By Bill HARROW
“The
By Sue STEPHENSON
Kim AMBROSE 0423 226 651 kim@newsofthearea.com.au
Bill HARROW 0437 776 247 bill@newsofthearea.com.au
Sis HIGGINS 0488 027 142 sis@newsofthearea.com.au
Sue STEPHENSON sue@newsofthearea.com.au
FROM Page 1
comes with the added responsibility of securing the timely delivery of state government support for all flood-impacted communities.
Amid the “horror stories” and pleas for urgent help he has seen and heard across the electorate, are the instances of volunteers and emergency services personnel going above and beyond to help others.
He is particularly proud of how members of the community rallied to help the residents of Port Macquarie’s North Shore and has recounted for News Of The Area how he was involved in the direct aftermath of the Hastings River flooding.
“We had over 200 houses that were
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inundated with water and the mud and everything else that goes with that.
“Knowing what the community went through in 2021, I reached out to Rural Fire Service Captain Kingsley Searle on Thursday evening and asked ‘is there anything we could possibly do for you due to your isolation’ as the two ferries servicing
the North Shore in Port Macquarie were both out of action.
“One was washed up onto the banks of the river and the other was caught up in a tremendous amount of debris.
“Marker buoys and also, unfortunately, a Marine Rescue boat, was caught up on that as well.
“Kingsley said ‘Rob, I
would love some labour to help out the people here who are isolated, to help them clear out all of their furniture and belongings that need to go out on the street and clear up all the mud and debris that's been left behind’.
“I reached out to a number of people in the Camden Haven who were caught up in [the floods of] 2021, and I went to the presidents of the Redbacks Soccer Club for men's and women’s, the Camden Haven Hockey Club and the Camden Haven Surf Life Saving Club.
“I received a great response that evening and early into the next day, and had around 20 people organised to go from the Marine Rescue base in Port Macquarie over to the North Shore to assist.
“We did it in two runs - from 8am in the morning to lunchtime, and then lunchtime into the evening.
“Some people did both.
“And these people all brought their own rakes, brooms, gurneys… and set off on a fairly lengthy day's journey of clearing mud and debris.
“The people on the North Shore were so appreciative.
“We'd walk in pairs to each house, knocking on the door asking if they needed assistance.
“It would take us two or three hours to knock over one house and then
we’d move on to the next one and by the time we finished we absolutely… had mud everywhere.
“You can imagine what it's like having a gurney inside someone's lower floor bathroom area trying to clear it out.
“The stuff just goes everywhere.
“But I was so proud of the team.
“Fortunately, on the Monday, they allowed people from the broader community, and the SES, to get through.
“We wouldn't have got over there without Kingsley Searle organising boats through Marine Rescue to safely get us over there.
“For the community over there to go through what they went through… is devastating.
“They went through the night without power and it was quite scary… particularly for those who hadn't experienced that before.
“To wake up the next day to the shock of seeing their outdoor furniture, their barbecues, the downstairs linen, beds, and so on, either washed up against a fence or strewn throughout the building underneath, was horrific.
“We're happy to be there to support them through their journey, which will still take a matter of weeks, if not months.”
q The combined efforts of local and out of area rescue personnel in the wake of the region’s inundation.
THE Port Macquarie News Of The Area is looking for a local person to undertake bulk-drop deliveries of the paper, every Friday morning for approximately 3 to 5 hours. The new paper has been very well received by the community and this role is extremely important in getting the paper's out for people to collect. It is a paid role and the right person must be available each and every Friday morning. For more information or to apply, please email us: office@newsofthearea. com.au
FROM Page 1
The local government areas of Port Macquarie, Kempsey and Nambucca saw the SES respond to 7758 incidents as of 7am Monday.
They carried out 794 flood rescues with a combined force of 3500 personnel from
various government agencies - 2200 of that number being SES volunteers.
There was an extra contingent of 2000 council, electrical workers and telco employees.
Seventy Australian Defence Force members were flown into the area to assist
with dozens of warnings still in place.
The SES had carried out damage assessments on 5200 properties by the start of the week with more in the pipeline. At this stage, 780 homes have been declared uninhabitable by a 276-member assessment team, still in the field.
It is estimated that there will be a further 10,000 properties to assess.
Extra SES personnel have been flown in from Qld, WA, Vic, SA, Tasmania and the ACT to assist with the tasks ahead.
In Port Macquarie alone, 1257 properties have been assessed for damage, with 185 deemed damaged and a further 24 classified as inhabitable.
Of these, 176 buildings were inundated along with 74 yard floodings.
It is estimated that 2200 properties in Port Macquarie have some form of flood damage.
All agencies including the SES worked together in a seamless manner to provide assistance on a needs basis.
“Those who prepared well, did the best,” an SES commander told NOTA.
“When impacted by a lifethreatening event it is best to act like you are in a lifeboat, not a cruise ship.”
By Rikki WALLER
A NEW community-driven initiative is bringing together local businesses and residents from flood-impacted streets, in a demonstration of support and kindness.
“Adopt a Street - Flood Support” is a grassroots response that invites local businesses to “adopt” a floodaffected street within the community.
By offering everything from coffee vouchers and meals, to clean-up help or complimentary services, the initiative will see residents receive ongoing, practical support tailored to their needs.
The initiative is being spearheaded by Port
Macquarie resident Dr Jake Little who acknowledges not just the severity of the recent flood but the future uncertainties many face.
“We know that the coming months will be tough for many, and now we need to think about what happens next,” he said.
The Port Macquarie community is synonymous with rallying in times of unthinkable natural disaster, most recently during the 2019-2020 bushfires and the 2021 floods.
Over the years, local businesses have tirelessly donated hot meals, cleaningup services and more, to ensure others can feel a sense of warmth in the coldest of times.
PORT Macquarie-Hastings
Council has postponed ArtWalk so the community can
“recover, rebuild and celebrate together”.
The event will now be held
This time is no different, with business and residents already working in tandem
“This is an initiative for locals, by locals,” Dr Little said.
“We make the match between the generous businesses, and the floodaffected residents and streets.
“The aim is to generate support for the weeks and months ahead.
"If you are a local business on the Mid North Coast and have the ability to provide an act of kindness… please do reach out. We have residents waiting for you.”
Residents, along with businesses of all sizes, are invited to sign up to Adopt a Street to be matched according to their location
on Friday 4 July between 5pm and 9pm.
Council said the decision was based on the following three factors:
- Many local businesses and artists are still in the
and the kind of support they need or can offer.
"It is such a busy time for our flood affected residents.
“To alleviate some of the pressures, do reach out.
“We will do the background matching and set you up with some support really quickly.”
Anyone located within the Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Kempsey, Mid Coast, Nambucca and Port Macquarie-Hastings regions can nominate.
For more information, or to complete the Expression Of Interest, go to Adopt a Street’s Instagram page @ adoptastreetmnc or email adoptastreetmnc@gmail. com.
early stages of clean-up and recovery
- The ArtWalk precinct includes key electrical and public infrastructure that requires repair before it’s safe to activate
By Sebastian TAN, AAP
MARGRET Meagher knows what it's like to be alone in an flood-isolated community with a dead phone, no electricity and water the only sound from the outside world.
She lives on Port Macquarie's North Shore, which was again surrounded by water last week, four years after devastating floods ravaged the town.
