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Concerns mount over proposed Valla Beach housing site
Park, formerly owned by the Department of Education, has been identified as a potential site for more than 160 homes under the state’s Building Homes for NSW initiative.
The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) has clarified its role in the ongoing assessment of the land.
“The Valla Beach site was declared surplus to requirement by the land-owning agency and was announced as part of the NSW Government’s land audit on 7 October 2025,” a DPHI spokesperson told News Of The Area.
“Based on due diligence, the site was deemed suitable for housing and could support approximately 160 dwellings under current planning controls however Property and Development NSW are conducting further due diligence to understand environmental impacts and ecological constraints before any decision is made about the possible divestment of the Valla Beach site.”
DPHI also pointed out that any development would be subject to oversight from the NSW planning system and Nambucca Valley Council’s local environmental plan
(LEP), including community consultation, an environmental impact study, and other statutory requirements.
Nambucca Valley Council has expressed strong disappointment at how the announcement was handled by the State Government.
“Nambucca Valley Council is disappointed there has been nil consultation and no communication from the State Government about land it has declared as surplus in Valla Beach,” Mayor Gary Lee told NOTA.
“The unrealistic number of dwellings they mooted for this land, 160 dwellings, without any justification, is farcical.”
Highlighting land in the Nambucca Valley LGA already identified for potential housing, Mr Lee added, “The answer to Nambucca Valley’s housing crisis is not in Valla Beach, it’s in Valla, and I want the Minns Labor Government to invest with Council in the infrastructure necessary to unlock the proposed residential precincts within the Valla Urban Growth Area (VUGA).”
While acknowledging the $8 million already committed to VUGA industrial works, the Mayor stressed that “more is needed if we
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are going to deliver real housing solutions for our valley”.
Many local residents have also voiced alarm, citing longstanding infrastructure issues and risks intensified by the proposed development.
Many point to the Giinagay Way intersection, already the site of more than 20 crashes, as evidence of inadequate State planning.
With only one road in and out of the village, residents fear additional traffic from a large housing estate will raise accident risks even after the planned 2026 roundabout upgrade.
The site’s bushfire-prone classification, potential clearing of koala feed trees, exposure to rail and highway freight noise, and loss of the community’s preferred future use of the land for a primary school were among the strongest objections.
Residents also argue the density, representing what some claim is a 680 percent population increase on just 3.3 percent of Valla Beach’s residential land, would be out of character for the coastal village.
Concerns for future residents include inadequate public transport, limited access to healthcare and essential services, and insufficient emergency evacuation options in a bushfire event.
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Iconic V-Wall reinforced as Council turns attention to Wellington Beach
By Mick BIRTLES
REMEDIATION works to protect the sensitive V-Wall area are nearing completion and Nambucca Valley Council crews will soon shift their focus east to begin the clean-up of Wellington Beach.
Council General Manager Bede Spannagle said the team’s five weeks of work would ensure the V-Wall is strengthened and presentable ahead of the busy summer holiday season.
“The V-Wall is an iconic destination for our valley and it was battered by large surf and wave surges in March during tropical cyclone Alfred and again in May,” he told News Of The Area.
“Council is delivering the work on behalf of Crown Lands including placing 77 metres of gabion baskets along the edge of the footpath of the short wall and repairing the ground behind it, moving 300 cubic metres of sand from off V-Beach and using it to fill 150 geofabric bags placed on the western side (Little Beach) to strengthen the river bank, laying 860 square metres of salt-tolerant turf, and coordinating works at nearby Wellington Beach to remove the washed-up debris.”
Mr Spannagle said that once these works are completed by mid-next week, the popular precinct will be “strong, cleaned up and looking its best for our community to enjoy
Grace shines at Macksville Lions Youth of the Year
FROM Page 1
witness five outstanding secondary students undertake a series of interviews, impromptu speeches, and prepared orations.
Grace captivated both the audience and the judging panel with her moving speech, titled “My Enemy”, securing her place as the overall winner.
Emily was awarded the Public Speaking title for her confident and compelling delivery.
Lions Club coordinator Brian Hemsworth commended all participants for their courage and enthusiasm.
“These young people are the future of our country,” he said.
“The competition isn’t just about winning, it’s about giving students the confidence to express themselves and to make a positive impact and Grace and our finalists have
demonstrated extraordinary maturity and capability.”
Grace will now progress to Area Level judging on 15 March 2026, with the location yet to be announced.
The Lions Youth of the Year competition, with more than 50 years of proud history, continues to identify and support future leaders by encouraging excellence in academics, sport, culture, and community involvement.
Lions Australia remains committed to helping young Australians build vital life skills, including public speaking, interview preparation, and interpersonal communication.
The Macksville Lions Club extended its sincere congratulations to all the students who participated and thanked them for their dedication, effort, and inspiration.
this summer”.
The V-Wall’s main wall will be closed to pedestrians and cyclists on Thursday and Friday, 11–12 December, from around 6.30am to 4pm, before reopening over the weekend. It will then close again on Monday and Tuesday, 15–16 December, during the same hours.
During these periods, heavy machinery and dump trucks will travel along the main wall to access Wellington Beach for debris removal.
The project is being delivered with support from Category C disaster recovery funding provided by the NSW Reconstruction Authority.
www.nambucca.nsw.gov.au
Changes to Council’s Operating Hours
Nambucca Valley Council advises residents of the following changes to operating hours for Council facilities during the upcoming holiday period.
Council’s Administration Building
19 December 2025: 8.30am - 10.30am
25 December 2025 to 2 January 2026 (inclusive): Closed
Macksville and Nambucca Heads Libraries
19 December 2025: Closed
25 December 2025 to 2 January 2026 (inclusive): Closed
Waste Management Facility, Old Coast Road Nambucca Heads:
19 December 2025: 8am – 2pm
25 December 2025: Closed
26 December 2025: Closed
1 January 2026: 10am – 2pm
There will be no changes to waste collection days during the holiday period.
The Waste Management Facility will return to usual operating hours from 2 January 2026. All other Council facilities will reopen on 5 January 2026 at their usual business hours.
Council would like to wish all residents and visitors of the Valley a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday.
Bede Spannagle
General Manager
Dwyer urges partnership to secure timber jobs and manufacturing
q Port Macquarie MP Robert Dwyer however believes the focus must shift from redundancies and compensation to a ‘North Coast
PORT Macquarie MP Robert Dwyer has urged the NSW Government to back a “new future” for the North Coast timber industry after the announcement of the Great Koala National Park (GKNP) boundaries in September.
The announcement included an immediate temporary moratorium on timber harvesting within the proposed 476,000 hectare boundary, which includes 176,000 hectares of state forest.
Despite the GKNP being between Kempsey and Grafton, the decision has had significant effects further south, impacting the long-term Wood Supply Agreement at the Pentarch mill at Herons Creekputting local jobs at risk.
About 80 locals work at the Herons Creek mill.
The full extent of job losses is yet to be confirmed.
“The mill at Herons Creek, which is the largest mill in NSW, is 150 kilometres from the Great Koala National Park,” Mr Dwyer said.
“Ninety percent of their
timber is not sourced from the GKNP yet has lost its contract. It just doesn’t make sense.”
Last month the NSW Government finalised a worker support package for employees at timber mills directly impacted by the recent moratorium.
The package included top up redundancy payments, specific support for employees over 45 years of age, education and training payments, relocation payments, free access to mental health support, and financial and legal guidance.
A month prior, the Government announced the Forestry Industry Supply Chain Program, which will offer support worth up to $100,000 to downstream businesses that relied on impacted timber mills, so they can meet increased operating costs.
Mr Dwyer however believes the focus must shift from redundancies and compensation to a “North Coast Timber Manufacturing Revival Plan”, described as a
“strategy that delivers on the Government’s environmental commitments while ensuring no net job losses across the region”.
“Pentarch is one of the North Coast’s largest manufacturing employers,” Mr Dywer said.
“Our priority must be protecting their workforce and strengthening the region’s industrial base.”
Pentarch has put forward four major investment projects designed to safeguard longterm employment and drive economic growth:
- A new 40,000m³ hardwood supply contract to enable retooling of the Herons Creek mill for highvalue decorative timber products.
- A new plantationbased softwood mill at Koolkhan, ensuring mature local plantation resources are processed locally and providing essential materials for the housing sector.
- A biochar and bioenergy facility at Koolkhan, developed with
BlueScope, to replace coal in steelmaking and reduce heavy vehicle traffic through expanded rail freight.
- A prefabricated housing manufacturing plant at Herons Creek, modelled on Pentarch’s new 2,000-homes-peryear facility in Orange, to address critical housing needs across the Mid Coast.
“The revival plan would protect existing jobs, strengthen local
engineering capabilityincluding firms such as AE Gibson and Sons - reduce the export of unprocessed timber, and lower the Government’s costs associated with industry contraction,” a statement from Mr Dwyer read.
Mr Dwyer said he is working closely with Pentarch to try and secure government cooperation, including new supply arrangements, transitional support for regional
engineering businesses, streamlined approvals, and coordinated engagement with Forestry Corporation and relevant agencies.
“Pentarch is ready to invest, ready to innovate and ready to secure longterm employment on the North Coast.
