HOPING YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL AND SAFE EASTER FROM THE NRTIMES TEAMS
COUNCIL BACKS ‘NON COMPLYING’ DA
owns an ice cream business, likened the DA to the person in a group to wants a double scoop when most are content with one.
“Yamba’s at risk of being loved to death,” he said. “It has swimming, surfing and all that fun in the sun.
“But there’s always someone who wants more. Like the one person in the group buying ice creams who wants the double scoop.”
Cr Smith said if Yamba wanted to retain its village identity, it needed to maintain elements like its height guide for building approvals.
document which was not up for debate.
He the incremental erosion of standards was also concerning, saying it could encourage a “near enough is good enough” attitude in developers.
“I’ll foreshadows the application be refused due to non-compliance with the LEP and DCP,” he said.
Deputy mayor Greg Clancy was another who had concerns about approval.
“If it’s just one alteration, maybe it’s not so bad,” he said. “But when there are numerous alterations it becomes concerning.”
By TIM HOWARDAnother building in Yamba that exceeds the building height limits has been approved and will go ahead.
The development at 6 Yamba Rd, a 17-unit residential development, exceeds the 9m height limit for buildings in Yamba, stipulated in both the Clarence Valley Council’s Local Environment Plan and Development Control Plan.
But council staff recommended the variation, which would result in a section of the development achieving a maximum height of 9.88m, be allowed.
The DA was submitted by Enhance Urban Planning acting for Noah Developments Pty Ltd.
It’s the second time the council has gone against its planning regulations. The first was in 2019 when council approved a four-storey seniors housing development that exceeded the height limit by 2.7m in some instances.
The council’s director environment and planning, Adam Cameron, said the the building only exceeded the height limit because of allowances for sloping land on the eastern edge
the exhibition period.
Cr Karen Toms, who opposed the 2019 DA, spoke of her change of heart when she moved council accept the staff recommendation to approve.
changes which had been included in the planning documents.
She said five swimming pools had been removed from the original plans to minimise impacts.
“We have a housing
He said with a reserve on the western side of the development and single storey homes around it the development would “stick out”.
“From the planning assessment report we are told this is noncompliant. This isn’t a one-off,” he said.
He said the mass of concrete involved would create a heat sink and create other impacts in the local environment.
“I’m not antidevelopment, but this one pushes the envelope too far,” he said.
Cr Bill Day said he was sympathetic to Cr Smith’s arguments, but he had to balance them against the positives arising from the DA.
He was also concerned with some of the site exposed to flooding the development would place more people in the flood zone.
In her right of reply Cr Toms rubbished the objections raised.
She claimed there was nothing “illegal” in the DA and said there was no risk these developments could turn Yamba into a “Sunshine Coast”.
Cr Toms said if council refused a DA because part of the building was less than a metre above the 9m limit, “we would be a laughing stock”.
of the development.
“It’s mainly due to topographic issues that have created the need for a DCP variation,” he said.
Council received 10 submissions – seven against, two providing comment and one for it – from residents during
She said this one did not come close to the 2019 development’s height.
“We need to look at each DA on its merits,” she said. “The council’s development assessment team and the developer have worked together on this to make
crisis in Australia,” Cr Toms said. “This is a good news story.”
“We will have 17 new homes. We have homeless people –although I don’t think they would be able to afford one of these – still we ave new homes.”
Cr Jeff Smith, who
He was pleased to see the developer had made concession to accommodate concerns raising in submissions and it would add to the housing stock in Yamba.
Mayor Ian Tiley made a rare foray into debate to speak against the DA.
He was concerned the application went against both the LEP and DCP. He said while the DCP could be amended, the LEP was a statutory
“We don’t get to tell developers what they can build,” she said. “If we’re going to worry about such small concessions, developers are going to think it’s just cheaper to take us to the Land and Environment Court.
Councillors vote 5-3 to approved the application with Crs Toms, Day, Debrah Novak, Steve Picking and Peter Johnstone in favour.
When the two floods of 2022 inundated Sonny Maclean’s home in Woodburn, it meant the 14-year-old wasn’t able to get to boxing classes
Young boxers punch against the odds
fighter,” said Scott Smith, owner of Mad Dog Boxing, where Sonny trains.
“On the night he won his state title, the only fight he lost was against the Queensland champion of a division above him.
“It was an hour before the fight when they were doing weight check-in and they realised Sonny’s opponent was too heavy for him.
“Sonny looked me in the eye and said, ‘Now I want to beat him even more’.
kids that come and spar, although I have five kids registered to fight,” he said.
“Boxing has been great for them, as we have foster kids and kids that have been bullied and boxing has helped turn their lives around.
“We have only been entering competitions for the last year, but have been having a lot of success with them.”
The gym currently boasts two state titles in that one short year.
for a few months while his family was without a car.
That didn’t stop him, however, winning the recent Australian Boxing Council’s Queensland Junior Lightweight Title.
“Sonny’s a good little
“I thought Sonny had won by the end of the fight, but he’d lost on a close margin.”
Scott runs Mad Dog Boxing out of a converted hangar on his property at Meerschaum Vale which has been going for a couple of years.
“We have about 20
Paddling his way to Poland
By SAMANTHA ELLEYDeclan Ellis has a very busy year ahead of him.
The ex-Casino High School student has recently earned a position on the Under 23 World Championship Canoe Slalom team following selection at the Penrith Open and Australian Open, run by Paddle Australia.
From humble beginnings, where he would practice on a dam in his front yard, Declan will be competing against the best in the world in Krakow, Poland in August.
“My ultimate aim will be to finish in the top 20 of the world championships,” he said.
“My more longer term goals are to make the senior Australian team for the world championships and hopefully the Olympics in 2028.”
Meanwhile, Declan knows he has a lot of training and work to do
just over the next few months to get ready for August.
“I moved to Penrith straight after finishing high school in 2020, to concentrate on training,” he said.
“When Covid hit, I had to move back in 2021 for four to five months.
“The white water stadium here is the centre of all things slalom.”
Declan’s training involves six white water sessions a week, along with three gym sessions.
“I also do running and other fun stuff, including paddling on flat water,” he said.
Declan also has time to run the Slalom Scorpions program for the Big River Canoe Club, helping young paddlers with their own training.
“I started this in the last year where I do coaching and support for junior slalom paddlers in the Northern Rivers,” he said.
“It is online as I am in Penrith, but occasionally I drive up on a weekend
and train them in person.
“I have about 10 young people, aged from 10-15, from Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Lennox and Woolgoolga and we have a weekly zoom call where we talk on the theory of paddling, as it’s quite a technical sport.
“I can analyse their training logs and diaries and give positive feedback.”
And if all that wasn’t enough, Declan is in the middle of a Bachelor of Economics at Sydney University.
Paddle Australia CEO Phil Jones said, “On behalf of Paddle Australia I’d like to congratulate the athletes selected to the Australian Canoe Slalom teams for 2023.
“After seeing them all race on home soil earlier this year, I’m excited to see what they can do across the World Cup season and at the World Championships.
As well as Sonny’ LIL DOG’ Maclean, another boxer in the Mad Dog camp is Maximus ‘CHICO’ Fields, who won the Australian Boxing Council’s Queensland State Lightweight title.
Saturday week ago, the gym held a fundraiser at Woodburn’s Rod n Reel Hotel, raising $9,600, thanks to the support of
those who attended.
“We had a great day and with the money raised, we can now build a ring for the kids to spar in,” Scott said.
“They have been sparring on the concrete floor, which can be
dangerous if they fall over and hit their head.”
If you would like to support Mad Dog Boxing or be involved with the classes, you can contact Scott Smith on 0410 538 744..
FLOOD LAND REZONING PROPOSAL PUT ON HOLD
By TIM HOWARDA proposal to Clarence Valley Council to have land in West Yamba that is not subject to planning approvals rezoned to halt development has been deferred for month.
Cr Greg Clancy brought a notice of motion to the last council meeting seeking to act on legal advice council had received that the council would not be liable to pay compensation in the event the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, acting on council advice, rezone land in the West Yamba Urban Release Area.
But the report also contained information from the general manager that the proposal could cost the council more than $400,000 to implement.
When the item came up at the meeting, Cr Clancy moved to have it deferred so it could be investigated further at a council workshop ahead of the April ordinary council meeting.
In the report Cr Clancy said the the floods of early 2022 had brought this issue to a head. He noted the population of Yamba would increase by more than 2000
“Even if the houses are above a 1:100 year flood event the surrounding area, including Carrs Drive and Yamba Road are likely to be flooded, trapping the residents on islands,” his report read. “If roads are cut for days, as happened in early 2022, keeping these residents safe and fed would be a challenge.
Cr Clancy said leaders including the prime minister Anthony Albanese and former NSW Premier recognised development on the floodplain had been a contributing factor to the scale of the damage and
loss of life in Lismore early in the year.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said “governments couldn’t keep allowing homes to be built in harm’s way as climate change fuelled an increase in natural disasters.
The NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, led discussion at a National Cabinet meeting about improving planning to ensure floodplain development didn’t continue. He said building with resilience in mind would avoid past mistakes adding the days of developing on the floodplain in the state were over.
“It makes absolutely no sense for us to make this announcement today and then still continue to develop the floodplains – it’s not going to happen anymore in NSW, I can tell you that,” he said in a media article (The New Daily October 28 2022).
The outgoing local state member for Clarence, Chris Gulaptis, offered his assistance to residents to lobby council for a rezoning.
The council’s Climate Change Committee has also recognised the need for new regulation, resolving at its September 2, 2022 meeting:
“The ongoing threat of serious flooding in Yamba because of the immense amounts of fill being put in former wetlands in conjunction with climate-generated extreme weather events is a major concern to many Yamba residents. As the agents instrumental in creating the fill problems, Council, along with the State Government, have a responsibility to resolve the issue.”
Cr Clancy said Greens Member of the Legislative Council and solicitor Sue Higgins advised, “the only
time a council or the State Government is required to compensate landholders is where it intends to acquire and or reserve land for a public purpose – such as open space, a public place or public reserve within the meaning of the Local Government Act 1993, a national park or other land reserved or dedicated under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, a public cemetery, a public hospital, a public railway, a public school or any other purpose that is prescribed as a public purpose.”
The council’s legal opinion supported this view.
Cr Clancy said the history of flood planning developments makes clear that NSW floodplains have been largely seen as a nuisance that needs to be contained as much as possible in size, consistent with not exposing those living near/on them to excessive flooding risk.
If floodplains were viewed as assets, it would be possible to take a different approach when planning: working out how to maximise simultaneously and harmoniously the value of the asset that is the floodplain at the same time as maximising the value of the very different asset that is the land bordering the floodplain.
The council’s general manager, Laura Black, said staff had investigated the matter and estimated funding the planning proposal would cost about $400,000.
The report said council staff did not dispute that planning and assessing development in floodprone areas within Yamba needed consideration and was complex and applied to areas both within the West Yamba Urban Release Area and in other part of the town subject to similar risks from flooding.
Key issues that would need to be demonstrated to the DPE and other relevant agencies could include:
• Demonstration that the flood risks in WYURA are high and cannot be managed in any feasible way, and that the land is subject to insurmountable risk to life and property from flooding.
• Demonstration that effective emergency management during a range of flood events is not possible or feasible.
• Demonstration that social and economic impacts from reducing planned housing supply are acceptable, including consideration about affordable housing, key working accommodation and impacts on the direct and indirectly affected local industries.
• Demonstration that the LGA has sufficient housing supply to meet the needs of the community without WYURA – especially the needs of the local community – and
in acknowledging the 2041 North Coast Region Plan’s housing supply, affordable housing and resilient planning objectives. Any changes to WYURA rezoning may also need to consider rezoning of other areas in and around Yamba, such as increasing densities in less flood prone areas to meet housing needs.
• Consideration about appropriate changed zones to manage risk and interfaces with urban areas. For example, introducing proposed RU2 –
Rural Landscape zones adjacent to newly established urban residential areas requires careful assessment to ensure conflicting land uses issues are not created.
• Demonstration of consistent policy about other flood affected land, such as the balance of the Yamba Floodplain (including the R5 – Large Lot Residential south of WYURA) and other flood-affected urban areas such as parts of North and South Grafton and riverside areas of Maclean.
• Consideration of other hazards (bushfire, storms, sea level) and determining an acceptable level of risk commensurate with the approach in WYURA, and any unintended consequences on the Clarence community (social, economic etc. as above).
• Despite receiving legal advice that appeared to free council of liability, staff identified further legal risks.
• The report said there was a risk of legal action if council takes an approach to prepare the proposed planning proposal as this would set a policy position that council does not support further development approvals in the WYRUA.
It feared developers of land not benefitted by a development consent would lodge development applications in response to the proposed planning proposal and have these applications determined by the Northern Regional Planning Panel under the current planning rules. They could escalate a development application to the Land and Environment Court using the ‘deemed refusal’ appeal provisions of the EP&A.
There are currently four large sites and a number of smaller sites in the R1 zone that are undeveloped.
Based on staff experience, if a complex development application proceeded to full hearing, typical expected costs for a single case may be well in excess of $200,000 and often exceed $300,000 or $400,000.
Whilst legal advice has been provided, the limit of Council’s liability is not clear-cut given the lack of case law, in particular if Conservation zones are proposed as part of a rezoning process. Council staff said the DPE’s 2009 Environment Protection Zones – LEP Practice Note warned council to not restrict the range of land uses to severely.
Staff also said there were several more planning considerations for councillors to consider before pressing ahead with the rezoning the area to exclude development.
DIARY OF A FLOOD SURVIVOR
it with wary respect now.
I have seen the damage it has done….twice in the space of a month. This time 12 months ago, we were cleaning out the mud from the second flood. Nowhere near as heartbreaking, but still a good dose of salt in our flood wound.
We have slowed down with the renovations.
While we are in the long queue for the electrician and painter to return to finish off a few jobs, we are also waiting for the builder to start sheeting downstairs and our new garage door.
Patience really is a gift, but I’ve realised we are comfortable. We have hot water; we have electricity and in some areas have improved on what we had before.
NEW HOME PROVIDES INDEPENDENT LIVING
By SAMANTHA ELLEYWhen we first introduced our readers last year to Martika Doyalson-Esler, her house at West Ballina was only half finished. Now, after a long process that has seen hold ups due to flood, two Covid lockdowns and a number of other issues, the front door was officially opened. Martika’s new home is is specially designed to meet her disability needs and is part of a twodwelling development of Specialist Disability Accommodation housing in West Ballina, built by major housing provider DPN Casa Capace. The disability Supported Independent Living services will be provided by long-term Ballina and state-wide provider, Northcott.
house and one bedroom/ bathroom separate unit.
The halls and
support workers and the community. We are looking forward to our
One of my favourite walks to take the dog in the morning is to go down by the river.
Some mornings, the water is like glass with the mist hovering over, as it curtains the rising sun, ready to reveal it to the morning, like the beginning of a high energy musical.
It creates an ethereal atmosphere, punctuated by the morning calls of the birds as they hunt out those unlucky worms.
As the dog sniffs around for anything of interest, I take in the scene, marvelling at how calm and peaceful it all is.
Hard to believe it was the source of so much pain just over 12 months ago.
While I don’t blame the river totally, as the storms that caused so much of the flooding filled the water course with more than it could hold, but I certainly view
Ok, the front door is a plain external blue/green job from Bunnings and our house number is still stuck on the flood ruined side windows of the entrance in band-aids. Yes, our fences have no gates, so we have put up gyprock boards so the dog doesn’t escape, but we are ok.
We may pause working on the house for a while, give the bank account a breather and do some saving, rather than spending.
Who knows, though? Maybe I’ll put in for the next season of The Block….lol.
Little steps.
“I am going to set up my towels and my room,” said Martika when asked what she wanted to do first when she moved in.
Martika’s mum Alyson said she was now the last of her children to leave home.
“I am sad, but excited for her,” she said.
Mark Richards echoed the same emotions for his daughter Rhiannon, who will be one of Martika’s flatmates.
“Words can not express how I feel,” he said.
“From the doctors telling us 24 years ago that our daughter would never walk, and now she is about to walk through the door of her own home.
“I am so proud and looking forward to a positive future for her.”
The new development comprises a threebedroom, two-bathroom
doorways are wide to accommodate wheelchairs, as do the kitchen benches, which go up and down as required.
“Casa Capace homes are designed with the future in mind and are adaptable for the changing needs of our residents with features such as wiring in place for automation if required, structural supports for ceilings hoists and other assistive technologies required by people with disabilities to live independently as possible,” said Michael Fuller, Casa Capace’s CEO & Executive Director.
“The social impact of our homes goes well beyond our residents. It also positively impacts their families,
residents moving in and making these homes, their homes.”
Casa Capace’s and
Northcott’s next development is in Alstonville, planned to open in late April.
Kytherian Radio Announcer Harry Crethar Celebrates 40 years on Radio
BY MARIJANETA TOMAŠIĆKAA member, Haralambos Anargyrou Kritharis, also known as Harry Crethar, is celebrating 40 years on radio. Thank you to Marijaneta Tomašić, a dear friend of Harry’s, who brought this fabulous accomplishment to our attention.
Congratulations Harry on this wonderful achievement. Our Kytherian immigrants are certainly leaving their mark not only in our community, but also in the broader Australia society. You have made all Kytherians proud.
In Harry’s words:
“I was born in Piraeus Greece and migrated in February 1948 to Lismore NSW when I was 11 years old. My Father Eric (Anargiros) Kritharis, nick name being BALOMENOS, was born in Kythera in Karavas. We got our nickname Balomenos (Μπαλομενος) due to the fact that when my
grandfather, Vrettos Kritharis was born, he was born with a red mark on his face. Balomenos in Greek means to patch up.
My father arrived in Australia in 1937. I arrived in Lismore NSW in 1948 with my mother. I had not met my father until I was 11 years old. I couldn’t speak a word of English. I left school in Lismore at the age of 15 and started working in my uncle’s cafe in Molesworth Street, Lismore. It was called Crethar’s Airconditioned Café. It was the frst airconditioned café in Lismore. I worked for my uncle for a while then wanted to expand my horizons and worked in other cafes.
I worked in cafes for 5 years. I bought The Wonder Bar in 1956 from Spiros Coronakis, who 11 years later would become my future fatherin-law as I married his daughter, Maria. I guess you could say I married the girl next door because when Spiros
Coronakis sold the The Wonder Bar to me, he opened a fruit shop right next door which is how Maria and I met. I went into partnership with my father Eric Kritharis and we worked at the Wonder Bar together. The Wonder Bar was open for business for 24 years from 1956 until we sold the business in 1980.
In 1980 we established Premier Picture Framing and Art Supplies in Lismore and operated until the horrifc food in 2022. This food was the most devasting food on record, the previous devastating food was in 1974. We were highly supported by the locals in Lismore for 66 years.
In 1983 I was approached by Peter Carr who was working as the presenter of the Greek Radio program which he had been broadcasting for 8 years. I have a great love and passion for music, therefore I could not refuse the offer. The program started as a half hour program once a week and now is a 2
hour weekly program. The program is live on air every Tuesday on 92.9 River FM Lismore, www.2ncr.org.au. You can fnd me every second Tuesday from 6-8pm NSW time. On
alternative Tuesdays, you will fnd Patricia Gizas.
I am excited to be celebrating my 40th year live on air. I’m happy to know my listeners have been putting up with me for this long, I am now
86 years old. I have been married for 57 years to my beautiful wife Maria (nee Coronakes). I have 4 sons and 4 beautiful grandchildren.”
History gets a helping hand with government grant
By Samantha ElleyIt was American poet and activist, Maya Angelou who said, “You can’t really know where you are going until you know where you have been.”
This is no less true for the city of Lismore, which saw its museum and Richmond River Historical Society building on Molesworth Street, inundated in the February 2022 floods. Fast forward to a year later and while cyclone fencing still surrounds the premises, the museum has been promised $123,000 through a State government grant to help refit the building.
“This will go a long way in helping us rebuild the museum and once again opening it to the community and tourists,” said Society president Robert Smith.
“This community needs to know its history and that’s the crucial part the Lismore Museum plays.”
Lismore city mayor
Steve Krieg said he couldn’t wait for the museum to reopen.
“The museum tells the story of Lismore and our region, and how we have progressed as a community,” he said.
“I would like to congratulate Robert and all the volunteers for the work they have done in saving the objects and archives and preparing the museum for reopening.”
Mr Smith said many of the archived items were stored for a short time in 10 x 14 feet shipping containers in the carpark.
“They have now been moved to Goonellabah,” he said.
“We had moved everything above the 1974 level, but the flood went two metres above that.”
Despite the bulk of the archives out of the water levels, many were affected by mould and that’s when they were removed to the containers.
“We are hoping to soon move back into the museum after updating and establishing it in a contemporary way,” said Mr Smith.
PLAN TO MAKE CLARENCE 2032 OLYMPIC BASE
MOTHER AND DAUGHTER TEAM HELP THEIR CULTURE TO THRIVE
The passion Melissa Greenwood feels for her Aboriginal culture is palpable.
neighbouring tribe to us as we are Gumbaynggir,” said Melissa.
each book is translated into English and Gumbaynggir.”
By TIM HOWARDEstablishing the Clarence a base for teams attending the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games is a cornerstone of a tourism marketing plan under development for the region.
The plan, being developed by the Clarence Valley Council’s Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Committee, was presented to the council to be noted at its March 28 meeting.
The plan will be be included in the draft operational plan and budget 2023/2024 for consideration.
The proposal also sought access to funds historically collected from the business community for tourism services through a special rate variation established in 1989 and 1990.
The levy continued to be collected after council amalgamations in 2004 and was allocated to the Clarence River Tourist Association which managed the region’s tourism development until 2013, when council took over that role.
The tourism rate was subsumed into the general council revenue.
At the council meeting Cr Bill Day, who was a manager of the CRTA for 20 years, sought to clarify the issue of the SRV funding amount.
His motion added to the staff recommendation that council note that a Tourism Special Rate
Variation was embedded in the rating structures inherited by Clarence Valley Council at amalgamation, and this was calculated to be worth $176,000 on June 28 2013 in a report to a State Upper House Inquiry by CVC director environment, planning and infrastructure.
Cr Day also moved included provision of tourism information services to visitors after their arrival in the area in the plan.
Cr Day, responding to a question from Cr Debrah Novak, said it was important for people to realise the tourism rate was real.
“Some people think that it’s a myth,” he said. “This establishes that it’s real.
“Staff have recommended it could be allocated for funding the tourism marketing plan.”
The EDTAC plan also recommended council scrap its seven touch screen tourism information hubs.
The hubs, installed in 2018 have been problematic since their installation proving hard to service and failing to provide the level of customer service expected.
The report said the pace of technology had quickly rendered the machines obsolete and an upgrade projected to cost $15,000 was not recommended.
Cr Day said the attempts to replace the staffed Visitor Information Centre in South Grafton had resulted in six different
overviews and reports on tourism marketing in the Clarence, which had all failed to deliver a viable outcome.
“They were mainly cut and paste exercises which cost tens of thousands of dollars,” Cr Day said.
The report noted the beneficial impact on the area from the 2000 Sydney Olympics when a number of visiting teams made the Clarence a training base prior to the games.
The report said the 2032 games were a chance for the region to attract additional investment in sports infrastructure as well as accommodation and entertainment venues.
Sporting venues could include rowing, kayaking, white water, equestrian, hockey and surfing.
As a result the council will write to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games organising committees to register the Clarence Valley’s interest in being considered as a base for athletes, teams or events prior to or during the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic events.
Cr Jeff Smith, the seconder of Cr Day’s motion that the committee for the report.
He said the staff had been brilliant and passionate in their work, which he said the community would appreciate.
The council voted unanimously to note the report.
The young mum has teamed up with her own mother, Lauren Jarrett, to run the business Miimi and Jiinda, an Australian art business, which they have been doing successfully for the past five years.
“My mum and I had a market stall where we would sell our artwork,” said Melissa.
“Then I did my first solo exhibition in my sister-in-law’s café and it was a huge success as we sold out on the first day.”
Their big break came, however, when Melissa was commissioned to do an art piece for The Block contestants, Deb and Andy.
“Andy is Biripi, a
“I found out I had four days to complete the art work. It had to be painted, stretched, framed and delivered.
“I was determined so I painted for 10 hours a day non-stop.
“My knees and body were so sore but we pulled it off and got it delivered on the fourth day.”
From there, the business sky-rocketed. The mother and daughter team have now diversified their business into fashion for women and children and Melissa is also an author.
“I am writing and illustrating my third children’s book through Harper Collins and
This is where Melissa’s passion for her business shines through.
“I am living and breathing my culture,” she said.
“It’s not only important to keep culture alive, but showing people that it’s thriving.”
And thriving it is, with licencing collaborations with fashion businesses, Adairs and Seed and skincare company Jurlique in the pipeline.
