The Northern Rivers Times Edition 121

A real chance to ‘build back better’ in Ballina, Byron, and Tweed

By MARGARET DEKKER

Friday’s joint announcement of the Voluntary Home Buy Backs scheme gives thousands of Northern Rivers most-vulnerable

owners a chance to raise, repair, retrofit or have their house/land bought back with hundreds of millions of dollars of help now on offer.

Justine Elliot MP Federal Member for Richmond told The Northern Rivers Times the Resilient Homes Fund marks a vital stage in the recovery and healing process for locals, as owners can now start to move forward with practical options for their floodravaged property.

“Given the extent of damage and trauma experienced, this shows everyone is working together to get the best outcomes, and to best prepare for the future,” Justine Elliot MP said.

Local leaders estimate up to 2000 properties will be bought back; 2000 homes will be raised; and 2000 retrofitted under the scheme.

Mayor Ballina Shire told The Northern Rivers Times it’s very pleasing to finally see the Buy Back scheme here but cautioned a long, unknown journey still awaits.

“This is a good day for our region but it’s only the beginning of the journey, there’s still a long road ahead and part of that journey is the release of the CSIRO report and its recommendations,” Cr Sharon Cadwallader, Mayor Ballina Shire said.

Central to the CSIRO’s Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative is identifying big flood risk factors in the region and finding mitigation options that work. Its report is due in December.

“That will clearly define what will and won’t work regarding essential flood mitigation work. We really need to build back better, we can’t keep making the same mistakes, it just won’t work,” Cr Sharon Cadwallader, Mayor Ballina Shire said. She believes most affected Ballina residents will apply to have their house raised.

almost a pilot-scheme to test how it will work. I think it’s a tremendous start and really want to thank the State and Federal governments for sticking to their word that we’re not going to do things as we’ve always done, but this time better,” Cr Sharon Cadwallader, Mayor Ballina Shire said.

BYRON Cr Michael Lyon, Mayor Byron Shire

then build a new one, you have to find the new land and a builder to build it. Even land release will take time, this is a long-term project. Building capacity is going to be the key element,” Cr Michael Lyon, Mayor Byron Shire told The Northern Rivers Times. Cr Lyon believes the greatest take-up of the scheme will come from owners

the announcement, people now have a chance for a new beginning,” Cr Chris Cherry, Tweed Shire Mayor said.

Mayor Cherry foresaw a “pretty even split” between Tweed property owners raising their home .. or applying for a buy back.

“A lot of people are over it and are pretty ready to get out. One hundred million of the eight hundred-milliondollar package will be dedicated to bringing the land-buying option forward which is a positive thing.

“I see buy-backs being sought in a smattering of quite a few different places ..

families leaving their little village,” Mayor Cherry said.

Cr Chris Cherry moved to assure residents starting the application and assessment process, that she expects it will be fair.

“From what I’ve seen and been told, it’ll be a really fair process. It’s about who needs it most, removing and helping those most at risk first. People will be offered what they really need, absolutely.”

“2,000 to start with, it’s

also welcomed Friday’s announcement of the Northern Rivers Voluntary Home Buy Back scheme.

“It’s been the work of the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation over the last few months that’s got through the nuts and bolts of what’s needed. I’m glad to see the full extent of the program now,” he said.

Mayor Lyon expected those ‘worst affected’ will benefit first from the scheme with further funding “closer to $1.5 billion in total” and likely skilled-worker stimulus packages still to come. He said wait-times for trades in the Byron Shire, are already blown out to “the end of next year, at the earliest,” Mayor Lyon said.

“We know that when we’re talking about buying back homes to

in Mullumbimby, Billinudgel, Ocean Shores, and South Golden Beach.

“And by far away the largest number of applications will be for house-raising and retrofitting. The take-up of the Buyback option will be nothing like Lismore’s,” Cr Michael Lyon, Mayor Byron Shire said, as he feared the onset of price gouging in the future, for specialist building trades.

TWEED Cr Chris Cherry, Mayor Tweed Shire didn’t expect such a personal reaction when the Buy Back scheme was confirmed on Friday morning.

“It’s the news we’ve all been waiting for, a program that will make huge difference to people’s lives. It actually made me a bit teary when they made

South Murwillumbah, Bray Park, Mooball, parts of Burringbar and Condong while I expect there to be more applications for house raising in Tumbulgum and Chinderah,”

“I think it will be a real mix,” Cr Chris Cherry, Mayor Tweed Shire said State and Local

“The renewed anxiety everyone’s going through with the heavy rain .. for people to know a solution is coming – it’s not that long a wait now –people will be getting offers into the new year and that’s a comfort,”

Cr Chris Cherry, Mayor Tweed Shire said.

Steve Krieg, Mayor

authorities are still working to identify and source parcels of land in more than 20 sites across the Shire.

Mayor Cherry fears a possible exodus of families draining from the community when buy-backs of properties commence.

“We don’t want twenty

Lismore City Council was contacted for comment.

For detailed information about the program, including guidelines, eligibility, and co-contributions, go to: www.nsw.gov.au/ NRRC

Ballina Mayor Cadwallader

BALLINA

Cr Sharon Cadwallader,

Byron Shire Mayor Lyon

Tweed Mayor Cherry

Buybacks, home raising, retro-fitting home program now open

By SAMANTHA ELLEY

The announcement last week of the Northern Rivers Resilient Homes Fund package was welcome news to flood affected home owners, eight months to the day since the devastating February and March floods.

The package was announced in a joint statement between Federal and State governments where around 2,000 homeowners in flood-prone areas of the Northern Rivers of New South Wales will now be eligible to raise, repair, retrofit or have their home voluntarily bought back, as part of their new $800 million program.

Eligible residents will include home-owners, either owner-occupiers or landlords, of a residence in the seven Northern Rivers LGAs that was directly damaged by flood waters or landslips in

the February and March 2022 floods.

The LGAs include Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley, and Tweed.

The voluntary buyback scheme will be offered to Northern Rivers residents located in the most vulnerable areas where major flooding would pose a catastrophic risk to life.

The Northern Rivers Resilient Homes Fund package will also provide financial assistance of up to $100,000 for house raising or up to $50,000 for retrofitting for homeowners in areas where flood risk can be reduced by better building standards.

The New South Wales Government will provide $100 million to acquire land and open up new flood safe locations for future development, in partnership with the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation. The

Corporation is currently conducting an expression of interest process to identify suitable parcels of land.

Eligible homeowners will be offered one of the three available measures, based on expert property assessments: flood impact severity data, safety risks, and potential future flood levels.

“We know that disasters are expected to become more frequent, and more severe due to climate change, and that’s why we’re working with the NSW Government to develop practical solutions to protect lives and livelihoods,”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

We know this repeated, relentless flooding can be emotionally and financially draining and we want communities to know we will be there to support them now, and as they recover.”

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet

said the Resilient Homes Program would help Northern Rivers’ residents take further steps on the road towards recovery while also boosting community resilience in the long-term.

“I saw first-hand the devastation extreme flooding caused across the Northern Rivers and I hope this program provides relief for so many residents who have suffered for too long,” Mr Perrottet said.

“We are stepping up to provide options for residents to move out of harm’s way and protect themselves and their families but we cannot continue to build back as we have in the past.”

“We will work with the Northern Rivers community to ensure repairs, retrofitting and voluntary buy-backs are undertaken in a way that will better protect people and their homes from future flood events.”

The Flood Property Assessment Program

provides a first point of entry, with registered homeowners automatically considered for the Resilient Homes Program.

Other homeowners can register their interest in the Resilient Homes Program by filling in the online registration form at https://www.nsw.gov.au/ regional-nsw/northernrivers-reconstructioncorporation/ resilient-homes-fund/ resilient-homes-program

The NSW Government will contact eligible homeowners from midNovember onwards.

To register interest in being part of the Resilient Land Program go to https:// www.nsw.gov.au/ regional-nsw/northernrivers-reconstructioncorporation/ resilient-homes-fund/ resilient-land-program

For detailed information about the program, including guidelines, eligibility, and co-contributions, go to: www.nsw.gov.au/

NRRC

Summary form

• Eligible homeowners whose houses were damaged/ destroyed in the February/March 2022 floods will be able to apply to raise, retrofit or voluntarily have their house bought back via the $800 million Resilient Homes Fund.

• Landholders who own two hectares or more of adjoining developable land in the Northern Rivers are invited to provide an expression of interest to potentially supply a range of housing options in the region.

• Retrofitting includes placing electrical wiring higher, installing circuit breakers between levels, replacing timber with concrete, and building solid walls instead of hollow cavities.

Most resilience funding should head north says MP

By TIM HOWARD

The Clarence Valley is unlikely to be a major recipient of an $800 million government package to help flood affected people on the Northern Rivers recover from flood damage to their homes.

Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis, whose electorate takes in Lismore as well as the Clarence Valley, said the bulk of funds in the Resilient Homes Program, which provides funding for government to buy back homes, raise homes and repair homes would be triaged to the most flood affected regions.

But he said it might be some time before work was done in the Clarence, due to the number of trades people who were working out of the area and shortages of some building materials.

Last week the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, was in Lismore to announce the program.

He reveal about 2000 home owners in in the Lismore, Ballina, Byron, Tweed, Kyogle, Richmond Valley and

Clarence Valley shires will be eligible for the scheme.

He said home owners with properties directly damaged either by floodwater or subsequent landslips would be considered.

Eligibility was be based on expert property assessments, flood impact severity data, safety risks and potential future flood level.

Mr Albanese said the scheme was expected to be funded and delivered in phases over the next five years, with $700 million shared equally between the state and federal governments.

The remaining $100 million was for the state government’s land acquisition program, which would involve buying land in floodsafe locations for future development.

The program offers three options for home owners: buybacks, house-raising and retrofitting homes.

Mr Gulaptis agreed with the prime minister that the bulk of the money, $520 million, would go towards voluntary buybacks for people living in the most

vulnerable areas where major flooding would pose a catastrophic risk to life.

He said with the possibility of a few exceptions around the Lower Clarence, this would be around the Lismore area, where the most catastrophic flooding occurred.

“The funding will be delivered on a case-bycase basis,” he said.

“But it’s likely most of the most severe damage occurred in particular areas.”

The Northern Rivers Reconstruction

Corporation said home owners would receive a payment for the purchase of their house and land.

The exact location of these areas were yet to be revealed, with buyback zones expected to be discussed at community meetings to be held from Friday.

Corporation chief executive David Witherden said people would be free to take their payout money and move to wherever they chose.

Mr Gulaptis said

Clarence residents would be more likely to take advantage of $100,000 funding for house raising or $50,000 for retrofitting homes to make them flood resistant.

Eligible residents would be able to apply for up to $100,000 each to raise their homes by elevating liveable areas to a property-specific flood level.

Mr Witherden said the funding would be for homes in areas where there was less flood risk.

He said the location and the design of the

house would come into play, depending on how easy it would be to elevate.

Mr Witherden said the option of retrofitting was for houses in areas less susceptible to severe flooding.

“We start with those most at risk with the potential for a buyback, then as the risk reduces the opportunities are there for house raising,” he said.

“And then, you know, as you sort of work further out, then it’s around resilient rebuilding.”

People seeking to access the program should go to https:// www.nsw.gov.au/ regional-nsw/northernrivers-reconstructioncorporation/ resilient-homes-fund/ resilient-homes-program to find more details.

Further information will be available at public information sessions, to be held across all seven Northern Rivers local government areas from Friday.

Volunteers help strip the interior of a food damaged house near Ulmarra in the aftermath of the February/March foods.

Economic-Environmental Recovery Plan an imperative

By JANELLE SAFFIN MP STATE MEMBER FOR LISMORE

EIGHT months on from the catastrophic flood of February 28 2022, I have written to NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet to take stock of where the Northern Rivers region, and in particular the Electorate of Lismore that I represent, stands in regard to our flood recovery.

I welcomed the Premier’s joint announcement made with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last week on an $800-million Resilient Homes Fund package for the Northern Rivers that I strongly advocated for since early days.

I have let the community know that it is a start, not the end, and will take considerable time.

It is importantly the first in New South Wales as we embark on the transformational adaptation that is required to live with wild weather and climate change.

The form to express your interest in the Resilient Homes Fund can be found at https:// www.nsw.gov.au/.../ res.../resilient-homesprogram...

Now that this package is being put in place, it is imperative that a comprehensive EconomicEnvironmental Recovery Plan be rolled out for the Northern Rivers.

I am thankful for the range of flood recovery assistance grants that are

available to impacted residents and businesses, some of which we have never had like the one for commercial and residential landlords and the Resilient Homes Fund.

An EconomicEnvironment Recovery Plan needs to be shaped through the lens of what has happened here; that is we were hit by an event that was akin to an inland tsunami, leaving in its wake a humanitarian disaster on a scale not seen since Darwin’s Cyclone Tracy in 1974.

We need economic and environmental plans for all seven local councils and Tenterfield Shire (Lismore Electorate) reviewed with detailed consideration given to transformational adaptation.

In Australia, there has been adaptation but to date it has been incremental which is why an EconomicEnvironmental

Recovery Plan becomes more imperative with our rebuild, and in some instances, our staged retreat, which cannot simply mean abandonment.

have a good leader in Chief Executive David Witherdin yet they need to be let off the leash, so to speak.

The advent of the Resilient Homes Fund

before they sneeze.

The NRRC’s Advisory Board needs to be chaired by a local person of standing rather than an Acting Secretary of the

about having community conversations. The NRRC I know does do this too, as they are meeting so many people but they also need space to work.

It’s quite bizarre that none of the Advisory Board’s members permanently resides in Lismore, the epicentre of February’s disaster, or in Murwillumbah, Woodburn, etc., that also got smashed.

I acknowledge that tens of millions have gone towards the rollout of temporary housing or pod villages – also a first for NSW – but it’s a process I described in Parliament as clunky, slow and not done in collaboration with community, and lacking any creativity whatsoever.

I have had representations and conversations with Mayors, Councillors and others who say the pod village idea needs a complete rethink. It needs to be done in close collaboration with all community leaders, notably Councils.

The Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation (NRRC) is doing some good work in this space. They are building capacity and

will facilitate this somewhat. I say let the NRRC get on with the job it is designed to do rather than needing Ministerial approval

More than you imagine

Department of Regional NSW, otherwise it is a bureaucratic board, not our board.

The Advisory Board should also be out and

I know land is problematic but it requires more than here is Crown Land, here is Council land aka sporting fields and that is where the pods go. Also some of the places where people are now housed require better care.

I shall continue to advocate to secure the changes and developments we need.

TENTERFIELD

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Visit your local Book Warehouse store today!

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and our local politicians listening to Brian Burgin’s story

Brian Burgin’s home

Northern Rivers ‘dodges a bullet’ as major food threat downgraded

By MARGARET DEKKER

A third potential major food event across the Northern Rivers in just eight months had countless locals on tenterhooks over the weekend and into Monday, as La Niña bore down yet again, bringing rainfall totals in the 100’s of mils and fash fooding in various centres.

Hauntingly for Lismore residents, multiple food warnings were issued on Sunday and by the afternoon, notices to prepare to evacuate were issued in North and South Lismore.

Fortunately, by the time of going to print on Monday, a dissipating eastcoast low saw the region – and Lismore in particular - escape another major food event with the Wilson River downgraded to moderate fooding with levels expected to peak at approx. 7.8ms by Monday afternoon.

“The great news is the system that was expected to impact us last night deteriorated overnight and into the early hours of this morning,” Lacy Loloa, Lismore City SES Unit Commander said.

“Our volunteers were on the ground conducting doorknocking with the ADF until 1am (Monday) in North and South Lismore due to the ongoing watch and act alert,” she added.

Watch and Act and Prepare to Isolate warnings were still in place for Nimbin and The Channon areas by

Monday afternoon.

The SES reported one food rescue of a vehicle submerged at Swan Bay, with NSW police working to locate its driver.

Lismore City SES thanked the community for its strength and

a very anxious period for us all, but also for reporting in rainfall totals and road closures throughout the period.

As we all know, local, on the ground intel is the best kind of intel.,” Lacy Loloa, Lismore City SES Unit

he was “buggered” by Monday morning after spending most of Sunday night awake, anxiously watching the Bureau of Meteorology’s rainfall radar, but is now very much relieved.

“We were up all night,

forecast this morning of only moderate fooding, with bright blue skies

really well prepared, and a lot of lessons were learned out of the February event. There’s still room to improve, regarding warnings, but overall, it’s been great,” Steve Krieg said.

“We’ve dodged a bullet, that’s for sure,” he smiled.

RAINFALL TOTALS

co-operation over the weekend.

“Not only for your support in what was

planning for the worst, preparing to pack up our business and home, so to get the updated

for the rest of the week, it’s good news for us,” Steve Krieg, Lismore Mayor said.

Steve reported ‘the usual places’ around town had experienced “minor stuff, but those locals were prepared, and they’ll be right.”

He was impressed how the city’s drainage system worked well and gave full credit to Superintendent Scott Tanner from NSW Police Lismore and Lismore City SES for their preparation, work, and community support.

was

Commander said. Lismore Mayor, Steve Krieg, told The Northern Rivers Times

120 Grand Years of ShowGoing in Murwillumbah

By MARGARET DEKKER

After a 2-year break brought by Covid-19 restrictions, the grand old Murwillumbah Show is fnally back, and in time to celebrate its remarkable 120-year milestone.

events to follow including the Grand Parade and Queen Elizabeth II Supreme Exhibit of the Show.

An extensive cattle judging program of Beef and Dairy, as well as championship Dog, Poultry and Miniature Goat events also fll

in Centre Ring during the afternoon with his biggest in the evening.

“Since 1999, Guy and his amazing team have featured at many major events including Royal Shows, Equitana, International Rodeos and the Man from Snowy River Festival. Another of Guy’s talents is bush poetry, having twice been crowned Australian Bush Poet Champion,” Murwillumbah Show organisers state.

Guy’s shows will be followed by a demonstration from the Kamalori Vaulting Team.

A mound and modest house please!

“The Murwillumbah Show is proud to be one of the longest continuously running Agricultural Shows in Australia and remains a key event in the annual calendar of the Tweed. Since the frst Show in 1898, the Murwillumbah Show has celebrated the best of local agriculture and produce and offered an annual event where the town meets the country,” Murwillumbah Show organisers proudly state.

The 2-day show, which opens this Friday, November 4 at 5pm, has everything a classic country show could offer from the Sideshow Alley to the Halls Family Rodeo in Centre Ring where some of Australia’s ‘fnest cowboys take on the bucking bulls!’ Live music, bars and a wide variety of food vendors will make it a great day and night out for families and locals.

Saturday is the ‘business-end’ of the show, starting early with Showjumpers and their horses walking the course from 7am with day-long equestrian

Saturday’s program.

From 9am on Saturday, Main and Johnson Pavilions open to the public featuring local farm produce, jams and preserves, needlework, crafts, pottery making, woodwork and more.

Concurrently running in Centre Ring on Saturday afternoon will be 3 displays from Aussie FMX Freestyle Motocross.

“Australia’s top FMX riders turn themselves upside down and inside out in an action-packed demo that showcases the most spectacular stunts in freestyle motocross,”

By Samantha Elley

Bob May of Woodburn shows me into his single storey home, on the banks of the Rocky Mouth Creek, normally a very picturesque place. But as I walk into his home, a different tale unfolds as I look at the sarking covered walls and the very basic, cupboard-less kitchen, built to provide practical support.

“The water got to that line of nails on the gyprock,” Bob says, pointing to a place twothirds up the loungeroom wall.

know.

“There were no roads, you couldn’t see anything.

“They rescued 40 people that night and I was the last one.”

Bob now lives in the shell of his home, having made the necessary adjustments to live reasonably comfortably.

He listened with interest to last week’s announcement from the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Dominic Perrotet in regard to the Resilience Home Fund.

a couple of shipping containers joined together and somehow furnished inside so that I’ve got a bathroom and kitchen.”

There’s a Heritage Display complete with sheep shearing and cow milking demonstrations as well as Trade Displays, an interactive ‘Reptile Kingdom’ and activities for the kids including fossil digging and petting zoo.

And it will be clear you’re in Murwillumbah with a unique Cane Exhibit, with awards for the ‘Best 9 Stalks of the Show!’

From 3:30pm on Saturday, International Horseman Guy McLean will present 3 Shows

To really fre up the 120th celebrations, a huge freworks spectacular will take place from 8:45pm on Saturday night in Centre Ring, “especially choreographed to celebrate our historic 120th Murwillumbah Show” in between events from Saturday night’s big Rodeo Night.

The popular Northern Rivers blues-rock-funk band ‘The Jacks Band’ will rock the night away with the Sideshow Alley fnally closing its gates at 11pm after seeing in yet another Murwillumbah Show .. for the 120th time.

Gate ticket prices start at $10 for child/ concession, Adults $15, Families $30 with discounts for 2-day tickets and tickets purchased online.

“In the afternoon (of February 28) I watched the water come up the bank and come across the back lawn…the orchid houses were half underwater.

“I went to bed and it got wet and the carpet was sopping wet.

“I took a foam mattress and put it on the dining room table and tried to sleep up there but the water was already knee deep.”

Thanks to his greatniece who phoned the SES on his behalf and the heroic efforts of neighbours Derek and Marcus who after an hour of searching, found his house in the early hours of March 1, Bob didn’t drown.

“They pulled me out of the house. Two of us had to push the door against the current to get me through to the front door where they were because the current was so strong,” Bob said.

“How they knew how to get there, I don’t

“I have no confdence that anything will happen for me personally here at Woodburn in the short term,” he said.

“I don’t know if I’m considered a high risk property.

“I believe living 40 metres from the bank of Rocky Mouth Creek; I am high risk.”

Bob plans to go and see Resilience NSW and ask them what the defnition of high risk means.

“I am 85 and I haven’t got 30 years to wait,” he said.

“I don’t wish to live in this house, subject to the possibility of another food.

“I want to be confdent that should another disastrous situation like (February and) March 2022 arrive, I am on higher ground.”

Bob says his preference is to build a mound on his property with a modest house on top.

“I’ve got heaps of room, I’ve got eight and a half acres here,” he said.

“Even if it had to be

Bob doesn’t want to leave Woodburn, as he loves the community he settled into 15 years ago and doesn’t want a buyback situation where he’s worried he would have to move another community.

“There are very clear indications from government, both state and federal that they would like communities to remain intact as much as possible,” he said.

“Already people have left Woodburn and my concern is people like (local businesses) have invested probably millions in keeping their businesses going and if there are no customers here, what is the point?”

Bob May in front of Rocky Mouth Creek

120-years of the Murwillumbah Show

Culinary Artistes fre up for Tweed Artisan Food Festival

By MARGARET DEKKER

been all systems – and burners, sous vides, fambés and services ‘go!’ as the 6th annual Tweed Artisan Food Festival hit its stride over the past 10days all over the Tweed.

events varying from Vibes in the Dragon Fruit Vineyard at Tropical Fruit World to Potager’s Garden Tour and Long Table; the Crafty Cow’s Cocktail Party to a masterclass with Paper Daisy Executive Chef Jason Barratt in Cabarita Beach; or warm Afternoon Soirées at Tweed River House in South Murwillumbah followed by classic Bush Poetry at Husk Farm Distillery at Tumbulgum .. or requisite Lazy Long Lunch at Johnny Franco’s Place in Murwillumbah after all that; it’s been a whirlwind and wonderful festa, celebrating all things sumptuous in the region.

And critically, it was a chance for local restaurateurs, venue managers and producers to show the culinary world just what this burgeoning Tweed food scene offers.

“Tweed is one of those

areas that’s not really known and people who do come up here and make the effort to look around, they’re surprised by all that’s here,” Shane Dodds, co-owner Taverna told The Northern Rivers Times.

Shane’s unmistakable mint-green tavern in Kingscliff, draped in magenta bougainvillea at the eastern end of Marine Parade, is proud to be a part of this year’s expanded Tweed Artisan Food Festival program.

On Friday night Taverna hosted a Greek Spring Feast for 68 diners using fresh produce sourced almost entirely from the paddocks of the Tweedor Murwillumbah Farmers Market - to diners’ plates.

“I’ve travelled the world and seen a lot of what’s around, and what we can produce here and what we can make here is up there with the best of it,” Shane Dodds, co-owner Taverna said.

Fresh honey from the ironbark trees of Stokers

Siding, Bungalora Pork from the pastures beyond Terranora; tomatoes, eggplant, herbs and organic potatoes from Red Ant Farm in Duranbah/ Cudgen and Summit Organics in Tyalgum are just some of the unique Tweed-taste experiences dished up direct from the revered caldera food bowl.

“.. A 10-minute drive into the hills you’ve got red, volcanic soil and the food produced out of that is so beautiful,” Shane

Dodds, Co-owner Taverna said.

“And just about everything grows here, it’s really up to each person’s limitations on what they think they can grow and do here,” he added.

And true to the Tweed’s climate - and its curveballs - recent heavy rains and mild fooding meant certain dishes couldn’t appear in the special Taverna banquet, at least not this year. Born and raised in Alstonville, Shane Dodd knows adaptation is all part and parcel of living and operating any business in the Northern Rivers.

He said dedicated events like the Tweed Artisan Food Festival – created with gusto by the Tweed Artisan Collective – help put his already ‘on-trend’ Taverna frmly on the local food map and speak too of the strength and ‘appellation’ of the Tweed region, as a whole.

“The food fest showcases an area at the very top end of New South Wales, it’s a really unknown area for the rest of New South Wales and when people come up here, they’re amazed and that’s what the attraction

is, from our rivers, our ocean, from our beaches that have sand that is so fne and pure, some of the best beaches in the world, and we live with that every single day .. It’s one of those areas I think that as soon as the rest of Australia discovers, it’s just going to go up and up,” Shane Dodds, co-owner Taverna said.

.. As guests of the intimate, 60-seat diner jostle for ‘selfes’ (photos of themselves) and ‘Instaworthy’ pics in front of Taverna’s signature mint-green décor and vibrant cascading vines; transporting one back to the terraces of Mykonos .. Santorini .. or Naxos .. all while in Kingscliff on the Tweed.

“It’s an absolutely amazing feeling knowing this is a place that people want to come to, just to get a photo of our bougainvillea and front door, it’s very humbling, and makes you feel very proud of the region as well,” Shane Dodds, co-owner Taverna said.

Team Taverna: Shane Dodds, co-owner, second from left, with Jesse, Leah, Pablo, Josh, Jaiden, Daniel, Jessica, Nivia and Alana

Jacaranda Festival back to blooming best

By TIM HOWARD

Staring out the sea of faces in Grafton’s Market Square as the judges revealed the identity of the 2022 Jacaranda Ambassador and Princess had festival president Desan Padayachee breathing easier.

When Jacaranda Ambassador Amanda Daffey and Jacaranda Princess Trinity Gutteridge accepted

proud of their efforts,” he said.

As well as the evidence of his eyes, Mr Padayachee revealed he has a secret source to assess Jacaranda attendance.

“I always ask the food vendors how they’re trading,” he said. “This year they’re telling me they’re having to restock their vans mid event at most venues.

“So I would say we’re on track to have a record

“They had the structure up about a metre off the ground in 22 minutes and we decided to leave it and put it up to its full height later,” he said.

“But during the night a bunch of little hooligan got onto it and danced all over it and on Tuesday we could see it had become damaged.

“One of them had become trapped underneath it, but thankfully all the damage he suffered was a bruise to his shin. He was taken to hospital and released after treatment.

“But when we looked underneath we could see some of the structure was bent and damaged and I didn’t want to take the risk of seating 600 people under it in that state.”

It’s simple everyday actions like recycling, which can contribute to a better environment, and recycling week is a great opportunity to think how we can keep improving. Now in its 27th year, National Recycling Week (Monday 7 to Sunday 13 November 2022) provides an important opportunity for councils, workplaces, schools and individuals to improve our recycling knowledge, develop better recycling habits and build greater trust in recycling. As part of the week’s activities, councils are encouraging everyone to contin

the packaging can go into as well as where recycling can occur in-store.

Our top tips for recycling beyond your kerbside bin:

•Return and Earn – Currently accepts drink containers such as cans, beer and mixer bot tles, cartons, juice boxes and poppers. In 2023 this will expand to bigger soft drink and juice bottles and wine bottles.

ue their efforts to recycle right, and to think beyond our kerbside bin “ As a region, the Northern Rivers is tracking well above the state average, with a 59% recovery rate from our kerbside recycling and organics bins” said Linda Tohver, Education Coordinator of North East Waste.