“This is an opportunity to build - not dismantle - regional industry,” Mr Dwyer said.
GREENS MP and spokesperson for the environment Sue Higginson says that Forestry Corporation NSW’s (FCNSW) 2024-25 Annual Report, recently tabled in the NSW Parliament, reveals that the state has spent $76 million over the last three years to keep the native forest logging division in business.
Ms Higginson said that having to pay to destroy precious forests is incomprehensible and a political failure.
“We know that our native forests are worth so much to us all when they are standing intact, providing the essential services [of] clean water, threatened species habitat, carbon drawdown and storage, landscape stability, recreation, education and culture and the ever increasing pollination required for agriculture.”
North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) spokesperson Dailan Pugh said, “Last year [the By
Andrew VIVIAN division] cost $4330 a hectare to log 7390 ha of public native forests.
“Taxpayers are paying an exorbitant cost to subsidise private sawmillers to log native forests.
“Since the 2019/20 wildfires, the Forestry Corporation’s yields from native forests in northeast NSW have crashed by 44 percent, the timber is simply not there anymore, yet the Forestry Corporation remains in denial.
“This is before the creation of the Great Koala National Park (GKNP), and so cannot be blamed on it.
“Logging public native forests is an economic basket case, and with plantations now providing 91 percent of our sawn timber, it is no longer needed.
“It will be of far greater economic benefit to the community to complete the transition to plantations and stop degrading public forests.”
A spokesperson for FCNSW said that it is appointed to manage almost two million hectares of public native forests on behalf of the State,
and harvests around one percent of this area each year.
She said land management services are only partly government funded and that last financial year, investment in land management exceeded government funding by approximately $26 million.
Forestry Corporation remains the appointed land manager for state forests on the North Coast.
The spokesperson said the cost of providing community services such as extensive tourism facilities and a 51,000km road network, and the management of fire, pests and weeds, would need to be met by the NSW Government regardless of the land manager.
These costs should not be conflated with the cost of harvesting timber, she said, adding that revenue from hardwood timber production was reduced due to access restrictions
caused by extreme and ongoing wet weather, including a tropical cyclone and flooding on the North Coast - as well as changes to regulations.
Ms Higginson suggested that many people would support that amount of
money and more being spent to manage the public forest estate “if they weren’t trashing it”.
She said, “The logging of our precious native forests has not produced a single dollar of profit in NSW for almost a decade, and it likely never will.
Have Your Say
“Yet somehow the destruction of these vital ecosystems has been allowed to continue.
“It is time to call it for what it is - an industry of the past that must be stopped now.”
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EPA monitoring pesticides in region’s waterways
A 12-MONTH pesticide water quality monitoring project is underway on the Mid North Coast to better understand the presence of pesticides in the region’s waterways.
Led by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), the project builds on previous monitoring work and aims to provide a clearer picture of pesticide detections in waterways in the Coffs Harbour and Nambucca Valley local government areas over time.
Water samples will be collected from 10 priority monitoring sites in the Coffs Harbour LGA and 10 priority sites in the Nambucca Valley LGA on a quarterly basis, with testing and analysis to focus on detections of 150 different pesticides, along
with 31 metals.
Samples will also be taken at an additional 13 monitoring sites (11 in Coffs Harbour and two in Nambucca Valley) on an annual basis.
NSW EPA Acting Director Operations John Forcier said high-quality data collected through the project will be used to inform targeted EPA pesticide compliance efforts and deliver insights into the potential risks associated with pesticide use on local waterways in key horticultural catchments.
“Coffs Harbour and the Nambucca Valley are priority areas for the EPA’s pesticide compliance work,” Mr Forcier said.
“Pesticide detections in Coffs Harbour catchments such as Hearnes Lake, coupled with the rapid expansion of intensive horticulture in the Nambucca Valley, have
underscored the need to build on existing water quality data from the region.
“This project will generate critical insights to help strengthen our regulatory approach – ensuring our compliance efforts are fit for purpose and precisely targeted to better prevent pesticides from entering local waterways.
“It will also complement data gathered through the Coastal Management Programs run by both councils, which monitor nutrients and core physio-chemical indicators across coastal catchments in the Coffs and Nambucca areas.
“By bringing these datasets together, we’ll gain a more comprehensive understanding of overall water quality and catchment health –essential knowledge to support ongoing and future waterway management efforts.”
Results from the project will be published on the EPA’s website each quarter and will be shared with key stakeholders, including relevant interagency working groups.
Changed conditions at Valla Beach intersection
MOTORISTS are advised of changed traffic conditions on Giinagay Way and at the intersection of Giinagay Way with Valla Beach Road, Valla Beach.
From 5 December until the end of January 2026, work will be carried out to build a roundabout, and install Gateway Entry Treatments and Vehicle Activated Speed Signs.
The decision to construct a roundabout was made following strong community calls and extensive investigations by the Centre for Road Safety after a series of crashes and near misses at the site.
From 5 December until 12 January 2026 there will be no major impacts to motorists.
From 12 January, Transport for NSW will be working seven days a week including some night shifts.
During this time all road users will enter and exit Valla Beach Road via the southern
q
Oxley MP Michael Kemp will run again in 2027. Photo: Michael Kemp MP FB.
end of the intersection only.
The northern side of the intersection between Valla Beach Road and East West Road will be closed.
All northbound traffic from Valla Beach must detour south to use the Nambucca Heads Service Centre Interchange.
This same detour applies when returning to Valla Beach from the north. Giinagay Way will remain open north of East West Road.
Traffic control will be in place to direct traffic and ensure the safety of all road users and our workers. A 40km/h roadworks speed limit will be in place at the intersection.
Road users are advised to drive to the conditions and follow the directions of signs and traffic control.
Road users should allow up to an additional 10 minutes for journey times and up to 15 minutes during peak periods.
“We have tailored our work dates to
avoid impacts on the peak tourist period and have aligned them with the January school holidays,” Transport for NSW said in a statement.
“This will avoid any impacts to school students, school bus timetables and any school exams, whilst allowing us sufficient time to complete the project before school resumes in February.
“Transport for NSW thanks motorists for their patience during this time.”
The safety upgrades, comprising a roundabout, gateway entry treatments and permanent vehicle activated speed signs, will be in place by early 2026.
They follow the introduction of a 60km/h speed limit on a one kilometre stretch of Giinagay Way on either side of the intersection.
“It’s great to see work starting at this location, which has experienced a number of near misses and crashes including a tragic fatal incident earlier this year,” said Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison.
Kemp unanimously re-endorsed
MICHAEL Kemp has been unanimously reendorsed as the National Party’s candidate for the Oxley electorate in the 2027 state election.
The incumbent MP again received the support of his party at the Nationals’ Oxley division State Electorate Council meeting on Saturday, 6 December.
Mr Kemp said he was humbled by the confidence placed in him and grateful for the opportunity to continue fighting for the communities he represents.
“Being elected as your state representative has been a privilege,” Mr Kemp said.
“I remember the day I was first tapped on the shoulder, a reluctant possible politician, wondering how on earth I’d step up and pull this off.”
Mr Kemp said the role is demanding, but the most difficult moments often bring the greatest purpose.
“I love this region - every paddock, every person, every blade of grass that makes Oxley what it is.
“My job isn’t done.
“We still have work ahead to strengthen crime laws, improve healthcare, lower energy prices, protect landholders' rights and deliver proper riparian repair.”
Kemp calls out Premier’s comments
MEMBER for Oxley Michael Kemp has called out Premier Chris Minns for “out-of-touch comments” on morning TV show Sunrise regarding the recovery of flood-affected communities along the Mid North Coast.
When asked by host Matt Shirvington what NSW should be most proud of in the past year, the Premier responded: “I think the thing we should be most proud of is the way that we rallied during Cyclone Alfred at the beginning of the year, and the way the community got back up off its knees on the Mid North Coast after those devastating floods.
“I mean, we move on… if you don’t live in that community, life moves on, but those towns really went through hell over those couple of weekends.
“I just think their resilience and community spirit really shone through and brought out the best of NSW.”
Mr Kemp believes Mr Minns’ comments reflect a lack of understanding of the ongoing impact of the floods on the Mid North Coast.
“The Premier speaks as though people have moved on, but our communities haven’t had the luxury of ‘moving on’,” Mr Kemp said.
“I speak with locals everyday who are still facing financial strain, mental health stress, and ongoing infrastructure damage months after the event.
“Many… businesses still don’t have the support they need because the application process has been so complicated, so timeconsuming and so poorly communicated that people can’t get through it."
Mr Kemp said it’s time for the Premier to stop delivering “sympathetic soundbites from a Sydney studio” and start delivering actual support.
“I’m calling on the Premier to get out of Sydney, come back to the Mid North Coast, speak directly with affected residents and businesses and increase the Small Business Recovery Grants to $50,000 because the damage far exceeds the support on offer."
New system for road recategorisation
THE NSW Government is rewriting the framework that determines road management in NSW, announcing a new road recategorisation system this week.
The move comes in an attempt to provide local councils with certainty over who will manage and maintain different roads, allowing for more targeted investment where it is most needed.
