous councils, a new administrative centre could be set up there, in a position with good road and rail access and close to the centre of gravity of the city’s population.

Admittedly, as more and more business is transacted on line, direct physical access to the council offices becomes less important, but it will still be a long time before face-to-face communication on many matters becomes unnecessary, and the designation of all the new development areas north

of Wyong will make Gosford even more unsuitable, as time goes by.

Obviously, in the present financial crisis, it would be difficult to justify the kind of capital outlay involved in providing a new municipal building.

My contention originally was that selling off the two existing buildings would go some considerable distance towards raising the funds for a new building, but we are now in a position where many buildings will have to go just to cover our debts, so ambitious capital projects will have to go onto the back burner.

This doesn’t mean that the Council cannot make a decision, in principle, to designate Tuggerah as the regional centre and foreshadow the relocation of municipal functions to this location in the future.

In the meantime, Wyong will obviously serve adequately, so the sooner the Gosford building is auctioned off the better.

Email, Mar 14 Bruce Hyland, Woy Woy

Amalgamation inquiry needed Former Council CEO, Gary Murphy, has the most to gain from an amalgamation inquiry.

He must be given the opportunity to present his side of the amalgamation story (CCN281).

Comments by Mr. Murphy re Council’s business model is a case study for worst business models.

All those wrongly accused of

FORUM negligent work practice must be given the right of reply in an inquiry.

This matter is far from over.

There are many wrongs to be righted.

This is what the public wants, this is what the residents expect.

The paltry $20M promised by the State Government would

not cover the undervalued costs of additional fleet expenditure.

The inquiry would need to be conducted in an auditorium to cater for the huge public interest.

This would be of interest to those LGAs in NSW forced to amalgamate on the basis of political gain.

Letter, Mar 1 Norm Harris, Umina Beach

We don’t need more political propaganda I usually ignore the constant political point scoring put out by Senator Deborah O’Neill but for her to criticise the Government which suspended the Mayor and councillors and appointed Dick Persson as Administrator to fix up their mess; it’s a bit rich coming from the Labor Party.

Ms O’Neill should occasionally look out her front door and see our third world local roads which are being upgraded in Copacabana being funded by the current Government in default of Council, which is primarily responsible for local

FORUM roads but has failed dismally dating back decades.

At least the present Government is actually doing something about our failed Council, unlike past Governments.

To add insult to injury, Labor Party councillors and the Mayor recently scuttled the partly built coastal stairway project linking Copacabana and Avoca, despite Council’s own community survey showing the majority of Coastal residents voted for it.

Alas, 18 months later we have

a stairway to nowhere at a significant cost which we all paid for that now benefits no one.

Political propaganda is not what our Coast needs, it needs a competent Council (to provide) long-suffering residents with quality infrastructure and services which hopefully Dick Persson can achieve as he has done with other basket-case councils.

This will be a 100 per cent improvement from where we are now.

Email, Mar 12 Rod Robey, Copacabana

Council fob off I note the many unanswered questions and criticisms of the role of this new Administrator for Central Coast Council.

I wrote three letters to CCC on a local matter and received two useless [and incorrect] replies, referring me to two other government agencies – NSW Police and the EPA. Both appropriately laughed me out of the building, mentioning CCC was always referring people to them “rather than doing their own job”.

I wrote a follow up to the Administrator, Dick Persson; no response – not even an acknowledgment.

As a self-employed management consultant over 20 years I had worked

FORUM previously with newly appointed Local Government Administrators and found them to be very efficient and effective as well as great problem solvers.

I wonder if this local appointment is not just a BandAid political appointment by Minister Hancock or by local

MP Adam Crouch: a sinecure.

No doubt this role will bring a salary of thousands each month.

If the lack of interest or response to my straightforward enquiry is typical, I don’t anticipate great changes within CCC for the better.

Email, Mar 5 Adrian Bell, Davistown

Well done on Leagues Club Field FORUM

It’s great to see the Leagues Cub Field in Gosford changing into something beautiful and worthwhile after being let out to disgusting circuses with animals for so long.

Well done!

Email, Feb 21 Paul Croft, Umina

Lodge Morning Star

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The Peninsula’s very own lodge will be celebrating its centenary in 2022 and as part of the celebrations we are producing a book detailing the fascinating history of our lodge.

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We also want to hear from organisations and individuals that we have helped or who have partnered with us over the years in our ongoing mission to improve the Central Coast community.

If you have, or know of, any stories, memorabilia or details related to our lodge, please get in touch with us.

And if you’re interested in receiving a copy of the finished book, let us know.

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OUT&ABOUT PAGE 17 19 MARCH 2021

Camel racing at Gosford showground

Due to popular demand, Gosford showground will host its second camel racing event, just in time for Easter, on April 2.

The family day out will include six camel races, novelty races, camel and pony rides, amusement rides, market stalls, food vendors, children’s activities and a DJ.

The first race will be held at 4.30pm, with people being encouraged to book due to COVID. The day has been organised

by Camel Racing Downunder, AMA Event Management, and What’s On In Central Coast.

Jacinta Counihan

PAGE 18 19 MARCH 2021 OUT&ABOUT

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Watercolours on show in Easter exhibition

Book launch at Regional Gallery Multi-award-winning author and academic, Professor Grace Karskens, will launch her latest book, People of the River: Lost Worlds of Early Australia, at the Gosford Regional Gallery on March 25.

With Easter on its way, the Central Coast Watercolour Society is encouraging community members to put its Easter Showcase Exhibition into their diaries.

The exhibition will showcase some of the region’s best watercolour paintings.

It will be held at the Gosford Reginal Gallery between Thursday, April 1, and

Wednesday, April 14, and aims to celebrate the artistic talents of members of the society, showcasing watercolour’s unique translucency in a wide range of styles and subject matter.

With his painting Channel Mooring as the raffle prize for the exhibition, local artist, Roger Williams, will have his paintings of the natural world

featured.

Art lovers can also try their hand at watercolour during free drop-in sessions on Saturday, April 3. and Sunday, April 4, between 1pm and 4pm.

The exhibition will be open between 10am and 4pm daily but will be closed on Good Friday.

Jacinta Counihan

The Rotary Club of Gosford City has organised the launch to help raise money for a charity supported by Cultural Choice Association Incorporated (CCAI) called Boots for Brighter Futures, which aims to prevent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth suicide in Australia.

Professor Karskens said her book uncovers ordinary people’s everyday lives in the early colony, both Aboriginal and British, who settled in a place on the HawkesburyNepean River called Dyarubbin.

“I’ve worked with Darug and Darkinjung community members to recover and share the story of Dyarubbin (the

Professor Grace Karskens

Hawkesbury-Nepean River): their Country and history, and the frontier war that erupted when settlers took land on the river from the mid-1790s,” Karskens said.

Aboriginal people had occupied Dyarubbin for at least 50,000 years, and their history, culture and spirituality are

inseparable from this river Country.

Colonisation kicked off a slow and cumulative process of violence, theft of Aboriginal children and ongoing annexation of the river lands.

She said despite that history, Dyarubbin’s Aboriginal people managed to remain on their Country, and still live there today.

“Dyarubbin was the seedbed for settler expansion and invasion of Aboriginal lands to the north, south and west,”she said.

“It was the crucible of the colony, and the nation that followed.”

The launch will be at the Top Point Cafe at the Gallery, and will include a two-course meal.

Source Media release, Mar 10 Gosford City Rotary

COASTAL DIARY EVENTS ON THE CENTRAL COAST

SATURDAY, MAR 20

Free - bookings required, 6 - 8pm SATURDAY, MAR 27

SUNDAY, MAR 21

Heazlett Park Foreshore, 9am - 2pm

Peninsula Recreational Brick Wharf Road, Woy Precinct, 9am - 2pm Woy, 9am - 2pm

Easter Sunrise Service, Troubadour Folkclub: TUESDAY, MAR 30 Soldiers Beach SLSC “We Mavericks” Reserve, 5 - 9am Prize winning Folk Duo WRCoC March Dinner Event with Administrator From NZ & Melb, Dick Persson AM, THURSDAY, APR 8 Everglades country Wyong Race Club, club Woy Woy, Ticketed, 6pm Brass Monkeys (Family Fun Ticketed, 7pm - Acrobats - Music - Tricks), 43426716 WEDNESDAY, MAR 31 Laycock Street Theatre,

Autumn Open Day, Sunnylake Shores - 2 Macleay Dr, Halekulani, Community RSVP required, trybooking.com.au Environment Network Ticketed, 10am 10am - 1pm Annual Forum, 0458 018 332 CEN Office, Brush Rd, Central Coast Mariners V FRIDAY, APR 9 liveinsunnylakeshores.

Melbourne Victory, Ourimbah, 9am 4pm, com.au Central Coast Stadium, Mirusia: A salute to the Ticketed - Register at 7pm seekers and the classics, Holy Trinity Anglican https://cen.org.au/events/ The Art House Wyong, cen-calenda Church Market Day, SUNDAY, MAR 28 Living Choice Alloura Ticketed, 8pm 92 Serpentine Road Waters Open Day, The Sustainable Wetlands Terrigal, 8am - 1pm Have you serviced your 1 Murna Road SATURDAY, APR 10 Agriculture Makers inflatable lifejacket?

Davistown, Project: Autumn equinox Breakaway Autumn Register for a Trans- 11am, RSVP required 2021 Paddle NSW celebration, Markets: Car boot sales 1897 South Tacoma Rd, port for NSW inflatable Marathon, 1800 064 344 and market stalls, lifejacket self-service sales@livingchoice.com.au Illoura Reserve Davistown, Tuggerah, 10am - 2pm Camp Breakaway - 80 7am - 2pm clinic, Deerubbin Highview Avenue, WEDNESDAY, MAR 24 Reserve Boat Ramp, SUNDAY, APR 4 SUNDAY, APR 11 San Remo, 8am - 1pm Mooney Mooney, The Rotary Club of 10am, 11am & 12pm Flavours by The Sea, Gosford North: 2021 Terrigal Memorial The Gruffalo’s Child, Century Challenge Foreshore, Laycock Street Theatre, Launch, 10am - 10pm Ticketed, 28 & 29/03, Waterfall Café Mt Multiple sessions Penang Parklands, Urban Guerillas & Easter at Umina 10am Woy Woy Turtle Custard, Markets, Avoca Beachside Markets, RSVP 20/03 Link and Pin Woy Woy, Waterfront Markets,

ROADY4ROADIES 2021, The Entrance Leagues Club, 11am

Wyong Race Club, 10am - 2pm centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/ seniorsfestival

SATURDAY, APR 17

My Kids Market, Breakers indoor sports stadium, entry fee, 9am - 12pm

WEDNESDAY, APR 14

The Art House Theatre, 4 & 5/5, multiple sessions

MONDAY, MAY 10 A CDP Kids production: Magic Beach, The Art House Theatre, Ticketed, 10, 11 & 12//05, Multiple sessions

SATURDAY, MAY 15 Flavours by the Sea,

GEBC April Luncheon Event, Memorial Park The The Entertainment Grounds Entrance, 11am - 3pm Gosford, Ticketed, Free - book tickets visit 12:15pm CENTRALCOAST.NSW.GOV. AU/FLAVOURSBYTHESEA Terrigal Antique & Peter Byrne Presents: Vintage Fair, Forever Diamond, SATURDAY, APR 24 Laycock Street Community Lions Community Hall, Theatre, Ticketed, 11am Gosford, 15 &16/5, Central Coast Mariners v The Midnight Gang: A CDP Kids Production, The Art House Theatre, Ticketed, 10am & 12pm

THURSDAY, APR 15

Sydney FC, Central Coast Stadium Ticketed, 5pm

THURSDAY, APR 29 Rhonda Burchmore is GLAMAZONIA, The Art House Theatre, Ticketed, 8pm

Sat - 8am - 4pm Sun - 9am - 3pm

TUESDAY, MAY 18 Grace Under Pressure, The Art House Studio, Ticketed, 18 & 19/05, Multiple sessions

TUESDAY, MAY 4 Seniors Expo,

Bluey’s Big Play,

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 19 MARCH 2021

Chelsea brings country to the Coast Local singer-songwriter Chelsea Berman has brought country to the Coast with a new EP titled Can You Just Not, released last month.

The Tascott resident released the five-track EP after securing writing gigs with acclaimed country talent such as Nashville’s Phil Barton and Jason Duke.

Berman was scheduled to fly to the hometown of country last year to write and produce her second mini-album but was unable to travel due to COVID-19.

Instead, she took to Zoom to write and had the support of local producer Rod McCormack to help create the album.

Berman said she loved the year-long process of creating

the record but noted the challenges faced by the pandemic.

“It was [an] interesting experience ... definitely not the same vibe as being in the room with someone and being able to bounce off of their energy,” Berman said.

“But it was also great as it allowed me to write with people I never would have been able to, people in different states and countries especially.

“I think there’s a lot of different themes and emotions throughout the EP. “A lot of it is about relationships and that wasn’t really on purpose, but just something that kept coming up throughout the writing process, so we kept writing about it.

“I think it definitely tells the story of my life throughout the

Chelsea Berman

past few years, and from what people have told me they can relate to the songs a lot also, which is amazing as a songwriter to have other people able to relate.”

The singer-songwriter released her first EP, Better Than Ever, back in 2018 and has since signed a publishing

deal with Kobalt Music as she continues to hone her craft.

She said her experience had only continued to grow.

“Since then, I’ve co-written with some amazing artists and songwriters which has really helped me refine my skills – and of course I’ve done a lot of

performing since then and have gained so much more confidence on stage.” Berman said.

