By MARGARET DEKKER
There’s no other way to put it except carnage. Carnage in broad, harsh daylight.
Walking 50-metres from one car park near Black Rocks to the next heading south towards Wooyung, and illegal dumping abounds - in all its disgusting forms.
.. The unsanitary human ‘dumps’ with tell-tale sodden toilet tissue half-buried in the scrub; the dumped green plastic bags of dog ‘dumps’ - one hurled on a limb and still dangling, sweating in the hot morning sun; the horse ‘dumps’ piled up on the walking track; the dumped garden waste - one trailer-load emptied in the corner of the car park, another tipped over the Council fence, each bringing more introduced soil, noxious weeds – think Asparagus weed, ‘Morning Glory’ or Coral Creeper - and insidious vines and seed banks to the natural ecology; and the dumped debris from households, picnics or yet another big night around an illegal fre in the bush. Goodness, there’s even an oil ‘dump’ from a greaseand-oil change done in the carpark.
“It’s pretty devastating for the local biodiversity,” Bill Hoskins Pottsville Dune Care Coordinator said.
“Every weekend, most of these carparks will be full of people camping, lighting fres, it’s not a very pleasant place to be.”
Speaking of fres, we count four recently extinguished. In just 50-metres. (Just as well it’s not dry ...)
Pearson, we walk over to the beach. Overnight a 4WD has driven off the emergency access track and across the
in pole position. The campfre’s aftermath of hidden, broken glass and charred native timber is a stark reminder of the crimes here, against this precious coastline.
After 25-years of journalism, even I am shocked by the extent of trouble in just one patch of Pacifc paradise.
It’s an irony not lost on stalwart volunteer Bill Hoskins, the coordinator of Pottsville Dune Care.
“They visit this part of the coast because it is a little bit remote, it’s a little bit daggy and there are still so many natural qualities that people look for, that they want to get away from the concrete and busyness of the Gold Coast and Byron Bay, but it’s slowly being loved to death,” Bill Hoskins said.
to ‘potty humour’ (literally, here in Pottsville) to cope with the dirty setting.
“That’s an ongoing issue as well for us, as a workplace it’s pretty hard work because you’re constantly
But still, they park-up in droves.
The cumulative toll of these ‘innocent’ camps and their fres, foodstuffs, rubbish, toileting and showering on the sustainability of this unique coastal environment, are endless and some not so obvious.
“What happens, for example, campers come along and remove dead timber which is important for habitat and important for maintaining biodiversity of the bush,” Bill Hoskins explained.
But the number-one threat remains domestic garden waste.
“By far the biggest impact is local people and their contractors, dumping their garden waste in the dunes, that has the biggest impact on biodiversity.
“People are just too lazy - ‘why don’t we
Together with Bill and fellow volunteers, Terry Clarke, and Roger
sensitive dune network to park up and light up the latest illegal bonfre
While volunteering their time, skills and experience every week, dune-carers like Bill, Terry, and Roger resort
dodging where people have gone to the toilet,” Bill Hoskins Pottsville Dune Care Co-ordinator said.
When they haven’t been vandalised or removed, Tweed Shire Council signs – “No Parking 11pm–5am” make it clear overnight camping is not allowed.
just go and dump it in the dunes!’ and the impact that has on biodiversity is immense. There’s one little plant called Coral Creeper that somebody had in their garden at some stage in the past and they’ve dumped it in just about every carpark on this bit of
coast, and while it’s not a signifcant weed at the moment, it has the potential to be one.
“Which in the longterm is going to have a potential signifcant impact on the coast because if you don’t have a natural, native banksia forest which has got a large biomass protecting the dunes, and all you’ve got are
these crappy weeds, the dunes are a lot less resilient and able to cope with major storm events and erosions, so we have to keep on top of the weeds,” Bill Hoskins said.
Bill has spent 9-years trying to keep this stunning stretch of ‘now-not-so-secret’ coastline clean.
Pottsville Dune Care
has been at it for three decades.
“You’ll never beat the weeds entirely but if you can tip the balance in favour of the native plants, that’s what we try to do so that they get a chance to hang on,” he said.
As the three men point toward the bigger challenge of suburban crawl, a swelling Tweed Coast population and the growing stream of visitors and campers, priced-out of neighboring coastal ‘hoods and caravan
parks.
“It’s certainly under pressure, particularly with issues around affordable housing for people and there are some genuinely homeless people along here, and that starts to impact on the bush, and in the last ten years I’ve been here, there’s been a signifcant increase in the number of people visiting this part of the coast.” Bill Hoskins said.
It’s a subtle but looming crisis, with Tweed Shire Council’s
capacity already stretched and no easy solution in sight.
“Council has limited resources. You could put additional rangers on to deal with the problem but that would mean an additional cost to ratepayers.
“It’s the people themselves who are doing the wrong thing that we need to somehow target, it’s not just a compliance thing. If we could somehow educate everybody as to the impacts of their activities on the bush,
but that’s a diffcult thing,” Bill Hoskins
Pottsville Dune Care Coordinator told The Northern Rivers Times.
And there’s another real and pressing factor.
“The problem we have is we’re old, the average age is over 60 ... and there aren’t any younger people coming along who are interested in doing the work or taking it over, that’s the big issue we have,” Bill Hoskins, Pottsville Dune Care Coordinator said.
Sadly, one of many.
Graftonians have a saying to describe the swift passage of the second half of the year: July Carnival, Jacaranda, Christmas.
And in the time it takes a purple blossom to drop, the second of those is almost upon us.
Offcially the Jacaranda Festival dates are October 28 to November 6, but there are far too many opportunities available to ft them all in that time.
Already – as a tribute to the memory of Queen Elizabeth – the purple Jacaranda Crown lights up the Clocktower in Prince St, a month ahead of schedule.
And at the weekend Westlawn residents enjoyed the performances at Jacarok booming out at the race track.
On Saturday many will be frocked and suited up for the Jacaranda Ball at the Grafton PCYC.
Popular covers group The McKenzie Big Band have been booked for the evening and Erin Brown from Vines@39 is catering.
Tickets at $120 a head, which include a complimentary welcome drink canapés, main meal and dessert, are still available and can be bought online on the www.jacarandafestival. com webpage. As a bonus, every sixth ticket in a group booking entitles the table to a bottle of bubbles to share. The fun kicks off at 6pm.
Fans of the purple fower are in for a treat next week when See
Park lights up at night, revealing the spectacular night time show the trees put on.
Clarence Valley Council shone lights on the trees for the frst time last Jacaranda and it was one of the highlights of the festival.
The lights will stay on until November 10, but for the frst three evenings there will be entertainment and food trucks at the park.
And keep your camera and phone handy for a chance to take part in the Bendigo Banks Snap Shire Win competition.
For the duration of the festival if you take a picture you think captures the spirit of Jacaranda, post in online and tag it @Grafton Jacaranda Festival and @BendigoBank for a chance to win.
Another unoffcial event of Jacaranda is spotting the frst blooms.
Unsurprisingly as climate change takes effect the blooms have come earlier each year, although not always in the same fashion.
A traditional early bird has been the tree opposite the Pound St entrance to the Food Emporium, which beats the rest of the city’s trees by around a week in getting a fell head of blooms.
Arborists say it’s likely it benefts from the refection from both the Emporium and the big windows of the Grafton Library.
Although it again bloomed earlier than most this year, sharpeyed observers spotted another phenomenon, small individual sprays
of jacarandas blooming well ahead of the the rest of the tree.
Some were spotted in the frst week of September and were only confned to one or two branches.
The early blooming jacaranda has not been confned to Grafton.
Scientists at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, decided this phenomenon, known as phenological shift, deserved more investigation.
In September each year,
South Africa’s Gauteng province turns purple.
The cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria are well covered with trees –and jacarandas are a prominent part of this urban forest.
Elderly residents who have lived in Gauteng their whole life remember jacarandas did not always fower in September.
In the 1920s and 1930s, the trees only started to bloom in mid-November.
Gradually over the decades, the date of
bloom has advanced through October to the early weeks of September.
One of the investigators, Jennifer Fitchett, wrote of their fndings last year.
“We mined these sources to compile a list of fowering dates of jacaranda trees spanning 1927-2019,” she said.
“The advance in fowering took place against a backdrop of warming temperatures, ranging from 0.1-0.2°C per decade for daily maximum temperatures
and a more rapid 0.2-0.4°C per decade for daily minimum temperatures. Rainfall changes during this time were less uniform.”
The scientist said if plants fower too early in the year, they were at risk of frost damage during the late winter months, and often do not complete their dormancy. But they warned these shifts cannot continue indefnitely.
“At a critical threshold, the fowering season will become unsuccessful,” she wrote.
Prison offcers at Australia’s largest jail, the Clarence Correctional Centre, south of Grafton, have walked off the job for the second time in 10 days.
Members of the Public Service Association, notifed prison owners, Serco, that members would strike from 8am to 6pm on Monday.
The union assistant general secretary Troy Wright said workers were incensed at Serco’s refusal to improve safety standards and pay rates after over two years of negotiations, which have culminated in industrial action.
He said offcers at the centre, which included a maximum-security division, are paid $26.88 an hour and have been negotiating for two years for a new pay deal with Serco.
“These men and women put their own safety on the line every day for the rest of us. It’s not right to ask them to do that for the same pay as they’d make scanning
shovels at Bunnings,”
Mr Wright said.
“Serco is a massive multinational with incredibly deep pockets. It can easily afford to pay these workers the same rates as those who work in public prisons. Instead Serco have stonewalled us for two years of negotiations.
“I think Serco fgured these prison offcers would just fold in the end. Well, I hope they understand how wrong they were. We won’t stop
fghting until we achieve a fair outcome.”
Mr Wright said the Clarence Valley community would support the workers who do a diffcult, but vital job.
“Very few of us ever want to set foot in a prison, let alone work in one. But it’s vital work that has to be done,” he said.
“And those who put up their hand for it shouldn’t have to struggle to feed their
families.
“The dismal pay and conditions that Serco offer means they can’t recruit or retain staff. So the jail is regularly short-staffed. Some nights there are just four offcers on duty. It’s a disaster waiting to happen.”
Mr Wright said although the workers were being short changed, the company benefted from the worker shortage.
“This is a private
prison, so one perverse aspect of the chronic understaffng is that every time Serco don’t fll a shift, that’s more proft they make, and that’s just wrong,” he said.
“My message to Serco today is clear: stop playing silly buggers, sit down with the union, offer them a fair wage. They deserve it and the Grafton community deserves it.
“We know any pay rise won by prison offcers will fow straight through the economy of this region which desperately needs it. And I bet Serco’s shareholders won’t notice one way or the other. So let’s get a deal done.”
The Clarence Correctional Centre and Serco have been contacted for comment, but did not respond before the paper’s deadline. Those responses will be published next week.
A Serco spokesperson said Serco respects the right of union members to participate in protected action and
we have operational response plans ready to implement to ensure the safety and security of the Centre is maintained and there is minimal operational impact.
Clarence Correctional Centre has appropriate staffng levels for the inmates accommodated at the centre.
Serco has met with the union and employee representatives on several occasions over the past 18 months to negotiate an enterprise agreement that will increase correctional offcers’ pay.
Serco have invited the union to re-commence negotiations several times in order to reach an agreement in a fair and reasonable manner; however, they continue with their plan to conduct industrial action.
We are committed to further discussions regarding the pay for our offcers and have been fair and reasonable in all offers made to the union and our employee representative
A signifcant increase in student numbers at Lismore High School has prompted a reminder for motorists to take extra care around the school dropoff and pick-up zones, particularly before and after school.
The call comes following news Richmond River High School will not reopen after the devastating foods of February and March, meaning hundreds of additional students are attending Lismore High School on Dalley Street.
Acting Regional Director North Dan Champness said Transport for NSW had employed a school crossing supervisor on a temporary basis to help improve safety for the student population, particularly primary school children using this crossing, but motorists also had an important role to play in keeping students safe.
“We are urging everyone to slow down,” Mr Champness said.
“This school has never been so busy, so motorists need to take extra care around the school zone.
“There has been enough tragedy resulting from these foods and although school zones are one of the safest places on the NSW road network, we’re reminding all road users to stick to the signposted 40km/h speed limit around the school.
“Be extra careful,
particularly near the bus stop and school crossings.
“When bus lights fash, it is vital everyone slows down to 40km/h because this means a bus is picking up or dropping off children.
“The bus zone is located within the 40km/h school zone so drivers are required to travel at 40km/h at all times within the school zone time period, whether buses are there or not.
“Higher fnes and demerit points apply for certain offences committed in an active school zone, such as speeding, parking, or stopping illegally, using a mobile phone illegally and illegal U-turns.
“Please don’t put our kids’ lives at risk.
“Just a bit over can be te difference between being able to stop in time or not at all.”
In addition to the appointment of a temporary school crossing supervisor, Transport for NSW has also upgraded signage notifying motorists of the school zone and, as a short-term measure, installed electronic message boards to get drivers’ attention.
Motorists may not be aware of the increase in student population at the school and the increased risks at the crossing. Transport for NSW is advising all road users to take extra care at Lismore High School.
128-years after it frst opened to great fanfare, the Dunbible Creek Rail Bridge at Dunbible south of Murwillumbah is ready to carry across a new era of adventurers, after a major renovation as part of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail development.
The restoration of this and another heritagelisted rail bridge at Mooball, signal the start of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail is nearing.
To mark the milestone, Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry, and Member for Tweed Geoff Provest visited the historic Dunbible Creek Rail Bridge last Friday, Cr Cherry even ‘test-riding’ the new Rail Trail experience.
“You can sense the excitement building in the community as we start the countdown to the rail trail opening early next year and will be a great addition to our vibrant community,” Cr Cherry said.
The old Dunbible Creek Rail Bridge and Burringbar Under Bridge No.1 frst opened in 1894 and are two of the largest and most historically signifcant landmarks along the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.
The rail bridges have been fully restored to their former grandeur under the guidance of some of Australia’s leading rail restoration experts.
Tweed Mayor Chris Cherry said the bridge restorations will complete full access to 24-kilometres of the
nature-flled trail, taking in some of the most beautiful parts of the Tweed Valley.
“The rail trail will not only be an incredible way to experience nature in the Tweed, it will also preserve some of the important railway heritage which is exemplifed by the most grand and newlyrestored heritage-listed bridges at Dunbible and Mooball,” Cr Chris Cherry, Tweed Shire Mayor said.
Member for Tweed Geoff Provest agreed it was wonderful to see the remarkable historical landmarks restored to their former 1890s glory.
“I applaud the project team for their commitment to restoring our history and to delivering a high-quality recreational asset for the community and visitors to enjoy for decades to come,” Mr Provest said.
“The rail trail will be a priceless public asset not only for activities like cycling and walking but also because it will underpin new business opportunities and support local jobs in the Tweed,” he added.
Prior to the restoration
works, trees and vegetation had grown over and obscured parts of Dunbible Creek Rail Bridge and it was deemed unsafe for public use.
The complex restoration process took about 5 months and was completed under the guidance of steel treatment experts, including the team behind steel-treating the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It involved workers using reverse pressure enclosed scaffolding to protect themselves and the environment while removing the old lead paint and applying the state-of-the-art steel preservation treatment.
Dunbible Creek Rail Bridge is a classic example of the American-inspired steel-through-truss bridges that became a hallmark of the North Coast Railway Line after it opened in 1894.
The restoration of the Upper Burringbar Underbridge No.1 near Mooball, a bolted plate girder bridge, also involved complex preservation works.
Construction will now continue to fnalise
the approaches to both bridges with fnishing works to include new balustrades and decking.
Project Director Iain Lonsdale said the Tweed section of the rail trail was on track to open early in 2023.
“The Tweed section of the rail trail between Murwillumbah and Crabbes Creek is looking fantastic, and the contractors are well on the way to completing the earthworks, bridge restorations and installation of the gravel surface,” Mr Lonsdale said.
“In the next and fnal phase of works, the focus will shift to works in and around the villages of Burringbar, Crabbes Creek and South Murwillumbah.
“Anticipation is defnitely building in the community with a lot of people making plans about how they will enjoy the trail and take advantage of the many opportunities it presents.”
Funding for the Tweed section was provided by the Australian Government, under its Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Package Fund, and NSW Government’s Restart NSW fund.
For project updates and more information about the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, visit yoursaytweed.com.au/ railtrail.
Still no carpet and electrical works have been delayed, which means a very slow internet, much to the frustration of my gameplaying son. He should be studying anyway!
It is amazing how like a row of dominoes, renovating a house has become. Until we get the carpets, we can’t put the internal doors in, as we need to know the height
of the pile. Once the carpet is laid, we can put in the skirting boards, doors and get all the extra furniture we need.
Our small step ladder and upturned tubs are acting as bedside and coffee tables until the carpet comes. I won’t let the plastic come off our new lounge suite until the carpet comes and the fnal paint touches won’t be happening, you
guessed it….until the carpet comes.
Then there is our vanity. Luckily we have the kitchen sink to brush our teeth and perform all morning ablutions, but it will be an undescribed luxury when we will be able to have that space back…along with a new toilet.
The mountain of clothes and linen that were in storage and
reeked of mothballs has now been scaled. The strong plastic bags the new pillows and doona covers came in have been effectively recycled and now hold the overfow of items until we have shelving in the wardrobes and linen closets again.
We have also been decluttering what little we have. While we carried a car load of clothes
and linen to the local op shop, we did come home with appliances and utensils urgently needed in our kitchen, so not sure if we actually won the de-cluttering stakes there.
I lay in bed the other morning counting the amount of tasks still needing to be done, but realised I should be thankful for what has already been done and
face each task one at a time. The reason why I sign off with ‘Little steps’ each column, is because sometimes the whole staircase is just too overwhelming. I just want to take it one step at a time.
So, to my fellow food survivors…. Little steps.
There haven’t been a lot of happy stories to come out of the foods that ravaged the Northern Rivers in the past year, but Lismore musician David Birch has one.
It does come with a qualifer. David lost most of his belongings when the February 28 foods hit Lismore and his move to Grafton has separated him from the friends he made in the region over 20+ years of living and performing.
But on the whole he feels like he has been extraordinarily lucky.
The temporary housing site at the Southern Cross University (SCU) Lismore campus is almost complete, with food-affected residents set to begin moving in later this month.
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the site consists of 52 dwellings and has the capacity to house more than 200 people.
“Housing is one of our biggest challenges in the Northern Rivers, especially with persistent rain delaying construction, but we’re continuing to push forward with these housing sites to provide people with a safe and secure roof over their heads,” Ms Cooke said.
“Residents in Lismore have shown so much resilience since the February-March food
event and I’m really pleased that people will soon be able to transition into this mediumterm housing solution.
“Lismore residents are being prioritised for this site, recognising the importance of helping people live as close to their original home and community as possible while they continue through the recovery journey.”
Potential residents are undertaking inspections of the site through the contracted community housing provider, before taking residence from mid-October onwards.
The site is expected to be used for two to three years, and is one of 11 being established in the Northern Rivers region.
Seven months on from that dreadful Monday he fnds himself living in a three-room fat in Grafton, with barely any possessions, no car and his existence turned upside down, but thinking life is looking up.
“I can’t explain how I got here,” he said. “At some stage I flled out a lot of forms and this opportunity came up to relocate to Grafton. So I took it.”
David said like the way the foodwater rose in his rented room in a Lismore pub, things happened fast.
“It came up so fast,” he said of his experience in the food. “It was so quick you could watch it rise minute by minute.
“I didn’t know what I was going to do, then suddenly there was this guy in a tinny outside telling us to get in.”
His rescuer took him to the gymnasium at Southern Cross University, where he was allocated a couple of metres foorspace along with about 300 other
people.
David was forced to leave most of his clothes, his bedding and his extensive music collection to the foodwater, but he did grab his most treasured possession.
“I couldn’t take much, but I made sure I had my guitar,” he said.
“As long as I have my guitar, I’ll be all right. I can always get out on the street and busk and get enough money to buy myself a feed.”
For a musician who once fronted The Nightcap Band and put out a CD of his songs, Byron Journey, in the 1990s, busking on the streets was a distant memory.
“I can remember busking on the streets outside Woolworths in Kings Cross, but that was a long time ago,” he said.
Even longer ago, David and his family moved to Australia from Somerset, the home of cider.
“I was 14. We were living in a little village near Bristol, called Uphill,” he said. “My life’s been uphill all the way, you could say.”
David said he still
feels traumatised by the foods, but it doesn’t compare to what some people experienced.
“It affected people in different ways,” he said. “I met a woman who had lost her home and was staying at university gym with her fve-year-old son.
“The little boy refused to get into the shower.
Something about the sound of falling water made him think it would food again and he would freak out.
“That’s trauma. That’s the sort of things people are dealing with in Lismore now.”
David said what he loved about coming to Grafton was how “normal” people were.
“To be fair I’m probably still traumatised myself,” he said. “But it’s so nice when you go out for a walk – and because I don’t have a car I that happens a lot –you say hello and people smile and say hello.
“If you get into a conversation you talk about anything, not going over and over what happened in the food and how bad everything is.
“And don’t get me
wrong, everything is bad, absolutely terrible. But if you’re lucky enough to be out of it, the relief is fantastic.”
David said he was appalled at the number of people still left homeless after the foods.
“When you’ve got somewhere permanent to stay it’s such a relief. I can only feel for all those people who are still homeless.
“The response has been way too slow. When you think there are still people living in tents and their cars after the fres a few years ago, it makes you angry.”
David said when he got out the recovery was underway, but that was also stressful.
“The army was there, with bulldozers and backhoes clearing out the streets,” he said.
“Everyone’s belongings were just piled up in the streets to be carted away to the rubbish dump.
“There were fridges and industrial gas canisters foating around in the water. It was a torrid time.”
But David said now his walks, which ironically often take him to the banks of the Clarence River in Grafton, where we met at the weekend, were calming.
“Look at this scene,” he said. “It’s so peaceful. Grafton has such wide streets, I call them avenues.
“It just feels so far removed from where I’ve just come from.
“I have somewhere where my sister can come and visit me when she comes in a little while.”
Norco PRIMEX 2022, with Nourish Food & Drink presentations in the Paddock to Plate Pavilion, is set to deliver its biggest program yet. Profling food, brewery, and distillery products with leading chef demonstrations and associated events, will offer a whole new culinary experience for Primex attendees.
Norco Primex director Bruce Wright said a full foodie experience will be offered, centering around the fully licensed Nourish Food and Drink Marquee and the Paddock to Plate Pavilion. “These areas will offer a great range of local produce to browse, along with a full three-day program on the cooking stage,” Mr Wright said.
Darren Robertson of Three Blue Ducks, The Farm Byron Bay, will take to the stage on Thursday 10 November “People’s Day”. On Friday, it is time to welcome Mindy Woods to
the Paddock to Plate stage.
Mindy is a chef, restaurateur and proud Bundjalung woman of the Widjabul Wia-bul clan.
You might recognise her as a fnalist from MasterChef Australia in 2012 and this year, Mindy returned to the Fans and Favourite series.
She is the owner of Karkalla restaurant in Byron Bay.
Enjoy craft beverages, live music and paddock to plate chef demonstrations over 3 days with Darren Robertson, Mindy Woods and Samantha Gowing
NSW
The Coffs Harbour bypass is taking a major step forward with the detailed design close to being fnalised as Ferrovial Gamuda Joint Venture starts geotechnical work ahead of construction in early 2023.
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said that over the next six months, teams would be
drilling more than 300 boreholes and excavating dozens of test pits within the project alignment to verify ground conditions.
“We’re well on our way to seeing major construction start next year, with these works helping us better understand the terrain for when shovels hit the ground,” Mr Singh said.
“This is one of the
The future of regional health care and improved access to services were top of the agenda when Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor hosted the first faceto-face meeting of the new Regional Health Ministerial Advisory Panel.
Mrs Taylor said the 15-member panel will play an integral role in the NSW Government’s work to improve health outcomes for people across regional and rural NSW and are already off to a great start.
main steps in informing the fnal design ahead of major construction early next year.”
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said Ferrovial Gamuda Joint Venture was awarded the $1.35 billion major works contract in June.
“The Coffs Harbour bypass will be a gamechanger for the daily
lives of residents and commuters travelling through the city,” Mr Farraway said.
“The 14-kilometre bypass will include three tunnels at major ridgelines, three key interchanges, access roads and a new bus interchange at Kororo Public School.
“This is the biggest infrastructure project in
the city’s history and it will be a key piece of infrastructure connecting Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane resulting in wider economic benefts for the Coffs Harbour area by making the CBD a more attractive place to visit, shop and work.”
The boreholes will vary in depth between four and 70 metres. Each site will take between two
“It was very exciting to meet with a group of people from all walks of life who share a common goal – delivering the best possible health care for their communities,” Mrs Taylor said.
“The meeting was a great opportunity to hear directly from panel members. We discussed the challenges that exist in our health system and shared and explored ideas on how we can address these challenges and better support the health care needs of our rural and regional
communities.”
Chief Executive Officer of NSW Rural Doctors Network and Regional Health Ministerial Advisory Panel Chair Richard Colbran said the panel gives regional communities a direct say in shaping the future of their health care services.
“I’m confident with the experience and expertise on this panel we’ll be able to work collaboratively with Minister Taylor and NSW Health to help solve some of the health challenges faced by
our regional and rural communities,” Mr Colbran said.
Coordinator General of Regional Health Luke Sloane said the panel will support work already underway by NSW Health to implement the recommendations of the Rural Health Inquiry, including the development of a new Regional Health Plan.
“The advisory panel will provide us with invaluable guidance as we get on with the job at hand, particularly
addressing the Inquiry’s recommendations and developing and implementing a plan to guide the provision of regional health services for the next decade,” Mr Sloane said.
The NSW Government announced the largest workforce boost in the nation’s history in the 2022-23 Budget with a $4.5 billion investment over four years to recruit 10,148 full-time equivalent staff to hospitals and health services across NSW, with 3,800 of those
and seven days to drill and reinstate depending on weather and access.
The Australian and NSW governments are jointly funding the $2.2 billion Coffs Harbour Bypass.
More information is available at: pacifchighway.nsw.gov. au/coffsharbourbypass
positions in rural and regional areas.
The NSW Government is also incentivising hard-to-fill, critical roles in hospitals and health facilities with an $883 million investment targeted at recruiting and retaining staff in regional, rural and remote areas.
More information about the Regional Health Ministerial Advisory Panel is available on the NSW Health website.
All ride tickets at the Norco North Coast National Lismore Show will be $1 off regular prices, thanks to the generosity of the Showmen’s Guild.
North Coast National President John Gibson thanked the guild.
Point to point transport service providers and affliated providers in and around Ballina are invited to attend one of two Industry information sessions. Light refreshments will be available.
Address: Cherry Street Sports Club (Board Room), 68 Cherry St, Ballina.
Session 1 10am – 12pm
Session 2 1pm – 3pm
Drivers are also invited to stop in at the driver drop in sessions at the Ballina Indoor Sports Centre car park.
Address: Cherry St, Ballina from 9:30am – 2:30pm
Driver information packs and light refreshments will be available.
“When we told them that we were offering free entry across the three days of the show in recognition of our community’s ongoing hardship due to the February natural disaster, they very generously offered $1 off all ride and game tickets, and gave us 200 tickets to giveaway,” he said.
“After two-years of cancellation of agricultural shows across the national due to COVID-19, many ride and game operators are doing it tough themselves, so I thank them for helping our community come together and have a
bit of fun at this year’s Show.”
Mr Gibson said the 200 tickets will be given away via competitions on the North Coast National Facebook page starting from today.
Rides at this year’s Show include dodgems, a Ferris Wheel, the Big Wizard, the Hurricane, a jumping castle and much more. Sideshow Alley will also have all the usual popular
offerings like dagwood dogs, fairy foss and lots of food and drink options.
The $1 off offer is not in conjunction with any other offer by participating ride operators.
The Norco North Coast National opens its gates on Thursday, 20 October until Saturday, 21 October. Entry is free.
It’s Good to be Back.
Point to Point Transport Commissioner
The NSW Point to Point Transport Commissioner, Anthony Wing, and members of his team will be in Ballina on Wednesday 19 October
First Light Healthcare, as a leading provider of in-clinic and onsite health, safety and wellbeing services, can help local employers, employees and their insurance providers prevent occupational-related injury and illness, and improve employee engagement, productivity and performance.
We work with you to tailor health and safety programs for your business, and can also assist with the management of Workers Compensation claims.
Our services include:
Pre-employment medicals
Employee health checks
Ergonomic assessments
advice
Injury prevention and management
Working from home OH&S
Vaccination programs
Skin cancer screening
Drug and alcohol screening
EAP Psychological Assistance
Preventative mental health programs
Hearing tests (industrial)
OH&S auditing and compliance reviews
Educational material and workshops
First Light Healthcare - Byron Bay Level 1/6 Marvell Street, Byron Bay, NSW
First Light Healthcare - Ballina (Incl. Ballina COVID-19 Respiratory and Vaccination Clinic)
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Applications are now open for 26 food-dam aged regions to share in $312.5 million, to rebuild damaged roads and transport infrastruc ture, in order to better withstand future natural disasters.
By Samantha ElleyThere is no ignoring the passion and emotion in the voice of Professor Pol Dalmau as he talks to an engaged audience at the New Italy Museum on the weekend.
The visiting Spanish professor from the University of Barcelona was addressing members, sharing information he had discovered about the early Italian pioneers.
“While I was working in the (Spanish) National Archives I stumbled on a large folder where the Marquis De Rey asked permission to start a colony,” he said.
“When I compared the fles with the research (already known), some parts were missing.”
The story of the early settlers who established the New Italy community is often told from when they arrived at New Ireland – a Pacifc island 350 miles north-east of New Guinea.
They were caught up in a scam by the French nobleman Charles du Briel, Marquis de Rey. He offered fertile land with cool, running streams, hectares to farm and a stone cottage.
What the Italians got, after paying 1800 francs in gold or labour over fve years, was a tropical hell-hole with no housing and constant outbreaks of malaria.
Many of the passengers died.
Australia stepped in and saved the survivors who eventually found their way to New Italy, setting up a prosperous community.
The missing information that Professor Dalmau shared had been gleaned from local papers in Barcelona where the Italian families were preparing to embark, after leaving
their homes in Italy, to travel to the New Ireland colony.
“The information comes from 19th century newspapers in Barcelona, which I have translated from Spanish to English,” he said.
The reason the families were leaving from Spain, the professor shared, was because Italy and France had forbid the expedition by the Marquis de Rey.
“As soon as they arrived, several newspapers reported on the poor treatment they received,” said Professor Dalmau.
