Coffs Coast News Of The Area 28 MARCH 2025

Accompanying

CULTURAL CHAMPION

By Andrea FERRARI

q Captain Blake Wallace from the Army Thunder scoring a try during the annual SGT Matthew Locke MG Charity Match against the Sawtell Panthers in Bellingen. Photo: LCPL Luke Donegan/Defence.

Andrea FERRARI 0410 067 966 andrea@newsofthearea.com.au

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Bellingen hero honoured with fitting footy tribute

FROM Page 1

which resulted in a 26-20 win to the Army side.

In the preceding match the Bellingen Valley/Dorrigo Magpies went up against the Brisbane Veterans Jackals, a side consisting of young veterans from Queensland.

Fresh from attending the NRL Las Vegas nines competition in the United States, the Jackals secured a comfortable 32-4 victory in a ‘State of Origin' style battle.

The day also featured junior teams from Bowraville Tigers and the Magpies, Under 18s from Sawtell and the Lake Cathie Raiders, and a reserve grade game between Sawtell and the Guyra Super Spuds.

The Australian Army Band Newcastle performed ceremonial duties and some half-time swinging entertainment, before delivering an additional live concert at C.ex Coffs on Sunday.

Funds raised from the weekend go towards support and advocacy for veterans, as well as providing schools and education to children in remote Timor Leste.

Matthew Locke’s sister, Debbie Locke, thanked all involved for their “effort,

commitment, support and loyalty”.

“Congratulations to Army Thunder, winners of the 2025 SGT Matthew Locke MG Charity Shield and Brisbane Veterans for winning the inaugural Major General Jim Molan Shield,” she said.

A spokesperson for the Bellingen Valley/ Dorrigo Rugby League Football Club sung the praises of volunteers and organisers.

“What a fantastic SGT Matthew Locke MG Charity Day, with teams organised by Garry Stevenson and with MC Stephen Glyde ensuring the day went off without a hitch,” they said.

“From 10.00am with the junior league teams until 6pm when the main game finished it was an exceptional day.

“Without volunteers to mark fields, supervise the crowd, serve food and drinks and man the gate this day would not be able to be held.

“Well done everyone!

"Bring on 2026.”

Matthew Locke is remembered fondly both within the Bellingen community and

the Defence Force.

In a statement of condolence released after his passing, Chief of Army Lieutenant General Peter Leahy said the nation had lost a “genuine hero”.

“Sergeant Locke was a great soldier; one of those inspirational leaders who knew his duty and knew his task and it’s a very sad day that the nation has lost a man of this calibre.”

NEWS Of The Area wishes to offer clarification to a photo printed in last week’s edition (21 March).

The shark bite kit featured in the front page photo accompanying the story 'Council pushing for shark bite kits' was funded by the Emerald Beach Fair Committee.

q The Army Thunder visit Jetty Beach in the lead up to the charity match. Photo: LCPL Luke Donegan/Defence.

q SGT Matthew Locke MG.

q Army Thunder team captain Lance Corporal Tim Muhamad receiving the SGT Matthew Locke MG Shield from former Governor General David Hurley AC CVO DSC (Retd), Mrs Linda Hurley and Oxley MP Michael Kemp. Photo: LCPL Luke Donegan/Department of Defence.

q The Brisbane Veterans Jackals take on the Bellingen Valley/Dorrigo Magpies. Photo: Department of Defence.

q Gunner Tony Taufua from the Army Thunder runs the ball. Photo: LCPL Luke Donegan/Defence.

CULTURAL CHAMPION

FROM Page 1

Harbour Gurmesh Singh said Lesley was awarded the prestigious honour in recognition of her significant work and strong leadership at the Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium over many years.

Retiring in 2024 after 14 years at the helm of The Con, her legacy will be lasting, Mr Singh said.

“Lesley has been instrumental in The Con’s phenomenal success and in shaping its status as an iconic institution in our community.

“Under Lesley’s visionary leadership and close work with her colleagues, The Con is firmly established as a leading educational organisation on the Coffs Coast, where it is

renowned for its pursuit of excellence in both teaching and performance.

“Her dedication, guidance and support for The Con has allowed it to reach, teach and inspire many people in our region.

“Lesley is a nurturer who is much loved in our community for her warmth, her grace and her passion.”

Lesley said she was honoured and humbled to receive the award, acknowledging that her achievements in volunteering are due to the combined work of many dedicated people.

“I’m still involved with the Conservatorium, but my role is in the background now, as an advisor to the Board,” she told News Of The Area.

“I have just assisted with

the new Strategic Plan and there are other projects in which I will have input from time to time.

“Best of all, I have more time for my family, to travel, and to enjoy more arts and cultural experiences.

“And I will continue to support the Conservatorium and be inspired by the talent and dedication of the teachers and students and our shared love of music.”

Lesley is passionate about improving services and facilities in regional areas to promote wellbeing and opportunities for the future.

“Volunteering with the Conservatorium has brought me such joy… music, education, art and culture enhances the lives of people of all ages, especially young people and their families.”

Bid fails to improve pool access

to public pools in the area.

Entry fees have risen and access times have been reduced over the past three years at the Sawtell, Woolgoolga and Coffs

pools. At the Council meeting on 13 March, Cr Amos moved a motion to revert to what the times and fees were for 2022/23.

pool and $5 at Sawtell and Woolgoolga.

“should be a subsidised service”.

with the outcome of the vote.

This would result in the pools opening weekdays from 6am until 5:30pm in peak times, at a cost to adults of $5.50 at the Coffs Harbour

Cr Amos’ motion took note that a fee reduction might result in reduced service levels in other areas in the future and have a negative effect on Council’s budget.

In support of the motion, Cr Tony Judge said pools

The motion was lost four votes to five.

Sawtell resident Lyn Hastings, who uses the Sawtell pool regularly, said, “The limited hours are a real problem for a working person.

“Even when it’s open,

because groups use it at specific times, it is very difficult for individuals to find consistent, appropriate times.

“”The Council will say it’s about money, but there are some things the community needs that shouldn’t have to make a profit.”

Cr Amos was disappointed

“Given that in places like Brisbane it costs about $2 to visit a pool, [the current] $6.90 seems a bit expensive, and closing some of our pools at 2pm is not a level of service to which we should aspire,” he said.

“The Council is now in a financial position in which we are able to provide these small concessions.”

Each year, the Coffs Harbour Electorate Local Woman of the Year Awards recognise and celebrate progressive thinkers, everyday heroes, social advocates and innovative role models.

Lesley now features on the NSW Local Women of the Year Honour Roll for 2025.

q Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh with Coffs Harbour Electorate ‘Local Woman of the Year’, Lesley Schoer.

By Andrew VIVIAN

CITY of Coffs Harbour councillor Paul Amos is concerned about access

Harbour

Coffs seniors honoured

By Andrea FERRARI

ACHIEVEMENT

Awards have been presented to Coffs Coast seniors in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the community.

The 2025 NSW Seniors Festival Local Achievement Awards provide an opportunity for MPs and communities to recognise the seniors that help make their community a diverse, active and inspiring place to live.

Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh congratulated the four award winners, who were nominated by community members.

The late Colin Morley was recognised for his many years of tireless work as founder and team leader of Woolgoolga Surf Life Saving Club’s "Silver Salties" program.

A physical activity and social connections initiative for older Australians designed by Surf Life Saving Australia, it works in conjunction with

Surf Life Saving Clubs and is funded by Sport Australia’s Move It Aus – Better Ageing Grants Program.

Coffs Harbour Health Campus (CHHC) volunteer co-ordinator Denise McNeill was honoured for going above and beyond in her work.

CHHC runs two volunteer groups; Coffs Harbour Pink Ladies who run the café and gift shop and Coffs Harbour General Volunteers who manage their enquiries desk at the hospital.

The Woolgoolga Red Cross Branch was honoured for its important work across the community, providing first aid, support services, volunteer services, and emergency and crisis services.

Coffs Coast Suicide Prevention Initiative chair and co-ordinator Brian Clarke received the Achievement Award for his outstanding dedication to the community.

Coffs Coast Suicide Prevention Initiative is a volunteer network led by people whose lives have been impacted by distress around suicide.

These lived experiences guide the organisation’s grassroots mental health and suicide prevention actions

within the local community.

Mr Singh hosted an awards presentation at his electorate office to coincide with the recent NSW Seniors Festival.

“I thank all of our remarkable recipients for helping to make the Coffs Coast the best it can be through their sheer determination to make a positive difference to people’s lives,” he said.

“I’m proud of them all for their vital work and outreach across our community, putting others ahead of themselves in the process.

“The theme for the 2025 NSW Seniors Festival was Time To Shine and our inspirational local seniors and organisations are doing that, and more.”

Bunker grant issue resolved

By Andrew VIVIAN

AFTER a delay caused by conflict of interest concerns, a committee of City of Coffs Harbour councillors and the Acting General Manager, has approved a subsidy of $60,000 for the Bunker Gallery.

Councillor Tony Judge said there was no question of withholding the subsidy.

“It was included in the 2024-25 Council budget and the Gallery had already been asked to submit an invoice,” he said.

“However, Councillors

Have you been affected by Tropical Cyclone Alfred?

The New South Wales Reconstruction Authority is here to help you recover.

Assistance is available in the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast.

You can visit a local recovery assistance point or mobile outreach location for practical advice and support, including:

• Replacing lost documents

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For more information, scan the QR code, visit nsw.gov.au/CycloneAlfredRecovery, or call 13 77 88

noted that it was a substantial allocation of ratepayer funds that required a commitment by the Gallery and an assurance about their financial viability.”

The committee agreed that the funds would be released, but only after the

Gallery signs a lease for the premises.

The Gallery is also required to submit a four-year business plan to demonstrate their financial plans for the future.

No further Council funding will be provided.

NSW Reconstruction Authority

q Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh with NSW Seniors Festival Local Achievement Awards recipients and their supporters.

Page Candidates outline key policies

By Andrew VIVIAN

WITH the Federal Election imminent, candidates for the Lower House seat of Page are preparing their campaigns.

Kevin Hogan has been the sitting Member for The Nationals since 2013.

He is the Deputy Manager of Opposition Business and has been Deputy Speaker.

“Easing the cost of living crisis, and getting Australia back on track are my priorities," Mr Hogan said.

“Australians are doing it tough under the Albanese Labor Government.

“Families, small businesses, and retirees are being hit by the worst cost-ofliving crisis in a generation.”

Mr Hogan said mortgage repayments have tripled, electricity bills have soared, and grocery prices continue to rise.

“A Coalition Government will get Australia back on track by restoring responsible economic management, cutting government waste, and delivering practical solutions to lower the cost of living.

“We will lower power prices with a balanced energy plan, reduce immigration to fix the housing crisis, and support small businesses by cutting red tape and providing tax relief.

Mr Hogan said Australia deserves a government that listens, understands their struggles, and delivers real outcomes.

“That’s what we stand for, and that’s what we’ll deliver.”

Dr Luke Robinson is the Greens candidate.

He works as a specialist doctor in emergency departments throughout the Page electorate, caring for a broad cross-section of the community.

Dr Robinson said this has given him a deep appreciation of the medical and many other life challenges people in Page face.

“I believe that together, through our government, we can have the world-class public healthcare and

“We will focus on the right priorities - fighting cost-ofliving pressures, and ensuring that every Australian can get ahead.”

public schools that a rich country like ours should have,” he said.

“We can stand up for ordinary people and guarantee secure work with decent pay.

“We can once again have affordable housing.

“We can make the big corporations and billionaires pay their fair share of tax and play by the rules we set.”

Dr Robinson said it is important to support workers and communities in their transition to new industries, rather than pretend that change isn’t happening or leaving people to the vagaries of the market.

He also said, “We can treasure and protect our unique and irreplaceable natural home and we can be proud of the ancient and

enduring cultures of our First Peoples across this continent.

“To care for each other and to care for Country is what motivates me to represent Page.”

Jennifer Baker is standing for the Australian Citizens Party (ACP).

She said it seeks to raise the living standards of all Australians through nation building infrastructure, education, accessible health care and scientific and cultural progress.

The ACP wants to “return government to the people and take back economic and national sovereignty”.

This involves ending “Australia’s foreign policy subservience to the USA and UK by asserting an independent foreign policy in Australia’s national interest”.

Ms Baker wants to establish a public post office bank to guarantee full, low-cost banking services (deposits and loans), 100 percent deposit security, and guarantee access to cash for all Australian individuals, businesses, and communities.

She said this will allow local, state, and federal governments to borrow from Australians for infrastructure projects that build Australia and create jobs, ending the nation’s reliance on foreign borrowing.

Ms Baker believes this would break the power of the “Big Four” banks, which she said are closing branches, debanking lawful businesses, restricting credit for productive purposes and reducing access to cash.

The “Aussie Post Bank”

would also provide longterm, low-interest credit on flexible terms for Australian manufacturing and agriculture, support family farms through the ups and downs of seasons and markets, and could fund a National Housing Authority.

The APC seeks to ban corporate political donations, protect whistleblowers and return to state ownership of electricity.

It also wants to expand healthcare resources by funding more medical schools and nursing school places to train more doctors and nurses and increase all aspects of regional health care.

Andrew Grady is standing for the Family First Party.

He has worked mostly in construction and has owned and run a small business for several years in Grafton.

Mr Grady said his interest in Family First is because they stand for family and Christian/Judeo values.

“Our governments must address the cost of living and reduce their spending on socalled renewable energy,” he said.

“We need to pause net zero policies until a proper cost benefit has been conducted.

“We need to cut red tape and get out of the way of families and small businesses.”

Australian Labor is yet to announce a candidate for Page.

q Nationals MP Kevin Hogan.

q The Greens’ Luke Robinson.

q Jennifer Baker of the Australian Citizens’ Party.

q Family First’s candidate Andrew Grady.

Conaghan outlines Coalition’s supermarket plan

FOLLOWING the release of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) final report of its supermarket inquiry, Nationals Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said the Coalition has a “strong plan to crack down on major supermarkets and deliver fair prices”.

The Coalition’s policy includes: $2 million on-the-spot fines for breaches of the grocery code of conduct; increased powers for the ACCC to conduct random audits of major supermarkets; a “Supermarket Commissioner” to act as a confidential avenue for farmers and suppliers; and sector-specific divestiture powers in the hands of the ACCC and the courts to address the behaviour of supermarkets and put an end to instances of price-gouging.

Mr Conaghan said Mid North Coast families and farmers continue to pay the price of government failure to protect them against “profiteering and anti-competitive behaviour” by major supermarkets.

“Coles and Woolworths have been allowed to play unchecked within the market because they are the market,” Mr Conaghan said.

The Federal Government’s “Food and Grocery Code of Conduct” comes into effect on 1 April, which Mr Conaghan says is three years too late.

“We needed the Code back in 2022 to curb this, not next month!” he said.

In a joint statement in December 2024, Assistant Minister for Competition Dr Andrew Leigh MP and Minister for Agriculture Julie Collins MP said the Code will “protect suppliers and farmers and improve supermarket conduct with heavy penalties for breaches”,

and includes “new obligations to protect suppliers from retribution and strengthened dispute resolution mechanisms for suppliers”.

The Government is also creating an anonymous supplier and whistle-blower complaints pathway through the ACCC, and seeking increased penalties for breaches of the code through the Families and Farmers Bill.

Following the passage of the Bill, the maximum penalty for the most harmful breaches of the mandatory code by large grocery retailers or wholesalers will be the greater of $10 million, three times the value of the benefit gained from the contravening conduct, or 10 percent of turnover in the preceding 12 months.

q Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan and Oxley MP Michael Kemp.

Little Newry arsenic concerns ongoing

By Andrew VIVIAN

A VALLA Beach

conservationist has renewed concerns that logging in Little Newry State Forest is disturbing arsenic deposits left over from old mines, leading to the contamination of waterways.

Last September, after the concerns were first raised, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) conducted a pre-harvest inspection with Forestry Corporation NSW (FCNSW) to evaluate risks.

It led to FCNSW voluntarily implementing a 30-metre exclusion zone around the former mine sites.

The EPA said forestry work was limited, took place away from known mineshafts, and is unlikely to have affected arsenic levels or mobilised metals into waterways in the area.

A follow-up EPA site

inspection on 16 January, “found no compliance issues and confirmed that harvesting activity was unusually small”.

Valla resident Jodie Amytage was not convinced and had water samples tested.

She says they show dangerous levels of arsenic contamination in local water supplies.

In response, the EPA told Ms Armytage, “The National Water Quality Guideline criteria for aquatic ecosystem protection, refers to the two species of Arsenic, being Arsenic III (Arsenite), and Arsenic V (Arsenate), not Total Arsenic.

“Whilst total arsenic concentrations within the sample data could suggest low guideline exceedances, the EPA cannot accurately assess any risk to aquatic ecosystem health without analysing AIII & AV.”

The EPA was contacted to

find out if it had conducted its own water tests.

The response was similar to the one Ms Armytage received.

“Of the 19 samples, 10 were slightly above the national drinking water limit,” it said in part.

“However, arsenic occurs naturally in the area’s rocks, soils, and sediments and the creeks are not used for drinking water supplies.

“Soil test results were all within safe guideline levels.”

Ms Armytage told News Of The Area, “It seems that the EPA is saying that, if the source of arsenic is natural, the thresholds do not apply.”

She said it was already known that there was arsenic present and that the western side of the highway was extensively mined; and that a 30-metre exclusion zone is not enough when not all the mines

have been located.

“If there is natural arsenic present, why was logging permitted?

“The EPA is basically saying that it is up to us to prove there is a problem, which is expensive for a

community group.

“Surely it is their job to prove there is not a problem?”

Heise reveals policy for ‘broken’ democracy

Heise, the Independent candidate for Cowper, revealed a policy on Monday aimed at restoring “integrity and accountability in politics”.

The policy, titled ‘Taking Back Our Democracy’, features five main concepts: ‘Reforming lobbying laws to end undue influence’, ‘Reforming political donations and campaign spending’, ‘Cracking down on misinformation and disinformation in elections’, ‘Protecting charities and advocacy groups’, and ‘Defending the right to peaceful protest’.

Ms Heise, in a statement to media, said the policy was a response to Australia’s “broken” democracy.

“For too long, powerful industries have used donations and lobbying to shape government policy in their own interests, while everyday Australians are left behind.

“We need to ensure our democracy works for people, not just the highest bidders.”

In terms of campaign funding, Ms Heise is advocating

for “stronger political finance laws to stop billion-dollar industries from buying influence over government decisions” and real-time transparency on political donations.

The policy also supports the introduction of penalties for deliberate false political claims, holding social media companies accountable for the spread of disinformation, and strengthening media literacy programs to equip Australians with the tools to assess information critically.

Ms Heise also suggested the National Party was reliant on “corporate donations from industries that profit at the expense of regional communities”, including fossil fuel corporations and the gambling and tobacco industries.

The incumbent Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan disagrees with Ms Heise’s assertion that democracy in Australia is broken.

“It is convenient to suggest it is broken when it does

suit one person or a party’s personal agenda or ideology,” the Nationals MP told NOTA in a statement.

“To suggest that Australia’s democratic systems are broken is intellectually dishonest and an affront to those Australians who value their right to vote and to choose what is best for our country.”

Mr Conaghan agreed that transparency around campaign funding was important, but asserted that questions should also be asked of Ms Heise’s donors.

He said questions about Ms Heise’s backers had been met with “obfuscation and claims of ‘local business’ support.”

Ms Heise has publicly stated she has received support from Regional Voices Fund and Climate 200, as well as hundreds of local donors across Cowper.

Mr Conaghan also downplayed the funding received by his campaign from major industry players.

“Much is made of ‘fossil fuel donations’ and ‘gambling

and tobacco donations’ when it comes to the National Party, but they fail to truly track the totals or indeed which party receives them,” he said.

