GLOUCESTER DISTRICT Of The Area News
Libertarians to contest Lyne
THE
Mr
A
He
“Labor
ECO DESTINATION
Port Macquarie-Hastings councillor Mark Hornshaw
John WATTS 0438 346 544 watts@newsofthearea.com.au
Wendy BUSWELL 0415 124 960 wendy@newsofthearea.com.au
Doug CONNOR 0431 487 679 doug@newsofthearea.com.au
EDITOR
02 4981 8882 ads@newsofthearea.com.au
Bakery before the court
By John WATTS
FAMILY-OWNED Hebby’s Bakery, which has operated in Gloucester since 1935, appeared via a solicitor in Gloucester Local Court
INDEPENDENT candidate
for Lyne Jeremy Miller says he is “shocked but not surprised” at a January report revealing no bulk billing medical centres in the Lyne electorate.
On 13 January 2025, Cleanbill released its third annual “Blue Report”, providing nationwide and state-by-state insights into GP billing arrangements
We
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Lovey's IGA
Gloucester Library
Gloucester Caravan Park
Hebbys Bakery
Yates & Twomey
Hannaford Stock & Land Real
Barrington
Barrington Shop
on 12 February to answer thirteen charges brought by MidCoast Council alleging breaches of the Food Standards Code.
The Australian Institute of Food Safety states, “In NSW, food safety requirements are set by the Food Act 2003 (NSW) and the Food Regulation 2015 (NSW).
“These Acts require that food sold in NSW is safe and suitable for human consumption and meets all standards set out in the Food Standards Code.”
across multiple years.
The report’s findings focus on the electorates with the largest increases and decreases in bulk billing and out-of-pocket costs since the start of 2023, as well as those which no longer have any bulk billing clinics.
Lyne was listed as one of ten federal electorates where there are no bulk
billing medical centres.
“While some electorates have gained bulk billing clinics since 2023, the vast majority (86.7 percent) lost them,” the report states.
“And there were significant drops in bulk billing in some electorates over the course of just the last two years, with 15 electorates (state and
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their present state,” he said.
“Instead of rejecting the environmentally and economically destructive net-zero agenda, the coalition plays along.
“Instead of opposing censorship, spying, digital ID, and ‘hate speech’ laws, they support these 'Big Brother' impositions.
“The biggest contributor to the rising cost of living is the cost of government, yet instead of cutting taxes and waste, they accept the status quo.”
Mr Hornshaw said the Libertarians want to dramatically reduce taxes, and increase the tax-free threshold to $50,000 for individuals and $100,000 combined income for couples.
“We oppose digital ID, censorship, 'misinformation' laws
and social media bans," he said.
“And we oppose the destructive bipartisan agenda of net-zero.”
The Libertarians garnered considerable local support in the 2024 council elections, securing around 16 percent of the primary vote in Port MacquarieHastings and around 23 percent in MidCoast Council.
MidCoast councillor
Mark Graham, who also represents the Libertarians, said Mr Hornshaw would make “an excellent federal member for Lyne”.
“Mark’s election campaign in 2022, which took a principled stand against lockdowns, mandates and government overreach is what inspired many of us to join the Libertarian Party.
"The Libertarians have become a strong
Notice to Residents
force in the area, with an amazing level of grassroots support.”
Mr Hornshaw is an economist with 15 years of university teaching experience in economics, management and entrepreneurship.
Prior to that he operated businesses in
The solicitor for MidCoast Council told the court that further charges were to be laid, and all matters were adjourned by consent to 16 April 2025 for sentence.
federal) now containing no available, bulk billing GP clinics.
“The story is much the same with out-of-pocket costs: some electorates saw decreases, but the vast majority of electorates showed increases in outof-pocket costs, some by as much as 25 percent of the average fee at the start of 2023.
Libertarians to contest Lyne
the telecommunications and foodservice industries.
He has also served as president of a state sporting organisation, board member of an overseas aid charity, and Federal Policy Chair for the Libertarian Party.
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Magistrate G Moore directed that the parties file an agreed statement of facts with the court by 9 April.
“With bulk billing rates and out-of-pocket costs varying so greatly from electorate to electorate, it’s critically important that Australians have easy access to availability and pricing information for every clinic around them.”
Jeremy Miller, who will run as an independent in the upcoming federal election, said locals across Lyne were raising the issue regularly.
“We’re in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis and local people can’t access the bulk-billed healthcare that they need.
“It should be a right for all of us to have affordable access to see a doctor that we know.
“People are delaying going to the doctor because they can’t afford it and that’s a real risk to their health.”
If elected, Mr Miller pledged to push for “immediate action and real solutions”.
“People need relief now, not more talk from politicians,” he said.
“We have a pilot program in our area that is getting doctors and nurses to stay in our community long term.
“That’s not the whole solution, but it’s a start.
“These are the practical, low-cost solutions that we need.
“I’ll fight for funding to expand that program through our region.“
q Libertarian candidate Mark Hornshaw.
Reappeal for information after pursuit
NSW POLICE are reappealing for information after the driver of a pursued vehicle was believed to have been seen on the Pacific Highway.
Police believe the man might have been sighted on the southbound side of the Pacific Highway at Balickera, just south of the Italia Road turnoff, about 1.45pm on Thursday 13 February 2025.
About 8am last Thursday, police attempted to stop a blue Ford Falcon on The Bucketts Way at Booral.
Inquiries revealed the vehicle was stolen from Queensland and the driver had allegedly failed to pay for fuel at a service station in Walcha earlier that day.
When the driver failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated.
The pursuit continued to a rest stop at Twelve Mile Creek where the driver exited the vehicle and entered
ECO DESTINATION
FROM Page 1
to welcome the Barrington Coast region as our newest certified ECO Destination,” said Ecotourism Australia CEO Elissa Keenan.
"Led by the wonderful team at MidCoast Council, this achievement highlights the region’s commitment to adhering to global best practice sustainable tourism.
“Alongside achieving ECO Destination Certification, the region has actively supported local operators to achieve business certification or to complete our pre-certification benchmarking tool, the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard,” Ms Keenan said.
Support for the certification program was
also provided from WWFAustralia's Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund.
Following the Black Summer bushfires, WWFAustralia partnered with Ecotourism Australia to help 11 bushfire-affected regions build back better through ecotourism.
“Our ECO Destination Certification with Ecotourism Australia, highlights our continued commitment and progress towards a more sustainable tourism industry, while creating more attractive experiences for locals and visitors,” said Mayor Claire Pontin.
MidCoast Council has implemented a wide range of sustainability initiatives
including developing a Climate Action Strategy to achieve Net Zero targets by 2040, installing over 200kW of solar panels across 10 public buildings, holding water resilience workshops, and replacing printed visitor information booklets with QR codes that link to interactive online guides.
Destination NSW Acting CEO Karen Jones said, “Destination NSW congratulates Barrington Coast on achieving ECO Destination Certification — an achievement that reflects the region’s deep commitment to sustainability across environmental, cultural, and socio-economic dimensions.
"By embracing global
bushland on foot.
Officers searched for the man with the assistance of the Dog Unit and PolAir, however he was not located.
A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a firearm.
As part of inquiries, police released an image
and description of a man they believe can assist with inquiries.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, of thin build, about 165-175cm tall, with brown hair and brown eyes.
He was last seen wearing
a black hat and black shirt with a large white motif.
Anyone with information or dashcam footage from the area is urged to contact Raymond Terrace Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone who sees him is urged not to approach him but to call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Weather scuppering maintenance efforts
WITH more than 2000 hectares of public space to mow, current weather conditions are proving challenging for MidCoast Council’s mowing crews.
The recent heat and rain have resulted in constant grass growth across sporting fields, parks reserves and cemeteries.
