Marilyn SANDERSON 0419 627 663 marilyn@newsofthearea.com.au
Kim TEOH 0491 008 417 teoh@newsofthearea.com.au
Exhibition showcases local artist
By John WATTS
PAINTINGS by gallery
owner Peter Gowan
are now on display at Gloucester’s Midtown Gallery in Church Street, and will run until Sunday 25 January.
Gowans explained to News Of The Area that his work has progressed through the structures of art school, guidance from Valerie Olsen and husband at the time John Olsen.
Several other major influences including Vincent Van Gogh, resulting in the mature work of the present time.
After a successful period in the early 2000’s Gowans felt the need to retreat and learn to develop the ability to express his personal style.
During that time he travelled abroad to Europe and North America, where the great galleries assisted in filling the gaps in his learning.
“My works are predominantly in acrylic paint on heavy duty artist quality paper or canvas and I tend to blur the line between what is a painting and what is a drawing,” added Gowans.
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Having always been influenced by his immediate environment, most of the past decade has been based on both the rural and suburban landscape.
“These landscapes are created using varied locations and themes, many of which are based around Gloucester,” said Gowans.
“My most recent works to date are bold cityscapes drawn with heavily weighted black lines.
“Using Gaudi as my architect, I highlight the chaos and intense movement of a large city and the organic manner in which they grow.
“These works are the most personal and expressive to date.”
Gowans has held
previous exhibitions in
Long wait for intersection fix
FROM Page 1
continue experiencing the often-long delays, and significant risks associated with turning right from Bucketts Way onto the Pacific Highway.”
That statement is as true in January 2026 as it was 12 months ago.
“Transport for NSW will develop options to address access points, including investigating upgrades for Italia Road, Medowie Road and Bucketts Way to support safe movement of vehicles and population growth in the area,” said a spokesperson for
Transport for New South Wales (TFNSW) at that time.
“Further investigations are underway to develop a business case and explore options for enhancing safety.
“Transport for NSW is working with the Australian Government to understand timeframe considerations for individual projects within the Pacific Highway corridor.
“Further funding will be needed for project planning, progression and construction work.”
The problem for
and the Central Coast, and his works are in collections in Australia, New Zealand, North America and the UK. and Pacific Highway intersection,” said Mr Clinch.
motorists wanting to turn right onto the highway is particularly acute during holiday periods, with the queue often stretching a long distance up Bucketts Way as drivers wait for a gap in the northbound traffic.
On the morning of 2 January, there was a queue of more than 50 vehicles waiting for a chance to turn right from Bucketts Way onto the Pacific Highway.
NOTA sought comment from Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison, but has yet to receive a response.
TFNSW responded
to NOTA’s questions in almost identical terms to its comments 12 months ago.
“The Australian and NSW Governments have committed funding to develop safety improvement options for the section of the Pacific Highway between Raymond Terrace and Karuah,” said a spokesperson.
“This includes an additional $12 million commitment to design upgrades for The Bucketts Way and Medowie Road intersections.
“Transport will develop options to address access points, including investigating upgrades for Italia Road, Medowie Road and Bucketts Way, to support safe movement of vehicles and population growth in the area.
“Further investigations are underway to inform development of a business case for staged upgrades to improve safety along this section of the M1 Pacific Motorway.
“Transport advises further funding will be needed to complete development and delivery of the identified projects.”
According to Matt Clich, President of the Gloucester Chamber of Commerce, the dangerous intersection is also having an adverse economic impact on Gloucester.
“I fully support the urgent calls for action at the Bucketts Way
“The combination of high-speed highway traffic, long queues of vehicles attempting right-hand turns, and limited safe gaps creates conditions that are plainly dangerous.
“Local businesses, residents and visitors alike have been voicing these concerns for years, and the evidence is now undeniable.
“Beyond safety, the intersection has become a clear economic impediment for Gloucester.
“Tourism is a cornerstone of our local economy and when visitors are deterred from travelling here, or choose not to return because access is perceived as unsafe or frustrating, our accommodation providers, hospitality venues, retailers and service businesses all suffer.
“Waiting for a fatality before infrastructure is addressed is not a responsible approach to road safety or regional planning.”
Trudy Schultz from Accommodation Gloucester indicated that what was once a minor intersection is now a regional traffic bottleneck.
“An overpass is no longer a nice to have”, said Ms Schultz.
“It is required infrastructure for the safety, efficiency and future growth of our region.”
Sydney
q Gloucester’s Midtown Gallery owner and local artist, Peter Gowan.
q Drivers queue, waiting to turn from Bucketts Way onto the Pacific Highway.
Tougher cruelty laws to protect dogs
DOG owners tempted to leave their pet in the car when they run to the shops, will soon risk tougher penalties.
The State Government is delivering on its election promise to review the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (POCTAA), flagging heavier fines and longer jail sentences.
Minister for Agriculture, Regional and Western NSW, Tara Moriarty, said the proposed changes “mark the most significant reform to the state’s animal welfare laws in years, delivering modern legislation that reflects contemporary community expectations.”
Changes include offences for leaving dogs in hot vehicles, tougher animal fighting laws and banning painful prong collars.
According to Animal Welfare League NSW CEO, Stephen Albin, the package addresses some of the worst examples of animal cruelty.
“Our inspectors spend a lot of time educating people about animal welfare, but the new laws provide muchneeded new powers to deal with the worst cases and offenders.”
More than 7,000
submissions were received during a period of stakeholder consultation, leading to the following proposed measures:
• strengthening animal fighting offences to support NSW Police in addressing their links to organised crime and addressing potential loopholes
• new offences, including leaving a dog unattended in a hot vehicle; using or possessing prong collars, which are a discredited and painful dog training tool that is currently illegal to import; and possessing glue traps, which are already illegal to set in NSW
• strengthening enforcement powers and penalties to send clear signals to perpetrators of animal cruelty
• removing barriers to humane intervention in critical situations, allowing POCTAA inspectors to administer pain relief to animals where necessary and allowing appropriately trained Local Land Services personnel to euthanise animals in emergencies.
The changes build on reforms that have included banning puppy
farms; increasing funding to approved charitable organisations to carry out
Still giving despite the odds
FROM Page 1
draining her energy out.
But Brenda has never allowed illness to stop her from caring for or helping others.
animal welfare enforcement activities; and preventing people convicted of animal
years in Tangentjere Council, setting up new Aboriginal organisations - CAAMA, Imparja and ANTAR.
neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”
“I shall pass through this world but once - any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now.
