The Northern Rivers Times Edition 119

Former Army offcer and Tenterfeld resident Alex Rubin has been preselected by the NSW Nationals to contest the seat of Lismore at the 2023 NSW General Election.

Mr Rubin said standing for the NSW Nationals was a natural choice for him, based on his family heritage and growing up in a regional area.

“As I look to transition from the Army, I feel my next mission is to stand up for my home town and the broader region. I want to be a strong voice for our region and give back to the community that I call home,” Mr Rubin said.

Mr Rubin spent 26 years in the military. He has served throughout the world; in war, as

a peacekeeper, and on several humanitarian missions after natural disasters.

Alex has been married for 14 years to Wilasinee, and they have two young children.

“The NSW Nationals are the only party that have, at their heart, the wellbeing of regional communities and the ability to look beyond the wants of people in metropolitan areas,” Mr Rubin said.

“The NSW Nationals are the only true grassroots party in Australia – one that has a common sense approach to economics, the environment, industry, health, education, and social services.

“Having been affected by

bushfres, and having worked as a front line responder in the recent catastrophic foods in this region, I feel driven to see a focus on the rebuilding of our communities

“We need to ensure that we do not get lost in the politics of the Greens and Labor who are focused on woke political ideology rather than fulflling their responsibilities as representatives of the regions.

Deputy Premier and NSW Nationals’ leader Paul Toole congratulated Mr Rubin.

“Alex will be a great fghter for the people of Lismore. He will make a fantastic local MP and I’m proud to have him on the NSW Nationals team,” Mr Toole said.

Federal Nationals Member for Page Kevin Hogan and NSW Nationals candidate for Lismore Alex Rubin

A NEW TWEED HEADS

First look at

Exclusive report by MARGARET DEKKER

Forget the ‘twin towns’ of Tweed Heads and Coolangatta ..

Tweed Heads could soon be ‘two cities’ under a bold and unprecedented redevelopment bid by ASX-listed Elanor Investors Group (ENN) to create a contemporary high-rise CBD, right in the heart of the aged border town.

If approved, the $180-million project would see the 5-ha Tweed Mall, “the biggest site in the Tweed CBD,” transformed under a mixed-used masterplan DA currently being drafted.

In an announcement to the ASX on October 10, Elanor Investors Group opened its Tweed Mall Mixed-Use Real Estate Fund having acquired the Tweed Mall shopping centre for $87 million.

“The mixed-use masterplan is in accordance with planning controls endorsed by the NSW Government and Tweed Shire Council and is expected to be approved in 2023,” Michael Baliva, ENN’s Co-Head of Real Estate said.

“1,000+ dwellings and other uses (hotel, commercial, retirement living etc). will unlock substantial real estate value,” Elanor’s investor fyer – sited by The Northern Rivers Timesstates.

On the drawing board; a high-density, residentialcommercial-retail complex of multiple residential towers up to 49.5m or 15 storeys tall. The centre would be “anchored by three strongly-performing supermarkets” plus everyday-needs tenants in a mixed-use plan on a “strategic coastal .. and favourably zoned 5-hectare site that presents the opportunity to develop 1,000+ dwellings and new town centre precinct,” Elanor’s investor fyer states.

This ‘second’ Tweed Heads city centre would

sprawl east of main Wharf Street. The current city centre lies west of Wharf Street, intersecting with Bay Street.

The Tweed Mall site is already identifed as having signifcant redevelopment potential to become a ‘landmark high density mixed-use precinct’ under the NSW Government’s Tweed Regional City Action Plan 2036, released in April this year.

With a ‘B3 Core Commercial’ zoning, Tweed Shire Council has also identifed the 49-year-old Tweed Mall as “a key site for urban renewal” in its Tweed City Centre LEP 2012.

“Tweed Shire Council is now working with the proponents to get a full master plan of the site,” Cr Chris Cherry, Tweed Mayor confrmed to The Northern Rivers Times.

“And we must be realistic, it will be highrise. To protect the rest of the Tweed, we have to have housing density in that northern area of the Shire.

“I think there is capacity to put dense housing development there, 1–2-bedroom apartments, these smaller places we do need in the Tweed,” she added.

Design of an integrated, whole Master Plan is underway with the appointment in August

city centre set to transform the Tweed

moving south across the border.

Pro-development Tweed Shire councillor Warren Polglase told The Northern Rivers Times the new Tweed Heads city centre has been in the pipeline for 18-months and estimates 3-years until construction of this “opportunity of a lifetime for the Tweed.”

“This is the new CBD of Tweed Heads!” Cr Warren Polglase, Tweed Shire Councillor said.

“It’s the frst time we’ve had the chance to have a major opportunity come our way, this has never happened before,” he enthused.

of a NSW Design Review Panel (DRP) comprising government architects and landscape designers. An earlier, local requirement for the site’s design to go to ‘competition’ was waived by Tweed Shire Council in May, giving stakeholders better control of the fnal

want it to provide a lot of public amenities,” Cr Chris Cherry, Tweed Mayor said.

“We want it to be a good quality high-rise that we can be proud of,” she added.

Mayor Cherry stressed the huge project had not received state and local Government approvals

Details on the project’s total number of dwellings and associated traffc issues will be debated.

“One-thousandplus residences is an assumption and is likely overestimating the number of dwellings the project will house .. and nobody wants to create a traffc nightmare,” Cr

“And these are very creative people, doing new things in architecture. We’re dealing with frms that work all over the world.”

A potential big commercial tenant –which The Northern Rivers Times has chosen not to name – is already reportedly enquiring about 3000m2 of corporate offce space.

It represents big business and Cr. Warren Polglase is picturing the fow-on effects from Elanor’s proposed new city centre in Tweed Heads.

“This is an ideal opportunity for large commercial activity in the Tweed Shire. And when you get one company of this stature invest in the Tweed, it will attract others to the new CBD. Corporate investment like this, attracts more investment.

design.

“It’s important to us that the site catches the essence of the Tweed, its unique biodiversity, character, and community. We expect it to be the best of the best in design, an integrated green development with setbacks, green areas, something that will also improve the entrance to the Tweed, and we

- contrary to Elanor’s marketing – nor is a DA lodged yet with Tweed Shire Council.

“The fyer indicates the project already has state and local government approval which is incorrect .. it’s defnitely not appropriate to have Tweed Shire Council’s logo on the fyer,” Cr Chris Cherry, Tweed Mayor said.

Chris Cherry, Tweed Mayor said.

“There is a lot of room to improve. The artists’ impression is certainly quite a different picture to what we’re envisaging,” she added.

This proposed new high-rise city for Tweed Heads is a clear (and some might argue ominous) sign the Gold Coast skyline is fast-

“Lismore was always the ‘Rome’ of the Northern Rivers, now it’s lost that, so there are a lot of people looking further north now. Entrepreneurs of many vocations are looking to the Tweed saying, ‘we need a major facility,’”

Cr. Warren Polglase, Tweed Councillor said.

The veteran councillor and President of the Tweed Chamber of Commerce and Industry described the major project as “a no brainer,” in line with other big-ticket items under construction or recently completed in the Tweed.

Indicative Master Plan. The frst look at the proposed new ‘Tweed Heads CBD’ towering above the old Tweed Mall SOURCE: Elanor Investment Group

An

postcard shows the landmark Tweed Mall site,

A NEW TWEED HEADS

taking this away,” he said.

our door, a new hospital being built which is magnifcent, millions spent on renovating schools, Motorway upgrades, the Gold Coast is expanding its lightrail south and now this proposal,” Cr Warren Polglase said.

Local demographics also tell of soaring demand for “lifestyle living for the over 60s group” and little housing stock in Tweed Heads. The proposed new city centre would be situated only metres from the Jack Evans Boat Harbour and parklands, the big Twin Towns Services Club and is less than a kilometre to the surf at Coolangatta. Strong interstate migration is also helping fuel population growth in the shire’s sub-tropical capital.

“It’s an opportunity to

switch the lights on in the Tweed!” Warren Polglase said, “New, vibrant, creative activity, we need all of that.”

With an estimated $180 million+ budget, the proposed Tweed Mall

redevelopment becomes a project of State signifcance, but Tweed Shire Council will want input and Cr Polglase hopes, its unanimous support.

“We don’t want roadblocks suddenly

Tweed Shire Mayor Chris Cherry conceded.

“It would be a good use of the site if done well,” she said, as Tweed Heads residents have begun contacting Mayor Cherry expressing concerns about the scale of the towering redevelopment in ‘their backyards.’

Glenn Willis, Elanor CEO and Managing Director said via statement:

“We are pleased with the strong demand from our capital partners for this fund. This investment exemplifes Elanor’s strategy of investing in highquality town centre real estate assets to unlock value through innovative and highly active management. Elanor is a market leader in delivering strong investor returns from repositioning retail real

estate assets, having successfully executed numerous repositioning strategies across Australia.”

State Member for Tweed, Geoff Provest MP was contacted for comment.

As the place-name ‘Tweed Heads’ hinted long ago, it may’ve always been destined to be a ‘tale of two cities’ .. potentially.

10,000 MORE PERMANENT TEACHERS IN NSW UNDER LABOR

A Minns Labor Government will create 10,000 more permanent teaching roles in NSW by shifting temporary positions into permanent roles in a bid to stem teacher attrition rates.

This will give teachers the job security they need to stay in the profession; give schools the fexibility they need to deliver lessons; and give parents the confdence that their children will be taught by a teacher and not spend time in a merged classroom.

Under Labor’s plan, current resources that are going to temporary positions can be used to give teachers permanent places in the education system, and schools will have the ability to

bring in the teachers they need based on their requirements.

This policy will ensure more teachers are readily available to fll gaps, helping to prevent the increasing teacher shortages schools are facing after 12 years of the NSW Liberals.

Temporary and casual teaching roles rise under Liberals

Since 2011 the NSW Liberal-National Government has moved to casualise the teaching profession.

Through policies such as Local Schools, Local Decisions, the Liberals and Nationals shifted responsibility of running the education system away to individual schools,

leaving thousands of teachers without knowing whether they’d have a job next term, next year or even next week.

As a result the prevalence of temporary teaching roles has ballooned over the last decade.

In 2011, there were 11,695 full-time equivalent (FTE) temporary teaching positions in New South Wales.

But under the NSW Liberals, FTE temporary roles surged to 21,366 by 2021 – an 82 per cent increase.

Temporary or casual roles represent more than one in three of all teaching positions in the state – or 37 per cent.

Job insecurity cause of teacher attrition

Job insecurity is cited by more than a half of teachers – or 58 per cent – as a contributor to workforce problems, according to a NSW Parliament survey of teachers.

For young teachers without a permanent position, it makes it much more diffcult to get fnance for a home or a car – to lay down roots and to start a family.

60 per cent of teachers were also considering leaving the profession within the next 5 years, the survey also found.

In fact, just last year one in nine young teachers left the profession.

Declining education outcomes under the Liberals and Nationals

Between 2006 and

2018, NSW students have dropped from 6th to 23rd in reading, dropped from 9th to 31st in maths and dropped from 3rd to 23rd in science.

Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader said:

“Labor’s plan to bring permanency back to the NSW teaching workforce will help bring an end to the Liberals’ and Nationals’ teacher shortage.

“The parents and students of NSW deserve a government that will take decisive action to stop merged classes and turn around declining education outcomes.”

“We can’t have a situation where teachers are leaving our schools because they don’t know whether they will have a job next term,

or next year. Teaching should be a job you want to stay in for your entire career.”

Prue Car, NSW Shadow Minister for Education:

“The Liberals and Nationals have overseen the casualisation of the teaching profession on an industrial scale.

“This disastrous policy has led to a decline in education outcomes, student wellbeing and talented individuals leaving the profession in their thousands.

“Labor’s plan to boost permanent teaching roles will give teachers the confdence to remain in the profession and focus on delivering the best education for our children.”

Janelle Saffin

Cr Warren Polglase: “It’s

the Tweed”

Glen Willis, CEO and Managing Director, Elanor Investment Group

SECOND HAND SATURDAY .. COMING TO A GARAGE NEAR YOU!

By MARGARET DEKKER

It’s billed as the North Coast’s biggest day of concurrent garage sales, spanning seven Local Government Areas from Clarence Valley to the Tweed.

And in 2022, Second Hand Saturday will be bigger and hopefully better than before, stretching across two weekends this year; either Saturday 19 November or Saturday 26 November (or both!)

The concept of ‘Second Hand Saturday’ is to list online the individual garage sale, either at home or a coordinated joint garage sale with neighbours or with a school, preschool, community organisation or Church – which are all held on the same date(s) across the Northern Rivers region.

The community is encouraged to get involved by either holding sale or by fnding their local garage sales and shopping for second hand items.

Now in its 14th year, Linda Tohver, coordinator

of Second-Hand Saturday, said going on past years’ experience, there’s likely to be hundreds of garage sales to choose from across the north, all under a sustainability imperative.

“Whether you host a garage sale or buy second-

hand items, taking part in Second Hand Saturday is an environmentally, socially and economically rewarding activity. Your efforts will help reduce the amount of waste going to landfll and promote reuse and repair. Since 2016, 2301 wheelie bins

of pre-loved items have been saved from landfll through Second Hand Saturday.

“After so much uncertainty over the last couple of years, it’s great to be back on board with this fantastic community event and we

are so excited to open it up to both weekends giving even more people the opportunity to get involved,” Linda Tohver, Second Hand Saturday coordinator said. Hosted by all seven Northern Rivers Councils and North East Waste,

Service NSW is coming

Second Hand Saturday provides residents of the Tweed, Byron, Ballina, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Clarence Valley Council areas the opportunity to be part of a positive movement that promotes re-use and repair over landfll.

“All you have to do is register your garage sale online at www. secondhandsaturday. com.au or by calling your local council, and we take care of your free online advertising and promotion.”

All registered garage sale listings will appear on the Second Hand Saturday website and the free Second Hand Saturday App, which can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Free registrations close on Friday 11 November.

Service

Second Hand Saturday is back, across two weekends in November

Butcher claims steak in Evans Head business

Lismore business Fitness Kidz announced today that they are a FOUR time Winner in the annual What’s on 4 Kids’ National Australian Business Awards.

Hailed as the industries best, the What’s on 4 Kids’ Awards celebrates the greatest in Australia’s children’s activities, parties, and family entertainment industries.

For the frst time since 2019, the Australiawide awards were held in person on Saturday, October 8th, 2022 in Tweed Heads, NSW. With selected fnalists vying to take home the crown in 28 categories such as Kids Activity Industry Leader of the Year, Best Kids Activity for Cultural Diversity and more, the night was highly anticipated and, not only, reignited the industry but provided a platform for recognition following a challenging time in a COVID-19 world.

Nominees were judged by highly regarded and experienced business owners and those chosen were awarded the judged winner. The People’s Choice Awards are always a favourite for the parent community and also returned as part of the awards again this year.

Fitness Kidz owner Brad Hicks is proud to announce that they have been selected as the winner for the categories, People’s Choice Best Local Preschooler Activity/ Class 3-5 years, People’s Choice Best Local School Aged Activity/ Class 5-12 years, People’s Choice Australia’s Best Kids Party Entertainer & People’s Choice Best Kids Party/ Live Entertainer INDUSTRY LEADER of the Year!

‘In a feld represented by an incredibly high standard of talented and passionate businesses, we are honoured to be considered in such esteemed company. Such a great example of Australia’s high national standard.’ Said Brad Hicks, owner of Fitness Kidz.

Though the pandemic has hit the industry hard, the What’s on 4 Kids’ Awards strive to set the bar high for Australian children’s entertainment and activity businesses. The service and support they provide is important, and benefts so many families nationwide.

“The children’s activity industry is an essential part of the Australian community.” Says Amy Sales, owner of What’s On 4 Kids Awards. “We are the unique entertainers and activity providers keeping families going. The next 12 months will be an exciting time as families and their children explore a changed industry - with more fexibility, diversity and new innovations in entertainment and growth.”

Fitness Kidz offers two main services- our junior ftness & sports programs held at Early Learning Centres & Preschools as well as our “Active Entertainment” programs for children’s birthday parties, events, school holidays, community days & primary school rewards/ fun days & celebrations. Fitness Kidz was the only business from Lismore represented. We have a strong following all over the Northern Rivers inc Tweed & Gold Coasts. The entire community backed us by voting, giving us 4 People’s Choices, which is incredible as we were up against many larger, national businesses. What’s On 4 Kids has been in the Australian Children’s Activity industry since 2011, with its origins in the UK. In 2017 the move was made to being fully owned and operated as an Australian business.

All 2022 award winners can be found at the What’s on 4 Kids website https://www. whatson4kids.com. au/2022-whats-on-4kids-award-winners/

By SAMANTHA ELLEY

After over 30 years of providing the Evans Head community and visitors with top quality meat, Mick and Nicole Metcalf have decided to hang up their striped aprons.

The husband-and-wife team recently sold their business Metcalf Meats to Casino butcher Wade and his wife Anita Goldthorpe.

“We were planning on going around Australia in 1991,” said Nicole.

“We were in Casino working with Madsen Meats and this shop came up for sale.

“We decided to buy the shop and didn’t end up going around Australia.”

Now, after three decades, the Metcalfs have decided it’s time to make way for younger blood.

“We weren’t planning to sell, but Wade approached us, and we thought it was time,” said Mick.

“It’s all happened really quickly.”

The Metcalfs have seen a lot of changes in their time in Evans Head.

“When we started there were more retirees, but now there are a lot more families,” said Nicole.

“Especially since covid and people have been able to work from home.”

They have seen the changes to the town from the infrastructure built including, the new sewerage system, the Evans River K-12 school, the sugar mill, the bypass and now the recent building of the housing pods.

When asked what their most sought-after product was, they both agreed their ham and bacon were big sellers.

“I’ve been Sausage King two or three times and we were presented with Richmond Valley retailer of the year in 2015,” said Mick.

“We were voted as best bacon in Australia at one point too.”

The Metcalfs want to say a huge thank you to the Evans Head community for their support by buying their meat locally and in turn, they have been as supportive as they can to all the community groups.

“It didn’t matter who it was, but we have been supported and we have tried to support every organisation in town as well,” said Nicole.

“We will miss seeing

ART EXHIBITION

2022 Art Exhibition

people, the banter, the recipes.

“We have seen families grow where the couple start out by buying half a kilo of mince, then as the kids get older, they buy two kilos and then as the kids leave, they go back to half a kilo.”

Newlyweds Wade and Anita Goldthorpe are thrilled to become a part of the Evans Head community.

“We’ve been married eight months, but together 16 years and have three kids,” said Wade.

“I had come and worked here with Mick on Saturdays and knew it was a great shop.

“We currently live at Greenridge but hope to move to Evans Head soon.”

Wade is very supportive of the products and quality Mick sells and plans to keep selling the great cuts of meat already available in the shop.

“If it’s not broken, don’t fx it,” said Wade.

“I am looking forward to meeting all the locals and I will be here to support them.

“Thank you to Mick and Nick for giving me this opportunity.”

Nicole and Mick Metcalf with Wade Goldthorpe in Metcalf Meats.

Report picks holes in food plan

By TIM HOWARD

A controversial food plain development in West Yamba should be shelved after an independent report found signifcant shortcoming in its Flood Emergency Management Plan says a residents group.

The acting president of the Yamba Community Action Network, Alex Devantier said the report from engineering and planning consultants Rhelm into the Flood Emergency Management Plan for the 136-lot multidwelling development at 8 Park Lane, West Yamba, was “scathing”.

“All in all the fndings are that the current proposal is unsatisfactory from a fooding and emergency management perspective,” he said.

State Government planning instrument, The Northern Regional Planning will hold its third public meeting into the development on October 26.

At its last meeting in July the NRPP deferred making a determination and sought an independent assessment of food risk and emergency evacuation procedures.

At the time panel chair Paul Mitchell noted the development had been substantially approved and it questions around emergency management that failed to deal with residents’ concerns that was halting approval.

Developers Hometown Australia Pty Ltd submitted a FEMP, from Bewsher Consulting,

in June, prior to the second NRPP meeting, but the panel adjourned to allow a more detailed investigation into the plan.

Rhelm provided a 22-page analysis of the Bewsher Consulting document, which revealed shortcomings in the emergency plan.

It noted failure to acknowledge climate change effects meant the development was not suffciently flled to be above a 1 in 100 year food.

It said the development would require extra flling to reach 3.7mAHD or require houses to have piers that lifted the foor level above 3.7mAHD.

“A food impact assessment is required of the effects of the proposed fll and retaining walls on

the conveyance of stormwater fows within the existing perimeter stormwater drains or any potential effects on existing adjacent properties,” the report also noted.

The Rhelm report was also critical of the proposal in the FEMP to provide food shelter in a clubhouse building within the development, pointing out the proposal was “divergent from state guidance and practice.”

“Residents sheltering in place are unlikely to have suffcient space or amenities and therefore likely to impose an additional pressure on the NSW SES with respect to the need for resupply and also with respect to potential medical evacuation requirements.

“Additionally, the

proposed foor level of the shelter area would need to be further elevated to 4.5 mAHD to allow for projected climate change, otherwise there is potential for the refuge itself to be inundated.

“Based on these fndings, the current proposal is unsatisfactory from a fooding and emergency management perspective.”

Mr Devantier was also critical of the Clarence Valley Council which he said was too quick to approve the DA despite legitimate concerns of resident around food mitigation and drainage issues.

“Council appears to be just accepting what a developer provides in the DA without considering existing residents,” he said,

“Upon inquiry council informed it has not been provided the details of the new stormwater drain along the southern boundary on the inside of the 1.6m high retaining wall.

“Council also has not been provided details of the pumps to be located in the drain in the backyards of properties along Yamba Road.

“How can Council staff accurately assess the stormwater has been mitigated?”

Mr Devantier said despite these issues Councils assessment report dated July 11, 2022, stated “Council staff are satisfed that the development will improve the existing stormwater drainage issues having a benefcial result to adjoining landowners.”

He said residents had

shown in a number of presentations the serious stormwater inundation that affected the area during the fooding in February and March this year. These presentations revealed fsh swimming in foodwater in the yards of residents neighbouring the development, revealing both storm water run off and river breaches contributed to the fooding.

“When will council start considering the detrimental impacts of stormwater inundation on existing residents in town,” he said.

“Roads were closed, frst by stormwater and then days later when the food crest reached Yamba.

“People living to the west of Yamba main town could not get to the SES designated food evacuation centre. Existing residents, who pay rates, are being forgotten.”

He said Yamba CAN as the group which formed in September has become known has booked a room at the Yamba Golf Club on October 26 for residents to make their submissions to the NRPP.

The meeting will be held via video conference.

People with Inquiries or wishing to address the panel or listen to this meeting, must register by contacting the Planning Panels Secretariat before 4pm Monday, October 24 on 02 8217 2060 or via email to enquiry@ planningpanels.nsw.gov.

A pipe from Park Ave development site into the drain in the backyard of adjoining property on Yamba Rd.

A drain on easement of the Park Ave development site, located in the backyard of a Yamba Rd property.

REBUILDING THE NORTHERN RIVERS – ROOM BY ROOM

aussies4aussies – a Ballina based charity where 100% of the proceeds go to worthy local and charitable causes has embarked on their biggest ever fundraiser! Over $13,000 in prizes to be won, including a “Tradie for a week” and a $3,000 Holiday/Travel voucher through Cruise & Travel Ballina.

100% of ticket sales (not proceeds) from this raffe are going towards our “Rebuilding the Northern Rivers – Room by Room” Project – getting people back into their food affected homes.

The raffe will be drawn 8:30pm Saturday 29th October at the Westower Tavern, but winners do NOT have to be present.

Over seven months has passed since the devastating foods in the Northern Rivers. People are still living in motel rooms, pods, caravans or worse – tents! People from all walks of life and all ages are affected by this. Whether insured

or not – they are ALL suffering. aussies4aussies is tackling this problem with a three pronged approach.

1. We’ll get a room or two fxed up so you have a bit of normality and can move back home.

2. We teach people how to do it themselves and supply the extra material at a reduced rate. We also lend them the tools – to fnish the job. A feel good experience!

3. If they are lucky enough to know what they’re doing, or have friends to assist, they can simply get a big discount on materials to do it all. aussies4aussies can see the need for this program lasting for well over the next 12-18 months and need funds to continue this great project. Whether by purchasing tickets or offering to selling tickets – the support is greatly appreciated.

Online tickets sales are at www.aussies4aussies. com.au/tradie.htm

Locations for purchase are updated on our website regularly and any junior organisation that would like to sell tickets (and receive a donation back from us for equipment) are encouraged to contact us. Tickets are currently available at the following locations

SOUTH LISMORE

Bolt Barn - 183 Union Street

Duck Pond Espesso Bar - 71 Union Street Coastal Scales - 24 Habib Drive

BALLINA

Ballina Cruise & Travel71 River Street

Ballina Insurance Brokers - 4/7 Moon Street

Daleys Gourmet MeatsWigmore Arcade Hartleys Fresh MarketBallina Fair

Westower Tavern - West Ballina

WOODBURN

Rod ‘n’ Reel HotelRiver Street

For more details, please contact Steve Dickson 0413 337 751

FREE ENTRY FOR ALL NORTH COAST RESIDENTS (FROM COFFS TO TWEED)

Diary of a food survivor Part 13

There is nothing quite like the luxury of plush, new carpet between the toes. And the smell. Up there with the aroma of a new car, freshly baked bread and freshly made coffee.