Road recategorisation is the process used to decide whether a road should be managed as a State, Regional or Local road.
This system determines who maintains it, who funds it and how it fits into the broader transport network.
The new framework includes statewide criteria for recategorisation; an ‘alwaysopen’ application pathway; a new online self-assessment data tool for councils; and prioritisation for roads that unlock housing, freight efficiency, resilience and major infrastructure delivery.
NSW Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said, “For decades, councils have been stuck with a slow, ad-hoc system.
“From today, decisions will be driven by evidence and need, not politics or outdated processes.
“This new system is designed to help roads receive the appropriate investment
and ongoing care, supporting better outcomes for our communities.
“Clear criteria and modern data tools mean these decisions are no longer left to chance or politics.
“Everyone can see the basis for a category change, and that brings greater transparency and confidence to the system.”
Chairman of the Country Mayors Association of NSW, Mayor Rick Firman OAM, said the move is a positive step forward for regional and rural councils who have been “managing enormous road networks with limited resources and
increasingly severe weather impacts”.
“The new framework gives our councils a fair opportunity to have roads properly recognised for their current use, not what they looked like 20 years ago,” he said.
“Being able to apply at any time, backed by clear criteria and data, is a major improvement.
“It will help councils plan, budget and deliver work more efficiently for our communities.”
With the portal now live, local councils and road managers will be able to put forward proposals for recategorisation.
Reviews of the system and processes will be conducted at three months, six months and then annually to refine the model.
Were you affected by the May floods?
More households are now eligible for the Home Repair Grant —with expanded income thresholds and extra time to apply.
Grants up to $25,000 are now available to help repair your home.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get back on your feet.
Check your eligibility and apply today at nsw.gov.au/hrg Applications close 2 February 2026
q Premier Chris Minns discussed flood recovery on the Mid North Coast in May with Oxley MP and former NSW Nationals leader Dugald Saunders.
Last days to donate to Toy Drive
AS the donation period draws to a close, The Salvation Army, Newcastle Permanent, and Greater Bank are encouraging the community to support their annual Christmas Toy Drive Appeal and help share the spirit of the season.
Each year the annual Toy Drive delivers thousands of gifts to children and families facing hardship at Christmas time.
Plenty of gifts have already been donated, including classics like play sets, LEGO, vouchers and Barbies, which will all find their way into hands on Christmas morning, bringing joy to children across the region.
The Salvation Army’s Public Relations and Community Fundraising Manager Rod Dibley said whilst the community’s generosity has been remarkable, there are still hundreds of families needing support.
“If you would like to offer your support, we recommend gift vouchers for teens, with books, toys, and sporting equipment for younger children,” Mr Dibley said.
“We are seeing more need than ever before, so even the smallest donation can make a meaningful difference for a child this Christmas.”
NGM Group’s Head of Community and Sustainability Kirrah McClelland said that every child deserves to share in the wonder of Christmas.
“It has been very moving to see all the beautiful gifts that have been donated so far by our customers and our community,” she said.
“We are so grateful to everyone who has supported this initiative with us, and we hope to help as many families as possible this year to make Christmas truly special.”
With over 7,500 gifts
donated at Newcastle Permanent and Greater Bank branches last year, The Salvation Army Toy Drive
hopes to maintain this momentum and bring Christmas magic to families across the region.
Donations can be made at any Newcastle Permanent or Greater Bank branch until Friday 12 December.
Gifts should be new and unwrapped and are accepted for all ages, including teenagers.
Community services showcased
By Mick BIRTLES
NAMBUCCA Valley locals are invited to come together for a day of connection and support at the upcoming Community Services Day.
The event will be held at the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) grounds on the corner of Willunga Avenue and Giinagay Way, Nambucca Heads, on Tuesday, 17 December from 10:00am to 1:00pm.
The event is coordinated by Lifeline/Gamble Aware's Patrice Ochin and hosted by the Nambucca Soup Kitchen, with the aim of showcasing many of the organisations that exist to assist members
of the Nambucca Valley community in a relaxed, welcoming environment.
“Our last event brought together more than a dozen community organisations, and we hope to continue growing that network of support,” Col Reynolds from the Nambucca Soup Kitchen told News Of The Area.
“The Community Services Day is a great opportunity for people to connect with services in the community that they may not be aware of.”
At the previous gathering, attendees had the chance to meet with representatives from Services Australia,
headspace, Carer Support, Mission Australia, Key Employment, the Macksville Pathfinder Group, Nambucca Lions, Tursa Employment, Real Futures, Healthy Hub Connect, Nambucca Soup, Shower and Social Group, and Lifeline/Gamble Aware. With refreshments and activities for kids on offer, the atmosphere promises to be friendly and relaxed, creating the perfect space for residents to learn more about the many helpful services available in the area.
Organisers hope that the December event will become a regular occurrence, with plans to hold Community Services Days on a bi-monthly basis moving forward.
q NGM Group's Rubi Stitt and Alexandra Tompkins with the Salvos' Joey Newman.
Appeal
q Representatives from Healthy Hub, Gamble Aware/Lifeline and the Nambucca Soup Kitchen at a previous Community Services Day held at the SDA grounds. Photo: supplied.
Barnaby Joyce announces defection to One Nation
By Andrew BROWN, AAP
MAVERICK MP Barnaby Joyce
will join Pauline Hanson's One Nation party.
After weeks of speculation, the New England MP and former deputy prime minister has confirmed he would move to the farright party, after previously representing the Nationals.
He will sit in the House of Representatives for the rest of the parliamentary term as a One Nation MP, before leading the party's Senate ticket for NSW.
"I am firmly of the view which I have considered over
a long period of time that the best choice before me is to stand for One Nation as a Senator for NSW," Mr Joyce said in a statement on social media on Monday.
"I will let the voters be the ultimate arbiter of that decision."
Mr Joyce announced his defection from the Nationals on the last sitting day of the year in November, citing a breakdown in the relationship with party leadership and being relegated to the backbench after the May election.
At the time, he did not say what his next political move
would be.
Speculation increased about the move to One Nation after Mr Joyce was seen dining with Senator Hanson at Parliament House over a wagyu steak cooked on a sandwich press.
Senator Hanson said she was pleased the MP would be joining the party.
"Mr Joyce strengthens One Nation's position in parliament just as many Australians are strengthening our position in the polls," she said in a statement.
"I have always been very straightforward about asking Mr Joyce to join our team, and
on making it clear this was always his decision."
Mr Joyce will be the first member of One Nation to sit in the lower house since Senator Hanson herself in the late 1990s.
Recent polling shows the number of people planning to put One Nation first on their ballot paper is at an all-time high, with surveys putting support for the party between 14 and 18 percent.
A recent Resolve poll said 29 percent of voters would be more likely to support the party if it were led by Mr Joyce.
Reform urged as animals face deadly spring
By Stephanie GARDINER, AAP
KOALA Azaliah and her joey Zali were hit by a car not long after 40 eucalyptus trees in their home were destroyed.
Mother and baby recovered after intensive care at Northern Rivers Koala Hospital in Lismore, NSW, and were released back into the wild in October.
But another joey, Guinevere, was not so fortunate, dying from injuries after being hit by a car along with its mother.
The pair were among an estimated 10 million native animals killed on Australian roads every year.
Though there are measures known to make roads safer for wildlife, new research has warned those optional design standards are often overlooked.
Wildlife could be protected through underpasses, canopy bridges and exclusion fencing, but their construction was usually left to the discretion of budgetconscious developers, according to a Griffith University-led analysis.
"Ten million animals...
that's an insanely massive number," road ecologist and the study's lead author Christopher Johnson told AAP.
"If we treated building a wildlife bridge with the same approach as we would a pedestrian bridge, we'd
have a lot better outcomes."
Queensland and Victoria are the only states with wildlife-sensitive guidelines embedded in their road designs, although their standards are voluntary.
"Those guidelines are a nice-to-have, not a need-to-
DEAR BUSINESS OWNERS
have," Dr Johnson said.
"Nice-to-haves don't always make it through to the end of the project."
The study called for biodiversity to be at the core of infrastructure planning, rather than being left open to interpretation.
Dr Johnson said wildlifesensitive road design should be a part of the government's ongoing nature law reforms.
"This is a really good opportunity to try and get more ecology advice brought in earlier within
project phases," he said.
Spring is a high-risk season for wildlife, as animals move around roadways to breed and forage.
As many as 80 koalas are killed on Northern Rivers roads each year and 80 percent of those hit by cars do not survive their injuries, according to statistics from the local koala hospital.
Drivers were warned to slow down, particularly in known habitats, and to look out for signage that
indicated recent sightings.
"These incidents occur most often along major transport corridors where habitat has been cleared or fragmented, forcing koalas to cross busy roads to reach food trees, shelter or breeding partners," the hospital's superintendent vet Kate Thomas said.
"We cannot continue relying on voluntary guidelines that leave wildlife exposed in known hotspots."
q Barnaby Joyce MP at an anti-wind farm rally in Port Stephens. Photo: Doug Connor.
In the box seat
By Jasper BRUCE, AAP
THE last time Australia went 2-0 up in the Ashes, they went on to blow a golden chance to win the series outright, but Marnus Labuschagne pointed to one passage of play from the Brisbane Test when asked how the team would stop history repeating.