“We are also about to launch our high end fashion line at the David Jones Fashion Week in May,” said Melissa. Check out Miimi and Jiinda products at miimiandjiinda.com
We require an experienced Trade Sample Machinist with a high skill level, able to read and understand trade manufacturing pattern making Developing garments from toiles to finished International and local selling samples that will then be shown on the catwalk These are high end women’s wear garments being made in linen, silk, satin and laces from swimwear, dresses to tailoring Initially, we would love you to work from our studio in Ocean Shores, and some training can be given through our Pattern Maker Ideally you must be familiar with and have Industrial Sewing Machines and once trained to our standards, if preferred there is capability to work from home
Please contact:
Angelique Gordon
+61 482 175 083 info@miimiandjiinda com
ELECTION A VERY CIVIL AFFAIR; NOW IT’S DOWN TO WORK
By Janelle Saffin MP State Member for LismoreTHE recent NSW Election was from my point of view a very civil affair, and I thank all involved – my fellow candidates, volunteer campaign teams, the media, and of course, the voters who exercised their democratic rights.
I carry forward the hope and faith that people have put in me to be their representative and I do feel the responsibility to represent us all without fear or favour.
I am very mindful of the trust voters have put in me and will not let them down.
I really am honoured to continue the rebuild and recovery from the 2022 floods, and all the other day-to-day issues that impact local lives.
Now it’s straight down to work with the new Minns Labor Government, delivering all of my election commitments and advocating for more priority projects in government.
Large-scale election commitments include:
• Keep open Murwillumbah’s four public schools, consulting all school communities on infrastructure upgrades, including the continuation of Murwillumbah High’s capital works as it is in train, but it will not now
have to accommodate a mega campus.
• Additional policing resources for Murwillumbah Police Station, starting with $3.7 million for recruitment of additional officers, provision of other services and upgrades, and an implementation plan to make Murwillumbah Police Station 24/7.
• Invest $30 million in a Build-to-Rent pilot program in the Northern Rivers, tasking Landcom with delivering the extra affordable rental unit stock within two years to Lismore, Murwillumbah, Tweed Heads and Ballina.
• Deliver $5 million to Resilient Lismore, in partnership with Reece Foundation, for their Two Rooms and a Bathroom rollout to 250 flood-impacted homes as well as restoring essential plumbing to at least 100 homes.
• Allocate $250,000 to develop an Economic and Environmental Recovery Plan for the Northern Rivers region and Tenterfield Shire LGA to help eight local government areas ‘build back better’ from the 2022 floods and better prepare for future natural disasters.
• Allocate $5 million for four projects to start the Northern Rivers Watershed Initiative, a 10 to 15-year strategy aimed at improving water security
and catchment health of the Tweed, Brunswick, Richmond and Evans river catchments.
• Deliver $1.4 million to Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital towards construction and commissioning of the purpose-built hospital facility at Wollongbar, located on the border of Ballina and Lismore electorates.
• Deliver $400,000 to Lismore City Council towards constructing and maintaining a disabilityfriendly public amenities block in Nimbin’s Peace Park, recognising a 15-year campaign by the Nimbin Advisory Group for this facility.
• Deliver $2 million to Tweed Shire Council to fund urban flood mitigation projects prioritised from the outcomes of the Murwillumbah Central Business District Drainage Study.
• Significantly boost funding for Lismore Women’s Health & Resource Centre as part of NSW Labor’s $100-million investment in 20 women’s health centres across the state over five years.
• Remove the EPA waste levy from Kyogle Local Government Area, saving Kyogle Council and local ratepayers an estimated $400,000 a year.
• Invest more than $41 million in funding for the upgrade of ‘legacy’ roads and bridges projects
across the Lismore Electorate. These include:
• $12 million to Kyogle Council towards the replacement of council’s remaining 30 timber and composite bridges.
• $7.5 million to Lismore City Council to construct a roundabout at the Alphadale crossroads, Bruxner Highway, to improve driver safety at a notorious black spot, and in the interim reduce the speed limit from 80kmh to 60kmh on approaches to this intersection.
• $4 million to Kyogle Council towards improving flood immunity of the Clarence Way at Tunglebung and Culmarran creeks between Sandilands and Bonalbo.
• $3.12 million to Tenterfield Shire Council to ensure completion of a major upgrade of Mount Lindesay Road between Legume and Woodenbong.
• An additional $14.6 million in funding for emergency road repair, providing more than $3 million to Lismore City Council; $2.9 million to Kyogle Council; $4.1 million to Tweed Shire Council; $3.1 million to Byron Shire Council and $1.5 million to Tenterfield Shire Council.
Small-scale election commitments include:
• $50,000 to Nimbin Chamber of Commerce’s Aquarius 50
Organising Committee – towards staging a regional festival in May to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the original Aquarius Festival in 1973.
• $165,000 to Friends of the Koala (FOK) Incorporated – several small grants, including $50,000 towards upgrading its Community Education Centre in East Lismore, $75,000 for a chlamydia vaccination program, and $35,000 for a koala data base.
• $50,000 to Tenterfield Shire Council – improving Tenterfield Aerodrome’s disaster readiness capacity, including purchasing and installing a water tank and pump, and safety works.
• $50,000 to Kyogle Family Support Services Neighbourhood Centre Incorporated – purchasing an AWD vehicle to support community participation and inclusion in its social programs, particularly West of the Range where services are limited.
• $40,000 to Hub 2484, Murwillumbah –delivering much-needed flood preparation and flood recovery projects to support local residents of this postcode who were severely impacted by the 2022 floods.
• $40,000 to North-Tracks Works, Lismore – towards running its innovative youth support program post-floods.
• $30,000 to RiverTracks, Murwillumbah – towards running trade skills youth workshops designed to educate and empower youth at risk of disengaging from education.
• $30,000 to Back-Track Works, Tenterfield – constructing an amenities block at its training hub to support youth participating in its training and skills development programs.
• $20,000 to Kyogle Football Club –draining the sub-surface perimeter of its main adult ground in Chauvel Street, which is also used by school groups for athletics carnivals, future proofing it during localised flood events.
• $15,000 to Kyogle Golf Club –towards purchasing and installing new fire-safe glass doors and essential plumbing work.
• $15,000 to Woodenbong Progress Association’s Resilience Group – fitting out two shipping containers, already funded under the Community Building Partnership program, as an emergency evacuation hub on a site near the Woodenbong Showground.
• $10,000 to Murwillumbah Croquet Club Incorporated –repairing, prepping and painting the exterior of its historic clubhouse.
SOUTHERN CROSS UNI STUDENTS SET TO GRADUATE IN GOLD COAST CEREMONY
More than 450 graduands will cross the stage this Wednesday at Southern Cross University’s first Gold Coast ceremony for the year. These two graduands – Tracey Schofield and Lily Kiriyama – share their success following years of hard work.
GOLD COAST IT
GRAD SCORES
DREAM GIG
Southern Cross University IT graduand Tracey Schofield remembers replacing the ink and paper of manual typewriters in her first job.
Now, more than three decades later, this techsavvy mum will graduate from Southern Cross University and walk into a local council tech role as part of a newlyestablished team.
Tracey said it was an honour being asked to be the graduate speaker at Southern Cross University’s upcoming Gold Coast graduation ceremony on Wednesday 5 April, with her children and husband there to cheer her on.
She’ll graduate from the Bachelor of Information Technology with a GPA of 6.5, with a perfect 7 score in numerous subjects.
“When I finished school I never thought I would be smart enough to study at University,” Tracey said.
“I went to secretarial college to learn typewriting and shorthand and I have worked as a legal assistant, executive assistant, ICT Officer and most recently as ICT Systems Analyst of a not-for-profit.
“I always kept on top of learning how to use all the new technology to not fall behind – from when I was using five shades of coloured paper and white-out
in typewriters back in the 1980s, to showing a bit of knowledge in how to fix tech issues and becoming the ‘accidental’ IT person at the not-for-profit.
“I decided to study a Diploma part-time at TAFE, which then gave me direct access into the Bachelor of Information Technology at Southern Cross, so with encouragement of my boss I decided to study at University and haven’t looked back. I realised with some life experience that I could retain knowledge and soak up new knowledge as well.
“I was 46 years old when I started my degree, and now after nine years, alongside working fulltime and raising two kids, I’m really proud to be graduating.
“The lecturers were so helpful and supportive, and we had such a beautiful campus and great facilities – it was amazing.”
Tracey’s study major was in Digital Interaction and User Experience. She finished wrapping up her degree in the same month her youngest child finished Year 12.
“I’m excited for my daughter to start her own university journey. I’m actually going to miss studying, but really excited to work in such a dynamic space in User Experience and Communications at Brisbane City Council which is rapidly changing and improving.”
PSYCHOLOGY GRAD PART OF AN EXPANDING
registration and working in clinical psychology.
Lily completed her final Honours subject in 2022 and, as a provisional psychologist, she is already pursing her next endeavour – the Master of Professional Psychology though Southern Cross.
“I’ve always wanted to help people find their inner strength and work towards their goals,” she said.
“I studied my undergraduate at a different university, then got into Honours at Southern Cross and there’s such a difference, it’s just such a vibrant university.
“Everyone is so caring, it’s really interactive, and there’s not much of a difference between student and teacher, it’s as though we are all peers.”
For Lily, helping others is part of who she is – whether that’s volunteering as a Lifeline crisis supporter or tutoring her friends’ kids.
my weekly routine. One lady I have connected with is in her 90s and we’ve been chatting for two years every week and quite honestly, I get as much out of it as she does. It’s really nice to have a friendly chat over the phone.”
Lily’s Honours thesis ‘Investigating the acceptability of visible tattoos on doctors and
of tattoos may have declined towards people working in the health sector, the inference being that employers might reconsider their guidelines around the covering up of tattoos – especially if this support of people’s selfexpression strengthens their professional identity, and as long as patient satisfaction
Lily is part of a growing cohort of students from capital cities studying online with Southern Cross.
Tracey and Lily are among 466 graduands who will receive their testamurs at Southern Cross University’s Gold Coast graduation ceremony at on Wednesday 5 April
COHORT
OF ONLINE STUDENTS
For Psychology Honours graduand Lily Kiriyama, receiving her testamur is a milestone achievement towards achieving
“Before Covid lockdowns I was volunteering with Rosie’s, helping those who were homeless, chatting and connecting with them, but then that became difficult with the restrictions. So instead I became a volunteer with St John’s Ambulance Queensland, making weekly friendship calls as part of their telephone community service,” she said.
“I absolutely love it. It’s now become a part of
nurses’ investigated whether there was a disparity between people’s perception of male and female health workers with tattoos, as previous research had suggested.
“What we found is that there was no difference in the acceptance of doctors or nurses (male or female) with or without tattoos, which is very exciting research – the kind where a non-significant result is a good thing,” Lily said.
“We think the stigma
measures are maintained.
“My supervisor
Associate Professor Sally Sargeant and I are looking to publish this research which adds to that literature of it being a non-issue at this time, and is perhaps even a starting point of other studies to look into other professions.
“It feels good to be able to publish such a positive outcome, and I’m really proud to be graduating after so much hard work.”
As a Brisbane local,
2023, in front of family and friends at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Executive Director of Women in Business Australia Ms Karen Phillips will give the occasional address at the morning graduation ceremony, while Chief Executive Officer of WWF-Australia Mr Dermot O’Gorman – a Southern Cross University science graduate – will address the afternoon ceremony.
FREE SHOP OPEN FOR 3 YEARS
Three years ago a free shop was opened in the four rooms of the former Railway Station in Billinudgel, Northern Rivers, New South Wales.
Since then, open 24 hours every day, tens of thousands of free gifts have been taken. Opened before the widespread regional flooding, many people have said the shop is a Godsend to them.
Dennis Stevenson, who, with a smile, calls himself the Station Master, sees the shop as an example of what we are increasingly seeing in Australia and worldwide; hundreds of thousands of people being of true service to each other, whether through the thousands of new groups that have formed or just individuals or family to family. Dennis says, “The day is coming when we’ll all live like this. I’m just getting in early to avoid the rush.”
“On Wednesday 5th April, we are having an all day Celebration at
It’s an honour just to be nominated
our free shop to mark our 3rd anniversary of opening!”
Dennis says, “It’s a joy to help see no one goes without; whether clothes and accessories for all the family, household furniture; books, music, tools, crafts, kitchen, electrical and sporting items, bedding, curtains, towels, etc.
Especially the huge range of camping gear, tents etc that have helped the large numbers of people who have no home.” “Let’s change that too.”
Always, everything is free and everyone is welcomed, where-ever they live or whatever their situation. No money or exchange is ever asked or taken.
Love has no conditions. The Beatles were Right – All we need is Love!
Whether for radio, television or print interviews, contact Den for a fun chat to hear stories of the wonderful joy that giving brings.
On the 9th of March, Resilient Lismore executive director Elly Bird was in Sydney for the 2023 NSW Women of the Year Awards. Elly was nominated
for Community Hero Woman of the Year and even though she didn’t win, just the nomination is a reflection of the hard work and dedicated leadership Elly has
provided in the past 12 months.
Koori Mail CEO Naomi Moran was also nominated as Aboriginal Woman of the Year
for her outstanding leadership. Like Elly, she didn’t win but again the nomination was recognition of how much she has done for the community.
If you have been cared for by an outstanding nurse or midwife in Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD), now is your chance to celebrate them!
We are inviting members of the public to nominate nurses and midwives who have demonstrated outstanding care or contributed to improved health outcomes, for the Healing Heart Consumer Appreciation Award.
The annual NNSWLHD Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards acknowledge the contribution and dedication of nurses and midwives working in hospitals and health services across the region.
“These awards are an opportunity to recognise and celebrate our nurses and midwives for their significant contribution to patients and to our broader communities,”
Katharine Duffy, NNSWLHD Director of Nursing and Midwifery, said.
“I encourage anyone who has had a great experience with a nurse or midwife anywhere across our region to help us celebrate the great work they do by nominating them for the Consumer Appreciation Award.
“It’s been an enormously challenging few years in health, and our nurses and midwives
have been at the front line doing a fantastic job of caring for our community through the COVID pandemic and the devastating floods of 2022.”
Nominations are now open and close at 5pm on 14 May 2023.
To submit a Healing Heart Consumer Appreciation nomination, visit the NNSWLHD website.
“What’s New at Lawrence Museum…
A chance to view the exhibition
Remarkable – Stories of Australians and their boats. Australia abounds with stories of people who have lived and worked on the water. This exhibition presents some of those stories, exploring the remarkable connections between people and their boats. This exhibition has been extended for a further month.
You can see the heritage listed ‘Cedar Queen’, an 1890’s local flood boat, a1930’s Gladstone skiff and a range of duck punts, used for duck hunting in the wetlands nearby.
The Clarence River was the highway for communities in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s and Lawrence has a rich history, as a port. You will be surprised at the
size and number of the ships that traded here.
The recently opened ‘Recycle Shed’ is a must for bargain hunters and collectors alike. From handmade hardwood mirrors, 1970’s turntables, and telephones, vinyl records, household collectibles, old tools, radios, to books and magazines. All proceeds help to fund the Museum.
As well as early Lawrence, the museum has an extensive communications
collection, reflecting its origin as the 2NR
and industrial displays, also highlights the local social and cultural history, particularly with four 1930’s themed rooms.
Visitor can stroll outside through the pleasant gardens, to enjoy the farm display, blacksmith’s shop, and especially the early settler’s cottage, being home to famous ‘Snake Man’, Ram Chandra. Remarkable, created by the Australian Maritime Museums Council (AMMC) and the Australian National Maritime Museum, provides an opportunity for regional audiences to hear national and local stories.
Broadcast station. The Shed, with agricultural
The Museum is wheelchair friendly and is open Tuesday mornings 9.00am –1,00pm and weekends from 1.00pm to 4.00pm”
From young toddlers to a 101-year-old centenarian, trailblazers turned out in force over the weekend to participate in community celebrations to mark the opening of the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.
More than 2,000 people from near and far are estimated to have flocked to the 24km section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail over the weekend (25 & 26 March) to join in
everything from making their own smoothies on blender bikes at Murwillumbah Railway Station to viewing the interactive wildlife show presented by the Wildlife Twins at Mooball.
Live music was popular at all the main station nodes and rest stops along the Rail Trail, while a cultural immersion project hosted by the Biren Cultural Group at Burringbar included a community art piece where everyone was invited to leave their mark. Final touches are
Thousands join in festivities to mark Rail Trail opening Community spirit shines through at weekend celebrations
now being added to the artwork which will be gifted to the Rail Trail as a permanent reminder of the popular event.
Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry thanked everyone who helped make the weekend such a success, including the Tweed Byron Police District, whose officers were on hand across the weekend to ensure the safety and security of guests.
“The enthusiasm of the many locals and visitors who came to the Rail Trail to share
in the fun was palpable and made for a fantastic, positive vibe across the weekend,” Cr Cherry said.
“Trail guests keep telling us how friendly everyone was and how their positive experience had been underscored by the quality of the trail, the scenic and shaded trail experience and how impressed they were by the local villages along the way.
“This was a true celebration of the natural beauty of the Tweed, our Aboriginal culture and rail heritage and
I’d like to thank the community members and organisations who helped make the weekend such a success for the trail and our villages.”
Cr Cherry paid particular thanks to the many community organisations, volunteers and supporters who contributed to the event, including Cycling Without Age – Gold Coast, adjoining landowners and local businesses who so enriched the experience. As well as the committed volunteers from Northern Rivers Rail
Trail Supporters and Rail Trails Australia.
“I’d like to say a special thanks to the volunteers from Cycling Without Age who were in hot demand across the weekend and whose tireless pedalling enabled people of all ages and abilities to experience the magic of the Rail Trail for themselves,” Cr Cherry said.
“We are determined to explore ways this incredible Rail Trail can be enjoyed and accessed by all.”
LETTERS, FEEDBACK AND OPINION
intelligence and certainly now, out of here.
We’d love to hear from you!
letters@nrtimes.com.au
THE GREENS
The Greens sold out on Australia by not sticking to their guns and not allowing new coal and gas mines to be built instead they caved into Labor and signed off on their so called hard cap deal to only allow certain amount of carbon emissions. As Adam Bandt the greens leader should resign immediately. Furthermore, the federal government should takeover energy and gas from the private
carbon zero or close enough to. Both the greens and Labor have caved into big gas and oil with this pathetic so-called hard cap on carbon emissions. In addition, state Labor should rescind the Narrabri gas project as well.
Alan Mosley YambaEdited to remove offensive language.
OUT OF HERE
Two more elections, two
The Labor Party is now in power in every mainland state and after every Coalition Govt is ousted Labor is faced with a massive mess to clean up in a world that is now facing major climate, energy, and social problems.
After every defeat element of the ratbag right slip further into self-denial and attack and blame the very people in their own parties who are actually trying to lead their intellectually deficient comrades out of the political wilderness.
The Labor Party’s NSW victory was history making, the losses suffered in the disastrous 2011 election were redeemed and many of the swings, even in safe Coalition seats were truly massive with the seats the Coalition did manage to hold onto now so marginal that at the next election in four years, a massive effort will be required to retain them.
But wait it gets worse, much worse, on the night of April 1 history was
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replicated since 1920, now that would have really hurt. At this rate of attrition, the last person leaving the Liberal Party, please turn of the lights and close the door on the way out. Huge congrats must go to Janelle Saffin for achieving a 13% swing in Lismore, a thoroughly deserved win for a thoroughly decent and hard-working person and an outstanding Labor MP.
Credit must also be given to our new premier Chris Minns for not only winning, and along with outgoing Premier Dominic Perrottet, for running clean campaigns based solely on political issues.
Keith Duncan PimlicoLABOR CONCERNS
It was sad to see Dominic Perrottet resign from the Liberal leadership as I believe he was the one who set NSW people free from more lockdowns, mask wearing, QR code checking etc back in December 2021 compared to other states. But then just five months after
this river of water could have come from the 15 January 2022 volcanic eruption off the coast of Tonga that sent 85,000 Olympic-size pools of water into the stratosphere, see https://www.abc.net.au/ news/2023-02-16/tonganvolcano-impact-australianweather/101978886).
But now that Labor rules most states and the Federal Government, I hope they don’t turn Australia into what has happened to the American economy under the Biden administration:‘Early in March, four major global banks collapsed in a period of merely a week; three from the United States
it’s coronation day
of America (Silicon Valley Bank, Silvergate Bank, and Signature Bank) and one from Switzerland (Credit Suisse) and the fate of two other major banks hangs in the balance; the USA’s First Republic Bank and Germany’s Deutsche Bank.’ What I’ve heard is the US dollar will continue to fall in the next few months as the old fiat money system is replaced by gold and silver backing, and this could make the global economy collapse also, so I hope our Labor governments know how to handle this financial collapse.
Lynette Evans NUMULGIthe casino rotary club invites you to our royal high tea enjoy our entertainment,door prizes & raffles. prize for most regally dressed
date: 06th may 2023 time: 14h00 (2 pm)
location: windara 253 sextonville rd, casino cost: a45 00 per person
Casino, NSW - The Westlawn Beef Week
Rodeo is set to return for its 20th Year to Casino Beef Week on May 27th after a one-year hiatus due to the devastating floods that occurred in the region. The event promises to bring back the excitement, thrills, and adrenaline-pumping action that rodeo enthusiasts and the local community have missed.
The rodeo is scheduled to take place after the famous Beef Week Saturday, featuring a Stud Cattle Show, Markets, Children’s Activities, and the famous Street Parade.
Casino Beef Week is
BEEF WEEK RODEO RETURNS TO CASINO BEEF WEEK ON MAY 27TH
themed “Stars of the Screen,” and the rodeo is one of the most anticipated events of the festival.
Brody Lisha, President of Casino Beef Week, expressed his excitement about the rodeo’s return, saying, “We’re thrilled to have the Westlawn Beef Week Rodeo back after last year’s unfortunate cancellation due to the floods. It’s an excellent opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy an action-packed evening of entertainment.”
Jack Maloney, President of Casino Rodeo and Campdraft Association, added,
“We’re excited to showcase our local rodeo riders and competitors once again. We appreciate the support of our community and our sponsors, including Westlawn, for making this event possible.”
Geoff Scofield from Westlawn comments that “Westlawn as a long-term supporter of Beef Week since 1995 is proud to continue its sponsorship of the Westlawn Beef Week Rodeo this year, and we’re looking forward to a fantastic event”.
The gates to the Casino Showgrounds will open at 3:00 pm, with the rodeo kicking off at
4:30 pm and finishing at 8:30 pm. The cost of entry for the rodeo is Family $50, Adult $20, Concession $15, Child under 16 years of age $10, and Under 5 free. Spectators are advised to arrive early to secure
their seats. The event will be MCed by renowned rodeo announcer, Terry Murry, and feature a large screen tv system for instant replays of the most exciting action. Tickets will be
available for purchase at the gate or online, and participants are encouraged to buy them beforehand to avoid disappointment.
Work underwayon new vessel for Marine Rescue Woolgoolga
Woolgoolga’s new Marine Rescue vessel is taking shape after construction commenced in February.
The new 9.6 metre Naiad (NYE-ADD) Hamilton Jet boat is being built at Yamba Welding and Engineering on the NSW North Coast.
Marine Rescue NSW Senior Manager Fleet Kelvin Parkin said that Woolgoolga 30 has been specifcally designed.
“That vessel and that region has specifc requirements because there are no accessible
boat ramps,” he said.
Mr Parkin said Marine Rescue volunteers at Woolgoolga launch and retrieve the current vessel directly from the beach using a specialised trailer.
“We’re designing the vessel around those same categories but with more capability.
“It’s going to be a faster response, it’s going to be a little bit lighter but also stronger through the bow so when you’re launching and retrieving the vessel from the beach it will take up some of that
impact for the crew.
“It will also mean that we will get longer life out of the vessel.
“This new rescue boat will play a vital role in Marine Rescue’s mission of saving lives on the water,” Mr Parkin said.
Woolgoolga 30 will have a full Raymarine suite, four shock mitigating seating positions and pack plenty of punch with a Cummins QSB 6.7 inboard diesel engine.
Mr Parkin recently visited Yamba Welding and Engineering for a
construction update.
“Everything is progressing well, there’s no major hurdles or delays and we are very much looking forward to adding this vessel to our feet,” he said.
WO 30 is due for completion in June and is one of 38 new rescue boats funded by the NSW Government’s $37.6 million investment in 2019 to support the vital, life-saving work of Marine Rescue NSW volunteers.
A crosscultural love
By Samantha ElleyBook Review – Shanthy
Author: Ryle J Moldrich
Publisher: Shawline
Publishing Group
Retail: $25.75
The story of Shanthy and Lobo could be likened to an Asian version of Romeo and Juliet. Two young loves from different families and backgrounds, set in the beauty and mystery of Sri Lanka with its strong class system.
Lobo is a burgher, part of a small Eurasian ethnic group in Sri Lanka descended from Portuguese, Dutch and other European groups. Shanthy is from a wealthy Sri Lankan family. He is Christian and she is Buddhist.
Despite their differences the attraction is strong, but forces outside of themselves refuse to allow them to be together.
Lobo moves to Australia and as the years pass he has married and had children, while Shanthy experiences a volatile marriage and divorce. The two meet up again when Lobo returns on business. As old feelings are rekindled after a twenty year break, obstacles still stand in their way. Will Lobo and Shanthy fght through them to be together again, or is it better to leave the past where it should stay?
