Port Stephens News Of The Area 22 JANUARY 2026

“Piles

“Across

Licence suspended over roundabout death

A MAN’S licence has been suspended as an investigation continues into last Tuesday’s alleged fail-to-stop crash at a Nelson Bay roundabout.

Just before 9am on 13 January, a 71-year-old man was walking his dog on Stockton Street, near the roundabout at Church Street, when he attempted to cross the road.

He paused briefly at the pedestrian traffic island before continuing to cross the

road. A vehicle exited the roundabout and allegedly clipped the man before striking his dog - eight-yearold Lulu - killing her instantly.

When the driver allegedly failed to stop, police attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were notified and started searching for the vehicle.

On Wednesday night, 14 January, an off-duty officer on his way to work saw the

vehicle at a mechanic's shop in Anna Bay.

Police identified damage allegedly consistent with the incident at the roundabout and the vehicle was subsequently seized.

About 12.15pm on Thursday 15 January, officers attended a home in Anna Bay where they spoke with a 65-year-old man.

His driver licence was suspended, with traffic enforcement action to follow.

Operation Safer Sands

POLICE will be conducting “Operation Safer Sands” across the school holidays to ensure local beaches remain safe and enjoyable for all.

On Saturday, 10 January, officers from the Nelson Bay sector of the Port Stephens Highway Patrol, conducted a joint operation with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), supported by Maitland and Newcastle City Highway Patrol sectors.

The operation focused on safety at Stockton Beach, Worimi Conservation Lands, and Samurai Beach.

Resources deployed for the operation included 10 police officers and 10 NPWS staff; three unmarked 4WD vehicles; one

WEEDS TREATMENT NOTICE PERIOD - UP UNTIL 14 DAYS FROM THIS ADVERTISEMENT

NELSON PLAINS

73 Seaham Rd 16-2025-748-1 Earthworks – cattle refuge mound, flood mitigation

RAYMOND TERRACE

18 Edinburgh St 16-2025-759-1 Demolition

SOLDIERS POINT

23 Soldiers Point Rd 16-2025-714-1

Demolish dwelling, vegetation removal and construct 8 multi-dwelling housing units

WALLALONG 22 Scott St 16-2025-745-1 Shed and attached awning

JOIN OUR VOLUNTEERS

SOLDIERS POINT – SALAMANDER POINT BUSHCARE

Location: Currently working across Wanda Head Reserve, Sandpiper Reserve, Seaview Crescent and Soldiers Point.

Meeting dates: The first and third Wednesday of each month.

Type of volunteer work involved: A range of hands-on activities like removing weeds, planting native species, and controlling erosion to restore and protect local natural environments. As well as activities such as seed collection, litter cleanup, and educating the community to enhance local ecosystems for both people and wildlife.

If you are interested please reach out volunteers@portstephens.nsw.gov.au or fill out the registration form online pscouncil.info/volunteer-eoi

Notice is given that Port Stephens Council intends to treat infestations of aquatic weeds on or in water in the Campvale Drain and portions of the following rivers occurring in the Port Stephens Council Local Government Area: Hunter River and tributaries from Raymond Terrace to the confluence of the Paterson River. Paterson River and tributaries from the confluence of the Hunter River upstream to the Port Stephens Council boundary.

• Williams River and tributaries upstream from Raymond Terrace to the Port Stephens Council boundary.

Herbicides containing active ingredient 600g/ kg Metsulfuron methyl and/or active ingredient 360g/l glyphosate will be used. Residents in the

marked Highway Patrol vehicle and two trail bikes.

Results of the exercise included:

• Vehicles checked: 437

• People engaged: 1,259

• Random Breath Tests: 112

• Random Drug Tests: 35

Twenty-one general traffic infringements were detected along with one seatbelt offence, one speeding offence (20km/h over limit) and one reckless driving offence.

There were also 29 breaches of permit conditions.

q Police are patrolling local beaches in a joint operation with the NPWS.

NSW Police.

treatment area should not use, drink or swim in the water during the period of treatment. Small scale reapplications may occur within 30 days of the date of the original treatment.

Any further enquiries may be directed to Council on 4988 0255 or email: weeds@portstephens.nsw.gov.au

ROAD CLOSURE

AUSTRALIA DAY, NELSON BAY

Port Stephens Council advises the temporary road closure of Victoria Parade, from Fly Point to Dixon Drive (one way section only) between the hours of 5am and 4pm for Australia Day celebrations on Monday 26 January 2026.

Access for residents and business operators will be provided by the event organisers. Further enquiries may be made by contacting Council’s Events team on 4988 0255.

MONDAY 26 JANUARY 2026

portstephens.nsw.gov.au and follow us on Facebook.

Questions over fairness of exclusion zones trial in Port Stephens

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of powered vessel exclusion zones in Port Stephens to be fair and equitable.

Transport for NSW (TfNSW) says the trial, which ends on Australia Day, is designed to reduce conflict in busy areas and improve safety for swimmers, paddlers and recreational boaters.

Jet skis are among the watercraft being banned.

However, the Newcastle and Port Stephens Game Fish Club has questioned the feedback process, noting that only two of the 16 boat ramps inside Port Stephens have signage displaying the QR code for users to leave feedback, whereas there are numerous signs along beaches and swimming areas.

“That imbalance is hard to ignore,” said President Troy Radford.

“We are repeatedly told this is only a ‘trial’ and that community feedback will guide future decisions.

“But that raises an obvious question: is the feedback process itself fair, open, and genuinely accessible to everyone who uses our waterways?”

Three locations were selected for the trial based on safety data.

1) Dutchmans Beach: a 185-metre-long area on the

eastern side of the beach.

2) Nelson Bay Beach (Fly Point): a 230-metrelong area from Fly Point in a southwest direction to a pumping station midway along Nelson Bay beach.

3) Shoal Bay: a 430-metre-long area westward from the jetty to the pedestrian crossing.

Mr Radford said the majority of powered vessel users in Port Stephens are not locals.

“Many launch once, spend a day on the water, and leave.

“If they do not use one of the two boat ramps with signage, how are they supposed to know the trial exists at all, let alone that they can provide feedback?

“Port Stephens… is a shared, working waterway that supports recreational boating, fishing, tourism businesses, charter operators, and local jobs.

“Decisions that reshape access to that waterway must be based on balanced, transparent, and inclusive consultation.

“Anything less risks undermining public trust.”

The Club wants equal signage at all boat ramps; clear on-water education during the trial period; adequate timeframes for public awareness; and a feedback process that actively reaches all user groups.

Process ‘troubling’

Boating Industry Association (BIA) spokesperson Neil Patchett said the State Government announced the trial of powered vessel exclusion zones on social media in November, without consulting or providing any evidence of concerns to key stakeholders.

“The boating sector is accustomed to the long-standing norm of consultation prior to implementation of regulatory measures,” he said.

“This current unusual process is troubling, and runs the risk of setting a poor precedent, which could be used in other areas with little regard for the boating public.

“Concerningly, there seems [to be] an imbalance in signage.

“The boating public should be provided with the same level of awareness of the trial and opportunity to comment.”

The BIA said the zones should not be reintroduced after the trial, or applied elsewhere, until TfNSW has provided the following:

• appropriate consultation with key stakeholders

• long-term, robust and relevant data and evidence of incidents and unacceptable behaviour

by “powered vessels” in the trial areas

• evidence of what education, compliance and enforcement activity has taken place in the impacted areas over the past 10 years

• evidence of what alternatives to Exclusion Zones have been considered and tried; and

• data on the social and economic impact of the Exclusion Zones.

The BIA said the poor consultation process comes on the back of TfNSW increasing boating fees to record levels without consultation.

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Appeal for dashcam footage

POLICE are appealing for dashcam footage following the death of an elderly woman in a two-vehicle crash on Saturday evening.

About 7.25pm on 17 January, emergency services were called to Nelson Bay Road, Salamander Bay, following reports two vehicles had collided.

The driver of a Toyota Rav4 – a 77-yearold woman – died at the scene.

The passengers – two men aged 78 and 79, and a 76-year-old woman – were treated

at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics and taken to John Hunter Hospital.

All were in a stable condition at the time of their transfer.

The driver and passenger of a Subaru Forester, a 66-year-old man and a 60-yearold woman, were also treated at the scene and taken to the same hospital in a stable condition.

Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District established a crime scene,

which was forensically examined by specialist police from the Crash Investigation Unit. A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or through nsw.crimestoppers.com.au

*Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

Raymond Terrace tobacco shops targeted

A 25-YEAR-OLD man has been remanded in custody over two alleged armed robberies in William Street, Raymond Terrace.

The first was two days before Christmas and the second was last Thursday, 15 January..

Officers from the Port Stephens-Hunter Police District allege Daylan Sinclair was one of two men who entered the Good Option Tobacconist on William Street at 6.40pm on 23 December, threatening a male worker and demanding cash.

One man allegedlly assaulted the 23-year-

old employee with a metal pole, before leaving with cigarettes and an amount of money.

The employee was not injured.

About 8am on Thursday 15 January, police were called to another tobacco shop on William Street after reports it too had been robbed.

Police were told two men entered the store before allegedly stealing packets of cigarettes and an amount of cash.

They were seen leaving in a black sedan.

About 3pm that afternoon, police arrested Sinclair on Robert Campbell Drive, Raymond

Terrace.

He was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where he was charged with “robbery while armed with dangerous weapon”, and “robbery in company”.

He did not apply for bail when he appeared before Bail Division Court 2 on Friday, and it was formally refused.

Sinclair will reappear before Newcastle Local Court on 18 March.

Inquiries into the incidents and the whereabouts of the second man continue.

Nelson Bay firearms charges

A MAN has been bailed to appear before Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 9 February, charged over the discovery of unsecured firearms in a Nelson Bay home.

About 10.30am on Tuesday 30 December, officers from the Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended a unit in Kelvin Grove in response to an alarm activation. They observed numerous unsecured firearms inside the unit and declared a crime

Even the strongest sometimes need a hand

scene.

A search warrant was executed, with police seizing several items of interest including unregistered firearms, ammunition, and knives.

Following inquiries, about 2.45pm on Friday 9 January, police arrested a 25-yearold man at Raymond Terrace Police Station. He was charged with six offences.

These are:

• Two counts of possess unauthorised pistol

• Two counts of not keep firearm safely

• Possess unauthorised prohibited firearm, and

• Possess unregistered firearm.

The man was initially refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 2 on Saturday 10 January, where he was granted strict conditional bail to re-appear in February.

We all have ups and downs, and you don’t have to wait until things feel too hard to reach out. Sometimes, the first step can be as simple as checking in – with yourself or someone you care about.

For more information to support your mental health and wellbeing, visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/support or call the Mental Health line on 1800 011 511

Holiday shuttle service a hit

By Jacie WHITFIELD

AN experimental holiday shuttle bus service trialled over the Christmas and New Year period in the Tomaree Headland area has proven an overwhelming success, with organisers reporting demand well beyond expectations.

The free Tomaree Shuttle, operated in partnership with Port Stephens Coaches and ran from 24 December to 6 January.

Looping between Nelson Bay, Shoal Bay, Fingal Bay and Tomaree Headland to help manage congestion and parking demand in the region’s busiest summer period.

The idea for the shuttle bus evolved from the Tomaree Headland Help Desk.

Over the Christmas holidays they clocked over 600 riders on one day.

Peter Clough from Tomaree Headland Heritage Group shared that it was “the most we have ever recorded over the last 3 years.”

Residents and visitors alike embraced the service, with organisers noting levels of participation that exceeded initial expectations, particularly from those staying locally.

One community

supporter said the shuttle’s success “shows the appetite for smart, community-led transport solutions in peak holiday periods.”

Volunteer coordinators estimate that the shuttle took significant numbers of private cars off the roads, especially from Shoal and Fingal Bays, relieving parking pressures on already congested local streets.

Despite the shuttle’s popularity, many locals believe the transport challenges around Shoal Bay and Fingal Bay run much deeper than a seasonal bus trial can address.

More detailed ridership data is expected to be released by the bus operator and Council in forthcoming reports.

Discussion with community groups and residents in late 2025, highlighted the following:

• Traffic and infrastructure pressures on the peninsula are increasing as visitor numbers grow yearon-year.

• Evacuation and emergency access remains a concern — particularly in light of extreme weather events that saw road damage to Shoal Bay Road on 1 August 2024 and bushfires near Wreck Beach on 4 September 2024.

• The ageing local demographic (with populations in Shoal and Fingal Bays roughly twice

the national median age, at about 3,500 residents according to the 2021 Census) amplifies concerns about safe and reliable access.

• Calls for additional road access into Shoal Bay have gained traction among broader community groups as essential to future planning.

These issues align with recommendations contained in the recently adopted Port Stephens Coastal Management Plan, which explicitly calls for further investigation into access solutions for Shoal Bay and surrounding areas.

Council documents from late 2025 show that Port Stephens Council considered a range of shuttle service options as part of the strategic planning for holiday transport demand.

Options included variations in route length, service frequency, and fleet size.

Many residents believe that while the shuttle service is a welcome and effective measure, it should be part of a broader, strategic approach by the Council that includes:

• Long-term traffic and parking management planning for peak visitor

periods.

• Consideration of complementary transport solutions such as expanded public transport links, and possibly ferry services.

• Bulk data sharing and feedback collection from operators like Port Stephens Coaches and their drivers, who can offer unique insights into travel patterns and demand pressures.

The Tomaree Headland Heritage Group also noted the failure of two previous Birubi shuttle initiatives, deemed unsuccessful.

Council reported the failure, “as evidence that community consultation and operational design are critical to transport trials’

success.”

Organisers of this year’s trial hope that the strong community response will lead to further trials, including during the Easter holiday period.

They are seeking a debrief with the Council that includes Port Stephens Coaches, Destination Port Stephens, and the Visitor Information Centre to review outcomes and identify what worked well, and where improvements can be made moving forward.

q Representatives and volunteers for the Tomaree Headland Heritage Group, Grenville Stevens, Peter Clough and Leon Squires.

Refuge nearing completion

PORT Stephens will soon have a new refuge providing safety and support for women and children fleeing domestic and family violence.

Construction is almost complete, with the facility expected to open later this year.

The refuge is a partnership between Hume Community

Housing and Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services (PSFaNS).

Developed under the Core and Cluster model, the facility will feature six independent units for women, both single and with children, alongside core areas for counselling, group programs, a children’s playroom and separate youth

space, and specialist domestic and family violence support delivered by PSFaNS.

“Women and children in Port Stephens have never had the option of a local refuge,” said Sue Pollock, Manager of PSFaNS.

“This has meant that they have had to relocate away from the support of

family and friends, changing schools, doctors, in fact any service or activity they have always used.

“For more than 35 years, PSFaNS has worked alongside the community, and for most of that time, women have been advocating for a local refuge to support those experiencing domestic and

family violence.”

Ms Pollock said interest from the local community had been overwhelming, with many residents asking how they can help.

In response, PSFaNS will open an online donation registry at the end of January, making it easy for individuals, community groups, and local businesses to contribute to the fit-out of the refuge.

Ann Fletcher, Assistant Manager of PSFaNS, said

every bit of support will be valued and appreciated.

“Together, the generosity and involvement of our community will transform this refuge into a place of safety, hope, and healing for women and children across Port Stephens.” she said.

For more information or to support the project, contact Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services.

M1 extension reached major milestone with final bridge pile installed

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directly into the riverbed.

“This is complex, highly technical work and a major milestone for the crews delivering this project.”

The difficulty of such installations can be due to water conditions, environmental factors and the need for high levels of accuracy.

Each pile adheres to strict engineering standards to ensure the long-term strength

and stability of the bridge structures.

The completion of piling works marks a major milestone for construction crews, as it underpins everything that follows.

With the foundations now in place, the project is said to progress to the next phases of bridge construction, including the building of piers, decks and spans.

As work continues, each stage brings the M1 to

Raymond Terrace Project closer to completion.

“We are another step closer to safer, smoother trips for our community,” Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington said.

Once finished, the project is expected to play an important role in improving traffic congestion and travel times in the region.

The extension is expected to be open to traffic in 2028.

Women’s Day scholarships

PORT Stephens Council is encouraging local women to apply for a 2026 International Women’s Day Scholarship, with applications now open until 13 February.

International Women’s Day is held annually in March.

The program offers three scholarships of $1,000 each

to support women across arts, culture, environment, business, community, health and sport.

Mayor Leah Anderson said the scholarship is about recognising women’s achievements and supporting gender equality at a local level.

“[It] is a way for

Council to acknowledge the contribution women make in our community and to help remove some of the barriers they may face when working towards their goals,” Cr Anderson said.

“Whether it’s continuing education, developing leadership skills, growing a business idea or contributing

to the community, this scholarship is about giving women practical support to take the next step.”

The International Women’s Day Scholarship is open to Port Stephens applications aged 16 years and above, including Year 12 students at local high schools; young people

New laws to protect dogs

DOG owners tempted to leave their pet in the car when they run to the shops, will soon risk tougher penalties.

The State Government is delivering on its election promise to review the Prevention of Cruelty to

Animals Act 1979 (POCTAA), flagging heavier fines and longer jail sentences.

Minister for Agriculture,

Regional and Western NSW, Tara Moriarty, said the proposed changes “mark the most significant reform to the state’s animal welfare laws in years, delivering modern legislation that reflects contemporary community expectations.”

Changes include offences for leaving dogs in hot vehicles, tougher animal fighting laws and banning painful prong collars.

According to Animal Welfare League NSW CEO, Stephen Albin, the package addresses some of the worst examples of animal cruelty.

“Our inspectors spend a lot of time educating people about animal welfare, but

engaged with PCYC and youth services; women involved in business and professional networks; Aboriginal and culturally diverse community members; and community volunteers and emerging leaders.

“We know that opportunity looks different for everyone, and this

the new laws provide muchneeded new powers to deal with the worst cases and offenders.”

More than 7,000 submissions were received during a period of stakeholder consultation, leading to the following proposed measures:

• strengthening animal fighting offences to support NSW Police in addressing their links to organised crime and addressing potential loopholes

• new offences, including leaving a dog unattended in a hot vehicle; using or possessing prong collars, which are a discredited and painful dog training tool that is currently illegal to import; and possessing glue traps, which are already illegal to set in NSW

• strengthening enforce-

scholarship is designed to be flexible and inclusive.”

The scholarship forms part of Port Stephens Council’s broader community funding and scholarship programs, which aim to support education, personal development and community leadership across the region.

For more information, visit pscouncil.info/iwdapply.

ment powers and penalties to send clear signals to perpetrators of animal cruelty

• removing barriers to humane intervention in critical situations, allowing POCTAA inspectors to administer pain relief to animals where necessary and allowing appropriately trained Local Land Services personnel to euthanise animals in emergencies.

The changes build on reforms that have included banning puppy farms; increasing funding to approved charitable organisations to carry out animal welfare enforcement activities; and preventing people convicted of animal cruelty from keeping and breeding animals.

The Government expects to present a Bill to Parliament in the first half of the year.

Celebrating Australia Day

By Sis HIGGINS

COMMUNITIES across the Port Stephens Council area will come together over the Australia Day weekend to enjoy family-friendly celebrations, from pool parties and community breakfasts to citizenship ceremonies and live entertainment. With events planned

across several suburbs, residents and visitors are encouraged to take part while being mindful that times or activities may be adjusted in response to weather conditions.

Pool Parties Families can cool off and celebrate at free Australia Day weekend pool parties hosted by Lakeside Leisure Centre and Tomaree Aquatic Centre.

Both venues will offer free pool entry, inflatables, water slides, a sausage sizzle, refreshments and a range of activities suitable for all ages.

Event details: Saturday 24 January 2026, 10am to 3:00pm.

Locations include Lakeside Leisure Centre, Raymond Terrace, and Tomaree Aquatic Centre, and Salamander Bay

The pool parties are supported through National Australia Day Council grant funding.

Raymond Terrace

The Raymond Terrace community will gather at Riverside Park for a full day of celebrations hosted by the Rotary Club of Raymond Terrace.

Festivities begin with the

Weekend wetlands walks and talks

By Kathy BROWN

MAMBO Walks and Talks

will be held again this year in Salamander Bay to celebrate World Wetlands Day.

Held annually on 2 February, all over the world, the day is a reminder of the value of wetlands.

It will be marked with special walks, tours and lectures in or about Mambo Wetlands.

Mambo Wanda Wetlands Conservation Group President Irene Jones said, “Thanks to an Environmental Grant from Port Stephens Council, we are able to provide a smorgasbord of fantastic walks and talks each weekend in February, celebrating this special area,

its birds, diverse endangered communities and coastal systems.

“This year we are especially encouraging children to develop their birding skills and bush observation.

“We have held these walks in other years and they are always popular.

“The walks are a reminder of how very privileged we are to have an accessible coastal wetland right in the centre of our community.”

In the future, Mambo Wetlands may be listed as a Ramsar Site, which means it would be recognised under an international treaty for the protection of significant wetlands.

Wetlands clean the

q Mambo Walks and Talks return next month.

oceans, as tidal movements through mangroves and salt marshes act as a natural water filtration system.

Wetlands also provide a safe breeding ground for marine and bird life and act as Nature’s shock absorber, reducing the impact of storm surges.

“This year we are especially emphasising the importance of wetlands as a safe breeding ground for migrating shore birds that fly here from the northern hemisphere,” Ms Jones added.

“We are joining with other community groups such as the Sister Cities Group, Hunter Bird Observers, EcoNetwork and the Community Arts Centre for a Festival in Apex Park on Sunday 8 February,

q

Great Aussie Breakfast at the Raymond Terrace Bowling Club, followed by the official ceremony, including the Citizenship Ceremony and the Port Stephens Annual Awards.

Event details: Monday 26 January 2026, 8am to 2pm, Riverside Park, Raymond Terrace.

The program includes a RAAF fly past, markets, food trucks, children’s rides, a car club display and live music.

The event is supported by Veolia and delivered in partnership with Port Stephens Council and local volunteers.

Nelseon Bay

Fly Point Park will host a full day of celebrations featuring live music, dancing, an army band, a RAAF fly past and a visit from the Australia Day Ambassador.

The Citizenship Ceremony will take place at 1pm, alongside more than ninety market stalls, food

trucks, children’s activities and classic car displays.

Parking will be available at Neil Carroll Rotary Park.

The event is coordinated by the Port Stephens Council Nelson Bay Sub Committee, with support from Veolia and Marquis.

Karuah

Karuah RSL will host a day-long celebration supported by Port Stephens Council, featuring bowls, live entertainment and popular community competitions.

Highlights include the annual thong-throwing competition, a fresh food competition with proceeds donated to the Rural Fire Service, and a fireworks display at 9pm.

Lemon Tree Passage

The Tilligerry Lions Club will host a communityfocused celebration at Henderson Park, featuring a Great Aussie Breakfast available for purchase, live music and family activities.

The celebrations continue later in the day with Lemon Jam, hosted by the Tilligerry Community Association.

Use the link econetworkps.org/mambowalks-talks-2026 to see

register. Places are limited.

Fundraising author’s luncheon for women in need

By Jacie WHITFIELD

STORYTELLING, connection and community support

will take centre stage in Salamander Bay on Tuesday 25 February 2026, from 12pm to 2pm, at Tynan Wines in support of Women’s Healing Sanctuary.

Readers Retreat bookshop is hosting a fundraising Author’s Luncheon, bringing together book lovers and community members to raise vital funds for women experiencing grief, trauma and crisis.

The luncheon will feature Sharalyn Drayton, Founder of Women’s Healing Sanctuary and author of the memoir Finding Tomorrow.

“This luncheon is about

more than sharing a book — it is about creating hope,” Ms Drayton said.

“Every ticket sold helps a woman in distress access a place of safety, compassion and healing at a time when she needs it most.”

Readers Retreat founder Alison Rogers said the event reflects a shared commitment to meaningful community connection and support.

“Readers Retreat is proud to partner with Women’s Healing Sanctuary,” Ms Rogers said.

“Sharalyn’s story is deeply moving, and this luncheon offers our local community a beautiful way to connect through literature while directly supporting women who are doing it tough.”

A finalist in the 2025 Able Golden Book Awards, the book shares Ms Drayton’s deeply personal journey through profound loss to healing, forgiveness and transformation.

It’s a journey that ultimately inspired the creation of Women’s Healing Sanctuary as a place of refuge, compassion and hope.

The event includes a welcome beverage, twocourse lunch, an author presentation, a signed copy of Finding Tomorrow, and a complimentary raffle ticket.

Tickets are priced at $65, with numbers strictly limited.

All profits from the luncheon will support the Women’s Healing Sanctuary Angel Sponsorship Program.

The program provides short-term restorative accommodation and meals for women who may not otherwise be able to afford care and support during times of crisis.

In addition to the luncheon, a special raffle is giving the wider community an opportunity to support the cause, even if they are unable to attend the event.

The major prize is a twonight stay at Women’s Healing Sanctuary, including all meals, valued at $550.

The prize offers the winner the chance to experience the nurturing and restorative environment created to support rest, reflection and renewal.

Proceeds from the raffle will also go directly towards the Angel Sponsorship Program, helping women in distress access healing support

when they need it most. Raffle tickets are available online via Raffletix, while

‘Unseen forces’ inside great whites

A WORLD-FIRST study by Charles Sturt University (CSU) has identified an ecosystem of parasites inside great white sharks.

The global study by researchers in CSU’s School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, and the Gulbali Institute for Agriculture Water and Environment, found evidence of at least 116 parasites inside the apex predator.

Professor in Veterinary Parasitology Shokoofeh Shamsi and co-researcher and Adjunct Lecturer in parasitology Associate Professor Diane Barton, examined records from Australia, the US, South Africa and New Zealand, as well as specimens in museum collections including the Smithsonian, Australian Helminthological Collection and EEB Biodiversity Research Collections.

“This global mapping shows enormous blind

spots,” Prof. Shamsi said.

“[There are] vast regions with no parasite data at all, despite the great white sharks’ worldwide range.”

Most of the parasites are tapeworms (cestodes) and copepods.

Prof. Shamsi said protecting great white sharks requires understanding the unseen biological forces that shape them, including how parasites and other environmental pressures may influence their health and behaviour.

“We have next to no understanding of how these organisms influence shark health, energy use, decision-making, behaviour, susceptibility to stress, or even patterns we assume to be ‘attacks’.

“In other words, we are looking at sharks and seeing only the surface.”

Prof. Shamsi said Charles Sturt scientists at inland campuses study how

activities on land travel downstream, influencing estuaries, reefs and even the health of marine predators.

She emphasised that while there is no evidence linking parasites to shark–human interactions, it is important to consider how human activities, such as pollution or microbial change in coastal waters, could subtly affect marine wildlife over time.

“They say parasites act as sentinels… revealing when ecosystems are stressed or breaking down, so studying shark parasites is therefore not just about sharks; it is a way of diagnosing the health of the entire ocean.

“The biggest discoveries about great white sharks may lie in what we have never studied ─ their parasites and microbiome.”

Co-author Assoc. Prof. Barton, highlighted the pivotal role that museum collections play in modern

bookings for the Author’s Luncheon can be made through Readers Retreat.

q The CSU study has revealed significant knowledge gaps in the biology of great white sharks. Image: CSU.

marine science.

She noted that these collections, combined with non-lethal research tools, allow scientists to study vulnerable species ethically and in far greater detail than ever before.

“Museum collections preserve irreplaceable biological material,” she said.

“They allow us to revisit specimens with new technologies and uncover insights that were impossible to detect when the samples were first collected.”

“Healthy oceans depend on recognising the small things, like the hidden architecture of parasites and microbes.”

The study, “How much do we know about the parasites of great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) and why they matter?” has been published in the International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife (vol. 28, December 2025).

Honouring Fingal Bay Sports Club identity Terry Raper

SPORTS

By Chris KARAS

FINGAL Bay Sports

Club

stalwarts this week honoured the memory of much loved character and family man Terry Raper.

The second eldest of the nine Raper boys of rugby league fame, old timers in the Bay would remember Terry’s zest for life and strong connection to the Port Stephens community.

Monday 19 January marked the 20th anniversary of Terry’s death in 2006 from melanoma.

He was long revered

and spent many years holidaying in Fingal Bay with his wife Jean and family where he left his mark at the local Sports Club as an accomplished lawn bowler.

Younger brother Peter, a Fingal Bay resident, spoke fondly of the “loveable bloke and father” who was a tireless voluntary worker in the Revesby and Port Stephens communities.

“Terry was a respected member of the community who was loved by all and a genuine and committed man with a wicked sense of humour,” a proud Peter told News Of The Area.

“He made life-long

friends and wonderful memories during his time at Fingal Bay and simply loved a game of lawn bowls with his mates,” reflected Peter.

“Terry worked hard all his life at the Bankstown Torch newspaper and then successfully ran his own safety training company business,” he added.

Just like all the Raper boys, Terry was mighty proud of his eldest brother Johnny - the late champion St George lock forward and one of the four original rugby league Immortals.

“Terry was passionately committed to the game of rugby league and simply

loved the St George jumper,” revealed Peter.

His memory is perpetuated through the Terry Raper Reserve in Revesby - named in his honour as a key contributor to the local community - and Revesby Bowling Club’s annual Terry Raper Memorial Triples Charity Bowls Day which raises funds for the Melanoma Foundation.

Peter and wife Kerrie today continue the Raper family’s connection with Fingal Bay Sports Club as local residents and long time members.

q Rugby legend’s memory is perpetuated through the Terry Raper Reserve in Revesby.

Photo: cbcity.nsw.gov.au

MARINE RESCUE LEMON TREE PASSAGE

PORT STEPHENS News Of The Area

Volunteers saving lives on the

q

media@newsofthearea.com.au

MARINE Rescue Lemon Tree Passage was set up nearly 57 years ago to support the local boating community.

Its volunteers are part of a statewide not-for-profit organisation, dedicated to saving lives on the water.

The professional service provides 24/7 emergency search and rescue, as well as safe boating education and vessel

monitoring services.

Marine Rescue NSW also operates the state’s only “Log On” and vessel tracking service, giving recreational boaters peace of mind that someone is keeping watch around the clock.

Crews continuously monitor marine radio for distress calls and respond quickly when help is needed.

PORT STEPHENS News Of The Area

Neptunes touch football reps tune up for Junior State Cup

By Chris KARAS

CREAM of Nelson Bay’s emerging touch footballers are primed for strong showings at this year’s Junior State Cup Northern Conference Championships in Dubbo.

Billed as the premier NSW Touch Football junior representative event, the Cup’s northern conference players return to the central west to test their stamina and skills from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 February.

Former Australian Emus legend and Nelson Bay Touch Football coordinator Nicole Mitchell told News Of The Area that the Neptunes rep

Hawley

squads are “brimming with outstanding young talent.”

“Our teams have put in a solid preparation in the build up to the Junior State Cup and look fit, sharp and ready to have a crack against some of the strongest line ups in NSW.”

The Junior State Touch Football Cup is the largest participation sport ever held in the Dubbo Regional Council with the event attracting up to 10,000 people to the Lady Cutler Sporting precinct for three days of elite-level touch football.

Some of the best junior boys and girls touch footballers from across NSW will compete in competitions from Under 10 years to Under

18 years in the Northern Conference division.

Nelson Bay Neptunes will field competitive teams throughout the three day carnival and are ready to shine after an intensive training program during the festive season.

The Port Stephens contingent tuned up for the Junior State Cup with strong performances on Sunday 18 January at the Wallsend Wolves Junior Representative Gala Day at Upper Reserve.

Squad members will also compete in the upcoming Peter Wilson Memorial Cup Junior Touch Football Championships from Saturday 31 January to

snares 4-18

to steer Pythons to crucial victory

By Chris KARAS

PORT Stephens Pythons remain in the 2025-26 Newcastle District Cricket Division Two finals mix.

The Pythons second grade X1 boosted their top four hopes with a spirited eight run victory over fourth ranked Waterboard Wests in a classic one day fixture at Blackley Oval last weekend.

Experienced pace ace Brock Hawley produced a superb four wicket haul to steer the Pythons to a crucial win and valuable competition points.

In a low scoring clash, Hawley snared the splendid figures of 4-18 from a fiery seven over spell to help skittle the Wests side for 119 in pursuit of the Pythons tally of 8-127.

He was ably supported by Hayden Cekanauskas (2-26 off seven overs) and Jeremy Kirk (2-27 off seven) as the Waterboard X1 capitulated after losing their last seven wickets for only 37 runs.

Earlier the Port Stephens team posted a modest total of 127 for the loss of eight wickets with skipper Luke Cooper top scoring with 40 runs off 54 deliveries.

Other contributors with the bat for the Pythons were Tyson Murray (23), vice captain and opener Luke Socha (15) and Asher Morgan (13 not out).

Former champion Nelson Bay Makos all rounder Bryce Causley starred for Wests with an inspirational performance with bat and ball.

Causley took an impressive 5-28 in a magic seven over spell to keep the Waterboard side in the hunt before top scoring with a valuable 35 runs off 28 balls that featured two boundaries and two sixes.

Zac Wells also compiled a gritty 33 runs off 47 balls with three boundaries and a six as Wests looked on track for victory at 3-82 at one stage. After 13 rounds the Pythons are perched in sixth spot on 25 points and are well in the hunt for a top four finals berth behind competition leaders Waratah-Mayfield (30 points), Merewether Nepalese (28), Glendale Old Boys and Waterboard Wests (27) and Warners Bay (26).

Lemon

The unit performed 99 missions, surpassing its previous record of 83 set in 2023.

Volunteers are also available for boating safety education and advocacy, including NSW General Boat Driving Licence (GBL) theory courses and examinations and Personal Watercraft (PWC) licence theory courses and examinations.

Training is conducted at the Lemon Tree Passage Training Centre.

For details and bookings, visit licence. mrltp.au/.

Staying safe

Boaters are urged to take the following steps before heading out on the water.

• Log On and Off with Marine Rescue NSW via VHF Channel 16 or the free Marine Rescue NSW app (iOS & Android)

• Ensure everyone on board is wearing a lifejacket

• Check your vessel’s engine and battery

• Carry sufficient fuel, including a reserve

• Always check weather and conditions

• Ensure all required safety equipment is on board

Contact the team

VHF Channel: 16. 27MHz Channel: 88.

Call sign: Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage. Address: 154 Whitbread Drive, Lemon Tree Passage NSW. Phone: (02) 4982 4981 (between 6am and 6pm).

Email: lemontreepassage@marinerescuensw.com.au. Website: marinerescuensw.com.au.

Donations: marinerescuensw.com.au/donate. In the event of an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Dorin’s Draws By Paul DORIN

The Write Direction: ‘TG, I’m really proud of you’

By John BLACKBOURN

AT THIS really busy time of the year for local businesses, things are often conducted in quick fashion, with lines of tourists ready and anxious to do their shopping so they can get back to the beach or enjoy what they came here to achieve.

Best practice can become lost in that rush.

Tourism often forgets that its success often rests on people’s perceptions when discussing the

holiday with others who may not have come to our area previously.

It thrives on returning business year after year.

I am delighted to report that one particular action from a popular Tea Gardens coffee outlet recently drove home to me that instances of exceptional service and respect for customers can set up our area as a positive location, which bodes well for tourism in the future.

A person well-known to me, who has lived and worked overseas for several years, visited the coffee place with her male partner whilst having a few days here on a short

On theCouch

Email Jasminda: media@newsofthearea.com.au

DEAR Jasminda,

Frequently when I go shopping someone pushes a trolley into my ankles. How do I avoid this painful scenario?

Jim R.

Dear Jim,

In the wrong hands, a trolley can be a weapon of mass destruction, thrust into the legs of an unsuspecting shopper when they are simply trying to reach for a bag of frozen peas (or, if in Aldi, a pair of snow boots, a cocktail shaker, and a battery-operated angle grinder).

There should be the requirement of a trolley licence, with no trolley issued unless the shopper has been through a series of basic

holiday.

In a crowded and busy location, two takeaway coffees were ordered and provided, with the next step being to pay for them.

Being younger and well-skilled, she had her credit card details on her phone, but that brand of card was not accepted by the business, so another card was provided - from her phone.

All was good until the cash register thought that as the first

etiquette tests. These include, at a minimum:

-the ability to start and stop within five seconds without the need to operate as a battering ram

-competence in moving quietly and efficiently down the aisle instead of using the trolley as a dodgem car with a squealing toddler in tow

-the ability to make your way calmly to a checkout instead of standing with a leg in each queue, a bit like Trump between Greenland and Venezuela (hedging your bets on whatever scenario will move more quickly so you can bludgeon your way through).

The trolley licence should also include post-shopping etiquette.

All shoppers should be marked as “Competent” or “Not Yet Competent” as they make their way to their vehicle. Scraping the trolley along the side of a mint-condition BMW without leaving a note is an instant suspension.

Parking the trolley on a verge and then walking away as it rolls into incoming traffic is also a black

choice was rejected, maybe the second one needed to be rejected too.

So, they had two coffees and no way of paying for them, with a lengthening queue waiting for service.

The cashier said “please come back with cash when that suits”, but still delivered the coffee in a friendly fashion.

Yes, they returned the next day and paid for their coffee, and are now so full of praise for the

mark indicating that further training is required.

Standing in a huddle with other shoppers talking about utter dribble while another person is trying to pass, will be noted as extreme passive aggression (and/or willful ignorance) and result in additional social skills training (which is a core competency unit that can cross over to other training courses such as 'Parking in a Public Carpark' and 'Cafe Considerations 101').

And, finally, leaving your trolley with rubbish in it, making it the problem of the next shopper, will require a trolley training intervention.

I feel these interceptions will resolve your issues, Jim.

Perhaps it will make you feel better to know you are not alone.

Many of us bear the scars (quite literally) of callous trolley steerers.

employee and that business for trusting their position.

They said it would never have happened in New York, London or Hong Kong.

This simple action, when discussed with their friends, will see Tea Gardens spoken of in highly credible terms, setting our area apart and above larger tourism locations - proving again how lucky we are to be living in this community.

Mercurial Maebel, 13, chasing Junior State Cup honours

By Chris KARAS

CORLETTE schoolgirl Maebel Colley enters 2026 with a busy sporting calendar and itching for more honours on the touch football field.

After receiving a long list of sporting accolades at representative level last year, the gifted 13-year-old athlete is fit and refreshed and ready to mix it with the State’s best young prospects.

In recognition of her stellar achievements in representative sport and community involvement, the talented all rounder was presented with a Tomaree High Excellence in Sport Year 8 Class Champion Award at the school’s end-of-year Awards ceremony.

“It was a great way to finish a

RESULTS for 16/1/26

Outright winner. Phil Germon. 71 c/b Runner up. Bryan Porter. 71 Bonus points winner. Colin Marsden. 71 Ball winners.

Kim Miller. 72

Ed Martin. 75

Matt Baldwin. 76

Barry Disch. 77 John McDonald. 77

Grahame Glover. 77 Chris Cody. 77 Bradman Award. Bob West NTP4TH.

memorable year personally and also celebrate the achievements of my school colleagues,” an elated Maebel told News Of The Area.

Maebel, an outstanding middle with vision, speed and sharp footwork, gained selection in the NSW Touch Under 14s Girls Merit Team in 2025 - 12 months after being named in the Under 12s Merit squad.

It was a proud honour for the Tomaree High School student, who was a key figure in the Hunter outfit that won last year’s NSW Combined High Schools Under 15 Girls Touch Football Championship at Salamander Bay.

A Hunter Western Hornets touch football representative for the past three seasons, Maebel was

A. B. Colin Marsden D&C7TH.

A. Matt Baldwin. B. Colin Marsden D&C18TH.

A. Ron McKay. B. Chris Cody Money hole. A. Ron McKay. B. Colin Marsden Lucky number. 10. Hugh Potts

also a part of the powerful Hunter School Sports 4 x 100m Relay team crowned Hunter and Zone regional champions in both 2024 and 2025.

Competing in an age group above, she helped Hunter collect back-to-back bronze medals at the NSW Combined High Schools Athletics Championships –joining forces with talented Tomaree High sprinters Anna Taylor-Anderson, Mia McDonald and Fern Cullimore.

Maebel also shone on the netball court while representing Nelson Bay at the State Junior Netball titles in Sydney.

The mercurial maiden lined up for Nelson Bay Neptunes in the Wallsend Junior Rep Touch Football Gala Day last weekend in preparation for next month’s Junior State Cup Northern Conference championships in Dubbo.

She is a player to watch for the Neptunes when they compete at the upcoming Peter Wilson Memorial Cup Touch Football championships at Tomaree Sports Complex.

By Lee RANKIN

her Tomaree High School Excellence in Sport Class Champion Award.

Where you can pick up your paper

If your business stocks the paper and you are not listed here, please email us. media@newsofthearea.com.au

Anna Bay Tavern

Anna Bay Bakery

BYO Cellars Anna Bay

Ingenia Holiday Park

Middle Rock Retirement Village

Anna Bay Village

Seawinds Village

Nelson Bay Bowling Club

Nelson Bay Golf Club

Woolworths Nelson Bay

Nelson Bay Newsagent

Nelson Bay Real Estate

Seabreeze Hotel

Port Stephens Visitor Info Centre

Tackleword Port Stephens

Essence Cafe

Dolphin Watch Cafe

West Diggers

Harbourside Haven

Bernie Thompson Village

Shoal Bay Pharmacy

IGA Shoal Bay

John Patterson

Bill King Aged Care

Friendly Grocer Fingal Bay

Fingal Bay Cafe

Regis Aged Care

Corlette Store

Uniting Care

Homestead Village

Sandy Shores

Big4 Soldiers Point

Soldiers Point Bowling Club

Foodworks Salamander Bay

Wanda Beach Pharmacy

Mobil Salamander Bay

Caltex Salamander Bay

Coles Salamander Bay

Natural Tucker

Woolworths Salamander Bay

Horizons Golf Club

Sunrise Lifestyle Resort

Seaham General Store

Opal Aged Care

Red Eye Café Raymond Terrace

Angeez Takeaway Raymond Terrace

Pet Parlour Raymond Terrace

Terrace Central Plaza Post Office

Newsagent Terrace Central Plaza

Woolworths Terrace Central Plaza

MarketPlace Woolworths

Raymond Terrace Shell

Raymond Terrace Library

Lakeside Newsagent

R&R Property

Foodworks Lakeside

Lakeside Leisure Centre

Muree Golf Club

Saxby's Bakery Salt Ash

Tanilba Bay Nursing Home

Tanilba Bay Retirement Units

Coles Tanilba Bay

Endevour Servo Tanilba Bay

Tanilba Newsagent

Post Office Tanilba Bay

Blue Marine Services

Chemist Lemon Tree

Club Lemon Tree

Tilligerry RSL

Tilligerry Real Estate

Coles Medowie

7-Eleven Medowie

Medowie Newsagent

Medowie Pharmacy

Woolworths Medowie

Medowie Social

Medowie Football Club

BP Servo Medowie

Pacific Dunes Golf Club Metro Servo (Airport Side) Metro Servo (Lavis Lane)

Stinker’s History: Broughton Island a ‘must-visit’

By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE

ONCE a little-known NSW island, Broughton has become a ‘must visit’ destination for fishermen, boaties and day trippers.

Over recent years, the island has changed socially, for the better, with an influx of families rather than a domination of fishermen.

Bird watching, hiking, photography, snorkelling and of course, fishing, are all part of the island experience.

I have been fortunate to have been a regular visitor to the island since my first trip in 1978 on board the “Waranah” with the late Col Jenkins.

It is pleasing to report that the fishing, on and around the island, remains excellent.

However, there is far more to Broughton with whales, seals, turtles, giant stingrays and dolphins cruising through the opal blue water.

Eight nautical miles (14km) north from the heads and two kilometres off the coast sits Broughton Island, three kilometres long and 2km wide.

The island was named by Captain James Cook after his mate Captain William Broughton.

The history of Broughton Island is rich and colourful, which I discovered whilst researching my book “Broughton Islanders” back in 2013.

The first to arrive were Worimi folk.

Ample evidence indicates the presence of Aboriginal

people who may well have walked onto the “island” before the ice caps melted.

European lobstermen were recorded back as far as the 1880s along with the Chinese who, after failing to find gold out west, moved to the coast.

On the island, the Chinese caught fish, trapped lobsters and collected muttonfish (abalone), which were salted and sent either to their countrymen, still at the diggings, or transported back to China.

In the 1890s, Italians were dropped off on the island by passing coastal traders to trap lobsters and were picked up, with their catch, on the return journey to Sydney.

It is recorded that they set up to 900 pots around the island.

The Italians never ventured onto the mainland.

It was 1906 when French

Scientist Dr Danzig, the nephew of Louis Pasteur, arrived on the island with his entourage of assistants and researchers.

A plague of rampaging rabbits was causing havoc in the pastures of sheep farmers in NSW, turning green fields into deserts.

The aim of the French involvement was to introduce rabbits onto the island as part of a controlled study, then inject them with a virus in the hope that it would spread from one rabbit to another.

Unfortunately, the experiment failed miserably so the French team left the island - but the rabbits did not.

The rabbits remained until 2009 when they were eradicated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

With the rabbits went the rats and cockroaches, resulting in a return of natural vegetation and

an increase in the bird populationfrom the tiny cisticolas, shorebirds, oystercatchers and quails to the apex predator, the sea eagle.

Sometime around 1920 a small Greek settlement was established behind the first line of dunes on the northern aspect of the island, referred to as North Harbour.

This was a semi-permanent community of lobstermen which was abandoned following a second fire in the late 1930s.

A small gathering of privately owned huts, along with a NPWS building, remain nestled out of the conditions in Esmeralda Cove, known as East Harbour.

The beaches around the island are spectacular, with excellent fishing for whiting and flathead in the summer months. It is the surrounding reef system that provides ideal habitat for snapper, mulloway, teraglin, a growing population of pearl perch, and kingfish, which gets the recreational fishers very excited.

q This Greek fisherman's hut on Broughton Island was destroyed in a raging fire.

Stinker’s Fishin’: snapper remain excellent

By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE

THIRD generation Broughton Islander, Scotty Brown was floating an unweighted yellowtail bait in eight metres of water just off North Island when WHAMO!

Scott had hooked something that took off like the last bus to Lemon Tree.

À mighty battle on 8kg mono and a 5/0 hook followed, as the mighty fish rocketed through the shallow water.

Finally, the monster surfaced to the excitement of the crew.

I don’t think there is a more beautiful fish than

a thumping great snapper with all the crimson, purple and red colouring.

The Brown boys generally release the big snapper, preferring fish around the 2-3kg mark for the kitchen.

As this whopper was Scotty’s best effort, the fish was hauled on board bound for the oven.

I have been visiting Broughton Island since the 1970s and I must say that the snapper fishing is equally as good now as it was nearly 50 years ago.

Considering the improvement in fishing tackle, onboard technology, and the increase in the fishing population, it is great to be able to report that the

fishing opportunities, particularly for snapper between Birubi and Broughton, remain excellent.

The Port Stephens – Great Lakes Advisory Committee has been finalised and will meet sometime in February.

I will, through this article and my ABC Radio segments, keep you well-informed on the progress and decisions made as you are all stakeholders.

Tanilba Bay Veterans Golf Club

13th JANUARY 26

The weather was perfect for golf, cloudy and mild for most of the morning. We played a 2man Ambrose over 9 holes, both back and front nines.

A roll up of 22 players today made for a very relaxing and smooth flowing round.

Front nine results:

Winners :

Andew Corbett and Laurie Northey nett 32.25

Runners up:

Mark Moore and

Barry Disch nett 33.5 on count back.

Ball winners:

Ian Williams and Geoff Hulls nett 33.5

Grahame Glover and Ron Dews nett 37.5

Les Deane and Bob Foster nett 40.75

Dave and Steve Enderby nett 41.5

Longest Drive Winners : A grade

Ron Dews B grade

Ian Williams

C grade

David Enderby

Back nine results :

Winners:

Jamie Carr and Kim Miller nett 30.75

Runners up :

Peter Martyn and Jim Carberry nett 31.5

Ball Winners : Gary Payseno and John Street nett 33.75

Greg Garvin and Steve Robards nett 33.25

Vince Schubert and Rob McKinney nett 34 5

Longest Drive Winners : A grade

Alfie Skinner

B grade

Vince Schubert

C grade

Gary Payseno

Next week, 13th January, will be an Individual Stableford game over 9 holes, rego from 7am tee off by 8am. All members and vistors are welcome to join us.

Naomi clinches discus gold at NSW Country Athletics titles

By Chris KARAS

OUTSTANDING

Port

Stephens athlete Naomi Reungkitchaya is celebrating another golden moment in elite track and field athletics.

Sixteen year old Naomi of Nelson Bay underlined her potential by claiming gold in the Girls 16s discus final at the Athletics NSW Country Championships in Dubbo last weekend.

The talented field prospect, who is coached by her mother Wendy Reungkitchaya, won the title with an impressive throw of 30.79 metres.

She defeated Cardiff athlete Tahlia Smith, who grabbed the silver with a throw of 26.34m, and bronze medallist Ella Steenbergen (24.52m) from Young & District Little

Athletics club. Naomi’s Country championship triumph matched the effort of her Port Stephens club mate Elara Barnes who was part of the crack NSW 14s Mixed 4 x 200m Relay team that brought home gold at the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships in Melbourne last month.

Lining up also in the Women’s 16s shot put final, versatile Naomi performed strongly to finish in sixth spot.

It is all systems go for Port Stephens Athletics Centre hopefuls in the build up to February’s Regional 2 Athletics Championships in Maitland.

Thirty five of the club’s top juniors have qualified for the prestigious meet to be held from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 February at the

Maitland Regional Athletics Centre.

Boom junior Anna Taylor-Anderson will compete in six events in the Girls 15s division - 90m hurdles, 100m preliminary, high jump, long jump, triple jump and javelin (500 gram).

Promising all rounder Isla Trayling, 11, also qualified for six track and field events in 80m hurdles, 400m, 800m, 1500m, long jump and triple jump in the Girls 12s category.

Other Port Stephens club Regional 2 qualifiers include:

GIRLS 8s: Lydia LailaiSmith - 400m and 700m run pack start; Sierra White - 70m sprint preliminary and shot put (1.5kg).

GIRLS 9s: Lyla Green - 200m sprint preliminary;400m and

Seagulls soaring high in Hunter cricket

By Chris KARAS

PORT Stephens cricket

products Jeff Goninan and Ed Williams continue to play key roles for Stockton & Northern Districts in their quest for the Newcastle District Cricket Rippit first grade minor premiership.

The talented pair spearheaded a dominant opening day performance by the high flying Seagulls against University last Saturday at Lynn Oval.

Former Nelson Bay junior Goninen top scored for Stockton with a powerladen knock of 82 off 72 balls

as the home side amassed a hefty total of 286.

The experienced number four clouted five sixes and nine boundaries as the Seagulls' top eight piled on the runs after skipper Nick Foster won the toss and elected to bat first.

All rounder Williams of Salamander Bay compiled 24 runs down the ordersmashing four boundaries after Asher Hart (43), Adrian Chad (35), Josh McTaggart (33), opener Jake Hainsworth (21) and Izach Dennis (20) capitalised on a productive batting wicket.

The stylish Goninen

posted fruitful partnerships with team mates Hart, Chad, McTaggart and Hainsworth as the premiership pacesetters stamped their mark.

At stumps University were tottering at 4-40 after facing 22 overs with Lincoln Melmeth (2-1 off four overs) and quicks Patrick Magann (1-6 off five) and pace warrior Williams (1-16 off seven) striking early to put the Seagulls on top.

Stockton led the competition on 46 pointsone ahead of rivals Wallsend (45) with Newcastle City (43) and Charlestown (41) rounding up the top four.

800m; Sophie Appleby70m sprint, long jump and high jump; Elayna Chesters - 70m and 100m; Ellie Levy - high jump and shot put (2.0kg); Matilda FerrisLescoffit - shot put (2.0kg), discus (500 gram) and long jump; Maya White - 60m hurdles and shot put (2kg).

GIRLS 10s: Malia Foster - 100m sprint preliminary; long jump and high jump; Joy Schneider - 70m sprint, 100m and 200m preliminaries and long jump; Evelyn Jurisic400m; Isla Gattenhof - shot put (2.0kg).

GIRLS 11s: Laylah Standing - 200m preliminary, 400m, 800m.

GIRLS 13s: Brynne Dagwell - javelin (400 gram) and shot put (3.0kg); Jamie Lee Taylor-Anderson - javelin (400 gram), long jump, triple jump, shot put (3kg) and discus (750 gram).

GIRLS 14s: Elara Barnes - 100m and 200m; Amelia Connell - javelin (500 gram), discus (1.0kg) and shot put (3.0kg); Pippi Cullimore - 100m; Emily Watson - 100m and 200m preliminaries and long jump.

Hawks Nest Bridge Club

By Diane RUSSELL

RESULTS Week Ending 16th

January

Monday: N/S 1. C Rands & L Falla, 2. C Richards & S Matheson, 3. D Dale & J Armstrong. E/W 1. L Wood & G Smith, 2. D Hipkins & B Eyre, 3. S Bowen & A Ryan.

Tuesday: 1. A & J Macintosh, 2=. D Russell & R Albon, 2=. J Fowler & S Ryder, 4. S Fuller & G Muggleton. Wednesday: N/S 1. B Treharne & S Matheson, 2. A Ryan & E White, 3. G Smith & L Wood E/W 1=. E Digby & D Hipkins, 1=. J Armstrong & M Rowden, 3. J Gray & P Baily.

Friday: N/S 1. J Whalan & C Richards, 2. B Eyre & D Hipkins, 3. B Treharne & S Matheson. E/W 1. S Pearson & M Rowden, 2. J Armstrong & D Dale, 3. M Forte & L Hulme.

GIRLS 15s: Eva Hanrahan - javelin (500 gram), discus (1.0kg) shot put (3.0kg) and long jump.

BOYS 8s: Dre Elias70m sprint, 100m, 200m preliminaries and long jump.

BOYS 9s: Luka Keatinge - 400m; Jax Trojkovic400m and 800m.

BOYS 10s: Landen Weine - 60m hurdles, 70m sprint and 200m preliminary and long jump; Charlie Webb - 100m preliminary and discus (500 gram).

BOYS 12s: Brayden Weine - discus (750 gram) and javelin (400 gram); Anthony Ford - discus (750 gram), shot put (2.0 kg) and javelin (400 gram); Noah Regan - 100m and 200m preliminary, 400m and shot put (2.0kg).

BOYS 13s: Max Hanrahan - 90m hurdles, 100m preliminary, 200m preliminary, 200m hurdles and high jump; Royal Turner-Bryans - javelin (600 gram); Hudson White - high jump

BOYS 11s: Rhylin Green - 400m and long jump; Denver Trojkovic - 400m, 800m and 1500m.

Port Stephens Veteran Golfers Association

By Gary WATT

RESULTS from a Stableford competition played at Tanilba Bay GC on 12th January 2026 with 48 players at Tanilba Bay GC. Nett Winner : Frank Van Druten 38pts on countback.

Nett Runner Up : Peter Martyn 38pts on countback.

Bonus Point Winner :

David Slattery 39pts.

Bonus Point Runner Up : Shayne Mullarvey 39pts.

Nearest the Pin, 4th Hole :

Div 1 : David Slattery.

Div 2 : Ian Dean.

Nearest the Pin, 11th Hole :

Div 1 : Frank Van Druten.

Div 2 : Col Kerrison.

Drive & Chip, 7th Hole : Div 1 : Graham Woolley.

Div 2 : Bill McMaster.

Drive & Chip, 18th Hole, Div 1 : David Slattery.

Div 2 : Michele Coleman.

Ball Winners : Bill McMaster 38pts,

Greg Hinton 38pts, Peta Slattery 37pts, Ian Dean 37pts, Bryan Porter 37pts, Peter Hawkins 37pts, Bob Sellick 36pts, Peter Wild 36pts, Robbie Kerehoma 36pts, Al Stark 36pts, Ralph Brown 35pts, Jimmy Prater 35pts, Tot Hulls 35pts, Rod Magick 35pts and Kel Dorney 35pts. Lucky Draw Prize Winner : Peter Martyn.

Thursday, 22

SUDOKU

$499,000

Contact Agent

Contact Agent Price Guide $749,000 to $779,000

•

5 bedroom home with sparkling

Formal entrance opening onto grand staircase.

• Step down lounge & formal dining area.

Separate kitchen and dining room with cathedral ceilings.

5 bedroom home with sparkling in ground pool.

Formal entrance opening onto grand staircase.

Step down lounge & formal dining area.

Separate kitchen and dining room with cathedral ceilings.

5 bedroom home with sparkling in ground pool.

Formal entrance opening onto grand staircase.

Step down lounge & formal dining area.

renovated bathrooms.

Separate kitchen and dining room with cathedral ceilings.

• Sold fully furnished and completely move-in ready.

5 bedroom home with sparkling in ground pool.

• Secure complex of fourteen apartments ensures peaceful living.

• Formal entrance opening onto grand staircase.

• Two dedicated undercover car spaces.

• Short stroll to marina, beaches, cafés and shops.

Step down lounge & formal dining area.

• Ideal holiday home, investment or relaxed coastal retreat.

Separate kitchen and dining room with cathedral ceilings.

• Premium location offering effortless,

Hamptons-style luxury opposite Dutchies Beach

49 Christmas Bush Avenue, Nelson Bay

5 Bed | 3 Bath | 4 Car New listing. Contact Agent

DIRECTLY opposite Dutchmans Beach (“Dutchies”) in Nelson Bay, this Hamptonsstyle home blends coastal luxury with everyday practicality in a quiet pocket away from main roads and the big tourist beaches.

Stroll to the marina along the scenic Bridle Path with outlooks across Port Stephens.

Designed over three levels and connected by an apartment-style passenger lift, it’s ideal for multi-generational living or easy guest hosting.

On the street (main) level, open-plan living and dining capture water views and flow to a premium-quality kitchen with walk-in pantry and adjoining study.

This level also includes a private master/guest suite with bedroom, sitting area and ensuite, with outlooks to the beach at the front and the pool at the rear.

Upstairs, a second living area opens to a covered entertaining terrace with bay views and serves four additional bedrooms, including a second main with walk-in robe and ensuite.

In total there are three bathrooms plus a separate toilet.

At the rear, a sheltered in-ground pool and covered alfresco create a private place to unwind after a morning swim across the road. Parking is easy with an off-street carport and an extra-deep tandem garage—room for two cars and all the beach gear.

A rare beachside opportunity in a tightly held

strip—steps to golden sand and swimmable water at any tide.

Features we love:

• Just metres to picturesque Dutchman’s Beach (“Dutchies”)

• Hamptons-style -more than a renovation; rebuilt with an impressive list ofquality Inclusions

• Apartment-style passenger lift to all three levels (plus stairs)

• Street-level master/guest suite with ensuite & sitting area

• Four additional bedrooms upstairs; second main with WIR & ensuite

• Three bathrooms in total, plus a separate toilet

• Private in-ground pool & covered alfresco

• Large north-east-facing covered balcony & front patio with beach views

Thank you

On New Year’s Day, my husband John Forrester had a medical episode in our home which ultimately was too severe for him to recover from.

To all the Emergency responders, the Ambulance, Fire Department and Police Department staff, as well as the doctors, rescue helicopter personnel and all other bystanders who assisted in trying to save his life that evening, I want to express my most heartfelt gratitude.

Not only was my husband treated with the utmost care, he was shown dignity and diligence. Your calm compassion was so reassuring in a time of crisis and allowed us time to sit with him and say our goodbyes.

From the bottom of our hears, me and my family thank you Julia and family

Wanted to Buy

War Medals

Top prices paid by local collector. Call Jim 0400 060 215

Curvy, luxurious blonde. Available for dates. Discretion In calls & out calls Ph 0433 656 207 Corlette e060226

seater outdoor setting some rust on chairs and table but still sturdy. Ph 0419 409 913. Pick up Tea Gardens.

bricks for free x50, pick up, Ph 02 4982 8101

RUG good condition Ph 0493 777 707

COFFEE table, hand crafted, mahogany

$100. 0493 777 707

WESTINGHOUSE stove, free, 60cm wide GC. 17 years old. Hawks Nest. Ph. 0428 105 591

2X cane chest of drawers (L) 70cm H x 36cm D x 36cm W, $15. (S) 66cm H x 35cm D x 26cm W $10. 3 drawers each 4982 8787

LOUNGE chairs x 4 pieces. good cond Ph 0493 777 707 PAINTING of vase & flowers, framed, 4ft x 2.5ft. 0493 777 707

MUGS, 15x brand new Ph 0493 777 707

4981 8882 6 plastic pale blue stools $25 the lot or $5 each 4997 0611

Australian Native Landscapes Pty Ltd is the leader in Horticultural manufacture and distribution on the East Coast of Australia. Celebrating over 50 years of leading the industry ANL remains an Australian family owned and operated business.

We are currently seeking energetic Administration / Customer Service Officer, for our Horticultural Products manufacturing facility at Tea Gardens.

Position requirements:

ARNOTTTS biscuits memrobilia. $100. 4982 3495

BEDROOM chair and print $50 Salt Ash 0432 671 259

COKE bottles & cans x 14, some bottles full 2000 Olympic can, 1989 Ghost Busters can, 1987 America Cup bottle & more. $40. 0447 076 485 F121125

HALL table glass top 900 x 50 iron legs $20 4982 2335 F060325

HANAMAX compact 8mm projector in box $70. 0416 089 747 F180925

HOMER Simpson Framed Picture, New $100. 0493 777 707F070825

DINING table, stainless steel legs. $100 0493 777 707

HORSE halters x3 Good leather w/ brass buckles etc. $25 ea or 3 for $60. 0433 237 871

IRON for clothing, brand new, GC ph 0493 777 707

ENTERTAINMENT centre, new, $100 ph 0493 777 707

EXERCISE stepper brand new $40 ph 4982 8628

EXTENSION ladder aluminimum 2.7 - 4.7m L max 100kg. $100. 4987 1680

FIREWOOD, mainly redwood, Price Neg Elaine 0428 943 812 or Blake 0416 133 925 Plants for sale

* At least six months customer service experience (preferred but not essential)

* Must have current valid driver’s license (essential)

* Enthusiastic, hard-working attitude and commitment to providing exceptional customer service

* A focus on ensuring our high safety standards are met

* Computer literacy skills – Microsoft Office and familiarity with operating weighbridge and POS software (desirable but not essential) on the job training can be provided

* Understanding of landscaping materials (desirable)

* Comfortable working alone and following set instructions

* Availability to work flexible hours including early mornings and weekends

* Availability to work weekends (essential)

The successful applicants will have great customer service skills, a high level of professionalism, be well presented, proactive and selfmotivated and focused on providing maximum customer satisfaction.

Duties will include but not limited to the following:

Serving customers in our sales office, completing sales, operating a till and handling cash

Aiding and giving information to customers regarding product selection and delivery options

Operating weighbridge software and communicating information to the group

Attending phone and enquiries.

If this sounds like you, please email your CV to careers@anlscape.com.au

Only people with the right to work in Australia need apply. Recruiters need not apply.

BOOTS, leather, ladies made in Canada. EUC $60 4982 8787 BOX, pine, coffe table or storage $100 4982 8787

FOLDING Recliner

pillow

KOGAN air conditioner/ heater works well. $100 4981 2251

LEATHER coat, mens Made in AU. $95. 0428 287 239

LIFEJACKETS PFD

FOOT Joy Golf Shoes Mens black size 10 worn once as new. $100 Ph 0408 683 670 F060225

CLOTHES, 000 - size 8, boys / girls clothing $20 per box. Some new, great cond. Pick up from Clarence Town. 0432 050 619

COCA-COLA Memorabilia Collection $95. 0409 863 898

FRAMED, Monet print brushed gold relief frame $45. 0412 083 543 Tea Gardens

FRIDGE, 4 door with water dispenser, ice maker, spill proof, Ext Cond, make an offer ph 0493 777 707 F041225

FRONT & rear bumper for early model VW Beetle. Reasonable cond. $100 for both. 0414 936 625

GLASS turbo oven $20; RUSSELL Hobbs Electric steamer $20 LARGE outdoor table $20. 0432 671 259

Level 50. Adults $50.00 Juniors $40.00 Good used condition Located in HN. Call 0493 078 190 For Sale

OUTDOOR coffee table new in box. Top black durostone 93 x 93cm Freedom range. 45cm H $55 4981 2713

OUTDOOR setting New, make an offer ph 0493 777 707

PRINTER Cartridges x2 suitable for Brother printers $20.00 for both. 0418 603 286F240425

RAM 2019 black and chrome side mirrors $100 for both. 0432 671 259 F091025

TWO old usable Surfboards suitable for kids learning. $40 for both. Located in HN. Call 0493 078 190 F131125

VICE, engineers 4inch 10cm, rarely used. Half price $70. 4987 1680

WALT Disney, black & white, 8mm movie ‘The Grocery Boy’ in original box $80. 0416 089 747

WETSUIT, waterproof welded seams, O’Neil 3/2mm, L/S, new cond $100. 0421 286 861

WHEELCHAIR, Breezy BasiX2, GC. $80. Ph 0420 430 993 F070825

WINDSURFING board F2 AXXIS. 85 liters, No dings. $60. 0419 932 992 F091025

WINDSURFING carbon boom. Chinook. $80 Peter 0419 932 992 F091025

WINDSURFING sail in new condition, 9m2 Used 3 times. $90. Peter 0419 932 992

WOK , New $20. Ph 0493 777 707

WOMENS large tailormade golf wet weather outfit. $50. 4997 0611

SANKYO autozoom 8Z movie camera in box $70. 0416 089 747

SEWING machine cabinet $50. Ph 0404 877 447

SIDE Table, Mahogany 15mths old, $100. 0493 777 707

SINGER hand sewing machines x 2, antique Make an offer. 4982 3495

SNOW chains. Never used. Suit 13-inch wheels. $80. Peter 0419 932 992

SOFA bed vgc double $50 Ph 4982 2335

MICROWAVE Russell Hobbs RHM0300 61cm wide, still in the box, $100. Tanilba Bay 0415 302 447 F231025

SUZUKI Grand Vitara 2001, 3 door 4 x 4 manual, Hi/low range 203,000 klm’s, VGC many extra’s, always serviced. Reg: YDB27S $6,500. 0415 678 687 Re170625 Motors

&

BEST ON THE BOX

SATURDAY

CALL THE MIDWIFE

ABC TV, 7.30pm

This period drama moves into the 1970s with its trademark care and compassion to unpack the social issues of the era in its 14th season. In Saturday’s episode, there’s a new arrival at Nonnatus House in the shape of Sister Catherine (Molly Vevers, above left, with Jenny Agutter). As the convent’s latest recruit finds her feet, Phyllis (Linda Bassett) supports a pregnant mother of seven who is reluctant to have another child. Elsewhere, Shelagh (Laura Main) and Sister Veronica (Rebecca Gethings) help a mum with her disabled son.

FRIDAY, January 23

MONDAY

AUSTRALIA DAY LIVE

ABC TV, 7.30pm

A live spectacle from the steps of the Sydney Opera House that celebrates the diversity of Australia’s cultures, communities and laidback lifestyle, this annual concert is one hot ticket. Hosts Jeremy Fernandez (pictured), Megan Burslem and John Foreman have saved a spot for ABC viewers as an exciting line-up of homegrown talent takes the stage. Cody Simpson, Kate Ceberano, William Barton, social media sensation Jude York and supergroup The Fabulous Caprettos all feature before an unforgettable aerial show over Circular Quay. The event will also pay tribute to those affected by December’s Bondi Beach terror attack, and introduce remarkable Australians who will share their stories with the nation.

6.00 Morning Programs. 12.00 News. 1.00 Muster Dogs: Where Are They Now. (Final, R) 1.45 Goolagong. (Final, PG, R) 2.40 Classic Countdown Extras. (PG, R) 2.55 Would I Lie To You? (PG, R) 3.25 Nigella’s Cook, Eat, Repeat. (Final, R) 3.55 Grand Designs: House Of The Year. (R) 4.45 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 6.00 Morning Programs. 10.00 Paddington Station 24/7. (PGa, R) 10.50 Mountain Vets. (PG, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Living Black. (R) 2.05 New Zealand From A Train. (PGaw, R) 3.00 Going Places. (R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.15 Ocean Wreck Investigation. (PGav,

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 All Creatures Great And Small.

8.20 Art Detectives. (PGv) A wine expert dies during an exclusive tasting.

9.05 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) Presented by Tom Gleeson.

9.35 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (Ml, R) A satirical news program.

10.05 A Life In Ten Pictures: Amy Winehouse. (Madl, R)

11.00 ABC Late News.

11.15 Smother. (Mal, R)

1.00 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv)

5.00 Rage. (PGadhlnsv)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 The Great House Revival. 9.30 Isle Of Wight: Jewel Of The South. (R)

10.20 SBS World News Late.

10.50 Sisi. (Mans, R)

11.45 Babylon Berlin. (MA15+ansv, R)

1.35 Silent Road. (Mav, R)

3.30 Sinking The German Fleet. (PGav, R)

4.30 Bamay. (PG, R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

WEDNESDAY

ELSBETH

TEN, 9pm

OK, we’ll admit it –when a cop show has high-calibre celebrities lining up around the block to be guest stars, it can make the “whodunnit” format rather redundant. This savvy

The Good

Wife spin-off solves that problem by presenting its crimes in reverse. Investigator Elsbeth Tascioni (Carrie Preston, pictured) usually has an inkling of who the crooks are from the get-go – and so do we – the fun lies in finding out how she corners them. In season three’s premiere, Stephen Colbert played a late-night host who met an untimely end. This week’s tale casts Arrested Development’s David Cross as an ex-con caught up in a hostage situation. Stay tuned for a seriously star-studded list of suspects.

6.00 NBN News.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. The Challenger. 10.30 Seven’s Cricket: The Spin. An expert panel examines all the big news and issues with a deep dive into the world of cricket.

11.15 Cycling. Santos Tour Down Under. Men’s. Stage 3. Highlights.

12.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R) Presented by Greg Grainger.

12.45 Dr Harry’s Animal Encounters. (PG, R) Presented by Dr Harry Cooper.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

5.00 NBC Today.

7.00 Tennis. Australian Open. Night 6. From Melbourne Park. 11.00 Tennis. Australian Open. Late Night 6. From Melbourne Park.

12.00 Chicago Med. (MA15+mv, R) Maggie empathises with a patient whose mother is afraid to consent to her son’s risky surgery.

1.00 Next Stop.

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) A bull goes on a rampage.

4.30 Global Shop. (R) Home shopping.

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

5.30 GolfBarons. (PG, R) The team reboots a game-changing iconic ball.

6.00 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace.

6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R)

7.30 Selling Houses Australia. (R) 8.40 Love It Or List It Australia. (R) A couple and their three small kids are feeling cramped in their current home and want to replace the pool with a sizeable backyard. 9.50 The Graham Norton Show. (Mls, R) Celebrities include Ewan McGregor. 11.00 10’s Late News. 11.30 10 News+. (R) 12.00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R)

6.00

SATURDAY, January 24

12.00

At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00

2.00

6.00 Back Roads: The Great Australian Road Trip. (R) Presented by Heather Ewart.

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

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

7.30 Call The Midwife. (PG) Shelagh and Sister Veronica help a disabled child.

8.30 Vera. (Ma, R) Vera investigates after a student is violently killed and dumped at the foot of three mythical monoliths.

10.05 Goolagong. (Final, PG, R) Evonne Goolagong Cawley competes at Wimbledon.

11.00 The Jetty. (Ml, R) 12.00 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

6am Children’s Programs. 5.55pm Octonauts. 6.05 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Andy And The Band. 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Hard Quiz Kids. 8.00 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.

Skating.

C’ships. H’lights. 4.00 Sailing. Sail Grand

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Secrets Of Britain’s Historic Houses.

8.40 Swiss Alpine Rail Journeys: The Adaptable Arosa Line. (PGn, R) Looks at the Arosa Railway.

9.40 The Secret DNA Of Us. (PGa, R)

10.50 Scottish Islands With Ben Fogle. (PG, R)

11.55 House Of Promises. (Ma, R)

3.30 Gestapo: Hitler’s Secret Police. (Ma, R)

4.30 Bamay. (PG, R) 5.00 Euronews. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 MOVIE: The Sound Of Music. (1965, G, R) A woman becomes governess to an Austrian family. Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer. 10.40 Air Crash Investigations: Control Catastrophe. (PGa, R) A look at the case of Air Astana Flight 1388. 11.40 Cycling. Santos Tour Down Under. Men’s. Stage 4. Highlights.

12.40 MOVIE: A Job To Die For. (2022, Mav, R) A woman lands her dream job. Revell Carpenter.

2.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 It’s Academic. (R)

5.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 Tennis. Australian Open. Night 7. From Melbourne Park. 11.00 Tennis. Australian Open. Late Night 7. From Melbourne Park.

12.00 Chicago Med. (MA15+mv, R) Marcel clashes with the chief of oncology.

1.00 The Gulf. (Madlsv, R) A death puts Sarah Scully in the spotlight.

2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PG) Religious program.

2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 Global Shop. (R) Home shopping.

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

5.30 Helping Hands Summer Series. (PG)

6.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith. 7.30 Love It Or List It Australia. A couple in Essendon want to renovate their home.

8.40 Sort Your Life Out. (PGa, R) Stacey Solomon and her team help families declutter and transform their lives. 9.50 Ambulance UK. (Madl, R) Someone threatens to use a nerve agent against the emergency services.

11.00 Matlock. (PGadl, R) The team takes on an arson case.

6am Mary

Shelley. Continued. (2017, PG) 6.40 The Movie Show. 7.15 Barefoot In The Park. (1967, PG) 9.15

SUNDAY, January 25

6.00 Grand Designs Transformations. (R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Australian Of The Year 2026. Hosted by Leigh Sales.

8.45 The ABC Of: Evonne Goolagong Cawley. (PG, R) Hosted by David Wenham. 9.15 The Jetty. (Final, MA15+a) Ember tries to uncover the truth about Amy.

10.20 Call The Midwife. (PGa, R)

11.20 MOVIE: Wake In Fright. (1971, Masv, R)

1.05 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

1.55 Smother. (Mal, R)

4.30 A Bite To Eat With Alice. (R)

5.00 Insiders. (R)

6am Children’s Programs. 10.00 MOVIE: Thomas And Friends: The Mystery Of Lookout Mountain. (2022) 11.00 Children’s Programs. 6.20pm Bluey. 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.50 Andy And The Band. 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.20

Perth. H’lights. 5.00 Plat Du Tour. (R) 5.05 Going Places. (R) 5.35 Our Tiny Islands. (Premiere) 6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 The Eco Show. (R) 11.00 Puppy Secrets: The First Six Months. (R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 12.55 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 1.00 Speedweek. 3.00 Motor Racing. Best of Dakar Rally. H’lights. 4.00 Figure Skating. ISU European C’ships. Part Two. H’lights.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Once Upon A Time In Space. (PG)

9.30 Pompeii: The Last Mysteries Revealed. (Mans, R)

10.20 Putin And The West: The Next Chapter. (PG, R)

11.30 Black Gold. (PGal, R)

1.05 Building The Impossible. (PG, R)

2.00 Rise Of The Nazis: The Downfall. (Mav, R)

3.10 24 Hours In Emergency. (Ma, R)

4.05 Craig & Bruno’s Great British Road Trips. (PG, R)

4.30 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 Euronews. 5.30 PBS Science Technology Health Show.

(32) SBS MOVIES (32)

Discovering Film. 10.10 I Love You Too. (2010, M) 12.15pm The Problem With People. (2023, M) 2.10 Discovering Film. 3.05 Bicycle Thief. (1948, PG, Italian) 4.40 Princess Caraboo. (1994, PG) 6.30 Explorers. (1985) 8.30 Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. (2011, MA15+) 10.55 Late Programs. 6am Bicycle Thief. (1948, PG, Italian) 6.55 Princess Caraboo. (1994, PG) 8.40 Explorers. (1985, PG) 10.40 Operation Napoleon. (2023, M) 12.50pm Body Heat. (1981, M) 2.55 The Movie Show. 3.30 Discovering Film. 4.30 Whisky Galore. (2016, PG) 6.20 Roman Holiday. (1953, PG) 8.30 Maggie Moore(s) (2023, MA15+) 10.25 Charlie And Boots. (2009, M) 12.20am Late Programs.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Cricket. Big Bash League. The Final. 10.30 Big Bash League Post-Game. Post-game coverage of The Final. 11.00 7NEWS Spotlight. Looks at an undercover operation. 12.00 Cycling. Santos Tour Down Under. Men’s. Stage 5. Highlights. 1.00 Temple. (Premiere, Malv) A surgeon becomes embroiled in a strange enterprise.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R) Hosted by Simon Reeve.

4.00 NBC Today. News and current affairs.

5.00 Sunrise Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

5.00 PBS International Affairs Show. 5.30 Cycling. ProVelo Super League. Round 1. SA Kick It. 8.30 Irresistible: Why We Can’t Stop Eating. 10.15 The Grudge. 11.45 The Gentle Art Of Swedish Death Cleaning. 2.45am NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera.

6.00 NBN News. 7.00 Tennis. Australian Open. Night 8. From Melbourne Park. 11.00 Tennis. Australian Open. Late Night 8. From Melbourne Park. 12.00 The First 48: Cruel Intentions. (Ma, R) Detectives investigate a mother of two’s murder. 1.00 Next Stop. (R) A look at holiday destinations. 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)

4.30 GolfBarons. (PG, R)

5.00 Today Early News. A look at the latest news, sport and weather. 5.30 Today.

12.00 Elsbeth. (PGa, R) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power. 6.30 10 News+. 7.00 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (PGal) Hosted by Julia Morris and Robert Irwin. 8.30 NCIS: Sydney. (Mv)

MONDAY, January 26

6.00

10.55 Like Water For Chocolate. (MA15+sv)

11.50 Clean Sweep. (MA15+s, R)

1.50 Pagan Peak. (MA15+av, R)

3.35 Craig & Bruno’s Great British Road Trips. (PG, R)

4.05 Barkley Manor. (PG, R)

4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6am Children’s Programs. 5.40pm Kangaroo Beach. 5.55 Octonauts. 6.05 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.45 Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.20

6.00

TUESDAY, January 27

2.00 Where The Dreamings Come From. (R) 2.10 Going Places. (PG, R) 2.45 The Cook Up. (R) 3.17 Ocean Wreck Investigation. (PG, R) 4.03 Jeopardy! 4.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 5.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.00 Morning Programs. 10.00 Paddington Station 24/7. (PGa, R) 10.50 Mountain Vets. (PG, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Auschwitz: The Hidden

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

7.30 The 1% Club UK: Rollover. (PGl) Hosted by Lee Mack.

8.30 9-1-1. (Return, M) In honour of Bobby Nash’s sacrifice, the 118 comes together to dedicate the firehouse in his memory.

10.30 Crime Investigation Australia: Most Infamous. (MA15+asv, R)

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

1.00 Conviction. (MA15+v, R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

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

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 Tennis. Australian Open. Night 9.

11.00 Tennis. Australian Open. Late Night 9.

12.00 Chicago Med. (MA15+mv, R) Ahmad works to thaw a frozen criminal.

1.00 Next Stop. (PGa, R) A look at holiday destinations.

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

2.30 Global Shop. (R) Home shopping.

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) Sonny has a series of strange encounters.

4.30 GolfBarons. (PG, R) A panel of experts discusses golf.

5.00 Today Early News.

5.30 Today.

6am Whisky Galore. (2016, PG) 7.50 Roman Holiday. (1953, PG) 10.00 Girls Will Be Girls. (2024, M, Hindi) 12.10pm White Squall. (1996, M) 2.30 Discovering Film. 3.20 Walk With Me. (2017, PG) 5.05 The Importance Of Being Earnest. (1952) 6.45 Kindred. 8.30 Gurrumul. (2017, MA15+) 10.25 Sing Street.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Who Do You Think You Are? (Ma, R)

8.30 Portillo’s 200 Years Of The Railways. (PG)

9.40 Aerial Australia. (PGaw, R) 10.30 SBS News.

11.00 Exit. (MA15+adls)

11.55 DNA. (MA15+a, R) 1.40 24 Hours In Emergency. (Ma, R) 2.30 24 Hours In A&E. (Mal, R) 3.25 Craig & Bruno’s Great British Road Trips. (PG, R) 3.55 Barkley Manor. (PG, R) 4.25 Bamay. (R) 4.55 China Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PG)

7.30 The 1% Club UK: Rollover. (PGal) Hosted by Lee Mack.

8.30 Doc. (Return, Mav) Amy’s past comes back to haunt her when a desperate father sacrifices everything to secure his daughter’s heart transplant.

10.30 St. Denis Medical. (Return, PGal)

11.30 Autopsy USA. (MA15+a, R)

12.30 MOVIE: A Jealous Friendship. (2021, Mav, R)

2.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 NBN News. 7.00 Tennis. Australian Open. Night 10. 11.00 Tennis. Australian Open. Late Night 10. 12.00 Chicago Med. (MA15+mv, R) Ripley and Charles treat members of a cult. 1.00 Next Stop. (PGa, R) A look at holiday destinations. 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Destination WA. (PG) Chrissy explores Busselton Jetty. 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)

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

(2017, PG) 9.20 Kindred. 11.05 Haute Couture. (2021, M, French) 12.55pm Charlie And Boots. (2009, M) 2.50 Dean Spanley. (2008, PG) 4.45 Gurrumul. (2017, PG) 6.35 The Return Of The Soldier. (1982, PG) 8.30 Perfect Days. (2023, PG, Japanese) 10.50 The Last Emperor. (1987, M) 1.55am Late Programs.

6.00

WEDNESDAY, January 28

Women’s Surf Coast Classic. 2.00 WorldWatch. 3.00 Living Black. (R) 3.05 Going Places. (PG, R) 3.45 The Cook Up. (R) 4.15 Ocean Wreck Investigation. (PGav, R) 5.05 Jeopardy!

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 JFK: The Making Of A President. (Mav, R)

8.25 The Jury: Murder Trial UK. (Final, M)

9.20 Weight Of The World. (MA15+a, R)

10.30 SBS News.

11.00 Face To Face. (Mals) 11.50 Darkness: Those Who Kill. (MA15+s) 1.30 Golden Boy. (Mdln, R) 2.25 24 Hours In Emergency. (Mal, R) 3.20 Craig & Bruno’s Great British Road Trips. (PGn, R) 3.50 Barkley Manor. (PG, R) 4.50 China Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

VICELAND (31)

6am Children’s Programs. 6.20pm Bluey. 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Ninjago. 8.00 Deadly 60. 8.30 Steven Universe. 8.50 Adventure Time. 9.15 Teen Titans Go! 9.35 We Bare Bears. 9.50 Shaun Tan’s Tales From Outer Suburbia. 10.10 My Adventures With Superman. 10.35 Late Programs.

One. 3.15

3.50 WorldWatch. 5.50

Aust.

Gold

6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 James May And The Dull Men. 9.25 Under The Banner Of Heaven. 11.05 MOVIE: The Year Of Living Dangerously. (1982, M) 1.10am Late Programs.

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6am The Movie

Show. 6.25 The Return Of The Soldier. (1982) 8.20 Perfect Days. (2023, PG, Japanese) 10.40 My Father’s Mexican Wedding. (2023, M, Spanish) 12.40pm Sing Street. (2016, M) 2.40 The Movie Show. 3.20 Discovering Film. 4.15 Finding You. (2020, PG) 6.30 The Three Musketeers. (1973, PG) 8.30 The Whale. (2022, M) 10.40 I Want You Back. (2022, M) 12.50am Late Programs.

THURSDAY, January 29

6.00

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PG)

7.30 The 1% Club UK: Rollover. (PGl) Hosted by Lee Mack.

8.30 MOVIE: The Sapphires. (2012, PGalsv, R) Four singers learn about love, friendship and war. Miranda Tapsell.

10.40 Air Crash Investigations: Cockpit Catastrophe. (PGa, R) 11.35 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)

12.05 Wolfe. (MA15+av)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

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

7TWO (62)

6am Home In WA. 6.30 Escape To The Country. 7.30 Harry’s Practice. 8.00 Million Dollar Minute. 9.00 Medical Emergency. 9.30 NBC Today. Noon Better Homes. 1.00 Escape To The Country. 2.00 Weekender. 2.30 The Master. 3.30 Harry’s Practice.

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 Tennis. Australian Open. Night 11. 11.00 Tennis. Australian Open. Late Night 11.

12.00 Chicago Med. (MA15+mv, R) Maggie’s budding romance takes flight.

1.00 Next Stop. (R) A look at holiday destinations.

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

2.30 Global Shop. (R) Home shopping.

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) The park receives much-needed rain.

4.30 GolfBarons. (PGl, R) A panel of experts discusses golf.

5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

6.00 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 7.30 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Hosted

Long Lost Family. (PG, R)

Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

Gardening Australia. (R)

A Bite To Eat With Alice. (R)

7.30. (R)

6am Children’s Programs. 5.55pm Octonauts. 6.05 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Ninjago. 8.00 Deadly 60. 8.30 Secrets Of The Zoo. 9.10

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Toronto Airport Uncovered. (PG)

8.25 Robson Green: World’s Most Amazing Walks. (PG)

9.20 In Flight. (Madlv)

10.15 SBS World News Late.

10.45 Before We Die. (MA15+v)

11.40 This Town. (MA15+l, R)

2.00 24 Hours In A&E. (M, R)

2.50 Craig & Bruno’s Great British Road Trips. (PGas, R) 3.20 The Andes Tragedy: 50 Years Later. (PGa, R) 4.15 Bamay. (R) 4.45 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (PGaw, R)

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

VICELAND (31)

6am WorldWatch. 11.00 Food That Built The World. 12.30pm WorldWatch. 1.00 Mastermind Aust. 2.00 Devoured. 2.50 Insight. 3.50 News. 3.55 WorldWatch. 5.50 Lost Gold Of The Aztecs. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 James May And The Dull Men. (Final) 9.25 History’s Greatest Mysteries. 10.15 The UnXplained. 11.05 Homicide. Midnight Late Programs.

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6am Finding You. (2020, PG) 7.15 Dean Spanley. (2008, PG) 9.10 The Three Musketeers. (1973, PG) 11.10 The Last Emperor. (1987, M) 2.15pm The Return Of The Soldier. (1982, PG) 4.15 Perfect Days. (2023, PG, Japanese) 6.30 The Four Musketeers: Revenge Of Milady. (1974, PG) 8.30 Robot Dreams. (2023, PG) 10.30 Nobody Has To Know. (2021, M) 12.20am The Whale. (2022, M) 2.35 Late Programs.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) Justin and Leah are at an impasse.

8.30 MOVIE: Kingsman: The Secret Service. (2014, MA15+lv, R)

A troubled young man must prove his mettle after he is recruited into a secret British spy organisation. Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Samuel L Jackson.

11.15 To Be Advised.

12.15 MOVIE: A Mother’s Terror. (2021, Mav, R)

2.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

7TWO (62)

6am Morning Programs. 10.30 American Resto. 11.00 Storage Wars. 11.30 American Pickers. 12.30pm Pawn Stars. 1.30 Outback Truckers. 3.30 Tougher In Alaska. 4.30 American Resto. 5.00 Storage Wars. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Highway Patrol. 8.30 The Force: Behind The Line. 9.30 Caught On Dashcam. 10.30 World’s Wildest Police Videos. 11.30 Late Programs. 6am Morning

2pm

9.30

10.00 Bewitched. 11.00

2.30 Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 6.00 Golden Girls. 6.30 Nanny. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: RoboCop 2. (1990, MA15+) 10.55 Seinfeld. 11.55 The 100. 12.50am Love Island UK. 1.50 The Vampire Diaries. 3.30 Late Programs.

6.00 NBN News. 7.00 Australian Open Tennis Pre-Show.

7.30 Tennis. Australian Open. Night 12. Women’s semi-finals. 11.00 Tennis. Australian Open. Late Night 12. Women’s semi-finals. 12.00 Chicago Med. (MA15+mv, R) 1.00 Next Stop. (R)

1.30

6am Children’s Programs. 8.00 The Garden Hustle. 9.00 Nanny. 9.30 Addams Family. 10.00 Bewitched. 11.00 Surfing Aust. 11.30

2pm

2.30 Nanny. 3.30

4.30 Addams Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 6.00 Golden Girls. 6.30 Nanny. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: There’s Something About Mary. (1998, MA15+) 11.00 Seinfeld. 11.30 Late Programs.

Thursday, 22 January 2026

By Chris KARAS

FRESH from her gold medal-winning deeds at the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships in December, Port Stephens sprinter Elara Barnes is hungry for more success in 2026.

St Phillips Christian School student captured the imagination of the local sporting public after helping NSW capture the Under 14 Mixed Team 4 x 200m Relay National All Schools title.

The four finished with a record-breaking performance at Melbourne’s Lakeside Stadium in the lead up to Christmas.

Thirteen year old Elara teamed up with athletes Zac Leung (Ryde), Charlie West (Illawarra), Cruz Monzon (Doonside), George Lambousis (Port Hacking), Marnie Laurence (Eastern Suburbs), Maggie Treanor (Illawong-Revesby) and Charlotte James (Eastlakes) to secure gold in the Mixed event.

In a tremendous achievement, the NSW Mixed team were crowned Under 14 champions after flashing home in 1:38.33

q Emerging Port Stephens sprinter Elara Barnes collected gold and bronze medals at the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships in Melbourne.

Sprint star’s

seconds to set a new National All Schools record.

Fleet-footed Elara, Laurence, Lambousis and Monzon played key roles as NSW proved unstoppable in clinching the title from runners up Victoria and bronze medallists Queensland. There was more joy for young Elara who combined with Laurence, Treanor, James, Kuring-gai’s Manvi Arabolu and Savannah Cox (Hills District) to also snare a bronze medal in the Women's 4 x 100m Relay.

Finishing just behind winners Queensland and runners up Victoria with a personal best time of 48.01 seconds.

Competing in the Under 14 Girls 200m event, the Port Stephens speedster won her heat with a personal best time of 26.14 seconds to qualify for the final.

Elara achieved another personal best when she clocked 25.84 seconds to finish fourth in the final, won by NSW team mate Laurence (24.57 sec).

In doing so she was pipped for a medal by third placed Queenslander Sophie Whitfield, who posted a time of 25.42 sec to collect bronze.

Under the guidance of Newcastle’s High Performance athletics coach Vanessa Price, the talented Elara Barnes continues to blossom as a track sprinter.

relay gold