Gloucester District News Of The Area 26 NOVEMBER 2025

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GLOUCESTER DISTRICT Of The Area News

Wednesday, 26 November 2025

By John WATTS

AFTER a period of uncertainty, the Gloucester Business Chamber has confirmed that its free New Year’s Eve celebration will go ahead for 2025.

Entirely self-funded, the event was at risk of cancellation due to difficulty securing sufficient sponsorship and sluggish raffle ticket sales.

Since its modest beginnings with just 2,700 attendees, the festival has skyrocketed in popularity, welcoming over 6,000 revellers in 2024.

Visitors can look forward to many new attractions this year, as well

By John WATTS

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

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

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

Council set to manage Holiday Park

MIDCOAST Council is finalising a contract to take over management of the Gloucester Holiday Park.

According to a statement from Council, the existing lease for the park's management lapsed in October 2019.

The lease has continued on a month-

THE Housing Industry Association (HIA) has warned that housing pressures across regional NSW are reaching critical levels.

Builders and industry leaders gathered in Taree last week for a Regional Housing Roundtable hosted with Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie and Member for Lyne Alison Penfold.

“The discussions

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By John WATTS

GLOUCESTER residents will see a familiar face at

this year’s Community Carols, with Newcastlebased independent musician John Newsome returning to perform at the event for the first time in a number of years.

by-month basis since then.

"Council has considered various options for the future management of the park," said Mayor Claire Pontin.

In 2023 Council sought expressions of interest from the open market to manage the

park, without success.

"In July 2025, Council resolved to take over management of the Park to ensure its continued operation," added Mayor Pontin.

Council expects to finalise the contract by December 2025 and intends to operate the park in 2026 as per

existing arrangements.

"The park could be a great drawcard for Gloucester and we want to see it run at its full potential,” said Mayor Pontin.

“We plan to undertake a staged upgrade of the facilities as grant money becomes available.”

The Gloucester Holiday Park provides a variety of camping sites, cabins and bunkhouse

accommodation on the banks of the Gloucester River. There are 19 permanent residential sites within the park.

The Park has operated in its current form since 1976. It was gazetted for use as a camping area as early as 1929. The land is owned by MidCoast Council and classified as community land.

“Regional communities like Taree are ready to grow, but they need the right support from government,” Mr Jennion said.

in Taree reflect the growing challenges faced by builders in regional centres, with workforce shortages, planning delays and a lack of enabling infrastructure holding back new housing supply,” HIA Executive Director Hunter, Craig Jennion said on Monday.

“Housing affordability and supply are no longer just city problems; they're biting hard across regional

Australia.

“Across the Mid North Coast the demand for housing continues to rise, yet local builders are struggling to find land, workers and approvals fast enough to keep up.

“According to HIA’s Housing the Regions report, regional NSW accounted for 42 percent of all net migration inflows in 2024, showing a strong shift of people leaving the

cities for regional life.

“Yet many towns such as Taree face worsening shortages in both skilled trades and affordable homes.

“Local builders report that project approvals can take many months, material costs remain high and finding qualified trades is a constant challenge particularly for carpentry, bricklaying and electrical work.

The Housing the Regions report calls for national and state governments to focus on planning reform, land release and training initiatives to support regional growth.

“Regional NSW has a major role to play in meeting the nation’s housing targets.

“With the right policy focus, towns like Taree can be at the forefront of Australia’s housing recovery.”

He will also share the stage with students from local schools and churches.

Newsome has become a familiar presence in town throughout 2025, regularly entertaining crowds at the Gloucester Farmers’ Market on the second Saturday of each month.

“Newsome’s mix of original songs and wellloved covers, paired

with strong vocals, gentle melodies and his trademark warm smile, has made him popular with market-goers,” said organising committee member Ty Soupidis.

“This year’s Carols performance marks seven years since Newsome last appeared at the event

and since then, he has released his fifth studio album, Anchor Here, and performed at festivals and concerts across Australia.

“His previous Gloucester Carols performances were in 2013 and 2018, occasions that many locals still remember fondly, and I’m sure that 2025 will be no different.”

At the Gloucester Showground on 14 December, Newsome will perform classic Christmas carols alongside several of his own compositions.

"For the first time there will be a combined choir from Gloucester Public School, Barrington Public School and St Joseph's Catholic school sharing the stage,” added Ty.

Festivities begin with food available from 6pm, followed by singing from 7pm.

Families are encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy the evening from the hill as Gloucester celebrates the season together.

Parvovirus alert in Gloucester

UPPER Hunter dog owners are being urged to be vigilant following four confirmed cases of canine parvovirus at Gloucester District Vets since Friday, 21 November.

Parvovirus is a highly contagious and potentially fatal illness that primarily affects unvaccinated puppies and dogs.

The virus is extremely resilient and can survive in the environment for many months and sometimes years

in the correct conditions.

“All cases were diagnosed using our in-house parvovirus SNAP tests and have occurred across three separate families in the Gloucester area, indicating active community spread,” Practice Manager Breanna Richards told NOTA.

Parvovirus spreads easily and silently, which is why outbreaks escalate quickly.

Dogs can become infected through:

- Direct contact with an

CHARGING ON

has indicated the chargers will be installed along well-known road trip routes, and at key tourism destinations, and be rolled out over the next year.

“Not only does the program make travelling a lot smoother, but it supports regional tourism and local economies, encouraging EV drivers to stop, explore and spend in communities while they recharge,” the NSW Government said in a statement.

The electricity supplied to the chargers will be 100 percent renewable energy.

infected dog or faeces

- Contaminated environments such as parks, footpaths, yards, vehicles and kennels

- Clothing, shoes, hands and equipment that have come into contact with infected faeces

- Dogs actively shedding the virus, even in the early stages before symptoms appear

Because the virus is so hardy and easily transported,

“Regional NSW is full of hidden gems and now EV drivers have more places to stop and charge while they explore and travel across this wonderful state,” said Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty.

“I know communities outside the city will welcome more visitors and see the opportunities these chargers bring to showcase everything their towns have to offer.”

The exact sites of the chargers are being finalised in consultation with the recipients of the grants.

According to the Government the plan is to install the faster 24kW-100kW direct current (DC) EV chargers with a minimum of two

even indoor-only dogs can be exposed indirectly.

Symptoms to watch out for include severe or bloody diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy or sudden weakness, loss of appetite, rapid dehydration, and fever or low body temperature.

Any dog showing these symptoms requires urgent veterinary attention.

Ms Richards strongly urges owners of unvaccinated or overdue dogs to keep

charging bays at each site, with the capacity to fully recharge an average EV in around one to 2.5 hours, depending on the charger capacity, vehicle model and state of battery charge.

Council has identified Gloucester and Wingham as the two preferred MidCoast locations for the new EV charging stations.

“The King Street carpark in Gloucester is the likely site for EV charging infrastructure for that area,” a Council spokesperson said.

“Further information will be available as the project progresses.”

Woolworths has indicated that it intends to use its grant to install chargers in the carpark of its Gloucester store.

“As a successful grantee

them at home and avoid all public areas - including parks, walking tracks, shared yards, and pet-friendly venuesuntil they are fully vaccinated.

“The parvovirus vaccine is one of the most effective vaccines in veterinary medicine,” she said.

“It works by priming your dog's immune system to recognise and destroy parvovirus quickly and effectively.

“The vaccine introduces

under the NSW Government’s EV Destination charging grants round 3, we can confirm that four DC EV fast chargers will be installed in the carpark of our store in Gloucester,” said a Woolworths spokesperson.

