A MAJOR expansion of shark-spotting drones across the NSW coastline has been welcomed by local surf organisations, with the State Government announcing a $120 million investment aimed at improving safety for swimmers, surfers and other beach users.
The government will invest an additional $34 million to significantly increase drone surveillance, making it the largest expansion of aerial shark monitoring in the world.
The enhanced program will see around 70 beaches monitored year-round, with at least one beach in every coastal local government area receiving 365-day drone coverage.
Additional monitoring by Surf Life Saving NSW will focus on beaches with high numbers of swimmers, surfers and paddlers, particularly along the North Coast where shark incidents have become more frequent.
A WEEK of culture, connection and community celebration is set to take place across the Nambucca Valley as Nambucca Valley Council (NVC) joins with local Aboriginal organisations and community groups to celebrate NAIDOC Week from 5 to 12 July.
NVC is partnering with a wide range of organisations to deliver a diverse program of events that recognises and celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
NVC has acknowledged the support of Jaanymili Bawrrungga Aboriginal Corporation, Unkya Local Aboriginal Land Council, ShoreTrack, HIPPY Australia, Mission Australia, Muurrbay Aboriginal Language and Culture Cooperative, and many other organisations that have helped to make this year's celebrations possible.
The week begins on Sunday 5 July with a community BBQ breakfast at Stuart Island, Nambucca Heads, near the boat ramp.
The whole community is invited to attend the breakfast between 8.30am and 10.30am.
On Monday 6 July, families are encouraged to head to Henessy Tape Oval at Bowraville for a family sports day from 10am to 2pm.
The day will feature a range of activities including basketball, pickleball and touch football.
A flag raising ceremony and morning tea will be held at Macksville Hospital on Tuesday 7 July from 9am to 11am.
The event will include the cutting of the NAIDOC cake along with morning tea in the hospital courtyard.
The exhibition will showcase 50 years of NAIDOC posters, celebrating the history and evolution of the annual event.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy lunch featuring mullet and fried scones.
Thursday 9 July will see Ti Tree at Scotts Head host a Men's Day from 10am to 2pm.
The event will feature fishing, a BBQ lunch and prizes, with brothers, cousins and young family members all encouraged to attend.
provided, while children can enjoy a sensory table, balloon art and face painting.
Council is supporting the delivery of the week's activities in partnership with a broad network of community organisations.
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Later that day, an Elders Luncheon will be held at Riverview Island, Bowraville, from midday until 3pm.
On Wednesday 8 July, NVC will host a special exhibition at the Nambucca Heads Community and Arts Centre from 10am to 2pm.
The week's celebrations conclude on Friday 10 July with a Mums and Bubs Day at Stuart Island, Nambucca Heads, from 10am to 2pm.
The event will include cultural dancing, women's weaving and floral arrangements by Ebony.
Morning tea and a barbecue lunch will be
These include Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, Lifetime Connect, Unkya Local Aboriginal Land Council, Mid North Coast Local Health District, Carer Gateway, Carers NSW, Muurrbay Aboriginal Language and Culture Cooperative, Mission Australia, HIPPY Australia, Uniting, ETC Employment & Training, ShoreTrack and many others.
The week-long program offers residents and visitors an opportunity to come together to celebrate Aboriginal culture, strengthen community connections and recognise the important contributions of First Nations people throughout the Nambucca Valley.
NAIDOC
July. Pictured are members of council’s Duguula Bindarray-Garri Aboriginal Advisory Committee. Photo: Supplied.
New commander takes the helm at Marine Rescue Nambucca
By Mick BIRTLES
MARINE Rescue Nambucca has celebrated another year of dedicated volunteer service with its Annual General Meeting and Change of Command Ceremony held at the Nambucca Heads RSL Club this week.
The evening brought together volunteers, guests and Marine Rescue NSW representatives to acknowledge the achievements of the past year, recognise outstanding service and officially appoint the unit's new leadership team.
Outgoing Unit Commander Gary Nichols reflected on his time leading the unit, telling those present how proud he had been to serve as commander and praising the strong team spirit that continues to define Marine Rescue Nambucca.
Mr Nichols thanked everyone who had supported him during his time in the role and commended volunteers for their professionalism and commitment.
He also congratulated members on the high level of skill required to perform their Marine Rescue duties and said they should all be proud of the volunteer work they undertake, which has saved lives on local waterways and will continue to do so.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the organisation, Mr Nichols was announced as a Marine Rescue life member during the evening.
Experienced Marine Rescue officer Colin Cracknell was officially appointed as the new Unit Commander.
Accepting the role, Mr Cracknell praised the standard achieved by the unit under Mr Nichols' leadership.
He said he was confident the unit would continue delivering the same high standard of service while embracing emerging technologies that will further strengthen Marine Rescue's capabilities and help make local waterways even safer.
Also announced were William Ries as Deputy Unit Commander Operations and Robert Payne as Deputy Unit Commander Administration.
The ceremony was attended by Marine Rescue NSW Director Ray Mazurek, Deputy Commissioner Darren Schott and Regional Training Manager Mitch Harvey.
Another highlight of the evening was the announcement of David Morris as a Marine Rescue Life Member.
Mr Morris was recognised for his tireless work behind the scenes, with his dedication playing a significant role in keeping the unit operating successfully.
Marine Rescue NSW is the state's official volunteer maritime search and rescue service.
Its network of more than 3,500 volunteers operates from 46 units strategically located along the NSW coastline and high-risk inland waterways, working with one mission, to save lives on the water.
Special thanks were also extended to Wendy Mills and the team at Nambucca Heads RSL Club for their continued sponsorship and support.
Their ongoing assistance with operational costs, including fuel, radios, portable batteries and other essential equipment, together with hosting the annual event, was acknowledged as an important contribution to the continued success of Marine Rescue Nambucca.
There were 15 people who expressed their interest and we thank them for their effort.
A report recommending the make up of the group will be submitted to Council by about August 2026. Should Councillors resolve the successful make up of the group, it is expected to hold its first meeting by the end of 2026.
q David Morris was formally announced as a Marine Rescue life member, by outgoing Commander Gary Nichols, for his tireless work and dedication playing a significant role in keeping Marine Rescue Nambucca operating successfully
q Colin Cracknell is appointed as the new Commander of Marine Rescue Nambucca with outgoing Commander Gary Nichols and training officer Grant Nicholas performing their traditional act of placing the commander’s shoulder boards.
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Unanimous vote to address severe service deficit
FROM Page 1
At the June 24 NVC meeting, councillors supported a motion from Cr Jane MacSmith to advocate for the Nambucca Valley, a region some in the community have dubbed the “Valley of No Services”.
NVC will formally write to the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, the Healthy North Coast Primary Health Network, and the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.
The motion targets severe gaps across local social and health services, including youth and family support, domestic violence services, mental health, allied health, and primary healthcare.
The correspondence will demand transparency on how an estimated $40 million in funding is being allocated, requesting a full breakdown of local service hours and contract value attributions to prove whether these services are genuinely reaching Nambucca Valley residents from organisations based in neighbouring LGAs.
“I'm not criticising [the providers], I'm more criticising the funding system,” Cr MacSmith told the chamber.
Pointing out that the Valley has the secondhighest mental health ED presentations on the Mid North Coast, she rejected populationbased excuses for denying local facilities like a headspace centre.
“There's no reason why we don't deserve place-based services ... that's a problem for our state and federal Ministers to solve.”
Cr Ljubov Simson echoed the frustration, describing the Valley’s historical service void as a “Bermuda Triangle,” where residents are
constantly forced to travel out of the area for critical health care.
A critical element of the motion is the community-led formal advocacy for a Gumbaynggirr-governed Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO).
For 30 years, local Aboriginal health services have been primarily delivered via outreach by Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service, a provider based in Kempsey on Dunghutti Country.
Speaking at the public forum, Gumbaynggirr woman Melinda Walker delivered a powerful plea for self-determination on behalf of the Nambucca Valley Community Working Party.
“Nambucca Valley is named in the funding but missing in the delivery,” Ms Walker said. “Outreach is not the same as a local service. A catchment area is not the same as community ... We do not just want services delivered to us. We want to lead them, shape them, govern them, and make sure they are accountable to the people who live here.”
Speaking to News Of The Area, Ms Walker highlighted the devastating human cost of this service gap, revealing that three community members have died this year due to late cancer diagnoses linked to the lack of local services.
She noted the community's top service priorities are mental health, drug and alcohol support, youth services, and domestic violence services.
Furthermore, Ms Walker warned that since the local Elders organisation folded two years ago, Aboriginal elders were increasingly facing isolation and poor mental health without adequate support.
“This is about cultural accountability for Gumbaynggirr people. Our community has been
disempowered for too long,” Ms Walker said. Councillors universally supported the push for a Gumbaynggirr-governed ACCHO.
Cr Jane MacSmith said, “The local Aboriginal community deserves to be in charge of their own health care.”
Cr Susan Jenvey agreed that after 30 years, the time for a Gumbaynggirr-governed ACCHO has come.
However, Cr Jenvey offered a blunt assessment of the state and federal government's "hub and spoke" models, telling News Of The Area that the Nambucca Valley is “just not big enough” to justify facilities like headspace, expressing greater concern over the recent closure of psychiatric beds at Kempsey Hospital.
Cr Jenvey attributed the broader service deficit to NVC’s historical failure to invest in human services infrastructure.
While neighbouring Bellingen secured a million-dollar Youth Hub and multiple neighbourhood centres because their council provided buildings, Nambucca historically did not.
When a group of 80 locals tried to establish a Neighbourhood Centre four years ago, the effort collapsed because they had no building and could not afford rent, Cr Jenvey explained.
Cr Jenvey told News Of The Area that “in the absence of funding at a state level”, council must step up to "provide the infrastructure and funding for a neighbourhood centre and a youth centre”.
She noted a local Neighbourhood Centre would act as a strategic hub that could support community development, connect organisations, and advocate for place-based funding.
