Coast Community News #417

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23 NOVEMBER 2023

INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWS • COASTCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM.AU

ISSUE 417

E

News

Iconic Norah Head lighthouse turns 120

Rates to rise 4.8 per cent next year See page 7

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A YEAR E S A L E Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve volunteers gathered with neighbours, friends and family to celebrate the 120th birthday of the lighthouse on November 18.

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Funds cut for commuter carpark and fast rail upgrade The Federal Government will cut its funding commitment to improved commuter carparking in Woy Woy and a faster rail upgrade between Tuggerah and Wyong, effectively skittling the two vital infrastructure projects.

They are among a raft of projects scrapped following an independent strategic review of the Infrastructure Investment Program.

Member for Robertson Gordon Reid has joined Infrastructure Minister Catherine King in laying the blame at the feet of the former government, which they say left an undeliverable program.

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King announced on Thursday, November 16, that 50 projects would be cut after the review found the country’s $120B infrastructure 10year pipeline was facing a $32.8B blowout.

She said while the Government was committed to delivering the infrastructure Australia needs, creating jobs and growing the economy while not increasing pressure on inflation, the review found that the Infrastructure Investment Program inherited from the former Coalition Government was undeliverable.

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A vibrant tapestry of voices in our Letters to the Editor Forum

YouTube: Central Coast Community News

EDITORIAL

Instagram: @centralcoast.news

In an era dominated by social media discourse, Coast Community News has cultivated a dynamic and vibrant Letters to the Editor forum that mirrors our local community’s rich tapestry of voices.

Beyond the traditional confines of print, this forum has evolved into an online haven for passionate individuals, offering an interactive space where locals showcase their diverse perspectives, concerns and commendations.

The online forum platform has also become an invaluable space for residents to articulate their thoughts on a myriad of topics, from council matters to community events, environmental concerns and beyond.

Each day I am impressed by

Facebook: @coastcommunitynews

SEND US A STORY Email: editorial@centralcoastnews.net CCN encourages “community journalism”, including story leads, citizen reports, media releases, photos & letters to the Editor.

CCN reserves the right to use, or not use, any material sent to us for publication and to validate, amend, update, expand or reduce

the information provided at our sole discretion and in accordance with our editorial guidelines.

Material that is offensive, defamatory, or overtly political will not be published.

All contributions should be emailed to the above email address.

Manager & Digital Editor: David Abrahams Print Editor & Senior Journalist: Terry Collins Journalists: Sue Murray, Denice Barnes, Merilyn Vale Graphic Designer: Brad Yee Distribution: Anthony Wagstaff Contributors: Cheralyn Darcey, Stefan Kataric

the diversity of letters as our forum truly serves as a virtual agora where ideas clash, perspectives meld and the heartbeat of the community resonates.

What makes this forum truly exceptional is the immense effort and thoughtfulness invested by the contributors.

From passionate pleas for environmental stewardship to heartfelt acknowledgments of local heroes, the spectrum of subjects covered reflects the diversity that defines our community.

These letters are not mere ink on paper or pixels on a screen; they are the authentic voices of our neighbours, each contributing a unique brushstroke to the canvas of our shared experiences.

We celebrate those who take the time to craft eloquent and compelling letters.

These individuals are the unsung heroes of community

journalism, weaving narratives that enrich our understanding of local issues and foster a sense of collective identity, something so often sought by our local leadership forums.

Their words are more than correspondence; they are an integral part of the communal dialogue that shapes our community’s ethos.

Our tens of thousands of readers will know we are generous in what we allow to be published, though of course there are limits on length, quality and downright abusive accusations.

We naturally publish local letters as a top priority, so a name and local address are determining factors in inclusion.

The vibrancy of a local democracy is the strength found in diversity.

It creates a place where the pulse of the community beats

loudly, demonstrating that the power of expression transcends the medium and words have the capacity to unite, inspire and spark positive change.

Head over to the forum section on our news website to see replies to our letter writers, where the debate often continues for weeks.

As we applaud the locals who contribute their insights, we recognise the forum as a cornerstone of communitybuilding, exemplifying the profound impact that engaged citizens can have on our shared narrative.

Political leaders and aspirants as well as community and business people need look no further should they wish to gauge the sentiment of the region.

David Abrahams – Managing Editor

Nattering as they knit for Elsie’s Project

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From left: Home Instead client Margaret Wood took the opportunity to teach caregiver Vicki Holl how to cast on; Home Instead client Josie Rutherford has started on her crochet squares; Client Kerrie Metcalfe in festive spirit with her crocheting project

With knitting needles in hand, clients and carers at Home Instead have been busy knitting and chatting as they create comforting patient blankets for the two palliative care units, Elsie’s Project.

A 12-bed palliative care unit operates at Gosford Hospital and a second unit will open mid-2024 at Wyong Hospital.

Eight clients and their caregivers attended the first of the Knit & Natter events late last month at Home Instead’s office.

This new social event is an extension of the monthly Enhance luncheons for caregivers and clients to foster social connection and eliminate loneliness.

“Companionship and care are at the centre of what Home

Instead does and we work hard to ensure our clients feel socially connected through our organised events,” Home Instead Community Engagement Manager, Samantha Farham, said.

“As our client attendee numbers at Enhance have grown to full capacity, we asked our clients who attended the luncheons what other ideas, interests, or suggestions they had for future activities.

“From their suggestions we designed a new social events calendar that now includes three new activities to accompany our monthly luncheons – Knit & Natter, Games Day and Arts & Craft.”

In May this year, Home Instead donated $10,000 to Elsie’s Project, and as part of the provider’s ongoing support for

the project, the Knit & Natter knitters were asked if they would like to knit or crochet 12inch squares that could eventually be made into singlebed blankets for patients.

Farham said everyone was very excited to be continuing to help the cause.

“Some brought knitting, others crochet, and everyone enjoyed a Devonshire tea,” she said.

“A few clients also cheekily gave their caregivers strict homework on finishing their squares.

“We even had one of our clients, Margaret Wood, and her caregiver on hand for any questions or help with knitting or crocheting.

“Margaret is famous at our Enhance event luncheons for gifting knitted coathangers,

beanies and tissue holders to other clients.

“She knits at night time as it keeps her hands active and helps with her arthritis.”

Fellow client Josie Rutherford thoroughly enjoyed the Knit & Natter event.

“It was a lovely day and one that brings people together,” she said.

Farham said the event was such a great success that they had booked in two November dates and one in December.

“It was lovely to see our clients come together, socialise, meet new people and make new friends, plus there were a lot of giggles,” she said.

“Everyone who attended has asked to come to the next one.

“We can’t wait to see how many blankets we can make for Elsie’s Project.”

THURSDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2023

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Kariong development back in the spotlight With a proposed rezoning of land for a housing development at Kariong expected to go out for public comment later this month, the controversial Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council (DLALC) proposal is back in the spotlight.

Environmental groups had renewed calls for the proposal to be scrapped, with DLALC saying the development is “conscious and ecologically sustainable”.

The proposed 50-home development would see much of the 13ha block preserved in its bushland state, DLALC says.

But the Save Kariong Sacred Lands group says the region is “looking down the barrel of the destruction” of the land at 300 Woy Woy Rd and has called on the Central Coast Greens to make a stand against the proposal.

“We stand with traditional custodians, Coast Environmental Alliance and other local environmental groups who are deeply concerned about the proposed housing development … on this site – a site currently zoned C2, the highest protection for land outside of a National Park, for its ecological and cultural significance,” a spokesperson said.

“We are in no way against First Nation People’s right to do what they want with their land or further themselves economically.

“However, the land at Kariong is totally unsuitable for a housing development for so many reasons, least of all the fact of it being home to endangered species.

“The biodiversity report consigned by DLALC for the ‘project area’ confirms there will be an ‘unavoidable loss of biodiversity’, including endangered uphill swamp lands, plants and wildlife, which they intend to offset using the highly ineffectual and suspect scheme of biodiversity credits.

“This biodiversity credits scheme will see 195 credits to

A map showing the proposed development site (in red) and the conservation zone (orange)

offset the death and habitat destruction of the endangered Eastern Pygmy Possum, 141 credits for the endangered large-eared pied-bats and 31 credits for the Southern Myotis.”

The group says The Greens are “natural allies” and is calling on the party to bring the situation to the attention of State Parliament.

“We are calling on The Greens to back-up their strong stance made in a statement in February this year requesting a resolution that will ensure the Land Council is provided with land appropriate for development, land they can develop without destroying important ecological and cultural heritage,” the spokesperson said.

Coast Environmental Alliance (CEA) has also renewed calls for the proposal to be scrapped.

“While we fully appreciate the need for more housing, there is nothing conscious or sustainable about gutting an area that has been zoned by the government to not allow any development due to the extremely important ecological values and cultural significance of the area,” spokesperson Jake Cassar said.

“The government specifically zoned this parcel of land C2 – Environmental Conservation, which is the highest protection private land can receive.

“The C2 zone was put in place to ensure that land with cultural heritage and threatened flora

DLALC says the grandmother tree is a full kilometre from the proposed development site. Photo: Ken Duncan

and fauna is protected.

“The zoning is also given to areas such as this to ensure that endangered wetlands which are critically important to primary industries, including the oyster leases in Brisbane Water, remain in their pristine state.”

Cassar said rezoning the land and opening it up to bulldozers would set a precedent, with no Crown Land being safe.

Indigenous spokesperson for CEA, Kirt Mallie, said as a Torres Strait Islander she found having to battle to preserve sacred sites “absolutely heartbreaking”.

“After nearly a decade-long battle to protect the famous grandmother tree and her surrounds at Bambara, both the Aboriginal community and the broader community actually worked with DLALC to have the area officially registered as ‘Kariong Sacred Lands Aboriginal Place’, due to the enormous amount of cultural heritage in the area,” she said.

“How can DLALC fully acknowledge the cultural significance of Kariong Sacred Lands, but continue to push forward with their development proposal?

“It makes no sense.

“I was born and raised in the Gosford area, whereas the vast majority of people on DLALC are not originally from the Central Coast; they certainly don’t speak on behalf of the broader indigenous community.”

Mallie said DLALC’s entire membership represented less than four per cent of the overall Central Coast Aboriginal population.

“We have confirmed with government agencies that there are indeed known and registered cultural sites on the land they are planning to develop,” she said.

“These ancient treasures will be destroyed if this goes ahead, which is deeply distressing to many people in the Aboriginal community.

“It simply should not be allowed to happen, and irrespective of who the developer is.”

Mallie said the development would open up nearby sacred sites to vandalism and graffiti and endanger koala populations.

Cassar said the proposed development was only a short walk from the famous grandmother tree and controversial Egyptian hieroglyphs.

“This iconic destination is visited by thousands of tourists each year including international guests,” he said.

“A development in this unique and much-loved area will completely change the face of this very popular attraction, which could significantly impact tourism and our local economy.”

CEA is urging the community to write to the Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch, to gain her support in finding a resolution

that protects Kariong Sacred Lands, while ensuring that DLALC is compensated or given other developable land to meet its economic goals.

But DLALC Chair Tina West said caring for Country was at the core of the not-for profit organisation’s mission and that misinformation had been circulating.

“We exist to protect and conserve the environment and Aboriginal cultural heritage for generations to enjoy, while also creating tangible social and wellbeing benefits for the broader community,” she said.

“Under Darkinjung LALC’s proposed use of the site, more than half of the 13ha will be zoned under Environmental Conservation (C2), preserving the landscape in its bushland state as well as the few identified Aboriginal cultural sites within the zone.

“This environmental conservation zone of more than 7ha borders Brisbane Water National Park, with the national park containing sites like the grandmother tree and Kariong sacred land.

“Darkinjung LALC has been careful not to harm any existing cultural sites within or even in the vicinity of the proposed development, including what has been referred to as the grandmother tree, which is located more than 1km away from the site, or ‘Kariong Sacred Land’, which is to the south of the 13ha area.”

West said the remaining part

of the site, which bordered the existing Kariong village, would be developed into a residential community inspired by conscious design principles that incorporated native vegetation, deep-soil planting areas and 50 low-density homes within large blocks.

The development will also feature a 0.4ha area under Environmental Management (C3) zoning, serving as parkland facilities for the enjoyment of the community.

The Land Council says it has followed rigorous processes to design a development that supports sustainable outcomes, including sourcing various independent reports to meet requirements under both the NSW Planning System and the Planning Systems SEPP (Aboriginal Lands).

The Biodiversity Certification Assessment Report and the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment report have addressed the potential inadvertent impacts of the proposed development and provide excellent conservation outcomes for known Aboriginal sites as well as any remnants, sites or cultural artefacts that may be discovered during the development, it says.

The Land Council says the impacts on the biodiversity of the area have been assessed extensively and determined to be acceptable and manageable with appropriate mitigation measures in place.

“We have taken a thorough and considered approach to ensure we achieve positive outcomes for Country and the community,” West said.

“All Aboriginal communitycontrolled organisations on the Central Coast, and by extension a majority of Aboriginal people on the Central Coast, have supported the progression of this rezoning through the NSW Planning System for almost a decade.”

The proposed site complements both the natural bush surroundings and the existing Kariong housing community, West said.

Terry Collins

A fix for Bourke Rd at last A stretch of Bourke Rd between Memorial Ave and Barrenjoey Rd at Ettalong Beach has finally been resurfaced following months of community complaints.

Member for Robertson Gordon Reid on the newly resurfaced section of road

Federal Member for Robertson Gordon Reid first raised the issue earlier this year, writing to Central Coast Council to request early attention to the

deteriorating road.

Council responded that the road would be addressed in the 2023-24 financial year and this week, Reid announced the works had been completed.

“Whenever I was out on the Peninsula and speaking with people about the state of local roads, Bourke Rd would always get a mention as one of the worst local

roads to drive on,” Reid said.

“I wrote to the Central Coast Council Administrator back in May and raised the concerns of the community about this road.

“Central Coast Council responded and informed me that Bourke Rd had been scheduled for road renewal and resurfacing in the 2023-24 financial year.

“I am pleased to see that

Council has been able to fulfil its commitment and the road is now a smooth, as well as safe road to drive on.

“Thank you to all the people who wrote to me about this road and to Central Coast Council for listening and acting swiftly.”

Source: Member for Robertson Gordon Reid

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Council to cop climate change costs Climate change is one of the most significant issues that will impact the lives of people in NSW now and into the future, the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) said this month.

The Central Coast is expected to experience an increase in average, maximum and minimum temperatures for the near future and the far future, based on a 2020 report from the State Government’s Adapt NSW. “The long-term temperature trend indicates that temperatures on the Central Coast have been increasing since about 1960, with the largest increase in temperatures in the most recent decades,” Adapt NSW stated in a snapshot of the coast.

It said that temperature was the most reliable indicator of climate change.

“Across the Central Coast all of the models agree that average, maximum and minimum temperatures are increasing,” Adapt NSW stated.

And now IPART has identified three main categories and five types of costs councils might have to meet and says it is reasonable for ratepayers to share the costs to address climate change.

“Councils play a vital role in

responding and adapting to climate change including natural disasters with the costs of mitigating and adapting likely to be substantial and with a high degree of variation,” IPART stated in its review of the rate peg methodology, released on November 9 (see separate story).

Climate change came up as an external cost that councils are expecting to have to meet.

“Government grants to councils meet some of these climate change costs such as emissions reduction projects, and natural disaster recovery,” IPART stated in the review.

“As ratepayers and the community benefit from councils being able to provide resilient and safe services, it is reasonable for rates to also meet some of these costs.”

IPART identified mitigation, adaptation and natural disaster planning and response as the three new areas requiring new spending.

Higher temperatures would bring: increased demand for reducing urban heat island effect (for example by planting more vegetation); increased stormwater pipe breakages (from tree roots seeking water due to low soil moisture causing pipe breakages); increased need to retrofit buildings, facilities,

A map detailing projected temperature increases

playgrounds; increased costs to maintain public spaces, gardens; and increased water use.

Heatwaves would bring: increased energy use for cooling systems and water use; increased costs to provide more shade; increased demand for health services; increased risks of power failure increasing the need for alternative power sources; and increased health risks for employees who work outside.

