Dungog Shire News Of The Area 5 MARCH 2025

Mini Boomerangs kick off

By Shannon BENTON

A BRAND-NEW initiative from Dungog Soccer Club has given local kids their first taste of the game, with the introduction of the Mini-Boomerangs program.

Designed for children who have never played soccer before, the program has seen 18 enthusiastic youngsters aged four to eight hit the training paddock at Barnes Oval for four Thursday afternoon sessions throughout February.

Much like a preCONTINUED Page 3

TOURISM PLAN

Shannon BENTON 0400 163

Doug CONNOR 0431 487 679 doug@newsofthearea.com.au

Historic Gresford Show returns

THE 93rd annual Gresford Show will be held from 7-8 March at the Gresford Showgrounds.

Show highlights include steer rides, post splitting, animal nursery, pet parade, show jumping and more.

Fireworks will light up the night sky on Saturday evening.

The program includes hundreds of horse show classes, a very competitive campdraft, a variety of stud and commercial cattle classes, and a pavilion hosting a variety of arts, crafts and cooking displays.

An Opening Night and Preview evening for the Art Show will be held on Thursday 6 March from 6pm to 8pm in the Art and Craft Pavilion.

The “People’s Choice” winner will be announced at this event.

Email us the exact wording and we will email back a proof and price ads@newsofthearea.com.au

Phone us: (02) 4981 8882

There is no Senior Young Woman Competition running in 2025, however the Junior Gresford Young Woman competition will be judged on Saturday, with winners announced after the Grand Parade.

The show also offers a range of experiences for food lovers.

“Taste your way through a sizzling selection of delicious sausages and cast your vote for the coveted People’s Choice Award,” organisers said.

“Then, explore the Local Producer Stand, where you’ll find chilled Boydell’s wine for tastings and purchases, and handmade pyjamas and textiles by Nightie

Night Lane.

“Don’t miss the collaboration of Just Been Laid with local baker Jodi Pender from Sugar By Design, featuring jams, cordials and meltin-your-mouth meringue kisses.

“Plus, browse and buy the stunning photography book by local artist Clare Oliver, showcasing the beauty of our region.”

The Gresford Show has a long and storied history.

On 24 October 1925, members of the Gresford community attended a meeting in the Brosie's rooms at East Gresford to develop a society aimed at the agricultural, horticulture and pastoral interest within the area.

The association was first known as the "Allyn and Paterson Rivers and District Agricultural Horticultural and Pastoral Association".

On 20 May 1927, the

first show commenced at the Showground at East Gresford. The show produced a strong turnout with strong entries across all sections. In August 1928, the committee decided to be known as the Gresford District Agricultural Horticultural and Pastoral Society, and then in later years it was renamed to the Gresford District Agricultural Society (GDAS) Incorporate as it remains today.

several action-packed days of fun this weekend.

GRESFORD SHOW GRESFORD SHOW

Home approvals on the decline

AUSTRALIAN Bureau of

Statistics figures on new home approvals indicate that total home approvals fell by eight percent in the Hunter and 34 percent on the Central Coast in 2024 compared to the 2023 calendar year.

“There were a total of 4,808 building approvals across the Hunter in 2024 and 1,052 on the Central Coast,” said Craig Jennion, Housing Industry Australia (HIA) Hunter Executive Director.

“Combined, this is 14

percent weaker than in 2023, and 19 percent lower than the pre-Covid year of 2018.

“Detached house approvals in the Hunter were steady with an increase of eight dwellings or zero percent change in the 2024 calendar year.”

Across the region, Lake Macquarie saw the strongest growth in detached house approvals, up by 35 percent compared to 2023.

This was followed by Maitland (up eight percent),

Scone (up seven percent) and Singleton (up six percent.

“Declines were recorded in all other Hunter LGAs with Port Stephens down 52 percent, followed by Newcastle (down 34 percent), Muswellbrook (down 21 percent) and Cessnock (down 20 percent).”

Multi-unit approvals decreased in the Hunter, falling 19 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year.

“Declines were the

Mini Boomerangs kick off

FROM Page 1

season training camp, MiniBoomerangs focuses on building confidence and foundational soccer skills before the official season kicks off in April.

Without the pressure of competition, crowds, or opposition teams, young players have been able to enjoy a relaxed and supportive environment to learn the game.

Thanks to sponsorship from two local businesses, each participant has received a 2025 gold MiniBoomerangs training shirt

and their very own soccer ball to keep as they begin their soccer journey.

A healthy afternoon tea at half-time each week is provided, ensuring energy levels stay high for the all-in games that round out each session.

With a focus on fun and skill development, the sessions have encouraged both boys and girls to get involved, and even some parents have joined in for a kick-around at the end of training.

The program has been met with great enthusiasm, with all participants showing

remarkable improvement in just a few weeks.

greatest in Newcastle (down 37 percent), Cessnock (down 33 percent) and Lake Macquarie (down 14 percent).

“Pleasingly growth occurred in Maitland (plus 29 percent) and Port Stephens (up six percent).”

According to the data, much of the heavy lifting for the residential sector continues to occur in the local government areas of Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Central Coast, Newcastle and Cessnock.

Coach Michael Grant has been impressed with the progress of the young players.

"It's been fantastic to see these kids grow in confidence and skill over just a few weeks,” he said.

These top five locations for approvals accounted for 87 percent of total approvals.

“Detached homes remained the preference for home buyers, with the Hunter increasing five percent to account for 63.25 percent of total approvals, while on the Central Coast it increased by 16 percent to 66 percent of all approvals,” Mr Jennion said.

“The value of approved major renovations and alterations was overall steady in 2024.

“In the Hunter approvals increased by three percent to $314.8 million, while on the Central Coast the value decreased by five percent to $157.3 million.”

In Dungog, there were 44 house approvals in the 12 months to December 2024, down 14 percent from 51 the previous year.

Two units were approved in that timeframe, up from zero the year before.

In Gloucester, 18 homes were approved in 2024, down one from 19 in 2023.

No units were approved in 2024, down two from 2023.

Dungog Soccer Club has been thrilled with the success of Mini Boomerangs and the positive response from the community.

“Mini Boomerangs gives them a great foundation, and we hope to see many of them continue their soccer journey with the club."

The initiative welcomes children who are turning five, six or seven or who have never played soccer before. To register, email dungogsc.secretary@gmail. com or visit the club’s Facebook page.

Dungog

artists complete mural project

AN ARTS initiative featuring Dungog’s Lisa Wiseman and Clarence Town’s Bec Towers has brought life back to a walking path at Muscle Creek, Muswellbrook.

"Muswellbrook Shire Council with the support of local community groups and volunteers is returning Muscle Creek to its former glory,” the Council stated.