This is Ryle Moldrich’s frst fction book, after many years in the radio and television industry.
Born in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) he moved to Melbourne in 1969. He writes with an easy fowing style, weaving in the beautiful images of his country of birth around an engaging story.
Shanthy can be ordered online at booktopia.com. au
To order your copy today, go to www.shawline publishing.com.au
Back Home Grant applications and Recovery Centres closing soon
Applications for Service
NSW’s Back Home Grant close on the 20th of April, and the Services NSW Recovery Centres will close on the 18th of April.
If your home was damaged by the February and March 2022 foods, you may be eligible for a payment to help cover the costs of restoring your property to a habitable condition or replacing essential household items.
Payments are available as follows:
• $20,000 for owner-occupiers to repair or replace essential household items and/or restore housing to a habitable condition
• $15,000 for owner-investors to restore housing to a habitable condition
• $5,000 for tenants to repair or replace essential household items or relocate these items to a new residential property. For more details and to apply, go to https://www. service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-for-the-food-recovery-back-home-grant
Both Service NSW and Lismore City Council staff will extend the hours they are available at the Recovery Centre on Tuesdays until closure. The extended hours will give our community members time after Business Hours to attend to discuss their Grant applications.
Operating Hours:
Monday: 9am – 4pm
Tuesday: 9am – 6pm
Friday: 9am – 4pm
See here for a list of locations https://www.service. nsw.gov.au/foods/recovery-centres
You can also register with
a Recovery Support Service to help you with these; there is a list of providers here: https://www.foodhelpnr.com.au/resources
Free fnancial and legal assistance
Representatives from The Centre and the Lismore and District Financial Counselling Service with some of our staff at the Hub.
We’re excited to be able to provide food-affected Northern RIvers residents with referrals to the Lismore and District Financial Counselling Service, and The Centre (formerly known as the Northern Rivers Community Legal Centre), for free, confdential advice and advocacy.
The Centre can help with most civil legal issues (except property law), including:
- insurance
- contract terms
- tenancy advice
- work rights
- family law
- and more.
Lismore and District Financial Counselling Service can help with:
- buyback advocacy and advice
- budgeting
- managing debts
- debt recovery
- personal loans
- mortgages - council rebates
- accessing super - and more.
So, if you have a fnancial or legal issue and you don’t know where to start, come and see us and we will set you up with one of these two great organisations. They have outreach services across the Northern Rivers so wherever you are, help is available.
–
June
Flood resilient landscapes
Living Lab Northern Rivers Working with nature photos by EliseDerwin ©
Living Lab Northern Rivers opens their new exhibition Working with nature this week in their Lismore
the Northern Rivers. The CSIRO models will be a powerful tool that will help us better understand how to
case studies. The exhibition combines local knowledge with technical expertise, and has been created through collaborations with UTS Sydney, Landcare Network Australia, Jagun Alliance and Richmond River Keeper.
Working with nature is open each week Tues— Thurs, 1—4pm, through until the end of July.
Our
Living Lab Talks
Thursday 27 April | 5.30–7pm
Amanda
Cassie Price OzFish
Chrisy Clay Rous County Council
Thursday 18 May | 5.30–7pm
The River Crystal Initiative
Joe Leven Casino Food Co-Op
shopfront space, giving visitors the chance to learn more about food mitigation strategies.
The timing of this exhibition is no surprise. Soon after the 2022 foods the Federal Government announced $11.2m in funding for the CSIRO to build detailed hydrodynamic models for the Northern Rivers catchments, and the Living Lab believes that it is critical for our community to understand this process and be invited to participate.
‘While we know that the 2022 foods took many things away, we recognise that they also bring new opportunities.’ says Dan Etheridge, Director of Living Lab Northern Rivers ‘One such opportunity is the chance to rethink how we manage our landscape to mitigate the natural fooding events that have always been a part of
mitigate food impacts in our region.’
Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the types of food mitigation strategies available, and a range of local and international
In addition to the exhibition the Living Lab Northern Rivers will also be hosting a series of talks and day feld trips. For more about these events visit llnr.com.au
Thursday 8 June | 5.30–7pm
Ngalli-ngaa buubaan butherun
(We learn from ood stories)
Friday 26 May | 9.00am–3.00pm
Exploring the Terania catchment
A bus tour with Jeremy Stewart & Nan Nicholson, following Terania Creek upstream to view and interpret di erent landscape performance during the big rains of February and March 2022
Getting on the river
A kayak tour in the lower Richmond River catchment from Rocky Mouth Creek to Woodburn, led by Tom Wol from Revive the Northern Rivers. Includes lunch by the river at Woodburn
PROGRAM PARTNER FOUNDING PARTNERS
TAFE NSW SKILLING THE RISING DEMAND FOR THE BARBER SALON
TAFE NSW is helping the barber industry to meet the growing demand for a greater range of men’s grooming services.
Aussie men are spending around $7 billion annually on grooming products, which according to TAFE NSW Hair and Beauty Teacher Betty Rensink, is shaping a growing demand for barbers to embrace a more holistic approach to men’s self-care.
“We’ve come a long way in the beauty industry working to normalise beauty services for both men and women, and we’re seeing growing customer demand for barber services that cater to men’s grooming services beyond traditional haircuts,” said Ms Rensink.
“Barbers looking to expand into new services can test the waters with a range of short courses at TAFE NSW to update their skills quickly in areas like cosmetic tanning, provide lash and brow services, and brow lamination.
“With fee-free course options available, it’s also a fantastic time to consider upskilling by studying a Certifcate III, IV, or Diploma in Beauty Therapy. As part
of the Diploma, you can explore specifc study streams in relaxation massage, electrolysis/ diathermy, and spa treatments.”
Owner of the Black Comb Barbershop in
Casino, Michael Day, discovered a passion for barbering in his garage, cutting his mate’s hair. The Casino local completed a Certifcate III in Barbering at TAFE NSW Wollongbar and has turned his side
hustle into a successful business.
He said since starting in 2020, his business has grown from cuts to a full luxury experience, offering clients a range of services, including beard tinting, man
and brow lamination.
“We’re what I call a barber salon, and we’re focussed on promoting men’s health, from skincare right through to waxing and tinting,” said Michael.
“Men’s self-care is really underrated and important for mental health and wellbeing. So, we’re all about offering a safe place for guys to explore new ways to care for themselves and grow their confdence while having a yarn.
“We’ve found our clients really open to
trying beauty services that they wouldn’t typically seek out at a regular beauty salon and seeing them stand taller and prouder as they leave.”
Michael said the fexibility of training at TAFE NSW makes it easy to build your skills to provide a greater range of services while working around a busy client schedule.
To learn more about barbering and beauty courses at TAFE NSW, visit www.tafensw.edu. au or call 131 601.
TENDER AWARDED FOR FEDERAL DRIVE LANDSLIP REPAIR
Great news for the Federal community with the tender for the repair of the Federal Drive landslip awarded.
At the March meeting Councillors resolved to award a contract for the remediation of the landslip and the reconstruction of Federal Drive.
The cost of this project is more than $20 million which refects the signifcant work needed to rebuild the road and stabilise a steep slope.
“We were hoping to award this tender sooner, but the tendered costs signifcantly exceeded the original estimate,” Byron Shire Mayor, Michael Lyon, said.
“Because the project is funded by the NSW Government, given the signifcant difference in price, staff had to be certain that the Department of Transport was prepared to fund the entire project,” Mayor Lyon
said.
“Council simply does not have the fnancial reserves to absorb a project of this magnitude, so we had to be certain the Natural Disaster funding was in place.
“In fact, this is an example of the problems that Councils are facing in relation to the food damage in that initial estimates have not been able to account for the impacts of resource shortages, price increases and demands across our region,” Mayor Lyon said.
Staff are now fnalising the work program with the successful contractor and all going well work with start in late April.
“I am told that the timeframe for this project is roughly 12 months but that is dependent on a lot of things including the weather.
“I know this is
NEW LED LIGHTS SET TO SHINE ON BANGALOW SPORTS FIELDS
frustrating for the Federal community and I thank residents and businesses for their patience.
“Our staff are hoping that, as work progresses, there will be a partial opening of Federal Drive prior to Christmas which will make the daily commute easier for some people,” Mayor Lyon said. The rehabilitation of Federal Drive includes:
• Reconstruction of the road
• Drainage work including the replacement of four culverts
• Repair and reseal of the road pavement
• Stabilisation of the land slip (soil nailing, tree removal, earthwork)
• Revegetation of the slip face
• Installation of guardrails Information about the reconstruction of Federal Drive is on Council’s website.
The old timber pole halogen lights at Bangalow sports felds are getting a muchneeded upgrade thanks to $795,000 from the NSW Government’s Essential Community Sports Assets Program. The old lights will be replaced with energyeffcient LED lighting and easy-maintenance metal poles that will ensure night sports and activities are a permanent fxture for future community sports.
“We are over the moon
to receive this funding and would like to thank Bangalow’s community sporting clubs and a number of State sports organisations who supported our grant application,” Council’s Sports and Recreation Operations Coordinator, Damian Kelly said.
“This is a fantastic outcome for Bangalow, and the whole Shire, and means the sports felds are accessible and affordable to the community throughout the year.
“The new lights will allow us to increase the sports and activities on offer and bring important competitions to Bangalow,” Mr Kelly said.
“The new technology and design of the lighting makes them much more resilient to future weather events and fooding and means they are much cheaper in terms of repairs and maintenance.
“They will also help us slash our electricity bills
NEWCOLOUR • NEWCOLOUR
It’s ‘Leemo Cat’ here and I put the above to ‘Mum Jane’. She looked mighty pleased with my query and even smiled. ‘Well, with regards to your most excellent question Leems, sit down and I’ll tell you what I’ve observed and read pertinent to your query.’ I sat in my most attentive & attractive pose with notebook & pencil ‘a-ready.’
‘Well Leems, ‘YOU’ are ‘MY’ Companion Animal. (PET for short.) I’ve owned a Pet for years, and as well as kittens, even a puppy, and at one time a snake ‘cos I couldn’t have a kitten or puppy whilst living in a Game Reserve. I really can’t imagine life without a Pet around me Leems.’ Hmmm. I mused a bit on this and made notes in my book. ‘OK Mum, why are Pets so signifcant in a human’s life?’ OMG, she had a semi rapturous look on her face and said ‘Well my Lil Buddie, it’s like saying ‘how long is a piece of string. The list of blessings that come with owing a Pet is endless.’ (Mum does get side-tracked so I put things in order!)
‘MUM, don’t waffe about string. Just tell me factual things?’
Goodie. She’s back on track. ‘As an example Leems, just ‘you and I’ share a house. At times I like to have a chat so, I chat to you. I notice you sometimes have a glazed look on
your face when I do so, but in general you appear to listen and I value your doing so. You don’t criticise me too much and offer unconditional love, purrs, pats & licks. (eeek..I feel guilty ‘cos I know this is ‘cos I dream a lot about what treats may be forthcoming as she’s chatting). AND, Leems, did you know that it’s proven that humans who own pets have higher life expectancy rates, fewer heart attacks, less loneliness, better blood pressure, lower depression & stress rates, fewer GP visits, better self-esteem & sleep and are more physically able. Pretty nifty huh!’ If you don’t believe me Leems, you can look up the writings of Harold (Hal) Herzog, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Psychology, West Carolina University who has studied aspects of humananimal interaction for many years. Gottit?’
CRIKEY, I felt an instant rise in my self-esteem knowing the VIP role I play in Mum Jane’s hum-drum life. OMG, would she manage without me?
‘Mum, would you cope if I got attacked and killed by a Great Horned Owl or a giant Hawk and went to Heaven?’ (Mum fainted. After I applied her VICKS Inhaler she woke up.) ‘Leems, I hadn’t realised what peril you are in ‘cos you’re outnumbered. Australia has 161 MILLION+ birds and 10 MILLION cats, including Feral Cats who are feral ‘cos their owners did not behave responsibly. Leems, I believe I must invest in a HUGE net over our house so ferce birdies can’t get to you.. OK?’ Ooooh. Give me strength. I asked a simple question about the ‘Importance of Pets to Humans,’ and look what’s she done.’ I have birdie friends (Norah Magpie, Narcissus Crow + more) who I would miss terribly with a net over our house. I’m going to stare at grass now & meditate. (PS..
Great Horned Owls live in Alaska, Canada & Patagonia..not Lismore) ½ purrsies, Leemo.
Developing a Sport and Recreation Strategy ft for future champions
From Olympic hockey players to skateboarders, swimmers, surfers, surf lifesavers, footballers, netballers, equestrians, beach volleyball, cricket, table tennis and every sport in between, the Tweed is renowned for punching above its weight when it comes to sport.
As part of our commitment to provide the community with opportunities to be more active and healthy, Council is partnering with the Better Cities Group to develop a new Sport and Active Recreation Strategy to guide investment and decision-making over the next 10 years.
The strategy will be an important planning tool to direct future resource priorities, major projects and initiatives that support participation in community sport and active recreation.
Together with the Better Cities Group, Council has already
said.
“Our latest community survey showed our residents really value an active lifestyle, including sport, and we are determined to provide the best opportunities
Council partners with Better Cities Group to guide 10-year strategy
and 90% of the clubs are completely reliant on volunteers for their operations,” Cr Cherry said.
“Volunteering is a critical element of the sport and recreation ecosystem and I hope this comes through in the strategy’s development.”
Better Cities Group Director Dan Barr, whose organisation specialises in urban design and planning, said the strategy would be informed by an understanding of the changing demographics of the Tweed and would consider forecasted population growth.
benefts to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and the legacy opportunities post-Games.”
Council manages more than 40 sports felds and centres across the Tweed, covering a range of sports including netball, basketball, tennis, hockey, AFL, rugby league, rugby union, soccer, cricket, swimming, skateboarding and croquet, while our beaches are home to very active surfng and surf lifesaving communities.
Engagement is currently being undertaken directly with the clubs and associations to understand current context and future aspirations.
begun engaging with the Tweed’s more than 80 sports clubs, hosting a special community conversation at Seagulls Club today to seek their input.
Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry said sport and physical activity were intrinsic to the Tweed’s identity.
“With the Olympics due to be hosted just across the border in Brisbane and the Gold Coast in 2032, these are indeed exciting times for the entire sporting community,” Cr Cherry
and facilities we can moving forward. The outcomes of this strategy will detail where Council puts its attention for the community over the next decade.”
Cr Cherry said it was important to note sport was built on the back of community volunteers, and Council was determined to support their efforts wherever possible.
“A survey of the Tweed’s sports clubs highlights the fact that 80% of the clubs in the Shire have no paid staff
“We all know what a great place the Tweed is – this is one of the reasons we are experiencing the population growth we are,” Mr Barr said.
“This will increase demand for sports and recreation facilities. We are encouraging the community to think about what this means for our sports, our clubs and our facilities. This is an important part of making sure the strategy meets the needs of the community today and over the next decade.
“The strategy will also consider the lead up
Wider community engagement will take place in April through pop-ups at community events and an online survey on Your Say Tweed. Feedback will inform the draft strategy which will be on public exhibition and open for comment in June.
A review has been undertaken of the Tweed’s sporting facilities and the strategy will also detail a plan for their continued maintenance and upgrade as required.
For more information visit yoursaytweed.com. au/activerecreation.
“Leemo has views on just about anything”
Summerland Farm reopens more of its grounds, in time for Easter!
“We’re trying out an Easter Chocolate High Tea where people can pre-book sittings to sample delightful treats including chocolate hot cross scones, and chocolate and avocado and chocolate and
Media Release –Summerland Farm opens more of its grounds, in time for Easter
Page 2 of 2
After many months of preparation and hard work, the space where Summerland Farm’s former fg tree fell during a storm in December 2021 has been completely cleared and transformed, right before a very busy time for this beloved tourist attraction.
This means the farm can use the revitalised space for some super sweet events planned for the frst time in two
years for the Easter period. This includes its popular Easter Egg hunt on Saturday, 8 April, and the inaugural Easter Chocolate High Tea available each day except Good Friday when the farm is closed.
Summerland Farm Retail and Tourism Manager Molly Patch said the new space would be a welcomed addition to the grounds, particularly with these wonderful events coming
up.
“The extra space can now be used for farmgoers to chill out in the adventure park with a picnic or snack from our restaurant,” Molly said.
“And a red-hot tip: we may hide an Easter treat or two in this new space during our upcoming Easter Egg Hunt, so be sure to take a peek if you’re taking part!”
Molly adds that kids –both young and young at heart – absolutely love
Free solar - savings up to $600 on electricity bills
The NSW Government is ofering a new way to assist people on low incomes with their power bills by installing free solar systems for eligible households in place of their Low Income Household Rebate. This program aims to improve energy afordability by helping households unlock long terms savings on their electricity bills. While this means you will no longer receive the $285 annual rebate on your electricity bill, you could receive up to $600 in savings per year from your new solar system!
The ofer is only available to households that live in the specifed regions and meet the eligibility criteria. When participating in this program households will receive a free, fully installed 3kW solar system in place of their Low Income Household Rebate.
SAE Group are the approved provider, designing and installing solar systems to eligible homes in your region.
To be eligible you must:
- Currently be receiving the Low Income Household Rebate
- Agree not to receive the rebate for ten years
- Own your own home
- Not already have a solar PV system
- Hold a valid Pensioner Concession Card or a Department of Veteran Afairs Gold Card
-
If you are not the registered homeowner, but your spouse is, you may be considered eligible collectively as a household
A 3kW system is designed to generate an average of 12.6kwh per day, which will deliver electricity savings depending on each household’s energy consumption. Managing Director of SAE Group Glen Ashton comments “We know electricity bills continue to place a lot of pressure on households, and we are pleased to be working with the NSW Government to help ease the pressure on low income households.”
SAE Group are an Australian owned and operated organisation with over ten years’ experience in the solar industry. SAE Group are a Clean Energy Council Approved Retailer, and hold accreditations ISO 9001, ISO 45001 for safety and quality systems. Safety is paramount to us, and it our goal to ensure we provide quality solar systems to eligible households that will deliver ongoing savings for many years to come.
Want to fnd out more?
Visit: https://energysaver.nsw.gov.au/solar-low-income-households to check your eligibility and apply online or visit www.saegroup.com.au or call us on 02 66 389 439. The Solar for Low Income Household Ofer is supported by the NSW Government.
the farm’s Easter Egg hunt.
“We’ve had to cancel it for the last two years because of COVID restrictions, so we’re thrilled to be able to bring it back for the community,” he said.
macadamia brownies –with produce grown at the farm, of course!”
The remainder of the fg tree was cut up and cleared, with help from the farm’s Supported Employees and an external arborist.
The damaged changerooms, footbridge, plants and pathways were also cleared by the team, and we’ve reshaped the whole space with a new timber boardwalk and lush greenery including Bull Bay Magnolias, Silver Ash, and Tropical Birch trees. Read more about the works by following this link https://www.aruma.com. au/about-us/news-andmedia/summerland-farmfgree-accident/ ‘Hop’ on to the Summerland Farm website to book these ‘egg’celent events! –summerlandfarm.com. au/activities/whats-on
Happy Easter
Best wishes for a relaxing long weekend. to all our valued customers.
Happy Easter
Best wishes for a relaxing long weekend. to all our valued customers.
TWILIGHT MOVIES ON THE TWEED RETURN FOR SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Part of the NSW Government’s Places to Love initiative, the event will see the smash hit movie Minions – Rise of Gru screened from 7.30 pm on the lawn beside the popular new playground, Livvi’s Place at GoorimahbahPlace of Stories.
Released in 2022,
the PG-rated movie is suitable for people of all ages and is the sequel to the original animated flm Minions (2015).
Rug up and bring your picnic blankets, chairs, snacks and drinks or come early and enjoy street food and live music at the Tweed Night Markets, on from
5pm – 8pm, or visit a local restaurant for dinner beforehand.
Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry, who attended the last Twilight Movie with her family in February, said it had been fantastic to see the community came together and enjoy the open space in a relaxed atmosphere.
“We are thrilled to be bringing another movie screening to Jack Evans Boat Harbour especially when our frst planned movie night in January was called off at the last minute due to stormy weather conditions,” Cr Cherry said.
“The Places to Love initiative has a vision to provide an inclusive public place that connects people to open spaces. We want people to feel welcome not only during the day but also at night.”
As part of the Places to Love initiative, Council is also working to activate the area during the day, with the temporary coffee kiosk, Little Nova. Surrounded by pre-loved furniture from Council’s tip shop The JUNKtion, visitors
to the kiosk can enjoy a coffee or cold drink, a savoury snack or sweet treat while sitting under the leafy shade nearby.
“By activating open spaces, we hope to provide an opportunity for the community to come together, to connect with one another, and to feel pride in where they live,” Cr Cherry said.
“The community has embraced using Jack Evans Boat Harbour in this new way and it has given us ideas on what residents want with the space into the future.”
The Places to Love program is proudly funded by Transport for NSW, with the community encouraged to take public transport or walk, ride, skate, or scoot to the precinct.
Stay up to date with any updates on this event by following Council’s Facebook page - https:// www.facebook.com/ tweedshirecouncil/
For more information on the Places to Love program or to give your feedback, visit yoursaytweed.com.au/ lovejackevans.
80% OF OVER 50s HIT BY COST-OF-LIVING
New research from National Seniors Australia and Challenger reveals 80% of older people are feeling the impact of higher living costs. The number ‘severely’ impacted is expected to rise over the next 12 months.
The National Seniors Social Survey (NSSS) of 5,700 people aged 50 and over also asked people about their concerns around cost-ofliving increases.
The results show 90% of survey respondents are ‘concerned’ about keeping up with rising living costs, with one quarter ‘extremely concerned’.
Health costs, energy prices and groceries are the three top worries. Housing affordability is also a concern, particularly in the long term.
Severe cost-of-living impacts are felt across all income levels and age
groups. However, certain types of older people are hit hardest:
• renters
• low-income households
• people in their 50s
• larger households (3+ people)
• people in rural and remote areas
National Seniors Australia Chief Advocate Ian Henschke said the survey results confrm what we have long suspected, “If you’re an
Council backs iconic local events
RICHMOND Valley
Council has again thrown its support behind two of the area’s most iconic events with the renewal of its signifcant sponsorship of the Primex Field Days and the Casino Beef Week Festival.
Council has committed to a new three-year deal
for both events, with an annual cash sponsorship of $25,000 to Primex and $30,000 to Casino Beef Week.
General Manager
Vaughan Macdonald said Council had been a strong supporter of the events since their inception, and the continuation of
sponsorship was an endorsement of their importance to the region.
“Council values the contribution the events make to our local economy and the promotion of our region as a great place to live, work and play,” Mr Macdonald said.
older person renting or on a low income, you’re more likely to be hit hard by rising living costs.”
“Older people in rural and remote areas, those in larger households (3+) and people in their 50s are more likely to be struggling.”
The fndings reinforce National Seniors’ federal budget call to index the Age Pension quarterly during times of high infation.
“The Age Pension is
Casino Beef Week is the cornerstone event for Casino, known as the Beef Capital, with more than 100 events spread over the 11 days of the festival, bringing people from across the country to celebrate our thriving agriculture industry.
Primex is one of the leading agribusiness exhibitions in Australia, bringing more than 25,000 to the area each year and generating an estimated $47 million in sales for exhibitors.
adjusted twice a year in March and September. Rather than have pensioners wait six months, government should increase payments quarterly when infation is high,” Mr Henschke said.
“Another key measure would be to exempt work income from the income test for all government payments, so recipients can work more without penalty. Simply let people work, pay tax,
Mr Macdonald said growing the local economy was one of Council’s key priorities under its Richmond Valley Made 2030 Community Strategic Plan, developed in consultation with the community, and increasing business and visitation to the Valley was a crucial part of that strategy.
“Council is strongly committed to supporting these events’ ongoing success,” he said.
“I encourage everyone
and get Centrelink out of the way. Increasing Commonwealth Rent Assistance would also help address rising cost-of-living pressures for those struggling the most.”
The 11th National Seniors Social Survey was conducted from 119 February 2023.
to come along and join in as we celebrate the best of our wonderful Richmond Valley.”
As part of the agreements, Council will also supply additional support, including a shuttle-bus service for Primex.
Primex will occur at the Richmond Valley Event Centre, Casino, from Thursday 11 May to Saturday 13 May.
Casino Beef Week will begin Saturday 20 May and fnish Tuesday 30 May.
Be freed from greed…by Nigel Dawe
Lenny the koala returns to Banora Point
With the Tweed’s coastal koala population in danger of extinction, every koala rescued or saved is critical to ensure the survival of this iconic Australian marsupial.
“EARTH provides enough to satisfy every person’s needs,” once said Mahatma Gandhi, “but not every person’s greed.” And out of the identified seven deadly sins, it is greed – the one with the smug expression in the pinstriped suit that seems to infiltrate every nook and cranny of human existence.
200-years before Shakespeare, the father of English literature, Chaucer wove into the prologue of one of his works, “The root of all evil is greed.”