“When I was 13, a nurse wrote in my autograph book and I”ve held onto it all my life,” she said.
“Let me not defer it or
Those words shaped her life.
At 18, Brenda and her husband Ken served as missionaries for the Presbyterian Mission Board.
Later, she worked for six
After completing Chaplaincy and Bereavement Counselling at Royal North Shore Hospital, Brenda established a chaplaincy service at the new Alice Springs hospital. She later worked as a Chaplain at Westmead
Australia Day markets
By Sis HIGGINS
Hospital, then in a nursing home as a Diversional Therapist before being employed to establish a local neighbourhood centre.
“I have been involved in AA,Compassionate Friends, Grow etc. I was involved in training [for] various types of counselling including Bereavement and Aids Counselling.”
Among her many
achievements, Brenda started the first Aboriginal CWA in South Australia. For the last few years, 82-year-old Brenda has been knitting for the Gloucester CWA.
She has made clothes and blankets for premature babies, and beanies for the Newcastle Seafarer’s Mission. There’s certainly no stopping for Brenda.
The Australia Day markets will run from 8.30am until 12.30pm at Barrington Hall, offering a wide range of
BARRINGTON Hall will host the markets on Australia Day, bringing locals and visitors together for a morning of community, food and handmade goods.
stalls including cakes, woodwork, pickles, jams, candles, handicrafts and jewellery.
Visitors can enjoy a classic Devonshire tea, browse locally made
products and support community fundraising, with a raffle and a barbecue hosted by the Rural Fire Service adding to the day’s activities. Organisers are
encouraging residents to drop in, enjoy the atmosphere and celebrate Australia Day with good food, local talent and friendly faces.
cruelty from keeping and breeding animals. The Government expects to present a Bill to Parliament in the first half of the year.
q Even if parked in the shade with the windows partially down, dogs can die in a car in less than six minutes.
Photo: GabesDotPhotos/Pexels.
Scouts on the go Supporting the RFS
By Sue STEPHENSON
CANOEING, rock climbing and camel riding were just some of the sporting activities enjoyed by 436 Scouts and their leaders at Dungog Corroboree 2026.
Converging on the town were groups from across the Hunter and Upper Hunter, as well as from Newcastle and Sydney.
From climbing and balancing on stacks of crates to swapping boots for paddles to go canoeing in the Wilson River and mastering water activities at the Dungog Pool, the Scouts were kept busy around the clock.
They even enjoyed a stormy overnight bivouac at Dungog Mayor Digby Rayward’s property. Participants also explored
their creative side, trying their hand with Aboriginal dot painting and connecting with culture between high-energy exercises and competitions. Held at the Showground, the theme of the Corroboree was Outback Australia.
It all wrapped up on Monday, having achieved its aim of building skills for life through adventure and culture.
THE Bowman River Road Rural Fire Brigade is one of the many volunteer RFS groups in the Gloucester area.
For more than 25 years, the Bowman River Road community has held an annual fundraising event to support the Rural Fire Service.
At last year’s event, held on 13 December, over 70 people attended, raising over $1,300 for the RFS.
“We were fortunate to have the support of local businesses who donated items for the auction,” said
Beth Gosden, one of the organisers.
“The support in our small village is a true testament to our community.
“To all of the wonderful businesses and locals who donated, we are so thankful!”
When the raffle finished, the night gathered around the peaceful valley, and the twinkling lights, BBQ, music, and laughter, all added to the ambience and celebration - well into the evening.
With the successful
2025 event now in the books, the community looks forward to continuing the tradition.
The NSW Rural Fire Service is one of the world’s largest volunteer firefighting organisations with over 74,000 members across NSW.
NSW RFS volunteers are an essential component of the Rural Fire Service and are ready to respond to emergencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year-round.
q Kayaking on the Wilson River was a popular activity. q Wendy Fitzgerald, Darren McGlashan, Sandi Craine-Cowan, Beth Gosden, Treasurer/Secretary Michael Smith and Glen ‘Gossy’ Gosden.
Regional ‘movers’ on the rise
By Stephanie GARDINER/ APP
NEARLY six years after the COVID-19 pandemic sent many city residents over the hills and far away, regional Australia is again experiencing sustained population growth.
Consistent growth in the regions has re-emerged in the last two years, driven largely by city escapees according to research by the Regional Australia Institute.
City residents moving to the country outnumbered migration in the opposite
By Jacob SHTEYMAN/ AAP
Hanson has ambitions to turn One Nation into a genuine alternative to the mainstream party duopoly as Australia's rightwing political landscape undergoes a "monumental" shift.
Opinion polls reveal One Nation has overtaken the coalition as the nation's second most popular political movement in the wake of the Bondi terror attack.
The bombshell Newspoll, putting One Nation on a first preference share of 22 percent and the coalition at 21 percent, will heap pressure on Liberal leader Sussan Ley as her party continues its post-election soul-searching.
Opposition home affairs spokesman Jonno Duniam was less than effusive when asked if it was damaging to her leadership.
"You could cut this any which way," he told ABC News.
"You could blame her, you could blame her shadow cabinet, you could blame a range of people. We've got work to do as a team, or else those numbers will never change."
The survey of 1224
direction by 36 percent in the September 2025 quarter, the think tank's Regional Movers Index showed.
The net number of people moving to Australia's regions increased by 11.8 percent, slightly below a recent recorded two-year high.
"Planning and investment to accommodate this growth is a key challenge for governments, industry and communities," the institute said in releasing the index on Monday.
Separate figures from the Bureau of Statistics showed
the regional population grew by nearly 114,000 in 2023/24, with the biggest surge on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
The growth has long put pressure on regional housing markets and infrastructure.
Dwelling values rose by 2.4 per cent in the three months to October 2025, as buyers shunned higher prices and competitive buying conditions in the cities, according to a recent report by analytics firm Cotality.
Regional rental vacancy rates were 1.7 percent in the
final months of 2025, with rents up 6.2 percent in the country compared to 4.8 percent across the capitals.
The Institute has called for a greater focus on the pressures facing regional communities, creating a framework to boost livability, jobs and skills and sustainability by 2032.
The Regional Movers Index, which uses Commonwealth Bank customer data to track population movement, showed Sydney and Melbourne were losing
residents to the regions at a higher rate than the other capitals.
The top five areas for regional movers were Queensland's Sunshine and Fraser coasts, Greater Geelong and Moorabool in Victoria and Lake Macquarie in NSW.