“When you take the time to trace which party and which state received donations, you begin to see that the

funds donated to the NSW Nationals, that fund the local Federal campaigns like mine in Cowper, did not in fact receive significant funds.”

The Cowper MP said his 2025 campaign funding is predominantly accrued from past election returns,

supported by direct donations from local National Party Members and businesses.

Ms Heise also received election returns of $85,106.28 from her efforts at the 2022 election, which are to be used towards the 2025 election campaign.

q Water testing sites in and near Little Newry State Forest. Photo: Jodie Amytage.

CAZ

Koalas 'closer to extinction' with new disease outbreak

By Sam MCKEITH, AAP

A POTENTIALLY lethal sexually-transmitted infection has been detected in the last disease-free koala population in one major city, heightening extinction fears for the endangered native marsupial.

Two koalas, part of a population in southwest Sydney already under threat from development, were found infected with chlamydia in September, the NSW environment department said in a statement on Friday.

The koalas returned a positive result for the disease following their rescue in the suburb of Appin after they were hit by cars.

Chlamydia, a highly contagious bacteria that causes infertility in koalas, has decimated their numbers

in NSW, Queensland and the ACT, where they are listed as endangered.

In NSW, Labor made a 2023 pre-election pledge for a new national park in a bid to save the state's koalas, but the Minns government is yet to fulfil the promise, drawing criticism from the Greens and conservation groups.

Subsequent testing uncovered no further evidence of the disease in the southwest Sydney population, the department said.

Officials would "continue to monitor and expand testing in the coming months, using drones east of Appin to locate koalas and collect their scats for chlamydia testing", it said.

Greens MP Sue Higginson said it was extremely concerning chlamydia had entered one of the state's

few disease-free koala populations as the park sanctuary continued to be delayed.

"I am devastated but not surprised about this tragic find in the koala population of southwest Sydney, this marks a horrid and significant further challenge for the ongoing survival of koalas in the wild in NSW," she said.

"It is clear that koalas in NSW are still on the path to extinction here," she added, claiming the government was failing on its "promise to do more to stop koalas edging any closer to extinction".

NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe was contacted for comment.

The proposed koala sanctuary, to be called the Great Koala National Park, could cover up to 176,000 hectares on the mid-north

q Chlamydia has been found among the last koala population in Sydney that had been disease-free.

coast, according to the government.

Earlier in March, the government said it was still committed to establishing

the park but had not yet determined its size.

In addition to chlamydia, the nation's koala population - estimated at up to 524,000

Big crowd at ‘March in March’

By Andrew VIVIAN

THE Bob Brown Foundation’s march to save forests on Sunday 23 March in Bellingen, was one of many around the nation calling for an end to native forest logging.

Expert speakers told the crowd of around 700 that it’s not just trees and wildlife that are at risk when native forests are logged, there are also water security, fire and economic risks.

“The march was a call to the Albanese government to stop logging of native forests now,” organiser Doro Babeck said.

Indigenous Elder Micklo Jarrett said that logging forests sacred to Gumbaynggirr culture is a danger to their totems.

Aunty Alison Buchanan, matriarchal lore and

medicine woman and well-known artist, shared inspiring stories of deep connection to Country.

Jimmy Halfcut, who cuts half his beard because half the world’s forests are gone, said, “We’ve got to be cutting our emissions, not our forests.”

He said that with 50 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP) coming from nature, this is also an economic issue.

Ecologist Mark Graham said that our entire economy and society needs the reliable, clean water coming from the Great Koala National Park (GKNP) area.

He cited recent logging in the Nymboida River catchment, which he said resulted in the need for a filtration system to remove contamination from the Coffs-Clarence catchment, is set to cost upwards of $65 million.

Dr Phil Zylstra, a fire researcher, explained that older forests tend to slow fires down, and that the more they are logged, the more likely there will be severe and uncontrollable fires.

- is under threat from deforestation, introduced predators and climate change sparking increasingly severe bushfires.

Greens MP Sue Higginson said that while recent polling showed that over 70 percent of communities local to the GKNP were in support of it, the Labor government was breaking its election promise by allowing the

logging of koala habitat to continue.

Wendy Firefly, the Greens candidate for Cowper, spoke of her heartbreak at the devastation of her neighbouring forests and how this inspired her entry to politics.

Despite the sobering message from presenters, music from Gunganbu, Tijuana Cartel, and the Pine Creek Choir raised the mood.

The march through town was to the rhythms and chants of drumming group Carnaval Republic and was described by organisers as powerful yet peaceful.

Photo: Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS.

q Almost 700 people marched in Bellingen for the Bob Brown Foundation’s ‘March in March’.

'Little incentive' to compete on grocery prices

By Jacob SHTEYMAN and Andrew BROWN, AAP

COLES and Woolworths are two of the most powerful and profitable supermarkets in the world but should not be split up, the competition watchdog has found in a major review of the sector.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission released its final report into supermarkets on Friday, finding major chains had little incentive to be competitive on pricing due to their large market share.

The commission said Coles, Woolworths and Aldi faced little competition and had increased average product margins over the past five years, but stopped short of accusing them of price gouging.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the government accepted all 20 recommendations from the report, in principle, and was already taking substantial steps in most areas.

Others would take long lead times and require consultation, meaning it may be a while before consumers notice the changes in their daily shop.

As part of the government's initial response, Tuesday's budget included $2.9 million over

three years to help educate suppliers on how to stand up to the supermarkets.

"Cracking down on the supermarkets is all about getting a fair go for families at the checkout and farmers at the farm gate," Dr Chalmers told reporters on Friday.

"Even with the progress that we've been making on inflation, we know that people are still under the pump, and we know that the weekly trip to the supermarket can be a source of that pressure."

The ACCC, in its 441page report, said there was no "silver bullet", delivering a suite of recommendations to address issues including barriers for new entrants, supermarkets' power imbalance over suppliers and lack of choice in remote locations.

It recommended increased transparency, such as mandated publication of price and package size information, to help clamp down on shrinkflation and dodgy discounting.

The watchdog did not, however, back a coalition proposal to break up major supermarkets.

Dr Chalmers said the risk of divesting supermarket chains outweighed the benefits.

"If you make one of the big

chains sell in the community, there's a risk that it's just snapped up by the other big player in the supermarket sector and that would be counterproductive," he told ABC TV.

Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie said the report was a "flaccid" response from the government to address costof-living concerns.

"I didn't hear any tough measures that are actually going to put a very strong incentive for our supermarkets to behave better," she told Sky News.

"They haven't actually taken a big stick to it."

The large scale of Australian supermarket chains has resulted in a relatively efficient food supply system, benefiting consumers, the commission acknowledged.

"In particular, ALDI, Coles, Metcash and Woolworths have a scale and scope that provides convenience to many Australians and benefits them through efficiencies in their procurement, logistics and other business functions," the report said.

Coles and Woolworths have vigorously rejected claims of price gouging, arguing their preferred

profitability metrics showed their margins are comparable to their peers in countries like Canada, the UK and the US.

"Coles believes Australia's grocery sector is highly competitive, is evolving rapidly, and offers consumers greater choice than ever before," the supermarket giant said.

Coles also warned against measures that will "increase red tape and drive up costs".

q Australia's supermarket chains have little incentive to compete on prices, the ACCC report found. Photo: Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS.

Woolworths CEO Amanda Bardwell welcomed recommendations that improved transparency for customers, "where they don't have unintended consequences".

Bran Black, chief executive of the Business Council of Australia, said it was a good thing the supermarkets are profitable because they support jobs, pay taxes and their shares are included in superannuation accounts.

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Nap Sauce, Ham & Cheese

Prawns, Garlic Cream Sauce, Shallots

BBQ Sauce, Caramelised Onion, Fried Egg, Bacon & Cheese

WEDNESDAY 23RD APRIL TRIVIA NIGHT BLACK BOARD SPECIALS $25 See clubhouse for full details

WEDNESDAY 30TH APRIL BURGER NIGHT $20 Any of our Burgers, served with Chips and Salad

See clubhouse for full t’s & c’s

Grant supports new classrooms at GGFS

By Andrew VIVIAN

GIINGANA Gumbaynggirr

Freedom School (GGFS) has received a funding boost to support the construction of new classrooms.

The BCU Bank grant will support the education of the first children to attend years seven and eight at the school.

The partnership between BCU and the Freedom School aims to boost Year 12 completion rates for First Nations students while supporting the Closing the Gap targets for reconciliation,

GGFS is currently part of Bularri Murrlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation (BMNAC), a not-for-profit which aims to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through culture and

education.

It is the first and only bilingual school of an Aboriginal language in NSW.

BMNAC CEO Clark Webb said that as a fee-free independent school, local partnerships are vitally important to the school’s success.

“We are therefore very appreciative of the continued support we receive from BCU Bank and their alignment to our purpose of ensuring our youth are bularri muurlay nyanggan - two path strong.”

BCU Bank Executive General Manager Customer Experience Mark Smyth, said the announcement formalises the relationship BCU has with GGFS, which began in 2022.

“As a customer-owned, customer-first organisation, we’re passionate about

supporting our communities and giving back,” he said.

“We know through improving the education of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, we can help overcome the inequality experienced by First Nations Peoples and achieve life outcomes equal to all Australians. That’s why we’re proud to be working alongside the Freedom School to support their ambitions to offer high school education within the local community.”

BCU has supported the school and BMNAC since 2022 through the donation of iPads, books, use of their catering arm, leveraging their consulting expertise, and financial contributions towards key projects.

“This is an exciting next step in our relationship, and

we look forward to continuing to work together in 2025 and beyond.”

Mr. Webb said GGFS has

Time to take the stage

By Andrea FERRARI

THE final countdown is on for entries into the Coffs Harbour and District Eisteddfod.

The closing date for the 2025 competition is Monday 31 March, for both scholarship applications and entries.

“Now is the time to step up, showcase your talent, and seize the incredible opportunities this prestigious event offers,” President of Coffs Harbour and District Eisteddfod Debbie Waters told News Of The Area.

For decades, the local eisteddfod has been a launch pad for performers across a wide range of disciplines, from instrumental, dance, choirs, speech, and drama.

always maintained a focus on happiness.

“To hear our children speaking our language in the playground is really special,” he said. His goal is for the school to be K-12.

More than a competition, the eisteddfod is an opportunity to gain valuable experience, receive constructive feedback from top adjudicators from across Australia, and compete for cash prizes, scholarships and awards.

students.

Round One of the scholarships provides financial assistance to aspiring performing arts

“Whether you are a seasoned performer or stepping onto the stage for the first time, the Coffs Harbour Eisteddfod provides

a supportive and inspiring environment for growth,” Ms Waters said.

“The adjudicators are experts in their fields, offering professional insights

that can help participants refine their craft and take their performance to the next level.”

The 2025 Coffs Harbour and District Eisteddfod event takes place this year from 17 May with the final performances taking place towards the end of June. For more information, visit coffseisteddfod.org.au.

q Former dance students at Coffs Harbour Education Centre waiting for adjudicator results.

q Clark Webb (left) with Mark Smyth and BCU staff.

Fundraiser to screen

‘The Chosen’

Artist Fiona Bennell of Woolgoolga Community Creations told News Of The Area that the response to the project to create public artworks had been overwhelmingly positive.

“Many people are expressing their gratitude for a project that brings the true meaning of Easter into the public domain in such a creative and aesthetic manner,” she said.

“So much so that craft kits are now available by donation, for those who would like to contribute by working from their own home.”

The Evergreenhouse initiative, a project partner for the Easter celebration, will be holding a community

Psyched for the Ocean Swims

By Andrea FERRARI

LOCALS and fans from further afield are getting psyched for the upcoming Coffs Coast Ocean Swims, which many call their favourite swimming event of the year.

Scheduled for Sunday 6 April, there are three open water swims for the community to take part in300m, 600m and 2km.

Running since 1996, the Coffs Coast Ocean Swims are held at Coffs Harbour’s Jetty Beach.

The swim courses are within the sheltered waters of the harbour, next to the timber jetty.

Greg Swan, who has swum

in every event since the first, said it’s his “favourite event on the ocean swim calendar”.

“I absolutely love swimming in our protected harbour and I plan to keep participating for as many years as I can.”

For the past three years, Natalie Pioch has travelled from North Lakes in Queensland to compete.

“It’s a well-organised event with a great community feel.

“My family and I love exploring this beautiful area which makes it a fabulous little weekend getaway.”

Previous winner Richie Goddard said, “We are so lucky to have this event in our

community.

“The sad reality is these events used to be plentiful along the coast but with increased difficulties in logistics, scheduling and finding volunteers to manage the event, they are now held mainly in larger cities.

“I really appreciate organisations like Sawtell SLSC and their supporters who have made this event happen.”

Also taking part are the JV Mermaids who, under the watchful eye of John Vincent, can be seen regularly training at the Jetty.

These ladies participate in the Yamba Ocean Swim as well as the Coffs Coast Ocean

fundraiser featuring the crowdfunded series “The Chosen”.

The event coincides with the Easter school holidays and sits in the calendar on the Wednesday prior to Good Friday and the Easter weekend.

Ray Budge, a spokesperson for Evergreenhouse, told News Of The Area that the Woolgolga Community Project and the premiere of Season 5’s opening episode “The Last Supper”, were a fitting celebration of “Christian excellence in all aspects of the arts in the community”.

Due to the immense popularity of “The Chosen” series and its bible-based storytelling and culturally accurate depictions, a full house is anticipated.

The series premiere will be screened at Birch Carroll and Coyle Coffs Harbour on 16 April, from 5.30pm.

For more information or to secure tickets, email evergreenhousejubilee@ gmail.com.

For more information about the craft workshops or craft kits contact Fiona Bennell at fi@bennells.com. au.

q Ray Budge and participants in the craft workshops.

q Butterflies created by Year 1 at St Francis Xavier, Woolgoolga.

q Adults and children working together at the craft workshops.

Swims. Marg Gill, a group representative, said, “Our

regular group swims in the Jetty give us a great opportunity to maintain our

fitness and wellbeing in such a beautiful environment."

q JV Mermaids training at The Jetty ahead of the Coffs Coast Oceans Swims.

Mad Hatters support CanDo

By Andrea FERRARI

COFFS

Harbour Creative Arts

Group (CHCAG) held its annual Mad Hatters Tea Party at the Coffs Harbour Showground Gallery, raising over $600 for the CanDo Cancer Trust.

“It was a great afternoon of fun and fundraising,”

CHCAG President Sue Roberts told News Of The Area.

“We had old and new faces attend, along with Julie Jardine, Chair of CanDo, and a surprise guest, Jane Glover, founder of CanDo, now living in Newcastle.”

Both Julie and Jane spoke

to guests about the genesis of CanDo and the ongoing assistance they give to people being treated for cancer at the Mid North Coast Cancer Institute.

“Mary Abbott, long-time CHCAG member, and the driving force behind the Mad Hatters Tea Party, was thrilled with the turnout and amount raised.

“And of course, we had CHCAG artist Jocelyn Challis not only pouring tea but, true to her passion for collecting quirky teapots, bringing along a marvellous array to entertain guests.”

The fundraising activities included a lucky door prize, a lucky seat prize, prizes for best hat, a silent auction, and hamper raffles, as well as a donation box by the entry door.

Looking ahead to their group’s next exhibition Sue said, “it will showcase the work done by students across our classes and workshops.

“CHCAG holds [these] throughout the year, encouraging new students to start an art practice, and those more experienced to build on their existing skills, or try something new.

“It’s an opportunity for those who perhaps have not

q A work in progress for the

exhibited before to have their work on display, alongside other students.

“CHCAG tutors are experienced artists with a wealth of knowledge, talent, and skills to share, and are encouraging all their students to submit an artwork (or two) for the Students’ Exhibition.”

The exhibition will run from Friday, 28 March until Wednesday, 30 April, with the official opening at 2pm on Sunday 30 March. The Coffs Harbour Showground Gallery is open from 10am to 2pm, Monday to Saturday, with free entry. All artwork is for sale

q Coffs Harbour Creative Arts Group ready for their Mad Hatters Tea Party.

q CanDo Cancer Trust founder, Jane Glover, and Chair, Julie Jardine.

q CHCAG president Sue Roberts at the photo booth.

Students’ Exhibition opening at Coffs Harbour Showground Gallery on Friday 28 March.

Forty years of ocean diving

By Andrea FERRARI

LOCAL diver and underwater photographer Dr Mark Spencer spoke to an audience of 90 people at the National Marine Science Centre (NMSC) Coffs Harbour on Thursday night, 20 March.

It was part of the centre’s Marine Discovery series, which is free and open to the public.

Dr Spencer’s presentation, “Sea Yarns - from an ‘Old Man of the Sea”, included photos and video of his documentation work on the Keilawarra shipwreck (depth 72m) off North Solitary Island and the Cumberland wreck (depth 100m) off Eden on the south coast of NSW.

Many divers agree that shipwrecks remind them of their mortality, he said,

while comparing wrecks to a human body without the soul.

“The wrecks were once alive and vital because of the crew and passengers aboard the vessel that are no longer there.

“The diver sees the decaying wreck but experiences tranquillity, unboundedness, freedom, timelessness, wonder and connectedness in the depths.

“The shipwreck may be reminding the diver that with death, there just might be the experience of exquisite life itself.”

Dr Spencer recalled some wildlife experiences he and his wife Becca had shared over their decades of ocean diving.

He recounted their snorkelling with an amorous dugong named Dudley, in Vanuatu.

He spoke of their “amazing” interaction with giant manta rays in the east Pacific off Mexico.

And he closed with the touching story of meeting a young Australian boy with leukaemia who found solace with manta rays in his last weeks of life.

“The manta rays in their ocean realm were symbolic

his presentation.

of enduring life.”

Manager, Outreach and Education at the NMSC, Stephan Soule, said the audience was spellbound by Dr Spencer's tales of the sea from his 40 years of ocean exploration.

“The audience

Park Avenue Bus Interchange

Rwas fascinated by the extraordinary lengths Mark would take to dive to extreme depths and were entranced by the beautiful images,” he said.

Since 2006, the aim of the Marine Discovery Series public lectures has

been to raise awareness about ocean conservation, educate the public on marine ecosystems, and inspire future scientists.

“These events bridge the gap between scientists and the public, fostering a more informed and environmentally conscious society.”

The next MDS will be held on Thursday, 5 June, starting at 6pm, where one of the Southern Cross University PhD students will be discussing oyster reef restoration.

We’re creating a safer and more vibrant transport hub as part of the Transport for NSW reVITALise Grant program.

This is your chance to share your ideas and help shape the improvements.

you want to see?

Better seating and shade

Improved safety and access

Landscaping and public art

Tell us what matters to you via our online questionnaire.

q Dr Mark Spencer dives into

St Patrick’s Day sing-song

By Andrea FERRARI

SING Australia Coffs Harbour members celebrated St Patrick’s Day with a night decked out in green.

Dave Mylrea stepped-up as host, storyteller, and music and slide show manager.

“Both our accompanist Lucy Watson, and conductor Karen Englefield, were unable to be there on the night, but we managed splendidly with pre-recorded music and words on a screen,” said Dave.

Dave and his wife Tess had set the scene earlier by suitably decorating the Guide

Hall venue to welcome the group.

“It was great to see many members dressed in green, and the song selection, while not always strictly Irish, certainly had a Celtic feel.

“I included 'Green Door', 'An Irish Blessing', 'Fields of Athenry', and 'Black Velvet Band', to name some.”

Sing’s Gig Coordinator Ros Hopwood shared news of a recent performance at St Joseph’s Aged Care, which is becoming “almost a regular, monthly engagement for us”.

