THE election campaign of Labor candidate Greg Vigors for the Federal seat of Cowper was launched on Tuesday, with an event at Sawtell SLSC featuring Senator Tim Ayres.
While the Prime Minister is yet to call the election, Mr Vigors is keen to hit the ground running.
“Cowper is a big electorate, and I plan to cover a lot of ground between now and the election,” he said.
“It is important that the Cowper community gets to know me and know what I stand for as early as possible.
“This election will be so important for Cowper, as it will be for Australia as a whole.
“Our community will be deciding whether to continue to build on the hard work and clear plans of Labor or take the risk of a Liberal/National Party government with few plans and no solutions to the big challenges facing us as a country.
“I want to make sure our community goes to the poll with a very clear understanding of just how important that choice will be.”
Cowper Labor President Htun Htun Oo described Mr Vigors as a long term Coffs Coast resident with a “strong record of supporting the community through his working life and as a volunteer”.
“His career focused on helping people in health, community services and the commercial sector in a variety of roles,” he said.
CONTINUED Page 3
MEETING
Greg Vigors launches Cowper campaign
q Labor candidate Greg Vigors and Senator Tim Ayres.
Council to consider change of meeting time and frequency
By Ned COWIE
IT appears likely that Nambucca Valley Council will change the timing and frequency of its meetings in the coming weeks, after Councillor Jane Smith brought the matter forward at last Thursday's meeting.
Next week councillors will vote on a change from fortnightly Thursday evening meetings to monthly meetings on the fourth Wednesday at 2pm, with a public forum session to be held on the Tuesday evening at 5pm the day before the monthly meeting.
Live-streamed meetings and a briefing session for councillors to be held at 4pm before the Tuesday public forum will also be discussed at the next Council meeting.
In October last year, NOTA reported that a decision to change the fortnightly meetings to a monthly Wednesday 2pm slot was deferred for six months to give the newly elected councillors time to consider their roles and whether a less busy monthly schedule could be accommodated.
General Manager Bede Spannagle suggested that benefits to Council would include a saving in terms of staffing while still fulfilling the minimum requirement that council meet ten times per year.
At the time, councillors Ballangarry, Jenvey, Jones and Simson were staunchly against the change, citing concerns that it would make meetings and the deliberations of councillors inaccessible for many in the community.
Last Thursday, Cr Smith moved a motion to bring forward the decision and found support in Mayor Lee and councillors Vance,
Angel and McWilliam.
“It’s become evident that having monthly meetings is the best practice,” Cr Smith told the meeting.
The owner-manager of a busy restaurant in Nambucca Heads, Cr Smith also organises markets on a Thursday between 4-8pm opposite her business.
She argued that she was not trying to minimise her workload, suggesting that less frequent meetings would give councillors more time to consider all issues on the agenda.
“I assure you my request is not for me to work less, it’s for me to work smarter and better,” she said.
Cr Smith said holding the public forum on the Tuesday before the meeting would give councillors a better chance to understand issues on the following day’s agenda.
Cr Susan Jenvey spoke passionately against the proposed change.
“There has been no community consultation on the meeting time or frequency,” she countered.
“So just to be able to say, having attended five meetings, that you understand the efficiency and that it’s not an efficient way to do business, I really beg to differ,” Cr Jenvey told Cr Smith, suggesting the Council defer its decision until the new Code of Meeting Practice, currently being prepared by the State Government, is released.
In response, Cr Smith argued that “a lot of the age demographic who come are retirees and they are able to come at 2pm”.
She also said live streaming would enable more community members to see meetings; the suggested time of 5pm for the Public Forum was accessible to all; and that this schedule for meetings was common practice in many councils.
Around 15, mostly greyhaired members of the public were present in the public gallery to witness the discussion.
“The public cannot access a 2pm meeting time,” she said, listing nurses and teachers among the occupations for whom a daytime meeting would be difficult to attend.
Many appeared shocked by the comments.
NOTA asked the community for feedback on the issue on the Nambucca Valley Community Noticeboard social media group, with most respondents saying that meetings should stay as they are.
“A move to 2pm on a Wednesday would make Council meetings far less accessible, limit diverse perspectives and reduce transparency,” Benn Hopkins commented, pointing out that watching a livestream was “not the same as being there in person”.
“I think two meetings a month should be retained; certainly some issues should be attended to within a couple of weeks rather than a month,” said Greg Needham.
Nicole Murphy said that as councillors do not receive a full-time salary and usually need to work other paid jobs, Council meetings need to work around those responsibilities.
Labor’s Greg Vigors launches
FROM Page 1 like
Launching
“Greg
q Mr Vigors addresses the crowd at the launch.
“We need comprehensive, affordable health services for our growing community and parents need to know that there is affordable childcare to support their day to day lives and their aspirations.”
Walsh to contest Cowper for One Nation
KEMPSEY’S Chris Walsh has been announced as the One Nation candidate for Cowper in the upcoming Federal election.
Mr Walsh’s policy focuses include immigration reform, support for small business, bringing down the costof-living, and tax relief for households.
He has also signalled support on social media for Australia to exit from the United Nations, World Health Organisation and World Economic Forum, and for an inquiry into the use of puberty blockers and gender reassignment surgery.
“Our nation needs change,” Mr Walsh posted to social media.
“Let's unite together to bring back peace, hope and joy to our families, communities and our country.
“When this federal election is called and the
major parties start making promises and splashing your money around, don't be fooled.
“One Nation will put the cleaners through our
government to find your money which is being squandered and wasted.”
Born in Port Macquarie, Mr Walsh attended primary and high school locally before entering the workforce as a labourer.
He later operated his own landscape business in Port Macquarie and surrounds,
before taking on multiple roles at Kempsey Adventist School.
“Chris comes to politics, not as a budding politician, but as a father and grandfather seeking to help secure a bright future for the next generation,” reads One
Nation’s endorsement of Mr Walsh.
“Previous governments have destroyed the family unit, given Australia's resources away, destroyed local businesses by sending manufacturing offshore, and are currently wasting tax
He also cited the importance of building Australia’s manufacturing capacity.
“We need to be a country that builds things again,” he said.
money on green energy.
“With the current government allowing unsustainable amounts of immigrants into the country, foreign companies and organisations dictate how our country operates; putting hard working Australians second.”
q Chris Walsh will contest the seat of Cowper for One Nation in the upcoming Federal election.
Community event to call for tougher crime laws
A “COMMUNITY Crime Action Event” is set to take place at Kempsey Racecourse on Sunday, 23 February from 10:30am.
Following last week’s $4 million funding announcement for diversionary programs in Kempsey, Member for Oxley Michael Kemp says now is the time to send a strong message to the NSW Government.
“Funding alone won’t stop crime. The community is demanding tougher laws and real consequences for repeat offenders,” Mr Kemp said.
“This is our chance to send a clear message to the NSW Government that enough is enough.
“The soft approach is clearly not working, and people across the Mid North Coast are fed up.
“The people of Kempsey, South West Rocks, Crescent
Head, and Nambucca Heads have waited patiently for change. Now, it’s time to stand together and demand action.”
The event will call for stronger bail and sentencing laws, accountability for diversionary programs, and a crackdown on social media pages that glorify crime.
Mr Kemp has extended an invitation to Premier Chris Minns, members of his Government, Aboriginal representatives, exmagistrates and the chair of the committee of the Regional Crime Inquiry to attend and directly address the concerns of the community in a journalist-led question-andanswer panel.
Police representatives will also be present, discussing frontline crime challenges, and a security provider will offer solutions for high crime areas.
THE Reserve Bank of Australia has cut interest rates for the first time in more than four years, bringing long-awaited financial relief to mortgage holders.
As widely expected by economists and the market, the central bank's board lowered the official cash rate target by 25 basis points to
4.1 percent on Tuesday.
The move marks the start of a much-anticipated monetary easing cycle following 13 rate rises since May 2022, which left interest rates at their highest level in 15 years.
Mortgage holders have been struggling to keep up with high interest rates, with mortgage arrears rising steadily from the record low of one per cent in mid-2022.
If lenders pass the cut on in full, borrowers with an average home loan of $641,416 can expect to save over $100 per month, according to financial comparison site Finder.
The rates market had priced in a 90 per cent chance of a cut ahead of the meeting, but economists were less certain.
Of the 32 economists polled by AAP, 22 percent
expected a hold. But the majority expected a shallow easing cycle, regardless of the start date.
Rabobank senior macro strategist Benjamin Picton said tightness in the labour market, strengthening household consumption and the weak Australian dollar raised concerns inflation could still kick off again.
Conaghan slams decision on eye injections
PAT Conaghan, Federal Member for Cowper, has slammed the Labor Government for its “reckless decision” to remove private health insurance rebates for intravitreal eye injections.
The Federal Government has announced that from 1 July 2025, people receiving sight-saving eye (intravitreal) injections to treat macular disease will no longer receive health fund benefits for this treatment if it is performed
in private hospitals and day surgeries.
“Instead, these people will need to start paying out-ofpocket costs to keep accessing eye injection treatment in private ophthalmology clinics, as public hospital eye injection clinics and bulk billing private ophthalmology clinics are either not available, or already at capacity,” said Dr Kathy Chapman, CEO, Macular Disease Foundation Australia.
Mr Conaghan warns the
move will force thousands of patients in regional Australia to decide between paying unaffordable out-of-pocket costs or going blind.
“This is yet another example of city-centric policy-making from this Labor Government, which completely ignores the realities of healthcare in the regions,” he said.
“For many in Cowper, access to public ophthalmology clinics is already severely limited.
“Labor’s decision will only make things worse, leaving vulnerable residents with no affordable options for essential eye treatment.”
Mr Conaghan has called on the Labor Government to reverse the decision.
“This Labor Government assumes people can just switch to public hospital clinics,” he said.
“But in Cowper, that’s not an option.
“Public eye injection clinics are either unavailable or at full capacity, and there are very few bulk-billing ophthalmologists in the area,” Mr Conaghan said.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler was contacted for comment.
www.nambucca.nsw.gov.au
CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY SUNDAY 2 MARCH 2025
The Nambucca Valley Community has always participated actively in Clean up Australia Day which is a great way to motivate Australians about the importance of cleaning up our country.
Volunteers and community groups wanting to participate in the clean up and be part of the Clean Up Australia team MUST REGISTER DIRECTLY WITH CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA by contacting 1800 282 329 or visit www.cleanup.org.au prior to the day. WASTE SERVICES COORDINATOR PO BOX 177 NAMBUCCA VALLEY COUNCIL MACKSVILLE NSW 2447 02 6568 0244
www.nambucca.nsw.gov.au
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE – BOWRAVILLE
Bowraville Aboriginal Local Land Council have requested approval for the temporary closure of the following streets for the purpose of the 60th Anniversary of Freedom Ride.
The closures are proposed for the locations and times detailed below:
Event: 60th Anniversary of Freedom Ride
Date/Time: 9.30 am to 10.30am Monday 24 February 2025 Streets: High Street, Bowraville; from Young Street to Belmore Street
A sign posted detour will be provided around the closures. ENQUIRIES TO: Manager Technical Services (02) 6568 0237
Oyster grower vents frustrations over Beer Creek pollution
By Ned COWIE
SECOND generation
oyster grower James Ford
addressed Council at last Thursday’s general meeting with concerns of pollution in Beer Creek, Nambucca Heads, a tributary of the Nambucca River.
Mr Ford told Council he had conducted his own investigations over the past few months to determine the cause of an abnormally high death rate in young oysters in one of his leased areas, on the river and adjacent to Beer Creek.
He found that bubbles in Beer Creek could be followed up to an outlet entering the creek at the Dipper in West Street, Nambucca Heads.
Mr Ford believes the bubbles indicate the presence of detergents and other pollutants.
“For the last six to eight months, I have reported this to Council and tried to work with Council in getting a fix,” he said.
“I have reported this to every government body, i.e. EPA, Fisheries, Food Authority, Local Land Services, Environmental
Defenders Office, but all say they have no power and the responsibility lies with Council.”
According to Mr Ford, Council conducted testing but at the time could not find evidence of the pollution he had detected.