"Last time those six days were just really eerie, strange and difficult," Ms Meagher told AAP.
"You get very displaced, and you listen to just the silence of the water lapping underneath your house and coming up your stairs."
Despite the North Shore's isolation, the community has stayed connected throughout the disaster.
The community Facebook page pinged with notifications as people told each other when
and where an emergency boat service was dropping off supplies.
But the story of a resident who fended off a kangaroo that was trying to drown someone has received the most attention.
"Something like this (Facebook page) brings out the best in any community because people come together and they're looking at how they can support each other," said Ms Meagher, who is the project director for Hello Koalas.
"It's not just you talking to someone on the other side of the fence, it's also talking to hundreds of people who live in this small community.
"People feel they're isolated, so that's where the whole community spirit is so pivotal because if people don't feel isolated, they have greater strength to cope with the trauma of what's happening."
- Our partners agree this new timing will allow for a stronger, safer and more meaningful event
Council said ArtWalk 2025 will now be more than a celebration of art and culture.
“It will be a tribute to the resilience of our region, the dedication of our emergency services and volunteers, and the spirit of our community.”
By Rikki WALLER
POLICE are encouraging anyone who witnesses offensive behaviour within the community to report it.
It comes after officers apprehended a 35-yearold man at Town Beach on Saturday.
Around 12.30pm, police received reports of a man, believed to be intoxicated, acting in an offensive manner.
Officers made their way down the sand and rocks at the northern end of the beach, where the man could be seen swearing and acting aggressively.
After failing to comply with police directions, he was detained and taken to Port Macquarie Police Station, where he was issued with a criminal infringement notice
for offensive behaviour.
Witnesses observed the man allegedly verbally abusing two men on the beach who were filming the many surfers in the water.
One told News Of The Area that the man had been visibly drinking what they assumed to be alcohol, and had been harassing the men for quite some time.
“I was watching the surf and could hear this guy who looked and sounded incredibly drunk talking to two blokes on the sand,” said Port Macquarie local Daniel*.
“The guys were really calm and chatted back to begin with, but then he started to get aggressive and was physically waving his arms about.
“The two guys eventually walked away.”
Then, as people lined
the path to watch the bodyboarders in action, the man could be heard swearing and yelling in earshot of children sitting on the rocks.
He was seen throwing a bottle, which shattered on
the sand.
“People were clearly a bit taken aback by his behaviour, especially with so many kids around.
“I had my daughters with me. They shouldn’t have had
to be exposed to that kind of behaviour.”
Inspector Michael Aldridge, from the Mid North Coast Police District, said police act on all reports of offensive behaviour,
regardless of the time or location.
“We encourage anyone witnessing people acting in an offensive or intimidating manner to contact police,” he said.
By Sue STEPHENSON
OSCAR Wills of Telegraph Point says a scholarship was invaluable in bringing him peace of mind when studying for his Bachelor of Nursing.
Oscar graduated from Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Sciences during a ceremony in Port Macquarie on 14 May.
The Yindyamarra Scholarship he received is one of several awarded to First Nations students from rural and regional NSW who have a desire to work in areas of benefit to the Koori community.
They were established in 2001 by Roger and Jean Morrow to support finalyear students in education, nursing or health-related fields.
“Without this assistance, balancing work, academic
commitments and placement expenses would have been significantly more challenging,” Oscar said.
Mr Morrow attended Oscar’s graduation and said it was great to see him successfully fulfil his study ambitions.
“He is already employed at the hospital in Kempsey, and his future lies ahead of him,” he said.
Oscar’s family is from Warren in Wiradjuri Country, Central West NSW.
His father is a builder and his mother has owned and operated several businesses.
He said he received a “high-quality education at a large school in Port Macquarie” before deciding to pursue a degree alongside several family members.
“My nieces, sister-in-law and several cousins have studied to become nurses and love the job, and I have been told I have a gentle nature and kind personality
that lends itself to the healthcare field.
“I hope that one day I am in a position where I can support students in the same way.”
Balancing academic study, work commitments and placements was not without its challenges.
“I couldn’t spend as much time with family and friends as I wanted [and] this distance sometimes led to feelings of isolation and stress.”
However, he said it now
feels “amazing” to have graduated and recommends to others to “go for it”.
“The time and emotional commitment may seem daunting at first, but when you study in a field that you are genuinely passionate about, you are gaining relevant expertise and enhancing your professional and personal life.”
Oscar intends to experience all nursing has to offer, before settling on a specialty field.
By Sue STEPHENSON
THE NSW Government’s annual street count shows the number of people sleeping rough across the Port Macquarie-Hastings local government area (LGA) has increased over the past 12 months.
Sixty-nine people were sleeping rough in February, up from 53 in 2024 and 43 in February 2023.
Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer said the increase was one of the largest on the Mid North Coast.
“I am meeting with the Minister for Housing Rose Jackson to discuss the need
for additional social housing, including the fast tracking of the proposed development on the corner of Gordon and Grant streets in Port Macquarie,” he said. By comparison, numbers fell in the MidCoast LGA (from 49-27) and the traditionally high Coffs Harbour LGA (from 147 to 99), but tripled in the Nambucca Valley from 20 to 60.
Statewide, there were a record 2192 rough sleepers, an increase of 560 people since 2023.
Shadow Minister for Homelessness Natasha Maclaren-Jones, said the numbers show the Minns Labor Government is failing
society’s most vulnerable.
“The… housing and homelessness crisis just keeps getting worse,” she said.
“As winter approaches and the number of people sleeping rough increases, the Minister for Homelessness must act now and provide additional funding to support our already stretched… services across the region.”
Mrs Maclaren-Jones is also calling on the Minister to broaden the scope of reporting to encompass all types of homelessness, including couch surfing and other forms of non-secure housing, which are not captured in the street count.
“To effectively address
homelessness, we must have accurate and timely data that shows the true extent of homelessness,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said. Currently, the street
By Rikki WALLER
WITH Pride Month just days away, the team from “Cheers Queers” is inviting the community along to Stick Bar on 5 June for “Beers 4 Queers” - an inclusive event to celebrate the month ahead.
Organisers Mark and Abbey stress that the event is
open to everyone wanting to connect with the LGBTQIA+ community.
“It’s not just about celebrating Pride but about coming together as a community to support visibility and inclusion,” Abbey told News Of The Area.
As part of the night, Cheers Queers will be
gathering support for a community petition, which calls for Pride flags to be flown along the main street of Port Macquarie during Pride Month.
The initiative follows their invitation to attend a local Labor meeting.
“We had the honour of speaking about our lived
experiences growing up queer in a regional area and the importance of public visibility,” Abbey said.
The duo was asked to promote a petition to raise the Pride flag and they hit the ground running, creating a digital campaign that gained the support of over 250 people in the first 24 hours.
By Sis HIGGINS
ARTISTS and makers across the Port MacquarieHastings region will open their doors on 7 and 8 June as part of the Hastings Arts Trail.
The event invites the public into private studios, workshops and shared spaces, to meet local creatives and view their work.
The trail stretches from Wauchope to Port Macquarie’s CBD and industrial precinct, taking in coastal and rural areas.
Visitors can follow a self-guided map to explore a range of practices, including drawing, painting, sculpture, woodwork,
ceramics, mixed media, weaving, and printmaking.
