Issuu

By Alex MITCHELL, AAP

CLIMATE protesters are ramping up efforts to disrupt the fossil fuel industry, scaling and blocking a ship bound for the world's largest coal port.

Three Greenpeace activists scaled the ship on Sunday morning at Rising Tide's annual "protestival" at Newcastle Harbour, unveiling a banner reading "Phase Out Coal and Gas".

After police confirmed 11 people were charged on Saturday relating to swimming, kayaking and boating to block a shipping lane, another 21 were charged on Sunday for similar "marine-related offences".

Authorities also alleged a violent assault took place at nearby Foreshore Park involving attendees, in which a 46-year-old man was hospitalised with back, arm, leg and head lacerations.

An 18-year-old man was arrested in relation to the incident but was yet to be charged.

Rising Tide claimed a coal ship, named RAGNAR, was forced to turn around on Sunday afternoon after about 95 people in 50 kayaks blocked its path.

A coal ship was also turned around on Saturday.

Earlier, three Greenpeace activists boarded a coal ship and unveiled their banner, having already written "Timeline Now" on its side in non-toxic paint.

One of the activists latched onto the ship's anchor chain.

Mina Bui Jones, who was arrested on Saturday for swimming into the shipping lane with the intention of disrupting coal delivery, said seeing ships turned around was "empowering" and showed "people stepping up where our government is failing us".

"It was actually beautiful to be out on the water, to see this magnificent harbour," she said.

"It was thrilling to see the boats go back into their berth, and to know that we had prevented a coal ship from making a delivery... was thrilling and I would do it again."

Elen O'Donnell, a Greenpeace activist and doctor who scaled the ship, said the protest effort was a peaceful yet meaningful defiance.

"We're trying to send a message that we do not want any new coal and gas projects, and we need a timeline to phase out fossil

fuels," she said.

"We've been up here for a couple of hours, the workers on board have been super friendly… we've managed to stop the ship from entering the port for its scheduled unload of coal, and we'll stay here as long as we can."

NSW Police said they attempted to stop a boat that had entered its exclusion zone at about 10am on Sunday, but alleged the boat failed to stop.

They said the boat allegedly collided with a police jet ski after refusing to stop, although no injuries were reported.

Pulling the plug on pokies in bid to curb gambling harm

By Farid FARID, AAP

TENS of thousands of poker machines will be switched off at dawn to allow problem gamblers to revive and survive.

NSW is second only to Nevada, home to casino-lined Las Vegas, when it comes to the number of gaming machines with nearly 90,000 across the state.

More than 670 clubs will be mandated to shut down all poker machines between

4am and 10am each day of the week.

"The six-hour shutdown is a harm minimisation measure intended to provide players with an important break in play, so patrons go home, get 'out of the zone' and reflect upon their behaviour," the government announced on Monday.

A 2023 report into electronic gaming machines showed 70.5 per cent of gamblers are classified at high or moderate risk

between 4am and 10am.

Gaming Minister David Harris said variations to a 2001 law were not fit for purpose for pubs and clubs to keep the lights on slot machines outside of mandated hours.

"We are striking the balance of addressing gambling harm while supporting an industry that contributes billions to the NSW economy and employs more than 150,000 people," he said.

He noted operators would be given until March 31 to implement the changes.

The crucial tweaks come after Greens MP Cate Faehrmann introduced a bill to parliament in October that would remove the loophole allowing venues to sidestep shutdown hours.

"This is a win for common sense, public health and for the thousands of people harmed every year by predatory gambling," she told AAP.

A series of events have run alongside the protests, including speeches, workshops and live music headlined by Australian indie pop act Lime Cordiale.

Newcastle City Council defended its decision to approve the festive events alongside the protests.

"Shutting down this loophole should have never taken this long ... this exemption has been exploited for years by venues chasing every last dollar of gambling harm."

She argued there is a "hell of a lot more to do" referring to mandatory cashless gaming.

The cashless card emerged as a key recommendation from a landmark 2022 NSW Crime Commission report that showed some $95 billion were being laundered by criminals.

It became a hotly debated talking point in the lead-up to the 2023 state elections with Labor hammered for being seen as too close to the

Newcastle is the world's largest coal export port, sending 150 million tonnes offshore annually, mostly to east Asia.

gaming lobby. Last month newly installed Liberals leader Kellie Sloane attacked Labor's inaction on problem gambling, including a failed $3.4 million cashless gaming trial that only had 14 participants.

Profits hit all-time highs of $8.4 billion in the 2023/24 financial year, delivering $2.3 billion in tax revenue, with three in four machines found on the floors of clubs.. The figure is tipped to increase to $2.9 billion by 2027/28.

