By Thomas O'KEEFE
“The
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FROM Page 1
the fore brilliantly with the pieces they presented,” Anne Stuart, President of the Galleries, told News Of The Area.
Three works in total were recognised on the night with prizes; two Highly Commended and a sole winner.
The unenviable task of judging fell to specially invited guest Madeleine Snow, Curator of the Newcastle Art Space.
“I appreciated seeing the range of responses to the theme, from emerging
winter blooms in ceramic and paint, to housebound animals and furtive foxes, as well as crisp cool wintery landscapes, [and] seascapes to abstractions,” said Ms Snow.
“I highly commend ‘Winter’ by Barbara Peacock. In this work I appreciated the subtlety, layered composition and exploration of abstraction.
“Also highly commended is ‘A Winter Sea’ by Bridget Taylor. This is a strong painting and there is an absolute confidence in scale and imagery.”
The winner of the Winter’s Palette competition was Carolyn Fredericks, aka “Aquaa”, an accomplished local abstract painter who featured in NOTA earlier this year with her work “Golden Hour”.
“Finally I selected the winning work because it encapsulated a winter forest, whilst also showing a sense of play through an experimentation with markmaking alongside an elegant composition.”
All three Winter Winners bore a strong streak of abstract attitude, and all may be viewed, for free, at The Gallery at 81 Marine Drive, Tea Gardens, daily from 10am-3pm (closed Tuesdays), with the current exhibition running until 28 July.
FROM Page 1
disability living in regional and remote areas”.
The changes, announced following the Government’s NDIS Annual Pricing Review, came into effect on 1 July and altered the pricing structure for allied health services such as occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physiotherapy.
The change also caps
travel costs to 50 percent of the hourly charge, limited to 30 minutes (metro) or 60 minutes (remote).
“I recently sat down with a group of local allied health professionals from across the Lyne electorate,” Ms Penfold said.
“Their message was clear: this decision is not clinically informed, not regionally fair, and not economically sound.
“The consequence will simply reduce service delivery in homes and natural environments, which is precisely where many people need it most.”
Ms Penfold said the impact of the travel cost change would be felt hardest in isolated and rural areas without access to public transport, whose only path to support is through mobile or home-based care.
“This is a city-centric decision that undermines
MIDCOAST Council formally adopted its four-year Delivery Program for 2025-2029, Operational Plan and budget for the 2025-26 financial year at its 30 June meeting.
The budget provides a boost for local roads, with Council redirecting funds from other operational areas to allocate an additional $6.7 million to roadworks in 2025-26, bringing total road investment to $68.47 million over the year.
Mayor Claire Pontin acknowledged that this would not be enough to fix everything across the 3,600km stretch of MidCoast roads, citing underfunding over recent decades.
“Over coming years, we will continue to prioritise roadwork, looking for every possible saving and stretching our budget as far as possible,” said Mayor Pontin.
“Along with roadwork, our strategic priorities also include financial sustainability, and customer experience.
“These three areas have received special focus in our
Delivery Program 20252029.”
The Operational Plan 2025-26 details the activities for the financial year, guided by the annual budget.
The overall 2025-26 Council budget is estimated at $320 million, which includes $102 million raised through rates and $86 million from water, sewer, and waste charges.
Changes made to the documents following the 28-day public exhibition period respond to community feedback and the recent flood, including adjustments to project timelines and the addition of a high-priority project to replace a damaged section of the water supply pipeline crossing the Manning River between Bootawa Dam and Wingham Reservoirs following damage sustained during the May 2025 floods.
“The recent 1-in-500-year flood event has significantly impacted our roads, bridges and other infrastructure,” Mayor Pontin said.
“This may necessitate some reprioritisation of
works as more flood damage comes to light.
“We are working hard to obtain the maximum funding support possible from State and Federal governments for needed repairs.”
In terms of Council revenue for 2025-26, the budget applies the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal’s (IPART) 3.80 percent rate peg to general property rates.
However, this doesn’t translate directly into a 3.80 percent increase for all ratepayers, as property valuations vary.
Waste management charges will rise by 3.80 percent, with standard annual fees set at $116 for properties within the collection area and $53 for those outside.
Water charges will increase by 5.50 percent, with an access fee of $378 per standard residential meter and usage charges at $4.28 per thousand litres.
Sewer charges will rise by seven percent, with an annual connection fee of $1,146 for connected properties.
by Xander Gee
There is no doubt that over the last few years cryptocurrency has surged in popularity with brands such as Bitcoin becoming a household name. As these digital assets continue to become more prevalent in everyday life, they have also made their way into the family law sphere. Given the nature of such assets, it can pose particular difficulties in property disputes. Identifying the existence and extent of cryptocurrency holdings is often the first issue. Whilst parties have an obligation to provide ‘full and frank’ financial disclosure about all assets, undisclosed cryptocurrency can be difficult to identify. Unlike traditional bank accounts, cryptocurrencies can be stored in “digital wallets”, registered to a number, rather than a person’s name. They are also often lacking formal regulations and oversight, although this is still a developing area.
Another significant challenge is determining the value of cryptocurrencies
the safety and accessibility of essential services,” she said.
“It does not appear that the regional impacts were properly considered, and I hold serious concerns about the data on which these changes were based.”
Another change in the price review is an expansion of the NDIS’ early childhood approach, which now supports children up to age nine, from the previous limit
of seven.
Remote area loadings have also been discontinued for plan managers and intermediaries.
According to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), a mix of market data, research, and public and industry engagement is utilised to inform changes to pricing arrangements and price limits through its Annual Pricing Review.
“The NDIA regularly
for the purpose of property division. Whilst a current value may be relatively easy to determine if you know how much cryptocurrency you or your partner are currently holding, cryptocurrency is known for its volatility, often with sharp increases or decreases in its value over relatively short periods of time. There is also the potential for unexpected tax consequences associated with cryptocurrency and in particular the triggering of significant Capital Gains Tax liability when disposing of such assets.
Both practitioners and the Courts are constantly developing strategies to manage such assets in the family law context and to accommodate the unique complexities they present. If you require assistance dealing with cryptocurrency after the breakdown of a relationship, contact Mullane & Lindsay to speak with a member of our Team.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation
reviews and makes changes to pricing arrangements to ensure our approach better meets the needs of participants, their families, carers and providers… [and] remains affordable and in place for future generations of Australians,” the NDIS website states.
“This is done by appointing expert committees, financial benchmarking, and forming dedicated working groups.”
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ADDITIONAL support has been announced for primary producers in New South Wales affected by the extreme flooding event from 18 May 2025.
This funding is provided under Category D of the CommonwealthState Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) and is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments.
The package will be available through grants administered by the NSW Rural Assistance Authority that enable eligible primary producers to access up to $75,000 in assistance.
Eligible primary producers can apply for grants of up to $75,000 to assist with:
• Clean-up and debris removal
• Repairing damaged infrastructure and equipment
• Restocking and replanting
• Replacing lost or damaged assets
• Restoring operations to pre-disaster levels
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said, “This additional funding means farmers can focus on
rebuilding and getting back to work without the weight of financial uncertainty holding them back.
“Recovery is never one size fits all, and this support will give farmers the flexibility to address the unique challenges they’re facing on the ground.”
NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin told NOTA, “I’ve seen how hard the floods have been on our farmers on the Mid North Coast and in the Hunter.
“I know that the wait while we put our application (for category D funding) together has been a tough one, but we have been successful.
“This means local producers who’ve lost feed livestock and vital infrastructure continue to get the help they need to recover and rebuild.”
The announcement follows weeks of advocacy from flood-affected residents, Councils, politicians, local leaders, and community groups.
Federal Member for Lyne Alison Penfold said the announcement is a “step toward giving our producers the support they should have received weeks ago”.
“Many of our producers
q A rally in Taree calls for Category D funding to be announced.
lost fencing, crops, machinery and livestock.
“It’s taken too long - but today, we’re finally seeing real, practical support for primary producers.”
While primary producers can now access the extended grants program, small business funding was not
included in the Category D announcement.
