PhD student Toby Piddocke from the University’s National Marine Science Centre based at Coffs Harbour is using acoustic telemetry to follow the movements of mangrove jack in northern New South Wales. Anglers are being offered a gift voucher to the value of $50 for each of the first 20 live specimens donated to the study.

The research is funded by the NSW Saltwater Recreational Fishing Trust.

At this stage, the research team is seeking live fish from the NSW North Coast locations of Deep Creek (near Valla) and the Clarence River.

“The use of acoustic tags will enable us to track the jacks over a two-year period,” Toby said.

“We’re particularly interested in seeing whether they move from estuaries to offshore reefs once they reach maturity. As well as that, we’re interested in seeing how jacks move around within an estuary. For example, where they spend the day as opposed to the night, and where they go on high tide versus low tide.”

Mangrove jack (Lutjanus argentimaculatus) are found in estuaries, coastal swamps and rivers across northern Australia, stretching from northern NSW into Queensland, the Northern Territory and down to Shark Bay in Western Australia.

Toby said that southern mangrove jack possess some unique characteristics that make them highly prized by recreational anglers.

“In North Queensland estuaries, mangrove jack are relatively abundant but their average size is fairly small, around 45 centimetres. However, in southern estuaries, between Coffs Harbour and the Queensland border, they tend to be fewer in number but considerably larger, up to about 60 centimetres and three kilograms in weight,” he said.

The research will determine whether the size difference might reflect longer inshore residence times by adult fish.

“Not only does the size of mangrove jack in northern NSW waters make them popular with anglers, but they’re seen as being really challenging. They’re elusive and when you do snare one it puts up a good fight,” said Toby.

In addition to the tagging component of the research, mangrove jack frames (filleted skeletons with head and guts intact) are also being sought to study the age, growth, diet and reproduction of the species.

The outcomes of the research will be used to help ensure the long-term viability of the recreational mangrove jack fishery in Northern NSW.

Anglers interested in taking part in the research can find out more information by contacting Toby Piddocke at the National Marine Science Centre on 02 6648 3900 or via email mangrovejackresearch@gmail.com

PICTURE: Toby Piddocke measuring a mangrove jack.

Mr Annesley said: “The NSW Government is proud to support the Malfunction Surf Festival, which has grown from a 3-day amateur event to a 5-day international surf festival attracting thousands of spectators and over 300 participants and officials.”

Malfunction promotes the sport of longboard surfing and provides a world-class experience for local competitors and officials.

As part of the ASP Longboard Qualifying Series for men and women, it provides opportunities for our local athletes to shine on the world stage

As well as showcasing outstanding sporting talent, the Malfunction Surf Festival features a range of surf culture activities including a vehicle rally, live music, movies, learn-to-surf lessons and a high-performance coaching clinic.

Mr Annesley said the $5000 grant was awarded through the NSW Government’s International Sporting Events Program. 

For more information visit www.malfunction.com.au

More information on the International Sporting Events Program can be viewed at www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/grants

Dr Reis, attached to the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, was commissioned to do the study by the four councils in which the rally was conducted including Coffs Harbour, Clarence Valley, Bellingen and Nambucca shires.

“Some businesses reported less trading but some reported more,” she said.

“Impacts varied largely between shires, with some reporting significant social benefits, despite more neutral economic impacts.

“Most of the economic benefit was concentrated on the accommodation sector, but that was mostly in Coffs Harbour, which was the base for the Rally.

“There was a degree of disappointment directed towards the organisers of the Rally as many of the businesses did not think the amount of people expected to come eventuated.

“Despite this, the overwhelming majority of businesses, whether they made money or not, want the Rally to return.

“You can put this down to the feeling of pride the region can get by holding such a high profile event.”

The basis of Dr Reis’ findings was on 226 surveys completed by businesses based in the region. According to Dr Reis’ report, approximately an extra $460,000 was recorded as additional revenue by the businesses surveyed and 34 per cent of businesses indicated that they had additional customers compared with the same time the previous year.

Still a considerable proportion of businesses reported losses due to the event, but aggregated data indicates that a net gain was reported by surveyed businesses.

“Although this total is a positive result, it is important to note that significant losses were also reported, which indicates that benefits were not evenly spread within the community,” Dr Reis said.

“In general, the event was considered positive by the business community, particularly if the event returns and some mistakes are avoided. Several respondents mentioned the long-term benefits that may be derived from the positive exposure of the region to other markets, possibly attracting new visitors and trade to the region.”

Dr Reis also found that businesses said they would now know how to better prepare for the event to maximise income after the 2011 race. The councils and businesses expect the Rally to return in 2013, although this is still not confirmed. The Rally previously was held in the Tweed and Kyogle regions.

