Bill HARROW 0437 776 247 bill@newsofthearea.com.au
Sis HIGGINS 0488 027 142 sis@newsofthearea.com.au
Sue STEPHENSON sue@newsofthearea.com.au
By Sue STEPHENSON
AT their current success rate, members of the Port Macquarie Historical Society may need to curate their own awards exhibit.
Just weeks after receiving Bronze at the Australian Tourism Awards, the society has won the National Trust’s (NSW) Advocacy Award for its efforts in ensuring the future of the Port Macquarie Museum.
The award recognises the ongoing maintenance of the state-significant building and the commitment to preserving the museum’s public profile, its heritage values and their meaning.
“They’re true champions of heritage in the community.
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The judging panel described the museum’s volunteers “as an amazing and inspiring group that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to advocacy for over 70 years.
“Their impressive efforts extend well beyond this single focus area and are to be commended”.
Museum Curator and Historical Society Vice President Debbie Sommers, accepted the win at the annual Heritage Awards in Sydney on 16 May.
She said it was an honour to be recognised for “storing, preserving and sharing” Port Macquarie’s heritage and culture.
“As custodians of our building we know how important it is to our community’s identity in preserving not just the bricks and mortar but the stories embedded in them.”
Ms Sommers praised members and volunteers
as well as the team from Design 5 Architects who worked on the Museum’s Conservation Management Strategy.
“Their findings have been empowering and will guide our future and ongoing advocacy work.”
She also thanked Heritage NSW and The Copland Foundation for their financial support.
The Historical Society is now awaiting the outcome of a NSW Heritage Grant application to support conservation works for the historic Store building, which is the main building fronting Clarence Street.
Its upper level is currently closed to the public until essential conservation works are completed.
The National Trust Heritage Awards have been running since 1994 and are one of the most highly anticipated events in the heritage, cultural and conservation sector.
Fittingly, the win came just days before the start of National Volunteer Week.
ADULT Art Classes
q Volunteers Bronwyn O'Brien and Betty Cleary welcome overseas visitors to the museum. Photos: supplied by Debbie Sommers.
q Pride of place: volunteer Betty Cleary (left) shows off the museum’s latest ‘exhibit’ to a visitor.
q Historical Society VP Debbie Sommers accepted the Heritage Award in Sydney.
Photo: Port Macquarie Museum.
q Historical Society President Clive Smith and fellow volunteer David Edgerley adjust an exhibit.
q Sharing the win: Peter Williams and David Edgerley admire the awards, held by Lil Andrews and Clive Smith (centre).
Marine Rescue’s dramatic bar rescue
FROM Page 1
off Town Beach on the bar directly in front of the SARCC (Search and Rescue Coordination Centre)our radio base at Town Beach”, radio operator Noel Woodward told News Of The Area.
“We were about to contact it as the vessel was being tossed about in fairly heavy seas, seemingly out of control. However, the skipper phoned us advising of engine
failure, no power and the radio not working and [that] he was the only person on board.”
What unfolded next was like something out of a movie.
Rescue vessels the Port Macquarie 21 (a 6.9m Naiad with four crew) and Port Macquarie 30 (an 11.9m Steber with five crew) were involved in training at the time.
They responded immediately and found that because the boat was without
power, it could not raise its anchor.
Port Macquarie 21 had to return to the boatshed and retrieve bolt cutters to cut the vessel free.
“Having severed the anchor, a tow line was then attached,” Noel said.
The distressed vessel being so large, and in unsafe waters, meant it was towed some distance out to enable it to be turned and brought back in.
“But… the tow line
disconnected.”
Port Macquarie 21 skipper Rob Britten climbed aboard the disabled vessel to assess its systems, assist with the tow, and attempt to restart equipment.
“We decided that the risk of towing the vessel over the bar would possibly result in damage to one or both vessels and pose significant risk to the crew and skipper of the distressed vessel (DV),” he said.
“We had two choices; to wait several hours for the tide to turn or attempt to get the DV operational.”
On inspection of the engine room, Rob discovered that the port engine had failed, with a large amount of oil surrounding it.
The starboard engine, however, was still operational.
He also discovered, after starting the starboard engine, that there was very limited steering.
Rob managed to get one engine running, which helped ease the load on the tow line, though steering remained inoperable.
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Both Port Macquarie vessels reassessed their options and decided to cross the bar with Rob on the DV and the skipper of rescue vessel Port Macquarie 30, Robert Breskal, operating in
tandem.
Going through the tow line connection and tow commencement again, Robert took the lead with Rob aboard the DV using as much steering as the vessel could muster.
Navigating through the bar required the coordinated efforts of both skippers and crew.
The boat’s return to the marina then went smoothly with Rob staying aboard to assist with power and system management.
Port Macquarie’s Caroline Hong had just finished her gym workout and was taking a stroll in the sunshine, when she witnessed the aweinspiring event.
“Around 11am, I noticed a distressed yacht being tossed about in the rough seas right before my eyes,” she told News Of The Area.
“There was a lone man standing at the bow.
“The waves were towering, and from a distance, it looked as though the ocean might swallow the vessel whole.
“It was the only boat in sight at the time.
“The teams worked skillfully in the turbulent water, seemingly trying to release the yacht from its anchor.
“After a tense period, I saw the yacht being towed
slowly toward calmer water”. Watching on from the shore, Caroline found herself incredibly grateful for the volunteers in our community who step up so bravely in times of crisis.
“It was an extraordinary display of courage, teamwork, and expert seamanship, also an unforgettable rescue unfolding right before my eyes in the midst of powerful, unforgiving waves.”
For Port Macquarie Marine Rescue, these kinds of outcomes are only possible due to training, coordination, and community support.
That support comes from campaigns like this month’s Mayday Appeal.
Every year, Marine Rescue NSW volunteers bring more than 10,000 people safely back to their loved ones.
As of Anzac Day this year, the Port Macquarie unit had completed 55 search and rescue missions, a 10 percent increase on this time last year.
Across the nine units within the broader Mid North Coast region, there were 235 missions that safely returned 527 people to shore.
The funds raised from the Mayday appeal will ensure that Marine Rescue Port Macquarie remains rescueready.
All donations can be made at donate.mrnsw.com.au.
Burnie, Wynyard, Cradle Mountain, Strahan, Queenstown, Derwent Bridge, New Norfolk, Hobart, Mt Wellington, Bruny Island, Port Arthur, Mona, Richmond, Ross, Bicheno, St Helens, Bay of Fires, Pyengana, Bridestowe Estate, Launceston
10 to 13 October 2025
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Join us on this most ambitious, fully guided adventure of our last frontier.
Australia’s biggest celebration of spring, Floriade returns to Commonwealth Park. Featuring more than one million blooms, this flower festival is also renowned for its marketplace, food stalls, live music, and workshops. We will also enjoy Lake Burley Griffin Cruise, Mt Ainslie Lookout, Old Parliament House Tour, Banquet at Waters Edge Fine Dining French Restaurant, National Arboretum and a lot more.
COACHES DEPART: Port Macquarie, Laurieton, Kew, Harrington
DEPARTS: Port Macquarie, Bonny Hills, Laurieton, Kew
Burnie, Wynyard, Cradle Mountain, Strahan, Queenstown, Derwent Bridge, New Norfolk, Hobart, Mt Wellington, Bruny Island, Port Arthur, Mona, Richmond, Ross, Bicheno, St Helens, Bay of Fires, Pyengana, Bridestowe Estate, Launceston INCLUDES: Coach Transport, Accommodation, Meals, Tours DEPARTS: Port Macquarie, Bonny Hills, Laurieton, Kew
q Caroline Hong watched the rescue unfolding. Photo: supplied.
Nuclear power blows up coalition's political marriage
By Dominic GIANNINI, AAP
NUCLEAR energy has blown up a political agreement between the Nationals and the Liberals after leaders failed to reach common ground, but left the door open for a reconciliation.
The traditional political marriage couldn't be consecrated following a disastrous result for the coalition at the federal election with the Nationals standing firm on wanting to retain four key policies.
These included remaining committed to nuclear energy, divestiture powers to break up big supermarkets, a $20 billion investment fund that would disperse $1 billion a year on regional infrastructure and universal phone services.
Landlines and payphones must have service no matter where they are in Australia but this doesn't extend to mobile phones, which the Nationals have been fighting to include.
Nationals Leader David Littleproud said the party
didn't want to have to re-prosecute the case to retain the policies it fought for under the previous agreement in opposition.
"It's on a principled position of making sure that those hard-fought wins are maintained and respected and we continue to look forward," Mr Littleproud told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.
The change in opposition doesn't have a substantial impact on the government's ability to pass legislation with Labor commanding a
The Liberals still have the numbers to pass legislation in the Senate with Labor without the Nationals.
Without a coalition agreement, Labor has a significant electoral advantage with the Liberals holding fewer than 30 of 150 lower house seats and the Nationals 15.
The Nationals won't sit in shadow cabinet, meaning they won't hold sway over policies and the half-dozen MPs who were around the table will take a pay cut.
The coalition last broke up in 1987 for about four months.
Mr Littleproud left the door open for a future arrangement, saying the two parties would still work together to fight the Labor government.
The break up would give Ms Ley the time and space she needed to rebuild her party, Mr Littleproud said.
"They are going on a journey of rediscovery and this will provide them the opportunity to do that without the spectre of the National Party imposing their will," he said.
Mr Littleproud denied the Nationals were a drag on the Liberal vote in the inner cities.
Their policies were popular, especially in their regional seats, and others such as the push to scrap public sector working from home entitlements - spearheaded by Liberal senator Jane Hume - were electoral poison, he said.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley faces the task of rebuilding the Liberals after a wipeout at the 3 May election.
CAMPING QUESTIONS
Area that the proposed model is designed to introduce a more consistent and simplified statewide camping fee and booking system for their 365 National Park campgrounds.
