Farmers call for telecommunication focus at election time
FROM Page 1
“Reliable connectivity is critical to keeping people outside major population centres safe and connected, both in times of natural disasters, and in daily farm life.”
Cotton and grain grower Dan Skerman was one farmer left without a basic phone service after the recent 3G network shutdown.
“We already struggled before they turned 3G off,” the farmer said.
“One of the main ways we can gain efficiency these days is through good communications but it’s hard when you can’t talk to people.
“It’s definitely frustrating when you are trying to organise and run a farm.”
Mr Jochinke said rural, regional and remote constituents deserved reliable and resilient connectivity.
He acknowledged productive discussions with telecommunication providers, but said it’s time for the Federal Government to step up.
“This election, we’ve put all parties on notice: rural voters are tired of buffering, dropouts and excuses.
“They want solutions, they want to be connected," Mr Jochinke said.
The NFF, with the guidance of its member farming organisations, has compiled a list of actions that would continue to improve bush connectivity.
Mr Jochinke called on all political parties to commit to the range of measures.
- Commit the implementing the recommendations of the 2024 Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee, including: funding
improved mobile coverage across rural and remote Australia; additional support for the Regional Tech Hub to help consumers troubleshoot tech issues; and developing a National Regional Telecommunications Strategy.
A further major ask is the delivery of $20 million annually for further rounds of the “On Farm Connectivity Program” to drive uptake of digital tools that improve productivity, safety, and sustainability on Australian farms.
Sydneysiders warned to brace for unreliable reception
Ahead of the Easter long weekend, NSW Farmers
President Xavier Martin was urging Sydneysiders to prepare for worse mobile phone services than they are
used to as they embarked on road trips around NSW. “We are so excited to welcome our city friends back into the country for the Easter holidays, but things might not be the way you remember them,” Mr Martin said.
“The shutdown of the 3G phone network has been a downgrade – not an upgrade – and it has created a lot of new blackspots, while congestion on the 4G network means even when you have bars you might have slow service. “If you or your kids want to be able to watch your favourite shows, or listen to music or podcasts, it’s best to download them to your devices before you leave home.”
More funding available for war memorials in NSW
APPLICATIONS for the Community War Memorials Fund 2025/26 are open, with $250,000 in funding available for the protection and conservation of war memorials.
The program supports the conservation, repair and protection of local memorials throughout NSW.
“Our war memorials are the cornerstones of commemoration on Anzac Day and other important days that honour the service and
sacrifice of our veterans,” Minister for Veterans David Harris said.
“I want to encourage all community groups to apply as it is essential that we protect our local war memorials to ensure future generations continue to remember the efforts of our diggers and the sacrifices made during periods of war and conflict as well as peacekeeping missions.”
There is now one grant round per year with a total of $250,000 funding available.
The maximum individual grant amount has also increased to $15,000.
Applications can also be submitted under a new category for works to war memorial precincts, as well as the existing categories for condition assessments and physical works.
To be eligible for funding, the memorial must be listed on the NSW War Memorials Register.
The 2025/2026 round of the Community War Memorials Fund closes on 25 June 2025.
More information on the program and details for how to apply are available at https://www.veterans.nsw. gov.au/heritage/communitywar-memorials-fund.
Egg-citing fun at Yarrahapinni Community House
FROM Page 1
gathered to participate in craft activities, who were all treated to a goody bag of holiday treats.
Yarrahapinni Community House opens for trade on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am to 2.30pm, and is partially funded by the NSW Department of Family and Community Services.
Funds are also raised through the sale of donated goods including clothing for all ages, books, toys, and household items through the on-site op-shop.
The facility also offers space for groups to host meetings or classes in the central common room adjacent to a fully functional kitchen and boasts a thriving back yard veggie garden managed by a sub-group of volunteers.
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If you can’t vote on Saturday 3 May, you may be eligible to vote early.
All Australian citizens aged 18 years and over are required by law to vote.
So, if you can’t make it to a polling place on election day, you may be eligible to: · vote early at an early voting centre, or · apply for a postal vote.
If you’re travelling, working or will be outside the electorate where you’re enrolled on election day, you can vote early.
To check early voting options and eligibility, visit aec.gov.au/early
Your vote will help shape Australia.
To learn more aec.gov.au/early 13 23 26
q Organiser Chris Parke.
q Easter activities at Yarrahapinni Community House.
Vigil highlights gliders under threat
By Andrew VIVIAN
ROADWORKS for proposed logging operations in Orara East and Lower Bucca state forests has resulted in adjoining residents and community members holding regular vigils to show their concerns.
They argue that the forest is an essential part of a fragile north-south green corridor connecting habitat to Bucca State Forest in the north and Ulidarra National Park in the south, and that the area to be logged completely surrounds a designated Koala Hub as identified by the NSW Government.
A vigil on Thursday 17 April, was joined by Greens MP and spokesperson for the environment Sue Higginson.
As well as sharing the protestors’ major concerns, Ms Higginson said the forests also contain a Yellow-
bellied Glider group and other hollow-dependent threatened species.
“Orara East is a key part of the Great Koala National Park (GKNP) and is a recovering, high-conservation value forest that is still providing refuge for some of our most vulnerable species,” she said.
“The NSW Government’s own glider observations in the Mid North Coast Assessment Area report, published in March 2025, confirm that the proposed GKNP is critical habitat for the endangered Greater Glider and the vulnerable Yellow-bellied Glider."
Ms Higginson said local monitoring has confirmed Yellow-bellied Gliders and koalas are active in these compartments, but there has been a lack of comprehensive surveys of the area.
“Only one glider survey was undertaken in Orara East for this report.
“That’s not a meaningful ecological assessment - it’s a
rubber stamp.” She urged the State Government to keep its pre-
election promise and declare the GKNP.
“Every week of delay makes the
smaller, more fragmented and less great.”
SMART MARKETING
www.nambucca.nsw.gov.au
HOUSEHOLD BULKY GOODS COLLECTION 2025
(THERE ARE NO DESIGNATED COLLECTION POINTS IN ANY RURAL AREAS)
Coffs Coast Waste Service will be conducting household bulky good collections from residential properties.
There will be no collection points other than from the frontages of properties on the collection routes that receive a bin service and only residents of those properties can put waste out for collection.
In previous years residents in rural areas have dumped significant quantities of waste at unauthorised sites. This illegal dumping increased the bulky goods collection cost by more than $40,000 which is excessive and not sustainable. Should the illegal dumping continue, Council will reconsider the provision of a bulky goods collection services within the valley.
If you live on a rural property which does not receive a weekly bin service at the front of your property or you have opted to take the bins to the collection route, there is no bulky goods collection service available. You must dispose of your bulky goods at the Nambucca Waste Facility.
If you live on a collection route, please download the Coffs Coast Waste Service App from the App Store or visit www.coffscoastwaste.com.au for specific collection dates relating to your property.
For further information please or contact Coffs Coast Waste Services Hotline on 1800 265 495
Acceptable Items Unacceptable Items
Soft furnishings
Household carpet and lino
Household non-recyclables
Mattresses
Fridges
Freezers
Dishwashers
Household metal items
Aluminum frames
Domestic food waste
Building materials
Hazardous materials inc paint & asbestos
Medical waste materials
Liquid waste materials
Tyres & car parts
Plate glass and mirrors
Gas bottles / Oil heaters
PLEASE NOTE
A maximum of 3 cubic metres (approximately 1 box trailer load) of acceptable household waste items not exceeding 1.5 metres in length are to be place at the kerb no sooner than the day before the commencement date of the collection.
Materials placed out before or after the collection dates or at unauthorised sites will be defined as illegal dumping with fines being issued by Councils Rangers.
Submissions are being sought from appropriate contractors for the caretaker services for Council’s primitive camp ground at Gumma Reserve. This contract requires the contractor to supply a range of services such as collecting fees, cleaning of amenities and maintenance of the camp ground and is for a maximum period of four (4) years. Details can be found on Council’s website.
To be able to apply for this opportunity, you must register on Council’s e-tendering portal, VendorPanel by following this link VendorPanel - Nambucca Valley Council which is also provided on Council’s website.
This opportunity closes 2pm, 8th May 2025.
ENQUIRIES TO: Contracts & Procurement Officer (02) 6568 2555 PO BOX 177 MACKSVILLE NSW 2447
www.nambucca.nsw.gov.au
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR 2026 AUSTRALIA DAY EVENT
Nambucca Valley Council invites community groups in the Nambucca Valley to submit an Expression of Interest to host the 2026 Australia Day Community Event. This event would remain separate to the awards ceremony which is run by Council. The event will be a community orientated family friendly event, focussing on coming together as a community in the Nambucca Valley.
In previous years the National Australia Day Council have offered grants in their Australia Day Community Events Grants Program. Information is usually sent out in September/October each year.
Please submit your proposal by 4.00pm Friday 2 May 2025 to council@nambucca. nsw.gov.au.
ENQUIRIES TO: Kelly Pacey, Executive Assistant to the General Manager 02 6568 0287.
q Sue Higginson with local protestors.
Photo: supplied by Jonathan Cassell.
GKNP weaker,
Recognition for Macksville retailer
By Jen HETHERINGTON
NAMBUCCA River Co-op (Macksville FoodWorks)
store manager Mathew Ward has been recognised once again for his “exceptional contributions to the community and the FoodWorks network”.
Mr Ward took home the Network Champion Award at the recent annual Australian United Retailers (AUR) conference in Adelaide.
The recognition highlights “significant community connections”, “leadership on important issues”, “positive change and added value”,
and “contribution to AUR business success”.
“I am extremely humbled to have received this award and would like to thank so many peers that I look up to and have inspired me over the years,” Mr Ward said.
“Our store is honoured to be recognised by our peers and industry greats that I look up to and that inspire me to give my best for the network and the industry every day.
“To be able to involve myself so much in the AUR and FoodWorks network has really helped myself and my team to develop the many changes and additions to our
store here in Macksville.”
The in-store Butchery also took home a FoodWorks National Meat Department Award from the ceremony, while the Dairy/Freezer
section won the FoodWorks National Dairy/Freezer Department Award.
“It really is up against them all, as every store has this department,” Mr Ward
said of the latter win.
“The investments we have put in and the competitive pricing structures along with having our Department Manager Chris in this role has
been a game changer for us,” he said.
In
Allen
Manager of the Year for the FoodWorks network.
Public input sought on hemp industry
A DRAFT NSW Hemp Industry Development Plan is now open for public comment.
The draft plan from the NSW Government proposes an industry vision to establish hemp as a mainstream crop and sustainable source of products in NSW.
“Supporting the vision, four development objectives provide strategic
direction for actions to capitalise on the key opportunities and guide government, industry and stakeholders to work together in growing the NSW hemp industry,” the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said in a statement.