“It’s also becoming even easier to recycle more than just the usual paper, cardboard, glass, hard plastics, and steel and aluminium cans that belong in our yellow-lid recycling bin. “

Check it before you chuck it! The Austral asian Recycling Label Program has made the process of identifying which household products can go in which bin much easier now for householders. Keep an eye out for the instruction labels on common household items (eg. meat trays and cheese containers) that shows which bin each component of

•Household and car batteries, paints, oils, gas bottles and fuoro globes and tubes and smoke detectors are accepted for FREE when you drop them off at any of the north coast’s network of 8 Community Recycling Centres (CRCs). Find your nearest CRC at newaste. org.au/crc

•Soft plastics can be recycled through a RED CYCLE approved collection supermarket; •Various take- back schemes through Terra cycle.com are now in place for a variety of beauty, self-care and dental products.

•For small quantities of some problem wastes, like household batteries and mobile phones, residents have access to the region’s network of FREE Community Recycling Stations, installed by north coast Councils and North East Waste. They can be found at various easy to access locations across the region including council admin offces, libraries and communi ty centres. To fnd out more, visit newaste.org. au/crs or contact your council.

•Most household batteries can also be recy cled at B-cycle drop off points available at participating retailers including Woolworths, Coles, Aldi, Bunnings and Battery World.

Community Recycling Centres

The right place for your problem waste

their titles he was sure the new look Jacaranda Festival was heading in the right direction.

“I was on stage with Brooke McClymont co-compering and all I could see was peoples faces stretching away from the stage,” he said.

“Obviously over the past three years we haven’t been able to have anything like that, so as I looked out out at 1500 to 2000 people I just thought, Jacaranda is back.”

Mr Padayachee congratulated all the people who took part in the 2022 Jacaranda Quest.

“We got some really worthy winners with Amanda Daffey, and Trinity Gutteridge, as well as Junior Queen Molly Cosgrove and Junior Prince Ella Roach, but all the candidates were could be

year this year.”

But it hasn’t been plain sailing for the organisers as some anti-social behaviour during the

Mr Padayachee said the organisers took it in their stride, lumping it with other Jacaranda events like the fire in the skirts of the Jacaranda Jill in 2019 and the disruption due to Covid-19.

“The show has to go

disrupted event planning with potentially deadly results.

He said new Grafton Redmen rugby union coach Gary Powell had supplied a contingent of his new Fijian player cohort to erect the giant

on,” he said “Things like that seem a big deal at the time, but if you move on, it seems to work out.

“We decided the weather was going to be fine and it turned out to be a beautiful evening.”

There are Community Recycling Centres at: Ballina, Byron, Casino, Grafton, Kyogle, Lismore, Maclean & Stotts Creek, Tweed

For more information or to find your nearest Community Recycling Centre contact your local council or visit www.newaste.org.au/crc

Paint Gas bottles Fluoro globes and tubes Smoke detectors

batteries

batteries Motor oils

truss marquee in Market Square.

Panel approves controversial food plain DA

By TIM HOWARD

A State Government planning body has cleared the way for a 136-lot managed housing estate on the West Yamba foodplain.

At its third attempt on October 26, the Northern Region Planning Panel has approved a controversial development application to build a $34 million managed housing estate at 8 Park Ave, West Yamba.

The developers, Hometown Australia Pty Ltd’s, development application was substantially approved at the NRPP’s frst meeting in March 2022, but the panel was not satisfed with stormwater mitigation and evacuation plans for the development submitted at the second meeting in July.

The panel, which included Clarence Valley mayor Ian Tiley and his deputy, Greg Clancy, voted 3-2 in favour of approving the development. Theirs were the two votes against approval.

Speaking on local radio after the decision, Cr Tiley said he had argued against the panel decision once all the submissions had been heard.

He was most disappointed the decision downplayed the role of climate change.

“We have to far more deeply consider climate change effects,” he said.

Surprisingly it was the assessment of Clarence Valley Council staff ahead of fndings from an independent peer review that appeared to sway the

panel.

The review, prepared by engineering consultancy Rhelm Pty Ltd to assess the developer’s food emergency management plan, said climate change had not been factored into the plan.

When panel chairman Paul Mitchell quizzed council development and land use planning manager Murray Lane, Mr Lane downplayed the effects of climate change and said it had been suffciently catered for in the developers FEMP.

The developers also countered a claim in the Rhelm peer review objecting to the developer food plan, which allowed residents to shelter within the site.

The developers said the peer review had infated the numbers of residents who would need to take shelter in a bowling club built above maximum food height.

It said the peer review’s estimate of more than 250 was based on an infated projection of the number of residents in Hometown developments.

It said the average was about 1.1 people per dwelling, far less than the number the Rhelm report said would overwhelm the facilities on site.

Cr Tiley was at a loss to explain how the decision had been made.

“Mr Mitchell has asked me and the deputy mayor for a written explanation of our views against approval,” Cr Tiley said.

“I presume he and the other two panel members will do the same for their views.

“Then we might get an

idea of their thinking and reasoning behind their decisions.”

Cr Tiley said councils needed to fnd ways to halt development on food plains.

“The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, said we have to do more to mend planning regulations to halt this development,” he said.

Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis also bought into the argument after the decision.

Mr Gulaptis has a history with the development, as it was a company bearing his name, surveying frm Gulaptis & Smith, whose environmental assessment plan in the early 2000s was used to help approve developments in West Yamba.

But 20 years later Mr Gulaptis said a lot has changed and there were better methodologies to assess the food risk.

“When we assessed food risks we would ask neighbours to indicate the height of the last food and we would add half a metre to that,” he said. “Most of the time we couldn’t be certain they had remembered correctly.

“Now there are food studies done that look at food data over time. We also understand the effects climate change will have on food heights.”

Mr Gulaptis said developments on the West Yamba foodplain should not be allowed now with the information available to consent bodies.

But Cr Tiley said councils could not go it alone, as previous councils had approved

zonings which the owners of properties on food plains relied on.

“We don’t have the money to defend decisions which overruled those zonings,” he said.

Another surprise was the panel’s response to Byron Bay councillor and former civil engineer Duncan Bey.

He said the development application and the food plan did not consider all the mechanisms of food water moving through the landscape.

Chiefy he identifed lateral movement of water through the soil, which the developer had not factored in.

But when the panel quizzed the developer about this it accepted an answer from Hometown engineer, Steve Pickford, even though he initially appeared to confuse the concept with moving water underground through pipes.

Mr Mitchell said also questioned Mr Bey’s over his history as a civil engineer working for a developer at West Yamba

He asked him if he had always put his ethics ahead of the wishes of his employer.

Mr Bey replied he had included letters he wrote expressing reservations about the development in his submission to the panel.

The approval shocked a large number of Yamba residents who have been campaigning against this and other developments in West Yamba since the area was opened to developers in 1995.

Yamba Community Action Network member

Lynne Cairns, who addressed the NRPP on behalf of the group, said the decision had gutted residents.

She was also critical of the way the panel allocated time to speakers.

Mrs Cairns expected to address the panel for 10 minutes, the amount of time allocated to speakers representing groups.

Instead the chair interrupted her after three minutes and reluctantly allowed her to continue after she explained her position.

Mrs Cairns presented an email which showed clearly she had been granted approval to speak on behalf of her organisation and would be allocated 10 minutes of time.

“I wish I had applied for more time, but I was so focussed on what I was saying and annoyed at the interruption, I didn’t think to do it,” she said.

She pointed out it was not the only time the panel chair displayed questioned people making submissions.

“I was shocked when the chair started questioning Mr Bey about his role historically,” Mrs Cairns said.

“When the developers engineers addressed the panel, he didn’t ask them if the development conficted with their ethical standards.”

She said the chair also dealt harshly with a submission from a resident, Andrew Taylor, when he asked him if he realised the effects on his property would not go away if they development was not approved.

She said another surprising factor was the way the panel sidestepped a late submission from the NSW National Parks, which objected to the way storm water would drain from the site into a swale on Shores Dr before eventually entering a marine reserve.

The developers argued the swale was part of the council’s responsibility and council engineers downplayed its signifcance. The substance of the National Parks objection was not revealed because National Parks did not address the panel.

Many of the the 14 people who made submissions were also concerned at the proposal to install pumps to remove water from the site and a proposal for the developer to capture and treat stormwater in a large holding tank onsite before it was released.

They said the need for pumps had not been spelled out in the original proposals and they were concerned they would fail, without backup power supplies in a food emergency.

Residents were also concerned the capacity of the holding tank on the site could not cope with amount of water storms like the February/March rain events would deliver to the site.

Mrs Cairns said while there was bitter disappointment among the residents, they were looking for avenues to continue to oppose the development

Diary of a Flood Survivor Part 15

By SAMANTHA ELLEY

Well didn’t the announcement from the Prime Minister and NSW Premier get a lot of tongues wagging in my little community?

An option to retrofit, raise or have our houses bought back, but only if we are seen as a being threatened by another flood.

I’ll give you the drum, anyone living near a river who went through the trauma of February and March’s floods are threatened with future events.

Just ask any flood survivor who watched the most recent flood warnings, how many hours sleep they got that night.

Hubby and I had a deep initial five minute discussion about possible

options. Raising our house is out of the question as it is already raised and short of making it a skyscraper, that option didn’t stop a metre of water going into the second floor.

Retro-fitting the house is also a bit late. We have a newer house and when we built it, we put the powerpoints up high and did whatever flood requirements were necessary 13 years ago.

That leaves a

possible buy-back.

And the rumour is the government will buy our houses at pre-flood prices.

The problem here is, if the government were to buy our house back, where do we go?

As one neighbour said, we love our community. While the businesses have poured their hard earned money into reestablishing themselves, what happens if all the residents get bought out and move to Upper Come-Back-to-West?

The trouble is many of us have fallen in love with the river lifestyle.

When it is behaving, it is a beautiful piece of nature that we can boat and fish on, we can picnic by and take stunning photos at dawn or sunset.

The offer from the government is an extremely generous one and no doubt, many will take up the offers of raising, retro-fitting or selling their homes to move. We just need to take some time to digest the possible consequences.

Little steps.

We’d love to hear from you!

letters@nrtimes.com.au

Please keep under 250 words & include address and phone number

This material from the originating organization/author(s) may be of a point-in-time nature, edited for clarity, style and length. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s).

AUST VS NIGER

It was good to read the NRTimes 27/10 encouraging article ‘800 Horsemen Riders of Destiny’ re charge of the Light Brigade of 31 October 1917. It just shows how a remnant can change the course of history against the odds in a war and that is what it looks like the world has been in recently, a war.

Some readers believe that people haven’t been affected by the vaccines and that the vaccines have helped them against the coronavirus, but I’ve heard too many reports of people’s side effects, so

is it the vaccines or how they are administered etc. causing problems?

Also, some people are saying Niger, who has approx. the same population as Australia, 26 million, has done better than Australia as if you look at https:// www.worldometers.info/ coronavirus/#countries

you will find Australia has reported 15,660 deaths while Niger has reported only 312 deaths since covid started in 2020. Other websites say Niger has only vaccinated approx. 9% of its population with 2 doses while Australia has

vaccinated approx. 95% of its population.

I’m not sure if these world meter stats are totally correct for each country as China only shows it has had 5226 deaths from covid and Nth Korea which has a similar population to Australia has only recorded 74 deaths.

However, Australia’s total number of deaths for 2022 from all causes is now 111,008 by 31 July, which is 16,375 (17.3%) more than the historical average so something has put our death rate up for this year.

Lynette Evans NUMULGI

VOTE NATIONAL GET GREEN

It seems, less than six months out from an election NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has finally realized what a poisoned chalice he inherited from “rorting” Gladys. He has indecisively muddled his way through corruption scandal after corruption scandal, most of which are still unresolved, delivered a woefully inadequate response to the devastating Lismore/Ballina record breaking floods, and the

AND

ensuing homelessness, that is only now starting to be addressed, and local Lismore MP, Labor’s Janelle Saffin can be credited with achieving much of that. Even with desperate embarrassing backflips, like suddenly replacing warning signs around speed cameras that his Govt previously removed on safety grounds, or belated wage negotiations with Rail workers, Health workers and Teachers who have been enduring a detrimental wage freeze under his Govt. for years; only a miracle is going to save this corrupt incompetent Coalition Govt., it’s little wonder Coalition MPs are leaving in droves. If present polling is any indication, NSW should have a Labor Govt in March next year and only a miracle can save Perrottet. In Ballina we must decide if we continue with a Greens MP whose achievements at best have been underwhelming when compared with Labor’s Janelle Saffin, or do we elect a Labor MP who would be part of a Labor Govt. and would not be bound by Greens ideology

and deliver more practical policies for Ballina residents. National Party voters need to be mindful, that the Nationals have little chance of reclaiming the seat and if they keep voting National, they will continue electing a Green.

Keith Duncan Pimlico

$800M BUYBACK

Friday, October 28th’s joint announcement by PM Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet of the $800m buyback scheme has flood victims asking, and understandably so, “When will it start?”

Let’s hope it starts a whole lot sooner rather than later.

However, if previous experiences are anything to go by, it would be unwise to hold your breath.

The PM and Premier’s joint announcement caused me (and I’m sure, plenty of others) to recall a previous flood-related announcement made by our Premier.

On August 17, when the NSW government released and responded to the Report of the NSW Independent Flood

Inquiry, Premier Perrottet grabbed the headlines with his announcement that developments on NSW flood plains “had to stop and they stop today”.

Guess what? No developments on the floodplains of Yamba stopped on August 19 and none have stopped since August 19. In fact, another one was given the green light by the NSW Northern Region Planning Panel on Wednesday, October 26.

The Planning Panel, consisting of State government appointed members Paul Mitchell, Penny Holloway and Stephen Gow, and Clarence Valley representatives Mayor Ian Tiley and Deputy-Mayor Greg Clancy voted 3:2 in favour of the development application. No prizes for correctly guessing how individual members voted.

What is needed?

We need developments on floodplains stopped, and we need them stopped I-M-M-E-D-I-A-T-E-L-Y.

Premier Perrottet, Facta Non Verba.

Col Shephard Yamba

Winds of change keep blowing through Byron Bay

By MARGARET DEKKER

It’s the beachfront backpackers that’s provided a dorm bed and communal kitchen, fre twirling and surf lessons, holiday love and lifetime memories – not to mention ‘Wazza’s BBQ!’ - for more than three decades.

But Backpackers Inn on the Beach in Byron Bay with its prime location – just 100ms to Belongil beach and a 5-minute walk to town – has not been spared the developer’s sights with a $50-million+ Development Application now before Byron Shire Council to demolish the legendary old hostel and remove 14 trees to create a luxury residential complex on the 5937m2 corner site - zoned R3 Medium Density Residential - at 29 Shirley Street, Byron Bay.

It spells the likely end of an era for yet another Byron Bay travel institution, long-trading

off backpacker hopes, dreams and Bucket Lists in Australia’s, if not the world’s ultimate surfehippie-backpacker town. In youth-travel circles,

Brisbane’s Vitale group led by New Brighton couple, Chris and Letitia Vitale.

DA 10.2022.371.1 is now on exhibition

Hayball. Each apartment boasts 3-bedrooms, 3-bathrooms, a basement garage, and storage. 10 ground-foor apartments could even have their

‘durries’ and exchange details - would be “home to considerable decking, a communal pool, yoga space and barbecue .. designed around the century-old fg tree,” 29Shirley Street’s design brief reads.

Under its proposed body corporate by-laws, there would be a strict No Airbnb Policy in the building, with the intention the apartments are sold “strictly for permanent residential accommodation.” Little dogs up to 25-kilograms could also be allowed under new rules, refecting new times.

“Our intention is an ageless residential oasis. A place full of light that brings to mind the whimsical playfulness of a time gone by. A place we hope that locals can be proud of,” Letitia Vitale states.

there’s a word to describe the well-heeled young traveller and ‘fashpackers’ certainly fts this proposed, fash ‘8-star’ design by

with Council featuring 26 luxury apartments across three, 3-storey buildings designed by award-winning Sydney design group,

TRAVEL WRITERS ‘BEYOND WORDS’ ABOUT THE TWEED

By MARGARET DEKKER

130 of the nation’s best travel writers descend on the Tweed from today for the long-awaited 2022 Australian Society of Travel Writers Convention.

“After three long years in which travel was brought to a standstill by the COVID-19 pandemic and large gatherings were a no-no, we are so excited to be able to gather in person for our annual convention once again!” ASTW organisers enthused.

“What better place to regroup and celebrate than where the river meets the sea, lush valleys stretch inland, and the vibe is to restore, and explore?”

Hosted by The Tweed Tourism Company between November 2-8, the convention at Mantra on Salt in Kingscliff will see small groups of travel writers out ‘exploring the beautiful region’ during the 7-day event via ‘famils’ with famous Tweed places and faces.

Among the showcase

stops: Zeta’s Coffee, Farm & Co., Kat Harvey Cheese, Tweed Valley Whey, Tropical Fruit World, Pottager, Mist Gallery, Lundberg Gallery, M|Arts Precinct, Halcyon House, Husk Distillery, Chouxbox, the Water Sports Guru, and Surfing Australia’s High Performance Centre.

Bespoke photography tours to Tweed landmarks like Fingal lighthouse with local ranger Tommy Bryan, Norries Headland and Border Ranges National Park are also part of the vibrant program.

“Welcome to The Tweed, a place where sparkling seaside villages, riverside towns & hinterland hamlets create endless holiday experiences.

“From morning surf lessons to an afternoon gallery, lunchtime river cruise to a gin distillery tour and country drive to beach view cocktails ..” The Tweed Tourism Co. invites.

Aptly, the theme of this year’s convention is ‘Beyond Words’ and ‘open to much interpretation’ by this

serious set of scribes who critically, take their message of the Tweed far and wide through myriad media.

“We are all excited beyond words by the resumption of travel! While words are also at the core of what we do, we also influence and inspire travellers in many other ways, including social media, photos and videos, which are incorporated in our program,” ASTW organisers stated.

It’s an important event, involving the time and generosity of many Tweed venues, operators, and stakeholders to increase brand awareness of the Tweed, as tourism emerges from tough years of bushfire, pandemic, and flood.

“So, pack your hat, your sense of humour, comfy shoes and best Gala Dinner garb and strap down for a meaningful and magical adventure as we feel and feed the need for the Tweed!” the ASTW Convention program states.

own private, heated pool while a fash central recreation area – where backpackers today still drink instant coffee, eat 2-minute noodles, smoke

In its Community Engagement Report completed in August, Vitale Group reported: “Positive feedback regarding the design was signifcant, as was interest in purchasing the proposed apartments.”

On its own promotional website, 29shirleystreet. com.au, Letitia Vitale is optimistic of the building’s plans and vision:

If incorporating ‘the whimsical playfulness of a time gone by’ at 29 Shirley Street is part of the plan, then surely silver ‘Slap-theGoon’ cask bladders and rollies, fairy lights and faded beach towels, battered guitars and dinged surfboards of the Backpackers Inn of old, will be in the design .. somewhere.

If approved by Byron Shire Council, construction of ‘29 Shirley Street’ is expected to take approximately 14 months.

Until then, it’s business as usual for the likely last of the lucky young guests at Backpackers Inn on the Beach in Byron Bay, and its enduring, familiar staff.

Backpackers Inn on the Beach then ..

Backpackers Inn on the Beach .. future

“Leemo has views on just about anything”

Novice fnds inspiration in hardwood

By TIM HOWARD

‘Tis Meesie again, ‘Leemo Cat’. I have a most VIP task to do to-day. ‘Mum Jane’ is having a big needle in her sore knee in 2 days. Aaarrgh. I was heartened to hear this, ‘cos her moaning & groaning plus the dangerous & irresponsible use of her walking stick have me at my wits end. (I was not of the belief walking sticks should be used to poke innocent & happily snoozing felines (ME) just for the hell of it!)

SO, my task is to come up with something to distract and cheer her between now and the NEEDLE. I pondered, but had a ‘light-bulb’ moment. I know JUST what to do! I’m confdent she’ll be ever so pleased. I’d seen stuff on our TV about CHRISTMAS, with Australia Post telling us to get parcels and cards sent early. I KNOW Mum has lots of Christmas Cards put away ‘cos she hoards things a bit.

SO, I pulled some from the place she keeps them. I found her good pen, plus her address book, & placed all in a comfortable place for her to sit and write nice words in them, and waited. In she clunked, waving her walking stick like the cantankerous old woman she is. She glared at the table, then at me, and sat down. ‘OK Leems, what’s the story with these cards and stuff in front of me? Well, out with it NOW!’ Crikey, this was NOT the ‘tone’ I had anticipated. ‘Errrr, Mum, I’m just trying to cheer you, plus help you get your Christmas Cards done. Sending cards

to your loved ones and friends is a joyous thing SURELY?’ Well, you know what’s she like don’t you? Her response was ‘NUP, it will not, so put all this stuff back where you found it. NO, throw the cards out ‘cos they’re mouldy they’re so old. AND, Leems, you know quite well that apart from my family, I have not sent Christmas Cards since 2017. So there!’ (Crikey, Ebenezer Scrooge’s crankiness has nothing on ‘Mum Jane.) I opted to delve further and fnd out what had occurred as Mum is, in general, a sentimental soul. In my soothing, loving but ‘snoopy’ way, I asked her what experience had made her so crabby about Christmas Cards. Ooooh, it arrived in a torrent of words. I almost fainted. It would appear some years ago (2017 in fact) Mum received a truly beautiful Christmas Card. It had nice words written in it but was anonymous. The PO hadn’t franked the envelope to indicate where it was from. Mum didn’t recognise the writing, but was mega thrilled. It went in solitary pride of place. BUT, for another 9 days, exact replicas of the beautiful card arrived. All had different writing. Incognito. Mum believed she had an ardent admirer going to great lengths to protect their identity. (Was it fear of being turned down and heartbroken?) She was ever so elated and even sang ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’ heaps whilst baking Festive Cookies. In conclusion, Mum did fnd out from whence the cards had come. They were from someone she loved. On discovery, she was told her constant whinging about never getting Christmas Cards had been heeded 10 fold, and not complain again. She didn’t have an ardent admirer but had 10 beautiful cards. OMG, Humans are so very confusing at times. I gave her a purry pat & lick and went back to sleep. Leemo.

Wood worker Richard Nichols has discovered two things which have inspired him to create a winning entry for this year’s Clarence Valley Woodworkers Association Jacaranda exhibition.

Mr Nichols, the former district librarian had been an invaluable member of the association when it came to keeping its records and cataloguing its wok over the six years he had been a member.

But he admits his woodworking had not kept pace with his other work.

“I had plenty of things I would ‘get around to’,” he said. “But then this lovely old lady let me know that getting around to things wasn’t going to get them done.

“I had to get off my bum and follow it right through to the end.”

Mr Nichols said once he’d worked out that part of the equation, another, more mystical part of the

craft became apparent to him.

“People say they can see the fnished item in a block of wood and all they have to do is get it out,” he said.

“For a long time I didn’t understand what that meant.

“But with this project, I would say the wood did most of the work. I just did a lot of sanding.”

He didn’t pick the easiest materials to work with to create his hardwood table.

The outback Australian wood gidgee, also known as ‘stinking wattle’ is rated the third hardest wood on the planet.

Carvers love its dark colour and beautiful grain, but it’s notorious for blunting tools and being diffcult to shape.

Richard said the block he had was also worm infested, which meant uncovering some surprises as he kept sanding.

“You couldn’t just keep sanding, because you just found more worm damage,” he said.

Instead he mixed some resin with a black colouring to fll the holes.

Woodworkers carve out their Jacaranda niche

By TIM HOWARD

From a baby’s cot to a realistic medieval sword via a book of dragons, the 2022 Clarence Valley Woodworkers Association Jacaranda exhibition is back, breaking records.

The association’s Jacaranda Committee chair, Colin Lang, said after a three-year break due to Covid-19 restrictions, the association’s 50-plus members along with entries from local schools had created around 1800 pieces for the exhibition.

“It’s an unbelievable output,” Mr Lang said.

“When you think its only around 25 members who exhibit and some of them only enter the competitive categories, it’s amazing.”

As well as the sheer volume of works on display, the variety of woodwork from practical everyday items to whimsical fantasy pieces has amazed visitors who pay $2 to enter the wonderland of wood.

Mr Lang picked out the winner of the free expression category, Ray Ellery’s Log Book of

Dragons, as an example of where a wood worker’s imagination could run.

He said Mr Ellery had turned a block of wood into a page turner, with each turn revealing a new carved fantasy creature.

“Ray actually wants people to pick it up and turn the pages to look at the carvings,” he said.

“And the way it’s made, it’s nearly unbreakable.”

Mr Lang said the medieval sword had attracted a lot of comment.

“People say, ‘what’s that

sword doing here, this is wood work?’” Mr Lang said.

“We have to explain it’s made entirely of wood, without any metal, but it still looks totally realistic.”

Mr Lang while the free expression items encouraged “pure woodworking” skills, the same skills were also on display in the everyday items on display and for sale.

“In the association we always encourage each other to look for

new ways to work with wood,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter if its a pragmatic item or a fantastic carving, it can be the same techniques involved.”

Mr Lang said the association had weathered the Covid-induced break brilliantly.

“Considering we could hardly meet at all in 2020, the guys have obviously been working at home pretty consistently.

“We’re thinking the 1700 items, plus some from the schools, is a record for this exhibition.”

Mr Lang, a former high school principal, was not surprised at the drop in output from the schools.

“Online lessons have not led to a lot of woodworking projects,” he said.

“But with students back in the classrooms there’s a lot of interest and the school section will recover.”

The exhibition is open from 11am to 5pm until Saturday. Opening hours on Sunday are 11am to 1pm.

OOOOH… the

‘CARDS OF

Novice winner Richard Nichols points out some of the quirks of the wood in his winning exhibit at the Clarence Valley Woodworkers Association Woodcraft Display.

Clarence Valley Woodworkers Association Jacaranda Committee chair Colin Lang demonstrates the prize winning Log Book of Dragons to Leonardo Laender, of South Grafton at the associations Jacaranda Exhibition at the South Grafton ExServicemen’s Club.

Tweed Council wants ‘long hard look’ at Muddied Music Festival

BIOSECURITY BREACH PROMPTS IMMEDIATE VISA CANCELLATION

• International traveller receives a $2,664 infringement and had visa cancelled for attempting to bring 6kg of meat products from a country with foot and mouth disease through Perth Airport.

• The products could have carried devastating biosecurity diseases such as foot and mouth disease or African swine fever An international traveller has been fned $2,664 and refused entry to Australia after attempting to bring six kilograms of meat products into the country, in a serious breach of Australia’s biosecurity laws.

for personal use from countries with foot and mouth disease.

“These types of products are a major risk for bringing food and mouth disease into Australia, and that’s why we make no apologies for our strict biosecurity measures,” Minister Watt said.

“The traveller contravened subsection 533(1) of the Biosecurity Act 2015 by knowingly providing a false or misleading document (the Incoming Passenger Card) to a biosecurity offcer on arrival to Australia.

By MARGARET DEKKER

Tweed Shire Council will write to the NSW Secretary for Planning and the Independent Planning Commission, seeking an Independent Audit of this year’s Splendour in the Grass music festival held in Wooyung in July during and following torrential rain.

Patrons reportedly endured hours to exit the muddied and dire site, with limited access to toilets, drinking water, shelter, or buses, leaving local authorities with a raft of unanswered concerns.

Tweed Shire Council will request the state Planning Secretary consider the impacts to both Tweed and Byron Shire residents and businesses, particularly in relation to:

Traffc queues onto the site extending for several kilometres onto the M1.

Traffc delays of several hours impacted people who had to reach other destinations.

Social amenity, particularly noise to adjoining residents.

Stemming from these fndings, Council expects a Performance Evaluation Report, Traffc

Monitoring Report and Noise Impact Report to better understand what went wrong, and how organisers can do better.

Moving the motion, which was unanimously carried, Cr Rhiannon Brinsmead said she ‘whole-heartedly’ supported Splendour in the Grass and the arts in general but said this year’s festival had serious problems, particularly now with 50-thousand patrons.

“I think that it’s just a very clear safety issue for me .. It’s a very good event but I do think we need to look at avoiding or mitigating the issues that were there this time around as some of them were very serious,” Cr Rhiannon Brinsmead said.

Council also seeks a review of that decision to increase patron numbers from 42,500 to 50-thousand festivalgoers, on sensitive ground.

Greens councillor, Nola Firth shared concerns about the volume of people, and music level at the festival, with anecdotal reports noise could be heard as far away as Burringbar and Crabbes Creek. She raised further concerns about the extent of rubbish left behind, adjacent a wetland.