“The proposal would provide consistency and equity for all visitors by linking fees to the level of services and facilities provided, and seasonal demand”, they said.
According to NSW NPWS, many of the proposed changes would make camping in National Parks more affordable.
The changes include:
- Reducing camping fees during off-peak periods to encourage visitation outside the high season
- Lowering fees at locations with lower demand
- Eliminating charges for remote or basic campsites, offering free camping options
Where fee increases are proposed, the NPWS said these reflect CPI adjustments since 2017.
The NSW Government is also making a substantial investment in new and upgraded infrastructure.
This includes the development of over 60 new or enhanced picnic and visitor areas, as well as upgrades to more than 35 campgrounds.
My Kemp, however, believes that the proposed price hike is “nothing more than a cash grab by the Minns Labor Government,” warning it could lead to National Parks becoming exclusive spaces, only accessible to the wealthy.
A popular spot, the Point Plomer campground, has recently been upgraded and is welcoming new campers.
The NPWS spokesperson said that, “since 2016, the price for Point Plomer has been $36.90 for a family of four.
“Under the proposal, the
price would be $38 in low season or $65 in high season for up to six people, including four adults, with a 25 percent discount for small sites”.
When asked if the NPWS foresees an increase in fees causing a decrease in families visiting their campgrounds, the spokesperson said it was unlikely.
“The proposed fees are designed to enhance access to in-demand camping areas, advantage families sharing a campsite, whilst disincentivising booking more space than required and ghost camping.
“Camping remains an affordable way to holiday and under the proposal many fees will actually be reduced.”
To share your feedback on fairer camping fees, simpler bookings, and tackling campground issues in National Parks, visit haveyoursay.nsw.gov. au/haveyoursay.
Garage Sale
major majority in the lower house and only needing the Greens in the Senate.
FROM Page 1
q It's over, for now. The Nationals have split from the federal coalition with the Liberals. Photo: AAP Image.
Rescues and major disruptions as Hastings cops a lashing
By Sis HIGGINS
THIS week’s dangerous weather conditions continue to impact daily life, after forcing widespread school and business closures and prompting rescues and evacuations.
Landslips at Mr Seaview blocked the Oxley Highway in both directions with the area receiving 319mm of rain just in the 24 hours to 9am Wednesday.
Rural bridges and roads have suffered extensive damage and are closed to traffic.
Heavy rain and wind gusts are expected through to the end of the week.
The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) confirmed flooding stretched from the Hastings and Camden Haven river catchments to the Macleay and Nambucca and down to Gloucester and the Myall Lakes.
In Taree, the SES had carried out close to 200 rescues by the end of Wednesday, as the Manning River broke its 1929 record of six metres and spilled into the town.
“These incidents act as a timely reminder never to drive, walk or play in floodwaters. If it’s flooded, forget it,” said SES Assistant Commissioner Dean Storey.
“The flooding continues to move quickly, so people should monitor floods and severe weather warnings.
“We ask those in the highrisk areas not to wait until it’s too late,” he said.
“Know what you will do if you do need to leave and follow the advice of the emergency services.”
SES Mid North Coast Command confirmed to News Of The Area that it was providing ongoing assistance in relation to leaking roofs, trees falling onto properties, and requests for sandbags.
Multiple government, Catholic and Independent schools either closed or moved to minimal supervision due to localised flooding and road closures.
The Wauchope and Laurieton Library branches, along with Council’s Customer Service Centres, were shut; as were all council-managed pools and 4WD beach access.
Local businesses took proactive measures, including sandbagging entrances and clearing drains.
On social media, residents shared their experiences.
Some read:
“We’ve got water coming in through the back door and can’t leave the house. The paddocks are already underwater.”
“No buses this morning –school rang to say not to send the kids in.”
“The roads are like rivers; it’s unlike anything I’ve seen before.”
“Our backyard is completely submerged, and we’re worried about the
rising water levels.”
With more rain forecast into the weekend, the SES warns that localised flooding, falling branches, and blocked roads will remain serious hazards.
Assistant Commissioner Storey said the SES remains well-prepared to respond to this multi-day weather event.
“We have additional flood rescue teams, aviation assets and volunteers positioned to respond to any requests for assistance.”
For emergency advice
- Download the Hazards Near Me App: https://www. nsw.gov.au/emergency/ hazards-near-me-app
- Road closure information can be found at the Live Traffic app and
website livetraffic.com/. Follow local SES units: NSW SES Port Macquarie, Wauchope, Camden Haven and Mid North Coast on Facebook.
- Tune in to ABC Local Radio: 95.5 FM for the latest regional emergency updates.
- In emergencies, call NSW SES on 132 500.
- Call Triple Zero (000) for life-threatening situations.
For schools
- NSW public school closures: education.nsw. gov.au/schooling/schooloperational-status.
- Catholic school updates: csnsw.catholic.edu. au/school-management/ emergency-management.
- Check your child’s school’s Facebook Page.
q The Hastings River at Bain Bridge
q The Hastings River in flood.
q Preparing sandbags at Wayne Richards Park. Photos: Kylie Lee.
q A yacht stuck on the ferry lines at Settlement Point on Wednesday morning.
q Sandbagging at Florence Jones Cheese and Wine.
q Flooding in Short Street, Port Macquarie.
q The Cutty Creek Bridge between Bonny Hills and Herons Creek. Photo: Nathan Marden.
q The road from Wauchope to Port Macquarie. Photo: Troy Thompson.
Community garden delays spark public meeting
Logan impresses with portrait work
PORT Macquarie student
Logan Austin has been named a finalist in the 2025 Young Archie competition.
Run in conjunction with the iconic Archibald Prize, the competition invites young artists across Australia to submit portraits of someone special to them.
Logan, a Year Two student at St Joseph’s Primary School, was selected as a finalist from thousands of entries
nationwide, with a heartfelt portrait titled ‘My Dad’.
St Joseph’s teacher Elise Howard said being named a finalist was an “incredible accomplishment”.
“The Young Archie is the most prestigious art prize for students,” she said.
“His success will inspire others and further encourage his talents.
“Not many people can say that their art is hanging in the Art Gallery of NSW.”
By Luke HADFIELD
THE Hastings Residents Association (HRA) has called a public meeting to address ongoing concerns surrounding the delayed opening of the Wauchope Community Gardens, which remain in limbo.
The meeting will be held at 6pm on Wednesday 28 May at the Wauchope RSL Club.
It aims to update the community on the progress of the gardens and to shed light on what the HRA believes to be Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s failure to assist in opening the site over the past 18 months.
HRA President Greg Franks said the group has persevered through
years of delays, legal threats and administrative hurdles.
“The community has been waiting for three years for its new garden to be built and opened,” Mr Franks said.
The issue dates back to mid-2022 when the original community garden, located on privately-owned land, was closed due to the sale of the site.
With support from several councillors, a new site was found on Council-owned land leased by the Scouts.
The garden group, initially backed by the Scouts, successfully secured a $225,000 NSW Government grant to establish new gardens at the site.
However, in 2023according to the HRA - the relationship between the Scouts, HRA and Council broke down.
The matter is now being referred to the NSW Minister for Local Government for further investigation.
“Council should be giving its full support to this tremendous improvement made possible by the State Government grant and the hard work of our volunteers.”
The HRA has formally invited the Mayor, Councillors and the Member for Oxley Michael Kemp to attend the meeting.
Council was contacted for comment but did not respond in time for publication.
Port Macquarie locals and art enthusiasts can view Logan’s artwork alongside other young finalists on the
official Art Gallery of NSW website.
q From happier times, the HRA is longing to re-open the community garden.
q Young Archie finalist Logan Austin.
q Logan’s artwork ‘My Dad’ on display at the Art Gallery of NSW.
By Sue STEPHENSON
THE wet and chilly weather is an important reminder to consider donating a little warmth to the Hastings’ most vulnerable residents.
Spreading warmth across the Hastings Celebrating local excellence
BROWS by Willow has been named Business of the Year at the 2025 Coastline Bank Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards.
Now in its 18th year, the awards celebrate the innovation, resilience, and outstanding achievements of businesses and individuals across the region.
The awards shone a spotlight on a wide range of industries, from tourism and retail to construction, healthcare, and professional services.
Brows by Willow also took out awards for Woman in Business,
New and next-to-new blankets, doonas and other warm items are currently being accepted by the Rotary Club of Port Macquarie West through its Winter Woollies Drive, and by Wauchope
Rotary through its Winter Blanket Drive.
Both clubs are working in partnership with Sam’s Natty Knitters and Crocheters for the Homeless, which makes handmade items for both
campaigns.
Running for close to seven years, the group was founded by former NSW Carer of the Year Sheila “Sam” Openshaw.
Close to 60 members are registered, with an average of 20 women meeting at the Port Macquarie Golf Club every Monday afternoon between 2pm and 4pm, to knit, crochet and have a “natter”.
Service Award.
Excellence in Micro Business, and Outstanding Young Business Leader for founder Willow Rissel.
Eire Constructions was another major winner, earning accolades for Work, Health & Safety, Employer of Choice (21+ employees), and Excellence in Large Business.
The evening also celebrated industry leaders and emerging talent, with Phillippa Cullen of All Together Therapy named Outstanding Business Leader, and Melinda Cockshutt honoured with the Wayne Jackson Outstanding Community
In a significant milestone, Port Medical Aesthetics Clinic and Panthers Port Macquarie were inducted into the prestigious Hall of Fame.
“This year’s winners reflect the diversity and strength of the Greater Port Macquarie business community,” Business Port Macquarie said in a statement.
“From local cafés like Seasalt Cafe and Restaurant to community organisations like Garden Village and innovative newcomers such as Jess Manton Specialist Education Services, the awards highlight the dynamic and evolving nature of the region’s economy.”
“We mainly make scarves, beanies, rugs and mittens; and some of the ladies do jumpers,” Sam told News Of The Area.