“The aim is to bring hemp industry stakeholders together to
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contribute to and deliver on the vision and development objectives of the draft plan.
“The draft plan is informed by the work of the NSW Hemp Industry Taskforce, which was established by the NSW Government to explore barriers and opportunities to grow the NSW industrial hemp industry.”
With the global hemp market projected to grow,
the proposed plan identifies where government, industry and stakeholders can concentrate efforts to capitalise on opportunities for the local hemp industry.
The draft NSW Hemp Industry Development Plan is open for feedback via http://www.nsw.gov.au/ have-your-say. Consultation closes on Monday 19 May 2025.
2022, Mr Ward was named the
Burge Store
q Mathew Ward with his Network Champion Award.
q Mathew Ward (fourth from right) in the Macksville store with visiting national representatives.
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Funds pledged for cenotaph
MEMBER for Cowper Pat Conaghan has pledged $7500 for repairs and lighting upgrades to the Nambucca Heads Cenotaph if the Coalition is elected to government at the May Federal election.
“Unfortunately, we have seen in recent years a disgusting disregard for our veterans and their families through the rise of vandalism of monuments like the Nambucca Heads Cenotaph,” he said.
“Over the past year, this proud symbol of veteran sacrifice and service has been defaced three times.
“Steps must be taken to prevent this from continuing to occur and to preserve these important sites.”
in newsstands & counters of over 70 businesses & locations throughout the Nambucca Valley.
Some include, supermarkets, newsagents, convenience stores, shopping centres, chemists, service stations, real estate agents, many general businesses throughout the area.
A list is published towards the back of this newspaper. You can also find the outlets by going
Nambucca Heads RSL sub-Branch President Denis Lane said seeing the cenotaph vandalised has been “a hard pill for our local veteran community to swallow”.
“We desperately need to restore the site to its former glory in tribute to their sacrifices and install the right level of lighting and fencing to deter further vandalism once it has been fixed.
“This funding will also go towards powering a PA system to be used for commemoration days.”
Mr Conaghan’s most likely challenger on 3 May, Independent candidate Caz Heise, this week released a policy paper covering veterans affairs.
In response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, Ms Heise has pledged to “champion the full implementation” of all 122 recommendations.
She is also advocating for “significantly expanded support services for veterans' families”, an expedited claims process, and greater access to mental health services.
Ms Heise’s policy also includes targeted training programs for healthcare providers, social workers and advocates.
Entries open for STILL art award
ENTRIES have opened for STILL: National Still Life Award 2025, a biennial art award hosted by Yarrila Arts and Museum (YAM) in Coffs Harbour.
A $30,000 acquisitive award is on offer, with 2025 marking the launch of the new Coffs Coast Artist Award of $5,000.
The exhibition of finalists will be held at YAM from 6 September to 9 November.
“With a prize pool of $36,000 we expect the standard of entry to be high for this biennial exhibition which was established in 2017,” City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams said.
“It was last held in 2023 when we had 1,143 entries.
“The national award is worth $30,000 alone and it’s a prize that
includes acquisition of the art piece – so the winning artwork becomes part of YAM’s collection.”
STILL is open to all Australian resident artists with artworks of all mediums made after 1 January 2024 eligible for entry.
“The award aims to recognise excellence, diversity and innovation in contemporary still life practice while broadening the interpretation of this enduring genre,” City Planning and Communities Acting Director Ian Fitzgibbon said.
“By its nature the exhibition will be eclectic - entries might be painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, video and installation or something else.”
Demonstrating YAM’s commitment to supporting artists from the local region is the announcement of a Coffs Coast Artist Award which does not include the acquisition of the art piece.
This new award is open to artists currently living and/or working in the Coffs Coast region – taking in the Coffs Harbour, Bellingen and Nambucca local government areas.
A $1,000 prize will also be up for grabs for the winner of the People’s Choice Award with the public able to vote for their favourite work throughout the exhibition.
Artists can submit up to three entries in STILL 2025.
Entries to STILL close 6 July, with finalists announced 18 July.
To check eligibility rules and to enter visit the YAM website.
‘Moving’ celebration for health service
By Andrea FERRARI
MID North Coast Local Health District’s (MNCLHD) Movement Disorders Neurology Service is celebrating two years of providing specialised care to local residents living with Parkinson’s and other movement disorders.
The service provides patients with a hybrid model of face-to-face and telemedicine appointments with specialist neurologists in either Coffs Harbour or Port Macquarie.
The Movement Disorder Specialists fly-in once a month, removing the need for patients to travel to Sydney for their treatment.
“That saves them the cost of traveling, [and eases] the carer burden of taking someone to an
appointment in Sydney and their overnight stays,” Parkinson’s Clinical Nurse Consultant Vince Carroll said.
A key advocate for the service, Mr Carroll works closely with many patients with movement disorders on the Mid North Coast.
The service is a collaboration between MNCLHD, Western Sydney Local Health District - Westmead Hospital, the NSW Rural Doctors Network and Parkinson’s NSW.
It is led by renowned specialists and neurologists Dr Victor Fung and Dr Hugo Morales Briceno, along with Mr Carroll.
“With most specialists residing in the metropolitan areas, partnership working is crucial for rural and regional Australia,” Mr Carroll said.
“We are achieving what we set out to do, bringing world class care to the Mid North Coast of NSW.”
Patients consistently report high satisfaction with the service,
q MNCLHD Parkinson’s Clinical Nurse Consultant Vince Carroll, Specialist Neurologist Dr Hugo Morales Briceno and Registered Nurse Jemma Werrell, at the Movement Disorders Neurology Service in Coffs Harbour.
citing improved access to specialist care, better care coordination and significant reductions in travel time and accommodation costs.
Ninety-five percent of patients say they are extremely satisfied with the level of care and coordination, with many saying they are relieved
by
reduced travel burden, with fewer trips required to Sydney for specialist consultations.
Libertarians aiming to restore ‘founding principles’
Boy's drowning adds to 'most horrific' Easter toll
By Melissa MEEHAN, AAP
HOLIDAYMAKERS are warned to avoid any unnecessary risks as powerful swells lash the east coast, resulting in record drownings in one state.
Seven people are confirmed
dead - six in NSW and one in Victoria - with the search for two others missing since Good Friday continuing on Easter Monday.
In the latest tragedy, a nine-yearold boy died after becoming trapped between rocks at a popular holiday spot on the NSW mid-north coast. Police and other emergency services tried to free the boy from the site at South West Rocks on
PAUL Templeton will contest the seat of Cowper for the Libertarian Party in the Federal election on 3 May.
A former member of the Australian Defence Force and a prior Coffs Harbour councillor, Mr Templeton has been a small business owner for more than 12 years, holding a long career in information technology.
As a father and grandfather, Mr Templeton said he treasures the
q Libertarian candidate Paul Templeton.
Sunday afternoon, but he died at the scene.
Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steven Pearce described the deadly Easter stretch as one of one of the "most horrific weekends on record in NSW".
He said crews had also taken part in countless rescues as he urged people to steer clear of rock platforms during the large surf, which was leading to many people being washed off rocks.
"We're asking people to avoid the rock platforms all together, particularly where the swell has not abated yet, and rock fishers to please wear a life jacket," Mr Pearce said on Monday.
"I can't stress enough how important it is for the public to be aware of the surf conditions when visiting the coastline and to not place themselves in a position of unnecessary risk."
Unseasonally warm conditions fuelled large crowds at many beaches and waterways over the holiday period.
freedoms he knew growing upfreedoms he sees “slipping away” from today’s youth.
Running as a Libertarian, he said he is driven to restore Australia’s “founding principles” of individual liberty, limited government, and personal responsibility.
“With his proven record in service, business and tech, Paul Templeton and the Libertarians bring real, practical solutions to Australia’s challenges - tackling rising costs, over regulation, and eroding rights,” the Coffs Libertarians said in a statement.
“He’s ready to fight for a freer,
Rescue crews in NSW and Victoria continued to search for two men missing since Friday.
They included a 24-year-old who was swept off the rocks at Little Bay, in Sydney's east, and a 41-yearold man exploring the beach near San Remo in Victoria.
Neither have been spotted since going into the water.
The older man was with a group of fellow Chinese nationals living in Pakenham when three of the friends were knocked into the ocean by a wave.
One woman was rescued, but the missing man's wife drowned.
Emergency services were also called to Wattamolla in Sydney's Royal National Park at 11am on Sunday following reports two people were swept off the rocks while fishing.
One of the duo was winched to safety, but the other was unable to be revived and died at the scene.
A 58-year-old fisherman also died after being swept into water at Wollongong Harbour on Friday
stronger future as the Member for Cowper.”
In a statement to NOTA, Mr Templeton said he was not an “extreme green”, or a “closet green funded by radical climate groups”.
He also stated he was “not bound to socialist ideology” or “beholden to big pharma/big business”.
“I’m ready to take on this corrupt, overreaching government and fight for every Australianespecially here in Cowper, one of the poorest regions in our nation, crippled by heartless government policies that drain our wallets and crush our dreams.”
morning, while another fisherman died after being swept off rocks at Green Cape, near Eden on the NSW south coast, that afternoon.
A man drowned at Mosman, on Sydney's north shore, on Friday.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his thoughts were with those who had lost loved-ones.
"Australians love the water, we love the surf," he said.
"Please, everyone, be careful.
"Families in particular, to be careful of your kids."
Royal Life Saving Australia chief executive Justin Carr said the deaths happened in extreme weather conditions when people had often put themselves in danger.
Those activities included walking along rocky shelves, getting too close to the water to take pictures of the storm swell and rock fishing when it wasn't safe.
An average of six people have drowned each Easter long weekend over the past 20 years, according to the organisation.
the
Date set for Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride
By Andrea FERRARI
THE Coffs Harbour leg of the worldwide Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) takes place on Sunday 18 May.
The vibe is retro and classic, with riders and pillion passengers donning dapper dress as they raise money and awareness for Movember.
Movember is a global charity that supports men's health, including prostate cancer research and mental health initiatives.
This is the eighth DGR in Coffs Harbour and is led by Nana Glen’s Chris Duffy, who co-founded the Coffs chapter with Daniel Gibson,
“Last year we had 107
riders and raised $17,702,” Mr Duffy told News Of The Area.
“We’re aiming for around 100 riders and raising $20,000 this year.”
The Coffs DGR grand total, raised by 489 riders over eight years, is almost $73,000.
Getting dressed up is keenly encouraged as a point of difference for this worldwide event.
“The key word is dapper, which I guess is open to interpretation.
“Last year we had people in everything from tuxedos to elegant dresses and op-shop suits.
“It’s great if people make
an effort as it adds so much to the atmosphere.”
