TVW 11 Sep 2025

Mustangs shock minor premiers

By Jo Kennett

THERE WAS jubilation and heartache in the NRRRL on the weekend, with Murwillumbah pulling off a massive upset to end the season for minor premiers Cudgen who had dominated all

year, and win a berth in the grand final against Marist Brothers. Marist Brothers, after a 21 year grand final drought, won hosting rights after taking down Bilambil, but the Jets had wins in the Reggies, Under 18s and LLT so have three teams through to the grand final. The first grade Jets side went into half-time leading 6–4 but ultimately went down 20–6 to Marist Brothers after another great season.

willumbah was a tough game and a tough loss.

“They were up by six at half-time, so we were in the game,” he said.

Cudgen captain Caleb Ziebell said the elimination semi-final against Mur-

“It was pretty close, 16–10, but they just out-energised us.

Continued on page 16.

Crooks rip $10,000 worth of copper from Cudgen Tunnel

By Jonathon Howard

RESIDENTS ARE demanding answers over how more than $10,000 worth of copper was ripped out of the Cudgen Tunnel, sending the tunnel into darkness for what could take months to repair.

Copper has never been more sought after it seems, with thieves going to extreme lengths to scavenge the metal.

Copper is currently valued at about $13 per kilogram, or as low as $7 for scrap, but as The Weekly has previously investigated, many of the local scrap metal yards will refuse “suspicious copper” including high voltage power lines. It’s unknown where the thieves have taken an estimated more than half tonne of copper wire.

News of the copper theft has left locals dumbfounded with many calling for answers.

Tweed Police said the copper theft took place between 6pm on Friday, August 29, and 6am on Saturday, August 30, when “unknown persons have gained access to the Chinderah Tunnel Control room”, located on Cudgen Road, Stotts Creek.

“Once inside, these unknown persons have allegedly cut high voltage wires and removed copper wire from the location, leaving the area in an unknown vehicle,” police said.

“The value of the wire is estimated to be $10,000.”

Police said they attended the scene and have commenced an investigation into the alleged theft.

The speed limit through the Cudgen Tunnel has since, and will remain, reduced to 80 kilometres per hour for weeks or even months, as repairs continue to infrastructure severely damaged by the copper theft.

The act of vandalism shut down the tunnel’s lighting system, requiring the speed limit to drop from 110 to 80km/hr for the safety of motorists.

“A control room housing the main switchboard that supplies communications for the 134-metre-long Pacific

Highway tunnel had its copper wiring ripped out, while the nearby high voltage transformer providing the power supply was also vandalised,” Transport for NSW told The Weekly.

“The power supply was isolated before inspections and repairs to cut cables began on Sunday.

“Repairs are likely to take all of this month to complete due to the damage.”

Not a petty act, says Transport for NSW

Transport for NSW Executive Director Regional Road Network Maintenance, Alistair Lunn, said the theft should not be considered a petty act.

“This copper theft has interrupted the tunnel’s power supply and inconvenienced thousands of motorists who take this route on the Pacific Highway,” Mr Lunn said.

“It’s an extensive and expensive repair job, but what’s worse is that this malicious damage could have put lives at risk, including those responsible.

“For anyone driving through the Cudgen Tunnel please turn your headlights on

while tunnel lighting is out and drive to the reduced speed limit of 80 kilometres an hour.”

Residents shared their experiences of copper theft and their frustrations online.

“Copper was stolen from the pipes where my sister-in-law lives in aged care about 5 years ago,” said one commenter.

“It is not a new type of theft. People are desperate.”

“Who would do that? Isn’t there cameras in the tunnel?” said another comment.

The Weekly has sent questions to authorities around whether there is any CCTV or monitoring of the tunnel but did not receive a response prior to print.

If anyone has any information about the incident they can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

For more information on this work visit: livetraffic.com/incident-details/247789 or call 132 701.

YOUR THOUGHTS: Do you believe more needs to be done to protect high voltage line from copper thieves? Send your emails to: editor@theweekly.net.au

Thieves have stolen an estimated more than half tonne of copper wire

Transport for NSW supplied the above images to The Weekly which show the extent to which the copper wiring was removed

CONGRATULATIONS

JOHN HUMPHRIES

You have won a single pass* to the film of your choice

Roads versus rates question

I wanted to update the community on my recent efforts on the 98 unmaintained roads within the Tweed Shire Council area.

As your readers would be aware, I’ve campaigned for many years to have these roads included in the roads maintenance register with council. My efforts have not been in vain, however, I feel somewhat let down following a recent meeting with council.

I will not go into specifics, and it was a good meeting, but council seems to believe the shire would require a 25 per cent increase in general rates to cover the costs of maintenance to these roads.

I don’t know about other residents, but that sounds like a considerable amount of funds for 98 roads, but I’d like your readers to share their views. My question would be: would ratepayers accept an increase in their general rates to have these roads added to the register?

I feel many of our rates have already supported other roads, I think this is an important question.

Please share your thoughts? Please note, all these 98 roads would fail council’s own safety audit, and we need investment to bring them up to council’s standard.

Ray Nardi, Kielvale Police need to intervene

As an older resident of Casuarina who used to enjoy walking the boardwalk most days, I desperately want something done about these youth e-bike gangs who are taking over our suburb (TVW, Sept 4, ‘Teen gangs running riot’).

I am frail and suffer from osteoporosis, and I am frightened to continue my daily walks as these gangs of bike riders are now deliberately targeting me, doing wheelies as they pass me at speed so closely as to knock me off balance.

If I tumble and fall, I am at risk of fracturing my hip or worse!

I’ve taken to holding my mobile phone camera up to video them when I see them coming but they couldn’t care less and are even more abusive and intimidating.

Please, can the council erect even temporary CCTV cameras as a deterrent?

If the police are powerless other than stepping up random patrols, perhaps capturing them on camera will help identify the offenders.

Edna Bishop, Casuarina E-bike footpath ban

I cycle and use the path nearly every day, I live in Casuarina and cycle to the creek at Kingscliff.

The kids on e-bikes are out of control. I am fearful that one day a small child will be killed or badly injured.

I have a grandson and I’m scared to let him cycle on the path. These e-bikes are travelling up to 50km per hour with no possibility of stopping to avoid an accident.

My opinion is they should be banned from this path.

Tony Grana, Casuarina More police for speeding

I would certainly welcome local police action on e-bikes and e-scooters.

The pathway from Casuarina that passes through Salt Village to Kingscliff on the weekend sees e-devices speed through there three and four of them abreast and if you tell them to slow down and give way to pedestrians you get verbal abuse.

Big accidents will happen and walkers will be injured in my view.

Very dangerous when people are walking their dogs and little children on their bikes and the elderly are expected to jump out of their way.

I think now it the time for a separate track for the bikes because of the speed these bikes do and they won’t slow down or give way to pedestrians.

Diann Handley, Casuarina

E-bike crackdown needed

Great work, I wholeheartedly support the action by police (TVW, September 4, ‘Crackdown on e-bikes’), as I have seen many dangerous and stupid actions by youngsters on e-bikes, especially my local area of Winders Place, Leisure Drive and Darlington Drive.

Thanks to the police, who have a tough and sometimes thankless job. Anne Colwell, Tweed Heads Moving the goal posts

Well, here we go again, another developer trying their amendments on.

In The Weekly’s recent edition (TVW, August 28) there were letters criticising council for challenging Gales and others for their constant amendments to DAs submitted and mostly approved, but then the developers want to move the goalposts on these approvals and go crying to the state planning commission.

Council are well within their rights to object to these changes that Elysian developers want to foist onto the ratepayers of Tweed Shire with their proposed changes.

Readers, don’t just look at the present and their proposed changes, look at the future costs these changes would impose on council/ratepayers. That applies not just to this ensuing “battle” but well into the future. These costs will need to be met from you as a ratepayer!

If we allow all these continuous amendments through from multiple developers carte blanche then I suggest you all will need to fill up your wallets to pay the extras.

Be reminded that Tweed Shire Council has recently been praised for its good financial position in comparison to many other councils in NSW, despite the multiple natural disasters and weather events over the past number of years.

Where necessary, Tweed Shire

Council, continue to block and or challenge major DA approval changes that are put forward to protect from developers who have only one thing in mind: dollars in their pockets not Tweed ratepayers. How many of the developers even live in the Tweed Shire?

If you want the kind of shenanigans that occur from developers as in the Gold Coast City then maybe you should slip over the border into Tom Tate country and be a part of what he wants, you only have to have seen in media last week what Tom and his mates might get up to.

John Humphries, Banora Point Kingscliff Men’s Shed needs a home

After reading the article around the Kingscliff Men’s Shed on August 23, I hope a discussion can be reached soon regarding the location. These sheds are absolutely necessary in our local community. They help with men’s mental and physical health, and also the mateship and the life experiences they share. They also help in making custom made picnic settings, custom pieces for childcare centres, retirement villages, aged care facilities, just to name a few.

Jeanette Shone, Kingscliff Men’s Shed motion is important

I find it a shame that the important and worthwhile proposal for a home for Kingscliff Men’s Shed has been degraded to a heated exchange between councillors.

I applaud the council’s decision to put the motion out to the community for consultation.

I feel if the motion is put to the community at large, the well-known good work that a men’s shed provides will outweigh the ‘nimby’ position of the 20 or so residents affected. Yes, we sometimes use power tools, but we have the same restrictions as tradies and I can’t imagine many re -

tired men getting up early or staying into the night to do a project.

Regarding parking and traffic, there didn’t seem to be a problem when the pods were occupied. Kingscliff Men’s Shed has far fewer members.

With our population aging, a Men’s Shed in Kingscliff should be a priority and the Elrond Street site is perfect. Councillors do the right thing and approve this motion.

Leigh Cunliffe, Kingscliff Court action is supported

I’d say ‘yes’ in response to the question on whether the Gales court case was worthwhile.

The approval to develop this seriously flood-prone site was “old legacy” from 30 years ago.

Council does not have the option to refuse prior approvals. All they can do is try to uphold community safety and environmental considerations under current circumstances.

This is what they did — quite successfully.

The site is currently surrounded by roads and dense housing which face increased risk of flooding by filling in the site area — which is now an absorbing marshland.

Gales wanted to truck in clay-based fill which would act like a ‘skate rink’ and allow heavy rain to just run off. Add to this the risk of importing fire ants in the fill.

All of this was amended by the court hearing. In addition, council reduced the ridiculously high number of truck deliveries by half as well as bringing in safeguards for nearby wetlands and littoral rainforest.

Marion Riordan, Nunderi

Please note the views on the letters page are those of the letter writer and not of the Tweed Valley Weekly. Letters must include a suburb and contact number for verification. Letters may be edited for length or legal reasons. Send your letters to editor@theweekly. net.au or phone: (02) 6672 4443

Cobaki development depressing residents

By Yvonne Gardiner and editor

TRINGA STREET residents at Tweed Heads West say they are living in hell and are desperate for peace to return to their once quiet suburban neighbourhood.

On one side of this quiet suburban road there are long-term residents and across the street is a huge construction site on 15.71 hectares, or what residents have coined a “zombie” industrial subdivision on the banks of Cobaki Creek, adjacent to the Gold Coast International Airport and the M1 Motorway.

Termed “zombie” because of its original approval by Tweed Shire Council in 1996, the 37-lot subdivision at 60 Tringa St was largely cleared of vegetation in March/April 2023.

The site had been bought in January 2023 by Dubbo developers MAAS.

Tringa Street resident Rob Eady has lived in the area for 30 years and now looks out on a scene of devastation.

“Nothing’s been out in the open. Residents have no idea what the developers are doing,” he said.

“We have had no correspondence from council, we feel we’ve been kept in the dark.”

Mr Eady fears that Tringa Street will become an access road for the development.

