set up and it provided an amazing, rare opportunity for young, local musicians to perform,” he added.
With two stages offering simultaneous entertainment, festivalgoers at River Street danced and made merry from 2.30pm until 7.30pm to the strains of well-known performers including Lemon Joe, Mitch Burgess, Billie-Jo Porter, Mastersonics, and Samba Soul. On the smaller Lane Stage, a variety of up-and-coming
performers including Mainly Hues and Rhetorical?, two local teenage bands, had a slightly younger crowd up and moving to their rhythms.
Also on the Lane Stage, Funkatu, Hella Steezy and Temperate led up to the festival’s highlight, a fashion parade of around 40 participants wearing their own ocean-themed creations danced and strutted along River Street to the beat of more than 30 drummers.
The drumming continued as an accompaniment to what attendees described as a “fabulous” and “spectacular” fireworks finale, set against the backdrop of the Nambucca River and Macksville Bridge.
With a variety of market stalls, a climbing wall and various workshops, the crowds of around 2500 were never given an excuse to be bored.
The Nambucca Valley’s volunteer-led radio station, 2NVR,
broadcast live from a tent in River Street.
Prioritising youth involvement, Nambucca Valley Open Streets Festival is an initiative of the Nambucca Valley Council with funding from Transport NSW and was the second event of its kind, the first being held in 2024.
Organisers say funding has been secured for at least two more events with the next one planned for 2026.
Zenzi Grace and Zella Young, creators of The Great Fashion Stitch Up, are pictured with Cole Tucker, Elise McCabe and Sophia Luxton. Photo: Mick Birtles.
q Kaelyn Marshall. Photo: Mick Birtles.
at Open Streets Festival
Cedar Place in Kempsey has always been shaped by its community. Now part of not-for-profit provider Respect, the home continues to offer the same trusted, local aged care families rely on, with the same local staff providing familiar support across residential aged care, respite, dementia and palliative care.
With nurses on-site around the clock, allied health services, physio and wellbeing support, and 24/7 clinical care, residents enjoy a warm, homelike environment. Bright, airy rooms, personalised comfort, and gardens and shared spaces encourage relaxation, connection and a strong sense of home.
q Bongo the Clown and Kaya Boom. Photo: Mick Birtles.
q Young performer Mahli Grant opened the main stage at last weekend’s festival. Photo: Mick Birtles.
q Members of the Nambucca Valley Youth Council (Jocelyn Box, Shelby Payne, Naomi Williams) were part of the organising team behind the event. Photo: Mick Birtles.
q Nambucca Valley Radio’s Donna Collins with announcers Jake and the Fatman broadcast live from the Open Streets Festival. Photo: Mick Birtles.
q Anne Sutton, Michelle Walker and Linda Jerrison from the Nambucca Macksville Evening View Club. Photo: Mick Birtles.
q Hudson Smyth having his face painted by Grace. Photo: Mick Birtles.
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Get in touch today! ads@newsofthearea.com.au 02 4981 8882 We’re looking forward to a wonderful day of plants, delicious food, cold drinks, coffee, fresh produce from the Growers Market, and other plant related products. Plus, cool live music, workshops, a raffle, and community stalls, all united in our LOVE OF PLANTS. The Bellingen Plant Fair is a non-profit event supporting local plant growers. They are on a mission to get more plants in our
Blueberry opposition meeting draws a crowd
MLC Cate
hosted by the Nambucca Environment Network (NEN) at the Macksville Ex-Services Club on Monday night.
NEN has spent the last several years lobbying against intensive blueberry farming in the region.
Speakers at the event included Greens Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) Cate Faehrmann and Nambucca Valley councillors Ljubov Simson and David Jones.
Ms Faehrmann told the attendees that she intended to introduce a private member’s bill to the NSW State Parliament to address the issues of mandatory development consent, buffer zones and environmental concerns to protect neighbouring properties and watercourses from new and current intensive blueberry farming operations.
“What was once small-scale farming has morphed into an industrial model characterised by wholescale clearing of vegetation, plastic netting and tunnels covering hillsides and valleys as far as the eye can see, and extremely high water and chemical use,” she said.
“It risks changing the beautiful Mid North Coast forever.
“I cannot fathom how this industry has gotten away with this for so long,” she added.
Ms Faehrmann also claimed the industry was using ecosystem-destroying chemicals, some which are prohibited in other countries, and that through intensive farming practices, these chemicals are polluting NSW waterways and affecting public health.
“NSW Health is refusing to acknowledge the scale of the issue,” she added.
The Greens water spokesperson went on to explain that she believed many government agencies were not acting in the best interest of the people and that reporting processes are “not transparent”.
Ms Faehrmann also presented the meeting with an “extraordinary letter” she claimed to have received from the NSW Minister for Planning, Paul Scully, in response to her questions about the burgeoning blueberry industry and decried the Minister’s comments.
In the letter, Mr Scully said that concerns about the effects of berry farming are “primarily localised to the North Coast” and “would be best addressed through relevant Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) rather than by introducing statewide amendments”.
The minister appeared unaware of issues faced by Nambucca Valley Council, which for the past few years has been seeking to amend its LEP to introduce developmental consent for new farming operations and regulate the industry in response to community concerns.
“I understand few NSW councils have raised concerns about the growth of the blueberry industry and associated protective
Inclusions:
H20 • Visits Departing the Coach Terminal at 08:00 we start our day heading North. Straight to the Bellingen Autumn Plant Fair for a few hours. On our way out we will stop into the Old Butter Factory. Take a look around, grab a cuppa or just rest your legs before we finish the day around 16:00 at the Port Coach Terminal.
structures, with Coffs Harbour being the most prominent example,” Mr Scully’s letter stated.
“Other councils in the North Coast, such as Kyogle, have embraced the industry and adopted a Right to Farm Policy (2015).
“Current advice and submissions also indicate that there are no widespread opposition or regulatory issues elsewhere in NSW,” it said.
At this stage, the Nambucca Valley Council is working on a third draft of its amendment to the LEP to address the issues surrounding intensive horticulture after being knocked back by Mr Scully’s office with what councillors have claimed to be little feedback as to how to improve the document.
A second draft of this amendment, prepared by council staff after consultation with industry, was presented at the Council’s January meeting but was rejected by councillors for not fulfilling the needs of the original amendment.
Other speakers included councillors David Jones and Ljubov Simson, who provided updates on their role in the LEP amendment and expressed their frustrations with the process.
SUNDAY 1 MARCH 2026
The Nambucca Valley Community has always participated actively in Clean up Australia Day which is a great way to motivate Australians about the importance of cleaning up our country.
Volunteers and community groups wanting to participate in the clean up and be part of the Clean Up Australia team MUST REGISTER DIRECT WITH CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA by contacting 02 8197 3400 or visit www.cleanup@cleanup.com.au prior to the day.
02 6568 0244
q Greens
Faehrmann addressed a crowded meeting room at Macksville Ex-Services Club on Monday night to discuss intensive berry farming in the region.
Coffs Council votes not to appeal polytunnels decision
By Andrew VIVIAN
THE NSW Land and Environment Court (NSW LEC) recently decided in favour of an appeal against a Development Control Order issued by the City of Coffs Harbour on 6 December 2024, requiring a landowner to stop construction of polytunnels on the basis of them being a form of ‘farm building' which required development consent.
The Court clarified how polytunnels used in commercial cropping should be characterised under planning law, relevant to long-standing concerns about inconsistent council approaches.
Its decision in Nagra v Coffs Harbour City Council states that the polytunnels considered in that case, used for commercial raspberry production, are part of “intensive plant agriculture” rather than “farm buildings”.
The ruling has important implications for growers, councils and developers involved in land use planning and development approvals in rural zones across regional New South Wales.
City of Coffs Harbour Council says its staff became aware, in November 2024, through complaints received by surrounding landowners, that a series of polytunnels were being constructed on Crossmaglen Road, Bonville.
Following investigations, the City
issued the Development Control Order.
On 2 January 2025, an appeal was filed in the Land and Environment Court. .
No agreement could be reached between the parties during a mandatory Conciliation Conference held on 30 June 2025 and the matter was listed for a oneday hearing by a Commissioner on 11 November 2025.
On 22 January 2026, the Court handed down its decision and subsequent orders which, in summary, were that development consent is not required for the polytunnels and the order must be revoked.
The City engaged legal representatives who reviewed the decision and formed the view that there are reasonable grounds to pursue an appeal.
However, appeals are often complex matters and this appeal has potential for statewide implications, so Council met to determine if an appeal to the Land and Environment Court was warranted.
In an Extraordinary Council meeting last Monday, 16 February, Council voted five to one - with one abstention and two absences - not to pursue an appeal.
Councillor Jonathan Cassell, who voted in favour of an appeal, said, “Legal advice provided to Council indicated the City could have appealed the Land and Environment Court decision and won, setting a new standard in reducing conflict between berry growers and their neighbours.
“I welcomed the appeal because while the berry industry is important to our local economy, the State Government's intensive horticulture policy setting has long failed to
q Polytunnels are not farm buildings, according to the Land and Environment Court.
reduce land use conflict issues on the Coffs Coast by prioritising industrial farming at the cost of other public values.”