The route remains a secret until registration.
“We are not allowed to publicise the ride route for insurance purposes, as only registered riders can [take part].”
However, Mr Duffy could share that the morning ride will travel from Coffs and head south this year.
“Distinguished ladies are also very welcome… we welcome all riders.”
For more information and to register, visit gentlemansride.com or look for The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride on social media.
q Participants and friends in last year’s Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride.
Cardinal mourns death of 'much-loved' Pope
By Luke COSTIN, Andrew BROWN and Katelyn CATANZARITI, AAP
AUSTRALIANS have recalled Pope Francis's profound love for the poor, diverse people and all of humanity as millions mourn the pontiff's passing.
His death, on Monday after a recent serious battle with double pneumonia, was marked by tolling church bells and preparations for scores of memorial masses for the Catholic figurehead.
It may also prove a turning point in Australia's relationship with the Vatican after Francis overlooked local archbishops when selecting the nation's sole cardinal last December.
Cardinal Mykola Bychok said he was filled with sadness for the loss of a "pope of peace" and a man of simple piety.
"This sadness is our human reaction to the death of a much-loved father," the Ukrainian-born Melbourne cardinal said.
"I am grateful for the late Holy Father's frequent
appeals for a just peace in Ukraine and for the efforts of the Holy See that he oversaw - known and secret - that in some way helped bring relief to the imprisoned and suffering."
Cardinal Bychok was on his way to the Middle East on a pilgrimage but will divert to Rome as soon as practicable.
He will take part in the funeral rites before joining other cardinal electors to choose the 267th and next Pope.
Archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher - who was controversially overlooked as cardinal - praised the pontiff's condemnation of what he described as 'the globalisation of indifference' when it came to refugees and the poor and 'the throwaway culture' towards the unborn and elderly.
"Pope Francis passionately decried views and actions contrary to human dignity and flourishing," he said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, a devout Catholic, recalled that the first Pope from the southern
hemisphere had compassion that embraced all of humanity.
Joining the prime minister in private prayer at Melbourne's St Patrick's Cathedral on Monday evening, Mary Picard recalled a "really good" and progressive Pope.
"He did a lot of good, making some of the really sort of high ceremonies a bit more... for the people," she told AAP.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton noted the late Pope lived frugally, simply and was driven by "Christ's values of mercy and forgiveness".
Pope Francis was also lauded for inspiring Australia's 820,000 Catholic school students to live with courage and compassion.
"His legacy will continue to guide our work in Catholic schools and shape the hearts and minds of students for generations to come," National Catholic Education Commission executive director Jacinta Collins said.
While not without controversy, his papacy was marked by an emphasis on the mercy and compassion of God, and on the Church's
vocation to be a sign and bearer of that merciful love in an increasingly troubled world, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe said.
The change in leadership could also offer a chance for Australia to "reset" its relationship with the Vatican, Deakin and Oxford
universities' Catholic Church historian Miles Pattenden said.
"It was an extraordinary snub that Francis made Mykola Bychok, the Ukrainian Australian Bishop, cardinal and not the Archbishop of Sydney (Fisher)," Dr Pattenden told AAP.
"There's no way to read that, except as a rebuke to
Sydney. It may be that a new Pope allows for a re-test of that, even if he's still a liberal."
Parishes around the country are expected to hold special memorial masses for the late Pope in coming days.
National flags on federal government buildings flew at half-mast on Tuesday as a mark of respect
Winners announced in Easter competition
AFTER much deliberation, the winners of the Nambucca Heads Newsagency Easter Colouring-In Competition have been announced as Jeanie Cameron and Zai Taylor.
Jeanie took out the Age 4-7 Year category with her bright and joyful Easter bunny scene.
Zai, whose “attention to detail and lovely colours” wowed the judges, won the Age 8-12 Year category.
“A big thank you to everyone who took part. Your creativity and colourful designs made it a tough
decision for our judges,” said Steve and Thea Kimber from the newsagency.
“Congratulations to our winners!
“They each won a special Easter bunny and a certificate of achievement.”
For those who didn’t win this time around, Steve and Thea offered words of encouragement.
“Don’t worry if you didn't win this time. Keep colouring and creating, and we hope to see your entries next year.
“Thank you again to all our young artists, you made Easter extra special.”
q More than five million Australian Catholics are mourning the passing of Pope Francis. Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch.
q Zai Taylor claims his prize.
q Jeanie Cameron receives her award.
How early voting has upended pollies' election pledges
By Tess IKONOMOU, AAP
PARTIES have been forced to ditch last-minute policy reveals as millions of Australians choose to skip polling day.
Pre-polling centres opened from Tuesday, offering voters a chance to get in well before the 3 May election date.
Analysts expect many voters going away for the upcoming Anzac Day weekend and school holidays will take advantage of pre-polling.
The number of public holidays eating into campaigning time resulted in the two major parties bringing forward their official launches to make their election pitches much earlier than usual during a typical
five-week race.
More than five and a half million people voted early at the 2022 federal election.
University of Tasmania public policy associate professor Kate Crowley said the massive uptake in early voting had "upended" how politicians roll out policies during a campaign.
"If they've got something that they want to have a maximum impact, they can't reveal it at the last minute the way they used to," she told AAP.
The significant number of people choosing to vote early would mean a "huge lost opportunity" for Labor and the coalition if they did save anything major until the end of the campaign, she added.
Despite the popularity of
pre-poll voting, campaigns were still in the "learning stage" of how to respond, Assoc Prof Crowley said.
"(Pre-polling is) becoming so popular as the major parties are becoming less popular, so it's something that they really are going to need to strategise around," she said.
The electoral commission will have 570 early voting centres spread throughout the country for people ahead of the election.
As the trend of early voting develops, experts say a clear demographic profile of pre-poll votes could emerge over time and campaigns could be adopted to suit the shift in behaviour.
Laws passed in 2021 require early voting to begin
no more than 12 days out from the election date.
The shift towards early voting was less about politicians and more about
what suited people's daily lives, Assoc Prof Crowley said.
"There might be some who can't wait to get out and vote for their favourite politician,
but that doesn't really ring true of the Australian public, except for political adherents who are really motivated," she said.
Applications open for ‘Grant for Good’
BANK of Sydney has opened applications for its $20,000 Grant for Good community grant program.
Organisations and initiatives that promote social inclusion activities, health and wellbeing, sports and other fields that benefit local communities are encouraged to apply.
Since 2021, Bank of Sydney’s annual Grant for Good has distributed $90,000 to local organisations supporting Australian communities - from providing essential food and supplies, to free school lunches and equipment for disadvantaged children, to creating employment pathways for migrant and low
socioeconomic communities.
Bank of Sydney Chief Executive Officer, Melos Sulicich, said, “We’re proud to support incredible organisations and initiatives that make a real difference in our local communities.
“Amid the rising cost of living, it’s these organisations that are often making the biggest difference supporting
our most vulnerable, and we’re committed to backing them with our annual grant.”
In 2024, Carevan Blacktown, a not-for-profit organisation that provides over 150 free meals weekly to those in need in the Western Sydney region, received Bank of Sydney’s Grant for Good.
The grant enabled Carevan Blacktown to rent
a new warehouse facility to store food, clothing, transportation vehicles, and other essential supplies to meet the growing demand for their services, as more
Australians face financial hardship due to the rising cost of living.
An honorary Grant for Good donation of $10,000 was also given to Backpacks
4 SA Kids, providing essential supplies to children in need, offering comfort and security during difficult times.
To apply for a Bank of Sydney Grant for Good, or to nominate a deserving initiative, visit https:// www.banksyd.com.au/ grantforgood. Applications close Wednesday 4 June 2025.
q More and more Australians are opting to get voting out of the way before election day. Photo: Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS.
Motorist safety urged after horror month
POLICE are urging motorists to take extra care these school holidays following an increase in fatalities on the state’s roads.
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Paul Pisanos said the number of lives lost on NSW roads this year has already reached an alarming level, with 39 crashes resulting in 41 people killed in March, the highest in a month since 2019.
“Last year in NSW there were 85 murders; however, four times as many people – 338 – died on our roads: that is a senseless loss of
life,” Deputy Commissioner Pisanos said.
“The only way to stop the carnage is for drivers to stepup and stick to the rules, it’s just not worth your life. One wrong move behind the wheel and you’re dead.
“With the death last night of a man in Muswellbrook, 103 people have now died on NSW roads this year; that’s far too many families left without a son, father, daughter or mother. The road toll rips lives apart,” he said last Wednesday.
Of those fatalities, 19 were aged 26 to 35, 18 were
aged 76 to 95, followed by 17 aged between 18 to 25.
The young man who died last night is awaiting formal identification.
Of these, 45 were drivers, 17 passengers, 27 motorcyclists, nine pedestrians and five cyclists.
Regional roads account for the deadliest roads for fatalities this year, with six people killed on the Princes Highway, six people killed on the Hume Highway, and four on the Pacific Highway.
Double demerits were in place from Thursday 17 to Monday 21 April for all
speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences.
A second double demerits period will be in effect from Thursday 24 April 2025 until Sunday 27 April 2025.
The police operations will occur during the NSW school holidays, where a large number of families will be travelling to and from destinations across the state.
Officers will be targeting risky driver behaviour, including the Four Ds: drink, drug, dangerous and distracted driving, as well as speeding, not wearing
seatbelts, and mobile phone use.
This year, there have been more than 51,100 speeding offences detected by police along with 3350 drink driving offences and more than 5,200 illegal mobile phone offences.
The high-visibility policing operation is a statewide operation and will involve general duties officers, assisted by specialist police, including the Public Order and Riot Squad, Operations Support Group, Mounted Unit, PolAir, Licensing Police, Traffic and
Highway Patrol Command and Police Transport Command.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said police will maintain a zero-tolerance approach to dangerous driving behaviour, just as they do every day of the year.
“If you speed, drive under the influence, use your phone, or push through fatigue – you’re putting lives at risk.
“Don’t do it. Slow down, switch off, and stop if you’re tired. It’s that simple.”
Police conducting bail checks on 'weak' legal basis
By Farid FARID, AAP
POLICE in Australia's most populous state have been slammed for regularly entering the private property of former inmates out on bail to conduct compliance checks, without a court order.
A damning report from the NSW Law Enforcement Conduct Commission says police have been stretching their authority and powers by relying on a weak legal principle to conduct bail compliance checks.
The state watchdog says that leaves the force open to complaints and claims of trespass if a resident revokes an officer's "implied licence" to enter the property.
"Given the intrusive nature of such compliance checks, they should only be
undertaken when approved by a court," the commission's 125-page report said.