Mitchell Starc's second player-ofthe-match performance from as many Tests this series powered Australia to an eight-wicket defeat of England inside four days at the Gabba.
Australia are now in the box seat to hold the Ashes for a fifth consecutive series; no England side has ever recovered 2-0 down to win the Ashes.
"It's a great effort to be in this position," Australia's No.3 Labuschagne said after the second Test.
"We won the big moments, it's just an awesome day for the performance of the team."
England came within a whisker of overturning a 2-0 series deficit in the 2023 series, left to rue Manchester rain that washed out a fourth Test they appeared well on track to win.
The series ended 2-2 and Australia retained the urn.
Asked how Australia would avoid a similar scenario this time - admittedly against a weaker, travelling England - Labuschagne drew on a batting partnership that helped the hosts take full control of the second Test.
Captain Steve Smith flagged adaptability as the Australian way of Test cricket before the match began and that quality was epitomised by the 75-run stand between bowlers Starc (77) and Scott Boland (21no) for the ninth wicket.
After the dangerous Alex Carey (63) nicked off, the duo beefed up an 82-run lead to help Australia to a formidable first innings total of 511.
Starc and Boland weathered the new ball and slowed the pace of the game down to ensure England
would need to bat under lights on Saturday night, when they collapsed and fell out of touch with the game.
As Labuschagne sees it, as long as Australia can continue to have moments like that partnership, they can keep Test matches - and therefore the series - on their terms.
"We're in a really nice spot where we're just really process-driven, focused on what we need to do to be ready and once again being ready for those big moments in the game," he said.
"I look back on this game and I look at the partnership between 'Starcy' and Scott. I look at those moments to get us in the situation where we had the night session on our terms.
"To shift the momentum from losing the toss in day-night cricket is a really impressive feat."
In another bonus, Australia's XI is only set to grow stronger heading to Adelaide.
Chief selector George Bailey has already flagged Pat Cummins is set to return from his back injury to play his first match this summer, with Nathan Lyon likely to be recalled after his omission in Brisbane.
Nambucca Heads Island Golf Club
By Chris KNIGHT
ROBYN Dyer and female golf are thriving at The Nambucca Heads Island Golf Club, with the latest contest producing an extraordinarily tight finish.
A bumper field of 36 fronted the starter on Wednesday, 3 December, when 34-marker Dyer turned in 52 off the stick and parred the 10th
and 13 to post 38 points to sweep the Div 3 prize of the tournament sponsored by Ecomist.
Henny Oldenhove (16 handicap) matched the 38 points to win Div 1 with a sooper dooper seven pars and 84 off the stick.
The in-form Kay McGoldrick (32) continued her merry advent close to Chrisy run with 37 points to claim Div 2 Santa rights (Dalmations
q Robyn Dyer dialled in on the 10th at Nambucca Golf Club.
off the stick).
The frenzied pool on the 8th saw pins shared by Kerrie Eichorn, Marilyn McNally and Lillian Lukins. Deidre Fletcher was the best on 13 and Dianne O'Leary capped a solid day of 36 points with the nearest the pin on the last.
"I'll take anyone out if I hit it like this on this handicap," said Craig Haworth, reflecting after Jack Daniels and a tidy 77 gross for nett 63 to win Div 2 of the men's Nambucca Liquor Monthly Medal on Saturday, 6 December.
Haworth (once was 14) scorched home in two over round the back to head home Peter Miller (16) by eight.
Steve Frost (14) won the Div 2 gross with 88.
Darrell Flanders (11) posted an excellent 67 nett to win Div 1 on a testing day at The Island as the wind whipped up, by a shot from club champion Graham Watson (6).
Hard-working Bryce McCarroll (6) swept the gross with 77.
Houston Baker drawled Texanstyle for an outstanding 66 nett to win Div 3, one clear of resurgent Roy
Macksville Country Club Golf
By Max TURNER
THE Robyn Marsay, Nambucca Glass and Aluminium memorial Stroke and Spoon event saw most players taking an early start to avoid the heat.
Division 1 winner was Murray Smith who collected the Medal with a net score of three under par 69.
John Fortescue was runner up in Division 1 with Cameron Biles winning Division 2 on a count back from Steve Ash.
Beau Lavender won the Spoon with the best gross score.
Jordan Welsh was the straight shooter with nearest the pin for division 1.
No division 2 player was able to hit the green.
The ladies played a Stroke event with Lorraine King winning.
Desma Hughes finished runner up with Sally Roberts scoring nearest the pin.
Max Graham with his normal quality game won the Mid Week Competition with Adam Ross runner up.
Best of the chasers were three ladies, Jess Lambert, Desma Hughes and Carmel Freudenstein.
That is likely to mean Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser drop out despite the latter completing a five-wicket second-innings haul in Brisbane on Sunday.
Josh Hazlewood is set for more time on the sidelines after picking up a minor Achilles tendon issue while plotting a comeback from his hamstring injury.
But just as Starc and Boland's adaptability with the bat helped
Louis (29). Hans Jansen (20) won the gross with 94.
It was a Lucas pinfest - Christpher nearest on 5 and 15, and Jamie on 18 for the $70 Pro Pin. Rick Heywood took the 7th, Graham Weary on 8 and Flanders will discover the finest frisbees on the Mid North Coast are found at Pizza This Pizza That afer striping it close to an awkward stick on 13.
Scores matched the mercury in the Ecomist medley stableford on Thursday, 4 December, when you needed 40 points or better for a seat at the prize table.
12-marker Clinton Lavender had 11 pars and nothing worse than a bogey for 76 off the stick and a big train of 41 points to pip Bryce McCarroll (6) by a point in Div 1. Gary Beggs (25) whoppered with 44 points to street Div 2 from Dennis Ashton (21) who is running back into form with 41.
The ball run went down to 33 with Bernie Dugdale the last to collect.
Geoff McCann banged the putt from afar on 1 and the pin botherers were Matt Jones on 5, Peter Thompson on 7 (hole-in-one!), Brent Polites on 8 and laser-like Drew Glasson on 15. Deidre Fletcher
Australia in Brisbane, Labuschagne was buoyed by the team's resilience to overcome the injuries to begin the series.
"I take a lot of pride in these moments when you're able to win games without potentially two of your best bowlers available," he said. "(But) getting more guys to select from and the calibre of Pat and Josh, when that unfolds, will be very exciting."
boxed the pizza on 13 and Peter Miller has $70 in the bank after walking off the last with the Pro Pin.
TNT Auto was the generous sponsor of the medley stableford on Tuesday, 2 December, and Kevin Wilson (26) said thank you very much for the 'W' with 38 pointsthree clear of Craig Mattick (22).
Troy Herbert took the NTP on 5, Ray Mansell on 7, Gary Leighton on 8, Mattick on 13, Peter Spencer on 15 and Tim Kinnear on 18 for a $30 Pro Pin.
Steve Ward - purveyor of fine Italian food with a Kiwi twist and humour, cuzzie bro - stumped up as he always does for The Island for the Xmas Medley on Sunday.
Heather Gray and Narelle Delaney throttled with 49 points, three clear of runners-up Georgina Riddington and Bruce Fleming. Pins on 5 were nailed by Debra Gersbach and Karl Hobday, Glenys Thompson and Andrew Donovan on 18 and Kerrie Eichorn will be well sated thanks to Pizza This Pizza That.
Everyday on The Island is for the bois and girls - great food, banter and a challenging championship 18hole layout. Get around it.
Nambucca Valley Bridge Club
By Barbara MARANIK
RESULTS for Week ending 7th
December 2025
Monday 1st December 2025
1st Vicki Walker & Carol McKee 62%, 2nd Rosemary Bateman & Peter Plunkett-Cole 60%, 3rd Lynne & John Slade 57% Thursday 4th December 2025
1st Mike Siford & Colin Tolley 76%, 2nd Maureen Cowan & Carol McKee 49%, 3rd Equal Susie Keur & Pamela Rongen plus Scott Parker & Theda Faulwetter 47%
Saturday 6th December 2025
1st Colleen Robertson & Theda Faulwetter 60%, 2nd Amber Fox & Carol McKee 55%, 3rd Ali & Neil Tupper 50%
you got
q Mitchell Starc (r) and Scott Boland have been lauded for their key partnership at the Gabba. Photo: Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS.
q Early starters Tony Grebert, Ted Single and Mick O'Brien.
Tee off time for Stig Family Charity Golf Day
By Andrea FERRARI
THE Stig Family Charity Golf Day
held at Nambucca Heads Island Golf Club returns on Sunday, 4 January 2026 and registrations are now open.
The day will once again be played as a four-person Ambrose, with $25 entry per person, which includes a barbecue lunch prepared by the Nambucca Heads Lions Club.
Tee-off times are available at 8:00am and 10:30am, with registrations taken through the club’s Pro Shop.
“Whether you think you are a skilled golfer or not, all are welcome,” golf day co-organiser Raelene Squires told News Of The Area.
The organisers emphasise that the day is more about participation,
fun, friendship and community spirit than golfing ability.
“Beginners, seasoned players, and everyone in between are warmly encouraged to come along and enjoy themselves.