The frst thing we did once the carpet was in and vacuumed was create carpet angels!!! Lying on the new pile and making wing impressions.

Now the dominoes are falling. The electricians are here to fnally wire the upstairs living area completely, the builders are adding skirting boards and doors and when all is done, we will get the painter back to do the fnishes.

Each time we complete

a step, it is worthy of celebration. We still have our vanity area to overhaul, so continue to wash hands and brush teeth in the kitchen sink.

Our front yard has the appearance of a tradie hangout, which is a constant look in our neighbourhood.

Our downstairs still echoes with lack of walls and ceiling and will stay that way until we know what La Nina has decided to do for the rest of the year.

As I write, Tasmania, Victoria and inland New South Wales are suffering severe fooding reminiscent of February of this year for our area.

I see the reports on

the news and, like a car crash, I can’t stop watching. My heart aches for those who are experiencing what we did 7.5 months ago and I want to rush down there with pre-made toiletry bags and home-cooked biscuits and slices to help them through.

Many there will have the same long bumpy road we are still going through. Their issues seem to be the same too, with looters and some wall around Flemington Race Course that held the water, not letting it fow easily away.

Little steps

Application for Appointment of Board Members

Bentley Public Hall Reserve Land Manager

Ever wondered who is responsible for keeping Crown reserves operating?

Countless facilities like showgrounds, local halls and parks are run by Statutory Land Manager Boards, made up of people just like you. People who understand the need and have a desire to manage public land and assets for the beneft of the entire community.

Your role as a Board Member is voluntary, but the rewards of giving something back to the community are priceless.

We are looking for a good mix of people with a variety of skills, however, sound business and fnancial management skills and objective decision-making expertise would be a distinct advantage.

Don’t let this opportunity to do something for yourself and your community pass you by – contact us today.

The Bentley Public Hall Reserve Land Manager manages the Reserve No. 82429 at Bentley notifed on 18-Mar-1960 for Public Hall. The term of appointment will be for a period not exceeding 5 years.

Application for membership can be made via portal.crownland.nsw.gov.au

All applications are required to be lodged by 21 November 2022.

For further information contact: 1300 886 235 or go to reservemanager.crownland.nsw.gov.au

Postcode effect on falling teen pregnancy rates

By TIM HOWARD

Teenage pregnancy rates in the Clarence Valley have fallen by nearly half in a decade, but still remain signifcantly higher than the national average.

A Family Planning Australia report, Adolescent Fertility in NSW Australia: 20112020, was compiled from Australian Bureau of Statistics data on live births from mothers aged between 15 and 19 over a decade.

In 2011in the Clarence Valley there were 37.99 live births per 1000 women aged 15-19 in the region and in 2020 that had dropped to 19.87. Nationally the fgures were14.8 in 2011 down to 7.8 in 2020.

Despite the falling trends across the board, a distinct gap remained in the rate of teen pregnancies in the regions compared to metropolitan areas.

Non-metropolitan health districts recorded 14.1 births per 1000 compared to 4.9 in

metropolitan areas.

Across the Northern Rivers, under the auspices of the Northern NSW Local Health District, numbers were were widely different.

“In Northern NSW LHD the Adolescent Fertility Rate ranged from 3 live births per 1000 women aged 15-19 in Byron LGA to 27 live births in Richmond Valley LGA in 2020,” the report said.

“The AFRs in Richmond Valley, Clarence Valley, Lismore, Kyogle and Tweed LGAs were above the national and state

levels, while rates in the Ballina and Byron LGAs were below state and national levels in 2020.

2020 (12).”

Despite all public schools including a mandatory element

locations, despite all students having access to the same courses.

It said variations in teen pregnancy rates were due to factors outside the school curriculum.

Schools monitored student progress in all courses, including the PDHPE and offered additional academic and wellbeing support for student should it become necessary.

In the reports’ executive summary, authors Adib Memari, research assistant, Dr Yan (Wendy) Cheng, senior research offcer Dr Kevin McGeechan, consultant statistician, said reducing the incidence of teenage pregnancies was important to community health.

adolescent fertility.”

The ABS statistics for NSW) and nationally reveal teenage pregnancy, described in the report as the adolescent fertility rate (AFR) has steadily decreased between 2011 and 2020.

The AFR in Australia has decreased from 16 live births per 1000 women aged 15-19 in 2011-2012, to 8 live births per 1000 women aged 15-19 in 2020.

In NSW, a similar trend was observed during the same 10-year period.

“All Northern NSW LGAs follow a similar trend of decreases and increases to that of the national and state levels however, Kyogle LGA saw the biggest drop in AFRs from 2011 (35) to

on pregnancy in the PDHPE syllabus, the the department was reluctant to discuss the fgures.

It argued the differences in teen pregnancy rates occurred across different

“Adolescent mothers and their babies are more likely to experience short-term perinatal complications and longer-term health and psychosocial adversities than older mothers,” the summary said.

“Therefore, it is important to monitor the situation and trend of

The AFR decreased from 15 live births per 1000 women aged 15-19 in 2011, to 8 in 2020. However, there is considerable variation in AFRs, and trends, across the Local Health Districts (LHDs) and Local Government Areas (LGAs) in NSW.

The Northern NSW Local Health District was asked to comment on the differences in teen pregnancy rates between regions under its control, but did not do so before the paper’s deadline.

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ABS fgures show the difference in teen pregnancy rates between different regions in the Northern NSW Local Health District.

Answers sought after ‘Nightmare Trip’ to Thailand

By MARGARET DEKKER

They’re the welltravelled Ballina importers who’d waited 4-years for their ‘dream trip’ to Thailand to fnally arrive; The opportunity for a little work sourcing jewellery and bronzes for their Smith Drive store ‘Summerland Antiques’ .. and a chance at last for lots of rest and relaxation in the ‘city of Gods.’

But from the word go, Bert and Marcia Elliott say their August 31 journey became the ‘trip from hell.’

“It all started when I went to organise Marcia’s and my trip to Thailand. I had over 800,000 frequent fyer points with my airline. I’d been told that I had enough points for the 2 of us to go around the world business class but when I went to my travel agent, I could only book one ticket with the points and the other I had to pay for,” Bert Elliott explained.

The cap resulted in Bert paying more than $4000 he said, for his Business Class fare which he believes was available much cheaper, online.

“It’s a bl** dy con,” Bert Elliott told The Northern Rivers Times.

When it came to boarding, Bert said his requests for a wheelchair at both Sydney and Bangkok airports “because of my crook knees” were unheeded.

“If you know Bangkok Airport, it’s a fair walk to get to immigration and I could hardly walk,” he said.

To add insult to injury, once on board the plane, 80-year-old Bert was seated away from his wife, 77-year-old Marcia.

“I’ve fown 72-times to Europe and 71-times to Thailand and we’ve always been seated together. And this was meant to be the frst time we actually had a holiday there in Thailand and not just a work trip!”

Bert Elliott also claims he was short-changed on his hotel bookings.

“I had the name of an airline-backed hotel in Bangkok called the Berkeley which I could have got 14-days for $1,300. The airline was charging well over $2000 for the same thing. You save all these points thinking you’ll get looked after, but you don’t,” Bert Elliott claimed.

Bert chose to use some of his 800,000 frequent fyer points to secure

reservations with the Berkeley and Rydges Sydney Airport Hotels only to fnd his balance had dropped to 40,000 points once the bookings were made.

But the real, harrowing toll was still to come.

“After resting for 2 days, on the third day we had a meal .. and in a few hours, Marcia began vomiting. She said she’d like to see a doctor. Mam (friend) took us to the hospital where she went for an operation a few years before. Big mistake! When we got there, they put Marcia in the Intensive Care ward and that’s when the sh*t happened,” Bert Elliott recalled.

High potassium foods affect Marcia Elliott’s heartrate. Bert claims the hospital food served to Marcia was potassium-rich, including rockmelon, honeydew melon and tomatoes.

not good for her, but they gave her 3 blood transfusions. On the ffth

fight back to Australia,” Bert Elliott said.

Bert claims a series of bungles and delays then followed in getting formal approval by a doctor for Marcia to fy, meaning the pair missed their initial fights home. He said he was also unable to withdraw much-needed cash from a Thai bank and believes it was only after he got travel insurer NRMA involved, that the couple secured a fight from Bangkok to Singapore to connect to Sydney. By now, the ordeal was entering its third week.

“But at the Bangkok Airport, guess what? No ticket for me! Lucky for me there was a spare seat which I had to pay for at a cost of 4-thousand dollars,” Bert Elliott said.

Bert reported a ‘good fight’ back to Sydney and thought the couple’s travel-luck had at last improved.

“But when we got to Ballina, we had no bags. All Marcia’s and my medications were in the carry-on bags!” Bert said.

Three weeks on and the seasoned travellers are still coming to terms with their shock “nightmare trip.”

“This is the worst and most terrible trip you could dream of. The stress was unbelievable,” Bert Elliott said.

day I demanded they get her out of ICU and into a room on her own,” he said.

“I fnally had her in a room on her own and within 12 hours of feeding her low potassium food, her heartbeat was up around 60 pm. While Marcia was in Intensive Care, they wouldn’t let her out of bed to go to the toilet and there were no bed pans or pads - very degrading for her and the stress on both of us was the worst we’ve ever had in our lives. She was on oxygen but was well enough to travel after 3 days so we contacted the airline to get on our

Not to mention the total cost. All up, Bert says he’s out of pocket $25,000 for the trouble.

“The stress .. we haven’t got over it yet. Marcia is still recovering too. I’m thinking about suing them, I’m serious,” Bert Elliott said.

The airline involved, which requested not to be named while a review is underway, is now “looking into Bert and Marcia Elliott’s booking experience.”

The Ballina travel agency, which handled Bert and Marcia’s ticketing, Frequent Flyer, seat, and wheelchair allocation requirements could be asked questions as well.

Bill told The Northern Rivers Times it felt like the system was “killing Marcia.”

“I tried to tell them that those foods were

Ballina importers, Bert and Marcia Elliott

“Nightmare trip” - Marcia Elliott in Intensive Care in a Bangkok hospital PHOTO: Bert Elliott

Meet

By MARGARET DEKKER

Fresh off the release of her first book on the ‘lived experiences’ of Queenslanders locked out of their homes and state, Tweed author and campaigner Meredith Llewellyn is now nominated for the ‘Kindest Australian’ award for her spirited work helping those left stranded and ‘broken’ by Queensland’s border closure in 2021.

The ‘Kindest Australian’ quest is being run by apparel group Black Pepper, in the lead up to World Kindness Day on November 13.

“It’s a privilege to be responsible for recognising the amazing people we have in our community and sharing their stories with the world in hope that we can inspire acts of love, generosity and kindness,” Rachel Digby, Black Pepper’s General Manager said.

This journalist caught up with Meredith Llewellyn (interrupting her cherished needlework) ahead of next month’s announcement.

Q. Meredith, how did it feel when you were contacted with the news, you’d been nominated several times for the Kindest Australian award?

A. Stunned. I never had any doubt that what had happened to thousands of Queenslanders was ‘huge’ but I never thought of the response that David (husband) and I had made to these people who were left in traumatic frightening circumstances as ‘huge’. I was shocked that people were seeing it this way.

Q. The Northern Rivers Times newspaper has documented your

kindness in previous articles .. what is it within you that prompts such efforts and actions of kindness to help many others?

Daily we were being bombarded by stories of loss, devastation, hurt, rejection, and trauma that were very distressing and disturbing. But I knew that in amongst our church family, our own families and our friends were many who were so deeply saddened by what they were hearing and seeing and would be willing to do what they could to help alleviate the suffering of others. It was because I knew this that I

called on so many, and it is the weight of sympathy from many ordinary Australians that tells the biggest story of kindness.

But the other story, the big story for me Margaret, that press, and people don’t want to hear, and perhaps see as the ‘stuff on the lunatic fringe,’ is the eternal kindness, grace and forgiveness that I have been offered by my Heavenly Father. It is this that causes me to want to serve others and help them along the way in life. This is the big story of my life and how I live each day – with a joy and a peace that passes all

in

understanding. It is why I do not find hate and unforgiveness in my heart to those who caused such harm. It is why I search for a path to peace and restoration. And because I know that path can be found, it is why I seek to encourage others to find it also. These are the things that matter most to me

Q. Is extending kindness rewarding?

Sure is! Far better to give than receive. There is great joy in giving. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Q. If you receive the national award, could this national recognition be used as a platform to promote a broader, formal review of the Queensland border closure decision and its devastating effects?

I do adamantly believe that there must be a review into how the pandemic was handled in Australia. There has to be. Reviews are a normal part of business practice to improve performance and there must also be a review process that honestly examines government COVID responses. In my head it is irresponsible

if there isn’t. Why? For next time!!! Because they will be a next time. The next generation. The next pandemic!

I am not being antagonistic nor am I being provocative or an agitator, but any review has to be prepared to examine all the evidence and my book ‘Locked Out’ documents the lived experiences of many many people during this time. Evidence that must be tabled. I would like to be a part of that review.

But I would hope it could also be a platform for moving the troubled out of hate and disturbance and inability to forgive and forget and lead them into that place where they are able to lay to rest this chapter of time in their lives where they suffered so much. A place where they will be unstuck and free to live fulfilling lives.

For more information about the award, visit https://www.blackpepper. com.au/world_kindness_ day Australia’s Kindest Person will be announced on Wednesday 10 November.

Good luck Meredith, you deserve it.

Helper Dogs Australia’s approach is that the handler is involved in training their own assistance dog. This enhances the bond between the handler and the dog.

Meredith Llewellyn of Pottsville has been nominated for ‘Kindest Australian’

THE BLUFF POINT QUILTERS SHOW IS BACK

SHAVING THE FOX

After missing 2 years with Covid and foods, the Bluff Point Quilters are exhibiting a huge collection of quilts at Lawrence Museum on Saturday October 22nd.

The Exhibition promises to be quirky, and different, in the museum, with lots of extra space for displays. As well as the

Treasure’ stall. There

Gary Fox, the original Ballina ‘Good Guy’ has been growing his hair since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. Gary has now decided to lose the locks and embrace the razor to raise funds for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

will be plants for sale and the Lawrence Museum Recycle Shop will also be open.

Admission cost is only $10, and not only includes the quilt exhibition, but morning or afternoon tea and partial access to the museum and gardens.

“I never thought I would look forward to a haircut so much. I also realised how much the Rescue Helicopter played a crucial role in supporting the community during the recent catastrophic fooding

in Lismore as well as many other Northern Rivers communities” commented Gary.

“They few back-toback missions for days helping people caught in horrifc situations, and I would love to see my long locks being able to help a good cause” said Gary.

Gary has helped to raise support, as well as donating funds for many organisations throughout the Ballina Shire community over the years when he formerly owned ‘The Good Guys’ Ballina. Gary hopes

that this will be one of his best fundraising endeavours to help the community.

“This fundraiser also happens to coincide with the Rescue Helicopter celebrating 40 years of fying this year throughout the Northern Rivers after starting in Ballina back in 1982” remarked Gary.

Gary is not just cutting his hair, but he is doing it in public for all to see, on stage at a special night, at the Cherry Street Sports Club on Saturday 22nd of October at 7.30pm.

You can join Gary beforehand at the Club for some raffes and auctions and then stay on after his haircut to enjoy some live music from the ‘Wear the Fox Hat’ band.

Gary has an online fundraising page, if you cannot make his haircut event, with the ability to donate online via https:// bit.ly/shave-the-fox with all money raised staying in the Northern Rivers to directly support the local Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

SAFETY BLITZ BACKS LIFEJACKET WEAR THIS BOATING SEASON

amazing quilt displays, Grafton Textiles will be there, Barbie Mitchell from Hand Stitched Owl, Robyn’s Needlecraft and Bob the Scissorman – who will sharpening scissors and knives. Don’t forget to bring yours if they need sharpening. Bargain hunters can browse through a massive ‘Trash &

The quilters are renowned for their country hospitality, with great homemade cakes & slices for morning and afternoon tea.

The Quilt Show is open from 9.30am – 4.00pm. Parking is available, and the Museum is wheelchair friendly, with a lift for the upper level of the museum.

The frst statewide waterway compliance blitz of the season has found a concerning number of boaters neglected the simple ‘safety must’ of carrying and wearing a lifejacket when required.

Operation ‘Are You Boat Ready – Plan, Prepare, Predict’ kicked off the boating season this long weekend with more than 1900 vessel checks resulting in 66 fnes and 172 offcial cautions.

Darren Wood, Acting Executive Director of NSW Maritime said he was pleased the public listened to the call from maritime operators and emergency responders to put safety front of mind this boating season.

“We had poor weather on Saturday, and I’m delighted most skippers showed sound judgement and waited to head out in safer, more enjoyable conditions later in the weekend,” Mr Wood said.

“Monday was a busy day on the water, with warm and sunny conditions in most areas. Despite plenty of people being out on the water, no serious injuries were recorded over the three-day campaign, a trend we’d like to see continue for the rest of the season.

“We want everyone to have

a great time on the water, we ask whether you’re on a boat, kayak or jetski always plan, prepare, and predict what could happen before you set out.”

Areas with the highest number of offences over the long weekend were the southern Shoalhaven including Jervis Bay and Sussex Inlet (11%), Albury (10%), and Lake Macquarie (9%).

“The top three offences were a lack of carrying or wearing a suitable lifejacket representing 34 per cent of infringements, licensing and registration made up 27 per cent, and inadequate safety equipment came in at 22 per cent,” Mr Wood said.

“Of the 13 people who died on New South Wales waterways in the last 12 months, ten were not wearing a lifejacket.

“A lifejacket keeps you afoat and makes it easier for responders to spot and save you. Wearing one is simple, inexpensive, and incredibly effective. It’s also the law.

“NSW Maritime data shows 83 lives might have been saved in recreational boating incidents in the 10 years to March 2022 if those people had been wearing a lifejacket.”

NSW Maritime Boating Education Offcers engaged

with more than 1700 customers statewide over the weekend, providing information and advice on life jacket servicing and best practice on the water.

Operation ‘Are You Boat Ready’ coincided with the start of National Safe Boating Week (1-7 October).

For more information on

boating safety, please go to: lifejacketwearit.com.au

Boaters can fnd more information on restrictions and closures here: https:// www.nsw.gov.au/ topics/using-waterways/ restrictions-and-closures

Follow NSW Maritime on Facebook at: facebook.com/ nswmaritime

SHAVING THE FOX

Bluff Point Quilters with an array of quilts

Rae Harrison and Joan Kale view progress on Joans quilt

Dianne Neilson sewing a childs quilt

mRNA VACCINES

Our leaders seem to be blind to the effects of these untested mRNA vaccines as they now want to create synthetic mRNA vaccines for Foot and Mouth Disease and Lumpy Skin Disease in cattle, see NRTimes 1/9/22 page 45. These mRNA vaccines may be easier, cheaper, and quicker to make but with all the adverse reactions and deaths around the world, I don’t think they are a good idea.

Here’s one mother’s distress from these vaccines: - ‘This has

been so hard and so many tears. My daughter had one cocktail in May 2021, 2 days later was in the hospital with blood clots, for a couple of weeks. Then begin of September, in the hospital for heart surgery, and she was in for 3 weeks. Then 4 days later back in with a mini stroke, and only in for a couple of days. She then finds out she is pregnant, I never prayed so much for her and my grandson. Everything looked good for grandson, except he went into distress and had to

be taken 6 weeks early. He is one month old now, and so far, so good for him but watching him very closely because of fear of what the cocktail might have done to him. Now my daughter goes to the doctors on Tuesday and is told her kidneys are failing and needs dialysis. When

she was pregnant, she had problems with her kidneys, spleen, and gall bladder. They took out spleen right after grandson is born.’

Lynette Evans NUMULGI

WE ARE DOOMED

What a Muppet the prime minister is

announcing billions in Infrastructure projects but nothing for the environment pathetic. The entire budget should be spent on planting trees and ridding the country of feral flora and fauna. As well as this rewilding the country with native animals. They just don’t get it climate change is

now and the only way to reverse it is plant billions and billions of trees especially big scrub country on the north coast. We are doomed if we don’t.

Alan Mosley Yamba

The launch of the “Rotary Safety Lights for Seniors” falls prevention project

“Our elderly Australians are treasures, and we have to help look after them”. So says Rotarian Bob Barnes who is helping to spearhead the Rotary ‘Safety Lights for Seniors’ falls prevention awareness drive.

“There’s 364 senior Aussies that are hospitalised every single day due to a fall and the consequences of this for them and their families and the health system can be dramatic.”

The awareness drive is an initiative coming out of Lismore and

Free solar - savings up to $600 on electricity bills

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.

Ballina and hopes to go to Australia-wide to raise community awareness of falls prevention for older people and to encourage all Australians to take falls prevention action for the elderly, including exercise and getting a night light for every elderly person.

The launch of the Rotary Safety Lights for Seniors drive was attended by the Member for Ballina, Tamara Smith, Ballina Mayor, Sharon Caldwallader and Lismore Mayor, Steve Krieg.

“Falls are a very

Terry O’Grady, President, Rotary Club of Ballina on Richmond, 2nd from left, Sharon Cadwallader, Mayor of Ballina, centre, Tamara Smith, MP for Ballina, far right.

significant issue for older people and indeed for the country, but they don’t receive significant attention, so we want to help do something about it,” said Bob.

A trial of the Safety Lights for Seniors falls

awareness drive is taking place in Lismore and Ballina. Get along to the Rotary awareness table at Bunnings Lismore and Ballina until October 23rd to find out more.

Since taking over the months-old clinic in September 2019, Jodi has established an award-winning team that constantly delights its customers in the northern NSW business. This is despite having to endure a series of external challenges in recent years, including managing the fallout from NSW bushfires in early 2020, dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak soon after, and navigating the devastating floods of 2022.

Sitting on the southern side of the NSW-Queensland border, Tweed Heads businesses and customers have often been caught in no-man’s land during the pandemic because of border closures. On some days, Jodi could not even gain access to her clinic and had to hand over the keys at the border to a team member. Likewise,

many customers could not travel to the clinic as a result of COVID-19 restrictions.

“But in the face of every disaster, we’ve come out smiling,” Jodi says.

Evidence of that is Jodi being named Laser Clinics Australia’s Franchisee of the Year in 2021, and her faithful colleague Allira Miller winning the Clinic Manager of the Year title in 2022.

her clinic down to managing cash-flow, staff and customer expectations, while all the while “crafting” a strong culture among her team of 13 or so employees. She also points to the business’s values that are built around having fun, being happy, upbeat and focused, showing trust and putting a premium on security.

“We live and breathe those fundamentals,” Jodi says.

She insists on recruiting people with those qualities who are the right fit for her clinic, maintaining that having substance behind a business’s brand is the building block of success.

“If you create a happy environment, then the money and the results and the great customer experience, all of that just follows.”

back, culminating in the afore-mentioned award win. Cool, calm and collected, Allira has been the perfect partner for Jodi during the business’s testing times.

“She’s got a very authentic personality and creates a high-trust environment in the clinic,” Jodi says.

investing your life savings.”

Aside from the staple business of laser hair removal, the Tweed Heads clinic achieves strong sales for its skin treatments and CoolSculpting. The growth potential of the cosmetics industry appeals to Jodi, along with the fact that the sector has rigorous regulatory controls.

Leadership & Business, the book is designed to provide female leaders with the knowledge and tools that will help them achieve long-term success, along with tips on establishing highperforming, happy, successful and cohesive teams.

The Tweed Heads business is part of Laser Clinics Australia’s network of more than 200 clinics globally that performs more than 2.5 million treatments a year. The Laser Clinics brand is the leading provider of laser hair removal, cosmetic injectables and skin treatments in the Australian and New Zealand markets.

Jodi puts the achievements of

In a market where high turnover of staff is often an issue, Jodi has been able to hang on to employees. “Happiness doesn’t just mean paying them more. I pay my staff well but, most importantly, they feel secure, they feel heard and there’s a real sense of belonging.”

No one better epitomises the accomplishments of the Tweed Heads clinic than Allira.

Brought on initially as a clinic trainer, she was promoted to assistant manager within 10 days and has never looked

Coming from a corporate background in New Zealand and Australia where she specialised in the property sector, not the beauty industry, Jodi ran the rule over the various market players before opting to buy into Laser Clinics Australia’s franchise system.

The structure appealed to her on many fronts, including a unique 50:50 partnership model with head office that substantially reduces start-up costs, and allowance for remuneration for the nominated manager of the clinic from day one.