"In the commission's view, the doctrine of implied licence (if it is available at all) is a vague, weak and cancellable form of authority for the NSW Police Force to undertake bail compliance checks.
"The NSW Police Force should make use of the statutory scheme provided in the Bail Act, which gives police clear powers to assist them in checking compliance with curfew and residence."
The commission argued a "parallel scheme" was effectively being created by police "without scrutiny from the judiciary as to whether enforcement... is reasonable and necessary."
In its submission to the
commission, NSW Police said it did not accept the watchdog's view the force has been acting "unreasonably".
Each year, police officers in NSW do more than 100,000 bail compliance checks.
Officers performed almost 26,000 fewer bail checks in 2023-24 - a drop of 19.7 percent from the previous reporting period, according to the state's crime statistics bureau.
Apprehended domestic violence order checks also dipped by more than 12,000, or 11.2 percent.
Premier Chris Minns has been steadfast in his government maintaining a law and order agenda, with strict bail laws targeting regional youth crime extended last month until 2028, to concern from advocates and law groups.
His government also brought in harsher bail
conditions placed on domestic violence offenders in 2024.
The laws were swiftly
Have Your Say
q Police have been warned about the practice of entering property to check on bail compliance. Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS.
passed after several highprofile cases plagued the state, including the alleged murder of young Forbes
mother Molly Ticehurst by her ex-partner who was out on bail.
A tribute to Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks
“STARSHINE”, a tribute to the music of Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks, comes to the Nambucca Heads RSL on Sunday, 27 April.
With decades of experience in live entertainment, band members Nikki Canale, Krissy Linehan, Matt Skea and Mitch Finglas bring exceptional musicianship and dynamic performances to the stage.
Their setlist spans Fleetwood Mac’s greatest hits and Stevie Nicks’ legendary solo career, capturing the essence of these timeless classics in every performance.
From the raw emotion of Landslide to the driving energy of Go Your Own Way, every song is performed with the same spirit that
made them iconic.
“Starshine is more than just a tribute, it’s a celebration of the music that has defined generations,” organisers told NOTA.
“With a deep respect for the original artists and a dedication to delivering an unforgettable live experience, the show invites audiences to relive the magic of Fleetwood Mac.
“Whether you’re a lifelong fan, or are discovering it for the first time, Starshine promises a night of nostalgia, energy, and timeless songs that continue to captivate audiences worldwide.”
The show will take to the stage from 7.30pm.
Tickets on sale at the club or Trybooking.com.
q The setlist spans Fleetwood Mac’s greatest hits and Stevie Nicks’ legendary solo career. Photo: supplied.
Cricketing juniors represent NSW
By Aiden BURGESS
TWO of the Coffs Coast’s best junior cricketers have spent their school holidays representing NSW.
Jacka Britton and Quinn Ledger represented NSW in an Under 16 Invitational T20 cricket tournament in Brisbane last week.
Britton from Diggers Cricket Club and Ledger from the Macksville Bulls recently played in the Century Cricket State T20 invitational tournament
Britton captained the NSW side to the tournament final against the highly favoured Victoria Metro.
NSW only just lost the final after Victoria Metro scurried through for a run after a misfield on the last ball to win by one wicket.
Both Britton and Ledger had stellar individual tournaments for NSW.
Britton had the highest batting average of the carnival with 59, and won the fielding/keeping award with seven dismissals, which included three catches, two stumpings, and one run out.
Ledger scored some valuable runs and bowled tidy leg spin, and was also the vice-captain of the NSW side.
Jacka Britton’s father Mick said both boys had learned a lot from playing in the tournament.
“A great time was had by both lads, and many lessons learned," he said.
Playing for the Macksville Bulls, Ledger had the highest batting aggregate and average in the Under
wicket keeper in the third-grade seniors’ competition, whilst playing for Diggers Cricket Club.
Nambucca Head Women's Bowling Club
By Nerida BLACKFORD
MARCH and April have seen many events for women bowlers at Club Nambucca.
Thursday March 20th saw our first Versatility 5s event for women at our club and it was an awesome day. Teams from Grafton in the north along the coast to Port Macquarie fielded teams and a strong competition was held. The morning involved games of Singles and Fours. After a lovely lunch the afternoon games were triples and pairs.
Overall winners on the day were Team Urunga- Ros, Sarah, Joanna, Sue and Elaine. Second place went to Kempsey RSL, 3rd Urunga, and 4th Club Nambucca- Marg D, Michelle, Alma, Manor & Genevieve. Port City team had the best afternoon win and Club Nambucca- Elaine, Gloria, Mel, Lisa and Janice had the best morning result.
Thank you so much to our sponsors of this eventZenith Roofing, Pelicans Landing Nursery, Nambucca Glass, Trisleys Betta Electricals, Kempsey Nissan, BCIB, De Bortoli.
On Tuesday 25th March Manor Smith played well to get her name on the honour board yet again as the Women’s Singles Champion. Elaine Fleming played some
lovely bowls too but Manor was too strong, winning 25-15. It seems Manor has a stranglehold on this title at our club- congratulations Manor. q Manor Smith, Ladies Singles Champion 2025 at Club Nambucca.
Nambucca Valley Bridge Club News
By Barbara MARANIK
RESULTS for 20thApril
14th April 2025
1st Richard Levy & Jo Smyth 65%, 2nd Gary Walton & Lyndall Edsall 61%, 3rd Molly Bence & Margaret Sullivan 60% Thursday 17th April 2025
1st Mike & Linda Siford 63%, 2nd Maureen Cowan & Barb Maranik 51%, Louise & Gary Walton 50%
Nambucca Valley Bridge Club News
By Barbara MARANIK
RESULTS for 13thApril
2025 Monday 7th April 2025
North/South
1st Susie Keur & Les Sinclair
56%, 2nd Rosemary Bateman & Peter Plunkett-Cole 53%, 3rd Julianne Cowles & Geoffrey & Julianne Cowles 50% East /West
1st Linda & Mike Siford 66%, 2nd Jo Smyth & Peter Whyte 56%, 3rd Theda Faulwetter & Scott Parker 53% Thursday 10th April 2025
Nambucca Bowls Report
By Charlie POTTER
TUESDAY saw the return of the Nambucca/Urunga Grumpy Challenge and unfortunately we conceded to the home team and await a return meeting on our own greens later in the year.
Wed Apr 9. 24 players and the day's winners were Marg Duffus, Tas Fribbins and Bruce Mason. Lin Barry, Danny Curran and Peter Meehan were second and Ron Hill, BferBoof Ruane third. I think the Lucky Losers went to Messrs. Flack, Brown and Cosgrave. Cosi was highlighted in the diary but no information apart from that, so I'm guessing. The Jackpot of $210 was not won by Lucky Bowler Danny Curran.
Fri Apr 11. We had 10 rinks and Hoggy, Peter McRitchie and Mitch McGill took out the major prizemoney with Dallas NanCarrow, BferBoof and Owen Smith second and Barry Redman, Tony Stokes and Peter Fredericks third. Surprise Lucky Losers were Headbutt Hynes, Andrew Shearer and Col Crawford. Ken Summerville drew Lucky Bowler but missed drawing his rink - twice - for the Jackpot of $600. Reverting to a $300 Jackpot which had to go off, saw it shared by Mark Blackford, Graham Porter, Stan
Flack, Bill Coughlan, Mike Hart and Stu Garvey.
Sunday Social attracted 14 players and Peter Frame, Mel Legend and Jen Thorn were winners with Deb Mann and Pat Fletcher the Lucky Losers. The Jackpot was not won and is $160 at the next meeting. Pennants. Round 9 and our 5's had a bye, and the 6's were rained out at Sawtell without a bowl being played. The 7's were aborted after an hour or so at home to North Beach. Next round is May 3 where the 5's are away to Woolgoolga, the 6's away to Park Beach and the 7's at home to Woolgoolga. The rained out round 9 will be played Sunday morning, May 4.
Twilight Barefoot Bowls is on! Every Thursday and Saturday evening with registration 5.30pm and Bowls at 6.00.
Our new Chinese restaurant - "Bistro 90" - (can't get any more Oriental than that) is doing great business and reports have all been excellent. Last Sunday saw our carpark virtually filled and the restaurant extremely busy. Well done Sam Lee and his crew who have settled into their new venue quickly after the tragic Leagues Club fire. The best Chinese food in town and Australian meals too.
Macksville Country Club Golf
By Max TURNER
SATURDAY saw over 70 players in the Nambucca Valley Property sponsored 4 person Ambrose played in great Autumn weather.
Winners were Peter Smith, (TJ) Tyler Fortescue, Jordan Welsh and John Fortescue. Straight shooters with nearest the pins were Jacob Hosking (div1) and Michael Trisley (div 2). Considering Allan Clarke, club champion for over 30 years, normally plays off about a plus 1 handicap and TJ is three shots lower
on plus 4, it would be good to see TJ try out in a Pro/Am tournament. With the course still suffering from the wet conditions Harry Andrews with a net 3 over par won the Mid Week Competition from runnerup Neil Cunneen. On Monday the ladies travelled to Dorrigo for a pennants match against Woolgoolga on neutral territory. The result was a tie. In their Tuesday competition Desma Hughes was the winner with Carmel Fruedenstein runner up and nearest the pin went to Skye Lacey . On Monday 28th the course will be closed until after 2pm to allow for ladies pennants to be played.
1st Mike Siford & Colin Tolley 69%, 2nd Janet Dyson & Maureen Cowan 61%, 3rd Lyndall Edsall & Pamela Rongen 50% Saturday 12th April 2025
1st Barb Maranik & Maureen Cowan 64%, 2nd Charles Aspen & Kathatina Goyer 57%, 3rd Linda & Mike Siford 56%
14s competition of the latest Coffs Harbour District Association season.
Britton had the most dismissals of any
q Quinn Ledger and Jacka Britton.
q The team of Brian McPherson, Jeff Gore, Peter Freeman and David Maloney.
Nambucca Heads Island Golf Club
By Chris KNIGHT
NAMBUCCA'S Ken Klem went beast mode firing four birdies on his way to a stellar twoover par 71 at The Island Golf Course - and cruelly came up short.
The 7-marker carded 41 points in the Cubana Resort medley stableford on Thursday, 10 April - only to get zonked in a countback for Div 1 by Helensvale visitor David Callan (18 handicap).
More than 80 fronted the starter yet just four bettered their handicap.
Paul Reid (23) notched 39 points to sweep Div 2 from runner-up Paul McElhinney (25) in a welcome return to form on 37.
Stuart Johnston snaked the Ecomist long putt on the 1st, while the pins went to Peter Scott on 5, McElhinney on 7, Klem on 8 and Joe
Street on 15. Stephen McNeil pocketed the $80 Pro Pin on 18 and Ballina's Mark Colnan rescued a long day at the office (20 points) by winning the Pizza This Pizza That voucher on 13.
