NATURALLY caring and strong when she needs to be, beloved local Angela Martin was named 2026 Coffs Coast Woman of the Year at the International Women’s Day Breakfast on Friday 6 March.
Ms Martin, whose professional title is General Manager of Lifeline North Coast, personifies the judging criteria of being a woman who makes a significant contribution to enhancing and improving the economic and social wellbeing of citizens within the local community. Follow her social media feeds and you’ll see a woman who is
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HEALTH TRAILBLAZER
q 2025 recipient Tiga Cross with 2026 IWD Woman of the Year Angela Martin.
Andrea FERRARI 0410 067 966 andrea@newsofthearea.com.au
Andrew VIVIAN 0414 646 198 andrew@newsofthearea.com.au
Aiden BURGESS aiden@newsofthearea.com.au
David WIGLEY wigley@newsofthearea.com.au
Mike HELY 0427 108 089 mike@newsofthearea.com.au
Kim SATCHELL 0422 016 285 satchell@newsofthearea.com.au
open, caring, fun and actively supportive of initiatives that reach out to make a positive impact on the local community.
Marvellously manicured she might be, but Ms Martin gets up early in the morning, switches herself on, and turns her attention to those who need her guiding hand.
The judges commented that through her leadership of Lifeline North Coast, she has helped strengthen mental health awareness and support across the region through initiatives including the Out of the Shadows Walk, the Woolgoolga Football Club Charity Match and the Coffs Running Festival - while helping reduce stigma and connecting people to vital support services.
Ms Martin told News Of The Area that her motivation is simple.
“I love this community, and I care deeply about the people who turn to Lifeline when they are struggling.
“The reality of suicide is not abstract - it affects families, workplaces and entire
“As a mother, sitting with another mum grieving the loss of her child or husband is something I carry with me long after the conversation ends.
“Those moments are raw and real, and they remind me why suicide prevention matters, and why it’s essential that we equip people with the skills to recognise when someone they love is overwhelmed or in crisis.”
In her opinion, more people are doing it tough at the moment.
“Rising living costs, housing instability, and increasing vulnerability, mean more families are reaching out for help,” she said.
“Often the most powerful thing we can do is listen, connect someone to the right support, and walk beside them through their grief or crisis.
“I am deeply proud of the work we do at Lifeline North Coast.
“Our staff and volunteers are handpicked for their compassion, professionalism and commitment to our community.
“They show up every day with integrity and heart.
“While much of my work happens behind the scenes, this recognition honours our entire organisation, and strengthens my resolve to keep building the support our community deserves.”
Knife scanning operation concludes
A KNIFE scanning operation has concluded on the Coffs Coast.
After consultation with local community members and retailers on retail theft and public place offending such as knife crime, Coffs/Clarence Police District planned a knife wanding operation at shopping centres in Toormina and the Coffs Harbour Central Business District.
Operation Ares commenced at 12pm
on Thursday 5 March and concluded at 4.30pm the same day, with police using metal detectors at both locations.
At Toormina, two people were given move-on directions for public intoxication, and three youths were identified trespassing and given warnings under the Young Offenders Act.
At Coffs Harbour, a knife was detected after stopping a 17-year-old boy.
He was arrested and charged with
“custody of a knife in a public place” and “breach of bail”, and appeared before Bail Division Court on Friday 6 March.
A 41-year-old man was scanned and found in possession of a knife, before he was charged with "custody of a knife –subsequent offence", and refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 1 on Friday.
Operation Ares will continue to run at designated locations across the state.
q Angela Martin was recognised on International Women’s Day.
q Angela Martin (centre) with friends and family Michelle McFadyen, Blyde Neser, Michelle Aubert and Jasmin Van Den Bosch.
q Angela with partner Paul Austin.
HEALTH TRAILBLAZER
FROM Page 1
Woman of the Year.
Announced at a ceremony in Sydney during NSW Women’s Week, Dr Rebecca Tallis was honoured with this year’s prestigious award for championing the health needs of her local community.
Dr Tallis is a local GP specialising in women’s and children’s health and the founder of the Elara Clinic in Sawtell.
“It is such an honour to be recognised for
this contribution to the community in an area I feel so passionately about,” she said.
“It took a great deal of grit and perseverance to open the doors and Elara Women and Children’s clinic is absolutely thriving.
“We can confidently say that we are achieving our goal of improving health services for women and children in our community.”
Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh said Dr Tallis launched the Elara Clinic to “empower women
and nurture children”.
“After identifying a growing need for improving accessibility and equitability for women and children, Dr Tallis set out to create a safe and welcoming space to deliver essential medical services, educational support and resources to promote holistic health and wellbeing,” he said.
“Dr Tallis and her team assist many local women and children with personalised health care in a calm and supportive
Petrol spikes hit home
By Thomas O’KEEFE
WAR in the Middle East is having direct impacts on the prices of basic commodities in Australia, including petrol and other fuels that keep the local economy going.
Almost overnight, the geopolitical shape of the world instigated panic that filtered through global supply chains.
Unleaded petrol is now averaging over $2/litre in many areas of the state, hurting many locals already on tight incomes thanks to the cost-of-living crisis.
Diesel, which powers Australia’s bulk transport trucks, has also spiked, with costs presumably to be passed on to households via rises in grocery store prices as supplies get more expensive to deliver.
Owners of electric vehicles are by no means immune, as the electricity that powers the grid, which recharges the vehicles, is heavily reliant upon the same diesel-powered supply system, not to mention the natural gas that is used to fire up power stations when demand surges.
The reason for the price
hikes is that 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow sea lane that connects the Persian Gulf and oilexporters Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and UAE, to the rest of the world.
Hormuz is a natural choke point, measuring less than 40km at its narrowest point, between the southern coast of Iran and the northern tip of Oman.
The extended Iranian coastline means that even devoid of an active navy, Iran can attack the Strait at will, via drones and missile
setting.”
Mr Singh said he admired Dr Tallis for her key focus on the healthcare needs of women and children and for providing support and advice across a key range of services.
“Her passionate work in our community sums up what the Coffs Harbour Electorate Local Woman of the Year Awards are all about – recognising and celebrating progressive thinkers, everyday heroes, social advocates and innovative role models,” Mr Singh said.
strikes, bringing global oil trade to its knees instantly.
The global air traffic hub of Dubai is only 100km away – leaving many Australian expatriates stranded as they attempt to fly home via that one key stopover, which is now in an active warzone.
According to Geoscience Australia, a Federal Government organisation, Australia is a net importer of oil, with only around 20 percent of the oil the country needs actually refined here last year.
“Australia is a minor oil producer, ranking 29th
in the world and accounting for 0.5 percent of total oil production in 2020,” says Geoscience Australia data.
“Most of Australia’s oil is currently produced on the North West Shelf, some distance from domestic east coast refining capacity.”
Apparently, domestically produced grades of crude oil are generally not suited for Australian refineries, reinforcing the importation of internationally-sourced oil, hence nearly 80 percent of Australian-produced oil was exported in 2020.
Currently, Australia only has two active oil refineries: Ampol’s Lytton site near Brisbane, and Viva Energy’s
refinery in Geelong.
The Kurnell refinery in Sydney ceased refining oil in 2012, and was converted into Australia’s largest fuel import terminal in 2014.
Recent legislation mandates that Australia maintain a Minimum Stockholding Obligation (MSO), which is measured in mega-litres, but is often expressed in an estimate of how long the current stockpile will last.
As per an MSO update on 6 March, Australia has roughly 40 days each of petroleum, diesel and jet fuel on hand, in case of a major supply chain emergency.
q Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh with Dr Rebecca Tallis and NSW Governor Margaret Beazley AC KC at the NSW Women of the Year Awards ceremony in Sydney.
Contrasting views over social housing development
By Andrew VIVIAN
SOCIAL media commentary has sparked intense discussion about the suitability of a proposed social housing development in Coffs Harbour.
As previously reported in NOTA, the proposal at 211a215 Harbour Drive comprises a four-storey building with 60 units, a communal room for residents, basement car parking and internal lifts, and landscaping and fencing across the site.
Fifteen public submissions about the proposal were received by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI), which has overall responsibility for the project, including one from an independent primary school.
On 2 March, Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan stated on social media that the development was “number one on the community concern list this month”, noting its earmarked location “between three prominent Coffs Harbour primary schools”.
“I have personally received impassioned pleas from many members of the collective school community asking for the site's location to be reconsidered,” Mr
Conaghan posted.
Mr Conaghan went on to state that social and affordable housing was desperately needed in the region, however it needs to be “carefully considered, fit for purpose and safe for all involved; both the eventual residents and their neighbours”.
In response to the MP’s post, City of Coffs Harbour councillor Tony Judge called on Mr Conaghan and Mayor Nikki Williams to show support for social housing initiatives.
“The development will deliver 60 new social and affordable homes on Harbour Drive, close to shops and services.
“This is exactly the sort of well-located housing we need to be building to address homelessness and the rental crisis in Coffs Harbour.
“Social housing tenants are like any of us. They have families, they aspire to a better life and they need safe, secure accommodation.
“Social housing is not just an act of compassion; it is an investment in people and our future.”
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh also weighed in with a statement to NOTA, noting that questions were raised
with the NSW Government over the development in last week’s Budget Estimates.
“We (the NSW Nationals) support building more social housing,” he said.
“The issue is that when you put a 60-apartment complex next to three primary schools and two preschools, you have an obligation to get the settings right.
“That means being upfront about who's being allocated there, what safeguards are in place, and what happens when something goes wrong.”
Mr Singh said that people who contact his office with concerns aren't NIMBYs, they are often social housing tenants themselves, telling him the current system isn't keeping them safe.
“The community is entitled to ask what will be different this time,” he said.
“This development is a new build, and we support adding to the housing stock.”
However, Mr Singh said that the broader issue of how social housing is provided should be examined.
City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams said feedback from nearby school communities reflected a range of perspectives about the proposal.
“There is broad recognition that social
housing plays an important role in supporting vulnerable members of our community, including older residents, people facing financial hardship or disability, and those rebuilding their lives after difficult circumstances,”
Mayor Williams said.
“Feedback raised by school communities includes questions around the location of the proposal, as well as suggestions about tenant mix and management arrangements.
“These are important issues that need to be worked through carefully so any project operates safely and effectively within its surrounding community.”
NSW Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said Coffs Harbour, like the rest of NSW, is “facing a housing crisis that demands action”.
“We won’t apologise for building the homes that the community desperately needs,” she said.
Ms Jackson said misconceptions exist that social housing residents are anti-social, lazy, or in some way to blame for their housing situation.
“The truth is most of the applicants on our social housing waitlist are femaleled households, whether
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that be single mums fleeing domestic and family violence, or older women facing homelessness for the first time,” she said.
“There should be a place for diversity in all our suburbs and for public housing residents to live with dignity alongside every walk of life.”
Mission Australia Housing will be responsible for the development.
“Mission Australia Housing prioritises the safety of our tenants, staff and the wider community,” a spokesperson told NOTA.
“We take a proactive approach to tenancy and property management, supported by clear policies and experienced staff.
“We are committed to providing safe and secure homes and to creating positive, thriving communities.
“We aim to work collaboratively with tenants, community members, local services and government to respond to and manage concerns as they arise, while respecting the privacy of the people who live in our homes.”
q Cr Judge and Minister Jackson say communities can have misconceptions about social housing residents. Photo: Tony Judge.
International Women’s Day
By Andrea FERRARI
AROUND 400 people gathered at the Coffs Harbour Racing Club on Friday 6 March to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women across the region at the 2026 Coffs Coast International Women’s Day Breakfast.
Hosted annually by the Zonta Club of Coffs Harbour, BPW (Business and Professional Women) Coffs Coast, and the Coffs Coast Business Women’s Network, the event brings together the community to mark International Women’s Day and recognise the leadership, resilience and service of local women.
Following the announcement of the 2026 recipient of the Coffs Coast Woman of the Year Award, Lifeline CEO Angela Martin, there was further acknowledgment of the positive contribution of women in the Coffs Harbour and Bellingen Local Government Areas.
Two exceptional women were named joint runnersup, with judges unable to separate the contributions of Nicola Mackie and Penny Westman.
Nicola Mackie was recognised for her work with the Bellingen Kindness Kitchen, where she helps lead the preparation of 250–400 meals each week for people experiencing food insecurity.
Penny Westman was acknowledged for her extensive volunteer service including her leadership as Chairperson of the Emerald Beach Fair Committee, her work preserving the history of the South Solitary Island Lighthouse through Friends of South Solitary Island Lighthouse (FOSSIL), and her role as a Lifeline Crisis Support Worker. That is in addition to being the Work Health and Safety Advisor for the Department of Education, supporting around 75 schools across the region.
Other finalists recognised for their outstanding contributions were Kymberlei Goodacre and Berry Jones, both highly respected for their work supporting justice, health and community wellbeing in the region.
Organising committee member Cath Fowler said the event was an important opportunity for the community to recognise the many ways women contribute quietly to the strength of the Coffs Coast.
“We’re incredibly fortunate to have so many women in our region dedicating their time, skills and passion to making our community stronger,” Mrs Fowler said.
“Their leadership, compassion and commitment create a ripple effect that benefits the entire community.”
The breakfast also celebrated the achievements of women pursuing education and leadership opportunities.
Amy Howard was announced as the 2026 recipient of the BPW Coffs Coast Maude Spielvogel Scholarship, while the Wendy Martin Encouragement Award was jointly awarded to Anna Westcott and Abby Bax.
The Southern Cross University International Women’s Day Scholarship was awarded to Adrienne Gooden, a PhD candidate at the National Marine Science Centre.
Keynote speaker Kate Toon delivered an honest and practical presentation exploring the everyday bias women still encounter in professional spaces.
Drawing on her own experiences navigating maledominated environments, she spoke candidly about the subtle and overt comments women often face.
Her session encouraged women to swap silence for practical responses, offering simple phrases, strategies and habits to help shift conversations back to merit.
She also highlighted the important role allies can play in creating more balanced and inclusive workplaces.
Funds raised through the event’s raffle will support DV Safe Phones, a charity that collects and refurbishes donated mobile phones and
experiencing domestic violence so they can safely access support services.
provides them free to people
Organisers said the continued growth of the breakfast reflects the community’s strong support for recognising and celebrating the achievements of women across the Coffs Coast.
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Concerns grow over fuel supply disruptions
THE NSW Opposition has called on the state and federal governments to urgently address the growing fuel crisis across regional NSW as concerns grow about supply disruptions due to the war in Iran.
In particular the Nationals have taken aim at Minister for Regional NSW and Agriculture Tara Moriarty, who was pressed on the issue during Budget Estimates on Monday.
National Party MPs claim Ms Moriarty has failed to make adequate representations to her federal colleagues on the topic.
“It’s deeply concerning to hear today that Minister Moriarty hasn't yet, and has no plans to contact Canberra on this issue,” NSW Nationals Leader Gurmesh Singh said in a statement on Tuesday.
The Coffs Harbour MP and former blueberry and macadamia grower said farmers and regional business owners are understandably worried about price gouging and running out of fuel within the next week, if not days.
Media reports suggest large metropolitan fuel suppliers are being prioritised over independent operators who service regional, rural and remote communities in NSW.
Shadow Minister for Agriculture Brendan Moylan said many regional suppliers have contacted him saying they are either being refused supply or being charged through the roof for fuel.
“These operators report their deliveries have been cut back or cancelled entirely, with indications that supply is being prioritised to large metropolitan operators,” Mr Moylan said.
“Independent distributors are often the only reliable source of fuel for our smaller towns and agricultural operations.
“Any disruption to their supply risks shortages, price spikes and significant impacts on farming, freight and local economies.”
Mr Moylan said he has made urgent representations to the Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy of Australia Chris Bowen on behalf of the NSW Opposition.
Ms Moriarty’s office has been contacted for comment.
Fuel hoarding puts vulnerable residents at risk
The Community Transport Company - a registered charity and social enterprise offering transport services on the Mid North Coast - is calling on members of the public to avoid hoarding fuel.
As one of the largest providers of essential community transport services in NSW, The Community Transport Company relies on fuel availability to deliver critical services to some of the region’s most vulnerable people. Every day, the organisation transports older people, people with disabilities, and others experiencing transport disadvantage to medical appointments, essential treatments, and grocery shopping.
Chief Executive Officer Bethany Langford said that while the community understandably wants to ensure they are prepared, panic buying of fuel could unintentionally prevent vulnerable people from accessing life-sustaining services.
“Many of the people we transport have no other way to get to dialysis, cancer treatment, specialist medical appointments, or even the supermarket,” Ms Langford said.
“Our vehicles travel thousands of kilometres every day to make sure people can access the healthcare and essential services they need.
“If fuel becomes difficult to obtain because of hoarding, it is the most vulnerable members of our community who will be affected first.”
The Community Transport Company provides hundreds of trips every day across the region, supporting older residents, people living with disability, and those in rural and remote communities who do not have access to public transport.
“In times of uncertainty, communities are at their best when they look out for one another,” Ms Langford said.
“We simply ask people to purchase fuel as they normally would and avoid stockpiling.
“Doing so helps ensure that essential services like community transport, emergency services, and healthcare providers can continue to operate.”
The organisation is continuing to monitor the situation and has plans in place to prioritise essential medical and wellbeing transport if fuel supply becomes constrained.
Tests find local blueberries safe to eat
By Andrew VIVIAN
THE NSW Food Authority says consumers can feel confident enjoying locally grown berries, with NSW Government laboratory testing confirming they meet food safety standards for pesticide residues.
Twenty-five kilograms of blueberries and raspberries, representing 100 samples of 250 grams each, were purchased from a range of Sydney retail stores in November 2025.
They were tested by an independent NATA-accredited laboratory for 218 pesticides, including the prohibited chemical thiometon, which
was not detected. Results were within the allowable limits of the Australia New Zealand Food
Standards Code for other pesticide residues.
NSW Food Authority acting CEO Andrew Davies,
said the limits were developed by government agencies using internationally recognised methods and national scientific data.
“Consumers can be reassured that all 100 samples analysed by the NSW Food Authority were compliant and the berries were safe to eat,” he said.
Cate Faehrmann MLC has been campaigning to better regulate the blueberry industry.
She said, “I welcome the public release of this report by the NSW Food Authority, but there’s a lot of room for improvement, especially as this is possibly the first report of its kind on Australian
Hotel wins gold award
By Andrea FERRARI
QUALITY Hotel City Centre in Coffs Harbour has received top recognition in the Choice Hotels International 2025 Gold Awards.
Choice's gold awards recognise properties across its network of 7,500 hotels internationally that best uphold the brand's hospitality standards.
Quality Hotel City
Centre owner Michael Dougherty told News Of The Area, “The award belongs to our incredible team; they continue to provide service excellence and ensure all our guests feel genuinely welcome.
“We are committed to continually renovating and improving the hotel ensuring our rooms and facilities are kept modern, comfortable and have an emphasis on technology
and the environment.
“The Coffs Coast region is a fantastic area to operate our business.
“[We are] very much looking forward to the bypass opening later this year which will certainly enhance the liveability of our area.”
berries.
“It tells us which pesticides were tested for, but not which ones were detected, or at what concentrations.