“The question however is what about small businesses across the region?” Ms Penfold asked.
“Where is their additional support?
“They’ve been crying out for help too alongside our
primary producers.
“I’m shocked that the NSW State Government’s request did not include support for small businesses.
“Small business is the backbone of our community and they too need additional support to get back on their feet.
“I will continue to advocate and work for them and our community – from the Hastings to the Hunter and all places in between - to ensure we get the full package of recovery and rebuilding support that our small businesses and our communities need.”
KEY routes north and west of Gloucester remain closed due to extensive landslip damage and bridge washouts.
Thunderbolts Way (north of Gloucester) remains closed in multiple locations due to landslips and washed-out bridge approaches.
Repairs are underway, with reopening expected in approximately four weeks, restoring access to Walcha and the New England region.
Barrington Tops Forest Road (west of Gloucester) is closed to all traffic from Geales Bridge across the Dilgry River (where Scone Road meets Barrington Tops Forest Road) due to multiple landslips. While one slip in the State Forest section has been cleared, others persist, including a major slip on MidCoast Council’s section of the road which is undergoing geotechnical assessment.
A timeframe for full reopening is not yet available.
The gated entrance to Barrington Tops National Park (from the Gloucester side) is closed and locked. Access to Scone via Barrington Tops remains unavailable.
Road barriers are in place, and access beyond the closure points is restricted to local residents and essential services.
Travellers heading north or west from the coast are advised to check road conditions on Live Traffic NSW before starting their journey.
Despite the road closures, Gloucester and Stroud are open for business and eager to welcome visitors.
Paul De Szell, MidCoast Council’s Director of Liveable Communities, encourages travellers to use The Bucketts Way and explore the region’s inland charm.
MIDCOAST Council is attempting to make it “easier and faster to build homes in the region”, with progress discussed at last week’s Council meeting.
Council has been addressing the recommendations identified in the 2023 Housing Barriers Review, which identified problems that slow down the building process and offered ways to fix them.
A statement from Council last week stated the organisation is working to address delays, update systems, and help the community understand how housing approvals work.
According to Council, progress to date includes a new “fast-track” team which speeds up the approval of simple development applications.
A new draft Local Environmental Plan (LEP) has also been prepared and is with the State Government for approval. Planning assessments are currently done using three different LEPs from the previous Council areas pre-merger.
Council is now working on a new local approvals policy to outline those activities described under Section 68 of the Local Government Act, which may be carried out without the approval of Council.
Council’s Director of Liveable Communities, Paul De Szell, explained that these changes will help people get clear answers faster, reduce wait times, and make it easier to build housing across the MidCoast.
“This is about making it easier for our community to use the planning system at the local level,” said Mr De Szell.
“We’re making sure the rules are clear, the systems work, and that people can build homes without facing long delays.”
“Gloucester and Stroud are beautiful rural towns full of country hospitality, and I would encourage those who were planning a trip in the school holidays to still head this way and stay overnight in Gloucester to explore the region,” he said.
“Gloucester sits at the heart of a stunning road trip, with Gloucester Tops still open for day visitors. “We may have limited access to the west and north, but what you’ll find here is limitless - great food, warm welcomes, and a community ready to share its story.
“When you visit, you’re not just taking a break - you’re helping a region recover.
“Whether it’s a coffee, a night’s stay, or a local shop visit, every dollar helps our towns rebuild.”
By Chris KARAS
TEA
GARDENS
native Lilly-Ann White has come a long way on her rugby league journey.
Since pulling on her first boots as an eight-year-old with the Myall River Hawks, the teenage dynamo has honed her craft in the Hunter Junior League and schoolgirl ranks; mixing it with the world’s best female players in the NRLW premiership.
All eyes are on the quicksilver utility back who has established herself in the top grade as a flying winger with the Newcastle Knights women's team.
With her power, pace, agility and tricky step, 19-year-old White is shaping as a trump card for the Knights in this year’s NRLW competition.
The Australian Schoolgirls and NSW Under 19s representative enters the 2025 season fit and sharp and brimming with confidence after making her top grade debut last year against the Canberra Raiders.
Lilly-Ann was signed on a development contract with the Knights after standout performances for the Raymond Terrace Roosters women's tackle and Newcastle Tarsha Gale Cup Under 19 teams.
She has scored three tries in seven NRLW appearances and played strongly in the Knights’ 26-12 upset loss to the newly-formed Bulldogs last Friday at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.
The shock departure of superstar fullback Tamika Upton to the Brisbane Broncos has opened the door for the versatile White to don the Newcastle number one jumper.
It is the preferred position for the naturally gifted Lilly-Ann, who has a battle on her hands now with experienced recruit Botille Vette-Welsh.
After stints with the Sydney Roosters, St George-Illawarra Dragons, Parramatta Eels and Wests Tigers, journeywoman Botille brings crucial leadership and skill to the Knights squad.
A Sky Blues and Australian representative, Vette-Welsh has become one of the premier gamebreakers in the NRLW and
is locked with the emerging White in a two-player tussle for the custodian role.
Lilly-Ann opened the year in style when she represented the Maori Ferns in a 20-18 loss to the Indigenous line-up in the Women's All Stars clash at CommBank Stadium.
Selected on the wing, the dashing White nabbed a first half try to help give the Ferns an 18-12 lead at the interval.
Growing up, the talented Lilly-Ann left her mark in the Hunter region as an outstanding junior athlete.
She is a former recipient of the Pat Gehrig Memorial Trophy for Port Stephens Primary School Sports Association Zone Sportsperson of the Year, and showed enormous potential with the Myall River Hawks, Thornton-Beresfield Bears and Raymond Terrace Roosters junior rugby league sides.
She also captained the Bears to the Under 14s Grand Final against Newcastle Wests as a 12-year-old in the inaugural Country Rugby League Combined Women's Tackle premiership – scoring two tries in a 28-16 loss and finishing as the competition’s leading try-scorer with 17.
Lilly-Ann later tasted premiership success with the Roosters before captaining the Knights’ junior representative squads and being named Tarsha Gale Cup Player of the Year.
q Newcastle Knights teenage dynamo LillyAnn White aims to establish herself in this year’s NRLW competition.
She played fullback for NSW Country Under 19s in a 26-18 win over NSW City last season and shone for the Sky Blues in the number one jumper when they hammered Queensland Under-19s 46-4 in a junior Origin showdown at Leichhardt Oval.
Establishing herself in the Knights’ NRLW team is Lilly-Ann’s immediate goal and showing coach Ben Jeffries that she is the club’s long term option at fullback.
By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE
the beach however was a whole new concept for me.
AFTER writing as many fishing articles as I have over the years it could be expected that nothing much would surprise me. Well, I must say I was surprised this week when Karuah champion George Trinkler told me about the efforts of two sisters fishing off Hawks Nest Beach.
method that was new to me. The tried-and-true method for catching bream off the beach is to toss out a bait of pipis, worms, strip of mullet or live yabbies.
The girls were fishing for bream off the beach using a
I was amazed to learn that the sisters were tossing
hard bodied lures into the surf and catching monster bream one after the other.
Never had I heard of tossing hard bodied lures off the beach for bream.
Lure fishing for bream is not new, it has been going on
for a long time, particularly hard bodied lures and plastics around the oyster racks or any structures inside the harbour including rock walls, bridges and jetties. Tossing hard bodies off
“Easy” reckons George - just drive along the beach until you spot a school of bream in the shallows then jump out and toss the lure into the school of fish, a couple of winds of the reel and whacko!
q Hazel Sweeny with a monster bream caught along Hawks Nest Beach.
q Bundabah champions Hazel and Audrey with a couple of thumping bream caught just behind the shore break.
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By Thomas O’KEEFE
MEMBERS and visitors
of the Hawks Nest and District Probus club braved capricious winter weather on 4 July to hear some important health-related insights.
After welcoming one new member, Lynne Bradbury, to the ever-growing social club, President Barb Smith proudly presented 10year pins to four long-time members, Sue and Grant Hickey, and Margaret and
Noel Jones.