“They were called
human cargo or white slaves. They were kept in warehouses in precarious conditions.”
The professor shared a letter from a fellow Italian living in Barcelona that warned his compatriots not to embark on the expedition, saying it was a deception. Words that may have rung true for them, many months later.
Another letter shared was written by three of the travellers, speaking on behalf of the Italians, claiming rumours of their treatment were false and that they were willing to make the trip.
Despite a campaign to raise funds to send the Italians back home and exert pressure on the Italian Consulate in Barcelona, only 11 families returned home.
It is believed the risk of the unknown was a better alternative than the conditions the families had left in Italy.
“This is human history,” said Professor Dalmau.
“They were looking for a better future and it is very impressive that the descendants are here today, showing eventually it was a happy ending.”
A total of 26 Councils affected by the Feb ruary 2022 foods are eligible for the package, which is funded jointly by the Commonwealth and New South Wales governments.
While support to rebuild damaged roads was announced earlier this year, it only al lowed for infrastructure to be repaired to pre-di saster conditions. It has now been expanded to enable Councils to build back in a more resilient way.
This new agreement between the Common wealth and New South Wales governments means roads can be improved, and built to withstand future natural hazards.
The new Betterment program is open to Councils in the follow ing NSW local govern ment areas: Armidale, Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Central Coast, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Glen Innes Severn, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lake Mac quarie, Lismore, Maitland, Mid-Coast, Muswellbrook, Nam bucca, Newcastle, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Port Stephens, Rich mond Valley, Singleton, Tenterfeld, Tweed and Upper Hunter.
Further information about the Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package is available here: https:// nswroads.work/rrtrp.
Crush and Haul Pty Ltd convicted of offence after unlawful quarrying activity at Corindi Quarry
Crush and Haul Pty Ltd was prosecuted by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and pleaded guilty to an offence of carrying out extractive activities without an environment protection licence at Corindi Quarry, near Coffs Harbour.
During 2018, Crush and Haul sold over 90,000 tonnes of rock and clay from Corindi Quarry, exceeding the lawful limit by over 60,000 tonnes. Another entity applied for an environment protection licence for the Quarry in early 2018 and Crush and Haul continued to supply rock and clay from the Quarry over the lawful limits while a licence application was being considered.
Luke Cauchi was also charged with an offence as the sole director of Crush and Haul in 2018.
On 8 September 2022, the Land and Environment Court convicted and sentenced Crush and Haul and Luke Cauchi for the offence they committed. The Court ordered:
1. Crush and Haul to pay a fne of $225,000 and Luke Cauchi to pay a fne of $22,500;
2. Both to pay the EPA’s legal costs; and
3. Both to cause this notice to be published.
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Interesting that the current ‘Byron Deserves Better’ campaign has hi-jacked the very slogan that was originally used by the local community protesting against the West Byron Development in February 2018! The ‘Byron Deserves Better’ crew are against the 90-day cap on holiday letting in certain areas of Byron proposed by Byron Shire Council. They want to rent their properties for 365 days
and have launched a national PR campaign against Council’s proposal! I think the Byron community deserves much better than this. The last thing we need in Byron is a playground for the mega wealthy, many of whom don’t even live here and don’t much care about our community. There needs to be a more equitable sharing of opportunity for ALL, not just a select few who, by their actions, are increasingly forcing out a large section of
the local population, many of whom have lived here for years and contributed greatly to the creative resonance of the community. Many have now become homeless or displaced due to over inflated rents, landlords / investors turning their properties into holiday rentals. I have started a Change.org petition called Byron Deserves Balance, which will run until 31 October.... https://www.change.org/ ByronDeservesBalance
Please sign and share your stories if you have been evicted from your accommodation and/or have lost employment due to insecure housing. So many people have lost their homes, their jobs, live in their cars, possibly had to leave loved ones and friends to live in a completely different area.... I don’t believe this is fair. We need to get this housing crisis under control. Turning so many properties into short term holiday lets benefit only a few and does not serve the greater
The NSW Government is ofering a new way to assist people on low incomes with their power bills by installing free solar systems for eligible households in place of their Low Income Household Rebate. This program aims to improve energy afordability by helping households unlock long terms savings on their electricity bills. While this means you will no longer receive the $285 annual rebate on your electricity bill, you could receive up to $600 in savings per year from your new solar system!
The ofer is only available to households that live in the specifed regions and meet the eligibility criteria. When participating in this program households will receive a free, fully installed 3kW solar system in place of their Low Income Household Rebate.
SAE Group are the approved provider, designing and installing solar systems to eligible homes in your region.
To be eligible you must:
Currently be receiving the Low Income Household Rebate
Agree not to receive the rebate for ten years
Own your own home
Not already have a solar PV system
Hold a valid Pensioner Concession Card or a Department of Veteran Afairs Gold Card
If you are not the registered homeowner, but your spouse is, you may be considered eligible collectively as a household
A 3kW system is designed to generate an average of 12.6kwh per day, which will deliver electricity savings depending on each household’s energy consumption. Managing Director of SAE Group Glen Ashton comments “We know electricity bills continue to place a lot of pressure on households, and we are pleased to be working with the NSW Government to help ease the pressure on low income households.”
SAE Group are an Australian owned and operated organisation with over ten years’ experience in the solar industry. SAE Group are a Clean Energy Council Approved Retailer, and hold accreditations ISO 9001, ISO 45001 for safety and quality systems. Safety is paramount to us, and it our goal to ensure we provide quality solar systems to eligible households that will deliver ongoing savings for many years to come.
Want to fnd out more?
Visit: https://energysaver.nsw.gov.au/solar-low-income-households to check your eligibility and apply online or visit www.saegroup.com.au or call us on 02 66 389 439. The Solar for Low Income Household Ofer is supported by the NSW Government.
majority. It is not the answer! Community is everything! It is very important to get the balance right, so we have an equitable and fair outcome.
Liz Friend Ocean ShoresA slogan, incidentally, that came directly - and savour the irony – was devised by the community opponents of the West Byron mega development but has now been seconded by the ‘Airbnb’ lobby, as a sort of folksy smokescreen to somehow garner popular sympathy for their campaign. The ‘it’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to’ lobby, the ‘open-slather in the tropics / go the Bay’ lobby and ‘to hell with anyone or anything that gets in their way’ lobby. There are proportion of people who are genuinely doing Airbnb as a legitimate way to cover big mortgages and
cover their costs. This is totally understandable, but it is the pointy end of the deal. Those ‘Airbnb’ investors who have multiple properties and have purchased them specifically to turn a profit…. mostly absentee landlords…. and, to put it parochially, who are ‘rolling in it’…. those property investors who seem oblivious or choose not to look at the very serious damage this is having on the community fabric (particularly on
low and middle income earners) …. and one has to sadly conclude that they simply don’t seem to give a stuff and are doing this at a time when the community is already in the throes of an unpresented housing / accommodation crisis and post a recordbreaking flood that has displaced and left so many people either homeless, couch surfing or even having to sleep in their cars or in tents in the bush. Those
investors, who are buying up properties at an exponential rate, are jacking up the rents and milking it for everything they can get.
Mayor Lyon and the Byron Council have been more than fair and generous in attempting to get a solution to this problem by restricting the 90-day cap to areas, mainly residential, that are obviously well outside the traditional coastal, holiday zone. Yet this lobby group are still jumping up and down, going to the media and whingeing that their already astronomical profits are somehow under threat! It’s actually shameful, to the point of embarrassment, to hear their cynical whining about ‘local government interference’ or their unfettered ‘freedom to do what we want with our properties’ brigade. Well guys, just in case you’ve forgotten, this is still a community where the currency is not all about how much money bags you can drag into the back of your limousine. The community itself is our real currency, our most valuable asset. Byron has a proud record of activism and caring, and it really does take a special level of gall and a unique sense of entitlement to witness this lobby doing a dummy spit when the community says ‘hey, slow down…. this is getting a little bit out of hand’. Byron really does deserve better, much better than that!
Please sign the petition at https://www.change. org/p/byron-deservesbalance Ron Curran Byron deserves better than ‘Byron Deserves Better’ Ocean Shores
What a surprise that our govt has ended all covid rules and restrictions. No self-isolating, you can even go to work or shop with covid and not have to wear a mask, the only exception is Aged Care and this is how it should have been all along. The only part of the community that should have been locked down should have been those who wanted to be for health reasons.
Aged and vulnerable people could have had
food/shopping delivered to their doorsteps, anyone visiting them should have worn a mask or other PPE and the economy wouldn’t have suffered as we are finding now with staff shortages and broken supply chains everywhere.
The covid vaccine ads on TV have ceased and now there is an ad portraying children’s learning is suffering due to not enough teachers and blaming the NSW Liberal govt for the shortage. Well, this is partly true due to our NSW Govt, like most other state govts, bringing in mandatory vaccines for teachers so a lot of teachers left their teaching profession for good due to the way these covid rules were handled. But where did all this tyranny and emergency powers come from and who has taken over our leadership and made doctors and nurses disobey their Hippocratic oath to do no harm?
Well, we’ll find out soon as things are happening like conservative MPs calling for a Royal Commission into the handling of covid as it has been worse than anything we’ve had before.
Lynette Evans NUMULGI
At times One has to admit that credit has to be given where credit is due, Opposition leader Peter Dutton and Deputy opposition leader Sussan Ley, (God love them both) are doing a stellar job in their new roles after the humiliating election drubbing the Liberals received on May 21. They seem to have developed a deliberate strategy of quiet invisible opposition like not just being content with wanting to keep a low profile at the Labor Govt’s very important jobs and skills summit- where all affected parties were brought together in an attempt to find common ground in fixing Australia’s massive skills shortage and low wage problems- they decidedin their infinite wisdomnot to attend at all. Poor Sussan, (bless her soul) seemed to be totally confused as to where she
actually was by claiming to be in Lismore talking to “real people” instead of sitting down with “union thugs” at the summit; but alas Sussan got caught out, she was actually in a TV studio in Sydney talking with “TV people”. It also seems Sussan is not wanting to be seen supporting electric vehicles, that are rapidly gaining popularity with our Labor Govt now making them cheaper, and she seems to be unaware that there are now several EV utes in production after vehemently denying it. And as for Peter - sadly some are implying he’s a dead man walking- he is also doing a tremendous job, by steadfastly adhering to the very same failed Coalition climate/energy policies that brought so much destruction to his failed Govt. It seems Peter (bless his soul), after failing 23 times to agree on a national energy policy when in Govt, is not about to transgress now and support meaningful, long overdue energy policy that will give business certainty, Australians cheaper electricity, reduce our CO2 emissions and the planet a more sustainable future. So please Peter and Sussan, just keep doing exactly what you’re doing- don’t change anything and don’t get replaced with somebody more intelligent- if your present polling is any indication, Labor is a shoo-in next election.
Keith Duncan Pimlico
It’s about time stamp duty and the petrol excise be given to councils instead of federal and state governments it’s pathetic that councils have to ask for grants or jack up rates to fix roads .if councils had stamp duty and the petrol excise they wouldn’t have to ask for grants from state and federal governments and could look after all roads properly instead of the mess that is currently in all council regions up and down the coast.
Alan Mosley Yamba
Ballina Byron Gateway Airport is pleased to announce the airport’s new and improved car park system will be live from Tuesday 11 October 2022.
“Our airport continues to be one of the busiest regional airports in Australia and is central to our local economy. This car park system upgrade is another important enhancement to our airport precinct and is set to improve the travel experience,” said Manager Ballina Byron Gateway Airport, Ms Julie Stewart.
“The new system allows visitors to choose either premium or general parking areas. Premium parking is covered by new shade sails and solar panels which are helping power the airport. Each parking area is only a short walk to the terminal and are accessed through new automated boom gates with number plate recognition,” added Ms Stewart.
There are two public parking areas, general and premium. The general parking area is
conveniently located close to the terminal and offers hourly and daily rates.
The premium parking area is to the west of the airport terminal providing undercover parking.
The fat daily rate for a 24-hour period in the premium parking area is $30. There is no hourly rate in the premium area, so whether you park for 1 hour or 24 hours, the minimum you will pay is $30.
The payment process has been streamlined and car park users can either pay at two pay stations located inside the terminal, or at the boom gate when exiting the car park.
Cost of parking General parking area
General parking costs:
1 hour = $4, 1-2 hours = $6, 2-3 hours = $8, 3-4 = $10, 4-5 hours = $12, 5-6 hours = $14.
The daily rate for a 24hour period is $20.
Premium (under cover)
The daily rate for a 24hour period is a fat fee of
$30; hourly rates do not apply.
The parking upgrade works include 650 car parking spaces, automated boom gates with number plate recognition and shade sails for the new premium parking area and a new solar PV system to support the airport’s energy needs. The fnishing touches are still being completed on the car park’s landscaping and fencing.
Construction works to expand the front section of the airport terminal are also complete, which has been expanded to accommodate new security screening equipment and improve access for passengers entering the departure lounge. Works are now focusing on the fnishing touches which includes landscaping works and new furniture.
The world’s leading Anglican will be on the Northern Rivers to check out the food recovery this week.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is in the middle of a tour of Australia and his itinerary takes in a visit to the Anglican Diocese of Grafton which also incorporates Lismore and Ballina.
The head of the world’s 85 million Anglicans will visit the Lismore Parish on Thursday and Friday and will talk with members of Anglicare and other organisations involved in the recovery from the February/March foods.
The Archbishop has spoken extensively about climate change, and has been at the forefront of climate change initiatives.
The Archbishop, who is touring with his wife, Caroline Welby, he will give a public lecture entitled Building Peace in Robust Diversity at Emmanuel Anglican College on Thursday night.
The venue is the Lindsay Walker Centre at Emmanuel Anglican College, Ballina. Organisers recommend arrival at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
On Friday he will be in Lismore, where he will join the Catholic Bishop of Lismore, Greg Homeming for communal prayers at noon and then meet with the food responders.
This visit of an Archbishop of Canterbury to Grafton Diocese is the frst since the visit of Archbishop Geoffrey Fisher in 1950.
During the 14-day visit he will travel from Perth to Thursday Island, visiting Adelaide, Sydney, and regional centres.
The Archbishop is scheduled to meet Anglicans delivering diverse ministries and services including First Nations groups to discuss issues of reconciliation and multicultural ministries including refugee groups.
In Sydney, he will spend time with Ray Minniecom, pastor Scarred Tree Indigenous Ministries with St. John’s Anglican Church, Glebe.
Archbishop Welby will also meet people across the country affected by climate change, an issue which the Archbishop has spoken about extensively.
He will talk to Thursday Islanders coping with rising sea levels as well as the visit to Lismore and Ballina.
The Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia, Archbishop Geoff Smith, said he was delighted Archbishop Welby was visiting
Australia.
“We are looking forward to this visit immensely,” he said.
“In a world plagued by division it is good to be reminded of our common values and to cement the ties of the Anglican Church of Australia with Anglicans around the globe.
“We look forward to this visit reinforcing our shared values and letting us draw strength from each other as we confront the imperatives of our time,” Archbishop Smith said.
Archbishop Welby will also meet with young people in Anglican schools and spend a day meeting with the Bishops of the Anglican Church of Australia.
In Adelaide he will take part in the celebrations of the 175th Anniversary of the Diocese and will ordain two Aboriginal women as priests during a visit to the community of Yarrabah, near Cairns.
The tour, which began on October 4, winds up on October 18.
Surf Life Saving NSW clubs are set to beneft from more than $5 million to help the upgrade, restoration and construction of facilities, thanks to the NSW Government’s Surf Club Facility Program.
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said the NSW Government is investing in our coastal communities to ensure local clubs boast modern facilities to keep the community safe at the beach.
“The Coffs Coast has some of the most beautiful and popular beaches in the country and ensuring volunteers have safe, accessible and secure facilities to protect both visitors and locals is a top priority,” Mr Singh said.
“Whether you’re going to
the beach to have a swim, surf or participate in nippers, our local surf clubs are the hub of our communities and our lifesavers are the unsung heroes, protecting swimmers in and out of the water.”
Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said rain, hail or shine, our volunteer surf lifesavers never waver in their commitment to protecting the community and ensuring safety at our beaches.
“This funding will ensure that from Tathra to Tweed Heads, surf clubs along the NSW coast can continue to deliver a world-class service while promoting a healthy and active lifestyle for their communities,” Mr Henskens said.
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph
Cooke said SLSNSW clubs can each apply for up to $650,000 through the NSW Government program.
“This funding will make sure our wonderful volunteers have the facilities they need to continue the critical work they do in protecting beachgoers,” Ms Cooke said.
SLSNSW President George Shales said ensuring volunteers have safe, accessible and secure facilities is a priority.
Applications are open until 1 November, 2022. For more information and to apply, visit: https://sport.nsw.gov.au/ clubs/grants/SCFP
Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan is making sure that 29 young Clarence Valley Sporting Champions are given every opportunity to follow their dreams.
At a Local Sporting Champions Award event today, Mr Hogan presented the local teenagers with a certifcate in recognition of their achievements and confrmed their grants from the Local Sporting Champions program.
“Those who received the Awards have excelled themselves representing the Clarence Valley on the national and state stage,” Mr Hogan said.
“The Local Sporting Champions program provides fnancial assistance to young people aged between 12 and 18 years to compete, coach or umpire in their chosen sport.”
“The Clarence Valley has produced some outstanding sportspeople in the past, and it is important that we support the next crop of
our local sporting talent.”
“Unfortunately succeeding in sport doesn’t just take talent and determination –parents also often have to put their hands in their pockets to get their children to competitions. I’m very pleased to be able to help these families with fnancial support through these grants.”
“Sport is important in the development of young people: it teaches them life-long skills like teamwork, keeps
them ft and healthy, and allows them to excel in something they love and enjoy.”
“I encourage any budding champions out there who have the opportunity of competing at a state, national or international event to apply for a grant by contacting my offce or checking out the website ausport.gov.au.”
In alphabetical order, our latest Clarence Valley Sporting Champions are:
• Maia Adamson,
15yo, Grafton - Hockey
• Savannah Cheney, 15yo, Alumy Creek - Hockey
• Sonny Churton, 12yo, Yamba - Athletics
• Dimity Clarke, 13yo, Palmers IslandNetball
• Shanae Crispin, 14yo, Trenayr - Hockey
• Maggie Davies, 15yo, South GraftonNetball
• Makayla Elms, 12yo, Iluka - Netball
• Chloe Hannah, 16yo, Yamba - Netball
• Beau Hartmann,
15yo, South GraftonRugby League
• Samantha Hayman, 16yo, YambaNetball
• Jessica Hinde, 12yo, WoombahNetball
• Ayla HowellMcLachlan, 15yo, Clarenza - Netball
• Michael Luxton, 18yo, GraftonTouch Football
• Dakotah Mackay, 13yo, Townsend - Netball
• Freya Meade, 12yo, Wooloweyah -
• Jessamine Motio Robson, 12yo, Maclean - Netball
• Taya Murphy, 12yo, Yamba - Netball
• Eleora Nichols, 13yo, Brooms HeadNetball
• Thomas Palmer, 12yo, South GraftonHockey
• Olana Plunkett, 15yo, WooloweyahNetball
• Leilani Read, 15yo, Yamba - Netball
• Charlie Rouse, 12yo, Grafton - Hockey
• Chloe Ryan, 13yo, GulmarradNetball
• Evie Walters, 13yo, Angourie - Netball
• Bridget Watters, 12yo, Grafton - Netball
• Shelera Williams, 14yo, Grafton - Hockey
• Riley
Wondergem, 15yo, East Brisbane - Hockey
• Lily Woods, 12yo, TownsendNetball
• Kyah Young, 12yo, Yamba - Netball
To
by Nigel DaweSocial Futures opens its new Lismore offce for a community in need of face-to-face support
The not-for-proft organisation, Social Futures, which delivers more than 20 community programs, has opened its new offce in Lismore where participants can visit in person and Social Futures can provide faceto-face support.
ONE of the first things I ever gained notoriety for, in any quasi-creative sense (apart from naming my old primary school newsletter – ‘The Bottlebrush Bulletin’ in year 4) was having my response to a Sydney Morning Herald ‘Big Question’ published back in the mid-90s. Their question ironically was: ‘Can you have an answer without a question?’
My submission basically went along the lines – “No, the word can be traced back to a Latin term ‘ansa’, which meant ‘handle’, and that’s what an answer essentially does, it allows you to ‘come to grips’ with something presented or posed”. If I had my time again, I’d also add a comment by John Ciardi: “A good question is never answered. It is not a bolt to be tightened into place but a seed to be planted and to bear more seed toward the hope of greening the landscape of idea.”
Funnily enough, the people I’ve always tended to gravitate towards are those who ask the most questions. A sign for me, of someone’s interpersonal proficiency is the quota of questions they ask against the otherwise self-absorbed comments they make. Respect for someone else is always best expressed through the questions we pose to them. Or as Francis Bacon once observed: “A prudent question is one-half of wisdom,” not to mention a good three-quarters of the art of friendship.
The clue to the true essence of a question resides in its first syllable, it is a ‘quest’ or a journey to find something of meaningful substance. It has to stand for something, suffice for what we’ve been looking
for; it is something we attain after having consciously sought it out. Literally, the term is derived from the Latin ‘quaestionem’ which meant to seek, inquire or examine.
Right throughout history, being referred to as a ‘know it all’ has been one of the worst putdowns you can receive. There is an amusing story that the ancient Greek philosopher Plato refers to when he makes the point – in life, you can tell the world you are the funniest person around (and everyone will believe you), but the moment you try to convince them that you are also the smartest, you immediately become the most idiotic.
A questioning spirit defines the character of the most interesting, albeit open-minded and progressive people. Being satisfied with what you know, or convinced that you somehow have all the answers is a sure-fire way to relegate yourself to the dim-lit end of the intelligence spectrum. After all, “An infinite question,” once said Madeleine L’Engle, “is often destroyed by finite answers. To define everything is to annihilate much that gives us laughter and joy.”
In a similar vein, one of my all-time favourite comments was made by the German cultural icon, Goethe: “To know accurately is to know very little; with knowledge doubt increases.” In a way, he’s not saying that everything can’t be known, he’s saying –knowing ‘accurately’ is only possible when you eliminate the potential for future progress and development by way of asking no further questions.
Social Futures CEO Tony Davies said his organisation delivers a diversity of programs, such as: homelessness supports, headspace youth mental health services, family and youth assistance and the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
“Social Futures has been here for the Northern Rivers community through the pandemic and after the twin-fooding disasters. We’ve had staff in the feld working from mobile vans. We never wavered in our support of this region,” Mr Davies said.
“We know that people here are much in need of human contact, and that is why we are delighted to announce that we have a new offce in Lismore in the existing building at 29 Molesworth Street.
“The new refurbished space means we can bring back 120 staff into Lismore’s Central Business District to
meet face-to-face with community members in need of support.
“Having our own offce again is important to the recovery of this area – Social Futures is determined to be there for Lismore. We want to see people in person.
“And by coming back into the CBD we are committing to the future of our region. There will be an extra 120 people visiting the CBD every week – buying lunch, shopping and enjoying Lismore’s cultural spaces.”
Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Services Natasha Maclaren-Jones said having a physical presence in Lismore will continue to allow Social Futures to play an integral part in the recovery for those affected by the foods.
“We are all working towards ensuring vulnerable residents have access to the services they need and are suffciently supported as
they rebuild their homes and their lives,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
Acting CEO of headspace Julia Smith said it was important young people in Lismore have access to in-person mental health support during the recovery phase.
“headspace is grateful to have a new space where we can continue our important work of supporting young people’s mental health and wellbeing,” Ms Smith said.
“The time after a natural disaster is potentially very challenging for young people, and it’s important young people and their families in Lismore know they can seek support at headspace – when and where they need it most.”
Acting National Disability Insurance Agency CEO Dr Lisa Studdert said it is vital to increase the accessibility of support available to people with a disability, both on a day-to-day basis and in the event of
future emergencies.
“Social Futures was an important element of the emergency response in Lismore, assisting people with disability displaced from their homes, and working with Resilience NSW to provide information and support across 15 food recovery centres,” Dr Studdert said.
“The presence of services, such as Social Futures, helps disaster impacted participants to access essential disability related supports and facilitate repairs to damaged homes, vehicles, assistive technology and workplaces.”
Prior to February 28, Social Futures had fve offces in Lismore, with four severely impacted by the foods.
The new Social Futures offce in the existing Westlawn Building, 29 Molesworth Street, is four metres above the February fooding peak.
The new building will be fully accessible to people with a disability with an occupational therapist being consulted for the refurbishment.
Across northern New South Wales and in south-east Queensland, Social Futures works with more than 20,000 participants.
Councillor Sarah Ndiaye has been elected to the position of Deputy Mayor of the Byron Shire Council, until September 2023.
Cr Ndiaye is serving her second term on Council. “I thank my fellow councillors for their continued support, I take the role seriously and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve the community as Deputy Mayor,” Cr Ndiaye said.
“Just days after being re-elected into the role in February our community was hit by a most extreme weather event and being Deputy Mayor enabled me to step up and serve our
community in ways I had never expected to.
“It was an extraordinary time and one I’ll never forget,” Ms Ndiaye said.
Byron Shire Mayor, Michael Lyon, congratulated Cr Ndiaye on her election.
“Sarah’s commitment
to her community is extraordinary and I am looking forward to working closely with her for another 12 months,” Mayor Lyon said.
The Byron Shire has a popularly elected Mayor which is decided as at the NSW Local Government
Elections.
Councillors elect the Deputy Mayor every 12 months.
For media enquiries contact the Media and Communications team
Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan is making sure that 58 young Northern Rivers Sporting Champions are given every opportunity to follow their dreams.
At a Local Sporting Champions Award event today, Mr Hogan presented the local teenagers with a certificate in recognition of their achievements and confirmed their grants from the Local Sporting Champions program.
“Those who received the Awards have excelled themselves representing the Northern Rivers on the national and state stage,” Mr Hogan said.
“The Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance to young people aged between 12 and 18 years to compete, coach or umpire in their chosen sport.”
“The Northern Rivers has produced some outstanding sportspeople in the past, and it is important that we support the next crop of our local sporting talent.”
“Unfortunately succeeding in sport doesn’t just take talent and determination –parents also often have to put their hands in their pockets to get their children to competitions. I’m very pleased to be able to help these families with financial support through these grants.”
“Sport is important in the development of young people: it teaches them life-long skills like teamwork, keeps them fit and healthy, and allows them to excel in something they love and enjoy.”
“I encourage any budding champions out there who have the opportunity of competing at a state, national or international event to apply for a grant by contacting my office or checking out the website ausport.gov.au.”
In alphabetical order, our latest Northern Rivers Sporting Champions are:
• Jazmin Adams, 13yo, Goonellabah,
• Kali Ainsworth, 16yo, North Casino, Rugby Union
• Riley Alvos, 16yo, Tullera, Netball
• Amalia Anderson, 12yo, Wardell, Netball
• McKinley Arnison, 17yo, Evans Head, Swimming
• Caitlin Atkinson, 15yo, Wollongbar, Netball
• Jye Barlow, 15yo, Lismore Heights, Basketball
• Ruby Barnes, 16yo, Richmond Hill, Netball
• Lani Blunn, 15yo, Goonellabah, Hockey
• Abby Bower, 12yo, Casino, Swimming
• Josie Carey, 14yo, Fairy Hill, Netball
• Lachlan Coe, 16yo, Casino, Softball
• Jake Connolly, 16yo, Goonellabah, Baseball
• Kye Connolly, 12yo, Goonellabah, Baseball
• Caelan Cooper, 16yo, South Evans Head, Cross Country
• Riley Cooper, 14yo, Eltham, Baseball
• Bella Duncan, 11yo, Richmond Hill, Netball
• Christopher Elliott, 15yo, Caniaba, Gymnastics
• Noah Enright, 17yo, Coraki, Hockey
• Hanna Formaggin, 12yo, Goonellabah, Netball
• Sofie Formaggin, 12yo, Goonellabah, Netball
• Charlotte Gilliland, 16yo, Spring Grove, Netball
• Brady Graham, 16yo, Codrington, Baseball
• Sarah Green, 13yo, Fairy Hill, Swimming
• Hayden Griffin, 13yo, Casino, Swimming
• Hannah Harris, 15yo, Kilgra, Hockey
• Judah Heath, 12yo, South Evans Head, Rugby League
• Tarni Hughes, 15yo, Goonellabah, Hockey
• Takiyah James, 14yo, Cabbage Tree Island (North), Netball
• Ella Keep, 16yo, Casino, Softball
• Maddison Keep, 14yo, Casino, Netball
• Eden Kelly, 13yo, Goonellabah, Hockey
• Tahlia Kent, 17yo, Alstonville, Netball
• Milani Kerr, 13yo, Caniaba, Netball
• Harrison Leahy, 13yo, Goonellabah, Athletics
• Tully Magnay,
15yo, East Lismore, Baseball
• Sophie Mayes, 17yo, Goonellabah, Swimming
• Cain McClelland, 18yo, Goonellabah, Baseball
• Ellie McKay, 13yo, Goonellabah, Netball
• Nikki Mckinlay, 17yo, Lynwood, Netball
• Sharmeeka McPaul, 17yo, Blakebrook, Softball
• George Mitchell, 15yo, Lismore Heights, Hockey
• Maria Mitchell, 14yo, Lismore Heights, Hockey
• Morgan Moran, 13yo, Lismore Heights, Hockey
• Matilda Pope, 12yo, East Lismore, Netball
• Dustin Pound, 12yo, Doubtful Creek, Netball
• Layla Pound, 16yo, Doubtful Creek, Netball
• Alice Shields, 12yo, Casino, Netball
• Oliver Shields, 16yo, Casino, Softball
• Angus Smyth, 15yo, Alstonville, Swimming
• Edie Stewart, 12yo, Monaltrie, Netball
• Molly Walsh, 16yo, East Wardell, Football (Soccer)
• Hamish Weekes, 15yo, McKees
Hill, Baseball
• Ayla Welch, 11yo, Goonellabah, Netball
• Georgie White, 12yo, Dunoon, Netball
• Niquola White, 18yo, Boat Harbour (North), Swimming
• Coco Zorzo, 15yo, Goonellabah, Hockey
Today we’re talking to you about the Talaria Electric Dirt Bike.
The Talaria is our pick of the bunch here at RPC and is the one we have just started stocking. Price? $6150 and selling fast. Speaking of fast, the top speed of the sting is 70km/h and has a range of up to 70km depending on your riding style.
The Talaria Sting, while very similar to the well-known Surron Light Bee, boasts some notable improvements including a larger rear tyre (a common upgrade on the Surron) and an enclosed reduction gearbox over the belt drive reduction, known
for collecting mud, sticks and broken belts.
