Coast Community News #539

Eight Coasties have been named in the King’s Birthday Honours List in the General Division. See page 10-11.

A rescission motion aiming to have Central Coast Council meetings held at Gosford Regional Library in July, September and November failed to get the numbers at Council’s May 26 meeting, with meetings set to remain at the Wyong chambers.

Councillor Margot Castles put the motion, urging fellow councillors to acknowledge “it is imperative that

council meetings are held at the Gosford Regional Library showing a commitment by Council to local democracy in “the Capital of the Central Coast”.

She said Council’s website describes the library as a “flexible function space able to accommodate a number of events and activities, including the ability to host Council Meetings”.

Continued page 4

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Hats off to our achievers

This week we celebrate a number of Coasties for their achievements.

EDITORIAL

region’s reputation as a leader in the field of medical research.

NSW at the National Games in Melbourne in October.

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Publisher - Combined Coast

Firstly,a huge congratulations to the Central Coast residents who have been recognised in the General Division of the King’s Birthday Honours for contributions in a wide variety of fields – from the performing arts to surf life-saving, cricket, conservation and the environment, philanthropy and community service.

These recipients reflect the very best of us and their achievements in different areas are representative of the community life which makes up the fabric of living on the Central Coast.

Also in the spotlight this week is the team from the Central Coast Cancer Centre, which is playing a lead role in a globally world leading cancer research study exploring how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can improve the accuracy and effectiveness of radiotherapy to target liver tumours for better patient outcomes.

The Gosford-based centre is the leading liver cancer site for the trial, which is exploring how ground-breaking technology will remove the need for invasive surgical procedures, reinforcing the

Another Coastie doing the region proud is Zachary James O’Donnell, a 20-year-old multidisciplinary First Nations artist from Umina Beach who has been recognised on the national stage.

He has been shortlisted for the Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award in the prestigious National Indigenous Fashion Awards, with the results to be announced in August.

And in the field of sport, we celebrate 10 local Special Olympics athletes who have been selected to represent

These skilled and dedicated athletes will represent the state in a range of sporting disciplines, including golf, swimming, basketball, and tennis.

Their selection is the result of years of dedication through participation in Central Coast Special Olympics programs. It is wonderful to see so many Coasties shining in such a wide variety of areas. Sport, medicine, the arts and fashion – as our residents achieve, let’s all celebrate their successes.

Your chance to adopt a greyhound

Central Coast families will have the chance to meet more than 40 retired racing greyhounds looking for new homes when Greyhounds As Pets (GAP) hosts its Winter Greyhound Adoption Fun Day at Wyee on Saturday, June 13.

adopting and not just buying a puppy,” she said.

Ms Albaner said Luna had quickly become part of family life and was popular with customers at her hairdressing business.

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The free community event will run from 10am-1pm at 39 Forest Rd and feature a sausage sizzle, coffee cart, jumping castle and the opportunity to meet a wide range of greyhounds available for adoption.

Greyhounds as Pets Chief Welfare Officer Mark Slater said the Central Coast was a natural choice for the largescale adoption event.

“The region consistently generates strong adoption enquiries and applications, so hosting a large event leading into winter made sense,” he said.

He said greyhounds are well-

IN MEMORIAM

JONES, Alan

14/05/1945 – 05/06/2026

Aged 81 years

Beloved husband of Robyn. Father to David and Matthew, Phean and Sonia. Grandfather of Bailey, Sarah, Ellie, Zack, Lockie, and Izabella. Great Grandfather to Addie, Elsie and Thomas.

Family and friends of Alan are invited to attend his funeral service to be held in the Hillside Chapel at Palmdale Lawn Cemetery & Memorial Park, 51 Palmdale Road, Palmdale, on Monday 15 June 2026 commencing at 2.30 pm.

suited to the Central Coast lifestyle.

“Many adopters enjoy taking their greyhounds on local walking tracks, around the foreshore, and to dog-friendly beaches,” he said.

He said the breed enjoys exploring outdoors but is just as content relaxing at home.

Despite their racing background, greyhounds are often described as calm, low-

IN MEMORIAM

NICHOLS,

Frederick Clarence

26/08/1937 – 05/06/2026

Aged 88 years

Loved husband of Margaret. Father of David, Gavin and Michael. Father-inlaw to Sharon and Louise. Grandfather to Harry, William, Zella, Charlie, Ivy, Daniel and Cassandra. Grandfather-in-law to Dylan. Great Grandfather to Rosa and Rowan. A private funeral service will be held.

maintenance pets that suit a variety of households.

They are known for rarely barking, shedding very little and enjoying a relatively relaxed lifestyle, often requiring only a short daily walk.

Berkeley Vale residents Kylie Albaner, her partner Chris Harvey, and their children Tyler and Amelia, adopted threeyear-old greyhound Luna seven months ago and say the experience has been overwhelmingly positive for their family.

“I’m so happy we did this because it’s really shown the kids that we didn’t just go shopping for a dog,” Ms Albaner said.

“It’s taught them the value of

“She greets my customers, and they absolutely love her,” she said.

“I tell everyone they should get a greyhound because they’re so lazy and easy.”

Following the release of the NSW Government’s inquiry into Greyhound Racing NSW in December 2025, the Animal Justice Party strongly supports the adoption and welfare of retired greyhounds and is committed to the recommendations made in the Drake Report.

Central Coast spokesperson Emily McCallum said that as the racing industry is phased out, it is vital that greyhounds are not forgotten and receive the care and homes they deserve.

Greyhound adoption fees have been reduced to $75 throughout June, down from the usual $250.

People interested in adopting are encouraged to register for the Dogalogue at gapnsw. com.au to view the dogs attending and begin the adoption.

Ivona Rose

NEWS IN BRIEF

Time to test smoke alarms

Fire and Rescue NSW

(FRNSW) is urging Central Coast householders to test their smoke alarms with June 1 marking the first day of Winter and Smoke Alarm Action Day, a national initiative highlighting the importance of detectors that protect you and your loved ones.

As temperatures drop, the risk of house fires increases as residents use more electrical devices and heating appliances, raising the number of potential fire hazards inside homes.

A smoke alarm’s loud beeping is the first line of defence in a fire, providing valuable time for residents to escape and call emergency services.

However, in 45% of the nearly 3,900 residential fires FRNSW attended last year, firefighters could not identify a working smoke alarm.

FRNSW is also encouraging members of the public to book a free fire safety visit at www. fire.nsw.gov.au/visits to help safeguard their homes.

Local firefighters will come to your residence, provide safety advice and, if required, install a new 10-year smoke alarm for free.

FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said it only took a few seconds to push the button on your smoke alarms to guarantee they were working.

See full story online: coastcommunitynews.com.au

Call to action over sad state of war memorial

The heartbreaking story of one family losing three sons in WW1 and WW2 prompted family history and military buff Joe Laws to join the call for the 103-year-old Erina District War Memorial to be restored and better maintained.

After researching his family’s history, Mr Laws came across the sad story of the Wiess brothers – Frederick, Erle and Harry – who all lost their lives in service for their country.

The Erina District War Memorial was officially opened on Armistice Day, November 11, 1923, after a committee formed to get the memorial built to honour those who had lost their lives in WW1.

That committee was headed byWalterWeiss,the headmaster of Erina Heights Public School at the time.

Mr Laws is a descendant of Mr Weiss, who was his great, great uncle, and recently joined the push to get the memorial upgraded.

He said he was delighted to receive confirmation late last week from the TerrigalWamberal RSL Sub-Branch that following a meeting with Central Coast Council, a

meeting with a contractor was scheduled for last week.

Sub-branch Secretary Andrew Madge said the responsibility for the memorial lay jointly with the Council and the RSL Sub-Branch.

He said its condition had been reported to Council and action was underway to obtain quotes from qualified contractors (they have to be heritage conservation specialists) to undertake the maintenance work.

He said the Sub-Branch was working with Council to progress this as quickly as possible.

“I was very, very pleased to get the news that something was happening,” Mr Laws said.

“I feel my perseverance paid off and as family history buff and military history buff, I am really pleased that some

attention will be given to the memorial.

“It was disappointing to see it had been left in such a sad way.”

The memorial, relocated to Terrigal Beach in 2018, was officially opened in 1923 at its original site, the hill below St Phillips Church at the junction of The Entrance Rd and Terrigal Dr, Erina.

It was originally built to honour local men from Erina, Terrigal, Wamberal and Matcham who served and died in WW1 and was expanded later to also commemorate service in WW2, Korea and Vietnam.

It came into being after the War Trophies Commission offered the Erina district two captured German machine guns resulting in the formation of a local committee to

memorialise those who had made the ultimate sacrifice.

The Erina District War Memorial Committee consisted of president Walter Weiss, the headmaster of Erina Heights Public School from 1914 to 1929, and secretary George Walpole, headmaster of Erina school.

Mr Weiss and his wife Amy had three sons enlist in WW1 with only one returning and another son who died as a prisoner of war in WW2 while building the Burma railway.

The memorial was initially dedicated to the 10 men from the district who had died in WW1 including the Weiss brothers, A Banks, A Bean, J Farrell, M Farrell, C Martin, V McKenna, F Ritchie and C Wright.

Private Frederick A Weiss was killed in action on July 19,

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This is a free event for the community, everybody is welcome

Hosted by Creightons Funeral Service part of The Palmdale Group. Demonstrations and interactive displays with information stalls available.

Palmdale Lawn Cemetery & Memorial Park

57 Palmdale Road, Palmdale NSW

Commencing at 10am – 2pm Saturday 15th August BBQ lunch is provided for attendees

The Weiss family was originally from Singleton and Frederick was a trainee teacher in West Wyalong and Erle worked in a drapery store in Singleton.

Private Harry Blanch Weiss, who was a twin and the last born of the nine Weiss children, served in the 2/30th Battalion in Singapore, Burma and Thailand.

A prisoner of war after the fall of Singapore, he died of “illness” in 1943 on the BurmaThai railway.

He had worked as a bank teller with the Commercial Banking Co prior to enlisting. In 1985, due to roadworks, the Erina District War Memorial was relocated to the Salvation Army Woodport Citadel at Erina and re-dedicated on August 6, 1986.

The Brothers in Arms sculpture by local artist Leash Craig was added as a symbol of mateship and the brothers who lost their lives when the memorial was moved to Terrigal.

Mixed response to latest seawall development

Central Coast Council’s decision to apply for authorisation for sand nourishment underpinned by a sloping rock revetment to provide coastal protection for Wamberal beach has met with a mixed response.

Council confirmed last week it had lodged an application for a Section 68 (s68) authorisation with the NSW Reconstruction Authority, saying the move is consistent with the proposed approach for management of coastal erosion at Wamberal as outlined in its recently adopted Open Coast Coastal Management Program.

A Section 68 approval is a local council permit in NSW required for specific activities related to public health, safety and infrastructure, bypassing lengthy DA approval processes.

Wamberal Protection Association has welcomed the move and is urging Council to ensure an approved solution is achieved rapidly.

But Wamberal Save our Sand (SOS) volunteer Mark Lamont said Council is “grossly misrepresenting a massive rock seawall as a sand nourishment project”.

He said the move could see an 81,000-ton rock seawall underpinned by almost 1,000

As the cooler nights approach, residents can experience a gentle reminder of the reality of what it means to sleep rough.

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch is urging the community to come together for the Coast Shelter Sleepout this month to raise awareness and funds for vulnerable community members.

“Of course, it’s only for one night; there are plenty of people who do it far tougher than that,” Ms Tesch said.

“The sleepout is a chance to

tons of steel footing, with only a token amount of sand.

“That is not coastal protection – it’s a disaster in waiting,” Mr Lamont said.

He said SOS had obtained expert advice from multiple coastal engineers, including a report by leading coastal engineer Angus Gordon calling for Council’s s68 seawall proposal to be rejected.

“Angus Gordon’s report recommends approximately 900,000 cubic metres of offshore sand nourishment as the next action for Wamberal Beach – not another 82,000 tonnes of rock and steel,” Mr Lamont said.

“Experts are deeply concerned that this seawall would create liability for the NSW Government, with real

risks of beach scouring, elevated lagoon flooding, steel footing exposure, and even potential catastrophic wall collapse.

“That’s a nightmare scenario, not coastal protection.”

He said SOS is also concerned that Council has effectively built the same seawall action into both its s68 application and its recently submitted Coastal Management Program (CMP), now before Environment Minister Penny Sharpe for certification.

“If Reconstruction Authority Minister Janelle Saffin rejects the s68 seawall, Council still has the same action written in its CMP,” he said.

“That’s why thousands of local SOS supporters have signed petitions, rallied and are

writing to the ministers to stop both ‘horses’.”

Abigail Boyd MLC has tabled a Notice of Motion in NSW Parliament to stop the s68 seawall proposal, along with Councillor Corinne Lamont’s offshore sand nourishment petition.

Both matters are yet to be debated and decided in parliament.

Three 2024 seawall Development Applications (DAs) are before the Regional Planning Panel, with a final decision expected on June 16.

“Pleasingly, Council’s latest assessment report once again rejected the 2024 seawall DAs,” Mr Lamont said.

“One of the key reasons for that rejection – a lack of owner

consent – is highly likely in Council’s new s68 seawall proposal.

“Some beachfront landowners simply do not want an expensive and risky seawall, whether that be the old DA wall or the new s68 wall.

“DA consent was not obtained for 14 of the properties along Wamberal Beach.”

SOS held a rally on Saturday, May 30, to express community opposition to the continued seawall push.

Speakers challenged the use of s68, a provision set aside for natural disasters and emergencies, to advance a seawall.

Mr Lamont said beachfront landowners face no more risk today than they did when they bought their beach houses years ago.

“We hope Minister Saffin’s team can see through this misuse of emergency provisions,” he said.

SOS continues to push for offshore sand nourishment, which would cause waves to break further out to sea, as the optimum solution to ongoing erosion issues.

It says experts advise that offshore sand nourishment combined with the existing rock revetment is costeffective, carrying less liability than a revetment wall.

Register now for Coast Shelter Sleepout

come together, learn and stand alongside people doing it tough, while helping a vital local community organisation.

“It is also a time for us to be reminded that community members sleeping rough are not only individuals but include families with children escaping domestic violence.”

The event will be held at Gosford’s Polytec Stadium on Friday, June 12.

It’s all about connection, compassion and taking action locally.

Each winter, Coast Shelter receives hundreds of calls from

Coasties looking for a safe place to go.

Organisers have reimagined the event this year to make participation easier and more inclusive through: a single ticket purchase with no mandatory fundraising minimum; overnight and night only options; and a range of new activities.

Coast Shelter CEO Alicia Pigot said participants can sleep out overnight or join the evening program and head home by 9pm, making it a true community night out for all ages.

“Whether you sleep out or simply join us for the evening, you’re helping create change right here on the Central Coast,” Ms Pigot said.

“It’s about showing up together for an important cause.”

Funds raised will support Coast Shelter’s crisis accommodation, domestic and family violence services, early intervention programs, and the unfunded Community Centre.

But the Wamberal Protection Association has welcomed the s68 application.

“We have been fighting for protection along Wamberal Beach, not only for the beachfront homes but for the existing public infrastructure and hundreds of other homes behind, for over seven years,” spokesperson Chris Rogers said.

“(This is) a fight that has been ignored and ongoing for over five decades.

“WPA has always said we are pro protection, and as long as that protection is an engineered combination of hard and soft measures that will withhold extreme events such as the one witnessed in 2020, we would consider any solution design.

“We welcome Council’s resolution and encourage Council and government to take practical and sensible action to ensure an approved solution is achieved, as soon as possible.

“WPA is not anti-sand nourishment (but) stands firm on the fact that sand alone is not a sufficient solution for Wamberal beach.

“The opportunity to have buried, flexible, natural, sandstone protection is an opportunity that cannot be missed, as it is the solution that will save the entire suburb.”

To register, visit coastsheltersleepout.org.au You can stay for the night - or just the evening

Final push to have Council meetings held in Gosford fails

From page 1

Cr Castles said meetings should be held as scheduled at the Gosford Regional Library on July 28, September 22 and November 24 and urged Council to develop and conduct a simple venue satisfaction survey for attending community members to be invited to complete, in person or online.

She also called for a report to be brought to the first meeting of 2027 to include: the total

attendance in the gallery at Gosford over the three meetings; and the results of the simple community satisfaction survey.

The motion said funds from the approximately $23M sale of the Gosford Council Building and the Broadwater could be used towards the modest costs involved in holding ongoing meetings at the Gosford Regional Library.

But it never saw the light of day.

Despite Councillor Jared Wright suggesting some committee meetings could be held at Gosford library, and Councillor Sharon Walsh noting the library building was supposed to be able to hold council meetings,the rescission motion was defeated 6-7.

