Nambucca Valley News Of The Area 13 MARCH 2026

By Mick BIRTLES

LANDSLIP

By Mick BIRTLES

Mick BIRTLES 0408 167 891 birtles@newsofthearea.com.au

Jen HETHERINGTON 0413 871 625 jen@newsofthearea.com.au

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Concerns grow over fuel supply disruptions

THE NSW Opposition has called on the state and federal governments to urgently address the growing fuel crisis across regional NSW as concerns grow about supply disruptions due to the war in Iran.

In particular the Nationals have taken aim at Minister for Regional NSW and Agriculture Tara Moriarty, who was pressed on the issue during Budget Estimates on Monday.

National Party MPs claim Ms Moriarty has failed to make adequate representations to her federal colleagues on the topic.

“It’s deeply concerning to hear today that Minister Moriarty hasn't yet, and has no plans to contact Canberra on this issue,” NSW Nationals Leader Gurmesh Singh said in a statement on Tuesday.

The Coffs Harbour MP and former blueberry and macadamia grower said farmers and regional business owners are understandably worried about price gouging and running out of fuel within the next week, if not days.

Media reports suggest large metropolitan fuel suppliers are being prioritised over independent operators who service regional, rural and remote communities in NSW.

Shadow Minister for Agriculture Brendan Moylan said many regional suppliers have contacted him saying they are either being refused supply or being charged through the roof for fuel.

“These operators report their deliveries have been cut back or cancelled

entirely, with indications that supply is being prioritised to large metropolitan operators,” Mr Moylan said.

“Independent distributors are often the only reliable source of fuel for our smaller towns and agricultural operations.

“Any disruption to their supply risks shortages, price spikes and significant impacts on farming, freight and local economies.”

Mr Moylan said he has made urgent representations to the Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy of Australia Chris Bowen on behalf of the NSW Opposition.

Ms Moriarty’s office has been contacted for comment.

Fuel hoarding puts vulnerable residents at risk

The Community Transport Companya registered charity and social enterprise offering transport services on the Mid North Coast - is calling on members of the public to avoid hoarding fuel.

As one of the largest providers of essential community transport services in NSW, The Community Transport Company relies on fuel availability to deliver critical services to some of the region’s most vulnerable people. Every day, the organisation transports older people, people with disabilities, and others experiencing transport disadvantage to medical appointments, essential

treatments, and grocery shopping.

Chief Executive Officer Bethany Langford said that while the community understandably wants to ensure they are prepared, panic buying of fuel could unintentionally prevent vulnerable people from accessing life-sustaining services.

“Many of the people we transport have no other way to get to dialysis, cancer treatment, specialist medical appointments, or even the supermarket,” Ms Langford said.

“Our vehicles travel thousands of kilometres every day to make sure people can access the healthcare and essential services they need.

“If fuel becomes difficult to obtain because of hoarding, it is the most vulnerable members of our community who will be affected first.”

The Community Transport Company provides hundreds of trips every day across the region, supporting older residents, people living with disability, and those in rural and remote communities who do not have access to public transport. “

In times of uncertainty, communities are at their best when they look out for one another,” Ms Langford said.

“We simply ask people to purchase fuel as they normally would and avoid stockpiling.

“Doing so helps ensure that essential services like community transport, emergency services, and healthcare providers can continue to operate.”

The organisation is continuing to monitor the situation and has plans in place to prioritise essential medical and wellbeing transport if fuel supply becomes constrained.

Petrol spikes hit home

By Thomas O’KEEFE

WAR in the Middle East is having direct impacts on the prices of basic commodities in Australia, including petrol and other fuels that keep the local economy going.

Almost overnight, the geopolitical shape of the world instigated panic that filtered through global supply chains.

Unleaded petrol is now averaging over $2/litre in many areas of the state, hurting many locals already on tight incomes thanks to the cost-of-living crisis.

Diesel, which powers Australia’s bulk transport trucks, has also spiked, with costs presumably to be passed on to households via rises in grocery store prices as supplies get more expensive to deliver.

Owners of electric vehicles are by no means immune, as the electricity that powers the grid, which recharges the vehicles, is heavily reliant upon the same diesel-powered supply system, not to mention the natural gas that is used to fire up power stations when demand surges.

The reason for the price hikes is that 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow sea lane that connects the Persian Gulf and oil-exporters Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and UAE, to the rest of the world.

Hormuz is a natural choke point, measuring less than 40km at its narrowest point, between the southern coast of Iran and the northern tip of Oman.

The extended Iranian coastline means that even devoid of an active navy, Iran can attack the Strait at will, via drones and missile strikes, bringing global oil trade to its knees instantly.

The global air traffic hub of Dubai is only 100km away – leaving many Australian expatriates stranded as they attempt to fly home via that one key stopover, which is now in an active warzone.

According to Geoscience Australia, a Federal Government organisation, Australia is a net importer of oil, with only around 20 percent of the oil the country needs actually refined here last year.

“Australia is a minor oil producer, ranking 29th in the world and accounting for 0.5 percent of total oil production in 2020,” says Geoscience Australia data.

“Most of Australia’s oil is currently produced on the North West Shelf, some distance from domestic east coast refining capacity.”

Apparently, domestically produced grades of crude oil are generally not suited for Australian refineries, reinforcing the importation of internationally-sourced oil, hence nearly 80 percent of Australianproduced oil was exported in 2020.

Currently, Australia only has two active oil refineries: Ampol’s Lytton site near Brisbane, and Viva Energy’s refinery in Geelong.

The Kurnell refinery in Sydney ceased refining oil in 2012, and was converted into Australia’s largest fuel import terminal in 2014.

Recent legislation mandates that Australia maintain a Minimum Stockholding Obligation (MSO), which is measured in mega-litres, but is often expressed in an estimate of how long the current stockpile will last.

As per an MSO update on 6 March, Australia has roughly 40 days each of petroleum, diesel and jet fuel on hand, in case of a major supply chain emergency.

Final weeks of work for Scotts Head Road black spot project

FROM Page 1

General Manager Bede Spannagle told News Of The Area the project has already delivered meaningful safety improvements for road users.

“Our team has been working on turns 5, 6, and 7 on Scotts Head Road for about three months now, which is the longest and most complex reconstruction section for the road to date,” he said.

As part of the upgrade, significant drainage improvements have also been incorporated to help the road perform better during heavy rain.

“The drainage there has been significantly improved, with three, 600mm wide culverts

now installed under the road, each about 17 metres in length, which will dramatically improve the road’s performance in this lowlying area during rain events,” Mr Spannagle said.

“Through a total of $2.3 million investment from the Australian Government’s Black Spots Program, this section of road near Scotts Head Nursery will be bitumen sealed in about four to six weeks’ time, weather depending, and its completion will mark the fourth project site to be finished.”

Highly complimentary of the approach locals have taken regarding the road works, Mr Spannagle said, “I’d like to thank the Scotts Head and Way Way communities for their ongoing patience while we carry out the major upgrade to this road and ultimately make it far

safer for motorists.”

Once this widened section near Scotts Head Nursery is finished, Council’s road construction team will move on to other reconstruction projects further north-west, closer to Macksville.

Funding for the works was secured by Council in 2021–22 through the Australian Government’s Black Spots Program, which targets locations with a history of casualty crashes or areas considered high-risk for future accidents.

The program aims to reduce both the social and economic impacts of road trauma by improving road conditions and safety features.

When complete, the Scotts Head Road upgrades will see several sections of the route realigned and widened, providing safer travel for motorists using the important coastal link.

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Progress builds at VUGA

By Mick BIRTLES

WORK is progressing steadily at the Valla Urban Growth Area (VUGA), with the first internal road now just weeks away from being sealed as Stage One construction nears completion.

Over the past month, approximately 700 tonnes of road base has been laid as construction contractor AJ Civil Projects prepares the road surface ahead of the planned asphalt seal.

Nambucca Valley Council General Manager, Bede Spannagle, said the development has reached an important milestone, with Council now calling for expressions of interest (EOIs) from experienced real estate agents to assist in marketing the first industrial land release.

“I’m pleased to be inviting EOIs from Real Estate agents with good industrial land sales experience to potentially sell the 13 industrial lots within Stage One of VUGA,” Mr Spannagle told News Of The Area.

“To be able to apply for this opportunity, real estate agents must register on Council’s e-tendering portal, VendorPanel,

by 27 March 2026.

“It’s great to see VUGA Stage One at this point and we thank our partners, the Australian and NSW governments, for investing $11.2 million in the enabling infrastructure, along with a $17 million contribution from Council.”

Looking to the future of the VUGA development, Mr Spannagle added, “We want to see Stage One be a success, so the right industries set up there and provide job opportunities for locals.

“In turn, the financial return on Stage One, combined with further investment from our government partners which we are seeking, will hopefully unlock future stages at VUGA, including the residential

land.”

AJ Civil Projects estimates the first bitumen seal will be applied to the internal road at VUGA in May 2026.

The road connects directly to Red Ash Road, providing easy access to the Nambucca Heads interchange and the Pacific Motorway, linking the site to national and interstate freight networks.

The Stage One industrial lots, expected to be released to market later this year, will be fully serviced, including fibre-tothe-premises NBN connectivity and threephase 415-volt power.

Expressions of interest close at 2pm on Friday 27 March 2026.

Major landslip works continue across Nambucca Valley

FROM Page 1

The repairs follow extensive geotechnical assessments, further reviews after subsequent flood events, and negotiations with government agencies to secure funding for the recovery program.

Nambucca Valley Mayor Gary Lee said it was encouraging to see the work now taking place on site.