“They love having us there to entertain the residents, and

we love singing there.

“It coincided with their Harmony Day celebrations, and we were delighted to be a part of that, too.”

Upcoming is an opportunity to sing at the Moonee Market Place on Monday 14 April, and then at a regional gathering in Port Macquarie on Saturday 3 May.

“Many of our members will participate, with not only singing on the agenda but socialising as well,” Ros said.

Sing Australia is an Australia-wide organisation, founded in 1985 by Colin Slater OAM, with groups

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES

2025 ANZAC DAY 25 April 2025

City of Coffs Harbour hereby advises that pursuant to Section 116 of the Roads Act, 1993 and in accordance with the authority delegated to it by Transport for NSW, it proposes to allow the temporary road closures of the following streets on Thursday 25 April 2025 for the purpose of holding the Anzac Day March and Dawn Services.

Event: Coffs Harbour Anzac Day Dawn Service and March

Street:

• Park Avenue (Brelsford Park, Earl Street to Gordon Street)

• Gordon Street (Park Avenue to Vernon Street)

• Vernon Street (Gordon Street to Pacific Highway)

• Dawn Service: 5:00am – 6:30am

• Day Service: 8:30am – 12:30pm

Event: Sawtell Anzac Day Service and March

Street:

• First Avenue, between Second Avenue and Boronia Street

• Second Avenue, between First Avenue and Fourth Avenue

• Fourth Avenue, between Second Avenue and Johnstone Lane finishing at the Lyle Rose RSL Memorial Park.

• Time: 10:30am – 12:30pm

Event: Woolgoolga Anzac Day Dawn Service and March

Street:

• Beach Street between Bultitude Street and Wharf Street

• Dawn Service: 5:00am – 6:30am

• Day Service: 10:30am – 12:30pm

Telephone enquiries should be directed to City of

Harbour on 6648 4000.

Application for Appointment of Board Members

Boambee Public Recreation and Public Hall Reserve Land Manager

Ever wondered who is responsible for keeping Crown reserves operating?

Countless facilities like showgrounds, local halls and parks are run by Statutory Land Manager Boards, made up of people just like you. People who understand the need and have a desire to manage public land and assets for the benefit of the entire community.

Your role as a Board Member is voluntary, but the rewards of giving something back to the community are priceless.

We are looking for a good mix of people with a variety of skills, however, sound business and financial management skills and objective decision-making expertise would be a distinct advantage.

Don’t let this opportunity to do something for yourself and your community pass you by – contact us today.

The Boambee Public Recreation and Public Hall Reserve Land Manager manages the Reserve No. 74100 at Boambee notified on 16-Mar-1951 for Public Hall, Public Recreation. The term of appointment will be for a period not exceeding 5 years.

Application for membership can be made via portal.crownland.nsw.gov.au

All applications are required to be lodged by 25 April 2025

For further information contact Debbie Higgins on (02) 6591 3574 or go to reservemanager.crownland.nsw.gov.au JS0278

situated in most states and territories.

“Not everyone can sing on their own, but everyone can sing with other people,” Ros said.

Sing Australia meets at the Coffs Harbour

Guide Hall in Harbour Drive every Monday night (except public holidays) from 7pm until 9pm.

“Sing Australia is all about having fun and being able to sing with all the joy that brings, in a safe and inclusive group. Anyone can join.”

Coffs

Girl

q The St Patrick’s Day Sing Australia Coffs Harbour crew.

q Sing Australia Coffs members entertain residents at St Joseph’s Aged Care.

q Tess and Dave Mylrea who hosted the St Patrick’s Day sing-song. q Jenny Browning and Laura Good.

Bypass engineer to speak at SEC dinner

By Andrea FERRARI

GUEST speaker for the annual Science and Engineering Challenge (SEC) pre-event dinner has been announced as Tom Patterson, who is Structures Lead for the company delivering the Coffs Harbour bypass, Ferrovial Gamuda Joint Venture.

The dinner takes place at the Seaview Tavern in Woolgoolga on Monday 7 April, the night before the inter-school challenge on 8 April at Wiigulga Sports Complex in Woolgoolga.

Mr Patterson is managing the building of structures for the Coffs Harbour bypass, which encompasses about eight kilometres of noise walls and 21 bridges, including the new architecturally designed

Luke Bowen pedestrian bridge at Korora.

A graduate of the Queensland University of Technology, where he achieved First Class Honours in a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil and Structural), Mr Patterson has worked his way up in the industry.

He has considerable experience in diverse, large scale infrastructure projects including WestConnex Rozelle Interchange, the M4 East Motorway, Sydney Light Rail, and bridge projects in Yeppen, Brisbane and Adelaide.

He will share his story about what inspired him to become an engineer and the diverse experiences that have led him to work on the Coffs Harbour bypass.

The SEC is a statewide challenge, facilitated locally by the Rotary Club of Woolgoolga in partnership with Ferrovial Gamuda Bypass.

Challenges include designing and constructing models related to flight, bridges, fish traps, wind turbines and other concepts.

Rotarian Mark Spencer said school students “benefit significantly” from programs of this kind.

“As a nation, we need to attract young people to the science and engineering disciplines,” he said.

Anyone interested in knowing more about the dinner can contact Patty Delaney at pattydelaney101@ gmail.com or on 6654 2185 or 0467072905, by 31 March.

Health system continues to experience ‘significant demand’

THE Bureau of Health Information (BHI) has released its latest “Healthcare Quarterly” report, showing activity and performance for public health services in NSW during October to December 2024.

NSW public hospital and ambulance services continued to experience significant demand during the quarter.

Ambulance activity reached 391,370 responses – up 3.1 percent on the same time a year earlier and the highest since BHI began reporting in 2010.

Patients waited longer for an ambulance to arrive with the median response time for the highest priority 1A (P1A) cases 8.4 minutes (up from 8.2 minutes in 2023), and 14.1 minutes for emergency priority 1 (P1) cases (up from 13.2 minutes).

Demand for emergency departments (EDs) remained very high, with 802,697 attendances to NSW public

hospital EDs in October to December 2024.

A record 196,617 of those patients arrived by ambulance.

Compared with the same quarter a year earlier, EDs continued to see more patients with the most urgent clinical conditions, while the number of patients in the least urgent triage category (5) dropped by 4.1 percent.

While just 65.3 percent of patients started their treatment on time, this was an improvement from the record low (61.4 percent) in the preceding quarter.

In October to December 2024, 67,902 patients left the ED without, or before completing, treatment – up 5.9 percent (3,810) compared with the same quarter a year earlier and up 32 percent since 2019, outpacing growth in overall ED attendances.

BHI Chief Executive Dr Diane Watson said BHI had conducted special analysis to understand more about this

group of patients.

“The latest analysis shows that patients with less urgent conditions and patients aged 15–44 years were more likely to leave without, or before completing, treatment. Patients who left were most likely to do so on Mondays –the busiest day of the week –and across the week between 8pm and 4am,” Dr Watson said.

Regardless of the time of day they arrived in the ED, the overall time spent in the ED for patients who left without, or before completing, treatment was between two and two-and-a-half hours –although one in 10 patients waited more than six hours in the ED before eventually leaving without completing treatment.

“Previous BHI analyses show that around one in five patients who leave without, or before completing, treatment tend to return to the same or a different ED within three days, contributing to further

demand on NSW public hospitals,” Dr Watson said.

Healthcare Quarterly also shows that in October to December 2024, there were 54,966 elective surgeries performed.

At the end of December, there were 100,235 patients on the elective surgery waiting list – up 13.1 percent from the same quarter a year earlier and close to the record peak reached during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of those patients on the list waiting for surgery, 6,842 had waited longer than clinically recommended – up 220.8 percent (from 2,133) from the same time in 2023.

Responding to the data release, the Australian Paramedics Association (NSW) said that without “smart solutions”, things will continue to get worse.

“The Government loves to complain about the cost of healthcare but refuses to invest in communitybased solutions that provide patients early access to the care they need, keeping them out of the back of ambulances

REQUEST

and out of hospitals,” Association President Brett Simpson said.

“At a time when expansion and development of NSW Ambulance programs that keep people out of the hospital and at home, like the Virtual Clinical Care Centre and Extended Care Paramedics, NSW Ambulance is mismanaging and gutting these programs,” Mr Simpson added.

Shadow Minister for Regional Health Gurmesh Singh said the Minns Government wasn’t prioritising health services in regional NSW.

“Chris Minns is busy fighting healthcare workers when he should be focused on delivering better health services for regional NSW,” said Mr Singh.

“The latest data shows that the time it takes for an ambulance to reach the highest priority P1A cases is continuing to go backwards, with only 52.4 percent arriving in 10 minutes in rural areas compared with 67 percent in urban areas.”

NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park celebrated that some of the busiest emergency departments in Australia have seen “significant reductions in hospital ramping”, including St George, Blacktown, Liverpool and Campbelltown hospitals.

“Relieving pressure on our emergency departments and ensuring people receive care in a timely manner have been top priorities of our government,” Minister Park said.

“Such significant challenges have been met with a significant half-abillion dollar investment in ED relief.

“Today, I’m so pleased to see encouraging progress in our effort to reduce ramping.

“But I don’t want us to get ahead of ourselves, because there is still much more to do.

“I do want to reiterate that people who present to hospitals with non-lifethreatening conditions can still expect to wait long periods in the ED.”

FOR QUOTATION Provision of Swim Squad Coaching Services at Coffs Harbour, Sawtell and/or Woolgoolga Swimming Pools

Organisation: City of Coffs Harbour Open Date: 27 March 2025 Closing Date: 16 April 2025

We would like to introduce our newest member of our team our Chef, Joy Cassells. We are so happy to welcome her aboard and so far, she has delighted us with her wonderful comfort food, fresh salads, pastas and yummy desserts. We look forward to seeing what other creations she comes up with during the coming winter months.

Don’t forget! We have lovely sandwiches, wraps and fruit platters for your next meeting. (24 Hours’ notice required).

Chill & Chat Café 22 Earl street

In the community Village just behind Coles Open Monday – Friday 9am to 2 Lunch at 12

The City of Coffs Harbour (the City) owns and manages three swimming pools located in Coffs Harbour, Sawtell and Woolgoolga. The City wishes to source commercial proposals from qualified and experienced third parties under Contract CON00548 Squad Coaching Services to run swim squad coaching programs at these pools. Interested parties can download a Request for Quotation (RFQ) document from the City’s Tenderlink portal at https://portal.tenderlink.com coffsharbour which contains all of the required information and how to prepare a response. The deadline for RFQ responses is Wednesday 16 April at 10am via the Tenderlink portal. Telephone enquiries should be directed to City of Coffs Harbour on 6648 4000

q Structures Lead Tom Patterson, is part of the team that lifted the Luke Bowen Bridge into place on the Coffs Harbour Bypass.

Veterans wellbeing centre to open in central Coffs

By Andrea FERRARI

THE Coffs Coast Wellbeing Centre (CCWC) will open in a new central CBD location in July, accessibly situated on the ground floor of the CODA building on Vernon Street, opposite C.ex Coffs Harbour.

The CCWC will replace the former Veterans’ Centre which has operated from the Legacy Op Shop on Scarba Street since 2013.

The comfortably fitted space is designed to create an ambiance of support and safety, said CCWC. Sub-committee member Richard Kelloway, who along with fellow members Steve Sawtell and Pat Magann, has been driving the project’s progress.

“When veterans and their families walk through the door, we want them to feel the trepidation in their lives alleviated, and [to know] we are all working together,” Mr Kelloway told News Of The Area.

Large-screen TVs connected to the NBN will enable video-calls to distant family and friends.

An IT kiosk will provide privacy and secure internet access.

Skilled advocates from Legacy, RSL and other major ex-service organisations will be on-site.

They will link with an established network of medical and allied health specialists, community service providers, the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA), Centrelink and the NDIS.

“The Project is a great example of close collaboration with C.ex, Coffs Coast Legacy, RSL sub-branches and advocates across the MNC all working together,” Mr Kelloway said.

A DVA Grant and Network savings are funding furnishing and finishes within the new centre, with C.ex bearing the financial lion’s share.

“C.ex has made the CODA space available to the CCWC free and in perpetuity.”

q Work on the Coffs Coast Wellbeing Centre in the CODA building in Coffs CBD.

Veterans and their families can access the wide support services through an initial online triage consultation.

A senior advocate will assess the severity of the case and prioritise it, assign a wellbeing advocate and invite the veteran and family for a face-to-face meeting or if they prefer, a video conference call.

“We find out what their support needs are and make referrals, working hand-in-glove with Legacy Community Service Officers who care for the family.”

All services are free to veterans, who are welcome to come in any time to use the facilities.

Chair of the C.ex Board, David Doyle OAM, told NOTA, “Management of C.ex Group have always provided some form of support to our ex-service community.

“Such as through the local RSL subBranch… by providing rooms for their offices, and supporting Anzac Day commemorations of all WI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf and Afghanistan veterans.

“We [also] provided the boardroom for visiting advocates from DVA after the Vietnam conflict.”

The establishment of the CCWC goes back 24 years when two ex-service volunteer veterans worked from their homes.

In 2013 the DVA offered grant funding.

Coffs Coast Legacy added its own significant funding, opening the Veterans’ Centre in its Op Shop on Scarba Street.

Volunteer advocate numbers grew to seven and in 2019, Coffs advocates were joined by advocates in Taree, Port Macquarie and elsewhere.

Gardening workshops on offer

THE City of Coffs Harbour is delivering 12 hands-on gardening workshops in 2025. The sessions – which build on a similar series run in 2024 - will cover everything from pruning, propagation and permaculture through to composting and seed saving.

The Sustainable Living Series will also help residents to engage with the City’s Seed Library Collection which was launched last spring.

The Seed Library is a free resource available to the public and features organically

grown seeds to help people grow resilient plants suited to the Coffs climate.

“The Sustainable Living Series has been developed to complement the seed library and will be facilitated by environmental scientist Karla Gillies,” City Planning and Communities Acting Director Ian Fitzgibbon said.

“Each of the workshops will teach practical skills to support a more self-sufficient lifestyle.”

The first workshop - ‘Autumn Gardening’is on Saturday 29 March from 9.30 to 11.30am

at the Coffs Regional Community Garden (in the reserve behind 51 Combine St). Cost is $25 per person.

The second is titled ‘Urban Forage’ and will be held on Saturday 5 April from 9.30 to 11.30am under the large fig tree outside Yarrila Place in Riding Lane. In this workshop participants will learn how to identify local weeds you can eat.

Cost is $15 per person.

Visit the City of Coffs Harbour website for details.

The region-wide Veteran Wellbeing Network Mid North Coast formed in 2020 with over 20 advocates, all connected in a virtual private network with a shared database.

From July, the new Coffs Coast Wellbeing Centre will welcome all ex-service members and first responders, their families, health professionals, service providers and interested community members.

Visit vcmnc.org.au for more information and to make online donations.

Celebrating 65 years of VIEW

By Andrea FERRARI

VIEW NSW members have celebrated the 65th anniversary of the club’s founding during an afternoon tea hosted by NSW Governor Margaret Beazley AC KC.

VIEW stands for the Voice, Interests and Education of Women and is a national organisation and support network bringing women together to enjoy social activities and develop skills.

VIEW’s 13,000 members also support the education of young Australians experiencing disadvantage, through the children’s education charity The Smith Family.

With more than 3.3 million volunteer hours worked over the 65 years, the women have raised over $45 million, and currently sponsor over 1800 students on The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program.

Speaking at the afternoon tea, the Governor noted that from its small beginnings in Balgowlah in northern Sydney, to having clubs across

the country, VIEW has made an immense contribution to Australian society.

“Founded at a time of great social change in Australia, particularly for women, VIEW has constantly evolved to meet the changing needs of society, while never losing sight of its important objectives - to support women, The Smith Family and disadvantaged young people,” she said.

Talking about the success of local VIEW clubs, Secretary Woolgoolga Evening View Club Elfie Garbers told News Of The Area, “Our Woolgoolga Evening VIEW club was inaugurated in 1993.

“We raise funds for The Smith Family Learning for Life Programme.

“View Clubs are an excellent social opportunity to come together raising funds for disadvantaged children.”

As well as coffee chats and various social activities, the club hosts dinner meetings with guest speakers.

“Joining VIEW for me has been a rewarding experience, coming at a time

in my life when I needed some direction,” Elfie said.

“The friendships and social connections have been rewarding, lots of laughs and travel opportunities.”

VIEW holds a biannual National Convention, with the Woolgoolga club attending 23 since inauguration.

“This year a group of ladies are travelling to Brisbane for the 2025 National Convention”.

There are two clubs in the Woolgoolga area; a Day Club meets on the third Thursday of the month at 10.30am in the Seaview Tavern, and the Evening Club meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 6pm in the C.ex Club.

In January, The Smith Family launched its Back to School Appeal to help children experiencing disadvantage.

School essentials remain out of reach for many, which impacts their educational outcomes.

Currently, 500 students in NSW are waiting for support from The Smith Family so they can access the organisation’s

with VIEW

executives.

Learning for Life education support program.

Australians can support these children by signing up as sponsors.

“Not every student who walks through the school gates each morning can afford a school uniform, school

shoes, a backpack, a personal laptop, home internet for connection or their excursion fees,” CEO Doug Taylor said.

“A Learning for Life sponsorship helps with the cost of those school essentials and provides opportunities for students to engage in

evidence-based educational programs outside school hours to help their learning.” To donate visit thesmithfamily.com.au/ sponsor-a-child and to find out more about VIEW, go to view.org.au or call 1800 805 366.

Woolgoolga artists shine

By Andrea FERRARI

TIME to Shine is the new exhibition now showing at Woolgoolga Art Gallery (WAG).

The theme presented gallery members with the opportunity to shine a light on their inner artistic passions and to demonstrate their abilities to the wider Woolgoolga and Coffs Coast community.

“Beautiful works have been produced that really jump out at you the minute you walk in the door,” said WAG spokesperson Karen Thio.

People attending the opening night on Friday 14 March, voted on their favourite pieces.

The People’s Choice Award was split between Sue Trefz’s painting “Eucumbene” and Linsey George’s artwork, “Bliss”.

This exhibition will be on until 25 April. WAG exhibition openings are held every four to six weeks and are free to attend.

Artist

They provide a fun and welcoming evening out that includes a glass of wine and tasty nibbles.

“Members and non-

members are very welcome to attend these events to catch up with and make friends,” Karen said.

The next exhibition opens on Friday 2 May. The Woolgoolga Gallery is open for free public

viewing every day between 10am - 4pm, at 73 Turon Parade, Woolgoolga.

q NSW Governor Margaret Beazley at Government House, Sydney,

Club

q Woolgoolga Evening View Club members in 2019, stalwart supporters of The Smith Family for 32 years.

q Bonville-Boambee VIEW Club President Gail Raymond, left, with the 2025 committee.

q Sue Trefz, Woolgoolga Gallery member, with her painting, ‘Eucumbene’.

q

Linsey George with her work, ‘Bliss’.

By Manny WOOD

Investigation of Strata Scheme proves problematic

CHRISTINE has a relatively small budget, but as a first home buyer, she is looking to enter the real estate market.

She finds a unit for sale in a strata scheme and negotiates a purchase price with the real estate agent, which is within her budget in light of her preapproved finance.

The real estate agent forwards a “sales advice” to Christine’s solicitor, who advises her to obtain a strata report before signing the contract for the purchase of the property.

The strata report is prepared by an independent inspector who, with the vendor’s consent, accesses the strata scheme’s records held by the strata manager.

The strata records are inspected and a report is provided to Christine shortly thereafter.

Unfortunately, the report reveals a number of problems.

Firstly, the financial affairs of the strata scheme are concerning.