“I’d looked at the other brands, but Laser Clinics Australia was very aligned with the way I work and it trumped the others,” Jodi explains. “It’s very operationally slick and the marketing is on point. I could also see that they care about the client experience. And they are very professional, which is important when you’re

A key element of the Laser Clinics model is the ongoing provision of training programs, operations support and business management tools for franchisees.

Acknowledging such support, Jodi says it has been a constant in her three years at the helm of the Tweed Heads clinic.

“I still get a whole lot of support and, at the same time, they have genuinely unclipped my wings when running the business while restricting me on some things and, in hindsight, they were right to do so. I feel like they have great respect for me, and I’ve got great respect for them.”

Reflecting its title, the book also calls out the phenomenon of “hepeating”, the scenario in which a man appropriates a female colleague’s comments or ideas and is then praised for them being his own.

Jodi says too often women are silenced or marginalised in their work environments, and she is determined to play her part in overturning this trend. Drawing on neuroscience principles, the book will also feature the strategies that she has learnt throughout her career and which have been instrumental to her success in the Tweed Heads clinic, including sections on leading yourself, leading your people, leading your customers, and leading your business.

Never one to rest on her laurels, Jodi is writing a book on women’s leadership that is expected to come off the presses in 2023. Called I Just F*#ken Said That – A Female’s Guide to

The launch of her book aside, the other goal is to expand the Tweed Heads clinic and ensure that it continues to be a flagship business within the Laser Clinics Australia system.

The test of

by Nigel Dawe Saffn lobbies for amenities block in Nimbin’s Peace Park

STATE Member for Lismore Janelle Saffn is requesting a one-off $400,000 grant from the NSW Government to construct and maintain a disability-friendly public amenities block in Nimbin’s Peace Park.

Ms Saffn confrmed that she recently wrote to Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole to back the project which local community groups have spent the past 15 years lobbying Lismore City Council for.

The amenities block would service the

children’s playground, community pool, the Rainbow Road Walking Track (once constructed), skate ramps and tourist dropoff area in the village which attracts 160,000 tourists annually, Ms Saffn said.

“I’ve assured Minister Toole that this longoverdue project has the overwhelming support of Nimbin’s 2,400 residents, including peak community groups like the Nimbin Advisory Group (NAG) and the Nimbin Community Centre.

“As Nimbin recovers from pandemic lockdowns, followed by landslips and a badly damaged road network from the foods, it needs targeted fnancial support from Government.

“Amenities blocks are not the sexiest of ribbon-cutting projects but they are essential infrastructure for this growing village.”

Lismore City Council funded preliminary design work on the amenities block with input from NAG and consultant planner Greg Alderson and Associates,

and this plan would be updated to meet current needs.

Council has indicated that it is not in a position to fund the necessary capital works and asset maintenance at this time due to budgetary constraints.

Ms Saffn said she had asked the NSW Government to allocate a one-off funding grant to Council of $400,000 –made up of $350,000 for construction and $50,000 to cover fve years’ maintenance – to realise this project.

RECENTLY

I read an article in one of our national newspapers concerning robots reaching the point of surpassing human beings as the most influential thing on the planet. Far-fetched? Maybe, until you find out 36% of scientists involved in research in this area consider it plausible and deem it just as big an existential threat as a nuclear war by the end of this century.

The notion of ‘progress’ has both plagued and en-vagued my mind for years. But of late I’ve been realising that there is a distinct difference between society’s near-blind acceptance of progress, and those of us endeavouring to be ‘progressive’: with the sought intent of actually improving the world around us.

The origin of the word ‘progress’, after all, comes from the Latin ‘progredi’, which stems from ‘pro’ meaning ‘forward’ and ‘gradi’ meaning ‘to step or walk’. Thus, the sooner we consciously fall into step with what leads to genuine progress (however hard fought) the better we become by way of identifying all that constitutes its opposite –regression.

Tellingly, the American author Alfred A. Montapert once said: “Do not confuse motion and progress. A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress.” As such, progress does not keep pace in one spot, however fast it may seem to be going; it must lead somewhere and do something that amounts to meaningful improvement.

Whilst there are copious things to get despondent about in life, like the fact 150-odd species become

extinct every 24 hours (which is close to 1,000 times the natural rate) and we lose about 80,000 acres of pristine rainforest daily, thanks largely to humanity’s interruptive ways. There is plenty to be upbeat about when it comes to the roasting chestnut that is progress.

Something to offset anyone’s deep despondency with the world is finding out the number of nuclear weapons across the globe has actually declined from over 70,000 in 1986 to around 13,000 today (even though it probably takes just the one to blow us all to smithereens, it is reassuring to know we are ‘trending’ in the right direction when it comes to weapons of ultra-mass destruction).

Additional indicators that humanity is progressing, contrary to what we might see or believe, is the amount of the world’s population that live in conditions of extreme poverty. In 1950, 75% of people lived as such, in 1984 it was still up around 44%, but since 2015 only 10% of the world’s population live in extreme poverty. Encouragingly, 85% of the global population are now literate compared to only one in every ten people older than 15 in 1820.

The essence of keeping progress ‘in check’ however, is finding a reactive middle ground that doesn’t render the world too lost in devastation, nor laden with cause for deluded optimism. It pays to be mindful of Juan Ramon Jimenez’s missive: “If progress does not promote human happiness, what good is it?” And good it should ever be, or else we run the distinct risk of drifting into a world far worse than our wildest dread.

Rural Aid announces new national phone line for faster counselling access

A new, dedicated phone line will allow farmers across the country to quickly and easily connect with the Rural Aid counselling team.

The direct line will ensure farmers are provided a faster and more trauma-informed response to their request for counselling.

Rural Aid’s counsellors are based across the country and offer free, confdential counselling to farmers and their families.

Rural Aid’s Manager of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Lauren Stracey, said the team will be able to prioritise and respond to calls more effectively with the new number (1300 175 594).

“We know that it’s important to have a trained counsellor help guide farmers through the period of reaching out for help,” Ms

Stracey said.

“By initiating a dedicated 1300-line, farmers are able to access a trained counsellor who can support them with referrals for immediate needs, while getting a sense of their story and matching them with the most appropriate support.”

“Taking the frst step in seeking support takes guts, but once you’ve done it you realise counselling is really just another tool you can use to get through tough times.”

“Rural Aid is experiencing an increase in the number of farmers reaching out for help at the moment. Some farmers are now at the stage where they are ready for mental health support, after experiencing disaster earlier this year. Also, farmers may have felt

an increased sense of anxiety since the confrmation of a third La Nina event.”

“We want to make sure that if a farmer is ready to explore the idea of counselling, that we are there straight away to assist,” Ms Stracey said.

South Australian sheep farmer Kaye Wicker reached out to a Rural Aid counsellor after a series of personal hardships including the death of her brother and compounding fnancial stress.

“Not only was it very grief flled but it was just an incredible amount of work,” Ms Wicker said.

“It was just that intense fear of losing everything and not being able to keep it together.”

The Waitpinga farmer said she initially found it hard to speak about the things scaring her the most.

“I found my time

working with my Rural Aid counsellor very benefcial, just to help breakdown those overwhelming feelings.”

Ms Wicker said the fact the counselling sessions are free meant a barrier was removed to accessing help.

“If there was a charge, I wouldn’t have been able to access it.”

“It takes a lot of courage to make that phone call. But it’s well worth it if you do,” Ms Wicker said.

Rural Aid counsellors catch up with their farmers where they’re most comfortable; whether it’s on farm, in town, or over the phone.

To get in touch with a Rural Aid counsellor, phone 1300 175 594. This phone line is staffed by a Rural Aid counsellor between 9am and 5pm AEST, Monday to Friday.

Mareeba casts ‘happy spells’ for Daffodil Day

Cancer affects many people we know and love, which was why Residents and Staff at Mareeba Aged Care held a special event for Daffodil Day.

The Daffodil Day Appeal is the Cancer Council’s most iconic fundraising campaign and raises money for important cancer research.

On September 21, Mareeba Aged Care celebrated Daffodil Day with a special event organised by Leisure and Lifestyle team leader Kay and her team of Denise, Mekeely and Christine.

Stunning daffodil paper fowers, handcrafted by the residents, decorated the dining tables and windows and created a vibrant atmosphere.

Kay even let her yellow hair down and dressed up as Happy Chappy bumblebee.

She was also spotted

casting “happy spells” on everyone throughout the day.

Facility Manager Leanne Hancock said Daffodil Day meant a lot to Residents and Staff, with so many people personally affected by cancer.

“Like many in the community, we wanted to

raise awareness of cancer and the good work of the Cancer Council,” she said.

“We provided a special morning tea to all Residents and Staff in our beautifully decorated Bonny Doon Cherry Lane lounge. Raffes were drawn and the lucky one to take the hamper home was no other than our superstar Mareeba Chef, Karina.

“We are very proud to raise $190 for the Cancer Council.”

They ended the day with a fabulous barbecue lunch for all residents.

THE ‘Black Cat Café in Nekobiyaka’

‘Mum, can we pleease go to Japan and visit the ‘Black Cat Café in Nekobiyaka’. (It’s ‘Leemo Cat’ writing.) ‘Mum Jane’ ignored me as usual. I asked again with much agitated frisking & miaowing. She put her book aside, glared, and then spoke. ‘Leems, what IS your obsession with Cafes? The last one you were so desirous to visit was the ‘Himalaya’ Café in Nepal ‘cos you determined the Dalai Lama’s Cat ‘Rinpoche’ was a far fung relative of yours and he hung out there? Ponder. ‘Well Mum, I know we couldn’t go to Nepal ‘cos of COVID, but now it’s over can we go to Japan instead pleease.’ (I tell you, Mum can be most brusque.) Do you know what she said? “NUP”. That was it! OMG, much magical feline persuasion is required here. ‘But Mum, the Nekobiyaka Black Cat Café is dedicated to beautiful black cats only, just like MEESIE! Ms Yagi who runs it, does so in an effort to dispel the stigma and superstitions surrounding black cats, with which I am afficted, and really agitate me. (I put on a most sad and upset look!) Yipppeee…I got her attention this time. ‘Pray tell me Leems, what superstitions pertinent to black cats are afficting you my most beloved little BLACK feline.’ (I detected huge irony in her tone and, well, just ignored it.) ‘Well Mum, do you really know all the stories that abound about

Region’s taxi licence owners deserve fairer compensation

Black Cats? Firstly Mum, are you a WITCH? AND, I want the truth, ‘cos my buddies told me only Witches own black cats, and they even hinted that “I” could be a Witch too. This is quite disturbing ‘cos I would much prefer to be a Wizard. Wizards always look kind & wise and carry magic wands & wear cool clothes with colourful hats. Witches, on the other hand, have very large warty noses, fangy teeth and fy around on broomsticks with their black cat, cackling evil spells as they go. They kidnap unsuspecting children, like in ‘Bad Jelly the Witch’ (Spike Millgan’s book) who kidnapped Tim & Rose when they were in the forest searching for their lost cow Lucy. They also had a cat called ‘Fluffy Bum.’ He wasn’t black.’ Gosh, I noticed Mum’s eyes were a bit glazed and she was looking most bewildered at my impart of knowledge. I reasoned a cup of tea and a ginger nut bikkie were needed. All done! Whew! She regained a semblance of normalcy and spoke. ‘Leems, I want you to know there are VERY GOOD (white) Witches and VERY BAD (black) witches. I am a good Witch, which means you are a most fortunate BLACK Cat to have found me. As a ‘good’ Witch, I always try to do good things, be kind to people, make jam & & chutney & cakes & stuff and clean our house. I most certainly would never kidnap children. (she shivered in horror.

CHILDREN? NUP!)

So, Leems, just ignore all those ill-informed bits of balderdash you hear.’ ‘I hear you Mum, but when can we go to the Black Cat Café in Nekobiyaka?’

Ooopsie, her eyes glazed over again with a meanie look in them.

It’s time to fnd Plush Blue Blankie. Purrsies, Leemo.

LISMORE MP Janelle Saffn says she is extremely disappointed that the NSW Government’s latest taxi industry assistance package does not offer fair compensation for buying out regional taxi licences.

An Upper House Inquiry in 2020 found that the NSW Government was solely responsible for the destruction of value in taxi licences in New South Wales and recommended the NSW Government buy back licences.

Ms Saffn, who this week met with Lismore

Taxi Co-operative President Justin Stevenson, has vowed to take local taxi licence owners’ campaign for fairer compensation into State Parliament next week.

She is one of 60 Lower and Upper House MPs who have signed a pledge, demanding ‘fair and proper compensation’.

Mr Stevenson said the NSW Government was currently offering up to $130,000 for a regional taxi licence or plate, but the real fgure for Lismore’s 16 owners was a paltry $55,000 for each of the 24 licences which

they hold.

“It’s insulting and disrespectful because we borrowed or invested an average of $250,000 for each of our plates … they were our superannuation nest eggs for when we retired from the industry,” Mr Stevenson said.

Historically, the highest price paid for a plate in the Lismore area was $316,000.

Mr Stevenson said the $130,000 buy-out fgure only applied to four zones, including Tweed Heads, Ballina and Coffs Harbour/Sawtell.

“The package lacks transparency because

Lismore’s fgure is $55,000, Mullumbimby’s $75,000 and Byron Bay, Kyogle and Casino are sitting as low as $25,000,” Mr Stevenson said.

“There should be an independent inquiry into how all of this has been handled.”

Ms Saffn said the NSW Government’s treatment of taxi owners -- small businesspeople simply having a go -- had been disgraceful since the rise of Uber had forced the deregulation of the industry.

Report reveals experiences of outpatient cancer care during COVID-19 pandemic

A report released today by the Bureau of Health Information (BHI) provides new insights into people’s experiences in outpatient cancer clinics across the state.

The report draws on the latest results of the Outpatient Cancer Clinics Survey, refecting the experiences of more than 8,000 people who received care in 42 outpatient cancer facilities in NSW in November 2021.

“These results provide a rich source of information for health services that helps them continue to focus on improving experiences and outcomes of care,” said BHI Chief Executive Dr Diane Watson.

“Reassuringly, patients were overwhelmingly positive about the care they received in outpatient cancer clinics, which it is

important to remember was delivered while NSW continued to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Almost all patients (98%) said, overall, the care they received was very good or good and more than eight in 10 (84%) said their care was very well organised.

On one key indicator of safe, high-quality care, almost eight in 10 patients (79%) said they were ‘defnitely’ involved as much as they wanted to be in decisions about their care and treatment.

The report contains additional analyses examining the outpatient cancer clinic experiences of people who speak a language other than English at home, compared with those who speak English.

“We saw that survey respondents who speak a language other than

English at home reported signifcantly less positive experiences across some key measures,” Dr Watson said.

For example, the report shows that people who speak a language other than English at home were almost three times as likely to say they received conficting information and were signifcantly less likely to say their care was very well organised (76%, compared with 85% of English speakers).

To learn more about the delivery of virtual care, which has continued to expand during the COVID-19 pandemic, the survey also asked patients about their experiences of virtual care appointments (over the telephone or by video call) with hospital outpatient clinics during 2021. Key fndings include:

• Almost all patients

(95%) said the care and treatment they received through virtual care helped them and more than eight in 10 (84%) said they would use virtual care again.

• The most frequently cited benefts from virtual care were convenience (65%) and saving time (50%).

• However, four in 10 patients said virtual care was not as good as in-person appointments.

The Snapshot report shows fndings for key measures of overall care, including variation between facilities.

More detailed results, including for individual clinics, are available in the supplementary data tables and the BHI Data Portal

“Leemo has views on just about anything

Lismore MP Janelle Saffn signs the NSW taxi industry pledge for ‘fair and proper compensation’ at the city’s taxi rank in Carrington Street in February this year. With her are Justin Stevenson and his fellow owner-drivers.

Gerelle Blanchard

Grafton local Gerelle Blanchard is excited to be the 2022 Matron of Honour Elect,and said she has “big shoes to fll” following on from 2021 Matron of Honour EnidMcKew.

Describing the Jacaranda Festival as a wonderful community event which brings everyone together, Mrs Blanchard said it was extraor dinary to see the special vibrancy that occurs in Grafton when the trees turn the brilliant shade of purple.

A former Jacaranda candidate herself, Mrs Blanchard has been a member of the Jacaranda Festival Committee for the past two years.

She cites the Jacaranda Ball as her favourite event to attend in the lead up to the ofcial festival, and was pleased to see another large

crowd come out to support the glamorous occasion last weekend.

“It is a wonderful opportunity to get dressed up and enjoy an eve ning out with friends and family. Everyone has so much fun,” Mrs Blanchard said.

“We’re very blessed in Grafton to have a great community event such as the Jacaranda Festival, which has such a long proud history, and it’s so strongly supported each year.”

Mrs Blanchard is looking for ward to spending time with the Jacaranda and Junior Jacaranda candidates during the festival and getting to know them as they commence their 2022 Jacaranda journey together.

“It’s a special time of the year and it’s going to be wonderful.”

Amanda Daffey

Employed by: e New School of Arts Neighbourhood House — Youth Hubs Coordinator

Proudly sponsored by the new School of Arts Neighbourhood House

How long have you lived in the Clarence Valley?

Fourteen years out of 24, with a move to the city in the middle.

What do you like about living here?

e Clarence Valley is a place that feels like home. e community spirit is something that you don’t get in other places. e meaningful conversations you can have when you go shopping, to the gym or to an event are one of my favourite things. e celebration of traditions/heritage of the community is something that I like, I feel as if it brings the community together throughout the year. ese aspects make the Clarence Valley a wonderful place to raise children and this is something important to me as a parent.

How do you spend your spare time?

When I am not at work I enjoy time with my family, generally going to community sports and out for bike rides. I also am the committee for a local soccer club and coach the women’s soccer team. I have also just completed my Bachelor of Nursing and am looking at returning to study as I am missing it already. I’ll probably complete a post graduate diploma in Mental Health.

I also have a couple of ‘side hustle’ jobs, I work for myself doing disability support work and clean ing. Other than this I like to hang out with my friends, go to the gym and watch Grey’s Anatomy on repeat.

Why did you become a Jacaranda candidate?

I love the community spirit that comes out at Jacaranda. Being a part of exciting people through the season is part of the reason I decided to be candidate.

Another big reason that I decided to be a part of this year’s festival is to be more inclusive for the LGBTIQ+ community. is is important to me, not only do I identify as a member of the commu nity, I work with young people who identify and I see their struggles with parts of the community. What event during the festival is special to you and why?

Not only do I have fond memories as an early teen on Jacaranda ursday with my friends but I have made some special memories with my son on Jacaranda ursday and it is something he looks forward to every year — mostly because of the purple ice cream.

What would it mean to be crowned Jacaranda Queen, princess or ambassador?

It would mean that I have had a blast, I am here for the experience and the community spirit. Being the queen, princess or ambassodor would mean that I can carry that spirit into the next year and show the next group of candidates that the journey is something worth focusing on.

Eva Miller

Employed by: Milestones Early Learning South Gra on — Early Childhood Educator

Proudly sponsored by e Pelican Playhouse

How long have you lived in the Clarence Valley?

I have lived in Gra on my whole life (22 years).

What do you like about living here?

I love the strong sense of community spirit. I’ve met some incredible people over the years and they’re what makes this place so special to me.

How do you spend your spare time?

In my spare time I can usually be found at a theatre either performing onstage or in the audience. I also enjoy playing my guitar and a good cup of tea. Why did you become a Jacaranda candidate?

I saw it as a chance to connect with people and give back to my beautiful community; to step outside my comfort zone, do things I never thought I would and maybe learn a thing or two about myself along the way.

What event during the festival is special to you and why?

I have always loved the Venetian Carnival. It’s always a wonderful night for the whole community to come together and showcase their amazing talents. What would it mean to be crowned Jacaranda Queen, princess or ambassador? It would be such a privilege to be chosen as Jacaranda Queen, Princess or Ambassador/Runner Up. I’d be proud to be able to uphold the legacy of past Queens while endeavouring to make the Festival inclusive for everyone.

Featuring the world class award-winning physical comedian and circus impressario Daniel Oldakerin, Dandyman’s is a ‘knock your socks o ’ show of unbelievable proportions. An action packed fun- lled journey of ridiculousness, complete with circus tricks, comedy bits and moments of unbridled fun and silliness. Oldakerin has entertained millions of people in 30 di erent countries and now it’s Gra on’s turn.

won the hearts of Aussies from the second he stepped into the ‘I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here’ camp. In a rst for the series, ‘ e David’ introduced himself to his campmates wearing 8-inch heels under the guise of being a celebrity shoe designer with 3.9 million followers. e fake convert mission worked leading the Network 10 show to its highest ratings and scoring the a Logie Award.

ey been entertaining people all their lives and when they’re not causing mischief in Winton (their home) they travel around Australia cracking up audiences and defying gravity where ever they go. Performing since they were kids, e Crackup Sisters have trained around the world in the elds of stock whip cracking, knock about acrobatics, circus, aerial acrobatics, dance, hula hoop, handstands, comedy, clowning, acting and animal training.

at various

locations around the CBD and back in Market Square including the infamous local business performances. e festival is also supporting the Clarence Valley Council Illuminate event from October 20 to November 10 with local musicians performing in See Park on each ursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

Festiv0al

2022 Junior Jacaranda Queen Candidate

2022 Junior Jacaranda Queen Candidate

Molly Cosgrove

2022 Junior Jacaranda Queen Candidate

Ella Roach

Dani Gorogo is a woman of Dunghutti, Bundjulung, Gumbayngirr and Papua New Guinean descent whose multi-faceted cultural heri tage has informed her prac tice over the past 30 years. Dani’s connection to land and culture, and her understand ing of the region has guided her nuanced, and thoughtful approach to the Jacaranda Festival for 2022.

e First nation’s artist and curator has been invited to exhibit previously unseen works from her personal collection as the 2022 Jacaran da Festival Artist for Gra on Regional Gallery.

e exhibition will be accom panied by rarely seen Gra on Jacaranda Festival historical footage which will be shown in the Courtyard Room e exhibition will be open from October 15 to November 13.

Dani will also be presenting an Artist Talk on Sunday 6 November at Gra on Regional Gallery commencing at 11am. Limited edition prints and reproductions of Dani’s works are available to purchase from JACA HQ at e Link, Prince St and Gra on Regional Gal lery Boutique at 157 Fitzroy St Gra on.

Lilly Brockwell

Proudly sponsored by Flame Trees Café

Proudly sponsored by Virtue Property

Proudly sponsored by Blueberries Smoothies and Health Bar

Lismore’s Home of Professional Paint Supplies We’re back in action after a long and challenging time since the foods, and are now trading from 16 Centenary Drive in Goonellabah at 90% capacity. Our hours for the

moment are Monday-Friday 7.30am to 4pm.

Paint & Trade Supplies in Goonellabah focus is squarely on providing expert advice and customer support that is second to none, along with a wide

variety of the best quality products available. Our staff knowledge on the products we sell goes beyond expectation. Colour matching is provided in store Monday to Friday. We cover most paint industries including house,

Offering you the best solution for your vehicle. Unifed Mechanical

offers quality service on all things mechanical whether it’s servicing your car, repair work, carrying out pre pur chase vehicle inspections, or replacing your battery, we have you covered.

automotive, marine and timber coatings, and provide in store shopping and pickup as well as delivery.

Call in and see Tony and the team for friendly, expert advice on any painting project you have going.

We offer break down service and roadside assistance for emergency situations where you need support immediately. With over 10 years industry experience, we can sup port you in making the right choices to maintain your vehicles health and longevity.

Servicing a 70km radius from Richmond Hill near Lismore, we come to you offering valued packed prices and second to none professional workmanship. You can be sure we know how to support you and your vehicle.

Revive Training is a licensed provider of Work Health and Safety (WHS) and First Aid courses, delivering to Industries and Individuals around the Northern Rivers. Revive Training comes to your location and works directly

with your staff, training them in their workplace. Sonya, the owner operator of Revive Training, is an on call frefghter with Fire + Rescue NSW. Sonya has worked in the Health Industry for nearly 20 years. This experience and

JJ Mobile Computer Care provides fast quality services to people the Northern Rivers Area. We provide convenient IT services to your home or offce to all areas from Ballina to Tweed Heads.

Justine and Jeffrey are local to the Murwillumbah area and are passionate about

background allows Sonya to pass on the latest training and tools to Revive Training students.

Revive Training conducts training in First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Fire

supporting locals with excellent computer service at a great price. Jeffrey is a qualifed computer technician with extensive experience in PC setup and maintenance, printer setup, fle transfer and internet connection issues.

Justine’s background is

Safety (how to identify & use a fre extinguisher), and Fire Warden Roles and Responsibilities. For bookings and more information please call or email Sonya on: info@ revivetraining.com.au or Mob: 0439 951 650.

in State Government and business administration. With their combined expertise Justine and Jeffrey can analyse customer needs and determine the best IT solution accordingly. Our fees are $95 per hour with travel fees of $10-$40 depending on distance.

