Tweed Shire Council Joins Forces with NSW Police to Combat Graffiti Vandalism

The Tweed Shire Council has partnered with NSW Police to address a recent spike in illegal graffiti across the Tweed region, calling on the community to play a key role in reporting incidents. The latest target of vandalism is Jack Evans Boat Harbour in Tweed Heads, an area that has undergone $2.6 million in upgrades over the past two years. Just weeks after the official opening of the newly upgraded swimming area, vandals have defaced walls, seating, skate areas, and even commissioned artworks.

Knox Park in Murwillumbah has also seen a rise in graffiti, particularly at the skate park, where taggers have targeted skating areas and signage.

Council’s Director of Sustainable Communities and Environment, Naomi Searle, expressed deep disappointment over the damage to Jack Evans Boat Harbour, emphasising the waste of public funds and the negative impact on the community. “Graffiti vandalism is a crime, and while it’s difficult to estimate the total cost, Council spent over $115,000 last financial year on graffiti clean-up in parks and open spaces,” Ms. Searle said.

Increased Surveillance and Community Involvement

In response to the graffiti surge, Council is working closely with local police to boost surveillance and deter offenders. A Community Safety Audit is scheduled for later this month in the Tweed Heads CBD and Jack Evans Boat Harbour, where police, council staff, and community representatives will assess areas of concern to enhance public safety.

Council has also created a dedicated graffiti team to address issues promptly. Offensive graffiti on Council-owned assets will be removed immediately, while non-offensive graffiti will be tackled as part of scheduled maintenance.

Residents are encouraged to report graffiti through Council’s online portal at tweed.nsw.gov.au/report-graffiti or by calling 02 6670 2400.

Council worker Jethro Todd pressure cleaning the new barbecue seating area at Jack Evans Boat Harbour after it was defaced by graffiti vandalism. Jethro is part of Council’s new graffiti crack team whose aim is to clean offensive graffiti as soon as possible.

Reporting Graffiti on Private Property and Other Assets

While Council does not remove graffiti from private properties or non-Council assets, residents can report vandalism to relevant authorities.

Such as:

• Essential Energy (power boxes/poles): 13 23 91
• Telstra (equipment): 13 22 03
• Transport for NSW (signs): 1800 707 125
• NBN (internet nodes/equipment): 1800 687 626

Graffiti on private property should also be reported to local police at 131 444.

Enhanced Emergency Response via BluLink

If you witness graffiti in progress, contact police immediately by dialling Triple Zero (000). The BluLink platform allows residents to share live information with police through GPS, video streaming, and digital uploads, helping authorities respond more effectively.

For more details on the BluLink platform, visit the Tweed Shire Council website.

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Over-50s Athletes from Gold Coast and Tweed Shine in the 2024 GemLife Games

By Robert Heyward

Over 500 athletes, volunteers, and spectators aged 50 to 80 are set to demonstrate that age is no barrier to athletic competition at the 2024 GemLife Games, taking place on the Sunshine Coast on September 5 and 6. Among the competitors are 11 participants from the Gold Coast and Tweed regions, joining the event for the first time in what promises to be a spirited showcase of sportsmanship and community.

In only its second year, the GemLife Games have seen a surge in participation, with nearly double the number of athletes compared to its inaugural event. Competitors from South-East Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria will engage in eight sports, including tennis, pickleball, table tennis, ten-pin bowling, eight-ball pool, virtual golf, lawn bowls, and swimming.

Bruce and Julie Berry, residents of GemLife Tweed Waters, are among the eager first-time participants. The couple, aged 70 and 58 respectively, will compete in various swimming events, while Bruce will also take on virtual golf. With a history of competing on international and national stages, the couple sees the GemLife Games as an exciting opportunity to reignite their passion for sports.

“We’ve always been interested in playing our sport in games,” said Bruce. “These games are great because they’re motivating me to take it seriously again and get more exercise. I’m 70 now, and my son, who is a fitness fanatic, might finally convince me to get active.”

Kang Lee from GemLife Gold Coast also sees the games as a chance to return to competition. The 72-year-old, who has played many sports throughout his life, will compete in virtual golf and serve as a substitute in table tennis. Though he hasn’t picked up a table tennis racket in decades, Kang is excited to give it another shot.