“The event offers a wide range of prizes to reward participants’ efforts, including the ever-popular fancy dress/best dressed category, which always brings colour and laughter to the fairways.
“Spectators and families are welcome to attend and soak up the cheerful atmosphere.”
Off the course, fundraising continues with an auction at around 1:00pm.
This year’s auction includes a two-person camping swag; a 4WD 20-litre fridge/freezer; two entries into the Chairman’s Marquee for the Coffs Harbour Gold Cup; tickets from the Nambucca District Jockey Club; and many more generously donated items.
Alongside the auction, there
will also be raffles and a trading table.
The Stig Family Charity Golf Day is a community tradition supporting
cancer research.
For the Stig family, the charity golf day is a living tribute and a legacy of love.
grow into first grade contenders.”
Previously known as the Elly Stig Charity Golf Day, the event continues to honour the memory of Elly Stig, who tragically passed away from a rare form of leukaemia in 1993, at just 11 months old.
For the community, it is a chance to gather, have fun, and make a meaningful contribution towards improving the lives of children and families facing cancer.
Having begun 32 years ago as a small family-driven tribute, today the golf day has grown into a remarkable annual tradition that attracts participants from across the district and beyond.
Since its inception in 1994, the charity day has raised $475,500 for the Children’s Cancer Institute, supporting vital research into safer and more effective treatments for childhood cancers.
Nambucca Roosters launch 2026 campaign with renewed vision
FROM Page 20
joined the Roosters, while coach Warwick Jones remains tight-lipped on the final makeup of the 2026 squad.
“Three in a row is a tall order in today’s game,” Jones admitted.
“We’re refining the parts of our game that got us here and working early on areas where we can improve.”
The club’s women’s tackle side made headlines last year by claiming their first premiership under coach Garren Stig, who impressed many by elevating a relatively inexperienced team to the top within just two seasons.
The Roosters Reserve grade is also poised for a strong season with Jeremy Burrows officially taking the reins as coach.
A long-time Rooster with more than 20 years’ experience as a player, Burrows is looking to strengthen the side through fundamental skills and effort-based training.
“This year will be my first year officially coaching reserve grade after being an assistant and trainer last year,” said Burrows.
“I’ll be taking a basics approach and working to build on what’s been laid down the last couple of years.
“I’m also excited to welcome some of our former under 18s into the senior ranks and help them
In the under 18s, coach Geoff Batten is optimistic about his squad’s blend of experience and youth.
“We’ve got some good 16s coming in and some backing up for a second season,” he said.
“Our middle forwards did a great job last year and are a year older now.
“We’ve also got a few boys in their third year of 18s and I’m really looking forward to seeing how they all blend together.”
With an eye on strengthening the club from top to bottom, the
Nambucca Bowls Report
By Charlie POTTER
WEDNESDAY `Dec 3: 20 bowlers for our Wednesday Selected Triples. Winners were J Legend, Stan Flack, Marg Duffs and Peter Fredericks from a pairs game, Teresa Meehan and Boots Ruane. The Lucky Losers were Peter Dawe and Stuart Garvey. AnnMarie Johnson was drawn Lucky Bowler but missed the Jackpot of $240. Thur Dec 4: Trisley's Twilight Turnaround Triples was finalised and the Riddell team, who led all the way, were successful with 8 wins and a 52 margin. Runners up, the Hodge team 6 wins 37, 3rd the Hughes team 6 wins 31. Many thanks to Trisley's for their valuable support... much appreciated.
Fri Dec 5: 64 entries and the winners were John Morgan and Hoggy. Owen Smith, Boots Ruane and Dallas GrannieMarrow were second. Third spot to Roger McGuigan, Dale Scrivener and Headbutt Hines. Lucky Losers were
Mick Ellison, Frank Wesley and Neil Duffus. Lucky Gary Tierney wasn't and missed the Jackpot of $480. Sat Dec 6: Triples Championship Round 1; P Ward d T Ryan 27-19; T Weber d D Nancarrow 26-17; R Riddell d G Hunt 34-24; T Urquhart 24 d G Hodge 17; T Harvey d C Crawford 19-16; G Porter d R Chibnall 29-24; C Brownlie d A Cosgrave 27-20. Sun Dec 7: Triples Championship Quarter Finals; P Ward d Webber 24-23; G Hines d R Riddell 29-14; T
Urquhart 29 d T Harvey 20; G Porter 19 d C Brownlie 14. The Semi Finals will be played this Saturday 1pm with the Final on Sunday at 9am. Sunday Social drew just 12 players with Kate, Fletch and Nerida the winners and Patto, Hans and Elaine the Lucy Losers. Christmas Pairs Entry Sheet for D 20 has a few spots remaining and closes Dec 18.
The Club Fours Championship Entry Sheet is now on the board. Teams are restricted to two from our top two grades and two from 6 and 7 and a sheet is also on the board with all pennant players' grades.
q A packed house at Nambucca Heads Island Golf Club.
Nambucca Roosters are laying the foundations not just for another competitive season, but for a legacy of success across all grades.
q Newly appointed Reserve Grade coach Jeremy Burrows.
q Under 18s coach Geoff Batten.
childhood
q The Nambucca Glass and Aluminum team at the Stig Family Golf Day.
q Wizard of Oz fancy dress at the Stig Family Charity Golf Day.
SUDOKU
By Manny WOOD
Boy sues Santa!
TIMMY wakes on Christmas morning, rubs his eyes and stumbles downstairs to the Christmas tree. He is overjoyed to find three presents, bearing a special stamp, stating that they are “Shipped from the North Pole”.
“Thank you, Santa!” he exclaims.
When Timmy’s brother and sister join him, they begin unboxing their Christmas gifts.
His sister unwraps a shiny pink tricycle before his brother reveals a collection of HeMan figurines.
Timmy’s gift is big and heavy.
He feverishly tears open the wrapping, but alas, his heart immediately sinks - A sack of potatoes!?
A handwritten note states; “Naughty boys don’t get presents”.
A devastated Timmy cannot believe it.
He shakes his fist at the sky and screams, “I have been on my best behaviour all year!”
When he calms down, Timmy makes enquiries with Grinch Law, seeking compensation on a “no win no fee” basis.
Proceedings are soon commenced in the Supreme Court of the North Pole.
The hearing is conducted before three judges; the Honourable Jack Frost, the Honourable Tooth Fairy and a particularly grumpy Chief Justice Easter Bunny presides.
At the hearing, under sworn testimony, Santa gives evidence to the effect that under Christmas Lore, he is granted the power to decide, in his sole discretion, who has been naughty and who has been nice.
He further states that his role is a gratuitous one and no contractual relations exist.
He is however, unable to adduce any admissible evidence of Timmy’s alleged “naughtiness”.
The Grinch argues that Santa’s conduct gives rise to an “equitable estoppel”.
He submits that Santa made a representation that nice children will be rewarded with presents.
He states that Timmy reasonably relied on the representation and by not receiving a present, he “suffered detriment”.
In his final submissions, The Grinch forcefully argues that it is unconscionable for Santa to resile from the promise of a gift, seeking “specific performance” and oddly, a lengthy jail term.
The Court refuses to entertain criminal sanctions but rules on the balance of probabilities, that Santa is “estopped” from denying Timmy a special Christmas gift, which with a click of his fingers, magically appears to the rousing cheer of the crowded Courtroom!
Merry Christmas to my devoted readers, clients, colleagues and amazing staff!
This column is not legal advice.
Macksville
CC Bowls
By Mark COLEMAN
LAST Sunday had 14 teams playing in the Macksville Newsagency sponsored ham day.
Teams from Scotts Head, Stuarts Point and Bowraville along with the local sides competed in what was a fun event. Out of the hat winners were Karen Perry, Brian Nunn and Mark Coleman, R/U Mel Little, Thelma Scott and Judy Walker all receiving a Xmas Ham.
Dorin’s Draws By Paul DORIN On theCouch
Industrial sabotage?
DEAR News Of The Area,
WHILE the Greens have long been accused of putting ideology before pragmatism in our federal political sphere, the recent behaviour of the Nationals and their Coalition partners in scuttling progress towards ‘Net zero’, illustrates just how far the conservatives are prepared to go to hold up Australia’s energy transition and abandon attempts to tackle climate change.
With several big renewable projects held up or abandoned, one has to ask, at what point does this also amount to ‘industrial sabotage’?
History has shown us that uncertainty is a killer to investment, and arguably the most useful contribution the current Labor government has made to the country is an independent energy authority managing the long overdue energy infrastructure roll out.
While ‘follow the money’ was the
Free energy
DEAR News Of The Area,
A NUMBER of correspondents to these pages are of the opinion that so-called 'renewables' are the cheapest form of energy.
They're technically wrong; energy from the wind and sun is actually free.
It's the superstructure that supports this generation that is
cautionary advice from one recent NOTA correspondent, it is also a case of ‘follow the ideology’.
Even a cursory look at this ‘go slow’ agenda will reveal the finger prints of Gina and the fossil fuel lobby along with the broader conservative establishment which has long railed against the science of man-made climate change.