The WRC round in Coffs Harbour this year was the first time the event had been held on the Mid North Coast.

A full copy of the report is available on request by emailing arianne.reis@scu.edu.au

After 18 months planning and research for the exhibition, 100 professional and amateur surfing photographs from every state and decade from 1911 showcase a diverse range of skill, content and creativity while at all times showing some technical merit.

The 100 photographs exemplify the legacy of Osric Notley, the first person accredited with taking a surfing photograph back in the summer season of 1911/12 at Main Beach, Yamba, in northern NSW.

Priceless gems at the exhibition include the cover photos from two 1962 surfing bibles of the day, the first Surfing World and Surf About magazines.

Female surfer Isabel Letham and friends with the Duke swim at Freshwater in Sydney in 1915 is an absolute rare find, as to are Ma and Pa Bendall from the Sunshine Coast.

A number of the masters of the lens in their era have contributed their favourite masterpieces including John Witzig’s ‘Headless McTavish’, Alby Falzon’s Bobby Brown at Angourie, Jack McCoy at Gnaraloo Station and Christo Reid at Wanna Beach, South Australia.

Some surf photographers look like they simply have a death wish when they paddle out at Cyclops in SA and Shipsterns in Tasmania, with two massive waves caught on camera in 2006 and 2003 and submitted by Russell Ord and Sean Davey.

South Coast photographer Dave Milnes has generously contributed a previously unpublished photo of surfing legend Bobby Brown taken at Port Kembla.

Angourie veterans Albert Fox and John Batcheldor relive their 1963 road trip to Byron Bay from Warilla captured on a Box Brownie while surfing at Blood and Guts (Belongil).

Like the turn of the century in 1900, there was a massive shift in photographic equipment, enabling photography to be picked up by the masses, not unlike today.  An example of this new technology comes in the form of 11-year-old Pheonix Short, who submitted an image he took of himself with his ‘Go Pro’.

Some of the international surf names – Andy Irons, Layne Beachley and Kelly Slater – are also immortalised in the exhibition.

Organisers may have also inadvertently found Australia’s first female surf photographer – a Yamba woman, Sharmian Maxwell, instead of lying on the beach in her polka dot bikini, was out and about with her father’s camera snapping Angourie in 1964.

A vintage display of retro camera gear will also be feature of the exhibition.

The exhibition is on for two months – 3rd December to 3rd February 2012.

Entry fee is $5 (children free), and funds raised go to the disability surfers and Yamba Museum, which will be gifted the collection at the end of the exhibition.

No photographs are for sale. The exhibition will become a permanent collection for the community of Yamba, the birthplace of Australian Surfing Photography.

Video Links:

1.      One Click in Time http://vimeo.com/32725491

2.      Blood and Guts http://vimeo.com/32733262

Venue Link

Yamba Museum http://www.pyhsmuseum.org.au/

PICTURES (from top): A shot by an unknown photographer, dated 1917; David Milnes, 1964; Frank Pithers, 1973; Russell Ord, 2003.

The restaurant seated 103 sports fans, eager to hear of the successes and challenges faced by some of Australia’s most loved sports icons.

Trevor Hendy, Wayne Bennett, Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholomew, Karla Gilbert, Peter Jacobs and Ben Ikin all told their individual stories to host Brad McEwan and the lunch guests, then relaxed with guests during the afternoon.

“We are so grateful to these generous people for sharing their time and their stories,” said Scott O’Neile, Assistant General Manager at The Byron at Byron.

“The Byron at Byron has raised over $15,000 for Movember so far this month and we’re still going. We’re pretty happy with that because our goal was $10,000 and the month is far from over.”

Harvey Norman donated $5000 to the appeal, and $1600 was raised from the auctioning of 2012 Splendour in the Grass and Bluesfest tickets.

The 2012 Movember Sports Charity Lunch will be held at The Byron at Byron on November 30.

PICTURES (from top): Karla Gilbert and Trevor Hendy;  Wayne Barth0lomew and Russell Mills (Northern Rivers Tourism); Ben Ikin and Glen Joynson, of Skennars Head; Karla Gilbert and Christine Batson; Justin North and Peter Jacobs.

Competitors participate in all surf lifesaving competition events including beach sprint and iron man, team events as well as the always popular dash for cash.

The Brunswick Masters is known for providing lots of excitement for spectators with plenty of thrills and spills in the traditionally challenging and unpredictable Brunswick surf.

This carnival attracts competitors from all over New South Wales and Queensland, all of them over 35 years old and many of them have been involved in surf life saving since they were young.

