FOLLOWING a week of flooding, road closures, landslips and evacuations, financial assistance has been announced to help residents severely impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Jointly funded by the State and Federal governments, the package will provide emergency financial assistance of $180 for individuals or up to $900 per family to cover essential costs such as food, clothing, medicines and emergency accommodation.
To be eligible for the grant individuals must reside in a declared affected Local Government Area, which include Bellingen, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey and the Nambucca Valley.
Further, individuals must have been subject to evacuation orders (Category red emergency warning) or experienced power outages of more than 48 hours.
Applicants must demonstrate they have suffered hardship as result of the disaster, making them unable to meet immediate needs.
Applications opened on Wednesday 12 March and will be open until 8 April 2025.
For more details visit www.nsw.gov.au/ cyclonealfredrecovery.
In addition the Federal Government has activated the Disaster Recovery Allowance for communities directly affected by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
This allowance offers up to 13 weeks of income support for eligible workers and sole traders, depending on their personal circumstances, who have suffered a loss of income as a direct result of the event.
For more details on the Disaster Recovery Allowance go to servicesaustralia.gov.au/
natural-disaster-support.
Nationals say farmers ‘left behind’
While welcoming the funding announcement, NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders has called on more support for the region’s farmers.
“The state’s agriculture sector supports thousands of jobs and quite literally feeds NSW.
“Our farmers are there for us each and every day, and
now Labor needs to support them through this difficult time so they can get back on their feet,” Mr Saunders said.
Member for Oxley Michael Kemp said the cyclone has left every rural sector reeling.
“Farmers are facing uncertainty after they had to transport stock and find alternative places to house or sell them, on top of organising fodder and dealing with damage to
infrastructure, lost crops and lost production costs.
“It has come at an enormous cost, and they need immediate support.”
Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh called on the government to provide “small farm recovery grants” to help primary producers repair fences, replant crops, dispose of flood debris, and invest in flood-resilient infrastructure moving forward.
q Lavenders Bridge, Bellingen. Photo: Michael Kemp.
Daniel Williams set for Peter Bol rematch at Sydney Track Classic
FROM Page 1
Australian in history, returns to domestic competition after a strong win in Adelaide, but the young guns are ready to challenge him.
Craig, 20, an Olympic semi-finalist and World U20 silver medallist, holds a personal best of 1:44.11, making him Australia’s third-
fastest ever.
Meanwhile, Luke Boyes, who defeated both Bol and Craig at last year’s Nationals, is eager to make his mark after narrowly missing Olympic qualification.
Seventeen-year-old Daniel Williams from Hyland Park is the latest contender.
He pushed Bol to the limit earlier this year at the
Adelaide Invitational World Continental Tour, finishing second in a personal best 1:46.80.
Coming off the Adelaide event with plenty of confidence, Williams is ready for another high-profile challenge and has been focusing his training on the Sydney Track Classic.
“While I am very keen to
meet Pete, Peyton and Luke on the track in Sydney, my goal is to execute my race plan as I did in Adelaide and get the best out of myself,” Williams told News Of The Area.
With top-tier talent and fierce competition, Sydney Olympic Park is set for an electrifying 800m battle.
You can catch this epic race live on Saturday evening at 7:42 pm as it will stream on 7+.
Council enters new waste disposal agreement
FROM Page 1
cost-effective manner.
Adding to the approaching deadline, new State-imposed mandates due to come into effect in July 2030, mean that Councils must provide all residents who receive a red bin collection service with a Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) waste service.
Smaller volumes of waste to process leave less populous regions such as Bellingen, Kempsey and the Nambucca Valley with little option but to work with surrounding larger regions.
“It will undoubtedly be more expensive than our current (green and yellow bin) contract (entered into seven years ago), but without the volumes of a larger centre like Coffs or Port Macquarie, it would be prohibitively expensive (to process) the
q Councillors agreed to sign an agreement with surrounding local authorities to collaborate on waste processing.
Man rescued from flood waters
A MAN was rescued after attempting to drive through flood waters at Missabotti on Saturday.
Emergency services were called to Missabotti Road, Missabotti – about 30km northwest of Nambucca Heads – at around 8pm, following reports a man had been washed away by flood waters.
On arrival, officers attached to Mid North Coast Police District were told a 71-year-old man had attempted to cross flood waters in a Toyota Landcruiser; however, the vehicle failed to cross and was swept downstream.
The man was located in the water nearby, holding onto the rear of the vehicle which was pinned near some large trees.
Local police together with SES personnel, Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW Ambulance
officers attended and commenced an operation to retrieve the man from the water.
A lifejacket was able to be successfully floated to the man prior to the arrival of the SES Swift Water Rescue Team, who completed the rescue with an inflatable raft.
The man was assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics and did not require any medical treatment.
2500 tonnes of recyclables for example that we produce,” Council General Manager Bede Spannagle told the meeting.
For Mr Spannagle and Manager of Development and Environment Daniel Walsh, last month’s report and the resulting MoU was the culmination of around 18 months’ work.
He gave credit to Port Macquarie-Hastings Council for “taking the lead on the regional collaboration”.
The decision of councillors to support the proposed MoU will lock Nambucca Valley Council into contractually binding supply agreements to be developed
with neighbouring councils (Bellingen, Kempsey and Port Macquarie-Hastings).
Council currently has a waste contract with the City of Coffs Harbour.
Upon expiration of this arrangement in 2027, Mr Spannagle said he believed a six-year contract with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council would be in place under the agreement.
Another arrangement
currently in place grants Bellingen processing of nonrecyclables at Nambucca Valley’s facilities.
This is also due to expire in 2027.
“Grant funding is available for developing waste contracts that involve regional collaboration and a signed MoU would support such an application,” Mr Walsh said.
q Hyland Park middle-distance sensation Daniel Williams.
Nambucca Valley weathers the storm
By Mick BIRTLES
LESSONS learned from natural disasters in recent years came to the fore during the weather event linked to Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, as the Nambucca Valley ‘weathered the storm’ rather well overall.
Outlying areas, particularly to the west of the Nambucca Valley’s main population centres were the worst affected as rising flood waters isolated pockets of the community for varying time periods.
Locations such as Missabotti, Buckra Bendinni and Taylors Arm experienced roads being cut, however many locals reported being well prepared for this eventuality.
“We were cut off from getting into town by the flood waters for three days, however we were prepared for it and are now looking at the positives such as full water tanks,” Lower Buckra
Bendinni resident Dee Bee Bishop told News Of The Area.
Schools in the district were also closed as a precaution until weather conditions stabilised.
A recent innovation that played a significant role providing timely information to concerned local residents was the ability to access live flood cameras from the Nambucca Valley Council’s website.
Cameras at Factory Bridge, Boat Harbour Bridge, Laverty’s Bridge, Cassidy’s Bridge, the Nambucca River at Macksville, Lanes Bridge and Little Broughys improved safety by reducing the need for residents to take to the roads unnecessarily.
While some camera outages were reported, their use was positively received.
Emergency services and local authorities were able to act on important lessons from previous natural disasters.
“The response from the
State Emergency Service (SES) was immaculate and the partnership between them, the Nambucca Valley Council and other emergency services such as the Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue and the Police worked incredibly well,” said Member for Oxley Michael Kemp.
Mr Kemp’s own social media pages have also drawn praise from many in the community, who were appreciative of the ‘most likely’ and ‘worst case’ scenarios provided by the State Member as he liaised with emergency services across the electorate.
Community radio station 2NVR, who developed their own emergency procedures during the 2019/20 bushfires, were able to remain on air and relay information taken from the SES and Council websites and social media pages.
Some 2NVR presenters have the ability to broadcast from home so, even when it
became difficult to reach their Tewinga Studios, the station was still able to provide a medium for keeping the public informed despite not being an official emergency broadcaster.
unscathed, the potential remains for repeat occurrences in the future.
A tropical cyclone coming as far south as Alfred did is an unusual occurrence.
Don’t rely on buying a ticket at the door - our shows sometimes sell out. Note that the halls have limited seating - BOOK EARLY Any door sales will be cash NO EFTPOS
ADULT THEMES AND LANGUAGE NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN
Warrell Creek Hall
Saturday 22 March
Argents Hill Hall
Sunday 23 March
Talarm Hall
Saturday 29 March
Bellingen Memorial Hall
Small Studio Space
Sunday 30 March
All at 2:00pm
A collection of monologues that will surprise, entertain and enthral
While the Nambucca Valley escaped this weather event comparatively
Independent climate organisation the Climate Council warns that most homes and infrastructure in
South East Queensland and Northern NSW are not built to withstand cyclones and the destructive winds they bring.