It was then on to the monthly guest speaker: Alan Johns, from Myall Physiotherapy.
He was drafted to speak about everyday dangers such as avoiding falls, as well as continued healthy living.
With over 35 years in the world of physiotherapy, Alan has seen his share of injuries and rehabilitations, and now works exclusively through home visits.
“When senior citizens have a fall, the best thing
they can do is to keep looking up, it’s the secret of life,” Alan said.
“In the aging process, the head tends to shift forwards, and downwards movements for older people are more problematic, as the resultant stooping shifts their centre of gravity too far forward, offsetting their centre of balance, making a fall that much more likely.”
One grim statistic was that one quarter of people 65 and over who suffer falls die within one year of the
fall, but it was backed up by some practical dietary tips that can lead to healthier living - making falls and other age-related issues less final.
Alan, who also works to educate children on healthy living, then focused on what goes into the body, given we are what we eat.
“Around 70 percent of all food is carbs, carbs go to sugar, and then are stored as fat cells.”
“Insulin is a fat storage hormone that we need in
By Cosette DE LORENZO
THE POWERFUL low-pressure system that hit the NSW coast this week resulted in flooding and power outages across Port Stephens.
The extreme weather event comes just over a month after Port Stephens was last impacted by severe flooding.
The Bureau of Meteorology warned of large waves on the coastline.
“We saw fairly significant wave action along the southern and central parts of the NSW coast [with] wave heights of five to just over seven metres in some areas, and maximum wave heights in excess of 10 to 12 metres,” Senior Meteorologist Gabrielle Woodhouse said.
“[That] increased the risk of coastal erosion, particularly for the central and southern
parts of the NSW Coast.”
Port Stephens Council launched an emergency response, installing sandbags in Shoal Bay.
“Shoal Bay is a high-risk area for erosion, posing a serious threat to safety, beach access, and infrastructure, including Shoal Bay Road,” a Council spokesperson said.
“We’re stabilising the area by installing 450 sandbags along an erosion-formed slope and will continue to monitor the site.”
NSW SES Deputy Commissioner Debbie Platz, thanked impacted communities for their quick response.
“We are very grateful that the communities in these areas heeded our warnings.
“That has meant that there has not been as much damage to property and impact to lives as what could have been.”
Intense rainfall caused rivers and creeks to rise rapidly.
As the weather eases, the NSW SES advises people to stay informed about the potential of minor flooding by monitoring warnings on their website and Facebook page.
order to unlock energy sugars stored in the body, and intermittent fasting reduces body fat around the middle.
Various other important bodily concepts surrounding the glycaemic index were discussed,, and the overpowering superiority of eating fresh foods versus processed foods.
Many considered getting out the tape measure when they were told “your waist measurement should be half your height.”
A relatively new revelation, and one backed by Diabetes Australia, is that Alzheimer’s Disease is now being likened to a “Type 3 Diabetes” - at least for any kind of Alzheimer’s that results from resistance to insulin in the brain.
According to Diabetes Australia, people suffering insulin resistance, in particular those with Type 2 Diabetes, have a 50 percent to 65 percent increased risk of suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
FOLLOWING the success of its debut on 15 June, the Magpie Market at Stroud District Country Club is calling on local growers and producers to take the market to the next level.
Organised by new Stroud local Victoria Henderson, the market drew a strong crowd and a vibrant mix of stalls showcasing handmade goods, art, vintage finds, and home baking - all set against the stunning backdrop of the Stroud vista.
“Every stall was a celebration of local creativity and small business - we'd love to see produce stalls added next time to make it even better,” said one enthusiastic market goer.
Victoria, who launched Magpie Gathering to create new opportunities for the town, agrees.
“We’d love to connect with local producerspeople growing fruit, veg, herbs, keeping bees… anyone with something fresh to offer,” she said.
The next Magpie Market
q The Magpie Market at Stroud is looking to talk to local producers.
is set for Sunday 20 July, and the team is keen to hear from stallholders interested in selling locally grown or made produce.
To get involved or find out more, visit magpiegathering.com or contact Victoria directly via the website.
THE commercial use of public wharves in the MidCoast LGA has been discontinued as of 1 July, including the Yalinbah wharf on Marine Drive, Tea Gardens.
The decision looks set to impact catamaran operator YKnot Cruises, which currently utilises the wharf for its Nelson Bay-Tea Gardens service.
MidCoast Council resolved to discontinue the commercial use of public wharves in 2019.
YKnot operator Ian Cutbush spoke in Council against the decision at that time.
Council’s Director of Liveable Communities Paul De Szell said the decision was made so that public wharves remained solely for public and recreational usage, and not for private enterprises.
He said that Council staff had kept regular contact with impacted businesses since the original decision was made, and had suggested alternatives such as constructing a private wharf for their usage.
Mr Cutbush has been operating YNot Cruises since 2017, and said he generally utilises the Yalinbah wharf three times a day, seven days
a week.
On the other side of the bay, the service operates from the private D'Albora Marina in Nelson Bay, paying a recurring usage fee.
On the King’s Birthday long weekend in June, Mr Cutbush said the YKnot catamaran carried 136 passengers in a single day across the port.
Mr Cutbush said a former employee had been liaising with Council on the matter in recent years, but that he never personally knew the full details or the implications of the rule change.
If the decision is enforced,
NSW LANDHOLDERS are being asked to report their livestock numbers and land use information as part of Local Land Services’ annual farm census.
The Annual Land and Stock Return collects information that helps shape the delivery of animal health and biosecurity services and prepare for emergencies such as bushfires and biosecurity outbreaks.
Landholders must lodge their return by 31 August 2025 via the online portal or by completing the paper form received in the mail.
Local Land Services’ Executive Director Delivery, Rob Kelly, said the Annual Land and Stock Return helped paint a picture of agricultural land use and livestock across NSW at the time of the 30 June census
date.
“An accurate snapshot helps the NSW Government respond quickly and accurately to emergencies such as bushfires and floods, monitor flock and herd health and carry out emergency animal disease surveillance,” Mr Kelly said.
“This helps protect NSW from the threat of pests, diseases and emergencies while supporting primary producers and keeping supply chains strong.
“We recognise many farmers have faced significant challenges recently that have impacted their stock levels, including floods in the Hunter and North Coast regions and drought conditions in southern parts of the state.
“Despite these challenges, it is still important for everyone
to lodge their Annual Land and Stock Return as this information allows us to better respond in emergency situations and deliver timely animal health and biosecurity advice.
“If you need advice or support, please reach out to Local Land Services on 1300 795 299 or visit your nearest office.”
There are more than 170,000 landholders across NSW.
Those without stock still need to complete their returns to avoid unnecessary fees.
The Animal Health and Meat Industry Levy is automatically applied to a landholder’s next Local Land Services rates notice if they fail to complete their return.
Landholders can visit nsw.gov.au/alsr or scan the QR code on their Annual Land and Stock Return notice to submit their return online.
Mr Cutbush says his business is “history”.
“They have told me I have to go and buy my own wharf, but there is nothing available,” he said.
“No one is selling the existing wharves that are there.”
Mr Cutbush employs a total of six staff.
“That is six families that will be affected,” he said.
Tea Gardens’ other ferry service, The Original Tea Gardens Ferry, also utilised the Yalinbah wharf in the past, before securing private facilities in the wake of Council’s decision.
Operator Kerrie Jeffreys said that Council had communicated details of the
impending change as far back as 2019.
“Time was given to secure alternative arrangements,” she said.
“The previous owner secured the Crown land leases and when I purchased the ferry service I built my own wharf.”
Mr De Szell said all operators were given plenty of time to make other arrangements.
“This decision hasn’t just come out of the blue,” he said.
“The decision was made and businesses were informed almost six years ago that this would eventually come about.
“And eight months ago, businesses were again told
the steps to put the restriction in place were imminent.
“Council has done everything in its power to provide businesses with more than sufficient time to come up with an alternative option.”
In a statement, MidCoast Council told NOTA, “If special considerations are given to one business, it would then be required to do the same for every business.
