TVW09Apr26MA001

Birthing services review

By Jonathon Howard

NORTHERN NSW Local Health District

is calling on Tweed families to help shape the future of Murwillumbah birthing services, with a community survey now open as part of a review of maternity care at Murwillumbah & District Hospital.

Women at any stage of their pregnancy journey, or women who have recently given birth or who are planning a pregnancy in the future, and their families, are invited to share their views and experiences through a confidential online survey to help plan the future of Murwillumbah’s birthing services.

Feedback from local health professionals, care providers, NGOs, and other pregnancy, birth and postnatal support service providers will also be captured through a separate survey.

This work is a recommendation of the NNSWLHD Birthing Services Review, which was undertaken in late 2024.

Northern NSW Local Health District Chief Executive Tracey Maisey said community feedback would help guide planning for safe, sustainable and inclusive maternity services.

“We are committed to working collaboratively with staff, clinicians and the community to deliver safe, sustainable and inclusive maternity services for the Murwillumbah region,” Ms Maisey said.

The confidential survey is open to pregnant women, recent mothers, families, health professionals and support services, with the review expected to conclude by mid-2026.

Local mother of two, registered nurse and consumer representative Solitaire Smith is encouraging families to take part, saying strong community participation will be critical to ensuring local voices are reflected in future decisions.

Ms Smith is a local mother of two and registered nurse and has been appointed as the consumer representative on a NSW Health working group reviewing the hos -

pital’s birth services.

Having given birth to both of her children at the Murwillumbah Hospital’s Birthing Unit within the past five years, Ms Smith said she was passionate about ensuring the voices of local families are heard.

“I am in this role simply as someone who has birthed both of my children under this service within the last five years,” Ms Smith said.

Key NSW Health representatives are meeting regularly as part of the review, with Ms Smith acting as the community voice in discussions about the needs of pregnant women and birthing families across the Tweed.

“My role is to give a voice to our community on what the needs are for families who are pregnant and birthing,” she said.

Ms Smith has also recently taken over as administrator of the ‘Friends of the Murwillumbah Birth Centre’ Facebook page, continuing the work of long-time advocate Rachel, who has championed local birthing services for more than a decade.

As part of the review process, a NSW Health-approved community survey co-created by Ms Smith will be released this week, with strong participation expected to play a key role in shaping recommendations.

“We need numbers in order for the largest impact to be made,” she said.

“Quantitative data is essential for me as the representative to be able to bring a true voice for our community to these meetings.”

The review is expected to conclude around May or June, when recommendations will be presented to senior NSW Health decision-makers.

Ms Smith said many residents may not realise Murwillumbah’s public birthing services are available to a wide catchment.

“People who can access Murwillumbah birth services currently are eligible to apply if they live with-in 40 minutes of the hospital — not just the 2484 postcode,” she said.

To help raise awareness, Ms Smith will also be connecting with local mothers at a weekly gathering at Heart and Soul of Wellness in Murwillumbah, where pregnant women and new mothers meet for support and connection.

“I am in this role simply as someone who has birthed both of my children under this service within the last five years,” Ms Smith said.

Ms Smith, who represents the community on the Murwillumbah Birthing Services Working Group, said her role is to advocate for the needs of local families.

“My role is to give a voice to our community on what the needs are for families who are pregnant and birthing,” she said.

The Murwillumbah Birthing Services Working Group includes representatives from the community, Tweed Shire Council, and Murwillumbah and Tweed Valley hospital staff.

To learn more and have your say visit: https://engage.nnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/ murwillumbah-birthing-services-review-feedback-survey

Police blitz Northern Region

THE EASTER long weekend traffic operation has concluded with plenty of police out and about pulling up drivers, particularly across the Tweed Valley around Murwillumbah, with quite a few people kissing their licenses goodbye across the Northern Region.

Four lives were lost on NSW roads with thousands of infringements issued across the Northern Region, which includes the Tweed Shire.

NSW Police had a high-visibility pres -

ence across the state during Operation Easter 2026 from 12.01am Thursday to 11.59pm Monday with Traffic and Highway Patrol Command officers, general duties and specialist police from all commands and districts across the state involved.

A double demerit period targeting speeding, mobile phone use, seatbelt and helmet offences was also in place for the same time period.

A total of 69 drivers were busted us -

ing their mobile phone with a loss of 10 demerit points over Easter for each and automatic licence loss for L and P platers.

There were 74 major crashes in the Northern Region.

Two people lost their lives in the Northern Region with 48,086 breath tests conducted and 4,269 infringement notices issued and 1,527 of those were for speeding, 85 were busted drink driving, 283 were drug tested with 259 coming back positive.

Artemis two loo

I do feel for the astronauts aboard Artemis II having to repair their own malfunctioning toilet.

But I imagine the cost of getting a plumber in to fix it would be astronomical.

Peter Ramshaw, Kingscliff Not hoarding, some people need extra fuel

I refer to the article in The Weekly of April 2, depicting a gentleman filling a jerry can with fuel.

What sort of bottom feeder finds it necessary to take such a photo.

I suspect if this person lived in Iran they would be dobbing a long-term neighbour in for protesting against the government.

My husband and I drive a diesel car and need unleaded fuel for our lawn equipment.

For decades we have been filling a jerry can for this purpose to save multiple trips to the garage.

One swallow does not make a summer, just as one jerry can does not make a hoarder. Should we now feel guilty when we next fill our jerry can?

Perhaps we should take a group of people to cover our activity to avoid exposure in the media by persons falsely accusing us of hoarding fuel.

Patricia Brown, Kingscliff Scrap Daylight Saving Time

I have always been against DST, we don’t need it up at this latitude. It causes much chaos and confusion in the border area.

Mr Dixon seems to be against the change because it is being proposed by a National MP, not for any logical valid reason.

Rod Couch, Tweed Heads Shorten Daylight Saving Time

Yes. Daylight Saving Time should only be three months. Six months is ridiculous. Voting is going for four months. I believe three months is long enough.

We’re on the border of Queensland where I live. People go to John Flynn Hospital all the time. It is very confusing for us seniors.

People live in Qld. Work in NSW. That is confusing. Or live in NSW and work in Qld.

Three months is a long time. People like me who live on the border of Qld should be allowed to stay with Qld time.

We have Qld phone numbers with our land line. Why can’t we stay with Qld when we live on the border?

Gay Kingston, Tweed Heads I love Daylight Saving Time – don’t change it

I’m 70 years old and I personally love that DST runs for six months and would hate to see it reduced to only four months in duration. Without it, it’s light at 4.30am, followed by darkness at 6pm! Both are really unpleasant to live with.

I want to sleep in a dark bedroom and enjoy more daylight in the evening, especially in the hot summer months.

Lynne Rogers, Tweed Heads

Farming food producers should have general land rates waived

(Editor’s note: This is a continuation of Ray Nardi’s letter from last week’s edition discussing the plight of Tweed Shire farmers)

Pasture dieback, no grass only weeds remains a severe problem in certain areas and NSW local land service now says it can result in 30 to 60 per cent less carrying capacity.

Farmers now face a bigger threat, Giant Parramatta Grass, whcih has taken off, it’s so hard you need to go down three gears to mow it, it also wears the cattle teeth out, production could drop 50 per cent or less, so far no satisfactory control.

It’s growing frustration especially when councillors refusing to communicate with you, don’t take or return your calls to discuss issues like this.

If Mayor Chris Cherry supported by councillors Meredith, Nola and resident Marion Riordan are serious about preserving farmland they would push council to give our farmers what farmers receive in Europe, UK and USA.

If you produce food you don’t pay general rates on the farm, but you still pay rates on the house.

Europe and other counties starved in the last war so farmers now heavily subsidised to produce food. Subsidising is cheap food insurance.

One country has death duties, that our government has in the pipeline, a previous council knows how this can be achieved, Tweed Shire will then be able to change it to “camphor laurel shire”. Should farmers be compensated if their property is responsible for the catchment of the water in Clarrie Hall Dam like the wind turbines, property owners. Banana farms are gone, dairy gone, beef industry testing times ahead, then what, we call on councillors for common sense to prevail of this potential mess and fix it, giving secondary dwellings title.

Most graziers have a second income by necessity, it’s the love of the land and livestock that we want our grandchildren to continue, very few would have super or a retirement date.

NSW land tax officers are active. In our twilight years forget about retiring on the farm, if you think you can live off the rents and lease the acreage –seek expert advice.

Ray Nardi, Kielvale

Let’s cut back DST while we can

In response to the proposed shortening of Daylight Saving Time (DST), to four months instead of six, I am definitely in favour.

Quite frankly I would prefer it to be abandoned altogether.

Living on the Qld/NSW border I dread it yearly as it comes into play. I can see that it holds no advantage to any of us living in Australia.

The further south you go, the longer

the daylight hours in summer are anyway, so why do the southern states see any advantage in further lengthening the evening hours?

When we were living in Adelaide the sun didn’t set until after 8pm, which made getting small children to bed, at a reasonable hour, a nightmare. How does it really benefit anyone? It certainly disadvantages those having to deal with time differences in the eastern states, for a very long six months of the year.

Our grandchildren in NSW are presently getting up to go to school in the dark. That should not be the case.

Thank you to Member for Tweed Geoff Provest MP for his action on this bill. Definitely DST should be shortened, and preferably abandoned altogether.

Dianne Mcilveen (also, in agreement, Graeme Mcilveen and Julia Christie), Tweed Heads DST should be scrapped — at least for the Tweed I am totally against Daylight Saving Time altogether.

I hate it, especially living here in the Tweed Shire where it is just too hot to have that extra daylight at the end of the day. We need it at the beginning of the day, when it is cooler.

I live on acreage and I want to get everything done in the morning before at least 10am, as after that it is too hot to be outside and especially at the end of the day, I want the heat to be gone earlier than still hot late at night. The farmers don’t want to be out in the late afternoon and early evening still working in strong sun and heat.

I have animals to feed both in the morning and at late afternoon, early evening and I have to wait even later, because it is just too hot for them as well as me and then it makes my coming inside and trying to get dinner at 9pm to 10pm and eating so late which is not good for you.

I also agree with the article with the concerns that we live so close to the

border and it is just too disruptive. I think if we can’t get rid of daylight saving altogether, then how about say, from Forster upwards we stay on normal time and everywhere below can have their daylight saving.

In answer to the article if we can’t have my above two options then anyway we can lessen the months of Daylight Saving Time the better.

Sharon Connolly, Chillingham Hold on a minute with your DST reporting

In response to your article “Tweed supports shorter DST” (TVW, April 2), surveying a small number of readers is not a scientific way to measure public opinion. The 18 residents quoted can hardly be seen as representing the wider Tweed community. To clarify, Daylight Saving Time does not create more daylight — the seasons and the Earth’s tilt do that. DST simply shifts usable daylight to later in the day, which was originally intended to help conserve energy. Southern regions benefit most from this, which is why most south-east Australian states observe it, while Queensland remains the exception. Claims that DST runs “too long” were not supported by evidence. Other regions, including parts of Canada, operate DST for longer periods, while countries closer to the equator often see less benefit due to smaller seasonal daylight changes.

The main issue with DST is the inconvenience caused for border communities dealing with two time zones. A practical solution could be for south-east Queensland to adopt DST in line with southern states, removing confusion for residents and businesses operating across the border.

Pierre Masse, Tweed Heads South

Human rights in Australia

By Madeleine Murray

JOIN MICHAEL KIRBY in conversation at the Regent Cinema, on Thursday, April 16, about why human rights are essential to human dignity and a robust democracy.

It will be a wide-ranging talk with one of the most charismatic and committed legal minds in the country.

Unfortunately, The Weekly was unable to interview The Honourable Michael Kirby AC CMG because, at the age of 87, he is currently travelling and engaged in arbitration in India.

Few Australian jurists have matched the reach and influence of Kirby, whose career has spanned courtrooms, international institutions and public debate. Kirby remains one of the country’s most compelling legal voices – thoughtful, candid and deeply committed to the idea that law must serve humanity.

In a fascinating film online, called Michael Kirby: Don’t Forget the Justice Bit, Kirby talked at length about his life, love, sexuality, religion, the law, and human rights.

“I have a view that the foundation of human rights is love,” he said. “Why are we here today and tomorrow and what does our life mean? Well, love has a lot to do with it – we can’t leave love out of it.”

Appointed to the High Court of Australia in 1996, Kirby became known as the court’s Great Dissenter, unafraid to challenge legal orthodoxy. Across more than a decade on the bench, he shaped debates around constitutional law, human rights and administrative justice, often advancing arguments that would later gain wider acceptance.

