RISING STAR IN THE FASHION WORLD

By Samantha Elley

Jahna Lugnan is no ordinary Year 12 student.

While many of her peers may be wondering what they will study or work at in a career once the HSC is over, the young Bundjalung and Gumbaynggirr woman is slowly mapping out an interesting path.

“Jahna is a First Nations model and has been selected by First Nations designer Colleen Tighe Johnson, to be her model at the New York Fashion Week on the Flying Solo Runway,” said proud mum, Sarah Bolt.

While Jahna has done some modelling and fashion photoshoots, early next month will be the frst time she will walk out on the international stage and as the only and frst First Nations model.

“Jahna is currently a part of the Quantum Leap or QL2 Production Dance Company in Canberra,” said Sarah.

“As well as Dream Danz in Canberra and a member of the Nini Nahri-Gali Dance Troupe in Lismore where she performs traditional and contemporary Aboriginal dance.”

Sarah runs a fashion business called Guyamgan Bahna Fashion that Jahna has been involved with, so it is no wonder that fashion and modelling are in her

Huge Penalties Apply If Fire Ant Emergency Order Is Breached

By Sarah Waters

Individuals and companies’ risk being fned over a million dollars if they breach the Biosecurity (Fire Ant) Emergency Order which has been made to prevent fre ants from crossing into NSW.

to $1.1 million for an individual and up to $2.2 million for a corporation.

“NSW has already committed $95 million over the next four years to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program.

Chris Cherry said increased surveillance of fre ants was critical in the Tweed, where thousands of residents cross the border daily.

blood.

“Colleen is in awe of Jahna at the moment as she holds her stance,” said Sarah.

“Even though she is very shy, once on the world,” she said of her daughter.

“She is already starting to experience the dance and modelling professional life.

“Between working she

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) issued the Emergency Order to restrict the movement of materials that can bring the ant into NSW.

Materials such as mulch, soil, hay, sand, gravel, turf, potted plants, earthmoving and agricultural machinery cannot be moved from within a 5km radius of a detected fre ant site, without inspection and certifcation by Queensland authorities.

NSW Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty announced there would be additional vigilance over fre ant surveillance during a visit to Tweed Heads last Wednesday.

“We are throwing everything at our efforts to stop fre ants in their tracks because we know the potential impact they could have on our health, our lifestyle and our economy if they crossed the border into NSW,” she said.

The cross-border taskforce will involve a coordinated approach between NSW and Queensland authorities. Offcers have been granted stop and search powers to inspect vehicles with anything specifc to fre ant carrier materials.

Site inspections will be conducted on both sides of the NSW/QLD border.

“We have a thriving farming community and a strong tourism industry and its imperative we all play our part to ensure we keep this invasive pest out of the region,” Ms Cherry said.

“It is up to every one of us to know what fre ant nests look like and if they detect a suspect nest, contact authorities immediately.”

Residents are urged to visit the NSW Government website to check entry requirements for moving products into NSW from any fre ant biosecurity zone in Queensland: www.dpi. nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/ insect-pests/fre-ants runway, Jahna is very professional and very confdent.”

To help Jahna and Colleen’s Buluuy Mirrii team get to New York, Sarah said they have established a GoFundMe account in the hopes of raising money for the airfares and accommodation.

“This is her prime time fnalising Year 12 and going out into the big also wants to teach dance with QL1 Productions and Dream Danz.

“Her school (Erindale in Canberra) has asked her to teach dance too.”

If you would like to help Jahna, Colleen and the team achieve success in New York, please feel free to visit https:// www.gofundme.com/f/ frst-nation-designer-tohit-nyfw-fying-solo and make a donation.

Clarence museum to reopen soon

The Clarence River Historical Society is close to re-opening its headquarters, Schaeffer House, at the end of the month.

Society president, Steve Tranter said the museum has been closed for renovations and is programmed to reopen on August 29.

He said there would be further notices to alert the public to plans for the re-opening.

“The Museum is undergoing a complete makeover and will welcome your next visit,” he said.

“In the meantime, research enquiries will be attended to by phone and email.”

The public can contact the museum by phone on 66425212, Tues/ Wed/Thur & Sundays

1 – 4pm

Minister Moriarty was joined by biosecurity compliance experts, including National Fire Ant Eradication Program executive Ashley Bacon, NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Stephen Hegarty and representatives from the NSW DPI to discuss a cross-border task force.

Biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of fre ants into NSW have been ramped up as rising seasonal demand for livestock feed and landscaping supplies increase the risk of the invasive pest being inadvertently carried across the border.

Minster Moriarty said the best defence to fre ants was individual responsibility and everyone observing the rules around the safe movement of materials.

“It’s important that everyone is aware of how they can help prevent the spread of these invasive pests,” Ms Moriarty said.

“Where appropriate, we will work with agencies such as NSW Police on enforcement activities, with the penalties (for breaching the Emergency Order) ranging from up

Fixed camera systems normally used to conduct livestock movement at key road crossings between the two states will be used for surveillance.

Specially trained sniffer detection dogs will also be used to respond to reports of suspected fre ant activity.

Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said the new taskforce would complement the work of the National Fire Ant Eradication Program as well as the Queensland Government’s Fire Ant Suppression Taskforce.

“If we give up the fght against fre ants, Australia faces economic costs of up to $2 billion every year, forever,” Mr Furner said.

National Fire Ant Eradication Program executive Ashley Bacon said eradication of fre ants was still possible but required a whole-ofcommunity approach.

“Community, business, industry and all levels of government all have a legal responsibility to look for, report and stop the spread of fre ants, including by treating and mitigating the risk of moving the pest,” Mr Bacon said.

Tweed Shire Mayor

A map showing all fre ant detection sites in Queensland over the past 12 months is published on the National Fire Ant Eradication Program website: www.freants. org.au/stop-the-spread/ freantmap

Fire ants can look similar to other ants, but their nests are distinctive with mounds of loose, crumbly or fuffy-looking soil with a honeycomb appearance, up to 40 cm high, with no obvious entrance holes. Fire ants are dark reddish-brown with a darker black-brown abdomen and are from two to six millimetres long. They are very aggressive and will swarm out of the nest if gently poked with a stick. If people are stung, the multiple stings fre ants infict form white pustules within 48 hours.

Look for them in sunny open areas, including lawns, parks, school grounds, sports felds, golf courses, gardens, foreshores, paddocks, disturbed soil and roadsides.

Anyone who suspects fre ants on their property is urged not to disturb the nest but to call the NSW DPI immediately on 1800 680 244 to report the incident.

Love blooms on the high seas

Title: A Rose in the Garden

Author: Annie Chandler-Cummings

Price: $22.95

Publisher: Shawline

Publishing

By Samantha Elley

We are now in the third book of the Flower Quartet series where we watch the love life of Rose, the mother of Daisy and Poppy and daughter of Lily, unfold.

Widowed at a very young age, Rose has accepted there was only one true love of her life and is happy to not awaken any further attempts at romance.

at does not seem to be the thinking of whatever, or whoever, is in charge of her love life.

As her 50th birthday rolls around Rose is given a cruise by her family, which she takes with her good friend Linda.

A friendship with the ship’s captain’s father, Leon, is innocent enough and adds laugh-