From 1950s to today, Valley Players still making magic
By Mick BIRTLES
FOR more than seven decades, local theatre enthusiasts have been entertaining audiences and fostering creativity in the Nambucca Valley, and that proud tradition is continuing as the Valley Players prepare to present their latest home-grown production, ‘A Pirate’s Fortune’.
The group traces its origins back to the 1950s when it was established as the Macksville Music and Dramatic Society.
It later became known as the Valley Performers before members recently voted to return to the name many locals fondly remember, the Valley Players.
Adding to the sense of history, the group still boasts one of the original members of the
Macksville Music and Dramatic Society, Mr Elwin Butler.
The Valley Players currently have around 25 members and continue to attract new faces keen to be involved in community theatre.
This year's production, A Pirate’s Fortune, is another home-grown effort written and directed by Valley Players member Ruth Stuart.
Set in the 1800s, the comedy follows the exploits of Pirate Mad Dog Silver as he attempts to evade pursuing Spanish officers while hiding out in Manila with his vast treasure.
The two-act production transports audiences from the Salty Parrot Tavern in act one to a tropical island setting in act two.
Bringing the production to life has presented some unique challenges, particularly for the costume department, which has had to create outfits for pirates, mermaids and Spanish officers.
The play features a cast of 15 performers supported by a behind-the-scenes crew of seven.
Ms Stuart said producing original works allowed the group to cater for its members while helping keep live theatre thriving in the Valley.
The production has also benefited from a recent Special Effects Makeup Course provided
free of charge by TAFE NSW, with members undertaking the training and putting their new skills to use on the upcoming show.
Beyond the entertainment, the Valley Players continue to support the wider community.
Each year the United Hospital Auxiliary conducts a raffle during performances, with recent efforts raising more than $1800 for Macksville District Hospital.
Ms Stuart said the group was always keen to welcome new members.
“I love that the Valley Players provides a great space to be creative while, at the same time, enables all of us to have so much fun,” she told News Of The Area.
The Valley Players have long demonstrated that community theatre is about much more than putting on a show.
It is about friendships, creativity, laughter and preserving a tradition that has entertained generations of Nambucca Valley residents.
Their latest production, ‘A Pirate’s Fortune’, will be staged at the Macksville Ex Services Club on July 10, 11,12,17 and 18.
Tickets are available through the Macksville Ex Services Club, offering audiences another opportunity to enjoy local talent and support one of the Valley's longeststanding community groups.
q Getting ready for the Valley Players next production ‘A Pirates Fortune’ are writer and director Ruth Stuart, president of the Valley Players’ committee Sally Heather, and committee member Karen Forbes.
Scotts Head Master Plan draws debate
By Lani GREENHALGH
THE second phase of the Scotts Head Master Plan consultation process is well under way, with around 100 community members packing the Scotts Head Recreation Hut last Saturday to review draft proposals for the village’s public spaces.
The Scotts Head Community Group (SHCG) praised the turnout, noting planning documents became “a sea of colourful sticky dots, stars and handwritten comments."
Vice chairperson of SHCG Janet Granek commended Mayor Gary Lee’s enthusiastic engagement, while secretary Deena Gilroy encouraged residents to continue their strong participation by completing the second survey.
The current phase tests draft concepts for open spaces, car parking, streetscapes, and beach connectivity, with options ranging from traffic loops and formalising overflow parking, to reducing parking at the headland to increase public green space.
Locations under review include the Headland reserve, the Day Use reserve, the Village Green, and the Adin Street open space.
While some participants felt excited about the chance to collaborate, some local residents expressed disappointment with the process.
Resident Shayne Higson said, “I can’t make an informed decision on what’s been presented because we don’t have enough information about the pros and cons on various options and I think some options are missing.”
Resident Dr Jon Jenkins warned that “the online surveys and ‘sticker method’ are potentially open to accidental (or even malicious) misrepresentation of the wishes of residents”.
He described how “many residents were not aware of the drop-in sessions and I am concerned how few were able to participate in them”, and advocated for more inclusive consultation hours.
The council’s acting general manager David Moloney welcomed the community’s diverse perspectives and highlighted that targeted engagement with First Nations people was now under way through council’s Aboriginal Community Development Officer.
The Master Plan is jointly funded by Nambucca Valley Council ($55,000) and Reflections Holidays ($25,000).
Following Reflections’ recent decision to remove permanent vans from the park to replace with higher-yield cabins, some locals fear that Reflections’ commercial interests could jeopardise the interests of the community and environment.
Local resident Simone Rudolph said, “We have witnessed locally how the Reflections governance arrangement has eroded the quality of our public spaces and foreshore and, ironically, how it has eroded the agency we have over our own public spaces”.
Some of the tension may stem from a controversial 2013 decision by the NSW State Government which consolidated control of coastal public lands under the NSW Crown Holiday Parks Trust (now Reflections).
Consequently, Nambucca Valley Council does not have the jurisdictional authority to reclaim this land or alter the holiday park's boundaries - a reality that continues to frustrate locals.
A spokesperson from Locale Consulting reportedly told participants that the holiday park footprint is not up for discussion.
“Reflections has spent a lot of money purchasing new cabins for the Scotts Head
caravan park. How much is being spent on our public areas? We would like more transparency,” said resident Andrew Johnson.
Resident Simone Rudolph expressed frustration that the suggestion to return a section of the east end of the caravan park to public land was not considered as a way to improve traffic flow and parking “without losing any large significant trees".
Local resident Christine Prove added that the traffic loop proposed for the reserve could "impact our big beautiful iconic trees which are known owl habitat and reduce our green space".
Mayor Gary Lee told News Of The Area that after hearing the community’s feedback that indicated “they wanted more time to
engage with the master-plan Background Paper … Council has decided to extend the second phase of community consultation until 18 July 2026.”
Residents and visitors are encouraged to read the Scotts Head Master Plan Background Paper and complete the survey at www. nambucca.nsw.gov.au/ScottsHead
After the survey closes on July 18, a full draft Master Plan will be developed.
Council plans to consider the draft at the October 28 Ordinary Meeting.
Should Council resolve to exhibit the draft plan, there will be a formal public exhibition process.
Council intends for the final Scotts Head Master Plan to be reported by the end of 2026.
q Scotts Head resident Wayne Rowe with Locale Consulting director of learning and engagement Emma Broomfield. Photo: Nambucca Valley Council.
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Big day out at Sustainable Future Expo
By Jen HETHERINGTON
THE grounds at Unkya Reserve in Eungai Creek on Sunday June 28 were transformed into a highenergy communal atmosphere
of sustainable innovation and community connection during the Sustainable Future Expo.
The regularly scheduled ‘Funkya at Unkya’ market day swelled with integrated co-hosting by the Nambucca Valley Growers and Producers Association (NVGPA) and the Unkya Reserve Management Committee.
The landmark Sustainable Future Expo event was supported by a Nambucca Valley Council community grant.
Councillor Luby Ljubov Simpson provided an extensive report to News Of The Area.
“The festival commenced with a powerful Welcome to Country by Uncle Micklo Jarrett, followed by an inspiring performance from the Girrwaa Daguula choir,” Cr Simpson said.
“Designed to deliver practical solutions for localised resilience, the event featured a stellar lineup
of guest speakers addressing global concepts with everyday local impact.
“Key presentations focused on future planning and actionable sustainability, including Michelle Maloney on ‘Bioregional and nature-based Governance’, Graham Creed presenting on ‘Sustainable weather futures’ and ‘Living sustainably & saving money in 2026’, Geoff Tosio discussing ‘All things solar and electric’ and Dominic King exploring localized networks in ‘Micro communities’."
Eco-friendly commerce took centre stage with specialty market stalls featuring key regional stakeholders such as Our Energy Future, The Wellbeing Index, The Patch Organics, Blue Marble Farm, Harvest House, the Australian Institute of Horticulture, Organic Food Chain, Biodynamics Agriculture Australia, Landcare, WIRES, Reconstruction NSW, Rural Fire Service, Nambucca Valley Council and the Nambucca Valley Growers and Producers Association.
q NEMAS, the Dark Ages re-enactment club, demonstrated how people lived pre-industrialisation, when the world was truly 'sustainable' - woodwork, textiles, swords and armour. Images: Supplied.
q Councillor Luby Ljubov Simpson and Unkya Reserve representative Lisa Hall.
q Local Food Matters panel participation.
q ‘Twice Shy’ duo, featuring Christopher Allen Magennis and Stef Edwards, entertained the masses.
Surfers, swimmers and paddlers to benefit from $120 million aerial shark safety program
FROM Page 1
Nambucca Heads Surf Life Saving Club has already embraced drone technology, investing in two shark-spotting drones during the past season while training a number of members to operate them.
The drones are used not only for shark surveillance but also to assist with search and rescue operations.
The club said the investment would improve understanding of local shark populations and behaviour while also allowing operators to monitor surf conditions and other marine wildlife.
Regional operations will also be expanded to include drone flights every weekend throughout the year, daily patrols from 1 December to 30 April, extended operating hours from dawn until dusk, and continued school holiday coverage.
Importantly, surveillance will also extend to popular unpatrolled beaches, providing broader coverage for coastal users.
The program will continue to be led by Surf Life Saving NSW and will incorporate new artificial intelligence technology to improve shark detection, with trials of at least two AI systems planned over summer.
The government also intends to work with Surf Life Saving NSW and the Civil Aviation Safety
Authority to introduce more autonomous drone operations in the future.
Nambucca Heads SLSC representatives believe the technology adds another important layer of safety for local beachgoers.
The club said there has not been a significant observable increase in shark activity in the local area.
Members noted the shark listening beacon located off Nambucca Heads Main Beach already provides valuable information on tagged shark movements and encouraged the public to monitor activity through the Dorsal Watch website.
They said drones complement that system by enabling operators to detect untagged sharks and other marine life.
The club also stressed that while drones are an important safety tool, they are still limited by weather conditions.