“In March 2023, the developers gained access illegally via Tringa Street. The point of access has never been Tringa Street,” he said.

“I’m really worried now that they’re putting in a sewerage line.

“If they blast their way in with a sewer, I worry it could destroy our whole neighbourhood and the property values.

“We can’t stop this development, we know that — the horse has bolted.

“We just don’t want them in our street at all.

Their legal access is Sussyer Avenue.”

Mr Eady says a 20-metre vegetation buffer was expected on the site’s boundary but has since been reduced.

“They should be made to plant a heap of trees on the southern and western boundaries,” he said.

Tweed District Residents and Ratepayers Association president Lindy Smith say the alleged lawlessness of the site is a red flag for other Tweed communities at risk.

“It’s an example of the failures to do with zombie developments that could well apply to similar developments elsewhere in the Tweed Shire, like at Wooyung, Hastings Point and Kingscliff,” she said.

“The damage has been done. My view is that the development needs to be put on hold, to pull everything into line, including immediate restoration of vegetation buffers.

“Since March 2023, all of the evidence from residents about their concerns, like photos and videos, has been totally ignored.

“The Tweed council denied there were any problems.” Continue reading on page 12.

Two-thirds of all fatality crashes occur on country roads.

Road safety starts with you this Rural Road Safety Month.

 Check your speed

 Drive to conditions

 Wear your seatbelt correctly

 If you’re drinking, don’t drive

Scan

Help shape the future of the Northern Rivers

The NSW Reconstruction Authority isdeveloping a Disaster Adaptation Plan (DAP) for the Northern Rivers

— and we need your local knowledge and experience.

The region is facing increasing risk from natural hazards including storms, floods, bushfires, cyclones and coastal erosion. With a changing climate driving more frequent and intense events, local knowledge is vital to building a safer, more resilient future.

Join the Community Reference Group

We’re seeking expressions of interest from diverse community members across the Northern Rivers to join our Community Reference Group. This group will meet multiple times as the DAP is developed.

Apply by Friday 19 September

Learn more and submit your expression of interest at https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/northern-rivers-dap

Together, let’s create a plan that reflects what matters most to our region.

NSW Reconstruction Authority

Tringa Street residents are at their wits end with a development they say is impacting their lives

Rollercoaster of emotions for councillor

By Jonathon Howard

COUNCILLOR REECE Byrnes

says he’s ready to return to public life following a deeply emotional and eventful past six months marked by both heartbreak and happiness.

The popular Tweed Shire councillor and Labor Party member had taken some brief time away from public duties to support his family after the devastating return of brain cancer in his mother, Jenni Davis-Byrnes

Cr Byrnes said his mother’s illness returned suddenly around Christmas, having previously been in remission from the same cancer she had fought years earlier.

“She suddenly went downhill around Christmas, and we got the scans done, only to discover the cancer had returned and was much larger in her brain again, which took up a lot of the start of the year,” he said. Jenni had originally fought cancer in her chest before it spread to her

brain, and as her condition worsened, Cr Byrnes and his father Harry stepped up as her full-time carers.

“By February, my partner and I had our new baby girl Bridget, who Mum was able to meet, which was amazing for the family,” he said.

“That was Mum’s first grandchild, and it was a beautiful time for the family. It was both sad and uplifting.”

Cr Byrnes reflected on the emotional challenge of juggling the joy of new life with the heartbreak of losing his mum.

“It’s been such a crazy time for us,” he said.

“The family was welcoming our new baby, but Mum was struggling with brain cancer.”

Jenni was no stranger to personal loss after her first son died in a bicycle accident at age 10 in 1985.

As Jenni’s condition deteriorated, Cr Byrnes said the family faced difficulties securing palliative care support after her private health cover no

longer applied to her terminal stage.

“We were told it was time to move on to palliative support by John Flynn Private Hospital to free up the bed and her insurance no longer covered her,” Cr Byrnes said.

“The staff were good, but they have their hospital policies, so we were left with trying to find a palliative support service.”

Cr Byrnes reached out to Tweed Palliative Support (TPS) and received strong support from TPS president Meredith Dennis (OAM).

However, they eventually secured a place for Jenni at Southern Cross Care’s St Joseph’s Residential Care.

“We were grateful to everyone, but it was great when Southern Cross Care found a place for Mum,” he said.

“She was very comfortable, and the staff were amazing.”

In a twist of fate, Cr Byrnes reunited with the late Father Michael Brady, a Catholic priest from his childhood, during a visit to the care facility.

“I noticed Father Brady in the elevator as I was going to visit Mum,” Cr Byrnes told The Weekly.

“He was on his way to the same place, and we all managed to catch up. He and Mum knew each other throughout life and it was a great experience for us all.”

Father Brady gave Jenni her last rites before passing away himself just two weeks later on June 21. Jenni passed away on Wednesday, June 4.

time has been the arrival of Bridget — our new bundle of joy,” Cr Byrnes said.

“She sleeps well and she’s happy.

“We’re so glad Mum got to meet her and share that love of a newborn.”

“I appreciate my colleagues’ understanding and kindness throughout this whole time and for allowing me the time to look after my family and grieve,” he said.

Now, Cr Byrnes is juggling his duties as a local councillor, a stayat-home dad to baby Bridget, and keeping close to his father.

“The one blessing from this dark

As a tribute, Reece and his partner Nadia gave Bridget the middle name Jennifer in honour of her grandmother.

Cr Byrnes thanked his council colleagues for their understanding and support during the challenging time.

“I look forward to getting back on deck, and as always, I’m 100 per cent committed to working with the ratepayers of the shire going forward.”

YOUR THOUGHTS: Send your messages of support to Cr Reece Byrnes via email to The Weekly: editor@ theweekly.net.au

New life: "She always backed me", Reece said of his mother Jennifer DavisByrnes pictured holding newborn Bridget. Inset is Reece at Centaur Primary

A strong Labor family meeting with Kevin Rudd on the hustings

Teens defended

By Jo Kennett

THREE LOCAL residents have spoken out in defense of local youngsters, saying there are more houses being built all the time but very little in the way of facilities for kids.

One resident, a victim of bike thefts, said the area was becoming so built-up and there was a lack of infrastructure for the younger generation.

“It’s all about houses,” she said.

“These kids have got nothing to do; there’s no decent skate park around here or little BMX tracks or something for them to do.

“Where’s the basketball courts? They wonder why there is all this crime.”

The local resident said that as far back as “six or seven years ago”, before e-bikes, there were gangs of kids on their pushbikes at Coles Casuarina.

“There’d be ten or twelve of them,” she said, highlighting the issue is not new.

“People felt like they were getting pushed off the footpath, or all the bikes were laying out the front of shops and the shop owners were getting upset.

“It was a bit of an issue but I thought: ‘Where do you want these kids to go?

“Up at Tugun, they have a massive skate park and the kids can hang out with their mates and do something, but there is not a thing here.

“There’s a racing-type BMX track up at Nerang and even something like that with a couple of little jumps the kids could go over would be great. I think that’s why we have so much trouble with the kids.”

A local psychologist, who has also had a bike stolen and did not want to be named, said balance was needed in talking about the issue of youth in society.

“It’s great that young kids are getting out and they aren’t at home on their phones so that’s really good and positive,” she said.

“It’s isolated incidents, and I think it’s a lot of boys having a little bit of bravado and having a bit of release that they haven’t probably had coming out of COVID, and now they have this freedom and they’re doing the things they weren’t able to do for a long time.

“There was a lot of pent-up energy, a lot of depression in young kids, and maybe this is a bit of a fallout from that.

“They are harassing people and they’re doing risk-taking behaviour, so there is boredom.

“I had this bunch of 12-year-olds on the

pathway from Kingscliff yelling at me and our friends, ‘We’re the gangs of Casuarina’. then they were abusing us going past, so they are enjoying the notoriety.

“I take that with a grain of salt, but the thefts and the harassment of seven-yearolds and keying people’s cars is obviously big risk-taking behaviour.

“They are pushing the limits on that and probably egging each other on.

“A lot of these kids are from good families, it’s just that testosterone running free and wild.

“They’re feeling powerful and strong in a society where they don’t get to have a voice

“It’s about just acknowledging that this is happening, but there are young boys who are doing great as well and they are out there too.”

Another resident who had seen the gangs of youths intimidating others said while there are some youth doing the wrong things on e-bikes, “there are also some youths and even the older generation that are using this mode of transport more and more these days.”

“Many of them ride as the law permits and they follow the road rules, however, I’m finding the mentality from many is that they are against and targeting e-bike riders and putting them all in the one category.”

YOUR THOUGHTS: Do you believe we need to give kids a break and focus on more facilities for play and adventure? Send your thoughts and ideas via email: editor@theweekly.net.au

Kay’s a local legend

By Jo Kennett

POINT DANGER Marine Rescue Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) Unit Commander, Aaron Ashley, presented Kay Jacobi with her Five Year Long Service Pin at a ceremony on Sunday, September 7.

The award is presented in recognition of continual service of five years volunteering with Marine Rescue NSW.

Aaron said Kay was part of Point Danger Marine Rescue’s Unit Support crew and regularly volunteers with friends supporting their fundraising Sunday barbeques.

“Thank you Kay for your years of dedication, commitment and contributions supporting the operations of our unit,” he said. Congratulations Kay and thanks for your contribution to emergency marine rescue services and your help saving lives on the water in our wonderful community.

Kids just want to have fun and explore, but many parents believe there's a lack of facilities

Point Danger Marine Rescue Unit

Service Pin

Farm theft warning

By Jo Kennett

TWO MOTORBIKES were taken from a Cudgen farm sometime on Thursday night, September 5, which were used by the family to work around the property, one of several thefts at the property in recent times with farmers saying they are “sitting ducks.”

The bikes were in a shed beside the farm house and somehow the thieves managed to break into the shed without alerting the family or their “aggressive” dog.

“Our house is set back probably two [to] 300 meters from the main road,” the farmer said.

“This morning, one of the farmers phoned my husband to say he found one of the bikes in the culvert on Plantation Road.

“My sons were going bike riding this weekend and one of them had disconnected the fuel line of his bike, so they’ve obviously tried to roll it down the hill and couldn’t get it going so they’ve dumped it in the grass, but they stole the other smaller bike out of the farm shed.”

The farmer said bike tracks suggested the alleged thieves walked past the shed, then they went down through the farmland to avoid being detected.

“They must have walked them down

away from the built-up part of the farm,” she said.

“It’s a shame because they were all ready to go for a motorbike trip for the weekend, so now the youngest can’t go because he has no bike which is pretty disappointing.

“I’m surprised because we’ve got a big aggressive dog and he didn’t pick up on it and the shed is right next to the house, so that’s pretty scary.”

The thieves gained access by smashing the lock on a side access door to the shed.

“We’ve got roller doors that are all remote controlled so you can’t get into them from the outside, you can’t pull them up and you can’t kick them in, so they’ve smashed the side door to gain access through there and the two bikes were there,” the farmer said.

“Thankfully, a couple of our other bikes weren’t there because my son’s already taken them up where they were going to go riding this weekend, but these two bikes were probably the only ones small enough to get out the access door.”

The stolen motorbike was bought for around $12,000 in 2019.

“We had an e-bike stolen from McDonalds at the BP Chinderah in February which we found ourselves and got back,” the Cudgen resident said.

“Unfortunately, my son didn’t have

a chain on it because he thought he would just keep an eye on it and quickly get his food and it was gone when he came out.

“He wanted that bike so bad and he’d only just got it and it cost $1,500 second hand and I thought, ‘We will find it,’ and we did. They trashed it trying to make it look different so we spent about $500 to fix it.”

The family had two farm utes — an Isuzu and a Toyota HiLux — stolen last year.

“With the motorbikes and the trucks we use them on the farm all the time to get to and from the paddocks,” the farmer said.

