Coast Community News 293

21 MAY 2021

ISSUE 293

News

The Central Coast Sky Surfers (CCSS), based at Point Clare, will just one of the many groups exhibiting at the inaugural Central Coast Airshow at Warnervale over the weekend of May 22 and 23 See page 7

Out&About

Terrigal on top

The Terrigal Trojans have moved to the top of both the Men’s and Women’s rugby ladders with convincing wins at The Haven last weekend.

Ocean Alley, Spacey Jane, Dear Seattle, Merci Mercy, and the CLEWS will perform at the NEXT EXIT festival at the Entertainment Grounds in Gosford, on May 23.

Business

See page 17

See page 38 Photos: Scott Gardiner

IPART decides Residents of the former Gosford local government area looking at a rates hike of more than 40 per cent from July 1, following an IPART decision on May 17 to approve a 15 per cent rate rise for Central Coast Council.

With harmonisation of rates between the former Wyong and Gosford councils on track to proceed in tandem, those in the former Gosford LGA can expect to see a rate rise of 41.6 per cent.

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal agreed to Council’s request for a Special Rate Variation (SV) of 15 per cent, inclusive of the 2 per cent cap, but for three years only.

Despite receiving multiple private submissions protesting the rate rise, IPART said it had

assessed the Council’s application against Guidelines issued by the Office of Local Government (OLG) and had decided to approve a temporary SV of 15 per cent in 2021-22, which is to be retained for three years and then removed.

“During this three-year period, the Council will be able to implement its proposed business recovery plan, consult with its ratepayers regarding appropriate service levels, and if required, apply for a permanent SV,” a statement from IPART said.

The statement clarified that, together with the rates harmonisation process, businesses in the former Gosford LGA will see a 50.2 per cent rise and agriculture will face a whopping 53.2 per cent hike.

Residents and businesses in the former Wyong LGA will actually see rate reductions as part of the harmonisation process.

“Many submissions we received vocalised ratepayers’ concerns about the proposed higher rates in light of the Council’s current financial position,” IPART said.

“These concerns need to be balanced against the Council’s financial need and its requirement to deliver ongoing community services.

“Without the special variation, the Council’s financial position (would) continue to deteriorate and it may have difficulty repaying its loans.

“However, there is some uncertainty around the Council’s long term financial modelling as (it) has only

recently started implementing a program of substantial cost containment measures.”

IPART said it had considered all the concerns and issues raised in submissions.

“Stakeholders considered that ratepayers should not be responsible for the Council’s mistakes,” it said.

“Most of the submissions from stakeholders opposed the SV and raised concerns around the Council’s financial mismanagement of funds and the Administrator’s assertion that the use of restricted funds was unlawful.

“Some also argued the Council should be more accountable for its actions which led to its poor financial situation, or that the Audit Office should have done more to prevent the mismanagement

including restricted reserves being unlawfully spent.

“We acknowledge these concerns and the understandable anger ratepayers feel.

“Nevertheless, the Council clearly does have a financial need for the SV.” Even so, IPART found that Council’s application for a permanent increase in general income was not appropriate given the purpose of the SV and uncertainty around the Council’s financial position, hence the three-year limit.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said if the rate rise had been a decision for the State Government to make, it would not have been approved.

Continued page 4

Two successful businesswomen have started a female founders - women in business community group called Sub Rosa – Real Women’s Business.

See page 27

Sport

The Terrigal Avoca Panthers have emerged triumphant in the top of the table clash against the Killarney Vale Bombers in both the Black Diamond Cup Women and Men’s leagues.

See page 38

Puzzles page 22

Office: Level 1, 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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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

7 MAY 2021

ISSUE 291

New Indigenous Party opposed to DLALC bushland development

14 MAY 2021 12 MAY 2021

News

The announcement that councillors will remain suspended as a public inquiry into Central Coast Council is launched marks the end of a 30 year career.

ISSUE 292

ISSUE 238

REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL WEEKLY NEWS

News

Airshow to feature a wide variety of aerobatics and displays

Construction has begun on an exciting new redevelopment of the Narara Skate Park, one of the Central Coast’s oldest skate parks.

Loud bands, bright lights, and big crowds – these were the scenes that made up most of the life of Big Day Out Founder, Ken West.

Go behind the scenes of a fire and rescue service and meet the local firefighters at Open Day on Saturday, May 15.

See page 17

The skies over Central Coast Airport at Warnervale will roar into life with the sights and sounds of the 2021 Central Coast Airshow over the weekend of May 22 and 23.

Business

See page 19

Business

See page 6

Photo: Tim Geluk

Aboriginal Central Coast women Renee Sales and Tracie Howie are opposed to the development

New COVID restrictions to impact Coast A three-day re-tightening of COVID-19 health restrictions came into force on the Central Coast on May 6 following recent cases of community transmission and updated health advice from Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant.

CCN

The new restrictions came into force at midday on May 6 (enforceable from 5pm) and will remain in place until 12.01am on Monday, May 10 in the Greater Sydney region, which includes the Central Coast.

During this period visitors to households will be limited to 20 guests – including children and masks will be compulsory

on public transport and in all public indoor venues, such as retail, theatres, hospitals, aged care facilities and for front-ofhouse hospitality staff (except in a hospitality venue when eating or drinking).

Drinking while standing up at indoor venues will not be

allowed, nor will singing by audiences at indoor shows or by congregants at indoor places of worship.

Dancing will not be allowed at indoor hospitality venues or nightclubs but will be allowed at weddings with a strong recommendation that no more

than 20 people should be on the dance floor at any one time.

Visitors to aged care facilities will be limited to two people.

It is also strongly recommended the community avoids mingling in large groups during the specified period and is careful not to put the most vulnerable at risk.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the three-day restrictions would help reduce the risk of a super spreading event.

“These measures are proportionate to the risk and will help reduce further cases of community transmission,” Berejiklian said.

“To allow our health authorities to do their excellent work it is critical the community

continues to keep their physical distance, get tested with even the mildest of symptoms and importantly continues to use the Service NSW app to check into venues.”

Health Minister, Brad Hazzard, urged anyone experiencing any cold or flu-like symptoms, even if they are mild, to isolate immediately, get tested and continue to isolate until a negative result is received.

“It is also important to remember that even if you have had your first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine you must still come forward for testing if you have any symptoms.” he said.

Source: Media release, May 6 NSW Health

Central Coast businesses are reaping the benefits of the State Government’s Dine & Discover NSW initiative, which has seen more than $2M spent in the region so far.

See page 27

Sport

Over the weekend of May 1-2, four members of the Central Coast Cycling Club raced in the Goulburn Workers Junior 2 Day Tour, coming away with quality results.

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

Debate triggered by 20,000 signature e-petition over in half an hour Debate in State Parliament over a community petition calling for a Judicial Inquiry into Central Coast Council took little over half an hour and achieved nothing.

All that came out of the debate was confirmation that the NSW Government will pay for an alternative inquiry, a Public Inquiry, ordered by Local Government Minister, Shelley Hancock.

The State Parliament debate was triggered by more than 20,000 people signing an e-petition asking for a Judicial Inquiry into Council’s financial troubles, but it ended with only a vote to note the petition.

About 16 Central Coast

people in the gallery were told not to applaud and to listen in silence to the debate held on Thursday, May 6.

Wyong MP, David Harris, began by acknowledging two local residents, Susan Green and Marianne Hamilton, for their work in getting the petition up.

He listed all the cuts to Council services and said residents wanted to know why this had happened.

Harris said they knew that the system of governance at every level had failed them.

The people want a Judicial Inquiry that would be independent, rather than a Public Inquiry conducted by the government, he said.

A Judicial Inquiry would require relevant people to attend, Harris said, and he listed all the parties which should face the Inquiry and the processes that should be examined.

These included current and former staff including the chief financial officers, but also the Fit for the Future process, the role of the transition administrator, Ian Reynolds, councillors; the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee, the internal and external auditors, the Office of Local Government, and the real cost of the merger process.

“Everything should be on the table, nothing should be left out,” Harris said.

He then went on to criticise

the Premier for not calling a Judicial Inquiry.

After Harris’ allotted five minutes was up, Terrigal MP, Adam Crouch, then outlined what happened from October 2020 that saw the public become aware of the debt.

He said if a Judicial Inquiry had been called, the councillors would have been allowed to return.

He explained why a Public Inquiry was better than a Judicial Inquiry.

“As part of a Public Inquiry, under subsection 438U (2) of the Local Government Act, the independent commissioner has the same powers, authorities, protections and immunities as that of a royal commission,” he said.

“That includes the power to summon witnesses to attend and give evidence on oath or by affirmation, the power to require the production of documents from the council or others, the power to deal with contempt and the power to restrict public access to evidence that is regarded as confidential in nature.

“Any evidence collected by the independent commissioner at a Public Inquiry can be used later in court or at the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), but if a Judicial Inquiry was held, any evidence collected would be inadmissible in court or at the ICAC.” See page 6

Charmhaven children’s event entertainment business, Storybook Party Co, has been nominated for three categories in the Australian 2021 What’s On 4 Kids Awards.

See page 27

Sport

The inaugural Moroney Acreman Cup was played between the northern Central Coast derby teams, Warnervale and The Lakes, on Saturday, May 8, at Woongarrah Oval, with the newly established competition going the way of The Lakes.

See page 39

Puzzles page 23

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

Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, says the budget will rebuild the economy and create more jobs to ensure a bright post-COVID future.

Thousands of Coast residents are set to benefit from tax cuts for low- and middle-income earners, which will see savings of up to $1,080 for individuals or $2,160 for couples.

Wicks said this would provide more money to spend with local businesses, giving them the confidence to take on an extra worker, offer an extra shift, or buy a new piece of equipment.

“To support further job

creation, the Government will extend temporary full expensing and the loss carryback measures announced in last year’s Budget for another year,” she said.

“This will allow more than 99 per cent of businesses employing 11.5 million Australians to deduct the full cost of eligible depreciable assets of any value in the year they are installed until June 30, 2023.”

Wicks said the commitment to the JobTrainer Fund had been doubled to support a further 163,000 new training places and the budget also funds more than 170,000 new apprenticeships and traineeships, 5,000 higher education short courses and 2,700 places in Indigenous girls’ academies.

“Women will also benefit from STEM scholarships and

programs to help them break into non-traditional trades,” she said.

“The Government is building the infrastructure our community needs for the future, with a record 10-year $110B infrastructure pipeline, which is already supporting 100,000 jobs across the country, including vital local projects such as the $52.8M investment for Manns Rd intersection upgrades.”

Wicks said around 1,590 families in the electorate of Robertson would benefit from a $1.7B investment in childcare which will see an increase in subsidies available to families with more than one child aged five and under in child care and the abolishment of the $10,560 cap on the Child Care Subsidy.

“For those families with more than one child aged five and under in child care, the level of

subsidy received will increase by 30 percentage points to a maximum subsidy of 95 per cent for their second and subsequent children,” she said.

But Labour Senator Deborah O’Neill said the Government has a lot of experience making promises it doesn’t intend to deliver.

“Last year, the Budget’s centrepiece was the JobMaker program which was forecast to create 450,000 jobs; it created just 1,100,” she said.

“You’d have to be a foundation member of the Liberal National cheer squad to accept that this year’s meagre promises for the Coast will end up being delivered.

“After eight long years, Coasties are still waiting for commuter carparks in Gosford and Woy Woy, our high speed rail, our performing arts centre,

‘Just beautiful’ was the words of resident Olive Goldsmith as she greeted ‘Wellington’ the Horse at BlueWave Living on May 5 See page 24

See page 17

A local fireman has been awarded a prestigious longservice medal for his dedication to helping the community at an awards ceremony at Mingara Recreation Club on Sunday, May 16.

Business

See page 4

A new university campus is to be established on the old Mitre 10 site in Gosford to form the heart of an Education and Employment Precinct.

See page 27

Sport

In the local derby match between the Terrigal Trojans and Avoca Beach Sharks, it was the northernmost team who took away the win.

See page 38

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

Central Coast Council residents will see a 15 percent rate rise next financial year, starting in July 2021.

The rate rise comes on top of harmonisation of rates applied at the same time.

Rates will be harmonised between the two former council areas of Gosford and Wyong which merged to form the one council in 2016.

This means that after the rate rise and harmonisation, ratepayers in the former Wyong area will actually notice a decrease of about nine percent in their rates, while former Gosford area residents will see increases of about 42 percent.

The harmonisation process means that the entire region will now pay the one residential rate of 0.343 cents and their actual rates will be costed on their land valuation.

The business rate will be 0.66.

The farming rate will be 0.184 and the mining rate will be 17.105.

The rate rise will only last for three years and then will be removed, minus the rate caps

of the three years.

If Council wants to continue with the rate rise, it will have to apply to IPART again.

IPART said Council’s submission only showed the rate rise being used for seven years to pay down Council debt.

The fact that a Public Inquiry was being held into the Council was another reason to limit the rise to three years.

The Mannering Park Precinct Committee was “very disappointed” that the incompetence of Council had led to the current financial position, Chairman, Andrew Whitbourne, said.

“The increase in rates is a

Terrigal on top

The Terrigal Trojans have moved to the top of both the Men’s and Women’s rugby ladders with convincing wins at The Haven last weekend.

bitter pill for the community to swallow but we don’t think the loss of services that will result from no increase is a viable alternative,” he said.

Ourimbah Region Residents Association (ORRA) is also very disappointed with the outcome.

Spokesman, Allan Benson, said ORRA campaigned against the rate rise.

“We believed that rate payers should not have paid the price for Central Coast council staff incompetence and flawed NSW Government policy.”

Gwandalan and Summerland Point Peninsula Improvement Group President, Tony Kirby, said he found it very hard to trust what would happen after the three years were up.

“While the rise is only for three years, it still allows the Council to apply again for another rise,” he said.

“Forgive me for being cynical but after being kicked in the teeth by Council over the past few years, I find it very difficult to trust them.”

He said the amalgamation was ill considered because of the range of the financial states between the councils.

“The councils had different computer systems which took a large amount of money to fix, if indeed it has been fixed,” he said.

Continued page 4

Tourism business operators will meet to explore ways to promote ecotourism across the Central Coast region.

See page 26

Sport

In the top of the table clashes between the Killarney Vale Bombers and the Terrigal Avoca Panthers, in both the Black Diamond Cup Women’s and Men’s leagues, the southern side has come away with wins.

See page 38

Puzzles page 23

IPART decides on special rate increase It’s official; Peninsula residents are looking at a rates hike of more than 40 per cent from July 1, following an IPART decision on May 17 to approve a 15 per cent rate rise for Central Coast Council.

With harmonisation of rates between the former Wyong and Gosford councils on track to proceed in tandem, Peninsula residents, along with all those in the former Gosford local government area, can expect to see a rate rise of 41.6 per cent.

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal agreed to Council’s request for a Special Rate Variation (SV) of 15 per cent, inclusive of the 2 per

Office: Level 1, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 - editorial@centralcoastnews.net - www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

cent cap, but for three years only.

Despite receiving multiple private submissions protesting the rate rise, IPART said it had assessed the Council’s application against guidelines issued by the Office of Local Government (OLG) and had decided to approve a temporary SV of 15 per cent in 2021-22, which is to be retained for three years and then removed.

“During this three-year period, the Council will be able to implement its proposed business recovery plan, consult with its ratepayers regarding appropriate service levels, and if required, apply for a permanent SV,” a statement from IPART said.

The statement clarified that,

together with the rates harmonisation process, businesses in the former Gosford LGA will see a 50.2 per cent rise and agriculture will face a whopping 53.2 per cent hike.

Residents and businesses in the former Wyong LGA will actually see rate reductions as part of the harmonisation process.

“Many submissions we received vocalised ratepayers’ concerns about the proposed higher rates in light of the Council’s current financial position,” IPART said.

“These concerns need to be balanced against the Council’s financial need and its requirement to deliver ongoing community services.

“Without the special variation, the Council’s financial position (would) continue to deteriorate and it may have difficulty repaying its loans.

“However, there is some uncertainty around the Council’s long term financial modelling as (it) has only recently started implementing a program of substantial cost containment measures.”

IPART said it had considered all the concerns and issues raised in submissions.

“Stakeholders considered that ratepayers should not be responsible for the Council’s mistakes,” it said.

“Most of the submissions from stakeholders opposed the SV and raised concerns

around the Council’s financial mismanagement of funds and the Administrator’s assertion that the use of restricted funds was unlawful.

“Some also argued the Council should be more accountable for its actions which led to its poor financial situation, or that the Audit Office should have done more to prevent the mismanagement including restricted reserves being unlawfully spent.

“We acknowledge these concerns and the understandable anger ratepayers feel.

“Nevertheless, the Council clearly does have a financial need for the SV.” Continued page 4

This week is the final instalment in our six-part series on the topic of birth and we’re hearing from Michelle Nicolaou-Newman, cofounder of the Central Coast Montessori School and owner of Mammabearth, where she offers birth and postpartum support to families.

See page 30

Sport

A Killcare teen has put the pedal to the metal and clinched silver at Round Two of the Newcastle Club Championships last weekend.

See page 33

Puzzles page 22

Office: Level 1, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 - editorial@centralcoastnews.net - www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

Office: Level 1.01/86-88 Mann Street Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net - Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

Ocean Alley, Spacey Jane, Dear Seattle, Merci Mercy, and the CLEWS will perform at the NEXT EXIT festival at the Entertainment Grounds in Gosford, on May 23.

Business

See page 17

See page 38 Photos: Scott Gardiner

The NSW Rural Fire Service’s Central Coast District has celebrated the achievements of 71 dedicated volunteers on Sunday - (Dan Franich - Inset)

15 percent rate rise approved by IPART Community groups have expressed their disappointment, but also resignation, at the increased council rates which the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) announced this week.

Health

Out&About

See page 4

See page 12

wage growth and for a continuous and functioning NBN for communities west of the M1.”

Reactions from other quarters have been mixed.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has welcomed many of the budget’s primary care measures but encouraged the Government to go further in supporting quality GP patient services.

Nature and the climate are big losers in a budget that was supposed to have something for everyone, according to the NSW Nature Conservation Council.

Council CEO Chris Gamvian said $32M had been slashed from nature conservation, climate adaptation and climate science.

See page 7

Out&About

The groundswell of opposition to Central Coast Council’s sell-off of community land will roll into The Entrance on Sunday, May 23.

Will the Coast share in big-spending budget?

Low and middle income earners and businesses on the Central Coast emerged as the big winners in the Federal Budget, handed down by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg on May 11.

The Central Coast Sky Surfers (CCSS), based at Point Clare, will just one of the many groups exhibiting at the inaugural Central Coast Airshow at Warnervale over the weekend of May 22 and 23

In celebration of National Volunteers Week, Mary Mac’s Place at Woy Woy is putting out the call for volunteers to help provide support and companionship.

See page 6

Decades after gaining his private pilot’s licence at Central Coast Airport, Paul Bennet is returning on the weekend of May 22 and 23.

See page 17

Business

News

News

See page 3

See page 8 Members of the All Ability Bowls program

ISSUE 293

ISSUE 014

REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWS

Fireman Dan recognised with long service medal

Out&About

Daryl Kirkness of Wyoming began building models for stage sets when he was still in high school.

An All Ability Bowls program and school and community bowling events are just some of the activities under threat with a proposed rezoning of Gosford City Bowling Club, says Women’s Bowling Club president, Heather McColl.

See page 17

20 MAY 2021

News

Dick Persson officially retired from his position as Central Coast Administrator on Wednesday, May 12, but not before he took one last parting shot at the suspended councillors.

See page 12

Out&About

Out&About

The Indigenous Party of Australia, currently in the process of becoming a registered political party, has joined the groundswell of opposition to a development project planned for sensitive land at Kariong.

ISSUE 239

REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL WEEKLY NEWS

Community rally to save our reserves

Members of the Tuggerah Lakes community are planning a class action against Central Coast Council on behalf of all property owners who suffered loss or damage as a result of devasting flood events in February 2020 and again in March 2021.

See page 12

See pages 4-5

Out&About

21 MAY 2021 19 MAY 2021

News

Rezoning proposal threatens important community programs

IPART decides Residents of the former Gosford local government area looking at a rates hike of more than 40 per cent from July 1, following an IPART decision on May 17 to approve a 15 per cent rate rise for Central Coast Council.

With harmonisation of rates between the former Wyong and Gosford councils on track to proceed in tandem, those in the former Gosford LGA can expect to see a rate rise of 41.6 per cent.

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal agreed to Council’s request for a Special Rate Variation (SV) of 15 per cent, inclusive of the 2 per cent cap, but for three years only.

Despite receiving multiple private submissions protesting the rate rise, IPART said it had

assessed the Council’s application against Guidelines issued by the Office of Local Government (OLG) and had decided to approve a temporary SV of 15 per cent in 2021-22, which is to be retained for three years and then removed.

“During this three-year period, the Council will be able to implement its proposed business recovery plan, consult with its ratepayers regarding appropriate service levels, and if required, apply for a permanent SV,” a statement from IPART said.

The statement clarified that, together with the rates harmonisation process, businesses in the former Gosford LGA will see a 50.2 per cent rise and agriculture will face a whopping 53.2 per cent hike.

Residents and businesses in the former Wyong LGA will actually see rate reductions as part of the harmonisation process.

“Many submissions we received vocalised ratepayers’ concerns about the proposed higher rates in light of the Council’s current financial position,” IPART said.