Members continue to encourage people to swim at patrolled beaches between the red and yellow flags, where conditions are constantly monitored by lifesavers.
They also reminded beachgoers to avoid swimming at dawn or dusk, after heavy rainfall when the water is murky, or near baitfish and fishing activity, as these measures all help reduce the risk of shark interactions.
The club also noted that shark
trauma kits are available at the surf club and near the public showers at Nambucca Heads Main Beach should they ever be required.
The expanded drone program has also been welcomed by the local surfing community.
Loggerheads Malibu Club President Barry Jageo told News Of The Area that the additional surveillance would provide greater confidence for surfers using local beaches.
"We run monthly log boarding competitions and an annual classic competition in July where hundreds of surfers attend," Mr Jageo said.
"More measures such as drones have been announced by the state government giving us more confidence regarding safety."
Despite the technological advances, the government acknowledged that no mitigation measure can completely eliminate the risk of shark interactions.
Premier Chris Minns said the investment was about improving safety while recognising that no system could guarantee there would never be another shark incident.
"We know people love getting out to our beaches, and they should feel confident doing it.
"While no one can ever promise no shark interactions, this investment is about putting more eyes in the sky so we can spot sharks earlier and give people a clear heads-up when they’re in
Is there anyone out there
Stargazing
By Dave RENEKE
THE Earth is wrapped in a remarkably thin skin of life, a fragile layer where everything from microscopic organisms to towering forests, animals and intelligent beings exists. As far as we know, it remains the only place in the universe where life has taken hold, but the question of whether that is really true has fascinated humanity for centuries.
Few mysteries have captured our imagination more deeply than the possibility of life beyond Earth. It has inspired philosophers, scientists, dreamers and storytellers alike, and now, as science edges ever closer to answers, an even bigger question emerges: if we discover intelligent life beyond our planet, should we let them know we’re here?
The discovery of another civilisation would be one of the most profound moments in human history, shaking our understanding of ourselves and our place in the cosmos. The idea that Earth is
not unique - that somewhere out there another intelligence may also be staring at the stars -could unite humanity in ways never seen before, making borders, politics and our differences seem suddenly insignificant in the face of a far greater cosmic reality.
Yet there is another side to the story, and it is one that demands caution. Announcing our presence to the universe could carry enormous risks because we simply do not know what may be out there, or what their intentions might be. Would another civilisation greet us with curiosity and friendship, or see us as primitive, vulnerable, or even a threat? History on Earth has shown that encounters between unequal civilisations rarely end well for the weaker side, which is why some scientists argue that while we should continue listening, we should remain silent.
Others, however, see extraordinary opportunity in making contact. Communication with an advanced civilisation could transform life on Earth in ways almost impossible to imagine, opening doors to knowledge perhaps centuries or even millennia beyond our own. Such contact might bring breakthroughs in medicine, energy, space travel and even our understanding of consciousness itself, sparking the greatest leap forward in human progress ever
the water.
"More drones in the air means we’re getting a better picture of what’s happening offshore and it means we’ll get better at seeing them.
"We’re backing practical technology that helps keep families, surfers and swimmers safer right across the coast."
Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said the investment represented the most comprehensive aerial shark surveillance program ever undertaken in the state.
"NSW has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and we want people to enjoy them safely.
"This investment will deliver the most extensive aerial shark surveillance program we’ve ever had.
"We are significantly expanding drone coverage across Sydney and regional NSW, increasing the number of beaches monitored, extending operating hours and introducing new technology like AI, and these innovations will help extend drone coverage to more beaches at lower cost over time.
"While no measure can completely remove the risk of shark interactions, this program is about doing everything we can to reduce that risk and keep people safe in the water.
"This investment builds on the Minns Government’s commitment to a modern, science-based shark
management program focused on early detection, innovation and education."
Surf Life Saving NSW Chief Executive Officer Steve Pearce described the funding package as the largest commitment ever made to shark management in Australia.
"This package from the Minns Government is the largest ever funding commitment to shark management in Australia, and the largest uplift of funding to SLSNSW for the enhancement of coastal safety in NSW.
"This is an incredible investment in community safety, confidence and ensuring NSW has cutting edge technology and capacity to provide world class safety to NSW coastal users.
"The SLS NSW Shark UAV surveillance program has proven to be an extremely effective component of the NSW Shark Management Program, having this year alone identified and prevented over 2000 sharks interacting with swimmers and surfers, and conducting over 100,000 flights.
"Even with the greatest technology and expanded presence of drones, we cannot prevent all shark interactions, however this funding will allow the development of a safety program that will give the greatest opportunity to prevent these from occurring."
known.
The search for extraterrestrial intelligence, known as SETI, has been under way for decades, scanning the skies for signals from distant worlds. Although no confirmed evidence has yet been found, discoveries continue to build a compelling case that life may be widespread. Thousands of planets have now been discovered orbiting distant stars, many lying within the “habitable zone” where liquid
water could exist. At the same time, organic molecules, the basic building blocks of life, have been detected in deep space, while on Earth, strange organisms called extremophiles have shown us that life can thrive in boiling vents, frozen desserts and toxic environments once thought impossible to survive.
Each of these discoveries expands our understanding of where life might exist and brings us closer to answering the ultimate question. With powerful new telescopes and rapidly advancing technology, scientists are now closer
than ever to detecting signs of life, and perhaps even intelligent life, elsewhere in the universe.
But if that moment comes, who decides what happens next? Should one nation speak for Earth, or should the decision belong to all humanity? These are no longer questions for science fiction but real ethical challenges we may soon face. If the universe is alive with intelligence, the next great discovery may not simply be finding them, it may be deciding whether we should answer back. For more, visit Dave’s website: www.davidreneke.com
Many people believe Australia is headed in the wrong direction
DEAR News of the Area, APPARENTLY there are some people who just cannot understand why their beloved green teal Labor socialist alliance government has now been replaced by One Nation as the most popular political movement in Australia.
It seems they continue to eagerly lap up the gaslighting and the lies.
We are told that we have never had it so good, we should all just be quiet and keep voting such that either Labor (or the LNP) will form government again.
The reality is that we currently have a housing affordability crisis, an inflation crisis, a rental crisis, a hospital ramping crisis, an aged care crisis, an electricity affordability crisis, a fuel crisis, a productivity crisis and, most of all, a cost of living crisis that Labor falsely promised before the election to fix.
Instead, they have made it worse.
Australia's debt is soon predicted to exceed $1,000,000,000,000. One trillion dollars!
Intelligent people are well aware of Australia's decline in social, economic and living standards over the last two decades. They do not have their heads buried in the sand like some.
A clear majority believe that Australia is headed in the wrong direction.
The Australian people have been ignored by politicians who prefer to fly overseas and listen to the demands of unelected foreign bureaucrats pushing woke, green, left socialist agendas.
Over 120,000 people are homeless every night, yet our Government continues to bring in record numbers of migrants; over 300,000 in the last year and over 1,200,000 since Labor came to office.
I believe this is why housing
demand is exceeding supply, the rental vacancy rate is only 1 per cent and housing affordability is very low.
Many young people have given up on the great Australian goal of home ownership as prices have risen significantly due to high demand, and real wages have declined due to high inflation.
Australia's inflation rate is out of control, pushed higher than it is in other countries due to, I believe, record high Labor government spending running at 28 per cent of GDP .
The government spends hundreds of billions on renewables and net zero, which I believe has done nothing except force our energy costs higher, which in turn forces living costs, inflation, interest rates and mortgage payments higher.
They then spend even more borrowed money to compensate and
prop up businesses and households who are unable to meet their rising power bills.
Labor promised numerous before the last election to cut power bills by $275. They lied.
They are taking in more tax from Australians than ever before, yet now increase taxes again by $77 Billion in the budget after promising not to before the election. They lied again.
The government has carelessly increased the size of government, the public service, and our population. I believe this has caused a decline in productivity and GDP per person, resulting in declining living standards.
It should be no surprise to any intelligent and well-informed person that many people are now supporting One Nation; a party that seeks to unify Australia and to give equal opportunity and assistance to all Australians, regardless of their backgrounds.
A party that will put Australia first, not the UN or the EU. A party that will end the Paris Net Zero folly to save our precious farmland and bushland from the bulldozers, and to reduce our energy costs, our living costs, and boost our productivity.
A party that will cut immigration significantly to give our housing, hospitals, schools and infrastructure a chance to catch up, and give our children a chance to buy a home.
A party that will listen to the people, that will stop Government waste and will stop pushing transgender ideology.
Government policies have completely failed the Australian people in recent times, and many intelligent and well-informed people now want a real change that will put them and their country first, not last.
Regards, Peter Williams
Rising sea levels a catastrophic threat to humans and other creatures
DEAR News Of The Area,
I WOULD like to acknowledge that I do not have a Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science (with a major in Oceans, Ice, and Climate) or Earth and Environmental Sciences, or Oceanography.
I can and do read regularly about climate change and the effects it is having on our Earth.
Sea level rise is a major issue for many who live close to the sea around the world.
It is one of many indicators that indicate the effects humans are having on this beautiful planet, and we all need to make ourselves aware and act to reduce the effects of climate change.
What's the difference between global and local sea level?
Global sea level trends and relative sea level trends are different
measurements. Just as the surface of the Earth is not flat, the surface of the ocean is also not flat - in other words, the sea surface is not changing at the same rate globally.
Sea level rise at specific locations may be more or less than the global average due to many local factors: subsidence, upstream flood control, erosion, regional ocean currents, variations in land height, and whether the land is still rebounding from the compressive weight of Ice Age glaciers.
Here are some examples: New York. Like many coastal cities around the world, New York is at immediate and growing risk from rising sea levels. The 520 miles of shoreline of their city of islands include working waterfronts, beachfront communities built right up to the Atlantic Ocean, and neighborhoods built on landfill
and historic marshlands. In New York the sea level has risen eight inches since 1970, and the city has spent billions on mitigation works. Reading articles and talking with a neighbour whose daughter lives in New York some cannot use the basement or ground floor areas of their apartments because of sea level rises. The city has a budget for climate change mitigation, stating investments made today will shape New Yorkers’ lives for decades to come.
