Sophie Lien wins Youth Category of 2025 Phoenix Art Prize
inspired by the rich traditions of ceramics and her desire to challenge convention.
“The [ceramic] medium is such a diverse and variable medium that has so [many] historical connections,” she said.
“I like to flip it on its head and give traditional ceramic wheel-thrown forms a drag-like personality that is over the top - with colourful glazes and a pair of eyelashes to add an extra
touch of modern influence.”
Sophie’s lifelong aspiration is to be part of the evolution of arts in this generation - for the Mid North Coast region.
This comes from her admiration and respect for other local renowned ceramicists who have inspired and encouraged her to keep working and developing her art practice and style.
“I hope to collaborate with other artists who share
similar ideas and influences.
“I like how my art serves as representation for people in the queer, neurodivergent and youth environments and communities.”
Sophie says she uses her art as a way to express topics close to her heart.
“As a queer, neurodivergent and young artist, I hope to use art as a voice to help these communities, and to continue on in the neverending
learning of ceramics.
“The mix between traditional ceramic forms and colourful, contemporary drag-like personas, has always been a main focus of my art, with my ceramics and my drag persona Ema Stoner,” said Sophie.
The winning works are now on display at the Nulla Nulla Gallery in Kempsey’s Slim Dusty Centre, until 13 December.
War on waste: more single-use plastics banished
By Farid FARID, AAP
PESKY plastic tags on loaves of bread, tiny soy sauce fish bottles and detachable bottle tops are all being binned by a state government battling a mounting rubbish crisis.
The ambitious clean-up is part of an expanded ban by NSW coinciding with the start of National Recycling Week.
The NSW Plastic Plan 2.0, will see the winding down of plastic bread tags and pizza box savers from late 2027 and non-compostable plastic fruit and vegetable stickers by 2030.
It will also require businesses to introduce tethered lids, meaning the cap or lid on a plastic bottle must remain attached to the bottle itself,
even after it is opened, by 2030.
Without action, Sydney could run out of landfill space by 2030 with predictions there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050.
Plastic makes up around 74 percent of litter in NSW waterways with less than 16 per cent of plastic waste recycled.
"Microplastics are entering our bodies and plastic is polluting our environment and oceans, killing our wildlife," Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said on Sunday.
"This plan moves NSW
another step closer to phasing out these problematic items."
The move puts NSW in line with other states to tackle the 800,000 tonnes of plastic waste it generates each year.
It will also cut out helium balloons in 2026, plastic bags with handles - regardless of thickness by 2027 and filters on washing machines by 2028 to combat a prolific source of microplastics.
Sushi lovers will have to adapt by 2030 with condiment containers such as soy sauce fish bottles being phased out and takeaway food containers will have to be redesigned to
be recycled.
NSW began tackling problematic plastics in 2022 by phasing out items such as lightweight plastic bags, single-use cutlery, bowls, plates, stirrers and straws.
The Boomerang Alliance, representing more than 55 environmental groups, welcomed the ambitious proposal saying the most populous state had leapfrogged others in reducing plastic pollution.
South Australia was the first state in 2021 to prohibit single-use plastics followed by Queensland and the ACT.
Remediation works tackling sand build-up and erosion
FROM Page 1
Heads V-Wall to remove sand build up and minimise riverbank erosion.
Nambucca Valley Council
General Manager Bede Spannagle said Council was undertaking the works as a contractor to Crown Lands, within the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.
“Over several years, sand has moved into the Nambucca Heads V-Wall, effectively creating a beach on its ocean side and causing wave surges to flow up and over the top of the V-Wall,” he said.
“Combined with the severe weather events of March and May, this has caused significant erosion on the riverbank-side behind the V-Wall and constant flooding
of both the footpaths and carpark.
“Crown Lands has directed work to remove sand from this area and carry out remediation activities to minimise erosion.”
Remediation works are being carried out in two stages.
First the sand will be removed using an excavator and then transported to a fill site located directly adjacent to the western footpath.
The sand will fill in areas eroded by wave surges and then be covered by topsoil and turf.
A border of Gabion Baskets (cages filled with rock) will be added.
Sand is being removed to historic levels only, about two metres below the level of the footpath.
Stage 2 will involve the
excavator filling 150 large geo-fabric bags with sand.
Then a small bobcat will carry the geo-fabric bags to the adjacent northern bank of the Nambucca River, to lengthen and improve the existing geo-fabric revetment wall.
It is hoped this will minimise erosion of this beautiful and sensitive strip, frequently accessed by locals and visitors.
Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said the insurance repairs would help restore the popular Crown reserve.
“Breakwaters on coastal Crown land like the Nambucca V-Wall are popular areas for both locals and visitors so it is important to keep them maintained and repaired when needed to ensure they are safe and functional and can continue to be used and enjoyed,” he said.
Remediation works are
expected to take about four weeks, weather depending. It will be finished prior to the peak summer holiday period.
q Remediation works are being carried out in two stages.
Users will still be able to walk or cycle along the footpath to the eastern-most tip of the V-Wall. Access will be maintained
Support payments finalised for timber workers
THE NSW Government has finalised a Worker Support Package (WSP) for employees at six timber mills directly impacted by the recent moratorium on timber harvesting within the proposed boundaries of the Great Koala National Park (GKNP).
The package also extends to harvesting operators contracted by the NSW Forestry Corporation whose supply has been restricted by the moratorium.
It is in addition to existing redundancy entitlements.
The Worker Support Package includes:
- top up redundancy payments: employees will receive four weeks of base pay (inclusive of employer redundancy payment) per year of employment with
an impacted timber mill or harvesting operator, capped at $150,000;
- additional support for employees over 45 years of age: a further three weeks of pay for every year of service after the age of 45 (up to a cap of $50,000), to be calculated separately from the top up redundancy payment;
- education and training payments: of up to $9,000 for retraining and upskilling;
- relocation payments: of up to $45,000 for affected workers who move more than 50 kilometres for new employment;
- free access to mental health support, and financial and legal guidance.
Eligible employees are those employed on the North Coast of NSW on a full-time, part-time or casual
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basis who were employed on 7 September 2025 (date of the moratorium announcement) and made redundant within 18 months of that date, being 7 March 2027, as a result of this decision.
Regular redundancy payments and entitlements will be provided to workers by their employer in accordance with their employment contracts or enterprise agreements.
The Government’s redundancy top-up payment will also be provided to the workers via the employer.
worked closely with affected workers, industry and unions to ensure these payments are fair and will help meet the real costs people will face.
“These payments are about supporting workers
Part-time and casual employees will be eligible for the redundancy payments at a pro-rata value.
Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said, “We have
through an incredibly difficult time, and we are committed to helping people and their families move forward with practical support.
“We will continue to work with affected workers
via the road adjacent to the V-Wall Pavilion and the footpath skirting the barbeque area.
and communities to make sure they’re supported through every stage of this transition.
“The Government understands this isn’t just about changing jobs, it is a major adjustment for families, and these payments aim to make the transition more manageable.”
NV COMMUNITY AWARDS
We’ve been celebrating our top citizens since the early 1980s. Now is your chance to nominate locals for our 2026 awards in the following categories:
Citizen of the Year Award
Senior Citizen of the Year Award
Young Citizen of the Year Award
Indigenous Citizen of the Year
Young Indigenous Citizen of the Year
Services to the Community Award Environmental Award
Remembrance Day services honour sacrifice
By Mick BIRTLES
COMMUNITIES across the Nambucca Valley paused on Tuesday to mark Remembrance Day 2025, joining millions of Australians in observing the solemn tradition of reflecting on the courage and sacrifice
of those who have served in times of conflict.
Remembrance Day has its origins in the Armistice that ended the First World War.
At 11am on 11 November 1918, the guns fell silent on the Western Front after more than four years of brutal conflict.
The moment became known as Armistice Day and, after the Second World War, was renamed Remembrance
Nambucca Valley Council
General Purpose Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2025
Day in recognition of all who have served and died in subsequent conflicts.
Each year, Australians are asked to observe a minute’s silence at 11am to honour the fallen and acknowledge the continuing impact of war on veterans, families, and communities.
In the Nambucca Valley, services were held at cenotaphs and memorials from the coast to the hinterland.
At Nambucca Heads, community members, veterans, families, and school
Public Notice – Presentation of Financial Statements
Public notice – Presentation of financial statements as per Section 418 (3) of the Local Government Act.
In accordance with Section 418 (3) of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW), Nambucca Valley Council advises that the ordinary Council meeting to be held on 26/11/2025 will include the presentation of the audited Financial Statements and the Auditor’s Reports for the year ending 30/06/2025.
A summary of the Financial Statements is provided below.