These bikes are near silent meaning you won’t be disturbing your neighbours with the sound of a petrol dirt bike at 7:30am on a Sunday morning.
It features a light weight frame, making it easy for riders of all shapes and sizes up to 100kgs, and a powerful electric motor faster than some due to its instant torque. This power is transferred through an effcient gear drive whilst operating extremely quietly. You can also talk to your friends while riding- you can hear each other and have a conversation. You also get
to see more wildlife as they aren’t frightened by the noise. For adventures with the wife and kids, its compact well-balanced structure is very easy to manoeuvre, and requires minimal maintenance, just don’t crash it on your frst day like we did in sheer excitement.
We have additional techy info in the main full-length article on our website and socials.
We’re not just spruiking a new product, we really are advocating a new lifestyle choice- complete freedom and fun and powered by the sun.
“When I got my off road bike I couldn’t get the smile off
my face for weeks, the thrill every afternoon after work, the jobs made easier on the farm, it’s just an obvious choice for a young rural farmer like me who also cares about the environment and likes to have fun!”
We are very stoked (see what I did there?) to fnally have an electric vehicle for sale here at RPC! Don’t be left behind!
Great news for those thinking about getting around town on one, there is a road registerable version coming soon that will be available through RPC. Follow our social media pages for updates!
One note though, Zero
emissions from using electric vehicles can only be achieved if cars/bikes are charged 100% from solar- so think about getting a solar system (from the specialists at RPC!) to charge your EV and lifestyle.
Fresh Print Signs in Quarry Road Murwillumbah are ready and waiting to fulfl all your printing needs, from Banners and Posters to Vehicle and Shopfront signage to Business Cards and Leafets, A Frames and Offce Stationery.
Our machinery is some of the latest technology from Epson and HP and our aim is to provide quality products at a fair price on time. We can ship anywhere in Australia and provide a free quote before production.
Providing in store pick-up in addition to delivery, we are all about convenience for our customers. Follow us on social media for samples of what we can do or come in and see us Monday thru Thursday 8-5, Friday 8-4 or Saturday and Sunday by
Ballina Country Meats consider themselves the “foodies”, sourcing their products from sustainable farming practices with the highest animal welfare standards.
Selecting a premium consistent quality to create
appointment.
Give Paul a ring on 0484 853 310 to discuss all your printing needs or call in and meet the team. We are looking forward to meeting your printing needs, big or small.
a huge range of products from scratch, by hand and instore. Pop in to Ballina Central and take home one of our exclusive butcher pies, some gourmet chicken enchiladas, or choose from our vast selection of beef, lamb, pork and chicken and everything in between
supplied by local farmers where possible.
Our reputation is built on 15 years of high quality, exceptional customer service and a huge display of the fnest products. Call in and see Mick and the team today!
$55 a
‘Leemo Cat’ again. Things have been a little tense in our house this past week ‘cos ‘Mum Jane’ has a sore left leg. I’ve done all I can to assuage the situation via the provision of many soothing purrs, pats & licks. Things have improved a little and Mum is seeing a medical person this week to talk about her pain. In the meantime, I’ve been keeping the house running smoothly. I decided to take Mum’s mind off her leg this morning by having a chat session. I have many questions for her. ‘Mum, are my sleeping places furnished with ‘Memory Foam’ cushions & stuff, and what does ‘Memory Foam’ actually mean?
I’M SURE I saw her eyes roll but she did answer. ‘Well, Leems, if you believe everything you read, ‘Memory Foam’ supposedly uses your body heat to soften the foam to your shape and supposedly provides support and maximum comfort. AND, apparently, over time, the foam will remember your body shape and best sleeping position’. Hmmm. She continued. ‘And NO Leems, your various places of slumber are NOT furnished with ‘Memory Foam’, nor is my own bed .. OK?’ Ooooh! ‘Mum, what about my sheets and blankies, are they 1000 thread count? And my Plush Blue Blankies? Are they are of the highest quality? And my food bowls Mum, are they porcelain?
And my brushes .. are they proper bristle? Where do you buy all my stuff anyhow?’ Oh yeah, her eyes did roll, and the skinny eyebrows rose ever so high. The ambiance that had been present had dissipated quick as lightning. Mum spoke in a crabby tone this time. ‘Leems, please clarify why you are asking all of these ridiculous questions ... what is going on’. Ponder. ‘Well Mum, I know you do kinda look after me quite well, I’m just curious to know that you are taking your role seriously and that my comfort and contentment are foremost in your mind.’ Crikey, I do believe that I perhaps should have refrained from using those words. ‘Leemo, make me a cup of tea then get back here and sit down’. I obeyed in terror. ‘NOW, Leemo, have you ever heard of Confucius?’ I had to admit to her I had not. That earned me a scowl. ‘Well, Leems, Confucius wrote that “Life is really simple, but we humans (cats as well) insist on making it complicated”. In other words, stuffng it up. I refer to your questions. Does it really matter in the scheme of life whether your bedding is so called ‘Memory Foam’ or your bowls are just plain old household china? And does a sheet withlO00 thread count make you sleep any better than a sheet that only has 32 . .like yours? And if you must know, I buy most of your stuff from ‘Khe Marque’ so there!
AND, kindly note that if can’t fnd stuff at ‘Khe Marque’ I get it at Op Shops or Garage Sales’. She blathered on. ‘AND, I suspect Leems, you have been gossiping with your posh buddie ‘Pascalie’ who no doubt has MINK blankies?
Please desist from idle chatter. AND, Leems, a Pastor from a church in OHIO called Alistair Begg SAYS IT ALL.
The main things are the plain things, and plain things are the MAIN things. Crikey. I’m outta here. (PS .. what the hell IS MINK?).
Purrsies, Leemo.
It’s the food festival as tasteful as its new, bigger, 10-day program suggests.
“Join us for a festival of bespoke food experiences that will reveal the authentic people, places and produce of The Tweed!”
Now in its sixth year, the Tweed Artisan Food Festival offers more culinary opportunities and experiences than ever before with this year’s program now stretching out over ten sumptuous days – up from 3-days previously –between October 21-30.
“People are very excited to get back to showcasing their restaurants and all they can offer,” Tracy Moschogianis, Executive Offcer of the Tweed Artisan Collective told The Northern Rivers Times.
The 2022 Tweed Artisan Food Festival features 20 fne ‘foodie’ events in ‘destination venues’ across the shire from the lush Tweed Valley to the glistening Tweed Coast. Each unique event will be curated by expert restaurateurs and managers to give festivalgoers ‘an insider’s experience’ of this unique, far-north NSW region nestled
in the heart of the rich Tweed Caldera.
Among the classic and culturally signifcant local venues to open their doors and spaces
will swing open their doors to showcase the outstanding culinary favours, culture and collective pride of the Tweed’s local producers, chefs and farmers,” the Tweed Artisan Food Festival program states.
“.. From distilled botanical spirits and farm-fresh produce to a fusion of native ingredients, the Tweed’s talented chefs will curate menus that represent the authentic nature and tastes of the Tweed.”
Halcyon House in Cabarita Beach, Potager in Carool, Mavis’s Kitchen in Uki, Taverna at Kingscliff, Apex Dining at the Tweed Regional Gallery, the revamped Farm & Co. at Cudgen, Lolita’s at Casuarina, and Johnny Franco’s Long Lunch in Murwillumbah plus more, all pack the colourful 10-day program.
There’s also an opportunity to attend a masterclass in mastering fne Tweed dishes with Halcyon House Executive Chef Jason Barratt, graze four courses in the Tweed Gallery, or cruise the Tweed River in “one of the three most biodiverse areas in Australia” while tasting ‘Seafood and Champagne’ as the sun sets.
are historic Tweed Heads site, Wijirr, Tropical Fruit World at Duranbah, Husk Distillers at Tumbulgum and Tweed River House in South Murwillumbah.
“Some of the fnest venues from the region
Signature events will pop-up across the region, starting with next Thursday’s festival launch at Minjungbal Aboriginal Museum in Tweed Heads featuring “authentic storytelling, bush tucker walk and tasting menu threaded with native ingredients in a collaboration Tweed Artisan Collective is proud to be a part of.”
“There’s something to suit everyone’s tastebuds at this year’s Tweed Artisan Food Festival,” Tracy Moschogianis said.
The 2022 festival is hosted by the Tweed Artisan Collective and Destination Tweed.
For more information visit: https:// tweedartisancollective. com.au/the-tweedartisan-food-festival/
SAE Creative Media Institute Byron Bay is inviting members of the public for a free day of wellness and to nurture social connections at Heart Hub Fest. The highlight of the event will be the unveiling of an interactive 3.5 metre heart sculpture, that’s been created by SAE design student, Fernanda Gerdes, as part of a heart coherence meditation. The day has a range of activities planned including live music, sonic immersion, yoga, and ice baths, with all refreshments provided. The free event is at SAE Byron Bay, 373 Ewingsdale Road on Saturday 29 October from 8am-5pm. Book your tickets at heart-hub.com.
SAE Byron Bay Campus Manager, Ben Funnell is delighted to welcome the local community to the campus, for a day
of wellbeing and recuperation.
“Following the pandemic and more recently the devastating foods in the region, we are looking forward to hosting a free day of meditation, live music, sonic immersion, dance, breathwork - we are proud to partner with Fernanda and give back to the community in this way,” Ben said.
“Guests will also be able to ease any aching
muscles through our ice baths, and enjoy refreshments from Matty’s Milkbar. We are very much looking forward to seeing old friends and new faces immersing themselves in the serene campus environment, and the day’s host of activities that are focused on nourishing one’s health and overall wellbeing.”
The unveiling of the heart sculpture on campus, will be the
centre piece of the day, and will support a heart coherence meditation. The 3.5 metre structure is also entirely made of recycled plastic bottles; refecting the sustainable values of the region. SAE design student, Fernanda Gerdes gave an insight into the inspiration behind her creation that was developed as part of her major project, and the improved health benefts the sculpture supports.
“I had the idea of creating a sculpture that would invite people to sit down and practice a breathing technique called a heart coherence meditation, which takes only fve minutes,” Fernanda said.
“This breathing technique has been scientifcally proven to improve your physiology, which leads to better performance and management of your stress emotions.”
From $190.00 for a comprehensive residential property treatment.
The Mosquito and Midge barrier treatment will include spraying and misting vegetation, hard surfaces, ground area and daytime resting places to ensure complete control around your outdoor living areas.
For Mosquito Control we will inspect your property and identify at what stage the mosquitos are in their life cycle and provide either a spray and/ or a solid granular treatment solution or both that will effectively reduce and prevent the amount of mosquitos around your property and reduce the likelihood of future infestations around your property after our treatment.
For Midge Control we will spray and mist areas of your property structures, lawn and vegetation to create an invisible barrier treatment solution which will last for some time, reducing the annoyance, itch and grief that the midges may currently cause your family and friends while entertaining or just enjoying your outdoor areas around your property.
Emergency mosquito larvae treatments which may include monitoring, spraying, fogging or granular spreading from our UTVs for the reduction and prevention of mosquito outbreaks and infestations.
Dry hire of one or two side by side UTVs to businesses (the dry hire includes a registered trailer and lockable storage box) each UTV operates with its own petrol powered retractable compact 200L quikspray. The UTVs are conditionally registered, with strobes, reversing camera and beeper, safety equipment and helmets. Minimum 7 day hire from $880 per week.
We specialise in creating integrated monthly Mosquito and Midge management programs for Golf Courses, Resorts, Motels, Sporting Fields and Schools. From 30 cents per square metre. Minimum 1 acre (4000sqm).
THE Northern Rivers region’s four State MPs on Wednesday, 5 October will make a joint familiarisation tour of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority’s Brisbane headquar-ters.
Lismore MP Janelle Saffn has arranged the visit for her Parliamentary colleagues Geoff Provest (Tweed), Tamara Smith MP (Ballina) and Chris Gulaptis (Clarence) to inform our food recovery and preparedness for natural disasters.
Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation staff also will attend.
The delegation will be hosted by QRA Acting Chief Executive Jimmy Scott and General Manager Strategy & Engagement Janet England.
Ms Saffn said it was an opportunity to learn about the QRA’s policy, legal and
operational structure, particularly as NSW was moving to establish its own Reconstruction Authority, a strong recommendation in her food inquiry submission.
“I’m keen to know how the QRA works with community; how they bring all agencies on board and deploy all assets; what informs their thinking for recovery; and how they advise Minis-ters of what the needs are,” Ms Saffn said.
Mr Provest said he was looking forward to seeing how the QRA was progressing its recovery and planning objectives.
“Natural disasters don’t recognise electorate and state boundaries so we need to work together in the interests of our region,” Mr Provest said.
“My electorate borders Queensland and what happens in that State often has an impact on my constituents so an understanding of how things are being done
north of the border will be very helpful.”
Ms Smith said the Queensland model has worked extremely well and seems to have the agility to respond quickly to community needs despite being a large entity.
“I’m very interested in seeing how the QRA is able to get funds and resources out the door to vulnerable communities quickly and effciently,” Ms Smith said.
Mr Gulaptis said he was very pleased to join with his colleagues and work together on a bipartisan basis to deliver positive outcomes for foodravaged communities.
“We hope our joint visit to the QRA will help provide some positive solutions to assist people in our communities to recover as quickly as possible,” Mr Gulaptis said.
Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG) Ballina presents four innovative exhibitions from artists across the region and nationally, pinpointing the Northern Rivers as a major contributor to contemporary art in Australia. November and December will be
time or place. In Gentle Structure, Schirmer plays with architectural elements and scale in her search for balance between the safety of structure and a playful freedom.
Expanded Feel | Nikky Morgan-Smith and Nicki Wynnychuk
Presented by Byron Arts Magazine in partnership with Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG), the BAM Art Prize promotes awareness of the arts in the Northern Rivers by presenting a national art prize within the region. Open to all mediums and artists, the BAM Art Prize Finalist Exhibition showcases shortlisted works in the 2022 prize and features a diverse range of works, selected by the judges.
an exciting time to visit the gallery, with new work from emerging artists and a competitive national art prize on display.
In collaboration Morgan-Smith and Wynnychuk present a series of combined images & objects that dance together in an improvised harmony. The work will embrace
The 2022 judges are Susi Muddiman OAM, Director of Tweed Regional Gallery; BAM Editor-in-Chief, Alana Wilson; and illustrator and artist, Alex Mankiewicz.
All exhibitions open Wednesday, 19 October 2022 and continue until Sunday, 11 December 2022. The offcial
| NRCG x BSA
Graduate Award
Recipient
Jenny Schirmer explores a connection between found objects and deliberately formed materials to conjure elusive memories of
the tools of texture, tone, colour and materiality to riff with the material as well as each other, creating an expanded feel.
The BAM Art Prize 2022
exhibition launch will be held 5.30 – 7.30pm, Thursday, 27 October. Please note bookings are not required. This event has a maximum capacity of 100 people. Doors will be closed when the Gallery reaches this capacity.
The Tweed will be among 26 northern NSW local government areas (LGAs) invited to apply for a share of the joint Australian and NSW Government $312.5 million package aimed at building back food-damaged road and transport infrastructure to better withstand future natural disasters.
In the wake of the devastating 2022 foods, the State and Federal Governments have recognised the need to invest in resilience and build back better beyond pre-food condition.
Previously, under the Natural Disaster Funding Arrangements, councils have only been able to apply for funding to restore infrastructure back to its pre-natural disaster conditions.
Those arrangements still apply and LGAs have been able access hundreds of millions of dollars to carry out repairs.
The new program provides the opportunity for LGAs in food-prone areas to submit key projects which they identify will provide a signifcant beneft to connections for local communities in the event of extreme weather events in the future.
Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry joined NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway, Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliot and State Member for Tweed Geoff Provest, at the announcement of the new arrangement in the Tweed today.
Minister Farraway said the NSW Government had heard the call for a funding program where
infrastructure wasn’t built back on a like-forlike basis but able to be built back stronger.
“It is the frst time funding of this kind has been provided for infrastructure and it will minimise the impact of natural disasters and improve connections between communities,”
Minister Farraway said.
Cr Cherry welcomed the program, acknowledging the need to be able to build infrastructure which would be more resilient in natural disasters.
“We have already identifed key projects such as Blacks Drain on the Tweed Valley Way which would beneft from this program and support Geoff Provest in calling for improvements to the M1 at Chinderah which will greatly beneft the community in times of food, especially keeping our connections open,” Cr Cherry said.
“The Tweed is still in the process of recovery after the February/ March foods and this joint commitment from the Federal and State Government will assist us in building better infrastructure for the future to build resilience to both natural disasters and the impacts of climate change.”
Richmond MP Justine Elliot said this program would reduce infrastructure vulnerability to disasters and minimise the frequency and duration of disruptions to the community.
The program allows for councils to submit applications for key projects up until December 1, 2022.
For more information, visit nswroads.work/ rrtrp.
Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan has today provided an update on the ‘Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative’, which will deliver food mitigation projects to our region.
for CSIRO to do a whole-of-catchment study and to come back to us with food mitigation proposals, both engineering and environmental,” Mr Hogan said.
of dollars have already been committed to fund the recommendations of this study.”
your ideas.”
“I secured funding
“Hundreds of millions
“Community consultation dates have been announced across our region, this is a great opportunity to share
“This study is important because we need to do much more on food mitigation to allow us to build back with confdence.” Goonellabah Community Centre, Goonellabah Monday 17 October https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/northern-rivers-resilience-initiative-goonellabah-engagement-sessiontickets-432370390477
Lismore Workers Sports Club, Lismore Tuesday 18 October https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/northern-rivers-resilience-initiative-lismore-engagement-sessiontickets-433229229287
Wardell Catholic Church Hall, Wardell Wednesday 19 October https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/northern-rivers-resilience-initiative-wardell-engagement-sessiontickets-433231235287
Ballina Jockey Club, Ballina Thursday 20 October https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/northern-rivers-resilience-initiative-casino-engagement-sessiontickets-433266300167
Casino Community & Cultural Centre, Casino Monday 24 October https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/northern-rivers-resilience-initiative-casino-engagement-sessiontickets-433266300167
Coraki, location TBC Tuesday 25 October TBA
Maclean Bowls Club, Maclean Wednesday 26 October https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/northern-rivers-resilience-initiative-maclean-engagement-sessiontickets-433390632047
Grafton Regional Gallery, Grafton Thursday 27 October https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/northern-rivers-resilience-initiative-grafton-engagement-sessiontickets-433392387297
Kyogle Showgrounds, Kyogle Monday 31 October https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/northern-rivers-resilience-initiative-kyogle-engagement-sessiontickets-433393931917
Murwillumbah Civic Centre, Murwillumbah Tuesday 1 November https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/northern-rivers-resilience-initiative-murwillumbah-engagement-sessiontickets-433395275937
South Tweed Sports Centre, South Tweed Wednesday 2 November https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/northern-rivers-resilience-initiative-south-tweed-engagement-sessiontickets-433400471477
Ocean Shores Country Club, Ocean Shores Wednesday 2 November https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/northern-rivers-resilience-initiative-ocean-shores-engagement-sessiontickets-433402016097
Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club, Mullumbimby Thursday 3 November https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/northern-rivers-resilience-initiative-mullumbimby-engagement-sessiontickets-433405867617
The 2023 Australia Day Award nominations are now open and members of the public are invited to nominate a friend, family member, community leader or a colleague - the unsung heroes who you believe makes the Richmond Valley a great place to live.
Nominating someone for an Australia Day Award gives the community an opportunity to publicly recognise and reward a “local hero” for their valuable and selfess efforts.
Let’s give them the recognition they deserve.
The awards are offered in the following six categories: Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year; Volunteer and Young Volunteer of the Year; and Sportsperson and Young Sportsperson of the Year.
Nominees must reside within the Richmond Valley local government area.
Mayor Robert Mustow said many locals continued their goodwill despite the extraordinary
challenges caused by the global pandemic and more recently, the catastrophic foods in February.
“Our local area is fortunate to have so many fantastic, selfess people who volunteer and give back to the community rain, hail or shine,” Cr Mustow said.
“While the foods hindered activities and efforts for part of this year, there are many community members who have achieved at a high level for a long period of time.
“Whether it’s a local community group, sporting club or your neighbour, please think about nominating them for an Australia Day award.”
You can nominate as many people as you wish. Please use this online form www. richmondvalley. nsw.gov.au/page/ Community_ Services/Australia_ Day/.
Nominations close 5pm, Thursday 15 December. Or call the Richmond Valley Council Events team on 6660 0300 for information.
Tweed Shire Council has launched ‘Take the Lead,’ a new behaviour change program aimed at reducing the number of dogs off-leash in high conservation value areas and other public places in the Tweed.
The program will focus on 4 on-leash areas with known threatened species including Bush Stonecurlews and loggerhead and green turtles at Casuarina/Kingscliff, Fingal Head, Hastings Point and Wooyung.
The program runs from October 2022 to January 2023 and will involve new ‘doggy hubs’ at beach entrances, a social media campaign and the roll-out of increased enforcement patrols from Council officers with the support of the NSW Police.
Emily Clarke, Tweed Shire Council’s new Project OfficerWildlife Protection said this important program was being rolled out after a successful pilot program.
“When Council conducted covert observations of dog walkers in these locations last year, we found close to 75% of people were exercising their dogs off leash,”
Ms Clarke said.
“The pilot program has shown us that a campaign which includes a combination of social media, doggy engagement hubs and increased enforcement
enjoyable for people and other pets too.
“It’s important we act as caretakers for our environment to pass on to our next generation – we want to work together with the
walking a dog offleash unless it’s in a designated off-leash area,” Ms Clarke said.
New signage has been installed at some beach entrances to prompt residents and visitors to keep their dogs leashed as they walk onto the beach.
“We’ve created useful ‘doggy hubs’ with signage, dog water bowls and dog poo bags. Each sign also includes a QR code linking to an interactive map to quickly find designated off-leash areas.”
Leo the cavoodle is excited to be on the lead as he heads to the beach for a walk.
activities can help to achieve a measurable change in dog owner behaviour, leading to a reduction in the number of dogs off-leash in high conservation value areas and other public places in the Tweed.
“This program will help protect our local wildlife but it’s also about making sure the beaches are safe and
community to protect our precious wildlife in the Tweed.”
Council officers will be issuing fines throughout the enforcement blitz across Tweed beaches over the next few months and will remind people to keep their dogs leashed in these sensitive areas.
“Don’t risk a fine which is $330 for
‘Take the Lead’ has been developed by Tweed Shire Council with key stakeholders and the community through a collaborative design process. It’s part of Council’s commitment to work together to reduce our impact on the natural environment.
This project has been assisted by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust.
Find out where you can walk your dog in the Tweed at tweed.nsw. gov.au/where-can-Iwalk-my-dog
“Dragons are
By MARGARET DEKKERIt was a ceremony ft for the occasion as the renamed Wollumbin Dragon Boat Club (formerly Mt Warning Dragon Boat Club) welcomed two new boats to its shores – and a newlook uniform - after the February foods claimed the Club’s previous two boats.
Special smoking and blessing ceremonies, “which entail long and intricate beliefs to awaken the Dragon,” were held on the shores of the Tweed River at Tumbulgum Boat Ramp on October 1, led by Venerable Pannasiri from
the Gold Coast Buddhist Centre.
traditionally believed to be the rulers of the
or has its eyes closed,” Wollumbin Dragon Boat Club explained.
In a touching note, the new dragon boats were named ‘Wollumbin Warrior’ by Murray Harvey from major sponsor Tursa Employment and Training, and ‘Wollumbin Wings’ by Tweed Shire Mayor, Cr Chris Cherry.
According to ancient Chinese lore, the ‘Dotting of the Eye’ ceremony is an important cultural ritual, ‘painting the eyes open’ to safely launch a new dragon boat to the water.
seas and dominate the clouds and the rains of heaven. The ceremony is important as it is considered bad luck to paddle or race in a Dragon Boat that has not been properly awakened
“Like a phoenix rising from the destruction of the foods, it was a privilege to witness the blessing of the two new dragon boats for the Wollumbin Dragons and Wollumbin Dragons Abreast this morning at Tumbulgum,” Tweed Mayor Chris Cherry said.
Farmers will be waiting “quite a while” for an all-electric workhorse, according to NSW Farmers.
Chinese manufacturer LDV has announced the frst fully-electric ute will be in Australian showrooms by November, but NSW Farmers Energy Transition Workforce chair Reg Kidd said it will be a long time before primary producers make the switch from diesel.
“There’s a lot of promise in these new electric vehicles, but farmers need reliability and endurance when it comes to their trusty ute,” Mr Kidd said.
“You need something that can get up and go all day, not just around the farm but into town
as well, and sadly these batteries just don’t have the range yet.”
While the LDV eT60 promises a 330km range, Mr Kidd said recent tests of electric utes in the United States revealed a full load or towing a trailer drastically reduced that range.
“One of these big American ‘trucks’ had its range halved when it was towing a trailer, and for farmers who load of the back of their Ute, that’s a bit of a worry,” he said.
“The other big concern we have, particularly out west, is that charging stations are few and far between, so it might be okay on your property, but can you get home from town?”
SBS, 7.30pm
ABC, 7.30pm
Whether your yard resembles an idyllic, bloom- lled scene from The Secret Garden or your balcony is littered with pots of withered and thirsty plants, there’s no prerequisite for being an ardent fan of this long-running gardening series. Bearded host Costa Georgiadis’s enthusiasm and passion for greenery and community spirit can ll anyone’s cup with joy and optimism – and you might even learn a thing or two about horticulture. Tonight, Georgiadis meets a turf technician to learn about creating nature’s green carpet. Jerry Coleby-Williams also visits a cloister garden and Sophie Thomson learns a topiary technique to give outdoor space the wow-factor.
ABC TV (2)
6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Q+A. (R)
11.05 Extraordinary Escapes. (PG, R)
12.00 ABC News At Noon.
1.00 Savage River. (Final, Mlv, R)
1.55 Death In Paradise. (Mv, R)
3.00 Gardening Australia. (R)
4.00 Think Tank. (R)
5.00 Anh’s Brush With Fame. (PG, R)
5.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)
6.00 The Drum. Analysis of the day’s news.
7.00 ABC News. Takes a look at today’s top stories.
7.30 Gardening Australia. Jane Edmanson visits a production nursery.
8.30 Frankly. Fran Kelly chats with some of the biggest names and brains in Australia and from around the globe.
9.05 Doc Martin. (Final, Ma, R) Martin rushes to Ruth’s. Preparations for Morwenna and Al’s wedding do not go to plan.
9.50 Annika. (Ma, R) A case takes the team to the Isle of Bute.
10.40 ABC Late News. Detailed coverage of the day’s events.
10.55 Summer Love. (Ml, R) Two sisters spend a night at a holiday house.
11.25 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
SBS (3)
Some very funny guests are dropping to take part in this light-hearted game show this week, as comedians Gen Fricker, Harley Breen and Concetta Caristo put their brains to the test. Host Michael Hing always keep things bright and breezy and the a able David Astle and Lily Serna inject plenty of wit and wisdom along the way. Fricker and Breen might have a tough time defeating Caristo, a veritable veteran of the show now, with this being her fth appearance so far as a contestant. Expect plenty of laughs and sharp banter as the trio battle it out to win the episode’s prestigious prize – a single volume of the longdefunct Oceaniapaedia encyclopedia.
SBS, 8pm
French-Australian chef Guillaume Brahimi (right) continues his tour of arrondissements (that’s districts to us Aussies) of Paris as his latest journey takes him to the 11th and 12th boroughs. Brahimi’s homecoming, to the place where he rst made a name for himself in the kitchen, is full of nostalgia and adoration for the city of lights. This week, he shows o Paris’s sweeter side when visiting a chocolate factory. Run by Alain Ducasse, a legendary gure of the Parisian culinary scene, this factory is much fancier than anything you might have seen before, and Brahimi’s sweet tooth gets quite the workout with the delectable treats on o er.
6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Peer To Peer. (PG) 10.00 Breaking The Biz. (PG, R) 10.40 Looby. (Mln) 12.00 WorldWatch. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight With David Muir. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 The Truth About Fat. (PG, R) 3.00 NITV News: Nula. 3.30 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 3.35 The Cook Up. (PG, R) 4.05 Who Do You Think You Are? (PG, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Secrets Of The Lost Liners: Andrea Doria. (PG)
8.30 Good With Wood. (PG)
Hosted by Mel Giedroyc.
9.25 World’s Greatest Hotels: Browns, London. (PGn, R) Takes a look at the Browns Mayfair, London.
10.15 SBS World News Late.
10.45 Das Boot. (MA15+s, R)
11.45 Red Election. (MA15+av, R)
3.25 Luke Nguyen’s Railway Vietnam. (PG, R)
4.25 Bamay. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
SEVEN (6)
6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG)
11.30 Seven Morning News.
12.00 MOVIE: Jesse Stone: Lost In Paradise. (2015, Madv, R) 2.00 House Of Wellness. (PG, R) 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.
6.00 7News Local.
6.30 7News @ 6:30.
7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Johanna Griggs heads to Gippsland to meet Luana and the people involved with All Abilities Netball.
8.30 MOVIE: Ladies In Black. (2018, PGl, R) A young woman learns about life and love while working at a department store in ’50s Sydney, when immigration was booming and multiculturalism was in its formative days. Angourie Rice, Julia Ormond, Rachael Taylor.
10.45 To Be Advised.
12.00 Kiss Bang Love. (PG, R) Blindfolded contestants kiss 12 potential partners to help them decide who to take on a romantic weekend getaway.
1.30 Home Shopping.
NBN (8, 80)
6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG)
11.30 Morning News.
12.00 MOVIE: The Dating List. (2019, PGa, R)
1.45 Garden Gurus Moments. (R)
2.00 Pointless. (PG)
3.00 Tipping Point. (PG)
4.00 Afternoon News.
5.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (R)
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current A air.
7.30 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo: Gorilla. (PGm) Two gorillas are brought to the hospital.
8.30 MOVIE: Apollo 13. (1995, PGl, R)
Three NASA astronauts nd their lives in danger after a potentially catastrophic explosion. Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon.
11.20 MOVIE: The Beguiled. (2017, Mas, R) A boarding school takes in an injured soldier. Nicole Kidman.
1.05 Cross Court. (R)
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Take Two. (R)
4.30 Global Shop. (R) 5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)
TEN (5)
6.00 The Talk. (PGa) 7.00 Judge Judy. (PG, R) 7.30 Bold. (PG, R) 8.00 10 News First: Breakfast. 8.30 Studio 10. (PG) 12.00 Dr Phil. (PGal, R) 2.00 Ent. Tonight. 2.30 Food Trail: South Africa. (R) 3.00 Judge Judy. (PG, R) 3.30 Farm To Fork. (PG, R) 4.00 Everyday Gourmet.