“These concerns need to be balanced against the Council’s financial need and its requirement to deliver ongoing community services.

“Without the special variation, the Council’s financial position (would) continue to deteriorate and it may have difficulty repaying its loans.

“However, there is some uncertainty around the Council’s long term financial modelling as (it) has only

recently started implementing a program of substantial cost containment measures.”

IPART said it had considered all the concerns and issues raised in submissions.

“Stakeholders considered that ratepayers should not be responsible for the Council’s mistakes,” it said.

“Most of the submissions from stakeholders opposed the SV and raised concerns around the Council’s financial mismanagement of funds and the Administrator’s assertion that the use of restricted funds was unlawful.

“Some also argued the Council should be more accountable for its actions which led to its poor financial situation, or that the Audit Office should have done more to prevent the mismanagement

including restricted reserves being unlawfully spent.

“We acknowledge these concerns and the understandable anger ratepayers feel.

“Nevertheless, the Council clearly does have a financial need for the SV.” Even so, IPART found that Council’s application for a permanent increase in general income was not appropriate given the purpose of the SV and uncertainty around the Council’s financial position, hence the three-year limit.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said if the rate rise had been a decision for the State Government to make, it would not have been approved.

Continued page 4

Two successful businesswomen have started a female founders - women in business community group called Sub Rosa – Real Women’s Business.

See page 27

Sport

The Terrigal Avoca Panthers have emerged triumphant in the top of the table clash against the Killarney Vale Bombers in both the Black Diamond Cup Women and Men’s leagues.

See page 38

Puzzles page 22

Office: Level 1, 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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The small riverside community of Spencer is tired of being left high and dry whenever a natural disaster occurs and is agitating for Federal, State and Local Government help in setting up a staging area and evacuation centre for the area.

Residents have been devastated by bushfires and floods over recent years, with heavy rains in March this year causing many residents to go without showers and hot meals for up to a week.

The River Cares community group, established in August last year, is determined to see more access to emergency services for the Lower Hawkesbury area, and held a community information day on May 1 to air its concerns.

River Cares President, Robyn Downham, said the March floods had highlighted the need for a concerted emergency response to natural disasters.

“Whenever such a situation occurs we are left with no power, no landlines, no internet, no mobile coverage, no fresh water, no fuel for generators, and sometimes no food,” she said.

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Spencer community calls for better access to emergency services

The community information day on May 1

“We are completely cut off with no access in some instances to either Mangrove Mountain or Wisemans Ferry.”

Downham said the March flood event had seen some action from the Salvation Army, which distributed food hampers, and the SES, thanks to the efforts of Colin Lynch of the Department of Community

and Justice, but that a more concerted response was essential.

“We never want to go through what we went through in March again,” she said.

“Many properties went underwater, the power went out and while some people had generators, there was no way to obtain more fuel for them.

“Traditionally, the Spencer RFS is the only organisation which has offered us help in such situations.

“We need support from all three tiers of government to ensure the area is equipped for future incidents and supported by emergency organisations so we can become more resilient.”

Downham said the community

information day had been a resounding success, with around 25 representatives from community and emergency organisations offering support and around 60 residents in attendance.

Service providers attending on the day included Central Coast Council, Central Coast Local Health District, the

NEWS

PAGE 3 21 MAY 2021

Community Defib Project, the Department of Community and Justice’s Disaster Relief Team, the SES, Spencer Community Progress Group, Spencer RFS, Uniting Services and Wildlife Arc. “The support and information on financial assistance, mental health counselling, home care services and preparing your property for natural disasters was invaluable and they listened to the problems that the residents encountered not only during the floods but throughout COVID and the previous bushfires,” Downham said.

Downham said annual information days were planned to keep residents informed and encourage more participation from support services.

But the immediate need, she said, was for an evacuation centre.

“Our community hall is not in a suitable position for this purpose,” she said, “We need a staging area and evacuation centre right on the river and we are calling on all tiers of government to provide the finances necessary to achieve this.”

Terry Collins

PAGE 4 21 MAY 2021

NEWS

From page 1 “It’s completely unfair for ratepayers to have to pay for the mistakes and failings of the councillors and Council senior staff,” he said.

Council Administrator Rik Hart said while IPART’s decision was

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IPART decides welcome, it didn’t go far enough to provide long term financial sustainability for the Council.

“IPART’s decision of only allowing a special rate increase for three years is somewhat disappointing given the financial crisis we are in,” Hart said.

“Whilst the increase gives us short term stability, it doesn’t provide for long term financial sustainability.

“This decision makes it extremely challenging to plan for major infrastructure in the future and means we will need two more IPART decisions in the next

three years.

“This will result in two further years’ work of consultation, continuingtocausecomplications and instability for the organisation and the community.

“We continue to hear from the various members of parliament

of their opposition to the rate increase, however once again they offer no alternative.”

Hart said Council would not take advantage of a State Government decision to allow amalgamated councils to harmonise rates over up to eight years.

“The averageWyong ratepayers has been subsidising the average Gosford ratepayer for around $200 p.a. for the past four years,” he said.

“We do not believe it is fair and reasonable to let that continue.”

Terry Collins

Labor MPs call for more time on asset sales With submissions on proposed Tranche 3 asset sales in the region to close on May 28, Labor MPs on the Central Coast are calling on Central Coast Council Administrator Rik Hart to give people more time.

With the list including community halls, carparks and greenspaces, former Administrator, Dick Persson,

originally signalled a close date for submissions of May 21, later amending it to May 28.

But the Labor MPs say many community members have only just begun to learn of the full extent of the items for sale.

Shadow Minister for the Central Coast, David Harris, said the community’s voice must be heard.

“It is clear the community wants the public asset sell-off to be

stopped,” Harris said.

“Some of the sites identified in Tranche 3 include land which houses important community services and there should be a full explanation about what will happen to those organisations who would be forced out.

“These groups include OASIS, Norah Head Play Group and Community Legal Service.

“An extension of time would allow proper consultation and

feedback from these groups.”

Member for The Entrance, David Mehan, said his electorate has the largest number of public assets for sale.

“Our community has the most to lose and yet they’re given less (time) to provide feedback; it’s a disgrace,” he said.

“The Administrator has taken a play right out of the Liberal National Government’s handbook by selling public assets for a

quick buck without thinking about the impact it will have on the Central Coast community.”

Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, said the announcement of the proposed sales had “swept the community off their feet, in another unexpected blow for the Central Coast”.

“The sale of the Umina Mall Carpark near West St will have a hugely detrimental impact our local motorists and (be) bad for

businesses in Umina which are already struggling to bounce back from COVID-19,” she said.

“I am also very concerned that sensitive community greenspace at Brisbane Ave, Umina, and along Blackwall Rd will be taken from public hands.”

Source: Media release, May 10 Central Coast Labor MPs

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

From Council This is my first column as Interim Administrator of the Central Coast Council. Last Wednesday I commenced in the role taking over the reins from Mr Dick Persson AM. Whilst I have many years of experience working in local government as a chief executive officer, this will be my first stint as an Administrator of a council. The role might be new territory for me however this Council is not. One of the benefits of taking on this challenge is the familiarity and continuity it provides not only for myself but also for the community and the organisation.

Still within my first week, it has involved a handover from the previous Administrator, meetings with the CEO and senior staff on asset sales, and beginning to work through what IPART’s determination on the special rate increase will mean for the organisation and the community.

IPART’s determination providing for a 15% rate increase for only three years whilst welcome doesn’t go far enough to provide long term financial sustainability. The decision makes it challenging to plan for major infrastructure in the future and means we will need two more IPART decisions in the next three years.

It was said from the beginning that without a rate increase there would be further service reductions and assets sales, and sadly the community is already witnessing what this looks like.

Rik Hart Administrator, Central Coast Council

Your rates are changing

Former Wyong and former Gosford Local Government Areas (LGAs) previously had different rate structures for residents in place.

When the two councils amalgamated, the NSW State Government put a rate freeze in place which meant no amalgamated council could make changes to their rates structure. Now this freeze has been lifted and the State Government requires all amalgamated councils to have one rating path/structure in place for their LGAs by July 2021.

Important note: Rates harmonisation does not result in any additional income for Council. The total rates income for Council remains the same, however rates are more fairly split amongst residents based on their land values no matter where they live.

In addition to the legislatively required rates harmonisation, the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has determined a 15 percent Special Variation rates increase for ratepayers for three years commencing in 2021-22. Your rates notice from 1 July 2021 will include these changes.

Gosford LGA residential ratepayers’ land values are on average 43 percent higher than Wyong. This means that former Gosford ratepayers have been paying significantly less in rates than former Wyong ratepayers with the same land value. Gosford LGA residential ratepayers will on average pay more, 26 percent due to rates harmonisation and 15 percent for the SV, this equates to an average of $8 per week extra. Wyong LGA residential ratepayers will get on average a 20 percent reduction due to harmonisation and then a nine percent reduction after the SV. This is on average $2 per week less for Wyong.

Find out what this means for you or calculate your rates online 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.

The farm gates are ready to open this June long weekend

Foodies, families and fun-seekers will flock to the Central Coast hinterland over the June long weekend for the return of one of our most anticipated annual events, Harvest Festival.

A celebration of our region’s spectacular hinterland and an opportunity to recognise our outstanding local produce and producers, Harvest Festival will offer a wide range of unique events and experiences across thirty event hubs over 12 and 13 June.

Follow the Harvest Festival event trail to visit local farms, sample local produce, soak up live music and entertainment or join in a range of family-friendly activities.

Can’t get out? Don’t worry! New this year you can tune in for a live online concert on Sunday 13 June and access a selection of home-grown songs via Spotify, with full details at info.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/harvestsongs

Harvest Festival provides a great boost for our region. The 2019 event attracted over 32,000 visitors, providing the Central Coast economy with an $8million boost and while the event format moved online last year due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s event is anticipated to deliver similar returns to our community.

See the full calendar of events and pre-book your Harvest Festival experience, visit info.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/harvestfestival

Council meeting

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

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Hart takes the reins as the new Administrator It might be Rik Hart’s first stint as a Council Administrator, but he comes to the job with a wealth of experience in local government.

Hart, who took over as Central Council Administrator from Dick Persson on May 13, served for six months as the Council’s acting CEO following Persson’s appointment on October 30 and the suspension of councillors by Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock MP. Hart acted in that role until new CEO David Farmer took up his appointment on April 12, and was announced as the new Administrator when Minister Hancock announced on April 27 that a public inquiry was to be held into the Council’s financial crisis, with the Council to remain in administration until late next year when the next elections are expected to be held.

“I’ve seen councils in administration from every side of the fence and have been CEO of many organisations, both private and public, during my career,” Hart said.

“Although I have never been a Council Administrator, obviously Mr Persson and I

worked closely together over that six months and you won’t see a lot of change from me.

“What you will see is a slightly different emphasis, particularly in light of IPART’s recent decision to grant Council a 15 per cent rate rise (inclusive of the 2 per cent cap), but over only three years.

“I am extremely disappointed with that three-year determination.

“We seem to have very quickly forgotten Council became insolvent to the point where it couldn’t find the money to pay its staff wages last October.

“In private sector speak the Council was ‘broke’.

“That is the major issue – we need to find ways to remain solvent into the future, and that required producing a 10-year budget which showed surpluses year on year for the next 10 years.

“We need to focus on the trading position of the Council rather than repayment of Council’s bank debt ($350M) which is generally speaking amortised over 15 years and is budgeted for.

“In order to achieve surpluses as mentioned above, the Council had to agree with the

Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart

bank to a reduction of costs ($70M), an increase in revenue (15 per cent SRV approx. $26M) and the sale of assets.

“This is exactly the criteria any corporation would need to do to recover from insolvency in the private sector.

“I want to emphasise that there was no State Government ‘bail-out’ available for Council.

“We were told we had to

approach commercial lenders and we were down to the last one which would consider advancing funds to us ($100M) which was successful just before Christmas.

“But in order to secure that loan we had come to an agreement with the banking institution to include a program of asset sales, which is now underway, reducing costs to

sustainable levels (largely achieved through reduction of 250 staff members) and obtaining extra revenue.

“We had to put together a budget to show a surplus over the next 10 years.

“With a 15 per cent rate rise over 10 years we would have seen a $110M surplus over that time which would have been sufficient to repay the internally and externally restricted reserves that had been unlawfully used.

“But with the rate rise restricted to three years, we are now potentially looking at a negative balance (of around $66M) after 10 years.”

Hart said the restriction on the period of the rate rise could see a further application for a continuation of a rate increase, more asset sales and further reduction to services depending on future negotiations with the Council’s bankers.

“I am happy to say we have downsized the organisation, cut capital expenditure ($70M) and received the 15 per cent rate increase, so with the 15 per cent rate increase we will have some stability for next three years,” he said.

“However we will need to renegotiate with the banks

during this period to refinance some of the existing loans as they full due, which is a standard financial practice; this will no doubt mean there will be extensive negotiations with funding providers in the near future.

“We are being treated by the government as though we were a private entity, yet those private entities do not generally have, apart from the bank, other external agencies monitoring and controlling their revenue.”

Hart said he would structure his working week - spending three to four operational days on the Coast and working from his home on the Northern Beaches for the remainder of the time.

“That’s the intention but given this is a much longer term (than Persson’s) I am quite prepared to be up here more, especially as my daughter is in the process of moving to Terrigal,” he said.

Already familiar with the Brisbane Water thanks to frequent trips to Hardy’s Bay in his boat, Hart said he and his wife would no doubt become more regular weekend visitors.

Terry Collins

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School closures, dead fish inspire formation of new Indigenous Party A new political party hopes to be accredited in time to field candidates in the next Federal election, focussing on the seat of Robertson.

Paperwork for the Indigenous Party of Australia is currently under consideration by the Australian Electoral Commission.

Retired school principal Gab McIntosh of Woy Woy, who is the proposed party’s education spokesperson, said the new political group was born as the result of a casual chat.

“Indigenous people from

around the state were meeting with me and others in Kariong, to discuss how the school system was failing Indigenous kids and non-Indigenous kids who suffered from anxiety and depression,” McIntosh said.

“This was not long after the closure of Eagle Arts and Vocational College, a school on the Central Coast which catered primarily for kids with anxiety and depression which also had branches in Broken Hill.

“The school ran four days a week, had no fees or tests of any kind, and parents were

generally very happy with it.”

The school was closed at the end of 2018.

“Nothing has replaced it and the Central Coast is minus one very progressive school which helped some of its most needy teenagers,” McIntosh said.

“Worse still, some of those kids who were doing really well with us, have just gone back to anxiety attacks and severe depression; others, roaming the streets, are getting into trouble with the police.”

Convenor of the proposed party is Uncle Owen Whyman.

“Also, around this time we had the Menindee fish kill, one million dead fish in the Menindee Lakes system, and some towns west of Bathurst were running out of fresh water,” Uncle Owen said.

“I said to Gab, almost as a joke, that as no politician gives a toss about our kids or our water we should start our own political party; the Indigenous Party of Australia.”

McIntosh said she had told Uncle Owen she would help if she could and the process of putting a new political party

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“I want the people of the Central Coast to know that our proposed party is for both nonIndigenous and Indigenous people who have been let down by the system,” Uncle Owen said.

The proposed party is pushing for free homework centres, community controlled, for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.

“These small centres could provide fresh fruit and some simple recreational sport, as well as one on one help with reading and writing and homework assignments,” McIntosh said.

“They could also help with work experience for students.

“I have volunteer trainee teachers already keen to help out.

“This (Federal) government spends millions on private schools; surely this inexpensive initiative is within their means.”

The proposed party also wants changes to the Native Title Act, which Uncle Owen says “just isn’t working”.

“Traditional Owners, who have the most knowledge on Indigenous culture, are locked out of the current system and have no power,” he said.

“Also at the top of our list, apart from the environment, are things like the Kariong Sacred lands, Indigenous incarceration, and the little kids being taken from their families.

“We will be asking the Federal Government to put pressure on the States to really reduce Indigenous incarceration, which is among the highest in the world.”

McIntosh said the group hoped to hear from Canberra by end of July in regard to the registration of the new party.

Source: Media release, May 13 Gab McIntosh, Indigenous party of Australia

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PAGE 7 21 MAY 2021

F35A Fighter centre-stage at Central Coast Airshow The Central Coast Sky Surfers (CCSS), based at Point Clare, will just one of the many groups exhibiting at the inaugural Central Coast Airshow at Warnervale over the weekend of May 22 and 23.

The paragliding and hanggliding enthusiasts are not a small group of “crazies” who jump of cliffs, says President, Guy McKanna.

“There is a lot of training that you have to go through to become an accredited pilot,” McKanna said.

“You have to be a regional club member, which is part of a state organisation, as well as belong to the national Sports Aviation Federation of Australia (SAFA).

“It is highly regulated, and safety is paramount, and we have a local teaching school on the coast with Cloudbase Paragliding.”

McKanna said an increasing number of women were joining the local free flying community.

Some of them will be at the CCSS stand at the Central Coast Air Show to discuss their sport.

Kristen Rickard, who has been a pilot for seven years,

Photo: Mark Jessop

says she did not consider herself a “thrill-seeker”.

“Rather, I enjoy the liberating feeling of being off the ground and flying like a bird,” she said.

“The local sea eagles also

like to soar with us.”

The Central Coast Sky Surfers and Cloudbase Paragliding are donating a prize of a tandem flight to one attendee at the airshow.

The show promises something for everyone, from the die-hard aviation enthusiast to those just looking for a fun weekend out with the family, with a huge line-up of aircraft.

Leading the charge will be a display by the cutting-edge fighter jet, the RAAF F-35A Lightning II. This will be the debut of a new performance from the aircraft

and the first with its own dedicated RAAF display pilot.

Support from Defence Australia and the RAAF will continue with an appearance from the Air Force Roulettes.

The insane aerobatic displays will continue with performances from champion pilot, Paul Bennet, in his Wolf Pitts Pro, and one of Australia’s favourite aerobatic formation groups, The SkyAces.

A whole roster of rare and unique warbirds will be turning back the clock with their own displays and special guests will include extreme motorsport legend, Matt Mingay, and the Stuntz Inc Hot Wheels Stunt Team.

There will also be a heart stopping stunt involving freestyle motocross daredevil, Jacko Strong, and his crew, with a high-performance aerobatic plane and a huge ramp.

The festival across the airport will also feature street food, local markets, amusement rides for kids, RAAF displays.

For more information go online to centralcoastairshow. com.au Terry Collins and Sue Murray

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Calls grow for the removal of shark nets

Central Coast Council has joined other councils in the state in expressing its lack of support of shark nets and urging the State Government to look at alternatives.

The news comes as calls for the removal of shark nets at Central Coast beaches are ramping up following concerns the nets provide a false sense of security and are a danger to other sea creatures.

Since the launch of its trial on September 1, 2009, the NSW Department of Primary Industries has been recording the findings of its shark nets program.

According to the Department’s data, 217 sharks died on the Southern end of the Coast between 2009 and April 2019 as a result of the nets.

A media release from the Humane Society International Australia (HSI) claims nearly 400 non-target animals have also been killed on Central Coast beaches since 2012 as a direct result of the 11 shark nets currently in use.

Of these, 330 were threatened or protected species, such as dolphins, turtles and rays.

The HSI also says that 40 per cent of sharks have been

Dolphins often fall victim to shark nets

caught on the beach side of the nets, essentially referring to its lack of effectiveness.

Nets are in place at Terrigal, North Avoca, Avoca, Copacabana, Umina, Killare and MacMasters beach as well as at some northern beaches.

Lawrence Chlebeck, a Marine Biologist for HIS, said the shark

nets provide nothing but a “false sense of security” for swimmers.

“What a lot of people might not realise is that the nets are not complete barriers, they are only about 150 meters long and six meters high and sharks swim over and around them,” Chlebeck said.

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“The technology is nearly 100-years-old, we would never accept safety technology that old in any other facet of our lives, why should ocean safety be any different?

“It is in everyone’s best interest that the current Shark Meshing Program is done away with.

“[We are] pleased to see that attitude being reflected at the local council level.”

Shark scientist, Dr Leonardo Guida, agrees.

The Australian Marine Conservation Society scientist said he would like to see a transition to more modern solutions.

“We’ve got modern solutions to beach safety like drones that don’t drown our iconic wildlife, can spot sharks in advance, and have a big added bonus of spotting people at risk of drowning - the biggest danger at our beaches,” Guida said.

In the Department of Primary Industries own infographic, there seems to be a public support for getting rid of shark nets.

The Department acknowledges public concerns that it is “commonly viewed as old and outdated technology” which is the “least liked shark mitigation method due to socially unacceptable levels of bycatch/mortality”.

The Department also recognises the community would prefer non-lethal shark mitigation approaches that minimise harm to sharks and other species, but that some people report feeling safer in the water with the nets deployed.

Central Coast Council has joined Northern Beaches, Newcastle, Wollongong, Randwick and Waverley councils in calling for a removal of the nets.

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COVID-19 VACCINE SAFE. EFFECTIVE. FREE.

The Morrison Government is bringing forward access to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for eligible people aged 50-69 years.

Eligible people now have access to General Practice Respiratory Clinics and State and Territory COVID-19 vaccination sites and from 17 May 2021 local General Practice (GP) Clinics are able to administer the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to Australians over 50-years-old.

This means more people in our community are able to get a safe, free vaccination if they choose to do so.