Council commissioned Ms Wiseman to paint the plain, grey railings and make the area more inviting for people walking the track.

“The railings are about 80m long, and I painted just the top rail and all the posts, on both sides,” Ms Wiseman said.

“They took about two and a half weeks to complete.

“There were a few challengingly-hot days in that time, when I had to stop painting because the metal rails were so hot the paint was clumping and drying as I tried to apply it.”

The railings have been painted with birds who call the area home, including kingfishers, a heron, dollar birds, galahs, red rumped parrot, raven, fairy wrens, finches, king parrots and satin bower birds.

“I didn't count, but probably around 40 birds in all,” Ms Wiseman said.

“The bottom rail was partially painted at the opening event, with the help of local volunteers.

“Hopefully the rest will be completed later this year.”

Clarence Town artist Bec

Towers assisted in preparing and painting the railings.

“It was very enjoyable collaborating with Bec,” Ms Wiseman said.

Muswellbrook Shire Council

Sustainability Officer Mick Brady organised the project.

The painting is titled "Creek Life" and was funded by the Council and the NSW State Government's Environmental Trust.

Looking forward, Ms Wiseman has scheduled crochet workshops in Muswellbrook, Scone and other Upper Hunter towns for Upper Hunter Homeless Support. She will also be drawing “Humans to Horses” caricatures at the Scone Literary Festival on 9 March.

Urgent care clinic pledged for Maitland

BOTH major parties have promised to deliver an urgent care clinic (UCC) in Maitland if successful at the 2025 Federal election.

Medicare UCCs provide urgent bulkbilled health care in a general practice setting.

UCCs provide acute episodic care and treatment that does not require a hospital admission.

Labor has pledged to deliver the facility in Maitland as part of a $644 million commitment to open another 50 UCCs nationwide.

Once all of Labor’s clinics are open, four out of five Australians will live within a 20-minute drive of a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, the government says.

Labor said the Maitland clinic would begin operating seven days a week with extended hours in the 2025-26 financial year.

“At this election Australia faces a choice: a stronger Medicare with more bulk billing for all Australians under Labor, or more cuts to Medicare under Peter Dutton's Liberals,” said Member for Paterson Meryl Swanson.

“Only Labor will deliver a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Maitland.”

The Liberals on the other hand

claim that Maitland is yet to receive a UCC due to being “taken for granted by Labor”.

“Labor has had three years to secure an Urgent Care Clinic for Paterson, but they have failed to deliver,” Liberal candidate for Paterson Laurence Antcliff said.

“After the last election, Hunter, Shortland, and Newcastle all received Urgent Care Clinics, but Paterson was left behind – I will make that right.”

While Maitland looks set to receive a UCC, no clinics have been pledged for the Lyne electorate.

“Despite the clear need in our region, Labor has no plan to deliver a single new clinic in Lyne,” said Independent candidate for Lyne Jeremy Miller.

"Local voters have been forgotten by both major parties yet again.”

Mr Miller reaffirmed his commitment to fighting for improved healthcare services in Lyne, calling on voters to demand better from Canberra.

"We need real representation that puts the needs of our community first. As your independent voice, I will fight to make sure we get our fair share.”

TOURISM PLAN

FROM Page 1

published in 2021, and was supported by Dungog Shire Council and DRT members.

“The incorporation of the outcomes of the many community development workshops funded and coordinated by Rural Aid Australia across the Shire and beyond will add to the integrity of the new plan and set it up for the next five years or so,” Mr Archer said.

DRT has contracted Jenny Rand to complete the update, an experienced tourism consultant who has worked in the region for many years.

Ms Rand, who also prepared the previous plan, will contact businesses and tourism organisations to provide their input.

“It is not expected that the plan will be finalised quickly because it is our intention that

we incorporate all the outcomes and strategies produced by the Rural Aid project,” Mr Archer said.

“These can then be drawn into the DMP to provide consistency across the Shire.

“DRT looks forward to all those interested participating in the process, and the development of a longterm strategy for tourism in the Dungog region.”

Ms Rand can be contacted on 0411 782 700 or at jenny@ jennyrand.com.au.

HIA Hunter appoints new leadership

KAINE Tarlinton, Managing Director of Buildcert, has been elected the President of the Housing Industry Association (HIA) Hunter region.

“A Hunter based certifier and licensed builder with over 20 years’ experience Kaine has become the HIA Hunter’s eighth Regional President,” said Craig Jennion, HIA Hunter Executive Director.

“For the next two years Kaine, along with newly elected Vice-President Rodney Tullipan of Valletta Homes and nine other HIA members, will form the Hunter Regional Executive Committee,” said Mr Jennion.

The role of the Regional Executive Committee is to represent the local region, assist in the development of HIA policies and provide a local

forum to deal with regional issues.

Other members elected to the Regional Executive Committee include David Butler, Greg Doodson, Matthew Edwards, Kristy Francis, Paul Le Mottee, Allan MacKay, Joey Nicol, Richard Osborn and Daniel Syddall.

“I am confident that the experience, relationships across the industry, and enthusiasm of the Regional Executive Committee members will strengthen our ability to respond to both local and national matters,” said Mr Jennion.

The appointments also provided an opportunity to acknowledge outgoing President Greg Doodson.

“During Greg's presidency we saw all levels of government

finally recognise the significant issue of housing supply while at the same time industry continued to face price increases, skilled labour struggles, substantial interest rate hikes and a fall in consumer confidence,” said newly appointed President Mr Tarlinton.

“The knock-on effect was that we saw a decrease in local building approvals at a time it was irrevocably recognised that housing supply is the priority.

“I would like to acknowledge the significant contribution and commitment that Greg has provided the Association, and I look forward over the next two years to building on his legacy and that of previous Hunter region Presidents,” said Mr Tarlinton.

Farmers seek feral pest funding

FARMERS have called for more funding to get feral pests under control as a new report finds NSW has the highest number of feral mammal species in the nation.

NSW Farmers' Conservation and Resource Management Committee Chair Bronwyn Petrie said

the data released this week by the Australian Bureau of Statistics had come as no surprise to farmers battling a surging number of pests across the state.

“It’s little wonder we’re the feral capital of Australia –we’ve got hordes of feral pigs and packs of wild dogs as well as feral deer, foxes, cats,

rabbits and mice to boot,” Mrs Petrie said.

“This is just the start of a long list of feral species that farmers are battling to control as these pests wreak havoc and harm production across the key agricultural regions of our state, trashing crops and pastures and even killing livestock.”

I’ve known Alison Penfold a long time and I’m supporting her because I know she will listen, care and deliver like I have.

Alison will stand up for you when others won’t. She will fight for policies to get Australia back on track and bring down the cost of living.