“The precise location and timing for the installation is still to be determined.”

Gloucester has had one charging station in the car park adjacent to Billabong Park for many years, although the site is not reserved solely for that purpose and is often otherwise occupied.

MidCoast Council recently installed a second charger in Boundary Street opposite the tennis courts, some distance from the main street.

a safe, modified form of the virus.

“The body produces targeted antibodies, and if the dog encounters the real virus later, the immune system responds instantly, preventing illness or significantly reducing severity.

“Dogs that are overdue or unvaccinated are at high risk during an outbreak.”

If you suspect your dog has parvovirus, contact your veterinarian.

To avoid contamination, do not attend a vet clinic without first consulting your veterinarian.

q The recently installed Boundary Street charging station.

Mateship spans Poley’s Place to NZ

By Kim TEOH

A SIMPLE but heartwarming hello and wide grin has brought about a friendship spanning 79 years and two countries.

Bob Atley recalls his family moving to Invercargill in New Zealand when he was six.

Soon after, John Stanway, who lived on the same street, came up to say “Hello” and befriended him.

Their childhood years cemented a rare friendship stretching into adulthood and, now, the Autumn of their lives.

According to John, “We don’t have a lot in common and have never fought; we were in the same school all our lives and were members of the

Invercargill Rowing Club.”

Bob, a draughtsman, moved to Sydney in 1964.

He later owned a stationery shop, which he eventually sold, before returning to Invercargill.

Three years later, John, who was a builder, also moved to Sydney.

He then went to Mt Isa in 1973 and Darwin in 1975.

In 2001, he bought and renovated a bus to travel from Queensland to NSW, staying in Tamworth for a week.

John recalled, “I came through Thunderbolts Way and passed Poley’s Place, a working cattle property and camping ground located on the banks of the beautiful Barrington River.

“I stayed there two nights then went to Forster and its surrounds and Port Macquarie, but I couldn’t keep my mind off Poley’s Place.”

John fell in love with it and has been staying in his bus at Poley’s Place for 20 years now.

“I love my lifestyle; the freedom to go wherever, whenever I want.

“Gloucester is peaceful and has a nice feel,” the now 86-year-old said.

John and Bob see each other annually, in Invercargill and in Gloucester.

“Calls are free so we frequently ring each other up,” John added.

It’s testament to a friendship that knows no bounds - despite distance and age.

New Year’s Eve celebrations to go ahead

FROM Page 1

as an expanded variety of food and beverage options.

Two live bands will feature: 'Back to the Gypsy - The Fleetwood Mac Experience' and 'The Bon Jovi Experience.'

“We are incredibly excited to move forward, but we can’t take our foot off the pedal,” said Trudy Schultz from the Business Chamber.

“We still have significant event costs to cover, and we are asking businesses and residents to help keep this wonderful celebration alive.

“This event was created to bring our community back together after COVID, and the community spirit it creates is truly special.

“We want everyone to celebrate together under the stars again this New Year’s Eve, but we still need the community's help to

make it possible.”

The Chamber has indicated that the community and businesses can still help secure the event’s future by becoming a sponsor or by buying raffle tickets.

For more information go to www. newyearsevegloucester. com.au, or check out the Business Chamber on Facebook.

Reform urged as native animals face deadly spring

By Stephanie GARDINER, AAP

KOALA Azaliah and her joey Zali were hit by a car not long after 40 eucalyptus trees in their home were destroyed.

Mother and baby recovered after intensive care at Northern Rivers Koala Hospital in Lismore, NSW, and were released back into the wild in October.

But another joey, Guinevere, was not so fortunate, dying from injuries after being hit by a car along with its mother.

The pair were among an estimated 10 million native animals killed on Australian roads every year.

Though there are measures known to make roads safer for wildlife, new research has warned those optional design standards are often overlooked.

Wildlife could be protected through underpasses, canopy bridges and exclusion fencing, but their construction was usually left to the discretion of budget-conscious developers, according to a Griffith University-led analysis.

"Ten million animals... that's an insanely massive number," road ecologist and the study's lead author Christopher Johnson told AAP.

"If we treated building a wildlife bridge with the same approach as we would a pedestrian bridge, we'd have a lot better outcomes."

Queensland and Victoria are the only states with

wildlife-sensitive guidelines embedded in their road designs, although their standards are voluntary.

"Those guidelines are a nice-to-have, not a need-tohave," Dr Johnson said.

"Nice-to-haves don't always make it through to the end of the project."

The study called for biodiversity to be at the core of infrastructure planning, rather than being left open to interpretation.

Dr Johnson said wildlifesensitive road design should be a part of the government's ongoing nature law reforms.

"This is a really good opportunity to try and get more ecology advice brought in earlier within project phases," he said.

Spring is a high-risk season for wildlife, as animals move around roadways to

breed and forage.

As many as 80 koalas are killed on Northern Rivers roads each year and 80 percent of those hit by cars do not survive their injuries, according to statistics from the local koala hospital.

Drivers were warned to slow down, particularly in known habitats, and to look out for signage that indicated recent sightings.

"These incidents occur most often along major transport corridors where habitat has been cleared or fragmented, forcing koalas to cross busy roads to reach food trees, shelter or breeding partners," the hospital's superintendent vet Kate Thomas said.

"We cannot continue relying on voluntary guidelines that leave wildlife exposed in known hotspots."

'Ready to fight': first-term MP rises to leadership

By Kat WONG and Alex MITCHELL, AAP

THE Liberal party's latest leader has thrown down the gauntlet, vowing to fight with her ailing party as a crucial election looms.

First-term MP Kellie Sloane completed her meteoric ascent to the top of the NSW Liberals on Friday after her predecessor Mark Speakman gave way to mounting pressure and resigned.

With just 18 months to try turn around the party's poor polling before the state election, she said she was ready to get to work.

"I don't underestimate the challenge ahead of us," Ms Sloane told reporters on Friday.

"I am ready for the fight."

Housing, infrastructure and transport are emerging as policy priorities as Ms Sloane promised to help families and young Australians.

But she faces a significant uphill battle.

No first-term opposition has won an election in NSW

or federally since the 1930s while recent polls suggest the coalition would lose more seats to Labor if an election was held today.

"They are in a pretty dire spot at the moment," election analyst Ben Raue told AAP.

"It's a very easy mechanical change to make, to sack someone and replace them with someone else, but unless that is the specific reason why you're unpopular, it's not going to change anything."

Though Premier Chris Minns acknowledged he was in competition with Ms Sloane, he stressed their parties had a responsibility to work together.

He also refused to rest on his laurels as the NSW Liberal Party had historically been a "formidable force".

"Pretty much every election in New South Wales has been close - this one will be close too," he told reporters.

"The last thing I want voters to think is that we're counting our chickens, because that's the shortest

distance between us losing the next election and where we are today."

But the greatest danger to the NSW Liberals, could come from within.

The chaotic aftermath of the federal party's election wipe-out did serious "brand damage" to the Liberal's state brands, Mr Speakman said at his resignation.

While Ms Sloane said she was not blind to the issue, she backed Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and repeatedly emphasised the "unity" of the state branch.

"I'm not going to stand here and pretend that some of the dysfunction that we've seen over time federally won't impact us at state level," she said.

"But I believe in Sussan Ley as our leader."

Ahead of the party room meeting, Ms Ley lauded the new leader as an "outstanding young woman".

Ms Sloane, a mother of three, enjoyed a decadeslong career as a journalist and news presenter before teaming up with Healthy

Harold to lead not-for-profit Life Education NSW.