“Two landslip sites along Welshs Creek Road, caused by flooding in 2022, have now been repaired using engineered rock fill over

the past month,” Mr Lee told News Of The Area.

“This is excellent progress by the principal contractors Council has engaged to deliver the works and I am pleased action is happening.”

Last week the Mayor visited Johns Bridge at Missabotti, where workers have put in environmental controls and started installing the first steel sheet piles, intended to safeguard the rockfill works to come and then be removed after the rockfill is placed.

“There’s still a lot more work to go over the next two to three years to remediate up to 90

landslip sites across our valley,” Mr Lee said.

“I thank our community for its patience and compliance with traffic control instructions and traffic diversions, necessary to enable the work and ultimately make our roads safer.”

Further landslip remediation projects are scheduled to take place across several locations in early to mid-2026.

These include works at Piggot Street in Nambucca Heads, River Street in Macksville, Riverside Drive in Nambucca Heads, and Taylors Arm Road at Congarinni, Burrapine and Thumb Creek.

Bendinni.

Residents wanting to check whether remediation works are planned in their area can visit Nambucca Valley Council’s website and view the Disaster Recovery Interactive Map.

The map can be accessed online at: https://experience.arcgis.com/experienc e/51cec82f0ba446faae64fe139ff6bf50

Council also encourages residents to download the Antenno mobile app, which provides notifications about road works and other activities occurring nearby.

Repairs at the Taylors Arm Road landslip site located 4.7 kilometres west of Macksville are expected to be completed this week, weather permitting.

Additional works are also planned for Upper Buckra Bendinni Road at Buckra

Disaster recovery works across the Nambucca Valley are funded through the NSW Reconstruction Authority, with Council acknowledging the support of both the State and Federal Governments in funding the repair of essential public infrastructure.

Farming women inspire at business breakfast

By Mick BIRTLES

THE inspiring women behind the North Arm Farms collective took centre stage at the Nambucca Valley Women’s and Business Network breakfast on Thursday 5 March, sharing their experiences of agriculture and collaboration.

Held at Wharf Street Café, the event brought together around 30 local women to celebrate International Women’s Day and highlight the achievements of women working across the region.

Nambucca Valley Women’s and Business Network president Libby Foster said the morning was both uplifting and insightful for those in attendance.

“The North Arm Farms women were truly inspiring, and it was wonderful to hear how the collective continues to support both farm sustainability and work life balance,” she said.

Guest speakers included Camilla King from Autarky Farm and Nicole Cisterne from Dolly’s Run Farm, both members of the

North Arm Farms collective.

North Arm Farms is made up of three local farms - The Mandarin Bend, Autarky Farm and Dolly’s Run - working together to grow and distribute fresh local produce to the community.

Attendees at the breakfast said the atmosphere in the room was warm and encouraging, with women supporting and celebrating each other in a spirit that perfectly reflected the meaning of International Women’s Day.

Another meaningful initiative took place during the event, with many attendees bringing along old mobile phones to donate to DV Safe Phone.

The program collects unused phones and redistributes them to people experiencing domestic violence, providing a vital communication lifeline during times of crisis.

Community members wishing to support the initiative can donate old mobile phones at the Nambucca RSL Club, where they will be passed on to the DV Safe Phone program.

q North Arm Farms’

King and Nicole Cisterne presented at the Nambucca Valley Women’s and Business Network breakfast at Wharf Street Cafe on Thursday 5 March, to celebrate International Women’s Day. Photo: supplied.

Tests find local blueberries safe to eat

q It is still important to wash

By Andrew VIVIAN

THE NSW Food Authority says consumers can feel confident enjoying locally grown berries, with NSW Government laboratory testing confirming they meet food safety standards for pesticide residues.

Twenty-five kilograms of blueberries and raspberries, representing 100 samples of 250 grams each, were purchased from a range of Sydney retail stores in November 2025.

They were tested by an independent NATA-accredited

laboratory for 218 pesticides, including the prohibited chemical thiometon, which was not detected.

Results were within the allowable limits of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code for other pesticide residues.

NSW Food Authority acting CEO Andrew Davies, said the limits were developed by government agencies using internationally recognised methods and national scientific data.

“Consumers can be reassured that all 100 samples analysed by the NSW Food Authority were compliant and the berries were safe to eat,” he said.

Cate Faehrmann MLC has been campaigning to better regulate the blueberry industry.

Coffee roasters celebrate global success

By Jen HETHERINGTON

A SMALL-BATCH specialty roastery tucked away in Grassy Head is currently celebrating a remarkable run of recognition on the world stage.

The Painted Blue Coffee Roasters team, headed up by Dan Klingsporn and Charelle Harkins, recently earned multiple medals

at the ‘Golden Bean World Series’, the world’s largest coffee-roasting competition, where leading roasters from Australasia, the Americas and East Asia come together to benchmark the very best in Espresso, Milk-Based and Filter categories.

“All three medals were awarded for our Costa Rican Sunrise Swell, with notes of mango, passionfruit and dark chocolate,” Charelle said.

“We chose to showcase this beautiful ‘microlot’ across all three categories because it represents our summer season

here on the Mid North Coast and reflects the way people enjoy our coffee every day.”

These achievements build on a growing history of success for Painted Blue, including a Silver Medal in the Espresso category at the 2024 Golden Bean World Series for their single-origin Sumatra.

"Competing alongside large scale international roasters has only reinforced our confidence that Painted Blue, with its small footprint and small batches, when paired with precision and passion... a big impact can be created,” Dan and Charelle said.

“I welcome the public release of this report by the NSW Food Authority, but there’s a lot of room for improvement, especially as this is possibly the first report of its kind on Australian berries,” she said.

“It tells us which pesticides were tested for, but not which ones were detected, or at what concentrations.

“It doesn’t tell us where the berries were grown, whether they were organic, fresh or frozen.

“Given that one or more pesticides were detected on 95 percent of samples, the consumer should have the right to know what chemicals are in their fresh produce and in what quantity.

“An even better option would be to provide information at the point of

sale on potential chemical additives in the produce we are consuming.”

Mr Davies said while the tests showed produce met the requirements, washing fruit and vegetables under cool running water before eating was important.

“[This] removes visible and invisible contaminants, including surface herbicide and pesticide residues which could remain on the skin,” he said.

“Excess moisture can promote bacterial growth, so it’s important to wash produce just before eating or preparing food.”

The project complemented recent NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) inspections of northern NSW berry farms, which found farmers complied with chemical use regulations.

Nambucca Valley produce goes global

By Mick BIRTLES

MACADAMIA nuts grown in the Nambucca Valley are taking centre stage internationally this week, with local company Nambucca Macnuts Pty Ltd selected to represent New South Wales at one of the world’s largest food industry events.

The local business is one of just 15 NSW companies chosen by Investment NSW to showcase their products at FOODEX Japan 2026, Asia’s largest annual food and beverage trade show.

Held at Tokyo Big Sight from 10–13 March, the 51st edition of FOODEX Japan will bring together more than 3,300 exhibitors from over 94 countries and is expected to attract around 85,000 industry visitors from across the globe.

For Nambucca Macnuts, the invitation marks an exciting opportunity to introduce locally

grown macadamias to new international markets.

The opportunity came about after Nambucca Valley Council suggested the company explore export possibilities through Investment NSW, the state government agency responsible for strengthening connections between business, government and global markets.

Investment NSW works to boost economic growth by supporting innovation, industry development and international trade opportunities for businesses across the state.

Nambucca Macnuts has already begun exploring export opportunities in Japan and Taiwan, and the Tokyo trade show provides a valuable platform to build relationships with buyers and distributors.

“This opportunity has come at a critical time for the district’s

Macadamia industry as we have been experiencing a 50 percent crop loss due to the effects of Cyclone Alfred and the May 20205 floods,” Nambucca Macnuts Pty Ltd General Manager Shaun Tholen told News Of The Area.

Despite the recent challenges faced by growers, the international exposure is bringing renewed optimism.

“With what we have been through over the last couple of years the support from Investment NSW to help us expand into broader export markets has got us all very excited for the future,” Mr Tholen added.

Macadamias are one of Australia’s most recognised premium food exports, and the Nambucca Valley’s ideal growing conditions have helped establish the region as an important contributor to the industry.

Housing options, health services top concerns for country women

THE Country Women’s Association (CWA) of NSW has released the findings of its second inaugural Annual Women’s Survey, highlighting ongoing health and housing concerns.

Building on the inaugural 2024 survey, the 2025 survey provides a year-on-year snapshot of women’s lived experiences across NSW.

The 2025 survey opened in August last year and closed at the end of October, with more than 750 responses from women of all ages across the state.

“Many of the issues that stood out in this latest survey have been painful ongoing realities for rural and regional communities for too long, and we’re looking for a response from the NSW Government,” said CWA NSW president Tanya Jolly.

“We’ve been asking questions of the relevant ministers around many of these concerns, including healthcare, housing and community safety.

“It’s time for a real commitment to help start improving the likes of specialist wait times and crime rates and we hope to see this reflected in the upcoming State Budget.

“This is more than just a data collection exercise for us, this survey is about visibility and accountability and providing us with real evidence and real stories from women all over NSW to help inform our advocacy efforts on the issues that matter.”

The survey focused on women living in regional, rural, and remote areas of NSW with questions on health, safety, housing, finance, infrastructure, education, and empowerment.

Health and housing concerns topped the list for many respondents.

On healthcare, respondents said the most significant barriers were limited access to local GPs and closed patient books, long wait times for both primary and specialist care and rising out-of-pocket costs and reduced bulk billing. Women in regional and remote areas reported having to travel regularly to access basic services, compounding cost, time, and stress.