Emerging hot spots for sea and tree-changers were Latrobe, Devonport and the Huon Valley in Tasmania and Wodonga and the Colac Otway Shire in Victoria.
The Tasmanian and Victorian regions were
appealing to new residents for their industries, lifestyle and landscape, the bank's regional and agribusiness executive general manager Kylie Allen said.
"While the outlook is positive, attracting and retaining skilled professionals remains a challenge across regional areas," Ms Allen said.
"Even with a growing population, some sectors remain under pressure.
"Continued investment in training and upskilling will be key to meeting demand."
Australians reported in The Australian on Monday showed One Nation's support surged seven percentage points over summer while the coalition's fell by three.
It's the first time One Nation has outpolled the coalition in the long-running survey and backs up a DemosAU poll, published by Capital Brief earlier in January, that showed Senator Hanson's party level with the coalition.
The polls underscore this is more than the usual mid-cycle wobble, political strategist Kos Samaras said.
"It's a monumental crisis on the right: the conservative vote is fragmenting, the Liberal brand is bleeding legitimacy, and One Nation is vacuuming up the authentic right space that the coalition keeps trying [and failing] to straddle," he wrote on social media platform X.
Looking to shed the tag of a fringe party of protest, One Nation must prove capable of delivering sound policies and provide a genuine alternative to voters concerned about mass migration and high energy prices, Senator Hanson told radio 3AW Melbourne.
Voters aren't the only ones abandoning the coalition for One Nation.
Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce jumped ship from the Nationals to One Nation before parliament broke for the summer.
Mr Joyce said a change was happening in politics in Australia and across the globe, and people were sick of being taken for granted.
In a silver lining for Ms Ley, voters rated her response to the Bondi attack much more favourably than Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's.
In a Resolve poll published by Nine newspapers on Monday, more than half of
1800 respondents rated Ms Ley's response as good and 29 percent rated it poor.
Only 32 percent rated the prime minister's response as good, with 56 percent rating it poor.
Mr Albanese said One Nation had been a divisive force since its inception.
"They promote division, and I don't want to see One Nation with a higher vote than the coalition," he told
ABC Radio Melbourne. Labor still held a 55-45 lead over the coalition on a two-party preferred basis in the Newspoll, while Resolve put the government ahead 52-48.
PAULINE
q Another poll has put support for Pauline Hanson's One Nation party ahead of the coalition. Photo: AAP Graphics/Paul Braven/AAP PHOTOS.
Hearing checks prompt before school resumes
By Keira JENKINS/AAP
HEARING problems can affect a child's ability to listen, learn and build important skills at school, and Indigenous children are at higher risk of ear issues.
As children head back for 2026, parents and carers are being encouraged to make sure their child's hearing has been checked.
This is especially important for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, who are at higher risk of starting their education at a disadvantage without regular hearing checks.
One in five First Nations children under six-yearsold, have experienced undiagnosed hearing loss at some point in their life, data from Hearing Australia shows.
Eight per cent suffered persistent and chronic ear troubles.
"That's a lot of our First Nations kids and bubs," Hearing Australia's First Nations partnership specialist Kirralee Cross told AAP.
"If they're starting school and they have this hearing loss then it's going to impact on their ability to listen, to learn, to build connections and build really important skills when they start school."
Ms Cross, a Yorta Yorta woman, said getting children's ears checked early in life, and regularly is critical to make sure any hearing problems are picked up.
She said Hearing Australia recommends checks every six months until a child is four, but they can be performed more often if parents or carers have concerns.
"A lot of the time with these middle ear problems there are no symptoms," Ms Cross said.
"The parents, kids,
families may not even know that there's anything wrong with their hearing.
"If it's not getting checked regularly, when they start school ... they are put at a disadvantage."
Hearing Australia recently launched an educator's guide called Spirit of Sound, designed to support the hearing health of Indigenous children.
Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, released in December, showed the proportion of Indigenous children who had long-term ear or hearing problems had halved since 2001.
These problems had been mainly caused by middle ear infections.
Ms Cross said it is heartening to see the downward trend over the past couple of decades but continued investment in programs like Hearing
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Australia's Early Ears, which has assessed more than 70,000 children since 2019,
BEST ON THE BOX
SATURDAY
CALL THE MIDWIFE
ABC TV, 7.30pm
This period drama moves into the 1970s with its trademark care and compassion to unpack the social issues of the era in its 14th season. In Saturday’s episode, there’s a new arrival at Nonnatus House in the shape of Sister Catherine (Molly Vevers, above left, with Jenny Agutter). As the convent’s latest recruit finds her feet, Phyllis (Linda Bassett) supports a pregnant mother of seven who is reluctant to have another child. Elsewhere, Shelagh (Laura Main) and Sister Veronica (Rebecca Gethings) help a mum with her disabled son.
FRIDAY, January 23
6.00 Morning Programs. 12.00 News. 1.00 Muster Dogs: Where Are They Now. (Final, R) 1.45 Goolagong. (Final, PG, R) 2.40 Classic Countdown Extras. (PG, R) 2.55 Would I Lie To You? (PG, R) 3.25 Nigella’s Cook, Eat, Repeat. (Final,
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 All Creatures Great And Small.
8.20 Art Detectives. (PGv) A wine expert dies during an exclusive tasting.
9.05 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) Presented by Tom Gleeson.
9.35 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (Ml, R) A satirical news program.
10.05 A Life In Ten Pictures: Amy Winehouse. (Madl, R)
11.00 ABC Late News.
11.15 Smother. (Mal, R)
1.00 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv)
5.00 Rage. (PGadhlnsv)
MONDAY
AUSTRALIA DAY LIVE
ABC TV, 7.30pm
A live spectacle from the steps of the Sydney Opera House that celebrates the diversity of Australia’s cultures, communities and laidback lifestyle, this annual concert is one hot ticket. Hosts Jeremy Fernandez (pictured), Megan Burslem and John Foreman have saved a spot for ABC viewers as an exciting line-up of homegrown talent takes the stage. Cody Simpson, Kate Ceberano, William Barton, social media sensation Jude York and supergroup The Fabulous Caprettos all feature before an unforgettable aerial show over Circular Quay. The event will also pay tribute to those affected by December’s Bondi Beach terror attack, and introduce remarkable Australians who will share their stories with the nation.
WEDNESDAY ELSBETH
TEN, 9pm
6.00 Seven News.
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 The Great House Revival.