Beaten in pre-selection for former premier Gladys Berejiklian's Willoughby seat in 2022, Ms Sloane was comfortably elected as MP for the eastern Sydney electorate of Vaucluse at the 2023 state election and rapidly appointed to the opposition frontbench under Mr Speakman.

As late as Thursday morning, Mr Speakman was determined to hold onto his crown, launching a media blitz where he downplayed

speculation of a spill.

But when Ms Sloane - a friend and moderate faction colleague - declared her intention to lead, he agreed to step away.

Shadow AttorneyGeneral Alister Henskens had considered challenging for the leadership but pulled out before the meeting.

Ms Sloane, 52, became the second woman this week to have deposed a male state Liberal leader after Victoria's coalition opposition dumped Brad Battin in favour of firstterm MP Jess Wilson.

Female representation has been a recurring issue for the Liberal Party over concerns the coalition is bleeding votes from women.

Standing with her deputy Natalie Ward, Ms Sloane said she hoped to inspire more women to enter politics.

Ms Sloane will steer the coalition with new Nationals leader Gurmesh Singh, who was elected unopposed last Tuesday after Dugald Saunders' shock resignation. The next NSW election will be in March 2027.

Stargazing: The secret star maps of moths

By Dave RENEKE, Astronomer

ON a moonless night, when the world goes quiet and even the gum trees seem to hold their breath, something small is commuting through the darkness.

Not a drone. Not a latenight bird.

Just a moth, humble, silent, and roughly the size of your thumb flying with the confidence of a seasoned pilot.

Inside that tiny head sits one of nature’s most astonishing tricks: a built-in map of the night sky.

Every spring, billions of Bogong moths leave the plains and grasslands of southeastern Australia and head for the Australian Alps.

Their goal?

To locate a collection of cool, hidden caves where they can spend the scorching summer months.

Mobile upgrades in Vacy

TELSTRA is upgrading its mobile base station in Vacy, meaning temporary service disruptions from Friday 28 November to Tuesday 2 December.

The upgrades will improve the mobile site’s capacity, meaning faster downloads, smoother streaming and less congestion.

Acting Regional General

Think of it as the insect equivalent of checking into a mountain resort.

The twist is that each new generation of moths has never seen these caves before.

Yet somehow, every year, they locate them with pinpoint accuracy.

So, how do they pull off this annual disappearing act?

To answer that, scientists built something that sounds like it belongs in a sci-fi

congestion for customers.

film: a custom-made “moth planetarium.”

Inside this tiny dome, researchers gently tethered the moths so they could flap as if in free flight, then projected the night sky overhead.

When shown a real star field, the moths turned and “flew” exactly in the direction their migration requires.

But when the stars were scrambled into a random, nonsensical pattern, the moths’ sense of direction collapsed completely.

The real magic revealed itself when researchers monitored the moths’ brain activity.

Their visual neurons, the cells that process what they see, lit up most intensely when the stars matched the proper heading for their journey.

And one region of the sky stood out more than any other: the Milky Way, especially the portion near the Carina Nebula.

The moths weren’t just

flying under the stars; they were navigating by them, treating the galaxy like a glowing signpost in the dark.

But nature, ever the clever engineer, didn’t stop there.

When the stars vanish behind clouds, the moths switch to a backup system: Earth’s magnetic field.

This two-part navigation kit, celestial compass plus magnetic compass, makes Bogong moths some of the most sophisticated travellers in the insect world.

They’re not entirely alone in this talent.

Migratory birds, dung beetles, and even certain species of seals are known to use the stars as navigational cues.

But few do it with the understated grace, and sheer improbability, of the Bogong moth.

It’s a humbling reminder that humans aren’t the only ones with a relationship to the night sky. Long before

telescopes, space probes, or apps that tell us when to look up, insects were quietly steering their way across continents using the light of distant suns.

And here’s where the story takes a worrying turn.

As artificial light spreads across our cities, the stars grow fainter.

With them goes an ancient guidance system that countless creatures, including these tiny alpine tourists, depend on. If the night sky continues to fade, what happens to the travellers who rely on it?

So the next time a moth flutters around your porch light, spare it a moment.

You might be watching a veteran of a thousandkilometre trek, guided not by GPS, but by the shimmering arc of the Milky Way, a fellow wanderer whose map is written across the heavens themselves.

Manager Northern NSW Joshua Fulwood said, “We know how important mobile connectivity is for Australians, whether you’re in the city or the country.

“As data use over our mobile network continues to grow, adding extra 4G capacity to our mobile site in the area will help deliver faster downloads, smoother streaming and less

“While disruption is required while the upgrade is underway, we’ll only be switching off the site when we need to and will have it back online and working better than ever as quickly as possible.” Telstra mobile customers will receive texts advising of the upcoming work.

Landline services, NBN and Satellite internet services, and mobile coverage from other providers will not be impacted.

Any calls to Triple Zero from a

Telstra mobile when the site is off air will automatically connect to another mobile network if available for connection to emergency services.

Telstra customers can continue to make calls and send texts during disruption to mobile services by switching on Wi-Fi Calling.

This is a free setting on most popular mobile phones and allows your mobile to make and receive mobile calls while connected to WiFi.

Gurmesh Singh wins NSW Nationals leadership

COFFS HARBOUR MP

Gurmesh Singh has been elected as the new leader of the NSW Nationals, following the shock resignation of Dugald Saunders last week.

It is the latest promotion for Mr Singh, a former macadamia and blueberry farmer from Woolgoolga, who was named Deputy Leader of the NSW National Party in June 2024.

Mr Singh ran unopposed in a party vote last Tuesday morning to be elected leader, less than 24 hours after Mr Saunders’ exit, who cited family reasons for leaving the top job.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson is the new

deputy leader, while Sarah Mitchell MLC remains the party’s leader in the Upper House.

Mr Singh, who was first elected to parliament in 2019, said it was an honour to lead the party forward.

“Our team will continue to represent regional NSW to the very best of our abilities,” he said.

“The wellbeing of regional communities is at the heart of everything we do, and I thank my party room colleagues for affording me the opportunity to continue the great work of the Nationals across NSW.”

He also thanked Mr Saunders for his “leadership and guidance” in recent years.

Congratulating him on the promotion, Federal National Party leader David Littleproud praised Mr Singh’s “wealth of experience”.

“I look forward to working with Gurmesh and I know he has a lot to offer, including his lived experience as a former blueberry and macadamia farmer and knowing about the challenges our farmers are facing.

“In the lead up to Christmas, regional Australians are feeling the pain of Labor’s ideology, by what’s coming out of their wallets.

“I know Gurmesh will do a fantastic job taking up the fight to Labor and also fighting for common sense.”

Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said Mr Singh is

a “strong voice for regional NSW and a tireless advocate for his community”.

“His election as leader is well deserved recognition of his hard work, integrity and commitment,” he said.

Mr Saunders, who serves as the Member for Dubbo, steps down after two and a half years in the leadership position.

"It's a difficult decision but it is the right time for me to take a step back and focus more on my family and myself," he said in a statement to media.

"It's also the right time to allow a new leader to take up the fight ahead of the next election.

"I will continue to serve the people of the Dubbo electorate as their local member."

Pros and cons after Coalition’s decision to abandon Net Zero

By Andrew VIVIAN

ALL sectors have weighed in on the Federal Coalition’s decision to abandon Net Zero by 2050.

This major tool for combatting climate change involves balancing the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere with the amount removed.