As old as this statement is, it was nothing new; in the Bible’s Book of Luke can be found, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” The ancient Greeks even referred to greed as philargyros, or simply “money-loving.”
When it comes to words that encapsulate greed – the bane, albeit the most noxious weed in the human spirit, the Estonians seem to have nailed it by calling it ahnus; equally, the Croats and Serbs touch on something core to this concept with their word pohlepa. Not to be left behind, the Welsh also conjure a facet integral to the essence of greed by naming it trachwant.
If greed had a face or a persona, then who could forget the menacing dial of Michael Douglas, who played the vile, ferret-like Gordon Gekko, whose character even says “greed is good.” But good, merely in the same way that a truckload of manure is fantastic for an already withered garden. Ironically, it is those most afflicted with the debilitating illness of greed that think they most define
prosperity and success.
Relatedly, G.K. Chesterton once said, “Among the rich you will never find a really generous person even by accident. They may give their money away, but they will never give themselves away; they are egotistic, secretive, dry as old bones. To be smart enough to get all that money you must be dull enough to want it.”
Over the years I’ve often wondered what the world would be like if human beings weren’t so driven by greed. Thankfully not all; but so many of us are so blindly obsessed and caught on the vicious treadmill of acquiring ever-increasing amounts of money and possessions: as if any of these things even remotely reflected our true worth as individuals.
Fittingly, the American activist Edward Abbey once said, “Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell.”
As to how sick the human being has become, and whether or not our own greed has propelled us into an irreversible phase of a terminal illness, remains to be seen. But hopefully sanity, albeit compassion reinforced by a genuine care for others can provide the elixir required to save us from ourselves.
Thus, if you’re inclined to delight in simply watching the dollars mount in your bank account, then try to keep in mind the words of Erik Pevernagie, “Love of money is blind. Greed and money make people forfeit the quiddity of life, banish them from what is essential and alienate them from themselves. They lose their identity and become drifting exiles.”
In January, Friends of the Koala volunteers responded to calls from residents of Botanical Circuit, Banora Point to check on a koala who was looking unwell. Koala Lenny was rescued and received a full health check at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital (CWH).
Fortunately, they found no evidence of illness or injury from a dog attack or motor vehicle strike and was well enough to be released.
Lenny is a gorgeous 5-year-old female who has been rescued twice in the past 2 years, and each time released into more suitable habitat at Terranora. Both times she has returned to the
Botanical Circuit area which is risky due to its busy location in the suburbs.
After extensive consultation with Friends of the Koala vet staff and CWH koala ecologists, Lenny was released close by to where she was found, in what appears to
be her preferred habitat.
To assist with monitoring movements, Lenny wears a red tag with the number 4557 in her right ear. Keep an eye out and report your sightings to Council if you see Lenny around.
Friends of the Koala’s Tweed rescuers and
Council’s conservation staff are urging residents to report all koala sightings. Reporting helps to locate potential release sites in the Banora Point / Terranora areas, and to identify where the koalas are moving and the habitat they are using.
Lismore Museum receives State Government ft-out grant
The Richmond River Historical Society and Lismore Museum has received a State Government grant to help with the reft of the popular museum once the building is repaired from the February 2022 natural disaster. Society president Robert Smith said the $123,000 grant would be used to install new display cabinets, lighting, shelving and workstations.
“This will go a long way in helping us rebuild the museum and once again opening it to the community and tourists,” he said.
“We are volunteer run and thank the State Government through Create NSW for its support in restoring Lismore’s museum.”
Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg said he couldn’t wait for the
museum to reopen.
“The museum tells the story of Lismore and our region, and how we have progressed as a community,” he said.
“I would like to congratulate Robert and all the volunteers for the work they have done in saving the objects and archives and preparing the museum for reopening.
While there is no timeline for the repair of the museum yet, Mayor
Krieg said Council had recently appointed a managing contractor to develop a scope of work for all Council facilities.
The Richmond River Historical Society and museum is located in the historic Municipal building at 165 Molesworth Street, Lismore.
The award-winning Lismore Museum has one of the best historical collections in regional Australia.
The all-volunteer museum is managed by the Richmond River Historical Society, which since 1936 has collected, preserved, displayed and disseminated the fascinating history of this region’s varied community of some 140,000 people.
It is hoped that soon the story of these peoples can be told in the displays and research archives of the museum.
MLA’S POPULAR BEEFUP FORUM COMES TO THE KIMBERLEY
Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) will be bringing the popular BeefUp forums to Broome and Kununurra respectively.
MLA’s BeefUp forums provide a chance for producers, advisors, researchers and other experts to come together to share information and ideas to support the continued growth of beef businesses
throughout Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia.
BeefUp forums are an MLA initiative delivered with the support of Regional Beef Research Committees and industry partners who provide regional insights for each program.
According to MLA’s Group Manager - Adoption
and Commercialisation, Sarah Strachan, these BeefUp forums have been specifcally designed for the Kimberley region.
“In conjunction with representatives of the Regional Beef Research Committee (RBRC), the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)
and the Kimberley Pilbara Cattlemen’s Association (KPCA), these BeefUp forums have been designed to cover key topics for Kimberley pastoral businesses.
“These include grazing land management; genetics and genomics; nutrition; seasonal forecasting; animal health and biosecurity, as well as a market update.
The BeefUp forum will also include information for those recovering from food events,” said Ms Strachan. Experts from across Western Australia and northern Australia will share the latest R&D and tips for getting the most out of the coming season. Attendees can fnd out more about the activities happening in their region
and talk to local service providers about the tools and information available to them, while producers can share practical insights about how they have used new research and technology to improve their herd performance.
RECENT CATTLE MARKET REPORTS
CASINO
NRLX MARKET REPORT
WEEK ENDING FRIDAY 31 MARCH
Agents yarded a total of 731 head at the Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange regular prime sale on Wednesday 29 March. The yarding was dominated by vealer steers and heifers plus well fnished cows and only a small sample of bullocks and heavy heifers. All classes sold to improved rates from the export and restocker buying panel. Cow prices were marginally dearer on last week averaging 254c/kg and reaching a top price of 274c/kg. Lighter heifer prices remained steady with those up to 250kg
GRAFTON
GRAFTON FAT CATTLE SALE DATE: 28/03/2023 BROUGHT TO YOU BY DONOVAN
LIVESTOCK PROPERTY Ph: 02 6643 4411
SALE HIGHLIGHTS
Numbers more than halved this week, which has been the case for most selling centres. The low numbers make it hard for an accurate quote, basically all categories sold frm on last week, with cows seeing a small improvement, which is a positive for what’s to come in the future.
WARWICK
MC DOUGALL & SONS SHEEP AND LAMB REPORT 29/3/23
The rain that fell was welcome, but as usual it stopped half an hour after selling fnished making for a wet sale time. The yarding was back in numbers with 1124 head meeting the market. The breakup was 70/30 % lambs to mutton and this saw the market averages frm for most descriptions. Lambs topped at $189 to average $146.09($18up), hoggets topped at $127 to average $83.91($7up), ewes topped at $80 to average $52.34($3up), rams topped at $90 to average $51.33($26down), lamb rams topped at $120 to average $108.12($44up), ewe lambs topped at $134 and averaged $134 up $44/head. The total sale yarding was at $114.43/
WARWICK
LIVESTOCK MARKETS WARWICK SALES W/E E 31/03/2023
Markets tapered in numbers across the spectrum this week, the lead up to Easter and the scattered showers may have infuenced the numbers to be presented. Sheep and Lambs and Poultry number as well as the pork market were all back in totals. This may have given a pause to the recent falls in the markets but was just what could be termed a minor correction.
Vealer steers averaged 385.1c/kg topping at 538.2c/kg or $987.57 to $1297.89
Vealer heifers averaged 324c/kg topping at 398.2c/kg or $768.35 to $1194.60
Feeder steers averaged 341.1c/kg topping at 373.2c/kg or
averaging 296c/kg and topping their category at 348c/ kg. Heavier heifers were stronger with those over 250kg averaged 299c/kg and reached a top of 370c/kg.
Bull prices saw an increase with 9 head sold averaging 226c/kg and 700kg. Steer prices were dearer with lighter stock up to 250kg averaging 418c/kg and reaching a top of 500c/kg. Heavier steers over 250kg averaged 378c/kg and topped their market at 442c/kg. A small number of bullocks sold on the day averaged 302c/kg and reached a top of 312c/kg.
Vealer prices held frm this week averaging 350c/kg and 228kg and reaching a top of 472c/kg.
T&W McCormack and Ramsey & Bulmer held a
A/c PL & J Parr sold a Charolais Cross Cow 266.2c/kg weighed 710kg - $1,890.02
A/c M Conroy & TP Lloyd sold Brahman Cross Cows 263.2c/kg averaged 528.6kg - $1,391.37 p/hd
A/c IM & JL Fahey sold Santa Cross Cows 265c/kg averaged 610kg - $1,616.50 p/hd
A/c Leo Carlton sold Brangus Cows 260c/kg averaged 560kg - $1,456.00 p/hd
A/c AJ, PJ & SM Williamson sold a Brahman Cross Cow 265c/kg weighed 555kg - $1,470.75
A/c D Marshall Trust sold Angus Cows 260c/kg
head average which was $16/head up on last sale.
Tom & Tracie Cooper sold 50.3kg Dorset lambs to Eversons for $188
Glenlea Farming sold Dorper lambs 56.4kg to Eversons for $189
Frank Goodwin sold Dorper lambs 50kg to Eversons for $184
Peter Jones sold Dorper lambs 45.8kg to Jock Young Meats for $177
Steve & Fran Thompson sold Xbred lambs 56.5kg and 50.5kg to Eversons for $180 & $176
James Hermann sold Dorper x lambs off feed 52kg to GR Prime for $176, 50kg to Eversons for $175, 42.9kg Xbred lambs to GR Prime for $162
Darcy Filmer sold Dorper x lambs 47kg to Take IT Easy Meats for $172, hoggrt to Eversons for $105, ewe to Take IT Easy Meats for $78 and a ram to Whites Trading for
$1373.93 to $1991.66
Feeder heifers averaged 282.7c/kg topping at 339.2c/kg or $1039.78 to $1390.72
Yearling steers averaged 327.8c/kg topping at 414.2c/kg or $854.50 to $1282.36
Yearling heifers averaged 287.9c/kg topping at 359.2c/kg or $885.88 to $1555.41
Steers averaged 306.3c/kg topping at 350c/kg or $1718.30 to $2209.88
Heifers averaged 276c/kg topping at 327.2c/kg or $1082.68 to $1881.40
Manufacturing steers averaged 243.2c/kg topping at 278.2c/kg or $1342.94 to $1655.29
Cows averaged 254.6c/kg toping at 279.2c/kg or $1462.16 to $2261.52
Bulls averaged 251.8c/kg topping at 324.2c/kg or $1396.13
joint store sale at the NRLX on Friday 31 March with 1,613 head going under the hammer. Steers topped their category at 474c/kg and averaged 407c/kg and 259kg whilst heifers reached a top of 454c/kg and averaged 336c/kg and 241kg. Cows reached a top price of $1,800 whilst cows & calves topped their market at $2,625. The top priced bull for the day went for $6,000.
George & Fuhrmann will hold a store sale on Friday 14 April. Bookings are welcome
Happy Easter from the NRLX team! Please drive safe if travelling and we look forward to seeing all of our stakeholders after the Easter long weekend.
averaged $1,530.75 p/hd
A/c AS & KM Bennett sold Angus Cross Steers 400c/kg weighed 210kg averaged $840 p/hd
A/c AS & KM Bennett sold an Angus Steer 446.2c/kg weighed 165kg - $736.23
FORTHCOMING SALES
Saturday 1st April 2023 – Feature Female Sale, 11:00am, Grafton Saleyards
TUESDAY 4th April 2023 – Grafton Store Cattle Sale, 9:00am, Grafton Saleyards
Tuesday 11th April 2023 – Grafton Fat Cattle Sale, 8:00am, Grafton Saleyards
$40
Phil & Gabe Byrnes sold Dorper lambs 44.2kg to GR Prime for $170
Palmer Steel Trading P/L sold Dorper lambs 47.4kg to Leaslie Lamb for $176, 39.4kg to GR Prime for $125, 35.5kg to restockers for $125, ewes to Eversons for $60
Leon & Sharon Willis sold 49.6kg Dorper x lambs to Granta Quality Meats & Tonys Supa Meats for $188
Banaba P/S sold Dorper lambs 44.04kg to GR Prime for $161, 40kg to restockers for $132,52.5kg hogget ewes to restockers for $100 and $92, ewes to Thomas Foods for $80 and $50, ewes to Eversons for $74
Brendan & Sue Slattery sold Xbred lambs 46.2kg to Eversons for $130, 40kg to GR Prime for $94, 58.3kg hoggets to Eversons for $85, Ewes to Eversons for $74 and $23 ewes to Thomas Foods for $62
to $3000.48
Lambs topped at $189 to average $146.09($18up)
Hoggets topped at $127 to average $83.91($7up)
Ewes topped at $80 to averages $52.34($3up)
Rams topped at $90 to average $51.33($26down)
Lamb rams topped at $120 to average $108.12($44up)
Ewe lambs topped at $134 to average $134($44up)
Sheep and Lamb numbers averaged $114.43 up by $16/ head week on week.
Pork and Poultry numbers also eased, Boars sold from $25 to $130, Sows from $100 to $244, Pork from $130 to $136, Light Pork from $150 to $180, Stores from $60 to $161
Units of chickens sold to $20, Guinea Fowl to $35, Quails to $11, Ducklings to $22, Trios to $28.
Roosters sold to $10, Pullets to $9, Hens to $11
CALL FOR INQUIRY AFTER GRAINS FARMER LOSSES RUN INTO THE BILLIONS
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is calling for an investigation into the grain supply chain after a report found a price irregularity that could means billions of dollars in losses to farmers.
NFF CEO Tony Mahar said the Federal Government needed to respond immediately by instigating an inquiry through the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) or similar following a report by GrainGrowers.
“These are mind boggling losses that could run into the billions for wheat alone,” he said.
“At a time of increasing market concentration across agricultural supply chains, Australian farmers need certainty that no one is using this market power to increase proft at the expense of family farms.
“Given the impact this could have on farmers and the supply chain, nothing short of an in-depth investigation will do.”
The anomalies have been found in the 2021-22 grain and oilseed market season.
“We need to understand and address what’s happening to prevent further economic fallout and impacts on farmers’ bottom line.
“I hate to think what could happen to farming families if
this isn’t addressed swiftly.
The NFF has echoed GrainGrowers call for the investigation to encompass the entire grains supply chain, from farm gate through to export and domestic channels including identifying bottlenecks and other barriers for trade participants.
“Our goal to become a $100 billion industry by 2030 strongly relies on our grains sector, so we need to pull every lever to investigate and identify ways the industry can grow to beneft our farmers, our economy and our trading partners.”
AUSSIE APPLE EXPORTS SET TO RISE THANKS TO GOVERNMENT GRANT
Apple and Pear Australia
Limited (APAL) has been awarded a $450,000 Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation (ATMAC) grant by the Albanese Government, to investigate the combined effectiveness of orchard and packhouse practices in managing pests that restrict trade in fresh apples.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said that by quantifying the effectiveness of Australia’s best-practice farming methods, our growers will be able to produce a premium product for export with fewer chemical treatments.
“This grant will enable
TENTERFIELD
MARKET REPORT 16TH JANAURY 2023
SUPPLIED BY HAROLD CURRY REAL ESTATE
AND BUSINESS BROKERS PH: 02 6736 1344
Cows sell to $1,932.00
Sale Date: 27.03.2023 Number Yarded: 268 Numbers decreased this week with a total yarding of 268 head. A slightly larger yarding of steers and bullocks saw steers selling to 355.2 cents and bullocks reach 275 cents. In the cow section, heavy weights sold to 263.2 cents, medium weights reached 260 cents, while light cows topped at 180 cents, heifers sold to 307.2 cents.
In the trade section steers topped at 418.2 cents, whilst the heifer portion reached 287.2 cents, both returning to the paddock.
A small yarding of bulls sold to 244.2 cents.
TOP PRICES
BULLOCKS: Jason Batty $ 1937.64 STEERS: DavidSweeney $1694.34
COWS: WE, BB & TWA Petrie $1755.00
HEIFERS: Jason Batty $1763.75 YEARLINGS: KJ & DM Sharpe $1357.87
Kim White $1217.02
Darryl Taylor $2368.74
APAL to improve export opportunities for Australian apples to premium markets across Asia by ensuring we can sustainably deliver the highest quality fruit to the highest-paying markets in the world,” Minister Watt said.
“By looking at how farming methods control pest presence along the export pathway, this research could also be used to improve trading opportunities for other industries.”
Minister for Small Business Julie Collins said unlocking new markets will help Australian businesses
Asbestos
grow. “We have some of the best produce in the world and with some help from the Albanese Government, Apple and Pear Australia will have more tools in the toolkit to help Aussie producers thrive,” Minister Collins said.
“It’s particularly exciting to announce this funding in the Huon Valley which is home to some of the most innovative growers in the country.”
Apple and Pear Australia
Limited Chief Executive Offcer Phil Turnbull said the ATMAC grant would enable industry to better understand
disturb asbestos-containing materials. Become asbestos aware.
Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra
and measure the impacts of in-feld pest management and packhouse practices to reduce phytosanitary risks in apple exports.
“This grant will not only improve the processes in export pathways, but it will also increase export opportunities for Australian growers while delivering higher quality fruit to consumers,” Mr Turnbull said.
“Together with the CSIRO, the Australian apple industry will invest in world-leading science that will create export pathways not currently available to Australian growers,
including the potential removal of the use of methyl bromide in export practices.”
The Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation (ATMAC) program provides grants for projects that harness opportunities to access new markets and strengthen market presence through existing channels for agricultural commodities affected by market disruptions and which have restricted access to key destination markets. More information on ATMAC is available at www.agriculture.gov.au/ biosecurity-trade/marketaccess-trade/atmac.
asbestossafety.gov.au
WILLIAM PHOLI (SNR) & FAMILY
William, more widely known as Bill was born at Coraki in 1910. He was one of 16 children born of the union between Raphael Pholi-Rham and Elizabeth nee Bugwandeen who immigrated to Australia from India in the early 1900’s. The family lived at The Glebe (near Coraki) and grew millet, corn and mixed vegetables. Bill (Snr) attended school at Tuckurimba and Coraki until the age of 13 when he left to work for Jack Dougherty as a Stable Hand. Working with some of the fnest horses in the district, a love for horses was sparked. Other people he worked for were Barry Taylor of Swan Bay, the Kelly Brothers, Sullivan, Kennedy and McCaughey families. Bill quickly earned a reputation as a willing Farm Hand and expert millet hackler. Preparation of millet for broom making was known as hackling.
Bill (Snr) married Mona Irene Clare Little, from Casino on 29 September 1942. Their children from oldest to youngest were Ashley (deceased), Shirley (deceased), Valerie and Bill (Jnr) (deceased).
Bill (Snr) was responsible for horses at Dougherty’s ‘Areluen Stud’, prepared show horses for the Somerville Family of Lismore, and the Armstrong Family from Disputed Plain, Bentley. He also assisted horse trainer Carl Klaus of Coraki by transporting horses to race meetings throughout the district.
Bill’s (Snr) interest in horses was not his only enterprise. He was known
By Helen Trustumfor his ability to divine for water. In his younger
ability in that feld was not widely known.
The affnity with horses didn’t stop with Bill (Snr). Two of Bill’s (Snr) proudest racing achievements were to see his son William (Bill Jnr) became a leading jockey on the Northern Rivers circa 1964. The other was when Bill (Jnr) as a trainer won the Ramornie Cup at Grafton with Planet Man in 1985.
days he played cricket
for Coraki and district clubs. He was also a pole vaulter, although his
In 1946 Bill (Snr) and Mona moved to Round Swam, west of Casino where they began their own thoroughbred stud and operated a fruit and vegetable run in the surrounds of Mallanganee and Bonalbo. About 10 years later the family moved to Mummulgum where he established the Happy Valley Stud; and later, the Range View Stud at Theresa Creek. The frst stallion Bill (Snr) stood at stud was “Saloon”. Then “Sakkara”. Sakkara was bred by the Aga Khan and imported from England to Australia as a gift to the High Commissioner for Pakistan in 1952. Sakkara was purchased from trainer Athol Strong in Brisbane for 1000 guineas. The purchase of this stallion realised a lifelong dream for Bill. He proudly exhibited his stallions at the local shows and in 1954 Sakkara was presented with the thoroughbred Champion Stallion award at the North Coast National Show. Other stallions that he stood at stud were “Damtar” and “Timushar” imported from Ireland.
Bill (Snr) was often
referred to as the “Grand Old Gentleman of Racing”. Well known for his knowledge of horse ailments and treatments, he was often called upon by veterinarians and other breeders for his valued advice. As an excellent judge of breeding horses, and having extensive knowledge
Bill’s (Snr) eldest son Ashley, managed studs at Bowenville and Wyreema, in Queensland for approximately 17 years before returning to the family farm at Mummulgum. Ashley was an integral member of his brother Bill’s racing team, transporting and starting horses on race day at meetings near and far. It became a bit of a laugh that Ashley was widely believed to be
of bloodlines, he knew many prominent entities within Australia’s racing society and supported the local owners and trainers associations.
Mona passed away 15th November 1964, aged 40 years and Bill (Snr) passed away on 31st October 1985, aged 75 years. Both are buried at the Lawn Cemetery, Casino.
Bill! A belief that Ashley didn’t feel needed to be corrected until his picture appeared in the paper, identifying him as Bill Pholi!
Bill (Jnr) enjoyed tremendous success as a trainer winning numerous Northern Rivers premierships during the 1980s. He was referred to in the newspapers as the “Northern Rivers Raider”
BEST ON THE BOX
MONDAY FARMER WANTS A WIFE
SEVEN, 7pm
FRIDAY
GARDENING AUSTRALIA
ABC, 7.30pm
Calling all romantics: a new season of this endearing series arrives promising to yield lovey-dovey results. Before you sco new host Samantha Armytage’s word that “for the rst time ever, every farmer will the inclusion of the word “real”). This time around, there’s also the added bonuas of two hosts playing cupid, with Natalie Gruzlewski (right) joining Armytage for the heart-thumping, jittery and cringe-worthy experience witnessing lonely farmers date a handful of women. This season’s bounty includes moustachioed young Queenslander David, who is about to discover he has a knack for making ladies weak at the knees.
MONDAY MINISERIES: THE CLAREMONT MURDERS
This new miniseries, based on the tragic murders of three young women in the mid-’90s, chills to the bone. Starring
Erik Thomson ), Kate Ritchie and Jeremy Lindsay Taylor (Puberty Blues, above), and directed by Peter Andrikidis (East West 101), it follows the mystifying 25-year murder case, as seen through the eyes of the police who never gave up hope of justice, and the journalist who followed the story all the way through. Anyone who remembers the haunting headlines involving the murdered women from the well-to-do Perth suburb will nd this a stomachchurning revisit. Prepare for piercing performances, along with echoes of the Underbelly series.
Rather than a haul of chocolate eggs, settle in for the sweet yolk of gardening wisdom in this seasonal special. There’s Easter cheer and abundance of autumnal inspiration, with host Costa Georgiadis (above) the consummate plant and communityminded reveller – there is surely no one who can match his enthusiasm. Costa visits an inspiring bowls club, complete with a community garden and tool library, which has become a hub for gatherings. Hannah explores the garden of a down-sized couple who have created an edible, blooming oasis in their small patch. Also, learn the di erence between edible and ornamental pomegranates. 0704
FRIDAY, April 7
ABC TV (2)
6.00 Gardening Aust. (R) 7.00 News. 9.00
News. 9.30 Cook And The Chef. (R) 10.00
Great Southern Landscapes. (PG, R) 10.30 The Paci c. (R) 11.00 Aust Remastered. (R) 12.00
News. 12.30 Walkabout Wickets. (Ml, R) 1.15
Miniseries: In Our Blood. (Mals, R) 2.05 Easter
In Aust. (PG, R) 2.55 Escape From The City. (R)
3.55 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 4.55 Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 5.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)
6.00 Meet The Penguins. (R)
7.00 ABC News At Easter.
7.30 Gardening Australia. Costa Georgiadis is bowled over by terri c turf. Clarence Slockee traces a green web of gardens.
8.30 Van Der Valk. (Mav) Part 3 of 3. The stabbing of a psychiatrist during the ritual summoning of a demon pulls Piet and his team deep into the world of ritual magic, where mystical beliefs conceal hidden rivalries and dark secrets.