Before that, as President of the New South Wales Court of Appeal, he earned a reputation for clarity, intellectual rigour and an extraordinary work ethic. His judgments were widely cited, both in Australia and internationally. Kirby’s influence extends far beyond the judi-

ciary. He has played a significant role on global human rights bodies, including work with the United Nations on issues such as HIV/AIDS law reform.

In 2013, the United Nations Human Rights Council appointed him to lead a landmark inquiry into abuses in North Korea, resulting in a report that documented “systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations” and “unspeakable atrocities.”

For Kirby, human rights are fundamental.

“The true test of a democracy is not how it treats its most powerful citizens, but how it treats its most vulnerable,” he has said.

A tireless advocate for equality, Kirby has also been a leading voice for LGBTQ+ rights.

Reflecting on his own life, he said: “I have tried to live my life with honesty and openness, because concealment is corrosive to the spirit.”

Michael Kirby will be on from 6:30pm to 8:30pm on Thursday, April 16, at The Regent Cinema, 5 Brisbane Street, Murwillumbah. Tickets $15 online, or $20 at the door, if available. Go to bit.ly/49N9Sre

OPEN EVERY DAY

Dunbible family fighting to stay together

By Jonathon Howard

A MULTI-GENERATIONAL FAM-

ILY at Dunbible of 16 say they are preparing for their final court bid to remain together on a Richards Deviation property, as they seek development approval to convert two unlawfully constructed sheds into a single approved dwelling and a third unlawful shed into a farm shed.

The Martin family’s latest development application (DA) has already been denied by Tweed Shire Council and is now set to return to the Land and Environment Court for the second time under appeal this year.

The appeal relates to three unlawfully constructed sheds, which have been converted into housing on the property without development approval as well as an unapproved pool.

“We’ve already had many court appearances,” Bonita Martin told The Weekly, acting as the spokesperson for the family.

“Council want us to vacate the site and demolish the sheds, we acknowl-

edge that they are unlawful, but we are doing everything we can to present a complying DA application.”

Ms Martin invited The Weekly to the property in order to highlight the pressures facing multi-generational families during a housing crisis.

The family are originally from New Zealand but had previously lived at Burleigh Heads for around 20 years before moving to the Tweed just prior to 2019.

“We need to first acknowledge the court’s ruling on our property which has been found to be unlawful,” she said.

“We are however seeking an appeal for approval of a single dwelling in the hope of keeping our family together.

“We want approval for a single large dwelling, which will address the first two sheds and we will convert the third shed back into a farm shed as it is currently being used as a home.”

The family are living entirely off the grid by using solar and batteries for power, onsite septic for wastewater and rainwater tanks with filtration for fresh water.

Ms Martin said the family have never claimed they were justified in constructing the buildings without approval and said they remain open about their situation — but stressed they acted out of desperation and a need to house their extended family.

“Instead, we have always tried to work with the council to gain the required approvals and to keep the courts out of the process,” she said.

“We understand the requirement mentioned by the court in our appeal in 2025 that there was insufficient

bushfire access and we have been working to address this matter.

“We believe that we have now addressed the councils concerns and addressed any fire safety issues.

“We are committed to meeting compliance requirements if given the opportunity.

“We do not want to pre-empt the court in this report, but we’d like readers to know that we take the court’s ruling seriously, as well as council, and we want to work to address all these issues if given the chance.”

She said the safety of her family remained her highest priority.

“I would never put my children and grandchildren in danger at the property,” she said.

“It is a simple case of a local family who want to stay together.

“We understand we have gone about this the wrong way, but we’re pleading for a chance to right this wrong for our family.”

The Martins said cost-of-living pressures and a lack of affordable housing contributed to their unlawful decision to convert the sheds to homes, with work undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This was prompted by the COVID pandemic in order to keep the family safe and together during a challenging time,” Ms Martin said.

After unlawfully converting the sheds, the family approached council with a development application to gain compliance.

“This process took a long time before it was ultimately denied, which triggered our appeals,” she said.

After a failed appeal in 2025 to retain the converted buildings — a decision which also required the family to pay council’s legal costs — the Martins say they remain determined to pursue a fresh development application.

“We are not terrible people trying to rip off the council or anyone else,” Ms Martin said.

“We want the chance to share our story and show we are just a generational family trying to keep things together in these economically challenging times.”

Continue reading on page 8.

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Federal Member for Richmond

Council highlights importance of compliance

By Jonathon Howard

Continued from page 6.

Ms Martin said the legal process had come at a significant financial cost.

“We again understand the court’s decision, but this process has so far cost us around $600,000, which is on us, but it shows that without working together no one wins, as the ratepayers are also footing the bill for the council’s legal costs and expert costs,” she said.

While the family acknowledges the sheds were unlawfully constructed, Ms Martin said they felt they had few alternatives at the time and they are determined to find a compliant solution.

“Our family needs and wants to stay

together and times are not getting easier, we rely on the support of the people around us.

“Some members of our family cope daily with medical issues the support we get from each other enables us to move through these difficulties.

“We are doing everything necessary to lodge a compliant DA, the land has a building allocation and to try and prevent 16 people from being made homeless we will be back in court again in May to defend the right to build on this land.”

It should be noted that the Martins are not without local support for their application.

“We have a lot of support from our neighbours as well as other community members for our property, no one has ever objected to any of the

DA’s we have lodged, in fact many people wrote to council in favour of the DA,” Bonita said.

“We highlight this point as we want readers to know we are not terrible neighbours, we are not destroying the landscape, we feel we have improved the land, we have planted many trees, we keep the weeds under check and address the camphor laurel issues we have simply constructed some sheds to live in.”

Bonita wanted to acknowledge the mistakes made but also wanted to comment on the emotional strain that this has taken on the family which she said “is too great to put into words”.

“We live in a constant state of turmoil, we don’t know what is happening next, the constant demands of the process, the various experts that we have had to employ to lodge a compliant DA is over whelming,” she said.

“The only reason we are still moving forward with this is we simply do not have any other choice, everything we have is invested in this property and in the life that we have made in the Tweed.

“This is our home we want to stay here, my sons coach school and local sport teams, we are active members of this community, we regularly donate our extra produce to the community centre.

“We have made a home here and want to remain here amongst our family and our friends and our community.

“We have said we were in the wrong, we have addressed all the concerns put forward and now would like a fair decision to be made.”

Read council’s response printed in full

“Tweed Shire Council has, for a number of years, been working to address compliance issues arising from (among other things) several buildings constructed on the Martin’s land without development consent,” a council spokesperson wrote.

“Some of those buildings are currently being occupied by the Martin family and used as dwellings.

“In 2025 the Land and Environment Court (LEC) dismissed an appeal commenced by the Martins relating to a development application (DA21/0807) that sought consent for use of the dwellings as a rural land sharing community.

“The Court dismissed the appeal primarily because it was not satisfied that the site was safe from a bushfire perspective. A copy of that decision is available via the following link: caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/194f70cbe94ec9174ad33e04

“Ensuring compliance with the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and Local Government Act 1993 is of importance to the Council.

“Consistent with the statutory scheme, it ensures that development is orderly and economic, the environment is protected, impacts on neighbours are assessed, and buildings are properly constructed and maintained (which, in turn, protects the health and safety of their occupants).

“The extent of development that has been carried out on the land

owned by the Martins is of concern to the Council.

“There is an inherent risk to the occupants of the site, given it is bushfire prone land.

“The LEC Judgment confirms that the site is presently subject to an unacceptable bushfire safety risk (refer in particular to paragraphs 69-70 and 72).

“Council has commenced proceedings in the Land and Environment Court seeking orders to restrain the unauthorised use of the development, as well as for demolition of the unauthorised development.

“The Martins have since lodged a new development application (DA25/0492) which sought approval for: “use of existing buildings as attached dual occupancy and a detached bedroom suite, swimming pool and other associated ancillary works & structures and proposed carport and dwelling additions and covered walkway”.

“This application was refused by Council for a range of reasons, including permissibility and ongoing bushfire safety concerns.

“The Martins have lodged a new appeal to the Land & Environment Court against that refusal of DA25/0492.

“As the new matter is now before the NSW Land and Environment Court, Council will not comment further until those legal proceedings are resolved to ensure that process is appropriately conducted.”

Gas fire injuries warning Kids endangering lives

DRIVERS ARE urged to be on the alert for teenagers projectiles at cars and endangering lives after several scary incidents over the last week.

A Tweed Coast resident, who didn’t want to be named, said they were returning home travelling south near Casuarina football fields at around 11.30pm on Wednesday night, April 1, when they were attacked by teenagers.

The teens ran out from the football field near “where the driveway and chain is on Tweed Coast Road.”

“They threw a large item at the car, and then took off back into the oval on e-bikes and e-scooters.

“I think there were four of them, about 15 or 16 years old, and one was wearing a grey hoodie.

“They hit the passenger side of the windscreen and shattered the windscreen, and hit the bonnet of the car and the passenger side mirror.”

The windscreen wiper mechanism was destroyed in the attack.

“We pulled up (and called the) police who came within half an hour and did a report and went for a look around the oval and lap of the block,” the resident said.

“The police officers were actually great.

“I’d literally had my windscreen replaced three weeks ago after being struck by gravel in the roadworks, and the same happened in November in the Kings Forest area.

“This will be the third windscreen in six months and my car is only 12 months old.

“It obviously gave us a fright and was incredibly dangerous.”

The local believes the teens must have thrown things at other cars previously as they drove around lumps of timber lying on the road just before they were hit.

The teens were apparently at it again on Saturday, with multiple pieces of timber on the road

in the same vicinity that their car was struck, opposite the football oval on Tweed Coast Road.

On Monday, April 6, at around 4.40pm three children on e-bikes threw flour at a woman as she went for a run along the footpath at Kingscliff, leaving her shocked and angry. One of the children was filming.

Another local said the same children involved in that incident were throwing projectiles at cars in Grand Parade Casuarina on Monday night, April 6.

“As we were driving from Tweed Coast Road into Grand Parade at around 8.30pm, there were 10 to 15 kids on e-bikes on the road and in front of the Rip Curl Shop,” the local, who didn't want to be named, said.

“One of those kids threw an object at the car hitting the driver's side of the car.

“My husband confronted the kids and received verbal abuse in return.

“The stuff that these kids are getting away with is extremely dangerous.

“We are local residents and have been living here for 20 years.

“I have also been run into on the bike path by kids on e-bikes with no bells to indicate their approach from behind.”

The matter was reported to police.

A MAN has been released from hospital after two visitors from Queensland suffered burns following a gas bottle fire at a Tweed Heads South caravan park on Easter Sunday, April 5.

Emergency services were called to the BIG4 Tweed Billabong Holiday Park in Holden Street around 5.30pm on Sunday following reports of an explosion.

On arrival they found a 58-year-old man and 50-year-old woman with serious burns.

NSW Ambulance Paramedics assessed their injuries before calling in a Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

It landed at Arkinstall Park and airlifted the woman to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, which has a specialist burns unit.

She sustained burns to her arms, head and chest and is in a stable but serious condition.

The man was taken by ambulance to the Gold Coast University Hospital with burns to his arms and the back of his head.

BIG4 Tweed Billabong Holiday Park general manager Chris Clark said the man was released from hospital on Monday, April 6.

“It was a family from the north side of Brisbane,” Chris told The Weekly.

“He got out yesterday and came and packed up the equipment.

“He had a bandage on his arm. The lady is okay but will be in hospital for a week or two.

“She was cooking a barbecue with their own equipment on their site and they just didn’t connect the barbecue correctly unfortunately.”

Fire and Rescue Tweed Heads duty officer Damien Newsom said they arrived on the scene and did some monitoring to make sure the area was safe.

“LPG is heavier than air and can hang in the air for some time,” he said.

“They (other campers) had used a dry chemical powder to put it out which is the best type to use but you can use a CO2 extinguisher.

“Part of the structure that caught alight was the privacy screen at the front of the awning which is made of plastic and is pretty flammable and that was burnt.”

“Only use a cylinder in a well ventilated area, not indoors,” he said. “Have a responsible adult in charge at all times. Clear away other flammable items.”

“Do not connect or disconnect cylinders near flames. Shut off the cylinder valve before disconnecting the bottle from the barbecue. If you think you smell a strong scent of gas, call triple-0.

Make sure your barbecue is properly serviced and connections are clean and secure.

Set up your barbecues on a level surface, away from wind and flammable materials.

Keep a hose nearby to hose anything that catches fire.

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Stolen car crime spree

QUEENSLAND POLICE have arrested five teenagers who allegedly broke in homes in Casuarina and Kingscliff on Sunday night, March 29, stole a Jeep from Kingscliff, then went on a crime spree in South East Queensland, injuring several residents.

Sometime between 10pm on March 29 and 2am on March 30, a white 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee was stolen during a burglary at an address on Banzai Street at Salt, (South Kingscliff).