9.30 Isle Of Wight: Jewel Of The South. (R)
10.20 SBS World News Late.
10.50 Sisi. (Mans, R)
11.45 Babylon Berlin. (MA15+ansv, R)
1.35 Silent Road. (Mav, R)
3.30 Sinking The German Fleet. (PGav, R)
4.30 Bamay. (PG, R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. The Challenger. 10.30 Seven’s Cricket: The Spin. An expert panel examines all the big news and issues with a deep dive into the world of cricket.
11.15 Cycling. Santos Tour Down Under. Men’s. Stage 3. Highlights.
12.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R) Presented by Greg Grainger.
12.45 Dr Harry’s Animal Encounters. (PG, R) Presented by Dr Harry Cooper.
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 5.00 NBC Today.
OK, we’ll admit it –when a cop show has high-calibre celebrities lining up around the block to be guest stars, it can make the “whodunnit” format rather redundant. This savvy The Good Wife spin-off solves that problem by presenting its crimes in reverse. Investigator Elsbeth Tascioni (Carrie Preston, pictured) usually has an inkling of who the crooks are from the get-go – and so do we – the fun lies in finding out how she corners them. In season three’s premiere, Stephen Colbert played a late-night host who met an untimely end. This week’s tale casts Arrested Development’s David Cross as an ex-con caught up in a hostage situation. Stay tuned for a seriously star-studded list of suspects.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 Tennis. Australian Open. Night 6. From Melbourne Park. 11.00 Tennis. Australian Open. Late Night 6. From Melbourne Park. 12.00 Chicago Med. (MA15+mv, R) Maggie empathises with a patient whose mother is afraid to consent to her son’s risky surgery.
1.00 Next Stop.
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) A bull goes on a rampage.
4.30 Global Shop. (R) Home shopping.
5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
5.30 GolfBarons. (PG, R) The team reboots a game-changing iconic ball.
6.00 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 7.30 Selling Houses Australia. (R) 8.40 Love It Or List It Australia. (R) A couple and their three small kids are feeling cramped in their current home and want to replace
6.00
SATURDAY, January 24
6.00 Back Roads: The Great Australian Road Trip. (R) Presented by Heather Ewart.
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) Hosted by Tom Gleeson.
7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.
7.30 Call The Midwife. (PG) Shelagh and Sister Veronica help a disabled child.
8.30 Vera. (Ma, R) Vera investigates after a student is violently killed and dumped at the foot of three mythical monoliths.
10.05 Goolagong. (Final, PG, R) Evonne Goolagong Cawley competes at Wimbledon. 11.00 The Jetty. (Ml, R) 12.00 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
6am Children’s Programs. 5.55pm Octonauts. 6.05 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Andy And The Band. 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Hard Quiz Kids. 8.00
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Secrets Of Britain’s Historic Houses.
8.40 Swiss Alpine Rail Journeys: The Adaptable Arosa Line. (PGn, R) Looks at the Arosa Railway.
9.40 The Secret DNA Of Us. (PGa, R)
10.50 Scottish Islands With Ben Fogle. (PG, R)
11.55 House Of Promises. (Ma, R)
3.30 Gestapo: Hitler’s Secret Police. (Ma, R)
4.30 Bamay. (PG, R) 5.00 Euronews. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6am Mary Shelley. Continued.
SUNDAY, January 25
6.00
6.00 Grand Designs Transformations. (R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Australian Of The Year 2026. Hosted by Leigh Sales.
8.45 The ABC Of: Evonne Goolagong Cawley. (PG, R) Hosted by David Wenham.
9.15 The Jetty. (Final, MA15+a) Ember tries to uncover the truth about Amy.
10.20 Call The Midwife. (PGa, R)
11.20 MOVIE: Wake In Fright. (1971, Masv, R)
1.05 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
1.55 Smother. (Mal, R)
4.30 A Bite To Eat With Alice. (R)
5.00 Insiders. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Once Upon A Time In Space. (PG)
9.30 Pompeii: The Last Mysteries Revealed. (Mans, R)
10.20 Putin And The West: The Next Chapter. (PG, R)
11.30 Black Gold. (PGal, R)
1.05 Building The Impossible. (PG, R)
2.00 Rise Of The Nazis: The Downfall. (Mav, R)
3.10 24 Hours In Emergency. (Ma, R)
4.05 Craig & Bruno’s Great British Road Trips. (PG, R)
4.30 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 Euronews. 5.30 PBS Science Technology Health Show.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 MOVIE: The Sound Of Music. (1965, G, R) A woman becomes governess to an Austrian family. Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer.
10.40 Air Crash Investigations: Control Catastrophe. (PGa, R) A look at the case of Air Astana Flight 1388. 11.40 Cycling. Santos Tour Down Under. Men’s. Stage 4. Highlights. 12.40 MOVIE: A Job To Die For. (2022, Mav, R) A woman lands her dream job. Revell Carpenter.
2.30 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 It’s Academic. (R)
5.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 Tennis. Australian Open. Night 7. From Melbourne Park. 11.00 Tennis. Australian Open. Late Night 7. From Melbourne Park. 12.00 Chicago Med. (MA15+mv, R) Marcel clashes with the chief of oncology.
1.00 The Gulf. (Madlsv, R) A death puts Sarah Scully in the spotlight.
2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PG) Religious program.
2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.30 Global Shop. (R) Home shopping.
5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
5.30 Helping Hands Summer Series. (PG)
6.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith. 7.30 Love It Or List It Australia. A couple in Essendon want to renovate their home.
8.40 Sort Your Life Out. (PGa, R) Stacey Solomon and her team help families declutter and transform their lives.
9.50 Ambulance UK. (Madl, R) Someone threatens to use a nerve agent against the emergency services.
11.00 Matlock. (PGadl, R) The team takes on an arson case.
12.00 Elsbeth. (PGa, R) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. The Final.
10.30 Big Bash League Post-Game. Post-game coverage of The Final. 11.00 7NEWS Spotlight. Looks at an undercover operation.
12.00 Cycling. Santos Tour Down Under. Men’s. Stage 5. Highlights. 1.00 Temple. (Premiere, Malv) A surgeon becomes embroiled in a strange enterprise.
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R) Hosted by Simon Reeve.
4.00 NBC Today. News and current affairs.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 Tennis. Australian Open. Night 8. From Melbourne Park. 11.00 Tennis. Australian Open. Late Night 8. From Melbourne Park. 12.00 The First 48: Cruel Intentions. (Ma, R) Detectives investigate a mother of two’s murder. 1.00 Next Stop. (R) A look at holiday destinations.