For more information and to check your eligibility, scan this QR code or go to australia.gov.au

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PAGE 10 21 MAY 2021

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Firemen recognised for long service

More than 70 Rural Fire Service volunteers on the Coast have been recognised for their service.

The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) Central Coast District celebrated the achievements of 71 volunteers with the presentation of 18 national medals and 65 long service medals on May 16.

NSW RFS Deputy Commissioner, Peter McKechnie, joined State Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, Superintendent Viki Campbell and other special guests to mark the occasion.

Crouch said the 71 recipients had together given a total of

1,527 years of service to the community.

“Each member of the Rural Fire Service recognised as contributed between 10 and 61 years of service, with Daniel Franich from The Bays Brigade receiving the national medal

4th clasp for his incredible 61 years of service.”

Deputy Commissioner McKechnie congratulated each of the Central Coast District volunteers on their dedication, commitment and service.

“You only have to look at

2019/20 season to see how hard our skilled firefighters and support crews work to keep us safe when fires and emergency situations threaten. Last season, many of these volunteers were also helping with grass fires and flood

rescues,” he said.

“I would like to take this time to praise all our volunteers for their ongoing efforts each and every day, particularly when dealing with emergencies here on the Central Coast.

“We also thank the family,

friends, employers and colleagues of all Rural Fire Service volunteers.

We know it takes their ongoing support and patience to assist and enable our volunteers to do what they do to save lives and property.

“The NSW Rural Fire Service is committed to providing volunteer firefighters with the equipment, infrastructure and resources they need to carry out the important work of protecting their local communities from fire and a diverse array of incidents.”

Source: Media release, May 16 NSW RFS

Upgrades announced to Emergency Operations Centre in Charmhaven The Central Coast community will be better protected during bushfires, storms and flooding thanks to $126,048 in new funding to improve the region’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, said the EOC at Charmhaven serves

as the region’s “control room”.

“When a natural disaster occurs, staff from Resilience NSW, our emergency services and Central Coast Council swing into gear and work collaboratively to keep people safe,” Crouch said.

“This facility at Charmhaven has been designated one of NSW’s strategically important ‘backbone’ EOCs because it

provides a central site for communication and coordination of operations and support.

“The $126,048 in NSW Government funding will deliver new ICT and utilities upgrades, including internet infrastructure, laptops, tabards and satellite modems and phones for the paid and volunteer professionals working to keep the Central

Coast safe.

“Over the past 18 months we have witnessed a lifetime’s worth of disasters including bushfires, storms and flooding, which is why there has never been a more important time to invest in our emergency services capabilities.”

Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart, said the funding from the NSW

Government is timely and ensures the Coast community continues to be supported throughout local emergencies.

The Charmhaven EOC is operated by Council in conjunction with the NSW Rural Fire Service.

The funding, being delivered

by Resilience NSW, forms part of a State-wide commitment of $6.2M to enhance the

operational capability of strategically important ‘backbone’ EOCs. Resilience NSW will work closely with Central Coast Council to develop a funding agreement which reflects particular requirements.

Source; Media release, May 19 Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch

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PAGE 11 21 MAY 2021

PAGE 12 21 MAY 2021

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Parking meters on beaches survey Do you agree with the installation of parking meters if ratepayers don’t have to pay?

34.5% Yes 65.5%

Over a period of two weeks, readers were asked to vote on three questions regarding Central Coast Council’s plan to install parking meters at beaches and popular tourist spots to earn some revenue from visitors to recoup some of the costs of maintaining those tourist spots.

In view of the fact that ratepayers will not have to pay to park, the first question asked “Do you agree with the installation of parking meters if ratepayers don’t have to pay?”

147 responses were received, of which, two thirds voted yes to the installation of parking

No meters.

The second question asked: “Seeing that tenants don’t pay rates but their landlord does, should tenants have to pay for parking to contribute to costs?”

This time, over 80 percent voted no to tenants having to pay for parking.

Finally, the third question posed was: “Should landlords who receive permits have to pass these on to tenants?”

The response to this was even stronger with 87% voting yes, landlords should pass on their permit to tenants.

Thank you to everyone who took the trouble to vote.

IPART ruling at odds with Minister’s claims My understanding, having watched the Central Cost Council ePetition debate in the NSW parliament, is that any involvement with IPART would be deferred until after the findings of the public hearing.

Yet we hear that IPART have already approved a 15 per cent increase.

We noticed, as did participants in the debate, that the NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian was absent from the debate.

Would this be because of a potential conflict of interest as the chairman of IPART, Dr Peter Boxall, directly reports to the Premier?

It would be easy to conclude

FORUM that IPART is not as independent as the name implies and is possibly bound to follow instructions from the Premier, or in this instance, the Minister for Local Government.

Over 20,000 residents of the Central Coast signed the petition for an independent judiciary enquiry, yet the Minister for Local Government, Shelley Hancock, claimed that the public inquiry would be as independent as any other process as it was to be chaired by a barrister and in the same conversation assured all that any ruling by IPART would be halted until after the public

hearing concluded.

Yet IPART states it has assessed the Council’s application against Guidelines issued by the Office of Local Government (OLG) and decided to approve a temporary SV of 15 per cent in 2021-22, which is to be retained for three years and then removed.

During this three-year period, the Council will be able to implement its proposed business recovery plan, consult with its ratepayers regarding appropriate service levels, and if required, apply for a permanent SV. That is in contrast to her statement during the parliament debate.

This (coincides with) the rates harmonisation process, where a uniform rating structure for all rating categories will be adopted across the former Gosford City and Wyong Shire council areas from July 1.

The SV will be applied across all rating categories using the harmonised rates, meaning the percentage increases experienced by ratepayers will not be uniform.

There is absolutely zero repercussion against those that caused the financial disaster nor the auditors that provided incorrect advice.

Email, May 17 Dennis Silvers, Narara

Two term limits for councillors I totally agree with Kevin Duncan (Previous councillors not wanted, CCN May 12) about not allowing any of the previous councillors to run for Council ever again.

(This is) not only because of the obvious reason of the debt

FORUM they have put the region in, but also because they have been running our area for far too long.

Their ideas are always the same ones rehashed over and over again; there is nothing

new.

And because they have been intolerant of fresh ways to bring the area into the future, they will never change their way of thinking.

My belief is that our council elections should be run like the American presidential system.

Two four-year terms maximum.

This way there will always be fresh minds in charge and maybe the Central Coast will come out of the dark ages.

Email, May 13 Virginia O’Leary, The Entrance

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PAGE 13 21 MAY 2021

PUBLIC INQUIRY Explained... ? 

What is the difference between a Public Inquiry and a judicial inquiry?

A Public Inquiry means that the Councillors will remain suspended for as long as possible. If a judicial inquiry was held, the Councillors would have been allowed to return.

A Public Inquiry also means that any evidence or information collected can later be used in a court or ICAC hearing. If a judicial inquiry was held, any evidence or information it collects would be inadmissible in a court or ICAC hearing.

A Public Inquiry has many of the powers, authorities and protections of a Royal Commission.

?  ? 

Who runs the Public Inquiry?

Roslyn McCulloch, a lawyer with 30 years’ experience in the judicial system, has been appointed as the independent Commissioner of the Public Inquiry. Commissioner McCulloch will gather documents and information, review written submissions from community members and Council staff, and hold public hearings.

What do the Terms of Reference mean?

The Terms of Reference for this Public Inquiry direct Commissioner McCulloch to focus on the Council’s financial management and its ability to serve the local community.

They also allow Commissioner McCulloch to investigate “any other matter that warrants mention”, which will ensure the Public Inquiry is open and transparent.

? 

Who pays for the Public Inquiry?

? 

What happens when the Public Inquiry is completed?

? 

The public inquiry will not cost Central Coast ratepayers a single cent. The Public Inquiry is expected to take approximately 12 months and cost $1 million, and will be funded by the NSW Government.

Commissioner McCulloch will provide a report to the Local Government Minister and will also provide advice on whether the Councillors should be dismissed, whether elections should be called, or whether an Administrator should remain in charge.

How can I take part in the Public Inquiry?

Commissioner McCulloch will provide opportunities for everyone to make written submissions and participate in public hearings.

Adam CROUCH mp Member for Terrigal 02 4365 1906 adamcrouchmp

terrigal@parliament.nsw.gov.au adamcrouchmp

adamcrouchmp.com.au

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

PAGE 14 21 MAY 2021

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Gosford Council wharf is a disaster

Does anyone think a referendum is a good idea?

Why are we proceeding with the futile and illjudged referendum on the number of councillors required for our city?

This seems to have been some kind of pet hobbyhorse for Administrator Persson, since I know of nobody else who sees any value in the exercise.

Pointless as it is, it might have passed muster, if conducted as part of a general election campaign in September.

However, now that there will be no election until September 2022, this standalone effort is nothing but an unwarranted expense, at a time of fiscal austerity, and an intrusion on Central Coast ratepayers.

Since there will be no general election, how will this referendum be conducted, will voting be compulsory, and what will be the effect of the vote, regardless of the outcome?

Elected councillors can

FORUM See Page 2 for address and contribution conditions.

Opinions expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily of the newspaper decide, at any time, to alter the makeup of the Council, so any opinion uncovered by the referendum can only be advisory, and, without any rationale being advanced for the proposal, what message will it convey to the next Council, when it eventually meets?

Is it too late for our Administrator Mark 3 to cancel this unnecessary distraction, at a time when we should be focussing on the critical issues that the city is facing?

Let us get our financial house in order, before we start debating the optimal

number of representatives that we need to manage our affairs.

Furthermore, if the question is going to be debated, let it be a full and open discussion, not the arbitrary suggestion of one person who hasn’t even hung around to support his position.

Incidentally, the suggestion

by Dennis Silvers that our financial woes should be borne by those who caused them (“Hard to sustain growth with a 43 per cent rate rise”, CCN 292) is exactly right.

Those who voted the councillors in are responsible and they should own up and make good the damage that the rest of us have suffered through no fault of our own.

I didn’t vote for any of the nincompoops I was saddled with and have the right to feel fully aggrieved at those who put them in office.

Email, May 18 Bruce Hyland, Woy Woy

What a great pity and eyesore the Gosford council wharf and The Coast Bar and Restaurant have become.

It is the first thing in Gosford visitors see and it has become a hoarders’ dump site.

The restaurant and surrounding car parks have become a dump site for derelict old cars and trailers.

There is also a flat bed truck

FORUM which is most likely how the derelict vehicles get there.

Hoarders don’t stop.

That area will be a wrecking yard.

The restaurant’s security alarm was on for days two weeks ago and the place was boarded up after thieves attempted to get in.

Some locals reported toilet

paper near the wharf.

Seeing there are no toilets there, it can only come from the people living on boats at the wharf.

I suspect the Central Coast rate payers will eventually have to pay to clean all this crap up in the future.

What a disaster.

Email, May 16 Hernan Ratto, Tascott

With DA costs like these, how can the Council make a loss?

We are currently trying to build on the Coast and after a five-week wait, have been asked to pay $1,750 to review our DA application and $563 for a 307 certificate in which we are asked to pay for maintenance costs for relining Council sewer infrastructure plus $166

FORUM for a flood certificate and I am sure we are not finished yet.

So, if we multiply this by every new home on the Central Coast and rates for every property, you would have to ask how can the Council be in the position it

is currently in?

Despite the Dick Persson Show - how can we expect councillors to pick up on discrepancies professional auditors did not?

I think the whole thing stinks.

Email, May 15 Ross Mitchell, Ourimbah

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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PAGE 15 21 MAY 2021

PAGE 16 ON THE BEAT & FORUM 21 MAY 2021

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‘We can’t do it alone’ – Minister’s message in National Road Safety Week

Man arrested after three-stage car chase A man has been arrested after a car crashed following three separate police pursuits on the Central Coast on Wednesday, May 19.

Anyone with information about these incidents should call

Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: www.crimestoppers.com.au Information provided will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

At 11.35am, officers attached to the Central Coast Traffic and Highway Patrol Command detected a Toyota Hilux exceeding the speed limit on the Pacific Highway at Wyoming.

Police attempted to stop the vehicle but was unable to do so, resulting in a pursuit being initiated.

This was however terminated almost immediately due to safety concerns.

A short time later, the Hilux was observed by officers attached to Brisbane Water Police District travelling on Hill Street, Gosford.

The Hilux briefly pulled over

before accelerating away from police.

A pursuit commenced but was terminated about 5 minutes later due to safety concerns.

At around 11.45am the same day, officers in an unmarked police vehicle observed the Hilux travelling on Deane St, Narara.

Police attempted to stop the Hilux, before it crossed to the incorrect side of the road and a pursuit commenced.

The pursuit continued through the Lisarow, Ourimbah and Somersby areas, before the Hilux crashed into a concrete barrier at the intersection of Wisemans Ferry Road and the M1 Pacific Motorway, about 12.15pm.

When officers attempted to remove the male driver from the vehicle, he aggressively resisted, before he was arrested and taken to Gosford Police Station.

A 19-year-old man was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously (x 3), resist officer in execution of duty and class A m/v exceed speed > 45 km/h – Estimated.

He was refused bail to appear at Gosford Local Court on Thursday, May 20.

Source: Police report, May 19 Brisbane Water Police District

Central Coast road users are being encouraged to “drive so others survive” and reflect on how their driving affects others during National Road Safety Week, which runs until May 23.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, said people in regional and rural areas make up one-third of NSW’s population, but more than two-thirds of the road toll.

“The Central Coast has recorded 64 deaths on roads in the five years between 2015 and 2019,” Crouch said.

“These aren’t just numbers.

“They are real people with real lives and families, and

each death echoes through our community.”

In addition, there have been 1,133 serious injuries on our roads over the same period.

“National Road Safety Week serves as a reminder to take a moment and think about the people we share the road with, because each choice behind the wheel can have fatal consequences,” Crouch said.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said despite record spending on roads by the NSW Government and a reduction in the NSW road toll this year, 105 loves ones were still missing from the family dinner table due to

crashes on NSW roads.

“We can’t do it alone,” Toole said.

“This year’s theme of National Road Safety Week is ‘Lead the Way: drive so others survive’ and we are encouraging all drivers to reflect and recognise that road safety is a shared responsibility.”

National Road Safety Week is coordinated by Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH), an organisation launched by Peter Frazer following the tragic loss of his daughter Sarah in a crash in February 2012.

Source: Media release, May 18 Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch

More seating needed in Leagues Club Park I am writing to you in respect of the allocated seating areas (or lack thereof) in the new Leagues Club Park.

FORUM As a frequent visitor to the park (which is impressive) I am

very disappointed at the lack of places to sit and enjoy the park.

Apart from the two barbecue areas which are frequently in use the only other place to sit

are the stone steps leading to the wet area which are unpleasant to sit on for any length of time.

(Are there plans) to install any

further seating or is the project complete?

Hopefully more seating can be installed for residents to enjoy what is a lovely addition

to our area appreciated.

and

much

Email, May 18 Terry Leith, Point Frederick

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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OUT&ABOUT PAGE 17 21 MAY 2021

Take the NEXT EXIT to live music

Spacey Jane Photo:Daniel Hilderbrand

Ocean Alley, Spacey Jane, Dear Seattle, Merci Mercy, and the CLEWS will perform at the NEXT EXIT festival at the Entertainment Grounds in Gosford, on May 23.

The Central Coast will be one of five regional towns across NSW to host the event.

NEXT EXIT was created to help performers and musicians restart following COVID-19 restrictions and ensure live music reaches fans outside capital cities during a challenging time for the country.

Kieran Lama is the comanager and drummer of Spacey Jane, an indie rock

garage band from Perth which became the highest-ranking Australian artist of the recent Hottest 100.

Lama said the four-piece band was excited to be back touring and sharing the joy of music with fans.

“There’s something about the energy of live shows that’s not like anything else to us,” Lama said.

“We really feed off the crowds and I think people generally love the opportunity to jump around and sing the words to songs that mean something to them – the fact that we get to be on the receiving end of that is a huge privilege and we

appreciate it a great deal.

“Wouldn’t wanna be doing anything else with our time really.

“We definitely felt the pain in having to postpone and reschedule shows, but it was nice to keep in touch with our friends at home and spend some quality time together off the clock.

“By the end of the year we were completely rearing to go.

“It also weirdly enough worked out pretty well for us with the album coming out when it did, so hey, we’ll take the silver linings where we can.”

Lama said the festival allows

band members to visit places they have not been to before.

“There’s a lot of places that we haven’t actually seen that we’re getting the chance to see which is easily one of the best parts of touring,” he said.

“A few of us have lived regionally most of our lives (Geraldton, Margaret River etc), so we know to be on the lookout for some hidden gems – god it’s good to be a tourist again.”

Over the fourth and fifth weekends of May, NEXT EXIT will visit Tamworth, Port Macquarie, Gosford, Batemans Bay, and Mudgee.

MJR Presents created the festival after receiving Restart

Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) funding from the Federal Government.

Head of Touring Australia, Scott Mesit, said the original concept for the NEXT EXIT Festival was to help bushfireaffected towns regenerate tourism and hire as many local suppliers as possible.

“We pass so many ‘Next Exit’ signs on the highway and often drive past with only our destination in sight,” Mesit said.

“So much has happened since then, but our aim remains the same.

“We have designed a safe festival that can be delivered

under current restrictions and will employ many people from our industry who have sat on the sidelines for too long.”

Standing with dancing will be allowed at the event, but no moshing is allowed and control measures for social distancing will be in place.

Camp chairs and blankets will be allowed into the event and situated towards the back.

They are also encouraging friends who want to be together to arrive together.

The gates at the Entertainment showground will open at 3pm with the show finishing at 9pm.

Jacinta Counihan

PAGE 18 OUT&ABOUT 21 MAY 2021

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Leagues Club Park wins heritage award Gosford’s Leagues Club Park has taken out the Judges’ Choice category at the 2021 National Trust Heritage Awards in recognition of its incorporation of Aboriginal design elements.

The former Leagues Club Field has been transformed into a stunning nature-inspired regional play space, creating a landmark destination embedded with local culture and history, the National Trust said.

The $10M State Government funded project includes natureinspired “wild play” areas, interactive Aboriginal design elements, accessible pathways and expansive green space.

The Darkinjung Local

Aboriginal Land Council (DLALC) played a central role in the park’s design, working in close partnership with the Hunter Central Coast Development Corporation (HCCDC) and landscape architects Turf Design.

HCCDC Chief Operating Officer, Valentina Misevska, said the corporation was proud of the way it was able transform the park with such a significant cultural heritage component.

“The way that we worked with our Aboriginal partners rally enabled us to deliver a park with a beating cultural heart right in the centre of Gosford,” she said.

Local Aboriginal culture is integrated in the design, with the park’s cultural centre piece a circular amphitheatre

inspired by a traditional meeting place and dance ground.

Misevska said the amphitheatre had been modelled on a traditional Aboriginal dance and meeting ground.

“It was co-designed with our partners from the DLALC and the artistry around the poles

surrounding it was created by Gavi Duncan to reflect land water, people, kinship, the universe and learning,”” she said.

“The poles also feature handprints from local primary school children to reflect community and learning.”

Misevska said the park’s unique tidal pool was another

outstanding feature.

“We understand this was a really important meeting place where land and water met, and we have interpreted that with our tidal terrace mechanism the first of its kind to be used in a park in Australia,” she said.

“Sea creatures at the bottom of the tidal pool are revealed as water flows in and out of the pool according to the tidal movement of Brisbane Water.

“They were crafted out of sandstone and modelled on Aboriginal carvings found in the nearby mountains.”

Aboriginal canoes and a European-style boat symbolise the meeting of two cultures, with the natural environment bringing connection and understanding.

The park also contains interpretive signage and an Aboriginal fish trap play piece, reflecting the fact that this was an important source of food for the community,’’ Misevska said.

The awards were announced at a ceremony at heritagelisted Dolton House,recognising projects, initiatives and individuals that demonstrate excellence in the conservation, protection, and interpretation of Aboriginal, built, natural and cultural heritage.

The annual awards, now in their 27th year, are the signature event of the Australian Heritage Festival in NSW. Source: Media release, May 13 National Trust

Young singers to perform alongside stars of Opera Australia The talented young singers of the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music Children’s Choir are set to appear on stage alongside the stars of Opera Australia, when a production of Carmen plays at The Art Huose in Wyong in July.

The choir, which draws children from all over the region, will join Opera Australia’s singers and live chamber orchestra for the sizzling tale of Carmen – the femme fatale you cannot forget.

Bizet’s famous opera is a

story of love, jealousy, passion, and fate.

Amidst thrilling Spanish colour and rhythms, this Opera Australia production includes gorgeous sets and vintage-

inspired costumes.

This the second time Opera Australia will work with the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music, with the children’s choir appearing in their 2018

performance of Madame Butterfly also at The Art House.

“We’re so excited to be able to offer this opportunity to these talented local singers”, The Art House executive

director Anne-Marie Heath said.

“Appearing in a world-class opera at their local theatre will be an incredible experience and one we are sure they will

enjoy.”

In line with the mission to bring renowned national theatre companies to the coast, The Art House has kept ticket prices low, to allow seasoned opera fans the luxury of a performance without the need to travel, whilst also encouraging newcomers and younger audiences to embrace the experience.

The show plays on July 13 and 14.

Details on The Art House website.