For all Your Camping & Battery Needs

SWEETER TIMES AHEAD FOR NORCO AND LISMORE, AS ICE CREAM FACTORY REBUILD IS CONFIRMED

Norco, Australia’s oldest and largest dairy co-operative, has today announced long awaited and much hoped for plans to rebuild its heritage listed, Lismore ice cream factory that was left devastated and out of commission following the February foods.

As a major anchor business in the Northern Rivers region, the announcement is welcomed news not just for the dairy co-operative and its workforce, but also the many small and medium businesses that rely on its operation to drive economic activity – something that is especially critical as the region works to rebuild following the unprecedented natural disaster.

The factory rebuild is supported by a $34.7 million grant from the Federal and NSW State Government’s Anchor Business Support Program and bolstered by an $11 million grant that remains outstanding from the 2019 Regional Growth Fund (RGF); a program that was delayed due to COVID-19 and then paused following the foods.

In addition, to bring the project to life Norco’s cocontribution will be over $59 million (under the Anchor Business Support Grant guidelines), an investment that the 100% farmer owned co-operative said was important to make in order to safeguard the factory’s future for its workforce, and to keep supporting the broader Lismore community.

Norco Chief Executive, Michael Hampson comments that it’s an exciting day for Norco and its farmer members, and an incredibly rewarding outcome given the positive impact the rebuild will have on the Lismore recovery efforts.

“We know how important this factory and its operations are to this region and we’ve always been committed to do everything we can, within our means, to see a future for the facility.

“While we’re extremely grateful for the government funding we’ve been allocated, it is known that it fell short

of what we needed for a complete rebuild – and this is because of the scale of damage incurred and the total cost of the foods to the co-operative which is still estimated to be well over $100 million with this revised project.

“Ideally, in order to employ as many local people as possible, we’d be rebuilding a facility to the same scale as what we were working towards with the previous upgrade (pre-foods). However, to ft budgetary constraints, we’ve have had to make some changes to the rebuild plan.

“The revised plan will see a different sort of facility being rebuilt and to make this possible, Norco will be taking on a greater level of risk - something we’re prepared to do in order to safeguard jobs, support other small and medium businesses in region, and offer a sense of hope to a community of people who have already endured so much,” he says.

Hampson adds that because of this, the 100% farmer owned co-operative is calling on the community for their continued support.

“Our farmers are always incredibly grateful when people choose to buy Norco products,” he says.

“And all we ask is that they continue to do so – especially our great tasting milk products and Hinterland ice cream – with the knowledge that they’re supporting a network of hardworking farmers in their efforts to support their local community.”

A rebuild celebrated by workers and farmers Trent Dobrunz was nearing ten years at the Norco ice cream factory before the foods ravaged the facility leaving it non-operational.

“I’ve loved working for Norco and have certainly appreciated all their efforts in fghting for the factory’s future and for our workforce - efforts that saw us continue to be paid for seven months following the foods, despite the factory not operating,” he said.

“I’m excited by news of the rebuild, and I can’t

wait to come back to work when construction is complete, and operations are back in full swing. This will be a great day for ice cream factory employees and will send much-needed positive signals right through the Lismore community,” he adds.

Warren Gallagher, a third generation Norco dairy farmer and Northern Rivers resident acknowledges how important this event is for the co-operative’s members and for the dairy industry as a whole.

“It’s no secret that the past few years have been incredibly diffcult for dairy farmers, especially the recent period of unprecedented wet weather, and every bit of good news helps keep us motivated to continue doing what we all love doing,” said Mr Gallagher.

“At Norco, we are one big family, and a stronger Norco means a stronger dairy industry in Australia – particularly due the co-op’s ability to help drive improved farmgate milk pricing. This helps not just Norco members, but all dairy farmers and is also incredibly important for the future of the Australian dairy industry.

“The Norco ice cream factory is a Lismore institution, so we’re thrilled to see it survive and to be able to play a part in continuing to deliver great tasting ice cream to consumers,” he said.

A business community still in need of support Michael Hampson cautions that while today marks a memorable milestone for Norco and the Lismore community, it’s important not to forget the many other small and medium businesses that remain in need of support.

“Today represents a very positive step forward for the ongoing, Lismore recovery efforts.

By re-establishing operations, Norco will resume a signifcant amount of activity that will beneft the local community, and we hope this gives smaller businesses and employers like cafes, restaurants, and motels the confdence to rebuild

– but they’re certainly going to need greater support to do so.

While Hampson acknowledges the positive impact the Government’s $60 million Anchor Package funding will have on the community, he also says that the co-operative will continue to advocate for greater fnancial support for other businesses in region.

“Norco has been part of the Lismore community for more than 127 years and it’s great that we can now set our sights on the next 127 years of co-op success,” he says.

“But beyond this, we also want to see the Northern Rivers business community thriving once again and this can only happen with greater fnancial support from both the state and federal governments - because jobs, livelihoods and the future of Lismore depends on it,” he concludes.

INCREASED SIGNAGE ON MOBILE SPEED CAMERAS

Additional warning signs will be introduced around all mobile speed cameras across NSW, to enhance driver awareness of enforcement.

Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said the government had listened to the community on this important issue.

“Ensuring our local roads are as safe as possible for pedestrians and motorists is an absolute priority for this government,” Mrs Ward said.

“Speed cameras play an important role in keeping commuters safe by reducing fatalities across our road network, including at high risk areas.

“We have listened to extensive community feedback and from 1 January next year, all mobile speed cameras will include portable warning signage on the approach to, and after, enforcement sites.”

“These additional warning signs will help educate drivers in real time, giving them advanced warning to slow down at these high-risk points of our road

network.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said mobile speed cameras are about ensuring motorists are driving safely and to the speed limit.

“We have had a number of instances where mobile speed cameras have parked behind trees or poles, making it diffcult for drivers to be alert to a mobile speed camera operating in the area,” Mr Farraway said.

“I want motorists to slow down, drive to the speed limit and get home to their families safely.

“Displaying warning signage on mobile speed cameras sends a message to motorists to slow down, potentially saving their life.

“In fact, around two thirds of speeding drivers or riders involved in fatal and serious injury crashes over the last fve years were travelling less than 10km/h over the sign posted speed limit.

“We have heard loud and clear from the community on this issue, which is why we are making these important changes.”

Dual funding and co-op investment secures Lismore factory future, offering sprinkle of hope to a community still in need of further support

tv listings

MONDAY

THE BLOCK

NBN, 7.30pm

FRIDAY

THE GRAHAM NORTON SHOW

TEN, 8.30pm

Lovable chat show host Graham Norton always gets a superb collection of guests, but he might just have outdone himself in this season 30 premiere. For starters, Hollywood icon Jamie Lee Curtis drops by to discuss Halloween Ends. Comedy royalty Eric Idle speaks about surviving cancer, but does so with his usual irreverence and humour. If that’s not enough, the always-delightful David Tennant and rising star Lydia West also take a seat on the famous red couch (it’s nally back!) to discuss their latest projects on stage and screen. To cap it all o is this week’s musical guest –fresh o his amazing AFL Grand Final appearance – the inimitable Robbie Williams.

FRIDAY, October 21

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 Signi cant Others. (Mdl, R)

1.50 Death In Paradise. (Mv, R)

3.05 Gardening Australia. (R)

4.00 Think Tank. (R)

5.00 Anh’s Brush With Fame. (PG, R)

5.25 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. Millie Ross meets inspiring neighbours.

8.30 Frankly. Fran Kelly chats with some of the biggest names and brains in Australia and from around the globe.

9.10 All Creatures Great And Small. (Return, PG) James’ parents are overjoyed when he is o ered a position at a practice in Glasgow.

9.55 Annika. (Ma, R) The body of a scientist is found in a loch.

10.45 ABC Late News. Detailed coverage of the day’s events.

11.00 Summer Love. (Final, Mls, R) The holiday house gets vandalised.

11.35 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

SBS (3)

It’s time for the couples to get their hands even dirtier as Landscape Week kicks o on The Block There’s plenty of mud-slinging on display as Ankur and Sharon are once again in the budget spotlight, while Jenny almost comes to blows in a disagreement with her landscaper. It’s an epic undertaking – transforming and redesigning 10 acres of backyard in seven days –but the Blockheads clearly aren’t afraid of a challenge. With pressure mounting as auction day approaches, it’s understandably tense when host Scott Cam (right) and his o sider Shelley Craft arrive to get the lay of the land and check out progress.

SEVEN (6)

WEDNESDAY FISK

ABC, 9pm

It’s wonderful to see series creator Kitty

showcase her many talents in this warmhearted and deliciously

The second season kicks as Helen Tudor-Fisk (Flanagan) deals with a nuisance claim made by a dead woman’s lodger. While the legal probate cases continue to bring fresh colour each week, this season we also get to see more of the ensemble cast including Julia Zemiro, Marty Sheargold and Aaron Chen. These hilarious regulars go toe to toe with a who’s who of Australian comedy guest stars. This week, Denise Scott returns as book club member Leslie, while Marg Downey is back as professional interlocutor Lindy.

NBN (8, 80)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Peer To Peer. (PG) 10.00 Great Irish Interiors. (Premiere) 11.00 Australia With Julia Bradbury. (PG, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Rise Of Empires. (Mavw, 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. (PG)

8.30 Good With Wood. (PG) Hosted by Mel Giedroyc.

9.25 World’s Greatest Hotels: George V, Paris. (R)

10.15 SBS World News Late. 10.45 Das Boot. (Masv, R) 11.40 The Pier. (Mlns, R)

3.25 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. (Mals, R)

4.20 Food Safari. (R)

4.50 Destination Flavour Down Under Bitesize. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG)

11.30 Seven Morning News.

12.00 MOVIE: Dead At 17. (2008, Mav, R) 2.00 House Of Wellness. (PG) 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia. Hosted by Larry Emdur.

6.00 7News Local.

6.30 7News @ 6:30.

7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Johanna Griggs and Pete Colquhoun go on a tour of Arc House. Fast Ed cooks a porterhouse steak with Korean-style gochujang chilli sauce and Tuscan kale. Dr Harry Cooper deals with a dog struggling to get through its doggy door.

8.30 MOVIE: Knives Out. (2019, Mal, R)

An eccentric detective is enlisted to investigate the untimely death of a renowned crime novelist, and must deal with the deceased’s conniving family and a web of lies to uncover the truth.

Daniel Craig, Ana De Armas, Chris Evans. 11.15 To Be Advised. 1.00 Home Shopping.

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 Morning News.

12.00 MOVIE: Abduction Of Angie. (2017, Mav, 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: Daphne’s Dentist. (PGm)

A look at sustainability at Taronga Zoo.

8.30 MOVIE: The Intern. (2015, Mal, R)

A 70-year-old retired widower is hired as a senior intern for an online fashion startup. Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway.

10.50 MOVIE: Ted. (2012, MA15+dlsv, R)

Mark Wahlberg.

12.50 Bondi Lifeguard World Adventures. (PG, R)

1.20 Talking Honey. (PGa, 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. (Ma) 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.

4.30 The Bold And The Beautiful. (PG)

10 News First.

6.30 The Project.

Special guest is Tame Impala.

7.30 The Living Room. Barry turns a dull bedroom into a coastal sanctuary.

8.30 The Graham Norton Show.

(Return, Mlv) Graham Norton is joined on the red couch by actors Jamie Lee Curtis, Eric Idle, David Tennant and Lydia West. English singer-songwriter Robbie Williams chats and performs his new single Lost 9.30 To Be Advised.

10.30 Road To The Melbourne Cup Carnival. A look at the upcoming Melbourne Cup. 11.00 The Project. (R)

Special guest is Tame Impala. 12.00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R)

Red tape slashed forfarm tourism SKILLS SHORTAGES BITE FOOD PRODUCERS

Changes to agritourism

rules have been welcomed following a ‘constructive’ consultation process.

NSW Farmers Conservation & Resource Management Committee chair Louise Burge welcomed the move to enable farmers to establish small scale agritourism activities without the need for a development application process.

“This is more red tape that has been cut, and makes it easier for farmers to start an agritourism operation,” Mrs Burge said.

“We’ve been able to work constructively with the Department of Planning and Environment and Minister Roberts’ offce, and Agriculture Minister Saunders’ offce as well, to raise our concerns about the proposed changes, including caps on visitors per day and days per year for pick your own operations, and make some sensible changes to support more realistic number caps.”

Mrs Burge said the changes mean farmers who wanted to set up a simple complying operation

such as a roadside stall can do so without additional permission or approvals from their local council, while larger operations can still be progressed through a development application pathway.

“We believe it’s important to reconnect people with where their food and fbre comes from, and agritourism is a great way to do this,” Mrs Burge said.

“As well as providing easier opportunities to establish small scale agritourism activities, these changes help to protect and retain agricultural land by keeping primary production as the main business for the property

“These changes are a positive opportunity to make it easier for farmers to diversify without the need to go through a costly, time-consuming development application process, and we thank the Minister for working with us.”

A government report has revealed widespread skills shortages across the agriculture sector, prompting fresh calls to secure workers.

The National Skills Commission’s Skills Priority List showed a “signifcant tightening in the Australian labour market”, with the lowest unemployment rate in decades, and shortages were facing most parts of the agriculture industry.

NSW Farmers workplace relations chair Chris Stillard said a growing population – both in Australia and abroad – meant a growing need for food, and therefore a growing need for workers. But he said there was also a need for government to better understand the important role agriculture plays.

“Everyone you talk to in agriculture either needs workers or knows someone who does, and that’s not going

to get better unless we take direct action,” Mr Stillard said.

“The immediate solution is to make Australia a destination of choice for overseas workers who can fll those roles now, either short-term backpackers or medium term visa holders.

“Long-term, we need to look at designing suitable programs to develop the skills of Australians to fll these roles, because there are great jobs with great wages just waiting to be done.”

While some still think of agriculture as farmers driving around in tractors and milking cows by hand, Mr Stillard said the reality of modern primary production meant there were job opportunities from IT to engineering, applied sciences and working with animals. Once you took in the opportunities for value-adding and food

processing, he said there were entire regional industries just waiting to take off.

“We saw a recent study that said four out of fve primary school students think cows are still milked by hand, and that couldn’t be further from the truth,” Mr Stillard said.

“Modern agriculture is a really diverse industry and we don’t just have tractor drivers and stockhands any more,

we’ve got mechanics and drone pilots and network engineers as well.

“People need to eat and agriculture is where that food comes from, so for future generations of Aussie workers they can be outstanding in any feld while they’re out standing in a feld!”

AUSTRALIA’S RED MEAT AND LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY WELL PLACED TO CAPITALISE ON EXCEPTIONAL CONDITIONS

BUSH FIRE DANGER PERIOD BEGINS WITH GREATER GRASS FIRE RISK

Australia’s red meat and livestock industry experienced exceptional operating conditions and our red meat is recognised as a high-quality product domestically and all around the globe, according to the Australian red meat and livestock industry State of the Industry Report 2022 released today.

The report produced by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) provides an overview of Australia’s red meat and livestock industry from the prior calendar year, and includes fgures on production, consumption, exports and the economic signifcance of the industry and key issue snapshots. This edition examines fnancial year 2020-2021 and calendar year 2021.

Australia’s red meat and livestock industry’s turnover totalled $67.7 billion in FY2020–2021, accounting for approximately 1.7% of Australia’s total key industry turnover. Industry turnover is defned as income generated by businesses within the industry from the sales of goods and services.

MLA Managing Director, Jason Strong, said the report highlighted the resilience of Australian red meat producers in the face of both domestic and global challenges.

“In 2020–2021, Australia’s red meat

and livestock industry experienced exceptional operating conditions at the farm gate level. Bolstered by aboveaverage rainfall, we have seen a continuation of the national herd and fock rebuilds,” Mr Strong said.

“The strengthening of these rebuilds has come during the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns, as well as global disruptions. These events have altered consumer behaviour and signifcantly impacted cost of living and the global supply chain.

“Despite the challenges, Australian red meat is in amazing shape. We are the number one exporter for both sheepmeat and goatmeat, as well as the fourth largest beef exporter globally.”

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator the Hon Murray Watt noted that this report shows Australia’s red meat and livestock industry is in tremendous shape.

“MLA’s report shows the strength of Australia’s red meat and livestock industry.

“It’s no surprise that Australian meat is seen as a high-quality product both domestically and overseas.

The last few years have seen a number of challenges thrown at the sector, but the industry is in great shape.

I’m very pleased to continue working alongside the industry

to achieve the best outcomes possible,” said Minister Watt.

Exports

Red meat and livestock exports fell 22% yearon-year to total $14.6 billion in 2020–2021.

However, this is 11% higher than 2016–2017 levels. The fall in exports is due to lower livestock supply, a result of the national fock and herd rebuild that occurred in FY2021.

For calendar year 2021, China held its position as the largest importer of beef and veal in volume terms, followed by the United States and Japan. While China was also the largest importer of sheepmeat in 2021, followed by the United States and the United Kingdom. The largest goatmeat importers were the United States, Taiwan, and South Korea.

Queensland continued to be the largest exporter of beef and veal in 2020–2021, accounting for approximately 54% of Australia’s beef and veal export volumes. Victoria is Australia’s largest sheepmeat exporter, accounting for approximately 40% of total sheepmeat exports.

Domestic consumption Australia’s per capita beef and sheepmeat consumption continues to be one of the largest in the world.

Australian per capita consumption of beef was approximately 19.2kg in

2021, while the global average is 6.4kg.

The retail price for lamb has climbed higher in recent years. However, Australia continues to be one of the largest per capita consumers of sheepmeat in the world.

“In fact, per capita lamb consumption increased in Australia for the frst time since 2015. The per capita consumption of sheepmeat was approximately 5.9kg in 2021, while the global average is 1.8kg,” Mr Strong said.

Overall, two thirds of Australian consumers have maintained their level of red meat consumption over the past 10 years, while 29% of consumers have reduced their intake and 15% of consumers have increased their red meat consumption.

“Within Australia, consumers continue to demand access to Australian red meat via a range of market avenues and remain committed to enjoying high-quality red meat both at home and through a range of foodservice mediums like restaurants and pubs.

“As global economies continue to recover and supply increases, driven by the herd and fock rebuilds, red meat producers are extremely well placed to capitalise on this sensational demand and operating conditions,” Mr Strong said.

Communities across NSW are being warned of a greater risk of grass fres after recent wet weather with the offcial bush fre season beginning today.

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the Bush Fire Danger Period is commencing in 92 local government areas across the State.

“While a focus remains on fooding which has been ongoing in parts of the State for more than 12 months, it’s important we also stay prepared for bush and grass fres,” Ms Cooke said.

“The rain has triggered rapid vegetation growth which is going to become a threat as it dries out. All it takes is a few days of hot, dry and windy weather for fre conditions to deteriorate.

“Grass fres move at three times the speed of a bush fre which is why communities need to be aware of the risks and ready to respond.”

NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Rob Rogers said with more rain predicted over spring, grass and crops will continue to fourish, bringing added risk.

“Recent rain has led to good grass and crop growth across the State especially in western areas of NSW and we have already seen more than 1,000 grass fres across the State since July,” Commissioner Rogers said.

“It is important if you work, live or visit bush fre prone areas that you update and discuss your bush fre survival

plan and know what you and your family will do if threatened by fre this season.”

Fire and Rescue NSW Acting Commissioner Megan Stiffer is reminding people planning to travel to be aware of the risk of fast-moving grass fres.

“Before travelling, check the weather and fre danger ratings for that area and make a plan to leave should a grass or bush fre take hold,” Acting Commissioner Stiffer said.

“With long weekends and especially over holiday periods, check if a Total Fire Ban has been declared and use barbeques and campfres safely and responsibly if allowed.

“We urge people to remain vigilant. While frefghters and emergency agencies will do everything they can to keep the community safe, protection is a shared responsibility and everybody needs to play their part to be fre safe.”

Landholders who want to light a fre during the Bush Fire Danger Period are required to obtain a permit, in addition to notifying their local fre authority and neighbours 24 hours in advance. On days where a Total Fire Ban is in place, all fre permits are automatically revoked.

Information about fre permits, required notifcations and hazard reduction burning is available at: www.rfs. nsw.gov.au/BFDP.

To make a bush fre survival plan, visit: www.myfreplan.com.

RECENT CATTLE MARKET REPORTS

CASINO

NRLX MARKET REPORT

Week Ending Friday 14 October

Agents yarded a total of 1,028 head at the Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange regular prime sale on Wednesday 12 October. Young cattle and cows made up most of the yarding with the young cattle consisting mainly of weaners in a mixed quality offering. There were some well fnished weaner steers and heifers represented.

Cow prices held frm this week averaging 338c/ kg and reaching a top price of 404c/kg. Lighter

WARWICK

LIVESTOCK MARKET REPORTS WARWICK

W/E 14/10/2022

Cattle numbers increased to 677 head to a market fully frm and only being discounted due to lack of condition or fnish. The same could be said for the Sheep and Lamb sales as good heavy fnished articles were in short supply which keeps the averages up . The numbers of Mutton are in short supply due to restocking and the lack of sunshine to put some polish on the stock to go. Pork is still being consistent for the better types with the markets not keeping up to the supply at this time, this will soon change as we move towards the Summer and the peak ham consumption times.

Vealer steers averaged 606.9c/kg topping at 700.2c/ kg or $1582.38 to $2106.88

Vealer heifers averaged 531.5c/kg topping at 638.2c/

WARWICK

MCDOUGALL AND SONS’ SHEEP & LAMB REPORT

Agents today yarded a rain affected yarding of 1393 head for the weekly sale. The main lines were in the light trade and butcher or feed on lambs as well as some larger pens of hoggets available. The heavy end of the lambs was dearer which brought the average for lambs up. Mutton was in short supply and was frm but priced according to weight and fnish. Lambs topped at $214 to average $156.10($12up), hoggets topped at $177 to average $138.58($par), ewes topped at $139 to average $86.85($4down), wethers topped at $177 to average $123.31($18down), rams topped at $134 to average

heifer prices were stronger with stock up to 250kg averaging 595c/kg and topping their category at 770c/kg. Heavier heifers over 250kg saw a drop averaging 419c/kg and reaching a top of 666c/kg.

Bull prices saw little change again this week with 47 head sold averaging 348c/kg and 624kg. Lighter steer prices were easier with those up to 250kg averaging 621c/kg and reaching a top of 804c/kg.

Heavier steers over 250kg saw an increase averaging 496c/kg and topping their market at 650c/kg. A small number of bullocks sold on the day averaged 373c/kg and reached a top of 418c/kg.

Lighter vealer prices remained steady week with those up to 250kg averaging 662c/kg and reaching

kg or $1343.86 to $1805.51

Feeder steers averaged 514.3c/kg topping at 660.2c/ kg or $2202.34 to $2458.31

Feeder heifers averaged 475c/kg topping at 506.2c/ kg or $1716.68 to $1927.82

Yearling steers averaged 510.9c/kg topping at 608.2c/kg or $1835.42 to $2440.24

Yearling heifers averaged 492c/kg topping at 582.2c/kg or $1600.47 to $2404.45

Steers averaged 458.8c/kg topping at 560.2c/kg or $2497.63 to $3329.66

Heifers averaged 417.5c/kg topping at 480.2c/kg or $1982.56 to $2413.01

Manufacturing steers averaged 398.2c/kg to make $1513.16

Cows averaged 364.7c/kg topping at 409.2c/kg or $1978.19 to $3366.58

Bulls averaged 373c/kg topping at 516.2c/kg or $2561.48 to $3601.44

Lambs topped at $214 to average $156.10 $12 /head

$118.50($27down), ewe &lamb units topped at $190 to average $134.40, lamb rams topped at $179 to average $153.59($32down), ewe lambs topped at $230 to average $182.24($54down). The sale average of $147.61 was up $3/head on last sale.

Stanthorpe SHS sold 48.75kg Xbred lambs to Tonys Supa Meats for $190, Merino lambs 48kg in the wool to Eversons for $146, hoggets in the wool 47kg to Eversons for $119

Martin Power sold Xbred lambs 63.3kg to Thomas Foods for $207, lamb rams 63.3kg to Take IT Easy Meats for $170, hoggets 52.5kg to Take IT Easy Meats for $140

Andrew Rodgers P/L sold Aussie white x lambs 57.3kg to Ashtons Butchery for $214, hoggets to restockers for $140, wethers to Take IT Easy Meats

a top of 812c/kg. Heavier vealer over 250kg were slightly stronger averaging 563c/kg with a top price of 706c/kg.

T&W McCormack and Ramsey & Bulmer held a store sale at the NRLX on Friday 14 October with 1,480 head going under the hammer. Steers topped their category at 880c/kg and averaged 645c/kg and 255kg whilst heifers reached a top of 772c/kg and averaged 617c/kg and 234kg. Cows reached a top price of $2,580 whilst Cows & Calves topped their market at $3,875.