Around 1500ha is made up of parks, community use and foreshore reserves and these are on a 21-day
mowing cycle.
MidCoast Council’s Director of Liveable Communities Paul De Szell said crews were doing their absolute best to keep on top of maintenance.
“We look after and maintain 34 cemeteries across the MidCoast region,” he said.
“Add in sports fields, reserves and other open and public spaces on top of that.
“We understand there
is some frustration within the community, but crews are doing their best to keep on top of maintenance.
“We ask the community for understanding and patience as staff try and get through the backlog of work.”
Learn more about the open spaces Council manages at https://www. midcoast.nsw.gov.au/ Community/Sport-andrecreation
best practices, Barrington Coast is not only protecting its extraordinary natural landscapes but also strengthening local businesses’ role in sustainable tourism.
"This milestone reinforces the region’s position as a premier destination for nature-based experiences in NSW, and Destination NSW is proud to support its ongoing efforts
to safeguard these assets for future generations."
ECO Destination Certification at the Ecotourism level assesses a region on more than 90 criteria across eight sections including Destination Management, Environment and Climate, Culture and Tradition, and Social Wellbeing.
By achieving ECO Destination Certification,
the Barrington Coast joins a growing network of certified destinations in New South Wales - Bellingen Shire, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Coffs Harbour.
The Barrington Coast has 191km of pristine coastline; 58 national parks, nature reserves and conservation areas; 63 state forests; eight designated Aboriginal Places; and 38 rivers.
q The alleged driver was last seen wearing a black hat and black shirt with a large white motif.
q Gloucester Tops circuit walk in the Barrington Tops National Park.
q Council maintains 34 cemeteries across the MidCoast region.
Leading saxophonist set for Gloucester return
By Wendy BUSWELL
NIC Russoniello, one of Australia’s leading saxophone composer-performers, is excited to return to Gloucester to present his new concert, ‘Air Mass’.
"I love coming to Gloucester," Nic told News Of The Area.
"Not only is it beautiful, but the audience is warm."
‘Air Mass’ marks Nic's fourth concert in Gloucester, but this time he will be performing solo.
"It is a diverse program," Nic explained.
"I'll be performing traditional saxophone pieces
by composers such as Debussy and Telemann, but I will also incorporate some beatbox and Daft Punk, along with several of my own compositions, including my new work, Air Mass."
During the concert, Nic will play from a selection of three saxophones.
Using live looping, body percussion, and audiencegenerated sounds, he aims to create the impression of a group performing on stage.
Nic's concert in Gloucester is part of a national tour he embarks on in 2025.
"It's become bigger than originally planned," Nic noted,
"but I’m very excited about the opportunity to perform in both small towns like Gloucester and larger cities."
The title of the concert, ‘Air Mass’, was inspired by the fact that the saxophone is a wind instrument.
However, Nic explained that it also reflects the common air shared between the audience and the musician during the performance.
"I will discuss my compositions and the saxophone at the concert," he added.
"Connecting with the audience on a personal level is essential to me."
Nats push for youth crime reforms
THE NSW Nationals are pushing for “strong and immediate legislative reform” to stop repeat youth offenders from carrying out crime sprees across regional NSW.
Notice was given in Parliament last week to address the legislative concerns, due to what the National Party considers the NSW Government’s “narrow approach” to the issue.
NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders said residents and families have had enough.
“Youth crime is gripping every corner of every rural and remote community and it’s getting worse and worse by the day,” Mr Saunders said.
“What we’re seeing here is a dribs and drabs approach rather than a statewide plan and it’s leaving most regional areas completely defenceless
and having to fend for themselves.
“People are scared on the streets and scared in their homes, and we need swift and decisive action to stop our communities from being held to ransom by repeat youth offenders.”
The Nationals plan focuses on changes to the bail act to stop courts granting bail to serious repeat offenders, changes to
“doli incapax” and amending the crimes sentencing procedure act to give more consideration to the harm that is caused to the victim.
“So far Labor’s changes have failed to prevent young criminals from reoffending or ‘posting and boasting’ and Chris Minns’ response seems to be throwing money at a couple of areas while the majority of regional NSW is screaming for help,” Mr
Saunders said.
“The minimal funding that has been rolled out in the past couple of weeks is a drop in the ocean and won’t help put an end to this crisis.”
“Something needs to urgently change here because the current approach simply isn’t working and our residents, businesses and families need to know they are safe.”
Last Wednesday during Parliamentary Question Time, Police Minister Yasmin Catley updated the House on the State Government’s work to address regional youth crime.
“Mr Speaker, first I want to acknowledge that any crime, big or small, can have a huge impact on individuals, families and the broader community.
“Nobody wants to see communities living in fear – and certainly not this government.
“That is not the kind of society we want to live in.
“I want to stress that the Minns Labor Government and the New South Wales Police Force are doing everything they can to keep
our regional communities safe.”
Ms Catley said police are “working around the clock to fight these crimes and arrest offenders”.
“It is our priority to address these serious crimes being committed by young people across regional NSW.
“That’s why Operational Regional Mongoose was stood up to prevent, disrupt and respond to escalating instances of these serious crimes.”
Between September 2023 and 20 January 2025, Operation Regional Mongoose arrested and charged 376 individuals (of which 238 were juveniles) in the state’s Northern Region.
Ms Catley told the House there was “no ‘one size fits all’ solution to these deeply entrenched problems”.
“We know we need to get to the bottom of the complex problems driving crime in our regional communities and tackle the root causes and drivers of this offending.
“If there was a silver bullet the previous Government would have done it - that much is obvious.”
The Gloucester Arts and Cultural Council (GACCI) has collaborated with Nic to bring him to Gloucester.
"It is a fantastic opportunity for the Gloucester community to have a first-class musician perform here," said Jenny
Lindsay, GACCI Secretary. The concert will be held in the Gloucester High School Hall on Sunday, 31 March.
q Nic Russoniello.
q Police Minister Yasmin Catley updated the House on the State Government’s work to address regional youth crime.
Labor pains as Dutton rides high in polls
By Jacob SHTEYMAN, AAP
PETER Dutton appears to be kicking with the wind behind his back, with multiple opinion polls showing the Albanese government could be on the nose with voters as an election nears.
The latest Newspoll published in The Australian newspaper on Monday shows the coalition has a 51-49 lead over Labor in the two-party preferred stakes.
Labor's primary vote is languishing at 31, compared to the coalition's 38, the poll found.
Some 53 percent of those surveyed believed the Albanese government did not deserve to be re-elected, while 34 per cent were happy to give it another term.
About 45 percent believed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would be the better PM, compared to Mr Dutton's 40 percent.
The poll surveyed 1244 voters nationally last week.
Federal MPs linked the result to cost of living pressures faced by voters, with independent Jacqui Lambie telling Nine's Today show "it's very scary out there".
But senior Labor minister
Tanya Plibersek said the opposition had no plan to help families.
"That is why it is so important that we remind people that Peter Dutton has opposed every single cost of living measure that we have tried to introduce," she told Seven's Sunrise program on Monday.
"He's got no plan to take pressure off families."
Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce said Ms Plibersek was "rubbing salt into the wound of people" doing tough.
"It is a debacle and part of our plan (to address the cost of living) is to remove you," he told Seven.
Meanwhile, modelling from pollster YouGov projected the coalition to win 73 seats at the election - putting Mr Dutton in pole position to form government.
The former Queensland police officer on Sunday was spruiking a pledge to upgrade public lighting to improve safety in a suburb outside Darwin where youth crime is a key concern for voters.
"Part of our plan to get Australia back on track is about keeping Australia safe - safe for families, safe for businesses and safe for communities," he said.
The former coalition
hard man has softened his image since ascending to the leadership but crime and border security are still his bread and butter.