Dr DAVID GILLESPIE MP Member for Lyne

ALISON PENFOLD THE NATIONALS

for Lyne

More funding to deliver coordinated, long-term, cross-tenure pest control programs around the state would be critical to get NSW’s pest problems under control, Mrs Petrie said, with animal pests expected to cause damages in excess of $489 million annually by 2026.

“This destructive front

ADVERTISEMENT

of feral species is not only putting a chokehold on food and fibre production, but the costs to control them are huge, and farmers can’t fix this problem alone,” Mrs Petrie said.

“The number of feral species has been growing since 2010, and no doubt there will be more feral

animal species, in increasing numbers, to come.

“Consistent, coordinated funding for feral animal control is what our state needs if we want to get these pests under control for the benefit of our landscapes, environment, biosecurity and biodiversity – four things critical to our future.”

Nominate a volunteer superstar The drone that can smell

COMMUNITIES

across the Hunter are being urged to jump online to nominate their local volunteers for the 2025 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards.

The awards are an annual program run by The Centre for Volunteering to recognise the outstanding work of volunteers in every region across NSW.

Hunter volunteers can be nominated for an award across seven separate categories, with recipients recognised at one of 25 regional ceremonies throughout the year.

The Hunter award finalists are then invited to represent their region at the State Gala ceremony, where the NSW Volunteer of the Year is announced by the Hon. Jodie Harrison, the NSW Minister with responsibility for volunteering.

The latest report on

volunteering in NSW shows that around 4.3 million people volunteer across the state each year, contributing $178 billion in social and economic benefits.

It also reveals that volunteer awards and recognition are one of the most important ways to help retain volunteers and recruit new volunteers.

The Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate, urged people from across the Hunter to nominate their neighbours, colleagues or family members for an award in 2025.

“Every day, volunteers are out there in their communities helping to run vital services and events,” Ms Rygate said.

“Local communities across the Hunter would not be the same without volunteers.

FIRE and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has launched the latest tool in its technological arsenal, a drone that can “smell”.

The FRNSW Aviation Unit and Hazardous Material teams are constantly looking for innovative ways to utilise the drone fleet, first formed in the aftermath of the Black Summer Bushfires.

The smelling capability of the new drone means crews can now use drones to detect potential threats in the air with firefighters able to maintain a safe distance and protect the wider public.

“It’s terrific to see Fire and Rescue NSW continuing to explore new technologies to safeguard its firefighters and keep the broader NSW community safe,” Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said.

“This is just the latest in an ever-growing list of FRNSW drone capabilities

“Nominating your local volunteer for these awards sends a clear message that their work is valued and does not go unnoticed.”

which means firefighters can have eyes – and a nose – on any blazes they’re battling.

“The drones can fly over built-up areas, assess the risk, and help authorities protect people in their homes, at work, or in critical infrastructure such as schools or hospitals.

“Firefighters are prepared for anything, including embracing new technologies to protect the irreplaceable.”

The drone was successfully deployed during last month’s response to a major fire and chemical emergency at a waste recycling plant at St Marys in Sydney’s west.

One of several drones deployed at the scene by firefighting crews, the smelling drone was able to analyse the smoke from the fire, identifying its chemical make-up and determining any potential risk to the public.

More than 139,000 volunteers from more than 500 community-based organisations were recognised as part of the 2024 awards, making the Awards one of the largest volunteer recognition programs across the country.

The drone also analysed the atmosphere around burning gas cylinders within the plant to determine potential air quality impacts.

This new drone can detect 12 different chemicals in the air including chlorine, carbon dioxide, and a range of flammable gases.

The drone can then provide live data and gas readings to Command Posts, the FRNSW Strategic Operations Centre at Alexandria, or to scientific support staff for analysis.

Other drones in the FRNSW fleet can collect water samples for chemical testing, there are smaller drones able to enter buildings through small openings to search for trapped people or identify structural threats, and drones fitted with infrared cameras which can assist during overnight search and rescue missions.

Drones were used

This year, a new Emergency Volunteer of the Year Award has been introduced, for volunteers or community groups who support their communities to prepare for, respond to, or recover from emergencies or disasters.

extensively in the aftermath of the 2022 Northern Rivers floods, carrying out damage assessments over vital infrastructure and identifying debris for collection.

Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said, “The drone that can smell means we can assess dangerous environments quickly to keep our people and the community safe.

“Our crews are highly trained to deal with hazardous materials emergencies, but this type of drone means we don’t have to risk anyone’s safety when trying to identify potentially dangerous substances.

“When crews arrive at the scene of a fire, they can quickly get one of these drones airborne to determine the threat we’re dealing with, and make crucial decisions based on immediate information.”

The 2025 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards are supported by Principal Partner the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, regional awards sponsor Beyond Bank, and supporters Mint Awards and SIXT.

Nominations are open until Friday 23 May 2025 at https:// www.volunteering.com.au/ awards/about-the-awards/

BEST ON THE BOX

SATURDAY

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN: BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

SBS, 8.30pm

Queen Camilla (above) has had more headlines written about her than most of us have had hot dinners – but tabloids and clickbait creators can be curiously shy about spotlighting the hard work she puts in to support survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Airing on International Women’s Day, this documentary aims to spread awareness of how and why perpetrators abuse, how we can stop the cycle and what the Queen has been doing about it for more than a decade.

FRIDAY, March 7

Under The Vines. (PG) Daisy attempts to evict William from the

Optics. (Final, Ml, R) A clown car disaster creates headaches. 9.50 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

Spicks And Specks. (PG, R)

Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee (NZ) (PG, R) 11.35 ABC Late News. 11.55 Grand Designs. (R) 12.40 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 1.25 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv) 5.00 Rage. (PG)

7.05 Gardening Australia Junior. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 Teen Titans Go! 8.00 Scooby-Doo And Guess Who? 8.25 BTN Newsbreak. 8.30 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 8.55 Robot Wars. 9.55 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs.

SUNDAY

THE NEWSREADER

ABC TV, 8.30pm

The bigger they are, the harder they fall – in The Newsreader version of 1989 there’s no one bigger than the “King of News” Dale Jennings (Sam Reid). And he is going downhill, fast. After three seasons set against some of the biggest stories of the 20th century, the final-ever episode of this newsroom-based drama documents Gold Logie winner Dale’s alcohol-fuelled tumble from grace alongside the fall of the Berlin Wall. While Dale is racing towards rock bottom, former lover and closest friend Helen Norville (Anna Torv, pictured) hits a glass ceiling as her ability to produce her own show is questioned. As history breaks in Berlin, Dale and Helen turn to each other for support.