Ray White Rural will hold a store sale on Friday 21 October with further bookings welcome.

up Hoggets topped at $177 to average $138.58 par with last week

Ewes topped at $139 to average $86.85 $4 down/ head

Wethers topped at $177 to average $123.31 down $18/head Rams topped at $134 to average $118.50 down $27/ head

Lamb rams topped at $179 to average $153.39 $32/ head down

Ewe lambs topped at $230 to average $182.24 down $54/head

Sale total of 1393 head was $147.61 a rise of $3/head Pork numbers were reduced with Sows making from $80 to $296, Boars to $168, Gilts to $254, Stores from $70 to $190

Hens sold to $26, Roosters sold to $20, Pullets sold to $17, Guinea Fowl sold to $34, Silkys sold to $34, Ducks sold to $16, units of 8 chicks sold to $36

for $150

Peter Gray sold Dorper lambs 57.5kg to Ashtons Butchery for $203, ewe & lamb units to restockers for $190

Norma Chalk sold Dorper lambs 51kg average to Jock Young Meats for $188

Tom & Tracie Cooper sold Xbred lambs off crop 50.3kg to Ashtons Butchery for $200

Jackson Family sold Xbred lambs 63kg to Eversons for $210, hoggets to Eversons for $177,ewe lambs 49kg to Thomas Foods for $170, 65kg ewe hoggets to Take IT Easy Meats for $170, ewes to restockers for $100 and Eversons for $70

Will Bazley & Vanessa Mc Donald sold 65kg Xb lambs to Eversons for $184, sucker lambs 55kg to Eversons for $190, Suffolk x ram lambs 53.3kg to Eversons for $179

CALL FOR CRACKDOWN ON UNFAIR CONTRACTS DON’T REPEAT MAP MISTAKES

NSW Farmers has called on the federal government to deliver on a key election promise to protect small businesses from larger partners who force them to accept unfair terms.

A three-month Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) probe identifed potential unfair contract terms (UCTs) and a power imbalance between farmers and big food businesses, validating concerns about the dairy, poultry meat and horticulture supply chains.

Family farming operations were often ‘price-takers’ in the supply chain, NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said, faced with a ‘take it or leave it’ approach from large processors or retailers when trying to get the food they grow to consumers.

“I think most Australians would be shocked to learn about the way some of these farmers are treated in the production of the food we all enjoy,” Mr Martin said.

“The problem is farmers are relatively small compared to a handful of major players, and for many if they don’t ‘play the game’ they face fnancial ruin.

“The government’s steps towards outlawing UCTs is an important step forward in making fresh food supply chains more sustainable.”

Prior to the election Labor promised to

make unfair contract terms illegal so small businesses could negotiate fairer agreements with large partners, giving businesses with fewer than 100 staff or a turnover of less than $10 million a real shield against dodgy contracts. This has now been introduced in Parliament, and Mr Martin said there was a need for it to be delivered swiftly as there were still many reports of family farmers missing out on the “fair go” Australia prided itself on because of the concentrated market power of big business.

“With so little competition for farmers to sell to, these big companies are basically able to offer contracts on a take it or leave it basis,” Mr Martin said.

“We have seen that when those big supply chains break down, Aussie families end up paying more – and none of that fows back to the farmers who actually grow the food.

“If we want a stronger, more sustainable food supply chain then we need to ensure fairness for all involved.”

The state’s peak farming body has urged the NSW Government not to repeat the mistakes of the past on land management.

The Environment and Heritage Group has released its draft native vegetation regulatory map, which it claimed would give greater certainty to landholders about vegetation on their properties. However, NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said there had been too many bungled mapping projects in the past and farmers feared they could inadvertently lose their land rights due to

errors.

“This map may have major impacts in terms of what farmers can and cannot do on their farms, so everyone needs to take a long, hard look at the draft map and raise any concerns as soon as possible,” Mr Martin said.

“It is vital that any new regulation over farming land does not further inhibit productivity and operations unnecessarily or delay the critical decisions farmers make on an almost daily basis.”

NSW Farmers had been striving to assist

the Environment Department to work with landowners on land management, Mr Martin said, and this map rollout must demonstrate this aim.

“Past inaccuracies and a bungled process has led to a lack of trust in the map, and its key function as a tool to enable practical decision making on productive agricultural land management options,” Mr Martin said.

“We have told all relevant Ministers during this process that NSW Farmers does not have confdence in the accuracy of the maps,

and that’s a key sticking point.

“It’s not that we’re against maps – they can be a useful tool – we’ve just seen too many cases of inaccurate maps leading to stress and uncertainty.”

Mr Martin said the outcome of any new regulatory tool such as a map must be to meet the objects of increasing productivity on private land while creating an opportunity for farmers to continue their environmental goals of healthy landscapes that beneft all citizens.

Exporters beneft from award-winning online tool

A digital platform to streamline processes and regulations for agricultural exporters has won a 2022 Australian Good Design Award.

Acting Deputy Secretary at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Nicola Hinder PSM said the award was recognition of the work the department had put in to make exporting easier.

“The Export Service is a new tool designed to transform how exporters deal with government,” Ms Hinder said.

“Exporting establishments can sign up to the Export Service for better control and visibility of their information online.

“Over time it will be a massive win for exporters – helping them improve their interactions with the department and get their

goods overseas faster because they have better access to the information and services they need.

“The Export Service has changed from its frst release last year, and it will continue to evolve as it is updated with new features that are designed and tested with our exporters.

“To have the Export Service recognised in its earliest releases is testament to the value of this work. We’re incredibly proud of this achievement.

“Around 70 per cent of Australian agricultural produce is exported. By cutting

red tape, our exporters can concentrate more on getting their quality agricultural products to markets.

“We’re proud of this platform and what it can do for Australian exports, and it’s heartening to see our work acknowledged by the Australian Good Design Awards.”

The Australian Good Design Awards are Australia’s oldest international awards for design and innovation, established in 1958.

CEO of Good Design Australia and Chair of the Australian Good Design Awards Dr

Brandon Gien said the Good Design Award was a valuable independent endorsement of professional design quality.

“This is an inspiring example of digital and communicative innovation. This incredible development is clearly tomorrowfocused and will streamline workfows, increase effciency and future-proof Australia’s export market,” Dr Gien said.

“We know that good design, when used effectively, can improve our quality of life and make the world around us better, safer, more effcient and more beautiful.”

To visit Export Services, go to https:// agriculture-exports.awe. gov.au/.

To fnd out more about Good Design Australia, visit https://good-design. org/.

LIVESTOCK SECTOR CONTINUING TO IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND STEWARDSHIP

The red meat and livestock sector

continues to improve its environmental sustainability and stewardship, and suggestions this week of a “deforestation problem” in Queensland are incorrect, according to Meat & Livestock Australia.

MLA Managing Director, Jason Strong, said that livestock producers were working hard to manage their land sustainably for the next generation and to leave the environment in a better place than they found it.

“The reality is that the industry’s market access depends on our industry meeting our international obligations and national and state legislation and regulations,” Mr Strong said.“Queensland State vegetation management clearly defnes vegetation zones and which areas are primary forest areas prohibited from clearing and the secondary regrowth forest areas eligible for regrowth and invasive plant species management.

“Our industry abides by the internationally recognised defnition of deforestation that takes into account both deforestation and regrowth and we have always been open to working with WWF to come to an agreed defnition of deforestation.

“When we look at the progress the industry has made, and the targets that we have set for ourselves, it is clear that the livestock sector is headed in a positive direction.

“The Australian livestock industry has the dual responsibility of producing nutritious food to feed the world and protecting our land and biodiversity.

MLA has accelerated investment to achieve this and also to

demonstrate and measure these achievements.

“Industry has gone to some lengths to ensure that through the “Balance of Tree and Grass Cover” (BOTGC) tool we have the capacity to measure and report on our net national forest and woodland gain and loss annually as reported through the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework.”

Mr Strong said the industry was working to secure an economically and environmentally sustainable future by:

• Setting the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030

• Continuing to support a net positive annual net change in national woody cover fgure that recognises vegetation gain as well as loss

• Continuing the investment to provide a highly nutritious and environmentally sustainable product.

“The sector is making huge gains in our environmental sustainability and is enthusiastic about being part of the solution for sustainable production and environmental stewardship,” Mr Strong said.

“MLA is investing in innovative research to mitigate our carbon footprint, as well as programs to increase carbon storage on farms. This includes technologies to build carbon in soils, lower the cost of soil carbon measurement and management technologies, and development of practices to include trees on farms in ways that beneft livestock production.

“Industry continues to take big steps forward. Simplistic criticism and exaggeration in the media this week are unhelpful and don’t recognise the incredibly positive sustainability story of the industry.”

YOUNG FARMERS THE HARDEST HIT BY SCAMMERS

Aussie farmers lost more than $1.2 million to tractor scammers between January and August, prompting fresh warnings about online safety.

According to the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission, the most reported categories were classifed scams and online shopping scams, with most reports relating to fake online sales for tractors and heavy machinery.

NSW Farmers Rural Affairs Committee chair Deb Charlton said farmers and small businesses lost more than $1.5 million to scammers targeting agriculture last year, and that fgure could increase for 2022.

“This is a really stressful time for farmers with the terrible weather, high input costs and

supermarkets trying to keep prices low, so to lose money to a scammer is just unthinkable,” Mrs Charlton said.

“We don’t know the full impact of scams because a third of victims don’t ever report it, but of the 292 reports of agriculture scams from January to August, 219 involved tractors or machinery.

“On average tractor

MEAT STANDARDS AUSTRALIA DELIVERS ANOTHER RECORD YEAR FOR PRODUCERS

Australia’s world-leading eating quality grading program, Meat Standards Australia (MSA), continues to deliver signifcant benefts and value to the red meat industry, from the farm gate through to the consumer’s plate, according to Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA).

In fnancial year 2021–2022, the MSA program delivered a record $204 million in estimated additional farm gate returns to MSA beef producers, a signifcant increase from the estimated $157m delivered in 2020–2021, and more than the previous record high of $198 million in 2018–2019.

MSA graded cattle continue to represent more than half of the national adult cattle slaughter at another record of 55% in 2021–2022, up from 53% in 2020–2021. More than 3.25 million cattle were MSA graded through 39 Australian beef processors in 2021–2022, with an equal highest national MSA compliance of 95.5%.

MSA Program Manager at MLA, Dr David Packer, said the latest MSA Annual Outcomes Report demonstrated the red meat and livestock industry’s growing commitment to eating quality and meeting consumer expectations.

“The record $204 million in estimated additional farm gate returns is a result of the year-on-year growth of the program, greater use and value extracted from MSA graded carcases which now underpins 193 beef and 22 sheep brands and improved on-farm performance towards better MSA outcomes.

system to understand grading results and look for opportunities to improve, as well as 1,425 participating in MSA education activities.

Steps continue to be taken towards the commercialisation and rollout of a MSA cutsbased sheepmeat model in the past year.

“Working with supply chains across Australia, MSA continued carrying out benchmarking activities to understand the range in eating quality of the commercial fock through these supply chains.

“This has helped to deliver the value proposition of the MSA sheepmeat cuts-based model, which will ultimately allow for processors and brand owners to apply sophisticated eating quality segregation within their supply chains.

“The aim is to commercialise the model in the 2022-2023 fnancial year,” Dr Packer said.

In 2021–2022, more than 2.1 million sheep followed MSA Pathways through 15 MSA-licenced processing facilities across New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia. This represented 10% of the total lambs processed in Australia and of these, 84% were trademarked MSA.

Throughout 2021–22, 469 audits were conducted on MSA licensees from saleyards and processors, through to retailers, wholesalers, independent boning rooms, supermarkets and foodservice outlets.

scam victims lose more than $16,000, and young farmers from NSW are those hardest hit.”

Mrs Charlton said with online safety in the headlines, it was critical for farmers to protect themselves and their businesses.

“If it’s too cheap it’s probably too good to be true, so always do your research and take your time if you’re buying

online,” she said.

“We’ve also heard about fake invoice scams costing farmers more than $320,000 this year, so make sure you double check details even on invoices you’re expecting.

“At the end of the day there are crooks out there trying to take your hard-earned, so take a little extra precaution and stay safe.”

“While there was a slight decrease in the number of cattle graded in the previous fnancial year, it refects an overall reduction in slaughter numbers as producers take advantage of generally favourable seasonal conditions across many production regions to rebuild herds,” Dr Packer said.

Over the past year, more producers across the country became MSA registered. In total, 2,157 cattle and sheep producers became MSA registered in 2021–2022, taking the total number of registered MSA producers to 47,188.

To aid in improving on-farm performance, 2,502 producers used the myMSA feedback

In addition, MSA also conducted over 100 integrity checks with MSA-licenced processors to support their continued success in utilising the MSA Standards.

“Overall, these results indicate that the MSA program continues to grow and plays an essential role in the Australian red meat industry’s goal to double the value Australian meat sales by 2030,” Dr Packer said.

Read the full report at Meat Standards Australia scan the QR Code.

LEADING THE WAY ON FOOD SECURITY

Tackling the critical global food security situation was a key focus of the Joint G20 Finance and Agriculture Ministers’ meeting.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Murray Watt represented Australia at the virtual meeting with Ministers from the largest world economies and supported calls for the G20 to strengthen cooperation to deal with a range of issues causing global food insecurity.

Minister Watt said high commodity prices driven by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, extreme weather events such as drought reducing global supplies of staple food commodities, and global supply chain disruptions were all impacting food supply.

“The best global response to curtail food price increases is maintaining open, transparent and predictable agricultural trade,” Minister Watt said.

“Along with open trade, agricultural innovation is a key element to improve food security.

“To achieve our zero hunger goal, average global agricultural productivity needs to

increase by 28% over the next decade.

“This is triple the increase achieved over the past decade.

“We need to collectively increase sustainable agriculture productivity to meet these targets and global food security needs.”

Minister Watt said Australia was committed to playing its part in addressing global food security needs.

“Diversifcation of food supply through open markets and adhering to rules-based trade are key to helping countries absorb shocks and remain resilient.

“Avoiding trade barriers, such as restrictions on the exports of food and fertilisers will also help improve food security.

“In 2021-22, Australia provided more than $157 million to the World Food Programme (WFP), which includes $10 million to support its response to Ukraine’s crisis,” Minister Watt said.

“Australia continues to fund humanitarian organisations, including the WFP which is central to our capability to respond to ongoing food security challenges.”

AUSTRALIA’S FIRST NATIONAL LUMPY SKIN DISEASE ACTION PLAN LAUNCHED

Australia’s cattle graziers will have an extra line of defence against costly disease, following today’s launch of Australia’s frst ever National Lumpy Skin Disease Action Plan.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a signifcant disease threat to Australian’s livestock industry, causing signifcant milk production losses and skin sores in cattle and water buffalo, and can be spread through mosquitoes, fies and ticks.

The cost of an incursion would see severe economic losses to Australian farmers and our meat processing sector.

Since 2019, the disease has spread through China, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia.

In March 2022 it was offcially reported by Indonesia on the island of Sumatra.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said given the recent spread of LSD in the region, we owe it to Australia’s cattle and buffalo industries to be increasingly vigilant.

“It’s important to remember that Australia has never experienced an outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LSD), and remains free from this disease,” Minister Watt said.

“But Northern Australia’s proximity to newly-affected countries means we need to take the threat seriously, especially given the risk of infected mosquitoes being blown in by cyclonic winds.

“If wild buffalo populations and cattle in Northern Australia’s extensive rangelands were exposed to LSD, reservoirs of the virus could establish. If this were to occur, eradication would be extremely diffcult.

“This new national plan will strengthen Australia’s ability to prevent, detect, prepare for and respond to any incursion.

“I’m pleased that many of the 27 activities and 8 objectives identifed in the action plan are already underway.”

The plan, developed through extensive engagement with government, industry and other stakeholders, sets out national priorities for actions to strengthen Australia’s LSD biosecurity;

preparedness, including market access; response and recovery. It outlines what systems need to be strengthened or established to support Australia’s cattle industries and effectively manage the risk of LSD.

It builds upon ongoing work between the Australian and Indonesian governments to assist with their current disease eradication efforts for both LSD and foot-andmouth disease. This includes the provision of resources such as vaccines and sending experts to assist on the ground in Indonesia.

Further information on the action plan is available here: www. agriculture.gov.au/ lumpyskin

NSW Farmers says ‘no’ to Methane Pledge

The state’s peak agricultural advocacy body says it is opposed to Australia signing up to a global ‘methane pledge’ that is killing small towns across the ditch.

According to the Federated Farmers of New Zealand, “lies, damned lies and statistics”have driven a plan to reduce onfarm greenhouse gas emissions that would see agricultural communities killed off in the name of climate change. It claimed it was the equivalent of destroying the entire New Zealand wine industry and half the seafood industry.

NSW Farmers CEO

Pete Arkle said while the federal government had been quick to promise no tax on farmers if it signed up to the Methane Pledge, the experience of New Zealand’s farmers proved talk was cheap.

“Farmers produce the food we eat and fbre

to make the clothes we wear, yet we are constantly being painted as the ‘bad guy’ on climate change,” Mr Arkle said.

“Our sector is highly exposed to any change in climate – you only need to look at the

weather we’ve seen this year – and we are prepared to do our part, but at the moment there’s not much we can do on methane reduction but reduce the national herd.

“We need investment in research and development and

better innovation to drive further emissions reductions.”

While there were promising trials and pieces of research being conducted to help reduce how much methane livestock produced, Mr Arkle said Australia was a long way from having a commerciallyavailable ‘low methane’ option for stock feed. He pointed out the agricultural sector had already reduced emissions by more than 30 per cent, and was also removing carbon from the atmosphere by converting it into plants – something the heavy polluters were not doing.

“Rather than sign us

up to a pledge that is all about international appearance, we need environment and farming working together to achieve these goals,” Mr Arkle said.

“If, however, we are simply expected to cut production then farmers will remain deeply opposed to this sort of policy that pits feeding the planet against saving the planet.

“People cannot eat or wear pledges – we need meaningful action on climate, not more hot air.”

NEW REPORT HIGHLIGHTS ENERGY POLICY SOLUTIONS TO BENEFIT FARMERS, REDUCE COST OF LIVING

As the renewable energy wave rolls across regional Australia, Farmers for Climate Action has released a new report, Farm Powered: Opportunities for regional communities in the renewable energy boom.

The report calls on the new federal government to support solutions that beneft regional farming communities while at the same time reducing emissions.

The report’s recommendations include:

• A national climate change and agriculture policy that delivers on-farm renewables and subsidised batteries

• The introduction of renewable energy incentives for farmers to increase rapid uptake on farms and reduce input costs

• State and federal governments to provide a mechanism for annual rent to be paid to farmers for transmission lines, and better benefts for communities Australia is looking to build almost 135GW of renewable energy and more than 10,000kms of transmission lines by 2030 to meet our emissions reduction targets. *

Farmers for Climate Action CEO Dr Fiona Davis said: “The roll out of renewable energy across Australia can be a

massive positive for farming and regional communities.”

“Though critical to renewable energy’s success, current energy regulations, and policies have not suffciently engaged nor accounted for farmers or regional communities. We need a plan to make sure farmers and farming communities can beneft from the roll-out of renewable energy at all levels; the future of Australia’s renewable energy and farms depends on it.

“Boosting on farm batteries with a subsidy will mean local energy is used locally, reducing strain on the grid and saving farmers money.”

The report also recommends allocating funding to establish a research and knowledge sharing program on agrivoltaics - the integration of solar panels with agriculture - to boost farm proftability and show communities that agriculture and energy production can co-exist.

“Farmers have the space for small and large renewable energy projects paired with on-farm storage, which would become viable if there were a subsidy available.

“Reducing farmers’ costs can reduce the cost of food on the supermarket shelves and reduce cost of living for everyday Australians,” Dr Davis said.

SHEEP SUSTAINABILITY FRAMEWORK HOSTS FIRST CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

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 well-considered 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 world.”

People Product Partnerships

The NSW Government today promised to support – not tax –farmers to reduce emissions and grow their businesses, ruling out imposing a methane tax on agriculture.

Deputy Premier Paul Toole said a proposal by the New Zealand Government to tax farmers for agriculture emissions from 2025 would only drive up farmers’ costs without giving them the necessary support to genuinely reduce emissions.

“We have a clear policy to partner with farmers to improve their productivity while reducing emissions –New Zealand Labour’s policy is the complete opposite, and has raised fears it will shrink their livestock industry and

drive up the cost of food,” Mr Toole said.

“Our Government has worked hard to shift the emphasis from regulation to incentivebased outcomes, putting us on track to halve our emissions while attracting up to $37 billion in private investment by 2030.

“We call on NSW Labor to provide certainty to farmers and consumers that they will never introduce an agricultural methane tax like this.”

Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said the NSW Government is already working with the agriculture industry to reduce emissions in a way that doesn’t involve a great big new tax – and instead rewards farmers for actions that help drive down emissions.

“The NSW Government has introduced a range of measures to assist farmers to tackle climate change, as we head towards our target of net zero by 2050,” Mr Saunders said.

“We have the Primary Industries and Productivity Abatement Program, Biodiversity Credits Supply Fund and we are working on a range of new programs through our Natural Capital program.

“We are also collaborating with Angus Australia, the University of New England and Meat and Livestock Australia on a $19 million research project that aims to identify cattle that have a low methane output through breeding values.

“These sorts of

programs will make a real difference to improving our climate and reducing emission, demonstrating you don’t need a great big new tax to reduce on-farm emissions.”

Angus Australia CEO Scott Wright said the announcement was welcome news for NSW beef producers.

“Additional taxes on beef producers are not a solution to the problem,” Mr Wright said.

“Collaborative research to help producers adopt breeding values with regards to lower methane emissions is a real solution. Angus Australia values the long-standing relationship with NSW DPI and welcomes the sensible approach taken by the NSW Government today.”

REGIONAL CITIES NSW BACKS MOVE TO INCREASE PORT COMPETITIVENESS FOR REGIONAL PRODUCERS

Regional Cities New South Wales (RCNSW) has today welcomed news that the New South Wales (NSW) Parliament will debate the removal of the existing penalties applied to the Port of Newcastle in a bid to make exporting from regional NSW more competitive.

RCNSW Deputy Chair and Mayor of Tamworth Cr Russell Webb said it was the regional alliance’s position that the state’s export capabilities should be increased with more competitive arrangements available for producers accessing international markets.

“RCNSW believes that the Port of Newcastle should be developed as a priority port for regional New South Wales and the current compensation arrangements removed so that regional businesses can operate on a fair playing feld” Deputy Chair of RCNSW and Mayor of Tamworth Cr Russell Webb said.

“Regional New South Wales is the engine room of our state’s economy, but to be competitive we need to have cost-effective and effcient supply chains” Cr Webb explained.

RCNSW has called for the development of the Port of Newcastle as the strategic solution for regional New South Wales, particularly given the ongoing issues with congestion, reliability, access and interaction with the passenger rail network that continue to plague Port Botany’s current capacity and Port Kembla’s future capacity.

“The time to act on this issue is now - investment in the Port of Newcastle offers a strategic opportunity to help coal communities transition to new industries, boost regional New South Wales’ export capabilities and to grow regional economies” Cr Webb concluded.

RCNSW Deputy Chair and Mayor of Tamworth Cr Russell Webb

New Tweed Eco Festival to prepare residents to be climate-ready

Call out for environmentally-minded stallholders, performers, speakers

The Tweed Eco Festival will be held in Murwillumbah this November to bring Tweed residents together for a fun, free event with practical tips to help residents prepare to be climate-ready and environmentally friendly.

The eco event will be held on Sunday 13 November from 9 am to 2 pm at Knox Park, Murwillumbah and will feature eco markets, kids’ activities, food trucks and live entertainment. Presentations, stallholders and practical workshops will help people take action to be ready for natural hazards and reduce their environmental footprint.

Council is calling on businesses, community organisations and not-for-proft groups to get involved in the event whether as a stallholder, performer, to run a workshop or as a speaker.

Council’s sustainability program leader Debbie Firestone said sharing local knowledge and passion for keeping our community safe during natural disasters and protecting our environment were the driving force behind initiating this event.

“We are pleased to be partnering with NSW State Emergency Service (SES), Australian Red Cross and NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) to

make this event happen and we know there will be a lot of practical

information people can take away from the event, as well as just

having a fun day out with the family,” Ms Firestone said.

“We’d like to encourage local stallholders, businesses and suppliers to get involved, particularly those who can showcase food and fre-resistant building materials and other products to help residents prepare for future natural disasters.”

NSW State Emergency Service’s (SES) Murwillumbah Unit Commander Jack Frost said the event would provide a platform to connect with the community about preparedness which is key for the upcoming storm season.

“We are currently in storm and food season and we encourage the community to make sure they’re aware of

the triggers for storm warnings, to be sure they have a home emergency plan and if they’re going to evacuate, to know where they are going to go,” Mr Frost said.

“A new SES warning system has just launched for foods and tsunamis which will provide more targeted communication during emergencies.

”Our focus is for the community to be proactive before it gets to that critical time.

Being prepared is the biggest step people can take to safeguard their lives, their homes and their community.

“We are pleased to be involved in an event like this and hope it will plant a seed in people’s minds to take action.