Polls show voters consider Mr Dutton a stronger leader on matters of law and order than Mr Albanese, who voters consider the weakest party leader in decades.
The announcement coincided with another opportunity to whack Labor for being weak on borders.
As Mr Dutton fielded
questions from reporters in Palmerston, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke revealed a deal had been struck with Nauru to resettle three noncitizens following the NZYQ High Court case.
Australia will pay Nauru to take the trio which includes a convicted murderer.
Mr Dutton said Labor's "mess" at the borders was increasing boat arrivals.
He said the Albanese government had cut back aerial surveillance by 20
per cent, and on-water surveillance has been reduced.
While these issues are Mr Dutton's strong suit, Redbridge polling published in News Corp papers on Sunday showed they are not the most pressing for voters.
The cost of living was far and above the biggest concern, with 84 per cent of respondents ranking it in their top three.
However, Mr Dutton has vowed not to support
electricity subsidies for Australian families, ruling out an extension to the government's energy bill payments because he claims it's contributing to inflation.
Housing Minister Clare O'Neil said that showed his hypocrisy "knows no bounds".
"Every opportunity, we're finding ways to try to provide assistance to people, and in almost every instance, Peter Dutton has stood in our path," she told Sky News.
Authorised by Dave Layzell MP,
q Peter Dutton's coalition is in pole position to form government after the election, polling shows. Photo: Steven Markham/AAP PHOTOS.
Anger in halls of power over 'unfair' electoral reforms
By Dominic GIANNINI, AAP
FIRED-UP independents are vowing to stonewall controversial electoral reforms and use any leverage in a hung parliament to rebalance the scales.
The reforms include a campaign spending cap of $800,000 per electorate but registered political parties will be able to access a $90
million war chest for general advertising.
Independent Zali Steggall confronted Special Minister of State Don Farrell, who spearheaded the legislation, at Parliament House on Thursday as the law passed, accusing the major parties of collaborating to lock out independents.
The overall cap stacked the field for the major parties, which could save
cash in safe seats and inundate close contests with party branding or attack ads above and beyond what a single person could access, Ms Steggall said.
Independents are also upset that more public money will be given to parties per vote received.
This would disproportionately help the majors, which would receive millions of dollars
more, and entrench a twoparty system, Ms Steggall said after crashing Senator Farrell's press conference and chastising him over the laws.
"Why don't you tell this room of people that... the big money that will be in politics is the public money?" Ms Steggall said to the Labor senator.
Senate candidates have different caps - $200,000 per seat in a given state or territory.
This limits campaign spending to $600,000 for
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Alison will stand up for you when others won’t. She will fight for policies to get Australia back on track and bring down the cost of living.
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ALISON PENFOLD
THE NATIONALS for Lyne
the ACT and $9.2 million for NSW.
The laws start in mid-2026 so the next election would be the last at which independents could effectively challenge incumbents, Ms Steggall said.
"This is not how democracy can thrive," she said at a subsequent press conference.
"What you want is choice.
"You want competition."
Senator Farrell, who denied the rules were stacked in favour of the major parties, said they stripped big money from politics and Labor had taken a haircut on what it could receive and spend.
"The whole process pushes downward pressure on the cost of elections so ordinary Australians have a chance to be elected, not those candidates that are supported by the billionaires and the millionaires," he said.
An individual can donate $50,000 to a political campaign per party branch each calendar year, which increases to $450,000 in total if they donate to a branch in each state and territory as well as the national arm.
Donors hedging their bets and giving cash to multiple parties will be capped at $1.6
million nationwide, although this is limited to $250,000 in any state or territory.
Campaign spending for non-political parties, such as unions and special interest groups, will be capped at $11 million.
Aggregated donations of more than $5000 will have to be disclosed - down from the 2023/24 threshold of $16,900 - and disclosures must happen within weeks instead of the current annual returns.
Independents have vowed fairer reforms will be part of any minority government negotiations if there was a hung parliament after the next election.
Other electoral changes include how peak bodies accept cash from affiliated groups and allocate those funds to electoral campaigns, with a mandated account where political spending can be audited.
The Australia Institute's Bill Browne called for all donations from corporations to be disclosed, reforms to people paying to access politicians and for electoral commission payments to be distributed before elections to make them fairer for people challenging incumbents.
Authorised by David Gillespie, Cnr Cameron St and Oxley Hwy, Wauchope NSW 2446
q Independent MP Zali Steggall confronted cabinet minister Don Farrell over donation reforms. Photo: Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS.
BEST ON THE BOX
FRIDAY
JAMES MAY: OUR MAN IN ITALY
SBS, 7.30pm
An incredible career has seen James May (pictured) travel the world with Top Gear and The Grand Tour but now he’s flying solo for an Italian sojourn in search of ‘la dolce vita’. Italy is one of the presenter’s favourite countries and he’s keen to see as much of its culture, food, industry and sport as possible, from the sparkling waters of the Amalfi Coast to the snow-capped peaks of the Dolomites. May begins his travelogue tonight in the sunny Sicilian capital of Palermo, where he discovers centuries of history carved into the city’s architectural landscape and soaks up life’s simple pleasures.
FRIDAY, February 21
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Monty Don’s Spanish Gardens. Monty Don travels across the north of Spain. 8.30 Silent Witness. (Final, Ma) Nikki and the team are called to Kings Cross station museum, after eight bodies are found entombed below.
10.15 Optics. (Mls, R)
10.45 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)
11.15 ABC Late News.
11.30 Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee (NZ) (PG, R)
12.15 Grand Designs. (R)
1.05 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv)
5.00 Rage. (PG)
7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 Teen Titans Go! 8.00 Scooby-Doo And Guess Who? 8.25 BTN Newsbreak. 8.30 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 8.55 Robot Wars. 9.55 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 James May: Our Man In Italy. (Premiere, Ml)
8.30 Tony Robinson’s Marvellous Machines. (R)
SUNDAY
MATLOCK
TEN, 8.30pm
This week, Matlock draws inspiration from the excellent Netflix comedy
A Man on the Inside, which sees Ted Danson go undercover as a private eye in an aged care home. While not going to the same lengths in the name of espionage, “Crash Helmets On” sees legal eagles Matty (Kathy Bates) and Sarah (Leah Lewis, pictured) bond after posing as family members to gather intel about the goings on at Tranquil Pines, an assisted living facility being defended against claims of negligence by the Jacobson-Moore team. But when Sarah opens up about her childhood and real-life grandmother, Matty once again risks getting too close to a colleague and endangering her secret sabotage mission.
MONDAY
SUITS L.A.
SEVEN, 9.10pm
It’s a story every TV producer dreams of: four years after legal drama called it quits in 2019, the series became the moststreamed show of 2023 (even beating Bluey). Whatever the reason for its belated surge in popularity (though razor-sharp writing, racy office romances and curiosity about Meghan Markle’s acting talents come to mind), creator Aaron Korsh can only hope lightning strikes twice with this West Coast spin-off. It follows former New York federal prosecutor Ted Black (Arrow’s Stephen Amell, pictured), whose fresh start as an entertainment lawyer isn’t going to plan – his Black Lane firm is in dire straits and he’s not at all keen on the only way to save it from ruin.
6.00 NBN News.
9.25 Mysteries Of The Ancient Dead.
10.20 SBS World News Late.
10.50 Bonn. (Msv)
11.45 Sisi. (MA15+s, R)
2.30 Earth’s Natural Wonders. (PGa, R) 3.30 Employable Me (USA) (Ma, R) 4.20 Peer To Peer. (PG, R) 4.50 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (PG, 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. Adam Dovile travels in Canada. 8.30 MOVIE: The Greatest Showman. (2017, PGa, R) After meeting a wealthy playwright, entrepreneur PT Barnum sets out to create a wax museum and circus. Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zac Efron.