The “administration fund”, which holds strata levies, paid by the unit owners, is alarmingly low.

This means that some owners of the units have not paid their strata levies.

There are therefore insufficient funds available to pay the upcoming home insurance premiums for the unit complex.

Secondly, the strata records indicate that there have been no recent pest treatments and there are also quotes for repairs to the roof and guttering that have not been actioned.

An examination of the “sinking fund”, which holds a portion of the strata levies to pay for the maintenance of the units, indicates that there are also insufficient funds available.

Given the financial state of the “owners corporation”, Christine is concerned that these issues regarding insurance and the maintenance of the units may continue to be problematic in the future.

Christine decides to “keep shopping” for the right investment for her.

When considering whether to buy in to a strata scheme it is also important to investigate whether the “10 year capital works plan” has been implemented and whether there are any specific “by-laws” which may affect your use of the property, as well as to obtain legal advice generally regarding the terms of the proposed sale contract.

Email Manny Wood, Principal Solicitor and Accredited Specialist in Wills and Estates at TB Law at manny@tblaw.net.au or call him on (02) 66 487 487.

This fictional column is not legal advice.

Industry needs to transition

DEAR News Of The Area,

OVER the past few years, I’ve read the various articles and letters to the Editor from timber industry advocates regarding the Great Koala National Park (GKNP), Forestry Corporation and logging.

It seems to me that an obvious point is being missed.

The NSW Labor government was elected on a policy platform that included the creation of the GKNP alongside the end of logging at least in that area.

As such, the people of NSW have spoken and made their wishes clear – end of story.

So why are various supporters and elements of the logging industry continuing to insult our democracy and NSW voters.

The decision to establish the GKNP (noting that it’s much more than koalas

which just happen to be the poster species that people understand and love) is not about politics and not about environmental activists, it is about the will of the people and the desire to see precious and fragile nature in NSW protected into the future.

So I say to those recalcitrant timber industry advocates, show respect for your fellow NSW citizens and stop with the grizzling and tantrums, it’s boring, tedious and gains you no respect especially given the government (i.e. NSW taxpayers) will handsomely bail you out.

Accept that knowledge and societal values change and direct your attention into transitioning to alternative sustainable logging or bush rehabilitation or whatever else provides a viable future that is aligned with the wishes of the people of NSW.

Regards, Sue STRODL, Coffs Harbour.

David and Goliath campaign funding

DEAR News Of The Area,

PEOPLE who question the amount and source of funding for Caz Heise’s campaign need to do their homework before they start clicking their tongues.

In fact, the amount of funding a community-backed Independent has is miniscule compared to what major parties have in their coffers.

How, where and when major parties spend their funds is up to them and it is still a while before we have an election.

I am a senior citizen who is one of the many people who donate to Caz Heise’s campaign.

I also donate to Climate 200.

I do this because the major parties no longer resonate with me on many issues.

I want more integrity in politics, more equity in our society and more action on climate change.

Climate 200 is a crowd-funded organisation that is helping to level the playing field between what major parties and community independents have to spend.

Simon Holmes à Court has stated at his National Press Club talk in March (you can watch this on Iview) that he has

DEAR Jasminda,

MY 13-year-old son wants an E-bike for his birthday.

He has offered to pay half.

All his friends have E-bikes and he can't keep up with them.. Should I relent even though I think he's better off riding a normal bike for his health.

I'm also worried about the safety aspects.

Lisa C.

Dear Lisa

I CAN feel that annoying 'when I was a kid' sentence coming out of my mouth with a barrage of reasons to avoid buying your son an E-bike at all costs, but I'm going to refrain .. no, no, I'm not.

I can't help it.

When I was a kid, just one year younger than your son, I was given my first bike.

I can't begin to tell you the excitement I felt learning to ride with trainer wheels, going 'round and 'round the backyard, pedalling furiously to get over the grass and then enjoying the increasing speed down the steady slope of the driveway.

Later, when I'd mastered the skill, I rode as far away from the family home as I could.

My parents would have been worried sick if they'd known that my friends and I had progressed from training wheels to Cirque du Soleil wannabe performers. We'd ride down hills with no hands on the handlebars, double each other, and even hold on for grim life while standing on the seat.

This was in the days before bike helmets and it was sheer luck that we weren't severely injured. It gave me a love of bike riding that I still have, along with some pretty decent calf muscles, but it's incredible that one of us didn't end up with life-threatening injuries.

E-bikes, with the speed factor, multiply that risk.

I think there's a place for them, for commuters, for example, or more matureaged riders who may not have the same pedal-power they had when they were young, but at 13, I just can't see that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

The faster your son goes, the harder he's going to fall if he comes off.

contributed only about two percent of the Climate 200 funding.

Major parties have received more than $140 million in donations in 2023-24 alone.

This is in addition to public funding: every party sitting member has access to $750,000 per term of taxpayer money for office and communication costs and this is often used for campaigning.

Compare this to funding from Climate 200 which has so far raised $7 million to spread between 35 independent candidates across Australia.

Even after adding the individual supporter donations that Caz receives from people like me, the maths is clear: major parties well in excess of $140 million (private donation for 2023/24) and 35 independents getting a share of $7m plus donations from people like me.

Perhaps questioning the funding of the major parties and other parties funded by Clive Palmer and Gina Rinehart is more appropriate?

Regards, Sandy RADKE, Urunga.

It goes without saying that young people like pushing boundaries and their awareness of potential dangers is still developing, as my childhood riding days demonstrates.

The cost, even if he's willing to contribute, is thousands of dollars, and with such an expensive item, there is more likelihood of the bike getting stolen.

There are also the ongoing servicing costs, which will be a lot higher and general repairs like changing a tyre can be trickier too.

E-bikes are heavier, as your son will discover the hard way when he has to cart the bike up a flight of stairs or push it home if the battery runs out.

Lisa, I reckon the E-bike could be a good long-term dream for your son to save up for, and he will if he really wants one that desperately, but your misgivings are reasonable given his age.

There has been a concerning increase in young people with injuries relating to E-bikes and E-scooters, and while it's impossible to prevent young people doing the stupid things we did at the same age, we can try to minimise the harm as much as possible.

Carpe diem, Jasminda

Great koala conservation

DEAR News Of The Area,

I WAS amused that Noel Atkins' anti-Great Koala National Park letter was, no doubt by happenstance, printed in proximity to Bob Harris' letter about misinformation and disinformation (Opinion and Letters, NOTA 14 March).

Mr Atkins refers to studies instigated by the timber industry, that variety of investigation where the results are often predetermined, to justify his refutation of the NSW Koala Parliamentary Inquiry's finding that koalas are on the path to extinction if the current land clearing and deforestation regimens continue.

Is denying the validity of a Government Inquiry, where all political sides are represented, justified or anarchistic or an act of hubris?

I was also amused by the fact that, though

koalas have been declared endangered, Mr Atkins declares them to be "thriving".

Perhaps he doesn't understand what a koala hub is.

They are the population and habitat hotspots that Forestry Corporation is mercilessly devastating in its frenzy to eviscerate our potential National Park before ethics and sanity prevail.

Clear-felling large tracts of forest with gigantic machines that crush everything cannot be classed as discriminating, sustainable practice.

Industrial logging dries out the landscape, making it more fire prone.

It is disingenuous to compare such modern wholesale slaughter to past practices that managed the forest with a less destructive approach and an aim to nurture forest health for the future.

To add weight to his assertion that

the GKNP is a "con", he uses figures that suggest the entire timber industry will be shut down if it goes ahead.

If this is a billion dollar industry, why are the people of NSW being ripped off by tens of million to subsidise it?

Our taxes are being used to rob us of an irreplaceable natural asset to fatten corporations.

A glance at the REEF Foundation's website will reveal its political leanings, despite disclaimers.

On the other side of the discussion, those in favour of the park simply want to preserve something precious that cannot be replicated, that once gone is lost forever.

Can we not work together and find a way to have a timber industry that is truly sustainable, that preserves our natural heritage?

No one wants to see people lose their

Independents dare advertise their candidacy?

DEAR News Of The Area,

YOUR correspondent, Janet Olney, seems concerned that one of the Independents in this electorate dares advertise her candidacy with the support of anonymous donors.

Obviously you don't recall that at about the time of Cyclone Alfred Peter Dutton and

Anthony Albanese attended functions and raised campaign funds of $500,000 and $100,000 respectively, no donors mentioned.

To quote an article by Jason Koutsoukis: "unfortunately, as voters head to the polls they will not only be choosing between two leaders but also weighing up whose financial backing and whose vision for the country

aligns more closely with their own interests".

In brief, Independent Senator Kate Chaney sought legislation in December 2024 for disclosure of donation origins and value above $1000.

Although the Coalition indicated they would support the bill they and Labor voted against it. This Bill is now presumably in limbo.

Donations up to $16900 can still remain anonymous.

A similar bill was passed in the NSW

Clarity on Independent's funding

DEAR News Of The Area,

I APPRECIATE Janet Olney’s letter (‘Honesty in funding’, 21 March) for prompting this opportunity to update the community on the nature and scale of my campaign. It’s important that voters feel informed about who is running to represent them.

Firstly, I understand that the advertising we have been able to secure is different from what our community is used to.

The major parties direct their taxpayer, and corporate-funded, campaign spending to marginal seats.

Cowper has been seen as ‘safe’ for so long that we’ve been ignored and are not used to the level of political advertising that

DEAR News Of The Area,

happens in other parts of the country.

For an independent campaign, the challenge is introducing ourselves to the entire electorate.

The major parties have the advantage of incumbency.

They have easy access to traditional media along with a taxpayer-funded communications budget, which they are already using extensively, even though the election is yet to be called.

As a community-backed independent, we don’t have that advantage.

That’s why I’m proud to share that over 400 locals have chipped in to help fund these ads.

Unlike the major parties, we don’t have

corporate donors bankrolling us.

Our ads are funded by small contributions from local people who want change, and we’re focused on delivering a positive message to people across the electorate.

I'm also proud to have received support from the Regional Voices Fund and Climate 200.

Both are crowdfunded initiatives supported by tens of thousands of Australians who want fairer, more accountable politics, and an evidence-based response to climate change.

What makes my campaign different is that I am not bound by party factions or corporate donors.

I stepped down from my role managing

the crossbench

BOB Harris’ letter (NOTA 14 March) highlighting the trap of ‘misinformation’ and ‘disinformation’ is timely given the upcoming Federal election.

Of course historically there has always been the good old fashioned strategy of ‘character assassination’, outlandish promises, and downright lying, but with personal pride and the threat of defamation hanging in the wind, there was usually a

sense that you needed to be reasonably close to the truth.

Recent tactics, used to great effect by Steve Bannon in the US during Trump’s first term and of significant concern in a healthy democracy, is the deliberate spread of false or misleading information which creates fear, anger, skepticism, and confusion, given the term, “spreading the zone with sh@#”.

While we all have our own prejudices and will either seek out information to make intelligent informed choices or believe what

suits us, each of these four factors have the ability to seriously undermine public confidence in democratic processes, as has been borne out in the US and globally.

We all need to be awake to the major forces in this Country which are manipulating popular opinion.

While Pauline Hanson has used fear and anger to considerable effect over the years, No campaigner Matthew Sheahan’s Advance, which has apparently managed to secure over $15 million in donations to target

Climate change alarmism

DEAR News Of The Area,

YOUR page 8 story on Cyclone Alfred (NOTA March 21) makes interesting reading.

You quoted past emergency service leaders who, as former bureaucrats, have clearly been indoctrinated with the climate change bug.

I am no climate change denier but I do like to see facts printed, not garbage.

Greg Mullins says he’s never seen a cyclone come this far south.

Have a look at the tracks of past cyclones on Google Greg, maybe that will change your mind.

Then the recent flooding was touted as caused by climate change as well when none of the rivers including the Bellinger reached anywhere near record flood level.

The record flood was 11.5 metres at Bellingen in 1870.

There have been plenty of floods along the coast far higher than the current floods.

The same group also states that cyclones, floods and storms are getting worse.

Yet the BOM states that cyclone activity and intensity have dropped off since 1970.

Do these people have no memory of the catastrophic fires that devastated Victoria in 1939 and again in the 1960s?

Were they caused by climate change as

jobs, but Mr Atkins exaggerates employment numbers.

As most of our timber needs are met by plantations, there will still be plenty of jobs in that sector, in forest restoration (see letter, Lindy Davis, NOTA 9 March) and in tourism (Newcastle University study).

Mature, healthy forests are wonders of nature that regulate climate, store carbon and improve soil and water quality.

Nature is our life-support system.

The Great Koala National Park will foster biodiversity and help protect our beloved, iconic koala and many other special and unique species and ecosystems.

In the 1930s, parliamentarians walked from Point Lookout to Thora, to witness for themselves the beauty of our magnificent forests.

They cared and we should care.

Regards, Mary FORBES, Eungai Creek.

Parliament where $1000 is the limit for anonymous donors.

According to The Australia Institute, expenditure in each electorate in the 2022 election averaged:

Coalition: $822,691

Labor: $767,517

Independent: $655,000.

It seems if any electorate did not receive the average it was either complacency or smugness.

Regards, Max TURNER, Macksville.

hospitals in this region because I’ve seen first-hand what happens when politics gets in the way of delivering what communities need.

I want to be part of the solution.

Being an independent means I am accountable to the community, without the constraints of a party line, factions, or corporate donors influencing my decisions. If elected, my focus will be on the needs of our community: delivering better healthcare, strengthening our schools, ensuring affordable housing, and providing reliable mobile and internet services.

I wholeheartedly embrace this public discussion, as it is vital for the health of our democracy.

Regards, Caz HEISE, Independent Candidate for Cowper.

the Greens and Teals, via social media, emails and mail outs is one such culprit.

God knows we need a deeper debate, major structural changes and greater scrutiny within our Federal Parliament.

The current Greens and Independents have at least added some integrity, often holding the current two major parties to account and forcing beneficial change.

Contrary to much of the disinformation, the wheels of government have not fallen off, nor the sky fallen in.

Regards, Dave WOOD, Boambee East. well?

The single biggest cause of climate change alarm is mobile phones.

Yep, every two bit storm is videoed in real time and posted on the net complete full scary dialogue.

And beach erosion – if you are stupid enough to build on sand near the beach expect a visit from the tides sooner or later.

Regards, Ted KNOBLOCK, Boambee.

Low maintenance living

Address: 15 Celeste Place, Bonville

Price: $749,000 - $769,000

Beds: 3, Bath: 2, Car: 1

Land size: 538.6 sqm

BUILT in 2008 by GJ Gardener Homes, this property, with only two previous owners, is looking for its third to make it their home and enjoy low maintenance living in a desirable and popular location just minutes' drive to Sawtell village and beach.

Walk down the driveway by the easy-care gardens which give the home a lovely street presence to enter the house through the enclosed front porch that captures the sun perfectly providing a great spot to sit with the morning cuppa.

Once inside you will

love the spacious open plan living area which is framed by large windows allowing the area to be light filled and captures the treed outlook at the rear.

The area incorporates the dining space and is adjacent to the contemporary white kitchen with stone bench tops, four burner gas cooktop and brand-new Westinghouse electric under bench oven.

All the three bedrooms are carpeted with ceiling fans and built in robes and the main bedroom enjoys its own ensuite.

There is a functional bathroom with an oversized shower and vanity plus a separate WC.

Wandering in the rear yard you will love the elevated scenic views with a

sundeck that backs the large swim spa which overlooks some established plants, as well as easy care garden beds filled with stones so there isn't a need for the lawn mower, and the new owner can complete the space with their own garden choices.

Additional features at the property include an air conditioning unit in the living area; ceiling fans; single lock up garage with remote door; laundry at rear and internal access; down lighting and blinds throughout; double storage linen cupboards; water tank service, toilets, washing machine and gardens; gas hot water system; NBN; and Colorbond fencing.

This brick and tile property is sure to please

This well presented Toormina residence has excellent tenants in place with their lease expiring on the 29/11/2025. They currently pay $540pw and are keen to stay. There are 3 good sized bedrooms, an L shaped lounge/living area with the kitchen being well appointed. There is also air conditioning, side access to the rear yard and the single garage has internal access. The rear deck overlooks the level fenced yard with the shops, schools and Sawtells popular café strip and beaches being less than 5 minutes away by car.

The owner has reduced the price and

well presented 4 bedroom home has the ideal location with Brelsford Park opposite and the town centre is only minutes away on foot. Easy care polished timber floors have been used throughout the home. 3 bedrooms have robes with the master featuring a huge ensuite and walk in robe. The dining area adjoins the well appointed kitchen with the lounge/living area being open and airy. There is also a third toilet in the laundry and off street parking for 2 cars and a private courtyard. The excellent tenant pays $600 per week with the lease expiring in January 2026. Arrange your inspection today!!

SALE –

The owner is offering these lovely townhouses on an individual basis (three sold with three still available).

New Listing

Price reduced

Kim McGinty

those looking to downsize but still be comfortable, as well as first home buyers

LOCALSPORT

Woolgoolga and Diggers win cricket premierships

By Aiden BURGESS

WOOLGGOLGA Cricket Club

Rebels and Diggers Cricket Club are Coffs Harbour cricket champions, after winning their respective grand finals of Sixers Cricket League’s senior season.

Second grade

Woolgoolga Cricket Club

Rebels won the second-grade premiership, triumphing by 12 runs against Diggers Cricket Club in their grand final at Richardson Park.

The Rebels were all out for 101 in the 35th over, after Diggers won the toss and elected to bowl.

Lachlan Richardson had an awesome spell for Diggers taking 5-6 from 7.3 overs,

and Will Townsend took 3-15 from five overs.

Jayden Perrett top scored for the Rebels with 30.

The Rebels bowlers stepped up when it mattered the most, defending their total to claim the title after bowling out Diggers for 89.

Buta Singh took 3-9 from seven overs, and Ian Holder took 2-16 from five overs.

Third grade Diggers Cricket Club won the third-grade premiership with a five wicket win against the Nana Glen Lizards, in their grand final at Reg Ryan Oval.

Diggers capped off a great season in which they only lost once with a premiership win.

Nana Glen scored 8/132 from 40 overs after winning

the toss and electing to bat.

Vincent Shrimpton top scored for the Lizards with 53, Brendan Cunningham took 3-29 from eight overs for Diggers, and William Swan took 2-9 from eight overs.

Chasing 133 for a grand final victory, Diggers won the title finishing at 5/133 in the 37th over.

Ben Oliver top scored with 43, and Michael Nealand was next best with 34 retired not out.

Matthew Benfield and Nathan Bye both took 2-19 from eight overs for Nana Glen.

Fourth grade

Woolgoolga Cricket Club Rebels claimed the fourthgrade premiership with a 43-

run win against Coffs Colts Cricket Club in their grand final in Woolgoolga.

The Rebels posted a total of 9/148 from 35 overs, after the Colts had won the toss and elected to bowl.

Jack Howe top scored with 46, and Jon Kahler was next

best with 25.

Colts captain Michael Young took 2-25 from seven overs, William Trice took 2-26 from seven overs, and Mollie Young took 2-28 from five overs.

Chasing 149 for grand final glory, the Colts were bowled

Nana Glen are the kings of Coffs cricket

By Aiden BURGESS

THEY were a class above for nearly all the season, and rose to the occasion when it mattered the most.

Nana Glen Lizards are the kings of Coffs Harbour cricket after winning the Sixers Cricket League’s first grade premiership.

The Lizards won the 2024/25 season title after triumphing by two wickets against Sawtell Cricket Club, in a grand final which went right down to the wire at Fitzroy Oval.

Nana Glen capped off a tremendous season in which they lost only once, that being in Round 1.

They also broke a 21year premiership drought, winning their first first grade title since 2004.