The event is the initiative of local artist Vivianne Hazenveld, developed with support from the Port MacquarieHastings Council through a Creative Community grant, and under the auspices of the Port Macquarie Museum.
“This feels like my biggest, most impactful project yet,” Ms Hazenveld said.
“Knowing how many incredible artists and makers pour their hearts into their work in studios across our region, I wanted to create an opportunity for them to share their work with a broad audience.
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count includes people living in vehicles other than motorhomes, open spaces, makeshift dwellings or public roofed spaces.
More information about
They are also encouraged by early support from a number of councillors.
“To have the petition formally brought before Council, we need 250 handwritten signatures.
“So far, we've gathered about 60 from just one outing, thanks to the amazing support at the IDAHOBIT Pride Walk organised by Jake Little.”
Flying Pride flags along Horton Street each June is about more than promoting the month.
like Snappy Productions, Out Loud and Proud, Trans Collective MNC, and Cheers Queers all working hard to support LGBTQIA+ individuals.
“Most of these initiatives are grassroots and community-led, with no formal funding - just people giving their time, energy, and love to make a difference.
“Visibility can change lives, and it’s crucial that LGBTQIA+ living here can see themselves reflected and supported in their hometown.”
“Locals and visitors alike will get a personal glimpse into the creative processes happening right here in our community.”
Studios and venues are open from 10am to 4pm.
Entry is free, with gold coin donations welcome.
For more information and a downloadable map, visit viviannehazenveld. com/artstrail.
ATTENTION SENIO RS & RETIREES,
Did you know that we do weekly Seniors Big Day Out Cruises every Wednesday?
In July there are also several dates to enjoy our Christmas in July event.
You may even get a visit from Santa!
“It’s about sending a powerful message of love, acceptance, and visibility for our growing queer community here on the Mid North Coast.”
Port Macquarie is home to a thriving and diverse queer community, with groups
The team is encouraging the community to sign the petition or host one if they have a business.
For more information email hellocheersqueers@ gmail.com or contact Cheers Queers on social media.
By Rikki WALLER
DANCING was never part of Port Macquarie business owner Madison Wilson’s career path, but the multiaward winner and devoted mum of four couldn’t say no to the chance to hit the dance floor to raise much-needed funds for the Cancer Council.
Taking part in this year’s Stars of the Hastings fundraiser, you would be forgiven for thinking that the Letz Get Lit owner’s love of all things lights, camera and action, are what drove her participation.
Maddie’s motivation, however, comes from a much deeper, personal experience.
“I lost my grandfather 22 years ago from oesophageal cancer.
“It was a heartbreak [from which] I have never truly healed," Maddie told News Of The Area.
Her grandmother then bravely battled and overcame breast cancer, but Maddie lost her aunt Aunt to lung cancer five years ago.
Most recently, her mother has had to face cervical cancer.
With so many challenges and uncertainty, Maddie soon understood the importance
of the critical support the Cancer Council provides.
“My own family’s experience with illness and loss ignited my desire to advocate for them and educate others about the Cancer Council’s invaluable work,” she said.
“Cancer is a relentless adversary, and while it remains a formidable challenge, I am committed to raising funds and awareness in the hope of contributing to the discovery of a cure.”
To help Maddie reach her fundraising goal, she is calling on the community to come along to her Dancing with the Stars Fundraising event at the Mercure Centro in Port Macquarie this Saturday 31 May.
Maddie has partnered with Ella Cassidy from
Burlesque Fit and is offering an early sneak peek of her dance “Sneakers”.
With DJ Jimmy Laing from Ready Set Boom cranking the volume, delicious food will be served and lots of laughs guaranteed with activities like Pop a Balloon, a Silent Auction, 100s Club, a Live Auction, and more.
Tickets can be found at events.humanitix.com/ madison-wilson-stars-dancefor-cancer-fundraiser with all proceeds going to Maddie’s fundraising efforts for the Cancer Council.
To help her reach her goal, go to stars.cancercouncil. com.au/fundraisers/ madisonwilson.
The Stars of the Hastings is on Friday 1 August, at Panthers Port Macquarie.
MADDIE WILSON CANCER COUNCIL FUNDRAISER
MADDIE WILSON CANCER COUNCIL FUNDRAISER
By Bill HARROW
A VERY successful, wellattended meeting was held by the local branch of Zonta on Sunday 18 May, in The River Room at the Westport Bowling Club.
The aim of the meeting was to attract new members during the organisation’s 2024-2026 biennium.
President Elaine Schofield gave an in-depth speech on the activities of the local branch of Zonta and how it fits into Zonta International, which has a membership of some 26,000.
Elaine reminded attendees that the mission of Zonta is to build a better world for women and girls.
The local branch is very active in raising funds to support other bodies with similar goals.
One of the big events happens during Christmas in July where members and supporters assemble birthing kits for women and girls in Nigeria and Papua New Guinea.
The local group is also very active in lobbying governments for equal opportunities along with supporting initiatives towards net zero emissions, as women and girls are
quite often impacted more by Climate Change.
Club Secretary Margaret Bateman, gave an update on advocacy in action with reports on activities in districts 24 and 26.
She finished by reminding everyone of Zonta's 3 Pillars:
1) Zonta says NO to gender-based violence.
2) Zonta says NOW to climate justice and its impact on women and girls.
3) Zonta says yes to gender equality.
Further information about Zonta can be found by emailing secretary. zontaportmacquarie@ gmail.com, or go to zonta. org
ensuring every child can build strong foundations and succeed,” said Mr Baker.
focus on lifting academic performance.
Pop A Balloon
ST JOSEPH’S Primary School in Port Macquarie is taking a hands-on approach to boosting maths fluency in Year 3.
MADDIE WILSON CANCER COUNCIL
Saturday, 31 May 2025 5:30pm - 10:30pm
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Following timed practice sessions, students and teachers actively mark answers and share responses to increase the number of repetitions.
“The Science of Learning brings together research from psychology, education, and neuroscience to understand how people learn best,” said Principal Troy Baker.
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Guided by the latest research from the “Science of Learning” field, teachers have introduced this routine as part of a whole-school
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“This is about personal growth, and it’s wonderful to see the pride students take in their own improvement each day,” said Mr Baker.
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By Chan ANSELL
PORT Macquarie’s Julie Bowes is a strong believer in the importance of giving back and helping others.
Born in Camden, NSW in 1961, Julie got married in 1980 and moved to Canberra, where she and her husband raised three children.
Once the kids were off to school, Julie began working in retail.
“I’ve always enjoyed working with people, and retail was perfect for that,” she said.
In 2000, they made the move to Port Macquarie and opened a new and used office furniture shop.
After a couple of years,
Julie began working at Woolworths as a checkout operator, where she stayed for seven years.
Things changed in 2011 when her parents moved to Port Macquarie.
Julie’s dad had been diagnosed with bowel cancer and dementia and needed care, so he moved into Garden Village.
“That’s when I really saw how much help was needed in aged care,” Julie said.
Inspired to make a difference, she did a course to become an Assistant In Nursing and started caring for others.
Sadly, after an accident at work, Julie couldn’t continue in that role and had to retire.
However, that didn’t stop her from helping people.
She and her best friend started “The Two Mums”, a small local charity, with support from Woolworths Settlement City.
“We just wanted to help people in our community who were doing it tough,” Julie said.
“Someone would tell us about a family in need, and we’d do what we could.”