“There are waste materials that might well have ended up in the wetland and also the noise pollution, certainly neighbours have to deal with that, but it’s also been found increasingly it affects wildlife as well.

“The other thing is the waste that happened, I think the Splendour in the Grass people do endeavour to do recycling, but I know there were hundreds of rubber boots and things like that left behind,” Cr Nola Firth said.

Cr Reece Byrne cited his own family’s experience, with his sister-in-law and niece caught up in the mayhem and gridlock.

“And they were in a queue for seven hours! The issues around basic sanitary toilets and things were obviously an issue because the crowd simply couldn’t access them so you had cases of people literally urinating next to somebody in a very tight crowd and you’ve got people there who were underage mixing with adults who are intoxicated for a number of hours in the wet with no opportunity to sit so for many of these people it was actually quite a traumatic event,” Cr. Reece Byrnes said.

“To have to go through that until three, four-

o’clock in the morning would’ve been just horrible so I just think they (orgnaisers) have got to do better, it’s a commercial event, they’re making money out of it that’s fne, but they’ve got to do better than that for everyone,” Cr. James Owen said.

Cr Chris Cherry, Tweed Mayor, said “frustratingly” the many negative aspects forewarned-of about this festival at Wooyung were realised with the 2022 event. She said the 80mils of rain recorded over the July 21-24 festival period “is not a massive amount of rain” and it can be worse.

“We do need to have a really long hard look at whether this site can cope with 50-thousand patrons, because although it may be able to cope with it in fne weather, it can’t in rainy weather and that’s what we need to think about, those eventualities.”

Byron Shire Council has also formally requested an independent state review of Splendour in the Grass 2022, for similar reasons.

Australian biosecurity offcers uncovered the undeclared meat during a baggage inspection at Perth Airport last Tuesday morning, October 18.

The traveller failed to declare 3.1 kilograms of duck, 1.4 kilograms of beef rendang, over 500 grams of frozen beef and nearly 900 grams of chicken concealed in his luggage.

The traveller answered ‘no’ on their Incoming Passenger Card when asked whether they were bringing any meat, poultry, fsh, seafood, eggs, dairy, fruit or vegetables into Australia.

Minister for Home Affairs, Clare O’Neil said after biosecurity offcers found the items, the traveller was referred to Australian Border Force (ABF) offcers, who cancelled their visa.

“This is why legislation is in place to cancel the visa of any traveller who commits a signifcant biosecurity breach or repeatedly contravenes biosecurity laws,” Minister O’Neil said.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said last month the Albanese Government introduced tougher laws to ban meat items

“This is a very serious breach and this traveller has been hit with the toughest penalties at our disposal.

“The actions of Biosecurity Offcers and ABF at the border have once again protected the Australian community and our agricultural sector from harmful biosecurity risks that have the potential to do enormous damage.

“Strictly enforcing our borders ensures a strong biosecurity system to protect our international trade reputation as a leading supplier of safe, healthy, high-quality food.

“All travellers should openly and honestly declare food items on arrival in Australia so that biosecurity offcers can inspect the items and assess the biosecurity risk.

“If the goods are permitted into Australia, they will be returned to the traveller. However, if they don’t declare risk items, they will be caught and penalised.”

Travellers who have their visa cancelled are removed from Australia on the earliest available fight, and can face an exclusion period of three years before they are able to reapply for a visa.

Reviewing the muddied Splendour in the Grass festival at Wooyung

THE strange thing about life, which no one seems to make clear when you’re young (not that any of us would listen even if they did) is that it can become a collection of regrets, if you’re not with it each step of the way.

Opportunities missed, mistakes made – they can mount, but they don’t have to become regrets, lessons learnt and perhaps things to avoid going forward might be the best way to reference such things. Or as British author Victoria Holt once said, “Never regret. If it’s good, it’s wonderful. If it’s bad, it’s experience.”

While the mantra ‘never regret’ is a worthy one to carry through our days, the reality is much more complex. In similar fashion to 18th Century Nicolas Chamfort’s observation, “You can’t imagine how clever you have to be in order never to appear ridiculous,” none of us can imagine what it takes to avoid having regrets of some kind. Because often they’re disguised as options that appear in our best interests, but pan out to be the very opposite in time.

Strangely enough, when I ponder the ledger of my own regrets, one common denominator is a lack of willingness to make a difference, to stick my neck out – instead I’ve opted to leave outcomes to decide themselves. But there is a slither of consolation in the tailored discernments of Iyanla Vanzant, “If you are afraid to take a chance, take one anyway. What you don’t do can create the same regrets as the mistakes you make.”

As such, there was a competition a few years ago to name a large tract

by Nigel Dawe

Life Lessons: Rick Firth – Seeing both the forest and the trees

of aerotropolis-related land in Western Sydney that has been set aside to become a new major precinct for education, learning and commerce; another CBD of sorts additional to Parramatta.

The winning name ended up being ‘Bradfield’, but I wish I’d rallied to get it known as ‘Bolongaia’, after the first indigenous scholar who lived in the area and topped a state-wide examination in 1819, after teaching herself English. She was also the first legalised marriage between a European settler and an Aboriginal person in the colony. But the fact her name (and person) were overlooked by the judges will forever haunt me, I feel I let her down by not doing enough to raise her profile after merely submitting my suggestion and leaving the rest to bureaucratic chance.

Relatedly, the American playwright, Arthur Miller was perhaps in heightened salvage mode when he suggested, “Maybe all one can do is hope to end up with the right regrets.”

But true consolation or redemption in life with regards to anything in particular, only ever comes by doing better when opportunity presents the next time around.

The novelist Sabaa Tahir also once said, “There are two kinds of guilt: the kind that drowns you until you’re useless, and the kind that fires your soul to purpose.” And whether or not we’ve just done something we regret; ensuring our soul is ablaze with purpose is the only way to embark upon each and every day.

“No one feels the enormity of the forest,” once said American psychologist William James, “quite like the pathfnder” and with that said, no turn of phrase could better capture the determined essence of Grafton-born and bred businessman, Rick Firth.

Having left school at the age of 14 to work in the logging industry with his father, Mr Firth was the fast-track recipient of life truths and essential learnings that wouldn’t ever feature on the syllabus of any school or business college – no matter how comprehensive they might claim to be.

Equipped with a visionary’s pluck, a staunch local’s pride, and an optimist’s never say die attitude, Mr Firth is the CEO of Brewhouse Group, which has purchased the old

Tooheys Brewery in North Street, Grafton. The site has been renamed BrewHouse Village and its vision is to create a worldclass food, retail, and commercial precinct. Once completed the BrewHouse Village in Grafton will be akin to the LX Factory in Lisbon, Portugal, and Australia’s very own Barangaroo at Darling Harbour, as well as Precinct 75 in St. Peters, Sydney. All of which are old industrial sites that have been converted and fully revitalised into drawcard hubs of culture, dining, innovation, and commerce.

Not one to ever assume or even remotely enjoy a spot in the limelight; when asked to refect on what leads to success and satisfaction in life, Mr Firth says, “Find out what you want, exactly

what you want – to the look and feel, the colour, the fnest detail – and then make that vision a burning desire that you go out and fnd a way to get... When you have a dream led by clear goals, everything gets easier.”

“The Brewhouse Village is the current project that I am working on to give back to Grafton something I feel it needs to bring people to the (Clarence) Valley in general.”

Community, family, and friends are the clear necessities that discernibly form the core of not just Mr Firth’s current business venture, but also the nonnegotiables that evidently inspire and drive his deepest personal motivations.

“I feel that giving back to the community can be done in a lot of different ways. I give back to the

community as much as I can but what I do really isn’t to get a pat on the back. It is more to make me happy that I could do something, but not make a big song and dance about it,” Mr Firth says. While Mr Firth may not want, and even personally loath any theatrics or fanfare when it comes to what he is currently giving his time and attention to, in the name of his community; you can’t help but suspect there will be countless fgure eights, two-steps and one-liners unleashed in his honour – come the day, which is not far away, that BrewHouse Village fnally transitions from a robust vision to an ever-thriving reality.

MORE QUALITY HOUSING FOR TEACHERS IN THE BUSH

More public school teachers are being encouraged to move to the bush thanks to a signifcant NSW Government investment to improve the supply and quality of teacher housing.

An additional $23.5 million housing investment has been provided on top of the $174 million key worker housing investment already announced as part of the 2022-23 Budget.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said providing housing is one of the most tangible ways we can attract and retain workers in the regions.

“We know housing is one of the biggest factors in attracting workers and

driving further growth in the regions,” Mr Toole said.

“It is vital that teachers who work in the regions, especially in our more remote and rural schools, have access to comfortable, modern housing close to their workplace.”

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said $8.4 million of the additional investment will be spent on new housing in towns including Bellata, Broken Hill, Coolah, Gilgandra and Ivanhoe.

“While we have generous fnancial incentives for teachers to go to a country school, many teachers considering a regional move have told

us that housing is just as important a factor in their decision-making, if not more so,” Ms Mitchell said.

“Ensuring teachers have quality housing options available to them will attract and retain quality teachers to some of our more remote schools.”

Construction work on new housing has already started in the State’s north this term.

Teacher housing improvements will include $12.3 million of funding for renovations to approximately 50 Teachers Housing Authority managed properties in areas including Stuart Town, Mumbil, Ellerston, Girilambone and

Adaminaby.

Around 100 teacher houses will have new heating and cooling installed, worth almost $2 million, and $800,000 is being invested in increasing housing supply by taking out head leases, with the properties to be occupied by country teachers.

Investment in teacher housing is part of the Government’s delivery against the recommendations of the 2021 Regional and Remote Incentives Review.

Draft concept plans revealed for park upgrade at Recreation Ground

Residents are invited to attend a family fun day at Recreation Ground at Tweed Heads to share their ideas and provide feedback on the proposed design of the new park.

Council will host a free event in the park on Saturday 19 November from 10 am to 12 pm which will include a barbecue and kids’ activities, with Council staff available to discuss plans for the park.

The $800,000 upgrade will revitalise and modernise the park by providing a place for community members of all ages to gather, connect and enjoy the location and facilities.

Council’s Manager Parks and Active Communities Murray Smith said the upgrade of Recreation Ground will further boost the liveability of Tweed Heads.

“It’s important we provide improved facilities for the community to

complement the population growth that is expected in the years to come. The single swing set currently at Recreation Ground is not meeting community need,” Mr Smith said.

“With the upgrades currently underway at Goorimahbah – Place of Stories Inclusive Park and Playspace at Jack Evans Boat Harbour, the addition of new shade and swings at Jack Chard Park in Enid Street and now Recreation Ground in the planning phase, Council has made it a

priority to increase the city’s liveability and this upgrade will be a signifcant step in that direction.”

Park upgrades like these are one way to provide the Tweed community with more opportunities to be active and healthy, while building a vibrant community to live in and visit.

Residents were invited have their say on the upgrade of Recreation Ground in May and June this year, with 244 survey responses

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.

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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.

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received. In addition, meetings were held with local schools, a co-design workshop was held with young people and key stakeholders, and other feedback was taken into consideration to prepare the draft plan. Overwhelmingly, feedback called for more all-ages play equipment, a scooter or bike track, climbing equipment, a half basketball court, retaining the green open space and additional picnic facilities with shade. The community also expressed a need for

a fenced off-leash dog area, spaces for young people to study outside, extra car parking, better toilets and ensuring the markets space is retained.

The community feedback informed the development of a draft concept plan and Council is now inviting the community to have their say until Wednesday, 4 December 2022. Feedback received online and at the family fun day will inform a fnal concept design for the park.

Council received a $200,000 grant from the NSW Government’s Everyone Can Play grant program to upgrade Recreation Ground to be more inclusive of everyone, which will be matched by Council. An additional $400,000 in funding has also been received from the NSW Government’s Regional Housing Fund for youth recreation facilities and park facilities.

This project is part of

Council’s commitment in the Open Space Strategy (2019–2029) to protect and improve the quality of the Tweed’s public open spaces where several park upgrades have been delivered for the community in the last 12 months.

These include: Coral Street Park at Bilambil Heights, Banora Point Community Centre Park, Clarrie Englert Park at Tweed Heads West, Chillingham Tennis Court and Playground at Chillingham and Fingal Foreshore Park at Fingal Head which is due to be completed by the end of November.

Register your attendance for the family fun day by 16 November at yoursaytweed.com. au/recreationground or contact Council’s customer service team on (02) 6670 2400.

For more information about the project or to complete the survey, visit yoursaytweed.com.au/ recreationground.

Are you eligible for free solar?

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An $800,000 upgrade for Recreation Ground will revitalise and modernise the park by providing a place for community members of all ages to gather, connect and enjoy the location and facilities.

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Community to help set direction of Tweed’s future

Clarence Valley Council is urging the community to be proactive when it comes to reporting criminal activity and antisocial behaviour.

Mayor Ian Tiley said Council was keen to protect its public spaces and allow our community and visitors to enjoy what these spaces have to offer.

“Clarence Valley residents have the right to feel safe and secure in their own community,” Mayor Ian Tiley said.

“Council has experienced a recent spike in vandalism to public assets which ultimately sees ratepayer money spent on annoying and often repeated repairs. This is money and staff hours that could have been spent elsewhere on other more productive Council endeavours.”

Repairing vandalised assets is a constant battle for Council’s Open Spaces teams and costs ratepayers more than $50,000 per year.

An extensive amount of vandalism to Council assets took place over the school holidays, particularly in the Lower Clarence, including damage to fences, barbecues and playground equipment in various parks, as well as graffti, while a number of shopfront

windows were smashed.

“It is a big drain in terms of time repairing damage caused by vandalism, and quite devastating for staff morale to have to do this on a regular basis,” Open Spaces and Facilities Manager Peter Birch said.

Since 2021 Clarence Valley Council has promoted passive surveillance with the slogan: “If you see something say something” in response to anti-social behaviour.

Anti-social behaviour includes:

• Excessive and persistent noise

• Loud and unruly behaviour

• Physical assaults and acts of violence

• Threatening behaviour

• Illegal activity Report antisocial behaviour to the police on 131 444, or if you feel unsafe call 000.

Please report damage to council assets here or call us on 6643 0200.

Tweed residents are invited to join a series of Community Conversations to learn more and share their thoughts about key population, housing and employment issues facing the Tweed Shire.

The events will be held in Cabarita, Murwillumbah, Tweed Heads and Kingscliff on 2 and 3 November.

The Community Conversations are part of the public exhibition of a draft Issues Paper that will inform detailed consideration of options and opportunities in the next phase of the project and set the direction for a Tweed Growth Management and Housing Strategy late next year.

Once drafted, the strategy will describe how the Tweed’s population, housing needs and related employment land supply opportunities will change over the next 20 years and will set out planning principles and policy goals that seek to protect the Shire’s natural environment, community expectations, lifestyle and heritage values.

Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry said the Tweed community was a key contributor to the draft Issues Paper, with around 300 residents participating in earlystage consultation in August and September.

“This draft Issues Paper presents the key findings from our consultation with the community, as well as a review of the current land-use planning and policy context, demographic and employment data,” Cr

employment land

• Protection of the natural environment

• Protection of productive agricultural land and rural land values

• Resilience to natural constraints and hazards.

development of the Tweed – something we all feel strongly about.”

The draft Issues Paper is on public exhibition until 21 November 2022.

The Community Conversations will be

Cherry said.

“I am pleased to see the themes identified in the Issues Paper align with what we are hearing in the community.”

Seven issue themes are identified in the draft Issues Paper:

• Housing supply

• Housing diversity, choice and affordability

• Matching infrastructure and services with population growth

• Provision of

“It is important local residents, business and industry representatives and community groups continue to work with us in these early stages so we can make sure the Tweed grows and evolves in a sustainable and well-managed way that aligns with our community’s values,” Cr Cherry said.

“I encourage everyone to have a look at the draft Issues Paper and attend a Community Conversation session as this strategy sets the tone for the future

held as follows:

2 November: 10 am - 12 pm, Cabarita 5.30 pm - 7. 30 pm, Murwillumbah

3 November:

10 am - 12 pm, Tweed Heads

5. 30 pm - 7.30 pm, Kingscliff

To learn more, read the draft Issues Paper and register to attend a Community Conversation, visit yoursaytweed.com.au/ growth-managementand-housing-strategy.

REPORT CRIME: IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING

Community Conversations discuss population growth, housing and employment in the Tweed

Register to take part in one of a series of Community Conversations to discuss population growth, housing and employment in the Tweed moving forward. (An aerial image of the Tweed taken from Fingal Head.)

Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry

SATURDAY

DOC MARTIN

ABC, 7.30pm

After 18 years and 10 seasons, Martin Clunes and the cast of Doc Martin are neatly tying a bow on the story of the grumpy but lovable titular doctor who can’t stomach the sight of blood. This nal season picks up a year after season nine, with Dr Martin Ellingham (Clunes, above) now a father of two, struggling to nd his place in the world after ending his medical career. Flush with comedic situations, quirky characters and, of course, one of the most picturesque seaside locations in Britain, there’s one question begging: will the cantankerous old doctor return to his medical roots? It’s a tting send-o for the larger-than-life character, with a Christmas-themed episode the nal hurrah.

FRIDAY, November 4

ABC TV (2)

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Q+A. (R) 11.10 Secrets Of The Museum. (R) 12.00 News.

1.00 Signi cant Others. (Mals, R) 1.50 Death In Paradise. (Final, Mv, R) 2.45 Poh’s Kitchen. (R) 3.15 Gardening Aust. (R)

4.15 George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces. (R)

5.00 Back Roads. (R)

5.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

Annika. (Mal, R) A Glasgow businessman is murdered.

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

(MA15+adhlnsv)

SUNDAY

THE BLOCK

NBN, 7pm

After months of stress, little sleep and frantic Pinterest scrolling for the contestants – and thousands of hours of footage for the editors at The Block to rapidly sort each week – the nal moment they have all been doggedly working towards is here: auction night. Will the idyllic acreage blocks and generous homes weather the storm of the economic downturn and command huge pro have seen it all during Block’s 20-year history, with some contestants earning enormous pro others barely a piggy bank for their toils.

After a dramatic season, host Scott Cam (right) is likely to be as nervous as the viewers.

Will we see jubilation or turmoil … or both?

SBS (3) SEVEN (6)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Peer To Peer. (PG, R) 10.00 Incredible Homes. 11.00 Hugh’s Wild West. (PG) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Apocalypse: The Second World War. (PGavw, R) 3.00 NITV News: Nula. 3.30 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (PG, R) 4.10 Portillo’s Greatest Railway Journeys. (PG, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

Australia. (R)

SBS World News.

Of The Lost Liners: Cap Arcona. (Final, PG)

look at the SS Cap Arcona

With Wood. (PG)

by Mel Giedroyc.

Greatest Hotels: The Peninsula. (PGa, R) A look at The Peninsula Hong Kong hotel.

10.15 SBS World News Late.

10.45 Das Boot. (MA15+as, R)

11.45 The Sleepers. (Maln, R) 2.00 Atlanta. (Mal, R)

4.35 Bamay. (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: A Trick Of The Mind. (2006, Mv, R) 2.00 House Of Wellness. (PG) 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.

6.00 7News Local.

6.30 7News @ 6:30.

7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Johanna meets Pam, a suburban Santa who help people in need. Adam and Pete visit a property in Tallebudgera, Queensland. Ed travels to Darwin to get the jump on mango season.

8.30 MOVIE: The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. (2015, PGls, R)

A young Indian hotelier with expansionist dreams tries to juggle a full house, his upcoming marriage and concerns about a rival for his a ections, all while the elderly residents of his hotel look on. Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith.

11.00 To Be Advised.

1.00 Home Shopping.

THURSDAY

FEARNLEY’S

ABC, 9.35pm

vulnerable, Lucy has ardent fans thanks to her candour and ability to call a spade a spade, with uproariously funny consequences. It’s these traits that make the Perth-born funnywoman one of the best interview subjects Kurt Fearnley (above) could ask for; any topic is ripe for the picking and Lucy is a generous, thoughtful and witty participant. In this free-wheeling

The Late Show alum divulges how she really feels about the country knowing about, and laughing at, her most intimate stories.

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 Morning News. 12.00 MOVIE: Before I Fall. (2017, Mal, R) 2.00 Pointless. (PG) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG) 4.00 Afternoon News. 5.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (R) Hosted by Eddie McGuire.

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 Cricket. ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Super 12. Australia v Afghanistan. From Adelaide Oval.

10.00 MOVIE: Atomic Blonde. (2017, MA15+lsv, R) An MI6 agent is sent to Berlin to investigate the murder of a fellow agent and recover a missing list of operatives. Charlize Theron, James McAvoy, John Goodman.

12.15 Reported Missing: George. (Mal, R) A look at the case of George Richardson.

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) A stranger arrives at the park.

6.00 The Talk. (PGa) 7.00 Judge Judy. (PG, R) 7.30 Ent. Tonight. 8.00 10 News First: Breakfast. 8.30 Studio 10. (PG) 12.00 Dr Phil. 1.00 Living Room. (PG, R) 2.00 Ent. Tonight. 2.30 My Market Kitchen. (R) 3.00 Judge Judy. (PG, R) 3.30 Farm To Fork. (PG, R) 4.00 Everyday Gourmet. (R) 4.30 Bold. (PGav) 5.00 10 News First.

6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news and events.

7.30 The Living Room. Dr Chris Brown visits a mobile vet hospital.

8.30 The Graham Norton Show. (Mals) Graham Norton is joined on the red couch by actors Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kate Hudson, Elizabeth Banks and British Vogue’s head fashionista Edward Enninful. Music comes from Self Esteem.

9.30 To Be Advised.

10.30 Road To The Melbourne Cup Carnival. A look at the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

11.00 The Project. (R) A look at the day’s news and events.

12.00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

1.00 Home Shopping. (R)

6am

PEACH

6am The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. 7.00 Friends. 7.30 Seinfeld. 9.00 Becker. 10.00 The Middle. 11.30 The King Of Queens. 12.30pm Frasier. 1.30 Seinfeld. 3.00 The King Of Queens. 4.00 Becker. 5.00 Frasier. 6.00 Friends. 8.00 The Big Bang Theory. 9.30 Mom. 11.00 Frasier. Midnight Home Shopping. 1.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. 2.30 The Late Late Show With James Corden. 3.30 Becker. 4.30 Home Shopping. 5.30 Joseph Prince.

9LIFE (84)

6am Morning Programs. 1pm Gok Wan’s

30.

Asian. 1.30

Rocco’s

Raymond

3.00 Spencer’s

6am House Hunters Int. 6.30 House Hunters. 7.00 Getaway. 7.30 Postcards. 8.00 Garden Gurus. 8.30 The Block. 9.30 House Hunters Int. 10.30 House Hunters. 11.00 Hello SA. 11.30 House Hunters Int. 12.30pm Half-Price Paradise. 1.30 My Lottery Dream Home. 2.30 The Block. 4.00 Mega Decks. 4.30 Lawn & Order. 5.00 Beach Hunters. 6.00 House Hunters International. 7.00 House Hunters. 7.30 Saving The Manor. 8.30 Lakefront Bargain Hunt Renovation. 9.30 Building O The Grid. 10.30 Lake Life. 11.00 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 11.00 NewsDay. Noon NewsDay. 1.00 The World According to Rowan Dean. 2.00 Afternoon Agenda. 3.00 Paul Murray Live. 4.00 Afternoon Agenda.

TEN (5)NBN (8, 80)

Comedian Judith Equal parts outspoken

IN just three short years, the Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange (NRLX) has outperformed key regional livestock markets to become number two in NSW for throughput.

According to Meat & Livestock Australia’s 2018-2019 NSW cattle saleyard survey, the NRLX was sitting at number seven in NSW. The 2021-2022 results show the NRLX is just 1150 head behind the Tamworth Regional Livestock Exchange, which leapfrogged Dubbo and Wagga who held the top two spots for a number of years. The NRLX contributed 10.8 percent of the total saleyard numbers for NSW. The top fve NSW saleyards are:

• Tamworth Regional Livestock Exchange 124,863

• Casino/Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange 123,713

• Dubbo Regional Livestock Market 122,289

• Wagga Wagga Livestock Marketing Centre 107,274

• Carcoar/Central Tablelands Livestock Exchange 102,770

The total value of livestock sold through the NRLX for the 2021-2022 fnancial year was $210,437,317.88. This was an increase of almost $70 million on the previous year. The total throughput was 123,713 head, up 20,277 on the previous year.

NRLX Redevelopment & Operations Manager Brad Willis said it was important to acknowledge the vast array of people, businesses and organisations who contributed to the NRLX’s success.

Mr Willis said from vendors producing quality livestock, which was widely renowned and sought after, to livestock carriers, agents and buyers who continued to support the facility and support the vendors, to staff - every person had contributed to this remarkable result for the region’s agriculture community.

He said in 2015 Richmond

Valley Council produced the Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange Redevelopment Project Business Case, Asset Management and Operations Plan and a journey towards these results commenced.

He said the $15 million facility upgrade was one of many changes that had to be made to move the NRLX towards a sustainable business model, resulting in a positive fow-on effect for the local community.

“Council has been unwavering in its vision for the facility and these consistent results demonstrate that good strategy, good decisions and good management are all contributors to the success,” Mr Willis said.

“Now as the number two saleyard in NSW it shows NRLX is a destination for business and a strategic partner for growing enterprises.”

Mr Willis said the Richmond Valley community derived signifcant direct economic beneft from the NRLX, such as

local growers having a facility close to their operations, transport operators who move stock and purchase fuel, locals who work there, agents who use the yards, and the businesses who support the NRLX operations and its users.

“There are also substantive indirect benefts which fow to the community through increased business transactions and services, which are required to service the families who live in the area because of the saleyards, and the additional activity which takes place when people outside of the area attend sales,” he said.

Mr Willis said the NRLX team acknowledged there was devastation for some vendors following the two weather events earlier this year and ongoing rain.

He said during this period the NRLX had demonstrated its capacity as a regional livestock exchange by providing vital support for many producers who suffered signifcant losses or were impacted.

“The facility provided temporary housing and feeding of livestock, and also acted as a distribution centre for donated hay, loading out almost 600 bales,” Mr Willis said.

“The NRLX team assisted with stock consolidation before moving to agistment, using the facility to treat animals or tag prior to going to agistment.

“The facility also housed any livestock which was found, and the team liaised with North Coast Local Land Services, Rural Crime and the Department of Primary Industry to return as much livestock as possible to the rightful owners.”

Mr Willis said the NRLX was the premier all-weather centre, and he congratulated all stakeholders for their ongoing support.

“As the premier livestock exchange for NSW, we are leading the way, we are evolving and we will continue to make decisions that grow the NRLX across northern NSW,” he said.

Local, State and Local Rural

RECENT CATTLE MARKET REPORTS

WEEK ENDING FRIDAY 28 OCTOBER

Agents yarded a total of 529 head at the Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange regular prime sale on Wednesday 26 October. Heavy rainfall throughout the region had an impact on the movement of cattle resulting in a smaller yarding. There was a good supply of young cattle, whilst there was a fair penning of cows. A larger percentage of the young cattle were in the heavier weight bracket and there was also a greater number of well fnished cattle, several pens supplementary fed.

WARWICK

LIVESTOCK MARKET REPORTS WARWICK

Weather conditions affected both sheep and cattle sales this week with many vendors unable to get livestock to the markets. The markets were still frm for the stock to be sold, but as is the weather still affects the fnish and the weight ranges. The numbers were back for both major sales. Pigs were not as affected, but the calf yarding was down to zero.

Vealer steers averaged 523.8c/kg topping at 628.2c/ kg or $1392.67 to $1724.36

Vealer heifers averaged 523.3c/kg topping at 594.2c/ kg or $1536.92 to $1816.67

Feeder steers averaged 517.2c/kg topping at 636.2c/ kg or $2211.62 to $2505.24

Feeder heifers averaged 481.2c/kg topping at

WARWICK

MCDOUGALL AND SONS’ SHEEP & LAMB REPORT

Agents today yarded a total of 766 head of sheep & lambs for the weekly sale. The market was frm for the trade and export buyers, but they could not build lines of appropriate stock to fll the orders. The yarding was mainly affected by the recent wet weather with most stock showing signs of being affected. Lambs and hoggets dominated the numbers with most falling into the light trade and feed on categories.