“We knit and crochet all year round, and when Winter is over, the ladies stockpile in their own home.”
Wauchope Rotary collects their creations to add to a trestle table of donations available on the second Wednesday of the month at Bain Park, alongside the SouperVan.
The club also provides non-perishable food and hygiene kits.
The items collected by Rotary Port Macquarie West are donated to various community service organisations to distribute to those in need.
Members of the public wanting to support these campaigns can drop off
items to the PCYC in Owen Street, Port Macquarie or, for Wauchope, call Debbie on 0418 298 912 to arrange drop off or pick up.
Anyone with new wool
they'd
like to donate for handmade items can drop into the Port Macquarie Golf Club on Monday afternoons and ask for Sam.
q Blankets and other donated winter items alongside the SouperVan in Wauchope’s Bain Park on Wednesday, 14 May. Photo: Wauchope Rotary.
q Founder of the Natty Knitters and Crocheters for the Homeless, Sam Openshaw. Photo: supplied.
q Willow Rissel from Brows by Willow (centre) with Coastline Bank Chief Customer Officer Lachy Townsend and Business Development Officer Estelle De Rubertis.
CSU’s $300k in scholarships for Hastings students
FIFTY-SEVEN students from the Port Macquarie-Hastings region will receive financial support through the Charles Sturt Foundation Trust this year. The total value of the scholarships is $335,926.
The amount is part of the $3m awarded to students across all six CSU campuses.
Recipients in the Port Macquarie-Hastings region were the first to be presented with their scholarships at an
official ceremony on Tuesday 13 May.
Acting Director of Advancement at Charles Sturt University Ms Carly Evans said the scholarships were due to the generosity of local communities, businesses, and alumni.
“The support of these groups allows us to meet students where they arewith scholarships that reflect the diversity of experiences and aspirations across
regional Australia,” she said.
“Many of our students juggle study with parttime work, travel from remote areas, or manage family responsibilities. “Scholarships can be the difference between continuing their course or stepping away from their
career aspirations."
Ms Evans said it was Charles Sturt’s regional focus which gave it a unique advantage over other educational institutions, and the scholarship ceremonies were a way to celebrate the students.
“These are not just formalities; they are powerful reminders that regional communities and passionate supporters believe in the
potential of their young people and are keen to invest in their future.
“This year, we’ve seen support reach students from all walks of life - First Nations students, carers, mature-age learners, those facing financial hardship, and those pursuing research that will directly benefit rural communities.
“The range of scholarships reflects the diversity of our student body.
“We’ve seen recipients go on to become healthcare
workers in remote towns, teachers in their local communities, and changemakers in their fields.
“That’s the power of regional giving - its ripple effects are real and lasting.”
Scholarships are open to domestic and international students studying any course at the university.
More information can be found on the university’s website.
To support a Charles Sturt student, contact the Charles Sturt Advancement office.
Radio 531 Cruzes into new era
with Dave from 6-9am and afternoons with John from 12-3pm, that’s more interviews, more details
will also hear coverage of the NRL and AFL as well as the greatest songs from the 60s and beyond.
At 15 years, the station also has the region’s longest running local sports show on
Station Manager John O’Callaghan even hit his own impressive milestone last year, celebrating 50 years in
The station has picked up numerous awards over the years and its staff have been rich in talent and experience.
In the modern era of CRUZE FM, John, Dave and Nik represent a combined
By Rikki WALLER
IN the fast-paced world of radio and media, the team
at Radio 531 has gone from celebrating its 25-years on air to entering a new era as CRUZE FM 93.5.
One of the biggest changes that comes with the transformation is the introduction of the station’s
q Vice Chancellor Renée Leon PSM presents the Inland Digital Scholarship to Maverick Fardell.
Photo: supplied.
q Attendees at the Charles Sturt Foundation Scholarship Trust ceremony in Port Macquarie. Photo: supplied.
CWA branches advocate for change
By Pauline CAIN
NEWS Of The Area joined more than 600 delegates and another 200 observers at the Country Women’s Association’s 103rd State Conference in Wagga Wagga this week.
In a statement to media ahead of the conference, CWA of NSW president Joy Beames said, “The high number of motions delegates will be asked to vote on this year reflects the commitment from our members to their communities and the importance of highlighting issues impacting the lives of those in remote, rural and regional NSW communities”.
The theme for this
year’s conference, “From isolation to innovation - the threads that bind”, aptly highlighted how women from all over NSW came together to discuss over 40 motions regarding education, health, the environment, agriculture, transport and telecommunications.
These motions ranged from calling on the state government to prioritise feral pig control, to reopening the regional seniors travel card program, to urgently calling for a review of ambulance services.
“Advocacy has always been at the heart of our association and that has certainly come to the fore this year,” Ms Beames said.
Six members from the Port Macquarie Branch attended the conference, including President Jill Adams.
Doreen Burns (President) and her sister Mary represented the Wauchope Branch.
Both women sat down with News Of The Area during the week for a quick Q&A .
What are the biggest issues in your community?
Jill: As a branch we have become more and more aware of the needs of local women and children who are homeless and who are victims of domestic violence.
We are keen to support local organisations such as Liberty Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services, and out of
Talking Entertainment with Dave & Elsa Every Monday night, 8 – 10pm
Interviews featuring local events and businesses.
Fun banter, great music !
2 hrs of on air entertainment where fun and information is the priority.
home foster care.
Doreen: Wauchope was traditionally a small, thriving, farming community, but that is changing as more people move here. It is still a small, tight-knit community. We look out for and support each other.
How is your branch unique demographically?
ATTENTION SENIO RS & RETIREES,
Did you know that we do weekly Seniors Big Day Out Cruises every Wednesday?
By Chan ANSELL
WARM, passionate and dedicated to child protection, Jenny Watts has been giving back to the community her entire life.
Her journey began in the tiny town of North Star in northwest NSW, a place she made “wonderful memories”.
“I’m still great friends with some of my peers from that time,” she said.
By the age of 12, Jenny was already volunteering with the Junior Medical Research Foundation.
“From there, any opportunity to be on a committee or involved in a project, I took it,” she told NOTA.
“I just loved the feeling of helping people.”
Since then Jenny has been involved in playgroups, school reading, sewing, organising excursions, and running school bands.
She even started a band for adult beginners when her son hit high school.
“I took my son’s trombone and became the treasurer and event organiser,” she laughed.
“I held those positions for 19 years.”
After moving to Port
Jill: We have been lucky over the past few years to attract a number of new members who have helped rejuvenate our branch. They have brought with them an energy and commitment that has made us more active than we were, and more present in our community.
Doreen: Wauchope Branch is dynamic and is fortunate to be attracting new members and to have lots of community support. There is a great sense of energy and vibrancy in the community work in which we are engaged.
Heartbeat of the Hastings: Jenny Watts
Macquarie at the end of 2015, Jenny joined the Mid North Coast branch of Bravehearts in 2016 and hasn’t looked back.
Bravehearts is a charity that provides counselling, education, training and advocacy for survivors and communities affected by child sexual abuse.
She took on the Chairperson role in 2018 and is deeply passionate about the organisation’s mission to educate local kids about bodily safety and how to say “no”.
“I knew about child sexual assault,” she said, “but I really had no idea how common it was.
“The Mid North Coast is not a safe area for kids, and our mission is to fully fund child protection education in our local primary schools.”
Since the local Bravehearts committee started in 2013, around 16,000 kids have received this education, with more than 2,000 local students taking part each year in the past three years.
Jenny’s not stopping there however, hoping to expand into early learning centres by 2026.
To help grow the program, she recently increased the committee from four to nine people.
In July there are also several dates to enjoy our Christmas in July event.
You may even get a visit from Santa!
“I’m confident they’ll bring a lot to the table.”
Jenny’s passionate about educating adults too.
“The stories I hear from survivors and their families are heartbreaking,” she said.
“Education is our only defence. That’s why our fundraising events are so important.
“They raise money, yes, but they also raise awareness in the community.
“If we can save just one child from being sexually assaulted, then all the hard work is worth it.”
“We’ve got people from all different backgrounds and age groups now,” she said.
STEREO 103.9
q CWA Wauchope Branch (l-r) President Doreen Burns and member Mary McEnallay Photo: Pauline Cain.
q CWA Port Macquarie Branch members: (l-r) Mid North Coast President Lynn Moore, Branch President Jill Adams, members Janis Miles, Robyn Baker, Pat Banister and Pauline Cain. Photo: supplied.
q Jenny Watts.
VALE Mary Kiehne
TRIBUTES have flowed for the late Mary Kiehne of Port Macquarie, who passed away in April after a life of service to others.
Mary was born in Badsey, Worcester in England on 23 November 1937 to Charles and Betty Hurman.
She was the eldest of seven siblings.
Mary trained as a nurse and came to Australia in 1963 for a planned two years, working in the gynaecology and psychiatric wards at the Royal Canberra Hospital before becoming matron of the geriatric ward.
At a dance at the hospital she met handsome chef and PMG linesman Cliff Kiehne,
and her plans for a two year trip were quickly forgotten.
They soon fell in love and travelled to England for a year in 1965.
They were married at St James church in Badsey in 1966, before returning to Canberra to purchase their first home in Derwent Street, Lyons.
Mary and Cliff had two children - Stephen born in 1967 and Debra in 1970.
Cliff and Mary moved to Port Macquarie in 1979 when Cliff was transferred with his work.
Double tragedy then struck the Kiehnes.
At the age of 18 Stephen suffered a cerebral
haemorrhage while surfing at Town Beach and drowned.
Debbie was later diagnosed with breast cancer and passed away in England at the age of 36.
On Easter Saturday 2007 the family stood at 4pm and sprinkled half of Debbie’s ashes into the Hastings River.
At the same time in the UK, Debbie’s remaining ashes were placed by a friend into the English Channel at Dorset.
Debbie had placed Stephen’s ashes in the Hastings River at the same spot off the breakwall some 21 years earlier.