The New York City Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is charged with ensuring that the city’s $115.1 billion expense budget (Fiscal Year 2026) and planned capital funding of $196.7 billion (Fiscal Years 20252035) are managed responsibly and effectively so the city has the resources to meet its needs now
and in the future.
Papua and New Guinea
Tens of thousands of people hae been displaced because of sea level rise.
Two years ago fisher Siri James lived on the southern coast of Papua New Guinea, in a small village near Pariva beach. But as the tides continued to rise, James was forced to move further in from the shore.
“It’s not easy moving inland, I was born and raised by the seas, I am a fisherman. I know the flow of tides and currents, I know when the wind will come strongly and when it will rain – but now I don’t understand why everything is changing,” says James, who is in his early 40s.
He says the tides “seem to be growing every day”.
Oceans around Papua New Guinea are rising rapidly. Current
modeling projects an increase of 15 cm by 2030, with estimates soaring between 20 to 60 cm by 2090, depending on global emission.
Extreme natural fluctuations tied to the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) severely exacerbate these rates. During El Niño events, temporary localised sea level changes can spike by up to 30 mm per year.
High ocean temperatures are melting ice sheets, intensifying storms, and causing king tides to swallow low-lying atolls and islands.
Sir David Attenborough has warned that rising sea levels and ocean warming present catastrophic threats to coastal cities and marine ecosystems globally.
Regards, Colin Hutton, Thora.
U3A Ukelele Group welcomes would be strummers and pluckers
THE U3A Ukelele Group group has been going for more than over 10 years, and has 35 players at the moment.
We meet at the Nambucca Salvation Army Hall every Tuesday
between 1pm and 3pm.
Our range of music is varied and the skill level is from beginner to competent.
This week we held a theme day, which we hold every time five
Tuesdays occur in a month.
This time the theme was country.
Members had around three months to find and learn a song in the theme and perform for the group.
We had 21 members perform
Come help the Strikers aim high
By Sharon JANE
A SUCCESSFUL player recruitment drive has left Nambucca Soccer Club hungry for mentors who love the game and want to see the round-ball game thrive in the Valley.
"We now have 60 miniroos, aged between five and seven,” registrar and coaching coordinator Joel Mason told News Of The Area.
"This will help impact the future of youth in our area with valuable positive activity.”
Joel said that the club’s bigpicture goal was to field premier league teams, and that already some juniors were gaining experience playing in the men's and women's competitions.
"But we struggle with enough
volunteers,” Joel said. “We need coaches, managers, groundspeople and canteen helpers.”
Kelly Trisley, grandmother and team supporter, said that often parents were learning the ropes as the players were learning.
“[New coaches] need support from experienced players to help train them in coaching the younger teams,” she said.
Kendall Dodson, under-eights team manager and husband, coach Owen Dodson, said they had stepped in as beginners.
"A few weeks into training no one was coaching, so we stepped up,” Kendall said.
"Volunteer coaching can be a juggle with work and busy family life. This commitment can seem daunting but sharing the coaching roles amongst a group of parents
can work. The club supports this approach to make it more manageable."
News Of The Area asked under-10 boys coach Dave Jarrott what it took to coach.
"There is practice during the week, and preparing for the game, planning substitutes and directing players,” Dave said.
“Also, younger teams must take their turn being game leader, which is another name for referee.
"If you are confident knowing the game, and willing to learn the ropes with support from the club, you can contact us."
Anyone interested in joining the Strikers’ volunteers should follow the club on Facebook. Inquiries can be made on the club’s page, or via email at admin@ nambuccastrikersfc.com
this time.
We encourage anyone who likes music and singing to come along and give it a go.
Beginners are most welcome and instruments can be borrowed.
If anyone is interested please contact Tom Hodgson on 0429 82 9240.
Tom Hodgson, Scotts Head.
SPORT
q Nambucca Strikers Under 8s warming up at Bishop Druitt Oval on 20 June 2026.
Nambucca Heads women’s bowling club
THE Ladies Consistency Singles Final was played on Tuesday, with Kim Porter defeating Teresa Meehan 156-94 in an enjoyable match played in excellent spirit.
Both players produced quality bowls throughout the contest, providing an entertaining final for spectators.
Attention now turns to state competition, with Elaine Fleming and Sandra Seckold travelling to Dubbo on Monday to contest the State Pairs Playoffs.
The event will be played over three days, with Pat Fletcher accompanying the
team as substitute.
Club members wish the pair every success as they represent the club at state level.
Meanwhile, Thursday Social Bowls attracted 14 players despite cool and misty conditions.
One game of triples and two games of pairs were played, with several closely contested matches.
Deb and Marg recorded a narrow victory over Elaine and Sandra, while Gloria and Rosie defeated Colleen and Karen.
In the triples match, Alma, Arlene and Pam overcame
another
The lucky winners for the
Roosters go three for three against South Grafton Rebels
By Mick BIRTLES
THE South Grafton Rebels traveled over the weekend to meet the Nambucca Roosters at Coronation Park, Nambucca Heads, for three games of footy in Round 9 of the 2026 Group 2 competition.
Cool, overcast and dry conditions met players, the Roosters supporters, and a small band of South Grafton fans on Saturday in Nambucca Heads.
The big news for the home team was the return of Tyreece Sines who had started the 2026 season playing with Kempsey.
Sines was instrumental in the last two premiership wins for the Roosters so the anticipation of his return and the possibility of him being able to assist Nambucca in getting back to winning form was high.
He did not disappoint and, in a way, it was like he never left, having not lost
form since last year.
The visitors shocked the Roosters early with Izac McConnell picking up points for the Rebels just three minutes into the game, the try converted by Todd Cameron. It took the Roosters only two minutes to respond as a dropped ball from the kickoff put the home side just metres from the line, setting up a Craig Garvey try, Sines picking up the extras and the game went to 6-6.
Despite both sides getting points in the opening minutes the game then settled down to a grinding battle for the next 15 minutes with the Roosters spending the lion’s share of the time under pressure in their half.
The tussle was broken, with 22 minutes left in half, with a try by the Rebels’ number two, Jye Boeme, not converted, and South Grafton was in front 10-6.
Five minutes later a great busting run by Nambucca’s
Khan Jarrett, playing in inspiring form throughout the game, set the conditions for a Cam Simon try, Sines kicking the conversion, and the Roosters edged back in front 12-10.
South Grafton went well and truly back on the attack however were thwarted by errors when they seemed destined to score.
Then, with seven minutes left to play in the first half, in what was arguably the play of the game, Cale Ogilvy switched the direction of play in an instant, catching the visitors off guard and getting the ball to a rampaging Khan Jarrett who crossed the try line. The conversion was unsuccessful but the Roosters extended their lead.
Just two minutes later a line-break by Robbie Inglis resulted in more points for the Roosters, Sines on-point with the boot, and at half time the score was 22-10, Nambucca Roosters in front.
Whatever Coach Warrick Jones said to his Roosters at half time had the desired effect and with just one and a half minutes off the clock in the second stanza an 80-metre run by Cam Simon got him over for his second try for the day. This was converted by Sines and the Roosters stretched their lead to 28-10.
Only minutes later a series of clever chip-kicks put Robbie Inglis in position to pick up his second try for the day. This was not converted and the Roosters were at 3210.
From that point South Grafton tightened up their defensive play significantly, slowing down the points build-up. However, with 14 minutes left in the game, another big run by Khan Jarrett got Damon Simon-
Wilson in the clear for more Roosters points. His try was not converted and the score went to 36-14. It was here where a strong fight-back began for the Rebels, with Jye Boehme picking up his second try, followed soon after by great tries from Izac McConnell, his second, and Jack Fels scoring in the closing minutes. However, with the clock winding down, it was too late for the visitors to take the win home.
The final score was Roosters 36, Rebels 24.
The two other games played were also won by the Roosters.
The Women’s Tackle game was a crowd-pleaser with the home side doing well to overcome a Rebels outfit who knew how to run the ball and defend well.
It was Ladies Day at Coronation Park where the club paid homage to the women, mums, sisters and friends who make the game possible and the Roosters ladies took to the field hand in hand with a significant lady in their lives.
The final score in the women’s game was Roosters 34, Rebels 4.
As has been the case all season, it was the reserve grade game that provided the best game to watch of the afternoon, with both teams evenly matched and playing to win.
The Roosters took the win in a nail biter, 24-20.
This week the Nambucca Roosters celebrate their Indigenous Round hosting the Grafton Ghosts on Sunday 5 July at Coronation Park, the action beginning at 11:00 am.
Nambucca Valley Bridge Club News
By Barbara MARANIK
RESULTS for week ending 28th June 2026
Monday 22nd June 2026
North /South
1st Barbara Lott & Mike Siford 65%, 2nd Carol McKee & Vicky Walker 58%,
3rd Jules Cowles & Geoffrey Gardner 50% East /West
1st Judith Sonter & Bev Oldfield 57%, 2nd Judy Holliday & Robert Baker 52%, 3rd Equal Libby Knight & Maureen Cowan plus Lim Davidson & Jenette Fox 49%
Tuesday 23rd June 2026
1st Amber Fox & Carol McKee 61%, 2nd Maureen Cowan & Barb Maranik 57%, 3rd Jane & Greg Wood 42%
Wednesday 24th June 2026 -Pro AM North /South
1st Colleen Robertson & Jane Cruikshank 58%, 2nd Carol McKee & Polly Flood 52.9%, 3rd Robert Baker & Sandra Glover 52.2% East /West
day were Gloria and Rosie, while Karen and Colleen were named lucky losers.
Elaine was the lucky bowler, and Annmarie and Joan were the raffle winners.