He said he was informed that for further testing to be undertaken, he would need to prove beyond doubt that it was this pollution affecting his oysters – something he said was impossible to do.
Mr Ford described being
frustrated that Council would not investigate his claims further, stating that a prime oyster lease he holds is at stake with huge and costly impacts on his business.
Mr Ford provided multiple photographs in an attempt to show evidence of the pollution he was reporting and suggested a possible cause could be “illegal house (grey water) connections”.
Council resolved to receive a report into
possible pollution events in Beer Creek and their impact on the oyster industry.
Mayor Gary Lee acknowledged Mr Ford’s frustration in the matter and asserted that after conducting multiple tests, Council was also frustrated at not being able to find the source of the pollution in question.
Both parties agreed to work together to resolve the situation, even if a solution involved the participation of the EPA.
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q Bubbles in Beer Creek, which oyster-grower James Ford believes are linked to poor performance and death of oysters in one of his lease-holds in the Nambucca River. Photo:James Ford.
q Pollutants cannot be traced beyond the outlet near West Street. Photo: James Ford.
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Conservationists dispute job loss claims
By Andrew VIVIAN
THE Australian Workers Union (AWU) claims more than 9000 jobs will go in the hardwood industry if the Great Koala National Park (GKNP) is “imposed” on North Coast communities.
Forestry workers met MPs at State Parliament last week to plead with them not to create the park, following research showing healthy koala numbers.
the
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Where to Find your Newspaper Available in newsstands & counters of over 70 businesses & locations throughout the Nambucca Valley.
Some include, supermarkets, newsagents, convenience stores, shopping centres, chemists, service stations, real estate agents, many general businesses throughout the area.
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CSIRO data from 2024 shows koala numbers are up to 524,000, more than the 331,000 estimated in 2016.
AWU NSW Secretary Tony Callinan said, “9000 North Coast locals have jobs in the timber supply chain, with their pay cheques going directly into their small communities, so it’s imperative we get the balance right or we’ll endanger this $3 billion industry.
“The key here is balancing the need to protect native species while providing future generations with the raw materials for housing and infrastructure.
“The worst possible scenario would be to get timber from parts of the world with no environmental standards, or to use more ‘Climate Change intensive’ products for our power poles, wharves and flooring.”
The North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) is accusing the AWU of unfounded scaremongering.
Spokesperson Dailan Pugh said it appears to be relying upon unverified industry data, which applies to the whole of NSW, with most of the timber coming from private lands and plantations.
“A review by NEFA identifies that direct
job losses from the creation of the Great Koala National Park could be in the order of 118 to 218 jobs within the North East NSW region from Gosford to the Queensland border, with a similar number of indirect jobs.”
“A 2019 assessment for the timber industry identified 566 jobs in logging native State Forests in North East NSW [while] a 2021 assessment by the Natural Resources Commission put it at 590 jobs.
“The Great Koala National Park represents 21 percent
of the area of State Forests in north east NSW able to be logged, so is only a small portion of total logging jobs in the region.”
The Bellingen Environment Centre (BEC) has also weighed in, sending a letter to NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, describing the AWU demands as “lacking any basis in law”.
BEC President Cath Eaglesham said, “Treasurer Mookhey cannot tell the NSW public that there is no money in the NSW Treasury to properly pay psychiatrists
Top scholarship for Macksville student
By Ned COWIE
FORMER Macksville student
Kawana Crowe has been awarded the 2025 Dr Evelyn Scott Scholarship, receiving $20,000 towards her studies.
Kawana, who is completing a Master of Biostatistics at the University of Sydney, was recognised for her work “in uplifting fellow First Nations university students to ensure they can best succeed in their studies”.
The Wiradjuri woman attended Macksville Public School then Nambucca Heads High School, and is focused on improving healthcare outcomes for her people.
“With the help of this scholarship, I want to make a difference in treatment options and quality of healthcare for First Nations people suffering with cancer or genetic illness.
“I believe that this will be an area of lifelong work for me,” Kawana said.
Dr Evelyn Scott Scholarship is an annual program developed by the Bupa Foundation to honour the legacy of Dr Scott, a former resident of Bupa’s Mount Sheridan aged care home and a proud Indigenous leader who spent her life fighting for the rights of all peoples.
An Indigenous rights
working in public health or essential transport workers, and then make milliondollar payouts to the logging industry without a shred of legal justification.”
Mr Pugh added that the creation of the GKNP will “create new employment opportunities in park management, rehabilitation and tourism”.
He said the University of Newcastle estimates that tourism alone will generate 9810 new jobs over fifteen years.
activist and social justice campaigner, Dr Scott was one of the leading campaigners in Australia’s historic 1967 referendum, in which more than 90 percent of voters elected to remove discriminatory references to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from the Australian Constitution.
Upon her death in 2017, Dr Scott became the first Aboriginal woman to be honoured by the Queensland government with a state funeral.
q Kawana Crowe of Macksville has been awarded the Bupa Foundation’s 2025 Dr Evelyn Scott Scholarship.
In total, three first prize students across the country will each receive the scholarship, which is aimed at furthering the careers of First Nations health professionals.
Five runner-ups will receive $10,000 each.
Established in 2018, the
q Estimates of the number of workers involved in North Coast forestry differ greatly.
Photo: Mark Graham.
Councillor and MP clash over LEP ruling
By Ned COWIE
THE fallout continues from the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure’s refusal of a Nambucca Valley Council proposal to change rules for intensive horticulture.
As reported in NOTA last week, Council’s application to amend the Nambucca Local Environmental Plan 2010 (LEP) to require development applications (DA) for intensive horticulture activities, such as blueberry farming, was knocked back by the State Government.
The amendments would have required buffer zones between new intensive
horticulture developments and neighbouring properties or water courses.
One local councillor has since suggested that some blame for the Department’s decision should be levelled at the region’s State MP, Michael Kemp.
Dr Ljubov Simson, who was elected to Council in 2024, has questioned why the Member for Oxley provided a cover letter in support of the Nambucca River Branch of the NSW Farmers Association, in their submission to the Department against changes to the LEP.
She suggested the move was the result of Mr Kemp’s National Party affiliations, and believes it was possibly a deciding factor in the State Government’s decision to block the amendments.
“When we want to change State Government legislation, we need the support of our sitting state government member,” she told NOTA.
Cr Simson, herself a
member of the Nambucca River Branch of the NSW Farmers Association, said less than ten of the branch’s approximately 40 members had an opportunity to vote on the decision to make a submission against the LEP amendment proposal.
An attendee of last year’s meeting confirmed that eight members had unanimously voted on the decision.
Cr Simson believes the Branch’s submission was strengthened by the letter from Mr Kemp.
The NSW Farmers Association was one of two industry bodies, the other being Berries Australia, who made submissions against the Council’s proposal.
Mr Kemp said he had never discussed his decision to support the NSW Farmers Association letter with “any single member of the party”, and that while the LEP amendment was first and foremost a local government matter, he believed some good
points had been raised in the submission.
He said Cr Simson’s comments were unsubstantiated and possibly an attempt to influence the upcoming Federal election by bringing party politics to a local government matter.
Cr Simson made the comments on-site at a property where blueberry operations have affected a non-farming community member and Mr Kemp has personally intervened with solutions to the resulting
q A black shade-cloth has been erected by blueberry growers but the promised “planted barrier” is yet to be installed nine months after parties agreed to the deal.
New schedule for farmers market
By Jen HETHERINGTON
A COMMUNITY venture
supporting local growers and producers, the Eungai Creek Farmers Market is trialling new operating hours.
Until recently, the market had been held every Friday from 2pm to 5pm at the Eungai District Soldiers Memorial Hall, Eungai Creek.
Since 1 January this year however, stall holders have been gathering instead on
Saturday morning to trade wares from 9am to 12 noon.
While occasionally being entertained by local musicians, patrons are encouraged to fill homebrought baskets and shopping bags with seasonal local produce, with pasture grazed chook eggs known to sell out early.
The stall list from last Saturday included Aisha’s Farm, Wat The Health, Lina's Fresh Produce, Eungai Honey,
Funguy & Fungal, Ladybug Mushrooms, Mandy's Garlic, Peter's Garden Greens, Glen's Yarrahapinni Produce, Singing Creek Farm and breakfast/ brunch prepared by Angus in the well appointed kitchen.
“The markets started up in September 2020 with just a handful of stalls, and we now have over 30 local producers and growers signed up who come regularly or seasonally depending on what they grow and produce,” said market
coordinator Linda Craig.
“We have so many amazing producers and it’s a great way to showcase [them].
“Our goal is to change the food system to buying local and supporting our community with chemicalfree fresh foods and products.”
With the new schedule, organisers are hoping to attract more growers and patrons every week as the success of the market expands.
land-use conflict.
q Nambucca Valley Councillor Ljubov Simson at a Kesby’s Road property in Eungai Creek where neighbours have been disputing over intensive horticulture.
Mr Kemp confirmed he visited the Eungai Creek property twice last year, offering mediation between the disputing neighbours.
“I think most people don’t care about politics (party affiliations) but they want someone who is prepared to listen.
“That is what I try to do and visiting this constituent twice, as well as mediating towards a solution, is an example of this,” he told NOTA.
At the time, all parties agreed that a temporary barrier of shade cloth be erected while a planted barrier took shape to shield the non-farming resident from the impacts of intensive blueberry plantings just five metres from her boundary and around 30 metres from her back deck.
In the nine months since, a three-metre shade cloth barrier has been erected along the resident’s fence line, with
no sign of the promised plant buffer.
Mr Kemp told NOTA he was surprised to hear that the blueberry grower had not followed through on one of his promises, and said he wished the affected resident had contacted him directly with this information.
Cr Simson cites this example as a reason why the LEP amendment would have been effective.
“Clearly Mr Kemp knew about situations like this one,” Cr Simson said.
“What does he (Michael Kemp) think we are going to do - personally intervene every time there is a dispute like this?
“We need rules to protect the rights of those with properties adjacent to intensive horticulture, and this was one of the aims of the amendment,” she said.
NOTA contacted the Nambucca River Branch of NSW Farmers Association, however they declined to comment.
q The Eungai Creek Farmers Market is trialling new operating hours.
Independents join forces for ‘Politics in the Pub’
By Leigh WATSON
AN ENGAGED crowd of nearly 300 packed the Coast Hotel at Coffs Harbour last Friday night for “Politics in the Pub” featuring the first Independent Senator for the ACT David Pocock, and twotime Federal candidate for Cowper, Caz Heise.
Despite the sweltering conditions and standingroom-only crowd, the audience remained enthusiastic, directing a wide range of questions to Heise.
Topics spanned electoral reform, reliability and pricing of renewable energy in regional areas, and gambling advertising.
There was also concern about the impact on local communities of outsourcing public services for vulnerable groups such as the aged, people with disability and veterans’ families.
Small business support was a hot topic, with Heise outlining her policies in this space, such as improving local investment, expanding
Federal procurement opportunities for regional businesses, and ensuring better support for tradies.
Heise’s campaign manager Clancy Barnard, said they were extremely pleased with the local response to the event, which aimed to bring together a different group of people.
“We were able to speak to a number of tradies and other locals we hadn’t engaged with before.
“We also had a lot of retirees in the room who knew David from his Wallabies days.
“Getting David’s full endorsement was a fantastic
outcome.
“We knew he’d be a great fit. We also wanted to showcase the alignment between Caz and David, who got on famously during a recent podcast interview.
“We’ve long admired his work in Parliament, and he has real connections to this region.
“He and his family even stayed on a local farm while visiting.”
Caz Heise said she was pleased to have the successful Independent Senator’s public support for her campaign.
"David has shown just how much a strong independent can achieve in
New role for plant lover
By Jen HETHERINGTON
PLANT lover Rachael White has stepped into the role of publicity offer with the Nambucca Valley Garden Club (NVGC).
Rachael has been a member of the Garden Club for several years since relocating to the area from Sydney.
“Our club is very pleased to have such a vibrant, young and enthusiastic member stepping up to take on our publicity role,” Club secretary Lizzie Wait told NOTA.
