NSW’s largest food on record fnally comes to an end

from The Northern Rivers Times Edition 141

CATTLE SALE

After a gruelling 177 days, the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) has lifted its fnal food warning, signifying the end of the longest fooding operation in the organisation’s history. This week, the river level dropped below minor on the Darling River at Burtundy in western NSW.

Since 14 September 2022, the NSW SES has been active across widespread parts of the State.

The NSW SES responded to almost 27,000 requests for assistance from the public. These included more than 960 food rescues of people caught in food water, issuing more than a record two million sandbags to residents trying to protect their properties and undertaking more than 1,000 resupply missions to isolated communities.

NSW SES Acting Commissioner Damien Johnston praised the tireless efforts of NSW SES volunteers as well as state, national and international emergency partners who assisted with the response.

“It’s been an incredible commitment by the men and women who volunteer their time to be a part of the NSW SES,” he said.

“They have given more than two million hours of work during this food. They took time off from their own employment and away from their families to help communities who were impacted by this devastating natural disaster.”

The unprecedented nature of fooding saw the NSW SES draw on support from emergency partners from across the State and all over the country. It was also the frst time in NSW’s history that an international contingent from Singapore and New Zealand assisted with the food efforts.

Acting Commissioner Johnston said this food event was tragic, resulting in the deaths of seven people.

“On behalf of the NSW SES and all our members I express our sincere condolences to the families and friends of loved ones who lost their lives,” he said.

Thousands of livestock, crops, pets, properties, and businesses were also lost to the food waters. Ultimately, 157 homes were destroyed and 2816 homes left uninhabitable.

During the food crisis, the NSW SES issued over 3,960 emergency warnings to impacted communities across NSW.

Free Breast Cancer Exercise & Wellness Program kicks off in Lismore!

On Tuesday, 2nd May, the YWCA ENCORE breast cancer exercise program will kick off in Lismore!

Funded by NSW Health, ENCORE is a free, award-winning exercise and wellness program designed by healthcare professionals specifcally for women who have experienced breast cancer or preventative surgery. The program aims to restore mobility, fexibility and confdence through gentle exercises.

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The program runs for 8 weeks every Tuesday from 2nd May to 20th June 2023 at 12:00pm-2:00pm and features land and water based prescriptive exercises specifcally designed for recovery from breast cancer and its treatment.

Encore can help you strengthen and tone your arms, shoulders and chest, regain mobility, and improve your general ftness and is safe, fun and therapeutic.

Registration is essential and can be done via our website www.ywcaencore.org.au.