Chasing 132 for grand final glory, Nana Glen were in a precarious position at 7/59 after starting the second day at 3/14.

But patient and measured knocks from captain Josh Bartlett (21 from 121 balls) and Jesse Ferrett (39 not out from 96) in their pivotal 66run partnership helped to

guide their side home.

Bartlett’s wicket gave Sawtell a glimmer of hope at 8/125, but the Lizards held on for a memorable victory in a season decider which could have gone either way.

Richie Gallichan took 3-58 from 24 overs for Sawtell, Flynn Taylor took 2-11 from 12 overs, and David Schutt took 2-14 from ten overs.

Daniel Craig scored 28 for Nana Glen. Sawtell was bowled out for 131 on the opening day, after winning the toss and electing to bat.

Richie Gallichan played

a lone hand for his side top scoring with a crucial knock of 76.

Lizards captain Josh Bartlett rose to the occasion taking 4-31 from 15.4 overs, and Zane Guthrie took 2-19 from 12 overs.

Josh Bartlett had a birthday to remember, captaining his side to a premiership win as well as earning player of the match honours.

He explained how much it meant to win a premiership with the Lizards.

“It means a lot. I played in two grand finals back in 2017 and 2018 for the club,

and we lost both to Sawtell, and that hurt,” Bartlett said.

“So to get one back on them today, in my first year back at the club, it’s pretty special.”

The Lizards leader pinpointed his partnership with Jesse Ferrett as a turning point in the premiership decider.

“Sawtell was really up when I came in when we were 6/57, and we just got through blocks at a time, and you could tell the wicket was getting easier to bat on,” Bartlett said.

“The spinners weren't doing a whole lot and the

seamers were only doing a bit if they swung it, you just had to bat time with them which we did.

“I think that really zapped them and once we got over 100, I thought the game really turned and that we were in control here.

“Just being mentally strong, they were going to bowl us one bad ball an over, and if we waited on that one and put it away and defended the rest, I thought that was going to get us home.”

After losing just once all season, Bartlett explained what made his side so strong.

“I think it’s the young

talent coming through, we have a couple of older heads but there's a few younger guys coming through.

“Dan Craig is obviously one and Zane Guthire is another one, they are just going to be superstars,” he said.

“We bought in as a team as well, and changed a few things from last year.

“Our boys bat down to nine, and we have about eight good bowlers as well, and everyone has chipped in every game, and that’s what's been really good for us.”

out for 105 in the 24th over.

Thomas Bird had a superb spell taking 4-18 from five overs, and Charley Perrett took 2-12 from 4.5 overs.

Jeremy Griffith and Jill Lihou both top scored for the Colts with 29.

q Woolgoolga Cricket Club Rebels fourth grade side celebrate their premiership win.

q Woolgoolga Cricket Club Rebels second grade side celebrate their premiership win.

q Diggers Cricket Club’s third grade side celebrate their premiership win.

q Nana Glen Lizards celebrate their premiership win.

q Sawtell Cricket Club’s first grade side.

Sawtell win Under 14s cricket premiership

By Aiden BURGESS

AFTER a season of dominance, Sawtell Storm have proven themselves to be the cream of the crop in Coffs Coast junior cricket, winning the Under 14s premiership of the Sixers Cricket League season.

Sawtell capped off a tremendous season in which they only lost once, with a grand final win against the Macksville Bulls at Toormina Oval.

A strong all-around

Festival of Rugby to be held over three years

THE City of Coffs Harbour and NSW Rugby Union have officially entered a landmark three-year partnership to deliver the Coffs Coast Festival of Rugby, which comes to the region for the first time from 3-6 April.

This long-term commitment aims to see the festival grow into one of the country’s leading rugby events, bringing together elite international matches, grassroots competitions, and community engagement initiatives to showcase the very best of rugby on the Coffs Coast.

Beyond the action on the field, the Coffs Coast Festival of Rugby will serve as a major fundraising platform for the NSW Positive Rugby Foundation, supporting the delivery of Rugby For Good programs across Northern NSW.

Funds raised from the festival will go towards initiatives such as Rugby In The Park, which works with people experiencing homelessness and social disconnection; Kickstart, a rugby program designed to engage and empower

young people in youth justice centres; and Get Talkin', a mental health and resilience program that uses rugby as a vehicle for open conversations and support.

With facilities such as C.ex Coffs International Stadium and high-performance training venues, the region has already proven its ability to attract national and international teams, with the Japan Development Team, Australian Barbarians, and Australian U20s all set to base themselves in Coffs Harbour as part of this year’s festival.

City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams welcomed the partnership, highlighting the long-term benefits for local businesses, tourism, and sporting communities.

"This festival is going to be a crowd-pleaser, and we have the perfect stage for elite sports spectacles in the C.ex Coffs International Stadium,” Mayor Williams said.

“Onfield and off we look forward to hosting some of Australia’s rising domestic players and those from Japan – providing a world-class setting to promote all things

batting and bowling performance saw them beat the Bulls by 50 runs to win the title.

Sawtell opened the batting and scored 3/124 from 20 overs, after Macksville won the toss and elected to bowl.

Joshua de Groot stepped up when it mattered most, top scoring for his side with 45 retired not out off 30 balls.

Jaybien Johnson retired on 31 not out, Denzel WynnePrimus scored 19, and Riley Wood retired on 14 not out.

Sawtell only lost their

first wicket after scoring 114 runs, setting them up for the grand final victory.

Chasing 125 for a grand final victory, Macksville fell 51 runs short, finishing at 7/74 from 20 overs, as Sawtell defended their total to claim the premiership victory.

Denzel Wynne-Primus took 2-6 from two overs for Sawtell, and Darcy Gleeson top scored for Macksville with 21.

de Groot

q City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams says the Festival of Rugby will deliver long-term benefits for local businesses, tourism, and sporting communities.

rugby.

“Importantly, this threeyear partnership will deliver for the local community and serve as an enabler for a raft of positive social outcomes through the Rugby For Good initiatives.”

NSW Rugby Union CEO Peter Murphy echoed the excitement, emphasising

the festival’s role in growing the game and strengthening community connections.

"This partnership is a game-changer for rugby in regional NSW. Coffs Harbour is a proven destination for elite sport, and having the support of the City of Coffs Harbour ensures we can continue to deliver a world-

Coffs teams take on the state’s best

By Aiden BURGESS

COFFS Harbour’s best Oztag players have once again taken on the state’s best at home, during this year's NSW Senior State Championships in Coffs Harbour.

Coffs Harbour Cavaliers representative teams took on teams from across the state in the Women’s Open, Mixed Open, Women’s 27s, and Mixed 20s divisions.

The Cavaliers Women’s 27s side made the semi-finals of their competition.

Player/coach Angela Barr explained why her side had finished top four in the state

in their division.

“We’ve all played together for a long time, so we know how each other plays,” she said.

“A lot of us play Tuesday nights together, we play touch and League Tag together, so we know how each other plays, which is what I think makes us a good team.

“Our defence has been great, and I think that’s probably our main strength and it has kept us in games this weekend.”

She said it was an advantage playing a State Championships at home, especially on the same

fields as their weekly local competition.

“It’s awesome, we can all bring our families down and have all the local support, so it’s definitely an advantage.

“We don't have to travel, so it's a bonus, and it’s really good that we have all the main tournaments here as well as it brings a lot of people to town, and I think Coffs teams are getting better and putting ourselves on the map a little bit more.”

Coffs Harbour is hosting the Australian Junior Championships in October, and the Australian Senior Championships in November.

class event that engages the entire community,” Mr Murphy said.

The Coffs Coast Festival of Rugby is set to feature elite international clashes, including Japan A vs Australian Barbarians; community activations and school engagement programs; the Coffs Coast

a

and social rugby tournament; the Mid North Coast Super Round, featuring over 2,000 grassroots players; and a corporate golf day and charity fundraising luncheon to support the delivery of mental health workshops and suicide prevention programs.

Challenge –

premier junior

q Coffs Harbour Cavaliers Women's 27s team.

Joshua

earnt man of the match honours.

q Sawtell Storm celebrate their premiership win.

Nana Glen win Under 16s premiership

By Aiden BURGESS

NANA Glen Lizards are the champions of Coffs Coast junior cricket, after winning Sixers Cricket League’s Under 16s premiership.

Nana Glen added some silverware to the club’s burgeoning trophy cabinet this season, with a four wicket win against the Macksville Bulls in their grand final at Reg Ryan Oval.

The Bulls scored 7/81 from 20 overs, after Nana Glen had sent them into bat after winning the toss.

Manat Singh took 2-4 from two overs for Nana Glen.

Nana Glen chased down the target in the 18th over to claim this season’s Under 16s premiership.

Manat Singh led home his side top scoring on 22 not out.

The Lizards Under 16s win follows their victory in the Under 14s competition last season.

Under 12s

Bellingen Green won the grand final of the Under 12s Blue finals series.

Bellingen won the premiership with a 63-run win against Diggers Cricket Club Red, in their grand final in Urunga.

The win capped off an undefeated season in the second Under 12s season of the summer.

Bellingen finished at 7/90 from 20 overs after Diggers won the toss and

elected to bowl.

Harrison Kelly top scored for Bellingen with a knock of 35, and Jennifer Martin took 2-8 from four overs for Diggers.

Bellingen defended their total restricting Diggers to 6/27.

Nana Glen Lizards won the grand final of the Under 12s Pink finals series, beating Diggers Cricket Club White by four wickets at Reg Ryan Oval.

Diggers scored 3/57 from 20 overs after Nana Glen won the toss and elected to bowl.

The Lizards chased down the total with one ball to spare, Jack O'Connor finishing on 22 not out.

John Rajesh took 3-5 from two overs for Diggers.

q Nana Glen Lizards Under 16s celebrate their premiership win.

Junior surfers excel at Regional Series

By Aiden BURGESS

COFFS Coast groms are proving to be amongst the

best junior surfers on the North Coast. The local surfers achieved top results at the

q Jarrah Jay White celebrates his win in the Under 14 Boys event. Photo: Craig McKenzie @beachside57.

NSW Junior Regional SeriesNorth Coast event held at Sawtell Beach. A few Coffs Harbour

Boardriders Club members had a good day on the waves in Sawtell. Benji Lowen won the

Under 18 Boys event, while Jack Morrison finished second. Carter Crowley won the

Under 16 Boys event, Hamish Harrigan finished fourth. Sawtell Boardriders Club member Rio Luther Barr finished runner up in the Under 16s Boys event on his home break.

Lyla Freudenstein won the Under 16 Girls, with sister Frankie Freudenstein finishing third.

Jarrah Jay White won the Under 14 Boys, Otis Harrigan finished second, and Sage Lewis finished third.

Matilda Harrigan took out the Under 12 Girls event, Sage White finished second, and Hazel Ralston finished third.

Jet Dean won the Under 12 Boys, and Jye Rooney finished third.

Sasha Lewis finished third in the Under 18 Girls.

The NSW Junior Regional Series serves as the initial step and pathway to the NSW Junior State Titles and the Australian Junior Titles.

Surfers aspiring to become a state or national champion have to commence their journey at the regional level. There are eleven NSW Regional events that will take place up and down the coast between March and May.

Basketball season on the eve of finals

By Aiden BURGESS

FINALS time has almost arrived for local basketballers, with the penultimate round of Coffs Harbour Basketball Association’s senior summer season recently decided at Sportz Central.

Men’s A Grade ladder leaders, Beyond TowingCoffs Harbour, clinched the

minor premiership with a 59-55 win against Coffs Harbour Suns Under 18s Men 1.

Noah Light had a game high 21 points for the Suns.

All Washed Up had a 47-44 win against The Chihuahuas; Sean Wiffen having a game high 20 points for the winners.

Sweet Home Wembanyama won their

eighth game of the season, beating White Chocolate 6451 in Round 9 of the Men’s B Grade season.

Joe Greer had a game high 26 points for White Chocolate.

Sawtell Slammers had a 72-40 win against Bricklayers, Samuel Schellenberger having a game high 29 points for the winners.

Mantastic had a 65-39 win against Coffs Harbour Suns Under 16s Men 2, during the ninth round of the Men’s C Grade season.

Parameesh Grewal had a game high 19 points for the winners.

Women’s A-Grade ladder leaders, Narwhals Loaded, recorded their seventh straight win, beating Coffs Harbour Suns Under 16s

Women 2, 69-44. Brianna Kelly had a game high 24 points for the winners.

Coffs Harbour Suns

Under 18s Women 1 had a 74-31 win against Coffs Harbour Suns Under 16s Women 1.

Kira Juffermans had a game high 28 points for the winners.

Women’s Social

Competition ladder leaders Ring Ins won their eighth game of the season, beating Mantas Mystics 37-26. Mantas Mermaids had a 28-22 win against Mantas Mummas.

The tenth and final round of the senior summer season was due to be played this week, with the semi-finals to be decided next week.

q Jet Dean celebrates his win in the Under 12 Boys event.

Barney Miller Surf Classic celebrates 25th year

By Aiden BURGESS

GREAT surfing, vital fundraising, good times, and community camaraderie; that’s what the Barney Miller Surf Classic has been about for 25 years.

The milestone was celebrated with a bumper three days of surfing at Sawtell Beach that attracted 168 surfers from across the East Coast.

The event helped raise money for this year’s recipient Mike Thorncroft.

After a motocross accident in January 2024 left him with a spinal cord injury and paraplegia, Mike has shown incredible courage and determination in his recovery.

Since its inception in 1999, the Surf Classic has raised over half a million dollars for vital support and resources for individuals and families navigating the challenges of spinal cord injuries.

Event namesake Barney Miller fondly reflects on the

past 25 years.

“I think the highlight for me is probably seeing what the local Sawtell community can do, and how supportive they have been to every single event, and just supporting the recipient every year, it’s been incredible,” he said.

“It’s crazy to think it’s gone for that long, and the fact that it just keeps getting bigger and bigger, and everyone is just so stoked about it.

“I think it's incredible

Storm surge to see off spirited Breakers

By David WIGLEY

NEWCOMERS Yamba

Breakers gave defending HIT105.5 Premier League champions Northern Storm an early scare before succumbing to a ruthless second-half blitz in Saturday’s preseason friendly.

The Breakers, in their debut season in top-flight football, showed plenty of promise in the opening twenty minutes, being well organised, playing compactly and carving out several chances on the counter attack.

But the Storm’s class ultimately shone through as the hosts flexed their championship muscle with

three unanswered goals after the break.

Teenage sensation Mark McCarthy ignited the onslaught, the 17-year-old rising above his marker to glance a perfectly weighted header into the bottom corner.

James Tial doubled the lead, reacting quickest to a teasing Tom Sweeney cross that sparked chaos in the penalty area.

The livewire midfielder then put the result beyond doubt in stunning fashion, unleashing a 25-yard thunderbolt to cap off a commanding 3-0 victory.

The win comes hot on the heels of Storm’s fifth-round triumph over Port Macquarie

Saints by the same scoreline, marking an historic moment for the club as they advance to the sixth round of the Australia Cup for the first time. A blockbuster showdown with Newcastle opposition now awaits on 7 June.

Despite the flying start, Storm coach Craig Caruana is keeping a level head.

“We’ve been training since January, and the squad is coming along really well,” Caruana said.

“We’re getting 40 players to training, which is great for depth and competition for spots.

“Reaching the sixth round of the Australia Cup is a club record, but we need to be

that with each recipient we have, you can see… how people want to support them and show them that they are supported, and that all this crew have their back.

“And that in itself lights a fire in people, and it makes them think ‘if people can help me, I should have a good crack at it myself’.”

Miller said people also come along and enjoy the competition because the surfers in it are among the best in Australia.

“It’s pretty incredible to see.”

realistic, this is still preseason, and we haven’t kicked a ball in the Premier League yet.

“With some teams getting stronger, I’m expecting a really competitive season ahead which we are relishing.”

The result sets the stage for an expanded HIT105.5 Premier League in 2025, with the men’s competition growing to 10 teams and the women’s league expanding to six.

The season kicks off on Friday, 4 April for the Women’s Premier League, with the men’s competition getting underway the following day.

The Northern Storm kick off their campaign against crosstown rivals Coffs Coast Tigers on 5 April at 5pm at Polwarth Drive.

Athletes secure places at National Championships

By Aiden BURGESS

TWO rising young talents from the Coffs Coast Athletics Club are set to take on the nation’s best.

Evie Hill and Thomas Joyce have secured their places to compete at the prestigious Australian Junior Championships, to be held in Perth from April

Coffs Harbour Rifle Club

By Geoffrey HART

4-8. Hill, 15, will compete in the Under 16 Heptathlon, a demanding competition featuring seven events over two days, as well as the 90m hurdles.

Known for her dedication and versatility, she has trained tirelessly to earn her spots among the nation’s top young athletes.

Her skill across multiple disciplines, including the hurdles, promises an exciting performance as she represents Coffs Coast Athletics Club.

Joining her is 13-yearold sprint sensation Thomas Joyce, who will race in the 200m and 400m events.

He has already made a name for himself locally with his speed and competitive spirit, and he’s now ready to showcase his talent against Australia’s elite junior sprinters.

Their qualification highlights the strength of the club, and the region’s emerging athletes on a national level.

SPORTS RESULTS

The two talented young athletes will represent both Coffs Coast Athletics Club and the Coffs Coast region with pride as they compete for national honours against Australia’s best young athletes.

President of Coffs Coast Athletics Club, Simon Hill, said the two young athletes were an inspiration.

“We’re incredibly proud of Evie and Thomas for qualifying for the Australian Junior Championships,” he said.

“Their hard work, determination, and talent are an inspiration to our club and the broader community, and we can’t wait to see them shine in Perth.”

Coffs Harbour Ladies Golfs Club

By Leah RAY

MARCH 19 - Howard St Rimfire Range. The 18, Julia Reynolds 17 NTPs - 12th - Gayle Johnson, Lisa Mortlock, 15th - Sandra Dollin, Vicki Kelly WEDNESDAY 19th

TUESDAY 18th MARCH

SINGLE STABLEFORD A

GRADE - Yvonne Avery

20, Fiona Ross 18 B

GRADE - Robyn Walsh

30m Field Class match was conducted with 28 participants. Master Grade: Jake Buckley 96.9, Ben R 92.8, Daniel Finlay 81.3, A Grade: Stuart D 92.6, Johan Greyling 91.9, Alan Newey 89.1, Jeffrey Pfeiffer 89.1, (CB) C GRADE - Elizabeth Brown 73, Tania Norberry

MARCH GOLF NSW MEDAL ROUND 2 - STROKE A GRADE - Leanne McComas

70 (CB), Jodi Murdoch

70 B GRADE - Di Ratcliffe

72 (CB), Sue Morgan 72

Phillip Payne 87.4, B Grade: Hayley R 91.5, Jonathon Mackay 81.7, Michelle D 81.3, Col Green 77.2, Gary McKinnon 68.1, C Grade: Daniel Rees 89.9, Cooper Finlay 88.6, Andrew G 83.2, Danny W 82.3, Kevin

74 GROSS A GRADECarrie Fagan 77 GROSS B

GRADE - Karen Cross 97 GROSS C GRADE - Carlene Bath 111 NTPs - 3rd hole

- Meryl Fisher, Robyn Palmer, Lorraine Garlin, 6th - Carrie Fagan 22ndDallas Lamb, Karen Cross,

Mackay 82.2, Matt Miller 78.0, Zac Huls 72.0, Sam Atkinson 66.0, Member-926 65.1, Member-952 62.1, Mitch Upton 60.1, Mike M 55.0, Matthew Mawby 51.1, Sineidin Mackay 44.0, Visitors: Angus Maccue 61.1

Rose-Marie Sercombe, 26th - Trish Nance, Kerry Farmer, Tania Norberry FRIDAY 21st MARCH

LADYBIRD CHALLENGE

OVERALL WINNERS - Sue Morgan 38, Dallas Lamb 36 (CB), Leanne McComas 36, Bev Smith 35 (CB), Jan Kirk 35, Lyn Neaves 34, Bronwyn Morgan 33 (CB),

The 50m F-Class match was conducted with 16 participants. Daniel Finlay 199.12, Cooper Finlay 197.13, Johan Greyling 197.10, Matt Miller 196.13, Hayley R 196.10, Zac Huls 191.4, Daniel Rees

Gael Tosio 33 (CB) GREAT SCORE - Hole In One - Sue Morgan NTPs - 3rd hole

- Karen Brown, Leanne Atkins, 6th - Tracey Foster, Gael Tosio 12th - Tracey Foster, Elizabeth Brown, 15th - Jan Kirk, Sue Morgan

SATURDAY 22nd MARCH

4BBB STABLEFORD

OVERALL WINNERS - 1.