10.40 GetOn Extra. A look at the weekend’s best racing.
11.10 Australian Idol. (PGl, R)
12.50 Dr Harry’s Animal Encounters. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 5.00 NBC Today.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 David Attenborough’s Mammals: The New Wild. (PG) 8.40 MOVIE: The Hitman’s Bodyguard. (2017, MA15+alv, R) A bodyguard protects the life of a hit man. Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L Jackson.
11.05 MOVIE: No Sudden Move. (2021, MA15+lv)
1.00 Getaway. (PG, R)
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)
4.30 Global Shop. (R) 5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 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 Wheel Of Fortune UK. Contestants compete to solve word puzzles in order to win cash and prizes determined by The Wheel. 8.30 The Graham Norton Show. (Ml, R) Guests include Julianne Moore, Ricky Gervais, Jamie Oliver, Paapa Essiedu and Olivia Dean. 10.50 10’s Late News. 11.15 The Project. (R) 12.10 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R)
SATURDAY, February 22
WorldWatch. 9.00
Bitesize. (PG, R) 9.10 Love Your Home And Garden. (PGa, R) 10.00 The World From Above. (R) 11.05 Ageless Gardens. (Md, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Figure Skating. ISU European C’ships. H’lights. 4.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 4.35 Wonders Of Scotland. (PGa, R) 5.30 The Graveyard Of Truk Lagoon.
6.00 Australian Story: Heartfelt –Colin Clausen And Laura Aisbett. (R)
6.30 Back Roads: Kangaroo Island, South Australia. (PG, R) Paul West visits Kangaroo Island. 7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day. 7.30 Death In Paradise. (PG) The team rallies round Selwyn. 8.30 Vera. (Ma, R) The badly beaten body of a homeless veteran is found on the streets of central Newcastle.
10.05 The Newsreader. (Ml, R) Dale hosts a lavish birthday party.
10.55 Unforgotten. (Mal, R) 11.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
ABC FAMILY (22)
6am Children’s Programs. 5.55pm Paddington. 6.05 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Riley Rocket. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Kids BBQ Championship. 8.15 Chopped Junior. (Return) 9.00 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.40 Speechless. 10.00 Officially Amazing Goes Bunkers. 10.30 Dragon Ball Super. 10.55 Late Programs.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Sandi Toksvig’s Woodland Restoration.
8.25 Scotland The New Wild. (PG)
9.25 Great Australian Walks With Julia Zemiro. (PG, R)
10.20 Great Coastal Railway Journeys. (PGa, R)
11.30 Home Jacking. (MA15+av)
1.15 The Man Who Died. (Mals, R)
3.00 Love Your Garden. (R)
3.55 Employable Me (USA) (Mal, R)
4.45 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round 1. Sydney 500. Day 1. Pre-race and race.
9.15 MOVIE: The Bourne Ultimatum. (2007, Mv, R) A former secret agent is once again hunted by the agency that created him. Matt Damon, Julia Stiles. 11.35 Motorway Patrol. (PGa) 12.05 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round 1. Sydney 500. Day 1. Highlights. 1.05 Dr Harry’s Animal Encounters. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
3.30 Horse Racing. 5.00 My Greek Odyssey. (PG, R)
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Space Invaders. (PGa)
8.30 MOVIE: A Star Is Born. (2018, Madls, R) A musician helps a young singer. Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper.
11.15 My Life As A Rolling Stone. (Mad, R)
12.30 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
1.30 Let’s Eat With George. (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)
6am The Last
Wave. Continued. (1977, PG) 7.15 Kung Fu Yoga. (2017, PG) 9.15 Much Ado About Nothing. (1993, PG) 11.20 But I’m A Cheerleader. (1999, M) 12.55pm Blue Jean. (2022, M) 2.45 Bride And Prejudice. (2004, PG) 4.50 Red Obsession. (2013, PG) 6.20 What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. (1993, PG) 8.35 L.A. Confidential. (1997, MA15+) 11.00 Getaway Of Love. (2015, MA15+, Italian) 12.40am Late Programs.
SUNDAY, February 23
6.00 Morning Programs. 12.30 PBS Washington Week. 12.55 Powerchair
6.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Muster Dogs: Collies And Kelpies. (PG)
8.30 The Newsreader. (Mal) Rob makes a controversial comment on air when discussing apartheid sports boycotts.
9.25 Love Me. (Ml) Glen, Clara and Aaron find themselves alone.
10.20 MOVIE: Sunday Too Far Away. (1975, Mlv, R)
11.50 You Can’t Ask That. (MA15+as, R)
12.20 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
3.05 Australia Remastered. (R)
4.00 Gardening Australia. (R)
5.00 Insiders. (R)
ABC FAMILY (22)
6am Children’s Programs. 6.20pm Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom. 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. 9.15 Speechless. 9.55 Merlin. 10.40 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 11.05 Late Programs.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Ancient Greece By Train. (Premiere)
8.25 Emperor: Rise And Fall Of A Dynasty. (Premiere)
9.20 Legends Of The Pharaohs. (Ma, R)
10.20 Great British Landmark Fixers. (R) 11.15 Death Of An Icon: Marilyn Monroe. (Mads, R)
12.15 Nadia: A Stolen Life. (Malv, R) 1.50 Love Your Garden. (R) 2.40 Employable Me (USA) (Ma, R) 3.30 Sing St Patrick. (R)
4.30 Peer To Peer. (PG, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera.
Queer Sports. 5.45 Domino Masters. 6.40 Abandoned Engineering. 8.30 The UnXplained With William Shatner. 10.10 WWE Legends. 11.45 Hoarders. 12.40am The X-Files. 4.20 NHK World English News.
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Much Ado About Nothing. Continued. (1993, PG) 7.05 Tourism. (2017) 8.35 Paris Can Wait. (2016, PG) 10.15 Dance First. (2023) 12.15pm Radioactive. (2019, M) 2.20 Kung Fu Yoga. (2017, PG) 4.20 The Last Wave. (1977, PG) 6.20 Agatha Christie’s Crooked House. (2017, PG) 8.30 In The Heat Of The Night. (1967, M) 10.35 Hidden Away. (2020, M, Italian) 12.45am Long Story Short. (2021, M) 2.30 Late Programs.
(64)
(64) SBS MOVIES (32)
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Australian Idol. (PG) 8.40 The Hunters: Beaumont Children Mystery. (Mav) A look at the Beaumont children’s disappearance. 10.10 Murder In The Outback: The Falconio And Lees Mystery. (Mdlv, R)
12.10 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round 1. Sydney 500. Day 2. Highlights.
1.10 Friday Night Lights. (Madsv, R)
2.30 To Be Advised.
3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6am Children’s Programs. 12.30pm The Nanny. 1.00
5.20 MOVIE:
4.20 Young
Jam. (1996) 7.00 Basketball. WNBL Playoffs. Second semi-final series. Perth Lynx v Townsville Fire. 9.00 MOVIE: She’s The Man. (2006, PG) 11.05 MOVIE: The Hustle. (2019, M) 1am Late
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 Married At First Sight. (PGls)
See No Evil: Austin Serial Bomber. (MA15+av)
The First 48. (MA15+v)
v Sydney. 5.30 MOVIE: The Lego Batman Movie. (2017, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice. (2016, M) 10.35 Gotham. 12.35am Arrow. 2.30 Young Sheldon. 3.00 Beyblade
MONDAY, February 24
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
Sicily With Michael Portillo. (Premiere, PG)
Wilderness With Simon Reeve. (PG)
9.35 Inside Sydney Airport. (PGa, R) 10.30 SBS World News Late. 11.00 Wisting. (Malv) 12.45 A French Case. (Mas, R) 2.45 Earth’s Natural Wonders. (MA15+a, R)
3.40 Employable Me (USA) (Ma, R)
4.30 Peer To Peer. (PG, R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Home And Away. (PG)
7.30 Australian Idol. (PG) Hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie.
9.10 Suits L.A. (Premiere, Ma) A former New York prosecutor opens a Los Angeles law firm that specialises in criminal and entertainment law.