With the loss of her children Mary began to care for kids with disabilities and
offered great comfort and support to many families in Port Macquarie.
She became a surrogate ‘Nan’ to her grand nieces and many other families.
Her niece Helen Langdon and husband David, along with their children Ally, Kristen and Heath, stepped up to support Mary and Cliff.
Cliff died in 2015 and Helen and David’s support for Mary increased.
Mary was a great support and comfort to many, especially her neighbour Betty Creak.
In April after a wonderful day out exploring the King Creek area and the river with the Langdons, Mary returned home and had a fall.
She was admitted to hospital and never came
home.
Betty was a woman of faith, attending Grace Church in Port Macquarie.
Pastor Debbie-Ann Bax described her as a “beautiful, loving, faithful child of God”.
Mary’s niece
Helen Langdon and husband David said, "Although it's hard to say goodbye, the family reunion happening up high far outweighs the pain of our loss.”
Local pastor Kerry Medway knew Mary for almost 40 years.
“Through all her tragedies and painful losses, Mary’s faith has never wavered.”
Among those offering tearful tributes at the funeral
Exploring the depths: A passion for deep drop fishing
By Kate SHELTON
WITH recent weather significantly impacting local fishing, I wanted to share insights into one of my favourite angling passions deep dropping.
The Mid North Coast offers some of Australia's premier deep drop locations.
This technique, long utilised by commercial fishers, targets species found in depths of up to 600 metres.
I still recall, as a kid, watching commercial boats return with fish bigger than me, fuelling a dream to one day catch such huge fish.
Fishing at these extreme depths demands skill and most commonly the use of electric reels.
Thankfully, advancements in technology have made these reels more accessible and affordable for recreational anglers.
On the Mid North Coast
common catches include blue-eye trevalla, bass groper, bar cod, hapuka and kingfish. These fish are renowned for their exceptional taste and can easily exceed 50 kilograms making an electric reel an invaluable tool.
Now, I know some might argue that using electric reels is "cheating”, but deep drop fishing involves considerable skill.
Hitting a fishing mark the size of a caravan in over 400
metres of water, especially with challenging currents and wind, presents a true test of an angler's ability.
My own journey into deep drop fishing began nearly a decade ago with a local commercial fisher and I've been hooked ever since.
While I previously owned a Miya Epoch, I found them a bit slow for my liking.
I now rely on two Shimano Beastmaster 9000s which I can't fault.
These reels have consistently hauled in fish up to 40 kilograms and have proven incredibly durable.
In fact, my partner and I started making deep drop rigs for local anglers and they've become so popular that we now sell them in local fishing tackle shops.
Local Fishing Update
Fishing across the region has been significantly impacted over the past week due to torrential rainfall and widespread flooding.
The continuous downpour which has unfortunately persisted for the last 10 weeks has severely limited angling opportunities.
We're all hoping for a quick clearing of the weather so that fishing can resume as normal.
Offshore fishing has been very quiet due to the challenging weather.
While a few keen anglers ventured out last Saturday, initial reports are still pending.
As the weather improves, snapper fishing is expected to be a primary focus, while mackerel fishing may be more variable.
A comprehensive offshore update will be provided next week once conditions have fully cleared.
Anglers planning to head offshore are strongly advised to remain vigilant for floating debris, such as logs, which pose a significant safety risk to vessels.
In the Hastings, despite the challenging conditions, the influx of freshwater has triggered a mulloway fishing frenzy along the local breakwalls and beaches.
The northern breakwall of the Hastings River has been a hotspot, attracting numerous anglers.
While the southern breakwall and the coal wharf also saw some mulloway catches, the northern breakwall consistently yielded the best results.
was
TV host Ally Langdon, Mary’s great niece.
VALE Mary Kiehne, 1937 to 2025. q Mary Kiehne.
Volunteers fly high for Little Wings
By Sis HIIGGINS
LITTLE Wings is putting its helpers in the spotlight during Volunteer Appreciation Week, 19-23 May.
As a 90 percent volunteerled organisation, Little Wings relies on the dedication of its pilots, drivers, ground crew and events team: each playing a critical role in supporting seriously ill and injured children and their families.
The service is honouring these extraordinary individuals who keep its vital medical transport service flying.
Glenn Bridgland is one of the organisation’s long-
serving volunteer pilots.
“Volunteering with Little Wings is probably the most rewarding and worthy thing I’ve done in 50 years of flying,” he said.
“Every time we fly, we’re helping someone.
“If you’re even thinking of contributing some of your time… do it!”
On the ground, volunteer driver Maroun Hasrouni is celebrating a decade of service.
Reflecting on his motivation, he said, “there’s satisfaction in doing something good for the community and seeing the care the sick kids get, especially the ones whose families travel from very far away.
“Also, the gratitude we get from the families for offering such a worthwhile service stays with you.”
CEO Clare Pearson paid tribute to the volunteers fulfilling the Little Wings’ mission.
Pink fun buns for breasts
By Sis HIGGINS
PINK buns, pink outfits, and plenty of community spirit were on display at Port Central on Saturday 17 May as part of the annual Pink Bun fundraiser supporting Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA).
The campaign, which runs from late April through
early May, sees 100 percent of proceeds from the sale of the iconic pink finger buns donated to BCNA.
Dakotah Dawson, Sales Manager at Bakers Delight Port Central and Hayward Street stores, said supporting BCNA has long been part of the brand’s mission.
“We don't take any
profit from anything that we make in our Fun Bun sales at all.
“We also take donations throughout the campaign and sell beanies… anything to try and help them find a cure for everyone that suffers with breast cancer.”
In addition to pink buns, tote bags are sold year-round, with one dollar
“So many people contribute to Little Wings, from the commercial pilots that fly our planes to the drivers and events teams that ensure that every mission is conducted with such care and consistency.
from each sale going to BCNA.
“If you don't get in while we're doing the breast cancer campaign, you can still contribute throughout the year.”
Saturday’s fundraiser featured a decorate-yourown-bun activity for families, an idea sparked by the rainy weather and aimed at bringing families in for a fun, feel-good experience.
“We are immensely proud to be a volunteer-led organisation, and forever grateful for the time, talent and care that is poured into the Little Wings missions daily; ultimately easing the journey for seriously ill or injured children in regional and remote NSW, ACT and Qld.”
“Today we're hoping to raise at least $600,” said Dakotah.
Breast cancer survivor
Karen Lamond shared how vital that support is to people going through diagnosis and treatment.
“I’m so grateful for the love and support from my family and friends, and from BCNA.
“Knowing you're not alone means everything.
“It’s the small things, the
Little Wings encourages the broader community to celebrate its volunteers and consider joining the cause.
phone calls, the messages, the care packages, and the knowledge that there's a whole network of people who truly understand what you're going through, that make the biggest difference.”
The Port Central and Hayward St stores have raised nearly $8000 between them.
Nationally, Bakers Delight aims to raise $2.5 million in 2025.
q Little Wings’ volunteer pilot Glenn Bridgland. Photo: supplied
q Celebrating 10 years of service, volunteer driver Maroun Hasrouni. Photo: supplied.
q Five years cancer free, Karen Lamond with husband Peter and sons Cooper and Hudson. Photo: supplied.
q Families making their own fun buns for a good cause at Port Central.
Why rural women still face barriers to abortion access
By Jack GRAMENZ, AAP
NEW SOUTH WALES
has joined other states in following national advice to allow nurses and midwives to
prescribe drugs for medical abortions, but experts say other barriers remain.
While abortion is legal in all states and territories, it is not always accessible,
particularly for women outside metropolitan areas.
NSW will join the ACT, Queensland, South Australia and WA in permitting nurses and midwives to prescribe
drugs for medical abortions, following guidelines from the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
The change is a positive if incremental step, Sydney
Drones provide eyes in the sky for Fisheries Officers
THE NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is harnessing the power of drones to enhance fisheries compliance operations
DPIRD Director Fisheries Compliance Mika Malkki said fisheries officers are responsible for monitoring the vast coastline and inland lakes and rivers across NSW and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are proving to be a game changer, providing real-time monitoring and surveillance capabilities from distant vantage points.
“The drones can effortlessly reach remote areas, capturing vital images and data more
efficiently, by not having to deploy major assets like vessels or physically covering ground,” said Mr Malkki.
“Equipped with cameras and sensors, these drones deliver realtime information on illegal fishing activities and environmental damage.
“Drones also play a crucial role in regulating commercial fishing providing increased monitoring capacity of remote activities.”
Mr Malkki said that UAV’s are able to provide Fisheries Officers with critical and timely evidence in many cases compared to traditional methodologies,which is
essential for compliance operations and investigations.
“UAV technology has proven its effectiveness in the recent apprehension of a 51 year old male on the banks of the Hunter River, who was found in possession of a 70 metre length of commercial fishing net and 38 crab traps alleged to have been used unlawfully in the waters adjacent,” Mr Malkki said.
“This rapidly evolving technology provided Fisheries Officers with the enhanced ability to undertake surveillance from a safe distance and determine a strategic compliance approach prior
to apprehension.
“They also assist in the assessment of the health of marine ecosystems by enabling our teams to survey mangroves and salt marshes, allowing us to better understand the impacts of harmful activities like clearing and dredging of key fish habitats.
“Recent drone flights uncovered illegal seawall constructions and damage to seagrass habitats, identifying unauthorized work not approved by Fisheries or the council.”
The public are encouraged to report suspected illegal fishing activity to the Fishers Watch line on 1800 043 536 or online at: bit.ly/38lU4OB.
Backing our future nurses
By Sis HIGGINS
GARDEN Village marked
International Nurses Day with a show of support for future nurses and the announcements of four new scholarships funded through community generosity.
University rural health researcher Anna Noonan told AAP.
"Nurses are really the backbone of the rural health care workforce, so it makes sense that these highly qualified people are able to provide care to the communities they already serve," she said.
