Gloucester District News Of The Area 11 MARCH 2026

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GLOUCESTER DISTRICT Of The Area News

Wednesday, 11 March 2026

Gloucester pensioner slams stagnant rates rebates

By John WATTS

IN August 2023, NSW Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig announced that pensioners could apply for up to $250 in rebates on their ordinary council rates and waste charges.

Further rebates of $87.50 for water rates and another $87.50 for sewerage rates, were also available.

But the rebates were not new. They were introduced in 1993 to cover what was then 50 percent of annual rate charges.

Gloucester pensioner Ian Parks, who has become

increasingly dismayed that his rates keep increasing while the rebates do not, recently wrote to Minister Hoenig, MidCoast Council (MCC), and Gloucester’s state member Dave Layzell, asking for some action.

“Why are we being penalised by owning our own home and being treated like ‘cash cows’?” he wrote in his letter.

“Why are we being forced to choose between food, medications, transport, power, cooling or heating, the odd outing, or paying MCC’s exorbitant rates?”

In its reply, MCC agreed that the rebate was inadequate but suggested

CHAMBER CRISIS

By John WATTS

Wendy BUSWELL 0415 124 960 wendy@newsofthearea.com.au

Marilyn SANDERSON 0419 627 663 marilyn@newsofthearea.com.au

Council aims to speed up road and bridge repair

MIDCOAST Council has endorsed a streamlined approach to contracting out flood repair works.

Attempting to speed up the process of repairing roads and bridges, councillors at Council’s 25 February meeting voted unanimously to endorse a new procurement approach for the delivery of Essential Public Asset

Kim TEOH 0491 008 417 teoh@newsofthearea.com.au

Doug CONNOR 0431 487 679

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Reconstruction Works (EPA-RW), including the use of existing Council contractor panels for suitable low-risk works.

Fifty-six EPA-RW packages have been identified from the May 2025 flood event.

The combined value of these works is estimated at around $204 million, with The Bight Bridge representing the

largest single project at approximately $35 million.

Council has additionally spent more than $40 million on Emergency and Immediate Reconstruction Works, and has been reimbursed $6.1 million so far under Disaster Recovery Funding.

“While Council can claim all eligible costs, the timing of reimbursements is currently impacting Council’s cash flow and may affect future budget allocations,” Council said in a statement.

Director of Infrastructure and Engineering Services, Rob Scott said that Council needs to receive funding approval from the NSW Reconstruction Authority

CHAMBER CRISIS

FROM Page 1

General Meeting (AGM), and there were no nominations for the positions of president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer or committee member.

The Chamber is best known to the Gloucester community for running both the Farmer’s and

Community markets, Twilight Gloucester and the New Year’s event in Gloucester Park, however such events require a huge effort.

Outgoing President Matt Clinch has told News Of The Area that he was not surprised by what happened at the AGM because for some time there had been limited

THE temporary crossing solution for Tiri Bridge announced by MidCoast Council in early February is now underway, with work able to start on the bridge delivery earlier than expected.

"We had enough of the material delivered to site allowing our team to get cracking on a temporary crossing using what was left of the damaged bridge," said Council's Director, Infrastructure & Engineering Services, Rob Scott.

member involvement in the Chamber’s activities. He also indicated that the Chamber was operating at a loss.

“We get lots and lots of promises of more support, which come to nothing,” Mr Clinch said.

“There is not sufficient support on the ground, and all the work has been done by very

for each of the proposed Essential Public Asset Restoration projects before work can begin.

“Meanwhile, we’re getting ready to ensure the work can take place as rapidly and efficiently as possible once that funding is approved,” said Mr Scott.

“With so much to do, Council will need to use a number of different contractors.

“For low-risk works, we will use our existing panel contract to run select tenders for packages of work.

“This will save on costs and get workers on the ground sooner.

“We’ll avoid duplicating the same standard contract and cut down on administrative processes.”

few people, and at the AGM it was decided that the time had probably come to wind it up.”

However, it was also decided that before any final decision about winding up the Chamber was made there should be a community meeting to discuss all the issues, and the way ahead, particularly in relation to the markets, Twilight Gloucester and the New Year celebrations.

“We hope to consider

"They've made really good progress and we are likely to be able to re-open the road to local access by the end of March."

The Tiri bridge was devastated by the May 2025 extreme flood event, with three of the bridge's six spans being destroyed.

The road has been closed since the flood event with a substantial detour in place.

The temporary crossing will have a load limit restriction of five tonnes which is equivalent to a large SUV with a box trailer.

Larger vehicles and trucks will have to continue to use the alternative routes through Gloucester and Wingham.

Council says its existing panel contract already has a long list of contractors with “proven capabilities, capacity and appropriate contractual terms”.

A simplified tender process will still apply, with the Reconstruction Authority also weighing in on contract decisions.

More complex projects, including major bridge reconstructions like The Bight Bridge, will be put out to open tender.

Council says the approach aims to balance risk, governance and efficiency, while maintaining compliance with legal requirements and Council’s risk management framework.

A wide variety of recovery projects are still needed, including reconstruction or repairs to bridges, landslips, drainage, culverts, sealed and unsealed roads.

whether there are other organisations willing and able to take over these events.

“It looks as though it’s time to let the Chamber go, but the goal for me is not to let those events go because they are significant community programs.”