“It doesn’t tell us where the berries were grown, whether they were organic, fresh or frozen.
“Given that one or more pesticides were detected on 95 percent of samples, the consumer should have the right to know what chemicals are in their fresh produce and in what quantity.
“An even better option would be to provide information at the point of sale on potential chemical additives in the produce we are consuming.”
Mr Davies said while the tests showed produce met the requirements, washing fruit and vegetables under cool running water before eating was important.
“[This] removes visible and invisible contaminants, including surface herbicide and pesticide residues which could remain on the skin,” he said.
“Excess moisture can promote bacterial growth, so it’s important to wash produce just before eating or preparing food.”
The project complemented recent NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) inspections of northern NSW berry farms, which found farmers complied with chemical use regulations.
q It is still important to wash fruit and vegetables under cool running water before eating. Photo: Andrew Vivian.
q Quality Hotel Coffs Harbour managers Jamie Minarik and Dani Young.
Welcome to the neighbourhood
Resort-style living for over 55s
Pictured: Ingenia Lifestyle Hervey Bay.
Feedback requested on CCTV sharing proposal
CITY of Coffs Harbour is proposing to give police live access to its closed-circuit television (CCTV) network.
But to do so will require a change to the City’s Video Surveillance in Public Areas Policy, with Council resolving at its meeting on 26 February to place a new draft policy on public exhibition for feedback.
“A recent survey showed the community ranks highly the ability to feel safe in our streets,” Mayor Nikki Williams said.
“In order to give authorised officers of the NSW Police real-time access to the City’s video camera network, the two
parties would need to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding which would establish the guard-rails.”
Council states the draft policy includes a raft of safeguard measures covering privacy, strictly controlled rights of access and legal covenants.
“The City’s video surveillance network can serve as a deterrent to criminal activity. It also helps us to protect the community’s public assets,” General Manager Murray Wood said.
“It’s worth noting police can already access City video, but there’s a time lag in the request process and the
current arrangement is also a drain on staff time.
“The draft policy lists the various forms of video which may be taken in public areas, and how this can – and cannot – be used.
“The City is committed to transparency and the community is encouraged to read the draft policy and provide any feedback.”
The City’s video network includes CCTV, fixed and body-worn cameras, cameras attached to City vehicles and hand-held cameras such as smart phones.
Visit the Council’s website to view the draft policy and make submissions through to 29 March.
Plans unveiled to help fund $30m Jetty Strip upgrade
THE draft Coffs Harbour Jetty Contributions Plan is on public exhibition until 29 April, outlining a proposal to help fund a multi-milliondollar upgrade of the Jetty Strip.
At its meeting on 26 February, Council resolved to put the draft plan out for comment for 42 days.
If adopted in its draft form, the plan would fund a quarter of the $30m redevelopment of the Jetty Strip (Stages 1, 1A and 2).
These works are
headlined by a realignment and straightening of Harbour Drive to create a people friendly ‘boulevard-style’ streetscape, and a new traffic light controlled intersection at the junction of Harbour Dr, Marina Dr and Orlando St.
“Effectively, this will create an impressive gateway entrance to the foreshores and provide a more direct connection between the CBD and beaches,” Mayor Nikki Williams said.
“The Jetty Strip project is much more than a cosmetic
upgrade of the streetscape as it will improve open space and address parking and traffic issues.”
The draft Contributions Plan would see new developments levied in two precincts.
The immediate ‘Jetty Precinct’ would be apportioned 15 percent of works – about $6,000 per conventional lot/dwelling.
The ‘LGA Precinct’ takes in the remainder of the Coffs Harbour Local Government Area with the exception of the
Northern Beaches (Emerald Beach to Red Rock) which is covered by the Woolgoolga Town Centre Plan.
The LGA Precinct would be apportioned 10.5 percent of the works – about $750 per conventional lot/dwelling.
The total apportioned cost of infrastructure funded by the draft contributions plan is about $7.6m.
“Development anticipated in these two precincts will range from standalone dwellings, through
to two-storey townhouses and mixed-use residential buildings,” City Planning and Communities Director Ian Fitzgibbon said.
“The Jetty Strip development plan is wideranging with a focus on improved streetscapes and active transport connectivity.”
General Manager Murray Wood said the remaining 74.5 percent of the project cost is apportioned to existing development and as such, alternative funding sources will need to be pursued.
“Some development will be exempt from the contributions plan – such as alterations and additions to an existing dwelling, demolition of an existing dwelling and construction of a replacement single dwelling, and affordable housing or social housing by a social housing provider,” Mr Wood said.
Visit Council’s “Have Your Say” website to provide feedback on the plan.
Boost for Sawtell’s nightlife
By Andrew VIVIAN
SAWTELL is one of 10 regional towns to share $2 million in funding to grow their night-time economies.
The town’s Chamber of Commerce and “Another Tasty Event” are now combining to plan a program of activities following their successful application to the Regional Night-time Economy Project.
Under the program pilot, regional business collectives across the state will receive support to
develop thriving, vibrant local economies - day and night.
Developed in response to feedback from regional businesses, councils and industry groups, the pilot will offer tailored capacitybuilding bootcamps for each collective.
As well as Sawtell, funding will support business collectives in Bathurst, Byron Bay, the Hunter Valley, Lennox Head, Milton, Murrumbateman, Murwillumbah, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga.
These communities will develop strategies, plans and ideas for marketing campaigns, activations and events.
Minister for Small Business and Minister for the North Coast Janelle
Saffin said: “We know that people are seeking out nightlife experiences closer to home, and this program will enable regional business groups to collaborate and highlight what their region has to offer – not just during major or community events but all year round.
“This round of the program is a pilot, providing an opportunity to test the approach, learn from the outcomes and inform future program expansion.”
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh congratulated Sawtell Chamber of Commerce and Another Tasty Event on their “collective vision for the development of a thriving, vibrant local economy”.
q Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh at Sawtell’s First Avenue with (from left) Another Tasty Event owner Carl Mower, Sawtell Hotel operations manager Sally Price, Sawtell Chamber of Commerce secretary Nicola Sagar and the Chamber’s president Clive Greenway. Photo: Gurmesh Singh.
Beloved pet dog killed in Woolgoolga lounge room
By Andrew VIVIAN
A DEADLY dog-on-dog attack has claimed the life of a beloved pet in Woolgoolga.
Returning home from a night out on Saturday, 28 February, septuagenarians
Veronica and John Fallon entered their lounge room
to discover a nightmare scene, with their 9-year-old Jack Russell Terrier, Obi, dead on the floor from an attack.
Their other dog, a Shih Tzu, was found cowering behind a couch in fear.
The couple had only been gone from the house for two hours.
Because they have intact fences, the Fallons leave a back door open for their dogs to use the yard.
“We came home and thought we had been broken into,” Mrs Fallon said.
“My husband went inside and came back and said ‘Obi’s dead’.
“Obi was my husband’s shadow, so we are devastated.”
Neighbours later told the Fallons they had seen two dogs which looked like pitbulls trying to jump fences.
These dogs had apparently broken through the paling fence at the back
of the home prior to the attack.
Later, when police arrived, Mrs Fallon said the dogs came through the back door again, wagging their tails and trying to lick people before being returned by officers to their owners.
According to Mrs Fallon,
a City of Coffs Harbour ranger came the following day and said the dogs would not be put down, quoting relevant legislation.
A spokesperson for the City of Coffs Harbour said the City has investigated, taken enforcement action and issued fines of $1,300 for each animal involved.
Feedback sought on Urunga CBD upgrade
RESIDENTS can now have their say on design elements for the Urunga CBD upgrade, through a feedback survey open until 26 March.
The Urunga CBD Upgrade aims to enhance the amenity of the town centre through improved streetscaping, accessibility and connectivity, as well as improving the connection between the main commercial hub and the foreshore.
The current designs are based on the Urunga CBD Master Plan, which was developed in 2024 following community surveys and
workshops.
The plan acts as a longterm vision and strategy for Urunga and will be developed in a staged approach over the next 20 years.
RPS AAP Consulting were awarded the tender for the project in January.
Bellingen Shire Council Acting General Manager, Ashley Greenwood, said Council is working closely with the community to ensure that key stakeholders have a chance to engage with the design process.
“The Urunga CBD Community Reference Group
was formed in September 2025, with representatives chosen based on their experience, ability to represent key community groups, commitment to act as community voices, and alignment with Council’s values,” he said.
“In addition to the work of the Community Reference Group, who have been engaged via workshops and information sessions over the past six months, there are also regular email updates on the project’s progress, sent to a mailing list of interested people, as well as face to face conversations with businesses and organisations in the CBD.”
Interested community
members will have another opportunity to provide feedback on the project with a second round of feedback in June, which will focus more on aesthetic aspects of the design. Visit the Bellingen
Wicker Suite light up Coramba Hall stage
By Kate PYE
FOLK-BLUEGRASS duo
Wicker Suite took to the stage at the historic Coramba Community Hall on Sunday, 8 March, providing locals an unforgettable afternoon of music and stories.
The duo, consisting of Australian fiddler and vocalist Gabi Louise and New Zealand singer-songwriter
and guitarist Liam KennedyClark, are three-time CMAA Golden Guitar Award winners - most recently taking out Instrumental of the Year for their composition “Lyrebird”.
Over the years the pair have built a reputation as one of Australia’s most exciting country-roots acts.
Wicker Suite are currently on their “The Way That It Was” tour, bringing a mix of
original music and personal storytelling to the Orara Valley on Sunday.
“Coramba Hall was absolutely beautiful,” Gabi and Liam said.
“It sounded amazing and felt great to perform in.
“We’ve played lots of halls across Australia, and each has its own charm, but Coramba really stood out.”
The Coramba Hall, built
in 1914, has been a central community gathering place for over a century.
Recent refurbishments, including a new kitchen, modern toilets, and performance lighting, make it an ideal venue for smaller acts wanting an intimate vibe.
Gabi and Liam explained that performing in small community halls is about more than just the music.
“It’s the history and the people,” they said.
“The committees and communities that maintain these halls are the heart and soul of these towns.
“We love learning when the hall was built, what events it hosted, and the stories it holds.”
With stops left in Victoria and New Zealand before focusing on a new
album, Wicker Suite hopes to continue performing in halls like Coramba, keeping community music alive.
“Our dream is to see these venues thrive again, bringing people together like they always have,” they said.
Supported by Arts Mid North Coast, Coramba Hall continues to be a hub for culture, music, and community.
q An RPS AAP Consulting render of what Bowra Street, Urunga could look like.
q Liam Kennedy-Clark and Gabi Louise from Wicker Suite. Photos: Glenn Jackson.
Vale Elizabeth Webb
By Andrea FERRARI and Honi REIFLER
GLENREAGH treasure Elizabeth “Bessie” Webb has passed away at the age of 103.
The rural community is well-known for its active volunteering and common purpose, and Bessie epitomised that selfless ethic.
Local Honi Reifler has shared the story of Mrs Webb’s life with News Of The Area.
She said Bessie recalled being a three-yearold, sitting on her mother’s knee and listening to her father recite a poignant Banjo Patterson poem in the Glenreagh Hall.
Her father was Tom Holder, a wise man whose life was built around his two favourite adages: “You have to care for your neighbour”, and “The world has to be just a tiny bit better because you’ve been here”.
Bessie was born in 1922 and lived at Tallawudjah Creek, west of Glenreagh, until she was 16.
Her primary schooling was two days one week and three days the next as the teacher was shared between another small school.
She did not have any high schooling but went on to research local history, write many
books, compose poetry, remind politicians of their duty, and ensure that all the organisations that she belonged to remained true to their purpose.
Love of her life
The Holders moved to a small farm at Southgate, near Grafton, in 1938.
Bessie met Les Webb in 1942 and they were married in 1944.
Over 100 of Bessie’s family filled the Grafton Cathedral for the wedding ceremony
but Les was the only representative from the Webb side.
He was from a very small family and it was during the Second World War when travel was difficult.
The indomitable Bessie then left her family behind and headed for the south coast of NSW with the love of her life.
They turned their hand to farming, mainly dairying, in Unundera, Kangaroo Valley, Penrith and Llandilo.
Les was a fitter-and-turner so he worked on-and-off the farm until his retirement when they were running two school buses.
The four Webb children, Robyn (1945), Lyn (1949), Peter (1953) and Jen (1962) were born during this time, and Bessie was actively involved in all their schooling and recreation.
She was also a founding member of the Nepean Family History and an active member of the Anglican Church.
In 1981, Les and Bessie moved to Glenreagh where they were active in their retirement.
Bessie was involved in numerous projects.
That very long list includes: the establishment of the Glenreagh Memorial Museum; the beautification of Shannon Park; Glenreagh Bush Fire Brigade; the local Anglican Church; the Glenreagh Public School and P&C; the tennis club; the annual Charity Picnic Race Day; scripture teaching; Glenreagh Tidy Towns; the Progress Association and Hall Committee; Australia Day celebrations; Glenreagh Mountain Railway; The Creative Group; and she was a charter member of the Orara Valley Lions Club.
Bessie always held out the Digger’s hat at the breakfast in the hall after the Anzac Day Dawn Service, and nobody sidled past to ignore her intentions.
Trousseau treasures
A few years ago, at Glenreagh’s annual Cedar and Steam Art and Photography Exhibition, the organisers chose the humble but all-important apron to feature in their special section.
Bessie had some beautiful aprons from her trousseau that her mother had made in 1944.
“When I went around to photograph the aprons I was surprised… but not really… to find Bessie wearing one of the aprons while cooking a batch of jam drops,” Honi said.
“While the biscuits baked, Bessie modelled many of her aprons.
“Afterwards we enjoyed a cuppa and then Bessie packed away the remaining biscuits so she could take them up to the school canteen for the students.”
In the last few years of Bessie’s life, she was slowed down by minor strokes.
Although her speech was affected, she still ensured the museum maintained the integrity of her research.
Bessie remained in her own home, almost to the end, thanks to the caring rotational visits from her children.
Bessie and Les, who died in 1998, shared four children.
Honi said: “On the last day of her earthly life, Bessie read out the mindfulness card for the day: ‘I am loved for being uniquely me’.
“And truly, our unique Bessie was loved by all.
Proposed Karangi Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
We’re in early planning for a battery in Karangi, 11km northwest of Coffs Harbour Town Centre. Come along to an information session to meet our team and find out more. Drop-in Session 1
“We are all the better for having known a lady who left this world, not just a tiny bit better, but a lot better because she had been here.”
There will be a community celebration of the life of Elisabeth “Bessie” Webb at 11am on Thursday 19 March in the Glenreagh Hall.
q Bessie proudly wearing her well-deserved OAM.
q Bessie and Les.
q Bessie working with other Lions members at the Glenreagh Return and Earn.
Junior doctors arrive in Coffs Harbour
By Andrea FERRARI
TWO medical interns have joined the Coffs Harbour Health Campus.
Dr Phoebe Parodi and Dr Tammy Middleton are among 25 medical interns to join hospitals across the Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD).
They will work alongside the District’s highly skilled and experienced medical staff.
Having completed their orientation, the junior doctors are already providing care to local patients.
Interns are medical graduates who have completed their medical degree and are required to complete a supervised year of practice to gain general registration.
They will be starting their internship through a training program with networked hospitals throughout the state, providing formal and on-the-job training.
For Dr Parodi, being based in Coffs Harbour for her study with Charles Sturt University, and now coming in as a Junior Medical Officer, has given her a chance to get to know all the sites and facilities, all the doctors, nursing staff and allied health services.
“It’s given me a huge understanding of how this network works,” she told News Of The Area.
“We have been very lucky in that our last three years of training and study has been extremely clinical based.
“We were very well supported in our training, talking to other doctors and simulations we were involved with.
“I feel like this has had a real impact on the emergency situations we are presented with.”
Dr Tammy Middleton grew up in Coffs
Community Of The Heart
Meditations • Healing • Teachings
Sharing the Wisdom of all great Faiths For Getting Real and Living Well
A WARM INVITATION
This Sunday let your heart heal, your spirit refresh and your life move forward in loving optimism! Join other beautiful soulseekers Sunday morning every fortnight for song, meditation, singing bowls, healing and spiritual One-ness. Nothing to join. Nothing to pay.
Trudi and Les (now living locally) have lovingly shared spiritual truths from all faiths for over 40 years now. Next Get-Together starts 8.30am this Sunday 15th March, Toormina Community Centre.
Harbour and says she has always been a country girl, having studied in Orange and on the Mid North Coast.
“I’m looking forward to starting my career back home, close to my family and my community.
“I got into medicine because I just wanted to make a difference somewhere and to someone.
“I’ve gone through personal experiences with my family having to travel for healthcare, and I wanted to be part of the solution.
“If you already have your roots in the country then I think you are more inclined to continue going back to those communities to provide healthcare.”
q Dr Tammy Middleton and Dr Phoebe Parodi have joined the Coffs Clinical Network.
Solid start at Boambee Creek Reserve
By Mike HELY
BOAMBEE Creek Reserve has had some much-needed cosmetic surgery to stabilise its eroded creekbank, but a full facelift is still in the planning stages.
And in another positive development for the reserve, its kiosk, which had been shut for some time, reopened last Sunday.
Coffs Harbour-based ‘Soley’s On The Creek, Café and Cakery’ will operate the kiosk seven days a week.
A spokesperson for Reflections Holidays, which manages the reserve, said over the past nine months Reflections had been “working to confirm remedial works to help manage the worsening riverbank erosion”, which had been exacerbated by severe weather events.
She said Reflections would continue to discuss long-term remediation
options to tackle the erosion with City of Coffs Harbour Council and NSW Crown Lands.
Last week local firm Burnett Civil used heavy machinery to undertake three days of creekbank stabilisation, working between tides.
This work included harvesting sand from the creek’s large sandbar and placing it along a 100-metre eroded section.
Sand placed along the riverbank was shaped to form a natural looking beach dune and grass turfing was added along the top of the dune batter.
“Temporary fencing will remain in place to continue to protect the riverbank as visitors to the reserve continually accessing the water over the riverbank further adds to the degradation,” the spokesperson said.
“We would ask visitors to the reserve please not remove the temporary
fencing to enable the area to stabilise and the grass to regenerate.”
City of Coffs Harbour Council last month resolved to write to Reflections Holidays CEO Nick Baker to raise community concerns about the upkeep of local Reflections-managed reserves.
Councillor Paul Amos also pushed for the scrapping of the $8 vehicle entry fee to Boambee Creek Reserve to encourage public use.
The Reflections spokesperson said the $8 fee would remain as it helped to cover operating costs including mowing and grounds management, arborist work such as tree inspections and assessment for risk, insurances, amenity cleaning, gas for barbecues, repairs and maintenance, consumables in toilets, lighting and waste removal.
“These services are all provided by the team at Reflections Coffs Harbour,” she said.
q Leeanne Sole from Soley’s On The Creek, Café and Cakery at the Boambee Creek Reserve, is welcoming customers to the kiosk, which reopened last Sunday.
q Heavy machinery is used to help stabilise the creekbank at Boambee Creek Reserve.
q Sand is spread across an eroded section of creekbank at Boambee Creek Reserve.