“Rachael is a very active member and contributes to our club in so many ways, from organising carpools, our NVGC newsletter, expos and has a great vision for our club in 2025.
“She’s kind, respectful and has great new ideas to share.”
Though the club has a strong supporter base, membership has declined in the past few yearssomething which Rachael hopes to change in 2025.
“As Nambucca Valley Garden Club is open to any keen, new (or old) gardener
of any age who would like to get to meet and enjoy gardening together, I’ll be promoting excitement, fun and adventures where you
don’t necessarily need to get your hands dirty,” she said.
Nambucca Valley Garden Club is an affiliated member of The Garden Clubs of Australia Inc.
a balance of power position, delivering real wins on issues that matter.
“I hope to join him in Canberra to keep up this important work, making sure tradies get paid on time, strengthening integrity in politics, clamping down on corporate lobbyists, pushing for gambling reform, and better supporting small businesses.
“Now more than ever, ‘Indies’ are important on the crossbench."
said he was pleased to “pay forward” the support he received when running.
“I loved the chance to share with people in Coffs my experiences as an independent representing the people of the ACT, to talk about how independents can serve our communities in parliament and the things we can achieve for them.
“Caz is tenacious, energetic and cares deeply for her community.”
q Independent candidate for Cowper Caz Heise with Independent Senator for the ACT, David Pocock.
Mr Pocock
q An interested crowd filled the upstairs of the Coast Hotel for ‘Politics in the Pub’.
q Rachael met old friends ‘Bill & Ben’ at the New England Garden Festival.
q Plant lover Rachael White.
Freedom Ride route to be commemorated
THE 60th anniversary of the 1965 Freedom Ride has been marked with the announcement of plaques to commemorate significant steps along the route.
Minister for Heritage Penny Sharpe and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris were in Walgett on Monday to announce a grant to complete the town’s Freedom Ride Pavilion in Freedom Ride Memorial Park.
The Ministers also unveiled a blue plaque in Walgett to formally recognise the historic event.
It’s one of several blue plaques to be installed in key locations along the Freedom Ride route.
NSW Blue Plaques are a heritage program recognising the events, groups and people who contributed to the history of NSW.
The 1965 Freedom Ride was instrumental in raising awareness of racial injustice and building momentum for reconciliation action in Australia.
Inspired by a set of bus trips by the civil rights movement in the US, a group of 30 University of Sydney students hired a bus, hung
a banner across the front and set off on a two-week journey through regional NSW.
Led by Indigenous rights activist Charles Perkins, the group rode through Wellington, Gulargambone and Walgett, before passing Moree, Boggabilla, Tenterfield, Lismore, Grafton, Bowraville and Kempsey.
Their efforts were not well-received by locals, who pelted them with fruit and stones, and even chased the bus in a convoy of cars. In one town, police officers had to escort the students to safety.
The Freedom Ride Blue Plaque Trail will capture the stories and events that took place at the key stops on the
q The community
to
Freedom Ride journey.
In Walgett, they protested a ban on Indigenous ex-servicemen entering the Returned Services League (RSL) Club.
In Moree and Kempsey, they called out local laws barring Indigenous children from swimming pools.
In Bowraville, they attempted to ‘gatecrash’ the cinema to protest the inequity in ticketing for Indigenous people.
The widely publicised Freedom Ride contributed significantly to changes in Australians’ attitudes towards Aboriginal rights.
Subsequently, in 1967, more than 90 percent of Australians voted ‘Yes’ in a landmark referendum that gave Indigenous Australians
full rights as citizens.
The community will be consulted on the locations of future plaques.
Minister for Heritage Penny Sharpe said NSW has “profoundly changed” as a result of Charles Perkins and the students who drew attention to racial injustice in our state.
“It is fitting that the Blue Plaques program will join up from Sydney to Walgett to mark the journey and tell the stories of the Freedom Ride and the changes that
happened as a result of it.”
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs David Harris said, “It is crucial we celebrate the courage, resilience and strength of the original Freedom Riders and of all Aboriginal people who, now and in the past, have led the way for racial equality in Australia.”
On Monday, 24 February the Nambucca Valley community is invited to honour the legacy of the Australian Freedom Ride and the ongoing journey
toward reconciliation.
From 10am, community members will undertake a ‘Walk of Respect’ from Bowraville Central School up High Street to Bowraville Theatre.
“We welcome everyone from the Nambucca Valley and beyond to stand in solidarity, reflect on our shared history, and celebrate the strength of community,” organisers said.
“Bring your family, learn together, and be part of this special day!”
gathered
mark the 60th anniversary of the 1965 Freedom Ride in Walgett on Monday.
Anger in halls of power over 'unfair' electoral reforms
By Dominic GIANNINI, AAP
FIRED-UP independents are vowing to stonewall controversial electoral reforms and use any leverage in a hung parliament to rebalance the scales.
The reforms include a campaign spending cap of $800,000 per electorate but registered political parties will be able to access a $90 million war chest for general advertising.
Independent Zali Steggall confronted Special Minister of State Don Farrell, who spearheaded the legislation, at Parliament House last Thursday as the law passed, accusing the major parties of collaborating to lock out independents.
The overall cap stacked the field for the major parties,
which could save cash in safe seats and inundate close contests with party branding or attack ads above and beyond what a single person could access, Ms Steggall said.
Independents are also upset that more public money will be given to parties per vote received.
This would disproportionately help the majors, which would receive millions of dollars more, and entrench a two-party system, Ms Steggall said after crashing Senator Farrell's press conference and chastising him over the laws.
"Why don't you tell this room of people that... the big money that will be in politics is the public money?" Ms Steggall said to the Labor senator.
Senate candidates have different caps - $200,000
per seat in a given state or territory.
This limits campaign spending to $600,000 for the ACT and $9.2 million for NSW.
The laws start in mid-2026 so the next election would be the last at which independents could effectively challenge incumbents, Ms Steggall said.
"This is not how democracy can thrive," she said at a subsequent press conference.
"What you want is choice.
"You want competition."
Senator Farrell, who denied the rules were stacked in favour of the major parties, said they stripped big money from politics and Labor had taken a haircut on what it could receive and spend.
"The whole process pushes downward pressure on the cost of elections so
ordinary Australians have a chance to be elected, not those candidates that are supported by the billionaires and the millionaires," he said.
An individual can donate $50,000 to a political campaign per party branch each calendar year, which increases to $450,000 in total if they donate to a branch in each state and territory as well as the national arm.
Donors hedging their bets and giving cash to multiple parties will be capped at $1.6 million nationwide, although this is limited to $250,000 in any state or territory.
Campaign spending for non-political parties, such as unions and special interest groups, will be capped at $11 million.
Aggregated donations of more than $5000 will have to be disclosed - down from the 2023/24 threshold of $16,900 - and disclosures must happen within weeks instead of the current annual returns.
Charity receives ute donation
By Ned COWIE
THE Mujaay Ganma Foundation has received a ute (utility vehicle) and lifetime maintenance through the efforts and donations of two Nambucca Valley councillors and their local businesses.
Cr Jane Smith, owner of Nambucca Heads business Matilda’s, hosted the “Celebrating Country” fundraiser on 26 January, with all proceeds going towards assisting the Foundation and Bowraville’s Yuraal Nursery, a project of the charity.
“More than 300 Matilda’s customers came together to celebrate the event,” she told NOTA.
“I want to send a big thank you, for their support of the
Mujaay Ganma Foundation.”
The Mujaay Ganma Foundation was created to remember two caring Gumbaynngirr womenMardi Walker and Florence (Flo) Ballangarry.
Among its many goals, the charity is committed to restoring and regenerating country, which led to the establishment of the Yuraal Community Garden in Bowraville in 2023.
“The Mujaay Ganma team also travels out to hard-toreach places in the district, carefully removing invasive species, allowing native plants and animals to thrive and returning natural balance to the land,” Cr Smith told NOTA.
“Many places requiring
The Big Screen
By Lindsay HALL
LAST year, small-budget horror filmmaker Osgood Perkins (son of Psycho star Anthony Perkins) knocked the socks off most people who caught his occulttinged film Longlegs.
That’s given him a huge leg up in promoting his latest film, and an adaptation of a Stephen King short story, The Monkey Spanning two eras, the
tale is of twin brothers (Theo James) and the misfortunes they witness following the appearance of a very creepy children’s toy.
Like his previous efforts Perkins prefers to build tension and atmosphere very slowly, relying on his performer to sell a sense of steadily growing horror.
What mustn't be forgotten, however, is that Perkins is very funny, and though it is midnight black
their care and work are in rugged, hard-to-access places, hence the need for a decent 4WD dual cab ute which we have been able to purchase through our fundraiser.”
According to Cr Smith, Matilda’s has three times hosted the yearly Celebrating Country event, at which chefs work to create a special menu to highlight native foods.
Independents have vowed fairer reforms will be part of any minority government negotiations if there was a hung parliament after the next election.
Other electoral changes include how peak bodies accept cash from affiliated groups and allocate those funds to electoral campaigns, with a mandated account
Upon hearing about the Matilda’s donation, Bowraville Tyre and Auto offered to help, agreeing to donate all ongoing maintenance and servicing of the vehicle to ensure the team can stay on the road.
where political spending can be audited.
The Australia Institute's Bill Browne called for all donations from corporations to be disclosed, reforms to people paying to access politicians and for electoral commission payments to be distributed before elections to make them fairer for people challenging incumbents.
“The native nursery and regeneration work (carried out by Mujaay Ganma) along the Nambucca River is important to the Bowraville community and (we are) happy to help in any way,” said fellow Nambucca Valley councillor Jimmy Angel, owner of Bowraville Tyre and Auto.
in tone, there is a good deal of humor amidst the gore.
Gosh, remember Pamela Anderson?
The Last Showgirl makes a compelling case as to why we should.
Coming from writer Kate Gersten and young Gia Coppola (of that film dynasty), Anderson stuns as Shelly, an aging Vegas showgirl whose long tenure in a popular revue is being brought to an end.
Estranged from her daughter, Shelly’s only friends are those who have
shared the stage with her.
A heart-breaking portrayal of again and coming to terms with lifechoices that never work out the way we dream, this is very much in the vein of 2008’s The Wrestler.
Some films are puzzling, and difficult to describe when someone asks the question “What’s it about?”, but leave an undeniable imprint on the soul, having moved you deeply in ways we can not even understand.
Bird is that kind of a film.
From British Writer/ Director Andrea Arnold and starring newcomer Nkiya Adams alongside Barry Keoghan and Franz Rogowski, this tale of a struggling adolescent’s strange friendship with a kind but simple man offers a blunt portrayal of lowincome life, along with hope that seemingly has no basis in reality, but lifts the spirit nonetheless.
Finally this week another Irish filmmaker Nick Hamm takes a shot at a historical epic in the tale of
William Tell Starring Claes Bang in the title role with supporting turns from Connor Swindells and Golshifteh Farahani, along with appearances from legends Johnathon Pryce and Sir Ben Kingsley, this account of the 14th century Swiss folk hero looks very energetic and stylish. At the very least there are some impressive battle sequences which may salve the disappointment of last year's Gladiator 2.
q Jane Smith (left) and the Matilda’s restaurant team with Bowraville Tyre and Auto’s Jimmy Angel (third from left) and representatives from the Mujaay Ganma Foundation.
q Independent MP Zali Steggall confronted cabinet minister Don Farrell over donation reforms. Photo: Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS.
Candidates talk regional healthcare
WHILE an official date is yet to be confirmed, Australians will be heading to the polls for a Federal election before 17 May 2025.
For the community to learn more about the candidates on offer, News Of The Area is offering our potential Federal representatives the opportunity to share policies on various issues impacting our region.
This week we will focus on regional healthcare.
No policy statement was received by Family First candidate Peter Jackel ahead of publication.
PAT CONAGHANNATIONAL PARTY
Mr Conaghan outlined his plan for Cowper’s care industries as below:
• Reduce unnecessary waste in the health bureaucracy, redirecting it to frontline health services.
• Support regional health worker attraction, recruitment and retention initiatives.