Renowned mud-runner Chris Knight (11) won the Cubana Resort medley stableford on Saturday, 12 April, with 36 points when heavy rain the morning sent many scurrying for their comfort blankets.
Next best was Nathaniel Beverley (11) on 34 points.
Afternoon player Stephen Kimber took the putt from afar on 1 and the pins were shared by Joe Street on 5, Dave Rosser on 8 and Ashton Herbert nailed it to 45cm for a tap-in on 15. Daryl Wall chomped the pizza voucher on 13 and Peter Farrell collected the $30 Pro Pin on the last.
The women played a fourball best ball stableford on Wednesday, 9 April, when Suzanne O'Donnell and Lisa Guest combined nicely for 41 points and the dance of domination.
Hot on their heels were Shayne Scott and Kay McGoldrick who carded 40 points to be runners-up on a countback from Lyn Vidler and Kerry Naylor.
Nearest the pins on the 8th were claimed by Deidre Fletcher, Marilyn McNally and Bryony Brownlie while Lisa Guest saluted on 13.
Ann Antcliff bowed to the crowd, taking the $47 Pro Pin on 18.
Grafton's Ron Sommer (25) squeaked home for a win on countback, posting 39 points in the Cubana Resort medley stableford on Tuesday, 8 April.
Runner-up was Ashton Herbert (7) who birdied 2 and
Nambucca Golf Report
By Ashton HERBERT
NAMBUCCA’S club champion, Troy Herbert (3) dug deep in the annual Kempsey Toyota Easter Bowl, scoring 70 points over 36 holes to win the men’s bowl by one over Colin Habgood (10).
Henny Oldenhove claimed the women’s bowl with a very tidy 66 points to win by 2 from Maxine Townsend (17). The off scratch stableford was won by Tyler Fortescue (0) with an excellent 69 off scratch points in the men’s and Kerrie Eichorn (9) with 46 points in the women’s.
Div 1 on day 1 was won by Greg Mccoy (4) with 36 hard fought points, Joey Franck (6) runner up with 34. Nathaniel Beverly took the choccies on day 2 with 38 points and was one of five on the day to score better than their handicap.
In div 2, day 1 went to Shane Holten (20) who had 36 points to overcome Steve Frost (17) on a countback. On day 2, Mark Luttrell (20) had 36 points to beat Dave Bartos (18) by 1.
Geoff Brooks (22) had
an impressive 36 points to win division 3 on day one with Trevor Peck (Plover) (24) placing second with 35 points. Rocco Kinnear (44) had the best stableford score of the tournament with an excellent 40 points to win
17 for a solid 73 off the bat.
Sommer also won the pin on 5, while Kai Burkinshaw was closest on 7, Robert Dan on 15, and Nev Newman went the double winning the 8th and the 13th for a pizza to go.
Ashton Herbert collected his first Pro Pin - $45.
The club's Div 2 and 3 sides were at home in the Mid North Coast men's pennant competition on Sunday, 13 April - and it wasn't happy hunting.
Sawtell defeated the top Nambucca outfit three matches to two, with Graham Watson and Ashton Herbert securing victories for the hosts.
The strong Div 3 squad also hit a speed bump, going down 3-2 to Kempsey, with Joe Street and Dave Rosser securing Ws for The Island.
Div 4 had another bye and will be fanging for fury in the season run home.
day 2, John Evans (29) had 36 points to secure runner up.
Graham Long and Campbell Hoskins secured the pins on 5, Dan Wren and John Evans snatched the pins on the 7th, Darrell Flanders and Campbell Hoskins grabbed the pins on the 8th, Stewy Cameron and
Umpires’ end-of-season meeting
By Aiden BURGESS
UMPIRING is an important role and the lifeblood of any sport.
Coffs Harbour Cricket Umpires Association members came together to celebrate and reflect on Coffs Harbour District Cricket Association’s 2024/25 season.
The end of season meeting was held at the Toormina Hotel on Monday, 7 April, as members looked back and reflected on a season of umpiring the local competition.
Coffs Harbour District
Umpires Association member Graham Doust reflected on a successful season of umpiring.
“We were fortunate to have had more umpires on board this season than for many years and we were able to provide umpiring support across more grades,” he said.
“Our end of season celebratory get together allows us to reflect on the season's successes.
“The spirit of the get together certainly reflected on a season well completed.
“There were quite a few new playing conditions that were successfully
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implemented over the season, and the umpires worked hard to ensure the players were treated with the respect and fairness that is expected,” he said.
“A highlight of the season was the addition of some new umpires to the group.
“These umpires developed considerably and the enthusiasm they brought to the game was really appreciated by colleagues and players.
“The Association executive, Gary Campbell (President), Ted Bailey (Treasurer), John Pearce (Secretary), and Kevin Walker
q Nambucca's Ben Venner can sure send a ball but there's an asterisk to his game in the form of a 26 handicap. But he braved the wet on Saturday, 12 April, and is seen here watching his second shot closely on the 6th hole at The Island.
Urpo Ylinen stuck it close on 13, John Evans and Tyler Fortescue laced it on 15 and Dan Wassens and Garry Johnstone banked the pro pin on 18.
Thursday's Marcel Towers Stableford was won by Greg Mccoy (4) who continued his fine form to win div 1 from Daryl Wall (8) on a countback with 38 points. Div 2 Steve Mcneil (15) scored an impressive 40 points to win from John Morgan (16) with 35 points. Div 3 was won by Paul Mcelhinny (25) with 38 points from John Mcrae (26) with 34 points.
Pins went to Kylie Blay on 1, Campbell Hoskins on 5, Greg Mccoy on 7, Troy Herbert on 8, Paul Mcelhinny on 13, Daryl Wall on 15, and Chris Cairncross claimed the $80 pro pin.
(Assistant Appointments Officer), were all thanked for their untiring work in making sure that the Association
ran smoothly and effectively throughout the season.”
Mr Doust said the future of umpiring was bright on the Coffs Coast.
“The outlook for the future in providing a quality
Tuesday’s Marcel Towers Stableford had few starters, with Liam Sweeny (16) winning the only prize with 39 points. Pins went to Ken Klem on 5, Geoff Geosch on 13, and Maxine Townsend won the $20 pro pin.
Masters Monday was a hit on the Island. An excellent main course was served by head chef Craig, along with a side of drama when Rory nearly lost the plot. Nathan Ison was crowned with the Islands Golden Jacket with 39 points over Ashton Herbert on a countback.
Catchya on the island if the river doesn't grab ya first.
Wednesday’s women’s stableford competition in div 1 was won by Marilyn Mcinally (25) with 37 points from Denise Paulch (14) with 34 points. Div 2 went to Judith Boyle (27) with 32 points, who overcame Jennifer Johnston (26) with 30 points. Pins went to Sue Brooks, Linda Piccin, Fiona Chaffey, Maxine Townsend, and Kerrie Eichorn claimed the $25 pro pin.
service to Coffs Harbour Cricket is certainly bright with the group attending to the challenges of umpiring in a most cohesive and professional fashion,” he said.
q Masters Monday winner Nathan Ison congratulated by Pro Darcy Habgood after his impressive 39 points on a toughened set up.
q Troy Herbert and Henny Oldenhove stand chuffed after overcoming the field to win the Toyota Genuine Service 2025 Easter Bowl.
q Coffs Harbour Cricket Umpires Association members at their meeting.
Group 2 kicks off this weekend
By Aiden BURGESS
WITH the NRL season having kicked off last month, Coffs Coast players get their own chance to take to the field again when the latest Group 2 Rugby League season kicks off this weekend.
Sawtell Panthers and the Grafton Ghosts clash in their
opening game of the season on Sunday afternoon at Rex Hardaker Oval.
The Panthers were preliminary finalists last season, while the Ghosts were knocked out in the first week of the finals.
Coffs Harbour Comets start their season with a Sunday afternoon clash against the
Macksville Sea Eagles at Geoff King Motors Oval.
The Comets will look to bounce back from a wooden spoon season, while the Sea Eagles made the second week of the finals last season.
Woolgoolga Seahorses travel to take on the South Grafton Rebels on Sunday afternoon.
The Seahorses finished runners up last year after winning their maiden premiership in 2023, while the Rebels failed to make the finals last season.
The defending premiers Nambucca Roosters have the opening round bye, and begin their premiership defence in Round 2 against the Grafton Ghosts in Grafton.
Coffs Harbour Comets reserves begin their
AFL North Coast season resumes
By Aiden BURGESS
AFTER a rain affected opening round and a week off for Easter, the AFL North Coast season resumes this weekend with Round 2 matches in Sawtell, Woolgoolga, and Port Macquarie.
The Coffs Harbour Breakers and Sawtell/ Toormina Saints face off in their first local derby of the season on Saturday afternoon at Richardson Park, as part of the Anzac Round.
It will be the first game of the season for both sides, as the Breakers had the opening round bye, and the Saints scheduled game against the Macleay Valley Eagles was postponed.
Port Macquarie Magpies play host to the Macleay Valley Eagles on Saturday night.
It is now set to be the Eagles first seniors game in
10 years.
Meantime, the Magpies began their premiership defence with a 137-point win against the Grafton Tigers in the opening round.
In the women's, Coffs Harbour Breakers and Sawtell/Toormina Saints face off in a grand final rematch at Richardson Park.
The Saints started their premiership defence with a 102-point win against the Port Macquarie Magpies, while the Breakers will look to bounce back from a sevenpoint defeat to the Northern Beaches Blues.
The Breakers reserves begin their premiership defence against the Sawtell/
Australian Age Championships
By Faye ROWLES
AUSTRALIAN AGE & MULTI CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Held this year at Chandler Aquatic Centre, Brisbane
From 10th April to 18th April 2025
This was a very big 9 days of competition. With the best young swimmers in Australia. Aged between 13years and 18years.
Swimming North Coast had 40 of our top swimmers from 10 clubs over 104 events. Eight of these were MC swimmers who competed over the first 3 days.
Able=bodied swimmers won 2 medals, 4 top ten placings in A finals and 7 top ten placings in B finals.
Multi-Class swimmers
won 8 medals and 13 top ten finalist placings. The most successful ablebodied swimmer was Felicity Walker from Alstonville 17, Felicity won 2 gold medals in 1500 and 800 free and 8th in the 400 free. Well done Felicity.
Jett Burke Maclean 16 5th A Final 100 back, 8th A Final 200 back, 6th B final 100 fly and 10th B final 100 free.
Joel Fleming Forester 18 8th 50 free and B Final 100 fly 7th.
Trenton Jone Taree 18 5th B Final 100 fly.