The ladies are looking forward to another enjoyable day of bowls next week.
q Kim Porter and Teresa Meehan.
q Sandra Seckold and Elaine Fleming.
q Nambucca’s Khan Jarrett in devastating form against South Grafton on Saturday 27 June.
q Nambucca Roosters reserve-grade player Beau-Dean Jarrett-Marks was unstoppable in attack against South Grafton on Saturday 27 June.
Young Gumbaynggirr artist's design to shine in Roosters’ Indigenous Round
By Mick BIRTLES
THE Nambucca Roosters Rugby League Football Club will celebrate Indigenous Round this weekend, with a talented young Gumbaynggirr artist's work proudly featured on the club's 2026 Indigenous jersey.
The NRL Indigenous Round was officially launched in May 2007 to celebrate the cultural contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to rugby league.
Across the competition, the round is recognised through cultural ceremonies and specially designed Indigenous jerseys worn by competing teams.
Each year, the Nambucca
Roosters invite young local Gumbaynggirr artists to submit artwork for the opportunity to have their design featured on the club's Indigenous jersey.
This year's successful artist is 16-year-old Tehnaya West, who was born and raised in Bowraville.
Speaking with News Of The Area, Tehnaya said art has been part of her life since she was a young child.
"I was inspired by watching my nan, Margie Buchanan, painting when I was a little girl," she said.
Tehnaya said she had been creating Indigenous artwork since the age of six and was thrilled to have her design selected by the Roosters.
"I am very proud and
excited that my artwork was chosen by the Nambucca Roosters," she said.
She added that one of the driving forces behind her artwork is ensuring Indigenous culture continues to be shared with future generations.
Tehnaya hopes her artwork not only represents her culture but also inspires younger Aboriginal children to embrace their own cultural identity through art.
Nambucca Roosters Club
President Peter Bellden said the club looks forward to once again celebrating Indigenous Round with players, supporters and the wider community.
"The day will also feature Indigenous cultural elements such as smoking ceremonies and indigenous dancing," Mr Bellden told NOTA.
The day's rugby league action will begin with the under-18s kicking off at 11am.
The Women's Tackle, Reserve Grade and First Grade matches will follow, creating a full day of football celebrating both sport and culture.
For the Nambucca Roosters, Indigenous Round has become much more than a game day, providing an opportunity each year to recognise the rich culture and contribution of the local Gumbaynggirr community while showcasing the artistic talents of the region's young people.
"There are many heroes who have donated their time for this club over the years, and today by my count we have 50 volunteers on the books," Mr Harris said.
"Brad Fortescue (local earthmoving firm principal) is one of those heroes in cleaning up after the floods, while the club has raised more than $50,000 through its bottle recycling efforts.
"These people have set a very high benchmark."
Gow, a veteran host of golf shows on Fox Sports, took the mic after accepting an invitation to the dinner from long-time friend and current Nambucca Heads Professional Paul Habgood.
Gow regaled the soldout celebration with tales
of his early years playing in the United States, and his takeaways on some of the greatest pro golfers the world has seen.
These included recollections of light-hearted moments with former professional rugby league players Paul 'Fatty' Vautin and John 'Jonty' Gibbs, and the infamous stoush Gow had with multiple golf Major winner Phil Mickelson.
In a media interview, Gow revealed he'd been snubbed by the gifted lefty at a players' breakfast when the young Aussie - a rookie on the US circuit - twice tried to introduce himself to Mickelson who was sitting opposite.
Gow's comments saw him issued with a $5,000 fine by the governing body
for 'bringing the game into disrepute' which 'went away' after he received support from Tiger Woods.
"I was full of nerves when I first started playing (in the US) and I used some (Australian) PGF clubs - for those who remember them - in my first PGA event. One of the Americans asked me what PGF stood for and I said 'Paul Gow Fashion' so they thought I had my own design company," Gow said.
On a more serious note, Gow said Mickelson and John Daly were the "most talented" players he had seen, while Woods' sustained success was due to his relentless dedication on the practice range.
Centenary book author Mike Post - who also penned a history tracing the first 100
years of the St Michael's club in Sydney's east - said the Nambucca story was a delight to discover.
"I went through the club's archives and also used Trove [an online history portal]," Post said.
"When I found something out I had to determine if it was true and if it was accurate. I enjoyed every single step of the journey."
As the title '100 years of resilience, growth and relocation' suggests, the book traces the rollercoaster history of a club which has battled innumerable floods, financial hardship, relocation and thoughts thereof, and steady expansion.
The original course was little more than a goat-track on the Nambucca Headland before relocating to Stuart
Island as a nine-hole layout, and in 1992, to a full-length 18 holes.
"The most prolific club champions are mentioned which includes Brian Burns who won the men's champs 20 times and Anne Wilson who won the ladies championships 12 times," Mr Harris said.
"Today we are blessed with one of the best venues on the Mid North Coast."
The nearby golf clubs of Coffs Harbour and Grafton are also marking their centenary in 2026, while the Nambucca history includes some comical moments.
In the 1990s, it was a popular social pastime for beverage-enhanced members at The Island to attempt to drive a ball across the
Nambucca River, until one day they decided to aim at a fisherman in his tinny. The police were called and this recreational activity was subsequently banned.
The book also talks to the 'shot of the century', when current member Trevor Peck miscued his tee shot on the short 13th. The ball ricocheted off some skinny sheoaks and came to rest next to the porcelain inside the cubicle of the sole on-course toilet.
"The first 100 years have been a remarkable ride and full credit to the efforts of the volunteers who have helped us get to where we are now," Mr Harris said.
The Nambucca centenary book can be downloaded for free at https://namgolf.com/
q A sold-out centenary dinner attracted a 130-strong crowd.
q Nambucca Golf Club president Geoff Harris and wife Jan at the centenary dinner.
q Guest speaker, two-time US Open player and TV celebrity Paul Gow.
q The Nambucca Heads Island Golf Course as it stands today.
q Proudly displaying the jersey artwork for this weekend’s Indigenous Round are, from left, Khan Jarrett, Cameron Simon-Wilson, artist Tehnaya West, Dom Robinson, and Wulaaran Walker.
By Manny WOOD
Blast from the past carries truth bomb
DANIEL passes away unexpectedly, leaving no will.
Daniel’s mother, Amanda, consults a solicitor regarding the administration of the estate.
Amanda tells the solicitor that Daniel was never married, did not leave a de facto partner and had no children.
The solicitor advises Amanda that, in the circumstances, she is entitled to the whole of Daniel’s estate. This consists of a home worth $500,000.
With the assistance of the solicitor, Amanda sells Daniel’s home and uses the proceeds of sale, together with some of her savings, to purchase a new home in her name. She moves into the home with her husband.
Ten years later, Amanda receives a message via Facebook from a young man named James. He informs her that she may be his grandmother.
James discovers that Daniel has passed away and asks Amanda about his father’s estate.
James obtains legal advice and a paternity test is conducted. The paternity test concludes that James is Daniel’s biological child.
James commences action in the Supreme Court of New South Wales, naming Amanda as the defendant, seeking orders that she compensate him on the basis that he is entitled to the whole of his father’s estate, based on “the rules of intestacy”.
At the hearing, Amanda reveals that she had been aware before Daniel’s death that James was in fact his son.
Under cross-examination, Amanda states that James should not be entitled to his inheritance, because “family should not sue each other”.
The Court concludes that Amanda should have instructed her solicitor that James was Daniel’s son and on the basis of a “misappropriation of trust property” orders that James is entitled to the whole of Daniel’s estate.
Despite resistance from Amanda, the Court further orders that James can “trace” the proceeds of his father’s estate, which were used to primarily fund the acquisition of Amanda’s home and on this basis, he is entitled to an interest in her property calculated at 82.3%.
If you have a request for a Hypothetical, call Manny Wood on (02) 66 487 487 or email manny@ tblaw.net.au.
This fictional column is not legal advice.
OPINION & LETTERS Dorin's Drawings
By Paul DORIN
Conspiracy theories crowd out consideration of real issues
DEAR News Of The Area,
THE letter by Rodney Fox in a recent NOTA made a significant observation with regards not only to the topic of “chemtrails” but to conspiracy fantasies in general.
“Attempts to belittle or ridicule those seeking answers are unlikely to be effective when many people have already informed themselves on the subject,” Mr Fox wrote.
I refuse to use the term “theory” and use the term “fantasy” deliberately, not to belittle or ridicule, but to be clear and concise.
For an idea to be considered a theory it must be based on evidence, it must demonstrate causality, and it must be testable.
A fantasy is often the result of confusing correlation with causation, incomplete evidence, and untestable claims.
To be fair to Mr Fox, and
at the risk of giving credence to his unsubstantiated claims of a conspiracy, there is real evidence of the US government doing secret, nefarious experiments in the 1950s. Look up Operation Seaspray in Wikipedia.
But whether it is the issue of “chemtrails”, or 5G towers causing ones testicles to shrink, or vaccines causing COVID, my frustration is that these conspiracy fantasies, often inflated by foreign entities, instil unnecessary fear in people, divide our communities, and crowd out our mental space from considering real issues.
As a community and a country, and globally, we have to deal with the very real consequences of a changing climate, of a dependence on fossil fuels, and a rising economic disparity that is extinguishing hope among those on the wrong side of the divide. We need to make changes, as uncomfortable as that is.
On the Couch
By JASMINDA
DEAR Jasminda,
I AM keen to dip my toe into a spiritual awakening. I'm leaning towards Buddhism but I don't think I can give up meat. Any suggestions on a more achievable religion?
Henry B.
Dear Henry,
I DON’T know if I am qualified to guide you in the direction of an achievable religion.
I'm also confident any attempts are doomed, along with directions around other frequent 'no go' topics including politics.
My take is that all religions are open to interpretation and the potential for extreme views is based on those interpretations.
In reference to Buddhism, I think you will find that there are Buddhists who eat meat (but
Meanwhile, we have populist voices in Australia blaming migrants for rising house prices. However, when the Labor government proposes changes to the tax system to address this problem, and the prospect of these tax changes causes house prices to fall slightly, these same populist voices bemoan the fact, claiming the tax changes are unfair. So, what is it? Are house prices influenced by migrant numbers or tax structures?