• Address the inconsistencies with pay and conditions of NDIS compared to other care fields.
• Grow our GP workforce to address increasing shortages through new incentive payments, entitlements and training support – this includes reverting the recent changes to the Distribution Priority Areas (DPA) system that redefined peri-urban areas as ‘regional’, diverting skilled migrant doctors away from areas like Cowper.
• Focus on training and education of our homegrown talent by supporting our local universities.
• Guarantee the growing funding of Medicare, including restoring mental health support from 10 sessions back to 20.
• Support Australians to receive healthcare in a timely way wherever they live – such as increases to telehealth.
“While each (care industry providers, employees and clients) has their own unique challenges, there are absolutely common themes throughout that I believe can be looked at simultaneously so as not to have a knock-on effect from one industry to another, like we have seen with NDIS diverting resourcing away from other care industries.
“We need to be providing the right pathways and incentives for our critical
workforce, which simply isn’t happening at the moment and has been a slow-moving train wreck for some time.”
CAZ HEISEINDEPENDENT
“As a nurse, hospital manager, and regional healthcare leader, I’ve spent my life improving health services in our community,”
Ms Heise said.
“I’ve seen firsthand the challenges people face in accessing care, and am deeply committed to improving our healthcare system.”
Ms Heise lists her regional health priorities as follows:
• Improving GP access by increasing Medicare rebates, strengthening regional training pathways, and offering incentives like HECS/ HELP relief for doctors who work in the regions.
• Fixing aged care by addressing workforce shortages, improving pay and conditions, and ensuring providers are held accountable for high-quality care.
• NDIS reform to cut wait times, remove bureaucratic barriers, and crack down on providers exploiting the system.
• Expanding mental health services by increasing funding for local organisations, ensuring regional communities get their fair share of mental health funding, and supporting the development of more specialised services.
Ms Heise also stresses the need for a “bigger conversation” on preventative health, workforce shortages, and long-term investment in healthcare.
“We can’t keep relying on stop-gap measures,” she said.
“We need a system that keeps people well, not just treats them when they’re sick.
“That means real investment in prevention, ensuring our healthcare workforce is trained and retained locally, and making sure regional communities don’t miss out.”
• Addressing the critical GP shortage in our area.
“Labor has brought in a suite of measures to encourage more GPs to enter the health system in regions,”
Mr Vigors said.
“The cornerstone of this has been increasing the Medicare rebate to GPs.”
• Increasing bulk billing.
“Bulk billing rates have increased to 79.1 percent under Labor.
“We are working with doctors to ensure no Australian misses a medical appointment because they can’t afford to see their family doctor.”
• Cowper’s aging population.
“Our region has a very high percentage of older residents.
“Labor has continued to increase health and hospital funding to support our aging population.
“Labor has also made medicines cheaper for all people in Cowper with 60day prescriptions and caps on the costs of medicines.”
• Wait times in emergency departments and ambulance ramping.
“Labor has created Urgent Care Clinics in regions across Australia including Coffs Harbour and Lismore.”
• The acute shortage of mental health workers and services.
“Labor extended the Head to Health mental health program, including opening a Medicare Mental Health service in Coffs Harbour.”
• Women’s health.
“We know women’s health has been largely ignored previously.
“Labor has committed over half a billion dollars to addressing women’s health needs, giving greater access to health services for women in our region.”
CHRIS WALSH - ONE NATION
Mr Walsh believes regional towns “always play second fiddle in healthcare to the cities”.
“There are definite shortages in doctors, nurses, critical health care
professionals, and specialist health care doctors in the area.
“Cowper is one of the fastest growing areas in the state and as such more focus needs to be put on encouraging Australians into the profession.
“One Nation's policy is to offer three-year contracts for newly qualified medical professionals and will pay their HECS-HELP loans in full.”
Mr Walsh lists key regional healthcare issues as follows:
• Our hospitals are shortstaffed.
• Wait times to have medical needs addressed are too long.
• Seeing a doctor is difficult - either their books are closed, or it can take weeks to get an appointment.
“Most political candidates will say the area needs more and better funding, and whilst that is true, I believe there is an immediately available solution within our communities,” Mr Walsh said.
“A large portion of our diseases today would be considered a result of unhealthy lifestyle choices.
“With a range of alternate health care professionals available in our area, one realistic solution is to include lifestyle professionals to the Medicare system.
“This would relieve some of the pressure on mainstream medicine and assist those seeking natural healing to do so at a reduced rate… professionals such as naturopaths, dieticians, exercise specialists, counsellors, life coaches and Christian services.”
q National Party candidate and Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan.
q Labor candidate Greg Vigors.
q One Nation candidate Chris Walsh.
q Independent candidate Caz Heise.
Nats push for youth crime reforms
THE NSW Nationals are pushing for “strong and immediate legislative reform” to stop repeat youth offenders from carrying out crime sprees across regional NSW.
Notice was given in Parliament last week to address the legislative concerns, due to what the National Party considers the NSW Government’s “narrow approach” to the issue.
NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders said residents and families have had enough.
“Youth crime is gripping every corner of every rural and remote community and it’s getting worse and worse by the day,” Mr Saunders said.
“What we’re seeing here is a dribs and drabs approach rather than a statewide plan and it’s leaving most regional areas completely defenceless and having to fend for themselves.
“People are scared on the streets and scared in their homes, and we need swift and decisive action to stop our communities from being held to ransom by repeat youth offenders.”
The Nationals' plan focuses on changes to the bail act to stop courts granting bail to serious repeat offenders, changes to “doli incapax” and amending the crimes sentencing procedure act to give more consideration to the harm that is caused to the victim.
“So far Labor’s changes have failed to prevent young criminals from reoffending or ‘posting and boasting’ and Chris Minns’ response seems
to be throwing money at a couple of areas while the majority of regional NSW is screaming for help,” Mr Saunders said.
“The minimal funding that has been rolled out in the past couple of weeks is a drop in the ocean and won’t help put an end to this crisis.
“Something needs to urgently change here because the current approach simply isn’t working and our residents, businesses and families need to know they are safe.”
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh moved a motion in Parliament on 12 February, calling on the House to note “skyrocketing” rates of youth crime in regional NSW and recognise the work of the NSW Police Force and the need for legislative support to deal with young offenders.
Mr Singh also called on the Government to increase police numbers in the Coffs/Clarence Local Area Command so stations like the Woolgoolga Police Station can have a 24-hour police presence.
Last Wednesday during Parliamentary Question Time, Police Minister Yasmin Catley updated the House on the State Government’s work to address regional youth crime.
“Mr Speaker, first I want to acknowledge that any crime, big or small, can have a huge impact on individuals, families and the broader community.
“Nobody wants to see communities living in fear – and certainly not this
SPORTS
government.
“That is not the kind of society we want to live in.
“I want to stress that the Minns Labor Government and the New South Wales Police Force are doing everything they can to keep our regional communities safe.”
Ms Catley said police are “working around the clock to fight these crimes and arrest offenders”.
“It is our priority to address these serious crimes being committed by young people across regional NSW.
“That’s why Operational Regional Mongoose was stood up to prevent, disrupt and respond to escalating instances of these serious crimes.”
Between September 2023 and 20 January 2025, Operation Regional Mongoose arrested and charged 376 individuals (of which 238 were juveniles) in the state’s Northern Region.
Ms Catley told the House there was “no ‘one size fits all’ solution to these deeply entrenched problems”.
“We know we need to get to the bottom of the complex problems driving crime in our regional communities and tackle the root causes and drivers of this offending.
“If there was a silver bullet the previous Government would have done it - that much is obvious.”
New figures released on Tuesday by the NSW Bureau
of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) show over the last 12 months, the number of young people in custody in NSW rose by 54, a 32 percent increase from December 2023.
According to BOCSAR Executive Director Jackie Fitzgerald, “The increase in young people in custody since December 2023 is mainly due to an increased number of young people on remand.
“There’s been a 34.4 percent increase in the youth remand population since 2023, with an increasing number of young people on remand for break and enter and assault offences.”
The main factor driving the increase in remand is a
rise in the bail refusal rate.
Over the past two years there has been a rise in the bail refusal rate for young people, from 13.7 percent in 2023 to 15.2 percent in 2024.
This increase in the severity of bail decisions is apparent across a range of offences.
“The number of young Aboriginal people in detention has also increased since December 2023, up 21.7 percent, and this increase has also been wholly driven by the rise in the number of Aboriginal young people on remand, which is up 22.6 percent,” Ms Fitzgerald said.
“Two-thirds (68.2 percent) of Aboriginal young people in custody are from regional NSW.”
Macksville Country Club Golf
By Max TURNER
SATURDAY two person
Graham Everett , Adam Paddle/ Phil Bambury and Muz Smith/Matt Smith.
Nambucca Bowls Report
By Charles POTTER
WEDNESDAY Feb 12
Wednesday's winners were Roger McGuigan, Terry Steele and Adam Rostron. Tommy Reynolds, Hugh Shaw and Mark Blackford ran second and Tony Stokes, Peter Dawe and Bruce Mason third. The Lucky Losers... June Shaw, Stu Thorne and Peter Meehan. Roger McGuigan was the Lucky Bowler but, as the Jackpot was only $90, he didn't bother winning it.
Fri Feb 14 The Selected triples resulted in a win for Perry McNally, Bill Mann and Kick Boyle. Jye McAuliffe, Wayne Bolton and Steve Carr were second and Mick Targett, Gary Tierney and Andrew Power were third. Lucky Losers to Bruce Mason, Roger McGuigan and Pat Kemp. Mitch McGill was the Lucky Bowler but, in his absence, his rink-mates failed and
the Jackpot of $540 was not won.
Pennants Rounds 2 and 3 were played over the weekend and results were mixed. The 3's,at home both days, defeated Park Beach Blue 9-1 on Sat then lost by the same to Park Beach Red Sunday to remain third in the table, The 4's won 10-0 at home against Park Beach on Saturday then defeated Urunga 9-1 away from home to lead their section. The 6's had a bye on Saturday then lost at North Beach 1-9 to be 4th of 5 in their section. A better result for our 7's with a 9-1 win away at Urunga on Saturday and then a bye Sunday to comfortably lead their section.
This weekend has just the Saturday Round 4. The 3's Home to Sawtell. 5's have a Bye (no points). 6's Home to Sawtell and 7's away at North Beach. Games start 1pm... come and support our teams and enjoy a schooner and/or lunch while you're at it!
This Sunday sees the Mixed Pairs Championship Round 2 games... 9am start.
Ambrose sponsored by Tony Smith Tiling showed how popular these events are with over 70 players participating.
With each player having to have at least six drives and the final score being reduced by 25 percent of combined handicaps Allan Clarke and Dale Brunsdon won with Tony Adams and wife Susan runners up.
Having a partner and using the best of each shot and putt gives a better chance of birdies and eagles (1 and 2 under par respectively).
Three eagles were logged in one each by Jo Montague/
Nearest the pins were Darren Pike (div1) and Brian King (div2).
The ladies Stableford went to big hitters Jo Montague with Nikki Laird runner up.
Cheryl Fortescue and Ali Cunneen were the straight shooters with nearest the pins.
Mid Week specialist Greg Hogan had another good week finishing just ahead of runner up Max Graham.
Jeff Gore and Phil Bambury were amongst the ball winners.
Coffs hosts big day of rep league
By Aiden BURGESS
NORTH Coast Bulldogs sides have played a big day of representative footy at Geoff King Motors Oval.
The Under 18s won their second match in a row to start the Laurie Daley Cup, having a 40-24 win against the Northern Rivers Titans.
It follows their opening round win against the Newcastle-Maitland Region Knights in which they prevailed 30-28 in Kurri
Kurri.
North Coast Bulldogs Under 16s side went down 42-16 to the Northern Rivers Titans, in the second round of the Andrew Johns Cup.
North Coast Bulldogs women’s side went down 18-8 to the Northern Rivers Titans in the opening round of their competition.
North Coast Bulldogs Under 17 girls team got the job done, beating the Northern Rivers Titans in the latest round of the Lisa Fiaola
Cup.
