MidCoast Council Meet Local Legend Star Updates Amanda Montensin Pet The Forster Tuncurry Your local independent community newspaper distributed fortnightly to FREE Hallidays Point, Black Head, Tallwoods Village, Tuncurry, Forster Pacific Palms, Charlotte Bay, Smiths Lake, Coomba Park, Bungwahl and Seal Rocks. Wednesday 3rd March 2021 Owned and Loved by Locals Circulation 6000 N0.15 Above: Brian Hughes and Abbey Henry from Hunter Local Land Service with Wallis Lake Clean Up Organiser Brad Verdich. Wallis Lake Clean Up Day It’s easy to spot rubbish on the land and put it fishermen. Abbey Henry and Brian Hughes to the loading wharf. Common items found BBQ at the end with sausages cooked by Brad where it belongs. On the lake, rubbish tends to (from the Local Land Service) were there to (mostly around Wallis Island) were beer bottles, himself. build up and hide in the muddy long grass along help pick up the rubbish from the lake, then plastic bottles, aluminium cans, fish bait bags, This Wallis Lake annual event a great start, but the foreshores and is best seen by boat. sort it into categories so it could be measured. long pvc piping plus a couple of odd tyres. with so much debris finding its way into the Last Friday oyster farmer Brad Verdich Their data then goes into a National database Brad said, “This is an annual event now. We are water the organization ‘Clean-Up Australia’ (Coordinator of the Wallis Lake arm of NSW to help understand what rubbish is out there so getting out there and doing our bit.” encourages everyone to do their bit to keep our it can be prevented. Shellfish Quality Assurance) organized a water This event is supported OceanWatch Australia, waterways free from rubbish to begin with. clean-up day in conjunction with Clean Up It was hard work in the hot sun. Most rubbish Clean Up Australia Day, Hunter Local Land Australia Day. On the morning, boats and was picked up by helpers stepping from their See page 11 for local Clean-Up Australia Day Services and Mid Coast Council. Other similar sites seeking volunteers this Sunday 7th barges arrived with many teams of local oyster boats and walking through the bushes, mud events take place across Australia. famers, officers from the Hunter Local Land and water. Within a few hours, bag loads of March. Service and a couple of keen recreational debris was collected by boat and brought back At the end of the day all helpers enjoyed a Mary Yule THE FORSTER TUNCURRY 3rd March 2021 THE FORSTER TUNCURRY 3rd March 2021 Community News Page 2 Community News Page 3 The Forster Tuncurry Magical concert held at Green light for Cancer Care Manning-Great Lakes Tuncurry Memorial Hall “About one-third of people with cancer in collaboration between CCA, Health Care and Australia live outside our major cities and local Radiation Oncologists, led by Associate The next deadline is 5pm Wednesday 10th of March and will be having better access to treatment will save lives Professor Noel Aherne. CCA has a large team and improve health outcomes for Australians of professionals with a proven track record of published on Wednesday 17th of March. living in regional areas,” Minister Hunt said. innovation and clinical leadership, covering We welcome your stories and letters. “This new investment of up to $5 million means the key roles of radiation oncologists, radiation cancer patients in the Manning-Great Lakes therapists, medical physicists, engineers, IT All submissions: www.theforstertuncurry.com.au region can access treatment close to home and specialists and oncology nurses.” without incurring out of pocket expenses.” “Cancer Care Manning Great Lakes will be Our commitment is to provide a newspaper that is factual, informative, and full of local Federal Member for Lyne, Dr David Gillespie networked to our radiation oncology services stories and community news to share. We are here to promote and support our amazing welcomed Minister Hunt’s announcement and in Sydney and Wagga Wagga. A wide range local volunteers, community groups, sporting groups, schools, events and businesses. said the new radiation oncology facilities that of resources can be shared through this will service the Manning-Great Lakes region networking, providing service efficiencies Editor: Mary Yule Phone: 0413410492 regional newspapers. Contact Murray Keir would take health service delivery and cancer and greater staff training and collaboration treatment in the region to the next level. opportunities. The equipment to be installed Email: [email protected] on 0439 060 700. “There are 95,000 people across the Manning- will match our current services in Sydney, Business Hours: 9:30 - 5pm (Mon - Fri) Puzzles & Cartoons: Supplied by Auspac Great Lakes region who don’t have ready access Wagga Wagga and the Radiation Oncology Media, an Australian company with to radiotherapy services. Cancer patients either service at Port Macquarie, “ he added. Graphic & Web support: Golden Age Media, Australian cartoons. a locally owned business. Contact Greg have to travel to Newcastle or Port Macquarie The Federal Liberal and National Government Golden on 1300 766 713. The Forster Tuncurry: Proud to be to receive radiation oncology treatment,” Dr has provided $45.5 million over five years to Gillespie said. Dr Gillespie congratulated Cancer a locally owned family business. invest in the expansion of cancer treatment Printed: Spotpress in Marrickville NSW, on Care Associates (CCA) on its successful bid to capacity throughout regional Australia by sustainably sourced paper. Spotpress is a Thank you: To Vanda Gooley and Roberta deliver the service. enhancing existing and building new health family owned business who support new Pearce for their expertise behind the scenes. “CCA has successfully commissioned and infrastructure. Funding for this initiative comes managed cancer care, medical imaging and from the Government’s Health Infrastructure day surgery services for over three decades Program, which is building, upgrading and We acknowledge the Worimi People, the traditional custodians of the land, expanding vital health infrastructure to ensure waterways and sky of the Worimi Nation where this newspaper is published. With including radiation oncology and medical oncology services in Sydney and at Wagga Australia’s health system is equipped to meet great respect we acknowledge their Elders, past, present and future. Above: Damian Williams Cancer Care Associates, Dr David Gillespie MP, Jaimie Northey (who Wagga in regional NSW,” Dr current and future health needs. underwent Chemotherapy at Cape Hawke Hospital and had to travel to Port Macquarie for Radio- Gillespie said. “It is anticipated Above: The Coffs Harbour String Quartet - Annabel Swainston, Jennen Ngiau-Keng, (concert therapy), Prof Michael Izard Cancer Care Associates and Benjamin Uprichard CEO Forster Private Cancer Care Manning Great Lakes Hospital|Mayo Private Hospital. will be an integrated service across organiser Leigh Vaughan), Caleb Murray and Patrick Brearley. three sites including Forster Private What a triumph!! The capacity audience next one!” The Federal Coalition Government is boosting Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, Hospital, Mayo Private Hospital and investment to Cancer Care Associates so local said the Government is increasing access to Manning Base Hospital. Advertise with us (Covid-safe of course) in our historic hall on cancer patients living in the Manning-Great radiation therapy services for thousands of The decision of the quartet to donate the Chairman of Cancer Care Sunday the 21st of February experienced a door takings back to the Hall Management Lakes region can access radiation therapy cancer patients living in rural and regional See all our great prices & deals at performance that few people outside the services. areas. Associates, Tony Noun, said CCA Committee was met with amazement at was committed to establishing a city confines and rarefied surrounds of the first, but we were delighted to accept this www.theforstertuncurry.com.au professional musician’s circuit could expect. state-of-the-art, linear accelerator most generous gesture! (Our Treasurer was radiation oncology facility located Enquiries: 0413410492 or [email protected] The young members of the Coffs Harbour String absolutely thrilled!!) “The money will go a long in the Manning-Great Lakes. Quartet, Jennen and Annabelle (violins), Caleb way to help fix the leaking roof!” Great Lakes Palliative Care “Our experience ensures a (cello), and led by Patrick (on viola), gave us a Radiation Oncology service located most remarkably musical and in the Manning-Great Lakes will professional performance that Monthly Garage Sales meet the needs of the entire would not be out of place in region,” Mr Noun said. “Cancer any prestigious music venue. Like a lot of our community, the Great Care Manning Great Lakes is a From the very first bars of the Lakes Palliative Support Care charity team Mendelssohn piece they had have been affected by the difficulties the audience entranced. associated with COVID restrictions. Over the past 12 months we have been unable “We just loved the warm to hold a number of our usual fundraising acoustics of the old hall and activities, however we have been busy Star Volunteer the capacity audience was so holding Garage Sales once a month in appreciative to play for!” said our Tuncurry premises at 32 Manning St Name: Ossie Selwood Patrick Brearley, founder of Tuncurry (opposite John Wright park). the quartet. Organisation: Forster Tennis Club These sales are able to be held because “The string quartet is one What does this organization do of the generous donations from the of the most challenging of in our community? community of clothing, books, furniture, ensembles to play in, and plants, china & kitchen ware and lots We provide 14 courts for the it was obvious from the The Tuncurry WW1 Memorial Hall, is not a more. community as well as 3 little outset that these young players not only knew courts for juniors starting off.