“I’m also so happy with the success of the new EP and all of the people that supported it.

“I have an incredible group of supporters and I feel like that’s a pretty big achievement in itself.”

The EP’s release comes at a good time as Berman gears up for a fresh line-up of shows following an eight-month hiatus from live gigs.

The 2019 Toyota Star Maker finalist said she was excited to get back on stage as she heads to Terrigal Surf Club on May 30 with fellow musician Jake Davey.

“For someone who is used to playing nearly every weekend it was such a strange time ... I

missed performing so much, and I hope that it comes back fully soon,” she said.

“Jake and I have played together for a few years now, and we really wanted to do something together and tour along the east coast of Australia, and I knew a Central Coast show was necessary.

“I haven’t played many shows on the Coast over the last few years so this is going to be really special, and it will be a range of our original songs and covers – and a whole lot of fun.”

More details and ticket information for the Fresh Country Tour can be found online at chelseaburmanmusic. com.

Maisy Rae

Self-publishing the way to go Writing a book can be challenging but Kincumber resident, Chris Dillon, believes the writing is the easiest part.

Following a bad experience when publishing his book professionally, the 87-year-old is now encouraging others to do it themselves.

Last year, Dillon decided to sit down and write his memoir, Art and Song by JC Dillon, and get it published by Amazon in April.

He said his experience was a hassle, and since the book has

been on the website, sales have not been high.

“Publishers today are only interested in your money and give no credence to the merit of your story,” Dillon said.

“I was informed by a salesperson of a large publishing company that if you are a celebrity or a well-known writer, your book will be given top priority, even if it is rubbish.

“They may even pay you a lump sum in advance.

“If you are a nobody, just pay up.

CCN

Homeland Elegies Author: Ayad Akhtar Publisher: Tinder Press

I hadn’t heard of Ayad Akhtar before reading this book.

He is a screenwriter, a novelist and has written award winning plays.

He was born in Staten Island and brought up in Wisconsin.

His parents are from Pakistan and met while attending medical school and then immigrated to the United States in the late 1960’s.

Homeland Elegies is his second novel and “blends fact and fiction to tell an epic story of belonging and dispossession in the world that 9/11 made.”

What does it mean to be a Muslim growing up in America now?

Like the author, the protagonist of Homeland Elegies is Ayad Akhtar who was born in Staten Island and moved to Wisconsin when he was a boy.

So, we know that part is all fact.

“Yes we will produce a book to your approval and make it available on demand.”

Amazon has priced his book at $20.39, plus $3 delivery - a price Dillon believes is too much.

“The book is not worth that price,” he said.

Dillon’s solution is to show others how to publish a book by themselves.

“If you intend to write a fictional story (eg a crime thriller), then you will need the expertise of a publisher,” Dillon

said.

“Be prepared to pay a few thousand dollars for formatting, illustrating, artist fees for a cover, and advertising.

“If you want to produce a biography or memoirs with no intention of selling, perhaps for your grandchildren, then I would recommend many hours of intense preparation on the computer.

“It may cause you some headaches and frustration, but the final outcome will bring a sense of euphoric

achievement.”

Dillon suggests formatting photos, editing your script yourself, and producing a hard binder book through Officeworks.

“They have black, blue and maroon, and you can also have your title in embossed gold lettering,” he said.

“They will also produce multiple copies, and they do a professional job.

“I got the book I wrote printed at Officeworks (at a cost of) $40 each.”

Dillon said he decided to share his experience after hearing others had dealt with similar problems.

“One resident said she paid $17,000 to get a book published, and another resident said she has laid out $3000 for a children’s book, which she won’t get printed until the end of 2023,”he said.

“I think they can do it themselves without (such) expense.”

Jacinta Counihan

BOOK REVIEW Beyond this it might be fact or fiction.

His father was a successful and renowned cardiologist who treated kings as well as people that thought they were kings, or in this case Donald Trump (in the early 90’s, before he was King … ah, I mean President).

Ayad’s father has taken to America and loved all it has to offer; his mother was less impressed and dreamt for the day she could return to Pakistan.

Ayad and his father don’t see eye to eye on things, and one of those things is Donald Trump, who is now the President.

Ayad’s father supported Trump, “The mental contortions he performed to make sense of Trump’s nonsense, which made me wonder if he was going senile.”

And Ayad’s father will hold onto the dream about Trump for a few years until he realises, “Trump was a big mistake.”

Ayad wants to be writer but struggles to make a living and often has to rely on his parents to help him pay the bills.

His aunt tells him, “It’s a hard life. It’s thankless. If you can do anything else with yourself, anything more certain

you owe it to yourself and to everyone you love to do that.”

Ayad is smart and tenacious and meets important people.

People that get him connections and also help him to get rich.

He ends up writing a play about a Muslim American that is quite popular and this gets him known.

Soon the shoe is on the other foot and it will be Ayad that is called to help bail his father out.

The Guardian writes “It’s hard to convey the breadth and brilliance of this work. Exploiting his skills as playwright and essayist as well as novelist, Akhtar depicts an immigrant family’s experience of the American dream through a son’s relationship with his father, and dissects the erosion of truth, decency and hope in a nation shaped by debt and money.”

That’s a good summary – it definitely presents a lens into modern American society and the pursuit of immigrants of the American Dream.

Parts of it are thoroughly engrossing, particularly the parts that delve into his Ayad’s evolving relationship with his parents.

I really felt for the struggles he had with his father and feeling distant from his mother.

However, there were other sections that I found were a little too selfindulgent.

Akhtar is a brilliant writer (although I am starting to think my definition of a brilliant writer is someone that uses a lot of words that I need to look up).

However, it was the blending of fact and fiction which confused me.

Not sure why I need to know which is which, maybe I want to know more about Ayad Akhtar and if he actually had the struggles he wrote about.

And to everyone who’s wondering where I’ve been the past few weeks – I’ve been right here, reading away, all the time. It’s just that Ross is the world’s worst editor.

Kim Reardon The Reluctant Book Critic

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Men” (MA15+) (’07) Stars: 6:30 Program To Be Advised (MA15+) (’07) Stars: George Stars: Alexander Ludwig, Ali Javier Bardem (In English/ 7:30 Ambulance UK (M) [s] Clooney, Tilda Swinton Suliman, Ben Foster, Emile Spanish) 9:50 Program To Be Advised 1:00 Australia’s Top Ten Of Hirsch, Eric Bana, Mark 10:20 999: What’s Your Emergency? 1:05 Movie: “Qissa: The Tale Of A Everything [s] Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch Lonely Ghost” (M n,v) (’13) (MA15+) [s] 12:40 Repco Supercars Highlights 2:00 Home Shopping Stars: Irrfan Khan (In Punjabi) 11:30 Program To Be Advised 5:30 Wesley Impact [s] 2:00 Home Shopping 5:00 France 24 Feature News 6:00 Religious Programs [s] 6:00 Easy Eats [s] 6:00 Home Shopping 5:15 NHK World English News 7:30 Fishing Australia [s] 7:00 Weekend Today [s] 7:00 Weekend Sunrise [s] 5:30 Worldwatch 8:00 Good Chef Bad Chef [s] 10:00 The Morning Show - Weekend 10:00 Sports Sunday (PG) [s] 1:00 Speedweek 11:00 Sunday Footy Show (PG) [s] 8:30 My Market Kitchen [s] (PG) [s] 3:00 Sportswoman: Megan 1:00 AFL: Women’s Footy (PG) [s] 9:00 Australia By Design [s] 12:00 House Of Wellness (PG) [s] Rapinoe/ Ellyse Perry 9:30 Studio 10 Sunday [s] 2:00 Driving Test: Tory (PG) [s] 1:00 Beach Cops (PG) [s] 4:05 Cycling: Paris-Nice 2021 12:00 All 4 Adventure [s] 2:30 Targa High Country [s] 1:30 Movie: “Michael Jackson: Highlights 1:00 The Offroad Adventure Show Searching For Neverland” (PG) 3:00 NRL: Wests Tigers v Sydney 5:05 Travel Man: Paris 2:00 Taste Of Australia [s] Roosters *Live* From (’17) Stars: Navi, Chad Campbelltown Sports Stadium 2:30 Roads Less Travelled (PG) [s] 5:35 The Secret History Of World Coleman, Taegen Burns War II: The Miracle Of Dunkirk 3:00 Everyday Gourmet [s] 4:00 Better Homes And Gardens [s] 6:00 NINE News Sunday [s] (PG) 7:00 Married At First Sight (M) [s] 3:15 Program To Be Advised 5:00 Seven News At 5 [s] 6:30 SBS World News 4:30 Farm To Fork [s] 8:30 60 Minutes (PG) [s] 5:30 Sydney Weekender (PG) [s] 7:30 Inside The Orient Express (M) 5:00 10 News First [s] 9:30 NINE News Late [s] 6:00 Seven News [s] (In English/ French) 6:00 WIN News [s] 7:00 Ivan Milat Buried Secrets (M) 10:00 Australian Crime Stories: 9:10 Railways Of The Western 6:30 The Sunday Project (PG) [s] Killing Florence (M) [s] – In 9:10 Movie: “The Equalizer 2” (M) Front With Chris Tarrant (PG) 7:30 The Amazing Race Australia 1977, a famous designer, (’18) – Robert McCall serves an 10:25 Prince Albert’s Secret Papers (M) [s] Florence Broadhurst was unflinching justice for the 11:20 24 Hours In Police Custody: bludgeoned to death in her own 8:30 FBI: Most Wanted: exploited and oppressed, but A Complaint Of Rape (M l) One-Zero (M) [s] factory. She had many enemies how far will he go when that is 9:30 FBI: Most Wanted: 12:15 Michael Mosley: A History Of but was she the victim of a someone he loves? Stars: Predators (M) [s] Surgery Bloody Beginnings (PG) notorious serial killer?

Denzel Washington 1:15 The Restaurant That Burns 11:10 Forensics: The Real CSI (M) [s] 10:30 The Sunday Project (PG) [s] 11:40 World’s Deadliest: Hostile Off Calories (PG) 12:20 Young, Dumb And Banged Up 11:30 Bull: The Boy Who Cried Hangouts (M l) [s] Murder (M) [s] 2:20 Charles Manson: The Final In The Sun (MA15+) [s] 12:40 Repco Supercars Highlights 12:30 Home Shopping Words (MA15+) 1:10 Targa High Country [s] 2:00 Home Shopping

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PAGE 20 19 MARCH 2021

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9:00 9-1-1: Breaking Point (M) [s] – a case that transfixed Australia. 7:30 The Amazing Race Australia The 118 are called to the tarmac (M) [s] Greg Domaszewicz, who was when a flight attendant reaches acquitted of the killing, speaks 8:40 Hughesy, We Have A Problem her limit with her flight’s (M) [s] out for the first time in more than passengers.

9:40 Becky Lucas: Live At Enmore twenty years, and our expert 9:30 The Rookie: The Hunt (M) [s] Café (MA15+) [s] panel re-examines the evidence.

10:30 The Latest Seven News [s] 10:00 100% Footy (M) [s] 10:40 The Graham Norton Show (M) 11:00 Station 19: When It Rains, It 11:00 NINE News Late [s] 11:40 WIN’s All Australian News [s] Pours (M) [s] 11:30 Prison Women (M) [s] 12:40 The Project (PG) [s] 12:00 The Guardian: 12:30 Tipping Point [s] 1:40 The Late Show (PG) [s] The Intersection (M) [s] 1:30 Home Shopping 2:30 Home Shopping 1:00 Home Shopping

6:00 News Breakfast [s] 9:00 ABC News Mornings [s] 10:00 Four Corners [s] 10:45 Ward One (PG) [s] 11:00 Program To Be Advised 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 1:00 Call The Midwife (M) [s] 2:00 Parliament Question Time [s] 3:15 ABC News Afternoons [s] 4:10 Antiques Roadshow [s] 5:10 Grand Designs NZ (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 Exposed: The Ghost Train Fire (PG) [s] 10:00 Program To Be Advised 11:00 ABC Late News [s] 11:35 Q&A (M l,s) [s] 12:45 Wentworth: Love And Hate (MA15+) [s] 1:30 rage (MA15+) [s] 3:40 Wentworth: Love And Hate (MA15+) [s] 4:30 The Drum [s]

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6:00 Mastermind Australia changes everything. Featuring 8:30 NCIS: Watchdog (M v) [s] 8:30 The Good Doctor: 6:30 SBS World News 9:30 NCIS: Los Angeles: Barnaby Joyce, Geoffrey Parenting (M) [s] 7:30 Great Australian Railway Friendly Fire (M) [s] Edelsten any many more.