Women’s ‘Music Fest’ returns
By Jessica MILLER
SARAH Wright, Cole Flett and Jo Ware, of punk band Hot Mess, have brought a women’s music festival to life for the third year in a row, coinciding with International Women’s Day.
The event was held on Sunday 8 March at the Bellingen Memorial Hall, relocating from the Urunga River Stage due to weather.
The free festival was cocreated with the support of Neighbourhood Centres of Bellingen Shire and brought together over 300 community members, along with a
variety of popular performers and presenters.
The line up included eleven musical and dance acts, activities for children, a weaving space hosted by Aunty Frances Witt from Galangga Biindarray and a self-defence workshop.
News Of The Area spoke with Sarah about the origin and growth of the event, since its inaugural gathering at a local café in 2024.
“We had this experience of not having many opportunities to showcase female performers and knowing so many talented women across all genres,” she
said.
“This year we were lucky to be successful with a NSW Women’s Week grant, which meant we could expand the program and offer appropriate financial reimbursement for performers.”
The community’s enthusiasm in previous years has given the organisers confidence in continuing to conduct the event.
Although coordinating such large events takes effort, Sarah says it gives her a lot of energy.
“We really wanted to embrace this year’s theme
‘Balance the Scales’, and help women be heard, to shape their own paths, and celebrate their creativity and strength.”
Saltwater Sistas runs workshops and mentoring in marine science, wellbeing and culture, and helped keep the kids entertained throughout the day.
Founder Rhiannon Mitchell is a marine biologist based at the National Marine Science Centre.
“Supporting this event is important to me because it’s about women’s rights, helps women to be seen and heard and increases connections
so they have other strong women they can go to and talk to when needed,” Ms Mitchell said.
A new 5-year road safety plan is being developed, and we’re inviting the community to help shape the practical actions that will guide road safety.
Road safety initiatives have saved thousands of lives, but road trauma in NSW remains a serious concern.
Join the forum to discuss road safety issues and possible actions for the next Road Safety Action Plan.
Date Monday 23 March
Time 6pm to 8pm (light refreshments will be provided)
Venue Pacific Bay Resort
Location Cnr Pacific Hwy and Bay Dr, Coffs Harbour
For more information, and to register to attend the forum: transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafetyplan2031
The event is estimated to have attracted over 300 attendees and will return in 2027.
q Festival organisers Sarah Wright, Cole Flett and Jo Ware. Photo: Jessica Miller.
q Rhiannon Mitchell from Saltwater Sistas, with science student and creative Amelia Hookway-Jones from Millie By The Sea. Photo: Jessica Miller.
q Jennie Fenton and Mala spoke at the event on women’s rights, access and inclusion.
Photo: Jessica Miller.
Development protests continue
By Kim SATCHELL
THE Sandy Beach community continues to make its voice heard over a controversial development proposal on the Hearnes Lake floodplain.
As reported previously in NOTA, the development application (DA) from Elite Constructions proposes a 113-lot subdivision at Ti-Tree Road, Sandy Beach.
After being knocked back by the Northern Regional Planning Panel last year, a new iteration of the proposal is now on public exhibition via the City of Coffs Harbour’s DA tracker.
At the most recent rally against the development, at the Sandy Beach Foreshore Reserve on Saturday 7 March, the resounding battle cry was
“Hearnes not houses”.
In excess of 250 people gathered to protest the proposal.
A host of community speakers expressed their disapproval of any development action that could compromise the sensitive and ecologically significant Hearnes Lake.
Garby Elder Aunty Deb Dootson performed a Welcome to Country and reflected on her close connection to the area, underlining the importance of preserving a floodplain which supports biotic communities and marine ecology.
Sandy Beach Action Group (SANDBAG) chair Dr Peter Quiddington said the community feeling towards
the development was resolute.
“With this being the fifth DA the community has objected to, we are not getting fatigued, we are getting furious.
“The opposition to this disastrous development is only growing stronger,” he said, drawing loud applause from the placard-waving crowd.
SANDBAG member Ian Foskett said the potential risks were extreme.
“The impacts of dumping 180,000 cubic metres of fill on a floodplain attached to Hearnes Lake… will be catastrophic.
“Any rainfall event would result in construction fill placed on the floodplain to be swept from the site, a
meagre 100m downstream, suffocating the endangered saltmarsh community (nursery and habitat for fish, prawns and birds) located at the southern end of Hearnes Lake.”
Residents have an opportunity to make a submission to the amended DA until 17 March 2026 via the City of Coffs Harbour’s DA Tracker.
Alternatively, you can mail your submission addressed to Council’s General Manager to Locked Bag 155, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450 or email to coffs.council@chcc.nsw. gov.au.
NOTA attempted to contact Elite Constructions Pty Ltd for comment, but received no response prior to deadline.
Celebrating lighthouse longevity
By Andrea FERRARI
ONE hundred and fortysix years since its first illumination, the South Solitary Island Lighthouse optic will be lit to celebrate the milestone on Sunday 15 March.
Following meticulous restoration work, the historic optic was installed in a place of honour at the Jetty Foreshores in 2024 where the party will take place on Sunday.
The Friends Of South Solitary Island Lighthouse Inc (FOSSIL) – the volunteer group dedicated to preserving the history of the lighthouse –are hosting the gathering.
Given the lighthouse’s sole role in guiding ships from its lonely post since 1880, there are many tales of love and loss still being
shared by the many who have an interest in the guardian and its past.
Dedicated to the unique history of the island and the lives of the keepers and their families, FOSSIL members are always happy to chat with the community to keep this local history alive.
The island’s legacy lives on in Coffs Harbour, particularly through the lighthouse’s original first-order Fresnel lens, affectionately known as the optic.
“This optical marvel, crafted in 1879 by British makers Chance Brothers, was at the heart of the lighthouse for nearly a century and played a pivotal role in illuminating the night for mariners along the eastern seaboard,” FOSSIL president Grant Cairncross said.
After the lighthouse was
automated in 1975, the optic was removed and stored ashore before being installed
at its current home at the Jetty. “The 146th lighting
event brings the community together for an evening of stories, celebration and heritage,” Vice
President of FOSSIL Penny Westman added.
q Garby Elder Aunty Deb Dootson and Ian Foskett from SANDBAG.
q A vocal crowd gathers for the protest at Sandy Beach Reserve.
q Jake Foskett says 'no means no'.
q The optic in the lighthouse in the late 1940s.
q The optic today, celebrating 146 years of lighting up.
Vintage Phantom comics at BookFest
By Andrea FERRARI
THOUSANDS of vintage Phantom comics will be on sale at Coffs Rotary’s upcoming BookFest community fundraiser.
The donation of historic comics came about when longtime Coffs Rotary member Michael Brown was visiting with his brother Kevin, in Sydney.
“He’s at that stage where he’s getting rid of stuff he no longer needs and said, ‘take them up and sell them’,” Michael told News Of The Area.
He was referring to the boxes of vintage comics collected over many years, all in very good condition.
“There has to be a couple of thousand of the comics,” Michael said.
He asked his brother to consider selling them himself, but Kevin was adamant that he wants their sale to go towards the good works run by Coffs Harbour Rotary.
BookFest serves as a vital fundraising event for ongoing Rotary projects such as the Life Saving Rescue Tubes, Shearwater Lodge, Disabled Surfing and other new initiatives in the wider community.
“We receive book donations all year round, however occasionally we are donated very special books and items to sell,” BookFest Coordinator Glen James said.
“When told of the donation of Phantom Comics we asked ‘why us, why not sell them yourself?’, but the donor commented that he would rather them go to the
BookFest where he knows the money will go back into Rotary charities, community projects in Coffs Harbour, and beyond.
“Ideally, we would like to
Early Childhood Music
at The Coffs Conservatorium
• Engaging, play-based music classes designed especially for babies, toddlers and preschoolers
• Develops coordination, listening skills, creativity and confidence through singing, movement and instruments
• Delivered by experienced educators at the Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium in a fun, nurturing environment
sell them as one lot during BookFest, probably as an auction.”
No-one is guessing how much the comics will raise but the collection is sizable and in excellent condition. It would be very attractive to comic collectors or specific Phantom collectors.
Held at Norm Jordan Pavilion, BookFest runs for eight days from March Saturday 14 to Saturday 21 March.
q The vintage Phantom comics.
q Coffs Rotary member Michael Brown and his wife Liesel and the Phantom comics collection.
Seniors Festival gardening workshop
By Jessica MILLER
BELLINGEN Shire has joined in the festivities of NSW Seniors Festival 2026, with a slew of free events including film screenings, aqua aerobics, a ball, talks and tours.
News Of The Area spoke with Bellingen Shire staff and event participants during a seed planting day at Bellingen Library.
Shona, a horticulturalist with 25 years of experience, explained that growing things from seed is
incredibly cost effective and usually has a reliable strike rate.
Greg, a 40-year veteran of the industry, revealed that it’s a never-ending passion for the plants that has kept them both committed to their careers.
“I think some of the best parts of the job, like those quiet early mornings out in the environment, are a wellkept secret.
“It’s an excellent trade to train in, it’ll take you anywhere you want to go,” he said.
Participants were treated to stories about some of the team’s more interesting propagation challenges, such as growing Echinacea from seed and experimenting with the Red Bopple Nut (a listed Vulnerable species).
Lettuce, Ornamental Kale and Silverbeet were popular for this time of year, and everyone was pleased to take their plantings home.
Andrew Blackie, Librarian co-host for the day, is also a keen gardener and enjoyed the opportunity to engage with community members on the topic.
“Shona and Greg have so much knowledge and passion for what they do, and I can see that enthusiasm really inspires others,” he said.
Council has been running
Push for shark drumline extension north
By Mike HELY
CITY of Coffs Harbour Council has unanimously resolved to push for the extension of the NSW Government’s shark monitoring program to cover the northern section of the Local Government Area (LGA).
Presently the SMART (Shark-Management-Alertin-Real Time) drumline program operates between
Sawtell and Diggers Beach, but not at any local beaches north of Diggers.
SMART drumlines are designed as a nonlethal, technology-based shark management tool that provides real-time alerts, improves situational awareness, and supports informed decision-making by beach users and authorities.
At the Council’s 26 February Ordinary Meeting,
councillors acknowledged the LGA’s northern beaches were heavily used by residents, visitors, surfers and ocean swimmers, and formed an important part of the region’s recreational, tourism and coastal lifestyle offering.
In a motion proposed by Councillor Paul Amos, they resolved to make representations to the NSW Government through Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh
Singh, requesting that SMART drumline coverage be extended from Sawtell through to Corindi/Red Rock.
A staff report to the council noted City of Coffs Harbour had written to the NSW Agriculture Minister in March 2025 requesting additional funding to enable community shark bite kits to be located at Coffs Harbour beaches, with a response yet to be received.
activities and events for the Seniors Festival (also known as Seniors Week) for at least eleven years.
Each year Council's Community Partnerships Team collaborates with the Dorrigo Support Centre, Shire libraries, service providers and local groups and businesses to deliver the festival.
According to the Council, approximately 150–250 seniors take part.
A spokesperson for Bellingen Shire Council explained why Council runs the event each year.
“The Seniors Festival reflects Council’s commitment to supporting community members to age well in the Bellingen Shire.
“By offering free activities that bring people together, we’re helping older residents stay connected, active and involved in community life.”
Shade tree planted at Wendy’s bench
By Andrea FERRARI
TWO years after discovering the human remains of Wendy Hansen at Coffs Jetty Foreshore, Jetty Dunecare volunteers have planted a second tree in remembrance of the Queensland grandmother.
On Tuesday 3 March, longtime Jetty Dunecare volunteers Steve and Karen joined the group’s President Desnee to plant the deciduous native Koda tree at the Jetty Foreshores on the west side of Wendy Hansen’s remembrance bench, paid
for and installed in 2025 by Wendy’s family.
“We hope this tree will provide summer afternoon shade and winter sun nearby Wendy’s bench,” Desnee told News Of The Area.
Desnee grew the Koda tree - Ehretia acuminata - from seed and has been nurturing it for ten years.
City of Coffs Harbour has put up a tree guard to protect the tree.
“Jetty Dunecare group thank Council for taking up our offer of the donated Koda tree and also for installing the
protective tree guard,” Desnee said.
In July 2024 a Coastal Banksia was planted on the spot where her remains were discovered by a Jetty Dunecare volunteer before they knew whose remains they were.
Police investigating the suspicious death identified them in August 2024 as the body of Wendy Hansen.
“I mulched and weeded around Wendy’s Banksia tree, and it is doing well,” Desnee said.
Ms Hansen was last seen
alive withdrawing cash from an ATM on Newton Street in Monto – about 170km west of Bundaberg, Queensland – on Thursday 29 February 2024.
NSW Police told NOTA that the matter remains under investigation, and a report will be prepared for the information of the coroner.
As investigations continue, detectives are appealing to the public for any information, CCTV or dashcam footage that may assist the investigation to contact NSW Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
q Horticultural staff member Shona presenting during the Seniors Festival. Photo: Jessica Miller.
q Participants at the Seniors Festival seed planting day. Photo: Jessica Miller.
q A tagged shark listening station near Coffs Harbour. Photo: courtesy DPIRD.
q The remembrance plaque placed near Wendy’s tree.
q Longtime Jetty Dunecare volunteers Karen, Desnee and Steve.
q Friends and volunteers of Jetty Dunecare at the planting of Wendy’s memorial shade tree.
q Council has placed a guard around the Koda tree.
Samantha’s lifetime of creativity
By Andrea FERRARI
SAMANTHA Hanna, a contributor to the “Collide” art exhibition showing at Sawtell Art Gallery until 14 March, was mistakenly described as a fledgling artist in NOTA’s recent report.
In fact Samantha has enjoyed a 27-year career in the design industry.
“I moved from Sydney to Sawtell in April 2023, built a studio and have been madly creating ever since,” Samantha said.
After completing studies in interior design, she won a scholarship to further her education in Florence, Italy.
On her return she worked in carpet and rug design for various manufacturers, involving trips to Kathmandu, Nepal to work with weavers.
In more recent years, Samantha’s career involved design inputs for residential and commercial projects.
Contributing to “Collide” allows her to explore another of her passions: photography.
“The surrounds of this
heavenly part of the world ignited my latest body of work in ‘Collide’,” she said.
“The images portrayed are micro shots of jellyfish and seaweed depicting a deliberate reflective human-like tangible object, giving the sense of female floating seahorses from the underwater world.”
The “Ocean Tribalism” works featured in the exhibition evoke an oceanic neck piece, with versatile accessories including black coral, shark eggs and a
vintage lock pendant.
The “Seaweed Butterflies” are created from images depicting hand-picked seaweed, submerged in water and photographed with a macro lens, then given multiple layers of an encaustic wax for preservation, giving the work a dream-like milky texture.
“I have poured my heart and soul into this body of work and I’m so grateful to all the Sawtell community that came to support me on opening night.”
Mobile wildlife hospital visits Coffs
By Andrea FERRARI
Recovery
Australia’s mobile wildlife hospital visited Coffs Harbour last week, in collaboration with the Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary.
The mobile hospital, known as ‘Matilda’, and its veterinary crew are on a national working tour, sharing the word of the oneof-a-kind service and the need for funding to support its rescue and rehabilitation work.
Like the Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary, the mobile wildlife hospital receives no government funding.
The van is equipped and staffed to provide immediate,
expert care to wildlife during natural disasters and emergencies, with all resources funded by the community and grants.
“There is no government funding for saving wildlife,” Chief Veterinary Office Bree Talbot told News Of The Area.
The mobile wildlife hospital takes around $1.5 million a year to run, she said, and there’s no charge to the community who bring in the rescued animals, so it is all down to fundraising to cover the costs.
The hospital-within-avan provides a triage table where decisions are made about urgent and non-urgent care.
There are cribs for small
birds and mammals and critical care cages for bigger animals.
“This is where we do the detective work on what has happened,” Wildlife Recovery Australia’s Russell Mills said.
“It’s compact but a lot goes on here.”
Injured wildlife is brought in by members of the public, often following a dog attack or vehicle strike.
“Or it may be a young animal who has been orphaned,” Russell said.
X-rays are done pretty much on every animal, and then treatment begins.
Most animals are then fostered out to trained registered carers with a recovery plan.
WILDLIFE
q Samantha Hanna with one of her works in ‘Collide’.
q Visitors Hannah, Aaliyha and Kath Chislett with the veterinarians.
q Aaliyha gets involved in the wildlife van documentary.
q Coffs Wildlife Sanctuary owner Tiga Cross with Wildlife Recovery Australia’s Russell Mills and Bree Talbot.
WHAT'SVIBIN'
‘Seeing other people’ debuts at YAM
A COFFS Harbour artist who thrived under the pressure of a television reality show – creating a portrait of a celebrity drag queen – will have her own exhibition at Yarrila Arts and Museum (YAM).
Seabastion Toast was well outside her comfort zone – but prepared meticulously for the challenge – in episode two of the ABC’s debut season of Portrait Artist of the Year.
The show format saw artists having just four hours to do a portrait in a single sitting with a small group of celebrities
which across the series in 2025 included chef Maggie Beer, Yellow Wiggle Tsehay Hawkins and rockstar gardener Costa Georgiadis.
Toast tackled singer and media personality Courtney Act, who rose to fame on the first season of Australian Idol (2003) and won Celebrity Big Brother UK.
The stunning capture saw Toast win her heat, and her preparation for Portrait Artist of the Year provides the bones of her pending exhibition Seeing other people at the City of Coffs Harbour’s YAM.
Having never previously completed a work in less than four hours, Toast
simulated the event with meticulous, disciplined training.
Five days a week, for 11 weeks, she painted four hours a day, restructuring her process around immediacy and sustained observation.
The resulting works, many of which will be included in the exhibition at YAM (19 March-19 April), document that period of concentrated looking.
Some remain raw four-hour studies, while others have been further developed.
“Seabastion is a highly decorated local artist. I’m proud that our gallery provides a platform for homegrown artists alongside
Duo Aki to explore
ONE of Australia’s most exciting alternative classical ensembles, Duo Aki, will present its “before/now/after” project at the Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium on Sunday 22 March.
Duo Aki ( ), featuring Coffs Con alum Eden Annesley (violin/looper pedal) and Lola Schuele (saxophone/shakuhachi), explores the intersection of Australian and Japanese classical and contemporary music.
The Con will host a workshop at 11am and a concert at 2pm.
The workshop
Designed for HSC composition and performance students, the interactive workshop focuses on Australian music for strings, woodwind and electronics.
Students will explore music analysis and composition techniques, how to select repertoire, and what it’s like to collaborate with living composers.
Eden and Lola will also share insights into their free improvisation and co-composition processes, their experiences living and working in Japan, the unique sound world of the shakuhachi, and how live looping allows them to bridge classical and contemporary styles.
The Man Who Built the Modern World Presented by Ian Swankie Sunday 22 March
5.00 - 6.00pm St John Paul College Theatre, Coffs Harbour $35 casual guests
exhibitions of national and international renown,” Mayor Nikki Williams said.
City Museum and Gallery Service Leader Carrie Kibbler said the works in Toast’s “Seeing other people” exhibition feature familiar and unfamiliar faces.
“Each reflects on presence and on what remains when a fleeting encounter is translated into pigment. Some retain the urgency of their making; others the density of extended looking,” Ms Kibbler said.