CCN

COASTAL DIARY EVENTS ON THE CENTRAL COAST FRIDAY, MAY 21 Dying With Dignity Central Coast - its time for yes votes for voluntary assisted dying bill in NSW, Kendall’s, Central Coast League’s Club, 10am, non-members welcome 0434 426 486

conservation area, Elizabeth Bay Park, bookings required, 8:30am - 10:30pm 4349 4757 www.cen.org.au/events

FRIDAY, MAY 28

centralcoast@dwdnsw. org.au

Central Coast Airshow, Central Coast Airport, NZ Warriors v Wests Tigers, Ticketed, 9am - 5pm Central Coast stadium, Ticketed, 6pm

SATURDAY, MAY 22 Elizabeth Bay bird walk and talk, Munmorah State

events Car boot sale, VCC National Volunteer Dundan Rd crapark, Stars of the Central Coast cnr Ocean Beach Rd, Week Central Coast - Cancer Council NSW Awards for 2020 and Woy Woy, 7am - 1pm fundraiser, 2021 presentation, Laycock Street Theatre, SATURDAY, JUN 12 Vote now Ticketed, 8pm www.volunteeringcentralcoast.

HARVEST FESTIVAL org.au 12 - 13/6 SATURDAY, MAY 29

COSS Connections fungi foray, Katandra reserve, 10am - 1pm bookings required cen.org.au/events

Sydney Roosters v Open day, Canberra Raiders, The Rise at Wood Glen, Central Coast stadium, Avoca Beachside Markets, Wood Glen retirement Ticketed, 5pm Heazlett Park Avoca Beach, village, RSVP required, 9am - 2pm 10am - 2pm SUNDAY, MAY 30 4365 6800 WEDNESDAY, MAY 26 risewoodglen.com.au/ Lions Club of Woy Woy:

SUNDAY, MAY 23

Medicine Walkabout, Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park, Ticketed, 12 - 13/06, walkaboutpark.com.au

Pick your own pecans, The Pecan Lady Orchid, Ticketed, 12 - 13/06, 9am - 4pm

Glenworth Grazing pecanlady.com.au Food and Wine Festival, Glenworth Valley Sustainable Natives, Outdoor Adventures, 94 Keighley Avenue, Ticketed, 12 - 13/06, Somersby, 12 - 13/06, 11am - 5pm 9am 4pm glenworthgrazing.com.au

sustainablenatives.com.au

Bush Tucker - Bush

Coachwood Nursery, Peats Ridge, 12 - 13/06, 10am - 3pm 900 Wisemans Ferry thinkwaterpeatsridge.

Road, Somersby, com.au 12 - 13/06, 9am - 4pm coachwoodnursery.com

Mountain Growers Market – Bonza Gale Citrus Wholesale Market, Nursery, 1109 Peats Ridge Road, 1265 Wisemans Ferry Peats Ridge, 12 - 13/06, Road, Somersby, 8am - 3pm 12 - 13/06, 10am - 4pm Taste Of Harvest Retro Tapas, The Springs, 1080 Peats Ridge Road, Peats Ridge, 12 - 13/06, Multiple sittings the-springs.com.au

Wood Chopping and Hot Saw Action, Think Water, 1109 Peats Ridge Road,

Grace Springs Farm Tour, 1128 George Downes Dr, Kulnura, 12 - 13/06, ticketed, 9.30am a- 3pm

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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Self-styled collage artist holds first exhibition

It was a chance conversation with friend and artist Kath Giovanelli which introduced Trish Waddington of Macmasters Beach to the art of collage late last year.

And now the self-styled collage artist is holding her first solo exhibition in a gallery at Avoca Beach.

“I was helping Kath clean out her studio as she prepared for her own solo exhibition at Gosford Regional Gallery,” Waddington said.

“She wanted to throw a lot of paintings out and as an avid recycler I wasn’t happy about that.

“So she suggested I take them home and repurpose them, encouraging me to look into collage.

“I had never done it before, but I took some of her paintings home, cut them up and began to experiment with making collages with the pieces.

“Before I knew it, I was hooked.”

Waddington took to posting pictures of her collages almost daily, attracting numerous comments from enthusiastic friends.

“People really seemed to like them and began talking about me having some sort of show,” she said.

“I can’t stop doing them now – I do at least one a day.”

Waddington uses old artworks found discarded and has also started to experiment with doing splatter paintings of her own, which she then cuts up and uses as collage pieces.

“I don’t usually have a theme in mind, I just start gluing pieces and I have idea what will come out, but people see all sorts of things in them animals, people, scenes from nature.”

Waddington’s own love of conservation is evident in the tones she uses, often

representative of earth, fire and water.

The exhibition, Mixed Media Collage, features around 20 framed and 20 matted pieces.

It began on May 1 and continues until the end of the month.

“People have been lovely and I have already sold several.”

Mixed Media Collage continues until May 30 at 1/177 Avoca Dr and is open from 11am-3pm Thursdays and Fridays and 10am-3pm Saturdays and Sundays.

Terry Collins

WWW.COASTCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM.AU

OUT&ABOUT PAGE 19 21 MAY 2021

What’s happening @ Kariong Neighbourhood Centre MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

- Pilates for Seniors*

- Early Childhood - Tai Chi* Clinic - Active Playgroup* - Mums & Bubs Group - Early Childhood Clinic SATURDAY SUNDAY - Food Relief - Pilates for Fitness Available for Program - Available for PARTY hire PARTY hire

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

- FREE - Little Big Computer for School* Seniors - The Over Fifty Friendship Group (TOFFs)* Monday to Friday OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS & VACATION CARE *School terms only

For more information, please contact: 4340 1724 | admin@knc.net.au

Trish Waddington at her exhibition, Mixed Media Collage

Live Well at Home with Coastwide Community Care

We Do Home Care Differently CHSP, NDIS & Home Care Packages • Leading provider of in-home care services, including personal care, meal preparation, household task, Social support, transport, gardening and more!

• 24/7 Live-in, Post-Hospital, Respite and Casual Care throughout Central Coast & Hunter Region Call Today to arrange a FREE • Experienced with advanced care needs, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

In-Home consultation!

• Providing care services to NDIS clients to achieve their goals • Consistency of care with carefully matched Carers • Zero exit fees, low case management fees – more care hours available!

02 4353 1700

WWW.COASTWIDECOMMUNITYCARE.COM.AU - ENHANCING LIFE, EXCELLING IN CARE

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PRIME (C61/60)

ABC (C20/21)

Sunday 23 May

Saturday 22 May

Friday 21 May

6:00 9:00 9:55 11:00

News Breakfast [s] 6:00 ABC News Mornings [s] 9:00 Q&A [s] 11:30 George Clarke’s Amazing 12:00 Spaces [s] 11:50 Dream Build [s] 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 1:00 Back Roads (PG) [s] 1:30 That Pacific Sports Show [s] 2:00 2:05 Smother (M) [s] 3:00 4:00 3:00 ABC News Afternoons [s] 5:00 4:00 Think Tank (PG) [s] 6:00 4:55 Julia Zemiro’s Home 7:00 Delivery (PG) [s] 8:30 5:30 Hard Quiz (PG) [s] 6:00 The Drum [s] 7:00 ABC News [s] 7:30 Gardening Australia [s] 8:30 Vera: Blind Spot (M v) [s] 10:00 Doc Martin (PG) [s] 10:50 ABC Late News [s] 11:05 The Vaccine [s] 11:20 The Weekly With Charlie 10:40 Pickering (PG) [s] 11:50 You Can’t Ask That (M s) [s] 12:20 rage (MA15+) [s] 12:30 6:00 6:00 rage (PG) [s] 7:00 7:00 Weekend Breakfast [s] 10:00 10:00 rage (PG) [s] 11:00 rage Guest Programmer (PG) 12:00 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 12:30 George Clarke’s Amazing 5:00 Spaces [s] 5:30 1:30 Anh’s Brush With Fame: Kurt Fearnley (PG) [s] 2:00 Football: A-League: Wellington 6:00 Phoenix v Western United FC 7:00 *Live* From Wellington Regional Stadium [s] 4:00 Love On The Spectrum (PG) 5:00 Landline [s] 6:00 Wild Australia - After The Fires (PG) [s] 7:00 ABC News [s] 9:30 7:30 The Durrells (PG) [s] 8:20 Sanditon (PG) [s] 9:05 Wakefield (M l,d) [s] 11:30 10:05 The Split (PG) [s] 11:05 Dark Money (M) [s] 12:05 rage Guest Programmer (MA15+) [s] 1:00 5:00 rage (PG) [s] 6:00 6:00 rage (PG) [s] 7:00 7:00 Weekend Breakfast [s] 10:00 9:00 Insiders [s] 10:00 Offsiders [s] 12:00 10:30 The World This Week [s] 1:00 11:00 Compass (PG) [s] 11:30 Songs Of Praise [s] 1:30 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 3:00 12:30 Landline [s] 3:30 1:30 Gardening Australia [s] 4:00 2:30 Doc Martin (PG) [s] 3:30 Restoration Australia (PG) [s] 5:00 5:30 4:30 Back Roads [s] 6:00 5:00 Art Works [s] 7:00 5:30 Antiques Roadshow [s] 6:30 Compass (PG) [s] 8:10 7:00 ABC News Sunday [s] 7:40 Spicks And Specks (PG) [s] 8:25 Wakefield (M l,s) [s] 9:25 Smother (M l) [s] 9:30 10:15 Unforgotten (M l) [s] 11:05 Glitch (M l,s,v) [s] 10:30 12:05 Dark Money (M l,d) [s] 1:00 rage (MA15+) 11:30 3:10 Miriam’s Big American 12:30 Adventure (M l) [s]

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

NINE (C81/80)

TEN (C13)

6:00 Today [s] 6:00 Sunrise [s] 9:00 Today Extra [s] 8:30 The Morning Show [s] 11:30 NINE’s Morning News [s] 12:00 Seven Morning News [s] 12:00 Ellen (PG) [s] 1:00 Movie: “Jesse Stone: No 1:00 Movie: “The First Wives Club” 2:00 Remorse” (M v) (’10) Stars: (PG) (’96) Stars: Diane Keaton, 2:30 Tom Selleck, Kathy Baker, Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler Kohl Sudduth, Stephen 3:00 Tipping Point [s] 3:00 McHattie, Krista Allen 4:00 NINE’s Afternoon News [s] 3:30 House Of Wellness [s] 5:00 Millionaire Hot Seat [s] The Chase UK [s] 6:00 NINE News [s] 4:00 Seven News At 4 [s] 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) [s] 4:30 The Chase Australia [s] 7:30 NRL: Cronulla Sharks v St Seven News [s] George Illawarra Dragons 5:00 Better Homes And Gardens *Live* From Netstrata Jubilee 6:00 Movie: “The Ugly Truth” Stadium, Sydney [s] 6:30 (MA15+) (’09) – An uptight 9:50 NRL: Golden Point [s] 7:30 television producer takes 10:35 Movie: “The Foreigner” 8:30 control of a morning show (MA15+) (’17) – A humble segment on modern businessman with a buried past 9:25 relationships hosted by a seeks justice when his daughter 10:25 misogynistic man. Stars: is killed in an act of terrorism. 10:55 Katherine Heigl, Gerard Butler, Stars: Katie Leung, Jackie 11:55 Bree Turner, Eric Winter Chan, Rufus Jones 12:55 7News Spotlight: Craig 1:00 Our State On A Plate [s] McLachlan (M) [s] 1:30 Home Shopping 2:00 Home Shopping 6:00 6:00 Easy Eats [s] Home Shopping 6:30 7:00 Weekend Today [s] Weekend Sunrise [s] 7:00 10:00 Today Extra - Saturday [s] The Morning Show 7:30 12:00 Our State On A Plate [s] Weekend [s] 8:30 12:30 Animal Embassy [s] Seven’s Horse Racing: 9:30 Doomben/ Rosehill/ Flemington 1:00 Reel Destinations [s] 12:00 1:30 Desert Vet (PG) [s] Seven News At 5 [s] 12:30 Border Security - Australia’s 2:30 The Garden Gurus [s] 3:00 Netball: Magpies v Firebirds Front Line (PG) [s] 1:00 *Live* From Silverdome, Seven News [s] 1:30 Launceston [s] Movie: “The Day After 2:30 Tomorrow” (PG) (’03) – When 5:00 NINE News: First At Five [s] 3:00 an ice age threatens the world, 5:30 Getaway (PG) [s] 3:30 6:00 NINE News Saturday [s] a climatologist tries to figure 4:30 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) [s] out a way to save humanity 5:00 7:30 Space Invaders (PG) [s] and get to his young son in 8:30 Movie: “Jurassic World” (PG) 6:00 New York. Stars: Jake (’15) Stars: Bryce Dallas 6:30 Gyllenhaal, Emmy Rossum Howard, Chris Pratt, BD Wong 7:00 Movie: “A Good Day To Die 8:00 Hard” (M v,l) (’13) Stars: Bruce 10:55 Movie: “Resident Evil: The Final Chapter” (MA15+) (’16) 9:00 Willis, Jai Courtney Stars: Milla Jovovich, Iain Glen 10:00 Crime Investigation Australia: Most Infamous: A 12:50 New Amsterdam (M mp) [s] 1:40 Ready 4 Adventure [s] 11:10 Killer Amongst Us - The 12:00 Norfolk Island Murder (M v) [s] 2:00 Home Shopping 5:30 Wesley Impact [s] 5:00 Home Shopping 6:00 Easy Eats [s] 6:00 Home Shopping 7:00 Weekend Today [s] 7:30 Weekend Sunrise [s] 10:00 Sports Sunday (PG) [s] 8:00 The Morning Show Weekend (PG) [s] 11:00 Sunday Footy Show (PG) [s] 8:30 House Of Wellness (PG) [s] 1:00 Netball: Suncorp Super Netball: 9:00 Kochie’s Your Money & Your Lightning v Swifts *Live* From 9:30 12:00 Life [s] USC Stadium [s] Program To Be Advised 3:00 NRL: Parramatta Eels v Manly 12:30 1:00 Sea Eagles *Live* From Highway Cops (PG) [s] Bankwest Stadium, Sydney [s] 1:30 Border Patrol (PG) [s] 2:00 Better Homes And Gardens 6:00 NINE News Sunday [s] 3:10 7:00 Celebrity Apprentice Seven News At 5 [s] 3:30 Australia (PG) [s] – With two Sydney Weekender (PG) [s] 4:00 undercover advisors in their Seven News [s] 4:30 midst, our celebrities must 7News Spotlight: Martin create ‘Selfie Inspired Artworks’ 5:00 Bryant’s Dark Secrets (M) [s] 6:00 Crime Investigation to sell at auction for charity.

6:30 Australia: Most Infamous: 8:40 60 Minutes (PG) [s] 7:30 John Ernest Cribb - The Devil 9:40 NINE News Late [s] 10:10 Australian Crime Stories: 9:00 Inside (MA15+) [s] The Hunter (M l,v) [s] The Real Manhunter: The 10:00 Murder Of Bridie Skehan (M v) 11:20 Shallow Grave: The Collectors (MA15+) [s] Criminal Confessions: Killer 12:10 The First 48: Heartless (M) [s] 11:00 Friends (M v,l) [s] 12:00 1:00 Our State On A Plate [s] The Blacklist (M v) [s] 4:30 1:30 Home Shopping Home Shopping

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

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

Headline News [s] Studio 10 (PG) [s] Dr Phil (PG) [s] The Living Room [s] Entertainment Tonight [s] Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield [s] Judge Judy (PG) [s] My Market Kitchen With Ben O’Donoghue [s] Good Chef Bad Chef [s] The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 10 News First [s] WIN News [s] The Project (PG) [s] The Living Room [s] The Graham Norton Show (M l,s) [s] Program To Be Advised Program To Be Advised The Project (PG) [s] WIN’s All Australian News [s] The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (PG) [s] Home Shopping Which Car? [s] Entertainment Tonight [s] Escape Fishing With ET [s] The Offroad Adventure Show All 4 Adventure [s] Studio 10 Saturday (PG) [s] Good Chef Bad Chef [s] Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield [s] My Market Kitchen [s] The Dog House (PG) [s] Taste Of Australia [s] What’s Up Down Under [s] The Living Room [s] Farm To Fork [s] 10 News First [s] Advancing Australia [s] Bondi Rescue (PG) [s] The Dog House (PG) [s] The Savoy (PG) [s] Ambulance Australia (M) [s] 999: What’s Your Emergency? (M) [s] Program To Be Advised Home Shopping Religious Programs Religious Programs [s] Fishing Australia [s] Pooches At Play [s] Freshly Picked [s] Australia By Design [s] Studio 10 Sunday [s] Advancing Australia [s] Left Off The Map [s] My Market Kitchen [s] Good Chef Bad Chef [s] MasterChef Australia (PG) [s] Everyday Gourmet [s] Hotels By Design (PG) [s] Fishing Australia [s] Taste Of Australia [s] 10 News First [s] WIN News [s] The Sunday Project (PG) [s] MasterChef Australia (PG) [s] FBI: Most Wanted: Hustler (M) [s] FBI: An Imperfect Science (M) [s] The Sunday Project (PG) [s] Home Shopping CBS This Morning [s]

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

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

SBS (C30)

5:00 Eurovision Song Contest: Semi Final *Live* From Rotterdam 7:10 Cycling: Giro D’italia Highlights 2021 Stage 12 8:30 Worldwatch 1:00 PBS Newshour 2:00 Destination Flavour China Bitesize 2:05 Building The Tube (PG) 3:00 NITV News: Nula 3:30 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw (PG) 4:00 Program To Be Advised 5:05 Jeopardy! (PG) 5:30 Letters And Numbers 6:00 Mastermind Australia (PG) 6:30 SBS World News 7:35 Hunting Egypt’s Lost Treasures (PG) 8:30 Eurovision Song Contest: Semi Final *Replay* 11:00 SBS World News Late 11:30 Beforeigners (MA15+) (In Norwegian) 12:25 Mr Mercedes (MA15+) 5:00 France 24 Feature News 5:15 NHK World English News 5:30 Worldwatch 7:00 Cycling: Giro D’italia Highlights 2021 Stage 13 8:00 Worldwatch 1:00 PBS Newshour 2:00 Cycling: Amstel Gold Womens Race Highlights 2:30 Cycling: Amstel Gold Mens Race Highlights 3:00 Cycling: Fleche-Wallonne Womens Race Highlights 3:30 Cycling: Fleche-Wallonne Mens Race Highlights 4:00 Travel Man: Berlin (PG) 4:30 True Evil - The Making Of A Nazi: Speer (PG) 5:30 Program To Be Advised 6:30 SBS World News 7:35 World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys: Switzerland 8:30 Eurovision Song Contest: Semi Final *Replay* 11:00 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (M l,s) 5:00 Eurovision Song Contest: Grand Final *Live* From Rotterdam (PG) 8:40 Cycling: Giro d’Italia 2021 Highlights Stage 14 9:40 Worldwatch 1:00 Speedweek 3:00 Sportswoman: Caroline Marks/ Heptathlon 4:00 Bangladesh From Above (PG) 4:30 True Evil - The Making Of A Nazi: Eichman (PG) 5:30 Cycling: Giro d’Italia 2021 Highlights Stage 14 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 Eurovision Song Contest: Final *Replay* (PG) 11:30 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (M l,n,s) 1:20 Movie: “Tiny Shoulders, Rethinking Barbie” (PG) (’18) Stars: Richard Dickson 3:05 Alex Polizzi Chef For Hire 4:15 Vice Guide To Film (M n,v) 4:45 Destination Flavour Japan Bitesize

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

SOLID BATHROOMS Advert

Builders Licence Number 204179C

PAGE 20 21 MAY 2021

LICENSED TRADESMAN AND QUALITY WORK ALL LOCATED ON THE CENTRAL COAST Scotty from Solid Bathrooms is a licensed builder with over 13 years What our clients are saying experience on the Central Coast. Hiring a builder means that all bathroom work

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In addition, any reconfigurations are easily managed, for example, if a wall needs to be pulled down or a bath removed to have a larger walk in shower, you know the builder can manage this efficiently.

“I recommend Solid Bathrooms without any hesitation.”

