Coast Community News #524

Matt Graham takes bronze

Dredging begins at Tuggerah Lake

Dredging at Tuggerah Lake has resumed after six years, with the last dredging campaign held in 2020.

Central Coast Councillor and Chair of the Coastal, Estuary and Floodplain Risk Management Sub-Committee, Rachel Stanton, met with senior Council staff and the contractor on site as the dredge was floated on Tuesday, February 17.

The hydraulic cuttersuction dredge will conduct a three-month dredging program to remove approximately 30,000 cubic metres of sand.

“With more than 40,000 residents

around Tuggerah Lake, I know how important this program is and am so pleased to have been able to restart dredging after so many years to help the community,” Cr Stanton said.

“I was so excited about the dredge arriving, I drove to The Entrance to see it arrive at midnight and seeing the dredge being built and floated was a momentous occasion.

“I am so pleased Council is finally able to deliver this program.

“This is the culmination of a lot of hard work and years of community engagement.”

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Managing Editor: David Abrahams

Print Editor & Senior Journalist: Terry Collins

Journalists: Sue Murray, Denice Barnes, Merilyn Vale

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From a region better known for its beaches than its blizzards, it has been a joy to watch two Central Coast athletes mix it with the very best winter sports competitors in the world.

As Italy hosts the Winter Olympics, our attention has been firmly fixed on moguls skier Matt Graham and aerial skier Abby Wilcox, both carrying the Central Coast flag onto one of sport’s biggest stages.

Matt Graham’s bronze medal has rightly been celebrated across the Australian Olympic community as loudly as any gold.

At just 31, he is already a veteran of the Games, competing at his fourth Olympics and claiming his

Something in the snow EDITORIAL

second medal after silver in 2018.

Longevity at this level is no accident.

It is built on discipline, resilience, and a willingness to keep showing up when the margins get thinner and the competition sharper.

This time, the medal carries even deeper meaning.

Matt is now a new dad, a life milestone that will almost certainly outshine any podium moment.

Medals age, memories fade, but the pride of sharing an Olympic journey with family lasts forever.

Alongside him in Italy, Somersby’s Abby Wilcox has made her Olympic debut in

the fiercely competitive aerial skiing event.

Simply qualifying for a first Winter Olympics is an extraordinary achievement.

The aerial field is stacked with experience, precision, and nerve, and Abby’s presence there signals the beginning of what could be a long international career.

Together, these two athletes remind us how powerfully sport binds the Central Coast.

Their journeys may have begun far from snowfields, but they are rooted in local clubs, local families, and a community that quietly backs its own.

They also join a remarkably long list of world-class athletes to emerge from our region.

Names like Jai Opetaia, Molly Picklum, Nicola

Olyslagers and Annalise Rasmussen have become familiar on national and international stages recently, alongside many teams and players whose stories began on Central Coast ovals, beaches, gyms, pools and schools.

Maybe there is something in the water.

Or maybe, more simply, we are a region that understands effort, community, and backing people for the long haul.

Whatever the reason, the Central Coast continues to produce athletes who compete with grace, grit, and world-class belief.

And that is something worth celebrating, winter or summer, medals or no medals.

David Abrahams, Managing Editor

Scapes of Art is the talk of the town

A new creative space in the heart of The Entrance is quickly becoming a talkof-the-town destination, with Scapes of Art bringing art, colour and strong community connection to the Coast.

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Councillor Corinne Lamont, who recently visited the gallery and has been following its social media presence, said Scapes of Art was a relaxed space where locals and visitors were encouraged to slow down, look around and enjoy artwork that genuinely reflected the Central Coast.

“Featuring photography, paintings and handcrafted pieces, the gallery celebrates local stories, landscapes and creativity in an inviting and unpretentious way,” she said.

Cr Lamont said one of the most joyful additions to The Entrance town centre had been Scapes of Art’s life-size pelican mascot, crafted from recycled materials.

“The pelican has quickly become part of everyday life in The Entrance, sparking smiles, photos and conversation, and even a community vote to name the new local icon,” she said.

“I am amazed at how this playful initiative has generated incredible engagement and really captures the gallery’s values of creativity, sustainability and fun.”

Co-founder Cass Walsh brings a strong sense of curation, connection and community storytelling to Scapes of Art.

Her vision for the gallery centres on creating a welcoming and inclusive space that supports local artists, small businesses and visitors from all walks of life.

“We wanted to create a space where everyone feels comfortable coming in, having

a look around and connecting with art in their own way,” Mrs Walsh said.

“It’s not about being an expert – it’s about enjoying the experience, meeting the artists, hearing the stories and feeling part of the community.”

Scapes of Art also places a strong emphasis on celebrating the artists behind the work.

Through the gallery’s Artist Hub, co-founder Jeff Walsh – a landscape and nature photographer – shares his creative journey, giving visitors insight into the stories, locations and moments that inspire each piece.

“Art is about more than what you see on the wall,” he said.

“It’s about the experiences, the places, and the emotions captured in that moment.

“Through the Artist Hub, we’re inviting people to connect with those stories and gain a deeper appreciation of the journey behind every artwork.”

Cr Lamont said Scapes of Art was playing an important role in positioning The Entrance as a vibrant destination to visit, explore and enjoy – not only for its beautiful coastline, but also for its creativity, cultural experiences and strong sense of community.

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Blue Lagoon toilet block gets minor refresh

Minor maintenance and a refresh of the Blue Lagoon Reserve public toilet block will be undertaken by Central Coast Council.

The toilet block, slated for demolition, has been given a stay of execution after a strong outcry from the Bateau Bay community committee Save Our Stairs (SOS) and a successful campaign to get new access stairs constructed to the reserve.

A spokesperson said Council acknowledged there had been a lot of interest in the future of the toilet block and confirmed the toilets were not closing at this stage.

“While construction of the new Blue Lagoon stairs is underway, Council will carry out some minor maintenance and a refresh of the existing toilet block,” the spokesperson said.

“Once the new stairs are completed, the toilets will remain open for a further six months.

“During this time, we’ll

“The outcome of these discussions will help inform future decisions.”

During the six-month reprieve, statistics on the use of the toilet block will be collected before Council makes a definitive decision about the block’s future.

SOS committee member Judy Townsend welcomed the news and thanked the Council

refurbishment and refresh and we are delighted that Council has stepped up which will help collect accurate data to prove usage and that Central Coast people want a toilet block located on a beach reserve with stair access,” Mrs Townsend said.

The Council demolished the access stairs from Bateau Bay Rd to the reserve in September

funding from Crown Lands to help rebuild both sets of stairs.

Construction on the stairs began at the end of last month and the toilet block refresh will be finished by the opening day of the new stairs.

Mrs Townsend said there had already been requests from community groups wanting to use the reserve, including a

“All these events will need toilet amenities,” she said.

“We’re asking people to send us photos of any events they held at the reserve and how many people attended the event.”

“We are hoping the community will also help out with the painting in a fun and unique way.

“We are collecting tins of white or cream external paint.

“We have a resident willing to collect the paint and another resident who will buy grey tint and mix the paint.

While Council has agreed to the minor refresh, a separate appeal to Bunnings from Mrs Townsend for help was also successful. of roofing iron and fascia boards.

Huge fundraiser for Koolewong bushfire victims

As the Koolewong community continues to recover from the devastating bushfire event in December last year, a community fundraiser will be held on Sunday, February 22.

Residents are still reeling after the bushfire destroyed 16 homes and damaged a further nine on Saturday, December 6.

A Day on the Marina will take place from 2pm-6pm on February 22 at Koolewong Marina (near Kefi).

The not-for-profit community event will bring together local businesses, volunteers and major Australian artists including Kasey Chambers, Gina Jeffreys and Little Quirks, all donating their time to support families impacted by the bushfire.

Kasey Chambers performed in the family country-music group Dead Ringer Band from 1992 to 1998 before going solo.

Two community groups will host a free meeting on Monday, February 23, to look at how statewide changes to town planning, land zoning and development consents will impact the Central Coast.

The meeting, to be held from 6pm-7pm at the new regional library in Gosford, will be hosted by the Central Coast Community Better Planning Group and the Community Environment Network (CEN).

“The NSW Government is in the process of making sweeping changes to the way planning and development work across the state and the new rules will have a major impact on how the Central Coast grows and develops for decades to come,” CEN Chair Gary Chestnut said.

She has won 14 ARIA music awards, nine of them for Best Country Album, and has been

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From page 1

The 2026 dredging program is based on recent bathymetric survey data and will realign and widen the main channel.

This will support flood preparedness and reduce shoaling impacts to the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary.

“Residents can expect to see the dredge moving from the berm toward the sump at The Entrance Bridge,” Cr Stanton said.

“The pumped sand will then be dewatered at Karagi Point and used in the surrounding areas.”

Council Director Environment and Planning, Luke Nicholls said the project is just one

She has won numerous awards and released her eighth studio album, Beautiful Tangle., in 2019.

She is the co-host of the breakfast show on Star 104.5 alongside Dave Rabbetts.

Little Quirks is an Australian

indie folk band formed in Gosford in 2015 by sisters, Abbey Toole (guitar, vocals) and Mia Toole (drums, vocals) and their cousin Jaymi Toole (mandolin, vocals).

The band has toured Australia and released four EPs.

How will new planning laws affect us?

“The Minns Government has called this the ‘largest housing and planning reform agenda in the state’s history’ and we think Central Coast residents have the right to know what that will mean for this region’s future liveability and lifestyle.”

Justine Emerson from the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) and Luke Nicholls, Director of Environment and Planning at Central Coast Council, will address the meeting.

“The positive element of these massive changes is that they enshrine housing delivery and climate resilience as part of planning law but there is definitely a downside,” Mr Chestnut said.

“The reforms are being rolled out at a cracking pace and

without a great deal of grassroots publicity.

“One major public consultation period closes next week but most people wouldn’t even know there are key documents on exhibition.

“We don’t think many people know that these reforms are likely to place streamlined

zoning changes and speedy development consents ahead of merit-based due diligence, for example.

“Not many Central Coast residents know that terraces, townhouses, and three- to sixstorey apartment blocks will be allowed within 800m of a list of Coast town centres and

transport hubs under Transport Orientated Development (TOD) rules.

“This is a high-density, centralised approach to planning that gives council staff, planning panels, department secretaries and ministers all the power over zoning and development approvals.”

Mr Chestnut said the public may no longer have access to specialised reports from experts on flooding, bushfire and biodiversity as they are being replaced by a new permanent Housing Delivery Authority that will bypass local councils to fast-track state significant housing projects.

“This is all about making it easy for the developers of big projects and less transparent for the community,” he said.

Dredging begins at Tuggerah Lake

component of flood preparedness, which is a joint effort with the community.

“This program is planned to contribute, in part, to the flood preparedness of the Tuggerah Lakes estuary when combined with measures such as establishing pilot channels, berm management and emergency openings as required,” Mr Nicholls said.

“The dredging program also aims to provide sand for beach nourishment, allow Council to improve access to Karagi Spit and Karagi Reserve carpark, and realign and widen the current entrance channel between the berm and The

Entrance bridge, to reduce erosion of the northern shoreline.

“While this works program, which includes both the dredging of the channel and berm management activities, will support flood preparedness, Council also encourages the community to take their own steps to prepare their properties for the flood season.

“While no amount of intervention at The Entrance Channel can ever eliminate flooding in the low-lying floodplain areas around the Tuggerah Lakes estuary, Council is committed to delivering on this community priority.”

Cr Stanton said the $1.2M allocation from Council’s 2025/2026 Budget toward dredging Tuggerah Lake was one of the largest investments in Tuggerah Lake’s history, and she has her eye on future programs.

“I am already in discussions within Council about allocating further money toward Tuggerah Lake in Council’s next budget,” she said.

“I am looking at flood mitigation measures, wrack management, navigation and general water health.”

Karagi Reserve car park will be closed for the duration of the dredging program.

In 2019 they were joined by Alex Toole (Jaymi’s older brother) on bass guitar and since late 2021 Jordan Rouse has provided electric guitar. The event will transform the marina carpark into a live music space, with RFS presence, community stalls and a strong local turnout expected. It will be presented in partnership with the NSW Rural Fire Service and the local St Vincent de Paul chapter, with 100% of funds raised going directly to affected households. Star FM will also support the day, helping amplify the community message. To book search ‘Koolewong” at stickytickets.com.au

“We have even been told we will get a new regional plan that combines the Central Coast with the Lower Hunter.

“Whilst we fully support the sustainable supply of affordable housing, we think it is important for the community to understand a bit more about these changes.

“Come along to this free meeting and find out what’s really behind Chris Minns and Paul Scully’s big new “single front door” into the future of planning on the Central Coast and beyond.”

Bookings are essential and the event will include a Question-and-Answer session and submission writing table. Book by going to ‘events’ at cen.org.au

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Wild rabbit control program set for March 2

A wild rabbit control program is set to take place across Greater Sydney local government areas, including the Central Coast, on March 2.

Led by Greater Sydney Local Land Services, Central Coast Council will participate in the program to release the Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV1-K5) – also known as Calicivirus – at seven locations: Bush Street Reserve-Norah Head, Karagi Point, Shelly Beach, Umina Beach, Davistown foreshore, Wadalba

Sporting Complex, and Ourimbah Football Club.

Wild rabbits are Australia’s most destructive agricultural pest, causing severe competition for resources and land degradation.

They are recognised as a key threat to Australian native animals, plants and endangered ecological communities.

RHDV1-K5 has been used for wild rabbit control since 2017.

It is species-specific, affecting only rabbits and posing no risk to native wildlife or other pets.

Have a say on Council’s next budget

Central Coast Councillor Jane Smith wants to know what residents’ priorities are for Council’s budget in 2026/27.

She has opened a survey, which will be open until 5pm on Thursday, February 19.

Cr Smith stressed that this is not an official Council survey, but a questionnaire from her.