Increasing frequency of bushfires would bring: increased demand for safe places, refuges and evacuation centres; increased demand for fire and emergency response services; increased demand for support services including health services; increased need to protect buildings from fire and reduce fire hazards (maintenance of vegetation); closure of council assets (e.g.

parks) and potential loss of revenue (e.g. parking fees); increased restoration and repair of assets affected by fire, replacing damaged signs; increased clean-ups and waste removal; delays or increased difficulty for ratepayers to pay their rates; and increased demand for programs to address vulnerability due to household disruptions.

Changes in rainfall could mean: increased demand for services to deal with increased water-borne diseases and pests; increased damage to roads, increased potholes and need for increased maintenance for kerb and gutter; and delays to maintenance and service schedules (increased wet weather means delays to servicing parks).

Sea level rise, coastal erosion and inundation would: increase demand for coastal protection such as building a sea wall:

increase demand for increased maintenance of existing sea walls; increase costs to protect against erosion; and increase demand for levees and maintenance.

Frequency and intensity of extreme storms (winds and hail) issues included: increased repair or replacement of assets affected by storms/hail damage; increased drainage capacity issues and need for new stormwater infrastructure; increased clean-ups and waste removal; increased costs to maintain parks, cemeteries and other open and public spaces; and increased incidences of ratepayer property issues such as removal of heavy fallen branches.

IPART identified new costs because of climate change.

“These reflect costs that are in addition to those related to the delivery of existing services

and emerging because of climate change,” IPART said.

“These may depend on a council’s choices about adaptation which could include changes to how services are provided.”

Possible costs included: building new buildings and infrastructure to manage impacts of climate change such as safety refuges, a sea wall or flood levees; raising a dam wall; increasing tree canopy; community education programs to drive behavioural change; research and development; costs to improve planning processes to include climate change (result in higher wages for climate skilled staff); and installing heat sensors.

Climate change is only one of a number of external costs that affect councils.

Others included: the impact on operational costs and depreciation that emerge from infrastructure that may be gifted or transferred to councils; providing community facilities as these are not funded by developer contributions; and cyber security.

IPART recommended that the NSW Government commission an independent investigation of the financial model for councils.

Merilyn Vale

Kincumber bus shelter to be replaced A bus stop shelter on Avoca Dr opposite Kincumber shops which was recently removed by Central Coast Council will be replaced as soon as possible.

Member for Robertson Gordon Reid said the shelter had been removed by Council to make way for a bus stop upgrade to meet Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) requirements.

“The community has raised

concerns about whether the bus stop shelter will be replaced, as the bus stop can be challenging for elderly people, and people living with a disability,” he said.

Reid said he had written to Council on behalf of the community and received a response saying Council plans to replace the shelter once it had been manufactured and was able to be installed.

A letter from Council to Reid said there was a limited time

frame to comply with the DDA, with works undertaken to ensure the bus meets the requirements of the Act by providing safe access and boarding for disabled passages.

“This includes a concrete slab, tactile markers and connection to footpath or the roadway,” the letter said.

While the installation of bus shelters and seats is not a mandatory requirement for making bus stops DDA compliant, the letter said

arrangements had been made to provide a new shelter at the location.

“Unfortunately, there is a delay with manufacturing of the bus shelters, and Council is awaiting the receipt of a new shelter for installation, which caters for those with mobility aids,” the letter said.

“Once received the new shelter will be installed as soon as practical.”

Member for Robertson Gordon Reid at the Kincumber bus stop

Mother and daughter spread Christmas cheer Local mother and daughter Jodie and Summerlilly Welch have organised a generous donation to We Care Connect through Member for Wyong David Harris.

Jodie and Summerlilly Welch with their latest donation

The two gathered gift packs, new toys, games, clothes and bags for Central Coast families in need this Christmas.

The mother and daughter duo have been giving back to the community through Central

Coast charities for 13 years.

Their gift giving started one Christmas when Summerlilly was three years old and showered with love and gifts from Santa, her mother, aunts, uncles and grandparents.

She received more than she needed.

So Jodie decided the following year to give Summerlilly fewer gifts and take her shopping throughout the year when she had spare money to buy a

small toy or art pack.

They saved these purchases all year to be given to children and families that needed a little bit of joy at Christmas time.

“Jodie and Summerlilly are making a difference each year spreading the happiness in children and families across the community,” Harris said.

Some years a dozen toys were donated; on other years they have filled several cars to the rooftop with gifts, donating

to local radio stations, Salvos, Vinnies, churches, women’s shelters and kids from rural communities.

“Hopefully in the future we can support the children on the Central Coast for many more years to come,” Jodie Welch said.

“If you are in a position yourself to donate a book, a Barbie or a soccer ball please do so; charities really need all the help and support they can get during the holiday season.”

PAGE 6

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Thank You Day to honour the real heroes With a second lease on life following a liver transplant two years ago, Killarney Vale’s Rob Manning is on a journey to spread the word and educate people about organ and tissue donation.

His own story started with a visit to the GP and despite feeling fit, his wife thought he didn’t look well.

Diagnosed with end-stage liver disease, Manning found himself at Royal North Shore Hospital.

Deteriorating rapidly, he was told if he didn’t have a transplant within 12 months, he would be dead.

In 2021, while at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, he slipped into a coma. Two weeks later he woke up with a new liver.

“I needed a miracle,” he said.

November 19 was DonateLife Thank You Day, a day that celebrates the families of those who made the brave decision to donate their loved ones’ organs or tissues so that another person could live.

Manning says these people are the real heroes.

“Thank You Day is such a big and important day,” he said.

“People don’t set out in the morning to become an organ donor and for the families, it

From left: Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch, Rob Manning and Member for The Entrance David Mehan

might be the first time they have ever thought about it.

“This is why Thank You Day is so important; I wouldn’t be here if the family had not agreed to organ donation.”

Two Central Coast MPs agree.

Labor MP for The Entrance David Mehan and Liberal MP for Terrigal Adam Crouch cochair the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Organ Donation aimed at raising awareness of the need for changes to state legislation, education and

communication around organ donation.

In 2022 the group met for the first time and a key initiative launched was a rule in the Service NSW app for 5.2 million people in NSW to be able to register to be an organ donor.

The initiative resulted in a two per cent increase in organ donations and consent rates in NSW during 2022.

“As a direct consequence of the work by David and Adam the NSW Parliament has agreed

Your genuine alternative to traditional aged care

to review the 2012 NSW plan to increase donation awareness as we have been in decline since 2018,” Manning said.

An amendment to the NSW Tissue Act is expected to be passed soon in the Parliament by the Speaker of the House Greg Piper in another initiative that has resulted from advocacy to improve donations.

“We are blessed here on the Central Coast to have two MPs from opposite ends willing to work with me to raise awareness,” Manning said.

As the founder and senior advocate for www. transplantadvocacy.com, Manning is a passionate outspoken advocate for organ and tissue donation and transplant awareness in Australia and around the world.

“I have learned so much from the amazing people involved.

“From other recipients, living donors, physicians, clinicians, administrators, politicians, volunteers and perhaps the group I have learned most from is deceased donor’s families.

“Despite millions of dollars spent on awareness for organ donor registration, wellness and sporting activities for recipients and administration of a system to facilitate organ

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donation and transplants, numbers in Australia are not improving like in other countries.

“It is from the families of deceased organ donors who had no idea that they were to become a part of the transplant journey, that I have gained the most insight from.

“Some had seen an advertisement or some other story about becoming an organ donor.

“Some had ticked the box on their driver’s licence many years ago and thought nothing more about it.

“Some had even more recently registered via Australian Organ and Tissue Authority DonateLife.

“All had been asked if they would give their consent to their loved ones organs to be donated to save the lives of strangers after a tragic event and learning of the passing of a loved one.

“I am very grateful for the support I have received on my journey and the opportunity to personally benefit from participating in many activities that set out to raise awareness for life saving transplants.”

Denice Barnes

New paint job Soldiers Beach Surf Club is set to receive $20,000 towards a new paint job through the NSW Government’s Local Small Commitments Allocation Program.

The funds will substantially enhance the facility’s appearance, creating a welcoming and enjoyable environment for members and visitors.

It will also lead to long-term cost savings by reducing the need for frequent repainting, ensuring sustained benefits for the community.

Helping the needy Three of the Central Coast’s most loved organisations have joined forces to support local people in need.

The Central Coast Mariners, MasterFoods and Coast Shelter have created MasterFoods Meals for Goals – an initiative that will see 100 meals donated for every home goal scored by the Mariners during the 20232024 Isuzu UTE A-League and Liberty A-League season up to a total value of $40,000 over the season.

For more on these stories visit our website.

Live the life you choose at Glengara Care Glengara Care is nothing like traditional aged care, we allow our residents to remain in control of their care journey with our unique nurseled model of care.

We see wonderful stories of our residents living vibrant, purposeful lives every day at Glengara Care.

Discover the difference at Glengara Care for yourself.

But don’t take our word for it, see it for yourself! Scan here to watch Pat’s story, one of our happy Glengara Care residents.

Contact our friendly team on 1800 955 070 to book an appointment or tour today.

220 Hansens Road, Tumbi Umbi *You will have to pay a departure fee when you leave this village.

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Rates to rise 4.8 per cent next year Central Coast ratepayers will see a rate increase capped at 4.8 per cent next financial year.

It is one of the lowest rate increases in NSW, set by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).

IPART made major changes to the methodology it uses to calculate the rate peg which meant all of NSW’s 128 councils received their own personalised rate increase.

In the 2024-25 financial year these range from 4.5 per cent to 8.2 per cent.

The new formula is based on a model that forecasts costs, rather than the (former) system which was based on a Local Government Cost Index but with a two-year time lag.

The new method uses a Base Cost Change Model of Employee Costs, Asset Costs and Other Operating Costs.

It adds in costs relating to superannuation,the emergency services levy (ESL) and population increases.

Central Coast Council CEO David Farmer said the increase still did not cover the entire cost increases but was better than the old system.

But he believes the rate peg is a broken model.

“People think the rates cap is a good thing but it’s not,” Farmer said.

“If the rate peg doesn’t cover costs each year then over 10 or more years the council is falling further and further behind.”

He said that leads to councils reducing services and dissatisfaction growing in the community with the standard of council infrastructure and services – and that ultimately leads to councils applying for a special rate variation (SRV) for large one-off increases.

“The SRV gets people upset and angry,” Farmer said.

He would prefer to see smaller increases each year that actually allow councils to fully cover cost increases.

Or even better, no rate cap, but a conversation between elected councillors and community as to their expectations of the quality of council services and infrastructure with the rates then set accordingly.

Council received an SRV of 15 per cent in the middle of the financial crisis.

But the following year the rate cap was 0.7 per cent when

IPART has changed its methodology for setting the rates peg

inflation for the previous year was 3.8 per cent.

This year the rate cap was 3.8 with inflation at 6.1 per cent the previous year.

Next year’s rate of 4.8 per cent comes with inflation at 6 per cent as of June 30.

Farmer said the system was clearly broken when the rate cap was under the inflation rate over the three years.

“If you get 10 years in a row where the rate peg doesn’t cover costs, you’re getting deeper and deeper into a hole,” he said.

The new rate method set council-specific ESL increases; set at 0.5 per cent for the Coast.

But the increase does not cover the cost of the ESL. This year, Council paid a $4M increase in the levy.

The 0.5 per cent increase brings in only $800,000.

In May, Councils’ peak body, Local Government NSW (LGNSW), criticised the State Government for its decision to apply “sky-high” increases to the ESL. IPART announced the rate peg on November 21 and recommended the NSW Government commission an independent review of the financial model for councils in NSW. It said the rate peg could not

address all the issues raised during the consultation period, held earlier this year.

Issues included the inequities of rate exemptions.

IPART said one example was an aged care facility with the majority of residents being self-funded which becomes rating exempt with one social housing resident.

Councils would also prefer to see rates based on the capital improved value of land rather than the unimproved land value (UV).

“Mandatory use of the UV method means councils cannot set equitable, efficient rates for those who own apartments

and units,” IPART said.

“This makes it difficult for them to raise an appropriate level of rate income from these residential and business ratepayers.

“This is an increasing problem as areas become more built up over time.”

Councils also complained that statutory charges don’t reflect the full costs of service provision.

“When this occurs, councils may need to use rates’ income to cover the gap,” IPART said.

“As a result, ratepayers may be cross-subsidising statutory service users, placing undue upward pressure on rates levels.”

Examples included the development contributions caps.

Councils can levy developers’ contributions towards the cost of providing local infrastructure such as new roads, stormwater and open space but not for the cost of providing facilities such as pools.

Administrator Rik Hart will be asked to formally adopt the rate peg at an upcoming council meeting.

Merilyn Vale

Umina urgent care clinic officially opens The Peninsula Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (Medicare UCC) at Umina Beach was officially opened on November 20.

Located at 297 West St, the Medicare UCC will make it easier for people on the Central Coast to get the urgent treatment they need – from highly qualified doctors and nurses – while taking pressure off local hospitals.

It will be open for extended hours, seven days a week, and offer walk-in care that is fully bulk billed.

More than 45 per cent of

presentations to the Gosford Hospital are for non-urgent or semi-urgent care.

The Peninsula Medicare UCC will join eight clinics that are already operational in Albury, Cessnock, Maroubra, Penrith, Rooty Hill, Tamworth, Westmead, and Wollongong.

The Lismore and Coffs Harbour clinics also opened on November 20 and will be soon joined by the final three NSW clinics – at Batemans Bay, Campbelltown and Lake Haven – before the end of the year.

Health Minister Mark Butler was on hand for the

Umina opening.

“The Peninsula Medicare UCC will mean people on the Central Coast who need urgent but not acute care, can get it quickly even if it’s outside standard hours – and all they’ll need is their Medicare card,” he said.

“Locals will be able to walk in, see a doctor or nurse and access imaging and pathology services.

“This clinic will ease pressure on the Gosford Hospital, allowing them to concentrate on higher priority emergencies.”

Member for Robertson

Gordon Reid said he was pleased to deliver on an election promise.

“The Peninsula Medicare UCC is going to make a big difference to patients across the Central Coast,” he said.

“I know many families who have had to wait long hours at the Gosford Emergency Department for non-lifethreatening issues.

“This Medicare UCC will ease pressure on local EDs and be much more convenient for our communities – closer to home, at short notice, and bulk billed under Medicare.”

Central Coast Local Health District CEO Scott McLachlan, Fiona Wilkinson of CCLHD and Member for Robertson Gordon Reid at the clinic

Funds cut for commuter carpark and fast rail upgrade From page 1 “There are projects (in the pipeline) that do not demonstrate merit, lack any national strategic rationale and do not meet the Australian government’s national investment priorities,” the review said.

“Too many large-scale projects are receiving funding commitments without adequate planning, costings and programming to sufficiently manage the significant increase in delivery costs within a volatile market.”

King said following

consultation with the states and territories, the Federal Government now has a forward plan of projects that are “properly planned and targeted to unlock significant economic, social and environmental objectives” as she outlined a range of projects which WILL go ahead.

This will be cold comfort to Central Coast commuters.

King said the projects cut were not realistically going to be delivered with the funding available, had made little to no progress over a significant amount of time and did not align with Commonwealth or

state and territory priorities.

“The Government will continue to work with all levels of government to make it easier to get around our cities and suburbs and unlock the potential of our towns and regions,” she said.

“We will also deliver infrastructure that makes driving on our roads safer and that sees more people on more trains.”

Reid said to deliver infrastructure that builds Australia and improves lives, the Government needed an infrastructure program that is “fit for purpose, fiscally

responsible and above all, deliverable”.

“We are delivering infrastructure that creates jobs and helps wages grow, and makes our communities better connected and more liveable,” he said.

“The Woy Woy Commuter Car Park Upgrade was promised under the previous Coalition Government; they did not allocate enough money towards this project and never delivered this upgrade.

“Additionally, the Sydney to Newcastle-Tuggerah-Wyong faster rail upgrade was never properly funded.

“The Australian Government is committed to delivering High Speed Rail, with the High Speed Rail Authority now established.”

The NSW Opposition has slammed the decision, with leader Mark Speakman calling on State Premier Chris Minns to find a way to fund the key projects without Federal funding input.

Shadow Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the move will impact residents, tourists and businesses in the regions, including the Central Coast.