City of Coffs Harbour Planning and Communities Director Ian Fitzgibbon said, “Regional communities have been grappling with some of the associated challenges that accompany the growth of intensive horticulture across the North Coast.
“The City will move forward and look to sit down with stakeholders through
initiatives like the Hearnes Lake Working Group to grow a sustainable agricultural industry in our region and find a pathway for best practice outcomes for all interests.
“There is a desire for greater NSW Government support for the agricultural industry, regional communities and councils, including improved guidance to manage land conflict and for the sustainable growth of this important industry to our regional economy.”
Photo: Val Vannet.
Conaghan urges Coalition cooperation
FEDERAL Member for Cowper
Pat Conaghan says it’s time for the Coalition to “get on with the job” after a leadership spill saw Angus Taylor oust Sussan Ley from the role of Opposition Leader.
Mr Taylor defeated Ms Ley by 34 votes to 17 in a ballot held last Friday morning, making him the third leader of the Liberal Party in less than a year.
In a statement to media on Friday, the National Party’s Mr Conaghan - who has served as Cowper’s Federal representative since 2019 - congratulated Mr Taylor and his new deputy Jane Hume.
He said the confirmation of the leadership roles should “bring to a close the weeks of media speculation and distraction”.
“It is now time for the Coalition to work as a unified team,
determined not only to provide a formidable Opposition to Labor’s failing Government, but to represent our electorates and all Australians with acute focus and to the best of our ability,” he said.
“They deserve nothing less.
“Sustainable cost-of-living support, responsible energy policy, housing affordability and putting an end to rampant inflation are at the top of our collective lists as a Coalition, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Joint Party Room on the policies that matter the most to the people of Australia.”
Mr Taylor also has the backing of Nationals leader David Littleproud, who claims he has the “skills, smarts and conviction to lead the Liberal Party and the Coalition to win the next election”.
“Angus is the leader Australia needs to take up the fight against Labor’s reckless spending and ideology.
“Australia is experiencing a drift in our social cohesion, as well as record levels of immigration and debt, and desperately needs someone who will stand up for our great country.
“Angus can offer hope to aspirant Australians and those who are struggling to enter the housing market.”
Speaking at the NSW Country Labor conference on Saturday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appeared unimpressed with Mr Taylor’s selection, branding him “just another Liberal”.
“Angus Taylor is the fourth Liberal leader in my time leading the Labor Party,” Mr Albanese said.
“And while the Liberals keep changing their leader – they never change their agenda.”
q
Valley takes next step toward stronger tourism identity
By Mick BIRTLES
TOURISM operators from across the Nambucca Valley gathered last week for a networking event and workshop aimed at shaping the region’s future destination brand.
The initiative, led by Nambucca Valley Council, is a key priority outlined in the Council’s Delivery Program and Economic Development and Tourism Strategy 2025/26–2029/30.
Council General Manager Bede Spannagle said the Valley’s natural
lifestyle advantages and visitor appeal made the project particularly important.
“The lifestyle and tourism offerings of the Nambucca Valley are exceptional and I am pleased progress is being made on our valley’s tourism narrative,” he told News Of The Area.
Council staff have been working closely with the tourism sector and broader community, conducting interviews with operators, running community and visitor surveys, and facilitating branding concept
workshops to ensure a collaborative foundation for the project.
Destination North Coast General Manager Michael Thurston attended the workshop and industry gathering, highlighting the importance of a unified tourism message.
“I’ve enjoyed coming down from the North Coast to be involved in these great events,” he said.
“The creation of a tourism brand will give a central narrative and cause for tourism operators to get behind. It will help to define, to the outside world, what does the community have to offer, what does your community value and who are the type of visitors you want to
bring to your area.”
Council’s Manager Economic Development and Tourism Janice Rooney explained that the project involves identifying the Valley’s strategic position as a destination, along with defining its core brand pillars and communication style.
“We are aiming to achieve a brand that is authentic, which represents who we are as a community, and helps to attract the kind of visitors that align to our values,” she said.
She added that the project will soon move into the design phase.
“The next step is for our graphic designer to start developing the branding strategy and design options.
“Local tourism representatives are also invited to express their interest in being involved in a workshop to help them create or update their Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) profile.
“Registered attendees will also be offered the opportunity to take part in a professional photoshoot.”
Representatives from the National Parks and Wildlife Service also attended the event, providing an update on the Great Koala National Park to industry participants.
Tourism operators with visitorfocused businesses are encouraged to participate in upcoming ATDW activities, which aim to strengthen the region’s online presence.
The Australian Tourism Data Warehouse is the national platform used by Destination NSW and Tourism Australia to promote visitor experiences, meaning local listings can significantly boost the Valley’s visibility to potential travellers. Expressions of interest can be submitted via a form available on Council’s website.
The collaborative effort marks an important step toward building a clear and compelling identity for the Nambucca Valley as a destination, helping local operators work together to attract visitors who value what the region has to offer.
Opposition leader Angus Taylor faces the media scrum.
q Nambucca Valley Council Manager Economic Development and Tourism Janice Rooney and Destination North Coast General Manager Michael Thurston. Photo: supplied.
q Tourism businesses and accommodation providers at the destination branding workshop and networking event. Photo: supplied.
Sustainable forests report
By Andrew VIVIAN FORESTRY
Australia, a not-for-profit, independent professional association representing more than 1,100 scientists, practitioners, and farm forest growers, has released information showing well-managed forests are “critical to Australia meeting its emissions reduction targets”.
The organisation says its Forest Carbon Balance Evidence Review brings together the latest science on forest carbon dynamics and demonstrates that sustainable forest management plays a vital role in carbon sequestration, emissions reduction, and climate resilience.
It confirms that forests are one of Australia’s most important natural resources for capturing and storing carbon.
It also acknowledges that carbon stocks can decline through natural mortality and disturbance events, such as bushfires, and argues that to accurately estimate forest carbon emissions from management, transport and processing, carbon stored in wood products - and the substitution benefits gained when timber replaces more emissionsintensive materials such as steel and concrete - should also be included when accounting for on-site carbon stocks.
Dr Michelle Freeman, President of Forestry Australia, said, “Forests are dynamic systems, not permanent carbon vaults.
“How forests are managed over time significantly influences whether they are carbon positive, neutral, or
negative."
Forestry Australia claims that substituting timber for steel and concrete can reduce embodied carbon by up to 75 percent.
It also says that wildfires drive Australia’s forest emissions, with the 2019–20 bushfires accounting for approximately 35 percent of Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions in 2020.
"Strategic fuel-reduction burning and silvicultural practices, such as thinning, can reduce carbon losses from high-risk wildfires while improving forest resilience to drought and climate change," the organisation said in a statement.
Forestry Australia says the findings reinforce the need for policy settings that protect forests from deforestation and high-severity wildfire, expand forest cover through new biodiverse plantings and plantation development on cleared land, promote the sustainable use of locally sourced wood products, and reduce reliance on imports from jurisdictions with higher emissions profiles.
“The evidence is clear,” Dr Freeman said.
“Well-managed forests are essential to delivering genuine, longterm climate benefits for Australia.”
Dailan Pugh from the North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) said, “Natural native forests are multiaged, comprised of large trees centuries old, with a succession of ages down to young regrowth where old veterans have died.
“Numerous studies have proven that by removing the older trees
that store most carbon, logging has more than halved the carbon stored in forests, releasing hundreds of millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere in the process.”
Mr Pugh said that when a tree is logged, most of its biomass is left in the forest to rot, more is made into sawdust in milling, and much is converted into short lived products such as woodchips - meaning that as little as 6-13 percent of a tree’s carbon is made into wood products that may last a decade or more.
He said the dense regrowth of small trees following logging dries the forest and increases their vulnerability to burning.
“Allowing degraded forests to grow old and regain their lost carbon is the most effective means of removing carbon from the
atmosphere, reducing the risk of wildfires, increasing stream flows and saving a multitude of species from extinction,” Mr Pugh said.
“Australia already obtains 91 percent of its timber from plantations because it is cheaper to produce, it is time to complete the transition rather than taxpayers paying a fortune to log native forests.”
Another organisation, Forest and Wood Communities Australia (FAWCA), has accused proponents of the Great Koala National Park of “hypocrisy”.
Steve Dobbyns, Chair and Director of FAWCA, said, “Environmental groups have long told Australians that plantations would replace native forests.
“Now, just as these trees are ready to supply homes, these same groups are pushing to lock them away.
“The best time to plant a plantation for sawlogs was 50–60
years ago.
“The second-best time is today.”
Mr Dobbyns says that including plantations in the GKNP will drive up timber prices, making homes more expensive and increase reliance on timber from countries with lower environmental and social standards.
Dr Tim Cadman has an alternative view.
“Environment groups such as the National Parks Association ruled out including plantations in the GKNP.
“While the original boundaries included only native forest, there has been a realisation that the Park needs to include actual koala habitat, which includes plantations.
“The more important issue is that some native forest areas are now included with plantations and will be available for logging.
“The plantation areas will actually expand, at the expense of native forests that were originally in the Park.”
q Disagreements about what should be included in the GKNP continue.
Photo: Tim Cadman.
Nashos honoured at moving service
By Mick BIRTLES
A COMMEMORATIVE
service honouring Australia’s National Servicemen was held on Saturday 14 February, led by the Combined Nambucca Valley RSL sub-Branches.