A Grattan Institute analysis estimated NSW residents lost $1288 per adult on pokies in 2023, double the average of other states.

q Scores of climate protesters have tried to block coal ships from Newcastle port. Photo: Darren Pateman/AAP.

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News Of The Area OPINION

Dorin’s Draws By Paul DORIN

On theCouch

Email Jasminda: media@newsofthearea.com.au

DEAR Jasminda,

MANY years ago, my husband and I bought a vertical burial plot with space for three people.

My husband died years ago, we didn't have any children, and I recently met another man.

Do you think it would be okay if my new soul mate and I used the two remaining plot spaces when the time comes? Elissa D.

Dear Elissa,

While I don't know a great deal about Feng shui, I suspect a graveyard threesome where one party cannot give consent (i.e. your longdeparted husband) would be seriously bad karma.

Good karma would be placing grass (not Jim, the sinewy groundsman at Evergreen

Haven) on top of your husband's tomb. It does bring up an important subject though.

Two, in fact.

The exorbitant price of burial plots, and the need to have funeral plans in place, so others don't have to second guess your wishes.

In your husband's case, for example, he could have put in a clause that he didn't want to be buried near a tree (since the roots can cause havoc with the coffin), and he also didn't want to be buried under Jim – Evergreen Haven's resident Lothario (which will most certainly cause havoc with his ego if there's an afterlife).

Elissa, please rethink your plans.

If money is the issue (and it may be since burial plots cost thousands of dollars), you could (and should) consider an inexpensive alternative.

Perhaps sell the plot and with the money opt for a simple cremation.

You could ask for your ashes to be scattered in the direction of your moral compass i.e. completely off the map.

Kids Boot Camp 055

Carpe diem, Jasminda.

Santa’s Christmas Cave a huge success

By Marilyn SANDERSON

THE Gloucester branch of the Country Women’s Association (CWA) hosted a

successful Santa’s Christmas Cave fundraiser on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 November. The idea came from CWA member Sandy Tebbet after

she spent Christmas 2023 in New York City.

Sandy was inspired by the markets in New York and told News Of The Area she

saw “a great opportunity to involve the whole Gloucester community” while raising funds for the CWA.

“This is the second year Santa’s Christmas Cave has been open for business and thanks to the support it received it is set to be an annual event,” she said.

“People came from as far away as Port Macquarie, Sydney, Newcastle, Krambach, Stroud and the Central Coast.”

CWA branch members were busy throughout the year making unique items for sale at the event.

The children who attended were well catered for and enjoyed a variety of craft activities.

Thomas McKinlay won the children’s colouring competition.

Debbie Sanderson from Port Macquarie won first prize in the raffle, a set of Mr and Mrs Claus models.

“The prize was donated by Melissa and Sandy from Forever Christmas at Mayfield,” Kelly Boyer said.

“I asked for a donation, but I wasn’t expecting anything so special.”

Second prize, a beautiful patchwork game of ‘Snakes and Ladders’ created by Sandy Tebbet, was won by Shayne Goode.

CWA member Margery Phair was kept busy filling out tickets.

“The raffle tickets sold like hot cakes and people were very generous in purchasing the tickets,” she said.

Gloucester CWA members are also selling raffle tickets for their Christmas Hampers which are on display in the window of Home Caring in Church Street.

Tickets will be on sale between 9am and midday on Saturday 6 December or they can be purchased from Home Caring.

The raffle, with six hampers to be won, will be drawn on Tuesday 9 December.

Using AI and waste trucks to map roads

By Wendy BUSWELL

THE Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia (IPWEA) NSW & ACT, in collaboration with Transport for NSW, is conducting an innovative trial using artificial intelligence (AI) to assist maintenance teams in planning, managing, and repairing roads.

This makes it the secondlongest public road network for any Council in NSW.

Robert Scott, Director Infrastructure and

According to the MidCoast Council Roads Strategy, the Council's road network spans over 3,600km, approximately the same distance as Taree to Perth.

Engineering Services with MidCoast Council said, "We have a substantial number of roads to maintain.

“When the opportunity arose to participate in the second (Beta) phase of the trial, we immediately

GACCI celebrates volunteers

By Wendy BUSWELL

GLOUCESTER Arts and Culture

Council (GACCI) has more than 90 volunteers keeping the Gloucester Gallery open, performing in plays, assisting with lighting and sound, serving drinks, and running workshops.

“Without our volunteers GACCI would not be able to provide the multitude of activities we do,” said Charlie Lethbridge, Gloucester Gallery administrator.

expressed our interest.”

The initiative utilises dash-mounted cameras on waste collection vehicles to collect digital imagery of road defects, including potholes, cracks, street litter, faded line markings, and damaged signs and guideposts.