MONDAY MEMORY BITES MORAN

Australian chef Matt Moran our

personal look at the role food plays in our lives, and the memories of family, friends and special times that a meal can evoke. Moran hosts famous Australian faces, using food to transport them back to pivotal moments in their lives through heart-warming recipes and quality conversation. Tonight’s premiere sees Moran and Invisible Boys star Pia Miranda (pictured, with Moran) honour her nonna Angelina by recreating Miranda’s childhood favourites, before sharing a soup that’s sacred to her family.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 James May: Our Man In Italy. (M)

8.30 Tony Robinson’s Marvellous Machines. (R)

9.25 Mysteries Of The Ancient Dead. (PG)

10.20 SBS World News Late.

10.50 Bonn. (Masv)

11.45 Sisi. (Mav, R)

2.35 Elizabeth. (PG, R)

4.15 Peer To Peer. (R)

4.45 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (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. Johanna Griggs finds out all there is to love about living in the Hunter Valley. 7.30 Football. AFL. Opening Round. Sydney v Hawthorn. From the SCG. 10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews taking a look back at all the action from the game. 11.30 GetOn Extra. A look at the weekend’s best racing.

12.00 Suits L.A. (Ma, R) A former prosecutor opens an LA law firm.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 5.00 NBC Today.

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 1. Dolphins v South Sydney Rabbitohs.

9.55 Golden Point. A wrap-up of the Dolphins versus South Sydney Rabbitohs match, with news and analysis.

10.45 Rise Of The Dolphins. (PG) A look at the NRL Dolphins.

12.15 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.05 Let’s Eat With George. (R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)

4.30 Global Shop. (R)

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

5.30 Postcards. (PG, R)

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 6.30 The Project. The hosts and guest panellists

SATURDAY, March 8

6.00 Rage Charts. (PG) 7.00 Wknd Brekky. 9.00 Rage. (PG) 12.00 News. 12.30 Wang Gungwu Lecture 2025. (R) 1.30 Optics. (Final, Ml, R) 2.00 Under The Vines. (PG, R) 2.45 Extraordinary Escapes. (PGl, R) 3.35 The Role Of A Lifetime. (PG, R) 4.25 Muster Dogs: Collies And Kelpies. (PG, R) 5.25 Landline. (R) 5.55 Australian Story. (R)

6.30 Back Roads: Hilltops Region, NSW. (PG, R) Lisa Millar heads to the Hilltops region of New South Wales for the Running of the Sheep.

7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.

7.30 Death In Paradise. (PG) Catherine finds herself entangled in a case when an old friend becomes a murder suspect.

8.30 Vera. (Ma, R) After a young police officer is found dead floating in a park lake, DCI Vera Stanhope investigates. 10.05 The Newsreader. (Madl, R) Helen is blindsided by a front-page story. 11.00 Unforgotten. (Mal, R) 11.50 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 The Wonders Of Europe.

8.30 Her Majesty The Queen: Behind Closed Doors. Explores Queen Camilla’s domestic violence awareness work.

9.50 Ray Martin: The Last Goodbye. (Ml, R)

10.55 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Strade Bianche Women. 12.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Strade Bianche Men.

3.00 Love Your Garden. (PGa, R)

4.45 Bamay. (R) 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

Food That Built The World. 6.35 Impossible Engineering. 7.30 MOVIE: The 355. (2022) 9.45 MOVIE: Sheryl. (2022, M) 11.30 Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over. 12.25am The X-Files. 3.45

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R) A couple have a prohibited item.

7.30 MOVIE: Jason Bourne. (2016, Mav, R) An assassin is forced out of hiding. Matt Damon, Tommy Lee Jones. 10.10 MOVIE: American Made. (2017, MA15+l, R) A pilot is recruited by the CIA. Tom Cruise.

12.30 We Interrupt This Broadcast. (PGal, R)

1.30 Harry’s Practice. (R)

2.00 To Be Advised.

4.00 It’s Academic. (R)

5.00 My Greek Odyssey. (PG, R)

6am Shopping. 8.30 Better

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Space Invaders. (PGa)

8.30 MOVIE: Legally Blonde 2: Red, White And Blonde. (2003, PGl, R)

10.30 MOVIE: Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past. (2009, Ms, R)

12.25 Bondi Vet. (PGm, R)

1.20 The Pet Rescuers. (PG, R)

1.50 Talking Honey. (PG, R)

2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PG)

6.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) A high-energy

6am What Do

We See When We Look At The Sky? Continued. (2021, Georgian) 8.40 Barefoot In The Park. (1967, PG) 10.40 Dangerous Liaisons. (1988, M) 12.50pm Everybody Hates Johan. (2022, M, Norwegian) 2.40 The Age Of Innocence. (1993, PG) 5.10 The Kids Are Alright. (2021, PG, Spanish) 6.50 Bonneville. (2006, PG) 8.30 Thelma & Louise. (1991, M) 11.00 Late Programs.

SUNDAY, March 9

6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 Wknd Brekky. 9.00 Insiders. 10.00 Offsiders. 10.30 World This Week. (R) 11.00 Compass. (PG, R) 11.30 Praise. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. 1.30 Gardening Aust. (R) 2.30 Monty Don’s Adriatic Gardens. (R) 3.30 Sue Perkins’ Big Adventure. (PGn, R) 4.15 Extraordinary Escapes. (PG, R) 5.05 A Dog’s World With Tony Armstrong. (R)

6.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Muster Dogs: Collies And Kelpies. (Final, PG) The dogs face their final challenge.

8.30 The Newsreader. (Final, Ml) Dale and Helen turn to each other for support.

9.30 Love Me. (Final, MA15+s)

10.20 MOVIE: Death In Brunswick. (1991, Mlsv, R)

12.10 You Can’t Ask That. (Mal, R)

12.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

3.00 Ask The Doctor. (PG, R)

3.30 Outback Ringer. (PG, R)

4.00 Gardening Australia. (R)

5.00 Insiders. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Ancient Greece By Train.

8.25 Emperor: Rise And Fall Of A Dynasty. (M)

9.25 Legends Of The Pharaohs. (Ma, R) 10.20 Great British Landmark Fixers. (R) 11.15 The Weedy One. (PGa, R) 11.25 The Fade. (Ma, R)

11.35 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Paris-Nice Race. Stage 1. 1.35 Earth’s Natural Wonders. (PGa, R) 4.25 Bamay. (R) 4.55 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera.

Washington Week. 5.45 Domino Masters. 6.40 Abandoned Engineering. 7.35 Abandoned Americana. (Return) 8.30 The UnXplained With William Shatner. 10.10 WWE Legends. 11.45 Late Programs.