Locals reported that four men had attempted to break into another residence in Black Wattle Circuit at 2am.

They were disturbed and fled in the white Jeep and another aqua blue SUV.

At around 4.30am on Monday morning there was another attempt to break into a Kingscliff residence. The four men, wearing balaclavas, were disturbed once again and took off in the white Jeep.

At 5.15am on March 30, police allege a couple in their 60s woke to find four strangers, who had forced their front door open, in their home in Rochedale in south Brisbane, Police allege the group threatened the woman with a knife and demanded cash, while security footage captured voices yelling: “Get the gun, get the gun, shoot her, shoot her.”

“I just felt that I was going to lose my life this morning,” homeowner Elena Parolin said.

One of the people hit the ladies’ phone from her hand causing an injury to her finger.

The four people demanded cash and briefly searched the residence before leaving without taking any property in the white SUV.

At 10.28am on March 30, police allege four unknown people have forced entry into another Brisbane home where they stole a Mercedes Benz vehicle from the homeowner.

During the incident, a female resident was injured when she attempted to stop the vehicle from being stolen.

Around 2.40am on March 31, it is alleged a group of people attended Redbud Lane at Robina in a white Jeep Grand Cherokee and forced entry to the home.

The group allegedly attempted to steal the resident’s white 2012 Mercedes Benz GLC300 but crashed the vehicle whilst reversing from the property, when confronted by the owner. The owner was assaulted and received minor injuries before the group fled in the Cherokee. The resident did not require medical treatment.

The teenagers aged 17, 18, 19 and two 16-year-

olds were arrested across the South Brisbane and Gold Coast Districts on Wednesday, April 1, with three facing courts the following day.

An 18-year-old man from Coomera faces six charges, including trying to break into a home, entering while armed with others, attempted armed robbery, causing injury while armed, stealing cars, and property damage.

A 17-year-old from Browns Plains faces 14 charges, including multiple robberies and car thefts, attempted and actual home break-ins, armed assault causing injury, trespassing, and property damage.

A 16-year-old from Coombabah also faces 14 charges, including car theft, armed robberies and attempted robberies, home break-ins, assault causing injury while armed, resisting police, trespassing, and property damage.

The boy has also been charged with a further nine offences which he is alleged to have committed in South Brisbane in early December including armed robbery and vehicle theft.

The two other teenagers arrested yesterday, aged 18 and 14, were released without charge.

Inquiries are ongoing to locate two other teenagers allegedly involved in these offences.

Investigations are ongoing into further incidents in both the South Brisbane and Gold Coast Districts that are possibly linked to the group.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.

A MAN will face court after he allegedly hit a rock and rolled his car, killing his passenger, and then fled the scene at Tweed Heads South on Monday night, March 30.

Locals reported hearing a loud bang just after 10.30pm, with emergency services called to the intersection of Heffron Street and Oxley Street, near the netball courts, following reports a sedan had rolled.

Tweed Byron Police officers attended and were told the vehicle had rolled after crashing into rocks at the intersection.

NSW Ambulance paramedics attended and treated the front seat passenger – a man believed to be aged in his 30s – at the scene; however, he could not be revived. He is yet to be formally identified.

The driver left the scene before the police arrived. Police established a crime scene and com -

Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.

Man charged over crash death

menced an investigation under Strike Force Dartglen, with the assistance from Crash Investigation Unit, to locate the driver.

The road was closed until morning, with parents of Tweed River High School students notified of alternative drop off points.

Following inquiries, on Wednesday, April 1, a 38-year-old man was arrested at Tweed Heads Police Station where he was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, driving under the influence, failing to stop and assist after a vehicle impact causing death, dangerous driving occasioning death and driving in a dangerous manner.

He was also charged with negligent driving (occasioning death) and not stopping at red lights. He was refused bail and appeared before Bail Division Court 1 on Thursday, April 2.

Labor to scrap credit & debit card surcharges

By Jonathon Howard

MEMBER FOR Richmond Justine Elliot has recently announced that the credit and debit card surcharge will end as of October 1 this year, meaning Australians will no longer pay $1.6 billion a year in surcharges and small businesses will save $910 million.

“Australians should be able to use debit and credit cards without being penalised, that’s what this change will help to deliver,” Ms Elliot told The Weekly.

“The current surcharge rules are difficult to follow and customers are often slugged with surprise surcharges at the checkout, in-store, online or at the café or pub.”

Ms Elliot said it was in late 2024, that the Albanese Labor Government announced that it was prepared to ban debit card surcharges to help with the cost of living, in response to this, the Reserve Bank will now take steps to end credit and debit card surcharging from October 1.

“The regulatory reform package includes removing card surcharges on card payments made on the eftpos, Mastercard and Visa networks, through amending existing rules,” she said.

“Changes will be implemented that will reduce costs for millions of small businesses and help them get a better deal.

“This includes lowering interchange fees and new requirements on card companies and banks to be more transparent about the fees

they charge.

“Small businesses on the North Coast will no longer have to wade through complex surcharging rules and will be armed with more information so they can shop around for card payment services that meet their needs.”

Ms Elliot said the change will make the card payments system fairer, more efficient, more transparent, and benefit both consumers and businesses, including on the North Coast.

“This builds on the work the Albanese Labor Government has done to ensure locals can continue to pay with cash for essential items,” Ms Elliot said.

Something for everyone these autumn school holidays across the Tweed

There's no shortage of ways to keep children busy, curious and active these autumn school holidays, with a wide program of free and low-cost activities running across the Tweed through to 19 April. From hands-on science and traditional craft to art-making, storytelling and water play, programs are available for children of all ages, with many activities close to home.

Tweed Regional Museum

Children can take part in hands‑on workshops inspired by the Tweed Regional Museum collection during the holidays.

Make your own geode introduces young visitors to how geodes form. Children learn the science behind these crystal‑lined rocks before creating their own colourful specimen to take home. The workshop is on Thursday 9 April from 10.30 am to 11.30 am.

Later in the holidays, Old school stitches invites children to slow down and try classic embroidery techniques. Participants create a sampler inspired by traditional schoolroom craft, a skill passed down through generations. Sessions run Tuesday 14 April and Thursday 16 April from 10.30 am to 11.30 am. Both workshops suit children aged 5 years and over. Bookings are essential museum.tweed.nsw.gov.au

Older children are also invited to join Bundjalung artist Jason King (JPK Artistry) during Youth Week for 2 creative workshops celebrating culture and storytelling. Weaving Together on Thursday 16 April from 1 pm to 2.30 pm explores traditional weaving, with participants contributing to a communal fishing net that becomes a shared artwork. Paint Your Story on Friday 17 April from 10.30 am to noon introduces Aboriginal symbols and storytelling through painting, with participants creating a personal artwork on

canvas. Both workshops are suitable for ages 12 years and over. Bookings are essential.

More information and bookings are available at museum.tweed.nsw.gov.au

Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre

Families are invited to drop in for art play and paper construction sessions at the Tweed Regional Gallery during the holidays. Led by artist Helle Jorgensen, the free sessions encourage children to colour, cut and construct their own paper creations inspired by the still life paintings of Margaret Olley. Sessions run Wednesday 8 April, Friday 10 April, Wednesday 15 April and Friday 17 April from 11 am to 1 pm in the gallery foyer. All materials are provided and no bookings are required.

More information is available at gallery.tweed.nsw. gov.au

Council trivia

This week's question.

Different levels of government (local, state and federal) have different powers when it comes to housing supply. What’s Council’s role in helping provide more housing for our community?

a) Rezoning land to allow more housing to be built

b) Updating local planning rules to support townhouses and apartments

c) Allowing more diverse housing in rural areas

d) Managing development rules and building guidelines

e) All of the above – Council helps plan how and where homes can be built

Read next week's edition to find out.

Tweed Regional Aquatic Centres

Water‑loving families can make a splash at Tweed Regional Aquatic Centre Murwillumbah, where the Giant Waterslide and Slide and Dive will be open daily throughout the school holidays.

Slide and Dive sessions run from Saturday 4 April to Sunday 19 April, giving children plenty of chances to race down the slide, jump off the dive boards and burn off holiday energy in the pool.

Tweed’s other aquatic centres at Kingscliff and Tweed Heads South are also open during the school holidays, offering more options for families to enjoy a swim close to home.

More information is available at trac.tweed.nsw.gov.au

Tweed Library Service

Tweed Library Service is running its popular school holiday program across Murwillumbah, Tweed Heads, Kingscliff, Pottsville and the mobile library.

Younger children can enjoy themed dinosaur storytime sessions, while babies and carers are welcome at relaxed stories and songs sessions designed to support early literacy.

Creative workshops include cyanotype printing sessions in Tweed Heads, Kingscliff and Murwillumbah, as well as decoupage clocks in Kingscliff and make‑your‑own pet rocks in Tweed Heads.

For older children and teenagers, Youth Week activities include an introduction to Dungeons and Dragons, along with chess club sessions open to beginners and experienced players.

Most library events are free and no bookings are required, although some sessions have limited places.

Full program details are available at tweed.nsw.gov. au/libraries

Council adopts management plan for Hastings Point headland

Hastings Point headland has a new management plan to help protect its natural beauty and cultural heritage as visitor numbers continue to grow.

Council adopted the Hastings Point Headland Management Plan at its March Council meeting, following a 3‑year process which included 2 rounds of community consultation.

Community feedback on the draft plan focused on Yugari Drive, with the final plan retaining the existing roadway so people can continue to enjoy ocean views from a parked vehicle. Minor improvements will be made, including road resurfacing, line marking and

traffic calming measures.

Council thanks all community members for their thoughtful input, particularly their shared concern about the impacts of high visitor numbers and the importance of protecting the headland’s natural character and cultural heritage.

Actions identified in the plan will be rolled out as funding becomes available.

The final Hastings Point Headland Management Plan is available on Council’s website at tweed.nsw.gov.au/parks‑recreation‑strategic‑ planning

Walk your dog safely and avoid fines in the Tweed

Dog owners across the Tweed are reminded to keep their dogs on a leash in public places, with fines of $330 per dog applying if the rules aren’t followed.

Council rangers are regularly out and about on local beaches and bushland tracks and continue to issue fines to people walking their dogs off‑leash in areas where this isn’t allowed. These rules help keep everyone safe including wildlife, other beach and track users, and dogs themselves.

Dogs are welcome in many public spaces but must stay on a leash unless they’re in a designated off‑leash area. Letting dogs roam freely outside these approved locations can cause safety issues and impact the environment.

There are several designated off‑leash areas throughout the Tweed where dogs can enjoy a good run and play. Before heading out, take a moment

Development application determinations

Notification of development application determinations for the purposes of Section 4.59 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (as amended).

Application details

Approved

DA26/0047 ‑ Dwelling including swimming pool surrounding decking and associated earthworks

Lot 329 DP 31041, No. 5 Tweed Street, Bilambil Heights

DA25/0568 ‑ Alterations and additions to existing dwelling Lot 114 DP 1030322, No. 14 Steelwood Lane, Casuarina

DA26/0022 ‑ Two storey with attached garage

Lot 79DP 1305738, No. 4 Bowen Loop, Cudgen

DA26/0031 ‑ Construction of a two‑storey dwelling and in‑ ground swimming pool

Lot 17DP 1295758, No. 44 Bowen Loop, Cudgen

DA26/0134 ‑ Swimming pool

Lot 70DP 1305738, No. 22 Bowen Loop, Cudgen

DA25/0495 ‑ Alterations and additions to existing dwelling including inground swimming pool

Lot 18 Section 16 DP 758571, No. 7 Yao Street, Kingscliff

DA25/0581 ‑ Use of dwelling alterations and additions including outbuilding (shed)

Lot 4 DP 230676, No. 34 George Street, Murwillumbah

DA26/0029 ‑ Alterations and additions to an existing dwelling including house raising

Lot 6 Section 6 DP 1223, No. 32‑34 Bawden Street, Tumbulgum

DA25/0545 ‑ Minor demolition works and removal of four (4) existing product storage tanks and installation of two (2) new tanks in association with existing brewery Lot 207 DP 1122768, No. 35‑37 Kite Crescent, South Murwillumbah

DA25/0586 ‑ Pontoon

Lot 2 SP 16147, Lot 117 DP 246488, Unit 2/No. 88 Companion Way, Tweed Heads

DA26/0008 ‑ Change of use to vehicle sales or hire premises and associated signage

Lot 666 DP 1094312, No. 57‑61 Ourimbah Road, Tweed Heads

Refused

DA25/0450 ‑ Depot and self storage premises including internal road, earthworks, signage and boundary adjustment

Lot 5 DP 565926, Lot 6 DP 565926, Lot 9 DP 830659, Lot 9 DP 830659, No. 204‑218 Chinderah Bay Drive, Chinderah

DA25/0524 ‑ Five lot community title subdivision including demolition, earthworks, vegetation removal and associated works

Lot 9 Section 3 DP 9025, Lot 1 DP 779976, No. 179 Kennedy Drive, Tweed Heads West

The above development determinations are available for public inspection free of charge at the Planning and Regulation Division, Murwillumbah Civic Centre, during ordinary office hours or viewed on Council’s DA Tracking site located at datracker.tweed.nsw.gov.au

Community notice

Fingal Head Community Association will hold their Annual General Meeting (AGM) followed by the April General meeting on Wednesday 15 April 2026, commencing at 7 pm. Venue: Fingal Head Public School Multi Purpose Unit.

to check where on‑leash and off‑leash walking is permitted. Find out where you can walk your dog on or off‑leash at: tweed.nsw.gov.au/where‑can‑I‑walk‑my‑dog By following the rules, dog owners can help keep shared spaces enjoyable for everyone.

Your feedback can help make the Tweed more accessible for everyone.

Have your say on the draft Tweed Access and Inclusion Plan 2026–2030

Council is developing a new Access and Inclusion Plan 2026–2030, building on the work already underway to make the Tweed more accessible, inclusive and welcoming for everyone. The plan outlines key actions and priorities to improve access and inclusion across our community over the next 4 years.

How to get involved

Community members are invited to read the draft plan and share their feedback. You can:

• View the plan online and make a submission via Your Say Tweed

• Book to attend an information session — available

both online and in person on Wednesday 8 & 15 April and Thursday 16 April

• Request a digital or printed copy of the plan and feedback form

• Email: tsc@tweed.nsw.gov.au

• Phone: 02 6670 2400

The draft plan is on public exhibition and open for feedback until 4 pm Thursday 7 May 2026.

What’s next?

Community feedback will help shape the final Access and Inclusion Plan 2026–2030.

Find out more about the project and information session times at yoursaytweed.com.au/diap

Notification of integrated development application

Development Application No. Da26/0203

A development application has been lodged by RA Mohanu, JR Krogdahl, SJ Coltheart and N Mohanu seeking development consent for demolition of existing structures, two lot subdivision, erection of an attached dual occupancy on each lot & associated earthworks and vegetation removal at Lot 2 DP 1309878; No. 2B Rosewood Avenue Bogangar. Tweed Shire Council is the consent authority for the application.

The proposed development constitutes “Integrated Development” pursuant to Section 4.46(1) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979. The following approvals are required in this regard:

The development application and the documents accompanying it may be viewed on Council’s DA Tracking site located at datracker.tweed.nsw.gov.au

The documents will be available for a period of 28 days from Wednesday 8 April 2026 to Wednesday 6 May 2026. Provision Approval Authority

Sections 89, 90 & 91 of the Water Management Act 2000

Water use approval, water management work approval or activity approval under Part 3 of Chapter 3

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Any person may, during the above period, make a written submission to the General Manager of Council. It should also be noted that Council has adopted a policy whereby, on request, any submission including identifying particulars will be made public. Council will give consideration to the ‘Public Interest’ and requests for confidentiality by submitters in determining access to submission letters. However, the provisions of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 – GIPA may result in confidential submissions being released to an applicant.

Any submission objecting to the proposed development must state the ground upon which such objection is made.

Please note: Requirements regarding Disclosure of Political Gifts and Donations

A disclosure is required to be made in a statement accompanying the relevant development or planning application by a person who makes the application. In addition, a person who makes a written submission either objecting to or supporting a relevant development or planning application must also make a disclosure if the person has made a reportable political donation. Further information regarding Donations and Gift Disclosure are available on Council’s website at tweed.nsw.gov.au/development applications

WATER WEEK 11

Check when your water meter is read at tweed.nsw.gov.au/meter reading

Current vacancies

Visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/job vacancies to view current vacancies. Subscribe to receive Job Vacancy Alerts via email at tweed.nsw.gov.au/subscribe

Tweed economy staying strong thanks to locals

By Jonathon Howard

Flushable wipes?

By Jonathon Howard

AROUND THREE tonnes of rubbish and gunk is being removed from the Tweed’s sewers and Tweed Shire Council is pleading with residents to re-think what they flush.

But residents continue to flush so called “flushable wipes” which according to both Tweed Shire Council, most plumbers and water authorities, flushable wipes are generally not considered truly flushable.

While a wipe labelled “flushable” may pass through your toilet, they do not break down often because they are made from synthetic fibers (polyester and plastic) which remain intact in the sewage system, causing clogs.

In fact, every year council is removing a shocking 156 tonnes of rubbish, wipes, grease and other debris from the wastewater system.

Council says the problem is being driven by everyday items being incorrectly flushed or poured down drains, creating costly blockages and messy clean-ups across the sewer network.

Council acting Manager of Water and Wastewater, Elizabeth Seidl, said the scale of the problem often surprises people.

“We’re removing roughly three tonnes of rubbish and gunk every single week from the sewerage network,” Ms Seidl said.

“This is material that shouldn’t be in our sewers at all. If it isn’t one of the 3Ps – pee, poo or toilet paper – it won’t break down in water.

“This can clog your home’s plumbing and turn into a sticky mess in the Tweed’s sewerage

systems, which can lead to sewage overflows and sometimes end up costing the whole community in repairs.”

Council says so-called “flushable” wipes are among the worst offenders, along with paper towels, sanitary items and other household waste that does not break down like toilet paper.

Ms Seidl said kitchen habits are also contributing to the problem, particularly the disposal of fats and oils down sinks.

“Oil, grease and fats belong in the bin, not down the sink,” she said.

“In the sewerage system, these can solidify and form large ‘fatbergs’ – a major cause of pipe blockages and pump failures at our wastewater treatment plants.

“It’s also important to remember food scraps go in your green lid bin, where they can be composted, and medicines or household chemicals should never be poured into drains.”

Council is reminding residents never to flush items such as wipes of any kind, tissues, cotton buds, dental floss, nappies, condoms, tampons, pads or general rubbish.

Similarly, oil, grease, chemicals and medicines should never be poured down household drains.

Council says simple changes in household habits can help prevent expensive repairs, protect infrastructure and reduce the risk of sewage spills into the environment.

Residents can learn more about what is safe to flush by visiting Council’s “Only Flush the 3Ps” campaign information online.

NEW ECONOMIC data from Tweed Shire Council shows overall spending across the Tweed has remained relatively steady, despite mounting cost pressures on households and businesses.

It should firstly be noted that council’s figures do not yet fully reflect the financial pressures being experienced by many businesses in April, including rising fuel costs, supply chain disruptions, interest rates and ongoing cost-of-living increases.

The latest Tweed Economic Insights report, powered by Council iQ banking data, shows total business spending reached $117.9 million in February 2026, which is only a slight drop of 0.5 per cent compared to the same time last year.

However, the total number of customers rose by 1.7 per cent to 306,000, indicating continued economic activity.

Utilities emerged as the biggest area of concern, with spending rising sharply by 23.8 per cent to $5.5 million, highlighting ongoing cost-

of-living pressures.

Local residents continued to be the main drivers of the Tweed economy, with local spending increasing by 2.9 per cent, while visitor spending dipped slightly by 0.5 per cent.

Visitors still contributed $38.3 million overall, accounting for 32 per cent of total spending, with 230,000 people visiting the shire during the month.

Supermarkets remained the largest spending category at $42.5 million, up 0.8 per cent, while restaurant spending recorded the strongest growth of any business category, rising 6.1 per cent to $4.2 million.

In contrast, café spending fell by 5.7 per cent to $1.7 million, the largest decline across sectors.

Discretionary retail spending also fell by 2.8 per cent to $24.9 million, while tourism and entertainment increased by 2.5 per cent to $15.5 million.

Council’s Business Support team is encouraging local operators needing assistance to get in touch for advice and support services.

Financial Advice

By Jonathon Howard

COMMUNITY

Plan C is encouraging Tweed Shire residents to take simple and practical steps to prepare for potential disruptions linked to ongoing global instability.

Recent events in the Middle East, including the war involving Iran, are affecting global energy markets, supply chains and transport.

While these impacts may not always be immediately visible, they are likely to be felt locally in the coming weeks and months through rising fuel costs, increasing food prices, and potential delays or shortages of certain goods.

“Disruptions like these rarely arrive as a single shock,” said Dr Jean Renouf, founder of Plan C.

“They tend to show up gradually, through higher costs, delays, and pressure on everyday systems.

“The question is not whether this will affect us, but how we can prepare in practical ways.”

The Northern Rivers region, which has experienced significant disruptions in recent years due to floods and housing pressures, may be particularly sensitive to these compounding effects.

Plan C has released a one-page guidance note outlining practical actions that residents and communities can take now to reduce vulnerability and strengthen local resilience.

Key recommendations include:

Managing fuel and transport use, including combining trips and exploring carpooling or local alternatives

Maintaining a small, rotating supply of essential items, such as food, medications, and basic household goods

Strengthening local connections, including checking in with neighbours and sharing information and resources

Preparing for short disruptions, such as power

By Jonathon Howard

PRIMARY PRODUCERS in the Tweed are among those benefiting from a $5 million Northern Rivers Agricultural Drainage Reset Program jointly funded by the Albanese and NSW governments to help reduce the impact of future flooding.

The program has seen damaged drainage systems at 77 farm sites across the Northern Rivers cleared and repaired following the devastating 2022 floods, with Tweed Shire Council among the local government areas involved alongside Ballina and Clarence Valley councils and Rous County Council.

The works involved removing vegetation and sediment from key drainage outlets to restore water flow across low-lying farmland, helping prevent water pooling that can damage crops and pasture. The program supports recovery across several industries including sugarcane, horticulture, rice, soybeans, beef and dairy.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management

Kristy McBain said the program was delivering practical outcomes for farmers.

“Both levels of government were delivering practical support helping people get back on their feet and for Northern Rivers farmers, restoring drainage is one of the quickest ways to protect crops, stock and livelihoods,” she said.

“This jointly funded investment with the NSW Government has repaired and cleared drainage at 77 farm sites, helping reduce the impacts of future flooding and supporting recovery after the devastating 2022 floods.

“Programs like this show what’s possible when we all work together to back our producers with on-the-ground works that strengthen resilience and keep regional economies moving.”

NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said the investment was helping restore confidence across the farming sector.“Our agricultural community provides significant economic and social benefit to our region, and their resilience

outages or communication interruptions

Being selective with information sources, to reduce confusion and avoid the spread of misinformation

The guidance emphasises that many households and communities are already taking steps to adapt, and that preparedness is about building on these existing efforts rather than reacting to worst-case scenarios.

“We’re not talking about stockpiling or alarm,”

Sam Refshauge, Plan C’s new Managing Director, said.

“Small, deliberate adjustments made early can make a significant difference if conditions tighten.

“In the Northern Rivers, we’ve seen how strong communities can be when they’re connected and prepared.”

Plan C also highlights the importance of local networks and community-led responses, which have proven effective during past crises in the region.

“Resilience is not just about infrastructure or services,” Dr Renouf said. “It’s also about relationships, trust, and the ability to support one another when systems are under pressure.”

The full guidance note is available via Plan C and is being shared with local organisations, community groups, and residents across the region.

Be prepared not alarmed Drainage program

since the 2022 floods has been incredible. By working closely with growers and local leaders, we identified that cleaning and restoring drainage networks was the essential first step in helping the whole community move forward.

“This $5 million investment is about giving our farmers the confidence to plant again. Seeing the results on properties like the Lowreys’ in Wardell proves that when we get the technical work right, the benefits ripple out across the entire region.

“I’m proud that we didn’t just ‘fix’ the problem and walk away. We have used this success to establish a permanent Drainage Reset Program, ensuring we now have a proven blueprint ready to protect our agricultural heart whenever disaster strikes.”

“I have stated that the barriers that prevented our farmers from clearing their drains previously should not happen again and we have proven that it can be done. I have further stated that this work belongs in the Disaster Adaptation Programs (DAP) with one currently underway in the Northern Rivers.”

Cane Grower and Consultant to the NSW Canegrowers Associations, Mick O’Connor said the drain cleaning program has delivered real benefits for both farmers and the river system.

“This is a win for farmers through improved productivity and healthier soils, and a win for the river as better-oxygenated runoff replaces the poor-quality water that can occur when drainage outlets are not maintained,” he said.

The Murwillumbah Mustangs are preparing for a landmark 2026 NRRRL season, highlighted by the club's first-ever Ladies Tackle team.

Coach Chris Binge said the new side represents an important step for both the club and the growth of women's rugby league, with players showing strong commitment during pre-season. A major focus has been on safe tackling techniques, particularly for those new to the format.

The Mustangs A Grade side, coached by Arwin Marcus, is also aiming high after last year's grand final loss, with returning experienced players boosting depth and confidence. Meanwhile, Reserve Grade coach Monty Brown is focused on developing young talent and improving results, while maintaining an entertaining style of play. In Ladies League Tag, coach Andrew Lack hopes a youthful but experienced squad can turn last year's near miss into a finals appearance.

The Under 18s, coached by Sam O'Dea, are similarly determined to build on last season's strong performance. Club president Nigel Loft said 2026 would be historic, with five teams competing and strong community support behind the Mustangs.

Read on for more from the president and coaches

MurwillumbahMUSTANGS

A message from Mustangs President NIGEL LOFTS

THE MUSTANGS Rugby League Football Club is back for another exciting season in the Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League (NRRRL), and 2026 is shaping as a historic year for our club.

For the first time, we will field five teams across the competition, including our Mustangs Ladies Tackle side, which is a fantastic achievement and a sign of the continued growth of our club. I encourage everyone in our community to come along, show your support and help drive the mighty Mustangs to success this season.

I’d like to welcome all our players, coaches, sponsors and supporters for

the new season.

A special thank you goes to our longterm sponsors, along with our returning and new sponsors, including seven new businesses who have come on board this season.

Your support is greatly appreciated and plays a vital role in the success of our club.

I’d also like to acknowledge our ongoing partnership with the Murwillumbah L eagues Club, the proud home of the Mustangs and our main venue again in 2026.

Both our Mustangs and Colts sides will play their home games there this season, and I encourage locals and visitors to come down, enjoy the footy and suppor t the club.

Regarding our coaching staff, we welcome back Arwin Marcus (A Grade), Monty Brown (Reserve Grade), Sam O’Dea (Under 18s), Chris Binge (Ladies Tackle) and Andrew Lack (Ladies L eague Tag). Thank you all for your

commitment to developing our players and representing the Mustangs w ith pride.

We are also always looking for new volunteers to join the Mustangs family. If you’d like to help out, please reach out through the Leagues Club.

We have some important dates to mark in your calendar this year.

Our season launch will be held on Friday, April 24, ahead of our first home game, and we encourage everyone to come along.

We will also host our annual Charity Day – Stan Sercombe “Get Yourself Checked Day” – on July 11 against Ballina, which is a very important event on our calendar.

We are currently appealing for local businesses to support this day through sponsorship, and anyone interested can contact Kirby via email to get involved.

To our loyal supporters – thank you.

ANNUAL CHARITY DAY

Stan Sercombe “Get Yourself Checked Day” July 11 v. Ballina

You are the backbone of this club and your passion keeps the Mustangs moving forward.

Finally, I wish all our teams, including our Colts and junior players, the very best for the season ahead. I encourage all local families to come along, support the kids and be part of our great club community.

Good luck to all teams in 2026 and go the mighty Mustangs!

Season Draw 2026

2026 NRRRL Season D

A-Grade Coach ARWIN MARCUS confident ahead of new season

MURWILLUMBAH MUSTANGS A Grade

coach Arwin Marcus says the club is shaping up well ahead of a fresh NRRRL season, with strong player numbers and the return of several experienced players boosting confidence.

The Mighty Mustangs missed out in the grand final last year to Marist Brothers and they’re back for redemption this year.

“We’re looking pretty good this year. We’ve got plenty in numbers. We’ve got some experienced players back to the club as well,” Marcus said.

“It’s great with Aaron Booth and Luke Campbell all coming back, so it will bolster the squad. And also the Vickery brothers, Tom and Jake Vickery, and we’ve got all our assistant players from last year signed as well, so we’re looking pretty good in first grade.”

Marcus said the focus remains on taking the

season one game at a time.

“I don’t like to look too far ahead. We just stick to our processes and not looking too far in the future, it’s doing one round at a time,” he said.

The A-Grade side face a tough start to the season against the Tweed Coast Raiders in round one, with Marcus expecting a strong contest.

“Obviously we’ve got Raiders first up in round one, so that will be a good challenge,” he said.

“They’ve signed some key players as well, so we’re really looking forward to the challenge, and we’ve got to make sure we’re up for them as well.”

After reaching last year’s grand final, Marcus said the team is determined to go one step further this season.

“Being consistent enough to make the grand final last year, we’re hoping to go one better this year, so we’ve got to be consistent,” he said.

NRRRL Reserve Grade focused on DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT

THE MURWILLUMBAH Mustangs Reserve Grade side is aiming to continue developing young talent while improving on last season’s results, with the coach Montero (Monty) Brown highlighting the important pathway the team provides.

“Yeah, I’m coaching reserve grade for the third year in a row,” Monty said.

“Obviously the best thing about reserve grade is seeing the young men come from under 18s into reserves, and hopefully into first grade, because that’s my role as a reserve grade coach.

“Hopefully we do better than last year. Last year was positive, but it wasn’t as positive as it could be. This year we’re looking to improve on our results.”

The side will also benefit from the return of several experienced players who will add leadership and stability to the squad.

“We’ve got a few key comebacks, Boren Jones and James O’Connor’s back, still leading the ship with Lincoln Glasby and Ethan Kane.”

As well as results, the coach said the focus was also on playing an exciting brand of football for supporters.

“Other than that, we’re just looking to have

THE MUSTANGS 18’s are looking strong again this year after making the finals in 2025.

We’ve retained a lot of players from last year and have also gained some excellent talent come in from some other clubs. Our local juniors have also stepped up this year into senior footy and I am excited what they bring to the team.

Joining me again in the coaching ranks will be Dylan Smith and Clancy Fallon which I know the players will greatly benefit from their experience.

I’m confident we can go all the way this year, get down and support the boys in what should be an awesome year!

Sam

Ladies League Tag

AIMING FOR FINALS RETURN

MURWILLUMBAH MUSTANGS Ladies League

Tag coach Andrew Lack is determined to turn last year’s near miss into a finals appearance this season.

“Last year the girls just missed out on the finals. This year to advance on that and go one better and make the finals, which I think we have the team for,” Lack said.

“We’ve got a very young, youthful team but with experience, and we’ve got a lot of ability there. I think we should go really well this year.”

Lack said the team has also been boosted by the return of experienced players alongside emerging junior talent.

THE MURWILLUMBAH Mus-

tangs Ladies Tackle Team is preparing to make history as they enter the NRRRL open women’s tackle competition for the first time, with coach Chris Binge saying the milestone season is a major step forward for the club and the women’s game.

“Well, we’ve got Shari East, she’s returning back out of retirement to come back and play with her daughter, who’s also on the team, which is very special,” he said.

“We’ve also got a very experienced young team. A few girls have come up from under 16s and under 17s last year. They’ve got a lot of ability, which I helped coach them last year, so I know what they all bring and they all know my moves and ideas of the game.”

Among the players to watch this season are Shari East and her daughter Ayla, who will line up together as the Mustangs push for a strong 2026 campaign.

“I think it’s huge for the club to have the opportunity for local women to play in the open women’s tackle competition for its inaugural year,” Binge said.

“Coming into the competition I think the club’s definitely excited and the community’s excited, and more importantly I think the ladies are ready and have been here for the last five weeks doing pre-season training. They’re looking forward to the competition.”

Binge said the new team was also a positive sign for the continued growth of women’s rugby league in regional areas.

“I think this is good for the growth

NRRRL SEASON

down to understanding the real key and crucial points of tackle footy, which is the technique,” he said.

of the game,” he said.

“Having the added addition of another team is going to be good for the whole overall competition, but more importantly, as I said, it goes back to the growth of the women’s space… so pretty happy overall and looking forward to the season.”

He said a major focus during pre-season had been teaching correct tackling techniques to avoid injury, particularly with several players new to the tackle format.

“I think as far as the team and the women coming into the squad this year playing tackle for the first time, I mean I think it all comes

“Getting the technical parts right is the really important focus for the team and I think over the last few months we’ve definitely worked on what that means and what it looks like, and more importantly unpacking it.

“So that the girls feel confident, that they feel like they can do it.

“There’s no fear behind it. Because if it’s coached right, if it’s practised right, 99 percent of the time tackling another player you can pretty much get away with it injury-free and the fear is taken away from the game, if you know how to get technique right.”

Among the key players in the squad are front rowers (middles) Kiana McCabe and Bonnie Porter, who has joined the team from Tamworth, while Jordan Waraneke will play at halfback.

trucks rolling smoothly.

EV sales explosion

By Jo Kennett

INTEREST IN and sales of electric vehicles (EVs) has exploded since the invasion of Iran, with fuel costs and oil supply problems accelerating the move away from oil-reliant transport into renewables in the Tweed and across the nation.

The latest data from carsales.com shows searches for EVs tripled from February to March, with local car sales companies back that up. Concerns around the cost of EVs are also dropping, when weighed against rising fuel costs.

Victory Auto World Sales Manager MG and LDV Darren Chapman said there had “100 per cent” been an explosion in interest and sales in EVs.

“There’s been a complete 180 in the last five weeks from normal combustion engines being the flavour and have been for a long time, and difficulty getting people to embrace EVs, whereas now it’s the complete opposite.

“I’ve always been a combustion engine car driver and I kind of dismissed EVs to be honest but now we’re all having to drive EVs from a company expenditure point of view and I’m sold.

“A lot of people are, once they drive them.”

Darren is driv ing a hybrid, an MG3, as are most of his colleagues “because they are one of the least expensive

ones and I don’t have a set up at home where I can charge a fully electric vehicle.”

“We have hybrids and full EVs and full EVs are probably the most requested at the moment, Darren told The Weekly.

“The MG S5, the MG Urban which only just landed last week, we sold six of them before we and the customer saw them.

“They are just buying them based on what is going on in the world with fuel.

“A lot of people have been on the fence with EVs, going will I or won’t I, but the conflict has expedited it and also shortened the sale process because people say,” Can it do this, can it do that, can I charge it at my home, this is what I want, here’s my deposit.”

While EVs can be charged on normal home power points, MG has been giving away wall-mounted chargers with some models.

“You just need to get a sparky to come in and hook it all up,” Darren said.

Victory also has Ford and Mustang EVs, including utes, while MG and LVD have all models including utes.

Concerns around EV pricing have dropped to 44 per cent (from 48 per cent last November), according to carsales.com data.

The latest CommBank lending data also shows that since March 1, new loans for battery electric vehicles (BEVs, reliant solely on battery power) were up 161.5 per cent, compared to the weekly average volume recorded in February, before the invasion of Iran.

SUBI CARE MECHANICAL

By Jo Kennett

WHILE THE price of fuel at many Tweed Shire service stations skyrocketed straight after Iran was invaded and shut the Straits of Hormuz, many local servos have been surprisingly quick to pass the government fuel excise cut on.

The temporary fuel excise cut, which halves the excise on petrol and diesel by 26.3 cents per litre, commenced on April 1 and is scheduled to end on June 30.

In the day or two following the cut many Tweed servo’s saw a decrease in price of close

to 30 cents per litre for unleaded.

That sudden drop may have had something to do with word getting out that NSW Fair Trading officers would be inspecting servo’s, and they have hit about 75 per cent of the state’s 2,400 service stations in the past fortnight. During the operation, 93 fines were issued, with retailers found breaking the rule face onthe-spot fines of $1,100 (that’s about a RAM tanks worth) or court penalties of up to $22,000 for individuals and $110,000 for corporations At Hastings Point, unleaded 91 was sitting at around $2.59 in the lead-up to the announce -

MURWILLUMBAH TYRE SERVICE

TOWING

“Diesel has hit record high levels with increases in wholesale and retail prices outpacing petrol.”

ment, but dropped to $2.29 in the day or two after.

It’s now even lower at $2.23, which Tweed Coast locals love to see, having quickly forgotten that it was more like $1.70 in February. I’d started pushing my car around to save fuel but am happily back behind the wheel.

WillServe Murwillumbah has U91 at $2.19 on Monday, April 7, with diesel at $3.09.

Metro Petroleum at South Murwillumbah has U91 at $2.19 with diesel at $3.04.

Up the coast the price of U91 was sitting around $2.21 with a few spots ten cents higher, while diesel was around $3.03, which has dropped from almost $3.50 in some places.

Uki Ampol had U91 at $2.65 and diesel at

$3.40 which was the highest in the shire by miles.

Diesel has hit record high levels with increases in wholesale and retail prices outpacing petrol.

The conflict in the Middle East and Trump’s incoherent daily rants have seen the international benchmark price for diesel, Singapore Gasoil, which uses a different type of crude oil to petrol, soar to a record high. It was sitting around $89.88 per barrel on February 25, three days before the invasion, and on April 2 had soared to $230.50. It didn’t stop there, jumping $46 a barrel from April 3 and 4 with daily rises of 10 per cent the new norm. That’s scary for primary producers and diesel vehicle owners. It seems pretty unfair that the world’s largest oil producer, the US, who, along with Israel, has caused this whole s***show, is cashing in on high prices. Meanwhile the Australian government is using our gas giveaways to Japan and South Korea as a bargaining chip to keep sending those oil tankers.

Sadly we are going to have to get used to it, and rising fuel costs are about to send the price of everything else soaring. There is always an upside though. Apart from a faster transition to renewables, bikes are fun and walking (4 km/h average will get you from Pottsville to Tweed in just eight hours) will keep you happy and healthy.

Victory Hotel to host special trivia event

By Jonathon Howard

A NIGHT of trivia, raffles and community spirit is set to return to the Victory Hotel this month, with locals encouraged to come along and support an iconic local venue for a great cause.

The fundraiser, organised by Cycling Without Age Burringbar, will be held on Thursday, April 16, with registrations opening at 6pm and trivia starting at 7pm.

Organisers say the event promises plenty of fun, laughter and valuable prizes, while raising funds to support the charity’s free services for seniors and people living with disabilities.

Community Captain Tracey McDonagh said the annual event “continues to grow thanks to strong local support”.

“Last year was an absolute blast and with everything going on at the moment we could all use a night of fun, laughter and maybe even head home with a prize or two,” she said.

Major auction prizes include a three-night stay at Ecoasis Wellness Retreat valued at $1,280, a three-day pass for two to the Gravel & Flannel Festival valued at $660, and a round of golf for two including a cart at Ocean Shores Country Club values at $200. There will also be dozens of raffle prizes donated by local businesses, including dining vouchers, retail gift cards, cycling gear and wellness experiences.

Trivia winners will also take home a meat tray after each round. Ms McDonagh said the generosity of local businesses and the Victory Hotel had been vital in making the event possible.

Bookings are essential after last year’s sell-out event, with trivia costing $10 to enter and raffle tickets available for $5 each.

Organisers say every ticket sold helps make

a meaningful difference locally.

By Jonathon Howard

THE TWEED’S most popular psychic, health and wellbeing expo is set to return this month promising a day of insight, healing and discovery at Kingscliff.

The White Light Psychic Health and Wellbeing Expo will be held at the Kingscliff Beach Bowls Club on Sunday, April 19, featuring a wide range of alternative therapies, spiritual readings and holistic health products.

Organiser Adrian Moore said the event will include Ancient Aboriginal healing practices, Reiki sessions, Bowen therapy, intuitive energy healing and past life journey readings, along with a variety of wellbeing products and services.

“Visitors can also explore stalls offering crystals and crystal jewellery, vibrational remedies aimed at supporting energy and relaxation, water filtration systems, and products focusing on areas such as sleep, emotional wellbeing, trauma support and rejuvenation,” he said.

“Spirit guide drawings by Wanda Shipton are also expected to be a highlight, alongside grief healing card decks, baby dream books and therapies for both people and pets.

“Five psychics will be available on the day, with organisers encouraging those interested in readings to pre-book to avoid disappointment.”

In keeping with previous years, entry to the expo remains accessible, with a gold coin entry providing access to the event.

Mr Morre said the expo is designed to give the community an opportunity to explore different approaches to health and wellbeing in a welcoming environment.

“Those wishing to book a psychic reading in advance can visit the White Light Expos website or contact organisers directly,” he said. To pre-book a reading please visit: www.whitelightexpos.com check out the readers page then call 0419 709 661 to place your booking.

ANOTHER CRACKING

weekend of footy and the top 4 (Penrith aside) would be looking a lot different then most people would have thought after five rounds.

The form of the Panthers is irresistible early doors amassing an average of 30-8 victory over 5 games and they absolutely destroyed a Melbourne side that never gets beaten like that.

Even this early it is very hard to see them being stopped if they continue the way they are going. Tigers, Newcastle, Souths are going super early on and are teams high on confidence.

The Knights have won the last two without prize signings Ponga and Brown.

The Tigers snuck home in a thriller at Commbank but it does lead me to query some of the decisions and bunker contributions we have seen so far in 2026.

The two penalties late for high shots were very very minimal, the purists and old men of the game would be shaking

AT THE FOOTY with Quinny

their heads at how these penalties are being given.

I’m fully aware it’s about protecting the head of the players and concussion issues but fair dinkum, it’s a tough game.

The Bunker has had a bludger of a start if you ask me and perfect example was the no try to Hoskings from Papalii’s lead line.

I feel there needs to be a common sense element but then there is grey so we just go black and white, it’s like the people who know the rules (e.g Moses, Reynolds etc) get away with it.

Seibs is gone and Foz turned Manly into a 50 point better team within a week, Wow! It makes you query what the real issue is/was at Manly and once again the mental approach to the footy from players each week.

You would think if the Dragons get beat by the Eagles at home this weekend Shane Flanagan would be close to joining Seibold on the sacked list as it’s been a low start by the Dragons.

The Broncos have put together a few wins but the next month will be super difficult without the enigmatic Walsh (his athleticism in 40 mins was something to behold last week including the disallowed try), Hunt and Reynolds. In saying that Mam exploded and they have Carrigan, Haas and Staggs.

The NRRRL kicks off this weekend with Marist Brothers the reigning premiers.

Plenty of local footy with Tweed Coast taking on runners up Murwillumbah at Caba, Cudgen hosting Mullumbimby and a local derby between Seagulls and Bilambil. See you at the footy. Quinny

• Masonry Supplies • Pavers • Retaining wall blocks • Besser Blocks • Brims Std Concrete Blocks

10 April

11

Stadium, Brisbane

Wollongong Friday 10 April

Expressionistic landscapes

By Julia Collingwood

‘PADDOCKS AND PLACES’ by artist Ruth Rawle opens at Art Post Uki on Thursday April 9.

Ruth’s expressionistic landscapes of the country out west are dynamic and strong, and yet restful.

Every brush stroke plays its part in Ruth’s final painting. They are bold and purposeful. Ruth isn’t interested in conveying a realistic soft landscape. She wants us to see what she felt when she looked at the country and to feel the fun she had painting it.

Ruth explains to the Weekly: ‘I work from videos, photographs and sketches in my studio aiming to emulate the feeling I had from my response of being in a particular location.’

There is no mistaking the artists that have influenced Ruth. The vibrant freshness of the paint, the bright light and feel of heat coming off the paddocks echo Cezanne and Diebenkorn.

Ruth grew up on 30 acres so the landscape was always a significant presence. She studied at the National Art School graduating in pho-

tography in 1999. She then went onto nursing. It was only after having children she began to paint seriously

‘Paddocks and Places’ opens 6pm Thursday April 9 at the Uki Post Office. Closes May 13.

Opening hours: 7.30am-5pm weekdays, 7.3012.30pm Saturday and 8am-12.30pm Sunday. Visit: www.artpostuki.com.

Connection beyond the visible

By Rada Campbell

FOR MANY in the Northern Rivers, curiosity about what lies beyond the physical world sits somewhere between belief and question. That is exactly the space psychic medium Sean Collyns is stepping into as he brings his live show just up the road this month.

Based in Bilinga, Collyns considers himself part of the broader local community, joking that Currumbin is about as far north as he likes to go.

“It’s not about big city life and material things,” he told The Weekly. “Places like this value connection, and that naturally comes with open-mindedness.”

That openness, he says, often begins with something deeply human - loss, curiosity, or the universal question of what happens when we die.

“People want to know if their loved ones are still around them,” he said. “Or they’re trying to understand what happens next. That connects all of us.”

Collyns’ own journey began in childhood, though he didn’t understand it at the time. Experiences he now recognises as intuitive were dismissed as imagination, something he says many people can relate to.

It wasn’t until he was a teenager, after visiting another medium who accurately described personal details of his life, that he began to take it seriously. Within a few years, what he describes as an ability to receive messages became impossible to ignore.

“I was working in a café, and people would walk in and I’d have information about their loved ones,” he said. “I quickly realised there’s a time and place for that.”

Now, through live theatre-style events, Collyns delivers readings in front of audiences - something he says creates an energy that can’t be replicated online.

“When you have a room full of people, all

wanting connection, it amplifies everything,” he said. “Even if you’re not receiving a message yourself, witnessing it connects you to your own loved ones.”

His perspective challenges the idea that mediumship is reserved for a gifted few.

“I don’t see it as a gift,” he said. “I see it as an ability of the soul. Everyone has the capacity to connect on some level; people just expect it to be louder than it is.”

While audiences range from believers to sceptics, Collyns says both groups often leave changed.

“There are always people who come in unsure,” he said. “And sometimes they’re the ones who end up having the most powerful experience.”

Whether viewed through belief or curiosity, Collyns’ show offers something more than answers - an invitation to consider the possibility that we are part of something far greater than what we can see.

forms on Saturday, April 25 at Miami Marketta, 23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami. Tickets via

Global career from local studio

By Rada Campbell

IN A Murwillumbah studio where canvases line the floor and footprints become part of the final work, artist Saxon Quinn is building an international career from the heart of the Northern Rivers.

His paintings, exhibited across cities including New York, Madrid, Copenhagen and Seoul, begin in a space that is anything but pristine. Works are laid flat underfoot, collecting marks, dust and movement before ever reaching the wall.

“Once they get scuffed up enough, they’ll go up and I’ll start working on them,” Saxon told The Weekly.

Every piece carries a physical imprint of place, with traces of Murwillumbah embedded into works now hanging in galleries around the world.

Saxon and his wife Cinthia moved to the region after searching for somewhere that felt both creative and grounded.

“We drove down to Murwillumbah and there was more of an art scene… we just loved it,” he said.

The couple bought postCOVID and relocated permanently the following year, drawn not only to the landscape but to the community.

“We saw how everyone came together after the floods… and knew we wanted to be part of that.”

Originally from regional Victoria, Saxon said the Northern Rivers reminded him of the smalltown life he grew up in, but with a strong creative undercurrent.

Despite now showing internationally, his path into art was far from conventional.

“I didn’t have a design background… I just started doodling,” he said.

Before committing to art, Saxon spent time in New York working on start-up ventures, immersing himself in the city’s gallery scene before eventually returning to Australia and beginning to experiment seriously with materials.

“I remember thinking, ‘this is terrible, how am I going to make this work?’ - and then somehow it just happened,” he said.

That evolution, from control to instinct, remains central to his practice, with works sitting between intention and chance.

His recent exhibitions span Los Angeles, Copenhagen and Madrid, supported by a growing network of international galleries. Yet the decision to remain based in Murwillumbah is deliberate.

“There’s something about being here… it just works,” he said. Alongside his global career, Saxon is raising two young daughters, with family life woven into both his routine and creative output. His latest Melbourne exhibition, Little Darlin’,

references his youngest daughter and the music he grew up with.

“I grew up surrounded by art… my mum had a big studio,” he said.

Themes of identity, vulnerability and perception run throughout his work.

“It’s about insecurities… the idea that what you see isn’t always what’s going on underneath,” he said.

Now working full-time from his Murwillumbah studio, Saxon structures his days around both family and creative energy, starting early before the demands of the day take over.

“The earlier the better for me… by midday, with the Northern Rivers sun beating down, I’m done,” he said.

Looking ahead, he hopes to continue expanding internationally while pushing into new levels of the art world.

“There are levels to it… and I’m just figuring that out as I go,” he said.

For now, his focus remains simple - keep making, keep showing, and keep building from the place he now calls home.

And from a studio floor in Murwillumbah, that reach is already global.

View Saxon Quinn’s work and upcoming exhibitions at saxonjjquinn.com.

His latest exhibition is currently showing at Lennox Street Gallery, Melbourne

Variety of Classics

Marvellous Melodies

CONDUCTOR - Dr

Marvellous Melodies

NORTHERN RIVERS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PROUDLY PRESENTS

PROGRAMME

Die Fledermaus Overture - Johann Strauss

Dances with Wolves - John Barry Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky Chicago - John Kandar Pavane- Gabriel Faure

Carnival Overture - Antonin Dvorak and more!!!

FEATURING: Ar�st MATT OTTLEY with his “ Sounds of Picture Book Series” & NRSO Ensemble With conductor Marco Bellasi

Date:

Sunday 19th April 2026

ROBERT SCHUMANN

Piano Quintet in E flat Op. 44

Venue: Tweed Heads Civic Centre Corner Bre� St & Wharf St, Tweed

Date: Please Note, SATURDAY 19th OCTOBER 2024

Casuarina author tells raw truths

By Rada Campbell

A CASUARINA-BASED author is inviting the community into a raw and honest conversation about youth mental health, using storytelling as the starting point.