The Bold And The Beautiful. (PG)
10 News First.
6.30 The Project.
7.30 The Living Room. Baz and Amanda take a mini road trip.
8.30 To Be Advised.
9.30 Just For Laughs. (Ml, R) Stand-up comedy performances from some of the best comedians from around the world, including Demi Lardner, Guy Montgomery and Dave Thornton, recorded at the Sydney Opera House. Hosted by Nick Cody.
10.00 Just For Laughs Uncut. (MA15+ls, R) Hosted by Nikki Osborne.
10.30 Road To The Melbourne Cup Carnival. A look at the upcoming Melbourne Cup.
11.00 The Project. (R)
12.00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) Late-night talk show. 1.00 Home Shopping. (R)
9GO!
Colbert.
Agents yarded a total of 824 head at the Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange regular prime sale on Wednesday 5 October. The yarding consisted of a good supply of young cattle and a fair penning of cows. The yarding of young cattle was made up mainly of weaners and a few pens of light yearlings. Quality was mixed with a large percentage of weaner cattle showing the effects of the wet winter.
Cow prices held frm this week averaging 338c/kg
There were 196 head yarded at Grafton Fat Cattle Sale 4th October 2022.
There was only a small yarding in Grafton this week, generally the stock on offer were in good condition and some good lines were on offer throughout. All export categories sold frm to dearer, bulls again were a highlight topping at 399c/kg and realising $3,842.30. Good quality young cattle sold fully frm with most going to restockers.
Sale Highlights include:
A/c A & K Stewart sold Santa Bullocks 414.2c/kg
LIVESTOCK MARKETS WARWICK W/E 7/10/2022
Cattle numbers were at 483 head for the weekly sale with rain and public holidays affecting the yarding. Sheep and lamb numbers were up by about 30% on last week with 1826 head meeting the market. The markets were fully frm for all categories and the only price corrections were for condition and type. The pig market was fully stocked this week as well as the usual numbers of poultry meeting the market.
Vealer steers averaged 572.3c/kg topping at 678.2c/ kg or $1376.20 to $2146.59
Vealer heifers averaged 503c/kg topping at 586.2c/ kg or $1362.89 to $1873.96
Feeder steers averaged 492.5c/kg topping at 618.2c/ kg or $1885.51 to $2217.36
Feeder heifers averaged 464.6c/kg topping at 470c/ kg or $1579.50 to $1809.50
and reaching a top price of 392c/kg. Heifer prices also remained steady with lighter stock up to 250kg averaging 575c/kg and topping their category at 735c/kg. Heavier heifers over 250kg averaged 463c/ kg and reached a top of 554c/kg.
Bull prices saw little change this week with 30 head sold averaging 339c/kg and 536kg. Lighter steer prices saw an increase with those up to 250kg averaging 653c/kg and reaching a top of 852c/kg.
Heavier steers over 250kg were easier averaging 479c/kg and topping their market at 714c/kg. A small number of bullocks sold on the day averaged 350c/kg and reached a top of 388c/kg.
Lighter vealer prices were dearer this week with
averaged 625kg - $2,588.75 p/hd
A/c Tucker Donovan sold a Brahman Bullock 416.2c/ kg weighed 650kg - $2,705.30
A/c LD Holdings sold Charolais Cross Heifers 407.2c/kg averaged 522.5kg - $2,127.62 p/hd
A/c Brett Tibbett sold a Brangus Cow 397.2c/kg weighed 570kg - $2,264.04
A/c IM & JL Fahey sold Brahman Cross Cows 396.2c/kg averaged 500kg - $1,981.00 p/hd
Yearling steers averaged 532.5c/kg topping at 750.2c/kg or $1566.48 to $1981.68
Yearling heifers averaged 479.5c/kg topping at 630.2c/kg or $1274.53 to $2018.25
Steers averaged 428.3c/kg topping at 504.2c/kg or $2551.90 to $3087.00
Heifers averaged 393.2c/kg topping at 478.2c/kg or $1872.65 to $2460.00
Cows averaged 337.7c/kg topping at 397.2c/kg or $1845.85 to $2925.09
Bulls averaged 344.9c/kg topping at 520.2c/kg or $1936.02 to $2820.42
Lambs topped at $218 to average $144.87 a rise of $8/head
Hoggets topped at $420 to average $139.84 a rise of $33/head
Ewes topped at $216 to average $90.37 a rise of
those up to 250kg averaging 662c/kg and reaching a top of 815c/kg. Heavier vealer over 250kg saw a drop averaging 550c/kg with a top price of 654c/kg.
Ian Weir & Son held a store sale at the NRLX on Friday 7 October with 572 head going under the hammer. Steers topped their category at 758c/kg and averaged 574c/kg and 267kg whilst heifers reached a top of 712c/kg and averaged 557c/kg and 217kg. Cows reached a top price of $2,300 whilst Cows & Calves topped their market at $3,800.
T&W McCormack and Ramsey & Bulmer will hold a joint store sale on Friday 14 October with further bookings welcome.
A/c Margaretta Fahey sold a Brahman Cow 398.2c/ kg weighed 605kg - $2,409.11
A/c Tony McLennan sold a Brangus Cow 391.2c/kg weighed 655kg - $2,562.36
A/c Dick Brothers sold a Brangus Bull 395.2c/kg weighed 900kg - $3,556.80
A/c Gordonbrook sold Charolais Bulls 399.2c/kg averaged 962.5kg - $3,842.30 p/hd
A/c Tony McLennan sold Angus Steers 592.2c/kg averaged 270kg - $1,598.94 p/hd
$22/head
Wethers topped at $165 to average $141.21 a rise of $21/head
Rams topped at $480 to average $145.13 a rise of $11/head
Lamb rams topped at $520 to average $185.33 a rise of $57/head
Ewe lambs topped at $246 to average $236.17 a rise of $101/head
The sale total of 1826 head averaged $144.54 a rise of $19/head
Pig numbers were up to the highest in the yards for quite a time and prices were very frm with Sows selling from $72 to $370, Stores from $50 to $199, Pork from $140 to $220.
Poultry saw Roosters sell to $20, hens to $$50, chicks to $25/set, hen& chicks to $65, geese to $20, goslings to $95, ducklings to $15/unit, Quails to $45, Guinea fowl to $35
Agents today yarded a total of 1826 head for the weekly sale with the stock drawn from local vendors as well as the Border regions and the South West areas. A large consignment of lambs from one vendor stood out as they flled the pens which hasn’t been seen for years. The market was fully frm to a shade dearer with some lines of stock achieving extraordinary increases over the rates from last week. Lambs topped at $218 to average $144.87 ($8up), hoggets topped at $420 to average $139.84($33up), ewes topped at $216 to average $90.37($22up), wethers topped at $165 to average $141.21($21up), rams topped at $480 to average $145.13($11up), ram lambs topped at $520 to average $185.33($57up), ewe lambs topped at $246 to average $236.17($101up). The total yarding averaged $144.54 an increase of $19/head on last sale.
Shelley F/T sold Dorset x lambs off feed 63.1kg to Eversons for $200
Gooroo Grazing sold Dorper wether lambs 51.6kg to Ashtons Butchery for $218, 60kg, 55.2kg and 48.75kg ewe lambs to restockers for $240, $238, $222 and ewe hoggets and 4tooth ewes 75kg for $182, ewes to Eversons for $150
Stillwater Past Co sold Dorper lambs 45.6kg and 43.75kg to Leslie Lamb for $198 and $190
Eric Watts & Robyn Gimm sold Dorset x lambs 43.3kg to Leslie Lamb for $165, 70kg hoggets to Take IT Easy Meats for $190, 35kg lambs to GR Prime for $100
John Rennick sold Dorper ram lambs 60kg to restockers for $196, 53.3kg to restockers for $182
Yilgandi Unit Trust sold Dorper ram lambs 81.66kg to restockers for $520 and ram hoggets 81.66kg to restockers for $420, rams to restockers for $480 and rams to Take IT Easy Meats for $135
Mark Winning sold Dohne x lambs 52kg average to Eversons and Thomas Foods for $158, $160, $161, $150, 49kg to Warwick Meats and Thomas Foods for $144, 43kg and 40kg to restockers for $120 and $107
Tara State College sold store Xbred lambs 40.8kg to GR Prime for $130
Wattle Downs sold Xbred lambs 51.9kg to Eversons for $162
Matt & Julie Garton sold Dorper x lambs 60kg to Leslie Lamb for $210, 45kg to Jock Young Meats for $182, 38.3kg to Jock Young Meats for $137
Greg & Clancy Mc Gahan sold Dorper lambs 44.3kg to Jock Young Meats for $173
Albeck Family sold Merino lambs with half wool 46.7kg to Eversons for $126, 4th wethers 63.9kg to Eversons for $150, 50kg lambs to Eversons for $130, 67.5kg hoggets to Eversons for $155, 35kg to Gr Prime for $95
NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin has urged rural communities to look after each other and avoid foodwater after wild weather whipped the state.
Across the weekend there were emergency warnings for low-lying areas right across the state, including Dubbo, Wagga Wagga and the Central Coast.
There were 1000 calls for assistance from emergency services and the SES, with fooding at Dubbo, Forbes, Wagga Wagga and Warren, and food warnings for many inland rivers including the Macquarie, Darling, Bogan, Lachlan and Murrumbidgee rivers.
Mr Martin said food danger persisted after the rain stopped, with people, animals, crops, pastures, roads and railway lines all potentially affected. He asked people to be extracareful this summer as the full force of a third consecutive La Nina was felt, and said safety had to be the priority.
“It has been horrible
seeing the fury of mother nature this year, from the repeated fooding in the Northern Rivers to hail damage at Griffth and Mangrove Mountain, but we continue to stand by our members who are living in food-affected communities,” Mr Martin said.
“We know it will be a long time before we fully understand the impact of these heavy rains and foods, but our farmers and rural communities
are resilient.
“Ultimately we want to see people get through these situations safely and repair and rebuild as quickly as possible, so we can keep growing healthy food for people.”
With the forecast for further rainfall and increased fooding over the coming days, Mr Martin reminded livestock producers to use the NSW Government Agriculture and Animal Services
Functional Area (AASFA) hotline – 1800 814 647 – for immediate assistance for affected farmers, landowners and communities in isolated areas.
He also repeated requests from NSW Agriculture Minister Dugald Saunders to plan ahead and report any food damage to their properties, which would enable government assistance to be delivered where it was needed.
“Even after the immediate threat of foodwater has passed, we need to report the situation to emergency services and NSW DPI to help get support moving as quickly as possible,” Mr Martin said.
“Emergency services, local land services and DPI have been very responsive to the needs of farmers and rural communities during the wild weather this year,
it’s just unfortunate they’ve had so much practice.
“I would encourage any affected communities to utilise the help that has been offered, and on behalf of our farmers I thank our governments for offering this help.”
To keep up to date with the latest food information, visit www. nsw.gov.au/foods
The state’s peak farming body has set up a new group to identify supply chain bottlenecks costing the state billions in lost revenue each year.
NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin has tasked the Modernising Rail Infrastructure Taskforce with outlining avoidable freight delays and fnding ways to bring NSW in line with world’s best practice ahead of next year’s state election.
Taskforce chair Matthew Madden, a grain grower from Moree, said there were some immediate opportunities to resolve issues that were costing farmers – and the state – signifcant amounts of money.
“The fact that we’ve got grain being driven by road into the biggest city in the country is a clear sign we’ve got some big issues with our rail freight system,” Mr Madden said.
“For example, improving rail freight from northern grain growers to the Port of Newcastle would save farmers between $16 and $22 per tonne, or up to $2.8 billion over the next 30 years, allowing them to reinvest in their businesses and drive even more economic activity in the regions.
“Another example is the South West
Illawarra Rail Link that would greatly improve agricultural connections to Port Kembla, helping farmers get their produce to the world.”
Farmers in NSW produce more than $17 billion worth of food and fbre every year, or about 25 per cent of total national production, with primary industries exports valued at $6.6 billion in 2020-21. But there were concerns that without signifcant improvement in rail access and operations at our ports, growth opportunities would be wasted and economic growth missed.
Mr Madden said access to export markets was critical for farmers, but high port charges, poor rail quality and port bottlenecks were holding them back.
“Farmers want to get on with the business of farming without having to worry about these transport bottlenecks,” Mr Madden said.
“Agricultural industries are an economic dynamo in New South Wales, but we’re being outpaced by other countries and we need to get our supply chains up to scratch.
“Given we’re a key user of ports and railway lines, we need to play a key role in helping tackle the problem.”
NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin says a proposed unrepresentative cattle body will be opposed by the state’s peak agricultural body.
With a vote on whether to adopt the draft constitution for Cattle Australia set for next week, Mr Martin said there were still too many unanswered questions to support the proposal. He said a lack of detail on funding, dysfunctional policy development capability and an undemocratic model were all key sticking points for NSW Farmers.
“As a founding member of the Cattle Council of Australia, NSW Farmers has long ensured the grassfed cattle industry is effectively represented at a national level,” Mr Martin said.
“At the end of the day we want what’s best for farmers – and we are unconvinced that this proposed body will deliver any real beneft to grassfed beef producers.
“The proposed model at present is undemocratic, with no clear funding arrangements or business
case.”
Mr Martin said there were a number of challenges ahead for Australia’s grassfed beef producers – from biosecurity to animal activists right through to issues of productivity – and that meant there was a clear need for an industry restructure, but warned the existing proposal was not a step forward.
“We cannot allow this important industry to be derailed by ineffective representation, and we’re worried that’s what is in store for producers under this
current proposal,” Mr Martin said.
“The Cattle Council, which hasn’t taken our issues seriously or addressed our genuine concerns as a founding member through this process, needs to create the right model and get back to the negotiating table to work through these legitimate concerns.
“A clear business case and budget must be provided, otherwise members are voting on assumption rather than fact, and that’s why it will be a ‘no’ from us.”
has welcomed today’s announcement by the State Government of a 10-year Energy and Jobs Plan that could see Queensland’s sugar industry become one of the state’s largest suppliers of renewable energy.
The $62 billion plan includes a $4 million investment to ‘work with industry to investigate options and pathways to expand generation from underutilised biomass waste streams and support technology innovation’.
This will support industries, such as the
sugarcane industry, to modernise bioenergy generation and use waste products for bioenergy production, the Plan says.
Chairman Owen Menkens said the industry was perfectly positioned to become a major player in the state’s renewable energy future.
“The sugar industry is already powering regional communities in the Tableland, Burdekin and Mackay with clean, renewable energy, but there is a capacity to dramatically increase the power
output of our mills to help Queensland reach the ambitious targets set out by the government,” Mr Menkens said.
“CANEGROWERS is supportive of any programs that either assist, or at the very least incentivise, mills to upgrade their boilers and power-generation infrastructure to improve effciencies in cogeneration and allow more power to be released onto the grid.
“This is not only good for the environment, it’s also good for the energy market, good for consumers, and it
makes our mills more effcient which is good for the industry.”
A recent report by the Australian Sugar Milling Council found that Queensland’s milling sector had the capacity to almost quadruple its current generation from bagasse from 438MW to 1,736MW.
This could see the industry exporting up to 7,588 gigawatt hours of energy a year – around 10% of Queensland’s current electricity generation.
As John Gibson says, “It’s Good To Be Back.”
Farmers and community members across the State are being called on to provide their valuable feedback on the NSW Government’s new draft Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans.
The State’s annual trout fshing season started on October 1st, with conditions primed for a great season.
NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI)
Deputy Director General Sean Sloan said as the weather warms up, we expect great fshing for local anglers as the annual trout season opens this Saturday.
“Consistent rain over the key trout spawning periods in late autumn and early winter has hopefully resulted in good natural recruitment, which also bodes well for the next few seasons,” Mr Sloan said.
“These trout and salmon are an incredibly popular freshwater sportfsh in our general trout streams and artifcial fy and lure streams and create
Mr Sloan said there were many popular trout fshing locations across NSW, including a range of productive streams in the New England area, the Thredbo and Eucumbene Rivers in the Snowy Mountains, and the Fish River near Bathurst.
“Both the Gaden and Dutton trout hatcheries have completed their breeding programs and we are working with local clubs and societies to organise stocking of trout fry and fngerlings,” Mr Sloan said.
“The wet conditions over the last few years have given a great boost to trout fshing and we look set for a bumper season right across the State.
“It is important that all anglers check they have a current and valid NSW Recreational Fishing Licence. It’s also a good idea that anglers take the opportunity to remind themselves about the fshing rules, to ensure the trout fshery remains viable into the future.”
A summary of fshing rules and regulations is available via the FishSmart App or by accessing the NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide available at NSW DPI offces, fshing fee agents or online.
Anyone with information about illegal fshing or suspected illegal fshing should contact the Fishers Watch phone line on 1800 043 536 or report illegal activity online at: https:// fal.cn/3gJWh
The 11 plans, covering different areas across NSW, help to explain how each region will work together to identify, minimise, respond to and manage high-risk weeds over the next fve years.
Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said the plans have been updated using expert local knowledge, research and technology to ensure they meet community needs.
“Weeds are an enormous problem for everyone in NSW, with farmers bearing the brunt of the impacts and costs of them invading crops and harming livestock,” Mr
Saunders said.
“These plans are used to identify the priority weeds to be targeted in each region, while also helping shape the management and control of those weeds.
“When it comes to weeds, and biosecurity in general, everyone has an important role to play to safeguard NSW, which is why it’s critical we receive community feedback on these draft plans.
“We want to ensure these plans are addressing the issues landholders and community members are tackling in their paddocks and on their land, so the importance of public feedback
cannot be understated.”
To view, read and submit feedback on the regional strategic weed management plans visit www.haveyoursay.nsw. gov.au/weed-plans. Submissions close on Sunday, 6 November.
Regional weed committees, comprising local councils, regional weed management authorities, public and private landholders, and community members, have developed the draft plans in consultation with Local Land Services and NSW Department of Primary Industries.
For more information on how to identify and control weeds, visit www.weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au.
The NSW Government will invest $110 million to activate new and emerging industries, drive high value jobs and help the regions reach their economic potential.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the Regional Investment Activation Fund was aimed at making regional NSW the location of choice for private sector investment.
“Our Government has a big, bold vision for regional NSW – and this fund is about helping bring that vision to life,” Mr Toole said.
“We’re putting more than $100 million on the table to co-invest in game-changing projects that turbocharge priority industries or locations in the regions.
“It will be open to expressions of interest from investors across Australia and around
A White Spot outbreak has successfully been contained in Northern NSW, with results confrming the estuary surrounding an infected premises is clear of the disease.
Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said the swift and effective response in the eradication of this disease reiterates the strength of the NSW Government’s biosecurity practices.
“The moment White Spot was detected in farmed Black Tiger Prawns at a production facility last month, the NSW Government immediately convened an emergency response,” Mr Saunders said.
“We quickly implemented formal measures to
the world interested in expanding or setting up in regional NSW.”
Mr Toole said the fund would help activate the economic potential of the State’s Special Activation Precincts, Regional Job Precincts and other priority locations.
“The NSW Government’s unprecedented investment is making regional NSW the
contain the disease and prevent further spread from the facility, including the destruction of stock and decontamination of equipment, and we also undertook tracing and surveillance to determine possible routes of entry into NSW.
“The result we’re seeing today highlights the importance and effectiveness of the biosecurity measures put in place by the NSW Liberals and Nationals in Government, and confrms our preparedness for any future disease incursions.”
Risk mitigation strategies, including movement restrictions, have been in place in NSW since White Spot was frst detected in south east Queensland in 2016.
Mr Saunders said the
location of choice for investors both here and around the world,” Mr Toole said.
“This fund will help support new and emerging industries where regional NSW has a competitive edge and put our communities in the box seat for the future.”
The Regional Investment Activation Fund will co-invest with eligible businesses
response demonstrates the success of the relationship between government, commercial and recreational fshing groups, and the aquaculture and bait industries.
“It is testament to everyone working together to rapidly identify, contain and eliminate the risk of White Spot.
“I congratulate everyone involved in this successful outcome and take the opportunity to remind people of the importance of on-farm biosecurity practices in detecting and containing a potential disease outbreak.
“Recreational fshers should never use prawns or other seafood for human consumption as bait. Bait can be responsibly sourced from reputable bait suppliers or collected from
in projects that aim to deliver, signifcant economic, social and/or environmental benefts for a priority industry or location.
Projects must be based in regional NSW, support sustainable employment opportunities and be completed by 30 May 2025.
Applications are now open. For more information visit www. nsw.gov.au/RIAF.
the local area where you are fshing.
“Biosecurity is a shared responsibility and we all need to play our part.”
While White Spot is highly contagious to crustaceans and can cause major mortalities in farmed prawns, it poses no threat to human health or safety and prawns and seafood for sale in the marketplace remain safe to eat.
“Seafood is an Australian staple, and with summer quickly approaching, now is the time to get to your local co-op, buy some fresh prawns and support the industry.”
DPI is continuing its investigations to determine the source of the initial detection.
The Albanese Government has introduced changes to bolster Australia’s ability to respond to and manage biosecurity risks.
The Biosecurity Amendment (Strengthening Biosecurity) Bill 2022, introduced into the Parliament this week, will encourage more thorough reporting of biosecurity risks entering Australia through air and sea ports.
It will also step up a range of civil and criminal penalties under the Biosecurity Act.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said people who jeopardised Australia’s biosecurity systemincluding aircraft and vessel operators who fail to comply with pre-arrival reporting requirements, or a person in charge of goods failing to report a reportable biosecurity incident - would face tougher penalties of up to 1000 penalty units, or $222,000 , if they do not fulfl their obligations.
“Operators and persons in charge of aircraft and vessels must properly report biosecurity threats, so that our biosecurity offcers have accurate and up-to-date information available to assess the risks onboard,” Minister Watt said.
“By expanding pre-arrival reporting requirements, the Bill will implement important lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. That includes harsher penalties and additional reporting responsibilities, developed through advice from the Inspector General of Biosecurity Report into the failures that lead to the Ruby Princess cruise ship debacle.
“The Albanese Government is
introducing biosecurity measures that are long overdue.
“The former Government failed to prioritise this legislation in their last term, leaving Australia unprepared for the threats we face.
“While the overwhelming majority do the right thing, a very small minority may be careless or break the rules, and we need to make sure appropriate deterrents are in place.”
This Bill is the frst stage of improvements to strengthen Australia’s biosecurity system, with future amendments to include tougher penalties for failing to declare high-risk biosecurity goods such as meat products which carry the risk of foot and mouth disease (FMD).
Australia’s biosecurity system underpins 1.6 million jobs across the agricultural supply chain and $70.3 billion in exports.
“This Bill shows we are serious, FMD would have a damaging impact on Australia’s biosecurity status, market access and economy and these new penalties will refect that,” Minister Watt added.
“If we wish to continue to keep Australia free of pests and diseases, the Biosecurity Act must remain ft-for-purpose and future-proofed.
“These stronger penalties - in some cases up to $1.1 million for corporate bodies - better refect the seriousness of ignoring Australia’s tough biosecurity laws.
“Biosecurity is everybody’s responsibility, and everybody needs to do the right thing. If they don’t, the Australian public rightfully would expect that the punishment would ft the crime.”
The NSW Government has launched two new groundbreaking projects to encourage landholders and farmers to invest in sustainable timber production as part of their land management practices.
The Forest Stewardship Program and Farm Forestry Certifcation Pilot are the frst of their kind in Australia and mark a new era in sustainably managed forestry on private land in NSW.
The two programs will increase the amount of environmentally sustainable wood available on the market to help deal with the current timber supply crisis.
Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said the Farm Forestry Certifcation program will mean landholders can have their forest management
independently endorsed to support sale of their certifed timber through more wholesalers.
“Sustainably supplied timber products are in high demand, so the ability for farmers to demonstrate their environmental credentials through third party certifcation is a big win for consumers and industry,” Mr Saunders said.
“This certifcation will increase consumer confdence, broaden
market access and improve the price our state’s primary producers can demand for their timber.”
Mr Saunders added that the NSW Government is continuing a strong environmental focus on the farm forestry sector by also announcing a pilot Forest Stewardship program.
“We know that one of the biggest barriers associated with farm forestry for landholders is its complex regulatory
Expressions of interest are offcially open for a two-year program to help develop new Aboriginal community owned fsheries businesses.
NSW Department of Primary Industries, Deputy Director General, Sean Sloan said the Aboriginal Fisheries Business Development Program will support the establishment of new businesses that will result in benefts fowing back to Aboriginal communities.
“These businesses can include everything from aquaculture operations, commercial fshing, charter fshing, post-harvest processing and shark mitigation to aquatic-related tourism and hatcheries for freshwater fsheries,” Mr Sloan said.
“To be eligible, applicants must be an Aboriginal communityowned entity or business and they must also explain the social and economic benefts their participation will have
for their communities.”
The program is part of the NSW Government’s response to the Closing the Gap national targets, aiming to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s legal rights or interests in the sea.
“We are looking to support the development of three new fsheries businesses from across NSW – including coastal and inland areas,” Mr Sloan said.
“The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Fisheries staff and project partners will work with the successful applicants to prepare feasibility studies and business cases for their chosen business, before helping them explore funding and investment options.
“This collaborative program will also be used to develop business models that could easily be replicated across the State and help businesses in other areas to be more successful.”
The Aboriginal Fisheries Business
Development Program is a joint initiative between the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI Fisheries), the Department of Regional NSW (Offce of Regional Development), the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, the NSW Aboriginal Fishing Advisory Council, the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation.
Expressions of Interest are now open until 5pm Friday 25 November 2022 and the application form can be downloaded by scanning the QR Code below.
environment,” Mr Saunders said.
“The Stewardship program will pair landholders with expert advice and fnancial incentives of up to $60,000 to help overcome these challenges and improve on-ground outcomes and sustainability.
“This program recognises that primary producers in NSW are some of our greatest environmental stewards, and by supporting
them to improve the management of their forests, we can help ensure the benefts farm forestry provides will continue for generations to come.”
These programs form part of the NSW Government’s $28 million investment in the 2022-23 NSW Budget to bolster on-the-ground support for producers, drive innovation and promote best practice in sustainable farm forestry businesses.
The NSW Government also recently introduced new Farm Forestry Codes of Practice that will ensure long-term sustainability for the industry and provide robust environmental protections across the NSW private forestry estate.
New changes for landowners under the codes include:
• New harvest and
operating standards that provide greater clarity and are easier for landholders to apply –including pest, weed and fre management;
• Updated planning and reporting with a clear role for Local Land Services to engage with farmers, and options for small scale harvesting; and
• Environmental protections that are clearer for landholders while ensuring long-term environmental sustainability in farm forests.
For more information about the Farm Forestry Certifcation and Farm Forestry Stewardship programs, visit https:// www.lls.nsw.gov. au/help-and-advice/ private-native-forestry/ ecologically-sustainableforest-management
MORE than 50 key stakeholders from across the Australian sheep and wool industry met in Melbourne on Wednesday for the inaugural meeting of the Sheep Sustainability Framework (SSF) Consultative Committee.
The meeting included a blend of producers and representatives of Sheep Producers Australia, WoolProducers Australia, Meat & Livestock Australia, Australian Wool Innovation, state farming organisations, Animal Health Australia and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (trade and market access, traceability), as well as businesses in the processing, fnance and retail sectors including AWEX, Endeavour Wool Exports, Thomas Foods International, Gundagai Meats, Australian Lamb Company, Coles, NAB and Rabobank.
SSF Sustainability Steering Group Chair, Dr Scott Williams, said the Consultative Committee meeting provided an important forum to share the latest developments of the Framework, seek feedback from industry and collect valuable insights to inform future priorities and
improvement.
“The SSF was launched in early 2021 as the frst sustainability framework for the sheep and wool industries in the world, and this is an important milestone in its evolution and our work towards better understanding opportunities, challenges and impacts in key areas such as environmental health, animal care, economic resilience, and people and communities,” Dr Williams said.
“Having such strong representation from across industry meant we could engage in a wellconsidered discussion of priority issues capturing a variety of perspectives from across the value chain.”
The meeting also included presentations from subject matter experts about new foundational Framework data, including:
• Visualisation of vegetative cover for sheep grazing regions
– Phil Tickle, Managing Director, Cibo Labs
• Determination of emissions intensity of sheepmeat and wool using Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) – Dr Steve Wiedemann, Managing Director, Integrity Ag and
Environment
• Frameworks, disclosures and standards: what does this mean for agriculture – Dr Robyn Leeson, Principal, STR Consulting and Vice Chair of the Global Reporting Initiative Global Sustainability Standards Board
• SSF On-Farm Insights Report – Sarah Hyland, Meat & Livestock Australia.
“These presentations delivered valuable insights into how industry is tracking, including the frst On-Farm Insights Report which presents relevant data from the recently completed National Producer Survey and provides important benchmarking data for the SSF,” Dr Williams said.
“It enables the Australian sheep and wool industry to understand where we are currently sitting in terms of sustainability on-farm and will allow industry to track progress in the adoption of key sustainability measures”.
“This data also supports industry in demonstrating it has a clear pathway towards continual improvement and is striving to be the most sustainable in the
Byron Shire-based artist
Amber Wallis has been awarded the top prize in the inaugural Wollumbin Art Award with a richly complex painting of her daughter entitled Ivy With Eyes.
The winning artist also wins a 2-week residency at the Gallery’s Nancy Fairfax Artist in Residence Studio.
THE Northern Rivers region’s four State MPs and will make a joint familiarisation tour of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority’s Brisbane headquar-ters.
Lismore MP Janelle Saffn has arranged the visit for her Parliamentary colleagues Geoff Provest (Tweed), Tamara Smith MP (Ballina) and Chris Gulaptis (Clarence) to inform our food recovery and preparedness for natural disasters.
Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation staff also will attend.
The delegation will be hosted by QRA Acting Chief Executive Jimmy Scott and General Manager Strategy & Engagement Janet England.
Ms Saffn said it was an opportunity to learn about the QRA’s policy, legal and operational structure, particularly as NSW was moving to establish its own Reconstruction Authority, a strong recommendation in her food inquiry submission.
“I’m keen to know how the QRA works with community; how they bring all agencies on board and deploy all assets; what informs their thinking for recovery; and how they advise Minis-ters of what the needs are,” Ms Saffn said.
Mr Provest said he
was looking forward to seeing how the QRA was progressing its recovery and planning objectives.
