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During the workshop, attendees suggested the idea of organising a community group
In response, MidCoast Council will hold a speed networking session for Gloucester community groups on Friday, 4 April at 10am in the Gloucester Council building.
Gloucester is home to a diverse range of
community groups focused on sports, culture, and the environment.
"Speed networking is a great way for community groups to quickly build connections, spark new ideas, foster a shared sense of purpose, and create partnerships
that benefit the wider community,” said Jane O’Dwyer, Community Development Officer at MidCoast Council, in an interview with News Of The Area.
Each group will have two minutes to present an overview of their
DIAMOND JUBILEE
FROM Page 1
Club has supported the local community in many, and often unnoticed ways,” member Catherine Wright told News Of The Area.
This includes projects supporting the local SES and ambulance service, the Gloucester Soldiers Memorial Hospital, Gloucester Hydrotherapy Pool and the Cochlear Implant Centre.
The Club also works with
other local groups to support initiatives such as hosting the Biggest Morning Tea in partnership with Gloucester Ladies Bowling Club.
“One thing this group of volunteers is best known for in the area is their awesome Christmas puddings,” Catherine said.
“Each year, they sell out. This event goes a long way to raising money that can then be donated back into our community.”
After the presentations, there will be an opportunity to network more informally over a cup of tea.
Among those looking forward to the event are Gloucester Rotary Club, GACCI, and Gloucester Creatives.
“It is a great way to meet and share your projects and ideas,” Gloucester Rotary shared on social media.
Charlie Lethbridge, GACCI's Arts Administrator, expressed excitement about learning what other community groups do and finding ways to collaborate.
"I am looking forward to meeting people from across the Gloucester community," Charlie remarked.
"I hope many groups turn up."
For more information and registrations, please contact Jane O’Dwyer at MidCoast Council.
This recently led to Quota donating $5,000 to Gloucester High School to support their Big
Sister Experience, which provides wellbeing and empowerment support to students.
To mark their Diamond Jubilee celebration, the Club are inviting community members to attend a morning tea on 2 April from 10am at Billabong Park.
“Look out for our purple shirts; purple being the signature colour of Gloucester Quota Club,” Catherine said.
The Gloucester Quota Club meets on the first Thursday of every month, with a social dinner on the third Thursday.
Those interested in joining the Quota Club are encouraged to contact President Leonie Benson on 0434 076 046.
Bucketts
Lovey's IGA
Gloucester Library
Gloucester Caravan
Hebbys Bakery
Yates & Twomey
Hannaford
Barrington
Barrington
q Gloucester Rotary Club is one local organisation excited to collaborate with other groups.
q Quota Club members at a recent event. Photo: supplied.
q Quota members Cheryl Farley, Margaret Andrews and Pat Bourke selling raffle tickets. Photo: supplied.
Gloucester keeps strong show tradition alive
FROM Page 1
Lara Taylor was awarded the Junior Perpetual Trophy, and Fay Harris took out the Joy Guy Perpetual Trophy.
A total of 667 horses competed in the show ring, with Chloe Palmer taking out the dressage competition on horse ‘Jojo’ and also winning Champion Other Heavy Horse.
There were almost 200
entries in the poultry shed, where Tanya Rae took out Champion Waterfowl with ‘Harold’.
Over 115 head of cattle were entered across the dairy and beef exhibits.
Gloucester High Students competed in the junior judging competition and junior paraders.
Forty students from the high school competed in the event, showcasing eight head
of cattle.
Gloucester High agriculture teacher Sally Andrews said, “Four we've bred ourselves at the school, which is really pleasing.
“That's the one thing that I'm most excited about,” she said.
Champion Parader was awarded to Lucy Taylor, while Makayla Saunders took out Champion Junior Judge.
Community engagement strategy on public exhibition
MEMBERS of the community have until 6 April to provide feedback on MidCoast Council’s draft Community Engagement Strategy, currently on public exhibition.
General Manager Adrian Panuccio said the strategy provides a framework to ensure Council communicates and engages with the community in a consistent way.
This framework is based on the scale and importance of the issue or project, its potential impact on the community and how much influence the community can have on Council’s decision
making.