On the day, we can help people with their food preparedness such as when they should call the SES and what to put in an emergency kit, for example. People can also come and see us to ask specifc questions about their property.”

Applications for stallholders, performers, speakers and workshop hosts are due by Monday 31 October. Find out more and apply online at tweed.nsw.gov.au/ SustainableLiving. The event has been made possible by grant funding from the Australian Government.

The Tweed Eco Festival is a free, fun, family-friendly event to be held on Sunday 13 November. Kooee Koala, NSW SES and stallholders like Rachel from Life a Little Greener will be at the event aimed at preparing for natural disasters and protecting our environment.

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) will be involved in the event to help the community build resilience for future foods and natural disasters in a fun and friendly forum. Pictured is SES Murwillumbah Unit Commander Jack Frost and SES member Jared De Lyon.

2022 MERCEDES-BENZ E 350 EQ CABRIOLET

By ALISTAIR KENNEDY

Mercedes-Benz has updated its E 350 sedan, coupe and convertible models with mild hybrid technology adding extra power, smoother engine response and lower fuel consumption.

Five variants are available: E 200, E 350 and AMG E53 with the coupe body plus E 350 and AMG E 53 convertibles. We’ve just spent a thoroughly enjoyable week behind the wheel and under the roof – only when we had to – of the E 350 Cabrio.

STYLING

The E-Class is the mid-sized model in the Mercedes-Benz passenger car range. The current Benz family styling has been adopted with a diamond patterned infll to the grille and the traditional three-pointed start in the centre. Headlights are Multibeam units with 84 individually controllable LEDs with adaptive high beam.

The wheels on the E 350 are 20-inch AMG multi-spoke alloys.

The optional Night Package adds some attractive exterior design elements.

Although most current convertibles come with solid roofs Mercedes has catered for the motoring purists by sticking with a traditional fabric roof.

There’s a wide range of body colour choices, nine of them standard or no-cost option colours available as well as two cost options. The standout to our eyes, and most who saw it, was the rich burgundy Rubellite

Red in our test car.

Four fabric soft tops are available, we had the matching dark red.

INTERIOR

Obviously, as a twodoor, access to the rear seats is through the front doors, unless you’re young and agile enough to jump over when the top is down. Once seated there’s decent legroom although the passenger sitting behind the driver may occasionally need to compromise.

To cater for rear seat occupants the front doors are wide and need to be opened cautiously in tight parking spaces.

All Mercedes E 350 variants have leather upholstery with a choice of fve different colour combinations.

ENGINE / TRANSMISSION

All three E350 variants come with a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbopetrol engine generating

220kW of power and 400Nm of torque with a nine-speed automatic transmission sending power to the rear wheels.

The EQ Boost system uses a 48-volt integrated electric motor to add up to 10 kW and 150 Nm for short periods. Additionally, the system utilises high-effciency energy recuperation to supply power to the battery, making it possible to drive without the combustion engine. M-B describes this as “sailing”.

The E 350 sedan and coupe variants do the zero to 100 km/h sprint in 5.9 seconds with the convertible only marginally slower at 6.1 seconds.

SAFETY

Standard safety features across the E-Class coupe and cabriolet range include nine airbags, enhanced ABS brakes; electronic stability control program; acceleration skid control; active bonnet; tyre pressure warning; run-fat safety tyres; traffc sign assist; and a 360-degree camera.

Attention Assist uses a sensor and detailed algorithm to detect fatigued driving behaviour.

adaptation.

Pre-Safe Plus helps prevent, or reduce the effect, or rear collisions crashes. If the car’s rear radar detects a potential rear-end collision, it rapidly fashes the rear hazard warning lights to alert the driver.

Specifc features in the E-Class convertibles include with head air bags in the doors and specifcally-designed roll-over protection.

A head-up display is available with the Vision Package option.

INFOTAINMENT

The Benz E250 uses the latest version of the company’s MBUX widescreen multimedia system.

Information is displayed on two 12.3inch high-resolution digital screens. In front of the driver is the digital instrument cluster with the central touchscreen providing access to the usual range of features including smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; Bluetooth phone and audio; wireless smartphone charging; and embedded NTG6 satellite navigation.

Our test car had the optional Burmester premium sound system.

behest of the M-B legal team, ”Do not let the system distract you from the traffc situation”.

While this clearly applies to every new car nowadays it’s even more relevant to the E-Class because there’s so much to learn before hitting the road.

There’s also a plethora of tiny controls on the chunky Nappa leather AMG steering wheel feels great

We couldn’t have picked better weather for our test and did a couple of open-air runs along our favourite route on the Central Coast hinterland.

We averaged 8.2 L/100 km overall, managing just 6.4 L/100 km during our two rural grand touring cruises.

SUMMING UP

With so many SUVs on the road, all providing differing degrees of sensible and practical motoring it was an absolute delight to enjoy a really enjoyable driving experience with the Mercedes-Benz E 350 Cabriolet.

There’s suffcient interior space to almost qualify as a family vehicle although most of the time should be spent

DISCOVER

Driving Assistance Package Plus adds active distance assist; autonomous emergency braking; brake assist with cross-traffc function; lane keeping and lane assist; stop-and-go assist; blind spot monitoring; evasive steering assist and route-based speed

There’s also remote interactivity with other vehicle functions through the Mercedes ‘me Connect’ app.

DRIVING

At start up the central information screen displays the following warning, no doubt at the

Opening and closing the roof takes around 15 seconds and can be done at speeds up to 30 km/h. We escaped from Sydney’s urban jungle, including its numerous tunnels, with the roof closed and found the interior to be quite well insulated. Once the top was folded, we were able to activate the Aircap auto draught-stop and air scarf neck-level heating systems to reduce the effect of the outside elements. Although we didn’t need it, seat heating is available.

Fuel consumption is excellent, listed at 7.8 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle.

out on the open road. It’s high comfort levels, smooth and powerful engine and excellent fuel economy make it an ideal long-distance grand tourer.

AT A GLANCE MODEL RANGE

E 350 Sedan: $129,591

E 350 Coupe: $132,543 E 350 Cabriolet: $146,344

Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Mercedes-Benz dealer for drive-away prices.

SPECIFICATIONS

(Mercedes-Benz E 350 2.0-litre turbopetrol Hybrid two-door cabriolet)

ENGINE:

Capacity: 1.991 litres

Confguration: Four cylinders in line

Maximum Power: 220 kW @ 5500 rpm

Maximum Torque: 400 Nm @ 1800 rpm

Fuel Type: Premium unleaded / electric Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): 7.8 L/100km

CO2 Emissions: 177 g/km

DRIVELINE: Nine-speed automatic

The

sheer driving fun with long-range grand touring

FIRST-EVER BMW XM

IONIQ TRICKS

overcoming the aerodynamics challenges caused by its short front overhang.

It should be pointed out however that the fgure of 614km is achieved with 18-inch wheels ftted and presumably hard, low roll resistance rubber.

By CHRIS RILEY

The gloves have come off with a warning that Hyundai wants to build the EV with the longest range in the world.

performance and ownership experience.”

The same car with 20inch wheels is good for 545km -- 69km less.

By EWAN KENNEDY

The frst-ever BMW XM will be launched in Australia in the frst half of 2023.

It is powered by an electrifed drive system.

The M Hybrid drive system has an overall system output of 480kW using a combustion engine and an electric drive system.

The extensively updated V8 engine features a cross-bank exhaust manifold, reinforced crankshaft drive and optimised oil separation process to deliver an optimum balance of power and effciency.

The engine is assisted by an electric motor integrated into the eightspeed M Steptronic transmission.

The motor’s power is instantly on tap when pulling away, delivering unhesitating response to every movement of the accelerator.

The M Hybrid drive system produces maximum overall

torque of 800Nm, with a pre-gearing stage increasing the electric motor’s effective maximum torque to 450Nm at the transmission input.

The BMW XM accelerates from zero to

three operating modes, including an Electric setting for cruising with zero emissions at speeds of up to 140km/h and over a maximum distance of 82 to 88 km in the WLTP cycle.

A lithium-ion high-

This follows news the company’s forthcoming Ioniq 6 electrifed streamliner will have an impressive range of 614km (WLTP). It’s not quite the best in Australia, but not far off.

Ioniq 6 is no highriding SUV, rather an extremely long, low curvaceous sedan with inherent aerodynamic advantages.

In fact, with a drag coeffcient of 0.21 Cd, it’s even slipperier and more aerodynamic than the $300K plus Mercedes-AMG EQS 35 4MATIC (0.23 Cd).

Ioniq 6 will be offered in two grades, 168kW/350Nm rearwheel-drive and 239kW/605Nm allwheel-drive, both powered by a 77.4kWh battery array.

Hyundai says the Ioniq’s long range comes in large part from its dedicated Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), together with the electrifed streamliner’s ultra-low wind resistance.

The platform is shared with the Kia EV6 and Genesis GV60.

Ioniq’s energy consumption is a claimed 13.9 kWh/100km.

E-GMP delivers optimal electric performance and provides 800V ultrafast charging from 10 to 80 percent in just 18 minutes and supports 400V charging without the need for additional components or adapters.

100km/h in 4.3 seconds.

Interestingly, it has what BMW calls an ‘energycharged soundtrack’.

This originates from its sports exhaust system with electronically controlled, continuously adjustable faps and hexagonal dual tailpipes arranged one above the other for the frst time on a BMW M model.

The M Hybrid button on the centre console is used to select one of

voltage battery is mounted in the car’s underbody and the 25.7kWh of usable energy it provides.

The Combined Charging Unit in the BMW XM enables AC charging at up to 7.4kW.

Fascinatingly, the BMW IconicSounds Electric was developed in a collaboration between the BMW Group and flm score composer Hans Zimmer.

CHRYSLER

With the VH series, released in June 1971, Chrysler at last gave Valiant buyers a uniquely Australian design. The new model was wider than the previous (VG) model and with its extended wheelbase it looked enormous, despite the fact that, at 4900 mm, it was only a fraction longer than before.

The VH Valiant’s cleaner and more rounded lines were enhanced by a reduction in body decoration.

The front parking lights and turning indicator

lights were moulded to ft fushly above a curved front bumper bar. A hatch-type bonnet was ftted and a completely new interior complemented the revamped body.

VH buyers were offered two new versions of the much-publicised Hemi engine These were the 265, a 4.3-litre ‘twobarrel’ engine producing 152 kW, and a 162-kW version of the same

A claimed electric range of 614km puts the Ioniq third in terms of range of EVs currently for sale in Australia. It cowtows only to the Tesla Model S (652km) and the BMW iX (630km), but for how long?

“From the start of Ioniq 6’s development, we set our sights on making it the leading all-electric range EV,” Head of SubMid Project Management Centre, Jae Ho Huh, said.

“To become the global leader in electric vehicles, we are committed to providing the best possible EV

Various design elements, such as an active air fap, wheel air curtains, integrated rear spoiler and wheel gap reducers, help to signifcantly enhance aerodynamic performance, placing it among the sleekest vehicles worldwide.

In particular, wheel gap reducers minimise the empty space between the front bumper and tyres to improve aerodynamic performance around the wheel wells.

Hyundai says this invention made it possible for the electrifed streamliner to provide a longer wheelbase for passengers’ riding comfort while simultaneously

Hyundai says having a platform specifcally designed for EVs also means Hyundai Motor is better able to design vehicles to best meet passengers’ needs. With E-GMP, Ioniq 6 can be a workstation or a portable power bank on wheels, creating new usage scenarios to ft customers’ diverse, onthe-go lifestyles.

“We put every effort into designing the most effcient car in the EV segment,” Head of Total Vehicle Performance Development Centre, Byung Hoon Min, said.

“Our focus on improving aerodynamics helped to achieve one of the longest all-electric range vehicles available, which will reduce customers’ EV range anxiety and help grow the segment.”

Ioniq 6 is expected in Australia next year, priced from $70,000.

engine ftted to the Pacer sports sedan.

Production of the 4-litre ‘245’ and 3.53-litre ‘215’ continued. The 5.2-litre V-8 was retained as an option on the Regal models.

The medium-line

VH Valiant was called the Ranger; the better equipped version became the Valiant Ranger XL.

The VH wagon, which was about 152 mm longer than the sedan, featured a massive load space and an integral airdefector above the rear window.

The prestige Valiant was now the VH Regal.

A Regal 770, with a stronger sporting accent, was also available.

The line-up broadened as the year progressed.

Chrysler introduced the sensational Charger

in August and the ‘Chrysler’ saloon in November.

The other variant for 1971 was the two-door Valiant VH Hardtop released in October.

Available in Regal and Regal 770 form, it was about 100 mm longer than the VH sedan – and it looked to be all boot.

If was a spectacular sales fop; virtually everyone preferred the Charger.

Including Chrysler saloons and Charger models, 67,800 VH Valiants were made.

Smooth shape of the Ioniq 6

give it a streamlined look

Huge grille has become a big feature of all recent BMWs

FREE SUPPORT FOR BALLINA BUSINESSES PHASING OUT SINGLEUSE PLASTICS

DON’T LEAVE YOUR TAX RETURN TO THE LAST MINUTE

With under a month to go until the 31 October due date for 2021-22 tax returns, the Australian Taxation Offce (ATO) is reminding taxpayers to get on top of their tax returns by lodging or engaging with a registered tax agent.

ATO fgures show that as at the end of September, over 8.3 million taxpayers have lodged their 2022 tax return. Last year, over 9.6 million had lodged their 2021 tax return by 31 October.

minutes. Most of the information you need will already be there; just check it’s correct, add any additional income, and claim deductions you’re eligible for.”

different registered tax agent to last year, you need to engage with the registered tax agent by 31 October,” Mr Loh said.

tax affairs. It’s run by Australian universities and supported by the ATO.

Retail business owners in Ballina will have access to free, inperson advice about the NSW Government’s single-use plastics ban, when experts from the National Retail Association visit tomorrow.

Lightweight plastic shopping bags with handles were banned across NSW in June this year further single-use plastic items, such as straws, cutlery, plates, and unlidded bowls, will be phased out by November.

The National Retail Association has been working closely with the NSW State Government to provide advice and resources to thousands of businesses, including a dedicated team visiting retailers in their stores, holding online sessions, and manning a toll-free hotline.

NRA Policy Manager

Ebony Johnson said that the NRA’s engagement with over 12,000 businesses in over 750 precincts across NSW since February has been very well-received.

“Retailers and their suppliers are highly supportive of environmental initiatives, with many already phasing out single-use plastics, measuring their carbon footprint and committing to strong packaging and food waste targets,” Ms Johnson said.

“We fnd small and medium businesses appreciate the personalised support

and resources, given that they are having to juggle running their business, serving customers, and supporting their staff.

“Our services assist retailers with understanding exactly what is – and isn’tbanned, communicating with customers through the transition, and managing the costs of conducting business.

“We have also engaged over 30,000 retailers, suppliers and community organisations to help everyone prepare and transition,” she said.

The National Retail Association is visiting retailers within key shopping centres and retail precincts in Ballina this week.

“We are looking forward to visiting as many retailers in the local area as possible tomorrow to provide factsheets and signage, and to help them understand what they need to do to comply with the ban,” Ms Johnson said.

“Now is the time for businesses to prepare for the November ban by ordering alternatives, running down existing stock, and displaying signage to inform customers.

For more information, business owners should visit www.dpie.nsw. gov.au/plastics-ban, email sustainability@ nra.net.au or call the NRA’s Hotline 1800 844 946.

Ebony Johnson is available for interview, contact the NRA media unit on 0467 792 013.

Assistant Commissioner Tim Loh says there are several lodgement options available.

“People with simple tax affairs can lodge through our free myTax service in under 30

“Our website has a range of helpful calculators and tools to help you get it right. These are designed to guide you on a range of topics, from whether you need to lodge a tax return, to working out which deductions and expenses specifc occupations and industries can claim.”

“If you need more time to prepare your tax return, you can lodge with a registered tax agent. If you’re using a registered tax agent for the frst time or using a

There are also free programs to support those who need help with their tax affairs:

• The ATO’s Tax Help program is run by trained volunteers and is available to taxpayers earning $60,000 or less per year who have simple affairs.

• The National Tax Clinic program is a government-funded initiative to help individuals, small businesses, not-forproft organisations and charities who may not be able to afford professional advice and representation with their

This tax time as with every tax time, the ATO reminds taxpayers to be mindful of keeping their personal information protected, including never sharing their myGov login or myGovID details with anyone. Further information is available on our website – How to protect yourself scan the QR code

FREE TOOL TO MEASURE WORKPLACE MENTAL HEALTH

This Mental Health Month, SafeWork NSW is encouraging employers to explore a new digital Workplace Wellbeing Assessment Tool (WWAT) which will help improve understanding and management of workplace mental health by businesses.

Head of SafeWork NSW, Natasha Mann, said while 80 per cent of NSW workplaces take a reactive or ad-hoc approach to mental health at work, there are health and economic benefts from having a mentally healthy workplace including reduced absenteeism and staff turnover.

“This is not just about the mental health of your workers, this is about making the best workplace environment in your workplace both mentally and physically,” Ms Mann said.

“A mentally healthy workplace provides many benefts back into the business, including increased staff engagement and productivity. But despite the benefts, many people in NSW are not aware of the role workplaces play in preventing mental health issues and supporting recovery.

“The free selfassessment tool helps

set up a survey which businesses can use to confdentially survey their staff, with the results informing businesses how to plan and respond to risks and create workplaces where mental health thrives.

“The tool measures and monitors a workplace’s capability by identifying gaps and areas for improvement. It also provides actions for the business to take to reduce risks and allows them to compare themselves with others across the State.

“As a free resource, it’s a great investment for any small business to make in looking after the mental health of their

workers.”

The WWAT was developed as part of the NSW Mentally Healthy Workplace Strategy, whose key priorities include free training programs and coaching services and building the capability of businesses in NSW to create positive and safe environments promoting good mental health.. Scan the QR to access the WWAT

Summer Skills joins Summer of Jobs to power our hospitality industry

My Future Workforce Northern Rivers is proud to launch Summer of Jobs 2022, which will be supporting Training Services NSW Summer Skills program.

The joint campaign will deliver training to hospitality across the region, preparing a job ready workforce for the upcoming tourism season.

As jobseekers take up these training opportunities, employers are encouraged to post vacancies on the My Future Workforce Northern Rivers platform.

Director of RDA Northern Rivers, Tim Williamson said “The free platform is specifc to the Northern Rivers with a unique job

matching process to capture the attention of jobseekers with the skills, experience, and desire to work in the hospitality industry.”

Employers who haven’t already registered with My Future Workforce Northern Rivers are encouraged to join now to list your vacancies.

For jobseekers, now is the perfect time to

develop your skills and launch your career in this amazing industry. Employers and jobseekers can register for free via this QR Code

SHARED EQUITY LEGISLATION INTRODUCED FOR KEY WORKERS, SINGLE PARENTS AND OVER 50s

Teachers, nurses, police offcers, single parents and older singles are one step closer to owning their frst home faster with legislation for the NSW Government’s $780.4 million shared equity scheme now introduced to Parliament.

The introduction of the shared equity legislation coincides with the First Home Buyer Choice legislation which will give frst home buyers the choice between paying a large upfront stamp duty and a smaller annual property feeshaving two years off the time needed to save for a deposit.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said under the shared equity scheme, the NSW Government would contribute an equity share up to 40 per cent for a new home or up to 30 per cent for an existing home purchased by eligible buyers.

“The NSW Government is helping make home ownership a reality for

more people across our State including teachers, nurses, police offcers, single parents and older single people,” Mr Perrottet said.

“Key workers, single parents and older singles will be able to have the security of home ownership with a lower upfront deposit, a smaller loan, lower repayments, no lenders mortgage insurance and no interest on the Government’s equity share in a property.”

Treasurer Matt Kean said many older Australians struggle to fnd stable housing, with 37 per cent of individuals over 65 who are not homeowners relying on social or community housing.

“We know that housing security is an especially serious issue for older, vulnerable women,” Mr Kean said.

“Owning your own home is one of the best ways to set yourself up for fnancial security

now and into the future and this scheme will help those facing signifcant barriers to home ownership buy their own place sooner.”

Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said this trial scheme would help participants overcome the deposit barrier to home ownership, as well as reducing the size of their mortgage and repayments.

“Under this scheme, buyers will borrow less

for their home and lower their monthly mortgage repayments, making home ownership more affordable and easier to access for eligible people,” Mr Roberts said.

“We’re addressing the barriers to home ownership for people facing the highest hurdles, to make owning your own property a reality for more people in NSW.”

Under the NSW Government’s shared equity scheme:

• Up to 3,000 spots will be available each year for two years;

• Key worker frst home buyers who are nurses, teachers or police offcers –as well as singles over 50 years old and single parents with a child or children under 18 years old can apply;

• Participants must have a maximum gross income of

$90,000 for singles and $120,000 for couples;

• Participants must have a minimum deposit of 2 per cent of the purchase price;

• The Government will make a maximum equity contribution of 40 per cent for a new home and 30 per cent for an established home, and

• The maximum value of the property that can be purchased under the scheme is $950,000 in Sydney and regional centres including the Central Coast, Illawarra, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and the North Coast of NSW, and $600,000 in other parts of NSW.

For more information visit https://nsw.gov.au/ shared-equity-scheme

Sunset Cruise on the Tweed River

Watch the sun sink behind the mountains and the river come alive with colours. 2.5-hour cruise of the Tweed taking in the beautiful scenery during sunset.

Live music from one of the talented musicians of the Northern Rivers area.

an array of grazing boards to ll your plate as you cruise the beautiful Tweed River.

our bar and grab a local brew or house cocktail of the day.

is a cruise not to be missed. e sun setting on the beautiful Tweed River and sinking behind the Tweed Hinterland is an incredible experience. Magic happens on the Tweed! Come and experience it for yourself.Be part of Music of the Night’s 2021 Concert Tour

This memorable 2 hour music theatre journey will leave you feeling charmed, spellbound and exhilarated by the performance of classic music theatre melodies.

Experience all the fabulous glitz and glamour

the crew behind the renowned ‘Brunch With Bite’ and ‘Hey Felicia! Brisbane’ shows introduces a unique way to Drag & Dine on the Gold Coast.

Starring not 1, not 2, but FIVE iconic Brisbane Drag Queens who bring to life songs from the greatest musicals ever produced.But there’s more – get set to see, hear and feel all the iconic gay anthems that have created the ultimate playlist for our generation.

Your HEY FELICIA! 2.0 ticket includes the show, alternate-drop main meal and a 2-hour drinks package with your Drag Queen hosts. Get ready to grab your friends for a hilarious night of fun and frivolity! Get ready to DRAG & DINE. Get ready to say HEY FELICIA! Starring Vollie LaVont, Mandy Moobs, BeBe Gunn, ShuShu Funtanna and Scarlett Fever. Music by Harry K!

Starring not 1, not 2, but FIVE iconic Brisbane Drag Queens who bring to life songs from the greatest musicals ever produced.But there’s more get set to see, hear and feel all the iconic gay anthems that have created the ultimate playlist for our generation.

Your HEY FELICIA! 2.0 ticket includes the show, alternate drop main meal and a 2 hour drinks package with your Drag Queen hosts.

Get ready to grab your friends for a hilarious night of fun and frivolity!

Get ready to DRAG & DINE. Get ready to say HEY FELICIA! Starring Vollie LaVont, Mandy Moobs, BeBe Gunn, ShuShu Funtanna and Scarlett Fever. Music by Harry K!

Tickets: $105 + booking fee gets you the show, alternate drop main meal and a 2 hour drinks package of French sparkling, wines and premium beers with your Drag Queen hosts. Drinks are available for purchase from the bar outside of the 2 hour drinks package.

a talent of this

Joseph Fimmano is simply unbelievable” ALAN JONES AO

Hey Felicia! Gold Coast A Drag and Dine Musical Experience all the fabulous glitz and glamour as the crew behind the renowned ‘Brunch With Bite’ and ‘Hey Felicia! Brisbane’ shows introduces a unique way to Drag & Dine on the Gold Coast.

Tickets via www.theislandgoldcoast.com.au/hey felicia gold coast a drag and dine musical/

Music of the Night is an enthralling music and visual spectacular that showcases memorable performances from the songbooks of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Sondheim, ABBA and many more from the most loved and adored classics from London’s West End and Broadway Musicals. Music of the Night will capture the imagination of its audience with stunning musicalperformances from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s, Phantom of the Opera, Evita, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and His Technicolour Dreamcoat, Sunset Boulevard, Les Misérables, Chess, Sound of Music, Rogers and Hammerstein, West Side story, Carousel, Boy From Oz! Presented by Australia’s own and internationally acclaimed multi award winning instrumentalist and vocalist Joey Fimmano. Joey is joined by internationally renowned vocalist Dexter Villahermosa, star of the West End and Australian productions of Miss Saigon and Jesus Christ Superstar and Australia’s leading Soprano Jessica Di Bartolo. Music of the Night, starring Joey Fimmano, Jessica Di Bartolo and Dexter Villahermosa, including a full live band, is a show not to be missed. You will experience the brilliance ofAustralian and International music performance. Be part of Music of the Night’s 2021 Concert Tour is memorable 2-hour music theatre journey will leave you feeling charmed, spellbound andexhilarated by the performance of classic music theatre melodies.

