IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Get involved. Make a difference…and enjoy stimulating company.
ABC Friends Central Coast branch meets on the second Saturday of the month at the Elanora Hotel in East Gosford at 10.30 am. Meetings alternate between Committee and social meetings. And remember, Committee meetings are open to all ABCF Central Coast members.
Central Coast branch election activities
At the beginning of the 2025 Federal Election campaign the Central Coast branch of ABC Friends began campaigning on behalf of a fully independent and properly funded public broadcaster by attending the Ettalong Fresh Food Markets on Saturday 29th March. Five members of our branch committee attended, handing out campaign flyers, membership forms and flyers advertising our event on April 10th featuring Jonathan Holmes. We were encouraged by the interest shown by market customers, many of whom identified as ABC viewers and listeners. However, on more than one occasion, people expressed the opinion that the quality of the ABC's programs had deteriorated. We assured them that ABC Friends endeavour to contact the ABC whenever there are significant amounts of critical comment and that in many instances, reduced levels of funding have had a detrimental effect on its programming and staffing levels. People responded well to the points we made about the ABC's commitment to childrens' programing as well as its emergency broadcasts.
Along with our April 10th event, we will be continuing to campaign on the Central Coast with letter boxing, attending campaign forums and of course distributing ABCF material at pre-poll and polling stations in Robertson. Our sincere thanks to the management team at Ettalong Fresh Food Markets for providing us with the opportunity to distribute material and engage with customers.
Previous events
April 10 2025, ABC Friends Central Coast branch event with Jonathan Holmes.
We were fortunate to secure the current ABC Alumni Chair, Jonathan Holmes as our first guest speaker for 2025. Jonathan’s career includes 13 years with the BBC’s Current Affairs Group. For the ABC he has been an executive producer of Four Corners, Foreign Correspondent (as well as being a reporter on both programs) and the 7.30 Report, head of the ABC’s documentary department and one of the ABC’s Washington correspondents. From 2008 to 2013 Jonathan was the presenter of Media Watch . He retired from the ABC in 2013 and until 2016 wrote a regular column on media matters for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.
Jonathan’s speech focused on the current state of investment in the ABC in comparison to the past and the urgent need for the public broadcaster to receive greater certainty through a more sustainable funding process. He also referred to the challenges that the increasing popularity of and references to influencers, podcasters and commentators on social media platforms pose to journalism and trusted sources of reliable information. Jonathan made the following points with reference to research conducted by Dr Michael Ward of the University of Sydney.
ABC funding has declined steadily in real terms for 40 years. This decline corresponds with an increasing number of services that the ABC now provides to the public on both analogue and digital platforms. Funding declined substantially under Coalition governments from 2013 to 2022. The impact of that funding was severe, resulting in a decline in original Australian content on ABC TV. The Albanese Government has restored some funding and has plans to provide additional money over seven years. However, this amount would still not restore it to the level that existed prior to 2013. Jonathan referred to the increasing use of opinion rather than direct reporting on events in commercial media. This is occurring as the amount of misinformation and disinformation is increasing through social media platforms. More than ever the public need the sort of reliable, trusted and transparent reporting that the ABC can provide.
Following his talk Jonathan answered questions from our audience, drew our raffle and after a small presentation stayed on for lunch. We received some very positive feedback and look forward to engaging further with Central Coast residents about the issues and concerns that he and others at the ABC Alumni have raised. We appreciate Jonathan's preparedness to travel to the Central Coast and address our audience. Our thanks also to the Elanora Hotel for providing us with the use of their function room at no cost.
Ross McGowen, ABC Friends Central Coast Branch secretary.