The Group 2 Rugby League men’s representative team was also in action at Geoff King Motors Oval, facing off against the Group 3 Rugby League men’s representative team.
Group 3 earned regional bragging rights with a 26-18 win.
The match was a selection trial for the North Coast Bulldogs Senior Men's squad which will take on Central Coast in Round 1 of the NSW
Country Championships in Woy Woy this weekend.
The North
Samuel Johnston, Tyler Roberts, Damien Carriege and Jared Wooster.
q Paul Donges, Carl Cooper, Jim Wilkes and Ross Donnelly on the finishing hole.
Coast Bulldogs team is: Owen Blair, Simon Wise, Jack Margetts, Nick Smith, Emmanuel Solie, Tyreece Sines, Logan Jones, Luke Hetherington, Jordan Starr, David Hollis, Brody Simon, Ronald Sines, Richie Roberts (captain), Harry Reardon,
q Police Minister Yasmin Catley updated the House on the State Government’s work to address regional youth crime.
q Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh brings his notice of motion to the House.
Cricketers pay tribute
By Jen HETHERINGTON
PLAYERS and supporters took their positions around the Stuarts Point cricket pitch to witness Stuarts Point Eungai Cricket Club take on Rovers Cricket Club from Kempsey on Saturday 8 February, with a resounding victory for the home team.
Stuarts Point scored 9/290 and bowled Rovers out for 108.
The afternoon cricket session began with an earnest tribute and one minute’s silence for a loving Mum and community cricket supporter, Tara Cumming, who sadly
passed away several months ago.
Tara’s son Zach Martin, who plays for Stuarts Point, and his father Paul Martin, were at the ground to witness
the tribute.
“Mum loved to watch and support cricket,” Zach said.
“This day has been a lovely tribute,” said Paul.
Stuarts Point Eungai
Cricket Club representative Jake told NOTA the club is hoping to expand on the success of their seniors team and reintroduce a junior team next year.
Concerned with the state of the pitch and oval, locals have stepped up to mow and prepare for events.
Nambucca Heads Island Golf Club
By Chris KNIGHT
CARPET was something of a theme this past week at the Nambucca Heads Island Golf Course - from a valued sponsor through to a club champion in a bother.
More than 120 players hit the 18-hole layout on Valentines Day for the women's 2025 season Opening Day.
The fourball best ball stableford was presented by BMW Carpets and the monster field saw competitors from as far south as Tuncurry through to Safety Beach in the north.
In Div 1, the Sawtell duo of Jackie Chapman and Sharon Shipman saluted with 46 points, the highest score of the day.
Runners-up were Glenys Thompson and Jenny Thorne on 44, and third place was taken by Denise Paluch and Director of Golf Henny Oldenhove on 43 - all from Nambucca.
In Div 2, The Island's Linda Piccin and Fiona Chaffey reigned supreme with 44 points, from runnersup Linda Rankine and Paula Sercomb on 43.
Frederickton's Sue Webster and Dianne Lamborne completed the podium with 43.
On Saturday, 15 February, Harrison Lee (22 handicap) came in fast and hard with 41 points to win Div 2 of
the Allied Air Conditioning medley stableford from Andrew Donovan (17) on 36.
Lee will be in demand as a fourball partner after raging round the back nine in just four over par, while Donovan enjoyed a dear diary day with birdies on 8 and 13.
In Div 1, Graham Weary (13) was anything but with 10 pars on his victory march to 41 points ahead of crafty Ken Klem (8) on 37.
Long-marker Susanna Greenup (35) from South West Rocks took out Div 3 with 35 points to best Kylie Blay (also 35) on a countback.
The long par three 7th with water left, right, short and back always claims plenty of kills and among those seen playing from the plastic carpet drop zone mat-of-shame was club champion Troy Herbert after an ungainly topped tee shot rattled the mullet.
Herbert (3) didn't leave empty handed after winning the putt from afar and the Ecomist voucher on the 1st for a bird.
John Morgan nailed it to 46cm on the 13th for a bird and the Pizza This Pizza That prize while other pins were claimed by Rodney Ford on 5, Ben Venner on 7, Dave Rosser on 15 and Drew Glasson on the last for the $110 Pro Pin.
Beer baron Peter Bush (15) was the toast of the town after eagling the 17th for a box of balls.
Bowra Golf Results
By Julee TOWNSEND
15-2-25
A SINGLE Stableford was held. Winner: G Gillon, R/ Up J Gonsalves, F/9 Maz McNally B/9 T Edwards. N/P 1s T Edwards, 9th D Wren L/Putt: J Townsend. Ball Comp 1. D Banks 2 Eliza McNally 3. K Wilson. NEXT WEEK: 4 Ball Aggregate ‘both scores count’. 1st March The Hooper Memorial Cup. Bowra where you can get away from the crowds! Book a cart on 65647349.
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Daniel Wren (11) from Bowraville also had an eagle - his on the par five 11thas he danced to 41 points to win Div 1 in the Allied Air Conditioning medley stableford on Thursday, 13 February.
Runner-up was Nev Newman (10) on 40, while Keith Elphick (25) scooted around in 38 to take Div 2 from Andrew Johnston (23) on 37.
Andrew Bagust won the long putt on 1, while Michael Jolly snared the pin on 5, Linne Street on 7, Graham Watson on 8, Andrew Donovan on 13 for the pizza, Bruce Mason on 15 and Peter Miller on 18 for the $60 Pro Pin.
Nambucca's Henny Oldenhove (18) trounced the field with a smart 66 nett to win Div 1 in the women's stroke event on Wednesday, 12 February. Oldenhove had birds on 7 and 13 to finish well clear of runner-up Martine Murray (19) on 70.
Cheryl Gilmour (25) won Div 2 with 70, with Jenny Thorne (24) a shot back.
Linda Piccin (33) took out Div 3 with 70 ahead of Robyn Dyer (34) on 74.
Sue Brooks, Thorne and Piccin claimed the best gross prizes, while Oldenhove won the pins on 8 and 13, Gillian Anderson also on 8 and Thea Kimber pocketed the $35 Pro Pin on 18.
q Bowraville's Daniel Wren had an eagle on the par five 11 at the Nambucca Heads Island Golf Course on 13 February.
NORTHERN NSW Football (NNSWF) has announced the successful clubs that will take part in its inaugural pilot regional premier competitions.
The Northern NSW Regional Super League will start later this year and will feature teams from three of NNSWF’s regional member zones.
The 2025 men’s NNSW Regional Super League will feature Inverell FC, Armidale City Westside FC, Woolgoolga United FC, Northern Storm
FC, Urunga FC, Port United FC, Macleay Valley Rangers FC and Port Saints FC.
The 2025 women’s NNSW Regional Super League will feature Tamworth FC, Oxley Vale Attunga FC, Armidale City Westside FC, Coffs City United FC, Urunga FC, Port United FC, Macleay Valley Rangers FC and Lake Cathie FC.
The NNSW Regional Super League concept is supported by regional member zones Football Mid North Coast, North Coast Football and
Thomas Wattison (15) had three sevens - sweet in Blackjack, unhelpful in golf - in his round on Tuesday, 11 February in the Allied Air Conditioning medley stableford.
But he still managed 83 off the bat and 37 points to take Div 1 on countback from Liam Sweeny (17).
Rhonda Rowe (29) won Div 2 with 38 points ahead of Edward Beaton (24) on 37.
John Crosby scored the pin on 5, Glenys Thompson on 7 and Houston Baker on 8 after returning from
“Not ideal for active players.”
KSC has not yet replied to NOTA for comment.
“Kempsey Shire Council (KSC) is not doing any maintenance for this sports facility, the whole area of the oval has been neglected, yet they ploughed a drainage line right through the pitch and covered it with gravel,” Jake said.
Stateside. Kempsey's Colin Habgood scrunched the pizza on 13 and Stuart Johnston can afford another bright Hawaiian shirt after collecting the $50 Pro Pin on the last.
The opening qualifying round of the Nambucca Skins is this Saturday 22 February and it's open to local members, male and female. A one-off $5 entry fee payable at the Pro Shop before you tee off covers you for the entire year.
Catchya on The Island if the river doesn’t grab you first.
Makeup of Regional Super League revealed
NNSWF – Northern Inland.
Clubs were required to gain approval from their member zone to lodge an application to be a part of the competition.
“We welcome the foundation clubs who will represent the regional member zones who were supportive of the project and look forward to evolving the NNSW Regional Super League over the coming seasons,” said NNSWF CEO Peter Haynes.
“The competition will extend the pathways for
regional players and clubs as well as create a platform for talented regional players to showcase their talent."
Male and female competitions will be split into two pools of four teams. Each team will play three match days with the first played by 31 May 2025, the second by 30 June 2025 and the third by 31 July.
The top two teams from each pool will then advance through to a finals festival weekend in Coffs Harbour to be played in October 2025.
q The view from the sidelines.
q Zach and Paul Martin settle in for a thrilling match.
q Linda Piccin, Captain Sue Brooks and Fiona Chaffey at the women's Opening Day at The Island Golf Course.
q Jackie Chapman, Nambucca Club Captain Sue Brooks and Sharon Shipman at the women's Opening Day at The Island Golf Course.
Junior stars shine at elite female football showcase
By David WIGLEY
THIRTY-SIX high-octane football matches lit up the Coffs Coast Synthetics last weekend, as the region’s most promising junior female footballers clashed with top-tier talent from the Northern Rivers and the Gold Coast.
Over two days of intense competition, the Under-13s, 15s, and 17s put their skills to the test, blending fierce contests with a strong sense of camaraderie to mark the start of the 2025 season.
The Under 13s scored a
whopping fifteen goals over three matches with an 8-0 win over Northern Rivers and a 5-1 win and a 2-1 loss against Palm Beach Soccer Club.
One standout for the 13s was Nambucca Strikers star Sophia Welsh.
In addition to playing for her grassroots club, Sophia is kicking goals at the Talented Female Program, Talent Support Program and recently attended a Newcastle Jets academy training session.
For the Under-17s, the scoreboard told only part of the story.
They notched a win, a draw, and three goals, but the real takeaway was the
experience gained ahead of a big year of football.
North Coast Under-17s coach Nathan Silvy hailed the gala as a resounding success.
“The Talented Female
q Sophia Welsh from the Nambucca Strikers.
Football Program Gala Day at Coffs Coast Synthetics was a huge success, showcasing the incredible strength and depth of female football in our region,” he said.
“With North Coast
Nambucca Women’s Bowls News
By Nerida BLACKFORD
THE women are settling back into the new year and our weekly social numbers have averaged 22 recently which has been terrific.
Social bowls results have been: Feb 6th- Joan Haigh, Deb Mann, Michelle Fredericks & Kim Porter defeated Kerrie Dale, Arlene Duffus, Sandra Seckold & Margaret Flagg 22-15; Lee, Teresa Meehan, Karen Liddell & Elaine Fleming def Alma Reid, AnnMarie Johnson, Marg Duffus & Manor Smith 1710; and Pam James & Marilyn
Montgomery def Nerida Blackford & Pat Fletcher 188. 13th Feb – Arlene, Pam & Manor def Teresa, Sandra & Karen 19-14; Joan, Alma & Kim def Lisa, Kerrie & Elaine 29-9; Colleen, Michelle & Gloria def Deb. Fletch & Monty 22-20, and Chris & Nerida def AnnMarie & Marg D 27-15.
Our Women’s Pairs Championships are being played at the moment. The first round saw Gloria Richardson & Sandra Seckold win by 25-15 against Marg Duffus and Deb Mann. This was a close game with team
Gloria ahead for most of the game. After Deb and Marg scored a 6 on the fifteenth end, followed by a 2 and a 1, the score got to 15-15 on the 17th end. Team Gloria then scored 10 shots on the last 4 ends to win. Gloria’s next game was against Kim and Karen this week. Team Porter lead for most of this match but Gloria and Sandra picked up a 5 towards the end and finished well to have a victory 19-12. In other games, Elaine Fleming and Nerida Blackford had a strong first round win against Sharon Coxon and Tina Ryan, but
Malibu Club rides high
By Mick BIRTLES
THE LoggerHeads Malibu Club launched its 2025 Monthly Point-score Competition at Scotts Head on Sunday 16 February, with plenty of waves on offer and a much better than anticipated turnout of competitors.