“Scientists are concerned that, as our oceans heat up, cyclones may track further south on the East Coast,” Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie said.
www.nambucca.nsw.gov.au
REVIEW OF ALCOHOL FREE ZONES
Council is reviewing the Alcohol Free Zones currently in place at the following locations:
• Around Bowra Street in Nambucca Heads.
• In the area surrounding the Visitor Information Centre in Nambucca Heads.
• Around High Street in Bowraville.
Council is considering whether to re-establish the zones as they currently are; establish zones with new boundaries; or not re-establish the zone at all. Any adopted zone will be in place for a period of four years.
A copy of the maps of the proposed Alcohol Free Zones can be found on Councils website at www.council@nambucca.nsw.gov.au or at Councils Chambers at 44 Princess Street, Macksville.
Council would like to hear from you. Written submissions are encouraged and will be received up until 31 March 2025. Please note that any submission may be incorporated in a Council business paper or otherwise publicly disclosed.
Address written submissions to the General Manager, Nambucca Valley Council, PO Box 177, Macksville or via email to council@nambucca.nsw.gov.a u.
Enquiries to Daniel Walsh Manager Development & Environment (02) 6568 0259.
q Oxley MP Michael Kemp shared these shots of the Nambucca and Bellinger Valleys.
Councillors support vineyard proposal
By Ned COWIE NAMBUCCA Valley
Councillors have unanimously supported a proposal to adjust the Nambucca Local Environmental Plan (LEP) to allow viticulture (the cultivation of grapes) and agritourism on a Tewinga property.
Two speakers spoke in support of the proposal at Council’s General Meeting on 27 February.
The amendment would enable owners Nikki and Dean Laird to cultivate grapes and operate a small tourism business venture from the site.
If approved, the changes would mean that viticulture and agritourism would be ‘additional permitted uses’ with consent on the subject land only and would not imply a broad change for the R5 Large Lot Residential zone in which the land is situated.
“This allows for land uses which have merit on the subject land without causing potential conflicts on other parcels of land,” Council’s Development
assessment report said.
Lisa Hall of Planning Portal Professionals explained that the changes would allow for the establishment of a valued small business enterprise and were not unusual ‘permitted uses’ of similarly zoned land in other parts of NSW.
“(Current zoning rules) mean that, inexplicably, my clients could lodge a DA tomorrow for the commercial cultivation of any type of fruit
except grapes, which is the one type of fruit that they wish to grow and for which their property is well-suited,” she said.
“A cellar door premises to allow tastings of the wines produced from the grapes grown on their property but also a small café or restaurant which would be used to showcase local foods, wine and produce.
“It should be noted that 25 other local NSW councils
permit both viticulture and cellar-door premises on R5 zoned land,” she added.
Nikki Laird told Council that she and her husband, Dean, had long held the dream to create a vineyard and small hospitality business.
The Lairds are wellknown in some parts of the Nambucca Valley, having operated small businesses in the area for more than a decade.
Mrs Laird told Council that she and her husband had recently sold their supermarket business in Scotts Head to pursue this new enterprise and had found a parcel of land which geographically suited their purpose well.
Councillor James Angel, who operates a small business in Tewinga, declared a non-pecuniary interest in the proposal but chose to remain in the chamber and
q A proposal to amend the LEP to allow viticulture and agritourism as ‘additional permitted uses’ at this site drew the full support of councillors at the last general meeting of Council.
vote on the matter.
Both he and Councillor Jenvey spoke enthusiastically about the proposal.
“The risk is all with Mr and Mrs Laird; it’s a sensible decision (to support this proposal) for us all and I’m looking forward to it (the venture),” Cr Angel said.
Cr Ljubov Simson asked for clarification that to the best of current knowledge, neighbours to the site were in support of the project and implications for other properties were limited.
“Will you do Chardonnay?”
Councillor David Jones asked Ms Laird to the amusement of many in the chamber.
Cr Ballangarry told the council that although a non-drinker himself, he was also in support of the project. Council will now forward the planning proposal to amend the Nambucca Local Environmental Plan 2010 to the Minister for Planning for gateway determination in accordance with section 3.34 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
BUSINESS ADVERTISING
Call today for advert sizes and prices (02) 4981 8882 ads@newsofthearea.com.au
CLASSIFIEDS
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
FLIPBOOK
www.newsofthearea.com.au
We have this Printed Edition available online for FREE, as well as archive editions.
You can also Subscribe, for FREE, and we will email you the Printed Edition Flipbook each week.
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
Have Your Say
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
Greens to launch campaign in Bellingen
By Andrew VIVIAN
THE Greens will launch their Cowper campaign in the main pavilion of the Bellingen Showgrounds, tonight (14 March) at 6pm.
Candidate Wendy Firefly will meet locals to discuss the issues she is passionate about.
Ms Firefly has been a social worker for 15 years, working with homelessness, mental health, drug and alcohol, youth, and aged care organisations.
She says this has given her a deep understanding of what is wrong with our government and the ever-growing divide between the rich and the poor.
Her father designed the first transfer station where rubbish was recycled and even worked to convert methane gas into electricity in the early 90s.
“Growing up in a progressive household, I knew from a young age that if nature is out of balance, there will be extreme weather events,” she said.
“I have been furious at the lack of commitment from the two major parties, both waiting until the final hour to implement Net Zero.
“The Greens have been fighting for climate action for 25 years.
“I feel like I have been protesting my whole life, whether it has been as a voice for marginalised communities, running blockades in the forest, or campaigns against industrial farming.
“My first protest was with my family against the Gulf War, yet we are still spending trillions and killing millions."
Ms Firefly has been a long-time Greens supporter because she believes in grass roots democracy for the people from the people.
She said she was also brought up knowing about the injustice of colonisation and the importance of First Nations people.
The main policies The Greens will be taking to the election are affordable rent and housing, to get people into their first home and to address the homelessness crisis; mental and dental health coverage under Medicare; free access to doctors and professional medical support; wiping student debt and offering free university and TAFE places; and raising the apprenticeship wage so everyone can pursue their dreams.
The Greens say they will legalise cannabis to reduce the pressure on the criminal justice and incarceration systems, create a taxable growth industry and provide environmental and health benefits.
The Greens stand for First Nations Justice through truth telling, treaty and protection of
land and water.
“I have always felt the need to stand up for what’s right, and this is why I’m running for the Federal election.
“We need to remember this is a policy competition not a personality contest so please look at The Greens’ policies and Vote 1 Greens in the house and the Senate to send a strong message for change.”
Heise calls for safeguards for bulk-billed pathology
INDEPENDENT candidate for Cowper Caz
Heise has called for the protection of free pathology services, with the future of some currently bulk-billed tests in doubt.
Ms Heise expressed concerns that potential changes to the current Medicare system could lead to increased out-of-pocket expenses for vital pathology tests.
“Pathology tests are a fundamental component of our healthcare system, allowing doctors to make informed decisions about patient care,” she said.
“Access to these tests without the burden of cost is essential, especially for families and individuals who may already be facing financial difficulties.
“We cannot allow the improvements in health access we’ve fought for to be rolled back.”
Ms Heise is backing “stronger legislative measures to safeguard free access to pathology tests under the Medicare system”, and the expansion of services in regional and rural areas - including mobile testing units and telehealth consultations.
“Many Australians, particularly those in regional areas, face barriers to healthcare, including travel time and costs,” she said.
“Free access to pathology testing is vital for early detection and management of health conditions, enabling people to receive timely interventions without the added stress of financial strain.”
According to Australian Pathology, the sector’s peak body, 99.6 percent of pathology services are currently bulk billed, but their future is far from guaranteed.
“Funding for pathology tests has been frozen since 1999,” the organisation said in a statement.
“In last year’s Federal Budget, the Government only indexed one third of pathology items and then slashed $356 million in funding.
“This includes tests most commonly accessed by women, such as Vitamin B12 and urine tests.
“It’s really hard to hear that the Government is defending and strengthening Medicare while they are freezing pathology funding for twothirds of tests and cutting funding for other
important tests.”
Last year, Australian Pathology launched a campaign seeking a $630 million investment by the Federal Government, over four years, to reinstate indexation for pathology services provided under the Medicare Benefits Schedule.
Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan indicated his support for the investment at the time.
“I have met with the team from Australian Pathology on a number of occasions and my position in relation to the support of Medicare covered pathology remains,” he told NOTA this week.
“You need pathology tests to detect diseases before they take further hold.