“Council is currently looking

at next year’s Operational Plan and Budget,” she said.

“We will be discussing priorities – and I would like to ask you for your priorities.

“Hypothetically, suppose there was $1M that still needed to be allocated – what would you like to see that money spent on?

“For example, it could be: a new – or improved – facility ….

a hall, playground, toilet, pool, sporting complex; a footpath or cycleway; upgrading/ revitalising a local place or town centre; a greening or environmental program; COSS lands; helping communities –with climate change, resilience; services – roads, childcare, libraries; or anything else that you might think of that Council has a role in.

“Please let me know up to three ideas – and why.”

Cr Smith said only one answer was permitted from each device.

“This is not an anonymous survey – as I would like to then ask people to vote on the top ideas received after the feedback has been compiled,” she said.

“You will be asked for a name,

email, suburb, ward – and whether you want to be added to our contact list (if not already on it).

“There is no guarantee that ideas / suggestions will be funded or implemented (but) knowing your priorities will add weight to advocacy on priority ideas.

Access the survey at www. surveymonkey.com/r/ budget_priorities

As RHDV1-K5 can also affect pet rabbits, Council strongly advises domestic pet rabbit owners to vaccinate their pet rabbits by February 28 for the best protection against the virus.

Pet rabbit owners should also take extra precautions, including maintaining good hygiene, providing mosquitoproof housing and preventing contact with other wild rabbits.

For further information on the RHDV1-K5 release contact Greater Sydney Local Land Services on 4724 2100.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Libs welcome Prof Plimer

The Woy Woy branch of the Liberal Party will welcome Professor Ian Plimer to its meeting from 6.30- 8pm on Tuesday, February 24, at Central Coast Leagues Club.

Professor Plimer is the author of the book Sceptical Always: A View at Three-quarter Time. The book is a collection of yarns, politically incorrect opinions and experiences by a larrikin anti-establishment professor of geology. He says he has lived life and seen too much of totalitarianism and fundamentalism, be it in politics, religion or science, and seeks evidence and not propaganda.

Prof Plimer is Australia’s best-known geologist and Emeritus Professor of Earth Sciences at the University of Melbourne.

He has published over 140 scientific papers and co-edited the five-volume Encyclopedia of Geology.

To book go to nswliberal. org.au/260224b01

New boat ramp for Empire Bay

Central Coast Council is set to replace the existing boat ramp at Empire Bay and stabilise the eroded side areas with additional rock.

Councillor Jared Wright said that since his election in September 2024, he and residents had continually called for improvements to the boat ramp, given it is a popular community asset that is simply falling apart.

“The boat ramp is always a hive of activity and is an integral part of the Empire Bay community,” he said.

“I have been working with Council and local residents for many months now and I am pleased to see that muchneeded repair work is being carried out.

“The ongoing advocacy from the Empire Bay Progress Association has been pivotal in getting these works over the line.

“The organisation plays an important role in championing the needs of the community and ensuring that these needs are actioned by all levels of government.”

Cr Wright said Council was originally going to pump a resin slab under the boat ramp in December to improve stability,

but it was identified that further long-term works were needed.

“Council has revised the scope of work to provide a more durable outcome and reduce recurring maintenance,” he said.

“This is certainly a win for our community as it means we will be able to keep it in a better condition for longer, so families can enjoy it for years to come.”

Empire Bay Progress Association President Ken Shaw said the community was

grateful the works were being carried out, given how popular the boat ramp and foreshore area is for families and visitors to the area.

“Particularly on weekends and over the Summer months, the boat ramp and trailer parking is full from sunrise to sunset, with people coming in and out all day,” he said.

“It also brings a range of visitors to the area from neighbouring suburbs, which helps support our nearby cafes and restaurants.”

Chair of the Infrastructure and Assets Committee, Councillor Rachel Stanton, said boat ramps were a key part of Council’s infrastructure portfolio, outlining they provided a range of positive benefits to the community.

“Council manages more than 100 boat ramps, wharves and jetties on the Central Coast and the scale highlights how popular our waterways like Brisbane Water and Tuggerah Lakes are,” she said.

“This is a key part of our asset

portfolio and it is important we continue looking at ways to renew and improve these facilities across the region so that local families and tourists can enjoy our coastline.” Cr Stanton said.

The estimated construction duration is four to six weeks and works will be planned around suitable tidal windows.

An environmental assessment and approvals are currently being carried out and following their completion, a start date will be scheduled.

Trial for over-parkers in Gosford CBD

A trial of a new system of an in-car camera that can calculate parking and vehicle compliance issues in real time will be undertaken in Gosford’s CBD.

The system reads number plates and captures precise GPS coordinates using advanced technology to ensure location accuracy.

It can instantly verify associated parking permits and meter payments, streamlining enforcement processes.

Central Coast Council staff reported on the trial to councillors at the Environment and Planning Committee meeting on February 3.

“The system performs electronic chalking of vehicles during the first pass and, on the second pass, automatically alerts officers to vehicles in breach of parking regulations by sending a GPS-linked alert,” Council said.

Draft legislation released by the Federal Government will see a nationwide crackdown and ban on unfair trading practices including hidden transaction fees and subscription traps.

Federal Member for Dobell Emma McBride welcomed the draft legislation calling for a fairer playing field for local consumers.

Ms McBride said many people had added an item to their cart only to discover extra charges at the final screen or found themselves locked into subscriptions that were far easier to start than to stop.

Get your gloves on for Clean Up Australia Day with an Avoca Beach community group leading the local charge on Sunday, March 1.

Avoca Beach Community Association President Janet Aitchison said everyone in Avoca Beach, including families, retirees and kids, was invited to spend just an hour or two making a real difference to the local environment. Since its inception, more than 23 million volunteers have joined the Clean Up effort nationwide.

In 2025, more than 800,000 people volunteered across 8,000 events nationally during the Clean Up Australia Day campaigns.

“Our nation’s litter disposal and recycling challenges are continuously shifting, but the one thing we know for certain is that too much litter is still

will physically check cars before issuing fines.

In 2025, the State Government introduced changes to the Fines Administration Act which mandated that infringement notices have to be physically affixed to vehicles.

“This requirement has introduced new operational risks, including increased exposure for parking officers who must approach vehicles in potentially unsafe conditions,” Council said.

CBD and in Terrigal, installing 450 underground sensors to monitor overstays. But apparently the system had issues and proved unreliable and impractical for enforcement, due to inaccuracy of information and the cost of replacement to damaged or faulty sensors.

In 2023, Council issued 1,257 parking fines within the Gosford CBD.

“This will improve efficiency and compliance monitoring.”

Currently, Council deploys two parking officers to patrol the Gosford CBD daily. Their duties include manually chalking tyres to monitor timed parking and issuing tickets for safety breaches such as noparking, no-stopping, and parking in disabled spaces without a valid permit.

“This has resulted in an increase in disputes and confrontations by motorists.

“It also reduced efficiency as officers had to allocate time to secure notices to vehicles.”

The in-car system will alert the two parking officers who

In 2017, Council received a grant to implement smart parking technology in Gosford

Cracking down on hidden transaction fees

She said that although these small weekly or monthly changes could add up and chip away at household budgets and undermine trust in the marketplace.

Ms McBride said with costof-living pressures front of mind, the Government was acting to make sure the price consumers saw was actually the price they paid.

The draft laws would outlaw harmful business conduct that unreasonably manipulated or distorted consumer decisionmaking, in addition to targeting subscription traps and hidden transaction fees.

Under the proposed reforms, businesses offering subscriptions in Australia would need to disclose key information before sign-up, notify customers at critical points during a subscription, and provide a clear, straightforward way to cancel.

Transaction fees would also have to be prominently disclosed, so consumers were not ambushed by unexpected costs at checkout.

“Many Coasties are dealing with cost-of-living pressures, and while trying to make ends meet the last thing they need is hidden changes or subscriptions

they can’t get out of,” Ms McBride said.

“I will be supporting legislation that cracks down on hidden fees and subscription traps, to create a fair playing field for consumers.

“I would encourage locals to make a submission to the Treasury Consultation Hub about their experience with hidden fees and subscription traps.”

Submissions can be made online via consult.treasury. gov.au/c2026-739506 until February 23.

In 2024, it was 1,795 fines. By October 30, 2025, it was up to 2,023 fines, despite the year not yet being complete. A report will come back to Council about the trial before Council decides whether to proceed with full-time implementation across the Local Government Area.

Gloves on for Clean Up Australia Day

making its way into our streets, parks, bushland and waterways,” Clean Up Australia Day Chair Pip Kiernan said.

The FY Clean Up Australia Litter Report, which provides a snapshot of litter collected across Australia from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, highlights that plastics remained the number one litter type, accounting for 80.8% of all counted litter.

Last year the Avoca cleanup was organised by Plastic Free Avoca Beach in conjunction with Aquafun, who let people use their kayaks for free to pick up rubbish around the lagoon.

That cleanup at Heazlett Park collected approximately 45kg of rubbish.

“We hope to collect more this year,” Ms Aitchison said.

A spokesperson for Central Coast Council said about 50 people participated on the day.

Avoca Beach local and Gosford East Ward Councillor Jared Wright said Council played an important advocacy role to promote Clean Up Australia Day, each year encouraging residents to support efforts in their suburbs.

“Clean Up Australia Day events complement the work of organisations like Clean4shore, based at Macmasters Beach, who are doing amazing work to beautify our waterways and community

precincts each and every day,” he said.

Cr Wright said he looked forward to heading down to lend a hand this year.

Avoca Beach Community Association speaks to the

broader sense of community and connection the movement fosters, giving residents the opportunity to meet neighbours and do simple things to make local suburbs better places in which to live.

“It’s not just about picking up rubbish, it’s about protecting our environment and showing the next generation that we care about the world we’re leaving them,” Ms Aitchison said.

Meetup will be opposite the Avoca Drive Hi Tide Takeaway, Avoca Beach, starting at 9am for a cleanup of the neighbouring reserve.

A spokesperson for Clean Up Australia Day said there were many cleanup sites across the Central Coast and event registrations were still open. Join an event or create one at cleanup.org.au

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Men’s shed members lend a helping hand

The container deposit scheme, Return and Earn, is celebrating eight successful years of recycling, refunding and keeping litter out of the environment, with huge returns recorded at Central Coast sites.

The scheme has seen more than 14.7 billion drink containers returned through the statewide network of more than 660 return points and more than $1.4B in container refunds returned to recyclers.

That includes 669,971,175 drink containers recycled in 31

The Nurtured Village is looking for new volunteers from the Central Coast to help support families experiencing hardship in the community by delivering hampers.

Founded in 2019, the organisation delivers home cooked meals, essential items, non-perishables and more to mums around Australia in an effort to bring back the traditional village of support in early parenthood.

“Our Central Coast volunteer took pause mid last year as she welcomed a baby,” a spokesperson said.

Members of Gosford Men’s Shed believe in supporting other groups for the betterment of the community and they recently helped Marine Rescue Brisbane Water out with several projects.

These include the servicing of the Unit’s standby generator and the building of a trailer trolley to help manoeuvre bulky items around the base.

The Men’s Shed also took a lead role in the creation of the memorial commemorating past members of the Point Clare base, including the refurbishing of the memorial anchor and steel bands for memorial name plates that decorate the 2m-high

sandstone structure.

Men’s Shed president Larry Lloyd said groups helping each other made the community much stronger.

“A few years ago, all the Men’s Sheds on the Coast started to work together on safety issues to make each unit more secure and stronger, and from that, we’ve openly supported other community groups from the Peninsula to Lake Haven,” he said.

Most members are adept at creating wooden toys for various organisations, including Narara and Kariong fire brigades, and the group is very proud to have provided Gosford Hospital with more than 1,000 hand-crafted toys during 2025.

Eight big years for Return and Earn

active return points across the Central Coast and 175,096,953 drink containers recycled in the Wyong electorate.

Since launching on December 1, 2017, Return and Earn has changed behaviour to make recycling part of everyday routines.

Return and Earn has also become a great way to fundraise for many charities and community groups in NSW.

More than $82M has been raised from donations and fees from hosting return points since the scheme began.

The scheme’s birthday coincides with Return and Earn releasing the latest Local Government Area Network Volume Report, which shows eight years of enthusiastic community participation in the scheme by council area.

Minister for Central Coast, Member for Wyong David Harris said two out of every three containers sold in NSW were returned for the 10c refund, showing just how much the community valued Return and Earn.

“Here on the Central Coast our community has returned

over 660,000,000 containers which is a fantastic achievement,” he said.

“Return and Earn is delivering both environmental and economic outcomes.

“It reduces containers going to landfill and contributes to NSW’s circular economy, as well as putting refunds back in people’s pockets.”

Households are encouraged to check the live status of their nearest return point on the Return and Earn app or website before visiting.

The group also actively supports Elsie’s Retreat, the palliative care unit at the local hospital and the Cancer Day Care Clinic.

Marine Rescue Brisbane Water Unit Commander Ian Morrow praised the camaraderie between the various community volunteer groups on the Coast.

“It is wonderful to have the benefit of all the volunteer organisations throughout the region,” he said.

“Our thanks to Gosford Men’s Shed for the work they do, the experience and quality workmanship they apply to the projects they undertake.”

The Nurtured Village needs volunteers

“Our goal is to engage new volunteers so that we can continue providing support to Central Coast mums.

“Once we have established volunteers we (will be able to approach) local businesses to become a partner and assist with funding hampers for the coming months.

“Our organisation is entirely volunteer lead, and while we are mostly all mums juggling volunteering with home and paid work, we welcome community members from all stages of life – we would love to have more dads and men join us.

“Volunteering is incredibly flexible and can look very different depending on what

people are drawn to from admin to physically gathering and delivering hampers and

Gosford Uniting Church celebrates 100 years

Gosford Uniting Church recently marked 100 years of worship at Donnison St, opposite Kibble Park.