An encouraging 11 new members signed up and several former members returned to the club.
The size of the competing field delighting the LoggerHeads Committee, who finished last year's season concerned for the
then went down to a red hot team of newbie Lisa Barry and Manor Smith, both who played extremely well and won 21-11. The final will take place next Tuesday morning and should be a cracker.
For all members of our club, you are invited to complete a club survey to give feedback and ideas for future planning. The Board welcomes your ideas and constructive feedback- this is your chance to have your say. Please return surveys to the collection box at the club before the end of February.
q New LoggerHeads member Ross carving it up in near perfect conditions at the Monthly Point-score Competition at Scotts Head on Sunday.
q Talented female program players Dakota Smith, Lilly Mackay and Sophia Welsh.
Football, Palm Beach Soccer Club, and Northern Rivers Football academy all coming together, the weekend was filled with high-quality matches, skillful performances, and great camaraderie.
“Coaches were highly impressed with the talent on display and are excited to build on this momentum for another successful program in 2025.”
Bowra Bowls Report
26 BOWLERS turned up at the Den on Thursday 13th for a fun afternoon of social bowls with guests from Urunga and North Beach coming along.
The winners on the day were Jye McAuliffe, Bob McKay, and Graham Hines with the runner up cheques going to Reg Barbat, ADS and Trevor Ryan with Paul O’Neill winning the “Lucky Bowler” award. Great to see Kay McKay rolling them down.
Round 2 of the Grade 5 Pennants saw the Tigers travel to Hat Head on Saturday 15th. In a match full of twists and turns saw the hosts holding on for a tight
conditions.
Competitors had several places in the break to position themselves for wave selection with long lulls between sets; however when the pulses hit, the big waves rolled through providing some thrilling longboard action.
"I'm over the moon as this was one of the biggest roll-ups in years for a club point-score,” LoggerHeads President Barry Jagoe told News Of The Area.
future of the group due to flagging membership.
The Point-score Comp saw 18 surfers paddle out over four heats to tackle nicely formed three to four foot groomed lines of ground swell in near-perfect
“Hopefully, the attendance will continue to grow from here and we will see more ladies and juniors join our ranks.”
The influx of members did include some women, and a Ladies Only Heat is now scheduled for next month’s event.
8-2 win. They held a 10 shot buffer after 57 ends and held on to win the master boards 63-59.
Round 3 on Sunday 16th with the Tigers hosting Crescent Head at the Den and what a match it was. With the score line favouring the visitors 54-51 after 60 ends the Tigers dug deep. Neil Pollards team picked up 3 shots on the last end to level the scores at 54 all and Graham Hines team picked up 2 shots on their last two ends to give the Tigers a master board win 56-54. The hosts winning 9-1 overall. Well done boys. The Tigers travel to South West Rocks tomorrow for round 4. Teams are on the notice board.
Looking ahead to March, the highly anticipated 2024 Old Mal Championship, postponed last year due to flat conditions, will finally be decided.
Riders will take on the break with classic 1960s longboards, showcasing the art of traditional surfing from a golden era.
“With fresh faces, our continued strong community spirit, and plenty of talent in the water, the LoggerHeads Malibu Longboard Club is looking at a great year of surfing in 2025,” Barry said.
The next Monthly Pointscore will be held on Sunday 16 March, gathering at the Scotts Head Reserve at 7:45 am.
New members are welcome.
CALLING all Nambucca Valley sporting and recreation clubs! Send News Of The Area your sports club’s results each week by Tuesday evening for publication on a Friday. Bowls, golf, tennis, kayaking, cycling, cross country, athletics, fishing etc - you name it, we can publish it in our dedicated weekly Sports Results section. Email your results, relevant photos and captions to media@newsofthearea.com.au.
q Longstanding LoggerHeads member Joel enjoying the great conditions during his heat.
Roosters ready for big year
By Mick BIRTLES
THE NRL identifies women's rugby league as the fastest growing area of the game.
Across the country, women of all ages are signing up to local and grassroots competitions.
The recent inclusion of women’s tackle in Group 2 has struck a chord with league fans and the rapidly improving skill level in women’s teams across the competition has added a significant new drawcard to local football fixtures.
News Of The Area spoke to Nambucca Roosters women’s tackle coach Garren Stig about his team as they prepare to face the 2025 Group 2 season.
Garren has a long track record with the Roosters, playing junior football with the club from the mid 1970s.
He later operated as captain/coach of the reserve grade team and served as the club’s head coach.
Coming into the coaching role with the women’s team late last season, Stig immediately saw the
potential.
He worked to harness the enthusiasm to create a more cohesive on-field unit.
“They just needed some confidence, and once they had that, the improvement was very noticeable,” Stig told NOTA.
“The team finished the season on a high, and I believe they will be competitive in every game they play this year.”
Women’s rugby league has been growing rapidly across Australia and Stig believes the opportunity to
q Nambucca Roosters
Women’s Tackle Team
coach Garren Stig brings a lifetime of rugby league experience to the 2025 Group 2 season.
Hyland Park’s Daniel Williams pushes Peter Bol to the limit at Adelaide Invitational
FROM Page 24
New Zealand.
Only Bol has been able to best him.
The 17-year-old boasts an impressive resume as the reigning Oceania 800m and 1500m champion, U20 national 1500m titleholder,
and was an Australian World U20 Championships representative in Peru.
Despite a rocky start to 2025, battling ‘Bali belly’ after a well-earned holiday, Williams has balanced lifeguarding, Year 12 studies, and top-tier performances.
Now, he eyes selection for
the Sydney Track Classic on 15 March and Maurie Plant Meet on 29 March, with state and national titles on the horizon.
With a packed schedule ahead, Williams and Rowlings are focused on maintaining form and managing the growing pressures of being Australia’s young athlete to watch.
be part of a supportive and positive team environment is a key reason for its increasing popularity, at the local level at least.
Stig said that coaching the women’s team has come with its own unique challenges.
“Some of these ladies have hardly played a game, so it’s about starting with the basics, then building team confidence,” Stig explained.
“Once they reach a certain skill level, it will be more like coaching a men’s team.”
Stig is full of praise for his squad when it comes to camaraderie and spirit.
“In my short time with them, they make me laugh, and no one thinks they are better than anyone else, which is huge for team success,” said.
While it would be nice to win a premiership in 2025, Stig’s ultimate goal is to finish the season with the team stronger than when he took on the coaching role.
The Group 2 season begins on 12 April.
The Roosters have a bye in Round 1 and will test their metal against the Grafton Ghosts in Grafton on Sunday 20 April.
Nambucca Valley Bridge Club News
By Barbara MARANIK
UPCOMING events:
Nola Pearce Teams of three is on 6th March.
Reminder AGM is on 22nd March @ 12
noon – Nominations are currently being sought for positions within the executive team.
Results for week ending 16th February 2025 Monday 10th February
2025
North /South
1st Les Sinclair & Susie Keur 58%, 2nd
Peter Plunkett-Cole & Rosemary Bateman 52%, 3rd Scott & Colleen Robertson 49%
53%, 2nd Geoffrey Gardner & Julianne Cowels 52%, 3rd (triple equal) Maureen Cowan & Theda Faulwetter, Alison Savage & Colin Denney, Amber Fox & Carol McKee 50%
Thursday 13th February 2025
North /South 1st Mike Siford & Colin Tolley 66% 2nd Maureen Cowan & Carol McKee 52%, 3rd Susie Keur & Peter Plunkett-Cole 51% East West
1st Merita Pailthorpe & Barry Butler 62%, 2nd Robert Baker & Theda Faulwetter 55%, 3rd Linda Siford & Gaye Beyers, 51%
Saturday 15th February
2025
1st Amber Fox & Carol McKee 68%, 2nd Ali & Neil Tupper 54%, 3rd
Geoffrey Gardner & Julianne Cowles, 47%
The potential carbon storage of trees OPINION
DEAR News Of The Area,
I’D just like to offer a correction to Louise Cranny’s recent letter on the growth rates of trees and their potential carbon storage.
As approximately half of the dry weight of a tree is carbon, its capacity to draw in carbon via photosynthesis is indeed important in combating climate change.
However, a tree’s carbon absorption does NOT accelerate as it ages, in fact, quite the opposite is true.
Eucalypts, which make up the majority of
the Australian bush, are extremely shade intolerant and their strategy is to grow as rapidly as they can to outcompete their neighbours in their search for sunlight.
Those that get left behind are soon suppressed by the dominant trees, their growth rates slow down and they become suppressed and even die.
Have a look at any of the eucalypts around where you live and you will see their branches trying to grow away from each other or other shading obstacles. However, the growth rates of even the dominant trees slows as it gets older.
In a study of 87,000
individual trees from 280 plots over seven decades, scientists showed that “stand growth rates of even-aged forests tend to increase during the early life of the forest, but, after a few decades or so, reach a maximum and decline progressively thereafter.
Various reviews and texts describe this phenomenon. These trends are evident in whatever measures of tree size are used, measures such as biomass or stem wood volume or characteristics correlated with these, such as stem basal area” (West, 2023).
Louise is also incorrect when she states that when forests are harvested, “their
immense stores of carbon are quickly released”.
The trees that are harvested from the forest are either those thinned to allow the younger, faster growing trees to continue to grow rapidly into larger trees or those that have reached maturity and their growth rate is slowing down.
The latter are removed to make way for new vigorous regeneration to absorb carbon once again at the maximum rate that the site will allow.
The timber and wood products produced from each tree is permanently fixed in any number of solid wood products, like telegraph poles,
bridge timbers, decking, flooring, fencing, structural timbers and even pallets. Research has shown that even wood fibre converted to paper and cardboard products can store carbon in landfill for decades.
Unlike the rest of the world, we don’t take full advantage of the potential biomass left behind or produced in the conversion of round logs to dimensional timber by converting it into biofuels, biochar, biogas and even electricity. The leaves and fine branches are naturally left behind and are a source of nutrients for the new regeneration and dominant regrowth.
That’s why the United Nations’ own science from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) declares: “A sustainable forest management strategy aimed at maintaining or increasing forest carbon stocks, while producing an annual sustained yield of timber, fibre or energy from the forest, will generate the largest sustained mitigation benefit (IPCC 4th Assessment).”
Kind regards, Steve DOBBYNS, Executive Officer, Forest and Wood Communities Australia.
q Daniel Williams takes the lead from Peter Bol during last week's 800m event at the Adelaide Invitational. Photo: supplied.
goal square line has moved, grass near the
Kids Boot Camp
By Manny WOOD
JOHN owns his Smith Street home outright.
He has two children from a previous relationship and has since been in a long-term de facto relationship with Joan.
John talks to his solicitor about his estate planning.
When John passes away, he wants to make sure that Joan will be able to reside in the Smith Street property, but he also wants to make sure that his children will ultimately benefit from his estate.
John is advised that he is able to make a will which includes special provisions, granting Joan “equitable rights” in the Smith Street property, allowing her to use it during her lifetime. The will includes conditions to the effect that Joan must pay the home insurance premiums, the rates and other outgoings and she must keep the home in a condition of reasonable repair.
John appoints his two children as his executors.
When he passes away, they will become the registered proprietors of the Smith Street property, ensuring that Joan cannot sell the property.
His executors will nonetheless be bound by the terms of John’s will, regarding Joan’s occupation of the property.
John is also concerned that Joan may wish to downsize to another property or that she may wish to occupy a unit in a retirement village.
She also may need to acquire a placement in a nursing home to facilitate her aged care needs.
The solicitor advises John that additional clauses can be included in his will which allow his children, as his executors, to sell the Smith Street property and use the proceeds to provide “comfortable and appropriate” accommodation for Joan in a variety of ways and only when she “permanently vacates” the accommodation, do his children receive their share of his estate.
John believes that his children will have a “workable relationship” with Joan, to facilitate her accommodation needs, whilst preserving his estate for their own interests.