“Natural disasters don’t recognise electorate and state boundaries so we need to work together in the interests of our region,”
Mr Provest said.
“My electorate borders Queensland and what happens in that State often has an impact on my constituents so an understanding of how things are being done north of the border will be very helpful.”
Ms Smith said the Queensland model has worked extremely well and seems to have the agility to respond quickly to community needs despite being a large entity.
“I’m very interested in seeing how the QRA is able to get funds and resources out the door to vulnerable communities quickly and effciently,” Ms Smith said.
Mr Gulaptis said he was very pleased to join with his colleagues and work together on a bipartisan basis to deliver positive outcomes for foodravaged communities.
“We hope our joint visit to the QRA will help provide some positive solutions to assist people in our communities to recover as quickly as possible,”
Mr Gulaptis said.
The guest judge for the biennial non-acquisitive $30,000 prize was curator and editor of VAULT magazine, Alison Kubler, who announced the winners at the Tweed Regional Gallery just before 7 pm tonight.
Alison awarded the WAA Bundjalung Award to Tweed-based Bundjalung artist Michael Philp for his painting Pearly Shells. A work in Michael’s signature style, this painting honours the artist’s mother, aunty and grandmother. As part of the award, Michael will also exhibit in a solo show at the Gallery in 2023.
Byron Shire-based artist Mia Forrest received the Emerging Artist Award for her video Red Flowering Gum, in motion, a mesmerizing work that plays with the tradition of still life.
“The Wollumbin Art Award is such an excellent addition to the art prize feld in Australia,” Alison said.
“I am really impressed by the quality of the work on display. This award demonstrates both the calibre of the talent pool, artists who hold their own on the national
stage and the appetite for supporting local artists. It’s just great to see, and to acknowledge, how many excellent artists live in the region.”
WAA Highly Commended artists included Caleb Reid, Xanthie Dobbie, Michael Donnelly, Zion Levy Stewart, and Marian Tubbs; with Nathan Falk and Amarina Toby receiving a Highly Commended accolade for the Bundjalung Award. Emerging artists Brendan Kelly, Courtney Cook and Zen Staff also received Highly Commended.
Also announced on the night were the winners of the Gallery’s Wollumbin
Youth Art Award, with guest judge artist Tamsin Ainslie selecting artworks by young artists Clara Polson (5-8 years); Kya Lansom (9-12 years); Ava Berry Voce (13-15 years); and Elsie Biles (16-18 years).
Young artists receiving Highly Commended awards were Leonardo Ruby (5-8 years); Sadie Eddy (9-12 years); Naomi Jeffery (13-15 years); and Emma Dillon-Lee (16-18 years).
“Creativity and art are hugely important in everybody’s life and encouraging children with their art and creativity is very important,” said WYAA judge Tamsin Ainslie.
“The WYAA is such a great opportunity to encourage, to allow and to give the time and space for young artists to think, create and explore making art.”
Mayor of Tweed Shire
Chris Cherry, Friends of the Gallery and Gallery Foundation members joined fnalists and their families for a night of celebration that also marked the offcial launch of the Gallery’s Youth Collective.
The Wollumbin Art Award is Tweed Regional Gallery’s new biennial $30,000 award open to artists living in the Tweed, Ballina, Byron, Kyogle and Scenic
Rim Shires, as well as Lismore and the City of Gold Coast.
The Wollumbin Youth Art Award is a biennial award for young artists aged 5 to 18 years. The awards, named for the mountain the Gallery overlooks, celebrates the calibre and diversity of artists of the region. Together the awards attracted nearly 700 entries, with 105 artworks selected for the fnalist exhibitions.
The WAA fnalist exhibition is on view at Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre until Sunday 20 November, with the WYAA closing one week later, on Sunday 27 November. The exhibitions are free to the public and visitors can join some of the WAA fnalists for an exhibition walkthrough on Sunday 9 October and Sunday 30 October from 2 pm.
The WAA Bundjalung Award is sponsored by Tweed Regional Gallery Foundation Ltd. The WAA Emerging Artist Award is supported by Leanne and Greg TongLyon. The Wollumbin Youth Art Award is sponsored by the Friends of the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre Inc
Australia’s largest ever survey of electric vehicle owners has found Tesla drivers are travelling the same average kilometres a year as everyone else.
A survey of 741 Tesla drivers, conducted by the Electric Vehicle Council and the Tesla Owners Club of Australia (TOCA), shows 89 per cent drove more than 10,000kms a year, while 38 per cent exceeded 20,000kms a year.
The national average for all passenger vehicles is 11,100kms annually.
The vast majority of drivers charge their vehicles during offpeak times, suggesting current market offers like time-of-use tariffs are working. The report also found:
51 per cent of Tesla drivers were aged between 50 and 69, with just 12 per cent under 40 Volkswagen and Toyota were the most commonly previously owned car before a Tesla despite the leading EV brand being often considered luxury
Almost half of respondents saved more than $2000 on petrol a year, while 77 per cent saved more than $1000 Technology (83 per cent) and environment (78 per cent) were the most common reasons for buying a Tesla 65 per cent did not have a regular servicing schedule and 41 per cent saved more than $1000 on maintenance costs
Electric Vehicle Council chief executive Behyad Jafari said the study would be valuable for policy makers trying to boost Australia’s uptake of EVs.
“This study puts another nail in the coffn of the myth that driving range is an issue for EV owners with the vast majority driving the same average kilometres
a year as Australia’s average passenger vehicle,” he said.
“We know range anxiety is a major impediment to people buying EVs. This fnding is yet another reason showing there is nothing to fear.”
“EV owners are saving thousands of dollars on fuel and maintenance costs. At a time when petrol and diesel prices are going through the roof, the Australian government must introduce longoverdue fuel effciency standards to cut costs in the future and drive down emissions.
“The survey also found that only 10 per cent of respondents charged their vehicles at work indicating there is ample scope for employers to install charging infrastructure. If Australia introduced a fringe benefts tax exemption for workplace charging it would help align EV charging with daytime excess solar energy generation.”
Pete Thorne, President of TOCA said:
“This survey is an excellent starting point for understanding Australia’s Tesla drivers.
“With just 12 per cent of respondents aged under 40, there is the need to do more research to understand the preferences of younger drivers who may want to own an EV in the future.
“Tesla owners are saving thousands of dollars each year on fuel and maintenance costs.
“We’re calling on federal and state governments to take this research into account when deciding EV policy, which is a crucial part of Australia’s future.”
Tweed Shire Council is urging Tweed River foodplain landowners to seek Council assistance in projects that can improve water quality, after recent testing detected acid-affected water in the river and red spot disease in local fsh. Council is also calling on the NSW Government to make the investment and policy decisions required to lead our communities towards improved river health and support local government on complex foodplain management issues.
Recent testing has indicated acid sulfate soil (ASS)-related runoff from foodplain drains is affecting water quality in the Tweed River, with indications this is severely impacting fsh health.
Since mid-August, water samples collected from the Tweed River at Murwillumbah have shown pH values (a measure of acidity) as low as 4.9, where a healthy range is around 7.1. Samples of water from drains running into the river have shown pH results as low as 4.3.
Council’s waterways program leader Tom Alletson said these results confrm the input of poor water quality from the foodplain and the effects of acid sulfate soils.
“Acid sulfate soils are
a naturally occurring soil type, however when exposed to oxygen, minerals within the soils produce sulfuric acid,” Mr Alletson said.
“Water in drains affected by acid sulfate
that attacks fsh when poor water quality affects their skin.”
soils can become very acidic. When this water fows into the river, it can have serious impacts on aquatic life, including fsh kills.
“On at least one occasion recently, the entire river around Murwillumbah was displaying a distinct clear greenish colour and a pH of 4.9, characteristics of acid sulfate run-off.
“Long term discharge of acid sulfate soil runoff can have impacts on fsh activity and breeding. Fish will avoid areas of very poor water quality, and it can affect their eggs, juvenile survival, and prey organisms.
“Even when acidic water is tolerable for adult fsh, it can have the affect of making them more vulnerable to a disease called red spot. This is a fungal infection
Recent reports to Council from a local commercial fsherman highlighted an increase of red spot disease affecting fsh locally.
Over the past 30 years, Council, universities and NSW Government agencies have worked in close collaboration with local farmers on projects such as food gate management, feld laser levelling and drain shallowing, resulting in less risk of major fsh kills occurring. This is part of Council’s commitment to work together to reduce our impact on the natural environment for a sustainable future.
“What these recent water quality and fsh health results show, is that we cannot ease up on our efforts to improve ASS management on the Tweed foodplain,” Mr Alletson said.
“We know the NSW Government has a broader view of
ASS management in the Northern Rivers region. Through the NSW Marine Estate Management Strategy, the NSW Government is working across local government boundaries
and with relevant industry associations, using the best science available, to plot a new course for protection of river-dependent ecosystems and industries.
“A signifcant body of scientifc work has been completed and we are awaiting its release and implementation, so we can prevent the types of water quality and fsh health impacts being observed in the Tweed River today.”
Council has completed a management plan for the Tweed River estuary and is currently awaiting its certifcation by the NSW Minister for Local Government.
Find out more about the how Council manages and looks after the Tweed River at tweed. nsw.gov.au/rivers-creeks.
A pioneering initiative has begun in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, benefting wildlife and the environment, with an invitation for local land managers and the community to fnd out more.
The Koala Friendly Carbon program, which is a partnership between land managers, Climate Friendly, the Worldwide Fund for Nature - Australia (WWFAustralia) and the NSW Government, aims to restore habitat for koalas, while also attracting other wildlife and enhancing biodiversity.
Climate Friendly is providing in-kind resources to develop the innovative partnership model and source projects for the pilot. This includes guidance and hands on support to land managers to enable them to generate carbon credits, forming part of an integrated approach to enhance the environment and agricultural productivity.
Head of productive agriculture for Climate Friendly, Jessie Laing, says a feld day being run in Northern Rivers in October is a great opportunity to learn more about the program.
“We’re really looking forward to the feld day at Saratini Farm in Clunes, to meet with land managers and explain how the koala planting pilot works and the potential wider benefts such as increased biodiversity, improved farm productivity and sustainable land management,” she says.
Saratini Farm is a
mixed agricultural enterprise producing macadamia nuts, fnger limes and Davidsons plums. It also runs a herd of around 250 head of cattle. 26 hectares on the property are being restored as koala habitat, with a further 55 hectares being planted as a rainforest restoration within the wider carbon project.
Manager Matt
as build in mechanisms to reduce food impact.
So far there are fve properties in the Koala Friendly Carbon program for 2022, with another two being assessed.
One of the frst to get going was Eltham Springs. Owner Jim Irvine has allocated around 35 hectares of his property to the program. Conservation
“Land managers can apply for a property assessment to determine if there are koalas close by and if their land is suitable. Criteria includes the need for at least 30 hectares of suitable land available for planting, as well as evidence of koalas living nearby as the aim is to reconnect fragmented habitat,” she says.
WWF-Australia Landscape Restoration Project Manager, Tanya Pritchard, says that Koala Friendly Carbon would help address some of the major threats facing koalas.
High-tech sensors which can predict and detect fres and clean energy solutions for bush fre-affected communities are among fve innovative ideas being piloted under a landmark NSW Government research and development (R&D) program.
of fre conditions and data-sharing.
Bleakley’s says he plans to use Koala Friendly Carbon credits generated through the project to help restore the large, interconnected forest on the productive family farm.
“The newly established environmental plantations will link remnant forests to existing native timber plantations and will add about ten per cent to Australia’s acreage of critically endangered big-scrub rainforest,” says Matt.
Matt is keen to share the story behind the koala carbon friendly plantings at Saratini and encourages other land managers to get involved.
“Come along to the feld day and see frsthand all the great work going on. The integrated program at Saratini is also helping to really boost our biodiversity and attract other endangered species like the greater glider, as well
minded, he was looking for ways to optimise his land management for the best mix of agricultural production and habitat rehabilitation.
“Having travelled quite a lot, I was drawn to Eltham Springs as it was previously owned by three generations of a settling family, and it reminds me of my father’s farm in Tasmania. Very similar as its perched up high on a ridge line. The previous owners named the place ‘Eagle’s Rest’ primarily because of it having a generational wedge tailed eagle nest high up in the original native trees.
Often you can see the eagles gliding with the thermals with the parents teaching the young birds how to fy. Very cool to see. I’m slowly trying to regenerate the soil and soul here,” says Jim.
“Eligible participants are being sought for the 2023 program and beyond,” says Jessie.
“We can’t turn around the decline of east coast koalas without bold actions to tackle habitat loss and fragmentation,” says Tanya.
“This project provides incentives for landowners to be part of the solution and will help us restore and connect large areas of koala habitat. Working together with government, landowners and Climate Friendly, we can give koalas the chance to thrive, not just survive.”
Koala Friendly Carbon Plantings Field Day, NSW 9am – 12 noon, Friday 14 October 2022, Saratini Farm, Clunes, NSW https://www. climatefriendly.com/ koala-projects/
Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology Alister Henskens said the Bushfre Technology Pilots Program, a total of $6 million over four years, will support trials of feld-ready bush fre technology developed by NSW businesses.
“NSW is a world leader in bush fre technology and this NSW Government investment is unlocking opportunities for homegrown innovators to test their potentially life saving research,” Mr Henskens said.
“We’re investing in these innovative technologies so that NSW can remain at the cutting edge of bush fre technology, and save lives by enhancing bush fre preparedness and response.”
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the grants on offer through the Bush Fire Technology Pilots Program cover multiple components of a bush fre response, including providing power to remote sites, real-time monitoring
“The investment being announced today will put innovative technologies to the test so that one day they can be used by our emergency services in NSW, as well as organisations across Australia and the world, to save lives and improve the way we respond to disasters,” Ms Cooke said.
NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte said the wide range of work funded through the grants refects NSW’s position as a global leader in bush fre technology.
“These projects will be collaborative, with grant recipients working closely with lead NSW fre response organisations, including the Rural Fire Service, Fire & Rescue, NSW Telco Authority, National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of Planning and Environment,” Professor DurrantWhyte said.
The program is the frst initiative to be rolled out under the Bushfre Response R&D Mission, a recommendation of the NSW R&D Action Plan.
A tiny seed, no bigger than a grain of rice, is having a big impact on breast cancer care for patients in Murrumbidgee.
Murrumbidgee Local Health District is the frst District in NSW to introduce Magseed - a tiny, stainless steel “seed” that is implanted in a cancerous breast tumour to mark its location for surgery.
Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the successful implementation of this new technology is a testament to the quality of medical care available in rural and regional NSW.
“We have some of the fnest surgeons and medical professionals in Australia choosing to work in regional NSW. I am so proud that the frst Local Health District in NSW to provide this exciting, new and life-saving technology is a regional one,” Mrs Taylor said.
Griffth surgeon Dr Kate FitzGerald said she was keen to see the Magseeds available for public patients in NSW, after frst using the technology and seeing the difference it made in Scotland.
“The thin wires, which usually had to be placed
the day of surgery, needed to be placed by a radiologist and then taped to the patient’s breast until they were in the operating room,” Dr FitzGerald said.
“With the seed I have more fexibility around where I make the incision. As well as getting the best result as far as removing the cancer, I can also make it look as nice as possible.”
Mrs Taylor thanked the Griffth Breast Cancer Support Group for a substantial donation towards the purchase of the Magseed technology and said the group’s support has been instrumental in making the technology available locally.
President of the Griffth Breast Cancer Support Group, Kaye Mossman said the group is thrilled to see its fundraising efforts contribute to this new technology.
“Through the generosity of the Griffth community we have raised enough money to not only support our local patients with their individual costs, but also make a very substantial donation to Murrumbidgee Local Health District to help fund this exciting new technology,” Mrs Mossman said.
Walking speed and grip strength could be early indicators of dementia before the onset of noticeable symptoms, a Monash University study reveals.
Researchers found slow walking speed combined with weak hand grip was a stronger predictor of cognitive decline and dementia in older adults than either measure alone.
The study of data from more than 18,000 initially healthy adults, mostly aged 70 and older in the ASPREE trial, revealed that a combined poor gait speed and grip strength was linked to a 79 per cent increased risk of dementia and a 43 per cent increased risk of cognitive decline.
Over time, the risk for dementia or cognitive decline was shown to be highest when gait and grip declined simultaneously over the study period of nearly 5 years, with an 89 per cent increased risk of dementia and 55 per cent increased risk of cognitive decline.
It’s the frst time the two physical measures have been studied together to assess their combined link with changes in cognitive function.
During the course of the ASPREE trial, 2773 participants in this analysis developed cognitive decline and 558 dementia.
The fndings have signifcant implications for dementia diagnosis, early intervention and treatment. Globally, the number of people living with dementia is expected to almost triple in three decades, from 57.4 million in 2019, to 152.8 million by 2050.
Lead author Dr Suzanne Orchard, a Senior Research Fellow with Monash University’s School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, said the research showed an important link between age-related cognitive and physical decline.
“Poor physical function may be a marker of future risk
of cognitive decline and dementia, and thus, understanding this association could enhance early detection and prevention strategies,” Dr Orchard said.
“While there are currently no cures for dementia, if identifed early, treatment strategies can be implemented to slow its progression and manage the symptoms.”
Dr Orchard said simple grip strength and gait speed assessments could be adopted by GPs and other health care providers to help identify dementia risk early and establish treatment pathways to improve patient outcomes.
The study was conducted using data from the landmark ASPREE – ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly – clinical trial.
The multi-centre trial, exploring low dose aspirin and disabilityfree survival in older adults, mostly aged over 70 and was led by Monash University
in Australia and the Berman Center for Outcomes and Clinical Research in the USA.
Dr Orchard is the Australian director of ASPREE-XT, the observational follow-up study.
Participants’ grip strength and gait speed were measured upon entry to ASPREE and repeated during an average of 4.7 years.
Gait speed was timed walking at normal pace over a distance of three metres, while grip strength was assessed using a hand-held device to measure force. Researchers then compared these physical benchmarks against participants’ cognition, measured using assessments that examine functions such as memory and processing speed.
Findings come after researchers accounted for age, gender, education, ethnicity/ race, starting cognitive level, depression, smoking, alcohol, living situation and diabetes.
Australian world-frst Haelen technology delivers 100% fresh, natural milk that is twice as digestible as any other processed cow’s milk available on the Australian market.
Naturo, the company responsible for the worldfrst patented ‘Haelen’ milk processing technology which gives fresh milk a 60-day shelf life has achieved another signifcant breakthrough in the global milk market, this time for digestibility. Haelen technology is considered the biggest development in the global milk industry since pasteurisation.
The digestibility breakthrough, together with the 60-day shelf life, further
cements the company’s expansion plans for taking Haelen technology worldwide via partnerships and licensing agreements.
Consumer trials and recent Commonwealth Scientifc and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) research validation have proven that milk processed using the Haelen Method results in 100% fresh, natural milk that is twice as digestible than any other processed cow’s milk available on the Australian market, without adding anything to the milk. The reason lies in the way Haelen treats the oftenproblematic whey proteins.
The CSIRO research followed a 2021 consumer
trial which showed that twothirds of trial participants who normally experienced an adverse reaction to cow’s milk found that Haelen processed milk eliminated or reduced the reaction.
One of the differences between standard milk processing (pasteurisation, UHT and ESL) and the Haelen method is how the milk’s whey proteins are treated. With the Haelen method, whey proteins are broken down further allowing for easier and faster digestion as well as enhanced nutrient absorption. The CSIRO results confrmed that Haelen processed milk made the milk’s nutrients more bio-accessible, providing
the potential for increased absorption by the body.
With 68% of the global population experiencing some form of diffculty in consuming milk, the research results mean more people will be able to enjoy the health benefts of 100% natural, fresh milk without the adverse side effects. Similarly, the Haelen process will provide unique opportunities into the sports nutrition and recovery and health and wellness markets due to the way it naturally hydrolyses milk whey proteins.
With Haelen processed milk formally approved by Australia’s State regulators for domestic sales, and export registration due to be
formalised in October 2022, it will become the frst nonthermal milk technology to be approved for export, creating the opportunity to sea freight 100% natural, fresh Australian milk overseas.
Haelen Founder and CEO, Jeff Hastings said that the signifcant digestibility result would provide unique opportunities in the health and wellness space, while complementing the fresh milk’s long shelf-life advantage, both in Australia and overseas.
“This latest digestibility fnding is an incredible market breakthrough and has seen us shift our business strategy to allow worldwide Haelen
Technology partnerships and licensing agreements, rather than solely focus on processing and exporting fresh milk from our South East Queensland production facility”, Mr Hastings said.
“Of course, we know consumers are going to love the creamy taste and health benefts of our 100% natural milk when we launch it to the retail market, however this digestibility fnding opens the door to new products and new market opportunities
“We’re really excited about taking Haelen to the world.”
A capital raising opportunity is in progress and discussions are ongoing with partners/licensees worldwide.
Nissan Australia has announced it has given the green light for Premcar to develop and produce the newest model to join its Nissan Warrior program, the Patrol Warrior.
The Patrol is the latest Nissan nameplate to join the company’s critically acclaimed Warrior model series, a Nissan-specifc OEM-level new-vehicle enhancement program produced and delivered by Premcar.
Wheel, tyre and suspension enhancements are set to feature in the Patrol Warrior’s forthcoming Australian engineering program, giving it even greater ground clearance, a wider stance and enhanced ride and handling. This will take its off-road abilities and touring performance to new levels.
These enhancements, along with the Patrol’s 298 kW / 560 Nm 5.6-litre direct-injection V8 engine, will create the best Warrior to date.
The Patrol Warrior program is expected to take around 12 months
to complete before production commences at Premcar’s Epping (Victoria) manufacturing facility, the Australian production site.
It involves creating market-specifc versions of new-model
Nissan vehicles using extensive automotive design and engineering development, which requires gruelling testing programs for prototype vehicles and components, government-mandated
new-vehicle certifcation, and secondary vehicle manufacturing, all of
it done by Premcar in Australia.
This latest newvehicle enhancement program with Nissan is a signifcant force behind Premcar’s ongoing expansionrelated investments in personnel, manufacturing facilities and production technologies.
More details about the Nissan Patrol Warrior by Premcar are expected to be released closer to its local market release.
We will bring you this information as soon as Nissan provides them.
The Sorento has been a major part of the Kia playbook for two decades, with the fourth generation seeing the light of day in 2020 in petrol and diesel variants. Now the range has been topped up with petrol / electric hybrids.
Kia’s only seven-seat sports utility vehicle comes in the top GT-Line specifcation only, the straight hybrid version in front or all-wheel drive guise, while the hero model is a plug-in electric hybrid vehicle.
The common-or-garden hybrid Sorento kicks off the range with the front-wheel-drive variant selling for $66,750 before on-road costs. The all-wheel-drive version carries a $3000 premium, pushing the price up to $69,750. The plug-in hybrid Sorento is on sale from $80,330 before onroads.
More spacious, more versatile with classleading innovations wrapped in fnely tailored style, says the maker, the new Sorento not only is the most high-tech Kia car ever made, but also leads the way in SUV design.
While retaining much of the Sorento family physical features, the Hybrid has evolved with a new interpretation of the trademark ‘tiger nose’ grille, with a wider shape wrapping around the integrated LED headlights on each side. This assertive nose is complemented by a wider lower air intake, incorporating wingshaped air curtains to channel air around the car.
Quilted Nappa leather appointed seats (front heated and ventilated) set the theme for a cabin of quality materials and craftsmanship. Threestage climate control air-conditioning means comfort all round for occupants, while a panoramic sunroof lets in light, while keeping heat at bay with a blind Finding a long journey on the boring side? Take time out to choose one of the 64 colours that bathes the cabin in ambient light, pick something from the Sounds of Nature soundscape, or just switch off entirely with
the quiet of the passenger talk in-car intercom.
Connectivity is front and centre with a 10.25inch colour multimedia touchscreen linked to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 7-inch LCD instrument display carries range of system info.
The position of the touch screen on the centre dash of the test car had its problems, with air-con controls underneath easy to catch accidentally while resting the palm on working the screen.
Audio is handled by a six-speaker system, while dual-zone airconditioning keeps occupants in relative comfort.
Customising is the name of the game with a 10.25-inch full colour touchscreen atop the centre console, plus a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster directly in front of the driver who also has a colour head-up display, including speedo and speed limits on the windscreen.
The touchscreen comes up with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto connectivity, satellite navigation details, including a sharp map display, and access to the 12-speaker Bose audio.
The Sorento Hybrid is powered by Kia’s 132 kW / 265 Nm four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine combined with a 44 kW / 264 Nm electric motor, charging a 1kWh lithiumion battery situated under the boot foor.
Power is put to ground
via a six-speed torque converter automatic transmission and constant all-wheel drive.
The Sorento gained a
care of with seven airbags, including frontcentre side.
“Children should be seen and not heard,’ as the
instrument panel. It is not possible to control these actions manually; they are automatic powertrain decisions.
Drive modes, such as ECO, Normal, Sport
signal, the wide-angle surround view monitors will display live footage of other vehicles in your blind spots on the instrument cluster. Loading is made easy by the hands-free smart power tailgate, which can be brought into operation by the key holder pausing behind the vehicle for three seconds for the tailgate to automatically open. There’s 187 litres of cargo space behind the third-row.
Fold these seats fat to increase space to 616 litres. With the secondrow seats folded fat 2011 litres of space is freed up.
The Kia Sorento Hybrid may be a quiet achiever but it states a compelling case for being one of the best large seven-seat sports utility vehicles around.
MODEL LINE-UP
S petrol $47,650 Sport petrol $50,270 S diesel $50,650 Sport diesel $53,270 Sport+ petrol $54,850 Sport+ diesel $57,850 GT-Line petrol $62,070 GT-Line diesel $65,070 GT-Line Hybrid FWD $66,750 GT-Line Hybrid AWD $69,750 GT-Line PHEV $80,330
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Kia dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS (Kia Sorento GT-Line Hybrid
fve-star safety rating in 2020 and includes autonomous emergency braking with vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist detection, junction assist, lane-keep assist, lane follow assist (centring), blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffc alert, parking collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control with stop and / go, front and rear parking sensors, driver attention alert, multi-collision braking and safe exit assist
As well as 360-degree view of the vehicle when parking and blind-spot assist, on activation of a turn indicator, the wide-angle surround view monitors will display live footage of other vehicles in your blind spots on the instrument cluster. It also helps wheels keep their distance from scuffng the sidewalk.
Passive safety is taken
saying goes (or went until the Baby Boomers were born). The Kia Sorento Hybrid has slipped quietly (literally) into Australia, harking back to those salad days.
And this well-bred youngster has brought a new purpose to the Sorento family, thanks to a sophisticated powertrain and some of Kia’s most advanced technology.
Setting off is under the auspices of the electric motor alone producing maximum torque on tap instantly. The petrol engine joins in tandem only when needed for added acceleration or under load.
These switches back and forth are so smooth as to undetectable to the driver. Indeed, the only indication that the car is acting only as an electric vehicle is by the letters EV displayed on the
and Smart can be dialled up by means of a centre-console knob. I found Smart worked well for me. Kia claims a combined urban / highway patrol consumption of 5.8 litres per 100 kilometres. The test vehicle recorded 7.1 litres per 100 kilometres in the CBD and suburbs and 5.2 litres per 100 kilometres when let loose on the open road.
Anxiety about where the next battery charge is going to be is none existent as the engine and regenerative braking do that automatically. There is a petrol price premium here as opposed to the cheaper charging of the fully electric, or plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Terrain Select is also on offer to help take care of tricky conditions off road in sand, mud, snow etc.
By activating the turn
1.6L turbocharged, 4-cylinder petrol engine / electric motor, 1kWh lithium-ion battery, 6sp automatic, AWD SUV)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.597 litres
Confguration: Four cylinders inline Maximum Power: 132 kW Maximum Torque: 265 Nm
Fuel Type: Regular unleaded petrol Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): 5.8 L/100km
CO2 emissions: 133g/km Electric motor: 44kW / 264 Nm
Combine Total: 169 kW / 265 Nm
DRIVELINE: Six-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Seven years / unlimited kilometres
Toyota’s iconic 86 sports car has joined the growing GR stable of cars with the launch of the new GR86 coupe.
The GR86 becomes the third model from Toyota Gazoo Racing and sits alongside GR Supra and GR Yaris (not counting the C-HR GR Sport or the GR Corolla coming next year).
New GR86 builds on this heritage with improvements that take its motorsport roots to new levels, making it worthy of a Gazoo Racing badge.
Power comes from a new 2.4-litre fourcylinder boxer engine that produces 174kW of power and 250Nm of torque, an increase of 22kW and 38Nm over the previous 2.0-litre engine.
The naturally aspirated engine provides linear throttle response with technologies including optimised D4-S direct injection helping to provide signifcantly more torque for better mid-range response.
It’s paired with a six-speed manual or sixspeed torque-converter automatic, with paddle shifters for the latter and a range of drive modes.
A limited-slip Torsen rear diff is standard.
Straight-line acceleration has improved, with the manual able to sprint
from zero to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds and the automatic in 6.8 seconds.
Those wanting to take their GR86 to the track can choose from fve different stability control settings ranging from full support to being completely switched off.
Offcial fuel consumption ranges from 8.7 L/100km for the GT automatic to 9.5 L/100km for the GTS manual with CO2 emissions from 199g/ km to 217g/km.
The car benefts from many improvements including suspension and steering components, largerdiameter front brakes and chassis reinforcements that signifcantly improve torsional and lateral rigidity.
Combined with a focus on weight reduction and a lower centre of gravity, they promise even sharper handling and responsiveness.
Exterior design cues are taken from some of Toyota’s sports cars of the past, such as the 2000GT and AE86 Corolla.
An evolutionary exterior design refects the outgoing model’s dynamic proportions and silhouette, while Gazoo Racing’s global motorsport experience has led to cooling and aerodynamic
improvements that deliver a Cd of 0.276.
Slightly longer and lower than before the new GR86 features a long bonnet, sloping roofine with a tapered rear end and prominent lip spoiler giving the vehicle a low planted stance.
Dual tailpipes and GR badging complete the rear-end look, with 17-inch or black 18inch alloys available depending on grade.
Inside, designers have created a cockpit focused on pure driving, with a simple and ergonomic layout framed by a horizontally confgured instrument panel.
All variants feature an upgraded 8.0inch multimedia infotainment system that offers digital radio plus compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
A confgurable 7.0inch driver display shows Track Mode that provides real-time readouts of the most important information for circuit driving.
Six-speaker audio includes Active Sound Control (ASC) to enhance the sound of the engine.
