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Bowraville Theatre Singers set the stage alight with ‘Fire and Rain’
FROM Page 1
instruments, and storytelling that captivated all who attended.
Opening with the evocative Wuuban Barry, a song shared by Gumbaynggirr Elder Micklo Jarrett, the performance immediately set a tone of beauty, reverence, and connection to Country.
Jarman’s contributions extended far beyond conducting.
He accompanied the singers on a range of instruments, including Irish whistle, tárogató, saxophone, piano, and vocals, bringing depth and colour to the performance.
The piano accompaniment for the choir was provided with grace and precision by Lesa Scully.
The show also highlighted the individual talents of several soloists, with standout performances from Maree James, Gary Rumble, Martin Willis, Davis Booth, Alison Seccombe, Dianne Simpson, and Ben Waters.
Each brought their own unique voice and presence to the stage, adding richness to an already impressive ensemble.
The full houses were engaged to participate at various junctures during the performance, including a highly successful sing-a-long during the classic Singing in the Rain.
Jarman encouraged audience members
Have Your Say
q In addition to conducting, Paul Jarman accompanied the singers on a range of instruments, including Irish whistle, tárogató, saxophone and piano.
to join the Bowraville Theatre Singers, who rehearse weekly at the Nambucca Uniting Church Hall.
For upcoming events at the venue, visit the Bowraville Theatre website.
News Of The Area would love to hear your OPINION and VIEWS on issues and topics affecting our area. Keep Letters to the Editor under 250 words for its best chance of publication. Please be aware that there is no guarantee of publication from your submission to us. Publication will be determined by the Editor around available space, relevance and appropriateness. Email us media@newsofthearea.com.au
53-year-old granted conditional bail after alleged assault, animal cruelty
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allegedly pushed him in the chest causing him to fall to the ground.
The 87-year-old man sustained an injury to his shoulder and was later taken to Macksville Hospital where he was treated for a broken collarbone.
The man allegedly continued to walk along the boardwalk, before he punched a 28-year-old woman as she jogged by.
The woman sustained an injury to her face and neck.
A short time later the man allegedly approached a 52-year-old woman who
was walking with her two dogs.
The man allegedly punched the woman to the face causing a cut to her lip.
The man then allegedly kicked one of her dogs and continued to walk away.
The dog was not injured.
About 11am, a 70-yearold woman was walking
towards Gordon Park along Wellington Drive when she was approached by the man who allegedly swiped a coffee tray out of her hand and hit her ear.
Officers attached to Mid North Coast Police District arrived and arrested 53-year-old Michael Smith on Wellington Drive, Nambucca Heads.
He was taken to Nambucca Heads Police
Station and charged with two counts of “assault occasioning actual bodily harm”, two counts “common assault” and “commit an act of cruelty upon an animal”.
He was refused bail and appeared before Kempsey Local Court on Monday, 2 June.
After a mental health assessment he returned to court on Tuesday, 3 June and was granted bail.
The conditions of his bail include that he can not enter the boardwalk or go within 100 metres of the area, and that he can not consume alcohol or drugs, unless prescribed by a doctor. Mr Smith’s matters are listed for mention again on 24 July 2025 at Macksville court house.
Dealing with DV after funding 'neglected'
By Jack GRAMENZ, AAP
MORE than half a billion dollars will go towards dealing with domestic violence in a bid to undo years of "neglect" in Australia's most populous state.
The funding will go towards supporting victimsurvivors and keeping alleged abusers behind bars to "build a safer NSW".
The government announced the funding pledges on Monday before the state budget is unveiled on June 24.
About half of the money is earmarked for a $227 million injection into the state's victims' support service over five years.
The service helps victim-survivors and family
members access counselling and financial assistance.
Non-government support services will get more certainty around funding with five-year contracts promised.
Almost $50 million will be spent on making it easier for victim-survivors to give evidence, with remote courtrooms sparing them the risk of attending the same court complex as their abuser.
The funds will also provide counselling, legal aid and financial advice at a hub expected to open in late 2027.
"This hub will make a major difference, especially for women and children who have mustered the courage to give evidence against a domestic violence
perpetrator," Premier Chris Minns said.
Recent changes to bail for alleged domestic violence offenders has also increased the number of inmates on remand, pushing the state's prison population to near record-highs.
More than $100 million will go towards corrective services to help cope with the increase.
Another change ensured all bail decisions would be made by magistrates, following the high-profile April 2024 murder of Molly Ticehurst in Forbes, allegedly by her former boyfriend Daniel Billings, who was granted bail by a registrar about two weeks earlier.
Ten virtual courtrooms are planned to support
remote bail hearings, along with an additional five courtrooms at major courthouses in Sydney's city centre, costing almost $35 million.
The funds will lay the foundation for longer-term reforms, Domestic Violence Prevention Minister Jodie Harrison said.
"This is work that previous governments have neglected for many years."
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
Lifeline 13 11 14
Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491
q NSW Premier Chris Minns. Photo: Nikki Short/AAP Image.
Surf community farewells Jack McCoy
By Mick BIRTLES
THE world of surf filmmaking has lost one of its most influential figures, with the passing of Jack McCoy at the age of 76.
The American-born filmmaker, whose visually rich and soulful surf documentaries helped shape the genre, died last week after a long period of ill health.
McCoy had just completed a national tour of his 2004 classic Blue Horizon, celebrating the 20th anniversary of a film that became a benchmark in surf cinema.
The tour, which introduced a new generation to his artistry, marked a fitting final chapter in a career defined by storytelling, innovation, and a deep love for the ocean.
Over the past few years Jack McCoy had spent much of his time at Way Way, between Macksville and Scotts Head.
He would often engage in conversation with surfers at Scotts Head, the younger ones not realising that they were speaking with one of the true legends of the surfing
world.
Jack would also occasionally show up at the Bowraville Theatre to enjoy great live music.
Born in Los Angeles in 1948, McCoy relocated with his family to Hawaii in the 1950s, where he developed his lifelong connection with surfing.
By the time he became a regular on the Australian
surfing scene he had already begun experimenting with still photography.
That passion quickly evolved into a pioneering journey in 16 mm surf filmmaking.
His early collaborations, including the landmark Tubular Swells and the groundbreaking Storm Riders, brought a fresh, immersive energy to
surf movies, earning him acclaim from both core surf communities and broader audiences.
Eventually striking out on his own, McCoy went on to direct nearly 30 films over four decades, including celebrated titles such as Kong’s Island, The Performers, Occy: The Occumentary, and A Deeper Shade of Blue.
Jack McCoy leaves behind
a legacy not only of films but of inspiration.
His work captured more than just waves, it captured the spirit of surfing itself.
He is survived by his family, friends, and the global surfing community who will remember him not only as a towering figure behind the lens but as a passionate voice for a culture and lifestyle he
helped define. Last weekend a group of surfers at Scotts
paddled out and formed a circle to farewell an icon in the surfing world, a friend, and a man that made an indelible mark in the minds of everyone who grew up loving surfing in the 1970s, 80s and 90s.
Radio volunteer recognised by broadcasting association
Ceri said she was “chuffed” to be nominated by her peers at 2NVR for the volunteer award.
of The Town’ program on Fridays and host of the Studio 3 ‘Live to Air’ monthly concerts that began in 2013.
studios, attending music festivals to record local musicians and supply this content back to the station. She is also a volunteer
By Beverly GIBBS
2NVR NAMBUCCA Valley
Radio’s Ceri Wrobel has been named a runner-up in the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia’s (CBAA) Most Valuable Volunteer Award 2025. The CBAA does not routinely award runners-up, however made an exception in Ceri’s case.
“Ceri was such a strong contender they wanted to recognise her in some way,” said Josh Cole from the marketing and communications team at CBAA.
“I’m proud to be a radio presenter and I love what I do but it’s nice to be supported,” she said.
Ceri demonstrates this year's National Volunteer Week theme, ‘Connecting Communities’, through her impact on local audiences, serving as MC of the ‘Talk
She has also formed a strong relationship with local musicians and regularly provides opportunities for artists to share their work and perform live on air.
“It’s a real buzz when I know it's their first time on radio,” Ceri said.
Ceri also supports the station through promotion and publicity work, outside broadcasts, training and recruiting new volunteers.
www.nambucca.nsw.gov.au
During her Australian travels, she recorded an audio series titled ‘Outback Adventures’, which was selected for the Community Radio Network (CRN), making it available to community stations nationally.
Ceri’s volunteering role extends far beyond 2NVR’s
Council’s Draft Integrated Planning and Reporting documents can be viewed on Council’s website, Nambucca Heads and Macksville Libraries, and at the Council Chambers, 44 Princess Street, Macksville.
Submissions will be received up to 4.00pm on Wednesday 25 June 2025.
Please note that any submission may be incorporated in a Council business paper or otherwise publicly disclosed. Submissions should be addressed to the General Manager, Nambucca Valley Council, PO Box 177, Macksville NSW 2447 or via email to council@ nambucca.nsw.gov.au
ENQUIRIES TO: Manager Governance and Organisational Performance, Kristian Enevoldson
Head
q Surf cinematographer Jack McCoy after being injured at Teahupoo in 2003. Photo: AAP Image/ASP/Pierre Tostee.
q Surfers at Scotts Head last week celebrated the life and marked the passing of Jack McCoy with a traditional paddle-out in his honour.
Tewinga
with the Valla Beach Community Markets, providing another link for local musicians to showcase their musical repertoire.
q Ceri Wrobel has been recognised for her volunteer work.
Screen icons join literary festival line-up
By Andrea FERRARI
HIGH profile Australian actors Sam Neill and Bryan Brown will appear live on stage at the Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival in a conversation style event.
The last-minute addition to the program was coordinated by festival patron Brown, who emerged from his appearance last year committed to securing high profile guest speakers.
The 2025 Festival, running from 6-8 June at Bellingen Memorial Theatre, is on track to smash records with organisers reporting unprecedented demand
in the lead-up to the long weekend event.
Tickets to the special on-stage chat, featuring the two screen icons in a relaxed format, have already sold out.
“This is easily our strongest year yet in terms of ticket sales and national attention,” Festival Director Liz Morgan-Jones said.
“We’ve struck a chordthis year we’ve been able to bring together big names, brilliant minds, sharp wit, and colourful storytelling.
“There’s a real hunger for this kind of conversation right now.
“We’ve already had a 23 percent increase in ticket sales to people from outside of Bellingen.”
Other headline guests are literary legend Marcus Zusak,
political commentator and author David Marr, journalist Peter Greste, crowd favourite Gina Chick and awardwinning authors Richard Flanagan and Hannah Kent - each bringing their unique voice to the weekend of dialogue and ideas.