10.10 St. Denis Medical. (M) Joyce is smitten by a burly prison guard.
11.10 Lopez Vs. Lopez. (PGas)
12.10 Friday Night Lights. (Madsv, 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 Australian Crime Stories: The Investigators. (Mv) 10.10 To Be Advised. 11.10 9News Late.
First On Scene. (Mav, R)
TUESDAY, February 25
(32)
6am Kung Fu
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Who Do You Think You Are? (PGa, R)
8.35 Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive.
10.30 SBS World News Late.
11.00 Prisoner. (MA15+av)
12.10 Fargo. (Malv, R)
1.55 Earth’s Natural Wonders. (PG, R)
3.00 Employable Me (USA) (Ma, R)
4.40 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
Yoga. Continued. (2017, PG) 7.00 What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. (1993, PG) 9.10 Basmati Blues. (2017, PG) 11.10 Baby Done. (2020, M) 12.50pm Hidden Away. (2020, M, Italian) 3.00 Tourism. (2017) 4.25 Whisky Galore. (2016, PG) 6.15 Topkapi. (1964, PG) 8.30 Shaft. (1971, M) 10.25 Breaking News In Yuba County. (2021, MA15+) 12.15am Late Programs. 5.55 Whisky Galore. (2016, PG) 6am Whisky Galore. Continued. (2016, PG) 7.50 Agatha Christie’s Crooked House. (2017, PG) 10.00 In The Heat Of The Night. (1967, M) 12.05pm Long Story Short. (2021, M) 1.50 8 1/2. (1963, PG, Italian) 4.20 Basmati Blues. (2017, PG) 6.20 A Handful Of Dust. (1988, PG) 8.30 Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. (1974, M) 10.35 Boiling Point. (2021, MA15+) 12.25am Late Programs.
MOVIES (32)
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) Cash and Remi’s tension continues.
8.00 The 1% Club UK. (PG) Lee Mack hosts a game show where contestants must answer increasingly obscure questions.
9.00 The Hunting Party. (M) The team searches for Dr Ezekiel Malak, a hospital psychiatrist turned deranged killer.
10.00 The Irrational. (Mav) Alec enters the world of K-pop fandom.
12.00 Friday Night Lights. (Madsv, R)
2.00 To Be Advised.
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
WEDNESDAY, February 26
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Lord Lucan. (M)
8.35 The Jury: Murder Trial UK. (Premiere) A real-life trial is restaged in front of two juries. 9.30 Rogue Heroes. (Return)
10.35 SBS World News Late. 11.05 Pagan Peak. (MA15+av) 12.05 My Brilliant Friend. (Mav, R)
3.25 Employable Me (UK) (Mals, R)
4.30 Peer To Peer. (PGa, R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6am A Handful
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PG)
7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PG) Hosted by Lee Mack.
8.30 Ludwig. (Ma) A cryptic late night call from Holly sees Lucy lured into danger.
9.45 How To Poison Your Husband. (Ma) Details the shocking crimes of Heather Mook.
11.15 Breathtaking. (Mal)
12.15 Covert Affairs. (Mv, R)
1.15 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 Married At First Sight. (Mas) 9.00 Big Miracles. (Mam) 10.00 9News Late.
10.30 Casualty 24/7. (Mam, R)
11.30 The Equalizer. (MA15+v, R) 12.15 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.05 Your Next Cruise. (R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop. (R)
3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa)
A Current Affair. (R)
Today Early News.
6.00 Deal Or No Deal.
The Project. 7.30 The Dog House Australia. (Return, PGa) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith. 8.30 Elsbeth. (Mv) After one of New York’s most sought-after plastic surgeons is found dead, Elsbeth has her eye on the victim’s former boss. 9.30 NCIS: Hawai’i.
THURSDAY, February 27
R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Finding Your Roots. (PG)
8.30 Scotland’s Poshest Train: Alan Cumming. (PG)
9.30 Boiling Point. (Premiere) 10.35 SBS World News Late. 11.05 Golden Boy. (Mlns)
11.55 Blackport. (MA15+s, R)
1.50 Earth’s Natural Wonders. (PG, R)
2.55 Peer To Peer. (R)
4.20 Bamay. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
Of Dust. Continued. (1988, PG) 8.05 Topkapi. (1964, PG) 10.15 Miss Marx. (2020, M) 12.15pm Shaft. (1971, M) 2.10 Whisky Galore. (2016, PG) 4.00 The Movie Show. 4.30 A Hero. (2021, PG, Farsi) 6.50 Sometimes Always Never. (2018, PG) 8.30 Dog Day Afternoon. (1975, M) 10.55 A Most Wanted Man. (2014, M) 1.05am Joe. (2013, MA15+) 3.15 Late Programs. 6am A Hero. Continued. (2021, PG, Farsi) 8.00 8 1/2. (1963, PG, Italian) 10.30 Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. (1974, M) 12.35pm Manon Des Sources. (1986, M, French) 2.40 A Handful Of Dust. (1988, PG) 4.50 Skies Of Lebanon. (2020, PG, Italian) 6.35 The Final Countdown. (1980, PG) 8.30 One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. (1975, MA15+) 11.00 Silverado. (1985, M) 1.25am Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) Abigail is shaken by a lack of trust.
8.30 MOVIE: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. (2018, PGs, R) A young woman prepares to reopen her family hotel, while learning more about the life of her late mother. Lily James, Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep.
10.50 To Be Advised.
12.30 Damnation. (MA15+asv)
1.30 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 To Be Advised.
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
Today. 6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30
Send News Of The Area your sports club’s results each week by Sunday evening for publication on a Wednesday. Bowls, golf, tennis, kayaking, cycling, cross country, athletics, fishing etc - you name it, we can publish it in our dedicated weekly Sports Results section. Email your results, relevant photos and captions to media@newsofthearea.com.au.
MINIS Colleen
Late of Gloucester. Passed away peacefully on 10th February 2025. Aged 86 years
Much loved wife of Al. Loving mother and mother in-law to Kent & Paula. Proud and loving grandmother to all her grandchildren & great grandchildren. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Colleen’s Funeral Service to be held at the Gloucester Country Club, Gloucester on Friday 21st February 2025 commencing at 11am prior to a private cremation.
In lieu of flowers donations to Dementia Australia would be greatly appreciated by the family.
(02) 6552 1057
On theCouch
Email Jasminda: media@newsofthearea.com.au
DEAR Jasminda,
WHEN I go out with my friends for dinner, it is always agreed that we will share meals and share costs.
The problem is I'm a very slow eater, I'm vegetarian, and I don't drink.
I end up paying top dollar for cocktails, bottles of wine, and multiple meat dishes, when all I've had is a salad and soda water.
Helena R.
Dear Helena,
Wow, you sound like a lot of fun to be around.
I think it's impressive that you still get invited out.
Do you scowl across the table
and hand send links to greenhouse gas articles as the beef massaman arrives?
Do you hand out Dry July pamphlets and news articles about the importance of mindful chewing?
Going out to dinner is all about participating in the deadly sin of gluttony.
You can't say you've been out to dinner with a group of friends unless you've had to undo the top button of your jeans, you've sworn off food for a month, you've downed an espresso martini even though you're a tea drinker, and you've tried to split a bill when basic calculations have taken on the complexity of quantum physics.
Economically, and for the enjoyment of those around you, I feel as though you need a new friend group.