• “Rev it Up” Family Retro day with old school Rock & Roll entertainment,

• Food & Market Stalls.

• FMX Stunt Riders & Monster Trucks on Saturday only!

• “Family Day” and a tribute to the 50s-70s era of Retro Cars & Caravans! Walk down

memory lane to see and see VW Beatles & Kombi’s, Sandman Panel Vans, Hot Rods and more. Loads of family entertainment with Dance Schools and live Rock & Roll music. Plus don’t miss the Monster Trucks & Fireworks Spectacular!

On Sunday 23rd October 2022, expect to See everything on Wheels!

• Show Cars - an amazing display of Hot Rods, American Muscle Cars, Lamborghini’s, Classics, Vintage, 4x4s, dragsters and more!

• Car Clubs & Social Clubs make it a day out to catch up with family and old friends.

• Bikes - the designated

area attracts recreational riders & clubs to display Custom Bikes, Harley Davidson’s, Europeans and Japanese, Trikes - just to name a few.

• Trucks - like you’ve never seen before! It’s always a crowd pleaser with Prime Movers and Trucks of every kind displaying amazing graphics, polished chrome and lights.

• CaravansRetro,Vintage, Pods, Airstreams, Teardrops & more.

- Trade industry & market stalls (which include all facets of the Auto Industry, Products,

Services and general Wares, Rockabilly Clothing, Kustom Kulture and Novelty Items), PLUS food stalls, licensed bar, live bands, stage entertainment and kids unlimited carnival rides just $25.00 (pay on the day at the Carnival Corner)

• Discounts apply to weekend tickets.

• U12 Kids free with a paying adult.

BILL JACOBI e Hillbilly- Roots Guitar Stompbox Maestro plays the Sunset Sessions from.6-8pm on the Regents Balcony.

Mental health resources become accessible for diverse communities

A range of new resources has been launched today as part of a trial program to provide better mental health support to people from diverse communities.

e digital mindfulness resources, which have been developed a er identifying a need within Arabic, Bangla, Mandarin, Nepali, Greek and Spanish speaking com munities, aim to help people improve their wellbeing and reduce psychological distress through six mindfulness exercises.

Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Tay lor said the new resources will make a real di erence to the lives of people from these communities.

“COVID has had a signi cant impact on the mental health of many people from culturally and linguistically diverse commu nities, due to feeling less safe, disruptions in social support activities, challenges in nding work, and other impacts on daily life,” Mrs Taylor said.

“Studies have shown that programs based in mindfulness are e ective in reducing depression, anxiety and stress, and improve

overall general wellbeing. ese resourc es have been adapted from mindfulness programs that have been found to produce signi cant improvements in mental health and reductions in psychological distress.

“Mindfulness can be practised by anyone from any faith irrespective of their cultural or spiritual beliefs.”

Arabic and Bangla were the rst two languages the resources were developed in, and represented the rst time nationally or internationally there has been a translation of an evidence-based mindfulness program into these languages.

Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said the programs help speak directly to people in their language.

“Just like we need to be treating mental health as part of our holistic health and wellbeing, so too do we need to ensure ev eryone across NSW can access the help they need no matter their cultural background or language,” Mr Coure said.

“ is trial program re ects the ongoing commitment of the NSW Government to

ensure no one is le behind in our rich multicultural society.

“While the resources are in-language, they are also developed with awareness of these communities’ respective cultures to ensure they are speaking directly to people in a way they will understand and can relate to.

“ e programs are free and can be accessed without a referral, so I encourage anyone from these communities needing support with their mental wellbeing to look to these resources for help.”

Director of the NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service and Priority Populations in South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Lisa Woodland, said the resources were co-developed by bilingual health professionals, accredited translators and community members, to ensure the integrity of the evidence-based program and cultural acceptability.

“ e Multicultural Mind fulness Resources are now available online for commu

nity members, community organisations, bilingual mental health professionals and community workers,” Ms Woodland said.

e Leukaemia Foundation has re-a rmed its commit ment to stand with and support First Nations Australians impacted by blood cancer.

Leukaemia Foundation CEO Chris Tanti said this year’s NAIDOC Week theme, “Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!” aligned with the organisation’s own commitment to stand with Australians living with blood cancer, and particularly populations who are presently underserved, including First Nations Australians.

“Many First Nations Australians face barriers to access ing treatment and support. We know that First Nations patients are less likely to engage with the health system than non-Indigenous populations. For example, First Nations Australians are 40 per cent less likely to attend hospital for an acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) diagnosis1. When First Nations people do present to hospital, they are more likely to be diagnosed at a more advanced stage of cancer, and therefore, their cancer survival rate is 20 per cent lower than non-Indigenous people. e Leukaemia Foundation is committed to working with community, healthcare organisations, government, and First Nations people to break down these barriers and implement more culturally relevant supportive care,” Mr Tanti said.

e National Strategic Action Plan for Blood Cancer has a series of recommendations to address the profound unmet needs of First Nations people with blood cancer, including

improving data and strengthening the capacity of cancer-re lated services to meet these needs.

Mr Tanti said the Leukaemia Foundation is taking the rst step by investing over $700,000 into a research study to bet ter understand blood cancer within First Nations commu nities and help inform more culturally sensitive care.

“We’re also looking at making changes to how we deliver our services to First Nations communities. As a necessary rst step, we are making connections with Aboriginal Liaison O cers for regional and remote communities, alongside building relationships with the traditional custodians of the lands on which our o ces sit. We will be seeking their advice and perspectives, so we can ensure that the services we provide are sensitive and relevant to First Nations communities.”

is week, the Leukaemia Foundation will also launch its new Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, to weave reconciliation into the fabric of the organisation, and to better align support services with the needs of First Nations Australians.

Mr Tanti acknowledged that there was more work to be done to close the gap in health.

“ is is just the beginning, but this important work will begin to address the tragic gaps in care that mean that too many First Nations Australians die from their blood cancer.”

BOWEN THERAPY

GENTLE,

Leukaemia Foundation stands with First Nations communities living with blood cancer

Grape Expectations by Max Crus

Thorburn chooses wrong Hill to die on

The winds of change are blowing through the revolving gates at Windy Hill as day-old CEO Andrew Thorburn has had to choose between his role at the Essendon Football Club and membership of City on the Hill church which espouses all sorts of things that Essendon is trying its hardest to eliminate, which begs the question what was he thinking?

Poor Essendon. Can’t win a trick, or a game of footy. No sooner had allegations of their grubby, drug-cheating past re-surfaced while seeking a new coach than their freshly appointed CEO was forced to resign because of religious

beliefs.

However his resignation was from the wrong Hill.

Presumably as champions of equality, understanding and tolerance of sexual and gender diversity, race and religion and inclusiveness (not to mention a compassionate stance on abortion issues, surely not irrelevant in football circles, hello Hawthorn) the CEO of Essendon would be held to the highest account to promote such values, so the question might rightly be asked would Thorburn have tried his hardest in that role, or perhaps just avoid those issues, hoping it never comes to the crunch?

How bizarrely

conficting that Thorburn is a member of a church which it is legislated may discriminate against those very same people for whom he must uphold another law that says they may not be discriminated against?

But historically, Thorburn has had few scruples, adequately highlighted by Counsel Assisting and Commissioner Hayne at the recent banking Royal Commission. His arrogance and entitlement were on show for all, except Essendon to see. Clearly they didn’t ask for his CV or Google Thorburn, even if they weren’t legally entitled to ask him of his religious affliations.

Essendon got what they

paid for (what’s a day’s pay for a CEO?), were happy to tolerate such conficting standards, and Thorburn should not have been forced to resign from the club.

But why wasn’t he forced to resign from his church?

Evidently, he was not upholding the beliefs of his religious fraternity and we all know how tolerant they are. Or does the church accept that he is able to suspend those beliefs the moment he walks through the gates at Windy Hill?

Not sure that’s how they see things at the other set of gates.

Meanwhile, how about some heavenly wines to enjoy with the brouhaha?

Quartz Hill Pyrenees Syrah, 2018, $42. Despite the shiraz variation moniker Syrah, this is unmistakeably Pyrenees Shiraz if perhaps a little more sophisticated and less brutish than some at only 13.8 percent.

Eminently delightful and drinkable. 9.5/10.

Robert Oatley Barossa Limited Release Larry Cherubino Shiraz

2018, $70. Delicious stuff that your palate is primed for with a very posh label, not to mention the price tag, but with not quite the glamorous edge of its WA cabernet cousin. 9.6/10.

Robert Oatley Margaret River Signature Series

Sauvignon Blanc

Semillon, 2022, $23.

Subtle yet sauvy in that WA way, which is probably why it just won the trophy for Best Dry White Blend at the Adelaide Wine Show. Excellent value for little more than a red one. 9.4/10.

Scarborough Hunter Valley ‘The Obsessive’ The Cottage Vineyard Semillon, 2022 (Picked on the 9th February), $35. Yes, this is truly obsessive for which we should all be truly thankful whether you believe in a god or nature and the ability of viticulturists and vignerons, this is possibly the best semillon we’ve tried in the past decade, maybe longer. Heavenly. 9.8/10.

Quartz Hill Pyrenees MencÌa 2020, $35.

As summer approaches, lighter reds become the go-to wines in Casa del Crus, whether after church, after brunch or after noon, although the last time we had anything aprËs church was after Sunday School as an 8-year-old and we weren’t allowed to drink. We would have loved this incredibly fragrant, warm and interesting red of Iberian heritage. 9.4/10.

Scarborough Hunter Valley ‘The Obsessive’ Old North Vineyard Shiraz

2019 (picked on 30th January), $70.

Definitely up there, if not so far up as the pearly gates like its sister semillon, one would nevertheless be quite thankful if this was served up on the altar of one’s church or barbecue. 9.5/10.

WORD

Ned Nederlander, Lucky Day and Dusty Bottoms

characters in which

performs the voice of Kyle Bro ovski in the comedy series South Park?

chemical element

Vistula is the longest and one of the most important rivers in which European country?

English football

Roy Grounds

With all your excess energy, it’s easy for you to be busy all the time. You are unlikely to be bothered by problems. Despite feeling energetic and well-adjusted you approach situations carefully, it is your strength and stamina that complement your diligent approach, which invariably results in a successful outcome. You don’t only fnish your usual projects in an effcient and determined way; you get involved with even more tasks and show how capable and reliable you are. In the process, it’s important you don’t forget your loved ones. You’re getting on very well with those you care about most and it appears you have a lot of positive infuence on other people you meet as well. Even if from time to time, you and your lover seem to disagree, you’re both able to easily fnd compromises. Make sure that the romantic side of your relationship is not being overlooked or even completely forgotten.

TAURUS APR 20 - MAY 20

Feeling strong, it’s easy to stand up for yourself when confronted by obstacles. This can lead to arguments if you don’t frst refect on getting your own way. Enjoying your work, you can focus on your tasks effortlessly. The mental stimulation involved will not be enough to satisfy the need to soothe your inner tension. Feeling resilient, you can help put your mind at ease and dispel any built up irritability with some healthy energetic exercise. Take note, it’s important under present circumstances, to try and avoid disagreements with your lover. You’re advised to rethink your position - one more time – to be on the safe side! Accusations made in haste and heated discussions lead to unnecessary stress that swamps your partner. Be gentle with your lover and yourself and importantly remain objective and fair!

You’re careful and show persistence when dealing with problems. Your increased vitality and improved self-confdence has positive effects on everyone you meet. You’re able to complete any new tasks either alone or as part of a team. As expected, the suggestions you make are acceptable to others who tend to agree with you. Use this infuence to achieve your desires, remain steadfast, true to your aims and they’re likely to be met with approval by those people in your life that matter most to you. Again and again you prove you’ve great diplomatic skill. You’re settling quarrels or dealing with an on-going upset in your relationship – you defnitely have the right personal approach! You should spend as much time as you can with your lover, the person you care about most. If you’re living alone, you’ve a great chance to change this now. Simply be a little courageous!

CANCER JUN 21 - JULY 22

Assert yourself and others follow your lead. You don’t have to be too concerned about getting your own way, the stance you take is overwhelmingly convincing with regard to most matters you have to deal with. So consider discussing everything that is important while you are in such convincing form. Be determined but not obsessive about certain issues, if you fnd some situations problematic then move on and take a different tack. Expand your feld of expertise you’re likely to succeed regardless. Being fair-minded about your own interests and those of your lover will bring about mutual respect; especially if you live in a long-term relationship, you’re able to make the necessary compromises that will stand the test of time. If you’re single the chances of success are good too, thanks to your confdent appearance you make a lasting impression on those you meet.

Wanting to achieve is OK as long as whenever possible you include others and satisfactorily deal with their concerns. Don’t resort to angry outbursts if you’re criticized but consider if there is a beneft to be gained from the other person’s point of view that you can take into consideration and is likely to improve the outcome of your activities. Any excessive energy utilize in pursuit of healthy exercise, to help release tension or stress, avoid contact sports, jogging or Nordic walking is best. Any extreme resentment won’t do your love life any good. If your relationship is unduly stressed with needless tussles and your attitude alienates your partner. Control yourself a bit more! If you’re single, it’s possible such brusque conduct works quite well - to pick someone up. But nobody will want to stay around you for too long, if you continue to behave like this.

VIRGO AUG 23 - SEP 22

Your abundant energy together with the self-confdence and composure you display makes being successful both professionally and personally much more likely. You engage people in pleasant conversation which helps them to see your point of view. Use your new found enthusiasm to resurrect your interest in people or projects that you have neglected for a long time. Feeling very ft, you can easily be persuaded to improve your performance in the sports activities or exercise regime you enjoy most. You’re able to positively resolve long standing matters with your lover before they intensify any further. If you’ve been in a relationship for a prolonged period, you might want to think about making it permanent. If you’re single the next date - could be a crucial one. Whether it results in a proposal of marriage or a new relationship – love and romance are on the agenda!

You possess a higher than usual level of pent up anger that needs dealing with in a constructive way, if you don’t want to suffer from the consequences. Ease up on the talking and avoid putting others on the defensive. If you require help from others be more patient and diplomatic in the way you approach them. Even if you personally feel on top form , be prepared to take things at a more leisurely pace otherwise you may suffer setbacks from unnecessarily taking on far more than you able to handle. Your love life can be unfavourably affected by your deeply passionate feelings, which could easily cause tension and clashes with your partner. Alternatively, you might fnd that love-making can be a great help in easing the situation between you, but any arguments that might possibly be on-going are best left till later. Ultimately conficts can’t be resolved by sex alone.

SCORPIO OCT 23 - NOV 21

For the slightest of reasons you lose your temper and as you might normally expect are unable to keep your normal level of composure. Mistakenly or not, you’re under the impression that people are purposely setting out to annoy you. Once this happens you fnd it diffcult to regain your self-control. Co-operation and compromise is the key to get you through what appears to be a confict laden period. Spare yourself any stress, seek approval and appreciation rather than putting at risk their normal support. Put some energy into your romantic life and make an effort to be happy in your relationship. Listen carefully when your lover speaks to you. Don’t unnecessarily put at risk what you’ve built together over the years! Try to utilize your enhanced energy to keep up the erotic tension between you. Surprise your lover, let them how spontaneous and original you can be.

Practice more self-restraint, far too easily you feel you’re deliberately provoked, even over the slightest matters. Without warning your excess energy erupts in a bad temper. Obviously this isn’t acceptable to those you know, selfdiscipline and compromise is essential. Such relentless behavior results in problems both at home and at work. Watch out that these excesses don’t become a noticeable feature in other areas of your life. You need to be more self-aware and make sure that it doesn’t. You’re not behaving very diplomatically and your lover is feeling the full effects of your dismissive attitude. Be more considerate and allow others to express their point of view as well. Your stubbornness and bossiness tends to bug your partner and they feel exasperated. If single approach matters less-hastily, thoughtfulness often gets you further than obstinacy.

CAPRICORN DEC 22 - JAN 19

Impressing others with a certain level of competency, you’re able to demonstrate that taking on new and challenging tasks is a good test of your abilities. You want to show exactly how capable you are and demonstrate your enthusiasm to those who matter most. Aside from your working environment, catching up with leisure and sports activities provide you with high levels of excitement, satisfaction and fun. An even bolder approach reveals possibilities to improve involvement on the romantic front. Your ability to firt has never been better; it’s time to strut your stuff! If you’re single make use of your appeal and keep your eyes open for romantic opportunities. With such confdence, you draw attention to yourself and are quite a catch. If in a relationship, luck is on your side too; you charm your lover even though the circumstances are not as good as they might be.

You are capable of being extremely productive and making a success of whatever you do. However be careful of over-reacting if you feel threatened; you tend to respond badtemperedly or even insensitively. Hold yourself back if confronted and refrain from making enemies or from the temptation to deliberately provoke others, behavior like this is very unproductive and likely to cause you unwanted problems. Step back from time to time and use your energy both purposefully and thoughtfully! You would like to change a lot of things. But you run the risk of making your lover feel confused. You’re sticking to your principles with all your pent up frustration; instead show your partner you need them, take a walk together or give each other a comforting massage. If you’re single use a more restrained approach, otherwise you could easily appear rather foolish.

PISCES FEB 19 - MAR 20

You feel fghting ft, on top form, as you experience vibrant energy running through your body! That’s why it is a great time to tackle any tasks you have put off recently. If you don’t have existing projects, it is a good time to start something new. Prepare yourself in anticipation for something good to happen shortly. It is even possible for you to feel overwhelmed by so many opportunities coming your way. Take advantage of this crucial phase and make the most of it!! Once you’ve got your project off the ground, you meet with approval from others. You’re irresistible, sociable and outgoing, you’ve got the ability to respond well to people you fnd attractive. It’s great to have a lover like you, who has the right attitude, knows how to handle a relationship and has a big heart. You won’t be alone for too long. Your relationship could easily turn into a happy partnership and ultimately becomes even happier for you.

Death Notice

PAUL ROBERT TURNER

Passed away peacefully 5th October 2022. Aged 81 years

Dearly loved husband of Pauline. Loving father and father-in-law of Adrian and Julia and Glen and Linda.

Cherished poppy of Luke and Quin. Loved brother, brother-in-law and Uncle.

Friend of many

Funeral Notice

McCARTHY, HERBERT ‘HERB’ JAMES 29.5.1945 – 11.10.2022

Herb passed away peacefully on Tuesday, the 11th of October 2022, aged 77 years. Late of Kyogle, formally of Dubbo.

Dearly loved husband of Janna. Loved father and father-in-law of Robert & Kerrie, Ronny & Mary, Ralph & Mandy, Wayne & Jodi, and John & Angela. Cherished pop of his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Rest in Peace

in Peace

Family and friends are warmly invited to attend Herb’s Funeral Service to be held at e Richmond Chapel, Parkview Funeral Home, 43 Holland Street, Goonellabah, on Friday the 21st of October, commencing at 11.00 am. A er the service, you are welcome to join the family for refreshments and celebrating Herb’s life at Kyogle Bowling Club, 43 Larkin St, Kyogle.

In lieu of owers, please consider a donation to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, at www.pcfa.org.au.

Positions Vacant GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

A great opportunity to work with a brilliant team of graphic designers, sales and journalists at The Northern Rivers Times

• Create graphic artwork for digital and print publications

• Able to work to strict deadlines

• Support our sales team and company directors

• Profcient skills in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) as well as Word, Powerpoint & Excel

• Stylish visual presentation

• Ability to adhere to a brief and refect the look and feel of a brand

• Ability to multi-task

• Demonstrated initiative and a ‘can-do’ attitude

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Training will be provided with newspaper setting and layout

The successful applicant can work from either our Casino or Tweed Heads offce.

This is a very sort after position within a very fast growing and reputable business. We want someone with passion to take their position within The Northern Rivers Times and make it their own, working closely with the communities, businesses, politicians and councils.

Send your CV, portfolio with a cover letter to: jeff@heartlandmedia.com.au

Application for Appointment of Board Members

Bentley Public Hall Reserve Land Manager

Ever wondered who is responsible for keeping Crown reserves operating?

Countless facilities like showgrounds, local halls and parks are run by Statutory Land Manager Boards, made up of people just like you. People who understand the need and have a desire to manage public land and assets for the beneft of the entire community.

Your role as a Board Member is voluntary, but the rewards of giving something back to the community are priceless.

We are looking for a good mix of people with a variety of skills, however, sound business and fnancial management skills and objective decision-making expertise would be a distinct advantage.

Don’t let this opportunity to do something for yourself and your community pass you by – contact us today.

The Bentley Public Hall Reserve Land Manager manages the Reserve No. 82429 at Bentley notifed on 18-Mar-1960 for Public Hall. The term of appointment will be for a period not exceeding 5 years.

Application for membership can be made via portal.crownland.nsw.gov.au

All applications are required to be lodged by 21

For

886

Positions Vacant

JOURNALISTS

TO BE BRILLIANT IN THIS ROLE, YOU WILL:

• Have excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills.

• Have stellar command of the English language – both spoken and written.

• Have strong project management skills and be able to work independently, managing your own time and managing multiple deadlines.

• Be a proactive and clear communicator.

• Have dedication to quality work, continuous learning and improving your own game.

• Impeccable grooming and corporate, professional presentation (although a touch of sartorial style is highly appreciated).

• Being part of a close-knit team in a supportive work environment.

• Final year students (undergraduate or post-graduate) with a keen interest in journalism demonstrated through work experience or extracurricular activities

We have a number of positions available covering areas of the northern rivers, you will have your own territories.

We want someone with passion to take their position within The Northern Rivers Times and make it their own, working closely with the communities, businesses, politicians and councils. Send your CV with a cover letter to: jeff@heartlandmedia.com.au

Ray White Rural STORE CATTLE SALE

Friday 21st October 2022

Saleyards @ 10.00am

curfew 8pm Thursday

October 2022

HEAD EXPECTED

Angus

& Angus

Lines Include:

Brian Latham – Mullumbimby

Braford herd dispersal

Braford cows calved & PTIC, half are

well bred cows originally purchased as

complete herd from a reputable breeder

A/C WH Ralston – Bonalbo

Angus & Angus X weaner steers

A/C Gary Hughes – Mullumbimby

Santa Hereford X heifers & calves

A/C Chris eron – Eden Creek

Angus X weaner steers

Angus X weaner heifers

A/C GW & MB Cruickshank – Kyogle

11x11 Droughtmaster & Red Brahmancows & calves

A/C SM & NP Knott – Tucki Tucki

30 Angus & Angus X feeder steers

7 Euro X feeder steers

A/C Bella Valley Limousins – Wyrallah 4x4 Limousin cows & calves

2 Unjoined Limousin heifers (1 black)

A/C CJ & DM Love – Round Mountain 8 Simmental heifers PTIC to Simmental bulls

A/C AJ & LM Love – Reserve Creek 7x5 Brahman X cows 3rd calf 4x3 Simmental cows 2nd calf

1 Speckle Park bull, 20 months old A/C Bowkett Family – Murwillumbah 30 Angus X ms weaners

A/C Willowglen Simmentals – Lynches Creek

2 Simmental bulls, 2 ½ years old, top quality genetics

A/C BS & WL Fletcher – Old Koorelah

20 Santa Hereford weaned heifers

20 Hereford weaned heifers

EU accredited

A/C DP & GJ Stace – Woodenbong

1 Belmont bull, 18 months old

1x1 Belmont cow & calf

A/C Breeder

2 Pure Bred Speckle Park Bulls – 2y/o

FURTHER BOOKINGS WELCOME

Low rates, friendly service

Low rates, friendly service

EXPERIENCED,

Low rates, friendly service

EXPERIENCED,

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Please read

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.

The Northern Rivers Times management has the right to refuse and/or not publish any content not following the above guidelines.

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.

DYRAABA HALL COMMITTEE BUS TRIP

The Dyraaba Hall Committee will host a bus trip to Robina Shopping Centre on Saturday 19th November. Cost is $30 and includes morning tea. There will also be raffes. The bus will leave Dyraaba Hall @ 7am, Casino Post Offce @ 7:30am, can also pick in Lismore, Alstonville & Ballina. Bookings & Enquiries phone Veronica on 66671101. All proceeds after expenses will go towards the maintenance of the Hall.

BALLINA

BALLINA

BALLINA ARTS & CRAFTS CENTRE INC. (BACCI)

EXPERIENCED, FULLY INSURED, ALL SIZE JOBS

Wood Chipping Felling

For a free quote and advice contact NOEL

NOTE:

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

P 6688 6136

P 6688 6136

Community Notices

BALLINA BRIDGE CLUB

M 0427 886 136

0427 886 136

P 6688 6136 M 0427 886 136

For a free quote & adviceLopping Wood Chipping Felling Stump Grinding Removal

northernriverstreeservice@gmail.com

Email: northernriverstreeservice@gmail.com

Email: northernriverstreeservice@gmail.com

The Channon covering all areas of the North Coast

be submitted each

11am

ALSTONVILLE

ALSTONVILLE BRANCH OF THE RED CROSS

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.

