Nambucca Valley News Of The Area 15 March 2024

25 years since the Zhou Gan Tou beached at Scotts Head

“My Granddaughter was working in the Scotts Head Bakery at the time and when they opened at 6:00 am in the morning several of the Chinese fellows were presenting $100 notes to purchase whatever food and drink they could.”

The event generated significant media interest and created considerable concern for the Federal Government.

The Scotts Head landing was preceded by a comparable event a few months earlier in Cairns and an attempted landing one month later off Jervis Bay on the South Coast that was thwarted by Royal Australian Navy surveillance.

Significantly, it was the illegal arrival at Scotts Head that provided the Howard Government with the rationale to set in place improved border security; within days of the event they announced the establishment of a coastal surveillance task force.

Local man Mr Bart Scrivener and his wife were working in the Scotts Head caravan park when they noticed figures moving in the bushland on the dunes in the early morning darkness.

“We soon realised there was a very large boat that had run aground on the beach and the people from the boat had dispersed into the bushes and even into yards in Scotts Head,” Mr Scrivener told News Of The Area.

Some of the 60 walked several kilometres along the road between Scotts Head and Macksville, while others were making steady progress toward Kempsey.

“By 10:00 am that morning ten helicopters had landed on the sports oval here at Scotts Head from the news networks and a number of government agencies.

“Eventually the fuel was taken out of the boat and it was cut up for scrap with some lucky locals even getting a BBQ made from the boat,” added Mr Scrivener.

Scotts Head was not the intended target for these travellers and it is believed that the rudder had broken resulting in the Zhou Gan Tou ending up running aground at Scotts Head.

Two permanent reminders of this memorable day in local history remain.

One of the Zhou Gan Tou’s anchors is at the entrance of the Club Scotts carpark and the boat's funnel is now a landmark in front of the Scotts Heads shops.

Lucky Lotteries Mega Jackpot draw.

“I had a few missed phone calls,” he said.

a dream of building a new home.

Nambucca Heads man wins $200K

A NAMBUCCA Heads man is ready to say goodbye to renting and hello to his very own home after scoring $200,000 in a recent

While the winning man missed initial phone calls from The Lott officials, he finally came forward after checking his ticket.

“I often ignore unknown numbers because they’re always suspicious to me.”

The lucky winner said the cash will allow him to fulfill

“This is going to go a long way to help.

“With any left over, we can share it and continue to spread the joy.”

q Scotts Head local Mr Bart Scrivener in front of the funnel of the Zhou Gan Tou, a lasting reminder of that day 25 years ago this April.

Minister demands councils make improvements to ticketless parking fine systems

q Nambucca Valley is one of 48 councils to have adopted ticketless parking fines.

to address shortcomings in their ticketless parking fine systems.

Ticketless parking fines were an initiative of the previous Liberal/National Government and began initially as a trial in 2020.

Since then, 48 councils have adopted the system, including Nambucca Valley Council and Bellingen Shire Council.

The system allows issuing authorities to send details of a fine directly to Revenue NSW which then sends an infringement notice either by the post or to the Service NSW app.

Key concerns regarding the system listed by the Minister include difficulty in gathering evidence in the event the driver wants to seek a review

of the fine, the reduced impact of a fine to act as an immediate deterrent and to influence behaviour, and that a driver can receive multiple parking infringements before receiving a notification via post or the Service NSW app.

In her letter, Minister Houssos formally asks councils to provide on-thespot written notification of fines.

“This could be as simple as a note, which could take the form of a standardised, pre-printed card, noting that a fine has been issued,” she said.

“Doing so will provide drivers immediate notification that they have been given a parking fine and will allow them to take their own photos and note down relevant details.”

The Minister also

requested that councils review their process to ensure issuing officers collect photographic evidence of each infringement and forward this to Revenue NSW so that further details can be supplied to drivers who question a fine.

“The system has been working fine for us,” Nambucca Valley Council General Manager Bede Spannagle said, “but I guess they (Revenue NSW) were getting sick of people complaining directly to them.”

Nambucca Valley Council issued 188 ticketless parking fines in 2023 with a value of $22,969.

“In the Nambucca Valley, this doesn’t even cover the cost of employing a ranger,” according to Mr Spannagle.

Sydney City Council, however, issued 265,181 fines and raised $42,405,468 in 2023.

Bellingen Shire Council’s

2022-23 Annual Financial Statements report income of $131,000 from parking fines, a significant jump from the $36,000 reported in 202122, $75,000 in 2020-21, and $103,000 in 2019-20.

The Minister’s letter also advised the 80 councils who have not yet adopted the system, that they cannot gain access to the scheme while Revenue NSW undertakes more consultation.

“The current implementation of the ticketless parking system has eroded trust in the parking fine system.

“Providing immediate notification to drivers is the right thing to do and is an important first step to restoring community trust in the administration of the fines system,” Minister Houssos said.

Farmers call for new approach to land use conflicts

By Ned COWIE

Nambucca

THE

River Branch of NSW Farmers has issued a plea to State Ministers for Agriculture and Environment, local councillors and MPs for help in addressing and resolving issues around blueberry farming in the Nambucca Valley.

“There is a huge amount of angst and community unrest,” Branch Chairman Greg Desmond told the Minister for Water, Housing and Homelessness in a letter on 11 March 2024.

Mr Desmond is concerned that resources have been stripped from the Department of Primary

Industries (DPI), and that bodies like the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and the Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) rely on neighbours policing each other, which he says is extremely harmful for the cohesion of a community.

“I’ve been a dairy farmer for many years in the past, and in farming you learn that your

neighbour is your best friend,” Mr Desmond told News Of The Area.

“That’s who you call when you have a problem with a cow birthing, or when there is a bushfire.

“They are your best friend and you help each other out often but they way things are now, it’s up to neighbours to report each other and that is extremely damaging to relationships,” he said.

Mr Desmond made three key recommendations to the Minister.

He advocated for local councils to create a “one stop shop” where “new farmers, landholders or existing farmers who wish to start up an enterprise can go to resource themselves with the correct information and advice or be directed to the right agency”.

“This may also be used for complaints as one of the big issues has been where to go or which Department to speak

to get an outcome quickly,” he said.

Secondly, he called for better resourcing and more transparency from key agencies such as the EPA, DPI and Local Land Services (LLS) and suggested they work more closely with councils to resolve local issues.

“There was a report released in 2020 called ‘Managing farm-related land use conflicts in NSW’ by NSW Primary Industries.

“We should be resourcing departments like DPI, EPA, as well as the front line of Local Government to implement the key recommendations of this report,” Mr Desmond told NOTA.

Finally, Mr Desmond highlighted the need for newcomers to the rural-zoned areas and current landholders who wish to change their activities, to respect existing enterprises and to consider what environmental issues may arise with the introduction of new activities to an area.

“There is a need for legislation to enforce

landholders to do due diligence.

“Current government bodies’ methods are too reactive, not proactive and a lot of the time the damage may have already been done,” he explained.

“The lead agency should be DPI and they should be resourced adequately to meet this role.”

Mr Desmond believes the current approach towards requiring Development Applications from councils will overwhelm planning departments and should be avoided.

“Councils have their own resourcing problems and they need to spend their scant resources in many other areas,” he said.

Highlighting the need for the State Government to recognise recent community unrest in the Nambucca Valley, Mr Desmond believes Ministers should act now in anticipation of an evergrowing escalation in land-use conflicts as more people move into rural areas.

Wednesday

q The Nambucca River Branch of NSW Farmers group has spent months collecting reports and assessing blueberry farming in the Valley.

New ageing strategy for North Coast

By Andrea FERRARI

LIVING well for longer, rather than achieving a grand old age, is key to the Healthy Ageing Strategy developed by Healthy North Coast.

The Strategy was launched at The Shoreline Luxury Retirement Living in Coffs Harbour on Monday 4 March.

Developed in consultation with the community, aged care industry stakeholders, and primary and acute care clinicians, the Strategy focuses on wellness, independence and enablement.

The North Coast region of NSW faces unique challenges and opportunities due to an ageing population.

Currently, 138,000 or 25 percent of people between Port Macquarie and the Tweed are aged 65 or over.

This compares to sixteen percent Australia-wide.

Additionally, 30 percent of the North Coast population is expected to be over 65 by 2030, and the number of people over 85 will almost double in the next 20 years.

Attending the presentation at The Shoreline, Healthy North Coast CEO Monika Wheeler said that as our population ages, the demand on the healthcare system grows,

impacting people being able to easily access the services they need, and placing a strain on healthcare resources.

“People are living longer, but not necessarily healthier,” Ms Wheeler said.

“We want to shift the focus to improving health now so that people might live the best life they can irrespective of their age.

“Healthy ageing is a journey that begins at birth.

“As we live longer, we need to ensure all our living years have choice, dignity and control.”

The Strategy was developed with the vision to help people on the North Coast live well, age well, and have ongoing opportunities to contribute and stay connected to their communities and country.

It contains a number of key initiatives, many of which are

already underway on the North Coast.

These include digital health within residential aged care, the North Coast Care Finders Program, aged care disaster management planning and the Greater Choice at Home Palliative Care program.

Owen Lednor, Clinical Project Consultant at The Shoreline Luxury Retirement Living in Coffs Harbour, enthusiastically welcomed the Healthy Ageing Strategy.

“Ensuring our residents have access to the right kind of primary healthcare has been a challenge in the past, but now we’re seeing a lot of enthusiasm and uptake on digital telehealth services,” he said at the launch event.

“This new technology allows our residents to avoid unnecessary hospital visits and to get the healthcare they need while remaining comfortable at home.

“It’s great to see a focus on digital health technology in the Healthy Ageing Strategy, so that some of those barriers to healthcare might be removed.”

q Healthy North Coast’s Vanessa Gee, Jo Winwood and Judy Bartholomew.

q Healthy North Coast’s Judy Bartholomew and Monika Wheeler, Northern NSW Local Health District’s Elayne Mitchell, Healthy North Coast’s Jo Winwood, and The Shoreline's Owen Lednor and Brooke.

Community pitches in for coastal clean up

By Jen HETHERINGTON

THE official ‘Clean Up Australia Day’ for 2024 was on March 3, and promised to be a success as volunteering crews at Stuarts Point and Scotts Head grabbed water bottles and rolled up their sleeves, donning boots, gloves, hats and hivis gear.

The crews gathered at 8am

under sultry overcast skies and got to work enticed by the tempting promise of a lavish late morning tea.

“Our beloved area is a little more beautiful, thanks to all those who regularly collect discarded rubbish,” said Stuarts Point and District Community Organisation (SPaDCO) Chairperson Mary-Lou Lewis.

“Though there were plenty of folk helping on Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday, it was made all the easier because so many folk do take responsibility for their own rubbish every day.”

Stuarts Point crew, consisting of sixteen volunteers, collected three full bins of rubbish, and two trailers full of hard rubbish from the areas between Fisherman Reach and Middle Head.

A concerted effort also focused on Stuarts Point Road (from the roundabout to the village), which garnered a vast array of discards including car tyres, fast-food litter and disturbingly, a bag of used hypodermic needles.

A vast array of home baked cakes and goodies served at Stuarts Point Hall was the reward for the accomplished crew.

The Scotts Head crew were pleased to report a collection of twelve bags of rubbish as well as discarded building materials.

Clean Up Australia Day is held nationally on the first Sunday of March each year.

The

q ‘The Cleanup Girls’, Margaret Breust and Chris Parke, proffered plates of scrumptious cakes.

q A heavy haul of hard rubbish collected throughout the Stuarts Point district.

q The crew of sixteen volunteers assembled at Stuarts Point Community Hall.