(32) SBS MOVIES (32)

6am The Kids Are Alright. Continued. (2021, PG, Spanish) 6.35 Bonneville. (2006, PG) 8.20 Driving Miss Daisy. (1989) 10.10 Studs. (2006, M) 11.55 Language Lessons. (2021, M) 1.45pm Mrs Lowry And Son. (2019, PG) 3.25 What Do We See When We Look At The Sky? (2021, Georgian) 6.10 The World’s Fastest Indian. (2005, PG) 8.30 Goodfellas. (1990) 11.15 Late Programs.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Australian Idol. (PG) Hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie. 8.40 The Hunters: Murder Highway. (M) Former detective Steve van Aperen and crime journalist Adam Shand drive the Flinders Highway.

10.10 Ivan Milat: Buried Secrets. (MA15+av, R) Takes a look at the crimes of Ivan Milat.

12.10 The Bay. (Mav, R)

2.00 To Be Advised.

3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

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) 6.00 NBN News. 7.00 Married At First Sight. (PGls) 8.40 60 Minutes. Current affairs program. 9.40 9News Late. 10.10 See No Evil: Body Heat. (MA15+av)

(64)

MONDAY, March 10

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

SBS

Sicily

Michael Portillo. 8.25 Dan Snow’s Greatest Discoveries. 9.20 24 Hours In Emergency. (Return)

SBS World News Late. 10.45 Syndrome E. (Premiere, Malv) 11.55 Britain’s Great Outdoors. (R)

12.20 My Life In Clay. (R)

12.35 Primitive Medium. (R)

12.45 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Paris-Nice Race. Stage 2. 2.45 Elizabeth. (PGa, R) 4.25 Bamay. (R) 4.55 Destination Flavour Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

VICELAND (31)

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGav)

7.30 Australian Idol. (PG) Hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie.

9.10 Suits L.A. (M)

10.10 The Agenda Setters. (Premiere) An expert panel tackle the biggest AFL topics.

11.10 Lopez Vs. Lopez. (PGas) Chance puts pressure on Mayan and Quinten. 12.10 Miniseries: Hatton Garden. (Ml, R)

2.00 To Be Advised.

4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls) 9.00 100% Footy. (Return, M) 10.00 9News Late.

10.30 The Life And Murder Of Nicole Brown Simpson. (Malv)

11.30 First On Scene. (MA15+a, R)

12.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.00 Hello SA. (PG) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

6am The World’s

Fastest Indian. Continued. (2005, PG) 7.20 Mrs Lowry And Son. (2019, PG) 9.00 The Importance Of Being Earnest. (1952) 10.50 Thelma & Louise. (1991, M) 1.20pm The Orphanage. (2019, M, Dari) 3.00 Bonneville. (2006, PG) 4.40 Clue. (1985, PG) 6.25 The Emperor’s Club. (2002, PG) 8.30 Misery. (1990, MA15+) 10.30 Men. (2022, MA15+) 12.25am Jiu Jitsu. (2020, MA15+) 2.25 Late Programs.

TUESDAY, March 11

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Great Coastal Railway Journeys. (PG, R)

8.30 Insight.

9.30 Dateline.

10.00 SBS World News Late.

10.30 Guillaume’s Paris. (R) 11.00 Prisoner. (MA15+av)

12.05 Britain’s Great Outdoors. (R)

12.35 Plat Du Tour. (R) 12.45 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Paris-Nice Race. Stage 3. 2.45 Elizabeth. (PGa, R) 4.25 Bamay. (R) 4.55 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (PGaw, R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

VICELAND

(64)

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) 7.30 Australian Idol. (PG) Hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie. 8.40 The Hunting Party. (M)

9.40 The Irrational. (Mav) Alec and Marisa investigate a mysterious ghost ship that has washed up on the shores of his home town.

10.40 The Agenda Setters.

11.40 HMP: Behind Bars: HMP Long Lartin. (MA15+a, R)

1.10 Travel Oz. (PG, R) 2.00 To Be Advised. 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

SBS MOVIES (32)

(64) SBS MOVIES (32)

6am Clue.

Continued. (1985, PG) 6.50 The Emperor’s Club. (2002, PG) 8.50 Binti. (2019, PG, Dutch) 10.30 I Was A Dreamer. (2016, M) 12.25pm Spanish Affair. (2014, M, Basque) 2.15 The World’s Fastest Indian. (2005, PG) 4.35 The Importance Of Being Earnest. (1952) 6.20 The Bookshop. (2017, PG) 8.30 The Talented Mr Ripley. (1999, M) 11.10 The Ides Of March. (2011, M) 1.05am Late Programs.

WEDNESDAY, March 12

6.00

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Australia: An Unofficial History. (al)

8.35 The Jury: Murder Trial UK. (Ma)

9.30 Rogue Heroes. (MA15+)

10.40 SBS World News Late.

11.10 Blackwater. (MA15+ansv)

12.15 Britain’s Great Outdoors. (R)

12.45 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Paris-Nice Race. Stage 4. 2.45 My Brilliant Friend. (Mlsv, R) 3.50 Bamay. (R) 4.50 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 4.55 Destination Flavour Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PG)

7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PG, R)

8.30 The Front Bar. (Ml) Hosts Sam Pang, Mick Molloy and Andy Maher take a lighter look at all things AFL.

9.30 Unfiltered. (Premiere, Ma) Hosted by Hamish McLachlan.

10.00 Live At The Chapel: Amy Shark. (Ma) Amy Shark performs her hits.

11.00 Autopsy USA. (Ma)

12.00 Covert Affairs. (Mv, R)

2.00 To Be Advised.

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

6am TBA. 6.30 Escape To The Country. 7.30

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls)

9.00 Big Miracles. (Final, Mam)

10.00 9News Late.

10.30 Freddy And The Eighth. (Premiere, Ml)

11.30 The Equalizer. (Mv, R)

12.15 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.05 My Way. (R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

2.30 Global Shop. (R)

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa)

4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal.

The Project. A look at the day’s news.

The Dog House Australia. (PGa) 8.30 Elsbeth. (PGv) Elsbeth investigates the CEO of a location-based crime alert app after they murder a journalist.

9.30 NCIS: Hawai’i. (Mv) The NCIS team races against time to find a kidnapper. Sam seeks Ernie’s aid to decrypt a potentially deadly computer program. 10.25 10’s Late News. 10.50 The Project. (R) 11.55 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.

(32)

6am The Importance Of Being Earnest. Continued. (1952) 7.15 The Bookshop. (2017, PG) 9.20 Clue. (1985, PG) 11.10 The Exchange. (2021, M) 12.50pm I Love My Dad. (2022, M) 2.40 The Emperor’s Club. (2002, PG) 4.40 Binti. (2019, PG, Dutch) 6.20 Flash Of Genius. (2008, PG) 8.30 Monster’s Ball. (2001, MA15+) 10.35 All The King’s Men. (2006, M) 1.05am Late Programs.