190.5, Mitch Upton 189.6,

Shirley Willis and Meryl Fisher, 2. Tracey Foster and Jo Habgood 3. Judy Everett and Kerry Farmer, 4. Dinah Nutchey-Robinson and Kerryn Little NTPs - 3rd hole - Michelle Palmer, 12th - Karen Brown, 15thWendy Johnstone

q Barney Miller checks out the action at this year’s Barney Miller Surf Classic.

q Northern Storm young gun Anthony Omtha sliding in to win the ball.

q Smuggler at the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race.

Aaron Drayton 187.6, Mike M 186.1, Danny W 183.4, Sam Atkinson 180.3, Member-952 167.3, Member-926 164.3, Visitors: Angus Maccue 183.1, Linda Stoev 157.1

Bellingen Diggers Swimming Club

By Lois LANE

6.3.25

THERE were thirteen swimmers tonight.

RACE 1 Individual Medley nominated time.

Will find out the results at our Presentation.

RACE 2 $ 25m Freestyle

HEAT 1

Amanda Vockler flew home in first place, in second was Paul Sheridan and third was Jill Williams.

HEAT 2

Julie Cornall swam like a bat out hell coming first, in second was Elizabeth Casey and in third was Peter Allison.

HEAT 3

Amanda Lockman put pedal to metal coming first, in second was Jim Baird and in third was Rachel Browning.

FINAL

There was one bust in the final, Sawtell Bowls Results

By Geoff HAMPSON

MONDAY Twilight Bowls 17/3/25 –(4 Ends Played) No Results / Games Washed Out

TUESDAY Ladies Social Bowls

18/3/25

T Goninnan, J Townsend DEF J Partridge, J Poletti

N Elford, L Savage, L North DEF H Muir, A Day, C Hill

Park Beach Men's Bowling Club

By Todd BROWN

MIXED Triples Tuesday 18 March 2025

J Slater, M Parker, I Parter d W Grimshaw, D Walker, P Lilly 37 – 11

C Brian, R Coffee, P Toy, R Douglas d J McLeod, Steve, C Keogh, D Hull 19 – 16

CEX Woolgoolga Lawn Bowls

By Suzanne BRACHER

OPEN Gender Pennants result's 15/3/2025 Grade 5 Woolgoolga Defeated Sawtell Grade 7 Woolgoolga Defeated Park Beach.

Tuesday 18/3/2025 (AM) Rink 10: J Hammpstead, M Campos

Sawtell Golf Results

By Janet O’DOWD

18/3 MEDLEY Stableford A: Rod Constable 39c/b, Shane Burns 39. B: Brian Holman 42c/b, Nathan Cooper 42. C: Jackson Hordern 38c/b, Philip O'Dwyer 38. Balls to 33c/b. NTP 7

Coffs Table Tennis Results

By Margaret ILES

FRIDAY 21st March, 2025

Division 1

Lachlan Dierkx d Troy Prystasz 3/1, Paul Hendriks d Tim Garrad 3/1, Reece Baker d Troy Prystasz 3/0, Lachlan Dierkx d Tim Garrad 3/1, Reece Baker d

Amanda Lockman taking one second off her time.

Amanda Vockler came from behind coming first and in the money, in second was Julie Cornall and in third was Elizabeth Casey.

RACE 3 25m Backstroke

HEAT 1

Andrew O’Keeffe held on by the skin of his teeth coming first, in second was Jill Williams and in third was Amanda Vockler.

HEAT 2

Mike Navin had a tight hold on this race coming first, in second was Rachael Wallace and in third was Elizabeth Casey.

HEAT 3

Jim Baird secured this race coming first, in second was Rachel Browning and in third was Julie Cornall.

RACE 4 75m Freestyle

HEAT 1

Jill Williams was pretty nimble in this race coming first, in second was Andrew O’Keeffe and in third was Paul Sheridan.

HEAT 2

C Weir, L Kratz, N Harvey DEF L Read, T Rhoades, N Foy

WEDNESDAY Men’s Social Bowls 19/3/25

R Stock, B Martin, P Collins DEF P Roach, D Bond B Meadows

N Stahlhut, B Newling, N Lamond DEF N McClelland, J Richardson, J Urge

T Mitchell, R Williams, B Fitzpatrick, DEF G Cridge, R McLellan, S Wilkinson

P Paunovic, G Zanchella, M Flint

B Worboys, M Cutts, J Murtas d R Lynch, W McVicar, I Trengrove 20 – 16

G Stanford, C Weatherall, R Alford d M Berube, V Valentine, D Valentine 18 – 17

R Aitken, B Johns, Y Schmidt d J Clarke, T Brown, S Jones 21 – 9

L Clancy, J Kennedy, S Wills d M England, E Kidd, C England 21 – 10

C Hansen, M Finne, M Flint d M Ross, D Catlin, R Wisley 20 – 13

(D) Heather, H Dunbar. Rink 11: M Costelloe, J Lynn, D Porta (D) M Costelloe, E Nielsen, N Haines. Tuesday 18/3/2025 (pm Pairs)

Rink 5: R Ryan, G Cunningham (D) L Walsh, R Bennell.

Rink 6: P Diamonds, J Taylor (D) H Pallister, S Barnard. Rink 7: M Hopes, J Wilcox (D)

S Wall, K Costelloe. Rink 8: J Brooks, B Merchant (D) L Walsh, S Olive.

Rink 10: T McKenzie, P Buck (D)

A: Rod Constable, B: Nathan Cooper. C: Andy Carroll. NTP 11 A: Robert Matten. B: Nicholas Brown (pro pin), C: Steven Provost 19/3 4BBB Championships Round 1 Rebecca Goldsmith & Sharon Shipman 42c/b, Glenys Davidson & Gayle James 42c/b. Patricia Rhoades & Jenny Ball 42.

Tim Garrad 3/0, Lachlan Dierkx d Paul Hendriks 3/2, Reece Baker d Paul Hendriks 3/0, Tim Garrad d Troy Prystasz 3/1, Reece Baker d Lachlan Dierkx 3/1, Troy Prystasz d Paul Hendriks 3/2. WINNER: Reece Baker from Lachlan Dierkx. Division 2

Nick Jankovic d Patrick Howard 3/1, Dominic Arjona d Sharee Templeton 3/2, King McKie d

Rachel Browning round them up coming first, in second was Mike Navin and in third was Peter Allison.

A great time had by all, come and join us for some fun and laughter on a Thursday night at 5.15.

20.3.25

There were twelve swimmers tonight.

RACE 1 25m Butterfly

There were two busts in this race, Peter Allison taking one second off his time and Julie Cornall taking two seconds off her time.

HEAT 1

Amanda Vockler had her eye on the finishing line coming first and in second was Jim Baird.

HEAT 2

Jill Williams had her wings on coming first, in second was Andrew O’Keeffe and in third was Elizabeth Casey.

FINAL

Jill Williams showed them how it was done coming first and in the money, in second was Elizabeth

DEF P Swain, L Zecchinati, I Muller

J Chapman, G Hampson, A Robertson DEF A Jones, M Gibbons, W Kellam

B Tarrant, A Baker, B Blight DEF L Hartog, J Rice, L Preston

P Covington, W Vaughn, P Warby DEF C Christian, E Nicolaou, D Wheeler

G Fisher, D Frost, N Sillar DEF M Hastings, A Vivian, M Aujard

T Brooks, R Cridge, G Dennis DEF I Maderic, H Slater, G Walsh

K Kaaden, Cindy, D Wilson, B Nicko d G Williams, M Miller, R Beaumont, G Hinsley 24 – 11

G Meyer, T Aarts, D Conden d W Moore, R Oakley, D Walsh 17 - 15 Triples Thursday 20 March 2025

K Kaaden, J Swan, D Conden d P Tod, P Hodges, P Rambow 30 - 11

T Lainchbury, I Parker, D Wilson d J McLeod, M Finn, P Newman 21 - 10

N Wills, K Stirling. Rink 11: R Gurber, A Wroe (D) G lane, Fred C. Rink 12: G McInerney, C Davis (D) J Lynn, J Weston. Rink13: D Barnard, G Pallister,(D) R Shaw, S Bailey. Wednesday AM 19/3/2025 Woopi Wanderers. Rink 10: T Collins, J Martin, I Gentle (D) S Ferro, J Hampstead, C Williams. Rink 11: P Diamond, J Taylor (D) J Lynn, Fred C. Rink 12: P Hatton, M Mulligan, K

Robyn O'Dwyer & Pauline Barnes 41., Sandra Guymer & Joy Lawrence 40c/b. NTP 3:3 Lee Farrell, 11 !: Georgia Perkins, 2: Linda Graff. Pro Pin Jenny Ball.

20/3 Play 9 Letitia McEntyre 21, Bryan Symes 19c/b. Balls to 18c/b 21/3 Medley Stableford

Dominic Arjona 3/0, Patrick Howard d Sharee Templeton 3/1, King McKie d Patrick Howard 3/1, Sharee Templeton d Nick Jankovic 3/2, King McKie d Nick Jankovic 3/1, Dominic Arjona d Patrick Howard 3/1, King McKie d Sharee Templeton 3/0, Nick Jankovic d Dominic Arjona 3/1. WINNER: King McKie from Nick Jankovic.

Division 3

Casey and in third was Andrew O’Keeffe.

RACE 2 25m Breaststroke

There wer two busts in this race, Julie Cornall taking one second off her time and Jo Brotherton taking two seconds off her time.

HEAT 1

Peter Allison had his froggy legs on coming first, in second was Jim Baird and in third was Amanda Vockler.

HEAT 2

This was a nail biting race with Andrew O’Keeffe coming first closely followed by Jill Williams and in third was Paul Sheridan.

HEAT 3

Elizabeth Casey came from behind coming first and in second was Amanda Lockman.

RACE 3 50m Freestyle

There were two busts in this race, Julie Cornall taking three seconds off her time and Amanda Lockman taking seven seconds off her time.

HEAT 1

N Kotrozos, J Oates, J Tainsh DEF K Raymond, M Cutts, J Murtas R Mitchell. P Cook, A Birse DEF W Hall, D Anderson, A Sorbello THURSDAY 20/3/25 Ladies Triples Championships N Elford, J Partridge, J Townsend DEF A Day, L Savage, L North B Pyke, N Harvey, C Hill DEF M Friend, T Rhodes, N Foy FRIDAY Mixed Social Bowls 21/3/25

N Kotrozos, J Oates, R Williams

C Williamson, M Berube, R Lane d S Kindred, R Kelly, D Hull 19 - 11

D Catling, B Garner, B Trotman d D Burridge, M McCabe, T Cooper 30 - 16

G Williams, R Beaumont, G Hinsley d P Booth, C Hansen, M Flint 22 - 15

J Thorn, G Power, T Erskine d G Stanford, C Weatherall, R Alford 25 - 14

Stirling (D) J Simpson, K Costelloe, N Wills. Rink 13: D Jones, P B Pendred, M Lambert.(D) G Burgess, S Oliver, I Brian. Rink 14: Bear, R Pillon, D Mason (D) Pumkin, Brien, G Lane. Thursday 20/3/2025 (AM) J Hampstead, L Fairhall, N Haines,(D) J Hampstead, M Campos, H Dunbar. Friday 21/3/2025 (game played 2.4.2) Rink 5: C Davis, R Bennell (D) A Wroe, R Shaw. Rink 6: L Walsh, Fred C (D)

Anthony Zullo 36 22/3 Stableford A: Peter Matten 40c/b, Jayden Taylor 40. B: Ken Alderman 37c/b, Kane Hickey 37. C: Paul Rowe 38c/b, Martin Linehan 38. Balls to 33c/b. Jayden Taylor Eagle on 9.NTP 7 A: Scott Pollard, B: Kane Hickey, C: Scott Urquhart. NTP 11 A: Andrew Dent, B: Roger Bale

Jo Ellis d Jennie Haigh 3/0, Aiden Haigh d Lindsay Jones 3/0, David Iles d Jennie Haigh 3/0, Aiden Haigh d Jo Ellis 3/1, David Iles d Aiden Haigh 3/0, Jo Ellis d Lindsay Jones 3/0, David Iles d Lindsay Jones 3/0, Aiden Haigh d Jennie Haigh 3/0, David Iles d Jo Ellis 3/0, Jennie Haigh d Lindsay Jones 3/1. WINNER: David Iles from Aiden Haigh.

Peter Allison had a strong hold on this race coming first, in second was Jim Baird and in third was Amanda Vockler.

HEAT 2

Jill Williams ripped her lane apart coming first, in second was Paul Sheridan and in third was Andrew O’Keeffe.

HEAT 3

Dean Bonventi put the speed on coming first, in second was Jo Brotherton and in third was Elizabeth Casey.

RACE 4 4 x 50m Relay

There was one bust in this race, Andrew O’Keeffe, Amanda Lockman, Julie Cornall and Peter Allison taking 16 seconds off their time.

Jim Baird, Amanda Vockler, Jo Brotherton and Andrew O’Keeffe swam like 747 coming first and in second was Paul Sheridan, Elizabeth Casey, Jill Williams and Dean Bonventi.

A great time had by all, come and join us on Thursday night at 5.15.

DEF A Day, C Weir, P Weir

G Flynn, J Flynn, D Hyde DEF T Lavell, P Paunovic, B Blight

G Staunton-Latimer, N Harvey, A Baker DEF B Hamilton, H Slater, L Feltrin

G Dennis, R Cridge, A Taylor DEF W Vaughn, A Wagstaff, D Anderson G Fisher, H Muir, N Sillar DEF G Hampson, N Elford, K Taylor

K Sharman, C Christian, A Berry DEF J Urge, T Karam. M Sillard

P North, R Aitken, P Lilly d M Miller, S Jones, W Moore 28 - 12

M Hopes, R Ryan, G Cunningham d N Dean, R Host, J Bishop 21 - 19

W Grimshaw, J Robinson, M Star d B Worboys, R Lynch, I Trengrove 21 - 14

L Goodacre, S Clouten, R Douglas d J Lowndes, M Hodge, R Felton 21 - 14

M Hodge, G Pallister. Rink 7: I Coltman, B Symes (D) D Chandler, D Hodge. Rink 8: R Gurber, B Merchant (D) N Wills, K Stirling. Rink 10: E Pearce, S Bailey (D) N Haines, J Hampstead. Rink 11: J Taylor, P Buck, (D) J Burgess, K Costelloe. Rink 12: M Hopes, R Ryan (D) J Lynn, S Oliver.

Rink 13: J Hurrell, H Katala (D) D Barnard, S Barnard.

(pro pin). C: Des Boucher Ladies 18 Pauline Barnes 33

Ladies 9 Bronwyn

Nicholson 17. Ball to 15. Sat Sal Lorraine Lacey 23/3 Stableford Sharon Shipman 36, Lynne Rapley 34. Balls to 29

Sawtell RSL Snooker Club

By Ken MASON

TUESDAY 18th March 2025

Main Draw Winners: - Wayne Farrell - R/U Henry

Legend

Consolation Winners:Dave Lewis - R/U Dan Clark

Park Beach Women’s Bowling Club

By Christine KEOGH

WEDNESDAY 19th March

B Bodell, K Blow, R Jupp def E Blanton, J Clarke, M Watt 20/16.

Safety Beach Women's Golf Club

By Marilyn ELY

TUESDAY 18 was a stableford

game for the golf-mad ladies of Safety Beach Golf Club. Once Coffs Harbour District Darts

By Ray BEASLEY

SAWTELL RSL Club

Summer Comp Monday 17 March

Bad Habbits def Thunderstruck 8-1

Bull Finish def DILLIGAF 5-4

Urunga Men's Veterans Golf

By Ross HARDAKER

MARCH 24

2 Man Ambrose

30 players contested today's event, with most finishing before the downpour. Winners, with a nett 63, John Davis and Richard McCabe, 2nd Kevin Sanford and Bruce Moore 65.75, 3rd a very

H Illingworth, C Garrett, C Sheridan def T Sullivan, A Worboys, J Pearce-Kennedy 27/8. J Rodwell,C McVicar, Y Hinsley, R Crestani def M England, C Keogh, S Hancock, J Stirton 17/11.

S Betts, J Farrell, L McLeod def M Gudgeon, L Clancy, J Slater 17/15.

again we were stymied for two weeks by huge rains deposited by Cyclone Alfred, however the ladies were hot-to-trot as soon as the course was open again.

Winner of the day was Lexine Bailey 35 pts on c/b from Di Richards. Runners-up Meryl Fisher 33 pts on c/b from Janelle

Warriors def Fluke Shots 7-2

Surgical Steel - Bye

100s

Cherie (1)

Elaine (1)

Asttan (2)

Bob (1)

Chris (2)

Christian (1)

Craig C (1)

Craig S (2)

Dave H (1)

wet Grant Cardow and Peter Brotherton 67.25.

Run-down Neil Richardson and Selwyn Newby 68.5, Lawrie Renshall and Tony Shields 68.75, Bob Archibald and Bob Jones 69.75.

Bradmans Wayne Sweeney and Waz Botfield 77.

NTPs 3rd and 9th Ross Hardaker, 18th Tony Shields. Longest Putt Bob Archibald.

Slab Winner Waz Botfield.

Spot secured

Australia finds itself in Group B of the prestigious tournament, lining up showdowns against Vietnam on 4 April, the UAE on 7 April, and a highly anticipated clash with Japan on 10 April.

Duncan Marchant, General Manager of North Coast Football, expressed jubilation at Sambrook's selection, emphasising the pride felt throughout the regional football community.

“We are super proud of Logan’s achievements and it really goes to show if you are from a regional town and have the dedication, there is a pathway to the highest levels,” he said.

“Logan was a talented junior at his grass roots football club Northern Storm and continued to progress through his hard work ethic and coachability at representative level in the Premier Youth League.

“Logan has everything, speed and strength are his greatest attributes but he also has great awareness on the football field and scores a lot of goals with both feet and his head.

“He is a really nice lad and deserves all the success he gets, we are all thrilled for him,” Marchant said.

Sambrook is joined in the squad by another North Coast and

C Domjahn, P Garner, J Woodford, V Valentine def J Kennedy/ M Trengrove, J Bishop, D Hargraves 24/11

Friday 21st March mixed bowls

C England, S Hancock, J Slater def M England, J Rodwell, S Bailey 18/14. R Holloway, R

Coleman.

NTP's 7th Julie Castle, 9th Jo Elwood, 11th Lyn Reilly.

Thank you Ros Myles for donating the raffle won by Lyn Reilly.