The festival has long been a much-loved event on the Mid North Coast calendar but Ms Morgan-Jones said this year’s buzz feels different, with some sessions already sold out and others nearing capacity.
“The town will be alive
with locals and visitors enjoying the festival vibe,” she said.
Alongside ticketed talks and panels, the program includes free events in Maam
Youth crime committee tables first report
THE first report of an inquiry into community safety has been tabled, highlighting an urgent need for early intervention to deal with the complex social drivers of youth crime in regional and rural NSW.
the Bellingen experience.
experiences and insights with us.
Committee Chair and MP for Mount Druitt, Mr Edmond Atalla, said the report is informed by powerful testimonies from individuals and communities directly impacted by crime.
“We’ve heard firsthand from people who've experienced the trauma of
Since adopting the inquiry on 20 March 2024, the Committee of Law and Safety received almost 200 submissions and conducted hearings in Bourke, Broken Hill, Kempsey and Sydney, with additional meetings held in Wagga Wagga and the Mid North Coast.
crime in their communities.
“The message is loud and clear: people feel unsafe, and they want lasting solutions,” Mr Atalla said.
"Our report emphasises that youth crime is a complex issue that can't be addressed through policing alone.
“Evidence overwhelmingly supports early intervention and communitybased support programs as the most effective tools to
prevent youth offending.
“Our recommendations highlight the need for a long term approach to community safety."
Mr Atalla said tough-oncrime responses might seem appealing, but don’t deliver long-term change.
“We need to invest in what works and that means supporting vulnerable young people early, before they come into contact with the
justice system,” Mr Atalla said.
The report also identifies significant service gaps, referral inefficiencies, and funding constraints that limit the effectiveness of current early intervention efforts.
The Committee’s recommendations aim to strengthen these systems and expand effective programs.
“We are deeply thankful to the people who shared their
“Your voices have shaped this report, and we have tried to reflect your testimony as authentically as possible.”
The Committee's inquiry is ongoing, and a final report will be furnished at a later date.
The report can be found on http://www.parliament. nsw.gov.au/committees/ inquiries/Pages/inquirydetails.aspx?pk=3042.
Gaduying (Meeting Place) Park, street performances, and a vibrant community atmosphere that has become the hallmark of
q Bryan Brown.
q Sam Neil.
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Email us the exact wording and we will email back a proof and price ads@newsofthearea.com.au
Phone us : Mon, Tue, Wed or Fri Phone lines open 9am - 2pm (02) 4981 8882
From the Valley to the world
MICK Birtles, a regular reporter for News Of The Area and a familiar voice on 2NVR Nambucca Valley Radio, has launched a new podcast celebrating the stories of everyday people doing extraordinary things.
Titled ‘Life Worth Listening’, the podcast features heartfelt, insightful, and often surprising conversations with locals who are living with passion, purpose, and a dash of adventure.
The first series will feature 10 episodes and is now streaming globally.
“This isn’t about celebrities or headlinemakers,” said Mick, from Nambucca Heads.
“It’s about grassroots people, most from right here in the Nambucca Valley, who are living lives that deserve to be heard about.
places, such as Mick’s chat with Nambucca Heads-based historian, author and playwright Carrolline Rhodes, in which listeners hear vivid descriptions of post-blitz London and the reality of life for Ten Pound Poms.
With natural curiosity and a love of good conversation, Mick brings out the richness in his guests’ stories; stories that might otherwise go untold.
“I’m fascinated by people who inject energy and enthusiasm into doing things that are outside the mainstream, of value to others, or just for the joy of it and that’s what makes these conversations so special,” Mick said.
Whether you're a local looking to celebrate the stories of your neighbours, or a curious listener from afar, this is one podcast that delivers genuine voices, real stories, and a powerful reminder that every life has a story worth hearing.
You can also Subscribe, for FREE, and we will email you the Printed Edition
OUTLETS
Where to Find your Newspaper Available in newsstands & counters of over 70 businesses & locations throughout the Nambucca Valley.
Some include, supermarkets, newsagents, convenience stores, shopping centres, chemists, service stations, real estate agents, many general businesses throughout the area.
A list is published towards the back of this newspaper. You can also find the outlets by going to www.newsofthearea.com.au
5,000 copies
“Everyone’s life is a journey, and in this podcast, I try to share as many of those journeys as I can.”
Far from a commercial venture, Life Worth Listening is a personal project Mick has self-funded and created as part of his own journey.
“It costs me a little bit to produce and share, but this is something I’m doing out of a desire to share stories that inspire,” Mick explains.
Among the guests in this inaugural season are Jill Ashley, co-founder of ShoreTrack, whose inspiring work with local youth is changing lives; David Jones, former mayor of one of Australia’s largest inland cities and now a councillor in the Nambucca Valley, reflecting on a lifetime of public service; and Rob McRea, who carved out a unique career impersonating Elvis Presley.
The podcasts often take you to unexpected and fascinating
Life Worth Listening is available now and can be streamed globally across all major podcast platforms such as Spotify, I heart Radio, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts.
Do you need help after the recent severe weather?
The NSW Reconstruction Authority is here to support you on your road to recovery.
Recovery Centres are now open in Taree, Kempsey, Macksville, Port Macquarie and Maitland. These centres provide face-to-face support including:
• Financial assistance and grants
• Insurance and legal advice
• Housing and accommodation support
• Mental health and wellbeing services
To find your nearest Recovery Centre, visit nsw.gov.au/floodrecoveryupdates, or call 13 77 88
NSW Reconstruction Authority
q Nambucca Heads’ Mick Birtles uses his podcast to highlight grassroots people doing extraordinary things.
A BOON FOR NSW TOURISM
We believe in the Great Koala National Park because it offers incredible benefits for our businesses, communities, and one of the most important koala populations in NSW. Tourists from all over the world will come to see Australia’s most iconic species, the koala, in its stunning natural habitat of ancient forests. Our Great Koala National Park will become a major attraction, rivaling destinations like the Blue Mountains and the Great Barrier Reef, and creating a boon for regional employment and the local economy.
Time is of the essence! Every day the decision to create the Great Koala National Park is delayed, we lose more koalas, and the tremendous potential for tourism and conservation slips away. Local businesses have united to support the creation of NPA NSW’s proposal for the full Great Koala National Park, now it’s time for the government to fulfil its promise to create it.
Active Nutrition Pantry
Aloy Dee
Alvey Reels Australia
Austel Backpackers
BathTime Productions
Beaches at Sawtell
Bello e Buono
Bey Kebabs
C Change Adventures
Carswell & Turner Travel Associates
Chicken Butchery
Clog Barn
Coastal Pantry
Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary
Coffs Harbour Cycle Club
Coffs Harbour Deep Sea Fishing
Coffs Harbour Mountain Bike Club
Coffs Harbour Veterinary Hospital
Coffs Hikers
Coffs Skydivers
Coffs Trails
Coopers Surf Australia
Corner Store Frances & Long
Dark Arts Café
Eco Caravan and Camping Hire
Emerald Beach General Store
Eric + Deb's Homemade Ice Cream
Feathers Nest
Figtree Day Spa
Foster Earthworks & Contracting
Go Vita Coffs Central
Gowings Pacific Trader
Ground Earth Café
Growbaby Co.
Supported by Businesses that support this statement include:
Harbour Tennis Academy
Harbourside Markets
Hearthfire Bakery
HWH Stables
JBN Café
Jed's Bakehouse
Jetty Beach House
Jetty Dive
Kaleidescope
Kanga Kidz Multi Sports
Kombu Wholefoods
Lalin Thai Kitchen
Lalu Lalu
Latitude 30
Maggie's Pet Co.
Magpie Books
Market St Stitches
Mogul Brewing
Moonee Beach Bakehouse
Moonee Beach Vet
NPA NSW Coffs Coast Branch
Nik and She
Ootoya Japanese Sushi Box
Ozjewell
Ramsay Pharmacy Coffs Central
Rattle Restaurant
Ridgey Didge Pies
Rosie’s
Russells Prime Quality Meats
Sandy Beachouse
Sawtell Cinema
Sawtell Hotel
Sawtell News Hub
Seaview Tavern
Silvio’s Italiano
Sisters on 1st
So Sweet Bouquets
Solitary Islands Surf School
Stef Beachstone
Sunset Caravan Park
Swim Care Moonee
T&T Clean Surf Store
Tallowood Ventures
Tango Juice Bar
Tava Kitchen
Thai on Market
That Beach Shop
The Black Apple
The Drop Stop Café
The Happy Frog
The Hilltop Store
Tin Donkey
Treeo Sawtell
Ventoux Cycles
Vietnam Journey
Visitor Point
West High St Boutique Butchery
Westside Tennis Club
Whale Watch Experience
Willy Wagtail Homewares
Wired for Coffee
Woodsey’s Wheels
Woolgoolga Brewing Co.
Woolgoolga Mountain Bike Club
Woolgoolgas Finest Butchery
Woopi Backpackers
XS Surf
Your Home
Adopt a street for flood relief
By Rikki WALLER
A NEW community-driven initiative is bringing together local businesses and residents from flood-impacted streets, in a demonstration of support and kindness.
“Adopt a Street - Flood Support” is a grassroots response that invites local businesses to “adopt” a floodaffected street within the community.
By offering everything from coffee vouchers and meals, to clean-up help or complimentary services, the initiative will see residents receive ongoing, practical support tailored to their needs.
The initiative is being spearheaded by Port Macquarie resident Dr Jake Little who acknowledges not just the severity of the recent flood but the future uncertainties many face.
“We know that the coming months will be tough for many, and now we need to think about what happens next,” he said.
“This is an initiative for locals, by locals.
“We make the match between the generous businesses, and the floodaffected residents and streets.
“The aim is to generate
support for the weeks and months ahead.
"If you are a local business on the Mid North Coast and have the ability to provide an act of kindness… please do reach out. We have residents waiting for you.”
Residents, along with businesses of all sizes, are invited to sign up to Adopt a Street to be matched according to their location and the kind of support they need or can offer.
"It is such a busy time for our flood affected residents.
“To alleviate some of the pressures, do reach out.
“We will do the background matching and set you up with some support really quickly.”
Anyone located within the Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Kempsey, Mid Coast, Nambucca and Port Macquarie-Hastings regions can nominate.
For more information, or to complete the Expression Of Interest, go to Adopt a Street’s Instagram page @ adoptastreetmnc or email adoptastreetmnc@gmail. com.
q Founder Dr Jake Little donating items and helping out with the cleanup, which sparked his idea for Adopt a Street. Photo: supplied.