Toast has been a regular finalist in major national prizes including the Portia Geach Memorial Award, Mosman Art Prize, Glover Prize and Sunshine Coast Art Prizes.
In 2024 she won the $40,000 Percival Portrait Prize and has twice received the Darcy Doyle Landscape Prize.
A special event to officially launch Seeing other people will be held at YAM from 5 to 7pm on Thursday 19 March.
This will include Toast giving an artist talk from 5-5.30pm before the official launch with light refreshments and the YAM Bar in operation.
While this is a free entry event, people are encouraged to register on the YAM website.
The concert
Traversing the duo’s experiences living in Japan, “before/now/after" amplifies the voices of emerging and established Australian female composers alongside Japanese folk song and original works.
Inspired by themes of cultural and environmental change, the program unfolds in a three-part cyclical structure responding to the Osaka World Expo Australian Pavilion
theme of “Chasing the Sun”.
Before evokes a sunrise across the vast Australian landscape.
Now centres on Duo Aki’s own artistic voice and personal expression.
After looks toward the future, reflecting on the potential consequences of the choices we make today.
Tickets can be purchased through the Coffs Con’s website coffscon.org.au or call 66521592.
q A selection of works from Seabastion Toast’s ‘Seeing other people’ exhibition.
q Duo Aki explore the intersection of Australian and Japanese classical and contemporary music. Photo: supplied.
BUSINESS SHOWCASE
Creative Bellingen Shire open for visitors
THE Bellingen Shire is known for its creativity, natural beauty and strong community spirit.
While the region navigates temporary road disruptions, its towns and businesses remain open and ready to welcome locals and visitors alike.
Dorrigo remains accessible via the west and from Coffs Harbour via Coramba Road and Eastern Dorrigo Way, which are fully open and provide a longer scenic drive through small villages.
A section of Waterfall Way is currently closed west of Bellingen, between Thora and Boggy Creek.
Visitors travelling between Bellingen and Dorrigo should check current road conditions on the detour routes before departure.
Urunga, Mylestom, Raleigh and Bellingen remain accessible from the Pacific Highway with business operating as normal.
Visitors to these towns can enjoy the cafés, restaurants, farmers’ markets, boutique and op
shopping, and of course the vibrant arts and culture scene the Shire is known for, from performances to exhibitions.
Wherever you are travelling from, the best way
to experience the Bellingen Shire right now is to slow down and immerse yourself in one area at a time.
Whether you are exploring Bellingen, Urunga, Dorrigo or one of our coastal
villages, consider staying a little longer and take the time to explore pristine waterways and estuaries, rainforest walks and experiences nearby. A longer stay and a
slower pace helps local cafés, shops, markets and tourism operators, and every visit - whether for a meal, a weekend stay, or a day exploring - helps support the local economy and community during a challenging time. To find out what’s on, places to visit, stay and eat, check out Visit Bellingen Shire, Council’s tourism website.
Bellingen Shire is open for business
Eat well. Explore more.
Bellingen Shire is open and ready to welcome you.
Come for vibrant main streets, local makers, galleries, regular markets and standout dining.
Stay a little longer and savour the best of the Shire.
While movement throughout the region is currently disrupted, the Bellingen Shire is still open for you to explore. Follow the QR code to learn more about planning your trip.
q Kayakers on the Bellinger River.
Hypothetical, Legal Eye
By Manny WOOD
Migration law: Love without romance OPINION & LETTERS
ANITA, a foreign citizen, has been living in Australia on a temporary visa and has been unsuccessful in obtaining a long-term visa.
Anita meets an elderly Australian widower while volunteering at a neighbourhood community centre.
Patrick is 85 years old and has lived alone since his wife died six years earlier.
Anita initially visits regularly and helps with everyday tasks such as cooking, organising medication and accompanying him to medical appointments.
Over time, Anita moves into Patrick’s home and the two begin living together.
After two years, Anita applies for a partner visa on the basis that she is Patrick’s de facto partner. Patrick supports the application and provides a statutory declaration confirming they share a household and intend to remain together long term.
During the visa assessment process, a departmental officer interviews Anita and Patrick separately. Some answers differ.
Anita explains that she cares deeply for Patrick but finds it difficult to describe romantic feelings.
The officer forms the view that Anita may be acting more as a carer than a genuine partner.
The application is refused on the basis that the Department is not satisfied that Anita and Patrick are in a genuine de facto relationship, deciding their relationship to involve Anita providing care and companionship, rather than romantic love.
Anita seeks review before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
The Tribunal concludes the arrangement resembles an agreement to meet each other’s needs rather than a genuine relationship.
Anita seeks judicial review in the Federal Court.
The Court observes that the Migration Act requires decisionmakers to consider whether the parties have a mutual commitment to a shared life together in light of all the circumstances.
While love or affection may be relevant, the absence of romantic love does not necessarily prevent a genuine de facto relationship from existing.
The Court finds the Tribunal erred by treating the lack of romantic love as determinative of whether a genuine de facto relationship existed.
Thank you to Ellysha Laklem for her assistance with this column.
This fictional column is not legal advice.
Dorin's Drawings
By Paul DORIN
Verse of the week
Time to bring them home
DEAR News Of The Area,
THE letters of Peter Sobey and Julia Merkel (NOTA Friday, 6 March) struck a resounding chord with me.
Watching the Prime Minister mouthing Hansonisms like a puppet controlled from behind last week was simply embarrassing, so I Googled a couple of matters, i.e. how long have the so-called "Isis Brides" been detained in a camp in Syria and what is their average age.
These women, who Mr Albanese holds in contempt, are in their early twenties and early
By Lynne MILES
By Karen FILEWOOD
A colourful Coffs character
MACAULEY’S Headland is a well-known landmark in Coffs Harbour, with extensive views over the ocean, its walking tracks and nearby beach.
Its name came from the area’s initial selector, Donald Macauley, who was born in Stornaway, on Lewis and Harris, the largest island in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides archipelago.
highway, south to Arthur Street and north to Diggers Beach Road.
He kept cattle but mainly fished for snapper, especially after finding and repairing a whaleboat.
A mast and sail made from corn sacks was used, otherwise Walter and Herbert Jordan rowed as they had a partnership with him. He delivered mail to Upper Orara from Coffs, often running errands for isolated older residents. He also liked rum and at times, when he fell asleep outside the Cricketer’s Arms (now the site of the Coast Hotel), he was placed in his sulky and his horse slapped on the rump to start him off on the homeward journey, everyone agreeing his horse knew the way home better than Donald.
One day when dining at the hotel a small potato lodged in his windpipe, apparently suffocating him.
thirties, and Google also tells me that they have been held in the most squalid conditions for seven years.
By my calculations this means that some were teenagers or even children when they went to join their husbands and one must question the degree of control the girls had over their lives at the time quite apart from their life experience.
Both the Prime Minister and the Minister for Home Affairs freely acknowledge that the women and their children cannot be denied entry indefinitely and that our laws are sufficiently
Initially, he migrated to Canada then came to Australia about 20 years later and obtained a conditional purchase of 40 acres of land in 1886 which included much of the area east of what is now Richmond Drive, but found the winds so strong when building his slab hut, that he had to place large poles around it to prevent it blowing down. He acquired another two portions of land in 1888 and 1892, which extended his land west to the
robust to deal with anyone who may wish the country harm, so talking tough is not fooling anyone.
We expect better from our leaders.
Do they realise how much fuel they are laying down for the far right to stoke its fires?
As an inquest was necessary, Dr Speece from the Bucca Mines was called in and Donald’s body was taken next door to the butcher’s shop.
With a jury present, he was placed on the chopping block for an autopsy, where it was found he had died from a stroke and he was interred in an unmarked grave in the Presbyterian section of the Coffs Harbour Historic Cemetery.
They have already made the women - and their children - a target.
For shame.
Time to bring them home.
Regards, Margaret ENGLAND, Toormina.
Short term solutions confirmed for road closure
Waterfall Way will be restored to a controlled one lane access in April.
PROGRESS is being made on the short-term solutions for both the opening of Waterfall Way and the upgrade of Summervilles Road, with recent significant announcements from both state and federal governments.
The state government, through Transport for NSW, recently announced that access to
In addition, the federal government has just announced funding to partial upgrades of Summervilles Road including two bridge replacements and sealing three kilometres of currently unsealed road.
Bellingen Shire Council General Manager Mark Griffioen said there will be a staged approach to these projects.
“Work on the upgrade to Summervilles Road will begin when Waterfall Way is restored to one lane, which is currently planned to be completed as per Transport for NSW’s announcement in March,” said Mr Griffioen.
“The timeframe provided will be dependent on weather.
“Once Waterfall Way is open, the upgrade of this first section of Summervilles Road can begin, with three kilometres of the existing unsealed road to be rehabilitated and sealed with bitumen.
“During this time, the planning
and design process for the replacement of Summervilles Creek bridge and Summervilles bridge can also get underway.
“When the upgrade to Summervilles Road has been sufficiently progressed, Waterfall Way will be closed again to enable a long-term solution to the landslip site to be implemented.
“Once Waterfall Way is reopened, the two new bridges on Summervilles Road can then be constructed.”
Numbers 14: 18 "The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in love, forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished."
We need direct daytime services to Brisbane
DEAR News Of The Area,
RESIDING in Nambucca Heads, the closest capital city is Brisbane.
Being a civilised person I would like to travel in daytime hours, taking the train that leaves at approximately 3pm.
However this train terminates at Casino and passengers must make a four hour indirect coach trip to Brisbane.
The Transport NSW website inaccurately
DEAR News Of The Area,
ANYONE aware of Donald Trump ignoring advice from the Chairman from The Joint Chiefs of Staff, and listening to the outcry coming from US military experts, ex-CIA strategists and retired veterans over the unprovoked Israeli-led US strike on Iran, would be expecting a more cautionary muted response from our Government leaders; but no.
Except for the opposition from the Greens’ David Shoebridge, this was our
DEAR News Of The Area,
DESPITE what we might think of the oppressive regime in Iran, the US and Israel have been in breach of international law in the war they are conducting against that country.
There was no imminent threat to the US and Israel as the Omani mediator of talks between the US and Iran had indicated that Iran had offered major concessions in its nuclear program and was nowhere near
gives a 9.30pm arrival time in Brisbane.
My coach arrived at 10pm.
In contrast there is a train leaving Macksville at 10.30pm which arrives at Brisbane at 3.50am; this train is allowed to travel all the way to Brisbane.
The timing of this direct train is ridiculous and inconvenient.
These times are more suited to the transportation of animals, not humans.
The NSW Government is spending $40.3
“we’re with stupid” moment.
Ted O’Brien was quick out of the blocks with a “We can’t have a murderous regime with a nuclear weapon!”
Maybe he meant to say “two murderous regimes...”; given that Israel already is one.
While Albanese and Wong had to be dragged in to acknowledging Australian personnel embedded in the US operation, Cash was getting up a letter of ‘congratulations’ to the US in the senate.
Whatever for?
Surely not for vaporising a school full of
developing a nuclear weapon.
If Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a clear breach of international law, so too is America and Israel’s attack on Iran.
The human suffering and destruction of infrastructure in many countries in the middle east is distressing and unacceptable and the impacts on many other countries including Australia, through the surge in oil and gas prices, will affect so many people already impacted by the cost of living.
And if the war continues many businesses
million on the XPT Extension Project and there are supposedly 29 new trains to be delivered.
However, the service to and from Brisbane will remain ridiculously inconvenient; many developing countries have better rail services.
Trains are supposed to directly link major towns and cities.
Interrupted rail services to/from Brisbane should be abolished ASAP.
The people of the Mid North Coast should be encouraged to leave motor vehicles at home and travel by train.
A high speed rail service costing billions of dollars is not required.
Just provide civilised services on existing lines.
Regards, Greg DOLAN, Nambucca Heads.
Australia’s ‘we’re with stupid’ moment Clear breach of international law Forestry claims that beggar belief
DEAR News Of The Area,
THE letter of 4 March 2026 from Steve Dobbyns, Chair and Director of Forest and Wood Communities Australia titled “We can’t transition to plantations overnight”, is a rolling ball of contradictions, false accusations and exaggerations.
In his opening paragraph Mr Dobbyns identifies several comments he made in “an unpublished Forest and Wood Communities press release.”
Are not press releases, by definition, documents that are published to promote wide attention to their contents?
Mr Dobbyns then assures readers there are solid markets for all the products
of hardwood plantations within the Great Koala National Park footprint.
Further on he states that LVL (laminated veneer lumber) is being landed from China and South America cheaper than can be manufactured in Australia.
If that’s not a competitor for timber from our hardwood plantations I don’t know what is.
Mr Dobbyns’ claim that one third of the timber used in your average apartment and one or two storey house is hardwood, not softwood, beggars belief.
I would prefer to rely on the Federal Government’s ABARES (Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics) annual forecasts, released
Path safety concerns
DEAR News Of The Area,
MEMBERS of the public who use the pathway between Park Beach Plaza and Orlando Street may be aware there is a blind corner under the railbridge on that path. I have had a collision on my pushbike with another bike there myself and I am writing this to warn people of it.
I have been painting white arrows on the path indicating which half of the path to use here depending which direction you are travelling.
I have asked City of Coffs Harbour to paint safety arrows on the path but they have refused.
I am not going to mark them anymore, so to those who use that path - mobile
40 years of service
DEAR News Of The Area,
I REFER to the letter on the ‘The lasting contribution of our lifeguards’ (NOTA, Friday 27 February 2026) and acknowledge Merrin Van Dartel’s positive comments in the NOTA of 6 March 2026.
What an excellent article Greg Hackfath has provided on lifeguard services on the Coffs Coast.
The article is well written, factual and relevant.
I wish to thank Greg Hackfath and the professional ocean lifeguard service team
children?
You also wouldn’t congratulate the US Secretary of State Rubio for being so focused on their fatal treacherous fake negotiation strategy that no Plan B was in place for the evacuation of the hundreds of thousands of US and allied personnel, plus tourists, including over 100,000 Australians, now stranded in a war zone?
You wouldn’t congratulate anyone on the massive disruption to global oil and gas supplies and negative impacts on an already straining global economy?
could be adversely affected and we may go into a recession.
It is yet another example of Trump’s pursuit of his new doctrine – that might is right and another repudiation of the concept of a rules-based order which had attempted to stop war between nations.
It does not serve the interests of Australia, nor most other nations. Australia’s attempt to play both sides of the fence is not from knowledge of right or wrong.
It is from cowardice, tinged with a sense
last week, which including this statement: “Value of hardwood plantation production to decrease, affected by easing global woodchip markets.”
The report is available on the DAFF website.
Mr Dobbyns cannot see the forests for the trees.
Even in his role he must take into account the changing values and roles of our forests over time.
In the early days timber extraction was the dominant industry.
More recently, we have started to recognise the outstanding universal values of our unique and diverse forests we have locally and seek to protect them.
scooters, walking frames, canes, pushbike riders, ebike riders, skateboarders, pushbike riders, and pedestrians - please use your left side of the path if you are travelling to town and your left side of the path if you are travelling towards the Plaza.
This is for your and others’ safety.
Regards, Judy QUICKENDEN, Coffs Harbour.
for their 40 years of service to the Coffs community and hope that the City of Coffs Harbour council considers their tireless, valuable and voluntary input when they decide on the future of life guard services for our community.
Regards, M ALEXANDER, North Boambee Valley.
Neither would you congratulate them for the sickening hyper-macho video published by self-proclaimed “Secretary of War” Hegseth, combining US action movie clips with actual footage of their atrocities? Really!
Is our Government so devoid of courage and intelligence that this is the best we can do?
Regards, Dave WOOD, Boambee East.
of impotence, a fear of being shouted at, of being bullied and left alone to face its enemies.
Our leaders are not worthy of their followers.
Shame on both Labor and the LNP.
Meanwhile the earth is entering a phase of no return due to the impacts of global warming. Where is the international leadership on this, the most pressing issue facing humankind?
Regards, Les MITCHELL, Port Macquarie.
For example, our rainforests have been listed as World Heritage properties and further nominations are ongoing. Our eucalypt forests, together with those in South East Queensland, are recognised as the most diverse occurrence of one of the world’s great plant genera and also proposed for World Heritage nomination.
Finally, our endangered koala has been recognised over the last eleven years by the current State Government as requiring a world class national park embracing their habitat within two meta-populations on the Mid North Coast.
That’s where plantations, some including koala hubs, come into it.
Regards, Ashley LOVE, Coffs Harbour.
Looking for a toenail-cutting service that you can enjoy in the comfort of your own home?
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Diamond in the rough
Real Estate Agents
Stand Out in the Market!
Looking to grow your brand and attract more clients?
Address: 8 Aquamarine
Drive, Toormina
Price: $730,000 - $749,000
Beds: 3, Bath: 1+, Car: 1 Land size: 449.8 sqm
IF you're searching for a home that offers the perfect canvas for your creative vision, this charming single-level property in Toormina might just be the diamond in the rough you've been waiting for.
Advertise your listings and services right here in the News Of The Area – the trusted source your local community reads every week.
• Reach serious buyers & sellers
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Set on a spacious corner block in a peaceful cul de sac, the location couldn't be more convenient-just a short drive to Sawtell Beach for a morning dip, and moments from the bustling Toormina Shopping Centre for all your daily essentials.
Stepping inside, you'll find a welcoming loungeroom that's bathed in natural light, offering a generous space for family gatherings or relaxing with a good book.
To the left, there's a versatile living area with doors for privacy-perfect for a home office, kids' playroom, or even a creative studio.
The practical layout ensures everyone has their own nook while still being connected.
The kitchen is the heart of the home, featuring an electric oven, gas cooktop, and a handy corner pantry.
The stone bench overlay on the breakfast bar is a great spot for prepping meals or serving up weekend brunches.
Adjacent to the kitchen, the dining area boasts easycare timber look floating floors, setting the scene for family dinners and friendly get-togethers.
Outdoor living is a breeze with a rear undercover entertaining area that flows seamlessly into a lowmaintenance backyard.
Enjoy paved zones and established gardens with no lawn to mow-freeing up your weekends for the things you love.
There's also a garden shed for all your tools, and the fully fenced yard offers peace of mind for kids and pets.
Accommodation includes three comfortable bedrooms, all with built-in robes and ceiling fans for year-round comfort.
The main bedroom has direct access to a practical three-way bathroom,
complete with a shower, bath, separate toilet, and a linen cupboard for extra storage.
An additional double-door linen cupboard in the hallway ensures there's plenty of space for all your essentials.
Other features include a second toilet in the laundry, a single lock-up garage with remote entry and internal access, electric hot water, and a solar power system to help keep your bills in check.
The front yard is also securely fenced, providing a grassy area where kids and pets can safely play, and with only two neighbours thanks to the corner position, you'll enjoy that extra bit of privacy.
While this home does need a little TLC to truly shine, its solid bones, functional layout, and unbeatable location make it a fantastic opportunity for first home buyers, renovators, or savvy investors looking to add value.
With a bit of vision and elbow grease, you can transform this property into a modern haven by the coast.
Agents: Kim McGinty (0432 953 796) and Chris Hines (0439 667 719).