Lambs topped at $206 to average $142($5up), hoggets topped at $160 to average $117.87($par), ewes topped at $138 to average $72.76($13down), wethers topped at $146 to average $130.57($3down), lamb rams topped at $161 to average $104.81($9up), ewe lambs topped at $166 to average $100.73($24down), the sale total of 766 averaged $122.18 a rise of $4/head on last sale .

Producers should be aware there is a lamb

Cow prices saw an increase this week averaging 374c/kg and reaching a top price of 396c/kg. Heifer prices were stronger with lighter stock up to 250kg averaging 672c/kg and topping their category at 794c/kg. Heavier heifers over 250kg averaged 486c/ kg and reached a top of 676c/kg.

Bull prices were slightly higher this week with 13 head sold averaging 365c/kg and 738kg. Steer prices saw a drop with those up to 250kg averaging 640c/ kg and reaching a top of 824c/kg. Heavier steers over 250kg averaged 512c/kg and topped their market at 726c/kg. A good number of bullocks sold on the day averaged 403c/kg and reached a top of 420c/kg.

497.2c/kg or $1899.00 to 2023.60

Yearling steers averaged 521.5c/kg topping at 720.2c/kg or $1497.00to $2151.59

Yearling heifers averaged 504.3c/kg topping at 556.2c/kg or $2068.90 to $2968.15

Steers averaged 426.1c/kg topping at 500.2c/kg or $2847.76 to $3718.77

Heifers averaged 405.9c/kg topping at 458.2c/kg or $2024.68 to $2584.26

Cows averaged 371c/kg topping at 416.2c/kg or $2027.17 to $2909.49

Bulls averaged 369.8c/kg topping at 458.2c/kg or $1839.54 to $2974.32

Lambs topped at $206 to average $142 a rise of $5/ head

competition available next week with the inaugural Warwick Sheep Selling Agents lamb competition happening, entries can be made through your preferred Agent with the competition open to all vendors. The lambs will be judged on the hoof at Warwick Saleyards next Wednesday, then shall be processed at Carey Bros Yangan with all competitors able to see the results on the hook with many prizes available to the competitors.

Andrew Clark Dickson sold Dorper x lambs 52.5kg to Leslie Lamb for $190, ram lambs to Take IT Easy Meats for $161, ewes to restockers for $60

Banaba P/S sold Border Leicester x lambs 56kg to Warwick Meats for $170

Mick & Katrina Gibbs sold Dorper lambs 41kg and 38.8kg to Elliots Butchery for $148 and $146, 50kg ram lambs to Warwick Meats for $145, ewes to Take IT Easy Meats for $132, Eversons for $70 and restockers for $40

Quartpot Grazing sold Dorper x hoggets 52kg to

Vealer prices held frm this week averaging 664c/kg and 191kg and reaching a top of 915c/kg.

George & Fuhrmann held a store sale at the NRLX on Friday 28 October with 986 head going under the hammer. Steers topped their category at 916c/kg and averaged 674c/kg and 253kg whilst heifers reached a top of 832c/kg and averaged 640c/kg and 223kg.

Cows reached a top price of $2,840 whilst Cows & Calves topped their market at $3,780.

T&W McCormack and Ramsey & Bulmer will hold a joint store sale this Friday 4 November with 800 head expected. Further bookings are welcome.

Hoggets topped at $160 to average $117.87 par on last sale

Ewes topped at $138 to average $72.76 down $13 / head

Wethers topped at $146 to average $130.57 down $3/head

Rams topped and averaged $130 a rise of $36/head

Lamb rams topped at $161 to average $104.81 a rise of $9/head

Sale total of $766 head was $4/head up on last sale.

Sows sold from $198 to $300, stores from $71 to $212, Pork to $198

Quails sold to $30, Ducklings to $22.50, Drakes to $27.50, Hens to $20, Roosters to $20

Whites Trading for $130

Gasparin Family sold Dorper lambs 50kg to Eversons for $181, hoggets to restockers for $159, ewes to Whites Trading for $120

Daryl Keys sold Dorper lambs 61kg to Grants Quality meats for $206

Lara P/S sold 46kg Xbred lambs to Eversons for $190

James Cowlishaw sold Merino ewes to Eversons for $60

Ken Kelley sold Dorper x lambs off crop 39.3kg to Elliots Butchery for $148, 35kg to Shelley F/T for $134

Smith Family Pastoral sold Aussie White x lambs 31.25kg to restockers for $101, 25.45kg to restockers for $98, 20kg to restockers for $90, 4th ewes to restockers for $76, ewes to Eversons for $138

6662 6222 sales@nrtimes.com.au

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2652-7928 a Heartland Media company ABN: 84 134 238 181 All rights reserved © 2022 Distribution Coffs Harbour north to Southport and west to Tenterfield weekly.

RECENT CATTLE MARKET REPORTS

TENTERFIELD

HAROLD CURRY MARKET REPORT

Cows sell to $2,510.08

Sale Date: 24.10.2022 Number Yarded: 301 Numbers increased this sale with a total yarding of 301 head. A mixed quality yarding saw prices meet a dearer market. A small but quality yarding of steers sold to 500.2 cents, while no bullocks were yarded.

In the Cow section, heavy weight cows sold to 399.2 cents, while the medium weights reached 402.2 cents, light weight cows averaged 349.2 cents while some better types returned to the paddock for 430.2 cents. Heifers sold to 507.2 cents.

In the trade section weaner steers topped at 740.2 cents, while the heifer portion reached 738.2 cents, both returning to the paddock. A plain yarding of Bulls sold to 355.2 cents.

Vealers Yearlings Heifers

Light Strs. 732.2 av. 683.7 Steers 740.2 av. 581.9 507.2 av. 394.5 Hfrs. 738.2 av. 647.0 Heifers 594.2 av. 524.3

Heavy Strs. 738.2 av. 677.7 (200 to 280kg) 612.2 av. 612.2 (280kg plus) Hfrs. 616.2 av. 576.6 (200 to 280kg) 518.2 av. 495.8 (280kg plus)

Steers up to 400kg Steers 400-500kg Steers 500kg plus

500.2 av. 500.2 449.2 av. 449.2 488.2 av. 468.8 Cows Bulls 600kg+ Bullocks 540kg + Light 430.2 av. 352.4 355.2 av. 317.2 No Quote Medium 402.2 av. 349.2 Heavy 399.2 av. 394.2

TENTERFIELD

TOP PRICES

BULLOCKS: No Quote $ STEERS Dedes Pastoral $ 2733.92

COWS: Neville Coonan $ 2510.08

HEIFERS: Athlyne Pastoral Co $ 1930.56

YEARLINGS: Tenterfeld High School $ 2225.89

VEALERS: Paratai Pty Ltd $ 2089.13

BULLS: JW & EG Landers $ 3303.36

NEXT SALE: 7th November 2022, 9:00am Start

NSW FARMERS TO GET PAY RISE FOR HOSTING NEW TRANSMISSION LINES

A new payment scheme for NSW farmers and landholders hosting transmission lines on their properties has been welcomed by RE-Alliance as a start to reward landholders for their critical part in the energy transformation.

The NSW Government has today announced that landholders will receive a $200,000 per kilometre payment, paid over 20 years, for all new largescale transmission lines built on their properties.

This payment, applying to new transmission lines, will be in addition to existing statutory compensation payments made under the Just Terms Act.

“NSW has a number of renewable energy transmission projects in the pipeline that will carry high volumes of clean power across NSW

and to neighbouring states” said Andrew Bray, RE-Alliance National Director.

“By hosting transmission lines, landholders are creating value for energy consumers, and it’s important they

are treated as core stakeholders and beneft materially for the role they play in our future energy system.”

“Farmers hosting transmission lines on their property will now receive payments more comparable to those

hosting a solar farm or wind farm.

The new payment system will only apply across NSW, and REAlliance are urging other states to follow quickly.

Bray says “Energy Ministers are set to meet at the end of

the week. Following today’s announcement, harmonising payments across state jurisdictions is likely to be on the agenda.

“Some transmission lines cross state borders, and it’s simply untenable to have landholders

receiving different amounts on either side.

“Proper payment for landholders is critical but on its own it won’t be enough. Planning new lines around the needs of local communities, effective and respectful engagement, and making sure local regional communities are treated as the key stakeholders that they are.

“Ensuring farmers and regions are benefciaries and active participants in the process is essential for a swift and successful transition.”

THE

264.8 acres / 107.17Ha. Homestead, 10 paddocks, steel cattle yards, machinery shed, old dairy shed + rear hay shed. Approx 20 acres flood free.

THE SCHOOL LANE BLOCK: 79.76 acres / 32.28Ha. Improvements are two paddocks, a holding paddock, two dams, steel/timber yards. Flood free land.

Please

WORKING TOGETHER TO SOLVE AGRICULTURE WORKFORCE CHALLENGES

A new tripartite Agricultural Workforce Working Group, established during the Jobs and Skills Summit, has met for the frst time today to help tackle agricultural workforce challenges.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said the working group was designed to bring employer groups, unions, and government together in the spirit of collaboration to address key workforce issues.

“Agriculture is an industry with incredible opportunities, and an important source of jobs in rural, regional and remote Australia,” Minister Watt said.

“But for several years it has faced challenges in making sure that employers can get the workers they need and making sure those workers are protected and respected in the work that they undertake.”

Minister Watt said the Albanese Government’s Jobs and Skills Summit in early September brought different parties together to sign the Agricultural Workforce Tripartite Statement and agreed on a way forward to address workforce challenges impacting the Australian agriculture sector.

“To continue that spirit of collaboration this new tripartite working group will pursue solutions to better skill, attract, protect, and retain workers in the agriculture and processing sectors.

“Members of the working group have been selected to represent both employers and employees and will be tasked with consulting across the community.

“The working group will operate for the next 12 months, driving outcomes that will beneft the industry, workers, farmers, and the nation.

“The working group will make sure Australian agriculture benefts from the outcomes of the government’s Jobs and Skills Summit and will inform the forthcoming Employment White Paper.”

President of the

National Farmers’ Federation Fiona Simson said agriculture needed to see a way forward, after years of workforce shortages.

“At the end of the day, if we don’t get this right, then we see farm production cut and consumers see those impacts on our shelves in supermarkets,” Ms Simson said.

“We want to attract the best and brightest to our industry, we want to make sure that we can attract Australians into our industry, and we also want to make sure that we can have visas that are ft for purpose for agriculture.

“It’s critical for us that

we are an industry of choice.”

Australian Workers Union Secretary Daniel Walton said the working group is an opportunity for unions to work together with industry and government to fnd ways to address issues impacting the sector.

“We have been saying for years that we want real solutions to properly protect farm workers and this group offers a way forward.

“There is genuine desire across the board to try and reach out and fnd some meaningful solutions to the big problems that face us in the agriculture industry,” Mr Walton said.

Executive Offcer of the NFF Horticulture Council Richard Shannon said it was an opportunity to see positive results in the agricultural workforce.

“Our industry has been hugely supportive of the expansion of the Pacifc Australia Labour Mobility Scheme to bolster our seasonal workforce and led the way in delivering the Fair Farms initiative to drive improved workplace practices,” Mr Shannon said.

“But I’m looking forward to exploring what more we can achieve together here.”

National Secretary of the United Workers Union Tim Kennedy said he was looking forward to playing a constructive role in addressing the challenges of a worker voice and workforce shortfalls in the industry.

“As a key player in the fresh food supply chain, we’re very pleased to be involved in this process,” Mr Kennedy said.

“This dialogue is a good step forward that’s been provided by the Minister, and we think it’s important that all parties are part of the conversation. Some

of the things we need to do and some of the conversations we have will be diffcult, but we’re up for that.

“The agricultural industry is very important to the Australian community, particularly within our regional communities and it’s important we support the workers within agriculture to ensure the industry’s ongoing sustainability.”

The members of the working group are:

• Senator the Hon. Murray Watt, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

• Andrew Metcalfe AO, Secretary of Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

• Fiona Simson, President, National Farmers’ Federation.

• Michele O’Neil, President, Australian Council of Trade Unions.

• Richard Shannon, Executive Offcer, NFF Horticulture Council

• Dan Walton, National Secretary, Australian Workers’ Union.

• Ann Gardiner, National Council Member, Australian Dairy Farmers.

• Tim Kennedy, National Secretary, United Workers Union.

• Patrick Hutchinson, CEO, Australian Meat Industry Council.

• Matt Journeaux, Federal Secretary, Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union.

The group will be facilitated by James Flintoft, a board director and former senior executive in the Victorian Department of Agriculture, with years of experience in the public sector and development space.

Public policy specialist and former chair of the National Agricultural Labour Advisory Committee of John Azarias will also act as a special advisor to the Minister on this working group.

CRAY RESCUE OPERATION

A rescue and relocation operation is underway by NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Fisheries to save Murray Crayfsh impacted by poor water quality following fooding along the Murray river.

Sean Sloan, Deputy Director General DPI Fisheries, said Fisheries has received reports of hundreds of Murray Crayfsh, a nationally listed threatened species, leaving the water around Swan Hill and Echuca.

“Extensive rainfall across most of the Murray-Darling Basin has resulted in increased inundation of foodplain areas, causing poor water quality, including low dissolved oxygen levels through decaying grasses, leaves, crops and other organic matter being washed into the river systems,” Mr Sloan said.

“When dissolved oxygen drops to very low levels, this can cause ‘hypoxic blackwater’, which can be stressful for native species including Murray Crayfsh, so they leave the water in high numbers.”

Mr Sloan said the

rescued crayfsh will be transported to Narrandera Fisheries Centre for safekeeping until conditions improve and they can be returned to the river.

“Environmental factors, competition from introduced fsh and historical fshing pressure have led to widespread declines in populations of the Murray Crayfsh, so we’re doing all we can to protect this vulnerable species and assist with its recovery,” Mr Sloan said.

“We also want to remind fshers that while Murray Crayfsh may leave the water for a period of time during fooding and blackwater events, all NSW laws relating to taking of Murray Crayfsh continue to apply.

“Fisheries Offcers are actively patrolling the area to deter any illegal activity, so please do not interfere with crayfsh or try to collect them, as some may return to the water when water quality improves.”

Mr Sloan said ‘hypoxic’ blackwater events can also have localised impacts on

native fsh species.

“We’re warning communities within the Barwon-Darling, Murray, Murrumbidgee, Edward-Wakool and Lachlan catchments to be on alert for fsh deaths in the coming days and weeks as signifcant food events continue across the state,” Mr

Sloan said.

“The fooding will provide a signifcant boost for native fsh communities in coming years; however it brings with it some short-term risks as native fsh must negotiate poor water quality over coming weeks.

“Fishers and community members are encouraged to report any fsh deaths or observations through the Fishers Watch phoneline on 1800 043 536.

“We continue to work closely with partner agencies to manage and monitor water quality and creek conditions.”

Primex Field Days is part of the heartland of the Northern Rivers region and every year the event is integral in bringing farmers, landholders and the general community together with a diverse range of trade exhibitors and agricultural organisations.

Machinery Extravaganza

In almost 4 decades there has never been such a representation of Tractor and Machinery exhibits as there will be in 2022. Agriculture, Earthmoving, Building, Construction, Forestry and of course, Road Transport, will be on display. Demonstrations will add to the Field Days’ experience in seeing this equipment in action.

Presentations & Workshops Leading Industry

speakers from Meat & Livestock Australia, Southern Cross University, Beef Central Guest Speakers and more, will be presenting on stage.

Education & Ag Careers pathways

Our educational partners will have live demonstrations & presentations throughout the event to support the Educational & Ag Careers program.

Innovation & Ag Tech Many of our exhibitors are leaders in their felds of Innovation and Agtech and they will all be on display right next to essential resources to support our region’s recovery and reconstruction.

Social, business, networking, collaboration and engaging - one time in the year to see the region’s leading

businesses alongside State, National & International suppliers that attend once per year to reference and support our region

Our partners are leading the way to support the Event and in doing so, the region’s agricultural and rural communities. It is anticipated that the Event will inject up to $5m into region’s economy and we have consistently been generating $45m in sales.

Supporting our rural and regional communities, Norco Primex 2022 is profling and offering engagement with community groups and services including major fundraising for organisations such as CWA, Lions Club, Westpac Rescue Helicopter and many others.

LANDMARK INVESTMENT STRATEGY LAUNCHED TO TURBOCHARGE REGIONAL NSW

BUDGET PREPARES FOR THE NEXT BIG DRY

The NSW Government will turbocharge economic activity in the regions, with a new strategy targeting attraction of $1 billion in private sector investment and the creation of 15,000 high-value jobs over the next fve years.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole, who was at the Wagga Wagga Special Activation Precinct today, said there has never been a better time to invest in regional NSW.

“We’ve laid the foundations with more than $12 billion of investment in the infrastructure our regions needed to grow – and now we’re ready to hit turbocharge,” Mr Toole said.

“Our Regional Investment Attraction Strategy is aimed at harnessing the full value of the regions’ potential and making them the location of choice for private sector investment.

“The regions are already home to big businesses from around the world and small businesses that are world leading. We want to continue building on that with initiatives like our Special Activation Precincts and Renewable Energy Zones which are encouraging more businesses to look to the bush to create jobs for the future.”

Mr Toole said the fve-year strategy is underpinned by the

$145 million Regional Investment Activation Program that includes $110 million in grant funding, currently open, to support businesses and investors looking to expand or set up in regional NSW.

“The sky’s the limit – and we want to coinvest with businesses from across Australia and around the world to set up and deliver game-changing projects in regional NSW,” Mr Toole said.

“This will support new and emerging industries where regional NSW has a competitive edge and put our communities in the box seat for the future.”

The Regional Investment Attraction Strategy 2022-2027 and grant program will prioritise investment to accelerate growth in priority precincts and engine industries such as manufacturing, clean energy, circular economy, defence and agri-food.

Grant applications are now open at www.nsw. gov.au/RIAF. Stream 1 Expressions of Interest close 14 November 2022.

For a copy of the Regional NSW Investment Attraction Strategy 2022-2027, visit www.nsw.gov.au/ investregionalnsw.

Ensuring Australia is prepared for the next drought has been confrmed as a priority in the Albanese Government’s frst budget.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said now was the right time to begin preparing for future dry seasons.

“It might be raining and we are experiencing foods, but any farmer will tell you the next drought is always around the corner,” Minister Watt said.

“We need to be like any other agribusiness and prepare for what’s coming next.

“That’s why we’ve committed more than $20 million to make sure this government is prepared for the next drought.

“The development of the plan and re-negotiation of an agreement with states and territories will allow the Government to coordinate responses and have a clear path forward for the inevitable next drought.

“We will also support the implementation of drought indicators and an early warning system to allow policymakers to better monitor drying conditions and foresee when particular regions may start to experience

drought-related hardship.

Several reviews into the Australian Government response to drought highlighted the need for a clearer, more consistent and coordinated government approach to drought.

Minister Watt said the funding increase will ensure the adoption of established drought resilience research, so we are ready to support farmers and communities when they need it most.

“These tools will contribute to more consistent, timely government decisions on when and how farmers and rural communities can be supported during drought,” he said.

“They will bring together data that we can verify with people and organisations who live or work in the affected communities.

“We can respond better and collaborate more when we understand the real-time impacts and future outlooks for rural communities that are facing hardship from drought conditions.

“While the fund helps farmers prepare for drought, this measure ensures that government too has the capacity and clear plan to manage the next big dry.”

Farmers for Climate BUDGET RESPONSE

NEW INQUIRY –FOOD SECURITY IN AUSTRALIA

Farmers welcome investments in climate and agriculture

25 October 2022: Farmers for Climate Action, an organisation representing more than 7000 farmers across Australia, has welcomed many initiatives in the Federal Budget announced tonight.

Farmers for Climate Action CEO Fiona Davis said the budget delivered many investments across climate, agriculture, emissions reduction, and rural Australia.

“The budget delivers big investments in regional renewable energy, something Farmers for Climate Action had called for just weeks ago in our Farm Poweredreport about renewables in the regions,” Dr Davis said.

“It also delivers funding for emissions reductions in Australian agriculture and other funding direct to farmers.

“We’re pleased with the $20 billion in low-cost fnance delivered in Rewiring the Nation. This will assist with transmission to connect the big renewables projects we know will put downward pressure on energy prices.

“We’re particularly pleased with the $302 million over fve years to support the agricultural sector further develop sustainable farming and land management.

“The $224.3 million over four years for 400 community batteries across Australia will help take pressure off the grid, and we know storage will be key to delivering reliable, affordable clean energy.

“Farmers for Climate Action has directly called for investment in helping farmers reduce emissions and more investment into asparagopsis, and the $8 million in asparagopsis commercialisation is

welcome.

“We are also pleased to see the $20 million investment to establish an outreach program to help Australian farmers and land managers to participate in carbon markets and integrate low emission technologies and practices.

“The $1.9 billion Powering the Regions Fund to assist industries, regional Australia, and communities with the shift to net zero emissions is very welcome and we look forward to working with the government on this.

“The $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund investment names agriculture as one of seven priorities and we look forward to seeing the detail of that investment.

“We welcome the $20.8 million over two years from 2022–23 to support Australia’s readiness to respond to drought

events, which are of course driven by climate change.”

Other noteworthy investments include:

• $146 million over fve years for ARENA to co-invest in projects to reduce road transport emissions

• $89.5 million over 6 years from 2022–23 to fund hydrogen refueling stations on key freight routes,

• $39.8 million over 5 years from 2022–23 to establish a National Electric Vehicle Charging Network to deliver 117 fast charging stations

Farmers for Climate Action does not support taxpayer investments in new coal and gas developments, which drive climate change.

Farmers for Climate Action is a movement of 7000 farmers calling for strong economy-wide climate policies.

The Australian Parliament’s Agriculture Committee has today commenced an inquiry into food security in Australia and is calling for submissions from interested stakeholders.

Committee Chair, Meryl Swanson, said that food security was a growing issue nationally and internationally, with population growth, war, weather and climate all posing risks to the availability and accessibility of food.

‘While Australia was one of the most food secure nations in the world, recent events such as the pandemic and widespread foods have shown that we cannot take anything for granted. Input shortages and disruptions to the global supply chains that Australian producers depend on are likely to have a signifcant impact on the productivity and proftability of the sector. More importantly, these factors will have a direct impact on the cost of living for all Australians’, Ms Swanson said.

The Committee will examine ways to strengthen and safeguard food security in

Australia. In particular, it will focus on local food production and the impact of supply chain distribution on the cost and availability of food.

The Committee is also interested in exploring the impact of climate change on food production in Australia. Ms Swanson said that ‘while climate change poses a continual risk to farmers, the Committee is keen to see how agricultural producers are adapting and innovating in response to these climate challenges.’

Submissions to the inquiry will be open until 9 December 2022. Further information, including the Terms of Reference can be found on the Committee’s website.

‘Reckless’ freeze on pest control a threat to biosecurity

NSW Farmers has called on the state government to resume pest animal control on public land by the end of the week, or face major biosecurity risks.

After learning that shooting had been halted by the state government, NSW Farmers immediately contacted relevant Ministers voicing concerns that pest animals were not being treated as a serious problem.

“Putting an immediate halt to pest control efforts is like trying to put out half a fre, they’ll

simply come back again and in larger numbers,” NSW Farmers CEO Pete Arkle said.

“The state government has spent good money trying to tackle the problem of pest animals, but this decision could undo that spend.

“This is a risk to our biosecurity, productivity, and conservation efforts, and the government needs to deliver the prompt resumption of pest animal control.”

Pest animals are a signifcant cost to the Australian economy, primary producers,

land managers, the environment, and regional communities.

It is estimated that management of wild dogs by individual farmers and agencies costs $50 million per year and feral pig incursions cost the Australian agricultural industry upwards of $100 million a year.

The biggest concern, however, was the risk of diseases that could easily spread among feral populations before infecting livestock.

“We’re already on high alert when it comes to

biosecurity thanks to Varroa mite and the risk of Foot and Mouth and Lumpy Skin Disease,” Mr Arkle said.

“Across the state, NSW Farmers members are reporting an increase in the number of wild dogs and pigs, while deer are expanding their territory and we’re seeing surging numbers of feral cats, which kill 1.8 billion native animals each year.

“This is absolutely the wrong time to stop pest animal control, it needs to resume by the end of the week.”

HORTICULTURAL NETTING GRANTS UP TO $100,000 FOR NSW GROWERS

Horticultural primary producers across NSW can access grants of up to $100,000 for the purchase and installation of protective netting over crops as part of the Australian Government’s $35 million nationwide Horticultural Netting Program Trial Expansion.

Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said the Australian Government had expanded an earlier trial in a number of states to provide assistance to growers in NSW.

“The trial was wellreceived in other regions and we’re very pleased to be able to invest in resilience in NSW,” Minister Watt said.

“It has been a tough year for growers with weather conditions, and we’re committed to

supporting them.”

Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW, Dugald Saunders said the program will supplement half the cost of purchasing and installing netting, enabling growers in NSW to protect their crops and secure their investment.

“Horticulturalists and viticulturists in NSW can apply for a grant of up to 50 per cent of the cost to purchase and install new protective netting,

to a maximum grant amount of $100,000,” Mr Saunders said.

“The national $35 million package includes $5.62 million to support primary producers of horticultural and viticultural crops in NSW to develop resilience and adapt to Australia’s everchanging climate.

“It has been demonstrated that properly installed protective netting can signifcantly improve

the quality, reliability and quantity of fresh food crops, reduce water usage and provide protection to crops during severe weather events and from pests.

In NSW, the Horticultural Netting Program trial is administered by the NSW Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) and is open to applications from Monday, 24 October 2022.

“We expect demand for this Australian Government program to be high and it’s important to get your application in early, as funding is limited,” said Mr Saunders.

For more information about the program, please phone the RAA on 1800 678 593 or visit the RAA website: http:// www.raa.nsw.gov.au/ grants/netting

HONOURING OUR RURAL VOLUNTEERS AND UNSUNG FEMALE HEROES

Coffs Coast residents can nominate a much-loved ‘unsung hero’ for the 2021-22 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll, which pays public tribute to the vast number of rural women who have given their time and energy to helping others in our community.

Coordinated by the NSW Rural Women’s Network, nominations are open to girls and women living outside of Sydney, Newcastle or Wollongong.

Volunteering contributions made in 2021 and 2022 are eligible for nomination.

Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said honouring the contributions of women in our community ensures unpaid work is valued, respected and celebrated.

“Rural women play an important role in keeping the Coffs Coast connected. Whether it’s volunteering at the local school, organising weekend sport or planning fundraisers, women are often the unsung heroes,” Mr Singh said.

“I strongly urge people to recognise the contributions of our local women by nominating them for the Hidden Treasures Honour Roll.”

Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor

encouraged people to nominate a woman who has excelled in serving the Coffs Coast community.

“There are so many amazing women across rural NSW who generously give their time to support individuals and groups within their communities, through volunteering in aged care, emergency services, environmental management, health, sport, education and tourism,” Mrs Taylor said.

“Women are the backbone of our communities, so it’s incredibly important to take this opportunity to sing their praises and celebrate their signifcant contributions.”

The Hidden Treasures Honour Roll frst launched in 2010 and has recognised more than 1,000 volunteers across NSW.

Nominations for the Honour Roll close 30 November 2022. Nominations must address volunteer work undertaken in 2021 or 2022.

To submit a nomination, visit: https://www.nsw. gov.au/women-nsw/ rural-womens-network/ hidden-treasures.

Grinding Gears Burning Diesel, Lifeline North Coast Convoy 2022Remembering those drivers lost to suicide

In 2021, Ian “Eno” Taylor felt the deep impact of losing his colleagues Mark Haines and Tom Seccombe. Both had died by suicide. As fellow truck drivers, Eno wanted to do something to raise awareness that truck drivers needed help and support and encourage others to speak out and seek the help when they need it so no other families would have to go through this.

Eno, decided to organise the frst local convoy of trucks, reaching out to his network in the local community and within only a matter of days, the simple act of making a difference became an event with over 102 trucks joining the convoy on the day.

Eno is now a Lifeline North Coast Ambassador, and the Grinding Gears, Burning Diesel Lifeline North Coast Truck Convoy is an annual event.

This year it is being held on Saturday 12th November.

The Trucks will set off from the Woolgoolga Industrial area and arrive at the Coffs International Stadium. With over 150 local trucks, drivers, and community coming together to show support for: Mental health, raising awareness of suicide, remembering Tom Seccombe and Mark Haines and others lost to suicide.