GR86 GT is priced from $43,240 for either manual or automatic, while the range topping GTS manual and automatic are priced from $45,390.
By EWAN KENNEDYSubaru Australia has opened the order books for the limitedrun Subaru BRZ 10th Anniversary Edition. Just 150 examples will be produced for the Australian market, with frst deliveries anticipated to commence from February 2023.
very special model, which celebrates a decade since the debut of the frst Subaru BRZ.
“For the BRZ 10th Anniversary Edition, the engineers have taken the same absolute attention to detail they did on creating the BRZ’s complete package and added exclusive commemorative touches to the interior and
buttons; black fnish 18inch alloy wheels; crystal black door mirror cap; black rear badge; and a numbered internal badge.
With only 150 examples produced for Australia, Subaru says customers are encouraged to place their pre-order quickly
The limited BRZ 10th Anniversary Edition will be available exclusively in Subaru’s signature WR Blue and will feature unique exterior and interior styling elements.
Each vehicle will also feature a numbered badge signifying the number of vehicles produced for the Australian market.
Subaru Australia’s Managing Director, Blair Read, commented:
“We are thrilled to open the order books for this
exterior. This is sure to attract the attention of BRZ enthusiasts and car collectors alike.
Features specifc to the 10th Anniversary Edition include embossed commemorative 10th Anniversary logo on the door trim; blue stitching on the door armrest, steering wheel, shift boot, parking brake boot and seat trim; blue perforations in seat trim; black interior highlights on the AC dials and centre console
as these models are anticipated to be rapidly snapped up. Interested customers can pre-order their new BRZ 10th Anniversary Edition online via www.subaru.com.au/ confgure or through their local Subaru Retailer. The manual model is priced at $43,090 and the automatic at $46,890. On-road costs need to be added.
In May 2022, Lismore City Council released a discussion paper that presented a range of recommendations for growth and post-food recovery.
A total of 327 submissions were received after extensive online and face-to-face engagement activities were undertaken.
Council has incorporated this feedback and produced a Draft Growth and Realignment Strategy that sets out potential growth areas for residential, commercial and industrial land, as well as recommending a long-term planned retreat from the most high-risk food affected areas.
Council will be hosting a public forum at Invercauld House on
Monday, 10 October from 5 - 6.30pm to discuss the strategy including:
• How to re-invent the CBD to be ft for the future
• Potential new commercial/residential mixed-use precinct in East Lismore (Golf Course site)
• Potential mixed-use development precinct around SCU in East Lismore
• Potential new industrial land locations identifed, including signifcant expansion of Goonellabah Industrial Precinct (Oliver Avenue).
For more information or to register for the session visit: https://yoursay.lismore. nsw.gov.au/growthand-housing
SafeWork NSW is urging workplaces to host a SafeTea event this October during National Safe Work Month.
Head of SafeWork NSW Natasha Mann said Safe Work Month is the perfect time for businesses to commit to building a safe and healthy workplace, and a conversation with a cup of tea in person or online is a great place to start.
“The way we work has changed the past couple of years and our safety and wellbeing has never been more important,” Ms Mann said.
“Every workplace has risks. As part of National Safe Work Month, in October all businesses from accounting frms to construction are encouraged to host a SafeTea event at their workplace. So, grab a cuppa, gather your team, and start an
important conversation about health and safety at work.
“SafeWork NSW has a range of SafeTea resources to download on the SafeWork NSW website including instructional posters to help drive conversations.
“This year’s theme is ‘Know safety, Work safely’. Last year in Australia 163 people died while doing their job. No job should be unsafe, and no death or injury is acceptable. This October is the perfect time to look at your workplace, understand the risks and make simple changes to improve safety because a safe and healthy workplace benefts everyone.”
Workers installing solar panels on rooftops can expect a visit from SafeWork NSW Inspectors, who are undertaking a six-month state-wide operation to ensure safety in this busy industry.
SafeWork NSW Executive Director Compliance & Dispute Resolution Matthew Press said this is the second time SafeWork Inspectors have targeted this activity with Inspectors visiting 286 solar panel installation sites in 2021, uncovering some alarming unsafe practices.
“The installation of solar photovoltaic systems on rooftops has increased markedly over recent years, due in part to government rebates, with NSW having installed most new rooftop solar panels in Australia in 2021,” Mr Press said.
“Solar retailers and installers have responsibilities under work health and safety laws to ensure workers are not at risk of falls from heights or contact with electricity, the two biggest safety risks the industry faces.
“Falls from heights is the biggest cause of traumatic fatalities on NSW construction sites, with most serious or fatal falls being from roofs, ladders or unsafe scaffolds – and from a
height of four metres or less. That’s about the height of a single storey house.”
The safest protection against falls from heights when working on a roof is to use roof rails or scaffold. Solar rooftop installers must only use harnesses as a last resort when roof rails cannot be installed.
“It is of great concern that of the 286 inspections last year, 69 per cent of sites were only using harnesses or did not have fall protection at all. Of the sites using harnesses, 32 per cent did not have appropriate anchor points in place, and 50 per cent were not clipped on to anything. A further 26 per cent of sites did not have their ladder fxed at the top, nor did the ladder extend one metre past the landing space,” Mr Press said.
“The inspections also found that 27 per cent of
sites did not place a lock on the main electrical switch or the meter box and 14 per cent did not adequately address the risk of overhead powerlines.
“Last year an Inspector observed a solar panel installation in progress with a worker at risk of falls of approximately 3.4 meters from a residential home, as the harness system in use was not connected properly. It was also found the means of access to the roof was not acceptable due to the ladder being unsecured.
“The risks are real. In January 2020, an apprentice electrician fractured his pelvis and back after falling more than three metres from a roof while installing solar panels at a construction site in Parklea. Later that year during another solar install, a 27-year-old roofng contractor fell
more than three metres through the roof of a sheering shed fracturing his back, at a rural property in Alectown near Parkes.
“That is why SafeWork will have their boots on the ground, working with retailers and installers from now until the end of the year to ensure rooftop solar installers safety.
Fines will be issued for non-compliance, with a zero-tolerance approach taken to falls risks. SafeWork has $1,000 rebates available for safety purchases which could prevent an incident and is a better investment than a $3,600 on-the-spot fne.”
A Guide to Solar Panel Safety and accompanying installers checklist is available to assist with controlling the risks. Visit www. safework.nsw.gov.au/ hazards-a-z/solar-panelinstallations
The next generation of trades workers will be equipped with the skills fundamental to building the smart cities of the future, as part of the NSW Government’s revolutionary new TAFE NSW Institute of Applied Technology for Construction.
Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens today announced that Australasia’s leading construction company CPB Contractors and Western Sydney University will join forces with TAFE NSW to pioneer new ways of training at the state-of-theart $84 million facility at Kingswood.
“This innovative partnership will pave the way for students to merge the knowledge gained through university study with the hands-on practical and technical
skills acquired through vocational education,” Mr Henskens said.
“This is the future of skills and training and the NSW Government is leading the nation in investing in this critical infrastructure which will be a fagship educational centre, supporting the pipeline of major infrastructure projects which will grow the economy and help secure a brighter future for the people of NSW.”
Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres said together, these partners will revolutionise education and training in Western Sydney by creating industry-led and embedded training programs which will rapidly upskill the local construction workforce.
“To have a leader in construction like CPB Contractors as a
foundational industry partner for the IAT for Construction puts real muscle behind this venture and will ensure we have a sustainable workforce that will service Western Sydney’s fast-growing population now and into the future,” Mr Ayres said.
Managing Director of CPB Contractors Jason Spears said he recognised the need for businesses to leave a lasting skills legacy through innovative collaboration with education providers.
“We are seeing unprecedented levels of construction, and this state-of-the-art training facility will equip students with real-world skills to meet current workforce needs while futureproofng Australia’s construction capability,” Mr Spears said.
“We are proud to work with TAFE NSW and
Western Sydney University to build a new educational model and learning experience that is fexible, scalable, accessible, and promotes greater diversity of thought across the industry.”
Vice-Chancellor of Western Sydney University Professor Barney Glover AO said the Institute will leverage the university’s world-leading expertise in engineering, smart construction, architecture, design, and advanced manufacturing.
“This is an exciting new model for education and training. With this Institute, we will co-design and co-deliver highly fexible education programs that integrate researchled learning with advanced technical and industry-based skills,” Professor Glover said.
Land tax plans shelved infation expectations fading
Infation has peaked earlier than expected, with infation pressures apparently easing across many parts of the global economy. Consequently, Australia’s housing downturn could prove to be relatively shortlived, as solid demand for housing driven by smaller household sizes and external migration is expected, according to Pete Wargent, cofounder of Australia’s frst national marketplace for buyer’s agents, BuyersBuyers.
Mr Wargent said, “the downturn in housing market sentiment has been largely driven by one factor alone: infation and the related fear of a sharp increase in mortgage rates. For as long as consumers fear rising mortgage rates, activity in the housing market will largely be reduced, with both volume of buyers lower, and the duration of transaction longer on pause.”
“The good news for borrowers is that the peak of the infation hysteria now appears to have passed. Market-based measures of infation expectations in the U.S. suggest that the peak is already in, with 5-year breakevens dropping all the way back down towards 2.6 per cent, and 10-year expectations now below 2½ per cent. These are the lowest fgures since September last year.”
“Australia is some way behind other parts of the world, and with rising prices for electricity and rents still to fow through to the offcial fgure’s infation isn’t likely to
peak here until the end of 20221. But the important thing for consumers is gaining a level of comfort that infation will fall away, and therefore not being fearful of rising interest rates. Australia’s biggest bank also sees RBA cutting interest rates in 2023. In both historical and absolute terms, of course, interest rates are still relatively low” Mr Wargent said. “Analysts will point out that any increase in mortgage rates reduces borrowing capacity, which is obviously true. But most borrowers don’t use their full borrowing capacity, and the most crucial factor in ending the downturn is simply a change in sentiment. As a matter of fact, lenders are now reducing interest rates for new borrowers” Bond yields down BuyersBuyers CEO Doron Peleg said that surging futures markets had priced in too much in the way of interest rate hikes, and the rising rates tide is now reversing.
Mr. Peleg said, “from only two weeks ago, Federal Reserve futures curves have calmed down signifcantly. In the U.S. markets are already looking for several interest rate cuts
in 2023. Meanwhile, Australia’s 3-year bond yield, which is a key funding benchmark, has already declined from 3.8 per cent to 2.9 per cent in only the past fortnight.”
The shelving of new land tax plans is a move in the right direction for Queensland’s rental market, but there’s more work to be done, according to Pete Wargent, co-founder of Australia’s frst national network of buyer’s agents, BuyersBuyers.
Mr Wargent said, “one positive that’s come out of the disruption over recent weeks and the round table discussions is that there’s now a genuine focus on solving some of the rental market challenges that won’t go away easily any time soon.”
“We always felt that taxing interstate investors was going to be a case of overreach, but the debate has stirred some worthwhile suggestions in terms of freeing up rental supply, particular in respect of affordable rental options.”
“Annual net migration from other states into Queensland has run to record high levels this year, and Queensland has a unique opportunity over the next decade to become a powerhouse location in the lead-up to the Brisbane Olympics showcase in 2032”.
In that context, we should be welcoming interstate investment in both commercial and residential property supply” Mr Wargent said.
Migration soars to record
BuyersBuyers CEO Doron Peleg said there will be a pressing need for landlords going forward.
Mr Peleg said, “net interstate migration into Queensland hit a record high of 54,000 over the year to March, so that’s
over 1,000 reasons per week why there will still be very strong demand for rental properties.”
“For the time being Queensland is leading the nation in terms of population growth, and with the international borders now open the pressures will intensify for some time.”
“The proposed land tax changes put our investor enquiries on a total pause, and some investors have already sold rentals, or at least had made plans to sell.”
“The reversal in the stance of the Queensland government should help the rental market to stay far more in the balance going forward,” Mr Peleg said.
Bright outlook for QLD BuyersBuyers cofounder Pete Wargent said the outlook for Queensland is bright, as the state benefts from the shift towards working from home and fexible working arrangements.
Mr Wargent said, “in the knowledge and information era there are many more people who could choose to live anywhere within reason and choose to make south-east Queensland their home.”
“I include myself in that lucky cohort. As a former resident of the big city, I am now able to work in one of the world’s great lifestyle regions.”
“Hopefully there will be no further plans to discourage investment in the state. It would be wonderful to think that a decade from now Australia is thought of as having three major cities, Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, and three powerhouse states from an economic performance standpoint” Mr Wargent said.
Making home ownership more achievable is one step closer with an online calculator now available to help eligible NSW frst home buyers choose between a small annual property payment or paying a bigger upfront stamp duty.
Under First Home Buyer Choice, eligible frst home buyers will have the choice of a smaller annual property payment or a traditional upfront payment for properties with a purchase price of up to $1.5 million.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said choice was central to this game-changing reform and will help put keys in the hands of more new
owner-occupiers sell their home within 10.5 years, with frst home buyers likely to sell even sooner. That means for the majority of frst home buyers that don’t already receive stamp duty assistance, First Home Buyer Choice will not only allow them to break into the property market earlier, but pay less overall,” Mr Kean said.
“First Home Buyer Choice will help young families take their goals of home-ownership into their own hands and fast-track their journey to the great Australian dream.”
Finance Minister Damien Tudehope said the calculator was an important tool that would make it easy for
home owners sooner by shaving years off the time it takes them to save for a deposit.
“Home ownership is the investment that starts paying dividends from the moment you walk through your front door for the frst time and we don’t want people to have to wait an extra couple of years to reap those benefts,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Choice is at the heart of these game-changing reforms that will put keys in the hands of new home owners much sooner and allow young people to capitalise on the fnancial security that home ownership delivers.”
Treasurer Matt Kean said the First Home Buyer Choice calculator will help frst home buyers decide for themselves which pathway to home ownership best suits their fnancial circumstances and personal aspirations.
“Treasury analysis indicates half of all
frst home buyers to make the decision that was right for them.
“When you own your own home, you own a stake in our nation, and the First Home Buyer Choice will help more young people across NSW do exactly that,” Mr Tudehope said.
“The calculator is easy to use and will fnd the land value of eligible properties under $1.5 million to calculate the options.”
Legislation for the First Home Buyer Choice, which was announced in the 202223 NSW Budget as part of the Government’s integrated $2.8 billion housing package, will soon be introduced into Parliament.
For more information on the First Home Buyer Choice, go to https://www.nsw.gov. au/initiative/frst-homebuyer-choice
To view the calculator, go to https://www. service.nsw.gov.au/ transaction/calculateyour-property-tax
In just over 26 weeks, the 34th Annual Bluesfest’s gates will open for what they are promoting to be the most exciting Bluesfest ever.
With today’s artist announcement, they have now rolled out 47 artists on the already mammoth Bluesfest 2023 line-up. They have also reported continuing development of the festival site, to make for a game-changing festival experience over the Easter Long Weekend held in the Byron Shire, from Thursday 6 April – Monday
10 April 2023. This morning, Bluesfest have announced The Doobie Brothers, bringing their 50th Anniversary Tour to the festival stage on closing night – Easter Monday, April 10. The band are still smashing attendance records, and rightly so with some of the classic line-up still performing todayMichael McDonald has rejoined the band, alongside Patrick Simmons, Tom Johnston, and John McFee. Their legion of fans will be able experience a coming together of what many
may call “THE CLASSIC DOOBIE BROTHERS COMBINATION”.
Next on the line-up addition list is winner of the Americana Album of the year, Allison Russell, playing Bluesfest 2023 on Easter Saturday & Sunday.
2ND JULY 2019
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Bones (both performing on Opening Night of Bluesfest 2023 - Thu 6 April, and on Good Friday 7 April).
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standard price.
Bluesfesters will also see Counting Crows (Easter Saturday), the forever unwavering on-stageenergy of Vintage Trouble (Good Friday & Easter Saturday), PLUS the mighty return of Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats and St Paul & the Broken
It’s going to be a Bluesfest to remember with some of the world’s fnest contemporary and legendary Blues, Roots, Soul, Rock, Hip Hop, R&B, World and Americana music artists… and more! 1-Day and 3-Day tickets will also go on sale today (soon after the artist announcement) at a special price which will only be available for a limited time before we increase to the
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Stand by for further announcements on two special satellite events happening in Melbourne and Perth, as well as side shows from some of this amazing line up.
Poet, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, activist – Allison Russell unpacks her
youth in searing detail on her tour de force debut Outside Child. She sings about deliverance and redemption, about the places, the people and realisations that helped her survive and claim her freedom.
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“It’s an album of strength and affrmation, not victimization,” said The New York Times in their profle on Russell, and has named Outside Child the #2 Best Album of 2021.
Outside Child has received three Grammy award nominations in the
Best Americana Album category, Best American Roots Performance and Best American Roots Song. In addition to her three Grammy nominations, Russell has been awarded Album of the Year at the 2022 Americana Music Association Awards, four Canadian Folk Music Awards, the Polaris Music Prize and two Juno Awards. Russell is the frst-ever Black artist to win a Contemporary Roots Album of the Year in Juno history.
Counting Crows have enchanted listeners worldwide for more than two decades with their intensely soulful and intricate take on timeless rock & roll. Exploding onto the music scene in 1993 with their multi-platinum breakout album, August and Everything After, the band has gone on to release seven studio albums, selling more than 20 million records worldwide, and is revered as one of the world’s most pre-eminent live touring rock bands.
In 2004, Counting Crows recorded the chart-topping “Accidently in Love” for the animated motion picture Shrek 2. The instant success of the track earned them an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song at the 2005 Academy Awards, a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song, and a GRAMMY Award nomination for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.
Over the last 30 years, the masterful songwriting from front man Adam Duritz put the band at No.8 on Billboard Magazine’s 2021 “Greatest Of All Time: Adult Alternative 25th Anniversary Chart.” The band released their newest record, Butter Miracle, featuring hit single “Elevator Boots” in April of 2021.
For over fve decades, The Doobie Brothers have been known for delivering mind-blowing, roots based, harmony-laden, guitar-
driven rock and roll – all of which recently culminated in an induction into the 2020 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Boasting one of the most loyal fan bases in music, selling more than 48 million albums, and winning four Grammy Awards, The Doobie Brothers continue to write and record new material and tour the world.
In all, the Doobies have tallied up fve top 10 singles and 16 top 40 hits. Beginning with their multimillion-selling sophomore collection Toulouse Street, the Doobies have 3 multiplatinum, 7 platinum, and 14 Gold albums. Best of the Doobies has sold more than 12 million copies – a rare “diamond record.” In 2021, the band kicked off their 50th anniversary tour which reunited Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald, Pat Simmons, and John McFee back on the road together for the frst time in over 25 years. Catch them at Bluesfest 2023 on Easter Monday.
It took Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats less than fve years to become one of the most recognisable new forces in contemporary Rock ’n’ Roll. Since 2015, Rateliff has led his denim-clad, horn-fanked Night Sweats, supplying the zeal of a whiskeychugging Pentecostal preacher to songs about this world’s shared woes. They’ve had hits, sure, but their combustible mix of soul and rock quickly cemented them as the rare generational band who balanced ecstatic live shows with engrossing and rich records.
To wit, is there any other modern act capable of revving up stadium crowds for The Rolling Stones while also appearing on Saturday Night Live and CMT Crossroads and at NPR’s Tiny Desk in short order?
When Rateliff returned from his pandemictruncated solo tour in March 2020, he struggled
with the same question that vexed so many of us then— what now? Fortunately, he returned to his Colorado homestead and penned a set of songs that synthesized his introspection with his anthemic inclinations. The result is The Future, the third Night Sweats album but the frst to capture this octet’s true depth and breadth. An instant classic of 11 songs, the album presents something more sustainable, interesting, and indeed open—a songwriter and band growing into bigger questions and sounds, into a future that allows them to remain recognisable but be so much more compelling than some denim-clad caricature.
A fever dream in sonic form, St. Paul & The Broken Bones’ new album The Alien Coast represents the most adventurous and original output yet from an ever-evolving musical powerhouse. In a profound shift for the Alabamabred eight-piece—Paul Janeway (vocals), Jesse Phillips (bass), Browan Lollar (guitar), Kevin Leon (drums), Al Gamble (keyboards), Allen Branstetter (trumpet), Chad Fisher (trombone),
and Amari Ansari (saxophone)—the band’s fourth full-length and frst for ATO Records strays far from the time-bending soul of past work like their 2014 debut, arriving at a convergence of soul and psychedelia, stoner metal and funk. At turns explosive, elegant, and unhinged, that sound makes for a majestic backdrop to St. Paul & The Broken Bones’ visceral exploration of the strangest dimensions of the human psyche.
Since forming in 2010, Vintage Trouble have become Rock ‘n’ Roll’s best kept secret. Distilling swaggering rock, soulful blues, R&B grooves, and pop ambition into a bold and brash brew, the quartet—Ty Taylor (vocals), Nalle Colt (guitar), Rick Barrio Dill (bass), and Richard Danielson (drums) — have logged 3,000 shows across 30 countries on tour with divinities such as The Who, The Rolling Stones, AC/ DC, Lenny Kravitz, and Bon Jovi, to name a few.
Research Fellow and Senior Lecturer Dr Adith Mohan at UNSW Sydney’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) has been awarded a Maridulu Budyari Gumal, the Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research and Enterprise (SPHERE) grant to improve clinical outcomes for patients with Functional Neurological Disorders.
e award will bring together a team of international experts in the eld to address the gaps in the delivery of responsive, evidence-based services for Functional Neuro logical Disorder (FND) across Australia and New Zealand.
Dr Mohan says that the creation of collaborative consor tia of specialist clinics positively in uence health outcomes in highly prevalent disorders, with cancer being a good example.
ese consortia promote partnerships between tertiary clinical services and primary and secondary healthcare facilities and help improve quality of care for patients.
“Clinical consortia serve to coordinate the clinical and research agendas of participating members and increase access to services while allowing for optimal use of nite resources.
“ is consortium for FND – known as CARE FND - will facilitate e orts to systematically collect epidemiological and clinical data that can be translated into gold-standard practice and shape policy development.”
Dr Mohan, who leads the newly established Mind gardens FND Clinic at the Neuropsychiatric Institute, e Prince of Wales Hospital, says there is an urgent need for interdisciplinary collaboration.
“Changing the culture of care in FND requires a concert ed e ort by clinicians, academics, healthcare policy and decision makers, hospital administrators and state-wide and national funding bodies in partnership with patients, their families, and their carers.
“ is funding will allow existing services to come togeth er to evaluate the current landscape of FND care provision and develop robust guidelines that can shape the devel opment of pathways of care that engage primary health networks, private sector providers and NGOs alike in the
assessment and management of FND.”
Professor Jackie Curtis, Executive Director of Mind gardens Neuroscience Network and co-investigator on the grant, says this funding o ers a unique opportunity to coordinate clinical and research agendas in the eld.
“ is is an unprecedented collaboration of experts in FND in Australasia, with the Mindgardens FND Clinic serving as the central hub of CARE FND,” says Professor Curtis. “We know that we can improve our support for people with FND by coordinating care across the health system and integrating research that directly addresses patients’ experiences.”
FND is a common and treatable neuropsychiatric condi tion diagnosed in 15-20% of patients attending neurology clinics. Each year, approximately 200-300 new patients are diagnosed with FND in New South Wales alone.
Patients are typically young to middle-aged adults who demonstrate high rates of crisis-oriented healthcare utilisation. More than a third of these young adults end up remaining out of the workforce, and a quarter requir ing disability support indicative of a signi cant burden of health and societal cost.
“Despite this reality, services for FND in Australia and New Zealand remain fragmented with poorly de ned care pathways,” says Dr Mohan.
CHeBA Co-Director and Chief Investigator Professor Perminder Sachdev, who leads a transnational consortium of 57 studies in cognitive ageing, will provide expert guid ance in the set up and governance of CARE FND.
Professor Sachdev says that clinical consortia serve to promote health equity, set standards for care, enable shar ing of knowledge and expertise, and foster the development of a cohesive translational research agenda.
“ is consortium is the rst of its kind in bringing together a unique team of investigators all of whom lead FND clinical services across the two countries and compre hensively represent the breadth of expertise in the eld of FND in Australasia,” he says.
Research to identify patients who will bene t most from a life-saving machine that acts as the heart and lungs follow ing organ failure has received a $1 million Federal Govern ment funding boost.
e Minister for Health and Aged Care, e Hon Mark Butler, announced the $999,779.40 Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Cardiovascular Health Mission grant during a visit to e Alfred’s Intensive Care Unit on National Heart Day.
e research involves the high-tech Extracorporeal Mem brane Oxygenation (ECMO) machine, which simulates a heart/lung bypass a er acute cardiac and respiratory failure, and cardiac arrest. It can replace a non-functioning heart or lungs for weeks.
ECMO is used in adults, children, and newborns when all other forms of life support have failed. It has increased survival in these patients to around 60 per cent. In the past ve years, its use has doubled in Australia and globally.
e newly funded PRecision Ecmo in CardIogenic Shock Evaluation: PRECISE Study is led by Monash Universi ty’s Dr Aidan Burrell, in collaboration with Alfred Health, St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, the University of Sydney, and e University of Queensland’s Critical Care Research Group.
PRECISE will recruit 236 patients to investigate whether biomarkers* can better identify patients who will derive the best long-term bene t from ECMO. e study is embedded in the National ECMO Registry ( e EXCEL Registry) led by Professor Carol Hodgson, head of the Division of Clini cal Trials and Cohort Studies, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University.
e EXCEL registry covers over 95 per cent of ECMO patients nationally and includes over 1000 receiving ECMO. Over three years, the registry has embedded at least six clinical trials, including three randomised controlled trials to test early interventions aimed at improving patient outcomes.
Professor Hodgson said the PRECISE study aimed to improve patient outcomes by “bridging the gap between bench and bedside”.
“We have the unique opportunity to use this funding for the PRECISE study within a national ECMO registry to nd the link between early biomarkers and long-term recovery in patients who have severe heart failure and need ECMO to survive,” Professor Hodgson said.
“ is will help patients and families understand the re covery trajectory a er critical illness and will help clinicians plan for the needs of their patients.”
Monash University Academic Vice-President and Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Profes sor Christina Mitchell, welcomed the grant and said the national ECMO registry team already had an outstanding research record and had shown that improved diagnosis, management and outcomes are achievable in Australia.
“ is new funding will allow us to investigate whether biomarkers can better identify which patients will derive the best long-term bene t from ECMO, potentially leading to more targeted ECMO support and improved patient care,” Professor Mitchell said.
It seemed like a good idea at the time and in the busy life of a wine-writer, every minute counts.
Yes, all those wines to be tasted, glasses washed, pencils sharpened and batteries charged, it can be diffcult to fnd time for even simple things such as a haircut.
We all have our favourites when it comes to haircuts, and barbers.
As it happens mine is very old-school, which is appropriate, and so old-school he only charges $20, and, even older-school, only accepts cash. This is a bit annoying because having abandoned that medium of exchange about fve years ago in favour of a phone over a wallet, it is
becoming increasingly diffcult to fnd the stuff, not to mention, paradoxically, someone who accepts it.
Except my barber.
Eventually the required amount was mined down the back of the couch and under the seat of the car.
My barber is also so old-school there is no appointment making, nor has he adopted the modern process of writing your name on a blackboard and popping back every now and then to see where you are on the ladder. You just sit and wait your turn.
But there is a loophole. If someone is ahead of you, and you are in a hurry, you may offer to pay for their haircut if
they let you jump the queue.
So busy was I, the gambit was plied and I was in the chair, destined to be back at the tasting table 20 minutes ahead of schedule.
But then it dawned. I didn’t have enough cash.
That’s okay, we’re in a shopping centre, you can get cash-out can’t you? They always ask if you want some.
Not with a phone apparently. You need a piece of plastic fashioned into a credit card. Who knew that? Why is plastic okay, but not a phone with exactly the same information in its little chips?
Okay, relax, the bank is a mere three-minute walk.
Easy.
What? “Closed for lunch, said the sign!
How long has this been going on? It’s 2022, not 1922! Who uses banks these days anyway? Why aren’t they permanently closed?
Walk to the car, 20 minutes. Drive home to collect card, fve minutes. Drive back to supermarket fve minutes. Find park, fve minutes. Get cash from supermarket… nuh. Wrong card. Find handy-bank, fve minutes. Back to barber, now onto his third customer since I left, fve minutes.
That went well.
Find bottle shop, three seconds.
Howard Park
WA Arbor Novae
Chardonnay 2019, $35. You quickly sense why this costs more than others in Arbor range. It’s classier and feels like more love has been afforded it. Favourite child syndrome perhaps, and who isn’t happy about that? Mum...? 9.4/10.
Hancock and Hancock McLaren Vale Tempranillo 2019, $25ish.
Temp’ can be a little bit disappointing sometimes, but this has successfully crossed the barbecue boundary and entered the realm broad acceptance. Indeed few may tell the difference from many a shiraz 9.1/10.
‘Provenance’ Sauvignon Blanc 2021, $26. This is how sav blanc should be, not too tart, not too soft, just right, just bright enough. GO Queensland, but go to SA for sauv blanc it seems. 9.2/10.
Howard Park WA Jeté Methode Traditionnelle
Grand Vintage 2017, $54. Serious gear and if you’re tossing up between boring, expensive, NV French stuff and something interesting, you will not only get something more delectable but also roughly 1.5 times as much. 9.5/10.
Hancock and Hancock McLaren Vale Home Vineyard Shiraz 2019 (Magnum), $60ish. There is something special about magnums, apart from having twice the volume of a regular bottle.
They’re important looking, feel like more than 1.5 litres and give you the security that you’ll at least have enough wine to get through to half time. 9.2/10.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, $64. Is this the most expensive Granite Belt wine ever?
Well goodo, it’s worth it and might give others in the region the confidence to aim that high. Meanwhile I have a prophecy…it won’t take long for the others to follow suit. 9.5/10.
What was the name of the youngest brother, also a bushranger, of Ned Kelly?
The rst female Lord Mayor of Sydney is married to which Australian politician?
Which group won a Grammy in 1997 with the song Killing Me Softly?
Although the fur of polar bears (pictured) appears white, what is it actually?
The Jodrell Bank Observatory serves as a research and teaching department for the university of which English city?
Are bandicoots generally nocturnal or diurnal?
What is the oral emblem of South Australia?
The week is off to a stellar start with Mercury FINALLY direct in Virgo and fring up your sixth house of systems, service and healthy routines. And Thursday, October 6, brings a potentially game-changing moment as the messenger planet trades friendly fre with intensifying Pluto in your professional tenth house. During this transformational time, you have the power to make some practical— and highly signifcant—shifts to your work systems and how you show up publicly. How can you streamline your processes and all the moving pieces to increase productivity? Start off with an organization mission: Clear your desktops, both your literal workstation and your computer home screen. If you work with multiple calendars, stop doing that and funnel everything—from medical and therapy appointments to deadlines, workouts and dates—into one book or program.