“These significant upgrades are needed to provide a safer

and more reliable journey for the thousands of residents, commuters and freight operators,“ he said.

The review report’s executive summary, the Final Report of the Independent Review of the National Partnership Agreement on Land Transport Infrastructure Projects and a summary of changes to projects funded under the Infrastructure Investment Program are available at www. infrastructure.gov.au Terry Collins

PAGE 8

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Iconic Norah Head lighthouse turns 120 Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve volunteers gathered with neighbours, friends and family to celebrate the 120th birthday of the lighthouse on November 18.

Volunteers and Crown Land manager Reflections fired up the barbecue and held lighthouse tours for the local Norah Head community at the Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve.

“The anniversary is a celebration, not only of the lighthouse which has saved many mariners’ lives, but also of the community volunteers,” Reflections’ Regional manager Alisa Wells said.

“Volunteers work tirelessly to tend to the lighthouse and reserve and help preserve it for generations to come, and it’s great that they are sharing their knowledge and passion with the local community.

Volunteers and community members celebrated the 120th anniversary of the iconic Norah Head lighthouse

“What it really means is that we get a chance to show off just how beautiful and iconic this old lady is and what a wonderful asset it has been to the coastal navigation of NSW.” Lighthouse volunteers co-

ordinator Ian Thomas said the volunteers were passionate about what they did.

was like for the lighthouse keepers and on through the ages,” he said.

for visitors from near and far, as well as a much-loved community asset.

“They really are knowledgeable people who can not only give you the facts but tell you the story of what life

Minister for Central Coast and Member for Wyong David Harris said the lighthouse was a beacon of safety and welcome

“Construction of the Norah Head lighthouse began on February 26,1901, with light shining for the first time on the

evening of November 15,1903.

“Since then, it has helped many mariners safely navigate the waters of the Central Coast, while capturing the imagination of visitors from near and far.

“I congratulate the volunteers on their important work and look forward to a great celebration with the local community.”

Community members interested in volunteering at the reserve had the opportunity to meet the volunteers and find out what’s involved.

Reflections commenced as site manager in September this year, partnering with community volunteers to ensure the ongoing care and preservation of this important community asset.

Reflections cares for Crown Land reserves across NSW, reinvesting profit into public land for the community’s enjoyment.

Youth leadership forum a huge success State Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch has hailed the 2023 Youth Leadership Forum a huge success in bringing together school leaders from across the Central Coast to share ideas on how to shape a brighter future for our community.

More than 50 school leaders from across the region joined together at the University of Newcastle’s Central Coast Research Institute to discuss the future of leadership, exploring what leadership means to them and discussing how young people can be empowered to address issues that matter most to them.

Tesch said the opportunity to connect young leaders from across the Coast was a joy for everyone involved.

“We don’t have many

Delegates to the 2023 youth leadership forum

opportunities for Central Coast young leaders to join together and network, while feeling empowered to dream big, exploring the issues affecting them,” she said.

“I was thrilled to bring together everyone at our annual Central Coast Youth Leadership Forum.

“The fantastic Central Coast Research Institute provided a wonderful backdrop for the student leaders to dream about what the future holds and I thank the University of Newcastle for hosting us.”

The school leaders were given the opportunity to ask questions of their local

representatives, NSW Minister for Police and Member for Swansea Yasmin Catley, Federal Member for Dobell Emma McBride, Federal Member for Robertson Gordon Reid and State Member for The Entrance David Mehan, all of whom spoke of their journeys to leadership before joining the

groups to discuss issues affecting young people across the community.

“Our Central Coast MPs from across the Federal and State governments were thrilled to have the opportunity to answer the leaders’ questions and talk one-on-one with the students as peers, discussing their

concerns and working together to discuss future solutions,” Tesch said.

“Students were so excited to speak with their government representatives in an accessible way.

“They raised issues that mattered to them and their peers, including mental health support, domestic violence, cost of living, education and discrimination, discussing the impacts of these issues and innovative solutions in collaboration with each other.

“We will also be exploring opportunities to continue to bring our Central Coast leaders together across the year.

“I look forward to the 2024 Youth Leadership Forum.”

Source: Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch

The next generation of aged care workers Peninsula Villages has unveiled its new and innovative traineeship program in partnership with Registered Training Organisation, ET Australia.

The first of its kind on the Central Coast, the Care Partner Traineeship Program is a threemonth program offering a solution to the increasing employment demands within the aged care sector.

Upon successful completion of the program, trainees will not only attain their CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) but will also be considered for potential employment opportunities at

Peninsula Villages.

Executive Manager – Quality & Organisational Development Nicola Burton said the program was an exceptional, tailormade initiative, designed for Peninsula Villages by ET Australia.

“The program has been set up to equip trainees with the specific skills required to support and enhance the lives of older people and set themselves up for a fulfilling and secure career in aged care,” she said.

The program directly addresses Peninsula Villages’ recruitment needs, bridging the gap between

Ebony Campbell, Michaela Kent and Sara Tupou at Peninsula Villages

providing necessary staff and invaluable experience under a hybrid training approach.

Commencing with a week of supernumerary experience in

clinical areas, trainees gain an understanding of their role and are given the ability to seamlessly integrate into the PeninsulaVillages environment.

Encompassing both theoretical and practical elements, the intensive training model has been specifically designed to prepare future staff for a smooth transition from traineeship to employment.

“This program ensures that our staff are trained in the Peninsula Villages way which significantly reduces their onboarding time compared to alternative training programs offered,” Burton said.

“Peninsula Villages also fosters a supportive environment for trainees while they are acquiring the skills and experience necessary

for their success.”

To qualify for the program, prospective trainees must possess a genuine desire to make a difference and a positive impact on a person’s life.

It is offered under NSW Government’s Smart and Skilled program and eligibility criteria applies for fee-free traineeship training.

For additional information about the program, eligibility criteria and the application process, go to peninsulavillages.com.au/ careers

PAGE 10

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New pathways for North Avoca Central Coast Council has completed the North Avoca Paths project, delivering an improved and safer network of footpaths for pedestrians between three streets in the suburb.

The project, delivered over consecutive years, has involved the construction of new footpaths, street drainage and kerb and gutter infrastructure as well as new road pavement.

Council Director Infrastructure Services Boris Bolgoff said the completed works would provide safe connectivity for pedestrians travelling between the Scenic Hwy and the local North Avoca shops and nearby beach.

Bolgoff said community consultation was undertaken

From left: Central Coast Council Administrator Rik Hart, Member for Robertson Gordon Reid and Council Director Infrastructure Services Boris Bolgoff try out the new paths

prior to commencing the project, which was an important factor when planning the works.

“While the priority for the

project focused on delivering more than 650m of continuous footpath, it also provided improved drainage and new road pavement, enhancing

rideability for motorists,” he said.

“Pedestrians and motorists using View St, Tramway Rd and Elgata Ave will greatly benefit

from these works.”

Council Administrator Rik Hart said projects such as this are extremely important as they benefit not only local residents, but also contribute to a better experience for visitors to the area – which in turn can benefit local businesses and the local economy.

“The project was made possible by grant funding of $4.3M by the Australian Government, with a Council contribution,” he said.

“We thank the Australian Government for investing in the Central Coast region and providing infrastructure highly sought after by the community.”

Federal Member for Robertson Gordon Reid tried out the new paths with Bolgoff and Hart.

“The completion of these footpaths in North Avoca improves connectivity and accessibility for all people,” Reid said.

“Footpaths promote active lifestyles which are important for community health and wellbeing.

“I thank Central Coast Council for its involvement and look forward to continuing to work collaboratively to identify additional projects on the Central Coast that the Australian Government can support.”

For all information on the progress of Council’s capital works projects visit www. centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/ council/about-council/currentworks-and-projects/capitalworks-program

Marking important milestones Federal Member for Robertson Gordon Reid hosted a series of morning and afternoon teas during October to recognise people celebrating significant birthdays and wedding anniversary milestones.

Held at Reid’s office, the occasions were an opportunity to present each celebrator with a certificate and to enjoy a reflective morning or afternoon tea.

Reid said it was an honour to regularly host the celebratory events.

“It is a real highlight to be able to share in the happiness of people celebrating significant

Member for Robertson Gordon Reid with Clarence and Pamela Stevens of Saratoga

birthdays and wedding anniversaries,” he said.

“Getting to know my constituents is a real pleasure

and I congratulate them all on their joyful milestones.”

Those being celebrated included Cecil Huntington of

Member for Robertson Gordon Reid presents a certificate to Eva Penson of Ettalong Beach

Erina, Mary Kirkwood of Point Frederick and Jean Jackson of Pretty Beach, all celebrating their 100th birthdays, Mary

Fleming of Point Frederick celebrating her 90th and Eva Penson of Ettalong Beach, who recently turned 101.

Celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary were Bruce and Amanda Stavert of Umina Beach and Fortunato and Laura Vellas of Umina Beach and marking 60 years of marriage were Barry and Judith Kellow of Kincumber, Eric and Gwendolyn Fairclough of Gosford and Clarence and Pamela Stevens of Saratoga.

If you would like to register for a congratulatory message, contact Reid’s office on 4322 2400 or email Gordon.Reid.

MP@aph.gov.au Source: Federal Member for Robertson Gordon Reid

Disruptions on Avoca Drive Motorists are advised of changed overnight traffic conditions in the next few weeks on Avoca Dr, between Boora Boora Rd and the Empire Bay Dr roundabout, as traffic surveys are carried out at Kincumber.

Transport for NSW will carry out the surveys, which will use tube counts and cameras to monitor traffic, cyclist and pedestrian volumes and movements as part of investigations to better

A map showing the affected area

understand demand in the area.

To minimise impact to motorists, survey equipment will be installed from 8pm to 5am.

Tube counters will be installed on Friday, November 24, and cameras on Monday, December 4, with equipment removed on Friday, December 8, weather permitting.

Workers will park kerbside to install and remove cameras on street poles, which should take no longer than 15 minutes

for each location.

Single lane and shoulder closures with traffic control and a reduced speed limit of 40km/h might be in place for the safety of workers and motorists while equipment is installed and removed.

Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and follow the directions of signs and traffic control.

For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW app, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701

Pat Farmer to talk to Friends of ABC Ultra-marathon athlete Pat Farmer will be special guest at the final meeting for the year of Friends of the ABC, to be held from 11am-12.30pm on Thursday, December 14, at Everglades Country Club, Woy Woy.

Farmer, a former Federal politician, author and motivational speaker, will talk about his amazing 14,400 km run around Australia to raise awareness and support for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Voice to Parliament.

His talk will be supported with

visual material and he will also reflect on the referendum.

Tickets are free but limited seating is available and bookings essential at events.humanitix.com/abcfcc-christmas-functionfeaturing-pat-farmer

Lunch will be available after the event at Everglades but to assist table reservations please notify Ross McGowen if you wish to stay on by emailing ross.mcgowen61@gmail.com or calling 0400 213 514.

Pat Farmer passed through the Central Coast on his run

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Umina Beach shooting Investigators have released CCTV footage of two men and a vehicle as part of an investigation into a public place shooting at Umina Beach earlier this year.

At about 8.30pm on Friday, September 15, officers from Brisbane Water Police District were called to Donald Ave, Umina Beach, following reports of shots fired.

No injuries were reported, and no property was damaged but officers located bullet casings at the scene.

Detectives have now released CCTV footage of a vehicle and two people seen walking between Donald Ave

and Springwood St. The first man is depicted wearing a light long-sleeve shirt, dark shorts and white sneakers.

A short time later, a man is seen wearing a high-visibility shirt, dark shorts and dark shoes.

The vehicle is described as a dark-coloured Volkswagen Golf.

Anyone with information – particularly those able to identify the men or vehicle – is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at nsw.crimestoppers. com.au The CCTV footage can be

viewed on the Coast News website – coastcommunitynews.com.au It starts and finishes at Halekulani Bowling Club in Budgewoi, from 8am on Saturday, December 9.

The 145km ride should take about three-and-a-half hours including a one-hour lunch break at Kulnura.

Tickets are $20 for riders, $10 for pillion passengers and all riders and pillions must register at www.ccdvc.org.au/ motorcycle All riders will receive a branded t-shirt to wear as part of the domestic violence awareness campaign.

Killarney Vale stabbing A man has been refused bail to appear before Wyong Local Court following a stabbing at Killarney Vale.

At about 2.40pm on Monday, November 20, emergency services were called to Avery

St, Killarney Vale, with Tuggerah Lakes Police finding a 55-yearold man with neck injuries.

NSW Ambulance paramedics treated him at the scene before taking him to Gosford Hospital in a stable condition.

Police arrested a 36-year-old

man at the scene and he was taken to Wyong Police Station where he was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm (domestic violence), wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and custody of knife in public place – first offence.

Anyone with information about these incidents should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or details can also be provided confidentially online at nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.

Sex Crime Squad detectives have charged a man with the alleged sexual assault of an elderly woman at an aged care facility at Bateau Bay. Police were told that at about 12.40am on Wednesday, November 15, an unknown man broke into a facility at Bateau Bay, where he allegedly assaulted and sexually assaulted a 90-year-old woman.

The woman was taken to hospital where she was treated for serious injuries.

A crime scene was established

by Tuggerah Lakes Police District before the investigation was taken on by State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad under Strike Force Easterbrook.

At about 9.20pm on Friday, November 17, strike force detectives – with assistance from Raptor Squad – executed a search warrant at an address in The Entrance.

During the search, police located electronics, sim cards and clothing relevant to their investigation.

The items were seized to undergo further forensic examination.

Following further inquiries, on Monday, November 21, at about 7.30pm strike force detectives – with assistance from Tuggerah Lakes Police District, Lake Macquarie Police District, Regional Enforcement Squad and Police Transport Command – attended a home in Caves

Beach where a 34-year-old man was arrested after attempting to flee from police.

He was taken to hospital for minor injuries to his arm.

On his release from hospital, the man was taken to Belmont Police Station where he was charged with aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence-use violence, inflict actual bodily harm with intent to have sexual intercourse with victim, aggravated sexual assault – break and enter with intent, and aggravated sexual assault – inflict actual bodily harm on victim.

The man was refused bail to appear before Belmont Local Court.

Appeal to find Kieran Phillis Police from Tuggerah Lakes District are seeking information to locate Kieran Phillis, who is wanted for matters related to domestic violence.

He is wanted on arrest warrants issued by Wyong Local Court on October 31 and November 2.

Phillis is described as 23 years old, Caucasian in

appearance, 175cm tall, with a thin build, tanned complexion and short brown hair.

He is known to frequent the San Remo area.

Police advise the community not to approach him but to call 000 or the nearest police station if he is spotted.

Anyone with information on Phillis’s whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Kiean Phillis

E R

A E

W

Attack on elderly woman

G IN

V O M

After 48 years, we have decided now is the time to relocate our retail outlet to our bulk storage yard on Woy Woy Rd, Woy Woy Bay. Business will continue Alma Ave After 48 years, we have decided nowasisnormal the timeout to of relocate our until retail outlet Friday 24th November. Any enquiries please call 4344 1110. to our bulk storage yard on Woy Woy Rd, Woy Woy Bay. Same service, Same great Same phone Business will great continue as normal outstaff, of Alma Ave untilnumber.

Friday 1st Different location.

December any enquiries please call 4344 1110.

PAGE 12

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Consumers better off with renewables With reference to the letter from Charles Hemmings (Beware of the cost of renewables, CCN416).

True there is a cost, but it depends on who is covering the cost – not necessarily the end electricity consumer.

When comparing cost, the consumer needs to be aware the electricity bill from their existing retailer is made up of several components including 59 per cent network cost; the actual electrons (electricity) is only about 25 per cent of your total bill.

Ideally the source of the renewable energy (PV panels)

should be close to the demand (i.e. rooftop mounted), thus eliminating the network and electron cost (at least 84 per cent cost saving to the consumer).

There are now many government incentives to cover the cost of supply and installation – for new residential estates, gated communities and industrial parks.

There are emerging numerous companies that will provide the PV panels, battery storage and EV charging stations at zero cost to the landlords and tenants.

They seek investors (similar model to building a new coal-

It looks as though the Minister for Local Government has cancelled Gosford as a city (with council chambers now based at Wyong) and (interference from the State Government).