More than 50 percent of survey participants said access to primary healthcare services like GPs was the greatest barrier to staying healthy in their community.

Twenty-five percent said access to specialist healthcare services like mental health support was the biggest barrier.

On housing, 48 percent of respondents

said the high cost was the most significant barrier for women in their area accessing affordable, secure, and suitable housing.

Many respondents said more availability of affordable housing would make the biggest difference to housing for women in their community.

More secure and stable rental options and housing assistance and eligibility settings that better reflected regional cost pressures and employment realities were highlighted as other measures that could make a real difference.

In other results:

- Almost 30 percent of respondents said crime and property theft (e.g. break-ins) was the biggest barrier to feeling safe in their community, with another 29 percent identifying gender-based violence.

- Cost of living pressures and employment challenges were highlighted as major barriers to economic participation, with job availability and security (53 percent), wage inequality and discrimination (16 percent) and cost and availability of childcare (12 percent) the biggest challenges for respondents in achieving financial security or stable work.

- On infrastructure, respondents said gaps – poor road conditions and maintenance (35.5 percent), limited or unreliable public

and community transport (20.5 percent) and patchy mobile and internet coverage (16 percent) – affected their daily life, safety and independence.

- Social isolation remained an issue for respondents, particularly for older women, new residents and women living alone.

Tanya said the association would continue to release the survey annually in order to build a clear and concise picture of the issues affecting women and their communities and how that changed or evolved as time went on.

The 2025 survey retained a consistent set of themes and a core group of quantitative questions to enable robust year-on-year comparison with the inaugural 2024 survey.

To see the full survey report, go to https://www.cwaofnsw.org.au/ womenssurvey

Feedback sought on Urunga CBD upgrade

RESIDENTS can now have their say on design elements for the Urunga CBD upgrade, through a feedback survey open until 26 March.

The Urunga CBD Upgrade aims to enhance the amenity of the town centre through improved streetscaping, accessibility and connectivity, as well as improving the connection between the main commercial hub and the foreshore.

The current designs are based on the Urunga CBD Master Plan, which was developed in 2024 following community surveys and workshops.

The plan acts as a longterm vision and strategy for Urunga and will be developed in a staged approach over the next 20 years.

RPS AAP Consulting were awarded the tender for the project in January.

Bellingen Shire Council

Acting General Manager, Ashley Greenwood, said Council is working closely with the community to ensure that key stakeholders have a chance to engage with the design process.

“The Urunga CBD Community Reference Group was formed in September 2025, with representatives chosen based on their experience, ability to represent key community groups, commitment to act as community voices, and alignment with Council’s values,” he said.

Interested community members will have another

“In addition to the work of the Community Reference Group, who have been engaged via workshops and information sessions over the past six months, there are also regular email updates on the project’s progress, sent to a mailing list of interested people, as well as face to face conversations with businesses and organisations in the CBD.”

opportunity to provide feedback on the project with a second round of feedback

in June, which will focus more on aesthetic aspects of the design.

Review into feral animal management

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

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

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

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

Minister Moriarty will be requesting the Independent Commissioner to consider and recommend actions that will:

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

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

• Increase landholder participation in regional programs, to ensure landholders deliver on their biosecurity duty and improve the success of on-ground

management efforts including trapping and baiting.

Preliminary advice will be delivered to the NSW Government in June 2026 and a final report will be delivered in October 2026.

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

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

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

Still holding hands after 70 years

By Mick BIRTLES

A LOVE story that began in country New South Wales more than seven decades ago will be celebrated in Nambucca Heads this Friday when Barry and Beryl White mark their 70th wedding anniversary.

The much-loved local couple, who now call Nambucca Heads home, will celebrate the milestone on Friday 13 March.

Originally from Parkes in central NSW, the couple’s story began with what Beryl still describes as love at first sight.

Beryl was known locally as a champion swimmer, while Barry worked in the local cinema and came from a well-known family in town

as his parents owned the local pub.

Music and community events often brought young people together in those days.

Barry played drums in the marching girls’ band, while Beryl herself was a marching girl.

When they first met, Beryl remembers thinking Barry was “the best looking man she had ever seen”.

The connection was instant and the pair soon declared their love, marrying in a small wedding at their local church in Parkes.

The couple later moved to Western Sydney, where they raised their six children while building a life together based on hard work and family values.

Barry worked in the

transport industry, often driving long distances, while Beryl worked in local factories.

Despite the demands of work and raising a large family, the couple rarely spent time apart.

In fact, the longest they were ever separated was one week, when Barry was away driving interstate.

Family has always been at the centre of their lives.

Over the years their family has grown to include 18 grandchildren, 26 greatgrandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

In between work and raising children, the Whites also enjoyed travelling around Australia together in a caravan, creating memories that remain part of the

family’s treasured stories.

Eventually Barry and Beryl chose to retire in Nambucca Heads, where they continue to enjoy life together.

Even after 70 years of marriage, the affection between them remains clear for anyone who sees them together.

Barry still looks at Beryl with a twinkle in his eye, while Beryl continues to dote on him.

The couple are often seen holding hands and checking on each other, with Barry recently telling his wife she was “more beautiful than the flower in their garden”.

When asked about the secret to such a long and happy marriage, Beryl says the answer is simple.

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

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

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

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

“He’s just so kind and nice to me. We’ve always been so nice to each other,” she said.

Barry agrees, saying kindness and always looking after one another has been the key.

The couple say they still tell each other “I love you” every day.

And while kindness and love have clearly played the biggest role, Barry jokes there may be another small secret to a long marriage.

“Sometimes a cold beer and the hearing aids switched off can help,” he said.

New funding for regional events

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

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

1. $15 million for Regional

Events and Partnerships:

Grants up to $2 million to support regional communities attract or develop new events across industry, sport, culture, or music; boost economic impact of existing events; improve accessibility with upgraded infrastructure.

Applications open on 16 March 2026

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

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

Applications open on 23 March 2026.

3. $10 million dollars for Local Priorities: Grants of up to $100,000 to help community organisations

boost well-being and social or economic participation. Funding could upgrade safety and equipment; hire skilled staff to tutor, referee or supervise; increase the frequency and range of activities; support and establish groups that support community connection and resilience.

Applications open on 13 April 2026.

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said, “This funding will deliver major

events for regional towns that entertain local audiences, attract tourist dollars, and inspire participation.

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

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

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

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

Women underrepresented on councils

LOCAL Government NSW

(LGNSW) is calling for more female representation on elected councils in NSW.

Council representatives from across the state gathered in Sydney on Friday for the peak body’s International Women’s Day event.

Mayor Darcy Byrne, President of LGNSW, said the event was an excellent opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the role of women in the local government sector across NSW

Addressing mayors, councillors and council staff, Mayor Byrne said while there had been gains in female representation on councils across the state, there was still much more work to be done.

“At present, we’re tracking at about 41 percent female representation on our elected councils in NSW,” said Mayor Byrne.

“While it’s pleasing to see this is up slightly from 39 percent at the 2021 election, it’s still behind our state counterparts who sit at 44 percent across the Parliament,” he said.

“And down in Canberra, our federal colleagues are up at 49.6 percent - the closest to parity yet.

“So, it’s absolutely an area where local government is shamefully lagging behind,” he said.

In areas News Of The Area covers, Dungog Shire has one female councillor (from seven), Port Stephens has two (from 10), MidCoast has three (from 11), Port Macquarie has four (from nine), Kempsey Shire has four (from nine), Nambucca Valley has four (from nine), Coffs Harbour has three (from nine), and Bellingen has three (from seven).

q Local government representatives at LGNSW’s International Women’s Day event.

Mayor Byrne pointed to concerns over appropriate remuneration for mayors and councillors as a contributing factor to the under

representation.

“We simply have to get the pay right for Mayors and Councillors if we want genuine diversity in our

Nambucca Heads Island Golf Club

By Chris KNIGHT

SMILING assassin Kenny

Klem has drifted to a nine handicap like a grandpa to a cosy recliner after Christmas lunch - only to bare his wolf teeth in the monthly medal at the Nambucca Heads Island Golf Club's Monthly Medal.

Birdies on the hard to get at short pin on 12 and the 17th saw him post 77 off the stick to win the A Grade medal on Saturday in a stroke round presented by Nambucca Liquor.

Klem's 68 nett saw him squeak home on countback from Stuart Johnston (11) - another whose handicap has crept up disconcertingly so given his sweet swing.

In-form Michael Jolly (5) carded 76 to take the gross.

Breakers Golf Club's Matthew Rosee sealed the deal with 69 nett for the B Grade medal, two clear of runner-up Paul Ryan (14), with Garry Johnstone (14) claiming the gross on 85.

It was a battle of the 27-markers in C Grade,

with Heath McKenna besting Gregory Lucas on a countback with 70 nett. Dave Bartos (20) nailed the gross with 92.

Pleasing to see Peter Scott back on hallowed turf after his "first holiday in 20 years", as he drove to Tasmania (with ferry assistance) under the directions of Siri via his better half. Stroke rounds can be cruel, and Scott's par on the 10th was rudely followed by repeated treestrikes and a moose on the par 5 11th.

Thomas Wattison started the day brightly with the Ecomist longest putt prize on the 1st and pins went to Adrienne Smith on 5, Murray Ingram on 7, Jolly on 8 and Drew Glasson on 15. Ben Venner can salivate after scoring the Pizza This Pizza That voucher on 13 and Lucas capped a beaut outing with the nearest on the last.

Venner inflicted mortal damage to his 26 handicap after shooting the lights out for 45 points in the Nambucca Heads Butchery

medley stableford on Thursday 5 March.