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ABC (C20/21)

Thursday 27 May

Wednesday 26 May

Tuesday 25 May

Monday 24 May

6:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 1:00 2:00 3:15 4:00 5:00 5:25 6:00 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:15 9:35 10:25 10:55 11:50 12:50 3:25 4:25 6:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 1:00 2:00 3:15 4:00 4:55 5:25 6:00 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:25 10:15 10:45 11:50 12:50 1:25 3:25 4:25 6:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 12:30 1:35 2:00 3:15 4:00 4:55 5:25 6:00 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:40 10:10 10:40 11:15 12:00 6:00 9:00 10:00 10:30 11:00 12:00 1:00 1:30 2:00 3:15 4:00 4:55 5:25 6:00 6:55 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:35 10:30 11:00

News Breakfast [s] ABC News Mornings [s] Landline [s] Hawke: The Larrikin And The Leader (PG) [s] ABC News At Noon [s] The Durrells (PG) [s] Parliament Question Time [s] ABC News Afternoons [s] Think Tank [s] Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery (PG) [s] Hard Quiz (PG) [s] The Drum [s] ABC News [s] 7.30 [s] Australian Story [s] Four Corners [s] Media Watch (PG) [s] Program To Be Advised ABC Late News [s] Love On The Spectrum (PG) At Home Alone Together (M) rage (MA15+) Keeping Australia Safe (M l) The Drum [s]

PRIME (C61/60)

6:00 9:00 11:30 12:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 7:30

9:00 10:00 11:00 11:30 12:30

News Breakfast [s] ABC News Mornings [s] Four Corners (PG) [s] Antiques Roadshow [s] ABC News At Noon [s] Sanditon (PG) [s] Parliament Question Time [s] ABC News Afternoons [s] Think Tank (PG) [s] Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery (PG) [s] Hard Quiz (PG) [s] The Drum [s] ABC News [s] 7.30 [s] Anh’s Brush With Fame (PG) Love On The Spectrum (PG) Louis Theroux: Shooting Joe Exotic (MA15+) [s] ABC Late News [s] Q&A [s] A Life In Ten Pictures [s] At Home Alone Together (M) rage (MA15+) [s] Keeping Australia Safe (M l) The Drum [s]

6:00 9:00 11:30 12:00

News Breakfast [s] ABC News Mornings [s] Gardening Australia [s] Miriam’s Big American Adventure (PG) [s] ABC News At Noon [s] National Press Club Address Media Watch (PG) [s] Parliament Question Time [s] ABC News Afternoons [s] Think Tank [s] Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery (PG) [s] Hard Quiz (PG) [s] The Drum [s] ABC News [s] 7.30 [s] Hard Quiz (PG) [s] Shaun Micallef’s Mad As Hell (M) [s] You Can’t Ask That (M l) [s] QI: Rogue (PG) [s] The Set [s] ABC Late News [s] Four Corners [s] Media Watch [s]

6:00 9:00 11:30 12:00

News Breakfast [s] ABC News Mornings [s] Australian Story [s] Anh’s Brush With Fame (PG) The Pool (PG) [s] ABC News At Noon [s] Hard Quiz (PG) [s] Shaun Micallef’s Mad As Hell (M) [s] Parliament Question Time [s] ABC News Afternoons [s] Think Tank [s] Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery (PG) [s] Hard Quiz (PG) [s] The Drum [s] Sammy J (PG) [s] ABC News [s] 7.30 [s] Back Roads: Strahan, Tasmania [s] Q&A [s] A Life In Ten Pictures [s] ABC Late News [s] Employable Me Australia (PG) [s]

6:00 9:00 11:30 12:00

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

2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 7:30 9:00 10:00 11:00 11:30 12:30

2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 7:30 9:00

11:10 11:40 1:00

2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:30

9:30 10:30 11:00 12:00 1:30

WWW.COASTCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM.AU

TEN (C13)

NINE (C81/80)

Sunrise [s] The Morning Show (PG) [s] Seven Morning News [s] Movie: “We Have Your Husband” (M s,v) (’11) Stars: Teri Polo, Esai Morales, Nicholas Gonzalez Autopsy USA: Muhammad Ali (M) [s] The Chase UK [s] Seven News At 4 [s] The Chase Australia [s] Seven News [s] Home And Away (PG) [s] Big Brother (M) [s] – Housemates have to keep their cool in Big Brother’s most nail-biting challenge yet. Could a budding romance be the kiss of death?

9-1-1: Treasure Hunt (M) [s] S.W.A.T.: Immunity (M) [s] The Latest Seven News [s] Station 19: I’ll Be Seeing You (M l) [s] Home Shopping

5:30 Today [s] 9:00 Today Extra [s] 11:30 NINE’s Morning News [s] 12:00 Ellen (PG) [s] 1:00 Explore [s] 1:15 Celebrity Apprentice Australia (PG) [s] 3:00 Tipping Point [s] 4:00 NINE’s Afternoon News [s] 5:00 Millionaire Hot Seat [s] 6:00 NINE News [s] 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) [s] 7:30 Celebrity Apprentice Australia (PG) [s] – The celebrities are tasked with creating the ultimate Sydney tourism experience. The team with the best customer feedback will win money for their project managers charity.

9:00 Emergency (PG) [s] 10:00 100% Footy (M) [s] 11:00 NINE News Late [s] 11:30 The Arrangement (M l,s) [s] 12:15 Tipping Point [s] 1:05 A Current Affair (PG) [s]

6:00 8:30 12:00 1:00 2:30 3:00 3:30 4:00 4:30

Sunrise [s] The Morning Show (PG) [s] Seven Morning News [s] Movie: “Left To Die: The Sandra And Tammi Chase Story” (M d,v) (’12) Stars: Barbara Hershey, Rachael Leigh Cook, Vincent Irizarry, Nicholas Gonzalez, Michael Hyatt, Derek Ray Autopsy USA: James Brown (M) [s] The Chase UK [s] Seven News At 4 [s] The Chase Australia [s] Seven News [s] Home And Away (PG) [s] Big Brother (M) [s] The Good Doctor: Forgive Or Forget (M) [s] The Resident: A Children’s Story (M) [s] The Latest Seven News [s] Station 19: Dream A Little Dream Of Me (M l) [s] Home Shopping

5:30 Today [s] 9:00 Today Extra [s] 11:30 NINE’s Morning News [s] 12:00 Ellen (PG) [s] 1:00 Getaway [s] 1:30 Celebrity Apprentice Australia (PG) [s] 3:00 Tipping Point [s] 4:00 NINE’s Afternoon News [s] 5:00 Millionaire Hot Seat [s] 6:00 NINE News [s] 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) [s] 7:30 Celebrity Apprentice Australia (PG) [s] 9:00 The Weakest Link (PG) [s] – The Weakest Link returns to Australian screens with a brand new series and new host, comedian and actress Magda Szubanski.

10:00 Kath & Kim: Hello Nails!/ High And Dry (PG) [s] 11:10 NINE News Late [s] 11:40 Emergence (M v) [s] 12:30 Tipping Point [s] 1:30 Home Shopping

6:00 8:30 12:00 1:00 2:10 2:30

Sunrise [s] The Morning Show [s] Seven Morning News [s] Movie: “Murdered At 17” (M v) (’18) Stars: Susan Walters Autopsy USA: James Dean (M) The Chase UK [s] Seven News At 4 [s] The Chase Australia [s] Seven News [s] Home And Away (PG) [s] Big Brother (M) [s] Movie: “The Hangover Part II” (MA15+) (’11) – Two years after the bachelor party in Las Vegas, Phil, Stu, Alan, and Doug jet to Thailand for Stu’s wedding. Stu’s plan for a subdued pre-wedding brunch, however, goes seriously awry.

Stars: Zach Galifianakis The Latest Seven News [s] Autopsy USA: Muhammad Ali (M) [s] Home Shopping

5:30 Today [s] 9:00 Today Extra [s] 11:30 NINE’s Morning News [s] 12:00 Ellen (PG) [s] 1:00 Driving Test (PG) [s] 1:30 Celebrity Apprentice Australia (PG) [s] 3:00 Tipping Point [s] 4:00 NINE’s Afternoon News [s] 5:00 Millionaire Hot Seat [s] 6:00 NINE News [s] 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) [s] 7:30 Travel Guides: Turkey (PG) [s] – Our Travel Guides take on Turkey for a week-long holiday full of exotic culture, history and unexpected surprises.

8:30 Doctor Doctor (PG) [s] 9:30 New Amsterdam (M) [s] 10:30 NINE News Late [s] 11:00 The Enemy Within: The Embassy (M) [s] 11:50 The First 48: Run And Gun/ Lonesome Highway (M v) [s] 12:40 Tipping Point [s] 1:30 Home Shopping

9:30 10:20 11:20

Headline News [s] Studio 10 (PG) [s] Dr Phil (PG) [s] MasterChef Australia (PG) [s] Entertainment Tonight [s] Everyday Gourmet [s] Judge Judy (PG) [s] My Market Kitchen [s] Good Chef Bad Chef [s] The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 10 News First [s] WIN News [s] The Project (PG) [s] MasterChef Australia (PG) [s] Bull: Don’t Say A Word (M) [s] – Bull’s romantic rival, Diana Lindsay, jeopardises her career when she secretly has Bull come to Texas to assist a couple fighting against her former client for custody of their grandchildren.

Bull: Bounty (M) [s] The Project (PG) [s] WIN’s All Australian News [s]

Sunrise [s] The Morning Show [s] Seven Morning News [s] Movie: “With This Ring” (M d,s) (’15) Stars: Gabrielle Union, Regina Hall, Jill Scott Autopsy USA: Elizabeth Taylor (M) [s] The Chase UK [s] Seven News At 4 [s] The Chase Australia [s] Seven News [s] Home And Away (PG) [s] 10 Years Younger In 10 Days (PG) [s] – Cherry Healey administers beauty advice. The team tackle pub and partyloving Nick, whose face and teeth tell the tale of one too many late-nights.

How To Look Good Naked: Sarah And Lynne (M n) [s] The Latest Seven News [s] The Front Bar (M) [s] Zumbo’s Just Desserts [s] Home Shopping

6:00 5:30 Today [s] 8:30 9:00 Today Extra [s] 12:00 11:30 NINE’s Morning News [s] 12:00 Ellen (PG) [s] 1:00 1:00 Doctor Doctor (PG) [s] 2:00 2:00 Desperate Housewives: 2:30 Free (Part 2) (M) [s] 3:00 Tipping Point [s] 3:00 4:00 NINE’s Afternoon News [s] 3:30 5:00 Millionaire Hot Seat [s] 4:00 6:00 NINE News [s] 4:30 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) [s] 7:30 NRL: Brisbane Broncos v 5:00 Melbourne Storm *Live* From 6:30 Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane [s] 7:30 9:45 NRL: Knock Off [s] 8:40 10:30 NINE News Late [s] 11:00 Manifest: Icing Conditions (M) 9:40 [s] – Michaela and Ben put everything on the line to attempt 10:30 a daring rescue that will put 11:30 them both in danger.

12:30 11:50 The First 48: Rookie/ The 1:30 Cornered (M v) [s] 12:40 Tipping Point [s] 2:30 1:30 Home Shopping 4:30

Headline News [s] Studio 10 (PG) [s] Dr Phil (PG) [s] MasterChef Australia (PG) [s] Entertainment Tonight [s] Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield [s] Judge Judy (PG) [s] My Market Kitchen [s] Good Chef Bad Chef [s] The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 10 News First [s] The Project (PG) [s] MasterChef Australia (PG) [s] Law & Order: SVU: PostGraduate Psychopath (M) [s] Law & Order: SVU: I’m Going To Make You A Star (M) [s] This Is Us (M) [s] WIN’s All Australian News [s] The Project (PG) [s] The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (PG) [s] Home Shopping CBS This Morning [s]

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

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

5:00 6:00 6:30 7:30 8:30

9:40 10:10 10:40 11:40 12:40 1:30

3:00 3:30 4:00 4:30 5:00 6:00 6:30 7:30 8:30 9:00 10:00 10:50 11:50 12:50 2:00 6:00 8:30 12:00 1:00 2:00 2:30 3:00 3:30 4:00 4:30 5:00 6:00 6:30 7:30 8:30

Headline News [s] Studio 10 (PG) [s] Dr Phil (PG) [s] MasterChef Australia (PG) [s] Entertainment Tonight [s] Judge Judy (PG) [s] My Market Kitchen [s] Good Chef Bad Chef [s] The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 10 News First [s] WIN News [s] The Project (PG) [s] MasterChef Australia (PG) [s] Have You Been Paying Attention? (M s,l,n) [s] – Have Urzila Carlson, Lloyd Langford, Melanie Bracewell, Ed Kavalee and Sam Pang been paying attention?

Program To Be Advised Just For Laughs (M l,s) [s] The Project (PG) [s] WIN’s All Australian News [s] The Project (PG) [s] The Late Show (PG) [s] Headline News [s] Studio 10 (PG) [s] Dr Phil (PG) [s] MasterChef Australia (PG) [s] Entertainment Tonight [s] Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield [s] Judge Judy (PG) [s] My Market Kitchen [s] Good Chef Bad Chef [s] The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 10 News First [s] WIN News [s] The Project (PG) [s] MasterChef Australia (PG) [s] How To Say Married (M) [s] NCIS: Unseen Improvements (M v) [s] NCIS: Los Angeles: A Tale Of Two Igors (M v) [s] The Project (PG) [s] WIN’s All Australian News [s] The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (PG) [s] Home Shopping

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

PAGE 21 21 MAY 2021

SBS (C30)

5:00 5:15 5:30 7:00 8:00 2:00 2:55 3:30 4:05 5:05 5:30 6:00 6:30 7:35 8:30 9:20 10:15 10:45 5:00 5:15 5:30 7:00 8:00 1:00 2:05 3:00 3:30 4:05 5:05 5:30 6:00 6:30 7:30 8:30 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 12:00 1:00

France 24 Feature News NHK World English News Worldwatch Cycling: Giro d’Italia Highlights Stage 15 Worldwatch Building The Tube: Metropolitan Line (PG) Great British Railway Journeys: Maltby To Hinckley The Cook Up With Adam Liaw (PG) Cycling: Giro d’Italia 2021 Highlights Stage 15 Jeopardy! (PG) Letters And Numbers Mastermind Australia (PG) SBS World News Secrets Of The Tower Of London (PG) Secret Scotland: North Coast (PG) 24 Hours In Emergency: Count On Me (M) SBS World News Late Darklands (MA15+) France 24 Feature News NHK World English News Worldwatch Cycling: Giro d’Italia Highlights Stage 16 Worldwatch PBS Newshour Building The Tube (PG) Living Black The Cook Up With Adam Liaw (PG) Cycling: Giro d’Italia Highlights Stage 16 Jeopardy! (PG) Letters And Numbers Mastermind Australia (PG) SBS World News Who Do You Think You Are?: Rodger Corser (PG) Insight Dateline The Feed SBS World News Late The Point Taken Down (MA15+) Blinded (M l,v,d) (In Swedish)

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 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw (PG) 4:00 Victoria And Albert: The Wedding 5:05 Jeopardy! (PG) 5:30 Letters And Numbers 6:00 Mastermind Australia (PG) 6:30 SBS World News 7:35 Tony Robinson’s History Of Britain: Middle Ages (PG) 8:30 Jack The Ripper: The Case Reopened (M v) 9:35 Bloodlands (M) 10:45 SBS World News Late 11:15 Stella Blomkvist (MA15+) (In Icelandic) 12:10 Blood (MA15+) 2:55 Alex Polizzi Chef For Hire 4:00 24 Hours In Emergency: I Will Survive (M) 5:00 5:15 5:30 7:00 8:00 1:00 2:05 3:00 3:30 4:05 5:05 5:30 6:00 6:30 7:35 8:30 9:30 10:25

France 24 Feature News NHK World English News Worldwatch Cycling: Giro d’Italia Highlights Stage 17 Worldwatch PBS Newshour Michael Portillo’s Abandoned Britain: Countdown To WW3 (PG) The Perfect Serve (PG) The Cook Up With Adam Liaw (PG) Cycling: Giro d’Italia Highlights Stage 17 Jeopardy! (PG) Letters And Numbers Mastermind Australia (PG) SBS World News Secrets Of The Tower Of London (PG) Michael Mosley: Trust Me, I’m A Doctor (PG) The Handmaid’s Tale: Home (MA15+) SBS World News Late

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

PAGE 22 21 MAY 2021

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OUT&ABOUT PAGE 23 21 MAY 2021

Local artist builds connection with Warriors’ homeland Local artist, Robyn Brown, has symbolically connected the New Zealand Warriors with their families back home through a unique piece of art she calls Desert Dreaming.

Inspired by a trip she took to Uluru, Brown painted an intricate design on a retired surfboard used in the local surf and then asked the Central Coast-based NRL team to sign their names on the back of the board.

Then she personally took the board to Auckland to hand it over to the New Zealand Warriors’ home ground at Mt Smart.

The work now adorns the wall at the entry of the home clubhouse at Mt Smart Stadium.

Robyn said the gesture was to help create a connection

NZ Warriors at the Central Coast Stadium (L-R) Bunty Afoa, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Robyn Brown, Edward Kosi, Jazz Tevaga

between the team and their families and New Zealand and the Central Coast.

“It’s an incredible honour to have been received so warmly

by the NZ Warriors NRL team,” Brown said.

“When I came in contact with the team’s management, I was surprised how quickly they

warmed to the project.

“It was a nice little bridge after COVID between the team and their family back home.”

As an expat Kiwi who has lived on the Central Coast for 20 years, Brown said she felt a wave of empathy for the New Zealand NRL team separated

from their families for many months because of the pandemic.

“As soon as the bubble opened and we could get back to family and loved ones, I was able to do the same,” she said.

“It was really lovely for me being an expat to deliver something like that, which is also a big part of the Australian culture and the New Zealand culture, and building that bridge which was nice.

“I know how much it impacted their team, not being with their families and not on their home ground.”

The NZ Warriors have been temporarily relocated to Terrigal to live and adopted the Central Coast Stadium as their home ground during the COVID NRL season.

Jacinta Counihan

NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANISATIONS

CCN

ARTS & CULTURE 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

HANDWEAVERS, SPINNERS AND TEXTILE ARTS GUILD

Spinning and weaving, patchwork and quilting, felting and other fibre and fabric crafts, community quilting bees - Day and Night Groups 4325 4743 www.cottagecrafts.net.au

CENTRAL COAST WATERCOLOUR SOCIETY Art society for artists painting in watercolour Workshops, beginners classes and paint outs Details on our website 0435 466 526

ccwsinc@gmail.com www.centralcoastwatercolour. com.au

COMMUNITY GROUPS ABC - “The Friends”

Safeguard ABC’s independence, funding, & standards. Meetings through the year & social mornings Well-known guest speakers 0400 213 514 www.fabcnsw.org.au

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

CENTRAL COAST CARAVANNERS

3rd Sun - Jan to Nov Trips Away, Social Outings, friendship with like minded folk Geoff 0447 882 150

COMMUNITY LEGAL CENTRE

Not for profit service providing free legal advice Mon - Fri 9am to 5pm 4353 4988 contact@centralcoastclc.org.au

Would you like to read, write and share your poetry.

LEARN TO DANCE We hold workshops and create Social ballroom dancing for all anthologies. ages, all you need is a desire We meet the second Saturday to learn and dance, each month. no partner required.

Wyoming Memorial Community meet every Wed -Tuggerah Hall. Contact us by email community hall, 2:00pm info@centralcoastpoets.com.au Anne - 0409 938 345 or you may ring Clive anneglazier@y7mail.com 0419120347

Mon-Fri CENTRAL COAST MARINE Chess, darts, handicraft, indoor DISCOVERY CENTRE The revamped CCMDC is open.

Schools and Group bookings welcome by appointment.

Building has special needs access and toilets Open 7 days 9am – 3pm.

Terrigal.

4385 5027 ccmdc@bigpond.com www.ccmdc.org.au

TERRIGAL WAMBERAL RSL SUB-BRANCH

Pension and welfare officers available to assist with DVA compensation claims and benefits Breakers Country Club Wed & Fri 10am – Midday Meet 2nd Sat 10am 4384 2661

Terrigal-WamberalSB@rslnsw. org.au.

U3A CENTRAL COAST

Enjoy a diverse range of courses and activities for seniors. Keep your mind active and make new friends.

0408 704 701

www.centralcoast.u3anet.org.au

VOLUNTEERING CENTRAL COAST

Refer potential volunteers to community organisations & provide support to them.

Training to volunteers and managers of volunteers Info sessions held regularly.

4329 7122

bowls, knitting, line dancing, origami, painting, pencil drawing, scrabble, scrapbooking, sit & sew, table tennis, Ukulele 4304 7065

GOSFORD-NARARA NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE

School Holiday activities, playgroup, multicultural programs, community activities Rooms for Hire 4329 4477 admin@gnnc.com.au

HEALTH GROUPS ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

- Someone cares.

Wed-Thurs-Fri - 12.30pm, Progress Hall Henry Parry & Wells Street East Gosford

BETTER HEARING AUSTRALIA

Hearing loss management Support and educational groups providing practical experience and confidence 4321 0275

CENTRAL COAST ASBESTOS DISEASES SUPPORT GROUP

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP Last Fri 9.30am Terrigal Uniting Church 380 Terrigal Dr, Terrigal 4367 9600 www.pcfa.org.au

MEALS ON WHEELS

Delicious meals delivered free Join us for a midday meal Help with shopping and cooking classes 4363 7111

S.A

Is Internet porn destroying your life.

We may be able to help.

We are a 12 step fellowship like AA. Meets every Sat at 7pm on the Central Coast Contact for further details 0473 631 439

newcastlesagroup@gmail.com

HISTORY GROUPS HENRY KENDALL COTTAGE & HISTORICAL MUSEUM

Visit our c1838 Cottage & Museum with exhibits of early settlers. School and group bookings. Members & volunteers welcome. Open Wed/Sat/Sun 10.30am 2:30pm. West Gosford 4325 2270

Support for those suffering www.henrykendallcottage.org.au with asbestos diseases and Brisbane Water Historical Society others interested in asbestos issues. You are not alone, meet FELLOWSHIP OF recruit@volcc.org.au with others who can share FIRST FLEETERS their experiences. Bring a KINCUMBER MENS SHED For anyone interested in early family member or friend.

Kincumber mens shed in history.

1pm at Ourimbah RSL on association with Kincumber Don’t need to be a First Fleeter. fourth Wed of each month.

Uniting Church op shop.

Point Clare Community Hall Maree 0419 418 190 Selling tools, machinery, 2nd Sat 10:30am clothing, books and household 4392 1926, 4311 6254 DYING WITH DIGNITY items. on the first Saturday of Campaigning to give those each month 8am - 12pm suffering unrelievable terminal 4369 7222 or incurable illness the choice COASTAL A CAPPELLA sparkes2251@outlook.com to receive legal medical Award winning women’s assistance to die.