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)
4.30 GolfBarons. (PG, R)
5.00 Today Early News. A look at the latest news, sport and weather. 5.30 Today.
6.30 10 News+. 7.00 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (PGal) Hosted by Julia
3.35 Craig & Bruno’s Great British Road Trips. (PG, R)
4.05 Barkley Manor. (PG, R) 4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6am Children’s Programs. 5.40pm Kangaroo Beach. 5.55 Octonauts. 6.05 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.45 Ben And Holly’s
VICELAND (31)
6am Whisky
Galore. (2016, PG) 7.50 Roman Holiday. (1953, PG) 10.00 Girls Will Be Girls. (2024, M, Hindi) 12.10pm White Squall. (1996, M) 2.30 Discovering Film. 3.20 Walk With Me. (2017, PG) 5.05 The Importance Of Being Earnest. (1952) 6.45
TUESDAY, January 27
6.00 Morning Programs. 10.00 Paddington Station 24/7. (PGa, R) 10.50
R) 3.55 Grand Designs: House Of The Year. (R) 4.45 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Who Do You Think You Are? (Ma, R)
8.30 Portillo’s 200 Years Of The Railways. (PG)
9.40 Aerial Australia. (PGaw, R)
10.30 SBS News.
11.00 Exit. (MA15+adls)
11.55 DNA. (MA15+a, R) 1.40 24 Hours In Emergency. (Ma, R) 2.30 24 Hours In A&E. (Mal, R) 3.25 Craig & Bruno’s Great British Road Trips. (PG, R) 3.55 Barkley Manor. (PG, R) 4.25 Bamay. (R) 4.55 China 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. (PG)
7.30 The 1% Club UK: Rollover. (PGl) Hosted by Lee Mack.
8.30 9-1-1. (Return, M) In honour of Bobby Nash’s sacrifice, the 118 comes together to dedicate the firehouse in his memory.
10.30 Crime Investigation Australia: Most Infamous. (MA15+asv, R)
12.00 Girlfriends’ Guide To Divorce. (MA15+s)
1.00 Conviction. (MA15+v, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 Tennis. Australian Open. Night 9.
11.00 Tennis. Australian Open. Late Night 9.
12.00 Chicago Med. (MA15+mv, R) Ahmad works to thaw a frozen criminal.
1.00 Next Stop. (PGa, R) A look at holiday destinations.
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
2.30 Global Shop. (R) Home shopping.
3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) Sonny has a series of strange encounters.
4.30 GolfBarons. (PG, R) A panel of experts discusses golf.
5.00 Today Early News.
5.30 Today.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Home And Away. (PG)
7.30 The 1% Club UK: Rollover. (PGal) Hosted by Lee Mack.
8.30 Doc. (Return, Mav) Amy’s past comes back to haunt her when a desperate father sacrifices everything to secure his daughter’s heart transplant.
10.30 St. Denis Medical. (Return, PGal)
11.30 Autopsy USA. (MA15+a, R)
12.30 MOVIE: A Jealous Friendship. (2021, Mav, R)
2.30 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 Tennis. Australian Open. Night 10. 11.00 Tennis. Australian Open. Late Night 10.
12.00 Chicago Med. (MA15+mv, R)
WEDNESDAY, January 28
THURSDAY, January 29 6.00
Murder Trial UK. (Final, M)
9.20 Weight Of The World. (MA15+a, R)
10.30 SBS News.
11.00 Face To Face. (Mals) 11.50 Darkness: Those Who Kill. (MA15+s) 1.30 Golden Boy. (Mdln, R) 2.25 24 Hours In Emergency. (Mal, R) 3.20 Craig & Bruno’s Great British Road Trips. (PGn, R) 3.50 Barkley Manor. (PG, R) 4.50 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. (PG)
7.30 The 1% Club UK: Rollover. (PGl) Hosted by Lee Mack.
8.30 MOVIE: The Sapphires. (2012, PGalsv, R) Four singers learn about love, friendship and war. Miranda Tapsell. 10.40 Air Crash Investigations: Cockpit Catastrophe. (PGa, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 Tennis. Australian Open. Night 11. 11.00 Tennis. Australian Open. Late Night 11.
12.00 Chicago Med. (MA15+mv, R) Maggie’s budding romance takes flight.
1.00 Next Stop. (R) A look at holiday destinations.
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
2.30 Global Shop. (R) Home shopping.
3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) The park receives much-needed rain.
4.30 GolfBarons. (PGl, R) A panel of experts discusses golf.
6am The Movie
Show. 6.25 The Return Of The Soldier. (1982) 8.20 Perfect Days. (2023, PG, Japanese) 10.40 My Father’s Mexican Wedding. (2023, M, Spanish) 12.40pm Sing Street. (2016, M) 2.40 The Movie Show. 3.20 Discovering Film. 4.15 Finding You. (2020, PG) 6.30 The Three Musketeers. (1973, PG) 8.30 The Whale. (2022, M) 10.40 I Want You Back. (2022, M) 12.50am Late Programs.
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Toronto Airport Uncovered. (PG)
8.25 Robson Green: World’s Most Amazing Walks. (PG)
9.20 In Flight. (Madlv)
10.15 SBS World News Late.
10.45 Before We Die. (MA15+v)
11.40 This Town. (MA15+l, R)
2.00 24 Hours In A&E. (M, R) 2.50 Craig & Bruno’s Great British Road Trips. (PGas, R) 3.20 The Andes Tragedy: 50 Years Later. (PGa, R) 4.15 Bamay. (R) 4.45
Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (PGaw, R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
MOVIES (32) SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Finding You. (2020, PG) 7.15 Dean Spanley. (2008, PG) 9.10 The Three Musketeers. (1973, PG) 11.10 The Last Emperor. (1987, M) 2.15pm The Return Of The Soldier. (1982, PG) 4.15 Perfect Days. (2023, PG, Japanese) 6.30 The Four Musketeers: Revenge Of Milady. (1974, PG) 8.30 Robot Dreams. (2023, PG) 10.30 Nobody Has To Know. (2021, M) 12.20am The Whale. (2022, M) 2.35 Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) Justin and Leah are at an impasse.
8.30 MOVIE: Kingsman: The Secret Service. (2014, MA15+lv, R) A troubled young man must prove his mettle after he is recruited into a secret British spy organisation. Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Samuel L Jackson.