“The utes were parked in the shed and they’ve stolen them.

“Somebody saw one in Tweed so we phoned the police and they went and waited with the car until a tow truck came and picked it up.”

A few weeks later police found the other ute near Lismore, but the door was locked and the only key was gone.

“We had to get a locksmith to change the barrel over to be able to bring it home and then the police had it for fingerprinting,” the Cudgen resident said.

“They were both a bit of a mess because they cut things off to make them look different and we didn’t have any insurance because they were just farm utes so it was going to be a loss.

“We need those vehicles on the farm. We can’t get the employees over and back from the paddocks and it was a nightmare losing those trucks. To replace them would have been $5,000 each at least.

“We have tractors just sitting in the paddock but it’s just not practical to bring them home every day. A lot of it is trust and honesty. On the farm here we are sitting ducks.”

Fashion parade

By Jonathon Howard

THE BANORA Point Uniting Church is set to come alive with colour, style and community spirit as it hosts its much-anticipated fashion parade on Wednesday, September 17, from 10:30am. Organised by a team of local volunteers, the event will showcase stylish garments from Portofino Fashions, with many of the featured outfits available for purchase on the day.

Attendees can look forward to more than just fashion. For a $15 donation, guests will enjoy a light lunch, lucky door prizes and a guessing competition — all in the warm, welcoming atmosphere of the Banora Point Uniting Church on Darlington Drive.

Local organiser Jan Laverack is encouraging community members to come along, wear something nice and bring a friend.

“It’s always a lovely day of fashion and fellowship,” Jan told The Weekly.

“There’s a bit of fun, some great styles to browse, and of course, it all helps support the ongoing work of the church and community.”

The fashion parade has become a cherished tradition at Banora Point, drawing locals for a morning of laughter, lunch and a touch of glamour.

Whether you’re a fashion lover, a supporter of community events, or simply keen for a fun midweek outing, this event promises a little something for everyone.

For more information, please contact Jan Laverack on: 0413 034 023.

There have been several thefts from Cudgen farms in recent times. Photo: Tweed Shire Council Above: This motorbike was stolen from a Cudgen farm

Weekly police update

POLICE HAVE taken enforcement action against 53 individuals in the past week (29 August–8 September), in a wide-ranging crackdown on offences across the Tweed-Byron Police District.

The charges include serious traffic, domestic violence, and property-related matters, with police saying they are continuing their proactive operations aimed at keeping the community safe.

Major traffic offences

A significant number of those charged were involved in traffic-related offences, which remain a top concern for local authorities. Over the period, police detected and charged:

• Five individuals for driving whilst disqualified

• Seven for drink driving

• One for refusing to submit to a breath test

• Two for driving while suspended

• One for driving unlicensed

• Two individuals were charged with multiple offences following separate police pursuits.

Domestic violence-related charges

Local police also laid a number of charges in connection to domestic violence incidents, highlighting the ongoing importance of policing and prevention in this area.

• One per son was charged with choking in a domestic violence context

• F our individuals were charged with breaching apprehended violence orders (AVOs)

• Four others were charged with stalking or intimidation offences, also linked to domestic violence.

Break and enter charges

In a matter stemming from an incident in July, a 45-year-old man and woman, both from Tweed Heads, have been charged with aggravated break, enter and steal from a local club.

The male accused was refused bail and appeared before Tweed Heads Local Court on September 8, while the female co-accused is scheduled to appear at the same court on October 20.

Investigations indicate that the duo forcibly entered the premises and stole items of value during an overnight break-in. Police did not disclose further details as the matter remains before the court.

Assault and reckless wounding

A 24-year-old man from Bray Park has been charged with reckless wounding and assault occasioning actual bodily harm following an incident that occurred at a licensed venue in Murwillumbah in October 2024.

According to police, the charges follow a lengthy investigation into a violent altercation that left the victim requiring medical attention. The accused’s court date is yet to be confirmed.

Retired Police Day

celebrated

In a moment of reflection amid a busy week, Tweed Heads Police Station hosted 40 retired officers and their families on Thursday, September 4, in celebration of Retired Police Day — an annual tradition across NSW.

“Tweed Heads Police Station hosted 40 retired police officers and their family members to a morning of presentations and case studies,” police said in a statement.

“Everyone enjoyed the camaraderie associated with seeing their former colleagues and the wider blue family.”

Community Choice

$4K f three local

Twinnies Gives ‘Community Choice’ is donating cash to community organisations for special projects. Projects in the current round are:

•Kids in Need (Christmas gifts),

•Watergum Community Inc (TurtleWatch); and

•You Have a Friend (weekly BBQs for the homeless).

Help decide who gets the most money! The project with the most votes gets $3,000, the others receive $500 each.

www.twinniesgives.com.au for more information about the three deserving community projects in this round.

Development concerns

Continued from page 5.

Those “problems” include intrusion onto the Crown land reserve between the construction site and Cobaki Creek; water from the site gouging out the creek bank; inadequate sediment control; wildlife such as echidnas and kangaroos being displaced; building on a floodplain, and impervious clay material that could exacerbate flooding being used for fill, instead of sand.

However, it should be noted that many of the conditions were approved under the original DA approval.

Tweed Shire Council’s officers are inspecting the building site this week to assess environmental compliance.

Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor Meredith Dennis said she sympathises with the residents but feels council’s hands are tied on the matter.

“This all started to happen with I first came onto council; the site underwent major clearing which was a disaster for the wildlife and the whole area,” she said.

“It’s a terrible situation but the council’s hands, in many ways, are tied.”

Cr Dennis said this is not going to be the last zombie development to impact Tweed residents

and she’s concerned others could face the same situation.

“I think it’s terrible what’s happening, but the rules are in favour of the previous development approval in 1996, which we need to work with,” she said.

“However, the buffer zones need to be enforced alongside all the other conditions.

“All the conditions for this development were put in place decades ago but they still stand, and that’s the challenge for council, but of course we sympathise with residents, and we will continue to advocate for them.”

Mayor Chris Cherry agreed with Cr Dennis and added that the Tringa Street development highlighted a “problem with NSW legislation”.

“There are currently no mechanisms to enforce conditions beyond the previous approval which includes buffers,” she said.

“We have also had council officers on site to inspect the works and we will see what comes of that visit.”

YOUR THOUGHTS: Do you believe more should be done to enforce the conditions of zombie developments? Send your thoughts and letters via email: editor@theweekly.net.au

Saffin rebuts Greens

By Jo Kennett

THE MINISTER for the North Coast and Recovery, Janelle Saffin, has refuted claims by Greens senator Sue Higginson in parliament about what she called “the shocking failure of the Minns Labor government to assist Northern Rivers flood survivors, with thousands of homes still at risk from increasingly frequent and extreme flooding.”

Ms Higginson says that only “one per cent of the 4,000 raises, retrofits and relocations promised by the government have been completed over three years on from the devastating floods of 2022,” however the flood inquiry did recommend that buybacks be completed first.

She claimed documents showed Premier Minns and PM Albanese “cut $100 million from house raising and retrofit funding”, affecting 1,000 homes and called for the full $1.5 billion promised for 6,000 buybacks, retrofits, and raises — an amount previously supported by Minister Janelle Saffin before her ministerial appointment.

Ms Saffin, who swam out of her flooded Lismore home and took up the fight for funds and support for impacted North Coast residents, pointed out the promise came from “a very senior” Perrottet government official “so we ran with it” until October 2022 when it was made clear there would only be funds for 2,000.

The Minns government wasn’t in power until March 2023.

“I didn’t promise it,” she told the House. “I promised to go hard to get every dollar and every cent we could possibly get.

“A lot of people received buybacks. There’ll be more people now getting house raising and retrofitting.”

Ms Saffin told The Weekly the $880 million Resilient Homes Program is “the largest home buyback and resilience initiative in Australia’s history, and offers eligible homeowners either a property buyback, house raise or retrofit.”

“To date, 929 buyback offers and 67 grants for resilience measures have been approved,” she said.

“Over 460 home assessments have been completed. Planning building works takes time, particularly for homeowners who are considering raising their home.

“It is anticipated 600 homes will be included in the Resilient Homes Measures stream, more than double the originally anticipated 370.”

A key 2022 NSW Flood Inquiry recommendation, the Resilient Homes Program prioritised

buybacks of homes at highest risk to life, an approach backed by the regional Community Leaders Forum including mayors and MPs.

“Initial funding of $700 million for the program was jointly funded between the Australian and NSW governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements,” Ms Saffin said. Ms Saffin pushed premiers Perrottet and Minns for more funding, and got an extra $90 million from the Minns government matched by the federal government, to a total of $880 million.

The 2022 Resilient Homes Program announcement stated “around 2,000 homeowners” would be eligible to raise, repair, retrofit or have their home voluntarily bought back.

The Perrottet government never put aside funding or progressed plans to buyback, raise, retrofit or repair 6,000 properties.

When flood mapping revealed a greater need for buybacks which offer better protection but are more costly than raising and retrofitting, home buyback, home raising, and home retrofit offers were prioritised, as were homes facing the highest flood risk.

Funding was increased for buybacks in the highest-risk areas and resilient grants for homes in flood zones were expanded.

“But some people didn’t want a buyback either — they just don’t — and some people wanted it,” Ms Saffin said.

Ms Saffin said buybacks addressed “the most at risk for the people.”

Ms Higginson said raising and retrofitting were more important because they were the people staying in the flood zone.

“This was the first time this program had ever been done at scale and, as critical as I was at times — which is all on the public record — I understood it had never been done like this before. It was massive,” Ms Saffin said.

“There’s no easy answer to this. I’m not justifying the things that I thought could have happened better — which, again, are on the public record — but it is very difficult to manage something like that.

“To the people who are still on the floodplains, we’re now doing a lot more work on better evacuation and early warnings.”

Ms Saffin agreed with the Greens senator that it would have been better if they got the full funding initially promised but said there had been minimal outlay on NSW disasters before 2019 and it was now trending up to over $9 billion.

Get ready – be prepared this disaster season

The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a hot, wet summer for the Tweed, with above-average rainfall on the way. That means now is the time to get prepared.

This season, make readiness part of your everyday:

• Download the Hazards Near Me app for real-time alerts.

• Create an emergency plan for your household.

• Know your local risks – whether it’s floods, storms, bushfires or heatwaves.

Who does what?

• NSW SES leads the response to floods, storms and tsunamis.

• NSW RFS is responsible for bushfires and rural emergencies.

• Fire and Rescue NSW handles structure fires in urban areas. Alerts are issued through the Australian Warning system and the Hazards Near Me app.

For step-by-step preparation guides, visit:

• NSW SES and NSW Rural Fire Service websites

• Get Ready NSW (nsw.gov.au/get-ready)

• Red Cross emergency planning tools (redcross.org.au/emergencies)

Tweed Shire Council is not the lead in emergencies, but we work closely with SES, RFS, Red Cross and other partners to help strengthen community resilience.

Protecting Tweed’s creatures: the Grey-headed Flying fox

Last Sunday was threatened species day so let us tell you a bit about the Grey-headed Flyingfox (Pteropus poliocephalus) which is listed as Vulnerable in NSW and nationally.

Grey-headed flying-foxes are “extreme nomads”, some of the most mobile mammals on earth. Almost 1 in 5 flying-foxes at a camp today were somewhere else yesterday. One individual was tracked travelling 12,300 km, visiting 123 camps across 37 council areas in a single year!

Flying-foxes pollinate eucalypts and other native trees over huge distances. They spread tens of thousands of seeds a night across up to 50 km and they restore bushland after fire or clearing and keep forests healthy and connected – essential for koalas and countless other species.