9:30 The Resident: Journeys (PG) 10:30 The Project (PG) [s] 11:10 NINE News Late [s] First Days, Last Days (M) [s] 8:30 Insight: Favourite Child (M) 11:30 WIN’s All Australian News [s] 9:30 Dateline 11:40 Labour Of Love: 10:30 The Latest Seven News [s] 12:30 The Late Show (PG) [s] 40-Year-Old Fathers (PG) [s] 11:00 Station 19: The Dark Night (M l) 10:00 The Feed 1:30 Home Shopping 12:30 Our Lives: Extraordinary 12:00 Kiss Bang Love (M) [s] 10:30 SBS World News Late People: Heaviest Boy (PG) [s] 4:30 CBS This Morning [s] 1:00 Home Shopping 11:00 The Point

6:00 News Breakfast [s] 9:00 ABC News Mornings [s] 10:00 Foreign Correspondent [s] 10:30 Kurt Fearnley’s One Plus One (PG) [s] 11:00 Aussie Inventions That Changed The World [s] 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 12:30 National Press Club Address 1:40 Media Watch [s] 2:00 Parliament Question Time [s] 3:15 ABC News Afternoons [s] 4:10 Antiques Roadshow [s] 5:10 Grand Designs NZ (PG) [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 Fisk (PG) [s] 9:30 Program To Be Advised 10:30 Staged: Ulysses (MA15+) [s] 10:55 ABC Late News [s] 11:25 Four Corners [s] 12:10 Media Watch [s]

6:00 Sunrise [s] 9:00 The Morning Show [s] 11:30 Seven Morning News [s] 12:00 Movie: “A Surrogate’s Nightmare” (M v) (’17) Stars: Poppy Montgomery 2:00 Criminal Confessions: Marion County, Florida (M) [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 Border Security - Australia’s Front Line (PG) [s] 8:30 Ambulance: Code Red (M) [s] – When a supermarket worker collapses the team have precious little time in which to save her life.

9:30 Born To Kill?: Harold Shipman (M) [s] 10:30 The Latest Seven News [s] 11:00 The Front Bar (M) [s] 12:00 Movie: “Total Stranger” (M s,v) (’99) Stars: Lindsay Crouse

6:00 News Breakfast [s] 9:00 ABC News Mornings [s] 10:00 Australian Story [s] 10:30 Gardening Australia [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 Parliament Question Time [s] 3:15 ABC News Afternoons [s] 4:10 Antiques Roadshow [s] 5:10 Grand Designs NZ (PG) [s] 6:00 The Drum [s] 6:55 Sammy J [s] 7:00 ABC News [s] 7:30 7.30 (PG) [s] 8:00 Back Roads [s] 8:30 Q&A [s] 9:35 Kurt Fearnley’s One Plus One 10:05 Aussie Inventions That Changed the World: Medicine (PG) [s] 11:00 ABC Late News [s] 11:30 Prince, Son And Heir: Charles At 70 (PG) [s] 12:30 Wentworth (MA15+) [s]

5:30 Today [s] 6:00 Sunrise [s] 9:00 Today Extra [s] 9:00 The Morning Show [s] 11:30 NINE’s Morning News [s] 11:30 Seven Morning News [s] 12:00 Movie: “Fiancé Killer” (M s,v) 12:00 Ellen (PG) [s] (’18) Stars: Felisha Cooper, Kari 1:00 Destination WA [s] Wührer, Jean Louise O’Sullivan 1:30 Married At First Sight (M) [s] 3:00 Tipping Point [s] 2:30 Criminal Confessions: Jackson County, Wisconsin (M) 4:00 NINE’s Afternoon News [s] 5:00 Millionaire Hot Seat [s] 3:00 The Chase UK [s] 6:00 NINE News [s] 4:00 Seven News At 4 [s] 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) [s] 5:00 The Chase Australia [s] 7:30 NRL: Penrith Panthers v 6:00 Seven News [s] Melbourne Storm *Live* From 7:00 Home And Away (PG) [s] Panthers Stadium, Penrith [s] – 7:30 Movie: “Peter Rabbit” (PG) (’18) Wide World of Sports presents – When McGregor’s nephew, Penrith Panthers v Melbourne Thomas, moves into the family Storm. Join our expert manor, he is annoyed to find commentary team for all that Peter Rabbit and his sisters in action. his garden. Thomas hatches plot after plot to get rid of them. 9:55 NRL: Knock Off [s] 10:40 NINE News Late [s] Stars: James Corden 11:10 Manifest: Black Box (M) [s] 9:30 Movie: “We’re The Millers” (M d,s,n,v) (’13) Stars: Jennifer 12:00 Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Blink (M v) [s] Aniston, Will Poulter 1:00 A Current Affair (PG) [s] 11:50 The Latest Seven News [s] 1:30 Home Shopping 12:30 Home Shopping

Monday 22 March

6:00 News Breakfast [s] 9:00 ABC News Mornings [s] 10:00 Landline [s] 11:00 Grand Designs NZ [s] 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 1:00 Death In Paradise (M v) [s] 2:00 Parliament Question Time [s] 3:15 ABC News Afternoons [s] 4:10 Antiques Roadshow [s] 5:10 Grand Designs NZ [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 Hunt For Gaddafi’s Billions (M l) [s] 11:05 ABC Late News [s] 11:40 Exposed: The Ghost Train Fire (PG) [s] 1:10 Wentworth: Screw Lover (MA15+) [s] 2:00 rage (MA15+) [s] 3:40 Wentworth: Screw Lover (MA15+) [s]

Tuesday 23 March

NINE (C81/80)

Wednesday 24 March

PRIME (C61/60)

PAGE 21 19 MARCH 2021

Thursday 25 March

ABC (C20/21)

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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)

6:00 Headline News [s] 5:30 Today [s] 8:30 Studio 10 (PG) [s] 9:00 Today Extra [s] 12:00 Dr Phil (PG) [s] 11:30 NINE’s Morning News [s] 1:00 Program To Be Advised 12:00 Ellen (PG) [s] 2:00 Entertainment Tonight [s] 1:00 My Way [s] 1:30 Married At First Sight (M) [s] 2:30 Everyday Gourmet [s] 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 3:00 Tipping Point [s] 3:30 Farm To Fork [s] 4:00 NINE’s Afternoon News [s] 4:00 Good Chef Bad Chef [s] 5:00 Millionaire Hot Seat [s] 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful 6:00 NINE News [s] (PG) [s] 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) [s] 7:30 Married At First Sight (M) [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 9:00 Amazing Grace (M) [s] – Sasha 6:00 WIN News [s] 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] and Laney face a shocking dilemma when they discover a 7:30 The Cube (PG) [s] – Sporty young mother’s secret. sisters KC and Keats take on 10:00 New Amsterdam: The Cube. Will they beat The This Is All I Need (M) [s] Cube and take home $250,000?

11:00 NINE News Late [s] 8:30 Bull: Fool Me Twice (M) [s] 11:30 The Enemy Within: 9:30 Bull: A Girl Without Black Bear (M) [s] Feelings (M) [s] 12:20 Tipping Point [s] 10:30 The Project (PG) [s] 1:20 9Honey - He Said, She Said: 11:30 WIN’s All Australian News [s] Emotional (PG) [s] 12:30 The Late Show (PG) [s] 1:30 Home Shopping 1:30 Home Shopping 4:30 CBS This Morning [s]

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

6:00 Headline News [s] 8:30 Studio 10 (PG) [s] 12:00 Dr Phil (PG) [s] 1:00 The Amazing Race Australia (M) [s] 2:00 Entertainment Tonight [s] 2:30 Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield [s] 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 3:30 Farm To Fork [s] 4:00 Good Chef Bad Chef [s] 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] 7:30 Bondi Rescue (PG) [s] 8:00 Territory Cops (PG) [s] 8:30 Gogglebox (M) [s] 9:30 Law & Order: SVU: Hunt, Trap, Rape And Release (M) [s] 10:30 This Is Us (M) [s] 11:30 WIN’s All Australian News [s] 12:30 The Project (PG) [s] 1:30 The Late Show (PG) [s] 2:30 Home Shopping 4:30 CBS This Morning [s]

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

Programming information correct at time of going to press, changes are at the network’s discretion Prepared by National Typesetting Services

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

France 24 Feature News NHK World English News Worldwatch Destination Flavour China Bitesize 2:05 The Clinton Affair: The Blue Pass (M) 2:55 Movie: “The Egg” (PG) (’19) Stars: Gabrielle Chan 3:05 Who Do You Think You Are?: Justine Clarke (PG) 4:05 Mythical Beasts Unearthed: Legend Of The Minotaur (PG) 5:05 Jeopardy! (PG) 5:30 Letters And Numbers 6:00 Mastermind Australia 6:30 SBS World News 7:35 The Secret Life Of Lighthouses (PG) 8:30 24 Hours In Emergency (M) 9:25 The Story Of The Songs (M) 10:20 SBS World News Late 10:50 Outlander (MA15+) 11:55 Agatha Christie’s Criminal Games: They Do It With Mirrors (MA15+) (In French)

5:00 5:15 5:30 1:00 2:00 2:30 3:30

France 24 Feature News NHK World English News Worldwatch PBS Newshour Dateline Insight: Favourite Child (M) Great British Railway Journeys: Preston To Rochdale (PG) 4:05 Mythical Beasts Unearthed: Monsters Of The Deep (PG) 5:05 Jeopardy! (PG) 5:30 Letters And Numbers 6:00 Mastermind Australia 6:30 SBS World News 7:35 Tony Robinson - Britain’s Ancient Tracks: The Portway (PG) 8:30 Australia In Colour: Crime And Punishment (PG) 9:30 Departure: Prime Suspect (MA15+) 10:20 SBS World News Late 10:50 Romulus (MA15+) (In Old Latin) 12:45 The Night Manager (M v) 5:00 5:15 5:30 1:00 2:00

France 24 Feature News NHK World English News Worldwatch PBS Newshour Destination Flavour China Bitesize 2:05 The Clinton Affair: Room (M s) 2:55 Movie: “Ralph” (PG) (’08) Stars: Ralph Laurila 3:05 Who Do You Think You Are?: Ernie Dingo (PG) 4:10 Mythical Beasts Unearthed: Terror Of The Dragons (PG) 5:05 Jeopardy! (PG) 5:30 Letters And Numbers 6:00 Mastermind Australia 6:30 SBS World News 7:35 The World’s Busiest Stations: Calcutta (PG) 8:30 Michael Mosley: What’s My Diagnosis (M) 9:35 Shadowplay (M) (In English/ German) 10:40 SBS World News Late 11:10 24 Hours In Police Custody: Black Widow (Part 1) (M)

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

PAGE 22 19 MARCH 2021

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Thank you for your continued loyalty and support

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Ph 4365 5525 www.boonsthai.com.au

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Shop 15/7 Link Rd. Green Point Shopping Village Green Point NSW 2251

FILL IN THE WORDS FABLE

Place all the words listed into the grid. Each word can be used once only. The first word has been filled in.

5 LETTERS Acids Arena Blind Calls Canal Colic Dials Eased Fable Foals Issue Laser Ledge Leers Levee Lisps Lunge Midst Mural Navel

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Orate Plume Pries Pulps Realm Rears Sided Smear Sorer Strap Tests Unite

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The unanswerable crossword question I am a crossword fan and I love the one in the Community Coast News, but I am flummoxed by the recent clue: One of these is almost cloudy (5 letters).

The answer given was TENTH. I have talked to several people and looked in the dictionary and can't find anything even remotely close. PLEASE HELP. Robert Bartrim, Davistown

Dear Robert, Like you, I found this one almost unanswerable.

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CENTRAL COAST ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE

Free social French conversation groups, small classes at East Gosford and Bateau Bay Inquiries - Nathalie 0416 303 804 www.afcentralcoast.org.au afcentralcoast@gmail.com

CENTRAL COAST ART SOCIETY

Lectures, demonstrations and discussion.

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.

Phone: 0409 666 709 Social Meetings 1.30 pm on 4th Wednesday for demonstration 4325 1420

publicity@artcentralcoast.asn.au

TUGGERAH LAKES ART SOCIETY

Join us for the fun and enjoyment of art!

Attend a weekly art group with mentors, exhibitions, workshops and a monthly members meeting with guests and prizes, held on the 4th Thurs of the month at The Entrance Community Centre 4333 8387 www.tlas.org.au president@tlas.org.au

CENTRAL COAST POETS INC

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

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OUT&ABOUT PAGE 23 19 MARCH 2021

BOM issues weather warning

these”, it follows the answer is TENTH. I’m glad you are otherwise enjoying the crossword – they are harder than the old ones (and much more British!), but that adds to the challenge. This week was the first time I solved the Sudoku, the fill-in-the-words and the crossword … all without my good friend Google!

For those of you would like us to go back to the old crossword, alas, they don’t make those any more.

Ross

Central Coast residents have been warned to batten down the hatches, with heavy rainfall and thunderstorms predicted across the region from March 18-22.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a warning that these conditions have the potential to cause flash flooding and riverine flooding.

Widespread rainfall of 50 to 100mm is forecast across the Central Coast and Hunter regions with some isolated heavy downfalls up to 200mm possible.

“With recent rainfall, many of our river catchments are

already saturated,” a statement from BOM said.

NSW SES Northern Zone Chief Superintendent, Steve Patterson, has urged residents to prepare their homes.

“Bring in or secure any outdoor items in the yard or on the balcony, check your gutters are clear and your roof is in good condition, trim any overhanging branches and take care when travelling in severe weather conditions,” he said.

“Rainfall over the last few weeks in the Mid North Coast, Central Coast and Hunter area has contributed to a number of soaked catchments.

“This means water runoff and flash flooding is more likely in these areas.”

He urged residents and visitors to take care when driving in wet weather on the local roads.

It is advised to never drive, ride or walk through floodwater as this is the main cause of death during floods.

“If you come across a flooded road please make the safe decision and turn around – it’s just not worth the risk.”

Residents can check latest conditions at www.bom.gov.

Source: Media release, Mar 17 Bureau of Meteorology

NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANISATIONS

ARTS & CULTURE

info@centralcoastpoets.com.au

I knew of an “okta”, a unit of measurement that meteorologists use when forecasting cloud conditions – equal to one-eighth of the sky.

Meteorologist tend to say “mostly sunny” when there is one- to two oktas of cloud coverage.