11.15 To Be Advised. 12.15 MOVIE: A Mother’s Terror. (2021, Mav, R)
2.30 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today. 6.00 NBN News. 7.00 Australian Open Tennis Pre-Show. 7.30 Tennis. Australian Open. Night 12. Women’s semi-finals. 11.00 Tennis. Australian Open. Late Night 12. Women’s semi-finals. 12.00 Chicago
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DRAMA (51)
DRAMA (51)
GERMON Noreen June
Known as Jerry Late of Gloucester. Passed away at home on the 16th January 2026.
Aged 83 years
Loving partner to Bev. Cherished Aunty to Nicole, Lisa & their families. Jerry will be sadly missed by all her family and friends.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Jerry’s Funeral Service to be held at the Uniting Church Gloucester on Wednesday 28th January 2026 commencing at 11am prior to interment in the Gloucester Lawn Cemetery.
DOUBLE Pine Bed w/good mattress. $100 4982 0063
4981 8882 COKE bottles & cans x 14, some bottles full 2000 Olympic
CLOTHES, 000 - size 8, boys / girls clothing $20 per box. Some new, great cond. Pick up from Clarence Town. 0432 050 619
COFFEE table, lovely walnut with 3 drawers $100 ono 0448 521 466
COLLECTERS editions empty Chivas Salute Whisky porcelain flagons with velvet covers and boxes. Make an offer. 4981 2713 F190625
PIANOLA and stool in GC, over 50 player rolls $1800 ono 0498 176 876
The Area OPINION
Dorin’s Draws By Paul DORIN
PUZZLES
DEAR Jasminda, Frequently when I go shopping someone pushes a trolley into my ankles. How do I avoid this painful scenario?
Jim R.
Dear Jim,
In the wrong hands, a trolley can be a weapon of mass destruction, thrust into the legs of an unsuspecting shopper when they are simply trying to reach for a bag of frozen peas (or, if in Aldi, a pair of snow boots, a cocktail shaker, and a battery-operated
angle grinder). There should be the requirement of a trolley licence, with no trolley issued unless the shopper has been through a series of basic etiquette tests. These include, at a minimum: -the ability to start and stop within five seconds without the need to operate as a battering ram -competence in moving quietly and efficiently down the aisle instead of using the trolley as a dodgem car with a squealing toddler in tow -the ability to make your way calmly to a checkout instead of standing with a leg in each queue, a bit like Trump between Greenland and Venezuela (hedging your bets on whatever
scenario will move more quickly so you can bludgeon your way through).
The trolley licence should also include postshopping etiquette.
All shoppers should be marked as “Competent” or “Not Yet Competent” as they make their way to their vehicle. Scraping the trolley along the side of a mint-condition BMW without leaving a note is an instant suspension.
Parking the trolley on a verge and then walking away as it rolls into incoming traffic is also a black mark indicating that further training is required.
Standing in a huddle with other shoppers talking about utter dribble while another person is trying to pass,
will be noted as extreme passive aggression (and/ or willful ignorance) and result in additional social skills training (which is a core competency unit that can cross over to other training courses such as 'Parking in a Public Carpark' and 'Cafe Considerations 101').
And, finally, leaving your trolley with rubbish in it, making it the problem of the next shopper, will require a trolley training intervention.
I feel these interceptions will resolve your issues, Jim. Perhaps it will make you feel better to know you are not alone. Many of us bear the scars (quite literally) of callous trolley steerers.
News Of The Area
SUDOKU
Carpe diem, Jasminda.
Kids Boot Camp 062
New role and Tocal’s ‘hive
MEMBER for Upper Hunter
Dave Layzell has shared his first State Matters newsletter for the year. It includes the following key updates.
New role
The Nationals and Liberals have refreshed the Shadow Ministry and I have been given new responsibilities for 2026.
I thank the Coalition for the confidence it has shown in me for my appointment as Shadow Minister for Mining and Natural Resources and Shadow Minister for Racing.
Hive of knowledge
Tocal College, Paterson, has an important role to fulfill in the NSW Varroa Mite Management program, which is commencing this month.
New honey bee compliance officers, a major research and development program and tailored education and resources are part of the NSW Government’s $9.5 million commitment to the state’s honeybee and pollinationreliant industries.
Over $1 million is funding a comprehensive program of education and training resources for commercial and recreational beekeepers through Tocal College.
The initiatives will include a traineeship program to attract new workers to the beekeeping industry, chemical user training tailored for beekeepers, and a short course on honeybee nutrition and seasonal management to support both honey production and pollination services.
Tocal College is part of NSW’s comprehensive program of ongoing support for the honey bee industry, being the nation’s leading provider of specialist education and training for the industry and home of the $2.8 million Bee Research and Training Centre.
More information on the National Varroa Mite Management Program,
including online tools, resources and contacts, is available at varroa.org.au.
Roads warning A reminder for motorists to be alert with double demerit points in force across the Australia Day Long Weekend.
Enforcement commences on Friday morning 23 January and continues until Monday night 26 January.
Double demerit offences apply for speeding, using a mobile phone illegally, riding without a helmet, not wearing or incorrectly wearing a seatbelt or carrying passengers not wearing or incorrectly wearing a seatbelt or restraint.
Get caught during the enforcement period and you face the loss of double the points, not double the fine.
In 2025, NSW recorded a total of 355 people dying on the state’s roads, 28 more deaths than for 2024, with speeding a contributing factor for 134 of last year’s crash deaths.
On roads where there is a speed limit sign, which is the maximum speed you can drive in good conditions, you must not drive faster than that speed regardless of the speed limit displayed by any other electronic device or mobile phone app.
And, a heads-up that 40km/h school zones operate on school development days which for Term 1, 2026, are between Tuesday 27 January to Friday 30 January.
Safe storage
The NSW Police Force Rural Crime Prevention Team has renewed its reminder to firearms licence holders about the safe storage requirements for weapons.
Officers continue to see examples of non-compliant safes including flimsy lockers which do not have a three-point locking system and are only secured by an externally fitted lock and hasp, or pad bolt secured
with a padlock.
If firearms are found to be stored in safes such as these, firearms may be seized, and license holders may have their firearms license suspended.
The firearms legislation sets out the responsibilities as a firearms owner in relation to safe storage including ensuring that the firearm is kept safe, is not lost or stolen and does not come into the possession of a person who is not authorised to possess the firearm.
If you have recently moved and not had your safe inspected, please contact your local police for a Safe Storage Inspection to be conducted: police.nsw.gov. au/online_services/firearms/ safe_storage
Allowance Increase
(As reported in News Of The Area) foster and kinship carers of vulnerable children in out-of-home care across NSW have received a 20 percent increase to their care allowance.