Patrick Leyland, Chief Digital Officer at Populares and former Director of Digital Campaigns for the Australian Labor Party, has previously recommended that Labor highlights the economic benefits to ordinary people when discussing energy policy, rather than the seemingly abstract “Net Zero”.

He told News Of The Area that regional areas are positioned to benefit enormously from the growth of renewable energy, and the advantages are

overwhelmingly economic.

Stronger local economy

Local energy generation brings down costs.

When more energy is produced closer to where people live and work, households and small businesses see lower bills and more reliable supply.

Mr Leyland also pointed out that renewables bring jobs.

Large-scale wind, solar, storage and grid upgrades create a surge in construction work - the kind of trades and contractor jobs that keep money in the community and open up long-term roles in maintenance, operations and community energy initiatives.

He said affordable clean energy is also becoming a magnet for new industries and manufacturers, such as food processors, data-driven businesses and emerging clean-tech industries.

These all prioritise

regions with stable, low-cost power.

Locally-produced renewable energy gives regions greater protection from volatility in international coal and gas prices.

Renewables also offer diversified income streams for farmers and landholders, reduced energy costs for irrigation and refrigeration, and opportunities for onfarm generation.

“Taken together, renewables give regions… the chance to build a stronger, more self-reliant local economy, one with lower energy costs, more jobs and new industries that keep young people in the region.”

Coalition’s position Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan released a statement saying the Coalition’s joint agreement to drop Net Zero is a move that will help Australian households and

businesses achieve a cheaper, better and fairer way to lower emissions.

“The Coalition’s decision to drop Net Zero puts Australians and the electorates that we represent first,” the statement read.

“Our plan is far cheaper than Labor’s *$9 trillion Net Zero plan, which would put Medicare and NDIS at risk.

“OECD countries have been cutting their emissions by one percent per year while Australia has been cutting its emissions by about two percent per year - double the OECD rate.

“We should do our fair share to reduce global emissions, but not more than the rest of the world.”

Mr Conaghan said energy would be cheaper because: “Our policy means opening up our grid to nuclear and removing the moratorium, as well as using emission reduction technology in gas and coal, like carbon capture and storage, while having renewables as a sensible proportion of the mix.

“Australia can’t mitigate all the world’s emissions when we’re only a bit over one percent of global emissions.

“So, why wouldn’t we focus more on adaptation with direct environmental action in land management, and investment in disaster mitigation like flood levees, dams and more cool burns?

“Labor’s 2030 and 2035 targets will reduce our emissions by 4.7 percent per year, putting pressure on households and industry.”

Mr Conaghan’s colleague in the electorate of Lyne, Alison Penfold MP, said abandoning Net Zero does not equate to abandoning climate action.

“We will do our fair share to reduce global emissions, but not more than the rest of the world,” she said.

“If we continue down Labor’s reckless plan, Australians will only feel more pain, with the estimated cost of net zero at $7 to $9 trillion, or $300,000 per Australian.”

Report ‘misrepresented’

The Coalition’s figure of *$9 trillion is based on a report from Net Zero Australia (NZAu), which is a partnership between the University of Melbourne, the University of Queensland, and Princeton University.

It aims to be “technology neutral, evidence driven and non-political”.

NZAu issued a media release on 5 November criticising how its research had been interpreted and also confused with a report from 2023.

“Different individuals and groups have been misrepresenting key cost estimates from the NZAu Australia Project as ‘the cost of Australia reaching net zero’,” it said.

It clarified that: - projected costs for reaching Net Zero in Australia by 2050 would be $300 billion over 25 years, not $9 trillion.

- this cost would consist primarily of overseas investment

- cost projections for nonrenewable energy resources did not include their substantial fuel costs

The Climate Council, a spin-off from the Climate Commission, which was abolished by the Coalition in 2013, said that abandoning Net Zero “would spell disaster for Australia’s climate, economy and household

bills”.

It claims that Australian Government spending on disaster recovery would increase seven-fold by 2090, productivity would take a $135-423 billion hit by 2063 - with workers hampered by extreme heat - and deaths caused by heatwaves would increase by 440 percent in Sydney and 260 percent in Melbourne.

The Council said policy uncertainty would disrupt confidence and clarity for business, costing the economy $2 trillion in lost investment.

Weaker exports and lower growth over the next 24 years and prolonged reliance on gas and coal, could see household power bills increase by $449 by 2030.

CEO Amanda McKenzie, said: “What the Coalition is really advocating for is a more dangerous future for all Australians.

“More floods in Taree and Grafton, more fire seasons like Black Summer, and the demise of the Great Barrier Reef.

“They’ve gone from: ‘I don’t hold a hose, mate’ to ‘let’s put fuel on the fire’.” Professor Joel Gilmore, Climate Councilor and energy expert, said: “Renewable power is already the lowestcost form of new energy.

“Four million Australian households with rooftop solar know that.”

When asked by Sky News if renewable energy is more expensive, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, said: “Not only do I not agree, economists don’t agree, scientists don’t agree, the Australian people don’t agree”.

BEST ON THE BOX

SUNDAY

SPICKS

AND SPECKS

ABC TV, 7.30pm

With a fan base as devoted as any rock band, this music trivia show is still entertaining audiences 20 years after it first burst onto the scene. Tonight, host Adam Hills and team captains Alan Brough and Myf Warhurst welcome another OG back to the panel: Angie Hart (pictured, middle), the lead singer of pop band Frente! who appeared on the show’s pilot episode in 2005. In fact, Hart was a pioneer of the show’s “Substitute” round, singing from the Torana 1600 service manual. She’s on the mic again this time, hoping teammates Brough and Zoë Coombs Marr (pictured, with Hart) can decode lyrics from a table tennis strategy guide.

FRIDAY, November 28

MONDAY

THE ROOKIE

SEVEN, 8.30pm

One of this police procedural’s most elusive villains returns for Monday’s compelling season seven finale. Affable sociopath Oscar Hutchinson (Matthew Glave) has been on the run since escaping from prison at the end of season six, but seasoned cop John Nolan (Nathan Fillion, pictured) is hot on the fugitive’s tail. Nolan heads to Las Vegas with fellow detective Nyla Harper (Mekia Cox) in a determined bid to catch Hutchinson while the crook recovers some stolen diamonds buried in the desert, but the criminal always seems to be one step ahead. Elsewhere, Lopez (Alyssa Diaz) looks into a mysterious bank robbery, while couple Chen (Melissa O’Neil) and Bradford (Eric Winter) adjust to her new work schedule.

News. 1.00 The Newsreader. (Mal, R) 2.00 Grand Designs Australia. (PG, R) 3.00 QI. (PG, R) 3.30 Forever Summer With Nigella. (R) 3.55 Grand Designs Revisited. (PG, R) 4.45 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 6.00 Morning Programs. 10.05 London: 2,000 Years Of History. (PG, R) 10.55 Rick Steves’ Europe. (PGa, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Royal Autopsy. (Man, R) 2.55 The Point. (R) 3.00 Nula. 3.30 Living Black. (R) 3.35 Such Was Life. (R) 3.45 The Cook Up. (R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Gardening Australia. Celebrates Jane Edmanson’s 38 years on the ABC.

8.30 Maigret. (Mav) Maigret grapples with his failure and tries to understand the man whom he failed to protect.

9.20 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) Hosted by Tom Gleeson.