The C-grader stunned with six pars and a bird on the dangerous 6th for the best score of the day and the win in Div 2.

Warwick Singleton (33) was runner-up with a far more sensible 36 points.

Bryce McCarroll (5) saluted in Div 1 with 39 points in a magic round that included birds on 5, 7 and 17.

One back was Greg McCoy (4) who had an evertidy 71 off the stick.

Ken Marriott binned a putt lengthy on 1 and pins went to McCarroll on 5, Tristram Edwards on 7, Graham Watson on 8 and Venner on 15. Edward Penrose sliced and diced the pizza on 13 and Darrell Flanders banked the $75 Pro Pin on the last.

Dianne O'Leary (18) smashed with 40 points to sweep Div 1 of the women's single stableford and Top 10 qualifier on Wednesday 4 March.

O'Leary was on fire from the get-go, with birds on 1,

7 and 10 - for 84 off the bat.

Thea Kimber (25) secured second place with 35 points.

Lyn Parkes (32) had nine bogeys on her way to 38 points for the Div 2 victory from runner-up Lillian Lukins (33) on 36.

Flag-botherers were Rhonda Rowe on 5, Kay McGoldrick on 13 and Kerrie Jackson skipped off the 18th green with the $36 Pro Pin.

The Mid North Coast Veterans commandeered The Island on Tuesday 3 March for the Nambucca Heads Butchery medley stableford.

Nev Newman (8) had 37 points to win Div 1 from Nick Jenkins (15) on 36 and Wendy Johnstone (13) on 35.

Urpo Ylinen (21) carded 36 points to salute in Div 2 on a countback from Steven Robinson (19). Martin Tizzard (18) was third with 35 points.

Desmond Hoy (32) secured Div 3 bragging rights with 38 points, one clear of runner-up Eric

council chambers,” he said.

“This year’s theme of International Women’s Day is ‘balancing the scales’, and I reckon increasing

representation in local government is a pretty good place to start,” Mayor Byrne said.

SPORT

Wise (36) and the thirdplaced David Salvin (25).

Pins went to Tizzard on 5, David Nicholls on 8, Geoff Goesch on 13 and Colin Hoskins on 18.

Geoff and Coral McCann sponsored the Island Sunday event on 8 March when Daryl and Cindy Wall hit berserker mode for 54 points in a fourball best ball. Let that sink in. That's an average of three points per hole!

Sue and Geoff Brookes were next best with 46.

Kimber and Daryl Wall took the pins on 5, and Geoff McCann and Sue Brooks scribbled their names on the 18th paperwork. Michael Ziebell has a frisbee to collect or eat-in at the top of town on High St after zipping it close on 13.

Catchya on The Island where moments and memories are made - great food, ice cold drinks and the views from the river deck beer garden are quite simply unmatched.

Junior teams earn grand final berths

By Aiden BURGESS

COFFS Coast junior cricket teams have earned grand final berths after victories in the Sixers Cricket League Coffs Harbour’s Under 16s and Under 12s semi-finals.

Under 16s

Undefeated minor premiers Sawtell Sloggers earnt a grand final berth with a 64-run win against Diggers Cricket Club, in their semi-final at Toormina Oval.

Sawtell scored 6/135 from 20 overs, after winning the toss and electing to bat.

Denzel Wynne-Primus top scored with 41, and Jaybien Johnson was next best with 29.

Sean Brooks took 2-10 from two overs for Diggers.

Chasing 136 for a grand final spot, Diggers finished at

8/71 from 12.2 overs.

Jacka Britton top scored with 33 off 16 balls, and Finlay Bath took 2-4 from two overs for Sawtell.

Woolgoolga Cricket Club Rebels booked their place in the season decider with a seven-wicket win against the Macksville Bulls, in their semifinal at High Street Playing Fields.

The Bulls were bowled out for 71 in the 19th over, after winning the toss and electing to bat.

Prabhjot Virk took 3-2 from two overs for the Rebels.

The home side reached the Bulls total in the eighth over, Prabhjot Virk led the Rebels home on 39 not out off 21 balls, and Manat Singh scored 25 off 12 balls.

Sawtell Sloggers and the

Woolgoolga Cricket Club Rebels now play off in the Grand Final, on Friday, 13 March, at Toormina Oval.

Under 12s

Minor premiers Diggers Cricket Club progressed to the Grand Final after a 50-run win against the Sawtell Sixers, in their semi-final at Reg Ryan Oval.

Diggers set a total of 3/137 from 20 overs, after Sawtell won the toss and elected to bowl.

Sejal Singh Mahal was magnificent smashing 78 runs off just 20 balls, including ten sixes.

Diggers defended their total as Sawtell finished at 8/87 from 16.2 overs.

Jai Levy top scored for Sawtell with 25.

Macksville Bulls Blue

Nambucca Bowls Report

By Charles POTTER

WEDNESDAY Mar 4: A good entry of 30 players and the day went to Kay Berczelly, The Welder Coughlan and Neil Duffus. Second place to Ron Hill, Brian Phillis and Psycho Carr and third to P. Lott, Stu Garvey and Marg Duffus. The lucky Losers were Jinx Campbell, Doug Cedelland and Col Buddle. Reg Barbat drew lucky bowler but not his rink so the Jackpot of $150 was not won.

Fri Mar 6: Only 58

bowlers, no doubt due to there being two days of Pennants over the weekend. Winners were Ron Hill, Ray Hunt and Doug Cedelland. Second place to The Welder, Stu Garvey and Darcy Rostron and third to a pairs game ... Mitch McGill and Psycho Carr. Bob ?, Bob Sutton and Paddy Byrne were the Lucky Losers. Ron Hill won the $15 Lucky Bowler money but missed the Jackpot.

Sat. Mar 7: Pennants

Grade 3 Round 4; Nambucca away at Sawtell won 55-50 (9-1).

Grade 5 Round 4; Nambucca home to Park Beach won 60-44 (10-0)

Grade 6 Red Round 4; Nambucca bye

Grade 6 Blue Round 4; Nambucca home to Port City Red won 63-58 (9-1)

Grade 7 Round 4; Nambucca away at Urunga won 58-55 (8-2)

Sun Mar 8: Pennants

Grade 3 Round 5 ; Nambucca home to Park Beach won 6646 (10-9).

Grade 5 Round 5 ;

earnt a grand final berth with an eight-wicket win against the Nana Glen Lizards, in their semi-final at Donnelly Welsh Field.

The Lizards finished at 8/47 from 19.3 overs, after the Bulls won the toss and elected to bowl.

Ashton Grace took 2-7 from three overs for the Bulls, Jaxzon Welsh took 2-6 from 2.3 overs, and Bexley Grace took 2-5 from two overs.

Louis Harrigan top scored for the Lizards with 23.

The Bulls chased down the total in the 10th over, Chase Bayliss took 2-0 from one over for Nana Glen.

Diggers Cricket Club and Macksville Bulls Blue now play off in the Grand Final, on Saturday, 14 March, at Reg Ryan Oval.

Nambucca away at Stuarts Point lost 60-71 (0-10).

Grade 6 Red Round 5; Nambucca Home to Urunga won 68-47 (9-1)

Grade 6 Blue Round 5; Nambucca Bye

Grade 7 Round 5; Nambucca Home to Park Beach Blue won 69-59 (8-2)

Grade 3 lead Sawtell by an impressive 19½ points. Grade 5 lead Stuarts Point by ½ point. Grade 6 Red lead North Beach by 1½ pts and 6 Blue are 4th, trailing by 10 points. Grade 7 are third, 9½ behind Kempsey RSL Blue.

Tribute match to help veterans and Timor-Leste

By Mick BIRTLES

BELLINGEN will host a major day of rugby league for a good cause on Saturday 28 March, when the Sgt Matthew Locke MG Charity Match returns for its 18th year.

This year’s event will feature the biggest program yet, starting with juniors from 8.30am and seniors from 11am.

Originally from Bellingen, Sgt Locke MG was killed by enemy fire in October 2007 while serving in Afghanistan with the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR).

The 33-year-old had been awarded the Medal for Gallantry just ten months earlier.

Following his death, family members and supporters created the Matthew Locke MG Charity to honour his service and continue his legacy through practical community support

projects.

The driving force behind the annual tribute match is his sister, Debbie.

“This event has become an important tradition for the Bellingen and Coffs Coast communities,” she told News Of The Area, “bringing together sport, remembrance and charity.”

Initially focused on assisting schools in Afghanistan with classroom stationery and building materials, the charity shifted its efforts to Timor-Leste in 2011.

Since then, it has worked closely with communities in the Ainaro Province to deliver important education infrastructure.

Projects completed to date include a four-room schoolhouse with a dedicated kindergarten and three purpose-built kindergarten facilities.

The charity has also

established a scholarship program enabling kindergarten teachers to obtain formal qualifications.

The projects are delivered in partnership with the Timorese communities, ensuring villages take ownership of the schools and remain actively involved in their operation.

Schools at Boramba, Beikala, Bobe and Hatu Udo now provide young children with a vital stepping stone into formal education.

The facilities operate Monday to Friday mornings,

and the charity also contributes to paying teaching staff, providing an important source of income for local families.

Funds for these projects are raised primarily through the annual Charity Match, which has grown steadily since it began in 2009.

This year’s program begins with the Bellingen Magpies juniors taking on Bowraville Tigers, alongside teams from Sawtell Panthers and Coffs Harbour Comets.