Alex Wellm Kingscliff 16 B final 100 breast 3rd.
Aidan Arnison Alstonville 18 was 9th B final 100 back.
Caitlin McDonal, Stroud 16 B Final 7th 200 breast and
10th B final 100 breast.
Multi Class swimmersmost successful was Lily Bright-Taylor Maclean 15 with Gold in 50 back, Silver in 50 fly, 100 back and 50 free. Also Bronze in 100 free.
Ethan Blockey Coffs Harbour 18 3rd 100 breast and 100 back, 4th 400 free and 100 fly and 200 medley.
Rose-Ann Herden Coffs Harbour 15 7th 50 and 100 breast and 8th 50 fly.
Sara Bergen Coffs Harbour 18 7th 50 fly and 100 back.
Amelia Moore Stroud 17 9th 50 back and 9th 200 free. Macksville
Toormina Saints, as the reserves season gets underway.
The Breakers and Saints Under 18s also meet at Richardson Park, with the Breakers having started their season with a win against the Northern Beaches Blues, while the Saints had an opening round loss to the Port Macquarie Magpies.
Northern Beaches Blues and Grafton Tigers reserves play off in Woolgoolga, and the Port Macquarie Magpies host the Nambucca Valley Lions.
The opening round seniors match between Sawtell/Toormina Saints and Macleay Valley Eagles, which was postponed due to wet weather, will now be played on the King’s Birthday long weekend on Saturday 7 June, from 5.30pm at Richardson Park.
Chelsea Stringer 16 62nd 50 free.
Well done to all swimmers who qualified and swum at these prestigious Championships.
campaign for a third straight premiership, when they play host to the Macksville Sea Eagles in their grand final rematch this weekend.
Sawtell Panthers women begin their premiership defence at home against the Grafton Ghosts.
Nambucca Roosters Under 18s begin their premiership defence in Round 2 against the Grafton Ghosts.
Coffs Harbour Comets and
Sawtell Panthers meet in their first local derby of the season during Round 5 on Sunday, 25 May at Geoff King Motors Oval. Nambucca Roosters and the Woolgoolga Seahorses meet in their grand final rematch during Round 7 on Sunday, 15 June in Woolgoolga. This season’s finals series gets underway on Saturday, 16 August, with the grand final to be played on Sunday, 7 September.
Union season to resume
By Aiden BURGESS
AFTER having last weekend off for Easter, the Mid North Coast Rugby Union Northern Division season resumes this weekend with Round 3 matches in Grafton, Kempsey, and Port Macquarie.
The Coffs Harbour Snappers and SCU Marlins both hit the road this ANZAC Day weekend.
The Snappers will look to make it three wins in a row to start the season when they travel to take on the Kempsey Cannonballs.
The Snappers had a 2917 win against the Hastings Valley Vikings in their last start, while the Cannonballs look for their first win of the season.
SCU Marlins travel to take on the Port Macquarie Pirates, with both sides coming off their first wins of the season.
The Marlins were victorious 29-21 against the Grafton Redmen in Round 2.
Round 3 also sees the Grafton Redmen hosting the Hastings Valley Vikings, as both sides look to bounce back from last start losses. Coffs Harbour Snappers reserve grade side will look to make it three wins in a row to start the season when they take on the Kempsey Cannonballs in Kempsey.
The Snappers women look to make it two wins from as many games with a win against the Cannonballs.
SCU Marlins reserve grade and women’s sides both look for their first wins of the season as they tackle the Port Macquarie Pirates. First grade ladder. 1.Coffs Harbour Snappers. 2 wins. 0 losses. 40 (for and against) 2.Port Macquarie Pirates. 1 win. 1 loss. 50. 3.Hastings Valley Vikings. 1 win. 1 loss. 25. 4.Grafton Redmen 1 win. 1 loss. -6. 5.SCU Marlins. 1 win. 1 loss. -20. 6.Kemspey Cannonballs. 0 wins. 2 losses. -89.
Bowra Bowls Report
By BUNCHA
THURSDAY 10th saw a good roll up of social bowlers. The winners were Any Dal Santo, Adam Laird & Glen Gillon with the biggest winning margin in their 30-7 win. Runners up were Greg Doolan (Great to see G.D. back rolling them down), Pat Clough
& Warren Gallop. The lucky bowler cheque went to John Cowie.
The Tigers hosted South West Rocks at the Den on Saturday 12th in their final game of their section in Grade 5 pennants. They had a comfortable 9-1 win (master board 69-47) and now lead the section by six points, with second placed Hat Head
having their final game away at Crescent Head on Saturday may 3rd. Here’s Hoping Crescent Head can come away with a win. No games were played in the club fours championship last week week-end, but hopefully the round 2 games will be played over the Easter week-end.
q Sawtell Panthers women begin their premiership defence at home.
q Coffs Harbour Comets reserves begin their premiership defence at home.
q Coffs Harbour Breakers and Sawtell/Toormina Saints play off this weekend at Richardson Park.
HYPOTHETICAL
By Manny WOOD
Neighbourhood dispute escalates to expensive claim
PENNY is talking to her neighbour, Wendy on the nature strip in front of their properties.
A dispute arises between them when Wendy claims that the nature strip is her property and Penny is not allowed to do any gardening on the strip.
After a heated exchange, Penny inadvertently touches Wendy's hat, meaning to touch her shoulder, to indicate that the conversation had not ended.
Without warning, Wendy swings a rubber mallet and deliberately strikes Penny on the side of the head.
Penny is taken to hospital and Wendy is later charged by the police with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
At the sentencing hearing, Wendy pleads guilty and receives a suspended sentence, avoiding imprisonment.
She does however receive a good behaviour order which includes anger and stress management counselling.
Penny and Wendy remain neighbours.
Unsatisfied with the result of the hearing, Penny seeks legal advice and makes a claim in relation to the personal injury she has suffered.
The Court hears that prior to the assault, Penny was an outgoing and confident person, but after the incident, she rarely leaves her house, suffering from a post traumatic stress disorder.
Evidence indicates that Penny has difficulty sleeping due to ongoing pain in her head and neck, which is unlikely to improve in the future.
The Court assesses Penny’s claim for “non-economic loss”, including pain and suffering and loss of amenity of life and awards her $250,000 plus interest.
Penny also claims “aggravated damages” for injury to her feelings, caused by “insult and humiliation”.
The Court finds that after the assault, Wendy “callously” did nothing to assist Penny and did not call for an ambulance, preferring to continue gardening.
The absence of an apology was also relevant to the Court’s decision to award Penny an additional $50,000 by way of aggravated damages.
Penny also receives compensation due to her inability to continue her employment and compensation for past and future medical treatment costs in the sum of an additional $500,000.
This fictional column is not legal advice.
Have Your Say
News Of The Area would love to hear your OPINION and VIEWS on issues and topics affecting our area. Keep Letters to the Editor under 250 words for its best chance of publication. Please be aware that there is no guarantee of publication from your submission to us.
Publication will be determined by the Editor around available space, relevance and appropriateness. Email us media@newsofthearea.com.au
Dorin’s Draws By Paul DORIN On theCouch
It's the inequality
DEAR News Of The Area,
IN the upcoming election, anyone who is not a billionaire, which is most of us, should bear in mind a few facts.
According to the ABS, Australia’s GDP growth since 2020 was 9.3 percent.
Meanwhile, according to Oxfam, corporate profits rose by 22.1 percent.
Australia’s billionaire class increased their wealth by 70.5 percent, and the three richest Australians (Gina Rinehart, Andrew Forrest and Harry Triguboff) increased their wealth by 200 percent.
So, if GDP was only 9.3 percent, where do you think the billionaire class got the rest?
From workers, small business owners, tax payers, you!
We are living through the greatest wealth transfer in the history of humankind.
This is not a glitch in the economy, this is a design feature that will deprive your children and
grandchildren of the opportunities that you once had, and it should be your absolute number one issue in the upcoming election.
Wealth inequality lies at the heart of almost every other problem facing our society: crime, drug abuse, child poverty, housing affordability, cost of living, immigration, health care, and even the climate crisis.
These can all be traced to inequality that is slowly and surely shifting wealth towards a very small segment of society while our children are going to be poorer than us.
We need to vote for a future that rewards people who are dedicated to their work, not just those dedicated to accumulating assets.
We need to course-correct our system so that it requires everyone to contribute to society and bring justice for ourselves and for the generations to come. If we do, our great grandchildren will remember and celebrate us for it.
Regards, Marcus BAYNES-ROCK, Coffs Harbour.
Oh, for some vision
DEAR News Of The Area,
IS it any wonder voters are turning increasingly towards Independent candidates?
The pathetic, desperate bribes being offered last week by both sides of government presented an embarrassing spectacle.
I fail to understand why taxation is a dirty word.
We pay or have paid taxes in our working lives to have the services we all take for granted and to expect the services without paying for them is
unrealistic to say the least.
The tax cuts in the latest offer will mean money withdrawn from less sexy existing services with the hope that we won't notice or care.
I wait for a government which looks beyond the next electoral cycle.
Regards, Margaret ENGLAND, Toormina
DEAR Jasminda,
Every time I catch up with my friends the conversation always ends up leading to our despair over American politics.
I catch up with them to escape negative things and sometimes I now leave feeling worse than when I arrived. What's the answer?
Katie L.
Dear
Katie,
It's hard to fathom some of the things going on in the so-called "land of the free".
It can be very easy to get caught up in it, particularly if you take an interest in world affairs and/or you have a shred of empathy in your body, which is all that would be needed to question the state of play in America at the moment.
Every day there seems to be another story of a policy punishing people in need while the filthy rich get richer (or filthier).
By comparison, regardless of your politician
persuasion, Australia appears to be the grown up in the room.
Many people I speak to say that the lucky country feels even luckier and that they feel proud that they are living in a country that respects education, healthcare, communityminded people, a respect for others, laws that protect citizens, and politicians who know that they are not above the law.
It can be natural to want to let off steam and this is what your friends are doing, but it is important to take part in activities that offer some sort of positive release too.
Perhaps you can suggest that you spend the first 10 minutes of your catch ups discussing American politics if there is a burning desire to do so, but past that point it becomes an out-of-bounds subject until the next time you meet.
You can explain that it is really affecting you and that as much as you love catching up, you feel the subject matter is taking a personal toll.
There may even be other members of your friend group who feel exactly the same way and who have not been game to speak up.
Carpe diem, Jasminda.
Nationals ‘spooked’ by Independent challenge
DEAR News Of The Area,
ONLY a few weeks to go readers, and we'll be back to the evening news being dominated by crime and car accidents in the suburbs, rather than politicians in fluoro vests kissing babies.
housing crisis, skyrocketing energy bills, immigration levels and defence and national security".