The public meeting will be held at the Gloucester Bowling Club at 6.30pm on Thursday 26 March.

Meanwhile, technical studies have commenced for the bridge's permanent replacement with specialists recently onsite to test the underlying geotechnical constraints.

"We are trying to do all of the investigations and technical studies at the same time so that we can finish designing the new bridge as soon as possible. Hopefully construction could begin next year," Mr Scott said.

Restoration of the temporary crossing and the replacement bridge are proposed within the government's Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

By Marilyn SANDERSON

THE Gloucester Show on 20-21 March will feature a “Sustainability Corner”, where locals can learn what it takes to build a resilient community.

Gloucester Transitions approached the show committee with the idea.

Member Megan Benson told News Of The Area that the aim is to get people thinking about how they can do “their bit for our environment and our community [while learning] about the ways we can mitigate and prepare for extreme weather events.”

Stallholders will include MidCoast Council, RENEW Hunter Region, Koala Safe Space, Gloucester Men’s Shed, FAWNA (For Australian Wildlife Needing Aid) and Gloucester Environment Group.

Council’s Catchment and Water Quality teams will have a working model demonstrating how rain falling in the catchment

Black Dog Ride’s One Dayer Show to feature ‘Sustainability Corner’

makes its way into the rivers then to the ocean, highlighting how the water can become contaminated along the way by different human activities.

“It shows us that if we make the right choices, we can keep water quality good and protect the places we love,” Ms Benson said.

The Koala Safe Space table will give away local koala feed and habitat plants.

Staff are also available for restoration, conservation and planting advice.

RENEW will focus on homes and lifestyles, paying particular attention to home comfort during heatwaves and cold snaps.

They will have an interactive display for the kids, as well as discussing the uptake and understanding of home energy options such as rooftop solar and batteries.

The Gloucester Men’s Shed will showcase its recycling initiatives and a range of items crafted by members from materials that would otherwise have

WITH just days until riders hit the road, the Gloucester community is being called on to get behind locals taking part in the Black Dog Ride One Dayer, helping raise funds for grassroots mental health and suicide prevention initiatives in regional Australia.

gone to landfill.

The display highlights the Shed’s commitment to sustainability, resourcefulness and practical community action, and demonstrates how recycling and reuse can reduce waste while strengthening community connections.

FAWNA will display information and models about local wildlife and provide information on how to build backyard watering stations.

A terracotta bird bath will be raffled to help support and fund FAWNA’s services.

For those interested in participating in bushwalks, planting and rehabilitation projects, educational events, and bird watching in and around Gloucester, be sure to visit the Gloucester Environment Group’s table.

There will be a kid’s craft activity table to keep little ones occupied while parents speak to stallholders.

To become disaster

Taking place this Sunday, 15 March, the Gloucester One Dayer will see participating motorcyle riders depart from 1 Boundary Street, where the community is invited to gather, cheer riders on and show support.

Registrations to join the ride will be open until Sunday morning, with organisers now encouraging Gloucester locals to sign up and participate, donate, attend or support fundraising efforts.

resilient, the Australian Red Cross emphasises the steps that people need to take to be prepared both practically and psychologically.

They are: Know your risks and assess your strengths. Stay connected to your community. Get organised.

To this end, the Gloucester Rural Fire Service and its truck will be at the Show on Friday, for schoolchildren.

They will have free show bags containing practical resource materials to help people plan for future bushfire seasons.

On Saturday night the RFS will be on standby at the fireworks display.

The SES (State Emergency Service) will have their rescue vehicles and boats on display.

They will also have information brochures on how to prepare households for floods, storms and tsunamis.

For more information go to gloucestershow.org.au.

Every dollar raised helps fund community-based mental health programs in regional and rural areas where services are often limited or non-existent.

To help boost fundraising in the lead-up to the ride,

Black Dog Ride has partnered with Indian Motorcycle on a national charity raffle, giving supporters the chance to win a brand-new 2025 Indian Springfield Special Edition motorcycle valued at $42,995 ride-away.

Tickets are just $10 each and the winner will be drawn on Sunday.

In 2025, more than 6,000 participants took part in the Black Dog Ride nationwide, helping raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to support mental health and suicide prevention.

“Mental health challenges don’t discriminate by postcode, but, unfortunately, access to support often does,” said Gloucester Black Dog Ride coordinator Tyler Standen.

“By supporting the Black

Ride One Dayer, the local community is directly helping to close that gap and start conversations that can, and has genuinely saved lives.

“Every donation, every message of encouragement and every person who turns up on the day helps us fund practical, local mental health support.

“This ride is about reminding people that they’re not alone and making sure help exists close to home when it’s needed most.”

Funds raised through the One Dayer are distributed back into communities via the Black Dog Ride Grants Program, supporting local organisations, schools and initiatives delivering mental health education, early intervention and suicide prevention programs.

Visit the Black Dog Ride website for details.

Motorcycle accident

A WESTPAC Rescue Helicopter was tasked by NSW Ambulance to a motorcycle accident on Thunderbolts Way, northwest of Gloucester, around 12.30pm on Saturday 7 March.

A man in his 50s sustained leg and pelvic injuries in the accident.

The patient was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics and the NSW Ambulance critical care paramedic and NSW Health doctor from the helicopter’s critical care medical team before being airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.

Gloucester pensioner slams stagnant rates rebates

FROM Page 1

that it was a matter for the NSW Government.