9.55 Crime Night! (PG, R) Hosted by Julia Zemiro.

10.25 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R)

10.55 ABC Late News.

11.10 Silent Witness. (M, R)

12.15 Rage New Music. (MA15+dhlnsv)

5.00 Rage. (PG)

6.45

7.35

And

Paddington. 6.40

7.05

7.00

7.20

THURSDAY TOPKNOTZ

NBN, 8.30pm

“Who’s ready to holiday?” asks an excitable Grant Denyer in this action-packed aquatic adventure series. The Gold Logie-winning presenter tries out the best marine leisure experiences the world has to offer – think helicopter rides, superyachts, snorkelling, speedboats, electric surfboards, jet skis and more – alongside culinary legend Miguel Maestre, stuntman Rob Palmer, surfer Felicity Palmateer and presenter Tom Williams (all pictured) in this 10-part travelogue. In Thursday’s second episode, the crew are in New Zealand, where they’re invited to take part in a haka, pilot a racing boat, prepare delicacies in a glacier kitchen and take on river rapids on a giant inflatable unicorn. It’s not for the faint of heart.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Discovering Film: Robert Redford.

8.30 MOVIE: Thelma And Louise: Born To Live. (2025, M, R) 9.30 Discovering Film: Maggie Smith. (PG, R)

10.25 SBS World News Late.

10.55 Sisi. (MA15+a, R) 11.55 Tokyo Vice. (MA15+asv, R) 2.15 Stutter School: Untold Australia. (PGa, R) 3.15 The Story Of Cheese. (R) 4.15 Home Of The Year: Scotland. (R) 4.50 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. 8.30 MOVIE: Love Actually. (2003, Mlns, R) Explores a series of interlocking vignettes about love and romance in Britain in the weeks before Christmas. Hugh Grant, Colin Firth. 11.15 MOVIE: Firestarter. (2022, MA15+av, R) A girl gains the power to set things on fire. Zac Efron, Ryan Kiera Armstrong. 1.15 In Plain Sight. (Madv)

2.30 Home Shopping. (R)

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

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Find My Beach House Australia. (Return)

8.30 MOVIE: Aquaman. (2018, Mav, R) A half-human, half-Atlantean goes on a quest. Jason Momoa, Amber Heard.

11.15 Law & Order: Organized Crime. (MA15+av, R)

12.05 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.00 Drive TV: Launch Pad. (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)

And Guess Who? 8.25 BTN Newsbreak. 8.30 Hard Quiz Kids. 9.00 Robot Wars. 10.00 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Children’s Programs. 9.00 Nanny. 9.30

6.00 10 News+. 7.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 7.30 Big Brother Australia. (Malns) Hosted by Mel Tracina. 8.30 Sam Pang Tonight. (Mals, R) A weekly tonight show hosted by Sam Pang, featuring a monologue roasting the news of the week.

The Graham Norton Show. (Ml, R) Celebrity guests include Cillian Murphy. 10.40 10’s Late News.

SATURDAY, November 29

DD India News Hour. 9.00 The Point. (R) 9.10 Matched. (PG, R) 10.00 Puppy Secrets: The First Six Months. (R) 11.00 Shepherdess. (PG, R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30

6.00 Australian Story: Peter Garrett. (R) Presented by Leigh Sales.

6.30 Stateline. (R) An analysis of politics and local issues.

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

7.30 Return To Paradise. (PG) A CEO is poisoned at a corporate retreat.

8.30 Vera. (Mav, R) Vera and her team investigate a hit-and-run and a stabbing death in a remote Northumberland valley.

10.00 The Forsytes. (PG, R) James attempts to sabotage Joylon.

10.55 Bergerac. (Mal, R) Bergerac goes rogue with a new lead. 11.40 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

6am Children’s Programs. 6pm Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.10 PJ Masks. 6.20 Bluey. 6.30 Paddington. 6.45 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Andy And The Band. 7.10 Piripenguins. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Hard Quiz Kids. 8.00 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament Of Houses. 8.40 Chopped Junior. 9.25 Fresh Off The Boat. 10.05 Abbott Elementary. 10.25 Speechless. 10.50 Late Programs.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 A Royal Guide To Christmas.

8.25 Christmas In The Cotswolds. (R)

A look at The Cotswolds at Christmas.

9.20 Christmas At Longleat. (R)

10.20 Reckless. (Malv, R)

11.15 Homicide: Life On The Street. (Ma, R)

2.35 The Story Of Chocolate. (PGa, R)

3.35 Being Beethoven. (PGa, R)

4.40 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.15 France 24 Feature.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

VICELAND (31)

6am The Movie Show. 6.30 Finding You. (2020, PG)

SUNDAY, November 30

6.00 Grand Designs Australia. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Spicks And Specks. (PG)

8.00 Portrait Artist Of The Year. (PG) Heat five features an array of unique talent.

8.50 The Forsytes. (PG) Jolyon recommits to his family.

9.45 Return To Paradise. (PGa, R)

10.45 When The War Is Over. (PGa, R)

Anh’s Brush With Fame. (PG, R)

Nigella’s Christmas Bites. (R) 12.30 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.00 Dream Gardens. (R) 3.30 The Art Of. (Ml, R)

4.00 Gardening Australia. (R)

5.00 Insiders. (R)

6am Children’s Programs. 5.55pm Octonauts. 6.05 PJ Masks. 6.20 Bluey. 6.30 The Adventures Of Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Andy And The Band. 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 The Mysterious Benedict Society. (Final) 8.10 Crongton. 8.35 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.20 Abbott Elementary. 10.00 Speechless. 10.20 Merlin. 11.05 Late Programs.

Six Months. (R) 11.00 Ireland’s Secrets From Above. (PGa, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 1.00 Speedweek. 3.00 When The World Watched. (Premiere) 4.00 My Rembetika Blues. (R) 5.35 Blood Money: Inside The Nazi Economy. (PGaw, R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Pearl Harbor: Battle In The Pacific.

8.30 Troy Story.

10.15 Bronze Age Apocalypse. (R)

11.55 Peter O’Toole: Along Sky Roads To Aqaba. (MA15+l, R)

1.35 Franklin. (MA15+l, R)

3.15 Tutankhamun. (PG, R)

4.20 Home Of The Year: Scotland. (Ml, R)

4.55 Japan Bitesize. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.15 France 24 Feature.

5.30 APAC Weekly.

VICELAND (31)

Show. (PG) 12.00 Jabba’s Movies. (PGv, R) 12.30 Border Security. (PG, R) 1.00 Motor Racing. Supercars C’ship. Round 13. Adelaide Grand Final. Day 1. Qualifying and support races. 3.00 Motor Racing. Supercars C’ship. Round 13. Adelaide Grand Final. Day 1. Pre-race and race

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 MOVIE: Sister Act. (1992, PGv, R) Whoopi Goldberg. 9.10 MOVIE: Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit. (1993, G, R) A group of nuns attempts to save a school. Whoopi Goldberg, Maggie Smith.

11.25 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round 13. Adelaide Grand Final. Day 1. Highlights. 12.25 Dr Harry’s Animal Encounters. (PG, R)

1.25 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 It’s Academic. (R)

5.00 House Of Wellness. (PG, R)

6.30

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 MOVIE: Barbie. (2023, PGlv, R) Barbie leaves Barbieland for the first time. Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling.

9.50 MOVIE: Hairspray. (2007, PGls, R)

A teen auditions for a TV dance show. Nikki Blonsky, Zac Efron. 12.00 MOVIE: Suburbicon. (2017, MA15+alv, R)

2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PG)

2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 Global Shop. (R)

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 7NEWS Spotlight. 8.00 Ultimate Crash Test. (Premiere, PGal) Looks at what happens in a multi-vehicle pileup. 10.00 MOVIE: Green Book. (2018, Ml, R) A pianist hires a tough-talking chauffeur. Viggo Mortensen.

