Coast Community News #532

Hundreds rally to support survivors

Calls for long-term solution for illegal camping

Norah Head residents relieved to see Illegal campers finally moved on from Jenny Dixon Reserve recently were astounded to discover the campers had simply moved down the road to Toukley bridge.

Residents were outraged to discover the campers had set up on a waterfront reserve and are calling for a longterm, co-ordinated solution.

“The same group has now relocated to the reserve at Toukley Bridge, taking with them the same aggressive behaviour, the same disregard for the environment, the same ferocious dog, and driving around in the same unregistered vehicle, living their best life,’ one resident said.

“Where to next?

“This raises several serious concerns: there has been no accountability.

“No fines or penalties appear to have

been issued for the extensive destruction caused at Jenny Dixon Reserve, where fencing was removed, Tuckeroo trees cut down and thrown over the cliff, ditches dug, the entire campsite area was completely denuded, and the public was harassed by the individuals and the dog.

“While the removal of the camp from Norah Head is a welcome relief for residents, it is a hollow win.

“It is now simply someone else’s problem for the present, but more tents will follow.

“The issue has not been resolved — it has merely been temporarily shifted.

“From the community’s perspective, Council appears to be playing a game of ‘whack-a-mole’, moving the problem from one reserve to another rather than implementing a long-term, co-ordinated solution.”

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Managing Editor: David Abrahams

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A splendid vision from our arts sector EDITORIAL

The Central Coast’s cultural maturity is becoming unmistakable.

In recent years, we have watched our sporting teams and individual athletes rise confidently onto the national and international stage.

Now, increasingly, the same can be said of our arts and entertainment sector.

Last week’s Origami Festival at Edogawa Commemorative Gardens in East Gosford demonstrated just how far the Coast has come.

Now in its fourth year, the festival has evolved into something truly distinctive, combining light, music and contemporary creative design, food and dance in a way that would not look out of place crowning Sydney’s Vivid festival.

Yet this is not a borrowed idea or a travelling show.

It is a locally grown event, developed patiently over time, refined each year, and embraced by the community.

Its success is no accident.

The festival has steadily built its reputation through careful curation and professional delivery.

Last year it secured a major state tourism award, recognising both its artistic merit and its growing contribution to the visitor economy.

This year the event quadrupled attendance, with both the family-focused light and music experience and the adults evening selling out.

Visitors travelled from

Sydney and further afield, drawn by the event’s rising national profile and the promise of something fresh and original on the Coast.

What is particularly encouraging is the parallel growth we are seeing across multiple sectors of local life.

Our sporting achievements continue to inspire pride, from elite footballers and surfers to national athletics champions.

Alongside this success, the arts are flourishing, supported by committed organisers, talented creatives and audiences willing to embrace ambitious ideas.

Professionalism is the common thread.

Events are better produced, better promoted and increasingly competitive with metropolitan offerings.

This strengthens the Coast’s

identity as more than a destination defined by beaches alone.

We are becoming a place known for creativity, culture and innovation.

A thriving arts sector enriches community life. It attracts visitors, supports local jobs and encourages collaboration between education, tourism and business.

Most importantly, it creates shared experiences that connect people to place.

The message is clear.

The Central Coast’s creative economy is no longer emerging.

It has arrived, and its momentum looks set to continue benefiting locals and visitors alike.

David Abrahams, Managing Editor

Hundreds rally to support survivors

Around 200 people attended a No More rally held on the Gosford waterfront at noon on Sunday, April 19.

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Volunteer-led organisation What Were You Wearing Australia (WWYW) conducted rallies across Australia, with survivors of sexual violence demanding an improvement in consent education and challenging victim-blaming attitudes.

Guided by the message

Silence Feeds Violence, WWYW puts survivor voices at the centre of its work.

Volunteer and Chief Marketing Officer at WWYWA Brianna Harvey attended the Central Coast rally and said the large turnout reflected how strongly the issue is felt in the local community.

“The energy was both powerful and emotional, with a clear sense of urgency and solidarity among those who showed up,” she said.

“Rallies like this are important because they create space for victim-survivors to be heard and send a clear message that this level of violence is not acceptable.

“What stood out most was the respect and support shown when people shared their stories, because it was a strong reminder of why these conversations matter.

“This isn’t a localised issue, it’s a national one.”

For more information and to donate to the campaign go to wwywaus.org

03/10/1930

“We also saw strong turnout at all 16 rallies across the country, reinforcing that this is a national issue people are demanding action on.

Aged 95 years

Late of Blue Haven, formerly of Gwandalan and Budgewoi

Loved wife of Len (dec.)

Mother of Christine, John and Philip (dec.)

Loved mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother

Foreverremembered

Family and friends of

NEWS IN BRIEF Justices meet

The next meeting of the NSW Justices Association Central Coast Branch will be held at 2pm on Thursday, May 7.

It will take place at Georgiana’s Café in Central Coast Leagues Club, Dane Dr, Gosford.

Mother’s Day lunch

The Iris Foundation will host a Mother’s Day Charity Luncheon from 11.30am2pm on Wednesday, May 6, at Mercure Kooindah Waters, Wyong.

Because We Care Boutique

Ambassador Sam Woods will be the guest speaker, presenting: Style & Identity: Who Are You Now?

She will share an inspiring conversation around style, identity and the changing seasons of womanhood.

The event will help support Because We Care Boutique.

To book, search “Kooindah’ at www.stickytickets.com.au

Learn more about coastal erosion

The current exposure of buildings to coastal erosion hazard in NSW is highest in the Sydney and Central Coast regions, according to the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (DCCEEW).

Currently, about 660 buildings in NSW are exposed to erosion at a 1% annual exceedance probability storm erosion volume.

The figures don’t take into account the exposure of roads and critical infrastructure such as hospitals, schools and emergency services.

The exposure of buildings to coastal erosion is expected to increase over time, with higher emissions scenarios and sealevel rise resulting in greater impacts.

The figures range from 2,460 buildings under a low-emission scenario to more than 5,300 under a very high emissions scenario in the department’s latest report into coastal erosion.

The DCCEEW will hold an information session on Wednesday, May 13, on its Coastal Erosion and Inundation Assessment which was released in November last year.

“This is an opportunity for decision-makers, planners and coastal officers to understand current research and take the next steps to identify vulnerable assets, assess future exposure and design targeted responses,” the DCCEEW says.

Speakers will go through the background of the assessment and outline the current and future exposure to coastal erosion, coastal overwash and estuarine inundation.

“We’ll also hear about how this work can shore up Coastal Management Plans as well as

Palmdale Lawn Cemetery & Memorial Park

57 Palmdale Road, Palmdale

Commencing at 9am, the service will be held adjacent to the Defence Force Memorial.

Palmdale Phone: 4362 1203

The Palmdale Group will host ANZAC Day Ceremonies at both Palmdale and Greenway on 25th April, paying respect to the memory of our service men and women.

Services and Wreath laying ceremonies will be held at both Palmdale and Greenway.

how to access the data and snapshots to inform decisionmaking,” the DCCEEW says.

“Sea levels are rising and are projected to have a major impact on coastal communities in NSW over coming decades,” a snapshot of the report notes.

“At the State’s baseline sea level monitoring station at Port Kembla, average sea level has been rising at a rate of approximately 3.7mm/ year, with approximately 12cm of sea-level rise since 1991.”

Another snapshot says coastal overwash is projected to occur more frequently and shows photos of damage at The Clan Motel at Terrigal and Terrigal Surf Club after a June 2016 event.

Central Coast Council is expected to adopt its Coastal Management Plan (CMP) at its April 28 meeting.

The Open Coast CMP covers the coast’s 80kms of open coastline from the southern end of Box Head (Killcare beach) in Bouddi National Park to Snapper Point at the northern end of Budgewoi Beach embayment.

This includes Wamberal and The Entrance North beaches which have seen the most emergency works on the coast due to erosion issues. For details on the report or to register for the information session visit this story online by searching for ‘coastal erosion’ at coastcommunitynews. com.au

Greenway Chapel & Memorial Gardens

460 Avoca Drive, Green Point Commencing at 11am, the service will be held adjacent to the Defence Force Memorial.

Greenway Phone: 4369 2013

Thousands expected at Anzac Day services

Thousands of Central Coast residents are expected to attend Anzac Day services throughout the region on April 25.

Central Coast RSL District Council President Greg Mawson said Anzac Day would once again bring communities across Australia and New Zealand together in solemn reflection, with both the dawn service and the mid morning service continuing to grow in significance for people of all ages.

“In recent years, attendance has surged, particularly among younger generations, demonstrating a renewed commitment to remembering the sacrifices made across more than a century of service,” Mr Mawson said.

“The dawn service, held in the quiet stillness before sunrise, remains the most symbolic moment of the day.

“It echoes the time Australian and New Zealand forces landed at Gallipoli in 1915, marking the beginning of a campaign that would shape national identity.

“The service invites the public to pause, reflect, and honour those who served with courage, resilience and mateship, values that have become synonymous with the ANZAC spirit.

“The Anzac service, later in the morning, provides a broader opportunity for communities to gather, lay wreaths, hear stories of service, and acknowledge the contributions of veterans and their families.

“Parents are especially asked to bring your children along to these services as a way of informing them of Australia’s

Environmental group

Future Sooner has criticised a decision by the NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) to approve the expansion of Delta Electricity’s Chain Valley coal mine.

The group says the IPC has ignored community concerns and excessive methane emissions and claims the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and 11 other NSW Government agencies and their ministers are complicit.

Delta was successfully prosecuted by the EPA for its Vales Point coal-fired power station causing a massive fish kill in 2022, with sentencing expected in August this year.

part in obtaining our freedom from the tyranny of the past.

“The dawn services are always a very moving reminder of the past, not to be missed.

“It is a moment to recognise not only the sacrifices made at Gallipoli, but also those who served in the First and Second World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, peacekeeping missions, and more recent conflicts including Afghanistan.

“Across both services, the growing presence of young people has become a defining feature of modern Anzac Day commemorations.

“Many attend to honour family histories, to learn, or simply to stand in solidarity with those who served.

“Their participation ensures that remembrance is not confined to the past, it is carried forward with purpose and respect.

“As the older veterans find marching in these parades a little too hard, we encourage our younger generation of veterans to take up the slack.

“Organise a group of your exservice friends to march with you, to show our younger people what it meant to serve your country.

“Failure to do so will see Anzac Day fall into history and only be a memory.

“Anzac Day serves as a reminder that the freedoms enjoyed today were shaped by those who put themselves in harm’s way to protect others.

“It is a time for peaceful reflection, gratitude, and unity.

“As communities gather at cenotaphs, memorials, and dawn vigils, the message remains clear: we will remember them, not only for what they gave, but for the world they helped preserve.”

With a number of dawn services and marches scheduled to take place across the region, road closures will be in place at various locations and times throughout the day.

Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, follow all detour signage and respect road

closures to help keep our community safe.

Find a full list of locations, service times and road closures at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/ anzacday

LOCAL SERVICES

Copacabana

Dawn service will be held near the surf club at 5.30am. Davistown

Dawn service, 5.55am at Davistown RSL Memorial.

Doyalson-Wyee

Dawn service 5.30am Doyalson-Wyee RSL Club.

March from Wentworth Ave at 8am.

Main service 8.30am at the RSL.

Empire Bay

A service will be held at 11am at the Empire Bay Cenotaph in Sorrento Rd. Gosford

Dawn service – form outside police station at 5.45am and march to Gosford Cenotaph for service.

Main march – form up at Kibble Park at 10.15am and

march to Gosford cenotaph for main service at 10.45am.

Gwandalan

A service will be held in Lioness Park at 11am.

Ourimbah-Lisarow

Dawn service 5.30am at Ourimbah RSL Club.

Form up in Yates Rd, Ourimbah, at 1.15pm to march to Ourimbah RSL for 2pm service.

Peninsula

Form up at the Bayview Hotel at 5.15am for the 5.30am march to Woy Woy cenotaph followed by the dawn service.

Form up at Deepwater Plaza at 10am for the 10.15am march to the cenotaph in Woy Woy Memorial Park for the main service at 10.30am.

The Vietnam Veterans’ Association will hold a service on the Ettalong Beach foreshore at 8am.

South Lake Macquarie

Form up on Neville Thompson Oval at 5.45am for 6am dawn service.

Form up for march at 8.45am

Coal mine expansion approved

“Future Sooner congratulated the EPA when it achieved the conviction of Delta Electricity, a company that has continuously breached its environmental protection licence conditions,”

Future Sooner President Gary Blaschke said.

“That guilty verdict was handed down in December 2025.

“Cut to April 2026 and

suddenly the EPA supports expanding Delta’s Chain Valley mines that will further poison the lake (Macquarie), not only with Co2 but also with lethal methane.

“When Delta was asked at a recent IPC public hearing what plans it had to stop methane escaping into the air and the lake, it admitted to having no plans.

“The EPA has all the information about the lifethreatening health issues residents suffer from the polluting Vales Point power station.

“Ryan Park, NSW Minister for Health, included the power station as a source of the abundant cancers, respiratory diseases and even deaths suffered by nearby residents.

“ Not to mention the untold damage to the lakes and nearby flora and fauna.

“The UN Special Rapporteur

at Dora Creek Workers Club with step off at 9.30am for 10am service at Neville Thompson Oval.

Terrigal

March commences in Church St at 5.15am for 5.30am dawn service at the Memorial on the waterfront.

Morning service at Breakers begins at 11am.

The Entrance-Long Jetty

There will be movies in the park at The Entrance at 4am. Be in the park for the 5am dawn service.

Form up in Short St at 11am for the march to the memorial and service at 11.30 am.

Toukley

Dawn service will be held at 5.15am at the cenotaph at Toukley RSL Club.

Form up on the Village Green at 9.35am for march to morning service at the cenotaph. Wyong

The dawn service will be held at Club Wyong at 5.30am. Form up at Wyong Town Park at 10.45am for the march.

Marcos A. Orellana’s Final Report concurred.

“Horrifyingly, the EPA is not alone in advocating for Delta and its expanded Chain Valley mines application.

“Eleven government departments cheered on the IPC to approve the application as did Lake Macquarie Council, while Central Coast Council said nothing.”

Mr Blaschke said the IPC completely ignored all the community submissions pleading to reject the application in the hope that the government would consider the welfare of its citizens’ health and wellbeing.