In accordance with Section 420 of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW), any person may make a submission in writing to Council with respect to the Council’s Audited Financial Statements or the Auditor’s Reports.
Copies of the Audited Financial Statements and the Auditor’s Reports may be inspected at: Internet: www.nambucca.nsw.gov.au
Submissions close one week after the above public meeting has been held.
representatives gathered at the Nambucca Cenotaph for a moving ceremony led by the Nambucca RSL sub-Branch.
Sub-Branch President Denis Lane said the turnout reflected strong community commitment to remembrance.
“We had a very encouraging attendance of over 130 on a pleasant spring day,” Mr Lane told News Of The Area.
“The feature of the day was Barry Walker, a subBranch member, singing the National Anthem a cappella and I was especially pleased to welcome an increased number of younger veterans.”
Following the service, attendees were invited to the Poppy Room at the Nambucca Heads RSL Club, where they shared conversation, memories, and quiet reflection over refreshments.
Across the Valley, similar scenes played out as wreaths were laid, poems recited, and the Last Post echoed through the morning air.
At Macksville a Catafalque Party was provided by soldiers from the 41st Battalion, The Royal NSW Regiment.
President of the Macksville RSL sub-Branch, Garry McKay told NOTA,
“I was pleased with the number of attendees who were respectful and dignified throughout the service and it was especially good to see our schools actively participating in the service.”
Another moving service was held at Taylors Arm Cenotaph. The commemorative address was
given by Squadron Leader Billy Ward, No. 2 Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown. Medlow Public School students, as always, played a valued role in the service conducted by the Taylors Arm branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association.
q Nambucca Heads RSL sub-Branch President Denis Lane (centre) was pleased with the large attendance at the Nambucca Heads Remembrance Day service. Photo: supplied.
CWA marks successful third year
By Mick BIRTLES
THE CWA Nambucca
Heads Evening Branch has celebrated its third year with a successful 2025 Annual General Meeting, confirming all committee positions filled and a continued rise in membership.
Established to offer an after-hours option, the evening format suits women who work, study, manage families, or simply prefer to meet at night.
Members span all ages and backgrounds, united by
a commitment to community.
The branch has been actively engaged in the local community in various ways and has maintained strong representation at CWA Group level activities and events, strengthening regional collaboration and visibility.
As part of Australia’s largest women’s organisation, the branch contributes to the Country Women’s Association mission to improve the lives of women, children and families, especially in rural and regional areas, through advocacy, fundraising,
practical volunteering and social connection.
“Being an evening branch means women who can’t make daytime meetings can still participate and enjoy being part of CWA,” a branch representative told News Of The Area.
“We’re a warm, supportive group and we welcome new members.”
The CWA Nambucca Heads Evening Branch meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00pm at the Macksville Ex-Services Club.
Golden Sands glitters for a cause
By Mick BIRTLES
THE Golden Sands Tavern has kicked off its new chapter in the Nambucca Heads community with colour and generosity, raising $550 for youth support organisation ShoreTrack during a sparkling Drag Bingo event.
The high-energy evening drew a lively crowd, with Brisbane's leading drag queen Abril La Trine delivering quick wit, bold style and plenty of playful banter, turning every bingo call into a performance.
Funds raised on the night will help ShoreTrack purchase
q The CWA Nambucca Heads Evening Branch announces all committee positions filled at the 2025 Annual General Meeting
essential personal protective equipment (PPE) for young people participating in their work-based training and engagement programs.
ShoreTrack representative Geoff Batten expressed gratitude for the support, noting that community partnerships like this make a real difference.
“The money donated by the Golden Sands goes toward enabling us to support young people at ShoreTrack who are building stronger futures,” he said.
The donation also marks the beginning of a new era for the Golden Sands Tavern, now under the management of Mark and Michelle McCarthy.
The couple, who recently relocated to the Nambucca Valley, bring more than 30 years of hotel experience to the venue and are eager to make the pub a true local hub once again.
“We’re excited to put down roots here,” Mark told News Of The Area.
“Our focus is on good oldfashioned country customer
service, getting the food spot on, and we've even brought two fantastic chefs with us.
“We want to offer varied entertainment so locals have something new and fun to look forward to.”
As the only pub in town, Michelle wants the Golden Sands to be a place where “everyone feels welcome”.
“A locals’ pub, a community hangout where everyone is respectful and just as importantly, everyone has fun.
“Life’s too short not to.”
q The new management team at the Golden Sands Tavern, Mark and Michelle McCarthy, hand over a donation of $550 to ShoreTrack representative Geoff Batten. Photo: supplied.
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Student yearbook showcase
By Andrea FERRARI
A NEW art exhibition displaying the creations of senior high school students from across the region is showing in Gallery 4 of Yarrila Arts and Museum (YAM) in Coffs Harbour.
It’s called “Yearbook ’25: Visual Art Students from the Coffs Coast.”
“It’s fantastic to see our gallery giving young people the chance to showcase their creativity and be recognised for it,” City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams told News Of The Area.
“The standard of work from our local schools is outstanding, and I love that this exhibition celebrates the ideas and stories of the next generation.
“It’s a great reminder of the depth of talent we have here on the Coffs Coast and how important it is that we keep creating opportunities for our young people to shine.”
Cr Williams said the final selection of almost 20 works shows a diversity
of mediums including drawing, painting, mixed media, sculpture, ceramics and photography, “reflecting the end result and practical component of the students’ HSC studies.”
Participating schools include Bishop Druitt College, Bowraville Central, Coffs Harbour Christian Community, Coffs Harbour Senior College, St John Paul College, and Coffs Harbour, Dorrigo, Macksville, Nambucca Heads, Orara, Toormina and Woolgoolga high schools.
The submissions were then reviewed by the YAM
Service Leader and Senior Curator to determine a final selection for the exhibition
“The exhibition provides a platform for the next generation of artists, and the standard of their work is really high,” Museum and Gallery Service Leader Carrie Kibbler said.
“The Yearbook exhibition will be a first for YAM this year and we intend to make it an annual event over summer featuring the latest crop of young talents.
“It will be a snapshot in time of outstanding HSC Visual Arts bodies of work by local students.”
q Artwork by Josie Boxell, Are you ready yet?, 2025, pencil on paper.
Yearbook ’25: Visual Art Students from the Coffs Coast will be at YAM from 15 November to 8 February, and entry is free.
“I can’t wait for this one as the exhibition will offer unique insights into the ideas and perspectives of young people,” Cr Williams said.
Ms Kibbler, who has a regular radio segment with ABC Coffs Coast, will MC the official opening on Friday 14 November.
It is also free to attend from 5.30pm-7pm and includes music, food and nonalcoholic drinks.
Registration is required.
Men’s Shed collaborate with local holiday park
By Jen HETHERINGTON
THE Stuarts Point Men’s Shed is continuing to collaborate with the community, delivering half a dozen of their popular outdoor picnic tables to the Stuarts Point
Holiday Park.
Wood for the durable steel and timber tables has been sourced locally from Sanctuary Timbers.
“We collect and share fallen timber, giving respect back to our environment,”
said Sanctuary Timbers manager James Falzon.
Work on the tables has been undertaken by local Men’s Shed members.
Incoming Park Manager, Jason Daly, recently attended a committee meeting at the Men’s Shed to discuss the details.
“We look forward to implementing many
improvements for the comfort and security of our park visitors while also supporting our local community, as our budget allows,” he said.
In keeping with the communal ‘recycle/repair/ reuse’ ethos, the Men’s Shed has also instigated a recyclables collection system in the local area, a regular collection of waste drinking container items (cans), an initiative which is expanding.
“The Grassy Head Holiday Park contacted us, so we are now organising a service there as well,” Men’s Shed President George Bambling said.
Stuarts Point Men’s Shed welcomes new members to their home base on Fishermans Reach Road.
Open weekly on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday mornings, the Men’s Shed welcomes the public to peruse the stock of refurbished/repaired goods for sale, and are actively calling for new members to share their skills.
Contact Glenn Button on 0493 601 926 or George Bambling on 0427 690 600 for more information.
q The Men’s Shed is delivering outdoor picnic tables to the local holiday park.
ID’ing grunts, chimes and squelches
By Andrea FERRARI
THE Australian Museum’s FrogID Week is on, finishing at midnight on Sunday 16 November.
Australia’s biggest citizen science project and the world’s biggest frog count, FrogID Week encourages the public to make a meaningful contribution to scientific understanding of the world.
The free FrogID app enables anyone with a smartphone to record different frog species by the unique sounds they make.
These recordings provide data on the health of Australia’s frog populations and identify species that are at risk, to assist and inform conservation efforts.
To date the app has data on 1.3 million calls which has been instrumental in the scientific discovery of 13 new Australian frog species; including four of which were described as new to science in
the past year.