April 2 is the 2nd round of Monthly Medal and Vets ball comp and Tuesday 8 a teams

Dean (2)

Edward (2)

Kevin (1)

Michael (1)

Paul (3)

Ricky (4)

Rob Ho (3)

Steve (2)

Trevor (2)

Will (1)

High pegs

Craig S (151)

Woopi Monday Vets Golf

By Shirley STRACH

MONDAY 17th. March 23 starters. Winner Dick Cooper 28 R/U Greg Anderson 32

2nd. R/U John Ragan 34 NTP 11th. Tony Innes Sue Kempnich NTP 12th. Frank Garth Di Richards NTP 15th. John Findlay Sue

Oakley def Tom L, Lyndy McLeod 24/12. R Coffey, C Cutt def C McVicar, N McVicar 21/10. Jazz/ Darrin, Mike, G Duffey def Tom/ Mike,D Lindner, T Aarts 26/14. C Sheridan, Mandi Monck def R de Meio, J Woodford 18/16. D Futcher, R Lane def C Domjahn, C Treharne 29/7.

event, 4BBB with a single game in conjunction. Tuesday 15 will be Stableford and Shootout Qualifier.

Ladies don't forget you are now able to play Saturdays, either in a foursome of women or with a male partner.

Dave H (51)

Edward (134)

Steve (54)

Will (87)

Leader Board

DILLIGAF 33

Bad Habbits 32

Surgical Steel 31

Bull Finish 27

Warriors 24

Fluke Shots 22

Thunderstruck 16

Kempnich

Putting Frank Garth 15 c/b

Ron Strauch reverted to form to take out the NAGA with a 46 & Gary Tolhurst was successful with the Frog with 24 putts.

There were no birdies carded but John Ragan was credited with one on the 16th. in the presentation but it turned out to be a badly written 8.

Legibility is not a strong point in our playing group.

Mariners talent, Camden Haven’s Haine Eames.

“Logan, hailing from Northern Storm FC, and Haine, a product of Camden Haven Redbacks (Football Mid North Coast), exemplify the talent, dedication, and perseverance fostered within our football communities,” said Northern NSW Football CEO Peter Haynes.

“Both young men, having been developed within regional NNSW have been forging impressive careers with Central Coast Mariners FC and now step onto the international stage, representing Australia at the Asian Cup where both boys have played key roles through the qualification process,” Haynes said.

The U17 continental tournament serves as qualifying for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup

in Qatar, with the top eight teams earning a place.

This means that if the Subway Joeys secure passage out of their group, they will punch their ticket to the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the first time since 2019.

Brad Maloney’s squad will arrive in Saudi Arabia in a rich vein of form, having been most recently crowned Hattrick U17 International Tournament Champions, in a cycle which has also included a successful ASEAN U16 Boys Championship campaign, and strong results in tours of both Europe and the Pacific.

Joeys head coach Brad Maloney said he was looking forward to commencing final preparations for the tournament.

“We’ve been progressively building towards this Asian Cup,

and I feel we’re in a great position heading into our pre-camp,” Maloney said.

“I’ve been really impressed with all the players that have been involved in our program.

“I can’t fault their application and effort in implementing both our playing style and off-field standards; they've helped shape a strong culture that’s become integral to our success.

“We’ve had some positive results throughout this cycle, which has been a great reward for the hard work from both the players and staff.

“This is a very important step in our journey, and we’re fully focused on achieving the goals we set as a group during our first assembly in Europe in early-2024,” Maloney concluded.

STORY STARTS on BACK COVER, Page 40

q Smuggler at the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race.

q Logan Sambrook representing North Coast in the Premier Youth League last season.

Return Thanks

Stephen Bruce ‘Steve’

19th March 2025, passed away peacefully at Bellinger River District Hospital, late of Boambee. Cherished husband of Debbie. Adored father and father-in-law of Kim and Jay & Alison. Treasured ‘poppa’ of Leo. Much loved by his fur babies Boof, Murphy and Bella.

Aged 74 Years “Cheers”

Steve’s Funeral Service was held in the Chapel of Hogbin Drive

Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour on Wednesday 26th March 2025.

KEITH LOGUE & SONS

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Coffs Harbour

6652 1999

MEYER, Carol Anne

23rd March 2025, passed away suddenly but peacefully at Coffs Harbour Health Campus.

Dearly beloved wife of Mark.

Aged 74 Years

Forever Missed

By All Those Who Knew Her

Carol was privately cremated at Hogbin Drive Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour as per her wishes.

KEITH LOGUE & SONS

FUNERAL

Coffs Harbour 6652 1999

MORGAN, Scott Anthony

Passed away peacefully on Sunday, 23rd March surrounded by his loving family.

Treasured husband of Tamara. Doting dad of Max & Lenny. Much loved son of Sue & Peter (dec’d), step-son of Ross (Captain). Loving brother to Stacey, step-brother to Benny, Tim and Trent, dear friend to many.

Aged 43 years

Fought a Good Fight, Gone Way Too Soon.

A celebration of Scott’s life will be held at Coffs Harbour Race Club, Howard Street, Coffs Harbour on Saturday, 5th April, 2025 commencing at 10.00am.

In honour of Scott, please wear your club colours.

In lieu of flowers, a donation box will be provided on site, with all funds raised going to Coffs Harbour Oncology Unit.

Scott’s Service will live streamed, details to appear at a later date.

In the caring hands of ALLIED FUNERAL HOME 124 West High Street, Coffs Harbour Ph: 6651 2363

GROGAN

Jason Mark

Bernie, Jan, Leanne, Joy and Jody would like to thank their family and friends for all the expressions of sympathy, floral tributes and messages. Special thanks to Keith Logue & Sons, Father Michael Alcock from Tweed Heads, Josh Shaw and Jacob from Coffs Harbour Water Police. We deeply appreciate you all

Mackay Mckay Association AGM Sat 5 April 2025 10am. 10 Princess St, Macksville Legacy Office. Enquiries 0410 024 648

MURIEL BEASLEY (nee RUTHERFORD) HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY 29th March, 2025

Happy birthday and love from Raymond, Merrilyn and Garry, Katrina and Garry, Wayne and Shamini, Shane and Jaclyn, Louise and Aaron; also fourteen Great Grandchildren, seven Great Great Grandchildren and two on the way. HAVE A GREAT DAY

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BBQ'S Galore turbo select BBQ with rotisserie, needs some work. 0467 640 964

2 brand new 20L steel Jerry cans $38 each or $70 the pair. Coffs Harbour 0403 033 203 For Sale

2.0.2 CH 120W Dolby ATMOS sound bar only 12 months old with 2 built in subwoofers. Price $100. 0412 081 950

25 jigsaws, complete clean & boxed, $100 for all or $4 each 6651 2553

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BAMBOO wireless keyboard. Something different. New in box. $35 Photos can be supplied 0490 161 119 f140225

BLACK and Decker Rebating Planer 650W unused $50 0439 682 267

BODY Board, Manta Pro Comp Rail with leash, turns quick, Red/ Black, 44inch - 20 inch wide, VGC. $63. Ph 0417 471 225

BOOKS, Cleveland Bison, Weston paperbacks. Bundle of 25 - $75. Pick up only 0400 513 862 F210325

BUFFET/DISPLAY

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CAMP oven 2qt new $25 (with accessories $40) 0439 682 267

CAMP oven (oval) 10qt as new $80 0439 682 267 f280225

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SOLD

DOLLS house, fully furnished, hand-made $100. Extra furnitur fairy pics & boxes from $4. 0437 015 100 f131224

DOOR Gym set new $50. Ph 0412 081 950

ELDERY bed safety rail for seniors brand new in box $65 Photos can be supplied 0490 161 119

ELECTRIC can opener $10 6650 0350

EXERCISE bike, $65 Ph 0408 653 970F070225

Classifieds

4981 8882 ads@ newsofthearea. com.au

GARDEN tool, ROK 4-in-1 combo petrol VGC. $55 0408 223 662 f070325

GIRLS Dressing Table Circa 1950’s original mirror & handles $80 0427 544 008

For Sale

HOOVER EVC500 Evaporative Cooler, new from Bunnings $299, still in box. $80. 0434212460 F190724

HUGH vintage mirror. 100cm x 70cm. can be hung horizontal or vwertical. $75 Photos can be supplied 0490 161 119

JACKET, Ladies Brown, suede leather Size 10, zip front, no marks $45. 0407654879

KAYAK, light weight & fast. Green Ant 580mm W x 4.570 m L fibreglass has extras inc thule roof racks Exc cond. $750 0439 740 453

For Sale

LARGE quanity of stained glass panels worth over $2,000 Asking $1000. 0491 035 704 best contact early morning/evening

LARGE outdoor umbrella with steel brace $60. 0498 090 551 F140624

LEATHER lounge 3 x 1 + 2 x 1, 2 timber outdoor settings & 2 budgies in large cage. 0407 580 436

LOUNGE suite, green fabric, dbl couch + 2 reclining chairs $100 0412 254 563

LOVELY vertical circular 5 shelves display tower for collectibles etc. $80 6652 3791

OFFICE Chair, no arm rests $10 6650 0350

OUTDOOR 3 piece setting, table 2 chairs Cast aluminium. Lovely setting. $35 0418 235 973

PASTA Maker (arcosteel) 150mm Unused, $30 0439 682 267 F280225

Public Notices

ALEXANDER palms

1.5m tall several palms in each 10” pot $15 6652 8815 Plants For Sale

CLOTHES Dryer Electric oven, Four 16” mag wheels 2 with tyres. 0448 802 146 F081125 Items for Sale

A_Z Colliers 1962 full set encyclopedias. Yearbooks 1964_1973 × 10 volumes, 10 volumes Junior classics set, GC $150. 0401 782 722

AIR mattresses, double and queen with elect pump. $50 the lot 0491 035 704

BAILEY Hercules Steel Ladder, 100kgs, 1.76 metres $50 0418 278 966 f100125

BAILEY Industrial Ladder Olympus 8, 120kgs, 2.4 metres $100 0418 278 966

CAMPING mats 6x interlocking 600x600 $30 ($5ea) 0439 682 267 f280225

CHILDREN’S play table & 2 chairs. Fun games painting & interaction $90 6652 3791

COMPUTER desk

1.2m WxD corner unit Like new $10 0422 099 142

DOG kennel, grey exc cond, heavy duty plastic, 70cm H x 70cm W x 63cm D. $40 0415 981 605 F210325

GOLD frame mirror. 75 x 50cm GC $45. Photos can be supplied 0490 161 119

GOLF Clubs Left Hand Full set with bag, brand new $350 or best offer 0408 653 970

GRANITE coffee table sitting on nice wrought iron frame 58cm L x 41cm W x 44cm H Perfect condition. $100 0491 035 704

HEAVY duty glass table top. 90cm Diameter x 1cm thick $65 Photos can be supplied 0490 161 119 F140225

KING single bed Base has 2 drawers Inner spring mattress & bedhead. Exc cond As new. $50. Boambee 0400 847 470 F210325

LADIES clothing mostly new, size 6. Must sell going cheap. Contact Kim 0403 280 231 F210325

LADIES Colorado Silverton CF sure grip black leather work/walking shoe size 8, still new in box. $90. 6655 3193

Visit newsofthearea.com.au to sign up for a FREE digital subscription to one / all of our newspapers. You will be sent an email when each of the printed editions are available to be read online. www.newsofthearea.com.au

LOCALCLASSIFIEDS

DEADLINE: 12noon WEDNESDAYS EMAIL: ads@newsofthearea.com.au WEB:

SINGER sewing machine 1925 in original

$150. Ph 0401 782 722

STORAGE cupboard

1m H x 3mL x 60cm D. 6 drawers, 2 long drawers 1m long and 3 double shelves. Black/brown outside, white inside Immac cond. Moving sale $200. 0415 981 605

SOUND Bar 2.0.2 CH 120W Dolby ATMOS 12 months old with 2 built in subwoofers. Price $100 Ph 0412 081 950

THREE Leas floral folding screen. 165cm H x 60cm W. $30 Photos can be supplied 0490 161 119

TRAILER WHEEL

Ford 205-65- R15 pro sand blasted epoxy primed & painted good rubber $60 0467 634 668

TWO macrame wall hangers hand made $50 both 0412 254 563

TWO single bed frames round heads & foot rail black. $50 both 0412 254 563

YORK stepping unit/ air walker, 3 different exercise benches, 9 sets of weights, 3 sets of bars and weights. For individual sale or the lot for $250. 6656 4293 F210325

Classifieds 4981 8882 ads@ newsofthearea. com.au

Motors Motorcycles

BMW F 750 GS Motorcycle, 2020 model $11,300. Rego 10/09/2025, EJK94 29,000km, 30,000km service just done, rear tyre, chain sprockets done at 24,700km. Exc cond. Ph Mike 0420 902 727

12 month 2008 Suzuki Boulevarde c50 8640km unregistered $15,000 6653 7595

1990 Toyota Hilux 4WD Well-maintained, high km engine. Body reasonable condition. Rego May ‘25 $5000 ono CH05XA 0413 077 493

1999 Nissan Patrol STGU, manual, 4x4 diesel, 330,000klms comes with Cooper tyres, CB radio, snorkel chrome bull bar, clear view extension mirrors more extras, exc cond $30,000. CK52AQ Coffs Harbour. 0407 536 896

Classifieds 4981 8882

2008 Honda Civic Sedan 1.8L manual, 1 owner 200,995km. $4,000 BGN41G. 0437 415 487

FORD FG 2009 cab chas ute, 6 spd man Tip Top tray with trundle ladder racks and tool box, H Reece T/Bar alloys 262,000kms excel cond one owner always garaged. $12,750 ono Ph 0422 440 802 Re080825

HYUNDAI XG Grande 2004 selling for parts, $3500 whole car 0477 616 206

LANDROVER 19712A LWB, never been on beach, alloy tray back alloy bullbar, engine runs well, $950 ono 0427 565 388. e210325

MITSUBISHI Mirage white hatchback 2015 manual, 47,454 klms well serviced & garaged exc cond, one lady owner, $11,990 ono CD68GF. 6651 9790Re050925

MITSUBISHI Pajero GLS 4WD 3.2L diesel 2003. Mechanically sound, in great condition Owned 13 years, well serviced & garaged 370,500km. Rego to 8 Jun ‘25 YZY538 $7,500 ono 0474 311 763

SUZUKI Grand Vitara 2005. 1 Lady owner 312,000km, always serviced & garaged. EC & accident free. AH06HD Great car. $5,900 0418 235 973 e210325

Boats

3.4m Savage with trailer rego, 6HP and electric swivel seats, cover safety gear, lots of extras

ACF724N. L26949

$2,000. 0427 528 084

Camper Trailer Top quality Aust. made Jimboomba Family size, exc cond Queen bed Swing out kitchen Zip on annex walls X58882. $6,000 ono Ph 0427 854 551 or 0408 854 551

2012 A'Van Maddison Poptop. All extras for free-camping. Exc cond. $25,600 ono Ph 0447 550 017 Re280225

Ultimate Off-road Family Caravan

Snowy River Multi Terrain SRT22F

Sleeps 5 - double bed plus 3 bunks. Like new plastic still on the bunks

Well-equipped kitchen light filled spacious shower & bathroom

TS82ZS. $79,900. Call Olivia 0424 046 301 Coffs Harbour

LUXURY Regal 23’

Caravan. Lge ensuite separate toilet/shower/ front load washing machine, full oven recessed bench elec/ hot water, Q bed/full wardrobes, reverse air/con, microwave/ lge fridge freezer, 3-way & pullout pantry, spice cupboard, lots of storage, radioTV with satellite connection wired for solar panels new awning, full annexe, fully serviced like new, front boot Rego 6/8/25, 754QPJ $28,000. Ph John 0428 464 063 Re280225

XG Camper potti (toilet) incl chemicals. As new cond. $95. Photos can be supplied. 0490161119 F251024

CARAVAN $49,900 ONO

2018 Jayco Outback Journey 19-61-2OB Caravan Dual Axle Rego exprires 8/11/25 EXTERNAL

Independent Suspension AL-KO Electric Braked Axels AL-KO Esc

Winegard VHF & UHF Antenna

3 - 90 LTR Water Tanks

Picnic Table

2 - 160W Solar Panels

External Entertainment Unit

2 - 9KG Gas bottles

Privacy Screens Fiamma Bike Rack 20 LTR Jerry Can Holder Slide out Kitchen New Awning with LED lighting. INTERNAL

Queen Bed with Reading Lights both sides

2 Deep Cycle Batteries

Tri-Fold Table

3 Way Full size Fridge/Freezer

3 Gas 1 Electric Cooktop with Gas Oven, Grill & Rangehood Sphere Microwave Oven Hot Water Storage Heater

Furrion Entertainment System (Outside Speakers) Furrion LED HD TV

Ensuite with separate Shower / Toilet

3.3 KG Automatic Washing Machine

Air Conditioning. Serviced regularly Ph John 0434 195 197

A male Mastiff x was found along Marshall Way, Nambucca Heads. Unfortunately,

forever

Adoption fee for 2024/2025 is $220 and this includes microchipping, vaccination, desexing & lifetime registration. Please

Caravans

Camper Trailer

Caravans

SUDOKU

TRADESSERVICES

Contractors Licence 77993C

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ONTHEBOX

BEST ON THE BOX

FRIDAY

BETTANY HUGHES’ LOST WORLDS: NABATAEANS

SBS, 8.30pm

For centuries, travellers have been fascinated by the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, and this eyeopening documentary sees historian Bettany Hughes (pictured) investigate the ancient civilisation that created it. Hughes delves into the people of the enigmatic kingdom of Nabataea, following their incense trade routes from the Arabian Peninsula to the Mediterranean and accessing new research across Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Greece, Italy and Oman. She finds Petra, their iconic capital built in the 1st century BC, was part of a vast empire only now revealing its secrets.

FRIDAY, March 28

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.

7.30 Gardening Australia. Hannah Moloney health checks her worm farm.

8.30 Under The Vines. (PG) Daisy bonds with her future daughter-in-law.

9.15 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (PG, R)

9.45 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) Presented by Tom Gleeson. 10.15 Melbourne Comedy Festival Gala. (Mls, R) Hosted by Mel Buttle.

12.10 Long Lost Family. (PG, R)

1.00 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv)

5.00 Rage. (PG)

SATURDAY

FATHER BROWN

ABC TV, 6.10pm

The fictional Cotswolds village of Kembleford sees its fair share of devilish activity. Luckily, Father Brown (Mark Williams, pictured) is on hand to help the police solve the multitude of murder cases on his patch. Set during the early 1950s, the affable and astute Father and his band of helpers are a favourite of cosy mystery fans. Season 11 begins with this episode that sees rivalries escalate to murderous heights during the 1955 “Olimpicks” – an event held by Kembleford and neighbouring village Hambleston, though not since 1952. When a Hambleston contestant is poisoned during the spinacheating contest, Father Brown has to find someone with a grudge against the victim and is not short of candidates.

SUNDAY NOTRE DAME: THE RENAISSANCE CONCERT

SBS, 8.40pm

Almost six years have passed since the world watched on in horror as France’s renowned Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral was damaged by a devastating fire in April, 2019. Though the painstaking reconstruction and restoration work goes on, the historic heart of the city reopened to visitors at the end of 2024, marking the occasion with this glamorous concert. Conducted by Gustavo Dudamel and featuring the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, this moving spectacle also includes breathtaking light shows and performances from Yo-Yo Ma, Pharrell Williams, Marion Cotillard and Angélique Kidjo.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 James May: Our Man In Italy. (PGal)

8.30 Bettany Hughes’ Lost Worlds: Nabataeans. (Premiere, PG)

9.30 Scotland’s Scenic Railways. (R)

10.25 SBS World News Late.

10.55 A Body That Works. (Ml)

12.00 Romulus. (MA15+av, R)

1.55 Elizabeth. (PGa, R)

3.40 Hugh’s Wild West. (R)

4.45 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. 8.30 MOVIE: Green Book. (2018, Ml, R) Based on a true story. In the ’60s, a distinguished African-American pianist hires a tough-talking Italian-American bouncer as his chauffeur for a concert tour through America’s Midwest and Deep South. Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini.