Conservationists

march for local forests

By Andrew VIVIAN

ON SUNDAY March 24 conservationists across the country will show their support for native forests as part of the Bob Brown Foundation’s March for Forests.

Bellingen forest supporters will gather from 9.30am until 1pm at Bellingen Park to listen to a range of speakers from local forest groups, before marching into the town at about 10.30am.

Organisers say they wish to send “a loud message to government” that the logging of native forests should be immediately ceased.

Attendees will then return to the park for more talks, food and music provided by Saije and Benelong Carrol.

Dean Kelly will provide a Welcome to Country and speakers, including representatives from local conservation groups and Mid North Coast ecologists, will provide updates about what has been happening in local forests.

Food and drinks, including coffee, will be available.

“We’re looking for more volunteers who could give a couple of hours to the important cause as there are a few jobs to do to ensure a safe,

fun and effective event,” local organiser Kaz Selbie said.

To register as a volunteer please visit https://form.jotform. com/Selbie/volunteersavenativeforests24324

For more information, visit https://marchforforests. org/event/gumbaynggirr country-bellingen/ or check out the Facebook event page at www.facebook.com/ events/926597649125812.

q Locals will march to protect native forests from logging. Photo: Kaz Selbie.

Expert says biosecurity levy fails pub test

By Mike HELY

THE Federal Government’s proposed $50 million Biosecurity Protection Levy fails the ‘pub test’, says Trevor Ranford, an Australian Biosecurity Award winner in 2022.

Mr Ranford, a leading horticulture industry advocate with more than 46 years experience, said despite widespread criticisms from the industry and independent experts, the Government was “blindly proceeding with this unfair tax on farmers”.

He said the Government was introducing the Biosecurity Protection Levy to balance its biosecurity budget.

The levy will affect about 85,000 domestic agricultural,

fisheries and forestry producers and is due to commence on 1 July 2024.

It will collect around $50 million a year, equivalent to six per cent (on an annual basis) of the total Australian Government biosecurity funding in 2024-25.

Mr Ranford said Agriculture Minister Murray Watt wanted to fund the Government’s “normal commitments” to biosecurity - including at borders - by forcing the new levy on primary producers.

He said the Government had ignored a steady stream of advice against the proposed levy.

This included 50 agricultural industry organisations writing to the Prime Minister to reject the

levy, and numerous industry bodies denied requests for a ‘hold on the tax’ to allow discussions about alternatives.

“There is a significant and growing body of evidence to show that this biosecurity tax will not make good policy and fails the good old Australian pub test,” Mr Ranford said.

“The industry is ready to assist with the redevelopment of this policy when the Minister decides he is ready to listen.”

National Farmers Federation President David Jochinke said the levy had attracted "a tidal wave of expert criticism".

“Everyone from the Productivity Commission to the Australian National University and the Freight

and Trade Alliance has labelled this policy a dud,” Mr Jochinke said.

“It makes zero economic sense.”

He said industry stakeholders were cynical about the motivation behind the Government’s recent decision to establish a Sustainable Biosecurity Funding Advisory Panel.

“It’s pretty clear that this panel is being tacked on at the eleventh hour to try and give the levy some credibility,” Mr Jochinke said.

“All it’s done is demonstrate the continued shambles this process has become – with stakeholders yet to receive formal invites, or any detail on the panel’s scope and role.”

Hospital volunteers celebrated at regional forum

By Andrea FERRARI

VOLUNTEERS from Nambucca and BowraMacksville United Hospital Auxiliaries (UHA) took a day trip up the mountain to Dorrigo for the organisation’s regional forum.

More than 40 dedicated volunteers from across the Mid North Coast gathered in Dorrigo for the UHA of NSW’s North Eastern meeting.

They represented the 400plus volunteers across the region’s hospitals, from Coffs Harbour to Port Macquarie and west to Dorrigo.

Their contribution is recognised as hugely significant.

In the past financial year alone, these tireless volunteers collectively contributed more than 60,000 hours of service to their respective hospitals, embodying the spirit of community and selflessness.

Their efforts also resulted in remarkable donations totalling $457,885.01, buying essential hospital equipment that enhances patient care and comfort.

The Regional Forum serves as a platform for volunteers to exchange insights, share ideas, and foster friendship among like-minded individuals committed to making a difference in healthcare delivery.

"This gathering underscores the invaluable contributions of our volunteers and the collective strength of our auxiliary branches," said Lizzy Bennett, President of the Dorrigo UHA branch which hosted the forum.

"Their dedication and generosity resonate deeply within our communities, embodying the essence of compassion and kindness."

Also attending the forum was the UHA’s State President Sally Cronberger, who congratulated the North Eastern UHA volunteers on a stellar year.

“The branch members’ dedication and selfless giving of their time is nothing short of amazing,” Ms Cronberger said.

“The support UHA members have given their

local health facilities over the past 90 years attests to the calibre of these treasures.

“I take this opportunity to thank the Dorrigo branch for hosting the 2024 forum.

“Their hospitality to myself and State Treasurer Dee Hunter is very much appreciated as we realise the organisation that goes into hosting an event such as this.”

Mid North Coast Local Health District Chief Executive Stewart Dowrick also addressed the delegates to thank them for their outstanding contributions to local public hospitals.

“I would like to say to our 389 UHA members in the Local Health District that your collective achievements are a testament to your selflessness, dedication, and unwavering commitment to serving others,” he said.

“Your efforts have not gone unnoticed, and the impact you have made on our hospitals and the communities we serve is truly immeasurable.

“This significant contribution enhances the quality of care we provide to our patients and ensures our

healthcare facilities remain at the forefront of medical excellence.

“Each hour you spend volunteering, each donation you make, is confirmation of your unwavering dedication to the wellbeing of others.”

Two volunteers were recognised at the forum with 20-year service badges being presented to Dorrigo UHA members Sandra McGuire and Shirley Tyson.

Anyone interested in volunteering at any of the Mid North Coast’s UHA branches, please email Sharon.fuller1@ health.nsw.gov.au.

q Trevor Ranford receives his 2022 Australian Biosecurity Award from Australian Agriculture Minister Murray Watt.

q Nambucca UHA’s dynamic duo, Treasurer Keith Parkin and President Michelle O’Keefe, enjoyed the chance to catch up with other hospital volunteers at the annual North Eastern forum, held this year in Dorrigo.

q State Treasurer and BowraMacksville UHA Branch Treasurer Dee Hunter with fellow branch committee members Susan Hedgecoe, President Lorraine Edmondson and Jan Tinson.

Indonesian dancer performs with visiting international artists

By Mary KEILY

INDONESIAN dancer Alfira

O’Sullivan from Stuarts Point recently performed with international artists in ‘Artivism At Sea: The Voyage of Arka Kinari’, a one-night act in Bellingen featuring a live documentary performance of storytelling, music and video.

On stage, artists Grey Filastine from Spain (percussion/videography and narration) and Nova Ruth (vocals and electric guitar) from Indonesia spoke of their journey with other activists to spread a global climate change message from their 70-tonne ship the Arka Kinari over the past five years.

The artists have witnessed Indonesian ports which are obsolete because of rising water levels, divided whaling communities who threatened to burn their ship, and survived “the doldrums” during the COVID period when all ships in international waters were stranded at sea

and not allowed to dock.

When they perform, they also include local artists and meet communities to learn about the environmental issues they face.

Alfira is from the Indonesian Province of Aceh, and was trained in traditional Javanese in Java.

Her contemporary dance is informed by her traditional training.

She has an Indonesian dance company based in Sydney called ‘Suara Indonesia Dance’, but resides in Stuarts Point with her husband Murtala, so their two children can attend

Scotts Head Public School.

The local school proudly runs the only specialised bilingual Indonesian program in NSW, with Murtala working there as a Cultural Teacher’s Aide.

“Tonight was pretty special as the project is really amazing,” Alfira told NOTA.

“They’ve performed at major festivals like the Sydney Biennale where my dance company is going to be on 6 April to perform and give public workshops.”

Suara Indonesia Dance is also performing in Canberra at the National Folk Festival from 28-30 March.

q The 70-tonne Arka Kinari ship.

Award-winning film sheds light on Palestinian history

and Bellingen next week.

The powerful documentary, filmed recently in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Israel by Australian film makers John Reynolds and Jill Hickson, ‘depicts Palestinian life under military occupation’ and sets out the aspirations of Palestinians for selfdetermination.

‘Palestine Under Siege’ seeks to explain the background to the history of Palestinian displacement and dispossession through a series of interviews with survivors of the 1948 Nakba, and with prominent Palestinian and Israeli leaders.

They include Dr Hanan

Ashrawi, a Palestinian politician and winner of the 2003 Australia Peace Prize, and Jeff Halper, Director of the Israel Committee Against Home Demolitions.

The film is being promoted locally by the Bellingen and Nambucca District Rural Australians for Refugees (RAR) group.

“Many RAR groups around Australia have been campaigning for months for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza,” group spokesperson Mike Griffin explained.

“History tells us that violence does not solve the problems of the world.

“Instead, it leads to

unbelievable suffering and the displacement of millions of people.

“If there is to be peace in the Middle East, then there has to be a just settlement for the Palestinian people.”

The film will be shown at the Bellingen Memorial Hall at 7.00 pm on Wednesday 20 March, and at the Cavanbah Centre, Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour on Saturday 23 March at 7.30 pm.

There will be a Q and A session following the screenings.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at https://linktr. ee/rarmnc or by phoning 6569 5419.

q Alfira O’Sullivan dancing with guest artists Greg Filastine and Nova Ruth on stage

q The show has travelled around the world, this time seen in Bali.

AN award-winning film highlighting the history of conflict in Palestine will be screened in Coffs Harbour

q ‘Palestine Under Siege’ seeks to explain the background to the history of Palestinian displacement and dispossession.

Grassy Head roasters take out medal win

By Andrea FERRARI

PAINTED Blue Coffee

Roasters from Grassy Head have won a Silver Medal in the Espresso Category at the Golden Bean World Series 2024.

This is the world’s largest coffee roasting competition, attracting coffee roasters from countries across the world including Australia, New Zealand, the United States of America, Canada, South Korea and China.

The local operation’s

winning roast is a single origin coffee called ‘Sumatra’. Naturally processed, it presents with vibrant notes of cooked passionfruit, vanilla, mild caramel and jammy red wine.

Painted Blue founders, growers and roasters Charelle ‘Cha’ Harkins and Daniel ‘Dan’ Klingsporn told News Of The Area, “This award is a huge achievement, we're ecstatic to have been winners at such a large global coffee roasting event.

“Winning a silver medal

at this level is a significant testament to our roasting methodology and skill.

“This accolade supports our commitment to coffee excellence.”

Cha directed the congratulations to partner, Dan.

“With meticulous attention to detail, dedication and the expertise of rockstar roaster, Dan, he deserves this fanfare and recognition.”

The World Series is the grand final between the Northern Hemisphere and

Be on the lookout for unusual signs in livestock

THE North Coast Local Land Services District Veterinarian team have provided advice to livestock producers to monitor their stock for unusual signs or disease.

“We encourage livestock producers to keep an eye out for signs such as a higher than usual rate of deaths or illnesses, animals that appear sick and are drooling or lame, animals with lots of skin lumps,” said District Veterinarian Phil Carter.

One such producer in the North Coast region recently notified their district vet immediately when they noticed a large number of skin lumps in a large proportion of

their cattle herd, with some animals appearing unwell.

The district vet attended immediately and examined and sampled animals for exclusion of lumpy skin disease.

This disease was ruled out by laboratory testing, but further testing showed the disease to be pseudolumpy skin disease, an insectspread disease caused by a herpesvirus already present in Australia.