In January 1926, a purposebuilt hall was opened for worship and Sunday School.

In 1955, an adjoining new

worship centre was opened. To mark the anniversary, a special service was led by Pastor Gray Knight, with Presbytery Chairperson Rev Keith Garner giving a Declaration of Grace.

Past ministers Rev Greg

Woolnough and Rev Lorna Martin took part in the service.

A Centennial Banner was dedicated to be hung on the wall.

Morning tea was held in the hall with Keith Garner cutting the celebration cake.

Photo displays of weddings and past events were displayed on the walls, along with balloons and bunting.

Many past church members were welcomed back as they chatted with current members of the congregation.

engaging with community and local businesses.”

The spokesperson said the organisation was determined no family would be left behind as demand for support continued to grow.

Since its inception in 2019, The Nurtured Village has positively impacted thousands of lives.

Milestones achieved in 2025 include: 411 hampers delivered; 72 urgent requests met; 15 tonnes of essential goods shared; and $328,952 reinvested directly into communities.

In the brief time it operated on the Central Coast, the organisation delivered almost a dozen hampers with more than 400 items donated.

Volunteering with The Nurtured Village Hampers is flexible, welcoming, and community-driven.

No prior experience is required, just a willingness to help and support local families when they need it most.

To find out more and volunteer go to www. thenurturedvillage.org or join the Facebook group The Nurtured Village Hampers Central Coast.

NEWS IN BRIEF Volunteer awards

Nominations are now open for 2026 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards across seven categories, with Coasties being urged to nominate worthy friends or family members.

The awards are now in their 20th year and are one the largest celebrations of volunteering across the country.

Run by The Centre for Volunteering, they recognise the outstanding work of volunteers in every region across NSW.

According to the 2025 NSW State of Volunteering Report, volunteers across the state give 1.3 billion hours of their time to their communities each year, contributing $205.3 billion to the NSW economy.

The Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate said now more than ever, we need to shine a light on the positive impact of volunteering.

Nominations are open until Friday, May 29, at www. volunteering.com.au

See full story online: coastcommunitynews.com.au

Keeping Yarramalong connected

Ausgrid has launched its first community resilience hub designed with the Yarramalong Valley community to strengthen their ability to stay connected during power outages and emergencies.

The new back-up power system at Yarramalong School of Arts Hall is the result of 18 months of collaboration between Ausgrid, the Yarramalong School of Arts Hall committee and Central Coast Council to deliver a fit-for-purpose, locally-led solution.

Ausgrid has funded the installation of a solar and

battery back-up system, fully automated to disconnect from the grid during outages and use stored solar power to keep the hub powered.

A recent community afternoon tea held at the hall marked a significant milestone in a broader pipeline of initiatives designed to support communities like Yarramalong.

Group Executive Network & Digital Junayd Hollis said the hub had been designed as a safe, trusted place where residents could access electricity, information and support when extreme weather disrupts power, roads and telecommunications.

“We know communities like Yarramalong experience power disruptions due to extreme weather,” he said.

“This hub recognises that reality and forms part of a wider suite of work underway to better support communities.

“The Yarramalong hub’s development has been community-led with the Committee playing a central role in shaping the design, ensuring it aligned with how the hall is already used and trusted during times of need.

“With extreme weather becoming more frequent, we are taking a layered approach, combining our network

maintenance and upgrades with community-based resilience solutions.”

The hub has already proven its value.

During high winds in early January, the hall remained fully powered while much of the valley experienced an outage – allowing activities to continue uninterrupted, and providing a safe space for the community, exactly as intended.

“This project sets a new benchmark for how we partner with communities that face repeated disruption,” Mr Hollis said.

“It’s not a one-off, it’s part of

a long-term commitment to building resilience across our network, where it’s needed most.”

The Yarramalong hub complements Ausgrid’s wider resilience program across the Central Coast, including bushfire-resistant pole wraps, covered conductors,automated restoration technology and faster fault detection to reduce outage duration during storms. Ausgrid is also working with communities to improve preparedness, including new outage planning tools and onthe-ground support from local Community Resilience Liaison Officers.

Heritage home worth saving

The recent article in CCN 522 concerning 3 Burns Rd contains a contradiction worth noting.

It says papers lodged with the DA suggest there is nothing left to preserve, yet one of the proposed development options involves salvaging and repurposing original windows, pressed metal, and other heritage elements.

If those items are worth retaining, then the building itself clearly still holds heritage value.

The public is not privy to the interior condition of such buildings.

Heritage value is primarily experienced from the street, through scale, form, materials, and the continuity of place.

Even where interiors have been altered or modernised, a building’s cultural and historical significance can remain intact through its streetscape.

A nearby example is 25 Pacific Hwy, Ourimbah, constructed in 1911 and also built by the Jaques family.

It had suffered neglect and unsympathetic alterations but has since been repaired and reinstated.

The outcome is visible from the street, and before-andafter images are publicly available online.

It demonstrates that deterioration does not automatically equate to loss.

What is often missing from these discussions is the distinction between neglect and irreparable loss.

Localised damage and inappropriate alterations can be addressed by removing only the damaged material and reinstating it with like-for-like materials, preferably recycled or appropriate modern equivalents.

It is a surgical process rather than wholesale replacement. This repair-led approach is well established in timber boat restoration but is less common in domestic construction, where demolition and replacement have become accepted practice. They are familiar, easier to scope, and widely perceived as more cost-effective.

Historic timber vessels, some surviving for centuries through successive repair rather than replacement, demonstrate the durability of this approach.

If individual elements are considered worth salvaging, then the form, scale, and streetscape presence of the building itself should also be part of the conversation.

A common-sense heritage response is to retain and repair what contributes to the public realm, rather than permitting redevelopment that results in demolition and loss.

Email, Feb 4

Ross Mitchell, Ourimbah

How about a statue of Flinders and Bungaree together?

In edition 521 I read a very interesting and enlightening brief story in David Abrahams’ editorial about an Aboriginal man, Bungaree, who formed a sailing partnership with Matthew Flinders.

For Bungaree’s critical role in the first circumnavigation of the Australian continent he was deservingly rewarded with opportunities and a desirable lifestyle.

Perhaps more importantly, Bungaree and Flinders were the two key people in a concerted and diligent campaign to create, foster and advance a collaborative and united relationship between the Aborigines and the settlers around the whole country.

I very much support David’s suggestion to erect a statue to

ON THE BEAT

Police blitz on rail network

A Gosford man is one of 24 people charged by police in a three-day operation across key areas of the Sydney to Newcastle railway line.

Operation Halo was established by the Police Transport Command’s North Central team to prevent and disrupt criminal activity across key areas of the public transport network.

The operation united resources from Metropolitan Sydney and the Northern Region, deploying strategies to target anti-social behaviour, criminal activity, and those wanted by police across the transport network.

FORUM ON

allegedly located and seized a walking stick with a concealed knife, spear gun, metal baton, and a compound bow and arrows.

The 33-year-old man was arrested and taken to Gosford Police Station where he was charged on four counts of possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit and use prohibited weapon contrary to prohibition order.

honour the work and memory of Bungaree.

However, I believe the following alternative idea would be far more appropriate, beneficial and effective.

I suggest erecting a single statue of both of these pioneering visionary mates standing together, side by side, hand in hand just as they did in life.

My wish would be that such a statue would become an icon for a lasting, peaceful, cohesive nation, united as one people.

At the very least I hope that type of statue may prompt some people to think before they vandalise it or other statues.

Email, Feb 2

John King, San Remo

Lazy and pathetic threat from Council

Does the proposed “mothballing” of Polytec Stadium (CCN 523) not

strike anyone else as incredibly lazy and shortsighted planning from what is becoming increasingly apparent is a completely ineffectual local council?

An asset such as this should be being used to drive future income to cover any supposed shortfall in charges.

This proposed measure, along with cutting tourism promotional activities, is nothing short of negligence by the local council and sells the entire area and population short.

How disgustingly lazy, and quite frankly pathetic, to threaten the local community with such outcomes in order to argue in favour of sustained stormwater charges after the pain every local household has had to endure due to increased rates from this same council’s bungled financial management. Serve the people better or get out.

15

Men refused bail over carpark scams

Further charges have been laid as detectives continue to investigate fraud and stealing offences allegedly committed in carparks in dozens of locations across NSW, including Wyong.

appear before Bail Division Court on Thursday, January 8, and were formally refused bail and remain before the courts.

From February 5-7, officers from the Police Transport Command North Central were assisted by local officers at key locations in Newcastle, Gosford, and Sydney.

and seven Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO) compliance checks were completed.

As a result of the operation: 24 people were arrested and charged for a range of offences; 961 people were scanned for knives, with two knives seized; 17 drug detections were made;

The Gosford man was charged after police conducted an FPO compliance search at a home in Faunce St at about 10.40am on Thursday, February 5.

During the search, police

He was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court on Friday, February 6, and was formally refused bail to appear before Gosford Local Court on Wednesday, February 18.

Police will continue to conduct similar operations for community safety and to maintain a secure environment for commuters.

Charges laid over historic sex crimes

Sex Crimes Squad detectives have charged a man over several alleged historical sexual assaults nearly 30 years ago.

Police believe the same offender was involved in numerous sexual assaults between 1997 and 2000.

On Saturday, October 4, 1997, a 23-year-old woman was approached along a pathway at Shelly Beach by an unknown man, who forcibly and indecently touched the woman and then fled the scene.

On Friday, February 28, 1998, at about 9.45am a 52-year-old woman was sunbaking on

Forresters Beach when she was sexually assaulted

On Friday, October 30, 1998, a teenage girl was sexually assaulted while walking along a bush track at Forresters Beach.

On Wednesday, April 14,1999, a 16-year-old girl was kicked, punched and indecently touched while walking along a bush track at Budgewoi Beach. During the attack the man may have sustained an injury to his hand consistent with a bite mark.

On Saturday, August 28, 1999, three young girls were walking along a trail at Putty Beach near

Killcare when they were approached by a naked man.

As the man ran towards the girls, two were able to flee, but a 16-year-old tripped and was allegedly sexually assaulted by the man.

The assaults were initially investigated under Strike Force Northgate before the matter was referred to the State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad under Strike Force Caphs in 2022.

Following extensive inquiries – including a public appeal for information and the use of Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) – Strike

Force detectives arrested a 73-year-old man at a service station on Tweed Valley Way in Murwillumbah at about 7am on Friday, February 13.

He was taken to Tweed Heads Police Station, where he was charged on one count of sexual intercourse without consent, two counts of aggravated sexual assault-inflict actual bodily harm on victim, and three counts of assault with act of indecency.

The man was refused bail.

Officers attached to North West Metropolitan Region established Strike Force Pitstop to investigate the incidents in which two men worked together to steal from multiple elderly females at shopping centre carparks, between Saturday, January 3 and Wednesday, January 7.

One of the men would allegedly approach the victims, claiming there was an issue with their vehicle before asking them to raise the bonnet and inspect.

While the bonnet was up, another man allegedly stole items such as wallets, purses, cash and cards from inside the vehicle.

Police arrested two men, aged 37 and 57, at about 12.20pm on Wednesday, January 7, at Glenthorne.

They were charged with 72 offences each, relating to alleged fraud, theft, and entering a vehicle without consent.

Both men were refused bail to

Police believe the men arrived in Australia on Sunday, December 28, when they allegedly made false representations on passenger cards and visa applications.

On Monday, February 16, a further 17 offences were laid in court.

The men will appear before Parramatta Local Court and are now charged with a total of 89 offences each.

Police continue to appeal for information about two other men they wish to speak with, both of Caucasian appearance and in their 40s.

One is of solid build, depicted wearing a white with black checkered long sleeve shirt, black shorts, sunglasses, and a black hat with a white graphic on front.

The other is of medium build, depicted wearing a white sleeve shirt, black shorts, black shoes with white bottoms, a blue face mask, and a black hat with a white graphic on front.

Anyone who recognises these men should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or nsw.crimestoppers.com.au

Dinner With Friends opens at Peninsula Theatre

The Pulitzer Prize-winning play Dinner With Friends will open Woy Woy Little Theatre’s 2026 season on February 20.

Written by Donald Margulies, the play centres on two married couples whose long-standing friendship is shaken when one couple’s marriage dissolves.

Through its four characters, the play explores the fragility of relationships, the shifting nature of intimacy, and the impact of change on long-term bonds.

Jarrod Rizzardo and Jessica Curtis play Karen and Gabe, food writers in their 30s.

Insecure Beth (Madi Leidich) is Karen’s best friend since college and is married to Tom (Paul Karton), a hot tempered and impulsive lawyer.

The play moves between several locations -Karen and Gabe’s home in Connecticut, Beth’s home, Tom’s apartment in the city, and a seaside home in Martha’s Vineyard, with the shifting settings mirroring the changing dynamics of the friendships.

Director Liz Munro has turned her backstage crew into waiters, with Lucia Mandile, Jenna Arnold and Chad Davis appearing frequently on stage.

“When I first read Dinner with Friends, I was immediately drawn into its emotional intensity,” Munro said.

“It is a play that feels deeply familiar; every audience member will recognise moments from their own marriages, friendships, or from the lives of people they know.

“Margulies’ writing captures the quiet fractures and seismic shifts of adult relationships with honesty and precision, making the journey both confronting and compelling.

“To prepare the actors for this emotional rollercoaster, we spent considerable time exploring character arcs, the history and dynamics for each relationship or friendship, and the motivations behind how each character responds as events unfold.

“Understanding how these bonds were formed – and why they fracture – was essential.

“That work has paid off, and I am immensely proud of the nuanced, courageous performances delivered by our four lead actors who have been a joy to work with.” Munro said the absence of a traditional set was a deliberate choice.

“I wanted nothing to distract

from Margulies’ exquisite dialogue or the raw, truthful performances on stage,” she said.