Gosford was a city and Wyong a shire.

The people had no say in moving our council (chambers)

up there and at present there is a discussion on a demerger.

The Gosford chambers, paid for the citizens of Gosford, were sold off.

Gosford looks like a garbage tip.

After talking to a lot of our citizens over the past three to four years, the majority are absolutely disgusted (by State Government interference).

Road renewal program should be more transparent

fired generator); the consumer has access to electricity at about 20 per cent of existing cost and the investor receives a dividend – a win/win outcome.

It should be legislated that all new residential estates and industrial parks should have renewables technology incorporated into the approval process.

The real issue is if you are the owner of a transmission line or distribution network, you face the risk of ending up with a stranded asset.

Thank you to Ken Janson for sharing his horrific experience (Call for urgent fix on dangerous Glenrock Pde, CCN416) with his car accident and bringing to light the fact that there has been a serious loss of land between the road and the railway embankment since he moved to Tascott in 2009.

I wish Ken all the best with his

Email, Nov 18 Dennis Silvers, Gold Coast (formerly of Narara)

A few Wednesdays ago I tried to park in the Gosford railway station car park at around midday.

State Government should butt out Our regions are dying and they just don’t care.

(We should) tell the government to restore our council and leave the regions alone.

Old Sydney Town closed and our great Flora Festival is gone; both brought a lot of money into the Central Coast.

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rehabilitation and recovery.

I would be very interested to know how Council implements its advanced ‘Pavement Management System’ as a basis for its ‘Road Renewal Program’, and in particular how it accommodates such significant changes in topography over time.

With deteriorating railway embankments, climate change, proposed sea walls and so on,

clearly Central Coast Council is dealing with a very complex and dynamic human, biological and physical environment.

It would be useful if this Road Renewal Program was made more transparent for us residents of the Central Coast.

Email, Nov 18 Dr Stephanie Short, Woy Woy

Parking situation in Gosford dire It was full.

I then went to the Kibble Park Carpark to find it was boarded up.

Then I went to the Gosford City Car Park and found that it closed at 8pm.

As I was going to the theatre in Sydney (by train) and would not be home until around 11pm this was useless to me.

Where are we supposed to park?

There was a lot of noise about the Council opening up new car parks (with shuttle buses to the station) ready for the closure of the Kibble Park parking site.

Where are these facilities and

how do I access them?

What use is a town car park that closes at 8pm?

That does not even give you a chance to go for a meal in town, let alone to any social events.

The Council needs to take some fast action to sort this issue out.

Email, Nov 22 Valerie Clifford, Green Point

Read more forum on our website by scanning the QR code or visit coastcommunitynews.com.au/forum

Email, Nov 18 Robert Findley, Point Clare

OUR GIFT FOR YOU!

WIN 1 of 10 Party Season Packs valued at $300 each* WED 22 NOV – WED 13 DEC

Simply spend $20 or more in any specialty store OR $100 or more at Coles at Village Central Wyong or West Gosford Village to enter.

Complete an entry from any participating retailer, attach your receipt** and pop it into the barrel. Entry barrels are located near Smart Dollar (Wyong) and near Coles (West Gosford). *This competition is run independently at each shopping centre. You can enter as many times as you like, but you can only win once per draw per shopping centre. Winners will be drawn on Thursday 14 December 2023. Each prize includes 6 x $50 vouchers redeemable at participating stores in the Food Takeaway/Restaurant and Beauty categories at Village Central Wyong OR West Gosford Village. Winners will receive prize vouchers for the shopping centre from which they are drawn. Further terms and conditions apply. Visit www.villagecentralwyong.com.au or www.westgosfordvillage.com.au for details. **Or present your receipt as proof of purchase when claiming your prize. *Or present your receipt as proof of purchase when claiming your prize. Winners will be drawn on Thursday 14 December 2023 at 9am. Each prize includes 6 x $50 vouchers redeemable at participating stores in the café/restaurant, beauty and hair categories at West Gosford Village. You can enter as many times as you like, but you can only win once during the competition period. Further terms and conditions apply. Visit www.westgosfordvillage.com.au for details.

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Music for the world at Everglades The Jaga Band

The Troubadour Folk club will present Music for the World at the Everglades Country Club, Woy Woy, on November 26.

The special grand concert event will be a double bill featuring two accomplished and exciting ensembles with music for the world, drawn from across the globe.

Verve Harmony is a friendly, welcoming, a cappella vocal group based on the Central Coast.

It is led by Elizabeth W. Scott, who hails from New York and has worked across many music genres.

Verve Harmony presents a

diverse mix of choral works including from African, African American, Indigenous, Eastern European and Western European folk traditions to uplift and inspire.

Recently formed with many members from Jubila Singers, Verve Harmony is now extending its musical skills with its dynamic new director.

“We sing world music in many different languages for sheer enjoyment, with public sing-outs by invitation,” Scott said.

“New members are welcome to join us.”

For details go to verve.choirgenius.com

The Jaga Band has entertained audiences for nearly a decade with a distinctive celebration of traditional songs and dances inspired from across the Carpathian region, rich and diverse in influences from Ukraine, Hungary, Moldova and Romania.

Led by multi-instrumentalist and singer Maryana Sywak, the band has been tirelessly raising funds for the Ukrainian people by joining forces with many international musicians to stand for Ukraine and help people in need of urgent assistance, since the very first days of the war.

The incredibly talented musicians will take you on a musical journey to the land of Cossacks of the past and heroes of the present.

They will bring to life traditional songs of love, hope

and celebration of life as you sing along and dance.

Part of the proceeds from this concert will be donated to those in need in Ukraine.

The double feature concert will be held at the Everglades

Country Club, Woy Woy, from 2pm-5pm on Sunday, November 26.

For tickets and more information go to www. troubadour.org.au or call 4342 6716.

~ Est. 1988 ~

Complete Funeral Services in our Woy Woy Chapel

Christmas car boot sale

from 6,380.00 (GST inc.)

Seniors discount applies to all traditional funerals

The sale will be held in the grounds of St David’s church

Saint David’s Presbyterian Church at Toukley will hold a Christmas car boot sale on Saturday, November 25, from 9am-1.30pm.

The event is free to attend with sites available for $10 per car space.

Stalls on the day will include cakes, plants, Christmas goodies and white elephant with Devonshire teas and a sausage sizzle also available.

There will be free face painting and plaster painting for the children.

For more details and to book a car space call 4392 9904.

The church will also hold a special service on Sunday, November 26, at 9:30 am to acknowledge the Scottish heritage of the Presbyterian Church.

The Kirkin O’ the tartan service will feature bagpipes

as well as a blessing of the tartans.

Anyone who has a family tartan is encouraged to bring or wear it on the day.

All are welcome and morning tea will be served after the event.

The church is on the corner of Hargraves St and Victoria Ave, Toukley.

CCN

Office and Chapel

19 Charlton Street, Woy Woy (opp. Coles Deepwater Plaza)

Ample off street parking 43443023 - All Hours

Head Office Administration & Crematorium Chapel - 249 Pacific Hwy, Ourimbah

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Coastie takes top award at short film fest After taking out the First Nations Award at last year’s Smart Fone Flick Fest (SF3), Harlisha NewieJoe of Point Frederick has taken out the Community and Diversity Award at this year’s festival for her film Nganakaapu.

Following on from last year’s winning film Roots,Nganakaapu sees Newie-Joe continue to explore her ancestry, acknowledging a timeline carried through waves.

“This year’s film is a further exploration of Roots,” NewieJoe said.

“Last year I traced back to where some of my ancestors came from – this time I have dived more into the spirituality of my ancestors.

“Four other people join me in the film, with each of us embodying one of the five regions of the Torres Strait

A scene from the film

Islands as I explored land embodiment.

“All of the regions are very different, ranging from rocky mountainous to flat and volcanic.

“With the dance featured in this film, I fused cultural and contemporary styles.”

Now in its ninth year, this year’s Flick Fest attracted 458

entries, including 28 feature films – an almost 50 per cent jump in entries from 2022.

Entries came from 60 countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Morocco, Senegal, Uganda, China, Venezuela, right across Europe, America, New Zealand and – as always – a slew from Australia.

This year’s finalists competed

Harlisha Newie-Joe accepts last year’s First Nations Award

for more than $50,000 in prizes across multiple categories.

Of the 18 Gala finalists, 12 were Australian.

The films covered every genre including a beautiful dance piece from Scotland, a documentary about one man’s mental health struggles from Ghana, a kooky little comedy horror from the US, a beautiful

reflective piece which showcases neuro-diverse, disabled and First Nations actors from regional NSW, a horror pic from two young First Nations filmmakers (aged 12 and 14), a Queer love story, a 60s spy spoof starring Sydney drag queens and everything in between and beyond.

There were also 30 SF3 Kids finalists this year, with

filmmakers aged from 7-16 telling a range of stories.

This year SF3 Online runs from November 18 to December 3 with additional screenings including the full 10 Best Feature Film finalists and a special Highly-Commended screening of some incredible films that couldn’t fit into the live event.

The Gala Finals of the ninth annual international Smart Fone Flick Fest (SF3) took place on November 18-19.

As for Newie-Joe, she said she continues to feel “a fire” with her storytelling.

“The ideas just keep coming,” she said.

“There could be more films in my future and I’d like to expand from doing dance films and play more with documentaries – although there will always be some dance involved.”

Terry Collins

Great line-up for Brackets and Jam event Brackets and Jam will present another Saturday afternoon of superb music and friendly company on top of beautiful Kincumba Mountain on Saturday, November 25.

The BYO everything event – bring a friend, a smile, a picnic, a chair or rug, food and drinks and treat yourself to what has to be the cheapest and most family friendly day out on the Coast.

The impressive line-up for the afternoon includes Mutual Admiration Society, Desert Flame Belly Dance, Josh Watkins, Blame Sally, Tip the Hat and drum jams.

Admission is $10 per person

and entry is free for children aged under 16.

The Mutual Admiration Society consists of Kita and Brett who met at Laycock Street Theatre while doing Jesus Christ Superstar and went on to form a duo called Lazy and Gentleman, which often featured Ian Esplin on double bass.

Last seen at Lizottes in Kincumber more than a decade ago, they’ve recently re-formed for the love of live music at Ocean Bar Cantina in Copacabana and are looking forward to cruising around the coast and meeting more music loving folks.

Alexandra and the Desert

BOOK REVIEW

with Julie Chessman

Killers of the Flower Moon Author: David Grann Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Josh Watkins will be performing at Brackets and Jam event on Saturday

Flame School of Bellydance are back to add feminine fun, colour and movement, with two short sets during the afternoon.

Their diverse and joyful I went to the movies recently to watch Killers of the Flower Moon, a true story by author David Grann.

I thought it only fair to read the book before I saw the movie.

So often the translation to the screen disappoints, but not this time.

The book centres around the Osage Indian tribe, who became incredibly wealthy after oil was discovered on their land at a time when they were preparing for their children to be taken (not unlike the stolen generation in Australia).

Their change in fortune did not sit well with many mercenary neighbours.

The book is set at a time surrounding the Osage Indian murders in the 1920s.

Grann meticulously

performance captures the spirit of both the sensuously elegant and energetically dynamic forms of this ancient dance with the added variety of uncovers the sinister conspiracy behind the killings, shedding light on a dark chapter in American history and leaving us with a gripping true crime book which delves into shocking events.

After the oil find the Osage Indians were the recipients of huge wealth.

Yet the tribe members began to die in mysterious circumstances.

It became clear that something sinister was at play.

Grann’s meticulously and impeccably researches the murders, highlighting the corruption, greed and racism that plagued the investigation.

The Killers of the Flower Moon shows Grann’s ability to bring the characters to life.

He introduces readers to the victims and their families,

sword, Isis wings and a drum solo, performed in the Egyptian and American tribal styles.

Alexandra has been operating the school in Toukley successfully for more than 20 years and has been a regular at Brackets for all that time.

Josh Watkins is a well-known multi-instrumentalist on the Central Coast music scene, famed for his earthy, upbeat, and eclectic mix of didgeridoo, percussion and guitar, bound to get your feet moving and your body grooving.

After having a break from the live music scene to enjoy watching his family grow, he is ready to be back playing in front of crowds and spreading

his earthy music that resonates with young and old.

The Blame Sally band covers songs from the 70s to now, focusing on high-energy songs to get people up and dancing.

Based on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, the band’s repertoire includes songs from Fleetwood Mac, Deep Purple, INXS, Doobie Bros, and lots of other surprises.

Tip The Hat is a newish band on the Central Coast, playing up-tempo blues-rock.

They take their name in honour of the masters whose music makes up their repertoire including Cream, Free, Eric Clapton, JJ Cale, the Three Kings and iconic Aussie bands like The Easybeats.

allowing us to understand the impact of these crimes on their lives.

He also explores the complex dynamics between the Osage tribe and the white settlers, providing historical context to the events.

As he delves deep into

archives, court records and interviews, unearthing forgotten evidence and revealing shocking details, the level of truths omitted is astounding and sickening.

His storytelling is impressive, making readers feel as if they are part of the investigation.

While Killers of the Flower Moon is a true crime book, it also serves as a social commentary on systemic racism and the exploitation of Native American communities.

Grann confronts the reader with uncomfortable truths about the treatment of indigenous people in America’s past, making it a thought-provoking read.

Although I recommend the Martin Scorsese movie, I do urge readers to read Grann’s book first as it is an undiluted tale of the atrocities.

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World’s largest vegan camp-out at Glenworth Valley The world’s largest and Australia’s first vegan camping festival is coming to Glenworth Valley on November 24 to 26.

The family-friendly festival, which will feature talks, food, live music, workshops and yoga performances, has taken the vegan community by storm since its first event in 2016 in the United Kingdom.

“Camp Out has become one of the most popular and influential vegan events worldwide,” spokesperson Cynthia Gigleux said.

“It is a camping festival that unites like-minded individuals who are dedicated to a vegan lifestyle.

“This is the first year Vegan Camp Out is happening in Australia, and it has already reached many people.

“Attendees are travelling from all over the country to camp and attend the event, with some attendees even coming from overseas from places such as New Zealand and Europe.”

She said Glenworth Valley was chosen as the site for Australia’s first Vegan Camp Out after an extensive search by organisers.

“For about two years, we

The Vegan Camp Out, first held in the UK in 2016, is coming to Glenworth Valley

searched and visited various locations throughout Victoria, Queensland and NSW looking for a suitable venue to host our festival,” Gigleux said.

“Despite our efforts, we couldn’t find a site that met our needs.

“So, we then decided to reach out for assistance to our community on our social media pages.

“This is when multiple people suggested Glenworth Valley.”

She said after looking at photos of the site online, organisers were happy

with the choice.

“We were immediately captivated by its natural beauty and couldn’t believe we had missed it during our initial searches,” she said.

“We arranged a site visit, and the entire team agreed that it was one of the most beautiful locations we had come across.

“We are so thrilled to hold our event at Glenworth Valley, and we’re immensely grateful for the support we’ve received from the GWV team.”

Gigleux said Vegan Camp Out Australia was more than just a

The world’s largest vegan camping festival is coming to Glenworth Valley

regular vegan event or market.

“It is a family-friendly camping festival featuring talks, live music, LED and fire performers, educational workshops, and yoga, dance and meditation sessions,” she said.

“We have an extraordinary line-up of international and Australian speakers including renowned figures in the vegan community such as Earthling Ed, two celebrated athletes Nimai Delgado and Patrik Baboumian who were featured in the widely acclaimed Netflix documentary The Game

Changers, and Ali Tabrizi who is the director of well-known Netflix documentary Seaspiracy which featured in Australia Netflix top 10.

“These individuals are at the forefront of promoting a vegan lifestyle and have inspired many people to make more conscious choices in their lives.

“We believe that our event will not only leave a profound impact on the attendees but will also have a positive effect on the local economy.

“Many visitors, who might never have considered visiting this part of Australia, are now

on their way, excited to participate in this unique experience.

“Importantly, we want to emphasise that Vegan Camp Out Australia is open to everyone, whether they are vegan or not.

“We believe in inclusivity and wish to extend an invitation to all, as this event serves as a bridge towards understanding and appreciating the vegan way of life.”