Fines but no convictions for rooftop protestors
By Andrew VIVIAN
TWO coforest activists have faced Coffs Harbour Local Court over their occupation of the roof of the Forestry Corporation NSW (FCNSW) building on 23 April.
They were among six women who unfurled banners next to the FCNSW logo that read “End Native Forest Logging Now”.
Knitting Nanna Sharron Hodge, 65, and filmmaker Juliet Lamont, 54, plead guilty to the charges.
Both represented themselves in court.
Ms Lamont told the magistrate, “The last thing we want to be doing is getting arrested but history shows us that concerned citizens can protest unjust laws and create a better society for all.”
Ms Hodge travelled from her flood ravaged home in Wingham and said she knows that the science is clear.
“I will do everything in my power to protect what remains of our fragile ecosystems for the benefit of my grandchildren, for everyone’s grandchildren,” she said.
The protesters were fined $220 each, with no conviction, for the charge of “entering inclosed lands”.
The other protesters arrested are yet to face court.
Fijian students graduate with aged care qualifications
By Mick BIRTLES
TWENTY-FIVE Fijian
students celebrated their graduation from NV College this week, each earning a Certificate III in Individual Support.
A graduation ceremony recognised the hard work and dedication of the students, who have completed their training under the Australian Government’s Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, as part of the Aged Care Expansion (ACE) program.
Arriving three months ago, the students have been completing the practical, on-the-job components of their training while working in aged care facilities across Macksville, Nambucca Heads, and Kempsey.
The program has offered them not only paid employment, but also the chance to gain new skills,
professional experience, and a pathway into the Australian aged care sector.
“We have been able to shift our skills and understanding of equipment to another level that we will be able to use here in Australia or take back to use in aged care work in Fiji,” graduating student Kelera Koroi told News Of The Area.
All graduates were recruited by NVC Group, a local aged care employer and participant in the PALM scheme.
The group is one of several regional businesses partnering with the Australian Government to connect Pacific Islanders with meaningful employment opportunities in Australia.
Jacqui Boaden, Lead Trainer and Assessor at NV College, praised the students’ dedication and compassion.
Harbour and Macksville.
“To see these students in aged care facilities, caring for our vulnerable, makes us so proud. They are excellent carers,” she said during the ceremony.
Kempsey areas.
The graduating students said they have been made to feel very welcome in the Nambucca Valley and
“So many local people, including the residents in the NVC aged care locations, have been treating us like we are a part of their own family which means a lot when we are so far from home,” graduating
student Diana Tinairakadi told NOTA.
NVC Group invites anyone considering a career in aged care to explore their Care Ready course, a hands-on, pre-employment program run regularly in both Coffs
The college also offers full certification through the Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33021).
For more information, email training@nvcollege. edu.au or call 1300 655 224.
Waste reduction at Bowra’s Pioneer hall
BOWRAVILLE’S Pioneer Community Centre became a shining example of waste reduction and the circular economy on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May.
Due to ongoing wet weather the quarterly Macksville Car Boot Sale had to be cancelled, so the regular free distribution stall was moved to the indoor hall at 70 High Street.
“This created a wonderful
opportunity for not only waste reduction and treasure finding but also community connecting,” said Bowraville Chamber of Commerce secretary Phillida Hartley.
Throughout both days extraordinary loads of new, used and unneeded items got brought to the hall from as far away as Valla, and at least half of what arrived got selected and taken to new homes –and saved from landfill.
“And all totally free: a great boon at this time of the cost-of-living-crisis.”
Ms Hartley told NOTA the community-owned and managed Pioneer building is “so important for Bowratown”.
First built in 1915, it served as a general store, cafe and more before being donated for public use by the Grace family in the 1970s.
In the 80s the back of
the building was extended to create a kitchen, small unit, office and storage spaces, and a network of rooms from which 2NVR Nambucca Valley Radio operated for many years.
q Clothes and other items were donated, sorted and taken home for free.
“This community cooperatively run space provides a wonderful array of locally made special products,” Ms Hartley said.
At the front of the building is Aunt Emily’s craft shop; open to the public six times a week.
Other activities in the hall include a monthly indoor market with café, a weekly restorative craft group, yoga and a creative art workshop. The hall is often used by community organisations for workshops or meetings and is available at low cost to groups with their own insurance.
q Jacqui Boaden, Lead Trainer and Assessor at NV College, cuts the cake to mark the graduation of 25 Fijian students from the Certificate III in Individual Support Course.
q Plenty of treasures were to be found at the Pioneer hall.
Writers comp winners announced
By Rachel BURNS
THE Nambucca Valley Writers Group have announced the winners of their annual writing competition, a tradition for the past 19 years.
The 2025 theme was ‘performance piece’ and was judged by Lisa Milner, a Coffs
Harbour writer who was once a long-term member of the group.
“There was a very high standard of performance pieces, particularly in the monologues,” said Lisa.
Out of 18 entries, first prize went to Roby Aiken, second to Ross Pascoe and third to Robyn Dyer.
Prizes included a perpetual trophy, a book token, wine and chocolates.
The writers group meets monthly on the fourth Saturday of the month in Nambucca Heads, offering a fun and educational environment.
New members are welcome.
Phone Roby on 6568 9648 for more details.
Tourism operators declare GKNP support
MORE than 100 local businesses from the Mid North Coast have put their case to the NSW Premier for the creation of
the Great Koala National Park (GKNP) as a “game-changing tourism destination to rival the Blue Mountains and the Great Barrier Reef”.
The business coalition submitted a signed letter to Mr Minns at State Parliament last week.
With members spanning from Coffs Harbour to Woolgoolga, the group believes the creation of the full GKNP will draw visitors from around the world to see koalas in the wild.
Local operators spanning diverse sectors have signed on to support the establishment of the full 176,000 hectares of
the GKNP, including tourism and hospitality venues like Sawtell Hotel, Jetty Beach House, and Beaches at Sawtell; adventure tourism operators including Coffs Skydivers, Solitary Islands Surf School, and C-Change Adventures; and local cafés, restaurants and food outlets.
Coffs Skydivers owner Steve Hill said the local business community needs a boost.
“The type of people that are interested in little fluffy koalas are interested in being outdoors,” he said.
“My business relies on that kind of tourism.
“If you bring in a park that goes global – something like the Great Barrier Reef - we all know it will give us the boost that we badly need.”
C-Change Adventures owner Matt Sparrius said supporting the GKNP was a “no-brainer”.
“The more koalas there are in the park, the more chances there are of seeing them.
“For tourism, we will have more tourists, there will be more jobs, we can expand our business, and there will be other businesses that can move into that space.”
&
Lisa Milner, Robyn Dyer, Roby Aiken and Ross Pascoe. Photo: Diane Curran.
q Steve Hill, owner of Coffs Skydiving, hands the group’s letter to Premier Chris Minns.
Inner Landscapes explored
By Kim SATCHELL
ARTIST Joel Easson will unveil a new body of solo work, titled “Inner Landscapes”, on Saturday, 7 June at the Phoenix Gallery, Bowraville.
Having grown up in Kempsey, Easson plays doom metal guitar in his spare time and began painting in 2015 during a visual arts degree at Sydney College of the Arts.
While his main medium is oil, he has recently been exploring acrylic paint during group sessions at the Phoenix Gallery held every Wednesday.
This advanced group, which is led by artist Jack Hodges and includes fellow painter Edward Barnes, encourages participants to push the boundaries of their practice to provide next-step opportunities.
Easson told News Of The Area he sees his mind as an “ever-changing landscape of colour and form”.
“I paint very intuitively, and each piece becomes a kind of self-portrait, a timestamp of my thoughts and emotions,” he said.
The evocative canvases are visual treats of movement and grace; the use of colour and form could easily pay tribute to American modernist artist Georgia O’Keeffe.
Easson’s work moves between the abstract and more formal landscape representation, blending conscious intention with unconscious impulse - the actual with the imagined.
The upcoming show offers a rare glimpse into a deeply personal process, and an artist who lets the paint speak for itself.
Easson’s exhibition opens at 11am on Saturday 7 June at Phoenix Gallery.
Entry is free.
The Phoenix Cafe will be open from 10am.
Direct Newcastle to Bali flights launched
JETSTAR will launch a direct route between Newcastle and Denpasar (Bali) from 21 October.
Denpasar is a major international aviation hub offering connections to over 40 countries.
The service is set to be run three times a week, and will be the first international route offered from Newcastle’s new international terminal.
Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said the route will open the Hunter and the Mid-North Coast to a “major South-East Asian transport hub and a wealth of opportunity”.
“The first ongoing international flight for Newcastle Airport is a significant moment for the region’s visitor economy –and we’re only just getting started,” he said.
Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington believes the move will facilitate “visitors from around the world” experiencing the Hunter region.
Newcastle Airport CEO Linc Horton told News Of The Area, “This route reflects what’s possible when industry and government work together to back regional growth.
“We thank the NSW Government for their partnership in making this international connection a reality for the Hunter region and the Federal Government for supporting the build of our international terminal.
“Bali is one of Australia’s most loved destinations and is the first of many exciting destinations we will deliver.”
Jetstar Group CEO Stephanie Tully said the new international route is an “exciting milestone as Jetstar continues to significantly expand its network”.
“We're thrilled to be the airline to launch Newcastle’s first international flights in more than five years with our new direct service from Newcastle to Bali,” she said.
The route is backed by the NSW Government’s Aviation Attraction Fund.
Managed by Destination NSW on behalf of the NSW Government, the Fund offered financial incentives and marketing support to assist NSW airports to secure routes and increase aviation capacity to the state.
Applications for the fund were open between February 2022 and June 2023.
The Last Waltz - Movie 1978 Documentary/Musical | M | 1h 57m
Friday, 6th June 2025
Doors Open 6:30PM | Show starts 7PM
Tickets online $5 + Bkg fee online @ trybooking or at the door if available
Chopin’s Last Tour - Live Show with Piano Friday, 13th June 2025
Doors open 7PM | Show starts 7:30PM
Tickets $25 +bkg fees online @ trybooking or at the door if available
Ziah & Date take the cello and guitar on a new journey!
Tickets online $14 adults / $12 members and concession
29th June 2025 Doors open 1:30pm / Movie starts 2pm
q Easson’s works move between the abstract and more formal landscape representation.
Flood victims wait in hope for future-proof solutions
By Sebastian TAN, AAP
FROM the door of Mel Connell's gift shop, in shindeep water, the only things still recognisable were a few hanging festoon and fairy lights.
After 14 years as a small retailer, she had to refashion her premises after floods ripped through the northern NSW town of Lismore in February 2022.