Australian Museum Lead Scientist for FrogID Dr Jodi Rowley, Curator of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Biology at the Australian Museum, has told News Of The Area what readers might get to see locally.
“The Coffs Coast is home to a huge diversity of frog species - over 40 species, including many rare and threatened species,” she said.
“The most commonly heard frogs in the area are the Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog (Litoria fallax, Drymomantis fallax), the Common Eastern Froglet (Crinia signifera) and the Striped Marsh Frog (Limnodynastes peronii).
“Frogs to keep your ear out for are the very small Wallum Froglet (Crinia tinnula), which can be heard chiming away from the tanninsoaked Wallum swamps on the coast.
“Up in the rainforests in the east,
listen out for the deep grunt of the Giant Barred Frog (Mixophyes iteratus) or the squelch of the Sphagnum Frog (Philoria sphangnicola).”
In 2025, FrogID Week is also sharing simple ways for everyday Australians to become aware of their local frogs by encouraging more frogfriendly spaces.
Recent research shows that nine in 10 frog species are intolerant to human-modified environments.
Dr Rowley said making small changes to green spaces is one of the ways people can support local frogs.
“For this year’s FrogID Week we’re asking frog lovers across the country to channel their passion into their gardens and balconies by adding a simple water source, and planting native reeds, grasses, and small shrubs among rocks and logs to provide hiding spots and shelter.
“Creating my own frog-friendly backyard has been such a rewarding experience.
“Within a few months of establishing a frog pond, four species of frog moved into my backyard, all of which I recorded with the FrogID app of course.”
Citizen scientists called on to spot underwater flowers
A NEW citizen science project led by UNSW Sydney is inviting beachgoers, snorkelers and divers to spot and share photographs of seagrass flowers along the Nambucca and Macleay coasts.
The endangered seagrass Posidonia australis forms rich underwater meadows that capture carbon, support fisheries, and help stabilise shorelines.
It’s one of the most important habitats in coastal ecosystems but many NSW meadows have declined due to historical dredging and pollution, with ongoing pressures from climate change, boating impacts, and coastal development.
Unlike their land-based counterparts that rely on wind or insects, seagrasses like Posidonia release pollen that drifts through the water, carried by currents to fertilise other flowers.
The new citizen-science project, Seeds of the Sea, will build the first statewide picture of Posidonia flowering to identify opportunities for seed collection to support future restoration.
“We still lack basic information on when
Spotlight on Supermoon
By Sis HIGGINS
SKYWATCHERS across the region looked to the heavens last Tuesday night as the biggest and brightest moon of 2025 rose over the horizon.
Amateur Mid North Coast astronomer Dennis Hughes explained to News Of The Area why the supermoon looked so large.
“The moon [was] around 30,000km closer to earth than normal at around 1am Wednesday morning, 5 November.
“There was a close encounter in October and then again there will be [another in] December, however this is the closest at 356,980km [from earth].”
Mr Hughes explained that the apparent size was more about perspective than distance.
“The moon looks largest at moonrise against the horizon, however this is an optical illusion.
“It looks about 15 percent larger and 30 percent brighter as it is
copping the full force of the sun.”
The brightness proved so intense that even the observatory team had to adjust their viewing equipment.
“We have to use a filter on our
telescopes - it is so bright.
“Although, it is hard to see any features because the Sun is not casting any shadows onto the Moon's surface.”
and where Posidonia meadows flower and set seed in NSW,” said Natalie Coy, PhD candidate at UNSW Sydney and lead for Seeds of the Sea.
“By sharing sightings, the community can help fill that gap.
“Seagrasses like Posidonia usually reproduce by cloning - sending out new shoots from underground roots and rhizomes, just like lawn grasses on land.
“But they can also flower and produce fruits, mixing genetic material between different plants.
“That boost in genetic diversity can help them adapt to changing environments and make them more resilient in the face of climate change.
“With better data on flowering and fruiting, we can scale up work with our partners to rebuild damaged meadows.”
Members of the public can take part by photographing Posidonia flowers, fruits or seeds found on NSW beaches - or any flowers and fruits seen while snorkelling or diving (if safe to do so)and then uploading the date, location and photos at www.seedsofthesea.org.
In NSW, flowering and fruiting typically occur August–December (sometimes into January), but timing varies among years and locations.
q Australian Museum Lead Scientist for FrogID Dr Jodi Rowley.
q Posidonia australis forms rich underwater meadows. Photo: Seeds of the Sea.
q The moon was 30 percent brighter than normal. Photo: Sis Higgins.
q Supermoons are the closest to earth. Photo Greg Higgins.
North Coast suited to plant-based protein manufacturing
THE North Coast has been identified by the NSW Government as a region ready to harvest the economic benefits of the growing plant-based protein sector.
Plant-based protein manufacturing is the process of turning crops such as chickpeas, soybeans, lentils and grains into high-protein food products like meat alternatives, protein powders, dairy-free drinks and snacks without using any animal products.
Regional NSW produces millions of tonnes of plant protein crops each year, with the North Coast the largest soybean producing region in Australia.
Last month the government unveiled a prospectus on the industry, which highlights rapidly growing demand for plant-based protein in the domestic and global food market.
The prospectus is aimed at metropolitan and international food manufacturers and is designed to encourage them to consider regional NSW as a base for their operations.
The prospectus highlights the
competitive advantages regional NSW has including:
• Access to premium raw commodities suitable for plant-based protein food and beverage manufacturing with the ability to scale and meet growing demand
• Consumer market access with regional NSW ideally positioned and able to deliver goods to 81 percent of Australia’s domestic market overnight
• Skilled workforce with relevant educational backgrounds, exportready ports, and affordable industrial land.
• Research and development ecosystem that actively encourages collaboration between researchers across universities, DPIRD, CSIRO, Government and agribusiness
The Prospectus identifies five key regions particularly suited to plant-based protein manufacturing: Riverina Murray, New England North West, Central West Orana,
North Coast and Hunter Central Coast.
Advantages for the North Coast include the Port of Yamba - a key asset in the region for agricultural exports - and the Richmond Valley Regional Job Precinct, a government-backed hub for highvalue agriculture, food processing, manufacturing and distribution businesses.
Professor of Legume Biology and Molecular Genetics at the University of Sydney, Professor Brent Kaiser said the world is seeing a major shift in how people think about food, from “what they eat to how it’s produced”.
“This is being driven by multiple factors, including changing dietary needs, and increasing awareness of health, sustainability, and climate in response to future population growth,” Prof Kaiser said.
“By 2050, we’ll need to increase global agricultural crop calorie production by around 47–61 percent just to keep up.
“That’s a huge pressure point on the production of sustainable protein sources; the development of plant-based protein foods offer a big part of the solution.
“New South Wales is already an
agricultural powerhouse.
“We have a $20 billion sector producing a lot of wheat, canola, legumes and horticulture products and more.
“The real value is transforming these commodity-driven products into value-added foodstuffs.
Op Shop dumping takes its toll
By Andrea FERRARI
IF you would give it to a mate, it’s OK to donate.
That’s the guideline St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies) Op Shop management is asking the community to follow when considering what to do with unwanted household goods and clothes.
Vinnies Area Manager for the Coffs Coast, Katie Cox, told News Of The Area that when the charity shops are closed and goods are left outside, they attract looters, leaving a mess for the volunteer retail assistants to clear up when they come in to work.
Too often people choose to drop their old possessions on the front or back doorstep of their local Op Shop out of business hours, not thinking what might happen when they walk away from the boxes and bags they
q It costs Vinnies to dispose of dumped goods properly.
leave behind.
“Outside on the street, the items can get damaged by animals, the weather, or [by] others going through them, and they end up unsaleable,” Ms Cox said.
“It costs us to dispose of them.”
At Vinnies, the staff do not wash donated items, so Ms Cox reminds people to donate their items in a saleable condition.
“When you have something to donate, come in and see our lovely volunteers who will welcome you with a smile and a friendly chat.”
There’s no other retail environment like Op Shops, said Ms Cox, where the staff are volunteers and they make decisions on pricing and even whether it’s likely to sell or not.
Vinnies Regional Manager Retail North East Paula McCormack, reminds the community that they are very grateful for the generosity
of donors and ask people to please donate responsibly.
“The best way to donate is leaving your quality items with us during opening hours and, if the shop is closed, holding onto your donations until an appropriate time.
“Over the last year, we (Vinnies) have supported over 1800 people in Coffs Harbour and surrounding regions.
“The demand for assistance in Coffs Harbour is much greater than what we are seeing across the state, with one in four reaching out for the first time and seven in 10 people experiencing housing stress.”