Finances and overall security will be at the top of your to-do list this week with Mercury offcially out of retrograde and zipping full steam ahead in Virgo and your second house of money and security. There’s no better time than now to get a clear-eyed perspective on your fscal ftness and plot out the steps you need to take to meet your 2022 goals. On a related note, there’s no need to beat yourself up if the “fnish line” is still a ways in the distance. Even if you’re carrying debt, you CAN get out of it with a solid plan and self-discipline. The latter is on tap this Thursday, October 6, as analytical Mercury forms a supportive trine with game-changing Pluto in your sixth house of hard work, organization and service. This planetary power surge can help you get creative about fnding ways to get your cash fowing.
You’re probably breathing a sigh of relief now that Mercury is back on track in Virgo and your ffth house of romance, playfulness and creativity. Things could reach a fever pitch in any of those departments on Thursday, October 6, as the cosmic messenger spins into an intensifying angle with transformational Pluto in your expansive ninth house. This could show up as anything from realizing that a friend or colleague—perhaps long-distance—has serious partner potential to having an artistic project of yours go global! For couples, this is a great opportunity to get some non-negotiable dates and possibly a vacation on the calendar regardless of how busy your schedules are. (Because really, what’s more important than strengthening your bond?) If you’re getting ready to launch (or grow) a project, this Mercury-Pluto trine can function like your personal planetary PR agency. Get a buzz going on social media and ask friends with followers to signal-boost you!
Want the best news frst? Your galactic guardian, feet-footed Mercury, has offcially wrapped its frustrating threeweek retrograde and is now zipping forward through Virgo all week, which is heating up the action at home base. If you’ve been a bit bored or lonely of late, this kind of buzzing hive vibe will be an answer to your prayers! However, if you’ve been longing for peace, quiet and a little solitude, well, you may need to either adjust your expectations—or get noise-cancelling headphones! Things could reach a fever pitch on Thursday, October 6, when Mercury spins into an activating angle with metamorphic Pluto in your eighth house of merging and intense emotions (this is Pluto’s domain). This is a great opportunity to bring in some changes, but if you live with other people, be sure to get their okay before you start wielding a hammer—or paint roller!
If you discovered that your message hadn’t been coming across the way you intended, you’ll have the means to make any necessary tweaks to get aligned. And this might not be a “failing” on your part. It’s possible that you’re trying to reach an audience that isn’t on your wavelength. Maybe you’re more experienced or informed and when you address them as a peer, it gets lost in translation. (And they could be too mortifed to ask you to explain.)
This raises another important question: How can you bridge that gap—and should you even bother?
When communicator Mercury gets into formation with penetrating Pluto in your partnership sector on Thursday, October 6, you might just stumble on the missing piece and attract a large and VERY engaged audience!
What a way for a Virgo to kick off the week! Your galactic guardian, winged Mercury, is once again moving forward in your sign, giving you carte blanche to put your hopes and dreams—and desires—frst. And supercharging that permission slip is Mercury’s twice-annual supportive trine with galvanizing Pluto in Capricorn and your ffth house of creativity and amour on Thursday, October 6. To make the most of this action-oriented angle, clear out as much calendar space and mental bandwidth as possible, so you can jump on any plum opportunities that come your way. That may be trickier than it sounds given the fact that, at your core, you’re a workand-service-oriented person and tirelessly humble. But you have been known to do what’s needed to move the needle when it comes to making art—or making love—so smart money is on Virgo this week. Keep your eyes open, ears perked up, and be ready to say yes to something that makes your heart skip a beat!
Can we get an amen? Mercury is offcially out of retrograde and is now speeding full steam ahead in Virgo and your introspective twelfth house (until October 10). While its pivot might have sparked some divine downloads or given you a chance to review some old creative projects or renewed a spiritual practice, it also could have caused your already active imagination to run amuck. As this week unfolds, you might still feel like you’re rambling through a thick fog and can’t get a clear visual on your surroundings. If you happen to be on retreat or in the middle of an artistic project, this is actually an advantageous headspace to be in. But for Libras busy navigating “the real world,” this state of mind can be disorienting. Don’t trust your senses now, at least not 100 percent.
Let’s hear it for team spirit! As the week unfolds, you may be in an unusually social mood, maybe even up for some creative collaboratives!
For this you can thank chatty Mercury, who has just wrapped its retrograde and will be jetting full steam ahead in your eleventh house of teamwork and tech until October 10. You have so much to gain by joining forces with like-minded folks, whether on a work project or a personal initiative. The eleventh house is also your sector of humanitarianism and social activism, so if these are important to you, investigate organizations whose missions you’re aligned with. Whatever you get up to, you’ll have your greatest successes—and best times—working closely together and holding fashmob-style brainstorming sessions. Sure, team apps are great for expedience and productivity, but there’s nothing like real-life
With Mercury offcially out of retrograde and zipping ahead in Virgo and your professional tenth house until October 10, train your laser focus on work issues, including your goals for the rest of 2022. You’re a visionary big-picture thinker, Sag, but thanks to quick-moving— and quick-thinking—Mercury in this ambitious chart sector, career plans will become clearer and more alluring! When you refect on these themes, consider them from a host of perspectives and on many levels, including the work itself, fnancial remuneration and growth potential. Looking to make a move? You may get an unexpected chance on Thursday, October 6, when Mercury aligns with metamorphic Pluto, the planet responsible for deep and sustained change. But what will make you happy? If benefts (including vacation and fextime) are important, build those into your equation. the time to rest on your laurels!
Going somewhere, Cap? We wouldn’t be remotely surprised now that quicksilver Mercury has wrapped up another frustrating retrograde and is now speeding ahead in Virgo and your ninth house of travel, expansion—and adventure!—until October 10. How quickly can you mobilize to book a trip or sign up for a potentially game-changing course? If you’ve got the time and funds, a change of scenery would be just what Dr. Feelgood ordered. You don’t have to jet halfway across the planet for a sea change. Simply trading your city streets for a soft forest bed, or your more countrifed environs for a lively urban hub can hit the refresh button on your creativity. Hey, isn’t this what Airbnb and VRBO were made for? On a tight deadline—or budget? That needn’t stop you from researching places to bookmark and explore “someday.”
Oh, the irony! Garrulous Mercury has fnally wrapped its three-week retrograde, but until October 10 it’ll be hanging out in Virgo and your uber-private, mysterious eighth house, which won’t exactly put you in the most social of spirits. But that’s not a bad thing, as your chatty, people-centric air sign occasionally needs to be reminded! With the mental planet in such a quiet zone, you’ve got a perfect opportunity to shift out of doer mode and into the role of savvy spectator. The eighth house is associated with secrets and seduction, so it might prove helpful to proceed on the assumption that things that seem obvious at frst blush might turn out to be very different. This is like the universe inviting you to hit pause and investigate, seeking out incontestable evidence before leaping to any conclusions.
C’mon out of hiding, Pisces!
Actually, good luck even trying to stay in your meditation cave—or private Fishbowl—this week! For starters, social Mercury has offcially wrapped its retrograde. And until October 10, it’s buzzing through Virgo and your seventh house of relationships. People will once again be your primary focus, from bae to your writing partner or band members. And on Thursday, October 6, the messenger planet makes one of its few annual trines with transformational Pluto in your community sector, which can spark a deepening with someone you want to get closer to. (Or if there’s no one on the radar, this could attract an intriguing candidate.) For your part, you’ll need to be willing to get vulnerable and allow things to get a little emotionally “messy.” Whether you’re seeking a life partner, fall fing or angel investors for a startup, get more creative and more expansive in your search parameters.
Passed away peacefully 5th October 2022 at Lismore Base Hospital, surrounded by his family. Late of Casino. Aged 64 years.
Dearly loved husband of Vickie. Much loved father of Rick and Brad. Loving son of Ron (decd) & Eileen McAlister. Loved & sadly missed by all his family & friends.
Relatives and friends of Mark (Macca) are invited to attend a celebration of his life to be held this ursday 13th October 2022 commencing at 10.00am at e Arentz Chapel, Parkview Funeral Home 41 Walker Street Casino. Followed by Burial in Casino Lawn Cemetery. Live streaming link: https://vimeo.com/event/2486697
Passed away peacefully 6th October 2022.
Much loved husband to Dianne. Loved father to Cathie and Rachel, and father-in-law to Philip and Peter. Adored Grandy to Emily, Ryan and William
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Ross’ funeral service
To be held FRIDAY 14TH October at Parkview Funeral Home 21 Kalinga Street Ballina commencing at 2.00pm
William John Kay “Jack” 09/03/1931 – 04/10/2022
Late of East Lismore. Passed away peacefully on Tuesday 04 October, 2022 aged 91 years.
Dealy loved Husband of Carmel (dec.)
Much loved Father of Dennis (dec.), Anthony, Terence, Gerard, Mary, Andrew, Lisa and Annette. Cherished Grandfather and Great-grandfather to all his Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren.
Family and friends are warmly invited to attend Jack’s Requiem Mass to be held at St Carthage’s Cathedral Lismore on Tuesday 18 October at 11:30 am.
A er the service, the cortege will leave for the Lismore Memorial Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of owers, donations can be made to the Lismore Base Hospital Auxiliary.
“ e Old Cheese” 25. 06. 1934 ~ 07. 10. 2022
Rae Juliet Simpson has passed away peacefully at home, (Caroona) surrounded by her loving family. Proud and Loving Mother, Mother in-law, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. She will be missed by Gail & Michael, Gary & Aileen, Sue-Ellen & John, Peter & Leanne. Megan & Adam, Karina, James, Michael and Andrew, Patrick & Nicola, Tom & Melissa, Riley & Lila.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Rae’s Funeral Service to be held at Lismore Memorial Gardens Crematorium, Skyline Road Goonellabah on MONDAY 17th October, 2022 commencing at 10.00 am please wear bright coloured clothing and/or hats.
You will be missed
In accordance with section 152D of the Roads Act 1993, notice is hereby given of the proposed sale of the Crown public roads listed in Schedule 1. If a sale proceeds, the road(s) will cease to be a public road upon transfer of the road to freehold land in accordance with section 152H of the Act.
Schedule
All interested
person
Access) Act 2009
For more information: Visit our website industry.nsw.gov.au/lands/access/roads or contact Kristy Smidt by email at kristy.smidt@crownland.nsw.gov.au or on (02) 6640 3957 quoting fle references above.
Send your CV, portfolio with a cover letter to: jeff@heartlandmedia.com.au
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Wood Chipping Felling Stump Grinding Removal
The Alstonville Red Cross branch meets on a monthly basis in Alstonville. As meeting dates sometimes vary, please call Carol on 0424 742 774 for details of our next meeting.
A local women’s service club that meets on the 1st Tuesday of the month at the Plateau Sports Club. Quota is committed to supporting and improving the physical and mental wellbeing of the disadvantaged in our community through local projects. Contact: quotaalstonville@gmail.com for more details.
ALSTONVILLE ROTARY CLUB
Interested in contributing to community? Local and international? The Rotary Club of Summerland Sunrise meets every Friday at 7.05am for Breakfast at Options Cafe, Main St. Alstonville until further notice. Join us at Options please. Phone 0435 990 919 for more details.
CRAWFORD HOUSE MUSEUM
The noticeboard is a place for residents and community organisations to fnd the latest news from community and social services in The Northern Rivers.
All content is submitted by community organisations. The Northern Rivers Times provides the noticeboard facility and approves submissions before publication.
All Notices submitted must be no longer than 300 WORDS MAX and supplied via email on an attached word, pages or PDF document.
Photos will not be accepted.
AGM’s (annual general meetings) are not part of the community pages and if required to be published you must submit your AGM for the Classifeds Section of the newspaper, an advertising fee will be charged. Call Sharon on 02 6662 6222 for all AGM’s.
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It’s Alstonville Plateau Historical Society’s 21st birthday and the latest exhibition at Crawford House Museum celebrates the Society’s achievements, with photos and videos of functions and exhibitions held over the past 21 years. It runs until Friday 4 November. There are also commemorative wineglasses for sale. Crawford House Museum is at 10 Wardell Road Alstonville and is open Fridays 10am-4pm and Sundays 1pm-4pm or at other times by appointment for groups. Enquiries (02) 6628 1829, aphs2477@ yahoo.com.au or www.aphsmuseum. org.au.
MCLEANS RIDGES CRAFT GROUP
meet at the McLeans Ridges Hall, Cowlong Road, McLeans Ridges on the 2nd Saturday of each month from 9.30am to 3.30pm. Scrapbooking, card making, paper craft, knitting whatever takes your fancy. Come along for an enjoyable day. Bring your own morning tea and lunch. Coffee, tea, milk provided. A small fee to cover hall hire. Ph 0401 047 513.
SQUARE DANCING Summerland Larrikins Squares Alstonville, Fridays 7.30pm-9.30pm at Uniting Church Hall, 59 Main Street, Alstonville. Contact 0407663017 for further information. New dancers welcome.
BALLINA ARTS & CRAFTS CENTRE INC. (BACCI)
We are a diverse group of Artists and Crafters that participate in wonderful group exhibitions. Meetings are usually on the 1st Monday of every month at the Cherry Street Sports Club. Social gathering at 5, for a 5.30 start. New members are always welcome. For more information - info@bacci.com.au or phone Deb on 0432105540
BALLINA BRIDGE CLUB
“Social play every Monday 9-11.30am”. Sessions for all levels of players on Mon, Wed, Sat from 1pm to about 5pm. Be seated at 12:45. Restricted session (under 300 Masterpoints) Thu 1pm – about 5pm.
NOTE: All Community Notices must be submitted each week on or before 11am every Monday for the next edition to be published.
Friday mornings – Help with Play –open to anyone who would like some help with their game from teachers on duty. 9am to about 11:15pm. Sessions are $5 for members and $7 for visitors. Everyone entering the club must be fully vaccinated. 13 North Ck Rd, Ballina Please call Judy Forsyth (president) on 0407664337. www. ballinabridge.org.au
Ballina CWA Handicraft and Friendship mornings are in full swing on Wednesdays from 9 until 12 in our rooms on River Street next to the RSL, come along with or without your handicraft, have a chat and enjoy morning tea for $3, for more information please ring our Handicraft Offcer Barb 0428116668. We are having a street stall on Friday 14th in River Street outside the Greater Building Society, commencing at 8am we shall have some beautiful handicraft and delicious cooking and preserves for sale, all proceeds to go to Biala school, please come along and support our worthy cause. Our CWA meeting days are held on the 3rd Monday of the month commencing at 9am, all most welcome to
Mah-jong is being played in our rooms from 12:15 on Wednesday and Thursday, for more Information please ring David 0435323079.
Meets on the second Wednesday of each month at the Ballina RSL Club at 6.30 for dinner at 7pmGuests are always welcome. Our members support the education of disadvantaged children in Australia by fundraising activities and social events in our local community for The Smith Family - by sponsoring 5 Learning for Life students. Contact President Julie Stephan 0434988770.
Our Cake stall at Bunnings on Saturday 1st October raised $743.50 which included the raffe of a Bunnings Voucher for $50 which was won by Ros Redwood.
(The staff of Bunnings were amazing as the weather was so dreadful they moved us inside the store which the ladies were very grateful for.)
Our next event will be the Market Day on 29th October at the hospital which you have already publicised for us.
On Thursday 1st December we have our Christmas Stall on River Street with cakes galore and craft just in time for Christmas. Our Christmas Raffe will be drawn on that day.
The selling of these will commence on Monday 24th October at Richies, IGA, Ballina Central by kind permission of the Manager. We will be there from Monday to Saturday from 9 till 1. Tickets are $2 each and the prizes are: 1st $500 and 2nd $100. We will be in Lennox Head outside Terry Whites Chemist from Monday 7th November till Saturday 12th November, Ballina Fair from Friday 11th November till Wednesday 16th November (excluding Sunday).
Then we will be on River Street outside The Greater from Monday21st November through till Thursday 1st December. So, plenty of places to come and buy tickets for the raffe.
On 17th, 18th and 19th we will be gift wrapping at Ballina Fair.
Has activities every day for Senior Citizens. Monday –Line Dancing 9:30am, Art 1 pm. Tuesday - Line Dancing 9:30am. Wednesday - Tai Chi 8:30am, Bridge 1pm, Ballroom Dancing 6:45pm. Thursday - Yoga 7:30am 4. Line Dancing 9:30am, Indoor Bowls 1pm. Friday – Nothing as yet. Saturday - Bridge 1pm. Contact Bonnie 0414927361
Welcomes families from Ballina Shire. 9 Regatta Avenue, Ballina. Open Saturdays 10am – 1pm. Ph. 0411 719 074 for enquiries
We are now pleased that our hot brunch centre can be held twice a month, the 1st and third Saturday. Everyone is welcome, so come and enjoy a free sausage sizzle, hot dogs, tea, coffee or juice or just come for a chat. This is held at the Ballina Presbyterian Church Hall, on the corner of Cherry and Crane St 10am to 12pm for more information call Chris on 0411510430
How about trying something different? If you would like to improve your communication and leadership skills or simply make new friends and have fun, you are warmly invited to attend the In Focus Toastmasters Club. We meet the 3rd Wednesday evening of each month. You may attend either from the comfort of your own home via zoom or join us in person at the Cherry Street Sports Club, Ballina. For more, contact our President via email at: president-3209990@ toastmastersclubs.org or our PR offcer at: vppr-3209990@ toastmastersclubs.org
This association was formed to attract veterans for companionship, wellbeing and to supply advocacy to veterans. We hold an informal gathering every Friday, 2.30pm at Ballina Angling Club (families are welcome). Contact Allan Watt for more information on 0402 749 582 or email jakknco@bigpond. net.au
The Probus Club of Ballina Waters will hold its next monthly meeting on Wednesday 19th October at the Cherry Street Sports Club commencing at 10.00 a.m. The guest speaker will be Cathy Ridd, who will talk about the services provided by Orange Sky for homeless and disadvantaged people.
October is “Probus Month” and many clubs throughout Australia will be conducting celebratory activities to draw attention to this social organization for senior citizens. Ballina Waters will hold a happy hour on Friday 21st, a luncheon on Friday 28th, and a Melbourne Cup function on Tuesday 1st November.
This club is a mixed club and both men and women
are invited to join us for a range of interesting social functions. Further information is available from the President Brian on 0432277170.
Casino Lions club now meets each 4th Wed at the RSM.
CASINO CWA
The Casino CWA would like to invite everyone to our monthly meeting held the 3rd Thursday of the month. Next meeting is at the Casino Community Centre 9.00am Thursday 20th October. This will be our AGM. October’s Land Cookery Bake is a Ginger Fluff sponge (recipe of your choice). The winners of our Father’s Day raffe were 1st Prize: Judy Mercer, 2nd Prize: C. Shannon. See you all at the Casino Show & Heritage Machinery Weekend This Saturday & Sunday, we will be in the pavilion selling Devonshire Teas! Everyone is welcome. Enquires Jan Corocher 66626424, Margert Good 66621746
CASINO CHARITY CASH BINGO
We welcome newcomers and supporters – come along and join our fun evening. We are upstairs at the Casino RSM Club each Thursday with ‘eyes down ‘at 7pm. We now have ‘Play-Mates’ (electronic tablets) and if you play a Playmate during July we are giving you one free book. BUT if you prefer to play books, we still sell paper games. Looking forward to seeing new people!! Any questions don’t hesitate to call Jan on 0414625680.
CASINO COMMUNITY MEN’S SHED Mon, Tues, Wed, attendance limited to 50 members, 8am1.30pm. Contact 66626423 DH or casmenshed@live.com.
au
CASINO GALLERY ART at the CASSINO GALLERY.
The Casino Art Group meets here every Saturday 10am - 3pm. The Gallery is also open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10am to 3pm. Interested in promoting YOUR medium? Come to the gallery for information. Cassinoartgallery@gmail.com
CASINO HOSPITAL AUXILIARY needs volunteers to work in the hospital kiosk. Roster days are negotiable and can be discussed with the Kiosk Supervisor by contacting Barbara on 0439607788 or phoning the hospital kiosk during the day on 66600539.
CASINO LADIES AND FRIEND CRAFT GROUP
Meets 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month. Bring your own morning tea. Names to be in by lunch time Monday. Phone Vivian on 66621838 or Jan on 66626424.
MONDAY
S. Forrester
J. Whittaker & family
TUESDAY D.Coleman
K. Rowse & K. Evans
WEDNESDAY
J. Cornell
P. Muntelwit & G. Mannix
THURSDAY
H. Mofftt & J. Hanna
FRIDAY
M.Anderson
Richmond Valley Council staff
CASINO MINI RAIL
Every Sunday 10am to 4pm. Weather permitting. West Street Casino. Phone 0472638044.
CASINO MIXED PROBUS CLUB
Meeting 4th Thursday of the month. For more information call the secretary on 0419886119. New Members most welcome. Call Fran on 0419 886 119 for more information.
CASINO R R COUNTRY MUSIC CLUB
Casino R R Country Music Club will be holding their next social upstairs at the Casino RSM Club on Sunday the 16 October from 10.00am - 4.30 pm. Come along and enjoy some great country music and take advantage of the meals offered by the RSM Club. New Artists always welcome. Free entry, raffes and lucky door prizes
More Info contact Carole 0438641500
CASINO SENIOR CITIZENS
All welcome, our activities currently held at Casino RSM, Wednesday Hoy at 1pm. Contact Jan 0414625680
CASINO VIEW CLUB
Monthly luncheon meeting at Casino RSM Club at 11am, second Thurs of every month. Contact Jan on 0418 715 374.
AA-LIVING SOBER
MEETING is held every Tuesday 12:00-1:30pm At the Casino Baptist Church Cnr. West & Canterbury Streets Casino Each week the group will discuss a chapter on living sober out of the AA Living Sober Book. Contact George on Ph: 0427133372 (due to so many scam calls) please leave your name and number and I will call you back.
LINE DANCING CLASSES
Beginners are welcome –
Casino, every week Weds 5pm. All interested phone Lorraine 0418264489. Line Dance Intermediate Classes only- Every Monday night
LION’S CLUB CASINO Lion’s Club meeting is held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday each month at Casino RSM Club from 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start.
Casino Lion’s Club Inc
Cordially invite you and your partner to our 70th Anniversary Dinner to be held at the Casino RSM Club in Canterbury Street Casino. Wednesday 26th October 2022 @ 6.30pm for 7.00pm. $30 per person. Dress Smart Casual RSVP 3.10.2022.
Secretary: Denise Green 0448014682 Email:deniseg. vip@outlook.com Lion’s Club meeting is held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday each month at Casino RSM Club from 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start.
LISMORE CASINO NAVAL ASSOCIATION Meets bi-monthly at Casino RSM, new members welcome. For more information phone Chris 66293269 or Jim 0427400625.
Sun, Mon, Wed and Fri 10am to 2pm. Email casinohistorymuseum@ outlook.com for further information. Check us out on Facebook.
THE CASINO HIGH SCHOOL class of 1967 to 1972 is holding a 50 Year reunion on 15 October 2022 at 6pm at the Casino RSM Club. If you started in 1967 or joined us anytime in between, come and join us. Tickets cost $32 for a 2-course meal. Please call the Casino RSM Club on 6662 1600 or call in to 162 Canterbury Street, Casino to buy a ticket. You can also use the stickytickets website to buy a ticket on-line at https://www.stickytickets. com.au
If you have allergies or other food issues, please tell the club when you buy your ticket. We are also putting together a story about what we have been doing since we left school. If you would like to provide a story or photos, please email Cherryl Mison (nee Macqueen) at m.c.mison@ bigpond.com or call Cherryl on 0490 149 905 or Jann Rowe on 0429 235 866.
The Fairy Hill Craft Group meets on the frst Thursday of each month (except January) at 10 a.m. at the Fairy Hill Hall on the Summerland Way. New members are always welcome to join our friendly
and informal group. On Thurs Nov 3, we will work on our own craft projects, but please wear your Melbourne Cup fnery & fascinator and bring a plate for our shared lunch.
Thursday Dec 1 will be our Christmas lunch at a venue to be decided. (Watch this space). For further information please phone Sue on 66633233.
THE PLATYPUS RSL DAY CLUB operates every Tuesday at the Community Centre from 10am to 2pm. The day consists of gentle exercises, mental stimulation, games and entertainment. Members are asked to pay $7 for their morning tea and lunch. Transport can be provided within the town limits. If you are feeling socially isolated or just need a day out, please contact Robyn on 66623871. New members are welcome.
WINDARA Windara Volunteers will be hosting the 2022 annual MELBOURNE CUP LUNCHEON on Tuesday 1st November, commencing at 11.30am. There will be a class of champagne on arrival; 2 course meal; a courtesy shuttle bus (please ring to book); lucky door prizes, a prize for best dressed, sweeps and raffes. You will be able to watch the Race live on the big screen. A limited number of tickets are available so book early at Cottage Collection or phone Windara 66623800. Price for a marvellous day out is just $44pp. Bookings close Friday 28th October.
We are excited to announce that the Coraki Art Prize will be going ahead for 2022 hosted by Club Evans RSL, Evans Head (due to food damage in Coraki this year) Saturday 5th Nov 10am until 8pm and Sunday 6th 10am until 3pm. Our Gala night and prize presentations on Saturday 5th of November with live music, nibbles, and bar service available. There are many people who are excited that the prize will be going ahead after having to cancel for the past 2 years due to COVID restrictions and the foods that have devastated Coraki and surrounds we aim to bring people and community together with joy through the arts. The members of our committee are working hard to make the Coraki Art Prize a successful celebration in 2022, whilst gaining wider recognition for our wonderful local and regional artists and bringing our communities back together. So, get creating or pull out a piece you have created in the last 2 years and enter it! If you have any queries as an artist, sponsor or would like to help with The Coraki Art Prize we could really use your help this year, please check out our website: www. corakiartprize.wordpress. com or contact Tania at goodevansartstuido@ outlook.com or drop into Good Evans Art Studio –Oak Street Evans Head.
EVANS HEAD CWA
BRANCH meets every third Tuesday for lunch at noon. New members welcome. More info Roz 0427825560
The Evans River RSL Day Club meets each Monday in the Remembrance Room at Club Evans RSL Evans Head from 10am until 2pm Cost $10 includes Morning Tea and Lunch. We have several vacancies for volunteers and members, anyone who is feeling in need of some company are welcome to attend. Come along and join in the fun. Contact Merilyn on 0401493316 for more details.
TABLE TENNIS AT GOONELLABAH
Tuesday and Thursday mornings social playing: 9am-12noon; Monday and Wednesday nights social playing: 7-9pm; Training Monday mornings: 9am-12noon; Junior coaching after school Wednesday 3.30pm-4.45pm, $6 a session. Everybody is welcome – all levels. Phone centre on 66251602. Mon-Thurs 9.00am-1.00pm or visit website www. fnctabletennis.com.au
THE PROBUS CLUB of Goonellabah meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month at the Workers Sports Club in Oliver Ave. All welcome. Goonellabah Probus is solely a social club. We have a guest speaker each month and go for outings throughout the year. Meetings on Thursday commence at 10am and fnish at midday. For further information, please contact Gloria Francis on 02 6629 1442.
WOMANS HEALTH
Women’s health Matters are offering a free 6-week group for women, called “Decisions! Decisions!”.
If you often have diffculty making decisions or feel that the decisions you make often turn out badly, this may be the program for you. In this small confdential group, we focus on all the skills of achieving good decisions and problem solving, which will then support the growth of
your confdence and wellbeing.
Activities include discussion, mindfulness and relaxation practice, how to mind map a problem, and case studies.
When: Monday24th October – 28th November 9.30a.m. 12.30p.m.
Where: The Child and Family Health Centre, 37 Oliver Ave., Goonellabah
Leaders: Pamela Craven, Health Educator and Ann Lardi, Social Worker Bookings: 66202999
GRAFTON AND GARDEN DISTRICT GARDEN CLUB
Garden Club members met and enjoyed Leanne’s beautiful (and totally weed-free!) garden at Clarenza on Thursday; we also marveled at Robert’s excellent metal sculptures. A really successful Bring and Buy table raised $114 and the raffe $92, some of which will be used to complete the native garden at the Grafton Base Hospital that members started last week. We also had a very competitive spring fower, plant and vegetable competition. A wonderful morning tea with delicious contributions from members concluded the morning.
The Committee met afterwards to discuss arrangements for our next gathering. It will be held at the Joan Muir Hall on November 17; Cheryl Benn, President of the Bonsai Society of Coffs Harbour, will be guest speaker. Preparations have also begun for the Club Christmas lunch; it will be held on December 3. The petunias the Club is preparing for Jacaranda are doing very well; they are fertilised, watered and deadheaded regularly. They will be placed in See Park for ILLUMINATE and at Market Square for the Queen Crowning. Finally, and most importantly, the Club welcomed two new members, Christine and Steve; this brings our membership to 65. Happy gardening Carolynne Taylor 0421 270 596
Perhaps it’s time to
fnd out what it’s all about! If you would like to improve your communication and leadership skills. Make new friends and have fun, you are warmly invited to attend the Mighty Clarence Toastmasters Club. We meet on the 1st & 3rd Wednesday evening of each month. You may attend either from the comfort of your own home via zoom or join us in person at the Joan Muir Community Centre: 194 Turf Street, Grafton. For more information please contact: Vice President on email Jan Coleman janetlcoleman@gmail. com or Facebook page: https://www.facebook. com/graftontoastmasters
Recently held barbecue, with around 40 in attendance. Day began with morning tea, then fun bingo games.
Lunch was bread, sausage, onion, various salads, then ice cream in a cone completed an enjoyable day. Day coach trip to Byron Bay on 14 Oct, is next special event. Then annual Christmas lunch, on 2 Dec, with entertainment, on sale at Oct meeting, & for catering, will close 18 Nov. Donations for hamper prizes for associated competition, are now being accepted.
Enquiries: Sandra, 6642 7720. Mobile, 0417 464 946.”
Every Friday at the Uniting Church, Prince Street
Join us for gentle exercises designed for Seniors
We meet at 10.30 a.m. for a cuppa and a chat with the exercises commencing at 11. All equipment is provided and there is no cost to the participants Further information can be obtained from Joan or Brian on 6644 7347 or 0416 067 315, or from Dot on 66423248 or 0477 213 017
Grafton VIEW Club meets on the 4th Tuesday each month at Grafton District Services Club, Mary Street, commencing at 10.30am. Please come along, enjoy yourself with a
tasty meal, a motivated guest speaker & ultimately disadvantaged children will be helped.