The imagery is analysed by AI to evaluate the severity and risk of the defect.

"This is a positive application of AI.

“The waste trucks are constantly travelling our roads, so we can collect a lot of information.

“Using AI, we can analyse and sort it in a way that makes it easier to manage the road issues that need fixing."

Mr Scott explained that the technology can also compare data over time, providing valuable insights.

“It’d be impossible to do that manually,” he said.

William Douglas, a Roads

and Transport Engineer for IPWEA, mentioned that the pilot study has already provided information about the specific benefits of AI, such as savings in road inspections and increased efficiencies.

Transport for NSW believes that utilising AI could revolutionise road maintenance and operations by improving efficiency, offering more detailed information, and enabling councils to take a proactive approach to maintenance.

Mr Scott echoed this, saying, "It is a game changer." These before-and-after images served as evidence to prove how the road infrastructure was impacted by the flood in 2025.

The pilot stage of the trial is complete with the program now expanding to include more NSW councils.

“We wanted to thank everyone for their commitment and hard work,” GACCI secretary Jenny Lindsay said.

Many of the volunteers who came to the morning tea had not met each other before.

“Gallery volunteers look after the gallery on their own so today was a great way for them to meet other volunteers,” said Charlie.

To thank the volunteers for their support the GACCI committee organised a thank you morning tea at the Gloucester Gallery.

GACCI has a big 2026 planned with four productions in the pipeline, theatre workshops for adults, a primary school drama group, a writing competition, music events and a new art exhibition every month.

GACCI is also keen to run some movie evenings.

“We are very excited about 2026. If you are interested in theatre, writing, music or art we are a great organisation to become involved with. New people are very welcome.” Charlie told News Of The Area.

q Santa, Mrs Claus and Santa’s helper.

q Thomas McKinlay displays his winning entry.

q The initiative utilises dash-mounted cameras on waste collection vehicles to collect digital imagery of road defects, including potholes, cracks, street litter, faded line markings, and damaged signs and guideposts.

q Penny Brockman and Carol Bennett.

Blanch and Davies dominate golf presentation

By Peter WILDBLOOD

THURSDAY night last, 27

November, the Gloucester Golf Club held its annual

Presentation Night with Paul Blanch the standout performer in the major men’s events closely matched by Catherine Davies who

featured strongly in the Womens and the Veterans competitions during the year.

Paul Blanch had yet another stellar year with wins

in the Club Championship complemented by winning the A grade Matchplay Championship, the Mixed Foursomes Championship along with Evelyn Blanch. He was also the A grade Summer Eclectic gross winner, the A grade Winter Eclectic gross winner and the overall winner in the Open Day Advocate Cup.

Brian Osborne was the 2025 B grade Champion and Peter Markey won both the C grade Championship and the C grade Matchplay Championship. The Men's Foursomes Championship was won by Nathan McInnes and Shane Crichton. Ben Veitch won the net A grade Winter Eclectic with Mark Stone following suit in the B grade Summer Eclectic. In C grade the Summer Eclectic net winner was Kev Arney, and the Winter Eclectic net winner was Dave Robbins

For the Gloucester Golf Ladies, Carolyn Davies was the standout overall performer winning the Ladies Championship,

sharing a win with Dale Rabbett in the Women’s Foursomes Championship finishing the year winning the Medal of Medals for 2025 and winning her division in the WGNSW Medal. Dale Rabbett was runner up in the championship. The net champion for the year was Anne Wand with Evelyn Blanch runner up. The Foursomes Net Winners were Rhonda Nightingale and Moya Harris. Gai Falla and Cheryl Goodrich won their divisions in the WGNSW Medal.

The Gloucester Veteran Golfers also turned in some competitive performances in 2025 with Ken Kelly winning their Championship. The B grade Vets Men’s Champion was Paul Griffiths and the C grade Men’s Champion, Arthur Poynting. The Men’s Net Champion was Paul Griffith. The Women’s Veteran Champion for 2025 was Carolyn Davies with Anne Wand the net champion. The Winter Shield Champion was Carolyn Davies and Ken

Kelly won the Summer Shield Championship. The Radford Webb Trophy was won by Gai Falla and the trophy for the most consistent Veteran golfer was won by Carolyn Davies.

On Saturday 29 November Voltr sponsored a Four Person Ambrose and the winning team with a score of 69 5/8 was Jason Andren, Marc Peacock, Cody Fullarton and Justin Beh. Runners up, just a ¼ stroke behind were Brendon Murray, Josh Wilson, Peter Bignell and Gary Threadgate.