When items are donated responsibly, they can be stored, sorted, and resold in the shops, which ultimately allows the charity to raise funds to help locals access essentials such as food, clothing, accommodation, and general support.
“We can add value here by transforming these crops into high quality, plant-based food and beverage products.”
q Richmond soybean. Photo: DPI.
q Dumped and damaged clothes outside a Vinnies Op Shop.
q Mattresses are among items being dumped.
AFL North Coast rep teams to play in Coffs
By Aiden BURGESS
AFL NORTH Coast’s best senior players will represent their competition in Coffs Harbour next year.
The North Coast Force men’s and women’s representative teams will play at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium on Saturday, 18 July.
The Force teams will face visiting representative teams from the AFL North West and AFL Central West competitions.
The Force men’s team won the Challenge Shield this year beating AFL North West in Gunnedah.
It was the first men’s representative game between the two competitions since 2018, as the Force regained the Challenge Shield with a dominant 66-point win.
The Force women played in a
tri-series against AFL North West and AFL Central West teams, as they played off for the Regional Australia Bank Cup in Gunnedah.
The Force beat North West but lost to Central West.
The Force men’s and women’s teams hosting the visiting sides in July will cap off a big week of representative footy in Coffs Harbour.
The annual Northern NSW Championship will be held from Wednesday, 15 July, to Friday, 17 July in Coffs Harbour.
The Championship will see Northern Force junior representative teams take on teams from the Central Coast, Hunter, and South Coast.
The AFL Central West is slated to host the men’s and women’s representative matches in 2027, with the likely venue being Bathurst or Orange.
Nambucca Bowls Report
By Charlie POTTER
WEDNESDAY Nov. 5. Only 18 bowlers turned up after Melbourne Cup Day and the winners were Sally Hewes, Geoff Flowers and Peter Dawe. Stoi, Wayne Bolton and Alan Cosgrave were the Lucky Losers. Bill Mann drew Lucky Bowler for the $300 Jackpot but missed his rink and the compulsory $150 consolation went to Rink 6, shared amongst Sally Hewes, Geoff Flowers, Peter Dawe, Jenny Legend, Elaine Fleming and Deb Mann.
Thurs Nov 6. Trisley's Twilight Turn-around Triples was played with the same conditions as last week... 3 bowls pairs and 4 bowls singles, 18 ends/21 up. The Riddell team moved from 5th to 1st and now has 60 wins/23 margin and 20/40. The Porter team moved into second place
with 20/-6 and 40/20. Barnaby Ruane is now 3rd with 20/-3 and 40/15.
Fri Nov 7. Again, an excellent entry of 72 players. Mike James, Mick Ellison and Neil Duffus took out the major prize from Graham Horne, Robert Chibnall and Bruce Mason with Peter McRitchie, Mitch McGill and Hoggy third. The Lucky Bowler was Peter Dawe but he missed drawing his rink for the $300 Jackpot. Danny Curran and Mark Blackford played well to reach round 3 of the Region Seniors Pairs, played at Nambucca, but unfortunately lost 17-15.
In the MNC Pairs played at Port MacQuarie, Ty Webber and Andrew Shearer moved into the Semi-Finals with a 21-7 win over Langsford/ Howard fro Port City. Keep it going, fellers.
Nambucca Valley Bridge Club
By Barbara MARANIK
RESULTS for Week ending 9th November 2025
Monday 3rd November 2025
1st Equal John & Lynne Slade, Libby Knight & Maureen Cowan, Vicky Walker & Carol McKee 53%
Tuesday 4th November 2025 –
Melbourne Cup day
North/South
1st Linda & Mike Siford 70%, 2nd Carol McKee & Maureen Cowan 52%,
3rd Pete Rundle & Paul Coe 52%
East/West
1st Paula Guthrie & Barry Butler 58%, 2nd Alison Savage & Vicki Walker 57%, 3rd Theda Faulwetter & Gaye Beyers 51%
Thursday 6th November 2025
1st Carol McKee & Rob Marshall 61%, 2nd Merita Pailthorpe & Barry Butler 59%, 3rd Michael Finucane & Vicki Walker 57%
Saturday 8th November 2025
1st Mike & Linda Siford 73%, 2nd equal Amber Fox & Carol McKee plus Maureen Cowan & Barb Maranik 56%
NHWBC Thursday Bowls
By Teresa MEEHAN
THURSDAY Morning Wrap-Up
Nambucca Heads Bowling Club
What a stunning Thursday morning on the greens! With 15 enthusiastic ladies taking part, we enjoyed two pairs games and one lively fours game.
Kerrie and Nerida and a close win over Chris and Karen while
Nambucca Heads Golf Report
By Ashton HERBERT
TUESDAY saw the MNC Vets take over the course, where Ken Klem (Grandpa Golf) (10) emerged victorious in division 1 with 39 points, from Nick Jenkins (15) was runner up with 37 points. In division 2, old timer Joe Street (18) took the W with 39 points, which included 25 points on the back nine. Col Osland (18) came runner-up with 38 points. In division 3, Alan Guthrie (27) won the day with 38 points, ahead of Stephen Glover (26) with 36 points. NTP’s were awarded to Brad Nesbitt on 5, Nick Jenkins on 8, Richard Martin on 13, and Drew Glasson on 18. Wednesday’s Women's Stroke competition saw Susan McWilliam (18) secure the win in division 1,
with 67 (six-seven) nett, ahead of Di Oleary (19) with 68 nett. In division 2, Rhonda Rowe (28) took home victory with 68 nett, one ahead of Susan Barnett (26). NTP’s were awarded to Kerrie Eichorn on 5, Sue Seymour on 7, Linda Piccin on 8, Deidre Fletcher on 13, and Donna Easey claimed the pro pin on 18. Thursdays Medley competition, sponsored by Mitre 10 Macksville.
Division 1 went to Stuart Johnson (12) with 40 points, ahead of Garry Johnstone (14), with 35 points.
Division 2 was snatched by Paddy Byrne (21) with 42 points, from Trev Hopkins (22) with 40 points. NTP’s were awarded to Gary Beggs on 1, Troy Herbert on 5, Bryce Mccarroll on 7, Bryan Ussher on 8, Garry Johnstone on 13, Dylan Mann on 15, and Dennis Ashton claimed the pro pin on 18.
Saturdays Competition was a 4BBB President vs Captain day, which saw Michael Jolly and Rodney Ford secure wins with 47 points, on a countback from Heather Gray and Narelle Delaney. Power couple Neil Eichorn and Kerrie Eichorn were 2nd runner ups with 44 points. NTP’s were awarded to Dylan Mann on 1, Houston Baker on 5, Tomas Wattison on 7, Ben Honeybrook on 8, Geoff Mccann on 13, John Morgan claimed the 15th, and the pro pin on 18.
The Men’s Open day is on the 30th November, which the booking sheet is now live, so get in early to secure those desirable spots. Another busy week on the Island, as the greens start to take shape and the course is looking better than ever.
Macksville Country Club Golf
By Max TURNER
SATURDAY’S Busfurb sponsored Stableford drew a big field with 18 players having a net 36 points (par round) or better score.
Top of the list was Allan Clarke playing off a two handicap with a net 41.
Four players, John Dowzard, Dave Poole, Bob Lindsay and Tony Campbell all finished one shot back on net 40 with John finishing runner up on a count back.
Straight shooters with nearest the pins were Lance Hore and Jim Wilkes.
On Tuesday the ladies competition was affected by a horse race in Melbourne.
Dave Poole’s luck did not change in the Mid Week competition - for the second time in the week he finished runner up on a count back
with 40 points, this time to Peter O’Neill.
Round of the year was Mick Mannings 5 under par in the Chook Run. With his handicap this gave him a net 31 which most players accept for 18 holes.
Margaret Dwarte and Gloria got up over Deb and Kim in the two pairs games. Joan, Teresa, Sandra and Pat had a win over Arlene, Rosie and Wendy.
Lucky Game Winners Pat, Sandra, Teresa & Joan
Lucky Runners-Up Wendy, Rosie & Arlene
Lucky Bowler Gloria Raffle Winners Teresa & Deb
q Ross Donnelly, Steve Hunt and Karl Cooper.
q This year's North Coast Force men’s team in Gunnedah.
Round 3 of Khanacross series
By Aiden BURGESS
COFFS Harbour & District Sporting Car Club have held the third and final round of the Bonville Service Station and LPO Bush Khanacross Series, during a big day of racing on Sunday, 2 November at Raleigh Raceway.
A club spokesperson gave a recap of the final round of racing.
“The event was run on some
tight twisty forest roads at Raleigh Raceway, and after the large storm that went through on Saturday afternoon, despite a reconnaissance lap, there was some parts of the track that caught out a few of the competitors on the first couple of runs with the recovery vehicle called into action,” they said.