Students travel and serve in Cambodia
By Kate PYE
YEAR 11 students from Bishop Druitt College (BDC) recently returned from a 16day cultural immersion tour to Cambodia.
The trip had a focus on service, as well as building global awareness and a broader understanding of history.
The tour began in the capital Phnom Penh, where
students visited the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, both of which document the brutal Khmer Rouge regime which killed approximately two million Cambodians in the mid-to-late 1970s.
Accompanying teacher
Mrs Rachel Watson said the visits helped students understand Cambodia’s recent past.
“The students showed
real empathy and respect at every site,” Mrs Watson said.
“They engaged thoughtfully and learned deeply about history and its human impact.”
The historical program also connected with the research of BDC teacher Mr Mick Klipin, an awardee of the Premier's History Teachers' Association History Scholarship.
His work examines the Ho
Chi Minh Trails and focuses on the impact of the Vietnam War on civilians in Cambodia and Laos.
Mr Klipin has been taking year 11 groups to Cambodia for more than 20 years.
“Service learning” was another key element of the tour.
In Ratanakiri province in northeastern Cambodia, students assisted with English lessons for children at Krou
Yeung School.
They also ran activities in sport, dance, chess and cooking, building friendships with local children and teachers.
Continuing on to remote and mountainous Mondulkiri, the group visited an elephant and wildlife sanctuary, trekking through protected jungle habitat and learning about conservation challenges.
Swimming and handfeeding the elephants proved to be a highlight.
“Swimming with the elephants and feeding them was such a magical experience,” said student Caroline Mostert. “I will remember it forever.”
The group also completed a practical project at a rural kindergarten, moving sand and pouring concrete in an attempt to reduce flooding at the site.
The group later travelled on to the tourism mecca of Siem Reap, where they explored ancient temples of the Khmer Empire.
They also visited the Tonlé Sap - the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia - to learn about the lives of lake communities.
“I will never forget the kindness and hope of the children we met,” said student Ruby Flynn.
“This trip taught me so much about gratitude, resilience and respect.”
Housing options, health top concerns for country women
THE Country Women’s Association (CWA) of NSW has released the findings of its second inaugural Annual Women’s Survey, highlighting ongoing health and housing concerns.
Building on the inaugural 2024 survey, the 2025 survey provides a year-on-year snapshot of women’s lived experiences across NSW.
The 2025 survey opened in August last year and closed at the end of October, with more than 750 responses from women of all ages across the state.
“Many of the issues that stood out in this latest survey have been painful ongoing realities for rural and regional communities for too long, and we’re looking for a response from the NSW Government,” said CWA NSW president Tanya Jolly.
“We’ve been asking
questions of the relevant ministers around many of these concerns, including healthcare, housing and community safety.
“It’s time for a real commitment to help start improving the likes of specialist wait times and crime rates and we hope to see this reflected in the upcoming State Budget.
“This is more than just a data collection exercise for us, this survey is about visibility and accountability and providing us with real evidence and real stories from women all over NSW to help inform our advocacy efforts on the issues that matter.”
The survey focused on women living in regional, rural, and remote areas of NSW with questions on health, safety, housing, finance, infrastructure,
education, and empowerment.
Health and housing concerns topped the list for many respondents.
On healthcare, respondents said the most significant barriers were limited access to local GPs and closed patient books, long wait times for both primary and specialist care and rising out-of-pocket costs and reduced bulk billing. Women in regional and remote areas reported having to travel regularly to access basic services, compounding cost, time, and stress.
More than 50 percent of survey participants said access to primary healthcare services like GPs was the greatest barrier to staying healthy in their community.
Twenty-five percent said access to specialist
healthcare services like mental health support was the biggest barrier.
On housing, 48 percent of respondents said the high cost was the most significant barrier for women in their area accessing affordable, secure, and suitable housing.
Many respondents said more availability of affordable housing would make the biggest difference to housing for women in their community.
More secure and stable rental options and housing assistance and eligibility settings that better reflected regional cost pressures and employment realities were highlighted as other measures that could make a real difference.
In other results:
- Almost 30 percent of respondents said crime and property theft (e.g.
break-ins) was the biggest barrier to feeling safe in their community, with another 29 percent identifying genderbased violence.
- Cost of living pressures and employment challenges were highlighted as major barriers to economic participation, with job availability and security (53 percent), wage inequality and discrimination (16 percent) and cost and availability of childcare (12 percent) the biggest challenges for respondents in achieving financial security or stable work.
- On infrastructure, respondents said gaps –poor road conditions and maintenance (35.5 percent), limited or unreliable public and community transport (20.5 percent) and patchy mobile and internet coverage (16 percent) – affected
their daily life, safety and independence.
- Social isolation remained an issue for respondents, particularly for older women, new residents and women living alone.
Tanya said the association would continue to release the survey annually in order to build a clear and concise picture of the issues affecting women and their communities and how that changed or evolved as time went on.
The 2025 survey retained a consistent set of themes and a core group of quantitative questions to enable robust year-onyear comparison with the inaugural 2024 survey.
To see the full survey report, go to https:// www.cwaofnsw.org.au/ womenssurvey
Women underrepresented on councils
LOCAL Government NSW (LGNSW) is calling for more female representation on elected councils in NSW.
Council representatives from across the state gathered in Sydney on Friday for the peak body’s International Women’s Day event.
Mayor Darcy Byrne, President of LGNSW, said the event was an excellent opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the role of women in the local government sector across NSW Addressing mayors, councillors and council staff, Mayor Byrne said while there
had been gains in female representation on councils across the state, there was still much more work to be done.
“At present, we’re tracking at about 41 percent female representation on our elected councils in NSW,” said Mayor Byrne.
“While it’s pleasing to see this is up slightly from 39 percent at the 2021 election, it’s still behind our state counterparts who sit at 44 percent across the Parliament,” he said.
“And down in Canberra, our federal colleagues are up at 49.6 percent - the closest to parity yet.
“So, it’s absolutely an area where local government is shamefully lagging behind,” he said.
In areas News Of The Area covers, Dungog Shire has one female councillor (from seven), Port Stephens has two (from 10), MidCoast has three (from 11), Port Macquarie has four (from nine), Kempsey Shire has four (from nine), Nambucca Valley has four (from nine), Coffs Harbour has three (from nine), and Bellingen has three (from seven).
Mayor Byrne pointed to concerns over appropriate remuneration for mayors and councillors as a contributing
factor to the under representation.
“We simply have to get the pay right for Mayors and Councillors if we want
genuine diversity in our council chambers,” he said.
“This year’s theme of International Women’s Day is ‘balancing the scales’,
and I reckon increasing representation in local government is a pretty good place to start,” Mayor Byrne said.
q Bishop Druitt students on their service mission in Cambodia.
LOCALSPORT
Third and fourth-grade finals underway
By Aiden BURGESS
COFFS Coast cricket teams booked grand final spots and others kept their seasons alive during the opening round of Sixers Cricket League Coffs Harbour’s third and fourth-grade finals series.
Third-grade Diggers Cricket Club earnt grand final hosting rights with a six-wicket win against the Nana Glen Lizards, in their Qualifying Final at Len Towells Oval.
The Lizards won the toss and elected to bat, going
on to score 3/208 from 40 overs.
Vincent Shrimpton top scored with 43, Shane Morrow scored 42, and John Holmes (40) and Nathan Bye (37) both finished not out.
Chasing 209 for victory, Diggers reached the Lizards total in the 37th over.
Michael Nealand top scored with 56, and Rick Douglass was next best with 42.
Nathan Bye took 2-28 from eight overs for the Lizards.
Woolgoolga Cricket Club Rebels White kept their
season alive with a twowicket win against Coffs Colts Cricket Club, in their Elimination Final at High Street Playing Fields.
The Colts were bowled out for 183 in the 35th over, after the Rebels won the toss and elected to bowl.
Tyler Atkinson rose to the occasion with a knock of 108, which included ten sixes.
Daniel Martin took 4-34 from eight overs for the Rebels, with Connor Burgess taking 3-60 from eight overs, and Lindsay Mamone took 2-23 from seven overs.
The Rebels chased down
the Colts in the 40th over, Daniel Martin top scored with 44, and Jashan Veerpal was next best with 37.
Christopher McDonald took 4-48 from eight overs for the Colts.
Fourth-grade
The Macksville Bulls will host this season’s Grand Final after having a two-wicket win against Sawtell Cricket Club Gold, in their Qualifying Final at Donnelly Welsh Field.
Sawtell finished at 9/98 from 28.1 overs, after winning the toss and electing to bat.
Brett Martin finished
for local families.
on 42 not out, while for the Bulls, Daniel Ledger took 3-9 from five overs, and Quinn Ledger took 2-16 from four overs.
The Bulls reached Sawtell’s total in the 28th over, Quinn Ledger top scored with 33.
Phil Maunder took 3-7 from four overs for Sawtell, and Rodney Sawaya took 2-11 from four overs.
Sawtell Cricket Club Blue kept their season alive with a three-wicket win against the Urunga Cricket Club, in their Elimination Final at the Urunga Recreation Grounds.
Urunga opened the batting and posted 7/157 from 35 overs, after winning the toss and electing to bat.
Jamie Ross top scored with 43, and Chris Haynes was next best with 39.
Sawtell captain Daniel Maguire took 4-23 from seven overs.
Chasing 158 to keep their season alive, Sawtell reached the total in the 35th over.
Jonathon Heinz top scored with 37, Chris Haynes took 2-14 from seven overs for Urunga, and Lennox Cantrill took 2-41 from seven overs.
Tribute match to help veterans and Timor-Leste
By Mick BIRTLES
BELLINGEN will host a major day of rugby league for a good cause on Saturday 28 March, when the Sgt Matthew Locke MG Charity Match returns for its 18th year.
This year’s event will feature the biggest program yet, starting with juniors from 8.30am and seniors from 11am.
Originally from Bellingen, Sgt Locke MG was killed by enemy fire in October 2007 while serving in Afghanistan with the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR).
The 33-year-old had
been awarded the Medal for Gallantry just ten months earlier.
Following his death, family members and supporters created the Matthew Locke MG Charity to honour his service and continue his legacy through practical community support projects.
The driving force behind the annual tribute match is his sister, Debbie.
“This event has become an important tradition for the Bellingen and Coffs Coast communities,” she told News Of The Area, “bringing together sport, remembrance and charity.”
Initially focused on assisting schools in Afghanistan with classroom stationery and building materials, the charity shifted its efforts to TimorLeste in 2011.
Since then, it has worked closely with communities
in the Ainaro Province to deliver important education infrastructure.
Projects completed to date include a fourroom schoolhouse with a dedicated kindergarten and three purpose-built kindergarten facilities.
The charity has also established a scholarship program enabling kindergarten teachers to obtain formal qualifications.
The projects are delivered in partnership with the Timorese communities, ensuring villages take ownership of the schools and remain actively involved in their operation.
Schools at Boramba, Beikala, Bobe and Hatu Udo now provide young children with a vital stepping stone into formal education.
The facilities operate Monday to Friday mornings, and the charity also contributes to paying teaching staff, providing an important source of income
Funds for these projects are raised primarily through the annual Charity Match, which has grown steadily since it began in 2009.
This year’s program begins with the Bellingen Magpies juniors taking on Bowraville Tigers, alongside teams from Sawtell Panthers and Coffs Harbour Comets.
Senior fixtures begin at 11am. In the Under 18s, it’s Sawtell Panthers vs Guyra Super Spuds; Ladies League Tag is Bellingen Dorrigo Magpies vs Guyra Super Spuds; Women’s Tackle is Sawtell Panthers vs
Australian Army Lightning; Reserve Grade is Sawtell Panthers vs Guyra Super Spuds; and the Men’s game is Bellingen Dorrigo Magpies vs Brisbane Jackals.
At 4pm, the official ceremony will feature the Australian Army Band and a Welcome to Country by Josh Marsden, before the final match of the day at 4.30pm, when Sawtell Panthers take on Australian Army Thunder.
The weekend of events continues on Sunday in Coffs Harbour, with a special concert at C.ex, featuring the Australian Army Band and the Coffs Harbour
Regional Brass Band - a musical collaboration that has been running since 2012.
Entry to the Charity Match is $10 for adults and $5 for pensioners, with proceeds supporting the Grub Club’s work in funding education in Timor-Leste and supporting veterans’ mental health.
With a full day of rugby league, community gatherings and ceremonial tributes, the event is sure to be a memorable weekend for players, supporters and the wider community while continuing to honour the legacy of Sgt Matthew Locke MG.
q Bellingen’s Sgt Matthew Locke MG, who lost his life serving in Afghanistan with the Special Air Service Regiment. Photo: supplied.
q Captain Blake Wallace from the Army Thunder scoring a try during the annual SGT Matthew Locke MG Charity Match against the Sawtell Panthers in Bellingen. Photo: LCPL Luke Donegan/Defence.
Junior teams earn grand final berths
By Aiden BURGESS
COFFS Coast junior cricket teams have earned grand final berths after victories in the Sixers Cricket League Coffs Harbour’s Under 16s and Under 12s semi-finals.
Under 16s
Undefeated minor premiers Sawtell Sloggers earnt a grand final berth with a 64-run win against Diggers Cricket Club, in their semi-final at Toormina Oval.
Sawtell scored 6/135
from 20 overs, after winning the toss and electing to bat.
Denzel Wynne-Primus top scored with 41, and Jaybien Johnson was next best with 29.
Sean Brooks took 2-10 from two overs for Diggers.
Chasing 136 for a grand final spot, Diggers finished at 8/71 from 12.2 overs.
Jacka Britton top scored with 33 off 16 balls, and Finlay Bath took 2-4 from two overs for Sawtell.
Woolgoolga Cricket Club Rebels booked their place
in the season decider with a seven-wicket win against the Macksville Bulls, in their semi-final at High Street Playing Fields.
The Bulls were bowled out for 71 in the 19th over, after winning the toss and electing to bat.
Prabhjot Virk took 3-2 from two overs for the Rebels.
The home side reached the Bulls total in the eighth over, Prabhjot Virk led the Rebels home on 39 not out off 21 balls, and Manat
Singh scored 25 off 12 balls. Sawtell Sloggers and the Woolgoolga Cricket Club Rebels now play off in the Grand Final, on Friday, 13 March, at Toormina Oval.
Under 12s
Minor premiers Diggers Cricket Club progressed to the Grand Final after a 50run win against the Sawtell Sixers, in their semi-final at Reg Ryan Oval.
Diggers set a total of 3/137 from 20 overs, after Sawtell won the toss and elected to bowl.
Sejal Singh Mahal was magnificent smashing 78 runs off just 20 balls, including ten sixes.
Diggers defended their total as Sawtell finished at 8/87 from 16.2 overs.
Jai Levy top scored for Sawtell with 25.
Macksville Bulls Blue earnt a grand final berth with an eight-wicket win against the Nana Glen Lizards, in their semi-final at Donnelly Welsh Field.
The Lizards finished at 8/47 from 19.3 overs, after
the Bulls won the toss and elected to bowl.
Ashton Grace took 2-7 from three overs for the Bulls, Jaxzon Welsh took 2-6 from 2.3 overs, and Bexley Grace took 2-5 from two overs.
Louis Harrigan top scored for the Lizards with 23.
The Bulls chased down the total in the 10th over, Chase Bayliss took 2-0 from one over for Nana Glen.
Diggers Cricket Club and Macksville Bulls Blue now play off in the Grand Final, on Saturday, 14 March, at Reg Ryan Oval.
Surfing for a cause this weekend
By Aiden BURGESS
COFFS Coast surfers will once again hit the waves for a great cause during this weekend’s Barney Miller Surf Classic in Sawtell.
The annual surfing competition will be held from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 March at Sawtell Main Beach.
Established in 1999 as a fundraising event by Joel ‘Tubby’ Bath, the event was initially conceived to raise money to support Sawtell local and adaptive surfing champion Barney
Sawtell earns home grand final
By Aiden BURGESS
SAWTELL Cricket Club has earned a home grand final after victory in the first round of Sixers Cricket League Coffs Harbour’s finals series.
Sawtell will host this season’s first-grade Grand Final after having a 34-run win against the Nana Glen
Lizards, in their Qualifying Final at Richardson Park.
A great bowling performance saw the home side progress to the Grand Final as they maintained their undefeated record this season.
Sawtell was bowled out for 123 in the 54th over, after winning the toss and electing to bat.
Sawtell captain Tyh Murphy top scored with 40, and Toby Bailey finished on 23 not out.
Jesse Ferrett had a superb spell for the Lizards taking 5-23 from 12 overs, and Riley Dagger took 2-19 from 12 overs.
Needing to bowl out the Lizards for 123 or less, the Sawtell bowlers rose to the
Coffs hosts National Championships
By Aiden BURGESS
COFFS Harbour has hosted the country's best touch footballers for the fourteenth consecutive year.
National Touch League’s The Championships were held over four big days of representative touch football at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium and surrounding fields.
Coffs Coast players were part of Northern Eagles teams who contested The Championships, representing a region encompassing a large part of Northern NSW. Coffs Coast players featured in the Northern
The Northern Eagles won the Senior Mixed title triumphing 8-7 in their grand final against the South Queensland Sharks.
Aaron Ison and Kimberley Latimore were named players of the grand final.
The national event featured athletes in 25 age divisions ranging in age from 20s to 65s, and welcomed new entrants, including the Fremantle Rebels from Western Australia and the locally based Macksville Falcons.
occasion to defend their total.
The Lizards were bowled out for 89 in the 54th over, Trent Dierick and Richie Gallichan were the chief destroyers for Sawtell, with Dierick taking 5-25 from 22 overs, and Gallichan taking 5-51 from 26.3 overs.
Elimination Final
The Woolgoolga Cricket Club Rebels kept their
Miller, after he developed a debilitating spinal cord injury which restricted him to a wheelchair.
Since its inception, the Barney Miller Surf Classic has raised more than $500,000 for people who have suffered from a debilitating injury.
This year’s recipient is Johnny Konings, who after a traumatic surfing incident at Duranbah Beach in 2024, suffered three broken ribs, a punctured lung, broken and dislocated T10/11 vertebrae, and severe damage to his spinal cord
season alive with a 130run win against Bellingen District Cricket Club, in their Elimination Final at the Wiigulga Sports Complex.
The Rebels finished at 9/250 from 80 overs, after winning the toss and electing to bat.
Luke Cox top scored with 85, Anu Grewal scored 56, and Rebels captain Taj Dosanjh scored 49.
Julian Hulbert was the pick of the Bellingen bowlers
which has left him with paralysis from the waist down.
Previous beneficiaries of the Barney Miller Surf Classic fundraising efforts have included Tamsyn O’Connell, Ian ‘Wato’ Watson, Katie Thompson and her daughter, and Matt ‘Chook’ Clerke.
What began as a tribute to Barney Miller’s resilience and love for surfing has grown into a cornerstone event for the Coffs Harbour community and the broader Australian surfing scene.
with a top spell of 5-79 from 28 overs.
Chasing 251 to keep their season alive, Bellingen were bowled out for 120 in the 51st over.
Anu Grewal took 3-20 from nine overs for the Rebels, Nicholas Dosanjh took 2-17 from 11 overs, and Prabraj Sidhu took 2-21 from 11 overs.