The Super Sevens for the week ending Friday 28 November was won by Peter Markey with 17 Stableford points. He was followed by ball winners Wayne Maddalena and Paul Thibault 16, Jonny Tighe 14 and, on a count back, Dave Saunders 13.

On Saturday 6 December the Gloucester Golf Club will be playing its December Monthly Medal, an Individual Stroke event sponsored by the Arkwood Family. The following Saturday there will be an Individual Stableford.

Barnard in women’s golf win Thibault wins vets golf

By Peter WILDBLOOD

WEDNESDAY 26 November, the Gloucester Golf Ladies continued their Summer Competition of 12-hole Individual Stableford with the win going to Pauline Barnard.

The day was hot and steamy, an obvious precursor

to the wind and heavy storms that evening.

The winner was Pauline Barnard after a countback with 27 points, with balls won by Susi Higgins, 27, Julie Paterson, 25, and Dale Rabbett, 23, on a count back.

The Nearest-to-the-Pin trophy at the 4th and 13th

holes was won by Rhonda Nightingale; at the 6th hole that honour went to Dale Rabbett.

The Gloucester Golf Ladies Summer Competition continues each Wednesday through to late February.

Gloucester Lady Bowlers

By Jennifer BURLEY

CHAMPIONSHIPS are

finished for 2025 and Social Bowls is the format for games at the moment as well as the excessive heat which has affected the enthusiasm for the Ladies to venture out on the rink but there were 12 stoic "girls" who took to the green for 3 matches of 3 bowl

pairs. Judy Sheely and Janette Mumford defeated Jill Carson and Bev Murray 14 to 3.

Penny Gibson and Joan Ridgeway defeated Jenny Burley and Helen Banks 10 to 4 and Gina Dalmulder and Lou Clements defeated Julie Kriss and Suzanne Cross 25 to 2. Unfortunately because of the heat the ladies did finish early and a draw of the cards was

done, lucky winners being Jill and Bev and runners up Gina and Lou.

Social Play again on 3rd December with the Christmas Luncheon and Bowls to be celebrated on the 10th December, those attending names on the board and Secret Santa gift to Colleen for sharing.

By Peter WILDBLOOD

TUESDAY 25 November saw the Gloucester Veteran Golfers with a goodsized field play in midthirties heat; none of which deterred Paul Thibault from a win with a net score well inside his handicap.

The event was an Individual Stroke with a Putting competition run in conjunction, all of which was sponsored by Will Bosma.

The winner with a net score of 66 was Paul Thibault with Derek Wand, 69, as runner up. Balls were won by Joe Farugia 70,

Derek Bardwell 72, Hugh Torode 74 and Carolyn Davies and Bill Murray 77.

Derek Bardwell was the top putter on the day with a low 26 putts.

The Nearest-to-thePin trophies were won by Trevor Sharp at the 4th and 13th holes and by Carolyn Davies and Bill Murray at the 6th and 15th holes.

This past Tuesday, 2 December, the Veteran Golfers will have played an Individual Stableford sponsored by Ken Kelly. On Tuesday of next week they will play another Individual Stableford this time sponsored by Debbie and Peter Sate.

q Nathan McInnes, Paul Blanch.

q Paul Thibault.

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Rodeo star

By Kim TEOH

LANE Edwards has had a dominant year on the Australian bronc riding scene.

In September, 21-yearold Lane was named the 2025 Rookie Xtreme Broncs Australia Champion by the Australian Professional Rodeo Association (APRA), after another strong showing at the Marrar Madness campdraft and rodeo in the NSW Riverina.

“The weekend was special because grandparents Des and Shirley Rinkin were well enough to come along,” said Lane’s mum, Briget.

Lane competes in saddle bronc riding events across Australia with plans to ride in America professionally.

He won events in four different states to lead the Rookie Xtreme Broncs Australia standings prior to the Marrar Madness event.

The finals at Marrar were a two round competition.

Lane won the first round and was second in the next, giving him the overall win and the 2025 rookie champion

title.

He is also leading the (ABCRA) Australian Bushman’s Campdraft and Rodeo Association rookie standings, with finals to be held in Tamworth in January 2026.

Lane’s journey in the sport began watching events as young as two-weeks-old, before taking to the saddle in friendly competition with his older brother.

His father, Ross, competed in saddle bronc riding in Australia and Canada.

“Bronc riding is the original form of rodeo derived from the days of breaking and training horses for transport and stock handling,” Ross said.

“There’s a challenge created by a horse so wild that no one can ride.

“Today stock contractors go to great lengths to breed and train great bucking horses to make a spectacle of the event and riders compete in an international saddle that is purpose-made to certain standards and used worldwide,” he added.

q Lane Edwards was dominant throughout the series. Photo: Jim Purcell/BootFace Photography.