For more information and tickets visit vegancampout. com.au

Christmas MEMORIAL SERVICE

Saturday 2nd December Commencing at 10am

Hillside Chapel, Palmdale Lawn Cemetery and Memorial Park 57 Palmdale Road, Palmdale.

We invite you to attend a beautiful memorial service with our community to offer comfort and to show that we do not grieve alone.

Our service will include: Music, song, a candle-lighting ceremony, a Christmas ornament with your loved one’s name for you to take home and light refreshments to share. We invite you to bring a photo of your loved one for display during the service.

For further details, please enquire at the office

Phone 4362 1203

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Builders Licence #204179C

ACCESS PEST CONTROL

PH # 0423 017 515 LIC# 5092837

WILL BEAT ANY COMPETITORS QUOTE

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Always last Sunday of the month (no events in December)

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Sunday 26th November 2023 7am to 1pm Great variety of stalls, BBQ, Tea & Coffee Vendors Welcome $25 per car Dunban Road Car Park NB stall sites not open until 6.30am Cnr. Ocean Beach Road Woy Woy

02 4393 8800 or btaylor@uniting.org for more information.

(pensioner discounts)

For a free quote, call Scotty on 0401 601 082

WOY WOY PENINSULA

Market stalls, entertainment, kids activities, BBQ and food trucks. Proceeds benefit resident bucket list program.

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Uniting Starrett Lodge Aged Care Fete Saturday, 25 November 10-2pm 35 Louisiana Rd, Hamlyn Terrace 2259

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1 December - 13 December A feast of beautiful hand crafted ceramics made by local artists.

Perfect Christmas gifts for family and friends.

Open daily 9.30am - 4.00pm The Community Gallery, Gosford Regional Gallery, 36 Webb Street, East Gosford More information: www.ccpotters.org

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Big weekend at Gosford Fun Haus Get set to laugh it up at the Gosford Comedy Club on Friday, November 24 at the Fun Haus Factory.

The Coast’s hottest and freshest stand-up comedy club presents an outstanding lineup of professional and emerging comedians each Friday night.

This week features resident funny man from Sunday Night with Matty Johns and The Back Page, Andrew Barnett, who also co-hosted The Night Watchmen, The Professor’s Late Hit and Narrow World of Sports.

Barnett has been performing as a stand-up since 2010 when he was a NSW Finalist in Raw Comedy.

Since then he has performed sold-out shows at comedy clubs and festivals across Australia and New Zealand.

He is a crowd favourite,

MC Sam Bowden

Headliner Andrew Barnett

Owen Campbell

Elysia Hall

whose relaxed style belies a razor-sharp wit.

MC will be writer, actor and comedian Sam Bowden, who has been plying his trade both here and in the UK since 2012.

His recent solo hour The Epicurean Shark enjoyed a sold-out weekend at the Wonderland Festival at the Brisbane Powerhouse, after which he was invited back to perform as part of the Brisbane

Comedy Festival showcase and Queerstories.

Bowden opened the MELT Comedy Gala alongside the likes of Rhys Nicholson and Demi Lardner.

After a stellar 2019 which saw him also appear on ABC’s Utopia, he is a staple of the Sydney comedy scene, performing regularly at the iconic Giant Dwarf Theatre and The Comedy Store.

Bowden debuted his hour DandyLion at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2022 with great success.

There will also be guest spots

by Steph Broadbridge, fresh from her recent Melbourne Comedy Festival and Sydney Comedy Festival shows, Elysia Hall (RAW Comedy 23 National Finalist, Golden Gibbo Nominee) and Peter Meisel.

The doors will open at 5pm

for dinner with a half price $10 cocktail hour and the show starts at 7pm.

Enjoy Mexican City street food with Chilangos Hermanos, who serve up their fresh, authentic family recipes four days a week.

For tickets go to naughtynoodle.com.au/whatson And Sonic Sunday at the Fun Haus this week will feature

Australian festival favourite Owen Campbell.

Beyond his chart success, Campbell is also known for his powerful live performances, where he showcases his virtuosic guitar playing and gritty caramel vocals.

He has wowed audiences in all corners of the world from the USA to several European countries, Japan, Hong Kong and India and has performed at the highest blues festival in the world - The Himalayan Blues Festival in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Supporting act Brandon Duff brings his pop-influenced sound combining contemporary melodies with vivid soundscapes to create his own lane in modern music.

The free event starts at noon, but register your for a ticket at naughtynoodle.com.au/whatson

Homecoming show to launch album Sunsoli, the band that hails from the Central Coast, will be back on Saturday, November 25, for a homecoming show to launch its debut self-titled album at Drifters Wharf in Gosford.

After eight years of playing together as The Sea Gypsies, they decided to change their name to Sunsoli, combining “sun” and soil” as a symbol of their coastal roots and musical harmony.

Sunsoli released a new single

Time & Place in July and will perform a slew of east coast album launch dates in celebration of its release.

Working with esteemed producer Jack Nigro (DMA’s, Middle Kids, Julia Jacklin) out of the iconic The Grove Studios (Silverchair, Ocean Alley, Violent Soho) in their hometown on the Central Coast, the band also combined with coastal singersongwriter Ashrae to co-write and collaborate on a number of tracks for the album.

The record was then mastered

by Darren Ziesing (Flume, The Presets, Lime Cordiale).

With shimmering guitars and floating melodies, the fivepiece band has wowed audiences across Australia at renowned festivals such as Beyond the Valley, Mountain Sounds and Lost Paradise.

They’ve also supported major acts like Birds of Tokyo, The Rubens, Ocean Alley and Winston Surfshirt.

Sunsoli’s much-anticipated album is a genre-bending blend of rhythmic synths and

alternative rock, with an infusion of surf rock that pays homage to their coastal roots.

Triple J’s Claire Mooney sums-up the new album, Sunsoli, as “the new soundtrack for any long drive – sounding better than ever guys, super impressed”.

Special guests at the album launch, starting at 7pm, will be Ashrae and Tyrants.

For tickets to the show go to sunsoli.com.au

Moon rise all night at Sunken Monkey The Tubular Festival will to present Moon Rise All Night on Friday, November 24 featuring Tijuana Cartel, BNDT and Marina Da Silva with a DJ set.

Headlining the night is the Australian eclectic collective, Tijuana Cartel, renowned for its imaginative fusion of diverse music genres.

The collective’s distinct sound encompasses a wide range of global influences, skilfully blending electronic music production with a rich tapestry of world sounds.

The band is widely acclaimed for mesmerising live performances, consistently delivering a potent combination of layered soundscapes, captivating visuals and rhythmic intensity that delivers a feast to the senses and keeps audiences dancing throughout the night.

Tijuana Cartel brings organic house music infused with

Tijuana Cartel

rhythms and sounds from around the world, as it embarks on a nationwide tour to celebrate the release of its latest album, Alectura.

Joining the line-up will be the electro-vocal collective BNDT, led by the beat-driven composition and words of Timothy Powles, delivering a debut live show filled with low-

frequency magic and poetic vibes.

Powles steps out from his well-known rock genre as a member of The Church, with this new project BNDT, experimenting with electro sounds and beats.

Adding to the international flavour will be Marina Da Silva, whose Brazilian heritage

infuses her DJ set with a passion for rhythm, percussion, and a diverse range of genres.

From pop to reggaeton, she promises to set the stage on fire with tunes and mixes.

Moon Rise All Night will be held on Friday, November 24, at the Sunken Monkey, Erina.

Tickets are available at tijuanacartel.com

Sunsoli, performing in Gosford on Saturday

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CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1. Medium-length skirt 4. Throat drop 8. Father 11. Half-diameters 13. Lunches or suppers 15. Of sheep 17. Lip (of glass) 18. Motion-producing machine 20. Electronic course-plotter, sat ...

21. Trunk 24. Sheriff’s pursuit team 27. Frost 28. Disconnect 30. Close-run 31. Immobile 33. Consecrate as priest 34. Horses 35. Italian sparkling wine 36. Favourites 39. Hair roller 42. Delved 44. Transgressions 45. Economises 46. Swedish automobile manufacturer 48. Dog 49. Gazes lustfully 50. Became mature 52. Sure thing 54. Printed greeting 55. Proportion 56. Honolulu is there

57. Accomplishment 60. Attache 62. Symbol 65. Allure 67. Wooden pin 69. NE US state 70. Namby-pamby 72. Israeli port, ... Aviv 73. Of the kidneys 75. Cow food 77. Wound secretion 79. Salty 81. Nuptial vow (1,2) 82. Jumped up 84. Holiday house 85. Lingered (on) 86. Sway in shock 87. Medical treatment 88. Sustain DOWN 1. Earth’s satellite 2. Tee shot 3. Actor, ... Holm 4. Perjurer 5. Totally focus (on) (4,2) 6. Beautiful young women 7. Ostrich-like birds 8. Arab organisation (1,1,1) 9. Moving about 10. Land measure 12. Dissuade 14. Revise 16. Cut-flower holders 19. Eight singers

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22. Arranges 23. Field entrances 25. River creatures 26. Sifters 29. Articulating 32. Sixth sense (1,1,1) 35. Scatterbrain 37. Lodge deeply 38. Frankfurter 40. Junior to 41. Wireless 42. Fuzzy fruit 43. Buddhist leader, ... Lama 44. Urbane 47. TV reception poles 51. Superficially indulge (in) 52. Movie-screening venue 53. Obstruct 54. Stroke fondly 58. Northern sea duck 59. Morning condensation 61. Forget stage lines (3,2) 63. Oscar-winner, ... Streep 64. Spitefulness 65. Long-haired rabbit breed 66. Gangway 68. Mediterranean tree 71. Outpouring 72. Type of ski lift (1-3) 74. Shipshape 76. Pop artist, ... Warhol 78. Collar fastener 80. Zilch 83. Fairy

Fill in each letter of the alphabet once only.

Fill in each letter of the alphabet once only.

H

E U E S UG R P E N A D E A S E U R EGA RD L D E HU G E S T UR E E A S L A E C H Y P S E I S E S E C E

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Terrigal dancers to shine in Schools Spectacular Two Terrigal dance students are among only 149 students statewide chosen to perform as featured artists and dancers at the Schools Spectacular’s 40th anniversary show, Fabulous.

The students, Terrigal High School’s Maddi Johnson and Sydney Mickle, went through a rigorous audition process before being chosen from more than 900 nominations to be part of the largest performing arts event in the southern hemisphere.

Executive producer Richard Spiewak said the Schools Spectacular was one of the most anticipated events on the public school calendar.

“To be chosen to perform at this world-class event is not only testament to their talent, but also an opportunity for students to nurture their love for performing while working alongside some of the finest talents in the entertainment industry,” Spiewak said.

“The featured artists are some of our brightest stars and, alongside all this year’s

Terrigal High School student Sydney Mickle has been selected to perform in this year’s Schools Spectacular

performers, they will put on a spectacular show that highlights the incredible talent within our public schools.

“We’ve already seen a sneak peek of their talent during the recent rehearsals, and I can guarantee that this year’s show is going to be fabulous.”

This year’s featured artists range in age from 11 to 18 and

will join more than 5,000 performers drawn from public schools across the state for this year’s live performances at Qudos Bank Arena on November 24-25.

The world’s largest annual variety show will also include an 80-piece symphony orchestra, a stage band, 2,600-voice choir, 2,300

Maddi Johnson from Terrigal High School has been selected to perform in this year’s Schools Spectacular

dancers, the D’Arts Ensemble for students with disability, the Aboriginal Dance Ensemble, featured dancers and specialist performers – all under the guidance of more than 600 teachers.

Rehearsals for Schools Spectacular began during the school holidays, where 57 featured artists from schools

across the state came together for the first time in Sydney to prepare for the November shows.

They included singers, dancers, musicians and cohosts who spent the first week of the school holidays immersed in intensive rehearsals at the Department of Education’s Arts Unit in Lewisham.

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During the week-long rehearsals, students practised their songs and segments, engaged in one-on-one vocal workshops, underwent styling and costume fittings, and participated in wellbeing sessions.

The theme this year is Fabulous and celebrates a show that has wowed its audiences for 40 years since its first performance to celebrate the opening of the Entertainment Centre in Darling Harbour in 1983.

The Schools Spectacular is proudly supported by sponsors and supporters including Telstra, NSW Teachers Federation, School Bytes, RØDE, Smartsalary, Teachers Health, Colmed Group, Steinway Australia, Sony Australia and Event Partners: Qudos Bank Arena, Seven Network and Ticketek.

Tickets for the 2023 Schools Spectacular are on sale now through Ticketek.

Source: Department of Education

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Call for action on Warnervale town centre RDACC Chair Lawrie McKinna, Deputy Chair Anna Cruckshank and CEO John Mouland

Regional Development Australia Central Coast (RDACC) is calling for immediate action from all levels of government to progress the longpromised Warnervale urban centre precinct.

Urgent progress is needed on several large-scale catalyst projects to create essential employment opportunities and support the projected population explosion for this section of the Coast, RDACC says.

With Warnervale and its surrounding suburbs anticipated to be home to about 57,000 people by 2041, the

precinct will need to support close to three times its current population within less than two decades.

RDACC Chair Lawrie McKinna said lengthy delays to the proposed Warnervale Town Centre had come at a significant cost to the local economy and regional employment market.

“Warnervale has been earmarked as the Coast’s next major urban centre for over 20 years, with much talk about the hundreds of jobs that will be created as a result of a major town centre development and substantial infrastructure upgrades,” he said.

“Despite the ever-growing

population boom in this area, to date not a single job has been created due to the endless red tape and indecision stalling these critical projects.

“This lack of action is a massively missed opportunity for our local economy and keeps people needing to travel away from the Coast to work due to a lack of local employment options.”

RDACC Deputy Chair Anna Cruckshank said the amount of available land in and around Warnervale made it a prime location to become the next major centre for the Central Coast.

“Our existing urban centres

have very limited available residential land surrounding them, which is prohibitive to large population influxes in the coming years,” she said.

“With the comparative abundance of residential land available in the Warnervale area, and many residential housing developments already underway, it’s the prime location to contribute to addressing our growing housing shortage and become the next major centre for the Central Coast.

“However, with such a huge influx of people moving to Warnervale and its surrounding suburbs, we need to provide

the jobs and infrastructure to support a sustainable and productive future for such a high-growth area.”

RDACC CEO John Mouland said it was time to work together to enable Warnervale to reach its full potential and remain competitive with neighbouring regions.

“All levels of government need to be working together now to kick-start catalyst projects such as the town centre development and Mountain Rd intersection upgrade to finally enable Warnervale to reach its full potential,” he said.

“Just north of Warnervale,

development is happening everywhere across Lake Macquarie and we are being left behind.

“There’s been enough talk and now it’s time for action: we need to unleash the potential in the Warnervale area and support its current and future population growth by creating local jobs for its ever-growing local residents.”

Earlier this year, Central Coast Council released its draft Greater Warnervale Structure Plan for community consultation.

A final Plan is anticipated to come back to Council for approval by the end of 2023.

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Umina units knocked back The Local Planning Panel has refused a $1.095M multi-dwelling housing development proposed for 8 Priestman Ave, Umina.

The proposal, to demolish existing structures and build three two-storey attached units and associated landscaping, was referred to the Panel (LPP) with a recommendation for refusal after Central Coast Council received 11

An artist’s impression of the proposed development

submissions of objection.

The panel unanimously refused the application on a number of grounds.

It found the proposed development was inconsistent with clauses of the Central Coast Local Environmental Plan 2022, relating to the objectives of an R1 residential zone, building height and floor space ratios.

“The Panel cannot be satisfied

that the provisions of these clauses of Central Coast Local Environmental Plan 2022 have been satisfied,” Minutes of the November 9 meeting said.

The proposal also failed to comply with regulations relating to building setbacks, visual privacy, acoustic privacy, private open space areas, sunlight access, car parking, earthworks and landscaping, the panel found.

“The proposed development

is considered unsatisfactory with regard to impacts on the surrounding natural and built environment, as it would result in a bulk and scale that was excessive for the site and would not fit within the context of its immediate surrounds,” the Minutes said.

“Having regard to submissions received, the non-compliances with the planning controls and amenity impacts, the proposal is not in the public interest.”