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6 December 2024, Christmas lunch with Scott Levi Our annual Christmas lunch was held this year at the Elanora Hotel on Friday 6th of December. Our guest speaker was ABC Local Central Coast presenter, Scott Levi. Scott delivered a very entertaining address with anecdotes about his career which he said had been inspired by a request from his Principal to deliver a school address. He recalled being something of a nuisance to teachers due to his loquacity, however the Principal felt correctly that public speaking and communication were skills that Scott should take advantage of. Scott has been a broadcaster for over twenty years, commencing at 2KO in Newcastle and the 4AY Townsville. He has worked as a program director and breakfast presenter at 4LM Mt Isa, 2MC Port Macquarie, in the newsroom at 2WS, Sydney, 6IX in Perth, 2WG in Wagga and as a producer with ABC Riverina. During his time in Wagga Wagga Scott won a prestigious RAWARD (Commercial Radio Award) and received the Premier’s Award for Community Service. We appreciated Scott’s willingness to answer questions from our audience of around sixty people, present our lucky door prizes and stay on to have a chat to us all after the event. |
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August 29th 2024, Merilyn Vale |
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17 August 2024, Elizabeth W. Scott |
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April 2024, Anne Maria Nicholson
Anne Maria focussed on the current state of arts coverage in the media, as well as her work as a novelist. Anne Maria continues to be a passionate advocate for the arts and is critical of the neglect of the arts in ABC news bulletins. She noted the limited coverage devoted to First Nations artist Archie Moore, despite his award-winning work at this year’s Venice Biennale. Given the integral role the arts play in shaping our sense of ourselves, our national culture and our international awareness, the lack of arts reporting is difficult to understand. To quote our guest - ‘Informing and educating audiences about the arts remains an obligation under its charter for the ABC.’
December 2023, Pat Farmer
Ultra marathon athlete, former Federal politician, author and motivational speaker spoke to members and friends about his amazing 14,400 km run around Australia to raise awareness and support for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Voice to Parliament.
August, Helen Grasswill on ABC International
Helen Grasswill, from ABC Alumni, spoke to more than 50 ABC Friends at Green Point Community Centre about the history of ABC international reporting, particularly in the Pacific and SE Asia. She spoke of the short sightedness of federal government cuts and cancelled contracts, which have had a detrimental effect on our influence in the region. Helen emphasised how much more could be achieved with additional funding for ABC International programs. Developing its work and reach could extend relationships with the governments and populations of our neighbouring countries, and increase our understanding of their cultures and the issues that affect them. Helen’s paper ABC International Spreads its Wings explains the history of ABC International broadcasting, and its significance as an integral part of our diplomatic efforts, particularly in the Pacific and SE Asia. The Central Coast committee received very positive feedback on Helen's talk.
Saturday 8 July, Visit to East Gosford Rotary Garden
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ABC Friends Central Coast are reaching out to local community groups to raise our profile and to find ways to collaborate with each other. In the first of these initiatives, we visited the East Gosford Rotary Garden. The garden was started several years ago, and the gardeners have transformed a local park into a thriving community hub, producing a bountiful harvest of fresh vegetables annually. During the morning tea break we explained the purpose of ABC Friends and what we do. We discussed our hopes for organising events involving Gardening Australia personalities and having ABC Local radio assist with publicity or coverage. Our hosts welcomed us warmly and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the garden, delicious food, and hospitality. We all felt it was a very worthwhile initiative and look forward to socialising again in the future. |
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Saturday 15 April, The Voice to Parliament, David Harris, NSW Minister for Indigenous Affairs and Treaty
David spoke to a full house about the proposed constitutional change and establishment of a First Nations body to be decided by referendum later this year. A huge thank you is extended to David Harris who agreed to speak at very short notice after the Federal member for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid had to withdraw due to his being asked to represent the PM and the Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs Linda Burney at the United Nations. We also extend our sincere thanks to our wonderful events organiser, Sue Young and her partner Chris Moe (our branch Secretary) for planning and conducting such a successful community event on behalf of our organisation. More information about the Voice to Parliament can be found on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice web site.