Then there are also the millions in lost tax revenue successive governments have exempted the largest multinationals from, including our largest gas exporter which also just happens to be in the box seat to ‘game’ energy prices.
Remember Scomo’s ‘gas led recovery’ buddies?
While our ageing coal generation falls over, and we struggle to build enough battery capacity the country will continue to depend on gas peaking turbines to smooth electricity generation shortfalls.
Of course we could also ‘follow
costing Australians billions of dollars.
We don't actually know exactly how much because we are not being told.
However, estimates as high as $1 trillion are not unusual.
Australian authorities and government are banking on technology that is hard to buy and yet to be proven at a scale necessary to provide base load power to our network.
The Australian Energy Market
Email Jasminda: media@newsofthearea.com.au
DEAR Jasminda,
MY husband's Netflix viewing history shows an abnormal amount of True Crime shows, serial killer series, and murder mysteries.
Should I be worried?
Petra L.
Dear Petra,
For some strange reason, many people like having the living daylights scared out of them for relaxation.
I'm not one of them, and it sounds as though you aren't either.
I don't think you should read too much into it.
I like watching musicals but it doesn't mean I'm going to morph into a theatrical performer any time soon.
It may be that your husband likes to remind
the technology’. That would reveal significant incompatibility issues, apart from the high cost and slow build, that current inflexible base load generation such as coal fired and nuclear power generation have with the flexible efficient ‘smart’ grid
Operator (AEMO) is having to intervene, by juggling the system, to avoid 'brown outs'. These interventions disrupt industry and business and all add to costs borne by the consumer.
Heavily subsidised battery installations are running at about 1,800 per day - only a small fraction of householders with solar panels but still costing
himself that his life isn't as bad as he thinks.
It may be that he would prefer to be scared by something irrational rather than his own fears.
Perhaps you should watch your husband's reactions to these movies for a better insight into why he watches them. If, for example, he is curled up in the corner of the lounge, covering his eyes, and screaming like Janel Leigh out of Psycho, he is probably just after an adrenaline surge. If, however, your husband is watching with a deadpan expression (or, worse, smiling in a creepy Norman Bates way) there is potential for worry.
Further, if he is making copious notes in a lockable diary, it's time to run, Petra. Run for the hills (not the hills that frequently appear in horror movies though. Then you'll be in real trouble).
design we have embarked upon.
And we wonder why electricity prices have gone up, and are likely to stay up for longer.
Dave WOOD.
taxpayers billions of dollars. And the reality for grid planners and power utilities is that many of the often wealthy individuals and households who can afford to install these subsidised batteries, do not want to make them available to the grid.
Yours sincerely, Jeffrey COX.
As Australia turns to renewables, we must lean in
DEAR News Of The Area,
AUSTRALIA has just hit a historic milestone: renewables have overtaken fossil fuels for the first time.
This isn’t a blip - it’s the acceleration of an energy transition that is now economically unstoppable. Solar, wind, and battery storage are dominating new investment globally, and Australia is finally reflecting that reality.
Thanks to Joe and Shirley for your support. The Mixed Pairs final for 24/25 was finally played on Sunday between Carol Turner and Phil Brennan against Ruth Flarrety and Peter Fox jnr.
A tight match in extremely hot conditions, all tied up at 7 all after 9 ends.
Ruth and Peter played well to be ahead 16 - 9 after 15 ends but a strong resurgence saw Carol and Phil winning the last 6 ends to run out winners 22 - 16. Well done all, it was a great game.
That’s why the recent moves by the Liberal and National parties to attack renewable projects, weaken climate commitments, and revive fossil-fuel fantasies are not just out of touch - they are politically reckless.
These parties are planting their flag on the wrong side of history at the exact moment the rest of the world is surging ahead. Trying to slow down the clean-
energy transition now isn’t leadership; it’s sabotage dressed up as ideology.
Coffs Harbour Council should not be intimidated by this noise.
Quite the opposite: Council should feel confident aligning with the national data and overwhelming international trends. Clean energy is cheaper, faster, job-rich, and economically stabilising.
Communities that
embrace it early will reap the benefits - lower bills, local industry growth, and insulation from global fossilfuel volatility.
Coffs has an opportunity to lead.
The transition is happening whether Canberra’s conservatives like it or not.
The smart move is to lean in - boldly.
Warm regards, Christopher MEDER.
Advertising within the News Of The Area reaches your local customers. Connect with them from next edition. Print media has never been as affordable for your business. Call (02) 4981 8882 or email ads@newsofthearea.com.au
Carpe diem, Jasminda.
Regards,
q Carol Turner, Phil Brennan, Peter Fox and Ruth Flarrety.
Funeral Notice
Bruce Oswald Adam 8.12.2025
Late of Nambucca Heads.
Beloved husband of Gwen. Dearly loved father of Andrew, Margaret, David, Stuart & their partners. Much loved grandfather and great-grandfather.
Aged 90 Years
A Funeral Service for Bruce will be held on Wednesday 17th December, 2025 at 11.00am at Bernard Laverty’s Funeral Chapel, Macksville followed by Private Cremation. In lieu of flowers, donations to Melanoma Institute Australia would be appreciated.
Bernard Laverty Funerals Tel: 6568 1555
newsofthearea.com.au
Winnie is a sweet, affectionate girl who starts off a bit timid but will blossom
and
registration.
Please visit Councils website to view the full list of animals available for adoption or
enquiries please complete the Adoption Enquiry Form on
For any
NAMBUCCA VALLEY
SATURDAY
THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO
SBS VICELAND, 8.30pm
Sam Claflin (pictured) and acting icon Jeremy Irons lead an impressive cast for this epic eight-episode interpretation of Alexandre Dumas’ 1846 novel. The men are cast as prisoners on a forbidding island off the coast of Marseilles. They spend five years chipping away at the mortar between them, with the elder Abbé Faria (Irons) educating Edmond Dantès (Claflin) in multiple subjects before his death gives the younger man a chance to escape. Armed with Faria’s knowledge of a vast treasure, Dantès makes for the island of Monte Cristo to claim his fortune.
FRIDAY, December 12
6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 Portrait Artist Of The Year. (PG, R) 11.05
The Forsytes. (PG, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 The Newsreader. (Final, Ml, R) 2.00 Grand Designs Australia. (R) 3.00 QI. (PG, R) 3.30 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.55 Grand Designs NZ.
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Australian Chamber Orchestra’s 50th Gala. Hosted by Jeremy Fernandez and Megan Burslem.
8.30 Maigret. (Final, Mav) Tragedy strikes in Saint-Fiacre. Maigret’s absence in Paris has terrifying consequences.
9.25 Hard Quiz. (Final, PG, R) Hosted by Tom Gleeson.
9.55 Crime Night! (Final, R)
10.25 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R)
10.55 ABC Late News. (Final)
11.15 Silent Witness. (Final, MA15+a, R)
12.15 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv)
5.00 Rage. (PG)
SUNDAY
CRICKET
SEVEN, 7pm
The summer of cricket is now in full swing, treating fans to action left, right and centre. Between Saturday night’s WBBL final, the third Ashes Test commencing in Adelaide tomorrow and the electrifying action of the Big Bash League beginning tonight, cricket lovers are spoiled for choice by the sport’s overlapping fixtures. Live from the Furnace, the first match-up of the Big Bash season pits the Perth Scorchers against the Sydney Sixers. After an early exit in BBL14, the Sixers (aided by new signing, Pakistani superstar Babar Azam) will be eager to make a statement against the most successful side in the league’s history. As cricket legend Aaron Finch (pictured) puts it, “The best thing about the BBL is the unpredictability”.
MONDAY
BILL BAILEY’S VIETNAM ADVENTURE
SBS, 7.35pm
As far as travel companions go, English comedian Bill Bailey (pictured) has to be up there with the zaniest, most affable and entertaining offsiders to hit the road with. Keen to immerse himself in local life, the Black Books star jams with musicians, meditates with monks and enthusiastically connects with the Vietnamese people in this six-part travelogue. Returning to Vietnam a decade after his first visit, Bailey is intrigued by how the country has changed in recent years, but also determined to know more about its ancient stories and history. In this final episode, he sets sail in a traditional boat and weaves through the limestone karsts and mythical waters of Ha Long Bay, learning about its legendary dragons.
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Jaws: Making A Splash In Hollywood.
8.30 William Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill. (Mav, R)
10.15 SBS World News Late.
10.45 Sisi. (Ma, R)
11.40 Culprits. (MA15+v, R)
1.50 Soldiers. (Mal, R)
3.35 Growing A Greener World. (PG, R)
4.35 Bamay. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
(31) 6am Children’s Programs. 5.55pm Knee High Spies. 6.05 PJ Masks. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Gardening Australia Junior. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 8.00 Scooby-Doo And Guess Who? 8.25 Hard Quiz Kids. (Final) 8.55 Robot Wars. 9.55 Merlin. 10.35 Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens Summer. Melissa King visits Castlemaine.
8.30 MOVIE: The Holiday. (2006, Mls, R) Two women who live on opposite sides of the Atlantic impulsively switch homes for Christmas. Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law.