The event is as much a social occasion as it is a competitive one with many old friends who don’t see each other often catching up only once a year at this annual event.

The 17th annual Brunswick Masters will be the first one without Con Assmussen, who passed away this year.

Con was a tireless volunteer in the surf life saving movement and was heavily involved at club, branch and state level most of his life and he will be greatly missed at the carnival this year.

Brunswick SLSC will be honouring Con on the day and the inaugural Con Assmussen Cup will be up for grabs. For more information on Con Assmussen and his extensive involvement with Surf Life Saving go to www.sls.com.au/content/vale-con-asmussen-mbe

Tweed Shire Council recently awarded a construction contract for a new synthetic ‘hybrid’ hockey pitch at Barrie Smith Fields in Murwillumbah, the Tweed’s regional centre for hockey.

The project is jointly funded by Tweed Shire Council, the Tweed Border Hockey Association and a Community Building Partnership Grant from the NSW Government.

The new hybrid pitch will replace the existing turf field adjacent to Nullum Street and opposite Murwillumbah High School.

The field is in addition to the existing synthetic pitch at the complex which has been in operation for 14 years.

Councillor Longland said the additional synthetic turf hockey pitch would bring a range of benefits to the association and the local community.

“This improved complex will satisfy requirements to host national and state tournaments, as well as providing improved playing and training facilities for local players,” Councillor Longland said.

“This is certainly potential here to attract international teams for training, particularly given the Gold Coast’s bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2018.

“I’m pleased to hear that this is a new hybrid style pitch that does not require wetting down like traditional synthetic pitches, and therefore is more water sustainable, with less infrastructure and drainage requirements. However, it does have the flexibility to be played wet.

“I congratulate the Tweed Border Hockey Association for their enthusiasm and determination in seeing this project through, and I’m sure it’s just the start of big things for this complex and for the sport of hockey on the Tweed.”

President of the Tweed Border Hockey Association, Richard Philip, said his association has been working towards the second field for four years.

“It’s wonderful to see it come to fruition, mainly through the efforts of Tweed Shire Council and our local member Thomas George, and we are grateful for their help and advice,” Mr Philip said.

Mr Philip said Council appreciated organisations who helped themselves, and he believed this was at the heart of the successful partnership between Tweed hockey and Council.

“We’ve just hosted a successful under 13 boys national tournament and we’re already out there promoting this new facility across Australia,” he said.

“If we hold major tournaments, we gain more revenue through our canteen and we give back to the local community too, through motel bookings and local restaurants.

Mr Philip said the new field was the first step in a range of improvements his association would like to see at the complex.

“Over time, we’d like to see full lighting on the new field, new change rooms, clubhouse and grandstand,” Mr Phillip said.

Member for Lismore Thomas George commended the association on their commitment to the project.

“I congratulate the association on their professionalism, which showed in their application,” Mr George said.

Construction of the new synthetic hockey field is scheduled to start in the next few weeks, and will be completed in time for the 2012 hockey season.

There will be an increase in traffic in streets surrounding the hockey fields for a period of approximately six weeks with trucks delivering fill and other construction material. Council apologises for any inconvenience to residents.

PICTURE: Member for Lismore Thomas George, Mayor of Tweed Councillor Barry Longland and president of the Tweed Border Hockey Association, Richard Philip, turn the first sod at the site of the new regional hockey complex in Murwillumbah, watched by representatives from the Tweed’s seven hockey clubs.

Conditions were ideal for the Endurance Championships at Ocean Beach with a calm ocean and great weather throughout the event. For many, this was the first event of the season and provided athletes from all over NSW with a personal challenge as well as an opportunity to test their fitness in their chosen discipline against the leading competitors in NSW from U15s to over 50s.

This year the Championships attracted a record number of participants with over 400 entries received. The event was well supported by the masters competitors and also attracted some of Australia’s leading ironman and women, including Kellogg’s Nutri-grain competitors Tom Atkinson, Trent Martin, Tara Coleman and Amy Nurthen.

Open competitor Nathan Gray (Lennox Head) was biting at the heels of Nutri-grain competitors Tom Atkinson and Trent Martin, placing third in the Open Ironman and second in the Open Board. Josh Brown (Byron Bay) also looks to have retained his top form from last season, taking out the U15 Male Board and coming second in the Ironman.

In the first event of the day, the Open Male Surf Boat race only one second separated the North Cronulla crew and Austinmer crew as they crossed the line in first and second place, and the close races continued throughout the event.

Amy Nurthen (Terrigal) was victorious in the women’s Ironwoman event beating Tara Coleman (Maroubra) in a sprint to the finish, while in the men’s Ironman event, Tom Atkinson (Queenscliff) started his year well, winning the event ahead of Trent Martin (Avoca) in second place.