Eno Taylor said “This year is going to be bigger and even more amazing

than last year, and the event is only going to keep growing in years to come, If you want to be involved in the convoy, on the ground event help or simply donate, head over Lifeline North Coast’s page and fnd out how you can be a part of an incredible day. “

Angela Martin, Acting CEO for Lifeline North Coast says “The pressures associated with being a truck driver are well known and contribute to an increased risk of multiple physical and mental health conditions”

“We wish to show support for the truck drivers and their families who sacrifce so much, to ensure we have food on our tables, lets show them that the Coffs Community

Cares as well as raise much needed money to help with the operational costs of running our crisis support phone line 13 11 14, and developing much needed support services for our truck drivers.”

Angela said

Organisers of this event are encouraging local families to show support roadside by cheering on the drivers, as the convoy makes its way down the Pacifc Highway, is raising the collective community spirit that we care”

To register for this free event, please sign up on the Lifeline North Coast website https:// lifelinenorthcoast.org.au

NEW RULES COMING FOR UNATTENDED PROPERTY

Abandoned shopping trolleys, vehicles and other unattended property will spend less time on our streets and public spaces, and owners will be more accountable following the introduction of new rules strengthening impounding powers of NSW councils.

Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman has welcomed the new

powers, included in the new Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021, which will come into effect on 1 November 2022.

“Unattended property such as abandoned shopping trolleys is a big issue for councils, costing local government $17 million a year to deal with. The new rules put the onus back on owners where it belongs,” Mrs

Tuckerman said.

“These new laws will not only save councils time and money, they’ll also ensure public spaces are safer, more accessible, and more enjoyable for our communities.”

The Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021 replaces the Impounding Act 1993. It places more responsibility on individuals and

businesses to better manage their property within reasonable timeframes or face much stronger penalties.

“We’ve developed these new laws following extensive consultation with stakeholders including local government, industry, advocacy groups, state agencies and the community,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

“There will be a sixmonth grace period where warnings will be issued for unattended property in most cases, rather than fnes. We’ve also listened to retailer concerns and introduced more fexibility around requirements to collect abandoned trolleys notifed after-hours.”

The PSUP Act includes special powers for authorities

to deal with stock animals wandering on public roads and causing a risk to safety, which was widely welcomed by councils during consultation. These provisions will commence at a later date.

The rules also apply to boat trailers, unregistered cars, trailers and caravans, share bikes, and personal watercraft.

Event Details: Saturday, 12 November 2022 | The trucks leave from 9am at Woolgoolga industrial centre and will travel along the Pacifc Highway and arrive at the International Stadium at 9.45. The event is open to the public until 1pm. Once the Trucks are parked, they will be on display for the public to view, including family friendly activities and a BBQ fundraiser. All proceeds raised will be directed to Lifeline North Coast.

Organisers of the Truck Convoy are anticipating double the number of trucks and public to attend this year’s event

Preschools across the state are preparing to be part of the NSW Government’s landmark $1.3 billion Affordable Preschool Program providing cost of living relief from the beginning of 2023.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell today confrmed new Start Strong funding guidelines, which outline how early childhood services across the state will support families in giving their children the best start to life through affordable preschool.

“With cost-of-living pressures being felt across Australia, the Liberals and Nationals in Government are reducing stress for families across NSW by providing immediate fee relief,” Ms Mitchell said.

“Through the NSW Government’s Start Strong program we will improve the affordability of early childhood education, improve quality, boost outcomes for children, and see enrolments and attendance increase in the years before school.”

From January 2023, all NSW families will be eligible for:

• up to $4,220 per year in fee relief for 3, 4 and 5-year-olds attending a community or mobile preschool,

• up to $2,110 per year in fee relief for 4 and 5-yearolds attending preschool in a long day care setting on top of their Child Care Subsidy payment, and

• the equivalent of 5 days a fortnight

of affordable preschool fee relief for all children in Department of Education preschools.

“For the frst time, the NSW Government is extending fee-relief to NSW families whose children attend preschool in a long day care setting, because at the end of the day what’s important is our littlest learners having access to great quality preschool programs,” Ms Mitchell said.

“Research shows that children who participate in quality play-based education programs before they start school have improved lifelong educational, social and economic outcomes.

“This is why we are extending fee relief to support more families and enable more children to participate in a quality early childhood education.”

The NSW Government is investing more than $15.9 billion in early childhood commitments announced as part of the 2022-23 budget to deliver a brighter future for every child in NSW.

Through the introduction of a universal preKindergarten year, the Brighter Beginnings initiatives, a workforce package for early childhood educators and the Affordable Preschools subsidies, the NSW Liberal & National Government is ensuring NSW is the best state to live, work and raise a family.

You can fnd out more about the Early Years Commitment at education.nsw.gov.au/ early-years-commitment.

A business recovery pilot program originally created to help local businesses bounce back from the 2019-20 bushfres that devastated regional NSW has proven useful in upskilling participants to weather every kind of disaster from foods to pandemic.

More than 90 per cent of participating businesses in the Business Community Resilience (BCR) Toolkit pilot program shared that they were left reeling from the impact of multiple disasters in the Northern NSW region, and 88 per cent felt the fallout from disasters had negatively impacted their livelihoods.

Findings also revealed many participants were not adequately prepared for disasters with 61 per cent lacking a back-up of essential business information, 61 per cent have not documented what their essential people do, 70 per cent unable to operate without an internet connection, 65 per cent had no crisis communications plan to reach and inform their customers and 64 per cent lacking a negative risk register.

Local businesses enthusiastically embraced the program, with more than 140 businesses in Northern NSW enrolling in the BCR Toolkit since its launch by social enterprise corporate2community (C2C - now known as Resilient Ready) in September 2021.

Delivered through 26 online learning modules, the pilot program focused on empowering business owners and operators to prepare, connect, and build resilience.

The free online program was codesigned locally to help businesses prepare for future disasters and disruptions and was driven by a local steering group made up of council, chambers of commerce, industry associations and emergency services.

Resilient Ready director Renae Hanvin said the de-identifed data collected during the program rollout in Northern NSW proved the need for a greater focus on building knowledge and capabilities across businesses in communities.

``A lot of attention has been on disaster recovery and even disaster preparation but not a lot has gone into business community resilience, especially across Northern NSW, so it is satisfying to know that the BCR Toolkit has flled a gap and genuinely helped people,’’ she said.

The grant-funded program wrapped up on September 30, and feedback from participants and collaborators has been overwhelmingly positive that the toolkit is helping them view disasters in a different way and implement small actions to make their businesses more resilient to future disruptions.

One businessperson said they were impressed by how simple some of the BCR Toolkit actions were and how its ``very easy to follow, relevant to today’s environment and full of useful information”.

``I am making the modules into a book to be my reference for resilience building. I

am making space to add my actions and other learnings as I go.’’

Other participants found the topics ``all very relevant and a reminder to have processes, procedures, and these tools in place to assist the business to manage unexpected events’’ and said they felt ``better prepared now to face the changes and challenges that may come along’’.

C2C submitted a grant application to operate the BCR Toolkit with six local government areas which quickly increased to 11 after other bushfre-impacted local councils requested to join the project. They believed it would beneft individual businesses, the wider business community and other stakeholders such as local chambers of commerce and emergency services.

``We even had experts from councils and emergency services suggesting module topics and including localised content, which was wonderful,’’ Ms Hanvin said.

``We know that connected communities are resilient communities, and this project was created to bring business communities together to learn, connect and fnd collective solutions to problems identifed.’’

The data from each

module (stripped of information that identifes individuals and businesses) will be provided to local stakeholders so they can identify local capabilities, gaps and vulnerabilities.

For example, 70 per cent of businesses said they needed power to operate their business but 61 per cent said they had no access to an alternative power source. Multiple council areas are now looking into alternative power supplies and renewable energy to help their businesses continue operating in the event of a power outage.

Ms Hanvin thanked the businesspeople, councils, and communities of Northern NSW for embracing the BCR Toolkit.

``We are excited by the feedback on how this is changing for the better the way people are doing business during their recovery, not just from the bushfres but also pandemics, foods, cyber-attacks and other disasters.

``Unfortunately, we live in an era of compound disasters so it’s not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’ a crisis will happen, so there is still much work to be done to help businesses do disasters differently.’’

Visit resilientready.org to learn more about the BCR Toolkit program.

EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES PREPARE FOR AFFORDABLE PRESCHOOL FOR FAMILIES

FROM FIRES TO FLOODS, THIS LOCAL TOOLKITHAS BUSINESSES COVERED

Resilient Ready director Renae Hanvin

Clarence and Richmond Valley Councils are set for an immediate further road repair boost thanks to a new $50 million injection from the Nationals in NSW Government, Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis has announced.

“The foods and continued wet weather this year have been brutal on local roads and councils are struggling to keep up with the backlog, but this new cash for potholes will help deliver safer roads sooner,” Mr Gulaptis said.

“This is an emergency initiative and local councils have just two weeks to apply because we want to shovel out the funds before Christmas.

“Regional motorists

feel abandoned by Canberra Labor’s recent 22 cent a litre hike to fuel taxes and fnd it hard to understand why they should pay an extra $20 a tank to drive on a substandard road network.”

Under the new Fixing

Local Roads Pothole Repair Round, local government authorities in food hit areas can apply for funding to help them address their highest priority pothole repairs.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads

COMMUNITY EVENTS BACK IN THE CALENDAR AS FUNDING RECIPIENTS ARE ANNOUNCED

The following events will be held over the coming months and will be free or low-cost and open to all to attend:

• Sidestep; a new interactive multiarts festival for kids and families. The festival will transform a public park into a magical participatory playground.

• Regeneration; reconnecting communities with the joy of bush regeneration. A series of community workshops and a community festival and tree planting.

• Queer Family’s Rainbow Creatives; a program of workshops and events, designed to provide support to a range of workers across the arts sector who were badly affected by the pandemic.

• Reconnecting Mullumbimby; a series of events featuring art and a community dinner.

• Bruns River Flicks; fve consecutive Saturday nights of outdoor flms, the program will feature

‘water’ themed movies.

• After Disaster – Stories, Refections, Songs; two local schools, 200 school children and four local musicians/songwriters will create, perform, and flm songs about the recent food disaster. Songs will be performed at a community concert.

Byron Shire Council received approximately $360,000 in funding, as part of the NSW Government’s Reconnecting Regional NSW - Community Events Program, earlier this year, and local community members were encouraged to apply, to host an event.

Byron Shire Mayor, Michael Lyon, congratulated the funding recipients and said that around 75 applications were received.

“I am excited to think about these events taking shape over the next six months and I extend my congratulations to each of the event organisers, “ Mayor Lyon said.

“It was a diffcult decision to narrow it

down to the six events, from the 75 applications received.

“The number of applications we received really shows how important events are to our local community and how valuable this funding is as we all recover from disruptions due to COVID-19 and foods.

“We are grateful that we were able to secure funding for the Byron Shire from the NSW Government, which will aid our recovery and allow our community to reconnect,” the Mayor said.

Funding received as part of the Reconnecting Regional NSWCommunity Events Program will also support a temporary Council Event Liaison Offcer, who will administer the event funding and support the event managers to ensure successful event delivery.

Sam Farraway said NSW has had more than its fair share of natural disasters and extreme weather and that more than 135,000 potholes have been repaired on State roads in regional NSW since February.

“We certainly have

plenty more potholes that still require attention, particularly on councilmanaged roads, which is why our Government is putting more money on the table for councils to repair potholes on the roads regional communities use every

day,” Mr Farraway said.

“This funding is available to help every regional council across the state to carry out emergency repairs and would fx roughly more than 420,000 potholes on their roads.” The new funding builds on the $500 million invested by the NSW Government through the Fixing Local Roads program to help regional councils repair, maintain and seal local roads across the state.

Funding under the Fixing Local Roads Pothole Repair Round is available to 95 regional councils and authorities to help repair potholes on regional and local roads. Work must be completed between 1 January 2023 and 1 January 2024

FUNDING TO FAST TRACK BUSHFIRE TECHNOLOGY

NSW businesses trialling innovative, feldready bushfre technologies can now apply for the second round of the NSW Government’s Bushfre Technology Pilots Program.

Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology Alister Henskens said the $2.6 million program would provide grants of up to $250,000, to help innovators turbocharge their research into practical solutions that will improve bushfre detection, preparation and response.

“We are investing in these technologies to ensure our State continues to be a world leader in bushfre technology,” Mr Henskens said.

“As well as giving homegrown innovators the

opportunity to test their cutting-edge technology, the program provides them with critical links to frontline services, so they can fast track the adoption of new approaches.

“This program demonstrates the NSW Government’s commitment to R&D, turning local research into new industries, which will create jobs, grow the economy and help secure a brighter future for NSW.”

Minister for Emergency

Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said the program builds on the success of the frst round of funding, with fve innovative ideas now being piloted.

“The frst round of grants included providing power to remote sites, real-time monitoring of fre conditions and data-sharing,” Ms Cooke said.

“By their very nature bushfres are diffcult to control and very dangerous, which is why we need

to invest in new technology to innovate our State’s frefghting response to better protect communities from future natural disasters.

“I look forward to seeing what innovations come through next to complement the incredible work of our emergency service organisations.”

More information about the program, and how to apply, is available online.

“We want to shovel out the money before Christmas” - Clarence and Richmond Valley Councils urged to apply for pothole cash

$50 MILLION BOOST TO TACKLE POTHOLES ON REGIONAL ROADS

Exciting line-up for Tweed Eco Festival taking shape

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will invest $50 million to help regional and rural councils fx the increasing number of potholes brought on by this year’s extreme wet weather.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said under the new Fixing Local Roads Pothole Repair Round, councils can apply for funding to help them address their highest priority pothole repairs.

“NSW has had more than its fair share of natural disasters and extreme weather and it’s promising to see that more than 135,000 potholes have been repaired on State roads in regional NSW since February,” Mr Farraway said.

“However, plenty more potholes still require attention, particularly on councilmanaged roads, which is why our Government is putting more money on the table for councils to repair potholes on the roads regional communities use every day.

“This funding is available to help every regional council across the state to carry out emergency repairs and would fx roughly more than 420,000 potholes on their roads. “This

additional support will help ease the pressure local councils are facing and boost the resources they can draw upon to repair their most damaged roads to improve safety and reduce wear and tear on vehicles.” The new funding builds on the $500 million invested by the NSW Government through the Fixing Local Roads program to help regional councils repair, maintain and seal local roads across the state.

Funding under the Fixing Local Roads Pothole Repair Round is available to 95 regional councils and authorities to help repair potholes on regional and local roads. Work must be completed by 1 January 2024.

Applications for funding are open for two weeks from today with funding announced in November so councils can begin work as soon as possible.

More than 20 performers, stallholders and speakers are lined up for the upcoming Tweed Eco Festival so far, with more offerings for the program to be shared in coming weeks.

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 such as Felicity Lawless, Jesse Morris & the Shakedown Band and the Kids Caring for Country Traditional Dance Group.

The program will feature several speakers to help boost our community’s preparedness for future natural hazards and how we can reduce our environmental impact, including:

• NSW SES Murwillumbah Unit - tips for food preparations and details about the new Australian warning system

• Know Your Risk - presentation about reducing your bushfre risk

• Griffth University’s Climate Action Beacon will highlight the latest science on climate change

• Research about global warming impacts on the Australian marine environment by Gretta Pecl, director at the Centre for Marine Socioecology

• Captain Plastic - an interactive session for children about the ocean and how to protect

sea creatures from plastic pollution

• Refections on the recent foods - local lessons learned from food recovery property assessments and the

a great day out – there’s something for everyone.

“The important aspect of this festival is the information and practical workshops designed to help people take

“We aim to assist people to live a more organic and sustainable life through growing your own fruit and vegetables and fnd ways to utilise things within

impacts on the Tweed’s waterways and riparian habitat

• Regenerating Australia screening - a 20-minute flm by Damon Gameau and regenerative visions for the future by local young people

• Information about carbon farming and carbon offsets

• Composting, veggie garden and worm farm workshops.

Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry encouraged the community to come along to the fun and important event.

“The Tweed Eco Festival has been designed with purpose but with all the fun things you’d expect from a community event,” Cr Cherry said.

“It’s an opportunity to be together as a community after the tough year we’ve had in our region. Come along and be inspired, have fun, listen to music, have

action to be ready for future natural hazards, including refections and lessons learned from recent fooding including practical tips to be ready for next time.

“There will be a plethora of information, stallholders, providers and community organisations in one place to provide support and inspiration to take action – it will be a one-stop-shop.”

One local small business owner who will be presenting and delivering a workshop is Rachael Sanderson from Life a Little Greener.

“I’m really excited to be involved in an event that supports and brings the community together,” Mrs Sanderson said.

“My business has an environmental focus and I love sharing my knowledge with others so they can grow nourishing organic food for their families.

our homes to build amazing edible gardens.

“I’ll be presenting on how to fght climate change from home which might include things like starting an organic veggie garden, including worm farms, composting, returning carbon to the soil and organic lawn management.

“I’ll also be delivering a workshop about composting and how to set up your veggie garden or worm farm. I’m also offering a free garden set-up or orchard consult for someone to take away on the day.”

Applications for stallholders, performers, speakers and workshop hosts are still encouraged and due by Monday 31 October. Find out more and apply online at tweed.nsw.gov. au/sustainable-living.

This event has been made possible by grant funding from the Australian Government.

Rachael Sanderson from Life A Little Greener will be delivering a workshop at the Tweed Eco Festival on 13 November, showing people how to grow organic food.

Jessie Morris and the Shakedown Band will be among a host of exciting entertainers at the Tweed Eco Festival.

Ballina Arts and Crafts Inc (BACCI)

18th -

Yes, we’re coming up to Christmas! Unique gifts made by local, talented artists and craft people are the best! BACCI’s artists range from internationally famous to local hobbyists, all the work is of an exceptional standard.

This exhibition is bigger and better than ever. We are spreading ourselves out over two rooms to increase accessibility.

Our new charity, Heart to Heart Australia, offers an art based programme for teens with potential, or actual, mental health problems. They are now offering their 4 weeks art programme up here, to help our teens deal with the trauma of this years floods.

The BACCI Christmas Show’s official opening night, with Mayor Sharon Cadwalleder, is

at the Ballina Masonic Centre, 56 Cherry St Ballina, is Friday 18h November from 6.00 - 7.30pm. Wine and snacks on offer. Be the first to view the new works, and

Hall,

St, Ballina

BOOSTING AUSTRALIA’S RECOVERY FRONT LINE

‘A home for connection’.

Carer shortage calls for more people to open their homes and hearts to the children and young people across NSW

My Forever Family NSW supports foster, relative and kinship carers, guardians and adoptive parents across NSW to keep children and young people in their care safe. Yet there remains a critical shortage of carers in the state with 15,895 children living in out-ofhome care in NSW.

There remains a critical shortage of carers in NSW. Around 350 homes are needed right now for children and young people in care in NSW. These are children who can’t live safely with their family and need a safe and nurturing place to call home.

While it is a statewide issue, numbers in regional areas are concerning.

The Department of Communities and Justice NSW data for 2020 shows that 19 children and young people aged

0-17 per 1000 are living in out-of-home care in the Western NSW District compared with 9 in 1,000 across the whole of NSW.

This data correlates with the 30 June 2021, AIHW report showing the rate of young people nationally in out-ofhome care was twice as high in inner and outer regional areas as in major cities (13 and 6.7 per 1,000, respectively).

My Forever Family NSW is addressing the issue with a state-wide campaign focusing on the connection, warmth, safety, expression and learning children can fnd in a safe, nurturing home, and calling on those who have ever considered opening their home to reach out and fnd out more.

Renée Carter, CEO of Adopt Change operating the My Forever Family NSW program says, “The sad reality is, there are currently not enough carer homes for children who are unable to live with their family. We are encouraging people

possibly win one of the many wonderful raffle prizes donated by local businesses.

The free entry show is also open on Saturday and Sunday from 9.00 – 3.00pm. Look

out for paintings, prints, photography, woven art, woodwork, sculpture, ceramics, jewellery, resin art, beautiful cards and other unique craft items.

to consider becoming a carer and to reach out to fnd out more. Becoming a carer means opening your homes and lives to provide the everyday experiences of childhood in a safe and stable environment. Whilst we want these children and young people to fnd stability, no matter how long they stay with you, you can make a profound difference in their life, becoming part of their extended family and support network. As well as being able to provide a home in this way, the beautiful fow on effect is that you get to know some amazing young humans and watch them grow into who they are meant to be. Playing a part in nurturing them through that is a lifechanging experience. ”

There are all types carer homes needed –including kinship and foster care (part-time, emergency and longterm), guardianship and adoption, which suit individual or family circumstances. Carers have the opportunity

to care for children so that they can thrive and continue to form strong bonds with their families and community, providing unique support that can last a lifetime. Carer Julie is passionate about providing a safe home for children and young people, and says, “It is an incredibly rewarding experience to open up your home and life to a child or young person. I’ve seen the difference it makes to a young life when they have that stability. To be able to provide that safe and nurturing home as well as being a person they can trust and turn to for support and encouragement throughout their life is priceless.”

At My Forever Family NSW our focus is on ensuring every child has access to a safe, nurturing and stable family home, and that all families are provided with the appropriate supports for children to thrive.

The Albanese Government has committed $38.3 million over four years in a major boost to our federal disaster response.

This extra funding, to be provided to the veteran-led Disaster Relief Australia, will help meet the growing need for boots on the ground when disasters hit.

The increasing prevalence and intensity of disasters across the nation requires more readily deployable personnel to help communities during recovery and relief efforts.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Murray Watt, said delivering on this, Disaster Relief Australia add more than 5000 additional volunteers to its existing disaster volunteer workforce.

“By covering the costs associated with recruitment, deployment, equipment and training, the Australian Government is demonstrating its commitment to supporting states and territories in their recovery efforts,” Minister Watt said.

“This will be a

critical resource in the recovery period.”

Disaster Relief Australia deploys to communities in need at the request of local or state government agencies, integrating with local government disaster recovery centres.

It also has arrangements and relationships with other non-government aid organisations, with the ability to operate independently or as part of an integrated taskforce.

Increasing the capacity and capability of the nation’s volunteer base, to ensure additional support for states and territories when disasters occur, is a priority for the Australian Government.

Disaster Relief Australia supports veterans’ wellbeing and social connectedness by providing them the opportunity to continue to serve communities devastated by disaster.

‘A home for connection’. Carer shortage calls for more people to open their homes and hearts to the children and young people across NSW

Campaign clears river of rubbish above and below waterline

SENIORS HELPED TO BECOME MORE TECH SAVVY FOR TEN YEARS PROJECT TO CLEAR TWEED RIVER OF FLOOD DEBRIS WRAPS UP

The NSW Government’s Tech Savvy Seniors program, which was launched in 2012, has now successfully helped more than 119,000 people become more independent and confdent with digital technology.

Minister for Seniors Mark Coure said the Tech Savvy Seniors program, which is run

computers and smart phones, online banking, social media and cyber security.”

Mr Coure said over 50 community college locations and 75 participating libraries across the state have been helping facilitate the program.

“The beauty of this program is it’s also delivered in 11

A massive project using underwater divers and barge-mounted excavators to clear the Tweed River of food debris, has drawn to a close.

Coordinated by the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) with the support of Council, the clean-up saw more than 890 m³ of eligible food debris removed from the Tweed River and Tweed Coast beaches, with everything from cars to fallen trees and even a boat pontoon collected.

The clean-up, which

Council’s Senior Program Leader –Waterways Tom Alletson said the river was a lot cleaner thanks to the efforts of the EPA and its contractors.

“The unprecedented volume of water which rushed down the Tweed River saw an incredible amount of rubbish dumped along the waterway,” Mr Alletson said.

“We are grateful to the EPA for their help in removing debris and while it will take some time for the river to return to its previous

sonar technology and removed using specialist underwater dive crews.

Assessments of submerged hazards identifed 29 items of potential immediate risk to human health or the environment, including navigational hazards like large trees, and man-made items which were potential chemical hazards. Following inspection by divers, 12 of the items were determined not to be food waste which did not present a navigational or environmental hazard and were not removed.

Aboriginal Co-operative Society, National Parks and Wildlife Service and Council removed the debris from Ukerebagh Island.

Flood debris removed included various plastics, building materials, tyres, chemical/oil/plastic drums, gas cylinders, furniture and whitegoods, hay bales and natural debris which posed navigation hazards.

A total of 54km of shoreline on the Tweed River was inspected on completion of the clean-up work.

While the EPA program has been of immense help in removing food debris from the river, Council’s Waterways Program has recently completed a second campaign of food debris removal from the Oxley Cove Canal Estate.

in partnership with Telstra, has now been helping seniors for ten years.

“This program is about the NSW Government helping seniors stay connected and safe in our increasingly digital world,” Mr Coure said.

“Since the program’s inception, we have been able to help more than 119,000 seniors to do just that.

“We have supported seniors to build up their skills, confdence and independence when it comes to using

different languages to help all seniors become more tech savvy,” Mr Coure said.

Among the languages the Tech Savvy Seniors program covers include Arabic, Mandarin and Cantonese, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Korean, Tagalog and Vietnamese.

Seniors wishing to participate or fnd a local Tech Savvy Seniors program can visit https://www. telstra.com.au/techsavvy-seniors to fnd out more.

ran from April through to mid-September, involved the removal of man-made and natural debris from the waterway after aerial surveys conducted following the foods of February and March 2022 indicated signifcant amounts of debris in the Tweed River.

Contractors hand-picked all man-made debris found along the shoreline of the Tweed River and Tweed beaches, with larger items collected via a barge-mounted excavator.

health, this is a positive start.”

The volume of rubbish collected by the EPA was on top of signifcant amounts of waste collected by Council from riverbanks and beaches in the immediate aftermath of the food.

Trees which presented a navigational hazard were identifed by NSW Maritime and removed via excavator barge or crane boat, while hazardous submerged debris was identifed using multibeam

Three cars were removed which were determined to be food waste and presented a risk to the environment.

More than 50 cubic metres of food waste and a 12-tonne pontoon from South Murwillumbah were also removed from Ukerebagh Nature Reserve. The pontoon has been returned to its owner.

EPA food clean-up crews, assisted by Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) rangers, Tweed

Heavy rain in September resulted in hundreds of tonnes of woody debris again being washed into the canal system, where the only option for removal for large pieces is hand collection by Council staff.

“Staff removed debris from the canal estate in April, following the March food, and in October following the September rains, and I’m concerned that we may see it affected again following this past weekend’s heavy rain,” Mr Alletson said.

The river will be eligible for EPA maintenance clean-up for a period of 6 months from September 2022. Any debris reports should be forwarded to: food. programs@epa.nsw.gov. au

A 12-tonne pontoon, which had foated down from Murwillumbah, was among food debris removed from Ukerebagh Nature Reserve (near Tweed River mouth) using a barge-mounted excavator

More than 890m3 of man-made and natural food debris has been removed from the Tweed River following the food in February-March 2022.

Information evening connecting businesses and local students

Byron Shire businesses are invited to join parents and students from Byron Bay High School, Mullumbimby High School and Shearwater, The Mullumbimby Steiner School for an information evening in Mullumbimby on Monday 21 November.

The aim of the event is to connect and inform businesses and years 9 and 10 students (and their parents) about the benefts and opportunities of SchoolBased Apprenticeships and Traineeships.

“The value of SchoolBased Apprenticeships and Traineeships can be immense to both parties,” Council’s Business and Visitor Economy Offcer, Lisa Richards said.

“This information night in Mullumbimby will give students, their parents and businesses

the chance to meet each other,” she said.

Guest speakers will talk about:

• What a School-Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship is.

• The benefts of employing a SchoolBased Apprentice or Trainee.

• How and where to

start the process.

“Young people have so much to offer as employees because they are enthusiastic and keen to learn, and it’s a terrifc way of preparing them for life after school as well as contributing toward their HSC,” Ms Richards said.

“By employing a

Improving rail track access in NSW

IPART is reviewing the regulatory framework for train operators to access NSW rail network.

IPART has released its draft report and recommendations and is calling for submissions.

The existing rail access framework has been in place for 20 years. With the freight movements in metropolitan NSW set to double over the next 30 years, it is important that NSW has the right rail access framework for allowing third-party train operators to use the rail network.

IPART Chair Carmel Donnelly said the regulatory settings are critical to achieving this objective.

“IPART’s draft recommendations recognise that rail owners and train operators are generally best placed to negotiate the access arrangements that meet their commercial objectives.

“Train operators seeking to access the rail infrastructure need

more information to make informed, timely and effcient decisions about emerging opportunities,” she said.

“They also need confdence that when they negotiate it will be on fair and reasonable terms.”

IPART has proposed that parties would need to negotiate according to defned time frames. If agreement is not reached within 3 months (or a date as agreed), a dispute resolution mechanism would be triggered.