By September, Ms Connell had reopened with $50 in her pocket and an unfinished building. She was thousands more short in products and equipment.
Three years later, she still feels the impact.
"It's been an extremely hard slog, I'm never doing that again," Ms Connell tells AAP.
"I've got a business, my partner also has a job here, we've got a home loan. We can't just pack up and leave."
Every time it rains heavily, she "freaks out".
"People died here and we had a billion-dollar emergency, so I just wish the government would actually have some kind of plan in place to help us in the future."
Tensions are high across the state's mid north coast and Hunter regions with more than a thousand properties uninhabitable and dozens more beyond repair.
Insurance premiums have skyrocketed, with residents launching GoFundMe efforts to help salvage inundated homes.
The Fitzgerald family in Taree had to set one up after insurers declined to cover them after they were flooded for the first time.
"When the second flood struck, they were left with absolutely nothing," says campaign organiser Sharon Revell.
"To make matters even more heartbreaking, the boys recently lost their beloved mum to terminal cancer.
"Her passing has left three sons, one of whom lives with a disability, without their home, their stability and their mother."
Elsewhere, GoFundMe organisers say insurance premiums for another second-time victim jumped four times their original cost following NSW floods in March 2021.
About 1.36 million properties are at any time at risk of flooding across the state and in Victoria and Queensland, according to the Insurance Council of Australia.
In Lismore, Ms Connell wants to see infrastructure built to withstand future events after 2022 triggered an exodus of residents.
"People would reinvest into the town and not just our town, everywhere," she says.
"We've had eight years with floods, we're trying to get the town back on its feet and it would bring positivity back.
"It would be life-changing for a lot of people and having some kind of... solution so they don't leave the postcode and can still purchase a property out of the flood zone would contribute to the economy here."
There may be light at the end of the tunnel for residents and business owners with the insurance council calling for government and the sector to
establish a $30 billion dollar fund to protect flood-prone communities.
In a report issued prior to the federal election, it urged the building more flood defence infrastructure, buying-back properties and strengthening others in harm's way.
"There is a solution. It's going to be a publicprivate partnership between government and insurers," the council's executive director Andrew Hall told Sydney radio station 2GB this week.
"There are 220,000 homes on the east coast of Australia that are sitting in a two or five percent chance of flooding every year.
"We've priced the derisking of 24 catchments on the east coast over a period of 10 years."
However in Taree, a community which has been decimated by the recent floods, Mayor Claire Pontin says council looked at constructing higher levees but the cost outweighed the benefit.
"Had we built those levees back then, this flood would have gone over the top of them anyway," she says.
"All those issues about flood mitigation works to try and make our assets, and the community's assets, more resilient to flooding is on the table."
Inflated insurance premiums have become a recurring conversation with flood affected victims.
Last year, residents told of being forced to endure unreasonable wait times and being overcharged by insurers to an inquiry into
flood failures.
One claimed to have been left in the lurch for 18 months.
"I am emotionally exhausted, I lost all my belongings," they said in a submission.
"I have tried to obtain online quotes from other insurers and they are either exorbitant or they refuse to insure in our area.
"We applied for a buyback of the property through the resilient homes fund but have been rejected, despite having six properties surrounding us that have been bought back and in the process of being demolished."
The NSW Department of Planning is in the throes of responding to inquiry recommendations following the 2022 floods.
"The government is stopping inappropriate developments on dangerous floodplains," according to a
spokesperson.
"To proactively plan and mitigate against the impacts of floods in NSW, the Department is taking a riskbased approach to planning decisions on dangerous flood plains."
Queensland's Department of Infrastructure says it has been liaising with other agencies on policy.
"Key actions such as natural hazard mapping (has been) undertaken across the state and each local government area implements their own flood risk mapping tools for Queenslanders to utilise and check risk for personal safety and property," a spokesperson says.
"The department continues to work closely with various other agencies and local councils responsible for navigating the state's preparedness for natural hazards, risk and resilience,
particularly when it comes to land use."
About 300,000 people lodged claims with insurance companies after the 2022 NSW floods, with the state and Commonwealth committing more than $3.5 billion for recovery.
Assistant federal treasurer Daniel Mulino says some insurers have been too slow to clean up devastated communities.
"(About) 90 to 95 percent of claims are resolved within a year or so but that still leaves a very large number of claims hanging on," he this week told ABC Radio.
"We've seen in a number of instances, hundreds and sometimes thousands of people with still unresolved claims a year or even two years after the disaster."
Some 6000 people currently have claims lodged with the insurance council.
q Flood victims in Lismore like Mel Connell want more done to prepare for future disasters. Photo: Mel Connell.
Bravery & Betrayal screens in Coffs
By Mick BIRTLES
A POWERFUL new documentary titled Bravery & Betrayal was screened last week at C.ex Coffs Harbour.
The film offers a raw and deeply personal insight into the experiences of the Australian Special Forces during their years of service in Afghanistan.
It also examines the media scrutiny and personal toll of official investigations of these elite soldiers.
The documentary was brought to the Mid North Coast by army veteran and peacekeeper Adam Fuller, with the support of Coffs Harbour RSL sub-Branch and C.ex Coffs Harbour.
Funded by Wandering
Warriors, a charity that supports Special Air Service (SAS) veterans, the film includes firsthand accounts from former SAS members.
A large audience turned out for the screening, with many coming from the exservice community.
There was high praise for the film and strong criticism of Defence leadership and mainstream media.
Appearing in and introducing the film was highly respected former Special Forces Commander Brigadier Dan Fortune, DSC and Bar.
He explained that the purpose of the film is not retribution, but to allow those who served to finally tell their side of the story.
The film highlights the relentless pace of special operations in Afghanistan and reveals the emotional and physical toll these missions inflicted on Australian soldiers.
Also featured are emotional interviews with family members of the fallen, including relatives of Bellingen's Sergeant Matthew Locke MG, who was killed in 2007.
Three former Prime Ministers contribute to the film, offering political context and reflections on the soldiers' contributions.
The film delivers a counter-narrative to widely accepted portrayals but it remains uncertain if major Australian television
networks will take up the challenge of airing it.
In the meantime, screenings such as the one in Coffs are crucial for bringing different perspectives to light.
"The film contributes to a broader conversation around how Australia views and treats its soldiers and the physical and emotional toll that it has on their families,” Mr Fuller said.
“It was very moving to hear from Matthew Locke's son Keegan, who lost his father at the age of 12, as well as hearing… [about] the trauma experienced by the children who had to… say goodbye to their dads without fully understanding why they had to leave, and not knowing if they would return.
Bravery & Betrayal encourages Australians to reflect on the sacrifices made by our elite soldiers and calls on the community to advocate for wider screenings.
For many in attendance,
Animals on Country Roads campaign
By Andrea FERRARI
MOTORISTS are reminded to slow down and look out for animals as Transport for NSW launches its annual “Animals on Country Roads” public education campaign.
Deputy Secretary of Safety, Policy, Environment and Regulation Sally Webb, said travelling on country roads often involves driving near livestock and wildlife that can be quick and unpredictable.
“It’s important to always take care, follow the road signs and expect the unexpected when driving around animals to ensure we protect both human lives and our wildlife,” she said.
“One in every 41 crashes on country roads involves a vehicle hitting an animal, so it’s important that drivers and riders know the best way to react when an animal approaches.”
From 2014 to 2023, 1344 crashes involved an animal, resulting in the deaths of 27 people and leaving 1503
injured.
WIRES volunteer Skye frequently rescues snakes, birds, kangaroos and wallabies.
“However, other animals like echidnas, lizards, and possums are also frequently hit, particularly here on the Coffs Coast, and some of those road accidents aren't entirely accidental,” she told News Of The Area.
In Skye’s experience, some drivers make excuses for hitting animals.
They claim the animal suddenly appeared on the road or that animals usually move out of the way.
Others downplay the impact, saying "it's just an animal."
“I've witnessed this first-hand when a driver intentionally swerved to hit a
snake I was trying to rescue, resulting in its death.”
In many cases, animals can be seen on or near the road before they move into the path of an oncoming vehicle, giving drivers time to react.
“While accidents can happen, often drivers have the opportunity to slow down or stop if they're paying attention.”
Bravery & Betrayal is a long-overdue statement of recognition for the Special Forces Community. For more information or to arrange a screening, go to wanderingwarriors.org
ensure they receive proper care.
People are often oblivious to the consequences of hitting an animal.
“Kangaroo-vehicle collisions are particularly devastating.
“Often the kangaroos don't die immediately, instead suffering severe injuries like legs snapped in half and [they] can linger for days before succumbing to their wounds.”
Joeys can survive for a few days in the pouch even after their mother has died, but will eventually succumb to dehydration, starvation, or suffocation as the mother's body decomposes.
“If the joey is ejected from the pouch during the collision, it will face a similarly grim fate without its mother's care.”
If you hit or come across an injured animal, don't assume it's dead – stop and check.
“If the animal seems to walk off (or hop or slither away), don't assume they're okay either, they may have internal injuries.”
Any animal struck by a vehicle needs immediate assessment and rescue to
If the animal is on the road, carefully move it to safety to prevent further harm, and call a local wildlife rescue service such as WIRES.
When handling animals, exercise caution - avoid touching venomous snakes and be careful around large kangaroos and monitor lizards.
Check dead possums, kangaroos, or bandicoots for babies in pouches, or nearby.
Be extra cautious at dusk and dawn when wildlife is most active, and on warm days when reptiles might be sunbathing on the road.
Never assume an animal will move out of the way in time.
“Many birds are struck by vehicles because drivers assume they'll fly away in time,” Skye said.
“However… some birds may be injured, slow to react, or unable to fly, making them vulnerable to collisions.”
Call WIRES on 1300 094 737 or use the IFAW Wildlife rescue app to find the nearest wildlife rescue organisation.
q The flags of Australia, Afghanistan and the US at the Military Base at Tarin Kowt, Uruzghan Province, Afghanistan.
q This pinky joey, rescued from his dead mother, did not survive.
q A WIRES volunteer caring for an orphaned eastern grey kangaroo joey, found next to its dead mother.
q WIRES Volunteer Skye*, with a carpet python rescued from the road.
q A gravid lace monitor, hit and left on the road and a juvenile eastern grey kangaroo that had to be euthanised.
Musical versatility at Valla
THE musical entertainment at the Valla Beach community market on Saturday, 7 June will be led by Mid North Coast musician Julie Kovendy.
Julie began her singingsongwriting journey locally over fifteen years ago, her musical versatility shining through as she effortlessly transitioned from intimate duos to captivating solos and dynamic trios.