Now, it turns out that sometimes they also use “tenths” which literally means one-tenth of the sky.

I suppose it’s a metric thing.

So, a mostly sunny day now tends to be described as a day with one- to two tenths (1020%) of cloud coverage.

Since the clue says “one of

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1pm at Ourimbah RSL on forth Mon-Fri FELLOWSHIP OF Wed of each month.

Chess, darts, handicraft, indoor FIRST FLEETERS Maree 0419 418 190 bowls, knitting, line dancing, For anyone interested in early origami, painting, pencil HANDWEAVERS, history. drawing, scrabble, DYING WITH DIGNITY SPINNERS AND TEXTILE Don’t need to be a First Fleeter. anneglazier@y7mail.com scrapbooking, sit & sew, table Campaigning to give those ARTS GUILD Point Clare Community Hall tennis, Ukulele suffering unrelievable terminal Spinning and weaving, 2nd Sat 10:30am CENTRAL COAST MARINE 4304 7065 or incurable illness the choice patchwork and quilting, felting 4392 1926, 4311 6254 DISCOVERY CENTRE to receive legal medical and other fibre and fabric The revamped CCMDC is open. assistance to die.

GOSFORD-NARARA crafts, community quilting Schools and Group bookings Quarterly mtgs, Erina Fair.

NEIGHBOURHOOD bees - Day and Night Groups welcome by appointment.

0434 426 486 CENTRE 4325 4743 Building has special needs robyncameron@y7mail.com COASTAL A CAPPELLA www.cottagecrafts.net.au School Holiday activities, access and toilets Award winning women’s playgroup, multicultural Open 7 days 9am – 3pm. a cappella chorus.

PROSTATE CANCER programs, community activities CENTRAL COAST Terrigal.

Music education provided.

SUPPORT GROUP Rooms for Hire WATERCOLOUR SOCIETY 4385 5027 Rehearsals Tuesday 7pm @ Last Fri 9.30am 4329 4477 Art society for artists ccmdc@bigpond.com Red Tree Theatre Tuggerah.

Terrigal Uniting Church admin@gnnc.com.au painting in watercolour www.ccmdc.org.au Performance opportunities.

380 Terrigal Dr, Terrigal Workshops, beginners Hire us for your next event.

4367 9600 classes and paint outs 0412 948 450 TERRIGAL WAMBERAL www.pcfa.org.au Details on our website coastalacappella@gmail.com RSL SUB-BRANCH 0435 466 526 ALCOHOLICS Pension and welfare officers MEALS ON WHEELS POLITICAL PARTIES ccwsinc@gmail.com ANONYMOUS available to assist with DVA Delicious meals delivered free www.centralcoastwatercolour.

- Someone cares. compensation claims and Join us for a midday meal com.au Thurs - 12.30pm, Progress Hall benefits CENTRAL COAST GREENS Help with shopping and Henry Parry & Wells Breakers Country Club Local, state wide, national and cooking classes COMMUNITY GROUPS Street East Gosford Wed & Fri 10am – Midday international issues and 4363 7111 Meet 2nd Sat 10am campaigns ABC - “The Friends” AL - ANON FAMILY 4384 2661 Council and parliamentary Safeguard ABC’s S.A Terrigal-WamberalSB@rslnsw.

GROUPS HEALTH representation independence, funding, & Is Internet porn destroying your org.au.

We offer hope and friendship 3rd Thur standards. Meetings through life. for people affected by centralcoast.nsw.greens.org.au the year & social mornings We may be able to help. someone else’s drinking. centralcoastgreens@gmail.com U3A CENTRAL COAST Well-known guest speakers We are a 12 step fellowship Al-anon family groups Enjoy a diverse range of 0400 213 514 like AA. meet weekly, please contact courses and activities for LABOR PARTY www.fabcnsw.org.au Meets every Sat at 7pm on the 1300 252 666 seniors. Keep your mind active OURIMBAH/ NARARA Central Coast al-anon.org.au and make new friends.

CENTRAL COAST BRANCH Contact for further details 0408 704 701 Discussion/action community CARAVANNERS 0473 631 439 BETTER HEARING www.centralcoast.u3anet.org.au Issues – 3 levels of 3rd Sun - Jan to Nov newcastlesagroup@gmail.com AUSTRALIA Government Trips Away, Social Outings, Hearing loss management VOLUNTEERING Function Room, Grange Hotel, 4323 3890 friendship with like minded Support and educational Wyoming folk CENTRAL COAST groups providing practical 7.30pm 1st. Monday Geoff 0447 882 150 Refer potential volunteers to HENRY KENDALL experience and confidence 0410 309 494 community organisations & COTTAGE & 4321 0275 Kyle.macgregor@hotmail.com provide support to them.

COMMUNITY LEGAL HISTORICAL MUSEUM Training to volunteers and Visit our c1838 Cottage & CENTRE CENTRAL COAST PROBUS CLUBS Museum with exhibits of early Not for profit service providing managers of volunteers Info ASBESTOS DISEASES sessions held regularly. settlers. School and group free legal advice SUPPORT GROUP 4329 7122 bookings. Members & Mon - Fri 9am to 5pm AVOCA BEACH Support for those suffering recruit@volcc.org.au volunteers welcome. Open 4353 4988 PROBUS CLUB with asbestos diseases and contact@centralcoastclc.org.au Wed/Sat/Sun 10.30am COMMUNITY CENTRES others interested in asbestos with a great social program, 2:30pm. West Gosford guest speakers and optional issues. You are not alone, meet LEARN TO DANCE 4325 2270 bistro lunches. Google our with others who can share www.henrykendallcottage.org.au Social ballroom dancing for all GOSFORD 50+ LEISURE name for our fully informative their experiences. Bring a Brisbane Water Historical Society ages, all you need is a desire AND LEARNING CENTRE newsletter. Meet 10am, 3rd family member or friend. or you may ring Clive 0419120347

Mon each month at Avoca Beach Bowling Club.

to learn and dance, no partner required. meet every Wed -15 Lorraine Ave Berkeley Vale, 2:00pm Anne - 0409 938 345

avocaprobus@gmail.com

SERVICE GROUPS LIONS CLUB OF WOY WOY Make new friends & have fun while serving your community Everglades Country Club 3rd Monday of each month 0478 959 895

MUSIC

HEALTH GROUPS

HISTORY GROUPS

WOMEN’S GROUPS WOMEN’S HEALTH CENTRES

Counselling, therapeutic and social groups, workshops, domestic violence and abuse issues. All services provided by women for women 4324 2533 www.cccwhc.com.au

SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL BRISBANE WATER

Making a difference in the lives of women & girls through awareness, advocacy & action 2nd Thur 7 pm Breakers Country Club, Dover Rd, Wamberal sibrisbanewater@siswp.org www.siswp.org

SPORT DOYALSON WYEE SOCCER CLUB

Football club for the local community. Juniors from under 5 to senior teams.

Kerry 0410 045 981

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.

president@doylowolves.com.au

KOWAKAN AIKIDO

Kids from 7yrs and adults, Fri and Sun, East Gosford Scout Hall.

See website for details 0411 725 823

www.kowakanaikidocentralcoast. com

PAGE 24 19 MARCH 2021 OUT&ABOUT

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DOWN IN THE GARDEN

How to Create a Fragrant Native Garden and also violets.

Native Frangipani (Hymenosporum flavum) is not at all related to other the common Frangipanis (Plumeria spp.).

It is an Australian rainforest tree that blossoms with highly fragrant flowers that are light yellow flowers but deepen to a golden shade as they age. It can grow up to 10 metres and will grow equally well in shade or sun as long as the area is moist.

Rock Orchid (Dendrobium speciosum) is an easily grown endemic orchid that has a fragrance that will carry throughout your entire garden on a warm spring day.

The cream flowers form in sprays and as the name suggests, they are happiest growing from rock formations and on trees but can be successfully container grown as well.

Sweet Floral Fragrance

CHERALYN DARCEY

When many of us think of a perfumed garden, it is easy for the imagination to drift to the introduced cottage flower staples of roses, gardenias, frangipanis and lavender.

These are all introduced plants to Australia and, although I love them too, I think many of us overlook our own perfumed beauties.

What’s more, the variety of fragrances will probably surprise you.

These are just a tiny fraction of the perfumed offerings from our bushlands that will be more than happy in your garden.

Spicy/Aromatic Fragrance Cinnamon Wattle (Acacia leprosa) is a weeping wattle that grows as a large shrub.

Flowers form in early spring as sprays of paleyellow balls.

The fragrance is very reminiscent of cinnamon and comes from the phyllodes.

These are flat leaf stalks that this species has instead of true leaves.

Southern Sassafras (Atherosperma moschatum) is a forest tree that can grow up to 12 metres in height and requires a cool and moist position in the garden.

The bark of this tree also has a cinnamon-like fragrance and is used to create drinks including one once called ‘Victorian Sassafras’ that was an Australian export to Britain.

Tranquillity Mint Bush (Prostanthera askania) is a plant that is on the endangered list and endemic to the Central Coast so inviting this small shrub into your garden will not only envelop your garden with its sharp and aromatic fragrance, but you will also be helping save this precious plant.

The aroma emanates from its leaves and is stronger after rain.

Powerful Fragrance Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata) is a shrub that grows to about 8 metres in height and produces large bright yellow blossoms with a strong sweet fragrance in late winter through to early spring. In the garden Silver Wattle helps by fixing nitrogen in the soil.

Brown Boronia (Boronia megastigma) is perhaps the most well-known of the boronias because of its fragrance.

It is a small shrub that usually grows in swampy areas and has small bell-shaped brown flowers that are a pale-yellow inside.

The fragrance is strong and heady aroma that is similar to yellow freesias mixed with a peppery layer

Spoon Lily (Alocasia macrorrhiza) is a gorgeous rainforest plant with large heart-shaped leaves that sets forth lovely lily-like flowers that do smell like Lily of the Valley.

It will need a warm position in the garden with filtered light and likes to be well-watered.

It can grow as a houseplant as long as you emulate the same conditions.

Native Gardenia (Randia benthamiana) is a shade lover with a lovely floral fragrance.

You will need a very well-drained soil that is kept moist.

Leatherwood (Eucryphia lucida) does need very good drainage and protection from very hot sun but in return you will be blessed with the most delightfully perfumed white flowers in summer.

You are also correct if you are thinking this is the source nectar of the equally lovely ‘Leatherwood Honey’.

Scented Paperbark (Melaleuca squarrosa) grows as a bushy shrub which will need plentiful water so mulch well and only consider if you can supply this thirsty plant.

Flowers appear from late spring to early summer and are brush-like in appearance and have an almost sugary floral aroma.

Citrus/Fruity Fragrance Lemon-scented Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) will grow up to 10 metres in most domestic situations and will require a protected position with a good level of water.

The soft white flowers cover the tree in summer in an amazing display, but it is the leaves that produce the distinctive lemon scent tinged with eucalyptus when crushed but is also noticeable in the garden.

The leaves can be used in drinks and cooking and also hold anti-bacterial properties.

Lemon-scented Tea-Tree (Leptospermum petersonii) has foliage that releases a very lemony fragrance when touched and as an added benefit, the leaves can be dried and used to make a healthy tea.

It can grow to over 4 metres and is considered a large shrub or small tree which prefers a moist soil.

Long-leaf Wax Flower (Philotheca myoporoides) has foliage that smells very much like apples.

The pretty bright white flowers have a long season from spring through to autumn and although they do best in a semi shade area in free draining soil, they are exceptionally hardy once established.

Strawberry Gum (Eucalyptus olida) sounds like a type of bubble gum, but it is a rare tree that has, as the name suggests, strawberry scented foliage.

Flowers are abundant on this medium sized tree

that should grow well on most the Coast as it is endemic to NSW. It is frost tolerant and most interestingly, you can harvest and use the leaves and yes, they taste like strawberries!

Mixed and Usual Fragrances Sticky Wattle (Acacia howittii) doubles up in the perfume game with sweet, scented spring flowers and then spicy fragranced phyllodes (oval leaf-like parts) year-round.

It is very large shrub and makes a nice hedge.

Pale-Pink Boronia (Boronia clavate) star-like flowers have a delightful, light floral fragrance and the foliage is aromatic. The plant grows as a small shrub, only growing up to a metre in height.

Sydney Boronia (Boronia ledifolia) heralds the coming of spring along the east coast of Australia with its hot pink blossoms, but that is not where the distinctive and polarising fragrance comes from.

The foliage of this boronia releases a very strong aroma, especially on hot days or after rain and it is much detested as well as it is beloved.

For best use of your fragrant plants, it may seem obvious to plant in areas that people get together but also consider walkways for plants that have fragrant foliage as these are usually stronger if brushed against.

Those that become stronger in aroma at night can be grown near bedroom windows or around areas of the home that are used more frequently in the evenings such as patios where night-time meals and socialising occur.

These are just a few of the Australian Native Plants that are available for you to add to your garden and to find out more about these and others that will suit your garden, I can suggest the following helpful places that have great ranges: Narara Valley Nursery, Narara Valley, nararavalleynursery.com.au Australian Plant Nursery, Erina; The Wildflower Place, Erina, thewildflowerplace.net.au You might also consider following or joining The Australian Plants Society NSW (Central Coast Branch), austplants.com.au TIME TO GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY

I’ve already noticed I’ve left it too late to buy a few types of bulbs I had my eye in so get in there and get those bulbs!

Many can be planted now but remember, hold off a few more weeks with planting the Tulips on the Coast.