“Instead, my aim was to evoke the experience of an Italian degustation: the familiar comfort of food layered with new, unexpected flourishes –much like Jon Batiste’s contemporary reinterpretations of classic musical forms that accompany the scene transitions.

“Food, and its connection to relationships, is a central theme of this play.

“It begins in the first scene with Gabe and Karen regaling Beth with their recent food writing trip to Italy; every scene returns to this theme in one form or another.

“I have highlighted this through scene transitions inspired by Italian fine dining, with waiters and courses reflecting the evolving stages of the story.”

Dinner With Friends opens at Peninsula Theatre, Woy Woy, on Friday, February 20, for 10 sessions over three weekends.

Bookings are available at woywoylt.com

A new locally produced comedy web series, Gosford City Players, has launched on YouTube, documenting a fictional community theatre company as it unravels following the closing night of The Mikado.

Produced by Gosford City Productions in association with Space Gorilla, the series was created by Central Coast locals Shane Emmett, Carley Edmonds and Timothy Wilde, who between them bring more than 60 years of combined experience across film and television, spanning acting, producing, writing, and directing.

Filming took place entirely on the Central Coast, including at

New comedy series filmed on Coast

Red Tree Theatre and on the streets of Gosford.

Rather than presenting an idealised portrait of amateur

theatre, Gosford City Players depicts leadership under pressure, institutional confusion, fragile egos, and the specific absurdity of trying to

run a volunteer arts organisation while being publicly criticised.

The web series is being released episode by episode

and is intended as a proof of concept for an ongoing television series planned to be shot on the Central Coast.

The project has already attracted interest from several overseas distributors and broadcasters.

The series opens with backlash over yellowface on stage.

Within hours, the company’s treasurer disappears with the remaining funds, and Kip Henry, the director of The Mikado, asserts himself as the company’s self-appointed saviour.

He announces radical new plans, overrides process, and escalates every situation through ego, optics management, and unchecked

confidence, pushing the same overstretched, largely white cast and volunteers toward what he frames as the most culturally diverse production Gosford has ever seen.

The fallout is captured by Alan, the company’s videographer, who embeds himself inside emergency committee meetings, audition rooms, casting deliberations, and post-show confrontations as the group attempts to keep itself afloat.

Several episodes are now live on YouTube.

Watch them by visiting www. gosfordcityplayers.com and clicking the YouTube icon.

Keep up to date on the series on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook: @thegosfordcityplayers

Mask theatre work blends myth with emotion

A story about goodbye, memory and the complicated love between fathers and sons will unfold on stage at the Fun Haus Factory on Friday, February 20.

Central Coast theatre maker Angus Temrak returns home to premiere Son of Hercules, an original mask theatre work that blends ancient Greek mythology with a deeply personal and recognisable human experience.

Presented as part of the From Gosford With Love artist opportunity, the performance will mark the Central Coast debut of a work shaped by years of travel, training and creative searching across the world.

A son sits beside his father’s bed; the man who once told bedtime stories now listens as his child reads to him instead.

And as the son searches for the right words to say goodbye, myth and memory begin to intertwine.

Through storytelling and mask performance, the audience is drawn into the legend of Hyllus – the devoted son of Hercules – who dreams of living up to his father’s heroic legacy.

Meanwhile Deianira, Hercules’ overlooked wife, makes a desperate attempt to rekindle love using a mythical charm, unknowingly setting tragedy in motion.

Balancing humour with heartbreak, Son of Hercules explores how epic stories mirror ordinary lives – revealing that even heroes are sons, parents, and flawed human beings navigating impossible choices.

A chaotic improv class at Mad Cow Theatre ignited a lifelong

pursuit of storytelling for Temrak.

“At 14, I had no idea what I

wanted to do,” he said.

“That first class felt strange and unpredictable – but

something clicked.

“I realised storytelling was how I understood the world.”

Temrak travelled extensively, living and studying in Japan, France, Italy and Germany and visiting more than 25 countries.

His search eventually led him to a small village in Tuscany and the renowned Atelier Mask Movement Theatre, where he trained under master teacher Matteo Destro.

There, he learned to communicate emotion through movement and the expressive power of handcrafted masks – an ancient theatrical form that strips performance back to its essence: body, breath and story.

“The mask forces honesty,” he said.

“You can’t rely on facial expression or words alone; everything must come from

intention and connection.”

Son of Hercules bridges cultures, classical mythology and contemporary life while asking audiences to reflect on family, forgiveness and what it means to say goodbye. The performance forms part of From Gosford With Love, a Central Coast initiative supporting local artists to develop and present original work with professional production support, helping regional creatives take their stories beyond the Coast. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult to this 12+ performance, which contains themes relating to voluntary assisted dying (VAD). Enjoy happy hour from 6pm and an early dinner before the performance kicks off at 7.30pm.

For bookings head to funhausfactory.org.au

Pop Art Cabaret offers vibrant colour and music

This Saturday, February 21, Gosford’s Fun Haus Factory invites audiences into a vibrant world of colour, music and celebration as it presents a one-of-a-kind Pop Art Cabaret starring Sydney drag icon Wonder Mama alongside acclaimed pianist Lindsay Partridge. Blending live music, drag performance and interactive visual art, the evening promises a joyful and unexpected cabaret experience where audiences are not just spectators, but collaborators in the creative process.

In a fusion of pop culture, storytelling and artistic expression, audiences will be invited to help create a live

artwork in real time, transforming the theatre into a shared canvas where performance and visual art collide.

At the heart of the cabaret is Wonder Mama, a beloved figure in Sydney’s drag community who is celebrating 10 years since her first appearance in the Sydney Mardi Gras Parade in 2015, a parade she has marched in every year since.

Known for her warmth, wit and unmistakable stage presence, Wonder Mama has performed across Australia at major pride festivals including our Coastal Twist Festival, Darwin Pride, Top End Pride, Adelaide Feast Festival, and Sydney Fringe Festival.

Beyond the spotlight, she is also recognised as a passionate community advocate, regularly supporting events and fundraisers for initiatives such

as Wear It Purple Day and the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation.

Sharing the stage will be celebrated pianist and musical director Lindsay Partridge,

whose remarkable career spans some of Australia’s most iconic musical theatre productions.

Recently performing in the final season of The Wharf Revue, Partridge has served as musical director for Cabaret at the Hayes Theatre and assistant musical director for the national tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

His extensive credits include Les Misérables, Wicked, Chicago, The Lion King, Mamma Mia, Cats, Into the Woods, The Boy From Oz, and The King and I, among many others.

His career has also reached international stages, touring as keyboardist for Sting with the

Sydney Symphony Orchestra and performing in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People in The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. For many Australians, he is a familiar musical presence from ABC’s Play School.

Audiences are encouraged to make a full night of it, with doors opening at 6pm for a $15 cocktail happy hour alongside burgers and street feats from Beau’s Burgers before the 7pm performance.

Designed as a dinner-andshow experience, the cabaret offers a lively night out where art, music and celebration meet.

Book at funhausfactory.org. au

OUT&ABOUT BRIEF

Rehearsed play readings

Uniting Productions will hold its monthly Writer’s Room Readings from 1-5pm on Saturday, February 21, at the Uniting Church Hall in Donnison St, Gosford.

Admission will be free and there will be a Q&A session following the readings along with tea, coffee and biscuits.

Plays to be read will be: Overheard on a Train by Margaret McGowan; Last Chance Dance by Paul Callaghan; Phone Call From Edna by Christine Kilner; The Dentist by Clive McCormack; and One Night Sit by Simon Tonkin.

Uniting Productions welcomes short scripts, especially those written by locals, to be rehearsed for presentation to an audience, with feedback and encouragement.

Writers who have worked with the group have been successful in having their scripts accepted for festivals and/or produced.

For more information go to gosfordwyoming.uniting church.org.au

See full story online: coastcommunitynews.com.au

Spotlight shines on themes of love and romance

For their first concert of 2026, Phoenix Collective delve deeply into themes of love and romance when they perform on February 22 at the Central Coast Conservatorium Robert Knox Hall at 2pm.

Written as a gift for his wife, cellist Alexander Borodin’s tender String Quartet no. 2, with its famous slow movement, remains the gold standard of romantic chamber music.

By contrast, Australian superstar composer Ella Macens’s hauntingly beautiful A Love Worth Fighting For details an emotional response to a relationship break-up.

Three Scandinavian traditional wedding tunes balance out the program, each one artfully representing different stages of married life.

Phoenix Collective is one of Australia’s most versatile and dynamic ensembles.

Formed in 2018, Phoenix rapidly became a fixture of the musical landscape with their own series of concerts, touring Sydney, Canberra and the Central Coast.

Their activities have continued to grow,including performances at Sydney Opera House and national touring for Musica Viva in Schools.

Phoenix’s innovative approach has seen them collaborate with artists in a variety of genres, including the late opera superstar Jacqui Dark, Katie Noonan and Tibetan traditional musician Tenzin Choegyal, with whom they performed at the National Folk Festival, National Multicultural Festival and Melbourne Recital Centre.

In 2023 they performed for the Australia Awards with legendary didgeridoo player

William Barton, First Nations opera singer Shauntai Sherree Abdul Rahman and gave a presentation for TedX at Canberra Theatre, A Language Without Words – How Music Conveys Contrasting Emotions.

Phoenix Collective also champions new music, and have performed world premieres by Australian composers Sally Whitwell, Mace Francis, Ella Macens and rising star Emma Greenhill.

They have broadcast through the Australian Digital Concert Hall, and produced their own digital content with the help of grants provided by the Australia Council for the Arts and the Australian Culture Fund.

Their eighth album, Modern Folk, has recently been released. With an everincreasing recording and external workload, Phoenix Collective is one of Australia’s busiest string quartets.

Their schedule includes Candlelight concerts for international company Fever, for whom they have performed many sold-out programs from Beethoven and Mozart string quartets to Daft Punk, Taylor Swift and Studio Ghibli. This year will also see them continue their series of concerts for the vulnerable at Wayside Chapel under the auspices of Judith Neilson.

From Gosford With Love open for round two

The Fun Haus Factory has announced the six successful artists selected for Round 1 of From Gosford With Love, a 12-month tour-ready professional development program supporting Central Coast creatives to take their work to the next level.

Applications for Round 2 are now open.

The inaugural round attracted a high volume of applications from across the Central Coast, making it a highly competitive selection process.

The final artists were chosen for the strength of their creative vision, readiness to tour, and the potential for their work to

reach audiences beyond the region.

Delivered by Fun Haus Factory in partnership with Central Coast Council, From Gosford With Love removes the financial and logistical barriers that often prevent regional artists from progressing.

The program provides full production support, marketing and communications development, and high-quality promotional assets, enabling artists to launch work locally and prepare for national touring.

Across the year, selected artists will present work at Fun Haus Factory while developing the tools, confidence and industry-standard materials

What’s On What’s On What’s On What’s On

SAT 21 FEB

FREE FINANCIAL

WELLBEING WORKSHOP:

GOSFORD LIBRARY HALL

10:30 - 11:30AM

DINNER WITH FRIENDS:

WOY WOY LITTLE THEATRE [* TO 8 MAR]

Jamie Hay With Liam WhiteSunset Months Album Launch: Link and Pin, Woy Woy 8pm

Son of Hercules (Mask Storytelling): FunHaus Factory, Gosford 7.30pm

Dreams - Fleetwood Mac &

Stevie Nicks Tribute Show: Drifters Wharf, Gosford 8pm

DJ Moustache Friyay Vinyl Party!: Link and Pin 4pm

Radium Girls Presented by Wyong Drama Group: Red Tree Theatre, Tuggerah *to Mar 28

Harrison Hoven: Gosford RSL 8:30pm

Central Coast Dogs Day Out: Terilbah Reserve, The Entrance 9am

The Central Coast Trifecta Spartan Race: 69 Cooks Road, Glenworth Valley 7.30am

Vinyl Freak - Vinyl Listening Club: Funhaus Factory, Gosford 12pm

Wonder Mama’s Pop-Art Cabaret: Funhaus Factory, Gosford 8pm

Daniel Champagne: Avoca Beach Theatre 8pm

James Reyne “Fall Of Crawl” Tour: Drifters Wharf, Gosford 7pm

Beefweek + The Pingers +The Tombstone Ramblers: Link And Pin, Woy Woy 6pm

Soul On The Central Coast: Link and Pin, Woy Woy 1pm

needed to grow sustainable creative careers.

The six artists selected for Round 1 represent a dynamic cross-section of the Central Coast’s creative voice include Ugbad Haji Hared, an emerging producer behind Baddie Behaviour, an Afrobeats, R&B and Hip Hop party blending DJs, live performance and unapologetic energy; BMANZ, the creator of BMANZ & Friends, a grassroots rap and hip hop live music series centred on community and collaboration and Axel Starviking who is developing Changeling, a new music-theatre work blending original compositions, storytelling and immersive sound.

SUN 22 FEB

WOY WOY PENINSULA

LIONS CLUB: CAR BOOT

SALE: DUNBAN ROAD CAR PARK, WOY WOY 7AM - 1PM

Football: Central Coast Mariners Mens Vs Western Sydney Wanderers FC: polytec Stadium, Gosford 5pm

Bravewords Live: FunHaus Factory, Gosford 5pm

Melinda Schneider - The ‘TENDER’ Tour: Avoca Beach Theatre 1.30pm

Creating Art with Calligraphy and Stitching Workshop: Creative Spaces Gallery Container, Toukley Village Green 10am

The Necks: Avoca Beach Theatre 7.30pm

The Terrys Regional Tour: Drifters Wharf, Gosford 4pm

Bathtub Gin Trio: Gosford RSL 1pm

Purple Disturbance w/ Madam Sandler + Suppress The Grump: Link And Pin, Woy Woy 2pm

The other three artists selected were Johnny Devilseed who is launching a bold new cabaret production mixing comedy, live music and personal storytelling; Angus Temrak who performs theatre and mask-based storytelling exploring powerful narrative, myth and family relationships and Ruby Archer, an acclaimed live music artist preparing the launch of a new album and tour-ready performance.