12.40 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round 13. Adelaide 500. Day 2. Highlights.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 NBN News. 7.00 60 Minutes. 8.00 Live Aid: When Rock ‘n’ Roll Took On The World. (Ml) 10.00 Essex Millionaire Murders. (Mdv) 11.00 Mobsters. (Madv) 11.50 World’s Most Dangerous Prisoners. (MA15+av, R) 12.40 Australia’s Top Ten Of Everything. (PG, R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory.

MONDAY, December 1

6.00

7.35 Bill Bailey’s Vietnam Adventure. (PG)

8.30 Never Mind The Buzzcocks Christmas. (Mls, R)

9.25 Jimmy Carr’s I Literally Just Told You. (M)

10.20 SBS News. 10.50 The Man Who Died. (Mav) 11.40 A Criminal Affair. (Mals, R) 1.20

Bowled Over: Untold Australia. (Mal, R) 2.25 Looking For Rembrandt. (PGa, R) 3.30 Boswell And Johnson’s Scottish Road Trip. (PGal, R) 4.25 Growing A Greener World. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

VICELAND (31)

6am Children’s Programs. 2.45pm TBA. 3.00 Children’s Programs. 5.55 Knee High Spies. 6.05 PJ Masks. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Paddington. 6.40

SBS MOVIES (32)

6am Finding

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Border Patrol. (PG)

7.30 Queen: In Their Own Words. (Mal, R)

8.30 The Rookie. (Final, Mav) Lopez investigates a bank robbery.

9.30 Alert: Missing Persons Unit. (Mav) A brewery foreman is kidnapped. 11.30 Autopsy USA. (Ma, R)

12.30 Girlfriends’ Guide To Divorce. (MA15+s)

1.30 Harry’s Practice. (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 Travel Guides. (PGl, R)

8.40 MOVIE: The Castle. (1997, Ml, R) A family’s life is disrupted. Michael Caton. 10.35 The Equalizer. (Mav) 11.25 Transplant. (MA15+m, R) 12.10 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.05 Hello SA. (PG) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30

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TUESDAY, December 2

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Great British Railway Journeys. (PGa, R)

8.30 Who Do You Think You Are?

9.35 Australia: An Unofficial History. (Mals, R)

10.40 SBS World News Late.

11.10 Families Like Ours. (Malv)

12.10 Carmen Curlers. (Malsv, R)

2.30 Looking For Rembrandt. (Ms, R)

3.35 Boswell And Johnson’s Scottish Road Trip. (PG, R)

4.25 Growing A Greener World. (R)

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

SBS MOVIES (32)

You. Continued. (2020, PG) 6.35 Dean Spanley. (2008, PG) 8.25 The Man Who Knew Too Little. (1997, PG) 10.10 On The Basis Of Sex. (2018, M) 12.20pm 5 To 7. (2014, M) 2.10 Music & Lyrics. (2007, PG) 4.05 The Final Countdown. (1980, PG) 6.00 Manganinnie. (1980, PG) 7.40 The Legend Of The Christmas Witch. (2018, PG, Italian) 9.30 The Tower. (2012, M, French) 11.50 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 7.05 The Legend Of The Christmas Witch. (2018, PG, Italian) 8.55 Dean Spanley. (2008, PG) 10.50 Couch Potatoes. (2017, M, Italian) 12.50pm Someone Who Takes Care Of Me. (2023, M, Spanish) 2.40 The Movie Show. 3.50 The Man Who Knew Too Little. (1997, PG) 5.35 Darling Companion. (2012, PG) 7.30 Holiday Harmony. (2022) 9.35 Happy Christmas. (2014) 11.10 Late Programs.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Border Patrol. (PG)

7.30 Highway Patrol. (PGa, R) Officers spot some dodgy activity.

8.30 Murder In A Small Town. (Mav) Mayor Holman is attacked.

9.30 Homicide: With Ron Iddles: Terry Floyd. (PGa, R) A look at the case of Terry Floyd.

10.30 MOVIE: The Social Network. (2010, Ml, R)

1.00 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

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Start your day with coffee and brekky from 7.30am, lunch from 11.30am, dinner from 5.30pm, and great hospitality all day. Open Tuesday to Sunday for good food, drinks, functions and live music. And the place to stay for work or holiday. Check what’s on at dungogroyalhotel.com.au or call us on 0418 443398

WEDNESDAY, December 3

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.00 MOVIE: Songs Inside. (2024, Ml, R) 11.25 Nigella’s Christmas Kitchen. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Press Club. (R) 1.35 You Can’t Ask That. (Ml, R) 2.00 Death In Paradise. (Mv, R) 3.00 QI. (PG, R) 3.30 Forever Summer With Nigella. (PG, R) 3.55 Grand Designs NZ. (R) 4.45 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Focus On Ability Film Festival 2025. (Premiere, PG) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 MOVIE: When Love Is In Your Eyes. (2024, PGa, R) 2.50 I Am Not A Number. (PGa, R) 3.10 Rehabilitating. (PGa) 3.30 The Cook Up. (R) 4.00 Focus On Ability Film Festival 2025. 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News. 7.35 Michael Palin In North Korea. (R)

8.30 Reckless. (Final, MA15+l)

9.35 Scotland’s Poshest Train: Alan Cumming. (PG, R)

10.30 SBS World News Late. 11.00 Crime. (MA15+av, R)

1.55 Looking For Rembrandt. (PGa, R)

3.00 Boswell And Johnson’s Scottish Road Trip. (PGal, R)

3.55 Home Of The Year: Scotland. (PG, R)

5.00 NHK World English News.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

WorldWatch. 5.45 Mysteries From Above. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 Adam Hills: The Last Leg. 9.25 MOVIE: The Running Man. (1987, MA15+) 11.20 MOVIE: In Bruges. (2008, MA15+) 1.20am Late Programs.

6am The Orator.

Continued. (2011, PG, Samoan) 7.40 The Movie Show. 8.20 Darling Companion. (2012, PG) 10.15 Infinite Storm. (2022, M) 12.05pm Bliss. (2021, M) 2.00 Another Mother’s Son. (2017, PG) 3.55 The Legend Of The Christmas Witch. (2018, PG, Italian) 5.45 Marie’s

THURSDAY, December 4

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.30 The Piano UK. (PG, R) 11.15 Tech Smart Agriculture. (R) 11.30 Crime Night! (PG, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Silent Witness. (Ma, R) 2.00 Death In Paradise. (Mv, R) 3.00 QI. (PG, R) 3.30 Forever Summer With Nigella. (R) 3.55 Grand Designs NZ. (R) 4.40 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.00 Morning Programs. 2.00 Chef Antonio’s Recipes For Revolution. (Ml, R) 3.00 Sugar Bird Lady. 3.05 Deus Ex Machina. 3.10 Hindsight. (PGls) 3.15 Standard Drink. 3.20 Return To Lullumb. 3.25 Imposter. (PGa) 3.30 La Echolalia. 3.35 Theatricality. 3.45 The Cook Up. (R) 4.15 Everywhere. 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Eva Longoria: Searching For Spain. (PGalw)

8.25 Britain’s Railway Empire In Colour. (PGav)

9.20 Vigil. (Malv)

10.25 SBS World News Late.

10.55 Vienna Blood. (MA15+a, R)

12.50 House Of Promises. (Mans, R)

3.30 Home Of The Year: Scotland. (R)

4.35 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

WorldWatch. 10.00 Mastermind Australia. Noon WorldWatch. 12.30 MOVIE: Simple Minds: Everything Is Possible. (2022, M) 2.10 Bamay. 2.40 Insight. 3.40 News. 3.45 WorldWatch. 5.45 Mysteries From Above. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 History’s Greatest Mysteries. 10.10 The UnXplained. (Return) 11.00 Homicide. 11.50 Late Programs.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Border Patrol. (PG)

7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PG, R) Hosted by Lee Mack.