“It should be noted that other operators have made alternative arrangements during the long lead time for implementing the decision.”
Council has indicated that the restrictions will be enforced by its compliance team.
By John BLACKBOURN
IT’S a tricky world that we live in today.
Scams seem to be everywhere, so safety is our primary concern.
Australian think tank the Lowy Institute has conducted polls on Australians’ attitudes towards the rest of the world
since 2005.
The annual poll is the leading Australian survey on foreign affairs, and informs policy and public debate.
According to the Lowy Institute Poll 2025, Australians are very concerned with the ongoing cost of living and President Donald Trump's “liberation day” tariffs. Apparently 52 percent of respondents said they were optimistic about Australia’s economic performance over the next five years.
This was the lowest result recorded over the last twenty years, including during the Covid pandemic in 2020.
Young Australians in the 18 to 29 year old group were clearly the least optimistic, but Labor voters were more confident than Liberal or Greens voters - as evidenced in the recent Federal Election result.
The report went on to say that Australians are clearly unsettled
Email Jasminda: media@newsofthearea.com.au
DEAR Jasminda,
Since the recent heavy rain events, we now have a flock of bin chickens in our yard. They are not a very attractive bird, but I can't seem to shoo them away. How do I get rid of them?
Jonathan R.
Ah, Jonathon
Using the term bin chicken tells me everything I need to know about your position on the Australian White Ibis, despite it being an intelligent and resourceful bird, as well as a native species.
Your Flock of Ibis (not to be confused with A Flock of Seagulls, which would be an entirely different dilemma) is ('is' not 'are' as flock is a collective noun, before you correct me in an online community group) doing an important job in your yard.
by the antics of the second Trump administration, with two thirds of those polled saying they had no trust in the United States acting responsibly, which was the lowest level ever achieved by this poll on that subject.
Even worse, only 16 percent had confidence in China’s President Xi Jinping doing the right thing, particularly when it referred to Taiwan.
Again, that number was a drop since the previous poll.
Trust in China dropped even further due to its navy conducting live ammunition firing off Australia’s east coast, which interestingly contributed to
By Anne JOHNSON, Tea Garden Family Research and Local History
IT is difficult to imagine that back in the late 1800s up till the early 1900s, as our area’s population was growing, that the only transport was by water.
The Australian Alum Company operated the alumite mine at Bulahdelah from 1878 to 1952.
The mineral was smelted then transported on the Myall River to Winda Woppa where it was reloaded and shipped overseas for further processing.
The timber industry was also busy transporting timber on barges from Bulahdelah to the mills at Hawks Nest.
The first mill operated from 1867.
The timber was cut to size, reloaded, and sailing ships, three posters, came to Hawks Nest to load it for overseas trade.
The ballast from these ships can still be noted today.
As time passed the timber industry grew, the peak being in the 1920s and 1930s.
Larger ships entered the port and motor launches were used to take Port Stephens wharfmen to their working places at the ships’ sides, as the Myall River was too shallow for these ships to navigate.
From about 1916 there were six abandoned ship hulks at the entrance to the Myall River at Duckhole Bay.
Some of these hulks were towed off Pindimar in the 1940s and taken further out to serve as timber storage hubs or floating wharves awaiting ocean going ships.
On 5 May 1954, the last ship to load timber in Port Stephens was owned by the Union Steamship Company and among those who saw her sail out was my uncle, Percy Ward.
Percy had been the secretary of the Port Stephens Branch of the Waterside Federation since it had been formed 38 years earlier.
He remembered when two ships at a time would enter the port to load thousands of tons of timber and when his branch had 165 members.
He had seen 5000 ton ships loading timber piles, sleepers, telegraph and power transmission poles and sawn timber for interstate and New Zealand, but as time passed transport by road became increasingly available.
I have my uncle’s ledger from the 1920s which logs by name the ships which came in, the owner and the person who authorised the loading.
It then lists the names of those employed and the wage they were paid.
These waterside workers were local men – their wages would have been very welcome, especially during the 1930s Depression.
Your attempts to shoo them (perhaps you'd prefer them to be rummaging around in a local skip bin) are taking them away from aerating your soil, feasting on insects, and adapting to new environments (such as your drenched yard that currently looks more like a Tough Mudder racetrack from all the vehicle traffic).
Instead of your 'Go Back to Where You Came From' attitude (misguided, since they traditionally inhabit wetlands, which your yard seems to have evolved into), perhaps you should embrace them as a significant part of Australia's cultural heritage.
It is actually our fault that the birds have relocated from their usual habitats and moved to far less suitable urban locations.
I hope this has shed some more light on the matter, and instead of calling them bin chickens (or trash vultures or flying rats or dumpster divers), you will instead embrace their distinctive repetitive grunting sounds (much like a surly Australian teenager) and marvel at them perched in your eucalyptus trees (where they are roosting to escape predators like coastal retirees named Jonathon).
Carpe diem, Jasminda.
the importance of Australia’s US alliance, despite our deteriorating distrust of Mr Trump.
Despite rising authoritarianism around the globe, Australians have never reported a higher support for democracy with 74 percent believing our system is preferable to every other form of government.
They went on to say that they were most comfortable with other democracies such as New Zealand and Japan but remained somewhat circumspect towards our most heavily populated neighbours of Indonesia and India.
It is all a matter of trust.
By Chris KARAS
PORT Stephens Netball Association will host two significant community events at their Raymond Terrace courts in coming weeks.
The association will celebrate its annual Indigenous Round on Saturday 19 July.
Supported by Port Stephens Council, it will commence with a smoking ceremony at the courts in William Bailey Street at 8.30am.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge and elevate the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures within the Port Stephens region,” PSNA president Jodi Cassar told
News Of The Area.
The day will feature Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stallholders showcasing traditional and contemporary artworks, and cultural activities focused on health, wellbeing and strengthening First Nations communities.
“There’ll also be engagement with local Elders and cultural practitioners fostering connection and understanding,” said the netball stalwart.
Port Stephens Netball Association have also planned a Mental Health and Wellbeing Round on Saturday 16 August..
The association will shine a light on mental health with an inspiring day of sport and
awareness under the theme “Together we can make change”.
The day includes community fixtures featuring players and supporters united for wellbeing, with one or two being dunked into the ice baths to help the association raise valuable funds.
There’ll also be fundraising efforts for Talk2MeBro and Jupiter Australia; two vital organisations working to support mental health in the Port Stephens region and beyond, plus activities promoting conversation, connection and self-care through sport.
A determined Jodi said the PSNA hopes to amplify sport and community outcomes
q Port Stephens Netball Association will host its annual Indigenous Round on 19 July, and the Mental Health and Wellbeing Round on 16 August.
across both events.
“We aim to highlight the importance of sporting inclusion and cultural connection plus the role of community sport in mental
health promotion and suicide prevention,” she said.
“Another key factor is the power of grassroots partnerships in driving positive change.”
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Round commences with a short opening from 8.45am, with dunking to occur throughout the day.
q Around 350 students from 20 schools participated in the Netball NSW Schools Cup mini-carnival at the Raymond Terrace courts.
By Chris KARAS
YOUNG netball hopefuls took to the Raymond Terrace courts last Friday to participate in a Netball NSW Schools Cup introductory mini carnival.
The event was hosted by Port Stephens Netball Association and brought the excitement of netball to primary students in a fun, inclusive and high energy setting.
A total of 350 Year 3 and 4 pupils from 20 local schools braved the chilly and wet conditions for a full day of skill building and team
work - learning the finer points of the game in a noncompetitive atmosphere.
For many of the 33 teams, it was a fun start to their Schools Cup netball journey, which features structured gameplay and the chance to represent their school.
Netball NSW Hunter Central Coast Regional Coordinator Kirsten Clarke told News Of The Area that the Netball Schools Cup is designed to provide NSW Primary and Secondary School students “with an opportunity to enjoy netball in an inclusive and fun environment.”
NORTHERN NSW representative teams will face the Newcastle Jets as part of the A-League club’s pre-season preparation.
Northern NSW Football (NNSWF) will select senior men’s and women’s representative teams to take on the Jets’ two A-Leagues sides.