Her performances are a mesmerising blend of folk, indie, Latin, smooth jazz, and pop, seamlessly showcasing a repertoire that appeals to a wide range of musical tastes.
Whether she's strumming her guitar at an intimate gig, showcasing her flautist skills, or leading a band through spirited rhythms on stage, Julie's passion for music is palpable.
“Come along and enjoy sitting back, relaxing with a tea or coffee and yummy food and listening to some great music,” a spokesperson for the Valla Beach Community Association told NOTA.
Also on the market menu are Zumba demonstrations, hula hooping, face painting, free family
NEWS
arts and craft activities, puzzles and book reading.
The regular market staples of local produce, food and drinks, arts
U3A Fishing for Fun
By Bruce REDMAN
IT SEEMED unlikely that our regular fishing expedition would be possible this month after the flooding especially as we had previously selected Macksville as our location. Macksville as everyone knows was badly affected by the flood. As expected, the number of members was down but those that accepted the challenge enjoyed
their morning. The tide at Macksville was still coming in when we started and various pieces of vegetation floated by. We fished off the jetty stage right in River Street. It soon became apparent that the fish were quite happy sheltering under the jetty itself. All we had to do was drop down a line with a tasty prawn and catch a fish.
In the beginning we caught our
q Mid North Coast musician Julie Kovendy.
and crafts, clothing and plants will also be available.
The market runs from 8am-1pm at the Valla Beach Reserve.
best fish then the size shrank as the morning progressed, Bev caught the largest bream and Bernadette the largest and only flathead. Catch and release of small bream was common for Greg, Gary and Bruce.
I receive requests to join this group from time to time. You just have to be a member of U3A then you can join the Fishing for Fun course or indeed any one of the many courses. The next U3A Open Day will be held on Tuesday morning the 24th of June 2005 at the Nambucca RSL.
q Bernadette's Flathead.
Nambucca Valley Bridge Club News
By Barbara MARANIK
31ST MAY to 1st June 2025 Swiss Pairs Congress was held with players from Armidale, Coffs Harbour, Ballina, Port Macquarie & as far away as Sydney. Ronny & Rob coordinated the game play. Molly & her kitchen team managed to keep the food coming over the weekend and organising a the cleanup. Amber Fox & Carol McKee were the highest rating local team, Great result ladies.
Results for Week ending 1st June 2025
Monday 26th May 2025
North/South 1st Barbara Lott & Linda Siford
60%, 2nd Peter Plunkett-Cole & Rosemary Bateman 51%, 3rd Susie Keur & Paul Coe 50% East/West
1st Amber Fox & Carol McKee 70%, 2nd Equal Maureen Cowan & Barb Maranik plus Alison Savage & Colin Denney 65%
Thursday 29th May 2025
North/South
1st Susie Keur & Peter PlunkettCole 57%, 2nd Maureen Cowan & Janet Dyson 54%, 3rd Gary & Lousie
Nambucca Bowls Report
By Charles POTTER
WEDNESDAY May 28 A much better field of 30 in the Selected Triples and the winners were Teresa Meehan, Marg Duffus and Stu Garvey. Second to Paul Michel, Nerida Blackford and Doug Cedelland and third to Stan Flack, Syd Campton and Alan Cosgrave. D Stephens, Lisa Barry and Psycho Carr were the Lucky Losers. Nerida Blackford was drawn Lucky Bowler but, looking for Rink 3 out of 5 rinks, missed the $300 Jackpot twice! The consolation $150 went to the Cosgrave team and Mark Blackford, K and R Berczelly on Rink 6.
Fri May 30 Laverty's Sponsored Day with double prizes. Winners were Terry Steele, Mitch McGill and Hoggy, Stan Flack, Mark Blackford and Danny Curran. Second...Mick Targett, Gary Tierney and Andrew Power and Michael Thomas, Todd Ryan and Paul Ward. Third places went to G. Squires, D Stevens and
Stu Carr, Chris D'Elboux, Barry Redman and Peter Fredericks. The two Lucky Losers teams... Harry Rauchenberger, Mino Bettanin and Warren Gallop and Chris Brownlee, Owen Smith and Charlie Potter. Terry Steele was drawn out as lucky Bowler but missed the Jackpot of $360.
Sat May 31 Versatility Final. Mark Blackford v Tony Urquhart. Terrific bowls played throughout. Mark won the first end 6 pts to 4 but Tony pulled clear and was never headed, leading by between 10 and 24 pts throughout.
Sunday Bowls June 1 20 players with winners Mel Legend and Peter Fredericks and Lucky Losers Marie Johnson, Jen Thorne and Doug Cedelland. Stu Thorne won the Jackpot.
This weekend sees the Ken Howard Carnival played across 4 days... Triples Friday and the Fours Sat, Sun and Mon. with the Calcutta drawn this Friday evening after the raffles. Some really good bowlers from all over are here to try for the big prize-money. Good luck to all.
Nambucca Heads
Women's Bowling Club
By Nerida BLACKFORD
LAST week’s social games had a variety of results with some close matches and some real blow-outs!
Sandra Seckold and Chris Davis whipped Kerrie Dale and Nerida Blackford 30-5; Lisa Barry, Michelle Fredericks and Karen Liddel got up over Tina Ryan, Fletch and Manor Smith 16-12 after only getting ahead after the 13th end. Mel legend, Deb Mann and Marg Duffus won convincingly over Arlene Duffus, Pam James and Gloria Richardson 30-6 and then Teresa Meehan, Rosie Dugdale and Elaine Fleming beat Joan Haigh, Alma Reid and Marilyn Montgomery 18-11.
There was a lot of laughter and the good number of ladies really enjoyed their bowling, especially after all the rain we’ve had.
This Tuesday saw a great game for the final of the Ladies’ Consistency, with Manor Smith claiming another title. The game was very competitive, but Manor won over a fighting Marg Duffus 150-135. Thanks to those who came down to watch and support the players.
We are all looking forward to a busy weekend at the club with lots of teams entered in the Ken Howard Memorial Carnival. Good luck to all those competing- enjoy your bowling.
1st Alison & Rex Hanson from Armidale club, 2nd Deborah McLay & Ian Michelson from the Ballina Club, 1st Intermediate pair was John Burrows & Neah Williams from Coffs Harbour.
1st Under 200 MPS - Cathy Clapoudis & Deb Scott from Port Macquarie
Competition.
q Tony Urquhart (right) wins the Versatility Final.
q Bev's Bream.
q Marg Duffus, runner up and Manor Smith, winner of Women's Consistency
Nambucca Heads Island Golf Club
By Chris KNIGHT
THE RISE of community has been evident across the Mid North Coast in the wake of the devastating floods, and none more so than on the Nambucca Heads Island Golf Course which was completely inundated.
Fairways, tee boxes and greens emerged from the havoc in a thick coat of silt; course furniture and practise net mats were swept away; the club's carpark was undermined; and the sand from the bunkers is swirling in the river or out to sea in parts unknown.
The damage bill could come in at more than $300,000 - a crippling hit on a small club which is ranked arguably as the best layout on the Mid North Coast.
Yet amongst the debris and heartache, many quickly rose to start making amends.
Head greenkeeper Greg Jager was a first responder in trying to save the signature bent grass greens. Members and staff rallied at working bees, while Brad Fortescue from Fortade scraped silt from the fairways in a positrack for two days' solid (and at no cost to the club).
Not all heroes wear capes.
Months of nagging rain had the normally well-draining course at saturation point.
Then the 380mm-plus downpour over five days saw the water with nowhere to go but up.
The Island is no stranger to flood, but this one hit different.
"The rain on the course was problematic and mixed with what fell upstream led to the inundation. The water was more than a metre deep in some places," club General Manager Jonathon Zirkler said.
"The silt was more widespread than the March 2021 flood when we had more than 700mm of rain in three days."
Like a tottering heavyweight boxer, The Island had been set up for the knockdown by previous weather events including ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
"The course was so heavy that a fall of 18mm was like 50mm," greenkeeper Jager noted.
The upshot of the rainbomb which cruelled the Macksville and Nambucca Heads communities saw the greens on 3, 4, 8, 10, 15 and 16 go under.
Seven of the 18 fairways required scraping. The cart paths were unnavigable and the mud was more than calf-deep in places as the flood waters receded.
"Almost all of the tee markers, flags, course seats and sand and garbage bin furniture have been lost," Zirkler said.
"When we made it across on the causeway on the Saturday morning the club’s carpark was pitted with potholes and some areas appear to have sunken. All of the greenside
bunkers - one of the standout elements of the championship layout - will need to be rebuilt."
The force of the flood is hard to fathom. A large pole of many tonnes used to border the carpark from the creek near the boat ramp was discovered metres above the ground hanging in mangrove trees.
Club Junior Champion Ashton Herbert photographed an out-ofbounds marker bobbing in the ocean kilometres away.
The damage wrought is extensive and despairing for a club with an aged membership in a small community which is socioeconomically challenged.
It's a body-blow, but not a killer haymaker.
While the course remains sidelined from play, repairs have begun in earnest.
"Greenkeeper Greg was able to start the clean up on the Sunday when he spent 10 hours watering and scraping the silt off the greens," Zirkler said.
"On the Monday the remaining greens' team began opening up access to drains, and applying chemical applications of fungicides to reduce exposure to disease.
"Brad from Fortade turned up with a positrack with a purposemade front scoop to scrape the silt off the fairways. He worked from sun-up Monday until late Tuesday evening at no charge to the club.
"On the Tuesday more than 25 members turned up to assist picking up debris, helping to rebuild course bridges and attending to vital maintenance around the clubhouse."
While golf is a no-go, some of the club's operations are already back in swing.
The clubhouse and squash courts are fully operational and the Island's signature restaurant is back trading with lunches seven days a week and dinners Wednesdays to Saturdays.
For all that, the club will look to outside assistance on the road to recovery.
"We have previously had some success in receiving assistance
through NSW Government disaster recovery grants, GolfNSW grants and by helping ourselves through both the generosity of the membership and by exploring creative business opportunities," Zirkler said.
"The cost of this flood may be in excess of $300,000 in both lost revenues and expenses. The bunkers and cart paths alone could tally to $200,000.
"But those material items are not what makes a club. Our club's heart - its members and the wider community who have been coming out to enjoy our facilities - remain resilient and strong and their support will help us get back to our best sooner rather than later.”
needed elsewhere.
AFL to help clubs affected by flooding
By Aiden BURGESS
THE recent deluge had a big impact on sporting clubs across the Mid North Coast, with the AFL responding by pledging $50,000 in relief for local clubs.
The money will come from the AFL’s Community Relief Fund and has been earmarked for 14 clubs.