10.05 Jack Irish. (Malsv, R) Part 3 of 4.
11.00 ABC Late News.
11.15 Close To Me. (Mals, R) Jo seeks help from a support group.
12.05 Traces. (Madls, R)
12.50 Smother. (Mal, R)
1.40 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
SBS (3) SEVEN (6)
6.00 WorldWatch. 9.10 Paddington Station
24/7. (R) 10.00 Rick Steves’ Europe. 11.00 Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out. (PG) 12.00
WorldWatch. 2.00 Mastermind Aust. (R)
3.00 NITV News: Nula. 3.30 Destination
3.35 The Cook
Flavour China Bitesize. (PG, R)
Up. (PG, R) 4.05 Royal History’s Myths And Secrets. (PGas, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Wrecks That Changed The World. (PG)
8.30 Walking Britain’s Lost Railways. (R)
9.25 Philip: Prince, Husband, Father. (PG, R)
10.20 The Day The Rock Star Died: Elvis Presley.
10.50 Gomorrah. (MA15+av, R)
11.45 Cheyenne & Lola. (Mlsv, R)
2.00 Romulus. (MA15+asv, R)
3.55 Mastermind Australia. (R)
4.55 Destination Flavour: Singapore Bitesize. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 7News Local.
6.30 7News @ 6:30.
7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Johanna Griggs catches up with food guru and RecipeTin Eats founder Nagi Maehashi.
8.30 MOVIE: Dream Horse. (2020, PGal) After a Welsh bartender decides to breed a racehorse despite lacking the necessary experience and money, she convinces people from her community to contribute a small amount to raise the foal. Toni Collette, Damian Lewis, Owen Teale.
11.00 Crime Investigation Australia: Most Infamous: Headless Body – The Kim Barry Murder. (MA15+v, R) Takes a look at the 1981 murder of Wollongong teenager Kim Barry.
12.30 Home Shopping.
TEN (5) NBN (8, 80)
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current A air.
7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 6. North Queensland Cowboys v Dolphins. From QLD Country Bank Stadium, Queensland.
9.55 Golden Point. A wrap-up of the North Queensland Cowboys versus Dolphins match, with news and analysis.
10.40 MOVIE: 48 Hrs. (1982, MA15+lv, R) A hard-nosed cop reluctantly teams up with a wise-cracking criminal to track down a killer. Eddie Murphy, Nick Nolte.
12.40 Tipping Point. (PG, R) Hosted by Ben Shephard.
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Postcards. (PG, R)
4.30 Global Shop. (R)
5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
5.30 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)
6.30 The Project. The hosts and guest panellists take a look at the day’s news, events and hot topics.
7.30 The Graham Norton Show. (Mal, R) Graham Norton is joined by Bruce Springsteen, Anya Taylor-Joy, Anna Maxwell Martin and Mo Gilligan.
9.40 Soccer. Women’s International Friendly. Australia v Scotland. From Cherry Red Records Stadium, London.
12.45 Taskmaster Australia. (PGls, R) Hosted by Tom Gleeson.
1.45 Would I Lie To You? Australia. (Ml, R) Hosted by Chrissie Swan.
2.45 The Project. (R) A look at the day’s news and events.
3.45 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) Late-night talk show.
4.30 Home Shopping. (R)
WILLIAM PHOLI (SNR) & FAMILY
By Helen Trustumyear during this period, he trained 52 winners.
Bill’s wife Louise, daughters Rebekah and Antoinette, enjoy spending time on the family property, where memories of the wonderful times that they shared with Bill are plentiful. Louise states with authority, “we couldn’t get Bill off the
fve-event programme at the Ballina races. Jockey, Gary Kliese, rode 3 of the winners and their daughter, Antoinette topped the day off when she rode the 5th winner.
The names of the horses that day were “Boronga Time”, Çadinski”, “Dual Connection” and “Classic Coup”. Training 4 winners was the most Bill had
as quite frequently during this time period, he raced horses at the Gold Coast and Brisbane, for a colourful crew of owners who loved a punt! They would hit the betting ring,
state that Bill (Jnr) trained a total of 714 winners with 209 of those wins at his home track at Ballina. However, this does not accurately refect his success. A fre at the
clean the bookies out and promptly returned to the Norther Rivers with their pockets stuffed with cash.
Racing NSW records
Northern Rivers Racing Association destroyed the race records that captured the most prolifc period of Bill’s career. In just one
property when he was alive, so I can’t imagine he would be anywhere else in spirit, other than here with us, and the horses”.
The Stables are called “Hunting Boy Lodge” after a horse Bill had great success with and a half-brother to the famous “Kingston Town”. The racing complex remains fully operational with the facilities rented out to other Trainers. Bill believed that swimming a horse in training perfectly complemented the ftness regime. A lake opposite the stables provides that great opportunity.
Louise recalls one of many great racing memories when Bill trained 4 winners on a
trained in one day, but he achieved it 5 times!
The last winner Bill trained was “Dash for Van” at Murwillumbah in October 2020 with Antoinette as his faithful track-work rider.
Bill and Louise also stood thoroughbred stallions at stud namely “Casual Creole” and “Count Voodoo” who Louise showed with great success being triple registered as a Thoroughbred, an Australian Stock Horse and ANSA.
Antoinette was apprenticed as a Jockey to her father circa 990, thus making three generations of Pholi’s racing on the Northern Rivers. Antoinette completed her apprenticeship while
in years 11 and 12 at school, and her frst year attending University.
the friendship of hundreds of horses in our lifetime. That is the essence of our relationships, without a horse between us, we are stuck for words”.
Antoinette and her sister Rebekah both competed at Pony Club, the local show circuit and at Brisbane Royal with great success.
After Bill’s passing on 26th July 2021, aged 72 he was honoured at the 2021 Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards as one of the legends of racing that passed in that season.
Antoinette states proudly “I had the best childhood. I was lucky enough to be born to parents who put their children frst. We have worked and shared
Helen Trustum
NEW APP STREAMLINES RED MEAT CONSIGNMENT PROCESS
Integrity Systems
Company’s (ISC) new electronic National Vendor Declaration (eNVD) Livestock Consignments app is accelerating the digitalisation of the red meat industry by enabling consignment details to be transferred from creator to receiver, even while offine.
The eNVD app is a completely offine solution and uses QR codes to transfer consignment data from producer to transporter, saleyard, feedlot, and processor. If a transfer takes place where there is no internet, the data will sync with the eNVD database when the receiver is back in a service area.
The eNVD app was released in November 2022 and since then has been downloaded more
than 3,000 times with 69,000 head moved using the app.
New South Wales sheep producer Tom Marriott said the eNVD app’s ability to transfer a document from your phone to your transporter without reception streamlines the consignment process.
“The app is a very streamlined way of flling out NVDs. You can search for your receiver’s property identifcation code (PIC) within the app, and you don’t have to worry about running out of paper NVDs or having an out-of-date NVD book,” Mr Marriott said.
“What I think is most exciting about the app is the fast and easy traceability down the supply chain and in turn seeing a decreased amount of
FARMERS FOR CLIMATE ACTION WELCOME MOVES TO LIMIT OFFSETS
Farmers for Climate Action has welcomed amendments to the Safeguard Mechanism package, including a hard cap on the emissions driving climate change, reduced use of and improved scrutiny of
carbon offsets, and a freeze on the most controversial method of creating carbon offsets, known as “Human Induced Regeneration” (of tree cover).
Farmers for Climate Action CEO Fiona Davis
paperwork once digital consignments are adopted more widely across industry.”
Mr Marriott is among New South Wales’ crop of early adopters, with 43% of app sessions coming from the state.
“My advice to anyone that is feeling a bit left behind by technology is to give the eNVD app a go. It took me a little bit of playing around to get my head around it, but I found the step-bystep process very user friendly,” he said.
Developed in collaboration with the red meat industry, ISC has been onboarding processors, transporters, agents, feedlots, and
said the group, representing more than 7700 farmers across Australia, has pointed out many times the perils of unlimited carbon offsets at a capped price taking over too much farmland.
“This agreement contains sensible measures and is a good start. The substance is in the execution and we’ll be watching closely as this unfolds,” Dr Davis said.
“The idea of having corporations justify their use of offsets for more than 30% of their baseline
saleyards since the app was made available on the Google Play and App stores in November last year.
Producers and feedlot operators using the eNVD Livestock Consignments app are encouraged to contact their receiver, particularly if they are a livestock agent or saleyard, to check that they are eNVD ready before submitting their consignments.
ISC Chief Executive Offcer Jane Weatherley said releasing the eNVD app was just one milestone in ISC’s vision to increase the use of digital consignments.
“Digital consignments
is a good one. A review of offsets in 2026-27 by the Climate Change Authority is also welcome, and the key to both is in the implementation.
“Giving incentives to businesses who are willing to reduce their actual emissions is a logical step, especially as it reduces reliance on offsets.
“It’s vital that all Chubb Review recommendations are implemented by the frst of July to ensure the integrity of offsets.
“Minister Bowen has
are an opportunity for Australia’s red meat industry to strengthen its integrity systems and reputation as a leader in biosecurity and food safety. However, the success of digital consignments relies on the whole of industry embracing the eNVD app and web system,” she said.
“Currently 30% of all consignments are completed digitally. To ensure the supply chain is adequately prepared for an increase in digital consignments, our adoption team is working with stakeholders to assist with setting up supply chain capabilities and upskilling where
previously said that a 43% emissions reduction is a foor, not a ceiling, and we hope to substantially exceed 43%.
“Farmers have experienced devastating droughts, bushfres and foods driven by climate change, and this is driving up insurance premiums. We need to reduce emissions to protect Australian farms so we can farm forever. We also want farmers and rural communities to be able to grasp the huge opportunities a shift to a
needed.”
A series of webinars will be held in the coming months to support the red meat industry as it transitions to the eNVD app and web-based system. For more information, please visit: www. integritysystems.com.au/ about/news--events.
ISC has also produced a suite of ‘how to’ resources to help the red meat industry transition to the eNVD system: www.integritysystems. com.au/envd-app.
The eNVD Livestock Consignments app is available for free download through the Apple Store and the Google Play Store.
low emissions economy brings: tens of thousands of renewable energy jobs for regional Australia and diversifcation of farm income into selling offsets, which can provide income during drought.
“These measures are a sensible beginning. We compliment the Government, Greens and cross bench on negotiating. We hope all MPs, including those from the Coalition, join future negotiations to create more certainty for farmers.”
Farmers say an explosion in feral pig numbers on public lands in the north and west of the state has resulted in massive damage to properties and livestock.
Across the state more than 34,000 hoofed feral animals – including pigs, deer and goats –had been culled since November, but the feral pig population was still enormous.
NSW Farmers member Peter Mailler was still seeing them run across his front lawn at North Star, and he said they presented a huge biosecurity risk if not controlled.
“They’re doing enormous damage to property and the numbers are as bad as I’ve ever seen them,” Mr Mailler said.
“We need
SPIKE IN PIG NUMBERS NEEDS URGENT ACTION
effective pest control management plans with the resources and commitment of all parties to tackle feral pests and weeds so we can get on top of them and stay on top of them.
“Farmers can’t do this individually – pigs and other pests don’t respect property boundaries, the state needs to ramp up efforts and do the job properly.”
According to the NSW Government, feral pigs were a “key threatening process” as they spread weeds and disease, hunt native animals and damage the environment. They also posed a problem for farmers as they preyed on newborn lambs, eat and destroy grain crops and pastures, and damage fences.
Bronwyn Petrie from
the NSW Farmers Conservation and Resource Management Committee said while farmers were active in trying to control pest animals and weeds on their properties, a lack of effective control on public lands was undermining their efforts.
“Farmers know that’s where the pigs are breeding because we see them coming onto our farms from public lands,” Mrs Petrie said.
“Yet over the past seven years there hasn’t been a single prosecution on public land managers for animal pests.
“Unless there is an urgent and coordinated control effort on all land – public and private – this problem will only get worse.”
Tamworth sheep producer Norm Thomas said he lost 120 lambs this year – estimated to be worth about $24,000 – to feral animals, and agreed there needed to be a major control effort.
“We’re not sure if they were killed by pigs or wild dogs, but I’m pretty sure they were pigs,” Mr Thomas said.
“The problem here is that not every landholder wants to do their part in controlling pest animals, but that just gives them safe country to breed in.
“You hear these politicians talk about the importance of biosecurity, and yet they allow this huge biosecurity threat to run roughshod across the state.”
Mrs Petrie said NSW
NSW White Spot biosecurity management enters new phase
NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has extended a biosecurity control order until 14 June 2023 to minimise White Spot risks in the Clarence River estuary.
NSW Chief Veterinary Offcer, Sarah Britton, said the extended control order supports risk management activities, which underpin the continuation of trade in NSW and other parts of Australia.
“Input from industry and key stakeholders is informing the development of ongoing biosecurity control measures,” Dr Britton said.
“NSW DPI is
exploring biosecurity management options, including an ongoing surveillance program and zoning options, supported by stakeholder feedback and a cost beneft analysis.”
The national Aquatic Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Disease (AqCCEAD) is providing technical advice and supporting NSW DPI, who leads the White Spot response. On-farm White Spot eradication at two northern NSW prawn farms is entering the fnal decontamination stage, following the completion of harvesting and destruction actions.
Chlorine is
recommended by the Australian Aquatic Veterinary Emergency Plan (AQUAVETPLAN) and is the preferred method for decontamination of prawn farm water.
Use of chlorine assures NSW’s trading partners that decontamination procedures follow the agreed national strategy for on-farm eradication of White Spot.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is providing NSW DPI with technical advice and will ensure that any discharge from the farms meet defned water quality criteria, before water can be
Farmers had called for a commitment from both sides of politics to tackle the issue, by establishing an independent Natural Resource Regulator to coordinate and enforce management of public lands including National Parks (which take up 10 per cent of the state’s total area) and other Crown lands, a commitment to ongoing funding and resourcing for National Parks management, and sustainable funding to Local Land Services
for pests and weeds management to build long-term resourcing certainty.
“The agencies and organisations are there, the rules are there, there just need to be resources and enforcement,” Mrs Petrie said.
“Regardless of who owns a piece of land, everyone has a responsibility to do their part in keeping pests and weeds under control.
“We can see huge problems on the horizon if we don’t do this job properly.
safely released into the environment.
White Spot poses no threat to human health and NSW prawns remain safe for human consumption. NSW prawns are available from local seafood suppliers.
White Spot is a highly contagious viral infection which affects crustaceans and can cause major mortalities in farmed prawns.
More information is available from NSW DPI, https://www.dpi. nsw.gov.au/fshing/ aquatic-biosecurity/ pests-diseases/animalhealth/aquaculture/ white-spot
02 6642 8600
New mapping technology gives land managers another tool to protect landscapes and make the most of carbon trading offsets
possible will likely attract new customers, including from the carbon emission abatement industry and fre management proponents,” Dr Fisher said.
Minister for Industry, Nicole Manison, said the EO4NT grant helps support important projects such as those being undertaken by CDU.
Planned high-resolution satellite mapping will help land managers reduce bushfres and increase carbon-offset income for communities in the Northern Territory.
The Earth observation product will be developed with $97,000 funding from the Northern Territory Government and technical support from Geoscience Australia
through the EO4NT grant program.
Charles Darwin University (CDU) spatial software engineer Dr Patrice Weber who leads the project said the North Australia Fire and Rangeland Information service (NAFI) will be developing new software to acquire high-resolution satellite images and apply sophisticated mapping algorithms to identify
burnt areas.
“This mapping will greatly improve risk mitigation planning and operational response for bushfres that impact agencies and businesses in the NT,” Dr Weber said.
CDU researcher Dr Rohan Fisher said the new maps would be a tool to improve land management, and to reduce risk from wildfre for remote communities.
“There are many Indigenous-led businesses that have been created because they protect and manage their land for the beneft of everyone,” he said.
“It’s the backbone of the carbon economy. When putting value in our natural resources and ecosystems we are also giving communities the tools to manage their own lands and commercial
opportunities.”
Dr Fisher said the grant would help to improve fre management, which helps to increase income for the communities.
“Our clients are wide-ranging and work in industries including agriculture, pastoralism, defence, police, Aboriginal rangers, landowners and government services. The product that this grant makes
“This technology will help business, industry and government to make critical decisions on issues such as bushfres and their impact on our community,” Minister Manison said.
“The EO4NT grant recipients like CDU demonstrate the enormous potential for Earth observationderived business and industry solutions to grow and thrive in the Territory.”
URGENT NEED FOR SUPPLY CHAIN INQUIRY AS FARMERS LOSE BILLIONS
NSW Farmers is calling for an immediate ACCC inquiry into the grain supply chain following reports of billions of dollars bleeding from the economy.
According to GrainGrowers, ‘large pricing anomalies’ last year saw farmers underpaid for their grains and oilseeds despite high global prices and constrained supply due to the war in Ukraine.
NSW Farmers Grains Committee chair
Justin Everitt said farmers were bleeding billions of dollars a year – holding back the economy – and the Australian Government must immediately act and direct the ACCC to review the grain supply chain, the market, and pricing fairness.
“There are market failures occurring across the supply chain due to a lack of
competition, and there is the real possibility of monopolistic behaviour because of bottlenecks in the system,” Mr Everitt said.
“We’re out there in the paddock trying to grow food for Australia and the world, but then we’re forced to take lower prices because we don’t have the supply chains or markets that would allow real competition.
“NSW Farmers has written to the Treasurer
and the Agriculture Minister and so far – no response – but we’re hopeful more attention on the issue will spur them into action.”
Mr Everitt said the Australian Government could compel an in-depth ACCC inquiry using Section 95 powers, which would provide essential recommendations for government to deliver reforms to optimise the functionality of the
industry and address grower concerns about the underpricing of Australian grain.
“While all inquiries hold their own advantages and merit, ultimately we need an inquiry that is clear in its scope and delivery of a review into international markets our growers operate in, not just a talk-fest,” Mr Everitt said.
“We need greater market transparency to
maximise performance and delivery of equitable prices for growers, and we call on the Australian Government to direct the ACCC to undertake this pricing inquiry.
“Failure to act on this important issue will see our economy continue to bleed billions of dollars when we can least afford it, we need immediate action.”
Payday Super Helps 1 Million Women Secure Retirement Contributions ey Deserve
The super swindle is a major issue for Australian women, and it’s time for the government to act. Modernising the law to ensure super is paid on payday is the simplest and most effective way to ensure that women get the super contributions they are owed.
Analysis shows that over 1 million Australian women are being deprived of more than $1.3 billion in superannuation contributions they are owed in a year. This is especially true in feminised industries such as childcare, aged care, hospitality, and personal services, where around a quarter of female workers are suffering from super underpayments, costing them up to $40,000 from their retirement nest egg. Younger women on lower incomes are particularly affected, with almost 40
per cent of women in their 20s earning less than $25,000 missing out on an average of $570 a year.
One in four women under 40 have also been shortchanged. Women nearing retirement have about a third less super than men, and are more likely to have broken career patterns and earn less than men. This means that missing out on those early life contributions will put them further behind.
The super swindle has cost women a staggering $10.8 billion over seven years. A new report, Super Solution: How Payday Super will bene t women in retirement, has identi ed that a 90s era law that allows super to be paid quarterly is contributing to the unpaid super scourge.
Modernising the law so that super is paid on
payday will make it easier for workers to keep track of payments, drastically reducing the prevalence of unpaid super. ISA modelling shows that a 30-year-old earning the age-based median wage could be $8,000 better off at retirement if paid super fortnightly instead of quarterly, because contributions would compound for longer if paid more frequently. Payday super is cost neutral to the federal budget, and could reduce unpaid super by at least 15%, ISA estimates.
It is time for the government to act and modernise the law to ensure super is paid on payday. This is the simplest and most effective way to ensure that women get the super contributions they are owed and build a nancially secure
retirement.Payday super is:
• The most effective solution
• Better for business: by eliminating red tape and allowing smoother payroll management
• Women would be better off now and into the future
Ombudsman launches Inquiry into Commonwealth Procurement
value for money, vitality in the economy, support for local businesses to scale and can enable innovation.
• Affordable and a longterm revenue positive to the Budget.
The ATO only recovers a dismal 15% of unpaid super, and while any move by the government to give third parties the ability to help collect unpaid super debts by including super in the National Employment
Standards is welcome, only payday super stops the unpaid super problem at its source.
Super should also be included in the Fair Entitlements Guarantee –a government safety net that pays workers’ entitlements when businesses go bust.
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman
Bruce Billson has launched an Inquiry to examine the impact of reforms to Commonwealth procurement rules on small business.
The Inquiry was referred to the Ombudsman by the Minister for Finance, Katy Gallagher.
In 2021-22, the Australian Government awarded $80.8 billion in procurement contracts, of which 30.8% or just under $25 billion by value, was awarded to small and medium sized enterprises.
“It’s great to see the Australian Government’s commitment to be a bigger customer for small businesses,” Mr Billson said.
“But for many small and family businesses, identifying and securing Commonwealth procurement contracts can be complex, costly, confusing, and timeconsuming.
“Supporting the opportunity for small and family businesses to compete for and fully participate in supplying the goods and services the Australian Government needs helps to ensure full
“Where there are procurement impediments, it can diminish opportunities to encourage entrepreneurship and competition and means the taxpayer and the nation may not be getting the most value for money.
“It is timely to examine how the system is working for small and family businesses, the role procurement rules are playing to support small business participation and what lessons and improvements can be made.
“We want to identify those departments and agencies who are exemplars in providing procurement opportunities to small businesses and celebrate this success and help others to emulate it.
“Similarly, we seek to shine a light on those whose dealings with small business are poor.”
The Ombudsman will review the implementation of the 1 July 2022 changes to Commonwealth procurement, and the impact these changes have had on small businesses that participate in Commonwealth procurement activities.
The Ombudsman intends to release an issues paper and invites written submissions from small businesses and other interested parties which should be sent toinquiries@asbfeo.gov. au by 1 July 2023.
A nal report with recommendations will be given to the Australian Government in December.
Mr Billson said the review will seek to identify additional changes to Commonwealth procurement rules and processes to boost small business participation.
The review will also examine the effectiveness of AusTender, the Commonwealth
Contracting Suite, methods for identifying small businesses, and other measures to enable small businesses to join together to bid for larger and multifaceted contracts and how accessible rolling shortlisted provider ‘panels’ are for smaller businesses.
Mr Billson said a particular concern frequently raised by small businesses was how to know about, and tender for, government contracts.
“We want to look at what support is given to small businesses to navigate
what can be a complicated procurement process,” he said.
“In some cases, small businesses are deterred by a feeling there is a ‘closed shop’ while in other cases they simply don’t know about the opportunities available, or the size of the contract can be simply too big.
Mr Billson said he particularly wanted to determine whether capacity-building contracts were being offered that would enable smaller businesses to really bene t from the contracts to grow their business.
Before my review of the new Toyota Corolla GR, I would like to give you my own experiences of a Corolla. Way back when I bought one in 1971, I didn’t have any connection with the motoring business but chose it because it looked better than others in the class – which is as good a reason as any I reckon… I didn’t have a family then, but three children arrived over the following six years. All came home as tiny babies in the Corolla. As they grew up there wasn’t a lot of space for the three of them in the back seat. They were OK while very young but could argue a lot when they got older and space became a priority for them.
Ahh, the joys of kids…
With close to 135,000 kilometres on the clock I nally sold it and bought a bigger car. Not a Toyota but I won’t say what it was, other than that it was made in Germany not Japan.
But enough of my reminiscences – onto the 2023 Corolla GR hot hatch which I’ve been reviewing for the past week. It’s signi cantly larger than our 1971 car and has plenty of personality.
The GR’s engine has three cylinders – that’s right,
TOYOTA COROLLA GR
three. Its 1.6-litre capacity is boosted to the heavens by a large turbocharger so there’s a power peak of 221kW of power at 6500rpm and top torque of 370Nm from 3000 to 5550 revs.
GR stands for Gazoo Racing and the Corolla opens to a dynamic Gazoo Racing startup animation with the 12.3-inch head-up display shows your speed and engine revs. You can toggle between a horizontal, circuit-inspired tachometer or a single-dial layout. If you’re considering buying one make sure the sales folks give you plenty of time behind the wheel so you can check out everything.
STYLING
This is a great looking machine with plenty of shapes pointing out it’s a serious sports machine not just a dressed-up hatchback.
The front is dominated by an extra-large grille painted in shiny black. There’s a narrow horizontal strip above the grille that’s nished in body colour and houses lights that go well back towards the windscreen. Twin black outlets make a prominent statement but aren’t just there for appearance as they add extra air to keep the area from the hot engine
It’s pricey, but the Corolla GR has plenty of personality.
cool. (‘Hot’ in both senses of that word.)
The ares over the front wheels are large, those over the rears are extra-large and go all the way to the back where they meet the tail in a very purposeful manner.
There are three exhaust outlets to match the three cylinders in the engine.
INTERIOR
The leather accented GR sports seats are covered in suede with silver stitching and accents. Again, they say that this car means business.
The rear seats have limited legroom if the fronts are set back for tall occupants. If the driver is tall and needs to sit back then there’s a real squeeze for anyone behind them. This is partly due to the large size of the sporty front seats.
The boot is relatively shallow as the oor is set high to make space for various items under them. With the rear seat backrests down the oor isn’t level. If you may need to carry bulky items you might have to consider this as part of your initial check before closing to buy a Corolla GR.
INFOTAINMENT
An eight speaker JBL sound system provides excellent quality entertainment.