Keep cleaning up the summer vegetable patch and watch out for powdery mildew as all this rain with flashes of heat are an open invitation for this and other funguses.

Treat with organic controls.

Fruit trees may need a feed and start planning for climbers as it’s almost time to plant theses.

This week you could plant: broad beans, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, onion, silver beet, spinach, viola, pansy, lupins, penstemon, petunias, sweet pea, lovein-a-mist, columbine, garlic, rocket, oregano, rosemary AROUND THE COAST THIS WEEK Celebration of the Autumn Equinox, Sun. 21st March 10am - 12pm SWAMP, 1897 South Tacoma Rd, Tuggerah.

A circle of friendship, gratitude and learning to connect with the season. Mandala creation, planting, healing meditation and meeting circle dedication.

Friendly and welcoming group. Bookings essential: eventbrite.com.au/e/swamp-autumn-equinoxcelebration-tickets-143989116323 Farm & Fork Farmers & Artisan Market, Sun. 21st March 8am - 2pm 40 Ourimbah Street, Morisset. 3rd Sunday of every month. Fresh produce, food vendors, homewares, artisans, kids zone and live music.

Waterwise Gardening Free Workshop to Focus on World Water Day, 12 - 2pm, Mon. 22nd March.

Parkhouse Gosford. Learn ways to reduce water loss, harvest and store water along with water efficient watering methods. bookings essential: centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/ whats-on 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 Coast FM. Send your gardening questions, events and news to: gardeningcentralcoast@gmail.com

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BUSINESS & PROPERTY PAGE 25 19 MARCH 2021

Business & Property RDA Roundtable seeks to build co-operation Regional Development Australia Central Coast (RDACC) is hoping that a roundtable held on March 11 will be the beginning of a new co-operative approach to encouraging new and expanding businesses to the region.

Hosted by RDACC Chair, Lawrie McKinna, the session was attended by key decisionmakers, including State and Federal MPs and representatives of government and business agencies.

“It was the first time in local collective memory that critical stakeholders from all levels of government and both sides of the political landscape have been in a room together to collaborate on a cohesive agenda of priorities for the Central Coast,” McKinna said.

“I have had individual meetings with many of these people, but I don’t think they’ve ever all been in a room together to focus on a positive way forward for the Coast,” he said.

McKinna said the session, which will be the first in a series, would form an integral part of RDACC’s role in providing an important conduit between all levels of government and industry to work together towards

The roundtable was attended by the region’s key decision-makers

enhanced outcomes for the region.

“Everybody’s busy doing their own things but it’s important we work together,” he said.

“We will be putting out monthly releases focusing on the good news on the Coast.

“With Council in a state of transition and Council, State and Federal elections all looming, it’s important to have

meetings like this, where politics are put aside, to focus on achieving good things for the region.”

McKinna said a major emphasis would be on encouraging businesses to relocate to, or expand on, the Central Coast.

“With more business will come jobs and then more development and housing,” he

said.

“It was a refreshing, positive meeting, with no mud-slinging and a lot of positivity; a significant achievement in strengthening the understanding that we all have about singing with one voice to deliver shared outcomes for our community.”

RDACC Director Regional Development and Chief

Executive Officer, John Mouland, said discussions focused on the need to maintain a united identity for the Central Coast to remain competitive and prosperous into the future.

“Together we need to build a strong regional identity that we can all be proud of,” he said.

“There is a lot of good work being done and the roundtable was an opportunity to align key

priorities and work towards a common goal.”

RDACC will provide a central point to coordinate and communicate monthly updates on priorities and actions from the collective stakeholders.

The next roundtable is scheduled for April, with the view to having Central Coast Council representation.

“The new CEO, David Farmer, will be on the job by then and we are hopeful he will come,” McKinna said.

Participants at the first roundtable included: Federal MPs Lucy Wicks (Robertson) and Emma McBride (Dobell) ; State MPs Adam Crouch (Terrigal), David Harris (Wyong), David Meehan (The Entrance) and Liesl Tesch (Gosford); Brok Glenn from the University of Newcastle; Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) representatives Elizabeth York and Caine King; Business NSW Central Coast Regional Director Paula Martin; representatives of Gosford/Erina & Coastal, Wyong and Peninsula Chambers of Commerce; Frank Sammut from Central Coast Industry Connect; and Joanne Martin from Central Coast Community College.

Terry Collins

Home building approvals buoyant on Coast Latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on hew home building approvals indicate that home activity across the Central Coast and Hunter regions performed strongly in 2020 despite the impact of the global pandemic and a recession.

Housing Industry Association (HIA) Central Coast/Hunter Executive Director, Craig Jennion, said that in 2020 detached dwelling approvals increased 15 percent on the Central Coast and 21 percent in the Hunter, compared to the 2019 calendar year.

He said that detached homes

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increasingly remained the preference for home buyers locally, accounting for 64.7 percent on the Central Coast and 72.1 percent of all approvals in the Hunter.

“Over the same period multiunit approvals decreased by 28 percent on the Coast and by 45 percent in the Hunter compared to the year earlier,” Jennion said.

“As has occurred elsewhere in the country, there appears to be structural changes in the demand for multi-unit housing as a result of a change in consumer preferences.

“In total 5,896 approvals were issued for new dwellings across the HIA Central Coast/ Hunter region during 2020, a

decrease of eight percent from the previous year.”

Central Coast approvals decreased by five percent

while in the Hunter the fall was nine percent.

“Despite the slight deterioration in new home approvals in 2020, it was a solid result considering the head winds the industry faced,” Jennion said.

“Much of the heavy lifting for the residential sector continues to occur in the Lower Hunter, with the local government areas of Lake Macquarie, Maitland and Newcastle continuing to be the top three locations for approvals, accounting for 58.9 percent of total approvals.

“Cessnock local government area took out the title of ‘biggest mover’ with total housing approvals increasing by 28

percent, with detached dwelling increasing 32 percent and multi-unit approvals increased by 134 percent.

“Looking ahead, we are forecasting residential building activity to remain solid on the back of the HomeBuilder stimulus, low interest rates, rising house prices and a demographic shift in demand towards detached housing and regional areas.

“Together this should ensure ongoing demand for new homes albeit at a level below that observed in recent years,” Jennion said.

Source: Media release, Feb 17 Housing Industry Association

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BUSINESS & PROPERTY PAGE 27 19 MARCH 2021

Updated title for Council CFO Central Coast Council no longer has a Chief Financial Officer.

Instead, it has a Director of Corporate Affairs - Natalia Cowley.

It was only in October last year that Council announced Cowley’s appointment to the role of Chief Financial Officer.

She came to the Coast to start her role only days after the Council announced it was facing immediate and serious financial liquidity issues.

The Minister for Local

Government soon after suspended the councillors and installed an administrator on October 30.

Then on November 30, Council adopted a new organisation structure which created the new position of director of corporate affairs.

Under Corporate Affairs there are nine units including finance.

So technically there is no Chief Financial Officer anymore but there is a Unit Manager of Finance.

The Director of Corporate Affairs reports directly to the

CEO. Cowley’s directorate delivers a wide range of internal and external services and advises on governance and legislative framework obligations and existing and emerging risks.

“The Director Corporate Affairs manages a team of professionals responsible for the delivery of strategic and operational management for: Finance, Information and Technology, People and Culture, Procurement and Project Management, Plant and Fleet, Governance and Risk,

Legal, Economic Development and Property, Building Maintenance, Depots and Administration and Customer Service and Communication,” the Council said.

Cowley’s experience spans Local Government, financial services and Big Four audit professional services in Australia and overseas.

She has been acting in the director’s role but it was confirmed on March 9 that her position was now permanent.

Merilyn Vale

Council’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Natalia Cowley

New code for council meetings Central Coast Council has reduced the amount of time its agenda paper will be available to the public for scrutiny before a Council meeting.

With meetings now held on Tuesday evenings the paper will be available by 6.30pm the previous Thursday, giving residents only three business days’ notice of important decisions to be made at each meeting.

Previously, Council made the agenda papers public on a Friday afternoon, six business days before the meeting which traditionally had been on the following Monday week.

A Council spokesperson said the legislated requirement is

that the agenda paper be published three days prior to a meeting (not business days) but that staff were working towards publication on the Wednesday prior to each meeting.

The option to reduce the timing to three days was part of a Draft Code of Meeting Practice which administrator Dick Persson adopted at the March 9 meeting.

The code will go out on public exhibition for comment but the change to the agenda timing is to be implemented immediately.

“It is recommended that the above change be implemented as soon as administratively practicable as an interim arrangement,” staff said in the report tabled at the meeting.

The change in the code also means that Council will keep its practice of registration of attendees even after any Public Health Order has been lifted.

“A method introduced during the restrictions under the Public Health Order has been the registration of attendees at the meetings,” the report to council explained.

“This was also a recommendation of the security audit undertaken in response to security concerns.

“This system allows for the management of attendee numbers while still ensuring the public is able to attend Council Meetings.”

Other changes to the meeting code include: limiting councillors to only one notice of

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If the motion does not include the information, the motion will be deferred until the CEO can write a report on applicable costs.

Questions on notice will be limited to one question only per meeting and not one question with multiple parts to it.

The new code includes a line that “Councillors are to make efforts to attend pre-meeting briefings”.

Administrator, Dick Persson said he would encourage people to look at the attendance records of the suspended councillors.

Coast News has published the attendance record in the past.

For one 12 month period, published in July 2020, suspended Cr Greg Best had the worst attendance at 17 briefings out of a possible 78.

He had attended no CEO updates.

The two councillors who resigned before the councillors were suspended were next worst: Troy Marquart on 19 briefings attended and Rebecca Gale on 37.

Suspended Cr Jane Smith attended the most (60) while suspended Cr Jeff Sundstrom was next best on 58 briefings attended.

The new code mentions that

meetings will be webcast but can be edited or modified prior to broadcasting and should stay on the council website for 12 months minimum.

The code also said the Chair has precedence and councillors must be silent if the chair speaks.

It outlines the code of conduct expected at meetings, including calling people by their honorifics.

All NSW councils are required to adopt a Code of Meeting Practice that incorporates the mandatory provisions of the new Model Meeting Code prescribed by State Regulation.

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CREATING FINANCIAL FREEDOM

Sort out the finance before visiting a car dealer WITH

Julia NEWBOULD Editor-at-large • Money magazine Getting a car fresh from the dealership is exciting, and paying for it with dealer finance can be the way to go. But sorting it in advance leaves you in an even better position.

Dealers can often provide the best finance deal, but it’s not a given. Getting finance preapproved doesn’t cost anything, so having it to compare with the dealership’s best offer will leave you with peace of mind knowing you’re paying for your new wheels in the best way possible.

Roland Bleyer, founder of independent comparison site Creditworld, says car finance is like ski hire: if you hire from the resort, choice is limited and you forfeit bargaining power.

“My advice is to do your

homework and, if possible, get your finance sorted before you step into a dealership. If you don’t, unfortunately you can end up paying much more for your new vehicle than you anticipated,” says Bleyer.

He distinguishes between the cost of a car and the cost of financing a car through a dealership.

“Sadly car dealers tend to get a bad rap. A lot of people worry about being pressured or tricked into paying too much for a car when they go into a dealership, but in reality it’s the finance they sign up for on the spot that causes them the most financial pain.”

Here are five five reasons why you should walk into the dealership with pre-approved finance to compare with the dealer’s offer:

1. Avoid credit score issues or surprises. Just about everyone has a credit score. The better the score, the better the interest rate you can obtain.

Shopping around enables you to find the best loan and rate based on your score.

2. There’s no pressure.

Before walking into a dealership you have time to do your homework and find the best loan for your needs and financial circumstances.

3. You’ll be taken more seriously. Fronting up in a

showroom or caryard with pre-approved finance shows the dealer you are ready to do business.

4. Pre-approval gives you negotiating power. Because you are able to buy on the day, you can push for a better deal.

5. You’ll avoid hidden fees and charges. While some dealer finance may appear good on the surface, there can be hidden costs, such as administration fees, statement fees, late fees, early payout penalties, and interest on fees. M

$30-$50) and “exceeding your credit limit” fees. If your bank still charges fees for phone transactions or branch withdrawals, you may want to switch as they should be part of the service.

Boost your credit score With the launch of open banking, which allows for easier sharing of financial data between banks, a strong savings profile will help you get better rates and terms when you apply for a home loan, buy an investment property or borrow capital.

It pays to shop around and pick the best savings account for your needs. Doing so means more interest paid on your account, low to zero fees (they all add up) and a higher credit score, which rewards you yet

Put your savings to the test Not all savings accounts are created equal. Some have higher interest rates, some charge extra fees and others have “bells and whistles” to help you save more.

use for shopping, paying your rent, buying the occasional (or regular) coffee and ordering stuff online? If you have more than $2000 at any given time in this account, it pays to link it to a savings account.

So how do you know your money is in the right place?

How can you make the most of the account you have?

Test your fees knowledge In 2017, the buy now, pay later provider Afterpay earned 24% of its annual income from late fees. The consumer body Choice found that in the same year households paid nearly $480 on average in bank fees.

Split your accounts Do you have an everyday transaction account? The one you

There are many products that will cost you nothing – so long as you understand the terms and conditions.

For example, all big four banks offer accounts with no monthly fee as long as you deposit a minimum amount each month. NAB’s Classic Banking Account doesn’t even require a minimum deposit. Outside the majors, many institutions now offer fee-free savings or transaction accounts.