Julian Hulbert top scored for Bellingen with a knock of 55.
q Barney Miller at last year’s event.
q City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams, Touch Football Australia CEO Marcus Ashcroft, and Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium.
Cam finally gets his title
IT'S taken a few attempts but Cameron Pollard can now say he’s won a Brown & Hurley Men’s Club Championship at the Coffs Harbour Golf Club.
And in the club’s historic Centenary Year to boot.
“I’ve been runner-up a few times so it’s nice to finally get one,” Pollard said.
After four rounds, the right hander claimed victory by 10 strokes ahead of Aden Louez with Logan Toms a further shot back in
third. It was a wire-to-wire victory with a tremendous opening round setting up Pollard’s win.
“It helps when your first round sets it up,” the 27-year-old said.
“I shot a 3-under on the first day. A couple of 72’s then a 74 to finish, it was very nice to finish like that.”
Andrew Rodway was the nett winner in A Grade as well as the senior champion.
Peter Brandster had a memorable two weeks taking out the B Grade Championships.
Brandster finished
three strokes ahead of Pop Johnson followed by Paul Mealey.
The nett title was won by Nick Ling.
Jake Creenaune won the club’s junior club championship but didn't quite win the B Grade nett category finishing just behind both Ling and Mark Davidson.
Adam Brett was the C Grade winner ahead of Steve Ashdown and Ian Saunders.
The nett prizes in C Grade went to Joe Moran, Will Randall and Aaron Jamieson.
Celebrating Ocean Swims founder Mick Maley
By Andrea FERRARI
THIS year, on Sunday 21 March, the Coffs Coast Oceans Swims (CCOS) will celebrate 30 years.
Thousands of Mid North Coast athletes have paddled leisurely or ploughed purposely around the ocean courses over the years, many oblivious to the man who came up with this swimmingly grand idea.
That man was Mick Maley, 73, who in the mid-90s was creating healthy events with the Life Education program, organising the triathlon club in Coffs Harbour, and hosting other activities for kids.
“I thought a Jetty swim would fit in,” Mick told NOTA.
“We have the best spot in Australia for an ocean swim that’s protected.
“It has great views for the spectators, especially on the Jetty… watching the swimmers swim around it on the 600m swim.”
The first iteration of the now iconic event was staged in 1996 as a community swim.
“It was sponsored by Quality Inn and Stocks &
Hogan, both of which have continued sponsorship to this day,” Mick said.
Two-hundred swimsuited entrants took part.
Following that trial run, the Coffs Coast Ocean Swims was officially hatched in March 1997.
Mr Maley ran the event for about 18 years in conjunction with the Daybreak Rotary Club, followed by six years with Village Sports until the business relocated and the Sawtell Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) took over.
“We couldn’t have done it without a lot of help and the generosity of volunteers and sponsors,” he said.
Two participants who have never missed an Ocean Swims event in 30 years are Michael Tonks and Greg Swan.
Every tenth year of participation, Mick has presented them each with a garden gnome.
With their entries set in stone for this, their 30th swim, Mick promises the pair special recognition once again.
The Armidale School (TAS).
TAS Head of Surf Lifesaving and Challenge Program Coordinator Jim Pennington said the school’s involvement in the Ocean Swims stemmed from a longstanding relationship with Sawtell SLSC that commenced in 1997.
The two kilometre swim serves as a qualifier for the TAS Triple Crown, an award given to those who complete designated physical challenges during their time at the school.
Last year almost 140 TAS students took part, however this year’s numbers will be impacted by the ongoing closure of Waterfall Way.
The Ocean Swims have also served as an opportunity for surf clubs to fundraise and support the event with volunteer safety crews.
Olympian Brooke Hanson’s involvement over many years has further elevated the event.
Over the years local organisations and community groups too numerous to mention have got onboard to support the event, meaning more funds to share between participating local surf clubs.
Today participant numbers are usually around 500, serving as a major tourism driver.
Sometimes described as the “Godfather of Sport” in Coffs Harbour, Mick has volunteered thousands of hours to the development of sport in the region.
Mick and his wife Wendy, both lifetime members of Coffs Harbour Triathlon
Club, have been heavily involved in the Ocean Swims, Running Festival, Surf Club, rugby union and many more community organisations.
“Mick and Wendy are truly outstanding members of the community,” long-time triathlete Craig Cusack told NOTA.
“Neither of them seek out the accolades, they just continue to get things done into their seventies.
“There are many out there who know that you just can't say no to Mick Maley; he’s a man who you want involved and by your side if you want to get things done.”
Mick and Wendy will enter this year’s Ocean Swims as part of a family team.
“Our grandchildren aged between eight and 12, our kids and their spouses [will take part],” Mick said.
“There’s 10 of us.”
Mick is looking forward to seeing the smiles of the community once more on 21 March.
“Events like the Swims, triathlon and Running Festival don’t happen unless you have great volunteers and sponsors,” he said.
“The people make it; if they go away happy it will have been worth it.”
q Race founder Mick Maley points out the best spot in Australia for an ocean swim event.
By Aiden BURGESS
COFFS Coast junior cricket teams have booked their semi-final spots during the final round of Sixers Cricket League Coffs Harbour’s Under 14s season.
The Woolgoolga Cricket Club Rebels Lions finished the home and away season undefeated, with a 92-run win against the Woolgoolga Cricket Club Rebels Hawks at High Street Playing Fields.
The Lions set a total of
“Having Olympic gold medal winning swimmer Brooke Hansen OAM as event ambassador has been great for the event,” Mick said.
“She lifts the profile.”
Under 14s teams play final round
2/130 from 20 overs, after winning the toss and electing to bat.
Daniel Martin retired on 21 not out.
The Hawks finished at 8/38 from 16.3 overs, Jennifer Martin took 2-2 from two overs.
Bellingen/Dorrigo finished second on the ladder after having a 57-run win against Diggers Cricket Club at Reg Ryan Oval.
Bellingen/Dorrigo scored 2/150 from 20 overs, after
Diggers won the toss and elected to bowl.
Xavier Hartley retired on 52 not out off 30 balls, and Tate Bailey retired on 45 not out off 30 balls.
Bellingen/Dorrigo kept Diggers to 5/93 from 20 overs, Sean Brooks retired on 30 not out.
Lev Morris took 2-3 from two overs for Bellingen/ Dorrigo.
Coffs Colts Cricket Club and the Sawtell Storm shared the points after their match
finished in a tie at Toormina Oval.
Sawtell won the toss and elected to bat, scoring 7/111 from 20 overs.
Jude Maunder top scored with 35 off 16 balls, and Akam Bains took 2-4 from two overs for the Colts.
The Colts scored 6/111 from 20 overs to finish all square with Sawtell, William Byron retired on 28 not out.
Chisel Hudson took 2-6 from two overs for Sawtell.
Semi-finals
Grand final spots up for grabs
By Aiden BURGESS
GRAND final spots will be up for grabs during this weekend’s Preliminary Finals of the Sixers Cricket League Coffs Harbour senior
The event has also enjoyed an ongoing collaboration with season.
Nana Glen Lizards and the Woolgoolga Cricket Club Rebels play off for a spot in the first-grade Grand Final, during their Preliminary Final at Fitzroy Oval.
The winner faces Sawtell Cricket Club in this season’s Grand Final.
Woolgoolga Cricket Club Rebels and Urunga Cricket Club play off in the second-grade Preliminary
Final at the Wiigulga Sports Complex.
The winner will go on to face Sawtell Cricket Club in next weekend's Grand Final.
Nana Glen Lizards and Woolgoolga Cricket Club
Under 14s sides were scheduled to play off for grand final spots in their semi-finals on Wednesday, 11 March.
Woolgoolga Cricket Club Rebels Lions were to host the Sawtell Storm, and Bellingen/Dorrigo were scheduled to host the Macksville Bulls.
Under 14s ladder 1.Woolgoolga Cricket Club Rebels Lions. 81 points. 13 wins. 0 losses. 1 no result. Quotient (Q): 3.524.
Rebels White face off for a spot in the third-grade Grand Final, during their Preliminary Final at Len Towells Oval.
The winner plays Diggers Cricket Club in this season’s Grand Final.
Motorsport Australian Kart Championship - Round 1. Coffs Harbour Kart Racing Club.
Surfing
Barney Miller Surf Classic at Sawtell Main Beach.
competition ladder leaders Mantas Mermaids remained undefeated with a 57-26 win against The Mighty Ducks.
Momoko Maeda had a game high 17 points.
Coffs Harbour Basketball Association’s men’s summer season at Sportz Central. From 6.15pm.
Touch Football
Coffs Harbour Touch Association’s 2025/26 summer competition at Sawtell Toormina Sport and Recreation Club. From 6.10pm.
Tuesday, 17 March
Basketball
Coffs Harbour Basketball Association’s women's summer season at Sportz Central. From 6.15pm.
Oztag
Coffs Harbour Oztag’s 2025/26 summer season mixed competition at Coffs Harbour Leagues Club. From 5.50pm.
Wednesday, 18 March
Cricket
Ring Ins defeated Erica's Team 64-31, Lisa Medway top scored with 28 points. The Young Ones had a 54-44 win against Mantas Mystics, Kristy Goodman top scored with 26 points. Dunkin’ Disorderly beat Mantas Mummas 49-37, Charlotte Sommers had a game high 37 points.
Coffs Harbour’s 2025/26 junior season.
Under 14s. Grand Final.
Golf
Sawtell Golf Club’s Round 1 4BBB Championships.
Netball
Coffs Harbour Netball Association’s winter senior competition at Vost Park Netball Courts. From 6.35pm.
Oztag
Coffs Harbour Oztag’s 2025/26 summer season men’s competition at Coffs Harbour Leagues Club. From 5.50pm.
Thursday, 19 March
Netball
By Aiden BURGESS
COFFS Harbour Water Polo Club have held their annual Banana Bowl at the Coffs Harbour War Memorial Olympic Pool.
The Banana Bowl is an Under 12s tournament
Preliminary Final. which saw Coffs Harbour take on visiting clubs from Alstonville, Gosford, Tamworth, Lake Macquarie, Narrabri, and Newcastle.
President of Coffs Harbour Water Polo Club, Kirsten Binnie, gave a recap of this year’s successful
Barney Miller Surf Classic at Sawtell Main Beach. event.
Monday, 16 March Basketball
Water Polo Club hosts Banana Bowl
“It’s the fourth year we’ve hosted the Banana Bowl, and it’s the biggest one we’ve had,” she said.
“We had nine teams and they played each other once, and then we had crossover finals.
“The standard was really high and the finals were really close; only one goal in it in most of the games.”
The Coffs Harbour team came second, after losing the grand final 9-5 to Narrabri/Easts.
Kirsten said Water Polo
Sixers Cricket League was growing steadily in Coffs Harbour.
“It’s definitely growing, we have lots of juniors, and the seniors is the area which is growing the most,” she said.
“We had a men’s team compete at an NSW Masters
Coffs Harbour Netball Association’s mixed senior competition at Vost Park Netball Courts. From 6.35pm. event in Tamworth recently, and they came fifth, so that was a great experience for them.”
Coffs Harbour Water Polo Club holds competitions on Monday nights, with training on Wednesday nights.
Sawtell to host second-grade grand final
By Aiden BURGESS
SAWTELL Cricket Club has earned a home grand final after victory in the first round of Sixers Cricket League Coffs Harbour’s finals series.
Sawtell will host this season’s first-grade Grand Final after having a 34-run win against the Nana Glen Lizards, in their Qualifying
Final at Richardson Park.
A great bowling performance saw the home side progress to the Grand Final as they maintained their undefeated record this season.
Sawtell was bowled out for 123 in the 54th over, after winning the toss and electing to bat.
Sawtell captain Tyh Murphy top scored with 40,
and Toby Bailey finished on 23 not out.
Jesse Ferrett had a superb spell for the Lizards taking 5-23 from 12 overs, and Riley Dagger took 2-19 from 12 overs.
Needing to bowl out the Lizards for 123 or less, the Sawtell bowlers rose to the occasion to defend their total.
The Lizards were
bowled out for 89 in the 54th over, Trent Dierick and Richie Gallichan were the chief destroyers for Sawtell, with Dierick taking 5-25 from 22 overs, and Gallichan taking 5-51 from 26.3 overs.
Elimination Final
The Woolgoolga Cricket Club Rebels kept their season alive with a 130run win against Bellingen
District Cricket Club, in their Elimination Final at the Wiigulga Sports Complex.
The Rebels finished at 9/250 from 80 overs, after winning the toss and electing to bat.
Luke Cox top scored with 85, Anu Grewal scored 56, and Rebels captain Taj Dosanjh scored 49.
Julian Hulbert was
the pick of the Bellingen bowlers with a top spell of 5-79 from 28 overs.
Chasing 251 to keep their season alive, Bellingen were bowled out for 120 in the 51st over.
Anu Grewal took 3-20 from nine overs for the Rebels, Nicholas Dosanjh took 2-17 from 11 overs, and Prabraj Sidhu took 2-21 from 11 overs.
Julian Hulbert top scored for Bellingen with a knock of 55.
The Coffs Harbour team gets into the spirit of the Banana Bowl.
Wigley takes top spot in national rankings
By Kate PYE
ORARA High School’s Jaida Wigley is now Australia’s topranked under-15 girls squash player.
Her most recent success came at the Tasmanian Open Squash Championships in February, where she won the under 15 girls title and stepped up an age group to finish second in the under 17 division.
Wigley attended the event with her training group from Coffs Harbour Squash and Swim Centre in Korora, led by team manager Jemma Wratten.
Between matches the players explored parts of Tasmania, visiting waterfalls in remote areas of the Deloraine region described by Wigley as “the middle of nowhere”.
Sawtell Bowls Results
By Geoff HAMPSON
MONDAY Twilight Bowls 2/3/26
L Kratz, C Hill DEF J Cherne, C Christian
I Connors, L Mitchell DEF E Kochma, A Day
B Tremayne, G Hampson DEF R Avery, B Connors
R Hampson, K Taylor, D Ryan DEF J Chapman, N Elford, M Flint
Sawtell Golf Results
By Janet O’DOWD
3/3 2 BALL Stableford Chris Ryan & Paul McHugh 73c/b, Joey Franck & Peter Watt 73. Balls to 66c/b. NTP 7 A: Tony Pye, B: Chris Ryan, C: Phillip O'Dwyer. NTP 11 A: Grant
Woopi Monday Vets Golf
By Dianne RICHARDS
MONDAY 9th March 2026
The 14-year-old first picked up a squash racquet at three years old in Sydney, inspired by her father, originally from Wales, who played competitively and remains her training partner.
Her family moved to Coffs Harbour when she was five, where she continued to develop her game.
Wigley also plays soccer and balances her training with her studies at Orara High, where she is part of the school’s Student Athlete Academy (OSAA)
She hopes her national ranking is just the beginning.
“I’d love to play on the Professional Squash Association tour one day,” Wigley said.
“And with squash included in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, representing Australia at the Olympics would be a dream.”
TUESDAY Ladies Social Bowls 3/3/26
H Muir, K Weir, L North DEF N Elford, M Baguley, T Rhoades
L Wheeler, R Cook, K Stirling, L Savage M Sharman DEF M Friend, K Stirling, R Lucas, J Townsend
J Wheeler, N Feltrin, B Pyke DEF M McDonald, G Pickard, A Day
WEDNESDAY Men’s Social Bowls 4/3/26
J Richardson, L Zecchinati, P
Martin, B: Wayne Parkin, C: Brian McKellar.
Single Stableford Jackson Hordern 40c/b, Malcolm Sim 39c/b, Anthony Sozou 39 4/3 Stroke A: Wendy Mason 74, Joy Lawrence 75c/b, Kate Thornborough 75. B: Lee Farrell 73, Rhonda Cooper 74, Nicole
We had 15 players today starting in an almost rainy day
Winner Gary Richards 34 R/u Gary Tolhurst 36 c/b
2ndR/u Roy Spencer 36 c/b
Bound for Texas
STORY STARTS on BACK COVER, Page 44
opportunity to train in a worldclass academy environment and experience firsthand the demands of international-level tennis.
Players will follow a fulltime high-performance training schedule and develop their technical, tactical, physical and mental skills with international coaches.
The camp will also include visits to American universities, including Texas State and Trinity.
Jackson is part of Bishop Druitt College’s High Performance Program, which supports students competing at elite levels while balancing their academic studies.
Program head Nat Titcume
SPORT RESULTS
Warby DEF G Fisher, D Frost, N Sillar
N Stahlhut, M McGuire, A Baker
DEF R McLellan, G Hitchen, S Wilkinson
I Madric, P Swain, M Jenkins DEF P Paunovic, K Sharman, A Wagstaff
R Wardrop, B Martin, P Collins
DEF G Peel, T Mitchell, R Southam
D Curran, A Blackford, B Blight
DEF W Bujeya, W Kellam, M Gibbons
B Clugston, S Sillar, B Fitzpatrick
DEF N Wong, W Vaughn, J Townsend
N Kotrozos, J Oates, J Tainsh DEF
Owen 75. C: Brenda Connors 76c/b, Patricia Rhoades 76, Lynda Wood 81. Balls to 78c/b. Straightest drive: Sue Flint, Linda Graff, Rosi Hrncir. Putting: Glenys Davidson, Linda Graff, Pauline Barnes
5/3 Play 9 Murray Riches 22, Wayne Edwards 19. Balls to 18 7/3 Stroke A: Paul Hope 67,
NTP 11th Cole Wade & Di
Richards
12th Frank Garth & Di
Richards
15th. Chris Robbo
said Jackson’s selection reflects his dedication to training and competition.
“This opportunity will give Jackson valuable international experience and help expand his future pathways in tennis and education,” she said.
Jackson first picked up a tennis racquet in Year 3, around five and a half years ago, at the Sawtell Tennis Club.
He attended primary school with Oakley Baylis, the son of tennis coach Eli Baylis, who was the first person to suggest he give tennis a try.
Since then, Jackson has been training at the Baylis Tennis Academy at Sawtell Tennis Club, where he now dedicates four afternoons a week to training, along with tournaments on weekends and during school holidays.
N McClelland, M Pollard, J Urge
A Vivian, D Anderson, A Berry
DEF G Campbell, J Rice, R Williams
T Brooks, R Cridge, A Robertson
DEF R Smithers, S Shaw, R Petterson
C Christian, D Wheeler, M Aujard DEF D Hammond, D Bond, M Flint
FRIDAY Mixed Social Bowls 6/3/26
J Urge, G Dennis, T Karam DEF B Hamilton, A Day, L North S Sillar, D Frost, N Sillar DEF J
Joey Franck 69. B: Louis White 70, David Knudsen 71. C: Martin White 68, Trevor Adams 72c/b. Gross: A: Paul Hope 67, B: David Knudsen 85, C: Martin White 89. Eagle on 17 Max Neal. Balls to 76c/b. NTP 7 A: Allan Heffernan, B: Terry Rapley, C: Ian Malley. NTP 11 A: Joey Franck, B: Nicholas Brown, C: Garry Herbert.