THURSDAY, March 13

Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30.

8.00 Back Roads. (PG)

8.30 Sue Perkins’ Big Adventure: Paris To Istanbul. (PG)

9.20 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (Final)

10.05 The Role Of A Lifetime. (PGns, R)

10.55 ABC Late News.

11.10 The Business. (R)

11.30 Miriam Margolyes Impossibly Australian. (Ml, R) 12.25 Grand Designs. (R) 1.15 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 2.00 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.15 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Aust. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Finding Your Roots. (PG)

8.30 Earth: A Year In Orbit. (PGa)

9.30 Boiling Point. (Mal)

10.35 SBS World News Late.

11.05 Golden Boy. (Mal)

11.55 Britain’s Great Outdoors. (R)

12.25 Wet By Fire. (R)

12.35 Dirty Bird. (R)

12.45 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Paris-Nice Race. Stage 5. 2.45 Babies: Their Wonderful World. (R) 3.50 Bamay. (PG, R) 4.50 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGav)

7.30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly. (PG) Hosted by Graeme Hall.

8.30 Britain’s Got Talent. (Return, PGal) Auditions begin as weird, wacky and wonderful acts compete in front of celebrity judges.

10.00 The Amazing Race. (Return, PG)

11.30 The Disappearance Of Gabby Petito. (Mav, R)

12.50 Damnation. (MA15+asv)

2.00 To Be Advised.

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 2. Newcastle Knights v Dolphins.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. 6.30 The Project. 7.30 Gogglebox Australia. Opinionated

Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 James Brown: Say It Loud. 10.10 The UnXplained. 11.00 Homicide. 11.55 Late Programs.

MOVIES (32)

6am Binti. Continued. (2019, PG, Dutch) 6.40 Skating To New York. (2013, PG) 8.20 Poms. (2019, PG) 10.00 The Talented Mr Ripley. (1999, M) 12.35pm The Ides Of March. (2011, M) 2.30 The Bookshop. (2017, PG) 4.35 Mary And The Witch’s Flower. (2017, PG) 6.30 On The Waterfront. (1954, PG) 8.30 Saving Private Ryan. (1998, MA15+) 11.40 The Lighthorsemen. (1987, M) 1.50am Late Programs.

News Of The Area your sports club results each week by Sunday evening for

On theCouch

Email Jasminda: media@newsofthearea.com.au

DEAR Jasminda,

LAST week my phone rang during the meditation part of a yoga class.

I quickly attended to it and switched it to silent (which I thought I'd already done).

One of the other yoga attendees made a big deal about it, but he falls asleep in every session and snores which I find extremely disruptive to my meditative state.

I want to have it out with him.

Should I?

Wendy M.

Dear Wendy,

Having it out with a fellow yogi doesn't feel right. Yoga is all about improving your state of mind (and body), not getting your knickers in a knot (though getting your body in a knot seems to be a crucial part of the process).

The poses are often as tricky to pronounce as they are to perform such as ashtavakrasana where you bend your right knee and pass your right arm underneath, then hook your right knee on your right shoulder while keeping your palms on either side of your hips then raise your left leg and cross your left ankle over your right, bending your elbows at a right angle, and keeping your chest raised.

It's like Twister for sadomasochists.

After all the physical and mental gymnastics, the final meditation is something to look forward to, so I can understand your fellow yogi's annoyance when he's mentally

floating down a forest stream, breathing in fresh air that smells of damp moss and pine needles, alert to the sounds of birds chirping, the stream burbling, and then he's brought back to reality by Maria in da Club belting out from your phone, followed by you stepping across his body, tripping over a yoga bolster, your grippy socks making an annoying sucking noise on the floor boards until you reach your phone that is stored in the cubes at the entrance.

In future, leave your phone in the car.

As for his snoring, those bolsters and cushions have multiple uses.

Perhaps one could be gently placed over his face.

A bit of light pressure is sure to stop the snoring, though you'll probably be banned from the class when your yoga teacher catches you in the mid suffocation-pose.

Schoolyard safety first

THE NSW and South Australia state governments will collaborate on measures to combat bullying in schools.

Deputy Premier and NSW Education Minister Prue Car and her South Australian education counterpart Blair Boyer signed a joint agreement to tackle the scourge of bullying.

The joint effort follows the success of last year's groundbreaking Social Media Summit, organised jointly by the NSW and SA Premiers, to explore and address the impacts of social media on children and young people.

The MOU binds the two states to “undertake a

coordinated approach to information sharing and collaboration to minimise the impacts of bullying in schools and support positive school environments”.

Work will commence immediately on the sharing of best practice prevention strategies that are already

working in NSW and SA schools, curriculum materials and tools for educators to combat bullying, including cyberbullying, in our schools.

Last year NSW Premier Chris Minns and Deputy Premier Car announced they would lead the development of a statewide bullying framework for all NSW schools.

The regulator of

schools, the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), has already convened its first meeting with the school sectors to progress the work on the anti-bullying framework.

“Bullying is a scourge that impacts children across all school sectors, states and territories, and we all have a crucial role to play in stamping it out,” Minister for

Education Prue Car said.

“NSW is leading the way nationally to address bullying and cyberbullying so children at all schools feel safe and supported to focus on their learning.

“As we progress this work in NSW, we look forward to working with our state and federal counterparts on a consistent national approach.”

Aboriginal youth leaders sought for parliamentary program

THE Parliament of NSW is calling on communities across the state to help identify and support emerging Aboriginal leaders.

As part of the Bicentenary of the Legislative Council celebrations set to take place from 17-20 June 2025, the three-day Young Aboriginal Leaders Program

will bring together young leaders aged 18 to 25 for a unique, culturally grounded experience at the heart of state decision-making.

Parliament of NSW Senior Aboriginal Liaison Officer Joe Stewart said the initiative was designed to equip the next generation of Aboriginal leaders with the skills,

confidence and networks they need to drive positive change in their communities.

“If you know someone with leadership potential, encourage them to apply –this immersive experience could be life-changing,” he said.

Participants will develop leadership and

communication skills, learn about parliamentary processes, engage with Aboriginal leaders and even deliver a speech in the Legislative Council Chamber on an issue important to them.

Ben Franklin, President of the NSW Legislative Council, said the program, a Legislative Council initiative, was more

than a leadership conference.

“It’s about connection, empowerment, and equipping young Aboriginal people with the tools to drive change,” he said.

“We want young leaders from across NSW to be part of something truly special.

“I can’t wait to see how this conference inspires action in

those who participate.”