“Prevention is not just better than cure, it’s considerably cheaper in the long term.
“I continue to believe that Australian Pathology should not be singled out by being subjected to annual indexation changes.”
The Coalition has announced they will legislate $9 billion in Medicare support to ensure all Australians have timely and affordable access to a doctor.
“That should include sustaining pathology services and I will continue to have those discussions in the budgetary response after March 25,” Mr Conaghan said.
q Wendy Firefly says she will fight for what is right. Photo: supplied, The Greens.
An insight into ‘The Home Front’
By Mick BIRTLES
EACH year on Anzac Day we pause to honour those who gave their lives in service to our country.
However, far too often, we overlook the challenges faced by our modern veterans; those who returned home only to fight unseen battles with PTSD, depression, homelessness and suicide.
On Wednesday 19 March a special screening of “The Home Front”, a powerful and thoughtprovoking documentary by esteemed filmmaker and author Patrick Lindsay AM will take place at the Macksville Ex-Services Club.
The screening, presented by Independent candidate for Cowper Caz Heise, will be followed by an exclusive Q&A session with Lindsay himself, offering attendees the chance to gain deeper insights into the critical issues confronting our veterans.
Federal Senator Jacqui Lambie, an ADF veteran who features in
the documentary, will attend the Macksville screening.
Australia’s longest war, spanning two decades in Afghanistan, claimed the lives of 41 soldiers.
However, during that same period, over 3,000 veterans died by suicide; a staggering statistic revealed by the recently concluded Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
On average, one veteran takes their own life every five days.
The Home Front seeks to expose the severity of this crisis, highlight the systemic failures in veteran care, and explore tangible solutions.
The filmmaker said it is the “most important project” he has ever undertaken.
“All too often, our modern veterans live in a world of shadows, doubt, pain, and isolation, a world of darkness and depression, of PTSD and unresolved mental issues,” Mr Lindsay told News Of The Area.
“A world where homelessness looms. A world where suicide lurks.
“We excel in training our soldiers to be fine warriors, but we are failing to adequately support them as they re-enter their communities.”
Veteran Dan Brailsford, featured in the film, encapsulates the struggle many face.
“We have to be a certain type of person to be able to go into a war zone, for the enemy to fire a shot and for us to turn and face the enemy and go towards it,” he said.
“The downside of that is we're not taught how to come down from that.
“How do we assimilate with civilian life? How do we respect our families, and how do we make that transition?”
This compelling documentary supports the findings of the Royal Commission and reinforces the urgent need for its recommendations to be fully implemented.
The Home Front will be screened at 6:00pm on Wednesday 19 March at the Macksville Ex-Services Club. Entry is free.
Candidates to talk childcare shortages
A COWPER candidates event will focus on the impacts of childcare access issues on the Mid North Coast.
Ahead of the Federal Election, advocacy organisation The Parenthood has invited local candidates to hear from impacted parents at an event on 29 March in Nambucca Heads.
Families are encouraged to drop in with their children and share their struggles with
childcare directly with their potential Federal representatives.
There will be a particular focus on the healthcare workforce and the challenges facing essential workers when they can’t access care.
Federal candidates will then have an opportunity to discuss potential solutions.
and Peter Jackel (Family First) have confirmed their attendance, while Pat Conaghan (Nationals) will send a video message.
The Parenthood is calling on all parties to address the “national rural early childhood education and care shortage” as an election priority.
The Parenthood Campaign Director, Maddy Butler, said the lack of local childcare options is holding the entire region back.
“Local doctors, nurses and teachers are unable to work because there’s not enough care for their kids,” said Ms Butler. Childcare services are particularly scarce in Nambucca, Kempsey, Coffs Harbour, and Crescent Head.
“Early childhood education and care is critical for setting children up for success and allowing parents to work,” Ms Butler said.
Military flare washes up on Scotts Head Beach
By Ned COWIE
AUSTRALIAN Defence Force (ADF) personnel were called to Scotts Head on Monday of last week to dispose of a military flare that had washed up onto the beach.
The flare was cordoned off before being detonated in situ under the supervision of Police and ADF personnel.
A spokesperson from Defence confirmed that a Marker Marine Mk58 was located on Scotts Head Beach.
“The unexploded ordnance (UXO) was assessed as live and unsafe for transport and therefore was disposed of onsite using routine measures,” the spokesperson told NOTA.
When suspected unexploded military ordnance is found in public areas, Defence routinely assists state and territory policing agencies in its safe recovery or disposal, however the public are
urged to contact local Police upon finding such items.
The discovery of the device in shallow water on Sunday prompted Police to warn members of the public not to “approach, touch, tilt or tamper with suspicious devices” but to immediately call ‘000’.
Unfortunately, it could not be retrieved that day before being washed back out to sea, only to return the following day.
One Scotts Head local said while her home is quite far from the beach, the “whole house shook” with the detonation.
Others as far away as Macksville claimed to have heard the blast.
A resident of the nearby caravan park told NOTA that although she had been made aware of the flare’s discovery the day before, the noise of the explosion which shook the park came as a surprise.
Flares are used for both military and commercial purposes and often contain explosives along
“Without it, children, families, essential workforces and entire communities suffer.” RSVP on The Parenthood website.
Family-friendly food and activities will be provided.
The event will be held at the Nambucca Community and Arts Centre (21 Ridge Street, Nambucca Heads) on Saturday 29 March from 3pm-5pm.
with coloured or phosphorescent powders which are visible over large distances.
Some of their uses include signalling distress, illumination and more recently, as part of military aircraft defensive countermeasures, flares can be used to deter heat-seeking missiles.
The Marker Marine Mk58 is a current in-service pyrotechnic marker, used by both Navy and Air Force for all types of air-to-sea surface marking that uses smoke and flame.
The Mk58 can be launched day or night from aircraft, helicopters or surface ships to provide a long-burning, smoke and flame reference-point on the ocean’s surface.
It is used for various operations including anti-submarine warfare, marking a survivor in the water during search and rescue operations, man-overboard markings and as a target for practice bombing at sea.
q This unexploded ordnance was found floating in the surf off Scotts Head Beach last Sunday and Monday. Photo: NSW Police.
q Filmmaker Patrick Lindsay AM on location during filming.
Garden party fundraiser
By Mick BIRTLES
NAMBUCCA Heads artist and dedicated community fundraiser Freya Paton is once again opening her home for a special fundraising event, continuing her long-standing tradition of supporting local and international causes.
Over the years, Freya and her friends have raised funds for organisations such as Red Cross, Neighbourhood Centres, The Youthie, and schools in Nepal.
This year, the focus is on helping local families who may be having difficulty in purchasing school uniforms.
To raise funds, garden parties will take place on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 March from 10am-3pm at Freya’s home in Faringdon Village, Nambucca Heads.
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore what can be achieved in a small garden space, with highlights including two ponds, a lush verandah filled with greenery, and a charming potted vegetable garden.
Freya’s signature mosaics will also be on display, adding to the artistic and creative ambiance of the event.
A key feature of the fundraiser will be the sale
Fundraising concert
THE Nambucca Valley Arts Council will host a fundraising concert showcasing the Coffs Conservatorium on Sunday.
“The fundraising is for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the students to go on an overseas trip to Salzburg, Vienna and Berlin, where they will participate in masterclasses and workshops, as well as performances including at the prestigious Summa Cum
of 150 potted plants, while the ‘Lovely Things Shop’ will boast a collection of over 100 unique owl-themed items, an assortment of jewellery and other treasures.
A creative raffle will also be running, with homemade morning and afternoon teas on offer.
Guests are advised to park at the Nambucca Plaza and follow the signs to 123 Bangalay Circuit, Faringdon Village.
The event is cash-only, and due to village regulations, dogs are not permitted.
Laude Festival in Vienna,” said the Arts Council’s Celia Ramsay.
“We invite residents to come and enjoy this concert at the same time supporting these brilliant young students representing the Coffs Coast on a global stage."
The concert will take place at 3pm at the Nambucca Community and Arts Centre, Ridge St, Nambucca.
q Creative artist Freya Potion and her owl collection that will go on sale on Saturday 15 March. Photo: supplied.
North Coast cattle treated for tick fever
PRODUCERS are on high alert following the confirmation of tick fever on two North Coast cattle properties
North Coast Local Land Services (LLS) district
veterinarian Phillip Carter, said the cattle were treated for tick fever, Babesiosis, once the diagnosis was confirmed by laboratory tests.
“If treatment is delayed tick fever can kill susceptible animals and producers should contact a vet immediately if cattle show signs of tick fever,” Dr Carter said.
“These two positive cases of tick fever are the first new confirmed cases in NSW this year and we saw signs of cattle tick infestation during our inspection of the animals.
“We advise producers to monitor herds for cattle tick and cattle tick fever as other animals may be infected and are yet to show signs.”
Unexplained death can be the first sign of tick fever.
Other signs producers should look out for in their cattle include lethargy, depression, salivation, red urine, elevated temperature, jaundice and anaemia.
“Tick fever is spread by cattle tick, which thrive in warm, humid conditions and we urge producers to practice good farm biosecurity to prevent more tick fever cases in these seasonal conditions,” Dr Carter said.
“Producers should regularly check cattle for ticks, especially when cattle are yarded in preparation for autumn sales.”
NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Cattle Tick Operations leader, Larry Falls, said producers should immediately report signs of cattle tick on their animals by calling the NSW Biosecurity Helpline (1800 680 244).
“Early intervention is key to minimising the spread and impact of cattle tick and tick fever,” Mr Falls said.
“The NSW record of movement for cattle tick
lists the mandatory biosecurity requirements which must be followed when bringing cattle from cattle tick infested areas into NSW and moving from cattle tick restricted properties in NSW.
“Following these biosecurity requirements helps prevent the introduction and spread of cattle tick and minimises costs and losses to your enterprise and livestock industries.”
Tick fever and cattle tick are notifiable under NSW biosecurity legislation.
Cattle tick and tick fever pose significant economic impact on cattle production in northern Australia due to potential large losses of animals, production losses, restrictions on trade and treatment costs.
If you find sick or dead cattle or suspect tick fever, immediately contact your LLS DV or call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
q The students are fundraising for the trip of a lifetime.
Wyz Wimmin hit region’s historic
SINCE inception, the Wyz Wimmin & Friends Theatre Company has been committed to taking theatre to the people and has performed in several of the area’s historic halls.
“Back when these halls were built, travelling picture shows travelled the back blocks, and I’d like to think they screened ‘The
Sentimental Bloke’ or its successor, ‘Ginger Mick’,” said the company’s producer, Carrolline Rhodes.
To continue the tradition, the Wyz Wimmin are now staging ‘This is Me’, a collection of unique monologues.
“Topics include small town gossip, the sweet taste of revenge and choosing the
right setting to deliver what will be unwelcome news,” Carrolline said.
“It is our most powerful collection to date.”
The tour begins at Warrell Creek Hall on 22 March, moving to Argents Hill Hall the next day, then Talarm Hall on 29 March.
The run of shows closes in Bellingen Memorial Hall’s
intimate ‘studio’ space on 30 March.
All performances start at 2.00pm.
As all four venues have limited seating, tickets should be secured early.
“Head to the Wyz Wimmin’s user-friendly website to book tickets,” Carrolline said.
March in March in Bellingen
By Andrew VIVIAN
THE Bob Brown Foundation will stage a “March in March” as a nationwide show of support for ending the destruction of native forests.
Locals will gather at Bellingen Park at 11am on Sunday 23 March.
With Australia heading into a federal election, former Greens leader and lifelong environmental advocate Bob Brown, has issued a call to action.
“This federal election will decide the fate of Australia’s native forests set for logging, and the fate of billions of creatures dependent on forest habitat,” Dr Brown said.
“That includes Masked Owls, Greater Gliders, Swift
Parrots, koalas, and a myriad of insect species yet unknown to science.”
The Bellingen event begins with a program of music and speeches, leading into the march at 12pm.
A highlight will be the
unique sounds of “Gunganbu”, a band led by Micklo Jarrett, a proud Gumbaynggirr man and language teacher, and Luke Rhodes, a songwriter and composer.
Gunganbu’s soulful melodies, sung in Gumbaynggirr language, pay tribute to the land and its deep cultural heritage.
The lineup of speakers sharing their knowledge and passion for forest conservation will include Jimmy Halfcut, an ecosystem regenerator and rainforest activist; Dr Phil Zylstra, fire scientist and expert in forest fire behaviour; Ashley Love, conservationist and founding member of the Great Koala National Park
proposal; Wendy Firefly, Greens candidate for Cowper and long-time environmental advocate; and Sue Higginson, politician, lawyer and longtime advocate of native forests.
Gumbaynggirr Elders and environmental defenders Alison Buchanan and Micklo Jarrett, will perform traditional ceremonies and speak about the urgent need to protect their Country. Foundation spokesperson Doro Baback, said that with forests under increasing threat, the March in March Nationwide is a chance for the community to come together, stand in solidarity and demand real action.
q Laurel plays Jazzy in 'Nude Swimming'.
Photo: Adrian Oxbrow.
q Last year’s march.
Photo: Guy Mayraz.
Jacinta Price's Kempsey visit called off after protest by local Elders
By Douglas CONNOR
A “POLLIES in the Pub” event in Kempsey featuring controversial Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price was cancelled just as it was about to begin on Wednesday, 12 March, following a protest by members of the Dunghutti community.National Party Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan had organised Senator Price’s visit to the West Kempsey Hotel.
Promotion of the event was posted to social media and on the venue’s website.
But when Dunghutti and Gumbaynggirr woman Lynne Holten arrived, she was told she was not allowed in.
“We saw Pat Conaghan [and] we said we had something to say about how disrespectful it is to bring Jacinta Price on to our Country without contacting the local [Indigenous] community,” Ms Holten told News Of The Area.
“We were then told it’s a private meeting.
“It was never advertised as a private meeting, it was advertised as a public meeting.”
Dunghutti and Biripi woman Cheryl Davis, a lifelong resident of Kempsey, said many of Senator Price’s public statements do not align with the views of the local Indigenous community.
“Hearing a lot of Jacinta Price’s policies and what she believes, this woman does not speak for me and she does not speak for my family.
“To come here to see her and listen to her, and to be told we aren’t allowed in, is downright disrespectful.”
Joanne Smith, the former Vice Chairperson of the Dunghutti Elders Council, told NOTA she believed Senator Price had “sold out” Indigenous Australians over the Voice to Parliament and was also angry at the lack of consultation.
“Jacinta Price showed disrespect by not informing our communities, not seeking permission from the Dunghutti Elders Council or any Elder for that matter to have this meeting on our land.”
Senator Price has been on
Ms Holten said Senator Price “denigrates Aboriginal people”, citing statements the politician has made publicly about the Stolen Generation and domestic violence in Indigenous communities.
a tour of the NSW coast this week, visiting National Party and Liberal Party supporters and election candidates in Raymond Terrace, Taree and Port Macquarie.
She was set to appear in the pub alongside Mr Conaghan to “engage with the community, hear their concerns, and share insights on current issues”, according to event promotion.
Ahead of the event’s 2pm advertised start, a 30-strong crowd had gathered on the hotel’s verandah in protest, leading organisers to cancel the Senator’s appearance.
Police arrived promptly to mediate the situation and the crowd soon dispersed.
Jacinta Price is a Country Liberal Party senator for the Northern Territory and the Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs.
She sits with the National Party in the Federal Parliament.
Born in Alice Springs, she has both Indigenous and Anglo-Saxon heritage, and was a leading figure in the successful “No” campaign for the Voice to Parliament referendum.
In a statement in response
q The National Party invitation to the event was published to the hotel’s website.
to the event’s cancellation, Senator Nampijinpa Price told NOTA that the hotel gathering was a “private event for National Party members”.
“A group of people who were not members of the National Party also chose to attend the location of the planned event,” she said.
“While in attendance at the location, some of those non-members became verbally abusive, aggressive and implied possible use of violence… as well directing derogatory and aggressive comments at members of the National Party.
“This kind of behaviour is abhorrent and has no place in a democratic nation like Australia.
“I have, in recent times, received threats of violence, death and sexual abuse, and my family have also been subject to threatening behaviour.
“Whether those threatening individuals are from this area is unknown, but that is the background against which the behaviour expressed today must be considered, and on that basis, a decision was made to cancel the event.”
Senator Price said there was no need to consult the local Indigenous community ahead of the meeting.
“Any assertion that
local Elders should be notified and permission sought before a Senator or Member of the Australian Parliament holds a private event in their area is completely baseless,” she said.
The Senator said she will “continue to speak out about issues that demand urgent attention such as the rampant domestic and family violence and sexual abuse that occurs within Indigenous communities”. Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said it was disappointing that a member of Parliament “can’t visit and speak with members and supporters of a party that have invited her to come”.
“I have been asked by local National Party members on numerous occasions over the past three years to organise a visit from Jacinta,” he said.
“We are all free to have thoughts and opinions, and we are all free to disagree, but intimidation in an effort to silence an elected Senator at a small local meet-and-greet event is not an acceptable method of communication.”
CALLING all Nambucca Valley sporting and recreation clubs!
Send News Of The Area your sports club’s results each week by Tuesday evening for publication on a Friday. Bowls, golf, tennis, kayaking, cycling, cross country, athletics, fishing etc - you name it, we can publish it in our dedicated weekly Sports Results section. Email your results, relevant photos and captions to media@newsofthearea.com.au.
q Dunghutti women Leetona Dungay, Joanne Smith, Cheryl Davis and Lynne Holten were among those protesting the appearance of Senator Nampijinpa Price. Photo: Douglas Connor.
Kalang River Classic an ‘outstanding’ success
ORGANISERS of the Kalang River Classic have hailed the 2025 event a huge success.
Perfect weather and river conditions greeted the more than 150 participants as they arrived early on Saturday, 23 February to paddle a 15 km circuit around Newry Island at Urunga.
The race event is held every two years in February and is open to all nonpowered watercraft.
Organised by the Kalang River Dragon Boat Club, the course takes approximately two hours to complete.
“It went extremely well this year and the excitement was fantastic,” said organiser Beth Spriggs.
“All who took part enjoyed it immensely, many pledging to return next time.
“The event is more about
the personal challenge rather than winning the race, but that is very nice too.
“It was particularly pleasing to hear so many paddlers boasting about beating their previous personal bests over the long distance.”
Cash prizes were awarded in all categories.
Each year the event has seen an increase in entrants, with the next Classic planned for 2027.
“We were very pleased with the numbers and to have entrants in all categories,” Beth said.
“Paddlers came from Newcastle through to Brisbane and we had combined dragon boat teams representing Camden Haven, South West Rocks, Ballina and Coffs Coast as well as a
number of our own Kalang club members participating.
“The Outrigger category was very well represented with some 30 boats competing. Also the surf ski category was very popular.”
A raft of new categories
were introduced this year, including a full 15 km race for stand up paddleboards (SUPs).
“We also added some shorter distance fun races for both adults and juniors including one km SUP and kayak categories,” Beth said.
Fancy dress costumes added to the spectacle on the day.
The Best Dressed Adult went to Sam Sincock, while the Junior prize went to 11-year-old Dominic Singleton, who also won the one km SUP junior category.
The Best Dressed team was awarded to Rainbow Region Dragon Boat Club from Ballina.
2025 Kalang River Classic Race Results Dragon Boats 1st- South West Rocks/ Kalang, 2nd- Rainbow Region, 3rd - Camden Haven
OC2- 1st- Andrew Debus/ Kath Day, 2nd- BookeHarris/ Triona Faull, 3rd- Gary Machin
OC1M-1st- Tim Blay, 2ndDarin Singleton, 3rd- Mark Lawrence
OC1F- 1st- Linda Donnini,
Junior cricket semi-finals to be decided
By Aiden BURGESS
JUNION cricketers are set to play off for grand final spots, with the Sixers Cricket League’s Under 16s, Under 14s, and Under 12s semifinals scheduled to be played this week.
The Under 16s semifinals sees minor premiers the Nana Glen Lizards take on the Woolgoolga Cricket Club Rebels at Reg Ryan Oval, and the Sawtell Sloggers and Macksville Bulls playing off at Toormina Oval, on Friday afternoon.
The Under 14s semifinals were scheduled to be played this week.
Minor premiers Sawtell
Storm hosted Diggers Cricket Club at Toormina Oval, and Macksville Bulls hosted the Woolgoolga Cricket Club Rebels.
The Under 16s and Under 14s grand finals are scheduled to be played next week.
Due to last week’s downpour, the final round of the Under 16s and Under 14s seasons were abandoned.
The final round of the second Under 12s season of the summer was also abandoned, with the semifinals scheduled to be played this Saturday.
turning up on Thursday 6th for a fun and hotly contested afternoon of bowls. How wonderful is the roof. The winners cheques went to Wayne Brown (again and
well gone to our Postmaster General for the second week in a row), John Cowie and Graham Hines. Runners up were Joy Green, Kenny Grace and Lloyd Laird.
Sunday 8th, was postponed due to the weather. Keep an eye out for a new date after the completion of the pennants.
The Draw for the Club Fours has been completed with round one games on the notice board.
A donation from event proceeds will be made to Marine Rescue Nambucca Heads.
2nd- Renee Haynes Surf Skis
MAndrew Webber, 2nd- Wayne Heaton, 3rd- Ben
q Dragon boats hit the water.
q Outrigger teams do battle.
q Rainbow Region Dragon Boat club won the Best Dressed team.
HYPOTHETICAL
By Manny WOOD
He said,
she
saidthe court decides
PETER and Sally are engaged to be married. Sally moves into Peter’s home and contributes towards renovations to the property.
They decide to purchase an investment property and the property is registered in joint names.
There is no written agreement between them in relation to the purchase.
Unfortunately Peter and Sally never marry, and 18 months after their relationship commenced, Peter and Sally separate and their relationship comes to an end.
A dispute arises in relation to the investment property and Peter files a claim in the Supreme Court of NSW. He seeks an order to the effect that he is entitled to the whole property on the basis that he paid the full purchase price.
Sally says that Peter gifted her interest in the property to her in recognition of their relationship and her contributions towards renovations to Peter’s home.
She says the inclusion of her name on title of the investment property was not conditional upon her marriage to Peter.
The Court accepts evidence that Peter paid the whole of the investment property’s purchase price and that a mortgage was not obtained.
The Court observes that the purchase of property as “joint tenants” is consistent with a relationship in the “nature of a marriage”.
The Court further notes that because Peter and Sally’s relationship did not last two years or more, their property interests cannot be adjusted under the Property (Relationships) Act and must be determined by the “general law” with reference to the failure of a “joint endeavour”.
In determining the legal entitlements of the parties, the Court examines their financial and non-financial contributions and without engaging in a “precise arithmetical calculation” rules that it would be unconscionable for Peter to deny Sally’s contributions towards the property and unconscionable for Sally not to recognise Peter’s payment of the whole purchase price. Ultimately, the Court considers a “just outcome” is for the property to be sold and the proceeds divided two-thirds for Peter and one-third for Sally.
Email Manny Wood, Principal Solicitor and Accredited Specialist in Wills and Estates at TB Law at manny@tblaw.net.au or call him on (02) 66 487 487.
This fictional column is not legal advice.
Misinformation and disinformation
DEAR News Of The Area,
AFTER reading various letters in your newspaper and as we approach the federal election it might be an appropriate time to highlight the difference between ‘misinformation’ and ‘disinformation’. Misinformation is getting things wrongsometimes innocently, while disinformation is deliberately spreading information you know to be wrong.
Sadly it hasn't taken long for rusted-on Coalition soothsayers to start their campaign of disinformation against our independent candidate.
With Cowper now a swinging seat, fear of losing does that I guess.
Regards, Bob HARRIS, Sawtell.
Dorin’s Draws By Paul DORIN On theCouch
The great koala ‘con’
DEAR News Of The Area,
MUCH has been made in Australia of the plight of one of its iconic animals, the koala.
While we fully support the protection of Australian native flora and fauna, we do not support the current process of political activists misrepresenting our native environment to promote hidden agendas that are not in our national interest.
The current process of emotional political activism to raise funds worldwide for an apparently at-risk species can be labelled a form of emotional fraud, using misinformation and selected data.
Most of this does not rely on fact or science.
The koala is now portrayed in the media as being critically endangered and may be extinct by 2050 if current land clearing and native forestry harvesting practices continue.
This view is pushed by conservationists and extremists using a questionable Government report (NSW Legislative Council Portfolio Committee No 7 Report June 2020 - finding number 2 page 12) that reported koalas would be extinct by 2050 if something was not done.
This is now seen to be based on opinion rather than expert scientific data.
Conveniently there is no mention of numerous subsequent science-based credible research findings from field data that factually indicate koala populations
DEAR Jasminda,
I HAVE a neighbour who parades around his backyard in the nuddy.
He opens his side gate, so I can see him from my kitchen window.
He thinks it’s funny when I tell him I can watch porn on television if I was that way inclined.
What do you suggest I do?
are healthy and growing:
1. The most recent CSIRO findings indicate koala numbers have multiplied at least 10 times in the last 12 years (CSIRO - National Koala Monitoring Program 15 April 2024 Update).
2. The NSW Department of Primary Industry recent findings show koala population growth and forestry selective harvesting can and do co-exist (Dr Brad Law – Forest Science Research NSW Forest Monitoring & Impairment Program Published May 2022 updated and Published May 2024).
3. Previous findings by the Natural Resources Commission reveal harvesting in native state forests has no negative impact on koala populations (NRC Research Report Updated Dec 2022 Koala Response to Timber Industry).
4. Recent reports provided to the proposed Great Koala Park enquiry indicate more than 12,000 koalas exist in the native forest area being considered for the park, which has been managed and harvested for more than 200 years.
The most recent study indicates around 12,000 healthy koalas live in the 175,000 hectares being considered for the Great Koala National Park (GKNP).
If koalas are thriving in this environment managed by forestry for over 200 years, why make it a National Park fraught with all the dangers of megafires, unmanaged undergrowth and fuel build ups just waiting to explode?
Let’s not destroy a $2.9 billion sustainable industry in NSW that employs up to 22,000 people in
Fear campaigns work
DEAR News Of The Area,
THE NSW National (Mining) Party has been making a lot of noise lately about “youth crime”.
In their quest for relevance they have chosen a campaign against a group that we all have a legitimate right to fear: young people!
I blame rock and roll myself but that might be just showing my age.
All of the proposals they put forward to address the issue are counter productive and will not make people safer.
They want to put more people into jail, at an earlier age, when all the evidence shows that this makes for more criminals and a more unsafe society.
More jails come at an enormous cost.
A new jail means a hospital is not built.
More prison officers mean less teachers.
It all has to be paid for at the expense of something else.
The new Northern Territory government can now boast that fully one percent, one in every hundred, of territorians are now incarcerated.
This is yet another example of simple solutions to complex problems.
We cannot arrest our way out of a supposed crime wave.
To deal with the problem we must deal with many intersecting issues such as generational trauma, insecure housing, poverty, drugs, alcohol, gambling, education, social supports, etc. A lot of things to fit onto a corflute at a rally.
Why do jails have such a poor record with regards to recidivism?
Why did the NSW government cut all the education facilities out of the prisons?
woman next door peeking through her kitchen curtains at me. I thought it was just a coincidence, but then, a couple of days later, she yelled out something like, 'I watch porn on television when I'm reclined.' I was horrified. I don't know what to do. Am I living next door to a pervert? I just nervously giggled and strategically covered up my remaining dignity with my pruning shears. Thankfully I'd first put the safety latch on. Who knows what injury could have befallen me. How do I stop this peeping Thomasina?"
Signed, Bertha.
Dear Bertha,
What a coincidence.
The day before I received your email, I had a conundrum sent to me from a hard-of-hearing naturist.
He said, "Dear Jasminda, I'm working hard on body acceptance. I enjoy weeding my garden, tending to my magnolia hedge, and replenishing the birdbath wearing nothing more than my Akubra, steel cap boots, and some SPF 50+. I would never have done this while my wife was still alive, but now she's gone, I feel I can fully embrace the time I have left by soaking up the sun and being one with nature. My problem is, lately I've had this nagging feeling that someone is watching me. Recently I've had it confirmed. Last week, midprune, I swivelled around and caught a glimpse of the
regional communities, increase the cost of housing, make us more reliant on imports from unregulated countries (now exceeding $5 billion), and place this country at the mercy of noncarbon friendly alternative products such as steel, concrete and plastic.
Prisons have a poor record of keeping the community safer if around 50 percent of inmates just end up going back in within two years.
We need policies that keep children out of prison and the social supports that work to this end.
We need more family violence shelters and support for families. We need to actively address men’s violence.
We need to have more “halfway” houses to help people integrate back into society at the end of their sentences.
We need to work on socialising people in prison before they are released. These things are hard. They are complex. They require us to examine the causes of social
What we have here, Bertha, is a simple neighbourly misunderstanding.
Perhaps you could have an over-the-fence conversation.
Explain that you're not used to people running around starkers.
Tell him it's hard concentrating on your role decorating cakes for the CWA when he's cavorting around in his birthday suit.
Maybe you two can come to an arrangement. In exchange for some freshly-baked scones once a week, your neighbour could agree to set nude gardening hours (a bit like dog off-leash hours) between 10 and 11am and provide you with bunches of freshly-cut magnolias. What do you think, Bertha?
Sounds like a win-win to me.
It may even develop into a blossoming friendship.
Carpe diem, Jasminda.
The misinformation about the koalas’ plight is concealing these facts!
Regards, Noel ATKINS, Director, REEF Research Foundation.
problems and act on them. Yet we can’t even get agreement to stop the exposure of children to gambling advertising. Really!?
So why do the Nats resort to a fear campaign?
Is it that they have no positive policies to put forward?
A simple answer (to a complex question) is that they know that a fear campaign will always trump reason.
Fear campaigns work.
I believe we need to embrace children and their well being knowing that our primary purpose in life is to nurture them into well adjusted adults who will, in turn, nurture their children.
Regards, Peter SOBEY, Valla.
Mackay/Mckay Association meeting Saturday 22 March 10am 10 Princess St Macksville Legacy Office RSVP: 0410 024 648 Public Notices
CAMPER trailer $1450 ONO. TE82MB Ph 0422 610 342
Caravans
1999 Nissan Patrol STGU, manual, 4x4 diesel, 330,000klms comes with Cooper tyres, CB radio, snorkel chrome bull bar, clear view extension mirrors more extras, exc cond $30,000. CK52AQ Coffs Harbour. 0407 536 896 Camper Trailer
To place a classified ad, call 4981 8882 between 9am - 2pm Mon, Tues, Wed or Fri. The classified deadline is 12pm Wednesdays.
List an item for sale for $100 or less for free.
Privacy Screens Fiamma Bike Rack 20 LTR Jerry Can Holder
Slide out Kitchen New Awning with LED lighting. INTERNAL
Double
MITSUBISHI Mirage white hatchback 2015 manual, 47,454 klms well serviced & garaged exc cond, one lady owner, $11,990 ono CD68GF. 6651 9790
MITSUBISHI Pajero GLS 4WD 3.2L diesel 2003. Mechanically sound, in great condition Owned 13 years, well serviced & garaged 370,500km. Rego to 8 Jun ‘25 YZY538 $8,500 ono 0474 311 763
ready to start a new chapter of her life with a loving family. Although Roxy is a little shy at first, once she trusts you, she’ll show you just how much love she has to give. She deserves a family who can help her build confidence and enjoy the happiness she’s
Form on Councils website.
Letter Boxes & Hose Reels
BEST ON THE BOX
SUNDAY
DARBY AND JOAN
ABC TV, 7.30pm
This crime-solving series finds ex-detective Jack and widowed English nurse Joan (Bryan Brown and Greta Scacchi, both pictured) back on the road for its second season. This time, the travelling companions are on the hunt for answers about Jack’s past, hoping to clear his name and remove a dark cloud hanging over his career. As they travel through Queensland together, solving mysteries from town to town, the pair’s relationship is put to the test. Tonight’s premiere brings them into the orbit of brothers Doug (Martin Sacks) and Ellory (Gary Sweet), at war over their family farm.
FRIDAY, March 14
MONDAY
SAM PANG TONIGHT
TEN, 8.40pm
“Channel 10 rejected my pitch to reboot The Golden Girls,” quips Sam Pang (pictured) about his latest project. The mind boggles when it comes to a re-imagining of the iconic sitcom – would the Paying Attention? mainstay play the wisecracking Sophia or the nononsense Dorothy? All jokes aside, Pang is reviving another classic format, the tonight show, something not seen on network TV for more than a decade. Over the next eight weeks, viewers can expect Monday nights to contain a razor-sharp monologue from the two-time Logies host, as well as local and international guests. Bolstered by a witty team that includes Seats’ Tim McDonald, you won’t want to miss this.
WEDNESDAY
AUSTRALIA: AN UNOFFICIAL HISTORY
Diving through the National Film and Sound Archive’s stash of government films, made to record Australia’s emerging culture in the 1970s, screen legend Jacki Weaver (pictured) has uncovered a treasure trove of a time capsule in this docuseries full of gloriously daggy scenes but also radical social change. This third and final part focuses on Film Australia’s later years and a turn towards more diverse filmmaking as women, Indigenous creatives and gay activists took control of how their own stories were told. Journalist Jan Fran, comedian Zoë Coombs Marr and several of the films’ original subjects are among those who weigh in on these fascinating glimpses into ’70s society and how it shaped our own.
The Vines.
and
to steal William’s thunder.
The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (PG, R)
Hard Quiz. (PGa, R)
Spicks And Specks. (PG, R)
Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee (NZ) (PG, R) 11.35 ABC Late News. 11.55 Grand Designs. (PG, R) 12.40 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 1.30 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv)
5.00 Rage. (PG)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 James May: Our Man In Italy. (M)
8.30 Tony Robinson’s Marvellous Machines. (Ma, R)
9.25 Mysteries Of The Ancient Dead. (PG)
10.20 SBS World News Late.
10.50 A Body That Works. (Premiere, Ma) 11.50 Sisi. (MA15+ds, R) 12.45 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Paris-Nice Race. Stage 6. 2.45 Babies: Their Wonderful World. (PGaw, R) 3.50 Bamay. (R) 4.50 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 4.55 Destination Flavour Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Johanna Griggs meets up with Annie Smithers. 8.30 MOVIE: The Green Mile. (1999, MA15+av, R) An elderly man recalls his time as a prison guard where he befriended a man with an unusual gift. Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, David Morse.
12.10 We Interrupt This Broadcast. (PGa, R) 1.10 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
5.00 NBC Today.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 2. Penrith Panthers v Sydney Roosters. 9.55 Golden Point. A wrap-up of the Penrith Panthers versus Sydney Roosters match, with news and analysis.
10.45 MOVIE: Tango & Cash.
(1989, Mlv, R) Two cops serve time in jail after being framed. Sylvester Stallone.
12.40 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)
4.30 Global Shop. (R)
5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
5.30 Fish Forever. (PGl, R)
Scooby-Doo And Guess Who? 8.25 BTN Newsbreak. 8.30 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 8.55 Robot Wars. 9.55 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer.
6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 The Graham Norton Show. (Ml) Graham Norton chats with celebrities. 9.50 Tom Gleeson: Lighten Up. (Mls, R) Stand-up comedy performance from Gold Logie-winner and Hard Quiz host Tom Gleeson. 11.00 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather.
11.25 The Project. (R) A look at the day’s news. 12.20 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.30 Home Shopping. (R)
SATURDAY, March 15
6.00 Australian Story: Hooked – Dave Hughes. (R)
6.30 Back Roads: Wheelbarrow Way, QLD. (PG, R) Joe O’Brien heads to Far North Queensland.
7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.
7.30 Death In Paradise. (PG) Neville investigates a crypto-related death.
8.30 Vera. (Ma, R) Vera is drawn into a mystery that brings her closer to her estranged family than she would like.
10.00 The Newsreader. (Final, Ml, R) Dale and Helen turn to each other for support. 11.00 Unforgotten. (Final, Mal, R) 11.50 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
6am Children’s Programs. 5.45pm Tish Tash. 5.50 Paddington. 6.05 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.15 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts. 6.35 Hey Duggee. 6.40 Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Riley Rocket. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Kids BBQ Championship. 8.10 Chopped Junior. 8.55 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.35 Speechless. 10.00 Officially Amazing Goes Bunkers. 10.25 Dragon Ball Super. 10.50 Late Programs.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 The Wonders Of Europe.
8.30 Blenheim: The People Behind The Palace. (Premiere)
9.25 Ray Martin: The Last Goodbye. (PGa, R)
10.25 Great Coastal Railway Journeys. (PG, R) 11.25 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Paris-Nice Race. Stage 7.
1.25 All Those Things We Never Said. (Ml, R)
2.40 Love Your Garden. (PGa, R)
3.35 Babies: Their Wonderful World. (R) 4.40 Bamay. (R) 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)
7.30 MOVIE: RED. (2010, Mlv, R) Bruce Willis.
9.45 MOVIE: Atomic Blonde. (2017, MA15+lsv, R) An MI6 agent investigates an agent’s murder. Charlize Theron. 12.05 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round 2. Melbourne Supersprint. Day 1. Highlights.
1.05 We Interrupt This Broadcast. (PGa, R)
2.00 To Be Advised.
4.00 It’s Academic. (R)
5.00 My Greek Odyssey. (PG, R)
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Rugby Union. Super Rugby Pacific. Round 5. Queensland Reds v NSW Waratahs. 9.30 Super Rugby Pacific Post-Match. 9.45 MOVIE: Honest Thief. (2020, Mlv, R) Liam Neeson.
11.40 Family Law. (Ma, R)
12.30 Bondi Vet. (PGm, R)
1.30 The Pet Rescuers. (PG, R)
2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PG)
2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.30 Global Shop. (R) 5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)
6am Shaolin
SUNDAY,
March 16
6.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.
7.30 Darby And Joan. (Return, PGa) Jack and Joan encounter two warring brothers.
8.20 Unforgotten. (Return, Madl) A new case begins for Jess and Sunny’s team.
9.05 Boat Story. (Premiere, MA15+alv)
Two strangers discover cocaine on a boat.
10.05 MOVIE: The Turning. (2013, MA15+al, R)
1.00 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
3.00 Ask The Doctor. (PG, R)
3.30 Outback Ringer. (PG, R)
4.00 Gardening Australia. (R)
5.00 Insiders. (R)
6am Children’s Programs. 5.40pm Kiri And Lou. 5.45 Tish Tash. 5.50 Paddington. 6.05 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.15 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts. 6.35 Hey Duggee. 6.40 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Riley Rocket. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Moominvalley. 8.00 Horrible Histories. 8.30 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.10 Abbott Elementary. 9.55 Speechless. 10.20 Merlin. 11.00 Late Programs.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Ancient Greece By Train. (PG)
8.25 Alhambra: At The Crossroads Of Cultures.
9.30 King Tut: Allies And Enemies. (PGa, R)
10.30 Death In The Tower: King Richard. (Mav, R)
11.30 Britain’s Great Outdoors. (R) 1.30 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Paris-Nice Race. Stage 8.
3.30 Love Your Garden. (PGal, R)
4.25 Bamay. (R)
4.55 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera.
10.10 WWE Legends. 11.45 MOVIE: The Meaning Of Hitler. (2020, M) 1.25am Late Programs.
Soccer. (2001, PG, Cantonese) 8.10 Mary And The Witch’s Flower. (2017, PG) 10.00 The Lighthorsemen. (1987, M) 12.10pm Healing. (2014, M) 2.20 On The Waterfront. (1954, PG) 4.20 Viceroy’s House. (2017, PG) 6.20 A Room With A View. (1985, PG) 8.30 Mystic River. (2003, MA15+) 11.10 Shame. (2011, MA15+) 1am The Last Samurai. (2003, MA15+) 3.50 Late Programs. 6am The Movie Show. 6.10 A Room With A View. (1985, PG) 8.20 Lucky You. (2007, PG) 10.35 We’re All Going To The World’s Fair. (2021, M) 12.10pm French Exit. (2020, M) 2.15 Selkie. (2000, PG) 3.55 Shaolin Soccer. (2001, PG, Cantonese) 6.00 The Natural. (1984, PG) 8.30 Million Dollar Baby. (2004, M) 10.55 So Damn Easy Going. (2022, M, Swedish) 12.35am My Little Sister. (2020, MA15+, German) 2.30 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. Noon The 4WD Adventure Show. 12.30 Timbersports. 1.00 Blokesworld. 1.30 Cool Cars & Bikes. 2.00 Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars. 3.00 Motor Racing. National Drag Racing Championship. Round 2. New Year Nitro. 4.00 Carnage. 5.00 Counting Cars. 6.00 Football.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Australian Idol. (PGl)
8.10 The Hunters: Rentakill. (M) A look at hit man Christopher Dale Flannery. 9.40 Ivan Milat: Buried Secrets. (MA15+av, R) 11.40 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round 2. Melbourne Supersprint. Day 2. Highlights.
12.10 The Bay. (Malv, R) 1.10 Harry’s Practice. (R)
2.00 To Be Advised.
3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 Married At First Sight. (PGls)
6am Children’s Programs. 1.05pm Motor Racing. FIA World Endurance C’ship. Qatar 1812 km. H’lights. 2.15 Inside The Superbrands. 3.15 Ben Fogle: Starting Up Starting Over. 4.15 Young Sheldon. 5.45 MOVIE: Alvin And The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel. (2009) 7.30 MOVIE: Night At The Museum: Battle Of The Smithsonian. (2009, PG) 9.40 MOVIE: The Beverly Hillbillies. (1993) 11.40 Late Programs. 6am Children’s Programs. 1.15pm MOVIE: Combat Wombat. (2020, PG) 3.00 Motorway Cops: Catching Britain’s Speeders. 4.00 Young Sheldon. 5.30 MOVIE: The LEGO Ninjago Movie. (2017, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Shazam! Fury Of The Gods. (2023, M) 10.00 MOVIE: Fast Five. (2011, M) 12.30am Gotham. 1.30 Arrow. 2.30 Young Sheldon. 3.00 Beyblade X. 4.00 Bakugan. 4.30 Cry Babies Magic Tears. 4.50 Late Programs.
7.35 Lisbon With Michael Portillo. (Premiere, PGv) Michael Portillo journeys to Lisbon, Portugal.
8.25 Dan Snow’s Greatest Discoveries. (PGav)
9.20 24 Hours In Emergency. (Ma)
10.15 SBS World News Late.
10.45 Syndrome E. (Malv)
11.45 The Night Manager. (Malsv, R)
1.55 Elizabeth. (PGa, R)
3.40 Ancient Invisible Cities. (PG, R)
4.40 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. (PG)
7.30 Australian Idol. (PGl) Hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie. 8.40 9-1-1: Lone Star. (Return, M) An armoured truck heist is carried out. 9.40 Suits L.A. (M) Ted and Erica try to save Lester’s movie. 10.40 The Agenda Setters. 11.40 St. Denis Medical. (PGa) 12.10 Miniseries: Hatton Garden. (Ml, R) 2.30 To Be Advised. 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am The Natural. Continued. (1984, PG) 7.30 Selkie. (2000, PG) 9.10 Viceroy’s House. (2017, PG) 11.10 Gloria Bell. (2018, M) 1.05pm So Damn Easy Going. (2022, M, Swedish) 2.45 A Room With A View. (1985, PG) 4.55 Hachi: A Dog’s Tale. (2009, PG) 6.35 Widows’ Peak. (1994, PG) 8.30 Michael Collins. (1996, MA15+) 11.00 Nowhere Special. (2020, M) 12.50am Late Programs.
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Great Coastal Railway Journeys. (PGa, R)
8.30 Insight.
9.30 Dateline.
10.00 SBS World News Late.
10.30 Guillaume’s Paris. (R)
11.00 Prisoner. (MA15+av)
12.10 Illegals. (Malv, R)
2.10 Elizabeth: Into The Storm. (PGa, R)
3.05 Philip: Prince, Husband, Father. (PG, R)
4.00 Ancient Invisible Cities. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
7MATE (64)
6am
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Widows’ Peak. Continued. (1994, PG) 6.55 The Man Who Invented Christmas. (2017, PG) 8.50 Hachi: A Dog’s Tale. (2009, PG) 10.30 Nordic By Nature. (2021, M, Faroese) 11.50 Million Dollar Baby. (2004, M) 2.15pm The Natural. (1984, PG) 4.45 Walking On Sunshine. (2014, PG) 6.35 Another Mother’s Son. (2017, PG) 8.30 Michael Clayton. (2007, MA15+) 10.40 Joe Bell. (2020, M) 12.20am Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PG) 7.30 Australian Idol. (PGl) Hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie. 8.40 The Hunting Party. (M)
The Irrational. (Mav) Renee seeks Alec’s help.
St. Denis Medical. (PGals)
The Great Diamond Heist. (PGa, R) 1.10 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
7MATE (64)
(34)
9GO! (83) 9GO!
WEDNESDAY, March 19
9.05 Designing Paradise With Bill Bensley. (PG, R) 10.05 Food Markets. (PGad, R) 11.05 Grayson Perry’s Big American Road Trip. (Mal, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Dateline. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Australia: An Unofficial History. (Mals)
8.40 The Jury: Murder Trial UK. (Mal) The juries retire to decide their verdicts.
9.35 Rogue Heroes. (MA15+av)
10.40 SBS World News Late. 11.10 Blackwater. (MA15+as)
6am Hachi: A Dog’s Tale. Continued. (2009, PG) 6.40 Another Mother’s Son. (2017, PG) 8.35 Hamlet. (1948, PG) 11.30 Nowhere Special. (2020, M) 1.15pm As Needed. (2018, M, Italian) 3.00 Widows’ Peak. (1994, PG) 4.55 The Man Who Invented Christmas. (2017, PG) 6.50 All At Sea. (2010, PG) 8.30 There Will Be Blood. (2007, M) 11.20 Good Time. (2017, MA15+) 1.15am Late Programs.
8.30 Super Ships: A Revolution At Sea. Looks at how cruise lines launch new liners.
9.35 Boiling Point. (Mal)
10.45 SBS World News Late.
11.15 Breaking Point. (Premiere, MA15+a)
12.05 Blackport. (Mls, R)
2.45 Earth’s Natural Wonders. (PGa, R)
4.40 Bamay. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am The Man Who Invented Christmas. Continued. (2017, PG) 6.55 All At Sea. (2010, PG) 8.35 Walking On Sunshine. (2014, PG) 10.25 Joe Bell. (2020, M) 12.05pm Beyond The Summit. (2022, M, Spanish) 1.40 Another Mother’s Son. (2017, PG) 3.35 Hamlet. (1948, PG) 6.25 Diana. (2013, PG) 8.30 The Young Victoria. (2009, PG) 10.30 Mystic Pizza. (1988, M) 12.30am Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGav)
7.30 The 1% Club UK.
8.30 The Front Bar. (Ml) Hosts Sam Pang, Mick Molloy and Andy Maher take a lighter look at all things AFL.
9.30 Unfiltered. (Ma) Hosted by Hamish McLachlan.
10.00 Live At The Chapel: Birds Of Tokyo. (Ml)
11.00 Autopsy USA. (Ma)
12.00 Covert Affairs. (Mv, R)
2.00 To Be Advised.
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls) 9.00 Scrublands. (MA15+lv)
10.00 Freddy And The Eighth. (Ml) 11.00 9News Late. 11.30 The Equalizer. (Mv, R)
Tipping Point. (PG, R)
My Way. (R)
TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
Global Shop. (R)
TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGav)
7.30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly. (PG)
8.30 Britain’s Got Talent. (PGa) Auditions begin as weird, wacky and wonderful acts compete in front of celebrity judges.
9.45 The Amazing Race. (PG) 11.15 The Disappearance Of Gabby Petito. (Mav, R)
12.30 Damnation. (MA15+asv)
1.30 Harry’s Practice. (R)
2.00 To Be Advised.
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
(34) 7MATE (64)
7MATE (64)
9GO!
Golfing Phenom
By Chris KNIGHT
NAMBUCCA Heads phenom
Ashton Herbert ticked a major goal box when he qualified for the NSW All Schools Golf Championships - after a nervous wait.
The path to the battle of the best in the west required a Top 16 finish in the Catholic Schools NSW qualifier at Tuncurry Golf Course on Monday, 3 March.
This was no easy task for the five-marker as many in the field were on a lower handicap.
Trouble struck early for the St John Paul College student who stumbled around the front in five-over par including a triple bogey on Tuncurry's toughest hole - a brutal par four.
"I managed to grind it out on the back nine and after spraying my drive on the last I just had to punch it out and hit a wedge to a foot to save par," Herbert said.
That gave the 16-yearold a seven over round of 79 - on the cusp of qualifying to advance.
"It wasn't until the next day that I found out I'd made it through by a single shot," he said.
That news brought equal doses of relief and excitement for the Nambucca Heads Island Golf Club junior.
Next step will be the 72hole All Schools tournament at Dubbo over four days, 23-26 June.
"I have been working hard on my game and will need to keep stepping it up," Herbert said.
"It's a big opportunity and the support I've had from everyone at the (Island) club is immensely appreciated. It means the world to me."
Meanwhile, Alfred the rain bomb formerly known as a tropical cyclone, put paid to competition golf on The Island this past week on all but one day.
Nambucca's Paul Ryan rolled back the years with an excellent 82 off the stick including a birdie on the 7th in the Mid North Coast Truckssponsored veterans medley stableford on Tuesday, 4 March.
That gave the 15-handicapper 38 points and the win in Div 1, one point clear of Urunga's Kevin Sanford (14 handicap).
Sanctuary Golf Club's Craig Deamer (11) finished on 35 points.
In Div 2, Bellingen's Cormac McMullen (19) had the best round of the day with a sizzling 41 points. His round included seven pars and a bird on the 4th.
Runner-up was Bowraville's David Salvin (25) on 36 points on a countback from Social Golf Australia's Phillip Hemming (19).
The ball run went down to 32 points with Macksville's Rod Edwards the last to collect.
q Ashton Herbert chips to the 16th green at the Nambucca Heads Island Golf Course.
