Evans Head Marine Rescue Volunteers Awarded Life Membership

 By Jeff Gibbs

EVANS HEAD, NSW – Three dedicated volunteers from Marine Rescue Evans Head have been honoured with Life Membership in recognition of their outstanding service, totalling 58 years combined. The awards were presented at an evening ceremony held at the Evans Head Bowling Club.

Unit Life Membership recipients Karin Brown, Heather Stacey, and Nev Hamilton were lauded for their exceptional commitment to Marine Rescue NSW and the local community. “The three individuals awarded Life Membership have shown an extraordinary level of dedication. They set a sterling example for both fellow volunteers and the wider community,” said Marine Rescue Evans Head Unit Commander Greg Blackburn.

Brown, a former Unit Commander who joined the team in 2010 to fill a need for radio operators, expressed her pride in receiving the accolade. “It’s a real honour to receive Life Membership—I feel really chuffed,” she said.

Nev Hamilton, who served as Deputy Unit Commander, joined the celebration via video call as he was unable to attend in person. Long-serving administrator Heather Stacey, recognised for nearly 30 years as Treasurer at the unit since joining the Coast Guard in 1995, also shared her gratitude. “My husband and I were new to the area and keen to contribute. I enjoy my role, though I prefer to work quietly in the background,” Stacey remarked.

The ceremony was further highlighted by the attendance of Marine Rescue NSW Northern Rivers Regional Director Darcy Henriksen and Deputy Commissioner Darren Schott. Mr Schott presented experienced coxswain Tony McNally with a National Medal for 15 years of service—a medal awarded to recognise long and diligent service by members who risk their lives to assist the community in emergencies.

“It is important that we pause and reflect on the great work these volunteers have done. Acknowledging their years of service is vital,” said Deputy Commissioner Schott, who also noted the distribution of additional awards and certificates to commend further contributions from the team.

Unit Commander Blackburn highlighted that a total of 18 awards were presented at the event, recognising roles from vessel crew to watch officers and radio operators. “Our volunteers dedicate countless hours to training and education, ensuring the best possible service to keep NSW boaters safe,” he said, adding that the ceremony is planned to become an annual tradition.

Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer-based, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to ensuring the safety of boaters and supporting local communities. For video highlights from the ceremony featuring Deputy Commissioner Darren Schott, Unit Commander Greg Blackburn, and Life Membership recipients Karin Brown and Heather Stacey, visit: https://vimeo.com/1059580957/68567fe6c1

Iconic Motel sells to local bowling club

By Samantha Elley

The Pacific Motel in the main street of Evans Head’s new owners are the Evans Head Bowling Club.

The sale includes 16 rooms and pool, plus a separate three bedroom free standing “Art Deco” house which is also available for rental.

The combined land area is approximately 2,000m2.

General Manager of Evans Head Bowling Club, Roger Hong, said the purchase of the motel was a ‘no-brainer’ and a perfect fit for the accommodation side of their business.

“Knowing the income it would generate, we knew it would be ideal for our diversification strategy away from the bowling club, ensuring long-term viability,” he said.

“We won’t be doing any changes at this point in time as we are just running the business.

“We will do superficial upgrades, including all bookings online.”

Roger said the incentive was to keep money and jobs in town.

“Because we are a community-based organisation, every member (of the bowling club) has a share in what we do,” he said.

“We are providing for the community, where we put $3 million in wages back into the community and it stops big multi-nationals taking money out of the town.”

This same thinking was behind the purchase of the Evans Head Fish Co-operative and the Evans Head Surf Club’s Sand Bar restaurant and Sand Pit café, according to Roger.

“It ensures longevity,” he said.

“With the fish co-op we are bringing it up to date, ensuring it s heritage and legacy for the future.

“It’s the same with the surf club, as we provide employment to the kids who do patrols.”

While the next 12 months will be a ‘business-as-usual’ approach, Roger said there is talk of a Fishing Museum to showcase the history of the town and a brewery.

Watch this space.

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The Whitlams at Club Evans

The Whitlams are heading south from the Gold Coast in January and dropping into Evans Head to play Club Evans‘ first outdoor event, under the stars on a sultry summer night. With full concert stage and production this will be the perfect night to bring the whole family out for a spacious musical picnic.