John is aware that some forms of accommodation, which involve the payment of a bond, may lead to the forfeiture of a percentage of capital.
Email Manny Wood, Principal Solicitor and Accredited Specialist in Wills and Estates at TB Law at manny@ tblaw.net.au or call him on (02) 66 487 487.
This fictional column is not legal advice.
Free camping out of control
DEAR News Of The Area,
NED Cowie's piece on the problem of free campers (14/2/25) is just the tip of the iceberg in regards to this continual annoyance.
The free camping community already
Dorin’s Draws By Paul DORIN On theCouch
Planning options for blended families Eco-tourism over native forest logging
DEAR News Of The Area,
Two recent articles caught my attention.
One was ‘Logging duo speaks out’, which was supposed to ‘reassure those concerned about the environment’ that ‘people like them are doing their best to preserve the forest every day’.
The trouble is these people do not know the importance of the large trees to our very vulnerable biodiversity, and it is exactly these trees which they are targeting with their logging.
It is not just the hollow bearing trees and the dead trees we need kept.
Its large trees that will grow into hollow bearing trees.
Endangered Greater Gliders need up to twenty hollow bearing trees on their range.
Then in another article the headline reads ‘Industry shoots down calls to axe native forest logging’.
Former Treasury Secretary, now chair of Australian Climate and Biodiversity Commission, Ken Henry, is right to recommend a transition out of native forest logging to plantations, which will generate more jobs.
We know the history of Forestry Corporation.
They have committed many crimes against nature and have
shown no remorse and have had no significant reprimands.
The SMH reported last Friday massive new discrepancies that have come to light, between the quantities and the size of the logs harvested and Forestry NSW‘s data.
Their timber yields were 52 percent lower across the state than forestry quoted in 2022-23 years and they ran at a loss of $29 million in 2023-24.
Last December Forestry admitted to accidentally clearfelling 1.5 ha of Bindarri National Park near Coffs Harbour.
Logging continues in the proposed GKNP and 7185ha or more than eight percent of the park's loggable area has now been logged.
These are areas of great biodiversity and important habitat for our many endangered species.
They were planned as part of vital corridors for viable breeding colonies to survive.
Australia still holds the dubious distinction of the fastest rate of mammal extinction in the world and no wonder!
The claims that logging decreases fire risk is untenable, as there is much evidence to support the contrary, with logged areas becoming hot spots, weed infested and providing access for feral animals.
The Great Koala Myth
DEAR News Of The Area,
RECENTLY I was bushwalking along Tuckers Rock Road in Bongil Bongil National Park, south of Coffs Harbour, with my bushwalking group when an SUV with Queensland number plates pulled up beside us with all its windows down and its four occupants looking out.
I thought, “That’s good, they are getting nice fresh air”.
Then I was expecting the young lady driver to ask me for directions. Instead, she asked me, “Where can I find koalas?”
These tourists had already driven four or five kilometres through nice
knows that the Nambucca area is not policed in any way, hence why this is now a problem, and the locals are getting sick of it.
Using the Council’s own platform (ANTENNO) to send reports with time and date stamped photos, goes unreplied and not followed up.
Over the holiday period I counted 19 vehicles parked at Shelly Beach, some were there for a week.
Email Jasminda: media@newsofthearea.com.au
DEAR Jasminda,
WHEN I go out with my friends for dinner, it is always agreed that we will share meals and share costs.
The problem is I'm a very slow eater, I'm vegetarian, and I don't drink.
I end up paying top dollar for cocktails, bottles of wine, and multiple meat dishes, when all I've had is a salad and soda water.
Helena R.
to split a bill when basic calculations have taken on the complexity of quantum physics.
Economically, and for the enjoyment of those around you, I feel as though you need a new friend group.
Perhaps you could put some search terms in social media.
How about the NonAlcoholic-Fatty-Liver Support and Social group?
Proselytising Vegans on a Budget?
The Mindful Eating and Stress Management Group?
eucalypt forest and had not seen any - surprise, surprise!
I have worked in NSW forests all my working life and for the last 25 years have regularly walked forest tracks and trails in the Coffs Harbour/ Nambucca/Woolgoolga area.
Only twice have I sighted koalas in the National Parks or State Forests.
But I have made quite a number of sightings in the Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie urban areas.
I am aware koalas are present in these forest areas, but you need sheer luck to see one.
The point I make is that tourists, like the ones I met, are expecting to go out into the bush and see koalas
If the Council does not have the budget for Rangers to be out there on patrol, then what is their function?
If the Rangers were to do sweeping "drive through" in these areas it might be a deterrent towards the out of hand problem the Nambucca area has.
Regards, Michael GLEW, Nambucca Heads.
Dear Helena,
Wow, you sound like a lot of fun to be around.
I think it's impressive that you still get invited out.
Do you scowl across the table and hand send links to greenhouse gas articles as the beef massaman arrives?
Do you hand out Dry July pamphlets and news articles about the importance of mindful chewing?
Going out to dinner is all about participating in the deadly sin of gluttony.
You can't say you've been out to dinner with a group of friends unless you've had to undo the top button of your jeans, you've sworn off food for a month, you've downed an espresso martini even though you're a tea drinker, and you've tried
Sawmills are noisy, dirty, dangerous places, pay minimum wages and offer little chance of advancement.
dripping from the trees.
This is the myth being spread by the call for the creation of a Great Koala National Park.
Tourists are going to be bitterly disappointed if they go out into the forests expecting to see a koala.
The name itself, the Great Koala National Park, is indeed provocative.
In the general public’s eye, it conjures up a misguided belief that it will protect koalas.
As the title infers, Dr Brad Law’s scientific paper “Regulated timber harvesting does not reduce koala density in north-east forests of New South Wales” (Google ‘Brad Law koala’ to read this paper) shows koalas like the fresh young leaves of a healthy, regenerating eucalypt forest.
My view is that the greatest threat to koala populations is bushfire.
The catastrophic 2020 fires decimated more than 50 percent of the koala
I'm sure a boost in membership from two would make them very happy. Alternatively, have you considered that you could still have cost parity with some more exciting menu choices?
Salad and Soda Water?
Stop being a martyr.
Spend up big on mocktails, order two mains - the three cheese and mushroom pizza that will give everyone your friends stomach pains and some nachos with chilli guac, which is sure to be a mouth and eye-watering choice.
Then get a couple of desserts and enjoy the looks on your friends' faces with the interminable wait while you slowly mull over each sparrow-like peck of your food.
I doubt you'll ever have to suffer from a shared bill again.
Carpe diem, Jasminda.
I know where I would rather my kids be working.
Regards, Louise CRANNY, President, Kalang River Forest Alliance.
population here on the North Coast. With more National Parks, unless very large injections of funds for fire prevention and protection are made, the koala populations will eventually suffer, possibly quite dramatically.
I love koalas as much as anybody else, but I also love the beautiful timber flooring and other things made from our native eucalypts I am well aware the Minns Government have said they will create a Great Koala National Park, but please let’s hope it is not named as the Great Koala National Park.
I hope the government sees fit to keep significant areas for sustainable timber production in this wonderful North Eastern NSW area
Perhaps they should name it the ‘Great Myth National Park’!
Regards, Ellis NICHOLSON, Sawtell.
Find Jacob Partridge
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BEST ON THE BOX
FRIDAY
JAMES
MAY: OUR MAN IN ITALY
SBS, 7.30pm
An incredible career has seen James May (pictured) travel the world with Top Gear and The Grand Tour, but now he’s flying solo for an Italian sojourn in search of ‘la dolce vita’. Italy is one of the presenter’s favourite countries and he’s keen to see as much of its culture, food, industry and sport as possible, from the sparkling waters of the Amalfi Coast to the snow-capped peaks of the Dolomites. May begins his travelogue tonight in the sunny Sicilian capital of Palermo, where he discovers centuries of history carved into the city’s architectural landscape and soaks up life’s simple pleasures.
FRIDAY, February 21
TV (2)
6.00 News. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Planet America. (R) 10.30 Take 5 With Zan Rowe. (PG, R) 11.05 The Newsreader. (Ml, R)
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Monty Don’s Spanish Gardens. Monty Don travels across the north of Spain. 8.30 Silent Witness. (Final, Ma) Nikki and the team are called to Kings Cross station museum, after eight bodies are found entombed below. 10.15 Optics. (Mls, R)
10.45 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) 11.15 ABC Late News.
11.30 Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee (NZ) (PG, R) 12.15 Grand Designs. (R) 1.05 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv) 5.00 Rage. (PG)
SUNDAY MATLOCK
TEN, 8.30pm
This week, Matlock draws inspiration from the excellent Netflix comedy
A Man on the Inside, which sees Ted Danson go undercover as a private eye in an aged care home. While not going to the same lengths in the name of espionage, “Crash Helmets On” sees legal eagles Matty (Kathy Bates) and Sarah (Leah Lewis, pictured) bond after posing as family members to gather intel about the goings on at Tranquil Pines, an assisted living facility being defended against claims of negligence by the Jacobson-Moore team. But when Sarah opens up about her childhood and real-life grandmother, Matty once again risks getting too close to a colleague and endangering her secret sabotage mission.
12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 The Abyss: The Rise And Fall Of The Nazis. (PGav, R) 3.00 Nula. 3.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 Secrets Of Royal Gardens.
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 James May: Our Man In Italy. (Premiere, Ml)
8.30 Tony Robinson’s Marvellous Machines. (R) 9.25 Mysteries Of The Ancient Dead.
10.20 SBS World News Late.
10.50 Bonn. (Msv)
11.45 Sisi. (MA15+s, R)
2.30 Earth’s Natural Wonders. (PGa, R) 3.30 Employable Me (USA) (Ma, R) 4.20 Peer To Peer. (PG, R) 4.50 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (PG, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
MONDAY
SUITS L.A.
SEVEN, 9.10pm
It’s a story every TV producer dreams of: four years after legal drama called it quits in 2019, the series became the moststreamed show of 2023 (even beating Bluey).
Whatever the reason for its belated surge in popularity (though razor-sharp writing, racy office romances and curiosity about Meghan Markle’s acting talents come to mind), creator Aaron Korsh can only hope lightning strikes twice with this West Coast spin-off. It follows former New York federal prosecutor Ted Black (Arrow’s Stephen Amell, pictured), whose fresh start as an entertainment lawyer isn’t going to plan – his Black Lane firm is in dire straits and he’s not at all keen on the only way to save it from ruin.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Adam Dovile travels in Canada.
8.30 MOVIE: The Greatest Showman. (2017, PGa, R) After meeting a wealthy playwright, entrepreneur PT Barnum sets out to create a wax museum and circus. Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zac Efron.
10.40 GetOn Extra. A look at the weekend’s best racing.
11.10 Australian Idol. (PGl, R)
12.50 Dr Harry’s Animal Encounters. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
5.00 NBC Today.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 David Attenborough’s Mammals: The New Wild. (PG)
8.40 MOVIE: The Hitman’s Bodyguard. (2017, MA15+alv, R) A bodyguard protects the life of a hit man. Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L Jackson.
11.05 MOVIE: No Sudden Move. (2021, MA15+lv)
1.00 Getaway. (PG, R)
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)
4.30 Global Shop. (R)
5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
5.30 Postcards. (PG, R)
7.05 Gardening Australia Junior. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 Teen Titans Go! 8.00 Scooby-Doo And Guess Who? 8.25 BTN Newsbreak. 8.30 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 8.55 Robot Wars. 9.55 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s Programs. Noon Gossip Girl. 2.00 The Golden Girls. 2.30 The Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 The Addams Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 I Dream Of Jeannie. 6.00 The Golden Girls. 6.30 The Nanny. 7.30 MOVIE: Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom.
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 Wheel Of Fortune UK. Contestants compete to solve word puzzles in order to win cash and prizes determined by The Wheel. 8.30 The Graham Norton Show. (Ml, R) Guests include Julianne Moore, Ricky Gervais, Jamie Oliver, Paapa Essiedu and Olivia Dean. 10.50 10’s Late News. 11.15 The Project. (R) 12.10 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R)
SATURDAY,
February 22
6.00 Australian Story: Heartfelt –Colin Clausen And Laura Aisbett. (R)
6.30 Back Roads: Kangaroo Island, South Australia. (PG, R) Paul West visits Kangaroo Island.
7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.