COMMUNITY CENTRES a cappella chorus.

Quarterly mtgs, Erina Fair.

Music education provided.

0434 426 486 Rehearsals Tuesday 7pm @ robyncameron@y7mail.com GOSFORD 50+ LEISURE Red Tree Theatre Tuggerah.

MUSIC

AND LEARNING CENTRE

Performance opportunities.

Hire us for your next event.

0412 948 450

Club Umina, Melbourne Ave, Umina Beach Visitors Welcome.

0414 280 375

SOUNDWAVES CHORUS

PROBUS CLUB OF KARIONG

coastalacappella@gmail.com

Male singers wanted No experience required, rehearsals 7pm Mondays at Parkview room Central Coast Leagues Club 0431 225 489

POLITICAL PARTIES CENTRAL COAST GREENS

Meets at Everglades Country Club Woy Woy, at 10am 3rd Tuesday each month.

Enjoy a wide variety of Guest Speakers, Social outing and activities with Friendship Fellowship and Fun. 0407934003

SERVICE GROUPS

Local, state wide, national and international issues and LIONS CLUB OF WOY WOY campaigns Make new friends & have fun Council and parliamentary while serving your community representation Everglades Country Club 3rd Thur 3rd Monday of each month centralcoast.nsw.greens.org.au 0478 959 895 centralcoastgreens@gmail.com

LABOR PARTY OURIMBAH/ NARARA BRANCH

Discussion/action community Issues – 3 levels of Government Function Room, Grange Hotel, Wyoming 7.30pm 1st. Monday 0410 309 494 kyle.macgregor@hotmail.com

PROBUS CLUBS AVOCA BEACH PROBUS CLUB

with a great social program, guest speakers and optional bistro lunches. Google our name for our fully informative newsletter. Meet 10am, 3rd Mon each month at Avoca Beach Bowling Club. avocaprobus@gmail.com

EMPIRE BAY PROBUS CLUB

Friendship, fellowship, and fun in retirement.

Very active club, outings, excursions, dining 3 times a month 1st Thur 1.30pm

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 KOWAKAN AIKIDO

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

See website for details 0411 725 823

www.kowakanaikidocentralcoast. com

If you would like your Community Organisation listed here call us on 4325 7369 or see www.coastcommunitynews.com.au CCN

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.

PAGE 24 OUT&ABOUT 21 MAY 2021

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DOWN IN THE GARDEN: MARVELLOUS MUSHROOMS their way onto the commercially available list in most of the world so growing your own could be just the thing for those looking for a new culinary experience.

Like everything you grow, even the humble white button mushroom tastes amazing fresh from your own garden.

Grow Your Own Mushrooms

CHERALYN DARCEY

Just as gardening has had a huge jump in popularity of late, so have other plant-based interests including mushroom foraging and growing.

Autumn is the time for this peaceful nature-based activity for all ages and as well as getting out into the forests, you can end up with a basket of yummy goodness or at least photos.

However, unless you are trained and experienced in the identification of wild mushrooms, this expedition can be dangerous and deadly, so we are not suggesting you do this on your own.

Enjoy the thrill of the hunt and as you would with unusual flowers, take photos and memories instead.

There are a few mushrooms hunting experiences that include identification lessons that appear from time to time, and you will be able to take mushrooms home to eat.

A great resource to find people, courses and events is: facebook.com/ groups/ AustralianWildMushroomHunters There are well over 10,000 species of fungi that we would identify as mushrooms and of these only around 25 are poisonous but many of these will cause death.

While that may seem like a small risk, every year dozens of people in Australia are poisoned by mushrooms they forage and some even die so you need to be careful.

Only about thirty of the 10,000 make

These delicious treats that are bursting with goodness are not a plant but are fungi.

What we harvest and eat is the fruiting body of the fungi that lives underground or within other things.

Mushrooms begin their life as spores that then develop into mycelium which colonises and then nourishes itself with what they find around them if conditions and available food source is right.

They will then, under further favourable conditions, fruit and become mushrooms.

At home, mushrooms are usually most successfully grown from ‘spawn’.

This is a medium that contains the spores of the mushroom you are wanting to grow.

It looks sometimes like little pebbles and is a mixture of grain and occasionally other materials.

This spawn is added to a ‘fruiting substrate’.

This is the growing medium that will provide the place for the developing mycelium to develop.

Different mushrooms will grow on different fruiting substrates so be guided by the directions of your supplier. Think of this like the soil type that various plants prefer or need.

After that?

All mushrooms grow pretty much the same way.

They will need a cool, damp and dark place so under your home, a basement, garage or created area like a cupboard.

Generally, temperature needs to be around 21c for the spores to produce filaments and take hold.

Depending on conditions this will take around three weeks. To achieve this heating pads or a warm position can be used.

The temperature then needs to be dropped to between around 13 - 16c for successful fruiting to produce your mushrooms.

At this point, a layer of about 2cm of

Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) Want to take it a step up and start growing mushrooms in your garden?

The Shiitake love growing on hardwood logs, but the downside is that they take a long time to fruit on logs, up to 12 months.

Mushrooms growing on logs in your garden!? Worth it, right?

The log can be reinoculated (seeded with spawn) every season to keep your yields coming though once established.

If you simply cannot wait, they will fruit in only a couple of months on a sawdust block indoors.

NEW COLUMN: DOWN IN MY GARDEN

damp potting mix can be spread over the top.

Very lightly mist the soil when needed to prevent drying out. Mushrooms will fruit in around a month and are ready to harvest as per species.

Growing mushrooms at home in coffee grounds collected from local cafes is also a popular method.

It does work but you need to make sure that the coffee grounds are very fresh and haven’t been contaminated or you run the risk of growing other things like bacteria along with your mushrooms.

The best way would be to give the café a sterilised bucket to collect the grounds in for you.

Local Mushroom Farm Margins Mushrooms is a local fungi success story operated by the Margin family.

Originally an experiment in a cool room within their ice-cream factory, this Central Coast company has been homed since 2011 in the old unused Woy Woy Abattoirs that had been closed for around eight years.

Margins Mushrooms is a staple at markets up and down the Coast and beyond (in fact drop into Gosford City Farmers Market this Sunday to meet them and see their locally grown, amazing mushrooms).

They offer farm tours for groups, and

you can purchase their wonderfully delicious Oyster Mushroom Growing Kit online at marginmushrooms.com. au Mushroom Box Kits These are also offered by some local nurseries and most larger stores with nursery sections.

A good solution for first timers as all you will need to do is place it in the suggested spot and then water it.

They tend to be a lot more expensive than buying the spores and spawn but if you are limited on space and want a very tidy solution, they would be suitable for you.

Mushroom Compost This is the stuff left behind after growing mushrooms. It is the fruiting substrate and soil or the entire mushroom kit once it stops producing.

Use in the rest of your garden for a rich boost and perhaps a couple of baby mushrooms might even surprise you.

Beginner Mushroom Growers

Authorised by David Mehan MP, 24 The Entrance Rd, The Entrance NSW 2261 funded using parliamentary entitlements. May 2021.

Like plants, some mushrooms can be a little more challenging than others.

These three are all relatively simple.

Pearl Oyster (Pleurotus ostereatus) This is a very easy mushroom to grow and with results for our dinner plate appearing in only a few weeks, a great one for the kids to grow, or those of us who are impatient.

These will grow indoors on straw and sawdust and hardwood logs outdoors.

Garden Giant (Stropharia rugosoannulata) Needing more moisture than most and having a fruiting time of up to 6 months, these are none the less a popular and easy mushroom to try.

They can be grown indoors on sawdust blocks or straw but also can make an amazing feature outdoors when grown on hardwood chips.

They can be grown upon a pile, a layer or a feature garden of these chips.

We are featuring a local Central Coast Garden each week on this page. Private gardens, community gardens, great gardens, tiny gardens, indoor plant collections, balcony gardens and yes, beginner gardens too.

If you would like your garden featured, send an email to: gardeningcentralcoast@gmail.com Cheralyn will be interviewing via email/ phone and will request a few lovely photos from you to include. Let’s share our garden love Central Coast!

TIME TO GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY Camelias should be starting to flower, time to prune cumquats, plant lilies and deadhead those autumn bulbs. You could plant: broad beans, broccoli, cress, cabbage, carrot, English spinach, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mid and late season onions, parsnip, peas, radish, snow peas, spring onion, turnip, forgetme-nots, lobelia, gypsophila, honesty, nemesia, nigella, pansy, poppy, snapdragon, statice, stock, sweet pea, viola, wallflower PLANT HAPPENINGS AROUND THE COAST THIS WEEK Growing Mushrooms at Home 3pm 5pm Saturday 22nd May, Village Hall, Narara Eco Village. Mycology basics, how to grow Oyster Mushrooms easily with low cost and in a small space.

Bookings $5 at: nevmushroomsmay2021.lilregie.com/ booking/attendees/new COASTFM Members Day ‘The Gardening Gang’ - Cheralyn, Pete, Vicki and MC Microbe will all be there! 3pm to 6pm Thursday 27th May, Bayview Hotel, Woy Woy. CoastFM96.3 will be broadcasting live, there is live music, prises and loads of fun. Free entry for members, their guests, family and friends. Not a member? Come anyway!

Planting for Wildlife Workshop: 10am - 12pm, Saturday 29th May. Plant it and they will come! Join CEN (Community Environment Network) to learn how to start creating habitat gardens that will be beautiful spaces to enjoy. Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre, 149 Donnison Street, Gosford. To Book: cen. org.au/events 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 21 MAY 2021

Business & Property Jobs, tax breaks and doughnuts … a budget for all The Daily Dough Co is just one Central Coast business which will benefit from measures announced in the Federal Budget, handed down last week.

Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business, Stuart Robert, was on the Coast on May 18, joining Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, to highlight benefits to the region’s residents and businesses announced in the budget.

They popped into the Daily Dough Co at Terrigal to test the quality of the local company’s popular doughnuts and to outline how the budget initiative to continue tax incentives will allow around 16,600 businesses in Robertson to write off the full value of any eligible asset they purchase.

“Additionally, around 5,700 businesses across Robertson will be able to use the extended loss carry back measure to support cash flow and confidence,” Wicks said.

“This has helped businesses invest more in the local economy and to create local jobs (while) the tax-free Cashflow boost has helped around 5,000 small and medium businesses in Robertson to stay afloat.

“Daily Dough Co is just one example of a business that is prospering in our local economy, backed by our plan to create jobs and secure Australia’s recovery.”

Daily Dough Co owner, Emma Pratt, welcomed the support from the Federal Government.

“I started this business when I was 18 years old, just turning 19,” she said.

“I’m still 19, and now I have two shops, one at Wyong and one at Terrigal.”

The business makes doughnuts, dessert boxes and doughnut bouquets.

“We literally can make you anything out of doughnut and we have such a passion for fresh doughnuts,” Pratt said.

“Every day is a different

Daily Dough Co owner, Emma Pratt, with Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, and Minister Stuart Robert

challenge but I have a lot of passion for my business.

“Having really good staff really helps me get through (but) if my mixer breaks, like my dough mixer in the morning breaks, it’s a bit of a challenge.”

Wicks and Minister Robert

also toured other local businesses and sat down with workers, trainees and apprentices to talk about how the budget will drive jobs and skills.

Wicks reinforced that around 55,400 taxpayers in Robertson

will benefit from tax relief of up to $2,745 this year.

She outlined the expansion of the $1B JobTrainer Fund, to deliver low fee or free training places in areas of skills need.

“JobTrainer will help ensure Australians can access critical skills and support more than 450,000 new places to upskill job seekers and young people across the country.”

“To date the government has supported over 114,600 people reskill through JobTrainer funded courses with women making up 56 per cent of enrolments.”

The budget also sees the expansion of the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy for a further six months to support new apprentices and trainees who commence

by March 31, 2022.

The $2.7B investment is supporting the employment of newly commencing apprentices and trainees, assisting school leavers and

job seekers during the peak hiring period for key industries.

Minister Robert said the budget outlined the Government’s economic plan to back jobs for the Central Coast and secure its economic recovery.

“We recognise that the Central Coast was hit hard by the COVID recession, so the Government was there with JobKeeper supporting 5,600 local businesses and 22,100 employees in Robertson,” he said.

“We kept workers connected to their jobs and now we are well on the road to recovery.

“At the end of the day we want to ensure every Central Coast resident has the opportunity to get into a job, skill up for the next job or indeed hire someone in their business” Source: Media release, May 18 Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks

ADVERTISEMENT

Jane Smith Independent

...working for our community On 12 May, 5 years after the merger of Gosford and Wyong Councils, I launched an initiative “Central Coast Friends of Democracy”.

On 12 May, 5 years after the merger, the NSW Government appointed Administrator wrote to the Minister proposing that she “introduce measures that would prevent dismissed Councillors from standing in the next election”.

This was 4 weeks after the Administrator recommended that the Minister “take whatever action necessary to prevent the return” of democratically elected Councillors.

No doubt, everybody will have a view about what has gone wrong at our Council. Some of that will be explored through the Public Inquiry that has been announced, however, it is unclear if the Terms of Reference will truly search for answers - or just for blame.

As a community advocate, my focus will continue to be our community and our region.

The NSW government has removed elected representatives. Instead, we have an Administrator to do the government’s bidding. This is an attack on local democracy.

Over the next few months, I will be using this space to advance the work of the Central Coast Friends of Democracy (CCFoD).

I look forward to the Friends of Democracy engaging with local communities about the future of local government in our region and what it should look like.

www.ccnewindependents.com Central Coast New Independents

Central Coast Friends of Democracy On 12 May 2016, the NSW government amalgamated Gosford and Wyong Councils to become Central Coast Council. The community was not asked if they wanted to merge and 5 years later Central Coast Council faces a significant financial crisis, rates are going up, staff have been axed, community assets are being sold and services cut.

At the time of merger, Gosford and Wyong Councils had a combined debt of over $300 million and only $5 million in unrestricted funds – and yet the NSW government pushed through the merger of these Councils without the community’s backing.

The NSW Government appointed Administrator, Dick Persson, acknowledged that the community didn’t want the merger then and doesn’t want the merger now – but claims that the matter is resolved.

It is not.

The Friends of Democracy will focus on returning democracy to our community and reclaiming our Council.

Initially this will mean educating the community about the option of a demerger – what this means, what it costs and how it would be achieved. We will then see if there is support for the demerger option.

If not, then we need to consider how the community’s interests can best be served by a large Council.

How do we build and support an engaged community that wants to protect the things that they love whilst planning for the future.

The Friends of Democracy is not politically aligned. We welcome, and hope that, supporters from all political parties - and no political party - will join this cause.

Sign up to receive further information - www.ccfriendsofdemocracy.com

PAGE 26 21 MAY 2021

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BUSINESS & PROPERTY PAGE 27 21 MAY 2021

Submissions on stadium masterplan close on May 21 Residents have until 5pm on May 21 to give their feedback on the next steps towards developing a Central Coast Stadium Masterplan.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC INQUIRY – Central Coast Council important if Council was serious about having a Stadium Precinct and providing better connectivity to the city centre and waterfront.

“We need to ensure that Central Coast Stadium reaches its potential – this is an outstanding facility located in an exceptional spot – directly adjacent to the beautiful Brisbane Water and within a short walk to the Gosford CBD,” Persson said.

“Council is currently constrained in how it can improve the site and allow complementary uses such as new retail activity.”

Submissions can be provided at yourvoiceourcoast.com.

The Central Coast Stadium Masterplan is scheduled for completion by December 2021.

Source: Media release, May 4 Central Coast Council

Business Chamber gives a tick to Federal Budget Business NSW Central Coast has hailed the Federal Budget, delivered on May 11, for supporting “a business led economic recovery from the depths of the COVID pandemic”.

Regional Director, Paula Martin, said the Treasurer had announced the deficit will reach $161B for the current year, falling to $57B in 2024-25 with the unemployment rate expected to fall to 5 per cent in mid-2022 before falling further to 4.75 per cent in mid-2023.

“This is a Budget for the extraordinary times we are living in - recognising the recent difficulties, but full of optimism that the next few years will be more prosperous through job creation and infrastructure spending,” Martin said.

“This budget has a strong focus on stimulating business growth and job creation which is welcomed on the Central Coast as we continue to experience high levels of skills shortages across industry, high youth unemployment and a 40 per cent higher than preCOVID level rate of

jobseekers.

“It is pleasing to see meaningful measures that have been embraced by business owners extended, including the instant asset write off scheme, allowing business owners to purchase much needed equipment to grow, while the small business loan scheme has also been extended.

“These are important measures that have a big impact and make it easier for small business owners to keep their doors open each day “Helping people get jobs is the focus of this budget.

“The Apprenticeship Wage Subsidy has been extended and now open to business of all sizes.

“Job Trainer is increasing skills in Aged Care, a rising area of need on the Central Coast and funding to support women into vocational trades is long overdue.

“Tax cuts for low and middle income workers will also put more money in the pockets of workers, allowing them to support their local businesses.

“There’s no doubt the closing of the international borders has had an incredible impact on the

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tourism and hospitality sectors, especially in NSW which is the nation’s gateway.

“Almost $275M has been set aside in this Budget towards the expansion and extension of successful programs to support Australian businesses such as travel agents, zoos and aquariums and events providers that rely on international tourists – that will give many operators in that sector the confidence they need to continue operations while uncertainty over international tourism remains.

Martin said the past 12 months had highlighted the importance of businesses, particularly small business, to be able to respond to the ever-changing conditions.

“There is a clear commitment from the Government in this Budget to continue to drive the deregulation agenda by cutting red tape and making it easier to employ people, however the proof will be in the user experience of business owners across the country in the years ahead.

Source: Media release, May 11 Business NSW Central Coast

The Minister for Local Government has appointed Ms Roslyn McCulloch as Commissioner to hold a Public Inquiry under section 438U of the Local Government Act 1993 (LG Act) into Central Coast Council.

The Terms of Reference of the Inquiry are: To inquire and report to the Minister for Local Government with respect to whether: 1. In exercising its functions pursuant to sections 21, 22, 23, 23A and 24 of the LG Act, the governing body met its obligations in a manner consistent with sections 8A(1)(b), 8B(a), 8B(c) and 8B(d) of the LG Act, particularly in relation to: a. Whether the governing body acted in a manner that maximised the success of gaining efficiencies and financial savings from the merger process, b. Whether the governing body disregarded the financial consequences of its decisions, and c. Whether the governing body’s decisions since 2017 contributed to the financial position which the Council now finds itself in.

2. In exercising its functions pursuant to section 223 of the LG Act, the governing body ensured: a. As far as possible, that decisions taken by it had regard to the financial sustainability of the council, and b. That it kept under review the performance of the council, including that council spending was responsible and sustainable by aligning general revenue and expenses.

3. Any other matter that warrants mention, particularly those that may impact on the effective administration of Council’s functions and responsibilities or the community’s confidence in the Council being able to do so.

The Commissioner may make recommendations as the Commissioner sees fit having regard to the outcomes of the Inquiry, including whether all civic offices at Central Coast Council should be declared vacant.

Submissions are invited from persons with an interest in putting forward points of view relating to the Terms of Reference. Submissions received by the Inquiry will be made available to the public at the Commissioner’s discretion.

Written submissions should be forwarded to the Office of the Commissioner, Central Coast Council Public Inquiry, Locked Bag 3018, Nowra NSW 2541. Submissions may also be emailed to centralcoastcouncil.publicinquiry@olg.nsw.gov.au Submissions should be received by 21 June 2021.

Persons intending to make a submission are encouraged to review the Information Paper available from the Office of the Commissioner.

Persons seeking to appear at the Public Hearings are asked to give advance written notice of their desire to make oral submissions, either within their written submission or in separate written advice. Such notice is to include a brief outline of the topics the person wishes to address, having regard to the Terms of Reference of the Inquiry. It should be noted, however, that the Commissioner is not obliged to automatically give a right of appearance to all persons wishing to appear before her.

Details of the venue and times of the public hearings will be announced in due course.

Further enquiries regarding the Inquiry can be made to the Office of the Commissioner at the address given, or email at centralcoastcouncil.publicinquiry@olg.nsw.gov.au The Information Paper on the conduct of the Inquiry is also available on the Public Inquiry website at olg.nsw.gov.au/public-inquiries/central-coast-council-public-inquiry/

BLZ_LP2470

This includes looking at the rezoning options for the Stadium and its current land classification of Community Sportsground.

These are being reviewed to help facilitate Council’s refreshed plan for the Stadium to ensure it continues to meet community and hirer needs, and supports the local economy, on a sound financial basis for Council.

Former Council Administrator, Dick Persson, said having greater flexibility in any adopted Masterplan design was

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PAGE 28 21 MAY 2021

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Cut your power bill when healthcare costs are rising WITH

Julia NEWBOULD Editor-at-large • Money magazine Healthcare is costly, so saving money on utility bills where possible is a big help.

A good place to start is your electricity bill. You may have trouble making sense of it or working out what can be done to help you cut costs.

Lynette Brailey, a financial counsellor at Cancer Council NSW, recommends starting with the basics.

Find an old energy bill and check that your personal details are correct – that your name is spelt correctly and your address matches the billing address.

Then check your usage.

Your bill shows the amount of energy you use measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), and compares your usage with that of other households in your area and with the corresponding billing period from last year.