The vote followed presentations from two

residents in the public forum prior to the meeting.

Mark Ellis asked why councillors for Gosford West and Gosford East wards were voting against their constituents.

Second speaker Julian Bowker said the current path “reduces the visibility of Council decision-making and risks further undermining public trust”.

“Moving from five meetings a

year in Gosford to just one sends a message that major decisions will mostly be made in one location, and that residents in other parts of the LGA should just adjust,” he said.

“Public trust isn’t built only on what Council decides; it is built on residents being able to observe how those decisions are made – who is in the room, what questions are asked, and how competing interests are weighed.

“When meetings are consistently held in one location, access becomes uneven, and uneven access looks like uneven influence.

“That perception is corrosive, even if the process is technically compliant.”

He acknowledged there were logistical issues at the March meeting held in Gosford but said those issues were solvable.

Terry Collins

Coast Connect

Central Coast Council news and community information

MAYOR’S MESSAGE

Lawrie McKinna

Council launches priority projects to support the Coast’s

future

Recently, we launched our Key Enabling Projects 2026: Central Coast Region document, outlining the priority projects we need to support our region’s future growth.

This is an important step for the Central Coast. It sets a clear direction for the infrastructure, housing and services our growing community will need in the years ahead.

Importantly, these projects are not yet funded. This document is about setting clear priorities and strengthening our case to State and Federal Government for the investment our region needs.

The Central Coast is one of the fastest growing regions in NSW and with that growth comes increasing demand for housing, health services, transport networks and community infrastructure.

That’s why planning ahead is so important. By identifying the right projects now, we can advocate strongly for funding that supports jobs, improves connectivity and ensures the Central Coast remains a great place to live, work and invest.

The document highlights key priority areas including revitalising Gosford City Centre, unlocking the Northern Growth Corridor, upgrading transport and connectivity, supporting environmental sustainability and increasing affordable housing.

For us, this is about more than a list of projects. It’s about planning for the future of our region — making sure we have the right infrastructure in place to support our community as it grows.

Mayor Lawrie McKinna

The next Council meeting will be held on Monday 29 June at 6.30pm in Wyong. Search ‘Council meetings’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

What’s on?

Taste of Toukley

Enjoy local flavours and family fun at Taste of Toukley, as we bring communities together to celebrate local food, creativity and connection. Tasting boxes $5 each.

• Saturday 20 June 2026

• 10am – 1pm

• Toukley Village Green

For more event details, search ‘Taste of Toukley’ at lovecentralcoast.com

Don’t miss your chance to have your say

We have several policies and projects open for community feedback and we want to hear from you. Share your thoughts on: Library Strategy; Youth Strategy; Walking, Wheeling and Cycling Strategy; CCTV Policy; Local Strategic Planning Statement; improving drainage and public spaces at Avoca Beach and Proactive Release of Information Policy.

To provide your feedback, go to YourVoiceOurCoast.com

Reservoir refurb underway

Carbon wrap technology will be used for the first time by Council as part of refurbishment works at Kanangra Reservoir, helping to strengthen our water supply for years to come.

We’ll keep affected residents informed if any unplanned outages occur while works are underway from now to November.

For more information, search ‘Capital Works Program’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

Know your flood risk, right where you live

Council’s online flood mapping tool lets you easily check whether your property or neighbourhood around Tuggerah Lakes is affected by flooding – helping you understand your local risk before heavy rain hits. Use the online mapping tool to understand your risk of flooding and how your property and surrounding streets may be impacted at various water levels. View your risk and search, ‘Flood risk tools’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

Boosting jobs, business and investment on the Coast

We have released our Regional Economy Strategic Action Plan 2026–2027, outlining what we’ll deliver over the next 12 months to support local jobs, attract investment and help businesses grow across our region. Progress will be tracked and reported for transparency.

To view the action plan, search ‘Regional Economy Strategies’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

Looking for a space to serve the community?

Expressions of interest (EOIs) are now open for community groups, organisations and individuals to lease or enter a hire agreement for some Council facilities at Green Point, The Entrance, Hamlyn Terrace and Watanobbi. EOI closes 25 June.

For more information, search ‘Expressions of Interest’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

Coast hits $90.7M pokie losses over three months

Gaming machines in licensed clubs across the Central Coast made a profit of $66M in the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year – $5M more than last year’s first quarter.

Gosford RSL Club in West Gosford had the highest club profit from gambling on the Coast.

Gaming machines in pubs across the Coast made a profit of $24M in their first quarter –up a million from last year.

Northlakes Tavern in San Remo had the highest pub profit from gambling on the Coast.

Based on these figures from the NSW Office of Liquor and Gaming Quarterly Gaming Reports, the Wesley Mission says Central Coast residents are losing $90.7M, the highest in regional NSW, to poker machines.

The Mission’s NSW Poker Machine Loss Data Analysis Q1 2026 says NSW is on track to lose $10B in 2026.

The Q1 2026 figures show NSW losses rose from $2.17B in the same quarter last year to $2.37B, a 9.4% increase in just 12 months – more than twice the rate of inflation for the same period.

The figures equates to an average $26.4M every day, $185M every week, or just over $1.1M every hour being lost on poker machines across NSW.

This is also the highest yearon-year growth in Q1 poker machine losses since COVID.

Wesley Mission CEO & Superintendent Reverend Stu Cameron said escalating losses continued to climb despite sustained cost-ofliving pressures.

“In a cost-of-living crisis families across NSW are tightening their belts, often doing without essentials, while at the same time poker machine losses are rising more than two times faster than inflation,” he said.

“There seems to be only three certainties in NSW right now:

death, taxes and spiralling poker machine losses.

“Quarter after quarter, the same story repeats itself — more money lost, more families under pressure, and more communities carrying the burden of gambling harm.

“It’s a grotesque Groundhog Day on steroids.”

The latest data shows losses remain heavily concentrated in the same communities.

In metropolitan Sydney, the highest-loss LGAs in Q1 2026 were Canterbury-Bankstown ($198.8M), Fairfield ($186.1M) and Cumberland ($136.2M).

In regional NSW, the highest

losses were recorded on the Central Coast ($90.7M), Wollongong ($54.6M) and Newcastle ($52.1M).

Rev Cameron said the concentration of losses in the same places, quarter after quarter, showed the burden was falling hardest on communities already under pressure.

“Behind these numbers is the money needed to pay rent, groceries and other essential bills being drained by pokies out of household pockets,” he said.

Rev Cameron said the shocking data underlined the

urgency for immediate and proportionate reform.

“Losses have continued to climb while harm deepens,” he said.

“The question has never been whether reform is needed, it desperately is, but how much longer we must wait for the Minns Labor Government to step up and do the hard and desperately needed work to reduce and prevent harm.”

Wesley Mission, alongside more than 50 reform partners, is continuing to call on the NSW Government to implement stronger harm-reduction and prevention measures, including a mandatory cashless gambling

card with robust protections built in and a statewide shutdown of poker machines between midnight and 10am.

“Nothing good happens on a poker machine at 3am,” Rev Cameron said.

“The evidence is clear that harm escalates in the early hours, when people are tired, isolated and more likely to chase losses.

“A midnight-to-10am shutdown remains a critical and effective reform available to the NSW Government right now. Not only would it reduce harm, but it would also begin to prevent it.”

Gaming machine information is available on a quarterly basis and the quarters for a club or hotel differ as they have different taxation reporting periods.

Clubs report on quarters ending in February, May, August and November.

Hotels are taxed quarterly and the reporting periods end in March, June, September and December.

Annual reporting for clubs and hotels align with these quarterly periods, with a financial year for clubs running from September to August, and a financial year for hotels running from July to June.

Merilyn Vale

Umina creative nominated for prestigious fashion award

A 20-year-old multidisciplinary First Nations artist living at Umina Beach has been recognised on the national stage, earning a nomination in the prestigious National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA).

Zachary James O’Donnell has been shortlisted for the Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award, one of the major honours to be presented as part of the Indigenous Fashion Projects program in Darwin this August.

The awards celebrate emerging and established Indigenous creatives from across Australia, recognising excellence, innovation and leadership in First Nations fashion and design.

For Mr O’Donnell, the nomination came as a surprise.

“I never really go for things like awards because I don’t assume I’ll have much of a chance in them,” he said.

“I just decided to apply, and then they got back to me and said I’d been shortlisted.

“I was like, whoa, what?”

Originally from Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, Mr O’Donnell moved to the Central Coast to pursue education opportunities and has since established himself as an emerging visual artist, dancer and designer.

While his artwork is exhibited through galleries and independent exhibitions, his NIFA nomination recognises his innovative weaving practice,

which transforms traditional techniques into contemporary wearable art.

These works were motivated by the desire to explore how he could turn art into something that wasn’t just seen on a wall.

“(I thought), how can I put it into a three-dimensional form, and how can that change the quality of a weaving?” he said.

His weaving journey began at age 15 after meeting South

Australian Aboriginal artist Mickey Barlow.

“I showed her some of my work, and we sat down together for about four hours,” he said.

“She taught me a basic weaving technique and gave me a pillowcase full of raffia and a couple of needles.

“She said take this and keep going and see what happens.”

That simple lesson sparked a

creative path that continues today.

Using raffia as his primary material, Mr O’Donnell creates intricate woven works inspired by culture, storytelling and connection to Country.

While traditional weaving materials from Coonabarabran include Lomandra grasses, accessibility has led him to experiment with contemporary alternatives.

Beyond weaving, Mr

O’Donnell is also building a career in dance, working with Sydney-based First Nations company Burundi Dance Theatre and Newcastle contemporary dance organisation Catapult.

He describes himself as a multidisciplinary artist and hopes to continue combining visual arts, fashion and performance.

“I’ve always wanted to be an artist in some form,” he said.

Much of his painting work centres on the night sky and the Milky Way, inspired by his upbringing in Tennant Creek and his connection to his mother’s Country.

“The Milky Way was the name given to me as a child,” he said.

“I always had this connection to the stars, and painting became the thing that really kept me grounded through a lot of years.”

The National Indigenous Fashion Awards and Country to Couture will be held on Larrakia Country in Darwin on Wednesday, August 5.

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Allied health available (podiatrist and physiotherapy)

Coast clubs in running for major community awards

Central Coast clubs have a strong showing in this year’s Clubs & Community Awards with Gosford RSL up for three awards while Mingara Recreation Club, Halekulani Bowling Club and The Doylo are all finalists in various categories.

The awards recognise the pivotal role that clubs make in communities right across the state in the following 10 categories: education; emergency response; fostering grassroots sport; healthcare; heart of the community; mental wellbeing; small club big heart; social inclusion; sustainable future; and vibrancy and culture.

ClubsNSW CEO Rebecca Riant said the quality and diversity of this year’s finalists demonstrated the enormous role that clubs played in the fabric of communities all over NSW.

“The initiatives recognised this year reflect not only the generosity of clubs, but the depth of their commitment to identifying community needs and delivering practical, lasting support,” Ms Riant said.

Gosford RSL’s Hospitality Hotshots Building Local Career Pathways is a finalist in the education category.

Launched in 2024, Hospitality Hotshots bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world industry experience for students, in partnership with Regional Industry Education Partnerships.

The program connects Year 10–12 students with hands-on exposure to hospitality careers, with 30 participants each year from local secondary schools.

The club is also a finalist in the emergency response

category for its Standing Together project during the Koolewong bushfires.

On December 6, 2025, as bushfires swept through Koolewong, Woy Woy Bay and Phegans Bay, displacing local families, Gosford RSL Club responded immediately by opening its doors as a safe refuge.

Staff across all departments worked together to provide emergency accommodation, meals and support, transforming the venue into a welcoming space for evacuees.

The Club’s Gallery became a central hub for emergency services and government agencies, enabling residents to access recovery assistance, information and essential services in one familiar location.

In the days that followed, the club continued to lead community recovery efforts, including raising $50,000 through a bushfire relief raffle within eight days.

Halekulani Bowling Club is

also a finalist in the emergency response category for funding the Rescue Ready IRB for Soldiers Beach Surf Life Saving Club.

The club‘s investment helped strengthen frontline beach safety and youth development by funding a new inflatable rescue boat (IRB) motor and surf boat oars, ensuring lifesavers have the reliable tools needed to respond quickly and safely in high-risk conditions.

IRBs are central to emergency response, enabling rapid rescues, first aid delivery and co-ordinated operations, and this upgrade enhances performance, reduces maintenance costs and supports around-the-clock readiness on a beach that welcomes more than 75,000 visitors each summer.

Mingara Recreation Club is a finalist in the healthcare category for its Keeping Elsie’s Promise — Vision to Palliative Care support.

Mingara Recreation Club, a

close affiliate of the Lions Club of Wyoming East Gosford Centennial, played a central role in supporting Elsie’s Project, regularly hosting meetings, forums and community discussions that shaped the initiative.

The project began in 2012 at a Women’s Symposium at Mingara, where the story of Elsie Green, a nurse unable to access dedicated palliative care, sparked a fierce advocacy campaign.

Backed by Mingara, Lions mobilised community support, secured 10,000 petition signatures and worked with government to establish a dedicated ward at Gosford Hospital.

Opened in April 2021 and funded through community contributions, the unit quickly reached capacity, supporting more than 3,500 patients.

The project expanded to include a paediatric palliative care ward at Gosford Hospital in 2025 and a second adult facility at Wyong Hospital, due

to open in June 2026, creating a full continuum of care across the region.

Throughout, Mingara provided sustained financial and in-kind support while hosting countless meetings and fundraising events.

Gosford RSL Club is also a finalist in the social inclusion category for its year-round support for its Teens in Crisis program.

What began as a 2025 Christmas appeal evolved into a structured, twice-yearly initiative focused on supporting teenagers in crisis – a group often overlooked in traditional giving campaigns.

Staff led the charge through the Volunteer Squad, preparing gift bundles and launching the in-venue Baubles of Hope fundraiser, for which members and guests contributed directly to purchasing practical items for teenage boys identified as under-supported.

Building on this momentum, the initiative expanded into 2026 with Wrapped in Care, a

Dynamo Bernie turns 105

Bernie Wykes, a resident of Alloura Waters Retirement Village at Davistown, will celebrate his 105th birthday on June 11.

Born in Australia and raised on a farm in Campbelltown, Mr Wykes was the second youngest of his siblings.

He moved to Sydney at the age of 18 and met the love of his life, Verna, when he was 19.

The pair shared 68 wonderful years of marriage and were inseparable companions.

Although Mr Wykes retired in the 1970s, he didn’t move to Alloura Waters until 2010, where he remains an active

and highly respected member of the community.

Village Manager Trudie Allan said he is known for his sharp intellect and natural engineering aptitude.

“Bernie has always embraced an active lifestyle,” she said.

“Over the years he has competed in dirt bike racing, cycling, tennis, cricket, golf and lawn bowls.

“He even earned a place on the wall at Campbelltown Golf Club after scoring a hole-inone.

“Remarkably, he continued bowling until the age of 101.

“Today, Bernie still drives, does his own shopping, lives

Winter appeal delivering essential items such as jackets, blankets and hygiene products, guided by We Care Connect’s identified needs.

The Doylo is a finalist in the Sustainable Future category for its Building a Sustainable Future for Our Community program.

The club has invested in large-scale solar, energyefficient infrastructure and waste-reduction initiatives, while also commencing its environmental, social and governance journey through carbon footprint measurement, climate resilience planning and governance review.

Alongside these efforts, The Doylo strengthened community resilience through financial and in-kind support, including targeted initiatives such as the Doylo Doonas program with We Care Connect and the introduction of talk2mebro on the Central Coast, as well as leading collaborations like the expansion of the Supertee program across local hospitals.

independently in a first-floor apartment, takes the stairs every day and, perhaps most impressively, continues to serve as his daughter’s taxi driver.”

His daughter Helen Emerson lives at the Living Choice Kincumber village and at 86 still relies on her father to drive her to appointments and errands.

“Bernie is a wonderful example of resilience, independence and living life to the fullest,” Ms Allan said. Living Choice will present Mrs Wykes with a gift voucher the Fire & Flour restaurant at Davistown as a birthday gift.

Discover what modern retirement living is all about at Glengara Retirement Village

When

Eight Central Coast residents have been named in the King’s Birthday Honours List in the General Division.

One was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) and seven were awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), one of them posthumously.

Brett Harrod AM

Brett Harrod of Terrigal has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to surf lifesaving, and to the community.

Mr Harrod said that when he came from western Sydney at 15 and joined Umina Surf Club he had no inkling that he would go on to be involved in every level of the Surf Life Saving Association and contribute to saving lives around Australia and the world.

“I’ve seen every level of it from nippers through to my own club involvement, Surf Life Saving Central Coast, NSW, Australia and internationally,” he said.