Now, they run charity stalls every six to eight weeks, and they also have a trolley outside Woolies where people can donate non-perishable food.
Julie and her friend Sherrill take the food up to St Thomas Church once or
By Rikki WALLER
HOSPITAL can be a scary place for many, but for sixyear-old Ella, nerves turned to joy recently thanks to the generosity of one local crafter.
No stranger to respiratory issues during weather changes, Chantelle Fitzgerald noticed that Ella was struggling to take in breaths and took her to the Emergency Department at Port Macquarie Base Hospital for the very first time.
Making the quick dash meant there was no time to take a toy for comfort.
That didn’t matter, however, as there was one already there - just for her.
“While waiting to be triaged, a nurse brought a bag of knitted toys over and told Ella she could pick one," Chantelle told News Of The Area.
“Ella spotted the orange and white teddy on top and grabbed it.
“The nurse said she could look through all of them, but Ella was adamant she wanted her first pick.”
When thanking the nurse for the bear, they told Chantelle that the hospital was very lucky to have wonderful volunteers who knit these for patients.
The volunteer who made Ella’s bear is 70-year-old Bellevue Gardens Retirement
Village resident Ingrid Kennewell.
Crocheting for six years, and donating bunnies and bears to the ED for three years, Ingrid has magic in her hands and kindness in her heart.
As the youngest member of the village, she is responsible for looking after the craft group and while some of the ladies “just do their own thing”, the group has always looked to make an impact.
“We started crocheting and knitting squares for Wrap with Love, who turn them into blankets to send all over the world," Ingrid told NOTA.
A self-taught crocheter, she started her journey with dolls and tablecloths.
With a little encouragement from her husband during COVID-19, she started perfecting the art of soft toys.
By reading patterns and with consistent practice, Ingrid made hundreds, turning many frowns upside down.
“The motivation for doing this is the enjoyment of knowing where they are going," she said.
A letter written by another little girl’s mum expressing her sincere thanks was shared with Ingrid by the hospital in April and confirmed that all of her hard work and generosity is bringing the joy she hoped.
What Ingrid doesn’t know, however, is that although her bears are created solely to comfort patients like Ella in their moment of uncertainty,
twice a week to help local families.
“The best part is seeing the relief on someone’s face when you’ve helped,” Julie said.
“You know you’ve made a little difference in their day - and sometimes that’s everything,” she said.
Julie has nine grandchildren and hopes they’ll grow up knowing the importance of kindness and community.
“I just want them to look back one day and say: ‘She did OK’.”
By Miklos BOLZA, AAP
THE foster mother of missing toddler William Tyrrell has been spared conviction for intimidating and assaulting another child while mentally distressed over his disappearance.
A magistrate in 2024 found her threats to slap the child on two occasions amounted to intimidation.
The woman, who cannot be legally identified, had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of assault after striking the child with a wooden spoon and separately kicking them on the thigh.
While finding the offences had been proven, Sydney's Downing Centre District Court on Friday removed the convictions for the incidents - uncovered during covert police surveillance of her home and car in 2021.
"I accept that no conviction should have been recorded," Judge Miiko Kumar said.
The offences were at the low end of objective seriousness and were committed at a time when the foster mother was dealing with the trauma of William's disappearance, the judge found.
The woman used a "harsh and loud tone" with the child during the intimidation, the judge said.
"You're going to find yourself in a world of pain," the woman told the child on one occasion.
the love for them lasts long after they are carried out the hospital doors.
“Ella decided to call her bear Tuesday, named after the day she had to go to hospital,” Chantelle said.
“Tuesday is mostly called Beary and has been taken to school for news; is cuddled each and every night; and is also taken on errands around Port Macquarie.”
While she is now slowing down due to surgery and a
"I'm going to slap you across the face, do you want me to do that?"
The magistrate made no error in finding the intimidation was proven beyond reasonable doubt, Judge Kumar said.
But she disagreed with the ultimate sentence handed down, tossing aside the conviction.
Instead, she imposed a 12-month conditional release order - in effect, a good-behaviour bond.
Judge Kumar accepted the woman was experiencing "an almost unique and heartbreaking set of stressors" at the time.
She was a person of good character, had shown genuine remorse and contrition for her actions and was unlikely to reoffend, the judge said.
Outside court accompanied by her lawyer Sharon Ramsden, the woman declined to speak to waiting reporters after the judgment.
Five counts of intimidation brought
against the foster mother over alleged incidents related to the child were dismissed by magistrate Susan McIntyre in March 2024.
William's foster father in February also had a conviction for intimidating the child tossed out after a successful District Court appeal.
In that decision, Judge Sean Grant found the man did not intend to cause fear of harm when he screamed in frustration while taking the child to school.
William was three years old when he went missing while playing at his foster grandmother's home in Kendall on the NSW midnorth coast on September 12, 2014.
No one has been charged over his disappearance, although police have aired a theory his foster mother disposed of his body after his accidental death.
The woman denies having anything to do with William's disappearance.
torn tendon in her shoulder, Ingrid hopes that other people in the community will step up and continue to create smiles.
“I have been giving the toys to the ED at the Base Hospital for about three years and from what they have told me, I'm the only one.
“I wish they could ask people to help out, it's such a good thing.”
As for Ella, she is back home and happily going
about her days, and Chantelle couldn’t be more grateful.
“I would love to thank Ingrid for the happiness she has given Ella.
“Having to go to hospital is never easy for anyone, but the joy this cuddly little friend brought Ella made her experience a positive one to remember, not negative.”
“So, thank you Ingrid, for the happiness your knitting needles bring so many.”
THE Oxley Highway between Forbes River and Clay roads will remain closed until further notice because of landslips.
More than 100 new landslips have been detected on this section of the highway since heavy rainfall over the past week.
Engineers are urgently assessing damage and
planning clean-up operations and long-term repairs.
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) said the clean-up of the highway will be carried out as soon as it is safe to do so.
With a substantial amount of mud to move and damage to the road, a firm re-opening date cannot be determined.
TfNSW said it will keep the
community informed as more details become available.
Motorists are advised to use the Gwydir Highway, Waterfall Way or Bruxner Highway for travel between the Tablelands and the coast.
Lane and speed restrictions are in place along sections of Waterfall Way, which were also damaged
during the extreme weather.
Operators of oversize and/ or overmass vehicles should plan their route using the NHVR Route Planner to ensure travel on approved roads.
For more information, visit livetraffic.com/incidentdetails/235523, download the Live Traffic NSW App, or call 132 701.
By Aiden BURGESS
THE latest round of the AFL North Coast season was a casualty of the recent deluge, with all senior matches postponed last weekend.
The AFL North Coast season resumes this weekend with Round 7 matches in Coffs Harbour and Sawtell, weather permitting.
The Coffs Harbour Breakers go for their third win in a row when they play host to the Grafton Tigers at Fitzroy
Oval.
The Breakers had a 105-point win when they last played in Round 3.
The Sawtell/Toormina Saints host the Port Macquarie Magpies at Richardson Park, their first match since Round 2 due to washouts and a bye.
It will be the first meeting of the season between the Magpies and Saints, after their Round 3 match was washed out.
Coffs Harbour Breakers and Northern Beaches Blues
reserves, women’s and Under 18s sides play off at Fitzroy Oval.
Northern Beaches Blues reserves sit at the top of the ladder, having won both their two matches.
Northern Beaches Blues women also sit at the top of their competition ladder, having won both their two matches.
Port Macquarie Magpies Under 18s are the ladder leaders having won all three of their games to start the
By Kim AMBROSE
IN 2017 the National Rugby League (NRL), in collaboration with the game’s major stakeholders, set about conducting extensive research and analysis into game delivery and player development models.
season.
Seniors ladder. 1.Sawtell/ Toormina Saints. 4 points. 1 win. 0 losses. 2 byes. Match ratio: 100. 148.48%. 2.Macleay Valley Eagles. 4 points.1 win. 0 losses. 3 byes. Match ratio: 100. 107.14%. 3.Coffs Harbour Breakers. 8 points. 2 wins. 1 loss. 2 byes. Match ratio: 66.66. 211.96%. 4.Port Macquarie Magpies. 4 points. 1 win. 1 loss. 1 bye. Match ratio: 50. 257.69%. 5.Grafton Tigers. 0 points. 0 wins. 3 losses. 1 bye. Match ratio: 0. 35.58%.
By Aiden BURGESS
LIKE most sports across the region, last weekend’s sixth round of the Mid North Coast Rugby Union Northern Division season was postponed due to the recent deluge.
The scheduled Round 6 games will now be played on Saturday, 16 August, with the season extended by one week.
SCU Marlins travel to take on the Grafton Redmen, with the Marlins having had a 29-21 win when they last met, their sole win of the season so far.
The framework is aimed at attracting and retaining participation, fostering personal development, and transitioning talented players into high performance settings.
One early element of the framework is TackleReady, a
This led to the creation of the Player Development Framework.
six-session program which teaches young players safe and correct tackling techniques as they transition from noncontact versions of the sport.
On Sunday, 18 May the final stage of this program was delivered to 19 Under 7 teams across the Group 3 Rugby League catchment.
Participants in this
program included Grace from the Wauchope Blues Junior Rugby League Football Club (JRLFC) and Jax from the Port Macquarie Blues JRLFC.
“Today they taught us how to tackle safely,” said Grace.
“They told us to go around the hips.”
The session was the first time young Jax had played tackle rugby league.
“It was great,” he said, “especially all the running."
The Mid North Coast Rugby Union Northern Division season continues this weekend with Round 7 matches, weather permitting.
The ladder leading Coffs Harbour Snappers host the Hastings Valley Vikings at Coffs Rugby Park.
The Snappers had a 2917 win when they last met in their grand final rematch during Round 2.
Kempsey Cannonballs host the Port Macquarie Pirates, with the Pirates having had a 59-7 win in their previous meeting. First grade ladder. 1.Coffs Harbour Snappers. 17 points. 3 wins. 1 draw. 1 loss. 45 (for and against). 2.Port Macquarie Pirates. 13 points. 2 wins. 1 draw. 1 loss. 59. 3.Hastings Valley Vikings. 11 points. 2 wins. 1 draw. 1 loss. 32. 4.Grafton Redmen. 8 points. 1 win. 1 draw. 3 losses. -23. 5.SCU Marlins. 8 points. 1 draw. 1 win. 2 losses. -27. 6.Kempsey Cannonballs. 7 points. 1 win. 1 draw. 2 losses. -86.
A PAIR of Port Macquarie locals have shared their experience of attempting to get home during last week’s weather event, after visiting family in Narrabri.
Don Delport and Michael Powter take up the story from here.
Our flood experience
We came down Oxley Highway through the "Walcha Road" and missed getting through on the highway at Long Flat by just an hour as the waters rose so quickly with runoff from the catchment.
Donald had a
double lung transplant at St Vincent's Hospital Darlinghurst in 2021 and needs anti-rejection medicine twice daily.
He always travels with a few extra days of tablets, just in case.
But this weather event was like nothing we had ever experienced.
The rain was epic, biblical, with heavy downpours 24/7.
We sheltered in our car outside the Long Flat Travellers Rest hotel, sleeping and sheltering in the car and following news on the radio.
The meds were due to run out today.
Kaylene, manager at Long Flat pub, was a treasure.
All rooms and beds were taken so the first night we spent in the car with access to facilities, but on night two Kaylene had rustled up two warm and comfy beds.
Donald contacted St Vincent's transplant team who also got on the case with the SES, who were considering a helicopter evacuation or attempting a drone drop.
The weather was foul however, neither ducks nor rotorcraft could fly!
As luck would have it we were at the right place and time when Ray and Dave from Port Macquarie Marine Rescue appeared down the hill where the Hastings River met the Oxley Highway at O'Neill's Creek.
Again as luck would have it they were making an emergency drop of medicine and food to a local, and had room for us to return with them.
This was a blessing as all Don's medications ran out that morning.
When we were delivered to Port Macquarie Marine Rescue at Buller Street
Email Jasminda: media@newsofthearea.com.au
DEAR Jasminda,
MY new girlfriend sleeps with her dog (Brutus) in the bed.
I really like her, but I find this behaviour bizarre and, frankly, a relationship breaker. How do I navigate this?
Gerard P.
Dear Gerard,
The early phase of a relationship is often marked by constant affection, but this should not include waking to Brutus the rottweiler with his tongue in your ear. It must be easier in the modern world of dating to list some non-negotiables when seeking a new partner.
Perhaps, instead of focusing on desirable attributes like a person's age and their physical characteristics, people should instead be basing their selection on what really matters.
I think first dates should be accompanied by a checklist.
It could include things like: Do you pre-rinse your dishes before stacking the dishwasher? What are your feelings about leaving a milk carton with one teaspoon of remaining milk in the fridge? After a shower, do you cover every available surface with excess water, or do you wipe the shower down with a squeegee and microfibre cloth? Do your political views align more with Joe Exotic or Leonardo DiCaprio? And, of course, does your dog sleep in the laundry, in its own bed, or does it sleep with its paws wrapped around your neck and its dog breath in your face?
we were like two drenched strays… and very grateful to be recipients of such wonderful hospitality, kindness, and community spirit.
Rarely do such amazing attributes of this country come together simultaneously as did our rescue by Marine Rescue, an organisation often overlooked for their hard work in all these scenarios of biblical flood, tides or other emergencies.
We cannot thank Marine Rescue, Long Flat hotel and the others stranded there, and all the residents of a tiny but fantastic town.
Unfortunately, in your case, you have been swept up by romanticism and it's left you vulnerable (and dosed up on antihistamines due to your recently acquired pet allergy).
I think you need to have some honest conversations around this, because a pet is a long-term commitment.
It's not a problem that will just skulk away with its tail between its legs.
You may also need to accept some brutal honesty in return.
Perhaps, in the contest between you and Brutus, you will not end up the victor.
Instead, you will suffer the fate of Julius Caesar, with your girlfriend (and her dog) looking daggers at you, then meeting (undercover) to plot their Shakespearean revenge.
Carpe diem, Jasminda.
JOHNSTON
Ronald Crawford ‘Ron’
Peacefully passed away on Monday 19th May 2025. Late of Port Macquarie.
Loving Husband of Joan (Dec). Loving Father and Father-in-Law of Diane and Beverley & Terry. Loving Grandfather & Great Grandfather.
Aged 98 years.
A private family celebration of Ron’s life was held on Saturday 24th May 2025.