Homebuyers warned of Wamberal erosion risk As debate over a proposed seawall at Wamberal Beach continues to rage, the suburb has been included on a list of the 20 NSW locations most likely to be affected by coastal erosion in the future.

The list has been compiled from a new tool which analyses coastal erosion, flooding and bushfire data to rank suburbs most at risk, not only today, but also in 30 years’ time, as a guide for homebuyers.

Groundsure ClimateIndex reports, available through InfoTrack, have put Wamberal at number 19 on the list, with

Booker Bay also included at number 20.

The report for Wamberal says: “Multi-million dollar beachfront homes sit on a cliff which is eroding at a rate of over one metre per year.

“Sea level rise, increased storms and the effects from powerful future El Nino/La Nina events could all accelerate the demise of some seriously expensive investments”.

Groundsure CEO Dan Montagnani said while he didn’t predict the findings would impact property value in sought-after coastal locations, it was important homeowners

Wamberal is number 19 on the list

and prospective buyers were aware of risks to best plan for the future.

“Climate change is already considered a Tier 1 risk by lenders on the impact to

investment and value, and homeowners in some affected locations are already living with the consequences through higher insurance premiums,” he said.

“As the trend to a more rapidly warming climate continues, the sad reality is that homebuyers in some vulnerable locations will not be able to secure a full loan or insurance cover.

“It’s also hoped the reports will encourage impacted communities to consider infrastructure to improve their resilience.”

InfoTrack Global Head of Property John Ahern said the Groundsure reports were unique in that they provided property-specific assessments for individual residences, instead of broad

regional ratings.

“They are specifically designed for property lawyers and conveyancers to do their due diligence and better inform buyers,” he said.

“Until now, climate change has not been front of mind, but a new generation of homebuyers is demanding insight on risks, to consider the potential long-term impact for their families and financial security.

“Homebuyers have a right to know what could lie ahead as they make the most expensive financial decision of their lives.”

Governments unite to boost TAFE

State Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch and Federal Member for Robertson Gordon Reid

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State Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch and Federal Member for Robertson Gordon Reid have joined forces to tout a new agreement between the Australian and NSW governments to boost the state’s vocational education and training sector.

The agreement will see more than $3.81B invested, with the landmark five-year National Skills Agreement (NSA) placing TAFE at the core of the vocational education and training (VET) sector, providing funding certainty to ensure

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quality training and necessary reform across the sector.

The investment will allow for significant reform, including investment in TAFE Centres of Excellence, boosting foundational skills in language, literacy, numeracy and digital literacy and Closing the Gap in educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Reid said that for too long the VET sector had been overlooked and under-funded.

“Through the Albanese and Minns Government’s historic National Skills Agreement, the

VET sector will see a record $3.81B support critical skill areas and ensure we are preparing our next generations for the jobs that are needed.

“I look forward to continuing to be a part of a Federal Government that is committed to addressing the skills shortage and improving the VET sector for all Australians.”

Tesch said the agreement would see the VET sector, and TAFE in particular, supported through strategic investment, which recognised the vital nature of the sector to the economy.

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“Our TAFE staff throughout NSW and Australia provide fantastic vocational educational opportunities and this landmark funding will enable critical strategic planning to support educators in continuing to provide world-class education,” she said.

“The Albanese and Minns Governments are committed to improving outcomes across our education sector by embedding national cooperation at the core of VET investment.”

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Major award for civil contractor Justin Lydiard of Tuggerahbased firm Sage Civil has taken a major award at the 2023 NSW Civil Contractors Federation People Awards, recognising the state’s top talent in the civil construction industry.

He was one of 16 individuals receiving top honours in their category at the awards.

Presented by the state’s peak civil construction body, Civil Contractors Federation NSW (CCF NSW), the People Awards recognise the high calibre of individuals working in a variety of roles in the industry including engineers, plant operators, site supervisors, safety officers and more.

Lydiard was named Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employee of the Year.

The winners were announced on November 3 at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, Sydney, as more than 350 businesses and industry stakeholders from across NSW celebrated the dedication and excellence of the 70 finalists, who were nominated by their employers on the basis of their performance.

CCF NSW CEO Kylie Yates said competition was fierce with high-quality nominations, making the selection process a challenge for the independent judges.

“The civil construction

industry – and everyone who is part of it – has shown incredible resilience, flexibility and skill in delivering to such a high standard, especially in the current environment,” she said.

“I congratulate all the winners and finalists; these extraordinary individuals have demonstrated best practice in their respective roles, contributing not only to their employers’ success, but that of the state’s civil construction industry.

“These employees, and the companies that employ them, play a pivotal role in building infrastructure the state can be proud of and contributing to a strong economy.”

Photo: Daniel Kukec Photography

From left: CCF NSW President Lee Fahey, Justin Lydiard, Awards MC Yvonne Sampson and CCF CEO Kylie Yates

Better digital network for Green Point A new telecommunications tower will mean significantly improved network coverage and connectivity for the Green Point area.

The proposed tower location, to the right of the driveway behind Coles

Downer Group EDI, on behalf of Indara Corporation Pty Ltd (part of the Optus Group), are seeking development approval

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from Central Coast Council for a new telecommunications facility at 7 Sun Valley Rd, Green Point.

A 30m monopole with Optus equipment will provide new and improved 4G and 5G coverage, providing muchneeded voice and data services to the area.

It will be located at the rear of the Coles shopping centre and although Indara acknowledges that the site cannot be totally hidden and the tower will be visible, ancillary equipment at the base of the tower will be well screened by surrounding dense vegetation.

The facility has been designed as a neutral host facility,

capable of supporting colocation by other carriers, government entities and wireless service providers and will form a vital component for Central Coast Council’s infrastructure.

The development application (1552/2023) can be viewed on Council’s website.

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High-density housing and retail at Canton Beach Another five-storey residential and retail project is on the drawing board to match a similar development already approved at Canton Beach.

In 2017 Central Coast Council approved a five-storey development at 5-8 Beach Pde comprising shop-top housing, four food and drink retailers, 36 residential apartments and basement parking.

That project (on the former Lakedge Caravan Park land) gained deferred commencement consent in 2018 and in May this year approval was sought, and is still being assessed by Council, to modify the internal layout, the façade and increase the number of units to 40.

A separate new development proposal for the surrounding

land has been designed to follow the character of the already approved project, which set the precedent and standard for future developments along the Canton Beach foreshore.

The new DA will amalgamate nine lots (9, 10 Beach Pde; 1, 3, 5 Crossingham St; and 1, 3, 5, 7 Kantara Rd) and split the 6,348.8sqm into two components, one with a Beach Pde frontage and the other facing Crossingham St. The new development site (in red) and the adjoining caravan park already approved for high-rise Each of the two sites will contain a 4-5 storey mixed use building which will be separated by a pedestrian thoroughfare “eat street” intended to become a

A 3D render of the approved DA at 5-8 Beach Pde and the additional proposed development

lively tourist destination.

The overall development will comprise a gymnasium, nine ground floor retail tenancies,

91 residential apartments on levels one to four and six serviced apartments on the ground level for short-term

stays to cater for tourists.

There will be 10 one-bedroom residential apartments, 59 two-bedroom and 22 three-

bedroom units as well as 195 spaces in the basement car parking.

The new proposal and modifications of the adjoining development at 5-8 Beach Pde, if both are approved, will provide 137 residential dwellings and occupy the majority of the block bounded

by Crossingham St, Kantara Rd and Beach Pde, an area which is zoned SP3 Tourist earmarked for higher density development including food and drink premises, recreational facilities (indoor), shop-top housing and tourist and visitor accommodation.

The development application 1904/2023 is open for feedback from the community until Friday, December 1, on Council’s website.

No fast food outlets for Kariong parklands An application for a six-lot subdivision within Mount Penang Parklands has been rejected by the Local Planning Panel.

A map showing the proposed development site

The commercial development at 5 The Avenue, Kariong, and fronting Central Coast Hwy was to have included three fast food venues and a tyre outlet.

It was a new iteration of an application previously refused on the site.

It was referred to the Local Planning Panel after 88 submissions were received by Central Coast Council, 86 of them objecting to the proposal.

The Panel found that the proposed development and associated works did not respect the special natural characteristics of the site.

“The extent of proposed earthworks and roadworks (both within the site and on the Central Coast Hwy) would result in significant adverse impact on the existing trees, biodiversity, visual and scenic quality of the site and streetscape,”the determination said.

The Panel also found the proposal did not meet the requirements of the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act

2016.

“The proposed development would result in significant cut and fill which may impact existing heritage values and vegetation to be retained and could have negative visual impact from the Central Coast Hwy,” it said.

“Inadequate information has been provided in relation to existing and proposed ground levels associated with site regrading works and retaining works.”

The Panel said insufficient information had also been provided to address the impact

of the proposed site regrading and retaining works and services on the heritage listed scribbly gums located within the site.

“The proposed development does not comply with the provisions of Chapter 5.3 of Gosford DCP 2013 – Kariong Mount Penang Parklands regarding landform, conservation and landscape setting, access, street hierarchy and the Precinct 2 design principles,” it said.

There were also concerns around lack of detail on traffic impacts and safety concerns within the precinct.

Sowing the seeds for future of nursery industry TAFE NSW is sowing the seeds for the future of the garden and nursery workforce, providing a pipeline of skilled workers to an industry that is forecast to grow by six per cent over the next two years.

Apprentices are in high demand by gardening businesses, including Burbank House and Garden at Erina Heights, where Store Manager Phillip Taylor said the Central Coast business had struggled to attract new apprentices over recent years.

“We’ve advertised consistently for apprentices over the past two years,” he said.

“This industry isn’t for everyone, but sometimes we find candidates who are creative, passionate about plants and focused on growing a career in nursery.

“TAFE NSW is important because it gives apprentices the opportunity to not only learn the science behind what we do, but also to spend time with other like-minded people and share knowledge and experiences amongst other apprentices who might work in wholesale, or a different nursery environment.”

TAFE NSW Ourimbah student Matilda ‘Tilly’ Turner, who is studying a Certificate III in Nursery Operations and undertaking her apprenticeship at Burbank House and Garden, said TAFE was helping turn her passion for plants into a dream career.

“I was working in hospitality but, as an artist, I wanted to find a career that allowed me to be creative,” she said.

“A friend gave me a house plant for a present and I discovered I loved plants, so I found the apprenticeship at

Tilly Turner is embracing her new career in the garden and nursery industry

Burbank House and Garden and started my TAFE NSW course.

“TAFE NSW gives me a further understanding of what I’m

learning on the job – I learn the plant names at work, and then at TAFE I learn how to take care of them.

“I’m building my

understanding of the intricacies of each plant species including nutrition, maintenance and controlling pests and disease, as well as how to help customers.”

There has been an increase in the number of mature-aged apprentices in Australia – according to Apprenticeship Support Australia, mature-age apprentices made up 13.9 per cent of all apprentices nationally in 2020, and by 2022, they accounted for more than a third of all apprentices.

Taylor said finding a candidate like Turner, 26, was like striking gold.

“Tilly impressed us from the start – she is bright, bubbly, and really interested in the industry,” he said.

“Tilly has brought with her the life experience that makes her great at what she does.

“She is punctual and attentive,

as well as creative, and she takes her role and her TAFE NSW work very seriously.”

Although considered a mature-aged apprentice, millennial Turner is bucking a generational trend in her chosen career path.

The recent 2023 Axiom Garden Survey shows that younger people are growing green thumbs early, with generations Y (millennials) and Z spending significantly more time and money on gardening.

Turner says for her it’s about career satisfaction.

“I get so much satisfaction from my work,” she said.

“Seeing home plants thrive gives me such a sense of accomplishment, and my goal is to have a house full of plants and eventually a side business where I propagate and sell plants.”

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Call for overhaul of state’s planning system The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce is calling on the NSW Government to overhaul the state’s planning system in the face of “systemic delays” in development approvals and housing starts.

“At a time when all levels of government are lamenting the shortage of housing and housing choice, the very system that provides planning approvals is so complex and outdated that it conspires to work against both housing availability and housing affordability,” Chamber President Matthew Wales said.

“You can’t always keep

blaming Central Coast Council for the delays and shortfalls when Council planners are expected to work with an outdated system that has been around for 40 years.

“The assessment of development applications has to address multiple layers of complex statutory planning legislation, biodiversity laws, energy efficiency regulations, local planning controls and community consultation processes.

“On top of that, Council is struggling to recruit experienced professional staff to cope with the hundreds of development applications it receives every week with town

A DA for this development at Ettalong has been with Council for 18 months

planners expected to wade through 30 to 40 applications at any given time.”

Wales said on top of a difficult assessment regime, land prices and the cost of

construction have gone through the roof making many projects marginal at best.

“Sadly, for the developer to deliver the simplest dual occupancy to market now

takes close to two years by the time they identify and purchase the land, prepare a development application, gain approval from the Council, obtain a Construction Certificate, build the units and obtain final certificates,” he said.

“Now the industry is facing further layers of oversight with the State Government looking to introduce legislation to extend the powers of the NSW Building Commission.

“This will give the commissioner’s office the authority to enter any dwelling while it is being constructed to look for defects on top of all its other existing powers.

“All the current legislation and building oversight, whilst well intended, is actually grinding the industry to a standstill.

“Successive governments have repeatedly promised an overhaul of the NSW planning laws but never deliver.

“You can fiddle around the edges all you like, but until the NSW Government gets serious about planning reform, it will never deliver the levels of housing that we need in NSW and councils like Central Coast Council will never be able to adequately cope with the volume of applications even in these difficult times.”

Mehan supports new seafood labelling Member for The Entrance David Mehan has met with the Professional Fishers Association, Seafood Industry Australia and the office of the Minister for Industry and Trade, to continue his support and advocacy for the introduction of mandatory Country-Of-Origin Labelling (COOL) on seafood.

Mehan introduced a Private Member’s Bill on seafood COOL to the NSW Parliament in 2017, but it was defeated at the time.

In October 2022, the Federal Labor Government committed $1.6M to introduce COOL, which will make it mandatory for restaurants, cafes and similar businesses to display seafood origin information, to allow consumers to make an informed decision about the

seafood they choose to eat.

The Federal Government will soon meet with state and territory consumer ministers to seek their agreement on this change to the Australian Consumer Law. “I am a big supporter of the Australian seafood industry and hope to finally see the introduction of mandatory COOL by the end of

the year,” Mehan said.

“We have waited long enough for this change.

“Everyone should know the origin of their seafood when they eat at a restaurant, pub or hotel and we should be supporting our local seafood industries where we can.”

Source: Member for The Entrance David Mehan

Member for The Entrance David Mehan supports COOL labelling on seafood ADVERTISEMENT

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MP MEMBER FOR ROBERTSON

CARING FOR THE COAST

MY OFFICE CAN ASSIST WITH: • Services Australia and Medicare

• Defence and Veterans Affairs

• Education and Training

• Environment and Energy

• Telecommunications and the NBN

• Immigration and Passports

• National Disability Insurance Scheme and Advocacy

• Federal Government Funding for Community Projects

Connect with Gordon on Facebook

Contact Dr Gordon Reid: Level 3, 69 Central Coast Highway, West Gosford NSW 2250 on 02 4322 2400 or email Gordon.Reid.MP@aph.gov.au reid4robertson Authorisation by Dr Gordon Reid MP, Australian Labor Party, Level 3, 69 Central Coast Highway, West Gosford NSW 2250

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Public screening turned dream into reality for Mannering Park couple Like any would-be parent, Calista Pinchen of Mannering Park wanted a healthy baby, which is why she decided not to have one.

Pinchen never thought motherhood would be an option because of a genetic heart condition passed on unknowingly by her father, which involved receiving a pacemaker at the age of 19, a heart transplant at 21, and kidney disease as a result of her condition.

It wasn’t just because the risk a pregnancy would put on her own body but because there would be a 50 per cent chance of passing her heart condition on to her child.

However, a referral to The Royal Hospital for Women at

Randwick turned parenthood from a dream into a reality for Pinchen and her partner, Pete Auditore.

As the only public health provider of pre-genetic screening in NSW, The Royal was able to ensure Pinchen would not pass on her heart condition, while closely monitoring her entire pregnancy to ensure the challenges of a heart condition and kidney disease did not put baby or mum at risk.