“This would provide a greater incentive for parties to reach a timely agreement and more certainty around the processes when a dispute arises,” Ms Donnelly said.

Track owners would also be required to publish more information on services, costs, prices, network development and performance, and comply with transparent rules governing how they allocate and manage track capacity.

“One of the key problems under the existing framework is that it is diffcult to hold track owners to account when they don’t comply with the rules,” Ms Donnelly said.

“Our draft recommendations would provide IPART with new enforcement powers. We are also recommending lower cost dispute resolution methods and clear time frames to help resolve disputes.”

NSW rail track owners are the Transport Asset Holding Entity (TAHE) and Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC).

The third parties that access their rail networks include coal, grain, general freight, passenger, and heritage rail businesses. IPART’s recommendations would not affect how it sets passenger fares.

School-Based Apprentice or Trainee a minimum of one day per week, businesses are mentoring and shaping their future workforce and may beneft from government wage subsidy incentives.”

The event is free and catering will be provided. Information

is on Council’s website and businesses should register to attend by 11 November. School-Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship Information Evening

Date: Monday 21 November 2022

Where: Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club – 58

Dalley St, Mullumbimby

Time: 5:15pm –7:15pm (5:30pm start)

Cost: Free

The event is hosted by the Regional Industry Education Partnerships, Training Services NSW and Byron Shire Council.

HOUSING ACCORD COULD BE GAME CHANGER FOR RENTAL CRISIS

A major housing package announced in the federal budget is a landmark step towards tackling Australia’s rental crisis, according to Everybody’s Home, the national campaign for real housing solutions.

The National Housing Accord includes an additional $350 million to build 10,000 affordable homes over fve years from 2024, on top of the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund which will build 30,000 new social and affordable housing properties.

State and territory governments have also committed to building 10,000 homes under the Accord.

It also includes a target to build one million well-located and energy-effcient homes over the

same period. Everybody’s Home national spokesperson Kate Colvin welcomed the package.

“After almost a decade of the Coalition shirking federal responsibility on desperately needed investment in affordable rentals, the new Federal Government is showing national leadership,” she said.

“The Accord has the potential to be a game changer for housing

affordability, which has spiralled out of control with devastating consequences for so many Australians.

“Bringing the states and federal government together with local government and super funds unlocks enormous potential. We hope this new collaboration will lead to continued growth in social housing alongside growth in affordable housing, to meet the enormous need from people

on the lowest incomes.

“Homelessness is increasing and Australian families with full time breadwinners are living in tents right now. People being able to afford to live near where they want to work is crucial for the economy and society more broadly.

“This shapes as the breakthrough Australians need to break the vicious cycle of soaring rents, high infation and unaffordable housing.”

North Coast Domino’s delivery drivers and instore workers are being urged to take part in a wage theft class action against the fastfood chain, which is set to go to trial next week. The lawsuit alleges workers were underpaid up to $10,000 per year, or $11 per hour.

Lawyers representing Domino’s workers encourage eligible workers to urgently make contact.

“We want the Court to know the scale of what workers say they are entitled to if there is an order for Domino’s to pay compensation,” said Brett Spiegel, Principal Lawyer at Phi Finney McDonald.

The case alleges that Domino’s told its Australian franchisees to pay their delivery drivers and in-store workers under enterprise bargaining agreements that did not apply, and that these workers should have been paid in accordance with the better terms and conditions under the Fast Food Industry Award.

Lead applicant and former delivery driver Riley Gall is seeking more than $15,000 in damages and is encouraging eligible Domino’s workers to urgently join the class action.

“The class action alleges that Domino’s workers were underpaid and, if this is proven, we deserve to be compensated. The money would make a huge impact on

our lives, and it’s really important that Domino’s workers consider registering now,” he said.

Josh Cullinan, Secretary of the Retail and Fast Food Workers Unions (RAFFWU), says thousands of workers could miss out on receiving their full compensation if they don’t make contact about their claims or register.

“We know there are more than 55,000 Domino’s workers who are eligible for this class action. We want to make sure these people are counted so they can demand what we say they are owed by Domino’s,” he said.

Mr Spiegel said “Riley Gall will have his day in Court soon - I urge other Domino’s workers to stand up and be counted by registering as soon as possible.”

The class action will go to trial on 2nd November in the Federal Court of Australia.

The class action claims that Dominos’ workers are owed the difference between what they were paid, and the higher entitlements that were allegedly owed, including in relation to hourly rates, penalty rates, meal allowances, clothing and laundry allowances and delivery allowances.

Domino’s workers can check their eligibility and register at: www. dominosclassaction. com

NEW STAGE FOR PERFORMANCES AT LENNOX HEAD CULTURAL CENTRE

Ballina Shire Council’s Lennox Head Cultural Centre now boasts a bigger and better stage to attract more events and performances to the centre.

The new 12 by 5 metre stage has been completed by Council’s team of skilled trades people and provides a professional, industry standard performance space to meet the growing needs of the community.

“Wow! It’s such a great addition and beneft to the community that will attract a variety of performances to the Lennox Head Cultural

Centre. To have a local facility with such a large stage will mean so much for our dancers. They work and train so hard, it means they will be able to shine on stage and show their love of dance.” said Kerren Kernaghan, owner of Heart of Dance and committee member for the North Coast Dance Festival.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to Ballina Shire Council. The dance community have been asking for a larger stage at the venue and Council have delivered. There is a real economic beneft

as well for productions, as we no longer need to hire a dance foor or larger stage suitable for dancing, it’s a winwin.” Ms Kernaghan continued.

The Lennox Head Cultural Centre is fast becoming the entertainment and social hub for the Northern Rivers, attracting a variety of performances and events to Lennox Head.

“There is no other venue quite like it in the area that can accommodate small and large groups under the one roof. It

provides fexibility of spaces, a place for the community to gather at an affordable rate as well as the facilities to hold everything from live music, performance and flm to gala dinners.” said Roberta O’Brien, Community Facilities Coordinator.

For further information on the Lennox Head Cultural Centre or to fnd out what’s on at the centre visit, communityspaces.com. au or phone 02 6681 0500.

Norco Lismore Show president John Gibson has thanked the community for its support for this year’s show, with more people coming through the gate than in living memory.

“While we don’t have an offcial crowd attendance fgure because we had a free gate this year, stall holders have told me they have never seen such big crowds, particularly on the Saturday,” he said.

“I know the Tursa Art Prize sold more paintings, and at a greater value, than ever before.

“It was certainly a ‘party’ that our community had to have. It’s been a long time since we have seen so many smiles on so many faces.

“The North Coast National Lismore Show has been part of the community for 137 years. On behalf of the Show Committee, we couldn’t be happier than to have put on this very popular and iconic community event this year.

“Normally, it takes 12 months of planning to put on the Show. This year we had three months because of the food. I would like to thank the members of all our various committees and stewards who were determined to put on the best Show they could.

“But none of it would have been possible without the community’s support and the support of our sponsors – big and small, trade exhibitors and those who entered our Fine Arts and other

competitions.

“I would particularly like to thank our naming rights sponsor Norco, along with Coopers, Thearle Electrical, the Casino Co-op, Hurfords, George and Fuhrman, TNR, Betta Living, Sidney and Hacking, Tursa, Joel Jensen Constructions, Newcastle Permanent and Lismore City Council, just to name a few.

“The Show Committee wanted to achieve two things this year. Offer free entry so that every member of our community could come together and have a bit of fun after the last eight months, and secondly recognise and thank our Tinny and Mud Armies, all emergency services volunteers and all those who helped after the

natural disaster with the Community Parade.

“Like the rest of our city, the Showgrounds was damaged during the catastrophic food, and I appreciate the hard work put in by our sponsors, staff, and volunteers to get the Showgrounds into the best possible shape to hold this year’s show.

“Now that it is over, we hope to start more repairs and renovations so that when the community returns for next year’s show, we can offer even more than this year.

“After two years of Covid cancelations and the worst natural disaster the North Coast has every suffered, It Was Great To Be Back.”

Norco Lismore Show president John Gibson

RESEARCH SHOWS SCRAPPING

TAXES COULD YIELD

Research from Victoria University’s Centre of Policy Studies (CoPS) shows that eliminating two damaging state taxes would deliver a dividend to the country equivalent to around $935 per Australian household.

The study looked specifcally at property transfer duties (taxes paid by property purchasers in all Australian states) and insurance duties (taxes paid on insurance policies). It found they caused losses in economic activity of 80 cents and 40 cents per dollar of revenue raised respectively.

Co-author Associate Professor Jason Nassios said both clearly had a strong negative effect on the decision-making and activities of businesses and individuals, reducing productivity.

The research showed that even if the rates for these two ineffcient state taxes were signifcantly lowered, the damage to the economy continued to exceed alternative revenue sources for government.

The modelling examined a scenario of reducing property transfer duties to one hundredth of their current rates – or from an average level of 4.5% to 0.045% – fnding the economic cost was still 39 cents on the dollar.

This remains much higher than the 25 cents in economic costs attributable to both the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and to income tax.

“Property transfer and insurance taxes are highly costly at even very low rates, and so it is well past time that

a serious effort was made to eliminate them completely,” he said.

“It is well known that many state taxes are relatively ineffcient, but the challenge on the eve of the Australian Government’s Budget announcement on 25 October, is to consider whether the tax system across the Commonwealth is effcient, equitable and sustainable.”

The modelling suggests that dumping the Government’s controversial plan for so-called ‘Stage 3’ tax cuts -- due to come into effect in July 2024 and forecast by the Parliamentary Budget Offce to cost about $30.5 billion annually by 2031 – would raise enough Commonwealth revenue to help the states eliminate stamp duties

on housing transfers.

The researchers determined these are the most damaging to the Australian economy among all the property transfer duties the Government collects. Eliminating insurance duties, and the remaining share of property transfer duties on commercial, industrial, and retail property, could then be funded via a modest rise in GST.

“Our modelling shows a package of this kind would be budget-neutral across the Commonwealth, and unlock an economic dividend worth about $935 per household.”

The CoPS research is part of a growing body of evidence calling for reforms to ineffcient state taxes.

The Albanese Government’s commitment to better invest in disaster risk reduction is underscored by the fagship Disaster Ready Fund.

Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said the injection of up to one billion dollars over fve years to mitigate potential disaster loss and damage comes at a critical time for Australians.

“As communities across the nation once again face hardship from compounding natural disasters, this Government has delivered on its promise to focus disaster spending on where it will have the greatest impact,” Minister Watt said.

“By committing up to a billion dollars under the Disaster Ready Fund over the next fve years as part of the 2022-23 Budget, the Albanese Government will reduce the physical, economic and the psychological

impacts of disasters on Australian communities.

“We can’t stop every food, fre or cyclone.

“But with the severity, intensity and frequency of disasters set to increase, Australia must improve its overall recovery and response capability and encourage greater investment in disaster risk reduction.

“By protecting lives and properties, we can also help Australians deal with rising insurance costs.”

The Disaster Ready Fund will curb the devastating impacts of natural hazards by investing in important disaster prevention projects.

Projects will include direct investment in infrastructure, for example food levees, foodways, seawalls, frebreaks, constructed wetlands and reefs.

Projects that target systemic risk reduction to improve the quality and impact of the response to future disasters will also be eligible.

COVID-19 SUPPORT EXTENDED FOR VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES

People most vulnerable to COVID-19 will continue to be supported in protecting themselves against the virus with the NSW Government extending free access to Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) to 31 January next year.

Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Services Natasha Maclaren-Jones said the NSW Government shows the Government’s continued commitment

to keeping those most vulnerable to the virus safe.

“It’s essential that people who need it most are able to take the test when they feel sick or exposed to the virus, to help with early detection and treatment ,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.

“We want to help ease the cost of living pressures on the community in any way we can, and RATs are an added cost vulnerable communities should not

have to worry about.”

The NSW Government has already made millions of tests available to vulnerable and multicultural communities, homelessness services, social housing tenants, children and young people in out-of-home care, and Commonwealth Concession Card holders.

Minister for Multiculturalism and Minister for Seniors

Mark Coure said this is again the NSW Government flling a gap that was left by the Federal Government after it

ditched its program in July this year.

“The extension of this program is about doing the right thing for those most vulnerable to COVID-19—not leaving them behind,” Mr Coure said.

“We want people to be focusing on spending time with loved ones as we approach the holiday period, not worrying about accessing RATs and extending this program is the key to helping them do that.”

Eligible Commonwealth

Concession Card holders in NSW can access a further 10 Rapid Antigen Tests over three months until 31 January 2023.

Tests are available through 210 neighbourhood and community centres, and Service NSW centres across the state. To fnd one near you, visit www. dcj.nsw.gov.au/rapidtests.

FOR AUSTRALIA’S FIRST DISASTER READY

POLESTAR

By CHRIS RILEY

What are the chances of seeing two Polestars on the road at the same time? Not great, or so we thought, but upon entering the motorway we fell in behind another Polestar 2 on our way into Sydney.

That’s signifcant because a brand has to achieve a certain number of sales before a car achieves visibility on the roads of a city.

The Chinese-owned, Swedish Polestar is an offshoot of Volvo and has been positioned as a standalone, electric range of performance vehicles.

Polestar 2 is the frst and only model to be sold here so far and here we have the recently updated, top of the range dual motor model.

STYLING

Apart from new wheels and colours and more environmentally friendly production techniques, there’s the addition of a much-needed screen for the panoramic sunroof to keep the summer sun out.

Prices start from $63,900 for the standard range single motor.

Long range single motor is priced from $68,400.

The top-drawer long range, dual motor model, with all-wheel drive -- is priced from $73,400 (all before onroads).

Metallic paint is standard and all models start with the same basic equipment, with some minor upgrades for the current model.

Standard stuff includes embossed, textured leather upholstery and two-zone climate air conditioning.

Driver and front passenger seats are heated and partly power adjustable, with four-way power lumbar adjustment for the driver -but the seat backs must be adjusted manually.

There’s also 19-inch alloys, LED headlights with active beam, adaptive rear LED lights, retractable frameless mirrors, auto lights and wipers, autodimming rear view mirror, front and rear park sensors and a foot-operated tailgate.

Few buyers are likely to take the car the way it comes from the manufacturer, with a range option packs available that build on the basics.

Like the single motor Polestar 2 that we drove a few weeks ago, our current test vehicle had been ftted with the $3400 Pilot Lite pack, $6000 Plus pack and $6000 ventilated Nappa leather (ethically sourced of course).

Pilot Lite Pack adds Adaptive Cruise Control

and Pilot Assist, auto dimming for side mirrors plus a further four parking sensors and 360-degree birds eye view.

Plus adds a heated steering wheel, full power seat adjustment, an energysaving heat pump, air fltration system, wireless phone charger, 600 watt 13-speaker Harman Kardon audio plus full-length panoramic glass roof.

Like the car itself, buying a Polestar is a whole new experience too. There are no dealerships, one orders and pays for the car online. You can however book a test drive, at a designated ‘space’ in each of the capital cities or at a location of your choosing.

Polestar offers a 5-year fve warranty, along with 5 years complimentary servicing and roadside assistance.

The battery is covered by an 8-year/160,000km warranty.

INFOTAINMENT

Pride of place in the Ikeainspired cab is occupied by a large Tesla-like 11.2-inch portrait style touchscreen affxed to the dash.

Polestar 2 is the frst car to be ftted with a built-in Google operating system that includes Google Assistant, Google Maps, with charging options and Google Play Store, which offers optimised in-car apps for seamless integration.

It’s an Android environment, but iPhone users have not been entirely forgotten, with Apple CarPlay/Siri.

The system is connected

to the net and receives overthe-air updates like a phone.

There are two USB Type-C connections in the front and two more in the rear.

ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS

The Dual Motor version really cranks performance up a notch or two. Output jumps from 170kW and 330Nm, to a whopping 300kW of power and 660Nm of torque.

Drive is to all four wheels through a single reduction gear transmission.

SAFETY

Polestar 2 gets a full fvestar crash rating, with a rear-view camera and seven airbags including a centre airbag.

There’s also autonomous emergency braking (Carto-Car, Vulnerable Road User and Junction Assist) as well as a lane support system with lane keep assist (LKA), lane departure warning (LDW) and emergency lane keeping (ELK), and an advanced speed assistance system (SAS).

You don’t get blind spot warning, cross traffc alert with brake support, rear collision warning and mitigation, nor adaptive cruise control – which are all part of the $3400 Pilot Lite pack.

DRIVING

With 660Nm of torque on tap the dash from 0-100km/ h takes just 4.7 seconds.

One imagines the extra load of a second electric motor, along with the

demands of all-wheel drive would have an impact on the range of the vehicle.

In fact, the dual motor model gets up to 487km, compared to 478km (WLTP) for the single motor front-wheel drive version.

But the long-range single motor model still pips both of them, with a range of up to 551km.

There’s no key or start button as such, you just put it in Drive (or Reverse), hit the accelerator and start driving.

But the abrupt way the parking brake disengages as well as the way it surges forward can be a little unnerving.

Acceleration in this model is rapid but requires a decisive right foot to get going. Overtaking can be accomplished virtually at will with all that instant torque on tap.

Weighing in at 2113kg, however, there’s a sense of weight when driving the car, as it bumps and thunks its way over the bad roads and speed humps of suburbia.

This disappears as the car transitions to the billiard table-fat pavement of the motorway.

Although it’s 120kg heavier than the single motor model we drove previously, apart from the questionable ride quality, the extra power of the two motors more than compensates for this weight.

Bear in mind, however, the harder you drive the car and the more often you plant the accelerator, the quicker it will eat through the remaining kilometres.

Regenerative braking recaptures some power when the car is travelling downhill.

You can choose between two levels of regenerative braking via the touchscreen and adopt a one-pedal style of driving where there’s no

need to apply the brakes.

Just lifting off the accelerator brings the car to a halt. It takes some practice and my wife for one switched it off.

With a 78kWh battery array, 75kWh of which is useable, energy consumption is a claimed 19.4-20.2 kWh/100km (WLTP).

We chalked up 540km at a rate of 21.4 kWh/100km.

Once again, the extra-long seven-metre charging cable is welcome.

For us it means with a bit of maneuvering it is possible to charge the car without having to move the car in front.

Charging takes as little as 35 minutes using a public, high-powered DC fast charger or eight hours with a home wallbox (with threephase power).

No fgures are supplied for a standard 10A power point, but we were able to top up a half empty battery in about 19 hours.

Although no SUV, Polestar 2 sits at a comfortable height for access with a liftback that rises to reveal a long but shallow luggage area (and hidden area underneath).

There’s also some extra storage in the front boot or frunk as it is known. No provision for a spare tyre. Instead, a puncture repair kit is provided.

Inside, it’s Swedish and minimalist, with a highroofed, light airy cabin that has an upmarket feel. But some of the ergonomics need sorting out.

It’s easy to catch your feet on the control pedals when getting in and out, and the back seat is cramped, with a low roof line.

And here’s one I didn’t see coming. The deeply recessed front windows are set back a good 6cm or so.

It was enough to catch my left shoulder on the lip as I was getting out, with painful consequences.

It’s surprising that in a car as hi-tech as this one, there’s no head-up display -- not even of the pop-up plastic variety.

It’s interesting to note that while Google Maps can keep tabs on the speed limit, it can’t or won’t provide warnings of school zones and speed cameras.

SUMMING UP

While most buyers will be drawn to the extra performance offered by the dual motor model, we’d quite happily settle for the long range, single motor version.

At this stage of the transition, it is all about range and charging, and even with one electric motor still provides a satisfying level of performance.

MODEL RANGE

Standard Range (single motor), $63,900

Long Range (single motor), $68,400

Long Range (dual motor), $73,400

Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges.

Contact Polestar for driveaway prices.

SPECIFICATIONS

(Polestar 2, Long Range Single Motor, fully electric, fve-door fastback)

PERFORMANCE:

Battery capacity: 78 kWh

Maximum Power: 300 kW

Maximum Torque: 660 Nm Fuel Type: Electricity Plug Type: Mode 2 and Type 1

Charging: Up to 11kW (AC) or 150kW (DC)

Maximum range: 487 km Energy Use: 19.4-20.2

kWh/100km

CO2 Emissions: 0 g/km

DRIVELINE: Single-speed reduction gear transmission, single electric motor, all-wheel drive

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES: Length: 4606 mm

Wheelbase: 2735 mm

Width: 1859 mm

Height: 1479 mm

Turning Circle: 11.5 metres Kerb Mass: 2113 kg

BRAKES: Front: Ventilated disc Rear: Ventilated disc

STANDARD WARRANTY: Five years / unlimited kilometres

POLESTAR 3 – GO BIG OR GO HOME

By CHRIS RILEY

Polestar 3 has hit the decks and it’s big – in every way.

Based on Volvo’s XC90 replacement, the all-electric EX90, the fve-seat SUV comes with a big price, a big battery, big electric range and tips the scales at a big 2500 kilos plus.

Powered by two electric motors, with a 111kWh battery, the launch edition puts out 360kW and 840Nm, with a range of up to 610km. Optioned with the Performance Pack, those outputs jump to 380kW and 910kW.

It’s priced from an “indicative” $135,000 initially and you can register your interest now, with frst deliveries expected towards the end of

capability, soft-closing doors, a head-up display and Pilot Assist.

Available to order from the second quarter of 2023, the optional Pilot Pack with LiDAR from Luminar will add an additional control

in an incremental ramp-up phase from mid-2023, with frst deliveries expected in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Additional manufacturing at Volvo’s South Carolina facility in the United States is expected to follow

excellent driving dynamics.

“It takes our manufacturing footprint to the next level, bringing Polestar production to the United States,” he said.

“We are proud and excited to expand our portfolio

next year.

Polestar 3 (P3) is the frst car from Volvo’s electric performance brand to feature Nvidia Drive hardware, together with software from Volvo Cars.

Nvidia’s highperformance automotive platform processes data from the car’s sensors and cameras to enable driver monitoring and advanced driver-assist features.

The infotainment system is powered by a nextgeneration Snapdragon Cockpit Platform from Qualcomm Technologies.

The Snapdragon Digital Chassis consists of a comprehensive set of open and scalable cloudconnected automotive platforms.

It provides an immersive in-vehicle experience, with high-defnition displays, premium surround sound and seamless connectivity.

Like other Volvos and Polestars, it has built-in Android Automotive OS co-developed with Google, together with a 14.5-inch vertically mounted centre display.

Over-the-air updates are included to allow for continuous software

improvement and introduction of new features without the need to visit a service point.

In another frst, radar sensors can detect minute movements in the cabin to help protect against accidentally leaving children or pets inside, and are linked to the climate control system to avoid heat stroke or hypothermia.

Cameras also monitor the driver’s eyes and can trigger warning messages, sounds and even an emergency stop function when detecting a distracted, drowsy or disconnected driver.

P3 features optimised aerodynamics, with a front aero wing integrated into the bonnet, an aero wing integrated into the rear spoiler and rear aero blades.

Adjustable one-pedal drive is included, as well as an electric Torque Vectoring Dual Clutch function on the rear axle – an evolution of the tech developed for Polestar 1.

A decoupling function is also available for the rear electric motor, allowing the car to run only on the front motor to save energy under certain circumstances.

Advanced chassis control is provided by dualchamber air suspension as standard, allowing Polestar 3 to adapt between comfort and dynamic suspension characteristics.

Materials used inside the car have been selected for their sustainability, while raising premium aesthetics and luxury tactility.

These include bioattributed MicroTech, animal welfare-certifed leather and fully traceable wool upholsteries.

P3 is also equipped for bidirectional charging, enabling future potential for vehicle-to-grid and plugand-charge capabilities.

All versions include air suspension, a full-length panoramic glass roof, all-LED lighting inside and out, retractable door handles with proximity sensing and 21-inch alloy wheels.

The Plus Pack and Pilot Pack will be ftted as standard for the frst model year and include a raft of premium, luxury and convenience features.

These include Bowers & Wilkins 25-speaker audio with 3D surround sound and Dolby Atmos

unit from Nvidia.

With three cameras, four ultrasonic sensors and cleaning for the front- and rear-view cameras, it provides accurate realtime data about the car’s surroundings especially in the long-range feld.

This enables enhanced 3D scanning of the car’s surroundings in greater detail and helps prepare the car for autonomous driving.

As well as an increase in power, the optional Performance Pack also sharpens driving dynamics, with performance optimised air suspension, unique 22-inch forged alloys and additional signature ‘Swedish gold’ details.

P3 is the frst car to be based on new all-electric technology developed by and shared with Volvo Cars.

Production for initial launch markets is planned to begin in Chengdu, China,

Ingenlath said Polestar 3 is a powerful electric SUV that will appeal to the senses with a distinct, Scandinavian design and

as we continue our rapid growth.”

Australian customers can register their interest online from 13 October 2022. Full specifcation available at www.polestar.com/au

towards the middle of 2024.

Polestar’s Thomas

Polestar 3 is the frst car to be based on new all-electric technology developed by and shared with Volvo Cars

Avenger is Jeep’s frst fully electric SUV

JEEP’S FIRST FULLY ELECTRIC SUV

By CHRIS RILEY

Jeep has taken the wraps off its frst fully electric SUV. The all-new Avenger also has the distinction of being Jeep’s smallest SUV to date.

It will be produced in Poland and is targeted at European customers, with a unique combination of capability, style, functionality and technology.

Avenger will be offered in mild hybrid and battery electric form and shares a platform with the Peugeot 2008, Opel Mokka and DS 3 Crossback.

A new generation 400volt electric powertrain produces 115kW of power and 260Nm of torque.

With a new 54kWh battery, it offers an allelectric range of 400km (WLTP). Charging with a 100kW DC commercial charger takes 24 minutes to charge from 20 to 80 per cent.

An 11kW Mode 3 cable from a wallbox or public charge station, takes 5.5 hours from 0 to 100 per cent.

Battery elements are located under the front and rear seats.

Measuring 4.08 metres in length, Avenger is a full 16cm shorter than the Renegade.

It’s the frst front-wheel drive Jeep equipped with standard Selec-Terrain and Hill Descent Control.

Together with impressive approach and departure

angles and 200mm of ground clearance, it delivers benchmark off road ability for the segment.

Selec-Terrain offers six modes: “Normal” for everyday driving; “Eco” to enhance range; “Sport” for more driving fun; “Snow” for maximum traction on icy roads or trails; “Mud” to optimize mud performance and to enhance grip; and “Sand” to limit the risk of becoming stuck on sandy soil.

Jeep says Avenger’s architecture achieves the highest possible levels of compactness without compromising any of the brand’s distinct characteristics.

In order to reduce any damage caused by low-speed impacts, which account for about 70 per cent of cases in Europe, it’s equipped with skid plates, 360-degree cladding and encased headlights for protection.

It believes this will make the vehicle a valuable and appealing choice for those who are looking for a zeroemission alternative to the more traditional players in the segment.

Avenger arrives in showrooms early next year, but customers can already pre-book the exclusive Launch Edition, an eye-catching, fully equipped version.

Finished in two-tone paint, it features 18-inch alloys, privacy glass and

full LED lights front and rear.

Inside there is coloured ambient lighting and a yellow dashboard, as well as heated black seats with yellow accents, a heated windshield, a pad cover for the central console, height adjustable cargo foor and hands-free power tailgate.

The Uconnect infotainment system features a 10.25-inch touchscreen and fully digital instrument cluster, together with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and wireless smartphone charging pad.

Exclusive to the electric version, the Launch Edition is equipped with Level 2 ADAS systems which allow drivers to maintain their speed, distance from the vehicle ahead and the centre of the lane in a completely autonomous way.

Thanks to Level 2 autonomous driving, it is possible to drive almost autonomously in traffc thanks to the Traffc Jam Assist system.

Capping off the equipment list is climate air, blind spot alerts, autodimming rear view mirror, power-fold and heated side mirrors, parking sensors and a 360-degree camera.

Buyers of the Launch Edition get to choose between a wallbox for domestic charging or RFID card for public charging.

MACAN FIRST FOUR-DOOR PORSCHE TO WEAR THE T

By CHRIS RILEY

Porsche has expanded its Macan range with the addition of the new Macan T in Australia.

The letter “T” stands for “Touring” and has been applied to selected Porsche models since the 1960s.

Macan is the frst fourdoor Porsche to wear the badge that has been previously reserved for 911 and 718 models.

The Macan T will sit between the entry Macan and Macan S in a fourmodel range, with the GTS at the top of the line-up.

It’s powered by the newly developed turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine from the entrylevel model, with 195 kW of power and maximum torque of 400Nm between 1800 and 4500 rpm.