Putting Tony Withers 14
NAGA Robin Skinner 43
Frog. Michael Skipper 24
Brown, J Smithers, R Morris
P Paunovic, R Kink, B King DEF G Hampson, D Ryan, Ken Taylor
J Rice, R Williams, L Preston DEF P Mont, J Richardson, A Sorbello
N Kotrozos, J Oates, J Townsend DEF K Sharman, C Christian, A Berry
T Brooks, R Cridge, M Flint DEF R Avery, F Sharpe, M Sharpe
J Fleming, L Feltrin, B Blight DEF W Vaughn, S Fleming, D Anderson
NTP 15 Scott Pollard
Ladies Stableford Carole Davis 33
Ladies 9 hole Petina Malley 22. NTP Elaine Everitt. Saturday Sal Linda Rankin
8/3 Medley Stableford Lynne Rapley 39c/b, Louis White 39. Balls to 35
There was one Birdie recorded by Cole Wade on the 14th. Next week we will be having a Memorial Day for Russell Richardson.
Wednesday 4th March 2026 –Ladies Single Stableford Overall winners
Coffs Harbour District Darts
By Ray BEASLEY
SAWTELL RSL Club
Summer Comp
Monday 2 March
Is It In def Warriors 6-3
Bull Finish def Bad Habits 7-2
DILLIGAF def Thunderstruck 7-2
Fluke Shots def Who Darted 9-0 180s
Coffs Harbour Rifle Club
By Geoffrey HART
MARCH 04 - Howard St Rimfire Range. The 60m Field Class match was conducted with 31 participants. Master Grade: Stuart D 100.15, Ben R 98.7, Daniel Finlay 97.5, Jake Buckley 95.6,
Mid North Coast Veteran Golfers Association
By Colin CUTT
TUESDAY, 3rd March, it was great to see 96 MNC Veteran golfers
Park Beach Mens Bowling Club
By Todd BROWN
OPEN Triples Tuesday 3 March 2026
L Clancy, D Hargeaves, S Willis d T Lainchbury, Clyde, R Lane J Swan, P Moore, S Jones d W Grimshaw, J Phillips, C Jones
Park Beach Women's Bowls Club
By Anne ORR
SOCIAL Bowls Wednesday 4.3.26.
Safety Beach Women’s Golf
By Michelle MERRIKIN
03/03/2026
TODAY saw the start of the Monthly Medal Rounds. The course was in great condition and the greens ran beautifully. Thank you to the groundsmen that do such a good job preparing the course.
The ladies were keen and Sawtell RSL Snooker Club
By Ken MASON
TUESDAY 3rd March 2026
Main Draw Winners: - Laurie
Preston - R/U - Jayne Taylor
Consolation Winners:Darrell Wallbridge - R/U - Dave Lewis
A Grade: Johan Greyling 91.5, Phillip Payne 86.4, B Grade: Mark Pelmore 86.4, Dustin Kohlhagen 85.4, Jonathon Mackay 84.0, Member-677 82.2, Danny W 81.4, Col Green 78.6, Leo Lawlor 78.2, Michelle D 29.1, C Grade: Andrew G 81.4, Jordy T 72.1, Noah Finlay 68.0, Matthew Mawby 63.1, Mitch Upton 50.0,
competing in a single stableford at Nambucca Island Golf Course. It is the largest field we have had since before COVID days.
A grade: Winner – Nev Newman 37, 1st runner-up Nick Jenkins 36, 2nd runner-up Wendy Johnstone 35
C Hansen, R Oakley, B Nicko d B Worboys, K Read, J Dunn
K Bienefelt, M Cutts, B Garner, D Garner d D Francis, G Stanford, J Murtas, M Berube
T Wisley, R Wisley, D Catling d M Ross, A Orr, S Macca
R Kelly, P Lawrence, H Major d R Coffey, P Lilly, M Flint
S Ward, J Thorn, D Condon d M Pitt, H Schipp, K Morrison
T Sullivan, T Thorn, M Gudgeon def T Sullivan, S Meyer, N Barker 27-10; D Doyle, M Crawford, L McLeod def S Willis, A M Taylor, J Clarke 19-11; M Shaw, B Bodel, D Futcher def M Webb, M England,
competitive. Karen Bellamy had a slow start to the round before shifting gears to come home ever so strongly on the back nine with a lovely Gobbler on the 17th and 1st grade Gross winner. However, it was not strong enough to keep out Marlene Powers with a net round of 65 and overall and C Grade winner of the day. Impressive.Rose Morrows took the honours for B Grade. Di Baker scored the only birdy of the day on the 7th.
Overall Winners
Malene Powers 65
Karen Bellamy 71
Rose Morrows 72
Aileen McFarlane 73
Linda Macdonald 73
Dianne Richards 73
NTP
Hole 4 Laurie Pilon
Hole 7 Di Baker
Hole 9 Karen Smith
Hole 11 Di Baker
688cm, Diane Mayo 498cm, Sandra Cheeseman 48cm
Saturday 7th March 2026
– Ladies Single Stableford Eastlakes Course
Overall winners
1. Maureen Franklin 37
2. Romana Murphy 34
3. Leah Ray 33
NTP
15th hole Judy Everitt 870cm
22nd hole Jacoa Bailey 160cm
26th hole Gloria Hickey
Garry (1)
Harley (1)
Kevin C (1)
Kurt (1)
Kyle (2)
Paul (4)
Reg (2)
Ricky (1)
Sam (3)
Steve (3)
Tim (2)
Will (1)
High pegs
Reuben Van Wyngaarot 50.0, Phil Hartmann 47.1, Member-933 47.1, Member-854 47.0, Wendi H 46.0, Tim D 45.0, Terry W 33.0, Ashley Glendinning 32.0, Member-934 28.0, Sineidin Mackay 28.0, Visitors: Brad Gosling 53.2, Liam Gosling 29.0
The 50m F-Class match was conducted with 15 participants.
c/b, 3rd runner-up Trevor Neaves 35.
B grade: Urpo Ylinen 36 c/b, 1st runner-up Steven Robinson 36, 2nd runner-up Martin Tizzard 35 c/b, 3rd runner-up Chris Smith 35 c/b.
C grade: Winner – Desmond Hoy
C Weatherall, D Valentine, V Valentine d G Williams, R Beaumont, A Campbell
C McLeod, P Wroe, D Hull d R Aitken, J Long, B Johns
Triples Thursday 5 March 2026
R Fenton, H Major, I Trengove d M Miller, T Wisley, S Jones
H Katala, R Harris, G Colman d G Williams, R Beaumont, A Campbell
P North, M Berube, J Dunn d D
P Garner 21-15; J Rodwell, J Alford, K Blow def A McConachey, F Gaunt, B Johns 22-8. Friday
6.3.26. G Duffy, D Lindner def R Finch, D Francis 17-13; K Read, R Lane def Dave (Woolgoolga),
385cm
Saturday 7th March 2026
– Ladies Single Stableford Westlakes Course
Overall winners
1. Sue Mealey 38C/B
2. Jan Kirk 38
3. Karen Brown 37C/B
Great Score
1. Jan Kirk Eagle @ 25th
NTP
3rd hole Karen Brown 408cm
6th hole Trish Nance 598cm
Jayne (62)
Kyle (50)
Paul (80)
Will (95)
Leader Board
DILLIGAF 35
Bull Finish 26
Fluke Shots 26
Warriors 24
Is It In 21
Bad Habits 19
Thunderstruck 17
Who Darted 12
Daniel Finlay 198.11, Johan Greyling 197.12, Ben R 196.10, Mark Pelmore 194.5, Danny W 191.7, Jake Buckley 190.6, Wendi H 185.5, Reuben Van Wyngaarot 182.1, Member-677 182.1, Mitch Upton 182.0, Noah Finlay 180.3, Daniel Rees 179.1, Phil Hartmann 175.1, Visitors: Brad Gosling 193.8, Liam Gosling 178.2
38, 1st runner-up Eric Wise 37 c/b, 2nd runner-up David Salvin 37, 3rd runner-up John Buganey 36. NTP’s: 5 – Martin Tizzard, 8 –David Nicholls, 13 – Geoff Goesch, 18 – Colin Hoskins. Ball run to 32 pts.
Burridge, R Martin, M McCabe
C McLeod, P Newman, D Hull d A Taylor, J Lowndes, C Hansen
J Swan, D Valentine, S Dodd d D Garner, P Toy, L Morris
B Trotman, B Garner, D Catling d P Moore, B Edwards, A McKee
G Williams, G Stanford, P Lilly d J Meyer, C Lloyd, M Flint
T Cooper, R Kelly, R Alford d R Aitken, J Long, K Morrison
Gary 18-8; F Gaunt, B Edwards def J Rodwell M Starr 21-10; A Orr, R Holloway def M England, C England 23-14; R Coffey, S Hancock, A Campbell def N Barker, J Barker, D Veivers 30-9.
q Aileen, Karen, Marlene, Rose M.
Funeral Notices
HENDERSON
Trevor William
6th March 2026, passed away peacefully at Coffs Harbour Health Campus, late of Nana Glen. Much loved husband of Maree (dec’d). Loving father and father-in-law of Wendy & Darren, Jackeline & Kenny and Lee & Rena. Cherished grandad of 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Trevor will be sadly missed by all of his extended family and friends.
Aged 80 Years Forever In Our Hearts
Trevor’s Graveside Funeral Service was held in Coffs Harbour Lawn Cemetery, Karangi on Thursday 12th March 2026.
KEITH LOGUE & SONS
AULT, Brian Edward
4th March 2026, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family. Loved husband of Marilyn. Much loved father of Linda & Pat, John & Michelle and Mark (dec’d). Adored pop and great-pop of their children.
Aged 82 Years Promoted To Glory
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Brian’s Funeral Service to be held in the Salvation Army Citadel, Coffs Harbour on Friday 13th March 2026 commencing at 10.30 am, thence for private cremation at Hogbin Drive Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour.
Please find livestream details on Keith Logue & Sons website.
KEITH LOGUE & SONS
DIRECTORS
RHODES
Pauline Margaret
10th March 2026, passed away peacefully at RFBI Bellingen Masonic, late of Bellingen. Much loved wife of Ken (dec’d). Loved mother and mother-in-law of Garry & Roz, Adrian & Anne, Jill & Bill, Peter & Debbie, Darryl & Kathy (both dec’d), Wayne & Yolanta and Debbie & Steve (dec’d). Adored nan, great-nan and great-great-nan of their children.
Aged 99 Years “7 Of The Best”
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Pauline’s Funeral Service to be held in the Chapel of Hogbin Drive Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour on Wednesday 18th March 2026 commencing at 10.00 am.
KEITH LOGUE & SONS
DIRECTORS
9th March 2026, passed away peacefully in Coffs Harbour, formerly of Corrimal. Adored father and father-in-law of Kim & Justin, Cristi & Andrew (dec’d) and Amy & Josh. Proud ‘Grampsy’ of Maya, Evie, Jordan, Isla, Kira, Dylan, Jack and Bodhi. Former husband of Laurie, forever connected through family. Dearly loved brother and brother-in-law of Hans & Jenny and Jane & Mick (dec’d). Now riding an endless wave and keeping the lawns of eternity immaculate.
Aged 79 Years He will be missed beyond words Hank will be privately cremated at Hogbin Drive Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour.
Relatives and friends are warmly invited to attend Hank’s Memorial Service to be held in The Pavilion Room at The Link, Toormina on Saturday 21st March 2026 commencing at 2.00 pm.
Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?
CWA Hall 3 Dalley St, Coffs Harbour
Sundays 10.00 am Mobile 0427 949 206 - revivalcentres.org
Property For Sale
LAND in magnificent Crossmaglen Valley. Opportunity to intensively farm rare 40 acre property.
Council and Mayor confirm that currently land is defined as PRIORITY RURAL:
- No DA req'd to completely cover land with tunnels or netting
- No requirement to consult with neighbours
- No requirements to limit vegetation removal
- Precedent est. to create and expand dams
Includes 4bdr house and 2bdr cottage, solar power 10ML water licence, dbl garage sheds and water sources. Options also avail to inc existing hydroponic farming business.
ACT NOW while intensive agriculture is Coffs Council priority. Principals only. Please respond to PO Box 127, Bonville 2450.
Public Notices
Rebecca Psychic Readings Text 0424 323 767
Work Available
GARDENING / Handyman needed for property at Upper Corindi, suit retired couple. 0431 299 592 or 6649 1020
House Wanted
SINGLE strata villa in quiet area within 45 mins of Coffs 3 bdr, 2 bth garage, private purchase approx $650,000. Call Michael 0422 044 420
Items for Sale
CLOTHES Dryer Electric oven, Four 16” mag wheels 2 with tyres 0448 802 146
Wanted to Buy
MAZDA Tribute 2004
prefered with rego. Ph 6653 8531, ask for Jon
SCALE electric slot cars 132 scale, parts & access. Charlie 6649 1890.
Plants For Sale
FROM $5, hundreds of plants, lots of hanging plants, open everyday, 11 Sand St, Coffs Harbour
1530w x 850d x 1150h galvanized iron $100 GC Ph 0417 364 582 F090126
CHILD’S Bike Seat carrier, child’s bike Helmets x 3. $10 each 0481 966 840
CLICKGEAR 3.5+ golf push buggy. Wheel cover, brand new cooler bag & mesh bag included. $100. Cash only. Photos can be sent Ph 0408 254 884
COCA-COLA
Memorabilia Collection
$95. 0409 863 898
COFFEE Table, large 1m x 1m Bevelled Glass edge with vintage look brass. A unique beautiful piece of furniture to enhance any room. Cost $1600.00 SELL $100.00 Ph 0429 993 918
COLLAPSIBLE
electrical kettle. New cond, great size for travel collapses into very small item for packing. $30. Ph 0418 865 537
COLORBOND driveway gates, mirror profile, deep ocean colour, one damaged at weld point. 1800 W 1600 H. $90 ono. Ph 0413 911 892. F130326
COMMONWEALTH bank original 1988 $5 coin in mint condition to celebrate opening of Parliament House. $30. 0490 161 119. Photos can be sent.
DECANTER, very unusual. Original Storm Trooper decanter. Will hold 750ml of your fav whiskey /brandy. $30 Ph 0418 865 537
DOG house, smallmedium $15 6656 4700
DOG/cat carriersuit small dog. Near new cond. Safety door. $44.00 Ph 0417 471 225
DOOR Gym set new
$50. Ph 0412 081 950
DOUBLE bed, white gas-lift storage, new in box. $99 0415 981 605
DOUBLE mattress BRAND NEW, bought 1 month ago, never used $100, pick up from Toormina, please contact Carol Hollier on 0403 611 836 F060226
SIMPSONS - large box of character dolls, items & pieces from show. Ex gift for collector $100. 6652 3791 F051225
SHOWER stool, K-Care VGC. $20. 0428 285 643
SINGLE bed, GC $100. 0466 040 154
STEERING Wheel Lock "Armored Bar" New - Key Locking $50 Fits most vehicles Ph 5633 6352
STOOL seats. Variety size, type and colour. $30 6652 3791
TV 80cm (32”) + DVD player $100 0491 035 704
TWO macrame wall hangers hand made $50 both 0412 254 563 F310125
TWO single bed frames round heads & foot rail black. $50 both 0412 254 563
VICTOR special and utility, 2 each also Sheerline and many other mower parts. $150 6558 9242
VINTAGE solid timber quilt - towel rail $95 ph 0490 161 119. Photos can be supplied
VINTAGE timber mini bar. $60. 6652 8815 F130226
WALKER $20, Wheeled Good cond, Ph 0408 465 886 or quintal@iinet. net.au
WALNUT wardrobe c 1920, bevilled mirror $500. 0403 425 913
WOODEN chest for Linen, $100. 0411 361 205.
Boats
3.4m Savage with trailer rego, 6HP and electric swivel seats, cover safety gear, lots of extras ACF724N. L26949
$2,000. 0427 528 084
BOX
Trailers
Caravan Parts
Adventureland car fridge freezer 2 years old $400 Caravan hydraulic jack new $200 Hymes Reese stabilizer system complete $400 Baby Q Barbie $50 Phil 0412 665 988 Woolgoolga
Caravans
2012 Billabong Caravan 16ft, single axle, full annex, toilet/shower, air cond, QB, lots of storage $32,000. Rego X91945 0431 736 481
2015 Coronet FS25950, 19ft, poptop Van of the yr in 2013 Full ensuite & wash mach at rear, 3 way fridge, air cond, 2 gas bottles, dual axle electronic stability control, good as new tyres, exc cond always garaged plus many extras TR67WR. $44,550 0488 177 539 Safety Beach NSW
$13,000 to $10,000 Ph 0437 499 513 Re010526
4WD, silver auto, diesel, trayback, 2 side boxes, 28,000kms
SUDOKU
Kids Boot Camp
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ONTHEBOX
BEST ON THE BOX
FRIDAY
GOING PLACES WITH ERNIE DINGO
SBS, 7.30pm
Friday’s fourth chapter of this eye-opening travelogue finds Ernie Dingo and Brooke Blurton (pictured, with Patrick De Geest) in Far North Queensland as they explore the lush greenery, wetlands and vast savannah of the Atherton Tablelands. They start their journey on board the Kuranda Scenic Railway, a historic service that winds its way through the plateau’s heritage-listed rainforest. Dingo then heads to Chillagoe National Park to experience the cultural significance of the breathtaking limestone landscape to the Wakaman people. Nearby, Blurton embarks on a nocturnal wildlife tour.
FRIDAY, March 13
SUNDAY
FRAUDS
ABC TV, 8.50pm
Suranne Jones and Jodie Whittaker (pictured) as toxic best friends pulling off a heist together… where do we sign up? This thrilling new Spain-set series teams up Jones and former Whittaker as Bert and Sam, two con artists reunited after a decade apart. Their high-stakes reunion is triggered when Bert (Jones) is released from prison following a terminal cancer diagnosis. She immediately reaches out to the only person she trusts to help her carry out one last epic job. But Sam has been leading a quiet life, and Bert’s grand plan is the last thing she wants to get involved in. With a lifetime of baggage to unpack, this next-gen & Louise is an emotional but exciting ride.
THURSDAY
NEW YORK GOURMET WITH JUSTINE SCHOFIELD
Travelling the world and tasting the finest local fare sounds like a dream holiday for most, but for MasterChef alum
Justine Schofield (pictured), it’s essentially her 9 to 5. After jaunts to Malaysia, Macao, France and Fiji, the chef’s latest expedition sees her exploring the diverse and vibrant flavours of New York State. Following the Hudson River, north from the city, Schofield starts this episode at the Culinary Institute of America, a prestigious college whose graduates include bestselling author Anthony Bourdain. From sampling cannoli in Poughkeepsie to a picnic at Ithaca’s Buttermilk Falls, this tasty travelogue is sure to inspire future itineraries.
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Gardening
Tonight At The Museum. (PGa, R) Hosted by Alex
9.50 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (R) A satirical news program. 10.20 Dog Park. (Final, Ml, R)
10.50 ABC Late News. 11.05 Smother. (Mal, R)
12.50 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv) 5.00 Rage. (PG) 6.30 SBS World News.
Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (PG) 8.30 Fukushima: A Nuclear Nightmare. 10.05 Rock Legends. (PGs)
SBS World News Late. 11.05 Sisi. (Mav) 12.05 How Sports Changed The World. (PGav, R) 1.10 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Paris-Nice Race. Stage 6. 3.15 Mastermind Australia. (R) 4.15 Bamay. (R) 4.45 Destination Flavour. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Hosted by Johanna Griggs. 8.00 MOVIE: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. (2018, PGs, R) A young woman prepares to reopen her family hotel, while learning more about the life of her late mother. Lily James, Amanda Seyfried.
10.20 MOVIE: Nobody. (2021, MA15+v, R) A family man’s house gets burgled. Bob Odenkirk, Christopher Lloyd.
12.20 Damnation. (MA15+asv, R)
1.20 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
5.00 NBC Today.
Coffs Table Tennis
Results
By Margaret ILES
FRIDAY 6th March, 2026
Division 1
Reece Baker d King McKie 3/1, Lachlan Dierkx d Paul Hendriks 3/1, Colin Deng d Yash Tyagi 3/0,
Reece Baker d Yash Tyagi 3/0, Colin Deng d Lachlan Dierkx 3/2, Paul Hendriks d King McKie 3/0, Reece Baker d Paul Hendriks 3/1, Lachlan Dierkx d Yash Tyagi 3/2, Colin Deng d King McKie 3/2, Reece Baker d Colin Deng 3/0, Lachlan Dierkx d King McKie 3/0, Yash Tyagi d
Paul Hendriks 3/2, Paul Hendriks d Colin Deng 3/1, Yash Tyagi d King McKie 3/0, Reece Baker d Lachlan Dierkx 3/1.
WINNER: Reece Baker from Lachlan Dierkx.
Group A (Division 2 & Division 3)
George Ruaporo d Adam Hines 3/0, Michael
6.00 10 News+.
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 2. Sydney Roosters v South Sydney Rabbitohs. 9.55 NRL Friday Night Footy Post-Match. Post-match coverage of the NRL game.
10.45 MOVIE: Sicario: Day Of The Soldado. (2018, MA15+dlv, R) Benicio del Toro.
1.00 Next Stop. (R)
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)
Global Shop. (R)
TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
Postcards. (PG, R)
Hobincu d Dorothy Pearce 3/0, Alf Zientek d Sharee Templeton 3/0, Char Berglund d Terry Baker 3/1.
Division 2
George Ruaporo d Char Berglund 3/1, Michael Hobincu d Alf Zientek 3/0, Char Berglund d Alf Zientek
SPORT RESULTS
3/1, George Ruaporo d Michael Hobincu 3/0.
WINNER: George Ruaporo from Michael Hobincu.
Division 3
Adam Hines d Terry Baker 3/0,
Sharee Templeton d Dorothy Pearce 3/2, Dorothy Pearce d Terry Baker 3/2, Adam Hines d Sharee Templeton 3/0.
WINNER: Adam Hines from Sharee Templeton.
ONTHEBOX
SATURDAY, March 14
TV (2)
6.00 Rage Charts. (PG) 7.00 Weekend Breakfast. 9.00 Rage. (PG) 10.30 Rage Vault Guest Programmer. (PG) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 Blue Murder Motel. (PG, R) 1.15 Professor T. (Ma, R) 2.05 The Piano. (R) 4.25 Todd Sampson’s Why? (PGl, R) 5.00 Australian Story. (R) 5.30 Landline. (R)
6.00 Kath & Kim. (PGals, R)
6.25 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Blue Murder Motel. (M) A teenager goes missing.
8.15 Top End Bub. (M) Lauren and Ned struggle as new parents. Lauren wonders who Taya’s biological father is and if she should contact him.
8.45 Death In Paradise. (PGv, R) Selwyn struggles in the wake of his shock shooting. The local community is rocked by a murder at a care home.
9.45 This England. (Final, MA15+l, R) The country continues to cope with COVID. 10.50 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
ABC FAMILY (22)
6am Children’s Programs. 5.55pm Octonauts. 6.05 Knee High Spies. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.45 Supertato. 6.55 Piripenguins. 7.05 Let’s Go Bananas! 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Kids Baking C’ship. (Return) 8.10 Harry Potter: Wizards Of Baking. 8.50 Chopped Junior. 9.35 Mr Bean: The Animated Series. 9.55 Fresh Off The Boat. 10.40 Late Programs.
6.00 Morning Programs. 9.10 Prince’s Master Crafters Next Generation. (R) 10.05 Vintage Voltage. (R) 11.00 Ageless Gardens. (R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Strade Bianche Women. H’lights. 3.00 Stories From The Cities. (PG) 3.30 Going Places. (R) 4.30 Grand Tours Of Scotland’s Rivers. (PGa, R) 5.30 Liberation Diaries.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Jewels Of The Mediterranean.
8.25 Travels With Agatha Christie And Sir David Suchet. (R)
6am Spitfire. Continued. (2018, PG) 6.55 Delfin. (2019, PG, Spanish) 8.35 Jumanji. (1995, PG) 10.35 The Queen Of My Dreams. (2023, M) 12.25pm The Fisher King. (1991, M) 2.55 Vai. (2019, PG) 4.30 Viceroy’s House. (2017, PG) 6.30 To Catch A Thief. (1955, PG) 8.30 Dog Day Afternoon. (1975, M) 10.45 Platoon. (1986, MA15+) 12.55am Vampyros Lesbos. (1971, MA15+, German) 2.30 Late Programs.
6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Horse Racing. Chandon Ladies Day and Caulfield Victorian Owners and Breeders Day. 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 MOVIE: Men In Black. (1997, Mv, R)
A cop is recruited to be the partner of a special agent assigned to police extraterrestrials living on Earth. Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, Linda Fiorentino. 10.00 MOVIE: Men In Black II. (2002, PGh, R) A secret agent enlists his former partner. Tommy Lee Jones.
11.45 Highway Cops. (PGa)
12.15 Devils. (MA15+av, R)
1.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Tales Of Aluna. (R)
5.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
7TWO (62)
6.00 Getaway. (PG, R) 6.30 ACA. (R) 7.00 Weekend Today. 10.00 Today Extra: Saturday. (PG) 12.00 Open For Inspection. 12.30 Drive TV: What Drives Us. 1.00 Great
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Space Invaders. (PGa)
8.30 MOVIE: Father Of The Bride Part II. (1995, G, R)
10.35 MOVIE: When Harry Met Sally. (1989, Mls, R)
12.25 Epic Builds. (R)
1.20 Open For Inspection. (R)
1.50 Innovation Nation. (R)
2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PGa)
2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.30 Global Shop. (R) 5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)
6.30 The Dog House. (R) A father and his two daughters search for a dog that can fill the house when the girls are at their mum’s.
7.30 Love It Or List It Australia. Is Waverley, couple Rob and Nikki need work on their property to make it work for them.
9.30 Gogglebox Australia. (R) TV fanatics open up their living rooms to reveal their reactions to popular and topical TV shows.
10.30 Matlock. (PGadl, R) Matty and Olympia navigate a new trust dynamic.
11.30 Elsbeth. (PGa, R) A pop star purchases a failing convent.
12.30 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.
7MATE (64)
(6)
6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Sunday Footy Feast. 2.30 Beach Cops. (PG, R) 3.00 Surveillance Oz. (PG, R) 3.30 Border Security: International. (PG, R) 4.00 Better Homes And Gardens Summer. (R) 5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Sydney Weekender.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Australian Idol. (PG)
8.40 Britain’s Got Talent. (Return, PG) Auditions begin as weird, wacky and wonderful acts compete in front of celebrity judges.
10.10 The Hunters: Rentakill. (Mav, R) A look at hit man Christopher Dale Flannery. 11.40 24 Hours In Police Custody. (Mad, R)
12.40 The Age Of Elizabeth. (PG, R)
2.30 Home Shopping. (R)
3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
7TWO (62)
7MATE (64)
6am Children’s Programs. 8.00 Jeopardy! Australia. 9.00 Cards And Collectables Australia. 9.30 Seinfeld. 10.00 Soccer. English Premier League. Manchester City v Nottingham Forest. Noon Golf. Women’s Aust Open. 5.00 Young Sheldon. 5.30 TBA. 7.30 6am Morning Programs. 11.30 Dipper’s Rigs. Noon The Car Club. 12.30 Timbersports. 1.00 Blokesworld. 1.30 Cool Cars With Dermott And Elise. 2.00 Motor Racing. Night Thunder. USA New Year Sprintcars. 3.00 Football. AFL. Round 1. Western Bulldogs v GWS Giants. 6.00 Pawn Stars. 7.00 Storage Wars. 7.30 American Pickers. 8.30 Football. AFL. Round 1. Sydney v Brisbane Lions. 11.30 Late Programs. 6am
6am Children’s Programs. 8.00 Jeopardy! Australia. 9.00 Cards And Collectables Australia. 9.30 Seinfeld. 10.00 Soccer. English Premier League. Chelsea v Aston Villa. Noon Golf. Women’s Aust Open. 5.00 Young Sheldon. 5.30 MOVIE: Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2. (2011, M) 10.00 MOVIE: Beetlejuice. (1988, M) 11.50 Late Programs.
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 Married At First Sight. (PGls)
8.45 60 Minutes. Current affairs program.
9.45 9News Late.
10.15 Hunting Bundy: Chase For The Devil: The Monster Escapes. (MA15+asv)
11.15 The First 48. (Mav, R)
12.05 A Killer Makes A Call. (Malv, R) 1.00 Ready Vet Go: The Vet Paramedics. (PGalm, R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)
4.30 The Garden Gurus. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
6.30 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 7.00 Australian Survivor: Redemption. (PGl) Presented by David Genat.
8.30 NCIS: Sydney. (Mv) The suspicious death of a US Navy chorister draws the team into the world of obsessive fans, pop stars and earworms. 9.30 Law & Order: SVU. (Mav) The squad investigates an assault at a house party where no one can identify the assailant. 10.30 NCIS:
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MONDAY, March 16
TV (2)
6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 Blue Murder Motel. (M, R) 10.45 Bee Cause. (R) 11.00 Top End Bub. (M, R) 11.30 Back Roads. (PG, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Landline. (R) 2.00 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) 2.25 Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 2.55 Fake Or Fortune? (R) 3.55 Murdoch Mysteries. (R) 4.45 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
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6am Children’s Programs. 5.55pm Octonauts. 6.05 PJ Masks. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Flower And Flour. 6.35 Big Lizard. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Superbuns. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Ninjago. 8.00 Deadly 60. 8.30 BTN Newsbreak. 8.35 Gladiators
6.00 Morning Programs. 11.00 Todd Sampson’s Why? (Ml, R) 11.30 If You’re Listening: Black Swans. (R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Death In Paradise. (PGv, R) 2.00 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) 2.30 Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 3.00 Fake Or Fortune? (R) 3.55 Murdoch Mysteries. (PGv) 4.45 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 6.00
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Inside The Tower Of London. (PG)
8.30 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. (M)
9.25 Never Mind The Buzzcocks. (M)
10.10 SBS World News Late.
10.40 Other People’s Money. (PGal)
11.35 The Old Man. (Mal, R)
2.25 Blood Money: Inside The Nazi Economy. (PGaw, R)
3.20 Off The Beaten Track With Kate Humble. (PGn, R)
4.30 Bamay. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) Tane breaks the ice.
7.30 Australian Idol. (PG) Hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie. 9.10 The Oscars. (PGalsv, R) A ceremony honouring achievements in filmmaking over the past year, from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
12.40 The Agenda Setters: Rugby League. (R)
1.40 The Agenda Setters.
3.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
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6am Discovering
Film. 6.25 Viceroy’s House. (2017, PG) 8.25 To Catch A Thief. (1955, PG) 10.25 The Idol. (2015, M, Arabic) 12.20pm Dog Day Afternoon. (1975, M) 2.35 Delfin. (2019, PG, Spanish) 4.15 The Man Who Knew Infinity. (2015, PG) 6.15 The China Syndrome. (1979, PG) 8.30 Anatomy Of A Fall. (2023, MA15+, French) 11.15 Syriana. (2005, MA15+) 1.30am Platoon. (1986, MA15+) 3.40 Late Programs.
TUESDAY, March 17
TV (2)
10.05 Compass. (R) 10.35 News. 10.50 The Business. (R) 11.05 Four Corners. (R) 11.50 Media Watch. (PG, R) 12.10 Murdoch Mysteries. (PG, R) 1.00 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 1.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 4.00 Gardening Australia. (R)
5.00 A Bite To Eat. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)
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6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Great Continental Railway Journeys. (PGaw, R)
8.30 Insight.
9.30 Dateline.
10.00 Rock Legends. (PGd)
10.30 SBS World News Late.
11.00 Exit. (MA15+dl, R)
11.55 Wolf. (Malsv, R)
2.10 Safe Home. (Malv, R)
3.10 Blood Money: Inside The Nazi Economy. (PGav, R) 4.05 Off The Beaten Track With Kate Humble. (PG, R) 4.40 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
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6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PG)
7.30 Australian Idol. (PG) Hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie. 8.30 Doc. (Ma) When the hospital is hacked, it coincides with three patients showing similar symptoms.
9.30 Ambulance: Code Red. (Ma) A farmer is crushed by a hay bale. 10.30 The Agenda Setters.
11.30 St. Denis Medical. (PG)
12.00 Dirty John. (MA15+v)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
7TWO
6am The Man Who Knew Infinity. Continued. (2015, PG) 7.50 Discovering Film. 8.45 The China Syndrome. (1979, PG) 10.55 Tudawali. (1987, M) 12.35pm Ghoomer. (2023, M, Hindi) 3.00 Finding Altamira. (2016, PG) 4.45 Born To Dance. (2015, PG) 6.35 A Matter Of Life And Death. (1946, PG) 8.30 Barry Lyndon. (1975, M) 11.55 Hunger. (2008, MA15+) 1.35am Late Programs.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls)
9.00 100% Footy. (Mal)
10.00 9News Late.
10.30 Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 Closing Ceremony. From Stadio Olimpico del Ghiaccio, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Replay.
1.00 Hello SA. (PG)
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)
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WEDNESDAY, March 18
TV (2)
6.00 Morning Programs. 10.00 Four Corners. (R) 10.45 Foreign Correspondent. (R) 11.30 Back Roads. (PG, R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Press Club. 1.35 Media Watch. (PG, R) 1.50 Spicks And Specks. (PGds, R) 2.25 Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 2.50 Fake Or Fortune? (R) 3.50 Murdoch Mysteries. (PGv) 4.40 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
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6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 9.05 My Unique B&B. (R) 10.15 Inside The Steam Train Museum. (R) 11.10 Inside Oxford Street. (Ml, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Dateline. (R) 2.30 Insight. (R) 3.30 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 The Irish Civil War. (PGaw, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Sandi Toksvig’s Great Riviera Rail Trip.
8.25 Lost Grail With Alice Roberts. (PG)
9.20 Prisoner 951. (M)
10.20 SBS World News Late.
10.50 Face To Face. (Mv)
11.40 Darkness: Those Who Kill. (MA15+av)
1.30 Divided We Stand. (Ml, R) 3.20 Off The Beaten Track With Kate Humble. (PG, R) 3.55 Bamay. (R) 4.55 Destination Flavour. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
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6am Children’s Programs. 6.35pm Big Lizard. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Superbuns. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Ninjago. 8.00 Deadly 60. 8.30 BTN Newsbreak. 8.35 Steven Universe. 8.55 Adventure Time. 9.20 Teen Titans Go! 9.40 We
THURSDAY,
TV (2)
SBS MOVIES (32)
March 19
6.00 Morning Programs. 10.30 The Weekly. (Ml, R) 11.00 Can You Keep A Secret? (Ma, R) 11.30 QI. (PG, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Frauds. (Mdl, R) 1.50 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) 2.20 Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 2.50 Fake Or Fortune? (R) 3.55 Sister Boniface Mysteries. (PG, R) 4.40 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
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6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 The Point. (R) 9.05 My Unique B&B. (PG, R) 10.15 Inside The Steam Train Museum. (PG, R) 11.10 Inside Oxford Street. (Ml, R) 12.00
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PG)
7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PGas)
8.30 The Front Bar. (Ml) Takes a lighter look at all things AFL. 9.30 Unfiltered. (M) Hamish McLachlan sits down with Noah Anderson. 10.00 The Agenda Setters.
11.00 No Holds Barred: GWS Giants. (Ml)
12.00 The Act. (MA15+ans, R)
1.20 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
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Morning Programs. 7.30 Harry’s Practice. 8.00 Million Dollar Minute. 9.00 Medical Emergency. 9.30 NBC Today. Noon Australian Idol. 1.00 Escape To
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls)
9.00 Naked City: HITMEN. (MA15+adlv) Presented by John Silvester.
10.00 9News Late.
10.30 Freddy And The Eighth. (Ml)
11.30 A Remarkable Place To Die. (Mlv)
12.30 Tipping Point. (PG, 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)
5.00 Today Early News.
5.30 Today.
Gardening Australia. (R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)
4.15 Off The Beaten Track With Kate Humble. (PG, R)
4.50 Destination Flavour. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
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6.10 Arabia’s Best Kept Secrets. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 United Gangs Of America. 10.20 The UnXplained With William Shatner. 11.10 Brassic. 12.55am Couples Therapy. 2.00 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera.
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Morning Programs. 9.15 A Matter Of Life And Death. (1946, PG) 11.10 Sky Pirates. (1986, M) 12.45pm Banel & Adama. (2023, M, French) 2.20 The Man Who Knew Infinity. (2015, PG) 4.20 The Caine Mutiny. (1954, PG) 6.35 The Man Who Brought Down The White House. (2017, PG) 8.30 Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. (1974, M) 10.35 The Invisible Fight. (2023, M, Estonian) 12.40am Late Programs. 6am The Movie Show. 6.10 Discovering Film. 7.00 The Caine Mutiny. (1954, PG) 9.15 The Man Who Brought Down The White House. (2017, PG) 11.10 Barry Lyndon. (1975, M) 2.25pm The Ideal Palace. (2018, PG, French) 4.20 Mary Shelley. (2017, PG) 6.30 The Ipcress File. (1965, PG) 8.30 All The President’s Men. (1976, M) 11.00 Monster’s Ball. (2001, MA15+) 1.05am Late Programs.
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6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) Mackenzie is caught aiding and abetting.
7.30 Football. AFL. Round 2. Hawthorn v Sydney.
10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews.
11.00 Kick Ons. A preview of the upcoming AFL matches.
11.30 Australian Idol. (PGal, R) Hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie. 1.00 Damnation. (MA15+asv, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
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6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 3. Canberra Raiders v Canterbury Bulldogs. 9.55 NRL Thursday Night Footy Post-Match.
10.40 9News Late.
11.10 The
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By Kate PYE
JACKSON Cheney, a Year 9 student at Bishop Druitt College, has been selected to represent regional NSW at the 2026 US Connect Training Camp.
The camp will run from 12–30 September at the John Newcombe Tennis Academy in Texas, USA.
The training camp embodies a ‘TeamFamily-Team’ philosophy, encouraging athletes to build camaraderie and leadership while preparing for the rigorous demands of collegiate tennis.
It brings together the top junior tennis players from regional New South Wales and Victoria, providing them with an