Kenneth Arthur ‘Ken’ 6th May 2025, passed unexpectedly. Late of Port Macquarie, formerly of Coffs Harbour. Loving brother and brother-in-law of Pauline, Rhonda & Ian and Les & Annette.
Aged 72 Years
Always In Our Hearts Ken was privately cremated at Hogbin Drive Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour.
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FRIDAY
GARY BARLOW’S FOOD & WINE: AUSTRALIA
SBS FOOD, 7.30pm
Take That frontman Gary Barlow knows how to make the most of a trip: while visiting our shores last year on tour, he also managed to film this tasty travelogue. Starting tonight in Sydney, Barlow meets musician Tim Minchin for a tipple at Midden by Mark Olive (pictured centre, with Minchin and Barlow) outside the Sydney Opera House. Chef and “fish butcher” Josh Niland puts the singer to the test with his fish charcuterie; before pop star Sophie Ellis Bextor and GB arrive at their Hunter Valley gig in style – with time for a cheeky wine tasting en route, of course.
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6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00
America. (R) 10.30 Take 5. (PG, R) 11.10 Bergerac. (Ml, R) 12.00 ABC News At
6.30 Claire Hooper’s House Of Games. (PG)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Gardening Australia. Costa Georgiadis visits a prolific native nursery.
8.30 The One That Got Away. (Mal) Ffion clashes bitterly with her sister.
9.20 Gruen. (R) Presented by Wil Anderson.
9.55 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (Final, R)
10.25 Big Boys. (Final, Mls, R)
10.55 ABC Late News.
11.15 Father Brown. (Ma, R)
12.00 Mayfair Witches. (Final, MA15+v, R)
12.50 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv)
5.00 Rage. (PG)
MONDAY 9-1-1
SEVEN, 8.50pm
Known for its life-threatening emergencies, natural disasters and dramatic storylines, this first responder procedural isn’t afraid to push the bounds of believability: malware-driven blackouts, train derailments, tsunamis and cruise ship disasters are all in a day’s work for Los Angeles fire captain Bobby (Peter Krause) and LAPD patrol sergeant Athena (Angela Bassett, pictured). Season eight begins tonight with a truly astonishing situation where a truck holding 22 million killer bees crashes in the heart of the city, unleashing a deadly swarm that joins forces with local stingers to become a “bee-nado”.
TUESDAY WALKING
When you’ve been around for 65 million prehistoric subjects of this beloved BBC series have – you’d think 25 years might not matter so much in the grand scheme of things. But in the quarter-century since this ground-breaking factual show premiered, our understanding of dinosaurs and how they lived has changed radically… and that’s not to mention the leaps and bounds in computer animation. Narrated by British actor Bertie Carvel (Dalgliesh), this Walking with Dinosaurs revival uses cuttingedge visual effects to guide viewers through the stories of six giants once lost to history, but now being unearthed by state-of-the-art science.
6.00 Mastermind Australia.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Malta: The Jewel Of The Mediterranean. (R)
9.15 Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes. (R)
10.25 SBS World News Late.
10.55 Atlantic Crossing. (MA15+s, R)
11.55 Rex In Rome. (Mv, R)
1.45 The Head. (Return, MA15+a)
3.40 J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom. (R)
4.40 Bamay. (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. Hosted by Johanna Griggs.
8.30 House Of Wellness. (PGa) Melissa Doyle and Shane Crawford are joined by Abbey Holmes and Dr Andrew Rochford to navigate pregnancy.
9.30 MOVIE: Tower Heist. (2011, Mls, R)
A building manager and his staff plot to steal a small fortune from the swindler who defrauded them. Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy.
11.45 Farmer Wants A Wife. (PGal, R)
1.05 Nurses. (Ma, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
5.00 NBC Today.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 13. St George Illawarra Dragons v Newcastle Knights.
9.55 Golden Point. Post-match NRL wrap-up.
10.45 MOVIE: Toy Soldiers. (1991, Mvl, R) Commandos seize control of a school. Sean Astin.
1.00 Young Sheldon. (PGadlsv, 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)
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 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s Programs. 8.00 Nanny. 9.00 Inside The Superbrands. 10.00 Bewitched. 10.30 Jeannie. 11.00 Young Sheldon. 11.30 Golden Girls. Noon MOVIE: Wonder Woman 1984. (2020, M) 3.00 Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.00
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R)
Hosted by Grant Denyer. 6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 Soccer. Women’s International Friendly. Australia v Argentina. 10.30 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather. 10.55 Have You Been Paying Attention? (Malns, R) Hosted by Tom Gleisner. 11.55 The Graham Norton Show. (Ml, R) Celebrity guests include Jamie Foxx. 12.55 The Project. (R) 1.55 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 3.00 Home Shopping. (R)
6.00
6.10
Father Brown. (PGav) A supposed vampire strikes in the village.
7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.
7.30 Call The Midwife. (Ma) Cyril faces his toughest challenge yet.
8.30 Midsomer Murders. (PG, R) The opening of a sculpture park in Angel’s Rise is marred by murder when art imitates death.
10.05 Bergerac. (Ml, R) The battle intensifies between Bergerac and Arthur. 10.50 Reunion. (Mlv, R) Brennan and Carly head to his school reunion.
11.50 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
5.00 Rage. (PG)
ABC FAMILY (22)
6am Children’s Programs. 10.00 MOVIE: Thomas And Friends: The Mystery Of Lookout Mountain. (2022) 11.00 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 Rocket Club. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Kids Baking C’ship. 8.10 Chopped Junior. 8.55 The Piano. 9.50 Fresh Off The Boat. 10.35 Late Programs.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar. (Mal, R)
8.25 Secrets Of Britain’s Historic Houses: Society Influencers (Cliveden And Polesden Lacey)
9.30 1968: A Year Of War, Turmoil And Beyond. (M, R)
10.25 Guillaume’s French Atlantic. (R) 11.25 Homicide: Life On The Street. (Mav, R)
4.00 J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom. (R)
4.30 Bamay. (R) 5.15 France 24 Feature.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R) Authorities come across a box from Malaysia that seems a little unusual and reveals something frightening.
7.30 Football. AFL. Round 12. Sydney v Adelaide. From the SCG. 10.30 MOVIE: Safe House. (2012, Mlv, R) A CIA agent and his charge go on the run. Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds.
12.55 Nurses. (Ma, R) Sydney’s bustling nightlife wreaks chaos.
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 It’s Academic. (R) 5.00 House Of Wellness. (PGa, R)
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Holiday Home Makeover With Rachel & Ryan. (PGl) 8.30 MOVIE: Spectre. (2015, Mv, R) Daniel Craig.
MOVIE: Death Wish V. (1994, MA15+lv, R)
Surfing Australia TV. (R)
Great Australian Detour. (R)
The Incredible Journey Presents. (PG)
TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 Global Shop. (R) 5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)
Melbourne City v Melbourne Victory. From AAMI Park, Melbourne. 11.00 Elsbeth. (Mdv, R) When a young man is found dead in his car, Elsbeth begins to suspect a holistic wellness centre’s
6.30 Compass. (PG)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 The Piano. The pianists play in the heart of Sydney’s Chinatown.