“This is exactly what we want to happen: for producers to be on the alert for unusual signs or diseases and to report them immediately,” Phil said.

“In the event of an emergency animal disease, such as lumpy skin disease or foot and mouth, the sooner we detect it, the sooner we can put measures in place to eradicate it before it spreads too far.”

To report suspicious illnesses, call your Local Land Services office on 1300 795 299 or your district vet directly during normal working hours.

Outside of normal working hours, please don’t put it off but report it immediately to the Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.

q An example of pseudolumpy skin disease.

Southern Hemisphere to see who is the world’s best coffee roaster.

There is a Gold, Silver and Bronze medal for each category: Espresso, Milk and Filter.

To be eligible for the World Series entrants must be previous Golden Bean Gold and Silver medallists.

Painted Blue was awarded two silver medals at the regional Australasia competition held in November 2023, for their organic Ethiopian coffee, roasted two different ways, validating their eligibility into this year’s World Series.

Held at the end of February in Melbourne, Cha and Dan attended the Golden Bean not just to compete but to take up the unique networking opportunities for roasters.

“(You can) connect, learn and engage with each other throughout the few days of the competition.”

Aside from tasting and sampling some of the world’s finest coffees, touring several facilities in Melbourne was a highlight of the event.

“It was amazing to get behind the scenes and conduct a lot more sampling of rare and, in some cases, expensive coffees,” said Cha.

“Exploring these grand scale and established

businesses, including one that roasts up to 126 tonnes of coffee a week, from an operations point of view was a humbling experience.

“This insight, paired with sensational tastings was impressive and personally, validating.

“The skill, resources and product output from Painted Blue really does align and compete with the best of the best.

“It’s hard to fathom and accept how good our everyday

product is sometimes, we are always striving for better, this recent World Series silver medal is confirmation we’re on the right path,” she said.

With their business heads going global their hearts and sensitivities are local.

“We cannot achieve our success without our vibrant local community and their support.

“Thanks, as always, for entrusting your caffeine needs to us and encouraging us onwards,” said Cha.

q Tasting at the Golden Bean World Series competition, February 2024.

q Painted Blue co-founder Cha Harkins with the Golden Bean World Series Silver Medal for Espresso.

Breast cancer survivor treks for research funding

By Jen HETHERINGTON

TWO weeks before moving to Nambucca Heads, local Anglican Priest Leslie Fotakis (Ladlow) was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Three weeks after her arrival, she had a double mastectomy.

Thankfully, the procedure resulted in the complete elimination of her cancer, without the need for chemotherapy or radiation.

Aware she was one of the lucky ones, Leslie has since turned her attention to fundraising for the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF).

Last year Leslie raised over $1300 for the McGrath Foundation by making a pink quilt which is now being raffled by the local cancer network at Macksville Hospital.

Through the breast cancer network she discovered the Tuscany Trekking Challenge, a 100 kilometre (km) walk to help raise money for game-changing breast cancer

research.

To qualify for the opportunity, each participant needs to raise $3500 towards the NBCF.

To achieve this goal, Leslie is holding a fundraising ‘Walkathon’ next Saturday.

“To raise the funds I decided to hold my walkathon, which will be on Saturday 23 March, walking from Gordon Park, Nambucca Heads at 7am, then on to Macksville Anglican Church (approximately fifteen km), with a scheduled arrival at 10am.

“We will conclude with a lovely ‘Pink’ morning tea.”

Leslie invites everyone to join her on the walk, either the whole length or a portion, and encourages all participants to seek sponsorship.

A colour well-known as a symbol for breast cancer, Leslie’s fundraising is decidedly pink themed.

“When I received my diagnosis, I decided that if this was the path I was going to take, it would become my latest adventure… a pink adventure!

“My wardrobe has turned pink, as have many other areas of my life.”

Many Nambucca Valley residents share the traumas of the breast cancer journey, and thankfully receive support through local McGrath Breast Health

Nurses; registered nurses with specialist training who provide information, care, counselling and invaluable monthly meetings.

Donations can be made directly to the NBCF, visit www.nbcf.org.au.

All donations are tax deductible.

Contact Leslie Fotakis for more information on 0428 441 472.

Call out to artists for Women in Art exhibition

EXPRESSIONS of interest are now open for the Nambucca Valley Women’s Business Network’s (NVWBN)

‘Women in Art’ exhibition, opening at Macksville’s Matilda Street Gallery on Saturday 27 April.

Last year’s event saw over 50 artworks from 36 artists from Nambucca, Macleay, Hastings and Bellinger valleys, with more

than 70 attendees at the opening event.

Libby Foster, NVWBN secretary and Women in Art exhibition coordinator, said she was thrilled with the enthusiastic response the network received for last year’s inaugural exhibition.

“We were really just trying something new last year, with the idea of showcasing the quality and

breadth of the work of local women artists,” Ms Foster said.

“For months afterwards people were coming up to us, talking about what a great event it was, and how much they were looking forward to our next art exhibition!

“So the pressure is on and this year we want to open it up, not only inviting women artists of any and

every artistic persuasion to participate, but also giving local organisations and businesses an opportunity to sponsor the event, with major and regular sponsorship opportunities available.”

Sara Runciman, NVWBN President, noted that the Women in Art exhibition aligned well with the values of the network.

“Our goal is to support,

inspire and empower Nambucca Valley women, by providing opportunities for our members and guests to connect with other women from across the valley,” said Ms Runciman.

“We make an effort to meet in different towns, venues and times to enable a range of women to attend according to their capabilities and interests.

“We are excited to

support the creative women in our midst and are looking forward to seeing the variety of artworks that will be on display for the exhibition.”

The expression of interest process will be open until Monday 25 March, with participants asked to send in their EOIs digitally at bit.ly/ eoi-art24.

To find out more about sponsoring the event, the EOI process, or the art exhibition itself, email NVWBN on nvwomensbusinessnetwork @gmail.com.

q More than 70 attendees enjoyed last year’s opening event.

q Leslie Fotakis in training, high upon a mountain.

q The quilt under construction, now being raffled by the local cancer network at Macksville Hospital.

q Leslie leading worship in pink.

q Nambucca Valley Women's Business Network committee members Diana Wilkinson, Sara Runciman, Lynette Howle, Libby Foster and Kim Thomson at last year’s exhibition launch.

Nambucca River VIEW Club elects 2024 committee

THE Nambucca River VIEW Club has been busy organising for another eventful and rewarding year, announcing a new look committee for 2024.

The new committee consists of President Lyn McGuigan, Vice President/ Delegate Elizabeth Newman, Secretary Marion Watts, Treasurer Shirley Lamberth, Area Advisor Cynthia Guyenette, Publicity Officer Janne Henn, Committee Assistants Sue Kempton, Robin Blidy and Dina Wallbank, and Welfare Officer Jennifer Hurley.

Importantly, the committee will support the important services provided by The Smith Family.

The cost of living is rising again and consequently more people are struggling to keep their heads above water.

For some, providing for their children’s educational needs is becoming a challenge that they cannot meet alone.

“The Smith Family has long been aware that a good education is the best way out

of disadvantage and can be the difference between a positive future or a repeating cycle where hope becomes a distant dream,” said a Nambucca River VIEW Club spokesperson.

“That is why The Smith Family’s focus is on providing the funds and support needed to assist children who may otherwise fall through the cracks, to stay in school and thrive.

“VIEW Clubs are major supporters of this goal.”

Allied with The Smith Family, VIEW Clubs help supply the funds required to continue this work with their fundraising efforts.

The members of Nambucca River VIEW Club think of themselves as ‘The Ladies Who Lunch…With a Purpose’.

This is because they meet monthly for lunch, friendship and laughs knowing that their joint contributions and funds raised, whether through their regular raffles or other fun events during the year, are providing a brighter future for

the children they sponsor.

“In this way, much can be achieved with remarkably little effort from individual members.

“In numbers there is strength.”

Nambucca River VIEW Club is always keen to welcome new members and extends an open invitation to women of all ages to become a part of this valuable organisation.

There are VIEW Clubs all across the country, always willing to welcome members from other areas.

Some members have enjoyed the camaraderie and fellowship of VIEW Clubs for 40 and 50 years.

Whether you are 20 or 90, if you enjoy the fellowship of other women and like to have a bit of fun while supporting a worthy cause, then you are encouraged to contact Lyn at Nambucca River VIEW Club for more information, or to attend an obligation-free lunch meeting.

Phone 0423 386 230.

Voices 4 Cowper is listening again

By Andrew VIVIAN

VOICES 4 Cowper is active again with a federal election having to be held before the end of next year.

The group was established in 2019 by sixteen locals who came together with a shared desire for a more meaningful connection between the voters of the electorate of Cowper and its elected representatives.

“We know that a key aspect of being well-represented is the chance to have your say about issues and to have your voices heard,” said Amy Hodson, Co-Chair of Voices 4 Cowper.

“That is why we are holding Kitchen Table Conversations, and will soon host meet and greet events, and be surveying the community at key local events.

“Cowper is a diverse electorate, stretching from

Coffs Harbour to Port Macquarie and west into the hinterland, with large towns and small villages, and people from all walks of life.

“Whether your family has

lived here for millennia, for generations, or moved here in the past decade, we all treasure living here and care about what will happen in the future.”

Voices 4 Cowper is inviting the community of Cowper to participate in its 2024 Listening Campaign. It consists primarily of ‘Kitchen Table Conversations’,

designed to create a safe and inclusive space for community members to share their concerns, hopes and visions for the place where they live and work, and to connect with others from their community.

Lyndley McColl, a retired nurse and business owner from Urunga, said, “I decided to host a conversation in my home because I think a strong democracy needs ordinary people speaking out and being heard.

“Spending two hours with a small group of people, having discussions about things that matter to us now and in the future, was a rare and precious opportunity.”

At the end of the Listening Campaign, Voices 4 Cowper will release a report that summarises the results of the listening and share it with the community and with elected representatives.

It will also be provided to

all candidates in the lead up to the next federal election to inform them about the priorities and concerns of the voters of Cowper.

“After our listening campaign of 2019, our supporters asked us to identify an independent candidate to represent the community of Cowper,” Ms Hodson said.

“The results of the 2022 Federal election showed us that the community wanted someone who prioritised their own community above party interests.

“Our Listening Campaign also asks people what makes for good representation and how they feel about their current representation.”

Information about Kitchen Table Conversations can be found at https:// voices4cowper.org/.

Voices 4 Cowper will also be at markets and around the community over the next few months inviting people to share their views via a short survey.

q (Back row) Vice President/Delegate Elizabeth Newman, Secretary Marion Watts, Treasurer Shirley Lamberth, Area Advisor Cynthia Guyenette, Committee Assistant Dina Wallbank, President Lyn McGuigan, Publicity Officer Janne Henn, (front row) Committee Assistant Sue Kempton, Committee Assistant Robin Blidy and Welfare Officer Jennifer Hurley.

q The Kitchen Table Conversations allow Cowper residents to share their concerns. Photo: Voices for Cowper.

Jumpers & Jazz Festival

Thursday 25th to Monday 29th July 2024

Be immersed in Warwick’s quirky and unique Jumpers and Jazz Festival - a 20th Anniversary celebration of all that is wonderful about winter and a kaleidoscope of colour.

Duration: 4 Days & 3 Nights

$1,860 pp twin share

$404 pp single supplement

$225 pp deposit

For more information or to book:

Phone: 02 6583 3330

Email: admin@portbus.com.au

Website: www.portbus.com.au

Book Online: events.humanitix. com/jumpers-n-jazz

city, in collaboration with the most brilliant and boundary-pushing artists, thinkers and musicians of our time.

For more information or to book:

Phone: 02 6583 3330

Email: admin@portbus.com.au

Website: www.portbus.com.au

Book Online: events.humanitix.com/vivid-24

Seniors Week

Aussies failing to prioritise hearing health

By Marian SAMPSON

WORLD Hearing Day was held around the globe on March 3, with Nambucca Valley seniors reminded to prioritise their hearing health.

A recent survey reveals that only two percent of Australians prioritise their hearing over other health aspects such as physical health (52 percent), mental health (20 percent), eye care (ten percent), dental health (nine percent), and skin care (seven percent).

An estimated one in four people worldwide are predicted to be living with some degree of hearing loss by 2050.

Hearing loss costs Australians around $11.75 billion annually in lost productivity and other impacts.

While awareness exists, there is a significant gap in making hearing checks a priority, particularly for older Australians.

While 77 percent of Australians know where to go to get their hearing tested, only 38 percent have undergone a hearing test in the last three years.

Two in three adults over the age of 60 years experience some degree of hearing loss.

This increases to four in five adults aged 80 and over.

Caroline Reichard, a 62-year-old recently retired wife, mother, friend and grandmother, faced a lifelong struggle with single-sided deafness.

However, in her early forties, she encountered a decline in the hearing ability of her 'good' ear.

As her hearing in her right ear began to deteriorate, Caroline found it increasingly challenging to hear

clearly at her workplace.

Eventually, at her husband’s persuasion, she consulted with an audiologist who provided her with a hearing aid.

"This wasn't just like opening one door to a world of hearing possibilities; it felt like unlocking 10,000 doors," said Caroline.

Caroline now has a bimodal hearing solution, which means she has a hearing aid in her right ear and a cochlear implant in her left ear, which has enabled her to have 95 percent hearing in quiet listening environments.

The most important thing for Caroline is that her ability to hear clearly has reconnected her to the sounds she cherishes.

She can now hear every word her grandchildren utter, no longer missing precious moments or having to request explanations from her daughter.

Improved hearing has had a significant positive impact on her social confidence, enabling her to meet friends at noisy cafés and restaurants without worrying in advance about where she will be seated, as she no longer relies on lip reading.

By Manny WOOD

Properly documenting Granny Flat arrangements

GLORIA, who was widowed a few years ago, intends to build a self-contained unit on her son’s property.

She will use her savings to build the ‘granny flat’ and will rely on the Age Pension to meet her living expenses.

She wishes to live in the granny flat for the rest of her life.

Gloria seeks legal advice and is advised that with a view to minimising the potential for disputes in the future, the arrangement should be documented in writing.

A written agreement will also be useful for Centrelink purposes and necessary for capital gain concessions.

The solicitor takes instructions regarding a range of issues, so that an appropriate Granny Flat Agreement can be prepared.

The payment of the construction and approval costs is addressed.

Gloria’s contribution towards the payment of outgoings, such as utilities, insurance and council rates are considered.

They also discuss the termination of the agreement, whether this is the result of Gloria requiring full-time care, the breakdown of her son’s relationship with his wife, a desire to relocate by either party and whether, if the agreement is terminated, Gloria is entitled to receive compensation and if so, whether this is a lump sum or whether it is determined by way of a formula based on the time that Gloria has occupied the unit.

They discuss whether Gloria should be able to lodge a Caveat over her son’s property to protect her ‘equitable interest’.

The solicitor also takes instructions relating to Gloria’s wishes regarding the unit when she passes-away and the interplay between the Granny Flat Agreement and her Will.

The terms of a suitable Power of Attorney and Appointment of Enduring Guardian are also considered as part of her estate planning generally.

The solicitor advises Gloria that her son should obtain his own legal advice in relation to the proposed arrangement and that she should also take the draft agreement to Centrelink to ensure that it complies with the gifting/deprivation rules.

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 column is only accurate at today’s date and is not legal advice.

Big investment needed for social housing solution

HOMELESSNESS NSW is urging the state government to spend $1 billion each year for a decade to double the supply of social housing by 2050.

Homelessness NSW CEO Dominique Rowe said the state must build 5,000 dwellings annually to lift NSW’s share of social housing from one in 20 to one in ten homes.

“NSW has failed to invest in social housing

Dorin’s Draws

By Paul DORIN

On theCouch

DEAR Jasminda,

What are the expectations for Easter presents this year?

any of it.

The only Easter expectations are the ones you place on yourself, but I can almost guarantee that your grandkids will be far more excited by a challenging mini egg hunt in the backyard than unwrapping bits of plastic wrapped in (you guessed it) bits of plastic.

The costs to community and taxpayers of industrial logging

DEAR News Of The Area,

VESTED timber industry interests will always try to cook the books to suit their narrative.

The reality is that as at 30 June 2023 the Forestry Corporation lost about $15 million of our taxes logging our globally significant native forests.

This fact is contained in their annual report.

In losing this precious public money they are sending our Koalas and Greater Gliders and globally significant biota rapidly towards extinction and destroying our water security.

This includes befouling the regional drinking water supply for all municipal residents from Sawtell to Yamba.

The cost to ratepayers to fix this is uphill of $100 million and may not even be possible because of how putrid the rivers have become because of landscape-scale industrial logging and the broad-acre poisoning of the landscape (including with nasty chemicals like Simazine banned in other jurisdictions) by this loss-making crown logging company.

The $15 million loss to taxpayers delivered profits to loggers, haulers,

millers and the entire retail chain. This is kleptocracy.

Vested interests will also try to deceive with other narratives to suit their profit-taking interests.

The reality is that industrial logging dries out landscapes, makes fires much more severe and frequent and destroys our water security.

Homes were destroyed at Nymboida in November 2019 because the Forestry Corporation of NSW lit significant lines of fire across the western and northwestern Dorrigo Plateau.

This was despite numerous local landholders, multiple local RFS brigade members and any sane folk looking on and asking (and at times demanding) them not to.

They did this because these forests were the driest that they had ever been and it was impossible to extinguish fire in these conditions.

But still Forestry Corp kept lighting fires in a massive arc from Dundurrabin to Ellis, Chaelundi, Boundary Creek and Sheas Nob.

These fires all joined together under a massive westerly wind, became the Liberation Trail mega-

I just went to the shops for my grandchildren and there are Easter trees, Easter decorations, Easter wreaths, Easter clothes, and on it goes.

Brian W.

Dear Brian, Wreaths? Trees? Decorations?

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas (feel free to sing in Michael Buble's baritone voice).

It would appear Easter eggs aren't bringing in enough retail dollars, so now we have Easter activity cases and Easter egg wreaths and flocked Easter bunnies made of polyfoam and polyethylene terephthalate, and this little bunny isn't falling for

fire and did so much harm to these globally significant forests that places such as Hortons Creek are dead to this very day.

Thankfully nobody died.

Our economy and our survival is underpinned by our water security and our safety depends upon the climate stabilising role that our forests play (making it rain and keeping the landscape moist).

The NSW Government (via Forestry Corporation) is going hammer and tongs to industrially log the best parts of the Dorrigo Plateau within the Great Koala National Park

And no, they don't need egg-hunt grabbers (that look very much like rainbowcoloured poop-scoopers), because most of them have these handy things called hands.

Just make sure you roll the foil wrapping into a fistsized ball before recycling.

Or perhaps you could suggest that your grandkids join you in hand-dyeing some eggs or baking some homemade Easter buns.

Yes, I know you can get them straight off the shelves (and have been able to since Christmas), but nothing beats the smell of freshlybaked buns.

Carpe diem, Jasminda.

whilst they still can, including destroying old growth koala habitats right now in Sheas Nob State Forest between Nymboida and Dundurrabin.

The carnage must stop or further irreparable harm will be done to us all and the Great Koala National Park will have no Koalas in it.

Don’t believe the hype of the vested interests profiting from this harm to us all.

Regards, Mark

GRAHAM, Coffs Harbour.

Heartfelt thanks to Scotts Head Surf Club and others

DEAR News Of The Area,

ON 3 March my wife had a medical episode whilst in the surf at Scotts Head.

Due to the actions of many of the public, members of the local surf club,

for decades.

“Last year, just one-fifth of people seeking help from homelessness services could find long-term accommodation,” she said.

“Our ability to give NSW’s most vulnerable communities a roof over their heads is falling while housing stress and homelessness soar.

“Right now, many of the 57,000 households on the social housing waitlist are forced to wait up to a decade for a safe and stable place to call home.

“Investing in social housing will not only save lives but pay dividends by easing pressure on health, community and justice services in the long run.”

In its budget submission, Homelessness NSW warns frontline services risked staff cuts and closure without a 20 percent funding boost.

“Underfunded frontline providers are being flooded with calls for help and forced to turn away one in every two people who need accommodation.

“Services will be unable to keep staff on or their doors open without more funding,” Ms Rowe said.

“Even for people who get through the door, help is limited.

ambulance service and others my wife was successfully rescued and after being taken to the Coffs Harbour hospital is now fully recovered.

It is an excellent example of

“Half of those who need temporary or crisis accommodation cannot access it.

“That means women and children are forced to return to violent partners, seek shelter in a vehicle, on a couch or the street.”

Homelessness NSW is calling for $30 million over three years to provide more temporary accommodation and ensure onefifth was reserved for women and children experiencing domestic violence.

It also urged the government to develop a dedicated approach to ending homelessness among Aboriginal communities, arguing 30 percent of social housing stock should be allocated to Indigenous Australians.

“It is unacceptable that we have failed to reduce the rate of homelessness among Aboriginal people who account for a third of those receiving help from frontline services in NSW,” Ms Rowe said.

“The solutions must be led by Aboriginal people and investment is needed in Aboriginal organisations

people pulling together at a difficult time to achieve a great result. Well done.

My wife and I have been coming to Scotts Head for some time and will continue to do so.

Many thanks again, Nick and Kath Sowerby and across the whole sector to support this work.”

Homelessness NSW are also calling for a 20 percent funding boost for specialist homelessness services, or $64 million a year for two years.

NSW Minister for Housing Rose Jackson said the data featured in the pre-Budget submission from Homelessness NSW was “heartbreaking, but not surprising”.

“It paints a clear picture of the direct impact of the lack of housing affordability on homelessness,” she said.

“The cost-of-living crisis is hitting hard, and we (the NSW Government) hear the calls to do more to support vulnerable people across NSW.

“In the lead up to the budget I will continue to advocate for more resources and funding to bolster support for housing and homelessness support across the state.

“Confronting the housing crisis is a key priority for the

NSW Government, and we are actively exploring every opportunity to build more homes and improve support services for people facing housing stress.”

While Ms Jackson did not comment on specific plans for addressing homelessness among Aboriginal communities, she said the NSW Government was committed to “a housing first approach”.

“That means building homes across our state and investing in crucial homelessness support services,” she said.

“The creation of Homes NSW, bringing together the housing and homelessness work of the Department of Communities and Justice with the Land, Housing Corporation and the Aboriginal Housing Office, will streamline support for residents, work to actively address homelessness and bolstering housing security for those in need, particularly Indigenous Australians.”

Nippers do battle for Norm Crocker Trophy

ON Sunday 3 March, Nippers from Nambucca Heads and Macksville Scotts Head held their annual inter-club carnival.

About 120 Nippers from both clubs battled it out on the beach and in the ocean for bragging rights and the Norm Crocker Trophy.

For the first time, Macksville Scotts Head Nippers were triumphant.

“The sportsmanship and support for fellow competitors was fantastic,” said Dereck Patton, Macksville Scotts Head Surf Life Saving Club.

“Finishing up with a BBQ and cool drink was a great way to end the day.”

Nambucca Women's Bowling Club

By Nerida BLACKFORD

THE Pennants season has begun and many of our ladies are playing in the Open Pennants Comp this year. Our Club has teams in Grades 3, 5,6 and 7. We have played in three rounds so far and have had some strong wins and losses, but all have played hard and have enjoyed the challenge. Ray will have more details in

Grumpy’s Corner. With Pennants, club championships and the heat, our Thursday numbers have been down, but those who come along always enjoy each others’ company and get to practise our skills.

The Ladies’ Major/ Minor Pairs has been a great comp, and the final will be between Manor Smith and Margaret Flagg and the team of Gloria Richardson

and Teresa Meehan. All have played themselves into great form recently so it should be a close game. Good luck to all.

Mark and I joined Margaret Duffus and Danny Curran recently to win the Club Mixed Fours Championship. This is the second time we’ve grabbed the title- and we hope we win a few more in the years to come! We played the team

of Elaine Fleming, Sharon Coxon, Mitch McGill and Tyrone Weber. Our team set up the head well and Danny bowled some corkers. Tyrone and Mitch had a lot of discussion about how to take out holding shots at the change of ends- and pulled some out- but overall it was a solid win, 24-9. Some of our club coaches are holding coaching sessions Wednesday

mornings 9-10am. If you’ve been thinking of trying out the game of bowls, or would like to lift your game a notch, come down any Wednesday morning in April (the coaches are escaping to Tassie for a bit) and see how you go. Thursday night Twilight bowls and Sunday morning mixed social bowls are also great ways to have a go at our game- that anyone can play.

This week I had the pleasure of helping out a club player coming

back from having his leg amputated. Mick Tagert is an experienced player who has been away for months getting over some health issues and his operation. He told me his nurses have been blown away by his recovery and that he is walking so well only months after getting his prosthetic. He said his incentive was to get back on the greens and playing in the men’s Friday games. It will be wonderful to see you back bowling with the men Mick.

Macksville Sea Eagles win Hoey Moey 9s Tournament

By Aiden BURGESS

TOOHEYS New Group 2 Rugby League teams have prepared for the upcoming season by taking part in the Hoey Moey 9s Tournament at Geoff King Motors Oval.

Macksville Sea Eagles won the Men’s Open final, beating host team the Coffs Harbour Comets.

Wauchope Blues took out the Under 18s title beating Marist Brothers in the final.

The annual event featured Group 2 clubs

the Coffs Harbour Comets, Macksville Sea Eagles and Woolgoolga Seahorses.

It also attracted visiting clubs Lake Cathie, Marist Brothers, Port Breakers and the Wauchope Blues.

The Group 2 Rugby League season kicks off on Saturday, 13 April.

The two Hoey Moey 9s Tournament finalists meet in the opening round, when Macksville Sea Eagles host the Coffs Harbour Comets on Sunday, 14 April.

Woolgoolga Seahorses begin their premiership

Local cricket teams to play for grand final glory

By Aiden BURGESS

ONE match for the ultimate prize.

After a season in the summer heat, premiership glory awaits when Coffs Harbour District Cricket Association’s grand finals are decided this weekend.

Valleys Cricket Club and Sawtell will play off in the first grade Grand Final at Coffs Coast Sport and Leisure Park.

The first grade grand final will be played over two days, with the second, third and fourth grade grand finals all one dayers.

Valleys Cricket Club won their only meeting against Sawtell this season, a 128run victory in their two-day match in Dorrigo during

Round 8 in December.

Sawtell and Coffs Colts meet in the second grade Grand Final at Coffs Coast Sport and Leisure Park.

Sawtell won all three meetings against the Colts this season.

Nana Glen Lizards and Bellingen/Dorrigo play off in the third grade Grand Final at Coffs Coast Hockey Fields.

The Lizards won three of their four meetings against Bellingen/Dorrigo this season.

Coffs Colts will take on the Northern Districts Rebels in the fourth grade Grand Final at Reg Ryan Oval.

The Colts won all three of their matches against the Rebels this season.

Competition Coordinator - Mid North Coast, David

Horseman, was expecting a great first grade grand final.

“The two top teams from the whole season will battle it out in the Coffs Harbour District Cricket Association’s first grade decider,” he said.

“This two-day match will be played at a neutral

location, so no home ground advantage.

“We have the top scoring batter from Sawtell in skipper Tyh Murphy, and the top wicket taker from Valleys in their skipper Josh Bartlett.

“We are expecting a great contest between these two

teams over a two day match this weekend.

“They have only met once this season with Valleys taking honours convincingly in a two-day match, the other scheduled match was washed out, as was their semi-final.

defence away from home against the Nambucca Heads Roosters, and Grafton Ghosts and South Grafton Rebels clash in their local derby.

Sawtell Panthers have the opening round bye.

The Coffs Harbour Comets and Sawtell Panthers prepared for the upcoming season by playing trial matches last weekend.

The Comets travelled to take on the Kyogle Turkeys, and the Sawtell Panthers hosted the Macquarie Scorpions.

“I would expect both teams to play their normal attacking style, but it will be important to bat for as long as possible and the toss may be important with some wet weather forecast.

“We have a reserve weekend if the game gets washed out this weekend.”

Nambucca Valley Bridge Club

By Carol MACKEE

RESULTS for week ending

Saturday 9th March 2024.

Monday 4th: 5 table Mitchell with North/ South winners P Booth and G Hallett with 63.5%; runners-up C Robertson and R Bateman on 54%.

East/West winners P

Guthrie and L Walton with 59.5%; runners-up N Cork and H Rowsell on 58%.

Tuesday 5th: 2 and ½ table Howell. Winners R Marshall and J Wood on 67.5%; runners-up G and L Walton on 55%.

Thursday 7th: 8 teams contested the annual Nola Pearce Teams of Three.

media@newsofthearea.com.au

Congratulations to the winning team of M Siford, T Faulwetter, F Hinchcliffe and G Walton with 41 points. Runners-up P Guthrie, P Coe, R Foley and L Sinclair on 35 points.

Saturday 9th: 4 table

Howell. North/South winners L and J Slade with 56.55%; runners-up G and L

Walton on 55.95%

Urunga 6th: 8 and ½ table Mitchell. North/ South winners P Booth and G Hallett with 62.17%; runners-up P Jonutz and N Mitchell on 60.05%. East/ West winners A Mouton and P Rundle with 69.94%; runners-up L Walton and P Guthrie 62.50%

q The Nippers from Nambucca Heads and Macksville Scotts Head came together to compete for the Norm Crocker Trophy.

q For the first time, Macksville Scotts Head Nippers were triumphant.

q The Macksville Sea Eagles celebrate their victory.

AFL North Coast release fixture list for 2024 season

By Aiden BURGESS

AFL NORTH Coast has released its fixture list for the 2024 senior competition.

Both the men’s and women’s competitions will feature five clubs, after last season’s men’s premiers Byron Bay Magpies returned to play in the Queensland Football Association competition, and the Northern Beaches Blues and Nambucca Valley Lions merged.

AFL North Coast’s 2024

season gets underway with Round 1 matches on Saturday, 13 April.

Both the Coffs Harbour Breakers and Sawtell/ Toormina Saints begin their seasons at home.

The Breakers host last season’s runners up Port Macquarie Magpies in the opening round at Fitzroy Oval.

The Saints host the newly combined Northern Beaches/ Nambucca Valley side at Richardson Park.

The Breakers and Saints meet in their first local derby

of the season at Fitzroy Oval, during ANZAC Round on Saturday, 27 April.

Their second meeting is during Round 8 at Richardson Park, with their third meeting in Round 11 at Fitzroy Oval.

Indigenous Rounds will be played in Round 6 and 7 in May, with Pride Round played in Round 11 on Saturday, 29 June.

AFL North Coast’s finals series gets underway on Saturday, 10 August, with the grand final to be decided on Saturday, 24 August.

AFL Northern NSW Community Football & Competition Manager Brad Greenshields was looking forward to a great season of local footy.

“The standard of football played in the AFL North Coast has improved each year and I’m confident it will again in 2024,” he said.

“With this in mind I’m sure the five clubs playing both men’s and women’s in the senior competition this year are going to produce a memorable season.”

Junior Roosters back at training

By Mick BIRTLES

LAST Tuesday the Nambucca Roosters Junior Rugby League Football Club held their first training session of the year.

The numbers of kids that turned up at Coronation Park slightly exceeded expectations however the club is hopeful that more will join the Roosters ranks as the season draws closer.

This year the Roosters Juniors hope to field teams in the 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12 age groups with a combined Bowraville/ Nambucca 15s team.

The junior teams can be mixed boys and girls up to the U/12s.

“With the rise of ladies rugby league at the professional level we are seeing more girls showing interest in the knowledge that they have a pathway all the way to the top if they are good enough,” Jeff Cork of the Nambucca Roosters Juniors told News Of The Area.

“The great thing about getting boys and girls out here playing rugby league is that it gets them active, off their devices, keeps them fit and interacting with other kids.”

The Group 2 junior rugby league teams play as far south as Smithtown, as far north as Woolgoolga and west to Orara.

“You can visit our Facebook page to register, with registration for the Roosters Juniors being $50.

“That includes shorts, shirt and socks as we are trying to make it as cheap as possible for young families.”

The Nambucca Roosters Juniors are looking for coaching staff and helpers for areas such as the canteen on game days.

Training for the Roosters Juniors takes place Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at Coronation Park, Nambucca Heads.

Macksville Country Club Ladies Bowls

By Gladys GREEN

THE 2024 season started on the 24th January in rather warm and humid weather.

We played three weeks of social bowls before our Annual carnival which was held on February 14th.

The carnival attracted a field of 14 teams with 4 in each team coming from 10 different clubs in our zone.

Each team playing

2 morning games and 1 afternoon game to try and score maximum points.

CARNIVAL RESULTS

1st: Brian Tarrant, Lynne Tarrant ,Helen Hoffman & Jo Bathgate from Urunga.

2nd: Dawn Grebert, Karen Lewis, Graeme Campbell & Joe Grebert (Sawtell)

3rd: Manor Smith, Bill Coughlan, Margaret Flagg, Brendan Ruane ( Nambucca Heads)

4th: Ruth Flarrety, Gail Griffiths, Janet Poletti (Macksville) & Neil Pollard (Bowraville).

Afternoon winners were Christine Keogh, Denise Walsh, Lyndy McLeod & Val Slater (Park Beach)

Well done to all players on making it through a very hot day.

SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIPS

The club Championship Singles final was played last

week between Kaye Wood and Ruth Flarrety, both first time finalists.

The game was close for quite a number of ends before Kaye finally took a strong lead to be the first to 25 points.

Social bowls are played each Wednesday morning for anyone interested in learning to play this great game.

Visitor enquiries can be made by contacting the club 65681400.

q Coffs Harbour Breakers and Port Macquarie Magpies are set to meet in the opening round of the AFL North Coast season.

Nambucca Bowls Report

By Charlie POTTER

I'VE been press-ganged into being responsible for the Bowlo's news again after a long, long spell, and not being around 100% of the week means I will be depending on the Mens's Diary for information.

As the Diary as it stands has no info, unfortunately I can give no general bowls results, just the Grade Pennants for this week. Apart, that is, from Chris Delboux winning Friday's lucky bowler $15. He missed drawing his rink for the big bickies when he carelessly drew rink 2, but did win the week's pint donated by Matt Harvey Painting which will help him forget.

Grade Pennants at the halfway mark.

Our Grade 3 continued their strong form at the top of the table, defeating second

placed Urunga 60-55 and 9pts to 1. We now lead at the halfway mark with 36.5, Urunga still second with 22pts.

Grade 5 were defeated by Urunga 67-47, 9pts-1 leaving us in 3rd place with 20.5 pts behind Urunga 38 and Woolgoolga 29.5.

Grade 6 went down narrowly to North Beach, 5861 and 1-9, leaving us in 3rd spot with 20pts, behind Park Beach 28 and Urunga 20.5.

Grade 7 defeated Woolgoolga by the narrowest possible margin... 52-51, 8.5 to 1.5pts which places us 3rd on 27pts, behind Sawtell 40.5 and Bowraville 39.

Pennants now goes into recess until after Easter.

In other points of interest, the Men's Minor Singles sheet is up and entries close Good Friday with 1st round to be played Sunday April 7 and the Easter Saturday Shootout, Open Gender 2 bowl triples, is on March 30 with $2000 to be won.

Macksville Country Club Golf

By Max TURNER

JUNIORS Jordan and Cohen

Welsh showed the way in a good field to win the Midway Trailer and Storage 4 Ball Best Ball teams event from stalwarts Darren Pike and Max Graham.

Jordan is already in A grade and Cohen is heading that way so it is likely their names will appear on a regular basis.

Nearest the pins were Mike Simpson (A), Peter Urquhart (B) and back from

the clouds great volunteer Geof Christian (C) grade.

Rhonda McAuliffe played consistent golf to beat runner up Jo Montague in a good field in Tuesdays ladies Stableford. They will be looking to maintain form as their next game is the club's Ladies Open which has attracted a big field of Mid Coast golfers.

Tony Grebert won the 162 nd Midweek competition with ever consistent Phil Bambury finishing runner up.

q Nambucca Roosters Junior Coach Jeff Cork teaching football skills in readiness for the 2024 Group 2 Junior season.

q 2024 Carnival 1st place. Brian Tarrant, Lynne Tarrant, Helen Hoffman and Jo Bathgate (Urunga).

q 2023-2024 Singles Champion Kaye Wood and Runner-Up Ruth Flarrety.

Auspac Media

Nambucca Heads Island Golf Club

By Geoffrey McCANN

THANK you to MidCoast

Trucks, this week’s featured sponsor. Welcome back to Golf to Peter Farrell and best wishes to Garry Beggs for a speedy recovery from leg operations.

We hosted the Mid North Coast Vets on Tuesday with 83 players teeing off on the back 9, closely followed by our Greens Team commencing our Greens Renovations to repair damage resulting from

recent weather extremes.

Top scorers from the Vets were John Payne (Shortland Waters) 40, Terry Cleary (Bellingen) & Trevor Neaves (Dorrigo) 39, Stephen McNeil (Nambucca) & Desmond Hoy (Coffs Harbour) 38 and Ken Butcher (Coffs Harbour 37. The Ball Rundown to 32 points. NTP’s to Keith Elphick (Nambucca) on 5, Stephen McNeil on 8, Matthew Lark (Coffs Harbour) on 13 and Lionel Goodacre (Bowraville) on 18.

On Thursday, Colin Wormleaton (8) won Division 1 (0 to 20) of the Medley Stableford event from Linda Waring (20) from Lismore Workers with 36 points on c/b from Geoffrey Harris. Petere Dawe (25) won Division 2 (21 to 45) with 36 points on c/b from Warren Fuller. The Ball Rundown to 31 points on c/b. Barry Hinton won the “Ecomist” loaded stubby holder for the longest putt on 2, other NTP’s to Ross Morpuss on 5, Dianne

O’Leary on 7, Greg Smith on 8, Anthony Smith got the “Pizza This” voucher on 13, Stephen McNeil won Stu’s ball on 15 & Greg Smith pocketed the Pro Pin Jackpot on 18 with 78cms.

A good field of over 100 for Saturday’s Medley Stableford, with morning players taking their chances with predicted causeway flooding, which fortunately didn’t occur by only a few centimeters. In Division 1 (0 to 16), Peter Miller (15) scored 36 points to win from

Nambucca Valley Bridge Club News

By John SLADE

RESULTS for week ending:

Saturday 2nd. March 2024

Monday: 26th. February.

A six-table event won at North/South by Linda & Mike Siford with 56.6. percent. Runners-up, Gaye Byers & Theda Faulwetter. East/West winners with 57.5 percent Margaret Sullivan & Paula Guthrie. Runners-up, Vicky Walker & Geofrey Gardiner.

Tuesday: 27th. February.

Final Results for the 2024

Summer Shield with 60.62 percent Robert Marshall &

Greg Wood. In second place with 57 percent, Carol McKee & Amber Fox. Third place with 48.6 percent, Mauree Cowan & Paula Guthrie. Congratulations to those winners.

Wednesday 28th. February. Eighteen players contested the February under 100 MPS event. Winners with 70.8 percent! Lynne & John Slade. Equal runners-up Molly Bence & Robert Baker with Louise & Gary Walton.

Thursday: 29th. February. Twenty players for a Mitchell event won at North/South

by Mike Siford & Colin Tolley with 67 percent. Runnersup, Maureen Cowan & Janet Dyson. East/West winners with 63 percent Daphne Priestley & Paula Guthrie. Runners-up, Vicky Walker & Carol McKee.

Saturday: 2nd. March. A six and a half Bye/Relay followed 90th. birthday celebrations for matriarch

Marion Wood. Joint North/ South winners with 57 percent Maureen Cowan & Barbara Maranik with Ali & Neil Tupper. Runners-up

Linda & Mike Siford. East/

West winners Amber Fox & Carol McKee with 76.2 percent!! Great score girls. Runners-up Lynne & John Slade. Urunga: 28th. February. Thirty players contested a Bye-Relay event won at North/South by Glen Hallett & Phil Booth with 57.2 percent Runners-up, Dot & Don Learmonth. East/West winners with 63.4 percent Narelle Mutton & Fern Hinchcliffe. Equal Runnersup, Elizabeth Pellow & Anne Mouton with Craig Dempsey & Bev Oldfield.

Finals arrive for junior cricketers

By Aiden BURGESS

FINALS time has arrived for the Coffs Coast’s junior cricketers, with Coffs Harbour District Cricket Association’s Under 14s and Under 12s semi-finals decided this week, as well as the Under 16s grand final.

Bellingen/Dorrigo and Macksville Bulls will play off in the Under 16s grand final in Dorrigo on Friday.

Minor premiers Bellingen/Dorrigo advanced to the grand final with a nine wicket win against Sawtell Sloggers in their semi-final at Dorrigo.

Sawtell won the toss and elected to bat, scoring 6/79 from 20 overs, with Aiden Bailey taking 2-9 from 2 overs for Bellingen/Dorrigo.

Bellingen/Dorrigo chased down the total in the 13th over, led home by Evan Ryan who finished on 49 not out off 35 balls.

Macksville Bulls also earnt a grand final spot with a 77-run win against the Coffs Colts in their semi-final at Macksville.

The home side won the toss and elected to bat, posting a top total of 3/172 from 20 overs.

Aston Ramunno top scored for the Bulls retiring on 52 not out off 28 balls, as Riley Symonds also reached his half century retiring on 50 not out.

Harrison Mulhearn took 2-18 from 3 overs for the Colts.

The Bulls restricted the Colts to 5/95 from 20 overs,

Riley Symonds took 2-3 from 2 overs for the Bulls, and Ash Angel took 2-7 from 2 overs.

Harrison Mulhearn top scored for the Colts retiring on 53 not out.

The final round of the Under 14s season was played last week, with the semifinals decided this week.

Nana Glen Lizards had a 59-run win against Sawtell Storm at Toormina Oval.

The Lizards opened the batting and posted 4/143 from their 20 overs.

Manat Singh top scored with a knock of 48 from 26 balls retired not out, with Thomas Craig scoring 39 from 25 balls.

Jaybien Johnson was the pick of the Storm bowlers taking 3-7 from 3 overs.

The Storm were restricted to 5/84 from 20 overs, with Jaybien Johnson retiring on 22 not out.

Ryder Plumb took 2-8 from 2 overs for the Lizards.

Coffs Colts had a 46-run win against Bellingen Green at Jetty Oval.

The Colts opened the batting and scored 2/124 from their 20 overs.

Josh Graham top scored for the Colts on 41 not out retired off 25 balls, and Charlie Taylor retired not out on 26.

Chasing 125 for victory, Bellingen were restricted to 5/78 from 20 overs.

James Weber was the pick of the Colts bowlers taking 1-3 from 2 overs.

Diggers Cricket Club had a 69-run win against Bellingen

Blue at Reg Ryan Oval.

Diggers opened the batting and scored 3/119 from 20 overs.

Diggers captain Jacka Britton smashed 26 runs off 8 balls.

Bellingen were restricted to 7/50 from 20 overs in the run chase, with Alby Butler taking 2-3 from 2 overs for Diggers.

The Under 14s semifinals were set to feature Nana Glen Lizards and Coffs Colts playing off at Reg Ryan Oval, and Sawtell Strom and Diggers Cricket Club playing off at Toormina Oval.

The final round of the second Under 12s season of the summer was decided last week, as teams vied for semifinal spots.

Northern Districts Rebels Blues finished as minor premiers after a five wicket win against Bellingen Green at Bellingen.

The home side opened the batting and finished at 2/73 from 20 overs, with Kale Morrison taking 1-1 from 2 overs.

The Rebels chased down the total in the 19th over, with Lachlan Barne taking 2-11 from 2.5 overs for Bellingen/ Green.

Diggers Cricket Club Red finished second on the ladder after a four wicket win against Coffs Colts at Reg Ryan Oval.

The Colts opened the batting and finished at 7/40 from 15 overs.

Daniel Martin took 2-2 from 2 overs for Diggers, with Jennifer Martin taking 2-3 from 2 overs.

Garnet O’Brien (9) 35 points.

Scott Burley (18) and David Rosser (18) both scored 37 points in Division 2 (17 to 23), Scott winning the countback. In Division 3 (24 to 45), Colin Dunne (25) won with 35 points from Neil Eichorn (30) with 34 points. The Ball Rundown to 31 points on c/b. Colin Wormleaton got the Longest Putt on 2, other NTP’s to Greg McCoy on 5, Kerrie Eichorn on 7, Walter Bortoletto on 8, Trevor Peter won the “Pizza This” voucher on 13, Nathaniel Beverley got Stu’s ball on 15 and Peter

Farrell hasn’t lost his touch while on sick leave, winning the Pro Pin Jackpot on 18. Bookings are now open for the Easter Bowl, 36 Hole Stableford for Men & Women on Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st March – book early through member’s Portal or at Pro Shop, as a big field is expected. Bookings also open for “Darcy’s Dream Day” – 4 person Ambrose Sunday 14th April - check flyers for full details.

See you on the Island.

Diggers reached the target in the 9th over, with Akam Bains having a great spell for Colts taking 2-0 from 1 over.

Nana Glen Lizards finished fourth on the ladder, having a 10-run win against Macksville Bulls White at Nana Glen.

The home side opened the batting and posted 4/71 from 20 overs.

Jack O'Connor top scored retiring on 21 not out, with Geordie Drayton the pick of the Bulls bowlers taking 1-1 from 2 overs.

The Lizards successfully defended their total restricting the Bulls to 7/61 from 20 overs.

Kade White was the pick of the Lizards bowlers taking 2-3 from 2 overs.

Diggers Cricket Club Blue were also winners in the final round, beating the Sawtell Sixers by two runs at Toormina Oval.

Diggers scored 4/63 from 20 overs after opening the batting, Sehaj singh Mahal top scoring on 20 retired not out.

Lincoln Sawaya took 2-11 from 2 overs for Sawtell.

Sawtell fell just two runs short, finishing at 2/61 after 20 overs.

Macksville Bulls Blue had a 44-run win against Bellingen/Dorrigo at Macksville.

The home side won the toss and elected to bat, scoring 6/129 from 20 overs.

Ark Gillett had a great

Bowraville Golf Results

By Julee TOWNSEND

9-3-24

SINGLE Stableford Winner: P Lawry 35, R/Up: P Fairbairn, F/9:D Wren B/9: B Brabant N/P 2nd T Edwards 6th B Parker, L/Putt B Brabant Ball Comp 1. D Salvin

Next Week: Single Stableford

NEWS: The Sport Hub is looking for a Venue Manager contact bowrarec@ bigpond.com for info. Applications close 22/3/24

WANT TO BE SEEN?

Call Shannon now!

0409 228 267 shannon@newsofthearea.com.au

knock smashing 70 not out off 40 balls.

Finlay Moffatt was the pick of the Bellingen/Dorrigo bowlers taking 2-13 from 3 overs.

Macksville restricted Bellingen/Dorrigo to 4/85 from 20 overs.

John Bell was the pick of the Bulls bowlers taking 2-6 from 3 overs.

The Under 12s semifinals are set to be decided on Saturday morning.

Minor premiers Northern Districts Rebels Blues host Nana Glen Lizards at Woolgoolga, and Diggers Cricket Club Red host Bellingen Green at Reg Ryan Oval.

q Summer shield winners Rob Marshall and Greg Wood.

Music Tuition

Zac Zirkler Pro: guitar, uke, bass banjo, harmonica mandolin, keyboard vocals. Macksville Ph: 0422 056 671

Pets

MALTESE Shih Tzu puppies. 1 boy, 1 girl. Available from 26/2. Located in Port Stephens BIN# B000616552 Call or text 0474 378 452

For Sale

For Sale

6 year old bangalow palms from $25, also cycads. 6564 2114

ABROCKET twister exercise waist and abdomen trainer Brand new in box $35. 0490 161 119

ANALOG clock and tide clock mounted on 900yr old Cedar.

boat. 1934 provenance Chapman Pup 3HP motor. Quality reg trailer $7,500 ono. 0402 054 207 leave msg.

Motors

2008 VW Golf hatch

244,307km, 6 mth rego. $6,000. Ph 0477 990 446

MILLARD

CARGO Barrier to suit early Nissan X-Trail Milford brand. $50. Ph 0421 750 592

KCARE Premium seat walker, exc cond. Little use. $50. 0401 573 040 FBOTH190123

BEST ON THE BOX

FRIDAY

HAPPY VALLEY

ABC, 8.30pm

After a seven-year wait, the third and final season of this supreme crime thriller lands on free-to-air. Featuring a fascinatingly ordinary protagonist in Yorkshire policewoman Catherine Cawood (played with bewitching emotional dexterity by Sarah Lancashire, pictured), this sterling British whodunnit from Sally Wainwright is a masterclass in character-led drama. In this thrilling six-episode conclusion, it’s seven years later in Cawood’s chaotic life too, with her grandson Ryan (Rhys Connah) now 16.

FRIDAY, March 15

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Planet America. (R) 10.30 That Pacific Sports Show. (R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (PG, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Silent Witness. (Ma, R) 2.00 House Of Gods. (Ml, R) 3.00 Cook And The Chef. (R) 3.25 Tenable. (R)

4.15 Antiques Roadshow. (PG, R)

5.10 Grand

SUNDAY

THE EMERALD ISLES WITH ARDAL O’HANLON

SBS, 7.30pm

Irish comedian Ardal O’Hanlon (pictured) whips off any rose-coloured glasses for this very engaging and witty tour of his homeland. The Death in Paradise playful presenter in this three-part sojourn, airing in full tonight. He employs the dubious wisdom of the 1840’s book Ireland, its Scenery, Character, etc. and Mrs Hall to answer his own question:

”Are we really a bunch of superstitious, god-fearing, whisky-sodden chancers?” Airing for the first time on free-to-air.

TUESDAY

BETTER DATE THAN NEVER

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 11.30 Seven Morning News.

MOVIE: Happily Never After. (2022, Masv)

2.00 House Of Wellness. (PG) 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.

6.00

and

Experts. (M)

A panel discusses all things AFL.

12.00 Miles In Front. (PGa, R) A look into the world of Australian horse racing. 2.00 The Arrangement. (Mav, R)

3.00 Home Shopping.

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 5.00 NBC Today.

ABC, 8.30pm

Tonight, Asher is a bundle of nerves ahead of her first date. But when she meets her handsome date

Matt, who arrives with a posy of flowers, and the conversation flows, will her daring move steering the chit-chat into the realm of politics and religion douse the feel-good mood? Allycia’s theme park date is full of fun, but the emotional aftermath has her mum reaching for the tissues. For a complete emotional U-turn, tune into Seven’s frivolous First Dates at 9.30pm for a dose of conventional, superficial dating

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 MOVIE: A Priceless Love. (2022, PGa, R) 2.00 Pointless.

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 2. Penrith Panthers v Parramatta Eels.

9.55 Golden Point.

10.45 NRL: Penrith

6.00

compete in a high-stakes game where they must beat The Banker to win a cash prize.

6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news.

7.30 Ready Steady Cook. Hosted by Miguel Maestre.

8.30 The Graham Norton Show. (Ml) Irish comedian Graham Norton presents the first of two compilations of highlights from the recent series.

10.50 Fire Country. (Mv, R) A delivery truck crashes into the fire station.

11.40 The Project. (R)

12.40 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

6.00 Australian Story: Call Of Duty – Anjali Sharma. (R)

6.30 Back Roads: East Arnhem Land, NT Pt 2. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Miniseries: Life After Life. (Mav) Part 2 of 4.

8.25 Endeavour. (Mav, R) Part 1 of 3. A grisly discovery in a college garden raises suspicion among a celebrated Oxford orchestra.

10.00 House Of Gods. (PGl, R) Isa struggles to meet his financial commitment.

11.00 Happy Valley. (Malv, R)

12.00 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.15 Love Your Garden. (PGa, R) 10.10 Vintage Voltage. (PGl) 11.00

Urban Conversion. (R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Gymnastics. Artistic Apparatus World Cup. H’lights. 4.00 France: A Journey Through Time. (R) 5.00 Grand Tours Of Scotland’s Rivers. (PG, R) 5.35 WWII Women On The Frontline. (PGav)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Britain’s Most Beautiful Road. (PGa)

8.30 Royal Crisis: Countdown To Abdication. (PGa)

9.30 The Wonders Of Europe. (PGav, R)

10.30 Those Who Stayed. (Mal)

11.10 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Milan-San Remo.

3.30 Face To Face. (Ma, R)

4.25 Bamay. (R)

4.55 Destination Flavour: Japan Bitesize. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise.

10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. (PG)

12.00 Horse Racing. The All-Star Mile and Chandon Ladies Day.

5.00 Seven News At 5.

5.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R) A man makes a shocking confession.

7.30 MOVIE: Ford V Ferrari. (2019, Ml, R) American car designer Carroll Shelby and driver Ken Miles try to build a race car for Ford so they can defeat Ferrari. Matt Damon, Christian Bale.

10.35 MOVIE: Baby Driver. (2017, MA15+v, R) A getaway driver gets involved in a doomed heist. Ansel Elgort.

1.00 The Arrangement. (Mav, R)

2.00 Home Shopping.

4.00 Get Clever. (R)

5.00 House Of Wellness. (PG, R)

7.30 Space Invaders. (PG)

8.30 MOVIE: Jason Bourne. (2016, Mav, R)

10.55 MOVIE: Into The Blue 2: The Reef. (2009, MA15+sv, R)

12.45 Abby’s.

10.00 To Be Advised. 11.00 Everyday Gourmet. (R) 11.30 Australian Survivor. (PGl, R) 12.30 Silvia’s Italian Masterclass. 1.00 All 4 Adventure. (PGl, R) 2.00 Wildlife Rescue. (PGm, R) 3.00 What’s Up Down Under. 3.30 GCBC. (R) 4.00 My Market Kitchen. 4.30 Taste Of Aust. (R) 5.00 News.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer.

6.30 The Dog House Australia. (PG, R) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith.

7.40 The Dog House. A couple dream of very different dogs.

8.40 Ambulance Australia. (Mad, R) NSW Ambulance crews race to a call for a slashed throat and perform life-saving CPR on teens.

9.40 Ambulance UK. (Ma, R) The ambulance service calls for help.

10.55 So Help Me Todd. (PGv, R)

11.50 FBI: International. (Md, R)

12.30 Home Shopping. (R)

5.00 Hour Of Power.

6am Lola. Continued. (1961, PG, French) 7.10 A Handful Of Dust. (1988, PG) 9.20 Driving Miss Daisy. (1989) 11.10 American Hustle. (2013,

R) 4.40 Extraordinary Escapes. (PG, R) 5.30 The ABC Of... (PG, R)

6.00 Anh’s Brush With Fame. (PG, R)

6.30 Compass. (PGa)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Death In Paradise. (Mv) A former children’s home resident is murdered.

8.30 House Of Gods. (Mls) Batul’s politicking is interrupted by the possibility of motherhood.

9.30 Happy Valley. (Malv, R) A body is found in a drained reservoir.

10.30 A Life In Ten Pictures. (PGln, R)

11.20 Harrow. (Final, Mav, R)

12.15 Significant Others. (Madl, R)

1.05 Rage Vault. (MA15+adhlnsv)

4.05 Catalyst. (PG, R)

5.00 Insiders. (R)

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.10 Vintage Voltage. (PGl) 11.00 Urban Conversion. (R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 12.30 PBS Washington Week With The Atlantic. 12.55 Starblasters Cricket. (R) 1.00 Speedweek. (R) 2.30 Volleyball. Australian Beach Tour. Gold medal matches. 4.30 Cycling. Paris-Nice. H’lights. 5.30 Lisbon & WWII: Spies, Gold And Diplomacy. (PGa)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 The Emerald Isles With Ardal O’Hanlon. (PGa) Part 1 of 3.

10.30 Pompeii: The Origins. (Mv, R)

11.30 Egypt’s Lost City of Canopus. (PG, R)

12.25 Spain’s Secret Conquest. (Mav, R)

2.45 Chernobyl: The New Evidence. (PGa, R)

3.40 Grayson Perry: Divided Britain. (Ml, R)

4.35 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera News.

6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise.

10.00 Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 House Of Wellness. (PG, R) 1.00 To Be Advised.

3.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)

4.00

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Australian Idol. (PGl) Hosted by Ricki-Lee and Scott Tweedie.

8.30 Lockerbie. (PGav) Part 1 of 4. Documents the investigation into the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.

10.30 Quantum Leap. (Return, Mav)

11.30 Autopsy USA: Gilda Radner. (Ma)

12.30 MOVIE: Jesse Stone: Death In Paradise. (2006, Masv, R) 2.30

3.30

Dollar Minute. (R)

9GO! (83)

9GO! (83)

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.00 Farm To Fork. (R) 10.30 Pooches At Play. (R) 11.00 Buy To Build. (R) 11.30 Healthy Homes. (R) 12.00 Australian Survivor. (PG, R) 1.00 Planet Shapers. (R) 1.30 Cook With Luke. (R) 2.00 4x4 Adventures. (PGl) 3.00 Taste Of Aust. (R) 3.30 Farm To Fork. (R) 4.00 My Market Kitchen. (R) 4.30 GCBC. (R) 5.00 News.