"Rural and regional people often face... less availability of all types of health care services."
Medical abortions are permitted in Australia up to nine weeks, but World Health Organisation guidelines recommend provision up to 12 weeks.
Outside of medical abortions, there are other hurdles to accessing care.
"There is a significant scarcity of surgical abortion services... so you're really looking at having to travel to urban centres, and also accessing care through a private provider," Dr Noonan told AAP.
"These costs to an individual compound when you're not accessing these services locally, close to where you live."
A provision in the initial bill requiring services to be
students undertaking the Diploma of Nursing at TAFE NSW."
At a morning tea held on Monday 12 May, Garden Village Auxiliary President Cheryl Pearson announced two $5000 Enrolled Nurse Scholarships funded by the Auxiliary, celebrating the ongoing contribution of nurses to aged care and the wider community.
“The Garden Village Auxiliary is delighted to fund two Garden Village Scholarships to support the next generation of nurses,” she said.
“International Nurses Day is a special day for many residents and it’s wonderful to bring nurses together across the generations.
“The scholarships support
Jessee Bevan and Vaughan Howarth were awarded the Enrolled Nurse Scholarships, supporting their Diploma of Nursing studies at TAFE NSW.
The Garden Village Scholarship Fund also presented two $5000 scholarships to Registered Nurses Molly Ware and Amber Miller, who are undertaking further study at Charles Sturt University.
Craig Wearne, CEO of Garden Village, thanked those who contributed to the region’s healthcare workforce.
“We thank our partners TAFE NSW, Charles Sturt University, and our incredible Garden Village Auxiliary for helping make this celebration
available within a "reasonable distance" was removed as it moved through parliament.
"Abortion deserts" - where people seeking procedural abortions have to travel more than 160km to access them - covers most places outside of metropolitan centres, Dr Noonan said.
Philip Goldstone, medical director of sexual and reproductive health care provider MSI Australia, said the change expanded choice and improved access.
"It is particularly important for women in rural and regional areas, where there is still stigma surrounding abortion care and a limited number of doctors that provide it," he said in a statement.
But public abortion services are poorly funded, or non-existent in some parts.
"We know the cost of abortion care is an issue for people and have been advocating for better funding for abortions for many years," Dr Goldstone said.
Greens MP Amanda Cohn's bill to enact the change passed the NSW lower house on Wednesday afternoon, but will return to the upper house later in May.
so special.
“Creating space for conversations between educational partners and Garden Village Nurses on International Nurses Day, strengthens our whole community and creates valuable connections to support the development of a nursing workforce in our region which positively impacts the future of ageing,” Mr Wearne said.
The Auxiliary will continue its fundraising efforts with a community garage sale on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 May from 9am to 1pm at Garden Village.
All proceeds from the event go to initiatives such as nurse education, resident wellbeing, and care innovations.
q Residents and retired nurses, June, Jill, Glenda, Daphne, Janette and Faye, pictured with Cheryl Pearson, the Garden Village Auxiliary President. Photo: supplied.
q Donna Scott NUM, Tammie Gough GM, Jessee Bevan PCA, Narin Searle EN, Kerrie Paul NUM, Catherine Anderson NUM and Nurse Educator Emily Costales. Photo: supplied.
q Vaughan Howarth and Jessee Bevan, Enrolled Nurse Scholarship Recipients, with CEO Craig Wearne and Kate Boath of TAFE NSW: Photo. supplied.
Port Mac Goss: Marty Rhone
By Dave ‘Scoop’ LAZARUS
THE iconic sounds of Neil Diamond and Olivia NewtonJohn will grace the stage of The Glasshouse for one night in July, with Australian music royalty Marty Rhone producing the show.
It was a pleasure to interview him for this week’s edition of Port Mac Goss.
Marty, coming up in July your first Australian hit record “Denim and Lace” turns 50! Can you believe it?
No, I cannot! It has all
gone too quickly. Stop the world, I want to get off!
In 1977 you followed it up with another hit record, Mean Pair of Jeans, and during that era you appeared in Godspell, legendary TV show Number 96, and Class of 75. You also appeared in the London Theatre production of The King & I, alongside Yul Brynner - you must have fond memories.
I have great memories of working with Yul Brynner at the London Palladium, it was one of the highlights of my career. I am also thrilled
to hear that Number 96 is coming back onto our TV screens. My character was Dean McDonald in this iconic TV show.
You are still actively working as a performer, particularly with your Cliff Richards tribute show, however your time these days is mostly taken up with producing and presenting top class shows. Tell me about that transition.
I still love performing, however I am really enjoying producing shows that people want to go and see. If I go to a live performance, I want to
be excited, moved, feel the vibe and the experience that I have experienced over the years and I want them to feel the same.
I know how excited you are about bringing “Hottest Hot August Night” to The Glasshouse in July, what can people expect?
They can expect one of the best retro bands in the world, with two of the best performers/singers in Australia in Michael Zammit and Jenn Allas. Close your eyes and you would swear that you were listening to Olivia and Neil Diamond. They are that good! This show is touring July and August around Australia and the audience of The Glasshouse will see something very special.
By Kim AMBROSE
FOUR Hastings region footballers made their presence felt at the NSW Combined High School Sport Association (CHSSA) U15 Boys Australian Football (AFL) championships in Penshurst from 30 April to 2 May.
Three action-packed days of competition brought together 10 representative teams from across NSW, with Jack Wilson, Riley Garel, Xavier Mat and Oto Ryan representing the North Coast.
After standout performances for his region, Oto was chosen to represent NSW All Schools at the Australian championships in Albury from 2-3 June.
All four players represent the Port Macquarie Magpies, with Oto, Riley and Jack key players in the U16s team coached by Magpies President Dirk Sheldon.
Xavier showcases his talent in the U14s, but regularly steps up a grade when required.
Dirk expressed immense pride in the success of his
young charges.
“The Magpies have a strong history of representative players at the NSW CHSSA championships including both current and past players, several of whom have gone on to play at higher levels,” said Dirk.
“As a club we are extremely proud of these boys, especially Oto’s selection in the All Schools NSW team.
“Otto is a highly talented player and we know he will represent our club and region with pride.”
events.
Estella rides her way to national champion AFL stars make their mark LOCALSPORT
STORY STARTS on BACK COVER Page 24
Belt Buckle series, and being named the Youth Intermediate National Champion at the Ranch Horse Association of Australia (RHAA) competition, held at Scone.
Reflecting on her success, Estella expressed her excitement at winning the youth championships and the encouragement she receives from her riding coach Lara Coventry-Cox.
“I was so excited when I won the youth championships,” she said,
“it was actually my first big show.”
“I saw the competition and saw how close it was.
“So Lara and I decided that I should just do it, as we both thought I was ready.”
In the world of ranch horse competitions, a strong emphasis is placed on the
partnership between the rider and their horse.
Judges evaluate and score not only the skill level and versatility of the rider but the partnership between the rider and their horse across various disciplines such as Ranch Rail, Ranch Conformation, Ranch Riding, Ranch Trail, Ranch Pleasure and Ranch Reining.
To secure a Belt Buckle Championship, competitors must compete in a minimum of six categories, winning at
least three of their events.
At the Youth Intermediate division in Scone, Estella emerged victorious in three out of her six events - Ranch Rail, Ranch Trail and Ranch Pleasure - solidifying her place on the podium at the national championship.
Estella also participated in the Intermediate Horse and Rider Championship, which is a senior competition.
She was a Reserve Champion and placed 6th, 4th and 3rd in four of her six
Despite her remarkable success on the ranch horse circuit, Estella remains humble.
She attributes her achievements to the unwavering support she has received from her family and friends, highlighting the profound influence of her coach Lara.
“Riding is my passion and without it I wouldn’t know what else to do.
“And without Lara’s lessons I wouldn’t be the rider I am today.”
q Oto Ryan, Jack Wilson, Riley Garel and Xavier Mat.
q The special bond between Estella and her horse. Photo Kim Ambrose/SaltyFoxFotography
q Wauchope’s national champion Estella Sonter. Photo: Kim Ambrose/SaltyFoxFotography.
q Marty Rhone broke onto the Australian music scene with ‘Denim and Lace’ in 1975.
Roll-up to Port’s ‘growth sport’
By Sue STEPHENSON
IF YOU hear the sound of screeching tyres coming from inside the PCYC between 4pm and 6pm on a Monday night,
there’s no need to worry.
It’s just the Port Macquarie Rollers locking wheels or screeching down the indoor courts with their eyes firmly fixed on the basket.
For a year now, wheelchair basketballers of all ages have been training weekly during school terms.
Hub leader Meredith Evans said that in addition to able-bodied players, there are team members with a range of disabilities.
“We have players with spinal injuries, and mental health and neurological [problems],” she told News Of The Area.
“And if I got in a chair, I'd be an amputee [player].”
The Rollers have just wrapped up their season in the Wheelchair Basketball
Club League, after hosting Round 11 on Saturday 17 May.
The Rollers lost to the Coffs Harbour Stingrays but scored a win over the Newcastle Falcons.
Casey Hale, Emma McNaught and Jake Everden of the Rollers and Allen Wilmen of the Stingrays were named the most valuable players.
The Illawarra Eagles were named the League’s statewide champions.
Meredith said the wet weather makes it a perfect time to try an indoor sport like wheelchair basketball,
although for many the key issue is transport.
“There are players on the court at the moment who cannot get here because they can't drive, so they’re relying on support workers.
“Then it’s about being able to keep people coming along.”
Some disability support workers also play, as do family members.
Eleven-year-old Jake is able-bodied and joins his father Scott Everden on the court.
“I just hopped in the wheelchair to have a go, and I found it really fun,” he said.
“I think it’s pretty cool that I get to play wheelchair basketball; it’s hard, but I think I’m getting better at it.”
Scott was diagnosed as having multiple sclerosis 20 years ago.