The ads don't specify any solutions that the Nationals came up with from 2013-2022 to reduce these problems, which is fair enough, as nobody else can either.
‘Had a gutful’ of woke ideologies
DEAR News Of The Area, THE Climate 200 warriors, Rob Keldoulis and Simon Holmes à Court go hand-in-glove.
They share the same left-leaning, NIMBY, woke ideologies of the inner city elites.
These are the very people who impose their superior beliefs and make rules that affect us out in the country.
To put it bluntly: we've had a gutful.
They tried to tax our cows for farting - for God's sake.
How ridiculously stupid is that?
It certainly doesn't affect them in the city, but it signals their virtue.
And then they think nothing of hopping on a jet plane and flying around the world.
Can you get any more hypocritical than that?
If they want to wield so much influence in government, then why don't they put themselves up for election instead of getting stooges to do the job for them?
Are they afraid of personal rejection?
Regards, Dave WILLIAMSON, Coffs Harbour.
The other staple of the evening news is of course the US President, whose shenanigans are apparently cutting into the popularity rating of our opposition leader.
Voters seem to be drawing a line between the world view of the two - goodness knows how that could have happened.
Regardless of why, there is some panic in Coalition ranks, whose plans for a return to their rightful place in the government pews are diminishing faster than Mr Dutton is offloading his rental properties.
In our electorate of Cowper, the Nationals have been sufficiently spooked by Caz Heise's polling numbers to launch attack ads, blaming her and her ilk for (and I quote) "Big problems like cost of living, rising crime, the
Maybe making the major parties work cooperatively with a few more sensible, community based independents might be worth a try?
After listening to locals, Ms Heise has outlined a platform of positive steps she would pursue to improve healthcare, housing, childcare, the environment and education. She has also suggested funding these by reforming corporate tax - something notably absent from the major parties' offerings. Jump on board readers, it's got to be better than what we've been getting.
Overindulged on sweet treats this Easter? The state of world politics causing you stress? Reinvigorated for prime time in its ninth season, this wellbeing staple is here to help. Melissa Doyle and Shane Crawford (both pictured) take the reins to present an entertaining show filled with practical tips related to life, health and happiness. Podcaster Yvie Jones, former Socceroo Archie Thompson, ex-AFLW player Abbey Holmes and medical experts Dr Renee Lim and Dr Andrew Rochford are also on hand for candid chats and exciting challenges.
FRIDAY, April 25
Anzac Day Message.
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Gardening Australia. 8.30 Sherwood. (Mlv)
9.30 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (PG, R)
10.00 Hard Quiz. (Final, PG, R)
10.30 Big Boys. (MA15+l, R) 10.55 ABC Late News.
Father Brown. (PGav, R)
Mayfair Witches. (Malv, R) 12.40 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv)
5.00 Rage. (PG)
SATURDAY
VERA
ABC TV, 7.30pm
It’s the end of an era for fans of this homely crime series: after 14 years, star Brenda Blethyn (below) is hanging up her iconic hat (and mack). Fans have the chance to say goodbye with two epic films (catch part two tomorrow at 7.30pm) and an emotional behindthe-scenes special, Pet (Sunday, 9.05pm). In this final season, two high-profile cases land on Vera Stanhope’s desk: the accidental drowning of a former prison inmate in the Tyne, and a cold case being reopened after a 20-yearold conviction was overturned. Lewis star Kevin Whateley guest stars as Gary, the nowretired copper who bungled the case in the first place. It’s a fitting farewell that honours the beloved detective.
TUESDAY
THE CHEAP SEATS
When pairing up on-air talent, TV producers usually only dream of the kind of chemistry
The
Cheap Seats hosts Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald (both pictured). Like siblings who have been needling each other all their lives, the witty millennials effortlessly make quick quips at each other’s expense while breezing through the week’s most bizarre headlines and viral moments. With the international news getting more bonkers by the minute and a federal election just around the corner, Bracewell and McDonald (along with cultural correspondent Mel Tracina) will have plenty of ground to cover when their fifth season kicks off tonight.
6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Niagara Falls. (R) 8.30 Last Secrets Of The Great Sphinx Of Giza. (R)
9.30 Scotland’s Scenic Railways. (R)
10.25 SBS World News Late.
10.55 A Body That Works. (Mls) 12.00 Between Two Worlds. (Mal, R) 1.50 Agent Hamilton. (MA15+v, R)
3.35 Little Heroes. (PG, R)
4.30 Barkley Manor. (PG, R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Johanna Griggs catches up with Josh Niland.
8.30 House Of Wellness. (Return, PG) Melissa Doyle, Shane Crawford and a team of industry experts, media personalities and wellness advocates share insights and experiences to highlight living well.
9.30 Farmer Wants A Wife. (PGal, R) Natalie Gruzlewski brings together a group of new farmers on a quest to find true love.
12.50 The Black Donnellys. (Mdsv)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) Hosted by Simon Reeve.
5.00 NBC Today.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 8. Melbourne Storm v South Sydney Rabbitohs.
9.55 Golden Point. Post-match NRL wrap-up.
10.45 MOVIE: Criminal. (2016, MA15+lv, R) A CIA operative’s consciousness is transferred. Kevin Costner.
12.40 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)
4.30 Global Shop. (R)
5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
5.30 Postcards. (PG, R)
(62) VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 6.45pm Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Gardening Australia Junior. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 Teen Titans Go! 8.00 Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! 8.25 BTN Newsbreak. 8.30 MythBusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 8.55 Robot Wars. 9.55 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament Of Houses. 10.40 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Morning Programs. 9.00 Motor Racing. FIA World Endurance C’ship. H’lights. 10.10 Bewitched. 10.40 I Dream Of Jeannie. 11.10 Young Sheldon. 12.10pm MOVIE: Rams. (2020, PG) 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
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer.
6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 Airborne: Nature In Our Skies: Flight Path. (Final, PGa) Looks at remarkable journeys through the air. 8.40 The Graham Norton Show. (Mlv, R) Guests include Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Bryce Dallas Howard, Daniel Kaluuya and Kevin Bridges. 11.00 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather. 11.25 The Project. (R) 12.25 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.30 Home Shopping. (R)
(64) SBS MOVIES (32)
6am The Bridge On The River Kwai. Continued. (1957, PG) 8.20 Spitfire. (2018, PG) 10.15 The Lighthorsemen. (1987, M) 12.25pm Aline. (2020, M, French) 2.45 Swallows And Amazons. (2016, PG) 4.35 The Lunchbox. (2013, PG, Hindi) 6.35 Above Us The Waves. (1955, PG) 8.30 Operation Mincemeat. (2021, M) 10.50 Hundreds Of Beavers. (2022, M) 12.50am Wild Indian. (2021, MA15+) 2.25 Late Programs.
SATURDAY, April 26
6.10
Brown. (Mv) Flambeau finds
father at St Mary’s. 6.55 Federal Election Announcement. (R) An election announcement.
7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.
7.30 Vera. (Return, Ma) Vera confronts a life-affecting change.
9.05 Midsomer Murders. (Mv, R) UFO spotters are convinced aliens are responsible for the death of a forest ranger. 10.35 Unforgotten. (Final, Ml, R) Jess and Sunny get the truth.
11.20 Boat Story. (Final, MA15+v, R) The final face off with The Tailor ensues. 12.15 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
6am Children’s Programs. 6.05pm PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.15 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.35 Hey Duggee. 6.40 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Rocket Club. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Harry Potter: Wizards Of Baking. 8.10 Chopped Junior. 8.50 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.35 Speechless. 9.55 Officially Amazing. 10.25 Dragon Ball Super. 10.45 Late Programs.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 MOVIE: The New Boy. (2023, Mav, R)
An Aboriginal child arrives at a remote monastery. Cate Blanchett.
9.35 Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy: Milan. (PGa, R) Stanley Tucci heads to Milan. 10.25 Great Coastal Railway Journeys. (PG, R) 11.25 Homicide: Life On The Street. (Ma, R)
3.50 Bamay. (R)
4.50 Poh & Co. Bitesize. (R)
5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
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6am Above Us The Waves. Continued. (1955, PG) 6.55 The Lunchbox. (2013, PG, Hindi) 8.55 Whina. (2022, PG, Maori) 11.00 Decision To Leave. (2022, M, Chinese) 1.35pm The Bridge On The River Kwai. (1957, PG) 4.35 Basmati Blues. (2017, PG) 6.35 Leap Year. (2010, PG) 8.30 The Quick And The Dead. (1995, MA15+) 10.30 Original Sin. (2001, MA15+) 12.40am Silverado. (1985, M) 3.05 Late Programs.
SUNDAY, April 27
6.25 Federal Election Announcement. (R)
6.30 Compass. (PG)
6.55 Federal Election Announcement. (R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Vera. (Final, Ma)
9.05 Vera, Farewell Pet. (PG)
9.50 MOVIE: My Brother Jack – Part 1. (2001, Mnsv, R)
11.25 The Story Of The Kelly Gang. (R)
11.55 You Can’t Ask That. (Ma, R)
12.25 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
3.00 Ask The Doctor. (PG, R)
3.30 Gardening Australia. (R)
4.30 Insiders. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes. (Ma, R)
9.15 The Crusaders: Fortresses Of Faith. (PG, R) A look at Crusader fortresses. 10.15 Mayhem: Secret Lives Of Georgian Kings. (PGav, R)
11.10 Rebel With A Cause: Tiga Bayles. (PGa, R)
12.10 The Boys Who Said No. 1.15 Hell On Earth: WWII. (Mav, R)
4.10 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera News.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 The Americas: The Gulf Coast. (PG) Takes a look at the Gulf Coast.
8.00 MOVIE: Evan Almighty. (2007, G, R) A newly elected US senator’s life is thrown into chaos after God appears and orders him to build an ark. Steve Carell, Morgan Freeman. 10.00 MOVIE: No Hard Feelings. (2023, MA15+lns) A woman tries to help a teenage boy. Jennifer Lawrence.
12.15 The Black Donnellys. (Mdsv)
1.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 It’s Academic. (R) 5.00 House Of Wellness. (PG, R)
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 MOVIE: Midway. (2019, Mlw, R) Woody Harrelson. 10.10 MOVIE: The Man With The Iron Heart. (2017, MA15+asv, R) Jason Clarke.