However, we didn’t listen to it a lot, preferring to hear the purposeful sounds of the engine. The Corolla GR has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
the Toyota Corolla GR, you aren’t trying hard enough to get the best from it. So, give it another go…
performance machine like this.
SUMMING UP
ENGINES
/ TRANSMISSIONS
The three-cylinder engine sits across the underbonnet area. Its power peak is 221kW at 6500rpm and maximum torque of 370Nm is over a wide spread from 3000 to 5550 revs. It drives all four wheels.
SAFETY
Toyota safety sense systems include lane departure alert with steering assist, pre-collision safety system with pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection, intersection turn assistance, emergency steering assist and road sign assist (speed signs only).
DRIVING
What a brilliant little rocketship this is. It reacts virtually instantly to movements of the throttle and is happy to get close to the redline every time you want to get the best from it. Electric power steering has good feedback through the wheel and the car talks to you at all times, and seems even more ‘talkative’ the harder you push the car.
If you don’t have a smile on your face when driving
The six-speed manual gearbox has close set ratios and is light and easy to use. The car rev matches for you to make shifts smooth and easy. If you pride yourself on being able to heel-toe in a manual car you may nd the GR may frustrate you as you can’t show off your skill. Then again, if you do want to show off your skill why not join a club and take in on driving days a racetracks? If you’re really serious you may want to take a set race tyres, that is without treads, in the boot and change onto them when you get there.
There’s a GR-Four allwheel drive controller behind the gear lever to let you adjust the bias of the four-wheel-drive system. A drive mode selector gives you the choice of Eco, Normal, Sport and Custom.
The of cial fuel consumption is 8.4 litres per hundred kilometres. On test we were using about ten litres per hundred around town and seven litres per hundred kilometres on the motorways and in easy country road cruising. These are impressive numbers for a heavy high-
Toyota Corolla GR is a brilliant machine that’s enjoyable to drive in the way that it provides instant feedback to the way you control it. Other than being pretty expensive I would be happy to turn over my hard-earned to have one in our garage.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
Toyota Corolla GR GTS
1.6-litre turbo-petrol vedoor hatchback: $62,300
Note: This price does not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Toyota dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS
(Toyota Corolla GR GTS
1.6-litre turbo-petrol vedoor hatchback:)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.618 litres
Con guration: Three cylinders in line
Maximum Power: 221 kW @ 6500 rpm
Maximum Torque: 370 Nm @ 3000 rpm
Fuel Type: Premium unleaded Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): 8.4 L/100km
CO2 Emissions: 191 g/km
TOUCHSCREENS CAN BE A SERIOUS DRIVING HAZARD
By BILL BUYSInfotainment systems have become an essential part of modern-day cars because without them, any new car would be unsaleable.
But research from the American Automobile Association’s Foundation for Traf c Safety (AAA) has found the much-lauded systems responsible for distracting drivers, often with disastrous effect.
“Some in-vehicle technology can create unsafe situations for drivers on the road,” foundation director Dr David Yang said.
“It increases the time they spend with their eyes and attention off the road and hands off the wheel.”
Yang’s views are echoed by Jake Nelson, director of traf c safety advocacy and research at AAA, who
said carmakers should improve their systems by preventing people from gaining access to certain features while the vehicle was in motion. Many systems now include this lockout feature, with Toyota at the forefront of the move.
“These are solvable problems,” Nelson said.
AAA estimates that using a touchscreen to adjust a navigation system, or even using voice recognition systems to send a text can distract drivers by 40 seconds or more.
The AAA worked with University of Utah researchers to study the time it took drivers to perform various tasks while driving. Some vehicles don’t allow drivers to program navigation, but 12 of the
30 current year cars tested did – and drivers took an average 40 seconds to complete the task.
Taking eyes off the road while driving at 40km/h covers the length of four football elds.
The AAA also pointed out that previous research showed distractions of even two seconds doubled the risk of an accident. Of the 30 systems tested, 23 demanded what it deemed high or very high levels of attention, seven rated as moderate.
None achieved a low ranking – the equivalent of listening to the radio or an audiobook while driving.
The research follows statistics that showed an almost 9 per cent increase in fatal crashes in the US.
TOYOTA C-HR HYBRID CONCEPT
By ALISTAIR KENNEDYToyota Australia has con rmed the secondgeneration version of its C-HR small SUV will be offered exclusively with a hybrid powertrain, re ecting the brand’s commitment to lowering the carbon footprint of its vehicles. The decision also re ects the ever-increasing customer
demand for hybrid vehicles, with Australian customers purchasing a record 72,815 electri ed Toyotas in 2022, representing 31.5 per cent of the brand’s overall sales.
Toyota Australia has said it expects electri ed vehicles to account for more than 50 per cent of its sales by 2025.
Globally, the newgeneration C-HR will only
DE TOMASO PANTERA
open Pampero model of 1966, were forerunners to the elegant Mangusta. The Pantera which followed was based heavily on this car.
be available with Toyota’s popular self-charging hybrid technology as well as a new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant. Toyota Australia currently has no plans to introduce the PHEV variant to the Australian market.
More details about the newgeneration C-HR will be revealed closer to its local introduction in the rst half of 2024.
By DAVID PIKEAlejandro de Tomaso
was a well-known Italian motoring entrepreneur in
the 1960s - at one point he was a racing driver. He also built racing cars, although these were generally unsuccessful, as
well as high-performance road cars but only in small numbers. Two of his cars, the GT Vallelunga, introduced in 1965, and the
The design of this car followed the contemporary mid-engined layout which had been proved in circuit cars and increasingly favoured for road-going supercars. For his Mangusta engine, de Tomaso stayed with the established Ford 289 V8 as it was cheap, reliable and powerful. This made the car attractive to Ford, who were still developing a ‘performance image’ in the USA and wanted to distribute a GT car that could be produced in reasonable numbers.
As the alliance with Ford became rm, de Tomaso’s design team, headed by Gianpaolo Dallara, laid down a new monocoque design, with a shell of fabricated sheet steel based on a Ghia design. It had subframes to support the engine and rear suspension comprising wishbone and coil spring independent suspension used all round.
The Pantera was of cially launched in 1970, and although it was well received sales never remotely justi ed the original 4000 per annum production target. Certainly from 1974 de Tomaso did not even claim a four- gure annual production.
In 1971 de Tomaso
announced an ambitious racing programme, backed by Ford, and with competition engines that were specially prepared to produce around 298kW. However, these fell short of their expected performance with the best result in the Monza 1000 km race, where one Pantera nished in fth place.
The Ford support ended in 1974, and when production of the US-sourced V8 ceased de Tomaso turned to Ford Australia for a 224kW alternative. Production was nally moved across Modena to a more modest factory, where only a few cars continued to be built each year until production was nally phased out.
Grape Expectations by Max Crus
New litter fashion puts bums on streets
Max Crus is a Clarence Valley-based wine writer and Grape Expectations is now in its 27th year of publication. Find out more about Max or sign up for his weekly reviews and musings by visiting maxcrus.com.au
Those paying attention would realise this column frequently rails against litter, indeed you might say it’s been something of a Crusader against rubbish and wastefulness generally, but the problem has taken a turn for the worse recently, namely through an increase in discarded wearables.
In the past it was not uncommon to fnd a rejected or broken thong (of the foot variety) on the street which always evoked the Vince Sorrenti joke about the bloke with
one thong, hey did you lose a thong Mate? Nah, Mate, I found one, was the reply.
But why is there ever only one? Wouldn’t the loser realise? Or if it was broken, discard the other? Clearly happy to leave one behind, why not two?
Discarded footwear has always been popular.
Who hasn’t seen sneakers dangling from power lines and wondered “what the hell”?.
Obviously a frst world thing.
However, lately, thongs
Mistletoe Hunter Valley Home Vineyard Semillon, 2021, $17.
This unexpectedly broadly fragrant semillon is just the tonic to remove the lingering olfactory imaginings of that above. Don’t save it for xmas either, but that’s a clever combination. How good value is this? 9.4/10.
Mistletoe Hunter Valley Reserve Shiraz 2021, $35. For less than the price of a fash pair of Tommy Hilfgers this is very Hunter red yet warm and fullfavoured enough to belie its 13.5 per cent. People who enjoy this sort of shiraz would never litter, surely. 9.3/10
of the other kind have become entangled in the issue. Apologies for the imagery before breakfast, but soiled underwear is being increasingly frequently dumped on our streets, which raises a number of unsavoury questions such as where they soiled before or after discardment?
What was the person doing when they decided I’ll just leave my undies here?
Okay, let’s not shame anyone with continence issues, nor someone
with a weird proclivity to remove their clothes in public - who hasn’t wanted to or indeed done that? But in the middle of the road? Which is where you usually see them.
You could understand if the undies were women’s. You know, just strolling along happily in the middle of the road and the elastic goes, just step out and onward. But they’re not. They are without exception, men’s jocks, left by some jock doing something that only they can reveal.
Saint and Scholar Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2021, $30. Quintessential Adelaide Hills shiraz with an absolutely delightfully foral fragrance, yet with 14.5 per cent enough masculinity to satisfy even hard core big red lovers. Keep your dacks on boys. 9.5/10.
Saint and Scholar Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2022, $25.
Without the pungency of NZ sauv’ blanc, nor the acidity of warm climate stuff or the insipidness of many French examples, this is very easy to drink, but likely not enough alcohol to make you go silly and defrock. 9.2/10.
As if this isn’t bad enough, regrettably, discarded clothing is not the only new litter category to blot the landscape. Shamefully, another heretofore unseen item has hit the streets, so to speak, the wine bottle.
So much for sophisticated, urbane, cultured, suave and responsible wine consumers holding the high moral ground because we never littered thus avoiding the ignominy of ì10 cent refund printed on
our labels. Well, all that has ended. I saw a McWilliams Bin 95 Sauvignon Blanc 2022 vintage in the gutter recently. Disgraceful. We are collectively so ashamed, and apologise on behalf of the Australian wine industry, it won’t happen again, but I wonder if it belonged to the same guy who discarded his undies just down the road?
Here’s something a little more savoury to devour:
Quartz Hill Pyrenees Viognier 2018, $32. There’s way more alcohol in this than later incarnations, and if you’re in the mood for something fuller, and we usually are, more altogether. Good gear and good on ya’ viognier, as the saying goes. 9.5/10.
Quartz Hill Pyrenees Syrah 2019, $42. Like the lads discarding their dacks in the street, this is bright and youthful syrah but still full enough to fulfll. Good solid syrah which sounds like a good line for a song syrah? 9.4/10.
CSIRO study uncovers cystic brosis screening limitations
New research from Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has found that reproductive carrier screening tests, used before or in early pregnancy to identify inherited genetic conditions, potentially miss up to 10 per cent of cystic brosis (CF) causing variants in Australia.
e study, which involved an analysis of data from 3958 people with CF between 1970 and 2020, also found that East Asian people are disproportionately a ected by this testing limitation.
CF is an inherited disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs, digestive system, and other organs in the body. Reproductive carrier screening tests are important as the CF-causing gene is passed down from both parents who usually do not have the disease themselves.
Conducted by CSIRO scientists in partnership with Pathology Queensland and Australian gene testing lab
Genepath, the research was recently published in Prenatal Diagnosis, and provides key insights to assist in improving reproductive carrier screening.
Letitia Sng, CSIRO research scientist and co-lead author on the study, said European and
Australian guidelines for CF reproductive carrier screening recommend testing a small number of high frequency CF-causing variants.
“Our research found that the current approach of limiting reproductive carrier screening tests to
a small number of high frequency CF variants impacts the e ectiveness of screening,” Dr Sng said. “ is reduced e ectiveness disproportionately a ects people of East Asian ethnicity, indicating a potential failure of the current recommend-
ed testing protocols to include variants arising in certain ethnicities.
“ is may be a result of the changing demographics of the Australian population over the last 50 years, with a signi cant increase in immigration to Australia from non-Eu-
ropean countries such as China and India,” she said.
Bennett Shum from Genepath said along with ndings about the failure of current screening to detect certain CF variants, they were also able to con rm that in Australia, 1 in 34 individuals carry the gene for CF (known as CTFR), making carrier screening useful for people looking to have babies.
Dr Sng said given the increasing cost-e ectiveness and comprehensiveness of CFTR gene analysis techniques, their results point to a need for the revision of reproductive carrier screening approaches in Europe and Australia to account for multi-ethnic populations.
“More research is needed into existing inequalities in current screening recommendations in CF and other genetic diseases to ensure the accuracy of carrier screening for all,” Dr Sng said.
Rainbow of fruit and veg the best prevention against prostate cancer
Rainbow of fruit and veg the best prevention against prostate cancer
Men who consume colourful fruits and vegetables on a regular basis are less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer (PC), according to new research by University of South Australia scientists.
A rainbow of foods rich in certain micronutrients helps to prevent prostate cancer (PC) as well as speed up recovery among men who undergo radiation treatment for the disease.
e ndings, from two studies published in the journal Cancers, highlight the importance of a Mediterranean or Asian diet that includes these foods.
Researchers compared micronutrient plasma concentrations of prostate cancer patients with a healthy control group, revealing low levels of lutein, lycopene, alpha-carotene, and selenium in PC patients and high levels of iron, sulphur, and calcium in the same group, relative to controls.
Increased DNA damage a er radiation exposure was also associated with low lycopene and selenium in blood plasma.
Men with plasma concentrations lower than 0.25 micrograms (ug) per millilitre (mL) for lycopene and/or lower than 120ug/L for selenium have an increased risk of prostate cancer and are likely to be more sensitive to the damaging e ects of radiation.
Foods that are rich in lycopene include tomatoes, melons, papayas, grapes, peaches, watermelons, and cranberries. Selenium-rich foods include white meat, sh, shell sh, eggs, and nuts.
Study co-author Dr Permal Deo says eating foods that are naturally rich in lycopene and selenium is preferable to taking supplements, where the bene ts are limited, according to previous studies.
“Our recommendation is to adopt a Mediterranean diet enlisting the help of a dietician because
people absorb nutrients in di erent ways, depending on the food, the digestive system, the person’s genotype and possibly their microbiome,” Dr Deo says. Prostate cancer remains one of the most common and fatal cancers in men, but the nutritional deciencies associated with it remain largely unknown, hence this study. Other risk factors, such as ethnicity, family history and age have previously
been linked to prostate cancer.
“ ere is strong evidence that being overweight and tall increases the risk of prostate cancer. Diets high in dairy products and low in vitamin E may also increase the risk but the evidence is less clear.” Vitamin E is found in plant-based oils, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables.
e research is the rst to evaluate plasma con.
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Raspberry and chocolate hot cross bun pudding
30m prep
40m cook
This Easter dessert is sure to be a hit with everyone! The combination of uffy hot cross buns, creamy white chocolate and sweet raspberries is a match made in heaven. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also easy to make and can be prepared in advance. So, this Easter, why not try something a little different and make this delicious dessert?
Your family and friends will love it!
9 Ingredients
• 5 - 6 Chocolate Hot Cross Buns, day-old, split (see notes)
• 40g butter, softened
• 1/4 cup (85g) raspberry jam
• 1 cup (125g) fresh raspberries or frozen raspberries
METHOD
STEP 1
• 100g white chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 6 Coles Australian Free Range Eggs, lightly whisked
• 1 cup (250ml) milk
• 1/2 cup (125ml) thickened cream
• 1/3 cup (75g) caster sugar
Preheat oven to 160C. Lightly grease an 8-cup (2L) ovenproof dish.
STEP 2
Spread the cut side of each bun half evenly with butter, then spread with jam. Arrange in the prepared pan, alternating the bases, jam-side up with the tops, cross-side up. Sprinkle with raspberries and white chocolate.
STEP 3
Whisk the egg, milk, cream and sugar in a large bowl, then strain through a ne sieve into a jug. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the buns. Set aside for 15 mins to soak.
STEP 4
Place the dish in a large roasting pan. Pour enough boiling water into the pan to come halfway up the side of the dish. Bake for 35-40 mins or until custard is just set. Set aside for 5 mins to cool slightly before serving.
Crispiest-ever smashed potatoes with cheese and bacon crumb
8 servings 6
8 Ingredients
• 1kg baby red royal potatoes
• 2 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 200g packet real bacon pieces, nely chopped
• 2/3 cup pizza cheese
• 2 tbsp panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tbsp nely chopped fresh chives
• Baby French kale leaves, to serve
3 METHOD STEPS
STEP 1
• Preheat oven to 200C/180C fan-forced.
• Combine potatoes and 2 tablespoons oil in a large baking dish.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Bake for 40 minutes or until just tender.
STEP 2
• Meanwhile, heat remaining oil in a medium frying pan over medium heat.
• Cook bacon for 4 to 5 minutes or until lightly golden.
• Drain on paper towel.
STEP 3
• Using a fork, squash potatoes until lightly crushed.
• Top with cheese and breadcrumbs. Bake for 15 minutes or until potatoes are crisp and cheese has melted.
• Top with sour cream, bacon and chives. Serve with kale leaves.
Garden maintenance for Australian native plants
With droughts, water restrictions, and a growing understanding of their importance in our ecosystems, Australian native plants have become increasingly popular in suburban gardens. As these plants are already adapted to the Australian climate, they usually require less care and maintenance than exotic plants from other climates. This has led to the misconception that Australian natives require no maintenance or watering; however, this isn’t the case. In this article, we’ll explain how to maintain a garden full of Australian native plants.
Pruning Australian natives
To maintain a neat garden and encourage plant growth, pruning your native plants is essential. While you can let Australian plants grow without pruning, they can become very untidy and scrappy-looking. With regular pruning, however, you can keep them contained to an area and promote denser growth, resulting in a tidier garden. It also extends the life of your plants and encourages a greater yield of owers. Even if you aren’t concerned with keeping a plant con ned to a speci c shape, you should still prune it to maintain its health. Even Australian natives growing in their natural environment are ‘pruned’ by local fauna such as wallabies and kangaroos grazing on their foliage. The chances of a wallaby grazing on your garden plants in suburban Melbourne are slim, but you can replicate this by pruning.
Tip
Pruning
Tip pruning is a great way to encourage bushier plants with abundant owers. To do this, use either secateurs or pinch off the new growth with your ngers once the plant has nished owering. It’s important to note that you should hold off on pruning until late autumn,
as trimming buds too close to winter will reduce the number of blooms in the spring. If you want to promote bushier plants from the outset, you can start pruning natives as seedlings.
Pruning Hedges
For Australian natives to grow in the desired shape and maintain dense foliage, frequent hedge trimming in addition to tip pruning is essential. Don’t be discouraged by their natural scrappy growth patterns; with the right pruning and maintenance, they can look just as neat as exotic species. Species such as Callistemon (bottlebrush), Grevillea, Lilly Pilly, and Westringia can make great hedging or screening when properly maintained. The basic rule for hedge trimming is to only cut one third of the plant at a time; otherwise, it may go into shock and not recover. However, some plants may be an exception to this rule in the right season, such as Callistemon; more information on this can be found below.
General Pruning
When pruning native plants, it is best to do so before late autumn to avoid cold temperatures damaging the buds. Make sure to make clean, sloping cuts to prevent water build-up and fungal infections. Prune the whole plant at once to promote even growth, and if you want to prevent new growth in a particular direction, cut the unwanted branch ush with the trunk. For longer or thicker branches, remove them in sections, starting with a cut to the bark on the underside of the branch to prevent it from tearing under the weight of the falling bough.
Pruning to rejuvenate your Australian Natives
In spring, some Australian natives such as Callistemons, Melaleucas, and Banksias can be pruned back drastically due to their lignotubers.
A lignotuber is a bulge
at the base of the trunk that allows the plant to regrow, even when cut down to just above ground level. Pruning these woody natives back in this way will result in them growing bushier than before.
Watering Australian native plants
Although Australian natives require less water than some exotic plants, they still need it to survive. For plants native to the Melbourne area or a region with a similar climate and rainfall pattern, watering should only be done during dry weather. The best way to water natives is to use drip irrigation and give deep soakings every couple of weeks in the dry season. This will encourage the growth of a healthier, deep root system that draws moisture and nutrients from further down in the soil. To determine how much water your plants need, consider where they grow naturally and the type of soil they’re in. Most natives prefer well-drained soil, so it’s important to avoid overwatering them.
Do Australian Native Plants need fertiliser?
When it comes to fertilising Australian native plants, it’s important to be mindful of the phosphorus levels. High levels of phosphorus can be found in many manufactured and chemical-based fertilisers, and can be fatal to native plants. To ensure your plants are healthy, opt for a native plant food or an organic fertiliser, as they are slow release and have low levels of phosphorus. Before buying, check the composition of the fertiliser to make sure the phosphorous level is 3% or lower. Fertiliser should be applied in spring and summer, spread lightly and watered in soon after. Avoid piling it at the base of the plant, as this can be damaging.
Native plants and mulch
Australian native plants bene t from mulch just as
much as any other plant. It helps to keep the soil temperature more consistent throughout the seasons and prevents water loss due to evaporation, which is especially important in the Australian sun. In the wild, mulch is created naturally through leaf litter and other organic debris. However, this can look messy in a garden, so there are better options available from garden stores. When designing your garden, you can choose between two types of mulch; organic (e.g. bark) or inorganic (e.g. river stones and pebbles). Both of these help to reduce weed growth, making garden maintenance easier.
Organic mulch
When applying mulch to your native garden, it is best to spread it in a thick layer directly on top of the soil. Do not use black plastic or weed matting as an underlay, as this will heat up quickly and restrict your plants’ access to water and nutrients. Additionally, weeds will still be able to grow through it. Organic mulch is bene cial to your native garden as it breaks down and adds nutrients to the soil. A weed mat, however, acts as a barrier and prevents this process from occurring.
Tips for mulching your native plants:
For optimal results, mulch should be applied at a depth of 7.5cm, no deeper than 10cm. Leave a 5cm gap between the mulch and the trunk or stems of the plants. The best times to apply mulch are early spring and summer, and it should be topped up
at least once a year as it composts into the soil.
Inorganic mulch
Mulching with stones is only recommended for plants native to hot, dry regions, or if you live in an area prone to bush res and want to reduce the risk. Pebbles and river stones do not decompose and add nutrients to the soil like organic mulch, and are not as effective at retaining soil moisture. Additionally, the re ected sunlight of the stones can increase the heat in your yard and dry out your plants. However, stones do not need to be reapplied annually like organic mulch and are better for preventing soil erosion. Before applying mulch to your garden, consider the watering
system you plan to use; if you plan on using a drip feed system, it should be installed before laying mulch.
Low maintenance, not no maintenance
If you’re looking for a beautiful garden that requires minimal maintenance, native Australian plants are a great option. However, they still require some care, such as mulching, watering, fertilizing, and pruning. If you’d rather spend your time enjoying your garden than working on it, our team of highly quali ed and experienced professionals can provide full residential garden maintenance services in Melbourne. Get in touch with your local nursery today to learn more!
The Eishan Ensemble, an ARIA nominated PersianJazz Quartet, is coming to the Northern Rivers for two special concerts. Led by internationally acclaimed PersianAustralian composer,
Hamed Sadeghi, the Quartet will be performing at the Bangalow Bowlo on Wednesday April 12th and at the Lismore City Bowlo on Thursday April 13th. Both concerts will start at 7.30 pm, with workshops
The Eishan Ensemble - On Tour 2023
before the shows at 5.30 pm.
The Eishan Ensemble is a unique blend of contemporary and classical music from both East and West, creating
a musically rich and diverse niche genre of “Persian-Chamber Jazz” or “Middle-EasternJazz Fusion”. This is upbeat, rhythmic music that melds world genres effortlessly together,
with sophisticated and spontaneous ethnic beats, jazz-grooves, creating opulent sonic soundscapes. The Quartet’s repertoire consists predominantly of Sadeghi’s original
SHAZAM!
• Shazam 2: Fury of the Gods (M)
COMING SOON...
• Argonuts (PG)
• MAVKA: The Forest Song (PG)
• Mafia Mumma (CTC)
• Polite Society (CTC)
• John Wick: Chapter 4 (MA15+)
• Air (CTC)
• Super Mario Bros Movie (PG)
• 80 for Brady (M)
We have an amazing line up of shows coming to the Saraton.
STEVE O: THE BUCKET LIST TOUR DOWN UNDER PT 2
Thursday April 20, 2023@ 7.00pm.
CELTICA: A NEW ERA OF IRISH
HERITAGE
Wednesday May 3, 2023 @ 7:30pm.
LUKE KIDGELL HAPPY HOUR
Sunday June 11, 2023 @ 6.30pm
QUEEN BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
Friday June 16, 2023 @ 8pm
THE ROBERTSON BROTHERS 60’S
VARIETY SHOW
Sunday June 18, 2023 2:00pm
A TRIBUTE TO “THE DELLTONES”
Sunday July 30, 2023 @ 2pm
LIAM COOPER’S KINGS OF KEYS
Saturday August 5, 2023 @ 7:30pm
MUSIC OF THE NIGHT TRIBUTE TO ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER
Sunday August 27, 2023 @ 2pm
SHE WILL ROCK YOU “THE STORY OF WOMEN WHO DARED TO ROCK THE WORLD”
Friday October 6, 2023 @ 7.30pm
compositions, with diverse, expert and edge-of-your-seat melodic explorations and improvisations.