Senior fixtures begin at 11am. In the Under 18s,

Bowra Bowls Report

By BUNCHA

ROUND 5 of the Grade 5 pennant saw the Tigers travel to Stuarts Point last Saturday and were beaten 1-9 (54/60) and the score could have looked a lot worse except for the amazing form of Neil Pollard's team who retained their unbeaten record with a 28/9 win.

Round 6 was another loss for the Tigers who hosted Urunga and went down 2/8 (57/68) in what was a closely contested affair. Again Trevor Ryan, Chris Wills, Jimmy

Harter and Neil Pollard remained undefeated winning 27/22.

This weekend rounds 6 and 7 will be held on Saturday and Sunday with the Tigers away both days against Nambucca and Park Beach. Selected teams are on the notice board.

Social bowls on Thursday 5th saw Mary Dalsanto, Storky Mitchell and Trevor Ryan win the cash prize for the winning on the day. Lucky bowler of the afternoon went to Julee Townsend.

Bowraville Golf Club

By Pam COTTEN

MONTHLY Medal Results –Saturday, 7 March 2026

Despite some very humid conditions that had players reaching for the water bottle (and perhaps wishing for a gentle breeze), 18 keen golfers teed off for the Bowraville Golf Club Monthly Medal on Saturday. Taking out the Monthly Medal in fine form was Robyn McDonald, who handled the sticky conditions better than most to finish with a terrific 62 nett, an impressive 10 under par. Robyn clearly found the secret to keeping cool under pressure and on the scorecard.

Runner-up honours went to Leanne Porter, who also put together a strong round, finishing with 69 nett (3 under par) — a great effort in weather that made the walk feel a little longer than usual. Nearest the Pin prizes were claimed by Robyn McDonald, continuing her outstanding day, along with Brian Brabant, who showed the touch when it counted. There was no longest putt recorded, which could perhaps be blamed on the humidity making the greens just a little tricky to read — or maybe everyone was saving their best putts for next week.

it’s Sawtell Panthers vs Guyra Super Spuds; Ladies League Tag is Bellingen Dorrigo Magpies vs Guyra Super Spuds; Women’s Tackle is Sawtell Panthers vs Australian Army Lightning; Reserve Grade is Sawtell Panthers vs Guyra Super Spuds; and the Men’s game is Bellingen Dorrigo Magpies vs Brisbane Jackals. At 4pm, the official ceremony will feature the Australian Army Band and a Welcome to Country by Josh Marsden, before the final match of the day at 4.30pm, when Sawtell Panthers take on Australian Army Thunder.

The weekend of events continues on Sunday in Coffs Harbour, with a special

concert at C.ex, featuring the Australian Army Band and the Coffs Harbour Regional Brass Band - a musical collaboration that has been running since 2012.

Entry to the Charity Match is $10 for adults and $5 for pensioners, with proceeds supporting the Grub Club’s work in funding education in Timor-Leste and supporting veterans’ mental health.

With a full day of rugby league, community gatherings and ceremonial tributes, the event is sure to be a memorable weekend for players, supporters and the wider community while continuing to honour the legacy of Sgt Matthew Locke MG.

Third and fourth-grade finals underway

By Aiden BURGES

COFFS Coast cricket teams booked grand final spots and others kept their seasons alive during the opening round of Sixers Cricket League Coffs Harbour’s third and fourthgrade finals series.

Third-grade Diggers Cricket Club earnt grand final hosting rights with a six-wicket win against the Nana Glen Lizards, in their Qualifying Final at Len Towells Oval. The Lizards won the toss

and elected to bat, going on to score 3/208 from 40 overs.

Vincent Shrimpton top scored with 43, Shane Morrow scored 42, and John Holmes (40) and Nathan Bye (37) both finished not out.

Chasing 209 for victory, Diggers reached the Lizards total in the 37th over.

Michael Nealand top scored with 56, and Rick Douglass was next best with 42.

Nathan Bye took 2-28 from eight overs for the Lizards.

Woolgoolga Cricket Club

Rebels White kept their season alive with a two-wicket win against Coffs Colts Cricket Club, in their Elimination Final at High Street Playing Fields.

The Colts were bowled out for 183 in the 35th over, after the Rebels won the toss and elected to bowl.

Tyler Atkinson rose to the occasion with a knock of 108, which included ten sixes.

Daniel Martin took 4-34 from eight overs for the Rebels, with Connor Burgess taking 3-60 from eight overs, and Lindsay Mamone took

2-23 from seven overs.

The Rebels chased down the Colts in the 40th over, Daniel Martin top scored with 44, and Jashan Veerpal was next best with 37.

Christopher McDonald took 4-48 from eight overs for the Colts.

Fourth-grade

The Macksville Bulls will host this season’s Grand Final after having a two-wicket win against Sawtell Cricket Club Gold, in their Qualifying Final at Donnelly Welsh Field.

Sawtell finished at 9/98

from 28.1 overs, after winning the toss and electing to bat.

Brett Martin finished on 42 not out, while for the Bulls, Daniel Ledger took 3-9 from five overs, and Quinn Ledger took 2-16 from four overs.

The Bulls reached Sawtell’s total in the 28th over, Quinn Ledger top scored with 33. Phil Maunder took 3-7 from four overs for Sawtell, and Rodney Sawaya took 2-11 from four overs.

Sawtell Cricket Club Blue kept their season alive with a three-wicket win against the Urunga Cricket Club, in their Elimination Final at the

Sawtell to host second-grade grand final

By Aiden BURGESS

SAWTELL Cricket Club

will host the second-grade Grand Final after having a 122-run win against the Woolgoolga Cricket Club Rebels in their Qualifying Final in Woolgoolga.

Sawtell set a total of

8/221 from 40 overs, after winning the toss and electing to bat.

Alexander Cheers Flavell had a captain’s knock of 71, and Joshua de Groot was next best with 48.

Thomas Bird took 3-26 from six overs for

the Rebels, and Brock Hutchinson took 3-11 from two overs.

Sawtell’s bowlers rose to the occasion, bowling out the Rebels for 99 in the 31st over.

Sawtell captain

Alexander Cheers Flavell was the pick of his side’s

bowlers taking 5-9 from 5.1 overs.

Joshua de Groot took 2-11 from five overs, and Harmandeep Sidhu took 2-21 from seven overs.

Urunga Cricket Club kept their season alive with a four-wicket win against the Nana Glen Lizards, in

Coffs hosts National Championships

By Aiden BURGESS

COFFS Harbour has hosted the country's best touch footballers for the fourteenth consecutive year.

National Touch League’s The Championships were held over four big days of representative touch football at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium and surrounding fields.

Coffs Coast players were part of Northern Eagles teams who contested The Championships, representing a region encompassing a large part of Northern NSW.

Coffs Coast players

featured in the Northern Eagles Men’s 50s, Men’s 40s, Women’s 40s, Women's 27s, and Women’s 20s sides.

The Northern Eagles won the Senior Mixed title triumphing 8-7 in their grand final against the South Queensland Sharks.

Aaron Ison and Kimberley Latimore were named players of the grand final.

The national event featured athletes in 25 age divisions ranging in age from 20s to 65s, and welcomed new entrants, including the Fremantle Rebels from Western Australia and the locally based Macksville Falcons.

q City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams, Touch Football Australia CEO Marcus Ashcroft, and Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium.

Nambucca Valley Bridge Club News

By Barbara MARANIK

RESULTS for week ending 8th March 2026

Monday 2nd March 2025

1st Linda & Mike Siford 57.7%, 2nd Rosemary Bateman & Susie Keur 57.1%, 3rd Vicky Walker & Carol McKee 55%

Tuesday 3rd March 2025

1st Colin Denney & Alison Savage 75%, 2nd Gary & Louise Walton 65%, 3rd Carol McKee & Scott Parker 47%

Thursday 5th March 2025 –Nola Pearce Teams of 3 1st Carol McKee, Kim Davidson, Linda

Siford & Robert Baker, 2nd Maureen Cowan, Linda Hillman, Ali Tupper & Scott Parker, 3rd Collin Tolley, Sandra Glover, Colleen Robertson & Sandra Glover

Saturday 7th March 2025

North/ South 1st Charles Aspen & Colleen Robertson 65%,

Nambucca Ladies Bowls

By Teresa MEEHAN

TUESDAY Social Bowls

One game of fours and

played. The fours match proved the highlight of the morning, with the team of Joy, Kerrie, Deb and Nerida locked

(bonus bowler), Sandra, Pat and Teresa. Scores were level heading into the second-last end, but Nerida’s team secured the win with two shots on the final end.

The triples match saw Gloria, Rosie and Kim record a solid win over Joan, Elaine and Marg. While not as close as the fours, it was still an enjoyable and competitive game for all involved.

Lucky winners: Joy, Kerrie, Deb and Nerida

Lucky losers: Joy, Sandra, Pat and Teresa

Lucky bowler: Deb

Raffle winners: Deb and

2nd Rob Marshall & Carol McKee 62%, 3rd Maureen Cowan & Pamela Rongen 46% East /West

1st Mike Siford & Pauly Griffin 61%, 2nd Ali & Neil Tupper 56%, 3rd Judy Holliday & Vicki Walker 51%

Teresa Pennants: The opening round of Ladies Pennants was played at Urunga on Thursday morning. The home side claimed the overall win 40–31 on the masterboard, with our club finishing with one rink up and one rink down. The match was played in good spirit, with several excellent bowls delivered across both rinks.

Grade 2 had the bye this week but travelled to Urunga to support their fellow players.

Grade 4 will have the bye next week, while Grade 2 will host Kempsey at home.

Urunga Recreation Grounds. Urunga opened the batting and posted 7/157 from 35 overs, after winning the toss and electing to bat.