“It touches so many people’s lives and for the better – it’s such a healthy environment for people to be involved in.

“It’s certainly been a lifestyle for us and a big part of my life for 50 years – it’s been a busy time and a lot of fun.”

Surf Life Saving has been a family affair for the Harrods, with all four children and two grandchildren tied up in surf clubs and Mr Harrod’s daughter now running the nippers at Umina SLSC.

Mr Harrod is a Life Member of Surf Life Saving Australia, Surf Life Saving NSW, the Central Coast branch and Umina club.

He is Chair of the International Life Saving Federation’s sponsorship and marketing committee, a member of the Business Commission and the Event Management Committee for the 2026 Lifesaving World Championships.

Over the years Mr Harrod has held seven different committee positions for Surf Life Saving Australia including Committee for Inclusion in the Brisbane

Coasties named in King’s

2032 Olympic Games, as well as being Director and General Manager for Commercial Operations.

In the past 25 years he has held nine different significant leadership roles for Surf Life Saving NSW and he has also held a number of positions with the Central Coast Branch going back as far as the 1980s.

Mr Harrod has been with Umina Surf Life Saving Club since 1976 and is still an active patrol member.

He has held multiple leadership roles and was Club Person of the Year in 19771978 and 2015-2016.

Ray Davidson OAM

Ray Davidson of Jilliby has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to cricket, and to the community.

When Mr Davidson’s son started playing cricket, he again became involved in the sport he grew up playing in Sydney.

“I was coaching his team and then I got involved with the executive,” he said.

Mr Davidson is now a Life Member of The Entrance Cricket Club after holding multiple roles such as: member of Junior and Senior Club Amalgamation Committee 2019-2020; Junior Cricket Club president 2003-2013; committee member 20142020; volunteer juniors manager and coach 20002011; manager, Junior Representative side, Central Coast District Cricket 20022007; volunteer and organiser, Kanga Cricket 1999-2000.

It was his wife who originally started his involvement with netball when they were living in Sydney and after they moved to the Central Coast in 1989 they were founding members of the Bateau Bay Dolphins Netball Club.

Mr Davidson, now a Life Member, served as club vicepresident in 1995 as well as coach, manager and umpire from 1995 to 2002.

Positions he held with Wyong District Netball Association included representative team

coach, 2000-2003; president 1998-2003; and juniors coach for Mingara Killarney Netball Club 1989-1994.

Mr Davidson became involved with the Mingara Relay for Life, a fundraiser for Cancer Council NSW, as a logistics co-ordinator and committee member, as well as his business Ausiports Home Improvements being a sponsor and team fundraiser for 10 years.

He has also held notable commercial positions with Bendigo Bank’s national and NSW marketing committees –Board member and chairman of Community Bank Wyong (Wyong Town Financial Services Limited) – as well as being chairman of the Local Community Collaborative Marketing and Sponsorship Group.

Mr Davidson was a member of the Collaborative Committee, Central Coast Community Bank branches of Bendigo Bank –Ettalong, Kincumber, East Gosford, Lisarow and Wyong. He is also on the Board of the Bikers Hand charity hub which serves 139 charities and is probably most well-known for its Christmas toy run.

“I’ve always been very fortunate to be surrounded by extremely good people with anything that I’ve done – it’s always been a team effort,” Mr Davidson said.

Stephen Cattley OAM

Stephen Cattley of Bensville has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to cricket.

Cricket has always been part of Mr Cattley’s life – “ever since I could walk I guess; a long time,” he said.

Although he doesn’t play himself anymore, over the years he has watched his son and now his grandson on the pitch, playing for Southern Spirit.

“I am rather chuffed as a matter of fact to be awarded something like that (the OAM), just for doing something you love, it’s a bit much,” Mr Cattley said.

Over the years, he hasn’t just

been a player or watching from the sidelines.

Mr Cattley has been a president, an associate delegate, a coach, a steward, a chairman of selectors, a member of the representative committee, and the list goes on.

He grew up in Pearl Beach and started playing for Woy Woy Cricket Club (1957-1965) and then became a founding member of Umina Junior Cricket Club in 1976.

He is now a Life Member of both clubs, as well as Southern Spirit.

The respect for Mr Cattley was already evident with namesake awards such as the Southern Spirit Steve Cattley Intermediate Player of the Year, junior perpetual awards, and the Cattley-Hook Shield in the Peninsula Cricket Association (c.2000s).

In 2003 when Gosford City Council announced its Australia Day Awards, Mr Cattley was the recipient of the Sports Community Award.

Southern Spirit Cricket Club acknowledged Mr Cattley in 2023 as its Club Person of the Year.

Paul Lemmon OAM

Veteran surf life saver and swimmer Paul Lemmon of Forresters Beach has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to surf lifesaving.

While the news came as a surprise, Mr Lemmon, who has been with Terrigal Surf Life Saving Club for 25 years and a surf life saver for 50 years, said he was very appreciative.

“I couldn’t believe it,” he said.

“It’s a big honour and I’m humbled by what’s happened.

“I’ve always been passionate about what I do, and I enjoy doing it.”

The highly decorated surf life saver has also won a number of gold medals in the Masters championships, is a former professional ironman, a coach, a mentor and a school teacher.

He said he was drawn to surf lifesaving because he enjoyed

team work and serving the community.

“I’ve had the privilege of contributing through surf lifesaving to beach safety and supporting the community,” he said.

“And through Masters swimming, I’ve been able to promote health, participation and a lifelong involvement in sport as well as many friendships.”

He said his main influences were his parents, coaches and fellow volunteers and the “many friendly and dedicated people” who had shared the journey with him.

“Their guidance and encouragement helped shape the person I am and the way I contribute to the community,” he said.

He said his father’s influence had the most impact on his life.

“As a young child he introduced me to swimming and surf lifesaving,” Mr Lemmon said.

“He didn’t ever push me; he just guided and supported me.”

Mr Lemmon said he strongly believed that surf lifesaving and swimming played an important role in reducing isolation.

“It helps build confidence and creates lasting community connections,” he said.

“Being involved in all my sporting groups has shown me how shared activities and volunteering can strengthen the sense of belonging and bring people together in positive and supportive ways.

“You don’t do it to get these awards; I do it because that’s who I am as a person.”

Peter Romey OAM

Heritage architect Peter

Romey of Pearl Beach has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to conservation and the environment.

“It was a surprise, and my first thought was oh, the family will be pleased,” he said.

“It is particularly gratifying to be recognised for doing something that you feel passionate about, something

that is much more than just a job”.

A resident of Pearl Beach for 10 years and currently the Secretary of the Pearl Beach Environment Group, Mr Romey was originally from Sydney and as an architect, was drawn early in his career to heritage conservation and cultural issues and projects.

He has been a member of a number of Sydney local planning panels and boards and the Tasmanian Heritage Council and was Deputy Chair of AusHeritage.

He has also held a number of senior roles with the Australian branch of the International Council on Monuments and Sites.

The father of two and grandfather of four said he had always tried to go beyond what was expected, and summarised his professional life in four phases: his work with the City of Sydney Council in introducing the first legislation to protect Sydney’s heritage palaces; his work as the Director, Conservation and Infrastructure with the Port Arthur Management Authority to conserve a convict site that is now on the World Heritage List; as a partner at GML Heritage, one of Australia’s most respected heritage consultancies; and most recently his work internationally providing advice on World Heritage sites.

He is still very involved with the World Heritage system, and has given many lectures and workshops in Taiwan and Georgetown in Malaysia in a pro bono capacity.

“I have worked on many important projects in that role, including providing advice to the International Council on Monuments and Sites in Paris, and through them to UNESCO,” he said.

In recent years, he has also become very active in working to protect the special environment of the Central Coast, especially the picturesque village of Pearl Beach.

“I’d would particularly like to acknowledge the colleagues that I’ve worked with over the years,” Mr Romey said.

“I am eternally grateful for the for the guidance and inspiration they have provided.

“I hope that in turn I have made a difference and encouraged later generations to recognise and care for our heritage places.”

Laurie Sweet OAM Dedicated fisherman Laurie Sweet of Gwandalan was

Birthday Honours List

knocked for a six when told he had been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community of Gwandalan.

Although he does confess to having an inkling something was up when he overheard phone conversations between his wife and close friends who nominated him.

While the father of two and grandfather of two said he was shocked to be honoured in such a way, he can now add it to another prestigious award he received in 2025 when he was named Central Coast Senior Volunteer of the Year at the NSW Volunteer of the Year awards.

Mr Sweet moved to Gwandalan from Sydney 12 years ago and quickly integrated into the community as a volunteer with Fisheries and running fishing workshops, running a Fishcare volunteer program,volunteering at Gwandalan Public School events and serving as vice president of Gwandalan Fishing Club.

He has worked with Fisheries since 2007, accumulating 5000 volunteer hours with the department.

“Primarily, we take groups of

kids out fishing in groups of probably 20 or 30,” he said.

“We teach them the basics, the rules, regulations, knots and rigging, how to cast.”

COVID put a stop to many of his fishing projects and he turned his attention to We Care Connect where he has volunteered since 2021.

“I started getting a bit bored, and then I came across this other organisation called We Care Connect,” he said.

“It’s fantastic, absolutely fantastic.

“The thing about it is the women that work there, they are something else. “ He does a bit of everything for the charity, from driving the van

to dropping deliveries and picking up items.

He also helps with the maintenance and modifications around the organisation’s factory.

Mr Sweet has no idea why he had such a strong drive to help his community.

“It’s just me, I think,” he said.

“I just do it because I love doing it, I do not do it for the accolades.”

Philip Walker OAM

Philip Walker of Wagstaffe was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to arts administration, and to philanthropy.

Mr Walker was Chair of the Antony Kidman Foundation, which works in the field of youth mental health, from 2014-2025 and he feels this was perhaps his most important work.

“During my time we got the AKF onto secure financial footing and established ways to leverage its knowledge for the benefit of many young people both in metro and regional areas of NSW,” he said.

“Antony Kidman is one of most inspiring people I have met.

“He introduced Cognitive

Behavioural Therapy into Australia in the early 80s.

“The AFK is a dedicated, very specific organisation working on research and treatment for youth.

“Clinical research shows that 75% of all mental health issues in Australia first exhibit under age of 25.

“They can be treated, and often very successfully, and if left untreated can develop into psychosis, which is a lot more difficult to treat.

“I feel that the importance of youth mental health in our country should be paramount.”

Mr Walker was also a committee member of the Bouddi Foundation for the Arts for 15 years.

As a chartered accountant who has run many businesses, he worked closely with a dedicated team of volunteers to see the foundation gain a sound financial position.

“It is extraordinary to see the talent that is on the Central Coast; you can’t help but be inspired by these young people,” he said.

“I am very passionate about it.”

Mr Walker said it was important to work out how to

best use life skills for the benefit of others in the community.

He has also been Chair of the Origin Music Group since 1981 and is Joint Managing Director.

He was Director of the Australasian Performing Rights Association (APRA) from 20122021; Director of theAustralasian Mechanical Copyright Owners’ Society Limited (AMCOS) from 2000-2022; Director of the Australasian Music Publishers’ Association Limited (AMPAL) from 2000-2021; and is a former Honorary Treasurer and Director of the Craft Council of NSW.

Kerian Booth OAM (deceased)

The late Keiran Booth of Narara was posthumously

awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to community health through a range of organisations. He was founder of Health on The Streets on the Central Coast; a National Co-Chair (Carer) at the National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum from 20112018; a National Carer Chair at the same forum from 20072012; and a NSW Justice of the Peace from 1982-2022.

For Central Coast Association of Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill, he was President, Chair of the NSW Board, Chief Executive Officer (2008-2012) and a Member of the Community Advisory Council.

For Central Coast Community Council he was an Executive Officer and Regional Development Officer from 2019-2022.

For Central Coast Primary Care he was a Leader, Partners in Recovery; a Member, Access and Inclusion Reference Group from 2020-2021; Program Manager from 2014-2019; a Member of the Older Persons Mental Health Peer Worker Project, from 20142019; and a Member of the Community Advisory Council.

Rate hikes need to stop

Central Coast councillors need to explain to their electors why they are still pursuing excessive rate hikes contrary to the commitments many of them gave at the last election (“IPART takes another look at water rates” – CCN edition 538).

For example, Mayor Lawrie McKinna, Deputy Mayor John Mouland and Cr Kyla Daniels stood at the last election on the Team Central Coast platform that pledged to: “alleviate the on-going rate increases and the associated financial strain on residents and businesses in our region”.

They have since voted to support the now discredited application to IPART for an 11.9% water rate hike.

This is despite water rates

having already increased 58% in four years without any

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improvement in service as measured by customer satisfaction surveys.

Those three councillors have also voted to increase general rates.

In particular, they voted for a Long-Term Financial Plan that seeks to make permanent a “temporary” 15% rate hike introduced in 2021 for short term purposes such as the repayment of emergency loans.

Rather than continuing this rate hike agenda, all councillors should focus on improving performance, efficiency, productivity, management, and culture within the organisation.

General Manager David Farmer is threatening

ratepayers with even higher water rates next year.

How can Mr Farmer possibly know what will be approved next year?

IPART has said it will conduct a fresh review of prices from July 2027 using new contractors.

That review hasn’t even started yet, so, how is Mr Farmer so certain of the outcome?

This investigation is welcome but should not be run by IPART itself

Ratepayers should ask their councillors to withdraw completely this unjustified water rate hike application and

hold them accountable at the next election if they decline.

Email, June 5 Kevin Brooks, Bensville Council wasting time

and money

How sad is Central Coast Council?

Instead of focusing on the needs of ratepayers, Council is wasting time and money deciding on where to have its meetings.

It is easy, your office is at Wyong and costs are minimal, so have it at Wyong.

As for the councillors, stop arguing and do what is best for ratepayers.

Council continually asking for feedback on work to be done is another waste of money.

They are paid big bucks to make the best decisions for the Central Coast.

Recently they asked for feedback on a carpark at Avoca.

Three knives found at Woy Woy

Officers conducting the operation at Deepwater

This is an existing carpark that just needs upgrading.

If it was a new block of units or approving a business in a residential area, maybe they should waste time on feedback.

Just get on with what you are paid for so we can see the Coast improved to how it should be.

Email, May 23

Philip Morrison, Bateau Bay

Wyong the logical place for council meetings

There has been yet another letter asking for Central Coast Council meetings to be held at Gosford.

It makes me wonder if there is any other council where meetings are held at two different venues. I doubt it.

Surely council meetings should be held close to the

centre of a council area whenever possible.

Wyong is, geographically, at the centre of the Central Coast and has a purpose-built council meeting room.

Gosford no longer has this facility.

I do not have a problem if residents of the previous Gosford Council area insist on meetings being held in Gosford, as long as they pay the cost of these meeting.

It is unfair to expect the northern section of the Central Coast to contribute to this cost. Nor should infrastructure maintenance and development on the Central Coast be impacted.

It should be easy to add a line item to the rates account and divide the cost of council meetings in Gosford between the ratepayers in the previous Gosford Council area.

ON THE BEAT BRIEFS ON THE BEAT

Three knives were detected during a recent scanning operation at Woy Woy Railway Station and Deepwater Plaza.

Officers from Brisbane Water Police District, assisted by Police Transport Command, conducted the high-visibility knife scanning operation on Thursday, June 4.

Between 1pm and 8pm, officers engaged with the community and carried out handheld scanner checks as part of ongoing efforts to enhance public safety and deter weapon-related offences.

Warrant for sexual offences

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man wanted on an outstanding warrant from Tuggerah Lakes.

Anthony Oliver, aged 36, is wanted on an outstanding warrant for sexual offences. Police have released an

image of Oliver as inquiries continue to locate him.

He is described as being Caucasian in appearance, 180cm tall, of thin build, with short brown hair and brown eyes.

Oliver was last seen wearing a navy-coloured T-shirt, navycoloured long pants, white

runners, and carrying a black bag.

He is known to frequent the Tuggerah area.

Anyone who sees him is urged not to approach but to call Triple Zero (000) immediately or Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or nsw. crimestoppers.com.au

Over 170 people were scanned, with three knives detected and safely removed from the community.

There were no refusals to comply with scanning requests.

The operation also saw one person arrested on an outstanding warrant, drug cautions and matters dealt with for retail theft.

Community feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with locals showing strong support for the police presence and the proactive safety measures.

Arrested over offensive behaviour

At 11.45am on Thursday, May 14, Brisbane Water Police District received reports of a male acting erratically in the Gosford Central Business District.

Officers from Police Transport Command located a 34-yearold male and his female companion on Mann St. Police observed the male behaving in an erratic manner, throwing items onto the roadway and running in front of

traffic causing vehicles to stop for him.

The male attempted to avoid police by entering a nearby bank where he was arrested by police.

He was transported to Gosford

Police Station where he was charged with Contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO (Domestic) and Behave in offensive manner in/near public place/school.

He was held in custody until his court appearance.

Drink driving charge

A civilian NSW Police Force employee has been charged and her driver’s licence suspended after being caught allegedly drink-driving on the Central Coast on Friday, June 5.

At about 9.15pm, officers attached to Tuggerah Lakes Police District were conducting stationary testing on Wyong Rd, Tuggerah, when they directed the driver of a Kia Sorento to stop for testing.

The driver of the vehicle – a 48-year-old woman– was arrested after allegedly returning a positive reading and taken to Wyong Police Station for secondary testing, which allegedly returned a breath analysis reading of 0.089.

The unsworn employee –attached to a specialist command - was charged with drive with middle-range PCA and will appear before Wyong Local Court on Monday, July 13.

Man dies in head-on crash

A man died in a head-on crash at Ourimbah in the early hours of Monday, June 8, closing the southbound lanes of the M1.

Emergency services were called after reports a sedan and a ute had crashed head-on shortly before 3.30am.

The sedan driver was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics (but) died at the scene. He is yet to be formally identified.

The man driving the ute was taken to hospital in a stable condition.

Officers attached to Tuggerah Lakes Police District have established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the crash.

Initial inquiries suggest the sedan was travelling north in the southbound lanes, but police are keen to hear from witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Officers recognised

Brisbane Water Police District officers have been formally recognised in the NSW Parliament by Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch.

Ms Tesch acknowledged the

“incredibly important work” carried out by NSW Police Force across NSW, with special mention of the dedicated members of the Brisbane Water Police District.

GRIMM reimagining of fairy tales

The stories many of us grew up with – of glass slippers, red cloaks and happily ever afters – are about to be turned on their head at Laycock St Community Theatre.

Shake & Stir Theatre Co’s GRIMM, presented by Laycock, invites Central Coast audiences into a darker, more provocative

There are no happy endings in GRIMM

reimagining of the Brothers Grimm classics. And this is not the version found in our childhood storybooks.

Part theatre, part cabaret, and part dark fantasy, GRIMM blends humour with intensity, offering a fast-paced and visually rich experience that challenges the notion of a traditional fairytale ending.

The production comes from the award-winning team behind stage adaptations of Frankenstein, Jane Eyre and A Christmas Carol, and features a creative collaboration led by adaptor Nelle Lee and director Daniel Evans.

Audiences can expect a bold theatrical experience, with lavish design, striking costumes by Australian fashion

icon Paul McCann, and a sensory atmosphere that shifts between haunting and playful.

The show is recommended for ages 14 and over.

Happily ever after? Never. GRIMM will be performed at Laycock St Community theatre at 7pm on Tuesday, June 16.

To book tickets go to laycockstreettheatre.com

New song to help DV victims

Central Coast-based singer, songwriter and multiinstrumentalist Mandi Jarry has released a new track which is poised to help one of Australia’s leading charities working with victims of domestic violence.

Sarah with the Blue Eyes is a haunting and melodic song about a woman who is the victim of this blight on our society.

The song is composed and performed by Jarry, with lyrics by Michael O’Brien and produced at Supernova Tribe Studios by Ash Maklad.

Thirty per cent of the sales from the release will be donated to What Were You Wearing, a charity dedicated to supporting victims and working to make the world a safer place.

Jarry is a 2025 ACE Award nominee and grand finalist in the prestigious Toyota Starmaker Awards, and a finalist in the Commercial Radio Australia’s New Artist 2 Radio program as well as nominated for MusicOz Awards in both the Pop and Artist of the Year categories.

Her songwriting has received acclaim as both a semi-finalist and finalist in the International Songwriting Competition. Celebrated for her artistry across guitar, piano, and

harmonica, she is highly respected among her musical peers for her instrumental and vocal versatility.

Over the years, Jarry has shared the stage with some of Australia’s most iconic artists including Deni Hines, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, David Campbell, Jenny Morris, and Glenn Shorrock.

As a songwriter, she has collaborated with industry greats such as Jenny Morris, Rick Price, Jane Bach and John Field.

In addition to her live performances, Jarry has worked as a session vocalist on a variety of commercial and corporate album releases

Her discography includes the EP Girl Next Door (2005), and albums Untied (2009) and Gelato Kiss (2013).

The song Sarah with the Blue Eyes is available on all major streaming services including Spotify and iTunes.

Join Glenn in March 2027 on our small group journey (Maximum 12 travellers) Taste & Experience Vietnam 17 nights in Vietnam

You will experience Hanoi, Yen Tu, 2 nights on Ha Long and Lan Ha bays The old Imperial Capital of Hue, with plenty of time to shop in Hoi An Visit Can Tho, a night on a Sampan on the Mekong and finish with fabulous experiences in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)

UNDER THE COVERS - During June, listen to COAST FM 96 3 for your cue to call , for your chance to go into the draw to WIN 2 return economy class tickets from Sydney to either Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) or Hanoi - courtesy of THE TRAVELLERS HUT Kincumber and VIETNAM AIRLINES

5a 39 Avoca Drive

Kincumber Telephone: 4363 1699

As the days grow shorter and the summer vegetables become little more than memories, many gardeners begin wondering what they can plant to keep the vegetable patch productive through winter.

While some crops slow down or struggle in the cooler weather, one leafy green seems to relish the change of season.

Silverbeet, often overlooked in favour of trendier vegetables, is one of the most reliable and rewarding crops you can grow at this time of year.

In fact, early June is one of the best times to plant silverbeet in many parts of Australia.

There’s something reassuring about silverbeet. It doesn’t demand constant attention, it isn’t fussy about conditions and once established it just keeps producing.

Week after week, month after month, it quietly provides armfuls of nutritious leaves for the kitchen.

While other vegetables may

Down in the Garden

The Winter Workhorse Every Garden Needs

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

come and go with the seasons, silverbeet settles in for the long haul. Perhaps that’s why generations of Australian gardeners have always found room for it.

I often think silverbeet is one of the hardest-working plants in the garden.

A handful of plants can provide enough leaves for soups, quiches, stir-fries and pasta dishes throughout winter and well into spring.

Even gardeners with limited space can enjoy a worthwhile harvest, as silverbeet grows happily in raised beds, vegetable patches and large containers.

The cooler temperatures of June suit silverbeet beautifully.

In many regions, seedlings establish quickly and develop strong root systems without the stress of summer heat.

While growth naturally slows during particularly cold spells, plants remain healthy and ready to surge ahead whenever conditions improve.

If you’re planning a winter vegetable garden, silverbeet

deserves a place near the top of the list.

Choosing where to plant it is relatively simple. A sunny position is ideal during winter, particularly in cooler regions where every hour of sunshine helps.

The soil should be rich and well-drained, with plenty of compost worked through before planting.

Like many leafy vegetables, silverbeet rewards generous soil preparation with vigorous growth and larger harvests. Whether you plant seeds or seedlings comes down to personal preference.

Seeds are inexpensive and germinate readily in cool

weather, making them a popular choice for gardeners wanting to fill a larger space.

Seedlings, however, provide a head start and can begin producing harvestable leaves sooner.

One of the joys of growing silverbeet is watching the plants develop into handsome garden features.

Traditional varieties produce deep green leaves held above bright white stems, while colourful rainbow chard varieties offer stems in shades of red, yellow, orange and pink.

These vibrant selections blur the line between ornamental and edible gardening, bringing

One Life

By Kate Grenville

colour to winter beds when many flowers have disappeared.

Once growing, silverbeet requires little more than regular watering and occasional feeding. Consistent moisture encourages tender new growth, while applications of liquid seaweed or organic fertiliser every few weeks help maintain production.

The real magic begins when it’s time to harvest.

Unlike many vegetables that are harvested all at once, silverbeet is a gift that keeps on giving.

Simply pick the outer leaves as needed and leave the central growth untouched.

The plant responds by producing more leaves, allowing harvests to continue for many months.

It’s a wonderfully satisfying way to garden because there’s always something fresh available for dinner.

Few experiences connect us to our gardens quite like stepping outside on a cool winter afternoon and gathering

ingredients moments before they reach the kitchen.

Of course, silverbeet isn’t entirely without challenges.

Young seedlings may attract the attention of snails and slugs, while caterpillars occasionally discover the broad leaves.

Fortunately, these problems are usually easy to manage with regular observation and prompt action.

For gardeners who think winter means the end of growing season, silverbeet proves otherwise.

It brings life to the vegetable patch when many plants are dormant and rewards even modest effort with abundant harvests.

If you’ve been looking for something productive to plant this month, silverbeet may well become the most valuable vegetable in your winter garden.

Plant it now, give it a little care and you’ll be enjoying fresh harvests long after many other crops have called it a day.

One Life by Kate Grenville is a deeply personal and beautifully crafted biography that tells the story of the author’s mother, Nance Gee.

Unlike most biographies this does not present the life of a famous public figure –Grenville focuses on the quiet heroism of an ordinary Australian woman whose experiences reflect the dramatic social changes of the 20th century. She does this through memory, family stories and historical research.

Grenville creates an intimate portrait of resilience, independence and the constraints placed upon women of Nance’s generation.

Born in rural NSW in the early

20th century, Nance grows up in a world defined by strict expectations for women.

Intelligent and ambitious, she dreams of becoming a pharmacist, a remarkable aspiration at a time when few women pursued professional

careers, yet economic hardship and social conventions continually narrow her opportunities.

Her life is shaped by the realities of the Great Depression, marriage, motherhood and the limitations society imposed on women, particularly married women, who were often expected to sacrifice personal ambition for family responsibilities.

Grenville structures the biography in a reflective and conversational style, blending reconstructed scenes with her own observations as a daughter trying to understand her mother more fully.

This approach gives the work emotional depth, as the narrative becomes not only a

biography of Nance but also an exploration of memory, identity and intergenerational understanding.

One of the central themes of One Life is the hidden strength of ordinary women.

Nance is not portrayed as a tragic figure, but rather as someone who navigates disappointment with dignity and practicality.

The biography also provides a subtle social history of Australia across much of the 20th century; through Nance’s experiences, readers glimpse changing attitudes toward work, education, marriage and gender roles.

Kate Grenville’s prose is elegant, compassionate and understated.

She manages to avoid

sentimentality, instead allowing the emotional power of Nance’s life to emerge naturally through carefully observed details and thoughtful reflection and as a result this biography feels both intensely personal and universally relatable.

It is of note that Grenville deliberately ends the memoir before her own birth because the book is intended to centre entirely on her mother, Nance Gee, as an independent person.

This is significant because it reinforces one of the memoir’s central ideas: that women of earlier generations possessed rich and complex lives long before motherhood defined them.

We get the sense that

Grenville is looking toward her mother’s life from the outside, trying to understand it rather than inserting herself into it.

Stylistically, the book is clear and reflective, often leaning toward essayistic prose rather than narrative momentum.

Readers expecting a conventional biography with dramatic scenes and chronological structure may find it deliberately unsettled. Ultimately, One Life asks readers to sit with ambiguity and to recognise the limits of both memory and history, and in doing so, offers a thoughtful meditation on how lives, both past and present are written, remembered and continually rewritten.

Mitch Tambo heads for Gosford

Singer Mitch Tambo will bring his high-energy live show to Gosford’s Fun Haus Factory on June 19.

Known for blending contemporary music with First Nations culture and Gamilaraay language, Tambo will take the stage supported by his singersongwriter wife Voice of Lele.

The show promises a mix of original music and crowd favourites including Great

The next wave of the Central Coast’s music scene will step into the spotlight on Saturday, June 13, with the launch of The Sound Playground – a new all-ages, youth-focused live music night at Gosford’s Fun Haus Factory. Bringing together four of the region’s most exciting emerging bands – Static, Self Directed, Mousetrap and 7 Car Pileup – the event is set to deliver a high-energy night of loud guitars, mosh-ready rhythms and grassroots creative spirit.

Designed as a space for everyone, The Sound Playground invites young people, families and music lovers alike to come together

Gosford’s Fun Haus Factory will bring a touch of Broadway flair on Sunday, June 14, with the launch of a new addition to its popular piano bar series.

The venue will debut Showtune Shenanigans, a musical theatre-inspired afternoon session created in response to growing demand for the genre from local audiences.

The event transforms will transform the Fun Haus into a vibrant, all-ages piano bar where the focus will shift to live performance, community and the shared joy of familiar songs.

Move over Studio 54 –Gosford will have its own disco moment on Friday, June 12, when the Fun Haus Factory launches into full glitter mode with Friday Night Fever, a highenergy celebration dedicated to the golden age of disco.

Southern Land, The Best, Absolutely Everybody and You’re The Voice.

Tambo’s Gamilaraay language version of the John Farnham classic has attracted more than one million streams.

Over the years Tambo has built a huge following, clocking up multiple number-one singles and albums while performing everywhere from Fire Fight Australia and the Australian Open to international

stages across Europe, Asia and the Pacific.

Voice of Lele is a West Papuan singer-songwriter and refugee advocate who has toured internationally and performed at major festivals.

Tambo is also about to launch his first children’s album, I Am Me, combining cultural themes with modern pop beats.

Doors open at 6pm, with the show beginning at 7pm.

Spotlight on youth-focused music

and experience the raw energy of the Coast’s fast-growing youth band movement.

With a strong focus on accessibility, the night will operate on a pay-what-you-

want model, ensuring no one misses out on live music.

The lineup reflects the heart of the local scene, with each act contributing to a thriving culture built on punk, alternative

and indie rock influences.

Known for their explosive live shows, these bands are part of a tight-knit community of young musicians who are not waiting for opportunities –

they’re creating them.

This resurgence in youth-led live music has been gaining serious momentum across the Central Coast, driven by student-organised events, grassroots promotion and a passionate audience of young fans.

Nights like this are more than just gigs – they are essential platforms where emerging artists build confidence, develop their craft and connect with their community.

Funhaus Factory Creative Director Glitta Supernova said supporting young musicians is vital to the future of the local creative industry.

“Every major artist starts somewhere, and for most of them, it’s nights exactly like

Showtune Shenanigans comes to Gosford

Audiences can expect a curated selection of showstoppers spanning some of the most beloved stage and screen musicals, from Hamilton and Wicked to Les Misérables, Rent, Chicago and Muriel’s Wedding, alongside Disney favourites and deeper cuts from the musical theatre canon.

Designed to feel both nostalgic and energetic, the afternoon promises a mix of singalong moments, theatrical flair and the kind of atmosphere more often associated with big city cabaret spaces. At the centre of the experience will be local live pianist and

vocalist Rodric White, an accomplished performer whose career has taken him from jazz clubs to international stages.

Known for blending technical precision with expressive storytelling, White brings a dynamic approach to performance, moving seamlessly between classical phrasing, jazz improvisation and the emotional intensity of musical theatre.

His past appearances include performances at the ShangriLa Sydney, the Art Gallery of NSW, the Manly Jazz Festival and aboard the Queen Elizabeth cruise liner, and he arrives at

Funhaus Factory ahead of the release of his upcoming album Blues For Bob in 2026.

The event also invites audiences to make a full afternoon of the experience,

Catch some Friday Night Fever

Step into a world of sequins, mirror balls and feel-good nostalgia, in this vibrant, immersive night out inspired by the infectious spirit of the 1970s.

From the moment guests arrive, they’ll be transported into a colour-soaked dance floor where classic anthems,

funky basslines and euphoric rhythms set the tone for a night of carefree celebration.

Taking the reins behind the decks will be Sydney DJ Sexy Galexy, known for high-impact sets that blend iconic disco hits with deep cuts and dancefloor favourites.

Expect a soundtrack packed with soaring strings, irresistible grooves and funky timeless tracks designed to keep the crowd moving well into the night.

Friday Night Fever is more than just a party – it’s an invitation to embrace the joy, inclusivity and bold self-

expression that defined disco culture.

Guests are encouraged to dress the part, with shimmering outfits, statement looks and retro flair all part of the experience as the venue transforms into a full-scale throwback to 1979.

this,” Supernova said.

“When we support young, emerging musicians, we’re not just putting on a show – we’re building the future of live music on the Coast.

“These spaces give young people a safe place to express themselves, find their community, and develop real creative pathways.

“That’s something worth backing.”

Doors open at 6pm, with food available from Beau’s Burgers serving up milk bar-inspired favourites, alongside soft drinks and refreshments.

The event is strictly all-ages, reinforcing Funhaus Factory’s commitment to providing accessible and communitydriven programming.

with doors opening at midday for happy hour and lunch available on site from Beau’s Burgers.

Live music will run from 1pm through to 3pm.

The introduction of a musical theatre-themed piano bar reflects both audience feedback and a broader appetite for live, experiencedriven events on the Central Coast.

With strong local interest already building, Sunday’s launch is expected to draw a diverse crowd eager to embrace a format that blends nostalgia, performance and community in equal measure.

Doors will open for happy hour from 6pm, featuring cocktail specials to kick things off.

Partygoers can dine in-house at Beau’s Burgers before hitting the dance floor, with a menu that blends nostalgic “milk bar” vibes with contemporary street food favourites.

Melbourne comedy festival makes welcome return

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow (MICFR) is set to return to the Central Coast, bringing a fresh batch of comedy heavyweights and rising stars for one unforgettable night.

Returning to The Art House Wyong on June 24, the Roadshow is one of the nation’s most anticipated live comedy events.

After MICFR’s Wyong debut sold out last year – a clear sign Coasties are hungry for top-tier comedy they don’t need to travel for – this year’s edition is

tipped to be another must-seeevent for the Winter calendar.

The audience can expect a punchy, fast-paced showcase featuring some of the sharpest comedic voices on the circuit right now.

UK comedian Carl Donnelly – known globally for his dry wit, improvisational brilliance and festival pedigree – is taking on hosting duties.

He’s joined by Aussie favourite Ben Hunter, whose laid-back storytelling and observational humour consistently win over crowds; as well as up-andcomers Con Coutis, Janty Blair and Meg Jager.

Together, they represent

exactly what the Roadshow does best: blending established names with exciting new talent in one seamless, laugh-outloud night.

It’s a format that has helped the Melbourne International Comedy Festival reach audiences far beyond the big cities.

And that’s what makes this event so special for Coasties.

Instead of travelling to Sydney or Melbourne, locals can experience the energy and diversity of the festival from the comfort of their local theatre.

Expect a two-hour showcase packed with quick-fire sets, big laughs and the hyped

atmosphere only live comedy can deliver.

Whether it’s date night, a group outing or just an excuse to escape the cold, the Roadshow offers a perfect mid-year mood boost.

The MICFR rolls into Wyong from 8pm on Wednesday, June 24. Tickets are on sale from The Art House Wyong’s website. It is recommended for ages 15-plus and comes with warnings that it may contain coarse language, adult themes, sexual references and material that may offend.

A smoke machine/hazer may be used during the performance.

James Blundell bound for The Entrance Leagues

For more than three decades, James Blundell has been a defining voice in Australian music — a storyteller whose songs have become part of our national soundtrack.

Now, with the release of his latest album Patience Wins, Blundell returns to the stage with a powerful new live show, set to play at The Entrance Leagues Club on June 20.

The show strips everything back to what matters most: the songs, the stories, and the truth.

The Patience Wins Tour is not just a concert — it’s a deeply personal, up-close experience.

Across 34 extraordinary years, 14 studio albums, multiple Golden Guitar Awards and inductions into the CMAA Roll of Renown and CMC Hall of

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

THU 11 JUN

BABBA – THE ULTIMATE

ABBA EXPERIENCE: THE ART HOUSE THEATRE, WYONG 7:30PM

FRI 12 JUN

Coast Shelter Sleepout: Polytec Stadium Gosford 5pm

Seniors Rights Service Planning Ahead Talk: Umina Beach Library 10am

Dave Graney & Clare Moore / The Mistly: Link and Pin, Woy Woy 6pm

Friday Night Fever!: Funhaus Factory, Gosford 6pm

Beatles Singalong with Aubrey Purton Band: Hardys Bay Club 6pm

Spongebob The Musical: Red Tree Theatre, Tuggerah [* to 14 Jun]

Harrison Hoven: Gosford RSL Club 8pm

Celebrating The Music Of Countdown: Avoca Beach Theatre 7.30pm

Ben Lee: On Tour Always: Big Little Brewing, Gosford 6:30pm

SAT 13 JUN

Winter Greyhound Adoption Fun Day: 39 Forest Road, Wyee 10am

Gemma Glendenning / Danny Marx Trio: Gosford RSL Club 2pm / 8.30pm

You Got It! A Salute to Roy Orbison: The Art House Theatre,Wyong 3pm

Basketball: Crusaders Women Vs Centre of Excellence: Guzman y Gomez Stadium, Terrigal 5pm

Basketball: Crusaders Men Vs Centre of Excellence: Guzman y Gomez Stadium, Terrigal 7pm

Duane’s 50th with Thirty Three Degrees, Stand Up Gentlemen & The Able Archers: Link and Pin, Woy Woy 6pm

Fame, Blundell has lived every lyric he sings.

This new show brings it all into focus.

Performing in an intimate acoustic setting, Blundell will be joined by his son, Briar Blundell, creating a rare and compelling generational collaboration.

Together, they will deliver new material from Patience

Driftwood: Hardys Bay Club 6pm

Craig McLachlan Live & Intimate - Six String Stories Part 2: Avoca Beach Theatre 7.30pm

Sound Playground – All Ages Band Night: Funhaus Factory, Gosford 6pm

Soul on the Central Coast does Soulful: Link and Pin, Woy Woy 1pm

SUN 14 JUN

Showtune Shenanigans: Funhaus Factory, Gosford 1pm

Wins alongside the songs that defined an era of Australian country music.

This is James Blundell as you’ve never seen him before — authentic, fearless, and closer than ever.

The Patience Wins Tour will come to The Entrance Leagues Club at Bateau Bay on Saturday, June 20.

Remedy Band: Hardys Bay Club 1pm

Be Bop a Lula: Gosford RSL Club 1pm

60 Years Of 1966 - The Album Show: Avoca Beach Theatre 1.30pm

Salonistas + Los Cuervos: Link and Pin, Woy Woy 2pm

MON 15 JUN

Writers Club: Erina Library 10am

Refugee Week Storytime: Central Coast Libraries 10.30am

Intro to Latin Dance!: FunHaus Factory, Gosford 6pm

Line Dancing Classes!: FunHaus Factory, Gosford 7pm

TUE 16 JUN

GRIMM: LAYCOCK STREET COMMUNITY THEATRE, WYOMING 7PM

Sydney Dance Company Workshop 2026: The Art House Theatre Wyong 4pm

Be Connected Webinar: Protecting Your Personal Information Online: Toukley Library 3pm

WED 17 JUN

History Talk: After The Sinking: The Later Lives Of Titanic Survivors: Erina Library 10.30pm

THU

18 JUN

ANTIQUES & COLLECTABLES WANTED: DIGGERS THE ENTRANCE, LONG JETTY PAVILLION ROOM 10AM [+ 19 & 20 JUNE]

Gosford Race Day: The Entertainment Grounds 11am

Jigsaw Puzzle Swap and Morning Tea: Toukley Library 10am Paint by Numbers (18+): Toukley Library 10:30am

Doggie Dates Storytime: Gosford Regional Library 10.30am

Peek Behind The Curtain with Rafael Bonachela (Sydney Dance Company): The Art House Theatre, Wyong 6.30pm

FRI 19

JUN

Sydney Dance Company –ENGINE: The Art House Theatre, Wyong 8pm

Mitch Tambo Live with guest Voice of Lele: Funhaus Factory, Gosford 6pm

Adam Harvey - 25 Years Of Working Overtime Tour: Avoca Beach Theatre 7pm

SAT 20 JUN

MARK VINCENT PRESENTS AMORÉ WITH THE AUSTRALIAN SYMPHONY

ORCHESTRA: LAYCOCK STREET COMMUNITY THEATRE, WYOMING 2PM

OUT&ABOUT BRIEF

Enter the Gosford Art Prize

The Gosford Art Prize 2026 is now open for entries, inviting artists from across Australia to be part of one of the nation’s most respected regional art awards.

With a $25,000 acquisitive prize, the Gosford Art Prize provides both meaningful financial reward and a major professional opportunity for artists at any stage of their career.

Finalists will have their work exhibited at the Gosford Regional Gallery, gaining access to new audiences, curators and arts professionals.

The exhibition is a highlight of the region’s cultural calendar.

Entering the Gosford Art Prize is a simple and accessible way for artists to build their profile, gain recognition and participate in a major regional exhibition that celebrates artistic excellence and innovation.

For information, search ‘Gosford Art Prize 2026’ at gosfordregionalgallery.com

See full story online: coastcommunitynews.com.au

Peninsula Escapes at Bay Gallery

This June, local art cooperative Bay Gallery presents Peninsula Escapes, a relaxed and uplifting exhibition celebrating coastal living, quiet retreats and treasured holiday memories.

Featuring original artworks by co-operative members

Phillip Rich, Carolyn Griffiths, Carol Witten, Kelly Stewart, Ingeborg Stiefel and Marty Nuku, the exhibition explores the beauty and atmosphere of the Peninsula through paintings and artworks inspired by beaches, private getaways, peaceful moments and time out from everyday life.

Visitors can enjoy a diverse collection of affordable original

works created by local artists in the welcoming coastal setting of Bay Gallery.

Bay Gallery is at 29 Broken Bay Rd, and opens Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 104pm, with extended hours over the holiday weekend.

For updates and further details, visit Instagram: @bay_gal

Glenworth Valley goes dog friendly

After a successful dog-friendly camping trial, Glenworth Valley Wilderness Adventures is offering dog-friendly camping during off-peak periods.

Campers are now able to bring their four-legged best friend along to stay at no additional charge.

“We know how much our guests love a camping getaway with the whole family – and that includes their dogs,” Glenworth Valley Wilderness Adventures General Manager Mia Lawler said.

“This has been one of our most requested additions, and we’re so excited to finally welcome dogs to our camping ground.

“Glenworth Valley is all about creating unforgettable moments in nature, and now the family dog can be part of those memories too.”

Dogs are welcome outside of peak periods, within the designated dog-friendly camping dates (excludes school holidays, long weekends and public holidays).

To plan your next dog-friendly

camping escape, visit glenworth.com.au

Glenworth Valley Wilderness Adventures is one of Australia’s largest outdoor adventure centres, set across 1,214ha acres of unspoilt wilderness. Best known for its immersive nature-based experiences, Glenworth Valley offers camping, glamping and ecovilla stays alongside a wide range of outdoor activities including horse riding, kayaking, quad biking and abseiling.

WAR MEDALS&

BADGES

MILITARI A WANTED ALL MEDALS & MILITARY ITEMS WANTED FOR PRESERVATION & RESEARCH BY PRIVATE & PUBLIC MUSEUMS & COLLECTIONS

DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL

($500+ BRITISH) ($1000+ AUSTRALIAN)

MILITARY MEDAL FOR BRAVERY-MM ($300+ BRITISH) ($500+ AUSTRALIAN)

WW1 MEDALS $50+ each medal, WW2 $20+ each medal AUST. DEATH

PLAQUE WW1 $100+ each, BOER War STH AFRICA 1899-1902 $100+

EGYPT, CHINA, KOREA, VIETNAM, LONG SERVICE, POLICE + FIRE

MEDALS PHOTOS, UNIFORMS, BADGES, ALL ITEMS RELATING TO AUST.

LIGHT HORSE, CAMEL CORPS, AUST. FLYING CORPS & WW1 NURSES.

AGRICULTURE + SPORTING MEDALS BEFORE 1930, TROPHIES

VINTAGE WATCHES (before 1980)

OLD POCKET WATCHES & WATCH CHAINS

VINTAGE WRISTWATCHES ANY CONDITION GENTS OLD OMEGA $100+ needed for Parts ROLEX, BREITLING, LONGINES, PATEK, JAEGER, DIVERS, WATCHMAKERS PARTS & TOOLS, OLD STOCK & REPAIRS

CRICKET + FOOTBALL

UNION BADGES

ARMY BADGES

BUTTON DAY BADGES

OPALS

Opal Specimens Loose + MOUNTED STONES RINGS, BROOCHES Bangles

COINS& BANK NOTES WANTED

1966 ROUND 50 pieces $10+each

1925 & 1946 AUST PENNIES $20+each

1923 AUST HALF PENNY $500+

$200 GOLD COINS $700+

Gold Sovereigns $500+, Half Sovereigns $250+each

PRE DECIMAL SILVER COINS - FLORINS, SHILLINGS, SIX PENCE, ETC. PROOF SETS + UNCIRCULATED DATE SETS

AUSTRALIAN PRE DECIMAL BANKNOTES & PAPER

MONEY. WORLD BANKNOTES AUSTRALIAN BANKNOTES WITH STAR OR ASTERIX AS LAST NUMBER $100+ INTERNMENT CAMP COINS & BANK NOTES

VINTAGE JEWELLERY

MARCASITE AND COSTUME JEWELLERY VINTAGE RINGS, BROOCHES, ETC. JEWELLERS PARTS AND OLD STOCK FOR REPAIRS

POSTCARDS & CIGARETTE CARDS BEFORE 1930 CHINESE & RUSSIAN SILVER, ESPECIALLY BOXES AND ENAMEL ITEMS.

OLD FOUNTAIN PENS WANTED ALL GOLD JEWELLERY PURCHASED

ANTIQUES & COLLECTABLES

DIGGERS

ADMIRAL MOTOR INN - ROSEBUD

THE ENTRANCE

315 The Entrance Rd, Long Jetty (Pavillion Room)

799 Point Nepean Rd, Rosebud

• Thursday 18th June 2026

• Friday 19th June 2026

MONDAY 24TH, TUESDAY 25TH & WEDNESDAY 26TH MARCH

• Saturday 20th June 2026 10am till 3pm daily

0418 125 817 10am till 3pm Daily

No appointment necessary. Valuation service available, for a fee for non-sellers. For i � home collection phone:

MISSING LINK

CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Rush (hour)

4. Shipping route (3,4)

8. Tug sharply 11. Breadth

13. Deep-pitched instruments 15. Fawning creep 17. What?

18. Spanish friend

Donkey 21. Joiner’s machine 24. French heroine, Joan ... (2,3) 27. Light touch 28. Fraudster

30. Preamble 31. Linger

33. Grunts like a pig

34. Salt solution

35. Hot water dispensers

36. Svelte

39. Curled (of smoke)

42. Hunting lure 44. Single entities 45. Rewrote (essay)

46. Profoundly wise

48. Reply 49. Large violin

50. Close (envelope) 52. Monitor

... & that 55. Electroshock weapon 56. Nuns’ garments

Clasp

Commander 62. Meekly 65. Blood fluid 67. Beef cut (1-4)

69. US bird emblem

70. Artist’s stand

72. August zodiac sign

73. Grind (teeth)

75. Abundantly

77. Rapid eye movement (sleep) (1,1,1)

79. Furious

81. Porridge flake 82. Atmosphere layer 84. Sudden burst 85. Bitter (taste) 86. Golf-green stroke

Inappropriately employs 88. Fire fuel

DOWN

1. Flat circular bread

2. Swamped 3. Trick 4. Filmed 5. Parthenon city

6. Finds repugnant 7. Famous volcano

8. Root vegetable 9. Stage whisper

10. Round handle

12. Singer, Bob ... 14. Rashers

16. Hollywood prize

19. Herbs, bouquet ...

22. On bad terms (2,4)

23. Here

25. Frothed

26. Heavy horned animals

29. Gist

32. Zoo’s physician

35. Lie

37. Fishing spools

38. Travelled by car

40. Overthrow, coup ... (1’4)

41. Shut out

42. Trench

43. Masted vessel

44. Desert spring

47. Japanese hostesses

51. Crime fighters

52. Actor, Orson ...

53. NYC district

54. Glittery Xmas strip

58. Vary

59. See over (1,1,1)

61. Director, Woody ...

63. Hostility

64. Triumphant hollers

65. Dinner crockery

66. Town boss

68. Bluster

71. Wear away

72. Drooping

74. Interrupting cough

76. Whistle balls

78. Encounter

80. Expression of rebuke

83. Metal fastener

GRIMM

Little Red Riding Hood, and many other intriguing characters emerge from the shadows, the truth behind their stories –warts and all – boil and bubble to the surface.

From the company behind the award-winning stage spectacles –Frankenstein, Jane Eyre and A Christmas Carol – comes this bold adaption of tales from the Brothers Grimm in a bewitching theatre experience.

Young musicians shine at Pearl Beach

A packed Pearl Beach Memorial Hall celebrated the 21st anniversary of the Pearl Beach Music Scholarship and Irvine Family Piano Scholarship concerts on Saturday, May 23.

Presented jointly by the Pearl Beach Progress Association, the Irvine Family and the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music, the annual event provides talented young musicians with valuable performance opportunities and scholarship support.

performed across two concerts, showcasing exceptional talent on flute, piano, violin, guitar, trombone, french horn and voice.

Central Coast Conservatorium

Seventeen students

CEO and Artistic Director Patrick Brennan thanked the Progress Association, the Irvine

Family and the generous Pearl Beach donors whose ongoing support continues to nurture young musicians and help further their studies.

Major scholarship winners included Emma Deed (flute), who received both the $2,000 first prize and the People’s

Choice Award, and Mathias Way (piano), recipient of the Irvine Family Piano Scholarship ($1,000).

Third prize of $750 to flautist Caitlin Swade and the Rising Star award of $500 went to violinist Minjy Lee.

Adjudicator Benjamin Kopp

praised the high standard of performances, noting the “diversity, style and skill” displayed by the students. The concerts once again highlighted the strong community support behind young emerging musicians on the Central Coast.

Barbecue world record smashed at Central Mangrove

Australia has broken the Guinness World Records™ title for the Largest Barbecue/Grilling Lesson (Single Location), with 359 people gathering at Central Mangrove for a simultaneous barbie cooking session on Sunday, June 7.

Hundreds of barbecue fanatics followed chef Jamie Gannon for the step-by-step barbie lesson held at Zestiny Farm with a Guinness World Records™ adjudicator on hand to officiate the count and award the honour. The previous record of 336

participants was set in Kansas City in the US in 2017.

Organiser Alex “Big Al” Horton said the title would put Australia on the global barbecue map.

“I always thought Australians would be up for breaking world records, especially when it comes to barbecuing, and we proved just that – it feels amazing to be Guinness World Records™ holders,” he said.

Mr Horton is the founder of the Big BBQ, a community-led group embracing Australia’s love of the barbie.

The successful attempt was three months in the making with Mr Horton and the Big BBQ

team hosting barbies across NSW to connect with fellow barbecue fans and recruit cooks for the world record bid. The success also helped raise money to tackle food insecurity, with ticket sales and fundraising to support food relief charity OzHarvest.

Australia’s biggest barbecue sauce brand MasterFoods stepped in to support the world record attempt by providing free sauce for all participants.

General Manager Bill Heague said it was a proud moment for barbecue lovers across the nation.

“What an epic effort,” he said.

“No barbecue is complete without barbecue sauce, so we knew we had to get involved.

“It was fantastic to see the community coming together to beat the record, doing it sustainably and helping tackle food insecurity all at the same time – an amazing achievement.”

The world record title was achieved with all-electric barbecues powered by electric vehicles, showcasing sustainable cooking.

Participants cooked a veggie burger made from Zestiny Farm’s certified organic produce.

“We’re not stopping at one world record,” Mr Horton said.

“This is just the start; we want to attempt the Guinness World Records™ title for largest barbecue in attendance in 2028.

“The record is held by Mexico with a barbie for 45,252 people.

“We’re aiming to smash this record and hold a barbecue for 50,000 people.

“It’s a title that should be held by the Aussies.”

The Big BBQ was supported by MasterFoods, Crossray, the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water, BYD EV Dealer Group, ANC, Farizon Auto, the Australian Electric Vehicle Association, Climatalist, NetNada, Nuance Foods, Cercle, Rowdy Crowd, econome, Ivygo, Greenhouse and Zestiny Farm. For more information go to bigbbq.com.au

MINGARA ORCHID CLUB

FAIR AND SHOW FREE ENTRY

Saturday 27th June 9:00am to 4:00 pm

Sunday 28th June 9:00am to 3:00pm

Up to 21 vendors selling orchids and orchid products

Health & Education

Support for mums raising autistic children

A Central Coast mother who turned a simple lunch gathering into a growing support network for mothers raising autistic children has been recognised as a Central Coast Community Champion.

Primary school teacher and founder of She Rests, Candice Boyd, 43, received the award from Mayor Lawrie McKinna at Central Coast Council’s chambers in Wyong on May 19. Ms Boyd established the charity in 2022 after recognising a gap in support services for mothers caring for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. While therapies and services

existed for children, she found few opportunities for mothers themselves to connect, recharge, and feel understood by others facing similar challenges.

“To be recognised as a Community Champion is incredibly humbling, but this award really belongs to every mum who has walked through our doors, and to the businesses and volunteers who make this possible,” Ms Boyd said.

Thanks to funds raised from community partners, events are fully funded or heavily subsidised, removing the cost barrier and making a rare and special day genuinely accessible.

“When I sent those first 30 invitations, I just hoped a few women might feel less alone,” Ms Boyd said.

That first gathering, known as a Tribe Lunch, attracted 30 women and quickly highlighted the need for greater support among mothers caring for autistic children.

“What we discovered very quickly is this wasn’t a small need, it was a silent one,” Ms Boyd said.

“These mums weren’t asking for luxury, they were asking for somewhere they didn’t have to explain themselves.”

From those beginnings, the idea has grown into a registered not-for-profit organisation that

provides connection dinners, educational seminars, retreats, and annual events to support mothers’ well-being.

Attendance at its annual gathering grew from 30 women in 2022 to 70 in 2023, before reaching 90 mothers in 2025.

The organisation now hosts four connection dinners each year and has recently expanded its programs into Canberra.

Cr McKinna said Ms Boyd had created an important support network for local families.

“Only those with lived experience can truly understand the challenges of raising a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” he said.

He said Ms Boyd’s work

Skills that work for the Central Coast

extended beyond founding the organisation, with significant fundraising efforts helping ensure events remain affordable and accessible.

“Candice saw a need for mums like her to rest, connect and support one another, and through the creation of She Rests, she’s given mums who feel overwhelmed or isolated a place to turn,” he said.

A recent sold-out seminar at The Cowrie in Terrigal brought together 50 mothers for a subsidised three-course lunch and educational session, creating an opportunity many attendees would not otherwise have experienced.

Ms Boyd said the charity’s

goal was to provide support before families reached breaking point.

“A supported mum creates a supported home environment,” she said.

“People often call these mums strong, but strength isn’t the goal; sustainability is.”

The organisation relies on sponsorships, donations and community support to continue funding places for mothers raising children with autism across the region and beyond.

Anyone who would like to help another mum get a break can learn more or contribute at: sherests.com.au

Preschoolers channel their inner soccer player

Preschoolers have channelled their inner Sam Kerr and Lionel Messi for a collective reading event that combined storytelling with soccer.

Children at Woy Woy Public School’s Guliyali Preschool were among millions across the country who participated in the 26th annual National Simultaneous Storytime on May 27, which involved reading the exact same picture book at the exact same time in a celebration of literacy, imagination and connection.

Preschool Assistant Principal Amy Ford said this year’s book, Luna Roo the Kangaroo Baller, tapped into the country’s love of the Matildas and the excitement around the Socceroos’ upcoming appearance in the FIFA World Cup.

“The preschool has participated in National Simultaneous Storytime for

June marks Lipoedema Awareness Month, an important opportunity to increase understanding of a chronic condition that affects many women yet remains widely misunderstood and under-diagnosed.

Cancer Rehabilitation & Lymphatic Solutions (CRLS) at Erina is encouraging greater awareness of lipoedema and the challenges faced by those living with the condition, many of whom spend years seeking answers before receiving appropriate support or diagnosis.

Lipoedema is a chronic condition involving an abnormal build-up of adipose tissue (fat cells), most commonly affecting the legs, thighs, buttocks, and sometimes the arms. It almost exclusively affects

several years as part of our commitment to fostering a love of reading and literacy from an early age,” she said.

“The event promotes the enjoyment of books, language and storytelling, while also providing opportunities for children to connect with the broader school community through shared learning experiences.

“This year’s book talked about perseverance and not giving up, which is a great message to send to all our children and budding soccer players.”

Woy Woy Year 5 and 6 students who play on the school’s soccer team visited the preschool to listen to early childhood teacher Jen Egan read the book to the children.

The students and preschoolers then headed outside to play on the preschool’s new mini soccer field “just like Luna Roo and her friends”.

Ms Ford said the event was just one of many transition to school activities held through the year that helped preschoolers connect with older peers, develop confidence

and feel a sense of belonging before they started kindergarten.

“The beauty of having a public preschool on site is the extended and ongoing opportunities we have for transition throughout the whole year,” she said.

This includes participating in whole school events including assemblies, NAIDOC Week, Grandparents Day, Book Week, Harmony Day and Mother’s and Father’s Day.

In addition, the preschoolers host weekly visits from Year 5 and 6 peer mediators, attend the school library once a week to borrow books, visit the Aboriginal garden, use the bike track and yarning circle and have shared learning experiences with primary classes.

The preschoolers also participate in the Coming Up to Big School program, which runs over three weeks in term four and is designed to support

Raising awareness of lipoedema

women and is often resistant to diet and exercise, despite symptoms frequently being mistaken for general weight gain or lifestyle-related concerns.

Common symptoms may include disproportionate fat distribution, pain and tenderness, heaviness in the limbs, easy bruising, swelling, and a nodular or “lumpy” tissue texture.

CRLS Founder Kate Perkins said increasing awareness and understanding was essential to improving outcomes for those affected.

“Many women living with lipoedema feel frustrated, dismissed, or misunderstood because their symptoms are often attributed solely to weight or lifestyle factors,” she said.

“Lipoedema is a recognised medical condition that can significantly impact comfort, mobility, confidence, and quality of life.

lymphatic insufficiency occurs alongside lipoedema.

At CRLS, supportive management strategies are tailored to the individual and may include compression therapy, manual therapies, exercise-based rehabilitation, and Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) using MLS® laser technology.

PBMT is a non-invasive supportive therapy that uses red and near-infrared light to support cellular energy production and tissue function.

a smooth transition into kindergarten.

During the program children explore all aspects of primary school, including learning in the kindergarten classrooms, visiting the canteen, and meeting teachers and staff. These experiences help them build connections, develop confidence and a sense of belonging and feel prepared for school.

Through the Inspire program, Woy Woy Public School students can participate in high potential and gifted opportunities including debating, STEM and coding clubs, critical thinking workshops,musical ensembles, creative writing groups, sport squads and peer mentoring. For inquiries or to enrol at Woy Woy Public School or Guliyali Preschool visit woywoy-p.schools.nsw.gov. au

cure for lipoedema, there are many supportive therapies that can help improve comfort, mobility, and quality of life,” Ms Perkins said.

“Lipoedema Awareness Month is about helping people understand that they are not alone, and that support is available.”

“Greater awareness can help people access support earlier and feel validated in their experience.”

Lipoedema can also affect the lymphatic system over time, contributing to fluid buildup and the development of lipo-lymphoedema, where

It is often used alongside other conservative approaches to help manage symptoms such as pain, heaviness, inflammation, and tissue changes associated with lipoedema.

“While there is currently no

CRLS provides evidencebased lymphatic and rehabilitation services for people managing cancer recovery, lymphatic conditions, chronic swelling disorders, and complex rehabilitation needs across the Central Coast. For more information about lipoedema support or to book a consultation, call 4312 7033

Morning tea raises $12,000 for Cancer Council

The mood at Ettalong Diggers on Wednesday, May 27, was warm from the moment the doors opened – and by the time the last cup was poured, more than 260 guests had raised more than $12,000 for Cancer Council NSW.

Hosted by Ettalong Diggers in partnership with Rotary Brisbane Water, the event was the Peninsula’s contribution to Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, the Cancer Council’s flagship annual fundraiser. Every dollar raised – through ticket sales, raffles, and stallholders who donated their takings back – goes directly to cancer research.

The morning had something for everyone.

Entertainer Shane Edwards performed live, COAST FM 96.3 broadcast from the venue, and local artisan stallholders showcased their wares to an appreciative crowd.

The Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club Silver Salties added a vivid splash of blue to the occasion, turning out in force and earning their program a mention on air.

Trivia and raffles with great prizes kept spirits high throughout.

Rotary Brisbane Water President Cherie Simpson joined COAST FM to speak about the club’s commitment

to the cause, her words a reminder that the morning was as much about community as it was about fundraising.

At the centre of it all was Kim Cole, Ettalong Diggers’ Tourism and Community Manager, whose meticulous organisation

gave the event its shape and whose personal circumstances gave it its soul.

Ms Cole’s husband is battling bowel cancer, and when she took to the stage to share his story, the room listened.

“This event is personal for me, and I think that’s true for so many people in the room,” she said.

“When the whole community comes together like this, it makes every bit of effort worthwhile.”

Her words set the tone for what followed.

Samantha, whose 16-yearold son Jett was left blind by a brain tumour diagnosed when he was 13, stepped forward

with a story that stopped the room.

Since his diagnosis, Jett has endured 170 rounds of chemotherapy and seven weeks of radiation, a journey his mother recounted with unmistakable pride in his courage and resilience. For a moment, the warmth and bustle of the morning gave way to something quieter as a collective recognition of why the event exists, and why the work of Cancer Council NSW matters so much to so many.

Rotary Brisbane Water members were a vital part of making the day run smoothly, selling raffle tickets, guiding guests to their seats, and helping bring the event to life.

HEALTH BRIEF

Suicide prevention

Wesley LifeForce will conduct a half-day suicide prevention workshop on June 15.

The organisation says opening conversations around suicide is vital to increasing awareness and helping prevent suicide but not everyone knows how.

The Wesley LifeForce Suicide Prevention training educates people about suicide, challenging attitudes, teaching basic engagement and suicide intervention skills.

It teaches how to recognise when someone may be at risk of suicide and how to respond.

Participants will learn: how to use safe, supportive language; how to ask about suicide; active listening strategies; safety planning and self-care; risk and protective factors; and how to connect someone with support services.

The workshop will be held from 9.30am-2pm on Monday, June 15, at Woy Woy Library with light refreshments provided.

Register by searching ‘Wesley Lifeforce” at www.eventbrite. com.au

See full story online: coastcommunitynews.com.au

Cancer centre helps lead world in AI

The Central Coast Cancer Centre is playing a lead role in a globally worldleading cancer research study exploring how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can improve the accuracy and effectiveness of radiotherapy to target liver tumours for better patient outcomes.

The Gosford-based centre is the leading liver cancer site for the trial, which is exploring how ground-breaking technology will remove the need for invasive surgical procedures, making treatment safer and more comfortable for liver cancer patients.

The NSW Government invests $5M a year via the Cancer Institute NSW to strengthen clinical trial sites across the state, including at the Central Coast Cancer Centre.

About 3,000 people are diagnosed with liver cancer in Australia each year, making up 2% of all new cancer cases.

Led by the University of Sydney’s Image X Institute, the trial involves Central Coastbased liver cancer patients receiving treatment while AI technology tracks the movement of their tumour in real time.

Current treatment practices

involve surgically implanting seeds into the liver to assist with locating the tumour as it moves while the patient breathes, an invasive procedure that can cause side-effects for the patient.

The AI tool uses X-ray imaging to map the tumour’s location and is then able to track the tumour with a high precision of accuracy without the need for surgical intervention.

Minister for Medical Research and Minister for the Central Coast, Member for Wyong David Harris said the trial was placing the region at the forefront of global cancer innovation.

“Our local public high school creates such a supportive, nurturing learning space for my children, believing in their potential and helping them thrive.”

“Liver cancer is the fastest growing cause of cancer death in Australia and this pioneering research will ultimately deliver

“It is exciting to see if artificial intelligence can make treatment safer, more accurate and less invasive for patients,”

radiation treatment so that the beams of radiation continue to target the tumour,” he said.

“The AI tool uses X-ray imaging to map the tumour’s location and is then able to track the tumour with a high degree of precision and without the need for any surgical intervention.

“Early results are very promising.

“While we are currently using the tool in a non-interventional setting, we are hoping that this research evolves to a stage where the AI will indicate when we need to intervene in the radiotherapy delivery, and even automatically deliver the intervention itself.”

Karen, mother of a Year 11 student at a Central Coast

public school

Find out how Central Coast public schools are inspiring

“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

Public meeting about Mingara seniors housing plan

The proposed Mingara seniors housing precinct

A public meeting about the Mingara seniors housing project will be held at Tumbi Umbi Community Hall at 1pm on Monday, June 22.

The meeting has been convened by the NSW Independent Planning Commission, which is conducting an independent review to determine the $188M seniors housing plan for 215 retirement units and 39 care beds adjacent to Mingara Recreation Club.

Speakers at the public meeting must pre-register on the Commission’s website using the Speaker Registration Form.

The deadline for speaker

registrations is noon on Friday, June 12.

The Commission is also inviting the public to make written submissions via the Make a Submission portal on the Commission’s website.

Written submissions will be accepted until 11.59pm on Sunday, June 28.

The Commission is the consent authority as delegate of the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces.

A concept view of the proposed seniors housing project

Classified as a State Significant Development, the proposal was referred to the Commission following a wholeof-government assessment completed by the NSW

Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.

The large-scale project has drawn substantial community debate and concerns have been reflected in the Department’s assessment with key issues including potential impacts on the adjoining athletics track; traffic and parking impacts; internal and external public amenity; as well as height, bulk and scale.

Following previous community consultation and submissions, the proposal was amended with the number of independent living units being reduced from 219 to 215.

The amended senior housing development proposal by Pariter and Mingara Leisure Group will comprise 215 two and three-bedroom

FAMILY LAW

• Divorces

• De facto

• Children's Issues

• Property

• Binding Financial Agreements

independent living units, and a 39-bed residential care facility. There will be 13 villa buildings, three multi-storey buildings and one mixed-use building.

Mingara and Pariter (a longterm investor specialising in the development and operation of community infrastructure) announced their partnership in May 2023 to co-develop the new retirement living precinct adjacent to Mingara Recreation Club.

WILLS & ESTATES

• Probate, Wills & Disputes

• Power of Attorney

• Enduring Guardianship

CONVEYANCING

• Purchase & Sale of Property

• Refinancing Mortgages

• Purchase & Sale of Business

• Leasing

• Retirement Villages

Official documents and updates can be viewed under application number SSD63475709 at www. planningportal.nsw.gov.au/ major-projects/projects

COURT APPEARANCES

• Criminal Law

• AVO Matters

• Traffic Matters

• Drink Driving

Email: lemery@lindaemery.com.au

Web: www.lindaemery.com.au

Ground Floor, Suite 6, 22 Watt St Gosford

More than 130 female students from 18 schools across the Central Coast and Lake Macquarie region took part in a major handson construction careers event at Gosford RSL Club on Thursday, May 28.

The North Construction & Building Women in Construction event gave Year 9–12 students the chance to connect directly with industry professionals, apprentices and employers while exploring career pathways in the growing construction industry.

The event included guest speaker panels, speed networking sessions, a practical carpentry build session, a meet and greet with players from the Central Coast Mariners Women’s Team and a post-school pathways expo With ongoing skills shortages across the construction industry, the event aimed to encourage more young women to consider careers in trades, construction management and related industries.

Year 9 students from Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College Berkeley Vale Campus, Ella, Ellarni and Abbey, said they knew very little about construction industry careers and the event had helped their

Girls get low down on construction careers

understanding of how the industry worked.

“I didn’t really know much when I arrived here but the environment and the mentors have made it really easy to understand how everything works,” Ella said.

“I enjoyed building the bird house and the mentors were really good.

“I definitely see myself doing some type of hands-on construction job in the future, hopefully carpentry.”

Ellarni said she knew it would be hands-on but had not realised how much went on behind the scenes in construction.

“My favourite was building the bird house,” she said.

“It was good to get some hands-on experience.

“I definitely see myself working in some sort of building role, even if it’s behind the scenes, now that I know there are so many jobs behind the scenes; it doesn’t have to be hands on if I don’t like that.”

Abbey said she enjoyed the mentors helping her get a better understanding of how many jobs there were in construction.

“I definitely see myself working in construction, most likely carpentry,” she said.

“I can see myself working in a hands-on job.”

Regional Industry Education Partnerships (RIEP) program senior project officer Jill Giuliani said it was important

for female students to have opportunities to explore careers in construction.

“Opportunities like this are incredibly important as they allow female students to explore the diverse roles available within the building and construction industry, connect directly with female industry professionals, and consider career pathways they may not have otherwise explored,” she said.

“Employers and industry partners continue to highlight the need for a skilled and diverse workforce across the building and construction industry.

“They are actively encouraging more young women to consider careers in the sector, recognising the

valuable perspectives, skills and experiences they bring to the workplace.”

North Construction & Building Executive Director and Head of People, Culture and Corporate Services, Nicole Redmond, said it was important to support an event that encouraged young women to consider careers in construction.

“At North Construction & Building, we see supporting events like this as both a responsibility and an investment in the future of our industry,” Ms Redmond said.

“Construction continues to face skills shortages, and increasing participation from women is critical to building a more sustainable workforce.

“Just as importantly, representation matters.

“When young women can see others who look like them succeeding in construction, it helps break down outdated perceptions and builds confidence that there is a place for them in the industry.

“Events like this create that visibility, while also giving students the opportunity to connect directly with industry professionals and hear real career stories.

“For us, it’s about opening doors, strengthening our local

talent pipeline on the Central Coast, and contributing to a more inclusive and capable industry.”

Ms Redmond said the construction industry offered a broad range of career pathways, well beyond traditional site-based roles.

“Young women on the Central Coast can pursue careers in project management, site management, design, safety, estimating and engineering, as well as skilled trades such as carpentry, electrical and plumbing,” she said.

“There are also growing opportunities in areas such as sustainability and emerging construction technologies reflecting how the industry continues to evolve.

“With strong local investment in infrastructure and development, there are clear and accessible pathways through apprenticeships, traineeships and university study, supported by partnerships between industry, schools and training providers.

“Importantly, these careers offer long-term stability, with ongoing growth and career progression, work life integration and the chance to contribute to shaping the communities we live in.”

New amenities block for Saratoga playground

Construction is underway on a new amenities block at Jirramba Playground at Saratoga, delivering a significant upgrade for one of the Central Coast’s most popular family recreation areas.

The project follows years of advocacy from the 3 Villages Community Group and support from Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch, with $150,000 secured through the NSW Government to replace the ageing facilities.

Mr Crouch said the existing amenities block had reached the end of its operational life and no longer met the needs of the growing number of families and visitors using the popular playground.

“Jirramba Playground is a fantastic place for families to spend time outdoors, but the old amenities block was rundown and no longer fit-forpurpose,” he said.

Mr Crouch said the upgrade would provide modern facilities better suited to the community.

“After working closely with the 3 Villages Community Group, which has championed this upgrade for many years, we were able to secure funding to make this renewal a reality,” he said.

The new amenities building will feature a contemporary design consistent with Central Coast Council’s draft Public Toilet Strategy and include two unisex cubicles and one unisex accessible cubicle.

“Given the popularity of Jirramba Playground, it’s important we get the basics right and provide facilities that are clean, modern and suitable for the community,” Mr Crouch said.

The 3 Villages Community Group welcomed the start of construction, describing it as a long-awaited milestone following years of advocacy.

Group president Taia Sansom said the organisation had been pushing for improved facilities since 2022.

“The 3 Villages Community Group Committee have been advocating for these amenities, so we are relieved to see construction starting,” she said.

“The new amenities will be a significant improvement, bringing the park up to today’s standards.”

Ms Sansom said the group would continue advocating for further improvements at the site.

“Our next priority is getting the carpark upgraded to make sure it can adequately accommodate everyone who uses the park,” she said.

Jirramba Playground attracts families from across the Central Coast and is regarded as one of the region’s premier outdoor play spaces.

The amenities upgrade is expected to improve accessibility, comfort and convenience for visitors while supporting the playground’s continued popularity as a community destination.

The project represents another step in improving public infrastructure across the region and ensuring community facilities keep pace with growing demand.

Major award for Library project

The Save Gosford Library project spearheaded by respected historian and heritage advocate Merril Jackson has taken this year’s top gong in the Advocacy category of the National Trust of Australia (NSW) Heritage Awards.

The awards are the state’s largest annual celebration of excellence in the conservation of Aboriginal, built, natural and cultural heritage.

The Save Gosford Library project centred on the protection and preservation of the Gosford Library building as an important civic and cultural asset for the Central Coast community, with the successful campaign driven by extensive local research, community engagement and advocacy led by Ms Jackson.

A long-time Central Coast resident and passionate historian, Ms Jackson has served on several Council heritage panels and advisory committees since 2010.

Her commitment to documenting and preserving local history played a key role in mobilising community support and building a compelling case for the library’s heritage significance.

The 2026 National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards judges said the project was “a fantastic example of how an extensive, research-led campaign can identify heritage significance and retain a useful community asset”.

See full story online: coastcommunitynews.com.au

Top award for Central Coast broadcaster

Central Coast broadcaster

Cheralyn Darcey has won the 2026 Australian Audio Award for Best New Talent.

Ms Darcey, host of the national nightly radio program

The Nightline with Cheralyn Darcey, broadcasting from 2HD Newcastle to audiences across Australia on the Super Radio Network, said her reaction was one of disbelief, gratitude and overwhelming emotion.

Standing amongst some of the most accomplished voices in Australian radio and audio, Ms Darcey found herself sharing the spotlight with broadcasters from some of the country’s biggest networks and most recognised stations.

She said just reaching the finalist stage was an achievement; winning the award was something she had scarcely dared imagine.

Widely regarded as the pinnacle of achievement in Australian radio and audio, the Australian Audio Awards recognise the nation’s most outstanding broadcasters, podcasters and audio creators. The judging process is rigorous and independent, involving multiple rounds of assessment by experienced industry professionals.

JAX Tyres & Auto has launched its 2026 Put a Cap on Breast Cancer campaign in partnership with the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), marking the fourth consecutive year of the initiative in support of world-class breast cancer research.

Running from now until the end of October, the campaign

Entries are first reviewed through online judging to determine the finalists.

Finalist entries are then debated and discussed by expert juries before each judge independently scores the finalists.

The entrant receiving the highest overall score is named the winner.

Ms Darcey’s category featured an impressive shortlist representing some of Australia’s leading broadcasters and media organisations, including Ashleigh Wright from i98FM, Chelsea Barber from Power FM South Australia, Corey Cartmill from Star 102.7, Karen McMullen from Triple M and Darcey from 2HD Newcastle and the Super Radio Network.

The judges praised Darcey’s ability to create an intimate connection with listeners.

“A warm, relatable, one-onone broadcaster, Cheralyn’s emotive style and conversational pace draw you right into the show and make you believe you are the only person she is talking to,” they said.

Ms Darcey said the recognition carries special significance.

“To be standing in a room

with some of the best talent in Australian radio and audio was already an honour,” she said.

“Many of the people there are broadcasters whose work I’ve admired for years.

“To then hear my name announced as the winner was incredibly emotional.”

The award caps a remarkable journey that began not in commercial radio, but in community broadcasting.

Ms Darcey joined Coast FM on the Central Coast as a volunteer in 2019, initially seeking an opportunity to learn the craft of radio.

What started as a desire to try something new quickly became a passion.

Through countless hours behind the microphone and an unwavering commitment to improving her craft, she developed the experience and confidence needed to pursue commercial broadcasting.

Alongside her practical experience, Darcey invested in formal training, completing a Diploma of Screen and Media before continuing her studies through the Australian Film Television and Radio School, where she is currently undertaking postgraduate studies in radio and podcasting.

In 2024, she was offered an opportunity to train with the Super Radio Network at Newcastle’s 2HD and New FM

Jax gets behind cancer research

will see all 94 JAX Tyres & Auto stores across Australia encourage customers to make a donation in exchange for pink tyre valve caps.

The move is designed as a simple but powerful symbol of solidarity with those affected by breast cancer.

Team members will also don pink T-shirts every Friday to further show their support.

ADAM CROUCH

Charmhaven franchisee Glenn Hain said being involved in the campaign was something the whole team was incredibly proud of.

“It’s a meaningful way for us to come together with our customers and support a cause that touches so many lives,” he said.

“Every donation, no matter the size, helps make a difference.

“We’re looking forward to getting behind the campaign again this year and encourage the Central Coast community to join us in supporting this important cause.”

Last year, the JAX Tyres & Auto network raised $13,628, bringing the total to more than $50,000 donated directly to NBCF, since the campaign’s inception.

There will be 20,000 pink

studios, eventually securing her current role hosting The Nightline with Cheralyn Darcey, a national nightly program heard across Australia on the Super Radio Network.

The live talkback show combines interviews, news, storytelling and listener interaction, creating the conversational style that ultimately earned national recognition.

Away from broadcasting, Ms Darcey remains deeply involved in community work.

She serves as Patron of the Central Coast Edible Garden Trail, supports a range of local gardening and environmental initiatives and volunteers as a mentor with Raise Foundation, working with young people in local schools.

She believes those community connections have shaped both her life and her broadcasting career.

“Everything I’ve done has always been about connecting with people,” she said.

“Whether that’s through gardening, writing, mentoring or radio, it’s always been about creating conversations and helping people feel seen and heard.”

valve caps available to represent the 20,000 people in Australia diagnosed with breast cancer every year.

Donations will go directly to NBCF to support world-class research focused on prevention, early detection, improved treatments and better outcomes for Australians diagnosed with breast cancer.

CENTRAL COAST COUNCIL NEWS

Council seeks support to drive future growth

Central Coast Council is calling on governments, industry and the private sector to support a number of key projects and infrastructure to support the region’s future growth.

In its Key Enabling Projects 2026: Central Coast Region document, Council outlines priority projects requiring funding to deliver long-term community benefits.

Central Coast Mayor Lawrie McKinna said the document set out the infrastructure needed to support our growing community.

“The Central Coast is one of NSW’s fastest growing regions and we need the right infrastructure to keep up with that growth,” Cr McKinna said.

“We’ve already seen great results when Council, government and industry work together and we need to keep building on partnerships to deliver the next phase of projects for our region.

“With a population of more than 360,000, projected to grow by nearly 14% over the next two decades, the need for more housing, transport and

community facilities will continue to increase.

“By planning ahead and investing in the right projects, we can support jobs, improve connectivity and make sure our region continues to be a great place to live, work and invest.”

Supported by Business NSW Central Coast and Regional Development Australia Central Coast, the document identifies key growth areas across the region, including Gosford, Woy Woy Peninsula and the Central Lakes District.

It also identifies five key enabling priorities, including:

Gosford City Centre and waterfront urban renewal; northern growth corridor and Central Lakes District; transport and connectivity; infrastructure upgrades and environmental sustainability; and affordable housing.

Council CEO David Farmer said collaboration between all levels of government would be critical for delivery.

“Delivering these projects will require ongoing collaboration between all levels of government, industry, education providers and the community,” Mr Farmer said.

“One of Council’s key priorities is establishing Gosford as a recognised regional city – strengthening access to education, health, business, culture and community life and benefitting the whole Central Coast.

“Priority upgrades such as the Etna St bridge and surrounding intersections will be essential to support this growth.

“This key connection is causing significant delays across the Gosford CBD –including for ambulances accessing Gosford Hospital.”

Council will now present the document to government and industry stakeholders to advocate for funding opportunities and partnerships.

Community members and business groups can learn more about the projects and support advocacy efforts by sharing the document, talking about the projects that matter most to them and advocating the need for investment in the Central Coast.

To read the document and find out more, search ‘key enabling projects 2026’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

BUSINESS BRIEF Meeting practice code scrapped

While Central Coast Council was meeting on May 26, so was State Parliament.

It threw out the new code of meeting practice which the Minister for Local Government had introduced.

The NSW Legislative Council voted to disallow the model code for councils which had taken effect from the start of 2026.

It was thanks to the new rules that Central Coast councillors were able to say no to Cr Corinne Lamont, who asked to be able to attend the March meeting via videolink, and that Council has not been holding confidential councillor briefings on items to be discussed.

The NSW association of Local Government (LGNSW) has asked for clear guidance on how councils need to proceed. See full story online: coastcommunitynews.com.au

CENTRAL COAST COUNCIL NEWS

Have your say on walking, wheeling and cycling

Central Coast Council is inviting the community to have a say on the draft Walking, Wheeling and Cycling Strategy – a longterm plan that will guide how people move around the region over the next 10 years.

With more people choosing to walk, wheel or ride for everyday trips, the strategy outlines how Council will deliver safer crossings, improved shared pathways and stronger connections between local schools, town centres and popular coastal destinations.

Central Coast Council has released its Regional Economy Strategic Action Plan 2026/2027, outlining what Council will deliver over the next 12 months to drive the region’s economy.

The Plan is designed to support local jobs, attract new investment and support local industries and businesses to grow, with a focus on revitalising town centres, supporting events and creating

Mayor Lawrie McKinna said the strategy was about creating safer streets and public spaces where people of all ages and abilities could move around independently and safely across the region.

“Our community has told us that they want safer, more connected routes that are accessible for everyone,” Cr McKinna said.

“We want to make it safer and easier for everyone to get around, whether you’re pushing a pram, using a mobility aid or hopping on a bike.

“This is about building a more

connected community, where people have real choices in how they travel.

“Improving accessibility is a key part of this strategy.

“That means smoother, wider

paths, safer road crossings, better lighting and clearer signage so people feel confident and secure when moving around.

“It also means designing

routes that support people with limited mobility or other accessibility needs.”

Director Infrastructure Services Boris Bolgoff said the strategy provided a clear framework for Council to plan, prioritise and deliver infrastructure across the Coast.

“A strategy like this doesn’t just guide our planning – it strengthens our ability to secure state and federal funding to deliver more shared pathways and connections,”

Mr Bolgoff said.

“Previous active transport plans have already helped us

Strategic action plan to guide the future

more opportunities across the region.

It brings together key actions from Council’s Economic Development Strategy 2026–2030, Destination Management Plan 2026–2029 and Events Strategy 2026–2030 into a clear, co-ordinated plan.