Audiences will see these artists presenting work at Fun Haus Factory throughout 2026, strengthening Gosford’s reputation as a hub for bold, contemporary creative practice.

Creative Director of Fun Haus

MON 23 FEB

Library Lovers Bingo Challenge: Toukley Library 9am

TUE 24 FEB

RETIRED LAUGHING: THE ART HOUSE THEATRE, WYONG 2PM & 7PM

Retail and Food Service Information Session: Gosford RSL Club 9am

Northern Resonance String Trio (Sweden): Avoca Beach Theatre 7.30pm

WED 25 FEB

RETIRED LAUGHING: THE ART HOUSE THEATRE, WYONG 2PM & 7PM

Curiosity club: Gosford Regional Library 4pm

THU 26 FEB

MakerSpace: Finger Knitting for Kids: Gosford Regional Library 4pm

Welcome Choir Mardi Gras Edition: Can’t Get You Out of My

Factory Glitta Supernova said the demand for the program highlighted the need for sustained support for regional artists.

“The response to From Gosford With Love has been overwhelming,” Supernova said.

“We received an incredible number of high-quality applications, which only reinforced how much talent exists on the Central Coast and how few pathways there are for artists to move from local success to national stages.

“This program is about removing the barriers that stop artists in their tracks, whether that’s access to professional production, marketing support,

Head: FunHaus Factory, Gosford 7pm

Wink & Spin: Jack Shit House Social: Link and Pin, Woy Woy 6pm

FRI 27 FEB

DOWNSIZE WITH CONFIDENCE & OPEN DAY: BRENTWOOD VILLAGE, KINCUMBER 10:30 - 2PM

Oliver!: Laycock Street Community Theatre, Laycock Street, Wyoming [* to 14 Mar]

Troubadour Folk: Michael Fix (AUS) and Christine Collister (UK): Everglades, Woy Woy 7pm

Marty Sheargold – The Red Card Tour: The Art House Theatre, Wyong 8pm

Girrakool Blues Festival: 46 Marine Parade, The Entrance 10am [* to 2 Mar]

SAT 28 FEB

‘Lunch with Interesting People’ Fundraiser feat. Lucky Starr: The Point, East Gosford 1:30pm

or simply the confidence that comes from being backed.

“We want artists to know that their work is worthy, their stories matter, and they don’t have to leave home to build something powerful.” With Round 1 underway, Round 2 of From Gosford With Love is now open.

Central Coast artists, musicians and performers with tour-ready work planned for 2026–27 are encouraged to apply.

Applications close on Thursday April 9. For more information visit funhausfactory.org.au/ opportunities

Britishmania - A Tribute to the Greatest British Hits of the 60s & 70s: The Art House Theatre, Wyong 7:30pm

Football: Central Coast Mariners Mens Vs Newcastle Jets FC: polytec Stadium, Gosford 5pm

SUN 1 MAR

JAZZ & DANCING: PARKVIEW ROOM AT CENTRAL COAST LEAGUES CLUB, GOSFORD 2-5PM

TUE 3 MAR

WED 4 MAR

DISABILITY MATTERS: FREE WORKSHOP AND INFO SESSION: MINGARA RECREATION CLUB, TUMBI UMBI 10AM

THU 5 MAR

DISABILITY

SESSION: GOSFORD RSL CLUB, WEST GOSFORD 10AM

Documentary screening

The documentary film Women of Steel will screen at Wagstaffe Hall at 2pm on Saturday, February 28.

After being told there were no jobs for them at the local steel work a group of women begin a campaign against Australia’s most powerful company.

The political legal battle for the right to work changed the rules forever.

Using rare archival footage and speaking directly to camera the women of steel tell their own story for the first time on film.

Limited seeking is available.

Book at www.trybooking.

com/DGIJO

Avoca markets

Avoca Beachside Markets returns on Sunday, February 22, from 9am2pm on the beautiful waterfront surrounds of Avoca Lagoon.

Now entering our 15th year in 2026, the free monthly community event has more than 100 local and curated stalls across the entire site.

Deltaz duo to headline Blues on the Mountain

After touring extensively throughout Europe and their home country, America, The Deltaz are touring Australia for the very first time and will perform their only Central Coast show of the tour at the historic Mangrove Mountain Hall on Sunday, February 22.

Exclusive to Blues on the Mountain, one of Australia’s best Blues Rock exports, Owen Campbell, will also be performing at the event in a double headline act.

The Deltaz is a brother duo, John and Ted Siegel, blending Americana, blues-rock, and sibling harmonies into a sound steeped in the heart of American roots music.

Born and raised in the hills outside Los Angeles, the two spent their early years surrounded by the sounds of America’s past, carving out a name for themselves in Southern California’s live scene.

Early on, the brothers caught the attention of legendary bassist Rick Rosas, who became a mentor after hearing them perform at The Old Place.

During that time the brothers also shared the stage and

toured with alt-country standout The White Buffalo.

The duo relocated to Nashville in 2021, starting a new chapter with a two-song record Give It All To You released last September 2025.

Recorded live at Soil of the South Studio in Valdosta, Georgia with producer Mark Neill, Give It All to You is The Deltaz at their most unfiltered.

“This record has a completely different sound,” Ted Siegel said.

“Mark helped us tap into something raw, deeply emotional, and more rooted in the music we’ve always loved, R&B, country, and the blues.”

After years on the road, through personal upheaval and artistic growth, they’ve emerged more grounded than ever in the music that shaped them.

Owen Campbell is one of Australia’s premier alternative blues/rock exports with three best-selling studio albums, three Eps, and more than 12 years of national and international touring.

Campbell has wowed audiences in all corners of the world from the USA, Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, India, and even performing at the highest blues festival in the world, The Himalayan Blues Festival in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Central Coast

His sound is best described as alternative blues and soulful rock.

His debut album, Sunshine Road was released in late 2013, reaching number one on the overall Australian charts, knocking Adele off the top spot in 2014.

Campbell’s international success came with his second album, The Pilgrim, which charted in several countries, including France, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, and earned him critical acclaim in Europe.

Beyond his chart success, he is also known for his powerful live performances, where he showcases his impressive

slide guitar skills and emotive vocals.

He has toured extensively in Australia and overseas, including in the US, where he has built a dedicated following.

The Deltaz plus Owen Campbell will perform at Mangrove Mountain Hall on Sunday, February 22 at an allages family friendly event, with great food available to purchase, and BYO is welcome. Doors open at 2.30pm for 3pm start.

Camping sites are also available, pre booking essential.

Tickets are limited through Humantix.

Household Chemical CleanOut

CROSSWORD

46. Wise

48. Drilling insect

Ballroom favourite 50. Unspoilt paradise 52. Largest Bolivian city (2,3) 54. Lean

55. Did needlepoint

56. Skimpy pool outfit

57. Hardens

60. Starring role

62. Martial art

65. Weave (ropes) together

(book)

Pet welfare society (1,1,1,1,1)

30. Positive (attitude) (3-2)

Cuba’s former president, ... Castro

Scream wildly

South American

Disclaim

Plinth

Holds onto

Oodles

Reasons, ... & wherefores

Enthusiastic

67. Bonnie’s crime partner

69. Function host

70. Choose (government)

72. Managing director (1,1,1)

73. Idolise

75. Exchange 77. Ugly old woman 79. Resonant bell sound 81. Mouse relative

Signalling flame

Sibling’s daughter

Medieval guitars

Extensive 87. Removed (fleece) 88. Not alive

DOWN

1. Overhangs, ... out

2. Ink smudges

3. California’s ... Francisco

4. Build

5. Hooded jacket

6. War fleet

7. Love god

8. I owe you (1,1,1)

9. New wife

10. Skeleton photograph (1-3)

12. Two-masted vessel

14. Stimulant

16. Conveyed

19. Leaves in the lurch

22. Actor, Neil Patrick ...

23. Earth’s glacial period (3,3)

25. Castor

26. Family crest, coat ... (2,4)

29. Mentally ready, ... up

32. Apply gently

35. Indulges halfheartedly

37. Rep

38. Savoured

40. Harp-like instruments

41. Tossed greens

42. Detox (centre)

43. Shiny fabric

44. Grab

47. Biblical sea

51. Approached

52. Consonant or vowel

53. Dress fastener

54. Decluttered

58. Outdo

59. Wide blue yonder

61. Sacrificial block

63. Proverb

64. Appear

65. Dog breed, red ...

66. Oral abnormality, ...

palate

68. Gives temporarily

71. Pursue

72. Security cameras (1,1,1,1)

74. Singles

76. Song, ... Lang Syne

78. Urged on, ... up

80. Louse egg

83. Piloted

Schneider’s latest single celebrates women everywhere

One of the region’s most beloved community events, Central Coast Dogs Day Out, will take place on Saturday, February 21, at Terilbah Reserve, The Entrance.

With Coasties known for their passion for their four-legged companions, this year’s event promises to be bigger, brighter and even more ‘pawsome’ than before.

Central Coast singersongwriter Melinda Schneider’s latest single

The Woman spent two weeks at number one on AMRAP – the Australian Music Radio Airplay project – while attracting strong radio support right across the country.

The track has been played on commercial stations, community stations and featured on ABC Country’s Saturday Night Country and Grass Roots.

It will be the highlight of a show on February 22 at Avoca Beach Theatre.

The Woman is also charting on the Country Songs Top 40, climbing to number 27 and

continues to receive excellent feedback from regional and metro broadcasters alike.

A multi-Golden Guitar winner Schneider said she hoped The Woman, the latest single on her new album Tender, validated women and encouraged men to celebrate the women in their lives.

Schneider said The Woman celebrated the strength, spirit and significance of women and although written more than 20 years ago with her good friend and Nashville songwriter Angela Kaset, The Woman was resonating now more than ever.

“I’ve had this up my sleeve for a long time and have been saving it for the right project –

Tender is definitely the right album for this song,” Schneider said.

“In the past decade of women’s empowerment, it’s been women fighting for women, but we also need the good men to stand up and speak up against the abuse women endure every day of the week in Australia and value us as much as we’re working to value ourselves.

“I’m hoping this song will be a little opportunity for men to be able to tap into the gratitude I know they have for the women in their lives – their mothers, wives, sisters, daughters and all the amazing women they have around them and I want women to remember how

A pawsome day out at The Entrance

Central Coast Mayor Lawrie McKinna said Council was proud to deliver the event as part of its ongoing commitment to promoting responsible pet ownership across the region.

“Dogs Day Out provides an opportunity for the community to learn more about caring for their pets while enjoying a relaxed and family friendly day outdoors,” Cr McKinna said.

“A favourite among local dog lovers, this annual celebration brings together pets, their owners and the wider community for a day dedicated to fun, connection and responsible pet ownership.”

The event precinct will host a vibrant mix of pet related market stalls, offering everything from pooch clothing and accessories to treats and toys for dogs of all sizes.

Discover the joys of circus

With the year now truly underway, many Central Coast locals are looking for ways to get moving again without the pressure that can come with traditional sport or structured training programs.

At Roundabout Circus in Gosford, that search is increasingly leading people through the studio doors.

Roundabout Circus offers circus classes for kids, teens and adults, with a focus on movement skills, confidence and creativity rather than competition or performance pressure.

Classes run six days a week and are designed to be welcoming and beginnerfriendly, whether someone is trying circus for the first time or returning after a break.

To help newcomers get started, Roundabout has launched a Discovery Pass, giving people the chance to try classes before committing to a full term.

“Circus isn’t really something you can try just once and decide,” founder Rachel Peters said.

“It’s different to a lot of other activities.

“When people give it a few

goes, they start to feel what their bodies are capable of, and that’s when the confidence and possibility really kick in.”

The Discovery Pass is available across all age groups, with options for children, teens and adults.

It’s aimed at anyone who isn’t quite sure where they fit yet, from kids finding their feet to adults looking for a creative way to move and learn new skills.

Roundabout Circus has become a familiar presence on the Central Coast, known for its

inclusive approach and strong sense of community.

“For a lot of people, circus ends up being more than a class,” Ms Peters said.

“It’s a place where people feel comfortable showing up as they are and giving things a go.”

Classes are held at the Roundabout Circus studio at 96 Showground Rd, Gosford. Explore classes and Discovery Pass options at roundaboutcircus.com/ allclasses

Crowd favourites will also return, including the fancy dress competition and best trick contest, giving local pups the chance to show off their personality and skills.

Food and drink vendors will be on site to keep human attendees fuelled throughout the day.

Council Director Environment and Planning, Luke Nicholls,

said the 2026 program featured a wide range of activities designed to entertain, educate and support pet owners.

“Visitors can enjoy agility demonstrations, meet experienced dog trainers and take part in walking groups throughout the day,” Mr Nicholls said.

“For those wanting to ensure their pets are healthy and safe,

incredible they are when they hear my song.”

The Woman, released on September 19, is the third single before Schneider’s album Tender lands on February 5, 2026, alongside the title track as the next single.

“It’s exciting to be sharing new music in 2025,” she said.

“I’m really happy with the way this album sounds, very proud of the songs, and they really are some of the best songs I’ve ever written and I can’t wait for people to hear them and be moved by them.”

Schneider will be touring the new album next year including a performance at Avoca Beach Theatre on February 22.

Council will again offer free dog microchipping and health checks, along with low cost vaccinations delivered by qualified professionals.”

The event will take place between 9am and 2pm.

For further information about the event search ‘Dogs Day Out 2026’ at centralcoast.nsw. gov.au/whats-on

Dr Gordon Reid MP

“The Hive” Erina Fair, 620-658 Terrigal Drive, Erina 2250 (02) 4365 5322

Mon – Fri: 8am – 10pm Sat/Sun/PH: 8am – 8pm 7 days a week

297 West Street Umina Beach 2257 (02) 4315 2660

Mon – Fri: 8:30am – 8:30pm Sat/Sun: 8:30 am - 6:30 pm PH: 8:30am – 8:30pm 7 days a week

Business & Property

Thinking about downsizing but feeling a bit overwhelmed?