11.10 MOVIE: Morbius. (2022, Malv, R) A biochemist is transformed into a vampire. Jared Leto.
1.15 Miniseries: Any Human Heart. (Malns)
2.30 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
5.00 NBC Today.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Swimming. Australia v The World.
10.30 Law & Order: Organized Crime. (MA15+av, R) The taskforce uncovers a sinister robbery scheme.
11.30 Next Stop. A look at holiday destinations.
12.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) Hosted by Ben Shephard.
1.00 Drive TV: Launch Pad. (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 Summer. (PG, R)
ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s Programs. 8.00 Golden Girls. 8.30 Nanny. 9.30 Addams Family. 10.00 Bewitched. 10.30 Jeannie. 11.00 The West Wing. Noon Talking Honey. 12.10 Pretty Little Liars. 3.00 Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 Jeannie. 6.00 Golden Girls. 6.30 Nanny. 7.30 MOVIE: 10 Things
6.00 10 News+. 7.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Contestants compete in a high-stakes game where they must beat The Banker to win a cash prize. 7.30 Love It Or List It Australia. (R) A couple’s Morningside Queenslander has always been small, but the arrival of a baby changed everything. 9.50 The Graham Norton Show. (Mls, R) Celebrity guests include Brie Larson. 11.00 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather. 11.25 10 News+. (R) 12.20
6.00
SATURDAY, December 13
6.00 Back Roads: Harvey, WA. (R) Lisa Millar visits the town of Harvey, WA.
6.30 When The War Is Over: Afghanistan. (PGa, R) Rachel Griffiths meets artist Ben Quilty.
7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.
7.30
(R) Soames ends Irene’s Parisian dreams.
Bergerac. (M, R)
ABC FAMILY (22)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Wham! Last Christmas Unwrapped. (PGl, R)
8.40 Alpine Hotel At Christmas. (R)
9.35 Osborne House: A Royal Retreat. (PG, R)
10.50 The Real Spies Among Friends. (PGalv, R)
11.45 Homicide: Life On The Street. (Mav, R)
3.05 Being Beethoven. (PG, R)
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Cricket. Women’s Big Bash League. Final.
10.30 Women’s Big Bash League Final Post-Game. Coverage of the WBBL Final post-game. 11.00 MOVIE: The Rock. (1996, MA15+lv, R)
An FBI agent and a convict break into the former Alcatraz prison to stop a renegade general. Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage, Ed Harris.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 MOVIE: Avatar. (2009, Mv, R) A paraplegic man remotely operates an alien body. Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana.
10.45 MOVIE: The Domestics. (2018, MA15+lv, R) A couple search for safety. Kate Bosworth.
12.30 Getaway Presents France. (PG, R)
1.30 Our State On A Plate. (R)
Rage. (MA15+dhlnsv) 6.00 Grand Designs Australia. (R)
4.10 Growing A Greener World. (R) 4.40 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6am Children’s Programs. 6pm Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.10 PJ Masks. 6.25 Bluey. 6.30 Paddington. 6.45 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Andy And The Band. 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 MOVIE: The Night Before Christmas In Wonderland. (2024) 8.50 Chopped Junior. 9.30 Fresh Off The Boat. 10.15 Abbott Elementary. 10.35 Speechless. 10.55 Late Programs.
SUNDAY, December 14
6am The
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 It’s Academic. (R) Hosted by Simon Reeve.
5.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) Hosted by Simon Reeve.
6am Shopping. 8.30
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 UK. (PGa) A family of three dogs are split up. 7.30 Selling Houses Australia. (PGa) Mary and Tom saved for many years while working at a supermarket and they finally purchased their two-storey dream home. 8.40 Location, Location, Location Australia. (PGa, R) Mitch and Mark search Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and the Mornington Peninsula to help two sets of buyers. 9.40 FBI: Most Wanted. (Mv, R) A series of random poisonings occurs. 11.30 FBI. (Masv, R) 12.30 Home Shopping.
News.
Spicks And Specks. (PG) 8.00 Portrait Artist Of The Year. (PG) Seven artists return for the semi-final.
The Forsytes. (Final, PG) Jolyon decides his future.
6am Children’s Programs. 5pm Peppa Pig. 5.10 Stick Man. 5.40 Peter Rabbit. 5.55 Octonauts. 6.05 PJ Masks. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 The Adventures Of Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Andy And The Band. 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 MOVIE: Niko: Beyond The Northern Lights. (2024, PG) 8.55 MOVIE: A Boy Called Christmas. (2021, PG) 10.35 Fresh Off The Boat. 10.55 Late Programs.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Cleopatra: Cracking The Enigma. (PG)
8.30 Ken Burns’ The American Revolution. (PG)
10.40 Mayhem: Secret Lives Of Georgian Kings. (PGav, R)
11.35 Australian Fashion Past, Present, Future. (PGn, R)
1.05 Empires Of New York. (Madl, R)
3.35 Dishing It Up Christmas Special. (PGl, R)
4.30 Growing A Greener World. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News.
5.15 France 24 Feature.
5.30 APAC Weekly.
Assassin. (2015, PG, Mandarin) 7.55 Fried Green Tomatoes. (1991, PG) 10.20 There’s Still Tomorrow. (2023, Italian) 12.30pm Annie’s Fire. (2022, M, French) 2.40 A United Kingdom. (2016, PG) 4.45 Delfin. (2019, Spanish) 6.25 The Giants. (2023, PG) 8.30 Michael Collins. (1996, M) 10.55 Erotic Stories. 1.05am La Chimera. (2023, M) 3.30 One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. (1975, M) 6am The Legend Of Longwood. (2014, PG) 7.45 The Giants. (2023, PG) 10.00 La Chimera. (2023, M) 12.25pm Michael Collins. (1996, M) 2.55 The Movie Show. 3.30 Murder Party. (2022, PG, French) 5.25 All At Sea. (2010, PG) 7.00 P’tang, Yang, Kipperbang. (1982) 8.30 The World’s Fastest Indian. (2005, PG) 10.50 Blow Dry. (2001, M) 12.30am I Know What You Did Last Summer. (1997, MA15+) 2.20 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 9.00 MOVIE: Random Acts Of Christmas. (2019) 10.50 Motor Racing. FIA Formula E World C’ship. H’lights. Noon Ice Hockey. NHL. St Louis Blues v Chicago Blackhawks. 2.40 Soccer. English Premier League. Arsenal v Brentford. Replay. 4.40 Australian Roulette. 5.30 MOVIE: Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London. (2004, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: The Hunger Games. (2012, M) 10.20 Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Match 1. Perth Scorchers v Sydney Sixers. 10.30 Big Bash League Post-Match. Post-match coverage of the game. 11.00 7NEWS Spotlight. Liam Bartlett sits down with a killer.
12.00 The Queen Unseen. (PG, R) Takes a look at Queen Elizabeth II.
1.00 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
1.30 Harry’s Practice. (R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
NBC Today.
Sunrise Early News.
Sunrise.
Miyazaki, Spirit Of Nature. (2024, PG) 7.35 Abandoned Engineering. 8.30 The Count Of Monte Cristo. 9.35 Rama X: The Mysterious King Of Thailand. 10.40 Liaison. 11.40 Late Programs.
Bowra Bowls Report
By BUNCHA
DECEMBER 2nd, The Hub hosted the Nambucca Valley over 50’s Christmas party and a great day was had by all who attended. 62 bowlers plus a further 12 turned up for bowls and a wonderful lunch, put on by the restaurant, made it a wonderful day. Raffles of hams and
Friday, 12 December 2025
plenty of Xmas cheer held everyone back well into the afternoon with fun and laughter had by all. The first over 50’s event in the new year will be held at Stuarts Point on Monday January 12th with the over 50’s Annual General Meeting to be held before commencement of bowls. Social winners from last Thursday 4th were John Cowie,
Storky Mitchell and Warren Gallop (again). Lucky Glen Gillon won the lucky bowlers prize. Social bowls on again Saturday 13th and the Bowlers Xmas party and social bowls on Thursday 18th. With plenty of Xmas novelty prizes on offer. Come along even if you wish to find out if you would like to have a go at the game. Bowls are provided and names have to be in by 12.30pm for 1pm start.
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 Tipping Point: Celebrity Special. (PG) 8.10 Events That Changed Australia: Black Saturday. (Ma) 9.20 Red Eye. (Premiere, Ml) A police officer escorts a criminal back to Beijing. 11.20 World’s Most Dangerous Prisoners. (Mv, R) 12.10 Wild Cards. (Mv, R) 1.00 Explore TV. (R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa)
The Garden Gurus. (R)
Today Early News.
Today.
6am Morning Programs. 11.20 Motor Racing. IndyCar Series. Grand Prix of Long Beach. H’lights. 12.30pm Basketball. WNBL. Sydney v Adelaide. 2.30 Soccer. English Premier League. Manchester United v West Ham United. 4.30 My Way. 4.35 Young Sheldon. 5.05 Dinner With The Parents. 5.35 MOVIE: Superman IV: The Quest For Peace. (1987, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Avatar: The Way Of Water. (2022, M) 11.20 Late Programs.