8.30 Bergerac. (Ml) There’s a breakthrough in the search for Cate’s phone, until Bergerac’s world is shaken.
9.15 Reunion. (Mlv) Christine is closer to the answers she seeks.
10.15 MOVIE: Van Diemen’s Land. (2009, MA15+alv, R) Oscar Redding.
12.00 Take 5 With Zan Rowe. (PG, R)
12.25 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
1.35 Grantchester. (Mav, R)
4.00 Gardening Australia. (R)
5.00 Insiders. (R)
ABC FAMILY (22)
6am Children’s Programs. 3.30pm MOVIE: Thomas And Friends: The Mystery Of Lookout Mountain. (2022) 4.35 Children’s Programs. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Isadora Moon. 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.
6am The Movie Show. 6.35 First Cow. (2019, PG) 8.50 Dancing Ninja. (2010, PG) 10.40 Australian Rules. (2002, M) 12.30pm The Invisible Fight. (2023, M, Estonian) 2.40 December Boys. (2007, PG) 4.40 Sissi: The Fateful Years. (1957, PG, German) 6.40 Sidonie In Japan. (2023, PG, French) 8.30 Seven. (1995, MA15+) 10.55 Body Heat. (1981, M) 1am The Perfect Dinner. (2022, M, Italian) 3.00 Late Programs.
6am Children’s Programs. 8.00 Allo! Allo! 9.10 Only Fools And Horses. 9.50 Motorway Cops. 11.50 Motor Racing. IndyCar Series. Indianapolis 500. H’lights. 1pm Alcatraz Escape: The Lost Evidence. 2.40 Jeopardy! UK. 3.40 Young Sheldon. 4.40 MOVIE: Penguin Bloom.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 London: 2,000 Years Of History. (PG, R)
8.25 Queens Of Ancient Egypt. (PGa, R)
9.25 Into The Gobi Desert With Nick Knowles. (PG, R)
10.15 Hindenburg: The Cover Up. (PGa, R)
11.10 MOVIE: Memory Film: A Filmmaker’s Diary. (2023, Maln)
12.40 24 Hours In Emergency. (PGa, R) 2.30 Australia Uncovered: Our African Roots. (PGa, R) 3.25 J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom. (R) 3.55 Bamay. (R) 4.55 Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera.
VICELAND (31) VICELAND (31)
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6am Malcolm. Continued. (1986, PG) 6.35 Sissi: The Fateful Years. (1957, PG, German) 8.35 Remi Nobody’s Boy. (2018, PG, French) 10.35 The Tracker. (2002, M) 12.25pm The Last Castle. (2001, M) 2.50 First Cow. (2019, PG) 5.05 The Band’s Visit. (2007, PG, Arabic) 6.40 Weekend At Bernie’s. (1989, PG) 8.30 Constantine. (2005, MA15+) 10.45 Prayers For The Stolen. (2021, M, Spanish) 12.50am Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 The 1% Club. (PGls) 8.00 7NEWS Spotlight. 9.00 24 Hours In Police Custody: Breakout. (Madlv) Looks at an escape attempt. 10.10 Crime Investigation Australia. (MA15+adv, R) 11.20 Autopsy USA. (Ma) 12.20 Shades Of Blue. (MA15+adsv, R)
Travel Oz. (PG, R)
Home Shopping. (R) 3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
NBC Today.
Sunrise Early News.
Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 LEGO Masters: Grand Masters Of The Galaxy. (Return, PG)
6am Children’s Programs. 6pm Octonauts. 6.10 Super Monsters. 6.20 Bluey. 6.30 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50
6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News. 7.35 Stockholm With Michael Portillo. (PG)
8.25 Bettany Hughes: Treasures of Bulgaria. (PGa, R)
9.20 Inside Windsor Castle. (PG, R)
10.15 SBS World News Late.
10.45 Classified. (MA15+v)
11.35 Kin. (Madlsv, R)
2.30 Living With The Boss. (PG, R)
3.20 J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom. (R)
4.40 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. (PG) Remi gets a huge opportunity.
7.30 Farmer Wants A Wife. (PG) Hosted by Natalie Gruzlewski.
8.50 9-1-1. (Return, Mav) A trailer with millions of bees crashes on the streets of Los Angeles, unleashing a swarm.
10.50 The Agenda Setters.
11.50 To Be Advised.
12.50 You, Me And The Apocalypse. (Maln)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
7TWO (62)
7.10 Jeopardy! 7.35 News. 7.40 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.35 The UnBelievable. 10.15 Late Programs.
6am The Band’s
Visit. Continued. (2007, PG, Arabic) 6.35 Weekend At Bernie’s. (1989, PG) 8.25 Little Nicholas’ Treasure. (2021, PG, French) 10.20 Sublime. (2022, M, Spanish) 12.15pm Just Believe. (2018, M, Italian) 2.10 Sidonie In Japan. (2023, PG, French) 4.00 Malcolm. (1986, PG) 5.35 The Farewell. (2019, PG) 7.30 Unruly. (2022, M, Danish) 10.00 Suffragette. (2015, M) Midnight Late Programs.
Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.35 Parkinson In Australia. (PGa, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Who Do You Think You Are? (Ma)
8.30 Insight.
9.30 Dateline.
10.00 SBS World News Late.
10.30 Living Black. (R)
11.30 The Point. (R)
12.30 Dance Rites 2023. (PG, R)
2.05 Enemy Of The People. (Mlv, R)
3.45 Living With The Boss. (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. (PG)
7.30 Farmer Wants A Wife. (PGal) Hosted by Natalie Gruzlewski.
8.50 Doc. (Ma) Sonya relies on Amy’s help. 9.50 Accused. (Mav) A widow gets mixed up in shady dealings. 10.50 The Agenda Setters. An expert panel tackles the biggest AFL topics.
Autopsy USA. (MA15+av, R)
Travel Oz. (PG, R)
Harry’s Practice. (R)
Home Shopping. (R)
NBC Today.
Sunrise Early News.
Sunrise. 6.00 NBN News.
A Current Affair.
LEGO Masters: Grand Masters Of The Galaxy. (PG) 8.45 100% Footy. (M)
Aussie Road Train Truckers. (PGl)
Gypsy Rose: Life After Lockup. (Mal)
Tipping Point. (PG, R)
(PG)
6am WorldWatch. 10.00 The Movie Show. Noon WorldWatch. 12.30 Homicide. 2.20 Cryptoland. 2.50 Bamay. 3.10 News. 3.15 WorldWatch. 5.10 Forged In Fire. 6.00 Alone Germany. 7.10 Jeopardy! 7.40 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.35 Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown. 10.15 Dark Side Of The Cage. (Premiere) 12.05am Dirty Rotten Cleaners. 1.35 Shoresy. 2.05 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 7.30 Harry’s Practice. 8.00 Million Dollar Minute. 9.00 Medical
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6am The Movie Show. 6.30 The Farewell. (2019, PG) 8.25 The Band’s Visit. (2007, PG, Arabic) 10.00 Prayers For The Stolen. (2021, M, Spanish) 12.05pm My Zoe. (2019, M) 2.00 Weekend At Bernie’s. (1989, PG)
3.50 Little Nicholas’ Treasure. (2021, PG, French)
5.45 The Importance Of Being Earnest. (2002) 7.30 The Professor And The Madman. (2019, M) 9.55 Sisi & I. (2023, M, German) 12.25am Late Programs.