Similar matches have previously appeared on the football calendar but the formal partnership between Northern NSW Football and Newcastle Jets has cleared the way for the fixtures to return annually.
“We are thrilled to grow our partnership with the Newcastle Jets and relaunch the Northern NSW All Stars v Newcastle Jets showcase matches in 2025,” said NNSWF CEO Peter Haynes.
“Newcastle Jets represent the region’s professional football presence in the A-League Men’s and Women’s competitions.
“Enhancing our strategic relationship
with the Jets provides a direct avenue for our most talented players and coaches to be exposed to elite environments and pathways.”
NNSWF will select its teams from players identified through its premier competitions including NPL Women’s NNSW, NPL Men’s NNSW, HIT106.9 Northern League One, Northern NSW Regional Super League and Premier Youth League.
Newcastle Jets CEO Tain Drinkwater said the matches would be important preparation for the club’s A-Leagues campaigns.
“The All-Stars match will be a great occasion for the Newcastle and northern NSW football family and one of our core focuses is to be a football club that is the pride of the region,” Drinkwater said.
“These two matches will further strengthen our commitment to the community and the Newcastle Jets.
“It is going to be a day of
celebration for football in the region.”
NNSWF Technical Director Ryan Doidge was excited to give players another opportunity to shine and potentially be identified.
“These matches are a fantastic chance to showcase talented, identified players from NNSWF’s premier competitions from across the whole region,” Doidge said.
“Players like Jason Hoffman, Taylor Regan, Nigel Boogaard, Clare Wheeler, Gema Simon and Jemma House started their journey in our premier competitions before progressing to play at national and international levels.
“I am excited to help provide opportunities for northern NSW players to compete and test themselves in a representative environment against our local A-League program and potentially be identified.”
Peter McGuinness and Jim Cresnar will be the
coaching team behind the men’s Northern NSW All Stars while Heath Whyte and Craig Atkins will coach the women’s Northern NSW AllStars team.
The coaches were selected via a merit-based system and will contribute to the identification and selection of players. NNSWF’s
“It allows school aged participants with the opportunity to engage in an elevated netball experience through purposefully thought out activations and game play,” she said.
Participating on the day were St Michael’s Primary Nelson Bay, St Brigids Primary Raymond Terrace, Wirreanda Public School Medowie, Grahamstown Public School, Irrawang Public School Raymond Terrace, Fern Bay Public School, Thornton Public School, Dungog Public School, Karuah Public School, Kurri Kurri Public School, Lochinvar Public School,
Technical Department will select men’s and women’s 25-player squads made up of the best talent from across northern NSW.
NNSWF will ensure appropriate preparation for its players for the matches while acknowledging the limited window available.
The preparation program will also respect club commitments particularly during finals series matches.
Metford Public School, Rutherford Public School, St Peter’s Primary Stockton, St Paul’s Primary Rutherford, Tea Gardens Public School, Telarah Public School, Tenambit Public School, Vacy Public School and Woodberry Public School.
Students in Years 5 and 6 will return to the courts for competitive Schools Cup action on Thursday 31 July with regional finals taking place in Maitland on 12 September. Bringing the event to life were the incredible volunteers from Port Stephens Netball Association.
Final 18-player matchday squads will then be chosen to feature in the matches against the Jets.
Northern NSW All-Star 25-player squads will be announced on NNSWF’s website and social media channels in August.
The matches will take place on Saturday 20 September at Darling Street Oval in Hamilton.
Hawks Nest Bridge Club
By Diane Russell
WEEK ending 4th July.
Monday: N/S 1. C Richards & S Matheson, 2. C Rands & L Falla, 3. L & G Conroy.
E/W 1. S Fuller & L Butler, 2. D Hipkins & B Eyre, 3. L Howarth & E
Hawks Nest Golf Club Social Club Darts
By Michelle COLE
THURSDAY 3rd July.
Greenhalgh. Wednesday: 1. C Rands & L Falla, 2. B Treharne & S Matheson, 3. A Ryan & E White.
Myall Park Croquet Club
Friday: N/S 1. J & T Thatcher, 2. C Rands & L Falla, 3. S Pearson & M Rowden. E/W 1. D Hipkins & B Eyre, 2. J Glover & N Grehan, 3. H White & S Helsen 2. Ian McCauley 23 3. Tim Fenton 22 Saturdays 1. Sue Dodds 23 2. Tim Barker 22 3. Pat Rowe 17
Winners were Marion Smith and Clinton Harris with the Runner-ups being Geoff Smith and Darby Neville.
Men’s highest
By Andrew SILLAR
GOLF Croquet June 2025
Mondays 1. Gary Bennett 59
2. Barry Abnett/Pat Rowe 45
3. Suzie Fletcher 30 Wednesdays 1. Sue Dodds 27
pointscore was Geoff Smith with 140 and Ladies highest pointscore was Marion Smith with 140. What a great night the Smiths had.
STORY STARTS on BACK COVER, Page 20
training,” Alex Sinclair told News Of The Area.
“We go through our plays and everything else before the weekend and all the ladies listen.
“Their job is to polish it off on the field, which is exactly what they did last weekend.”
Good attacking runs down both wings by Katarina, Shian and Taylah, as well as good runs by Destinee and Lilly, helped Gemma Clarke and Annee Perry land the tries.
Gemma took the ball from 15 metres out and stepped past defenders to score just to the side of the posts, which set
Lilly up for a challenging but successful kick for the first conversion.
“Lilly has been practicing her kicking at training every single week and before the games, and it is now paying off,” Alex said.
Gemma’s second try was early into the second half, after the Gorillas had struck back.
The Lady Hawks’ pressure pushed Glendale’s defenders back, as the Hawks’ forwards gained territory, allowing Gemma to land the ball again.
The dynamic back-andforth continued for much of the 50-minute match, but the Hawks’ defence was outstanding and put Annee Perry in possession to land her try with just a few minutes to go.
Overall Monthly 1. Ian McCauley/ Gary Bennett 37 2. Barry Abnett 35 3. Pat Rowe/ Penny Garrett 29
Myall Coast Vets
By Tony SMITH
3/07/2025. 18 Hole Stableford. A Grade.
1. Raymond Bott 39 2. Graeme Bramley
3. Patrick Garland B Grade.
1. John Hutchings 39
2. Dave Thompson 37
3. Denis Casey 35 C Grade.
3rd.
Annee took the ball from dummy-half, up the short side from 10 metres out, beating three defenders to score right in the corner.
“The ladies listened; running onto the ball was a big thing we needed to learn from the start of the season, it gains us metres and puts us into good field position, and they have brought that from training into the game for the last couple of weeks now, and it worked,” Alex said.
With only minutes to spare, and only two points ahead, the Lady Hawks crucially consolidated their defence, a feat made all the more amazing by the fact that most of them had run the full 50 minutes without a sub-in.
Both sides had managed to score three tries each, but it was the vital two points from Lilliarna Baillie’s successful
at
14-12.
JAN WINEGARDNER
Passed away 08 July 2024
Beloved wife of Terry. Mother of Louise and Scott, and families. Forever in our hearts.
Opportunities Available CASUAL TELEMARKETER / COLD CALLING LEGEND
per Hour | 3 Days per Week | 4 Hours per Day
Are you a confident, friendly and energetic person who loves connecting with people?
Do you excel in a results driven environment?
Are you based in Port Stephens and looking for casual, flexible work with a great hourly pay with bonuses? We want to hear from you!
We’re looking for a motivated Telemarketer to sell print and digital newspaper advertising to local small businesses to help them boost their visibility. If you’ve got the gift of the gab and a passion for helping businesses grow, we want to hear from you!
What you’ll be doing:
• Making outbound sales calls to small business owners.
• Presenting and selling advertising opportunities.
• Building rapport and closing deals over the phone.
• Maintaining records of calls and sales activity.
• Following scripts and hitting call KPIs.
What we’re looking for:
• Confidence and resilience on the phone and a love for conversation.
Excellent communication and sales skills.