The tax-free allowance rise commenced on 1 January.
The increase benefits all authorised carers receiving statutory care, supported care, guardianship or adoption allowances supported by either the Department of Communities and Justice or nongovernment organisations.
This lift in the day-today expenses of caring for children, will see a carer of a typical 14- year-old receive $4,576 more per year, and a carer for a typical five-yearold receive an additional $3,411 per year.
For more information, visit the NSW Government Community Services website.
Register now
The Upper Hunter will be one of the first locations this year to host the Rural Women’s Network Skills Roadshow.
Sixteen workshops are
planned for the opening half of 2026.
Over 300 women participated in the free workshops last year, which empower regional and rural women with essential skills in first aid, and mental health crisis support through feefree training with St John Ambulance.
The workshops include skills to respond effectively in emergency situations, recognise mental health issues, recognise situations where people may be in imminent crisis, provide appropriate interventions and learn where to direct people for further support.
A full day workshop will be offered for both First Aid and Mental Health in each location.
Applications open
People interested in providing input into the future management of NSW national parks can now apply to join the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s (NPWS) regional advisory committees.
There are eight committees, one for each of the NPWS operational branches such as Hunter Central Coast, Blue Mountains and Northern Inland, with each committee having 12-17 members.
The committees have an important role as the voice of the local community and interest groups to help inform park management.
They will see their term end on 30 June 2026 with prospective applicants for the next four-year term to apply by Monday 16 February.
To learn more and submit an expression of interest head to Environment NSW.:
Water meter training
Tradespeople can now upskill to meet the demand for qualified non-urban water meter installers through the new TAFE NSW Non-Urban Water Meter Installation course.
The course responds
directly to the statewide shortage of accredited installers and new water regulations mandating accurate water measurement of rivers, creeks and groundwater take.
The fully-subsidised, online and self-paced microskill course, has been developed by TAFE in collaboration with NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and WaterNSW.
It provides the essential skills and knowledge required for qualified tradespeople to work under the Trade Meter Installer (TMI) pathway, critical to supporting sustainable, compliant water use across the state.
On completion of the three-hour course, qualified tradespeople can apply to WaterNSW to be set up as Duly Qualified Persons (DQPs), certified to install, validate, and maintain nonurban water meters.
To check if you are eligible or to enrol, visit the
website for TAFE NSW.:
Tidy little earner
Return and Earn continues to be a nice little earner for people across the state.
Latest figures show recyclers have now received $1.5 billion in refunds by returning a record 15 billion containers.
Enthusiasm for Return and Earn has seen the tally of bottles, cartons and cans returned through the network soar from 14 billion to 15 billion containers in less than six months.
Return and Earn has also become a key fundraising platform for charities and community groups, with over $91.5 million in container refund donations and fees from hosting return points since December 2017.
Preparations are underway to expand the scheme to accept wine and spirit bottles and larger drink containers from mid-2027.
Dave LAYZELL Member for Upper Hunter
MACKSVILLE MUSTER MUSIC
q Member for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell.
Review: Why Do Horses Run
OPINION
By John WATTS
“WHY Do Horses Run” is Cameron Stewart’s first novel, which Tim Winton described as “tender and humane, a haunting debut”.
However, I confess that I had to read some way into the book before I found myself agreeing with Winton, because Why Do Horses Run is not one of those books that grabs your interest immediately, but a tale that sucks you in slowly,
and which, by the last page, makes you realise that you have read something quite special.
This beautifully written book cleverly combines elements of human tragedy with the destruction of the natural world by humans.
The narrative revolves around a man called Ingvar who seems to be wandering aimlessly around the Australian bush.
In Chapter 1 we read: “But I don’t stay in towns for long, they make me jumpy. I walk country roads. Back
State Wins Women's Golf
By Carolyn DAVIES
THE Gloucester Golf Ladies were grateful for cooler temperatures as they played their first event for 2026, and none more so than Debbie Sate who had a handy win last Wednesday, 14 January.
The day was the reintroduction of the women’s 12-hole Summer Competition after the ChristmasNew Year break.
Debbie Sate's regular practice through the summer paid off, as
roads. I walk until I’m too tired to go on. Day or night it doesn’t matter. I’m not icky about where I rest – on open ground, in ditches, under bridges or in long grass beside rotting logs”.
The story then immediately jumps to Ingvar thinking about the brutal destruction of the Tasmanian Tiger (Thylacine):
“On 7 September 1936, the last-known thylacine died on a concrete floor after being locked out of his sleeping quarters during a very cold night. And then
she won the day with 27 points.
Karen Howarth scooped up the first of the balls with 26 points, while also taking out the prizes for Nearest-to-the-Pin at the 4th and 13th hole and the 6th hole.
The remaining balls went to Anne Wand, 25, and Dale Rabbett, 23.
The Gloucester Golf Ladies will continue their Summer Competition this Wednesday 21 January and will continue to do so throughout the summer.
there was nothing.”
It soon becomes clear that Ingvar is wandering in a futile attempt to escape from his former life, and from emotional trauma.
He is clearly troubled, and until well into the story he is unable, or unwilling to speak, and communicates by writing notes.
As much as possible, Ingvar avoids contact with other humans and sticks to back roads and tracks and gives the impression of being some kind of crazy vagabond, sleeping rough.
Early in the piece we find that the life from which Ingvar is fleeing involved long periods working away from his wife and daughter Lotte.
Work that involved counting different species of plants.
Ingvar eventually ends up wandering into a remote valley in Bunjalung country where he meets a collection of eccentrics, all having their own issues.
Eccentrics with names such as The Mayor, Mick, Ginger, and Hemingway.
Ingvar initially squats on a farm owned by Hilda, before being invited to stay in a dilapidated shed.
The thing that Ingvar and Hilda have in common is that “they both struggle with the haunting impact of their pasts and grief that won’t let them go”.
As the narrative progresses, Ingvar chats to his dead daughter. Hilda also chats to her dead husband Col. Eventually we find the reason why Ingvar has ended in this particular valley.
Although the book is dominated by darkness, loss and grief, by the end there is hope. It is highly recommended.
Published: 2024 by Allen & Unwin.
Gloucester Lady Bowlers Report
By Jennifer BURLEY
A BIG welcome to 2026 and the ladies who were keen for a game of Social Bowls and a catch up after the festive season.