Other costs to watch out for include internet banking fees,

EFTPOS fees, ATM fees (if you exceed the number of transactions you’re allowed), non-bank or foreign ATM fees (banks such as ME, for example, would refund ATM fees), dishonour fees (as high as

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BUSINESS & PROPERTY PAGE 29 19 MARCH 2021

Taking a step back to pre-COVID times Since Wednesday, March 17, patrons across the Central Coast and throughout NSW have been allowed to stand up and drink at indoor venues, pubs, and clubs.

Dancing still remains off the table for venues and events other than at weddings - where 30 people are allowed to dance at one time.

Settlers Tavern at West Gosford is one of many Central Coast businesses that have welcomed the easing of restrictions.

Owner, Adrian Evans, said allowing people to stand up and drink is one step closer to what it was like before

COVID-19.

“With the new standing rule, it means things are pretty much back to normal; well as close as we can be,” Evans said.

“It increases people’s morale now they can get up and mingle, and it will bring people’s confidence back.

“People are still worried about going out and joining the world, but I think it is going to help them build their confidence back up again.”

Settlers Tavern shut its doors through lockdown, with only the restaurant opening temporarily for takeaway.

Evans said the most challenging part about coming out of lockdown was trying to

encourage people to come back to work, as many of them were on JobKeeper or JobSeeker.

But he said one positive experience to come out of the situation was hiring Jackson Snead, who had experienced employment barriers due to being on the autistic spectrum.

Snead was placed into his role with The Settler’s Tavern through Asuria’s services of the Disability Employment Services (DES) program and said he is excited to be back working.

“I was unemployed for such a long time; at one point, I was applying for jobs that had rejected me twice over,” Snead said.

“Normally, I find it very

difficult to get past the interview stage, because unfortunately, as much as I can vocalise my skills, employers don’t really see it unless they see you working at some point.”

When Snead first started working, Evans said he was quite shy but he has now become a valuable member of the team.

“Once we knew how to look after him, he felt more comfortable in the environment and he really started to shine,” Evans said.

Venues still have a 1.5metre rule, dancing is still not allowed, and audiences are not allowed to sing indoors.

Jacinta Counihan

Jackson Snead (left) with Settlers Tavern owner, Adrian Evans

Audi Alto Central Coast named rural dealer of the year Audi Alto Central Coast has been named the Audi 2020 Rural Dealer of the Year for the third time for its commitment to customer service.

In the four and a half years since opening, the Wyoming dealership has placed four

times in the Audi Rural Dealer of the Year awards, coming out with three firsts and one second.

Audi Alto Central Coast Sales Consultant, Brendan Townsend, has worked for the dealership since it opened in 2016.

He said the main focus was to

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ensure customer service is at the heart of everything they do.

“We really try and look after our local clients,” Townsend said.

“The first thing I always ask is ‘do you live on the Central Coast?’

“It is nice to see that we have

excelled in our division.”

The car dealership was purposely built for Audi Alto, meaning everything has been custom made to suit the brand.

It is the only Audi Alto dealership on the Central Coast.

Jacinta Counihan

CCN

WEEKLY NEWS BRIEF

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WWW.COASTCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM.AU

PAGE 30 19 MARCH 2021

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HEALTH & LIFESTYLE PAGE 31 19 MARCH 2021

Local physiotherapists support early diagnosis of cerebral palsy A team of Central Coast physiotherapists is helping to diagnose cerebral palsy early in babies by conducting a Baby Movers program via telehealth to families across regional NSW. The program, run by Cerebral Palsy Alliance, is designed to support the developmental needs of children aged up to two who have or are at risk of cerebral palsy or whose movement skills are delayed.

Conducted online via the video conferencing platform, the group provides a socially interactive environment involving songs and play to motivate young children to learn to move.

Cerebral Palsy Alliance physiotherapists, Therese Everton and Jess Toby, work with parents to help their child gain body and postural awareness and optimal ways to assist transitional movement patterns.

Everton said telehealth services play a critical role in extending the reach of the program far beyond the local

Cerebral Palsy Alliance physiotherapists, Therese Everton (left) and Jess Toby, conducting a telehealth session

region.

“The telehealth program was established last year to allow us to continue running programs throughout the COVID-19 lockdown period,” Everton said.

“It is now allowing us to connect with and support families in regions such as the South Coast, Mid North Coast, New England and Central West in addition to the face-to-face services we provide families

here on the Central Coast.

“This has proved to be lifechanging for many families based in rural and remote locations.

“Previously, they would have needed to travel many hours to take part in these types of sessions.

In delivering the program, the physiotherapists engage with families of children as young as two-weeks old to reassure and

teach them about bonding and attachment with their child.

“The majority of families we work with have endured a traumatic birthing experience, which has usually involved medical procedures and intensive care,” Everton said.

“Through our initial contact, the priority is to provide reassurance and confidence in being a parent to their new child.

“We then use the sessions, be it face-to-face or through telehealth, to work with them to demonstrate basic movements, which we do through songs and play activity.

One in every 700 Australian babies is diagnosed with cerebral palsy each year, but half of these babies get no intervention before their first birthday.

Cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability in

childhood that affects movement and posture.

While there is no single cause of cerebral palsy, it is the result of a combination of events either before, during or after birth that can lead to an injury in a baby’s developing brain.

Greater Charitable Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Anne Long, said the Foundation has been supporting Cerebral Palsy Alliance for 10 years and is constantly amazed by the wonderful work it conducts with families in great need.

“Greater Charitable Foundation has a strong and proud tradition of partnering with organisations that provide practical, life-changing initiatives that directly support families and communities,” Long said.

“The introduction of telehealth is a wonderful demonstration of innovation in the delivery of a program to significantly increase its reach into the community.”

Source Media release, Mar 16 Greater Charitable Foundation

Gosford jab clinic to commence vaccinations March 22 A COVID-19 vaccination clinic has been established at Gosford Hospital and will begin administering jabs to health staff on March 22.

This is the first time the Central Coast Local Health

District has been involved in the nation-wide rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine.

First in line for the vaccination will be health staff who work in COVID-19 testing clinics, emergency departments and intensive care units.

Eligible staff will receive a personal invitation to preregister their details online.

After this, all other Health staff from the Central Coast Local Health District will be vaccinated.

Parliamentary Secretary for

the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said he was thrilled that local health staff will be able to receive their vaccination locally.

“Another vaccination hub at Wyong Hospital will be opened after the Gosford one is up and

running,” Crouch said.

“Receiving the COVID-19 vaccine doesn’t mean we can become complacent.

“The vaccine is just one extra level of defence against the deadly virus.”

The Federal Government is

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Source: Media release, Mar 17 Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast

PAGE 32 19 MARCH 2021 HEALTH & LIFETSYLE

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Autumn Abundance: a guide to what’s in season a few weeks ago and having a guided tour of the market garden, greenhouse and food forest, whilst hearing about their dedication to chemicalfree, no-till natural farming methods. They sell their freshly picked produce at a roadside stall on Hue Hue road.

Alison from ALAN foods

GEORGIA LIENEMANN Following on from our widely shared ‘guide to shopping supermarketfree’ last week, we’re keeping on with the theme of seasonal eating by focusing on what’s in season right now.

And who better to ask than local farmer Alison Alan Parkin from ALAN Foods in Jilliby. I had the pleasure visiting their farm

As summer draws to an end, the weather begins to cool and the days start to become shorter. With this brings a change in the garden as we see typical summer crops such as tomatoes and zucchinis slowing down, and the longer summer crops finally fruiting.

On our farm we are finally starting to harvest some eggplants and the okra is producing plenty of fruit. We have also harvested two plots of purple skin sweet potato which is so smooth and creamy, it’s one of our favourites at the moment.

Autumn allows us to sow those Winter favourites like broccoli, cauliflower and snow peas. But what do we eat until they are ready? Well, there’s carrots and beetroots ready to come out, in addition to pumpkin vines dying so they’ll be ready over the coming weeks. We also sow a salad mix and still have some cucumber vines producing for that early Autumn salad.

So, why is all this so relevant?

Have you heard of food miles?

Georgia wrote an article on the “untold benefits of seasonal eating” a few weeks ago. By understanding what is in season in your local area, you will have a better chance at finding produce that hasn’t travelled thousands of kilometres to reach you.

Furthermore, your veggies will be fresher as they haven’t been stored or refrigerated longer than necessary. Additionally, this produce should be cheaper as it hasn’t been shipped in from outer state. Buying direct from the farmer cuts out the middleman and further reduces the costs; also giving you the peace of mind knowing how your food has been grown.

At ALAN Foods, our priority is the soil. If we can nourish the soil to encourage a diverse fungal and bacterial life, our plants will have the health and immunity to resist diseases and pest pressure, resulting in more nutrient rich food. This

eliminates the need for pesticides and results in populations of beneficial insects and bugs to help nature balance itself out. We have permanent beds which are never dug to preserve the soil life and structure. These beds receive compost made on site at certain stages of the year to feed the soil food web.

So, in summary, here’s a list of what we are pulling out of the garden at the moment on our farm. These items should be in abundance at the local market gardens all over the Central Coast.

• Spring onions • Beetroot • Salad mix • Carrots • Eggplants • Capsicums • Cucumbers • Tomatoes • Sweet Potato • Pumpkin • Beans • Okra • Zucchini • Kang Kong (water spinach) • Rainbow Chard What to do with all this produce?

I’m sure you don’t need ideas with zucchini and tomatoes, so we thought we would give a shout out to Okra - a vegetable that most people point to and ask “what’s that?” And “what does it taste like?” To which we

usually are lost for words due to its unique texture and flavour.

It’s difficult to describe so we usually start with how we use it. It can actually be eaten raw, and like many vegetables, will give you the most nourishment this way. However, there are a few simple ways to cook okra and we’ve adapted a great beginner recipe from thespruceeats.com, included below.

Okra come with a warning to not overcook. It has a natural sliminess which can become overwhelming when cooked for too long. This sliminess is due to a substance called mucilage which is also found in aloe vera.

For a quick meal we simply fry the okra in a small amount of oil and garlic, or simply chop it up into 1cm chunks and throw it into your stir fry. Okra is harvested with a small amount of stem, its best to cut this top off like you would a zucchini or eggplant.

If you want to make a feature dish with your okra, this traditional recipe is a great place to start and includes a great tip for reducing the sliminess.

Stewed Okra in Tomato Sauce What you’ll need: • Approx. 600g of Okra • ½ cup white vinegar

• 1 tbsp salt • ¼ cup olive oil • 1 onion diced • 1 garlic clove minced • 1 tin of tomatoes • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped • ½ cup water • Salt and pepper to taste Method: 1. Soak 600g okra for at least an hour in enough water to cover with the white vinegar and salt.

2.

Drain the okra before cooking, but do not rinse and then dry it on some paper towel.

3. Use a large soup pot, heat ¼ cup olive oil on medium-high heat. Add one diced onion and sauté until translucent, then add one garlic clove minced and cook for a further 1-2 minutes.

4. Add the okra, tinned tomato, parsley and water. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until tender (approx.

30-40min). Keep an eye on the liquid levels and add more if needed.

5. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve with rice.

To find out more about ALAN foods, head to their facebook page: www.facebook.com/ AlanFoods-119040889489351 We’ll be featuring another simple, seasonal recipe next week.

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HEALTH & LIFESTYLE PAGE 33 19 MARCH 2021

Helping a culturally diverse community access the NDIS Newly-appointed Central Coast Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Community Connector, Keiko Clements, has a big job on her hands.

Clements supports families with children and people with disabilities from multicultural backgrounds across the region as she spearheads a program to help people access the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The NDIS provides funding to eligible people based on their individual needs.

“Some people from multicultural backgrounds who have a lot of difficulty in day-today activities such as going shopping, taking public transport, communicating with others and so on, due to their permanent disability may not be trying to access the NDIS,” she said.

Clements said some people may not even know about the NDIS because it might not exist in the countries they have

The program helps connect families to the NDIS

come from.

“Even if they have heard about it, they may not know where to start,” she said.

Clements came to Australia as an adult and understands that access to information may

be difficult in a new country, especially if English is a second or third language.

“The Connector program is funded across Australia because the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) understands that there are

extra barriers for people from multicultural backgrounds,” she said.

“Currently, people need to gather evidence about their difficulties or disability from their GPs or specialists to make an access request to the NDIS.

“The Connectors can help in this process.

“I can assist people to connect with Local Area Coordinators, or with Early Childhood Early Intervention services for children with developmental delays.”

CALD Community Connectors can also help those people who are not eligible for the scheme to access community services and supports.

“We also have an easy access to interpreters over the phone,” Clements said.

“This often reduces the anxiety or worries of not being able to understand someone or being understood.”

Clements said it was a boon for the Central Coast to be allocated with a CALD specific program.

“As the program is government-funded, there is no cost.”

If you have any questions about the CALD Community Connector program, or if you could benefit from the support, call or text 0429 656 100.

Source: Media release, Mar 12 Central Coast Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Community Connector

Cancer survivor Rebecca is So Brave Rebecca Baldwin from Narara has stepped out of her comfort zone, stripping off to be painted for the 2022 So Brave calendar to raise breast cancer awareness.

The calendar features stories and images of young Australian women diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 40 in an aim to communicate that young women get breast cancer too.

As a breast cancer survivor herself, Baldwin put her hand up to be one of 12 So Brave ambassadors to take part in the project, completing her photoshoot at Avoca Beach on March 14.

She said the photoshoot was a way for her to celebrate her body and see it as strong, brave, beautiful and resilient.

“The experience was incredible and like no other,” Baldwin said.