Motoring

By ALISTAIR KENNEDY

Paired with a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission, with drive to all four wheels, it accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds and has a top speed of 232km/h with the standard-ft Sport Chrono package. Fuel consumption is a claimed 9.5L/100km.

Macan T is ftted with 8-way electrically adjustable sports seats. Both front seats are heated.

With a rear-wheel drive bias Macan T uses steel-sprung suspension, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and a 15mm lower ride height.

Macan T also uses stiffer anti-roll bars on the front axle to reduce body roll and provide a more direct steering feel for the driver. As a result, it delivers increased

agility, responsive steering behaviour and sportscar handling deliver great driving pleasure along with long-distance touring comfort and everyday usability.

Front brakes are 34 x 350mm diameter vented discs, with four-piston aluminium monobloc fxed brake calipers. At the rear are 22 x 330mm diameter vented discs, with combination foating calipers. The 20-inch light alloy Macan S wheels fnished in Dark Titanium are ftted with 265/45 R20 tyres front and 295/40 R20 tyres at the rear.

Macan T is offered in 13 different exterior paint colours.

Porsche Macan T is priced from $92,700 plus on-roads.

this car was designated the Tipo B2600 but later became unoffcially referred to as the P3, since the P1 and P2 had set new standards for Alfa Romeo in Grand Prix racing in each of the decades between the two world wars. The P3 was the frst true single-seat Grand Prix car.

drive, with two angled propeller shafts to the rear wheels.

Vittorio Jano designed a number of classic Grand Prix cars for Alfa and produced the dual-purpose sports and Grand Prix 2.3-litre Tipo 8C in 1931. In its sportscar form this car was particularly successful winning four Le Mans 24hour races over the period 1931-1934.

Following the 8C, a version with higher supercharger boost was produced which initially was to be named Monza after its frst Grand Prix victory at that circuit in May 1931. However, Maserati and Bugatti had cars which proved they were capable of beating the Alfa Monza.

As a consequence, Jano was given the green light to go ahead and design a new faster Grand Prix car which he did in 1932. Originally

Painted red, the P3 Grand Prix cars were very successful. Their functional appearance from classic radiator to neatly tapered tail soon became the almost standard image for a Grand Prix car. They had a wide track with large wire wheels which were enhanced by large brakes in polished aluminium drums.

They were powered by a front mounted water-cooled straight eight engine with two four-cylinder blocks, with alloy heads in line at 2336cc. A central drive was used for the camshafts and the twin Roots-type superchargers. This arrangement produced an unstressed power output of 160kW and drove through a four-speed gearbox, immediately behind which was a differential and an unconventional bifurcated

Although the P3 had wins in 1932, Alfa Romeo went through a restructuring in 1933 when racing was stopped. However, Enzo Ferrari convinced the Alfa management they should begin racing again. With Scuderia Ferrari, the P3s immediately started winning again. After 1934 new German Grand Prix teams started to dominate the European tracks and soon put an end to the P3’s supremacy.

In an effort to regain their former prowess, the P3s were uprated to 2905cc producing 190kW with three-speed gearboxes and then in 1935 a further uprating to 3165cc producing 198kW. This time the uprating included a change in front suspension and addition of hydraulic brakes.

These changes enabled one last glorious victory when a P3 humbled the Germans in their home Grand Prix, as a climax to the outstanding racing career of Jano’s Alfa Romeos.

NSW LEADING THE NATION IN SKILLS AND TRAINING

BETTER PROTECTIONS FOR EMERGENCY WORKERS BECOME LAW

Assaulting frontline health or emergency services workers will be met with tough new penalties, including up to 14 years in jail, under laws that came into force on Wednesday 19 October 2022.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the new offences will better protect a range of key frontline workers who commit their working lives to keeping our community safe.

or in principle and in this legislation has gone further in one critical respect,” Mr Speakman said.

The latest national data on apprentices and trainees shows the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s record investment in skills continues drive nation-leading results, with more than 115,000 apprentices and trainees in training across the State.

Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said the National Centre for Vocational Education and Research (NCVER) report shows NSW recorded a 9.3 per cent increase in the number of apprentices and trainees in training, compared with the previous 12 month period.

“NSW is leading the nation when it comes to skills and training, with more people in training than any other state, ensuring that we continue to build a strong pipeline of skilled, job-ready workers to help grow our economy,” Mr Henskens said.

“One of today’s highlights is an almost 19 per cent increase in female apprentices and trainees in training across NSW, which is testament to programs like Built for Women, which are encouraging more women into traditional trades.

“Across the board, commencements

and completions of apprenticeships and traineeships are also up, further strengthening the skilled workforce and helping keep unemployment at historic lows.

“The data also reveals that over the last two years, despite the challenges we’ve faced, NSW has recorded a 42 per cent increase in apprenticeship and traineeship commencements. For females alone, commencements are up 59 per cent.

“The NSW Government’s record $3.1 billion investment in skills and training in the Budget will further

turbocharge the take-up of vocational education and training, securing a brighter future for people in NSW.”

The NSW Government is removing barriers to vocational education and training for young people through unprecedented investments in fee-free training as well as programs like the Educational Pathways Program and Careers NSW.

Reforms to the HSC and ATAR will also increase the take-up of vocational education and training, by signifcantly expanding the education and employment pathways available to young people.

RETIRED SUPREME COURT JUDGE TO CARRY OUT REVIEW OF SAFEWORK NSW

The NSW Government has appointed retired Supreme Court judge The Hon. Robert McDougall KC to carry out a review of SafeWork NSW. Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said Mr McDougall previously reviewed iCare and SIRA in 2020-21 and would now turn his attention to the operations and culture of SafeWork NSW, the State’s work health and safety regulator. “NSW Parliament passed legislation in 2015 to abolish WorkCover, and replace it with iCare, SIRA and SafeWork NSW as three separate entities,” Mr Dominello said. “SafeWork NSW is the only one of those three entities that has not been independently reviewed since the reforms. For that

reason, a review of the operations of SafeWork NSW is now appropriate.

“This review will look at issues raised in recent weeks and provide the Government with independent insights that will be both powerful and instructive.”

Department of Customer Service Deputy Secretary and Head of SafeWork NSW Natasha Mann also expressed her support for an independent review

to be carried out by Mr McDougall. “SafeWork NSW plays a vital role in protecting the health and safety of workers in NSW,” Ms Mann said.

“It is important we ensure SafeWork NSW is performing its role as the state’s workplace health and safety regulator as effectively as possible.” Mr McDougall’s review will consider the operations, culture, and governance of SafeWork NSW.

It is separate to the NSW Auditor-General Margaret Crawford’s performance audit in 2023.

Mr Dominello said while he welcomed SafeWork NSW being added to the NSW Auditor-General’s audit program in 2023, the Auditor-General was not expected to hand down her fndings until late 2023. “Mr McDougall’s review provides an opportunity to get started now and can more fulsomely cover issues such as culture than is possible through the performance audit,” Mr Dominello said. Further information on Mr McDougall’s review into SafeWork NSW, including the terms of reference, timeline and process for making submissions will be available shortly.

“These new laws reinforce the NSW Government’s commitment to strengthening frontline services and supporting those who selfessly serve in these critical roles,” Mr Perrottet said.

“This includes frefghters, paramedics, hospital medical staff, state emergency service workers, surf life savers and marine rescue volunteers.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Paul Toole said the new offences carry the same penalties as existing penalties for assaults on police offcers and correctional offcers.

“This law sends a clear message that assaults and acts of violence against frontline health and emergency service workers are reprehensible and will not be tolerated,” Mr Toole said.

“This law also clarifes and provides consistency in the coverage of existing laws for assaulting, hindering or resisting emergency services workers including police offcers and correctional offcers.”

Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the new legislation protects all paramedics, medical and security staff in hospitals, as well as pharmacists and their staff.

“Every person should be able to feel free and safe in their workplace,” Mr Hazzard said.

Attorney General Mark Speakman said this legislation is part of the NSW Government’s response to the NSW Sentencing Council’s report Assaults on Emergency Services Workers.

“The NSW Government supports all of the Sentencing Council’s recommendations in full

“The NSW Government has ensured that frefghters from the NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, pharmacy staff, community health workers and NSW State Emergency Service frontline workers are covered by the new offences, in recognition of the signifcant work they do for our community.”

Minister for Corrections Geoff Lee welcomed the strengthening of provisions for frontline staff in correctional centres.

“Under three new aggravated offences, anyone who assaults a corrections offcer or youth justice offcer during a riot faces harsher penalties under three new aggravated offences introduced in the legislation. The defnition of ‘Law enforcement offcers’ has been expanded to include staff providing education, health or rehabilitation services to prison inmates and detainees in youth detention centres,” Mr Lee said.

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said violence and assaults against frontline and emergency services personnel is unacceptable.

“Whatever the emergency, our frontline workers, especially our volunteers, give their all to help people through the worst of times. They deserve our gratitude and respect, and they also need to know we have their backs,” Ms Cooke said.

“These laws ensure that those who perpetuate disgraceful acts of violence on our dedicated emergency services personnel face the appropriate consequences.”

The new offences range from up to 12 months in prison and/ or a $2,200 fne, to a maximum 14 years’ jail for the worst offenders.

Supreme Court judge The Hon. Robert McDougall KC

Natural & Homemade Insecticides

SaveGardenYour Without Killing the Earth

Garlic is well-known for its pungent aroma, which is delectable to some and yet repellent to others, and it is this strong scent that comes into play when used as a natural insecticide. Actually, it’s not really clear if garlic spray and chile spray (below) are actually insecticides or are more like ly insect repellents, but either way, these common kitchen ingredients can be used to knock down, or even knock out, insect infestations in the garden. To make a basic garlic spray, take two whole bulbs (not just two cloves) and puree them in a blender or food processor with a small amount of water. Let the mixture sit overnight, then strain it into a quart jar, adding one-half cup of vegetable oil (optional), one teaspoon of mild liquid soap, and enough water to ll the jar. To use this homemade insecticide, use one cup of mixture with one quart of water and spray liberally on infested plants.

Similar to garlic spray, chilli pepper spray is a great homemade natural insect repellent that can be used for a variety of di erent pests. Chilli spray can be made from either fresh hot peppers or chile pepper powder.

make a basic chilli spray from pepper powder, mix one tablespoon of chile powder with one quart of water and several drops of mild liquid soap. is mixture can be used full-strength on the leaves of a ected plants. To make chilli spray from

peppers with one cup of water, then

then strain

From the folks at Rodale’s Organ ic Life comes this all-in-one DIY natural insecticide, which is said to be a combination of many di erent recipes submitted by readers. To make it, puree one bulb of garlic and one small onion, add one teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder and let steep for an hour. Strain the mixture and add one tablespoon of liquid soap and mix well. To apply this homemade insecticide, spray it full-strength onto both the upper surface of the leaves, as well as the undersides, and store the remainder in the refrigerator for up to a week if desired.

the chilli

Although there are many more natural pesticides available, such as Bt (a soil microbe toxic to certain in sects), milky spore (also a microbe), nicotine (extracted as a tea from bulk tobacco), pyrethrum (derived from a variety of daisy), and iron phosphate (a natural mineral toxic to slugs and snails), the above natural and homemade insecticide recipes should give you a good starting point for creating your own version. Every organic gardener seems to have their own particular blend and ratio of ingredients, so by paying close attention to the e ects of a speci c recipe, it’s possible to modify it to best suit your own insect battles. Just remember, killing o all of the insects in your garden is not the desired result here, as any healthy ecosystem requires an abundance of bene cial insects, microbes, and fungi, both in the soil and on the plants themselves, so introducing other predatory insects (ladybugs, praying mantis, etc.) or creating good habitat for them, as well as building soil fertility, can also be an e ective pest management approach.

Podiatrist Monique Wilson-Stott cares for patients in the High Risk Foot Service in Lismore, where her team looks a er people with complex foot complications with the aim of reducing their need for hospital admission or surgery.

“We are o en a point of contact for people with foot wounds, providing wound care and linking them with other allied health services which help people with diabetes reduce their risk of ulceration and amputations,” Monique said.

Following the February and March oods, Monique and the team at Lismore’s High Risk Foot Clinic helped patients af fected by the natural disaster get back on their feet, literally.

“It was di cult to contact our patients we knew were dis placed, because they had no phone service. Some patients came to the clinic barefoot, with infected ulcers on their feet, they had been rescued and were not able to grab their shoes.

“ at can be particularly dangerous for people with diabe tes,” Monique said.

“Fortunately, through some generous donations we were able to get people into good shoes relatively quickly to reduce their risk of further injury.

“For those who were exposed to oodwater, we were able to treat them before their condition worsened where they

would have needed hospital admission or a signi cant amputation.”

Monique has worked in community health settings for sev en years. Knowing she’s played a part in seeing her patients stay as healthy as they can, is incredibly rewarding.

“Keeping our patients as healthy as possible and out of hospital is our ‘bread and butter’. It’s not only great for the patient and their family, but it’s good for our health system too,“ Monique said.

“We spend a lot of time with our patients and really build a connection with them. Sometimes when they are ready to be discharged from our clinic it’s di cult to say goodbye.”

Podiatry is a profession which forms part of the Allied Health specialties. e term Allied Health encompasses more than 20 professions including physiotherapy, speech pathology, dietetics, counselling and radiation therapy, to name a few.

Allied Health professionals work hand in hand with nurses and doctors across community health, hospitals, aged care and

other settings.

Podiatrist

Grape Expectations by Max Crus

My Kitchen Stinks.

Ms L. was excited.

There was a new reality TV show promotion on a commercial station.

It’s not as if Ms L. watches reality TV, indeed we seldom watch any commercial TV, and her tastes rarely extend beyond dark murder mysteries, psychopathic thrillers and dark Scandi’ horrors, which come to think of it, perhaps I should run that by the police.

Anyway, it isn’t clear why she was on this channel, just passing through, but if so, why would you stop on something called My Dad, Your Mum?

Unfathomable that someone would raise such a concept in a meeting

somewhere, even less fathomable that others agreed it could be a TV show, but even worse, still others were prepared to pay for it.

Everyone wants their parents to be happy, and if they happen to be single for some reason, sure, a new partner might help, but who wants to think anything beyond that point?

Furthermore, isn’t that what Tinder is for? Okay maybe just checking out their profle to make sure they weren’t too embarrassing would satisfy any such curiosity, if not put you off dating platforms until it was erased from your memory?

That is not reality TV.

But of course very few reality TV shows are.

My Kitchen Rules? My Kitchen Stinks would be closer to the mark in our place. Contestants could be tasked with fnding where the offending stench was coming from and ascertain whether it was in fact past it’s use by date or just Durian fruit or dead animal cured to perfection.

There could be spinoffs like A Fridge Too Far for the top contestants.

MAFS is apparently a recognised acronym now, Married at First Sight. How inappropriate is that on so many levels? Aren’t we trying to stamp out that sort of creepy behaviour?

True reality would

be Married at First Conception, like the good old days, or Married at First Sight of Their Bank Account.

Farmer Wants a Wife is just as un-PC. Farmer Wants a Subsidy has a familiar ring to it though, much more real.

The Block? Why not just Cheap and Nasty Renos to Make a Quick Buck and Humiliate People with Contrived Obstacles? Perhaps the reality would be a combination of the above, Homeowner Needs a Tradie.

My Cellar Rules, could have legs however, or perhaps Farmer Wants a Wine? Might watch that.

Sevenhill Clare Valley ‘Inigo’ Grenache, 2021 $28. Pioneers of the Clare Valley, Sevenhill were obviously guided by a higher being, God bless them, and we should be grateful for their higher purpose in providing such delights for their flock. 9.3/10

Yalumba Eden Valley ‘The Virgilius’ Viognier 2018, $50. Yalumba make a million different viogniers, they are the Viognier Kings, or Queens you could say. And this is the Princliest, and priciest of them all and deservedly so. There’s a lot going on here, so take your time.

9.5/10

Yalumba Eden Valley Roussanne 2020, $28. Every now and then a wine comes along that blows your socks off with its range and strength of flavours and begs “why isn’t there more of this”? Interesting enough to go with any cooking show, specially on Moroccan night.

9.4/10

Sevenhill Clare Valley ‘Inigo’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, $28. “Dry as a wooden god”, as Mum would say, but not in front of these guys if you don’t mind. Thou shalt not worship false gods, wooden or otherwise presumably. Still a worthy altar wine though. And do Mormons have Farmers Wants a Few Wives or Marriages at First Sight? 9.1/10

Robert Stein Mudgee Half Dry Riesling RS15 2022, $50. If you thought $40 was pushing it for a riesling, how about $50? The lovely aroma and dry finish has been swaying judges for years however, all of which makes it the perfect accompaniment to reality TV and amazingly you hardly notice the residual sugar.

9.5/10

Robert Stein Mudgee Dry Riesling 2022, $40. Good riesling is perhaps not the best value wine. The low alcohol and ease of drinking means it can be all gone in no time, and you wonder where your money went. Just like dating and renos. 9.4/10.

named after which

of mosses

called what?

Calamitous (4)

Figurehead (4)

(4)

wrestler and politician (4)

Scottish dagger (4)

(4)

sheepskin leather (4)

(4)

A NNA KE N DRIC

Your noticeably fearless approach impresses, you have the stamina to tackle any task. Unafraid you take on more commitments even though you’ve enough to do already. You approach things in a rather unstructured way and try to get too many things done at once. Make sure you don’t waste time on irrelevant details or lose your temper in the process. Be willing to make compromises in your relationship; if you don’t you may be in for a lot of arguments. Pay attention to the signals your body sends you. 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.

Think big and channel your energy productively and see how much you can achieve in a short space of time. Be sure to avoid protracted discussions that lead you to become frustrated and angry with those who appear to be placing obstacles in your way. Practicing some self-restraint applies to all activities as your selfconfdence can lead you to take on far more than you realistically handle and your rather careless approach needs to be harnessed in a more practical and thought out way to succeed. 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.

You’re keyed up, enthusiastic and feel able to accomplish everything you set out to achieve. If you are striving for more professional responsibility, show others what you are capable of, demonstrate your abilities, it’s easy to realize your goals without unsettling those who may previously have felt threatened by your ambition.

Your opinions are acknowledged and the ideas you have on almost any matter accepted. This applies to all discussions; you’re able to convince others of your point of view. 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.

Let tolerance, patience and understanding take priority over the way you behave. Unfortunately you’re far more inclined to impose your will in an overly passionate and ruthless way, which understandably is not well received by those with whom you share your everyday life. As you might expect, they’re unlikely to respond in a very tranquil way, instead they agitate the situation further. Be accepting and thoughtful in your conduct towards them and avoid being thought of as heartless and infexible.Impulsive and thoughtless actions can lead to upsets with your lover. You better think twice, before doing something you might later regret! For your lover, the excuses you make are just as irrelevant as any promises or commitments – it all depends on the way you behave and what you actually do! Pull yourself together; show you’re able to overcome any diffculties.

You face a number of challenges, and feel as if you have to prove yourself all the time. This is quite exhausting and unnerving, which tends to put you on edge. Make sure you keep your temper and avoid unnecessarily showing your displeasure towards those you are supposed to care about most. Practice more self-restraint and be more careful about how you treat others. Treat yourself to a calm and relaxing break, use the time to readjust plans and coordinate them with your partner and your family. 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.

Cancer Jun 24 - Jul 22

Fully in command of all aspects of your life, you’re able to quantify how much effort is needed to complete various tasks. Relaxed and with a steady approach you get to work and fulfll even the hardest tasks successfully. Others seek your advice and opinion on matters that concern them and are grateful for the competent way they receive assistance. Any approach you make is likely to be welcomed and others notice how engaging you are, if single you’re likely to enjoy a romantic involvement. You’re up for romantic walks as well as fun and games. Adored by your partner, make sure you don’t appear boring and become insignifcant! Every now and then you should both try some exhilarating and new activity or if there is something you don’t like, let your partner know! Holding back to keep the peace isn’t always the best approach for either one of you.

All aspects of the experience you have previously accumulated are brought to bear and help you deal confdently with most situations as and when they arise. You’re satisfed with yourself and the effort you’re able to make towards stabilizing your circumstances and prospects for the future. It’s appropriate to seek improvements in your business, social and romantic life, whatever you dare to tackle leads to favorable responses from others, who are likely to approve of your suggestions and opinions. This week you’re feeling particularly lucky, especially where your love life is concerned. Passion and harmony dominate and it’s a good time to explore techniques with your partner. There is certainly one long-cherished desire, which you would like to try now. Thanks to your sensitive and considerate approach your lover is willing to listen and probably positively respond to you.

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 show signs of being passionate. Don’t overwhelm your lover with fanciful ideas and suggestions. You should use a slower more sensual approach – gently coax them, don’t be too pushy. If you’re single, don’t mix self-confdence with brusqueness. With a more sophisticated approach, you’re more likely to be met with approval. Simply be a little bit more patient!

Scorpio Oct 24 - Nov 20

You are persistent and powerful and prove in every situation that you’re unbeatable. Take advantage of this high-energy phase but retain some level of composure! Use restraint where appropriate and don’t exaggerate or allow yourself to become out of control, in such a way as to be hurtful towards those you care about most. It doesn’t have to be that way, utilize your energy positively and exercise to relieve any stress or tension. Regarding your exercise regime, don’t be too extreme in your approach. The magic word this week should be tact. Otherwise you overwhelm your lover by your determined approach. Being impulsive is diffcult and will certainly not work if you’re pushing your partner into something they don’t feel very keen on. Use your charm to get your partner to be more enthusiastic about love-making. But be prepared that your attempts could fail.

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. Your enhanced self–confdence makes you charming; you’re sparkling and have an almost mysterious sex appeal. Your assured presence when you venture out in public has the effect of turning you into the focus of everybody’s attention. If you have a partner you discover new facets of being together that make you feel extremely good about yourself and your lover.

Don’t try to take on too much, even if you feel capable of more, there’s a particular level of involvement in other people’s affairs that’s best kept to a minimum. Always striving to prove yourself is an unnecessary waste of energy; to unwisely risk your well-being for the sake of others - a mistake. Do yourself a favor, stop plying your own ideas and point of view to the exclusion of others. Show some modesty and keep your temper if you want to retain your composure and the majority of your friends. The pressure of your circumstances has a negative infuence on your private life. Small misunderstandings seem to infuriate you. You won’t solve your problems by shouting at those you care about most. Refrain from such outbursts and acting in an emotional way. After all, your lover is not necessarily at fault! Level-headedness and self-control can ease the situation.

PISCES

You have complete faith in your ability to complete any task you undertake. With determination that fully demonstrates the strength of purpose you possess, you’re able to develop inventive and practical ideas for solving problems that mean others notice you. Your competence and decisiveness prove to be benefcial in your work. People listen to your advice and admire (probably secretly) your abilities. Your charm attracts admirers, new friends and possibilities to strengthen romantic ties. Your relaxed and confdent manner is obvious. If you’re single, you have magical desirability; people you like are practically dropping at your feet, without you doing a thing! If you’re in a relationship there are only positive outcomes to be had; you can look forward to many hours of love-making, full of intimate moments spent together. Enjoy them, it won’t

Passed

Patricia Mae

Peacefully at Haddington Nursing Home Tenter eld.

Loved and Adored wife of Peter.

Mother and Mother in Law of Marion and Les (dec) - Neil, Grandson Jason, Danae,

Madyson, Dakotah, Sister’s Ellen and Bev.

Death Notice Death Notice

Lance Edward Barry

Funeral Notice

Kenneth (Ken) Charles Mallory ‘Kiwi’

- 22/10/2022

and

of Woy Woy

Funeral Notice

JANICE

Passed away peacefully on ursday 27th October 2022 at Casino Memorial Hospital, Aged 83 years. Beloved wife of Keith. Much loved mother & mother in-law of Sharen, Allen (decd), Ian (decd), Ross & Liz and Joy.

Cherished Nana and Nan of her 9 Grandchildren & 3 Great-Grandchildren.

Loving sister of Gloria & Greg (decd) Hilder, Joan & Cyril (decd) Burnett, Robyn & Warren Bulmer, Bruce & Ruth Cole (both decd), Mervyn & Daisy Cole (both decd), Eila Cole (decd) and Yvonne (decd) & John Burton. Loved and sadly missed by all her extended family & friends.

‘Rest In Peace’

Relatives and friends of Janice are invited to attend a celebration of her life to be held Wednesday 9th November 2022 commencing at 10:30am at e Arentz Chapel, Parkview Funeral Home 41 Walker Street Casino. Followed by private cremation.

In

RICHMOND

Public Notice

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting of Southern Cross Credit Union Ltd will be held on 29th November 2022 at the Credit Union’s Corporate Service Centre, Corner Pearl and Turnock Streets Kingscliff commencing at 4pm. The business of the meeting will be as follows:

1.

Total income

Total expenses

Operating result

Net operating

Net

Statement

Position

101,857 71,633

81,870 61,547

19,987 10,086

19,987 10,086

(5,595) (2,407)

Total current assets 89,643 72,437

Total current liabilities 26,170 20,594

Total non-current assets 842,277 804,879

Total non-current liabilities 24,598 23,230

Total Equity 881,152 833,492

Other Financial Information

Operating performance ratio (%) -2.80% -4.10%

Own source operating revenue ratio (%) 47.54% 64.26%

Unrestricted current ratio 2.98 3.42

Debt service cover ratio 4.03 4.26

Rates and annual charges outstanding ratio (%) 10.73% 10.70%

Cash expense coverage ratio 11.40 11.31

Buildings and infrastructure renewals ratio (%) 125.26% 86.64%

Infrastructure backlog ratio (%) 6.01% 2.33%

Asset maintenance ratio 162.32% 129.63%

by Chairperson

Apologies

Confirmation of minutes of the last

General Meeting

arising from

By order of the Board of Directors Brett Myles, Company Secretary

minutes

Chairman’s Report

Directors and Financial reports

Remuneration of Directors

Business

The 2022 Annual Report is now available online at www.sccu.com.au

Note: A Member who is entitled to attend and vote at the meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote instead of the member e.g. the chairman of the meeting. A proxy does not need to be a member. A member who is entitled to cast two or more votes may appoint two proxies and may specify the proportion or number of votes each proxy is appointed to exercise. Proxy forms are available from the Company Secretary. Proxy forms must reach the Company Secretary, Corporate Services Office, Level 2, 38-42 Pearl Street, Kingscliff NSW 2484, no later than 4.00pm (EDST) Sunday, 27 November 2022.

member may request to be sent personal notice of the meeting by notifying the Credit Union by: Phone: (02) 6672 2744 or Email: info@sccu.com.au or Fax: (02) 6672 2332 or Mail: Level 2, 38-42 Pearl Street, Kingscliff NSW 2484 or visit any branch.

SOUTHERN CROSS CREDIT UNION LIMITED - ABN 82 087 650 682

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.

NOTE:

All Community Notices must be submitted each week on or before 11am every Monday for the next edition to be published.

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 new books – “Happy 21st APHS” and “I Found It in the Pioneer” – and commemorative wineglasses and keyrings for sale - they’d make ideal Christmas presents. 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.

ALSTONVILLE

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)

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 informationinfo@bacci.com.au or phone Deb on 0432105540

BALLINA BRIDGE CLUB

“Social play every Monday 9-11.30am”. Sessions for all levels of players on Mon, Wed, Sat from 1pm to about 5pm. Be seated at 12:45. Restricted session (under 300 Masterpoints) Thu 1pm – about 5pm. 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 COUNTRY MUSIC CLUB

The Ballina Country Music Club’s “LIVE COUNTRY MUSIC DAYS” are scheduled for the frst Sunday of the Month. Our next “LIVE MUSIC DAY” is SUNDAY 6th November 2022 at THE BALLINA RSL CLUB, Grant Street BALLINA. The music gets underway at 10.45am and “WALK UP-ARTIST” are warming up for end of year fnally. The “DANCERS” are refning the act towards Christmas so it’s gonna be a great Country Music day.This month we welcome to our stage, “ROB VENN as our “MEMBER SHOWCASE ARTIST” Backing band for the day will be the ever popular Tweed Heads “SMOKEHOUSE”, so its rustic shirts and boots for scooting so let’s start “Booting Scooting Country Musican” ‘Our Club’ would appreciate it if you could include details of our day in your “public announcements and/or GIG Guides”. Thanking you advance, Keith Holmes, Secretary, 02 6686 7956. cc Bob & Des

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.

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 7pmGuests are always welcome. Our members support the education of disadvantaged children in Australia by fundraising activities and social events in our local community for The Smith Family - by sponsoring 5 Learning for Life students. Contact President Julie Stephan 0434988770.