6.30 The Sunday Project. A look at the day’s news.

7.30 Australian Survivor. (PG) With only days remaining, someone’s in the firing line and another must make an impossible choice.

8.40 NCIS: Hawai’i. (Mv, R) After ransomware is used to cause the controls on a dam to malfunction, Ernie is tasked with finding the culprit.

10.40 FBI: International. (Mv, R) The fly team chases a tech tycoon.

11.30 The Sunday Project. (R) A look at the day’s news.

12.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.

Cook And The Chef. (R)

3.25 Tenable. (R)

4.15 Antiques Roadshow. (PG, R)

5.10 Grand Designs. (PG, R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Peer To Peer. (R) 9.30

Make Me A Dealer. (R) 10.20 Kew Gardens: Season By Season. 11.10 Food Markets: In The Belly Of The City. (PGa, R) 12.10 WorldWatch. 2.00 Blitz Spirit With Lucy Worsley. (PGav, R)

3.45 The Cook Up. (R) 4.15 World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys. (PG, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R)

5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

24 Hours In Emergency. (Ma) 10.15 SBS World News Late.

10.45 Blanca. (Final, MA15+v)

11.50 Darkness: Those Who Kill. (MA15+av, R)

3.25 Grayson Perry’s Rites Of Passage. (Mas, R)

4.20 Bamay. (R)

NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGad) Roo proceeds with caution.

7.30 Australian Idol. (PGl) Hosted by Ricki-Lee and Scott Tweedie.

8.30 The Irrational. (Mav) Alec agrees to testify as an expert witness in a wrongful death trial for a friend of Kylie.

10.30 The Latest: Seven News.

11.00 S.W.A.T. (Mav) 12.00

6.00 Deal Or No Deal.

Hosted by Grant Denyer.

6.30 The Project.

7.30 Australian Survivor. (PG) With only the final four contestants remaining, tensions are on the rise as deals are exposed.

8.40 FBI: Most Wanted. (MA15+v, R) The team searches for a businessman wanted for murder and an embezzlement scheme.

11.30 The Project. (R)

12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

1.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.

SBS MOVIES (32)

6am Beauty

And The Beast. Continued. (2014, PG, French) 7.25 Mr Holland’s Opus. (1995, PG) 10.05 La La Land. (2016, M) 12.25pm Sex, Lies And Videotape. (1989, M) 2.20 The Man Who Knew Too Little. (1997, PG) 4.05 About Elly. (2009, PG, Persian) 6.15 The Caine Mutiny. (1954, PG) 8.30 Dr Strangelove. (1964, PG) 10.20 The Lighthorsemen. (1987, M) 12.30am Room. (2015, M) 2.40 Late Programs.

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.20 Make Me A Dealer. (R) 10.10 Kew Gardens: Season By Season.

11.00 Food Markets: In The Belly Of The City. (PGa, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.10 The 2010s. (R) 3.00 Mastermind Aust. (R) 3.45

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News.

You Are? (PGa, R)

8.30 Insight.

9.30 Dateline.

10.00 SBS World News Late.

10.30 Railway Journeys UK. (R)

11.05 Blackout: Tomorrow Is Too Late. (Mlv) 12.00 Miniseries: Bonnie And Clyde. (MA15+av, R) 12.40 Trom. (Malv, R) 3.10 Grayson Perry’s Rites Of Passage. (Mal, R)

4.05 Bamay. (R) 4.45 Destination Flavour: Singapore Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

7MATE (64)

9GO! (83)

NITV (34)

6.00 Deal Or No Deal.

Hosted by Grant Denyer.

6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news.

7.30 Australian Survivor. (Final, PG) Presented by Jonathan LaPaglia.

9.15 Aaron Chen Comedy Special. (PGal) A stand-up comedy performance of Aaron Chen’s If Weren’t Filmed, NobodyWouldBelieve show.

10.15 NCIS. (Mdv, R) A navy commander is killed.

12.00 The Project. (R)

1.00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.

SBS MOVIES (32)

7MATE (64)

6am Dr

Strangelove. Continued. (1964, PG) 7.00 The Caine

Mutiny. (1954, PG) 9.20 Race. (2016, PG) 11.50 Voyage Of The Damned. (1976, M) 2.40pm The

Movie Show. 3.15 The Music Of Silence. (2017, PG)

5.20 Selkie. (2000, PG) 6.55 The Eagle Huntress. (2016, PG, Kazakh) 8.30 Drive My Car. (2021, MA15+, Japanese) 11.50 Sound Of Metal. (2019, M) 2am Late Programs.

9GO! (83)

NITV (34)

WEDNESDAY, March 20

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Destination Flavour. (R) 9.20 Make Me A Dealer. (R) 10.10 Kew

Gardens: Season By Season. 11.00 Food

Markets: In The Belly Of The City. (PGa, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Dateline. (R) 2.30

Insight. (R) 3.45 The Cook Up. (R) 4.15 World’s

Most Scenic Railway Journeys. (R) 5.05

Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Australia’s Sleep Revolution. (PGa)

8.30 Jimmy Carr’s I Literally Just Told You. (Premiere, M)

9.30 Kin. (Final, MA15+alv)

10.25 SBS World News Late.

10.55 Blinded. (Malns)

11.45 The Wall: The Chateau Murder. (Mal)

3.05 Grayson Perry’s Rites Of Passage. (Ms, R)

4.00 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 11.30 Seven Morning News. 12.00 MOVIE: My

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away.

7.30 The 1% Club. (Final, PGls)

8.35 The Front Bar. (Ml) Takes a

SBS MOVIES (32)

6am The Eagle Huntress. (2016, PG, Kazakh) 7.35 The Man Who Knew Too Little. (1997, PG) 9.20 Selkie. (2000, PG) 10.55 The Amazing Catfish. (2013, M, Spanish) 12.35pm The Lighthorsemen. (1987, M) 2.45 The Caine Mutiny. (1954, PG) 5.00 Dr Strangelove. (1964, PG) 6.50 Flight Of The Navigator. (1986, PG) 8.30 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. (2000, M, Mandarin) 10.45 Late Programs.

March

9.00 News. 10.00 Aust Story. (R) 10.30 Compass. (PGa, R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (PG, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Whale With Steve Backshall. (R) 2.00 Parliament.

3.00 The Cook And The Chef. (R)

3.25 Tenable. (R)

4.15 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

5.15 Grand Designs. (R)

7.00

(MA15+adhlnsv)

4.30 Catalyst. (PG, R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

6.00 Morning Programs. 9.45 Make Me A Dealer. (R) 10.35 Kew Gardens: Season By Season. 11.25 Vanitas. 12.00 WorldWatch.

2.00 Surviving An American Concentration Camp. (Ma) 3.00 Where Are You Really From? (PG, R) 3.45 The Cook Up. (R) 4.15 World’s

Most Scenic Railway Journeys. (PGa, R) 5.05

Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Bettany Hughes: The Silk Road Treasures.

8.30 Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy. (PGl)

9.20 The Vanishing Triangle. (Malv)

10.10 SBS World News Late.

10.40 Illegals. (Premiere, Malv)

11.40 Unseen. (Maln, R)

3.25 Grayson Perry’s Rites Of Passage. (Mas, R)

4.20 Bamay. (R)

4.50 Destination Flavour Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

7MATE (64)

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer.

6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news.

7.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith.

8.40 Ambulance Australia. (Ma) NSW Ambulance delivers a baby and saves a four-year-old with a critical heart condition.

9.40 FBI: International. (Mav) The FBI Fly Team heads to Austria to find an American teen who was kidnapped as a child.

12.30 The Project. (R)

1.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

2.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

6am Seaway. 7.00 Creflo.

7.30 Skippy. 8.00 TV Shop. 10.30 Pointless. 11.30

My Favorite Martian. Noon Days Of Our Lives. 12.55

The Young And The Restless. 1.50 Explore. 2.05

Dr Quinn. 3.05 Antiques Roadshow. 3.35 MOVIE: Spring In Park Lane. (1948) 5.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 As Time

Goes By. 8.40 Midsomer Murders. 10.40 Forensics:

9GO! (83)

NITV (34)

SBS MOVIES (32)

6am Morning Programs. 6.40 Flight Of The Navigator. (1986, PG) 8.20 The Music Of

(2017, PG) 10.30

Of Metal. (2019, M) 12.45pm An Act Of Defiance. (2017, M, Zulu) 3.00 The Eagle Huntress. (2016, PG, Kazakh) 4.35 Jean De Florette. (1986, PG, French) 6.50 Mrs Lowry And Son. (2019, PG) 8.30 Capote. (2005, MA15+) 10.35 Dom Hemingway. (2013, MA15+) 12.20am Late Programs.

6.00

7MATE (64)

6.00 Deal Or No Deal.

Hosted by Grant Denyer.

6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news.

7.30 The Dog House Australia. (PG) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith. 8.40 Gogglebox Australia. TV fanatics open up their living rooms to reveal their reactions to popular and topical TV shows.

9.40 Law & Order: SVU. (Mav, R) The team joins forces with Elliot Stabler.

10.30 Blue Bloods. (Mv, R)

11.30 The Project. (R)

12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

Manuela. (1957, PG) 5.30 Yorkshire Auction House.

Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 RBT.

9GO! (83)

NCIS: New Orleans. 11.25 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

Ready for battle

By Mick BIRTLES

WITH four weeks to go until Round One of the Group 2 season, both the Macksville Sea Eagles and the Nambucca Roosters are in full preparation mode to get their seasons off to a good start.

The Macksville First Grade team finished sixth on the ladder last year and only one win away from a berth in the finals.

The Sea Eagles don’t look to have a large number of changes to their roster for the coming season and will work on consistency in their game week in week out to increase their chances of a place in the finals.

“Shane Davis-Caldwell, last year’s five-eighth, has returned to the Macleay Valley Mustangs this year, however we have some young talent stepping up into the side so we don’t think we will feel the

loss too much,” Macksville’s Nigel Wilbow told News Of The Area.

“We have a few new signings that we are not ready to announce and we have Matt Hyland staying on as captain/coach again this year.”

The Sea Eagles Reserve Grade and U/18s are also shaping up well for the 2024 season and this year Macksville will enter a Ladies Tackle Team into the Group 2 Competition.

“The numbers of ladies showing up to train has been impressive and with Georgia Dent, who is a North Coast Bulldogs representative player in the squad, we have some great experience,” added Nigel.

The Macksville Sea Eagles Ladies Rugby League side will play a trial match against the Nambucca Roosters at the Alan Gillett Oval, Macksville at 11:00 am on Saturday 16 March.

This game will be followed by the Macksville U/18s and a men's open team taking on the Port

Breakers in trial matches.

North of the river at Coronation Park the Nambucca Roosters are also hopeful to go even further this year.

“We are working on a new attacking pattern this year and have a few new faces in the squad, baring injuries, we intend to finish well this season,” Warwick Jones, senior coach at the Nambucca Roosters told News Of The Area.

“Tyronne Roberts-Davis is back this year, Jay Melrose has signed up, a class player in great form, Pete Conroy is back at Nambucca and Jacob Welsh is another significant signing.

“We think we will certainly be competitive.”

The U/18s and Reserve Grade sides at the Roosters are also looking promising with many players eying off spots in the senior squad, putting even more pressure on the Roosters First Grade players to perform.

The Roosters U/18s and senior team will head to Port Macquarie on Saturday 16 March to play in a trial match against the Port Macquarie Sharks, the action beginning at 1:15 pm.

q The Macksville Sea Eagles are poised for a strong season in the 2024 Group 2 Rugby League competition.