Why fear diversity when it enriches us all
DEAR News Of The Area,
NO country in the modern world is truly monocultural.
Having lived in Myanmar (Burma), Thailand and, for a short time, Cambodia, as well as travelling to around 16 countries, I have seen firsthand that every nation is shaped by a rich mix of cultures, ethnicities, languages and faiths. Diversity is not an exception; it is the reality of our world.
Even within my own family of six people, our ancestry includes Burmese, two different Chin ethnic groups, Irish, Scottish, Russian (Ethnic Russian), Indian, Chinese and Rakhine heritage. We
Macksville
see this diversity as a strength and something to celebrate.
Cultural diversity brings a wonderful variety of foods, traditions, languages, ideas, and experiences that enrich our lives and broaden our understanding of one another, resulting in a stronger and more resilient society.
The reality is that our planet itself is multicultural. Diversity is not something new or unusual, is a natural part of human society and has been throughout history.
Australia is no different. Our nation has been shaped by First Nations peoples, successive generations of migrants, and people from every corner of the globe who have contributed to our
Country Club Golf SPORT
By Max TURNER
MACKSVILLE Auto Saloon’s sponsored four person Ambrose showed how popular these events are with a field of over 70 competing.
The team of Mick Manning, Dale Brunsdon, Pud Ledger and Dane Luffman ended up with a net 53.6, three shots ahead of runners up Graham Everett, Jo Montague, Indi Lipscomb and Mal Brown. Straight shooters with nearest the pins went to Jo Montague and
Tricia Ziebel and longest drives were Jordan Welsh Div 1 , Keith Pitt Div2 , Vicki Joyce (ladies) and Austin Booth (non handicap).
The Mid Week competition was won by the consistent Jim Wilkes with Mick O’Brien finishing runner up.
The ladies played a Stableford on Tuesday with Rhonda McAuliffe returning to the winners list ahead of runner up Sharon Howett. Desma Hughes and Dianne Hopkins were the straight shooters.
The first week of the Chook Run sees 90 year old Graham Vincent four shots ahead of his nearest rival.
don't personally kill any animals including insects) and others who are strict vegetarians.
Again, it comes down to the different schools of thought within a particular religion.
Your first line gives me some idea on your personal reticence to take on any form of spiritual awakening.
Dipping your toe in, in my opinion, is a great way to start. It's much like dipping your toe into the ocean. You can either think, ok, I can do this, and allow yourself to be immersed in increments until you actually feel quite comfortable.
Or you can dip your toe in and realise that the conditions are too extreme or unpleasant and run in the opposite direction.
In most towns, there are numerous opportunities to explore different forms of spirituality.
These may be related to a more conventional gathering at a church, or a spiritual awakening found in nature or other expressions such as humanism or mindfulness.
Why not give yourself a goal of exploring one of the many and varied options each month and by the end of the year, you may have found what you are looking for, or found 'your people'.
Carpe diem, Jasminda.
And, finally, Labor. You have a whopping majority and you have the public’s overwhelming support to ban all gambling advertising. Be bold and stand up to vested interests. We do not want something half-arsed that will be ineffective. Give us reason to hope that good policy is possible.
Regards, Peter Sobey, Valla.
laws, democratic principles, and values.
communities, economy and way of life.
No one is less Australian because their cultural background is different.
No one is less Australian because they speak a language other than English at home.
No one is less Australian because they follow a different faith, enjoy different foods, or maintain cultural traditions passed down through generations.
Australia is a diverse and multicultural country that values respect, inclusion, and equal opportunity for all. We embrace and celebrate our differences while recognising that we are united by a shared commitment to Australia’s
Regardless of our cultural backgrounds, mutual respect and adherence to the law help us live, work, and thrive together as one community.
At the end of the day, our shared humanity is far more important than our differences. Life is too short to create division or hostility based on culture, language or belief. Instead, we should learn from one another and celebrate the diversity that makes our communities stronger, more vibrant and more resilient.
Diversity does not weaken a nation, it enriches it.
Regards, Htun Htun Oo (H2O)
q Jack Grant, Jessica Lambert, Peter Lambert and Tim Wilkes putting for a birdie on the sixth.
For Sale
Positions Vacant
U3A Nambucca Valley is looking for an experienced and willing volunteer to assist with secretarial duties e.g. agendas, minutes, AGM and other duties from time to time. Email: contact@U3A.com.au or ph 0494 157 164
DYSON V7 Advanced Quick Start, plus attachments. Purchased 2023, new battery 2025 $150 ono. Ph 6654 0027
FORD car engines x 2 complete, suitable for parts or rebuilding. $300 ono for the pair. Ph 0413 077 493 RUS181226CCNV
and stool in GC, over 50 player rolls $1,800 ono. 0498 176 876
PUPPY crate, large 75cm x 50cm x 60cm H Only used for 2 months $45. Photo can be supplied. 0490 161 119
GL refrigerator good working order $50 0410 199 915
HIGH back orthopedic chair. Designed for the elderly as used in hospitals. $100 Photos can be supplied. Ph 0490 161 119
SATURDAY
COOPER & FRY
ABC TV, 7.30pm
You know the formula by now: a gifted detective with a hidden past moves to a moody, rural setting where they team up with a weary local cop to solve a spate of mysterious murders… immediate dislike slowly gives way to mutual respect and maybe even more. In this snappy adaptation of Stephen Booth’s best-selling crime novels, the mismatched duo are Diane Fry (Mandip Gill, pictured) and Ben Cooper (Robert James-Collier), unlikely partners thrown together to investigate a series of strange deaths in the Peak District.
FRIDAY, July 3
6.00 Morning Programs. 10.30 Stuff The British Stole. (PG, R) 11.00 Race Around The World. (M, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Portrait Artist Of The Year. (R) 1.50 Ground Up. (Mls, R) 2.15 Guy Mont Spelling Bee. (Final, PG, R) 3.00 Restoration Australia. (PG, R) 3.55 Murdoch Mysteries. (PGv, R) 4.40 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.35 Monty Don’s British Gardens. Monty Don travels from Wales to Norfolk.
8.35 Saint-Pierre. (Premiere, Mv)
An exiled inspector is sent to the French collectivity of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon.
9.20 Gruen. (PG, R) Presented by Wil Anderson.
9.55 Would I Lie To You? (PG)
10.25 ABC Late News.
10.45 Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee. (Final, PG, R)
11.30 The Control Room. (Final, M, R)
12.30 Rage New Music. (MA15+dhlnsv)
5.00 Rage. (PG)
ABC FAMILY (22)
6am Children’s Programs. 1.30pm PJ Masks. 1.50 Kangaroo Beach. 2.30 The Makery. 3.00 Play School. 3.25 Wiggle. 4.05 Andy’s Dino Island. 4.20 Santiago Of The Seas. 5.30 Talking Tom Heroes. 5.55 PJ Masks. 6.45 HexVets And Magic Pets. 7.05 Gardening Australia Junior. 7.30 MOVIE: 200% Wolf. (2024, PG) 9.10 Caper Crew. 10.00 MythBusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 10.50 Late Programs.
MONDAY
ADAM LIAW’S NORTH AMERICAN FAN FEASTS
SBS FOOD, 8.30pm
Adam Liaw (pictured) steps out of The Cook Up kitchen to host this new six-part travel series that explores the intersection of sport and food across the FIFA World Cup host nations: the United States, Canada and Mexico. It’s less about the deep-fried delights gobbled up by hungry spectators in packed stadiums, and more about the remarkable way that shared passions can help unite diverse communities. The MasterChef Australia kicks off his appetitewhetting adventure in vibrant Vancouver, on Canada’s west coast, where he showcases the picturesque city’s celebrated seafood with a decadent prawn and lobster poutine.
6.00 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Round of 32. ESP v AUT. Cont. 7.30 WorldWatch. 8.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Round of 32. POR v CRO. 11.30 WorldWatch. 12.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Round of 32. SUI v ALG. 3.30 Bettany Hughes: History Of Mother Earth. (PG, R) 4.30 Nefertiti: The Raiders Of The Lost Tomb. (PGa, R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Paul Merton: Driving Amazing Trains. (PG)
8.30 Rain Bombs.
9.25 No Hamburg, No Beatles. (Mdns, R)
10.25 SBS World News Late.
10.55 FIFA World Cup 2026: Highlights Show.
11.25 The King. (MA15+v)
12.20 The Typist. (MA15+v, R)
1.30 Her War, Her Story: WWII. (PGa, R)
2.30 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (PG, R)
3.00 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Round of 32. AUS v EGY.
TUESDAY LUCY WORSLEY’S VICTORIAN MURDER CLUB
ABC TV, 8.30pm
Its title may evoke the charm it plunges viewers into Victorian-era London to unravel the grisly actions of one of Jack the Ripper’s lesser-known contemporaries. The Thames Torso Murders remain a notorious series of unsolved killings from the late 1880s, during which the dismembered remains of slain women were cast into the city’s waterways. The final instalment jumps forward 12 years to 1902, when a new incident provides a fresh lead. Worsley and her all-female team of experts stop at nothing to crack the case.
6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Hosted by Johanna Griggs.
7.30 Football. AFL. Round 17. Sydney v Western Bulldogs.
10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews.
11.15 GetOn Extra. A look at the weekend’s best racing.
11.45 Autopsy USA: Verne Troyer. (Ma, R) A look at the death of Verne Troyer.
12.45 MOVIE: The Vows We Keep. (2021, PGa, R) Fiona Gubelmann.
3.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
5.00 NBC Today.
6.00 9News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 18. Penrith Panthers v South Sydney Rabbitohs. From CommBank Stadium, Sydney.
9.55 NRL Friday Night Footy PostMatch. Post-match coverage and analysis of the NRL game between the Penrith Panthers and South Sydney Rabbitohs.