Originally planned as an outdoor event, the service was moved indoors to the Down Under Bar at the Nambucca Heads RSL Club due to threatening weather.
Despite the change of venue, a strong turnout ensured the occasion remained dignified and deeply meaningful.
Nambucca Heads RSL sub-Branch President Denis Lane welcomed attendees
to the proceedings, paying particular tribute to those “Nashos” who were killed or wounded in action.
“On this day the country unites to remember those who we affectionately know as ‘The Nashos’,” Mr Lane said.
Prayers were led by Police Padre Nick Green, setting a tone of reverence for the service.
The keynote address was presented by former National Serviceman Richard Greentree, who recounted the experiences of Nashos with a balance of emotion, insight and gentle humour.
His speech resonated strongly with the many former National Servicemen
in attendance.
“The debt that this nation owes to those Nashos who gave their lives during service, or who suffered and died of injuries received during service, can never be repaid,” Mr Greentree told the gathering.
He also reflected on the challenges many faced upon returning to civilian life.
“Settling back into civilian life after national service was very difficult for many of us, as we found that once we left the services, life had moved on without us.”
In one of the most powerful moments of the
address, Mr Greentree spoke directly to fellow former National Servicemen present.
“As you go on your way, always remember that when your nation called, you answered that call. Always be proud of that,” he said Wreaths were laid by representatives of numerous organisations, including Nambucca Valley Mayor Gary Lee on behalf of Council.
Throughout the ceremony, bagpiper Shaun Manning from Coffs Harbour Pipes and Drums provided a moving musical tribute.
The service concluded with those gathered singing
the National Anthem, followed by the haunting lament “The Battle’s Over”, again performed on bagpipes by Mr Manning.
This year marks 75 years since Australia first introduced National Service; a milestone that carries deep personal significance for many families across the Nambucca Valley.
Between 1964 and 1972 alone, more than 60,000 Australians were called up, with over 15,000 serving in Vietnam. The scheme had first been introduced in 1951, requiring selected men to complete 179 days of military
training across the Army, Navy or Air Force. By the mid-1960s, legislative changes allowed National Servicemen to be deployed overseas as Australia became involved in regional conflicts, including Konfrontasi with Indonesia and later the Vietnam War. National Service officially ended in 1972.
For those who gathered on Saturday, the service was not merely a historical observance but a heartfelt tribute to sacrifice, duty and the enduring bond shared by those who answered their nation’s call.
q Among the large number of attendees at the service of commemoration on National Servicemen's Day were these proud former Nashos who answered when their nation called.
q The moving commemorative service was led by Nambucca Heads RSL subBranch President Denis Lane.
Measles alert for Mid North Coast
By Sis HIGGINS
MID North Coast residents are being urged to monitor for the symptoms of measles after NSW Health confirmed four new cases across the state, including one in Coffs Harbour.
That person was infectious while visiting the following locations.
Sunday, 8 February: Hyde Café at Bellingen from 10.45am to 11.40am.
Monday, 9 February: Coffs Harbour Emergency Department from 6am to 5pm.
Tuesday, 10 February: Toormina Woolworths, from 7.45am to 8.40am; Toormina Road Vet Clinic, from 9.30am to 11am; Coles in Earl Street, Coffs Harbour from 1.40pm to 2.30pm.
The locations do not pose an ongoing risk.
Mid North Coast Local Health District Director of Public Health Dr Valerie Delpech, said anyone who visited the above locations at those times should monitor for symptoms.
These can take up to 18 days to appear after an exposure.
Measles is spread through the air when someone who is infectious coughs or sneezes.
It is a vaccine preventable disease.
“We want to remind the community to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations,” Dr Delpech said.
“The measles vaccine can prevent the disease even after exposure, if given early enough.
“Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine.
“This is especially important before overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at the moment."
The measles-mumpsrubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and effective and is given free for children at 12 and 18 months of age.
It is also free in NSW for anyone born after 1965 who hasn't already had two doses.
Children under the age of 12 months can have a dose of MMR from six months of age if they are travelling overseas.
Dr Christine Selvey, Director of Communicable Diseases NSW, said there have been 14 confirmed measles
cases in NSW since 1 January.
Of the four recent cases, three were acquired in NSW, while the fourth case involves a returned traveller from South East Asia where outbreaks are ongoing.
“People should be alert. If symptoms develop and you’ve been at one of the locations… see your doctor or health service, including an emergency department.
“Call ahead to let them know that you may have come into contact with measles so you don’t spend time in waiting rooms with other patients.
“Symptoms to watch out for include fever, a runny nose, sore eyes and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head to the rest of the body.”
Lifesaving schools training
By Andrea FERRARI
FOR 2,000 teachers and education staff across Northern NSW, including in the Coffs Harbour, Bellingen and Nambucca Valley Local Government Areas (LGAs), the school year began with critical professional development.
Eleven trainers from Royal Life Saving’s Northern Regional Office covered over 7,200 kilometres to deliver training in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), First Aid, Basic Water Rescues and Anaphylaxis management.
Northern Regional Manager of Royal Life
Saving, Paul Taylor, said the importance of this training cannot be underestimated.
“Schools have a vitally
important duty of care to their students and staff need to hold accredited qualifications to be able to
respond to critical incidents,” he said.
“With the nature of the curriculum, school staff
A regularly updated list of exposure locations and times is available on the NSW Health website at health.nsw.
can be faced with medical or emergency situations in classes, the playground, on overnight camps, and during off-site activities.”
Royal Life Saving is a leading training provider of nationally recognised qualifications in health and
safety and offers courses throughout the Northern Region to the public in areas such as CPR, First Aid, Pool Lifeguard and Swim Teacher. Further details on local courses can be found on its website.
Rock and Roll Weekend strikes the right chord in Nambucca Heads
By Mick BIRTLES
THE Nambucca Heads RSL Club auditorium took a leap back in time from 12–15
February as the Let’s Dance Rock and Roll Nambucca Social Club hosted its muchanticipated Rock and Roll Weekend.
Over three nights and two days, locals and visitors alike stepped back in time to the golden era of 1950s and ‘60s music, filling the dance floor with twirls, spins and plenty of smiles.
From the first Social Meet and Greet on Thursday evening, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming as newcomers and seasoned dancers mingled, learned a few moves and reconnected with friends.
Friday the 13th brought a playful twist, with many attendees embracing the scary dress-up theme.
Local band The DriveIns delivered a high-energy
performance that kept dancers on their feet all night, while the charity component of the evening helped raise funds in support of Macksville Hospital.
Saturday morning saw the RSL Club carpark transformed into a motoring enthusiast’s dream for the Classic Car and Bike Show and Shine, sponsored by Brakepoint. The unpredictable
weather kept many potential participants away however the event still drew a wide variety of gleaming classic cars, muscle cars and hot rods with owners sharing stories of some incredible restoration projects.
The music continued into Saturday afternoon with Stevie B showcasing the depth of local talent, performing a crowd-pleasing mix of ‘50s and ‘60s favourites.
As evening fell, the Valentine’s Day theme took centre stage.
Many couples dressed for the occasion, and the dance floor quickly filled as Buddy Love and The Tremors delivered a polished performance packed with classic rock and roll hits.
Sunday provided both learning and celebration.
An intermediate dance workshop allowed keen participants to refine their skills before the weekend concluded with a lively finale performance by local duo Bad
Sneakers.
Their popular set ensured the dance floor remained full right to the final song, bringing the event to a rocking close.
Organisers expressed heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended, performed, volunteered and supported the weekend.
“The five dance activities over the four days attracted in excess of 520 participants, travelling from areas from as far north as the Sunshine Coast as far south as central Victoria and many from
the New England region,” a spokesperson from the Let’s Dance Rock and Roll Nambucca Social Club told News Of The Area.
“We will be doing this type of weekend again in September, bringing great social and economic benefit to the area, particularly to accommodation, fuel, food and beverage providers.”
The Nambucca Heads RSL Club and the Let’s Dance Rock and Roll Nambucca Social Club praised the strong community turnout and spirit of fun that defined this event.
NSW Health urges people who are unsure of their vaccination status to speak with their GP or call healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
q NSW Health is advising people to look out for measles symptoms.
Photo: Engin Akyurt.
q First Aid training in Bellingen.
q Learning CPR.
q Brian Dwyer, Robert Nicholls and Sue Copeland with an amazing 1965 Galaxie Convertible.
q Rusty the Dog takes pride of place on his dad Peter Armytage’s 1935 Hudson Terraplane.
$1 million for biocontrol research
THE NSW Government has granted $1 million to Australia’s national science agency the CSIRO to carry out biocontrol research to help control invasive weeds.
Biocontrol reduces weeds by deploying natural biological agents, such as fungi or insects, and is considered increasingly important as an environment-friendly, selfsustaining and cost-effective weed-management tool.
Invasive weeds cost Australian agriculture industries close to $4.9 billion each year through crop loss and weed-management costs.
On average, biocontrol returns $23 in benefits for every $1 invested and significantly reduces reliance
on herbicides.
This $1 million investment by the NSW Environmental Trust for the 2025-26 financial year will support new research initiatives led by the CSIRO in partnership with the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
The initiatives will target 11 weeds across diverse ecosystems from arid lands to moist forests.
For example, mass-rearing and releasing a cochineal insect to tackle Hudson pear, while a leaf-smut fungus will
manage wandering trad –each tailored to the specific environment and species.
The next steps to manage weeds are to ensure approved biocontrol agents are easy and safe for the community to use.
Following biocontrol agent releases, monitoring programs will evaluate their impacts on weeds and the recovery of native ecosystems, and findings will be shared through a statewide network.
The project includes a co-designed Aboriginal Engagement Plan ensuring Traditional Custodian knowledge and values guide biocontrol efforts and strengthen outcomes on
Country.
The Trust has already invested $3.4 million to date.
Previous projects have reduced the impacts of serious environmental weeds such as the coastal invader sea spurge, helping native species to recover.
Dr Ben Gooden, CSIRO Senior Research Scientist said, "This project unites cutting-edge science and ecological knowledge to tackle one of our most persistent environmental challenges – restoring landscapes impacted by invasive weeds.
"Biocontrol offers a sustainable, long-term solution to managing invasive weeds, helping
Have your say on Tree Preservation Order
DEAR News Of The Area,
I WELCOME the opportunity for the community to have a say on the Council's draft proposal to require a permit for the removal of trees in non-rural areas.
Good civic design that benefits humans is design that benefits all life.
Nature is our life support system and biodiversity is essential for human health. Every single tree is a link in the connectivity that makes earth's systems effective.
An individual tree is a microcosm of Nature's richness, providing shelter and habitat to a myriad species, from mammals to microbes, above ground and in the soil.
Trees are our most effective weapon in the war on climate change, drawing down and sequestering greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
The action of evapotranspiration not only cools the environment but regulates rainfall so that we
see fewer extreme weather events.
Water-based tree species are actually fire-retardant.
The simplest and cheapest way to reduce the influence of the Urban Heat Island Effect is through treed greenspace and tree canopy cover.
Trees filter harmful particulate air pollutants.
Research shows that looking at a tree for 40 seconds can lower blood pressure and heart rate.
The presence of plants and trees in our environment
We need our train back
DEAR News Of The Area,
COULD someone from Transport for NSW please confirm when and if the XPT will ever actually run as it used to.
Why?
I'll tell you
We live in the Urunga area and for 20 years we've caught the XPT from Urunga to Sydney twice a year to catch up with family and friends
Leading the charge
By David WIGLEY
NORTH Coast opened their Premier Youth campaign with two wins and three defeats against Maitland FC at Coffs Coast Synthetics on Sunday, but it was a day that showcased both promise and resilience across the grades.
The Under-14s wasted no time stamping their authority on the contest.
Barely a minute had ticked by when Jonty Ttooulou pounced, rifling home to give North Coast a dream 1-0 start.
It was the perfect statement of intent: sharp, aggressive and clinical.
Maitland responded with purpose and pressure.
Their persistence paid off midway through the half when Riley Harmon converted from the spot to level proceedings at 1-1 after 25 minutes.
But just as they had in the opening half, North Coast came out firing after the
break.
Luis Gibson delivered a pinpoint corner in the 41st minute and Will Joyce rose highest, steering a fantastic header into the bottom corner to restore the lead.
It proved decisive.
What followed was a gritty, disciplined final half hour.
North Coast absorbed pressure, defended resolutely and counter-attacked with intent to secure a hardearned three points in their
after moving.
Now at 86 and 89 these return trips cannot be guaranteed.
Friends cannot book a train then expect it to be at Urunga as usually a coach is
season opener.
The Under-15s also produced a strong response after a sluggish start.
Trailing early, North Coast flicked the switch midway through the first half and never looked back.
Raman Dalaf turned the match on its head with two goals in as many minutes to seal a 2-1 victory.
North Coast Football technical director Nico Bonarrigo said there were plenty of positives.
“All in all it was a good
can improve health and well-being, enhance our mood, help us be calmer, and stimulate us to be more creative and productive.
The natural beauty of our region appeals to locals and attracts tourists and we want to be proud of our streetscapes.
The most sought-after real estate is always in the leafy suburbs.
Shade trees not only minimise flooding by helping the soil to absorb moisture, they also assist in stabilising
waiting there which takes 11plus hours.
No one in their 70s or 80s can sit on a coach for that long or be expected to when a train was booked.
Neighbours last year actually went to the Coffs office and were told the train
day,” he said.
“Well done to the 14s and 15s.
“The 14s controlled the game and started strongly in both halves.
“They maintained possession well and Will Joyce scored an excellent header to win the match.
“The 15s were slow to start but dominated after the first 20 minutes.
“Raman [Dalaf] scored a very good goal, dribbling past a defender and chipping the goalkeeper with his left foot.
“For the second goal he looked second favourite
native ecosystems recover and thrive without the need for repeated chemical intervention.
"Successful biocontrol
reduces the burden on land managers, improves biodiversity, and supports more resilient landscapes for future generations."
that results in meaningful protection of all trees 2.5m or higher.
the ground and prolonging the life of bitumen surfaces.
I would like to see the proposal extended to include all trees 2.5m or taller, unless they are weeds or are dangerous.
A requirement under the current proposal of a trunk circumference of two metres is far too restrictive and would leave unprotected many mature and semimature trees that benefit the community and nature.
It is vital that we have a Tree Preservation Order
would be there the next day.
They asked the guy to guarantee this and they were assured.
They went to Urunga at 6am to find a coach waiting.
Preserving trees in our built environments will help keep us cool, encourage healthy living, enhance biodiversity and ensure ecological resilience.
Whether you agree with me or not, have your say by making a submission to the General Manager, council@ nambucca.nsw.gov.au, by 27 February.
Regards, Mary FORBES, Eungai Creek.
When are they going to actually tell passengers the truth and we can find out when the XPT actually goes to Sydney and returns. As I said, please explain.
to get there, but he chased down a hopeful ball and was rewarded. That goal won us the match.”
Elsewhere, the Under-13s suffered a 4-3 defeat after leading 2-0, surrendering momentum in the second half.
The Under-16s were on the back foot early, conceding four goals in the opening 17 minutes before improving as the contest wore on in a 6-2 loss.
The Under-18s rounded out the day with a 2-0 defeat
Regards, Beverley MILES, Raleigh
after a slow start proved costly.
“The 13s were 2-0 ahead but lost possession and the match in the second half,” Bonarrigo said.
“The 16s had a really bad start which shaped the game, but they improved as it progressed.
“The 18s had a slow start and it just wasn’t their day.
“All in all there are a lot of positives from the first round and we’ll continue to build and get better as the season progresses.”
q
Two goals from Raman Dalaf secured an opening win for North Coast Under 15s.
q North Coast Under 14s kicked off their season with a 2-1 win over Maitland.
q Dr Ben Gooden, CSIRO research scientist, surrounded by fleabane weed. Photo: GRDC.
Nambucca Heads Island Golf Club
By Chris KNIGHT
CHRIS 'George' Marshall was a happy camper after "only taking 12 months to have a decent round" since joining the Nambucca Heads Island Golf Club from Armidale.
The four-marker shot a one under par 68 for 41 points - including a bird on 9 from the 1st fairway - to sweep Div 1 in the Domina Insurance stableford on Thursday 12 February from the ever steady Peter Farrell (6) on 38.
Graeme Howard (36) from the posh Cromer Golf Club in Sydney found conditions to his liking to post 36 points for the Div 2 W, one better than Trevor Hopkins (20).
Don Lavery banged the putt from afar on 1 and the Andrews snaffled the first nearest the pins on 5 (Donovan) and 8 (Mackinnon). Peter Thompson was closest on 8, Greg Jager has a Steve Ward pizza to share or not with his machinery shed mates after hitting it tight on 13 and Peter Moxon collected three
lobsters on the last for the Pro Pin.
The women played a monthly medal on Wednesday 11 February and Deidre Fletcher (10) was again to the fore with 69 nett to claim Div 1. Fletcher's round included eight pars and a bird on the last.
Rhonda Rowe (29) had 101 dalmations but also three pars including the tough 9th for 72 nett to salute in Div 2. Robyn Dyer (34) completed the medal podium with the best in Div 3.
Pins on 5 went to Henny Oldenhove and Jenny Thorne, Kay McGoldrick was closest on 13 and Donna Easy bagged the $27 Pro Pin on 18.
Courtesy of major sponsor BMW Carpets, the women's 2026 season opening day saw a bumper field of 36 pairs for a fourball best ball on Black Friday.
Bonville, Sawtell, Woopi, Dorrigo, Kempsey, ForsterTuncurry, South West Rocks, Coffs, Bowraville and the hosts were represented.
The home team of ParkesScott were simply the best
with 48 points, two clear of Bonville's Bowles-Hardcastle who won the countback from Kelloway-Hobday in third place.
On Saturday, Rangi Davis (33) from the digital-only Golf Australia Club had 42 points to head home Chris Knight (11) on 40 in the Domina Insurance medley stableford.
Like a mushroom, Knight pops his head up on the leaderboard only when it's moist, and his round of 76 off the stick included birds on 4 and 17 and a dumb triple on 6.
Peter Miller drained the putt from afar on 1 and pins went to Scott Burley on 5, Egan Dunn on 8, and Geoff McCann on 15. The always classy Stuart Johnston got it close to the most improbable of pins on 13 for the pizza and Geoff Harris decided to make a par on the last more conventionally than an up and down from the front right trap, to take the $40 Pro Pin.
Domina General Insurance sponsored the stableford on Tuesday 10 February and Kempsey's
Nambucca Bowls Report
By Charlie POTTER
WEDNESDAY . Feb 11. 26
players enlisted for the Selected Triples which meant three triples and two pairs games. A pair won the major money... Maurie Herbert and Stu Garvey. Reg Barbat, The Welder Coughlan and Bruce Mason were second and Drew Stephens and Robert Chibnall third. Peter Dawe, Alan Cosgrave and Tony Urquhart were the surprising Lucky Losers. Brian Bevan drew Lucky Bowler but missed the $60 Jackpot.
Macksville Country Club Golf
By Max TURNER
THE good scores of recent week’s didn’t eventuate with Matt Smith the best scoring a net 37 to win from Neil Cunneen on 36.
The Mid Week competition suffered in numbers with more players
opting for Jeff Gore’s nine hole “Chook Run”. Nonetheless Paul Webster won with Phil Bambury runner up. On Tuesday the ladies played their monthly Stroke event with Rhonda McAuliffe’sconsistent golf getting her home ahead of runner up Jo Montague. Nearest the pins went to Cathy Cresswell on the 3rd and Ann Antcliff on the 17th.
Bowraville Golf Club
By Pam COTTEN
SATURDAY, 14 February
Eight determined teams teed off in much-needed rain on Saturday for a Two-Person Ambrose event at Bowraville Golf Club, embracing the conditions and enjoying a great day of competitive golf.
Taking out the win were Chris Cuthbertson and Terry Noble, combining superbly to secure victory in the testing conditions.
Runners-up honours went to Brian Brabant and John Summerville, who also handled the wet weather impressively.
Colin Habgood (9) carded 38 points for the victory jig, one clear of Reg Clough (37). Habgood's round included 11 pars and nothing worse than a bogey.
Stuart Garvey scored the pins on 5 and 13 (the latter for the Kiwi-Italian frisbee), Andrew Donovan took the 8th, Nathan Ison the 15th and Macksville's Brock Klar the Pro Pin on the last.
The first qualifying round of the Nambucca Skins is on Saturday 28 February. Open to Nambucca female and male players, just pay your $5 entry fee (which covers you for the entire season) at the Pro Shop before you tee off to be in to win.
The format is par and you need only one decent round in any of the qualifying events to make the top 16 for the finals (now in its 5th year, this event has been dominated by high-B, low C-graders with no A graders yet to claim the trophies and the cash).
In the Mid North Coast pennants competition, the club's Div 2 team, which won games but no matches last season, pulled off an ambush for the ages in besting the
Fri. Feb 13. 62 bowlers with Perry McNally, Peter Dawe and Mick Boyle taking home the major money. Stan Flack, Danny Curran and Mark Blackford were second and The Welder, Stu Garvey and Darcy Rostron third. Lucky Losers were Jai MacAuliffe,
Barry Redman and Peter Fredericks. The Diary doesn't say who drew Lucky Bowler but whoever it was won the $300 Jackpot, shared between Bob Sutton, Paddy Byrne, Angry Lawrence, Ron Hill, Ray Hunt and Doug Cedelland.
Sat. Feb 14. Pennants Round 1. Quite a few couldn't be available for round one and
Thursday Ladies Bowls
By Teresa MEEHAN
DESPITE scorching temperatures and heavy humidity forcing shortened games, the spirit of bowls was well and truly alive on the green on Thursday. Seventeen determined ladies braved the conditions, delivering a morning of competitive yet
friendly play.
In the match results, Marilyn, Colleen and Anne Marie secured a win over Marg, Kerrie and Anne Marie, with Anne Marie stepping in as the bonus bowler. Michelle, Joan and Joy put in a strong performance to defeat Teresa, Alma and Gloria, while Sharon, Nerida and Kim claimed
previously undefeated South West Rocks side at The Rocks, 3.5 to 1.5. Get a dolphin up ya, as the The Island boys finished equal first but in a sensationally controversial fashion (verify, carefully) miss out on the finals on a countback. Graham Watson, Karl Hobday and Chris Knight secured wins for Nambucca and team captain Ashton Herbert squared his match against plus-1 marker Glen Baker.
In Div 3, Nambucca 1 got off the mark in a big way with a 4-1 win at home over Coffs Harbour Blue. Drew Glasson,
this may have affected the 6 Blues and the 7's results. Here's hoping we can get a fuller attendance for this week.
Grade 3 - 69 (8) def Sawtell 57 (2) ... This week away to Park Beach
Grade 5 - 68 (9) def Bowraville 56 (1) ... This week at home to Coffs Ex Woolgoolga
victory against Sandra, Pam and Elaine.
Luck also played its part on the day. Lucky Winners were Sharon, Nerida and Kim, while Lucky Losers honours went to Sandra, Pam and Elaine. Joy was named Lucky Bowler.
The raffle winners were Michelle and Gloria, adding an extra smile to an already enjoyable day.
A big congratulations
Bowra Social Bowls Results
By BUNCHA
SOCIAL bowls winners for Thursday the 12th of February, were Wayne Dargan and Greg Hunt and the runners up was also a pairs team of Glenn Gillon and Jimmy Harter. The Lucky bowler cash prize went to Warren Gallop. Round 1 of the Grade 5 gender pennants was played
Individual highlights on the day included:
• Longest Putt: Chris Cuthbertson
• Nearest the Pins: Joe Mackay and Pam Cotten
While umbrellas were essential, spirits certainly weren’t dampened, with players grateful for the rain that will keep the course thriving in the weeks ahead.
Another successful day of golf and camaraderie at Bowraville Golf Club.
on Saturday the 14th of February at the Bowraville Sports hub against archrivals Nambucca Heads. Although going down 1-9 overall and the total score being 156/168 it was no way a walkover with the visitors scoring 13 points on the last four ends to consolidate the victory.
The Tigers are at home again for round 2 when they host Park Beach on Saturday
the 21st of February. Team selections are on the notice board. Two games were played on Sunday the 15th of February, with a couple of close results. Wayne Brown, Mary Dalsanto and Husband Andy proved a little too consistent for the threegeneration family of the Johnson's. Father Steve, son David and David's son Bailey put up a brave performance
Steve Doherty, Andrew Mackinnon and Dave Rosser proved too much for the lads up north.
In Div 4, the match away at Dorrigo was a washout, but Stuart Hughes' side are wellplaced for a push to the finals to defend their crown. Catchya on The Island where in a mortal sense it's as heavenly as you can get - best little golf course on the North Coast, yummo restaurant food, panoramic views from the river deck beer garden and a gaming lounge for those who like a responsible slap.
at home to South West Rocks
Grade 7 - 52 (0.5) lost to South West Rocks 62 (9.5) ... This week at home to Hat Head
goes to all players for turning out in challenging conditions and keeping the games fun, friendly and full of good sportsmanship. The club also extends best wishes to all members representing us this weekend in the Regional Triples at South West Rocks and in Open Pennants. Good luck — we’re all cheering you on.
but couldn't catch their rivals. Also, moving into the semi-finals was Allan Mckibbin, Storky Mitchell and Graham keys, who came from well back (and at stages looked well beaten) to just get up 28/27 - down 9/19 after 15 ends and still down 11/20 after 17, Key's team fought back to pick up 17 points on the last 7 ends. Hopefully both triple semi-finals will be played this Sunday the 22nd at 10am or 11am.
Nambucca Valley Bridge Club News
By Barbara MARANIK
RESULTS for week ending 15th February 2026
Monday 9th February 2025
North South
1st Robert Baker & Judy Holliday 57%, 2nd Barbara Lott & Paul Petrusma 55%, 3rd Susie Keur & Les Sinclair 50%
East West
1st Ali & Neil Tupper 67%, 2nd Vicky Walker & Carol
McKee 57%, 3rd John & Lynne Slade 47%
Tuesday 10th February 2025
1st Bill Wilmott & Paula Guthrie 70%, 2nd Carol McKee & Amber Fox 56%, 3rd Gary & Louise Walton 52%
Thursday 12th February 2025
1st Collin Tolley & Mike Siford 72%, 2nd Rob Marshal & Carol McKee 59%, 3rd Maureen Cowan &
Janet Dyson 56%
Saturday 14th February 2025
North South
1st Mike & Linda Siford 59%, 2nd Maureen Cowan & Barb Maranik 57%, 3rd Gary & Louise Walton 50%
East West
1st Ali & Neil Tupper 64%, 2nd Leonis Harrison & Bill Wilmott 59%, 3rd Judy Holliday & Vicky Walker 49%
q Andrew Donovan pipes one down the dangerous 6th hole at the Nambucca Heads Island Golf Course.
q Mike Simpson, Steve Hoskins and Mick Manning.
SUDOKU
Kids Boot Camp
By Manny WOOD
Probe into late-life transfers
ALAN makes a will, leaving the whole of his estate to his three daughters.
However, shortly before he passes away, he makes a new will, leaving the whole of his estate to his neighbour, Henry.
When Alan passes away, his daughters seek legal advice and soon commence proceedings.
Henry says that he had formed a relationship with Alan, akin to the relationship of a father and son.
He says that Alan informed him that he had no ongoing relationship with his daughters.
It is revealed that Alan had sold his home to Henry for $700,000.
Alan’s daughters say the property was worth in excess of $1 million.
Henry says that Alan could not afford to continue to reside in his home and after suffering a fall, decided to sell the property to him.
Evidence is adduced, to the effect that at the time of the sale of his property, Alan was an elderly and frail man with some dementia and heart disease.
It was unclear whether he received sufficient legal and financial advice regarding the sale of the property.
Following the sale of the property, Alan moved in with Henry and Alan’s personal effects were sold.
Further evidence indicates that substantial sums were withdrawn from Alan’s bank accounts following the sale of property. Henry says the funds were for Alan’s benefit.
At the time of the hearing, Alan’s bank account had only small balances remaining.
Alan’s daughters claim that he had grown dependent upon Henry and was vulnerable to exploitation.
They say that the sale of Alan’s property to Henry should be set aside.
In terms of case management, given that Alan’s estate had been almost entirely dissipated prior to his death, the appointment of an independent administrator of his estate was not financially viable and the Court decides that it is appropriate to appoint one of his daughters in this role.
The Court approves the lodgement of the caveat over Alan’s home and adjourns the matter, pending further investigations regarding financial transactions both before and after Alan’s death.
Email Manny Wood, Principal Solicitor and Accredited Specialist in Wills and Estates at TB Law at manny@tblaw.net.au or call him on (02) 66 487 487.
This fictional column is not legal advice
Dorin’s Draws By Paul DORIN
A false solution we cannot afford
DEAR News Of The Area,
Regarding the NOTA article “Local talks energy solutions” (13 February edition): I applaud Mr Simshauser’s suggestions to Council regarding energy storage and solar generation.
However, Energy-from-waste (EfW) incinerators should not be promoted as a green solution to our waste problems.
EfW incinerators do not make clean energy.
They are the dirtiest energy we have, and scientific research reveals their dangers: incinerators emit dioxins, heavy metals, and particulate matter linked to cancer, respiratory disease, and developmental disorders.
Toxic residues and fly ash created by the incinerators are difficult to manage and store safely.
EfW is also terrible for climate change.
A 2023 study in PLOS Climate found they produce more CO₂ per unit of electricity than any other power source; roughly 1,700g per kilowatt-hour, compared to 20-50g for solar.
As demand for fossil fuels in transport falls, oil companies aim to increase plastic production to
preserve income.
Promotion of burning plastic for energy guarantees a market.
Never mind that it is misleading.
This comes after the Centre for Climate Integrity’s 2024 report documented fifty years of deliberate industry misinformation about the viability of plastic recycling.
The European Union has excluded new incinerators from its sustainable finance guidelines and its major investment funds.
Over 156 civil society organisations have called for an immediate EU-wide moratorium.
Household waste can be greatly reduced by simple changes like shopping at local bulk goods stores.
According to Zero Waste Europe, purchasing from bulk dispensers can eliminate up to 90 percent of single-use plastic.
The global bulk retail market has grown at an annual rate of 8 percent between 2018 and 2023.
Waste can be reduced through education and incentive schemes, and I urge the council to investigate these.
Yours sincerely, Judith KIRWOOD, Valla Beach.
A glaring contradiction
DEAR News Of The Area,
IN the years since the Global Financial Crisis, one contradiction has quietly persisted at the heart of modern economic culture - a contradiction so glaring that it should unsettle anyone who still believes our systems reward contribution and punish harm.
We shame the unemployed.
We mock them, dismiss them, and treat them as though they are the dead weight of society. And yet, in the same breath, we raise interest rates because “too many people are working.”
We are told inflation is rising because the labour market is “too hot”, because wages are “too strong”, because ordinary people have “too much spending power”.
In other words: the system requires some people to be jobless - and then blames them for it. This is not an ideological argument. It is a structural fact.
Central banks openly state that unemployment must rise to cool inflation.
On theCouch
Email Jasminda: media@newsofthearea.com.au
DEAR Jasminda,
My wife recently picked every green mango off our tree because she was worried about possums and bats.
Now we have green mangoes all over the house and they don't seem to be ripening.
Has she made a fatal mistake?
George F.
Dear George,
Since I'm not a mango expert, I was tempted to type your query into AI, but then, on pondering that decision, I felt confident that AI would drip feed me an overlyenthusiastic answer that, at best, would give me no real clarity, and, at worst, would be erroneous, incorrect through omission, and/ or provide ghost citations (for example: The Grower's Guide to Magnificent Mangoes: Science Indirect).
The response would also use the same amount of water it would take to water an actual mango tree and similarly drip feed it in that aggravating people-pleasing manner that AI has adopted to make mere mortals feel special.
I imagine it would go something like, 'So, George, you're growing your own fruit. Good for you. Mangoes are a great source of Vitamin A.
You are right to be concerned that your wife has prematurely picked your mangoes, but there may be no cause for alarm.
Are the mangoes hard?
If you give me some more information, I may be able to offer some solutions.'
This conversation could go on ad finitum because AI starts off helpful, and ends up clingy.
Soon, what was a simple question has more segues than a Seinfeld episode.
Not only are you getting tips for growing mangoes, but you're being offered a threeweek mango cleanse diet, a daily itinerary for a round-the-word mango expedition, 32 things to do with mango skins, and potentially relationship counselling (and you have now used enough water for a mango orchard).
Instead, George, let me offer you some casual mango tips (learned the old-fashioned way i.e. trial, error, and a local hobby farmer).
1. It is actually okay to pick mangoes when they are green - a good tip is to look at the colour of the stalk. If it's yellow, then go for it.
2. Mangoes will ripen at room temperature in their own good time, but you can hurry the process along by putting them in a brown paper bag (the bag traps an odorless gas called ethylene which speeds up the ripening process).
3. Once one mango starts to ripen, they will all join in, like some weird, sweetsmelling flash mob.
4. Now you have a new problem i.e. what to do with 75 ripe mangoes. Let me come back to you on that one.
New leader, same old Liberals
DEAR News Of The Area,
Economists describe job losses as “necessary adjustments”.
Markets cheer when workers lose bargaining power.
But the individuals who bear the brunt of these “adjustments” are the very people society already looks down upon.
The irony is almost painful.
During the GFC, it wasn’t the homeless man under the bridge who collapsed the global economy.
He didn’t gamble with derivatives.
He didn’t inflate housing bubbles.
He didn’t siphon wealth upward or destabilize markets.
He simply existed - quietly, harmlessly, consuming almost nothing and harming no one.
If value were measured by harm avoided, he contributed more to the wellbeing of the planet than the executives whose decisions triggered a worldwide collapse.
Yet he is the one we shame.
We call him lazy. We call him a burden. We call him “unproductive”.
But when inflation rises, we suddenly discover that
NEW Liberal leader Angus Taylor promises that by returning to Liberal values he will restore our standard of living, protect our way of life and restore the Australian dream of home ownership.
In trying to sell this snake oil, he turns a blind eye to the fact that successive Liberal/Nationals governments imposing their ‘Liberal values’ is the reason why our standard of living has gone backwards.
unemployment is not a moral failing - it is a policy tool.
A buffer. A pressure valve.
The unemployed person becomes the shock absorber for the entire economic system.
And still, we treat them as though they are the problem.
Perhaps it is time to rethink what we mean by “value”.
If a person harms no one, consumes little, and destabilises nothing, why are they treated as worthless?
If a person’s absence from the labour market helps cool inflation, why do we not acknowledge the role they play?
If the system depends on a certain number of people not getting jobs, why do we shame the very people who fill that role?
Maybe the truth is
The rich are not affected because while they have gotten richer, the poor have become poorer, housing is unaffordable and young people without the prospect of an inheritance despair.
Liberal values are not the solution, they are the cause of many of today’s problems.
People have woken up to this and it is why they are deserting the coalition parties in droves.
Regards, Stephen OTTAWAY.
uncomfortable: our economic narratives are moral stories disguised as mathematics.
We reward those who cause the most visible activity, even when that activity is destructive.
We punish those who cause no harm, simply because they do not fit the mythology of productivity.
But the planet does not care about productivity. It cares about impact.
And sometimes the person doing “nothing” is doing far less damage than the person doing “everything”. It might be time to stop shaming the unemployed - and start questioning the systems that require their suffering in the first place.
Regards, Calvin BARTLETT, Coffs Harbour.
Carpe diem, Jasminda.
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 adoption enquiries please complete the Adoption Enquiry Form on Council’s Website.
NAMBUCCA VALLEY
BEST ON THE BOX
MONDAY AUSTRALIAN SURVIVOR: REDEMPTION
TEN, 7.30pm
Blindsides don’t come much more epic than when producers of this enduring reality series unexpectedly replaced long-time host Jonathan LaPaglia with former winner David Genat (above). It was a power move that no one saw coming, and sets the scene for another unpredictable season of strategic gameplay in the Samoan jungle. Fellow fan favourites Brooke Jowett, Harry Hills, Simon Mee and Mark Warnock also return to compete against a fresh batch of 20 ambitious newcomers.