Perhaps you could put some search terms in social media.
How about the Non-AlcoholicFatty-Liver Support and Social group?
Proselytising Vegans on a
Budget?
The Mindful Eating and Stress Management Group?
I'm sure a boost in membership from two would make them very happy.
Alternatively, have you considered that you could still have cost parity with some more exciting menu choices?
Salad and Soda Water?
Stop being a martyr.
Spend up big on mocktails, order two mains - the three cheese and mushroom pizza that will give everyone your friends stomach pains and some nachos with chilli guac, which is sure to be a mouth and eyewatering choice.
Then get a couple of desserts and enjoy the looks on your friends' faces with the interminable wait while you slowly mull over each sparrowlike peck of your food.
I doubt you'll ever have to suffer from a shared bill again.
lines on football missing, goal square line has moved, grass near the kangaroo’s feet and shadows missing from jumper. Home nest - Tweetsville.
Kids Boot Camp 031
Carpe diem, Jasminda.
From the Mayor’s desk
By Claire PONTIN MidCoast Mayor
COUNCILLORS are back from their summer break, and we’ve kicked the year off with a very busy Ordinary Council meeting.
Work now starts with our planning for the next financial year.
Our Draft Community Strategic Plan as well as an asset and a service level survey are currently out for public comment.
Please tell us what you think, as these are both designed to guide our planning for next year.
As you can imagine, our key role - once again - is to find some more money to put onto the roads.
We have been tightening our belts with our non-road budgets for the last few years, but this only leads to small incremental monetary gains.
This year we may need to consider reducing our discretionary services.
Many of our services are required by legislation, so we will be concentrating on areas that will impact residents the least.
I have heard some recent complaints that our roads staff just don’t know how to do their job.
I find it sad that people want to blame staff.
We have many very skilled and dedicated staff who do a wonderful job with the limited funds we Councillors provide to them – and in the face of ongoing criticism.
Staff know they need larger
budgets for the roads, and they know exactly how they would spend this to improve our roads network.
Much of this is set out in our comprehensive Roads Strategy. Unfortunately, we Councillors have not been able to provide the necessary funds at the same time as maintaining all our existing services at their current levels. Unfortunately, we have over 3,600kms of road and a comparatively small Rates base to fund our work.
The money does not go far enough.
We have measures in place to increase efficiency and cut out any wasted spending, but again this only provides incremental gains.
There is no magic bullet, but we will continue to seek out innovative ideas and endeavor to find acceptable solutions to this dilemma.
Urging caution on Council survey
DEAR News Of The Area,
REGARDING MidCoast
Council’s “Have your say” on assets and services survey, readers and ratepayers should be cautious.
Choosing to maintain everything to “Good” standard would seem to require a 46.6 percent increase to rates, while choosing a “Satisfactory” standard results in a rate increase of 15.7 percent.
Is this what people want?
Is this what ratepayers can afford?
The fairies of Gloucester
By John WATTS
THE last census carried out by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) was in 2021, recording details about every person and household in Australia.
“The Census is the most comprehensive snapshot of the country and tells the story of how we are changing,” the ABS states.
“Census data tells us about the economic, social and cultural make-up of the country.”
The Bureau of Statistics website contains much information about Gloucester, such as its human population, their marriage and education details, occupations and religious affiliations, but some information is clearly lacking.
News Of The Area (NOTA) looked in vain for any details about fairies living in and near the town.
The absence of details about fairies is surprising, because anyone wandering down Church Street, or elsewhere near the town, could not have failed to notice fairy doors popping up in many places.
Just like humans, it seems
apparent that some fairies favour a busy urban lifestyle near the central business district, while others prefer to live in parks or on acreages away from the hustle and bustle of the main street.
NOTA came across one fairy door at the base of a tree near the Lions Memorial Pergola leading into Billabong Park from Boundary Street, although as it was daytime
Farmers warn of cactus crisis
FARMERS have warned the march of a destructive cactus through NSW could be only the beginning of the state’s weed woes unless ongoing funding for weed control is secured.
NSW Farmers representative Richard Doyle said farmers in the north of the state have reported a drastic surge in harrisia cactus infestations as the destructive cactus continues to spread south from the Queensland border.
“This cactus has exploded
due to recent good seasons,” Mr Doyle said.
“Its huge spikes can also injure animals and while farmers are doing everything they can to fight its spread, they cannot win this battle alone.
“Birds are spreading the cacti seeds in their thousands, while feral pigs and other animals are also scattering the seeds far and wide – it’s the perfect storm, and we are struggling to keep up with its spread.”
Harrisia cacti are lowgrowing, spiny cacti with white flowers and red fruit.
Herbicides and biocontrol from mealy bugs can help control the cacti, but Mr Doyle said containment would not be possible without serious and continued funding from the state and federal governments.
“We need a cross-tenure, cross-landscape approach to managing weeds that’s more intensive and coordinated than anything we currently have in place,” Mr Doyle said.
“This cactus is just one of thousands of invasive weeds that are costing farmers huge amounts of time and money to attempt to control, and we need real action – as well as real investment in research and control measures – if we want to get real results.
“Farmers are only the front line of these aggressive threats, and the problem’s only going to get worse unless we say enough is enough on weeds.”
The survey appears binary in nature since to the question of what should Council spend, the options per asset category are “more” or “less” – there is no “about the same”. There have been recent cases of large rate increases to be sought via IPART in Manly and North Sydney, which this week opted for an 87 percent rate increase, despite community disquiet. Hopefully MidCoast doesn’t try that on!
Yours faithfully, Ian CURDIE, Hawks Nest.
no fairy activity could be observed.
Perhaps with the next census, which is due in 2026, the Bureau of Statistics might attempt to record fairy numbers and their characteristics in Gloucester, although because they are so shy and retiring, accurate information might be difficult to obtain. However, it would be helpful to know the numbers and types of fairies living in and around Gloucester, be they Listening Fairies, Sensible Fairies, Kindness Fairies or Helpful Fairies.
q Harrisia cactus. Photo: B.A. Auld and R.M. Medd NSW DPI.
q A CBD fairy door.
q A fairy door in Billabong Park.
q Hoping to chat with the fairies. Photo: supplied.
Bidhiinja: restoring our oyster reefs
OYSTER reefs were once a dominant part of our coastal seascape. Globally, it is estimated that 85 percent of
“Bidhiinja: restoring
Rail delays
RAIL passengers were urged to avoid nonessential travel on Monday, as lengthy delays and cancellations continued on the rail network due to industrial action.
Last week saw severe disruption to train services due to an “unprecedented level of unplanned and unnotified staff absences”, Transport for NSW said in a statement.
Around 197 Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink train drivers and guards did not report for their normal shifts as of 5am Monday.
Across Friday, Saturday and Sunday (14-16 February) 1,525 train drivers and guards did not report for work (862 on Friday, 376 on Saturday, and 287 on Sunday), resulting in 3,935 services cancelled or delayed (3,312 on Friday, 558 on Saturday, and 65 on Sunday).
“Significant impacts are expected to continue into next week,” Transport for NSW said in a statement on Sunday.
“However the nature of this action is very unpredictable, and we won’t have clarity on the impacts until the morning when train drivers and guards start to report for their shifts.”
Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink urged employees to turn up to work on Monday and “help run a regular timetable”.
In a statement on Thursday, the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) placed responsibility for the delays squarely on the shoulders of Transport for NSW.
“Commuters on Sydney’s rail network should prepare for delays from Friday morning, after Transport for NSW knocked over a potential agreement with rail workers at the 11th hour.
“As a result of the Transport’s thwarting of the deal late on Thursday evening, the RBTU’s protected industrial action planned for tomorrowwhich will see trains run
our oyster reefs”, on now at Forster Civic Centre atrium, tells the forgotten history of oyster reefs in New
23km/hr slower than usual in areas where the speed limit is over 80km/hr - will go ahead.”