The Eishan Ensemble have performed internationally in Asia, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and their second album, ‘Afternoon Tea at Six’ has garnered much enthusiastic acclaim. Joining them for these shows will be the Northern Rivers’ most colourful community ensemble, Orkeztar Lizmoré. Bandleader Pietro Fine sets the pace for this high-energy world music as played by a 15-piece group of enthusiasts of musical styles including Yiddish, Arabic, African, and Romani traditions.
The workshops are open to all interested in Hamed and Eishan’s music. They will be participatory so bring your instrument. Refreshments will be available at both shows. Tickets are available at the door and in the link listed above. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience the Eishan Ensemble’s Persian-Jazz fusion and Orkeztar Lizmoré’s vibrant world music.
Bangalow Bowlo / 7.30 pm Weds April 12th
Lismore City Bowlo / 7.30pm Thurs April 13th
Workshops before both concerts at 5.30 pm / $15 Tickets $30 @ https://www.orkliz.org/ eishan-2023
A Supernatural Tale of Passion, Vengeance, and The Power of Love
Experience love, envy, betrayal, and tragic redemption in the quintessential romantic ballet, Giselle
First performed in Paris, France in 1841, this Romantic-era masterpiece is set in an ethereal realm where vengeful spirits dance in the darkness, and love triangles can be deadly.
Young Giselle is a peasant girl in love with Duke Albrecht, who courts her in disguise as a peasant boy. Gamekeeper Hilarion is in love with Giselle and flled with jealousy. When he fnds out the Duke is engaged to another, he reveals the deception to Giselle. Devastated, she dies of a broken heart.
Deep in the moonlit forest, Giselle emerges in the twilight world of the Wilis who rise from dusk ‘til dawn seeking vengeance among men. Giselle is faced with an impossible decision: will she follow the dark path of revenge or save her true love from certain death?
Performed over two acts, Giselle features a mystical and otherworldly ‘White Act’ – a classic component of the Romantic ballet era. With exquisite choreography, luminous costumes, and an enchanting score, Giselle has held audiences spellbound since its Parisian premiere more than 150 years ago.
CREATIVES
Produced and Staged by Ai-Gul Gaisina
Choreographers Marius Petipa, after Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot
Music Adolphe Adam
Music Arranged by Nigel Gaynor
Costumes and Sets based on the original design by Peter Cazalet
Lighting Designer Ben Hughes
Conductor Nigel Gaynor
Music performed by** Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra
**Matinee performances on 20, 23 and 27 April are performed to recorded music.
14 to 29 Apr 2023
$120 - $150*
Playhouse
2 hours (includes interval, subject to change without notice)
*a transaction fee of $7.20 applies per transaction. Selected ticket delivery methods may incur an additional charge. The minimum price listed may be available for selected performances only.
The Safest Way to Buy!
QTIX is the offcial ticketing service for QPAC and Queensland Ballet Giselle. Selected packages are sold through authorised resellers only.
Any tickets purchased through unauthorised sales channels may be seized or cancelled without refund or exchange and the bearer of the ticket may be denied admission. Unauthorised sales channels include Viagogo, Ticket Merchant, eBay and Gumtree
Act I
The story of Giselle is a romantic tale of innocent love and betrayal; of philandering Count Albrecht and a trusting peasant maid, Giselle. Although she has a weak heart, Giselle loves to dance.
Her beauty has enchanted Albrecht. On the day of the village wine festival, Albrecht, in order to court Giselle, disguises himself as a peasant. Giselle, in her innocence and unaware of his noble birth, resists Albrecht’s advances – only to succumb to his ardour and persistence. He gently induces her to trust his pledge of eternal love. His plans are thwarted by the arrival in the village of a hunting party which includes the Duke of Courland and his beautiful daughter Bathilde, to whom Albrecht is already engaged.
Bathilde is enchanted with Giselle and her youthful innocence. When Giselle tells the princess that she is engaged, Bathilde gives her a necklace, unaware that they are betrothed to the same man.
Hilarion, a gamekeeper in love with Giselle, discovers Albrecht’s disguise. Consumed with jealousy, he reveals his rival’s true identity. Giselle loses her reason, and the frst act ends with the famous mad scene, and her death.
Act II
Giselle has been buried deep in the forest and
has now become a wili. The wilis are ghostly apparitions of folklore, girls who have died betrayed by their faithless lovers on the eve of their weddings.
Hilarion is discovered mourning at Giselle’s grave. Myrtha, Queen of the Wilis, summons her maidens, who haunt the forest, luring wayfarers to dance with them until they die from exhaustion before the dawn. Hilarion is forced to dance until he dies.
Albrecht, full of remorse, comes to mourn at Giselle’s grave. The Queen commands Giselle to come from her grave and entice Albrecht to join her in dance. Giselle continues dancing with Albrecht through the night. Although she has been betrayed by Albrecht, Giselle still loves him, and helps
the dawn, when the wilis lose their power and will not be able to destroy him.
With the arrival of the dawn, Giselle vanishes back into her grave, and Albrecht is left alone with his sorrow. But his life is saved.
Bora Bora Jewel of the South Seas
Bora Bora is an idyllic paradise located in the South Pacifc, and it is the perfect holiday destination for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With its stunningly beautiful turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and lush tropical forests, Bora Bora is an ideal spot to relax and unwind.
The best way to experience Bora Bora is to stay in one of the many luxurious resorts that line the shore. From overwater bungalows to beachside villas, there is a variety of accommodation options to suit any budget. Each resort offers its own unique amenities, from spas and restaurants to private pools and beach clubs.
When it comes to activities, Bora Bora has something for everyone. From snorkeling and scuba diving to kayaking and sailing, the waters of Bora Bora are flled with adventure. On land, visitors can explore the island’s lush forests and take in the breathtaking views from the top of Mount Otemanu. No trip to Bora Bora would be complete without sampling the local cuisine. From fresh seafood to traditional Polynesian dishes, there is something to satisfy every palate.
After dinner, visitors can enjoy a night out at one of the many bars and clubs located around the island. Bora Bora is the perfect holiday destination for those looking to escape the stresses of
everyday life. With its stunning beauty, luxurious resorts, and variety of activities, Bora Bora is sure to provide a truly unforgettable experience.
Honeymooners
Bora Bora is a dream destination for honeymooners, with its stunningly beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters, and lush tropical landscape. It is the perfect place to relax and enjoy some quality time together. The beaches of Bora Bora are some of the most beautiful in the world.
The white sand beaches are surrounded by crystal clear waters, and the lush tropical landscape provides a stunning backdrop. The beaches are also ideal for swimming,
snorkeling, and other water activities. The island is also home to a variety of luxury resorts, which offer couples a chance to relax and enjoy some time together.
The resorts offer a range of activities, from spa treatments to romantic dinners, and many of them have private villas with private pools and beach access. The island is also home to some of the best restaurants in the world. From fne dining to casual beachside eateries, there is something for everyone. Couples can enjoy a romantic dinner for two, or explore the local cuisine. Bora Bora is also home to a variety of activities, from hiking to kayaking. Couples
can explore the island’s many attractions, or simply relax and enjoy the stunning views. For couples looking for a romantic getaway, Bora Bora is the perfect
destination. With its stunning beaches, crystal clear waters, and lush tropical landscape, it is the perfect place to relax and enjoy some quality time together.
Swim, Kayak or laze around
Feed the animals & collect eggs
Kids nature playground
Outdoor Bath
Pizza Oven
Builders call for more action on tackling home building cost pressures
Today’s monthly infation indicator for February 2023 is another reminder of how we risk entrenching infation without appropriately addressing supply-side hurdles, says Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn.
“The annual rate of infation has eased back to 6.8 per cent, down from 7.4 per cent in January. While this is a welcome sign that the infation fgures look to have peaked, the rate of decline is happening far too slowly.
“Over the year to February, the cost of new dwelling purchases was still up by 13 per cent and serves as a reminder of how tackling home
building cost pressures more aggressively could contribute to lowering infation across the economy,” said Ms Wawn.
“Infation is a hidden tax on everything. It makes people and businesses poorer by eating into our savings and making investments by business less attractive.
“It is particularly bad for construction because of the higher capital requirements for the work we do and how closely construction activity is tied to private sector investment decisions.
“The cost of housing is not determined in isolation and is heavily infuenced by
the delivery of critical infrastructure and key non-residential building activity which enables it,” said Ms Wawn.
“Unlike most cost items, rental prices have failed to decelerate during February and are now 4.8 per cent higher than a year ago.
“While monetary policy using interest rate rises is starting to show fruits with consumer spending power, the most sustainable solution to the infationary problem lies on the supply side, by bringing down the cost of doing business.
“This requires issues like labour shortages, materials costs, and the regulatory burden to be dealt with in a focused
and urgent manner.
“We need to speed up the rollout of new housing stock on the medium and high-density side of the market to help bring rental infation down. Housing affordability in the rental market is a growing source of stress
Property Group is warning to take collective legal action against the proposed rent cap in Queensland
By JEFFREY GIBBSKevin Young, President of Property Club, Queensland’s largest independent property group, has expressed serious concerns about the Labor Palaszczuk government’s proposal to cap rent increases. He believes this left wing policy is driven by the politics of envy and would have a devastating effect on the thousands of low to middle income earners who own rental properties in the state.
Mr Young said that the majority of rental property owners in Queensland are not “greedy, wealthy landlords”, but everyday people such as tradies, nurses, teachers and policemen who are using their properties to help fund their retirement.
He believes that rents have increased sharply in Queensland over the past two years due to government policy which has limited the supply of new private rentals
and forced landlords to sell their properties. He also noted that higher interest rates, new Federal government rules limiting the time frame of interest only loans, and the removal of tax depreciation bene ts on second hand properties have been disincentives for investors.
If the Queensland government were to implement a cap on rents, Mr Young believes there would be a strong case for a class compensation
claim in the courts from investors who own the more than 600,000 rental properties in the State. Mr Young argued that any attempt to limit rental increases in Queensland would lead to a ight of property investment capital to other States, making the rental crisis even worse.
He believes that landlords would receive hundreds of applications for one rental property, and homelessness in Queensland would
for many households.
“Insuffcient supply of titled residential land, high developer charges and infexible planning laws are also preventing new home building projects from getting off the starting blocks.
“We hope all levels of
government pull out all stops to tackling this very real challenge and ensure legislation that supports housing affordability and home building, like the Housing Australia Future Fund Bill is passed without delay,” said Ms Wawn.
skyrocket. He also pointed to the Labor Palaszczuk government’s disastrous attempt last year to impose additional stamp duty taxes on property owners in Queensland who owned properties in other States, which it was forced to withdraw after threats by many property owners to sell up and leave Queensland.
Mr Young concluded by saying that it is time for property owners in Queensland to ght back against this proposal, and that the government should instead focus on providing incentives for property investors to stay in the state.
GIANT CROSSWORD
JUMBLE
OSRCS
Call 07 5534 4494 or jump onto cunninghamvaluers.com.au to see what services we
SOLUTION: Cross, April, Chick,
offer you!
can
Easter Eggstras
22 Apple drink (5)
24 Tenanted (3)
1 Number of hot cross buns in a pack, typically (4-5)
5 Chocolate brand (7)
8 A synthetic material; easily moulded (7)
10 Ado (4)
11 Pigs (4)
13 Flightless birds (4)
14 Easter bunny alternative (5)
15 Desire (4)
17 Type of fruit (6)
19 Eagle’s nest (5)
20 Put down gently (4)
21 Adventure (4)
22 Type of sugar (6)
23 Number of players in a cricket team (6)
25 Make (something) known (8)
28 This puzzle’s theme (6)
29 Chocolatier (5)
32 Easter headwear (4)
35 Nocturnal carnivore (7)
36 Blemish (4)
39 Favouritism (4)
40 Brittle (5)
42 Worker on a cattle ranch (6)
45 Gnawing animals (7)
46 Disregard (6)
47 Flower (5)
48 Wild mountain goat (4)
49 Egg- nding activity (4)
51 Sink (7)
52 Scanned (4)
56 Tantalise (5)
57 First day of Easter (6)
60
Vegetable (6)
(4)
Slender lament (5)
Easter Friday descriptor (4)
D OWN
2 Plentiful (8)
3 Battered seafood patty (4,4)
4 Easter chocolate shape (3)
5 Head cook (4)
6 Egg collecting vessel (6)
7 Thief (6)
8 Issue a book (7)
9 Shades (10)
11 – cross buns (3)
12 Nervous state over an uncertain outcome (8)
16 Eatable (6)
18 Raids, plunders (6)
26 Plant with aromatic leaves and seeds (9)
27 Big classical music ensemble (9)
30 Cake topping (5)
31 ‘70s dance genre (5)
33 Arrest (9)
34 Variety of rock (9)
37 Pain (4)
Friday meal (4) 41 Cooperating state (4) 42 Clone (4) 43 Pale (5) 44 Harbingers (5) 50 Stu ed toys (5,5) 53 Dazzle (5) 54 Easter egg activity (8) 55 Unmoored (6) 56 Also (3) 58 Gratify (6) 61 Adolescent (8) 62 Remedy (8) 63 Wed (7) 64 Annul (6) 65 Handcart (6) 70 Frozen water (3) 71 Matures (4) 76 Tune (3) SOLUTION
1 14 2 15 3 16 4 17 5 18 6 19 7 20 8 21 9 22 10 23 11 24 12 25 J 13 26 O
SOLUTION:
Using the nine letters in the target, how many words of four letters or more can you list?
The centre letter must be included, and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”.
20 words: Good
30 words: Very good
40 words: Excellent
I T
N I D T R
SOLUTION
TRADITION, train, trait, triad, trio, triton, trod, trot
adit, adroit, anti, attorn, dart, dint, dirt, ditto, doit, drat, droit, idiot, into, intra, introit, iota, nota, rant, ratio, ration, riot, rota, taint, tarn, taro, tarot, tart, tint, titan, toad, torn, tort,
WORD STEP EDGEWORD
_
_
Place each of the tiles of letters into the blank jigsaw below to create four six-letter words going across and down.
IS
RA
Order each of the boxed letters in a blank jigsaw piece to create four six-letter words going sideways and down.
IN ES
ITCHES
SOLUTION: RABBIT, RAISIN,
Easter Eggstras
4x4 CROSSWORD
5x5 CROSSWORD
ION:TULOS
EASTER QUIZ
1. Kalti paarti carving is an Aboriginal art form that uses what type of eggs?
2. The cross on a hot cross bun is typically a paste made from what two ingredients?
3. Cadbury, Milka and Toblerone are all owned by which multinational company?
4. Which zodiac sign falls within the Easter period this year?
5. In Irish, which day is known as Aoine an Chéasta?
6. What name is given to hidden messages, jokes and cultural references inserted into media?
7. The Easter Bunny is believed to have originated which country?
8. In which British Overseas Territory is it tradition to construct and y kites at Easter?
9. Swiss chocolatier and confection company Lindt (pictured) was founded in which decade?
What day marks the rst day of Lent?
WORDFIND
Safety Corp RTO 91694
Tweed Heads
SOLUTION
B AS K ET
B ILBY
B ONNET
C ANDY
C ARROT
C ELEBRATION
C HIC K EN
C HRIST
C OLOURS
D ECORATE
D UC K
DYE
EASTER BUNNY
EGG
F IND
F ISH
F LOW ERS
F RIDAY
G RASS
H IDE
ION:TULOS The hoppiest four day weekend of the year
Starting with the six-letter word, drop a letter and form a ve-letter word.
Continue in this manner until you reach the single letter at the bottom. You can rearrange the letters in each step, if necessary.
There may be more than one possible answer.
H OT CROSS BUN
H UNT L ENT M ASS N EST
Memorial Notice
IN LOVING MEMORY OF NANCY COLLEEN GRANT NEE LOWE
13.11.34 - 04.04.19
A Prayer for Nancy
If roses grow in Heaven Lord Please pick a bunch for us. Place them in Nancy’s Arms and tell her they’re from us. Tell her that we love and miss her and when she turns to smile, place a kiss upon her cheek and hold her for a while. Because remembering her is easy We do it every day, but there is an ache within our hearts that will never go away.
-Amen
A beautiful loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother & Great Grandmother who le a chasm in the lives of her family. Forever in our thoughts and prayers.
Bob, David & Tonia, Christina, Anton & Great Grand Son Lennox, Bridget & Wade, and members of the Lowe and Verzosa families.
In FuneralMemoriam Notice
SMITH Edward George “Ted”
27.5.1930 – 27.3.2023
Passed away peacefully at St Andrew’s Hospice Ballina, aged 92 years.
Late of Goonellabah.
Loved husband of Eileen for 67 years.
Dearly loved father and father-in-law of Graham & Sorelle, and Lynn & Geo Adored and respected grandpa to Kirsten and Matthew.
In keeping with Ted’s wishes, close family and friends attended a graveside service, Wednesday 5 April 2023, at Lismore Memorial Gardens, Skyline Road Goonellabah
This page is dedicated to all those that have passed
•
•
Low
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WATERPROOFING
Southern Cross Drive, Ballina Lic 303299C and 301815C
SPECIALIST
signifcance. By popular demand, the exhibition has been extended until Friday 19th May. The museum also has facilities for research about Ballina Shire families, as well as books about local history and commemorative wineglasses and keyrings for sale. The museum is at 10 Wardell Road Alstonville and is open Fridays 10am4pm 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. By the way, we have openings for people of any age to volunteer in administration or in the museum and if you’re on a JobSeeker payment and 55 or older, it’s a great way to meet your mutual obligation requirements. If you’re interested, visit us at the museum or phone or email us.
EMBROIDERERS GROUP
Meetings are 9.30am-2.30pm 1st and 3rd Wednesdays and 2nd Saturday of each month except December and January. Our venue is the Resource Centre at the rear of Crawford House Museum, Alstonville. 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.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
ALSTONVILLE
ALSTONVILLE BRANCH OF THE RED CROSS
The Alstonville Red Cross branch meets monthly 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 UNITING
CHURCH. Join us for a truly unforgettable Easter week. We warmly invite you and your family to come and commemorate what Jesus did for us. This year we are excited to have a special guest preacher, Rev Keith Garner, who will share his inspiring message. Come and experience the hope and love of Jesus with us. Palm Sunday 9.30am, Maundy Thursday 7.00 pm; Good Friday 9.30 am and Easter Sunday 9.30 am.
CRAWFORD HOUSE MUSEUM
The latest exhibition at Crawford House Museum is “Signifcant Stories and Items from the Alstonville Plateau Historical Society Collection”. It will introduce you to some amazing historical objects which have been identifed during the Society’s Signifcance Assessment Project and have state and national heritage
CENTRE INC. (BACCI)
We are a diverse group of Artists and Crafters that participate in wonderful group exhibitions. Over 50 members are from all over the Northern Rivers. 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.
For more information - info@bacci. com.au or phone Deb on 0432105540
BALLINA BRIDGE CLUB
“Social play every Monday
9-11.30am”. Sessions for all levels of players on Mon, Wed, Sat from 1pm to about 5pm. Be seated at 12:45. Restricted session (under 300 Masterpoints) Thu 1pm – about 5pm. 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 at 13 North Ck Rd, Ballina Please call Judy Forsyth (president) on 0407664337. www.ballinabridge. org.au
BALLINA CWA
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.
THE RETURNED AND SERVICES
LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIA (NSW Branch) ALSTONVILLE SUBBRANCH
Alstonville RSL sub-Branch hold their monthly meetings on the second Saturday of the month at 0900 at the RSL Hall, 13 Bugden Ave (next door to the Alstonville Medical Centre). All ex-Service persons are welcome to attend, and we have a convivial morning tea on completion of the meeting.
Alstonville RSL sub-Branch have a ‘Lower Deck Luncheon’ at 1200 each Friday, everyone is welcome, we sit out the back of the Hall, order lunch from local suppliers, and have great conversations with good mates. There is always plenty of support & advice on any issue! (But not much sympathy)
BALLINA
Free community Brunch is now on the frst Saturday of every month. Everyone is invited. So, join us for a free bacon and egg roll, sausages cereal, toast, rissoles, tea and coffee, or just come for a chat.
All welcome. From 10am to 12 pm In the Ballina Presbyterian Hall, the corner of Cherry and Crane St Just behind the church.
BALLINA ARTS & CRAFTS
Ladies that are at a loose end on a Wednesday morning, might like to come and join our happy band of members. We meet every Wednesday from 9.00am to noon and can learn many crafts from fellow ladies. Barbara, our Handicraft’s Offcer (0428116668) is there to lend a hand when help is needed. She also teaches us new handicraft techniques. Why not call in to see us for the morning? Morning tea is served at a cost of just $3. All are welcome. Mahjong is played in our rooms Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12 noon until 4.00pm at a cost of $4. Everyone is welcome.
BALLINA EVENING VIEW CLUB
Meets on the second Wednesday of each month at the Ballina RSL Club at 6.30 for dinner at 7pm - Guests are always welcome. Our members support the education of disadvantaged children in Australia by fundraising activities and social events in our local community for The Smith Family - by sponsoring 5 Learning for Life students. Contact President Julie Stephan 0434988770.
BALLINA HOSPITAL AUXILIARY
Our Easter Street Stall will be on Thursday 6th April outside The Greater Bank in River Street, Ballina from 8 till 2.
Our popular Cakes and Craft will be on sale and our Easter Raffe which will be drawn on the day. All proceeds will go towards providing items of equipment and comfort for Ballina Hospital.
BALLINA LADIES PROBUS CLUB
Coach trip to Grafton on Wednesday 14 June 2023
Visitors welcome $45.00 payment by 7 June 2023
Included in cost: coach, morning tea/ coffee, scones with jam and cream at New Italy. Time to browse at gift shop and museum. Drive to Grafton, look around shops and get lunch at own cost. Then visit historic Schaeffer House Museum, cost of entry included. Pick up at Alstonville and Ballina phone Wendy 0410560916 or Pamela 66811022
BALLINA SENIOR CITIZENS BRIDGE CLUB
Social Bridge Play in Seniors Hall. Swift Street Ballina on Wednesday & Saturdays @ 12.05 pm
Enquiries Phone: 0493425002 for details.
BALLINA SHIRE CONCERT BAND
140th Anniversary CELEBRATION Concert 6th
May 2023
Join us for a Musical trip down memory lane.
From 3PM @ the Lennox Head Cultural Centre Visit: BALLINACONCERTBAND.
COM to buy tickets!
Adults: $25, Concession: $20, Child $10 (plus online booking fee) Tickets also available at the door on the day.
Each ticket includes complimentary nibblies.
BALLINA TOY LIBRARY
Welcomes families from Ballina Shire. 9 Regatta Avenue, Ballina.
Open Tuesdays 1pm - 3pm, and Saturdays 10am - 1pm. Ph. 0411 719 074 for enquiries
ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT RETIREES
Far North coast Branch.
The next two meetings of the Association of Independent Retirees have been put on a week from the usuial 1st Friday of the month. The April meeting will be on Friday 14 April and the May one will be on Friday 12 May. Both meetings will be held at the RSL Ballina, as usual at 9.30 for 10.00am.
The guest speaker for the April meeting will be Bill Coulter CEO of The Ballina RSL, and the May speaker will be Noel Whittaker, who is a well-known author, newspaper columnist and fnance investment expert. This will be our 30th Anniversary of the Branch’s formation, and there will be a celebration luncheon following the meeting. To book your lunch please contact Anne on 0437 309 250, or John on 0437 509 618.
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
BRUNSWICK HEADS
BRUNSWICK VALLEY VIEW CLUB
Brunswick Valley VIEW Club’s monthly luncheons are held at Brunswick Heads Bowling Club on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 10.30am for 11am.
Apologies to Wenda on 0449 563 580 or email wjhunt@ yahoo.com no later than the Monday before. VIEW stands for Voice, Interests and Education of Women. The club supports seven disadvantaged students in The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program. Info: view.org. au, call 1800 805 366 or email view@thesmithfamily.com.au.
CASINO
CASINO & BONALBO UPPER CLARENCE LIONS CLUBS
Casino Lions club now meets each 4th Wed at the RSM.
CASINO COMMUNITY
MEN’S SHED Mon, Tues, Wed, attendance limited to 50 members, 8am1.30pm. Contact 66626423 DH or casmenshed@live.com.
au
CASINO CWA
The CWA Casino Day would like to invite everyone to our April meeting The meeting is at the Casino Community Centre 9.00am this Thursday April 27h, 2023. Everyone is welcome. Enquires Margaret Good 66621746, Jennifer Baker 043892060.
CASINO CWA EVENING BRANCH
The Casino Evening Branch of the CWA will be holding their next meeting on Thursday 6th April at 6pm at the Uniting Church Hall. Supper provided. All welcome. Phone Jo Piccoli on 0417798622 with any enquiries.
CASINO & DISTRICT FAMILY HISTORY GROUP
INC
We are open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 2pm, Wednesdays from 12pm to 4pm and every third Saturday from 9 am to 11.30 am. We are in Room 5, upstairs in the School of Arts building in Walker Street, Casino. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 10 am.