Federal MP for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid spoke at the Christmas party, December 10
The Central Coast branch of ABC Friends held our annual Christmas party at the Elanora Hotel at East Gosford. Over thirty people attended a fabulous event with great food and conversations. The new Federal MP for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid, spoke about the Federal Government’s current program, including of course the ABC. Questions included reception issues, the selection process for the ABC Board, parliamentary friends of the ABC, refugees, the Voice to Parliament and the proposed referendum for its establishment. Gordon gave a very impressive off the cuff speech and answered questions directly, taking the time to speak to members and supporters at length and clarify issues. Our sincere thanks to our wonderful events manager, Sue Young, Bill Young for assistance with publicity, Elanora Hotel staff, Gordon Reid MP, Jo Lloyd (Gordon’s office manager) and finally thanks to everyone who attended, ensuring a successful event. Our attendees included Janine Kitson, the convenor of the Northern Suburbs branch and a fellow ABCF NSW/ACT committee member. We appreciate Janine taking time out from a busy schedule to attend and look forward to more opportunities for our branches to collaborate in the future.
Dr Gordon Reid, MP speaking to Central Coast ABC Friends; Dr Reid with Ross McGowen, Central Coast branch convenor
Johnathan Holmes presentation, April 6
Former ABC journalist and producer, Jonathan Holmes spoke to ABC Friends Central Coast in April this year. Jonathan’s last role at the ABC was acting as the presenter of Media Watch. He currently chairs the ABC Alumni, an organisation comprising former ABC staff members. The Alumni have worked alongside ABC Friends to promote the case for maintaining adequate funding and ensuring that the ABC’s editorial independence is respected. Jonathan focussed on how the ABC’s independence has been threatened by its critics, both within and outside parliament and the consequential loss of funding. He emphasised that the most recent offer essentially maintains current funding levels but does not overcome the shortfalls imposed by previous budget cuts and terminated contracts. An audience of over sixty people responded with interest and participated enthusiastically in the question-and-answer session that followed. Our branch would like to extend its thanks not only to Jonathan, but also to the staff at the Everglades Club at Woy Woy who were very obliging and helpful and enabled us to maintain our booking over an extended period. Our thanks are also extended to our audience of ABC Friends and supporters, many of whom had held their bookings over the same period throughout the pandemic.
Election campaigning for an independent and properly funded ABC
Prior to the election being called, our branch of ABC Friends was off and running in advocating for an independent and properly funded ABC.
We visited Gosford markets on successive weekends on the 17th and 24th April. Our group was encouraged by the responses we received from the public at the market to our flyers. They featured the issues of ABC impartiality and its role as an emergency broadcaster. Further encouragement was extended to Helen Matthews who distributed more flyers along the Esplanade at Ettalong Beach and to our ‘wobble boarding’ group who displayed posters promoting the ABC’s role along the Central Coast highway at the Gosford waterfront. The balance of the six hundred flyers were distributed through letterboxes, pre-polling stations and at the two candidates’ forums we attended at Wagstaffe Hall on the 30th of April and at the Red Tree Theatre, Tuggerah on the 1st of May. The forum at Tuggerah featured former ABC editorial director, Alan Sunderland who also gave a very insightful address on the issue of impartiality.
The next phase of our campaign was centred around the pre-polling and on election day at polling stations. Following the recommendations of the ABC Friends National and State Committees, we formulated a ‘how to vote’ flyer for those surveyed candidates who supported the ABC’s independence and more secure funding. Our survey was completed and returned by the Greens candidate, Shelly McGrath. We also received statements of support from Gordon Reid of the ALP and Jeff Lawson from the Indigenous Party of Australia. This support was acknowledged on the flyer. One thousand of these flyers were distributed at Gosford, Woy Woy and Erina prior to the election and at Kariong and Gosford on polling day.
The Federal election provided us with valuable opportunities to interact with the community and promote the ABC as an issue for voters to consider. My sincere thanks to all our members and supporters for contributing in whatever way they could to our cause throughout this period. I believe that the energy and commitment our branch displayed leading up to and including the election campaign has been recognised and acknowledged by our organisation. With the election decided, we took the opportunity to meet with ABCF members and ABC supporters on Saturday, July 9th to celebrate our efforts during the campaign along with the ninetieth anniversary of the ABC.