“Let’s remember this come the March 2027 NSW election,” he said.

Discover Retirement Reimagined

A document calling for strong purpose-driven local leadership has been adopted by the local leadership of Central Coast Council.

The document, Blueprint Central Coast, put together by a group calling itself the Central Coast Leadership Forum, was first presented to Council’s Economic Committee late last year.

It has a Board that includes David Norris from the John Singleton Group; with representatives from Business NSW; Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA Central Coast); Regional Development Australia and others.

The 52-page glossy brochure includes messages from Mayor Lawrie McKinna, NSW Premier Chris Minns and Patron John Singleton.

Cr McKinna put the Blueprint to the March 28 Council meeting with eight recommendations about it.

The first is that Council writes to the Leadership Forum, acknowledging and supporting the work they have done to develop Blueprint Central Coast.

The other seven points adopted are all about confirming parts of the Blueprint about Gosford and its waterfront as strategic priorities for Council.

Blueprint gets council approval

But the report is about much more than just Gosford waterfront.

The key message highlights the potential of the entire Coast.

First the challenges are discussed.

These include: an ageing population; the lack of strong leadership; Council’s approach to regulations; an education gap; and more.

In a competitive environment for finite public resources, the absence of strong, purposedriven local leadership has reduced the Central Coast’s ability to secure its fair share of investment and policy support,” it says.

“This has left the region at risk of falling behind others that present more co-ordinated and

compelling cases for funding and policy attention.”

‘’Over-reliance on public funds increases financial risk and limits the region’s capacity for scalable growth.

“Achieving a sustainable and resilient economic future for the Central Coast will require greater investment and partnership between government and private sector stakeholders.

“This collaboration will be essential to increasing research, investment and unlocking new growth opportunities.’’

There are some 80,000 residents aged 65 or older, and by 2040, people aged 80 will constitute about one-in-ten of the population.

‘’As the region’s ageing population places pressure on health and social services, the Central Coast Local Health District projects a need for an additional 5,000 health workers over the next five years to meet rising demand,” the report says.

“Housing availability remains a significant barrier to recruiting and retaining these essential workers.’’

It also talks about the education gap in younger residents:

“As of 2021, just 17.9% of residents aged 15 and over held a Bachelor’s Degree or higher, compared to 27.8% across NSW,’’ the Blueprint says.

‘’Moving forward, the Central

Coast Council requires a cultural reset which fundamentally changes their approach to regulation and planning.

“Specifically, stakeholders called for Council to adopt a more innovative and projectenabling posture; one which retains the region’s unique environmental and lifestyle assets, but which also reflects the Central Coast’s new economic realities and growth potential.’’

The Blueprint suggests the Coast needs a popularlyelected mayor to have someone with the authority to speak for the community, the stability to deliver long-term projects, and the standing to partner effectively with other levels of government.

Structural limitations include a limited supply of high-end accommodation, a lack of standout attractions and weak transport connectivity.

“Despite its beaches, bushland and family-friendly lifestyle, the region has struggled to translate natural appeal into longer stays or richer tourism experiences,” it says.

“This is evident in the 2024 visitor profile, which indicates that the vast majority of visitors come for short-stay day trips, and although domestic day trip expenditure continues to increase, growth is

Concerns over regulation of landfill

concentrated in lower value activities.’’

The Blueprint endorses the State Government’s Central Coast Regional Plan 2041 released in October 2022, but says what is needed is the governance and commitment to deliver it.

It gives a list of actions that need to be taken.

‘’A critical first step is the creation of Place Delivery Groups, joint teams of Council and NSW Government agencies with a clear mandate to: resolve planning and infrastructure bottlenecks; prioritise catalytic projects in growth centres; accelerate housing and employment opportunities; and ensure delivery is aligned with the Plan’s objectives,” the Blueprint says.

The next steps from Council will be to seek support from government and major institutions to establish a Gosford Renewal Partnership agreement.

Council will then: lead an implementation taskforce and establish a Stakeholder Advisory Group; apply for funding and establish a Council Major Projects Team; and outline a draft Implementation Plan including identifying resourcing that will be required to start high priority projects in 2026/2027.

Merilyn Vale

The Community Environment Network (CEN) says it has serious concerns over the regulation of the Mangrove Mountain Landfill over many years.

CEN Chair Cary Chestnut said the NSW Environment Protection Authority’s (EPA’s) recent amendment of the Environment Protection Licence for the landfill exposes serious and unresolved questions about the site’s regulation over many years, and what responsibility the State Government must now accept.

“The EPA’s latest notice amounts to a public admission that the regulator itself failed to stay within the law for years,” Mr Chestnut said.

“The EPA has now confirmed in black and white that key licence variations were invalid across multiple years.

“This is not just a paperwork issue; it is a systemic regulatory failure.

“When the regulator charged

with enforcing environmental law unlawfully varies its own licence, the public is entitled to ask: who was protecting the Central Coast’s drinking water catchment, and who in government is accountable?”

Mr Chestnut called for Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch and NSW Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water Penny Sharpe to pledge before next year’s state election that the Government will step up and clean up the landfill.

He said the EPA notice confirms that invalid EPL variations were made in 2009, 2010 and 2011 and had to be removed from the licence.

“This was not a single administrative slip by the EPA, it was a pattern spanning consecutive years,” he said.

“The removed conditions were not trivial but related to landfill cell construction, sediment and erosion controls, installation of leachate pond lining, installation of leachate barriers and collection systems,

and construction quality assurance reporting.

“These are the very protections the public would expect to be properly authorised and rigorously enforced at a landfill by the EPA.”

In 2017 the Mountain Districts Association (MDA) alleged the EPA varied EPL 11395 without considering sections 45(i) and 50 of the POEO Act and that the 13 May 2009 variation, amongst others, was invalid.

The Land and Environment

Court subsequently found the 13 May 2009 invalid.

Mr Chestnut said the EPA notice validates the MDA’s concerns and strengthens the case for its recommendation that a judicial inquiry be undertaken into the EPA’s administration of the licence.

He called for a closer examination of possible systemic shortcomings within the EPA’s regulatory approach and said scale of what the EPA allowed to occur is “deeply alarming”.

“A consent that was supposed to involve limited works escalated, so that by September 2012 inspectors found a waste mound of 800,000 cubic metres (10 times the approved volume), an unapproved excavation pit of 149,149 cubic metres and a further 100,000 cubic metres of material elsewhere on site.”

Mr Chestnut said up to 85% of the fill mound did not have an engineered leachate barrier so up to 3 million litres of leachate may have been

escaping annually into the Central Coast’s drinking water supply catchment and local aquifer.

He said with Land and Environment Court actions now resolved, the State Government must respond.

“The EPA is a state authority; if the EPA got this wrong, over consecutive years, then the responsibility sits with the State Government,” he said. CEN is calling upon the NSW Government to: publicly acknowledge the significance of the EPA’s 2025 notice and the Land and Environment Court findings it records; commission a judicial review or inquiry into the administration of EPL 11395 over the relevant period; hold a public meeting to explain what safeguards are now in place to ensure similar failures do not occur again; and confirm that the EPA is committed to transparent monitoring, investigation and, where necessary, remediation to protect the catchment and downstream water users.

Community Event

A s b e s t o s , S i l i c a & D u s t D i s e a s e s :

Y o u r C o m p e n s a t i o n R i g h t s & L u n g H e a l t h

Join our FREE information session covering:

• Lung health and testing

Isabella Nati Dust Disease Lawyer

Tuesday, 28 April 2026 starting at 1:30pm

The Gallery at Gosford RSL Club 26 Central Coast Hwy, West Gosford NSW

Free afternoon tea provided Attend for a chance to win our raffle!

Demolition discussion to take place in Heritage Month

The Local Planning Panel meets this Thursday, April 23, to decide on the fate of a heritage listed house at Burns Rd, Ourimbah, and while it is not part of Central Coast Council’s Heritage Month activities, it is expected to generate a lot of interest.

The recommendation from Council staff to the committee is to refuse the application to demolish the house and shed on the 2.06ha site, which also includes Eaton’s Mitre 10, Concrete Sleepers NSW and the Burns Road Café.

Coouncillor Doug Eaton has declared an interest in one of the properties on Council’s register of interests.

The subject of the development application is the circa 1915 single-storey timber three-bedroom, one-bathroom

As part of the Coast’s involvement in the Australian Heritage Festival, anyone can sign up for a guided walking tour on April 28 around historic Wyong, learning about its establishment and development since 1887.

Or, on the same date, you can attend a Central Coast Council meeting in Wyong and see how 15 councillors vote on a motion to defer any decisions about having a Heritage and Culture Subcommittee, pending advice on the cost of having such a committee.

This comes after – not before, but after – Council asked for expressions of interest from the public in being on this committee.

Applications closed on March

From page 1

weatherboard worker’s cottage known as Boona Breena.

“The building remains an occupied residential dwelling, satisfies the needs of the

current resident and presents well within the streetscape,” the council report says.

It discusses some of the issues raised in the 34

submissions received when the proposal was on public exhibition.

“The planning framework does not support demolition of

heritage items on the basis of deterioration where such condition may reasonably be attributed to a failure to adequately maintain the property over time,” the report says.

“Heritage provisions are generally founded on the principle that demolition is a last resort, and owners of heritage items are expected to act as custodians and actively conserve heritage significance.

“In this instance, the application has not demonstrated that reasonable maintenance, conservation or adaptive reuse options have been exhausted.”

The report noted the applicant was Paul Anderson (PM Consulting) on behalf of Stevens Land Pty Ltd and the owner of the site was Eaton and Sons Pty Ltd.

Heritage experts snubbed

5 for 10 Independent external members who would meet at least four times a year with four councillors nominated by resolution of Council.

“This is a Sub-committee to Council that may provide advice, input and feedback on matters relating to conserving, promoting and celebrating the Central Coast’s heritage and history, in accordance with the adopted terms of reference,” Council said.

The April 7 meeting of the Environment and Planning Committee was expected to discuss the applications but the matter was deferred after a motion from Councillor Doug Eaton, seconded by Cr John Mouland, recommended Council delay finalising the committee pending advice on

the cost involved.

The vote was Cr Eaton, Cr Mouland and Cr Rachel Stanton in favour with Cr Margot Castles, Cr Jane Smith and Cr Sharon Walsh against.

The motion was adopted on the casting vote of Cr Eaton who is chair of the committee.

In January, councillors adopted terms of reference for the subcommittee with a scope that included: Identifying and documenting items, places and areas for future heritage listing across the Coast.

It was meant to start with gaps identified in the Central

Coast Thematic History 2024 and places identified in a heritage strategy workshop held in August 2025.

It was meant to collaborate with local history groups, community members and key heritage groups to help Council develop a project to capture oral histories and stories from the Central Coast and develop ways in which historical/ heritage information can be shared.

It was meant to inform, review and provide advice on Council’s heritage policies including the preparation and implementation of strategies, conservation management plans and development control plans.

It was meant to: collaborate with First Nations people on

Member for The Entrance David Mehan joined residents at the site in January to oppose its demolition.

Ourimbah Region Residents Association (ORRA) President Brian Davies said members were concerned that the history of the building had not been researched thoroughly.

The LPP meeting is being held in the first week of the Australian Heritage Festival, which runs from April 18 to May 18, featuring hundreds of community-driven events nationwide, including tours, talks, and workshops.

Focused on natural, historic, and Indigenous heritage, the 2026 theme is “Change,” highlighting how history shapes the present and includes events on the Coast.

management and conservation of Aboriginal sites, places and cultural landscapes; support Council in effective heritage management, such as alerting Council to heritage issues within the community: and support education, awareness and capacity building.

The Sub-Committee was to make recommendations to Council via a report prepared by Council officers to the Environment and Planning Committee.

Stay tuned to see what transpires on April 28.

Meanwhile, for more on Heritage Month celebrations locally search “heritage month” at coastcommunitynews. com.au

Calls for long-term solution for illegal camping

Central Coast Councillor John Mouland said he shared the residents’ frustration.

“This is a matter impacting not only the Central Coast but many other regions across NSW,” he said.

“Unfortunately, the ‘moving on’ of the issue each time when we address this matter is a reality that Council, police and state government agencies are trying to collectively address.

“There is no easy answer, however everyone is committed to finding a better outcome.”

Councillor Doug Eaton said he was also outraged by the situation.

“This makes a mockery of moving them on,” he said.

He said he had raised the issue with Council staff and would continue to follow up the matter.

Residents are asking for the matter to be formally tabled at Council’s next meeting on April 24.

“The community needs clarity on what enforcement actions were taken regarding the destruction at Jenny Dixon Reserve,” one resident wrote.

“What long-term strategy does the Council intend to implement to prevent the ongoing relocation of the same group and how does the Council plan to protect reserves across the Coast from repeated environmental damage?

“What measures will be taken

to ensure consistent enforcement of laws relating to unregistered vehicles, dangerous dogs, and environmental vandalism?

“This issue affects multiple suburbs and multiple reserves across the Central Coast.

“It requires a co-ordinated, transparent, and long-term response.”

Councillor Helen Crowley said she had asked Council staff to keep her updated as to the circumstances surrounding the moving of campers from Norah Head to Toukley.

“I agree that a more realistic approach needs to be made regarding homeless people, but in saying that, we as a society should not tolerate the wanton destruction of our

parks and community spaces making them inaccessible to the people who wish to visit,” she said.

She said she would be talking to Budgewoi ward councillors Cr Mouland and Cr Eaton along with other councillors to try and develop a plan of management for the homeless in the community.

One resident said while she believed the illegal campers posed a safety risk to the general community, the Council needed to step up and “lead locally”.

“Moving vulnerable people from place to place without providing a safe and appropriate alternative is not only ineffective, but also neglectful,” she said.

“The reality is that homelessness is increasing across Australia.

“This is exactly why Council must step up and lead locally.

“The Central Coast should be a place that genuinely cares for its most vulnerable by providing safe, appropriate locations with access to basic amenities and support services.”

She said other councils across Australia were recognising that simply moving people was not an effective solution and instead were implementing more structured and practical approaches.

These included establishing designated temporary areas with basic amenities such as toilets, showers, and waste facilities, working in partnership

with housing providers and support services to offer outreach, case management, and pathways into accommodation and coordinating relocations so individuals were only moved when appropriate support or alternative options were available.

“These approaches not only improve outcomes for those experiencing homelessness, but also protect public spaces, reduce ongoing enforcement costs, and maintain community safety,” the resident said.

“The current approach is clearly not working and is placing both the public and these individuals at risk.”

Denice Barnes

This is a tale of two gardeners – one is a talented and successful artist of more than 30 years who loves to paint, and the other is a renowned book publisher and awarded writer of plant books.

The artist, Jannine Doyle, gardens by mixing shapes and colours.

The writer, Gordon Cheers, gardens by grouping the different plant species and genus.

Their biggest arguments are over who gets the coffee grinds waste and kitchen worm compost.

They don’t argue over plants as he has his, and she has hers – both plants and gardens. It started almost five years ago when the couple moved to the Central Coast.

They brought with them to Matcham more than 3,000 plants from their previous home in St Ives.

The aim was to produce a garden that would be sustainable with little effort once planted, a tropical garden of Eden, Mr Cheers said.

The property has four large water tanks, providing 270,000

Kariong Progress Association will mark its 80th birthday with a special celebration from 2pm-4pm on Sunday, May 24, at the Progress Hall.

The celebration will bring the community together to reflect on the people, places and stories that have shaped Kariong, from when Henry Griffith Parry took up land at Kariong in 1901 for the conservation and cultivation of native plants and flowers.

It will cover the area from the establishment of the Gosford Boys’ Farm at Mount Penang in 1911, through to the formation of the Progress Association just after World War II in 1946, and events up to today.

A tale of two gardeners

litres of pure rainwater, as well as a large dam.

The couple moves plants and soil around the 2.6ha on a solar buggy, powered by 46 solar roof panels.

And once upon a time you might have been able to notice that as you drove past their property.

But not anymore.

The view of the house has been completely hidden by growth.

The two are working towards being off grid with at least 14 fruit trees – lemon, orange, babaco, avocado, kaffia lime, olive, apple, eight nut trees

including gingko, macadamia and almond – as well as vegetable gardens.

The decorative gardens comprise a bamboo garden, a tropical oasis, a fern garden, a rare cycad garden, a bromeliad garden and a number of other mixed garden beds.

The bamboo garden is designed to be a quiet and secluded place in which a writer can sit and meditate or which children can enjoy.

The mixed colour gardens provide inspiration for the artist and interest throughout the year.

The bromeliad garden,

arranged by species, consists mainly of different full sun varieties from Machu Picchu in Peru.

The tropical garden, surrounded by tall palms, provides a shady environment and consist of plants from all over the world such as philodendrons, hoyas, coleus, and anthurium, hippeastrums, cordyline, rare bulbs, gingers, costus and rare shade palms and tropical plants that will survive in Matcham where winters get down to 2°C.

The cycad garden consists of the common sago palm native to Japan, rare cycads from

South Africa and even rarer ones from China.

The fern garden is framed by tall Cyathea cooperi (Australian Tree Fern) to provide both shade and height in an area that gets quite moist.

The tall fern makes it possible to plant smaller shade-loving ferns as an understorey interest.

The gardens are designed so they don’t interfere with the mowing of the golf course-like landscape.

Mr Cheers said the gardens offer an amazing sense of calm and space while allowing beautiful views of the

A fascinating history of Kariong

surrounding landscape dotted with majestic gums – all with low maintenance in mind.

“We cover the grass with cardboard, then cow manure then compost,” he said of the gardens.

“This suppresses the weeds, and turns the soil into a rich worm-abundant growing medium.

“When moving into a new place, we work out what gets full sun and what gets shade, what is damp and what is dry, and plant by zone bearing these environments in mind; otherwise you could end up planting dry plants in moist soil or mixing dry and most plants together.

“If you group your plants by zone together it makes watering easier.

“Water in with Seasol, then Powerfeed half strength every few months.

“If you buy different plants in flower each month of the year, in time you will have a garden with something in flower all year round.”

Mr Cheers has written books on gardening and once published the world’s largest atlas.

Merilyn Vale

as the general manager of Gosford quarries from 1926 until his retirement in 1966 when he became managing director.

He died in 1971 age 85.

“It will be a relaxed and welcoming event, offering a chance to connect, share memories and celebrate the strong community spirit that defines Kariong,” the spokesperson said.

There will also be presentations from students sharing what Kariong means today and a display of

The day will include: the launch of the Kariong Then and Now commemorative booklet; presentations from long-time local residents; and a sausage sizzle, coffee cart and afternoon tea.

photographs and a timeline showcasing Kariong’s history.

“There will heaps of old photographs and we will also have a timeline of events that have shaped Kariong, and some stories about where many of the street names of Kariong came from,” an

Association spokesperson said.

Speakers will include two of Kariong residents – Bob Pankhurst and Colin Parry.

Mr Parry is the nephew of Henry Parry, who in 1901 selected land at Kariong on which to carry out the

Feedback sought on playspaces

Feedback on the Central Coast Council’s Draft Playspace Strategy 202630 closes on April 29.

conservation of a wide range of native flowers growing there.

The property was taken over and developed further by his brother Percy (Colin’s father) and was known as Floralands.

Percy and his wife Olive had children, including Colin.

Henry Parry was best known

“As part of this milestone, we are also inviting contributions for the commemorative booklet.

“If you have a story, photograph or memory of Kariong, we would love to include it.”

Residents are invited to send contributions for the booklet to kariongpa@gmail.com by May 1.

The feedback helped Council understand what the community loves about playspaces, what matters most, what could be improved, how they are used and what

The strategy was guided by feedback from almost 1,100 community members who shared their views through an online survey, interactive activities, in-person pop up sessions or the Access and Inclusion Reference Group workshop.

people would like to see in the future.

The feedback has been carefully reviewed, taking a detailed look at what matters most to residents, how playspaces support social connection and play, and how they can continue to evolve to

meet local needs and support growth in our region.

Feedback on the draft strategy will guide how the Council plans and manages more than 270 playspaces over the next five years.

Visit yourvoiceourcoast. com to find out more.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Progress association wants

action

Koolewong and Point ClareTascott Progress Association will contact the Minister for Roads and Minister for Regional Transport requesting that proper drainage be installed at the intersection of Takari St and Brisbane Water Dr for the safety of students attending Point Clare Public School.

This follows several flooding incidents following heavy downpours.

This was resolved at the group’s latest meeting.

The association will also request pedestrian traffic lights at both Koolewong and Tascott railway stations on Brisbane Water Dr amid concerns for residents attempting to cross the busy thoroughfare.

Members also decided to once again contact Central Coast Council to ask for better maintenance of local footpaths and the removal of the footpath obstruction for those on walking frames and mobility scooters near 18 Brisbane Water Dr, Koolewong.

See full story online: coastcommunitynews.com.au

Council’s electric vehicle fleet

Central Coast Council has 153 battery and hybrid electric vehicles in service.

This represents around 11% of Council’s total fleet of 1,386 vehicles.

These vehicles include a mix of full battery electric passenger vehicles, hybrid passenger vehicles, hybrid trucks, and one hybrid 20 tonne excavator.

Back in 2019, Council under Mayor Jane Smith began a 10year plan to gradually transition its fleet to EVs.

Highlights from the March 25, 2019, meeting state that Council adopted six pledge actions as part of the national Cities Power Partnership Program to actively reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The pledge actions included installing rooftop solar on Council buildings, reducing emissions from wastewater to generate energy, improving landfill gas capture systems, energy efficient street lighting, supporting the uptake of electric vehicles and supporting local community groups with their community energy initiatives.

In a 2022 update, Council said the cost of fuel for Council’s fossil-fuelled fleet had skyrocketed in the previous 12

months and was “expected to continue to rise”.

It said the EV update would happen in a responsible and sensible year-on-year manner, rather than having to purchase them all at once at a time in the future when many other fleets would be seeking to do likewise.

“Council also expects this impact will see the demand for EVs in the wider community grow,” Council said at the time. It had several charging stations at different Council sites, with features that allow EVs to be charged off-peak.

In 2022 the 129 fleet included the excavator, a first-of-kind in NSW local government, a full battery electric tipper truck, six hybrid electric trucks, nine full battery electric passenger vehicles and 112 hybrid electric passenger vehicles.

Each hybrid or electric vehicle introduced had displaced a full fossil-fuelled vehicle that had reached its end of service life.

Since 2022, Council has continued to transition its fleet. It is based on whole of life cost assessments that consider factors such as state contract pricing, purchase cost, residual

values, servicing availability, and operational reliability.

Council said hybrids currently provide the most practical balance between emissions reduction and financial sustainability.

“Council continues to review and actively consider electric vehicle options as technology, infrastructure and market conditions evolve,” Council said on April 15.

As fuel continues to be an issue, Council, along with every council in NSW, has been asked to collate its fuel capacity.

LGNSW president Darcy Byrne said he was conscious that most councils were grappling with the impacts of the fuel crisis and the very real effects that these were having on communities.

“At the request of the Treasurer, LGNSW is seeking data from all councils regarding the current distribution challenge,” he said.

“Although this is particularly relevant for rural, regional and remote councils, I encourage all councils to take part in our short survey collating information specific to your community on storage capacity, fuel reserves and fuel intensity of council operations.

‘’We know the problems of distribution and the spike in fuel prices will impact councils in different ways depending on their size, location, and the nature of their operations so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution.

“But it’s important that we speak with one voice when it comes to ensuring our sector’s essential services are prioritised for fuel distribution, as required.’’

FORUM & ON THE BEAT

Thanks to Council for new playspace

Thank you, Central Coast Council (CCC), for organising the upgrade to the little play park area at the Tom Bourke/Dianne Ave Reserve, on the shores of our beautiful Lake Munmorah.

The play park, which had one swing set and one see-saw, now has a bright new modern play area for the little ones, families and caregivers to enjoy and respect for generations to come.

I can’t wait to see my newly born grandson play in the little play park area when he is old enough to safely enjoy this adventure!

I am personally grateful.

FORUM

Read more forum on our website by scanning the QR code or visit coastcommunitynews.com.au/forum SCAN ME

lower someone down to save them.

Council trees a fire hazard

Thank you CCC for making this wish come true.

Email, Apr 2

Leisa Robson, Lake Munmorah

Minor bureaucrats don’t give a damn

A friend of my wife has lodged a proposal for the construction of a new dwelling in Wamberal.

Plans were lodged with Council months ago.

She and her husband, now in their 70s, live in a two-storey dwelling, and the proposed new dwelling was to be single storey.

Coast Community News published my letter on Friday, October 21, 2022, regarding how this particular little play park area was in need of an upgrade.

To cut a very lengthy story short, her plans have been rejected three times with a decision based on the “flood mitigation plans” associated with the “Richmond River”, some 400kms away.

According to Central Coast Council, before they will approve her plans, she will have to lodge plans showing a “second storey”, entered by means of a “ladder” with nothing in it but a “bench, four chairs and a dormer window”.

This is to provide for the “ultimate flood” escape so that “Noah” can bring the Ark to the dormer window and save four people although only two will be living there.

Alternatively, a helicopter can

Despite numerous requests by the draftsperson/architect and a flood engineer showing that Council is being unfair/ unwise in its decision, some bureaucrat has emphatically stated this is the decision – like it and do what Council wants or don’t build.

The only other alternative open to this retired couple is to take the matter to the Land and Environment Court, which is lengthy and costly.

So many of these minor bureaucrats see themselves as “little dictators” and really don’t give a damn for those who pay their wages.

Perhaps it is time for “our” elected representatives to step in and remind the dictators of this fact and suggest they perform for the ratepayers or maybe find a job more fitting to their perceived talents.

ON THE BEAT

Be on lookout for stolen cars

Tuggerah Lakes Police are seeking information in relation to two vehicles stolen from Hamlyn Terrace.

The cars were stolen between 9.30pm on Saturday, April 18, and 7am on Sunday, April 19. The vehicles are described

as: a red coloured Ford Mustang with NSW registration 77COLT and a grey coloured Nissan Navara with NSW registration 71HAYW.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Tuggerah Lakes Police District (02 4356 6099) or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Court issues warrants for arrest

Water Police District is seeking information to locate the people pictured who are subject to warrants issued by the Court.

With Council advising Central Coast residents to identify risks and be prepared for bushfires, I contacted Central Coast Council regarding trees that the then Wyong Council planted directly behind my back fence and behind five other properties in my street.

These trees have grown since, with one being very high, and they are now extending halfway over the length my garage.

I have lived here at Ourimbah for several decades and the nearby bushland has never caught fire in all that time.

But if or when the odds do come up there is a very good chance it will extend to the trees behind our properties.

These trees are definite fire hazards.

However, the Central Coast

Council Tree Risk Management Team says that because the building in question is not inhabited and the trees are not on “bushfire prone land” , they will not take any action.

So now it would be advisable not to put a highly inflammable car in the garage during bushfire season.

When buildings and trees catch fire, flames can build momentum reaching further than sometimes expected.

I am reminded of the terrible loss of houses at Koolawong recently due to fire.

To my knowledge that was unexpected.

It is obvious that fire is more predictable when there are trees hanging over buildings but those responsible for planting the trees in the first place will not take responsibility.

Email, Mar 28 Name withheld, Ourimbah

ON THE BEAT BRIEFS

Appeal for crash information

Police are appealing for community assistance in relation to a crash at the Cresthaven Ave roundabout in Bateau Bay on Sunday, March 29, at approximately 12.45am, which involved a white utility and a white 4WD.

Investigators are seeking dashcam or CCTV footage of the two vehicles travelling between Long Jetty and Bateau Bay just before 1am.

They are specifically looking for footage of the driving behaviour of the two vehicles

and the subsequent collision at the CresthavenAve intersection. Police are interested in footage taken during the 10 minutes between 12.45am and 12.55am.

People with residential or business CCTV facing the highway between Long Jetty and Bateau Bay could also check for these vehicles. Those who have footage or witnessed the incident are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crimestoppers website.

Teens charged after pursuits and crash

Warrants are also out for Nathan Green and Olivia Mandy Smith.

Jamie Lee Jansz and Tenille Leeanne Clements both have outstanding warrants for alleged domestic violence incidents.

Police are making inquiries to locate them and information from the public could make a difference in the police investigation.

All information will be treated confidentially.

Police are urging anyone with information that could assist to call PoliceLink 131 444, Crimestoppers 1800 333 000 or online (see bottom right)

Police advises anyone who sees any of the people being sought to not approach them or attempt to speak with them, but contact police immediately.

Woman arrested on DV warrants

A 51-year-old woman will front Gosford Local Court on April 29, following her arrest related to domestic violence warrants.

Brisbane Water Police arrested the woman at Bensville at about 7.45pm on Sunday, April 12, after receiving information she was at a residential address. She was wanted by police on three outstanding arrest warrants relating to domestic violence.

Police took the woman to Gosford Police Station where the three arrest warrants were finalised.

She was refused bail until her appearance in court on April 29.

Anyone with information that can assist police with locating a person who has an outstanding arrest warrant should call PoliceLink on 131 444 or Crimestoppers 1800 333 000 or report at nswcrimestoppers.com.au

Two teenage boys have been charged after two separate pursuits in Sydney’s south and on the Central Coast.

At about 1.45am on Tuesday, April 7, police attempted to stop a white Audi sedan at Sans Souci, allegedly stolen from a home in Beaumont Hills on Sunday, April 5.

Following two police pursuits, at Kogarah and later on the M1, which were abandoned due to safety concerns, emergency services were called to the

Ourimbah rest area on the M1 at 6.20am, following reports a car had crashed into a tree. The occupants allegedly ran from the scene but police eventual arrested the driver – a 14-year-old boy – and his passenger – a 16-year-old boy.

The younger boy was charged with a range of offences and the older boy was charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner. They were both refused bail before their appearance at Children’s Court.

Origami festival a resounding success

This year marked a turning point for the Origami Folding Art and Sound Festival, held at the Japanese Gardens at Gosford Regional Gallery on April 10-11.

It doubled, not just in dates but in ambition, expanding into a two-day experience and introducing Origami Kids, a dedicated program for ages 0–12.

In a climate where audiences

are stepping back from going out, Gosford’s own festival pulled people in and quadrupled its audience, selling out both events with nearly 1,000 people moving through Edogawa Gardens over the weekend.

The experience was immersive and transportive, a layered world of light, sound, movement, and unexpected moments.

Playful, surreal and grounded all at once, the event fostered

The event was a spectacle of light and sound

a shared sense of wonder created in real time.

“It’s no longer about nightlife nostalgia,” festival director Glitta Supernova said.

“It’s about showing up where culture is happening now, with creatives, in regional spaces that welcome all, and in experiences that prioritise connection over consumption.

“There is no clearer example of ambitious, inclusive arts and culture engaging a community

and reflecting its own local identity, not as a concept, a bloated attendee number or a box ticking exercise, but as an iconic, memorable lived experience that happened right here in downtown Gosford.

“Community is replacing excess.

“Belonging is replacing transaction and Origami is built on that shift, on discovery, collaboration, movement and shared experience.

“Proof that bold, original artist-led work can thrive regionally, that audiences from everywhere will show up for originality and that communityled cultural infrastructure works when it’s trusted and supported.”

The Origami Kids program saw 89% Central Coast families, with a striking 76% attending a Gosford family event for the first time, a powerful indicator of cultural

pull and place-making in action.

The 18+ event hosted a significant tourism footprint for Gosford with 18% from across NSW, Queensland and Victoria. Driven by a vision of access, strength and excellence for regional arts and music in NSW, the festival continues to unfold, inviting people to be part of something larger.

The result is a milestone moment for Gosford.

As the days cool and the pace of the garden begins to slow, autumn quietly offers one of the best opportunities to set your garden up for success.

While many gardeners start to wind back their efforts at this time of year, those in the know reach for one of the simplest and most powerful tools available… mulch.

Mulching in autumn isn’t just about tidying up garden beds.

It’s about protecting your soil, supporting plant health, conserving moisture, and creating the kind of rich, living environment that will carry your garden right through winter and into spring with strength.

WHY MULCH NOW?

After the heat of summer, soils across much of Australia can be dry, compacted, and depleted.

Autumn mulching helps restore balance. It locks in any remaining warmth, regulates soil temperature as cooler nights set in, and slows

Down in the Garden Mulch Now! The Secret to a Healthier Garden Through Winter

by CHERALYN DARCEY

www.cheralyndarcey.com

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

evaporation as rainfall becomes less predictable.

Mulch also acts as a protective blanket.

It shields soil from heavy rain, prevents erosion, and reduces weed growth just as winter weeds begin to emerge.

Perhaps most importantly, as organic mulches break down over time, they feed your soil, encouraging bene cial microbes and improving structure.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT MULCH

Not all mulches are created equal, and choosing the right type depends on your garden, your plants, and your goals.

Organic mulches

These are the most commonly used and, for many gardeners, the most bene cial.

 Sugar cane mulch:

A favourite for vegetable gardens. It’s light, easy to spread, and breaks down relatively quickly, adding organic matter to the soil. Ideal for autumn veggie

patches planted with leafy greens or brassicas.

 Lucerne mulch:

Rich in nutrients, especially nitrogen, making it excellent for feeding hungry plants. It’s perfect for boosting soil before winter crops, though it can be a little more expensive.

 Straw: Affordable and effective, straw provides good insulation and is widely used in veggie gardens. Just ensure it’s weed-free.

 Compost: While technically not always thought of as mulch, a thick layer of compost can act as both mulch and soil conditioner, enriching beds as it breaks down.

Bark and wood-based mulches

These are longer-lasting and often used in ornamental gardens.

 Pine bark: Available in different grades, from ne to chunky. It’s excellent for garden beds, helps retain

moisture, and gives a neat, nished look.

 Wood chips: Great for pathways and larger garden areas. They break down slowly and are ideal for suppressing weeds over time.

 Eucalyptus mulch: Often readily available, it’s durable and aromatic, though best used around established plants rather than delicate seedlings.

Inorganic mulches

These don’t break down but still serve a purpose.

 Gravel and pebbles: Ideal for drought-tolerant gardens and areas where you want long-term coverage. They help reduce evaporation but don’t improve soil structure.

 Rubber mulch: Sometimes used in play areas, though less common in home gardens.

HOW TO MULCH PROPERLY

Good mulching isn’t just

Book Review by Julie Chessman

By George Saunders

about throwing material on top of the soil. A little preparation makes all the difference.

Start by clearing weeds and watering the soil well. If your soil is particularly dry or tired, consider adding compost or a soil conditioner before mulching.

Apply mulch to a depth of around 5 to 10 centimetres. Too thin and it won’t suppress weeds effectively. Too thick and it can prevent water from penetrating.

Keep mulch slightly away from the base of plants and tree trunks. Piling it up against stems can encourage rot and pests.

TIMING MATTERS

Autumn is ideal because the soil still holds some warmth from summer, which helps roots continue to grow.

Mulching now locks that warmth in while preparing plants for the cooler months ahead.

It also means that by the time spring arrives, much of your organic mulch will have

started to break down, enriching the soil just as plants begin their active growth phase.

A SIMPLE HABIT WITH LASTING IMPACT

There’s something deeply satisfying about mulching in autumn.

It’s a quiet, grounding task that doesn’t demand urgency but rewards you over time. It’s also one of the most forgiving gardening practices. You don’t have to get everything perfect to see the bene ts.

In many ways, mulch is less about what you see on the surface and more about what’s happening underneath.

It’s about building resilience into your garden, supporting life in the soil, and creating a space that can weather the seasons with ease.

So as the leaves begin to fall and the air cools, take the opportunity to mulch.

Your garden will thank you for it not just now, but in every season that follows.

Saunders’s new novel, Vigil, is slim – about the size of Mitch Albom’s memoir Tuesdays with Morrie or Richard Bach’s novella Jonathan Livingston Seagull.

It is not as soft, sugary and earnest as those books, but it’s not far off. George Saunders can write.

Lincoln in the Bardo is and always will be one of my favourite books; it moved me in such an elemental way I could cry just conjuring up the scenes in my mind.

This tale reaches Bertolt Brecht levels of pedagogical impetus paired with righteous under complexity.

The main narrative idea is almost identical to Lincoln in the Bardo; once more, we encounter souls caught in

the liminal state between death and the afterlife. But in Vigil, the deceased is KJ

Boone, an oil magnate refusing to repent for his sins against the environment.

This is A Christmas Carol minus the Christmas part – Boone is haunted by the people he has wronged and by his family, alive and dead.

As readers we can merge with the living and the dead to read their minds and feel their emotions as Boone refuses to acknowledge and take responsibility for his lies and the harm he has done.

The 87-year-old white man has lived it up to the detriment of the weak and those coming after him.

But he is not an interesting villain; even his attempts to justify his misdeeds are lame and angry- he agitated me.

There are implied questions of

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

Freudian nature against nurture, but Saunders does not fully develop these.

Still, I have extreme goodwill toward this author and his writing.

As a Saunders superfan, I acknowledge that I hold him to an exceptionally high standard, given his tremendous gifts as a postmodern prophet and secular bodhisattva.

Even though Vigil is a repeat performance of Lincoln, recycling the same themes to lesser effect, Saunders writes beautifully about the realm of dead souls who linger in limbo before they settle their karmic debts and abandon their mortal attachments.

An interesting character is Jill (Doll) Blaine.

Since her untimely death at the

hands of a car-bomber, she has been visiting people on the brink of dying as an undead death doula, feeling their pain and reading their thoughts as she helps them to navigate the crossing into the afterlife.

I have never found Saunders to be preachy or pedantic, but here he is scoring the easiest of moral points without any subtlety; his usual razorsharp wit often degrades into cheap parody.

It made me also think of It’s a Wonderful Life.

The climate talk is ardent but familiar and the biblical countersubversive injunction to love one’s neighbour as oneself turns out to not be enough to hang a novel on.

Julie Chessman

This year marks a major milestone for The Art House Wyong, which is set to celebrate its 10th birthday in May.

Since opening in 2016 in the heart of Wyong, The Art House has become a vibrant cultural hub for the Central Coast region, connecting the community with world-class theatre, music, comedy, dance and family entertainment.

Over the past decade, the venue has worked tirelessly to build relationships with the community, national arts organisations, key promoters and touring agents, artists, and festivals around the country to bring metro shows out of the city and direct to Central Coast audiences.

“We believe our audience should have access to the shows we see in metro centres but without the need to travel, the higher ticket prices, nor the additional expenses and logistics to have a great night out seeing quality performance,” Executive Director Anne-Marie Heath said.

Over the past 10 years, thousands of locals have

Art House gets set to celebrate 10 years

enjoyed performances from acclaimed Australian artists and companies including Bangarra Dance Theatre, Kasey Chambers, Opera Australia, Sydney Dance Company, Human Nature and comedians such as Anh Do and Tommy Little.

These performances give Coasties the chance to experience nationally and internationally recognised names without travelling to city venues.

This has made a significant contribution to the nighttime economy, and the Wyong CBD has seen immense economic growth with restaurants, cocktail bars, and boutique stores working together to create a vibrant hub.

The Art House has also supported individual artists and community groups from across the Central Coast to help local talent create on home turf.

This has included not-forprofit arts organisations such as Central Coast Music and Arts, Words on the Waves Writers Festival, Tuggerah Lakes Art Society and Wyong Musical Theatre Company.

It hosts over 30 community dance schools during its December end of year concert season each year; many of the Central Coasts upcoming dancers have performed on The Art House stage.

Through artist development programs, residencies and community initiatives, the venue has assisted new works and engaged hundreds of artists across multiple

disciplines which has played a considerable role in developing the region’s creative sector.

Heath said the anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate all the people who have made the venue what it is today.

“Over the past decade, The Art House has become so much more than a theatre – it is a creative home for artists, audiences and our community,” she said.

“We are incredibly proud of the role The Art House plays in bringing extraordinary performances to the Central Coast while also supporting local artists to create new work.”

Purpose-built as a contemporary performing arts centre, The Art House features a 500-seat theatre, a flexible studio space, public exhibition area and meeting facilities

designed to serve the whole community.

Throughout the year the venue plays host for many community events from Citizenship Ceremonies to Australia Day Awards, school tours and exhibition launches.

Since opening, the venue has received national recognition for its contribution to the arts, including being named Performing Arts Centre of the Year in 2022 and winning multiple regional business awards for excellence and community impact.

The 10th birthday celebrations will honour the venue’s journey over the past decade while looking ahead to an exciting future of bold programming, artist development and community engagement.

Audiences can expect fun moments and plenty of surprises throughout the month of May, so for first time visitors, there’s never been a better time to book a seat at The Art House.

For more information and upcoming performances, visit www.thearthousewyong. com.au

Sons of Sun, the little music dream that rocks

Sons of Sun – Elvis, Jerry Lee, Johnny and Me is a rock ‘n’ roll play about Sun Records, Memphis, and the famous artists that started their careers there.

Much like the famous Sun Records label itself, this Australian production has become the little music dream that rocks and it’s coming to Avoca Beach Theatre on May 17 at 1.30pm.

From its debut at the Sandringham Hotel in Newtown, Sydney to four years of sold-out shows and standing ovations at the Sydney Opera House, Sons of Sun is now in an exciting new phase in 2025.

Told through the character of Sun Records founder Sam Phillips, his assistant Marion Keisker, and the famous musicians that Phillips recorded, the show features a three-piece live band fronted by Canberra musician, CC Hall (The Sun Bears), performing excerpts of 35 songs from Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison and many more.

The tenacious Sam Phillips is played by prolific Sydney actor, Matt Charleston with co-stars Elena Smaniotto and Ben Maclaine taking on multiple roles from Phillips’ assistant

Marion Keisker to Jerry Lee Lewis.

The Sydney Morning Herald’s John Shand described the show as “neither a musical nor a cabaret, but rather an innovative hybrid that is part play, part concert”.

Sydney’s weekly magazine

The Music described the show as “an impressive troupe of professionals developing a rarely heard narrative with sparkling creativity”.

Music historian Glenn A Baker said the “show sent shivers down my spine”.

John Kennedy of Love Gone Wrong fame began developing

the Sons of Sun concept in 2011 with the release of his Sons of Sun Vol.1 CD. Award-winning Melbourne playwright Kieran Carroll (NEWK – The John Newcombe Story) has written an accompanying script to CC Hall’s beautiful renditions. Director Louise Fischer seamlessly blends the narratives and songs to produce a compelling, original and heartbreaking blend of rock ‘n’ roll theatre.

CC Hall sings the songs of the iconic Sun Records artists with Murray Cook (guitar) and Phil Hall (bass) completing the Sons of Sun stage band.

Free scripts for schools and community groups

Salt House Creative will celebrate its 10th anniversary with the free release of award-winning scripts for schools and community groups.

Marking a decade of storytelling, education and creative impact, Salt House Creative has released more than 20 original plays and screenworks, now freely available to schools and community groups worldwide.

Led by Artistic Director Dr

Daniel Widdowson, the initiative is a bold move to remove financial barriers to the arts while championing the value of original writing in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.

The collection spans primary, secondary and adult performers, offering approximately 15 hours of high-quality material for stage, screen, classroom study and workshop development.

A further 10 titles are set to

be released in the coming months.

Many of the works have received international recognition, including awards in New York and Florence, reflecting a standard of storytelling that is both globally acknowledged and deeply practical for educators and performers.

At a time when AI-generated content is rapidly entering classrooms, this initiative reaffirms the importance of

human authored storytelling, scripts crafted with voice, intention and lived experience.

The collection invites students not only to perform, but to engage with writing as an art form grounded in authenticity and creative risk.

“These works were never meant to sit on a shelf,” Widdowson said.

“They were written to be lived in, rehearsed, explored, reimagined and performed.

“If this initiative helps a

student find their voice, a teacher to inspire a class, or a community to tell its story, then it has done its job.”

The scripts are designed with flexibility in mind, empowering teachers, directors and facilitators with full creative control to adapt material for their unique contexts.

Scripts can be downloaded free of charge via the Salt House Creative website: salthousecreative.com.au/ scripts Daniel Widdowson

Big Autumn line-up at regional gallery

As the days shorten and the weather cools, Gosford Regional Gallery is preparing an Autumn exhibition which is sure to please.

Dr Yantra de Vilder will explore music and dance in Japanese gardens, featuring the gallery’s own garden as well as gardens in Paris and Gosford’s sister city, Edogawa, from April 25 following a private opening.

In Search of the Artistic Moment will be on show in the Moving Image Gallery.

Meanwhile, two other exhibitions will share a public opening event on May 15.

Brett McMahon has found inspiration for his body of work, Under Story, in the diverse and evocative bushland of Bouddi National Park.

In contrast, the edgy Stab a

Painting with a Sculpture is a challenging dialogue between James Drinkwater and Braddon Snape, who have tested the boundaries of their art in a dynamic game of “aesthetic chess”.

To book for the opening search ‘Gosford Regional Gallery’ at www.trybooking. com

Lots of razzamatazz at annual Rotary fundraiser

More than $20,000 was raised for the Central Coast community Women’s Health Centre thanks to the annual Children’s Festival Razzamatazz event organised by the Rotary Club of Gosford held at Niagara Park Stadium.

Razzamatazz was made up of three one-hour shows over the day and was attended by more than 1,000 people, who were entertained by a variety of popular acts which included juggling, magic and levitation.

Free tickets were distributed to a variety of local organisations

for families with disabled or special needs children, as well as families who just simply could not pay for the whole family to enjoy such a fabulous show during the school holidays.

A valuable help in these times of increasing living costs.

There was plenty of colour, laughter and loud cheering all day as all of the entertainers came on the stage.

This was the 26th anniversary of the annual event coordinated by the Rotary Club of Gosford and the support of many Central Coast businesses,

who sponsor the children to attend, has made the annual event a success.

President Neville Barrett said it was very rewarding to see the enjoyment and the many smiling faces of the children and how local businesses supported so many children in the community.

The money raised for the Central Coast Community Women’s Health Centre will help fund a new Healing Haven for the children of the many women who use their muchneeded services every year.

Pete Ross & The Sapphire: Link And Pin, Woy Woy 2pm

Tapestry: The Carole King Experience: Drifters Wharf, Gosford 2.30pm

ANZAC Day Live Music: Everglades Country Club, Woy Woy 1pm

Author Talk: Sean Richardson presents Deception Under Maltese Skies: Umina Beach Library 10.30am

33 with Dragons and a Ghost: Link And Pin, Woy Woy 6pm Gosford Comedy Club: Funhaus Factory Gosford 7pm

Felicity Ward: I Wish I Could Come Out Of My Shell: Avoca Beach Theatre 8pm

Jenny Marie Lang: Gosford RSL Club 8pm

SAT 25 APR

ANZAC DAY CEREMONY: PALMDALE LAWN CEMETERY & MEMORIAL PARK, PALMDALE 9AM

ANZAC DAY CEREMONY: GREENWAY CHAPEL & MEMORIAL GARDENS, GREEN POINT 11AM

Yantra De Vilder: In Search of The Artistic Moment: Gosford Regional Gallery [* to 14 Jun]

Aubrey & Purton Band: Hardys Bay Club 1pm

Peninsula Plays ANZAC Day: Link And Pin, Woy Woy 1pm

Tom Hutchin / Gyrate: Gosford RSL Club 11am / 8.30pm

Club Drifters Pres. Torren Foot: Drifters Wharf, Gosford 8pm

Annual ANZAC Day Races: The Entertainment Grounds, Gosford 11am

SUN 26 APR

Kuta Groove: Gosford RSL Club 1pm

The Hit Makers: The Hits Of Paul Anka, Gene Pitney, Roy Orbison & Neil Sedaka: The Art House Theatre, Wyong 2pm

Ice Hockey: Central Coast Rhinos Vs Adelaide Adrenaline: Erina Ice Arena 3pm

Basketball: Crusaders Women Vs Inner West Bulls: Guzman Y Gomez Stadium, Terrigal 2pm

Basketball: Crusaders Men Vs Inner West Bulls: Guzman Y Gomez Stadium, Terrigal 4pm

Retro Rewind: Voices Of Legendary Rock: Avoca Beach Theatre 3pm

Anita: Hardys Bay Club 1pm

Amita Hachidori + Kentaro Tamura (Japan) +Whateva + Swamp Dogs: Link And Pin, Woy Woy 2pm

MON 27 APR

Ethan Beckton: Gosford RSL Club 1pm

TUE 28 APR

FREE SEMINAR: ASBESTOS, SILICA & DUST DISEASE: THE GALLERY, GOSFORD RSL CLUB 1:30PM

Be Connected Webinar: How To Use Government Websites: Erina Library 9.50am

Polymer Bead Making Workshop: Tuggerah Library 10.30am

WED 29 APR

Author Talk: Beverley Campbell Presents Climbing Trees: Erina Library 2pm

Local History: Central Coast Clubland - 1970S And 80S Through The Lens Of Les Allen: Gosford Regional Library 6pm

THU 30 APR

Lose to Win: Laycock Street Theatre, Wyoming 7.30pm

Lisa Mitchell - NSW Regional Tour: Avoca Beach Theatre 7.30pm

Succulent Driftwood Arrangement: Umina Beach Library 10am

Be Connected Webinar: Helpful Apps For Your Phone: Toukley Library 3pm

FRI 1 MAY

My Kind of Night: Cabaret Fundraiser for Palestinian Families: FunHaus Factory 6pm

SAT 2 MAY

AFTERNOON AT THE MOVIES WITH RAN BAND: LAYCOCK STREET THEATRE, WYOMING 2PM

The Eagles Greatest Hits: The Art House Theatre, Wyong 7:30pm

Ice Hockey: Central Coast Rhinos Vs Newcastle Northstars: Erina Ice Arena 3pm

Ice Hockey: Central Coast Rhinos Vs Melbourne Mustangs: Erina Ice Arena 3pm

John Williamson: 55 Years My Travellin’ Days are Done Tour: The Art House Theatre, Wyong 2pm

SUN 3 MAY

JAZZ & DANCING:

GEORGIANA ROOM AT CENTRAL COAST LEAGUES CLUB, GOSFORD 2-5PM

OUT&ABOUT BRIEF

Fascinating documentary

The film Sydney at War will screen at Wagstaffe hall at 2pm on Anzac Day.

The intriguing documentary recounts the evening of May 31, 1942, when three Japanese midget submarines carried out a surprise attack on an unsuspecting, and unprepared, Sydney Harbour.

It was a clandestine offensive which left 21 allied and six Japanese (the submariners) servicemen dead.

Survivors, witnesses, and relatives - from both Australia and Japan - recount their memories of that fateful event, and how it still affects their lives today in this fascinating documentary.

It is a moving portrait of a singular event that brought with it the stark realisation that World War 11 was on our doorstep.

It was nominated for Best Documentary Film at the IF Awards in 2004 and voted audience favourite.

See full story online: coastcommunitynews.com.au

Lisa Mitchell will give a special performance at Avoca Beach Theatre on April 30.

She is renowned for her beguiling melodies and hushed tones whether playing crystal pure folk such as in Pirouette, subtle electro beats such as 2016’s The Boys, or the alwayspopular Coin Laundry.

Mitchell has released four albums and three EPs, garnering top 10 ARIA accreditations and multiple ARIA nominations.

Singalong with Lisa Mitchell

She won the Australian Music Prize for her debut Wonder, has appeared at all major festivals across Australia, and has completed multiple international tours including playing Glastonbury.

She started the Lisa Mitchell Choir early last year and is bringing special sessions to regional NSW.

Participants will have a 60-minute choir session with Mitchell before showtime, where they will learn one of her songs in harmony arrangement,

and then get to perform the song with her at the show.

The special and exclusive offering is open to all who want to connect with their voice and heart and have the experience of performing in a relaxed, casual environment.

Lisa Mitchell will perform at Avoca Beach Theatre at 7.30pm on Thursday, April 30.

Tickets are available at www. lisamitchell.com.au

Glenn Starr honours the Hit Makers

Multi-talented performer

Glenn Starr will present a tribute to the hits of the 1950s and 60s at The Art House on Sunday, April 26.

The Hit Makers features hit songs from such artists as Paul Anka, Gene Pitney, Roy Orbison and Neil Sedaka, invoking cherished memories and creating a powerful sense of nostalgia.

Glenn Starr is a world-class entertainer and internationally acclaimed performer whose powerhouse voice, magnetic stage presence, and engaging

storytelling have captivated audiences across Australia and the globe for more than two decades.

With a career that has taken him from the world-famous Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee, to prestigious venues in Australia, Indonesia and Hong Kong, he has cemented his place as one of Australia’s most versatile and in-demand vocalists.

Former acclaimed productions include: Britishmania, a powerhouse tribute to the UK’s biggest

bands and singers of the 60s and 70s; Backstage, a salute to the timeless music of Gene Pitney; and The Michael Bublé Songbook, a smooth, sophisticated tribute to the modern-day crooner.

Starr is a guest headliner on major cruise lines delivering unforgettable performances at sea and also does corporate performances.

The Hit Makers plays The Art House, Wyong, at 2pm on Sunday, April 28. thearthousewyong. or call 4335 1485.

MISSING LINK

MISSING LINK

Fill

CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Ice-skating area

4. Attained

8. Menageries

11. Thine

13. Readily available (2,3)

15. Gulf War general, ... Powell 17. And not 18. Separately

20. Negotiable (1,1,1) 21. Canadian leaf emblem

24. Discharge from army

27. Actor, Tommy ... Jones

28. Input (data)

30. Oust

31. Composure

33. Acclimatise

34. Person who owes cash

35. Long film

36. Pucker up

39. Case-hardened

42. Discontinues suckling

44. Sheriff’s badge

45. The Devil

46. Jabbers

48. Greets

49. Verbs’ subjects

50. Legend

52. Disjointed

54. Eyelid swelling

55. Bawls

56. Astrologer’s chart

57. Damp-smelling

60. Green light

62. Running in neutral 65. Elevation

67. Ruined

69. Sum 70. Door catch

72. Young society girl

73. Royal board game

75. Show (to seat)

77. Thrilled cry

79. Nocturnal chick

81. Khmer Rouge tyrant, ... Pot 82. Holy city 84. Follow 85. Cowboy’s rope 86. Working harbour 87. Splotch 88. Speed

DOWN

1. West Indies’ Puerto ...

2. Synthetic fibre

3. Water-garden fish

4. Invitation footnote (1,1,1,1)

5. Side building

6. Drove (livestock)

7. Sleeping hall

8. Kill (insect)

9. Milky gems

10. Fully satisfy

12. Unrealised (potential)

14. Forbidden

16. At an advantage (3-2)

19. Rocky shipping hazards

22. Camelot king

23. Spectacles glasses

25. Roman XI

26. Electing

29. Implicitly

32. Aggravate

35. Boffin

37. Agenda item

38. Financial aid

40. Objectionable

41. Actress, Geena ...

42. Ballroom music

43. Sleigh-riding gift-giver

44. Nursery rhyme, Simple ...

47. Trade ban

51. Fitness

52. Makes less sharp

53. Warbles alpinestyle

54. Sole

58. Skewwhiff

59. Catnap

61. For a particular purpose (2,3)

63. Fluid channels 64. Unquestionable truth

65. Dragged forcibly 66. Hurts 68. More skilled

Chocolate powder 72. Refurbish (2,2) 74. Previous lovers 76. Cavity 78. Possess 80. Ear, nose & throat (1,1,1) 83. Telepathy (1,1,1)

Three of Australia’s hottest blues guitarists are headed to the historic Mangrove Mountain Hall for their only Central Coast show on Sunday, April 26.

Texas Heat will feature Ray Beadle, Darren Jack and Adam Pringle.

Ray Beadle’s guitar and vocal styles evoke numerous blues legends, but with a style all of his own.

He was awarded Best Album, Best Song, and Best Male Artist in the Chain Blues Awards.

His music is rich from 30 years of performing nationally and internationally and a deep understanding of his instrument and how to make it stir something within the listener. His life as a musician started when he was just nine, and he has played with and learnt from

The Fun Haus Factory’s monthly Gosford Comedy Club rolls back into town on Friday, April 24, bringing a lineup of sharp, no-holdsbarred comedians, and a reminder that joy, connection, and a good laugh still matter, especially now.

Rising petrol prices, tightening budgets, and the general hum of uncertainty have made everyday life feel a little harder, a little louder, a little less forgiving.

And Fun Haus Factory is absorbing those rising costs itself — holding ticket, food, and drink prices steady so that a night out doesn’t become

Texas Heat comes to the mountain

the best, including many years spent performing and recording with the Foreday Riders (commonly referred to as the University of the Blues).

He has toured the USA three times and enjoyed a threemonth residency with the house band in BB King’s Club in Memphis.

Darren Jack has been thrilling audiences with his powerhouse rock, blues and electrifying original compositions for over 20 years.

A multiple award winner, he has collaborated with some of Australia’s finest musicians.

In 2021, he produced his most ambitious album yet.

Lost in Living stormed up the Australian Blues Charts, spending weeks at number three.

In 2022, he was invited to tour

the USA with St Louis legends The Kingdom Brothers Band, playing several venues in St Louis, Missouri and Chicago.

A highlight gig at the legendary Rosa’s Lounge in

Chicago was live streamed to fans worldwide.

HIs album Better Place swept up five awards at the 2012 Australian Blues Music Awards,

including Best Album of the Year.

Adam Pringle is a guitarist and vocalist who has been performing live since the age of

Laugh it up at Fun Haus Factory

another thing people have to go without.

There will be plenty to laugh about on Friday night.

Leading the charge will be Tommy Dean, the Americanborn, Australia-based comedy heavyweight whose razorsharp observations and

effortless charm have made him a festival favourite and a familiar face on shows like Spicks and Specks, Good News Week, and Just For Laughs.

Labyrinth screens in Gosford

With no dedicated cinema left in Gosford, the Fun Haus Factory has stepped in to bring the big screen back with its regular vent Gosford Cinema – a homegrown, communitydriven movie experience. Cult classics light up the screen and the audience becomes part of the atmosphere.

It’s cinema reimagined for a town that’s been missing it.

The next screening will be on Thursday, April 23 with a special presentation of Labyrinth, the iconic fantasy directed by Jim Henson and starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly.

A film that has long held cult status, Labyrinth invites audiences into a surreal world of goblins, illusions, and mythic adventure, where nothing is quite as it seems and imagination leads the way.

The Gosford Cinema experience blends the spectacle of the big screen with the warmth of a local hangout. Guests can sip cocktails, grab a burger, and settle into an atmosphere that feels part oldschool drive-in, part art-house cinema club.

Creative Director Glitta Supernova said the response so far had been overwhelming. Previous screenings of cult favourites like The Birds, Cry-

Tea Cosy Expo 2026 will be held by Woy Woy Peninsula Lions Club over the June long weekend and entries are

Baby, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Desperate Living have drawn crowds eager for something more connected than the standard cinema experience.

Doors open at 6pm, with the film starting at 7pm.

The event is open to all ages, with under 18s to be accompanied by an adult. For bookings go to funhausfactory.org.au

He will be joined by MC Fiona Cox, whose unhurried, deadpan delivery lands with surprising force, drawing audiences in

14, when he was sneaking into his uncle’s blues gigs. He has developed into one of Australia’s finest players and has also been a sideman for such acts as Corinna Steel, Kara Grainger, The Hiptones, Melanie Horsnell and The Bondi Cigars.

He has played with just about every blues/ roots act in town over the past 25 years, including Continental Robert Susz, Rob Woolf, Jo Fabro, Ray Beadle band, Jesse Redwing, Mitchell Anderson, John Waters, Karise Eden and many others.

Doors open at 3pm on April 26 and tickets are available online via humantix

It will be an all-ages event with great food. BYO drinks and camping sites are available.

before hitting them with perfectly timed punchlines. Backing them up is a top lineup.

Julia Wilson brings her fierce, no-filter energy and a life story that fuels every rapid-fire joke, while Bruce Griffith — a writer whose material has found its way into the mouths of some of the biggest names in comedy — delivers a relentless stream of one-liners that leave no space to catch your breath. There will also be a mystery guest, who promises to be a show-stealer.

You can make a full night of it with dinner, drinks and show. For bookings go to funhausfactory.org.au

Calling all tea cosies

“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

It’s full steam ahead on a plan to provide accommodation for 127 university students on the site of the former Central Coast Council chambers in Mann St.

The University of Newcastle is expected to lodge a development application for the project within days, following settlement of the sale of the site.

The project aims to deliver safe and affordable student accommodation, easing housing pressures for students and supporting the ongoing revitalisation of the Gosford CBD.

It will see the former Central Coast Council building at 4951 Mann St transformed into contemporary student accommodation with 127 student beds in single studio and cluster apartments.

It will also include space for integrated teaching and support services – including for the Wollotuka Institute and the University of Newcastle Student Association, and a multipurpose event room.

Central Coast Mayor Lawrie McKinna said it was wonderful to see the former Council

Gosford student accommodation on its way

administration building being repurposed for student accommodation, supporting a more vibrant, connected and economically active city centre.

“The Central Coast has worldclass education opportunities and having student accommodation in the centre of Gosford will breathe new life into the city centre, support local businesses and strengthen Gosford’s future as a precinct for education and

An artist’s impression of the new student accommodation

health for the region,” Cr McKinna said.

“It means more people can choose to stay and study in Gosford and I congratulate the University of Newcastle for their vision and confidence in our region.”

University Vice-Chancellor

Professor Alex Zelinsky said bringing affordable student accommodation to the Central Coast was a priority for the university.

“Finding suitable accommodation on the Central Coast is increasingly challenging for students, particularly as study, work and living costs continue to rise,”

Professor Zelinsky said.

“With our new Gosford Central building now operational, providing affordable student accommodation is the next critical step in strengthening the University’s long-term

commitment to the Central Coast.

“We’re not just creating a place to live, we’re giving students a compelling reason to choose the University of Newcastle’s Central Coast Campus as the place to launch their future.”

Dean of the University’s Central Coast Campus,

Professor Mike Bowyer, said delivering accommodation in the Gosford CBD reduced travel time pressure and helped students focus on their studies.

“Many of our Central Coast students are currently travelling long distances to study, either by car at significant fuel cost or via public transport, which adds considerable time pressure to their day,” Prof Bowyer said.

“The refurbished building will

offer a contemporary campus living experience in the heart of the Gosford CBD.

“Within walking distance of the University’s new Gosford Central building, Gosford Hospital and public transport, it will reduce travel time pressure on students.” Works are expected to commence in July this year, with the new student accommodation scheduled to welcome students in 2028. The site will also feature gardens including a yarning circle for reflection and connection, shaded canopy areas and spaces for external study, a large outdoor terrace and an electric bicycle charging room.

For further information, call 0413 129 503 or email martha. tattersall@newcastle.edu.au

GOSFORD 5 DAY FORECAST

Find out your rights when it comes to dust diseases

Specialist law firm Carter Hawkins Lawyers will hold a free community event at The Gallery, Gosford RSL Club, on April 28 at 1.30pm.

The free information session, Asbestos, Silica and Dust Diseases: Your Compensation Rights and Lung Health, will be hosted by principal dust disease lawyer Jaqueline Hughes and dust disease lawyer Isabella Nati.

The lawyers said for many in the Central Coast community, hard work in industries like power generation, construction and mining has been a way of life, but for some, that work has come at a hidden cost.

Diseases caused by asbestos and silica dust often take decades to appear.

They said by the time symptoms developed, the connection to past employment may not be immediately obvious.

Under NSW law, people diagnosed with dust diseases may be entitled to significant compensation, even if exposure occurred many years ago.

Carter Hawkins Lawyers is a specialist firm dedicated to helping individuals and families affected by dust disease.

With a strong focus on client care, the firm assists with claims through the Dust Diseases Tribunal and the Dust Board (iCare), guiding clients through what can often be a complex and emotional process.

Importantly, exposure is not limited to a single workplace.

Many cases arise from years spent working across local power stations, coal mines, and industrial employers throughout regional NSW.

Even brief or secondary exposure can be enough to cause serious illness.

Early guidance can make a meaningful difference, not just financially, but in securing support and peace of mind for the future.

Awareness is key and knowing your rights is the first step.

A free afternoon tea will be provided on the day.

For more information, see page 7 or call 1800 245 299.

Summit on transformation of Gosford

Senior government representatives, industry leaders and major investors will come together at a major summit focusing on the next step toward transforming Gosford into a thriving metropolitan centre.

The ticketed event, Central Coast City Shaping – Gosford Now!, will be hosted by Business NSW and will bring together the region’s most influential voices across development, infrastructure, housing, and education and to focus on one clear objective –delivering the next chapter of Gosford’s growth.

Business NSW Regional Director Scott Goold said the summit marked a shift from vision to action.

“This is not a conversation

about potential, it’s about delivery,” Mr Goold said.

“Gosford has all the ingredients of a successful metropolitan CBD, and this summit is about aligning the right people, investment and policy settings to accelerate that transformation.”

Set against the backdrop of Gosford’s natural harbour, connected transport links and

growing lifestyle appeal, the forum will highlight the city’s increasing attractiveness for medium to high-density residential development, including affordable housing.

The program will feature keynote insights from Dr Andy Marks on the contrasting growth trajectories of Australian cities, alongside a detailed economic outlook from Commonwealth Bank’s Kevin Stanley on investment feasibility and development conditions across regional markets.

Attendees will hear directly from leading developers including ALAND and Urban Property Group and Land Specialists, showcasing major projects already underway and reinforcing confidence in Gosford as an emerging investment destination.

Notification of wild dog and fox control program

A series of high-level panel discussions will bring together decision-makers from government, industry and infrastructure to explore key opportunities and challenges including housing supply, precinct development, healthcare infrastructure and modern methods of construction.

Speakers and participants will include Federal Member for Robertson Dr Gordon Reid, Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch, Central Coast Mayor Lawrie McKinna, Central Coast Council CEO David Farmer, University of Newcastle Executive Dean Professor Michael Bowyer, HCCDC CE Valentina Misevska, Policy and Regional Manager UDIA Elizabeth York, CCLHD District Director Finance & Corporate Services CCLHD James Ross,

Pacific Link Housing CEO Ian Lynch, AluHouse Hong Kong Director Paul Law and Property Market Economics, Insights & Research CBA National Director Kevin Stanley.

The summit will also showcase innovative approaches to housing delivery, including modular construction solutions from international provider AluHouse, highlighting new pathways to deliver housing at scale.

With strong interest from developers, investors and business leaders, the event reflects growing momentum behind Gosford’s evolution into a vibrant, connected and economically significant regional city.

“Gosford is on the cusp of something extraordinary,” Mr Goold said.

“This is a city where scenic bushland and waterways meet opportunity, and where collaboration between government and industry will unlock real outcomes for the Central Coast.”

The Central Coast City Shaping Summit is supported by event partners including Gosford Erina Business Chamber, Central Coast Council, University of Newcastle, Commonwealth Bank, Optus, Pacific Link Housing, and AluHouse. It will be on May 1 at The Gallery – Gosford RSL between 8am and 1.45pm.

You can register at events.businessnsw.com/ city-shaping-summit-2026/ general

For more information call 4391 0600.

Greater Sydney Local Land Services will be leading an integrated wild dog and fox control program in the Central Coast with support from NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, Central Coast Council and the Forestry Corporation. This coordinated program is part of ongoing work to reduce pest animal numbers and their impact on primary production and native wildlife in these areas. 1080 wild dog and fox ground baits as well as Canid Pest Ejectors

locations during this time. In the event of accidental poisoning of domestic pets seek immediate veterinary assistance.

Another five-storey development proposed in Terrigal CBD

A proposal for a five-storey building at 9 Church St, Terrigal, has been submitted to Central Coast Council.

The site sits between the stillto-be-finished 5-7 Church St development and the police station, one block behind Terrigal’s waterfront esplanade. This proposal also wants to go to five storeys, like the development beside it, despite Council’s Local Environment Plan standard being four

storeys for Terrigal Village Centre.

The application on behalf of CCA Unit Trust proposes: ground level commercial premises (café/ restaurant) and car parking; car parking on level one; six serviced apartments for tourists and visitor accommodation on levels three and four; and a shoptop housing unit on level five.

The proposal has a flat roof, to reduce view impacts, and incorporates skylights on the upper level.

The upper-most roof is setback from all boundaries, and no rooftop gardens, terraces, decks or enclosures are proposed.

A lift overrun is in the centre of the building, the same as 5 Church St next door, and this will be 800mm above the roof parapet level, and will not be visible from the street level, the application states.

“The proposal has been designed to complement the adjoining development at 5 Church St, which is at an advanced stage of

construction,” the application says, pointing out that the bulk and scale of the building will be similar to the adjoining development.

The adjoining development was once a carpark and locals tried to keep it that way but it was eventually sold and the developer gained permission for a five-storey building despite the four-storey standard.

During construction in 2021, the developer tried to get a sixth storey approved but failed.

Then work stopped.

The site was up for sale in 2024 and again in 2025.

A recent sign on the site shows a new owner, Central Coast Luxury Homes, appears to have taken on the task of finishing the development.

Coast Community News has asked the owners for an update.

Meanwhile, the new application for 9 Church St has only recently been received by Council and has not yet gone on public exhibition.

BUSINESS BRIEF

State reviews DA system

The State Government is proposing to make key changes to the planning system, including standardising the process for notifying neighbours about development.

It is seeking feedback until 5pm on June 5 on issues such as extending minimum community consultation timeframes on State-level planning initiatives from 45 to 60 days.

It wants to standardise the process for notifications of complying development, give neighbours seven days’ notice before any works begin, and reduce the number of DA types that need to go on public exhibition.

The changes do not stop councils from implementing their own community engagement strategies.

The Planning Department said it sets a baseline of consultation requirements to give everyone an equal say.

See more on the draft Community Participation Plan on the State Planning Portal. See full story online: coastcommunitynews.com.au

ADVERTISEMENT

Upgrade for MacKillop Oval courts

Optimum services for basketballers

Optimum Health and Performance has partnered with Central Coast Waves Basketball.

Waves Operations Manager Matt Smith said they were delighted to team with a company that had such vast experience in sports physiotherapy.

“As our sport is both fast

paced and high impact, it is essential that we turn to a team of professionals for advice and treatment,” he said.

“We believe that the type of services that the guys at Optimum can provide is first class and underscores our commitment to help our athletes achieve their health, fitness and performance goals”.

Work is underway on a $250,000 upgrade of the basketball/netball courts at MacKillop Oval in South Kincumber.

Central Coast Councillor Jared Wright said the upgrade would address the current safety concerns with the asphalt hard courts.

These courts are currently unusable for formalised sport due to sub-base failure, creating trip hazards on the playing surface.

The renewal of the hard courts will include a re-design of the courts’ sub-base and sub-surface drainage to suit the existing environment and

an asphalt sealing layer to provide the intended community hard court sports use.

The courts will have dual basketball/netball posts and will be marked for pickleball as well.

It is anticipated the project will be completed around May this year.

“We know how important local sporting infrastructure is for local residents across the Central Coast, particularly young people and their families,” Cr Wright said.

“These upgrades will mean that we can hold formalised sporting events at the site, with

a court that is of competition standard.

“The courts are well used by our community year round, so I look forward to seeing many more people enjoying it into the future.

“Pleasingly, we will also be marking pickleball lines onto the court as we know there is a growing number of people wanting access to pickleball facilities across the region.

“So once these works are complete, you can head down to Kincumber Library and borrow a set of pickleball equipment and then head over to the courts to enjoy it.”

New CEO for Doylo

Doylo Lifestyle Group has appointed Brett Elliss as its new Chief Executive Officer, following the retirement of current CEO Darren Thornton, which will take effect on October 27.

Mr Elliss will transition into the role from June 24 while Mr Thornton is on leave and will officially commence as CEO on October 27.

He has been an integral part of the Doylo Lifestyle Group executive team, serving as Chief Commercial Officer since 2019.

Prior to that, he held the role of Chief Operating Officer, contributing significantly to the group’s operational excellence and commercial growth.

Doylo Lifestyle Group

Chairman Tony Twomey welcomed the appointment.

“Brett has extensive experience in the club industry and beyond,” he said.

“He is a proven business leader, who is passionate about leadership, culture and customer experience.

“As a member of the executive team, Brett has an intricate understanding of the group’s businesses and has been leading the growth and success of Doylo Lifestyle Group.

“We know Brett will progress and deliver our vision with purpose.”

Retiring CEO Darren Thornton also expressed his support.

“I congratulate Brett on his appointment and have the utmost confidence in Brett as he takes the top step of his leadership journey,” Mr Thornton said.

“I look forward to watching the Doylo Lifestyle Group’s success under Brett’s leadership; exciting times.”

A spokesperson said Mr Elliss’s appointment reflects the Board’s commitment to strong leadership continuity and future focused growth, building on the solid foundations established under Mr Thornton’s tenure.

Public Notice

Autumn Fox Baiting 2026 in Council Reserves

Central Coast Council will be conducting a ground baiting program for foxes using 1080 poison baits from 27 April - 29 May 2026 in the following reserves:

•The Ridgeway Reserve (Matcham)

• Triple Springs Bush Reserve (Matcham)

•BlueGum Close Reserve (Matcham)

• The Scenic Road Bushland Reserve (Kincumber-MacMasters Beach)

• James Norton Reserve (Bensville)

Meat baits, meat bait products and Canid Pest Ejectors containing 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison, may be used.

Predation by foxes is a key threat to many native animals and this baiting program is part of ongoing fox control in Council reserves to reduce their impact on local wildlife, including threatened and migratory species.

Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pet and working dog owners are encouraged to keep their animals safe, restrain them in the vicinity and ensure dogs do not enter these reserves at any time. Dogs are prohibited in these reserves and enforcement action can be taken if owners do not comply. In the event of accidental poisoning of domestic pets seek immediate veterinary assistance.

Warning signs will be placed at public access points in the weeks leading up to the program to inform the community when operations are in progress. Members of the community are advised to not allow pets to enter these reserves, which includes both unleashed and leashed dogs. Council has also notified adjoining residents, local vets and animal hospitals about the baiting program.

For further information regarding the program, including a map of the locations, visit Council's website centralcoast.nsw.gov.au and search ‘pest animals’ or phone 4306 7900

Health & Education

Mother’s Day Classic to help fight cancer

Organising a Mother’s Day Classic event at The Entrance on Sunday, May 10, is deeply personal for Central Coast resident Carly Thompson.

The annual event, which this year celebrates its 29th year, supports two primary beneficiaries – the National Breast Cancer Foundation and the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation.

From humble beginnings in 1998 with 3,000 participants in Melbourne and Sydney raising $50,000, the Mother’s Day Classic, founded by Women in Super, has become one of the most successful and important fixtures on the fundraising calendar, with up to 100,000 participants expected to walk and run at more than 90 locations nationwide this year. And two of them will be on the Central Coast.

“I lost my Nan to secondary breast cancer and have had several incredible women in my life face that diagnosis with

incredible strength,” Ms Thompson said.

“I am also an Ambassador for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, having lost my Mum to ovarian cancer 11 years ago.

“My otherwise very healthy Mum was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at just 49 and sadly passed away at 53.

“Since my Mum’s diagnosis and passing, my sister and I have been committed to supporting ovarian cancer research through various fundraising initiatives, including hosting a charity ball, organising movie night fundraisers, and, most recently, I ran the full Sydney marathon last year, raising just over $6,000 for ovarian cancer research.

“The statistics surrounding ovarian cancer in particular are quite shocking with a less than 50% survival rate beyond five years.

“Research into ovarian cancer is terribly underfunded

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice of Intended Distribution for the Estate of the late Deborah James

Any person having any claim upon the estate of Deborah James, late of Woy Woy who died on 6 May 2024 must send particulars of the claim to the legal representative for the estate care of Ayanah Hood, Conditsis Lawyers, Level 3, 131-133 Donnison Street, Gosford NSW 2250, within 30 days from publication of this notice, being Friday, 22 May 2026.

After that time and after 6 months from the date of death of the deceased the legal representative intends to distribute the property in the estate having regard only to the claims of which the legal representative had notice at the time of distribution.

so every dollar raised through fundraising is crucial!

“The Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation became a beneficiary of the Mother’s Day Classic two years ago.

“Since then, my husband, children and I have travelled to Newcastle on Mother’s Day to take part in the event.

“It inspired me to bring something similar to our local community on the Central Coast – so I’m proud to be launching an event at The Entrance this year.

“We’re also fortunate to have another passionate local, Jackie, hosting an event at Woy Woy, so we really have both ends of the Coast covered.”

Activities at both The Entrance and Woy Woy will commence at 8am, with the 5km walk/run starting at 9am or 9.15am, depending on selected registration time.

You can register via www. mothersdayclassic.com.au

by selecting either The Entrance or Woy Woy locations.

Mother’s Day Classic CEO Zara Lawless said it was thrilling to see so many communities taking the lead and hosting their own events.

“It shows that Australians don’t just want to attend, they want to be part of something bigger,” she said.

“They want to turn Mother’s Day into a moment of purpose, standing stronger together in support of those impacted by breast and ovarian cancer.

“Since our inception, more than 1.8 million Australians have started their Mother’s Day with purpose, and together we have donated $50.8M to fund research and improve outcomes so far – a legacy of hope that one generation passes to the next.

“As we look to 2026, our focus is simple: bring more people together, fund more groundbreaking research and move closer to a future where

PUBLIC NOTICE

Proposed termination of Strata Scheme No. 63327 being property situated at 13 Mitchell Street, Norah Head NSW 2263.

Notice is given of an intention to apply to the Registrar General for an order terminating the above Strata Scheme and the consequent winding up of the Owners Corporation, pursuant to section 142 of the Strata Schemes Development Act 2015 (NSW).

Any person having any claim against the Owners Corporation of the above Strata Scheme or any estate or interest in or claim against any of the lots comprised in the Strata Scheme is required, on or before 8 May 2026, to send particulars of the estate, interest or claim to Level 4, 20 Hunter Street, Sydney NSW 2000.

no family loses a loved one to breast or ovarian cancer.”

Since the Mother’s Day Classic began, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer has improved from 84% to 93%, thanks in large part to research funding from events like the MDC.

Every day in Australia, 61 women are diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer, and 12 die from these diseases.

In 2024, the Mother’s Day Classic expanded its mission to support ovarian cancer research alongside breast cancer research.

“In 2025, we donated a $3.5M split between the National Breast Cancer Foundation and the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, and we’re determined to exceed that in 2026,” Ms Lawless said.

Notice of 1080 baiting

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting an aerial baiting program in Watagans, Popran and Brisbane Water National Parks.

Aerial baiting is scheduled for 2nd May 2026 to 16th May 2026

The operation will use 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of wild dogs and foxes.

The program is designed to minimise predator impacts on wildlife, especially threatened species, and to minimise the impact of wild dogs on neighbouring stock.

Signs will be placed at all authorised entry points to the baiting location.

Domestic pets are not permitted in National Parks and Wildlife managed lands. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.

Land managers and landlords, please notify tenants or visitors to properties adjoining the proposed baiting location. Please contact the NPWS Central Coast Area Office on (02) 4320 4200 for more information or check the NPWS web page alerts.

TAFE NSW is celebrating the growing number of Central Coast and Hunter locals learning to sign, as more people use Auslan to build stronger connections at work, support people with disability, and create more inclusive communities.

Enrolments in the Diploma of Auslan more than doubled nationally between 2019 and 2024, but Australia still has a shortage of certified Auslan interpreters.

National Centre for Vocational Education Research data shows enrolments in the Diploma of Auslan increased by 176% between 2019 and 2024, reflecting increasing interest from both deaf and hearing learners.

Demand for learning Auslan on the rise

Despite this growth, Australia has fewer than 800 certified Auslan interpreters supporting more than 16,000 people who use Auslan at home.

TAFE NSW Auslan teacher Tom Doe, based at Wyong campus, said the increasing demand for learning and understanding Auslan reinforced the importance of deaf-led education.

“I was born deaf and chose to become an Auslan teacher because it’s my first language,” Mr Doe said.

“I am passionate about sharing it with others and inviting them into the deaf community, which I see as an umbrella term that includes all people who use Auslan.”

TAFE NSW delivers Auslan courses across the state, from

TAFE Statement in Auslan Fundaments to Diploma of Auslan.

Many are taught by deaf teachers, allowing students to learn language and culture directly from lived experience.

“One of the most powerful moments for students is realising that Auslan is not English on the hands; it’s a completely different language, with its own structure and way of thinking,” Mr Doe said.

“I love being able to teach both deaf culture and language, and to be myself in the classroom while creating a fun learning environment.”

Certificate II in Auslan student, Kimberley McEwan, said learning Auslan had already made a huge difference in her work as a youth support worker.

“I got into support work and realised that signing was a great way to communicate with kids on the autism spectrum who were nonverbal,” she said.

“Those key word signs are incredibly beneficial as they give them another way to express themselves.

“Learning directly from a teacher who is deaf has added so much meaning and authenticity to the course.

Shock diagnosis for local comedian

“It’s their culture – they are living and breathing it every day – and it helps build a real bridge between students and the deaf community.”

Mr Doe said Auslan Day, which was celebrated on April 13, was about recognising both the history of the language and its broader impact.

“Auslan Day is a time to acknowledge the many deaf people who have fought to protect our language and to listen to the needs of the deaf community,” he said.

“Auslan supports people with different disabilities, helps reduce language deprivation, and is key to access, inclusion and genuine connection.

“Not all deaf people can learn to speak, but all hearing people can learn to sign.”

Internationally acclaimed local comedian, writer, actor and director Darren Sanders has been hospitalised for immediate treatment, following an acute promyelocytic leukemia diagnosis.

Initially sent to the ICU for close monitoring on Thursday, April 9, he was moved to the haematology ward, where he’ll remain for the next four weeks while undergoing daily treatment.

His partner, Robyn Linkhorn, who lives with Mr Sanders at Tumbi Umbi, said the diagnosis was a shock.

“This has all happened very quickly, and we’re still processing it,” she said.

“He began chemo on the second day we got to the hospital, when a couple of weeks ago, we thought it was just tonsillitis.”

She said the current plan is for two further rounds of chemotherapy treatment

involving daily hospital visits, followed by approximately six weeks of outpatient treatment, five days a week.

“At this stage, we’re looking at around four to five months of ongoing treatment”, she said.

Known for his razor-sharp wit and twisted observations, Mr Sanders was scheduled to

perform a stand-up show at the Fun Haus Factory in Gosford on Saturday, April 11, which was abruptly cancelled along with other planned performances.

Suddenly unable to work at 57, even though he had written and performed stand-up comedy nationally and internationally for more than 30

years, the illness highlights the vulnerability of life in the performing arts.

“There are no gigs, no income, and no clear timeline on when that changes,” Ms Linkhorn said.

“Everything he’s built, planned, and was working towards has been put on hold.”

Amongst Mr Sanders’ career accomplishments, he has performed stand-up on television, appearing on shows including In Melbourne Tonight, Rove Live, The Russell Gilbert Show, and Stand Up Australia, as well as filling panel roles on Studio 10 and The B-Team and

hosting five seasons of The Darren Sanders Show. He also has acting credits in film and television and has written a book titled How Did I End Up Here?- A Sort of Memoir about a life of humour and travel.

While visiting the hospital daily, Ms Linkhorn says she is doing her best to keep her business, Compass Pilates Reformer Studio in Long Jetty, running.

“I’ve mostly had to step away from running my classes,” she said.

A fundraising campaign has been set up on GoFundMe to assist the couple in their time of need: search ‘Darren Sanders’ at www.gofundme. com

“If Darren has ever made you laugh, supported something you care about, or crossed your path in any way, we would be incredibly grateful for your support,” Ms Linkhorn said.

HEALTH & ED BRIEF

New website for rehab Hub

Coastal Rehab Hub, founded by Kate Perkins, has unveiled a newly redesigned website and easy-to-use online booking system, making it simpler than ever for Central Coast locals to access evidence-based wellness, recovery and rehabilitation services all in one place.

Designed to support busy individuals seeking practical, effective care, the new online experience allows clients to book appointments, purchase treatment packages, and view class schedules seamlessly, creating a more convenient and connected pathway to health and wellbeing.

Located on the Central Coast and operating alongside the well-established Cancer Rehabilitation & Lymphatic Solutions, Coastal Rehab Hub offers a modern, whole-body approach to wellness, blending clinical expertise with innovative therapies designed to support recovery, resilience and long-term function.

The hub was created to meet the growing demand for services that sit at the intersection of wellness, physical rehabilitation and recovery.

The clinic supports a broad range of clients, from active individuals and athletes, to busy professionals, parents, tradies, and those recovering from injury, surgery or chronic physical stress.

With a strong focus on evidence-based care, CRH provides services that help people move better, feel better, and function at their best.

Its growing range of offerings includes services such as: red light therapy via the Prism Light Pod; MLS laser therapy; compression therapy; remedial and lymphatic massages; rehabilitation support for injury, surgery and recovery; and advanced technology-led recovery services including OncoLaser™ therapy.

A new offering is neuroacoustic sound therapy, a noninvasive wellness therapy designed to support nervous system regulation and help the body shift out of stress and into a more restorative state.

It is designed for people experiencing: stress and anxiety; sleep disturbances; chronic pain; neurological overload; and ongoing tension and fatigue.

“Coastal Rehab Hub is about making wellness and recovery feel accessible, supportive and sustainable,” Ms Perkins said.

See full story online: coastcommunitynews.com.au

Wyoming clinic improves women’s services

Central Coast women now have access to better women’s health care, with the recent opening of the new Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic at Wyoming.

The clinic will provide treatment for people with endometriosis and pelvic pain as well as perimenopause and menopause care.

It is one of 11 additional endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics the Australian Government is funding to improve women’s health.

The expansion will bring the total number of clinics to 33 nationwide, with at least one in each Primary Health Network region.

Each clinic operates within an existing general practice, keeping care close to home and connected to local communities.

Endometriosis affects at least one-in-seven Australian women, often causing chronic pain and fertility issues.

Women face an average seven-year delay in diagnosis,

which can have a devastating effect on their daily lives

Pelvic pain is similarly complex and debilitating, with broader social and economic impacts.

It is estimated to cost the Australian economy $6B annually.

Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health and Member for Dobell Emma McBride said women’s health had been overlooked for too long.

“(This new) clinic will provide

local women greater access to essential healthcare,” she said.

“Importantly, the clinic will also deliver expert care for women experiencing perimenopause and menopause.

“As an Assistant Health Minister and local MP, I’m delighted we have secured this new clinic in Wyoming.”

Member for Robertson Dr Gordon Reid said the clinic represented a critical step forward in addressing a historically under-diagnosed

and under-treated range of gynaecological conditions.

“By integrating multidisciplinary care, this clinic will aim to improve diagnostic latency and deliver evidence-based, patientcentred management,” he said.

““This clinic is a result of the women’s health forums that have been convened, and the powerful advocacy of local women whose lived experience highlighted the need for improved and co-ordinated care in endometriosis and pelvic pain.”

Focus on women’s health at fundraiser luncheon

Central Coast cervical cancer survivor Dr Kelly Needham will lead a growing conversation around women’s health, bringing local women together for a dedicated fundraiser, with perimenopause and menopause at the centre of the discussion.

Dr Needham, founder of Coastal Goddess, will host the Coastal Goddess Women’s Health luncheon on Saturday, May 2, with media personality Shelly Horton attending as event host.

The event is expected to bring together women from across the Central Coast for an afternoon of education, connection and support.

The luncheon is a women’s health fundraiser, with a focus on perimenopause and menopause, topics impacting a growing number of women.

All funds raised from the event will go directly to WomenCan, supporting critical research into gynaecological cancers affecting thousands of Australian women each year.

“As both a doctor and a cervical cancer survivor, I understand how critical

awareness, early support and access to the right care can be,” Dr Needham said.

“Perimenopause and menopause are impacting so many women, yet many still feel confused or unsupported.

“This event is about creating space for those conversations

while raising funds for WomenCan to support critical research into women’s cancers.”

Each year, approximately 6,700 Australian women are diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer, highlighting the importance of continued funding and awareness.

Since 2021, the Coastal Goddess community has raised more than $85,000 for WomenCan, with this year’s luncheon continuing that commitment to both awareness and impact.

The luncheon will be held at voco Gosford and tickets are $219 per person which includes a two-course meal and fourhour drinks package.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to WomenCan.

Coastal Goddess is a leading women’s health and wellness

clinic based at Saratoga, founded by Dr Needham in 2021.

The clinic provides evidencebased treatments across women’s wellness and aesthetic medicine, supporting women to feel confident, cared for and connected to their health at every stage of life.

In 2024, Coastal Goddess expanded its services with The M Clinic, a dedicated space focused on menopause and hormonal health, designed to support women through the physical and emotional transitions of ageing.

With over 20 years of experience in medical and surgical care, Dr Needham and her team are passionate about empowering women through personalised treatment, clinical expertise and compassionate care.

Learn more at www. coastalgoddess.com.au

Looking at wellbeing of women in sport

Umina United will host a very special event on Saturday, May 9, as part of Female Football Week (May 8-17).

Originally inspired by the International Women’s Day 2026 theme, Balance the Scales, Her Game. Her Way is designed to expand the conversation around female football.

Participants will be encouraged to move, nourish and think, moving beyond performance to support health, recovery, mindset and overall wellbeing for women and girls at every stage of the game.

The free community event will bring together local wellbeing providers to deliver short talks and practical

sessions, covering topics such as periods and participation –specifically, the impact menstruation has on girls staying involved in sport –

alongside recovery, nervous system regulation and simple tools like breath work to support confidence and resilience on and off the field.

The event will also feature interactive elements and giveaways from local stallholders.

It forms part of Umina United’s

broader women’s program, Her Game. Her Way, launching this year to support female participation, wellbeing and connection.

It marks the first step in building a more inclusive and holistic offering for women and girls, as the club works towards its 50-year milestone in 2029. Her Game. Her Way will be held from 10am-2pm on Saturday, May 9, in the Pretty Beach Room at Ettalong Diggers.

With limited capacity, attendees are encouraged to register by searching Her Game. Her Way at eventbrite. com.au, where the agenda is also available.

Submission grappling comes to Coast

Apex Submission League (ASL), Australia’s premier team-based submission grappling league, successfully launched its debut event at Legacy Gym in Kincumber on April 11.

Submission grappling is a combat sport focused entirely on ground fighting.

The goal is to force an opponent to “tap out” – literally tapping the mat to concede –using joint locks or chokes.

It draws on Brazilian jiu-jitsu, wrestling and judo,emphasising positional control, leverage and technique.

There are no punches or kicks.

Tickets to ASL 1: Founding Season sold out within 30 days of release, with approximately 250 spectators filling the venue to watch the country’s first fully

professional team-format grappling competition.

The event featured eight competing teams, a broadcaststyle main-stage production, action-focused rules designed to limit stalling, and a roster of trained officials enforcing a safety-first standard.

Grappling Education took the Founding Season title after a dominant run through the bracket.

The match of the night came in the Gracie Elite versus Grappling Education clash, which featured an example of ASL’s “disengagement rule”: if a teammate is in trouble in their match, you can break off from your own fight to help them.

ASL was built to address a long-standing gap in the Australian grappling landscape – between the depth of homegrown talent and the

production standards the sport has historically been offered.

The league operates on a season-based model, with Amateur, Youth, Women’s, and Corporate and Community divisions already announced for future seasons.

“Australia has world-class submission grappling talent, and for too long that talent has

competed on stages that haven’t matched its standard,”

Founder and Director of Apex Submission League Khan Morris said.

“ASL was built to change that.

“We delivered on what we promised our athletes, our Foundation Partners, and our fans – professional production, disciplined officiating, and a

team format that gives this sport the structure it has been missing.”

“Selling out in 30 days tells us the appetite is there.

“The Central Coast showed up; now we build the season.”

ASL was co-founded by Morris alongside Jordan Nikora and Matthew Arraiza.

Headquartered on the Central Coast, it operates a seasonbased competition model featuring broadcast-grade production, action-focused rules, and safety-first officiating.

The league’s mission is to raise the standard of professional grappling in Australia and provide a durable, legacy-building platform for the country’s athletes.

Learn more at apexsubmissionleague.com

Remarkable rise of Gosford Seagulls

In a remarkable rise within the Australian aquatic community, Gosford Seagulls head coach Greg Moeller has been awarded the prestigious NSW Masters Swimming Coach of the Year title at the annual Masters Swimming NSW awards. The award recognises Moeller’s extraordinary impact since returning to the sport in late 2023.

A professional artist and telecommunications construction manager by trade, Moeller has successfully blended high-performance sports science with a community-focused coaching philosophy that has revitalised local swimming. His technical approach is

rooted in decades of multidisciplinary experience, including technical stroke mechanics developed as a junior swimmer at West Gosford, elite-level endurance from state-medal-winning track cycling, and strength adaptation from competitive rowing.

This diverse background allows him to provide highly individualised training that targets specific energy systems and recovery for every member of his squad.

“I have always loved helping people achieve things they never thought they could,” Moeller said.

“This award reflects the hard work our swimmers put in and

the incredible coaching team I am lucky enough to mentor.

“We have focused on making training both technically precise and genuinely fun, and the results speak for themselves.”

Under his leadership,

SPORTS BRIEF

Moon to depart Mariners

Mariners Head Coach

Warren Moon will depart the club at the conclusion of the Isuzu UTE A-League 2025/26 season.

Moon arrived at the club as the interim Head Coach on the eve of the 2025/26 campaign and was appointed to the role on a permanent basis in early January for the remainder of the season.

He will continue in his role until the Mariners’ final game of the Isuzu Ute A-league season this Saturday against the Newcastle Jets. He will return home to Brisbane for family reasons.

Mariners Sporting Director Matt Simon thanked Moon for his contribution to the club over the past season.

Moon said it had been a privilege to lead the Mariners.

and

The points from

Masters swim meets are clear evidence of the enthusiasm and confidence Moeller has inspired in swimmers, elevating the Seagull team from 271 points in 2024 to 1,884 in 2025.

Beyond the pool deck, Moeller is celebrated for his mentorship of assistant coaches and his ability to foster a supportive environment where athletes of all ages are encouraged to “swim for life”.

The Seagulls swim at Gosford Olympic Pool on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons.

For more information, see the Facebook page or call Linda on 0421 817 270

had an amazing season at state and national championships.

He came in first at The State Surf Lifesaving Championships, winning gold in the 2km run for his 55-59 age group. He then went on to come second in a competitive field in the same event at the Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships recently on the Gold Coast. With more than 500 events and 7,000 lifesavers competing it was an amazing achievement.

Mariners claim giant-slayer status with 1-0 win in Auckland

The Central Coast Mariners men have delivered one of the more surprising results of the A-League season, defeating Auckland FC 1-0 in Auckland on Sunday, April 19, in a game characterised by lightning storms on and off the field.

Mariners striker Ali Auglah scored the only goal of the match in the first half before thunderstorms forced the game to be stopped for half an hour in the 34th minute.

Auckland dominated the game possession with 64% and 18 attacking shots on goal, though only four were on target.

The narrow victory proved decisive beyond the immediate result, effectively ending Auckland’s push to climb to the top of the premiership ladder.

In an ironic twist, the outcome instead handed that honour to the Mariners’ long-standing rivals, the Newcastle Jets. Despite sitting outside the top

six finals positions, the Mariners again demonstrated their ability to challenge the competition’s leading sides, reinforcing the club’s reputation as a genuine giant slayer.

Attention now turns to the final match of the regular season, with the Mariners travelling to Newcastle next Saturday afternoon, April 25, for a tense Anza Day version of the season’s last F3 Derby.

That rivalry will be firmly on the line, even though a victory alone will not be enough to

lift the Mariners into finals contention.

The clash provides one final opportunity this season for the Mariners to assert their competitive spirit against their arch rivals and potentially influence the shape of the finals series.

Supporters will be hoping the side can carry their Auckland momentum into Newcastle and finish the season on a high note and remind the Jets that their most enduring rivals are always dangerous.

Two new roles for Amber

Central Coast Heart Head Coach Amber Cross has been appointed Assistant Coach for the 2026 season for GIANTS Netball Academy as well as the 2026 Netball NSW U19s team.

As Head Coach of Central Coast Heart, Cross oversees Premier League Coaches. She will continue as Head Coach throughout the season, whilst taking on the additional roles.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Amber as she continues to develop emerging talent within a highperformance environment, delivering comprehensive programs that integrate skill development, strength and conditioning, and access to elite support services — all designed to prepare athletes for the demands of an elite daily training environment,” a Heart spokesperson said.

“As the GIANTS Netball Academy enters its seventh

year of operation, its focus remains on providing the strongest possible development pathway to help young netballers progress towards Suncorp Super Netball contracts and ultimately Australian Diamonds selection.

“Amber’s passion, experience, and leadership at Heart have been instrumental in our club’s success, and this appointment is a fantastic recognition of her highperformance coaching expertise.”

Championships recently.

In other Heart news, Eve Power represented Netball NSW 17U, finishing as National Runners Up after a hard-fought grand final.

Savannah Angelozzi was part of the Mixed Opens team, which finished National Runners Up at the Men’s National Championships.

The Central Coast Rugby Union season is well underway, with Round 2 of the WLG Premier 1 competition delivering a mix of dominant performances and tightly contested battles on Saturday, April 17.

Several sides are already beginning to separate themselves early in the season.

The Razorbacks maintained

their unbeaten start with a strong 26–14 win over Northlakes, although the scoreline doesn’t fully reflect the contest, with Northlakes competing hard throughout and pushing the ladder leaders.

Avoca Beach was the standout of the round, remaining undefeated after a commanding 43–7 victory over GKRC.

Their attack was on full

Rugby season underway

display, with Logan McLoughlin and Harry Mellross both bagging doubles in an impressive team performance that highlighted their early premiership credentials.

Warnervale recorded a special 27–20 win over Terrigal in what was the match of the round.

Crossing for five tries to two, Warnervale made the most of their opportunities, with Paul

Micha leading the way with a double.

The result was even more significant against a Terrigal side missing key players, giving Warnervale valuable early momentum.

Lake Macquarie also continued their unbeaten run, producing a clinical 38–20 win over Woy Woy in a big away victory for the Roos to round out the weekend’s action.

After two rounds, Razorbacks, Avoca Beach and Lake Macquarie remain undefeated and have set the early benchmark, while the competitiveness shown across the board suggests there’s plenty more to come as the season takes shape.

In Women’s Premier 1, Woy Woy had a special day out winning 63-0.

They are building something great in their women’s squad. Terrigal won 37-0 over Warnervale.

It wasn’t always one-way traffic but a young and dynamic Terrigal side made it count in the second half when both sides began to tire.

Terrigal are 2-0 heading into a crunch clash next weekend with Avoca Beach.

Central Coast Rugby Union