RTBU NSW Secretary Toby Warnes said while the extent of the delays is unclear given the unpredictable nature of the lockout, commuters should direct their anger at the NSW Government.
“We asked the Government to rescind its lockout notices to ensure services ran smoothly on Friday, but unfortunately they refused,” he said.
“We hope that the NSW Government doesn’t choose to blow this up and cause serious delays, but the reality is we can’t predict the impact.
“It’s bitterly disappointing that we haven’t been able to reach a sensible agreement over the past 48 hours.
“We were incredibly close in negotiations but it seems there are people within Transport for NSW who are still intent on blowing this dispute up.”
The matter will be heard in a full bench hearing of the Fair Work Commission on Wednesday 19 February.
South Wales and the work underway to restore these important ecosystems.
It invites audiences to learn about the past, present and future of oyster reefs in Australia and the benefits that they provide to communities and the environment.
Augmented reality (AR) allows you to bring an oyster reef to life across the exhibition, and interactives invite you to see what can be found in a midden, turn the wheel to see what a healthy ecosystem looks like, or open the door to explore the art and design of oyster shells.
See the future of our healthy Australian coasts in this beautiful exhibition combining First Nations knowledge, western science, and design, including illustrations by exhibition artist and Yaegl woman Frances Belle Parker.
“Oyster reefs were an important resource for our Worimi and Biripi peoples, to this day oysters remain an important part of our local industry bringing over $10.5 million to the local economy according to NSW Dept. Industry and Investment Aquaculture production data," said Alex Mills, MidCoast Council Manager Libraries, Community and Cultural Services.
“We encourage everyone to come down and experience
this important exhibition to learn more about oyster reefs in an interactive and engaging way.”
Bidhiinja is presented by the Australian National Maritime Museum in collaboration with NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) NSW Oyster Reef Restoration Project. It will tour NSW regional venues from 2024-2025.
This exciting collaboration
Have your say on gaming reforms
THE public is invited to have its say on two new schemes aimed at addressing gambling harm and money laundering while supporting a thriving hospitality industry.
The community can give feedback on consultation papers for a proposed thirdparty exclusion scheme and proposed mandatory facial recognition technology to support a statewide exclusion register for NSW hotels and clubs with gaming machines.
“Facial recognition technology will support gambling harm-minimisation by removing the guesswork of staff identifying excluded patrons, often in crowded venues,” the State Government said in a statement.
“There would still need to be human interaction to verify the match made by the system.
“Currently, the list of excluded patrons and images that venue staff need to memorise can be difficult to manage.
“The Government is building strict parameters into the reforms to protect people’s privacy to ensure hotels and clubs can only use facial recognition for the purpose of identifying
excluded patrons.
“Venues will be prohibited from using the technology for customer tracking, surveillance and marketing purposes.”
The Government says the third-party exclusion scheme would allow family, friends and venues to apply to ban someone experiencing significant gambling harm.
Research estimates that more than a million Australians experienced harm in the past year
because of another person’s gambling.
It is proposed the minimum period for an exclusion order would be 12 months, with a maximum period of two or three years, with a temporary exclusion of 21 days while an application is considered.
The Government has also developed a draft facial recognition Code of Practice that gives pubs and clubs already operating the technology guidelines to
support identification of selfexcluded patrons.
The code has been developed over several rounds of consultation with government, industry and community stakeholders, including cyber security and privacy experts.
Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris invited the public to provide feedback.
“Third-party exclusions are designed to help those experiencing gambling harm
The Big Screen
By Lindsay HALL
LAST year, small-budget horror filmmaker Osgood Perkins (son of Psycho star Anthony Perkins) knocked the socks off most people who caught his occult-tinged film Longlegs That’s given him a huge leg up in promoting his latest film, and an adaptation of a Stephen King short story, The Monkey Spanning two eras, the tale is of twin brothers (Theo James) and the misfortunes they witness following the appearance of a very creepy
children’s toy.
Like his previous efforts Perkins prefers to build tension and atmosphere very slowly, relying on his performer to sell a sense of steadily growing horror. What mustn't be forgotten, however, is that Perkins is very funny, and though it is midnight black in tone, there is a good deal of humor amidst the gore.
Gosh, remember Pamela Anderson?
The Last Showgirl makes a compelling case as to why we should.
Coming from writer
Kate Gersten and young Gia Coppola (of that film dynasty), Anderson stuns as Shelly, an aging Vegas showgirl whose long tenure in a popular revue is being brought to an end.
Estranged from her daughter, Shelly’s only friends are those who have shared the stage with her.
A heart-breaking portrayal of again and coming to terms with lifechoices that never work out the way we dream, this is very much in the vein of 2008’s The Wrestler
Some films are puzzling,
and their loved ones when other avenues to seek help may have failed,” he said.
“It recognises the physical, psychological, emotional and financial flowon effects of gambling on a person’s family and friends.
“Facial recognition will also be an important harm-minimisation tool by providing another way to identify excluded patrons in crowded venue environments, which can often be challenging for
and difficult to describe when someone asks the question “What’s it about?”, but leave an undeniable imprint on the soul, having moved you deeply in ways we can not even understand.
Bird is that kind of a film.
From British Writer/ Director Andrea Arnold and starring newcomer Nkiya Adams alongside Barry Keoghan and Franz Rogowski, this tale of a struggling adolescent’s strange friendship with a kind but simple man offers a blunt portrayal of lowincome life, along with hope that seemingly has no basis in reality, but lifts the spirit
is proudly funded by the NSW Government through the Marine Estate Management Strategy, which aims to deliver a healthy coast and sea, managed for the greatest wellbeing of the community, now and into the future.
“Bidhiinja: restoring our oyster reefs” is on display at Forster Civic Centre until 15 Mar ch 2025.
Entry to the exhibition is free.
venue staff.
“I encourage everyone to have their say on these important harmminimisation measures.”
The Third-Party Exclusion Consultation Paper is available here: https:// www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov. au/third-party-exclusionpubs-and-clubs and Facial Recognition Technology in Pubs and Clubs Consultation Paper is available here: https://www.haveyoursay. nsw.gov.au/facialrecognition-technology. The consultation period will close on 14 March 2025.
nonetheless.
Finally this week another Irish filmmaker Nick Hamm takes a shot at a historical epic in the tale of William Tell Starring Claes Bang in the title role with supporting turns from Connor Swindells and Golshifteh Farahani, along with appearances from legends Johnathon Pryce and Sir Ben Kingsley, this account of the 14th century Swiss folk hero looks very energetic and stylish.
At the very least there are some impressive battle sequences which may salve the disappointment of last year's Gladiator 2
shellfish reefs have been lost – more than any other type of marine habitat.
q 'Bidhiinja: restoring our oyster reefs’ is on display at Forster Civic Centre until 15 March 2025.
Gloucester Lady Bowlers
By Jennifer BURLEY
WITH 8 teams of mixed
Triples scheduled for play, all players were at the ready and ready to go at 8.30 to get the games over before the heat of the day, and there was some great bowls played.
Paula Standen, Adrian Revoir (sub Joe Pfiefer) and Alec Laurie in a nail biter overcame Jenny Burley,Mark Tull and Mark Groves 17/15 on the 21st end.
Suzanne Cross,Joy and Steven Hurworth had a good win over Bev Germon,Jill and Kevin Everett 33/12.
Jenny and Mark Stevens and Kevin Burley( sub George Wisemantle) had a tussle against Joan Ridgeway, Neville Atkins and Tony Tersteeg to win through 24/14.