11.15 The Americas. (PG, R)

12.15 We Interrupt This Broadcast. (PGlv, R)

1.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

5.00 NBC Today.

6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 4. Dolphins v Brisbane Broncos. 9.55 Golden Point. A wrap-up of the Dolphins versus Brisbane Broncos match, with news and analysis.

10.45 MOVIE: Assault On Precinct 13. (2005, MA15+lv, R) A cop battles rogue colleagues. Ethan Hawke.

12.45 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)

Global Shop. (R)

TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

Postcards. (PG, R)

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 Sam Pang Tonight. (Mals, R) Presented by Sam Pang. 8.30 The Graham Norton Show. (Mlv, R) Guests include Jodie Foster, Olivia Colman, Austin Butler, Wanda Sykes and Lorraine Kelly. 10.50 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather. 11.15 The Project. (R) A look at the day’s news. 12.10

ONTHEBOX

SATURDAY, March 29

6.00 Morning Programs. 11.55 Rage Closer. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Death In Paradise. (Ma, R) 1.30 Darby And Joan. (PGa, R) 2.15 Under The Vines. (PG, R) 3.00 Extraordinary Escapes: Christmas Special. (Final, R) 3.50 A Life In Ten Pictures. (PG, R) 4.40 Poh’s Kitchen. (R) 5.10 Landline. (R) 5.40 Australian Story. (R)

6.10 Father Brown. (Return, PGav) Rivalries escalate at a local athletics event.

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Death In Paradise. (Ma) The team investigates a family with secrets.

8.30 Vera. (Ma, R) DCI Vera Stanhope investigates after a young man is found dead following a collision with a car. On closer inspection, it becomes clear that this is not an accident and is more than a hit and run.

10.05 Unforgotten. (Mals, R) The team investigates Gerry Cooper. 10.50 Boat Story. (MA15+av, R) Janet and Samuel try to find a buyer for the drugs. 11.50 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Children’s Programs. 6.05pm PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.15 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.35 Hey Duggee. 6.40 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Riley Rocket. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Harry Potter: Wizards Of Baking. (Premiere) 8.10 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament Of Houses. 8.50 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.35 Speechless. 9.55 Officially Amazing Goes Bunkers. 10.25 Late Programs.

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.00 The World From Above. (R) 11.00 Ageless Gardens. (R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Motor Racing. World Rally-Raid C’ship. Round 2. Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. H’lights. 3.00 Athletics. World Indoor C’ships. Day 1. H’lights. 4.00 Heroines. 4.30 Mental As Everything. (PGal, R) 5.30 WWII War Machine. (Premiere, PGa)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 The Wonders Of Europe. (Return)

8.30 Blenheim: The People Behind The Palace.

9.25 Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy. (R)

10.15 Great Coastal Railway Journeys. (R) 11.15 All Those Things We Never Said. (Ma, R)

3.30 Icons. (PGav, R)

4.25 Bamay. (R) 4.55 China Bitesize. (R) 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

VICELAND (31)

6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Horse Racing. Stakes Day and Australian Cup Day. 5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Athletics. Maurie Plant Meet.

9.00 MOVIE: Apollo 13. (1995, PGal, R) Three NASA astronauts find their lives in danger after a potentially catastrophic explosion. Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon. 11.50 Motorway Patrol. (PGadl)

12.20 We Interrupt This Broadcast. (PGalv, R) Sketch comedy series.

1.20 Harry’s Practice. (R) Information about pet care.

2.00 To Be Advised.

4.00 It’s Academic. (R) Hosted by Simon Reeve.

5.00 My Greek Odyssey. (PG, R)

7TWO (62)

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.00 Today Extra: Saturday. (PG) 12.00 Destination WA. (PG, R) 12.30 My Way. (PG, R) 1.00 Let’s Eat With George. 1.30 Hybrid Horizons. (Final)

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Space Invaders. (PG) A woman’s collecting has filled her small home.

8.30 MOVIE: San Andreas. (2015, Mlv, R)

A rescue helicopter pilot searches for his daughter. Dwayne Johnson.

10.45 MOVIE: Volcano. (1997, Mv, R)

12.40 Bondi Vet. (PGm, R)

1.30 Hybrid Horizons. (Final, R)

2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PG)

2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 Global Shop. (R)

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)

6.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith. 7.30 Love It Or List It Australia. Hosted by Neale Whitaker and Andrew Winter. 8.30 Gogglebox Australia. (R) TV fanatics open up their living rooms to reveal their reactions to popular and topical TV shows.

9.30 Ambulance Australia. (Madl, R) A man claims to have jumped off Brisbane’s Story Bridge and the team races against time to save his life. 10.30 Elsbeth. (PGlsv, R) 11.30 FBI. (Mav, R) 12.30 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.

SBS MOVIES (32)

6am Cheerful

SUNDAY, March 30

6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 Wknd Brekky. 9.00 Insiders. 10.00 Offsiders. 10.30 World This Week. (R) 11.00 Compass. (PG, R) 11.30 Praise. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. 1.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 2.30 Monty Don’s French Gardens. (R) 3.30 Grand Designs: 25 Years And Counting. (PGl, R) 4.30 The Jubilee Pudding. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.30 Compass. (Return, PG)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Darby And Joan. (PGa) Joan and Jack are invited to an island resort.

8.15 Unforgotten. (Ml) The team discovers Gerry’s nationalist views.

9.05 Boat Story. (MA15+l) Janet and Samuel celebrate their newfound riches.

10.05 MOVIE: Two Hands. (1999, MA15+lv, R) Heath Ledger.

11.35 You Can’t Ask That. (Mal, R)

12.05 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

3.00 Ask The Doctor. (PG, R)

3.30 Outback Ringer. (PG, R)

4.00 Gardening Australia. (R)

5.00 Insiders. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Children’s Programs. 5.10pm Tiddler. 5.35 Children’s Programs. 6.05 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.15 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.35 Hey Duggee. 6.40 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Riley Rocket. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Moominvalley. 8.00 Horrible Histories. 8.30 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.10 Abbott Elementary. 9.55 Speechless. 10.15 Merlin. 11.00 Late Programs.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Rebuilding Notre Dame Cathedral Pt 2. (R)

6am Shopping. 8.30 Better Homes. 10.00 My Greek Odyssey. 11.00 Harry’s Practice. 11.30 GetOn Extra. Noon Escape To The Country. 2.00 Better Homes. 3.00 The Yorkshire Vet. 4.00 Escape To The Country. 5.00 Horse Racing. Stakes Day and Australian Cup Day. 6.00 Dog Patrol. 6.30 Bondi Vet.

7MATE (64)

9GO! (83)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Incredible Homes. (R) 10.00 FIFA World Cup Classic Matches. 11.30 Ageless Gardens. (R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 12.30 PBS Washington Week. 1.00 Speedweek. 3.00 Athletics. World Indoor C’ships. Day 2. H’lights. 4.00 Athletics. World Indoor C’ships. Day 3. H’lights. 5.00 Heroines. 5.30 WWII War Machine. (PGa)

8.40 Notre Dame: The Renaissance Concert. Coverage of an event to celebrate the Notre-Dame Cathedral. 10.40 Windsor Castle Fire: The Untold Story. (PGa, R) 11.40 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Gent-Wevelgem. Men’s race. 1.30 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Gent-Wevelgem. Women’s race.

3.40 Britain’s Great Outdoors. (R) 4.10 Bamay. (PG, R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera.

VICELAND (31)

3.30 WorldWatch. 5.30 Over The Black Dot. 6.00 Engineering Tomorrow. 7.00 Motorcycle Racing. Australian Superbike Championship. Round 2. 10.00 Impossible Engineering. 10.55 Late Programs. 6am WorldWatch. 9.30 Small Business Secrets. 10.00 The Movie Show. 12.05pm Figure Skating. 1.40 Jeopardy! 3.45 WorldWatch. 4.10 PBS Washington Week. 4.35 Haramain: The Train Of The Desert. 5.35 Domino Masters. 6.30 Abandoned Engineering. 7.25 Abandoned Americana. 8.15 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Volta a Catalunya. Stage 7. 10.15 Abandoned Americana. 11.10 Late Programs.

SBS MOVIES (32)

Weather For The Wedding. Continued. (2012, PG) 7.00 Goddess. (2013, PG) 8.55 Every Day. (2018, PG) 10.45 Shiva Baby. (2020, M) 12.10pm Stand By Me. (1986, M) 1.45 What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. (1993, PG) 3.55 Capricorn One. (1977, PG) 6.10 Sabrina. (1995, PG) 8.30 The Peacemaker. (1997, MA15+) 10.45 Body Double. (1984, MA15+) 12.55am Late Programs. 6am Capricorn

One. Continued. (1977, PG) 7.15 The Farewell. (2019, PG) 9.10 Little Nicholas’ Treasure. (2021, PG, French) 11.05 Dirty Dancing. (1987, M) 1pm The Perks Of Being A Wallflower. (2012, M) 2.55 Cheerful Weather For The Wedding. (2012, PG) 4.45 Topkapi. (1964, PG) 6.55 Children Of Heaven. (1997, PG, Farsi) 8.30 Paradise Road. (1997, M) 10.35 My Own Good. (2018, M, Italian) 12.25am Late Programs.

6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Sunday Footy Feast. 2.30 Air Crash Investigations: The Accident Files. (PGa, R) 3.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R) 4.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R) 5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Sydney Weekender.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Australian Idol. (PGl) Hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie.

8.40 The Hunters: Bondi Hate Murders. (Mav) A look at attacks on the gay community.

10.10 Tabloids On Trial. (Premiere, Mal) 11.40 Pembrokeshire Murders: Catching The Gameshow Killer. (Mav, R)

12.40 The Bay. (Malv, R)

2.00 To Be Advised.

3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

7TWO (62)

7MATE (64)

6am Children’s Programs. 1.30pm MOVIE: Alvin And The Chipmunks: The Road Chip. (2015, PG) 3.20 Motorway Cops: Catching Britain’s Speeders. 4.20 Young Sheldon. 5.45 MOVIE: Dr Seuss’ The Lorax. (2012) 7.30 MOVIE: Wonder Woman. (2017, M) 10.15 MOVIE: 6am Morning Programs. 12.30pm Timbersports. 1.00 Blokesworld. 1.30 Cool Cars & Bikes. 2.00 Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars. 3.00 Motor Racing. National Drag Racing Championship. Top Fuel Championship. 4.00 Full Custom Garage. 5.00 Counting Cars. 6.00 Pawn Stars. 7.00 Storage Wars. 7.30 Aussie Salvage Squad. 8.30 Football.

6am Children’s Programs. 1pm The Nanny. 2.00 Motor Racing. IndyCar Series. The Thermal Club IndyCar Grand Prix. H’lights. 3.10 Surfing Australia. 4.10 Young Sheldon. 5.40 MOVIE: Alvin And The Chipmunks: The Road Chip. (2015, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: 10 Things Hate About You. (1999, PG) 9.30 MOVIE: Coyote Ugly. (2000, PG) 11.30 Mr Mayor. Midnight The Originals. 2.00 Young Sheldon. 3.00 Late Programs.

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 Married At First Sight. (PGls)

8.40 60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating, analysing and uncovering the issues affecting all Australians.

9.40 9News Late.

10.10 See No Evil: She’s Fake. (Ma)

11.10 The First 48. (Mav)

12.00 Oz Off Road TV. (PG, R)

1.00 Destination WA.

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa)

4.30 Drive TV: Drive Car Of The Year. (R)

5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

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6.00 The Sunday Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.00 Australian Survivor. (PGl) Presented by Jonathan LaPaglia. 8.30 Matlock. (PGa) Olympia’s dream of partnership is on the line as she and the team scramble to remove a dangerous drink from the market. 9.30 FBI. (Madv) The team races against the clock to take back control of a hijacked train that an unarmed OA and Gemma are riding. 11.30 The Sunday Project. (R) Joins panellists for a look at the day’s news, events and hot topics. 12.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.

9GO! (83)

ONTHEBOX

MONDAY, March 31

TUESDAY, April 1

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Lisbon With Michael Portillo. (PG)

8.25 Pompeii: The New Dig. (PGa, R)

9.30 24 Hours In Emergency.

10.30 SBS World News Late.

11.00 Syndrome E. (MA15+av)

12.05 The Night Manager. (MA15+v, R)

2.20 Australia Uncovered: Our African Roots. (PGa, R)

3.20 Hugh’s Wild West. (R)

4.25 Bamay. (R)

4.55 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)

7.30 Australian Idol. (PGl)

8.30 9-1-1: Lone Star. (Ma) The 126 races to contain a toxic chlorine cloud.

9.30 Suits L.A. (M)

10.30 The Agenda Setters.

11.30 St. Denis Medical. (PGals)

12.00 We Interrupt This Broadcast. (PGals, R)

1.00 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

1.30 Harry’s Practice. (R)

2.00 To Be Advised.

4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls)

9.00 100% Footy. (M)

10.00 9News Late.

10.30 The Prison Confessions Of Gypsy-Rose Blanchard. (Mad)

11.30 Police After Dark. (Mlv, R)

12.30 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R)

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer.

6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 Australian Survivor. (PGl) Presented by Jonathan LaPaglia. 8.40 Sam Pang Tonight. (Mals) A weekly tonight show hosted by Sam Pang, featuring a monologue roasting the news of the week. 9.40 Taskmaster Australia. (Mls, R) Hosted by Tom Gleeson. 10.50 10’s Late News. 11.15 The Project. (R) 12.15 The Late Show With

(MA15+adhlnsv) 3.40 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

6am Fantastic

Mr. Fox. Continued. (2009, PG) 6.35 Sabrina. (1995, PG) 8.55 Capricorn One. (1977, PG) 11.10 My Own Good. (2018, M, Italian) 1pm Man Who Didn’t Want To See The Titanic. (2021, M, Finnish) 2.35 Tourism. (2017) 4.00 The Farewell. (2019, PG) 5.55 Selkie. (2000, PG) 7.30 Within Sand. (2022, M, Arabic) 9.40 Hajjan. (2023, M, Arabic) Midnight Late Programs.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Great Coastal Railway Journeys. (R) 8.30 Insight.

9.30 Dateline.

10.00 SBS World News Late.

10.30 Guillaume’s Paris. (R)

11.00 Snow. (Premiere, PGas)

11.55 Illegals. (Malsv, R)

1.50 Hugh’s Wild West. (R)

3.55 Inside The Modelling Agency. (R)

4.50 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

The Fast History Of. 6.10 Mysteries From Above. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 James May: Our Man In... Japan. (Premiere) 10.25 Late Programs.

(32) SBS MOVIES (32)

6am Little

Nicholas’ Treasure. Continued. (2021, PG, French)

7.50 Topkapi. (1964, PG) 10.00 Paradise Road. (1997, M) 12.05pm Within Sand. (2022, M, Arabic)

2.15 Children Of Heaven. (1997, PG, Farsi) 3.50 Dafne. (2019, PG, Italian) 5.35 Belle. (2013, PG)

7.30 The Grump: In Search Of An Escort. (2022, M, Finnish) 9.35 My Neighbor Adolf. (2022) 11.25 Late Programs.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)

7.30 The Americas: Mexico. (PG)

8.30 The Hunting Party. (M) 9.30 The Irrational. (Mav) Alec helps Rose when an attorney general is threatened by a scandalous deep fake video that puts lives in danger.

10.30 The Agenda Setters.

11.30 St. Denis Medical. (PGal) 12.00 MOVIE: House Of Chains. (2022, MA15+av, R) Mena Suvari.

2.00 To Be Advised.

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

ONTHEBOX

WEDNESDAY, April 2

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Alone Australia. (Ml)

8.40 Eurostar: Minding The Gap. Looks at the Eurostar.

9.40 Rogue Heroes. (MA15+v) 10.45 SBS World News Late. 11.15 Blackwater. (Malsv)

12.20 My Brilliant Friend. (Malv, R)

3.50 Bamay. (R)

4.50 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

MOVIES (32)

6am Tourism.

Continued. (2017) 6.25 Belle. (2013, PG) 8.20 Selkie. (2000, PG) 9.55 Dafne. (2019, PG, Italian) 11.40 Hajjan. (2023, M, Arabic) 2pm The Movie Show. 2.35 The Kids Are Alright. (2021, PG, Spanish) 4.15 Viajeros. (2022, PG, Spanish) 5.50 Eat Wheaties! (2020, PG) 7.30 Made In America. (1993, M) 9.35 Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery. (1997, M) 11.15 Late Programs.

THURSDAY, April 3

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Finding Your Roots. (PGa)

8.30 Sydney’s Super Tunnel. (Return)

9.30 Virdee. (M) 10.35 SBS World News Late.

11.05 Breaking Point. (Mlsv)

11.55 Blinded. (Madl, R)

1.40 Hugh’s Wild West. (R)

3.45 Inside The Modelling Agency. (Ml, R)

4.40 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

3.45 News. 3.50 WorldWatch. 5.50 History’s Crazy Rich Ancients. 6.15 Over The Black Dot. 6.45 Travel Man. 7.15 Jeopardy! 7.45 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 History’s Greatest Mysteries. 10.10 The UnXplained. 11.00 Homicide. 11.55 Late Programs.

SBS MOVIES (32)

6am Dafne. Continued. (2019, PG, Italian) 6.45 Viajeros. (2022, PG, Spanish) 8.20 The Kids Are Alright. (2021, PG, Spanish) 10.00 My Neighbor Adolf. (2022) 11.50 The Grump: In Search Of An Escort. (2022, M, Finnish) 1.55pm Belle. (2013, PG) 3.50 The Magic Of Belle Isle. (2012, PG) 5.55 Fantastic Mr. Fox. (2009, PG) 7.30 Gambit. (2012) 9.10 The Duke. (2020, M) 11.00 Late Programs.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PG)

7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PG)

8.30 The Front Bar. (Ml) Takes a lighter look at all things AFL.

9.30 Unfiltered. (PGal) Hosted by Hamish McLachlan.

10.00 Lawrence Mooney: Embracing Your Limitations. (MA15+s, R)

11.30 Autopsy USA. (Mad)

12.30 Covert Affairs. (Mv, R)

1.30 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

2.00 To Be Advised. 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 The Hundred With Andy Lee. (Return, PGs)

8.30 The Grand Tour. (Return, MA15+l) 9.50 Freddy And The Eighth. (Ml) 10.50 9News Late.

11.20 The Equalizer. (MA15+v, R) 12.10 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.05 Hello SA. (PG)

TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

Global Shop. (R)

TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa)

A Current Affair. (R) 5.00

SATURDAY 29 MARCH, 7PM

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)

7.30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly. (PGa) An Australian labradoodle won’t stop licking.

8.30 Britain’s Got Talent. (PG) Auditions begin as weird, wacky and wonderful acts compete in front of celebrity judges.

9.45 The Amazing Race. (PG)

11.15 The Chernobyl Disaster. (Ma, R)

12.15 Damnation. (MA15+asv)

1.30 Harry’s Practice. (R)

2.00 To Be Advised.

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

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By David WIGLEY

NORTH Coast football prodigy Logan Sambrook has clinched a coveted spot in the 23-man Joeys squad set to represent Australia at the AFC U17 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia from 3-20 April.

The announcement marks a significant milestone for the young talent, whose journey began on the fields of Northern Storm Football Club and soared through North Coast Football's Premier Youth League, resulting in a scholarship with A-League powerhouse the Central Coast Mariners last year.

Page 29

q Logan Sambrook representing North Coast in the Premier Youth League last season.

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