• Previous experience in telesales or ad sales a plus.
• Self-motivated with a strong work ethic. Why join us?
• $36 per hour + super + a generous commission structure (uncapped earning potential).
• Flexible, casual hours – 3 day/week, 4 hours/day.
• Full training provided.
• Supportive, relaxed work culture with clear expectations.
0408 683 670 GENUINE leather boots made in Canada Excellent cond. Non-slip soles. $60. 4982 8787
Rieu DVDs x 22. $30. 0447 076 485
Rummage Sale
SAT 12 July. 9am to 12 noon. Medowie Uniting Church. Cnr Abundance & Lisadell Rd. Weather permitting!
$95 Ph: 4938 5923
• A chance to work directly with the business owner and make a real impact.
Applications can be made by emailing your resume, together with a Letter of Application, which should outline why you would be the best person for this role.
Email: office@newsofthearea.com.au
helmet, mens $20 4997 0611
GREAT Groodle pups (Great Dane x Groodle) looking for their forever homes. Mum & Dad available to view, both have lovely temperaments. 1 boy, 9 girls. Wormed, microchipped & vaccinated. $1,200. Ready to go 6th July. Call or text: 0422 070 333 991003003003470 / 991003003003472 / 991003003003469 / 991003003003474 / 991003003003477 / 991003003003463 / 991003003003465 / 991003003003473 / 991003003003462 / 991003003003464 / 991003003003476
WOK, new with glass lid, $20. 0493 777 707
WORK boots, new, size 10, Blacksmith. $10 0493 777 707
WOMENS winter clothing size 10-12 quality, near new, nothing over $20. Ph 49385923 for address SLIM single mattress and base. 760 x 1900mm. $50. 4997 2017
SOFA bed vgc double $50 4982 2335
COFFEE Table. Worth $2000. Selling for
2 LS shirts (H-M): (Eddie Wood). 1 H-M Trousers Suitable for end of year Functions as new. $30 0412 783 707
MENS steel cap safety boots, size 6 Blacksmith $30 4982 8628
METALLIC outdoor setting table & two chairs $30 4997 0611
STORAGE box, restored. Ex-navy, first World War original handles $100 ono 4982 8787
TALL ceramic garden pot. Royal blue. 36cm2
ABC TV, 7.30pm
The Gardening Australia team is focused on all things First Nations in this NAIDOC Week episode, with Indigenous plants front and centre.
Costa Georgiadis is cooking up a storm in Kakadu, resident bush tucker expert Clarence Slocklee (above) – a Bundjalung man – shares his own gardening journey with us, and Josh Byrne gets a lesson in identifying the arguably more useful Noongar seasons (of which there are six). Rounding things out, Jerry Coleby-Williams imparts his knowledge of the culturally significant bunya pine –another traditional source of nutrition – and the team pays a visit to a group using plants to ensure their Arrernte language is passed on to a new generation.
SUNDAY
SEVEN, 9.20pm
Based on the Scandinavian novel by Erik Axl Sund, this dark psychological thriller flips the usual Jane Doe script on its head and instead follows the efforts to catch a serial killer who’s brazenly leaving the bodies of young men in bags all over Bristol. DCI Jeanette Kilburn (Eve Myles, Broadchurch with Sophia Craven (Katherine Kelly, right), a psychotherapist whose speciality is counselling criminals, to solve the case. As they dig deeper – and grow closer – the unlikely duo begin to uncover a trail that leads to overlooked missing children’s cases tracing back decades. All the while, the body count is increasing and police corruption is rearing its ugly head, but the clues are adding up.
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Gardening Australia. Costa Georgiadis gets a taste of Kakadu cooking.
8.30 Patience. (Ma) Patience is questioned by the police after coming under suspicion in the burning man investigation.
9.20 Gruen. (R) Presented by Wil Anderson.
9.55 Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee. (PG, R) Presented by Guy Montgomery.
10.45 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R)
11.15 ABC Late News.
11.30 Silent Witness. (Mav, R)
12.35 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv)
5.00 Rage. (PG)
Bluey. 6.30 The Adventures Of Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Isadora Moon. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Gardening Australia Junior. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Good Game Spawn Point. 7.50 MOVIE: Space Jam: A New Legacy. (2021, PG) 9.45 BTN Newsbreak. 9.50 Robot Wars. 10.50 Late Programs.
6.00 Mastermind Australia. Presented by Marc Fennell.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Shetland: Scotland’s Wondrous Isles. Looks at The Swan
8.25 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 7.
1.30 Great Coastal Railway Journeys. (R)
2.30 Eva Longoria: Searching For Mexico. (PGa, R)
4.05 Growing A Greener World. (R)
4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
WEDNESDAY ELSBETH
TEN, 8.40pm
Her wardrobe is bursting with colourful confections, her trusty totes are packed with more goodies than Mary Poppins’ magic carpet bag and her brain is buzzing with more information than the standard PC –yep, Elsbeth Tascioni (Carrie Preston) is every minimalist’s worst nightmare. Enter this week’s guest star, Mary-Louise Parker (above, Weeds The West Wing), as decluttering guru Freya Frostad. Famous for her rule of “44” – the perfect number of possessions a person should own – Freya has seemingly also applied a less-is-more approach to her personal life, by offing her husband. As our charming crime solver tests Freya’s boundaries, more than a few surprising revelations are in store.
6.00 NBN News.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Hosted by Johanna Griggs.
8.30 MOVIE: The Other Woman. (2014, Mals, R) After discovering her boyfriend is married, a woman tries to get her ruined life back on track. Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann, Kate Upton.
10.50 Stranded On Honeymoon Island. (Mlns, R) The couples receive another crate.
12.25 The Disappearance. (Ma, R)
1.30 Harry’s Practice. (R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
5.00 NBC Today.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 19. Cronulla Sharks v Dolphins. From Sharks Stadium, Sydney.
9.55 Golden Point. A wrap-up of the Cronulla Sharks versus Dolphins match, with news and analysis.
10.45 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 12. Semi-finals. 12.00 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 12 Late. Semi-finals.
4.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) Hosted by Ben Shephard. 5.00 Fishing Australia. (R) 5.30 Postcards. (PG, R)
ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s Programs. 8.00 Nanny. 9.00 Jeopardy!
Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Wildlife ER. 8.30 Escape To The Country. 11.30 Late Programs.
6.00 10 News+. 7.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R)
7.30 House Hunters Australia. A couple are searching for their first home. 8.30 Have You Been Paying Attention? (Malns, R) Celebrity panellists compete to see who can remember the most about events of the week. 9.30 The Graham Norton Show. (Mdl, R) Celebrity guests include Paul
6.00 Rage Charts. (PG) 7.00 Wknd Brekky. 9.00 Rage. (PG) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 The Assembly. (PG, R) 1.15 Patience. (Ma, R) 2.00 All Creatures Great And Small. (PG, R) 2.50 Last Night Of The Proms. (R) 4.25 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R)
4.55 QI. (PGls, R)
5.55 Landline. (R)
6.25 Australian Story: The River Pt 2 – Franklin River Rescue. (R) The conclusion to the perilous 24-hour mission.
7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.
7.30 Grantchester. (Mav) A familiar face arrives at the vicarage.
8.20 Midsomer Murders. (Masv, R) Barnaby and Winter investigate when a member of a village watch is murdered.
9.50 Bay Of Fires. (Madv, R) Stella is thrown into a tailspin.
10.40 Little Disasters. (Mal, R)
11.30 Whale Wisdom. (R)
12.20 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
ABC FAMILY (22)
6am Children’s Programs. 5pm Peppa Pig. 5.10 Octonauts And The Caves Of Sac Actun. 6.20 Bluey. 6.30 The Adventures Of Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Isadora Moon. 7.00 Andy And The Band. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Kids Baking Championship. 8.10 Chopped Junior. 8.55 Dance Life. 9.45 Fresh Off The Boat. 10.30 Dragon Ball Super. 10.50 Late Programs.
6.00 Morning Programs. 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 Joanna Lumley’s Danube. (Final, PG, R) 3.15 Nigella Bites. (R)
3.40 Martin Clunes: Islands Of America. (PG, R) 4.40 Walking With Dinosaurs. (Final, PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.
6.30 Compass. (PGals)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Spicks And Specks. (PGs) Hosted by Adam Hills.
8.00 Bay Of Fires. (Mlv) Mystery Bay’s brief flirtation with happiness ends.
8.55 Little Disasters. (Mal) Jess’ fate hangs in the balance.
9.45 MOVIE: Spear. (2015, Mal, R) A young Aboriginal learns what it means to be a man. Hunter Page-Lochard.
11.05 Take 5 With Zan Rowe. (Ml, R)
11.35 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
1.40 Under The Vines. (PG, R)
4.00 Gardening Australia. (R)
5.00 Insiders. (R)
6am Children’s Programs. 5.35pm Peter Rabbit. 6.00 Octonauts. 6.10 Super Monsters. 6.20 Bluey. 6.30 The Adventures Of Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.55 Andy And The Band. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Moominvalley. 8.00 Walking With Dinosaurs. 8.50 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.30 Abbott Elementary. 10.15 Speechless. 10.35 Merlin. 11.20 Late Programs.
6.00 WorldWatch. 7.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 7. H’lights. 8.00 WorldWatch. 11.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 6. H’lights. 12.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 7. H’lights. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Going Places. (PG, R) 4.30 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 7. H’lights. 5.30 From The Ashes Of World War II. (PG)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Travels With Agatha Christie And Sir David Suchet. (PG)
8.25 Emily: I Am Kam. (PG, R) Celebrates the legacy of artist Emily Kam Kngwarray.
9.35 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 8. Saint-Méen-le-Grand to Laval. 171km flat stage. From France.
1.45 Homicide: Life On The Street. (Mv, R)
2.35 Blue Water Safari. (PGal, R)
4.25 Bamay. (R) 4.55 Down Under Bitesize. (R) 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
VICELAND (31)
WorldWatch.
Mastermind Australia. Noon Going Places. 12.55
Black Dot. 1.25 Our Law. 2.00 Cycling. Tour de France. H’lights. 3.00 Cycling. Tour
H’lights. 4.00 News. 4.05 WorldWatch. 6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 The Secret Genius Of Modern Life. 7.30 Impossible Engineering. 8.30 Cracking The Code. 10.30 UFOs: Investigating The Unknown. 12.20am Late Programs.
6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Motor Racing. Supercars C’ship. Round 7. Townsville 500. Day 1. Qualifying and support races. 2.00 Motor Racing. Supercars C’ship. Round 7. Townsville 500. Day 1. Pre-race and race 21. 5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 The Great Outdoors. (Return, PG) The team stays in Tasmania’s central highlands.
7.30 MOVIE: Titanic. (1997, Mansv, R) An upper-class woman falls for a penniless young man. Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet.
11.35 Stranded On Honeymoon Island. (Mals, R)
12.55 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round 7. Townsville 500. Day 1. Highlights.
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 It’s Academic. (R)
5.00 My Greek Odyssey. (PG, R)
6.00 Morning Programs. 12.00 Great Australian
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 MOVIE: The Castle. (1997, Ml, R) Michael Caton. 9.20 MOVIE: Muriel’s Wedding. (1994, Mls, R) A woman leaves her small town to find romance. Toni Collette, Bill Hunter.
11.30 To Be Advised.
12.30 Wimbledon 2025 Pre-Show.
1.00 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 13 Late. Women’s final.
4.00 Find My Country House Australia. (PG, R)
5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)
6.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated by Dr Chris Brown. 7.30 Love It Or List It Australia. A couple must decide whether to leave or stay.
8.40 Ambulance Australia. (Ma, R) Follows NSW Ambulance on the longest night of the year, the end of daylight saving. 9.50 House Hunters Australia. (PGl, R) A couple look for a home near Lake Macquarie, NSW. 10.50 Elsbeth. (Mv, R) Elsbeth matches wits with a psychic. 11.50 Ambulance UK. (Ma, R) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.
6am Home Shopping. 8.30 Better Homes And Gardens. 11.00 Harry’s Practice. 11.30 GetOn Extra. Noon Horse Racing. Royal Randwick Raceday, Caulfield Winter Race Day and Member Rewards Day. 5.00 Slow Train Through Africa With Griff Rhys Jones. 6.00 Every Bite Takes You Home. 6.30 The Yorkshire Vet. 8.30
6am Lara.
Continued. (2019, PG, German) 6.35 The Movie Show. 7.05 Hamlet. (1948, PG) 10.00 The Movie Show. 10.30 Walkabout. (1971, M) 12.25pm The New Boy. (2023, M) 2.35 Bran Nue Dae. (2009, PG) 4.05 The Movie Show. 4.35 Ride On. (2023, PG, Mandarin) 6.55 Bicycle Thief. (1948, PG, Italian)
8.30 Harry Brown. (2009, MA15+) 10.30 La Maison. (2022, MA15+, German) 12.10am Late Programs.
6.00 Morning Programs. 10.00 PBS Washington Week. 10.25 Bitesize. (R) 10.30 Growing A Greener World. (R) 11.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 7. H’lights. 12.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 8. H’lights. 1.00 Speedweek. 3.00 Going Places. (PGa, R) 4.30 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 8. H’lights. 5.30 From The Ashes Of World War II. (Final, PG)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Eiffel Tower: Building The Impossible. (PGan, R) Takes a look at the Eiffel Tower, a symbol of progress that has towered over Paris for over 130 years.
9.15 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 9. Chinon to Chateauroux. 170km hilly stage. From France.
1.45 24 Hours In Emergency: You Are Not Alone. (Ma, R)
2.40 Blue Water Safari. (PGal, R)
4.30 Bamay. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.15 France 24 Feature.
5.30 APAC Weekly.
VICELAND (31)
6am Morning Programs. 1.10pm Our Law. 1.45 Cook Up Bitesize. 1.55 SBS50. 2.00 Cycling. Tour de France. H’lights. 3.00 Cycling. Tour de France. H’lights. 4.00 WorldWatch. 4.25 PBS Washington Week. 4.50 Jeopardy! 5.15 Alone: The Skills Challenge. 5.40 Lost Gold Of The Aztecs. 6.35 Engineering Reborn. 7.30 Abandoned Engineering. 8.25 Bermuda Triangle: Into Cursed Waters. 10.10 Late Programs.
MOVIES (32) SBS MOVIES (32)
6am The Life And Death Of Colonel Blimp. Continued. (1943, PG) 6.45 Ride On. (2023, PG, Mandarin) 9.05 Bicycle Thief. (1948, PG, Italian) 10.40 White Tiger. (2012, M, Russian) 12.40pm To Leslie. (2022, M) 2.55 Hamlet. (1948, PG) 5.50 Thirteen Days. (2000, PG) 8.30 J. Edgar. (2011, M) 11.05 Before, Now And Then. (2022, MA15+, Indonesian) 1.05am Harry Brown. (2009, MA15+) 3.05 Late Programs.
6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Motor Racing. Supercars C’ship. Round 7. Townsville 500. Day 2. Qualifying and support races. 2.00 Motor Racing. Supercars C’ship. Round 7. Townsville 500. Day 2. Pre-race and race 22. 5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Sydney Weekender.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Dancing With The Stars. (PG)
8.20 7NEWS Spotlight.
9.20 The Crow Girl. (Premiere, Malv) A detective teams up with a psychotherapist.
11.25 Stranded On Honeymoon Island. (Mals, R)
12.45 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round 7. Townsville 500. Day 2. Highlights.
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
7TWO (62) 7TWO (62)
6am Morning Programs. 9.55 Innovation Nation. 10.10 Rise Of The Superbombs. 11.55 Adelaide Motor Festival. 12.55pm Motor Racing. IndyCar Series. Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio. H’lights. 2.00 Surfing Australia. 2.30 Jeopardy! Australia. 3.30 MOVIE: Curse Of The Pink Panther. (1983, PG) 5.45 MOVIE: Doctor Dolittle. (1998, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2. (2011, M) 10.05 Late Programs.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 Travel Guides. (PG)
8.10 60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating, analysing and uncovering the issues affecting all Australians.