10.45 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 5. From the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, England. 12.00 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 5 Late.
5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
5.30 Postcards. (PG, R) Livinia Nixon visits the Hamilton Gallery.
6.00 10 News+.
6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R)
7.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG, R) Hosted by Rebecca Gibney.
7.30 Selling Houses Australia. (PGa, R) The team helps a man sell his house in Terrigal. 8.40 Have You Been Paying Attention? (Malns, R) Celebrity panellists compete to see who can remember the most about events of the week. 9.40 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather. 10.40 The Big Bang Theory. (PGs, R) 11.30 10 News+. (R) 12.00 Home Shopping. (R)
6am Morning Programs. 3.30pm Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.30 Bewitched. 6.30 Nanny. 7.30 MOVIE: Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets. (2002, PG) 10.45 MOVIE: Gretel & Hansel. (2020, M) 12.30am MOVIE: The Foreigner. (2017, MA15+) 2.45 Parental Guidance. 4.00 Barbie It Takes Two. 4.30
SATURDAY, July 4
6.05 Kath & Kim. (PGals, R) Brett has some exciting news.
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) Presented by Tom Gleeson.
7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.
7.30 Cooper & Fry. (Premiere, Ma)
A veteran detective is paired with a new arrival.
9.05 Doc Martin. (PG, R) Martin makes efforts to overcome his fear and questions his decision to resign.
9.50 The Capture. (MA15+, R) Carey is under pressure to charge Whitlock.
10.50 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) Continuous music programming.
WorldWatch. 11.00 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Round of 32. COL v GHA. 2.00 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Round of 32. ESP v AUT. Replay. 5.00 Going Places. (PG, R) 5.30 Operation: March
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Round of 32. Australia v Egypt. Replay.
9.30 National Parks From Above: Ireland. (R)
10.25 Rock Legends. (PGa, R)
10.55 FIFA World Cup 2026: Highlights Show.
11.25 Beautiful Game Changers. 11.30 Snowpiercer. (Mv, R)
12.25 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (R)
12.55 Cycling. Tour de France. 3.45 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (R) 4.15 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 Euronews. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Hosted by Johanna Griggs.
8.00 The Great Outdoors. (Return, PG) A look at luxurious travel destinations.
8.30 MOVIE: Jurassic Park. (1993, PGv, R) Genetically engineered dinosaurs run amok in an isolated theme park after a security breakdown. Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum.
10.55 Farmer Wants A Wife. (PGals, R)
12.35 MOVIE: Love At Sky Gardens. (2021, PGa, R)
2.30 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 It’s Academic. (R)
5.00 House Of Wellness. (PG, R)
6.00 9News Saturday.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Rugby Union. Nations Championship. Round 1. Australia v Ireland. From Allianz Stadium, Sydney.
10.00 Nations Championship: Australia v Ireland PostMatch. A post-match wrap-up of the Nations Championship game between Australia and Ireland. 10.30 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 6. From the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, England. 12.00 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 6 Late. 5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)
6.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated by Dr Chris Brown. 7.30 Selling Houses Australia. (PGa) The team tries to tweak a floor plan for Bree and Caleb, who fell in love with the treetop feel of their house. 9.30 Ambulance UK. (Madl, R) With junior doctors across the NHS on strike, ambulance crews respond to several road traffic accidents, including one where a man requires advanced pain relief after severely injuring his private parts. 11.30 FBI. (MA15+v, R) A young man is found dead on federal land. 12.30 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.
SUNDAY, July 5
6.30 Compass: Fran Lebowitz With Benjamin Law.
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Race Around The World. (Ml) Six filmmakers travel the world.
8.30 Ground Up. (Ml) The Symphony Orchestra is unhappy with the proximity of the new stadium to their concert hall.
9.00 The Capture. (MA15+) The scale of the conspiracy reveals itself.
10.05 Cooper & Fry. (Ma, R)
11.40 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
2.45 Poh’s Kitchen. (R)
3.10 Doc Martin. (PG, R)
4.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
5.00 Insiders. (R)
6am Hercules. (1958, Italian) 7.50 The Fifth Element. (1997, PG) 10.15 Confessions Of Felix Krull. (2021, German) 12.20pm The Sitting Duck. (2022, M, Hungarian) 2.35 Dean Spanley. (2008, PG) 4.30 The Great Dictator. (1940, PG) 6.50 Muppets From Space. (1999) 8.30 The Ladykillers. (2004) 10.30 Vera And The Pleasure Of Others. (2023, MA15+, Spanish) 12.25am Late Programs.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Eiffel Tower: Life Behind The Scenes: Pt 1. (Premiere) A behindthe-scenes look at the Eiffel Tower.
8.35 Paris Hotel De Ville: A Masterpiece. (R) Takes a look at the Hotel de Ville in Paris, home to the city council and mayor.
9.35 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 2.
2.10 A Certain Mother. (PGan, R) 3.30 Tommy Fleming: 30 Years Of Song. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.15 Euronews.
5.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Round of 16.
of 32. Spain v Austria. Replay. 2am NHK World English News. 2.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Round of 16. 6am Morning Programs. 3pm Cycling. Tour de France. H’lights. 4.00 Bamay. 4.20
6am Morning Programs. 12.30pm Timbersports. STIHL Series. Replay. 1.00 Blokesworld. 1.30 Lady Torque TV. 2.00 Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars. 3.00 Motor Racing. National Drag Racing Championship. Round 3. Nitro Champs. 4.00 Duck Dynasty. 5.00 Counting Cars. 6.00 Pawn Stars. 7.00 Storage Wars. 7.30 MOVIE: Back To The Future Part III. (1990, PG) 9.55 MOVIE: Midnight Run. (1988,
1.50 MOVIE: Evicted: A Modern Romance. (2022, M) 4.00 Surfing Australia TV. 4.30 Barney’s World. 4.50 Cry Babies Magic Tears. 5.10 Mia & Codie. 5.30 Wild Manes.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Farmer Wants A Wife. (PGals) Hosted by Natalie Gruzlewski.
8.40 7NEWS Spotlight. Focuses on major breaking news events and long-form investigations of national significance.
9.40 Anita Cobby: You Thought You Knew It All. (Malv, R) An interview with Anita Cobby’s husband.
11.40 Autopsy USA. (Mad, R)
12.40 Angelyne. (Ml)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
8.35 60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating, analysing and uncovering the issues affecting all Australians.
9.35 The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power. (Premiere, Mhv) In Middle-earth, Galadriel is disturbed by signs of an ancient evil’s return. Arondir makes an unsettling discovery. 10.50 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 7. 12.00 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 7 Late.
5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
6am Sometimes Always Never. Continued. (2018, PG) 6.30 Muppets From Space. (1999) 8.05 Dean Spanley. (2008, PG) 10.00 The Ladykillers. (2004) Noon That Good Night. (2017, M) 1.40 Hercules. (1958, Italian) 3.35 The Movie Show. 4.05 Limelight. (1952, PG) 6.35 The Wedding Planner. (2001, PG) 8.30 Raising Arizona. (1987) 10.20 Munich. (2005, MA15+) 1.20am Late Programs.
Nambucca Bowls Report
By Charlie POTTER
WEDNESDAY June 24: 30 bowlers competed in the Selected Triples. Winners were Maurie Herbert, TheWelder and Cosi. Mick Boyle, Alvin Gardiner and Robert Chibnall were second and Psycho, Bill Mann ad Stu Hughes third. Drew Stephens, Dallas Nancarrow and Butch Ruane were the Lucky Losers. Drew was also the Lucky Bowler but missed drawing his rink for the jackpot of $180. Fri Jun 26. Being the last Friday of the month, it was Laverty's day again with double prizes and our gratitude to Laverty's for their generous support. The day's winners
Friday, 3 July 2026
were Paul Ward, Todd Ryan and Michael Thomas and Bob Sutton, Russell Barnett and Paddy Byrne. Second places to Perry McNally, Bill Mann and Mick Boyle and M. Gill, Robert Chibnall and Graham Hunt. Third to Frank Ronan, Ken Summo and Urky and P. Howard, John Morgan and Chris D'Elboux. Two Lucky Loser teams... Mike James, Brian Phillis and Duffo and Trevor Hannaford, Terry and Matt
6am Morning Programs. 8.00 Seinfeld. 8.30 Australian Ninja Warrior. 10.30 LEGO Masters: Grand Masters Of The Galaxy. 5.20pm MOVIE: DC League Of Super-Pets. (2022, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes. (2023, M) 10.35 MOVIE: Chaos Walking. (2021, M) 12.35am Arrow. 4.00 Hop. 4.30 Lego Dreamzzz. 5.10 Cry Babies Magic Tears. 5.30 Beyblade Burst QuadStrike.
Harvey. Michael Thomas was the Lucky Bowler but failed to win the Jackpot. Sun. Jun 28. Sunday Social bowls attracted 23 bowlers and Deb Mann, Teresa Meehan and Margaret Duffus were the winners with Linley Fanning, Roger McGuigan and Elaine Fleming the Lucky Losers. Teresa Meehan drew her rink for the $115 Jackpot.
6.30 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 7.00 MasterChef Australia.
9GO! (83) 9GO! (83)
6.00
6am Children’s Programs. 3pm Play School. 3.25 Wiggle. 4.05 Andy’s Dino Island. 4.20 Santiago Of The Seas. 5.30 Talking Tom Heroes. 5.55 PJ Masks. 6.45 HexVets And Magic Pets. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.40 Ninjago: Dragons Rising. 8.05 Young Sheldon. 8.30 Young Sheldon. 8.50 Expedition With Steve Backshall. 9.40 Chopped Junior. 10.25 Kids Baking Championship. 11.05 Late Programs.
6.00 Mastermind Australia. Presented by Marc Fennell.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Michael Palin: Into Iraq. (PGa, R) Michael Palin continues his journey into the heart of Iraq, arriving in Kirkuk.