“I’m sure many people when they were young played, and now with this competition, they think, ‘Why not give it a go?’ That’s what I’m thinking,” Kang said. “It’s about enjoying the experience, sharing friendship, and extending knowledge.”

GemLife Director and CEO Adrian Puljich highlighted the event’s growing popularity and the enthusiasm of participants. “We had 160 competitors in our inaugural games last year, and this year, over 280 are taking part, supported by around 200 volunteers and spectators,” he said. “It’s fantastic to see our new residents from the Gold Coast and Tweed Waters communities join in, and we hope to inspire even more to participate next year.”

The 2024 GemLife Games have expanded to a two-day event, introducing swimming as a new sport to accommodate more participants and offer a wider range of activities. The event embodies the spirit of trying new things, staying active, and fostering community connections.

“The camaraderie is incredible,” Puljich added. “Some competitors are driving up to 20 hours to be here, and many local residents are hosting them, which only adds to the community spirit.”

With a strong sense of community and a shared love of sport, the 2024 GemLife Games are set to be an unforgettable event for all involved.

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Stomping good time coming to the Northern Rivers

By Samantha Elley

When Patricia Amphlett entered a talent contest back in 1963, she had no dreams whatsoever of becoming a professional singer.

“I was quite nerdy and I loved school,” she said.

“I wanted to go to uni and study medicine.”

What became the medical world’s loss, however, was one of the Australian 60s music scene’s greatest gains as “Little Pattie”, as she became known, went on to record hits such as “He’s my Blonde Headed Stompie Wompie Real Gone Surfer Boy” and “Stompin’ at Maroubra”.

And now, over 60 years later, Little Pattie continues to bring that same energy on stage, with no plans to slow down or stop.

“As long as I retain my good health and as long as people want to hear my music, I will keep going,” she said.

And that is exactly what she is doing with fellow performers Dinah Lee, Jade Hurley OAM, Lucky Starr and Digger Revell, all voices from the same era of rock and roll.

The show, appropriately named ‘The Good Old Days of Rock ‘n’ Roll’, will relive all the fabulous original hits by the hitmakers themselves.

“We might be old in some people’s eyes, but we are in good health, we still do our jobs well and we love performing,” said Little Pattie.

“We travel together and we arrive at a venue and we get such a thrill.

“The minute we are in a dressing room, so the fun begins.”

And so the fun will begin for the audiences who come to see these timeless performers do what they do best – entertain.

“We have a wonderful time as we care about each other,” said Little Pattie.

“There are no jealousies or rivalries. We are an old family on the old road and loving every minute of it still.”

It was a visit to Vietnam in 1966, that created a life-changing moment for the young singer when she was only 17 years old.

“At 17 when I went to Vietnam, I was the youngest performer to ever go,” she said.

“It was every emotion you could think of.

“It was eye-opening, emotional, happy, sad.

“I experienced the best of people in our soldiers and military people.”

On the final day, Little Pattie and Col Joye and the Joy Boys had performed three concerts when the noise of a nearby battle, taking place in the rubber plantations around the Nui Dat Task Force, meant the performers needed to be evacuated.

That skirmish would soon be known as The Battle of Long Tan, Australia’s most costly battle in Vietnam.

To this day, Little Pattie continues to support Vietnam veterans.

“I am very enriched by the friendships I still have with Vietnam veterans,” she said.

The Good Old Days of Rock ‘n’ Roll’

To grab your seats for The Good Old Days Of Rock ’n’ Roll, check out the dates below:

• Saturday 14th September, 2024 – THE SARATON THEATRE, GRAFTON NSW – 2.00pm – Bookings: (02) 6642 1633
• Sunday 15th September, 2024 – TWIN TOWNS SERVICES CLUB, TWEED HEADS NSW – 2.30pm – Bookings: 1800 014 014
• Saturday 12th October, 2024 – EMPIRE THEATRE, TOOWOOMBA QLD – 2.00pm – Bookings: 1300 655 299

“I am making a promise that everyone who comes to our show will leave feeling very good and with a smile on their face,” said Little Pattie.

“It will be a trip down memory lane and I know they will have a good time as I see them having a good time, and we have a good time as well.”

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