Through the National Flying-fox Monitoring Program, Tweed Shire Council surveys up to 20 local camps 4 times a year. Numbers can range from just a few bats to 10,000 at a single camp. These counts feed into national research, helping us better understand movements and seasonal trends. Learn more at littleaussiebat.com.au

Depot Road Sports Precinct master plan adopted

Council has officially adopted the Depot Road Sports Precinct master plan, following strong community input.

The draft plan was on exhibition from 2 April to 7 May 2025, attracting 2,440 visitors, 516 downloads, 65 survey responses and 13 direct submissions. Most feedback supported the plan’s key elements, with Council officers to respond directly to those who made submissions.

The adopted plan will now guide the detailed design stage and shape the future development of this major sports precinct.

Find out more about strategic planning for parks and recreation at: tweed.nsw.gov.au/parks-recreation-strategicplanning

Street Party Success!

Queensland Street in Murwillumbah was transformed last Saturday with the Tweed Regional Museum Street Party.

An afternoon of street performers, workshops, music and family fun became a magical night of silent disco dancing, amazing tunes and delicious street food. Thank you to everyone who came along - see you back there next year!

Council trivia

Most of the Tweed Shire's tap water comes from the Tweed River.

Vote for your favourite Sustainability Awards nominee

Time is running out to cast your vote in the 2025 Tweed Sustainability Awards! Almost 900 locals have already cast their votes – don’t miss your chance.

With 33 inspiring nominees in the running for the People’s Choice Award, now’s the time to celebrate the community groups, businesses and individuals making a real difference for our environment. View the full list and vote at tweed.nsw.gov.au/sustainabilityawards

Voting closes midnight, Sunday 14 September (one vote per person).

Winners – including the People’s Choice and 9 category award recipients – will be revealed at the showcase event on Wednesday 15 October at Cabarita Beach Bowls and Sports Club.

A watery clean out

Ever wondered what 9.1 million litres of drinking water looks like… without the water?

Our Hospital Hill Reservoir was recently emptied for a once-in-a-decade maintenance job after a loose roof beam was spotted. It’s a massive task — and our Water and Wastewater Operations team nailed it!

Register your garage sale for Second Hand Saturday

Don’t miss out on the North Coast’s biggest day of garage salesSaturday 20 September!

Register your sale by 4 pm Thursday 11 September to be included for free in your local newspaper. Registrations received up until 5 pm Thursday 18 September will appear online only at secondhandsaturday.com.au and on the Second Hand Saturday app.

Second Hand Saturday is your chance to clear out unwanted items, snap up second-hand bargains and help reduce waste by giving pre-loved goods a new life.

Tweed Shire Council wishes to acknowledge the Ngandowal and Minyungbal speaking people of the Bundjalung Country, in particular the Goodjinburra, Tul-gi-gin and Moorung – Moobah clans, as being the traditional owners and custodians of the land and waters within the Tweed Shire boundaries. Council also acknowledges and respects the Tweed Aboriginal community’s right to speak for its Country and to care for its traditional Country in accordance with its lore, customs and traditions.

The Grey-headed Flying fox is natures little helper, an integral part of natural rejuvenation after fire or other disasters.

From draining the reservoir to setting up scaffolding and making the repairs, they worked hard to keep everything flowing smoothly.

Do you know what you would do in an emergency situation? Now is the time, use the resources available to get prepared.

Development application determinations

Notification of development application determinations for the purposes of Section 4.59 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (as amended).

Application details

Approved

DA25/0207 - Two lot subdivision

Lot 822 DP 1019503, No. 13 Firewheel Way, Banora Point

DA25/0336 - Two (2) lot strata subdivision

Lot 429 DP 216388, No. 14 Tamarind Avenue, Bogangar

DA25/0174 - Creation of two tenancies as recreation facilities (indoor), including use of works undertaken without approval, change of use of existing office space undertaken without approval and associated signage

Lot 7 DP 167898, No. 33 Bay Street, Tweed Heads

DA25/0215 - Two storey dwelling, retaining and associated earthworks

Lot 3 NPP 270708, Unit 3/No. 116 Broadwater Esplanade, Bilambil Heights

DA25/0340 - Swimming pool

Lot 36 DP 1052380, No. 8 Reef Water Circuit, Bogangar

DA25/0244 - Use of alterations and additions to an existing dwelling

Lot 9 DP 560628, No. 50 Wommin Bay Road, Chinderah

DA25/0002 - Use of existing shed/carport and construction of new carport

Lot 1 DP 834890, No. 45 Crabbes Creek Road, Crabbes Creek

DA25/0342 - Inground swimming pool

Lot 12 DP 577492, No. 210 Crabbes Creek Road, Crabbes Creek

DA25/0314 - Dwelling with attached garage

Lot 32 DP 1295758, No. 18 Prichard Place, Cudgen

DA25/0359 - Dwelling and associated earthworks

Lot 20 DP 1295758, No. 50 Bowen Loop, Cudgen

DA25/0370 - Dwelling and earthworks

Lot 47 DP 1300756, No. 26 Bowen Loop, Cudgen

DA25/0376 - Alterations and additions to an existing dwelling

Lot 254 DP 1075207, No. 17 Longboard Circuit, Kingscliff

DA25/0333 - Dwelling, carport and associated earthworks

Lot 1 DP 1278927, No. 35 Cooloon Street, Kunghur

DA25/0318 - Carport within the front building line

Lot 615 DP 1243648, No. 8 Sorrel Court, Murwillumbah

DA25/0331 - Deck extension

Lot 4 Section 4 DP 20361, No. 7 Thompson Street, Murwillumbah

DA25/0282 - Outbuilding (shed) and minor earthworks

Lot 1 DP 771662, No. 121 Blackwoods Road, Nobbys Creek

DA25/0143 - Change Of Use (Unauthorised Works Shed To Be Used As Dwelling Including Patio)

Lot 26 DP 246052, No. 20 Green Valley Way, Piggabeen

DA25/0350 - Inground swimming pool

Lot 440 DP 755701, No. 36 Coronation Avenue, Pottsville

DA25/0363 - Inground swimming pool

Lot 1 DP 1145428, No. 11 Paula Court, Pottsville

DA25/0147 - Inground swimming pool, 1.8m boundary fence and retaining wall

Lot 742 DP 1291069, No. 14 Gower Street, Terranora

DA25/0284 - Two storey dwelling with attached garage, inground swimming pool and retaining walls

Lot 723 DP 1291069, No. 8 Mawson Peak Boulevard, Terranora

DA25/0321 - Dwelling with attached garage and swimming pool

Lot 806 DP 1301190, No. 13 Bulla Court, Terranora

DA25/0347 - Two storey dwelling with attached garage

Lot 445 DP 1270825, No. 44 Market Parade, Terranora

DA25/0374 - Dwelling

Lot 11 DP 1264394, No. 95 Henry Lawson Drive, Terranora

DA25/0378 - Swimming pool and surrounds including earthworks

Lot 262 DP 873663, No. 40 Illawong Crescent, Terranora

DA25/0353 - Alterations to existing house including house raise

Lot 1 Section 7 DP 1223, No. 2 Irving Street, Tumbulgum

DA24/0424 - Use of masonry boundary fence, block piers, hardstand, proposed alterations and additions including swimming pool and carport

Lot 5 DP 1016951, No. 54 Champagne Drive, Tweed Heads South

DA25/0385 - Alterations and additions to an existing dwelling including use of existing deck with flyover roof

Lot 30 DP 205850, No. 27 Megan Street, Tweed Heads South

Refused

DA25/0011 - Staged 217 lot residential subdivision, with conservation lot and associated civil works and vegetation removal, environmental facility, recreation areas and environmental protection works (NRPP)

Lot 13 DP 1264394, Lot 3 DP 622318, Henry Lawson Drive, Terranora

The above development determinations are available for public inspection free of charge at the Planning and Regulation Division, Murwillumbah Civic Centre, during ordinary office hours or viewed on Council’s DA Tracking site located at datracker.tweed.nsw.gov.au

Get the Tweed Link early

Be one of the first to see all the latest news from Tweed Shire Council each week.

Subscribers to the Tweed Link receive it by email each week on Wednesday mornings, in addition to it appearing in print in the Tweed Valley Weekly on Thursdays. But that’s not all – you can also subscribe to Council job alerts, media releases and a range of e-newsletters and Council facility program alerts. Sign up at tweed.nsw.gov.au/subscribe

Current vacancies

Visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/job-vacancies to view current vacancies. Subscribe to receive Job Vacancy Alerts via email at: tweed.nsw.gov.au/subscribe

Tweed Heads South Levee and Drainage Study

Council is inviting community feedback on the draft Tweed Heads South Levee and Drainage Study. The draft report includes updated flood maps, risk assessments and a mix of proposed structural and non-structural mitigation measures. Some involve building infrastructure (like levees), others focus on planning and preparedness. These measures aim to reduce future flood risk.

Reviewing the draft report and proposed mitigation measures first will help you give feedback that reflects your experience and can be properly considered in the final recommendations. Your participation is important as it will help Council and its consultants finalise the study and ensure the recommendations reflect local knowledge and community priorities.

Flooding affects homes, businesses, environment and daily life. This study aims to reduce future risk and improve safety for everyone in Tweed Heads South and Banora Point.

Your feedback will help shape the final report. While some technical parts of the study can’t be changed because of engineering or legal requirements, we’re seeking your input on the draft report overall, as well as your views on the proposed mitigation options – let us know which ones you support and tell us about any issues or ideas we should consider. Community information sessions

Registration is essential – details are available on the project page:

• Online: Wednesday 24 September, 10–11 am

• In person: Wednesday 1 October, 1:30–3:30 pm, Banora

Point Community Centre

• In person: Wednesday 1 October, 5:30–7:30 pm, Tweed Heads South Community Centre

• In person: Tuesday 14 October, 4–7 pm, Pacific Coast Christian School (will focus on Philp Parade levee)

Have your say

Before completing the survey, please review the draft report and proposed mitigation options. Share your feedback by 26 October 2025 in one of the following ways:

• Online: yoursaytweed.com.au/ths-levee-drainage-study

• Email: tsc@tweed.nsw.gov.au | Subject: Tweed Heads South Levee and Drainage Study

• Mail: Tweed Shire Council, PO Box 816, Murwillumbah NSW 2484 – Subject: Tweed Heads South Levee and Drainage Study

Snapshot of all the fun had at the Emergency Services Expo last Saturday at Jack Evans Boat Harbour. A huge thank you to all our emergency volunteers who made it the best day ever.

Mustangs into grand final after shock Cudgen loss

By Jo Kennett

Continued from page 1

“Probably from the start it felt like they were almost rolling us a bit and we just kept hanging in there but they just came out on top in that second half. They were just rolling through the middle and just felt hard to stop them and I guess they just kind of out-powered us.”

While Mustangs had four injured players back in last week, it was also the first time the minor premiers had a full strength team all year.

“I reckon they just wanted it more than us and we were just a bit off the mark,” Caleb said.

“I reckon they’ll give Marist a good crack next week, they played well last week and beat Ballina. It’s unfortunate for us but life goes on and we’ll go again next year.”

New Cudgen recruit Jacob Kernick was named 2025 NSW Country Championships Player of the Year.

The Mustangs’ Adam Walker was jubilant after the win, saying it was a very physical encounter from the start.

“We went pretty well back to back for the first 15 or 20 minutes, and then we started to get a bit of a roll on through the middle and out wide, and then we just came out the second half and really blew them away. Everything was clicking,” he said.

“I’ve been at the club since I was seven and this is my tenth year in

first grade. I’ve played three grand finals and gone zero in all of them but that’s going to change next week.

“The last was in 2019 when we went down to Ballina and we beat them last week and Cudgen has been the standard all year. They’ve got the minor premiership so it was really pleasing to put on a performance like that. I had confidence in the boys.

“I’m really pumped for next week. I love these boys, they’re a really good group.”