Jamie Ross top scored with 43, and Chris Haynes was next best with 39.

Sawtell captain Daniel Maguire took 4-23 from seven overs.

Chasing 158 to keep their season alive, Sawtell reached the total in the 35th over.

Jonathon Heinz top scored with 37, Chris Haynes took 2-14 from seven overs for Urunga, and Lennox Cantrill took 2-41 from seven overs.

their Elimination Final at Fitzroy Oval.

The Lizards finished at 8/144 from 40 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat.

Jay Guthrie top scored with 40, and Gavin Gilmore finished on 31 not out.

Urunga captain Wayne

Martin took 3-27 from eight overs, Paul Pomroy took 2-21 from eight overs, and Jaxen Heward took 2-22 from eight overs.

Chasing 145 for victory, Urunga reached the total in the 38th over.

Jaxen Heward top scored with 30, while Lizards captain Ben Watson took 3-18 from eight overs.

Macksville Country Club Golf

By Max TURNER

WHILE Saturday's Stroke event sponsored by HLV Partners Accounting is what the various weekly events lead to, Carla Ross' Mid Week round of net 11 under par needs special mention. Over recent weeks she has regularly been amongst the leaders. She can expect the handicapper to show an interest in her scores.

On Saturday Ross Donnelley, who is back to his best, won Division 1 with Matt Baker runner up.

Jessica Lambert came in ahead of Tony Grebert to win

Division 2.

Nearest the pins went to Karl Cooper Div 1 and John Poole in Div 2.

As mentioned Carla Ross blitzed the field with runner up Graham Everett having a respectable 38 points nine shots behind.

Jo Montague won the ladies Stableford with Helen Ferraro runner up. Desma Hughes was the straight shooter winning both nearest the pins on the 3rd and 17th. The Chook Run continues to attract good fields. Tom Hughes was the latest winner with Jim Wilkes finishing runner up. Steve Riddell and Jim Wilkes were nearest the pin winners

Battle of the birds

FROM Page 20

squad is shaping up and start developing the team’s structure and on-field combinations.

Conditions at Coronation Park are expected to be ideal for the trial match, with the playing surface currently in excellent condition following a period of steady rain followed by warm sunny weather that has helped the ground recover and green up.

Nambucca Roosters RLFC

President Pete Bellden said the trial match also highlights the strong relationship

between the Roosters and the Bellingen Magpies.

“Bello is in a rebuilding phase and we want to assist them with that as they are a great club that will always lend a hand to other clubs when needed,” he said.

“They have helped us out in the past and we want to do the same for them.”

With both teams preparing for the upcoming season, the trial promises to provide a competitive hit-out while giving supporters the chance to see local players back on the field.

OPINION & LETTERS Hypothetical,

By Manny WOOD

Migration law: Love without romance

ANITA, a foreign citizen, has been living in Australia on a temporary visa and has been unsuccessful in obtaining a long-term visa.

Anita meets an elderly Australian widower while volunteering at a neighbourhood community centre.

Patrick is 85 years old and has lived alone since his wife died six years earlier.

Anita initially visits regularly and helps with everyday tasks such as cooking, organising medication and accompanying him to medical appointments.

Over time, Anita moves into Patrick’s home and the two begin living together.

After two years, Anita applies for a partner visa on the basis that she is Patrick’s de facto partner. Patrick supports the application and provides a statutory declaration confirming they share a household and intend to remain together long term.

During the visa assessment process, a departmental officer interviews Anita and Patrick separately. Some answers differ.

Anita explains that she cares deeply for Patrick but finds it difficult to describe romantic feelings.

The officer forms the view that Anita may be acting more as a carer than a genuine partner.

The application is refused on the basis that the Department is not satisfied that Anita and Patrick are in a genuine de facto relationship, deciding their relationship to involve Anita providing care and companionship, rather than romantic love.

Anita seeks review before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

The Tribunal concludes the arrangement resembles an agreement to meet each other’s needs rather than a genuine relationship.

Anita seeks judicial review in the Federal Court.

The Court observes that the Migration Act requires decisionmakers to consider whether the parties have a mutual commitment to a shared life together in light of all the circumstances.

While love or affection may be relevant, the absence of romantic love does not necessarily prevent a genuine de facto relationship from existing.

The Court finds the Tribunal erred by treating the lack of romantic love as determinative of whether a genuine de facto relationship existed.

Thank you to Ellysha Laklem for her assistance with this column.

This fictional column is not legal advice.

Dorin's Drawings

By Paul DORIN

Verse of the week

By Lynne MILES

Numbers 14: 18 "The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in love, forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished."

Why fear campaigns work

DEAR News Of The Area,

I FIND it hard to find sensible discussion about migration coming from the opposition.

Instead they seek to politicise the issue and turn it into a fear campaign.

Fear campaigns work because they do not require facts, merely a grievance, and appeal to our natural desire for simple solutions to complex issues.

I remember the maiden speech to parliament by Pauline Hanson in 1996 when she stated that we were going to be “swamped by Asians”.

Twenty years later, on her return to parliament in 2016, her maiden speech referred to Australia being “swamped by Muslims”.

Her naked racism may have changed hues but she really is a one trick pony.

If the National (Mining) Party is the tail that wags the Liberal Party dog then my metaphor starts to break down in an attempt to explain the way the One Notion Party seems to direct the COALition policy on migration.

Angus Taylor bemoans that migration “standards have been too low, numbers have been too high” but he fails to detail how he would address the issue.

But he does try to insist that he is “not seeking to be One Nationlite”, whatever that means.

Thou doth protest too much, methinks.

What area of migration would be suitable to cut if one did not

want to sabotage the economy, causing economic pain to all of those of us who have already migrated here?

How about students?

Foreign students are one of the largest sources of income for the country and fund the university sector which provides the skills and knowledge required to build the economy in a rapidly changing world.

Cutting back the education system would not serve us well into the future.

What about farm labourers?

The National Party is usually reluctant to suggest cutting migration to this sector because they know that home grown Australians are largely reluctant to work on farms.

Without imported farm labour there would be a labour shortage in rural and regional areas and farmers would have to pay higher wages to attract people.

So, maybe not.

What about the migrants who work as nurses, doctors, childcare workers, and aged care workers?

These people are needed to do the jobs that maintain our standard of services and living.

Again, maybe not them.

Refugees? Family reunions?

What level of cruelty can we inflict and still feel righteous?

Blaming migrants for all our societal ills is really just a distraction from the problems caused by policies that deliberately work to increase inequality.

It is not migrants causing house prices to increase faster

Forestry claims that beggar belief

DEAR News Of The Area,

THE letter of 4 March 2026 from Steve Dobbyns, Chair and Director of Forest and Wood Communities Australia titled “We can’t transition to plantations overnight”, is a rolling ball of contradictions, false accusations and exaggerations.

In his opening paragraph

Mr Dobbyns identifies several comments he made in “an unpublished Forest and Wood Communities press release.”

Are not press releases, by definition, documents that are published to promote wide attention to their contents?

Mr Dobbyns then assures readers there are solid markets for all the products of hardwood plantations within the Great Koala National Park footprint.

Further on he states that LVL (laminated veneer lumber) is being landed from China and South America cheaper than can be manufactured in Australia.

If that’s not a competitor for timber from our hardwood plantations I don’t know what is.

Mr Dobbyns’ claim that one third of the timber used in your average apartment and one or two storey house is hardwood, not softwood, beggars belief.

I would prefer to rely on the Federal Government’s ABARES (Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics) annual forecasts, released last week, which including this statement:

“Value of hardwood plantation production to decrease, affected by easing global woodchip markets.”

The report is available on the DAFF website.

Mr Dobbyns cannot see the forests for the trees.

Even in his role he must take into account the changing values and roles of our forests over time.

In the early days timber extraction was the dominant industry.

More recently, we have started to recognise the outstanding universal values of our unique and diverse forests we have locally and seek to protect them.

For example, our rainforests have been listed as World Heritage properties and further nominations are ongoing. Our eucalypt forests, together with those in South East Queensland, are recognised as the most diverse occurrence of one of the world’s great plant genera and also proposed for World Heritage nomination.

Finally, our endangered koala has been recognised over the last eleven years by the current State Government as requiring a world class national park embracing their habitat within two meta-populations on the Mid North Coast.

That’s where plantations, some including koala hubs, come into it.

Regards, Ashley LOVE, Coffs Harbour.

Have Your Say

than wages.

It is a combination of Capital Gains Discounts, negative gearing, and stamp duty. It is a shortage of building skills caused by the failure to train more people.

Part of this is the miserable wages and conditions that apprentices have to endure. Hence we rely on skilled migrants to fill the gaps in the building industry.

Part of it is relying on the “free market” to build housing.

This leads to land banking and zombie DAs.

Housing should be a right for all, not a privilege only for those

with inherited wealth.

The government should build more social housing with the aim of driving down, or at least holding steady, house prices.

Any party that uses a fear campaign, especially one that demonises migrants, is trying to sell snake oil.

The wealth, and well being, of Australia has been built on migration for many decades.

The diversity in Australia is what truly makes this such a great place to live.

Regards, Peter SOBEY, Valla.

We need direct daytime services to Brisbane

DEAR News Of The Area, RESIDING in Nambucca Heads, the closest capital city is Brisbane. Being a civilised person I would like to travel in daytime hours, taking the train that leaves at approximately 3pm. However this train terminates at Casino and passengers must make a four hour indirect coach trip to Brisbane. The Transport NSW website

inaccurately gives a 9.30pm arrival time in Brisbane.

My coach arrived at 10pm.