8.30 MOVIE: 1917. (2019, MA15+av, R) During World War I, two British soldiers are assigned the critical task of delivering a life-saving message. George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman. 11.00 Chicago Fire. (Ma) 12.00 MOVIE: Secrets On Campus. (2022, Mav, 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 RBT. (Mdl, R) 8.30 Paramedics. (Mm, R) 9.30 Parole. (MA15+alv)

10.50 American Crime Story. (Premiere, Madlsv)

11.55 Resident Alien. (Mav)

12.40 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop. (R)

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Cricket. The Ashes. Second Test. Australia v England. Day 1. Evening session. 7.40 The Ashes: Dinner Break. Takes a look at the day’s play so far. 8.00 Cricket. The Ashes. Second Test. Australia v England. Day 1. Late evening session.

10.30 Seven’s Cricket: The Spin. (Return)

11.15 The Amazing Race. (PG)

12.45 Life. (Malsv, 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 Holidays

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Dorin’s Draws

By Paul DORIN

News Of The Area OPINION

On theCouch

Email Jasminda: media@newsofthearea.com.au

DEAR Jasminda,

FOR five years, I have been minding a friend's dog (Minty) while they go on holidays.

This is usually no problem; the dog and I get on very well.

This time, though, I was left with instructions that Minty (who is 15) now eats breakfast at 4.30am and dinner at 3.00pm every day, and that she gets upset when she isn't fed at those times.

Despite this, Minty slept in until 7.00am, which is when I fed her.

I was also told that Minty whines if she doesn't get her walk at 9am, however we walked every evening at

6.00pm and she was just fine.

The other instruction was that she was very frail and so could only walk to the end of the street, however, she had boundless energy, so we walked to the next suburb.

Should I tell the owner?

Rosie P.

Dear Rosie,

Dogs are very much like children.

They develop certain behaviours with their parents, but will respond to other people in an entirely different way.

I think a lot of it comes down to boundaries and expectations from all involved parties.

I know this, because I own a show dog.

Now, in the ring, with his show handler, he will trot around in a square, and stand

to attention, and let a stranger *throat clear* check his testicles to make sure they are present and of equal size (I don't make the rules, Rosie), and he has done this so many times that he is now a champion.

At home, however, he is more like Jake the Muss out of Once Were Warriors.

He gets in people's faces.

He brawls with dogs that don't look like him (so he's also apparently a racist).

To make matters worse, he likes to watch moments of intimacy (giving off serious Jeffrey Epstein vibes).

It's all very worrisome.

The point I'm trying to make, though, is that dogs (like children) are very adaptable (and very manipulative).

In this instance, Rosie, I think you should just keep quiet about Minty's change in routine.

It's not like she's going to report back that you've not followed the dog-sitting checklist.

As long as you handed her back with a similar disposition and physicality as you received her, I think you've done well.

You may have even taught Minty a few important lessons.

That 4.30am nonsense isn't sustainable.

I'm pretty sure she knew you were onto her.

If Minty has now gone back to her old ways, so be it. It's not for you to deal with.

And at age 15, there may not be many more opportunities for you and Minty to conspire together. Possibly none, if her owner reads News Of The Area.

Alum Mountain bushwalk

AFTER tackling Peppers

Mountain at Stroud Road earlier this year, Gloucester Environment Group bushwalkers took on the challenge, for their last walk of 2025, to scale another local peak - Bulahdelah mountain, also known as Alum Mountain.

The mountain, which was once the site of an alum mine, is now State Forest.

The “Australian Alum Company” commenced extraction on Alum Mountain in 1878 and in 1890 works were established at Bulahdelah for the production of alum and

aluminium sulphate.

A small group of walkers took up the challenge to scale the mountain, taking the well-formed and wellsignposted walking tracks that wind through beautiful eucalypt forests.

“On the tracks the walkers identified a large range of birds including the Eastern Whip Bird, Whistler, Lewins honeyeater, Channel billed cuckoo, White Browed Scrub Wren, Grey Shrike-Thrush and Grey Fantail,” said walk coordinator Rod Eckels.

“The walk took us past many of the old

mine workings and through to the Worimi Cultural Area, evidenced by carved trees that signify the spiritual significance of the mountain.

“Although there are some steeper sections of the walk, there were also long evenly graded sections that follow along the former ‘trolley track’ that was used in the mine.

“We visited both the Mountain Lookout, which has extensive views over Bulahdelah township, as well as the lookout at the end of the Ted Baker Track, which had views of the Myall

River towards the coast.”

After their morning hike, walkers enjoyed lunch at Bombah Point, watching the punt ferry cars across the Myall Lakes on the way to Hawks Nest.

The Gloucester Environment Group undertakes a range of activities including River Care, Koala Ways, bird watching, bushwalking and quarterly feasts.

To participate in any (or all) of these activities please contact us at gloucester.environment. group@gmail.com or Facebook.

Lieutenant Muendel said.

By Sis HIGGINS

DONATIONS for the annual Salvation Army Christmas Toy Drive Appeal are now being accepted at Newcastle Permanent and Greater Bank branches until 12 December.

The joint appeal has supported local families for nearly 40 years.

Last year the community donated a record 7500 gifts through the branches.

Salvation Army Auxiliary Lieutenant Bernie Muendel said the community’s generosity drives the impact of the appeal.

“We are seeing more people in need than ever before, but with the support of the community we can make a real difference to those in need this Christmas,”

“We know that cost of living pressures are impacting people, so seeing the community still donating what they can to help others is just so touching.”

Lieutenant Muendel said gifts for all ages are needed, from babies through to teenagers.

“For those looking to donate, we recommend toys, books, and games for younger children, and gift vouchers, sports equipment and beauty products for teenagers,” he said.

“We encourage parents to bring their children along when choosing a gift to donate.

“Allowing kids to select a present for a child their own age is a powerful way to teach them [the] true meaning of giving.”

Local mum Leonie said The Salvation Army helped

her rebuild her life after she fled an abusive relationship.

“The Salvos helped me see that surviving wasn’t the end of my story, it was the beginning.

“They helped me build a new chapter – one filled with safety, warmth and choice,” she said.

“That freedom was made possible by the love and support I received from The Salvation Army.”

NGM Group’s Head of Community and Sustainability Kirrah McClelland, said the organisation hopes to help even more families this year.

“We were truly touched by the generosity of our community last year who helped us collect a record number of gifts, and we hope to exceed that number… and spread some extra Christmas cheer with as many families as possible.”

Falla, Bardwell win Vets Golf

Multiplier, was won by Gai Fall and Derek Bardwell with 81 points between them.

They were closely followed by the runners up, Chris Steele and Tony Berecry with 80 points.

Well back were ball winners Will Bosma and Ken Kelly 73, Elaine Murray and Anne Wand 68 and Tony

Burnet and Jim Dunn 65. Nearest-to-the-Pin trophies at the 4th and 13th holes were won by Anne Wand and Derek Bardwell. At the 6th and 15th holes that honour went to Elaine Murray and Ken Kelly

This last Tuesday, 25 November, the Gloucester Veteran Golfers played an Individual Stroke event sponsored by Max Shepherd and next Tuesday they play an Individual Stableford.