A Council spokesperson told News Of The Area, “With relentless and increasing cost shifting from state and federal governments onto local councils, MidCoast Council believes the responsibility rests with those entities to provide more relief for pensioners, especially considering pension rates have not increased for a long time.”

Council said it would continue to lobby the Government for a change.

However, in his reply, Member for Upper Dave Layzell suggested it was a Council matter and made no mention of State Government responsibility.

He recommended that Mr Roberts lobby Council - which he had done - and offered to make his own representations.

Minister Hoenig did not reply.

“…. this type of assistance is next to useless,” Ian had told them.

“You’re killing us financially, and you don’t seem to care!”

The Combined Pensioner and Superannuants Association has pointed out that the 50 percent discount has become largely obsolete, resulting in a concession that offers only a fraction of the value that was initially intended in 1993.

As his letters have not resulted in relief, Mr Parks has decided to form a local lobby group to try and get some action.

Anyone interested can contact him on 0414 582 019 or via parksy56@ bigpond.com.

New funding for regional events

A NEW $50 million fund aimed at building community connections and supporting events in regional areas has been announced by the NSW Government.

The Active Regional Communities Package delivers funding through three streams for non-profit local community groups, local councils and cultural or sporting organisations to deliver events, programs and activities.

1. $15 million for

Regional Events and Partnerships: Grants up to $2 million to support regional communities attract or develop new events across industry, sport, culture, or music; boost economic impact of existing events; improve accessibility with upgraded infrastructure. Applications open on 16 March 2026.

2. $25 million for Community Participation: Grants of up to $1 million to improve access to local

activities and regional connection. For example, upgrading sports grounds to competition standard; expanding cultural and community facilities; safe transport and/or staffing to expand participation in group activity and engage across a region. Applications open on 23 March 2026.

3. $10 million dollars for Local Priorities: Grants of up to $100,000 to help community organisations boost well-being and social

or economic participation. Funding could upgrade safety and equipment; hire skilled staff to tutor, referee or supervise; increase the frequency and range of activities; support and establish groups that support community connection and resilience. Applications open on 13 April 2026.

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said, “This funding will deliver major events for regional towns that entertain

local audiences, attract tourist dollars, and inspire participation.

“Club secretaries, coaches, show judges, referees, players, tuck shop and BBQ volunteers are the glue that binds a village or town together and these grants will make sure locals can participate in activities that will enhance their wellbeing.

“Regional towns have infrastructure that can be upgraded or its useability

expanded with this new funding so they can hold regional sporting, cultural or industry events; or improve existing facilities to make it easier for women, youth or disabled to participate.

“I encourage community and sporting groups, local councils, and major organisations to start thinking about what they can do to increase economic benefits and the fun and joy of country life.”

WITH parts of the region experiencing dry conditions, patchy rainfall and the likelihood of more hot weather still to come, Hunter

Local Land Services (HLLS) says planning ahead for pastures and livestock has never been more important.

Across the region, producers are reporting tightening feed availability, uneven pasture growth and declining soil moisture reserves following a run of warm conditions and inconsistent rainfall.

In some areas, summer pasture responses have been short-lived, placing additional pressure on feed budgeting and grazing management decisions as producers look ahead to autumn.

To support landholders, HLLS is offering seasonal updates, dry time planning resources and upcoming agriculture events focused on pasture management, livestock nutrition and risk mitigation strategies.

These activities are designed to provide practical, locally relevant advice to help producers prepare early and respond confidently to changing seasonal conditions.

HLLS is also advising farmers to utilise the Farming

Forecaster program, which aims to provide practical, predictive information on weather, soil moisture and pasture production to support informed grazing and

feed management decisions.

Monitoring sites in the Hunter are incorporated into a wider national network of soil moisture probes and weather stations across

Australia.

The program operates by collecting real-time data from soil moisture probes and onfarm weather stations.

This data is transformed

into clear, user-friendly information that is readily available online, allowing producers to track local conditions and trends as the season unfolds.

Teresa Hogan, Livestock Officer with HLLS, said with seasonal conditions

across the Hunter remaining variable, tools like Farming Forecaster give producers a clearer picture of what’s happening in their paddocks now and what may be coming.

“By combining local weather data, soil moisture information and pasture growth forecasts, producers can make more informed decisions around stocking rates, supplementary feeding and planning for autumn and winter.

“Having access to this type of information helps graziers manage risk, respond earlier to changing conditions and make the most of any rainfall that does arrive.”

The pasture forecast tool uses validated modelling and historic data that incorporates site-specific data along with information from CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology.

It provides forecast pasture growth rates (kgDM/ ha/day) and production estimates (tDM/ha), along with an indication of the likely range in pasture availability over the next three to four months.

Hunter housing approvals expand

THE latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures indicate that total home approvals for the Hunter grew two percent in 2025 compared to the 2024 calendar year.

On the Central Coast, total home approvals grew by 16 percent in the same period.

Craig Jennion, HIA Hunter Executive Director, said the overall growth in approvals is “pleasing”, demonstrating that the regions remain critical housing locations due to the combination of relative affordability compared to Sydney, rapid population growth, and diverse lifestyle options.

“However, increased support by all levels of government to reduce the barriers on land development and new home building are required if the relative affordability benefits the region is known for are to be taken advantage of in 2026,” said Mr Jennion.