Ladies League Tag

Minor premiers the Tweed Heads Seagulls made it through to the grand final with a dominant 24–6 win over Ballina. Good luck ladies.

Marist Brothers managed to edge out Cudgen 12–10 to secure a rerun of last year’s grand final with the Tweed Heads ladies, who won in 2024.

Reserve Grade

Cudgen Hornets Reggies went down 22–10 to Byron Bay who will play Bilambil in the grand final, who absolutely dominated the Ballina Seagulls 43–16.

Cudgen’s Josh Ingold won the NRRRL Reserve Grade Player of the Year.

Under 18s

The Mullumbimby Giants just managed to edge out the Raiders in an edge-of-the-seat thriller 17–16, a reversal of the Raiders one point

win over Ballina last week, but well done to the Raiders lads on a great year.

The Under 18s Jets beat the Lower Clarence Magpies 14–12 “an absolute thriller of a game,” according to the club’s social media.

“With the scores locked at 12–12 at half-time, a Bilambil Jets penalty goal late in the second half proved to be the match winner as Bilambil’s defence withstood a late Magpies charge to the finish.”

The win sees the Under 18s Jets into their third consecutive grand final appearance.

The Raiders’ Beau Shearer took out Under 18s Player of the Year. Women’s Tackle

In the Women’s Tackle, Bilambil smashed Casino 38–6 to see them through to the grand final against Northern United, who just edged out Tweed Heads 10–8 after a great year for the Seagull ladies, while ex-Jets Jasmin Morrissey made her NRLW debut for the Gold Coast Titans.

Cudgen took out the 2025 Club Championship at the NRRRL Awards night.

Caleb and Connor Ziebell and coach Wayne Forbes were named in the 2025 Team of the Year along with Raiders’ Abele Atunaisa and Dan Willoughby.

Best of luck to the Jets and the Mustangs for this weekend’s grand finals.

A Cudgen tackle on Mustangs' Osiah Afu

Mustangs' Connah Mills scores

om the

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Woman knocked to the ground by e-bike riders

By Jo Kennett

A WOMAN in a wheelchair with her grandchild on her lap has been knocked to the ground on the Casuarina bike path by two boys on an e-bike who didn’t stop to help during a Father’s Day outing.

In a social media post, the woman said she was on the Casuarina bike path when five boys on three e-bikes came “screaming up” behind her. One ran into the back of her wheelchair, knocking both her and her granddaughter to the ground and puncturing her wheelchair tyre. The children didn’t stop and the woman posted anonymously on a local Facebook page, thanking all the people who rushed to their aid.

The shocking incident came after an e-bike was stolen in broad daylight in Kingscliff on Wednesday, September 3, after a group of youths used an angle grinder to cut through a heavy-duty lock.

The group was reportedly riding recklessly through the main street, nearly hitting pedestrians.

A local woman, who wished to remain unnamed, said she had recently started using the e-bike as her main form of transport and had chained it to stairs using a “very thick, supposedly ungrindable lock.”

“I parked at 8:30am and when I went to get it at 10:30am, it was gone,” she said. “A couple saw a young boy grab a bin and place it in front of the stairs to obscure the view while they cut the lock.”

She said a group of six boys was seen in the area around that time.

She saw Councillor James Owen in front of the real estate office he works in.

“He said there were young people misbehaving outside earlier, doing wheelies up and down the street, and that he had called the police,” she said. “I told him, ‘While you were distracted talking to them, they were stealing my bike.’”

The theft has been reported to police, who are reviewing CCTV footage from several nearby businesses.

“It’s petty crime, but it leads to bigger things,” the woman said. “These kids are clearly doing this all the time, and getting caught even once could help interrupt the cycle.”

She said locals believe many of the stolen e-bikes are being stored or sold locally.

“There must be a massive pile of them in someone’s house,” she said.

“Most of them are worth as much as a small car.”

Although her e-bike was covered under her home contents insurance, she learned it isn’t claimable because the theft occurred at her workplace.

“You need to have separate portable sports insurance for e-bikes,” the woman said.

“It’s my daily driver. I used it for commuting and leisure — riding the long way home, going to the beach, getting exercise. Now I can’t do

any of that.”

The Kingscliff resident believes the theft is part of a broader crime trend in Kingscliff, with reports of stolen cars and ongoing issues with groups of youth riding e-bikes dangerously through public spaces.

Councillor Owen said he had called the police before realising the bike had been stolen.

“There were kids riding the wrong way down Marine Parade at high speed,” he said.

“One of them nearly hit a woman in her 60s. She was really upset.

“One of my colleagues nearly got hit as well.

“Thankfully, no one was hurt, but this kind of reckless behaviour is happening daily.”

He said the situation is frustrating for residents and business owners.

“We’ve been raising these concerns with police for a long time but it doesn’t seem to be getting any better,” Cr Owen said.

“There are great uses for e-bikes, they offer flexibility and convenience, but there are downsides.”

Cr Owen said incidents with young people on e-bikes were happening daily.

“It comes down to education and parenting,” he said.

“There was that horrible incident at Casuarina, and a woman was recently killed in Perth. “There’s a growing frustration that it’s not getting any better. It’s probably getting worse.”

Tweed-Byron Police District Inspector Matt Woods will attend the Kingscliff and District Chamber of Commerce meeting on September 27 to provide an update on the ongoing e-bike and youth crime concerns in the area.

This e-bike was allegedly stolen by a gang of youths in broad daylight in Kingscliff

Monday To Friday 8:30–3:30 Saturday 8:30–11

Joyous view of our world

By Jonathon Howard

UKI PUBLIC School’s special art exhibition opens at Art Post Uki from 5.30pm on Thursday, September 11,. Come and see this fresh joyous exhibition of paintings by the students from Uki Public School, who have done an some amazing work this year.

Nowadays art comes in all styles from ultra-abstract to realism that’s indistinguishable from a photo.

Much of it is self-conscious, striving for affect and some even yell a political message.

But children’s art is the very opposite to this. It is fresh, unguarded and totally authentic.

The exhibition closes on October 8, so there’s plenty of time to check it out. Opening hours are 7am to 5pm weekdays, 7.30am to 12.30pm Saturdays and 8am to 12.30pm on Sundays. Exhibitions are selected by an independent panel and curated by local artist Susan Kinneally.

You can’t help but smile with pleasure when looking at a child’s slightly wonky portrait of their mother or father. It is genuine and heartfelt.

Yodhi 5 years

Herne

Free dental van

By Jonathon Howard

IT’S SMILES all round for Tweed children as the NSW Health Primary School Mobile Dental van, affectionately known as the Molar Patroller, is in town to deliver free dental care.

Run by the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD), the mobile clinic visits public primary schools across the Northern Rivers offering check-ups, preventative treatments, and even fillings and extractions — all at no cost to families.

In 2024–25, more than 860 students from 30 schools received care through the program.

Now, thanks to a $37.5 million NSW Government investment, a second van is planned for 2026 to expand services to more remote communities.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said the program makes “essential dental care more accessible for children in regional areas,” while Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin praised

its impact on families.

Crystal Creek Public School teacher Oliver Hughes said oral hygiene is so important for children.

“Especially younger students who are still in the process of losing their baby teeth and having their adult teeth slowly appear,” he said.

“It also gives parents and caregivers some brief respite in their ever-busy lives knowing their children have been seen by a dentist in school time.

“I’m so pleased we have been part of this initiative; it’s a crucial service that I hope returns to Crystal Creek Public School.”

Free dental care is also available at Tweed Heads and other fixed clinics. For bookings, phone: 1800 679 336.

Find out more by visiting: nnswlhd.health.nsw. gov.au/services/oralhealth.

By Jo Kennett

THE THIRD annual Pathways of the Sun Fair will be held on Sunday, September 21, from 8am to 3pm at the newly renovated Crabbes Creek Community Hall, sponsored by Tweed Shire Council.

“We open with a Welcome to Country by Balaghan that will activate your heart and ground your spirit to this sacred land,” one of the event coordinators Emily Kaminski said.

“It’s free entry to market stalls and there are outdoor family bonding activities with an arts and crafts corner as well as face painting from noon to 1.30pm.

“There is a raffle with awesome prizes including a Pedals and Picnics DIY combo deal — two e-bikes for a day, a grazing box for two and premium gear, valued at $300, a complimentary experience pass valid for two classes from Alonje — a reformer Pilates, yin and treatments studio, and a bag of Adaptogenic Hot Chocolate from Social Alchemy, two vouchers from the Banya Bathhouse and a month’s supply (a home delivered box a week) of spray-free organic fruit and veg from The Farmers Store.”

There are free talks in a bell tent on crystal healing, sound healing, lucid dreaming and a men’s ceremonial circle led by two Indigenous men open to all men.

Enjoy local cuisine and food with a crepe

stall, vegetarian, a coffee van and authentic Thai across the road.

An all-day access pass covers all four workshops in the hall ($45 for all workshops or $35 for early birds until September 8, single workshops $25). There is yoga at 9am, Soul Journey Healing session at 10.30am, Ecstatic Dance at 12.30pm and Kirtan (chanting and sound meditations) 2pm.

“It’s a day out of your busy life to nourish your mind, body and soul, a beautiful day of community and connection.” Emily said.

“Pedals and Picnics are offering 30 per cent discounts for anyone that hires a bike or an e-bike in Murwillumbah and rides to the fair.

“We have a new amenities block at the hall built so people from the rail trail can use it and it’s a wheelchair accessible event.

“It’s a magical day of community, connection and celebration.”

Emily was full of praise for the absolutely amazing Crabbes Creek Hall committee.

“We couldn’t have done this without them,” she said.

Street parking is available as well as parking in the school.

Pathway of the Sun Fair is a sponsored event of Tweed Shire Council.

For tickets go to pathwayofthesunfair@gmail. com or find Pathways of the Sun Fair on social media.

Set on 28 acres in the Tweed Valley, Mountain View is a vibrant community offering magnificent views in a spectacular setting. Surrounded by lush rainforest, residents enjoy a low-maintenance lifestyle with easy access to the town centre and fantastic walking tracks nearby.

With affordable studio and 2 bedroom apartments now selling and the flexibility to pay for additional services such as meals and housekeeping as you need, the choice is yours to enjoy life your way.

From left: Crystal Creek Public School teacher Oliver Hughes with students, Poppie Chaille, Lennox Akehurst, Matilda Chaille, Richie Chaille, Mollie Chaille and behind, Reid Akehurst, with dental staff Lauren Hawley, Niari-Lee Bultitute and Tara Reide.

One Purpose One

One Purpose One Solution Foundation presents

One Purpose One Solution Foundation presents

One Purpose One Solution Foundation presents

One Purpose One Solution Foundation presents

By coach Jonothan Kingston

THE KINGSCLIFF Dolphins Junior AFL Club

U13 Division 4 team won their club’s first ever premiership, producing a dominant final quarter to give them the win over the Broadbeach Cats in the South East Queensland Juniors competition.

With no home ground in 2024 and finishing last, the club rallied behind the coaches and players who turned things around finishing minor premiers and then went on to win the grand final to receive the club’s first piece of silverware.

minutes of the final quarter with Cooper Devlin and Dash Barnes both kicking important goals to extend the lead.

The Dolphins’ midfield and defenders also lifted their pressure to limit Broadbeach’s scoring opportunities, before Kelley Bockman and Freya Donovan kicked a couple of great goals in the final minutes to seal the win.

Kingscliff Dolphins 6.8.44

Broadbeach Cats 2.6.18

Estelle Goedhart received the best-on-ground medal for her performance in defence, while Cooper Devlin and Billy McLeay were also influential in achieving their club’s first grand final win.

Cabarita Beach Bowls & Sports Club Cabarita Road

Cabarita Beach Bowls & Sports Club Cabarita Road

Cabarita Beach Bowls & Sports Club Cabarita Road

Cabarita Beach Bowls & Sports Club Cabarita Road

Cabarita Beach Bowls & Sports Club Cabarita Road

The first half was a very even contest with both teams working hard in a low scoring arm wrestle that resulted in scores being level at half-time.