It can be used to cover insurance excess payments, to hire alternative venues so training can continue, and to bridge the loss of revenue through multiple match day cancellations.
“The AFL is conscious of the impacts these weather events are having on families and local businesses across the Mid North Coast,” Head of AFL NSW/ACT Andrew Varasdi said.
“Volunteer assistance and funding that is normally raised to assist football clubs, is importantly
“So, to ease the load, it is imperative for the AFL to support our local clubs via the Community Relief Fund.
“Local AFL clubs are the heartbeats of many local communities, and we hope the provision of these funds not only helps clubs get back on their feet and return to playing footy, but also brings the wider community together during the recovery stage of this difficult time.”
Community Football and Competition Manager for AFL Northern NSW Brad Greenshields, said the financial assistance is a big step in assisting North Coast clubs to overcome recent obstacles.
“Clubs have been forced to pay for alternative training venues, replace equipment, or have lost income from avenues they usually rely on such as canteen sales, while their home grounds have been constantly closed due to the wet conditions,” he said.
“There are players who haven’t been to training yet and as a result haven’t registered.
“Clubs have been unable to use the cash flow that those registrations normally provide.
“This injection of funds will provide a much-needed boost to clubs that have experienced a downturn in income and increase in expenditure that wasn’t budgeted for at the start of the year.”
Affected clubs across the Mid North Coast have been informed of the financial assistance via a letter from the AFL’s Chief Executive Officer Andrew Dillon.
Bowra Bowls Results
By 'Buncha' KEYS
SOCIAL bowls on Thursday 15th saw 28 keen bowlers take to the green, with a fun day had by all. Winners on the day were Glenn Stenner, Greg Doolan (great to see him back rolling them down) and Wayne Brown. The runners up prizemoney went to Rob Connybear, Steve Armstrong and Jim Harter.
Thursday 22nd. No Play. All I can say is that after stating all year in this column that rain would never be a reason for no bowls at the new Hub, under the synthetic covered green. Well it did. With so much rain during the week the road to the Hub was under water for two days and access to the club was impossible.
Thursday 29th. Winners were Storky Mitchell, Mary Dal Santo and Luke Laverty. Lucky bowler was John Cowie (again).
Both Semi-Finals of the4 Club Fours have been played and the final is set down for Saturday 7th June at 11am. Steve Wellington, Dean Roe, Tracy Armes and Paul O’Neill hung on for a close win against Mary and Andy Dal Santo, Mike Oldham and Neil Pollard. Leading 17-12 midway through the game and holding a 24-20 advantage with two ends remaining, Neil’s side just failed by picking
up 3 shots to go down 22-24.
The second semi –final played on Sunday 1st. June was a little different. The game was a real family affair contest with Greg Doolan, Sons Craig and Danny and Pat Clough (Father in Law of Danny) facing up against Steve Johnson, son David, Bailey (son of David and Steve’s grandson) and odd man out Graham Keys.
However the match ended up being a one-act affair. Craig’s team picked up 5 shots on the very first end and 6 on the second end. Dave Johnson and his team had to try and fight their way back into the edge. After 13 ends Craig’s team were well and truly in complete control and lead 27-7. The Johnsons won four of the last seven ends but dropped five shots on the last end. The Doolans completed a very decisive 36-14 win.
Best of luck to Craig & Wello sides in the final tomorrow Saturday 7th June.
q Brad Fortescue from Fortade scraping tonnes of heavy silt from the 10th fairway.
q Volunteers armed with metal rakes being briefed on the tasks ahead at a working bee.
q There's a golf course down there somewhere under the swollen Nambucca River. Photo: Matt Leese.
By Manny WOOD
Probate sought over smartphone ‘note’
PETER Smith’s health had been failing over the past few months and after paramedics are called due to complications regarding his blood sugar levels, he composes a “Note” on his smartphone, entitled “Last Will of Peter Smith”.
The document appoints his friend, Ben as his executor and leaves him the bulk of his estate.
The document also details smaller gifts to other friends and family members.
Unfortunately, Peter passes-away one week later, leaving an estate worth $10 million.
A few days later, Ben attends Peter’s home to look for a will.
He locates a number of legal documents but he does not find a will.
Ben later examines Peter’s phone and locates the “Note”.
Ben obtains legal advice to the effect that although Peter’s note was not “executed” as a formal will, if the Court is satisfied that Peter intended the document to form his will, the Court can “dispense” with the formal requirements and grant probate over the note.
Ben proceeds with an application to the Supreme Court.
If the note is ruled not to constitute Peter’s will, his older brother Robert is entitled to the whole of Peter’s estate under the rules of intestacy.
Evidence indicates that Peter’s note was written over a period of 8 hours and that it was not opened after it was composed.
Further evidence is adduced, that Peter stated to various witnesses that he did not want his estate to pass to his brother because it would ultimately end up in the hands of his nephew, whom he had not seen in years.
Peter’s housekeeper gives evidence that after the note was composed, Peter stated that he had finalised his will and that his brother only receives a small share.
However, the Court observes that the note was never printed and was not prepared with any legal assistance.
In dismissing Ben’s application, the Court ultimately rules the note to be nothing more than a “work in progress” and Robert receives the whole of Peter’s estate plus legal costs.
This fictional column is not legal advice.
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Dorin’s Draws By Paul DORIN On theCouch
Disaster relief extended
STATE and Federal governments are delivering more funding to help communities recover from the recent severe flooding across the state.
This will include damage caused by East Coast severe weather and flooding in May and damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
This funding will provide direct support for residents, farmers, small businesses and non-profit organisations and includes help for people who have lost their homes.
Support has been made available under the joint CommonwealthState Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), with the new funding to provide immediate and longer-term assistance for individuals, families and communities affected by flooding.
Support available includes:
• Grants of up to $25,000 for eligible small businesses (with fewer than 20 employees) and non-profit organisations to help clean up and restore their business.
• Grants of up to $25,000 for eligible primary producers directly impacted by flooding to help with clean-up and getting their operations back on track.
• Grants of up to $10,000 for eligible rural landholders to assist with clean-up, repairs and recovery work, including fixing
damaged fences, infrastructure or equipment affected by East Coast severe weather and flooding.
• A $5 million program to clear drainage on private land following Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
• A $180 hardship payment for individuals, capped at $900 for households of five or more, to help cover essential items like food, clothing and medicine following the recent flood event.
Flood impacted farmers and primary producers are being asked to complete the NSW Government’s Primary Industries Natural Disaster Damage Assessment (PiNDDA) survey, once it is safe for them to do so, which will inform future recovery.
Premier Minns said that it was clear that more support for primary producers would be required.
“In line with the response to the recent floods in Queensland, we will need further assistance to many primary producers on the Mid North Coast.
“In the coming week I'll be working with the Commonwealth Government to extend grants up to $75,000 in harder hit areas so that we can work with coastal communities to get back on their feet.”
Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said the funding announcement was a “start and a positive move in the right direction”.
“I know that this is not the full amount that we were hoping for and
The Big Screen
By Lindsay HALL
TO THE action enthusiasts who were devastated by the conclusion of John Wick: Chapter 4, there is the promise of exquisitely choreographed violence in the new entry to that film series, Ballerina
Marketed with the tag “From the world of John Wick”, this spinoff concentrates on the exploits of Eva (Ana de Armas), a graduate of the Ruska Roma Ballet Assassins, whose director is played by Angelica Houston.
Seeking revenge for the death of her father, Eva must confront The Chancellor (Gabriel Byrne) and a whole town against her.
Lance Reddick, Ian McShane and Keanu Reeves all make cameo appearances to remind everyone of the film’s origins.
While the previous films were all directed by legendary stunt coordinator turned filmmaker Chad Stahelski, this latest entry comes from Len Wiseman, best known for the middling Underworld film series.
DEAR Jasminda,
It’s Normine B again. It was so much worse than you imagined.
As my brother in law was ripping down the driveway, he knocked over my prize geraniums, breaking the pot and my heart while he was at it.
The dog thankfully came away unscathed, but the cat wasn’t so lucky.
He now has a bruise on his nose.
I’m thinking of filing a lawsuit. What do you think?
Normine B
Dear Normine,
While I would not normally respond to two conundrums from the same person, I now feel emotionally involved in your life (a dangerous position for an Agony Aunt to be in).
This morning, I woke to a frightful vision of your brother fanging it down the driveway in his (noiseless) Tesla, hence not alerting the dog or cat.
I then imagined him careening into your prized geraniums, a shard of terracotta flinging against his bumper and slicing through his "I bought it before he was crazy" sticker (a foreshadowing of your brother's declining mental state that those following along should take
I will keep working with our local Mayors and State MPs to get this increased to the maximum threshold
Abigail Cowen).
Hopefully the film's producers will maintain the strong sense of worldbuilding and balletic action set pieces…pun intended. Yet another possession-themed Hollywood film comes to cinemas in The Ritual Erroneously cited as being “based on the true story that inspired The Exorcist”, this film draws on several written accounts of the efforts over many years by Father Theophilus Riesinger to free a young woman named Emma Schmidt from demonic possession.
Al Pacino takes this role and plays it with an appropriately overthe-top level of zeal and a slightly unidentifiable accent, with Dan Stevens playing Father Joseph Steiger as a skeptical partner.
The question of whether the afflicted girl is truly supernaturally afflicted or simply beset by mental illness is given lip-service, but quickly falls to the side as director David Midell revels in the spooky flickering lights, tipping furniture and sudden screaming of Emma (played by
note of).
The dog (a white Shitzu) now alert to the ruckus, bolted under the house and managed to commando roll in a sticky black substance hidden there for a future fireplace restoration.
When he emerged, he looked more like Pepe le Pew.
It was not his finest moment and an ominous precursor to his showdog potential the following weekend.
Meanwhile, while your head was buried in your lap (crying over spilt geraniums and your diminished social standing at the Brinsdale Best in Show Extravaganza), Calvin (your rare Exotic Shorthair with attitude) took the Tesla head on (quite literally).
That he came away with only a bruised nose (and ego) was a miracle in this otherwise cataclysmic (intentional witticism) evening.
Normine, I feel as though this situation is getting too unwieldy to remedy.
I don't recommend a lawsuit, which would be a drawn-out process with no winners.
Sort of a cross between Careful, He Might Hear You and Wolf Creek.
Normine, you need to rise above the situation and let bygones be bygones (though I doubt Calvin will forget this anytime soon).
Re-pot some new geraniums (a tad too obvious metaphor for regeneration) and hold your head high.
Carpe diem, Jasminda.
of $75,000 for primary producers and $50,000 for small businesses.”
The Great Lillian Hall is a made-for-television film that has been upgraded to a limited theatrical release.
