Legends of the Game 20/20 cricket picnic day Councils Call On All Candidates To Match Regional Roads Funding

On Saturday, 11 March, Local sporting icon Adam Gilchrist (Gilly), will team up with some of Australia’s biggest names in cricket for a one of a kind free 20/20 cricket picnic day.

Players will include Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting, Chris Lynn, Jason Gillespie, Michael Kasprowicz, Andy Bichel, Dan Christian, Steve O’Keefe, Stuart MacGill, Stuart Clark and Jimmy Maher, with more to come.

Lismore City Mayor

Steve Krieg will lead the Mayor’s 11 into battle against Gilly’s 11.

“This is an amazing sporting event for Lismore. The calibre of legendary cricket players who have donated their time to play for Lismore is incredible,” Mayor Krieg said.

“It is sure to be a day to remember in Lismore’s sporting history.”

Both teams will consist of local junior and senior cricketers mixed with Australian legends. Cricket NSW has worked closely with Gilly to select some local cricketing legends and up and coming junior talent to play.

Those attending are encouraged to bring a blanket or a chair and enjoy this once in a lifetime event. A range of local food vendors will be on site serving meals. Grandstand seating will be frst come frst served. This will be an alcohol-free event.

The Legends of the Game 20/20 cricket picnic day will take place on Saturday, 11 March from 3pm to 6pm at Oakes Oval, Lismore. Gates will open at 1pm. Although this is a free event, it will be ticketed due to venue capacity. Tickets will be released on Monday, 20 February at 4pm. For tickets go to www. visitlismore.com.au.

Richmond and Clarence Valley Residents to Receive Further Electricity Bill Relief

People in the Richmond and Clarence Valleys will get extra help against rising power bills, if the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government is reelected on 25 March, Clarence Nationals candidate Richie Williamson has announced.

“The NSW Nationals Energy Bill Saver program will allow households to receive $250 off their energy bills by simply comparing their current energy deal and also unlock up to $400 in further savings by switching energy plans to a lower deal,” Mr Williamson said.

“Locals I have been talking to said they were struggling with rising energy costs which is why we’re delivering immediate bill relief as well as helping them get a better energy deal.

“The Labor Party and its army of career politicians just don’t get it.

“The Nationals for Regional Australia do get it. That is why we are providing cost of living measures like this to help reduce electricity bills along with measures like the $150 back to school vouchers and $250 fuel cards for seniors, apprentices and uni students living in regional areas like the Richmond and Clarence Valleys,” Mr Williamson said.

“Eligibility will be open to every household in NSW, including existing rebate recipients“, he added.

The comparison tool will be provided by Service NSW and households will still receive $250 off their energy bill even if they don’t switch plans.

Households are encouraged to shop around for a better deal right now by heading to the Energy Made Easy website. Switching providers between now and 1 July won’t prevent households from being eligible for the $250 if they search again when the program launches.

The NSW Energy Bill Saver will be available from 1 July through to 31 December 2023.

NSW councils have welcomed a pledge by the State’s Coalition Government to inject $1 billion into the regional road network, and called on all candidates to make the same commitment. The call follows the announcement by Deputy Premier Paul Toole that the current Government, if re-elected, would signifcantly increase roads and rail funding in regional NSW in response to the state road emergency declared late last year.

The funding commitment includes:

• A further $400 million injection into the successful Fixing Local Roads program to help regional coun-cils continue their work to repair, maintain and seal the roads in their communities;

• $300 million for the establishment of a new Fast Tracking Freight program to tackle freight pinch points on the road and rail network, better connect road and rail with key and emerging freight hubs and increase the capacity and reliability of the network; and

• $300 million for a Build Back Better program to invest in more resilient State, regional and local road and transport infrastructure across regional NSW.

Local Government

NSW President Darriea Turley said the commitment is fully consistent with LGNSW’s election priorities and ongoing advocacy for increased road funding, improvements to the regional road network and importantly, greater investment in resilient road infrastructure.

“Last month we welcomed the $500 million emergency pothole repair package announced by the Government in the wake of torrential rain and massive fooding,” Cr Turley said.

“While grateful we pointed out at the time that despite the signifcance of the package, it would only go a short way to help fx the $2.5 billion disaster damage bill.

“So it is really pleasing that the Coalition has recognised that simply patching holes is not enough, and that future extreme weather events have the potential to literally wash away and repairs.

“The road networks need to be built back better.

“They need to be built to higher standards so they can stand up against future foods and other natural disasters.

“We welcome this additional funding package which is so desperately needed, and are currently digging into the detail to allow us to fully assess how it should be best spent to deliver lasting results.

“Getting our roads up to scratch and having the ongoing funding to keep them there will not only save NSW and its people money in the long run, it will also help support the economic growth this state needs.

“Good roads are good for us all: for business, for our agricultural sector, and for everyday drivers who just want to get to where they need to be safely and without damage to their vehicles.”

James Witchard is the principal at Kadina High Campus, having recently joined e Rivers Secondary College at the end of 2021.

” ere is something incredibly special about what we create at Kadina High Campus. Students here have in nite opportunities that enrich and engage their learning experiences. No matter a student’s interests or passions, they are catered for both in and out of the classroom. Backed by a deep sense of pride in their school and community, our students leave Kadina High Campus proud of who they are, where they come from and where they are going.”

“As principal, I am proud of the strong relationships between sta and students within our school that ensures every student feels known, valued and cared for. When students feel this way at school, they achieve. While some of this can be measured in HSC and NAPLAN results, another signi cant measure is the great sense of belonging that students feel when they attend our school.”

Joseph Patterson - School Captain

“To me, the role of a school captain is a chance to have a positive in uence on students, teachers and the school community through being a model learner. Being school captain will bene t my leadership skills and enable me to be a voice for not just myself and my peers but for the entire community, allowing me to represent what our school stands for: Success with Honour. A er school I plan to go to university and I know the sta at Kadina High Campus provide the right tools for students to succeed in our future endeavours. I love what this school stands for and the sta who are passionate about us. eir passion makes them feel like family.”

Linh Le Do - School Captain

“I felt very honoured to be elected school captain of our campus. I want to be someone who our community can rely on and trust in regards to creating change. I want to work on improving certain aspects of our school and listen to my peers to ensure that they are able to make the best out of their Kadina High Campus experience. A er high school, I plan to strive for a degree in engineering in university. e opportunities, con dence and bonds with people that I have acquired from attending Kadina High Campus are irreplaceable and I am forever grateful for all that I’ve been given.”