All travel, accommodation, and meals are covered –ensuring young leaders from every part of NSW can participate.

Applications are now open and can be submitted by visiting the Parliament of NSW website at www. parliament.nsw.gov.au/YALP

Dungog's caravan parks - or lack thereof

OPINION

DEAR News Of The Area,

I READ with some interest Cr Ley's proposal for an investigation into a proper caravan park for Dungog.

The lack of a van park has been a constant problem

for many, many years.

Forty and more years ago, when my wife and our two then preteen children were caravaners, as soon as you mentioned you were from Dungog, the instant comment invariably was, 'Oh, Dungog, what a pretty little town but you don't have a van park'.

Even at Broome that

was said to me.

After all this time, and lots of proposals, we still do not have a van park.

I note Cr Ley's suggestion of Abbott's Flat - that was talked of half a lifetime ago, and was rejected because it was flood prone, I'm not sure that is altogether a reason to give up on it, even so.

However, there is

another area that I know has been previously considered, and I believe would be the ideal location for a van park, and that is the paddock at the end of Abelard Street.

It was George Berry's dairy when I was a kid.

It is flood free, is large enough, and while it is on a gentle slope, it has no irregularities in its contours.

It also has two tall silos that would be ideal for a couple of murals to tell of our history. There is even a house on it for a caretaker to live in.

I have no idea why it wasn't a go-er previously, but I think if we are looking to, at long last, create a van park for Dungog, then George Berry's old dairy

Early Submission Invitation

for the review of the Community Strategic Plan

This is your chance to share your thoughts before the draft is finalised and put on public exhibition. Pre-exhibition submission period: February 24 to March 7, 2025

should be in the running.

Everyone should get behind this idea.

Dungog needs it. I applaud Cr Ley for his initiative.

Regards, Tom BOORER, Dungog.

The current Community Strategic Plan (CSP) is available on Councils website at www.dungog.nsw.gov.au

The CSP is the highest-level plan that a council will prepare. The purpose of the CSP is to identify the community’s main priorities and aspirations for the future and to plan strategies for achieving these goals. It guides all remaining strategies and plans and must be developed by councils with and on behalf of the community.

As part of this process, Council must also develop a Delivery Program, Operational Plan, Resourcing Strategy, Budget, and Fees & Charges documents by June 30, 2025.

Save the date for the upcoming formal Public Exhibition Period:

• The formal public exhibition will commence on Thursday, April 17, 2025, and conclude on Friday, May 16, 2025

• Council will be holding a series of drop-in workshops and information sessions during the formal exhibition period.

• More information will be provided as the formal exhibition period approaches.

Submissions can be made in writing to:

Email: shirecouncil@dungog.nsw.gov.au

In writing to the General Manager, PO Box 95, Dungog, NSW, 2420.

See Councils website for more details.

BUSINESS SHOWCASE

for shoppers and producers

THE Dungog Wholefood Cooperative is a grocery store and smoothie bar with a difference.

Formed in April 2022 at 152 Dowling Street, the member-owned co-operative recently moved to a bigger space at 205 Dowling Street.

In the beginning, a passionate and diverse group of Dungog locals got together to discuss ways of growing the demand for and bolstering the resilience of local food production.

Inspired by the proud and continuing tradition of agriculture in Dungog Shire,

they were keen to see more food grown, and made, sold and eaten right here.

“We saw opportunities to support existing small businesses, growers and makers while encouraging more to establish,” Co-op representatives said.

“This has been possible by providing producers with a central, convenient place to sell and market their products with a growing customer base.

“Together we’ve made these products even more accessible both to the community and to visitors

interested in taking home a piece of Dungog for their table.”

Unlike standard grocery stores, members of the Dungog Wholefood Co-op have a say in how the business is run.

Profits are returned back to the business and used to make improvements and to grow.

“Our focus is on providing benefits to our members who also enjoy a 10 percent off every time they shop,” the team said.

“Our independence also means we can prioritise smaller producers who we maintain a direct relationship with.

“We can respond to the challenges of difficult weather and economic upheaval as they arise and work with producers to overcome them.

“That is, there are no middle people.

“And, unlike the grocery giant duopoly of Coles and Woolies, we never lock farmers into unfair contracts or unreasonable pricing arrangements.

“We take what is seasonal and fresh and pay fairly for it.”

The Co-operative currently offers a range

of quality local products including fresh produce, bread, eggs, honey, olives, condiments and jams.

Some new local products in the freezer include pastureraised whole chickens from Ethical Farmers at Hanley’s Creek and even ice-cream from Ballimore Farms at Seaham.

“Alongside our local lines, we stock 100 percent Australian grown organic fruit and vegetables as well as an extensive range of everyday grocery items, including bulk wholefoods, sustainable body care and cleaning products.

“We’re also a great place to grab that treat or gift for a foodie in your life with beautiful gourmet cheeses and nibbles, non-alcoholic beverages, chocolates and confectionery.

“Not forgetting of course our delicious, freshly made juices and smoothies blended and tested by our inhouse nutritionist available 10:30am - 2:30pm daily.”

A tasting event will be held at the Co-operative on 29 March from 10am-1pm.

The Co-operative recently moved from being 100 percent volunteer run to a hybrid model.

“Currently the business employs six people from our shire on a part time basis, and we plan to grow this number,” the team said.

“We’re proud to have created jobs in Dungog, further strengthening the local economy.

“As well as the paid staff we have a dedicated group of volunteers who give their time regularly to keep the coop running smoothly.”

Hailing from the Blue Mountains, Bibi of Bibi’s Kitchen runs a micro business creating ready-made spice and curry mixes, sauces and condiments.

Riders in the Cove

By Thomas O’KEEFE

A CAVALRY of civilian horse riders descended upon the tranquil bushland environs of North Arm Cove on Saturday 1 March, to explore and appreciate its natural beauty

The visitors were from the Morpeth Horse Riders Club, which includes expert equestrians from Morpeth, Stroud, Singleton, Jerrys Plains, Gresford, the Central Coast, and more.

Each Coast drenching

By Thomas O’KEEFE

THE expected East Coast drenching is the result of a “perfect storm” of circumstances”.

The Bureau of Meteorology put out a Flood Watch on Sunday 2 March, alerting the upper Mid North Coast region to the after-effects of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, moving in from the South Pacific.

“Rainfall associated with Tropical Cyclone Alfred has the potential to cause major flooding along NSW coastal rivers from the Queensland Border to Port Macquarie, with the locations and severity of flooding dependent on the track of the Tropical Cyclone, and flooding may develop from late Wednesday, and continue until at least the weekend,” the BOM alert stated.