While he can walk and function, he technically qualifies as having a level of disability.
“In a way it’s good to encourage others who are in that grey area,” he said.
“I was invited along just to try it out by Meg McIntyre, who's a bit of a local legend, and I actually went ‘’yeah, this is kind of alright’.
“It's lots of fun and it's social, and everybody's really nice.
“I need to work on my fitness but I think it's probably improved a little bit since doing this, definitely.”
Wheelchair Basketball is considered one of Australia’s “growth sports” with competitions ranging from grassroots friendlies through to elite competition.
Four-time Paralympian turned coach Gerry Hewson has been travelling
throughout regional NSW to promote the five-a-side game and was courtside in Port Macquarie on Saturday to provide expert advice.
“My passion is to try and develop wheelchair basketball programs throughout the regions,” he told News Of The Area.
“What we’re trying to do is to build our clubs so that we have both able-bodied people play and also people with disabilities - like reverse integration.”
The region has plenty of role models to inspire future players.
Port Macquarie native Ryley Batt has been described by Paralympics Australia as one of the best wheelchair rugby players in the world while Coffs Coast Paralympian Bill Latham was a standout member of the Australian Rollers at the 2024 Games in Paris.
“The opportunity is there,” Gerry said, “firstly, for people to play and have fun”.
“Secondly, if they want to represent the region and NSW and Australia, then we're trying to provide that pathway for them.”
The Rollers encourage wheelchair users, their carers and anyone else who’d like to give the game a try, to come along to the PCYC on one of their training afternoons.
They can watch a session and even try-out one of the game chairs supplied by Wheelchair Sport NSW/ACT and the NSW Government.
There is no cost to play or to use the chairs.
Meredith said the club would especially like to hear from anyone willing to volunteer their time to service the wheelchairs.
“Someone who’s got experience with bikes would be great.”
Preparation for tackle
Sports field closure advice
AS wet weather continues to hammer the Port MacquarieHastings region, Council has offered information on what to expect in regards to sports field closures.
For all training, competition and school sport, from Monday to Friday inclusive, Council will determine whether sports fields shall be closed due to the effects of wet weather and current field conditions.
by Council, user groups have a duty of care and responsibility to inspect grounds for suitable play,” a Port Macquarie-Hastings Council spokesperson said.
Fields deemed closed on a Friday will remain closed for the weekend.
Fields deemed open on a Friday are then the responsibility of the user group to assess for the suitability of play.
is available on Council’s website.
Fields closed Monday to Friday will not be inspected before 1pm the following day, so are therefore still deemed closed until the website is updated.
“User groups must review Council’s website in the event of wet weather to confirm if Council has closed the field/facility.
By Kim AMBROSE
MORE than 20 under 7s teams gathered on ‘the Sandpit’ at Lake Cathie to take part in the TackleReady Day on Sunday, 18 May, designed to prepare young players for contact rugby league.
Teams travelled from as far as Old Bar and Port Macquarie to attend the event, which was organised by the Camden Haven Eagles.
The TackleReady program is part of the NRL’s Player Development Framework and teaches participants correct and safe techniques.
The final component of the program was delivered on the day under the guidance of NRL Game Development Officer Shane Hulands.
Camden Haven Eagles
President Jarryd ‘Kiwi’ Gaskin said the day was a key step in the transition from league tag
to tackle footy.
“Today is about the U7 players in the Group 3 catchment learning how to tackle safety,” said Kiwi.
“In the morning three different tackle sessions were held and once teams had completed their block, organised by NRL Development Officer Shane Hulands, they could step out onto the field and play.
“For the rest of the season
Inspections will be completed before 2pm daily (Monday to Friday) and updated on Council’s website.
“Although the sports field is deemed open
the U7 teams will now move on from league tag and be able to enjoy playing tackle footy.”
Kiwi also acknowledged the committee members and volunteers who donated their time to support the event.
“Days like today don’t
“Any damage caused due to play in wet weather will be invoiced back to the user group,” the spokesperson said.
Updated information on sports field closures
happen without a small army of volunteers giving up their time and at the Camden Haven Eagles this is what we are all about.”
TackleReady participant
Oliver Kilby described the day as “very good and a lot of fun”.
“The website will be regarded as the standard medium for field closures.
“Where a field closure sign is contradictory to the website, the website will take precedence.”
“I got to score lots of tries and play a lot of games with my footy friends,” he said.
Another young player, Hunter Smith, said “being able to tackle was the best”.
“I loved it and I can't wait to play our next game,” he said.
q Hunter Smith from the Camden Haven Eagles on the attack. Photo: Kim Ambrose/SaltyFoxFotography.
q The Rollers lost to the Coffs Stingrays but won against Newcastle in Round 11. Photos: Sue Stephenson.
q Hub leader Meredith Evans with four-time Paralympian Gerry Hewson. Photo: Sue Stephenson.
q Jake Everden joins his father Scott on the court. Photo: Sue Stephenson.
Concerning election stats
DEAR News Of The Area,
OF concern in the recent federal election was a "swing" towards informal voting, with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) reporting a national average of 5.55 percent ballot papers that could not be counted.
Within the electorates of Cowper and Page, the AEC's corresponding local figures were 9.03 percent and 9.15 percent respectively, close to double the national average.
While it would be regarded as churlish not to congratulate the winning candidates in these electorates, it is nonetheless worth noting that in the closely run race for Cowper in particular, the result was likely to have been determined by the failure of a large number of electors to make their voting intentions sufficiently clear.
Exponents of hubris should take note.
Regards, Simon AUNGLE
The economic management myth
DEAR News Of The Area,
I HOPE that the total inability of the coalition to provide a coherent economic narrative during the election campaign finally dispels the complete myth that they are always better at managing the Australian economy than Labor.
Despite constant repetition of the rhetoric, this claim lacks any substance.
Surely being able to tell the Australian people a simple story and defend it is easy once you clearly understand what you want to do – provided that what you want to do makes sense.
The story the shadow treasurer told us during the election campaign came from an economic sleep-walker, dreaming that the rhetoric about superior
economic management was true.
So much of Australia’s shortterm prosperity is determined by global factors.
Lucky governments are in power at the top of the cycle and unlucky ones just happen to be there at the bottom.
Good economic management is about how you steer the country through the bad times and how you prepare for the bad times when things are good.
Hawke and Keating modernised the economy.
That Howard managed to leave the budget in surplus was commendable.
However, with windfall gains from global growth and a booming economy, his selling off 167 tonnes of our gold reserves at the bottom of what is a cyclical
Rains and climate change
DEAR News Of The Area,
RAIN, rain, go away, come back another day!
While I never suggest that all weather is linked to global warming, weather events that set new records are made worse by human-induced climate change.
The science can explain why, but the National Party, Sky News and News Corp papers never will, because it plays to their gullible base.
The fact is, climate change is influencing our weather.
Take the recent high intensity and persistent rainfall.
If there are just two things everyone needs to know about the link between climate change and rainfall, it is that
the planet is warming, and a warmer atmosphere holds more water (10 percent more now than when Robert Menzies became prime minister in 1949).
So when conditions favour rain, sometimes it’s going to be much heavier than we are used to, more than we have ever seen.
And this is only the beginning.
The rate the world is warming, we have lifetimes of record-breaking extreme weather ahead of us.
To paraphrase Winston Churchill, “The era of delays is coming to a close - we are entering a period of consequences”.
Regards, Harry CREAMER, Port Macquarie.
market and baking middle-class welfare into future budgets to get votes in the short-term was irresponsible.
The Rudd government steered the country through the global financial crisis thereby avoiding a recession.
Morrison’s giving away billions of JobKeeper dollars to ineligible businesses without a mechanism to get overpayments back was economic incompetence.
This JobKeeper free-pass is hard to reconcile with the ideological zeal his government used to unlawfully pursue poor people for fake Robo-debtswhich ended up costing more than it recovered.
Following on from their irresponsible petrol excise giveaway proposal, the latest piece of economic garbage from the coalition is to argue against removing the concessional tax rate of 15 percent for superannuation fund earnings on balances over $3m.
The coalition has never understood that superannuation is about workers funding their own retirement to avoid reliance
on a taxpayer funded pension.
Superannuation is not about providing tax concessions for wealth creation nor is it intended to be a mechanism for transferring that wealth to future generations.
If the coalition were responsible economic managers, they would recognise that wealthy people should not be entitled to unlimited tax concessions and that there is a need to rein in the exponentially increasing cost of superannuation concessions to the budget.
They would also realise that it is the younger generation and ordinary pay-as-you-earn tax payers who are subsidising this largesse for a small number of wealthy people who will never need to rely on the pension for their retirement anyway.
I see that Sussan Ley said the Liberals now stand for fairer taxes.
The question is, fairer for who?
While ever the coalition remains this out of touch, they deserve to stay in opposition.
Regards, Stephen OTTAWAY.
Election reflections
DEAR News Of The Area,
LOOKING back at the results of the election in the seat of Cowper, there were 10,727 people or 9.31 percent whose vote meant nothing as they voted informally. Those votes could well have changed the outcome of the result in our electorate if those voters had taken a little bit more time at the ballot box. Nevertheless our local member Pat Conaghan polled 40,096 primary votes compared
On theCouch
Email Jasminda: media@newsofthearea.com.au
DEAR Jasminda,
THE other night, my brother-in-law invited himself over for dinner. However, I had not prepared enough for him (as he was unannounced), and he got annoyed and left. Now he won’t reply to either my husband's or my messages.
How do you suggest I go about this?
Normine B
Dear Normine,
I'm picking up some pretty serious psycho vibes from your conundrum.
Normine B? Is there a Norman in the family? Is your surname Bates?
Does he have a penchant for taxidermy and/or a mother in the attic?
I am not here to judge, though, Normine.
So let's turn to your question and address the facts.
Your brother-in-law arrived unannounced.