In contrast there is a train leaving Macksville at 10.30pm which arrives at Brisbane at 3.50am; this train is allowed to travel all the way to Brisbane.

The timing of this direct train is ridiculous and inconvenient. These times are more suited to the transportation of animals, not humans.

The NSW Government is spending $40.3 million on the XPT Extension Project and there are supposedly 29 new trains to be delivered.

However, the service to and from Brisbane will remain ridiculously inconvenient; many developing countries have better rail services.

Trains are supposed to directly link major towns and cities.

Interrupted rail services to/

from Brisbane should be abolished ASAP. The people of the Mid North Coast should be encouraged to leave motor vehicles at home and travel by train.

A high speed rail service costing billions of dollars is not required. Just provide civilised services on existing lines. Regards, Greg DOLAN, Nambucca Heads.

SUDOKU

Sudoku is an 81 square number grid with nine blocks each containing nine cells. To solve the puzzle, all the blank cells must be filled in using numbers from 1 to 9. Each number can only appear once in each row, column and in the nine 3x3 blocks.

MAZDA Tribute 2004 prefered with rego. Ph 6653 8531, ask for

2012 Billabong Caravan 16ft, single axle, full annex,

cond, QB, lots of storage $32,000. Rego X91945 0431 736 481

U3A Nambucca Valley Association

The Annual General Meeting of U3A Nambucca Valley Association Inc will be held on Tuesday 31 March, 2026 in the Nambucca Heads RSL Club DownUnder Bar on the 2nd Floor commencing at 2:00pm.

Tea, coffee, wine, beer and nibbles will be provided after the meeting. For more information contact: contact@u3a.com.au

Mattix is a 6-year-old with a big heart and a lot of love to give. He’s an affectionate, people-focused boy who thrives on attention, cuddles, and being part of the family. He’s active, loyal, and happiest when he’s close to his humans. He can be reactive with other dogs, so a meet and greet is essential, and he would be best suited as the only dog in the home.

For further information please contact Council between 8:30am - 4:30pm Monday to Friday 6568 2555 Adoption fee for 2025/2026 is $230 and this includes microchipping, vaccination, desexing and Lifetime registration. Please visit Councils website to view the full list of animals available for adoption or lost. For any

please complete the Adoption Enquiry Form on Council’s Website.

NAMBUCCA VALLEY

FRIDAY

GOING PLACES WITH ERNIE DINGO

SBS, 7.30pm

Friday’s fourth chapter of this eye-opening travelogue finds Ernie Dingo and Brooke Blurton (pictured, with Patrick De Geest) in Far North Queensland as they explore the lush greenery, wetlands and vast savannah of the Atherton Tablelands. They start their journey on board the Kuranda Scenic Railway, a historic service that winds its way through the plateau’s heritage-listed rainforest. Dingo then heads to Chillagoe National Park to experience the cultural significance of the breathtaking limestone landscape to the Wakaman people. Nearby, Blurton embarks on a nocturnal wildlife tour.

FRIDAY, March 13

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SUNDAY

FRAUDS

ABC TV, 8.50pm

Suranne Jones and Jodie Whittaker (pictured) as toxic best friends pulling off a heist together… where do we sign up? This thrilling new Spain-set series teams up Jones and former Whittaker as Bert and Sam, two con artists reunited after a decade apart. Their high-stakes reunion is triggered when Bert (Jones) is released from prison following a terminal cancer diagnosis. She immediately reaches out to the only person she trusts to help her carry out one last epic job. But Sam has been leading a quiet life, and Bert’s grand plan is the last thing she wants to get involved in. With a lifetime of baggage to unpack, this next-gen & Louise is an emotional but exciting ride.

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 Compass. (PG, R) 10.30 Stuff The British Stole. (PG, R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Muster Dogs. (Final, PG, R) 2.30 In Limbo. (Final, Mal, R) 3.00 Fake Or Fortune? (R) 3.55 Murdoch Mysteries. (PG, R) 4.45 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 My Unique B&B. (R) 10.10 Paddington Station 24/7. (PGa, R) 11.00 Make Up: A Glamorous History. (PGa, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 The Hospital: In The Deep End. (Ma, R) 3.00 Nula. 3.30 Going Places. (R) 4.00 The Cook Up. (R) 4.30 Jeopardy! 4.55 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.25 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 National News At Noon. 1.00 MOVIE: Dying To Be Perfect. (2022, Madv, R) 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Gardening Australia.

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

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

9.50 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (R) A satirical news program.

10.20 Dog Park. (Final, Ml, R)

10.50 ABC Late News.

11.05 Smother. (Mal, R)

12.50 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv) 5.00 Rage. (PG)

ABC FAMILY (22)

Ben And Holly. 7.00 Superbuns. 7.05 Gardening Australia Junior. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Do Not Watch This Show. 7.40 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 8.05 Scooby-Doo And Guess Who? 8.30 BTN Newsbreak. 8.35 My Adventures With Superman. 8.55 BattleBots. 10.00 Gladiators UK. 10.55 Late Programs.

6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (PG) 8.30 Fukushima: A Nuclear Nightmare. 10.05 Rock Legends. (PGs) 10.35 SBS World News Late. 11.05 Sisi. (Mav) 12.05 How Sports Changed The World. (PGav, R) 1.10 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Paris-Nice Race. Stage 6. 3.15 Mastermind Australia. (R)

4.15 Bamay. (R) 4.45 Destination Flavour. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Hosted by Johanna Griggs.

8.00 MOVIE: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. (2018, PGs, R) A young woman prepares to reopen her family hotel, while learning more about the life of her late mother. Lily James, Amanda Seyfried.

10.20 MOVIE: Nobody. (2021, MA15+v, R) A family man’s house gets burgled. Bob Odenkirk, Christopher Lloyd. 12.20 Damnation. (MA15+asv, R)

1.20 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

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

THURSDAY NEW YORK GOURMET WITH JUSTINE SCHOFIELD

Travelling the world and tasting the finest local fare sounds like a dream holiday for most, but for MasterChef alum Justine Schofield (pictured), it’s essentially her 9 to 5. After jaunts to Malaysia, Macao, France and Fiji, the chef’s latest expedition sees her exploring the diverse and vibrant flavours of New York State. Following the Hudson River, north from the city, Schofield starts this episode at the Culinary Institute of America, a prestigious college whose graduates include bestselling author Anthony Bourdain. From sampling cannoli in Poughkeepsie to a picnic at Ithaca’s Buttermilk Falls, this tasty travelogue is sure to inspire future itineraries.

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 Getaway. (PG, R) 12.30 My Way. 1.00 Explore TV. (R) 1.30 Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 2. Sydney Roosters v South Sydney Rabbitohs.

9.55 NRL Friday Night Footy Post-Match. Post-match coverage of the NRL game.

10.45 MOVIE: Sicario: Day Of The Soldado. (2018, MA15+dlv, R) Benicio del Toro.

1.00 Next Stop. (R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)

4.30 Global Shop. (R)

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

5.30 Postcards. (PG, R)

6am Children’s Programs. 8.30 Nanny. 9.30 Addams Family. 10.00

6.00 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer.

7.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG, R) Hosted by Rebecca Gibney. 8.00 Soccer. AFC 2026 Women’s Asian Cup. Quarter-final. Australia v Korea DPR. From HBF Park, Perth. 11.30 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather. 12.00 10 News+. (R) Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) Hosted by Stephen Colbert. 1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

SATURDAY, March 14

6.00 Kath &

care home.

9.45 This England. (Final, MA15+l, R) The country continues to cope with COVID. 10.50 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Jewels Of The Mediterranean.

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

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

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

3.25 Mastermind Australia. (R)

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

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. 8.00 MOVIE: Men In Black. (1997, Mv, R) A cop is recruited to be the partner of a special agent assigned to police extraterrestrials living on Earth. Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, Linda Fiorentino.

10.00 MOVIE: Men In Black II. (2002, PGh, R) A secret agent enlists his former partner. Tommy Lee Jones. 11.45 Highway Cops. (PGa) 12.15 Devils. (MA15+av, R)

1.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Tales Of Aluna. (R) 5.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Space Invaders. (PGa)

8.30 MOVIE: Father Of The Bride Part II. (1995, G, R) 10.35 MOVIE: When Harry Met Sally. (1989, Mls, R) 12.25 Epic Builds. (R) 1.20 Open For Inspection. (R) 1.50 Innovation Nation. (R) 2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PGa) 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)

6.30 The Dog House. (R) A father and his two daughters search for a dog that can fill the house when the girls are at their mum’s.

7.30 Love It Or List It Australia. Is Waverley, couple Rob and Nikki need work on their property to make it work for them. 9.30 Gogglebox Australia. (R)

(R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.

6am Children’s Programs. 5.55pm Octonauts. 6.05 Knee High Spies. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.45 Supertato. 6.55 Piripenguins. 7.05 Let’s Go Bananas! 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Kids Baking C’ship. (Return) 8.10 Harry Potter: Wizards Of Baking. 8.50 Chopped Junior. 9.35 Mr Bean: The Animated Series. 9.55 Fresh Off The Boat. 10.40 Late Programs.

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

SUNDAY, March 15

6.30 Compass.

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 The Piano. (Return, PG)

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

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

9.40 Blue Murder Motel. (M, R)

10.25 Top End Bub. (M, R)

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

12.35 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

3.00 Gardening Australia. (R)

4.00 Dream Gardens. (R)

4.30 A Bite To Eat With Alice. (R)

5.00 Insiders. (R)

FAMILY (22) ABC FAMILY (22)

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

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Pompeii: Life In The City With Dan Snow.