Next, find the electricity supplier details and the energy plan you are on. You can enter

the details in a online comparison site to see if it is worth moving to a different billing arrangement or provider.

Finally, check if the supplier is charging you for an estimate or an actual read. You might be paying more if your supplier didn’t check your actual usage and you have used less. If this is the case, you can contact them and ask them to read the meter.

According to Energy NSW, if you think your reading is incorrect and your bill is too high, you can ask for a special meter reading from your provider. They are allowed to charge a fee.

Before moving to a different billing arrangement, it’s important to look at your household’s usage patterns to see whether you can benefit from off-peak or time-of-use pricing, says Brailey.

For example, in peak periods you pay more per hour. Working out how you can restrict some of your electricity use to shoulder and off-peak usage periods can reduce your costs..

For instance, compare a peak consumption rate of, say, 54c per kWh with an off-peak rate (after 8pm) of only 17c. If your household can manage to use more electricity during the offpeak times it could save you a decent amount of money.

Typically, peak periods are from 6am, when we are getting ready for work or school, until 8am-9am. The shoulder rate kicks in at this point and then goes back to peak from 4pm to 8pm. After 8pm (even 10pm in some cases) off-peak begins.

To cut costs, consider showering before going to bed rather than in the morning or running the dishwasher, washing machine or dryer overnight.

Closing blinds and curtains also keeps a room better insulated, and if there are gaps under doors use a draught stopper.

Consider putting on an extra jumper, using a throw rug on the couch and wearing socks instead of turning on the heater or air-conditioner.

2. Make sure you turn off appliances at the wall. This can account for more than 10% of household electricity use.

Even your phone charger is using power when your phone isn’t plugged in.

Five quick tips for using energy wisely: 1. As the weather turns colder, consider how you can cut your heating costs. For example, before turning on heaters or air-conditioners make sure your rooms are well insulated. Check that the warm air isn’t escaping through doors and windows.

3. Swap all lightbulbs for energy-efficient bulbs.

4. Check the seals on fridges and ovens to make sure they are working properly and you are not wasting heating or cooling power.

5. Wait until you have a full load in your washing machine or dishwasher before running a cycle. M THIS ARTICLE IS PART OF A COLLABORATION BETWEEN CANCER COUNCIL NSW AND MONEY MAGAZINE TO EXPLORE THE KEY FINANCIAL ISSUES IMPACTING AUSTRALIANS AFFECTED BY CANCER. TO VIEW MORE ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC, VISIT MONEYMAG.COM.AU/TAG/CANCER

How to get the best deal on a personal loan You can apply for a personal loan for a wide range of purposes, including:

• An emergency expense like a hospital bill or funeral • Consolidating your debts • Home renovations, unless you can access a home equity loan (which can be cheaper)

• Buying a car (unless you can get a lower interest-bearing car loan).

• A new laptop or other pieces of video equipment that you might need as a vodcaster and videographer.

In Money’s annual Best of the Best issue (December-January), two of the categories we research are best-value per-

sonal loans (unsecured) and best-value personal loans (car).

It pays to shop around because even among our top three lenders, the rate varies widely, from 5.71%pa to 11.71%pa (as at December 2020).

If you are thinking of applying for a personal loan, here are some tips to help you get the best deal:

- Rates vary depending on the amount, repayment period and your credit score. Check your credit score before applying and if it is higher than 740 you are likely to get a good rate.

- Some banks and online lenders have a “no early repayment fee” feature, which is great if you intend to pay off the loan as soon as you can.

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- Most, if not all, lenders charge an application fee.

Speak with your preferred lender about waiving their fee.

Alternatively, some lenders offer a cashback that is equivalent to this fee.

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BUSINESS & PROPERTY PAGE 29 21 MAY 2021

New group for women in business Two successful businesswomen have started a female founders - women in business community group called Sub Rosa – Real Women’s Business.

The group aims to provide female founders and dreamers with a safe space to share authentic stories, learn wellbeing tools, to find support and connect.

London born, North Avoca resident, and Founder of Flo Wellbeing & Brand Manager to Survival, Mandy Millan, and Terrigal resident and Founder of JL Fine & Global Sales Manager for SPELL, Julia Bills, co-founded the group.

Their idea was to build a community where women can grow their businesses together on the Central Coast.

Both women understand the struggle that comes with setting up your own business and the feelings that can come with it - being alone, overwhelmed, and uncertain.

Sub Rosa aims to create a deeper collective group with real conversations.

The group’s second event was held on Sunday, May 16, at Bar Botanica at Erina.

It included food, G & Ts, live music from Taryn Jane, mindful movement and networking and guest speaker Sheila Vijeyarassa, a psychic medium, author, and ex CFO Corporate Leader.

She spoke and touched on

the theme of the event Intuition.

Millan said they wanted to have fun with meetings, making them creative, memorable experiences for guests.

“Our first intimate event was

held in a beautiful wine cellar door at Upstairs Wines in Kincumber,” she said.

“The theme was Courage, facilitated by Louise Walker.

“The latest event was held outside in Bar Botanica’s garden with an Alice in

Wonderland vibe created by Everlong Events and Floral Anarchy.

“The subject was Tuning into your Intuition.

“We choose beautiful locations to ignite the magical creative experience, and most

people comment saying ‘you left us wanting more’.”

The latest Sub Rosa event was sold out with a long waitlist, and Millan said they had been overwhelmed with interest.

“The feedback has been incredible and empowering to keep delivering and supporting,” she said.

“I think the main take out for those ladies attending is that they feel it is a safe space to share their authentic stories; they inspire each other and this makes them feel connected.

“Jules (Julia Bills) and I both have our own businesses, and we are both mothers, and we wanted to build a community that was refreshing and meaningful for women, not just your average business group.

“We want females who are founders or dreamers to come and experience the magic.”

Millan said dates for future Sub Rosa events are coming soon and will be announced on the Instagram page at subrosa_ rwb or Facebook group Sub Rosa.

Jacinta Counihan

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Copacabana obstetric fistula surgeon, Dr Andrew Browning, has released his first book, A Doctor in Africa, detailing the 17 years he lived in Africa operating on women suffering from debilitating fistulas.

Browning began helping patients affected by obstetric fistulas after working with the late Dr Catherine Hamlin in the 1990s-2000s.

Since then, he has spent nearly two decades in Africa, establishing maternity hospitals with his own charity, The Barbara May Foundation, preventing and treating fistulas, training staff, and healing some of the world’s most disadvantaged women.

His book explains why he chose the path to operate on the impoverished women in Africa rather than establish an Australian surgical practice.

WWW.COASTCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM.AU

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE PAGE 31 21 MAY 2021

Copacabana doctor helps women in Africa Writing a book was never on Browning’s to-do-list and it took a little encouraging from ghost writer, Patrick Kennedy, to get it going.

However, now it is completed, he said the feedback has been very positive.

“Writing a book about yourself I find ivery irksome, but the feedback so far has been really positive, and we have already had lots of interest in the women that we help with people (also) wanting to help,” Browning said.

“I tell lots of stories about the women and what they suffer in Africa because of lack of access to health care during childbirth.

“Just their bravery, their courage, their resilience, it is absolutely extraordinary what they face and what they go through so bravely and selflessly.”

Browning’s work operates

parallel with his aunt Valerie Browning’s mission – running the Afar Pastoral Development Association (APDA) which helps bring development to the two million nomadic peoples of the Danakil desert.

“My Aunt (Valerie Browning) now has responsibility for 2,000 severely malnourished pregnant women who are receiving food supplements – all funded by donors in Australia giving to the Barbara May Foundation,” he said.

“I am indebted to the Australian authorities for giving me the approval to fly to Africa not only to support my aunt in Ethiopia but hopefully Tanzania as well with fistula surgery.

“Severely weakened by famine these women do not have the reserves to face labour, and the number of women dying in labour has dramatically increased.

“In nearby Uganda maternal

deaths and stillbirths have doubled and neonatal deaths have tripled.

“In Uganda, these problems are a result of important travel restrictions and economic hardships induced by the lockdowns; women won’t or can’t afford to get to the hospital and so deliver at home.”

Today, as his children undergo schooling in Australia, Browning returns (with special Federal Government COVID approvals for travel) to Africa 4 – 5 times a year to continue operating and training doctors and nurses.

He was released from quarantine three weeks ago after returning from South Sudan and Uganda where he operated on 35 women in South Sudan and 31 in Uganda.

Jacinta Counihan

Dr Andrew Browning and Patrick Kennedy Photo: David Oblati

Top marks for newly registered nurse Despite being just newly qualified, Central Coast nurse Eddralin Ronquillo has received top marks in the COVID-19 Infection Control Course.

Ronquillo had just started her Registered Nursing career at local aged care facility, Adelene Village, when just two weeks in, she took on the challenge to become the organisation’s Infection Prevention and Control lead, gaining a distinction and the second highest score possible in the course.

Qualifying as a nurse and starting a career working Eddralin (Eddy) Ronquillo

seven-day shifts in an aged care facility was a challenge for Ronquillo, but it was only part of the story.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Health mandated that all residential aged care facilities must have an ongoing dedicated infection prevention and control (IPC) lead on site to ensure they are prepared to prevent and respond to infectious diseases.

Despite the demands of her role, Ronquillo was one of the first to put her hand up for the intensive 26-week course.

“As a new nurse, I was hesitant to do this course, but I

believe that opportunity knocks only once … making me think that I should take this opportunity and try my best and see how I go,” Ronquillo said.

She said once the reality of the demands of the job and study sunk in, it became much more difficult.

“I began doubting my capability,” she said.

“My days were long as I juggled work, study, and family life.”

After completing the 26week course, with 11 modules and a 3000-word essay, she was astonished to find that she

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had achieved the second highest possible score, achieving a high distinction mark for the course.

Executive Care Manager, Anna Ross, said this is a huge achievement, particularly for a newly-qualified nurse who is already learning so much in her day-to-day work.

“We are all immensely proud of Eddy, and she deserves all the congratulations we can give her.”

Source: Media release, May 18 Brilliant Logic

PAGE 32 HEALTH & LIFETSYLE 21 MAY 2021

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Life After Birth: Why Postpartum Care Matters

GEORGIA LIENEMANN

MICHELLE NICOLAOU-NEWMAN

This week is the final instalment in our six-part series on the topic of birth and we’re hearing from Michelle Nicolaou-Newman, cofounder of the Central Coast Montessori School and owner of Mammabearth, where she offers birth and postpartum support to families.

bonding, breastfeeding and recovery. This is not the time for to-do lists or overcommitting.

• Your baby is familiarising itself with the world and so it is optimal that your environmental conditions help support this symbiotic period.

I have been a Mother for 25 years and over this time – through my own challenges, depletion, exhaustion, observations and my extensive experience working with families in various capacities – I have come to concretely understand that the postpartum time requires so much more preparation and attention than it is given and the ways in which women enter life after birth will have a significant impact on the overall quality of their lives beyond it.

“After birth there’s a sacred window of time. A time for complete rejuvenation of a woman’s physical, mental and spiritual health. A time for deep, extended bonding with her newborn. The first 42 days after birth set the stage for her next 42 years.” Ysha Oakes The postpartum forms the foundations of a woman’s health and wellbeing throughout the childrearing years, so the intention and reverence we bring to this time is of utmost importance.

A time of rest and healing As pregnancy is a cycle of growth, postpartum is a cycle of rest, yet the expectations of a new mother to step back into a role of ‘doing’ again, often begin mere days – even hours – after birthing.

This is not at all aligned with the physiological requirements during the postpartum time and

Planning for the postpartum rest period

may be an underlying contributor to the rise in perinatal mood disorders and postnatal depression, (1 in 4 mothers are on anti-depressants); the increase in auto immune issues and the widespread depletion and exhaustion that are endemic to this period.

The pace of modern life and our move away from being supported by large, extended families and community in favour of the nuclear family model has had a detrimental impact on this delicate window. There are unique pressures on the new mother that have simply never existed before.

My direct experience working with families over many years, has revealed to me that there is a silent cry for help occurring in these early weeks, months and even years after becoming a family and because they are not necessarily audible to the outside world – nor often expressed, due to fears of being branded a ‘failure’, they are causing an undercurrent of anxiety and even quiet desperation. This time, therefore, can become one of extreme isolation.

“If you want to know the health of the people, look at the health of Mothers” Rachelle Garcia Seliga

Due to the lack of understanding around the unspoken intricacies that lie within this huge time of transition, new mothers often feel like something is wrong with them for feeling this way. Yet the issue is not with the mothers, it lies with a system that can only offer partial and often inadequate support.

During the first six weeks postpartum, mothers have a physiological requirement for warmth, rest, support and nourishment. Ideally, the new mother should be feeling safe and held by her community to enable her to focus her limited energy on the enormous task of healing from birth, adjusting to her new role as a mother and bonding with her newborn.

Traditional cultures around the world innately knew the importance of tending to a mother during this ‘sacred window’ of time, one that lasts for at least 6-8 weeks post birth. In this time the new mother often requires just as much support and nurturing as her newborn.

Maternal health equals family health equals community health!

This period of receiving is

fleeting in comparison to the mothering years ahead, yet the effects of it being neglected can ripple into family life and potentially last a lifetime.

Therefore, receiving support during this time should be considered a necessity rather than luxury.

What the new mother is eating, how much rest they’re getting and how they are supported will directly affect their overall health.

Any additional support that families can put in place for this time will be a worthwhile investment for the mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing of the mother.

Ways to support the new mother If families can understand ahead of time that the systems currently in place for postpartum support aren’t quite able to adequately offer the depth of care that is required, they will be better equipped to initiate an additional framework of support.

Some of the most fundamental components of postpartum recovery and wellbeing centre around keeping the mother warm.

Babies regulate their temperature

through the mother, so this is of utmost importance. Here are some things to consider: • Warmth immediately post birth • Warm room, warm clothing and warm feet • Foods that are warm in temperature, warm in nature (simple spices) and easy to digest.

• Avoid anything raw or cold immediately after birth for at least 6 weeks to help gently and steadily restore a sluggish post birth digestive system.

• Avoid sitting in drafts or in cold areas.

• Make space and times for deep rest to allow for sufficient healing for at least 6 weeks.

• Sleep when your baby sleeps • To help with the process of healing your uterus, avoid being upright too often too soon.

• Ensure that you have nutrient rich foods, snacks and drinks on hand – all of which are best to be warming in nature – or seek out a postpartum meal service to cater for this.

• Consume foods that are rich in healthy fats.

• Hormones are primed for

• Whilst pregnant, start getting comfortable with asking for help.

• Seek out any support people you feel have your best interests at heart • If you don’t have support, then consider investing in a fully trained postpartum care provider.

• Whilst pregnant allow for plenty of time to plan for your postpartum, so all of the above can be accessible to you.

If we can prepare for our postpartum time with the same diligence as we prepare for birth, we will allow ourselves to land into this time feeling a lot more at peace, replenished, grounded, orientated and attuned to our needs during this immense time of transition.

Michelle facilitates monthly Women’s Circles at Central Coast Montessori, as well as one-onone sessions and workshops for pregnant couples and new mothers at her Mammabearth space in Bateau Bay. Learn more at www.instagram.com/ mammabearth/

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE PAGE 33 Immunisation Program seeks to arrest decline in flu shots ahead of winter SHARE

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21 MAY 2021

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch is encouraging residents to have their flu shots, with free vaccines now available to eligible recipients through GPs, community health clinics and chemists as part of the National Immunisation Program.

Those eligible for the vaccine include children aged between six months and five, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, pregnant women, those who experience certain medical conditions and everyone aged 65 years and over.

In an effort to beat the peak of the flu season, Tesch said it was important to get flu vaccines early.

“This year is just as important as every other year when it comes to getting your flu vaccine,” she said.

“I’ve already had mine and I’d love to see eligible members of the community out getting theirs too so we can protect

Liesl Tesch with Jodi Lockie and the staff at Blooms Chemist, Umina Beach

everyone from the flu, especially here on the Coast where we have lot of vulnerable pensioners.”

Blooms Chemist, Umina Beach, pharmacist Johnathan Dickason says the pharmacy has seen a decrease in people

Volunteers celebrated in National Volunteer Week The theme for this year’s Volunteer Week is Recognise, Reconnect, Reimagine and Coast Shelter was one of many local groups doing just that at a special morning tea this week during National Volunteer Week, May 1723.

“Our volunteers play a vital role in helping Coast Shelter achieve better outcomes for the people we serve,” CEO Michael Starr said.

“This has never been more evident than the last 12 months–a year in which Australia dealt with so much uncertainty.

“While many had to stay at home, Coast Shelter volunteers continued to assist us in delivering essential services to our vulnerable community.”

Services that volunteers helped deliver included: delivering emergency food packages; free haircuts; podiatry; packing Christmas gifts and hampers; financial assessment for NILS loans; helping young L-plate learners accrue their vital driving hours; and ensuring no one went without a warm cooked weekday lunch or dinner.

“We are proudly celebrating

over 3,500 hours of generous volunteering time at Coast Shelter in the last 12 months,” Starr said.

Volunteer Coordinator, Kylie Hogan, said in a year when many in the community experienced increased loneliness, isolation and emotional stress, the volunteering connection at Coast Shelter remained intact.

“So much has been made possible through the commitment of our dedicated volunteers,” Hogan said.

“Volunteering Central Coast data reveals that since 2014, Australia has seen a 20 per cent decline in the number of hours volunteers give.

“During COVID-19, twothirds of the nation’s volunteers had to stop services they were providing (and) a recent study highlights that social purpose organisations continue to lose one in four volunteers.

“In the current changing environment,whereAustralians are time poor and experiencing higher degrees of uncertainty and stress, Coast Shelter still achieves great outcomes with our dedicated 250+ volunteers.”

Source: Media release, May 14 Coast Shelter

getting the flu vaccine this year.

“This year it has been slow in comparison to last year which is quite concerning,” he said.

“I don’t think people understand how prevalent the flu is, how many people it affects and how many

hospitalisations occur as a result of influenza and of course the permanent flow on health effects from contracting the flu, which is why it is so important to get vaccinated.

“Having the flu shot also really builds up the herd

immunity and minimises influenza in the community.”

The flu vaccine for those who are not eligible under the National Immunisation Program costs around $20.

“The younger generation tend to not be engaging in the

flu vaccine, believing that they won’t be impacted but that is not necessarily the case.

“COVID and influenza are quite different and influenza can severely impact our elderly and young kids and cause huge disruptions in the work place which is why people of all ages need to get their vaccine.”

Young Central Coast woman, Jodi Lockie, was lone of the first to line up for the jab.

“I got the flu vaccine to keep protecting our older and vulnerable community members and to make sure I don’t potentially get COVID and the flu at the same time,” she said.

“I first started getting the flu vaccine because a friend who works at the hospital kept telling me to get the kids done because you don’t realise how many people get sick and are in hospitals a result of the flu.”

Source: Media release, May 3 Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch

PAGE 34 21 MAY 2021

EDUCATION & SCIENCE

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Point Clare scientist one of world’s best Dr Seher Ata from Point Clare has been named among the World’s Top 2 per cent of scientists by Stanford University in her field of Mining and Metallurgy.

Scientists are ranked on the number of times their publications have been cited by others, indicating the impact the work has had.

Of the 27,569 in her field, Ata was ranked 112.

She is an Associate Professor in the School of Minerals and Energy Resources and

Dr Seher Ata

Engineering at the University of NSW and between 2002 and 2019, released 68 journal and conference papers.

She said her work is on minerals, specifically focusing on separating valuable minerals from unwanted materials that have no economic value.

“Most minerals, when mined, don’t come in pure form,” Ata said.

“In fact, you get a lot of rubbish.

“Some sort of concentration techniques must be used to be able to extract the metal from

the rubbish.

“So, what I’m doing is basically separating the valuable minerals from rubbish.”

Ata said she does this by the widely used separation technique, froth floatation.

“What you do is crush and grind the material first to a certain size range often less than 150 microns and mix it with water in a tank,” she said.

“Some chemicals are added to the tank to change the surface properties of the valuable (wanted) particles so that they can attach air bubbles.

“Then you introduce lots of air bubbles into the mixture.

“The bubbles pick up the valuable particles as they rise and bring them to the surface where they are recovered as concentrate.”

Through her work, Ata hopes to improve recovery of metals (e.g. gold, copper, silver, zinc, nickel, lead) which are used across the world for electrical car, buildings, renewable energy, heavy industry and so on.

Jacinta Counihan

First Mayor of Central Coast launches Friends of Democracy group On the fifth anniversary of the amalgamation of Wyong and Gosford Councils, a new group is emerging to give the community a voice about whether or not the Central Coast Council should be

de-merged.

Central Coast Friends of Democracy was launched on May 12, with the aim of empowering communities, hearing what they have to say and allowing them to have a

strong voice about what happens to the future of Council.

Friends of Democracy was launched by Co-ordinator, Jane Smith, who was the first Mayor of the amalgamated Central Coast Council and one of the 13

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councillors suspended by the Local Government Minister in October 2020 in the wake of Council’s financial crisis.

“There is a lot of anger about what has happened to our Council and a lot of that anger is directed towards the merger,” she said.

“The community was never asked if they wanted to merge … and I think there is a conversation that needs to happen whether the community has a genuine desire to demerge or not.

“Before we ask that question, people need to understand what that involves, what that process is, what the cost would be and how that would happen.

“If there is support to go down that path then we need to look at what’s involved and talk to the government about that.