“It was a nice relaxing day, even if I was standing still for seven hours straight, the result was this really beautiful art piece across my body.

“Kyla Morgan, the artist, did a phenomenal job.”

At the age of 29, Baldwin was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer, turning her world upside down.

“Your cancer and its treatment become a full-time job with your life filled with doctor’s appointments, surgeons,

oncologists, pathology tests, chemotherapy appointments, surgery, scans - not to mention the way that treatment affects you,” she said.

“To lose your hair, have both your breasts removed, fertility issues, going into menopause, having to question how long you will actually live, pausing your career ... traumatising is the only way to explain that experience.

“The photoshoot was a positive event and a way for me to use my story to help other young women in Australia with breast cancer.

“It was also a way to raise funds for much-needed research, particularly for women with Stage IV breast cancer, and to raise awareness amongst my local community to be #breastaware #knowyournormal and get

Rebecca Baldwin taking part in the So Brave 2022 Calendar Photo: Kirsty Mikhail and ChasingJade Images

anything checked out by your local doctor as #earlydetectionsaveslives.”

So Brave was started by Founder, Rachelle Panitz, after her own breast cancer

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experience led to a desire to help others in her situation.

The idea of a calendar came after a chance meeting with internationally renowned bodypaint artist Wendy Fantasia.

In 2017, in partnership with the McGrath Foundation, So Brave travelled to meet, paint and photograph breast cancer survivors from around Australia.

Baldwin said being an ambassador for the charity gave a purpose to the pain she had gone through and a way she could make a difference from her experience.

“Only someone who has been diagnosed truly understands what this journey is like,” she said.

“Being able to connect with women who also had to make decisions regarding surgery,

struggling with menopause, etc, was invaluable.

“I was able to raise $6,000 personally to go towards several different avenues for breast cancer, but one that is important to me is research.

“We need funding so that women with Stage IV breast cancer have more options for treatments.

“It is so incredibly important that every woman knows their body and is examining it regularly; there is no excuse not to be.

“Early detection is your best chance of survival.”

Bensville resident, Carol Smith, will also be representing the Central Coast in the 2022 So Brave calendar which will be released at the end of 2021.

Jacinta Counihan

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PAGE 34 19 MARCH 2021

SCIENCE & EDUCATION

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Coast schools get $3.3M boost to facilities Twenty public schools on the Central Coast are set to receive new and improved facilities, with projects announced in tranche two of the NSW Government’s $120M Regional Renewal Program.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, said more than $3.3M would go towards playground upgrades, new toilet blocks and improved classrooms in the region.

“The NSW Government invited schools to apply for this funding to improve facilities in October last year, and I am thrilled that so many public schools stretching from one end of the Central Coast to the other made the most of this fantastic opportunity,” Crouch said.

“Delivery of each project will occur within the next 18 months and wherever possible, schools will use local construction companies, suppliers and workers as a targeted way of bouncing back from COVID-19.”

President of the Central Coast Council of P&C’s, Sharryn Brownlee, said the funding was welcome news for schools and their communities after a tough

Gosford High School will get a playground upgrade

year in 2020.

“It’s exciting to see this further investment in schools across the Central Coast,” Brownlee said.

“This funding will help to ensure students have the best possible facilities to create the best possible learning environment.”

The Regional Renewal

Program will provide a cocontribution from the NSW Government of between 50 to 80 per cent for school infrastructure improvements to high priority schools across regional NSW. Minister for Education, Sarah Mitchell, said the program forms part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19

Recovery Plan.

“This program is part of the NSW Government’s economic stimulus response to the pandemic, and will deliver educational benefits, community benefits and economic benefits as communities continue to recover,” Mitchell said.

The NSW Government is

investing $7B over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver more than 200 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW. Schools to benefit under the

current round include: Berkeley Vale PS (playground upgrade); Erina Heights PS (admin and staff upgrade); Ettalong PS (COLA and shade structures); Glenvale School (COLA and shade structures); Gosford High School (playground upgrade); Gosford PS (carpark and access roads); HopeTown School (toilet upgrade); Kanwal PS (walkways and playground upgrade); Kariong PS (toilet upgrade); Killarney Vale PS (COLA and shade structures); Kincumber HS (toilet upgrade); Lisarow HS (food technology upgrade); Narara Valley HS (COLA and shade structures and learning unit upgrade); North Gosford Learning Centre (COLA and shade structures and bus bay upgrade); Point Clare PS (stormwater and drainage); Terrigal HS (food technology upgrade); Wadalba Community School (toilet upgrade) Woodport PS (structural and fabric upgrade); Woongarrah PS (playground upgrade); Wyoming Public School (walkways); and Wyoming Public School (windows, doors and skylights).

Source: Media release, Mar 16 Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch

New school campus opens in Imperial Centre ET Australia Secondary College officially opened its new school campus within the Imperial Shopping Centre in Gosford on March 12.

The development follows a recent spike in demand for quality education on the Coast.

The establishment of an independent high school within a shopping centre is thought to be an Australian first.

Lederer Group President, Paul Lederer, said students would have a unique opportunity to participate daily in the retail environment of a shopping centre.

Plans are underway for students to gain hands-on retail and business skills through the provision of work experience placements with retailers that may lead onto

part-time after-school jobs” Lederer said.

“This will give students a competitive advantage in their education (and will) build an innovative and modern model that the Lederer Group is proud to be a part of.

“We are creating something that is unparalleled and provides unprecedented opportunities for students who wish to one day enter the business field.

“A vital factor in all education and training that ET Australia delivers is for students to be job ready.

“There is simply no better way to provide this than by giving these students real world experience in a retail environment where many people start their working lives.”

The facility is one of two new

Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, with Minister for Education and Youth, Alan Tudge, and Paul Lederer

and improved ET Australia campuses in Gosford, upgraded

Newspapers

as part of the Federal Government’s Capital Grants

Program, with the other located in Donnison St. Minister for Education and Youth, Alan Tudge, and Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, were on hand to open the new facilities, which include classrooms, a science lab, two computer labs, breakout study areas, and learning enrichment rooms.

“These new, top-quality facilities will make a real difference in the daily lives of the students and teachers at ET Australia Secondary College,” Tudge said.

“The Morrison Government has invested a million dollars into this project to give hundreds of students in Gosford access to the best possible learning experience, so they have the best chance to succeed.

“The project is part of our

record funding for Australian schools and will benefit not just current students, but those who study at ET for years to come.”

Wicks said the contemporary learning facilities and the school’s unique teaching models would equip students with the skills to be successful both during and after school.

“It was a pleasure to visit ET Australia Secondary College to see the new facilities and hear about the positive impact it will have on the entire school community,” she said.

“We are giving these local students the best possible chance to reach their full potential at school and go on to further study or into a job.”

Source: Media releases, Mar 15 Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks, and The Lederer Group

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PAGE 35 19 MARCH 2021

Empire Bay PS tackles bullying and promotes harmony Orange has been the theme for many schools around the Central Coast recently, with Harmony Week and the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence coinciding with each other.

Empire Bay Public School students dressed up in orange for Harmony Week and held activities to celebrate cultural diversity.

On March 19, students were reminded to stand up against bullying for the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence.

Empire Bay Public School Assistant Principal, Jane

Moore, said the day is important to make students aware of the support networks they have surrounding bullying at the school.

“Our seniors aimed to empower the other students and help them identify some of the issues around bullying,” Moore said.

“We want to encourage students to be upstanders and stand up for others, not turn a blind eye.

“It is a great opportunity for us to show them how they can be supported if a bullying situation occurs.”

Jacinta Counihan

Sustainability award for Terrigal PS Terrigal Public School’s sustainability team has won a Schools Environmental Achievement Award at the 2020 Keep Australia Beautiful – Sustainability Communities (Tidy Towns) Awards.

The school was granted the award for the implementation of its waste reduction program.

Principal, Michael Burgess, Terrigal Public School Waster reduction program in full swing

said they started the program after undertaking a waste audit in 2019 which identified food was their largest waste product.

“We had a look at how we could reduce our waste, or how we could use that food waste in a better way, instead of it going to landfill,” Burgess said.

The school’s waste program includes sending food waste to a commercial composter, collecting 10 cent containers

and refunding them to fund other waste projects, taking soft plastics to supermarkets for recycling, and reusing all ‘white’ paper and cardboard.

Burgess said the students are also encouraged to reduce waste through their waste-free Wednesday program.

“We run the Kitchen Garden Program at the school, and we have chickens and a veggie garden, meaning we can compost some waste,” he said.

“It is good as we have been able to get the students involved, and they get really excited about it and are happy to be a part of it.

“A lot of these ideas are coming from students, not as much the teachers.

“The students are becoming more and more aware of their impact on the environment.”

Jacinta Counihan

Student artworks present A Central Vision Student artworks from Central Coast secondary schools are on display at the Gosford Regional Gallery, part of an exhibition created in partnership between the gallery and

the Department Education.

of

The exhibit, A Central Vision, celebrates local students’ creativity and provides an opportunity for the public

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Schools could submit up to 12 artworks, and awards and prizes were given out during a presentation night.

Erina High School Principal,

Karen Nicol, said the school reached a personal best this year, having six artworks selected, and with Year 10 student, Makayla Reilly, taking away a prize for her portrait.

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“It is an absolute honour to be selected in the exhibition,” Nicol said.

“If you get two or three artworks selected, that’s fantastic.

“This is our best year, with six being on display.”

The exhibit will be on display in the gallery until March 28.

Jacinta Counihan

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Online VET courses to contribute toward ATARs from 2022 Real estate, robotics and social media are just some of the 20 new online Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses which will be made available to every Central Coast student at Government-run high schools in 2022.

ATAR. “The NSW Government has reviewed the NSW Curriculum for the first time in 30 years and is making changes to give students access to world-class skills training,” Crouch said.

“TAFE already provides similar courses, but by providing them through Government-run high schools for the first time, it means they can be studied as part of the HSC and contribute towards ATARs. “These new courses will be delivered online and cover a range of future-focused

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, said the courses would provide a credential for students in their chosen field, while also counting towards the HSC and

industries like real estate, robotics, social media, cyber security, data analytics, accounting, horticulture, gaming, community and health services.”

Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning, Sarah Mitchell, said developing the online courses was also about making VET more available in regional NSW. “These new courses are part of the curriculum reform, streamlining education and breaking down barriers for VET subjects in senior school years,” Mitchell said.

SCIENCE & EDUCATION

PAGE 37 19 MARCH 2021

Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education, Geoff Lee, said the Government is committed to meeting skill shortages by enhancing access to training that focuses on emerging professions and new skill areas.

“Demand for jobs like cyber security specialists is huge and growing, and these courses are designed to help meet that need,” he said.

Source: Media release, Mar 5 Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch

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“The development of the strategy will include an assessment of Council’s existing facilities, spaces and active infrastructure, as well as industry trends,” Cowley said.

“Vital to the development of the strategy, however, is our community’s feedback; we want to hear how our open spaces are currently being used, what’s valued and what improvements might be

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Council Administrator, Dick Persson, said the Central Coast has an abundance of open space areas for a variety of recreational and sporting activities.

“It is important that Council has a well-considered longterm framework for future land planning and management and prioritisation of infrastructure

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More Gold for Central Coast Life Savers SURF LIFE SAVING The 2021 NSW Surf Life Saving Championships moved on to the Masters Beach & Water events, as well as the Masters and Opens Lifesaving Champs, hosted by Swansea Belmont SLSC from March 12-14, with a number of Central Coast clubs finding more podium placements.

In particular, success over the weekend came to Terrigal, Avoca, North Avoca and MacMasters SLSC’s, with more than 25 medals being won between the four clubs.

For Terrigal, the stand-out performances came from

Hayden Smith, earning five gold medals, and Paul Lemmon, earning four.

For Smith, the wins came in the Surf Race, Rescue Tube Race, Board Race, the prestigious Iron Man and the Board Rescue.

This last event was won alongside team member, Luke Hall.

“For me, at age 40, it’s less about what place I come in the race and more about the process of getting fit and healthy,” said Smith.

Smith has now won the Iron Man event three years running.

Lemmon also brought home wins for Terrigal in the Surf

Race, Rescue Tube Race, Iron Man and Single Ski Race.

Between these two, more gold was won for their club than the combined participants of any other Central Coast club.

“We’re not the biggest club in terms of participation numbers,” Smith said.

But there was not one competitor in our Masters team who did not win a medal.

“Paul Lemmon is definitely the Coast’s most prolific life saver in terms of the number of state and Australian champs he’s won – winning close to 90 Aussie champs, I think – so when you get to compete alongside him for Terrigal, it’s a

great feeling knowing that you are going to perform well.”

Avoca also performed well, firstly in the 170 years minimum (combined) Male Taplin Relay, where David Broadbent, Mark Felton and David O’Grady won first place.

The two David’s then went on to win the Board Rescue Race, finishing ahead of second place Rodney Hulls and Glenn Wigham from Shelly Beach SLSC. O’Grady continued on to win the Board Race.

For North Avoca, multiple wins came for Tony Curran in the Surf Race, Rescue Tube Race and finally the Board

Rescue, this last race won alongside Kennith Broomfield, who also won the Iron Man. Colleen Harrison found gold in the Iron Woman shortly before teaming up with Trina Cansick and Kim Findlay to win the 130 years minimum Taplin event.

Later in the day, Findlay won the Single Ski event, before Harrison returned to win the Board Race. These two were then joined by Marguerite George for the 150 years minimum Board Rescue, whereupon the trio won the club’s final gold medal.