“Given the great spring day though, as the event progressed the grip continued to improve,
which allowed all competitors to continue to explore the limits of the increasing adhesion.
“Khanacross events are designed to allow drivers of all skill levels to participate in a motorsport event in a controlled environment, but a bit of competition is always interesting and there was plenty of that at the pointy end of the field.
“Phil Isaac in his rare all-wheel drive Ford Falcon was the clear
outright winner on the day, but there was then only two seconds separating second to fifth outright.
“Junior Harvey Nicholson driving an AWD Subaru Impreza finished second outright, 0.55 seconds ahead of third-placed David Opie in his Suzuki Swift 2WD, who was 1.50 seconds ahead of Martin Smith, then Jonathon Summersell was fifth just 0.05 behind Martin.
“Martin and Jonathon were both in Nissan Pulsar N13s.
“Kia Hancock in a Mazda 3 was second in Juniors, with Riley
Urunga announced as venue for Surf Reflections Junior Series in 2026
FROM Page 20
Urunga/Hungry Head (8-10 May) and Tuncurry/Forster (13-15 November), with Under 14s and 16s age categories for boys and girls,” Reflections CEO Nick Baker said.
Surfest director Warren Smith said the Cup had cemented itself as an important event for youth surfers up and down the East Coast.
“The Reflections Cadet Cup, now known as the Surf Reflections Junior Series, has grown immensely and with the standard of surfing rising with it, we are creating the next generation of Australian surfers,” Mr Smith said.
“It’s been really exciting to watch the talent emerge and the support from the surfing communities has been the glue that has ensured its success.”
Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said it was great to see the success of the inaugural Cadet Cup lead to its expansion to a three-event series next year.
“Reflections Holidays manages holiday parks on Crown land at some of the NSW’s best surf breaks so it’s fitting to see it help nurture the next generation of surf champions while supporting regional tourism by hosting the new Series," Mr Kamper said
Mannington in his first event third in another Mazda 3.” Coffs Harbour & District Sporting Car Club’s next event is on Sunday, 23 November, and is a Paddock Khanacross.
The majority of the club's events are grass roots events that are ideal for anyone who would like to participate, no matter what level of driving skill they have.
Juniors aged 12 to 17 are especially welcome, and if you would like to be part of the fun, search for
Reflections on the 1975 constitutional crisis OPINION
By Greg MCINTOSH
THE dismissal of the Whitlam Government in November 1975 highlighted the fragility of our parliamentary and constitutional system and the danger that, if the various constitutional norms that protect that system are ignored, the democratic system itself can be weakened.
The real villains in the whole affair were two State Premiers who went against a critically important constitutional convention. If they had not undertaken these acts of constitutional impropriety it is highly likely that the crisis would never have occurred.
Since 1949 the convention had been that if a Senator died or retired mid-term they were to be replaced by someone from the same party or grouping.
In February 1975 Labor Senator Lionel Murphy resigned and was subsequently replaced by a nonLabor Senator – Cleaver Bunton.
This convention breaking decision by the NSW Premier (Tom Lewis) reduced Labor to 28 seats in the Senate.
Similarly, in June the Queensland Premier (Joh Bjelke -Petersen) refused to appoint Labor’s nominee to the Senate following the death of Bert Milliner.
The appointment of these two non-Labor Senators was to prove decisive when the Fraser led Opposition voted to defer discussion of the Supply Bills on October 16 1975.
The important point to note here is that the Senate, as constituted in late 1975, was illegitimate.
The Senate that voted to defer the Supply Bills was not the Senate
that the Australian electorate voted for in May 1974.
It was a tainted chamber that did not reflect the expressed will of the people as per the ballot box result 17 months earlier.
Had established convention been followed Fraser would not have been able to put Whitlam in the position where he could not guarantee Supply and it would have been highly unlikely that the Governor-General would have thought it necessary to intervene (Kerr dismissed Whitlam on 11 November) in the democratic functioning of the parliamentary process.
Just 16 months after the Fraser Coalition won the December 1975 Federal election a constitutional referendum (initiated by the Fraser Government) was overwhelmingly passed to amend the Constitution
such that casual Senate vacancies were now mandated to be filled by Senators from the same party.
Obviously, the events of 1975 alerted even the beneficiaries of the convention breaking behaviour of the need for this constitutional reform.
It should be noted that, although it is now a legal requirement that casual Senate vacancies be filled with appointees from the same party, there is no expressed time limit as to how long it takes to make that appointment.
Apart from the 1977 constitutional change related to casual Senate vacancies no substantial reforms have been made that would likely lessen the chances of a similar crisis happening again.
Perhaps now is the time for serious consideration to be given to the following:
- the adoption of a convention such that the Senate can only delay Supply Bills (say for two months) not reject them or delay them indefinitely - the adoption of a convention such that a casual Senate vacancy must be filled by the relevant State government (say within 30 days) of the relevant vacancy being formally announced.
These two changes would go a long way towards lessening the chances of a repeat of the 1975 crisis.
Greg McIntosh was a Political Science Fellow at the Federal Parliament and a senior researcher with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Research Service. He is now retired and lives near Port Macquarie.
q Competitors at the 2025 Cadet Cup in Bonny Hills. The Cup will transform into a three-event series in 2026.
Coffs Car Club
q Phil Isaac had the 4WD Ford Falcon on song to be fastest on the day.
q Nick Rudder in a Mazda 2 was the winner of the Road Tyres class.
q Melissa Smith in a Nissan Pulsar Q came third in the Ladies class.
q Junior Kai Hancock in a Mazda 3.
q Junior Riley Mannington at his first event in his family’s Mazda 3.
q Junior Mia Pell with her dad Luke navigating and passing on some knowledge.
SUDOKU
Hop to it! - India = Taj Mahal, Jordan = Petra, Australia = Uluru, Russia = Kremlin, Italy = Colosseum, Greece
Acropolis, Peru = Machu Picchu and Japan = Mount Fuji.
Boot Camp
By Manny WOOD
The high price of proof
SALLY and Harry have been married for 25 years.
Sally transfers her home into joint names with Harry as “joint tenants”.
Five years later, Sally is moved into a care facility and passes-away two years later at the age of 85.
Sally leaves a daughter from a previous relationship, Penny.
When Penny discovers that as a result of the transfer of Sally’s home into joint names with Harry, that he will now obtain sole title to the property. Penny seeks to overturn the transfer.
Penny claims undue influence at the hands of Harry and alleges unconscionable conduct.
The Court hears that just prior to the transfer of the property into joint names, Sally made a new will, removing Harry as a beneficiary.
There is also evidence that Sally intended to divorce Harry.
Evidence is adduced that at the time of the transfer of the property, Harry “did all the talking and had a fairly direct tone in his voice”.
There is no evidence that Sally received legal advice as to the effect of the transfer of the property.
It comes to light that shortly after the transfer of the property, Sally was diagnosed with early onset dementia and was observed by her treating physician as “vacant and confused”.
However, the Court notes that there is no evidence that Harry was ever aggressive or overbearing towards Sally and that Penny must prove that Harry exercised actual undue influence over Sally, to be successful in her claim.
The Court states that there is no clear evidence that Sally was suffering a medical impediment at the time of the transfer.
The Court ultimately rules that Penny did not have sufficient evidence to discharge her “onus of proof”.
Penny’s claim is dismissed and she is ordered to pay her own legal costs as well as Harry’s legal costs.
This scenario demonstrates the importance of understanding the crucial difference between owning real estate as joint tenants or tenants in common, a distinction which is often misunderstood and often not addressed properly in estate planning as a whole.
This fictional column is not legal advice.
The great koala exodus
DEAR News Of The Area,
WHAT a busy place the Great Koala National Park will be, with loggers being replaced with four wheel drive vehicles, pistol shooters, mountain bike riders, archers, and that scourge of every quiet neighbourhood, trail bikes.
I'm sure this is not what the Knitting Nannas envisaged when they chained themselves to heavy vehicles.
One can only assume that the wildlife will vote with their paws to move somewhere quieter and less accessible to humans.
Regards, Margaret ENGLAND, Toormina.
Dorin’s Draws By Paul DORIN On theCouch
Australian ‘fire chiefs’ are letting us down
By Roger UNDERWOOD AM, Forester, writer and historian.
THE outcry in the media from "fire chiefs", asserting that the eastern seaboard bushfire crisis during Black Summer was the result of climate change, begs an embarrassing question.
Embarrassing for the "fire chiefs" that is.
"Where were you when the root cause of this crisis was being laid down in the bush over the last 20 years, while you were in charge?"
A second question might be: “And what are you doing today to ensure the bushfire crisis is not repeated?”
Although the "fire chiefs" are not facing up to it, the reality is that, far from being the result of climate change, serious bushfires are the result of the deadly combination of drought, heavy fuels, multiple ignitions and ill-prepared communities. This combination is hardly unprecedented.
It has been associated with almost every bushfire disaster all over the world during the last 100 years.
Anyone with the slightest knowledge of bushfire history, or the merest understanding of fire science, knows that the combination of drought and heavy fuels inevitably spells uncontrollable bushfires.
Fires start all the time in the bush, year in and year out, but only those burning in dry, heavy fuels become the ugly “killer fires” that destroy towns, farms and residential areas, and take human lives.
But why on earth did our "fire chiefs" not know this, or if they did know, why did they not do something about it?
Indeed, you would think that a basic knowledge of bushfire history and fire science, plus having special insights (as they claim to have) into the recent "dangerous" escalation of bushfire weather thanks to CO2 emissions, would have made the "fire chiefs" doubly concerned with getting rural communities and bushland well prepared for an inevitable doomsday.
What did they do instead?
Focused on building up their suppression forces, buying and hiring more and bigger water bombers, and developing super-jazzy firefighting coordination centres.
The ruling philosophy of most of our “fire chiefs” in Australia (WA
DEAR Jasminda,
I've been invited to the staff Christmas party but the people going are hard partiers and I always end up being the designated driver.
I'm aware there's an expectation for me to remain under-the-limit to ferry all the guests home.
I'm thinking I might not go for this reason.
Dear Harriet,
currently excepted) these days seems to be "if you give me enough troops and equipment we will control any fire".
Nobody mentions the ‘F words’ –fire fuels, and the need to remove or reduce them in the expectation of a fire on a bad day.
The fact that this philosophy has failed so dramatically needs to be rammed home.
Instead, foolish politicians support it, blaming global warming for the bushfire threat.
Of course they do, as this absolves them of all responsibility for not having addressed the problem responsibly themselves.
Only in Western Australia at present do we see government Ministers and senior fire bureaucrats demonstrating an intelligent understanding of bushfire science and history and doing everything to get the bushfire house in order before trouble strikes… although it must be said that this is being done in the face of relentless criticism from environmentalists and university academics that is undermining good policy.
An international perspective is also needed.
Failure to invest in preparedness and damage mitigation, and focusing only on putting fires out after they start, is a strategy that has always failed and not just in Australia, but in the USA, Canada and in Mediterranean countries.
Once a bushfire gets going in heavy, dry fuels, pushed by strong winds, the firefighting resources of the entire world cannot stop it.
And if there are multiple simultaneous fire starts, suppression organisations are soon swamped, and the situation becomes hopeless… as it was in NSW and Victoria during Black Summer, and in the Californian fires of 2025.
Investing in bigger and more expensive water bombers amounts to nothing more than spending more money for the same outcome: still uncontrollable bushfires.
As Albert Einstein said: “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing yet expecting different results.”
To my mind, the Australian "fire chiefs" who blame bushfires on climate change and do not
reveals her penchant for lip synching every song from the Rocky Horror Show (complete with pelvic thrusts).
These gradual devolutions are somehow acceptable, and even entertaining, when you're a bit tipsy yourself, but when you're stone-cold sober and anticipating a car trip home that resembles the courtesy bus back from Wine Country, it's hard to stay positive.
Harriet L.
Christmas parties are fraught at the best of times, but most people get through them by knowing that if they have a few strong drinks at the start of the night, they can probably cope with Jules from accounts turning into a messy drunk and reciting everyone's mental health leave accruals, or Garry the sales manager who (after downing a six-pack) is under the impression he has a six-pack, flirting outrageously and inappropriately with the office staff.
Then there's Mira, your boss, normally a straightlaced executive, who, as the night progresses,
support mitigation and preparedness, are doing the community a grave disservice.
In the first place they do not take effective action to make fires easier, cheaper and safer to control when they are in a position to do so. In the second place they take refuge behind something (climate change) that cannot be tackled with certainty that it will make a difference to the current ghastly situation.
If Australia achieves “net zero” emissions of CO2, as the “fire chiefs” (and many politicians) advocate, will it really mean the end of droughts, lightning strikes and hot northerlies?
And even if it does, the outcome (“new” climate, free from drought and hot weather) is not expected to be achieved for at least another 25 years.
Turning the focus of bushfire management to climate change is a serious distraction, and a disincentive to political and bureaucratic leaders to get on with the business of getting an effective bushfire management system up and
Have Your Say
You need to say, straight up, before anyone falls under the false pretense that you are a bodyguard, or an allied health worker, or a clinical psychologist, that you are also attending the party to enjoy yourself.
Leave your car at home. If you don't drink, furtively order some water in shot glasses and make a show of slamming them down in quick succession.
If there's any uncertainty as to your ability to be a rescuer, perhaps start a rousing rendition of Taylor Swift's The Fate of Ophelia, using whatever props you can find (a life ring would be handy).
Hopefully they will be smart enough to read the subtext that you will not be saving any of them that night.
Carpe diem, Jasminda.
running.
No doubt our Australian "fire chiefs" are wellintentioned.
But each of them needs to face up to the realities of bushfire management in Australia: unstoppable bushfires are basically a product of drought, weather and fuel, and only fuel can be dealt with.
We need political and bureaucratic leaders who are committed to measures to ameliorate the bushfire threat today, not in 25 years-time, and if the current “fire chiefs” are not up to the job, they need to be replaced by people who are.
Finally, for their own credibility the "fire chiefs" should resist being used for someone-else's political agenda... or they should try to refocus on promoting a real-world, practical and fieldtested bushfire management approach, free from ideology. This will require our communities and firefighters to be supported by effective programs of preparedness and damage mitigation, especially fuel reduction in bushland, not abandoned to the horrors of killer bushfires.
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. Publicationwill be determined by the Editoaround available space, relevance and appropriateness. Email us media@newsofthearea.com.au
BEST ON THE BOX
SATURDAY RETURN TO PARADISE
ABC TV, 7.30pm
This local Death in Paradise spin-off faced serious competition at the Logie Awards this year, but came out ahead of Bump, The Newsreader and The Twelve to win Most Outstanding Drama Series, so detective Mackenzie Clarke (Anna Samson, pictured) and co. must be doing something right. Despite plans to be back in the UK, Mack is reluctantly still in Dolphin Cove, where there’s plenty of seemingly impossible murder cases to solve, starting with the discovery of a poisoned scientist on a shark research facility’s runaway boat.
FRIDAY, November 14
6.00 Morning Programs. 10.00 Portrait Artist Of The Year. (R) 11.00 The Following Events Are Based On A Pack Of Lies. (Final, Mlv, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 The Newsreader. (Ml, R)
TUESDAY
JAMIE DURIE’S FUTURE HOUSE
NBN, 8.30pm
Landscaper-turned-TV-host
Jamie Durie (pictured) puts his money where his mouth is in this new series that aims to tackle Australia’s housing crisis with savvy design, innovative building methods and environmental impact front of mind. Having recently completed the decade-long process of constructing an off-grid masterpiece in Pittwater, NSW, Durie promised partner Ameka that he was “done building”, but she laughed, “I know better”. Durie sets out to 3D-print a house on their Byron Bay farm in just three months, while also following three families facing council red tape, financial hurdles and wild weather in the process of fasttracking their own revolutionary sustainable homes.
(PGl, R) 3.25 Home Delivery. (PG, R) 3.55 Grand Designs. (PG, R) 4.45 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Outta Town Adventures. (R) 10.00 The Shape Of History. (PGav, R) 11.00 Ireland’s Secrets From Above. (PG, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 The Cancer Killers. (PG, R) 3.00 Nula. 3.30 The Cook Up. (PG, R) 4.00 Grand Tours Of Scotland’s Rivers. (PG, R) 4.35 Jeopardy! 4.55 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.25 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Gardening Australia. Millie Ross visits a peony farm.
8.30 Maigret. (Mv) Maigret tries to anticipate the bank robbers’ next move, while closing in on Honore’s killers.
9.25 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) Hosted by Tom Gleeson.
9.55 Crime Night! (PG, R)
Hosted by Julia Zemiro.
10.25 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R)
10.55 ABC Late News.
11.10 Silent Witness. (Mav, R)
12.15 Rage New Music. (MA15+dhlnsv)
5.00 Rage. (PG)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Storms From Above. (PG)
8.30 Nick Knowles Into Death Valley. (PG, R) Presented by Nick Knowles.
9.25 The Scottish Island That Won The Lottery. (PG, R)
10.20 SBS World News Late.
10.50 Sisi. (MA15+as, R)
11.45 Tokyo Vice. (MA15+av, R)
1.55 Tutankhamun. (PG, R)
3.00 Craft It Yourself. (PG, R)
3.55 Home Of The Year: Scotland. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
THURSDAY VIGIL
SBS, 9.25pm
6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 Seven News With Alex Cullen. 1.10 Blankety Blank. (PGas) 2.00 Bridge Of Lies: Celebrity Specials. 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Hosted by Johanna Griggs.
8.30 MOVIE: Jason Bourne. (2016, Mav, R) An assassin is forced out of hiding when one of his old allies uncovers information about his past. Matt Damon, Tommy Lee Jones, Alicia Vikander.
11.00 Motorway Patrol. (PG, R) A driver gets sleepy and goes bush.
11.30 GetOn Extra.
12.00 Healthy, Wealthy & Wise. (PG, R)
1.00 In Plain Sight. (Madv)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
5.00 NBC Today.
This exceptional British crime drama’s haunting theme song – Danish singersongwriter Agnes Obel’s Fuel to the – perfectly sets the scene for the nerve-
events that follow. Season two shifts the show’s setting from the claustrophobic confines of a submarine to the skies above, with a focus on deadly drones. When a British Air Force weapons test goes disastrously wrong and kills seven military personnel, detective Amy Silva (Suranne Jones, pictured) is called in to investigate. With the help of her similarly savvy partner Kirsten (Rose Leslie), Silva must determine if the shocking incident was the result of an unfortunate malfunction or something sinister.
7.30 David Attenborough’s Asia: The Arid Heart. (PG)
8.40 MOVIE: Force Of Nature: The Dry 2. (2024, Mal) A woman goes missing during a hiking retreat. Eric Bana, Anna Torv.
11.00 Law & Order: Organized Crime. (MA15+av, R)
11.50 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
12.40 Pointless. (PG, R)
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)
4.30 Global Shop. (R)
5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
5.30 Postcards. (PG, R)
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 BTN Newsbreak. 8.30 Hard Quiz Kids. 9.00 Robot Wars. 10.00 Merlin. 10.45 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Morning Programs. 9.05 The Nanny. 9.35 The Addams Family. 10.05 Bewitched. 10.35 Jeannie. 11.05 The West Wing. Noon Pretty Little Liars. 2.00 The Golden Girls. 2.30 The Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 The Addams Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 Jeannie.
6.00 10 News+. 7.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 7.30 Big Brother Australia. (Malns) Hosted by Mel Tracina. 8.40 The Kick That United The Nation. (PGal) Looks at Australia’s qualification for the FIFA World Cup in 2005, with interviews from the players, coaches and fans. 10.10 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather. 10.35 10 News+. (R)
SATURDAY,
November 15
6.25 I Was Actually There: Fairlie Arrow Abduction Hoax. (PGs, R) Looks at the ‘abduction’ of a singer.
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Return To Paradise. (Return, PGav)
A scientist is found dead on a runaway boat.
8.30 Vera. (Mav, R) Vera investigates the death of a grandmother. An emergency call on the night of the murder and the disturbed state of her home suggest she may have been abducted by someone she knew.
10.00 The Forsytes. (PG, R) Looks at the lives of a wealthy late Victorian family.
10.55 Bergerac. (Mv, R)
11.40 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
6am Children’s Programs. 6pm Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.10 PJ Masks. 6.20 Bluey. 6.30 Paddington. 6.45 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Andy And The Band. 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Hard Quiz Kids. 8.00 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament Of Houses. 8.40 Chopped Junior. 9.25 Fresh Off The Boat. 10.05 Abbott Elementary. 10.25 Speechless. 10.50 Late Programs.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 A Royal Guide To... (Return)
8.25 A Year At Kylemore Abbey. (PG)
9.25 1967: Summer Of Love. (PGads, R)
10.20 Reckless. (Mdls, R)
11.25 Homicide: Life On The Street. (Mv, R)
2.00 Willie Nelson: Life & Songs Of An American Outlaw. (PGad, R)
12.35 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round 12. Sandown 500. Day 1. Highlights.
1.35 Harry’s Practice. (R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 It’s Academic. (R) 5.00 House Of Wellness. (PG, R)
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 MOVIE: Black Adam. (2022, Mav, R) Dwayne Johnson. 10.00 MOVIE: Blue Beetle. (2023, Mav) Xolo Maridueña.
12.20 Australia’s Top Ten Of Everything. (Ms, R)
1.10 Cybershack. (PG, R)
1.35 The Garden Gurus. (R) 2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PG)
2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.30 Global Shop. (R)
5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)
6.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated by Dr Chris Brown. 7.30 Selling Houses Australia. (PGa) The team helps a couple in Maroubra. 8.40 Ambulance UK. (Ml, R) Paramedics respond to calls regarding an attempted suicide and an 81-year-old who has fallen off his mobility scooter. 9.55 Harry And Meghan: The Rise And Fall. (PGa) Looks at the story of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. 10.55 FBI. (Mv, R) 11.55 The Kick That United The Nation. (PGal, R) 1.30 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.
6am The Movie Show. 6.25 The Bridge On The River Kwai. (1957, PG) 9.25 The Movie Show. 10.00 For A Few Dollars More. (1965, M) 12.25pm Animalia. (2023, M, French) 2.05 The Battle Of The River Plate. (1956, PG) 4.15 The Eagle Has Landed. (1976, M) 6.40 Brief Encounter. (1974, PG) 8.30 The Last Samurai. (2003, MA15+) 11.20 Private Desert. (2021, MA15+, Portuguese) 1.35am Late Programs.
SUNDAY, November 16
6.00 Morning Programs. 11.00 For The Love Of Dogs: India. (PGa, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 1.00 Speedweek. 3.00 Gold Stars: The Story Of FIFA World Cups. 4.10 Motor Racing. World Rally-Raid C’ship. Rallye Du Maroc. H’lights. 4.40 Going Places. (R) 5.10 The Weedy One. (PGa, R) 5.20 Bonsai. (R) 5.30 Hitler-Stalin: A Secret Relationship. (PGavw, R)
1.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 2.30 Miriam & Alan: Lost In Scotland And Beyond… (PG, R) 3.15 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 4.10 The Role Of A Lifetime. (Final, PGan, R) 5.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 6.00 Morning Programs. 9.05 Short History Of The English Garden. (R) 10.00 Beyond The Beaten Path. (PGaw, R) 10.55 Shepherdess. (PGl, R) 11.55 WorldWatch. 12.55 Soccer. Australian C’ship. Rnd 6. Avondale FC v Preston Lions FC. 3.00 Soccer. Australian C’ship. Rnd 6. Wollongong Wolves v Marconi Stallions FC. 5.30 The Irish Civil War. (PGav, R)
6.00 Grand Designs Australia. (PG, R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Spicks And Specks. (PG)
8.00 Portrait Artist Of The Year. (PG) Heat three features an array of unique talent.
8.50 The Forsytes. (PG) Jolyon makes a life-changing discovery.
9.45 Return To Paradise. (PGav, R) A scientist is found dead on a runaway boat.
10.40 Anh’s Brush With Fame. (PG, R)
11.40 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
3.00 Ask The Doctor. (Final, PG, R)
3.25 The Art Of Money. (MA15+l, R)
4.00 Gardening Australia. (R)
5.00 Insiders. (R)
6am Children’s Programs. 6pm Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.10 PJ Masks. 6.20 Bluey. 6.30 Paddington. 6.45 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Andy And The Band. 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 The Mysterious Benedict Society. 8.15 Crongton. 8.40 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.20 Abbott Elementary. 10.05 Speechless. 10.25 Merlin. 11.10 Late Programs.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 JFK: One Day In America: Revenge. (M)
8.25 Secret Letters Of Mary, Queen Of Scots. Codebreakers decipher letters written by Mary, Queen of Scots. 9.35 Karnak: The Largest Temple In The World. (R)
10.35 Odysseus Returns. (PG, R)
11.35 Women Who Rock. (Ml, R)
3.45 Craft It Yourself. (R)
4.40 Bamay. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 APAC Weekly.
6am Morning Programs. 11.30 Life Off Road. Noon Blokesworld. 12.30 Timbersports. 1.00 Football. AFL Women’s. Second semi-final. Melbourne v Adelaide. 3.00 Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars. 4.00 Desert Collectors. 5.00 Counting Cars. 6.00 Pawn Stars. 7.00 Football. AFL Women’s. First Semi-final.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 My Kitchen Rules. (PGl) Hosted by Colin Fassnidge and Manu Feildel.
8.55 Lip Reading The Royals. (Ma) Takes a look at pivotal moments of drama, tension and humour in recent British Royal history.
10.25 The Day Diana Died. (PGa) 12.00 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round 12. Sandown 500. Day 2. Highlights.
1.00 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 The Golden Bachelor. (Final, PGa) 8.40 60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating, analysing and uncovering the issues affecting all Australians. 9.40 9News Late. 10.10 Social Media Murders. (Mav) 11.10 Mobsters. (Madv)
World’s Most Dangerous Prisoners. (Malv, R) 1.00 Fishing Australia. (R)
TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa)
The Garden Gurus. (R)
FAMILY (22) 6am Morning Programs. 11.00 Ice Hockey. NHL. Carolina Hurricanes v Vancouver Canucks. 1.50pm Motor Racing. FIA World Endurance C’ship. 8 Hours of Bahrain. H’lights. 3.00 Basketball. WNBL. University of Canberra Capitals v Sydney. 5.00 Young Sheldon. 5.30 MOVIE: The Nut Farm. (2024, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies. (2014, M) 10.20 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Ed Sheeran: Full Circle. 11.00 MOVIE: The Nut Farm. (2024, PG) 1pm Soccer. English Premier League. Manchester City v Liverpool. Replay. 3.00 Big Rigs Of Oz. 3.30 Motor Racing. IndyCar Series. Grand Prix of Nashville. H’lights. 4.30 Young Sheldon. 5.00 Dinner With The Parents. 5.30 MOVIE: Monster Family 2. (2021, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Batman Returns. (1992, M) 10.05 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 6.30 Brief Encounter. (1974, PG) 8.20 Percy Vs Goliath. (2020, PG) 10.05 A Thousand Lines. (2022, M, German) 11.45 The Good, The Bad And The Ugly. (1966, M) 3pm Sun Children. (2020, PG, Farsi) 4.50 Bonneville. (2006, PG) 6.30 On Golden Pond. (1981, PG) 8.30 One Life. (2023, PG) 10.35 The Year Of Living Dangerously. (1982, M) 12.40am Late Programs.
6.00 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 7.00 Big Brother Australia. (PGalns) Hosted by Mel Tracina. 8.10 Ghosts Australia. (Ms) When Kate’s mum, Mel,
9GO! (83) 9GO! (83)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Bill Bailey’s Vietnam Adventure. (PG)
8.30 American Prince: JFK Jr. (PG)
9.20 Jimmy Carr’s I Literally Just Told You. (M)
10.15 SBS World News Late. 10.45 The Man Who Died. (Return, MA15+a) 11.35 A Criminal Affair. (MA15+s, R)
1.15 Being Beethoven. (PGa, R) 2.25 Craft It Yourself. (R) 3.20 Home Of The Year: Scotland. (R) 4.30 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
VICELAND (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 Batwheels. (Premiere) 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Ninjago: Dragons Rising. 8.00 Operation Ouch! 8.30 BTN Newsbreak. 8.35 Gladiators UK. 9.35 The Crystal Maze. 10.20 Merlin. 11.05 Late Programs.
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Sun
Children. Continued. (2020, PG, Farsi) 7.35 The Movie Show. 8.15 Bonneville. (2006, PG) 10.00 Jack Mimoun And The Secrets Of Val Verde. (2022, M, French) Noon An Almost Perfect Town. (2016, M, Italian) 1.50 On Golden Pond. (1981, PG) 3.50 Percy Vs Goliath. (2020, PG) 5.40 Emu Runner. (2018, PG) 7.30 Resistance. (2020, M) 9.45 The Conformist. (1970, MA15+, Italian) 11.50 Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGs)
7.30 Working Class Man. (Madl) Looks at rocker Jimmy Barnes’s hit book Working Class Man and the next chapter in his life. 9.55 The Rookie. (Mav) A familiar face returns hoping to prove himself.
11.00 S.W.A.T. (Mv) The team faces an extremist cell.
12.00 Autopsy USA: Luke Perry. (Ma, R) 1.00 Girlfriends’ Guide To Divorce. (MA15+s)
The Equalizer. (Mv) 12.00 Transplant. (MA15+m, R) 1.00 Hello SA. (PG) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
12.10 Carmen Curlers. (Mas, R) 2.15 Being Beethoven. (PGa, R)
3.20 Craft It Yourself. (PG, R)
4.15 Bamay. (R)
4.55 Destination Flavour Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
7MATE (64)
6.00
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)
8.00 Wicked: One Wonderful Night. From the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, California.
10.00 Murder In A Small Town. (Mav) The team searches for two kidnapping victims. 11.00 Grosse Pointe Garden Society. (Masv) 12.00 MOVIE: Paralysed By Danger. (2021, Mav, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Percy Vs Goliath. (2020, PG) 7.55 The Movie Show. 8.30 Emu Runner. (2018, PG) 10.20 Resistance. (2020, M) 12.30pm One Night In Miami… (2020, M) 2.40 The Movie Show. 3.15 One Life. (2023, PG) 5.20 Mary Shelley. (2017, PG) 7.30 Paradise Road. (1997, M) 9.35 Doppelganger. (2023, MA15+, Polish) 11.45 Late Programs. 5.50am Mary Shelley. (2017, PG)
7MATE (64)
WEDNESDAY, November 19
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Michael Palin In Venezuela. (PG)
8.30 Reckless. 9.30 Scotland’s Poshest Train: Alan Cumming. (R)
10.30 SBS World News Late. 11.00 I Am Scrooge. (Mal) 11.55 Headhunters. (MA15+lsv, R)
6am Mary Shelley. Continued. (2017, PG) 8.00 The Three Musketeers. (1973, PG) 10.00 Paradise Road. (1997, M) 12.05pm The Grump: In Search Of An Escort. (2022, M, Finnish) 2.10 The Grass Harp. (1995, PG) 4.10 Dean Spanley. (2008, PG) 6.05 Finding Graceland. (1998, PG) 7.50 Haywire. (2011, M) 9.30 Rogue Agent. (2022, M) 11.40 Annette. (2021, MA15+) 2.10am Late Programs.
THURSDAY, November 20
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Eva Longoria: Searching For Spain. (PGa)
8.25 From That Small Island: The Irish Story. (PG)
9.25 Vigil. (Return, Mav)
10.30 SBS World News Late.
11.00 Ridley Road. (Mav)
1.10 Exterior Night. (MA15+v, R)
4.20 Bamay. (R)
4.55 Scandinavia Bitesize. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am The Three
Musketeers. Continued. (1973, PG) 6.15 The Grass Harp. (1995, PG) 8.15 Finding Graceland. (1998, PG) 10.00 Rogue Agent. (2022, M) 12.05pm Haywire. (2011, M) 1.45 Mary Shelley. (2017, PG) 3.55 Bicycle Thief. (1948, PG, Italian) 5.30 The Ploughman’s Lunch. (1983, PG) 7.30 The Client. (1994, M) 9.45 Spy Game. (2001, M) 12.05am Marmalade. (2024, M) 2.00 Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Home And Away. (Final)
8.30 The Front Bar. (Ml) Sam Pang, Mick Molloy and Andy Maher take a lighter look at the world of cricket and catch up with the stars.
9.30 Ashes Preview Show. A preview of The Ashes series.
10.00 House Of Wellness. (PG)
11.00 Chicago Fire. (Mav)
12.00 MOVIE: Secrets Of A Marine’s Wife. (2021, Mav, R)
7.30 Highway Patrol. (PG, R) Documents the work of the highway patrol.
8.30 Ego: The Michael Gudinski Story. (Madl, R) The story of entrepreneur Michael Gudinski who revolutionised the Australian music industry.
11.00 Gatecrashers.
12.00 The Front Bar. (Ml, R)
1.00 Life. (Malsv, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
(64)
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Budget Battlers. (PG) 8.40 Australian Crime Stories: The Investigators. (Mdls, R) 9.40 9News Late.
10.10 Parole. (MA15+a)
11.30 Resident Alien. (Mav)
(34)
9GO!
14 November 2025
Surf series expands
THE Reflections Cadet Cup surfing tournament will expand into three events as the Surf Reflections Junior Series in 2026.
The debut Cup was held at Rainbow Beach, Bonny Hills in February 2024, thanks to a partnership between holiday park group Reflections and surfing festival Surfest, with Under 12s, Under 14s and Under 16s girls and boys categories.
A 5500-rated event on Surfing Australia’s National Series calendar, the Cup was quickly embraced by surfing and board riding groups along the coast, with a second event held in December at Tuncurry’s Nine Mile Beach.
“This event has grown in both entries and scale of activities, including food pop-ups and youth workshops, and we are thrilled that in 2026 it will become the Surf Reflections Junior Series, with three events - Bonny Hills (6-8 February),
CONTINUED Page 11
BEEF & BEANS GFO
BEEF & BEANS GFO
q Parker Abbott styling in the 2025 Cadet Cup at Bonny Hills.
