Vietnam Veterans hold memorial service

A Vietnam Veterans Day Memorial Service was held on Sunday, August 17, at the Ettalong Waterfront Park.

The service marked the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan on August 18, 1966.

It was organised by the Vietnam Veterans' Peacekeepers' and Peacemakers' Association Of Australia Central Coast sub-branch.

Pictured are sub-branch vice-president Mr Wayne Jennings and Woy Woy-Ettalong-Hardys Bay RSL sub-branch president Ms Dorothy Simpson about to lay their wreaths.

About 250 people attended, including veterans, guests, dignitaries and the 25 Australian Army Cadet Unit Erina.

Ettalong Diggers Club provided a lunch and entertainment to complement the commemoration.

Sub-branch spokesman Mr Norm Harris said that speakers at the service referred to the pride and valour that still resound with veterans.

"Thankfully weather conditions were conducive for a successful service.

"The waterfront memorial is as good as it gets.

"With Diggers Ettalong close by, attending, ceremonies is not a challenge.

"Australia's heritage is worthy of commemoration."

SOURCE:

Media release, 18 August 2025

Norm Harris, VVPPAACC

No beach selected for shark net removal

Central Coast Council staff are recommending the council does not select a beach for shark net removal.

Umina Beach is one of the beaches under consideration.

The council staff have recommended in a report to tomorrow night's council meeting that "the one beach location to remove shark nets from is selected by Department of Primary Industries".

The recommendation was based on the department being responsible for the management, evaluation, and implementation of the Shark Management Program.

The report said that 11 shark nets were installed across the Central Coast annually at The Lakes, Soldiers, The Entrance, Shelly Beach, Terrigal, North Avoca, Avoca Beach, Copacabana, MacMasters Beach, Killcare and Umina Beach.

It stated that the Shark Meshing Program was introduced in 1937 and currently used nets six metres deep and 150 metres wide to target White, Tiger and Bull sharks

They were equipped with acoustic warning devices such as dolphin pingers and whale alarms to deter marine mammals and minimise impacts on non-target species.

Inspections were conducted every two or three days by DPI contractors, or as needed in emergency situations.

Council staff said their adopted position remained that: "Council does not support ocean shark mesh nets and instead encourages DPI to consider alternatives and to fully utilise all available technology, including aerial surveillance with drones, community education programs, shark listening stations connected to a Shark Smart App, lifeguard towers, Smart drum lines, and personal deterrents."

The report said that pilot-operated drone surveillance was conducted during spring, summer, and autumn school holiday periods to identify any shark activity near patrolled areas.

"There are three drone surveillance locations across the region at The Entrance, Avoca Beach, and Ocean Beach."

It also stated: "Whilst there are 32 drumlines installed across the region, there are no drumlines south of MacMasters Beach with Killcare, Ocean Beach and Umina Beach having no coverage of this drumline technology."

Central Coast, Northern Beaches and Waverley local government areas have been selected for a further trial to remove nets at one beach each and the Council's nominating one beach each.

Council staff proposed the invitation to participate in the trial program be accepted.

However, they recommended the department responsible for the program identify the most suitable beach location.

SOURCE:

Central Coast Council agenda item 5.1, 26 Aug 2025