ALSTONVILLE QUOTA CLUB

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

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

“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. 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

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.

On Friday 28th October our Branch is having a stall at Ballina Bunnings, commencing at 8am there will be some beautiful handicraft and delicious cooking and preserves for sale, we really appreciate your support. Our CWA meeting days are held on the 3rd Monday of the month commencing at 9am, all most welcome to attend. Mah-jong is being played in our rooms from 12:15 on Wednesday and Thursday, for more Information please ring David 0435323079.

BALLINA EVENING VIEW CLUB

Meets on the second Wednesday of each month at the Ballina RSL Club at 6.30 for dinner at 7pm - Guests 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.

BALLINA HOSPITAL AUXILIARY

Our next event will be the Market Day on

ALSTONVILLE

29th October at the hospital.

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.

BALLINA SENIOR CITIZENS CLUB

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

BALLINA TOY LIBRARY

Welcomes families from Ballina Shire. 9 Regatta Avenue, Ballina. Open Saturdays 10am – 1pm. Ph. 0411 719 074 for enquiries

FREE COMMUNITY BRUNCH BALLINA

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

IN FOCUS TOASTMASTERS CLUB

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

NORTHERN RIVERS NAVAL & MARINERS ASSOCIATION

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

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

L.Douglas K.Bratti & own help THURSDAY M.Goodlad & own help FRIDAY L. Dorrington & S.Forrester P.Plunkett & Own help

CASINO MINI RAIL

Every Sunday 10am to 4pm. Weather permitting. West Street Casino. Phone 0472638044.

CASINO MIXED PROBUS CLUB

CASINO

CASINO & BONALBO UPPER CLARENCE LIONS CLUBS

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 if baking is your thing (recipe of your choice). 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.

CASINO MEALS ON WHEELS

WEEK 1

MONDAY D.Clarke & D.Allen J. & J. Whittaker

TUESDAY D.Coleman

WEDNESDAY

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

will be holding their next social upstairs at the Casino RSM Club on Sunday the 20th November 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 12:001:30pm 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.

MUSEUM

Sun, Mon, Wed and Fri 10am to 2pm. Email casinohistorymuseum@outlook. com for further information. Check us out on Facebook.

THE FAIRY HILL CRAFT GROUP

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 $40pp. Bookings close Friday 28th October.

DYRAABA HALL COMMITTEE BUS TRIP

The Dyraaba Hall Committee will host a bus trip to Robina Shopping Centre on Saturday 19th November. Cost is $30 and includes morning tea. There will also be raffes. The bus will leave Dyraaba Hall @ 7am, Casino Post Offce @ 7:30am, can also pick in Lismore, Alstonville & Ballina. Bookings & Enquiries phone Veronica on 66671101. All proceeds after expenses will go towards the maintenance of the Hall.

CORAKI

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

EVANS HEAD CWA BRANCH

meets every third Tuesday for lunch at noon. New members welcome. More info Roz 0427825560

EVANS RIVER RSL DAY CLUB

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.

GOONELLABAH

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 9.00am1.00pm 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

CORAKI

CORAKI ART PRIZE GOING

AHEAD

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

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

GOONELLABAH

GRAFTON

GRAFTON CWA

A busy few weeks ahead for Grafton CWA! Members are looking forward to Jacaranda Thursday, 3rd November, when we will be selling morning tea in the CWA rooms at the corner of Duke St. Not only will we be serving some of our famous scones, there will also be cakes and biscuits with tea and coffee. There will also be a stall where people will be able to buy some of our handicrafts. When you need a break from shopping at the market stalls, come along and enjoy some of our cooking and buy some early Christmas presents!

Members are also busy working on decorations for the foat showing the North Coast CWA Group, which will be in the Jacaranda Parade. The foat will celebrate 100 years of CWA and will also have information about CWA and what it does. If you are thinking about joining, new members are always welcome! Meetings are held on the second Friday of each month, with morning tea at 9.30am followed by the meeting.

GRAFTON AND GARDEN DISTRICT GARDEN CLUB

Our next gathering 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

GRAFTON’S MIGHTY CLARENCE TOASTMASTERS CLUB

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

GRAFTON PROBUS REPORT

Internationally acclaimed, local author, Peter Watt, was the guest speaker at our September meeting. Peter spoke about his experiences with the army, police force, deckhand and private investigator (among others) as well as his present activities as an author. Peter has had 22 novels published so far. He writes historical novels about actual events with characters, who may be fctional or partly real. His frst novel was “Cry of the Curlew”, which was the frst book in his “Frontier Series” of 12 titles.

After entertaining the members for an hour, Peter spent more time

chatting and personally inscribing books. He generously gave 3 autographed books as a lucky door prize, which was won by Cathy Wood.

October 1 was Probus Day across Australia. Our club manned a stand at Grafton Shopping world, where people were able to fnd out more about our club, which offers friendship, fellowship and fun for retirees. We had 10 activities in the last month, one of which was a combined activity with Maclean Probus Club. Twenty-four members had lunch together at the Brushgrove Hotel and swapped ideas about future activities.

Information about our club can be obtained from Paula on 0439325856 or Maureen on 66447302.

GRAFTON SENIOR CITIZENS

“Recent October meeting, attendance 40, apologies 4. Sick: best wishes to Alwyn Campbell New member: welcome Ann Norton.

Guest speaker: Rachel Farmer, My Aged Care, spoke on access to information, available from her at Centrelink.

Correspondence: in, nil; out sympathy & get well cards. Coach Trips: for this year now fnalised, as no picnic to be held. Trips for next year are now being considered.

General Business: recent barbecue very successful. Christmas lunch at racecourse upstairs function centre to be held Friday, 2 Dec., now on sale. Will include entertainment, competition, announcement of citizen of year. Donations for hamper competition prizes will be welcome.

Meeting Competition winners: J. Hawken; B. O’Donohoe; N. Williams; D. McLean; J.Berry; D. Bailey; J. Cavanagh.

Next meeting: 10.30am Tues, 8 Nov, Racecourse, guest speaker, Jessica Stamper, Police.

Enquiries: Sandra, 6642 7720. Mobile, 0417 464 946.”

GRAFTON SENIORS BE FIT EXERCISE CLASSES

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

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!

HASTINGS POINT

HASTINGS POINT

COMMUNITY CHOIR

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

PROBUS CLUB OF HASTINGS POINT

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.

KINGSCLIFF

HOSPITAL AUXILIARY MEMBERSHIP DRIVE AT KINGSCLIFF

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.

KYOGLE

HAPPENINGS ON THE HILL

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

KYOGLE SUNSHINE CLUB

Meets every Thursday at 9.30am. For more details contact 0499824274.

KYOGLE TIDY TOWNS FARMERS 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

LINE DANCING CLASSES

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.

RICHMOND RIVER BEEF

PRODUCER’S ASSOCIATION

Meet on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at Kyogle Showgrounds in the luncheon room at 7pm. For more details Phone Jan on 0427293455.

DYRAABA HALL COMMITTEE BUS TRIP

The Dyraaba Hall Committee will host a bus trip to Robina Shopping Centre on Saturday 19th November. Cost is $30 and includes morning tea. There will also be raffes. The bus will leave Dyraaba Hall @ 7am, Casino Post Offce @ 7:30am, can also pick in Lismore, Alstonville & Ballina. Bookings & Enquiries phone Veronica on 66671101. All proceeds after expenses will go towards the maintenance of the Hall.

LENNOX HEAD

LENNOX HEAD CWA

Handy Craft Mornings on Mondays 9.30am-12noon in the community centre at Lennox Head. Call Jan on 66816150.

LENNOX HEAD DAY VIEW CLUB

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.

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 semi-retired 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.

LISMORE

LISMORE

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 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

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. 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. 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, 6.15-7.45pm 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.

KYOGLE

KINGSCLIFF

LENNOX HEAD

lismorecityconcertband.org.au, and our Facebook and Instagram pages.

LISMORE EMBROIDERERS GROUP

Embroiderers Group. Meetings are 9.30am-2.30pm 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

• 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

• 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 INC.

Lismore Orchid Society now meets 3rd Wednesday each month, 24pm at Richmond Tweed Regional Library, 6 Centenary Drive Goonellabah, (corner of Oliver Av and Centenary Dve). Contact Bev on 0400326289

“LISMORE PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP

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.”

LISMORE SENIOR CITIZENS

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

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).

MAINLY MUSIC

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.

PROBUS CLUB OF LISMORE HEIGHTS

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.

ROTARY CLUB OF LISMORE NETWORKING

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 not-for-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/

DYRAABA HALL COMMITTEE BUS TRIP

The Dyraaba Hall Committee will host a bus trip to Robina Shopping Centre on Saturday 19th November. Cost is $30 and includes morning tea. There will also be raffes. The bus will leave Dyraaba Hall @ 7am, Casino Post Offce @ 7:30am, can also pick in Lismore, Alstonville & Ballina. Bookings & Enquiries phone Veronica on 66671101. All proceeds after expenses will go towards the maintenance of the Hall.

MACLEAN

MACLEAN VIEW CLUB

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

MURWILLUMBAH

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

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.

TWEED HEADS

Poets and writers on the Tweed meet every Tuesday at the South Tweed Sports Club 1.30-3.30pm. Beginners welcome. Phone 0755248035.

TWEED HEADS PROBUS CLUB

Probus Club, Coolangatta/Tweed Heads. Be at Club Tweed at 1000am 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.

TWIN TOWNS DAY VIEW CLUB

About Anti-Poverty Week

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 Anti-Poverty Day on October 17. In 2022, Anti-Poverty Week will be held from the 16th to the 22nd of October. Visit www. antipovertyweek.org.au

WOLLONGBAR

WOLLONGBAR PROBUS CLUB

The next meeting of the Wollongbar Probus Club will be held on 20th Oct at the Alstonville Plateau Bowls Club, Deegan Dr at 10 am. Visitors are welcome. 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

YAMBA DAY VIEW CLUB

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

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.

ALL NORTHERN RIVERS

NORTHERN RIVERS

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.

NRCF WOMEN’S GIVING CIRCLE

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. murbahcommunitygardens@gmail. com - follow us on Facebook #MurwillumbahCommunity 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.

MACLEAN

YAMBA

TWEED HEADS

POTTSVILLE

ALL NORTHERN RIVERS

MURWILLUMBAH

WOLLONGBAR

Warnings

See www.bom.gov.au/australia/warnings

Northern Rivers District:

Partly cloudy. The chance of morning fog inland. Medium (40%) chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening.

winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening.

Partly cloudy. Medium (50%) chance of showers. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening.

Northern Tablelands District:

Cloudy. The chance of morning fog on and east of the ranges. Medium (60%) chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. Winds northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light during the day then becoming northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h

during the evening.

Thursday. Partly cloudy. Very high (90%) chance of showers. The chance of a storm in the south. Winds northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h.

New South Wales: Rain areas and storms in the far west, with moderate falls. Some storms may become severe, producing locally heavy rain and the risk of large hail and damaging wind gusts. Patchy rain and the chance of storms in central areas, and a shower or two in the east. Daytime temperatures above average in the south, and below average elsewhere. East to northeasterly winds, fresh along the northern coast, and across the northern inland.

Thursday. Rain areas and storms west of the Divide, with moderate falls. Some storms may become severe, producing

locally heavy rain. Showers or patchy rain near the coast. Daytime temperatures above average in the southeast, and below average elsewhere. Northwest to northeasterly winds, fresh along the coast, and over the northern inland.

Byron Coast: Winds: Northeasterly 10 to 15 knots. Seas: Around 1 metre. Swell: Easterly around 1 metre. Weather: Partly cloudy. Coffs Coast: Winds: North to northeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres. Swell: Southerly below 1 metre. Weather: Partly cloudy. Gold Coast Waters: Winds: Northeasterly 10 to 15 knots. Seas: Below 1 metre. Swell: Easterly around 1 metre. Weather: Partly cloudy.

High:5:55am1.0m

Low:12:34am0.4m

Low:1:07am0.3m

High:7:15am1.2m

Low:12:58pm0.4m

High:7:15pm1.4m

Low:1:37am0.3m

High:7:51am1.3m

Low:1:42pm0.4m

High:7:54pm1.5m

Low:2:06am0.2m

High:8:27am1.4m Low:2:24pm0.3m

South Services/ Westlawn and Tucabia Copmanhurst have put together a compelling day’s play on the opening day of the CRCA Premier League cricket competition, at Ellem Oval, Grafton.

In a replay of the washed out 2021-22 grand fnal the two teams both have good chances of scoring a moraleboosting win to start the season.

Led by a fghting 61 from freshly minted CRCA president Anthony Dickson, who opened the batting, Souths were bowled out for 165.

In reply an understrength Tucabia were 1/10, needing another 156 runs to get frst innings points.

Dickson and South’s skipper Dylan Cleaver, 29, took control early in innings, but a clatter of middle order wickets turned the game in Tucabia’s favour.

Tim Bultitude bowling a mix of off-spinners and slow medium cutters transfxed the South’s batters to take 4/50 from

20 overs.

He claimed an early wicket, but started the rot when he dismissed Dickson, caught and bowled.

At 6-115, Souths were looking at a sub-par score, until a hard-hitting 35 from Josh Amos, coming in at number 9 boosted the tally to a competitive score.

Dickson said 150 to 160 would give his team a chance.

“The wicket’s ok, although the bounce is a little bit up and down,” he said. “The outfeld’s been a bit slow early in the season.

“A lot of shots you would think were boundaries only got one or two.”

Amos came in as Tucabia’s spinners Bultitude and Andy Ellis had virtually halted Souths’ scoring.

Relishing anything that allowed him to free his arms, Amos pumped four boundaries in quick succession, forcing a

change of tactics from Tucabia skipper and opening bowler Brad Chard.

He brought himself back into the attack and was rewarded with Amos’s wicket to end the innings.

With just half a dozen overs available Tucabia lost the valuable

By Tim Howard

has been a proven wicket taker over the years and he will bolster the Souths attack missing a couple of key players.

Tucabia was also struggling to get 11 players, with a couple of juniors flling in, but was fortunate to lure a couple of veterans out of

Adamson and Bob McKenzie answered the clubs call and could be vital in Saturday’s run chase.

Adamson showed his refexes were still up to frst grade standard, taking a pair of handy slips catches off the spinners.

There was plenty of discussion around the decision of Souths and Westlawn to merge.

Once a cricketing powerhouse in the Clarence, Westlawn has only existed in partnership with other clubs in recent seasons.

Up until this season GDSC Easts had been the preferred option, but this years Easts, with a bunch of young players coming through from its junior ranks, decided to

Dickson said while the merger with Westlawn might have a few former players from both clubs shaking their heads, it was a sign of the

“The Westlawn players don’t want to move clubs, they want to play for a team with

the Westlawn name in it,” he said.

“Rather than play hard ball and lose players to the game was better to open the door and say have a game with us.”

Dickson said cricket in the 21st Century was a lot different to earlier days.

“You need a squad of 20 or so players just to make sure you have 11 on the feld on Saturday,” he said.

“With work taking people away, working odd hours and pandemics, plus holidays and family life, players aren’t always available every weekend.”

Down the hill at Fisher Park No 1, Brothers season got off to the worst possible start, bowled out for just 31.

In an innings lasting just 24.2 overs and registering six ducks only one batter reached double fgures. Full details of the scores were not available.

SPORTS RESULTS

BALLINA MAHJONG

14TH OCTOBER 2022

Susan Scott 1,Jeanette Henwood 2, Lorna Simpson 3, Sally Lowry 4, Pam Farrell 5, Jan Small 6, Joy Lowien 7, Jan Boardman, Margaret Bryant, Valda Mclerie 8, Kath Hubbard 11, Lynda Lovett 12, Pauline Kearney, Shirley Atkinson 13, Carol Meyer 15, Val Heinritz 16, Gladys D’Anna 17, Susan Allan 18, Pauline Bolte 19, Barbara Ellan, June Greenaway 20, Rosemary Russell 22, Shirley Henry 23, Shirley Coleman 24, Ronda Taylor 25, Lisa Wong 26, Coral Lavelle 27, Jan Henley 28. Mahjong is played on Friday at 12:30pm at the Ballina Bridge Club North Creek Road.

Enquiries for new players phone Vanessa on 66874181.

CASINO RSM WOMENS BOWLS

Results from the 3rd round of the clubs Major Consistency championships.

On Wednesday 12/10 we played the third round of the clubs Major Consistency championship, well done to everyone who bowled in these games &

the results were: I. Watson def M. Mead H.Lavelle def R. Skirrey

Congratulations to the winners & good luck in their next round.

There was a social game on today as well & the winners for the day were: T. Maxwell, C. Doyle & K. Jonsson def J. Carthew, J. Cooke & D. Skinner

CASINO SOCIAL GOLF RESULTS 16-10-2022

The winner of the monthly medal on Sunday was Dave Roberts with a net score of 27. The putting trophy went to G.Randall with 18 putts and F.Bruni won the players draw.Nearest to pins:8th & 9th, Vinny. 10th & 18th, M.Rankin.11th , 16th & 17th, G.Randall.!2th & 13th, Jeff Rankin.14th & 15th M.Gooding. Next Sunday’s event sponsored by Just Brakes And Exhaust Casino is yet to be decided and hit off is from 6-30am till 7-30am and visitors are welcome to play.

CHERRY STREET CROQUET CLUB SPORTS RESULTS ASSOCIATION CROQUET :

G.Drew C.Woodlands 9 d B.Reddy 6 M.Gidding 26 d R.Chapman 16 C.Woodlands P.Hume 21 d B.Reddy B.Hardy 7 L.Hardy R.Chapman 13 d S.Hume G.Drew 11 S.Hume P.Hume 14 d B.Reddy 7 G.Drew 13 d C.Woodlands 9 Divison 1 Club Championships : R.Chapman 13 d D.Scott 8 Club Association Champion Mike Gidding.

RICOCHET CROQUET : B.Wellings 21 d C.Lane 16 P Scott J.Hannigan 11d N.Poynting M.Russell 9 G.Drew N.Barnes 10 d R.Poynting 10 J.Doust N.Barnes 9 d R.Allen R.Poynting 7 B.Wellings N.Poynting 17 d J.Hannigan C.Lane 11. Division 1 Club Championships D.Scott 16 d R.Chapman 5 D.Scott 17 d R.Chapman 11 Club Ricochet Champion David Scott.

TWILIGHT CROQUET : D.Jones B.Taylor 5 d N.Poynting J.Taylor 4 B.Wellings M.5 d R.Chapman E.Astley 2 L.Whiteman M.Maloney 3 d D.Casey M.Rennie1 D.Simmons N.Poynting 6 d

R.Chapman D.Jones 2 B.Taylor M.Rennie 2 d M.Russell L.Whiteman 2 J.Taylor M.Rennie 3 d D.Simmons E.Astley 3 M.Maloney B.Wellings 3 d J.Taylor E.Astley 2 M.Russell M.Maloney 3 d L.WhitemanD.Jones 3 B.Wellings 4 d R.Allen D.Casey 1 R.Allen 5 d D.Casey 1 N.Poynting 7 d B.Taylor 3 D.Simmons 7 d R.Allen 5

TOURNAMENTS :

Australian AC President’s Eights :

Firsts : R. Fletcher 1, D McCormick 2, S. Forster 3.

Seconds : T.Bassett 1, C.Grant 2, G.Hill 3.

Thirds : M.Biddle 1, M.Gidding 2, S.Harden 3.

Fourths : G.Roberts 1, L.Kirk 2, T.Devlin 3.

CORAKI VETERANS

GOLF RESULTS

THURSDAY 13/10/22

The annual Jim Ormond Memorial day was contested by a large feld. Ormond Day winner G Tait, 2nd J Kelly, 3rd T Wood, free game J Lassig, chicken/ball winners B Micheal, G Gibson, J Nilsson, M Perkins, R Vass, T Beemster, T Foster, R Thorne, K Avery, P Martin. Nearest p[ins 3rd/12th M

Perkins, 6th/15th J Lassig. Luckey card draw winner T Newton.

This Thursday will be the October Monthly medal commencing with a shot gun start at 8.30am, Thursday day week 27/10/22 will be Russel Earnshaws prostate cancer day golfers are reminded to wear bright coloured clothing for this event This day will be followed by the monthly babque. As usual till then good golfng. Max EAST LISMORE BOWLING CLUB RESULTS

Thursday social bowls results

A Maslen, G Finnigan 24 def P Mazzini,J Riordan 13 Rocco, S Clarke 20 def G Donnelly, D Watson 17 W Sten, B Griffn, 27 def G Painter, D James 19

M Morrissey, D Watson 18 def P Mazzini, D James 16 J Cook, R Parkes 21 def J Riordan, B Griffn 21 G Donnelly, P Raleigh 25 def Rocco, S Clarke 18

Saturday social results

R McInnes, G Pollard 24 def Rocco, S Clarke 22

T Alcorn, J Olley 23 def A Maslen G Finnigan 14 G Revis, R Prior, L Softley

28 def J Burbridge, T Prior, B Adams 14 N Harding, P Russell 25 def B Lee, S Gregory 13

A Gaggin, R Nind 25 def A Carrall, J Carrall 15 E Allen, L Maslen 18 def A Maslen, M Flower 15 G Donnelly, N Scandrett 29 def P Russell, M Harding 12 B HArmon, L Softley 24 def J Burbridge, S Clarke 13 T Gibson, G Finnigan 26 def G Pollard, R Parkes 20 A Gaggin, S Gregory 23 def J Essex, W Morrissey 21 M Morrissey, N Harding 21 def T Alcorn, J Olley 15

EVANS HEAD WOMENS BOWLS

For your Sports column - Evans Head Ladies Springtime Triples continued on 12th October. Round 3 Skips only - K. Keevers defeated P. Freeman. T. Cselka defeated K. Robson. E. Gollan defeated A. Peel. J. Fernance - Bye. Round 4 - J. Fernance defeated K. Keevers. E. Gollan defeated T. Cselka. A. Peel defeated K. Robson. P. Freeman. Bye Rounds 5 & 6 will be played on November 2nd & Round 7 probably on 9th November.

The next generation of Matildas will begin their football journey as part of a new program encouraging girls to team up with their dads and develop a lifelong love of the world game.

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the Daughters and Dads Active and Empowered Football Program is part of the NSW Football Legacy Program, which will deliver $10 million in initiatives to ensure the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 leaves a positive legacy on football at all levels.

“We want to encourage more girls to participate in sport, and this program builds on the excitement around the FIFA Women’s World Cup, ushering the next generation of footballers into the game with the support of their dads,” Mr Henskens said.

“Local community-based programs like this are further evidence of the long termbenefts of NSW hosting major sporting events and next year’s World Cup will provide young girls across NSW with new role models and a pathway to the top.”

Based on research that found fathers that are actively engaged with their daughters have a powerful infuence on their health and development, the grassroots program targets them to improve their daughters’ physical activity, sport skills and socialemotional wellbeing.

The program is a partnership between the NSW Government, Football NSW, Northern NSW Football and the University of Newcastle, and will be delivered across the State for girls aged between fve and 12.

The program has kicked off this month in Lindfeld, Glenwood, Speers Point and Coffs Harbour. Football NSW and Northern NSW Football are seeking expressions of interest from football clubs across the State to deliver the program in early 2023.

Football NSW CEO Stuart Hodges said the popular Daughters and Dads program will kick-start the rollout of the Legacy Program.

“We are excited to have Daughters and Dads help continue commitment towards our goal of gender parity in football,” Mr Hodges said.

Northern NSW Football CEO David Eland said the region is striving for 35 per cent female participation in the sport by 2023.

“Daughters and Dads is a key initiative to achieve this objective and we look forward to seeing the outcomes of this grassroots program in our community,” Mr Eland said.

Community sport organisations can now score a major funding boost, with applications open for the NSW Government’s Local Sport Grant Program.

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the program provides grants up to $10,000, with up to $50,000 available in each NSW electorate.

“Community sporting clubs run off the hard work and dedication of volunteers. These cash injections will help community sporting clubs upgrade their facilities and boost participation,” Mr Henskens said.

“We want more people playing sport in our State, which is why we’re growing participation and helping people boost their budget through programs like the Active Kids voucher program.

“The Local Sport Grant Program is about giving community sporting clubs a boost, by investing in clubs to improve facilities, enhance accessibility and hold new and exciting events and development programs that engage people of all ages and abilities.”

The program will focus on initiatives that enable more people to enjoy the benefts of playing sport, regardless of their age, gender, background or ability.

Last year the Program funded more than 830 projects across NSW, including multicultural awareness workshops at Blacktown District Cricket Club, an Indigenous Round in Mudgee Junior Rugby League, a female cricket gala day at Sutherland Shire Junior Cricket Association, and disability access works at Clarence Valley BMX Club.

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS