Coffs Coast News Of the Area 10 JULY 2026

Hot tunes and tastes at Sawtell Chilli Festival

By Kate PYE

THE

Attendees on Saturday, 4 July enjoyed a packed program of live

Festival organisers said stallholders reported strong support from the public, with visitors embracing the variety of flavours and CONTINUED Page

AUTHORITIES

This discovery was NSW’s first confirmed case of the

By Melissa MEEHAN,

consider housing their birds indoors.

Agriculture minister Tara Moriarty called for calm.

"I want to stress it’s the only one time that it has been found, we still have one bird that has tested positive," Ms Moriarty told reporters.

"There is no crisis, there is no need to panic."

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Hot tunes and tastes at Sawtell Chilli Festival

FROM Page 1

market stalls throughout the day.

The event opened at 9.30am with host and comedian Ben Stevenson welcoming festivalgoers before activities got under way.

The morning program featured live music from Hometown Revival, followed by a performance from Chasing Winter Sun, who were runners-up in the Sawtell Hotel Talent Quest.

The heat was turned up with the popular Chilli Chicken Wing Eating Competitions, while the Aussie Chilli Eating Championship Final at 11am saw state finalists battle it out in one of the festival’s hottest challenges.

The official welcome at 12.30pm included addresses from Gurmesh Singh MP, George Ceccato from Coffs Council, Amanda Harvey from RAB, and Dale Sagar from Sawtell Chamber of Commerce.

Festival organiser Michael Bryers hailed the event as a huge success for the Sawtell

community.

“Almost 6,000 people attended the Chilli Festival,” Michael said.

“It was our most successful event in many years, with large crowds enjoying a beautiful winter’s day in Sawtell. Stallholders reported great support from the public.”

Michael said the entertainment program was particularly well-received by visitors.

“The entertainment program was extremely popular and focused on a strong cultural angle, with the Carnivale Silk Fan Dancers, Latin Dance demonstrations and lessons, New Orleans Horn Band and internationally renowned DJ Moosey spinning Latin and Mexican-inspired sets.”

The Country Women’s Association (CWA) was also proud to again be involved in the event, with Lesley Berry saying members loved being part of the festival each year.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to come together with the community, meet visitors,

and be part of an event that celebrates local food, culture and connection,” Ms Berry said.

“The CWA is always proud to support events like this and we love seeing the festival continue to grow.”

The celebrations continued into the evening at Sawtell Hotel, with live performances from Who’s Charlie and Ultimate Peppers - The Red Hot Chilli Peppers Ultimate Tribute Experience.

The festival will return on Saturday, 3 July 2027.

Michael said next year’s event would continue to expand its cultural focus.

“Next year we will continue to expand the cultural inclusion of the origins of chilli – South America, Mexico, Italy and Asia,” Michael said.

“We will continue to look for ways to improve our event, providing an all-inclusive cultural and cuisine experience for the community.”

NAIDOC Week kicks off in Coffs

A TRAILBLAZER who founded a local Aboriginal Corporation, which provides wrap-around support for youth, is this year's winner of the 2026 Grace Roberts Memorial Community Development Award.

Jeremy Widders received the highest honour at the 2026 presentations of the Yandaarra Aunty Grace Roberts Community Awards at Yarrila Place.

The gala ceremony was one of many headline moments on what the community has come to know as the first day of Coffs Harbour's NAIDOC Week celebrations.

Mr Widders established the Waagay Biliinyjarl Aboriginal Corporation, which provides cultural, social and practical support across Gumbaynggirr Country.

The corporation’s work includes running cultural camps for all ages and backgrounds and a youth bus which provides free travel on Fridays and Saturdays (across an area stretching from Red Rock to Nambucca Heads).

OTHER MAJOR PRIZE WINNERS

at Bellingen High School. Her citation recognised that she had been exceptional in organising events, and tutoring (despite not having formal training) Aboriginal students.

Uncle Award:

Uncle Steven Skinner was recognised for his work promoting Gumbaynggirr language, teaching school students and staff as well as sharing cultural knowledge of bush medicine and bush tucker, and helping youth connect with traditional practices. Uncle Steven supports Aboriginal students and families through a Personalised Learning Pathway, guiding young people to achieve their cultural goals.

Aboriginal Community Organisation or Business of the Year Award:

Two winners - Darrunda Wajaarr and Kulai Preschool. Darrunda Wajaarr cares for Country through cultural heritage, cultural practices and bush regeneration. Its community activities bring knowledge to farmers, the public and the next generation of environmental caretakers.

Sports Achievement Award:

Daniel Wilson. An influential figure in the rugby union community, Daniel plays second row for the Southern Cross University Marlins. Known as a 'gentle giant' due to his tackling technique, Daniel is nevertheless a force to be reckoned with and is respected for his efforts to help young squads and adults of all ages and cultural backgrounds in the sport.

Arts and Cultural Achievement Award:

Karly Morris. An outstanding Aboriginal

artist whose work reflects cultural pride, storytelling and connection to Country, Karly's work has been commissioned by schools, sporting teams, health centres, libraries and community organisations. She has strengthened pathways between youth and community services through her involvement with NASCA (National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy) students at Orara High School.

Youth of the Year Award:

Two winners – Mila Tighe and Sapphire Rose Townsend.

Mila is an Aboriginal

leader at Toormina Public School where she is in Year 6. Renowned for her sportsmanship, Mila is committed to learning and proudly shares her knowledge and cultural understanding with staff and students.

Sapphire is a hard worker and a proud Aboriginal Year 6 student at Tyalla Primary. As well as hitting the books, Sapphire helps in the school canteen and is a keen dancer.

The Yandaarra Aunty Grace Roberts Community Awards have been running since 1999 and are named in-part after Aunty Grace,

who worked tirelessly for her community.

"I congratulate all of the award winners as their achievements make them stars for Mob and the wider community," Mayor Nikki Williams said.

"The winners in each of the seven categories share a commitment to excellence."

Coffs Harbour will host events throughout NAIDOC Week 2026, celebrating ‘50 Years of Deadly’. For more information, visit Council’s website at https://www. coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/ Your-Council/About-ourcity/NAIDOC

q Royston Noell, who won the eighth season of Australian Idol in 2023, performs at Yarilla Place during Coffs Harbour’s NAIDOC Week celebrations. Photo: Supplied.

Aunty Award:

Aunty Nicola Neve was recognised for her work as an Aboriginal Education Officer

Kulai provides outstanding care, support and teaching for young children.

Lexie's Paralympic dream edges even closer

By Mick BIRTLES

A DREAM that began on the school sports field is about to take 15-year-old Nambucca Heads

High School student Lexie Brown to one of the biggest sporting stages in the world.

Lexie is preparing to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Her journey into para-athletics began when her primary school sports teacher, Mrs Fenning, introduced her to para-sport.

Since then, she has flourished under the guidance of Ballina-based coach Zenon Kowalczyk through the North Coast Academy of Sport (NCAS).

Her rapid rise was recognised when she was named the 2025 North Coast Academy of Sport Athlete of the Year after breaking

multiple national age records.

Lexie specialises in the 100 and 200 metre sprint events and currently holds the Australian record in the 200 metres for the T47 classification.

The T47 classification is for track athletes with an upper limb impairment, usually affecting one arm.

Although the 200 metres has become her signature event, her focus at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will be the 100 metres.

Last year, Lexie represented Australia at the World Para Athletics Championships in Delhi, India.

Competing in the 4 x 100 metre relay, she achieved a personal best while the Australian team claimed the bronze medal.

Later this month she will travel to Spain for

a pre-Games training camp before continuing on to Scotland.

Her 100-metre heat at the Commonwealth Games is scheduled for 30 July.

Speaking with News Of The Area, Lexie admitted a whirlwind of emotions followed the announcement of her selection in the Australian team.

"My reaction was firstly shock, then joy, then tears," she said.

"Thrilled I was now another step closer to my dream of competing in the Paralympics."

Despite her remarkable achievements, Lexie remains humble and is quick to acknowledge the people who have helped her along the way.

She credits her family and the broader Nambucca Valley community for the support

that has enabled her to pursue her sporting ambitions.

Lexie said local organisations, clubs and service clubs had been incredibly generous in backing her journey and that she was extremely grateful for their encouragement.

She also praised coach Zenon Kowalczyk for balancing high-performance training with allowing her to simply enjoy being a teenager.

While her training has increased to three major sessions each week, including gym work, hill sprints and track sessions, she said her coach has never lost sight of the fact that she was only 15 years old.

Lexie and her family also expressed their appreciation to Athletics Australia and Paralympics Australia for the outstanding support they have received throughout her journey.

Having already experienced the honour of wearing the green and gold in India, Lexie cannot wait to do it again.

"I am really looking forward to being back in the team environment when we link up in Spain on our way to Scotland," she told News Of The Area.

"It will also be great to meet athletes from other countries and compete with them."

When asked what message she would share with other young people across the Mid North Coast, particularly those living with an impairment, Lexie's response reflected the maturity and humility that have become hallmarks of her journey.

"Being different is not always a bad thing and you should never let it stop you from living your dreams."

As Lexie prepares to pull on the Australian uniform once again, the Mid North Coast will be watching with pride as one of its own takes another stride towards what she hopes will one day be the realisation of a Paralympic dream.

‘There is no crisis, no need to panic’: Minister

FROM Page 1

Shoppers are also being urged to continue buying poultry and eggs as normal.

The deadly strain was confirmed in a migratory bird in NSW, making it Australia's sixth confirmed case after five others were discovered in WA and SA.

The strain was first detected on the Australian mainland on June 14 in a brown skua found in Esperance, on WA's south coast.

NSW's chief veterinary officer Jo Coombe said thousands of department staff, including 500 specially

trained officers, have been deployed to bolster surveillance along the coastline.

"The reality is that we've got one bird, a wild bird, that has tested positive for H5N1 bird flu," she said on Sunday.

"We know that bird is a bird that usually wouldn't

land in Australia and it's ... landed in Australia because it's been sick."

Invasive Species Council policy director Carol Booth warned surveillance won't protect Australian wildlife if the disease reaches native species.

She urged the federal

Peter Auld settles for good

By Andrea FERRARI

WEDNESDAY July 1 was day one of retirement for Coffs Coast real estate identity Peter Auld.

After three decades in property sales the 71-yearold man, born and raised in Bourke, looks back with a warm heart for the regions he served with passion: Nambucca Valley, Coffs Coast, Clarence Valley and Grafton.

“I am forever grateful for the vast experience I’ve enjoyed across blueberries, macadamia, bananas, cattle production, equine interests, tea-tree plantations, fruit tree plantations, to properties with beautiful river and creek frontage, to magnificent panoramic coastal sea and mountain views to clean open pastures and rainforest gullies,” Peter told News Of The Area.

Having considered joining another local real estate agent, incoming regulations in the industry beginning

on July 1 made the decision easier for him to hand in the keys and sign off from the job.

Chatting with News Of The Area on day one, he’s beaming.

“I’ve made the right decision,” he said.

“I have been involved in the real estate industry since 1980, when I began working with my father at Bob Auld Real Estate in Nambucca Heads.”

From 1980 to 1984, he worked throughout the Nambucca Valley, developing a strong foundation in listing and selling property, particularly in rural areas.

On 23 March 2000, having achieved full licenses in 1998, he established Auld Property Sales, continuing his commitment as a dedicated rural specialist.

Over the years, he has gained extensive knowledge and experience across these regions.

markets, land use, and rural property values, Peter Auld prided himself on providing a personalised service built on his decades of experience and strong community connections.

A martial arts devotee of 38 years, Peter has rolled up his two karate black belts for the last time following a total hip replacement.

He looks back with satisfaction on memorable matches and thrilling tournaments.

“There was one event that stands above all others.

“The 1983 Australian Kyokushin Open Full Contact Tournament held in the Sydney Opera House and attended by one of the most respected international karate leaders in the world at the time, Kancho Mas Oyama.”

health.”

From arriving in the world in Bourke on his parents’ 18,000-acre sheep station, training as a wool classer, working in banking, timber and real estate industries he’s happy to hang up his hat in Coffs Harbour, living with his daughter and grandchildren.

Married for 43 years, sadly, Peter’s wife Helen passed away in 2018.

Dedicated to his family, business and hobbies, by his late 60s he had not given time to overseas travel.

Fascinated by Japanese history and the country’s modern culture, in October 2024 he set off to visit the captivating East Asia island nation.

government to fund a $200 million resilience package to accelerate feral predator control, restore habitat, and protect breeding sites.

'This killer disease has been wiping out millions of birds around the world. The impact this could have on Australia's native birds and sea mammals as it continues to spread is frightening," Dr Booth told AAP.

Until June, Australia had been the only continent free of the highly contagious virus, which has wiped out millions of birds worldwide and also killed mammals.

The public has been urged to avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife and report any finds to an emergency hotline, as well as recording locations and taking photos.

By Kate PYE

A FORMER Coffs Harbour strata manager has been refused bail after being charged with more than 400 offences linked to an alleged $2 million fraud involving strata trust accounts.

Jessica Marrie Carah, 30, was arrested at her Coffs Harbour home on Thursday, June 25, following an investigation by NSW Police

From a deep understanding of local Strike Force Colebrook.

Mr Auld believes karate discipline translates into one’s business and personal life, providing “selfdiscipline, respect for others, persistence, focus and better

He travelled hundreds of kilometres across Japan by bullet train observing the valleys, farms, orchards, and “endless mountains covered in natural vegetation, bamboo and timber plantations.”

His eye is now on touring Australia; first stop getting

Coffs Strata manager refused bail

Police allege Ms Carah transferred more than $2 million from strata trust accounts into a personal bank account while working in the local strata management industry.

Investigators allege the funds were spent on cryptocurrency, luxury goods and an SUV.

Ms Carah has been charged with one count of recklessly dealing with

proceeds of crime and 403 counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.

She appeared in court via video link, where bail was refused and she was remanded in custody.

Police opposed bail, telling the court the alleged offending represented a serious breach of trust involving strata owners who had entrusted their funds to be managed.

The court heard Ms Carah was allegedly the sole person with access to the affected accounts. Police also raised concerns about potential interference with witnesses and the risk of failing to appear due to the seriousness of the charges.

Her defence lawyer told the court Ms Carah had been under pressure from an ex-partner and alleged she acted under

on the Ghan in Adelaide for a three-day trip to Darwin followed by sightseeing in Australia’s Top End multi-

duress. The court was also told she had been receiving treatment for anxiety and depression.

The magistrate described the matter as extremely serious and said the prosecution case appeared strong, noting that a full-time custodial sentence was likely if Ms Carah was convicted.

Before her arrest, Ms Carah had already been permanently disqualified from the property and strata industry by NSW Fair Trading, which cancelled

cultural, tropical city.

“You never know who you might meet, or what you might see,” he said.

her licence in January 2026 after identifying hundreds of allegedly unlawful transactions.

The case has prompted renewed discussion around strata financial oversight and the importance of protecting trust funds managed on behalf of owners corporations.

Ms Carah is due to return to court via video link on July 15, 2026.

The allegations against Ms Carah remain before the courts and have not been proven.

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Six-year staff training benefits people with disability

By Andrea FERRARI

THE Enhancing Inclusion in the Health System project, delivered by Blue Sky Community Services in partnership with Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) and Charles Sturt University, concluded its six-year term in June with strong results.

Cuming and Bronwyn Connelly from Charles Sturt University, found the project had a positive impact on disability awareness among healthcare staff and contributed to more inclusive and accessible healthcare experiences for people with disability.

Completed on 30 June 2026, the evaluation examined outcomes across two project phases spanning six years, from 2020 to 2026.

and acknowledged the many healthcare staff, people with disability, family members, carers, community representatives, and stakeholders who contributed to the project's success over the past six years.

One of the project’s lived experience advisors, Kerry-Ann Warwick, said the project's greatest achievement had been helping people better understand one another.

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Some include, supermarkets, newsagents, convenience stores, shopping centres, chemists, service stations, real estate agents, many general businesses throughout the area.

A list is published towards the back of this newspaper. You can also find the outlets by going to www.newsofthearea.com.au

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More than 2,500 healthcare staff have benefited from the disability inclusion training that has delivered lasting improvements in accessibility and inclusion across Mid North Coast health services.

An independent evaluation, conducted by Associate Professor Tracey Parnell, Tana

The evaluation highlighted the importance of strong partnerships between healthcare providers, community organisations and people with lived experience in driving positive outcomes.

It also found that the resources, relationships and practices established through the project have created a strong foundation for continued accessibility and inclusion within local health services.

Project partners welcomed the findings

"People want to be understood. It's how we find common ground with each other and how we make life better for ourselves and others,” she said.

“The tools help people navigate difficult questions and conversations that can sometimes feel taboo, so we can better understand one another.

“Blue Sky Community Services has always had its heart set on inclusion and diversity for the benefit of our communities.

“It's been an honour to play a small part in that."

The findings reinforce the importance of ongoing collaboration and commitment to ensuring that people with disability can access healthcare services that are inclusive, accessible and responsive to their needs.

The project was funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services through an Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) Grant.

Between July 2020 and June 2026, the project reached 2,566 healthcare staff through education and training activities, provided one-on-one support to 511 staff members, developed 110 practical resources and delivered 19 education modules to strengthen disability awareness and inclusive practice across the health system.

Throughout the project, Blue Sky Community Services and MNCLHD worked collaboratively to deliver training, develop resources and promote inclusive practices across a range of healthcare settings.

The initiative aimed to reduce barriers experienced by people with disability when accessing healthcare and to strengthen the delivery of person-centred care.

Blue Sky Disability Healthcare Specialist, Charity Honeysett, said the project's impact would continue to be felt long after its completion.

"Over the past six years, the Enhancing Inclusion in the Health System project has strengthened disability inclusion across the Mid North Coast Local Health District by building the knowledge, skills and confidence of health staff to better support people with disability,” she said.

“Through education, practical resources and specialist support, the project has helped create a more inclusive, respectful and personcentred health system for patients, carers and staff."

Adding to its success, the project also delivered a range of practical accessibility initiatives, including the provision of hearing loops in all hospitals, the donation of more than 60 sensory kits across health services, and the introduction of inclusive supports such as Virtual Reality headsets and Buzzy Bees pain relievers, to improve healthcare experiences for people with disability.

Solo show is centred on self

By Andrea FERRARI

ENCOUNTERING

The Self, art exhibition by Dubravka Sabljak, opens at Nexus Gallery in Bellingen on Sunday 19 July to 13 August.

“After months of clay, colour, creativity, exploding kilns, broken pieces, unexpected surprises and a whole lot of imagination, I'm excited to finally share my upcoming solo exhibition, Encountering The Self,” Ms Sabljak said.

“For me, art has always been more than making beautiful objects.

“It has become a way of exploring life, navigating challenges and giving shape to thoughts and emotions that are often difficult to put into words.”

Working across ceramics and painting, Dubravka Sabljak creates intuitively, rarely knowing exactly where a piece will end up.

“I often say I never know what a lump of clay might become until it starts revealing itself to me.”

Her sculptures are whimsical, she says, “symbolic characters that blur the line between fantasy and familiarity”.

Her paintings are inspired by the landscapes of Gumbaynggirr Country and the emotions that emerge through colour.

Together, her sculptures and paintings tell a story of transformation, curiosity and self-discovery.

Encountering The Self is a journey through the many characters, emotions and ideas that emerge through both art and life.

“Some pieces arrived exactly as planned.

“Most had other ideas.

“Each work became an unexpected encounter between instinct, imagination and material, reflecting the strange, messy, vulnerable and beautifully imperfect parts that make us who we are.”

More than anything, Ms Dubravka hopes visitors leave the exhibition feeling encouraged to embrace their own individuality or perhaps walk away recognising a little of themselves in the work.

The official opening celebration, hosted by Ms Sabljak at 12 noon on Sunday 19 July, is free for all to attend.

Help support your community after a disaster

WHEN disasters happen, people want to help, but busy lives don’t always allow for regular volunteering.

Now, Australian Red Cross is offering a flexible way to step in when it matters most.

A new Casual Recovery Volunteer role has been introduced across select NSW communities, giving locals the chance to support recovery efforts when they’re needed.

It’s designed for people who can’t commit long-

term but still want to make a meaningful difference if their community is hit by an emergency. Volunteers may be called on to assist at local recovery centres to welcome community members, offer

reassurance, and provide basic psychological first aid to help people feel safe, calm, and connected.

To prepare casual recovery volunteers we provide a full-day training, along with standard checks, and support from

experienced Red Cross People will be provided.

The program will roll out across the North Coast including Byron, Lismore, Kyogle, Richmond Valley, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Nambucca Valley, Kempsey, Port

Macquarie-Hastings and the Mid-Coast, from July to November 2026, with recruitment events happening at community events, markets and local hubs. If you’ve ever wondered how you could help in a crisis but needed something extra flexible, this could be your chance.

It might look safe, but floodwater is always dangerous. It hides threats you can’t see, like sinkholes and roads with nothing left underneath.

One split-second decision can change everything. Don’t get swept up in the moment. Turn around. Find another way.

Proudly supported by

ArtsNational talks Reigning Men

By Andrea FERRARI

AWARD-winning fashion historian, Professor Peter McNeil, recently took his ArtsNational Coffs Coast audience for a look behind the scenes at the beauty and surprise of men’s attire throughout the centuries.

Peter McNeil is Distinguished Professor of Design History at the University of Technology, Sydney and the author and co-curator of Reigning Men, the largest exhibition of men’s fashion yet assembled, curated by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 2015 (then travelling to St Louis Museum of Art 2016; Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Sydney 2018),

Presenting to the audience at John Paul College theatre, Professor McNeil described the cycles in men’s fashion and the historical context in which these fashions arose.

History and fashion are interwoven, he explained.

“From West Indies transparent cotton suits of the 18th century to genderless clothing in the 1960s, the history of men in fashion and fashion in men is often surprising,” he said.

“The availability of exotic textiles, like Indian and West Indies cottons, influenced formal and casual suiting as well as leisure wear.”

The popularity of American industrial and sportswear, such as blue jeans, boiler suits and riding gear, have had a major impact on men’s dress from the 18th century to today.

The cigarette craze and associated smoking rooms of the 19th century produced a sumptuous range of men’s velvet suits and jackets, leaving their daytime attire free of ash.

How men dressed was dependent on class.

Imitating courtly dress fashions was popular amongst aristocratic and wealthy merchant classes

throughout Europe.

“After the French Revolution it was very unfashionable, if not provocative, to dress in courtly style in France,” he said. This was a time when striped shirts and Bonaparte caps came to the fore.

“Prior to this the ‘stripe’ was associated with outsiders: circus performers, prisoners, sailors, even the devil.

“In revolutionary France, the stripe was appropriated as a symbol of freedom and democracy.

“It is hard to imagine the stripe being absent from today’s fashions.”

This was not the case in other parts of Europe.

“Enter the late 18th century British ‘Macaroni Men’, with their impractical over-the-top courtly dress codes; pea green-, pink- and orange-coloured fabrics; ridiculously high hairstyles, decorative swords and corsages; and pretensions of worldliness.”

Joseph Banks, the botanist who accompanied Captain Cook, was one such show pony, Mr McNeil said.

The macaroni craze soon receded and was replaced by the pared-down styles of the Dandy.

Professor McNeil clarified a few common assumptions.

For example, the ‘dandy’, exemplified by 19th century Beau Brummell, was not overly ostentatious but characterised by a quest for perfection, impeccable tailoring, and an understated elegance.

Trousers replaced breeches, colours were subdued, further differentiating men’s and women’s dress conventions.

These suited templates influence men’s clothing today.

Likewise, men’s workwear, American style varsity or sportswear and military garb have all influenced contemporary men’s dress.

There have been moments of colourful eruption, like the unisex Carnaby Street styles of the 1960s and bad boy styles like Zoot suits, Teddy Boys and punk, but the trend towards understated casual dress and sober suits has persisted.

But Professor McNeil reminded the audience that there have been periods in history where men have been obsessed with dress, spending a huge proportion of their incomes on the latest styles, fawning over wool and silk and velvets. Wearing outlandish wigs

and pomades, and even ‘calf plumpers’ beneath breeches to make their legs look more muscular.

“What we see throughout history is that women borrow from men’s clothing but not the reverse,” Professor McNeil explained.

“For example, we don’t

see a lot of men in kilts tonight.”

There were no kilts, but for men in Professor McNeil’s Coffs Harbour audience it was an invitation to express their inner peacock or dandy, ArtsNational Coffs Coast group spokesperson Annie Talvé told News Of The

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Scissors, style and show dogs come to Coffs

By Kate PYE

COFFS Harbour will become the stage for some of Australia’s most talented dog groomers this July, as the Pup Cup Dog Grooming Competition returns to the Exhibition Pavilion at Coffs Harbour Showground for three days of creativity, skill and canine artistry.

Running from Friday 10 to Sunday 12 July 2026, the event will bring together professional groomers from across Australia to compete in a showcase of precision, creativity and dedication across classes including Purebred Scissor, Gundog, Two Groomers One Dog, Hand Strip, Creative and Model Dog Showcase, Salon Freestyle, Asian Fusion and Poodle.

The best part for the community is that spectators can attend the competition free of charge, giving dog lovers and curious locals the opportunity to see behind the scenes of an industry that is often misunderstood.

Rather than simply watching a dog receive a haircut, visitors will witness

the skill, patience and artistry involved in transforming a groom into a competitionworthy creation.

Pup Cup founder and Coffs Harbour local Jazz Fitzgerald said the event was created to celebrate the grooming profession and share its true value with the wider community.

“Dog grooming isn’t just a haircut to me. It’s a career that spews passion and pride to be able to make an animal comfortable and a household happy to have a clean and beautiful pet in their life,” Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald has spent the past 12 years competing in grooming and conformation shows around Australia while growing her own successful home-based grooming business, established in 2014.

She developed the Pup Cup from the ground up, creating the competition rules, designing the logo and building an event that has become a highlight on the grooming calendar.

“The Pup Cup is important because it displays that the dog grooming industry isn’t

a hobby,” Fitzgerald said.

“It is not easy and is often misunderstood when it comes to price points and timing requests. To put it simply, you can’t rush art.”

Friday evening following the competition.

and will give groomers the rare opportunity to learn directly from the educator behind the technique.

animal care and the passion of the people behind the grooming industry.

A major highlight of the weekend will be the Asian Fusion seminar presented by internationally recognised educator Sukhee Lee on

Lee, founder of DolAll Grooming Academy in South Korea, is the creator of the Theory of Angles, the framework that has shaped Asian Fusion grooming around the world. Her Coffs Harbour seminar will be her first Australian appearance

For every seminar ticket sold, $10 will be donated to The Australian Grooming Team, The Quokkas.

The Pup Cup is more than a competition - it is a celebration of craftsmanship,

With free entry for spectators, the event invites the Coffs Harbour community to come along, watch the action and discover why professional grooming is truly an art form.

&

Woopi High School students rally for Red Cross teas

By Andrea FERRARI

WOOLGOOLGA High

School Year 12 students

serving at Woolgoolga Red Cross Branch’s Friendship Afternoon Tea made the members’ day last month.

They announced their commitment to donating the cost of hiring the rooms for more than a year to enable the Friendship Afternoon Teas to continue to provide this invaluable activity for our seniors.

The monthly Friendship Afternoon Teas have been running for over 30 years, providing an outing for seniors in the community.

“Entertainment is provided by local groups and individuals, there are jokes, quizzes and singalongs, and lovely home-made food is a highlight,” branch president Kerry Chaffey said.

Students from Woolgoolga High School, under the leadership of teacher Kate March, have been attending in a working role.

“They help with setting up the tables, serving afternoon teas and joining in with the clean-up later,” Ms March said.

“Those who attend the afternoon really enjoy the participation of the students and love having a chat with them.”

During the June afternoon tea, a group of school prefects worked and socialised with the audience before making a presentation of $500 to the organisation.

“We are so grateful for the generosity of the Year 12 students and receiving this overwhelmimg donation relieves us of some of our fundraising and ensures that these afternoons can continue,” Ms Chaffey said.

“These young people exemplify all that is great about this generation.

“We wish them well in the years ahead.”

For more information on Woopi Red Cross Friendship Afternoon Teas call Judy on 0408 354 422.

Pressure mounts on Coffs Airbnb market

By Jessica MILLER

A LETTER from Emerald Beach resident Denise Folkard has highlighted an aspect of the current housing crisis that appears to have faded from political discourse.

Folkard pointed to more than 800 entire-home Airbnb listings in the Coffs area against a rental vacancy rate below one per cent.

"We've got tourists staying in residential entire homes and residents staying in motels or homeless because they can't get a long-term rental," she wrote.

"How is that right?"

Analysis of short-term rental accommodation

(STRA) listings data confirms 96 per cent of the area's 847 listings are entire homes, far from Airbnb’s original premise of renting out a spare room.

In 2021, a new state planning framework was introduced, allowing regional councils the option to lower the 365-day default cap to 180 days.

While some regional areas requested the restriction, City of Coffs Harbour voted against adopting the cap to protect local tourism.

More recently, the NSW Government ran a review into short-term rental policies.

Submissions closed in

March 2024, but the process appears to have stalled at the evaluation stage.

City of Coffs Harbour confirmed its officer-level submission to the 2024 review advocated for reform.

The submission urged the state to explore several regulatory fixes, including stripping commercial shortstays of their "residential" status and giving councils the power to require formal development consent for holiday-let conversions.

This highlights an apparent disconnect between staff recommendations and official policy.

While Council

acknowledged that shortstays were repeatedly flagged during community consultations for its recent housing, homelessness, and growth strategies, it declined to implement tighter local restrictions.

Instead, Council has continued to maintain the 365-day regional default for reasons they believe balance housing affordability with the economic benefits of tourism.

NSW Nationals Leader and Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh slammed the state government for leaving the 2024 review unanswered.

"People took the time to

have their say in good faith - they deserve an answer," he said.

Mr Singh argued that the motel paradox was caused by a scarcity of homes, not tourists.

"The government itself is now paying motel rates because it hasn't built enough social housing," he said.

Peak housing bodies and economic researchers challenge the assumption that unhosted STRAs benefit regional economies.

University of Sydney’s Professor Nicole Gurran and colleagues compiled a report for the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute in May

this year, which showed the holiday rental boom is actively worsening regional shortages.

The data reveals that the market is now dominated by corporate multi-listing hosts rather than home sharers, directly driving up local rents and house prices while stripping away longterm supply.

Meanwhile peak advocacy group Shelter NSW states regional towns urgently "need more localised approaches to regulation".

For Ms Folkard, change can’t come soon enough.

“Tourism has a place, but not at the expense of people in homes.

“Empty houses are zero spenders compared to fulltime residents.”

SCU Coffs Campus celebrates graduates

OVER 220 Southern Cross University graduates celebrated the culmination of their studies at a ceremony on Coffs Campus on Friday, 25 June.

Among these graduates was a cohort of higher degree researchers whose work is already contributing to a smarter, healthier and more sustainable world.

Doctor of Philosophy graduate Mohammad Rastegari was awarded the Chancellor’s Medal for an outstanding PhD thesis that makes a significant contribution to research.

His work explored the environmental behaviour of

antimony, a critical mineral increasingly important in batteries, renewable energy technologies and advanced manufacturing.

Reflecting on the award, he said the recognition represents more than academic achievement.

“When I came from Iran, as an international student to study at Southern Cross University, I never imagined that one day I would receive such a prestigious recognition.

“To me, the medal represents years of perseverance, curiosity and growth, as well as the support of my supervisors, colleagues, friends and family.”

Doctor of Philosophy graduate Ilma Imtiaz combined her experience with herbal compounds and cutting-edge research to inform modern cancer management.

“Growing up in a Sri Lankan household, herbal medicines were a normal part of everyday life. Combined with personal experiences of losing family members and friends to cancer, this sparked my interest in understanding how traditional knowledge and modern science can inform one another,” she said.

Her research explored how herbal medicines traditionally used for lung and

colorectal cancers align with current naturopathic practice and scientific evidence.

She mapped more than two centuries of herbal medicine use in cancer management and investigated curcumin, a compound found in turmeric.

“One of the key findings was that curcumin behaved very differently at concentrations achievable in the human body compared with the much higher concentrations commonly used in laboratory studies,” she said.

Master of Science graduate Christine Farrell explored the social choices and experiences of people living with tetraplegic spinal cord injury.

“I am a quadriplegic and found my experience with Southern Cross University very good.

“The University provided me with the assistance I needed to feel equal to other students,” she said.

Her work identified a range of barriers to participation, including wheelchair inaccessibility, lack of employment opportunities, negative attitudes, social exclusion and limited political participation. These findings highlight the importance of both personal support systems and broader community inclusivity.

Doctor of Philosophy graduate Christian Eckert investigated marine aerosols and atmospheric conditions

Bowled over by kindness

By Kim SATCHELL

A BEAUTIFUL mild Sunday afternoon in June greeted the punters who attended the Coastal Claymaker’s 6th Empty Bowls event, in collaboration with Matt and Megan Begg and hosted at their Valla property.

The relaxing atmosphere and dulcet tones provided by Macksville musician Steve Zirkler throughout the evening blended with the fire into the night.

“Let’s do this again next year,” said Matt Begg. “It brings the community together.”

About 75 handmade ceramic bowls were on display, waiting for their prospective buyers.

The stunning line up of

delicious homemade soups included pumpkin, Asian chicken and noodle, beef and vegetable, Bavarian lentil and last but not least, the Happy Frog’s delicious coconut curry, begging to fill empty bowls and newly found owners.

A steady stream of people supporting the event milled around in order to get first choice on their favourite bowl.

An illustrious cadre of potters provided the wares including TAFE College Coffs Harbour students under the guidance of ceramics teacher extraordinaire, Cath Fogarty.

The professional expertise of many Bellingen potters, including bowls made of locally dug up clay by Jane Northway, were

collected and delivered by Jane.

Numerous other local ceramicists also made sure the event was well supported, with 60 bowls finding new homes as a result.

Deanne and Col Reynolds run the outreach and soup kitchen at the Nambucca 7th Day Adventist Church every Wednesday from 12.30pm till 5pm.

Col told News Of The Area: “I am blown away by the generosity of the potters, those who made soup and the people who purchased bowls on the night.”

Col gave a short speech on the night informing the gathering about their program and their future goals.

over the Great Barrier Reef using drone based observations.

Christian's research contributes to improved environmental monitoring and a better understanding of marine aerosol dynamics, with applications in climate modelling, weather forecasting and reef management.

Doctor of Philosophy graduate Sophia Ellis investigated why corals bleach and how changing environmental conditions affect reef health.

Her research contributes to improving coral bleaching predictions and supports efforts to better protect reef ecosystems in a changing climate.

Doctor of Philosophy graduate Declan Forrester examined how colour shapes emotional perception in everyday contexts.

His findings showed that colour can influence emotional interpretation across words, facial expressions and emojis, particularly when meaning is ambiguous.

His research has practical applications for digital communication, design and understanding human perception.

Declan said his time at Southern Cross University was defined by the people he worked with and the opportunities he had to teach and get involved in research along the way.

Doctor of Education graduate Verity Beames

investigated how school principals assess early career teachers against the Proficient stage of national standards. Her study revealed that decision making is complex and shaped by contextual factors such as time, resources, leadership approaches and professional judgement.

She is now applying her research in a national education role and working towards publication.

Doctor of Philosophy graduate Blake Toohey explored the impact of seated dance programs for older adults living in residential aged care.

The research highlights how simple interventions can improve wellbeing, social connection and quality of life.

Doctor of Philosophy graduate Nathaniel Smorti investigated one on one teaching and learning in conservatoire music education.

His research revealed a complex interplay of institutional expectations, personal values and career pressures shaping both teachers and students.

The findings offer practical recommendations to support students and better prepare graduates for a changing creative industry.

Doctor of Philosophy graduate Dr Sherryn Bailey evaluated the T2U Early Years Parenting Service researching what works and how for parents, children and families in the regional context.

Coffs Woman of the Year creates scholarships

By Andrea FERRARI

THE 2026 Coffs Coast Woman of the Year, Angela Martin, CEO of Lifeline North Coast, has used the prize money from her award to establish the Women of Impact Scholarship.

The scholarship will support local women who demonstrate a genuine commitment to improving mental health, wellbeing and community connection across the North Coast.

Originally intended to support two recipients, the

program was expanded to three after receiving an exceptional number of highquality applications.

Inspired to encourage local women who are passionate about making a positive difference in our community through their personal and professional development, Ms Martin said selecting the recipients was one of the most difficult parts of the process.

"The standard of applications was incredibly high.

“We met women from

across our region who are already making a significant contribution to their communities, each with a unique vision for how they hope to support others in the future.

“Choosing just two recipients simply didn't reflect the calibre of applicants, so I made the decision to extend the scholarship to a third recipient."

The inaugural Women of Impact Scholarship recipients are Jenn Klufas, Emily Cavagnino and Cherie Timms.

As part of the scholarship, each recipient will complete Lifeline North Coast's Crisis

Support Volunteer Training, equipping them with the skills to support people experiencing crisis while contributing as volunteers within their communities.

They will also receive mentoring and leadership support to further develop their personal and professional goals.

Ms Martin said receiving the Coffs Coast Woman of the Year Award was a tremendous honour and establishing the Women of Impact Scholarship was her way of, “paying that recognition forward by investing in women whose passion, lived experience

and commitment to helping others will have a lasting impact”.

As well as financial assistance, the scholarship provides mentoring, leadership development and practical opportunities to help these women build on the work they are already doing.

“Through their Crisis Support training and ongoing support, they will be well placed to make a meaningful contribution to mental health and wellbeing across our region," Ms Martin said.

The recipients will be supported throughout the program by a group of respected local business and community leaders, including Krystal Brown, Kyra Brown, Michelle McFadyen, Blyde Neser and Angela Martin, who will provide mentoring, coaching and guidance as each recipient develops her own area of community impact.

Jenn Klufas is completing a Bachelor of Psychological Science at Southern Cross University and will commence Honours in 2027.

A mother of two with a background in outdoor leadership, Jenn is developing a nature-based program to support women recovering from trauma by combining evidencebased psychology with the

restorative benefits of nature and peer connection.

Emily Cavagnino is also studying a Bachelor of Psychological Science at Southern Cross University while balancing motherhood and her work as a mindfulness and yoga teacher.

Her long-term goal is to become a registered psychologist and develop accessible wellbeing programs that integrate psychology with mindfulness and somatic practices to promote resilience and early intervention.

Cherie Timms has built a career supporting people through community transport, disability and healthcare services.

Motivated by her own lived experience and a commitment to reducing stigma around mental health, she hopes to use her Crisis Support training to assist people experiencing crisis, social isolation and mental health challenges while continuing to advocate for greater community awareness and inclusion.

The Women of Impact Scholarship reflects Lifeline North Coast's ongoing commitment to building stronger, more connected communities by investing in local people who are dedicated to supporting others.

Winspear workshop wows Woopi artists

By Andrea FERRARI

AWARD-winning artist Ben Winspear held a two-day ‘Art of the Portrait’ workshop at the Woolgoolga Art Gallery (WAG) on June 12 and 13, 2026.

The Melbourne-based artist works in both oil and watercolour across his favourite genres of portraiture and Australian landscapes.

Enjoying the role of teacher, Mr Winspear tours Australia giving workshops, while painting landscapes along the way.

The WAG workshop was “an absolute hit”, according to the local artist participants, who leaned in to be guided through painting lively portraits using chiaroscuro (light and shade) and colour mixing.

“What I hoped to achieve was fulfilled, but in a way better than I hoped,” said Woolgoolga painter Suse Wilson, who learned new techniques through “being in the presence of an extremely skilled artist who was willing to generously share his knowledge.

“I was also pleased that Winspear taught across different media preferences, according to our favourites,” she told News Of The Area.

The workshop drew 14 intermediate-level artists, Ms Wilson describing herself as an “intermittent lifelong lover of making art, particularly through drawing”.

With everyone likeminded to pay attention and take correction, they employed “diligent application” to build their skills with Mr Winspear

guiding and encouraging them personally.

With plenty of good humour amongst the group, their teacher “handled the class well to keep us on task, while fielding questions as we worked,” she said.

“My favourite learning experience was Ben encouraging feedback, giving expert counsel in how to remedy problems in work and the body of knowledge around materials that he shared.”

Ms Wilson has been inspired to pick up paintbrush and paint again after a break from that medium.

She is now processing what she has learned since the workshop.

“I need to use a technique Winspear encouraged me to apply, which gives me a heads-up about creating

more prolifically, and I have a new resolve to work from live models and not from photographs, which is hugely valuable counsel around depicting the human face.”

Mr Winspear told NOTA it was a fabulous workshop.

“It was a pleasure to spend two days teaching a portraiture workshop with a wonderful group of enthusiastic students, where we explored the fundamentals of portrait painting, from capturing a convincing likeness and expressing the character of the sitter to making thoughtful choices about materials and colour palettes.”

He said the energy of the group made the workshop a delight.

“Everyone embraced the challenges, and it was rewarding to see

each participant grow in confidence and produce some outstanding work, putting the principles we discussed into practice.

“We finished on a high note with a live portrait session, where the students painted my portrait directly from life and was a fitting conclusion to two inspiring days of learning and creativity.”

Survivor’s story: humbled and thankful

BELOVED News Of The Area fishing writer John ‘Stinker’ Clarke faced every boatie’s worst nightmare and lived to tell the tale.

Stinker's Stories

By John 'Stinker' CLARKE

MY wife Ella and I arrived in Fingal Bay in 1975.

My first impressions were how beautiful the beaches, conical mountains, islands and rocky headlands were.

Coming from a fishing family in Tweed Heads, I weighed up the fishing opportunities inside the port, along the beaches and the offshore reefs.

The reefs off Fingal come right to the coastline, meaning that I didn’t have far to travel in a boat to catch great fishmulloway, snapper and just about everything else.

Fingal was, and still is, the greatest place my family and I could have lived.

Many years ago, considering all the fishing options available to me, I bought a small boat with an 8hp motor to target the close reefs - ‘Stinkpot’.

Over all these years I have launched Stinkpot off Kiddies Corner on Fingal Beach hundreds of times and headed out towards the breaking reefs in front of the Fingal Outer Light.

Rarely did I return home without a cracker catch of snapper.

Over the years I have experienced numerous dodgy situations, but I always managed to arrive home on time.

A recent Wednesday evening was different.

With a 2.5 metre swell and a solid south-westerly wind I considered the conditions

ideal for snapper off the Lighthouse.

Dropping anchor around 2.30pm, I was excited at the prospect of great fishing. The whales were jumping everywhere, breaching within 20 metres of my tinny, and a huge school of salmon circled the boat.

I had two thumping snapper in the Esky

when conditions worsened, which finally made me decide to go home. The sea was too big.

As I was lifting the anchor around 3.30pm a big wave washed over me and the boat, totally swamping ‘Stinkpot’.

I knew immediately that I was in strife as the conditions were hostile, there was no one else on the water, and swimming ashore was out of the question as the big waves pounded the rocks.

The boat capsized and I was in the water.

My only positives, as the sun set, was I knew that Ella would set the rescue wheels in motion when I didn’t arrive home on dark.

I was wearing a life vest, which barely kept me afloat but certainly saved my life. As darkness set in and a cold breeze blew across the water something nudged my shoulder - an oar. Then the other oar, which I held on tightly to add a little more buoyancy. Then a bucket, which I tipped upside down with air inside - more buoyancy. I remained positive and unafraid.

It was about 5.30 pm in total darkness that I realised

that my only hope was that rescue efforts were under way on land. I concentrated on staying afloat and saving what energy I had.

When I started to shiver, I realised that hypothermia was setting in.

Back on land, Ella had set the rescue effort in motion.

At this point there are many that played a part in saving me. My mate Ray Grech, who knew exactly where I would be. My daughter Jodie in Brisbane who, when informed of the situation, contacted her friend Kel Strong, who immediately contacted Sergeant Clint Brown the Head of Water Police, a friend for years.

Supported by Marine Rescue, Clint and crew motored out in front of the lighthouse after notifying the Westpac Rescue Helicopter of my probable position.

Now, after close to five hours in the water, I had one

thought - a helicopter to find me and Clint Brown to pull me out of the water - then I saw the light coming along the coast!

A young emergency doctor, Hannah Hall, onboard the helicopter, spotted me with a handheld power light. My position was immediately radioed to the Water Police, who motored into dangerous water and pulled me out.

I have very little knowledge of what happened after seeing the helicopter. A couple of paramedics, who I knew, took me to John Hunter where I was warmed up.

Being warm is a magnificent feeling.

The only way I can express my sincere appreciation to all involved is to pass on the valuable lessons learnt.

Wear a lifejacket with an emergency positioningindicating radio beacon and tell someone, including

From the police desk: How it happened

from NSW POLICE

EMERGENCY services personnel involved in the rescue of John 'Stinker' Clarke have reunited with the 77-year-old fisherman following his remarkable survival at sea.

About 6pm on Wednesday 24 June 2026, emergency services were alerted after Mr Clarke failed to return home from a fishing trip.

A coordinated marine search and rescue operation was launched involving Marine Rescue NSW volunteers, Port Stephens Water Police and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

About 8.30pm, the helicopter crew located

Mr Clarke’s overturned vessel smashed against rocks approximately 400 metres southwest of Fingal Lighthouse.

A short time later, Mr Clarke - wearing a lifejacket - was found in the water nearby.

Officers attached to Port Stephens Water Police, Sergeant Brown and Senior Constable Grice, were directed to the location where they pulled Mr Clarke from the water and began first aid. Responders faced challenging conditions, including 15-knot southerly winds and a 2.5-metre swell.

Mr Clarke was taken to Nelson Bay Public Wharf, escorted by Marine Rescue

NSW volunteers who helped shield the vessel from heavy seas.

At the wharf, he was treated by a Westpac Rescue Helicopter doctor and NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Tomaree Hospital and later transferred to John Hunter Hospital for the treatment of severe hypothermia and abrasions.

[On] Tuesday 30 June 2026, crews from NSW Police Marine Area Command, NSW Ambulance, Marine Rescue NSW, and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter reunited with Mr Clarke to share stories of his rescue.

Speaking after the reunion, Sergeant Brown

said Mr Clarke’s survival was a powerful reminder of the importance of preparation on the water.

“Lifejackets save livesand this rescue is a perfect example of why you should always wear the appropriate lifejacket for the activity you’re undertaking,” Sgt Brown said.

“Lifejackets fitted with reflectors can make all the difference when crews

are

searching

at night.

“Every time you head out on the water, you should wear a lifejacket, log on and off with Marine Rescue NSW using the free app or VHF Channel 16, and make sure someone knows where you’re going and when you’ll be back,” Sgt Brown said.

“It’s also critical to carry the required safety equipment for your vessel and the conditions.”

Mr Clarke recounted his ordeal, describing how a routine fishing trip quickly turned into a fight for survival.

“I went to my normal fishing spot and there was so much activity. I caught two really nice snapper,” he said.

“The sea got a bit too big,

Marine Rescue, when you will return.

I have been asked what I thought about in the five hours I spent in the water.

My fantastic family were on replay. I realised that I had not entered my footy tips in the Fingal Bay NRL competition. With friends, I am writing the History of Nelson Bay Rugby - I am halfway through with much to do. Many other trivial thoughts flashed by.

Thankyou to the amazing support my family and I have received from the local community and the wonderful organisations we have to look after us –Police, Water Police, Marine Rescue and Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

The input and effort of friends and ex-students of Nelson Bay High School kept me going.

The whole chain of events has been incredibly humbling. so I decided to leave. As I was pulling the anchor up, a wave came straight over the top and filled the boat with water.

“The boat overturned, and I clung to it for a while before pushing away from the rocks into deeper water. I always have a plan B, but this time I didn’t. I was at the mercy of the sea.

“As it got dark, I thought I was coming to the end of the line,” Mr Clarke said.

“I didn’t panic. I just thought, if I’m going to survive, a helicopter will have to come.

“And if a helicopter comes, they’ll contact Water Police, and Sergeant Clint Brown - who I’ve known since he was 12 - will come and pick me up.

“And that’s exactly what happened.”

Tourism spotlight shines on coastal gems

THE Barrington Coast and other select NSW locations are set to receive a tourism boost under a new NSW Government marketing strategy designed to attract more visitors, support local businesses and create jobs across the State.

The first phase of the campaign will promote the Barrington Coast, Shoalhaven, Port Stephens, Byron Bay and Sapphire Coast through a coordinated 12-month marketing initiative led by Destination NSW.

Using data-driven insights and authentic storytelling, the strategy will showcase the experiences that make regional NSW a popular destination, including coastal holidays, nature-based attractions, food, wine and cultural experiences.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said the campaign would encourage more people

to explore regional communities.

“Regional NSW is home to some of the nation's best-kept secrets, and we're making sure more people discover them,” Mr Kamper said.

“From pristine coastlines and spectacular mountain ranges to world-class food, wine and cultural experiences, NSW has something for everyone.

“NSW is already leading the nation on tourism, with a record 129.3 million visitors spending $61.9 billion across our state last year.

“We want people to stay longer and spend more in NSW, and the best way to do that is to get visitors travelling to our regions.

“We are backing regional tourism because we know it delivers real economic benefits for communities right across the state.”

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said

stronger regional tourism would benefit businesses and communities.

“Every visitor who heads to regional NSW helps support local businesses, create jobs and strengthen regional communities,” Ms Moriarty said.

“We're backing regional tourism because when our regions thrive, local businesses grow, more jobs are created and the whole NSW economy benefits.

“Regional NSW has everything visitors are looking for, and this campaign will help put more people on the road, more customers through local businesses and more dollars into regional communities.”

The strategy was developed by Destination NSW in partnership with Destination Networks, local councils and tourism operators, following workshops across 27 regions to identify experiences with

the greatest potential to increase visitation and visitor spending.

Regional NSW welcomed 64.4 million domestic and international visitors who

spent $27.2 billion in the year to March 2026.

social media, search, public relations, influencer engagement, events and Destination NSW channels to promote year-round visitation.

New laws for drivers using medicinal cannabis

THE NSW Government has introduced legislation aimed at creating a fairer approach for drivers who legally use prescribed medicinal cannabis while maintaining strong road safety protections.

The proposed Road Transport Amendment (Medical Cannabis and Driving Offences) Bill 2026 would allow eligible medicinal cannabis patients to avoid automatic penalties for the presence of THC in their system if they are not

impaired and meet strict registration requirements.

Under the proposed changes, eligible drivers would need to register with Transport for NSW, provide evidence of a valid medicinal cannabis prescription, and complete a mandatory online education program about cannabis and driving safety.

Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said the reforms recognised that road laws had not kept pace with the growing use of prescribed medicinal cannabis.

“For a decade, medicinal cannabis has been prescribed by doctors to help patients manage serious health conditions, but the road rules have not kept pace with that reality,” Ms Aitchison said.

“These reforms balance road safety with the need for a more [common sense] system for patients who take prescribed medication.”

Ms Aitchison stressed that the legislation would not weaken road safety laws.

“The message remains

clear: nobody should drive while impaired by cannabis, alcohol or any other drug,” she said.

“Drivers will still be tested. They will still be removed from the road for 24 hours after a positive roadside test. And they will still face serious penalties if they are impaired, regardless of the level of THC that is detected.”

Roadside drug testing would continue under the proposed system, with police using the same THC

The campaign will initially focus on television advertising before expanding across digital platforms, detection threshold currently in place.

If laboratory testing detected THC below 50 ng/ ml, no further action would be taken.

Drivers with THC levels at or above that threshold would receive warnings for a first or second detection within two years, while a third detection would attract penalties including a $704 fine and a minimum threemonth licence suspension.

The scheme would apply only to unrestricted NSW

WIRES highlights Country care

WIRES is using NAIDOC Week to encourage people to care for Country, highlighting the link between healthy environments and the

survival of Australia's native wildlife.

The wildlife rescue organisation said every animal rescue reflects broader

environmental challenges, with habitat loss, fragmented bushland, disappearing tree hollows, degraded waterways and expanding

urban development placing increasing pressure on native species.

While WIRES volunteers care for injured and orphaned

wildlife, the organisation said long-term conservation depends on protecting and restoring natural habitats before animals reach the point of needing rescue.

During NAIDOC Week, WIRES is also recognising the enduring connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have with Country and the important role Indigenous custodianship plays in maintaining healthy ecosystems.

"Caring for Country starts in our own backyard," a WIRES spokesperson said in a social media post.

"Every rescue tells us something, not just about the individual animal, but about the environment it came from."

The organisation said many of the pressures affecting wildlife develop gradually over months or years before an animal is eventually found injured, displaced or unwell.

"Bushland that has been

licence holders. Learner, provisional and commercial drivers would remain subject to existing drug driving laws.

Registered medicinal cannabis patients would also be prohibited from having alcohol or other drugs in their system and would continue to face serious penalties if impaired while driving.

The Government said the new system would be reviewed after one year following its implementation, consistent with recommendations from the Drug Summit.

fragmented, disappearing tree hollows, degraded waterways and expanding urban areas all make life more challenging for our native wildlife," the spokesperson said.

WIRES said protecting habitat is critical to ensuring native species can continue to thrive across Australia.

"During NAIDOC Week, we celebrate the enduring connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country and recognise the ongoing care and custodianship of these lands," the spokesperson said.

The organisation said its rescue work is only one part of supporting Australia's wildlife.

"While our team responds to wildlife in crisis, we also know the future of our native species depends on protecting and restoring Country, the places they call home."

The post concluded with a simple message linking environmental health to wildlife conservation.

"Healthy Country equals healthy wildlife."

Milestone worth celebrating for Locky

AS if an important local derby wasn’t reason enough to head down to Richardson Park to watch some AFL North Coast action this Saturday, there is also the opportunity to celebrate a magnificent milestone by a Sawtell Toormina veteran.

Locky Draper-Bell will be playing his 300th club game for the Saints this weekend when his club faces the Coffs Harbour Breakers.

For Draper-Bell, Richardson Park has been like a second home and the Saints his surrogate family.

“I’m pretty much part of the furniture there these days,” he said.

“My name is on one of the bricks on the change rooms and I’ve been there for 20 years.”

Often playing both reserves and seniors on the same day, Draper-Bell’s commitment to the club is unquestioned but he says the reason he keeps lacing up the boots for the Saints each year is pretty simple.

“There’s so many good young players coming through at the club. Imagine being able to play with a super star, someone like Angus Anderson, and be able to say you helped them in some small way,” he said.

I think it’s important for the experienced people to still be a presence at the club and giving back to one of those boys is reward enough.”

There will be some merchandise for sale at the ground this weekend to celebrate the massive

achievement. But it won’t be the only big milestone being celebrated tomorrow.

Coincidentally, one of his best friends from when he played juniors will be playing

his 250th game on Saturday but for the other side.

“Luke Valdes and I started playing together when we were 14 years old and we’ve both got a big milestone

together on the same day,”

Locky explained.

“This time last year we both kicked our 200th career goal at the same time and now we’re playing these

Suns go down at home to Blacktown

By Aiden BURGESS

THE COFFS Harbour Suns

Youth Men (Under 20s) team have suffered a loss to the Blacktown Storm during the latest round of the Basketball NSW Waratah Senior League representative season.

The Suns went down 123-66 in their latest home game at Sportz Central.

The Suns led 29-14 at quarter time before a

dominant second quarter from the visitors saw them lead 57-40 at half-time.

Blacktown continued their good form into the

games on the same day.”

There will be four matches played at Sawtell on Saturday starting with the Under 18s which begins at 10am.

second half to lead 91-54 at three-quarter time.

Noah Light top scored for the Suns with a game high 28 points.

The Suns currently sit in fourth spot on the ladder with a 7-7 record.

Panthers bounce back with big win

By Aiden BURGESS

THE SAWTELL Panthers have bounced back from their first loss of the season in dominant fashion, defeating the South Grafton Rebels 56-12 on the road during Round 10 of the Group 2 Rugby League season.

The Panthers currently sit two games clear at the top

of the first-grade ladder.

The Macksville Sea Eagles continued their winning run, besting the Coffs Harbour Comets 26-8 at Geoff King Motors Oval for their fourth straight victory.

The Nambucca Roosters kept their finals hopes alive with a 28-24 win at home against the Grafton Ghosts.

weekend, before resuming with Round 11 on Saturday, 18 July.

First-grade ladder

q Lachlan Draper-Bell’s 20 years of playing for Sawtell Toormina will see him reach a major milestone on Saturday.

The Suns are at home again this weekend when they host the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, from 2pm at Sportz Central on Saturday, 11 July.

ladder with a 26-18 win against the South Grafton Rebels.

By Aiden BURGESS

COFFS Harbour Snappers sides have won their local derbies against the SCU Marlins during the latest round of the Mid North

The Group 2 Rugby League season has a bye this Coast Rugby Union Northern Division season.

1.Sawtell Panthers. 18 points. 8 wins. 1 loss. 1 bye. Points differential. (p.d): 138. 2.Woolgoolga Seahorses. 14 points. 5 wins. 3 losses. 2 byes. (p.d): 84. 3.Coffs Harbour Comets. 12 points. 4 wins. 4 losses. 2 byes. (p.d): 12. 4.Macksville Sea

Eagles. 12 points. 4 wins. 4 losses. 2 byes. (p.d): -6. 5.Nambucca Roosters. 10 points. 4 wins. 5 losses. 1 bye. (p.d): -32. 6.Grafton Ghosts. 8 points. 3 wins. 6 losses. 1 bye. (p.d): -38. 7.South Grafton Rebels. 6 points. 2 wins. 7 losses. 1 bye. (p.d): -158. Reserves

The Sawtell Panthers maintained top spot on the

Snappers sides win local derbies

The Coffs Harbour Snappers reserves won their local derby against the SCU Marlins; 23-14 at Coffs Rugby Park.

The Coffs Harbour Snappers women demolished the SCU Marlins, 74-7.

In first grade, the Port Macquarie Pirates were utterly dominant in an 87-

12 win at home against the Kempsey Cannonballs.

The Grafton Redmen were also victorious at home, besting the Hastings Valley Vikings by 52-14.

The Mid North Coast

The Coffs Harbour Comets had a 38-16 win against the Macksville Sea Eagles, and the Grafton Ghosts edged out the Nambucca Roosters 24-22.

Women’s

The Nambucca Roosters went to the top of the ladder after having a 24-6 win in

Rugby Union Northern Division season has a bye this weekend, before resuming with Round 10 matches on Saturday, 18 July.

First grade ladder

1.Coffs Harbour Snappers. 27 points. 5 wins. 1 draw. 0 losses. Points differential

their top of the ladder clash against the Grafton Ghosts. The South Grafton Rebels were 18-4 winners against the Sawtell Panthers. Under 18s

The Macksville Sea Eagles maintained their undefeated record this season, defeating the Coffs Harbour Comets 40-26.

The Grafton Ghosts broke through for their first win of the season, coming up trumps 22-18 against the Nambucca Roosters.

(p.d): 125. 2.Port Macquarie Pirates. 26 points. 5 wins. 1 loss. (p.d): 132. 3.Grafton Redmen. 22 points. 3 wins. 1 draw. 3 losses. (p.d): 66. 4.Hastings Valley Vikings. 19 points. 3 wins. 5 losses. (p.d): -69. 5.Kempsey Cannonballs. 3 points. 0 wins. 7 losses. (p.d): -254.

WHAT'S VIBIN

The Wolfe Brothers

Live In Coffs

FOURTEEN years after first capturing Australia's attention on Australia's Got Talent, The Wolfe Brothers remain one of the nation's most successful country rock acts.

After finishing runners-up in 2012, the Tasmanian brothers secured management and a recording contract before joining Lee Kernaghan on the road, opening his shows and performing in his band for a decade.

The brothers describe their time touring with Lee as "the best possible apprenticeship any band could have."

The Wolfe Brothers have released five No. 1 and two No. 2 ARIA Country Albums, producing 20 No. 1 singles and numerous Top 5 and Top 10 hits.

They are Australia's most awarded country rock duo, with 15 Golden Guitars, four ARIA nominations, two

Countrytown Awards, and inductions into Tamworth's Galaxy of Stars and the Country Music Hands of Fame.

Their latest album, Australian Made, earned five Golden Guitars at the 2026 Australian Country Music Awards, including Album of the Year, Contemporary Album of the Year and Group of the Year.

The Australian Made Tour 2026 is now taking the band across the country, including C.ex Coffs Harbour on Friday 17 July at 8pm. Tickets are $54, $49 concession and $44 for under 16s.

Simon & Garfunkel classics return live

THE Sounds of Simon & Garfunkel returns to the Jetty Memorial Theatre following sold-out performances in 2024 and 2025.

A beautifully crafted live celebration of the music, harmonies and stories of one of the most iconic folk duos of all time, the show stars Mark Shelley and Peter O'Regan.

This intimate acoustic performance captures the unmistakable vocal blend and musical chemistry that made Simon & Garfunkel legendary.

With rich harmonies and masterful musicianship, timeless classics are brought to life with warmth, authenticity and heart.

Nostalgic, uplifting and effortlessly familiar, the performance invites audiences to sit back, sing along and know they'll be Feelin' Groovy all over again.

The show features beloved hits including Mrs Robinson, Homeward Bound, Scarborough Fair, The Boxer, Bridge Over Troubled Water, I Am a Rock, Cecilia and more.

Simon & Garfunkel reflected and defined the mood of the 1960s, with songs that captured the social spirit of the era. Their music remains timeless, continuing to resonate with generations of fans.

Shelley and O'Regan have spent decades

performing and touring in a variety of musical projects.

Joining them on stage are acclaimed bass player Christopher Soulos and accomplished keyboardist Noel Elmowy. After years of friendship and mutual admiration, the musicians have combined their talents to present The Sounds of Simon & Garfunkel.

Following overwhelming demand and consecutive sell-out seasons, the show returns to the Jetty Memorial Theatre for one night only.

The Sounds of Simon & Garfunkel will be performed at the Jetty Memorial Theatre, Coffs Harbour, on Friday, July 17, at 7.30pm.

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ads@newsofthearea.com.au

Of The Area News Reader Survey

Dear NOTA reader,

Dear NOTA reader,

Of The Area News Reader Survey

Did you know we publish across eight different areas?

Did you know we publish across eight different areas?

As a family-owned, independent newspaper celebrating 12 years in publication, we’re proud to serve our communities with local news, stories, and information that matter most.

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To help us continue improving and delivering the content you value, we’d love to hear from you. Your feedback will help shape the future of our publications and ensure we’re meeting the needs and interests of our readers.

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Please take a few moments to complete our reader survey and go in the draw to win one of 5 $100 gift vouchers to spend at any of our current advertisers businesses.

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OPINION & LETTERS

Dorin's Drawings

By Manny WOOD

Equal isn't always fair in eyes of law

HANS dies at 82, leaving behind his wife of 22 years, Greta, his daughter from a previous marriage, Anna, and a Will that, at first glance, seemed perfectly sensible.

Hans appointed Greta and Anna as executors and, aside from a gift to a local charity, directed the family home and the balance of his estate be sold, with the proceeds divided equally between them.

The house was also home to Hans’ pride and joy, a century-old grand piano occupying almost half the living room. According to Hans, it had survived two world wars, two moves, and one enthusiastic removalist armed with a crowbar. One thing was beyond dispute; nobody was moving the piano. Not in theory, not in practice, not under any interpretation of the Will.

For Greta, complying with the Will meant more than selling a house. She had lived in the property for over a decade and expected to remain there.

Now 73 and retired, she faced leaving the property she had been in for more than 15 years.

“Half the estate” sounded generous on paper, but provided limited security in a property market where suitable replacement housing was increasingly difficult to secure.

Anna understood her father’s wishes but recognised Greta’s predicament. An equal division of the estate would give Greta half its value, but not the security of a roof over her head.

Greta commenced proceedings seeking further provision from Hans’ estate.

Before the hearing, the parties agreed Greta would receive a 75 per cent interest in the home together with a 10-year right to reside, and Anna the remaining 25 per cent interest and balance of the estate.

The Court approved the compromise, allowing Greta to remain in the home for the next 10 years.

As a result, the family never discovered whether Hans’ century-old grand piano could have survived another move, or whether the removalist ever actually needed the crowbar.

Thank you to Ellysha Laklem for her assistance with this column.

If you have a request for a Hypothetical, call Manny Wood on (02) 66 487 487 or email manny@ tblaw.net.au. Note: This fictional column is not legal advice.

On the Couch

By Paul DORIN

The Write Direction

By John BLACKBOURN

Political reality: merger or madness

OUR political system seems to have only one objective. That is to gain power then hang onto it. It could just be the ego of the players but the financial rewards available must have something to do with the result as well.

The benefits include a respectable salary, good expense allowances, free vehicle and running costs plus office with staff, all paid for including the best unfunded superannuation scheme

Stargazing

By Dave RENEKE

By JASMINDA

using them in ongoing discussions.

In contemporary times, you can add text messages, online comments, and even photos or videos to the mix.

WHAT are the secrets of the Universe? How big is it, and how many stars does it contain?

That’s the title of an audiovisual presentation I’ll be giving in Wauchope this coming week—but in truth, it’s also the kind of question that follows me everywhere I go under the night sky.

Whether it’s a public talk, a school visit, or a quiet evening with a telescope set up in a dark field, the questions always come.

Adults tend to lean toward the technical edges of astronomy—

available to any occupation.

What seems to be missing with politicians’ thought processes is the fact that they are elected to represent the views and aspirations of the residents within their electorate but tend only to say or deliver their own views plus the overall direction of the party of their choice.

The people are simply forgotten but I concede that sometimes what the majority of their electorate wants is difficult to ascertain and may not fit their party’s plan.

Getting into power of government is their primary objective as the personal rewards for the senior players are what their game is all about.

Hence the issue becomes, how do we get into government for political power?

Federally, with the ALP holding such a commanding seat majority over all the other parties and independents, plus the fact that each term of parliament has a threeyear cycle, it seems unlikely that the present federal government can be replaced at the next election,

distances measured in light years, the nature of black holes, the structure of the cosmos itself.

But children… children go straight to the heart of it. No hesitation. No filters. Just wonder.

I’ve only been truly stopped in my tracks once. It came during a school outreach session while I was showing images from the Hubble Space Telescope, explaining how far into the Universe we can now see.

A small hand went up. A 10-year-old girl asked, very simply: “Can you see God with your telescope?”

There’s no textbook answer for that. Even the teachers looked at the floor. I remember pausing, then answering from instinct rather than knowledge:

“No… God is outside the Universe. He can see us, but we can’t see Him.”

I still don’t know where those words came from. But the room seemed to accept them, especially her.

And so the questions continue - the ones that return again and again, no matter the audience. How big is the Universe? As far as we can tell, it may be limitless.The

DEAR Jasminda,

A friend's son has asked me to write a personal reference for him as he is going to court.

I hardly know the kid and what I do know isn't very positive.

I think I have only been asked because I have a good standing in the community.

How do I tactfully get out of this situation?

Rhiannon G.

Dear Rhiannon,

You most certainly shouldn't write a reference for a person you don't know very well.

My advice to you is that what is said in person is hearsay, but anything you put down on paper could one day be held against you.

This is a hard but important lesson for everyone to learn.

In the past, these 'putting down on paper' experiences, often written in the heat of the moment, or the dead of night, and resulting in pages of self pity and recriminations have given rise to the receiver dragging those letters out in the future and

even if the expectation is that they are returned to power with a measurably reduced seat majority.

From here the speculation arises as to how those groups now in opposition could consider as their best way to be elevated into government. With Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party being seen as the big mover at present, it is numerically highly unlikely that they could gain the numbers to govern on their own, so a coalition with others could provide the answer.

observable Universe stretches back about 14 billion years to the Big Bang, but beyond that boundary lies pure uncertainty.

What we do know is already staggering: there are more stars than there are heartbeats for every human who has ever lived.

Are we alone? The numbers alone make it difficult to believe we are. Hundreds of billions of galaxies exist, each containing hundreds of billions of stars. Many of those stars host planets, and some of those planets sit in conditions not unlike our own.

If life arises naturally given the right ingredients, then the Universe seems more likely to be alive than empty.

Then there is the unsettling realisation that when we look up at the night sky, we are also looking back in time. Some of the stars we see may no longer exist at all. Their light has simply been travelling long enough to reach us after their own end.

What happens if you fall into a black hole? That’s where science meets mystery. We know the gravity becomes so extreme that not even light can escape. Beyond that point, physics breaks

In your own case, if you provide a reference saying little Johnny is a fine, upstanding member of the community who volunteers his time, works at the local rescue animal shelter, waters the gardens of the elderly and infirmed, and participates in clean up Australia events, when in actual fact little Johnny graffitis his tag on every available bus stop, hoons around on his e-bike, shoplifts from the local markets, and is, in reality, a little ratbag, you are doing him a grave disservice.

He will learn nothing, and will continue to go about his merry way while others make excuses for his poor behaviour.

The idea of a reference letter is losing traction, because no one writes the brutal truth.

Reference letters are a bit like Resumes - they should be taken with a grain of salt.

If you must write one, say it as it is, and then let your friend decide whether they will use your letter.

Something like: 'To Whom it May Concern, I write this reference for John Doe, a kid I hardly know, and what I do know may prejudice his court outcome, and not in a good way for John.

Yours sincerely, Rhiannon G.' That should suffice. Carpe diem, Jasminda.

Their nearest group may well be the National Party, who are in coalition with the Liberal Party, so a three-party coalition could be seen as one method for achieving government.

Of course, individual egos would say no to this idea but the overall need to achieve power can create interesting bedfellows and at the present time, I can’t see a more achievable political alternative becoming available in the near future.

into theory—perhaps a crushed singularity, perhaps a tunnel through space-time, perhaps something we have not yet imagined.

And just when the Universe feels remote and unreachable, it reminds us it is not. Australia’s space authorities have confirmed that unusual objects found washed up on remote beaches are likely fuel pressure vessels from a launch vehicle. Investigations, supported by the Australian Space Agency, suggest the debris is space hardware—fragments of rocket systems that survived reentry through Earth’s atmosphere before falling back to the surface.

It’s a quiet but powerful reminder that space is no longer distant. It is active, busy, and increasingly present in our everyday world—from rocket launches overhead to fragments returning unannounced to our shores.

So whether we are tracing the birth of the Universe, wondering about life among the stars, or holding a piece of fallen space hardware in our hands, one thing becomes clear. The sky is not the limit. It is only the beginning.

Mild tax tweaks are not a Marxist takeover

DEAR News Of The Area, MORE rubbish rhetoric! Well, Albo and the current Labor Government are apparently “redistributing wealth” and “anti-opportunity”, and their recent mild tax tweaks are “Communist, Socialist and/or Marxist” depending on who you listen to; or, in the case of Pauline,

all three - presumably because she doesn’t know the difference.

I don’t recall anyone accusing PM Howard of “re-distributing wealth” when he and his sidekick Costello first introduced the tax changes to negative gearing and capital gains back in the early 2000s.

As predicted by those with

any sense, these changes would come to turbo-charge the property speculation industry and saw a frenzy of Howard’s ‘Ordinary Australians’ get on board the passive wealth creation train.

I do recall attending an investment symposium where we listened to investors who were working to build property portfolios

which totally negated their annual tax bill.

Apparently, there was a caller on a Brisbane talkback radio segment who challenged the PM at the time of the announcement on the grounds that the changes would lead to future generations being unable to afford their own property.

Stop this woman becoming PM

DEAR News Of The Area,

DURING the debacle of Pauline Hanson's speech at the Press Club (17/6/2026), one is left to ask: "What can we do to counter the possibility of this woman becoming Prime Minister?"

While this possibility may be an anathema to many of us, we must learn from Trump's victory in the USA.

Shock, Horror! How did it happen?

There are a lot of angry, disenchanted people, just

like we have here.

One can't deny that Ms Hanson presented as a confident and well informed player. She quoted plenty of statistics, but who was factchecking?

How can the general public come to the

realisation that she is not the solution to Australia's problems?

The strongest response one hears is "The Labor Party must do something".

What else can Labor do? They are delivering change, one has only

Howard, of course, dismissed it on the grounds that no-one had ever complained to him that their property value had increased. Perhaps we should have.

Regards, Dave Wood, Boambee East.

to watch "Question Time" to hear the list of achievements.

They listen to people and are prepared to make modifications to policy, such as they have with the capital gains tax.

Labor supporters

must be proactive by celebrating the achievements, aspirations and unity of the party to inform naysayers and recommend close examination of the nonsense sprouted by Ms Hanson.

Regards, Betty Starr.

Strong feelings reasonable from both sides of the issue

DEAR News Of The Area,

Those people deserve respect, proper support and real transition opportunities.

For me, the hopeful part is that this park can become much more than a line on a map. It can help

I’VE been thinking a lot about the Great Koala National Park and the strong feelings around it. I support the park. I believe protecting koala habitat and our forests are two of the most important things we can do for the future of this region. At the same time, I don’t think we should dismiss the impact on timber workers, contractors and families who are affected by the change.

grow nature-based tourism, education, conservation work, cultural tourism, guided experiences, accommodation, hospitality and small local businesses.

I’ve seen through my own work how powerful it is when visitors connect with this place - not just as scenery, but as living habitat, story, culture and community.

Voting is the only way Medicare is great for most of us

DEAR News Of The Area,

LAST week’s letter from Peter Williams (‘Australia is headed in the wrong direction’, NOTA, 3/7/26) is right.

Pull your head out of the sand and really look at our living standards, high everything.

The pollies are only in the game (and it is a game to them) for themselves, not the people.

It is time for the people to take our future back next time at the Ballot Box. Read Peter’s letter. Well said Peter.

Regards, Guy Vidler, Coffs Harbour.

DEAR News Of The Area,

I WRITE in response to Pat Conaghan’s glossy newsletter and comments about poor aged residents who are sacrificing other essentials in order to be able to afford the private health cover they vitally need.

My suggestion is: use your Medicare card like the thousands of other aged pensioners do, and leave those expensive private health insurance companies who make profit from your health coverage.

Regards, Beverley Sharpe.

Regards, Matthew Sparrius, Coffs Harbour.

The Great Koala National Park should be about protecting koalas, supporting local people, and building a long-term future for the Coffs Coast and Mid North Coast that we can all be proud of.

Have Your Say

News Of The Area would love to hear your op[inion and views on issues and topics affecting our area. Keep 'Letters to the Editor' under 250 words for its best chance of publication. Please be aware that there is no guarantee of publication from your submission to us. Publication will be determined by the editor considering available space, relevance and appropriateness.

media@newsofthearea.com.au

To those who still think their difference makes them wrong

DEAR News Of The Area,

THERE are minds in this world still hiding in the shadows of their own brilliance, still believing that the way they think is a mistake, a malfunction, a deviation from the path everyone else seems to walk so easily.

This is for them.

For the ones who were told they were too quiet, too intense, too strange, too sensitive, too honest, too much or not enough.

For the ones who learned

We

to shrink themselves to fit into rooms that were never built for them.

You are not broken. You are not wrong. You are not an error in the human design.

You are simply deep in a world that worships the shallow. You see patterns where others see noise. You feel truth where others feel inconvenience. You sense meaning in places most people never look. You carry questions that would terrify those who only ever wanted

all want a

DEAR News Of The Area,

PEOPLE are asking themselves: why work in an economy that’s not working for me?

The cost of basic services - food, housing, electricity, healthcare, childcare, education - has all gone up.

simple answers. Your mind is not a deviation. It is a dimension.

And I know - you have spent years thinking your difference is a burden, a curse, a reason you were left out, misunderstood, dismissed, or pushed to the edges of the map.

But listen closely: The edges of the map are where the explorers live. The outcasts, the misfits, the quiet ones, the ones who think in colours instead of categories, in metaphors instead of instructions, in cosmic scale

instead of small talk - they are the ones who carry the future inside them long before the world is ready to hear it.

Your mind is not a problem to solve. It is a landscape to explore. And the very thing you thought made you wrong is the thing that makes you extraordinary. Your difference is not a wound. It is a window into a way of seeing that most people will never touch.

So if you are still hiding, still

slice of the good life

Yet our pay packet remains the same!

All after the era of privatisation when we were promised efficiency and lower prices because the market does it better. But does it?

Think about the fact that young people, on average, will spend a decade saving

for a deposit on a house that will cost ten times their salary and require a two-income household to pay off over 30 years.

A generation ago, you could go to university for free and an average house cost you three times your wages. You were also probably paying it off on

one person’s salary. This generation will be the first in history to be worse off than their parents. Some folks still have it good.

Our mate Gina Rinehart has it so good, she owns the media, politicians and now wants to give our land away to

doubting, still believing the lie that your mind is too strange to belong - come forward. Step into the light of your own thinking. Let yourself feel the quiet glory of being built differently. You are not here to blend. You are here to illuminate. And the world needs minds like yoursnot softened, not corrected, not reshaped, but seen.

Regards, Calvin Bartlett, Coffs Harbour.

foreign governments. I don’t think someone so wealthy should be able to influence politics in this way.

Most people don’t think they can change outcomes, regardless of who they vote for, in any meaningful way. We all want a slice of

the good life. I invite everyone, no matter how you align politically, to take part in The Good Life Survey. Have your say atgreeninstitute.org.au/ goodlife/. Together, we can make life better for everyone!

Regards, Renee Gerlach, The Jetty.

THOSE

river flats, while the balance extends across the road to a scenic ridgeline.

A picturesque creek winds through protected

rainforest, with the remaining native forest covered by a Private Native Forestry (PNF) Plan, allowing for selective, sustainable logging that could provide a modest income now or in the future.

The land can also be left in its natural state, allowing owners to enjoy the walking and bike tracks.

Improvements include water tanks, a small brick weekender cabin, gas hot water and nearby access to electricity, although it is not currently connected.

Offering outstanding

privacy and natural beauty, this property is ideal for buyers with a pioneering spirit seeking a peaceful rural escape.

Located just 25 kilometres along mostly sealed Kalang Road, the property is an easy 35-minute drive from the historic township of Bellingen.

Inspections are available to buyers with finance preapproved.

For more information, contact John on 0428 380 201.

Address: 279-279A North

Bonville Road, Bonville

Price: $2,400,000

Beds: 6 Bath: 2 Car: 4

Land size: 4.052 Hectares

NESTLED amid the lush, scenic surrounds of Bonville, 279-279A North Bonville Road presents an exceptional and rarely available lifestyle opportunity.

Spanning an impressive 4.05 hectares, this cherished estate has been lovingly held by a single family for many decades, reflecting a legacy of care and pride.

The property stands out with not just one, but two meticulously constructed brick and tile homes, each offering three bedrooms and thoughtfully designed

for separation, ensuring ultimate privacy and flexibility of use.

Whether you're considering multigenerational living, an income stream, or simply enjoying the space, this configuration is perfectly suited to your needs.

The original residence, House One, exudes warmth and character. All three

bedrooms are fitted with built-in robes, providing ample storage.

The air-conditioned, L-shaped living space is adorned with decorative timber wall paneling, creating an inviting atmosphere for family gatherings or quiet relaxation.

The galley-style kitchen has been remodeled, blending modern convenience with classic appeal.

For those who value secure parking and storage, a spacious double lock-up garage is located to the side, while at the rear, a semi-covered fernery and pergola extend the living area outdoors, offering a tranquil retreat for gardening enthusiasts and entertainers alike.

House Two continues the theme of comfort and practicality, with three bedrooms, also equipped with built-in robes.

The formal lounge

room is a highlight, featuring both air conditioning for summer and a slow combustion heater for cozy winter nights.

Adjacent to the lounge, the L-shaped kitchen and dining area is wellappointed, catering effortlessly to family meals and social occasions.

Step outside to discover a private courtyard-a perfect setting for alfresco dining or weekend entertaining.

A separate double garage adds further convenience and flexibility.

For those drawn to rural pursuits, this property is a true equestrian haven.

Six well-maintained stables and a covered horse exercise circle provide premium facilities for horse lovers, while fully fenced paddocks ensure safety and ease of livestock management.

The natural beauty of the estate is accentuated

by Burgess Creek forming one boundary, with small waterholes creating picturesque spots for reflection and recreation.

Importantly, the property offers subdivision potential subject to council approval, opening doors to future development or additional investment possibilities.

279-279A North Bonville Road is more than just a home - it is a sanctuary that combines rural charm, practical infrastructure, and lifestyle options within one of Bonville's most soughtafter pockets.

Whether you dream of equestrian pursuits, hosting family events, or simply enjoying peaceful country living, this estate offers an inspiring canvas for your next chapter.

Agents: Chris Hines 0439 667 719 and Kim McGinty 0432 953 796 Property ID: unre.com. au/nor279

Sat 04/07 11.00am – 11.30am.

$890,000

This much loved and beautifully presented family home awaits your inspection. Designed with the family in mind, the home has 3 large bedrooms – all with robes and ceiling fans with the master having an ensuite and walk in robe. There are separate lounge, dining and family rooms with the dining room doubling as an optional study/computer room. Easy care floor tiles have been used in these areas with an air conditioner adjusting the temperature when required. The modern kitchen has heaps of cupboard space along with a dishwasher. You will love entertaining as the covered area is private and overlooks the landscaped gardens and yard. The double garage has internal access with there being an additional area at the side of the home to store a boat or van. Put this property at the top of your inspection list – You won’t be disappointed!!

LOCALSPORT

Football family stands together in memory of Bailey

By David Wigley

TWO years after the tragic loss of Bailey Jenkins, the football community has again united to ensure his legacy continues to encourage conversations about mental health.

The annual Bailey Jenkins Memorial Round and Bailey's Box fundraiser brought the Coffs City United community together across 14 home matches, with hundreds of players, families and supporters gathering around Bailey's Box throughout the weekend.

Bailey's Box was established in memory of Bailey Jenkins - a much-loved son, brother, teammate and friend who died by suicide in April 2024.

The initiative honours his memory by encouraging connection, starting

conversations and raising awareness that support is always available.

“Bailey’s Box is an initiative created in memory

Jenkins,

of Bailey, with a focus on starting conversations, strengthening connection, and reminding people that support is always available - even when the warning signs aren’t clear,” Lee Jenkins said.

“Through Bailey’s story and Bailey’s Box, we aim to honour his life by helping others feel seen, supported, and less alone.”

Coffs City United president Kate Silvy said the weekend demonstrated the strength and compassion of the local football community.

“What an incredible weekend,” she said.

“A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported Bailey’s Box by buying a meal, making a donation, bringing food to share, lending a hand, or simply stopping by for a chat.

“Bailey’s Box has never been about raising money alone.

“While we’re proud to support Lifeline North Coast, it’s really about honouring Bailey’s memory

Coffs Suns teams win in women’s comp

By: Aiden BURGESS

COFFS Harbour Basketball Association’s women’s winter season continued with Round 9 games played at Sportz Central.

The Coffs Harbour Suns Under 18s beat Women’s A-Grade ladder leaders Mantas Mermaids, 63-50.

Aribelle Dawes top scored for the Suns with 23 points.

The Coffs Harbour Suns Under 16s were 8972 winners against The Collective.

Kira Juffermans had a game high 35 points.

Women’s B-Grade

ladder leaders Ring Ins remained unbeaten, after a 50-38 win against The Mighty Ducks.

Lisa Medway top scored for the winners with 25 points.

The Coffs Harbour Suns Under 16s 2 team had a 53-40 win against Hoop There It Is.

Indie Thornbury top scored for the Suns with 23 points.

by bringing people together, encouraging conversations, and reminding people that no one has to face life’s challenges alone.

“It’s our way to give Lee and Siobhan a big CCUFC hug each year and to remind them we are here supporting them and remembering their incredible son Bailey.

“This weekend was a wonderful reminder that football is about so much more than what happens on the field. It’s about community, belonging and looking out for one another.

“Thank you for helping keep Bailey’s legacy alive.” Donations to Bailey's Box can still be made at: https://lnkd.in/gckM8JmV.

Coffs Harbour Basketball Association’s senior competition is played at Sportz Central, with the men’s competition held on Monday nights, and the women’s competition on Tuesday nights.

AFL juniors descend upon Coffs for junior rep carnival

WHEN the AFL junior representative carnival begins on Wednesday at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium and adjacent Leisure Park grounds, there will be approximately 750 young footballers playing.

Across three consecutive days, boys and girls in the Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17 age groups will be putting their best foot forward in the annual Northern NSW Championship.

Renowned as the best junior representative carnival in the state, the event has now grown even bigger.

“This year will see teams from the Northern Rivers region returning to play for the first time since COVID and a team from the Sapphire Coast will be making the 10hour drive up the coast to enjoy playing in the event,” said Brad Greenshields, the Community Football and Competition Manager for AFL

Northern NSW.

Players from those teams will be able to test their abilities against opponents from not only the local AFL North Coast competition but also players from the North West, Hunter, Central Coast and South Coast.

Anybody looking to get a fix of AFL over the three days won’t be short of opportunities. With more teams playing this year than ever, Greenshields said there will be a total of 99 matches being played.

The C.ex Coffs International Stadium will be hosting almost 12 hours of football on Wednesday and Thursday with games under lights going until approximately 8.00pm.

Friday will see the final matches played until the early afternoon with each program working hard to the end.

Entry for spectators to the carnival is free.

1000 players and a horde of volunteers

By Aiden BURGESS

THIS year’s Coffs Coast Festival of Rugby has been awarded the Community Event of the Year at the 2026 NSW Community Sports Awards.

The NSW Community Sports Awards recognise the outstanding achievements and contributions to community sport in NSW over the past year, which is largely carried out by a volunteer workforce.

The 2026 Coffs Coast Festival of Rugby transformed the Mid North Coast into an international rugby destination with a 10-day multi-event festival in April, spanning Coffs Harbour, Grafton and Kempsey.

Saints beat the Blues in Woolgoolga

By Aiden BURGESS

THE SAWTELL/Toormina Saints have had a big win against the Northern Beaches Blues, during the latest round of the AFL North Coast season.

The Festival featured three international exhibition match days involving the Japan U23s, Fiji U20s, Australia U20s and Australian Stockmen teams, attracting more than 8000 spectators.

The Festival also featured the Coffs Coast Rugby Challenge, a mass participation tournament involving more than 1,000 players from 60 teams ranging from Under 8s through to Golden Oldies competitions.

The Festival generated an estimated $1.5 million in economic benefit to the local community, while fundraising initiatives generated more than $40,000 to support Rugby For Good mental health and wellbeing programs across regional NSW.

Sport NSW Chief Executive, Stuart Hodge, congratulated the Coffs Coast Festival of Rugby and other award recipients, and thanked them for their

weekend, with Round 13 matches in Sawtell and Grafton.

outstanding contribution to sport at a community and grassroots level.

“The army of sports volunteers, who are involved in sport every weekend, are the lifeblood that keeps community sport going, and we are delighted to pay special tribute to them for the hundreds of hours they have contributed over the past 12 months,” he said.

“Without these hardworking volunteers, tens of thousands of sports lovers from juniors to seniors would not be able to enjoy the health, social and community benefits sport provides.

“We pay a special tribute to our category award winners, their unwavering commitment, endless energy and deep passion helps bring people from different cultures and backgrounds together in the pursuit of sporting fun played in a competitive spirit.”

Reserves

The Saints belted the Blues, 17.12 (114) to 2.6 (18), in their Round 12 match at the Wiigulga Sports Complex.

The Sawtell/Toormina Saints were 8.4 (52) to 4.5 (29) victors against the Northern Beaches Blues.

The Port Macquarie Magpies smashed the

Grafton Tigers, 16.7 (103) to 0.5 (5), in Port Macquarie.

Women’s

The Sawtell/Toormina Saints continue to remain undefeated after an 11.9 (75) to 0.0 (0) demolition of the Northern Beaches Blues.

Under 18s

The Port Macquarie Magpies kept their undefeated run going, besting Coffs Harbour Breakers/Nambucca Valley 13.16 (94) to 2.2 (14).

Round 13

The AFL North Coast season continues this

The Coffs Harbour Breakers and Sawtell/ Toormina Saints clash in their fourth local derby of the season, on Saturday afternoon at Richardson Park.

The Grafton Tigers and Northern Beaches Blues reserves play off in Grafton.

Senior men’s ladder 1.Coffs Harbour Breakers. 28 points. 7 wins. 2 losses. 152.87%.

2.Port Macquarie Magpies. 24 points. 6 wins. 3 losses. 183.33%. 3.Sawtell/Toormina Saints. 20 points. 5 wins. 4 losses. 117.67%. 4.Northern Beaches Blues. 0 points. 0 wins. 9 losses. 29.06%.

What’s on this week

By Aiden BURGESS

Friday, 10 July

Football North Coast Football’s Women’s Premier League season - Round 14.

Boambee Eagles vs Woolgoolga Wildcats at Ayrshire Park. 6.45pm.

Rugby League

Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League Championships at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium.

Saturday, 11 July

Australian Rules

Football

AFL North Coast season – Round 13.

Sawtell/Toormina Saints vs Coffs Harbour Breakers

at Richardson Park. 2.50pm.

Grafton Tigers vs Northern Beaches Blues at Ellem Oval. 12.50pm.

Baseball

Coffs Harbour Baseball Association’s season at Coffs Coast Sport and Leisure Park.

Basketball

Basketball NSW Waratah

Basketball League - Round 15.

Coffs Harbour Suns vs Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at Sportz Central. 2pm.

Football

North Coast Football’s Men’s Premier League season.

Northern Storm vs Yamba Breakers at Korora Oval. 2pm.

Rugby League

Australian Secondary

Schools Rugby League Championships at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium. Tuesday, 14 July

Football

North Coast Football’s Men’s Premier League season.

Coffs City United Lions vs Coffs Coast Tigers at Forsyth Park. 6.30pm.

Oztag

Coffs Harbour Oztag’s mixed winter season at

Coffs Harbour Leagues Club. From 5.50pm. Wednesday, 15 July

Netball

Coffs Harbour Netball Association’s senior competition at Vost Park Netball Courts.

Oztag

Coffs Harbour Oztag’s men’s winter season at Coffs Harbour Leagues Club. From 5.50pm.

Wins for Scorpions, Storm, Tigers and Wolves

By Aiden BURGESS

WITH the World Cup well under way, North Coast Football’s Men’s Premier League season is heading towards its own finale with just six rounds to go until this year’s finals series.

The Woolgoolga Wolves won their 10th match from 11 starts this season, remaining undefeated after a 3-2 win away from home against the Maclean

Bobcats.

The Northern Storm were also victorious in Round 12, running out 2-1 winners against the Coffs City United Lions at Forsyth Park.

The Sawtell Scorpions moved into the top four with a 3-0 victory against the Urunga Raiders at Toormina Oval.

And the Coffs Coast Tigers had a 2-1 win against Bellingen FC at Connell

Park.

The Men’s Premier League season has a bye this weekend, before resuming with Round 13 matches on Saturday, 18 July.

Men’s ladder 1.Woolgoolga Wolves. 31 points. 10 wins. 1 draw. 0 losses. Goal difference (g.d): 25. 2.Northern Storm. 22 points. 7 wins. 1 draw. 1 loss. (g.d): 23. 3.Maclean Bobcats. 17 points. 5 wins. 2 draws. 4 losses. (g.d):

-4. 4.Sawtell Scorpions. 14 points. 4 wins. 2 draws. 3 losses. (g.d): 7. 5.Yamba Breakers. 13 points. 4 wins. 1 draw. 3 losses. (g.d): 2. 6.Coffs City United Lions. 7 points. 2 wins. 1 draw. 6 losses. (g.d): -5. 7.Coffs Coast Tigers. 7 points. 2 wins. 1 draw. 5 losses. (g.d): -14. 8.Urunga Raiders. 7 points. 2 wins. 1 draw. 8 losses. (g.d): -19. 9.Bellingen FC. 6 points. 2 wins. 8 losses. (g.d): -15.

Rugby Legacy grants open

RUGBY clubs, associations and councils across New South Wales are being encouraged to apply for a share of $2.15 million in funding through the second round of the NSW Rugby World Cup Legacy Program.

The program is part of a $10 million investment in rugby, secured through NSW hosting matches

Friday, 10 July 2026

during the Men's Rugby World Cup 2027.

The program aims to ensure the benefits of the international tournament extend beyond the event by supporting grassroots rugby, improving facilities and increasing participation across the state.

Rugby NSW Chief

Executive Officer Peter Murphy said the first funding round had demonstrated the program's value to local communities.

"The NSW Rugby World Cup Legacy Program is creating lasting benefits for clubs and communities right across the state," Mr Murphy said.

"This funding gives clubs the opportunity to invest in facilities, grow participation and strengthen the foundations of our game, ensuring rugby continues to thrive well beyond the Rugby World Cup in 2027.

"With more than 35 successful applicants in Round 1, we encourage all

Women’s

The Women’s Premier League season continued with Round 13 matches in Coffs Harbour and Urunga.

Ladder leaders the Urunga Raiders had a 3-1 win at home against the Northern Storm.

The Coffs City United Lionesses were dominant in an 8-1 victory against the Boambee Eagles at Forsyth Park.

The Urunga Raiders

eligible clubs and councils to explore the program and consider how this funding can help bring their projects to life."

Grants ranging from $5,000 to $150,000 are available for projects that upgrade rugby facilities and infrastructure, strengthen player pathways from community to elite levels, and encourage greater participation among women and girls,

were also 4-0 victors against the Boambee Eagles, in their mid-week catch up game at Ayrshire Park.

Women’s ladder 1.Urunga Raiders. 27 points. 9 wins. 1 loss. Goal difference (g.d): 29. 2.Coffs City United Lionesses. 24 points. 8 wins. 2 losses. (g.d): 35. 3.Woolgoolga Wildcats. 13 points. 4 wins. 1 draw. 5 losses. (g.d): -9. 4.Boambee Eagles. 8 points. 2 wins. 2 draws. 7 losses. (g.d): -31. 5.Northern Storm. 4 points. 1 win. 1 draw. 9 losses. (g.d): -24.

First Nations communities, multicultural communities and people with disability. Applications for Round-2 close on 14 August, with projects assessed on community benefit, readiness and alignment with participation and inclusion goals. More information and application details are available through the NSW Government grants website.

SPORT RESULTS COFFS COAST News Of The Area

Park Beach Bowls Club

Results

By Doug POWELL

OPEN Triples Tuesday 30/6/2026

D. Walsh, D. Catling, M. Star d J. Long, R. Aitken, B. Johns

K. Elliott, J. Farrel, S. Wilson d P. Wirth, P. Elliott, P. Lilly

G. Latimer, P. Smith, J. Smith d K. Kaaden, P. Lawrence, S. Kindred

C. Domjahn, T. Lainchbury, J.

Sawtell Bowls Results

By Geoff HAMPSON

MONDAY Afternoon Bowls

29/6/26

C Nightingale, J Cherne, G Hampson DEF E Kochma, S Fleming, G Donahue

R Avery, J Fleming R Cridge DEF

L Read, J Simmons, G Grillenburge

P Day, C Veerhuis, K Taylor DEF

R Hampson, A Day C Christian

G Nicholls, D Speck, C Hill DEF G Davidson, B Kennedy, D Anderson

TUESDAY Ladies Social Bowls

30/6/26

L Read, D Grebert DEF M Friend, S Flint

H Dodd, D Ide L Kratz, A Day

Sawtell Golf Results

By Janet O’DOWD

30/6 FRONT X 2 Stableford Brian Leiper 38c/b, Jeffrey Vanderwyk

Urunga Men's Veterans Golf

By Ross HARDAKER

JULY 6

Single Stableford

29 players contested today's

Woolgoolga Social Lawn Bowls

By Sue BRACHER

SUNDAY 28/6/2026 (Social Bowls) Rink 8: B Richard’s, D Barnard, (D) I Coltman G Westwood (19/10). Rink 9: K Eagleson, G Lane, J Martin (D)

Groat d P, Webb, M. Pitt, H. Schipp

J. Jones, G. Donague, B. Smith d S. Crawford, R. Alford, I. Trengove

K. Watts, J. Watts, K. Sutcliffe d K. Raymond, M. Cutts, J. Murtas

A. Taylor, L. Morris, R. Oakley d B. Nicholson, D. Wilson, S. Macca

a. Stone, J. Rodwell, J. Phillips d S. Meyer, G. Meyer, R. Lane

A. Dorrington, J. Barker, B. Worboys d M. Ross, G. Stanford, H. Major

M. Shaw, J. Millar, S. Dodd d G.

DEF R Hancir, C Veerhuis, N Foy

J Wheeler, D Garth, C Irvine DEF H Muir, S Mason. F Sharp

M McDonald, C Dodds, T Goninnan, DEF R Lucas, N Feltrin, K Lewis

M Sharman, B Pyke, M Baguley

DEF L Wheeler, C Sherrin, G Pickard

WEDNESDAY Men’s Social Bowls 1/7/26

D Isaacs, R Wardrop, B Martin

DEF G Hitchen, S Wilkinson, R McLelland

C Christian, D Wheeler, M Aujard DEF I Maderic, M Jenkins, G Walsh

T Brooks, R Cridge, A Sorbello

DEF M McCelland, M Pollard, J Urge

N Stahlhut, D Melia, B Blight

DEF R Smithers, S Shaw, R

38, Thomas Strydom 37, Wayne Parkin 36, Mark Greenshields 34c/b. Balls to 32c/b . NTP 7

A: Chris Ryan, B: Roger Bale, C: Thomas Strydom (Propin) 1/6 Stableford (front X 2) A:

event in chilly conditions.

Winner, with 36 points, Mick Bellew, 2nd Kim Michelsen 35, 3rd

Artie Hassett 34 c/b.

Run-down Andrew O'Keeffe, Alan Titley 34, Peter Drysdale 33, Ross Hardaker, Gary Teale, Waz Botfield and Kevin Sanford 32.

D Eaglson, G Swinbug, I Gentle (18/13). Rink 10: L Kellahan, T Abbott (D)T Kellahan, M Redrup (24/18), M Lambert, P Green, C Nightingale (D) j Camp, M Jenner, V Redrup (20/10). Rink 12: P Diamond, A Kerr, A Corokett (D) Fred C, G Durnford, S Wall(17/15).

Tuesday 30/6/2026( Pairs):

Captain’s performance lifts North Coast to dramatic victory

STORY STARTS on BACK COVER, Page 40 simply too much power behind the strike.

North Coast then withstood a fierce Newcastle Olympic fightback over the closing eight minutes to seal a memorable victory.

North Coast Football talent development manager Nico Bonarrigo could feel the intensity from the dugout.

“It was an intense game, a technical game and well fought from both sides,” he reflected.

The under-14s were left

Williams, R. Beaumont, A. Cambell

W. Grimshaw, K. Bienefelt, C. Jones d D. Francis, J. Clarke, S. Jones

S. Rodwell, P. Wroe, D. Hull d M. England, C. Hansen, C. England

C. Weatherall, J. Valentine, D. Valentine d S. Ward, J. Thorn, M. Berube

R. Jupp, A. Worboys, K. Morrison d G. Brewis, E. Tindall, S. Bailey

P. Booth, R. De Meio, J. Dunn d N. McVicar, N. Scott, M. Proud Men’s Triples

Petterson

I Muller L Zecchinati, P Warby

DEF M Hastings, G Stewart, M Gibbons

P Paunovic, D Speck, K Sharman

DEF P Swain, D Bond, P Roach

N Wong, W Vaughn, J Townsend

DEF D Anderson, A Vivian, A Berry

J Richardson, B Clugston, B Fitzpatrick DEF G Nichols, K Garth, L Dyson

N Kotrozos, J Oates, R Morris

DEF G Fisher, D Frost, N Sillar

G Hampson, G Dennis, L Preston

DEF J Rice, R Williams, G Patrick

FRIDAY Mixed Social Bowls

3/7/26

N Wong, D Anderson, S Fleming

DEF R Avery, M Friend, K Stirling

P Day, M Baguley, J Richardson

Natalie Oliver 33c/b, Margaret Gill 33. B: Narelle Foy 33, Sandra Guymer 29. C: Trish Bailey 31, Brenda Connors 25. Balls to 28. NTP 7 A: Wendy Mason, B: Sandra Guymer (pro pin), C: Trish Bailey

Bradmans Duncan Sadler 16. NTPs 3rd Kim Michelsen, 9th Gary Teale, 18th Loz Renshall. Longest Putt Tony Shields. Slab Winner Pete Brotherton. Kim Michelsen scored a hole in one on the 180 metre, par 3, 16th. Well done Kimbo.

Rink 8: G Lane, P Hemming, M Hodge (D) P Diamond, D Hodge, O Gravestein. (17/ 15). Rink 9: N Wood, J Evan’s (D) Jacky Mac, L Carroll (27/12). Rink 10: R Foster, P Cuttriss (D) M Hopes, J Wilcox ( 18/15) Rink 11. J Symonds, R Bennell (D) J Weston, G Pallister (26/14) Rink 12: W Prosser, J Taylor (D) T McKenzie, P Buck

Thursday 02/07/2026

H. Katala, K. Kaaden, G. Coleman

d C. Weatherall, K. Morrison, J. Swan

D. Catling, B. Garner, B. Trotman

d J. Groat, R. Aitken, J. Long

D. Barnard, R. Bennell, C. Rallister d D. Burridge, M. McCabe, T. Cooper

J. Millar, J. Watts, K. Watts d H. Major, N. Spies, M. Star

P. North, J. Dunn d J. Lowndes, P. Booth

D. Wilson, R. Sherrin, B. Jones d

DEF J Urge, G Dennis, T Karam

J Rice, R Williams, L Preston

DEF A Baker, G Walsh, D Holland

N Kotrozos, J Oates, J Townsend

DEF J Poyntz, D Garth, K Garth

J Brown, J Smithers, R Southham

DEF K Sharman, C Christian, A Berry

P Weir, C Weir, K Lewis DEF C

Samuel, R Poyntz, B Samuel

Ken Taylor, G Hampson, D Ryan

DEF B Hamilton, P Paunovic, A

Sawtell RSL Snooker Club

By Ken MASON

TUESDAY 30th June 2026

Main Draw Winners: - Brian Bently - R/U - Dave Lewis

4/7 Stroke A: Kelcie Davis 72, Cameron Arnold 74. B: Charles Bevan 69, Scott Collins74c/b. C: Bill Hobbs 74, Ivan Gayden 75c/b. Balls to 78c/b. Gross A: Cameron Arnold 75, B: Charles

Sawtell Veterans Golf

By Ian REYNOLDS

RESULTS for 6th July 2026 9 Hole Stableford 15 Starters Ladies

( 21/ 17) Rink 13: J Coltman, D Barnard (D) A Plain, B Merchant (25/17), Rink 14: S Oliver, W Gavenlock ( D) J Gibson, Fred C. Friday 3/7/26 (2.4.2) Rink

3: A Corokett, D Barnard,(D) G Lane, N Campbell ( 25/13) Rink 4: D Evan’s J Evan’s (D) C Albert, P Cutt…….( 23/15). Rink 5: J Taylor, P Buck (D) L Walsh, Di Washfold

L. Goodacre, P. Wirth, M. Berube

G. Brewis, G. Stanford, D. Hull d N. Dean, K. Crooks, J. Bishop

G. Williams, R. Beaumont, A. Campbell d R. Shephard, A. Dorrington, P. Toy

K. Bienefelt, P. Elliott, P. Lilly d M. Miller, C. Hansen, S. Jones

G. Kindred, J. Kindred, S. Kindred d W. Grimshaw, G. Walmsley, R. Harris

C. Brian, R. Kelly, N. Scott d G. Meyer, C. Lloyd, B. Worboys

Sorbello

G Woods, C Dodds, D Woods DEF Jed Grebert, A Muscat, D Grebert

L Dyson, B Blight DEF N Flynn, R Flynn

T Brooks, R Cridge, P Warby DEF Kevin Taylor, N Foy, F Pope D Frost, N Sillar, S Sillar DEF G Flynn, J Flynn, D Hyde

J Fleming, A Day, D Wheeler DEF H Muir, P Roach, L Feltrin

Consolation Winners: - Bernie Couzens - R/U Roshan Neupane

Results of the deferred Consolation Final of 23rd June 2026

Consolation Winners - Mark Sheahan R/U - Peet Winney

Bevan 84, C: Bill Hobbs 95c/b. NTP 7 A: Cameron Arnold, B: Jeffrey Vanderwyk. NTP 11 A:Clint Samuels, B:Charles Bevan, C: Bill Hobbs (pro pin). NTP 15 Hamish Day

Linda Rankin 20 Men

Glwyn Dawson 21, Dave Knudsen 19 NTP's 3rd Hole, Dave Knudsen

7th Hole, Dave Knudsen, Linda Rankin

(22/18) Rink 6: J Gibbons, Fred (D) G Grillenbare, B Skiner (31/12),.

Rink 8: I Miller, K Costelloe (D) I Coltman, B Symes ( 25/15) Rink 9: J Lynn, R Bennell (D) N Wood, G Pallister. (17/13) (Rink 11) R Gurber, B Merchant (D) L Carol, R Foster ( 28/10). Rink 13: W Prosser, W Gavenlock ( 26/17).

frustrated after dominating large periods of their match, creating a host of scoring opportunities but being held to a 0-0 draw. A missed penalty proved particularly costly.

Newcastle Olympic proved too strong in the remaining fixtures, recording an 8-0 victory in the under-13s, a 3-0 win in the under16s and finishing the day with a 4-1 triumph in the under-18s.

North Coast Football coach Becky WIlson praised the strength of the opposition.

“They are always big, strong teams who are well drilled year in and year out,” she said.

Urunga

Lindsay’s Oysters

Kombu Wholefoods

Bellingen

Bellingen Golf

Cardows Urunga

Coffs CEX Social Golf Results

By Steve ROBINSON

28 JUNE 2026

Coffs CEX Social Golf Club

Coffs CEX Social Golf Results

By Steve ROBINSON

5 JULY 2026

Coffs CEX Social Golf Club

played on Sunday 5 July 2026 at Coffs Harbour Golf Club

By Vicki SILVER

MONDAY Vets

Results 6th July 2026. 38 members and guests played a 9 hole single stableford competition.

Coffs Harbour Ladies Results

By Barb WILSON

TUESDAY 30th June 2026 - Ladies 9 hole Single Stableford Lakes Overall Winners 1. Robyn Walsh 21 2. Sandra Cheeseman 17 3. Carmel Hill 16 c/b NTP

Coffs Harbour Rifle Club

By Geoffrey HART

HOWARD St Rimfire Range. The 90m Field Class match. Master Grade: Jake B 85.6, Stuart D 92.9, Friday Table Tennis Results

By Margaret Iles

FRIDAY 3rd July, 2026

Division 1

Reece Baker d Ann Joy 3/0, Yash Tyagi d Tim Garrad 3/0, Dan Mueller d Dominic Arjona 3/1, Reece Baker d Dan Mueller 3/0, Yash Tyagi d Dominic Arjona

MNC Cross Country

By Peter BERRINGTON

5 JULY 2026 at Mullaway

RESULTS: 2km (Male) - Lennox Bennington 8:38, 1; Alexander Jacquin 9:04, 2; Ziggy Walker 9:27, 3; Harry Nolan 9:28, 4; Bryson Kelly 9:37, 5; Ned Taylor 9:42, 6; Harvey Griffin 10:16, 7; Max Kelly 10:17, 8; Christian Petersen 10:18, 9; August Hamilton 10:37, 10; Peter Hood 11:37, 11; Django Jhureea 11:46, 12; Patrick Happ 11:52, 13; Darcy Kelly 11:54, 14; Ziggy Silva 12:55, 15; Paul Rider 13:12, 16; Miles Hamilton 13:16, 17; Oaklei Nuttall 13:23, 18; Makai

Park Beach Women's Bowls Club

By Anne ORR

SOCIAL Bowls Wednesday 1.7.26. L Kellerhan, M Gudgeon, P Watt def K Cundy, P Garner, Y Schmidt. M Shaw, D Hargraves, J Jones def M Webb, C McVicar, S Wilson. M England, C Treharne, J Pearce-Kennedy def T Sullivan,

played on Sunday 28 June 2026 at Coffs Harbour, Single Stroke Event. Sponsor Carmel Hill.

Results were as follows:

Winner: Mike Delolmo 68.0 Nett

Runner Up: Mitchell Howe 71.0

Nambucca Heads, Single Stroke Event. Sponsor Troy Henderson. Results were as follows:

Winner: Gary Brazel 73.0 Nett

Runner Up: Jose Caravante 74.0 Nett

Ball Winners: Jose Caravante

The winners:

Gents:

First Visitor from CamdenKen Tyne 17 Points on c/b

Second: David Turnbull 17 points

Third: Garry Silver 16

Gents Ball Comp: Darren Fitzgerald 15 c/b

3rd hole - Jo Foggiato 122cm, Fiona Fitzgerald 92cm

6th hole - Jennifer Blake 100cm

Wednesday 1st July 2026Ladies Single Stableford Eastlakes

Grade A Winners

1. Ada Lynch 37

2. Caroline Campbell 36

3. Greer Galloway 35

Grade B Winners

1. Merita Pailthorpe 38

2. Gloria Thomas 35 c/b

Ben R 93.7, A Grade: Johan G 80.1, Chris M 82.2, Cherelle S 89.5, B

Grade: Ian A 80.2, James B 74.1, Pete C 71.3, Col G 77.4, Dave K 74.0, Allan M 82.2, Sam M 87.7, Hayley R 87.6, Danny W 75.2, C

Grade: Mark B 43.0, Sue C 28.0,

3/0, Tim Garrad d Ann Joy 3/1, Reece Baker d Tim Garrad 3/0, Yash Tyagi d Dan Mueller 3/0, Ann Joy d Dominic Arjona 3/2, Reece Baker d Dominic Arjona 3/0, Yash Tyagi d Ann Joy 3/0, Dan Mueller d Tim Garrad 3/1, Reece Baker d Yash Tyagi 3/0, Tim Garrad d Dominic Arjona 3/1, Dan Mueller d Ann Joy 3/0. WINNER: Reece Baker from Yash Tyagi.

Silva 19:02, 19; Andrew Martin 20:46, 20.

RESULTS: 2km (Female) - Lacey Van Hoeck 8:19, 1; Emma Sandes 8:43, 2; Sophie Van Hoeck 9:13, 3; Elka Bowker 9:27, 4; Willow Nuttall 9:50, 5; Skyla Petersen 10:10, 6; Mila Blanshard 10:10, 7; Amy Hannaford 10:22, 8; Felicity Bates 10:26, 9; Anthea Martin 10:31, 10; Eadie Blanshard 10:35, 11; Tegan Van Hoeck 11:03, 12; Stella Hood 11:33, 13; Clarissa Hull 11:47, 14; Sara Bergen 12:35, 15; Maeve Nolan 12:56, 16; Isla Kelly 13:12, 17; Lisa Jenyns 13:13, 18; Toni Berrington 13:38, 19; Jackie Bartlett 14:03, 20; Rachael Nolan 14:08, 21; Billie Hankinson 14:17,

B Bodel, S Hancock. S Myer, A M Taylor, E Kidd, C Sherrin def S Meyer, N Barker, R Jupp, J Alford. D Washfold, M Crawford, K Elliott, C Garrett def C Venturi, A Worboys/R DeMeio, E Blanton, D Futcher . Pennant Trials. D Doyle, F Gaunt, J Clarke, V Slater def J Hampstead, J Burgess, D Porter, H Pallister. L Clancy, J Farrell, C Domjahn, Y Hinsley def J Lyn, P Hodges, R Gruber, S Barnard.

Nett Ball Winners: Steve Robinson (72), Jose Caravante (73), Scott Croft (75), Mark Heelis (76), Izzy Caravante (76), Mike Watkin (76), Gary Brazel (78), Dave Curtis (78).

NTP’s: Jose Caravante (3rd & (74), Carmel Hill (77), Maurice Tate (77), Izzy Caravante (77), Michael Delolmo (77), Peter Hill (81), Steve Robinson (81) & Jon Nicholls (83).

NTP’s: Mike Watkin (8th), Jose Caravante (18th), Izzy Caravante (3rd In Two).

Chris Oddy 15 John Ericsson 14 Ladies: First: Deb Sollart 21 Second: Vicki Silver 20 c/b Third: Carol Hughes 20 Ladies Ball Comp:Betty Snow 19 c/b Jean O’Connor 19

3. Margot Gook 35 NTP 12th hole - Wendy Johnstone 184cm, Gloria Thomas 14cm, Yvonne Avery 92cm 15th hole - Lyn Neaves 160cm, Karen Cross 150cm 22nd hole - Romana Murphy 122cm, Gloria Thomas 311cm, Heather Watkins 15cm 26th hole - Maureen Franklin 347cm, Elaine Bowers 159cm

Andrew G 72.2, Matt K 59.1, Daniel R 34.0, Brendon W 53.0 - Using a rest, Bill A 95.10, Ashley G 61.0, Visitors: Mia S 62.3, Cooper C 64.2, Dana W 45.1 - using a rest, Brendan S 89.9

The 50m F-Class: Cherelle

Division 2 Sharee Templeton d Andrew Hopewell 3/0, Michael Hobincu d Ryland McDonough 3/2, Char Berglund d Don Vo 3/0, Char Berglund d Sharee Templeton 3/0, Michael Hobincu d Don Vo 3/1, Andrew Hopewell d Ryland McDonough 3/2, Sharee Templeton d Ryland McDonough 3/0, Char Berglund d Michael Hobincu 3/1, Don Vo d Andrew

22; Vicky McClure 14:19, 23; Maggie Bowker 14:39, 24; Charlie Law 15:25, 25; Rhea Nuttall 16:31, 26; Jody Smith 19:06, 27.

RESULTS: 5km (Male) - James Karrasch 22:49, 1; Jackson Hood 24:07, 2; Peter Hood 24:10, 3; Kweller Happ 24:36, 4; Dylan Hannaford 24:43, 5; Matt Evans 27:50, 6; Christian Petersen 30:42, 7; Jack Brennan 32:29, 8; Patrick Brennan 32:30, 9; Alexander Jacquin 39:12, 10; Lennox Bennington 39:12, 11; Tim Karrasch 45:17, 12.

RESULTS: 5km (Female)Poppy Barclay 23:52, 1; Corrine Happ 26:20, 2; Sara Evans 27:47, 3; Ella Petrohelos 29:25, 4; Skyla

Safety Beach Women's Golf

By Michelle MERRIKIN

30/06/2026

A FIELD of 24 for today's Stableford shootout event.

Results

1st Lorraine Broomfield 36

19th), Scott Croft (26th), Amrik Thandi (6th).

Chip In’s: Jose Caravante & Troy Henderson

Next Game is at Nambucca Heads on Sunday 5th July 2026, 7.00 am Tee Time. All Welcome.

Chip In’s: Jon Nicholls, Maurice Tate, Jose Caravante, Mike Watkin, Dave Turnbull, Amrik Thandi & Mike Delolmo.

Next Game is at Sawtell on Sunday 12th July 2026, 7.00 am Tee Time. All Welcome.

Carlene Bath 17 Nearest the Pins: 22nd - mighty fine chip in Chris Tessari. Ken Barber

26th - Vicki Silver & Visitor Ken Tyne.

Next week is a single stableford.

Saturday 4th July 2026 - Ladies Single Stableford Westlakes

Overall Winners

1. Trish Nance 37

2. Gayle Jones 36 c/b

3. Carrie Fagan 36 NTP

3rd hole - Carrie Fagan 193cm 6th hole - Alex Brett 413cm 22nd hole - Maureen Franklin 315cm 26th hole - Lynda Butler 265cm

S 195.7, Johan G 165.1, Allan M 182.0, Sue C 186.3, Ben R 197.11, Matt K 179.3, Dave K 160.1, Ashley G 137.0, Jake B 187.2, Mark B 197.10, Brendon W 187.5, Cooper C 178.1, Dana W 153.0, Danny W 188.1

Hopewell 3/0, Sharee Templeton d Don Vo 3/1, Michael Hobincu d Andrew Hopewell 3/0, Char Berglund d Ryland McDonough 3/0, Sharee Templeton d Michael Hobincu 3/1, Don Vo d Ryland McDonough 3/1, Char Berglund d Andrew Hopewell 3/0.

WINNER: Char Berglund from Sharee Templeton.

Petersen 30:38, 5; Felicity Bates 31:12, 6; Kath Huggins 31:20, 7; Kristie Hood 31:57, 8; Anthea Martin 32:09, 9; Amy Hannaford 32:31, 10; Clarissa Hull 36:09, 11; Rebecca Cornelius 44:33, 12.

RESULTS: 10km (Male) - Chris Giffin 35:43, 1; Nick Murray 35:44, 2; Nathan Quinn 41:40, 3; Leon Petrohelos 43:14, 4; Andrew Wong 43:30, 5; Chris Hamilton 46:27, 6; Edison Happ 49:57, 7; Peter Birch 50:48, 8; Stephen Boyd 51:30, 9; Ben Happ 51:31, 10.

RESULTS: 10km (Female)Sophie Boyd 39:18, 1. Next week the run is the Woolgoolga Whale Trail. Meet at the Woolgoolga Beach Reserve.

2nd Kerry Farmer

34

3rd Susan Spiller

30 CB

4th Tanya Doyle 30

5th Merryl Kyburz

29 CB

Nearest the pin

4th Laurie Pilon

7th Leanne Clark

9th Di Richards

11th Rose Morrow

JOHNSTON

Ruth Anne

6th July 2026, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family. Late of Sawtell. Dearly beloved wife of Keith (dec’d). Much loved mother of Garry, Lee-Anne, Michael and Cherie. Adored nan and great-nan of their children.

Aged 86 Years

Always Loved, Forever Missed

Ruth was privately cremated at Hogbin Drive Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour.

KEITH LOGUE & SONS

6652 1999

RAI, Bhupinder Singh

30th June 2026, passed away suddenly at home. Late of Woolgoolga. Dearly beloved husband of Banita. Loving father and father-in-law of Mandy & Hardeep and Taj & Kulwinder. Cherished ‘Bapu Ji’ of Ariyan and ‘Nana Ji’ of Jiya and Jay. Adored brother, brother-in-law and uncle of their extended families.

Aged 69 Years

Forever In Our Hearts

Bhupinder’s Funeral Service was held in the Chapel of Hogbin Drive

Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour on Thursday 9th July 2026.

KEITH LOGUE & SONS

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Coffs Harbour

6652 1999

ROACH

Scott Wayne ‘Scottie’

28th June 2026, passed peacefully at Coffs Harbour Health Campus, with his loving family by his side. Late of Coffs Harbour. Adored husband of Kham. Outstanding father of Daniel, James, Charles and Richard. Scottie was a man who lived his life to the fullest, a traveller, respected citizen, golfer, musician, photographer, fisherman, wise man, storyteller, electrician, boss and a jack of all trades who was always kind and loving to all those he met.

Aged 67 Years

Forever In Our Hearts And Minds Scott was privately cremated at Hogbin Drive Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour.

KEITH LOGUE & SONS

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Coffs Harbour 6652 1999

Beverly White

‘Bev’

3rd July 2026

Passed away peacefully after a short illness surrounded by family and friends. Loving partner of Ron. Loved mum of Chris and Andrew. Proud Lola of Christine, Mathew, Chanelle, Mahlia, and Riley. GreatGrandmother of Levi, Noah, Koa, and Kalani. Beloved sister of Pam, Paul, and Phil.

Aged 80 Years Now Resting In Peace

Bev’s service was held at the Coffs Harbour Crematorium, Coramba Road, Karangi.

VICTOR RULLIS

(02)

CAMPBELL, Dianne Joy

29th June 2026, peacefully at St. Joseph’s Aged Care, Coffs Harbour. Late of Woolgoolga, formerly of Victoria. Dearly beloved wife of Peter. Adored daughter of Alison & the late Don Mitchell. Loving mother and mother-in-law of Kylie & Rod Parr and families.

Aged 77 Years In God’s Care

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Dianne’s Funeral Service to be held in the Chapel of Hogbin Drive Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour on Monday 13th July 2026 commencing at 11.30 am.

KEITH LOGUE & SONS

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Coffs Harbour 6652 1999

EVANS, Ronald Edward

6th July 2026, peacefully at Legacy on Victoria, late of Sandy Beach. Dearly beloved husband of Daphne (dec’d).

Loved father and father-in-law of Dean & Siggi and Craig. Adored grandpa and great-grandpa of their children.

Aged 86 Years

Always Forever In Our Hearts

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Ronald’s Funeral Service to be held in the Chapel of Hogbin Drive Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour on Friday 17th July 2026 commencing at 11.30 am.

KEITH LOGUE & SONS

FUNERAL

Kerry Lorraine

1st July 2026, passed peacefully at Grafton Base Hospital. Late of Grafton, formerly of Nambucca Heads. Loving mother and mother-in-law of Ben West (dec’d), Tom West, Crystal and Erik & Trinity. Loved and adored grandmother of their children.

Aged 67 Years

You Are Loved Beyond Words And Missed Beyond Measure

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Kerry’s Funeral Service to be held in the Chapel of Hogbin Drive Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour on Friday 10th July 2026 commencing at 2.30 pm.

KEITH LOGUE & SONS FUNERAL DIRECTORS

1999

John Xavier Ogburn Passed away on 26th June 2026 at the age of 64.

Beloved father of Liam and Isobel. A lover of music, nature and animals. An enthusiast of good food, drink and conversation. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends; the memories & moments spent together will endure.

Love is most nearly itself, When here and now cease to matter - T.S. Eliot

Family and friends are warmly invited to attend John’s funeral service on Saturday, 11th July 2026 at 10.30am in the Chapel of the Coffs Harbour Crematorium, Coramba Road, Karangi.

VICTOR RULLIS FUNERAL SERVICES

(02) 6651 5007 www.funeralcoffsharbour.com.au

Notice of Forestry Road Closure. Bush Paddock Road, off Martells Road Urunga will be closed to public traffic between 7:00am and 1:00pm on Saturday 18 July 2026 for an authorised private motor sport test event. Local traffic access will be maintained where possible under the direction of event officials. Motorists are requested to obey all signage and directions. We apologise for any inconvenience. Enquiries: Rob Bishop 0427042219

CAR & house keys lost in Toormina Boambee area 2-3 weeks ago Call Allan on 6658 1586 Reward offered

RODGERS

Robert Douglas ‘Bob’

5th July 2026, passed away peacefully at Mater Christi Aged Care. Late of Toormina. Dearly beloved husband of Nola. Much loved father and father-inlaw of Tony & Rebecca, Lyn & Harry and Karen & Lyle. Adored grandad and great-grandad of their children.

Aged 86 Years Forever Walking

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Robert’s Funeral Service to be held in the Chapel of Hogbin Drive Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour on Thursday 16th July 2026 commencing at 10.00 am.

KEITH LOGUE & SONS

Garage Sales

SAT 11th July, 7am3pm. 52 Argyll St CH Household items, clothes electric mower, power tools, bits & pieces, plants

SAT 11th July, 8am2pm strictly, 86 Grandis Rd, Bonville. Old tools pavers, cattle crate suit for trailer, assorted items

/ GAMING chair black. Ph 0466 185 540

2.5 seater lounge, ex cond $60. 0418 402 940

313

2.0.2 CH 120W Dolby ATMOS sound bar only 12 months old with 2 built in subwoofers. Price $100. 0412 081 950 Adventureland car fridge freezer 2 years old $400 Phil 0412 665 988 Woolgoolga

AIDACARE Commode, VGC, $99 0428 285 643

ANTIQUE, Sewing Cabinet. $60. 0466 525 814

ANTIQUE wall mirror $100. Ph 0411 361

CAKE tins, 25cm, 22cm 16cm, square German steel, non-stick spring form for tiered cakes $100. Ph 0407 654 879 F130326

CARAVAN towing mirrors Quality Milenco vibration resistant $95. Coffs Harbour 0493 094 285 CHICKEN coop 1530w x 850d x 1150h galvanized iron $100 GC Ph 0417 364 582 F090126

BABY/child cot/playpen carpenter rebuilt, safe clean, strong $50 6652 3791 SOLD AWNING with fittings 910mm x 1300mm W Suits back door. $50 0422 099 142 F190925 SOLD

VGC $50 Ph 0419 224 403

Photos can be sent Ph 0408 254 884 F130326

COCA-COLA Memorabilia Collection $95. 0409 863 898

COLLAPSIBLE electrical kettle. New cond, great size for travel collapses into very small item for packing. $30 Ph 0418 865 537F130326

COMMONWEALTH bank original 1988 $5 coin in mint condition to celebrate opening of Parliament House $30. 0490 161 119 Photos can be sent

DEEP fryer. Very good condition. $60. Ph 0417 283 380

DIMPLEX

BEER brewing kit complete plus 250 bottles. $99. 6559

DOG / cat carriersuit small dog. Near new cond. Safety door $44. 0417 471 225

DOG house, smallmedium $15 6656 4700

DOOR Gym set new $50. Ph 0412 081 950

DOUBLE bed, white gas-lift storage, new in box. $99. 0415 981 605 SOLD

DOUBLE mattress

BRAND NEW, bought 1 month ago, never used $100, pick up from Toormina, please contact Carol Hollier on 0403 611 836 F060226 SOLD

DYSON V7 Advanced Quick Start, plus attachments. Purchased 2023, new battery 2025 $150 ono. Ph 6654 0027 RUSe181226 SOLD

ELECTRIC fence energiser, hardly used

$100. Ph 6653 8337 or 0419 166 688

ELECTRIC frying pan, large, new still in box. $100. Ph 0417 283 380

ELECTRIC kettle, new $15. 6653 8337

ELECTRIC mop, $20 6652 8815

FE Holden steering column. $100. Iluka Ph 0438 466 423 F030726

FILING cabinet, 3 drawer, steel. $30. Ph 0411 109 012

FOLDABLE support rail for seniors brand new in box $65 Photos can be supplied 0490 161 119

FOOT soaker/massager $30. Ph 0411 361 205

FORD car engines x 2 complete, suitable for parts or rebuilding. $300 ono for the pair. Ph 0413 077 493

FRAMING Gun 'Bostich', Pneumatic good order, $100 Ph 0407 654 879

FREEZER, upright small, 3 star, good working order. $150. Ph 0432 024 091 e310726

FURRY hood jacket Ladies size 10, toggle front $25 0407 654 879 F010825 SOLD

GARAGE door opener remote control. Merlin Suit a panel door only Less than 5yr old. $100 0412 776 409

GIRLS Dressing Table

Circa 1950’s original mirror & handles $50 0427 544 008

GL refrigerator good working order $50 ph 0410 199 915

GRASS catcher - suit Ozito Cylinder mower New. $50 firm. Ph 5633 6352

GREEN hanging meat safe $50 0427 544 008 SOLD

GROUNDING sheet (QB) and grey p'case used once. $50. 0410 313 876 F260226

HEADPHONES, TV digital, wireless, hearing impaired, Sennheiser RS5000. $50. Ph 0407 654 879 SOLD

HIGH back orthopedic chair. Designed for the elderly as used in hospitals. $100 Photos can be supplied. Ph 0490 161 119 F030426

HISENSE chest freezer H80cm x W52cm x L73cm. $50. 0481 966 840 F211125 SOLD

For Sale

HYDRAULIC bucket lift and tilt controls for Ferguson 35 tractor $600. Ph 02 6649 1056 RUSe080127

KARCHER, Electric Mop. $25. 0466 525 814

KITCHEN stools x 4, black powder coated metal, 67cm H, exc. cond. $60 for all 4. Ph 0491 666 658. F260626

KITCHEN scales vintage 'KRUPS 875' $45. Ph: 0407 654 879 SOLD

KITTY litter house with removal tray. $20 0490 161 119. Photos can be sent SOLD

LADIES clothing mostly new, size 6. Must sell going cheap. Contact Kim 0403 280 231

LADIES clothing plus extras. Exc quality, mostly new. PH0415 981 605 F120626

LARGE metal puppy crate. 75cm x 50cm x 60cm H. as new $40 0490 161 119. Photos can be sent SOLD

For Sale

MIRROR, swivel, on stand $100. 0411 361 205

MOBILITY scooter

Breeze-C, 4 wheel, v good cond. $650 ono Ph 0437 392 494 e310726

MOBILITY scooter, no longer needed, in VGC $650 ono. 0423 728 922

MOBILITY scooter

Pryde Pathfinder 140XL brand new batteries

$3,000. 0418 665 658

POOL table, 8ft solid slate w/extras, has top cupboard that can be used as table tennis table. $1200 Ph 0411 109 012

PORCELAIN biscuit jar (8in high) with cream and jam pots, tea strainer and small flat teaspoon holder. $35. 0400 641 561 F210225

PUPPY crate, large 75cm x 50cm x 60cm H Only used for 2 months $45. Photo can be supplied. 0490 161 119

For Sale For Sale

SAFETY signscollectable. $100 Iluka Ph 0438 466 423

Classifieds 4981 8882

SILVER tarp 6m x 5m. Little use, as new. $50. 0412 354 974. SOLD

WHEELIE walker new sturdy, ultra light steel folds down to 103x56x44 purple, Photos on req $85. Ph 0417 659 108

TCL 42", like new great cond. $99. Ph 6653 8337 or 0419 166 688 SOLD

TV stand with 7 drawers solid brown wood. Exc cond. $35. Ph 0415 981 605

single bed frames round heads & foot rail black. $50 both 0412 254 563 F310125 SOLD

YOURS for 90 years ABC 2022 $1 silver proof coin 1/2 Oz Sealed coin in box with cert of authenticity 0911/5000 $40. Msg for photos Ph 0480 222 950

4981 8882

354 974

LEGO, 7287, Police boat, BNIB, rare. $100 Ph 0412 354 974

LINE trimmer Shindaiwa straight shaft, under 2hrs use cost $400, asking $260. 0478 714 414 e240726

LOW bookcase/shoe stand, solid wood. $15 Ph 0415 981 605

MATTRESS topper DBed, Sleepmaker Marshmallow unused DB. $90. 0407 538 311 F010526 SOLD

OVERNIGHT bag with make up purse, many compartments, very clean, handy size. $30 Ph 0418 865 537

PARROT cage, 450 x 450 x 600. $60. Ph 0419 995 053. F100726

PENSIONER Scooter 2024. As new $6,000 ono. 0428 628 105

PET Carrier: Transport crate, lock safety door Small cat or dog Near new cond. $39 0417 471 225

PETROL blower homelite mighty lite HBL26, exc cond, litt le use, $60. Ph 0417 283 380

PIANOLA and stool in GC, over 50 player rolls $1,800 ono. 0498 176 876 RTSALL311226

PLANT tying tape gun + 8 rolls tape + 5,000 staples $100 0407 654 879

helmet, full-face, red, size M. Superficially scratched but otherwise VGC. $40 Ph 0419 352 393 SOLD HONDA compressor 5.5hp $300. Ph 02 6649 1056SOLD

HOT Wheels - 50 avail No packaging. $60 the lot Ph 0412 354 974 F050626

POLETHERA leather women's crossover shoulder bag. Brand new. Unwanted gift $35. Photos can be supplied 0490 161 119

RACING bike. $100 Ph 0411 361 205

READER'S Digest "Hear Them Again" 10LP Vinyl box set. 122 popular songs 1910s -1950s. Limited edition #6311. $75 Photos can be supplied. Ph 0490 161 119F030426

RED overcoat size 10 Jigsaw brand fabric made in Italy 80% wool Never used. Pic ava. $95 0439 682 267 F250725

RING box, 'Nini' collectable miniature teapot, ceramic, elaborate gold trim & floral relief. $35. Ph 0407 654 079

ROCKWELL 4500 series 240v rotary buffer $30. Ph 0411 109 012

RYOBI Doorman auto door closer x 2. $20 for both. Ph 0411 109 012

Classifieds 4981 8882 ads@ newsofthearea. com.au

SAFETY gate, deluxe fits 73cm x 1.02m with 2 bonus extensions, child and pet safe. $40. Ph 0411 300 156

STEP ladder, Gorilla industrial, as new, 150kg $150. 0415 981 605

SUPER-LITE 4 scooter w/ user manual, ideal in shopping centres. $1500 Ph 0437 392 494

VICTA 4 stroke mower w/catcher $200. Ph 0418 665 658.

4981 8882 ads@ newsofthearea. com.au

VINTAGE steward steamer trunk. Likely dated from mid 20th century. 74cm x 40cm x 30cm. $85. Photos can be supplied. Ph 0490 161 119

3.4m Savage with trailer rego, 6HP and electric swivel seats, cover safety gear, lots of extras ACF724N. L26949 $2,000. 0427 528 084

GOLDSTREAM OffRoad Camper Trailer sleeps up to five, neat & tidy with many extras Sadly selling due to ill health. Rego December 2026. Q29955. Reduced from $13,000 to $10,000 Ph 0437 499 513

$1400 ono. Pickup only. Call Joseph on 0402 375 037RUS301026

style hat rack 1.9m tall. Photos can be supplied. $65. Ph 0490 161 119

VINTAGE timber mini bar. $60. 6652 8815

HYUNDAI Getz 2004 122,000 kms, manual no radio, good cond, reg AN53MZ. $2,000. Ph 0432 732 082

TIMBER bookcase 3 level, handmade Photos can be supplied $100. Ph 0498 042 375 F030726

WESTERN paperbacks Clevland, Bison, Larry Kent. Lots to choose from $1 to $4 each Pickup only. Ph 0400 513 862

LONGLIFE 6 x 4 single axle standard box trailer with 600mm cage, spare wheel and swing away jockey wheel, has full weatherproof cover w/tie downs. Owner relocating to WA. Reg TP90MB expires 04/27. $1,200 Ph 0408 702 623 e310726

PUZZLES

SUDOKU

TRADES & SERVICES

•

TRADES & SERVICES

ONTHEBOX

BEST ON THE BOX

SUNDAY FARMER WANTS A WIFE

SEVEN, 7pm

The time has come to leave behind the akubras, Blundstones and spurs, as the farmers and their potential partners are off to Sydney for a glamorous black-tie dinner. The blokes do their best James Bond impressions in tuxedos and the ladies are dressed to the nines, offering everyone the chance to see each other in a new light. However, for some, that fresh perspective will cause them to question their own connections. As a life-changing decision looms, emotions run high for Jarrad, Zac, Dylan and Jason (above, from left) as they consider whether to follow their heart or their head.

FRIDAY, July 10

6.25 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Monty Don’s British Gardens. Monty Don explores London’s most beautiful gardens.

8.30 Saint-Pierre. (Mv) Fitz and Arch engage in a game of cat and mouse as they race to determine an assassin’s target.

9.15 Gruen. (PG, R) Presented by  Wil Anderson.

9.55 Would I Lie To You?

10.25 ABC Late News.

10.40 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R)

11.10 Murdoch Mysteries. (PGv, R)

12.00 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv)

5.00 Rage. (PG)

Magic Pets. 7.05 Gardening Australia Junior. 7.30 MOVIE: Lemony Snicket’s A Series Of Unfortunate Events. (2004, PG) 9.20 Caper Crew. 10.05 MythBusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 10.55

MONDAY

TRAVEL GUIDES

NBN, 7.30pm

From the Seven Wonders of the World to the wackiest travel experiences on offer, this unfiltered reality series has seen and done it all, complete with buying the cheesy souvenirs to take home. But let’s be honest, some of the best destinations on Earth are in our own backyard. To prove it, the Guides are heading on a scenic road trip along the New South Wales south coast – bringing Love Island Australia Hibberd and Callum Hole (right) along for the ride. It’s good clean fun as they depart Sydney in electric vehicles and set their GPS for the laidback towns of Jamberoo, Kiama, Nowra, Bateman’s Bay and Narooma.

WEDNESDAY ALONE AUSTRALIA

SBS, 7.30pm

No one could accuse this extreme survival series of going easy on its contestants, but just in case, the producers of this latest instalment have upped the stakes significantly. While earlier seasons have dropped survival experts into the wilderness of Tasmania and New Zealand, this fourth Aussie edition takes 10 participants (including Lillian, above) to Sápmi, Finland, and leaves them to their own devices in an unfamiliar Arctic environment where hunting is forbidden and temperatures are subzero. In Wednesday’s doubleepisode premiere, the participants are dropped off and start to make camp.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. The weekly winners return.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 MOVIE: Journey Home, David Gulpilil. (2025, Ml, R) The late David Gulpilil is laid to rest. Danzal Baker, Hugh Jackman. 9.20 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 7. Hagetmau to Bordeaux. 175.1km flat stage. From France.

1.55 Great British Railway Journeys. (R)

2.30 Mirusia: Live In Concert. (R)

4.00 Tradfest: The Dublin Castle Sessions. (R)

4.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Quarter-final.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Hosted by Johanna Griggs.

8.00 MOVIE: Where The Crawdads Sing. (2022, Masv, R) A girl who raised herself in dangerous marshlands finds herself the prime suspect in a murder. Daisy Edgar-Jones, Taylor John Smith, David Strathairn.

10.35 Farmer Wants A Wife. (PGals, R) Alex seeks his parents’ advice.

12.15 MOVIE: Out Of Line. (2001, Mlsv, R) Jennifer Beals.

2.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

5.00 NBC Today.

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 19. Wests Tigers v New Zealand Warriors. 9.55 NRL Friday Night Footy Post-Match. Post-match coverage and analysis of the NRL game between the Wests Tigers and New Zealand Warriors. 10.45 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 12. Semi-finals. 12.00 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 12 Late. Semi-finals.

4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)

4.30 Global Shop. (R)

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

5.30 Postcards.

Looking

As

Whether

ONTHEBOX

SATURDAY, July 11

6.00 Rage Charts. (PG) 7.00 Wknd Brekky. 9.00 Rage. (PG) 10.30 Rage Vault Guest Programmer. (PG) 12.00 News. 12.30 Cooper & Fry. (M, R) 2.05 Saint-Pierre. (Mv, R) 2.55 Bill Bailey’s Wild West Australia. (PG, R) 3.40 Griff’s Canadian Adventure. (R) 4.30 Stuff The British Stole. (PG, R) 5.00 Aust Story. (R) 5.35 Landline. (R)

6.00 Kath & Kim. (PGals, R) Sharon is anxious to be a godmother.

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) Hosted by Tom Gleeson.

7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.

7.30 Cooper & Fry. (M) Cooper wrestles with his past as he and Fry investigate the death of a teenage girl.

9.05 Doc Martin. (PGa, R) The surgery is chaotic with both Martin and Louisa now practising from it.

9.50 The Capture. (MA15+v, R) As the scale of the conspiracy reveals itself, Carey makes a surprising decision.

10.55 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Children’s Programs. 11.45 Andy And The Band. 1.30pm PJ Masks. 1.50 Kangaroo Beach. 2.30 The Makery. 3.00 Play School. 3.25 Octonauts. 4.10 Dino Dex. 5.10 Isadora Moon. 6.05 PJ Masks. 6.25 Emerald. 7.05 Let’s Go Bananas! 7.30 Kids Baking Championship. 8.10 Kids BBQ Championship. 8.55 Chopped Junior. 10.00 Fresh Off The Boat. 10.40 Abbott Elementary. 11.00 Late Programs.

SUNDAY, July 12

6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 Wknd Brekky. 9.00 Insiders. 10.00 Offsiders. 10.30 World This Week. (R) 11.00 Compass. (R) 11.30 Praise. 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. 1.30 Monty Don’s British Gardens. (R) 2.30 Race Around The World. (PG, R) 3.30 The Assembly. (PG, R) 4.10 Grand Designs. (R) 5.00 Back Roads. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.

6.30 Compass: Reviving The Mullet Run.

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Race Around The World. The racers fly off to destinations separately.

8.30 Ground Up. (Final, Ml) Hugh’s dog is kidnapped and the football department’s database is hacked.

9.05 The Capture. (Final, MA15+v) Carey is drawn deeper into Simon’s plan.

10.20 Cooper & Fry. (Ma, R)

11.55 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

2.45 Poh’s Kitchen. (R)

3.15 Doc Martin. (PGa, R)

4.05 Antiques Roadshow. (PG, R)

5.00 Insiders. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Children’s Programs. 3pm Play School. 3.30 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 4.25 Little J And Big Cuz. 4.50 Gardening Australia Junior. 5.15 Tabby McTat. 5.40 Super Monsters. 6.05 PJ Masks. 6.25 Emerald. 7.05 Let’s Go Bananas! 7.30 The Inbestigators. 7.45 The Lady Grace Mysteries. (Premiere) 8.10 Epic Adventures With Bertie Gregory. (Premiere) 8.50 Animal Park. 10.20 Secrets Of The Zoo. 11.05 Late Programs.

6.00 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Quarter-final. Cont. 7.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Round of 16. SUI v COL. Replay. 10.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Quarter-final. FRA v MAR. Replay. 1.30 WorldWatch. 4.00 FIFA World Cup 2026: Highlights Show. 4.30 Grand Tours Of Scotland’s Rivers. (R) 5.30 Cycling. Tour de France. H’lights.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Jewels Of The Mediterranean. (PGa)

8.25 National Parks From Above: Ireland. (R)

9.20 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 8. 2.00 Snowpiercer. (MA15+v, R)

3.45 Bamay. (R)

4.20 Tradfest: The Dublin Castle Sessions. (R)

4.50 Primitive Medium. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.15 Euronews.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

VICELAND (31)

Cup. Round of 16. Argentina v Egypt. Replay. 2am NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera.

6am Master Cheng: A Spice For Life. Continued. (2019, PG) 7.15 Whale Rider. (2002, PG) 9.10 Born To Dance. (2015, PG) 11.00 We Are Still Here. (2022, M) 12.40pm The Lady Vanishes. (1938, PG) 2.35 Bedevil. (1993, PG) 4.15 Philadelphia. (1993, PG) 6.35 The NeverEnding Story. (1984) 8.30 Bridge Of Spies. (2015) 11.10 My Summer Of Love. (2004, M) 12.45am Late Programs. 5.50 Philadelphia. (1993, PG)

6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Motor Racing. Supercars C’ship. Townsville 500. Qualifying. 2.00 Motor Racing. Supercars C’ship. Townsville 500. Pre-race and race. 5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Better Homes And Gardens.

8.00 The Great Outdoors. (PG) The team wanders with wolfhounds through Ireland.

8.30 MOVIE: The Lost World: Jurassic Park. (1997, PGv, R)

A team visits an island of dinosaurs. Jeff Goldblum, Julianne Moore.

11.05 Farmer Wants A Wife. (PGal, R)

12.45 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round 7. Townsville 500. Day 1. Qualifying. Highlights.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 It’s Academic. (R)

5.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

7TWO (62)

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.00 Today Extra: Saturday. (PG) 12.00 Great Australian Detour Snow. (R) 12.30 Rugby League. NRL Women’s Premiership. North Queensland Cowboys v Tigers. 2.30 NRLW Wrap. (PG) 3.15

6.00 9News Saturday.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 MOVIE: The Notebook. (2004, PGals, R) An old man reads a love story. Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling.

10.00 MOVIE: The Blind Side. (2009, PGdlv, R) A homeless teenager becomes a gridiron player. Sandra Bullock.

12.30 Wimbledon 2026 Pre-Show.

1.00 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 13 Late. Women’s final.

4.00 Great Australian Detour Snow. (R)

4.30 Global Shop. (R)

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)

6.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Charlotte is looking for a dog to give her best friend, Zeke the pug, some love. Narrated by Dr Chris Brown.

7.30 Selling Houses Australia. (PGa) Jacquie and John have owned a main street pub for 14 years but are looking for someone to take over. 9.40 Ambulance UK. (Mal, R) Multiple resources are dispatched to a patient who has fallen from a tree and has an open wrist fracture. 12.00 FBI. (Mv, R) The team works to find a killer. 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.

6.00 DW English News. 6.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Quarter-final. NOR v ENG. 9.30 Al Jazeera News. 10.00 PBS News Horizons. 10.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Quarter-final. 1.30 Motorcycle Racing. ProMX C’ship. Replay. 4.30 Building The Snowy. (PG, R) 5.30 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 8. Highlights.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Eiffel Tower: Life Behind The Scenes. (PG)

8.30 Mont-Saint-Michel: Rising Again. (R) Looks at Mont-Saint-Michel, a triumph of technical prowess, spiritual ambition and architectural audacity.

9.30 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 9.

2.30 Putin’s Crisis. (Mav, R)

3.30 Britain’s Most Expensive Houses. (PGl, R)

4.25 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.15 Euronews.

5.30 PBS News Horizons.

VICELAND (31)

Morning Programs. 1pm Motorcycle Racing. ProMX Championship. Round 6. 4.00 France 24. 4.30 Bamay. 4.50 PBS Washington Week. 5.15 PBS News Compass Points. 5.45 The Food That Built The World. 6.35 Abandoned Engineering. 8.30 Cup Fever! 9.00 The Expanse. 11.00 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Round of 16. Switzerland v Colombia. Replay. 2am NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera Newshour. 6am Home Shopping. 8.30 Better Homes And Gardens. 10.30 Auction Squad. 11.30 GetOn Extra. Noon Horse Racing. Royal Randwick, Caulfield and Doomben Racedays. 5.00 Dog Patrol. 5.30 The World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys. 6.30 Bondi Vet. 7.30 The Yorkshire Vet. 8.30 Lewis. 10.30 Escape To The Country. 11.30 Australia’s Best Backyards.

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6am Philadelphia. Continued. (1993, PG) 8.10 Master Cheng: A Spice For Life. (2019, PG) 10.15 Bridge Of Spies. (2015) 12.55pm My Summer Of Love. (2004, M) 2.30 Whale Rider. (2002, PG) 4.25 The Orator. (2011, PG, Samoan) 6.30 To Catch A Thief. (1955, PG) 8.30 Butcher’s Crossing. (2022) 10.30 Unfaithful. (2002, MA15+) 12.45am Rambo: First Blood Part II. (1985, MA15+) 2.35 Late Programs.

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6am Morning Programs.

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6.00 Better Homes. (R) 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Motor Racing. Supercars C’ship. Townsville 500. Qualifying. 2.00 Motor Racing. Supercars C’ship. Townsville 500. Pre-race and race. 5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Sydney Weekender.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Farmer Wants A Wife. (PGal)

8.30 7NEWS Spotlight. Focuses on long-form investigations.

9.30 7NEWS: Disappearance Of William Tyrrell. (R)

10.50 Autopsy USA. (Ma, R)

11.50 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round 7. Townsville 500. Day 2. Qualifying. Highlights.

12.50 Angelyne. (Ml)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

7TWO (62)

6am Morning Programs. 12.30pm Timbersports. STIHL Series. Replay. 1.00 Blokesworld. 1.30 The Car Club. 2.00 Motor Racing. NDRC Nitro Funny Cars. Round 1. Spring Nationals. Highlights. 3.00 Motor Racing. Night Thunder. High Limits World Tour. Night 1. Replay. 4.00 Football. AFL. Round 18. GWS Giants v Geelong. 7.00 Storage Wars. 7.30 MOVIE: Apollo 13. (1995, PG) 10.25 MOVIE: Black Sea. (2014, M) 1am Late Programs. 6am Hook, Line And Sinker.

6.00 9News Sunday.

7.00 LEGO Masters Bricktacular. (PG)

8.30 60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating, analysing and uncovering the issues affecting all Australians.

9.30 9News Late.

10.00 The First 48: Thick As Thieves. (Malv) Two people are killed in a home invasion.

11.00 Love Cheats. (Mal) 12.00 Getaway. (PG, R) 12.30 Wimbledon 2026 Pre-Show. 1.00 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 14 Late. Men’s final.

5.00 Today Early News.

5.30 Today.

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PG) 2.00 MOVIE: Silent Dust. (1949, PG) 3.45 MOVIE: Whisky Galore! (1949) 5.30 Midsomer Murders. 7.30 David Attenborough’s Asia. 8.40 Paramedics. 9.40 Emergency. 10.40 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 4.30pm Rugby Union. Nations C’ship. AUS v FRA. 7.30 Nations Championship: Australia v France PostMatch. 8.00 MOVIE: The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug. (2013, M) 11.40 The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power. 12.55am Prodigal Son. 2.35 MOVIE: Christmess. (2023, M) 4.30 Barney’s World. 4.50 Cry Babies Magic Tears. 5.10 Mia & Codie. 5.30 Wild Manes. 6am Morning Programs. 9.10 Australian Ninja Warrior. 1.10pm Motor Racing. FIA World Endurance Championship. 24 Hours of Le Mans. Highlights. 2.20 Surfing Australia TV. 2.50 The Summit. 5.30 MOVIE: Dennis The Menace. (1993, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Inception. (2010, M)

6.30 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 7.00 MasterChef Australia. (PG) Guest judge is Marion Grasby. 8.15 Watson. (PGadsv) While visiting another hospital, Watson becomes convinced that a patient is suffering from locked-in syndrome and has been mistaken for being in a coma for over a decade.

MONDAY, July 13

TV (2)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 Cooper & Fry. (Ma, R) 11.30 Poh’s Kitchen. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Landline. (R) 2.00 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) 2.30 Anh’s Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 3.00 Restoration Australia. (R) 4.00 Murdoch Mysteries. (Mav, R) 4.45 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.05 Inside The Steam Train Museum. (R) 11.00 Cycling. Tour de France. H’lights. 12.00 Cycling. Tour de France. H’lights. 1.00 WorldWatch. 2.55 Pharaohs Of The Two Lands. (R) 4.00 FIFA World Cup 2026: Highlights Show. (R) 4.30 The Cook Up. (R) 5.00 Cycling. Tour de France. H’lights.

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Michael Palin: Into Iraq. (Ms, R)

8.30 24 Hours In Emergency: Brave New World. (Mal)

9.25 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. (Mals, R)

10.25 SBS World News Late.

10.55 Gomorrah. (MA15+av, R)

2.35 Britain’s Most Expensive Houses. (R)

4.20 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Children’s Programs. 3pm Play School. 3.25 Wiggle. 4.05 Andy’s Dinosaur Adventures. 4.20 Santiago Of The Seas. 5.30 Talking Tom Heroes. 5.55 PJ Masks. 6.45 HexVets And Magic Pets. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.40 Ninjago: Dragons Rising. 8.00 Young Sheldon. 8.25 Young Sheldon. 8.45 Expedition With Steve Backshall. 9.35 Chopped Junior. 10.20 Kids Baking Championship. 11.00 Late Programs.

TUESDAY, July 14

TV (2)

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.00 Aust Story. (R) 10.30 Take 5. (PG, R) 11.00 Murder In The Skies: Who Downed MH17? (Final, PGa, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Better. (Madl, R) 2.00 Back Roads. (PG, R) 2.30 Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 3.00 Restoration Australia. (R) 3.55 Murdoch Mysteries. (PG, R) 4.45 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (PG, R)

VICELAND (31)

Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s

At

1.00 Clarkson’s Who Wants To Be A Millionaire UK. (R) 2.00 Bridge Of Lies. (R) 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PG)

7.30 Farmer Wants A Wife. (PGa) Hosted by Natalie Gruzlewski.

9.20 The Rookie. (Mav) Juarez thinks Penn’s recent string of bad luck is the result of a curse.

10.20 The Agenda Setters: Rugby League. (R)

11.20 The Agenda Setters.

12.20 New Amsterdam. (MA15+av, R)

1.20 Harry’s Practice. (R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

7TWO (62)

(R) 4.00 Poh’s Kitchen. (R) 4.30 Antiques Roadshow. (PGa, R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Children’s Programs. 3.25pm Wiggle. 4.05 Andy’s Dinosaur Adventures. 4.20 Santiago Of The Seas. 5.30 Talking Tom Heroes. 5.55 PJ Masks. 6.45 HexVets And Magic Pets. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.40 Ninjago: Dragons Rising. 8.00 Young Sheldon. 8.25 Young Sheldon. 8.45 Ice Age. 9.30 MythBusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 9.55 BattleBots. 10.45 Animals Up Close With Bertie Gregory. 11.25 Late Programs.

SBS MOVIES (32)

6am Born To Dance.

Continued. (2015, PG) 6.50 The NeverEnding Story. (1984) 8.40 The Orator. (2011, PG, Samoan) 10.45 Butcher’s Crossing. (2022) 12.50pm Aftersun. (2022, M) 2.45 The Movie Show. 3.15 The Monk And The Gun. (2023, PG, Dzongkha) 5.20 Roman Holiday. (1953, PG) 7.30 Sense And Sensibility. (1995) 10.00 My Neighbour Totoro. (1988, PG) 11.40 Late Programs.

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6.00 Morning Programs. 10.05 Inside The Steam Train Museum. (PG, R) 11.00 Cycling. Tour de France. H’lights. 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.05 The Last Violin. (PGl, R) 3.30 The Cook Up. (R) 4.00 Michael Mosley Secrets Of The Superagers. (PG, R) 5.00 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.30 North American Fan Feasts. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Portugal With Michael Portillo. (R) Michael Portillo’s journey in Portugal continues in Braga, its oldest city, and Ponte de Lima, its oldest town.

8.30 Insight. Kumi Taguchi looks into DNA testing.

9.30 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 10. Aurillac to Le Lioran. 166.6km mountain stage. From France.

2.00 Britain’s Most Expensive Houses. (Mas, R)

2.55 TradFest: The Fingal Sessions. (R)

3.55 Beautiful Game Changers. (R)

4.00 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Semi-final.

VICELAND (31)

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6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s

6.00 9News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Travel Guides. (PGl) 8.40 100% Footy. (Mal) 9.40 9News Late. 10.10 Outback Opal Hunters. (PGal)

TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)

A Current Affair. (R)

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)

7.30 First Dates Australia. (Ma)

8.40 Doc. (Ma) Joan arrives at the hospital as a patient.

9.40 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA. (MA15+l)

10.40 The Agenda Setters. 11.40 Happy’s Place. (PGal) 12.10 New Amsterdam. (MA15+av, R) 1.10 The Outdoor Room With Jamie Durie. (R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

7TWO (62)

6.00 9News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 The Hundred With

SBS MOVIES (32)

6am The Orator. Continued. (2011, PG, Samoan) 7.35 To Catch A Thief. (1955, PG) 9.35 Sense And Sensibility. (1995) 12.05pm The Idol. (2015, M, Arabic) 2.00 My Neighbour Totoro. (1988, PG) 3.40 The Ideal Palace. (2018, PG, French) 5.40 Clockwatchers. (1997, PG) 7.30 The Outsiders. (1983, M) 9.10 High Fidelity. (2000) 11.20 Begin Again. (2013, M) 1.20am Late Programs.

ONTHEBOX

WEDNESDAY, July 15

TV (2)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 Four Corners. (R) 10.45 Dr Karl’s How Things Work. (R) 11.15 Back Roads. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Press Club. 1.35 Media Watch. (PG, R) 2.00 Back Roads. (R) 2.30 Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 3.00 Restoration Aust. (PG, R) 4.00 Murdoch Mysteries. (PG, R) 4.45 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

THURSDAY,

TV (2)

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6.00 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Semi-final. Cont. 7.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Quarterfinal. Replay. 10.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Quarter-final. Replay. 1.30 WorldWatch. 3.00 PBS NewsHour. 4.00 FIFA World Cup 2026: Highlights Show. 4.30 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw. (R) 5.00 Cycling. Tour de France. H’lights.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. Presented by Marc Fennell.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Alone Australia. (Return, l) Ten survivalists are taken to Sapmi, Finland, where they face a gruelling survival experiment.

9.45 Coldwater. (Malv) Keen to expose the truth about Tommy, John and Fiona invite him and Rebecca to lunch.

10.40 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 11.

2.10 Journey Of The Pelicans: An Outback Mystery. (R)

3.00 TradFest: The Fingal Sessions. (R) 4.00 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Semi-final.

VICELAND (31)

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGad)

7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PGl, R)

8.30 The Front Bar. (Ml)

9.30 Unfiltered. (PG)

10.00 The Agenda Setters.

11.00 The Fall And Rise Of Reggie Dinkins. (PGas)

11.30 Stumble. (PGals)

12.00 Everything I Know About Love. (Premiere, MA15+dls)

1.00 Harry’s Practice. (R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

7TWO (62)

6.00 9News. 7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Tipping Point: Travel Guides. (PG)

8.45 NRL Origin Story. (M)

10.00 9News Late.

10.30 Freddy And The Eighth. (Ml)

11.30 A Killer Makes A Call. (Ma, R)

12.20 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.10 Drive TV Presents. (R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

2.30 Global Shop. (R)

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)

4.30 A Current Affair. (R)

Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

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6am Room For Improvement. 6.30 Escape To The Country. 7.30

SBS MOVIES (32)

6am Clockwatchers.

Continued. (1997, PG) 6.50 The Monk And The Gun. (2023, PG, Dzongkha) 8.55 Roman Holiday. (1953, PG) 11.05 The Perks Of Being A Wallflower. (2012, M) 1pm Begin Again. (2013, M) 2.55 Sense And Sensibility. (1995) 5.25 Local Hero. (1983, PG) 7.30 The Client. (1994, M) 9.50 The Fly. (1986, MA15+) 11.35 Dark Age. (1987, MA15+) 1.20am Seeking Justice. (2011, MA15+) 3.20 Late Programs.

July 16

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 Gruen. (Final, PG, R) 10.35 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) 11.10 QI. (Final, PG, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 The Capture. (Final, Mv, R) 2.15 Bee Cause. (R) 2.30 Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 3.00 Restoration Australia. (R) 4.00 Frankie Drake. (PGv, R) 4.45 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

Frankie Drake Mysteries. (PGv, R) 11.35 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 12.25 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 4.00 Poh’s Kitchen. (R) 4.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

5.30 7.30. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Children’s Programs. 2.30pm The Makery. 3.00 Play School. 3.25 Wiggle. 4.05 Andy’s Dinosaur Adventures. 4.20 Santiago Of The Seas. 5.30 Talking Tom Heroes. 5.55 PJ Masks. 6.45 HexVets And Magic Pets. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.40 Ninjago: Dragons Rising. 8.00 Young Sheldon. 8.25 Young Sheldon. 8.45 Steven Universe. 9.55 Pokémon: Diamond And Pearl. 10.15 Ninjago. 10.50 Late Programs. 6am Children’s Programs. 3pm Play School. 3.25 Wiggle. 4.05 Andy’s Dinosaur Adventures. 4.20 Santiago Of The Seas. 5.30 Talking Tom Heroes. 5.55 PJ Masks. 6.45 HexVets And Magic Pets. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.40 Ninjago: Dragons Rising. 8.00 Young Sheldon. 8.30 Young Sheldon. 8.50 Ultimate Vets. 9.10 Animal Park. 9.55 Secrets Of The Zoo. 10.40 Amazing Animal Friends. 11.30 Late Programs.

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6.00 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Semi-final. Cont. 7.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Quarterfinal. NOR v ENG. Replay. 10.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Semi-final. Replay. 2.00 WorldWatch. 3.00 PBS NewsHour. 4.00 FIFA World Cup 2026: Highlights Show. 4.30 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw. (R) 5.00 Cycling. Tour de France. H’lights.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Spain With Michael Portillo. (PG)

8.30 Eva Longoria: Searching For France. (PGa) Eva heads to the port city of Marseille.

9.20 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 12.

2.15 Britain’s Most Expensive Houses. (PG, R)

4.05 TradFest: The Fingal Sessions. (R)

4.35 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

VICELAND (31)

Cup Fever! 9.00 The Expanse. 11.00 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Quarter-final. Norway v England. Replay. 2am NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera. 6am Morning Programs. 2pm Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 10. Highlights. 3.00 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 11. Highlights. 4.05 BBC News At Ten. 4.35 France 24. 5.05 PBS News. 6.05 Mysteries From Above. 6.55 Jeopardy! 7.30 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.25 Cup Fever! 8.55 Alone Australia. 11.00 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Quarter-final. Replay. 2am NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera Newshour.

SBS MOVIES (32)

6am Local Hero. (1983, PG) 8.10 The Ideal Palace. (2018, PG, French) 10.10

The Outsiders. (1983, M) 11.50 High Fidelity. (2000) 2pm Clockwatchers. (1997, PG) 3.50 The Company. (2003, PG) 5.55 Viva Las Vegas. (1964, PG) 7.30 Gremlins. (1984, M) 9.30 Escape From New York. (1981, M) 11.25 Sky Pirates. (1986, M) 1am Rosenthal. (2025, M, Yiddish) 2.50 House Of The Seasons. (2023, M, Japanese) 5.05 Late Programs.

7MATE (64)

6am

12.35am Love Island Games. 2.00 Below Deck Sailing Yacht. 3.05 Jeopardy! UK. 4.00 Barbie It Takes Two. 4.30 Barney’s World. 4.50 LEGO Friends: Heartlake Stories. 5.10 Hop. 5.30

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGad) 8.30 Air Crash Investigations: Moments From Touchdown. (PGa) Looks at the crash of Yeti Airlines Flight 691. 9.30 Homicide: With Ron Iddles: Terry Floyd. (PGa, R) A look at the case of Terry Floyd.

10.30 To Be Advised.

12.00 Brave New World. (MA15+asv)

1.00 ICU. (PGa, R)

1.30 Harry’s Practice. (R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

7TWO (62)

7MATE (64)

6.00 9News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 20. Penrith Panthers v Brisbane Broncos. 9.55 NRL Thursday Night Footy

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By David WIGLEY

NORTH Coast's under-15s produced the moment of the day with a stunning late winner to edge Newcastle Olympic 2-1 in their Premier Youth League clash at the Coffs Coast Synthetics on Sunday.

With the scores locked at 1-1 and the match seemingly destined for a draw, North Coast’s captain Myles Reedy unleashed a thunderbolt from 25 metres that rocketed into the top corner.

The Olympic goalkeeper managed to get fingertips to the ball, but there was

REEDY’S ROCKET