9.10 To Be Advised.
10.10 9News Late.
10.30 See No Evil: The Trophy Collector. (MA15+av)
11.30 The First 48: Tell No Tales/Unfair Fight. (Mav) 12.30 Wimbledon 2025 Pre-Show. 1.00 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 14 Late. Men’s final. 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
Romance. (2018, PG) 1pm Celebrity Ghost Stories. 2.00 Jeopardy! Australia. 3.00 Cards And Collectables Australia. 3.30 MOVIE: Benny & Joon. (1993, PG) 5.30 MOVIE: DC League Of Super-Pets. (2022, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice. (2016, M) 10.35 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 12.30pm Timbersports. 1.00 Blokesworld. 1.30 My Road To Adventure. 2.00 Rides Down Under: Aussie Truckers. 3.00 Motor Racing.
6.00 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 7.00 MasterChef Australia. Four contestants face off. 8.15 Fake. (Final, Ml) Birdie retraces her steps back to Joe’s shack, investigating his stories. Background searches on Joe are incriminating. 9.15 FBI. (Mav, R) The shooting of a corrections officer leads the team to an ex-marine who has gone rogue after returning from Afghanistan. 11.05 10 News+. (R) Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 12.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.
Morning Programs. 9.50 Innovation Nation. 10.05 Harry And Meghan: Royal Rebels. 11.00 MOVIE: Harry And Meghan: A
6.00 Mastermind Australia.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Portillo’s Andalucia. (Final, R)
8.20 Sue Perkins: Lost In Thailand. (Final, PGa, R) Sue Perkins concludes her exploration of Thailand.
9.15 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 10.
2.05 Great Coastal Railway Journeys. (PGa, R)
3.05 Incredible Homes. (PGn, R)
4.05 Growing A Greener World. (R)
4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
The
Of Keli Lane. (Ml, R) 2.30
(R) 3.15 For Frogs’ Sake! (R) 3.30 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)
7.30 The 1% Club. (PGl, R) Hosted by Jim Jefferies.
8.30 9-1-1. (Mav) Following Maddie’s mysterious 911 call, Chimney returns home to find his daughter alone and Maddie nowhere to be found.
10.30 The Agenda Setters.
11.30 Police Custody USA: Meth Wars. (Madl, R)
12.30 Gone. (MA15+v, R)
2.30 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Parental Guidance. (PGa)
9.00 100% Footy. (M)
10.00 Rise Of The Dolphins. (PGl)
11.30 9News Late.
12.00 Gypsy Rose: Life After Lockup. (Ma) 1.00 Fishing Australia. (R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop. (R)
3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
VICELAND (31)
VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 6pm Octonauts. 6.10 Super Monsters. 6.20 Bluey. 6.30 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Isadora Moon. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Piripenguins. (Premiere) 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Do
6am 3 Days In Quiberon. Continued. (2018, PG, French) 7.25
Thirteen Days. (2000, PG) 10.05 The Movie Show. 10.40 Boccaccio ’70. (1962, M, German) 2.25pm The Movie Show. 3.00 8 1/2. (1963, PG, Italian) 5.35 Another Mother’s Son. (2017, PG) 7.30 The Great Spirit. (2019, M, Italian) 9.35 Wild Seas. (2022, MA15+, French) 11.20 Boiling Point. (2021, MA15+) 1.10am J. Edgar. (2011, M) 3.40 Late Programs.
6.00 Mastermind Australia.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Great Continental Railway Journeys. (PGav)
8.30 Insight.
9.30 Dateline.
10.00 SBS World News Late.
10.30 Living Black. (R)
11.05 Anne Boleyn. (Masv, R)
2.00 Great Coastal Railway Journeys. (PGa, R)
3.00 Incredible Homes. (R)
3.55 Growing A Greener World. (PGa, R) 4.25
Bamay. (R) 4.55 Destination Flavour. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
The Food That Built The World. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 Alone. 9.40 Hoarders. 11.25 Pitino: Red Storm Rising. 12.20am Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 7.30
6am 8 1/2. Continued. (1963, PG, Italian) 8.25 3 Days In Quiberon. (2018, PG, French) 10.30 20th Century Women. (2016, M) 12.45pm Nostalgia. (2022, M, Italian) 2.55 Thirteen Days. (2000, PG) 5.35 Widows’ Peak. (1994, PG) 7.30 American Pastoral. (2016, M) 9.30 Maria Into Life. (2022, M, French) 11.15 Mother Couch. (2023, M) 1am Wild Seas. (2022, MA15+, French) 2.45 Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) Irene returns with a heartbreaking secret.
8.30 Stranded On Honeymoon Island. (Mls) As one couple pull the flare and leave the experience for good, two couples ignite fire in another way, taking their relationship to the next level.
11.30 The Agenda Setters. An expert panel tackles the biggest AFL topics.
12.30 Fairly Legal. (Ma, R) Kate helps a friend with a prenup.
2.30 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
Affair.
4.10 Bamay. (R)
4.50 Down Under Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6am Children’s Programs. 6pm Octonauts. 6.10 Super Monsters. 6.20 Bluey. 6.30 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Isadora Moon. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Do Not Watch
THURSDAY,
6am Another
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)
7.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG) 8.30 The Front Bar. (Ml) Takes a lighter look at all things AFL. 9.30 Unfiltered. (PGa) 10.00 Ashley Cain: Into The Danger Zone. (MA15+a) 11.20 Stags. (MA15+alv)
12.20 Touching Evil. (MA15+av)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Treasures With Bettany Hughes. (PGaw)
9.30 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 12.
2.15 Destination Flavour Down Under Bitesize. (R)
2.25 Great Coastal Railway Journeys. (R)
3.25 Incredible Homes. (R)
4.25 Bamay. (R)
4.55 Down Under Bitesize. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
Mother’s Son. Continued. (2017, PG) 6.40 Widows’ Peak. (1994, PG) 8.35 The Band’s Visit. (2007, PG, Arabic) 10.10 The Great Spirit. (2019, M, Italian) 12.15pm American Pastoral. (2016, M) 2.15 Another Mother’s Son. (2017, PG) 4.10 The Battle Of The River Plate. (1956, PG) 6.20 The Great Escape. (1963, PG) 9.30 Other People’s Children. (2022, M, French) 11.25 Late Programs. 6am The Battle Of The River Plate. Continued. (1956, PG) 7.25 The Great Escape. (1963, PG) 10.35 Maria Into Life. (2022, M, French) 12.20pm Mother Couch. (2023, M) 2.10 Widows’ Peak. (1994, PG) 4.00 The Band’s Visit. (2007, PG, Arabic) 5.40 The Legend Of Longwood. (2014, PG) 7.35 St. Vincent. (2014, M) 9.30 Winter Boy. (2022, MA15+, French) 11.45 Late Programs.
7TWO
1.20 Harry’s Practice. (R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise. 6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) Tane and Jo connect. 7.30 Football. AFL. Round 19. Essendon v GWS Giants. 10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews. 11.00 Kick Ons. 11.30 Evil By Design: End Game. (Malv, R) 12.35 Life. (Madv, R) 1.35 Harry’s Practice. (R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise. 6.00 NBN News.
A Current Affair.
RBT. (Ml)
Murder Down Under. (MA15+av)
Australian Crime Stories. (Mav, R)
By Thomas O'KEEFE
VICTORY came for the Lady Hawks, the new team’s first for the 2025 season, in a battle of wills and skills at Glendale’s Bower Oval on Saturday 5 July.
While it was a long way to go (a 160km, two-hour round trip), any anxiety on the drive there would have been eclipsed by utter jubilation on the road home, after the Lady Hawks defeated the Glendale Gorillas 14-12.
“I had a lot of confidence in the ladies before we headed down there, because the last couple of weeks have seen good numbers at q The Lady Hawks before the game with new mascot Maggie, the super sausage-dog. CONTINUED Page 12