Private genetic screening costs between $10,000 and $15,000 per cycle but wouldn’t have been available to Pinchen because it is conducted in day hospitals, which don’t offer the level of care required by patients with serious health conditions.

Calista Pinchen with baby Dustyn. Photo: La Bella Vista Photography

The Mannering Park couple welcomed a baby boy, Dustyn, delivered by Dr Jana Pittman, in October.

He arrived at 33 weeks gestation after Pinchen developed a condition that compromised her liver function.

Being seven weeks premature, Dustyn spent time in the neonatal intensive care unit at The Royal, but has now settled in at home with mum and dad.

“We are absolutely ecstatic, we never thought it would happen,” Pinchen said.

She said she was sharing her story to help promote The Royal Hospital for Women Foundation’s fundraising appeal, Delivering Hope.

“I also want to give hope to other transplant recipients and let them know it can happen,” she said.

Dr Rachel Rodgers who runs The Royal’s pre-genetic screening clinic said she championed the service, which launched in 2021, to reduce the need for women to go

through second trimester terminations because private screening was unaffordable.

Obstetric Physician Dr Sandra Lowe said The Royal took great pride in achieving outcomes like this for their patients.

“The desire to be a mother can be extremely powerful and we want to be able to make that happen for people,” she said.

“Whatever the challenge, we start from the point of view that we will do anything possible to make a safe pregnancy a reality for a woman and her family.”

All donations to the Delivering Hope appeal will be doubled on November 22 thanks to generous matched donors.

To donate to the appeal visit www.royalwomen.org.au/ giving-day-2023

Boost for Point Clare medical practice Point Clare Medical Practice has received $25,000 through the Federal Labor Government’s Strengthening Medicare General Practice Grants Program to buy a new internal phone system and a ABI machine, to assess for vascular disease.

Member for Robertson Gordon Reid dropped in to deliver the good news, saying primary health workers provide outstanding patient care.

“Through the Strengthening Medicare General Practice Grants Program, general practices across the region are receiving much-needed

From left: Dr Jack Stannus, Dr Nicole Pirie, Dr Emily Stoddart, Dr Therese Cox, Member for Robertson Gordon Reid, Dr Deepika Panicker, RN Cate Bain, RN Ingrid Martinson and (at front) Dr Taya Van Haren

support to help with medical equipment purchases, practice renovations, and so much more,” he said.

“This program is about supporting primary care which

is the foundation of our healthcare system.

“I am pleased to know that Point Clare Medical Practice has already put its funding to good use, helping improve

patient care and outcomes.”

General Practitioner Dr Emily Stoddart said the support had helped upgrade the practice.

“We were pleased to receive

the Strengthening Medicare GP grant as it allowed us to purchase an entire new phone system for the practice,” she said.

“General practice has been under-funded for so long that the purchase of even essentials like phones has had to be postponed.

“Our previous phone system was so old that replacement parts were no longer available and one of our clinical rooms didn’t even have a working phone in it.

“The new system is cloudbased and could allow staff members to work from home if needed.

“We also decided to buy an

ABI machine which is a specialised medical machine that allows us to measure the ratio between the BP in the arm and the leg.

“It is used to assess patients for peripheral arterial disease which is a chronic medical condition occurring in 20 per cent of the population over the age of 65 (and 50 per cent are undiagnosed).

“It is often linked to cardiovascular disease and so is an important condition for patients and doctors to know about.

“We are using the machine to improve diagnosis and to assist us in managing leg ulcers.”

Crestani Scholarships handed out More than 100 guests attended the 2023 Crestani Scholarships Awards Night on Friday, November 3, at the Central Coast Clinical School of the University of Newcastle.

Recipients will apply their scholarships to study and training at the university and the Central Coast Cancer Centre.

The first recipient, Paris Neville, was granted the inaugural Crestani Scholarship for Oncology Nursing.

Professor Amanda Johnson, Head of School and Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, outlined the critical role of the nurse, particularly in the care of cancer patients.

She detailed how the nurse’s

involvement can make the difference to the patient’s treatment, interventions and other supports.

Neville said that witnessing the work of compassionate and knowledgeable nurses herself contributed to her choice to follow a nursing career in oncology.

Four other recipients were granted scholarships.

Bailey De Gioia and Jessica Monfries received a Central Coast Cancer Centre internship, Caitlyn Mills an MRI internship and Jacob Clarke the Rural internship.

Kathy Fletcher from the Central Coast Cancer Centre gave an enthusiastic account of the valuable training the students will engage in with state-of-the-art equipment.

Award recipients with Yvonne Crestani and medical staff

Director of the Global Centre for Research and Training in Radiation Oncology, Associate Professor Yolanda Surjan, explained how the university’s program of study in radiation oncology contributes to the collaborative development of the students’ knowledge and expertise.

She also reminded the

audience of the financial hardships faced by students and the crucial role the scholarships played in assisting the students’ progress.

“The night would not have been complete without hearing from the researchers investigating and formulating ideas and tests to improve methods and treatments for

cancer patients,” a spokesperson said.

“One program already being trialled is the in-home treatment by some patients, as explained

by Jacqueline Jagger, Nurse Practitioner, alleviating the need to travel to hospital. “(This) reduces the stresses associated with the experience for patients and family.

“Keynote speaker Dr Jude Weidenhofer delivered an engaging and candid speech on another project underway – the search for an alternative and more accurate way to diagnose prostate cancer, with the hope of eliminating the discomfort which comes with biopsies and being able to more skillfully treat the cancer.

“Crestani Scholarships is proud to be in partnership with such dedicated educators and researchers who can inspire and transfer their knowledge and skills to the next generation of energetic and enthusiastic radiation therapists and oncology specialists.”

Donors, entertainers and other supporters of Crestani Scholarships were also acknowledged on the night.

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THURSDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2023

HEALTH & EDUCATION

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Blood Run tells story of ultra-marathon The Australian premiere of the documentary about ultra-marathon runner Callan Gates will be held at the Avoca Beach Theatre on December 2.

The Blood Run documents Gates’ 250km run from Newcastle to Sydney Harbour, running along the Great North Walk and raising $50,000 along the way for the Leukaemia Foundation.

Gates’ talented brother Mitchell, a videographer, captured the entire journey.

Gates said he doubted he could do it – he’s not a professional athlete, nor does he

Cal Gates training for his 250km run to raise funds for the Leukaemia Foundation

look like one, and people said he was stupid for attempting it.

But he was determined to

prove them wrong when he tested his body to its ultimate limits covering 250kms in one single go, without sleep, climbing over 10,000kms in vertical gain – virtually climbing the equivalent of Everest – all to support the 135,000 Australians living with blood cancer.

He began his ultra-marathon on June 2 from Newcastle and arrived in Circular Quay early June 5 to complete the final 200m to finish at the Obelisk in Circular Quay – a momentous and emotional moment captured by news crews.

His aim was to raise $25,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation

and blood cancer patients, equating to $100 per km of the trail along the Great North Walk, but he smashed that target and raised more than $53,000.

“Looking back, it’s crazy to think of what we all achieved together those three days of the run both from a physical and fundraising perspective,” Gates said.

“The trail is 250km long and the goal was to raise $100 per kilometre for $25,000.

“We ended up raising over $50,000 which just blew my mind.

“Blood cancer, in particular leukaemia, has significantly

affected my family, and I have witnessed the aftermath of it.

“To be able to do something that could create awareness and funds to be able to help find a cure for this crappy disease is something I’m proud to be part of.”

He said The Blood Run had many strong messages, one being that people should adventure for those who are robbed of it.

“There has certainly been some strong interest in the showing at Avoca Beach Theatre and we have almost sold out which is amazing,” Gates said.

Leukaemia Foundation CEO

Chris Tanti said the foundation was incredibly grateful for people like Gates who “go above and beyond” to raise crucial funds.

“With 135,000 people in this country currently living with the disease, community supporters like Cal and his team are vital so that the Leukaemia Foundation can continue our life-changing work and reach our goal of zero lives lost to blood cancer by 2035.

“Cal put his body on the line to raise awareness and funds for Australians living with blood cancer, and for that we cannot thank him enough.”

Narara teacher honoured Narara Public School Assistant Principal Denis Weiss was among 59 people honoured for their dedication to the teaching profession at the first NSW Department of Education Service Recognition Dinner on Thursday, November 16.

Weiss has been with the Department since 1968 when he started teaching at Villawood North Public School.

He said he had seen many significant changes in public

education in the past 50 years, including a reduction in class sizes, an increase in staff numbers and the development of new technologies.

“In the earlier days you would spend a lot of time preparing stencils to be run off on a ‘spirited’ duplicator,” he said.

“The Gestetner was used sparingly for important documents.

“How things have changed.”

The awards night shone a light on some of the most committed

and hard-working public educators in the state, with each individual recognised working a minimum of 50 years with the Department.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said to log 50 years or more of service with the one organisation was an exceptional achievement.

“But to do it in public education elevates it to the extraordinary,” she said.

“We’re incredibly thankful to

Denis for his outstanding service over such a long period of time.”

NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said it was fitting to mark individual milestones during a year which marked 175 years of public education in NSW. “So much passion and sacrifice goes into the teaching profession and many other roles within public education and I’d like to personally acknowledge and congratulate Denis for his service,” Dizdar said.

Denis Weiss receives his award from Education Minister Prue Car

Northlakes High wins funding for war memorial

The condition of the war memorial at Northlakes High School will be assessed

Northlakes High School will receive $3,500 in NSW Government funding to put towards a condition assessment of the school’s war memorial.

The school is one of 13 recipients across the state to receive a share of $125,000 from Round One of the Community War Memorials Fund.

Member for Wyong and Minister for Veterans David Harris announced the grants awarded to the successful applicants for projects that will support war memorials in communities across NSW.

“It is wonderful to announce this important funding, which will be used for important projects around the state,” he said.

“Our communities are proud of their military history, and local war memorials are a vital part of our culture enabling us to reflect on more than 100 years of our veterans’ service and sacrifice.”

Northlakes High School has a long association with DoyalsonWyee RSL sub-branch, and many years ago as part of the partnership, the school received the formal war memorial from the club when it installed a new memorial at the club.

“The school is very proud to have the privilege of having a designated war memorial onsite and it plays a key role in our school ceremonies acknowledging ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day,” Northlakes High School principal Warren Welham said.

“We are excited through this grant to continue our partnership with the sub-branch to work on updating and restoring the war memorial to ensure that it continues to play a vital role in educating our students in Australian history.”

Member for Swansea Yasmin CatleyacknowledgedNorthlakes

High School’s commitment to the veterans of the Coast and surrounding areas.

“The Northlakes High School War Memorial provides a place for people to gather and remember those who have served our community,” she said.

“Our community is forever thankful for the sacrifices made by current serving members and past service people and their families.

“This grant funding will help to ensure that the Northlakes High School War Memorial can continue to stand proud and serve as a reminder of the

contributions made to our nation and its military history.”

Round Two of the 2023-24 grant program opened on Remembrance Day, November 11.

“I encourage any community group or ex-service organisation in our electorate to apply for funding for any restoration work that is needed on our war memorials,” Catley said.

For more information visit www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/ heritage/community-warmemorials-fund

DIETES IN FLOWER! ALL ON SALE $5 EA ONLY! IN 250mm POTS

Tuesday to Friday open 9am-3pm Sat and Sun now open 9am-4pm

Closed Mondays

Phone: 4362 2236 24 Burns Road, Ourimbah (at the M1 intersection)

23 NOVEMBER 2023

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Cheralyn is a horticulture author and along with Pete Little, hosts ‘At Home with The Gardening Gang’ 8 - 10am live every Saturday on CoastFM96.3

CHERALYN DARCEY’S

DOWN IN THE GARDEN: Cover Up with Screening Plants If you can’t stand living with that heat reflecting metal panel fence, the windows of your neighbours blinking into your home or the view of the local shops, then screening plants are here to save the day.

Some can even make alternatives to fences, and all will cool down your garden, provide a wind break and enrich your home in some way as well as giving you privacy.

What’s the difference between a hedge and a screen?

Hedges are dense and completely block out the view while screens break up the view.

Screening growth lets airflow and dappled light through, and they can often look a little more natural.

Privacy screening growth is somewhere in between.

It will block the view to

provide privacy, but will still be a little looser in growth than hedges to allow some airflow and light in.

Types of Plants Evergreen trees and shrubs are going to be the choice for many as they provide year-round screening and although any plant could be trained to become a screen, including well trained vines, here are a few I recommend.

Mock Orange aka Orange Jessamine (Murraya paniculata) is one of the most popular hedging and screening plants.

With its divine orange/ jasmine perfumed flowers along with glossy green foliage it’s easy to see why.

They can reach up to four meters in height and require a spacing of between 75 to 100cm to create a screening effect.

They need regular feeding,

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contact@cheralyndarcey.com cheralyn.darcey cheralyn a very well-drained rich soil and do prefer part-shade.

Viburnums are not known as ‘the hedges friend’ for nothing!

They grow incredibly quickly and so can do the job of providing a screen fast and without the garden intrusiveness issues something like bamboo can pose.

There are many varieties of this plant, and each have varying needs, so look for one that suits your light and soil position.

Personally, I have a Sweet Viburnum (Viburnum odoratissimum) screen along one of my front fences, planted to make the area a little more private from the street.

Sweet Viburnum likes full sun to part shade,moderately rich and very well-drained soil and loves to be wellmulched, kept watered but not overly wet.

It will grow up to nine meters in height and in ultra-fast time but pruning to keep it in check.

Bottle Brush (Callistemon spp.) is often overlooked as a screening plant and one I am currently cultivating in another area of my garden.

Not only do you end up with a hardy, beautiful looking native screen but also gorgeous flowers for you and the native birds and bees!

There are many varieties that grow in all sorts of shapes and sizes and have lots of different foliage and leaves.

Have a chat to a friendly local nursery person to find one to suit you.

Vicki of Narara Valley Nursey agreed, and I asked her for other suggestions.

She said, “Hands down I think Lily Pilly (Syzygium smithii) is one of the best choices as well as it is a

native, fast growing and you get edible berries from most types.” She said that they can get to an impressive five metres in height so are perfect to block out that towering thing you no longer want to see but smaller varieties are available as well.

Spacing to create a screen should be around 75cm and they like a very free-draining, rich spoil structure that is kept moist.

“There are so many varieties and look out for psyllids resistant types because that can be a problem in your area” she advised.

Planting and Growing Tips Get your spacing right to begin with.

Roots can easily overcrowd and contribute to disease or death of your plants in a too closely planted screen or create a dense hedge that

may not suit you.

Too far apart may not afford the look or privacy that you are after.

Don’t just use the recommended spacing on the plant label, check the recommended spacing for planting a privacy screen using that plant.

Scale is important to the overall look of your garden so think of the final size of your screen.

Large and high screens/ hedges look better with larger leaves while more compact ones suit smaller leaves.

Prune and trim your screen regularly to encourage and maintain the shape you are looking for and when you do, make sure you feed your plants as you are reducing their available food-making structure.

Water as suggested for your plants and reduce as they attain full size.

WHAT’S ON FOR PLANT LOVERS List your event for free – gardeningcentralcoast@gmail.com Vegan Campout Australia, Glenworth Valley – 24 – 26 November Day Pass and Weekend tickets are available!

An amazing event for all the family and all ages! The first of its kind in Australia featuring a line up of captivating talks, workshops, dance, yoga and meditation sessions plus amazing performances and an led lightshow. Loads of vegan food vendors and market stalls.

More info - www.vegancampout.co.au

TASKS & TIPS FOR YOU THIS WEEK

Woy Woy Produce Swap – 10 – 11am Sunday 26 November - 87 Moana St, Woy Woy A produce swap works by having a set time and place for backyard growers to bring their excess food to share with other members. It is a very casual affair and nobody keeps score. By bringing your produce you are saying that you are happy for anyone to take what they need because it is excess to your needs. It is simply a way of sharing your food with the people in your neighbourhood More info - www.facebook.com/events/158196294044771 Monthly Community Breakfast Growers Market - 8:30 - 10:30am, Sunday 10 December Pearl Beach Memorial Community Hall, Diamond Road, Pearl Beach. Featuring a local produce market.