There were a total of 5,210 building approvals across the Hunter in 2025 and 1,223 on the Central Coast.

Combined, this is five percent stronger than in 2024, and four percent higher than the pre-Covid year of 2018.

The total value of new building approvals was $2.97

billion in 2025, an increase of 11 percent.

In the Hunter the value of building approvals was $2.35 billion, whilst on the Central Coast the value was just shy of $625 million.

Detached house approvals in the Hunter declined with a fall of 17 percent in the 2025 calendar year.

Across the region Muswellbrook saw the strongest growth in detached house approvals, up by 66 percent compared to 2024.

This was followed by Newcastle (+42 percent), Scone (+41 percent), Port Stephens (+38 percent), and Dungog (+30 percent).

Review into feral animal management

A TECHNICAL review will be undertaken into feral pig and deer management in NSW.

The move follows the announcement of a $40 million investment in feral animal management from the NSW Government, and almost a quarter of a million pigs culled across the state in the past three years.

The control program has been built on increased aerial culling, a free bait initiative, and the promotion of landholders working together to address pests.

Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty has now tasked the Independent Biosecurity Commissioner, Dr Katherine Clift, to investigate ways to further improve feral pig and deer management in NSW.

Minister Moriarty will be requesting the Independent

Commissioner to consider and recommend actions that will:

• Examine the best available tools and techniques for controlling feral pigs and deer at a regional scale, including new and emerging technologies.

• Work through the challenges of delivering feral pest programs across different landscapes and land tenures

• Increase landholder participation in regional programs, to ensure landholders deliver on their biosecurity duty and improve the success of onground management efforts including trapping and baiting.

Preliminary advice will be delivered to the NSW Government in June 2026

and a final report will be delivered in October 2026.

“The NSW Government’s feral pig and pest program is culling more pigs than ever before but there is still more work to be done,” Minister Moriarty said.

“We are supporting landowners to carry out coordinated ground control before and after the aerial shoot, to deliver best practice pest animal management.

“Dr Katherine Clift’s review into our feral pig program is an important next step in making sure we are getting the most out of the program.

“The findings will help refine how public and private land managers work together, ensuring control programs are consistent, practical and responsive to

The largest declines were recorded in the Great Lakes (-66 percent), Gloucester (-50 percent), Lake Macquarie (-35 percent), Cessnock (-21 percent) and Singleton (-9 percent).”

Multi-unit approvals increased in all local government areas except for Dungog, with approvals up 38 percent in the Hunter and 50 percent on the Central Coast compared to the previous year.

In the Hunter, growth was greatest in the Great Lakes (+166 percent), Muswellbrook (+100 percent), Maitland (+54 percent), Lake Macquarie

(+35 percent) and Port Stephens (+33 percent).

“Much of the heavy lifting for the residential sector continues to occur in the local government areas of Maitland, Central Coast, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and Cessnock,” Mr Jennion said.

“These top five locations for approvals accounted for 88 percent of total approvals.

“Whilst detached homes remained the preference for home buyers, accounting for 53 percent of total approvals in the Hunter and 56 percent on the Central Coast, multiunit approvals saw double digit growth in both regions.

“This suggests that some

households are turning to more affordable smaller homes as a means of securing home ownership.

“Despite the varied results, especially for detached dwellings, it is clear that the region worked through the challenges of 2024 that were characterised by the higher cost of borrowing, land, materials and labour.

“Whilst these concerns remain, interest rate cuts in 2025 have helped bring more households back to the market, supported by the fact that many households remain in employment, which provides certainty of income.”

The NSW Nationals have a different view however, arguing that a review is unnecessary.

Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Brendan Moylan,

argues farmers don’t need another study but rather helicopters in the air, boots on the ground and pigs being shot, baited and trapped at pace and scale.

Over the next two

months, Local Land Services is planning to undertake another 17 aerial shooting operations in different locations across NSW, targeting feral pigs and other pest animals.

Women underrepresented on councils

mayors,

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.

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

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Gardening Australia.

8.30 Professor T. (Ma) Following a murder at a Criminology Conference, the Professor must prove his innocence to regain his reputation.

9.20 Tonight At The Museum. (PGa, R) Hosted by Alex Lee.

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)

Gardening Australia Junior. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Do Not Watch This Show. 7.40 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 8.05 Scooby-Doo And Guess Who? 8.30 BTN Newsbreak. 8.35 My Adventures With Superman. 8.55 BattleBots. 10.00 Gladiators UK. 10.55 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (PG) 8.30 Fukushima: A Nuclear Nightmare. 10.05 Rock Legends. (PGs) 10.35 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.

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.

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.

7TWO (62)

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)

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 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 7.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG, R) Hosted by Rebecca Gibney. 8.00 Soccer. AFC 2026 Women’s Asian

SATURDAY, March 14

6.00 Kath & Kim. (PGals, R)

6.25 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

(M)

as new parents.

who Taya’s biological

and

is and

contact

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.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Jewels Of The Mediterranean.

8.25 Travels With Agatha Christie And Sir David Suchet. (R)

9.20 Shaun Micallef’s Origin Odyssey. (PGa, R)

10.25 Highclere: The Real Downton Abbey. (R) 11.25 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Paris-Nice Race. Stage 7. 1.25 Stormy. (Malns, R)

3.25 Mastermind Australia. (R) 4.25 Bamay. (R)

4.55 Destination Flavour. (R) 5.15 Euronews. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

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

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)

MOVIE: When Harry Met Sally. (1989, Mls, R)

Epic Builds. (R)

Open For Inspection. (R)

Innovation Nation. (R)

The Incredible Journey Presents. (PGa)

TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

Global Shop. (R)

TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

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.