Bogangar NSW

Bogangar NSW

Bogangar NSW

Bogangar NSW

Both sides lifted their intensity during the third quarter as the game opened up with multiple scoring opportunities at both ends.

Bogangar NSW

Saturday 13th September 2025

Saturday 13th September 2025

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Saturday 13th September 2025 11am to 4pm

Saturday 13th September 2025

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11am to 4pm

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The Dolphins missed a few close scoring shots but got the edge with their captain Billy McLeay kicking a great long range goal to energise the team and give them a nine-point lead going into the final break.

Kingscliff then came out firing in the opening

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trition advice, crystal healing, aromatherapy, and more — there’s something for everyone interested in wellness.

and Laundry Volunteers.

https://friendsofthepound.com/volunteer/

and Wellbeing Expo returns to Cabarita Beach Bowls and Sports Club this Saturday, September 13, offering a vibrant day of discovery and self-care. Doors open from 11am to 4pm, with the club transformed into a hub of

health. Visitors can explore a wide array of alternative therapies, connect with experienced practitioners, and learn more about natural ways to support physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.

From Holographic Kinetics ancient Aboriginal-healing modality and meditation to nu -

A range of exhibitors will also showcase health products, services, and treatments, making it the perfect opportunity to sample new approaches or speak directly with local providers. Whether you’re a wellbeing enthusiast or just curious, the expo promises a welcoming, inspiring atmosphere. It’s only a gold coin to enter and all are welcome.

No experience necessary - full training provided. If you have a love for animals and a few spare hours each week, we’d love to hear from you.

new Animal Rehoming Facility. include Kennel Hands, Cattery Assistants, Guinea Pig Assistants, Receptionists, and Laundry Volunteers. experience necessary – full training provided. have a love for animals and a few spare each week, we’d love to hear from you.

Our 2025 U13 champions at Kingscliff Dolphins

“It’s about safety, community, and support,” Ms Murphy said.

Motorcyclists wanted as Joe Rider returns to Tweed

By Jonathon Howard

TWEED MOTORCYCLISTS are being called to gear up for a vital road safety campaign, with Tweed Shire Council inviting riders to register as ‘Joe Riders’ by Sunday, September 28.

The callout is part of the Spot Joe Rider competition and safety campaign, which will run from October 18 to 26 — and it’s as simple as donning a yellow vest and hitting the road.

The campaign encourages riders to wear bright yellow ‘I am Joe Rider’ vests while riding throughout the Tweed, raising awareness about motorcycle safety by reminding drivers to check mirrors and blind spots more carefully.

“it’s as simple as donning a yellow vest and hitting the road.”

In a region where motorcyclists represent a disproportionate number of road fatalities, visibility and vigilance could be lifesaving.

The campaign not only aims to change motorist behaviour, but it also comes with incentives for both riders and the public.

Residents who spot a Joe Rider and log their sighting online will go into a draw to win daily $50 prizes and a grand prize of $250 in local gift vouchers.

Council’s Road Safety officer Lily Morgan says Joe Rider has already proven it can have a real impact.

“Last year showed us how powerful that simple action can be,” Ms Morgan said.

“By being out there in the Joe Rider vest,

you’re making a statement that every rider deserves to get home safely.”

Motorcyclists who sign up will receive a vest, fatigue prevention vouchers, and a first aid kit as a thank-you — all without needing to change their usual riding routine.

Moto Angel and Night Riders, a com munity-based group of women riders founded this year, has already expand ed its footprint across Australia with the only exceptions being Perth, Darwin and Tasma nia.

Vic Murphy, spokesperson for the group, says the initiative is about more than riding.

“It’s about safety, community, and support,” Ms Murphy said.

“Joe Rider makes us all more aware. We ride defensively, support each other in traffic, and want drivers to remember — we’re part of the community too.

I’m still buzzing from the experience,” she said.

“I loved getting out there, being celebrated, and stopping at some of my favourite spots in the Tweed.

“From 18 to 78 years old, we ride together. No egos — just friendship and purpose.”

Based mostly around the Gold Coast, Logan, Brisbane and Tweed, the group has over 400 members on the Gold Coast alone.

Ms Murphy, who has been riding since 1992, emphasises the importance of visibility in a world of increasingly distracted drivers.

“People get lazy behind the wheel. Phones, distractions — it’s all too common,” she said.

“On a bike, you need to be ready all the time. That’s why something like Joe Rider matters.”

Local riders, local impact

Long-time rider Terri Dodd from Ballina, who participated in last year’s campaign, is keen to see more locals join the movement.

“It was fantastic to be part of the campaign.

“People were genuinely curious and in-

Dodd, an author of a book on motorcycling for women, says awareness is key, especially in high-risk areas

According to Transport for NSW, between 2018 and 2022, motorcyclists ac -

counted for 48 per cent of all road fatalities in the region, compared to 19 per cent statewide.

“We’re part of your community too. We’re workers, parents, friends. We want to get home safe just like anyone else,” she said.

Get involved in Joe Rider

Registrations to become a Joe Rider are now open at Spot Joe Rider competition | Your Say Tweed and close Sunday, September 28.

From October 18 to 26, the public is encouraged to spot Joe Riders and submit their sightings online to win daily prizes and go in the draw for the $250 grand prize.

For more details or to register, visit: yoursaytweed.com.au/spot-joe-rider

MURWILLUMBAH TYRE

The amazing group of local and Queensland-based motorcyclists who are supporting Joe Rider

Lock your cars

By Jo Kennett

POLICE ARE warning drivers to lock up their cars as there has been a number of break-ins and vehicle thefts in the shire over the past few weeks, with one local praising the “amazing” work of police.

Tweed-Byron Police say there have been several vehicles broken into across the Tweed and Byron shires in the past few weeks. They say it was apparent in many instances that vehicles were left unlocked, with “portable and attractive items” being visible from the street.

Many of these thefts appear opportunistic in nature, with force being less often used to access the vehicles.

Police are advising residents to lock their vehicles and always remove and take ignition keys and garage remotes. Take everything of value from your vehicle each time you leave it.

There was also a vehicle stolen from Kingscliff after thieves broke into a home and allegedly took the car keys and other items.

Cash for tippers

By Jonathon Howard

IT HAS been another cracking year for The Weekly’s Footy Tipping Competition with $2,500 in prizes including two first place winners.

What a season it has been, with Riverview Hotel manager Tony Foran taking out first place alongside Murwillumbah Pool Shop owner Ray Thomas.

Murwillumbah Services Club head chef Russell Marchenko placed third with Tweed River Motel’s top tippers Fruity and Fluffy placing second.

“Our secret tip is to ask around our staff for their tips — everyone gets to tip at the Pool Shop and the majority tip wins.”

Ray mentioned he often finds customers follow the tipping comp closely.

“Our customers definitely keep an eye on it and know who’s on top, as well as their views of good and bad tips,” he said.

Murwillumbah Services Club head chef Russell Marchenko won $250.

“My tipping secrets are not to focus too much on the previous rounds and keep an eye on the injuries,” he said.

“Thank you for another season of The Weekly’s Tippers, it’s been great,” Tony said, collecting $1,000 which he intends to share with the Riverview staff.

Tony said his secret to success in tipping is to “read the form”.

Murwillumbah Pool Shop owner Ray Thomas was equally happy with his first-place win and $1000, which he plans to use for the staff Christmas party.

“Thanks to The Weekly’s Tipping Comp for this season,” he said.

TRADING HOURS

& Thursday.

Tweed River Motel operator Fruity (Fluffy is away) said he rarely gets to tip himself.

“It’s all Bob’s fault we got third, he wouldn’t give ‘Fruity and Fluffy’ the tipping rights,” he said with a smile.

“But otherwise we enjoyed the tipping this year, great work.”

Thank you to all those businesses who took part in the 2025 season and remember to secure your place in the 2026 season to continue one of the Tweed’s best local tipping competitions that’s also among the highest paying.

To find out more, please phone (02) 6672 4443.

Footy finals time

By columnist Damien Quinn

THE FINALS are here. Eight teams are left and we have nine getting ready to head off for holidays as their season is done.

The Broncos are starting to warm to the task and if Reece Walsh has to drink toilet water every week to play like that then so be it. He was outstanding and guided the Broncos to a top four spot and a second chance. The loss of Hughes cannot be underestimated.

The reigning Dally M player of the year is a big loss for the finals series and will put a massive dent in the Storm. DCE finished on top with a left footed field goal to get the Eagles home in a beauty at 4 Pines. He can be polarising but it’s been a hell of a stint at Brooky for DCE.

Marky Mark has to make the Ashes tour at the end of the year. Top try scorer and absolutely flying for the Chooks, he could be the signing of the year along with Ben Hunt to the Broncos or Erin Clarke to the Warriors.

We will also have to wait until 2026 for Alex Johnson to become the top try scorer of all time.

The Panthers are a scary prop osition for the Warriors even in NZ and they look like a scary prospect going forward. I was at urday and it tacle. Cooper

awesome and Keiran Foran’s farewell was a victory. He is a modern day warrior and great human being. Congratulations Foz.

A massive shout out to the Titans, Seagulls and the NRL for the all abilities facet of the game they are supporting.

Our little star from SJC Seren played for Seagulls and it was one of the best things I’ve seen in footy sitting with her family and friends watching her play Leagueability at Cbus on urday night, she had a ball

What a weekend in the NRRRL. Marist rolled the Jets convincingly to get to their first final since 2004. The Rams will take on the Mustangs who destroyed minor premiers Cudgen at home. Cudgen were short priced favourites but were no match for the Stangs who have hit their straps at the right time. The Stangs will be hoping strike centre Adam ‘Stretch’ Walker can cause Marist problems while the Rams will be pinning their hopes on 2025 NRRRL player of the year Shallin

It should be a beauty and all

Bilambil will host the junior Grand Finals on Saturday in what will be a

Thank you to all the The Weekly Footy Tippers this year and congratulations to the winners. Make sure you get involved

See you at the footy. Quinny

Piggabeen’s Got Talent

By Madeleine Murray

PIGGABEEN’S GOT TALENT (PGT) is a not-for-profit variety show where people from all walks of life come together to share their party tricks, skills, art and craft with the community. It’s a night to be dazzled, laugh, mingle with your neighbourhood, show off and cheer on the show-offs.

PASH (Piggabeen Art Show) is an integral part of Piggabeen’s Got Talent. Each year, the humble walls of the beloved hall are adorned for one night only with art created by locals. At this grassroots, community event, award-winning artists and performers share the limelight with folk giving it a go for the first time.

Some of the regulars have been a part of PGT since they were knee high to a grasshopper.  Entry is via a gold coin donation, and all proceeds raised on the night go to the Piggabeen & Cobaki Community Association for the upkeep of Piggabeen Hall. There will be dance, music, poetry, food and fun as well as a sausage sizzle and raffles.

If you’re keen to be a part of a community-led, as-grassroots-as-they-come, just-giving-it-a-go

talent show, please get in touch with Belinda or Susan.

The hall may be small and rustic, but there are red velvet curtains on the stage and big, open hearts in the audience.

The inaugural Piggabeen’s Got Talent was in 2017. Eight years later, it’s bigger and better than ever before – the highlight of the valley calendar.

“Sue, Bryan and I have been hosting this event since 2017,” co-organiser Belinda Suzette told The Weekly.

“It’s a big job, but with the support of the community, it all comes together beautifully. It’s a lovely atmosphere, lots of laughter and joy. And I really value that a novice is celebrated as much as those who have honed their skills over many years.”

For more info on PGT, contact susan51@hotmail.com/0414707742. For info on PASH, contact belinda suzette@gmail.com/0449039221.