8.30 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 3. Granollers to Les Angles. 195.9km mountain stage. From Spain and France.
1.40 Daniel O’Donnell: Home To Donegal. (PG, R)
2.30 Osher Günsberg: A Matter Of Life And Death. (Ma, R)
4.00 Tradfest: The Dublin Castle Sessions. (R)
4.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Round of 16.
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SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Dean Spanley.
Continued. (2008, PG) 7.30 Limelight. (1952, PG) 10.00 Raising Arizona. (1987) 11.50 The Professor And The Madman. (2019, M) 2.20pm Broken Hill. (2009, PG) 4.20 The Bookshop. (2017, PG) 6.25 Walkabout To Hollywood. (1980, PG) 7.30 Return To Seoul. (2022, M) 9.40 Journey Home, David Gulpilil. (2025, M) 11.25 Servant Or Slave. (2016, M) 12.35am Bare. (2015, MA15+) 2.15 Late Programs.
TUESDAY, July 7
4.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)
6am Children’s Programs. 3.25pm Wiggle. 4.05 Andy’s Dino Island. 4.20 Santiago Of The Seas. 5.30 Talking Tom Heroes. 5.55 PJ Masks. 6.45 HexVets And Magic Pets. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.40 Ninjago: Dragons Rising. 8.05 Young Sheldon. 8.25 Young Sheldon. 8.50 Savage Builds. (Final) 9.30 MythBusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 9.55 BattleBots. 10.40 Animals Up Close With Bertie Gregory. 11.25 Late Programs.
6.00 Mastermind Australia.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Portugal With Michael Portillo. (PGaw, R) Michael Portillo explores Portugal.
8.30 Insight. Kumi Taguchi looks into the idea that Australia’s libido is waning, or if we are redefining sex and intimacy.
9.30 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 4. Carcassonne to Foix. 181.9km hilly stage. From France.
1.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Round of 16.
4.30 Tradfest: The Dublin Castle Sessions. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Round of 16.
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SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Walkabout To Hollywood. Continued. (1980, PG) 6.25 The Wedding Planner. (2001, PG) 8.25 The Bookshop. (2017, PG) 10.30 Return To Seoul. (2022, M) 12.45pm Cat Call. (2023, M, Hungarian) 2.30 Summerland. (2020, PG) 4.20 Eloise At The Plaza. (2003, PG) 6.00 Go! (2020, PG) 7.55 Footy Legends. (2006, PG) 9.30 Walkabout. (1971, M) 11.30 Late Programs. 5.50am Go! (2020, PG)
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)
7.30 Farmer Wants A Wife. (PGal) Hosted by Natalie Gruzlewski. 9.10 The Rookie. (Mav) Lieutenant Grey and the FBI task force enlist the help of an old colleague to uncover a criminal network. 10.10 The Agenda Setters: Rugby League. (R)
11.10 The Agenda Setters.
12.10 New Amsterdam. (MA15+av, R)
1.10 Harry’s Practice. (R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise. 6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) 7.30 First Dates Australia. (Ml) 8.40 Doc. (Ma) Joan selects her replacement. 9.40 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA. (MA15+l) 10.40 The Agenda Setters. 11.40 Happy’s Place. (PGal) 12.10 New Amsterdam. (MA15+av, R) 1.10 The Outdoor Room With Jamie Durie. (R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
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6.00 9News. 7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Travel Guides. (PG) The guides explore Indonesia, Australia’s northern neighbour, where they hit up Java’s spicy food scene.
8.40 100% Footy. (Mal) Phil Gould, Paul Gallen, Cameron Smith and James Bracey look at the latest rugby league news, with exclusive insights from an expert panel of some of the sport’s most influential figures. 9.40 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 8. 12.00 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 8 Late. 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
6.00 9News. 7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 The Hundred With Andy Lee. (PGdls)
8.30 Freddy And The Eighth. (Ml) Hosted by Brad Fittler, Danika Mason and Andrew Johns. 9.30 Wimbledon 2026 Pre-Show. 10.00 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 9. Quarter-finals. 12.00 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 9 Late. Quarter-finals. 4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
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ABC FAMILY (22)
FAMILY (22)
WEDNESDAY, July 8
6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Australia’s Greatest Conman? (PGal, R)
8.25 The Great Killer Smog. (Ma, R)
9.20 Coldwater. (Malv)
10.20 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 5.
2.15 Kirby At War. (PGav, R)
3.15 The D-Day Superhero: Jack Kirby. (PG, R)
4.15 Tradfest: The Dublin Castle Sessions. (R)
4.45 Leopard. (Mals)
5.00 NHK World English News.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)
7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PG, R)
8.30 The Front Bar. (Ml) Takes a lighter look at all things AFL. 9.30 Unfiltered. (PG)
10.00 The Agenda Setters. 11.00 The Fall And Rise Of Reggie Dinkins. (PGals)
11.30 Stumble. (PGals)
12.00 New Amsterdam. (MA15+av, R)
1.00 Harry’s Practice. (R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 9News. 7.00 Rugby League. NRL State of Origin. Game 3. Queensland v New South Wales. 10.00 State Of Origin Post-Match. A post-match wrap-up of Game 3 of the State of Origin match between Queensland and New South Wales. 11.00 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 10. Quarter-finals. 12.00 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 10 Late. Quarter-finals. 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) 4.30 Getaway. (PG, R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
THURSDAY,
VICELAND (31)
6am Children’s Programs. 1.50pm Kangaroo Beach. 2.30 The Makery. 3.00 Play School. 4.05 Andy’s Dino Island. 4.20 Santiago Of The Seas. 5.30 Talking Tom Heroes. 5.55 PJ Masks. 6.45 HexVets And Magic Pets. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.40 Ninjago: Dragons Rising. 8.05 Young Sheldon. 8.30 Young Sheldon. 8.45 Steven Universe. 9.55 Pokémon: Diamond And Pearl. 10.15 Ninjago. 10.50 Late Programs.
Room For Improvement. 6.30 Escape To The Country. 7.30 Harry’s Practice.
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Go! Continued. (2020, PG) 7.45 Broken Hill. (2009, PG) 9.45 Footy Legends. (2006, PG) 11.20 Servant Or Slave. (2016, M) 12.25pm Journey Home, David Gulpilil. (2025, M) 2.10 Vai. (2019, PG) 3.45 A United Kingdom. (2016, PG) 5.50 Lord Of The Flies. (1963, PG) 7.30 The Furnace. (2020, M) 9.40 Storm Boy. (1976, PG) 11.20 The Moogai. (2020, M) 12.55am Saturday Night Fever. (1977, MA15+) 3.05 Late Programs.
6am Children’s Programs. 3pm Play School. 3.25 Wiggle. 4.05 Andy’s Dino Island. 4.20 Santiago Of The Seas. 5.30 Talking Tom Heroes. 5.55 PJ Masks. 6.45 HexVets And Magic Pets. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.40 Ninjago: Dragons Rising. 8.00 Young Sheldon. 8.30 Young Sheldon. 8.50 Ultimate Vets. 9.10 Animal Park. 9.55 Secrets Of The Zoo. 10.40 Amazing Animal Friends. 11.30 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) ABC FAMILY (22)
6.00 Mastermind Australia.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Spain With Michael Portillo. (Premiere, PGa)
8.30 Eva Longoria: Searching For France. Eva Longoria heads to Paris where she learns more about the French art of pâtisserie.
9.20 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 6.
2.00 Kate And Larapinta. (Ma, R)
2.30 It Takes A Village. (Ma, R)
3.30 Giving Back: Students Who Returned. (PGal, R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Quarter-final.
VICELAND (31)
Trejo. 9.50 Reckless. 11.00 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. Round of 16. Replay. 2am NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera.
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Storm Boy. Continued. (1976, PG) 6.40 Summerland. (2020, PG) 8.30 Vai. (2019, PG) 10.15 The Furnace. (2020, M) 12.25pm Walkabout. (1971, M) 2.25 Go! (2020, PG) 4.15 Footy Legends. (2006, PG) 5.55 The Lady Vanishes. (1938, PG) 7.50 Bedevil. (1993, PG) 9.30 The Tracker. (2002, M) 11.20 Blindspotting. (2018, MA15+) 1.10am Un Amor. (2023, MA15+, Spanish) 3.30 Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGad) Sonny’s problems snowball. 7.30 Football. AFL. Round 18. Fremantle v Sydney. 11.00 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews. 11.30 Kick Ons. A preview of the upcoming AFL matches.
12.00 Brave New World. (MA15+asv)
1.00 ICU. (PGa, R) 1.30 Harry’s Practice. (R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
7MATE (64) 7MATE (64)
6.00 9News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Rugby League. NRL Women’s Premiership. Round 2. Cronulla Sharks v Brisbane Broncos. 10.00 Wimbledon 2026 Pre-Show. Pre-game coverage of Wimbledon. 10.30 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 11. Semi-finals.
Birthday bash
By Chris KNIGHT
NAMBUCCA Heads Island Golf Club members, the wider community and one of Australia's finest professional players gathered to mark the club's centenary last week at one of the most significant celebrations ever seen in the Mid North Coast tourist town.
The guest list at a 100-year dinner included Nambucca Valley Mayor Gary Lee and two-time US Open player and TV mainstay Paul Gow, who was the keynote speaker. Club President Geoff Harris used the occasion to officially launch an online book chronicling the club's history, co-authored by Mike Post and Chris Knight.
The centenary menu was themed to 1926, explained club General Manager Johnathon Zirkler, with an entree of shrimp cocktail, mains of Chicken a la King, Beef Brisket and Beer Battered Dory, and dessert options of lamington or rice pudding with modern-day twists. A message of support from noted professional player-cumgolf course designer Craig Parry was read while Kel McGoldrick, the club's sole surviving Life Member, was among the crowd.
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q Nambucca Golf Club general manager Johnathon Zirkler, guest speaker Paul Gow and Nambucca Heads professional Paul Habgood share a joke at the club's centenary dinner.