Gloucester Golf Croquet

By Bev MURRAY

WITH the end of year fast approaching, the completion of the 2025 club competitions for croquet took place. This time it was handicapped doubles.

Partners were drawn as follows:

Judy Hopkins & Dianne Shanley, Al Minis & Denise Bruce, Bev Fagan and Greg Bell and Alec Bruce and Chris Sims.

Play started at 8.00am in order to beat the heat or any storm that may

Gloucester Lady Bowlers Report

By Jennifer BURLEY

CHAMPIONSHIPS for 2025 have been completed, it's now time for Social Bowls with the Selectors varying the format for games and the

players trying various team positions.

Point Score was the event of the day, thus the

q Bev,

Veitch wins Saturday golf

By Peter WILDBLOOD

IT WAS a hot and steamy day on Saturday, 22 November, for the Avon Valley Meats sponsored event with local Ben Veitch taking home the meat tray in the top grade while two visitors from Bondi were best in the lower two grades.

The course has dried considerable over recent weeks and shots seem to be travelling a tad further as a consequence.

The event was an Individual Stableford and the winners in the three grades were Ben Veitch, 40, in A grade and our Bondi visitors in B and C grade: Brian Webster, 38, and Ron

Dowse 44. Balls were won by Ron Dowse 44, Ben Veitch, Paul Griffiths 40, Brian Webster 38, Geoff Reynolds and Brendon Murray 37 and Stacey Groves 36.

The Nearest-to-the-Pin at the 4th and 13th holes was only good in the top two grades with Paul Blanch and John Parish doing the job.

At the shorter 6th and 15th holes the three grades were represented in full by Steve Williams, Greg Wiggins, and Graeme Marsh.

The long drive trophies at the 8th and 17th holes were won by Stacey Groves, Geoff Reynolds and John Herd.

players were given the rink number and 4s being the event, the players were assigned to either rink to arrange the order of play.

Joan Ridgeway,Helen Banks ,Penny Gibson and Cheryl West 15/13 narrowly defeated Norma Relf, Cheryl Tull, Val Pritchard and Suzanne Cross 14/8.

And Lou Clements, Di Pritchard, Bev Murray and Bev Germon 15/14 defeated Lou Clements (swinger), Jill Everett, Marge Moore and Jenny Burley 8/7

In the Super Sevens ending Friday 21 November, the winner was Rod Burrows with a very handy 21 points.

He was followed by the lead ball winner Paul Thibault 20, with Wayne Maddalena 19, Dave Mann and Greg West 18 and Bill Murray 16 also winning balls.

On Saturday next, 29 November, the Gloucester Golf Club will be playing their annual Back Bar Day, a Four Person Ambrose sponsored by Voltr.

The following Saturday, 6 December, will be the last Monthly Medal of 2025, an Individual Stroke event sponsored by the Arkwood family.

have presented itself later in the day.

Vice President Denise gave a warm welcome to all.

Games Captain Bev Murray then reminded all that this was a handicapped event and therefore would be played as Advantage Play.

Again, there were some very close scores, along with a couple of ‘onthe-day - good players out of luck’ scenarios. Well done though to all participants, it was a nice culmination to the year.

Winners were: Al Minis & Denise Bruce, while runners-up were Alec Bruce & Chris Sims.

President Ashleigh had returned by lunch and presented medals to our 2025 Doubles Winners and Runners-up.

Next Sunday our Gloucester Club will host members from our Mid North Coast group for our Christmas Party. This will also be a presentation of winners from the 2025 MNCCC competitions.

Sate and Betts win women’s golf

By Carolyn DAVIES

THE sun was shining again for golf last Wednesday, 19 November, for the latest round of the Gloucester Ladies Summer Competition, won by Debbie Sate and Dorotheas Betts in their separate divisions.

The event was an Individual Stableford event played over 12 holes and Debbie

Sate continued her good form to win Division 1 with 25 points. Dorothea Betts returned from a winter recess and showed that this format of the game suits her, winning Division 2 with a great score of 28 points.

Balls went to those who played to their handicap, with Moya Harris, Dale Rabbettt and Gai Falla

all adding to their ball tallies with 24 points each over the 12 holes.

The Nearest-tothe-Pin prize on the 4th and 13th holes was won by Carolyn Davies, with Gai Falla, in Division 1 and Moya Harris, in Division 2 taking out the prizes on the 15th hole.

The Gloucester Golf Ladies Summer Competition continues each Wednesday through to late February.

Gloucester Parkrun

By Carolyn DAVIES

IT WAS a cool morning for Gloucester's 232nd parkrun after hot days during the week, with piles of fallen bunyah branches providing evidence of the strong winds that had swept through the park. There were 35 finishers for the event, including visitors from Port Macquarie and Blackheath.

Locals included three generations of each of the Watts and Murray families,

with Olley Murray reaching his 25th run milestone. He opted to wear a tutu to mark the occasion, with Elaine and Bill Murray also dressed in tutus (a tradition they keep whenever the date is twotwo, or 22nd of the month for those who follow the more traditional calendar).

The parkrun is often a time for catching up or for meeting new friends as you walk and talk around the route. Topics covered this

time (or at least what the Run Director caught snatches of as people walked past) varied from how the Ashes Test in Perth was unfolding to the upcoming social media ban for under 16s (which was given as the reason one youngster was not bothering to smile for the camera - she was not going to see the photo anyway!).

The first male finisher was Daniel Brooks in 20.16, with Christine Bishop the first female finisher in 27.35.

The cooler temperature suited Lachlan Maggs and Howard Cameron, with both getting a personal best time. Rowena Sadler and David Francke were doing their very first parkuns. Welcome to parkrun! Louise Hopkins was doing her first parkrun in Gloucester, with her other 23 parkruns each being at a different location as she travelled around Australia.

It was an experienced band of volunteers that helped

to deliver the event, with the dream team of Trudie Murray as timekeeper and Rod Eckels on finish tokens back on duty. Regular volunteer Garry Lyford had put his hand up during the week to don a red vest and take on the role of scanner.

Pat Burrows was enjoying the peace and quiet of being a tail walker at the back of the field, after her recent travels to the slightly busier India. John Rosenbaum kept her company and helped to pick up marker cones on the way back to the finish flags.

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Gloucester parkrun is at 8am every Saturday - so come along and join in the fun of a 5 kilometre walk or run around Gloucester District Park (it's a free event). There will be additional parkruns on Christmas Day and New Year's Day if you want to get some extra exercise during the festive season.

THE Dungog ShireNews Of The Area are always looking for more local people to help write about local issues and news affecting our area.

You may not have any news room experience at all, but you are a competent writer and are passionate about the area and its people. Contact us for more information about writing for the NOTA. We want to talk to you.

Falla, Bardwell win Vets Golf

By Peter WILDBLOOD

THE Veteran Golfers at Gloucester played a strange event on Tuesday, 18 November, in the form of a Stableford Multiplier wherein the score for the pair at each hole is the multiplicand of the two individual scores.

It’s a form of golfing quicksand during which, on this occasion, Gai Falla and Derek Bardwell prevailed.

The fact that Peter Sate turned in an impressive 39 individual points and earned nary a mention in the combined trophy list is a testimony to the problematic nature of the event generously sponsored by Ros and Peter McIntyre.

All that said, the event, a Four Ball Better Ball

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