PGT/PASH is on Saturday, September 13. Piggabeen hall doors open at 5:30pm. This is an all-ages family event. Everyone is welcome. Tell your neighbours, your friends, your family, your colleagues, your cows and chooks, everyone!

Murwillumbah book launch

By Pat Miller

FORMER UKI LOCAL and environmental activist Jeremy Tager is launching his debut novel Shaking the Trees at the Kombucha Cafe in Murwillumbah on Thursday, September 18.

Jeremy was instrumental in setting up Tweed Water Alliance, a group that acts to protect our local groundwater.

What would you do to save the one you love?

How far would you go to save the planet?

Jeremy poses these questions in a compelling tale of eco-terrorism, family connections, intergenerational trauma and lame duck conservation. He addresses the inertia of governments who ignore the overwhelming evidence of environmental destruction. There are strong parallels for the Northern Rivers.

Shaking the Trees begins with one act of sabotage and escalates into a lifetime of consequences.

The protagonist, Jake, works for an environmental lobbying group, and is deeply in love with Julie. Frustrated with the general inaction on climate change, he naively starts sabotaging fossil fuel infrastructure.

The consequences of his actions as a lone operator become serious, threatening his family and ultimately, his very existence.

Spanning continents and generations, Shaking the Trees is a gripping novel about the legacies we inherit and the choices that shape us. It asks how far we’re willing to go for what we believe and whether love can endure the fallout.

Jeremy now lives in the Cairns hinterland where he continues his environmental work. His saga is about the intersection of eco-terrorist activism with the government and media.

“I wrote the book to put a well-structured story around some of the major environmental

issues of our time,” Jeremy told The Weekly.

An environmental activist, he is widely published in non-fiction journals, including Nature Biotechnology and The Alternative Law Journal. He has worked as a campaigner for Friends of the Earth, the Greens, Greenpeace, and others.

Tweed Water Alliance Inc is hosting the Murwillumbah launch of Shaking the Trees at the Kombucha Cafe on Thursday, September 18, 6pm for a 7pm start. All are welcome for an author interview, audience participation and discussion. Shaking the Trees will be available at the launch and online at jeremytager.com.au/ shaking-the-trees-novel

Author Jeremy Tager lived in the Uki area for many years

Tweed Heads supermodel turns author

By Madeleine Murray

SUPERMODEL SAMANTHA

HARRIS has written a fascinating book about her journey from a Tweed Heads housing commission to life as an international model, mentor and fundraiser for charities.

Samantha wanted to be a model since she was four when she used to dress up her reluctant cat. This was a crazy ambition for an aboriginal girl 30 years ago when diversity was unknown and beauty meant blue eyes and blonde hair.

Role Model is a testament to dreaming big, perseverance and the determination of Samantha’s mother, Myrna Davison, a survivor of the Stolen Generations.

“Mum sacrificed money, meals and many weekends to make sure I was able to follow my dreams,” Samantha said.

When they didn’t have enough money for the bus fare from Tweed to Brisbane for the 2004 Girlfriend Model Search in two days, Myrna made phone calls and didn’t stop until she found an organisation that would help them get to Brisbane.

When Samantha came runner up, she found herself bound for New York for an Iconic Beauties shoot. Gangly, very tall and desperately shy, she was only 14, had never travelled or been away from her mother.

After a tour of the famous sites of New York, she wrote, “As a kid who believed the big prawn in Ballina was the eighth wonder of the world, I was blown away.” Back in high school, she loved

hanging out in the Tweed City Shop ping Centre where she met a young man called Luke Hunt with a group of friends. They started going out, and never stopped. Samantha mar ried the love of her life in 2014 and t hey are expecting their first baby next month.

Myrna always told Samantha, never forget where you came from, and she never has.

An instant classic, Role Model is full of great stories told with lots of humour and love.

Myrna’s story, the last part of the book, is a harrowing tale of violent parents, a cruel spell in the Bomad erry Aboriginal Children’s Home and eventual rescue by Aunty Marie.

The Weekly caught up with Saman tha who was happy to answer a few questions.

How did you like growing up in the Tweed?

I loved growing up in the Tweed area. I have really fond memories of going to the beach with friends and searching for pippies with my family. It’s such a beautiful part of the world. What are your plans for the next 10 years?

Oh, an easy question. Haha. My life is about to change in such a huge way and I’m really excited for that. I can’t wait to be a mum. I love my work too, so I’m hoping I’ll be able to find my way and combine both. I feel so incredibly lucky.

Role Model, written with Myrna Davison, is available online and in bookstores. Stay tuned for an inter view with Myrna Davison soon in The Weekly.

Nicole Bentley took this photo of me for Vogue Australia, March 2010.

23/6/2025

Two photos by Simon Upton for Harper’s Bazaar Singapore, January 2010.

I really like what the hair and makeup artists did for this shoot.

ABOVE: Nicole Bentley photo for Vogue Australia, March 2010. LEFT: Two photos by Simon Upton for Harper's Bazaar Singapore, January 2010.

1. How old is Crystal Creek Public School?

2. How many Tweed localities can you name with hidden first names in them? e.g. Tomewin (Tom). Spelling can be different.

3. What year was the Tumbulgum Tavern built?

4. What is the name of the Photography award currently at the Tweed Regional Gallery?

5. What does ERB stand for (Lifesaving related)

(Bill), Cabarita (Rita), Banora Point (Nora), 3. 1887, 4. The Olive Cotton Award, 5. Emergency Response Beacon

130 years, 2. Tomewin

ACROSS

1 Wash thoroughly (7)

4 Silvery-white metal used in jewellery (8)

7 Amateur (8)

10 Gross flattery (9)

12 Former Ellice Islands in the Pacific Ocean (6)

14 Variety of cheese (8)

16 Drummers drumming were received on the - day of Christmas (7)

17 Punch (8)

18 Dusk (8)

19 Trickster (9) 24 Respiratory opening, particularly in insects (8) 25 Evades (6) 26 Rude (8)

27 Leaves (7)

28 Titanic sinker (7)

31 Iconic Princess Bride line said by Vizzini (13)

33 Unending (8)

37 Revolver (5)

38 Relating to gospel (11)

39 Mediterranean oilproducing tree (5)

40 Longing, pining (8)

43 Refurbishment (13)

47 Venetian boat (7)

50 Whim (7)

52 Tongue (8)

53 Forks (6)

55 Hallucination (8)

56 Limit (9)

60 Hard grains of wheat used in puddings (8)

61 Better (8)

62 Vest (7)

64 Japanese dish of marinated and grilled meat (8)

65 Press boss (6)

66 Victoria’s capital (9)

67 Sky blue (8)

68 Newspaper’s printed title (8)

69 Plain (7) DOWN

1 In a state of disorder (7)

2 Dodge (5)

3 Descriptive nickname (7)

4 A flightless bird (7)

5 Appetiser course (9)

6 Facial hair (9)

7 For the sake of argument (14)

8 Roadblock (9)

9 Discounted (a price) (7)

11 Horrible (5)

13 Cinnabar pigment (9)

15 Serial part (7)

20 Religious song (4)

21 Novice (6)

22 Hands on hips with elbows outwards (6)

23 Crown (4)

27 Flamboyant burst of publicity (7)

29 Beer maker (6)

30 Rule (6)

32 Make

Minimum word length 4 letters. No plurals allowed. Every word must contain the centre letter (once only).

(Tom), Glengarrie (Gary), Cudgen (Jen), Casuarina (Rina), Terranora (Nora),

Bilambil (Bill), Eviron (Ron), Condong (Don), Fernvale (Fern), Midginbil (Bill), Pumpenbil

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The business owner, Ben Clark, has more than two decades of experience and is passionate about taking his client’s vision and translating that into stunning garden designs.

“Put simply, we love to create spaces that our clients love to come home to,” he said.

“This may include a garden redesign, changing the shape of gardens, plants and increasing the flow through your garden.”

Ben is joined by his trusty sidekick and equally passionate landscaper Barbara Leone, who is from the Faroe Islands in Denmark and has lived on the Gold Coast for more than 12 years. Together, the dynamic duo have the motivation and creativity to make your landscaping dreams come true.

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“One thing I have learnt time and time again is that the best results come from a collaborative approach between the client and us. Learning what clients love and don’t love is crucial,” Ben said.

“From there we add our thoughts based on what we have seen work/ not work.

“Usually there is a ‘click’ moment, where both us and the client are excited to start. This is key before beginning any project.”

Whilst only relatively new to the Tweed Shire, the pair have already made a great name for themselves.

“One testimonial which I think highlights the above collaborative

process was working with a client and her family heirloom – a beautiful Japanese Toro, which is a a traditional Japanese lantern,” Ben said.

“In one of our initial meetings, we were able to understand what type of garden the client wanted and it was then that the client remembered she had access to the Toro.

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dual sunroof, tow kit installed with auxiliary plate included (never towed). Recent full cut and polish and interior detailing. Only 2 owners total. Excellent condition. Full service book history. 196,000km. Rego until June 2026, $9,500. Phone: 0403 326 428

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$2,000

NEW CUSTOM TINY HOMES

Finance from $250 a week 6m x 3m - custom designs Air-conditioning - Plug and play Smart designed kitchen / Bathroom Fully Insulated 0435 012 111 $49,950 plus delivery

FOR SALE HP Computer with accessories Microsoft 10 $300. White Delonghi power Fan tower, Auto with remote $55. Mobility Walker Aspire brand, new never used $300. Alpha Keyboard (piano on stand) Brand new $100. Call or text 0424 934 343

FOR SALE Box Trailer tandem axel, aluminum tray, 2.3m x 1.95m. Good condition, 12 months rego. Offers 0412 355 005

Position Vacant

National Transport & Logistics company requires HC/MC seasonal cane truck drivers at Condong Sugar Mill site. Competitive pay rates. Send Resumé to Wendy.Keel@sctlogistics.com.au or call 0409 568 795 during office hours.

HIRING NOW Small Family Business Part time or Full-Time painter. We don’t

Scrap Metal

Weekly In Memoriam

In Memoriam

In Loving Memory

Ria Folkers

Passed away peacefully on Saturday 30th August 2025. Aged 94 years.

Wife of Marinus (dec’d).

Loved Mother of Robbie (dec’d), Peggy, Richard, Joyce, Wendy, Reny, Desi, Terry, Nicky and Ronnie. Loving Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Great Great Grandmother.

She nurtured a big family, teaching us that love is what’s most important. Ria chose to live fully, to love deeply and to never give up. Her legacy of strength, love and kindness will continue to inspire us. We love you Mumma xxxxxxxxxx

In loving memory

Jennifer Eileen King

née Tester

Late of Murwillumbah.

Passed away peacefully on Wednesday 10th September 2025. Aged 85 Years

Dearly loved Wife of Ron (dec).

Loved Mother and Mother-in-law of Wayne (dec), Trevor, Jeff & Lee.

Cherished Grandmother of Dionne, Matthew, Michael, Tash, Renee and Tyson. Loving Great-Grandmother of Jakob, Ryan, Keira, Shatarna, Emerson, Mia, Maddy, Maleigha, Millie, Remi, Nash, Jeremiah, Sophie and Great-Great Grandmother to Jacoa.

Loved Sister of John, Max, Paul, Eddie, Patricia and Debbie. Family & Friends are warmly invited to attend Jenny’s Funeral Service which will be held at Tweed Valley Chapel & Crematorium, Eviron, on Friday 12th September at 11am. Donations to Wedgetail Retreat would be very much appreciated with a donation box and envelopes available at the service

McGuiness

Funerals Ph: (02) 6672 2144 Murwillumbah

In

Loving

Memory of Sidney John Arthur Williams

13th May 1933 – 5th September 2025

Survived by loving wife Janice, married just shy of 70 years.