On the back of her Coolangatta Gold fourth placing, masters competitor Melinda Cockshutt (Port Macquarie) was a standout on the day, winning the Board, Beach Run and Ironwoman events in the 30-39 age group. Laura Thurtell (Forster) was another top performer on the day, winning the Surf Race and Ironwoman in the 40-49 age group.

Newport competitor Max Brooks won the U17 Male Ski and Ironman convincingly, while his team mate Fletcher Davies took out the U17 Male Board. Manly’s Cooper Krenkels also won the U15 Ironman, came second in the Surf Race, and third in the Board race.

Stewart McLachlan from Redhead also had a good day taking out the Open Male Board race and placing second in the Surf race. Also flying the flag for the Hunter Branch was Danielle Radford (Swansea Belmont) who placed second in the Open Female Ski and third in the Ironwoman.

Other notable performances included Lara Moses (North Cronulla) who won the U17 Ironwoman and came second in the Board race. Jake Little (Cronulla) won the Open Male Surf Race, sisters Alanna and Shivaun Street (Cronulla) took out the U19 and U17 Surf races respectively, and Sam Fowler (Cronulla) won the U15 Male Surf Race, came second in the Board race and fourth in the Ironman.

The special three-course meal from Head Chef Gavin Hughes is the culmination of the Resort’s month-long support for Movember. Guests will be joined by six sports stars as they dine and enjoy an auction of money-can’t-buy prizes. Proceeds will go to the Movember charity to raise awareness for men’s health, including depression and prostate cancer.

Guest speakers include legendary NRL coach Wayne Bennett, Peter Jacobs (who recently finished second in the gruelling Hawaii Ironman Triathlon) and world-famous surfer Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholomew.

Present also will be Trevor Hendy and Karla Gilbert, two of Australia’s all-time great surf lifesavers, and ex-NRL player and commentator Ben Ikin. Network Ten’s Brad McEwan will MC the event and oversee the auction of prizes.

Auction items include two event and camping tickets to Splendour in the Grass 2012, dinner for two with head chef Gavin Hughes, a complete spa indulgence package from The Byron at Byron, a round of golf with the resident professional at the Byron Bay Golf Course and an NRL State of Origin jersey signed by all players from the 2011 series.

The Byron at Byron will be supporting Movember for the entire month with male staff growing moustaches and seeking sponsorship.

The ‘Mo-Burger’ and ‘Mojito’ will be served in The Restaurant and ‘From Mo’s to Toes’ spa treatments will be available in the Spa and Wellness Centre.

Since the first annual Movember in 2003 The Movember Foundation has raised an astonishing $170+ million to improve habits and attitudes men have about their health. They seek to educate men about the health risks they face, thereby increasing the chances of early detection, diagnosis and treatment, specifically in regards to depression and prostate cancer.

The Byron at Byron Movember Charity Sports Lunch:

25th November, 12:00 noon, $95.00 per person

Alternatively, book a weekend for two including two nights accommodation in a Standard Suite, buffet breakfast daily and two tickets to the luncheon for $495 per person.

Bookings are essential. 02 6639 2111 or restaurant@thebyronatbyron.com.au

PICTURES: Wayne Bennett, Karla Gilbert and Trevor Hendy.

Australian and State gold medalist Josh Brown (Byron Bay), Murray Thomas (Lennox Head) and Ela Heiniger (Byron Bay) have been selected to participate in the High Performance program.
 
The High Performance program will act as a train on squad for the NSW Interstate Team and assist the NSW Interstate athletes and their coaches win back the prestigious Interstate Title from the Queenslanders.

“This is the highest quality squad we have had, almost every person medaled at State or Aussies last season. We received over 180 nominations for the squad and of that 53 have been selected. This squad of 53 will have be to trimmed down to 28 for the NSW team, so these guys will be training hard for the chance to wear the sky blue of NSW and bring home the gold,” said Chris Parker, SLSNSW Surf Sports Manager.

The camp will also provide elite NSW athletes with the development pathway in order to be selected in the Surf Life Saving Australia High Performance Team.

“It forms a vital pathway from club through to the elite level of competition giving competitors the skills and experience required to perform on a national level,” said Parker.

The High Performance Program will be led by Head Coach and NSW State Coach Jeff Mowbray and NSW State Assistant Coach Scott Jones.

The athletes will take part in a variety of physical training sessions in surf, beach and pool rescue disciplines as well as relevant theory sessions conducted by leading industry professionals in the field of sports performance. The team will also compete in Round 1 of the Sydney Water Series.