7.30 Death In Paradise. (PG) The team rallies round Selwyn.
Vera. (Ma, R) The badly beaten body of a homeless veteran is found on the streets of central Newcastle.
6am Children’s Programs. 5.55pm Paddington. 6.05 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Riley Rocket. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Kids BBQ Championship. 8.15 Chopped Junior. (Return) 9.00 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.40 Speechless. 10.00 Officially Amazing Goes Bunkers. 10.30 Dragon Ball Super. 10.55 Late Programs.
(Md, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Figure Skating. ISU European C’ships. H’lights. 4.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 4.35 Wonders Of Scotland. (PGa, R) 5.30 The Graveyard Of
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Sandi Toksvig’s Woodland Restoration.
8.25 Scotland The New Wild. (PG)
9.25 Great Australian Walks With Julia Zemiro. (PG, R)
10.20 Great Coastal Railway Journeys. (PGa, R)
11.30 Home Jacking. (MA15+av)
1.15 The Man Who Died. (Mals, R)
3.00 Love Your Garden. (R)
3.55 Employable Me (USA) (Mal, R)
4.45 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round 1. Sydney 500. Day 1. Pre-race and race. 9.15 MOVIE: The Bourne Ultimatum. (2007, Mv, R) A former secret agent is once again hunted by the agency that created him. Matt Damon, Julia Stiles. 11.35 Motorway Patrol. (PGa)
12.05 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round 1. Sydney 500. Day 1. Highlights. 1.05 Dr Harry’s Animal Encounters. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
3.30 Horse Racing. 5.00 My Greek Odyssey. (PG, R)
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Space Invaders. (PGa)
8.30 MOVIE: A Star Is Born. (2018, Madls, R) A musician helps a young singer. Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper.
11.15 My Life As A Rolling Stone. (Mad, R)
12.30 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
1.30 Let’s Eat With George. (R) 2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PG)
2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.30 Global Shop. (R)
5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)
6.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith. 7.30 Love It Or List It Australia. Neale Whitaker and Andrew Winter help Australians renovate or find a new home. 8.30 Gogglebox Australia. (R) TV fanatics open up their living rooms to reveal their reactions to popular
6am The Last Wave. Continued. (1977, PG) 7.15 Kung Fu Yoga. (2017, PG) 9.15 Much Ado About Nothing. (1993, PG) 11.20 But I’m A Cheerleader. (1999, M) 12.55pm Blue Jean. (2022, M) 2.45 Bride And Prejudice. (2004, PG) 4.50 Red Obsession. (2013, PG) 6.20 What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. (1993, PG) 8.35 L.A. Confidential. (1997, MA15+) 11.00 Getaway Of Love. (2015, MA15+, Italian) 12.40am Late Programs.
SUNDAY, February 23
6.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Muster Dogs: Collies And Kelpies. (PG)
8.30 The Newsreader. (Mal) Rob makes a controversial comment on air when discussing apartheid sports boycotts.
9.25 Love Me. (Ml) Glen, Clara and Aaron find themselves alone.
10.20 MOVIE: Sunday Too Far Away. (1975, Mlv, R)
11.50 You Can’t Ask That. (MA15+as, R)
12.20 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
3.05 Australia Remastered. (R)
4.00 Gardening Australia. (R)
5.00 Insiders. (R)
ABC FAMILY
6am Children’s Programs. 6.20pm Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Riley Rocket. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Moominvalley. 8.00 Horrible Histories. 8.30 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.15 Speechless. 9.55 Merlin. 10.40 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 11.05 Late Programs.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Ancient Greece By Train. (Premiere)
8.25 Emperor: Rise And Fall Of A Dynasty. (Premiere)
9.20 Legends Of The Pharaohs. (Ma, R) 10.20 Great British Landmark Fixers. (R) 11.15 Death Of An Icon: Marilyn Monroe. (Mads, R)
12.15 Nadia: A Stolen Life. (Malv, R)
1.50 Love Your Garden. (R) 2.40 Employable Me (USA) (Ma, R) 3.30 Sing St Patrick. (R)
4.30 Peer To Peer. (PG, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera.
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6am Morning Programs.
3pm Motor Racing. National Drag Racing C’ship. Top Doorslammer. 4.00 Counting Cars. 4.30 Motor Racing. Supercars C’ship. Sydney 500. Qualifying and support races. 6.30 Motor Racing. Supercars C’ship. Sydney 500. Pre-race and race. 7.00 Storage Wars. (Return) 7.30 MOVIE: Taken 3.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Australian Idol. (PG) 8.40 The Hunters: Beaumont Children Mystery. (Mav) A look at the Beaumont children’s disappearance. 10.10 Murder In The Outback: The Falconio And Lees Mystery. (Mdlv, R) 12.10 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round 1. Sydney 500. Day 2. Highlights.
1.10 Friday Night Lights. (Madsv, R)
2.30 To Be Advised.
3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
SBS MOVIES (32)
(64) SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Much Ado
About Nothing. Continued. (1993, PG) 7.05 Tourism. (2017) 8.35 Paris Can Wait. (2016, PG) 10.15 Dance First. (2023) 12.15pm Radioactive. (2019, M) 2.20 Kung Fu Yoga. (2017, PG) 4.20 The Last Wave. (1977, PG) 6.20 Agatha Christie’s Crooked House. (2017, PG) 8.30 In The Heat Of The Night. (1967, M) 10.35 Hidden Away. (2020, M, Italian) 12.45am Long Story Short. (2021, M) 2.30 Late Programs.
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 Married At First Sight. (PGls) 8.30 60 Minutes. Current affairs program. 9.30 9News Late. 10.00 See No Evil: Austin Serial Bomber. (MA15+av)
Up Starting Over. 4.20 Young Sheldon. 5.20 MOVIE: Space Jam. (1996) 7.00 Basketball. WNBL Playoffs. Second semi-final series. Perth Lynx v Townsville Fire. 9.00 MOVIE: She’s The Man. (2006, PG) 11.05 MOVIE: The Hustle. (2019, M) 1am Late Programs. 6am Children’s Programs. 1pm MOVIE: Mr. Peabody & Sherman. (2014, PG) 2.45 Children’s Programs. 3.00 Young Sheldon. 3.30 Basketball. WNBL Playoffs. First semi-final series. Bendigo Spirit v Sydney. 5.30 MOVIE: The Lego Batman Movie. (2017, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice. (2016, M) 10.35 Gotham. 12.35am Arrow. 2.30 Young Sheldon. 3.00 Beyblade X. 4.00 Late Programs.
Galore. Continued. (2016, PG) 7.50 Agatha Christie’s Crooked House. (2017, PG) 10.00 In The Heat Of The Night. (1967, M) 12.05pm Long Story Short. (2021, M) 1.50 8 1/2. (1963, PG, Italian) 4.20 Basmati Blues. (2017, PG) 6.20 A Handful Of Dust. (1988, PG) 8.30 Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. (1974, M) 10.35 Boiling Point. (2021, MA15+) 12.25am Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) Cash and Remi’s tension continues.
8.00 The 1% Club UK. (PG) Lee Mack hosts a game show where contestants must answer increasingly obscure questions.
9.00 The Hunting Party. (M) The team searches for Dr Ezekiel Malak, a hospital psychiatrist turned deranged killer.
10.00 The Irrational. (Mav) Alec enters the world of K-pop fandom.
12.00 Friday Night Lights. (Madsv, R)
2.00 To Be Advised.
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
(34) 7MATE (64) 7MATE (64)
ABC FAMILY (22)
7.30. (R)
Dream. (PGas, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 The Abyss: The Rise And Fall Of The Nazis. (PGa, R) 3.00 Where Are You Really From? (PG, R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.35 The
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Lord Lucan. (M)
8.35 The Jury: Murder Trial UK. (Premiere) A real-life trial is restaged in front of two juries.
9.30 Rogue Heroes. (Return)
10.35 SBS World News Late. 11.05 Pagan Peak. (MA15+av) 12.05 My Brilliant Friend. (Mav, R) 3.25 Employable Me (UK) (Mals, R)
4.30 Peer To Peer. (PGa, R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am A Handful
Of Dust. Continued. (1988, PG) 8.05 Topkapi. (1964, PG) 10.15 Miss Marx. (2020, M) 12.15pm Shaft. (1971, M) 2.10 Whisky Galore. (2016, PG) 4.00 The Movie Show. 4.30 A Hero. (2021, PG, Farsi) 6.50 Sometimes Always Never. (2018, PG) 8.30 Dog Day Afternoon. (1975, M) 10.55 A Most Wanted Man. (2014, M) 1.05am Joe. (2013, MA15+) 3.15 Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PG)
7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PG) Hosted by Lee Mack. 8.30 Ludwig. (Ma) A cryptic late night call from Holly sees Lucy lured into danger. 9.45 How To Poison Your Husband. (Ma) Details the shocking crimes of Heather Mook.
11.15 Breathtaking. (Mal)
12.15 Covert Affairs. (Mv, R)
1.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 To Be Advised. 4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mas) 9.00 Big Miracles. (Mam) 10.00 9News Late.
The Dog House Australia. (Return, PGa) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith. 8.30 Elsbeth. (Mv) After one of New York’s most sought-after plastic surgeons is found dead, Elsbeth has her eye on the victim’s former boss. 9.30 NCIS: Hawai’i. (PGav) A naval officer vanishes. 10.25 10’s
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Finding Your Roots. (PG)
8.30 Scotland’s Poshest Train: Alan Cumming. (PG)
9.30 Boiling Point. (Premiere)
10.35 SBS World News Late. 11.05 Golden Boy. (Mlns) 11.55 Blackport. (MA15+s, R)
1.50 Earth’s Natural Wonders. (PG, R)
2.55 Peer To Peer. (R)
4.20 Bamay. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
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SBS MOVIES (32)
6am A Hero. Continued. (2021, PG, Farsi) 8.00 8 1/2. (1963, PG, Italian) 10.30 Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. (1974, M) 12.35pm Manon Des Sources. (1986, M, French) 2.40 A Handful Of Dust. (1988, PG) 4.50 Skies Of Lebanon. (2020, PG, Italian) 6.35 The Final Countdown. (1980, PG) 8.30 One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. (1975, MA15+) 11.00 Silverado. (1985, M) 1.25am Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) Abigail is shaken by a lack of trust. 8.30 MOVIE: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. (2018, PGs, R) A young woman prepares to reopen her family hotel, while learning more about the life of her late mother. Lily James, Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep.
10.50 To Be Advised.
12.30 Damnation. (MA15+asv)
1.30 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 To Be Advised.
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
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FAMILY (22)
Local Community News ~ Proudly Independent
What a run
By Mick BIRTLES
OLYMPIAN Peter Bol found himself in a thrilling duel with 17-year-old Daniel Williams from Hyland Park at last week’s Adelaide Invitational World Continental Tour.
In his comeback race, Bol was stunned when Williams surged ahead with 300m to go in the 800m blue ribbon event.
The pair pulled clear from the field, with Bol narrowly reclaiming the lead to win in an exciting sprint finish.
Both athletes crossed the line in 1:46, with Williams setting a personal best and securing the number five spot on Australia’s U20 all-time list.
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that?’ reaction when pushed all the way to the finish line by Daniel,” Keith Williams said of his son’s performance.
“Veteran commentator Bruce McAvaney praised the youngster’s audacity in challenging the Olympic finalist.” Post-race, a clearly impressed Bol embraced Williams, expressing excitement for Australia's middle-distance future. Williams, coached by Andrew Rowlings, has been relentless in his training at E.J. Biffen Sports Fields, Nambucca Heads, training rain or shine and emerging as one of the future stars of Australian track and field.
Skipping the U20 ranks, he has dominated open competitions, winning five races this summer across Melbourne, Canberra, and
q Hyland Park’s Daniel Williams is embraced by Olympian Peter Bol at the completion of last week's 800m event at the Adelaide Invitational. Photo: supplied.