Carpenter/Joiner, Hardware Manager & Grazier. Family and Friends are warmly invited to attend Sid’s Funeral at the All Saints Anglican Church, Murwillumbah on Friday 12th September 2025 at 10am. Followed by a private cremation.

Heritage Brothers (07) 5599 1500

HOLT Denise Louise 25/8/2025

BRANDENBURG Robert 31/8/2025

WINTOUR Rina Bernadette 3/9/2025

EVERETT Elizabeth 5/9/2025

Paperbark Deathcare & Funerals 0466 526 156

FROST Barrie Desmond 27/8/25

DE’LACEY FROST Lynn Colleen 27/8/25

WILLIAMS Jennifer Lee 2/9/25

THOMPSON Victoria Anna 2/925

DUPLESSIS Kate Regina 2/9/25

OSBOURNE Sharon 3/9/25

KING Norman Arthur 3/9/26

Simplicity Funerals Twin Towns (07) 5599 1800

CONNOP Gweneth Mabel 07/09/2025

GILHOLME Norman 06/09/2025

Dolphin Funerals 0427 743 817

CLOSE Thomas 15/08/2025

GRUGAN Trevor John 01/09/2025

FARRAR Jill Heather 03/09/2025

McQUILTY Heather Elizabeth 03/09/2025

McCUSKER Patricia Ann 05/09/2025

21st August 2025, aged 79 years.

& Grandmother of Gregg, Linda, Jenny and Grandkids, Family & Friends

WILLIAMS Sidney John Arthur 05/09/2025

CROTON Elizabeth Ngaire 06/09/2025

McKNIGHT Patricia Anne

Funeral Notice

Funeral Notice

Funeral Notice

Funeral Notice

Real Estate Estate

By Jo Kennett

THIS EDITION’S Agent of the Week is Julian Cleak, who grew up surrounded by a community of builders, bricklayers, musicians, and artists before deciding to go into real estate.

Julian has over 13 years of experience in the Kingscliff and Casuarina real estate markets.

His commitment to transparency and accountability has forged strong business relationships, making him a trusted partner in achieving clients’ real estate goals. His dedication was recently recognised when Rate My Agent named him Agent of the Year for Casuarina in 2024, a testament to his excellence and client satisfaction.

What inspired you to go into real estate?

After growing up in a family of tradies and working a lot of labour intensive jobs after I left high school I became interested in property sales as I believe it is an honourable and mostly joy-filled role to fill in society.

What is your favourite part about being an agent?

AGENT OF THE WEEK

I enjoy meeting new people and being trusted with guiding them through their property journey whatever that may be.

Before you were a real estate agent what was the most interesting/ unusual job you had?

Prior to working in real estate, I worked on numerous building sites and did various fruit picking jobs. I also worked for Dominoes, Subway and for Caltex that all produced some very comical and memorable circumstances at times.

How has the interest rate cuts affected the market?

We have seen higher confidence with buyers’ abilities to loan more and it has transpired into higher enquiry and turnover of property sales on the North Coast.

What are your thoughts on the First Home Buyers 5% deposit scheme starting in October?

It is great to see incentives for first home buyers of any kind. Securing real estate in my opinion is the single best investment one can make.

Open Homes

Saturday, September 13

DJ Stringer

• 15/243 Boundary St, Rainbow Bay, 9–9.30am

• 2/48 Coolangatta Rd, Coolangatta, 9–9.30am

• 244/6-8 Stuart St, Tweed Heads, 9–9.30am

• 1444/6-8 Stuart St, Tweed Heads, 9.30–10am

• 501/85 Golden Four Dr, Bilinga, 10–10.30am

• 1091/14-22 Stuart St, Tweed Heads 10.15–10.45am

• 2085/18-20 Stuart St, Tweed Heads, 10.45–11.15am

• 803/106 Pacific Pde, Bilinga, 11–11.30am

Who are you seeing buying and what type of sellers do you have?

I think the essence of why I remain interested and excited about working in real estate is because no single day is ever the same, from week to week we work with people from all walks of life and their reasons always differ from the last (downsizers, people cashing in and moving elsewhere).

How can people get a foot on the property ladder?

Save, work hard and when you’re getting close to being ready, research!

Look at as many properties as you can and explore neighbouring suburbs to those you are most interested to buy into as that’s where some of the best hidden gems can be unearthed.

• 2104/18-20 Stuart St, Tweed Heads, 11.15–11.45am

• 9/277 Golden Four Dr, Bilinga, 12–12.30pm

• 2/15 Boyd St, Tweed Heads, 12.15–12.45pm

• 10 Mourne Terrace, Banora Point, 1–1.30pm

• 38 Amaroo Dr, Banora Point, 1.15–2.15pm JET Estate Agents

• 11 Kurrajong Street, Mullumbimby, 9–9.30am

• 16 George Street, Murwillumbah, 9.30–10am

• 9 Tweed Valle Way, Condong, 9.30–10am

• 77b Balemo Drive, Ocean Shores, 10.30–11am

• 7 Peter Street, Murwillumbah, 10.30–11am

• 407 Tweed Valley Way, South Murwillumbah, 10.30–11am

Is your investment property in good hands?

Hot property

THIS WEEK’S Hot Property is Mistere Spa and Retreat, Urliup, a luxury tropical oasis with stunning views, a beautiful lake with a fountain, walking tracks, a natural waterfall with a swimming hole and huge income potential.

Located at 1110 Urliup Road, Urliup, the property features three architecturally-designed cabins with private gardens overlooking the lake and DA approval for two more, set on 53 hectares of pristine hinterland with views to Mount Warning and the Cougals.

The main hilltop residence looks across Murwillumbah to the sea, with verandahs to enjoy a sundowner and the incredible view, has luxury features and a master suite with its own deck.

There is potential to use the main residence for group bookings or additional guest accommodation.

This eco-tourism retreat will be auctioned on October 8 and can be viewed on Saturday, September 13, from 8am to 9am. Contact Julian Cleak at Coastal Property Collective for more information and viewing opportunities.

Tate Brownlee Real Estate

• 2/126 Jacaranda Avenue, Tweed Heads West, 9–9.30am

• 51/2 Barneys Point Road, Banora Point, 10–10.30am

• 9/4 Advocate Place, Banora Point, 10–10.30am

• 2/1 Faulkner Street, Tweed Heads South, 11–11.30am

• 142 Darlington Drive, Banora Point, 12–12.30pm

• 50 Bopple Nut Court, Cobaki, 3–3.30pm

Kel Judd Real Estate

• St Camillus Church, 36 Urliup Rd, Bilambil, 10–10:30am

We

We understand that managing investment properties takes more than oversight — it demands dedication and expertise.

Our

We understand that managing investment properties takes more than oversight — it demands dedication and expertise.

Our team offers comprehensive property management services tailored to your needs, so you can enjoy the rewards of your investment without the hassle.

Our team offers comprehensive property management services tailored to your needs, so you can enjoy the rewards of your investment

Set on a beautifully landscaped 5,557m² block in the peaceful enclave of Nunderi, this beautifully presented brick and colourbond residence offers the perfect balance of semi-rural charm and modern convenience. Just 10 minutes to Murwillumbah and 15 minutes to the beaches of Cabarita, you’ll enjoy the best of both worlds – privacy and space without sacrificing access to shops, schools, cafes and restaurants.

Step inside to a bright and airy open-plan living, dining, and kitchen space that flows effortlessly onto the expansive front patio, perfect for morning coffee or relaxed entertaining. On cooler days, unwind by the wood fire heater in the living room while taking in the tranquil garden views.

The home features four generous bedrooms, all with built-in robes, ceiling fans, and air conditioning throughout. The generous sized master suite is complete with an ensuite and direct outside access.

Outdoors, the property invites you to unwind in a range of tranquil settings – from the serene front patio framed by lush greenery to the secluded garden retreat at the rear.

Agent Ph: 0417 006 671

$1,595,000

There is also an expansive, fully fenced flat yard beside the home that offers a safe and spacious area for children and pets to play, while the flourishing vegetable gardens provide an abundance of fresh, homegrown produce to enjoy.

For added functionality, a 6x6m Colourbond shed and double garage provide generous space for vehicles, tools, and hobbies. The grounds are a standout feature, showcasing lush, manicured lawns, vibrant established gardens, and a scenic flowing creek that attracts a variety of native birdlife – all contributing to the peaceful, nature-inspired lifestyle.

Property Features you’ll love:

• Generously sized Master bedroom with ensuite

• 3 further bedrooms with built-ins and ceiling fans

• Air conditioning throughout

• Open-plan kitchen, living & dining flowing to front patio

• Versatile rear patio with sunny northerly aspect

• Private rear garden area perfect for entertaining and large gatherings

• Double garage + 6x6m Colourbond shed

• Flat, fenced side yard – secured for kids and pets

• 6.6 kw Solar System, 5000L Water tank, 270L Hot Water System

• Flood-free area

OPENFORINSPECTION

This is a remarkable chance to acquire a piece of Bilambil Valley’s rich history - St Camillus Church. Nestled on a generous 2,976 sqm parcel of land, the property is a short stroll from the local general store, hall, primary and pre schools, as well as the expansive sporting facilities the valley is known for. Originally constructed in 1934 on land now occupied by the school, St Camillus Church was moved to its present location in the 1980s.

We believe this property will attract various buyers in today’s real estate market. With solid structural foundations, the building offers potential for renovation and expansion into a very special home full of character, charm and history. Alternatively, it could serve as a chapel for weddings, funerals, and other events, and, with council approval, be transformed into a high quality function venue.

St Camillus Church, 36 Urliup Road, Bilambil

The property boasts a natural watercourse that meanders through the middle section of the block. With a thorough clean out, a creative imagination, elbow grease and landscaping it could become a beautiful garden retreat or picturesque locale.

• Sturdy building with weatherboard walls, metal roofing and timber flooring up on brick piers.

• Set on a hard-to-find 2976 sqm parcel of land, 15 minutes from town.

• Short walk to the general store that’s been

providing the local community with a variety of goods and services for decades.

• Peaceful rural setting close to Bilambil Creek and the adjacent parkland.

• Around 15 minutes to major shopping centres, Gold Coast Airport and patrolled beaches.

• The nearby sports fields host numerous sports, including senior and junior rugby league, soccer, cricket, tennis and touch football as well as equestrian events.

TRI-LEVEL LIVING - with dual living options

Infusing modern coastal Architecture with its sleek ocean wave roofing and designed to capture the North Easterly scenic views, this impressive 5-bedroom residence split over 3 distinctive levels, offers a myriad of lifestyle options including dual living.

• Formal & informal living / dining w/ polished hardwood timber flooring

• Full width entertainers / alfresco decking w/ allweather aluminum shutters

• Well-appointed kitchen w/ outdoor server, gas cook top, double dish draws & new oven

• Master bedroom w/ built in robes, ensuite & access to deck

• Study nook

• Three-way main bathroom w/ bath on lower level

• Lower level comprises of expansive living, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, storage / study room & individual covered decking w/ privacy shutters

• Double automatic garage, separate workshop & wine cellar

• Low maintenance manicured gardens

FAMILY ENTERTAINER – with rainforest serenity

Nestled against a tranquil rainforest backdrop, this generously sized (4) bedroom residence aloft a superb 993m2 allotment, delivers the perfect blend of lifestyle & space for the growing family, as well as accommodating those with tools of their trade.

• Open plan living & dining

• Stylish kitchen with ample storage

• Main bathroom with separate bath & shower

• (4) generous bedrooms with built-in robes & ceiling fans

• Spacious covered outdoor entertaining area

• Large backyard with low-maintenance gardens

• Tandem auto garage with access to backyard and Man Cave

• (2) large sheds for storage or workshop use

• Plenty of space for a boat, caravan & up to 4 cars

• Private forest terrace, fire pit, and nature walks