SUNDAY, March 15

6.30 Compass.

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 The Piano. (Return, PG)

8.20 Can You Keep A Secret? (Premiere, M)

8.50 Frauds. (Premiere, Mdl) Follows a woman fresh out of prison.

9.40 Blue Murder Motel. (M, R)

10.25 Top End Bub. (M, R)

10.55 MOVIE: Judy And Punch. (2019, MA15+, R)

12.35 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

3.00 Gardening Australia. (R)

4.00 Dream Gardens. (R)

4.30 A Bite To Eat With Alice. (R)

5.00 Insiders. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Pompeii: Life In The City With Dan Snow.

9.15 Leonardo Da Vinci. (PGan, R)

10.20 Lost Treasures Of Egypt. (PGa, R)

11.15 MOVIE: Julia. (2021, Mals, R)

1.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Paris-Nice Race. Stage 8.

3.00 Freedom Is A Verb. (PG, R)

3.20 Mastermind Australia. (R)

4.20 Bamay. (R)

4.50 Japan Bitesize. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.15 Euronews.

5.30 PBS News Horizons.

6am Children’s Programs. 5.35pm Fireman Sam. 5.45 Super Monsters. 5.55 Octonauts. 6.10 Knee High Spies. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 The Adventures Of Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.45 Supertato. 6.55 Piripenguins. 7.05 Let’s Go Bananas! 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 The Inbestigators. 7.55 Badgers: Their Secret World. 8.45 Amazing Animal Friends. 9.30 Fresh Off The Boat. 10.15 Merlin. 11.00 Late Programs.

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6am Vai. (2019, PG) 7.35 Discovering Film. 8.25 3:10 To Yuma. (1957) 10.15 Defiance. (2008, MA15+) 12.50pm Long Story Short. (2021, M) 2.35 The World’s Fastest Indian. (2005, PG) 4.50 Delfin. (2019, PG, Spanish) 6.30 Jumanji. (1995, PG) 8.30 The Fisher King. (1991, M) 11.00 Vampyros Lesbos. (1971, MA15+, German) 12.35am Goodfellas. (1990, MA15+) 3.05 Death Proof. (2007, MA15+) 5.00 Spitfire. (2018, PG) 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. 4.30 Viceroy’s House. To Catch A Thief. (1955, PG) 8.30 10.45 Platoon. Vampyros Lesbos. (1971, Late Programs.

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)

NBC Today.

Sunrise Early News.

Sunrise.

Helping Hands. (PG, R) 6.00 NBN News. 7.00 Married At First

ABC FAMILY (22) 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

(64) SBS MOVIES (32) SBS MOVIES (32)

MONDAY, March 16

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.

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 UK. 9.35 Kids BBQ Championship. 10.15 Kids Baking C’ship. 10.55 Late Programs. 6am Children’s Programs. 6.20pm 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 Deadly 60. 9.05 The

SBS MOVIES (32)

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

Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 4.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

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.

VICELAND (31) VICELAND (31)

7MATE (64)

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. 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.

SBS MOVIES (32)

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.

DUNGOG’S BEST FOOD

Chargrilled steaks Fresh Fish Pub classics Chef’s specials

WEEKDAY LUNCHES

7MATE (64)

$20 meals + $5 schooner WHAT’S ON

ENTERTAINMENT

Wednesday - Trivia from 6.30pm

Thursday - Meat Raffle & Joker Poker from 5.30pm Sunday - Roast Lunch, Full menu also available BEHIND THE BAR

8 tap beers • Great wines • Cocktails

Plenty to keep locals and visitors coming back

WEDNESDAY, March 18

6am Children’s Programs. 6.35pm Big Lizard. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Superbuns. 7.05 Batwheels.

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.

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.

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.

THURSDAY,

March 19

6am Morning

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Treasures With Bettany Hughes. (Return)

8.30 The Hospital: In The Deep End. (Final, Ma)

9.35 A Spy Among Friends.

10.40 SBS World News Late.

11.10 In Memoriam. (Malsv)

12.00 Blackwater. (MA15+alv, R)

2.20 Silent Road. (Ma, R) 4.15 Off The Beaten Track With Kate Humble. (PG, R)

MOVIES (32) SBS MOVIES (32)

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.

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)

4.50 Destination Flavour. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

(64)

News Of The Area OPINION

Dorin’s Draws By Paul DORIN

PUZZLES

Further intersection questions

DEAR News Of The Area,

In regards to the intersection of Bucketts Way South and Pacific Highway, there has been a number of comments regarding this intersection, all suggesting urgent attention.

I have not read anything so far about two further compelling reasons for the solution to this most dangerous intersection to be expedited.

1. The Bucketts Way South is the main diversion route should the Pacific Highway southbound be closed (all those D signs near Nabiac and through Gloucester).

This, as all in Gloucester know, puts enormous added pressure on the Bucketts Way and in particular southbound and the subject

intersection.

Pacific Highway northbound traffic is travelling in a 100kph zone at that intersection.