“If there is not, then we need to consider how our democracy and how community representation is going to happen with this large Central Coast Council.

“How is the community going to be engaged and how are their voices going to be heard?”

Smith is calling for expressions of interest before forming a working group.

“Hopefully, we’ll get some people with a range of skills and then we’ll be having a community forum where we’ll try and explain to people what it means if there was to be a de-merger, and then after that, go out and really test that proposition,” she said.

Smith said she had a personal view, but she was not trying to force a particular outcome, and that the Friends of Democracy was not politically aligned.

“I think if people want to go down that path then there’s one direction that we need to work towards.

“If they decide they don’t (want a de-merger), then there’s still important work that needs to happen about how to make sure we have a local vibrant democracy within this large Council, because it’s

suffering at the moment.”

Smith said no matter what option the community went with, more investigation was needed into ways that the community could have a voice and reclaim their Council.

“Are they resident groups, should we be looking at Precinct Committees, should we be looking at Community Boards?”

She said Community Boards was a successful model used in New Zealand which operate external to councils and is based on geographic areas.

“My feeling is that we have lost democracy at the moment, and because the Administrator is recommending only nine councillors for the future of Council, with such a large area and so much population growth forecast, we need to fight to make sure there is local democracy.

“The community needs to have its power back, it needs to have a voice.”

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EDUCATION & SCIENCE

PAGE 35 21 MAY 2021

St Joseph’s girls raise $33,000 in World’s Greatest Shave

The all-girls school in East Gosford, St Josephs Catholic College, have raised $33,000 towards the World’s Greatest Shave.

This enormous effort was achieved after seventeen brave staff and students selflessly shaved, cut, or waxed their hair on May 14.

Three generous hairdressers from the parent community donated their time and skills to help on the day.

School captain, Sophie Holliday, led the initiative and day in honour of Mrs Julia Pourbozorgi and the families in our college community dealing with the impacts of cancer.

Holliday swapped her long plaits for a close shave and a very worthy cause.

A spokesperson from the college said they are fortunate

to have a courageous and capable captain who leads by example and inspires others to do the same.

“There was strong community spirit amongst our students and staff, which was empowered by the collective support of the parents and siblings of our brave shavers,” the spokesperson said.

The principal at St Joseph’s Catholic College even got involved by waxing his legs and shaving his head.

The school’s original goal was to raise $20,000, however this was exceeded early on, nearly smashing their goal by Sunday, May 9.

The money raised will go towards the families facing blood cancer the emotional and practical support they need.

It will also fund vital research

St Josephs Catholic College participating in the World’s Greatest Shave

to help more people survive blood cancers while improving their quality of life.

Every day, another 47 Australians are diagnosed with blood cancer - one Aussie

every 31 minutes.

Although research is improving survival, sadly, an

Australian loses their life to blood cancer every two hours.

Jacinta Counihan

PAGE 36 CLASSIFIEDS 21 MAY 2021

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New Park&Ride car park for Showground Road

The Park&Ride system works by the driver paying a fee on entering the car park using an opal card, or bank card, which then covers the cost of public transport.

The system is set to be officially opened in the coming weeks as construction of the boom gats nears completion.

Transport NSW states the

PUBLIC NOTICE

Car Boot Sale

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same Opal card must be used to tap out of the car park within 18 hours of entering.

President of the Central Coast Commuters Association, Eddie Ellis, welcomes the idea saying the system will ensure there is enough room for commuters.

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“I think generally it will be a good thing for the commuters because obviously there are some people who are parking in the car park who are not commuters,” Ellis said.

“But what I would like to see is that on the weekend there is no charge because there are very few commuters who use it on the weekends and I would like those people who are going to the stadium or other event to be able to use the car park, as the commuters are not using it.”

21 MAY 2021

Kariong Quality

The lack of car parks in Gosford has been an increasing issue with the Kibbleplex Town Centre Car Park becoming paid and spaces in the CBD becoming limited.

Ellis said the Central Coast Commuters Association is still pushing for the commuter car park to increase in levels.

“What I would like to see is across the road there is a building about eight or nine stories - at the moment, the commuter car park is a street level,” Ellis said.

“I would like reinforcing to be put in so the building can be put in the maximum of eight or nine levels and perhaps just put in one level now and the others in the future as they are needed.

He said the NSW Government did not consult with the association about the Park&Ride system, but luckily, they were happy about the decision.

Jacinta Counihan

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Our typical Live-in Carer has 3+ years’ experience looking after High Care clients, providing one-on-one care for older clients in their own Sydney based home - mostly around Mosman, the Northern Beaches, the North Shore Line, Hornsby and surrounds.

You will live and care for your client @3-4 days a week and provide social support & companionship.

You will need to assist clients with showering, dressing, hygiene, cooking, etc.

You may need to transport your client to appointments, shopping using your own car.

Plus alot of benefits working for Daughterly Care!

WHAT’S NEXT? Please call Vera Hannan on (02) 9970-7333 to discuss whether a Live-in Carer role is right for you.

Alternatively, email your resume to recruitment@daughterlycare.com.au www.daughterlycare.com.au

NEWS PAGE 37

Come in and see Jake Forbes and team for all your award winning sausages and quality meat.

Try some of our new sausage varieties available every week Mon - Fri 6.30am - 6.30pm - Sat - Sun 6.00am - 4pm

4340 1064 - 1 Arunta Ave. Kariong

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice of 1080 baiting The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will be conducting a baiting program using fresh meat and capsules in ejector devices containing 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of wild Dogs. The program will be conducted between 14 May 2021 and 10 September 2021 in Palm Grove Nature Reserve.

All baiting locations will be identifiable by signs.

Please be reminded that domestic pets are not permitted on NPWS Estate. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.

For further information please call NPWS CENTRAL COAST AREA OFFICE on (02) 4320 4200

BLZ_LP2362

The commuter car park on showground road in Gosford will soon become a Park&Ride car park, an NSW government initiative to free up more spaces for public transport customers.

WWW.COASTCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM.AU

Dear neighbours, Greater Sydney Local Land Services will be leading a fox control program at Munmorah Power Station, 301 Scenic Drive, Colongra NSW 2262 from the 27 May – 25 June 2021.

This program is part of our ongoing work to reduce pest numbers and impacts on primary production and native wildlife in the area.

The program will involve the use of 1080 ground baits and Canid Pest Ejectors. Please restrain all domestic pets and working dogs during this time. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.

For more information or to sign up to a future program contact Biosecurity Officer Gareth Cleal, p 0417 235 366.

Humpback Highway Watch Ronny Ling and his Central Coast Dolphin Project and Central Coast Newspapers have combined to bring you a regular Humpback Highway report in each edition of this newspaper.

Whale sightings have picked up this week, with reports coming in from Copacabana, Wamberal and Foresters Beach. Although these animals have been travelling a long way out, soon they will be much closer in.

“Rocky”, the long-nosed fur seal, has returned to The Haven. He also payed a visit to the IRB races at Terrigal last weekend.

Both common dolphins and bottlenose dolphins have been observed close in at Copacabana, Avoca and The Haven over the past week, dining on large shoals of fish, and enjoying the swell

If you are lucky enough to spot a whale, seal or dolphin, please text or call the Project on 0490 401 969 or email centralcoastdolphins@gmail.com

PAGE 38 21 MAY 2021

SPORT

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Three wins for Crusaders From page 40 “The points couldn’t have come any sweeter either, Cody scoring them off a dream dunk.”

Next up were the open women, who were unfortunate to come off second best in a game that ended 43 – 90.

“With 33 turnovers leading to 40 points, the ladies did not make it easy on themselves this week,” said Mikko von Lueders.

“Their work on the boards let them down too, coming up short on both ends by a significant amount.

“This game was not without its positives though, the ladies dropping in 11 three’s on 34

attempts, making them 33 per cent from beyond the arc as a team.

For the open men there was both satisfaction and relief after going five rounds without a win, now posting their first with a dominate 78 – 59 win.

“James Trustum brought another monster effort this week, grabbing another double-double with 27 points and 13 rebounds,” saiqd Head Coach, Jared Scoines.

“A special shout out goes to William Bates who stepped in for Ty McGowan 90 minutes before the game.

“He stepped up and took on arguably the best big man in the league, Myles Cherry.

“The boys were zoned in on

defence, forcing 29 turnovers with multiple players coming up with a steal or two, making it look easy shutting down Chier Maker, the league leader in points and rebounds, holding him to only 12 points.

“A lot to love this week from the boys as they showed sparks of a possible flame that could ignite for the rest of the season.

All four teams will now face the Bankstown Bruins away at Bankstown Basketball Stadium on Saturday, May 22.

Source: Media Release, May 19 Central Coast Crusaders.

Photos: Paul Barkley | LookPro Photography

IRB race series kicks off at Terrigal Beach SURF LIFE SAVING The first Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) racing event in two years for Surf Life Saving NSW kicked off in perfect conditions at Terrigal over the weekend of May 14 – 15, with the hosts, along with North Avoca and Ocean Beach representing the Central Coast.

The large swell at many other beaches across the state did not affect the Terrigal waters, with the headland providing protection from the wind.

Nonetheless, with fierce opposition coming from across the state in this Round One of

Four of the NSW IRB Premiership, the Central Coast teams certainly had their work cut out for them.

The winning club over the weekend was the defending Series and State Champions,

Kiama Downs, who took out an incredible 15 of the 23 finals and finished well in front with 163 points.

Kiama Downs Team Manager Steve Strong said his team was running really well over the

duration of the weekend and they were pleased with the results.

“The core of our team has been racing for a long time so there’s a lot of experience in our team,” Strong said.

“Our management systems and our training systems have all been in place for a long time and now we’re capitalising on it and have been fortunate enough to enjoy a really good run the last few years.”

Behind Kiama Downs in second place was host club, Terrigal, on 89 points, and further below was North Avoca in ninth place, finishing with 23 points.

Teammates Laura and Chloe from Terrigal club said the sport provided a great thrill.

“The adrenalin and the camaraderie of the team is what we love,” said Chloe.

“And it’s such a fun sport, it’s like a little family,” said Laura.

“This first event is great having everyone here on our home beach, it’s a pretty even playing field and the sun is out – what more could you want?”

The next round of the premiership will be over the weekend of May 29 – 30, at Cape Hawke SLSC on the Lower North Coast, followed by Round Three at Warilla Barrack Point SLSC on the South Coast on June 12 – 13.

The final round of the premiership will return to the Central Coast and take place at Ocean Beach on June 26 – 27.

– 10.

The last time these teams met at The Haven, Hornsby dominated play on the edges and handed Terrigal their first loss for the 2020 season.

This time around, the Terrigal team was determined not to let history repeat itself.

The Trojans scored first and continued to assert themselves through Bronte Kirk-Clark and Shenay Ball who scored three and four tries respectively.

Jessica O’Neil scored two in reply for the Nalas.

The work from the Terrigal halves and playmakers Elise Connolly and Emily Lufe sealed the game.

With the first third of the Central Coast Rugby Union season played out, the top of the ladder is very much alive with a number of teams looking capable of taking glory come Grand Final Day.

Source: Media Release, May 17 Surf Life Saving NSW.

Terrigal on top RUGBY UNION The Terrigal Trojans have moved to the top of both the Men’s and Women’s rugby ladders with convincing wins at The Haven last weekend.

The Trojans men’s team have come away with a 22 – 0 win over Hornsby in the Swietelsky Premier One, solidifying their spot on the top of the ladder by two points.

The game was played under lights at The Haven Oval on a chilly Saturday evening, May

15.

Although taking complete control of the scoreboard, the game was much closer on the paddock with both teams giving their all throughout the entire 80 minutes.

A slender early lead first came for Terrigal via a penalty goal slotted by Fly Half Adam Danckert shortly follow by a converted try scored by Joe Taylor to take the hosts’ lead out to ten points.

From here, the game remained deadlocked for the rest of the first half after a

FORT DENISON

Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00) or daylight savings time (UTC +11:00) when in effect.

21 FRI

28 FRI

0304 1.62 0950 0.52 1609 1.44 2154 0.74 0345 0.25 0945 1.50 1521 0.51 2154 2.08

number of chances to score were met with strong defensive efforts.

Terrigal opened the second stanza with an early try to Danckert.

Close to full time, the third and final try was scored by Mitch Hirst to take the advantage up to 22 points, with Danckert having contributed 12 of them.

While Terrigal’s performance was clinical, they did fall short of fourth bonus point try.

The win launches them into a

Round Seven fixture against second place Ourimbah.

The Razorbacks were successful in their Round Six match against Kariong, defeating them 30 – 24 in a match that went to and fro throughout the 80 minutes.

Both teams have been hit with injuries recently and are feeling the effects of the tough opening six weeks of the competition.

Earlier in the evening, the Terrigal Women Tens also defeated the Hornsby Nalas in another convincing showing 52

TIDE CHART

Source: Media Releases, May 16 & 17 Larry Thomson and Bronte Doorn, Central Coast Rugby Union

LAT 33° 51’ S - LONG 151° 14’ E - TIME ZONE - 1000

22

23

24

25

26

27

29

30

31

1

2

3

Times and Heights(m) of high and low waters

0407 1.65 0505 1.67 0000 0.51 0057 0.40 0153 0.31 0249 0.26 1039 0.45 1125 0.40 0600 1.68 0656 1.67 0751 1.63 0848 1.57 SAT 1700 1.57 SUN 1748 1.72 MON 1210 0.37 TUE 1256 0.37 WED 1343 0.40 THU 1430 0.45 2259 0.63 1836 1.86 1924 1.98 2013 2.06 2102 2.10 0443 0.28 0642 0.42 0037 1.78 0239 1.56 0542 0.34 0138 1.66 1044 1.43 1143 1.38 1244 1.34 0740 0.49 0835 0.54 0925 0.57 SAT 1614 0.59 SUN 1709 0.66 MON 1807 0.73 TUE 1345 1.33 WED 1447 1.35 THU 1544 1.40 2246 2.01 1911 0.79 2129 0.81 2341 1.91 2019 0.82

APPROX. TIME LAG AFTER FORT DENISON Ettalong 40 min, Rip Bridge 2hrs - Wisemans Ferry 2 hrs 30 min, Koolewong 2 hrs 10 min In view of the variations caused by local conditions and meteorological effects, these times are approximate and must be considered as a guide only. They are not to be relied on for critical depth calculations for safe navigation. Actual times of High and Low Water may occur before or after the times indicated

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SPORT PAGE 39 21 MAY 2021

Mariners’ penalty clinches crucial F3 Derby win FOOTBALL The Central Coast Mariners have found their first win in seven games against their F3 derby rivals, the Newcastle Jets, at McDonald Stadium on Saturday evening, May 15.

After a mid-week match against Brisbane Roar where they earned their first clean sheet in ten matches, the Mariners return to form continued with another clean sheet and a single goal to Matt Simon to see the boys in yellow defeat the hapless Jets.

An early chance was presented to the Jets from a mistimed header by Kye Rowles, but Jason Hoffman’s initial strike found Mariners keeper, Mark Birighitti in the way before a second shot from Angus Thurgate was deflected by defender Ruon Tongyik.

A third attempt from the ensuing corner by Nigel Boogaard was also thwarted as his header skimmed wide past of the post.

The momentum stayed with the Jets for most of the opening 20 minutes with the Mariners succumbing to the pressure conceding several fouls and giving to the Jets multiple chances to attack.

But the home side were unable to make the most of them, and throughout the second quarter, the Mariners were able to find more possession and control in the midfield space.

In the second half, the Mariners found more energy, with Joshua Nisbet posting a shot on target within the first

60 seconds.

Eventually, a questionable foul on Daniel Bouman in the box, one which somehow survived the VAR review, gave away the most crucial set piece of the game.

The Mariners leading goalscorer, Matt Simon, stepped up and non-chalantly drove the ball hard and low into the back left corner giving Jets keeper, Italiano, no chance.

The trademark shakas from the Mariners’ skipped roused the large cohort of fans who made their way up the F3.

Jet’s maestro,Roy O’Donovan, came close to an equaliser in the 59th minute with a shot curling under the top crossbar forcing the dive save from Birighitti.

Another chance for the Jets came in the 87th minute via a lobbed through ball by Ramy Najjarine for Valentino Yuel to chase.

The ball trickled forward dangerously to the edge of the penalty area, forcing Birighitti out of the box to cut down Yuel’s space and forcing the youngster into an errant shot.

While the three points was critical for the Mariners, and leaves them sitting tentatively in second place on the ladder, the blue and yellow will need to find more penetration up front if they are to seriously challenge for glory in the finals.

And there will be no better chance to find then in their next first-versus-second showdown with runaway competition leaders, Melbourne City (away) on Saturday, May 22.

Fish Safe Off The Rocks Your guide to rock fishing on the Central Coast

The Central Coast is a great place to fish but fishing off the rocks can be very dangerous.

Please follow these simple tips to fish safe off the rocks: Always wear a life jacket – it’s the law!*

Never fish alone

Check conditions first – look at the weather and water reports

Ask locals for advice on where to fish

Wear light clothing

Wear appropriate shoes with good grip

Tell others about your plans

Bring ropes and torches

Haakon Barry

Never turn your back on the ocean

x

*Rock Fishing Safety Act 2016

Call Triple Zero (000) for help if someone falls in the water, do not go in after them!

See other tips for fishing safe, and check out our map of rock fishing locations on the Central Coast at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/rockfishing

PAGE 40 SPORT 21 MAY 2021

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Terrigal Avoca takes away Black Diamond points

Competing for the ball is Terrigal Avoca’s Madison Smith (L) and Killarney Vale’s Kelsey Acton (R).

AFL The Terrigal Avoca Panthers have emerged triumphant in the top of the table clash against the Killarney Vale Bombers in both the Black Diamond Cup Women and Men’s leagues.

Played at Hylton Moore Oval on Saturday, May 15, the women played first in a windy morning contest wherein the Panthers were too strong for their opponents, finishing with a 40 – 18 win.

Killarney Vale’s Kelsey Acton scored the opening goal, but this was to the only points the team would get in the first half.

Kirstie Hutton soon opened the account for the Panthers and went on to post three more goals.

By the end of the third quarter, the Bombers had dragged themselves back to within 13 points of the Panthers but, in the final quarter, Terrigal Avoca pulled away with a further nine points.

For Terrigal Avoca Head Coach, Joel Patterson, the win has instilled confidence in his team ahead of a difficult upcoming Round Seven.

“It was a great physical battle as it always is against Killarney,” he said.

“Our team were hungry for a win, we put in a strong first half

and got a couple of goals on the board.

“We knew they were always going to come back – we addressed that at half time – and they did in the third quarter, but we had the ability to stay composed in the final quarter.

“We also have been working on our fitness so physically we were able to keep up and control the contest better than we usually do.”

Patterson pointed to his team’s Ruck, Karina Brown, as being crucial to securing the win.

“With the heavy wind there were a lot of stoppages that slowed down the play, so her ability to win a lot of the

contests helped us to get the ball forward.

“At the other end, we shut them down with some good intercepts off the half back line and we were able to utilise our running game and get a lot more entry into the forward 50.”

The Panthers now face league leaders, Cardiff, who are so far undefeated this season.

“Cardiff are a very strong and tall team, they’ve got a lot of good fitness and running players,” said Patterson.

“For us, we have to improve on our contest work because that’s where they dominated us last time.

In the men’s game, the cracks showed early in Killarney’s discipline when they gave away two 50 metre penalties that led directly to goals.

This aided the Panthers establish a 13 point lead at first quarter time.

Terrigal Avoca continued to push their advantage through to the end of the first half, getting to a 49 – 14 point lead.

The Bombers fought back in the third quarter but four unanswered goals for the Panthers put the result beyond doubt.

For Bombers Head Coach, Corey Shackleton, his team lost because they were unable to enact the discipline and

composure that was crucial to their game plan.

“Terrigal were really well structured, they set up well behind the ball, dropped numbers back and we just kept playing into their hands, continued with the ill-discipline, gave away eleven 50 metre penalties, six of which led directly to goals, and by the time we got to half time the game was probably beyond us.”

Terrigal Avoca now face Cardiff in a game they will be favourites to win.

CCN.

Three wins for Crusaders BASKETBALL At Newcastle Basketball Stadium on Saturday, May 15, three out of four Crusaders teams came away with strong wins in their games against the Newcastle Hunters, including the first season win for the open men.

For the youth women, it was a comfortable 76 – 50 win, a welcome return to form for the girls after last week’s tough

CCN

loss.

The Hunters proved to be a challenge early on, taking the lead early in the first half.

Before the second however, the girls managed to pull away.

“We’ve grown used to seeing Sara Matthews fill it up from just about anywhere and tonight was no exception,” said Head Coach, Will Granger.

“Samantha McCubbin was not far behind with 13 of her own points.

“Showing great control, she managed to secure rebounds on both ends of the court, helping the girls coast to the finish line.”

The youth men’s team continued the good form with a win 107 – 82.

“It was a really good start, they went into a 10-0 run led by their captain, Hammish Loader, who was great on the ball,” said Head Coach, Mikko von Lueders.

“The boys couldn’t have

asked for a better result considering their nail biting, one point win last week.

“Loader led the team this week with some solid shooting from the field, dropping in 19 points (but it was) a solid all round win for the boys with everyone playing their part.

“A special shout out to the rookie Cody Wells, playing his first minutes and scoring his first points this week.

Continued page 38

Photos: Paul Barkley | LookPro Photography

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