12.20 Young Sheldon. (PGadlsv, R)
12.45 Australia’s Top Ten Of Everything. (PGads, R)
1.45 Innovation Nation. (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. Paul and Michelle have outgrown their home. 8.30 Gogglebox Australia. (R) TV fanatics open up their living rooms to reveal their reactions to popular and topical TV shows. 9.30 Ambulance Australia. (Maln, R) A crash results in a broken leg, but paramedics fear the
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 The 1% Club. (PGls) 8.10 7NEWS: The Final Showdown – Leaders’ Debate. The third and final leaders’ debate. 9.10 7NEWS Spotlight. 10.10 Menendez & Menudo: Boys Betrayed: Roy Tells All. (Premiere, MA15+av) 11.20 Autopsy USA. (Ma) 12.20 MOVIE: The Flip Side. (2018, Mls, R) 2.30 Home Shopping. (R) 3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
NBC Today.
Sunrise Early News.
Sunrise.
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6am Children’s Programs. 5.10pm MOVIE: Thomas And Friends: The Mystery Of Lookout Mountain. (2022) 6.10 Children’s Programs. 6.35 Hey Duggee. 6.40 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Rocket Club. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Moominvalley. 8.00 Horrible Histories. 8.30 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.10 Abbott Elementary. 9.55 Speechless. 10.15 Merlin. 11.00 Late Programs.
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 Travel Guides. (PGln) 8.10 60 Minutes. Current affairs program. 9.10 9News Late: Election Special. A look at the big issues. 10.10 See No Evil. (Mav) 11.10 The First 48. (MA15+a)
Oz Off Road TV. (PG, R)
Destination WA.
Explore. (R)
TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa)
FAMILY (22) 6am Morning Programs. 9.50 David Attenborough’s Dynasties. 11.00 Ancient Aliens. Noon Motor Racing. FIA World Endurance C’ship. 6 Hours Of Imola. H’lights. 1.05 Hunting Hitler. 2.05 Jeopardy! UK. 3.05 Young Sheldon. 3.35 MOVIE: Flight Of The Navigator. (1986) 5.30 MOVIE: Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London. (2004, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1. (2014, M) 10.00 Late Programs.
5.30 Abandoned Engineering. 6.25 Great Australian Concerts: Tina Arena. 7.30 The Day The Rock Star Died. 8.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Liege-Bastogne-Liege. Men’s race. 12.45am Late Programs.
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Swallows And Amazons. Continued. (2016, PG) 7.15 Basmati Blues. (2017, PG) 9.15 Love And Friendship. (2016, PG) 10.55 We’ll Be Young And Beautiful. (2018, M, Italian) 12.35pm Operation Mincemeat. (2021, M) 2.55 Above Us The Waves. (1955, PG) 4.50 The Wild Duck. (1983, PG) 6.40 An Ideal Husband. (1999, PG) 8.30 Knight Of Cups. (2015, M) 10.40 Dear Thomas. (2021, MA15+) 1.30am Late Programs.
Years
of blowing whistle sees AFL umpire reach 300 game milestone
FROM Page 24
signifies is that perseverance gets you everywhere."
Alp said if there's one thing he's learned in his time with 'Team Green' as the umpires call themselves, is
that if a new umpire joins the ranks they will be supported by their fellow whistle blowers.
"The camaraderie within the team, and umpires are most definitely a team similar to your
local footy team, it's exactly the same principles and we do stick together like superglue," he said.
"Back in the day when I was a footballer thinking about going into umpiring, I was fairly confident
Children’s Programs. 8.00 Allo! Allo! 9.30 Only Fools And Horses. 10.10 David Attenborough’s Planet Earth III. 11.20 Ancient Aliens. 12.20pm Lost Gold Of World War II. 1.20 Hunting Hitler. 2.20 Jeopardy! UK. 3.20 MOVIE: Paper Planes. (2014) 5.20 MOVIE: Music & Lyrics. (2007, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Speed 2: Cruise Control. (1997, M) 10.00 MOVIE: The Nice Guys. (2016, MA15+) 12.25am Late Programs.
umpires were unusual, aliens, they're weird.
“That is not the case.
“I can confirm 100 percent they're an excellent bunch of individuals. And I might emphasise that's female, male, juniors, whoever, it doesn't matter.
"If you become an umpire you will enjoy the camaraderie, the team and you will be better as a person because of it without doubt."
6.00 The
6am Children’s Programs. 6.25pm Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.35 Hey Duggee. 6.40 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Dino
6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Prague With Michael Portillo. (Premiere)
8.25 Bettany Hughes: Treasures Of Turkey. (PGas, R)
9.20 Sri Lanka With Alexander Armstrong. (PGalv, R)
10.15 SBS World News Late.
10.45 Classified. (MA15+v)
11.30 Don’t Leave Me. (MA15+a, R)
1.35 Son Of. (MA15+v, R) 3.10 Paul O’Grady’s Little Heroes. (PG, R) 4.05 Barkley Manor. (R) 4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) Mali won’t accept help. 7.30 Farmer Wants A Wife. (PGa) Hosted by Natalie Gruzlewski. 9.05 9-1-1: Lone Star. (Mav)
A gang killing leads Carlos to new information on his father’s murder. 10.05 Suits L.A. (M) Ted and Stuart’s friendship is tested. 11.05 The Agenda Setters. 12.05 Treadstone. (MA15+av)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 The Floor. (Premiere, PGl) 8.45 100% Footy. (M) 9.45 9News Late.
10.15 The Prison Confessions Of Gypsy-Rose Blanchard. (MA15+av)
11.15 Police After Dark. (Mlv, R)
12.05 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.00 Hello SA. (PG) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
2.30 Global Shop. (R)
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am The Movie Show. 6.30 The Wild Duck. (1983, PG) 8.20 Leap Year. (2010, PG) 10.15 Real Genius. (1985, M) 12.15pm Silverado. (1985, M) 2.40 Helene. (2020, PG, Finnish) 4.55 Love And Friendship. (2016, PG) 6.35 Summerland. (2020, PG) 8.30 The Zookeeper’s Wife. (2017, M) 10.50 The Spy. (2019, M, Swedish) 12.55am Body Double. (1984, MA15+) 3.00 Late Programs.
5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
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SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Love And Friendship. Continued. (2016, PG) 6.40 Summerland. (2020, PG) 8.35 An Ideal Husband. (1999, PG) 10.25 The Spy. (2019, M, Swedish) 12.30pm Knight Of Cups. (2015, M) 2.40 Hamlet. (1948, PG) 5.30 The Life And Death Of Colonel Blimp. (1943, PG) 8.30 The Outpost. (2019, MA15+) 10.45 The Frozen Ground. (2013, MA15+) 12.45am Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) 7.30 Farmer Wants A Wife. (PGal) Hosted by Natalie Gruzlewski. 8.45 Doc. (Ma) While at the hospital recovering, Amy can’t help but insert herself into her roommate’s case.
9.45 The Irrational. (Mav) Alec takes part in a prisoner exchange.
10.45 The Agenda Setters. 11.45 Autopsy USA. (Mad, R) 12.45 The Act. (MA15+ans, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
7MATE (64)
WEDNESDAY, April 30
Alone Australia. (Ml)
8.40 Just One Thing With Michael Mosley. (Premiere, PG)
9.15 The Handmaid’s Tale. (MA15+) 10.15 SBS World News Late. 10.45 My Brilliant Friend. (Mal)
11.40 Lost Luggage. (Mal, R)
2.35 Aliquam Dive Stories. (PG, R)
3.35 Aliquam Dive Stories II. (R)
4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6am Children’s Programs. 6.05pm PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.15
6am The Life
And Death Of Colonel Blimp. Continued. (1943, PG) 8.55 Helene. (2020, PG, Finnish) 11.10 The Zookeeper’s Wife. (2017, M) 1.30pm Summerland. (2020, PG) 3.25 Like Father, Like Son. (2013, PG, Japanese) 5.40 The Guns Of Navarone. (1961, PG) 8.30 Letters From Iwo Jima. (2006, MA15+) 11.05 Silverado. (1985, M) 1.30am The Outpost. (2019, MA15+) 3.45 Moving. (1993, M, Japanese)
THURSDAY, May 1
6.00 Mastermind Australia.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 The Secret DNA Of Us. (Ma)
8.35 Liberation: D-Day To Berlin. (Premiere)
9.30 Virdee. (MA15+v)
10.35 SBS World News Late.
11.05 The Hollow. (Mal)
1.05 Departure. (Madl, R)
2.45 Australia Uncovered: Our African Roots. (PGa, R)
3.45 Barkley Manor. (R)
4.45 Bamay. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)
7.30 Clarkson’s Who Wants To Be A Millionaire UK. (Premiere, PG)
8.30 The Front Bar. (Ml) Takes a lighter look at all things AFL.
9.30 Unfiltered. (PGa) Hosted by Hamish McLachlan. 10.00 Carl Barron: Skating Rink For Flies. (Ml, R)
12.10 Midnight Texas. (MA15+hv)
1.10 Harry’s Practice. (R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 The Hundred With Andy Lee. (Ml) 8.30 Breakthrough: The Rise Of Women’s Rugby League.
Freddy And The Eighth. (Ml)
9News Late.
The Equalizer. (MA15+v, R)
Next Stop. (PG)
Tipping Point. (PG, R)
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Like Father, Like Son. (2013, PG, Japanese) 8.15 Hamlet. (1948, PG) 11.05 Odd Thomas. (2013, M) 12.55pm The Life And Death Of Colonel Blimp. (1943, PG) 3.55 The Kids Are Alright. (2021, PG, Spanish) 5.35 Princess Caraboo. (1994, PG) 7.25 U-96, The True Story Of Das Boot. 8.30 The Forgotten Battle. (2020, MA15+, German) 10.50 Drive. (2011, MA15+) 12.45am Bliss. (2021, MA15+) 2.25 Late Programs.
(64)
(64) SBS MOVIES (32)
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGav) Roo’s heart breaks. 7.30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly. (PGas) 8.30 Britain’s Got Talent. (PG) Auditions begin as weird, wacky and wonderful acts compete in front of celebrity judges. 9.35 The Amazing Race. (PG) 11.05 Born To Kill? (MA15+a, R) 12.05 Emergency Call. (PGal, R) 1.05 Travel Oz. (PG, R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
NBC Today.
Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
300-game milestone
HAVING first blown a whistle as an umpire 13 years ago, Bruce Alp is set to notch an incredible achievement this weekend when he umpires his 300th AFL North Coast match.
At 67 years of age, the love of footy and the Geelong Cats that ‘Nipper' has burns as brightly within him today as it did when he first started playing 55 years ago in the South Gippsland region of Victoria.
And he’s proud to reach such a rare milestone this
weekend.
"It actually means a lot. It's actually an achievement because of the old age factor and it has been difficult with niggling injuries which is more wear and tear injuries simply through age," Alp said.
"I've said 'nah, stuff it, just keep persevering' and a couple of drinks at the end of a match generally will save the day.
"It does mean a lot to me simply because what it
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q Experienced
umpire Bruce Alp will umpire his 300th AFL North Coast match this weekend.