Please phone Vorna at 66424719 for catering purposes no later than the Friday before the meeting. As well, a social outing is held each month. You are warmly invited to come along to the next meeting to have some fun & help disadvantaged children. See you there!
Do you enjoy singing. Our repertoire covers a variety of music styles – both unison and part singing We would love you to join us. New members needed. You will be made most welcome
When: Tuesday Evenings from 7 pm –8.30pm Where: Tricare Residential Village Community Room Tweed Coast Road, next to Shell Petrol Station. For more information, contact Jean Berry 0414 794 380
The Probus Club of Hastings Point Tweed Coast meets at 10am on 3rd Tuesday each month, in the residents’ lounge at Hastings Point Tricare. Retirees and seniors are welcome to join this happy social group. Phone the Probus president 0409872773 for additional information.
The Tweed Hospital, it recognises that the new hospital will be located south of Tweed Heads and residents in those areas may be interested in volunteer work when the new hospital opens. The branch welcomes the opportunity to talk to those who are retired, unemployed or simply looking for a chance to give back to one of our most critical services –our hospital. There is a range of jobs that can be performed. The branch runs raffes, a gift shop, fashion parades, jumble sales and luncheons. People with cars are very important to the running of these operations to transport material to the various venues. The branch meetings are held
monthly, and the cost of membership is only $5 per year. There are some procedures that must be processed, such as police checks. Full vaccination is required for those volunteers who are working in the hospital. So, the public in the Kingscliff area and surrounds are invited to talk to our volunteers about our UHA branch of The Tweed Hospital. For more information contact John on 0421085985.
You are invited to a combined Celebration from the Kyogle and Casino Anglican Churches, to be held at St James Anglican Church, 3 Campbell Road on Sunday 30th October 2022 at10am for Worship and 11am for the Auction. All funds that are raised will be given, to support the work of the WESTPAC Rescue Helicopter Service, Bring along your “harvest items” to sell or cash to purchase the delicacies! ..... or BOTH. Hoping to see you there. For any enquiries please contact: Rev Leslie Fotakis – M. 0428414472 or Margaret Armstrong 66321021 or M. 0487330284
Meets every Thursday at 9.30am. For more details contact 0499824274.
MARKET
Held every Saturday morning in Stratheden Street from 8am -12. Come along grab some local fruit & veggies, experience all Kyogle has to offer. New Stall Holders welcome. Enquiries Anne 66321851
Beginners are welcome – Kyogle every week Friday 5.30pm. All interested phone Lorraine 0418264489.
LION’S CLUB OF KYOGLE
Meeting is held on the 1st & 3rd Tuesday each month at the Kyogle Lion’s shed from 6.30–7pm For more information contact Neville Moon on 66322233.
Meet on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at Kyogle Showgrounds in the luncheon room at 7pm. For more details Phone Jan on 0427293455.
LENNOX HEAD CWA Handy Craft Mornings on Mondays 9.30am12noon in the community centre at Lennox Head. Call Jan on 66816150.
The Lennox Head Day VIEW Club meets on the frst Monday of each month at the Lennox Head Community Centre with the meeting starting at 11am and includes
an interesting speaker and concludes with a light lunch. An informal Coffee and Chat meeting is held on the third Monday of the month. The Club sponsors three students through The Smith Family Learning for Life scholarship program that provides educational items for disadvantaged Australian children. New members and guests are most warmly welcomed, and enquiries may be made to Enid 047187511 or Dawn 0466717435.
LENNOX HEAD EVENING VIEW CLUB
Meets on the second Tuesday of each month upstairs at the Lennox Hotel at 6.30pm for dinner at 7pm. Guests are welcome. “VIEW members support the education of disadvantaged Australian children by raising much needed funds for The Smith Family. Through fundraising activities and social events in local communities, members raise money that goes directly to The Smith Family’s learning and mentoring programs for disadvantaged students.”
Lennox Head Evening VIEW Club currently sponsors two Learning for Life students. Contact Sue Brennan 0409728814.
LENNOX HEAD LIONS CLUB
New members welcome to join our close-knit club where the emphasis is on community service in a fun environment. Meetings are on the frst and Third Wednesday of each month at Club Lennox starting at 6.30pm. Members do what they can, when they can to facilitate the needs of our club.
PROBUS CLUB OF LENNOX HEAD
Meets 9.30 for 10 at Club Lennox, 10 Stewart Street, on the frst Thursday of each month. Visitors are welcome, also retired or semiretired people wishing to join our non-service club to hear interesting guest speakers and to join in trips and outings are invited along. Phone Jan 66876859.
start. We want “YOU” to join us for the chance to be involved with an amazing group of friendly, fun, interesting women of all ages. You will make new friends and be involved with wonderful opportunities to contribute to worthwhile Community causes assisting Women and Children. PLEASE THINK ABOUT it and come along as a ‘GUEST’ to see what you think. You will experience for yourself the difference being a CWA Member will bring to yourself and your life. For MORE INFORMATION contact our President ALIISON KELLY on 0428216079. WE ALSO RUN A WEEKLY CRAFT MEETING each Friday from 10am. This provides a great opportunity for you to learn new and wonderful Craft, and once again meet a group of new friends. Tea & Coffee are available for a very small donation. We always have nifty Craft projects underway and love helping anyone new to Craft learn, whilst creating beautiful items in great company. For MORE INFORMATION call HELEN DARGIN on 0438828619. WE SO MUCH LOOK FORWARD to welcoming you.
EAST LISMORE BOWLING CLUB Community Bingo Tuesday night 7.30pm start. 20 games of bingo + progressive jackpot Neilson Street East Lismore. Everyone Welcome
Lismore Base Hospital Auxiliary is holding a” Made from the Heart Craft Fair “ on Saturday 26th November 2022 at 10 till 3pm and Sunday 27th November 2022 10am till 2pm. At Goonellabah Workers Sports Club 22 Oliver Avenue Goonellabah. We invite you to celebrate the most beautiful time of the year with us.
Drawn 10th December. All money raised goes towards the Lismore Base Hospital Wish List they give to the Auxiliary. Contact Colleen 0401081747
LISMORE CITY CONCERT BAND
Rehearsals are held during school terms on Mondays, 6.157.45pm at Southern Cross University. If you can play a concert band instrument: brass, woodwind, or percussion, please come and join us! All ages welcome. We have some instruments available for loan.
For more information, Tel: 0432575911 visit: www. lismorecityconcertband. org.au, and our Facebook and Instagram pages.
LISMORE EMBROIDERERS GROUP Embroiderers Group. Meetings are 9.30am2.30pm 1st and 3rd Wednesdays and 2nd Saturday of each month, at Crawford House, 10 Wardell Road, Alstonville. This is our new venue where we welcome embroiderers of all ability levels to meet, share and learn. For more information see our Facebook page ‘Lismore Group –Embroiderers’ Guild NSW’, or simply turn up.
LISMORE MEN & COMMUNITY SHED President: Don Abrahams 0437576837 Vice President: Bob Greig 0404860504 Email: lismoremcs. contact@gmail.com
Opening Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 9.00am –3.00pm
We are a community based non-proft organisation. Everybody is welcome: men, women & people with a disability of all ages. We encourage social inclusion. Our aim is to promote the mental, physical & emotional well-being of people in our community.
Shed Activities
• Constructing projects for preschools, hospitals & other organisations
• Assembling fatpacks
• Minor maintenance work for the elderly & disabled
• Working with the disabled
• Talking with other members or simply having company Memberships: $40-year Attendance Fee: $3 tea/coffee
Location: 15 Industry Drive East Lismore
Lismore Orchid Society now meets 3rd Wednesday each month, 2 - 4pm at Richmond Tweed Regional Library, 6 Centenary Drive Goonellabah, (corner of Oliver Av and Centenary Dve). Contact Bev on 0400326289
Lismore Regional Parkinson’s Support Group will gather at Summerland House Farm, 253 Wardell Rd, Alstonville at 11 am on Friday, 21st of October for a shortened meeting prior to attending our special celebration for Carers’ Week , a lunch that commences at 12 noon at the same venue. We are looking forward to honouring our carers, such a valued part of our membership. Please note the change of time for our shortened meeting. All members of the Parkinson’s Community are most welcome to attend. Contact Di 0423941119.”
Meet at the Goonellabah Community Centre every second Thursday starting at 9am where we have morning tea followed by games bingo how etc we play cards Monday and Friday and play bowls Tuesdays and craft every second Tuesday afternoons come and join our friendly group you will be very welcome
CWA LISMORE DAY BRANCH “STILL” WANT “YOU’’ in 2022. Our Branch Meetings are held on the frst Thursday of each month at 9:30am for a 10am
Local Artisans and Auxiliary will have a large variety of their wares available Eftpos available at most stalls. We are also running a Raffe 1st Prize $500 so if you see us around the Lismore Shopping Centres in our yellow shirts please come up, say hi and buy a ticket.
• Members work on their own projects
• Mentoring is available
• General woodworking
• Welding & light engineering
• Repair & restoration of items for the public
• Constructing projects, of items for the public
LISMORE TARGET RIFLE CLUB for .22 calibre rifes, meets Wed nights from 6.30 pm & the 1st & 3rd Sat of each month from 1.00 pm. Air rife shooting for .22 & 177 air rifes will also be available at the Saturday shoots. For more information, please phone Derek on 66282082 (ah).
Fun, interactive, music sessions for young children [birth to school age] and their parents/ caregivers in a relaxed setting on Tuesdays starting at 9:30am during School Terms. Children will be introduced to music, creativity and more. They will develop gross motor skills, as well as socialise with others in a loving, shared family environment.
Morning tea with snacks included. Mainly Music at Lismore Anglican Parish Centre, 10 Zadoc Street, LISMORE. T: 0266213200
NR U3A LISMORE INC. (UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE) Retired? Make new friends, gain knowledge, laugh and learn, enjoy a richer retirement. U3A offers over 30 classes and activities each week. One yearly fee of $50 entitles you to attend all classes/activities of your choice. Interested? Check out our webpage http://www.u3anriv.org. au for course list, times and venues or contact 66227408 Follow us on Facebook.
Our mixed group meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month at the Lismore Heights Bowling Club in High St.
Our brief meeting is followed by morning tea and a guest speaker. Senior’s lunch for $15 at noon is optional. Guests and visitors are welcome. Ring/text Pam on 0418766247 for details of our other monthly social gatherings and outings.
Want to be part of an innovative, interesting and inclusive networking group who meet fortnightly to share ideas, meet other professionals and work together to make a difference in your community? Then Rotary Club of Lismore Networking could be the answer for you! Meets fortnightly at The Sherwood Hotel (75 Molesworth Street Lismore) on Wednesdays at 5.30pm. For more information contact Rita on 0413300578 or Gae 0412742095.
ROTARY CLUB OF LISMORE WEST INC
Is in its 60th year and meets at the East Lismore Bowling Club each Thursday at 6pm. New members would be made most welcome. Further information available on 0428151934.
SPRUNG Sprung!! is a registered charity and a notfor-proft community organisation that offers Dance, Theatre & Movement workshops and training to people with disabilities. We are currently looking for volunteers to assist our organisation in a number of ways including supporting our Tutors and Disability Support Workers; transcribing; catering; professional skills; technical support and backstage support. Our workshops and performances run in Lismore, Mullumbimby, Tintenbar and Lennox Head expanding to Ballina and the Tweed. Any interested volunteers can reach us here and for general information please contact us on info@ sprung.org.au
SUMMERLAND AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
Meetings of the club are normally held on the second Sunday of each month at the clubrooms: 412 Richmond Hill Road, Richmond Hill at 1pm. Visitors are welcome. The clubrooms are usually open on Sunday afternoons from about 1pm onwards. We are primarily amateur radio enthusiasts and welcome persons interested in radio, electronics, astronomy and similar subjects. For more details about the club and its activities see the club’s website: https://sarc.org.au/
Monthly meetings again, after months of lock down. It will start as usual 3rd Thursdays of each month at 11am. Contact Ruth Toyer on 0409844212 by Mondays, no later than 7pm. Numbers are required for catering purposes
COMMUNITY PRINTMAKERS
MURWILLUMBAH
Fine art printmakers. Meet at studio space 224 Stokers Rd, Stokers
Siding. Prints, gallery, workshops and more! E: cpmmurwillumbah@ hotmail.com - T: Peter 0498399640 or Sue 0408493253. Find us on Facebook & Instagram.
MURWILLUMBAH COMMUNITY GARDEN
Members and visitors are invited to join the group for activities and gardening tips most Sundays. Time 3-5pm (NSW time, street parking, BYO, covered footwear, comfy clothing, hat and water. Children ok with strict supervision. Covid plan operating. Enquires: phone Bob Johnson (02)66225792.
POTTSVILLE FUN CROQUET CLUB
Meets at Black Rocks Sports Fields on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8.30am. New members are welcome to come and join us for a hit and a bit of fun. For any further enquires please call Jean on 0431606375. We will have a new starting time at the end of daylight saving. We play at Black Rocks Sports Field. New members are welcome. For further enquires please ring Jean on 0431606375.
POTTSVILLE LADIES LIFEBALL
Every Thursday morning 9.30am to 11.30am. Pottsville Community Hall, $5 per session includes morning tea. No joining fees. For enquiries, please call Jan 0431909760.
Poets and writers on the Tweed meet every Tuesday at the South Tweed Sports Club 1.30-3.30pm. Beginners welcome. Phone 0755248035.
Probus Club, Coolangatta/Tweed Heads. Be at Club Tweed at 10-00am on the frst Wednesday of the Month. Visitors and new members are very welcome.
TWEED PATCHWORK
GROUP meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at South Tweed Community Center from 9-1pm at 18 Heffron Street Tweed Heads south all beginners welcome phone Moira on 0418686643. A
friendly group of people with common interest in seeing, quilting and related craft.
Members of [TWIN TOWNS DAY VIEW Club are calling on the community to give generously this Anti-Poverty Week [16-22 October] and sponsor a child through the nation’s leading children’s education charity The Smith Family.Anti-Poverty Week is a week where all Australians are encouraged to organise or take part in an activity aiming to highlight or overcome issues of poverty and hardship here in Australia or overseas. It was established in Australia as an expansion of the UN’s annual International AntiPoverty Day on October 17. In 2022, AntiPoverty Week will be held from the 16th to the 22nd of October. Visit www.antipovertyweek. org.au
The next meeting of the Wollongbar Probus Club will be on 20th Oct at 10 am at the Alstonville Plateau Bowls Club, Deegan Dr. Visitors are welcome to come and listen to the entertaining guest speaker. There are still some vacancies for our mystery trip on Wed 26th Oct. The cost of $45.00 covers the bus fare, m/tea and lunch. If interested, please contact Lorraine on 66280542. The bus will leave Wollongbar at 8.30 and Alstonville at 8.40.am.
Yamba Day View Club’s monthly luncheons are held at Yamba Bowling Club on 3rd Monday of month, starting 10am for 10.30am. Acceptance and apologies to President Lyn 66463164 by Friday prior to luncheon for catering purposes. We hold a monthly social outing either for lunch or morning tea and visitors are always welcome.
Yamba Lions Club’s meetings are held 2nd & 4th Thursdays of month at Yamba Bowling Club, commencing at 7pm for 7.30pm. For further information, please
contact the Secretary Peter 0417546097.
Social outings also held at various time and visitors and new members welcome.
Are you interested in exploring the beauty that our region contains. The Northern Rivers Bushwalking Club offers a variety of activities for people of all abilities and ages in bushwalking, cycling, kayaking, abseiling, qigong and social interaction. Visit our Facebook page or our website nrbc.org.au for more information.
The Northern Rivers Community Foundation (NRFC) is inviting Northern Rivers women to play an active role in empowering vulnerable women and girls in our region. The newly formed NRFC’s Women’s Giving Circle brings Northern Rivers women together to achieve equality and human rights for women and girls in our region and enable them to realise their full potential. Visit the Women’s Giving Circle nrcf.org.au/womensgiving-circle/ on the NRFC website for more information and to join the Women’s Giving Circle. murbah communitygardens@ gmail.com - follow us on Facebook #Murwillumbah Community Garden
The NORTHERN RIVERS HASH HOUSE HARRIERS is a non-proft community group that is part of a worldwide organisation. The Hash House Harriers meet every Monday at 6pm for a run/walk from various locations around Lismore, Alstonville and Ballina. The run/walk lasts for approximately an hour, followed by friendship, banter and grub. We are very friendly and welcome new members. For more details email: nrhhh@freelists.org.
NORTHERN RIVERS PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP Covering Wollongbar to Ocean Shores.
Meets 2nd Friday of each month at Summerland Farm,
Wardell Road, Alstonville. General catch up & chat with the opportunity to join in a casual Q&A session with Rebecca, our Parkinson’s nurse. She will be there to answer any questions that you may have about anything to do with living with Parkinson’s or supporting or caring for a loved one. Maybe you want to know about symptoms, medication, treatments or services etc.
Rebecca is there to support us and help you manage your disease so that you live your best life. All those living with Parkinson’s Disease or those supporting them are most welcome.
Please RSVP Cheryl 0428286753.
Warnings
See www.bom.gov.au/australia/warnings
Northern Rivers District:
Cloudy. Slight (30%) chance of a shower. Winds southeast to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening.
Partly cloudy. Light winds becoming easterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then tending northeasterly during the afternoon.
Northern Tablelands District:
Partly cloudy. Slight (20%) chance of a shower in the north.
Winds easterly 15 to 20 km/h.
Thursday. Partly cloudy. Winds east to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h tending north to northeasterly during the afternoon.
New South Wales:
The chance of a shower about the northern coast. Showers or rain areas developing over the southwest inland, with the chance of storms, mainly afternoon and evening. Fine and partly cloudy elsewhere. Daytime temperatures near or a little below average. Southeast to northeasterly winds near the coast, fresh in the south, tending north to northeasterly inland. Thursday. Rain areas and storms in southern and central districts, with moderate falls. Mostly fine elsewhere. Daytime temperatures near average. North to northeasterly winds, freshening in many areas, shifting west to southwesterly in the far west.
Byron Coast:
Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: Around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres north of Yamba. Swell: Southeasterly 2 metres. Weather: Partly cloudy.
Coffs Coast:
Winds: Southeasterly 10 to 15 knots. Seas: Below 1 metre. 1st Swell: Easterly 2 metres. 2nd Swell: Southerly around 1 metre. Weather: Partly cloudy.
Gold Coast Waters:
Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres. Swell: Southeasterly 2 metres, tending easterly 2 metres during the morning. Weather: Cloudy.
Low:4:10am0.2m
High:10:44am1.5m
Low:4:57pm0.3m
High:10:47pm1.2m
Low:4:37am0.3m
Low:5:04am0.3m
High:12:00am1.0m
Low:5:35am0.4m
High:12:40pm1.4m
Low:7:25pm0.5m
High:12:47am0.9m Low:6:15am0.5m
High:1:29pm1.3m
High:1:52am0.8m
The new Clarence River Cricket Association president Anthony Dickson might be a late starter in the job but he’s not short of ambition for the competition.
Dickson, originally the vice president, agreed to take on the top job after successive meetings during the off season failed to fnd a taker.
“Somebody had to do it and Bruce (outgoing CRCA president Bruce Baxter) convinced me to take it on,” Dickson said.
He said Baxter would also provide a mentoring role during the early stages of the season, ensuring he was across all the jobs that needed to be done.
He was excited at the prospect of completing season unaffected by Covid-19 after the pandemic drastically changed the
look of two of the last three seasons.
The 2019-20 season fnals were curtailed before the grand fnal and the start of last season was signifcantly delayed.
Dickson said while this was a problem, wet weather was just as big a factor in cutting short the amount of games played as well as deciding the outcome of the grand fnal.
“Unfortunately if the weather predictions are right, it could be similar this season too,” Dickson said.
The 2022-23 will also start late for the CRCA frst grade teams, but for cricketing reasons.
The North Coast Cricket Council has organised a T20 cricket carnival in Coffs Harbour which will act as a selection trial
for the region’s top cricketers to make regional Big Bash teams.
“It’s a good chance for some of the guys who want to go onto bigger cricket to get noticed,” he said.
For the lower grades competition kicked off at the weekend.
Dickson said there were real challenges facing cricket in regional areas with some clubs struggling for numbers.
“You hear also sorts of things before the season starts, so you have wait and see with some clubs how it turns out,” he said.
“I’ve heard some clubs might struggle to feld teams in some grades, but we’ll just have to see what happens.”
Falling numbers in regional centres was something Dickson acknowledged as a real problem for the game.
“It’s happening everywhere, there is a lot of competition from other sports and people have time pressures,” he said.
So far the Clarence has resisted merging with nearby competition to boost the number of teams, but with just four teams in the CRCA frst grade competition, he said there needs to be a change.
“Merging with Lower Clarence to create an eight-team competition is the logical thing to do,” he said.
“You could have the eight-team structure in frst and second grade and keep your
Wednesday 5/10 results: Today there were 2 games played of the Major Consistency rounds
A. McLean def J. Carthew D. Skinner def C. Doyle Good luck in your next round ladies. There was a social game as well & the winners for the day were:
T. Maxwell, D. Grice, I. Watson & K. Jonsson def L. James, C. Haynes, M. Mead & H. Lavelle
Friday 7/10
L. James, J. Cooke, D. Skinner & A. James def J. Dwyer, J. Carthew, D. Grice & C Haynes
Cherry Street Croquet Club
Sports Results
CHERRY STREET
CROQUET CLUB
SPORTS RESULTS
Club games: ricochet croquet: R.Allen 26 d B.Wellings 17 R.Poynting N.Poynting 9 d P.Scott 8 M.Russell D.Scott 13 d J.Hannigan R.Chapman 11. B.Wellings 19 d N.Barnes
C.Lane 19 P.Scott R.Poynting 10 d J.Hannigan N.Poynting 8 Div 1 Club
Championships: D.Scott 17 d R.Chapman 11
Top Breaks: David Scott 1x7. Robyn Poynting 3x2.
TOURNAMENTS:
NSW AC Bronze Medal: Steven Richards1, Trevor Bassett 2, Tim Murphy 3, Alison Sharpe 4, Alan Walsh 5, Robert Elliott 6, Stephen Pearce 7, Barbara McDonald 8. Queensland AC Bronze Medal: Dav Luxmore 1, Kathie Grant 2, Linsay David 3, Greg Bury 4, Bruce Fleming 5, Yuni Rowell 6, Keith Williamson 7, Rosemary Newsham 8, Heather Knight 9, Jackie Lynch 10. Twilight Social Croquet Tuesday Evenings 4pm start.
All Welcome
CORAKI VETERANS
GOLF RESULTS
THURSDAY 29/9/22
Well what a large feld great to see 53 golfers for
the monthly medal and a barbque, Medal winner P Martin, vets winner T Perkins, 2nd W Lunnun, 3rd J Perkins free game G Donaldson, chicken/ ball winners P Brophy, K Rogers, J Savins, R Webber, T Beemster, K Lloyd, S Ormond, G Gibson, K Avery, J Sauer, K Osborne, S Bartlet, R Thorne. Nearest pins 3rd/12th T Bartlett, 6th/15th T Bartlett, putting comp P Brophy, Lucky card draw T Woods.
This Thursday an 18 hole single stableford event will be played commencing with a shot gun start at 8.30am. As usual till then good golfng
THURSDAY 6/10/22
38 Players contested an 18 hole single stableford Winner I Welch, 2nd S Ormond, 3rd S Reddell, free game R Webber, chicken/ball winners W Lunnon, G Gibson, G Tait, D Vagne, D Bullock, K Rogers, A Ganter, S Toms. Nearest pins 3rd/12th S
McDonough, 6th/15th S Reddell.
This Thursday the Annual Jim Ormond Memorial day will be played, as an 18 hole single stableford event off vets handicap commencing with a shot gun start at 8.30am. This event will be followed by the Veterans Annual golf meeting commencing after presentation. On Thursday 20/10/22 Russel Earnshaws prostate cancer day will be played golfers are reminded to wear their bright clothes on this day please.
As usual till then good golfng
EAST LISMORE BOWLING CLUB RESULTS Club Championship Triples
T Gibson, G Finnigan, S Gregory 21 def R McInnes, G Pollard, J Essex 12
Social results
G Painter, S Wade 29 def B Pollard, B Lee 10
R McInnes, R Parkes 27 def J Burbidge, G Finnigan 13
D Sirach, A Gaggin 23 def J Carrall, J Essex 20
third grade as a local competition.”
He said previous administrations had pushed for this and he would continue to negotiate with the Lower Clarence Cricket Association.
“It makes the most sense for people who want to play the best cricket they can,” he said.
He said it had happened before when the two associations formed a Premier League in the mid-1990s.
“From all reports it was successful for a number of seasons and it really picked up interest in cricket,” Dickson said.
“Something like it needs to happen again. It would beneft cricket from juniors to seniors.
“It would help build up the game instead of losing people to other sports.”
The season kicks off on Saturday with a round of two day games.
At Ulmarra Showground, Dickson’s team, South Services takes on the premiers Tucabia Copmanhurst in a grand fnal replay.
Rain cut the grand fnal short last season, handing the title to Tucabia due to the higher position on the competition ladder.
At McKIttrick Park, South Grafton Brothers will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2021-22 season when it meets Easts.
W Morrissey, T Cheli 20 def G Scotcher, R Nind 18
R Davison, G Stewart 18 def B Adams, S Clarke 16
B Griffn, N Harding 24 def S Gregory, N Scandrett 18
L Softley, T Prior 29 def T Alcorn, M Morrissey 8 B Harmon, B Griffn 22 def G Finnigan, W Morrissey 14
J Carrall, L Softley 31 def
R McGuiness, G Pollard 14
R Parkes, M Prior 27 def J Burbidge, S Clarke 16
T Gibson, M Prior 21 def R Davison, W Morrissey 14
B Harmon, S Wade 17 def
G Painter, P Russell 15
J Bancroft, J Olley 27 def
R Parkes, N Scandrett 17
T Alcorn, S Fields 19 drew R Prior, G Finnigan 19
R McInnes, N Harding 29 def A Carrall, S Gregory 12
J Burbidge, G Revis, S Clarke 23 def T Prior, J Carrall, B Adams 13
P Mazzini, J Riordan, S Clarke 18 def L Softley, Rocco, B Griffn 18 G Painter, D Watson 22 def W Sten, B Adams 20 M Flower, D Watson 23 def A Maslen,
W Morrissey 17 G Painter, B Adams 27 def J Cook, R Parkes 14 P Mazzini, W Sten, S Clarke 35 def S Cameron, G Finnigan, B Griffn 18
Evans Head Ladies Bowling Club Springtime Triples Round Robin
Competition began on 5th October & will be played over 7 rounds.
Round 1 ResultsM. Carey (sub), A. Viney, K. Keevers defeated S. Maxwell, L. Hayes, K. Robson.
M. Adams, I. Bale, P. Freeman defeated A. Eyles, L. Vidler, T. Cselka. B. Cameron, M. Gibson, J. Fernance defeated M. McPherson, L. Stratton, A. Peel.
B. Hancock, K. Townsend, E. Gollan bye.
Round 2 Results- Skips only K. Keevers defeated E. Gollan.
P. Freeman defeated A. Peel.
J. Fernance defeated T. Cselka.
K. Robson bye.
Concern about teens roaming Grafton streets at night are being addressed in the most positive way possible thanks to brainstorming by local community leaders and $39,090 in funding for the Nationals in NSW Government, according to Clarence MP Chris Gulaptis.
“After Dark Basketball is now running from 6pm until midnight on Fridays at the Grafton PCYC and gives 10 to 19 year-olds a positive alternative to hanging out unsupervised in places like the skate park,” Mr Gulaptis said.
“It involves local youth groups, Council and the police and gives young people not just basketball and mentoring, but also a free main meal and PCYC club membership.
“Projects like the After Dark Basketball
program is a great example of how we can help young people build resilience and improve wellbeing by providing them with the tools and resources they need to become the best version of themselves.”
Dominic Teakle, Chief Executive Offcer of PCYC NSW believes that sport and activity provide a vehicle for young people to achieve greatness.
“As a youth charity, PCYC NSW has been at the centre of communities across NSW for over 85 years and we are excited to be the recipients of the Children and Young People Wellbeing Recovery Initiative grant to further develop the youth in the local Grafton community through the After Dark Basketball Project,” Mr Teakle said.
“With our partners at the NSW Police
Force we aim to reduce and prevent crime by, and against, young people by building resilience, encouraging positive life choices, and giving them a place to belong.”
Minister for Regional Youth, the North Coast Nationals’ Ben Franklin said the $10.3 million Children and Young People Wellbeing Recovery Initiative offers large grants between $10,000 and $50,000 and small grants for up to $10,000.
“The large grants fund projects such as community events, peer support groups, cultural connection or partnership programs, while small grants are to enable initiatives like sporting programs and barbecues,” Mr Franklin said.
“Our Regional Youth Community Coordinators will help connect young
people with the projects that best support their wellbeing and recovery and foster resilience and connection.”
The Children and Young People Wellbeing Recovery Initiative is funded through the NSW COVID-19 Economic Recovery Initiative and the co-funded NSW and Australian Governments’ Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply for funding for wellbeing programs, events and resources as part of the initiative.
Applications for both large and smaller grants are open now and close on 31 December 2022, or when fully allocated. For program and eligibility guidelines, visit nsw.gov.au/YouthWellbeing.
Three rising hockey stars have benefted from Clarence Valley Council’s Cultural and Sports Trust Fund, which supports individuals from the Clarence Valley to represent NSW or Australia at cultural or sporting events all year round.
Zayden Third, Thomas Beohm and Oscar Woods each received $300 donations to assist with travel, accommodation and
other associated costs of representing NSW at the 2022 Hockey Australia Under-13 Boys Championships (28 Sept 04 Oct) currently underway in Hobart.
The requests for assistance were approved unanimously by councillors at the Ordinary Council Meeting on 26 September.
“Congratulations to our local athletes that
have been selected to represent New South Wales in hockey,” Cr Steve Pickering said. “It’s a huge achievement for anyone to be elevated to represent at that level.
“We need to make this opportunity more visible to the community because there were people who weren’t aware that if they do represent New South Wales or Australia in sport then we do have this sort
of scholarship available to them.”
The Trust provides fnancial support, in any calendar year, to a maximum of $300 for individuals to attend one event at National level and $550 per individual for one event at International level.
In 2022/2023 a total of $5,000 has been reserved for the Sport and Cultural Trust Fund.