2. When the Heatherbrae interchange is completed in 2027/8 the northbound traffic will bypass the bottlenecks through Heatherbrae and will normally be travelling, unimpeded, in 100kph and 110kph zones.

There will not be any mitigation of the flow which is currently provided by traffic lights and bottlenecks.

Further urgent representations need to be made to get this dangerous situation corrected.

Regards, Colin WARE, Rookhurst.

Ask the real estate expert...

When it comes to selling, a few common beliefs can unintentionally hold you back and create frustration for everyone involved.

1. “I love my home style and everyone else will too.”

We all have our own taste, and that is part of what makes a home special. However, bold or highly personalised décor can make it harder for buyers to picture themselves living there. Instead of seeing the lifestyle, they may be calculating the cost of repainting or replacing finishes. A neutral colour palette and simple styling helps buyers focus on the space, not the changes.

2. “It’s a home, not a showpiece.” Absolutely, but when your property is on the market it also becomes a product. Buyers do notice clutter, odours and general untidiness. Keeping it clean and inspection ready gives them confidence that the home has been well cared for.

3. “I’ll clean up the yard once it’s sold.” Unfortunately, most buyers cannot see past piles of scrap, old machinery or leftover materials. They see a job ahead of them. Presentation now protects your price later.

A little effort upfront can make a big difference to your final result. Denise

By Claire PONTIN, MidCoast Mayor

THERE was a lot of work transacted at our last Council meeting on Wednesday 25 February.

To mention just a few:

There will be a consultative meeting held on Tuesday 24 March at 6pm to seek community input on how we might be able to improve the financial sustainability of the Manning Entertainment Centre.

I encourage you to attend to have your say.

We will be installing solar panels on our two Aquatic Centres which

will substantially reduce operating costs.

The new Pelican Boardwalk in Forster has come in under budget so we will be extending it in the other direction towards the old Amaroo wharf.

I put forward two motions that were supported by my fellow Councillors, for consideration at the Australian

Local Government Association’s Conference in June.

One motion calls on the Federal Government to fund Councils to build back improved infrastructure following declared disasters.

This would ensure infrastructure is more resilient in the face of future disasters.

The second motion calls on the Federal

Government to provide more financial assistance for pensioners. Councils are increasingly being asked to cover the costs of State Government programs (referred to as cost-shifting) which are passed onto rate payers, increasing the cost of living.

Pension rates are long overdue for an increase.

Further intersection questions

DEAR News Of The Area,

In regards to the intersection of Bucketts Way South and Pacific Highway, there has been a number of comments regarding this intersection, all suggesting urgent attention.

From the Mayor’s desk SPORTS

I have not read anything so far about two further compelling reasons for the solution to this most dangerous intersection to be expedited.

1. The Bucketts Way South is the main diversion route should the Pacific Highway southbound be closed

(all those D signs near Nabiac and through Gloucester).

This, as all in Gloucester know, puts enormous added pressure on the Bucketts Way and in particular southbound and the subject intersection. Pacific Highway northbound traffic is

travelling in a 100kph zone at that intersection.

2. When the Heatherbrae interchange is completed in 2027/8 the northbound traffic will bypass the bottlenecks through Heatherbrae and will normally be travelling, unimpeded, in 100kph and 110kph zones. There will not be

any mitigation of the flow which is currently provided by traffic lights and bottlenecks.

Further urgent representations need to be made to get this dangerous situation corrected.

Regards, Colin WARE, Rookhurst.

Gloucester fall short in T3 grand final

By Nigel MCINTOSH

GLOUCESTER’S Tier 3 side produced a determined performance in their Grand Final this weekend but ultimately fell short after a competitive contest played in good spirit by both teams.

Opening the batting, Nicholas Kellner (16) and Lucas Summerville (6) faced some very strong new ball bowling but showed resilience to get Gloucester underway.

Griffiths in vets golf win

By Peter WILDBLOOD

ALTHOUGH rain threatened, no more than a few drops eventuated with that threat perhaps accounting for the light field on Tuesday 3 March for the Gloucester Veteran Golfers regular outing. There were however

handy scores returned with a clear win for Paul Griffits.

The event was an Individual Stableford sponsored by Gloucester Auto Broker & Detailing. The winner was Paul Griffiths with a twounder-handicap 38 points. Ball winners were Anne

Wand and Dale Rabbett 37, Peter Sate 35, and Paul Griffiths 34.

There was but one Nearest-to-the-Pin trophy winner on the day, Derek Bardwell at the 6th and 15th holes.

On Tuesday 10 March the Gloucester Veterans were due to play an

Jonny Tighe then anchored the innings with an excellent 47 from 63 balls, the standout knock of the day, while Chris Marchant added a useful 26 to help push the total along. With the ball, the father and son combination of Ken and Nicholas Maslen were Gloucester’s best.

Ken Maslen claimed an impressive 2 for 22 from his 8 overs while Nicholas Maslen added 1 for 17 from 5 overs, keeping pressure on the opposition

throughout the innings. In the field, William Wooster produced one of his best efforts of the season, while Blake McSwan’s constant encouragement lifted the side all day. Despite the result, this team which was only formed at the last minute with more of a social team than a competitive one, can be proud of a strong season throughout and a committed team performance in the Grand Final.