Upcoming events:
10 April meeting – guest speaker on older drivers and tips for tests
17 April is an outing to Mara Seeds.
28 April is a workshop on Google Maps and its use in family history research. For a small fee we can do research for you as well. Call us on 6664 1118 or email us at casinofhg@gmail.com
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
If you would be interested in volunteering your time to help with meals on wheels give the offce a call on 66621217.
WEEK 3
MONDAY V.Gray & N.Nowlan
TUESDAY S.Forrester
WEDNESDAY J.Connell N.& K.Ryan
THURSDAY B. Bennett
FRIDAY Richmond Valley Council B & H.Elford
CASINO MINI RAIL
Every Sunday 10am to 4pm. Weather permitting. West Street Casino. Phone 0455673722.
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 will be holding their next social upstairs at the Casino RSM Club on Sunday the 16th of April from 10.00am - 4.00 pm. Come along and enjoy some great country music. and take advantage of the meals & drinks offered by the RSM Club. New Artists always welcome. Free entry, raffes and lucky door prize More Info contact Carole 0438641500
CASINO UNITING CHURCH
Corner of Canterbury Street and Hickey Street. Easter Service Times: 7th April: Good Friday @ 9am Easter Day Sunday: 9th April @ 9am
CASINO VIEW CLUB
Monthly luncheon meeting at Casino RSM Club at 11am, second Thurs of every month. Contact Jan on 0418715374.
A FASHION PARADE is being held for Windara and Casino Westpac Rescue Helicopter Op Shop at WINDARA on Saturday 22nd April, 2023 at 2pm.Cost is $5pp, children free. Clothes for all ages, come and enjoy a lovely afternoon in the gardens. Pay on arrival. KIDS BINGO at Windara is being held on Wednesday 19th April 2023 @ 10am to 12pm, for children aged 5-14 years. Free chips and lollies on arrival. $10 pp. Phone Windara 66623800 for bookings and details
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.
FAIRY HILL CRAFT GROUP
Fairy Hill Craft Group will meet on Thursday, April 6th 10a.m. at the Fairy Hill Hall. This month bring you U.F.O.’s to work on and some ideas for a project/ charity to support. Show & Tell: A completed project to share with the
group.
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 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.
COOLANGATTA
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION
COOLANGATTA BRANCH
QCWA women will be joining the Coolangatta-Tweed ANZAC DAY march on the 25th April.
The Country Women’s Association has a long-held tradition of supporting the war efforts and was instrumental in forming The Australian Women’s Land Army (AWLA) during the 2nd World war. The AWLA was formed to combat rising labour shortages in the farming sector, and brought women from the cities to work on the farms to keep the Australian food chain going. CWA trained women in all aspects of farming including milking, crop production, cattle raising and maintenance of mechanical equipment.
During the war, the CWA women made over 23,000 camoufage nets, provided food parcels for the armed forces, knitted garments, especially socks, made lambswool vests for the troops and replied to letters.
Karen Howell, President of QCWA Coolangatta said “We know that many of the women who wrote to the soldiers continued their letters and relationships for years after the war, but I haven’t heard of any marriages”. “Here at our hall in Coolangatta the ladies made hundreds of camoufage nets and packed parcels from home for the troops”.
The ANZAC Day March begins at 10.30 am behind Twin Towns and the women will march with the QCWA and The Women’s Land Army banners. Ms Howell has invited all members of
the community who have an affliation with CWA or The Women’s Land Army to join them in the march.
“Many younger people had mothers and grandmothers who were part of the war effort and this is a lovely way to honour them” Ms Howell said.
‘We also invite people to drop in for Morning tea between 9.30 am to 12md in our hall at 169 Griffth Street, Coolangatta, which is just opposite the march route.
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.
EVANS HEAD SEAGULLS CRAFT & QUILTERS GROUP
Meet every Tuesday 9am12noon in the Recreation Hall (opposite the Kiosk). We invite you to join us for a relaxing morning of crafting, friendship and sharing ideas. Beginners are very welcome. Finishing UFO’s, Embroidery, Gold Work, Hexagons, & Group Projects are just some of the crafts done.
GOONELLABAH
TABLE TENNIS AT GOONELLABAH
Tuesday and Thursday mornings social playing: 9am-12noon; Monday and Wednesday nights social playing: 7-9pm; Training
Monday mornings: 9am12noon; 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.
GRAFTON
GRAFTON AND DISTRICT GARDEN CLUB
Our next meeting will be on Thursday 6th April at the Joan Muir Centre, 194 Turf St Grafton. 10am to midday. $2 entry at door to cover the venue.
Please bring morning tea to share if you are able. We will have our Bring and Buy table so if you have some plants, cuttings or produce you would like to donate, they are greatly appreciated. Hope you can make it.
Publicity Offcer: Jane Rhodes 0438 593032 graftondistrictgardenclub@ gmail.com
GRAFTON CWA
Grafton CWA holds regular Craft mornings on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month, starting at 9.30am. Members bring their own craft and are also able to learn new skills from each other. At the last craft morning, we also celebrated a birthday with our oldest member Val Wood, who is turning 101- a great achievement! Val is Patron of Grafton CWA and has been a member of CWA for over 50 years.
The next meeting of Grafton CWA will be held after Easter, on Friday, 14th April- starting with morning tea at 9.30 am then the meeting at 10am. We meet at the CWA Rooms, cnr Duke and Pound Sts, on the 2nd Friday of each month. The exception to this will be our May meeting, which will be on 5th May, due to members attending the State Conference the following week.
Publicity Offcer: Anne McLellan
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
Next day trip, 12 May, to New Italy. Windara. Casino. spare seats available. 8 day tour from 12 August to Narrabri. Dubbo. Tamworth, more
bookings needed. Enquiries, Sandra, 6642 7720. or 04 I 7 461 946.”
GRAFTON SENIORS BE FIT EXERCISE CLASSES
Every Friday at the Uniting Church, Prince Street. Join us for gentle exercises designed for Seniors. We meet at 10.30 a.m. for a cuppa and a chat with the exercises commencing at 11. All equipment is provided and there is no cost to the participants. Further information can be obtained from Joan or Brian on 6644 7347 or 0416 067 315, or from Dot on 66423248 or 0477 213 017
GRAFTON VIEW CLUB
Grafton VIEW Club meets on the 4th Tuesday each month at Grafton District Services Club, Mary Street, commencing at 10.30am. Please come along, enjoy yourself with a tasty meal, a motivated guest speaker & ultimately disadvantaged children will be helped. Please phone Vorna at 66424719 for catering purposes no later than the Friday before the meeting. As well, a social outing is held each month. You are warmly invited to come along to the next meeting to have some fun & help disadvantaged children. See you there!
CLARENCE RIVER HISTORICAL SOCIETY
“Schaeffer House Museum at 190 Fitzroy Street, Grafton. Is in full swing for 2023 with visitors starting to arrive by the busload! What do they see? First and last the pretty gardens with a wide variety of plants, fowers, herbs and sheltering trees for the birds, butterfies, bees, and resident skinks. Inside the cool house they experience time travel as they see how people led their lives on the Clarence over 170 years ago, building for us a rich heritage to value forever! They will also see how to value the knowledge and help given by the original inhabitants on whose land the newcomers settled. Its’s a never-ending story in your “Story House” museum. Our vintage clothing collection will soon be stored away to make way for a new display, so pay a visit soon to Your Schaeffer House Museum!
Don’t forget we have nine other great museums in the clarence Valley just waiting for another visit from you!
PS: Our resident gnomes can be found somewhere in the garden. Others are tiny and hiding away!!
Museum open hours are Tues to Thur and Sunday 1pm to 4pm $12 – Family $5 – Adult and $2 – Child.
Research hours are Tues to Thur only from 9am to 3pm. There is a small charge for researching. Our contact number for special
openings is 6642 5212”. Should you wish to discuss this matter further please do not hesitate to contact me on either (02)66425212 or 0406397404.
SCHAEFFER HOUSE
MUSEUM, 190 PRINCE STREET, Grafton, NSW
Our display of vintage clothing will be continuing until Easter to enable more visitors to view these rare items before our new display is put on show.
Many items are being ‘rested’ and replaced with different interesting historical photographs, paintings and objects. Come to see if you can “spot” the changes!
Our museum is constantly changing, just like the lovely garden that surrounds it!
When did you last “drop in?”
All our museums have different collections and are entertaining so check out the opening times for Alumy Creek, Iluka, Yamba, Glenreagh, Maclean, Lawrence and Copmanhurst. Schaeffer House hours are:
Tues, Wed, Thur and Sun
1-4pm Admission Family of four $12.00 Adults $5.00 and children $2.00
We have been welcoming many new members lately, if you would like to join our historical society, you too, can receive our quarterly newsletters and receive many benefts in the Research Area.
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 7pm – 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.
KINGSCLIFF 500 CARD CLUB
Kingscliff 500 Card Club. Monday and Wednesday afternoons 1pm to 4pm
Cudgen Surf Club
New players WELCOME
For further Information contact: GARY on 0499869992
KYOGLE
KYOGLE COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION
Our usual monthly show will NOT be on in April as it falls on EASTER SUNDAY and the Bowling Club will be Closed. So please come and join us for our next Show which will fall on MOTHER’S DAY. Meeting at 11am Music to follow. This event fully catered for by the club including Bistro Meals.
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
HAPPENING’S ON THE HILL: 20th March 2023
St James Anglican Church days and times for Easter Services:
Thursday, 6th April – Dinner to share at Church Hall at 6pm to be followed by Foot Washing Service at 7pm in the Church.
Good Friday, 7th April - 3pm at Church for Service “Seven Words from the Cross” Easter Sunday 9th April –Easter Day Service at 8.30am Your help is urgently needed!
Do you play a keyboard instrument?
We are seeking your help with our 8.30am Sunday Worship Services.
If you can help, please make contact to Margaret Armstrong – 66 321 021 or Mobile 0487 330 284. Many thanks in anticipation
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.
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 June Zentveld on 66871004
LISMORE
LISMORE BASE AUXILIARY Lismore Base Hospital
Auxiliary is holding a ‘Made from The Heart ‘ Craft Market.
Saturday 29th April 2023 10am - 3pm.
Sunday 30th April 2023 10am -2pm.
At the Lismore Workers Club Sports Club 202 Oliver Avenue Goonellabah..
Local Artisans and the Auxiliary. will have a showcase of wares.
Mother’s Day gifts and local crafts will be for sale. We have a raffe 1st prize $500.00, and 2nd prize $100.00.
Please note: EFTPOS is not offered by all vendors.
For more information 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 CWA
IT’S ‘23’ SO COME AND SEE what being a member of the Lismore CWA DAY BRANCH could mean to you. We would like YOU to join us for the opportunity to be involved with a truly friendly group of fun, diverse & interesting women of all ages. You will make new friends who will support you, plus you’ll be part of contributing to the lives of Women and Children in our area through our fundraising endeavours. PLEASE THINK ABOUT IT! Why not come along as a ‘guest’ to see how you feel and experience the difference.
being a CWA Member could bring to you and your life. We
meet on the frst Thursday of each month at 9:30am for a 10am start. Our 2023 meetings commence in February.
FOR MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION call our President Allison Kelly on 0428 216 079. We also run CRAFT meetings each Friday. You’ll learn new things, once again meet new friends, and enjoy creating beautiful craft in great company.
FOR CRAFT INFORMATION call Vicki Boyle on 0437 465 642. WE LOOK FORWARD SO MUCH to meeting you.
LISMORE HOME GARDEN & EDUCATION CLUB next meeting will be held.
Thursday 13th April 1pm at East Lismore Bowling Club. Special Flower for April Is Rose or Hibiscus please bench before 12.45pm. Gring and Buy table. New Members welcome.
Coach trip to Kyogle`s Foliage and Flower Festival on Friday21st April. More info contact Sec 0448294496.dcoles39@ outlook.com
LISMORE LIBRARY NEW LOCATION IN THE CBD
While the Lismore Library is under repair, you can fnd a Pop-Up Library at 146 Molesworth Street (Was Williams Shoes), for all your reading, watching and information needs. The library has a fresh collection of donated community books, DVD’s, Puzzles and more, with weekly programs and events. The library is open 7 days a week and more information can be found at www.rtrl.nsw.gov.au
LISMORE MEN & COMMUNITY SHED
President: Don Abrahams 0437576837
Vice President: Bob Greig 0404860504
Email: lismoremcs.contact@ gmail.com
Opening Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 9.00am – 3.00pm We are a community based non-proft organisation. Everybody is welcome: men, women & people with a disability of all ages. We encourage social inclusion. Our aim is to promote the mental, physical & emotional well-being of people in our community.
Shed Activities
Members work on their own projects
Mentoring is available General woodworking
Welding & light engineering Repair & restoration of items for the public Constructing projects, of items for the public Constructing projects for preschools, hospitals & other organisations
Assembling fatpack
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.
ORCHID SHOW - JUDGING
LISMORE CENTRAL FRI
14TH - SAT 15TH APRIL
Lismore Orchid Society now meets 3rd Wednesday each month, 1:30pm to 4:00pm at Goonellabah Community Centre in the Goonellabah Public Library, 27 Oliver Ave Goonellabah . . .’ 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 SPINNERS & WEAVERS
Please join us…... Weaving, Spinning, Felting, Dyeing, Knitting, Crochet, Workshops, Chat…. Sharing Craft & Ideas. From 10am, on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Fridays of each month. (Formal business meeting is 10.30-11.30 every 1st Friday)
McLeans Ridges Hall Cnr
Cowlong and McLeans Ridges Rds (off Bruxner Hwy) Morning Tea provided. Bring your lunch (and a mug)
Contac: Kim- 0423935060
Linda- 0419489987 Email ~ lismorespinnersandweavers@ gmail.com
LISMORE TARGET RIFLE CLUB for .22 calibre rifes, meets Wed nights from 6.30pm & 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).
EAST LISMORE BOWLING
CLUB Community Bingo
Tuesday night 7.30pm start. 20 games of bingo + progressive jackpot Neilson Street East Lismore. Everyone Welcome
EAST LISMORE SOCIAL
TENNIS
Social Tennis is played at East Lismore Tennis Club, Cnr Neilson St & Oakley Avenue every Tuesday from 8am. We invite social players of all abilities to join us, we are a mixed group who enjoy a morning’s tennis without the commitment of competition. Feel free to call in or phone Fay Ross 0412910487 for more information. Everyone welcome.
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)
Have you retired or just about to, from the workforce?
Are you looking to exercise your mind and body and keep both well oiled?
Well, Lismore U3A [university of the third age} could be just the place for you. This worldwide organisation has been running in Lismore for the past 30 years and thousands of local people have benefted from its programmes. It’s a great place to meet like-minded people and make new friends.
The last three years have been diffcult for us as they have for everyone, and we are on a recruitment drive to meet and greet you! We start 2023 with a choice of at least 30 classes, which include, Languages, Photography, Science, History, Qigong, Genealogy, and many others. We also have a social calendar each term. All our courses are listed on our website www.lismoreu3a. com.au
U3A is entirely run by volunteers, with the committee and tutors coming from our membership. The joining fee Is $50 for 1 year and entitles you to attend any course you choose throughout the year; you can go every day if you wish. Why not peruse our site to see if there is a course that would be of interest to you. There is an online enrolment form that you can complete and any queries you have can be directed to our secretary, Pat, McLaren- Smith Ph. 6622 7408 We look forward to meeting you.
On behalf of Lismore U3A committee.
PARKINSONS NSW LISMORE REGIONAL SUPPORT GROUP
“Parkinsons NSW Lismore Regional Support Group. We meet every third Friday of the month. Next group Meeting is Friday, 21st April. Commences at 10am to 12pm at the South Lismore Bowls Club, 25 Wilson Street South Lismore. New members welcomed. Tea, coffee, snacks & cold drinks available. April is Parkinsons Awareness month so wear purple.
Any inquiries contact Marie 0448871290 or SG_ lismoreparkinsons@hotmail.com ” if this is not the correct email -please don’t hesitate to contact for correction.
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 Civic Hotel (210 Molesworth Street Lismore) on Wednesdays at 5.30pm. For more information contact Rita on 0413300578 or Gae 0412742095.
ROTARY CLUB OF LISMORE WEST INC
East Lismore Bowling Club each Thursday at 6pm. New members would be made most welcome. Further information available on 0428151934.
ROTARY CLUB OF SUMMERLAND SUNRISE
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.
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/
LISMORE HEIGHTS INSIGHT (VIPASSANA)
MEDITATION and practice:
This mindfulness-based meditation group sits on Wednesdays from 7:00-8:30pm. The evening includes meditation instructions, sitting and walking meditation, Dharma talks and discussion.
For further details, please contact Rosie - 0402 682 925
ZEN MEDITATION and practice
The Zen meditation group sits on Mondays from 6:30pm-8:15pm. The evening includes instructions, sitting meditation, Dharma talks and individual interviews with the teacher. For further details, please phone: 0427778837
Website: https://www. kuanyinmeditationcentre.org/ Beginners and experienced meditations are warmly welcomed at both groups.
MACLEAN
MACLEAN VIEW CLUB
Monthly meetings the 3rd Thursdays of each month at 11am. Contact Ruth Toyer on 0409844212 by Mondays, no later than 7pm. Numbers are required for catering purposes.
MURWILLUMBAH
COMMUNITY PRINTMAKERS
MURWILLUMBAH
Fine art printmakers. Meet at studio space 224 Stokers Rd, Stokers Siding. Prints, gallery, workshops and more! E: cpmmurwillumbah@hotmail.com - T: Peter 0498399640 or Sue 0408493253. Find us on Facebook & Instagram.
MURWILLUMBAH COMMUNITY
GARDEN
Members and visitors are invited to join the group for activities and gardening tips most Sundays. Time 3-5pm (NSW time), street parking, BYO, covered footwear, comfy clothing, hat and water. Children ok with strict supervision. Covid plan operating. Enquires: phone Bob Johnson (02)66225792.
POTTSVILLE
POTTSVILLE FUN CROQUET CLUB
Meets at Black Rocks Sports Fields on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8.30am. New members are welcome to come and join us for a hit and a bit of fun. For any further enquires please call Jean on 0431606375. We will have a new starting time at the end of daylight saving. We play at Black Rocks Sports Field. New members are welcome. For further enquires please ring Jean on 0431606375.
POTTSVILLE LADIES LIFEBALL
Every Thursday morning 9.30am to 11.30am. Pottsville Community Hall, $5 per session includes morning tea. No joining fees. For enquiries, please call Jan 0431909760.
TWEED HEADS
Poets and writers on the Tweed meet every Tuesday at the South Tweed Sports Club 1.30-3.30pm. Beginners welcome. Phone 0755248035.
TWEED HEADS PROBUS CLUB
Probus Club, Coolangatta/Tweed Heads. Be at Club Tweed at 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 & DISTRICT GARDEN CLUB
Twin Towns and District Garden Club meets every second Monday of the month. December is awards and presentations. Our next meeting is Monday 10th April 2023. Meetings Venue: Tweed Heads Civic Centre Auditorium next to Library, Brett Street, Tweed Heads. Guest Speaker AprilDarryl Ruprecht with his book on Staghorns, “King of the Ferns”. • We offer raffes, lucky door prize, presidents award, trading tables, cuttings table, members prize draw, Benching of plants and fowers and foral art both novice and senior. Begonia Society, Social Morning teas, bus trips and best of all friendship. • Come along, bring a mug to share a coffee or tea with like-minded gardeners. See you there, don’t forget to bring a mug.
GwenTHE TWIN TOWNS DAY VIEW CLUB meets for luncheon once per month on the frst Thursday of each month at the South Tweed Sports Club and coming up is the next meeting/ luncheon on April 6th. 10.30 for 11 am. There is a short meeting to catch members up to date on our local news and news from our sponsors
THE SMITH FAMILY for whom we are very proud as we support their ideology through our club helping to pay for the education of 7 children with the ‘Learning for Life’ programme. As well as our normal monthly get together, there is always another monthly outing somewhere on the TWEED for more fun and comradeship. We would love more ladies to join our VIEW Club i.e. Voice, Interests, Education for Women. Ring President Kathie on 0407 709 629.
YAMBA
YAMBA DAY VIEW CLUB
Yamba Day View Club’s monthly luncheons are held at Yamba Bowling Club on 3rd Monday of month, starting 10am for 10.30am. Acceptance and apologies to President Lyn 66463164 by Friday prior to luncheon for catering purposes. We hold a monthly social outing either for lunch or morning tea and visitors are always welcome.
YAMBA LIONS CLUB
Yamba Lions Club’s meetings are held 2nd & 4th Thursdays of month at Yamba Bowling Club, commencing at 7pm for 7.30pm. For further information, please contact the Secretary Peter 0417546097. Social outings also held at various time and visitors and new members’ welcome.
ALL NORTHERN RIVERS
NORTHERN RIVERS
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 DAY PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
The next meeting of the Northern Rivers Day Prostate Cancer Support Group is to be held on Wednesday April 12th 10am until 12 noon at the Alstonville Plateau Sports Club (previously known as Bowling Club), Deegan Drive, AlstonvilleMen 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 –
This will be a morning of quality sharing on health and wellbeingEnquiries phone Bob Corney 0493 075 612 -
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/ women’s-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. A 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.
FORECAST
Warnings
See www.bom.gov.au/australia/warnings
Northern Rivers District:
Partly cloudy. The chance of morning fog inland. High chance of showers along the coastal fringe, medium chance elsewhere. Light winds becoming southerly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening.
Thursday. Partly cloudy. The chance of morning fog inland. Medium chance of showers. Light winds.
Northern Tablelands District:
Partly cloudy. The chance of morning fog. Slight chance of a shower on and east of the ranges. Light winds becoming southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening.
Thursday. Partly cloudy. The chance of morning fog on and east of the ranges. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming
west to northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then becoming light during the afternoon.
New South Wales:
A few showers in the east, possibly extending to the western slopes and plains. Dry and mostly sunny in the far northwest. Daytime temperatures above average in the west and near average in the east. Northeast to southeasterly winds.
Thursday. Showers about the coast, extending to the southern ranges and slopes and building through the southern inland. Possible storm about the southern inland and southeast coastline. Partly cloudy elsewhere. Daytime temperatures near average along the coast, tending above average about the western and northern inland. North to northeasterly, tending northwesterly about the far western inland.
Byron Coast:
Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots turning southerly 15 to 25 knots during the morning. Seas: 1 to 2 metres. Swell: Easterly 2 to 2.5 metres, tending southeasterly 2 to 3 metres during the morning. Weather: Partly cloudy. 90% chance of showers.
Coffs Coast:
Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: Around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres offshore north of Coffs Harbour during the morning. Swell: Easterly 2 metres, increasing to 2 to 3 metres during the morning. Weather: Cloudy. 95% chance of showers.
Gold Coast Waters:
Winds: Southerly 15 to 25 knots. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 1.5 to 2 metres offshore during the morning. Swell: Southeasterly 2 metres, increasing to 2 to 3 metres during the morning. Weather: Partly cloudy. 70% chance of showers.
FOOTY FEVER HOTTING UP IN THE CLARENCE
“Stumpy” Stevens. The grand fnal player of the match last season and in the twilight of a magnifcent career, Stevens is still a massive force in the Group 2 competition. Gordon said said the Rebels had played
Rebels fans wanting to see the Rebels at home will need to wait, but it will be worth it, as they will host the Grafton Ghosts in the frst of the local derbies on May 21.
Gordon said the club had swapped home
“Janita (Cooper) has been working on it and it’s incredible what she does.”
The frst bye on May 14 was another reason for extended home game wait.
Over the river the Grafton Ghosts had some good pre-season
By TIM HOWARDRugby league fever is hotting up in the Clarence with all three clubs in trial action.
The South Grafton Rebels, the defending Group 2 premiers, copped a 52-0 thrashing from the NRRRL premiers
Bilambil Jets at McKittrick Park on
Saturday.
And at Maclean the Grafton Ghosts ran away with a ‘local derby’ against the Lower Clarence Magpies, 32-12.
Speaking before the game Rebels coach Ron Gordon was pleased with the players he had to work with.
“We’ve lost a few
players and gained a few for the season,” he said. “We’ve been using these trial games to work on our combinations.”
While the Rebels have lost the services of the premiership winning captain, Lewis Cooper, to injury, they have lost nothing in his replacement, Grant
a trial game a week earlier against NRRRL team Northern United at Goonellabah.
“We snatched a victory on the bell,” he said. “It was a good hit out.”
He said the Rebels would be ready for the frst competition game on April 23 away against the Coffs Harbour Comets.
games with Nambucca for the second game of the season, so the Rebels could host the Indigenous Round on July 2.
Gordon was tightlipped about the planning for the event, but hinted there was some big news to come out ahead of it.
“It’s going to be very special,” he said.
news with try-scoring centre Dylan Collett and goal-kicking wizard and fullback Cooper Woods revealing they had signed on for 2023.
The Ghosts have the advantage of a home game for their frst competition outing, taking on the Sawtell Panthers.