6.00
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. 7.10 Dino Dex. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Junior Vets. 8.35 BTN Newsbreak. 8.40 Abbott Elementary. 9.25 Doctor Who. 11.10 Late Programs.
6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Alone Australia. (Ml) 9.35 The Veil. (Premiere, Malv) 10.25 SBS World News Late. 10.55 My Brilliant Friend. (Mlsv)
12.00 The Wall: The Chateau Murder. (Mlv, R)
12.50 The Wall: The Orchard. (Mals, R)
3.20 Living With The Boss. (PG, R)
4.10 J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom. (R)
4.40 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. (PG) Mackenzie searches for answers.
7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PG, 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 Touching Evil. (Premiere, MA15+av)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6am Shopping. 6.30 Escape To The Country.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Travel Guides. (PG, R)
8.40 The Grand Tour. (Ml)
10.00 Freddy And The Eighth. (Ml)
11.00 9News Late.
11.30 The Equalizer. (Mv, R)
12.15 Find My Country House Australia. (R)
12.40 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 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Ali And Ava.
Continued. (2021, M) 6.10 The Movie Show. 6.40
Little Nicholas’ Treasure. (2021, PG, French) 8.35
The Importance Of Being Earnest. (2002) 10.20 Unruly. (2022, M, Danish) 12.50pm Suffragette. (2015, M) 2.50 Heidi. (2015, PG, German) 4.55 Discovering Film: Maggie Smith. 5.50 Bonneville. (2006, PG) 7.30 Becoming Jane. (2007, PG) 9.45 Emily. (2022, M) 12.10am Late Programs.
(R)
6am Children’s Programs. 6pm Octonauts. 6.10 Super Monsters. 6.20
Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators.
8.05 Junior Vets. 8.35 BTN Newsbreak. 8.40 Secrets Of The Zoo. 9.25 Saved By The Barn. 10.05 TBA. 10.55 Late Programs.
6.00 Mastermind Australia.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Our Medicine. (Ml)
8.45 Killing Sherlock With Lucy Worsley: Fact And Fiction. (PGa)
9.45 Sherlock & Daughter. (Mav)
10.35 SBS World News Late.
11.05 Carmen Curlers. (Malsv, R)
1.20 Pagan Peak. (Ma, R)
3.15 Living With The Boss. (PG, R)
4.05 Hitler’s Teen Killers. (Mav, R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 MOVIE: The Assassination Of Jesse James. (2007, MA15+) 11.25 Late Programs. 6am WorldWatch. 10.00 The Movie Show. Noon WorldWatch. 12.30
8.30 MOVIE: Ice Maiden. (2024, M) 10.25 The UnXplained. (Return) 11.20 Homicide. 1.10am Love And Sex In Israel. 2.10 Late Programs.
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am RBG.
Continued. (2018, PG) 6.40 Bonneville. (2006, PG) 8.20 Becoming Jane. (2007, PG) 10.35 The Professor And The Madman. (2019, M) 1pm Mystic 8 1/2. (1963, PG, Italian) 5.30 The Tender Radioactive. (2019, M) 11.35 Late Programs.
7MATE (64)
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Home And Away. (PG) Abigail challenges Eden.
7.30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly. (PGa) Hosted by Graeme Hall.
8.30 Britain’s Got Talent. (PG) The fifth set of semi-finalists sets out to impress the judges and viewers at home.
10.30 Inside Cyprus. (PGav, R)
12.00 Raines. (Mahv)
1.00 Harry’s Practice. (R)
1.30 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
7MATE (64)
(34)
12.15 MOVIE: Deadly House Call. (2022, M) 2.00 Golden Girls. 2.30 Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 Jeannie. 6.00 Golden Girls. 6.30
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Rugby League.
Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 Jeannie. 6.00 Golden Girls. 6.30 Nanny. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: The Wedding Singer. (1998, M) 10.30 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 10.00
(34)
Panthers Port Macquarie
The Westport Club
Frankies Cafe
Four Espresso
El Motel Inn
Glasshouse Port Macquarie
Redcross Blood Donation Centre
Collins Booksellers Port Macquarie
Florence Jones
Port AdVenture Cruises
CWA, Port Macquarie
Ray White Port Macquarie
Lilys Cafe
Majestic Cinema
Port Macquarie Hotel Bottle Shop
Port Macquarie Surfing Museum
The Witchy Nook
Colonial Meats
Rock Salt Marina
Seasalt Cafe & Restaurant
Settlement City Pharmacy
Big W, Settlement City
The Reject Shop, Settlement City
Woolworths, Settlement City
Big Boz Cafe
Ken Little’s Fruit & Veg
Foodworks Munster Street
Seniors Centre
Shelly Beach Store
Flynns Beach Pharmacy
Roam Cafe
Flynns Beach Post Office
House at Roto Place
Mercure Centro
Belle Property
Band Wagon Cafe
For Everything Surf & Skate
Ridges Hotel
By Kim AMBROSE
JUNIOR referees took centre stage at the TackleReady Day organised by the Camden Haven Eagles JRLFC at “the Sandpit” at Lake Cathie on Sunday, 18 May.
As reported last week, the day commenced with the delivery of the final phase of the NRL's TackleReady program presented by accredited deliverers.
The educational component was followed by a gala day featuring nineteen U7 teams from across the Hastings.
Stepping up to officiate these action-packed matches were seven young referees: Blake Higgins, Hayden Ellis, Rhys Culter, Josh Oliver, Zac Hooligan, Darby Moore, and Ella Herbert.
“I really enjoyed watching the juniors play and seeing the smiles on their faces,” Darby said.
“Tackling is one of the most important skills to learn when you are playing the game of rugby
Ritchies IGA Port Central
Port Macquarie Library
Bels Bakery
Ritchies IGA Gordon Street
Plunketts Terry White Chemmart
Ned Kelly’s Bait & Tackle
Douglas Hanly Moir
Ryan James Podiatry
PCYC Port Macquarie
Port City Bowling Club
Hill Street Store
Spar Clifton
Twenty24
Mid North Coast Dental Centre
John Oxley Motors
Patrick Auto Group
Belly Bombers
Aldi Port Macquarie
Billabong Zoo
league and this day is a fun way for these players to learn these skills and put them into practice.”
Group 3 Junior Rugby League Vice President and Referees Coaching Panelist Jason Higgins said the experience was invaluable for the young officials.
“Today was a great opportunity for our young referees,” he said.
“Not only do gala days aid player development but they also provide a platform for our young referees to further refine their skills.
“During this event the referees participated in back-toback games as well as mentoring sessions and you could see them growing in confidence throughout the day.”
Higgins also acknowledged the respect shown towards the young referees by players, coaches, and spectators alike.
“Our young referees were all treated with the utmost respect on the day,” he said.
“It was great to see that the supporters watching the games were very aware that our emerging match officials are still learning, just like their own children.”
Group Therapy Cafe
Ritchies IGA Sovereign Hills
Douglas Hanly Moir
Taste bakehouse
Coastal Realty & Strata
Wauchope Newsagency
Bennett Steel
Wauchope IGA
Anatolian Breeze
Charlie’s Takeaway
Port Landscape and Nursery
U3A Port Macquarie
Ruins Way Cafe
The Coast Cafe
Port Macquarie Golf Club
Tacking Point Tavern
Your Discount Chemist
Coles Lighthouse Beach
Emerald Downs Golf Course
Lighthouse Beach Post Office