The film is loosely based on legendary Broadway actress Marian Seldes, and depicts the titular “first lady of the American theatre” coming to terms with her encroaching dementia, even as she commits to completing her most recent play.
Led by Jessica Lange, the cast includes Pierce Brosnan and Kathy Bates in a role that won a Screen Actors Guild Award.
The performances are powerfully emotive, to the point that the film feels overwhelming at times, but they create some fertile ground to ask the question “what does art mean to the artist?”
Finally, indie crime-thriller Barron’s Cove also comes to select screens.
When Caleb (Garret
Hedlund) learns that his son Barron has been killed, he kidnaps the schoolboy he holds responsible (Christian Convery).
That boy's father turns out to be an incumbent State Senator (Hamish Linklater) who has dark secrets of his own, and mobilises local police to resolve the situation quickly - and quietly.
Bleak might not be an adequate word to describe this film's worldview, and ultimate ending.
The performances are, across the board, pitch perfect for this kind of throwback genre piece, not leaning too hard into deep character drama but also not interested in explosive set-pieces.
This is a gritty, grimy film about gritty, grimy people who are incapable of operating in the world without resorting to violence.
It will likely struggle to find an audience, but will stick with those people brave enough to give it a go.
BEST ON THE BOX
SUNDAY
THE PIANO
ABC TV, 7.30pm
You’d have to be made of stone not to shed a tear when watching this poignant and powerful reality series highlighting the extraordinary stories of everyday Australians and the power of the piano. Hidden away as host Amanda Keller interrogated the public in train stations, shopping centres and markets, musical powerhouse Harry Connick Jr and classic concert pianist Andrea Lam have slowly been casting for a concert at Sydney’s City Recital Hall – and tonight’s the big night. With Connick Jr and Lam guiding them, Grace, John, Stefania (pictured), DJ and Vincenzo will share the musical opportunity of a lifetime.
7.35 Gardening Australia. Costa Georgiadis discovers how a sauna can save frogs.
8.35 The One That Got Away. (Mal) Rick and Ffion face a dangerous new suspect. 9.25 Gruen. (R) Presented by Wil Anderson. 10.05 Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee. (PG, R)
10.50 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R)
11.20 ABC Late News.
11.40 Father Brown. (PGav, R)
12.25 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv)
5.00 Rage. (PG)
MONDAY
FARMER WANTS A WIFE
SEVEN, 7.30pm
As finale week begins for this romantic reality romp, two farmers have already found their happily ever afters (or so we believe… we’ll find out how their fairytales have turned out in an upcoming reunion). A third – South Australian wheat, barley and lentil producer Thomas (pictured) – is on the cusp of telling Clarette that she’s won his heart, but first he has to break the news to Rachael and Laura. Meanwhile, Jack and Corey find out if mother really knows best – taking the contestants of their parents’ choosing on their final 24-hour dates. Jack makes up for lost time with vet Olivia, while Corey heads out on the water with Keeley and prepares for a tough goodbye back at the farm.
THURSDAY
KILLING SHERLOCK WITH LUCY WORSLEY
The Cook Up. (R) 4.35 Jeopardy! 5.00 Letters And Numbers. (PGadls, R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 Better Homes
6.00 Mastermind Australia.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Malta: The Jewel Of The Mediterranean. (PGa, R) 9.15 Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes. (R) 10.25 SBS World News Late.
10.55 Atlantic Crossing. (PGa, R)
11.55 Rex In Rome. (Mv, R)
1.45 The Head. (Malv)
3.45 Living With The Boss. (PG, R)
4.35 Bamay. (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 House Of Wellness. (PGal) Mel Doyle and Shane Crawford are joined by Yvie Jones and Dr Renee Lim to explore pet therapy.
9.30 MOVIE: Where The Crawdads Sing. (2022, Masv, R) A girl becomes a murder suspect. Daisy Edgar-Jones, Taylor John Smith.
12.05 Nurses. (Ma, R)
1.05 Harry’s Practice. (R)
1.35 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
5.00 NBC Today.
It’s hard to imagine that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of literature’s most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes – the hero of more than 60 original stories and more adaptations than we have space to list – came to hate his iconic creation. But as historian Lucy Worsley (pictured) examines in this intriguing three-part series, Doyle decided that his rather lucrative character had made him enough money, and sent Holmes over the edge of a waterfall in a 1893 story. In Thursday’s conclusion, Worsley investigates what drove Doyle to revive the sleuth in 1903 and how the author had a falling out with magician Houdini.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 14. Dolphins v St George Illawarra Dragons.
9.55 Golden Point. A wrap-up of the Dolphins versus St George Illawarra Dragons match, with news and analysis.
10.45 MOVIE: Sicario. (2015, MA15+alv, R) An FBI agent is enlisted to help fight the war on drugs. Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin.
1.00 Young Sheldon. (PGadlsv, 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)
9GEM (82) 7TWO (62)
(31) 6am Children’s Programs. 6.20pm Bluey. 6.30 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Isadora Moon. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Gardening Australia Junior. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 Teen Titans Go! 8.00 Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! 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. 8.00 Nanny. 9.00 Inside The Superbrands. 10.00 Bewitched. 10.30 Jeannie. 11.00 Young Sheldon. Noon Innovation Nation. 12.15 MOVIE: Deadly Sorority. (2017, M) 2.00 Golden Girls. 2.30 Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams
SBS MOVIES (32)
7MATE (64)
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R)
6.30 The Project. 7.30 House Hunters Australia. A couple want to move to the Northern Beaches. 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. (Ml, R) Celebrities include Pamela Anderson. 10.30 10’s Late News. 10.55 The Project. (R) A look at the day’s news. 12.00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R)
(83) 6am Sabrina. Continued. (1995, PG) 8.00 Darling Companion. (2012, PG) 10.00 Corsage. (2022, M) 12.10pm Emily. (2022, M) 2.35 Bonneville. (2006, PG) 4.15 The Man Who Knew Too Little. (1997, PG) 5.55 The Final Countdown. (1980, PG) 7.50 Lions For Lambs. (2007, M) 9.30 The 355. (2022, M) 11.45 Spider. (2002, MA15+) 1.35am The Tender Bar. (2021, M) 3.35 Speed Kills. (2018, M) 5.30 The Movie Show. NITV (34)
Wins to Roosters and Rebels
By Aiden BURGESS
THE Nambucca Roosters and South Grafton Rebels have both been victorious during Round 6 of the Group 2 Rugby League season.
Nambucca Roosters had a 16-8 win away from home against the Coffs Harbour Comets at Geoff
King Motors Oval, as they moved to second spot on the ladder.
Macksville Sea Eagles moved into second spot on the ladder with a 62-0 belting of the South Grafton Rebels.
The Coffs Harbour Comets had a 32-6 win at home against the Nambucca Roosters.
South Grafton Rebels consolidated their spot in the top four with a 14-4 win at home against the Macksville Sea Eagles. Reserves Woolgoolga Seahorses maintained top spot on the ladder with a 32-14 win against the Sawtell Panthers at Rex Hardaker Oval.
Women’s Woolgoolga Seahorses won their grand final rematch against the Sawtell Panthers in emphatic style, with a 50-0 demolition at Rex Hardaker Oval.
South Grafton Rebels had a 20-6 win at home against the Macksville Sea Eagles Under 18s Macksville Sea Eagles continued their undefeated start to the season with a 28-14 win against the South
Grafton Rebels. Sawtell Panthers had a 24-12 win at home against the Woolgoolga Seahorses.
Nambucca Roosters had a 14-4 win against the Coffs Harbour Comets at Geoff King Motors Oval.
The Group 2 Rugby League season continues this weekend with wet weather catch up games.
Coffs Harbour Comets take on the Grafton Ghosts on Friday night at Geoff
SATURDAY, June 7
6.10 Father Brown. (Final, PGav) Mrs Devine’s son is framed for murder.
7.00 ABC News. Takes a look at the top stories of the day, including coverage of developing stories and events.
7.30 Call The Midwife. (PGa) Sister Julienne presents Joyce with an award.
8.30 Midsomer Murders. (Mv, R)
The discovery of a saint’s bones at an archaeological dig causes a stir in the village.
10.05 Bergerac. (Ml, R) There’s a breakthrough in the search for Cate’s phone.
10.50 Reunion. (Mlv, R) Christine is closer to the answers she seeks.
11.50 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) Music video clips.
ABC FAMILY (22)
6am Children’s Programs. 5.10pm The Most Magnificent Thing. 5.30 Peter Rabbit. 5.55 Octonauts. 6.10 Super Monsters. 6.20 Bluey. 6.30 The Adventures Of Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Isadora Moon. 7.05 Rocket Club. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Kids Baking Championship. 8.10 Chopped Junior. (Return) 8.55 The Piano. 9.50 Fresh Off The Boat. 10.35 Dragon Ball Super. 11.00 Late Programs.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar: Freedom. (Mal, R) Elizabeth Taylor struggles to reinvent herself.
8.25 Secrets Of Britain’s Historic Houses: English Country Idyll (Stourhead And Scotney Castle) (PGa) Explores a missing masterpiece. 9.35 Alone Australia. (Ml, R) The weather creates havoc.
11.35 Suspect. (MA15+av, R)
3.35 Living With The Boss. (PG, R)
4.25 Bamay. (R) 5.15 France 24 Feature.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
SUNDAY, June 8
6am The Emperor’s Club. (2002, PG) 8.05 The Final Countdown. (1980, PG) 10.00 The Tender Bar. (2021, M) Noon Radioactive. (2019, M) 2.05 Flash Of Genius. (2008, PG) 4.15 Goal! (2005, PG) 6.25 The Magic Of Belle Isle. (2012, PG) 8.30 The Drover’s Wife. (2021, MA15+) 10.30 Day And Night. (2010, MA15+, German) 12.25am The 355. (2022, M) 2.40 Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R) A look at immigration, customs and quarantine.
7.30 Football. AFL. Round 13. GWS Giants v Port Adelaide. From Corroboree Group Manuka Oval, Canberra.
10.30 MOVIE: Battleship. (2012, Mv, R)
A US Navy ship fights aliens. Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgård. 1.05 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round 5. Perth Super 440. Day 1. Highlights.
2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 It’s Academic. (R) 5.00 House Of Wellness. (PGal, R)
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Holiday Home Makeover With Rachel & Ryan. (PG)
8.30 MOVIE: No Time To Die. (2021, Malv, R) 11.45 MOVIE: Into The Blue 2: The Reef. (2009, MA15+sv, R)
1.15 Young Sheldon. (PGadlsv, R) 1.35 The Garden Gurus. (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)
in the
House
of NSW.