Jae Schaefer, who grew up in Kingscliff, will launch her memoir Holy F*ck later this month, but says the event is about far more than a book.

“This area was the backdrop to a pretty tumultuous coming of age,” Jae told The Weekly.

“Growing up in the Tweed, it’s easy to assume our lives are as idyllic as the landscape, but that’s not the case.”

Jae’s memoir explores deeply personal experiences including domestic violence, addiction and an unplanned pregnancy, with a focus on what often goes unseen in young people’s lives.

“So much of what’s going on for our youth is invisible,” she said.

“We see school uniforms, phone screens and rubbish the next day, but we don’t see the pressure, conflict and drama of the night before.”

Rather than a traditional book launch, the event will bring together young people, teachers and mental health practitioners, with an open mic component encouraging youth to share their own lived experiences.

“In exchanging stories and resources, we can strengthen the net of support we all need to fall into at some point in our lives.”

honest about what we’re going through.”

The confronting title Holy F*ck reflects the scale of those experiences.

“I kept muttering ‘holy f*ck’ under my breath as I wrote and grappled with the enormity of what I went through,” she said.

“When people come to the launch, I hope they feel lighter… like they can let go of some of the weight they’ve been carrying.”

Jae hopes the night will create meaningful connections and strengthen support networks within the community.

“I hope it’s a love fest,” she said.

Time: 2.30pm NSW / 1.30pm QLD

Tickets: Adults $60 | Concession $50 | Students (18+) $25

Children under 18 years free of charge (when accompanied by an adult ticket holder)

Venue: Tweed Heads Civic Centre, Brett Street, Tweed Heads NSW

Tickets: Adults $50 I Concession $45

School Students $10 & Students 18 years & over $20

Children under 5 years free of charge (when accompanied by an adult)

Tickets

“I think we need more non-judgmental spaces where young people can see, hear and experience themselves,” Jae said.

“In my experience, talking about the hardest things with the right people facilitates empathy and relieves shame.”

Jae said sharing her own story publicly has been a way to connect more honestly with others.

“We’re all carrying burdens while we wave to each other at Woolies, walk on the beach and wait in line at the local cafe,” she said.

“Life is easier and lighter when we’re more

“In exchanging stories and resources, we can strengthen the net of support we all need to fall into at some point in our lives.”

She has also set aside tickets for young people who may not otherwise be able to attend.

For those struggling quietly, Jae hopes her story offers a starting point.

“I hope it gives them the courage to share,” she said.

“There are people in our community who can and want to help.”

Holy F*ck, it’s a book launch takes place Thursday, April 23 from 6pm to 8.30pm at Dust Temple, Currumbin Waters. Tickets via Humanitix.

Blue Brothers at The Citadel

By Madeleine Murray

A GROUP called Caldera Cinematheque is bringing us something new every month by screening a film at The Citadel.

On Saturday, April 18, The Blues Brothers will hit the big screen at The Citadel, and it’s a party! Food and drinks flow from 6pm. Free sunglasses for every guest! Get your Orange Whip at the bar!

David Biber started Caldera Cinematheque in 2024 in response to the lack of local film screenings.

He chose mainly music documentaries starting with Midnight Oil’s The Hardest Line, and followed with films on the Talking Heads, John and Yoko, David Bowie and more.

“There were two factors in my film selection,” David told The Weekly.

“Firstly, the films had to be something special, and secondly, I wanted to tell a story through these films of who we are and how we got here.

“Screening the Aquarius film and Morning of the Earth underscored this narrative arc. The community support for these screenings has been really heart-warming.”

In early 2025, David met Adrian Moses and Louise Atkinson and they formed a syndicate to get regular movies screening more in the Tweed Valley.

“Having had a great response to the music movies at the Citadel, we decided to run with something fun,” David said.

“Adrian and Lou are now fully integrated with the Caldera Cinematheque.

“We have great plans for more film and other entertainment at Rosie’s beautiful Citadel to bring the joy and buzz around film back to Murwillumbah.”

This is good news for people who love a night out with a film, and watching an interesting, special film in that wonderful theatre.

Released in 1980 and directed by John Landis, The Blues Brothers is a high-energy musical

comedy built around the iconic duo John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.

Playing Jake and Elwood Blues, the pair embark on a ‘mission from God’ to save their childhood orphanage by reuniting their old band.

The film blends crazy car chases with electrifying performances from legends like Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and Cab Calloway.

A loving tribute to rhythm and blues, and a comedy masterpiece, The Blues Brothers is a cult classic.

The Blues Brothers party starts at 6pm on Saturday, April 18, at The Citadel, 21 Queen Street, Murwillumbah. Food from Johnny at My Dad’s Kitchen. The film starts at 8pm. Book now at thecitadel.com.au

Funny bunnies at Uki school

Easter

is one of the most delightful dates on the school calendar, bringing a burst of colour, creativity and good humour to the outdoor assembly hall.

On Thursday, April 2, children from every year level hopped along the catwalk, proudly showing off hats made either with their parents or all by themselves. The parade was a cheerful mix of imagination and Easter fun, with every hat telling its own little story.

One was a glorious explosion of yellow feathers. Another rose high like a sparkling tower of coloured eggs. There was a metre-high cone of bright paper covered in tiny balls, while another featured rabbits marching around the brim beneath a festive border of carrots, eggs and flashing lights, topped off with even more eggs, carrots and a green velvet bunny.

Principal Rachel Watkins and all the teachers got into the mood, hopping along the catwalk to lead their classes. What fun!

62 Maintained for a long period without weakening (9)

65 Cream with a high SPF (9) 67 Ulcerous skin disease (5) 68 Motherly (8) 71 Little axe (8) 72 Daggers (9) 73 Look at (3) 75 Moisture on surface (3)

77 Blue pigment (6) 78 Cat call tune (4-7) 79 A dish (6) 80 Hatchet (3) 81 Point of a pen (3)

1 Clear gemstone (7)

2 To defeat utterly (9)

3 Film special effects (acronym) (3)

4 Inlet (3)

5 Dog (5)

6 Tropical seed (7)

7 Back (7)

8 Garlic mayonnaise (5)

9 Mature (3)

10 Frozen cubes (3)

11 Bike rider; moon walker (9)

12 Jurisdiction of royals (7)

17 Where the Pope lives (7,4)

19 Retribution (9)

23 Alert (5)

25 Cons (5)

28 Furious (5)

29 Exciting attention (11)

30 Form (5)

31 Horoscope writer (11)

32 Aquatic mammal (5) 34 Cut off (9) 37 Careless (9) 38 Stone monument (7)

39 Children’s show,Sam (7) 42 Visual representation of an area (3)

45 Warlike fantasy creature (3) 47 US national park (11)

49 Overturn (5)

50 Fabled

street that is split down the middle by the Qld-NSW border?

2. A menswear shop in Murwillumbah is Bolt & --? 3. In Geological terms, how was Dougboy Mountain formed? 4. The Tweed River is named after the Tweed River in the U.K.

TRADES AND SERVICES

CLICK IT COMPUTERS

has been operating on the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers for over 10 years now.

Owned and operated by Brett Reeve, I have served thousands of home and small business clients.

Originally my starting point for the business was noticing a large portion of people were disgruntled with the service and pricing of IT services at the time.

I knew there was a better, easier solution.

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more affordable, friendly and knowledgeable technical support to the Gold Coast and Tweed. With 10 previous years of IT experience working nationally and internationally, I had the knowledge and tools to step out on my own and bring my vision to light.”

With Click IT, I provide friendly, simple and costeffective fixes to all home and small business clients.

Up front and fixed pricing means nobody is stuck with a surprise bill, and my prices have always been

one of the most affordable options since I started. All of my clients receive personal free phone support and advice.

Moving to the Tweed in recent years, I am more eager than ever to service Northern Rivers clients and keep my work as local as possible. Still providing low cost, and friendly in home service to this day and many to come.

If you would like to speak with me about anything IT related, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Brett

Reeve 0400 245 281

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Exciting

Strong communication skills and a friendly, professional manner are essential.

Please apply via email: eryn@ theweekly.net.au or visit the office and introduce yourself at Shop 7, 41-45 Murwillumbah Street (Palm Court). (02) 6672

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TO LET 10

PW, Phone 0400 076 700

Weekly In Memoriam

Remembering Ann Gray

A nn G r a y

Kayla Jade Whitten

30/09/2002 ~ 12/04/2014

Remembering Kay is easy

We do it everyday

Missing her is a heartache at never goes away

We love you Kay

Always and forever

Love Mum, Dad, Kobi, Shan, Danika, family and friends

McGuiness Funerals

Murwillumbah (02) 6672 2144

Billinudgel (02) 6680 3084

Please refer to our website for funeral notices www.mcguinessfunerals.com.au

Funeral Notice

In loving memory Phyllis Mary Cumpstay

Late of Tweed Heads

Formerly of Kingscliff Passed away peacefully on Thursday 2nd April 2026

Aged 102 years

Dearly loved wife of Clifford (dec’d) Loved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother

Family and friends are warmly invited to attend Phyllis’s Funeral Service to be held at Tweed Heads Memorial Gardens, 176 Kirkwood Road, Tweed Heads South on Friday 10th April 2026 at 1:00pm.

In loving memory

Russell William Luland

14/07/1946 – 24/03/2026

Loving husband of Ronda, devoted Father to Alison and John, Ashley and Christopher. Beloved by Family and Friends.

Formally of Yarrawarrah and Banora Point. Past President Tweed Heads Bowls Club.

He touched so many lives, please join us for the celebration of Russ (Wake) to be held at Club Tweed, Wharf Street & Florence Street Tweed Heads on ursday 30th April, 2pm.

Beverley Yvonne McCrimmon “Bev” nee Sharpe

Passed away on 21st March 2026 at John Flynn Hospital, late of Tweed Heads. Aged 83 years.

Dearly loved daughter of Lindsay and Amy Sharpe (both deceased), loving sister and sister-in-law of Trevor & Jan (both deceased), John & Adell, Glen, Heather & Edward, proud and loving aunty Bev to all her nieces and nephews.

Loved and remembered by all her “Besties” A service for Bev has been held.

In Loving Memory Mohinder “Mindo” Singh

21.11.1923 ~ 2.4.2026

Aged 102

Formerly of Nobby’s Creek Loved wife of Bikar (dec.)

Adored mother of Sylvia (dec.), Neville, Edward, Norma, Ray and Gregory.

Mother-in-law, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Great Great Grandmother. Granny to all.

Family and friends are warmly invited to attend a service in celebration of Mindo’s life which will be held at Melaleuca Station Memorial Gardens 9394 Tweed Valley Way, Chinderah on Sunday 12th April 2026 at 10am. Following the service, there will be a luncheon at the Sikh Temple in Murwillumbah.

TOGO Graeme Russell 30/03/2026

ANDERSON Robert William 31/03/2026

PERRY Shirley Frances 03/04/2026

PERKIN Patricia May 04/04/2026

Simplicity Funerals 07 5599 1800 PAPAS Mervyn 28/03/2026

McGuiness Funerals 02 6672 2144

BLISS Kevin William 05/04/2026

A SONG OF LIVING by Amelia Josephine Barr

Phone: (02) 6672 4443

B ecause I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die. I have sent up my gladness on wings, to be lost in the blue of the sky. I have run and leaped with the rain, I have taken the wind to my breast. My cheek like a drowsy child to the face of the earth I have pressed. Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.

Tweed’s teenage rising javelin star New beginnings at Potty tennis club

By Jonathon Howard By Jo Kennett

A TWEED teenager is prepar ing to take his athletics career to the national stage after qual ifying to represent Queensland in the under-18 javelin at the 2026 Australian Athletics Ju nior Championships.

Daniel Challis, 16, has earned selection following 11 years with Tweed Little Athletics and will compete at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre in Brisbane on Friday, April 17. He heads into the championships with a season-best throw of 48.15 metres and is aiming to break the 50-metre barrier before the end of the season.

Challis said his journey in the sport began when he joined Little Athletics at just six years old and later discov ered his passion for javelin in 2022.

“I got into javelin back in 2022 when I was 12 and was still in search of the event that I felt really suited me so I tried javelin at a carnival and qualified for Queensland Lit tle Athletics State Champion ships, and started to get a bit of coaching before state and found out I really enjoyed mak ing progress with it,” he said.

“I wasn’t that good to begin with but something in me just wanted to keep going.”

Challis said representing Australia was now firmly in his sights.

“I would like to represent Australia as it has always been a dream of mine to compete at an international level and as of recently that goal has become more and more achievable,” he said.

He also credited his family, friends and Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School for their support, along with recent coaching from javelin great as of recent.”