9.15 Leonardo Da Vinci. (PGan, R)

10.20 Lost Treasures Of Egypt. (PGa, R) 11.15 MOVIE: Julia. (2021, Mals, R)

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

3.00 Freedom Is A Verb. (PG, R)

3.20 Mastermind Australia. (R)

4.20 Bamay. (R)

4.50 Japan Bitesize. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.15 Euronews. 5.30 PBS News Horizons.

Motor Racing. Night Thunder. USA New Year Sprintcars. 3.00 Football. AFL. Round 1. Western Bulldogs v GWS Giants. 6.00 Pawn Stars. 7.00 Storage Wars. 7.30 American Pickers. 8.30 Football. AFL. Round 1. Sydney v

6am Children’s Programs. 8.00 Jeopardy! Australia. 9.00 Cards And Collectables Australia. 9.30 Seinfeld. 10.00 Soccer. English Premier League. Chelsea v Aston Villa. Noon Golf. Women’s Aust Open. 5.00 Young Sheldon. 5.30 MOVIE: Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2. (2011, M) 10.00 MOVIE: Beetlejuice. (1988, M) 11.50 Late Programs.

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6am Spitfire. Continued. (2018, PG) 6.55 Delfin. (2019, PG, Spanish) 8.35 Jumanji. (1995, PG) 10.35 The Queen Of My Dreams. (2023, M) 12.25pm The Fisher King. (1991, M) 2.55 Vai. (2019, PG) 4.30 Viceroy’s House. (2017, PG) 6.30 To Catch A Thief. (1955, PG) 8.30 Dog Day Afternoon. (1975, M) 10.45 Platoon. (1986, MA15+) 12.55am Vampyros Lesbos. (1971, MA15+, German) 2.30 Late Programs.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Australian Idol. (PG) 8.40 Britain’s Got Talent. (Return, PG) Auditions begin as weird, wacky and wonderful acts compete in front of celebrity judges.

10.10 The Hunters: Rentakill. (Mav, R) A look at hit man Christopher Dale Flannery. 11.40 24 Hours In Police Custody. (Mad, R)

12.40 The Age Of Elizabeth. (PG, R) 2.30 Home Shopping. (R) 3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

NBC Today.

Sunrise Early News.

Sunrise.

Married At First Sight. (PGls)

9News Late.

Hunting Bundy: Chase For The Devil: The Monster Escapes. (MA15+asv)

6.30 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 7.00 Australian Survivor: Redemption. (PGl) Presented by David

Children’s Programs. 8.00 Jeopardy! Australia. 9.00 Cards And Collectables Australia. 9.30 Seinfeld. 10.00 Soccer. English Premier League. Manchester City v Nottingham Forest. Noon Golf. Women’s Aust Open. 5.00 Young Sheldon. 5.30 TBA. 7.30 MOVIE: Rush Hour 2. (2001, M) 9.30 MOVIE: National Lampoon’s

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Inside The Tower Of London. (PG)

8.30 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. (M)

9.25 Never Mind The Buzzcocks. (M)

10.10 SBS World News Late.

10.40 Other People’s Money. (PGal)

11.35 The Old Man. (Mal, R)

2.25 Blood Money: Inside The Nazi Economy. (PGaw, R)

3.20 Off The Beaten Track With Kate Humble. (PGn, R)

4.30 Bamay. (R)

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

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) Tane breaks the ice.

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

9.10 The Oscars. (PGalsv, R) A ceremony honouring achievements in filmmaking over the past year, from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

12.40 The Agenda Setters: Rugby League. (R) 1.40 The Agenda Setters.

3.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

SBS MOVIES (32)

6am Discovering Film. 6.25 Viceroy’s House. (2017, PG) 8.25 To Catch A Thief. (1955, PG) 10.25 The Idol. (2015, M, Arabic) 12.20pm Dog Day Afternoon. (1975, M) 2.35 Delfin. (2019, PG, Spanish) 4.15 The Man Who Knew Infinity. (2015, PG) 6.15 The China Syndrome. (1979, PG) 8.30 Anatomy Of A Fall. (2023, MA15+, French) 11.15 Syriana. (2005, MA15+) 1.30am Platoon. (1986, MA15+) 3.40 Late Programs.

7MATE (64)

Family. (PG, R) 1.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 4.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Great Continental Railway Journeys. (PGaw, R)

8.30 Insight.

9.30 Dateline.

10.00 Rock Legends. (PGd)

10.30 SBS World News Late. 11.00 Exit. (MA15+dl, R) 11.55 Wolf. (Malsv, R)

2.10 Safe Home. (Malv, R)

3.10 Blood Money: Inside The Nazi Economy. (PGav, R) 4.05 Off The Beaten Track With Kate Humble. (PG, R) 4.40 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

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

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

8.30 Doc. (Ma) When the hospital is hacked, it coincides with three patients showing similar symptoms.

9.30 Ambulance: Code Red. (Ma) A farmer is crushed by a hay bale.

10.30 The Agenda Setters.

11.30 St. Denis Medical. (PG)

12.00 Dirty John. (MA15+v)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

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

7TWO

SBS MOVIES (32)

6am The Man Who Knew Infinity. Continued. (2015, PG) 7.50 Discovering Film. 8.45 The China Syndrome. (1979, PG) 10.55 Tudawali. (1987, M) 12.35pm Ghoomer. (2023, M, Hindi) 3.00 Finding Altamira. (2016, PG) 4.45 Born To Dance. (2015, PG) 6.35 A Matter Of Life And Death. (1946, PG) 8.30 Barry Lyndon. (1975, M) 11.55 Hunger. (2008, MA15+) 1.35am Late Programs.

7MATE (64)

6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls) 9.00 100% Footy. (Mal) 10.00 9News Late. 10.30 Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 Closing Ceremony. From Stadio Olimpico del Ghiaccio, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Replay. 1.00 Hello SA. (PG) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo.

WEDNESDAY, March 18

6am Children’s Programs. 6.35pm Big Lizard. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Superbuns. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Ninjago.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Sandi Toksvig’s Great Riviera Rail Trip. 8.25 Lost Grail With Alice Roberts. (PG) 9.20 Prisoner 951. (M) 10.20 SBS World News Late.

10.50 Face To Face. (Mv)

11.40 Darkness: Those Who Kill. (MA15+av)

1.30 Divided We Stand. (Ml, R) 3.20 Off The Beaten Track With Kate Humble. (PG, R) 3.55 Bamay. (R) 4.55 Destination Flavour. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

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

7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PGas)

8.30 The Front Bar. (Ml) Takes a lighter look at all things AFL.

9.30 Unfiltered. (M) Hamish McLachlan sits down with Noah Anderson. 10.00 The Agenda Setters. 11.00 No Holds Barred: GWS Giants. (Ml)

12.00 The Act. (MA15+ans, R) 1.20 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

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

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls) 9.00 Naked City: HITMEN. (MA15+adlv) Presented by John Silvester. 10.00 9News Late.

10.30 Freddy And The Eighth. (Ml)

A Remarkable Place To Die. (Mlv)

Tipping Point. (PG, R)

TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

SBS MOVIES (32)

THURSDAY,

March 19

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Treasures With Bettany Hughes. (Return)

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

9.35 A Spy Among Friends. 10.40 SBS World News Late. 11.10 In Memoriam. (Malsv)

12.00 Blackwater. (MA15+alv, R) 2.20 Silent Road. (Ma, R) 4.15 Off The Beaten Track With Kate Humble. (PG, R)

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

SBS MOVIES (32)

6am Morning Programs. 9.15 A Matter Of Life And Death. (1946, PG) 11.10 Sky Pirates. (1986, M) 12.45pm Banel & Adama. (2023, M, French) 2.20 The Man Who Knew Infinity. (2015, PG) 4.20 The Caine Mutiny. (1954, PG) 6.35 The Man Who Brought Down The White House. (2017, PG) 8.30 Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. (1974, M) 10.35 The Invisible Fight. (2023, M, Estonian) 12.40am Late Programs. 6am The Movie Show. 6.10 Discovering Film. 7.00 The Caine Mutiny. (1954, PG) 9.15 The Man Who Brought Down The White House. (2017, PG) 11.10 Barry Lyndon. (1975, M) 2.25pm The Ideal Palace. (2018, PG, French) 4.20 Mary Shelley. (2017, PG) 6.30 The Ipcress File. (1965, PG) 8.30 All The President’s Men. (1976, M) 11.00 Monster’s Ball. (2001, MA15+) 1.05am Late Programs.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) Mackenzie is caught aiding and abetting. 7.30 Football. AFL. Round 2. Hawthorn v Sydney. 10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews. 11.00 Kick Ons. A preview of the upcoming AFL matches.

11.30 Australian Idol. (PGal, R) Hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie. 1.00 Damnation. (MA15+asv, R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

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

(64) 7MATE (64)

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Friday, 13 March 2026

Battle of the birds

By Mick BIRTLES

SUPPORTERS of the Nambucca Roosters RLFC will get their first taste of pre-season action this weekend when the club’s reserve grade side takes on the Bellingen Magpies in a trial match at Coronation Park. The game will kick off at 2:00pm on Saturday 14 March at the Roosters’ home ground in Nambucca Heads, with free entry for spectators and both the bar and canteen open

on the day.

Roosters Reserve Grade Coach Jeremy Burrows said the trial will be an important early opportunity for the team to begin building their game plan ahead of the new season. Burrows told News Of The Area, “I will be looking for consistency from this team in the season ahead and I am looking forward to bringing some of our younger players up into the team for their introduction to senior footy.”

The match will also allow the coaching staff to assess how the

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