BALLINA HOSPITAL AUXILIARY

Our popular Christmas Raffes (First Prize $500, 2nd Prize $100,) will be on sale from 9 till 1 at the following venues:

The Foyer at Epiq Shopping Centre, Lennox Head on Thursday 3rd November and Friday 4th November

Outside Terry White’s Chemist, Ballina Street, Lennox Head, Monday 7th November to Saturday 12th November

Ballina Fair, on Friday 11th November and Saturday 12th November, also on Monday 14th November to Wednesday 16th November.

Outside The Greater Bank, River Street, Ballina from Monday 21st November till Thursday 1st December excluding Sunday 27th.

Our Christmas Stall will be held on Thursday 1st December outside The Greater Bank, River Street with delicious Cakes and Preserves and gifts and craft. The Raffe will be drawn at this event.

Market Day Saturday 29th October at The Solarium at Ballina Hospital with Stalls galore, plants, all beautiful new handmade goods and cakes and preserves. Entry via the Car Park not through the hospital.

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

ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT RETIREES

Would you please put in your Community Billboard the following date for the next meeting of the Association of Independent Retirees, Far North Coast Branch.

“The next Branch meeting will be held on Friday 4 November 2022, at the Ballina RSL Club. Time for meeting is 9.30 for a 10.00 start. The guest speaker will be Andre Urankar, a pilot from Angel Flight, who will explain the workings of this important air service which provides medical help for country children.

Morning tea and coffee will be available at this meeting. Thank you, any enq1uiries to John Ritchie, President/Secretary, FNC Branch 0437 509 618.”

Many thanks, Jill Huxley, Publicity Offcer.

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

BANORA POINT

BANORA POINT

BANORA POINT GARDEN CLUB

The next meeting will be 8th November 2022. 10 am start. Doors open 9.30 am. Where: Club Banora, Leisure Drive, Banora Point NSW 2486.

AVAILABLE: Coffee and tea, benching, raffes, lucky door, Lucky Bencher, Trading and Cuttings tables. Guest Speaker when available.

Next meeting speaker is Searles Nursery, Jan. New members welcome. Hope to see you there. For more information ring Maria Harry 0448 531 055

BRUNSWICK HEADS

BRUNSWICK

BRINSWICK VALLEY VIEW CLUB Peter Thorley is the guest speaker at the next luncheon of Brunswick Valley VIEW Club on November 10. The venue is Brunswick Heads Bowling Club. If unable to attend, members should advise Wenda on 0449 563 580. Casual members need to advise if they are attending.

BYRON BAY

BYRON BAY RSL

“The Byron Bay RSL Sub-Branch will be holding a Remembrance day Service at the War Memorial on the corner of Tennyson & Marvel Streets on Friday 11th November 2022 at 10.45a.m. All Welcome” Thanking you. Kathryn Head: Hon Secretary, BB RSL SB

CASINO

CASINO & BONALBO UPPER CLARENCE LIONS CLUBS

Casino Lions club now meets each 4th Wed at the RSM.

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, 8am-1.30pm. Contact 66626423 DH or casmenshed@live. com.au

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 17th November. November’s Land

Cookery Bake is a Ginger Fluff Sponge. Our Christmas Street Stall will be on the 26th November. Our Christmas Raffe ticket Sales will go on Sale 1st December outside Woolworths. Everyone is welcome. Enquires Margaret Good 66621746, Jennifer Baker 043892060.

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 3

MONDAY V.Gray & N.Nowlan J.Lindsay TUESDAY D.Coleman M. Newstead

WEDNESDAY J.&J. Boyd N.& K.Ryan

THURSDAY B. Bennett

FRIDAY J.Cornell B & H.Elford

CASINO MINI RAIL

Every Sunday 10am to 4pm. Weather permitting. West Street Casino. Phone 0472638044.

CASINO MIXED PROBUS CLUB Meeting 4th Thursday of the month. For more information call the secretary on 0419886119. New Members most welcome. Call Fran on 0419 886 119 for more information.

CASINO R R COUNTRY MUSIC CLUB

Casino R R Country Music Club will be holding their next social upstairs at the Casino RSM Club on Sunday the 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 12:00-1:30pm At the Casino Baptist Church Cnr. West & Canterbury Streets Casino Each week the group will discuss a chapter on living sober out of the AA Living Sober Book. Contact George on Ph: 0427133372 (due to so many scam calls) please leave your name and number and I will call you back.

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS DINNER DANCE

St Marks Old Time/New Vogue Dance Club @ St Marks Anglican Hall, Barker Street Casino Saturday 3rd December 2022

Starting time 5:45pm, Dinner 6pm, Dancing 7pm Dinner Members $10, Visitors $30, Dance only $10

Raffes, Lucky Spots, Supper. Please BYO Drinks & Nibblies.

Members to supply non-perishable items for raffes. Welcome to dress in Christmas Theme.

Confrmation of numbers required for catering Please phone Pam & Ron on (02) 66623328 or 0415454470

Beautiful Dance Music, Judy Johnston on Keyboard Thank you, Christmas Blessings.

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.

Secretary: Denise Green 0448014682 Email: deniseg.vip@outlook.com

LISMORE CASINO NAVAL ASSOCIATION

Meets bi-monthly at Casino RSM, new members welcome. For more information phone Chris 66293269 or Jim 0427400625.

THE CASINO & DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY 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.

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

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

BYRON BAY

CORAKI

CASINO

foods that have devastated Coraki and surrounds we aim to bring people and community together with joy through the arts. The members of our committee are working hard to make the Coraki Art Prize a successful celebration in 2022, whilst gaining wider recognition for our wonderful local and regional artists and bringing our communities back together. So, get creating or pull out a piece you have created in the last 2 years and enter it! If you have any queries as an artist, sponsor or would like to help with The Coraki Art Prize we could really use your help this year, please check out our website: www. corakiartprize.wordpress.com or contact Tania at goodevansartstuido@ outlook.com or drop into Good Evans Art Studio – Oak Street Evans Head.

EVANS HEAD

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 9.00am-1.00pm or visit website www.fnctabletennis.com.au

THE PROBUS CLUB of Goonellabah meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month at the Workers Sports Club in Oliver Ave. All welcome. Goonellabah Probus is solely a social club. We have a guest speaker each month and go for outings throughout the year. Meetings on Thursday commence at 10am and fnish at midday. For further information, please contact Gloria Francis on 02 6629 1442.

WOMANS HEALTH

Women’s health Matters are offering a free 6 week group for women, called “Worry Less, Live Well”.

If you are often worried and anxious or feel that anxiety affects your wellbeing and enjoyment of life, this may be the program for you. In a small confdential group, we focus on learning new skills to effectively manage anxiety, which will then support the growth of confdence and wellbeing.

Activities include discussion, mindfulness and relaxation practice.

When: Friday 11th November – 16th December 9.30a.m. 12.30p.m.

Where: The Child and Family Health Centre, 37 Oliver Ave., Goonellabah

Leaders: Pamela Craven, Health Educator and Jane Newman, Women’s Health Nurse

Bookings: 66202999

GRAFTON

GRAFTON CWA

Meeting to be held on 2nd Friday of the month, excluding January, with morning tea at 9.30am and the meeting starting at 10.00am. Handicraft mornings will stay as 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month, excluding January.

Our next meeting is on Friday, 11th November, when guest speaker will be Tanya Burman from Home Instead.

This will start with morning tea at 9.30am, followed by the meeting at 10am. All new members are welcome!

GRAFTON AND GARDEN DISTRICT GARDEN CLUB

The Garden Club did a Jacaranda walk guided by our garden guru Rosie, who is an endless font of knowledge to Club members (and a very good reason to join the Garden Club!).

We successfully moved all the petunias from the Council Nursery to Market Square and See Park and they look wonderful. The purple and white petunias, especially those in the Face Drums in See Park painted by Linda Elmire, have become a focal point for photographs. Our last responsibility in this wonderful community effort is to keep the plants alive until November 6, when they will be sold off for $1 per pot. So, we need a few volunteers to water the plants. Please phone or email me if you can take part. Lesley has been watering and weeding the Base Hospital front garden planted by the Club. She said that it has become a focal point for relaxed conversation as people pause to admire the native plants.

Our newest member, Hayley, has generously offered the Club roses from her garden; we plan to put them into our next project, the Base Hospital rose garden.

Our next gathering is at the Joan Muir Hall on November 17; a departure from our usual frst Thursday gathering due to Jacaranda. We will have an exciting guest speaker as well as the Bring and Buy Table; for those who enjoy cooking, something for morning tea would no doubt be enjoyed by all. For inquiries, comments or membership information, the Club can be contacted at graftondistrictgardenclub@gmail. com Happy Jacarandering Planning for the Christmas lunch on December 3 at the Grafton Golf Club is progressing. Do contact the Committee with any ideas or suggestions that will engage the members and enhance the lunch.

Carolynne Taylor 0421 270 596

The Clarence District Branch of the Past Presidents Association of NSW would like to extend an invitation to all members and friends to come along to Red Rock Bowling Club at 10am on 13th November for a friendly game of bowls. This would be the perfect time to introduce any registered bowlers, not already members of Past Presidents, to our friendly group. The cost to join is only $10.00 for social members and $15.00 for full members. For those people who are already members and have not yet paid their fees, please do so no later than 13th November. The serious part of the day will be our Annual General Meeting at 10.00am before we get on with fun and frivolity on the greens playing the game we love.

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 SENIOR CITIZENS

Bus trips for 2023 now being considered.

Bookings for Christmas lunch, 2 Dec, now being taken. Enquiries: Sandra, 6642 7720; or 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 U3A JABBERFEST

The Grafton U 3 A Jabberfest for November will commence on Monday 14th November at the usual venue, The New Life Church in Arthur Street and at the usual commencement time of 10 a.m.

The morning session will bring us all up to date with the preparations for the Christmas Luncheon and will also give all members, both the ladies and the men, a warning to sharpen up their cooking prowess as there will be a competition for the April 23 Jabberfest to see who can bake the best batch of ANZAC biscuits. The morning tea that meeting should be worth waiting for!! On Monday 14th there will also be an opportunity for members to recall their youthful ??? experiences with Billy Carts and Tricycles. Sure to be some hilarious memories there!!!

The session after the morning tea break, will be a one+ one interview with ENID BENNETT talking of her life and times with Rhonda Dunkel, this being subject to the state of health of Enid, otherwise the one+ one will feature Warren Grant being interviewed by Mike Gillespie, this being listed otherwise for our February 23 Jabberfest.

So, we look forward to another great roll up on Monday 14th Regards to all Brian Carter

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

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 0448222334.

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.

SONGS OF PRAISE

Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church KYOGLE 29TH NOVEMBER 2022 AT 10.30 AM

ALL FAITHS are invited to join together to raise their voices to sing praises to your Lord. Includes poetry readings and an appearance by the St Brigids Catholic School Choir A light lunch will be provided afterwards. Please RSVP by 20th November for catering purposes to Maureen 02 66 331 528 or Trish 0439 322 384

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.

PROBUS CLUB OF LENNOX HEAD

Meets 9.30 for 10 at Club Lennox, 10 Stewart Street, on the frst Thursday of each month. Visitors are welcome, also retired or 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

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 202 Oliver Avenue Goonellabah. We invite you to celebrate the most beautiful time of the year with us. We are looking for Artisans who might like to sell their wares over the two days and must have insurance. 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,

LISMORE

LENNOX HEAD

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. 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 HOME, GARDEN & EDUCATION INC.

Monthly Meeting will be held 1pm. Thursday 10th November at Goonellabah Soccer Club. Special for November Lilly. Please enter fowers before 12.45pm. Morning Tea at Denise Farquahson`s Garden 528 Caniaba Rd. Caniaba. Saturday 12th November 10am please bring plate of food to share. Info contact Secretary. 0448294496 dcoles39@ outlook.com

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 nonproft 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, 2 - 4pm at Richmond Tweed Regional Library, 6 Centenary Drive Goonellabah, (corner of Oliver Av and Centenary Dve). Contact Bev on 0400326289

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/

NORTHERN RIVERS EVENING PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

The next meeting of the Northern Rivers Evening Prostate Cancer Support Group is to be held on Wednesday November 2nd 7pm until 9 pm at the LISMORE WORKERS SPORTS MAIN CLUB – 202 OLIVER AVENUE, GOONELLABAH – Meals available at the ClubMen previously and newly diagnosed with prostate cancer are urged to join with the group to experience the personal cancer stories told which give a great opportunity for all to share, learn and beneft from each other - Partners and Carers are also most welcome to attend as family are very much involved with the process and treatment of those with this diagnosis –

GUEST SPEAKER -Jessica Butterfeld Specialist Prostate Cancer Nurse –

Topic - Progress since appointment early 2022Enquiries phone Bob Johnson (02) 6622 5792Regards Vida Stenner Secretary NRPCS Groups

NORTHERN RIVERS DAY PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

The next meeting of the Northern Rivers Day Prostate Cancer Support Group is to be held on Wednesday November 9th 10am until 12 noon at the Alstonville Plateau Sports Club (previously known as Bowling Club), Deegan Drive, Alstonville Men previously and newly diagnosed with prostate cancer are urged to join with the group to experience the personal cancer stories told which give a great opportunity for all present to share, learn and beneft from each other - Partners and Carers are also most welcome to attend as family are very much involved with the process and treatment of those with this diagnosis –Enquiries phone Bob Corney 0493 075 612Regards Vida Stenner Secretary NRPCS Groups

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

MULLUMBIMBY

MULLUMBIMBY CWA

The Mullumbimby Branch of CWA of NSW is holding its monthly meeting on Wednesday 9 November at 9:30am at the Mullumbimby CWA Rooms, Cnr Gordon and Tincogan Streets, Mullumbimby. All welcome. Please contact Jenny: (02) 6684 7282. There will also be a CWA stall at the Mullum Agricultural Show on Saturday 12 November (Sat only) at the Mullumbimby Showground. Please come along for some tasty baked goods and to say hello.

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 10-00am on the frst Wednesday of the Month. Visitors and new members are very welcome.

TWEED PATCHWORK GROUP

Meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at South Tweed Community Center from 9-1pm at 18 Heffron Street Tweed Heads south all beginners welcome phone Moira on 0418686643. A friendly group of people with common interest in seeing, quilting and related craft.

TWIN TOWNS DAY VIEW CLUB

The club meets at the South Tweed Sports Club on the frst Thursday of the month 10.30 for 11am DST with regular guest speakers i.e., magician Jim on Thursday November 3rd. The dress for the day will include a hat of your choice to commemorate Melbourne Cup week (if you so wish). Lunch will be available at the club bistro or bar. Our club will also have a cake/raffe stall at Bunnings on November 12th. And these proceeds will go towards our Learning for Life student fees. For further information please ring President Kathie on 0407 709 629. .... Thank you. Freda Shaw: 07 55 41 357

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.

NORTHERN RIVERS

NORTHERN RIVERS BUSHWALKING CLUB

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.

NORTHERN RIVERS FELLOWSHIP OF FIRST FLEETERS

The next meeting of the Northern Rivers Fellowship of First Fleeters will be held on Sunday 27th November 2022 at the Cherry Street Sports Club, Ballina at 10.30am. Our guest speaker will be from the Westpac Helicopter Service. All visitors are very welcome. If you wish to attend, please contact Roddy Jordan on 66875339 or via email hollysbuddy1@bigpond.com

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/ womens-giving-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.

YAMBA

Northern Tablelands District:

sunny.

westerly

westerly

km/h.

20

New South Wales: Showers about the central and southern ranges and slopes, stretching into areas of the southern inland. Possible small hail. Snow above 800 metres about the southern ranges, and 900 metres about the Central Tablelands. Daytime temperatures below average. Cold fresh to strong westerly winds, gusty at times.

Thursday. Shower or two about the southern ranges and slopes, with possible snow falling above 1300 metres. A few showers about the southern inland. Areas of morning frost about the central and northern ranges and slopes. Cool, fresh and gusty westerly winds.

Byron Coast:

Winds: Westerly 20 to 30 knots decreasing to 10 to 15 knots during the day then turning southwesterly 15 to 20 knots during

the afternoon. Seas: 1.5 to 2.5 metres, decreasing below 1 metre during the afternoon or evening. Swell: Southerly below 1 metre inshore, increasing to around 1 metre offshore during the afternoon or evening. Weather: Sunny.

Coffs Coast:

Winds: Westerly 20 to 30 knots tending southwesterly 15 to 20 knots during the afternoon. Seas: 1.5 to 2.5 metres, decreasing to 1 to 1.5 metres during the afternoon. Swell: Southerly below 1 metre inshore, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres offshore during the afternoon or evening. Weather: Sunny.

Gold Coast Waters:

Winds: West to southwesterly 20 to 25 knots, reaching up to 30 knots offshore in the morning. Seas: Around 1 metre, increasing to 1.5 to 2.5 metres offshore. Swell: Northeasterly below 1 metre. Weather: Sunny.

Sal’s Blue Boy didn’t disappoint anyone today taking the Pop Northfeld Memorial Final in his stride running jumped to the front and just kept running with 2nd Starline Express for trainer Reg Gardoll 5

¼ length behind and 3rd Paxton Dutton trained by Andrew Monaghan. There will be no rest for trainer Stephen Keep and his partner Shannon with dogs always coming frst celebrations will have to wait, Steve

Cricket infrastructure across food-affected regions in NSW and Queensland, including Lismore, Richmond Valley, Byron, Kyogle, Tweed, and Ballina can now be rebuilt and recovered with the help of a $500,000 recovery kitty from Cricket Australia’s Natural Disaster Recovery Fund (NDRF).

The NDRF has been established to provide infrastructure funding for cricket projects which have

been directly or indirectly affected by natural disasters. The objective of the NDRF is to assist players, offcials, volunteers and communities across Australian Cricket to recover from their setbacks and rebuild the facilities around the sport that have been rendered unplayable following the recent natural disasters in the area.

The fund is open to all clubs, associations, schools, Councils, Woolworths Cricket Blast

thanked owner Margaret Dwyer represented by her son he also put huge emphasis in the rearing of the dog which was done by 3rd place getters Andrew and Sarah Monaghan.

Centres and cricket facility managers across Australia that reside in a natural disaster-affected area determined by the Australian Tax Offce. Grants of between $1,000 and $30,000 are available to those impacted, while funding of over $30,000 may be awarded on a caseby-case basis to those facilities suffering an extreme level of natural disaster impact.

Cricket NSW CEO Lee Germon welcomed the much-

SPORTS RESULTS

Casino RSM Women’s Bowls results

Group photo of casino RSM Bowlers & 3 bowlers from East Lismore at Red Rock.

On Tuesday 25/10

There were 18 Ladies who went to visit Red Rock, we all enjoyed the day & would like to say thank you to the Red Rock bowlers for their hospitality.

Results from Wednesday 26/10: Today the fnal for the 2022 Major Consistency club championship was played: A. McLean played D. Skinner & the winner was A. McLean.

It was a good game & ended being quite close.

Congratulations to Annette on becoming the 2022 club champion for Major Consistency.

We also had a social game & the result was: L. James, C. Doyle, J. Cooke & A. James def T. Maxwell, N. Moran, J. Carthew & I Watson

Casino Social Golf Results 30-10-2022

The winner on Sunday was Wayne Jackson with a stableford score of 21 points from Fred Bruni with 20. The putting trophy went to W. Jackson with 15 putts and Vinny won the players draw. There were no nearest to pins awarded. Next week the event sponsored by Just Brakes and Exhaust Casino will be a single stroke on the top 11 holes for the monthly medal followed by a BBQ and visitors are welcome to play with hit off from 6-30am till 7-30am.

Cherry Street Croquet Club Sports Results ASSOCIATION

CROQUET : B.Hardy B.Reddy 14 d C.Woodlands L.Hardy 13 M.Gidding 26 d R.Chapman 17

RICOCHET CROQUET G.Kerr R.Allen 18 d P.Scott N.Poynting 15 R.Poynting 15 d J.Hannigan 11

GOLF CROQUET :

Over Eighty OBE. J.Copeland L.Whiteman 5 d N.Poynting N.Barnes 1 J.Saunders B.Wellings 5 d D.Casey M.Russell 4 B.Wellings J.Saunders 5 d J.Copeland L.Whiteman 2 B.Wellings J.Saunders OBE Club Champions

TOURNAMENTS : Sawtell Association Croquet: A Div M.Gidding 1, J.Fransen 2, J.Piggott 3, P.Gentle 4, G.ODell 5, B.Tiernan 6.

Australian AC Open Singles Championships : R.Fletcher 1, M.Fletcher 2, J.Clarke 3, C.Hyland 4, I.Dumergue 5, G.Hill 6

CORAKI VETERANS

GOLF RESULTS

THURSDAY 27/10/22

Another large feld contested the 18 hole single stableford event, Winner D Vagne, 2nd, S Smith, 3rd K Osborne, free game S ORMOND, CHICKEN/BALL WINNERS K Lloyd, S Dawson, P Bruggy, R

Gaciappa,J Nilsson, D McKenzie, J Kelly T McBurney.

This day was the Russel Earnshaw prostate cancer day, this proved a great success for all the hard work Russell puts into this day arranging sponsorsip and trophies, THANK you Russell.

This Thursday will be the November monthly medal commencing with a shot gun start at 8.30, please nominate early. As usual till then good golfng. Max

EVANS HEAD WOMEN’S BOWLS

For your Sports column. Ladies Social Day24-08-22 - Win & Ends

- Winners - J. Gaudian, M. Gibson, J. Simic. Runners/up - A. Eyles, K. Townsend, E. Hall, J. Fernance.

31-08-22 - Lucky Rink - Winners - E. Hall, M. Carey, R. Michael. Runners/up - S. Varley, I. Bale, P. Freeman.

needed investment from Cricket Australia for the food affected communities in NSW.

“We have all been signifcantly moved by the hardship so many communities in NSW and Queensland have suffered following the foods of the past 12 months,” Germon said.

“For many, cricket, and sport in general, are the heartbeat of those communities and re-establishing infrastructure and competitions in those

areas is an important part of the recovery.

“Cricket NSW is very grateful to Cricket Australia and the Natural Disaster Recovery Fund and we are determined to support clubs, associations, schools, Councils, Woolworths Cricket Blast Centres and cricket facility managers across the state in applying for these grants.”

07-09-22 - Highest Margin

- Winners - M. Adams, B. Parkes, P. Freeman.

Runners/up - J. Ashmore, I. Bale, E. Gollan. 14-09-22 - Highest Margin

- Winners - J. Beckett, L. Hayes, T. Cselka. The Northern Rivers District Open & Senior Triples were held at Evans Head Bowling Club on 13th & 14th September in windy conditions.

OPENWinnersAlstonville Club J. Larkin, D. Farmer, O. Souter.

Runners/upLismore Club - N. Elliott, L. Allen, D. Corcoran.

SENIORWinners Ballina ClubP. Johns, L. Morton, W. Clarke.

Runners/upLennox Head Club C. Howell, K. Tyrrell, G. Martin.

Congratulations to all

Clubs who participated in these Championships.

Ladies Social Day 26-10-22 -

Highest Score - 2 Bowl Triples - WinnersJ. Beckett/M. Gibson, H. Band, K. Keevers. Runners/upM. Gibson/L. Stratton, G. Marczan/A.Viney, K.

Photos by LISA VANDERSTOK

by GARY NICHOLS

Those who knew Gary Powell during his time as Grafton Redmen frst-grade coach back in the mid-2000s will tell you he possesses a can-do, never-backdown attitude.

And nothing’s changed. Powell is still unashamedly “old-school”, he’s more your beer and steak kind of guy rather than a pinot noir and falafel.

After over a decade in the rugby union wilderness, Powell, a local builder, has returned to the Club he spent most of his playing and coaching days.

The Grafton Redmen have appointed Powell as frst grade coach for the 2023 season, and according to the former mentor and current life member, a return to coaching was far from his mind.

“I last coached in 2007 and hung

up the boots in 2009,” Powell recalled.

“I was involved this season because my young bloke was playing under-18s, so I guess that was a foot back in the door for me.

“Also, a couple of committeemen approached me to see if I was interested in coaching again. I was always going to come back but it’s probably three years earlier than I expected…I was waiting for my kids to move on.”

It seems like an eternity since Grafton won a frst-grade premiership. In fact, the last time Grafton tasted frst grade success, Powell was at the helm.

“I was captain-coach when we defeated Casino in the 2006 Far North Coast grand fnal,” he said.

“Next season is not going to be an easy task and I’m fnding that

out at the moment trying to recruit players.

“Grafton is not a town where rugby players just turn up and we don’t have an open cheque book to attract players. You have to approach players, create a positive atmosphere and try and create some momentum.”

To say Grafton rugby has struggled in recent times would be an understatement. With no second-grade side and a 2022 season which tested the depth and skill level of players, the club was fghting for survival.

However, Powell believes with some hard work, and a successful recruitment drive the club can return to its former glories.

“From what I have seen in the past, ftness has to be a huge focus. We’ve been underdone for a couple of years,” Powell

admitted.

“Deep down players want to be ft…they just need to be pushed. In the past I’ve always had a ft squad and next year will be no different.

“With a little bit of hard work and commitment we can turn things around.”

Powell admits his old school style of coaching may not suit everyone, but added players and coaches need to realise it’s bushfooty and teams are not playing in an elite competition.

“I’m probably not the greatest tactical coach, I’m probably more of a motivator, get the best out of players and have them ready to go on game day,” he said.

I won’t be trying to reinvent the wheel and I believe we need to simplify things a little.

“I think we’re trying to play at a

level we’re not really at. If you’re ft, tough and execute your set pieces right it takes you a long way in bush footy.”

Powell is hoping the infux of Costa Group seasonal workers from Fiji to Grafton will help player numbers and give the side that much-needed competitive edge.

“To have the injection of the Fijians is only a positive for the club, “Powell said.

“They’ve been fantastic so far and a great bunch of blokes. They just love their rugby and the passion you see from them is something our boys can take from and learn from.”

Grafton are hoping to feld six grades in the Mid North Coast competition next year and once again be a major force in bush rugby.

A hat trick and a century have left honours even in the CRCA Premier League cricket match between Souths/Westlawn and GDSC Easts at Ellem Oval.

On day one of the two-day clash veteran seamer Nathan Blanch ripped out the Easts middle order but young Easts frst drop Aaron Macfadyen plundered a beautifully constructed 114 out of his team’s score or 213 all out.

Easts were off to a fy courtesy of a breezy 23 from Shannon Connor, but when he fell to a fne catch from Michael Fletcher off the bowing of Adrian Boyd, it was the start of a quick collapse where four wickets fell in quick

succession.

Blanch’s frst hat trick victim was opener Tom Gerrard, who chipped a catch to South skipper Dylan Cleaver.

Blanch hit the stumps to dismiss the next two batters to snare his second hat trick in premier league.

But Macfadyen dug in and with promising youngster Theodore Lobsey, 26, added nearly 80 to the score before off-spinner Joe Pigg trapped him in front.

Another young player, Patrick Brophy dropped anchor with Macfadyen as he closed on his ton.

But with his total on 87, another furry of wickets had Easts

by TIM HOWARD

worried he might run out of partners.

Cleaver, reverting to spin, had Brophy caught behind, then Pigg picked up two wickets in two balls to bring number 11 David Bruton Duroux to the crease, with Macfadyen still 13 short of the his 100.

He stepped up to the challenge swinging the spinners away for a couple of boundaries and running hard to pick up a couple of twos from Cleaver.

He reached his 100 with a hard run two and then celebrated launching Pigg for a huge six over square leg, a one bounce boundary into the same region

and then a delightful off drive to the boundary.

But the fun ended in the 64th over when a mis-hit pull off Blanch ended up in the bowler’s hands giving him his fourth wicket of the innings.

Blanch produced the outstanding fgures of the day with 4-21 from 17 accurate overs.

Pigg, who endured some late punishment, fnished with 4-66 from 13 overs.

Premiers Tucabia Copmanhurst are in a spot of bother against Brothers at Ulmarra Showground.

Dismissed for 125, Brothers were 2-67 in reply at stumps.

The position could have been

worse, except for a hard hitting 40 from Matt Dougherty, who hit seven fours and a six in much needed knock.

Tucabia’s top order was blown away, with the frst four batters scoring 3 between them.

Opening fast bowler Dylan Lucas was devastating for the Brethren Dougherty found an ally with Travis Anderson scoring 27 and another, unnamed player scoring 21. But the resistance ended quickly with their dismissal.