Tim Freedman said, “I’ve surfed Evans Head, but never played the piano there, and this looks like a great space for a summer show. We have just finished a big national tour for the 25th Anniversary of our album Love This City, so there will be plenty from that album interspersed with our greatest hits like “No Aphrodisiac”.

The Whitlams are Tim Freedman on piano and vocals, Jak Housden on guitar, Terepai Richmond on drums, and newest member, Ian Peres, on Hammond organ and electric bass.

The Whitlams was a touring phenomenon long before their breakout 1997 hit “Eternal Nightcap”. They had forged a reputation as a brilliant live act on countless jaunts up and down the East Coast from 1993 to 1996, and last year decided to reinstitute the tradition each January. Join them for “Gone Coastal no. 2”.

Grab your tickets for the Whitlams here for Thursday the 2nd of January 2025 at Club Evans.

“The songs splash colours across a portrait of a lonesome, inner-city suburbia that few others can match for original detail and authenticity…. The Whitlams have never sounded even mildly like anybody else.” – The Newcastle Herald

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“Australian lightweight champion from lil ol’ Swan Bay”

By Samantha Elley

Maddog boxing’s Sunny McLean has been going from strength to strength this past year, grabbing titles from each of the events he has been fighting in.

Sunny McLean and his coach, Scott Smith, who runs Maddox Boxing, were recently picked to represent Queensland as the fighter and coach team to compete in the national titles in Gosford.

Sunny won all his elimination bouts and beat the NSW champion in the gold medal fight, to become the newly crowned Australian champion in the lightweight division.

They were surprised with a visit from Jason and Andrew Moloney, world champion professional boxers.

“Every state in Australia was there with all the best fighters and the (Moloney brothers) came to support us, so we felt so special,” said Scott.

“They came to help me prepare Sunny for his last two fights in this event.”

Sunny was competing for Queensland as he already holds the title of QLD/NSW interstate champion.

“His first opponent, the referee stopped the fight in the 3rd round,” said Scott.

“His second opponent was the favourite from Tasmania and Sunny won that fight to go through for the gold medal against the NSW champion.

“Andy (co-trainer) and I worked out a plan to beat him and Sunny did exactly what he was asked and never last control of the situation.

“He is now the Australian lightweight champion from lil ol Swan Bay.”

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Council decides not to appeal Iron Gates ruling

At its first ordinary meeting of the new term, Richmond Valley Council has formally decided not to proceed with an appeal against the NSW Land and Environment Court’s ruling on the Iron Gates subdivision proposal at Evans Head. The original ruling, made on 31 July, favoured Goldcoral Pty Ltd, granting approval for the contentious development.

The prior Council had lodged a Notice of Intention to Appeal to preserve the right to challenge the court’s decision. This measure was taken to allow the newly elected councillors an opportunity to thoroughly review the legal advice and consider whether an appeal would be warranted.

General Manager Vaughan Macdonald

General Manager Vaughan Macdonald explained that, following detailed deliberation and expert legal advice, the Council determined that pursuing an appeal would not serve the best interests of the community nor be a responsible use of resources.

“Independent legal advice from Senior Counsel Jason Lazarus concluded that an appeal would not have reasonable prospects of success under s57(1) of the Land and Environment Court Act 1979,” Mr. Macdonald said. “The only grounds for appeal would involve errors of law under the Act, and even if the appeal were successful, it would not necessarily prevent future development on the site.”

Mr. Macdonald expressed the Council’s disappointment with the court’s decision but emphasized that the focus should now shift to ensuring that any future development aligns with the community’s long-term vision and needs.

“Council believes that our resources are better spent working towards ensuring the development is carried out in a way that reflects our community’s goals, rather than engaging in an appeal that could still result in development on the site,” he said.

With the decision not to appeal, the Council will now focus on engaging with the developer and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the project is executed responsibly. This includes enforcing compliance with environmental regulations, ensuring alignment with infrastructure plans, and integrating community feedback throughout the process.

Mr. Macdonald also mentioned that Council is exploring the possibility of levying charges on future residents to cover the additional maintenance costs that may arise as a result of the development.

“We are committed to advocating for the best outcomes for all residents,” Mr. Macdonald added. “This includes maintaining open communication with the developer and addressing community concerns as the project progresses.”

The Council’s decision not to appeal reflects a pragmatic approach to balancing legal realities with the broader goal of managing development in a way that serves the interests of the Richmond Valley community.