Mayor Lawrie McKinna said the action plan provided a clear path to strengthen local industries, grow tourism and support vibrant communities

across the region.

“The Central Coast is a growing region, and it’s important we work together to support our local economy,” Cr McKinna said.

“We’ve brought everything together into one simple plan so we can focus on creating jobs, supporting local businesses and improving our town centres.

“We want to make it easier for businesses to operate here and

Have a say on youth strategy

Central Coast Council is inviting the community to view and provide feedback on its draft Central Coast Youth Strategy 2026-2031, on public exhibition until June 28.

The Strategy sets Council’s direction for the next five years, guiding priorities, decisionmaking, partnerships and investment to support young people aged 12-24 to feel valued, supported and empowered to thrive.

It is shaped by what young people said mattered most during Council’s 2025 community consultation.

More than 556 local young people, youth workers and community members shared thoughtful and honest feedback through a mix of broad and targeted engagement activities, including workshops, pop-up sessions, surveys and idea boards.

The Strategy also responds to the challenges young people in the Central Coast face around mental health, cost of living, housing, and access to education and employment.

It is guided by six key focus areas: belonging, inclusion and voice; wellbeing, safety and respect; opportunity, skills and

The Strategy will prioritise issues important to youth

secure futures; active, connected and affordable living; green and sustainable futures; and strong partnerships and sector leadership.

Mayor Lawrie McKinna said strong community engagement had ensured that the voices of local young people were reflected in the Central Coast Youth Strategy and its guiding actions.

“Young people shared that they want to feel heard, included and respected, with better access to opportunities, safe spaces and support,” he said.

“This feedback has directly shaped the strategy’s priorities and focus areas, helping ensure young people have a

genuine voice in Council decisions that affect their lives.

“We all play a part in supporting young people on the Central Coast.

“By working in partnership with our community, youth services and local organisations, we’re creating more opportunities for young people to feel supported, connected and empowered to build their future here.

“I encourage everyone to take a look at the draft Central Coast Youth Strategy 2026-31 and share their feedback.”

Have your say at YourVoiceOurCoast.com, where you can also view the community engagement report.

help the Central Coast continue to grow as a place where people choose to live, invest, work and visit.

“Working closely with industry, government, education providers and the community will be essential to delivering these actions and supporting our long-term economic growth.”

The Action Plan sets a coordinated, region-wide approach to economic activity

secure funding for projects like the extensive $8M Central Coast Footpath Package and this strategy will put us in a strong position to deliver even more for our community.”

Community feedback in late 2025 helped shape the draft strategy.

Council is now inviting feedback again to help refine the final strategy which will influence future funding and project priorities across the Coast.

To have your say, search ‘walking, wheeling and cycling’ at yourvoiceourcoast.com

Progress will be tracked and reported to ensure transparent and accountable delivery for the community.

To view the Plan, search ‘regional economy strategies’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

and outlines priority initiatives across three key strategies by: supporting priority industries to grow and attract new investment to the region; attracting and retaining local talent through strong employment opportunities; improving awareness and perception of the Central Coast as a leading visitor destination; enhancing visitor experiences in key town centres such as The Entrance, Wyong, Gosford, Terrigal, Woy Woy and Toukley; making it easier for event organisers to plan and deliver events on the Central Coast; and delivering a strong and balanced portfolio of highquality events.

June 2026 Public Exhibition

Notification of Herbicide Use

Central Coast Council will be applying Glyphosate 360 and Metasulfuron-methyl between 1 July 2026 to 31 December 2026 to specific waterways and drainage lines within the local government area for the purpose of waterway, ecosystem and asset protection. Glyphosate is registered for use in Australia by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority. Non-chemical methods of weed control are also utilised wherever practicable.

During application, signage will be clearly displayed to notify application of herbicides to waterways and will include information on the herbicide being applied, the location details, the dates and the weed Council is managing. During signposted periods, the public is advised not to use, drink or swim in the water until signage is removed.

For further information or to obtain a copy of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the product, please contact Council’s Environmental Infrastructure Section on 02 4306 7900.

This notification is provided in accordance with Council’s Pesticide Use Notification Plan and the Environmental Protection Licence 7643 which can be viewed by visiting the Wyong Administration Building or search ‘Herbicide Spraying Program’ online at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

David Farmer Chief Executive Officer

June 2026

Coasties to represent NSW at National Games

Ten local Special Olympics athletes have been selected to represent NSW at the National Games in Melbourne in October.

The outstanding achievement reflects not only the athletes’ skill, discipline and dedication, but also the strength and commitment of the Central Coast Special Olympics community.

Special Olympics Australia is part of a global movement using the power of sport to build a more inclusive world for people with intellectual disability and/or autism.

The selected athletes represent a range of sporting disciplines, including golf, swimming, basketball, and tennis.

Each athlete has demonstrated sustained commitment, exemplary sportsmanship, and significant personal development through participation in Central Coast Special Olympics programs.

Their selection is the result of years of effort, supported by dedicated families, coaches and a local community that continues to champion their success.

Duncan Bond (golf) has been selected to compete in the 9-hole event and has been a longstanding and dedicated member of the Central Coast team.

Abbie Causer’s (basketball) enthusiasm and strong commitment to the sport make her a highly valued member of the NSW team.

Lalie Conway (tennis) is recognised for her energetic style of play and her consistently positive presence on the court.

Dave Currie (golf) is an important member of a strong Central Coast team.

Steve Robson (golf) is an accomplished athlete with national-level experience, including a gold medal at the Athens World Games.

Peter Secomb (golf) has been selected for the 9-hole event and is widely respected for his dedication to the sport.

Andrew Golding (bowling) is a highly capable bowler whose skill and consistency distinguish him as a strong competitor.

Kyle Farrell (bowling) is one of three bowlers representing the region and brings a strong record of performance to the team.

David Lusunzi (basketball);

his teamwork, skill, and enthusiasm make him a valuable contributor in a team setting.

Chris Cook (bowling) is an experienced player whose calm and composed approach provides strength and stability to the team.

The National Games represent the highest level of Special Olympics competition in Australia, bringing together hundreds of athletes from across the country.

For the Central Coast contingent, this is an opportunity not only to compete at a national level, but also to build friendships, learn from fellow athletes, and experience the pride of representing their region as part of a team.

Preparation for the Games will include intensive training sessions and community fundraising initiatives.

The athletes, their families, and their coaches are committed to making the most of this significant opportunity.

The cost of sending an athlete to the National Games is in excess of $5,000 per person.

A substantial proportion of these expenses is borne by the athletes and their families, making fundraising and community support essential.

A donation from the Central Coast Masonic Centre has provided meaningful assistance in helping to meet these costs and reduce the financial burden on participating families.

The Rotary Club of Toukley has also provided assistance.

Gosford Golf Club has provided invaluable assistance, including complimentary access to the course for all golfers.

For athletes requiring

additional support, the Club has also made motorised carts available at no cost, ensuring that each participant can engage fully.

Members have contributed their time to support athlete training, assisting the golfers every Tuesday afternoon during daylight saving.

“This ongoing commitment from both the Club and its members has played an important role in strengthening the athletes’ skills, confidence, and overall preparation,” a spokesperson said.

The Central Coast community is encouraged to support these athletes, with local businesses and organisations invited to contribute through sponsorship and donations.

For further information contact Paul Scholberg at centralcoast.secretary@ specialolympics.com.au

Push to have bowls included in Olympics rolls into Bateau Bay

Bateau Bay Bowls has played an integral role in a push to have lawn bowls included in the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.

After lawn bowls featured in in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, it was considered opportune by Bowls Australia that an initiative to get bowls into the Brisbane Olympic Games should be implemented.

Lawn bowls has been a Commonwealth Games sport since the inaugural edition of the event’s precursor, the 1930 British Empire Games.

Along with swimming, athletics, cycling, table tennis, powerlifting and triathlon, bowls is one of the EAD (Elite Athletes with a Disability) sports.

The Bowls for Brisbane 2032 campaign has seen World Bowls, Bowls Australia, Bowls New South Wales and Bowls

Queensland join forces for a concerted push for the sport’s inclusion, aiming to unite clubs, players, and fans in a movement that celebrates both tradition and global ambition.

As part of the campaign, The Long Roll was rolled out from Balmain Bowls Club before being hosted by 32 historic clubs throughout NSW and

Queensland over two weeks of bowls before finishing at Windsor Bowls Club in Queensland.

Playing one-bowl Triples with two-sets of seven ends – with a tie-breaker if needed, it was themed as an Australian team taking on a Rest of the World team, comprising of international and local

competitors with diverse backgrounds.

Bateau Bay Bowls was the seventh club in the 32 clubs who hosted the event as the initiative rolled north.

With the Central Coast being pivotal as the roll transitioned from Sydney to Newcastle, the bowlers of Bateau Bay came out enthusiastically to support

Futsal trials

Following a successful inaugural season in 2025, Expressions of Interest are now open for players interested in representing Central Coast United in the highest level of futsal competition in NSW.

Futsal provides players with an opportunity to continue learning, training and competing throughout the summer period while developing the technical skills, decision making and creativity required in the modern game. Players from all clubs are welcome.

Girls’ open trials will take place on Saturday, July 18, with U11-U13 from 9-10am and U15 and U17/18 from 10.1511.15am.

Boys’ trials will be held on Sunday, July 19, with U11 and U12 from 9-10am, U14 and U16 from 10.15-11.15am and U19 men from 11.30am12.30pm.

The trials will be held at Soccer5s Tuggerah.

Players interested in being considered for Open Men and Open Women squads are encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest. Register at tinyurl.com/ nxsu366k

If unable to attend email info@ccutd.com

Sporting champs

Eight Local Sporting Champions were recognised recently during a special afternoon tea hosted by Federal Member for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid.

the event and cheer on both the Australian and World teams.

Representing the Australian team, Bateau Bay nominated three very worthy bowlers in Mitch Williams (Wyong Leagues Group Sports and Community Co-ordinator), Tony Shoebridge (Regional and State champion bowler) and Samantha Marks (Bateau Bay Women’s Club Champion).

The World team consisted of Mary Farugia (Malta Bowls Team representative), David Boyd (New Zealand representative) and Kevin Russell (Bateau Bay Club president representing England).

Cheered on by the enthusiastic crowd in attendance the result was a close win by the World team.

The push to include lawn bowls in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics continues.

They have received Federal Government support through the Local Sporting Champions Program.

Those honoured were: Lois Waller – Australian Youth Water Polo Championships; Brychan Drewe – Australian Youth Water Polo Championships; Hamish Mulrooney – Junior National Athletics Championships; Jonathon Luther – 2026 ILCA Oceania and Australian Open Youth Championships (sailing); Reef Mueller – Australian Youth Championships (water polo); Mikayla Roberts – Australian Youth Championships (water polo); Sophie Walbancke –2025/26 Girls National Championships (softball); and Ruby Jean Saffy – WPA Australian Youth Water Polo Championships.

For more information search ‘local sporting champions’ at www.sportaus.gov.au

See full story online: coastcommunitynews.com.au

ICE HOCKEY

The Central Coast Rhinos endured a difficult road trip in the Australian Ice Hockey League competition, suffering back-to-back defeats to the Brisbane Lightning on June 6 and 7.

The Rhinos opened the weekend in Brisbane on Saturday night, falling 11-6 in a high-scoring contest.

While Central Coast was able to generate plenty of offensive opportunities and found the back of the net six times, the Lightning proved too strong in

Tough road trip for Rhinos

attack and capitalised on their chances throughout the game.

Brisbane established momentum early and maintained offensive pressure across all three periods, forcing the Rhinos to continually chase the contest.

Despite the scoreboard deficit, Central Coast continued to battle hard and remained dangerous going forward, producing one of its stronger offensive performances of the season.

Out of the ten teams, the Rhinos sit in fifth position on the ladder

Brisbane for periods of the contest and continued to create scoring chances throughout the afternoon.

However, Brisbane’s depth and attacking firepower proved difficult to contain as the hosts steadily built their advantage.

resilience despite the challenging circumstances.

The back-to-back losses leave Central Coast searching for a response as the AIHL season enters a crucial stage, but there were still positives to take from the trip, particularly the team’s willingness to attack and ability to create scoring opportunities.

However, the Lightning’s ability to convert scoring opportunities at crucial moments ultimately proved the difference as the home side secured the five-goal victory.

Looking for a shot at redemption the following day, the Rhinos again faced Brisbane again in the second game of the weekend series.

Central Coast showed plenty of fight and once more displayed its offensive capabilities, but the Lightning completed the sweep with a 13-7 victory.

The Rhinos traded goals with

Despite conceding 24 goals across the two games, Central Coast also managed to score 13 times over the weekend, highlighting the team’s ability to generate offence against quality opposition.

The Rhinos continued to compete until the final siren in both contests and showed

The Rhinos will now turn their attention to regrouping ahead of their next fixtures as they look to return to the winners’ list and strengthen their position in the AIHL standings.

Stefan Kataric

Indigenous youth try out their skills

The region’s next generation of emerging sporting talent was given the chance to shine at Guzman y Gomez Stadium at Terrigal on Wednesday, May 27, as the Central Coast Academy of Sport hosted its annual Indigenous Talent Identification Day with more than 160 registered students.

The event provided local Indigenous students with the

opportunity to test their athletic ability, try new sports and uncover strengths they may not have previously recognised.

Students from 16 schools across the Central Coast took part in a full day of testing and skills-based activities across Aussie rules, netball, golf, tennis, triathlon, and functional movement testing.

For many participants, the day was not only about performance, but about discovering new

possibilities in sport.

Each activity was designed to assess key performance areas including agility, co-ordination, endurance, movement skills and sport-specific ability.

The structure of the day allowed athletes from a range of sporting backgrounds, as well as students not currently involved in organised sport, to demonstrate natural talent and potential.

The Indigenous Talent Identification Day forms part of

Iron Tigers expands to Woy Woy

BASKETBALL

The Iron Tigers Basketball Club will expand into Woy Woy, bringing structured basketball development opportunities to young athletes on the Peninsula from Term 3 this year.

The move marks Iron Tigers’ first expansion into the Peninsula region and reflects the growing demand for quality coaching, athlete development and clear basketball pathways across the Central Coast.

Beginning in Term 3, Iron Tigers will launch its Stripes Academy program at Peninsula Leisure Centre every Wednesday from 4-5.30pm for athletes aged 9-15.

The Stripes Academy focuses on skill development, decisionmaking, confidence, game understanding and building strong basketball fundamentals through structured coaching and athlete-centred development.

To celebrate the launch, Iron Tigers will host a Try Iron Tigers Holiday Camp on Friday, July 10, giving local athletes an opportunity to experience the club’s coaching philosophy and training environment.

Ages 10–14 will be from 10am-10.45am and ages 15–17 from 11am-11.45am

The Woy Woy program will be led by long-time Iron Tigers coach Lachie Hervey, who has been appointed Head Coach of Woy Woy Operations.

“Lachie has been a valued member of our coaching team for a number of years and embodies the values and coaching standards we want across the club,” Iron Tigers Director Matt Shorrock said.

“He is passionate about helping young athletes improve, build confidence and enjoy the game.

“We are excited to see him lead our first Peninsula-based program and establish a strong foundation for future growth in the region.”

The long-term vision for the Woy Woy program is to establish local Iron Tigers teams within

junior competition, creating additional playing opportunities for athletes while maintaining the club’s strong focus on coaching and development.

Since launching in 2025, Iron Tigers Basketball Club has grown to more than 35 teams competing across four Central Coast competitions, supported by a network of qualified coaches delivering year-round training, competitions, academies, camps and athlete development programs.

The expansion into Woy Woy continues the club’s mission of making quality basketball coaching more accessible to families across the Central Coast.

Registrations for both the Woy Woy Stripes Academy and Try Iron Tigers Holiday Camp are now open at www. irontigersbasketball.com.au

CCAS’ commitment to creating equitable access to highperformance sport pathways for Indigenous youth.

By providing opportunities like this, the Academy is helping to open doors for young athletes who may not otherwise have had access to talent identification, elite coaching or structured development programs.

Standout performers from the day will be offered full scholarships to join CCAS

sports programs, beginning with an eight-week training block in Term 3, 2026.

These scholarships include access to quality coaching, athlete education and strength and conditioning support, giving selected athletes the tools to continue developing both on and off the field.

“What stands out most is the hidden talent that comes to light through this event,” CCAS Program Manager Tara Angell said.

“Some students may not have realised what they were capable of, and days like this give them the chance to discover their potential, try new sports and see where their ability could take them.

“Opportunities like this can be the first step in a much bigger journey.

“You never know whether a future state representative, national athlete or even Olympian has taken their first step through a day like this.”