And Judy and Mike Sheely with Terry Davies managed to hold off Ian Tull,Bev Murray and John Andrews 21/18. Thus next Wednesday 19th Joe Pfiefer's team play Steven Hurworth 's and Mark Steven's team take on the team of Mike Sheely, 8.am for 8.30.
There was also enough social players for 1 game of
4s. Lorraine Ratcliffe, Ruth Redman,Gina Dalmulder and Helen Banks 16 beat Norma Relf,Deb Horner,Marge Moore and Val Pritchard 13.
With all the cards going in the draw for the event of the day Val Pritchard 's teams were the winners. Congratulations to all players.
Thoughts and best wishes to Del Buckton, hope to see you soon.
Many thanks to those who have bought the goodies for morning tea much appreciated by all.
Gloucester Parkrun
By Carolyn DAVIES
IT WAS another dry morning for Gloucester's 193rd parkrun last Saturday for the 78 walkers and runners who completed the 5 kilometre course around Gloucester District Park. There was a large contingent from Taree, who arrived by train early in the morning, climbed the Bucketts, then joined the locals at the parkrun (apart from one of the group who chose to sit under a tree instead).
There were six people enjoying their first parkrun at Gloucester, including Angela Nicholson doing her 269th
parkrun and Angela Fairclough and Sarah Rose doing their very first parkruns. Local Arthur Poynting completed his 50th parkrun last week but missed celebrating it - so we can note his 51st this week.
Charlie Coombes was the first male home in a time of 21.26, with visitor Lyn Ellis first female home in 28.04. There were 14 finishers with personal bests - it must have been the cooler weather.
It was a week for first timers in the volunteer roles.
Tracy Wilson was taking on the job of timekeeper for the first time, ably supported by
regular volunteer Rod Eckels who was handing out tokens. Dean Slight ran fast enough to complete the parkrun before taking on the role of scanning, also for the first time. He got
Gloucester Men's Bowls Report
By George WISEMANTEL
ANOTHER good field of thirty players turned out for Thursday social bowls with two looming champions and a veteran collecting the first prize on the day. Adrian Rovere, Don Mehieloff, Harry Cox had a comfortable victory over Bob Newitt, Max Stevens, Michael Way 29-17 (18+12) Runners up were Bob Charman, Peter Sansom, Jim Henderson (returning from the spelling
the hang of it easily, even when someone tried to use their supermarket discount barcode instead of their parkrun one (and wondered why it wasn't working!).
Amanda Dickson was
Goodrich wins Women’s Golf
By Carolyn DAVIES
Competition on Wednesday 12
saw another week of
outstanding scores.
Cheryl Goodrich led the field with a score of 28 Stableford points for 12 holes, followed by Lesly Harrison and Susie Higgins with 26 points
each.
Debbie Sate just missed out on getting a ball for her Stableford score but managed to win the two Nearest-to-thePins prizes on the 4th and 13th holes and the 15th hole.
The 12-hole Summer Competition will conclude this Wednesday 19 February.
Looking ahead, the Gloucester Golf Ladies will be having their annual Beginners’ Day on Wednesday 26 February.
All beginner lady golfers are welcome, with the event being a three ball Ambrose over nine holes.
In this fun event each of the three players in the team hits off, the team selects the best placed ball of those shots and all three players then hit from that spot and repeat until they finish the hole.
paddock) def Kevin Everett, Col Beattie, Paul Young 2414 (15+7) Neville Atkins, Phil Ellis, Craig Battam (playing his first game) def Stephen Hurworth, Rob Gibson, Ken Bryant 21-17 (15+4) George Wisemantel, Ben Philpott, Norm McLeod def Ron Jones, Alex Laurie, Terry Davies 22-20 (14+2) Tony Tersteeg, Karl Weiss, Jody Thompson played a 18 all draw with Vic Hebblewhite, Gordon Pritchard, Paul Sheridan.
Saturday mixed bowls resulted in a social morning with Rob Gibson (master of
tailwalker in her first volunteering role on only her third parkrun. Don Richardson sorted the tokens to make sure we had none missing this week (if anyone has token number
the arm) Sue Cross, David Hjorth playing a friendly 18 all draw with Adrian Rovere, Penny Gibson, Deb Horner. Both Gloucester pennant teams were at home on Saturday resulting in the number seven sides winning two rinks and losing one for a 9-1 (76 - 54) masterboard win over Tuncurry Sporties and the number three sides had a similar result winning two rinks but losing a rink they should have won for a 9-1 (61-53) master board win over the strong Old Bar teams.
15 from last week, we would love it back, no questions asked). Thanks to all the volunteers for making this great community event happen.
Williams, Arney in top golf scores
By Peter WILDBLOOD
STEVE Williams and Kev Arney each turned in top under-par rounds on Saturday 15 February at the Gloucester Golf Club
The event was an Individual Stableford sponsored by the Lower North Coast District Golf Association; it was run on a top-quality course and in warm and fine conditions despite earlier forecasts.
The winner in A grade was Stever Williams with his 40 points. In B grade Doug Blanch, 33, had the top score on offer and in C grade another 40 points were recorded, this time by Kev Arney. The best of the women golfers was Anne Wand whose 37 points was only a countback ahead of Gai Falla.
Balls were won by Steve Williams and Kev Arney 40, Anne Wand and Gai Falla 37, Brian McInnes and Steve Macdonald 36 and by Mark Peters and Steve Benson 35.
The Nearest-to-thePin at the 4th and 13th holes was won by Ben Veitch, 560 cm, in A grade, Bill Murray, 731 cm, in B grade and by Mark Peters, 841 cm, in C grade. At the 6th and 15th holes Steve Macdonald was a mere 47 cm from the holes while Doug Blanch and Doug Barron were both a little further away at 360 cm and 330 cm respectively.
Dale Rabbett was the closest among the women players at 457 cm.
The long drive trophies at the 8th and 17th holes were won by
Steve Williams, Mark Stone, Andrew Badham and Evelyn Blanch. The Super Sevens for the week ending Friday 14 February was won by Wayne Maddalena who scored 18 Stableford points.
Balls were won by David Maddalena and Wayne Maddalena 16 and by Rod Burrows, 15. On Saturday 22 February the Gloucester Club will be hosting a Two Person Ambrose sponsored by Gloucester Ceramics.
The following week there will be the March Monthly medal sponsored by the Arkwood Family.
THE latest round of Gloucester Golf Ladies' Summer
February
q In file. q A sunny start.
q Taree parkrunners visit Gloucester.
q Cheryl Goodrich.
q Steve Williams, Doug Blanch, Kev Arney.
Captain Sharp
By Peter WILDBLOOD
THE Gloucester Veteran’s Captain had a solid round on Tuesday 11 February for a handy win in the Di and Steve Burns sponsored Individual Stableford.
There was a good-sized field turning out in good weather conditions ahead of an afternoon storm.
The Stableford, which was the 8th round in the Veteran’s Summer Cup, was won by Trevor Sharp who scored an even par to handicap of 36 points. He was two points ahead of runner up Chris Clarke whose 34 points needed a favourable count back to separate him from the field.
Balls were won by Gary Peters 34, Jim Spencer 33, Brian McInnes and Peter Buettel 32 and the last ball was won on a count back by Derek Bardwell with his 31 points.
The Nearest-to-the-Pin at the 4th and 13th holes was won by Peter Buettel who finished a very close 169 cm from the hole. At the shorter 6th and 15holes Carolyn Davies, 1100 cm, and Trevor Sharp, 189 cm, were the closest.
On Tuesday 18 February Joy and Steve Hurworth sponsored an Individual Stableford whereas the following Tuesday the Gloucester Veterans will be playing an Individual Stroke event, the final event o\in the Veterans Summer Cup and sponsored by Ken Kelly.
q Trevor Sharp and Chris Clarke.