Lifeguards from Central Coast Council will compete for the top honours at the annual Lifeguard Challenge at Terrigal Beach tonight.With action commencing at 6.30pm, competitors will contend individually in the Howard Jones Memorial Mission, and in teams to take out the coveted Cook Cup trophy.Beginning in 1982, the annual Lifeguard Challenge was previously a friendly display of sporting rivalry between lifeguards from the former Gosford and Wyong councils.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said with the formation of the Central Coast Council in May last year, the 2017 event sees a continuation of the 35-year tradition, with a fresh approach.“This year’s event sees a focus on collaboration and camaraderie among all athletes,” said Mr Reynolds.“Creation of teams for the Cook Cup will be through a random selection process, with competitors drawn from a hat.“For the first time in its 35-year history, the Lifeguard Challenge will be conducted with both former local government service areas competing together as one.”Community members are invited to come along and cheer on their favourite competitors.

Australia Day on the Central Coast is more than just celebrating the great country we live in - it’s also a chance to recognise the unsung heroes.For the first time on the Central Coast, the annual Australia Day Awards were open to entries from across the region, seeing residents nominated for their outstanding dedication to our community.This year’s inaugural Citizen of the Year went to Mr Lester Pearson of Fountaindale - a man who has given countless hours to those less fortunate.Lester has been volunteering for more than 30 years across a range of projects, with his latest passion focused on helping local youth.He is a great example of how volunteering can make a difference in a community and has been instrumental in setting up a number of foundations to support our youth in crisis as well as those overseas.Lester and his wife, Sue, established Coats for Kids through their dry cleaning business collecting and cleaning more than 5000 coats, jackets and jumpers for Youth off the Streets programs to help keep young ones warm in winter.His most recent achievement, the establishment of Save Our Kids (SOKS) has saved more than 190 young lives across the Central Coast since it started in 2013.Lester conceived the idea of SOKS to address the issue of youth suicide on the Coast, through raising funds for Lifeline.

With the 2017 school year kicking off this week, Central Coast Council is reminding residents to slow down near schools and put the safety of children first.Friday 27 January is a gazetted school day which means 40km zones will be back in force, as will parking zones around schools.Parking zones around schools are in place for the safety of children, but also assist with traffic flow during busy drop off and pick up times – minimising possible sight obstructions.As the school term begins, Council Rangers and Parking Officers will carry out extra patrols to enforce parking restrictions around schools, ensuring a safe start to the new school year.Council is encouraging everyone to take care when driving through school zones, stick to the speed limit, follow directions from crossing supervisors and avoid any dangerous manoeuvres.Double Demerits will also be in force from Wednesday 25 until Sunday 29 January 2017 (inclusive) and will apply if a motorist is caught speeding in a designated school zone on Friday 27 January.For more information on how to park safely around schools, visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

Wednesday 25 January 2017GosfordMortimer Lane, part of William Street and the Eliza Street Car Park in and around Gosford’s Kibble Park will be closed from 2pm until 11.30pm.Free parking will be available in the Gosford Town Centre (open until 10.30pm) and Imperial Shopping Centre (open until 10pm) car parks.Thursday 26 January 2017WagstaffeMulhall Street in Wagstaffe (between the Wagstaffe ferry wharf and Wagstaffe Avenue) will be closed from 7am until 12pm.Pearl BeachPearl Parade (between Tourmaline Avenue and Amethyst Avenue) will be closed from 5am until 12pm.The Entrance Marine Parade Car Park will be closed to the public all day.The Entrance Road north bound at Victoria Avenue and Ocean Parade will be closed from 5pm – 10pm along with Marine Parade, Beach Street and Coral Street (east of Duffys Lane).