Trent Martin from MacMasters gave a great showing for his

home club, finding gold twice through the Iron Man and Single Ski, as well as one silver in the Board Race, falling behind first place Keaton Watts from Shelly Beach.

Overall, it was a very successful weekend for the Central Coast clubs, with even more podium placements coming from our region’s clubs, such as Shelly Beach, North Entrance, The Lakes, Umina and Ocean Beach.

The State Championships will continue for one more weekend for the Boats events from March 19-21.

Haakon Barry

Sports College students get the Big Picture By the end of 2021, eighty per cent of Year 12 students at Central Coast Sports College will be the first on the Central Coast to graduate from the Big Picture Education Program instead of the HSC. Big Picture Education Australia is an alternate approach to senior education, which puts students at the centre of the decisions around what, how and when they learn.

Starting in Year 9, the program allows them to work towards their chosen careers by learning job-specific skills and undertaking work placements.

Paul Chapman has been the principal at the Central Coast Sports College for nine years and is extremely passionate about this different educational

approach.

Out of 40 senior students at the school, only six of them will be graduating through the HSC program.

Chapman said he spent his first few years of being principal looking for innovative pathways to education until he came across the Big Picture Program three years ago.

“There’s probably around 10 other public schools that run the program, but they only generally do it as a subset within the main school,” Chapman said.

“We are the only independent school in NSW that is running this program.

“Fundamentally, it’s about the kids taking responsibility for their learning program.

“It starts (in) Year 9 and goes through to Year 12, where the

FORT DENISON

Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00) or daylight savings time (UTC +11:00) when in effect.

19 FRI

26 FRI

0035 1.55 0700 0.63 1257 1.30 1844 0.67 0053 0.60 0714 1.74 1351 0.38 1956 1.48

students design their own learning plan each term, in consultation with the parents and the teacher.

“A big element of the program is a thing called ‘Leaving to Learn’ where they actually place themselves into internships.

“Up to two days a week, students are out in the workforce in a particular area that they might be passionate about.

“As an example, you would have a 15-year-old student who is halfway through Year 9 who may have been told he would make a really good plumber.

“Traditionally, you would do a five-day work experience, but it’s probably not in reality what the workplace is like.

“The whole theory with this

internship model is to try and get students in an internship with a mentor within that work environment.

“This is going to really help them understand what the profession is about.”

Chapman said students could complete up to six term-length internships between Years 9 and 11, giving them a better idea of what they would like to do after school.

Classes in the Big Picture Program are generally smaller (around 17-18 students), allowing one-on-one time between teachers and students.

The classroom is set up more like an office space, with every student focusing on something different.

Maths and English subjects and group activities are still

TIDE CHART

included.

The school is constantly changing and adapting the program to ensure it follows the Department of Education guidelines.

Chapman said a pathway to university for students is possible through the program.

“There are 18 universities across Australia that are now taking students through the Big Picture program directly,” he said.

“It can be a little bit more challenging because you’ve got to use a different application process.

“But the Big Picture group helps students facilitate that process and streamline that process.”

At a conference, Chapman said a university professor spoke about how many high

school leavers drop out of University in the first six months or change courses because they are unsure of what they want to do.

“Compare that to the small group of kids that have come to the Big Picture program; the professor said what they find is that kids are not dropping out as they are dedicated and connected to the things that they went to university for,” he said.

“Universities would much prefer students like that.”

Chapman sees the Big Picture program as the only way forward for education.

The Big Picture Program will be compulsory for 2022 Year 12 students.

Jacinta Counihan

LAT 33° 51’ S - LONG 151° 14’ E - TIME ZONE - 1000

20

21

22

23

24

25

27

28

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1

Times and Heights(m) of high and low waters

0117 1.52 0311 1.46 0000 0.71 0208 1.48 0422 1.48 0530 1.54 0754 0.68 0900 0.71 1015 0.71 1127 0.66 1224 0.57 0625 1.64 SAT 1345 1.21 SUN 1449 1.15 MON 1612 1.13 TUE 1732 1.17 WED 1830 1.26 THU 1310 0.47 1926 0.74 2024 0.80 2140 0.82 2257 0.79 1915 1.36 0142 0.49 0230 0.39 0318 0.32 0408 0.28 0501 0.28 0558 0.32 0800 1.83 0932 1.88 1203 1.58 0845 1.88 1020 1.82 1111 1.72 SAT 1430 0.30 SUN 1510 0.25 MON 1550 0.24 TUE 1630 0.27 WED 1713 0.35 THU 1757 0.45 2037 1.59 2118 1.70 2201 1.79 2246 1.85 2333 1.87

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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19 MARCH 2021

World Cup Glory MOGUL SKIING Central Coast local, Matt Graham, has won the International Ski Federation’s World Cup Crystal Globe title in Almaty, Kazakhstan, after a long 2020-2021 Series.

Heading into the final event, Graham had an 18 point lead in the standings, solidified after his silver medal placement in the World Championships dual moguls run earlier in the week.

On this final day, a number of delays were announced due to snow and bad visibility, and after waiting as long as they could, the event organisers were forced to cancel the competition and Graham was crowned the World Cup champion.

The 26-year-old is the first Australian male since Dale Begg-Smith in 2010 to win the Crystal Globe, also picking up one gold, silver and bronze World Cup medal and finishing on 289 points, ahead of Frenchman Benjamin Cavet on 271 and Ludavig Fjallstrom of Sweden in third place with 258 points.

“I am very excited and very happy to have earnt this, the Crystal Globe is one of those things I have always wanted competing in mogul skiing,” said the 2018 Olympic silver medallist.

“We arrived overseas in November not even sure if events would happen.

“We more or less came over with the intention to train as much as we can and if we got

to compete that would be a bonus.

“Winning the globe would be the highlight of my season, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster, some events didn’t necessarily go my way and I didn’t ski that great, but I managed to hang in there and get enough results and a few podiums to be on top when it counted.”

Graham’s teammate Brodie Summers finished the season in fifth place on the standings, the highest end of season ranking of the 27-year-old’s career, with Jakara Anthony ending as the highest ranked Australian female in tenth.

Source: Media Release, Mar 15 Olympic Winter Institute of Australia.

Matt Graham

Late Simon special salvages a draw for Mariners

The Mariners drew 2 – 2 with Perth Glory in their rain-soaked A-League match at Central Coast Stadium on Monday evening.

After a thirty minute delay due to the rain, the Mariners went searching for their fourth home win and their second against Glory this season.

However, in the torrential wet weather, the Mariners found it more difficult to pull off their swift midfield play and confident, light touches on the ball, with the players spraying water with every footstep.

Nonetheless, the weather did not prevent the Mariners finding their eighth opening goal of the season through Marcos Ureńa in the 25th minute.

The grounded cross came from Daniel Bouman to Daniel De Silva, who side-footed the ball and forced the diving save from Glory keeper, Tando Velaphi.

The ball rebounded at the feet of Ureńa, who had to back track before guiding the ball at a tight angle between the legs of the scrambling keeper.

While the Mariners dominated for much of the first, the equaliser for Perth came from the head of striker, Bruno Fornaroli in the 41st minute.

A smoothly curled cross from Neil Kilkenny found Fornaroli on the run who was able to convert.

The Mariners missed a big opportunity just before half time with a flurry of shots coming from De Silva, Oliver Bozanic and Ureña, one after the other, with first the keeper, then the post and then a defender keeping the ball out.

Glory lifted in the second half although it was not until the 76th minute that Nick D’agostino was able to slide the ball past Mariners keeper Mark Birighitti on the inside of the near post.

The tension grew in the final ten minutes as the Mariners were forced to chase in the

slippery conditions.

A golden chance came for Matt Simon after a penalty was awarded to him in the 86th minute.

A long drawn out VAR check confirmed the headbutt contact on Simon, forcing referee Kurts Ams tp overturn his on-field decision and award the penalty.

Simon’s powerfully driven ball found its nest in the back of the net after sending Velaphi the wrong way.

The goal is the sixth in Simon’s tally this season and his fifth in six matches.

With five minutes of injury time announced, the game reached a crescendo.

A defensive breakdown in communication between defender, Ruon Tongyik and Birighitti nearly led to Glory captain, Diego Castro scoring the winner.

Soon after, a cross from Joshua Nisbet ricocheted off the side of Kilkenny, caused the crowd to roar for another VAR check, but to no avail.

In the end, the 2 – 2 score was maintained, the first draw of the season for both teams.

The Mariners will now play an in-form Melbourne City at AAMI Park on Monday, March 22, a game the hosts will see as their

chance to knock the A-League leaders off their perch.

Haakon Barry

Have you serviced your inflatable lifejacket?

Register for a Transport for NSW inflatable lifejacket self-service clinic in your area and learn how.

Deerubbin Reserve Boat Ramp, Mooney Mooney

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For more information on the full schedule including other locations across NSW, visit roads-maritime.transport.nsw.gov.au/lifejacket-clinics or call 13 12 36

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FOOTBALL

PAGE 40 19 MARCH 2021 SPORT

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Confidence-building start for “Central Coast” Warriors RUGBY LEAGUE The New Zealand Warriors have triumphed in their first outing of the 2021 NRL Season with a convincing win over the Gold Coast Titans on Saturday, March 13 at Central Coast Stadium.

The 19 – 6 victory in the 30-degree heat was shared among a strong showing of Warriors fans who came to support their adopted footy club as the team await confirmation of a Trans-Tasman

BASKETBALL

bubble.

The stadium announcer heralded the “Central Coast” Warriors at half time as the team took to the sheds with a 6 – 0 point lead, an explicit example of the region’s willingness to house the NRL team for as long as possible – especially if the wins keep coming.

The half time lead was hard fought by the home side, coming in the 25th minute by Bayley Sironen and converted

by Kodi Nikorima.

The third phase play started

The team celebrate Bayley Sironen’s season opening try.

from five metres out, under the posts, and a simple hit-up pass from Wayde Egan fed Sironen at pace, who scrambled in the tackle to spin around the outside and find the white line.

The 52nd minute of the second half brought more joy to the Warriors in similar, hit-up fashion to the first, this time via Jazz Tevaga’s dummy-half pass to Leeson Ah Mau, with Tohu Harris cutting into the inside channel ahead to draw away the defence.

With Nikorima’s second conversion added, the 12 point

lead provided the cushion to the home team, which he added to in the 69th minute with another converted try.

Starting from 25 metres out, the initial momentum came from Chanel Harris-Tavita feeding Bunty Afoa into half a gap of space between the defenders.

With his upper body free, Afoa presented the offload to Nikorima, who took the ball under the posts in a few quick strides.

The 16 point lead would prove too much for the Titans to come

back from, although a late surge from the travellers just three minutes later brought the team their opening points of the season through Corey Thompson.

The robust Warriors defence was finally undone by a welltimed cut-out pass by Alexander Brimson that found Thompson with the overlap on the wing, and the conversion by Jamal Fogarty gave the Titans hope.

This was the most the Titans got out of the game, and a field goal from Harris-Tavita on the siren brought the end score to

19 – 6.

The first-round win will give the Warriors confidence going into their next match at Central Coast Stadium against the Newcastle Knights on Friday, March 19.

And notwithstanding the club’s rich history in representing New Zealand in the NRL, local fans will hope another win will build their allegiance to their home-awayfrom-homeland.

Haakon Barry

Junior basketballers converge on the Coast

Over the past weekend from Saturday to Sunday, March 13-14, Breakers Indoor Sports and Niagara Park Stadiums hosted the launch of the 2021 Junior Premiere League (JPL) and Eastern Junior League (EJL) competitions.

Teams from all across Country NSW in the JPL, as far south as Albury and as far north as Byron Bay, travelled to the Central Coast for an intense weekend consisting of each team’s first two – four round matches, with the Central Coast Rebels competing in the Boys and Girls U14, 16 and 18’s.

Operations High Performance Manager for the Rebels and Crusaders (in the Senior divisions), Jared Scoines, commented on the encouraging performance he witnessed

U14’s basketballers from around the state, hosted by Niagara Park Stadium: (from L-R) Isobelle, Kijana, Kiara and Charlie

from the six teams in the JPL. “We pride ourselves on our teaching and development programs, so to be able to see our Under 14’s Men and Women’s teams competing against the bigger clubs and be successful was a big stand-out throughout the course of the weekend,” Scoines said.

The young women’s team found a high degree of challenge in their matches and were unfortunate to finish without a win, despite a first round narrow loss to the Dubbo Rams, 30 – 38, and a fourth round loss to the Coffs Harbour Suns, 36 – 38.

The young men’s team began

with a greatly successful win against the Suns, 90 – 54, but went on to count three consecutive losses, including a painfully close loss to the Maitland Mustangs, 52 – 53.

Scoines also commented on the progress being made in the U16’s teams who finished with mixed results over the

weekend.

“In terms of the two teams’ cohesion and the direction that they are heading as a group, this is something that we are very proud of as a club,” concluded Scoines.

The young women’s team stand with a win and a loss,

falling to the Suns, 55 – 64, before coming back to beat the Illawarra Hawks, 67 – 52.

The U18’s finished the weekend with more mixed results, with notable wins coming for the young women against the Hawks in another tightly contested game finishing 51 – 50, and a hard fought win for the young men against the Port Macquarie Dolphins, 92 – 88.

As well as the JPL, teams from the Newcastle-Hunter region travelled south for their first two rounds in the EJL, which hosts the Division Two and Three teams from the Central Coast.

Currently, Central Coast teams lead the competitions in the U14 Boys, as well as both the U16 Boys and Girls.

Haakon Barry