The Selectors arranged the 21 ladies in attendance into 2 games of 4s and 1 of Triples. Norma Relf,Julie Kriss,Jenny Stevens and Jenny Burley 20 played Ruth Redman,Penny Gibson, Janette Mumford and Di Pritchard 14. Jill Everett,Gina Dalmulder, Suzanne Cross and
Kerrie Green 22 played Jill Everett,Debbie Cushway,Paula Standen and Judy Sheely 7. Jill Carson,Joan Ridgeway and Cheryl West 23 played Debbie English,Val Pritchard and Bev Germon 11.
And the 1st "Spider" of the year was won by Norma, congratulations to you. The first round of the Mixed Pairs Championship was played on Sunday 11th, and because a great number of pairs nominated only 14 pairs were able to
Storms steer clear of runners
By Carolyn DAVIES
THE storms that had been rolling through Gloucester during the week stayed away for the duration of Gloucester's 242nd parkrun last Saturday.
The ground was damp and the humidity was building as the crowd of 54 finishers set out on their two loops of the
District Park.
It was the first parkrun for Kaitlin Reid and Sarah Patell.
Another eight were completing their first parkrun in Gloucester, including visitors from Newcastle, Central Coast and Brisbane.
Karen and David McGaw are seasoned parkrunners but it was their first in Gloucester,
following recommendations to come to visit.
They travelled up from Newcastle, enjoying a trip to Aussie Ark in Barrington Tops while they were in the area.
David Cannings, also on his first parkrun in Gloucester, took the humidity in his stride, with his usual parkrun being in Port Moresby.
Some walkers joined in from the caravan park, keen to see what was happening at this time on a Saturday morning.
The first male finisher was Michael McManus, while Alice Yates was the first female finisher on her first visit to Gloucester.
Locals Don Richardson and Rowen Sadler achieved personal best times, both of them improving steadily each week.
The event was delivered again by a team of volunteers.
Tracy Wilson was the calm hand of the timekeeper, relaxing with a chair and umbrella at the finishing line, with grandson Cooper keeping her company after he sprinted around the course.
Tracy was in sync with Ashley Taylor, who was handing out the finish tokens, confirming each position as he went. Regular volunteer Elaine Murray was the scanner for the day, while Pat Burrows was the tailwalker, guiding the group from behind and picking up cones on the return journey.
Gloucester parkrun is at 8am every Saturday.
It is free to participate in the five-kilometre walk or run around Gloucester District Park.
*Carolyn was the Run Director on 17 January.
play in 7 matches with 9 pairs having a bye. Karen Heiningher and Dennis Bartlett were defeated by Bev Murray and Tony Tersteeg 21/12. Di and Chris Pritchard were defeated by Paula Standen and Alec Laurie 23/12. Ruth Redman and Don Meheloff were beaten by Suzanne Cross and Mark Groves 14/13. Lou and Adam Clements were beaten by Joy Hurworth and J. Kellie 18/5. Erin and Col Hebblewhite won over Bev Germon and Kevin
Burley 16/12. Jenny Burley and John Andrews defeated Deb Horner and Nev Atkins 16/10. And Janette Mumford with Rob Heiningher defeated Julie and Steve Kriss 25/7. The 2nd round of the Championship is to be played on Sunday 18th with the above winners and the pairs who had byes advancing to the 3rd round. The names for the Mixed Triples Championship are to be in by Wednesday 18th for play to start on February 4th.
Steele in Close Vets Golf Win
By Peter WILDBLOOD
IT WAS a welcome fine and cooler day at the Gloucester course on Tuesday 13 January, for the Gloucester Veterans regular outing, one that saw Chris Steele come home winner in a close finish.
The event was an Individual Stableford sponsored by Dale Rabbett. The winner on a count back from two other players was Chris Steele; he scored 37 points as did the leading two ball winners Sally Higgins and Karen Howarth. Close behind were Roy Crichton
and Paul Thibault 36, Gai Falla 35 and Bill Murray 34.
The Nearest-to-the-Pin at the 4th and 13th holes was won by Paul Griffiths. That honour at the shorter 6th and 15th holes went to Karen Howarth and Paul Thibault.
Last Tuesday, 20 January, the Gloucester Veteran Golfers played an Individual Stroke event with a putting competition held in conjunction. Next Tuesday, 27 January, there will be a Four Ball Better Ball Stableford with an Individual event held in conjunction.
q Young and old were keen to get started. Photo: supplied
q The two Johns keep up the pace. Photo: supplied.
q Did someone say ‘park-fun’. Photo: supplied.
q Chris Steele, Dale Rabbett.
Gloucester Study Hub opening soon
If you’re kickstarting a degree, retraining into a new industry or simply taking the first small step towards study, get in touch with us. Supported
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High Scores in Gloucester Golf
By Peter WILDBLOOD
IT WAS a high scoring day at the Gloucester Golf Course on Saturday 17 January when all trophy winners came home at or ahead of their handicap with the three graded winners well inside.
The event, an Individual Stableford, attracted a goodsized field for sponsors Roundabout Inn and was played on a fine, cool day.
The winner in A grade was Ben Veitch with 39 points. In B grade it was Mark Stone, 40, and C grade Peter Sate with the top score of the day, 41. Gai Falla was the best performing woman in the field with her 35 points. Balls were won by Peter Sate 41, Mark Stone 40, Ben Veitch and Dave Mann 39, Steve MacDonald 38, Brendon Murray and Paul Blanch 37, and Wayne Maddalena 36.
There was only one player across the field good enough to reach the green off the tee at the 4th and 13th hole and that was
Paul Blanch who finished a mere 340 cm adrift. Paul repeated the trick at the 6th and 15th holes to be Nearest-to-the-Pin just a little further away at 390 cm. Wayne Maddalena, 211 cm, was closest in B grade and Peter Markey 241 cm in C grade.
The long drives at the 8th and 17th holes were won by Paul Blanch, Trevor Sharp, Peter Markey, and Anne Wand.
The Super Sevens for the week concluding Friday 16 January was won by Gary Peters with a creditable 20 points. Balls were won by Rob Burrowes 18, Chris Steele and Peter Sate 14, with the last to Paul Blanch, 12, on a count back.
Next Saturday 24 January the Gloucester Golf Club will be playing a Four Ball Better Ball Stableford sponsored by Graeme Marsh and D&B Plumbing. The following Saturday there will be an Individual Stableford sponsored by Gloucester Auto Brokers & Detailing.