Gloucester women in pennants golf win

By Carolyn DAVIES

THE Gloucester Golf Ladies

Pennant team, dressed in flame orange shirts, started the new pennant season in style at Tuncurry on Monday 2 March, with a closely fought win over Port Macquarie Sapphires by 3 matches to 2. With four matches in the clubhouse, the score was two-all with Dale Rabbett and Gai Falla both winning their matches. It came down to the last hole of the last match still out there, and Anne Wand sunk her par putt to win her match and the day for Gloucester.

Last Wednesday, 4 March,

the Gloucester Golf Ladies had their Opening Day for the season with an Individual Stableford event. The overcast skies and the hint of a breeze kept temperatures down.

Some of the players were testing out the new sand in the bunkers, topped up the previous Friday, thanks to the Gloucester Veterans golfers.

Carolyn Davies won Division 1 with 33 points, on a countback from Karen Howarth, with Pat Burrows winning Division 2 with 36 points. The two winners won a voucher each, generously donated by Batter and Dough.

Balls went to Rhonda Nightingale, 34 and Karen Howarth, 33, with Susie Higgins taking the last ball on a countback with 32 points.

Dale Rabbett scooped the prizes for Nearest-to-the-Pins, winning on the 4th and 13th holes and for Division 1 on the 6th and 15th holes.

The Gloucester Golf Ladies will play a Four Ball Aggregate Stableford today, Wednesday 11 March. Next Wednesday, 18 March, they will play an Individual Stableford sponsored by Sally Higgins for their first Monthly Medal of the year.

THE historic and highlyanticipated Gloucester Show returns to the Gloucester Showground on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 March.

Gloucester AH&P Association secretary/treasurer Tonia Channon said show-goers can expect all the classic activities and some exciting new features.

“This year we have our usual displays of horse events (Friday and Saturday), beef and dairy cattle judging (Saturday), poultry judging and the pavilion judging,” Tonia said.

“Friday afternoon is the Twilight Dressage and a Working Dog Challenge.

“In the ring on Saturday night we have post-splitting, demolition derby, fireworks, the Young Famers Challenge, and showjumping.

“Entertainment wise we have carnival rides, a freestyle motorcycle and bicycle stunt show, and lots of food stalls, showbags, and trade stalls to see.”

Live music will bring the party on Saturday night, courtesy of the Rockit Duo.

Other favourites include the Young Woman and Junior Showgirl competitions, a novelty pet show, a Camp Oven Cook Up and Billy Boiling Competition, and a snake and reptile show.

Gloucester Lady Bowlers Report

By Jennifer BURLEY

A LOVELY early morning gradually turned quite warm and sultry for our first Autumn Wednesday for bowls. The monthly "Spider" was the first event for the day, where all ladies line up,1 bowl at the ready on a given signal, endeavour to roll said bowl nearest to a certain spot known as the Spider, to win the trophy, and congratulations go to Joan Ridgeway for March. Two matches of Social Bowls were drawn, one game of

Triples ;Bev Germon, Suzanne Cross and Deb Horner 21 defeated Kerrie Green,Jill Everett and Norma Relf 18. And one game of Pairs; Ruth Redman and Gina Dalmulder 15 defeated Bev Murray and Cheryl Tull 11. The Final of the Bonnie Hazelwood 4s resulted in some great bowls by both teams with the eventual winners being; Joan Ridgeway ,Jenny Stevens, Jenny Burley and Di Pritchard 20 defeating Jill Carson,Paula Standen,Val Pritchard and Judy Sheely 14.

On Sunday 1st March saw

eight teams play the first round of the Mixed 4s Championship, results being:Paula Standen,Karen Heiningher, Jeff Kellie and Alec Laurie 19 defeated Jenny and Max Stevens, Suzanne Cross and Mark Groves 14. :Joan Ridgeway,Kevin Everett,Judy and Mike Sheely 24 defeated Penny and Rob Gibson with Lou and Adam Clements 16. Jill Carson,Joy and Steven Hurworth and Tony Tersteeg 23 defeated Julie Kriss, Dennis Bartlett,Deb Cushway and John Andrews 20.And finally

and

T1 season ends in tight semi final

By Nigel MCINTOSH

GLOUCESTER’S Tier 1 cricket side saw their season come to an end in a tightly contested semi final against Taree United, with the match remaining in the balance until late before Taree secured victory with just two overs remaining.

Batting first, Gloucester posted a competitive total built around a strong innings from Johny

Walmsley wins golf medal

By Peter WILDBLOOD

IT WAS another hot steamy day at the Gloucester Golf Course on Saturday 7 March with Liam Wamsley a clear winner for the March Medal.

The event was an Individual Stroke sponsored by Arkwood Organic Recycling with the Medal going to the best net score across the field. This honour went to C grade player Liam

Walmsley with a net score of 68 three strokes ahead of the field. Unsurprisingly, Liam also had the best net score in C grade although the best gross score in the grade went to Paul Garland for his 97. In A grade Ben Veitch had the top net score of 73, a score which also won him the annual Mug of Mugs, a playoff for those golfers who won Medals in 2025. Paul Blanch’s gross score of 75 was the best

in A grade. In B grade the top net score went on a count back to Clint Churchyard for his 71. The top gross score in the grade was Geoff Reynolds’ 90.

Dale Rabbett turned in the top net and gross score among the women in the field with her 71 and 91, respectively.