“It outlines what the community can expect from us, the principles guiding our engagement, our key objectives, how we interact with different stakeholder groups, how we identify engagement opportunities and the tools we use,“ Mr Panuccio explained.
The strategy also sets out timeframes for public exhibition periods so the community has a clear expectation of how long they have to provide Council with feedback on a wide range of matters.
The way Council communicates and engages is
an important part of overall community satisfaction and something that is a continual focus for Council, Mr Panuccio said.
“Our approach is shaped by the valuable feedback we regularly receive from the community.
“We regularly hear from our community on how they want to receive information from us and share their thoughts.”
To review the strategy and provide feedback please go to https://haveyoursay. midcoast.nsw.gov.au/ community-engagementstrategy-2025-2029
Boambee Angus was awarded Most Successful Exhibitor in the cattle section.
The men’s chocolate cake auction was also a
success, raising $930 for the Gloucester Prostate Cancer Support Group.
Patrons of the show took to social media, saying the show grounds this year are
an “absolute credit to the President and Committee”.
AgShows NSW Vice President Jody NelsonGleeson had an equally positive review.
“Show food? Delicious. Rides? Thrilling. Smiles? Everywhere,” she said.
Calling young artists, performers and musicians
By Wendy BUSWELL
YOUTH Week is an annual event held in April that offers free activities for individuals aged 12 to 24 across the MidCoast region.
This year, Youth Week celebrates the unique strengths of young people, recognising that they have the potential to be future influencers, leaders, and decision-makers, both individually and collectively.
MidCoast Council funds various events in the region, including The Big Night In and mural painting at
Creatives.
Performers unsure about what material to present can attend support sessions at Gloucester Creatives on Wednesday, 26 March, and Wednesday, 2 April, from 3:30pm to 5:30pm.
These sessions will allow potential performers to explore various options, including monologues, scenes, poems, or comedy sketches, and rehearse their selections on stage.
“It is a chance for young people to celebrate their talents in front of friends
who have never performed before get up on the stage.
“There is loads of support for novice performers which we hope will encourage young people to give performing a go.”
Young artists can also collaborate with professional visual artist Gemma Stylz to design and paint a mural which will go on display at Gloucester Creatives.
Participants will plan the mural on Sunday, 13 April, and paint it the following day, Monday, 14
q Junior Perpetual Trophy winner Lara Taylor.
q Joy Guy Perpetual Trophy winner Fay Harris.
q Champion Parader Lucy Taylor.
q Students compete in the cattle junior judging competition.
Police launch crackdown on youth crime
NSW Police have launched rapid response units to tackle youth crime across the state.
aggravated break, enter and steal offences, stealing motor vehicles and “post and boast” offences shared on social media.
“The operational arm of this operation will consist of high-visibility policing, targeting a defined cohort of hundreds of repeat offenders believed to be responsible for 90 percent of youth crime across regional NSW,” he said.
The new unit will target regional hotspots including Newcastle, Taree, Kempsey and Coffs Harbour.
operations.
Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the fear of crime is having a significant impact in rural communities.
"Nobody deserves to be frightened in their own home and in regional NSW that has been the case, it has to stop,” she said.
Under Soteria, which is also underway in the state’s western region, command hubs will be established and investigators will use realtime intelligence to identify social media trends.
from re-offending.
Other youth programs through the NSW Police Crime Prevention and Youth Command (CPYC) will be used.
"Part of this mission is to lock up the ring leaders and divert others away from a life of crime,” Deputy Commissioner Pisanos said.
Deputy Commissioner Paul Pisanos said that over
Operation Soteria is a high-profile strategy involving around 60 officers.
the next three months, police will target offenders aged between 11 to 16 years of age and specifically focus on
An extra 20 officers will supplement the unit in the form of surge operations each week, to bolster operational numbers to 80.
Polair and roaming response units will complement high visibility
Koala art competition
WHETHER you’re building a career as an artist or writer, or still learning these talents at school, there’s a category for you in the MidCoast Koala Art Competition.
MidCoast Council’s Acting Manager of Natural Systems, Tanya Cross described it as a great opportunity for community
members to display their visual art or creative writing skills and use their talent to highlight an important local topic.
As well as the chance to win a prize, selected artworks will be exhibited and may be sold at the artist’s discretion.
The competition is hosted by MidCoast
Council’s Koala Safe Spaces program, with the aim of raising the profile of local koalas.
Participants will produce original works that raise awareness of threats to koalas and help change attitudes and behaviour.
The competition is split into three age-group categories:
• primary school aged students
• secondary school aged students
• open category 18 years and over
Within each age-group category, participants can choose to enter Visual Art, Writing or both.
First prize in the open category for Visual Art is
As part of the prevention arm of the operation, police will aim to identify and refer young offenders into programs such as YAMS (Youth Action Meetings) - a multi-agency forum designed to help at-risk young people
a $300 #shopMidCoast voucher, and for Writing, a $100 #shopMidCoast voucher.
Selected works will be exhibited at the Forster Art Gallery and at Council venues as space permits.
All entries must be registered online by Friday 5 September. Visit www.midcoast. nsw.gov.au/koalacompetition for more details.
Soteria will oversee Operation Regional Mongoose, which was established in September 2023 and has been arresting, on average, 13 young offenders every week.
Crisis meetings with social media platforms, and the E-Safety Commissioner will also be called to shut down the novelty of posting criminal activity.
"To be clear, posting and boasting criminal activity will not give young offenders notoriety; it will land them in custody.”
Since new “post and boast” legislation came into effect 12 months ago, 53 people have been charged - 27 of those were under the age of 16.
Operation Soteria will also work with community leaders to provide regular updates on progress to engage with victims of crime in impacted areas.
Learn about our Successful Foundations Kindy transition program and meet our friendly staff. Contact us for more information
q Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the fear of crime is having a significant impact in rural communities. Photo: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi.
Major parties neck and neck as election draws
By Andrew BROWN, AAP
LABOR and the coalition have drawn level with voters as the prime minister prepares to call the federal election.
The latest YouGov poll provided to AAP shows the opposition clawing back ground on the government, with the major parties tied 50-50 on a two-party preferred basis.
The result comes after two weeks of Labor holding a narrow 51 to 49 percent lead in the polls, off the back of the response to ex-tropical cyclone Alfred and public reaction to the government's backing of Ukraine.
While the coalition gained ground in the lead-up to the election, Anthony Albanese is still ahead of Peter Dutton as preferred prime minister.
The poll showed 45 percent of those surveyed backed Mr Albanese as preferred leader compared to 40 percent for Mr Dutton.
YouGov's director of public data Paul Smith said the election would be tight.
"It is a very close race but the prime minister has now consolidated his lead as preferred leader and that is significant," he told AAP.
Labor's primary vote remains unchanged since the
last poll at 31 percent.
However, the coalition has increased its voter share, gaining one point to 37 percent.
The primary vote also went backwards by half a percentage point for the Greens and One Nation, down to 13 and seven percent respectively, while
independents also fell by one point to eight percent.
Mining magnate Clive Palmer's Trumpet of Patriots party stands at just one percent.
The YouGov poll also showed Mr Dutton retaking the lead for satisfaction among voters.
The opposition leader's
satisfaction is at minus five percent, with 42 percent satisfied and 47 percent dissatisfied.
Mr Albanese's net satisfaction stands at minus nine percent, with 41 percent satisfied and 50 percent dissatisfied.
The polling came as Labor prepared to hand
down its fourth federal budget on Tuesday.
The financial outlook prompted many to forecast the government would not deliver a budget and would instead call an election.
However, the threat from Alfred in Queensland and northern NSW prompted Mr Albanese to defer his plans to
visit the governor-general.
The election must be held by May 17, with Mr Albanese expected to call the poll in the days after the budget.
The YouGov poll surveyed 1500 people between March 14 and Wednesday, with a margin of error of 3.4 percent.
Authorised by Dave Layzell MP,
q YouGov polling shows the major parties have drawn level as the federal election looms. Photo: Joanna Kordina/AAP PHOTOS.
Plans to help more into 'disaster' housing market
By Jack GRAMENZ, Samantha LOCK and Jacob SHTEYMAN, AAP
MORE Australians could get help to purchase homes but opponents of an expanded
home.
scheme say they would rather use their retirement funds than share with the government.
Changes to the Labor government's Help to Buy scheme will lift income
and price caps for first homebuyers sharing equity with the government.
Single parents and couples earning up to $160,000 could buy million-dollar homes in some of Australia's biggest cities with a minimum two percent deposit.
"We've got a generation of young people growing up in our country who can't see a pathway to home ownership, and our government wants to change that," she told reporters on Saturday.
Housing Minister Clare O'Neil said 40,000 eligible buyers "who would otherwise have no chance of home ownership" could secure a
Assistance of 40 percent for new homes and 30 per cent for existing homes would allow purchases with smaller deposits and loans.
The shared-equity
scheme previously only benefited singles earning less than $90,000 and couples or households earning less than $120,000 but will increase to $100,000 for singles and $160,000 for households.
The maximum price will also rise to $1.3 million in Sydney, $950,000 in Melbourne and $1 million in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Rural and regional price caps will also increase.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said the housing market was a "disaster" but young people did not want to co-own with the government.
He said the coalition would let first-homebuyers access up to $50,000 of their superannuation.
"Five years ago if somebody had been able to do that... their net position today would potentially be tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars better off because they had purchased a house and they'd got into the housing market," he said.
The government has also pledged $54 million for prefabricated homes and modular building to speedup construction.
Urban Taskforce Australia chief executive Tom Forrest said it moved construction towards the 21st century, with offsite builds embraced globally.
"Here in Australia, we have been slow on the uptake," he said.
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 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 populationestimated at up to 524,000 - is under threat from deforestation, introduced predators and climate change sparking increasingly severe bushfires.
q The Labor government plans to lift Help to Buy scheme income and price caps for first-time buyers. Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS.
q Chlamydia has been found among the last koala population in Sydney that had been disease-free. Photo: Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS.
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)
4.30 Global Shop. (R)
5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
5.30 Postcards. (PG, R)
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) 6am Children’s Programs. Noon Pretty
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.
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R)
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)
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.
6.30 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.
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)
6am Shopping. 8.30
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.
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:
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)
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.
6am Cheerful
7.30 Rebuilding Notre Dame Cathedral Pt 2. (R)
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)
(31)
(32) SBS MOVIES (32)
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 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera.
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.
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.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
6.00
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)
Oz Off Road TV. (PG, R)
Destination WA.
TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa)
ABC FAMILY (22)
FAMILY (22)
MONDAY, March 31
6.00
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)
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. 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.
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 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.
WEDNESDAY, April 2
6.00 Mastermind Australia.
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.
(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.
3.50 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.
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)
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) 5.00 Today Early News.
6.00
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.
9GO! (83)
9GO! (83)
This
28th March @ 11:30am Dungog
Proudly
by Norco Rural Store, Dungog
$250 Norco Voucher to Best pen of Steers (6 or more)
$250 Norco Voucher to Best pen of Females (4 or more)
Includes the following locally bred cattle:
STEERS
M Hamblin – 20 angus steers 14mths
T & K Ambler – 5 angus steers 10mths
Strathbrook Angus – 10 angus steers 9 to 11mths
L & J Thomas – 8 angus steers 9 to 10mths
D Barnes – 30 angus steers 8 to 10mths
Chumbra Angus – 15 angus steers 9mths
J Faulkner – 4 angus steers 8 to 9mths
Hondell Pastoral – 10 ultra black steers 8 to 9mths
Kel Sullivan 0427 921 704 or Paddy Dillon 0428 921 009
On theCouch
When I was a kid, just one year younger than your son, I was given my first bike.
E-bikes, with the speed factor, multiply that risk.
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.
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.
I think there's a place for them, for commuters, for example, or more mature-aged 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.
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
Dorin’s Draws
By Paul DORIN
Kids Boot Camp
AFTER receiving feedback from the community, NOTA will be sharing the occasional piece of work by local poets.
If you would like to submit a poem for consideration, email media@newsofthearea.com.au.
Last Word - Patricia McCalden
There’s a Raven on our pergola, He is not an aggressive bird, I am sure he’s contemplating the appalling state of the world. His comments are loudhe doesn’t mince words, but despairs of what humans have donethere’s Climate Change and a shortage of rain, and goodness knows what’s yet to come.
With a shrug of those strong black shoulders, and a final long cawing gripe, he flaps off to visit our neighbours to make sure their lemons are ripe.
'Flow' - Ron Woods
Water drips through
Where the cusp can't contain I dip my hands down The creek fills them again
Sports fields get care ahead of winter comps IN MOTION Poetry
AS the summer sports season draws to a close, MidCoast Council is set to kick off its annual rejuvenation of sports fields across the region.
Crews will take advantage of the brief break before winter sports begin and undertake essential renovations to ensure that local grounds are in top condition for the busy season ahead.
Throughout March, selected sports fields will undergo maintenance as part of the Council’s commitment to supporting community sports and
maintaining high-quality facilities.
The maintenance closures are planned to ensure minimal disruption to local sporting clubs and facilities.
Residents and players are encouraged to stay informed about field closures and updates via the MidCoast Council website and social media channels.
Council thanks the community for their patience and cooperation as they work to enhance sports facilities across the region.
Alfred triggers further calls for climate action
By Andrew VIVIAN
WITH the recent brush with Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred still on everyone’s minds, climate action groups are voicing concerns about the consequences of ineffective action to combat climate change.
In a joint statement, 38 former Australian fire and emergency service chiefs said they are “deeply concerned about the trend of worsening extreme weather disasters, fuelled by climate change”.
“Many Australians are increasingly being impacted by consecutive, compounding climate disasters including heatwaves, drought, fires, storms and floods, leaving little time for recovery,” they said.
Former Commissioner of Fire and Rescue NSW and founder of Emergency Leaders for Climate Action, Greg Mullins said, “In my decades of service in NSW I never had to deal with a tropical cyclone reaching so far south.
“This is deeply disturbing and something climate scientists had warned us about.
“As we head to a federal election it reinforces why Australians simply can’t afford to go backwards on climate action.”
Few Australians will be untouched by Alfred.
The Federal Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers, has warned that the cyclone will affect the Federal Budget by $1.2 billion, and that inflation will be affected by damage to food producing areas.
Other effects may not be as evident.
David Crosbie, CEO of the independent charity Community Council for Australia, said one of the remarkable things about Alfred was the slow-motion unfolding of havoc and the
prolonged rekindling of trauma from not-so-long-ago disasters.
“There was a sense of ‘we are all in this together’, there was a collective goal to see each other through, to keep people safe, and to restore lives and communities,” he said.
“And, there was urgency.”
Mr Crosbie said the same sense of urgency is not being attached to investing in the community’s capacity to prepare, respond, recover and adapt to future disasters and climate change.
“A lot of what we do seems to involve wishful thinking about communities coming together.
“Why aren't we investing more in supporting community-building infrastructure?
“When we are focused on the experience of people and community, we begin talking less about the science, the forecasts and the responses in big amorphous terms, and more about what they mean for our everyday lives and our local community.
“It’s no accident that
those who seek to undermine climate action by dividing communities are very good at this. “They talk about local jobs, power lines, your power bill and the intrusion of windfarms on the local countryside.
“They divide communities by working from the ground up.”
Mr Crosbie said that until people discuss the impacts of climate change and the opportunities for energy transition in the same conversations they have about their communities and children, there will be a disconnect.
President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Dr Michael Wright, is urging leaders to fully fund the implementation of the National Health and Climate Strategy.
“Cyclone Alfred has severely impacted Queensland and NSW communities, and my heart is with everyone affected, including all our GPs caring for patients after the storm,” he said.
“The RACGP recognises
climate change as a global public health emergency.”
Dr Wright said GPs have been seeing the social, emotional and physical impacts experienced by those in the path of extreme weather for some time.
“Year after year Australian communities have been subjected to the damaging and traumatic effects of fires, floods, droughts and storms, which are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change.”
RACGP Climate and Environmental Medicine Specific Interests Chair Dr Catherine Pendrey said, “The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called climate change the greatest threat to public health in the 21st century.
“Extreme weather events like Cyclone Alfred cause more injuries, diseases and deaths.
“We can and must stop emitting fossil fuel pollution to safeguard the health of our future generations in the face of the worsening climate crisis.”
New committee elected
Ms Forbes.
Committee members are Ollie Rinkin, Di Relf, Jenny Merchant, Kevin Ivin and Ashleigh Hickman.
“Thank you to each of these for taking on a position,” said
THE Annual General Meeting of Gloucester Sports Committee Inc was held on 12 March, with a new committee elected for 2025. John Hughes was welcomed as incoming President, Bruce Wilson as Vice President and Lorraine Forbes as Secretary/ Treasurer.
“John acknowledges that, in replacing Ollie Rinkin at the helm, he has big shoes to fill and will do his best to continue Ollie’s legacy to the Sports Committee.”
The new committee is now
busy with the organisation of the upcoming Sports Awards presentation evening, set to be held on Saturday, 10 May at the Bowling Club.
Tickets are required to reserve a seat and are available from Nikki and Karen at Gloucester Betta and Flooring until
Saturday, 26 April. A maximum of 200 seats can be allocated.
Nominations for all award categories including Local Legend, over 75 years and Sport Star of the Year will close this coming Friday, 28 March.
“Don’t forget your match officials, coaches
and club administrators who should also be acknowledged for their contributions in 2024,” said Ms Forbes. All nominations need to be accompanied by either a digital or hard copy photo of each nominee.
Bardwell and McMillan win veterans golf
By Peter WILDBLOOD
THE Gloucester Veteran Golfers outing on Tuesday 18 March was the first for a fortnight after a weather affected course meant play was cancelled the previous week.
Derek Bardwell and Leigh McMillan were the best in a low
Gloucester Lady Bowlers
By Jennifer BURLEY
THE first round of the Bonnie Hazelwood Triples provided some close results on a warm sunny day with a refreshing breeze at times.
Karen Heiningher, Joy Hurworth and Judy Sheely 25 defeated Sue Bryant, Pattie West and Bev Germon 21.
Jill Everett, Paula Standen and Jenny Burley, with an extra end, 15, defeated Jenny Stevens, Joan Ridgeway and Kerrie Green, 13, quite a tussle!
Therefore next
Wednesday 26 Judy's team play Julie Kriss, Val Pritchard and Di Pritchard in one semi final and Jenny's team play Suzanne Cross, Cassie Wallace and Ruth Redman in the other with the winners to play the final on 2 April.
There were 2 games of Triples, each with a swinger, played with varied results of social bowls: Suzanne Cross (swinger), Cheryl Tull and Penny Gibson 17 defeated Suzanne, Ruth Redman and Cheryl West 8 and Julie Kriss
(swinger), Norma Relf and Val Pritchard 36 defeated Julie, Cassie Wallace and Di Pritchard 8.
The draw of all cards for the trophy of the day was won by Jenny Burley's team.
Our sympathy goes to Bev Murray and family for the sudden loss of her husband John, our thoughts are with you at this sad time.
Don't forget names on the board for the Consistency Singles by 2nd April.
scoring field on the day.
The event was a Four Ball Better Ball Aggregate Stableford sponsored by Karen Howarth.
The winners were Derek Bardwell and Leigh McMillan whose 65 points reflected individual scores well under their respective handicaps;
they needed a count back to separate them from the leading ball winners Derek Wand and Chris Clarke 65, followed by Gai Falla and Max Shepherd 63, and Paul Griffiths and Bill Murray 62.
The top Individual score was turned in by Gai Falla whose 36 points represented
the only player in a good-sized field to play to their handicap. Nearest-to-the-Pin trophies at the 4th and 13th holes were won by Anne Wand and Chris Clarke.
At the 6th and 15th holes
Karen Howarth and Trevor Sharp were closest to the flagstick off the teeing area.
Gloucester Men's Bowls Report
By George WISEMANTEL
THE good weather resulted in a field of forty two bowlers for Thursday social including visitors from Lake Cathie club. The winners were Neville Atkins, Joe Pfeifer, Chris Pritchard who inflicted a heavy defeat on Adrian Rovere, Kevin Burley, Noel Mudford 32-8 (20+24) Runners up were visitors John Stutz, Peter Kerwin, Rick Dilger def Bob Newitt, Andrew Henderson, Harry
Sharp and Peters win ‘Derros’ golf
By Peter WILDBLOOD
TREVOR Sharp and Matt
Peters turned in a combined card four strokes ahead of the field for a handy win at the Gloucester Course on Saturday 22 March
The event was a Four Ball Better Ball Stableford and celebrated the Club’s annual “Derros Day”. The course was playing on the heavy side despite all the sunshine of the preceding week and a fair sized field turned out in generally good conditions.
The winning pair were Trevor Sharp and Matt Peters with an excellent
combined score of 48 Stableford points. Trevor Sharp played as a “swinger” also partnering with Mark Stone for 44 points and the runner’s up trophy. Balls were won by Trevor Sharp and Matt Peters 48; Trevor Sharp and Mark Stone 44; Bruce McKechnie and Steve Williams, Paul Garland and Craig McLeod, Steve Macdonald and Ben Veitch 42; Darrel Wisemantel and Doug Barron, Jacob Pickworth and Andrew Sansom; Doug Blanch and Paul Blanch, and Stacey Groves and Matt Bowden 41.
The best individual
Gloucester Parkrun
By Carolyn DAVIES
THE showers from the day before had cleared for Gloucester's 198th parkrun last Saturday, with a large group of 70 walkers and runners finishing the event. Some had got the message that it was tutu day, a nod to the fact that it was March 22 - with a range of colorful tutus donned by finishers and volunteers.
First male to finish was Michael McManus, visiting from the Central Coast, in a time of 18.36 at his first
parkrun at Gloucester. The first female to finish was Anna Schroeder in 24.11 on only her second parkrun.
Eli Soupidis was celebrating his 50th parkrun, while Liam Banyer and Archer Smith were both completing their 25th milestones. Jessica Coombes and Michael Kelly were doing their first parkrun, while at the other end of the ledger, Juno Jenkins was doing parkrun 313, and her husband John parkrun 311. The age groups ranged from under 10s
scores were turned in by Paul Blanch, 38, in A grade, Mark Stone, 38, in B grade and Matt Peters, 41, in C grade.
The Nearest-to-the-Pin trophies at the 4th and 13th holes were won in the three grades by Paul Blanch, Trevor Sharp and Matt Peters; they finished 430 cm, 627 cm and 927 cm from the hole respectively. At the shorter 6th and 15th holes the trophies were won by Ben Veitch, 130 cm, Trevor Sharp, 376 cm, and Jeff Graham, 418 cm, in the three grades.
The Long Drive trophies at the 8th and 17th holes were won by Chris Murray,
to over 80s.
It was another day for personal bests with nine finishing in their best time yet - Julien Dendas, Karen Bolton, Lyndall Wamsley, Lucas Dickson, Harry Charlier, Christina Battam, Rod Eckels, Lara Kemp and Paul Armstrong (who obviously had still been able to get in some training runs while performing in the play The Dining Room at the Gloucester Gallery).
Volunteers this week included Tracy Wilson as timekeeper, who had also persuaded her friend Suzie Dark to join her (both
visitor Tony Briggs, and Matt Peters.
The Super Sevens for the week ending Friday 21 March was won on a count back by Peter Markey who scored 16 points. Ball winners were Wayne Maddalena 16, Mark Stone 14 and Derek Wand 13.
On Saturday 29 March the Gloucester Golfers will be playing a Four Person Ambrose celebrating the annual Tom Blundell Memorial Day. The following week the Arkwood Family sponsor the April Monthly Medal, an Individual Stroke event.
donning tutus) as scanner. Suzie enjoyed the chance to say hi to all the people she knew as they came to get their finish token scanned.
Volunteer pairs were the theme of the day, with Pippa Robinson doing the tailwalker role again, with her husband Steve opting for his favourite volunteer job of having fun handing out the finish tokens.
Thanks to the volunteers who keep this community event goingbringing visitors to town, and supporting families and other locals to get some fun exercise.
Cox 30-13 (18+17) Ron Jones, Stacey Groves, George Wisemantel def Robert Hayes, Ben Philpott, Terry Davies 25-12 (18+13) Jeff Kelly, Jim Henderson, Karl Weiss def Kevin Everett, Rob Heininger, Jim Gretch 28-20 (18+8) Don Mehieloff, Ian Tull, Charlie Faulkner def Vic Hebblewhite, Norm McLeod, Michael Way 24-17 (16+7) Rob Gibson, Paul Sheridan, Paul Young def Phillip Ellis, Nigel Johns, Jody Thompson 20-15 (14+5) Alex Laurie, Grahame Turnbull, Max Stevens def Garry Moss, Ken Bryant, Rob Cushway 16-14 (12+2)
As daylight saving ceases on Sunday 6 April bowls will be commencing at the new winter time of 1.00 p.m. (not 1.30 p.m.) commencing on Thursday 10 April
Saturday mixed bowls resulted in a win for Joe Pfeifer, Rob Gibson, Julie Kriss def Steve Kriss, Penny Gibson, Deb Horner 29-11 (17+18) Chris pritchard, Rob Cushway, Sue Cross (swinger) def Di Pritchard, Deb Cushway, Sue Cross 15-13 (12+2)
Gloucester pennant sides were both away on Saturday with the number three teams playing Tuncurry Beach and the number seven teams playing Tuncurry Sporties. The number three teams had a close encounter going down two rinks to one for a 9 -1 (5957) loss on the master board
and the number seven sides found the heavy green hard to handle going down 10-0 (90-40) on the master board. The pennant games are cancelled until the 12 April due to regional commitments but the number seven sides may have a wet game against Bulahdelah on the 5 April so check with your selectors Sunday the first round of the Gloucester Betta and Flooring sponsored men's triples championships were contested with Aaron Kelly, Ben Philpott, Don Mehieloff def Kevin Burley, Robert Hayes, Nigel Johns 27-17. Jason Cassidy, Stacey Groves, Peter Jones def Rob Heininger, Adrian Rovere, John Andrews 33-14. Kevin Everett, Neville Atkins, Mike Sheely were down 16-8 on the fifteenth end but won every end afterwards to def Adam Clements, Mark Tull, Ron Jones (sub for Jason Collins) 24-16. Col Hebblewhite, Mathew Higgins, Kevin Baker def Steven Higgins, Stephen Hurworth, Craig Yates 2516. George Wisemantel, Steve Kriss, Ian Tull def Bob Charman, Jim Henderson, Dennis Bartlett 23-19. Mark Groves, Gordon Pritchard (sub for Peter Sansom) Alec Laurie def Bob Newitt, Garry Moss (sub for Col Beattie) Chris Pritchard 40-15
The second round will be contested on Sunday 30 March 2025 at 9.30 a.m.
on Saturday 5 April,
Gloucester will be celebrating its 200th parkrun at 8am
so come along and join in
the fun of a 5 kilometre walk or run around Gloucester District Park (it's a free event).
q Derek Bardwell, Karen Howarth, Gai Falla.
q Relaxing before the start.
Gloucester Study Hub opening soon
If you’re kickstarting a degree, retraining into a new industry or simply taking the first small step towards study, get in touch with us.
FREE STUDY
HUB + FACILITIES
Available 5am – Midnight for Registered TUC Gloucester students!
SCAN HERETOFIND OU T M !ERO
Women’s medal win
By Carolyn DAVIES
THERE was a good turnout for the first Monthly Medal of 2025 for the Gloucester Golf Ladies on Wednesday 19 March with Gai Falla following up her recent good form with a win in Division 1 and the Monthly Medal.
The sun was shining and the course drying out, although there was not much run to be had on the lush fairways.
The event was an Individual Stableford and, while none of the players managed to play to their handicap in this Stableford event, there were some solid scores across the field.
Gai Falla won Division 1 with 35 points; she also took out the Monthly Medal, while Cheryl Goodrich continued her good form, winning
Division 2 with 34 points. They won a colourful orchid each, donated by Alison Windeyer, the day's sponsor.
Balls were won by Karen Howarth, 34, Carolyn Davies, 33, and Lesly Harrison and Debbie Sate, 32.
This group also featured in the Nearest-to-the-Pin prizes, with Karen Howarth winning at the 4th and 13th holes, and Carolyn Davies, Division 1, and Lesly Harrison, Division 2, winning at the 6th and 15th holes.
On Wednesday 26 March, the Gloucester Golf Ladies are playing an Individual Stroke event, a Women's Golf NSW Medal round sponsored by Karen Howarth and Sally Higgins.
Next Wednesday, 2 April, Liane Markey will sponsor an Individual Stableford.