(R)
owners who need
from their chaotic lives
6.30 Compass: Grief, A Love Story. (PG)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 The Piano. (Final, PG) The day of the concert arrives.
8.30 Bergerac. (Final, Mlv) Bergerac must save his daughter, confront his past and finally crack the case.
11.20 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round 5. Perth Super 440. Day 2. Highlights. 12.20 Shades Of Blue. (MA15+adsv, R) 1.20 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 LEGO Masters: Grand Masters Of The Galaxy. (PGl) 8.40 60 Minutes. 9.40 The Killer Interview With Piers Morgan. (Mav) 10.40
ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Morning Programs. 9.50 Motorway Cops. 11.50 Motor Racing. FIA Formula E World C’ship. Shanghai ePrix. 12.55pm Motor Racing. FIA Formula E World C’ship. Shanghai ePrix. 2.00 Jeopardy! UK. 3.00 Young Sheldon. 3.30 MOVIE: Hating Alison Ashley. (2005, PG) 5.30 MOVIE: Monster Family 2. (2021, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban. (2004, PG) 10.15 Late Programs.
6am Children’s Programs. 4.45pm Gardening Australia Junior. 5.00 Peppa Pig. 5.10 Bluey’s Big Play. 5.55 Octonauts. 6.10 Super Monsters. 6.20 Bluey. 6.30 The Adventures Of Paddington. 6.40 Isadora Moon. 6.55 Rocket Club. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Moominvalley. 8.00 Walking With Dinosaurs. 8.50 Super Shark Highway. (Premiere) 10.30 Abbott Elementary. 10.50 Late Programs.
King Motors Oval. Ladder leaders the Woolgoolga Seahorses travel to take on the South Grafton Rebels on Sunday afternoon. Macksville Sea Eagles host the Nambucca Roosters on Sunday afternoon. First grade ladder. 1.Woolgoolga Seahorses. 9 points. 3 wins. 0 losses. 1 bye. 32 (points differential). 2.Nambucca Roosters.
Aztecs. 6.40 Abandoned Engineering. 8.30 Great Australian Concerts: Cold Chisel. 9.35 Colosseum. 11.25 WWE Legends. 1.15am Letterkenny. 3.15 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera Newshour.
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am The Movie Show. 6.35 Belle. (2013, PG) 8.30 The Magic Of Belle Isle. (2012, PG) 10.35 The 355. (2022, M) 12.50pm Lions For Lambs. (2007, M) 2.30 The Final Countdown. (1980, PG) 4.25 The Emperor’s Club. (2002, PG) 6.25 Charade. (1963, PG) 8.30 The Whole Truth. (2016, M) 10.15 Sira. (2023, MA15+, French) 12.30am The Drover’s Wife. (2021, MA15+) 2.30 Late Programs.
With Grandpa. (2020, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Elvis. (2022, M) 10.35 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 12.30pm Timbersports. 1.00 Blokesworld. 1.30 Australia ReDiscovered. 2.00 Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars. 3.00 Watersport. Offshore Superboats. Replay. 4.00 Storage Wars: Barry’s Best Buys. 5.00 Counting Cars. 6.00 Pawn Stars. 7.00 The Americas. 8.00
for a retreat in the Blue Mountains. 9.40 Airport Australia 24/7. (PGad, R) The airport faces a blackout and a plane has to turn back shortly after take-off with a reported faulty engine. 10.40 Elsbeth. (Mdv, R) 11.40 FBI. (Mv, R) 12.30 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power. 6.00 The Sunday Project. Joins panellists for a look at the day’s news, events and hot topics.
Morning Programs. 11.05 History Remembers President George H.W. Bush. 11.35 The Secret History Of The White House. 12.30pm Surfing Australia. 1.00 Motor Racing. IndyCar Series. Detroit Grand Prix. H’lights. 2.05 Jeopardy! UK. 3.05 MOVIE: Courage Mountain. (1990, PG) 5.00 Young Sheldon. 5.30 MOVIE:
6.00 Mastermind Australia.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Portillo’s Andalucia. (PGa, R)
8.20 Michael Palin In Nigeria. (PGaw, R)
9.15 Inside Windsor Castle. (PG, R)
10.05 SBS World News Late.
10.35 Living Black. (R) 11.35 Cycling. UCI World Tour.
Critérium du Dauphiné. Stage 2.
1.25 Kin. (MA15+lv, R)
3.15 The World From Above. (PG, R)
3.45 Living With The Boss. (PG, R)
4.40 Bamay. (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 Dino Dex. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Junior Vets.
6am Dancing
Ninja. (2010, PG) 7.50 Charade. (1963, PG) 10.00 Four Souls Of Coyote.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)
7.30 Farmer Wants A Wife. (PGal) The final 24-hour dates end with some unexpected revelations from the ladies before an emotional farm farewell. 9.00 9-1-1. (Mav) Athena attempts to land the plane before it crashes and calls on the 118 for help.
11.00 The Agenda Setters.
12.00 You, Me And The Apocalypse. (Malv)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
With David Attenborough. (PG, R)
9.45 I Was Actually There. (Ma, R) 10.15 ABC Late News.
10.30 The Business. (R) 10.50 Four Corners. (R) 11.35 Media Watch. (PG, R) 11.55 Books That Made Us. (Final, Malsv, R) 12.50 Love Your Garden. (R) 1.35 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 2.25 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.10 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Who Do You Think You Are? (PGals)
8.30 Insight. 9.30 Dateline.
10.00 SBS World News Late.
10.30 Highgrove: The King’s Country Home. (R)
11.25 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Critérium du Dauphiné. Stage 3. 1.25 Enemy Of The People. (Mlv, R)
3.05 The World From Above. (PG, R)
4.35 Bamay. (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 Farmer Wants A Wife. (PGal) Hosted by Natalie Gruzlewski.
8.35 Doc. (Ma) Amy and Richard reconnect while treating a patient whose diagnosis is not at all what it seems.
9.35 Accused. (Mav) A divorced woman is put on trial.
10.35 The Agenda Setters.
11.35 Autopsy USA: Adam West. (Ma)
12.35 Fairly Legal. (PGalsv, R)
2.00 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 LEGO Masters: Grand Masters Of The Galaxy. (PG) 8.45 Swimming. Australian Trials. Day 1.
WEDNESDAY, June 11
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 Dino Dex. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.10 Junior Vets. 8.40 BTN Newsbreak. 8.45 Abbott Elementary. 9.30 Doctor Who. 10.55 Late Programs.
World News.
7.30 Alone Australia. (M)
8.30 The Veil. (Mal) Imogen and Adilah continue their journey to Paris. 10.10 SBS World News Late.
10.40 History Of The Amalfi Coast. (PGa, R)
11.30 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Critérium du Dauphiné. Stage 4. 1.25 The Wall: The Orchard. (Malsv, R)
3.05 The World From Above. (R) 4.05 J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom. (R)
4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 MOVIE: Seven. (1995, MA15+) 10.50 MOVIE: Hereditary. (2018, MA15+) 1.10am (Re)Solved. 2.05 Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over. 3.00 Late
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am The Movie
Show. 6.20 Kung Fu Yoga. (2017, PG) 8.15 The Bookshop. (2017, PG) 10.20 Gosford Park. (2001, M) 12.55pm Hum Do Hamare Do. (2021, PG, Hindi) 3.15 The Movie Show. 3.45 Rabbit-Proof Fence. (2002, PG) 5.25 A River Runs Through It. (1992, PG) 7.40 What We Did On Our Holiday. (2014, M) 9.30 The Piano. (1993, MA15+) 11.45 Late Programs.
11.05 The Day The Rock Star Died: Buddy Holly. (R) 11.35 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Critérium du Dauphiné. Stage 5. 1.25 Pagan Peak. (MA15+asv, R) 3.05 The World From Above. (R) 4.05 J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom. (PGa, R) 4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
(31)
Travel Man. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 Roswell: The First Witness. 10.05 The UnXplained With William Shatner. 10.55 Homicide. 12.45am Late Programs.
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am The Movie Show. 6.30 Rabbit-Proof Fence. (2002, PG) 8.10 A River Runs Through It. (1992, PG) 10.25 What We Did On Our Holiday. (2014, M) 12.20pm Like Water For Chocolate. (1992, M, Spanish) 2.20 Helene. (2020, PG, Finnish) 4.35 The Chaperone. (2018, PG) 6.35 Discovering Film: Gene Hackman. 7.30 Casablanca. (1942, PG) 9.30 Apocalypse Now Redux. (1979, MA15+) 1.25am Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGad)
7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PG, R)
8.30 The Front Bar. (Ml) Takes a lighter look at all things AFL. 9.30 Unfiltered. (PGa) Hosted by Hamish McLachlan. 10.00 Unbelievable Moments Caught On Camera. (PGa, R)
11.00 Born To Kill? (Mav, R)
12.00 Touching Evil. (MA15+adv)
1.00 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6am Shopping.
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Swimming. Australian Trials. Day 3. Finals. 9.40 Freddy And The Eighth. (Ml)
9News Late.
The Equalizer. (Mv, R)
Tipping Point. (PG, R)
Next Stop. (R)
TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
(64)
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGads) Harper might be making the wrong choice.
7.30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly. (PG) 8.30 Britain’s Got Talent. (Final, PG) Judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli must decide who will be the winner and pocket $250,000.
RISING talent Anna-Lee Jarrett-Crooks has earned selection to the Northern NSW Indigenous U16 Girls team.
A forward for the Nambucca Strikers U16s, Anna-Lee has been an outstanding presence on the field, making key contributions to her team’s success.
Nambucca Strikers senior women’s coach Rhys Jones praised her contribution at both the junior and senior level.
“Her performances have
not gone unnoticed, leading to several appearances for the senior Nambucca Strikers women’s team, where she has demonstrated maturity and confidence beyond her years,” Jones said.
“Anna-Lee’s selection means she will compete in the Community State Youth Championships, showcasing her abilities against some of the best young footballers in the region.
“Her pace, technique, and eye for goal make her a valuable addition to the squad, and her development at the state level will only strengthen her future prospects in the sport.
“Local football fans have watched Anna-Lee flourish,
and her selection serves as an inspiration for young Indigenous athletes aiming to make their mark.”
Jones said the entire Nambucca Strikers community is eager to see her represent Northern NSW with pride.
“As she prepares for the championships, Anna-Lee continues to work hard, refining her skills and embracing the opportunities ahead,” he said.
“With her determination and talent, the future looks bright for this promising young star,” concluded Jones.
q Anna-Lee Jarrett-Crooks has won selection to the Northern NSW Indigenous U16 Girls team.