Learn how to downsize with confidence at a special event to be held at Brentwood Village on February 27.

Three core themes will be explored on the day: downsizing

made simple; access to trusted experts; and first-hand experience.

The Downsize With Confidence event is designed to remove confusion and help attendees navigate downsizing with clarity and confidence. There will be three expert

can

sessions, with two of the guest speakers from the Central Coast.

Balance Financial Group will give retirement financial guidance, Kent Law Group will provide legal advice and Valiant Interiors will give insights into downsizing and styling.

• Divorces

• De facto

• Children's Issues

• Property

• Binding Financial Agreements

Learn how to downsize with confidence

Visitors will have the chance to experience Brentwood Village first-hand, with guided home tours and an opportunity to meet staff and residents.

They will be able to “see and feel” the Brentwood lifestyle.

Visitors will discover why downsizing doesn’t need to be

• Probate, Wills & Disputes

• Power of Attorney

• Enduring Guardianship

overwhelming in a no-pressure environment, with expert advice available.

It will be a relaxed, friendly way to explore retirement living.

There will be a complimentary café style lunch on the day but limited seats are available.

CONVEYANCING

• Purchase & Sale of Property

• Refinancing Mortgages

• Purchase & Sale of Business

• Leasing

• Retirement Villages

The event will take place from 10.30am-2pm on Friday, February 27, at Brentwood Village, 1 Scaysbrook Dr, Kincumber.

Deadline for RSVP is Monday, February 23.

To RSVP call 1800 550 550 or visit keyton.com.au

COURT APPEARANCES

• Criminal Law

• AVO Matters

• Traffic Matters

• Drink Driving

4323 4766

Email: lemery@lindaemery.com.au

Web: www.lindaemery.com.au

Ground Floor, Suite 6, 22 Watt St Gosford

Food businesses across the Central Coast can enhance their food safety knowledge at a free event to be held at Gosford RSL Club on Tuesday, February 24.

The Retail and Food Service Information Session will provide businesses with the chance to get information and advice from Central Coast Council food safety and trade waste officers, as well as the NSW Food Authority, in an informal setting.

Central Coast Mayor Lawrie McKinna said all local food businesses were encouraged to come along.

“Whether you’ve been in the industry a long time or are only new to the scene, this is a fantastic opportunity to refresh your skills, expand your

Free session for food businesses

network and talk about food issues specific to our area,” Cr McKinna said.

“The session will include presentations on common food safety topics relevant to all retail food businesses, as well as an open discussion where you can share concerns and ideas.”

There will be stalls at the event hosted by the NSW Food Authority, the NSW Shellfish Committee, Service NSW and Central Coast Council food safety and trade waste officers.

Attendees will also take home an information pack.

Council Director Environment and Planning Luke Nicholls said Council was co-hosting the session as part of a NSW Food Authority partnership program.

“We were excited to be chosen to host this event – it’s quite a competitive process with only three councils selected from across the state each year,” Mr Nicholls said.

“We know our local food businesses have a lot on their plate but we’d love to see a great turnout – from clubs, restaurants and cafés to takeaways, bakeries, school canteens and everything in between.”

The Central Coast Council Retail and Food Service Information Session will be held at Gosford RSL Club from 9am-12.30pm on Tuesday, February 24.

For more information and to register, search ‘Retail and Food Service Information Session’ at centralcoast.nsw. gov.au

Concerns over proposed workplace regulation Bill

A new Bill being proposed by the NSW Government to regulate digital working systems has been labelled “invasive spy laws” by Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch.

Mr Crouch said the Bill was being universally condemned by small business bodies such as Business NSW and the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia.

He said the proposed Work Health and Safety Amendment (Digital Work Systems) Bill 2025 was a “union power grab dressed up as workplace safety and will hand union officials unprecedented access to sensitive business information”.

“The Labor Government has completely over-reached with this Bill, which will slug our hardworking small businesses

with more red tape,” Mr Crouch said.

“These new laws will grant unions like the CFMEU wide access to businesses’ computer systems to go through personal emails and data under the guise of work health and safety.

“Our local small businesses are absolutely terrified at this Bill, which will only put the

privacy of workers at risk and force them to hand over sensitive data.”

He said the Government and local Labor MPs had failed to engage with local business chambers on the Central Coast.

Peninsula Chamber of Commerce President Matthew Wales said the government had never spoken to the Chamber on the changes.

“To date, we have not been consulted on this legislation by the NSW Government,” he said.

“We do not support this legislation and will never support legislation that would compromise the integrity of our members’ privacy, operational records and intellectual property.”

Gosford Erina Business Chamber President David

Evers said he had strong concerns regarding the proposed Bill.

“There isn’t a real need for this Bill, it seems like a fishing expedition,” he said.

“It is not appropriate for unions to access sensitive and private business information with no cause.”

Business NSW Regional Scott

Pride of Workmanship nominations open

Rotary Brisbane Water is calling on Central Coast residents to shine a light on the workers who make their community exceptional, with nominations now open for the 2026 Pride of Workmanship Awards.

From the tradie who takes genuine pride in every job, to the shop assistant who brightens your day, to the dedicated apprentice mastering their craft – this is an opportunity to give hardworking locals the recognition they truly deserve.

Club spokesperson Mitchell Gordon said the awards were

about acknowledging the everyday excellence that often went unnoticed.

“We all know someone who consistently goes above and beyond in their work – that person who delivers exceptional service with a smile, or shows real dedication to doing things properly,” Mr Gordon said.

“The Pride of Workmanship Awards are our chance to say thank you to these individuals who often go unrecognised, but who make such a positive difference to our Central Coast community.”

The awards honour workers across all industries and sectors who demonstrate

Goold said pushing the legislation through would break from national WHS harmonisation and impose an even greater administrative burden on businesses.

“The NSW Opposition, together with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and others in the business community have rightly raised significant concerns with this bill,” he said.

“The NSW Government must be focused on cutting red tape, not creating more.

“That’s why Business NSW signalled the alarm of business more than two months ago.

“Together with other industry groups, we called for consultation and emphasised the need for nationally consistent laws, not ad hoc state-based intervention.”

outstanding customer service and genuine care, exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail, dedication that goes beyond the job description, and a positive attitude that lifts those around them.

The awards presentation will be held in early May at Ettalong Diggers, with full details to be announced.

Nominate deserving individuals by emailing Di Bartok at dibartok@yahoo. com.au with details about the nominee and why they deserve recognition.

Nominations close in late April.

BUSINESS & PROPERTY

Ford dealership site on the market

The Ford dealership site on the Central Coast Hwy at West Gosford is on the market.

Colliers has launched an Expressions of Interest campaign for 14 Central Coast Hwy, West Gosford, which it describes as “a strategically positioned 4,717sqm freestanding automotive asset currently occupied by long established dealership Coast Ford”.

The property offers exceptional exposure, supported by multi directional access and a substantial 90m frontage along one of the Central Coast’s busiest arterial corridors.

“This is a large-format automotive freehold with strong fundamentals, prominent highway exposure, holding income in place and zoning that allows for a range of future outcomes,” Prime Coast Ford Head of Retail Middle Markets James Wilson said.

“Assets of this scale and visibility on the Central Coast are increasingly difficult to replicate, particularly with flexible planning controls and near-term income security.”

The 1,933sqm dealership facility includes a modern

showroom, workshop, office accommodation and extensive display areas, underpinned by a net lease to Coast Ford until December 2028, delivering a fully recoverable $709,353 in annual income.

The flexible E3 Productivity Support zoning allows for a broad range of alternate uses, generating significant future redevelopment and repositioning potential for incoming purchasers.

“Situated at a key entry point to the Central Coast, the property is surrounded by major retail, commercial and automotive operators and

continues to benefit from ongoing infrastructure investment,” Newcastle Investment Services National Director Peter Macadam said.

“The main trade area is forecast to grow from 62,700 to 71,200 residents by 2046, while annual retail expenditure is projected to increase from $1.1B-$2.1B, underpinned by continued population growth and solid household incomes.”

Colliers says the position of the site is further supported by major government-backed upgrades across the regional transport network including improvements to the Gosford

Bypass and long-term planning for enhanced rail connectivity along the Northern Corridor.

“We’re seeing consistent buyer interest in automotive assets that offer secure income today with flexibility over the medium term,” NSW Retail Middle Markets Manager Ben Wilkinson said.

“This property allows an incoming purchaser to hold, release or reposition over time, supported by its scale, zoning and high-profile exposure.”

According to IBISWorld’s Automotive Industry in Australia report (July 2025), demand for

automotive facilities remains strong, supported by ongoing dealership network consolidation, modernisation and evolving consumer preferences.

Occupiers continue to favour high-exposure, contemporary premises that support brand visibility and service capacity providing depth to re-leasing demand for well-located assets.

Industry revenue is forecast to continue rising through to 2030,reinforcing the underlying fundamentals of the automotive sector.

Investors thrive but tenants are struggling

The property market in and around Gosford is a mecca for investors but the situation is dire for wouldbe tenants.

Raine & Horne Gosford and East Gosford manages more than 1,500 leased properties and reports zero vacancy across its portfolio.

For property owners, this signals rare rental strength in a regional market as Gosford transforms into a true university town.

“Vacancy rates across the Central Coast remain consistently below 1%,” CEO Katie Tilden Bingham said.

“Average weekly rents now sit at $740 for houses and $685 for units, supporting investor returns.”

Ms Bingham said with Gosford’s population projected to rise 67% by 2046 (+5,234 people), there would be longterm rental demand.

Raine & Horne is constantly seeking more rental properties to add to its portfolio.

Rumbalara Residences redefine apartment living

Set within an historic sandstone quarry and spanning more than 2ha of elevated bushland, Rumbalara Residences is redefining apartment living on the Central Coast, distinguished by the sheer scale of its amenities and the lifestyle it enables for residents.

The gated residential community brings together architecture, nature and a high level of shared facilities, with 188 residences across four buildings carefully positioned to maximise privacy, security and

connection to the surrounding landscape and views across Brisbane Water and Gosford.

Residents have access to an unusually comprehensive suite of amenities: fully equipped gym, pool, spa and sauna, private cinema, wine tasting room, bar and dining lounge, barbecue terraces, golf simulators, co-working library and more.

A six-star concierge service supports daily life with in-home dining, dry cleaning, wellness bookings and personal errands.

Rather than being an add-on, the amenity has been designed

as the backbone of everyday life at Rumbalara and reflects a broader shift in buyer preferences toward lifestyleled living environments with wellbeing embedded into everyday routines.

Spokesperson for the developer Alceon, Nick Hunter said the development was always envisioned as a complete living environment, not simply a collection of apartments.

“Studies consistently show that regular movement and social connection contribute to

Coast switching on to home batteries

Member for Robertson Dr Gordon Reid says the Federal Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries program is proving popular on the Central Coast, with thousands of families benefitting.

Recently released data from the Department Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, shows that thousands of households have taken advantage of the 30% discount on home batteries.

In the electorate of Robertson 1,653 households have taken

advantage of the program, while in the adjacent electorate of Dobell 1,545 households now have a battery, and in the electorate of Shortland 1,497 households have accessed the program.

The data follows a recent announcement that the Government will expand the program to an estimated $7.2B over four years, an increase from the initial $2.3B.

This is expected to see more than two million Australians install a battery by 2030, delivering about 40 gigawatt hours of capacity, doubling the

election estimate of one million batteries and increasing the expected capacity by almost four times.

Dr Reid said in less than six months, the Cheaper Home Batteries program had helped more than 155,000 households and small businesses cut their power bills and take control of their energy, with about threequarters of installations in suburbs and regions.

“This recent data highlights … how popular household batteries are in our community,” he said.

“The reality is when you have rooftop solar panels and battery storage you reduce your energy bills.

“Thousands of households on the Central Coast have now installed a household battery and have cut their energy bills.

“The Albanese Labor Government is serious about helping Australians reduce their cost of living while tackling the nation’s carbon footprint.”

For more information about the Cheaper Home Batteries program, search ‘home batteries’ at www.dcceew. gov.au/energy

better physical and mental wellbeing across all ages,” he said.

“We weren’t designing for one demographic.

“We focused on creating a place where people can stay active, feel connected and enjoy a strong sense of community, whether they’re working, downsizing, or simply choosing a better lifestyle.”

Mr Hunter said developments incorporating those things as part of daily living (rather than something residents had to seek out) were increasingly

becoming the preference for buyers.

That approach attracts buyers like Sonya who initially bought a one-bedroom apartment off the plan as an investment while living in a retirement village at Bowral.

“When Rumbalara was finished and we came to stay it felt like we had found our place,” she said.

“There’s something very special about the land here – it feels joyful.”

Sonya and her husband now

live at Rumbalara full-time and up-sized to a two-bedroom apartment.

“My husband, who is 85, goes to the gym every day,” she said.

“I use the pool and spa all the time and on Saturdays we do aqua aerobics.

“There’s always something happening,” she said.

“The age mix here is beautiful – some people are still working, others are retired, but no-one feels old.

“We’ve made friends here for life.”

Have your say on the Central Coast’s future

Three major draft strategies are now open for public feedback:

- Economic Development Strategy

- Destination Management Plan

- Events Strategy

Together, these strategies set a long term vision to create more local jobs, support businesses and enhance the Central Coast as a great place to live, work and visit.

Have your say and help shape our region’s next chapter.

Scan the QR code or Visit yourvoiceourcoast.com

It’s funny, isn’t it. We don’t really notice something until it’s gone.

Toilet Paper. Eggs. And now… coriander.

You head into the supermarket planning taco night, maybe a fragrant Thai curry, maybe just a fresh sprinkle over scrambled eggs. The shelf is empty. Or what’s left looks limp and tired, and somehow it’s seven dollars a bunch.

Recent extreme heat in Victoria and heavy rain across South Australia have hit herb crops hard in areas like Melbourne, Heatherton, Adelaide and the Riverland.

This humble little herb we usually toss into salads without a second thought has suddenly become a talking point.

Down in the Garden

Grow Your Own and Skip the Supermarket Drama

by CHERALYN DARCEY

www.cheralyndarcey.com

And it reminds us how fragile our food system can be.

The good news is that coriander is one of the easiest herbs you can grow at home in Australia. And there is something quietly empowering about that.

When the world feels unpredictable, you can still grow something. Step outside, onto a balcony, or even just to a sunny windowsill and pinch a few leaves you nurtured yourself.

The biggest mistake people make with coriander is treating it like a tough Mediterranean herb.

They buy a pot, stick it in blazing summer sun, let it dry out, and when it bolts to seed and turns bitter, they decide they cannot grow it.

Coriander simply does not like drama.

Cheralyn hosts The Nightline, weeknights, on 2HD Newcastle across Australia on the Super Radio Network. Listen on your local SRN station or stream at 2SM.com.au

It prefers around three hours of gentle sun, especially morning light. In hotter regions, a little afternoon shade will keep it happier. The soil should be moist but not waterlogged.

Good drainage is essential. And because coriander has a sensitive taproot, it does not love being transplanted. It is usually better to sow seeds directly where you want it to grow.

Timing matters too. In most parts of Australia, autumn and spring are ideal sowing seasons.

In temperate regions such as Sydney, Wollongong, the Central Coast, Adelaide and Perth, you can enjoy a long growing window.

Subtropical areas like Brisbane can grow coriander almost year round, avoiding only the peak heat of summer.

Here is the trick many

When herbs reach five or six dollars a bunch ... growing your own begins to make sense financially.

gardeners overlook: do not plant once. Plant every two to three weeks.

Coriander naturally wants to ower. Once it does, the leaves lose their delicate avour.

By sowing small batches regularly, you create a steady rotation. As one plant begins to bolt, another is coming into its prime.

This simple practice, known as succession planting, ensures a constant supply of fresh leaves.

If you do not have a garden, do not worry. Coriander grows beautifully in pots.

Choose a container at least 20 centimetres deep to accommodate the taproot. Use quality potting mix and keep it consistently watered. Even indoors, with a bright window or a small grow light,

you can harvest fresh leaves within weeks.

There is also a cost of living angle here. When herbs reach ve or six dollars a bunch and half of it ends up slimy in the fridge drawer, growing your own begins to make sense nancially.

It is not about becoming completely self suf cient. It is about small, achievable wins. One pot. One plant. One meal made fresher and more affordable.

And when your coriander nally owers, do not pull it out in frustration. Let it set seed. Those little round seeds are coriander spice. Dry them for cooking or save them to plant again.

Shortages come and go. Weather shifts. Prices rise and fall. But a seed in your hand is potential. Growing coriander is not just about flavour. It is about resilience, and the quiet reassurance that you are not entirely at the mercy of the supermarket shelf.

Book Review by Terry Collins

By Chris Hammer The Tilt

I am coming a bit late to the party, but I have recently discovered the Australian writer Chris Hammer and I feel like I’ve struck gold.

A huge fan of crime fiction, I don’t know how Hammer has escaped my attention for so long.

And the good news for me is that The Tilt is his fifth novel (with the sixth also released) so I have a lot of great reading ahead of me.

For the book lover, little can compare to discovering a new author in one’s favourite genre.

The Tilt sees newly-minted homicide detective Nell Buchanan return to her home town, annoyed at being assigned a decades-old murder - a ‘file and forget’.

But this is no ordinary cold case, as the discovery of more bodies

triggers a chain of escalating events in the present day.

As Nell starts to join the pieces

together, she begins to question how well she truly knows those closest to her.

Could her own family be implicated in the crimes?

The nearer Nell comes to uncovering the secrets of the past, the more dangerous the present becomes for her, as she battles shadowy assailants and sinister forces.

Can she survive this harrowing investigation and what price will she have to pay for the truth?

At the crux of any good novel is a relatable protagonist - and Hammer’s Nell Buchanan fills the bill.

She’s not perfect, but she’s likeable and has the reader rooting for her as she is caught up in a murder which dates back to the Second World War and leads her on

See the book review online and lots more book reviews on our website. Scan the QR code or visit: coastcommunitynews.com.au/book-reviews

a chase for historic detail which unravels a myriad of secrets involving her own family.

Other characters in the book are finely drawn and sympathetic and the writing style is easy to read and very evocative of the rural Australian landscape which is an integral element of the story.

Hammer is an expert at painting an accurate picture of life in a small rural town – you can almost see the small town streets as they were in the 70s and as they are now.

You can feel the heat of the Australian Summer as the characters experience it.

For the Australian reader, reading familiar place names brings a sense of ownership of the narrative.

As Nell battles to find answers in the present day, a series of flashback chapters help the reader gradually

unfold the events of decades earlier. This can require some dedication on the part of the reader.

But there is something deeply satisfying about rediscovering characters in the present-day narrative as much younger versions of themselves in the flashbacks.

What Nell discovers as events of the past take shape shakes everything she thought she knew about her own family to the core. There are red herrings aplenty and a twist or two towards the end of the book which I defy even avid fans of the genre to predict.

I would recommend this book thoroughly to lovers of crime-based fiction.

And for me – time to explore Hammer’s other books!

Terry Collins

Health & Education Organisations join forces for Disability Matters event

An engaging three-day free event for people with disabilities, their parents, informal carers and disability service providers will be held in March at Mingara Recreation Club, Tumbi Umbi, and Gosford RSL.

Disability Matters will see three organisations join forces to host the event – the Physical Disability Council of NSW (PDCN), Action for People with Disability, and Disability Advocacy NSW.

Before being supported by the PDCN, Tanya* (name changed for privacy) had to choose between preparing a meal or having a shower – she could not manage both on the same day.

Knocked back twice by the NDIS, Tanya, a young survivor of stroke at only 25 years of age, eventually reached out to PDCN.

Guided all the way by lived experience peer mentor and educator, Adrian O’Malley, she was finally able to gain access to vital NDIS support after trying for more than two years. As a result of her engagement with PDCN, Tanya has recently returned to the workforce and can once again contribute to Australian society.

“Now I can thrive, I wouldn’t have gotten there without the

The three day event will be free

support I now have in place,” she said.

Disability Matters will run on Tuesday, March 3, and Wednesday, March 4, at Mingara Recreation Centre and on Thursday, March 5, at Gosford RSL, with networking events for disability service providers as well as free interactive workshops for people with disabilities, their parents and informal carers.

People with disabilities, parents and carers will also be able to enjoy meet-and-mingle lunches, dinner, morning and afternoon teas, and share experiences of living with disability on the Central Coast during the community consultation sessions.

Voices shared at these events will raise important matters that PDCN will then discuss with local, state and federal governments and will directly influence the issues PDCN represents in their systemic advocacy work to make positive change for people with disabilities.

PDCN is the peak body representing, empowering and lobbying for the physical disability community in NSW and beyond.

They know the many challenges and obstacles faced by people with disabilities and their families, and that these are even greater for people

living in regional, rural and remote areas.

Recent important wins that PDCN has achieved for the disability community include securing a $15M funding package from the NSW Government to improve the availability and quality of wheelchair accessible taxis, and securing a commitment from the NSW Government to develop the first ever NSW Disability Health Strategy to improve access to healthcare for people with disability in NSW, with PDCN co-chairing the NSW Disability Health Strategy Steering Committee.

These are in addition to helping people across the state daily to overcome personal issues and achieve their goals through workshops, peer groups and individual peer mentoring.

“We are committed to travelling across NSW and to collaborate with organisations on the ground in regional and remote areas to better engage with, empower and represent the physical disability community in each place,” PDCN CEO Ed Morris said.

Your voice does and will make a difference.”

For more information and to register go to www.pdcnsw. org.au/central-coast-events or call 1800 688 831.

Students urged to apply for Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship

Students from across NSW have the opportunity to be selected to participate in a study tour visiting historic sites in Greece and Crete relating to Australia’s military service during the Second World War.

The Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship (PAMS) is a wonderful opportunity for high school history students to deepen their understanding of Australians at war and gain a richer appreciation of the courage and sacrifice of the nation’s servicemen and servicewomen over the generations.

Up to 18 NSW students will have the opportunity to visit locations in Greece include the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery at Phaleron, the Hellenic War Museum, and the battlefields of Thermopylae and Thebes.

In Crete, the tour will visit sites such as the 6th Australian Division Memorial at Stavromenos, the battlefields of Rethymno, the Melame Memorial and the Souda Bay War Cemetery.

PAMS 2025 recipient Scarlett Sheridan reflected on her tour to the Republic of Korea and Singapore last year which she said was life changing.

Scarlett, from Green Point Christian College, said the tour was one of the greatest honours of her life, opening her eyes to the sacrifices made by veterans around the world.

“Being a PAMS scholar has deepened my understanding of the sacrifice veterans make and the importance of keeping their stories alive,” Scarlett said.

“Hearing a Korean veteran thank us for our country’s service will stay with me forever and I am committed to playing my part in honouring all those who have served.

“I was blessed to make lifelong friends and mentored by incredible teachers.

“Every day offered a new experience.”

Member for Wyong and Minister for Veterans David Harris said the PAMS tour presented a unique opportunity for students from all over NSW.

“I highly recommend that history and modern history students in Year 10 and Year 11 consider applying,” Mr Harris said.

“Through this scholarship, recipients will have the opportunity to visit historic sites across Greece and Crete that experienced the conflict first-hand – walking in the footsteps of the Australians who served and honouring their legacy at the very battlefields where their bravery was defined.

remain an enduring part of our national story, and a lasting bond between Australia and Greece.

“The Minns Labor Government is proud to continue to support this fantastic program and the extraordinary legacy of veterans.”

The 2026 tour will take place in the Term 3 school holidays departing on Saturday, September 26 returning to Sydney on Thursday, October 8.

An important change has been introduced to the application process this year, requiring eligible students to submit a five-minute multimedia presentation as part of their online application, along with a

Myopia in children on the rise

Children spending more time indoors and on screens is driving a sharp global rise in myopia, with cases appearing earlier and progressing faster than ever before.

Optometrists warn early detection and regular outdoor time are now critical.

Eye health professionals say children are spending unprecedented hours indoors, exposed to artificial light and locked into screens and closeup tasks.

The result is a surge in myopia, or short-sightedness, and faster progression, meaning stronger prescriptions at younger ages.

Myopia occurs when the eyeball grows too long or the cornea curves excessively, causing light to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it.

Distant objects appear blurred, while close vision remains clear.

Once considered a mild inconvenience, specialists say it is now a growing public health concern.

In Australia, optometrists are seeing children as young as three requiring glasses, a condition that once typically emerged in early adolescence.

Global projections suggest that by 2050, half the world’s population could be myopic.

Professor Fiona Stapleton from UNSW’s School of Optometry and Vision Science says the consequences extend far beyond needing glasses.

“We are raising a generation of children who may struggle to see the world beyond their screens, literally,” she said.

“Early-onset myopia significantly increases the risk of serious eye conditions later in life, including retinal detachment, glaucoma and myopic macular degeneration.

The COVID lockdowns accelerated the trend, reducing outdoor play and increasing screen exposure.

With hotter summers and more indoor lifestyles becoming the norm, clinicians expect the pressure on young eyes to intensify.

Symptoms in children can include headaches, eye strain, reduced concentration, irritability and sleep disturbance.

Yet awareness remains low.

Research suggests only about half of parents recognise screen time as a major contributor to vision problems.

While there is no single cure, myopia can be managed.

Options include prescription glasses or contact lenses, specialised lenses that slow progression, low-dose atropine eye drops, and regular eye checks, particularly for children under five or with a family history of myopia.

Professor Stapleton recommends the 20-20-20+2 rule.

Every 20 minutes of screen time, children should take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away, and spend at least two hours outdoors each day.

“Early detection remains our best defence,” she said.

“Parents should have their child’s vision checked around age four or earlier if there is a strong family history.”

In an increasingly digital world, preventing myopia is challenging, but early action, awareness and simple lifestyle changes can make a lasting difference.

A special fundraising event, Lunch with Interesting People, will be held on Saturday, February 28, at popular The Point East Gosford, raising funds to support access to the best possible treatment for cancer.

The event will feature a lunch and chat with Australian music icon Lucky Starr, whose career

Lunch with interesting people for a cause

spans decades of live performance and television.

Starr is widely known for his role in the early days of rock ’n’ roll in Australia, appearances on Bandstand and Six O’Clock Rock, international shows in Las Vegas, and entertaining troops in Vietnam.

He is an ARIA winner and Hall of Fame inductee.

Guests will enjoy a threecourse lunch while hearing

stories and reflections from Starr’s life in music and entertainment.

The format is designed to be relaxed and conversational, giving attendees the chance to connect over food and shared history.

The lunch begins at 1.30pm at The Point, 103 Victoria St, East Gosford.

Tickets are $80 per person, with numbers strictly limited.

All proceeds will go toward supporting cancer treatment initiatives, through the Crestani Cancer Foundation.

Residents of the Central Coast will be the beneficiaries. Bookings and inquiries can be made with Glenys on 0412 993 253.

Early booking is recommended due to limited seating.

Scarlett set to represent us in Youth Parliament

Member for The Entrance David Mehan recently met with Scarlett Owens, who has been selected to represent The Entrance electorate as a Youth Member to this year’s NSW Youth Parliament Program.

The program, run by the Y NSW, empowers students from across NSW to raise their voices, advocate for their communities, and connect with peers who share a passion for making a positive difference.

This year’s Youth Parliament

Patients embrace urgent care clinics

Since opening its doors in December last year, the Erina Medicare Urgent Care Clinic has treated close to 1,500 patients.