Challis said his advice to other young athletes was simple.

“Advice I would give to other young athletes would be to keep going and to not give up,” he said.

“And to not let a loss discourage you as there are plenty of further opportunities coming in the future.”

YOUR STORY: Do you know a local athlete who deserves some praise in the local paper? The Weekly would love to hear from you. Please email the editor via: editor@theweekly.net.au

THERE WERE a few tears shed in an emotional opening of a new tennis court at Pottsville Beach Tennis Club recently, with Mayor Chris Cherry commending club volunteers on their amazing fundraising

According to club members there was “sunshine, fun tennis, a sizzling barbecue, ice cream treats, and club presentations to top it all off” when the new Court 3 was officially opened by the mayor.

Club volunteers and volunteer grant writers raised most of the $83,000 for the new court, an astonishing achievement in line with the years and years of work and fundraising to get the club to where it is today, providing fun and exercise for the local community, and a breeding ground for up and coming young talent.

“Massive congratulations to the Pottsville Beach Tennis Club for the brand new reconstruction of Court 3,” the Mayor said afterwards on her social media.

“No more puddles interfering with play.

“Self-funding more than three quarters of the funds needed is an incredible effort from a community club.

“So glad to see all the young and not so young coming out to celebrate together. It is a wonderful achievement.

“Congratulations to the committee, and to all the members who make the club what it is.”

Club president Chander Badloe, who is from the Netherlands, travelled the world as a UNICEF Chief of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, before moving to Australia with his Australian wife. He became the club president six months ago.

“We moved to Pottsville because we have been here on holidays,” Chander said.

“We are happy here particularly because of the connections we have made through volunteering, including with the club,” Chander said.

“There are so many exciting things happening with the club and it’s all very positive.

“Court 3 had drainage issues and had a complete resurfacing and is one of the preferred courts now.

“The club raised about 80 per cent of the total for the resurfacing and the vision of the previous committee helped because they had built up the club’s reserves so we want to follow on with that so money is there when it’s necessary.

“We want quality facilities, that’s the ambition, so safety and security aren’t a concern to users and we want the facilities to be used with a lot of play time on court.

“I find it a very inspiring environment in the committee and across the membership and community.

“They are friendly, opening and welcoming and those are things that resonate with me.

“I like that kind of positivity. Going forward we have to make forward we remain focused on the positive and be respectful, appreciative and supportive of each other.”

The 2025 winners were also announced with Junior Female Sportsperson of the Year presented by Coach Sophie to Esme R. Junior Male Sportsperson of the Year was presented by Coach Sophie to Sylver P. Adult Sportsperson of the Year was presented by George to John F. John Rose Youth Encouragement Award was presented by John’s grandson Gordon to Ava S.

Congratulations to everyone at the club on another incredible achievement.

The club has four courts, three synthetic and one hard court and is open for the public use by contacting www.pottsvilletennis.com.au

Murbah 8 Ball is thriving - get involved

By Jonathon Howard

THE GLOBAL resurgence of eight ball pool is being felt right here in the Tweed Valley, with Murwillumbah players continuing to show the game is alive and well at the local level.

While international competitions now offer prize pools worth hundreds-of-thousands of dollars, the focus in Murwillumbah remains firmly on community, competition and camaraderie, with enthusiastic locals competing in weekly matches across five clubs and hotels in and around the town.

Last Sunday, March 22, that local talent came together to form a representative side, Murbah District 8 Ball, with 23 players travelling to Evans Head for a highly anticipated inter-town challenge against the Evans Head 8 Ball Club.

The Weekly was updated on the event by Murbah District 8 Ball organiser Paul Bates.

“Evans Head entered the match determined to avenge last year’s loss to Murwillumbah, while the visiting side was equally keen to defend its reputation,” he said.

“The contest began as a tight battle, with Murwillumbah holding its own in the opening singles matches to trail by just one game, 13–12.

“However, the home side found another gear as the day progressed, dominating the doubles and second round of singles matches to secure a convincing 40–18 victory on home tables.”

Despite the result, Paul said the day was considered a success for both sides, with players and spectators treated to high-quality competition and plenty of sportsmanship.

“Old friendships were renewed, new ones were formed, and both clubs are already looking ahead to a return clash in Murwillumbah in September, where the home side will be determined to reclaim the trophy,” he said.

Murwillumbah players also acknowledged the support of Condong Bowls Club and Murwillumbah Leagues Club for providing transport for the team.

the local eight ball scene is encouraged to contact their local venue for competition details. For more informa tion, please contact Paul Bates: 0401 365 125.

Real Estate

FROM COAST TO COUNTRY

AGENT OF THE WEEK

By Jo Kennett

OUR AGENT of the Week is Jordan Byrnes, a licensed real estate agent at the Lifestyle Group with a fascinating past.

Jordan has grew up in a big family in the Northern Rivers, forming strong connections through school and sports.

He spent three years living and traveling abroad which helped develop valuable skills in interpersonal communication, language, and relationship-building he now uses to provide exceptional service to my community.

The Weekly caught up with Jordan to find out more.

Before you were a real estate agent what was the most interesting/unusual job you had?

I worked in the morgue for a COVID hospital in London, we would physically transport the bodies off to the army.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given (work or life)?

The harder you work the luckier you

Open Homes

All times are DST unless specified. Saturday, April 11

Tate Brownlee Real Estate

• 28 Pioneer Parade, Banora Point, 9–9:30am

• 20/14 Lorikeet Dr, Tweed Heads South, 10–10:30am

• 73A Kingscliff St, Kingscliff, 10–10:30am

• 17 Townsend, Terranora, 11–11:30am

• 46 Tralee Drive, Banora Point, 11–11:30am

get so keep working.

What’s something you wish more people understood before buying or selling?

The agent isn’t trying to be difficult, sometimes they are put in a difficult spot by their clients of which they have a duty to uphold on their behalf and people not realizing that if it were up to us we would do things differently.

What’s a place locally you keep meaning to try but haven’t yet?

Cubby Bakehouse at Chinderah, I must be the only person left that hasn’t been.

What’s something about your personality that helps you in your job?

I have an extraordinarily high level of patience which is fantastic when dealing with different types of people, situations and most importantly having a Latina wife.

• 50 Kintyre Cres, Banora Point, 12–12:30pm

• 17 Ossa Boulevard, Terranora, 12–12:30pm

• 81B Henry Lawson, Terranora, 12–12:30pm

• 58 Scenic Dr, Tweed Heads West, 1–1:30pm

• 118 Darlington, Banora Point, 1–1:30pm

• 18 Gladioli Ave, Terranora, 2–2:30pm DJ Stringer

• 39/329 Golden Four Dr, Tugun, 9–9.30am

• 3/4 Archer St, Bilinga, 9–9.30am

• 6/88 Pacific Pde, Bilinga, 9–9.30am

• 2/38 Garrick St, Coolangatta, 9.30–10.30am

• 10 Bolton St, Kirra, 10–10.30am

What’s one thing about this area that keeps people here long-term?

Lifestyle, period. We still live in a quiet part of the world and in less than 90 minutes we can access international airports, global cities like Gold Coast, famous headlands like Byron Bay, hinterland stretching from Brisbane all the way south, top quality beaches that have almost no one except locals there, good medical facilities and friendly people. Not everyone will agree but if you visit other areas we are still the standout.

What’s one thing you’ve learned from working so closely with people making big life decisions?

The happiest people before/during/ after a purchase or sale usually make very fast confident decisions, people that agonize over a decision always suffer the most.

What’s a moment at work where you’ve thought “This is a bit surreal”?

• 9/277 Golden Four Dr, Bilinga, 10–10.30am

• 6/311 Golden Four Dr, Bilinga, 10–10.30am

• 7/20 Dutton St, Coolangatta, 10.45–11.15am

• 4/241 Golden Four Dr, Bilinga, 11–11.30am

• 169 Tweed Valley Way, South Murwillumbah, 11.15–12pm

• 2046/20 Stuart St, Tweed Heads, 11.45–12.15pm

• 3/105 Golden Four Dr, Bilinga, 11.45–1215pm Raine & Horne Jet

• 2981 Kyogle Road, Kunghur “ Panorama Tweed Valley” 9–12:30pm

Two things - I was contacted by a billionaire about a property I was representing which was humbling and also an overseas government official which was mind-blowing at the time. What’s something about people that your job has taught you?

Everyone has something going on and how they treat you is a reflection of that.

What’s a recent moment that made you laugh at work?

Buyers told their toddlers to tell me the pool was too small for kids to strengthen their argument, the buyers then told me it backfired because the kids all genuinely believe it’s too small and want her to make it bigger. It was a very funny story at the time.

What’s the unseen side of Real Estate?

I left Brisbane at 4.30am to get back to give the owners a hand moving items into vans and clean the property for settlement, this was about four hours and we were all filthy, however I’ve never seen an owner more thankful.

• 8404 Tweed Valley Way, Eviron 9:30–10:00am

• 629 Tumbulgum Road, Tygalgah 10:30–11:00am

• 1243 Kyogle Road, Uki 12–1pm Schmith Estate Agents

• 14 Oakbank Terrace Murwillumbah, 10–10.30am

• 49 Dixon Street Coolangatta, 12–12.30pm

• 501/215 Boundary Street Coolangatta, 10.30–11am

• 6/1 Bolton Street Coolangatta, 11.30–12pm

• 79 Terranora Road Banora Point, 1–1.30pm

Perched high above the coastline on a magnificent north-facing 1,912m2 parcel, this exceptional residence captures sweeping sunrise-to-sunset views across the Pacific Ocean, championship golf course and hinterland, delivering one of the most compelling lifestyle positions in Ocean Shores. Surrounded by beautifully established gardens and mature greenery, the home enjoys a rare sense of privacy and elevation while remaining moments from beaches, cafés and village amenities.

Designed to embrace its spectacular setting, the home opens effortlessly to an expansive outdoor entertaining area where a stunning pool overlooks the ocean, creating an extraordinary backdrop for everyday living. Inside, the residence offers generous proportions and character throughout, highlighted by parquetry timber floors, light-filled living spaces and a unique fully timber cigar sitting room, adding warmth and personality to the home. Accommodation is equally impressive, with five bedrooms and three bathrooms, including a spectacular upstairs master retreat that captures panoramic north-facing views across the ocean, coastline, golf course and hinterland.

Large windows throughout the home ensure many rooms share the same breathtaking outlook, filling the interiors with natural light and coastal breezes throughout the day. Set amongst beautifully landscaped gardens and expansive lawns, the grounds offer space, privacy and flexibility rarely found in

this tightly held coastal enclave. Perfectly positioned beside the Ocean Shores Championship Golf Course, and only minutes to Brunswick Heads, pristine beaches and village conveniences, this is a home that effortlessly combines scale, outlook and lifestyle.

Opportunities of this calibre in Ocean Shores are exceptionally rare.

Key Features

• North-facing 2,000m2 block

• Sunrise to sunset views across ocean, golf course and hinterland

• 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms

• Elevated position overlooking championship golf course

• Stunning pool with ocean views

• Expansive outdoor entertaining terrace

• Beautifully established landscaped gardens

• Parquetry timber flooring in living spaces

• Unique fully timber cigar sitting room

• Spectacular upstairs master retreat with panoramic views

• Private, elevated coastal setting

• Minutes to beaches, Brunswick Heads and village amenities

Expressions of Interest closing 13th April 2026

39/329 Golden Four Dr Tugun

• Open plan air-conditioned tiled living

• Oceanfront balcony

• Modern kitchen w/ stone benches & dishwasher

• Powder room

• Master bedroom w/ ensuite, built in robe & generous oceanfront balcony

• Main bathroom / combined w/ laundry facilities

• Two car tandem car parking in secure basement

• Fully Furnished

• Front balcony

•

•

•

Saturday 10:00-10:30am David Stringer 0418 150 731 david@djstringer.com.au

6/88 Pacific Parade Bilinga

• Open plan air-conditioned living w/ easy care timber look flooring

• Modernised kitchen

• 2 good size bedrooms w/ ceiling fans & built in robes

•

• Lock up garage (suit small to medium size car)

• Common area open balcony area (in front of each unit) commanding a lovely ocean vista

Stringer 0418 150 731

• Open plan living & dining zones w/ split system air-conditioning

• Easy care flooring throughout

• Master bedroom w/ built in mirror robes & stylish ensuite

• Bedroom 2 built in robes

• Gorgeous main bathroom

• Social kitchen w/ dishwasher & ample cupboard / bench space

• Oceanfront balcony and direct ocean access Landsize 1012m2 Buyer Guide $1.995M

Saturday 11:00-11:30am

David Stringer 0418 150 731 david@djstringer.com.au