The Northern Rivers Times
January 11, 2024!!!
18 NEWS
How to get your home Bushfire ready “Leemo has views on just about anything”
THE NEW YEAR RESOLUTION CHAT ‘Come on Mum, tell me your New Year Resolution stuff so I can then assess how I might be affected, and if you may need to make adjustments.’ It’s ‘Leemo Cat’ having a talk with ‘Mum Jane’. As normal, her response was kinda what I had expected. ‘OK Leems, just for your information, I shall point out a valid fact about New Year Resolutions.’ (Aaargh, boring!!) ‘80% of New Year Resolutions are forgotten by February. Did you know that Leems? In other words I’m not wasting January on things that are quite likely NOT going to occur for either you or me. Gottit?’ Hmmm. Ponder. I shall move on. ‘OK, Mum, I’ll tell you MY Resolutions for 2024 anyhow, but then, you have to tell me yours.’ (She nodded with a complete lack of interest on her bored prune-like countenance) ‘Well, go ahead my boy, what ARE your Resolutions then?’ I took a deep exasperated sigh and started. ‘Mum, mine are as follows. I have 3 Resolutions. The 1st is that I must ALWAYS remember that you are a human; this puts you at a disadvantage compared to ME, a Feline. But, not to worry, I’ll look out for you. The 2nd is that I will appreciate more that humans need to sleep when it gets dark; I truly promise to TRY not noisily knock things off tables & bookshelves to wake you when I’m in need of a pat or a treat. I
shall instead, just softly (with intent,) poke your eyes with my velvety paws ‘till they open. My 3rd Resolution is I promise to try NOT to leave ‘presents’ outside the perimeter of my Litter Box ‘cos I know the frightful language you use when this happens after my joy at digging into and flinging ‘sand-like’ litter all over our laundry; like being at the beach.’ I looked at Mum in anticipation of a congratulatory word or pat. NUP, neither was bestowed. Hmmm? OK Mum, enlighten me as to your own Resolutions? She spoke AT me. ‘OK, if you INSIST. I have decided that if anyone asks me about my New Year Resolutions like you have, I shall reply that it is to spend far less time in trifling chatter and walk away. I shall also NOT even TRY to fold fitted sheets again; life is far too short. BUT, my truly and only genuine one Leems is the most important. It came from reading and contemplating the words of the human father to a puppy called ‘Clancy’, whose Dad Richard (Glover) wrote that he promised to ACCEPT himself EXACTLY for who and what he is as a person. In 2024 he will take joy in his occasional eccentricities; he will appreciate that his character qualities, both good and sometimes annoying to others, are inextricably linked, and he won’t allow the assessments of others upset him any more. I agree with ‘Clancy’s’ Dad Leems, and I reckon it is exactly what makes us humans what we are. The good and the annoying all mixed in come together, so to speak, in a quite acceptable end result. (like a cake that doesn’t rise perfectly but still tastes yummy!) Hmmm? My interpretive skills tell me Mum’s approach to life will be the same this year, if not worse, as it was last year. Crikey!! Time to ponder & meditate about this dilemma & find solutions. Nitey, & Happy 2024. Leemo.
University of NSW & FSA Firecoat With Australians being warned about one of the deadliest Bushfire seasons approaching, residents are being urged to get their homes bushfire ready now. Lyn Gunter is the former Mayor of Murrindindi Shire; she was Mayor at the time of the Black Saturday fires in Victoria when 173 people lost their lives. “Coming into this summer’s Bush Fire season we need to be doing more to protect our communities. Australia is the most fire prone country on the planet and being prepared is one of the key ways to try to avoid tragedy.” Prof. Guan Yeoh from the University of New South Wales Training Centre for Fire Retardant Materials and Safety Technologies, says Australians need to be better prepared for bushfires. “Flame Security International and the
University of New South Wales is developing ground breaking fire protection products with minimal environmental impact under the FIRECOAT brand,” said Prof. Yeoh. The top tips to protect Australian homes from Chartered Professional Fire Engineer Ben Ignis are: Clear vegetation and trees – Reducing the vegetation around your home is one of the most important things you can do when getting ready for bushfire season. The best place to start is to remove dead branches, leaves and undercoat. Depending on where you live though permits may have to be obtained. Contacting your local council is the best way to determine what can be cleared and what cannot. Use the world first fireproof paint, FIRECOAT - Use FIRECOAT, the first paint to protect in extreme bush fire conditions. Paint you your house, sheds, decking, fences or any
other property you need to protect. This product has been created in Australia in conjunction with world leading scientists and engineers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW). The non-toxic paint which has passed stringent testing both here and around the globe is a world first and now available for consumer purchase from Bunnings. Pre-pack for an emergency and know your location – Pack an emergency survival kit for yourself and your family. This may include fresh clothing, which include portable batteryoperated radio and waterproof torch with spare batteries, candles and waterproof matches, first aid kit and manual, at least 3 litres of water per person, waterproof bags ready for valuables, cash and ATM or credit cards, medications, and toiletries, mobile phone charger. Also, draw up an evacuation plan for family and pets that designates an assembly
point, responsibilities, and transport. Not everyone responds calmly in a crisis, so regular practice of the evacuation drill with the whole family is important preparation. Check windows and screens - Your home is your safe haven and a place that does not welcome fire. Fire can creep in though, quite literally through cracks in window and door fittings. Fire knows no boundaries and will spread itself wherever there is oxygen to nourish it, with your house no exception. Embers are the perfect size to billow into your home through gaps and crevasses in your windows and doors you may not have previously thought to cover. Assuage unwanted cinder with wire screens that are not only fire resistant but also block impinging fire threats. A good screen installation company will be able to fit out your windows and doors within a day.
Shed with FSA Firecoat paint vs shed without in controlled real life burn situation
Wings and Wheels Donation to Grafton Base Hospital Oncology Unit From the Grafton Aero Club “Yesterday I presented a cheque for $3,000.00 to the Oncology Unit at Grafton Base Hospital from donations made by the public and participants of the 2023 Wings and Wheels event. Kerrie-Anne advised that it would be spent on something to make life more pleasant for the patients.”
From left to right Cherie Shiels (green top), Kevin Wilson (Secretary/Treasurer GAC), Kerrie-Anne Falla, (head of Oncology, blue top) and Bec Gilkinson (red top).