Balls were won by Liam Wamsley 68, Dale Rabbett, Clint Churchyard and Geoff Reynolds 71, Peter Sate and Ben Veitch 73, Chris Murray and Paul Garland 74 and Chris Steele and Steve MacDonald 75.

The Nearest-to-the-Pins trophies at the 4th and 13th holes were won by Steve MacDonald, Trevor Sharp and Dave Mann in the three men’s grades with Dale Rabbett doing the job for the women golfers. At the 6th and 15th holes Steve MacDonald backed up in A grade with the remaining three trophies going to Mitch Young, Peter

Cornelius, who top scored with a patient and composed 54 from 85 balls.

Landon Blissett contributed 22, while Michael Fraser and Jamie Andrews both added valuable 25s to help Gloucester build pressure throughout the innings.

Gloucester’s bowlers fought hard to defend the total.

Beau Laurie was the standout performer with an excellent spell of

Markey and Gai Falla.

The long drive trophies at the 8th and 17th holes were wone by Nathan McInnes, Mitch Young, Liam Wamsley and Dale Rabbett.

The winner of the Super Sevens for the week ending

3 for 14 from 5 overs.

Charley Puthur Davis also impressed with 2 wickets, while Jye Barkwill and Adam Cameron each claimed a wicket.

Sadly, this is the final week now for all Bushman teams, the committee would like to thank the Club's sponsors for the year and the team captains for putting sides on the field every week.

Friday 6 March was Wayn Maddalena 17 with balls won by Arthur Poynting, Peter Markey and Wayne Maddalena 16, and by Dave Mann and Graeme Marsh 15. This comng Saturday 14 March the Gloucester

Saturday Golfers will be playing an Individual Stableford sponsored by McGratrh Real Estate and the following Saturday the club will be playing a Foiur

GLOUCESTER DISTRICT

Wednesday, 11 March 2026

Premiership glory

By Steve BIGNELL

THE Gloucester Bushman’s T2 Bowling Club team travelled to Old Bar on Saturday to compete for the Manning River District Cricket Association’s T4 Cricket Premiership.

The Bushies were feeling confident after their win last week over the Wingham Blues, but the Old Bar Eggins would have also been just as confident after winning previous encounters with the Bowling Club Bushies.

The Bushies’ innings, after winning the toss and electing to bat, started slowly and they were 1/33 after 10 overs.

Nick Maggs (57 runs) played a solid, controlled and disciplined innings.

He was well supported by the ever-reliable Robbo Willis (22), a quick knock from Jack Bignell (28) and Chris Bolton (16).

Some big hitting from Paul Goldsmith (15) put the cream on the innings, with the Gloucester Bushies finishing up 9/186 after their 40 overs.

Old Bar’s innings was off to a flyer and they were 0/35 after four overs until more controlled bowling from Nick Maggs and the introduction of Rob Willis (2/11-7) and Jack Bignell (1/8 -3) slowed the run rate.

As the drinks break arrived the game was evenly positioned with Old Bar at 3/79 needing 109 runs to win.

The runout of the bighitting Old Bar captain, Shane Nash (55), turned the game in Gloucester’s favour momentarily.

Important catches held by Charlie Bignell, Dane Laurie, Chris Bolton and Steve Bignell behind the stumps supported the solid bowling efforts.

Albie Cameron’s strong performance in the field of 2/35(5), two catches and a runout made up for his effort with the bat.

A cracking slow ball by Charlie Bignell 1/28 (4) and two quick wickets from Paul Goldsmith (3/12 from four overs) put Gloucester on top and Old Bar couldn’t recover to see them fall 13 runs short of their target.

View: By Appointment only Price: $1,200,000 Land: 4.62 acres (approx.)

&R Property

Group Denise Haynes 0414 725 482 denise.haynes@eldersrealestate.com.au

Minutes from the centre of town, this lifestyle property enjoys a north-facing position and panoramic rural views, offering lifestyle that feels worlds away while remaining wonderfully connected. Spanning approximately 4.62 acres, the property is perfectly suited to those craving space, self-sufficiency and future-focused opportunity.

A warm & functional home designed for style and comfort. The central open-plan living space with timber kitchen, dining & living area is kept comfortable by ducted reverse-cycle air conditioning and a slow-combustion wood fire. Solid timber floors add character and a timeless feel throughout the home.

The master bedroom includes its own ensuite and walk through robe, creating a private retreat at the end of the day. Two further generously sized bedrooms include BIR’s. The third is double in size and fitted out as an office/library but could be halved back to 3rd and 4th bedrooms.

A large deck extends from the home and captures uninterrupted mountain and valley vistas.

The property’s infrastructure is standout. A substantial *10.5m x 10.5m shed includes a converted, insulated studio with kitchenette & bathroom.

Two additional newly constructed sheds provide exceptional versatility, including one with an expansive insulated and lined mezzanine – ideal for a large office setup, creative space or storing vehicles, caravans, boats, toys etc. A third shed caters to workshop use or further secure storage.

4 paddocks, includes chicken coops, established fruit trees and vegetable gardens. Water security is excellent with town water, two 25,000-litre rainwater tanks and a bore & pump, while mains power plus a 9kw solar system contributes to efficient, sustainable living.

Beyond its idyllic setting, the property presents a rare value-add proposition, with an approved Development Application already in place for a new agricultural venture. With power connected and a substantial pad constructed, the foundations are set for the next owner to capitalise on a ready-to-go business venture, should you desire.