“Tropical Cyclone Alfred is forecast to move southwards parallel to the coast before tracking westward, bringing heavy and locally intense rainfall from late Wednesday over the South East of Queensland, and the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast of New South Wales, and continuing on Thursday, Friday and into the weekend.”

The resultant outlook further south, around Port Stephens and Newcastle, is grey and wet, with 80 percent to 90 percent chance of rain every day, all week.

TC Alfred is one of three cyclone systems that have been tracked across the South Pacific, with TC Seru and TC Rae stringing further west of Alfred.

Hopes recently expressed by the NSW Rural Fire Service may also be dashed.

The previously forecast ‘fine weather’ was supposed to provide opportunities for hazard reduction burns.

“As we approach the end of this fire season, we must take advantage of these conditions to address the backlog of hazard reduction burns and ensure our communities are as prepared as possible for the next fire season,” Commissioner Rogers said on Friday 28 February, before the BOM’s major rain forecast.

Several of the regions, from Tweed Heads to the Hunter, may have to wait another weather cycle before they are dry enough for burning.

“We have been to North Arm Cove before, and love the trails and friendly environment, and we are always welcomed by the community centre people here,” Amanda Freund told News Of The Area.

“The group often comes to Hawks Nest, Stroud, Clarence Town, and Tahlee to enjoy these beautiful areas from horseback - the best way to do it.”

The Club runs a handful of trail rides per year.

Their charges include pintos, Australian stock horses, quarter horses, standard-breds and retired trotters.

With names like Thunder, Blossom and Tommy, each one is a cherished part of the rider's family.

The group was undeterred by the hot start to March and enjoyed the refreshments provided by the volunteers of the NAC Community Centre.

As the ghost gums haunted the dense bush behind The Ridgeway, the poetry of Banjo Paterson came to mind:

There was movement at the Centre, for word had passed around that the Club from old Morpeth had come this way.

The many riders' horses, their saddles worth a thousand pounds, to the trails they had gathered for the day.

Remediation of former Truegain site to continue

THE next stage of a major project to clean up the former Truegain industrial site in the Lower Hunter region is set to begin.

Ford Civil has been appointed by Property and Development NSW (PDNSW) on a $5.3 million project to remediate contaminated soil across almost 1.2 hectares of the former oil refinery at Rutherford.

The second stage of work will be guided by a Remediation Action Plan, developed by Property and Development NSW and environmental consultant Ramboll.

The remedial works will involve the removal of concrete slabs, excavation of contaminated soil and subsurface infrastructure, backfilling the excavation with clean soil and revegetating or resealing the area.

The proposed works have been reviewed and endorsed by a NSW EPA accredited site auditor.

The first stage of the project was completed

in 2023 and involved the removal of more than 11,000 tonnes of industrial liquid waste, sludge and above ground infrastructure including storage tanks from the site.

The Truegain site was abandoned in 2016 after the company lost its trade waste permit, had its environment protection licence suspended and entered into liquidation.

In 2021, the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) brought proceedings against Truegain director and former owner Robert Pullinger to recover the cost of cleaning up the site.

The Land and Environment Court of NSW ordered Mr Pullinger to pay $1.2 million towards the EPA’s costs.

Stage 2 work is expected to start in the coming weeks and be completed by the end of the year.

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said, “I understand the local community has been

waiting for this site to be cleaned up for over a decade.

“Since coming into Government, we have worked to clean up this site so it can be remediated for future use.

“PDNSW's Environmental Management Group has done great work across multiple former industrial sites to clean them up and allow them to be re-used safely by local communities.

“Sites include the former Waratah Gasworks in Newcastle and former Hunters Hill radium hill refinery in Sydney.”

Member for Maitland, Jenny Aitchison said the site has been a “difficult contamination issue” for many years.

“This next stage of remediation work brings us another step closer to finally putting this matter behind us.

“Once Stage 2 works are completed, we will explore options to return this site for future community industrial use.”

Circle dance group hits Gresford

A DELIGHTED group of dancers attended their first circle dance gathering at Gresford on Thursday, 27 February.

The concept was set into motion earlier this year, in an attempt to learn and teach ancient circle dancing traditions.

Novice dancers travelled from Newcastle, Bendolba and Vacy.

“Emotive dances ranged from the haunting music of Timor Leste, where the well known song ‘Mai Fali E’ has mothers summon their children at sunset and beckon home those who

have left East Timor, to the Native American chant ‘Ly-OLay-Ale-Loya’ conveying the stories, legends and plight of the Native Americans,” said group coordinator Pip Woods.

“This latter piece of music combines sampled chants of the Navajo, Pueblo and Sioux tribes and Sami people yoik, with synthesizer backings, accompanied by a combination of traditional drumming and electronic dance-beats.

“Dancing this crenellation pattern dance was a very

spiritual and uplifting experience made more powerful by the togetherness and energy of the dancers in our circle.

“Laughter and delight were evoked by the Romanian children's nutcracker stamping dance, where the challenge to our brains proved too much at times.”

Pip said there are “no wrong steps” in circle dancing, only “variations”.

The group’s youngest dancer, Freyja, had a ball learning the moves.

"I love this dancing and it's

very good for me,” she said.

Older dancers agreed that learning the steps was a good workout for their brains.

The next event is set to take place in Gresford on Thursday, 27 March at 4.30pm.

“At this stage we meet on the fourth Thursday of each month,” Pip said.

Entry is by donation.

Due to growing interest a larger venue is being planned for the next session.

For enquiries or to book in, phone Pip on 0493 388 889.

DUNGOG SHIRE

Season kick-off

AFTER weeks of gruelling training sessions in the summer heat, the Dungog Warriors men’s and ladies season commences this weekend with scheduled trial games.

Following a successful 2024 which saw the men’s side narrowly defeated in the grand final, football starts in 2025 with a trial game against the Singleton reserve grade side at Singleton on Saturday.

Returning coach Jackson Partridge is confident of a successful season, with the majority of players from the previous season retained and a sprinkling of new blood aiming to help the Warriors go one better in 2025.

The Dungog ladies league tag side, following their major and minor premiership victories in 2024, kick off the season with a trial game against Aberglasslyn on Saturday.

Following last year’s success, new coach Mia Henderson is working hard to make sure the high standards and performance of the team are maintained. With a number of 2024 players indicating they will not be participating in 2025, Mia has indicated that there are opportunities for new players to become part of this year's team. “With training being undertaken on Tuesday and Thursday evenings all new prospective players are welcome and encouraged to attend,” said Jason Townsend, Dungog RLFC Secretary.

President Carl Schubert is excited for another successful year and is hoping for the continued support of the loyal Dungog Warrior supporters throughout the season.

The 2025 season commences on the weekend of 5 April with the draw to be released shortly.