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9GO! (83)
6am Children’s Programs. 5.45pm Kangaroo Beach. 5.55 Knee High Spies. 6.05 PJ Masks. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 The Adventures Of Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.45 Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Ninjago: Dragons Rising. 8.00 Operation Ouch! 8.30 TKO: Total Knock Out. (Premiere) 9.15 The Crystal Maze. 10.00 Merlin. 10.45 Late Programs.
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Bill Bailey’s Vietnam Adventure. (PG)
8.30 Never Mind The Buzzcocks Christmas.
9.20 Jimmy Carr’s I Literally Just Told You. (M)
10.15 SBS World News Late.
10.45 The Man Who Died. (Malv) 11.35 Culprits. (MA15+v, R) 1.45 Pagan Peak. (MA15+a, R) 3.45 Growing A Greener World. (R) 4.15 Rediscover Victoria. (R) 4.45 Bitesize. (R) 4.55 Bitesize. (PG, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Match 2. Melbourne Renegades v Brisbane Heat. 10.30 Big Bash League Post-Match. Post-match coverage of the game between the Melbourne Renegades and Brisbane Heat.
11.00 Chicago Fire. (Ma) Violet struggles to write a letter to Carver.
12.00 Girlfriends’ Guide To Divorce. (MA15+s) Abby goes on a date with a TV celebrity.
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today. News and current affairs.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am All At Sea. (2010, PG) 7.30 The World’s Fastest Indian. (2005, PG) 9.50 P’tang, Yang, Kipperbang. (1982) 11.20 Man Who Didn’t Want To See The Titanic. (2021, M, Finnish) 12.50pm Blow Dry. (2001, M) 2.30 The Movie Show. 3.05 The Legend Of Longwood. (2014, PG) 4.55 The Scarlet And The Black. (1983, PG) 7.30 Samia. (2024, M) 9.30 Unforgiven. (1992, M) 11.55 Late Programs.
3.00 QI. (PG, R) 3.30 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.55 Grand Designs NZ. (PG, R) 4.40 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
6am Children’s Programs. 5.55pm Knee High Spies. 6.05 PJ Masks. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Great British Railway Journeys. (R)
8.30 Who Do You Think You Are? (PG)
9.40 Australia In Colour. (PGa, R) 10.40 SBS World News Late. 11.10 Families Like Ours. (Mal)
12.10 De Gaulle. (Mav, R)
2.05 Nordland 99. (Mals, R) 4.05 Growing A Greener World. (R) 4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
7MATE (64)
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Travel Guides. (PGl, R)
8.40 MOVIE: Muriel’s Wedding. (1994, Mls, R) A woman leaves her small town to find romance. Toni Collette.
10.50 The Equalizer. (Mav)
11.40 Sight Unseen. (Premiere, Mv)
12.30 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
2.30 Global Shop. (R)
3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am The Scarlet And The Black. Continued. (1983, PG) 8.05 The World’s Fastest Indian. (2005, PG) 10.20 Let Me Go. (2023, M, French) 12.05pm Unforgiven. (1992, M) 2.25 All At Sea. (2010, PG) 4.00 P’tang, Yang, Kipperbang. (1982) 5.30 Mr Blake At Your Service! (2023, PG, French) 7.30 Bandit. (2022, M) 9.50 Million Dollar Baby. (2004, M) 12.20am Taking Lives. (2004, MA15+) 2.15 Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Match 3. Hobart Hurricanes v Sydney Thunder.
10.30 Big Bash League Post-Match. Post-match coverage of the game between the Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Thunder.
11.00 Lopez Vs. Lopez. (PGa) Quinten’s parents visit.
12.00 Miniseries: London Spy. (MA15+ds) Danny is accused by the papers of murder.
1.15 Travel Oz. (R) Hosted by Greg Grainger.
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today. News and current affairs.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
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6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair.
DRAMA (51)
DRAMA (51)
WEDNESDAY, December 17
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News.
Costco At Christmas. (R) 8.30 Terror On The Space Station. (PGa) 9.30 Crime. (Madlsv)
10.30 SBS World News Late.
11.00 Elvira. (PGa, R)
2.15 Big Fat Quiz Of The Year 2024. (Malns, R)
3.50 Growing A Greener World. (R)
4.20 Rediscover Victoria. (R)
4.50 Down Under Bitesize. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
VICELAND (31)
6am Children’s Programs. 6.20pm Bluey. 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Ninjago: Dragons Rising. 8.00 How To Train Your Dragon Homecoming. 8.20 Steven Universe. 8.45 Adventure Time. 9.05 Teen Titans Go! 9.30 We Bare Bears. 9.40 Pokémon: Diamond And Pearl. 10.00 Fresh
6.00 Morning Programs. 10.30 Cricket. The Ashes. Third Test. Australia v England. Day 1. Morning session. 12.30 The Ashes: The Lunch Break. 1.10 Cricket. The Ashes. Third Test. Australia v England. Day 1. Afternoon session. 3.10 The Ashes: Tea Break. 3.30 Cricket. The Ashes. Third Test. Australia v England. Day 1. Evening session.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Match 4. Sydney Sixers v Adelaide Strikers.
10.30 Big Bash League Post-Match. Post-match coverage of the game between the Sydney Sixers and Adelaide Strikers.
11.00 Chicago Fire. (Ma) Kidd connects with a troubled teen.
12.00 MOVIE: Top Of The Class. (2020, Mav, R) A student is accused of murder. Jacqueline Scislowski, Kate Watson.
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today. News and current affairs.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 RBT. (PGl, R)
8.30 Paramedics. (Mm, R) A motorcyclist crashes into parked cars.
9.30 RPA: Jamie’s Baby. (PGm, R)
10.30 American Crime Story. (Madlsv)
12.30 Resident Alien. (Final, Mlv)
1.20 9Honey: He Said She Said. (PG, R)
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
Global Shop. (R)
TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa)
A Current Affair. (R)
Today Early News.
THURSDAY,
6am Mr Blake At
Your Service! (2023, PG, French) 8.00 The Scarlet And The Black. (1983, PG) 10.35 Samia. (2024, M) 12.35pm Bandit. (2022, M) 2.50 The Movie Show. 3.25 Mary Shelley. (2017, PG) 5.35 The Bookshop. (2017, PG) 7.40 The Nugget. (2002, M) 9.30 A Good Person. (2023, MA15+) 11.55 Crimes Of The Future. (2022, MA15+) 1.55am Million Dollar Baby. (2004, M) 4.20 Let Me Go. (2023, M, French)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 ABBA And Elvis In The Outback. (Ml)
8.35 The Untold Story Of The Vatican.
9.35 Vigil. (MA15+av)
10.40 SBS World News Late.
11.10 Vienna Blood. (Return, MA15+av)
12.10 Outlander. (MA15+asv, R)
1.35 House Of Promises. (Ms, R)
4.15 Growing A Greener World. (R)
4.45 Destination Flavour Down Under Bitesize. (R)
4.55 Destination Flavour: Singapore Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
VICELAND (31)
SBS MOVIES (32) SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Mary Shelley. (2017, PG) 8.15 The Bookshop. (2017, PG) 10.20 Million Dollar Baby. (2004, M) 12.50pm Too Cool To Kill. (2022, M, Mandarin) 2.50 The Movie Show. 3.25 The Three Musketeers. (1973, PG) 5.20 A Room With A View. (1985, PG) 7.30 Up In The Air. (2009, M) 9.30 An Unfinished Life. (2005, M) 11.30 Ben Is Back. (2018, M) 1.30am A Good Person. (2023, MA15+) 3.50 Late Programs.
6.00 Morning Programs. 10.30 Cricket. The Ashes. Third Test. Australia v England. Day 2. Morning session. 12.30 The Ashes: The Lunch Break. 1.10 Cricket. The Ashes. Third Test. Australia v England. Day 2. Afternoon session. 3.10 The Ashes: Tea Break. 3.30 Cricket. The Ashes. Third Test. Australia v England. Day 2. Evening session.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. Match 5. Melbourne Stars v Hobart Hurricanes. From the MCG. 10.30 Seven’s Cricket: The Spin. An expert panel examines all the big news and issues with a deep dive into the world of cricket.
11.15 The Amazing Race. (PG) Hosted by Phil Keoghan.
12.45 Life. (Malsv, R) A court reporter is beaten to death.
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today. News and current affairs.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
(34) 7MATE (64) 7MATE (64)
Roosters launch campaign
By Mick BIRTLES
THE Nambucca Roosters Rugby League Football Club has kicked off its 2026 Group 2 campaign with pre-season training at Coronation Park, setting the tone for another big year after remarkable back-to-back premierships.
With first grade success now the benchmark, the club’s leadership is focused not only on continuing their winning ways, but also securing a strong future for the club.
“My aim for 2026 is to keep working on improving our image and although it has greatly improved, you can always get better,” said Mr Bellden.
“I’ll be putting a big focus on our juniors from now on to ensure the Roosters’ future is secure.
“There are also some small projects at Coronation Park I’d like to complete to make it a better place to play and watch football.”
In first grade, some key players have moved on to higher competitions or new clubs, opening the door for fresh talent to step up.
Former Macleay Valley Mustang’s half Chris Holten has CONTINUED Page 11
Club President Peter Bellden told News Of The Area that while 2025 was another stellar season, 2026 would see the club double down on its community focus and junior development.