The Peninsula Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Umina Beach has treated close to 25,000 patients since opening at the end of 2023.

Federal Member for Robertson Dr Gordon Reid said the figures were a firm indication that the

clinics were being embraced by the community.

“As a medical officer, I see firsthand how our Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are helping ease pressure on our emergency departments, particularly category 4 and 5 presentations,” he said.

“The recent establishment of the Erina Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in The Hive at Erina Fair now means even more people

on the Central Coast are in closer proximity to an urgent care clinic.

“Medicare Urgent Care Clinics do not require an appointment; they are walk-in bulk billed medical services for when you are too sick for the GP but not sick enough for the emergency department.

“Importantly, all you need is your Medicare card to access services.

“Across the nation, the Albanese Labor Government has established 137 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics helping even more Australians access bulk billed medical services.”

The Erina Medicare Urgent Care Clinic is located at The Hive Erina Fair and is open seven days a week.

Opening hours are 8am10pm Monday to Friday, and 8am-8pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Peninsula Medicare Urgent Care Clinic is located at 297 West St, Umina Beach.

Opening hours are 8.30am8.30pm from Monday to Friday, and 8.30am-6.30pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

will participate in a “sitting week” from July 13-16.

Currently in her final year at Central Coast Grammar School, Ms Owens has been selected as a House Captain, a title which reflects her leadership within the school community.

Beyond the classroom, she is a member of the Elite Australian Girls Choir and has recently been appointed NSW Choir Leader for 2026 further demonstrating her strength, dedication and ability to lead at a state level.

“I congratulate Scarlett on this significant achievement and wish her all the very best with this opportunity to showcase her leadership and commitment to making a difference in the NSW Youth Parliament,” Mr Mehan said.

“I’m confident Scarlett will be an outstanding voice for young people across The Entrance electorate and the whole Central Coast and look forward to seeing what we can achieve together.”

Ms Owens said she was

looking forward to the experience.

“I am extremely excited, and grateful, for this amazing opportunity to grow my leadership and advocacy skills throughout the next year,” she said.

“I hope to represent young people across the Central Coast, and The Entrance in particular, to the best of my abilities through this program.”

Central Coast rabbit owners advised to vaccinate before 2 March wild rabbit control program

A wild rabbit control program will take place across Greater Sydney Local Government Areas, including the Central Coast, on 2 March 2026.

Led by Greater Sydney Local Land Services, Central Coast Council will participate in the program by releasing the Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV1-K5) — also known as Calicivirus — at seven locations on the Central Coast: Bush Street Reserve-Norah Head, Karagi Point, Shelly Beach, Umina Beach, Davistown Foreshore, Wadalba Sporting Complex and Ourimbah Football Club.

RHDV1-K5 is species-specific, affecting only rabbits and posing no risk to native wildlife or other pets. However, pet rabbits can be infected. To protect them, rabbit owners are strongly advised to vaccinate their pets by the 28 February for the best protection. Pet rabbit owners should also take additional precautions, including maintaining good hygiene, providing mosquito-proof housing and preventing contact with wild rabbits.

For more information, contact Greater Sydney Local Land Services on (02) 4724 2100

Matt Graham takes bronze in the dual moguls

Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club’s Community Defib project team is going great guns.

Led by OBSLSC life member Richard Grimmond, the team embarked on a Community AED or (Automated External Defibrillator) project with Ettalong Diggers and Bendigo Bank Ettalong Beach to install seven defibrillators across the Peninsula and help save lives in an emergency situation. The third and fourth of these defibrillators were installed recently at The Box on the Water Cafe and Anderson’s Boatshed.

An AED Awareness session is planned for March 9 at Ettalong Diggers.

Two further installations are planned for the Cove Cafe

An Iron Tigers Basketball Club athlete and coach have returned to the Central Coast with a national bronze medal after representing NSW at the Ivor Burge Championships in Ballarat, Victoria.

Iron Tigers U20 player David Lusunzi was selected as a member of the NSW playing squad, while Iron Tigers founder and director Matt Shorrock was appointed as an assistant coach.

The week-long tournament brought together state teams from across Australia, along with international opposition from New Zealand, with NSW finishing third overall to claim the bronze medal.

The Ivor Burge Championships are the national basketball championships for athletes with an intellectual impairment

Narara local Matt Graham may have missed out on a medal in the men’s mogul final 1 and super final at the Winter Olympics, but he has redeemed himself on the Livingo mogul course.

Landing on the podium, he was the missing piece to what each of the athletes called ‘the dad podium’ – all podium sitters were recent new fathers.

“At the end of the day, I knew what was at stake that last run because Mik (Canadian gold medallist Mikael Kingsbury) and Ikuma (Horishima) had already locked in their podium

spots and, me being the third dad, I needed to execute to make sure we could fulfil that dream of a dad podium,” Graham said.

It has been rumoured that Milan-Cortina will likely be the 31-year-old’s last Olympics, but after winning bronze, a potential comeback at 35 is on the cards when the games make their way to the French Alps in 2030.

“We’ll see; I don’t know what the future holds for me just yet,” Graham said.

“I’m very happy to be here

and to have the family here is very special.”

Coast Community News spoke to his father, Steve Graham, following the event.

“Just to see what he did with Cooper in the finish area is a testimony to his character,”

Steve Graham said.

“I’m sure he would have inspired everybody … well, he tends to do (that).

“He’s a bit of a pied piper, so people gravitate to him.”

Wife Jess and daughter Ada watched on with the rest of Graham’s family, uplifting the Central Coast Grammar

Surf club’s defib program thriving

Umina and Lone Pine/Glenn St Umina in coming months.

Survival from Cardiac Arrest improves from 6% to 37% when AED is used along with effective CPR.

“OBSLSC would like to acknowledge Richard’s

commitment to this project as he is passionate about rollingout as many of these across the local community and educating the community to help save lives,” a spokesperson said.

“We also acknowledge community partners Ettalong

graduate as he continued to give the sport his all. He is now second in the World Cup standings, with his focus turning to the Crystal Globe, though as a new father his plans remain uncertain.

“I have a family to worry about now, but obviously we’re still at the top of the game,” he said.

“I’m happy to push myself.” In further Olympics news, Abbey Willcox of Somersby will compete this week in the women’s freestyle aerial skiing.

Diggers and Bendigo Bank Ettalong for the funding of the project.

“These two organisations give so much and are like OBSLSC, committed to building a better and safer community.”

Meanwhile, Ocean Beach

SLSC enjoyed success at the recent Branch Championships held at Avoca Beach.

The juniors won seven gold, two silver and two bronze in Iron Person, Rescue & Resuscitation, Signals, Board Rescue, Swim and Beach run.

Coasties shine as they represent state

and represent the highest level of the sport in Australia.

The tournament was established through a partnership between Basketball Australia and AUSRAPID, following Australia’s international debut in basketball for athletes with an intellectual impairment at the 1992 Paralympic Games in Barcelona.

Lusunzi’s selection and performance are the result of consistent commitment and development.

He currently plays with the Iron Tigers U20s in the Terrigal competition and also participates in the Special Olympics program, training at Niagara Park on Saturday mornings as well as participating in tournaments across the state.

His contribution throughout the tournament reflected both his growth as a player and his

ability to compete on the national stage.

For Shorrock, the appointment as assistant coach carried a deeper personal significance.

“Being part of this program wasn’t just about coaching at a national level,” Shorrock said.

“I wanted to be involved to show my sons Ben and Charlie, both of whom have an

intellectual impairment, that barriers don’t define what’s possible.

“Sport can open doors, build confidence, and create pathways to achieve things people might think are out of reach.

“Watching David compete on the national stage and earn a

bronze medal is a powerful example of that.

“He earned his place through effort, commitment, and belief.

“I hope stories like his show kids and families that there are genuine opportunities to strive for and achieve greatness, regardless of the challenges they face.”

The achievement highlights

The masters also snagged lots of medals with 10 gold, eight silver and four bronze, showing skill, stamina and team spirit in all events but especially the Beach Relay, Flags, Sprint, 2km and Surf Team.

the importance of inclusive basketball pathways and the role local clubs play in supporting athletes at every level.

Iron Tigers Basketball Club continues to prioritise development, opportunity, and community connection across the Central Coast.

Iron Tigers Basketball Club welcomes players of all skills and abilities and is committed to creating inclusive pathways into the sport.

The club runs teams and training programs across multiple age groups, including the recently launched Tiger Cubs Skills and Play program for children aged three to five, and Home School Hoopers for children aged six and over, alongside its junior and senior competition teams.

For more information go to info@irontigersbasketball. com.au

Watch the NRL Las Vegas kickoff

Central Coast fans will be able to tune in to the 2026 NRL Premiership kick off in Las Vegas from the comfort of their local club.

On Sunday, March 1, around 200 registered clubs across the state will once again host the Official NRL Vegas Watch Party, thanks to a special partnership between Your Local Club and the NRL.

The state’s clubs will once again welcome members and guests to watch the NRL Premiership kick off, with three games of footy and plenty of fanfare to keep the crowds entertained.

NSW Blues Head Coach Laurie Daley is the Official NRL Vegas Watch Party Ambassador.

Participating clubs on the CentralCoast are Central Coast Leagues Club, Club Munmorah, Diggers The Entrance, Doyalson Wyee RSL Club, Erina Leagues Club, Ettalong Diggers, Gosford RSL Club, Mingara Recreation Club, Norah Head Bowling & Sports Club, The Ary Toukley and The Entrance Leagues Club.

Wonderful win for women in windy Wellington

The Central Coast Mariners women’s team produced one of its toughest performances of the season, battling through wild weather to secure a 2–1 away win over the Wellington Phoenix women in Wellington on Sunday, February 15.

Played in driving wind and rain at Porirua Park, the match was a genuine test of confidence, fitness and resolve, with both sides forced to adapt

to constantly shifting conditions.

Wellington started strongly, going close inside the opening minutes before Mariners defender Annabel Martin cleared a goalbound effort off the line.

Phoenix threatened again soon after, but Mariners goalkeeper Annalee Grove produced a sharp save to keep the scores level.

The Mariners settled and struck first in the 16th minute, when Peta Trimis bent a superb

free kick past the Phoenix keeper, the swirling wind doing nothing to blunt the precision of the strike.

Wellington responded before the half-hour mark, equalising through Mackenzie Anthony, who finished well to bring the home side back into the contest.

But the Mariners refused to be rattled.

Just before the break, Tamar Levin restored the lead, latching onto a loose ball in the area and calmly finding the net to send

the visitors into half-time with a 2–1 advantage.

The second half was about survival as much as football.

With the wind intensifying, Wellington pushed hard for an equaliser, peppering the Mariners’ box with crosses and long balls.

The Central Coast defence held firm, with Grove again prominent between the posts and the back line throwing bodies in the way when it mattered most.

The final whistle confirmed a hard-earned three points and a result that underlined the Mariners’ growing confidence and resilience in the Ninja A-League.

The win lifts the Mariners further up the ladder and keeps them firmly in the mix as the season heads toward its business end; a performance that will be remembered not just for the goals, but for the grit shown in some of the toughest conditions they are likely to face all year.

Crusaders’ success at Coastal Classic

The Central Coast Crusaders U16 Men Division 1 team has claimed the 2026 Coastal Classic Tournament title, capping off an undefeated campaign on home ground over the weekend of

the Newcastle Falcons at Guzman y Gomez Stadium, Terrigal.

Run by Central Coast Basketball (CCB), the Coastal Classic is a major pre-season representative tournament, attracting teams from across the state.

Gomez Stadium, Niagara Park Stadium, Bateau Bay PCYC, Central Coast Adventist School and Central Coast Grammar School.

Karen Irwin said the strong performances from both teams were an encouraging sign ahead of the Junior Premier League season.

“It’s also a fantastic event for the local community, bringing teams from all over NSW to the Central Coast to compete, stay and enjoy everything the region has to offer.”

The Crusaders sealed the championship with a convincing grand final win over

Matches were played across multiple venues throughout the region, including Guzman y

The tournament also saw success for the Crusaders’ U16 Women Division 1 team, who progressed to the grand final before narrowly going down to the Penrith Panthers.

CCB Representative Manager

“The Coastal Classic provides a high-level competitive environment for representative teams and gives coaches valuable insight into their team’s direction for the season ahead,” Irwin said.

The 2026 Coastal Classic featured more than 150 teams and over 240 games played across two weekends, reinforcing its status as the premier junior representative pre-season tournament.

Crusaders’ success at Coastal Classic

Basketball carnival comes to Terrigal

The S.WISH Hoops Community 3×3 Carnival will be held at Terrigal on Saturday, February 28, with spectators welcome.

S.WISH is a living legacy to Coach Scott Balsar.

His life was filled with basketball, family and friends.

He was a leader in coach and player development in NSW Basketball for more than 25 years and many of those years were spent on the Central Coast.

S.WISH was inspired by the dedication Balsar had to supporting players and coaches from rural and regional NSW. Through its 3×3 Tournament it aims to cultivate an environment where fun, inspiration and connection thrive.

It is one day of basketball action for all – 3×3 basketball and brilliant coach education.

Male and female teams will compete in U12, U14, U16, U18 and Open (17+) divisions.

The action takes place at GYG Basketball Stadium, Terrigal, and team entry is $100.

Register at www.swish hoops.org/2026-gygstadium

Peter Lonergan and Liane Barden will present coach education on the day – an

amazing chance for coaches to learn from the best.

Lonergan will be on court from 10.30am, focussing on developing shooters.

Barden will be in the mezzanine from 11.45am with her workshop Everyone’s game –Empowering Women in Basketball.

Attendance to the coach education is by donation on the day.

Register at www.swish hoops.org/general-9

All funds raised will go to S.WISH Hoops Community Inc, in honour of Scott Balsar, and will support NSW Country players and coaches.

Already this year, the organisation has helped 40 country athletes and their families.