On a monthly basis, on the second Sunday of the month there is a Community BBQ Breakfast featuring a local produce market, with fruit and vegetables, eggs, pastries, breads, jams and pickles.

More details: phone 4344 2319 or www.lovecentralcoast.com/events/monthly-communitybreakfast-growers-market

This week you can plant the following: culinary herbs, beans, beetroot, cabbage, cape gooseberry, capsicum, carrot, celery, chicory, choko, cress, cucumber, eggplant, endive, leeks, lettuce, marrow, melons, mustard, okra, parsnip, pumpkins, radishes, rhubarb, rosella, salsify, silverbeet, spring onions, squashes, sweet corn, sweet potato, tomatoes, ageratum, alyssum, amaranths, aster, Californian poppy, carnation, celosia, coleus, cosmos, dianthus, everlasting daisy, gazania, gerbera, gypsophila, impatiens, marigold, nasturtium, petunias, phlox, portulaca, salvia, snap dragon, sunflower, verbena, vinca, zinnia.

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SPORT

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F3 Derby moves back to Gosford FOOTBALL The highly anticipated F3 Derby is set to change its battleground, in a move orchestrated through collaborative efforts between the Australian Professional Leagues (APL), Venues NSW, Newcastle Jets, and the Central Coast Mariners.

The decision has been made, and the clash between the Newcastle Jets and the Central Coast Mariners is now slated to unfold at Industree Group Stadium in Gosford.

This decision, reached last Friday through unanimous agreement among the involved parties, stems from the need to navigate ongoing turf renovations after a recent Supercross spectacle at McDonald Jones Stadium.

The upcoming face-off, initially earmarked for Saturday, November 25, has been relocated to Industree Group Stadium, ensuring the recovery

BOOM: Newcastle Jets have ‘bombed’ before the F3 Derby. Photo: CCN

of the playing surface in Newcastle.

However, in the spirit of fair play and collaboration, the Central Coast Mariners have graciously consented to relinquish their home

advantage for the F3 Derby.

This move allows the fixture to proceed as planned next weekend, an essential consideration given the congested schedule, particularly with the looming presence of the AFC Cup.

Exploring every conceivable option to make the F3 Derby a reality became imperative.

As a ripple effect of this fixture shuffle, mark your calendars for a reversed Isuzu UTE A-League Round 19 clash.

Originally slated for Gosford, this bout will now unfold in Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium, but not until Saturday, March 2, 2024. It’s a tactical adjustment with a future date in mind.

Adding another layer to the

schedule manoeuvering, the Liberty A-League Round 19 double header, initially set for March 2, 2024, between the Central Coast Mariners and Adelaide United at Industree Group Stadium, will experience a rescheduling shuffle.

The new date for this clash is yet to be confirmed but is expected to surface in the coming weeks.

Anticipation now builds for the relocated F3 Derby at Industree Group Stadium on the evening of November 25, with kick-off scheduled for 5:30 pm.

The privilege of attending all F3 Derby matches extends to season ticket holders of both the Central Coast Mariners and the Newcastle Jets.

The stage is set, the stakes are high for the Mariners, and football aficionados are in for a treat at Industree Group Stadium next Saturday November 25.

Recognising our para sporting champs Eight Central Coast para sporting champions have been celebrated at a special afternoon tea organised by Federal Member for Robertson Gordon Reid.

Member for Robertson Gordon Reid with Oscar Noone, Ashton Zielinski, Summer Klein, William Dooley, Wade Barr, Portia Roberts, Mason Potesta and Marley Fawcett

Each champion was the recipient of funding support by the Federal Government to help cover the costs to compete at their state, national or international championships.

“The Central Coast region has outstanding sporting talent, and it was a real delight having eight sporting champions attend an afternoon tea where we discussed their sporting

successes and plans for the future,” Reid said.

“I look forward to continuing to support our rising sports stars and wish them all the best in their chosen career paths.”

The eight sportspeople recognised were: Ashton Zielinski of North Gosford – 2023 AusCycling BMX Racing National Championships; Summer Klein of Copacabana – 2023 Australian Age and MC Age Championships; Mason Potesta of Woy Woy – 2023 Under 14 National Championships Basketball; Portia Roberts of Terrigal – 16th IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing Championships Thailand;

Wade Barr of Yattalunga – Australian Junior Sprint Triathlon Championships; William Dooley of Erina – The Australian U14 Club Championships; Marley Fawcett of Terrigal – U14 Club Championships; and Oscar Noone of Avoca Beach – Sydney Tange (men’s U18s) National Championships.

Round 3 of the 2023-24 Local Sporting Champions Program is now open and closes on January 31.

For more information and to apply, visit: https://www. sportaus.gov.au/grants_and_ funding/local_sporting_ champions

Cricket action at Tuggerah The Central Coast Regional Sporting Complex at Tuggerah was the scene of much of the action when Round 4 of the Central Coast Cricket competition hit off on November 18.

Four of the five games in the Ibis Styles The Entrance 1st Grade Men’s Competition took place at the complex on day one of the latest round.

Wyong won the toss against Terrigal Matcham and chose to bowl.

Lloyd Radcliffe 83 and Robert von Elling 77 helped get 244 runs on the board with Lachlan Rainger of Wyong taking 4/34 off 21.3.

Wyong was 0/2 off two

overs at stumps.

Kincumber Avoca played Northern Power, winning the toss and electing to bat.

They found it hard to stabilise their runs with skipper Dylan Robertson top scoring on 34.

Christopher Archer and Mitchell Howarde bowled well with three wickets each to take the side all out for 132.

Northern Power are currently 4/86 off with Bailey Lidgard taking 3/11 off 8.

The Entrance took on Southern Spirit.

Southern Spirit won the toss and elected to bowl.

Broc Hardy hit an incredible 137 off 199 with Jake Hardy hitting 85 off 138.

Matthew Jones took 3/69 off 16 and Raj Sharma 3/46 off 12 with Southern Spirit currently 0/7 off 4.

Brisbane Water won the toss against Narara Wyoming and elected to bowl.

Thomas Owen 80 and Lachlan Shedden 52 took Narara Wyoming to declare at 231 after 67 overs.

Shaun Eaton took 4/34 after 21 overs.

Brisbane Water were 2/14 off 13 overs at stumps.

Lisarow Ourimbah took on Warnervale, with Warnervale winning the toss and electing to bat.

Daniel Hill 51, Ben Sammut 42 and Harrison Townsend 36

took Warnervale to 189 and bowled out after 65 overs.

Scott Burkinshaw took 5/28 off 17.

Lisarow Ourimbah were 1/37 at stumps.

The teams will continue play on December 2.

The Ibis Styles The Entrance 1st GradeWomen’s Competition took place on the same day.

Northern Power Orange defeated Wyong at Baker Park after winning the toss and electing to bat.

Rebecca Callan top scored on 58 off 30 not out, leaving Northern Power on 4/151 at the end of their innings.

Wyong’s Ebonnie Leard bowled 2/35 off 4.

Wyong went out to bat with Tyla Binnie top scoring on 31 off 25.

Kerry Seymour bowled 3/22 off 4.

At the end of their innings, Wyong were 7/105.

Lisarow Ourimbah played Northern Power White at Jubilee Park with Lisarow Ourimbah taking the win.

Northern Power won the toss and elected to bowl.

Lisarow Ourimbah put 122 runs up with Sai Naga Jhansika Peddada top scoring on 34 off 30 not out.

Sharnie Kent from Northern Power bowled 2/21 off 4.

Northern Power went out to bat and were unable to make

the runs, finishing their innings on 6/84 with Zara Hepplewhite top scoring on 25 off 37 not out.

Lisarow Ourimbah’s bowlers, Rachel Scarr and Lacey Burton, took two wickets each.

Kincumber Avoca defeated Narara/Terrigal at Rogers Park.

Narara/Terrigal won the toss and elected to bat with their luck going downhill from there.

The side was bowled out for just 36 runs after 11.4 overs.

Sophie McCrae bowled 3/1 off 3 with two maidens.

Kincumber Avoca went out to bat making the runs in 7.4 overs with Charlotte Waring top scoring on 23 off 19 not out.

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Mariners women win as Wellington wavers FOOTBALL In a significant victory on Saturday night, November 18, at Industree Group Stadium, the Central Coast Mariners edged out Wellington Phoenix with a 1-0 triumph in the Liberty A-League.

This win marks the Mariners’ first home victory since rejoining the competition, ending Wellington’s threegame winning streak.

The hero of the night emerged in the form of Annalise Rasmussen, a local academy product and the Mariners’ inaugural signing.

Rasmussen sealed the deal with a decisive goal in the 76th minute, securing all three crucial points for her team.

The Mariners asserted their dominance early in the match, applying pressure on the away side with several half chances.

Peta Trimis narrowly missed

the mark in the eighth minute, while Wellington registered their first shot on target in the 10th minute.

The ensuing 20 minutes unfolded as a hard-fought battle, with neither side able to carve out clear-cut opportunities for a one-goal advantage.

Galic’s shot on target in the 39th minute set the tone, followed by a near-screamer from long range that eluded the post by inches.

Jazmin Wardlow’s cross, deflected by a Wellington defender, set the stage for a formidable strike from Galic, leaving Rylee Foster helpless as the ball whizzed past the goal.

Courtney Newbon showcased her goalkeeping prowess, denying Emma Main’s strike destined for the underside of the crossbar, maintaining a level score at half-time.

As the second half

Annalise Rasmussen scored the winning goal. Photo: CCM Medi

commenced, both teams continued their quest for the elusive opening goal.

Wurigumula came close in the 69th minute, showcasing skill and precision, but her

rocket shot soared just over the crossbar.

Unexpectedly, Wurigumula transitioned from potential goal-scorer to playmaker as the Mariners seized the lead.

Isabel Gomez’s display of strength and determination won the ball, setting the stage for a counter attack.

Trimis, receiving a pass from Gomez, found Wurigumula in

space, who directed the ball towards goal.

Amidst Wellington defenders, Wurigumula adeptly located the advancing Rasmussen, who clinically netted the ball from 10 yards out, etching her name in the club’s history.

The goal, arriving in the 76th minute, carried sentimental value, as Rasmussen’s journey began in the Mariners academy at the age of 11.

In the final minutes of the match, resolute defending ensured the preservation of the historic three points, concluding the encounter with a 1-0 victory for the Central Coast Mariners.

After their triumph, the Mariners will turn their attention to their upcoming away game against Melbourne Victory next Sunday afternoon.

Melbourne Victory currently shares equal points, having played an additional game.

Scarlett’s riding high Scarlett Richardson of Tall Timbers Pony Club at Ourimbah is riding high following a string of achievements in various equestrian events.

At this year’s Pony Club Jamboree, Scarlett showcased her prowess and camaraderie, excelling in various competitions.

Her dedication and hard work clinched the title of Champion

nine-year-old rider.

A remarkable highlight was winning the 9-11-year-old dressage class with a score of 70.8 per cent.

For the second year running, Scarlett secured the highlycoveted Champions of Champions title, signifying her remarkable success at interclub events.

She also claimed the Champion Sporting Award,

underscoring her versatility and proficiency in various equestrian disciplines.

The highlight of Scarlett’s achievements this year was the prestigious Enzo Carraro Memorial Award.

This accolade, awarded to the overall highest ranked rider in the zone at state events, exemplifies Scarlett’s exceptional talent and dedication, elevating her as a role model within

the equestrian community.

“We are immensely proud of Scarlett’s unwavering dedication and remarkable accomplishments,” her mother Lara Dombrovskis said.

“Her commitment to training with her new horse, Vision, coupled with her passion for riding, has led to these welldeserved accolades.”

The young Central Coast rider is destined for a bright future.

Bateau Bay bowlers take out rare trifecta win The Bateau Bay Bowls Club completed a rare trifecta win during the finals of the Bowls Central Coast Pairs Championships at Bateau Bay Bowling Club.

Bateau Bay won all three divisions of the Pairs Championships – State,

Seniors and Open Reserves.

In the State Pairs Championship Chayne Edwards and Joel Nouws defeated the team from Ettalong Bowling Club 28-22.

In the Seniors Pairs Championship Peter McCarten and Gary Hughes defeated the

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In the Open Reserve Pairs Championship John Woods and Stuart Thompson defeated the team from The Entrance Bowling Club 22-13.

All three Pairs Championship winners will now go to Dubbo

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their club and zone in the state championships.

They will be joined by Bateau Bay NSW State Senior Champion Tony Shoebridge who will compete in the NSW Senior Singles Championship.

SOLICITORS & LAWYERS Peter McCarten and Gary Hughes will head to

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Exhilarating finish to world water ski championships

Clockwise from top: Australia won the Federation Cup as the highest scoring team over the USA and New Zealand; Nellie McMillan with her father and driver (right) and observer Brett Armstrong; Australian Carter Robertson and Team 50 F1 claimed the World Title in Men’s Open

The champions have been crowned after an exhilarating finish to the 22nd World Water Ski Racing Championships on the Brisbane Water at Gosford.

Reigning Junior Water Ski Racing World Champions, Carter Robertson of Australia and Hawkesbury’s own Nellie McMillan, converted those championships into Senior World Titles at the final day of the championships on November 18.

Robertson had been a dominant force with Team 50 F1 since race day one when he took victory after his brother was eliminated in an early race crash, fracturing a vertebra.

After leading the final day in the early stages, he was chased down by Lachlan Nix behind Sapphire, who charged through

from the second row to take a dominant outright victory.

Robertson finished second in the race, but had done enough with his two race victories to become World Champion.

At 21, he is the youngest ever Men’s Open World Water Ski Racing Champion.

Daniel Graziano and Superman were able to carve a hard-fought Silver Medal.

After not finishing race three, Graziano had sustained a leg injury, but soldiered on in the final one-hour race to earn second in the world, while Australian Wildcard Jack Coldrake and Coldys F1 ended their campaign with a podium and third place in the world.

McMillan’s charge to the Women’s Open Championship wasn’t as straightforward.

After finishing second in the

first two races behind Victorian Maddison Boyer, Strike F1 charged to the race three win and then, in the World Championship race, she needed a 19 second victory.

With her father David behind the steering wheel, McMillan was as far as 15 seconds behind Boyer and Showdown with 10 minutes to go – and then they staged their championship run.

Not only did the trio catch up with Boyer’s boat, but swung by it with five minutes to go, opening the lead to 17 seconds and when receiving the last lap blue flag were a staggering 39 seconds in front.

The Hawkesbury based squad brought the bright yellow boat home to now make the 19-year-old a Senior World Champion, with Boyer second and Rachael Stapleton

completing the podium.

Not so clear cut was Men’s Formula 2.

Championship leader Aiden Cuff fell away from Revenge midway through the race.

Coming home to take the race was youngster Jake Clancy, who got the win behind Agent 86 over Speed Lab’s Sam McKenzie and Brendan Tidswell with The Dragon.

This earned Clancy a podium finish in the overall world championship results.

Despite having a DNF midway through the event, on the best three races count championship score, Tidswell did enough to claim the world title by just three points.

Molly Palser behind Speed Lab completed her Women’s Formula 2 campaign with a hard-fought race win.

It was enough to secure the podium in the world championship after a solid campaign that saw her in the top three all the way through.

By finishing second, Emma Barnes did enough to secure the world title after a campaign that saw her on top of the division for most of the time.

The Belgian team celebrated a terrific end to their World Water Ski Racing Championships with a podium for Black Jack and Demi Fobelets.

Completing an outstanding world championship and race day four for Speed Lab, Kohdi Cartledge took a dominant win in Junior Boys wrapping up that championship, while his sister, Leilani, put the icing on the cake after wrapping up the Junior Girls on Wednesday by taking out the Junior

Girls race behind Gro Up. Race day two winner in boys, Zak Armstrong took Epic to second place with local, Jaali Walsh finishing third, earning himself a place on the world championship podium.

Leilani was followed home in the girls by Jaali’s twin Kianna, who secured second in the championship, and Cosmos’s Tijana Lalor.

Australia dominated the world championship wrapping up each title and therefore the teams championship and accepting the Federation Teams Trophy over the USA and New Zealand.

The 22nd Champions of The World were crowned at Drifters Wharf adjacent the start line for the four races of fury throughout the 10-day event.