This in itself could be normal or aggravating depending on whether you are a social creature or an introvert who likes to get mentally (and in this case gustatorily) prepared for visitors.
When you are not expecting dropin guests, dinner plans can range from Weetbix (with hot or cold milk as desired) to a toasted sandwich, to a menopausal breakdown where you tell your family you are retiring to the bedroom with a box of Ferrero Rochers and (after devoting the past 30 years to meals on the table) they can eat bread and pullet under the table for all you care.
But I digress.
Arriving unannounced for dinner is not acceptable behaviour for anyone, even a relative.
People need to give a bit of notice.
Let's turn to the next piece of information.
You have not indicated how your brother-in-law showed his annoyance.
Did he storm out, his solitary Jatz cracker left untouched?
Did he reverse aggressively down the driveway (narrowly avoiding Maestro, the family dog)?
The evidence is very light on here, Normine.
May I suggest you are drawing connections when they may not exist. What concerns me most, is that he is not replying to either of you.
to Caz Heise with 30,896 votes.
After the distribution of preferences Pat finished with 52.69 percent to Caz 47.31 percent to retain his seat despite the very aggressive challenge from Caz.
It just goes to illustrate that money cannot buy votes and that’s the way it should always be.
Regards, Warren MILLER, Port Macquarie.
I have a vision of your brother-inlaw (aka the unnamed protagonist) driving off (in his 1957 Ford Custom) in the pelting rain. Feeling faint (now is not the time for regret, Normine), and too tired and dejected to continue (Bernard Herrmann's musical score in the background), he pulls into a shadylooking motel (coincidentally owned by your brother) who suggests a simple cheese and ham sandwich in the parlor. Normine, I suggest you hire a private investigator (perhaps one named Arbogast) to see what on earth is going on here.
Let me know how it all goes.
I will await (eating popcorn) with (Norman-Bated) breath.
Carpe diem, Jasminda.
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FRIDAY
THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY
ABC TV, 8.30pm
A will-they/won’t-they romance hidden beneath layers of criminal intrigue and forensic examination, this psychological thriller based on the Welsh series Cleddau is not your average crime series. It follows the hunt for a killer whose modus operandi echoes that of the fictional Heart Knot murders, a crime which detectives (and former lovers) Ffion Lloyd (Elen Rhys) and Rick Sheldon (Richard Harrington, pictured, with Rhys) thought they solved 12 years ago. Amid locals’ fears of a copycat killer, Lloyd is called back to Pembroke Dock, the seaside town she left behind to solve the case.
8.30 The One That Got Away. (Premiere, Mal) Two detectives hunt a killer.
9.25 Gruen. (R) The team solves the mystery of the new KFC logo.
10.00 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (R)
10.30 Big Boys. (MA15+l, R)
11.00 ABC Late News.
11.15 Father Brown. (Ma, R)
12.00 Mayfair Witches. (Mal, R)
12.50 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv)
5.00 Rage. (PG)
6am
6.20pm Bluey. 6.30 Paddington. 6.40
Duggee. 6.50 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Gardening Australia Junior. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30
Sheep. 7.35
Wars: Young
MONDAY
THE FLOOR
NBN, 7.30pm
If you’ve found yourself calling out the answers to this competitive quiz show so loudly that you can’t hear the actual contestants, you’re not alone. What started as 81 Aussies standing on a grid of trivia topics is now just nine clever contenders hoping to defend their territory, conquer their neighbours’ tiles and claim the entire board for themselves. Can one of the (unfortunately titled) ‘whales’ hold onto their majority stake? Or will an underdog seize their chance to take over? Host Rodger Corser (right) oversees as the final nine battle it out for the last time. Only one can wipe the floor with their competition and claim the $200,000 grand prize. Let’s duel!
TUESDAY
(R) 4.05 Jeopardy! 4.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Giro d’Italia. Stage 12. H’lights. 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG)
6.00 Mastermind Australia.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 MOVIE: Call Me Kate. (2023, PGa, R)
9.05 Snowdon & Margaret: A Scandalous Affair. (PGa, R)
10.00 Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes. (R)
10.35 SBS World News Late.
11.05 Atlantic Crossing. (PGa, R)
12.10 Rex In Rome. (Mlv, R)
2.00 The Head. (Malsv, R)
3.50 J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom. (R)
4.50 Destination Flavour: Japan Bitesize. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Better Homes And Gardens.
8.30 House Of Wellness. (PGas) A team of industry experts, media personalities and wellness advocates share insights and experiences to highlight living well.
9.30 MOVIE: Under The Tuscan Sun. (2003, Ml, R) A divorcée heads to Tuscany. Diane Lane, Sandra Oh.
11.50 Farmer Wants A Wife. (PGa, R) Farmer Tom meets families in home town visits.
1.30 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
5.00 NBC Today.
ANIMALS UP CLOSE
BERTIE
GREGORY
ABC FAMILY, 8.40pm
A cinematographer on David Attenborough’s Planet Earth documentaries as well as a National Geographic explorer, adventurer and wildlife filmmaker Bertie Gregory has fit an incredible amount of experience into his 32 years. For his second standalone series, Gregory braves sub-zero seas, climbs snow-capped mountains and sleeps suspended in mid-air to bring the daily lives of extraordinary animals and the challenges they face to your living room. Tonight’s episode finds Gregory and his team in the Galápagos Islands, where they spend time with marine iguanas, sunbathe with sea lions and swim with eagle rays and sharks. You won’t believe your eyes.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 12. Parramatta Eels v Manly Sea Eagles.
9.55 Golden Point. A wrap-up of the Parramatta Eels versus Manly Sea Eagles match, with news and analysis.
10.45 MOVIE: Sleepless. (2017, MA15+dlv, R) A cop searches for his kidnapped son. Jamie Foxx.
12.35 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)
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 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Morning Programs. 9.00 Motor Racing. IndyCar Series. Indianapolis 500. Qualifying. 10.05 Bewitched. 10.35 Jeannie. 11.05 Young Sheldon. 12.05pm MOVIE: Fighting With My Family. (2019, M) 2.20
(83) 6am Capricorn
One. Continued. (1977, PG) 8.10 A Handful Of Dust. (1988, PG) 10.20 The Flood. (2019, M) 12.15pm Salvation Boulevard. (2011, M) 2.05 RBG. (2018, PG) 3.55 Earth To Echo. (2014, PG) 5.35 Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael. (1990, PG) 7.30 Bandit. (2022, M) 9.50 The Informer. (2019, MA15+, Spanish) 11.55 November. (2017, MA15+, Estonian) 2.05am Late Programs.
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 6.30 The Project. 7.30 House Hunters Australia. A couple search for a retreat in the Blue Mountains. 8.30 Have You Been Paying Attention? (Malns, R) Celebrity panellists compete to see who can remember the most about events of the week. 9.30 The Graham Norton Show. (Mhs, R) Celebrity guests include Sigourney Weaver. 10.30 10’s Late News. 10.55 The Project. (R) 12.00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R)
6.00
SATURDAY, May 24
6.10 Father Brown. (PGav) Father Brown investigates a death at a dance school.
7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.
7.30 Call The Midwife. (PGa) Dr Turner and Shelagh are blindsided when May’s future with them is called into question.
8.30 Midsomer Murders. (Mv, R) After a cycling competition comes to the village of Burwood Mantle, the race leader is murdered.
10.00 Bergerac. (Mal, R) Bergerac goes rogue with a new lead.
6am Children’s Programs. 5.40pm Peter Rabbit. 5.50 Hey Duggee: Songs. 5.55 Octonauts. 6.10 Super Monsters. 6.20 Bluey. 6.30 The Adventures Of Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Rocket Club. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Kids Baking Championship. 8.10 Chopped Junior. 8.50 The Piano. 9.50 Fresh Off The Boat. 10.35 Dragon Ball Super. 10.55 Late Programs.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar. (Mal, R)
8.25 Secrets Of Britain’s Historic Houses. (Return, PG)
9.30 Alone Australia. (M)
10.35 Guillaume’s French Atlantic. (PG, R)
11.05 Great Coastal Railway Journeys. (PGa, R)
11.40 Homicide: Life On The Street. (Mav, R) 4.10 J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom. (R)
4.40 Bamay. (R) 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
VICELAND (31)
6am After Yang.
Continued. (2021, PG) 7.00 Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael. (1990, PG) 8.55 The Kids Are Alright. (2021, PG, Spanish) 10.35 Arctic. (2018, M) 12.25pm Rob The Mob. (2014, M) 2.25 Capricorn One. (1977, PG) 4.40 Sissi: The Young Empress. (1956, PG, German) 6.40 Finding Graceland. (1998, PG) 8.30 Ben Is Back. (2018, M) 10.25 Stars At Noon. (2022, MA15+) 12.55am Late Programs.
SUNDAY, May 25
6.30 Compass: The Conclave. (PG)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 The Piano. (PG) Hosted by Amanda Keller.
8.30 Bergerac. (Ml) Bergerac’s enemies are gaining momentum and there’s a shocking revelation about the ransom.
9.20 Reunion. (Mlv) Brennan and Carly head to his school reunion, where Brennan meets some old friends.
6am Children’s Programs. 6pm Octonauts. 6.10 Super Monsters. 6.20 Bluey. 6.30 The Adventures Of Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom. 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.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 London: 2,000 Years Of History. (PG, R)
9.15 Into The Gobi Desert With Nick Knowles. (PG, R)
10.05 Hindenburg: The Cover Up. (PGa, R)
11.00 Face Down: Killing Of Thomas Niedermayer. (Mal) 12.00 24 Hours In Emergency. (Malm, R)
3.40 J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom. (R)
4.10 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera.
VICELAND (31)
Part three. Replay. 2.30 Jeopardy! 4.35 WorldWatch. 5.00 PBS Washington Week. 5.25 Abandoned Engineering. 7.15 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Giro d’Italia. Stage 15. 1.35am Letterkenny.