FRIDAY,
February 20
(PGal,
9.00
(R)
TUESDAY
AUSTRALIA’S GREATEST CONMAN?
SBS, 8.35pm
This two-part documentary has all the hallmarks of an espionage blockbuster: helicopters, parachutes, politicians and even the CIA. However, the man of mystery at its centre is no Jason Bourne or Ethan Hunt – rather, John Friedrich was an everyday engineer. After building the Victorian branch of the National Safety Council into an advanced civilian search and rescue operation, the ambitious and charming Friedrich rose to the upper echelons of Australian society – before a spectacular fall from grace. Over two nights, intrepid investigator Marc Fennell (right) sets out to discover the truth behind the fraudster and the enormous anomalies left in his wake. You couldn’t make this up.
THURSDAY
GRAND DESIGNS TRANSFORMATIONS
ABC TV, 8pm
There’s very few among us who hear the words “flatpack furniture” and don’t groan. Albeit cost-effective, the so-called solution is synonymous with frustration, arguments and losing an entire weekend to a “one-hour” task. That makes Tasmanian couple Richard and Alice’s (pictured) passion project all the more impressive. The pair have come into possession of a 140-year-old glasshouse that was shipped to Australia from the UK as a DIY kit in the late 1800s. They’re hoping to rebuild its delicate timber framework piece by piece – without the original instructions. Host and architecture professor Anthony Burke keeps an eye on the process, which involves hand-cutting 500 panes of glass to complete the puzzle.
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Gardening Australia.
8.30 Professor T. (M) Professor T investigates when a bride is found dead on her wedding night floating in the hotel swimming pool.
9.15 Hard Quiz. (PGa, R) Hosted by Tom Gleeson.
9.45 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (PG, R)
10.20 Dog Park. (Ml, R)
10.50 ABC Late News.
11.05 Smother. (Mv, R)
1.45 Rage New Music. (MA15+dhlnsv) 5.00 Rage. (PGadhlnsv)
6am
6.20pm Bluey. 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 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 TKO: Total Knock Out. (Final) 10.40 Late Programs.
Bitesize. (R)
Paddington
11.00 China On Stage. (R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 1.55 The Hospital: In The Deep End. (Ma, R) 3.00 Nula. 3.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 Building The Impossible. (PG, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 National News At Noon. 1.00 MOVIE: Happily Never After. (2022, Masv, R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (Return)
8.30 Super Ships: A Revolution At Sea. (R)
9.35 Harrods: The Rise And Fall Of A British Institution. (Ma, R)
10.30 SBS World News Late.
11.00 Sisi. (Mav, R)
11.55 Babylon Berlin. (MA15+s, R)
1.40 The Lesson. (Mals, R)
4.05 Barkley Manor. (PG, R)
4.35 Bamay. (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. Charlie Albone fixes a shady corner in the garden.
8.30 The Marlow Murder Club. (Mav) When a man with no connection to Marlow is found dead, Judith, Becks and Suzie investigate.
10.30 Australian Idol. (PGal, R) Hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie.
12.15 GetOn Extra.
12.45 Dare Me. (MA15+asv)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
5.00 Dr Harry’s Animal Encounters. (PG, R)
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 14 – Night. Coverage includes men’s biathlon and women’s curling, ski cross qualifiers and final. Hosted by Allison Langdon and James Bracey.
12.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 14 – Post Midnight. Coverage includes women’s curling and 1500m speed skating final and men’s 15km biathlon and ice hockey.
3.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 14 – Overnight. Coverage includes men’s ice hockey and curling and two-woman bobsledding heats.
6.00 10 News+. 6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 7.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG) Hosted by Rebecca Gibney. 7.30 Selling Houses Australia. (R) A couple are desperate to sell
SATURDAY, February 21
6.25 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)
7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.
7.30 Call The Midwife. (Final, PGa) Nancy’s wedding plans take a surprising turn.
8.30 Midsomer Murders. (Final, Mv) When an online PTA meeting at Causton Grammar ends in murder, Barnaby and Winter head back to school to learn the deadly antics in the lives of pupils, teachers and parents alike.
10.05 This England. (M, R) Looks at Britain during COVID-19.
10.55 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) Continuous music programming.
ABC FAMILY (22)
6am Children’s Programs. 6.05pm 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! (Premiere) 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Hard Quiz Kids. 8.00 Chopped Junior. 8.40 Shaun Tan’s Tales From Outer Suburbia. 9.05 Mr Bean: The Animated Series. 9.30 Fresh Off The Boat. 10.10 Abbott Elementary. 10.30 Merlin. 11.15 Late Programs.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Neil And Martin’s Bon Voyage. (Premiere)
8.25 Travels With Agatha Christie And Sir David Suchet. (PGa, R)
9.20 Shaun Micallef’s Origin Odyssey. (PG, R)
10.20 Highclere: The Real Downton Abbey. (R)
11.15 Outlander. (Msv, R)
1.40 Beyond Signs. (MA15+a, R)
3.35 Barkley Manor. (PGa, R)
4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.15 Euronews.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6am The Third
Man. (1949) 8.00 The Ideal Palace. (2018, PG, French) 10.00 Once Upon A Time In China. (1991, Cantonese) 12.30pm Once Upon A Time In China II. (1992, Cantonese) 2.35 The Silver Brumby. (1993, PG) 4.20 Discovering Film. 5.05 The Red Turtle. (2016, PG, No dialogue) 6.35 Storm Boy. (2019, PG) 8.30 Apocalypse Now Redux. (1979, MA15+) 12.20am Late Programs.
7.30 Muster Dogs. (PG) The novice handlers face two stock-handling tasks.
8.30 Dog Park. (Ml) Spike goes missing.
9.00 This England. (Mal) Looks at Britain during COVID-19. Cabinet discusses setting up a temporary hospital in East London.
9.50 Call The Midwife. (Final, PGa, R)
10.50 Midsomer Murders. (Mv, R)
12.25 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)
ABC FAMILY (22)
6am Children’s Programs. 5.45pm Super Monsters. 5.55 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 Shaun Tan’s Tales From Outer Suburbia. 8.15 MOVIE: A Shaun The Sheep Movie: Farmageddon. (2019) 9.40 Fresh Off The Boat. 10.20 Merlin. 11.05 Late Programs.
(PGl, R) 11.00 WorldWatch. 12.00 Cycling. ProVelo Super League. Round 2. Tour Of Tasmania. 4.00 Stories From The Cities. (Premiere) 4.30 WorldWatch. 5.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 5.35 Bismarck: 24 Hours To Doom. (PGalv, R) 6.00 Morning Programs. 10.05 Vintage Voltage. (PGl, R) 11.00 World Wide Nate: African Adventures. (PG) 12.00 PBS News Compass Points. 12.30 WorldWatch. 1.00 Speedweek. 3.00 Sailing. Sail Grand Prix Auckland. Round 2. H’lights. 4.00 Going Places. (PGa, R) 5.25 Peleliu: WWII’s Most Well-Preserved Battlefield.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 The Colosseum With Dan Snow. (Premiere)
9.20 Ancient Empires. (MA15+v, R) Looks at the empire built by Alexander the Great. 11.15 Reframed: Marilyn Monroe. (Mans, R)
2.35 24 Hours In Emergency. (Mal, R)
3.30 24 Hours In A&E. (Ma, R)
4.25 Bamay. (R)
4.55 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.15 Euronews. 5.30 PBS News Horizons.
6am The Ideal Palace. (2018, PG, French) 6.35 The Red Turtle. (2016, PG, No dialogue) 8.05 Storm Boy. (2019, PG) 10.00 Proof Of Life. (2000, M) 12.30pm Wonderfully Beautiful. (2022, M, German) 3.00 The Third Man. (1949, PG) 5.00 Princess Caraboo. (1994, PG) 6.50 And God Created Woman. (1956, French) 8.30 Pulp Fiction. (1994, MA15+) 11.20 Triangle Of Sadness. (2022, M) 2am Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round 1. Sydney 500. Day 1. Pre-race and race.
9.30 MOVIE: F9: The Fast Saga. (2021, Mv, R) The true meaning of family gets tested like never before when Dom and the crew search for a cyberterrorist. Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, John Cena. 12.20 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round 1. Sydney 500. Day 1. Highlights.
1.20 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 It’s Academic. (R)
5.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 15 – Night. Coverage includes men’s four-man bobsleigh, ski cross qualifiers and finals and mixed team aerials and ski mountaineering relay.
12.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 15 – Post Midnight. Coverage includes mixed ski mountaineering relay, men’s and women’s mass start speed skating and women’s biathlon.
3.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 15 – Overnight.
6.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith. 7.30 Love It Or List It Australia. Jules loves his inner city beach bungalow, whereas Erin wants space and is keen to search for it.
8.40 The Graham Norton Show. (Ms, R) Graham Norton is joined by Chris Pratt, Cynthia Erivo, Dawn French, Rob Beckett and Jack Savoretti. 9.50 MOVIE: Scream VI. (2023, MA15+l, R) Ghostface resurfaces in New York City. Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega. 12.10 Gogglebox Australia. (R) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.
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6am Morning Programs.
6am Morning Programs.
Tottenham v Newcastle. 3.45 LEGO Masters. 5.30 MOVIE: Monster Family 2. (2021, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix. (2007, M) 10.10 Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Australian Idol. (PG)
8.40 Murder On A Cruise. (Mav) Looks at Micki Kanesaki, who vanished during a Mediterranean cruise with her ex-husband in 2006.
10.40 The Hunters. (Mav, R)
12.10 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round 1. Sydney 500. Day 2. Highlights.
1.10 Temple. (MA15+al)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
4.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R)
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
7TWO
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 Married At First Sight. (PGls) Love is in the air at the commitment ceremony.
8.45 60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating, analysing and uncovering the issues affecting all Australians.
9.45 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 16 – Night.
12.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 16 – Post Midnight.
3.30 Ready Vet Go: The Vet Paramedics. (PGm, R) 4.00 Fishing Australia. (R) 4.30 The Garden Gurus. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
6.30 10 News+. 7.00 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (Final) 8.10 NCIS: Sydney.
7MATE (64)
6am Children’s Programs.
Strong turnout kicks off LoggerHeads Malibu Club season
FROM Page 20
He emphasised that the club prides itself on maintaining a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere.
“We still approach the sport of longboard surfing with a sense of fun and it is great
Friday, 20 February 2026
to see surfers at all levels of competence joining us, from beginners to the very skilled,” Mr Jagoe said.
The resurgence in participation comes at an exciting time for the club, with preparations already underway for the LoggerHeads Malibu
Classic, scheduled for 24–26 July.
This year’s event will mark a significant milestone being the 40th anniversary of the popular three-day competition, which attracts surfers from across the country.
Mr Jagoe noted that interest in the anniversary event is
already high and warned that entry places are filling quickly. Surfers keen to compete in the Malibu Classic are encouraged to submit their nominations as soon as possible to avoid missing out on what promises to be a memorable celebration of longboard surfing
in the Nambucca Valley. Anyone interested in checking out the LoggerHeads Malibu Club can go to their Facebook page or catch up face-to-face at 7:45am at Scotts Head Reserve (near the boat ramp) on the third Sunday of each month.
DRAMA (51)
6.00
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)
10.05 SBS World News Late.
10.35 Other People’s Money. (Mals)
11.30 Vigil. (MA15+v, R)
2.45 My Name Is Reeva: I Was Murdered By Oscar Pistorius. (Malv, R)
3.40 Bamay. (R) 4.40 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (PGa, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
Caraboo. (1994, PG) 7.55 Discovering Film. 8.55 And God Created Woman. (1956, French) 10.35 Too Cool To Kill. (2022, M, Mandarin) 12.40pm Motherhood. (2022, M, Japanese) 2.50 The Movie Show. (Final) 3.25 The Red Turtle. (2016, PG, No dialogue) 4.55 A King In New York. (1957, PG) 6.50 The 39 Steps. (1935) 8.30 Casablanca. (1942, PG) 10.25 Amadeus. (1984, M) 1.20am Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)
7.30 Australian Idol. (PGal) Hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie. 9.00 9-1-1. (Madv) Athena revisits a painful part of her past while responding to a call. Buck coaches Harry as he prepares for the firefighter CPAT test.
10.00 Ivan Milat: Buried Secrets. (MA15+av, R) Takes a look at the crimes of Ivan Milat.
12.00 Conviction. (MA15+a, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R)
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls)
9.15 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 Closing Ceremony. The Closing Ceremony of Milano Cortina 2026. Replay.
12.15 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
1.05 Hello SA. (PG)
A Current Affair. (R)
Family. (PG, R) 1.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 2.20 Smother. (Mals, R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)
12.00 Syndrome E. (Malv, R) 2.05 Safe Home. (Mal, R) 3.00 My Name Is Reeva. (Mav, R) 3.55 Barkley Manor. (PG, R) 4.25 Bamay. (R) 4.55 Destination Flavour: Singapore Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
VICELAND (31)
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am The Movie Show. 6.35 A King In New York. (1957, PG) 8.35 The 39 Steps. (1935) 10.15 The Te$t. (2022, M, Spanish) 12.15pm Triangle Of Sadness. (2022, M) 3.00 Discovering Film. 3.55 Casablanca. (1942, PG) 5.50 Thirteen Days. (2000, PG) 8.30 The Big Short. (2015, M) 10.55 The Peacock. (2023, M) 12.55am Traffic. (2000, MA15+) 3.35 Motherhood. (2022, M, Japanese) 5.45 The Movie Show.
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6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)
7.30 Australian Idol. Hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie. 9.10 Doc. (Mav) Amy and Gina, with an assist from Jake, team up to help a victim of domestic abuse.
10.10 Ambulance: Code Red. (Ma) A man is seriously injured after his car left the road.
11.10 St. Denis Medical. (PGals)
12.10 Childhood’s End. (Mav)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
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WEDNESDAY, February 25
Saving Yellowstone.
Australia’s Greatest Conman? (PGal)
Trespasses. (MA15+l)
SBS World News Late.
Face To Face. (Ma, R)
Darkness: Those Who Kill. (MA15+a, R)
1.40 Divided We Stand. (Mal, R)
3.25 My Name Is Reeva. (Ma, R) 4.20 Bamay. (R) 4.50 Destination Flavour: Singapore Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
VICELAND (31)
6am Children’s Programs. 6.40pm Hey Duggee. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Superbuns. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Ninjago. 8.00 Deadly 60. 8.30 BTN Newsbreak. 8.35 Steven Universe. 8.55 Adventure Time. 9.20 Teen Titans Go! 9.45 We Bare Bears. 9.55 Shaun Tan’s Tales From Outer Suburbia. 10.20 My Adventures With Superman. 10.40 Late Programs. 6am Children’s Programs. 5.40pm Kangaroo Beach. 5.55 Octonauts. 6.05 PJ Masks. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 The Adventures Of Paddington. 6.40
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am The Movie
Show. 6.20 Thirteen Days. (2000, PG) 9.00 Discovering Film. 10.00 Two Many Chefs. (2022, M, Spanish) 11.45 Amadeus. (1984, M) 2.40pm A King In New York. (1957, PG) 4.35 The 39 Steps. (1935) 6.15 Philadelphia. (1993, PG) 8.30 Adaptation. (2002, MA15+) 10.40 One Cut Of The Dead. (2017, MA15+, Japanese) 12.25am The Big Short. (2015, M) 2.50 Late Programs. 5.50 Boychoir. (2014, PG)
THURSDAY, February 26
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Toronto Airport Uncovered.
8.25 Robson Green: World’s Most Amazing Walks. (PG)
9.20 A Spy Among Friends.
10.30 SBS World News Late.
11.00 In Memoriam. (Malsv)
11.50 The Hollow. (Malv, R)
1.50 Silent Road. (Mav, R)
4.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
4.30 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
VICELAND (31)
SBS MOVIES (32)
6am Boychoir. (2014, PG) 7.45 Philadelphia. (1993, PG) 10.00 The Peacock. (2023, M) 11.55 The Big Short. (2015, M) 2.15pm Thirteen Days. (2000, PG) 4.50 Love And Friendship. (2016, PG) 6.30 Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner. (1967, PG) 8.30 Michael Clayton. (2007, MA15+) 10.40 The Bridges Of Madison County. (1995, M) 1.10am Adaptation. (2002, MA15+) 3.15 Late Programs.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)
7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PG)
8.30 Highway Patrol. (PGl) A driver is caught racing through a stop sign. 9.00 Operation Dark Phone: Murder By Text. (MA15+a) The investigation reveals a first drug exportation. 10.00 Air Crash Investigations: A Perfect Storm. (PGa)
11.00 To Be Advised.
12.40 The Act. (MA15+ans, 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 MOVIE: I’m Chevy Chase And You’re Not. (2025, MA15+aadl)
11.00 9News Late. 11.30 A Remarkable Place To Die. (Mlv, R)
12.20 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
1.10 Great Australian Detour. (R)
1.30 TV Shop: Home
7MATE (64)
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. Leah comforts Lacey.
8.30 MOVIE: Notting Hill. (1999, Mls, R) The simple life of an English bookshop owner changes after a celebrity enters his shop. Hugh Grant, Julia Roberts. 11.05 To Be Advised.
12.35 Dare Me. (MA15+asv) Addy, Beth and Colette get involved in a faceoff.
1.35 Harry’s Practice. (R) Information about pet care.
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
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7MATE (64)
Friday, 20 February 2026
Strong turnout
WHATS ON golden sands tavern
By Mick BIRTLES
THE LoggerHeads Malibu Club has launched its 2026 surfing season in style, with more than 31 surfers turning out for the Nambucca Valley club’s first Club Point Score meet of the year at Scotts Head.
Following a pleasing rise in membership throughout last year, the strong attendance confirmed that longboard surfing continues to grow in popularity across the district.
Competitors of all abilities took to the water, with the day’s action unfolding across 12 heats, including two dedicated ladies’ heats.
Conditions proved variable, changing several times throughout the event, but surfers adapted well and still found plenty of quality waves.
Club President Barry Jagoe told News Of The Area, “It was such a great start to the season to see such a big roll up and the conditions were such that there were plenty of great waves to go around, putting smiles on faces.”
q Scotts Head’s Ian Stalker carving it up last Sunday at the LoggerHeads Malibu Club’s first Club Point Score meet of the year.
