28 OCTOBER 2022
ISSUE 365
Families, health and housing big winners in Budget
News
An 11 square foot Aboriginal mural and totem poles, designed and painted by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from Northlakes High School, have been unveiled at a popular community spot in San Rem. See page 5
Out&About
Young families on the Central Coast were the big winners in the Federal Budget, handed down on October 25 by Treasurer Jim Chalmers, with a multi-billion-dollar childcare package and improvements to parental leave set to make things easier for the region’s parents. See page 4
The Clambake Cabaret, to be held on November 5 at the Naughty Noodle Fun Haus as part of Central Coast Council’s Lakes Festival, will mark the Fun Haus’s fourth birthday. See page 13
Business
Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, Member for Robertson, Gordon Reid (centre), and Finance Minister, Katy Gallagher
Wyong firefighters back-to-back state champions Wyong firefighters proved yet again they’re best in the business by taking out back-to-back NSW State Championships. Some tough competition kept the pressure on Wyong over the three-day event in wet conditions at Port Macquarie from October 20-22. The Fire and Rescue Wyong 505 brigade competed against more than 60 firefighters from 15 different brigades, as well as representatives from the NSW Rural Fire Service and Victorian Country Fire Authority. The State Firefighter Championships test the skills, professionalism and training of regional firefighters, with events simulating a range of
fire and rescue situations. Wyong won the Alfred Webb Cup as State Champions, followed in second place by Kootingal Rural Fire Service and in third spot was the Port Macquarie crew. The Wyong brigade was also presented with the Reddaway Casket for the highest aggregated points in hose events; the McMurtrie Trophy for the highest aggregated points in motorised events and the GAAM Trophy for the highest aggregated points in pump and collector events. Apart from winning team events, individual standouts Tim Farlow, Hugh Rivera and Rick Cole brought home some glory for the Wyong brigade.
Fire and Rescue Commissioner Paul Baxter said the championship provided firefighters with a unique opportunity to work together and develop their operational skills. “Although firefighters train for months and there is a strong competitive streak within the stations to prove who the top team is, the championship has the more serious purpose of honing skills that are critical in real emergencies,” he said. “It’s also the perfect opportunity for firefighters to build comradery, develop friendships with their fellow colleagues and other services personnel.” Sue Murray
Avoca Beach Picture Theatre owners Norman and Beth Hunter have revealed their revamped plan to upgrade the iconic cinema, with submissions on the latest DA to be accepted until November 11. See page 25
Sport
Richard Braddish of Umina Beach has been bodybuilding since he was 16 and has always wanted to compete, but raising a family put his training on hold. See page 31 Wyong firefighters in action
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Puzzles page 18