6am Finding Graceland. Continued. (1998, PG) 6.50 Earth To Echo. (2014, PG) 8.30 Sissi: The Young Empress. (1956, PG, German) 10.30 Bandit. (2022, M) 12.50pm The Daughter. (2015, M) 2.40 Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael. (1990, PG) 4.30 Belle. (2013, PG) 6.30 The Chaperone. (2018, PG) 8.30 Something’s Gotta Give. (2003, M) 10.55 Alcarràs. (2022, M, Spanish) 1.05am Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 The Americas: The Caribbean. (PG) Takes a look at sailfish hunt.
8.00 MOVIE: The Lost World: Jurassic Park. (1997, PGv, R) A research team is sent to investigate an island populated by dinosaurs. Jeff Goldblum, Julianne Moore, Pete Postlethwaite.
10.35 MOVIE: Con Air. (1997, MA15+lv, R) A parolee is caught up in a hijacking. Nicolas Cage, John Cusack. 12.55 Travel Oz. (PG, R) Hosted by Greg Grainger.
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 It’s Academic. (R) 5.00 House Of Wellness. (PGas, R)
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Holiday Home Makeover With Rachel & Ryan. (PG)
8.30 MOVIE: Skyfall. (2012, Mlv, R) M’s past comes back to haunt her. Daniel Craig, Judi Dench.
11.30 MOVIE: Double Impact. (1991, MA15+slv, R)
1.35 Destination WA. (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) 7.30 Love It Or List It Australia. A family is feeling cramped in their current home. 8.40 House Hunters Australia. (PG, R) A couple search for a house but she wants a Hamptons-style cottage with a pool and he seeks a home with character and a toolshed. 9.40 Ambulance Australia. (Mms, R) Paramedics respond to a child’s call about a five-year-old stuck in mud, but all is not as it seems. 10.40 Elsbeth. (Mv, R) 11.40 FBI. (MA15+v, R) 12.30 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.
9.00 24 Hours In Police Custody: The Unusual Suspects. (Mad) Looks at some unusual suspects. 10.10 Crime Investigation Australia: Baby In The Suitcase. (MA15+adv, R) 11.30 Autopsy USA. (Ma)
12.30 Shades Of Blue. (MA15+adsv, R)
1.30 Harry’s Practice. (R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
Ordinary Happiness. (2019, M, Italian) 12.10pm Ben Is Back. (2018, M) 2.05 Finding Graceland. (1998, PG) 3.55 Summerland. (2020, PG) 5.50 Four Souls Of Coyote. (2023, PG) 7.50 We Are Still Here. (2022, M) 9.30 November. (2022, M, French) 11.30 Clean. (2021, MA15+) 1.10am The Zookeeper’s Wife. (2017, M) 3.30 Late Programs. 5.40 The Movie Show.
TUESDAY, May 27
7.30.
8.00 The Kimberley. (Final) 8.50 David Attenborough’s Galapagos. (Final, R) 9.40 Australia’s Wild Odyssey. (Final, R) 10.40 News. 10.55 The Business.
8.50 Doc. (Ma) Amy and Jake try to uncover the cause of a unique patient’s worsening condition.
9.50 Accused. (Mad) A wrestling coach goes on trial. 10.50 The Agenda Setters.
11.50 Autopsy USA. (Ma, R) 12.50 The Act. (MA15+ans, R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
3.35
5.05
In Fire: Best Of. 5.55 The UnXplained With William Shatner. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.10 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Giro d’Italia. Stage 16. 1.35am Shoresy. 2.00 NHK World
(32)
6am The Movie Show. 6.15 Four Souls Of Coyote. (2023, PG) 8.15 The Chaperone. (2018, PG) 10.20 Something’s Gotta Give. (2003, M) 12.40pm November. (2022, M, French) 2.40 Hamlet. (1948, PG) 5.40 The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir. (2018, PG) 7.30 The Furnace. (2020, M) 9.40 No Man Of God. (2021, MA15+) 11.35 The Two Faces Of January. (2014, M) 1.25am Late Programs.
WEDNESDAY, May 28
6.00
6.00 Mastermind Australia.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Big Fat Quiz Of The Year 2024. (Malns, R)
9.10 The Day The Rock Star Died: Michael Hutchence. (Ma, R)
9.40 The Handmaid’s Tale. (Final, MA15+, R)
10.40 SBS World News Late.
11.10 My Brilliant Friend. (Mals)
12.15 The Wall: The Chateau Murder. (Malv, R)
3.35 Along Ireland’s Shores. (R) 4.30 J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
ABC FAMILY (22)
6am Children’s Programs. 6pm Octonauts. 6.10 Super Monsters. 6.20 Bluey. 6.30 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Isadora Moon. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Dino Dex. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Operation Ouch! 8.35 BTN Newsbreak. 8.40 Abbott Elementary. 9.25 Doctor Who. 10.50 Late Programs.
6.00
Martin Clunes: Islands Of The Atlantic. (Final, PGa) 9.35 The Kimberley. (Final, R)
ABC Late News. 10.40 The Business. (R) 10.55 Love Your Garden. (R) 11.45 Long Lost Family. (PG, R)
ABC
Rage. (PG)
Vera. (Mv, R)
Gardening Australia. (R)
7.30. (R)
6am Children’s Programs. 6pm Octonauts. 6.10 Super Monsters. 6.20 Bluey. 6.30 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Isadora Moon. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Dino Dex. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Operation Ouch! 8.35 BTN Newsbreak. 8.40 Secrets Of The Zoo. 9.25 Saved By The Barn. 10.05 Merlin. 10.50 Late Programs.
Forged In Fire. 6.05 Finding Satoshi. 7.15 Jeopardy! 7.45 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.40 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Giro d’Italia. Stage 17. 1.35am Letterkenny. 2.30
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am The Movie
Show. 6.15 The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir. (2018, PG) 8.05 Summerland. (2020, PG) 10.00 The Zookeeper’s Wife. (2017, M) 12.20pm We Are Still Here. (2022, M) 2.00 Four Souls Of Coyote. (2023, PG) 4.00 The Man Who Invented Christmas. (2017, PG) 5.55 Remi Nobody’s Boy. (2018, PG, French) 7.55 Ten Canoes. (2006, M, Ganalbingu) 9.30 Sin City. (2005, MA15+) 11.50 Late Programs.
THURSDAY, May 29
The Blood Run. (2024) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Insight. (R) 3.00 Going Places. (R) 3.30 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 3.35 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Jeopardy! 4.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Giro d’Italia. Stage 16. H’lights. 6.00 Morning Programs. 10.50 The Australian Wars. (Mav, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Milpirri: Winds Of Change. (PG, R) 3.00 Living Black. (R) 3.30 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 3.35 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Jeopardy!
6.00 Mastermind Australia.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Our Medicine. (Premiere, PG)
8.40 Killing Sherlock With Lucy Worsley. (Premiere, PGad)
9.40 Sherlock & Daughter. (Mav)
10.35 SBS World News Late.
11.05 Carmen Curlers. (Mas, R)
1.20 Pagan Peak. (MA15+as, R)
3.05 Along Ireland’s Shores. (R)
4.05 Life In Bloom. (PG, R)
4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.10 Over The Black Dot. 6.45 Jeopardy! 7.40 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.35 Coronado: The New Evidence. 9.40 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Giro d’Italia. Stage 18. 1.35am The Science Behind Sex. 2.31 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera.
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am The Man Who Invented Christmas. (2017, PG) 7.55 Heidi. (2015, PG, German) 10.00 The Furnace. (2020, M) 12.10pm The Two Faces Of January. (2014, M) 2.00 The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir. (2018, PG) December Australian Rules. (2002, M) Rush.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Home And Away. (PG)
7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PGal, R)
8.30 The Front Bar. (Ml) Takes a lighter look at all things AFL.
9.30 Unfiltered. (PGa) Hosted by Hamish McLachlan.
10.00 Unbelievable Moments Caught On Camera. (PGa, R)
11.00 Born To Kill? (MA15+av, R)
12.00 Midnight Texas. (MA15+hv)
1.00 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
7MATE (64)
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Home And Away. (PG) Cash is offered a clean slate.
7.30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly. (PGa) A family’s dog proves a disruptive influence.
8.30 Britain’s Got Talent. (PG) The fourth set of semi-finalists sets out to impress the judges and viewers at home.
10.30 The Amazing Race. (PG)
12.00 Raines. (Mahv)
1.00 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 Rugby League. State of Origin. Game 1. Queensland v New South Wales.
10.00 State Of Origin Post-Match. A post-match wrap-up of Game 1. 11.00 9News Late.
11.30 The Equalizer. (Mv, R)
12.30 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
2.30 Global Shop. (R)
3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 Find My Country House Australia. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer. 6.30 The Project. 7.30 MasterChef Australia. A batch of 23 former contestants returns. 8.40 Elsbeth. (Mdv) A young man is found dead in his car. 9.40 FBI: International. (Mv) A Russian biochemist is assassinated. 10.40 10’s Late News. 11.05 NCIS:
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Rugby League. Women’s State of Origin.
6.00 Golden Girls. 6.30 Nanny. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: The Dukes Of Hazzard. (2005, M) 10.40 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Storage Wars: NY. 11.00 Storage
NITV (34)
NITV
National Champion
By Kim AMBROSE
NATIONAL champion Estella Sonter was only six-years-old when she began her journey into the world of horse riding. She used her family’s move from Port Macquarie to Wauchope as the catalyst for convincing her parents that riding lessons were not just a luxury but a necessary pursuit.
Little did her family realise that once Estella climbed into the saddle there would be no turning back.
Her unwavering passion and dedication has resulted in her tying-down several riding accolades.
The now almost 14-yearold’s recent accomplishments include the Hastings Performance and Quarter Horse Association (HPAQHA)
q Estella and her horse with some of their recent accolades. Photo: Kim Ambrose/SaltyFoxFotography.
